Sites of the week

That’s me…running a step behind. I NEVER EVER EVER used to be like that, but it’s the nature of the beast, I guess. So, here it is Thursday and I am doing the Mojo Monday sketch from Julee’s blog. Now technically, I have all the time in the world to play because I am not entering anything, but you know what I mean. So, anywhoooooo…
I started this card by pulling out some Amy Butler paper from K&Co. that I picked up at Mike’s. Have I told you that I really don’t like Mike’s? But isn’t this paper AWESOME?!?! So, there are good things to be had there. I then pulled out my Black Tie Birdies set and proceeded to stamp the girlie birdie slightly off the panel and then had her hold a balloon. Her bow, wing and the balloon are all covered in a thin layer of Diamond Glaze {Crystal Effects}. The sentiment is actually from one of the other releases this month, Birthday Surprise. So without further ado…

Some things you may want to know about…
1. Tomorrow is ABC Friday here and I have something lil’ and cute to show!
2. Saturday brings on a few things. First, on my blog I will have a new Sketch For You To Try. On my Saturday post, I will be announcing the winner from last Saturday’s post. There are SO MANY cutie patoooootie Bella cards {and non-Bella ones} using last week’s sketch. It’s a good thing it’s a random drawing!! It’s also Celebrate MFT Day. You can see all the deets HERE.
3. Check out THIS POST on Kim’s blog for some discount info that also helps Cammie’s cause.
4. It’s Carole’s birthday. Go tell her how young she looks!…and tell Cammie to go easy on her!

Some things I need to know about…
1. Can anyone recommend a potty training book that you absolutely swear by? It’s that time for Ellie! Sidenote and funny {possibly kinda gross} story…
The other day I asked her if she had doo-doos and she said, “No, I’m just tooting.” Later I asked again and she said “yes.” So, off we went to change the diaper. There was the smallest piece o’ poo in there and I said, “Oh, it’s just a little turd.” The response {loud and clear}………….. “Mommy…FIX IT!!!” I just cracked up at that!
2. I need to know how to get motor oil {I think} out of my jeans. The UPS man delivered my Bella package today. I ran in, put the envie on my lap and it had oil on it. UGH!! I hope it comes out or I see UPS getting an offer to purchase a new pair of jeans for me.

It’s Project Parade time over on the Verve blog. “What’s that?”, you ask. Well, each month design team members post 2 times to the Verve blog. Once is during the sneak peeks just prior to the new release. Then, during the Project Parade which is intended to provide more inspiration for the stamps that you may have purchased when they were released. During the Project Parade a challenge is issued to the design team, and of course you. The winner of the Project Parade challenge gets a gift certificate to spend on the Verve Stamps site.

So, why I am talking about all this today of all days? Well, the Project Parade started yesterday and it’s my turn today. The card that I have posted here is also posted on the Verve blog. Over the course of the next several days, you will see a variety of creations following the “Gettin’ Krafty” theme over there. Here, it’s just today. So let me quit the yipping and the yapping and just show you the card…

I didn’t have the best lighting for this and I have yet to become a PSE pro…as you can tell. But that’s beside the point here. The base of the card is made from Kraft cardstock, which I grow more and more fond of as each day passes. I used to be super intimidated by Kraft, but once I made a creation that I like with it there was no stopping me. I love the stuff now and keep a healthy {in my opinion, at least} supply on hand. The flowers {from the Abundant Blessings set} are stamped in White Craft ink. I got out my Vanilla Craft pad and it has gone through some sort of chemical reaction or something. Needless to say, it’s gross and will not be getting loved at all! Back to card {Tony says that I have a habit of interrupting myself! LOL}…the dp is from Stampin Up! and the cream paper is from PaperTrey Ink. The twine/rope I **think** was a find at the Target $ Spot, but I can’t remember.

Have a great day!

I took yesterday off so I could get some stuff done. Monday mornings are proving to be one of the crazier times during the week, so it might be fairly consistent that I take Mondays off. We’ll see.
If you haven’t checked it out yet, on the MFT Forum on SCS there are daily challenges with daily prizes. And, don’t forget that the 20th is Celebrate MFT Day! I’ll be posting more about that in the forum as it gets closer.
Well, today is Tuesday and that means TCP Tuesday…YAY! This week it’s a color challenge. Color and sketch challenges are my favorites because the give you such a solid foundation to your project. These colors are very “autumnal,” so I went with a Turkey Day “theme.”

The colors…

My card, using all The Cat’s Pajamas stamps {of course!}…

The ornate orange felt is from Queen & Co. I got it when I picked up the K & Co. patterened paper at Michael’s. I really don’t like Michael’s all that much, but it’s the only thing around here. Fortunately, I have been making some pretty good finds. Have you seen their new logo! Very hip!

What you wanna know…
1. Each a week one of the The Cat’s Pajamas DT Members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme/inspiration, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project on Katie’s TCP Tuesday Post.
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. They will be deemed that month’s Swankiest Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS, please use the keyword TCPTUES25 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.
10. Oh yea…HAVE FUN!

The winner from last Saturday’s post is…

#122 Michelle, who said:

My favorite memory of this summer had to be my husband coming home from training. He was suppose to be deploying to Iraq but due to a medical condition he is unable to go right now. So I happily welcomed him home last week.

Michelle, please email me all your info {link under my pic} so I can get out the 2 MFT sets, paper and ribbon to you!

This week there is yet another prize up for grabs. YAY!! You will notice that all of us have done our creations with upcoming holiday themed Bellas {Halloween, Turkey Day, Christmas}. Emily has offered a chance to win a $15 gift certificate to the Bella site for those who participate in the sketch using their Bellas. You don’t have to use holiday images; you just have to have fun! So, here is the sketch {flipflop it if you need to accomodate your Bella}…

My sample…

Isn’t this creation from September’s Guest Designer, Suzanne Dean AMAAAAAAAAAAZING?…

Be sure to check out more Bella-rific samples from Amy R., Amy S., Carole, Shannan and Susan!

Wanna play? Here’s what you should know…

1. ANYONE can play.
2. Have fun with this!
3. When uploading to SCS, use the keyword SFYTT.
4. Post a link to your blog or gallery on this post.
5. Winner of the $15 Bella gift certificate will be announced next Satruday. LOTS of time to play!

While I admit that these are more for family to ogle at, I do hope that you will enjoy them, too!

Ellie’s first day of “school” (Mother’s Day Out)…

Walking in the parking lot to school…

What’s that in her backpack? Her T-Rex, of course {she is dino OBSESSED!}…

While her Auntie was in town, we had lots of fun! Here’s story time one night…

We went to the Dallas World Zoo and Aquarium, too. I swear this stingray was waving at her! Can you see the splashes on the wall of the aquarium?

Hugging a sea turtle {how cute is this!!!!!!!!}…

The octopus was very active. Ellie loved it!…

The zoo was so much fun that she just couldn’t take all the excitement of the ride home…

Yesterday she had a lollipop and a photo session to go with it! You can see her new lil’ bob haircut too {really curly because of the humidity today!} I just {heart} this pic!…

While I am showing off all these pics, I have to show one that I captured of “The Abby Dog” looking uber pathetic waiting for a morsel…

See you tomorrow for a Bella-rific Sketch For You To Try!