Sites of the week

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all my creative friends and family! Exactly one year ago today was the first time I prepared a dinner plate and had it waiting for Tony on his placemat for when he got home. AND, exactly one year ago today Tony got in a car accident on the way home from work. Can anyone guess what I haven’t done since then? LOL! I’m a wee bit superstitious like that! I think it was the world’s way of saying not to even try to be SuperWife. For his safety, he’s had to settle for mediocrity ever since…just kidding! (um, sort of?)

Well, I might not have dinner ready and waiting anymore, but I do have a sketch ready and waiting for all of you to try…hence, SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY! A big thanks to THE CRAFT’S MEOW for sponsoring the March SFYTT. You can find all sketch details and upload links on THIS POST from the first Saturday of the month. Won’t you come play along?

Be sure to check out the inspiration from some of the SFYTT Sisters…

Jodi
Carole **taking a break this week**
Susan
Jen T.
Kerry

I am so happy I got a chance to play with the new set, SEW LOVELY…

I mentioned a couple of days ago that I was part of a focus group for Michael’s last weekend. After chatting with some of the people there, I learned that there was a whole new line of cool embellishments. You can imagine that I didn’t waste a whole lot of time before heading over to check out what they were talking about. I have to admit that I had previously kinda written off Michaels as a go-to place for my embellies. I learned it was time to change my way of thinking and it didn’t hurt that they entire line was on sale for 40% off! Here’s a pic of the loot from that visit…

Good stuff, right!?! You can’t see it in this pic, but there are some AWESOME faceted rhinestones. I am a big fan of the rhinestones that Doodlebug came out with a few years back that are *not* flat on top. They just seem so much more spar-ka-lay. Guess what? The Recollections line has some *very* similar. Oh, happy day. I’ll be using those as flower centers just like I used this big black flatback on my die cut flower embellishment {the other bling is from the Recollections line, as well}…

Alright friends, I gotta wrap up all the Spring Break fun. I’m off to take Ellie fishing. Have I ever mentioned that I love fishing?

Howdy, friends! I am so thrilled to announce that I am a Guest Designer for Kraftin’ Kimmie Stamps this month. How exciting is that!?! I’m pretty darn excited about it and it has been a ton of fun to play with the new releases. Today, along with the design team, I am giving you a sneak peek of the new Lulu set, Springtime Lulu…

Isn’t she darling?!? She’s just one of 3 images and 6 sentiments in the set {WOW!}…

Lots more cuteness to see! Check out the Kraftin’ Kimmie blog for release info and more sneak peeks.

It’s Spring Break here and I need a break! The week started with Ellie not feeling well and yesterday I took Nic into the doc thinking that he might have an ear infection. He did not have an ear infection; he had strep throat. He was a champ during the throat culture, although he did give the doc a pretty dirty look. I’m pretty sure he thinks that I gave him the shot even though I was just holding him down. But, when he went to get his lollipop he picked out one for him and then one for me. I thought that was pretty sweet! Everyone seems to be feeling better, so I am hoping for a little fun in the sun today. Ellie already talked me into donuts for breakfast. I’m telling you, she really had to twist my arm!

I’ve had a chance to use the clouds from the Lil’ Inker Rainbows & Clouds die set, but I hadn’t used the rainbows…until last week. I was thumbing through my LID stuff and came across the die and thought it would be fun to cut the rainbows from the new Echo Park Dots & Stripes paper. Of course, I am a little partial to the dots and this is what I came up with…

Each of the cards measures 2 7/8″ square and fits in a 3″ x 3″ envie. I added a heart from the Of the Heart die set to tie into the red & white baker’s twine wrapped at the top of each card. You will notice that each of the rainbows is a little different, as I only cut once from each color and then mixed and match to use all the pieces. The sentiment is from the Flags & Tags stamp set…

These were fun and easy to make and I think would be great as teacher gifts. If you don’t have 3″ x 3″ envies, you could always punch a hole in the top corner and use it as a tag.

I have a whole stack of new Lil’ Inker products sitting right in front of me that are being released next week. Stay tuned or visit the Lil’ Inker blog for more details. You are going to love all the cuteness to come!

Well, I better get out of these jammies before the natives get restless for those aforementioned “Doh Dohs” that I promised. Have a great day!

Good news: Ellie is better and she likes to share. Bad news: She shared her germs with Nic. Ugh! I need some well wishes sent this way so that we can get to breakin’ in spring!

It’s TCP Tuesday and I am your Hipster Hostess with the Mostess this week bringing you a fun and fresh inspiration challenge that you can do so much with…

{click for large view}

You may recall THIS shadowbox that I did for Valentine’s Day. Well, it has been up at my local scrapbook store and some of the ladies there have asked for a class. With the above spring-y inspiration in mind, and chevron paper in hand, I came up with this new shadowbox…

I’ve got a little more good news/bad news. Good news…the class is in a couple of weeks at Scrapper’s Boutique {March 31 @ 10:30am}. Bad news…I deleted all of my details pics and this particular one is at the store as I type this out. Ugh and sorry!

Each of the boxes features at least one CutUps die from The Cat’s Pajamas…Grass, Queen of Hearts, Heart Trio, Pinwheels and the Cloud Border. I couldn’t leave PJ Bear {from the set What a Blast} out of this spring-y project. The “Spring is in the Air” sentiment is from Field of Pinwheels.

What about the inspiration pic inspires you? The colors? That cupcake that might trump a real margarita? Oh my…those chevrons and that bow tie! Have fun with this one and play along with us for a chance to be the next Swanky Stamper. All challenge details and upload information can be found HERE on Alma’s blog. Happy Stamping!

Morning morning greetings! It’s the first official day of Spring Break and Ellie, who hasn’t missed a day of school, is sick! I’m glad there won’t be a ding on her attendance, but it’s a pretty cruddy way to kick off the week-o-fun I had planned! At least the weather is beautiful and we can take in a little extra vitamin D while we are taking it easy.

I had a wonderful weekend, despite the rain {rain and more rain}. On Saturday, I was invited to be part of a focus group for Michael’s. It was such an incredible experience! I loved being in a room of creative women that had such insightful input in regards to this store that we all know and love {and spend plenty of $$ at}. I really felt on top of the world as we {Susan was there, too!} headed home.

Stamping time is definitely going to be at a premium this week, but fortunately I made a few things in advance over the last couple of week. As you know, I am really diggin’ the clean and simple style and I put together this simple Verve-a-licious card with a handmade {Verve-y} embellishment…

Detail shot of shamrock and {Sizzix} embossed panel…

Although Verve does have a Shamrock die set, I created this one from Echo Park paper and the Wavy Hearts die set {the stem is hand cut}. I topped it off with some seam binding ribbon and Divine Twine from The Cat’s Pajamas, as well as a {craft supply} button and chunky rhinestone.

Alright, I’m off and running for today! Have a great {and inky!} week!