BOO!

I only WISH I looked like this much of a hottie on Halloween. This stamp is a little Amuse cutie that my sweet friend Jody spoiled me with. (Gotta love friends that spoil you rotten!!)

Whenever I use an amuse image, I always have to reduce the size of my card. Their images are just petite, so a 4x4 size card was my choice today. I will say, I am a **sucker** for Amuse sentiments, they're always adorable, and beautifully designed!

You can't see here, but this little witchy is loaded up with Orange spica pen as well for some glitz to her sassy costume.

To anyone wondering how I made out with my hair yesterday, my stylist said he *could* have cut it, but that in his words "It wouldn't be pretty." He took off about 1.5 inches, to clean up the rag tag ends, and said for me to come back in March and we'll see how I'm doing. The cut would have been blunt halfway up the back of my head! eeks! So the growing continues!

Wishing you all a Halloween filled with more TREATS than TRICKS! Many of you know, that this holiday, um, isn't so much my favorite. Its filled with candy that is *more* than a bit dangerous for my boys. However, many of my sweet neighbors have called to see what they can tuck aside for the boys.

That being said, we have lots of precautions in place, and lots of safe treats for the boys to enjoy tonight! Have a SPOOKTACULAR night everyone!

MFT Previews Begin - Its a little Polar Love

I'm so excited that teaser time has begun! I've got previews of upcoming MFT sets every day from now till Wednesday! Hooray!

Can you believe that there will be ELEVEN stamp sets released this month!

Since I will now publicly admit, I have a *fear* of any stamped image that is supposed to be white! It always sends me in to a panic... so I figured this would be the perfect way to overcome my fear by placing these white bears into a colorful scene! I've added just a smidge of pink to their noses, and given some light shading with my W00 marker - but mostly they're white.

I'm loving the fun new trend of rolling hills made out of patterned paper! For anyone that's nervous about how to cut the hills, here's how I did it. I freehand cut my first hill, and then matched it up to a reverse side of another similar piece and cut the second hill. This way, they're nice and symmetrical. Then I stitched those two in place on top of the blue swirly sky paper.

After placing my stamped, colored and paper pieced bears into the scene, I then freehand cut my last hill and stitched across the top of the hill. I added the last hill in place using a few dimensional boosters to give some vertical dimension and then stitched my zig zag stitch all around the outer borders of the card.

You'll see I used my Apron Lace punch here again, I so adore that! When I use it close to a border like this, I *always* round off the corners of my card base. You'll see that I rounded the inner corners of the card too.

You'll be seeing lots of Polar Love from my pals on the MFT Team today, we're all using the same set for a little extra added fun! I can't wait to see what all the girls have done with these sweethearts. You'll find previews today from Amy, Barbara, Michele, Frances, Cindy, Jessie, Natalie and Susan.

Farm Fresh Cupcakes?

This week, the theme over at Stamping Bella is Kids! Ahhhh, so right up my alley I can't even stand it!

This card uses this beautiful October Afternoon Farm Fresh paper that was a birthday gift from my sweet friend Jody!

So, today's the day people!!! My hair cut is at 10:30 EST. I'm either going to be leaving with my hair one inch shorter and continuing the "grow it out" or I'll have the required 8 inches for the donation and very very short hair. Wish me luck!

Its also the day of the big release over at Stamping Bella. Have you seen the peeks of the new Lulu (so pretty!!!) or the new line of Lollipop kids. (Can't wait to pick a few up!) and TWINCHIES. Gasp.

Can't wait to see, and ahem, buy some new goodness from Stamping Bella. Don't forget to check out all the latest creations from the Bella Babes, and of course, all of Em's talented customers. You won't want to forget to leave a comment on Blogabella today for your chance to win some Bella Bucks.

A clutter free house (and card!)

Just a quick little post for you today with a card that I made with the most recent release "Gobble It Up" from The Cat's Pajamas. I love the font that Alma uses for the TCP sentiments, and its the only stamping on this card.

After a few days with a nasty fever, my little one is doing much better. I've enjoyed lots of extra snuggles, and many, many games of crazy eights, he's built train tracks over most of my house and he's enjoyed a little respite from our usual crazy schedule. For this, I'm hugely thankful!

I even got some house work done. Yeah Me! For this, I think my husband is very thankful! Its amazing how much better the place looks when I eliminate all the clutter!

I'm hostessing for Thanksgiving this year (for the first time ever... I'm so nervous) and it turns out to be the perfect excuse to finally decorate and paint my dining room.

Yes, we've lived here nine years, and no, we hadn't painted that room yet. I've already picked out a new rug and curtains and updated light fixture... now just have to select the paint for the job! My painter promises all the work will be done in time for a fabulous turkey dinner.

Okay, my little engineer is calling for me, off to go play trains!

Birth-o-Versary Candy Winner and Lotsa Buttony Bows

Sorry for the delay in posting the winner of my Birth-O-Versary candy! My little guy has been home sick and needed a little extra TLC today. Poor pumpkin!

Congratulations to Belinda!! Belinda was selected by random.org as the prize winner. Belinda, I'll be in touch via email to get your mailing address!

I must say, I've truly been loving ALL your creations, they all made me smile, here are some of my very personal favorites!! Thank you to all of you for your sweet comments every day. I have to say, that as a work at home Mom, they so brighten my day!

Thank you too for all your sweet comments on my birthday!! My hubby rented a movie on Monday night and brought me Junior Mints (my fave!) He's also planned a dinner for my whole family on Friday night, I can't wait!

By the way....It might be a little quiet here this week as between taking care of the sick little guy and being hard at work on samples for upcoming releases from both My Favorite Things and The Cat's Pajamas! I will for sure have a sample on Friday for this week's Bellariffic Friday and I can't WAIT to shop at the upcoming Stamping Bella release this Friday!

clipped from www.splitcoaststampers.com

clipped from createwithjulia.blogspot.com

clipped from 1.bp.blogspot.com

clipped from bylisac.blogspot.com

clipped from hoppycreations.blogspot.com

clipped from danashouseofcards.blogspot.com

clipped from confessionsofaribbonaddict.blogspot.com

clipped from debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com

clipped from bylisac.blogspot.com

clipped from www.splitcoaststampers.com

A Swanky Sneak Peek

The Cat's Pajama's goodness continues this week with our weekly TCP Tuesday Challenge!! I'm really excited to be your challenge hostess this week. I'm always searching for color inspiration when I'm out shopping, I'm always snapping photos with my iPhone to save for upcoming color combos.

I selected this fun color palette from a fantastic dress that I recently purchased. The main colors in the challenge are sky blue, teal and black, there's an option to add in grey if you'd like!

You're in for a special treat from the team, because a few of us are posting samples made with a sneak peek of upcoming sets that will be available for sale in early November. Are you ready to see a little holiday goodness from TCP?

I grabbed my freshly inked Brilliance pad and stamped this elegant dove image and then embossed with clear embossing powder.

I added the sentiment "Happy Chanukah" to the inside of the card as that gigunda bow of mine sort of took up all the real estate. I think it is especially important to complete the inside of your card whenever its a dark cardbase like this.

My grey for the color challenge is this silver bling that I found in my stash bucket, and this silver elastic cording.

I really hope you'll pop around to visit my friends on the Cat Pack this week, to see who might just have a little holiday goodness to share with you! And don't forget that YOU have the chance to get named the Swanky Stamper of the month and earn some Cat Cash... here are the details!

Now, don't forget to play along for your chance to be named this month's Swanky Stamper!

Here are the deets.
1. Each a week one of The Cat’s Pajamas DT members will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, techinque, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until Saturday at midnight to complete the challenge.
4. Post your design to the guestbook on Alma's blog.
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. Only designs posted to the guestbook will be considered for the Swanky Stamper.
8. 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

One Candle

There is nothing sweeter than a cupcake with one little candle, to celebrate one fabulous year!

I just *love* seeing baby faces and fingers covered in that first delicious taste of cake. Then, that precious look that says "Seriously people? Why have I not had this tasty stuff before?"

We're all so excited to celebrate my sweet little nieces first birthday. As a mom to boys, I get all excited to buy little girl presents, and create girly things. So, I don't think I could have used any more pink on this card to celebrate this occasion!!

And as one of my very most favorite people, she gets my very most *favorite* gingham ruffly ribbon. Love that stuff. This sweet little stamp is from Stamping Bella and is part of the new line from Miss Mint. This Rumball with Candle comes with two stamps, including a teeny inchie size.

Wishing that sweet baby girl a happy cake and candle day.

Speaking of cake and candle days.. mine is Monday! And to celebrate, YOU all have a chance at some candy. Don't forget that my contest closes on Monday at midnight EST. Hope you get a little creative time this weekend to play! See THIS post for all the details.

Bellariffic is Back!

Its been a while, but Stamping Bella's Bellariffic Fridays are BACK this Friday! Last week, Emily's challenge to all of us was Flowers and Nature. Well, you know me, and when I heard "nature" I thought..... TURTLE! And how about a Turtle, holding flowers!!

Seriously. You had to KNOW that I'd go there with this as the challenge. Oh, how I {heart} my Turtles!!

I recently picked up this adorable paper from K&Co and I couldn't wait to match it up with those Turtle Tots.

I also created a little ruffle on my card to celebrate along with this week's Moxie Fab Challenge.

Inspired by the movement and flow of all those ruffles, I pleated the paper, then stitched it in place, then carefully cut open each of the folds on the pleating, and rolled, lifted and distressed the edges to ruffle it.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, its another crazy one around here, Halloween Party, Birthday party for my niece, Baby Shower for my Aunt. I'll see you next week!

Be sure to head on over to Blogabella to see all the samples from the Bellariffic Babes, as well as all the eye candy that you all submitted!

Don't forget that on Monday night at Midnight, I'll close down the entries for my Birth-0-Versary Blog Candy! Go make a buttony bow and link it up for your chance at the prize packages. Find more details here

Guess Hoo is having fun with her MFT Kit?

I have been loving playing with this *sweet* little owl from this month's MFT Kit: Thinking of Hoo!

I also happen to simply adore kraft paper, so I was super excited about the fun scalloped notes that are part of the kit.

The only thing that *isn't* part of the kit is this paper, I had this Earth Love paper in my stash. (The kit comes with a simply gorgeous patterned paper from Memory Box which you'll see I used on this post!)

I decided to stitch up the sides of the note card to turn it into a pocket card.

Then I sacrificed one of my little scalloped notes to create a little slider for the inside of the pocket. I stitched this luscious stitched grosgrain ribbon which is included to make the "pull." You could actually make four little inside sliders out of one scalloped note card.

And look - Kim is selling extra scalloped notes in case you love them as much as I do!

Don't forget! I'm currently offering blog candy - valued at over $70. All you have to do is create a buttony bow project - contest is open till Monday at midnight and you can see all the details HERE