Dirty Dozen Alumni Challenge - April

Welcome to another Dirty Dozen and Dirty Dozen Alumni Challenge!! I think our hostess Kelly was out to get me this month, because the restricted element was buttons! YIKES!

Our required element, in celebration of Earth Day, was to use a recycled element on our project. Now, is it bad to say that if I'm using a stamp set a second time, that I'm considering re-using it? LOL? (That's just terrible...I am literally swimming in stamps in my studio) but really, I have also incorporated a twill tape scrap cast off from another project,as well as a little bit of denim.....I'm totally inspired by Susie on that one, just you wait to see what genius she's cooked up today!

I hope that you'll swing by this gallery on Splitcoast Stampers throughout the day to see samples from the current Dirty Dozen and the Dirty Dozen Alumnae.

While you're there, if you haven't already taken a gander, be sure to check out this month's Dirty Dozen gallery "Very Vintage" - I can tell you this.... you will not be disappointed!

Friends with Flair Friday - Stuck on this sketch!

Oh, those girls at Unity are serious enablers, after last weeks previews from the team, I treated myself to the October Stampin Store kit just so that I could get my hands on this adorable little pin cushion. Totally *melts* my heart! The coordinating sentiment is on the inside of the card and reads "Stuck on You."

You might recognize the sketch, it is Taylor Van Bruggen's weekly sketch from last friday. (I used it yesterday too!) I only cheated just the tiniest bit... instead of three buttons shown in the sketch, I used a small strip of self adhesive half pearls. And of course, I had to use the scalloped strip as my "bow-tunity" in my project.

The papers here are all from My Minds Eye - I'm a sucker for anything pink and green don'tcha know? The sentiment "I'm stuck on you." (awww...) as well as another strip of ribbon and a tiny heart shaped button have been added to the inside of the card.

Please be sure to check out the Unity Blog for today's list of Friends With Flair - that's a huge list other Unity Lovin Bloggers like myself!

Don't forget to stop by Taylor's blog a little later today to see her latest sketch - I'm such a sucker for a good sketch challenge!! Always such a jump start to a project!

Friends with Flair Friday - Relax and Enjoy the Day!

I thought I'd take the chance to jump in on all the fun of Unity's Friends with Flair Fridays! I've been enjoying seeing Unity creations pop up all over blog land on Fridays and thought this was a GREAT chance to mix it up a little around here and get a little bit more of my Unity all inked up!

I'm so excited that my LSS - Right at Home Scrapbooking carries Unity! I picked up the exclusive Stampin Store Kit, which is only available through retailers.

For me, I love that I'm supporting my local store, and getting to play in all the Unity fun too - talk about the best of both worlds!!! You can see the whole kit - and even order it directly through Right At Home HERE!

I seriously adore the Cosmo Cricket Early Bird line of paper, so I grabbed that first and used that to pick my Copic colors for my project. I stamped the image of the vases, then lined up the sentiment directly under it (gotta love unmounted stamps!!) Once the vases and sweet little flower were colored, then I clear embossed so I could airbrush in the background.

To coordinate with the vintage feel of the papers, I added lots of sewing, some buttons from my ever growing button collection, and threaded all the buttons with jute twine. I picked up the last of this sweet vintage trim from Right at Home as well, I'm going to hoard the last half a yard of it that I have because I seriously ***love*** it.

Be sure to check out the Unity Blog today for a list of all the people participating in this week's Friends with Flair! I've got Embellished Season sitting on my desktop waiting to play, and I finallly caved and joined the Kit of the Month club too! Have you seen how totally cute the October Kit it is?

Time Flies..... Its the 15th again!

I feel like it was just a moment ago that I was over here bouncing with joy to announce my big secret, that I'd been asked to join the Splitcoast Stampers Design Team, the Dirty Dozen.  And here I am, announcing that it is the opening of the April Gallery which is my final assignment as an active member of the Dirty Dozen.

Its been an amazing six months, and I feel that I've grown so much always pushing myself just a little bit harder each time.  I've been blessed to work with some truly talented and simply  wonderful women.  

To be honest, I'm still in shock that I was ever asked to join the team.  Thank you to Daven, Jenn and Lori for all that you've done for me, and all that you do to keep Splitcoast such an amazing place to hang out!

This month, the gallery's theme is just **so** up my alley, its all about being Green.  I love it!  Here's just a little snippet of one of my projects this month using Unity's Plant a tree stamp.  

Please be sure to head on over to the Splitcoast Gallery to see all of this month's creations and to give a big welcome to our two newest Dirty Girls!!  

Last but certainly not least, I'm just sayin' you want to be sure to leave comments in the gallery, because get this, you *might* just get a Dirty Girl creation coming to you in the mail!  

Unity Blog Hop!

Have you had fun viewing all the Unity Love today? 

If you just happened to trip along into this blog hop, you'll want to start at the beginning so that you don't miss a single moment!

View the Inspirational Blog Hop by starting at UNITY

I used Feel the Joy from Unity - I stamped the image with Brilliance Ink then added clear embossing powder and zapped it with my heat gun.  Designer paper is Kiwi Kiss, matted with both black and ivory cardstocks

Since its the inspirational blog hop, we've all got a quote for you today.. so, here's mine

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." CS Lewis

Have a wonderful day everyone.  Have a blast soaking up all the inspiration along this journey today! See you Monday!

Now, you're on your way to visit please hop on over to the next stop :  Musings of an Addict

Happy Blogaversary!! Featuring Unity Blog Candy!

Oh my goodness, this week has been a stamp marathon for me. I'm working on samples for the Gina K Designs release TONIGHT, wrapping up my creations for this month's Dirty Dozen gallery, working on Sponsor Spotlights for Stamp New England (which is NEXT FRIDAY!), stalking the MFT Stamping Idol contest, finishing my sample for Bellariffic Friday, and then this Blogaversary Celebration.  Its all good, but man, I'm tired!!

Today, I have a little Unity creation for you.  This is the Floral Fantastical stamp set which i colored with Copic Markers and used some of my Urban Prairie designer paper from Basic Grey (I simply ADORE that collection...) 

I'm so happy today because the sun is shining and at last, there is NO snow in my yard (I pray it stays that way...I'm so done with snow...)

I do have some new Unity in the house, but I'm saving one for their GIANT Blog Hop on the 28th.  If you haven't already signed up, what are you waiting for, head on over to the Unity Blog (or follow my blinkie on the top right corner) and come join us!

I'm also working on a little Unity creation for an upcoming kit I'm designing for my LSS - I'm so excited my LSS is going to be carrying Unity! Hooray!!  

I first heard about Unity from my friend Jen Del Muro at CHA last winter.  You could just feel the energy and passion at CHA that first year, you could just tell that they were going places!  Its been amazing to watch Unity grow and become such a HUGE phenomenon! Can you say "hip, hop?" 

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then perhaps you've missed Unity's Thursday blog "hip-hop" through the Design Team sharing new creations.  Customers and Design Team members are always chatting in their forum on Thursdays - and there are always great deals and fantastic giveaways.  Oh, and lots and lots of laughs too.  They'll be starting around 10 am CST this morning. You'll want to start at the Unity Blog.

Since I was treating myself to a little Unity Love, I thought I'd share by sending one of YOU a little Unity love too!!  One winner, selected at random, will win both the Home and Stories and Feel the Joy stamps!  I'll announce the winner on Friday! 

To enter this, the final giveaway of my Blogaversary Celebration simply post a comment on this thread by midnight on Thursday. I'd love to know what I can do for YOU - tutorials you'd like to see etc - I'm hearing yes you're interested in more tutorials, any direction on topics you're interested in??

Also, I've been debating about adding one of those c-box features - the question and answer gadget thingy...  do you have any questions I can help with?   

Most of all, I just want to thank all of you that come to visit me.  If you know me in real life, you know I'm a total chatterbox and this place is no exception.  Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself, so its nice to hear from so many of you this week. Come on by and say hello now and again! Anyone up to listening to me babble for a third year? 

Featured Stamper -

This past Sunday was a rainy icky day here.  A perfect chance for a little unexpected stamping. 

For those of you unfamiliar with Featured Stamper, each week, a different stamper is selected and you select one card from their gallery as your inspiration.

I selected THIS card from Liz's gallery to case, and put my Floral Fantastical stamp set as well as the Beauty of Dreams stamp (love those quotes) both from Unity Stamp Company to work.

These red rubber images are perfect for individually inking portions with different markers.  I stamped the paisley image down the right hand side and watercolored in all fall-ish shaeds.  I added brads through the center of some of the flowers for a little oomph.   Then added a divider between the sections with my scor pal for a little definition.

Its funny how I used to be totally afraid of one layer cards and now I adore making them.  

Have a great day everyone!

Sweet Stamps!

I think I mentioned last week, I'd picked up new goodies from Unity right? Well here's the third card, with the third set, I purchased, Delectable Delights. 

 This card is for one of my very favorite little girls, the first daycare client I ever had, and is now turning six.  I watched her for three years and during that time, she was my eldest son's most dear companion.  So of course, I wanted to make something super cute to celebrate the occasion! 

The image was colored with copic markers, then coated in Diamond Glaze with a little dazzling dust.  Sugary sweet!

Now that I got them all inky, its a great time to pick up some more - guess what, they're giving away a free stamp with every order today!  And its one of my favorites to boot! How fun is that?

Imagine my surprise last week when I received a note from AJ asking if they could add my cards to the Unity blog this week! aaaaaakkk! So exciting!  Of course, I said "for sure!" Check it out over here: 

Creating....

I've been wanting this stamp from Unity for a while, but then would get distracted by something in this zoo of a house of mine, and forget to place the order... or I'd get booted off by the kids who I'm sharing the computer with.

Then, last week, the Unity Design Team girls posted a whole slew of new fantastic samples.  And, I was sunk.  They would be mine! 

I restrained myself, and bought only two small kits, as well as this fantastic single.  I have to say I was super impressed with how speedily my order arrived and of course, the really cute packaging to boot!

The rubber was really easy to individually ink up words, or pieces of the image with my SU markers.  I used Old Olive, Real Red and Certainly Celery for this baby.  Then paired it with a piece of Scenic Route paper that I found in my scrap bin, and used some Paper Trey white cardstock for the card base. 

I've got another Unity Card ready to show you, but I'm saving it for my Sunday post!  Fits right in with my Sunday Theme around here if you catch my drift! 

Have a great day!