I'm Honored -- Another Award!!

My Upline, Tina Sutton http://www.missgingerdots.blogspot.com/, has honored me with the "Lovely Blog Award." I am so excited!!

The rules for this one are:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.


2. Pass the award to 10 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Here are my choices (in no particular order)

1. Debbie- http://www.texasbluebonnetscrappersblog.blogspot.com/;

2. Christa - http://www.scrapnfever.blogspot.com/;

3. Melissa L. - http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/;

4. Mandy - http://www.mypassionforscrapbooking.com/;

5. Shannon- http://www.stampinbuds.com/;

6. Paige - http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/;

7. Kristine - http://www.scramping-addict.blogspot.com/;

8. Tammy - http://www.creativeimpressions-pinchme.blogspot.com/;

9. Karen - http://www.karenpedersen.blogspot.com/

10. Antoinnette - http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/

Thanks again, Tina! :)

Random Stamping = Unique Patterned Paper

I LOVE Random Stamping. It is one of the EASIEST techniques and most fun to teach. It's amazing to see all the different creations people can make when using the same stamp set to Random Stamp.

To summarize, random stamping is when you use a minimum of two different stamp images. You ink up and start stamping with the bigger image in the center of the paper and stamp in trianglular movements and rotate your paper so as to get a "unique" look. Don't forget to stamp OFF of the edge!! Once finished with the bigger image, you'll do the same thing with the smaller image. When all random stamping is done, you will have your very own unique patterened paper.

Below are just a couple of samples I've done. I also like that by using the random stamping technique, the "blank" white space staring you in the face. Random stamping gives it a more personal touch.

Want to learn how to add random stamping to your crafting? Let me show you how. Call or e-mail me!

Already like random stamping? Send me your random stamped pages by June 16th and I'll send you a small token for sharing!

Yippee!!! I've earned an award!

One of my newest & dearest online/CTMH sister friends -- Shannon Buck -- has presented me with an award -- the Lemonade Stand Award. I am QUITE honored to receive this from Shannon. Thank you, thank you -- etc., etc. -- Shannon, for presenting me with this. I'm so glad to have you as a friend.

The rules of this award are:
*comment on this blog
*cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog
*nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude
*link to your nominees within your blog post
*comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award
*link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation

http://stampinbuds.blogspot.com/ (Shannon)
You are an amazing lady! I can't wait until I can meet you in person. With all that you've had going on, your sense of humor never ceases to amaze me. I enjoy checking in on your blog, the twitterin' back & forth and, of course, the e-mails. We are both tackling a lifestyle change and WE WILL CONQUER! ;) Hugs to ya!

http://www.creationsbytheheart.blogspot.com/ (Amy B.)

Amy..I've not met you in person; but from what I can tell by our e-mails and your website that you are an AWESOME person. You are a wonderful mom for all that you do with and for your girls and I'm sure your hubby loves ya dearly (except when you're impatient and buy something that he's already gotten you for a PRESENT!!!) ;) Thanks for being a WONDERFUL friend!

http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/ (Melissa L.)

I've only just recently stumbled (via Twitter-land) upon your blog/website and I am sooo glad I did! You have created beautiful artwork and I look forward to getting to know you and see all of your creations -- minus lots of white space! ;)

http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/ (Nona D.)

I've not communicated too often with Nona personally; but I think we all know how wonderful of a person Nona is -- and how much of an awesome attitude she has. I love all the things she creates -- and I really love the "Sammy-isms" (mine are called -- "Zach-isms") HA!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Memorial Day weekend is just hours away, and I am so glad about that. We are going camping at Brazos Bend State Park outside of Needville, Texas. We're looking forward to it because this is first time we've been camping since right before Wes was deployed to Afghanistan back in 2007. The main goal this weekend is to make sure everything is working properly in the camper before our week-long vacation in just a few weeks!!

I am hoping to get some scrapbooking done, but I'm not sure how successful I'll be. I love camping. I love the peacefulness; the ability to see millions and millions of those tiny bright things in the sky -- what are they called? Oh, yeah -- STARS!!!! Ha! Living so close to Houston, you don't get the same effect of a "starry night" as you do when you're camping.

We'll come back on Monday, and then -- HOPEFULLY -- go over to my friend Leann's house for pool party!!! :) (Miss ya, girl!!)

What are YOUR plans for this long weekend?

Mother's Day Gifts

I have been busy lately making Mother's Day gifts and cards. Initial reaction is that they LOVE them! For my 'moms' I made the dry erase frames (similar to the one I made for my attorney's wife); and for my grandmother, I made her a "lap board" that she can use as a "desk" when she's sitting in her favorite easy chair in the living room and wants to write a note or something. This way she doesn't have to get up and go to uncomfortable kitchen chair. She can be relaxed!

I used all Close To My Heart products w/the exception of the fleur de lis brads. I hope you like! Three of my girls from kids club made the dry erase frames for their moms for Mother's Day, too. I've heard that the mom's LOVED them, too.

Products used:

MyAcrylix stamps:

Buttoned Together

Chocolate Large Alphabet

Chocolate Small Alphabet

Tiny Typewriter Alphabet

May Word Puzzle

Journaling Jots

Just Like You

Simple Invites (retired)

Papers:

Magic Moments

Free Spirit (fleur de lis)

Perfect Day (lap board)

6x6 Cards: (from our new Wishes card guide/reference book)

Key To My Heart paper & stamps (previous special; no longer available)

Embellishments:

Ribbon:

Various current & retired CTMH ribbon;

Fibers:

Waxy Flax

Embroidery Floss

Brads:

Tulip

Pewter

Colonial white

Buttons:

Clear

Accent:

Hollyhock spiral clip

I hope you-all like it. I'd love to hear comments!

She Was "Tickled Pink"...

...to receive this framed layout! LOL In conjunction with the dry erase frame/board that I made for my attorney's wife, I also made this framed layout for her of her and the girls during their trip to Hilton Head last summer. This is actually the 4th framed layout I've made for her. The first one was just a Christmas gift for them, but she FLIPPED & FELL IN LOVE with it so much that her hubby (my attorney) bought several frames (I found the OTC ones and can't wait to get rid of those because we're really not 100% happy with them) and just lets me pick out the pics and put on his account and have fun with them. I really do have fun and enjoy doing these for them -- especially since I know she loves them so much! I just wish I could do this full time...I know I could do SOOOO much more with Close To My Heart. Oh, well...in due time...in due time.

So, here's Tickled Pink. I used dimensional element alpha for the "b"; and chocolate alpha (large) for the rest of "blessed." Tickled Pink is a limited paper pack. It is only available through May 31 -- or while supplies last. Like it? E-mail or call me to order yours -- $34.95 per pack or FREE with a $60 stamp purchase.

Altered Frame

I made this last night as a birthday gift for my attorney's wife. I used the Key to my Heart kit/stamps and both the large and small Chocolate alphabet set. Colors used: Cocoa, Juniper, Sorbet & Tulip. I hope that she likes it. They're expecting their 3rd baby ANY DAY now, and it's a boy. They have two girls already, ages 5 and 3* (*I think).

I hope she likes it!!!

So, what have YOU been creating during National Scrapbooking Month?