Ink Stains & Cat Hair

JDRF blog hop winner

2011-02-07T07:05:00.000-05:00

The winner of my challenge (chosen randomly) is Delia!

You can view her completed project here:
http://scrappingwithfriends.blogspot.com/2011/02/sofias-notebook-and-candle.html

Thank you to everyone who participated in the blog hop!

Hop for A Cure....

2011-01-28T08:00:00.002-05:00

Receiving a diagnosis of juvenile diabetes drastically alters childhood. The child must learn to live with blood sugar checks several times a day, fluctuating glucose levels, insulin injections...a strict diet which requires learning different components of nearly every food item at a young age. Often, the child will also have to endure several emergency room visits while getting their blood sugar under control.

Since the children diagnosed with juvenile diabetes must alter their lives so thoroughly, I want you to show me an altered item. Our host, Sara Fink, has a daughter who lives with juvenile diabetes and she once showed me a cute little project in which she altered her daughter's empty test strip containers.

It doesn't have to be big; it doesn't have to be small. Just alter something and let us see what you come up with!

The winner of this challenge will win a $25 gift certificate to Peachy Keen Stamps!

Here's your next stop on the blog hop: http://blog.psiloveyouscrapbooking.com/

HOP FOR A CURE BLOG HOP ROLL

http://cropoutdiabetes.blogspot.com/

http://www.snugasabugdesigns.blogspot.com/

http://thinkingwithink.blogspot.com

http://blog.psiloveyouscrapbooking.com/

http://sweetsassydiva-gspot.blogspot.com/

http://thecozycraftcloset.blogspot.com/

http://cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com/

http://through-my-is.blogspot.com/

http://amychomas.blogspot.com/

http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.scrapality.com/

Back to the beginning (remember to tell us you completed all of the challenges!):

http://cropoutdiabetes.blogspot.com/

Crop Out Diabetes!

2011-01-28T07:55:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome to the 2011 Hop for a Cure blog hop. We are running this fun crop and hop to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the most severe form of a disease that annually accounts for more than $100 billion in health care costs in the U.S. alone. Usually striking before the age of 30, type 1 diabetes takes a harsh toll on people. Not only will they be insulin-dependent for life, but devastating life-limiting and life-shortening complications such as blindness, amputation, heart disease and stroke, and kidney failure are an ever-present threat. Insulin is not a cure for the disease—it is merely life support.

Type 1 diabetes is destructive both to children and to childhood. Controlling the disease requires 24/7/365 vigilance and imposes a grueling regimen. It includes eating a carefully calculated diet, checking blood glucose levels several times each day (by lancing a finger) and insulin injections—as many as six per day—or delivery of insulin through a pump just to stay alive. It means children and families living by the clock, day and night, for the rest of their lives—lives that turn out to average about 15 years less than normal.

You can't outgrow type 1 diabetes. As JDRF International Chairman Mary Tyler Moore has said, "Diabetes is an all too personal time bomb which can go off today, tomorrow, next year, or ten years from now—a time bomb affecting millions...one which must be defused." The only solution is a cure. That's why JDRF has a singular mission: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research as soon as possible.
Taken from: http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=101307

We want to thank you for joining us in the fight to find a cure!!!

Now...onto the fun stuff:

What: Hop for a Cure blog hop

When: Hop starts Friday,February 28th at 8:00AM and ends on Saturday,February 5th at midnight.

Where:The hop starts here at www.cropoutdiabetes.blogspot.com. Follow along the hop to visit the particpating blogs and join in on the challenges.

How it works:
1. Donate to JDRF using our donate button which can be found on all participating blogs. (A minimum donation of $5 is required to be eligible for prizes)

2. Start at www.cropoutdiabetes.blogspot.com and follow along the hop. If you get lost each blog will have a list of the participating blogs so that you can get right back in on all the fun!

3. Complete the challenges and take a photo of your completed project.

4. Link a photo of your completed project to the linking tool at the bottom of each corresponding blog hop post by February 5th at midnight.

5. Winners will be chosen randomly using random.org and be posted by February 12th, 2011.

And more...

2010-11-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

More projects from the November crop over at MommySavers.

The challenge for the decade of the 70's was to do a layout with white space. Easter pages are always difficult for me and I finally got my hands on the Easter Cricut cartridge, so, that makes things a bit easier. A couple simple cuts from that cartridge and I was finished!

I wanted to see pages honoring my friends tattoos and/or piercings. This is a page I've been meaning to redo for awhile because I didn't like my original attempt. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of my tattoo to put on here yet. The layout is about the tattoo I have on my left shoulder; it's a custom fairy sitting in a tiger lily. I didn't want a traditional tribute tattoo for my younger sister so I came up with my own. This challenge was for the decade of the 2000's since piercings and tattoos became much more commonplace during that time.

For the 40's, I asked people to honor a vet or to do a layout about why they're thankful for their freedom. Unfortunately, I don't have any pics of any of the vets I know. But, I wanted to scrap these pics. The journaling says "Ian is free to throw a fit - and I'm free to WALK AWAY!"

November crop projects

2010-11-16T00:01:00.001-05:00

I'm hosting the November crop over at MommySavers. Unable to sleep at 2AM, I decided on the theme of Decades of Inspiration. Each challenge reflected something from each decade ranging from the 1920's to the 2020's, with a few bonus challenges thrown in. Feel free to come check out my challenges!

This first layout was a letter to my boys about why I chose to be a working mother. The challenge was from the 80's - when Murphy Brown first hit television as a working, single mother.

This layout was for the challenge of the 1930's when The Great Depression was in full force. The challenge was to use a household item on a LO or to use up some unloved embellishments. I HAD to have these corduroy buttons and then...they just sat there for ages.

The 1960's challenge was to scrap a page about a life changing event for yourself. I chose to do a LO regarding the people who've come and gone from my life in the last year.

Stuff Your Stocking Swap

2010-11-13T21:04:00.001-05:00

I'm hosting a Stuff Your Stocking swap over at MommySavers. As a single mama, it's hard to explain why moms stocking is empty after Santa visits our house. What better way to get stocking stuffers? We have groups of five and I joined two. I played with my Tags, Bags, Boxe & More Cricut cartridge tonight and found these cuts for a flower box (which I made to look a bit like a present) and a tree box (which I decorated like a Christmas Tree). I'd tell you what's inside but that would ruin the surprise for my friends over at MommySavers!

ATC's on no sleep...

2010-10-06T20:35:00.000-04:00

Well, I've been up since around 7am yesterday with a brief 2 hour nap this morning. I don't mind my double shifts but this is the part that kills me. Hopefully, I'll be able to work a more normalized schedule in the near future.

Tonight, I decided to work on a set of ATC's for a swap over at Mommysavers. It's been quite some time since I've made an ATC and I had forgotten what a small area it is to work with. I like how these turned out for the most part, though.

The theme was snowmen. I love snowmen. I *USED* to be the proud owner of several Stampin' UP! snowman themed stamp sets. I looked for them this evening and they have vanished into thin air. I know I did a major overhaul of my craft room back in January but WHO LET ME SELL MY SNOWMAN STAMPS??????

Well, anyways, I obviously found a snowman. This little guy is a cut from the Doodlecharms Cricut cartridge. That is one of my all-time favorite cartridges, BTW. So, this little guy with a black shadow behind him on a base of Rich Razzelberry, Brushed Silver and Brilliant Blue cardstock from Stampin' UP!...some stickles in strategic places to spruce him up and a skittle in the corner and I felt I was finished.

I hope you enjoy my ramblings. And, the ATC's! Thanks for looking at my creations!

Hop for a Cure

2010-10-05T10:18:00.000-04:00

Did y'all see that new widget over there? >>>>>> The one that says "Crop Out For A Cure because Insulin Is NOT A Cure"? That is here for my friend Sara, who's daughter, Madison, has juvenile diabetes. Sara hosts a physical and online crop every year to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This year, instead of the online crop, Sara is hosting a blog hop. There will be challenges and prizes. And, Sara always ends up having some awesome prizes available! Last year, I won over 20 different colors of cricut vinyl. Anyone can complete the challenges; but to be eligible for the prizes, a minimum $5 donation is necessary. So, by donating $5 for a great cause you get a chance to win some fabulous prizes while paper crafting with some nice people who live in your computer.

Hope to see you there!!!

WCMD mini crop cards

2010-10-04T19:53:00.001-04:00

I just finished hosting a mini crop over at MommySavers for World Card Making Day. Several ladies submitted a challenge for everyone to do. That pesky job thing interfered with my card making time; so, I didn't have a chance to play until today. I managed to complete five challenges, though.

This first card was for ChickyHip's challenge. She wanted us to use a recipe: 1 stamp, 2 circle, 3 different patterned papers, stitching (faux or real) and a piece of hardware with a bonus entry for using kraft paper. Well, this challenge was HARD! I knew what stamps I wanted; I adore the Little Boys retired set from Stampin' UP! and had some boy themed patterned paper that all matched. I'm really pleased with how this card turned out.

LeeMP22's challenge was to make a card for a friend and actually SEND it to them. I have a friend from the MS boards who was looking for the Gina K. hippo butt image...so, Sammie, this card will be on its way to you shortly!

I made this card with this years In-Colors from SU. I am really into the Concord Crush and the Pear Pizazz but I don't think I'll ever find a niche in my papercrafting for that Blushing Bride; it's just too washed out to me. I'll stick with my Pretty In Pink and Pink Pirouette!

And, speaking of Sammie - IcStarrs' challenge was to use at least three circles/dots on your card. This girl borders on obsessive with her love for polka dots! The image is from Darling Dragons, a retired SU set that I am absolutely in love with. I looked for it for ages on ebay before I could get my hands on it.

MXD's challenge was to use a die cut on your card. Tomsgem sent me this cute little owl with my crop prizes from last month. I'm not real happy with this card but it's cute enough; think I'll stick with my cricut, though.

Angelkizz loves her bling so she wanted to see how we could use it. This card didn't come out quite like it looked in my head but I still like it! The corners were supposed to be coated and a bit rounded with black chunky glitter. The ribbon is sparkly and there's a line of gemstones underneath the ribbon.

The ladies over at MS have become quite good friends over the years and I'm glad to have friends who share my love of papercrafting - even if they do all live in my computer.

Thanks for looking!

Dollar Store to Dazzling...

2010-10-01T20:23:00.005-04:00

I came across this nifty idea in a magazine (don't remember which one) and wanted to try it out, especially since I am sorely in need of decorative touches in my home. The idea was to take plain glass candle holders and make them into mosaic mirrored candle holders.

I went to the dollar store and picked up plain, square, glass plate-like candle holders and some small pewter tealight candle holders. Then, I headed to my Hobby Lobby to pick up the rest of the supplies - mirrored mosaic tiles and grout.

So, I turned this:

Into this:

They're not the best looking final project but I'm pleased with the result. And, I certainly don't think they're bad at all for a first time attempt!

Thanks for looking!

World Card Making Day

2010-09-29T16:05:00.002-04:00

Hey! World Card Making Day is this coming Saturday, October 2! Head on over to MommySavers
and join me in the two-day mini crop I'm hosting. Everyone is welcome from the very basic beginner to the master card maker; we'd love to see you there!!!

BLOG CANDY!!!!

2010-09-28T09:16:00.002-04:00

Chrissy over at Paper, Ink, Color! is giving away some awesome Magnolia stamps for her September Blog Candy. Go check out her blog and these cute little stamps!

Autumn is in the air....

2010-09-19T23:01:00.002-04:00

So, tonight I completed three more challenges for the crop over at MommySavers. I feel like I've accomplished a lot in the past few days!

The first layout I did tonight took me almost an hour! But, I am so, so happy with how it turned out. It was a sketch challenge. I usually have a ton of trouble following sketches but this time it worked perfectly for what I wanted to do. Those leaves? They're a cut from the Doodlecharms Cricut cartidge. I cut out a bunch of them in fall colors and then crumpled them up repeatedly.

This was probably the simplest challenge of the whole crop; use fiber, ribbon, or lace on your page. For some reason, I just couldn't figure out how to use ribbon the past few days though. This worked well, though. Two pics of my littlest heathen caught brushing his teeth all by his self. The strips of ribbon are Stampin' UP!'s Pacific Point, one of my favorite blues!

These are old pics; my friend and her son brought a slip-n-slide over one day and the boys had tons of fun once they actually got in the water! This challenge was to use numbers on your layout with bonus entries for putting the numbers in boxes or a hopscotch board on your layout. I couldn't come up with a good way to incorporate the bonuses on my page but the numbers gave it that little something extra to make it feel finished.

As always, thanks for looking at my stuff!

Ring around the roses

2010-09-18T21:28:00.004-04:00

was the last challenge I completed today. The challenge was to use circles in your layout, with a bonus entry if you did a circle layout. I got the bonus entry, LOL. My cousin, Ivy, and I took the kids to the park one day and we took tons of pics, so this was a perfect way to use many of them. I'm usually not a big fan of this many circles but I'm really pleased with the result.

If you've hung in there with me this far, I'd like to thank you for time. Free blog candy to the poster who leaves the FIFTH comment. Wanna know what it is? It'll be a mix of SU cardstock scraps (no little pieces; only sizes that will be useful), some chipboard pieces and a few packages of brads.

Productive day...

2010-09-18T21:11:00.003-04:00

I went to a craft work day at a friends church today that turned out fairly productive. I managed to complete five of the challenges for the crop over at MommySavers.

This first one is my favorite of the day. I was so excited when they brought the Inchworm back and then my little received one as a Christmas gift. The only problem was, he INSISTED it was a doggy...named Inchworm. The challenge here was to use as many buttons as you could on a layout.

This layout was done for a challenge titled, "Mother, May I?" It was to be a page about for a mom or about being a mom. I had this old picture of me and my boys but hadn't ever figured out what to do with it. Well, this challenge was perfect! Some old rub-ons along the edge and next to the photo, some rhinestone hearts by the photo and some flowers in the corner. I haven't put any journaling on there yet, though; I still want to think on it some more.
"Hide and Seek" was an interesting challenge for me. The "put a hidden image on your layout" wasn't hard but what I wanted to do took me out of my comfort zone. I decided, with the help of my friend, Jenn, to paper piece everything. So, that "slide" is actually a curvy arrow and two rail posts made with the Going Places Cricut cartridge.

Another challenge was called, "Follow the Leader." Basically, I had to follow this "recipe":-2 printed papers -1 solid paper -Bling -at least 1 fastener -something white with my layout. You can see most of it but my something white and my bling was Stickles glitter glue that I used to trace some of the circles on the green patterned paper. Also, there is a brad in the upper corner of each photo for the fastener aspect.

Thanks for looking at my creations!

More stuff!

2010-09-17T14:50:00.003-04:00

So, it seems that the only time I ever get a chance to play with my toys anymore is when there's a crop going on over at MommySavers. This month Tomsgem is hosting and she has a cute little them where she's named all the challenges in reference to old-school kids' games.

I've managed to complete three of the challenges so far. I'm hoping to get a chance to complete ALL the challenges (regular & bonus) this crop. My friend Leia called and invited me a craft work day at her church tomorrow; so, I'm hoping to make a serious dent in my photo box. I've taken LOTS of pics this summer!

Here's what I've manage to do so far:

NEW CARDS!!!

2010-08-08T22:09:00.003-04:00

Well, there was a crop over at MommySavers this week. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to sit down and make any cards until tonight and the crop ends at midnight :( ....so, this isn't my best work but I enjoyed myself!

I've converted her!!!

2010-07-08T00:40:00.004-04:00

I converted my cousin, Ivy, to a scrapper!!! Here are her pages she created for the crop over at Mommysavers:

July crop over at MommySavers

2010-07-08T00:35:00.004-04:00

Well, it's crop time again over at MommySavers! Here are the pages I've created so far:

more crop cards....

2010-06-14T18:11:00.001-04:00

More cards from the crop over at mommysavers! Let me know what you think...

New cards!!!

2010-06-14T00:28:00.008-04:00

I've been participating in the online crop over at mommysavers this week. Our host scruggle (otherwise known as Alicia) has posted some truly awesome challenges. Feel free to come join us!

Here's what I've created so far:

Upcoming card crop!!!

2010-06-09T12:33:00.003-04:00

June 11-17 there will be a card crop at Mommysavers!

Please come join us and show off your creations.

Whether you're a beginner or an old-hand, all are welcome!

Wanna crop?

2010-05-27T07:51:00.005-04:00

There is currently an online crop going on at mommysavers. Come join us for some awesome challenges!

Here's what I've created so far:

It's been a long while....

2010-05-27T07:46:00.011-04:00

I've had some personal issues over the last year or so and took a step back from a lot of things I loved to do. One of those things was sharing my creations with whoever decides to visit this little corner of the world. So, here's a few things I've made it the recent past. Let me know what you think of them!

2009-06-26T11:52:00.002-04:00

I am offering a ribbon share for the release of the new Stampin' UP! catalog.

How it works:
-I order the ribbon
-I cut the ribbon
-I package the ribbon
-I mail or deliver the ribbon to you
NO WORK FOR YOU!!!

What do you get?
1 yard each of 44 different Stampin' UP! ribbons!

You'll recieve:
-19 yards of 1/4" grosgrain ribbons
-9 yards of 5/8" grosgrain ribbons
-4 yards of 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbons
-6 yards of 1/2" striped grossgrain ribbons
-6 yards of 1/2" polk-dot ribbon in the new In-Colors

How much?
$30 per person
That totals $0.68/yard of ribbon! You won't find a price that good at any store!

The other stuff:
Money will be due no earlier than June 24 and later than July 13, 2009. Need to have your spot confirmed by July 1oth. You can pay via paypal or send me well-concealed cash (email me for my snail mail address or paypal address - jessikagould@gmail.com). Order will be placed on July 17th (to give time for paypal payments to go through). Stampin' UP! takes about two weeks to deliver. I will cut, package, and ship/deliver the ribbons within two days of receiving them.

What are the colors?
It's a LONG list but here goes:
-1/4" grosgrain: basic black, whisper white, very vanilla, pumpkin pie, apricot appeal, pretty in pink, real red, rose red, bravo burgundy, elegant eggplant, night of navy, tempting turquoise, bashful blue, sage shadow, certainly celery, old olive, mellow moss, always artichoke, chocolate chip
-5/8" grosgrain: very vanilla, chocolate chip, bravo burgundy, real red, regal rose, brocade blue, certainly celery, old olive, basic black
-1" double stitched grosgrain: real red, bashful blue, chocolate chip, rose red
-1/2" striped grosgrain: bashful blue, pumpkin pie, real red, old olive, pretty in pink, so saffron
-1/2" polka-dot grosgrain: rich razzleberry, bermuda bay, soft suede, crushed curry, dusty durango, melon mambo

Go here, http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/default.aspx, to view the ribbons.
Click on "embellishments", then "ribbon & fibers" (the InColor ribbon will not be available for viewing until July 1st.)

Please let me know if you're interested!

*Per the demo agreement w/SU, this ribbon share is limited to US residents only.

Awesome Blog Candy!!!

2009-06-25T17:25:00.002-04:00

Pamela over at Paper Askew Studio is giving away a ginormous blog candy package!

In her words: "There are 12 x12 papers, die cuts, stamps, ribbons, brads, eyelets, stickers, chipboard pieces, tags....and the list goes on!"

Click here to be entered into her drawing: Paper Askew Studio's Ginormous Blog Candy!

It's almost here......

2009-06-24T18:45:00.000-04:00

We'd love to have you join us!

FRUGAL SCRAPPERY

WHY: FOR THE LOVE OF PAPEROLGY

WHEN: JUNE 25TH – 30TH

WHERE: FRUGAL SCRAPPERS

WHAT: A CROP OF COURSE! A WHOLE WEEK LONG! WE HAVE LOTS OF FUN IN STORE!

HERE ARE SOME HINTS:
STAMPIN UP!
CRICUT
CUTTLEBUG
AND MORE!

SIGN UP TODAY! http://frugalscrappers.ning.com/

Happy Birthday to Heathen #2!!!

2009-06-24T18:17:00.005-04:00

My littlest heathen's birthday is July 5th. Which, unfortunately, falls on a Sunday this year. Who wants to attend a kids' birthday party on the Sunday after the Fourth of July? (And trust me, my extended family will be to hungover on Sunday.) So, his party will be held on July 4th around noon. Early enough that I can feed 'em and send 'em home before the fireworks begin!

So, onto the papercrafting part of this diatribe! My awesome friend, Jenn, came over and helped me make 20 of these cute little boxes. We used the Cricut cartridge Bags, Tags, Boxes & More. (I never really appreciated this cartridge until I got my Expression!) It is the Inchbox w/the Window option, cut at "Fit to Page" (love, love, love that button!). We taped pieces of acetate on the inside of the boxes. Then, used the Stampin' UP! set Independence Day (will not be available after June 30th!!!) to stamp the stars and firecrackers.

Filled them with: bubbles, poppers (it's the 4th of July!), a waterball, a mini squirt gun, and a sucker. Cost per box? $1.51!!!

A couple quickie cards and a LO

2009-06-21T22:11:00.003-04:00

I made this LO yesterday. I absolutely adore this pic of the littlest heathen. That lizard, though.....grrr. He was a dollar yard sale find about five years ago and he refuses to leave my house! Trust me, I've tried; several times in fact. Anyways, I didn't really know what to do w/this pic so I figured I'd make a black & white & gray page with some metallic accents. Unfortunately, that line of metallic beads/rhinestones is NOT a solid piece; I put each and every one of those on there individually. That black rhinestone arrow is courtesy of my friend, Sammie. The splash of color behind the pic is from SU's Bright Delights rub-ons (which unfortunately are on the Last Chance list and are already out of stock).

These two cards I made in less than twenty minutes. I like the top one much better than the bottom one. The trees, the little flowers and the sentiments are all from SU's Bright Delights rub-ons. The ladybug is from a current level 1 hostess set called Darling Dots. And the ribbon is chocolate chip. (What? You want to try some of SU's ribbon? Click here and tell them Jess sent you!)

Thanks for looking at my stuff!

Tweet, Tweet

2009-06-21T09:19:00.002-04:00

Frugal Scrappers is now on Twittter! Click here to start following us!

Cards for a crop at MommySavers

2009-06-21T00:14:00.003-04:00

Alicia is hosting the crop this month at MommySavers. It's a card crop. I completed five of the ten challenges this evening. I like the turnout! I've been trying to use up some of my scraps when I can so I ended up with some unusual card sizes. Enjoy!

I used the Hoppy Memories SSK for this card and an image from Bugs & Kisses. Not my favorite but I like it.

This was a sketch challenge. I actually like how simple and "clean" it looks. The patterned paper is from the Bali Breeze DSP (one I bought a couple years ago and forgot about LOL). The "thank you" is from the set Fresh Cuts.

I used the set Fresh Cuts for this card. I made two of them. I thought they'd be cute to throw in with a small gift.

I wanted to play with the hostess set God's Beauty and I ended up with this cute little gem! The ribbon is actually covering up a crooked sentiment. LOL There is Regal Rose ribbon under the Certainly Celery ribbon. And I accidentally cut of the butterfly's antennae when I cut him out. OOPS!

These are just a couple of generic birthday cards. I always need cards to stick in with the oldest heathen's gifts for his friends. The flames are two different stamps from the set Big Birthday Candle; as is the sentiment. I "colored" in the flames w/Diamond Stickles.

Thanks for taking the time to look at my cards!

Blog Candy!!!!

2009-06-20T20:13:00.001-04:00

Paper Askew Studio is having a ginormous blog candy giveaway! Go check it out!!!
http://paperaskew.blogspot.com/2009/06/paper-askew-studios-ginormous-blog.html

Just a Reminder......

2009-06-20T07:02:00.003-04:00

Don't forget to come join us! Only five days left til it starts!

FRUGAL SCRAPPERY

WHY: FOR THE LOVE OF PAPEROLGY

WHEN: JUNE 25TH – 30TH

WHERE: FRUGAL SCRAPPERS

WHAT: A CROP OF COURSE! A WHOLE WEEK LONG!

WE HAVE LOTS OF FUN IN STORE!

HERE ARE SOME HINTS:
STAMPIN' UP!
CRICUT
CUTTLEBUG
AND MORE!

SIGN UP TODAY! http://frugalscrappers.ning.com/

My Cricut is my new BFF

2009-06-16T22:00:00.002-04:00

I've really enjoyed my Cricut more now that I've upgraded to the Expression. Tonight, I explored an old cartridge of mine, Doodlecharms, and found a delicious watermelon cut! The heathens just had to have some watermelon one day and didn't you know? You're supposed to eat it while riding a bike! Jackson helped on this LO; he colored all of the seeds on the little watermelons.
These pics were taken that same day. Hey, they had to get clean and the tub is just too confining. I used the Life Is A Beach cartridge for the waves and the "Heat Wave"/sun combo. I also went a little crazy w/Stickle! Waterfall stickles add accents to the wave. I used orange, yellow, and goldenrod stickles to spruce up the sun. It just didn't look finished after all that, so I went digging through my stash. I found these old diecut stickers from one of SU's retired Simply Scrappin' Kits (don't remember the name) and thought if they were used in the right way, they screamed "surfer".

Thanks for looking!

Woohoo! My first blog award!

2009-06-16T19:26:00.002-04:00

My friend, Alicia of Playing With Paper, sent me this little award!

The rules that go with this lovely award are to:

a) Thank the person who gave it to you. (done- Thanks again!)

b) List 10 honest things about yourself.
1.) I have two tattoos.
2.) I hate needles.
3.) I hoard scrap supplies.
4.) I love thunderstorms.
5.) I hate the built-in mouse on my laptop.
6.) I love to receive mail.
7.) My mailman probably thinks I have an on-line shopping addiction.
8.) I'm closer to some of my online friends than my real life friends.
9.) I cannot wear my hair cut short.
10.) I have no desire to have a little girl.

c) Pass the award on to 7 people
1.) Wendy
2.) Sam
3.) Sara
4.) Sonja
5.) jailbirdstamper
6.) Jessica
7.) Alicia

ANNOUNCING THE FIRST EVER......

2009-06-12T21:16:00.001-04:00

FRUGAL SCRAPPERY

WHY: FOR THE LOVE OF PAPEROLGY

WHEN: JUNE 25TH – 30THWHERE: FRUGAL SCRAPPERS

WHAT: A CROP OF COURSE! A WHOLE WEEK LONG! WE HAVE LOTS OF FUN IN STORE!

HERE ARE SOME HINTS:
STAMPIN UP!
CRICUT
CUTTLEBUG
AND MORE!

SIGN UP TODAY! http://frugalscrappers.ning.com/

Shhh......

2009-06-12T18:55:00.003-04:00

Don't tell anyone but Sara and I are leaking more info on our "secret" on Frugal Scrappers this weekend.

Be sure to come check us out! You'll kick yourself if you miss it!

A productive afternoon....

2009-06-11T17:12:00.006-04:00

My friend, Jenn, came over this afternoon and we both got quite a few things accomplished. She completed several LO's for both of her kids and a birthday card. I managed to get 2 LO's and 3 cards done!
Here are my feats for the day:

Jackson lost his first and second tooth all in one day!

Quick & Simple little card. The sentiment says "You're the best" and is stamped in Pink Pirouette ink which is a very, very light pink. And I just noticed my middle button is not in its proper place!

The striped paper and the dinosaur are *gasp* NOT SU paper! It's from the Snips & Snails series from 3bugsinarug. It was just too cute to pass up. I really like how this card turned out.

This card was made from the Cricut Wild Card cartridge. It was really cute until I tried to add "sprinkles" by adding chunky glitter. Oh, well.

Still one more!

This is the First Grade page for Jackson. I used all the things his teacher sent home (the nameplates and whatnot), school pics from the beginning and end of the year, and the pic Jim took on the first day of school. There is a pic of Jackson at the bus stop; it's very blurry but I decided to add it anyways. He also had to start wearing glasses while reading and doing schoolwork this year. I think that pic of him in his glasses is too funny; he looks so serious!

Thanks for looking at my afternoon fun!

Not stamping related.....

2009-06-11T11:06:00.002-04:00

but you HAVE to go check out this blog: Cake Wrecks. I admit, I am a proud member of the Grammar Police and some of these pics made me laugh until I cried.

Enjoy!

Jess

IT'S COMING!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-10T13:59:00.003-04:00

What is coming?

Well....I can't quite tell you yet...BUT...it is gonna be big! It is gonna be fun!

YOU ARE NOT GONNA WANT TO MISS IT!!!!

Time: June 25, 2009 at 6pm to June 30, 2009 at 12pm

Location: Frugal Scrappers

More information will be coming SOON so go sign up today!

Oh, Gi Gi................

2009-06-10T13:55:00.002-04:00

Please email you're contact info at jessikagould@gmail.com! I'd really like to send you your blog candy!

(Please email your info by midnight Friday, June 12. If I don't receive a response, I'll pick another winner.)

Want some more blog candy?

2009-06-06T16:27:00.001-04:00

Go check out this blog: http://keepsakesbymelissa.blogspot.com/!

Notice anything?

2009-06-05T21:46:00.004-04:00

I have been having a grand time refurbishing my blog tonight. You might have noticed the title is now "Ink Stains & Cat Hair"; there is some logic behind that. You see, I always get ink everywhere! It's just an accepted fact in my house. It's bad enough that for a couple days after I've completed something, I'll go to work and my coworkers will ask what I made after looking at my hands.

Now, the "cat hair" part. As any cat owner knows, the cat is the absolute ruler of his domain. This holds true in my house as well. If I'm trying to use something, that is the cat signal for "please come lay on this". The biggest victim of cat-laying is my stampin' scrub cleaning pad. I have to ensure they are put away the second I walk out of the room. And my tape always has cat hair stuck to it.

So, now you know the story behind the title! And if you ever get a card or RAK from me, you won't be surprised if a few stray hairs arrive,too!

*Now if you've read this far, you'll be rewarded. In celebration of the change, I'm giving away BLOG CANDY!!!! Leave me a comment telling me about your papercrafting quirk(s) and I'll randomly select someone to send 3 sheets of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock in each of Stampin' UP!'s new In Colors.

**Comments must be submitted by midnight Tuesday, June 9th, 2009.

Stampin' UP! new In-Color creations!

2009-06-05T14:55:00.000-04:00

My new goodies arrived yesterday!!! I had great fun playing with all the new colors last night. I made two cards.

The first is a criss-cross card. I used The More The Merrier (new level 3 hostess set), Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, Rich Razzeleberry cardstock, Dusty Durango textured cardstock, and Crushed Curry polka dot grossgrain ribbon. And of course, all the images were colored with the wonderful new addition to the SU family: IN COLOR MARKERS!!!

This card is simple but, I think, very cute! I used the Dreams and Dragons stamp set (retired), Melon Mambo cardstock, Bermuda Bay cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, Bermuda Bay polka dot grossgrain ribbon, and of course my favorite new markers.

Thanks for looking!!!

So excited!

2009-06-02T08:39:00.000-04:00

Well, the SOA crop is over. They surpassed their goal of raising $5,000 to donate to the Alzheimer's Association. => see the widget over there?

Now, the reason I'm so excited? I won! Twice! Imagine my surprise when I received a text from Sara while at work yesterday telling me I had won three stamp sets.

They had some awesome prizes!

That LO w/the pic of Jim in a pretend nurse cap won me three stamp sets from Molly Stamps.
The sets are:
Out of This World
Today's Forecast
Wings on Things

My name was picked randomly to win one of the prize packages for the "Not a Card Button Challenge" It was the LO of my scrap space. I won a Stampin' UP! package that includes a 12x12 pack of Delicate Dots DSP, two spools of ribbon and the stamp set Yummy! And amazingly I own NOTHING in that package!

On another fun note, my good friend Sara of Finkerdoodles also won two challenges! She won a Crop Night Darling Stamp Set, a Scor-Pal, and a Scor-Bug (courtesy of Scor-Pal). Her other prize package included a full set of 9 brand new stamps created by Victoria Case for SCACD , 1 Dovecraft paper pack, and some "mystery" fun embellies from SCACD to use with her new stamps!!

Thanks to all my friends who joined me in the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's crop!

2009-05-28T07:46:00.000-04:00

As promised, here are more SOA challenge creations!

I really don't like how this cupcake turned out. Maybe it would hav been cuter if I hadn't been so tired.

Side view of the cupcake (he's a little crooked):

Top view of the cupcake (I like this part!):

This is a graduation card for my cousin, Brian. I knew it was coming but I was SHOCKED when I received an invitation to his open house yesterday! Wasn't he just in driving school last week? Anyways, I versamarked the congrats/words all over the white background and made a money holder for the inside of the card. I like how it turned out!

This is a thank you card for my oldest son's first grade teacher. As of 2:45 PM today, I will be the parent of a SECOND GRADER! Talk about feeling old; first a baby cousin graduating and then a second grader! LOL

The patterned paper is Good Morning Sunshine from Stampin' UP! courtesy of my wonderful friend, Sara. I am so in love with those little birdies!

Thanks for taking the time to look at my creations!

2009-05-27T23:30:00.000-04:00

New SOA projects to be posted in the morning! I'm too tired to operate a camera AND a computer right now. But, hey, if you're up this late, check out that widget to the right of your screen. It's a good cause and you get a chance for prizes as well as a few freebies. C'mon, it's only five bucks!

More SOA projects!

2009-05-25T17:54:00.001-04:00

Stampin' Out Alzheimers

2009-05-25T17:40:00.000-04:00

This week i'm participating in an online crop sponsored by Paper Craft Planet, LLC. You can find more info here: http://stampinoutalzheimers.ning.com/. It is a pay-to-play site. They ask for a minimum $5, which 100% of the funds raised will go to the Alzheimer's Association. There are plenty of freebies and prizes available!

Anyways, here's what I completed today:

Teacher gifts....

2009-05-25T17:30:00.001-04:00

Well, I started off making a set of blocks but thought the end product seemed kind of babyish. Therefore, I decided to borrow my friend Sara's idea and alter a clipboard for my oldest son's teacher. I hope she likes it!

Supplies: (all Stampin' UP! unless otherwise noted) Summer Picnic DSP, bashful blue wide grossgrain ribbon, real red and old olive narrow grossgrain ribbon, pretties kit, chunky sprinkles glitter

I'M OFFICIAL!!!!!

2009-05-22T17:57:00.001-04:00

I am officially a Stampin' UP! demo once again! Thanks to my wonderful upline, Cindy, who makes sure I remember how much I love stamping!

aLtEr It! challenge on MS

2009-05-19T14:09:00.001-04:00

So, this week the use it up challenge at Mommysavers http://mommysavers.com/boards/challenges/122824-use-challenge-4-a.html is to actually use those items you've saved to alter and either forgot about or hoarded. Scruggle at MS had posted a link to a tutorial on making post-it note holders and since I had a bunch of the picture frames laying around, I decided to make a few. Tell me what you think!
(all supplies from Stampin' UP! unless otherwise noted)

stamps courtesy of Stamping Bella (image) and MFT stamps (sentiment)

Another MommySavers Challenge

2009-05-15T19:03:00.000-04:00

I posted a 48-hour challenge over at MommySavers. However, I messed up and forgot to put what day it was due; so, it's technically a 72-hour challenge. Anyways, I used my new Cricut markers to make the caterpillar on this card. I used Diamond Stickles on his eyes but you can't really see that. Here's the link to the challenge: http://mommysavers.com/boards/challenges/122376-48-hour-power-challenge-updated-please-read.html You should come join our challenges sometime!

New Cards!

2009-05-14T18:33:00.001-04:00

I am forever running out of birthday cards, so I decided to use up some of my paper scraps today. I managed two cards completely out of scraps! Here are the results:

Use It Up Challenge!

2009-05-13T21:17:00.000-04:00

So, over at mommysavers we have challenges all the time to keep up scrapping. This week we have a "use it up" challenge. (posted here: http://mommysavers.com/boards/challenges/122094-use-up-challenge-3-a.html )
I dug out some old magic mesh (something I *HAD* to have ages ago) and used to sponge daubers to color it in. I rather like my card!

ENABLER ALERT!

2009-05-12T21:08:00.000-04:00

I found three-packs of Stickles at Hobby Lobby today and they were included in the 50% sale of all glitter & glitter glue. For some reason my HL sometimes excludes things from the scrapbooking section from the general sales. Anyways, each three-pack rang up at $2.50 - so less than $1 each. Enjoy!

2009-05-11T17:11:00.000-04:00

Here is mommyfink's blog candy:

Hope she enjoys her goodies!

2009-05-10T19:11:00.000-04:00

HAPPY

MOTHER'S

DAY !!!!

2009-05-10T19:09:00.000-04:00

I picked up the blog candy for mommyfink on my way home from work today and will post pics before I send it to her.

I also found an EK success Sesame Street border punch at Big Lot's for $2!!! I know my boys are getting too big for SS but I still thought it was too cute to pass up. And I won't be upset to pass it on to a friend when I no longer have any use for it.

2009-05-09T21:16:00.001-04:00

MOMMYFINK is the winner of the blog candy!!!!!

It'll be a surprise to all of us. I'm stopping at the local Jo-Ann's on my way home from work tomorrow.

Congrats, Sara!

2009-05-09T18:00:00.000-04:00

Just a clarification, please post your comments in the post WITH the work. Scruggle, you still count as the first post.

2009-05-09T17:24:00.001-04:00

Wow! I forgot I even started this blog! Well, I am no longer a Stampin' UP! demonstrator (but still a loyal customer to my upline, Cindy.) You can view her SU homepage here: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/cindym/. She's an awesome lady and the person who showed me the joys of papercrafting.

I believe that I am going to use this blog to showcase my papercrafting projects. I would say I'm a moderate-level papercrafter. Some of my projects I adore and others I would like to hide under a rock.

I hope you enjoy my work!

Since I'm just now finding this blog again, the 7th person to comment on my stuff will be send some blog candy!

Here's some stuff I've made for a crop on http://www.mommysavers.com/ :

2009-05-09T17:15:00.000-04:00

Next event

2008-06-17T21:58:00.000-04:00

On July 26th, I will be hosting a stamp camp in the morning. We will be making four cards and two 12x12 scrapbook pages using the stamp set Priceless. The camp will run from 9AM to 11AM. Cost will be $20 per person. You will receive a credit of $10 with any order of $50 or more placed on the 26th. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by July 11th. You will need to bring scissors, a paper cutter, and adhesive with you.

Hi! Hello!

2008-06-17T21:49:00.000-04:00

Hello. Please bear with me as I get this blog up and running.

A bit about me. I'm a Stampin' UP! demonstator and a part-time nurse, on top of being a SAHM to two wonderful little boys. I'm married to a wonderful man (really!).

I want to try to use this blog for tutorials related to scrapbooking and/or stamping stuff. So, check back often!