Life got in the way

I know it's been a LONG time since I have posted (and the fact that I have received so much spam on the previous post is about to drive me crazy)- but honestly, in the last month I have made about 4-5 cards and that's it.  In my defense, I have been exercising and training for the half marathon.  That is now over (was April 7) and we are coming into the busy season of school.  Not sure how much stamping time that will give me but I will try :)  Here's one that has been made in the last month!  This post will be short and sweet!

Recipe:
Stamps- Unity
Ink- black
Paper- sugar, onyx, (and I believe grapefruit chevron)- all amuse
Accessories- copic marker, nestabilities

Just For You

Today was an ice day (aka snow day with no snow) so I had a lazy Friday.  I got the lesson plans done last night so that meant I could relax a bit.  I had a "busy" day (haha).  I did get up and run a 5K- virtual race- no, not outside but on the treadmill (I had no desire to land on my tush on the ice).  Still working on improving my time and speed there and then unfortunately for the first time in a week my knee was barking at me today.  It was doing a lot better and then today... not so well- not sure why.  I'm supposed to do another virtual 5K "race"/run tomorrow (Saturday) as well but this one I may end up walking the majority of :(  Anyway, before I started some reading for the nutrition class I am taking I decided to put together a card.  It was supposed to be for two challenges but I didn't read one of them very well and used the wrong color green- oh well, it still qualifies for the JustRite Friday Challenge .  The challenge was to create a card with a JustRite stamp (your favorite) and tell why- honestly, this is the only one I have so that is why it's my fave!  It was gifted to me and this is the first time I have used it.  I didn't have the dies that it coordinated with so just never took it out of the package- today I just decided to "fussy cut" it and it turned out okay.  I ended up using it the create my own background and the color combo was a new one for me.  I kind of like it. 

Enough rambling- here's the cards and the details:

Recipe:
Stamps- JustRite- Fancy Labels
Ink- memento black, grass
Paper- onyx, sugar, grass
Accessories- twinkle stickers, onyx satin ribbon, dimensionals 

Don't Give Up, Keep On Going, Make Healthy Choices

And surprisingly these are all my "titles" of cards ;)  Honestly, I have some cards made but I just haven't taken the time to blog them.  I like blogging, I really do, but some days I just want to put the pictures up with minimal words so, for now, since I am spending most of my time blogging HERE I am going to do a multiple picture post with minimal words :)  To be frank, the cards are speaking of where I am so that's what I make :) 

Stamp: Your Next Stamp- Elle loves to Jog

Ink- black, copic markers

Paper- kraft, cherry, cherry chevron, sugar (a*muse)

Accessories- die from amuse

 Stamps- Sweet Stamp Shop

Ink- navy (a*muse), black, copic markers

Paper- navy, sugar, navy chevron

Stamp- Sweet Stamp Shop

Ink- black, copic marker

Paper- cobalt, buttercup, buttercup gingham, sugar (amuse)

Accessories- papaya sheer ribbon, navy button (amuse)

Good For You!

So, it's been a while- life and exercise (but mainly life) has gotten in the way of my regular stamping/posting here.  My goal for 2013 is to spend a minimum of 3 days per week getting crafty- that could be something on pinterest, stamping cards, or working on my journey scrapbook.  Regardless, something has to change!  Oh, and I am going on a spending freeze!  I have ONE stamp set that I want to buy and my goal is to make 15 cards before I am allowed to buy it.  After that, I'll set another goal and have to meet it before doing my next thing.  On another note, I have been blogging more frequently over at my Journey to a Healthy Life blog if you want to pop over there and see what I have been up to- I think you might be surprised. 

Anyway, I bought this stamp set with some paypal money I had set aside when The Sweet Stamp Shop had a sale- it is a cute set!  For my first card in WAY too long I went with a very CAS sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  Their sketches should help with my goal of 3 days per week- they are super CAS and I have been wanting to play along for a while.  Without further rambling here you go:

Recipe:
Stamps- The Sweet Stamp Shop
Ink- Memento black, spectrum noir markers
Paper- sugar, grapefruit, grapefruit chevron
accessories- nestabilities

Dreams take flight...

and they can be whatever kind of dreams you fancy- the two best dreams are those that you can't stop thinking about and birthday dreams.  And, what do you know- Sweet n Sassy stamps are celebrating their 5th Birthday with a fantabulous blog hop today.  I'm going to keep this as short as possible because there are 37 blogs to visit (that's a lot of inspiration right there).  Anyway- here's a quick peek at my card and my inspiration behind it and then I'll give you some of the details regarding the hop.

I have very few SNSS sets- not because I don't want any but because with my limited funds I never know which ones to get.  However, there were two sets that I knew immediately I had to have- Let Go, Let God and this one- Dream Big.  I love the sentiments in this set and the whimsical image.  That butterfly die is an a*muse|studio die and I had to cover up my horrific coloring mistake on the butterfly image.  I chose some fun colors with this card- I am loving the bermuda and cherry together!  SNSS have whatever kind of stamps you can imagine- from silhouette to vintage, to scriptures to encouraging, to whimsical and cute.  This set means a lot to me right now.  I am contemplating some changes in my life and that means that I will have to do some dreaming/dream big to accomplish that to which I believe God is calling me!  I can't wait to let those dreams take flight!

Now, for some housekeeping items:
There will be 4 random participants from whom I will choose 1 commenter to receive a $15 store credit.  
~To be included in the drawings, comments must be left by midnight EST Friday, November 30th.
~The winners will be announced on the SNSS Blog on December 1st at 8am EST

How FUN and generous!  Give it a shot!

Recipe:
Paper- a*muse|studio- bermuda, sugar, bermuda polka dot, cherry
Ink- black, copic markers
Accessories- a|s butterfly die, rhinestones (twinkle stickers), nestabilities

Procrastination

So, yeah, I am procrastinating right now- I have quite a few things to do and I am putting them off for a bit. I will have to get right to those after this post but since I hadn't posted in a while I thought I would put some things up here to share. I have been on this exercise/weight loss/healthy living journey for almost 6 months now and I am getting closer. One of the things I want to do is make a scrapbook of my journey so I decided to make some embellishment cards- these cards have some of my favorite motivational quotes, sentiments, and scriptures on them. The plan is to add them throughout the book as I am working on it. The ones I am sharing today are the only ones I have completed so far but am loving the smaller size!

Bottom line- I'm grouping companies together
stamps used: a*muse|studio, verve, unity
Paper- all a*muse|studio cardstock
Ink- all a*muse|studio
Accessories- The Twinery bakers twine, paper flower and twinkle sticker (a*muse)

Strong

This card is for someone very special to me who is going through a rough time.  I believe she is going to come out on the other side of this realizing just how strong she is, who she is and WHOSE she is. 

This is for the Crafty Friends Challenge #10 to get sentimental and let the sentiment do the talking.  This sentiment is from a set of quotes from Paper and Such (no longer available :( ) called Just Sayin' Love this quote and love this set!

Recipe:
Stamps- Paper and Such- Just Sayin'
Ink- black
Paper- kraft, orange, orange chevron, sugar
Accessories- nestabilities, orange satin ribbon, dimensionals

Rockstar

Yes, this is a play on words (as you will find out)... If you know me personally, or if you have been reading my blog for a while, you know that back in January 2009 I was diagnosed with a "rare" (so they said, not so much it appears) kidney disorder/disease called Medullary sponge kidney (MSK).  This basically means my body makes kidney stones all the time- I am fortunate in that I rarely, if ever, feel the stones.  I have had to completely overhaul my diet as well as my activity in order to fight this and keep them from coming back and being larger than before (and I am okay with that- anything to avoid passing another stone-worst experience of my life!).  Anyway, I wanted to showcase this a*muse|set in other ways- I wanted to show the versatility of it.  Green is the color of the kidney disease ribbon (along with several other causes).  I found a GREAT list that shows the causes with the colors here.  I didn't have the kelly green- the closest I had was a*muse|studio's grass green so I went with it.  And, if you haven't picked up on my play on words yet... rock is another name for... yep- stone.  So, this is for all of the fellow kidney disease sufferers in the world- MSK is a hard one because according to doctors there should be no pain based on where the stones are located- well, I know what I felt and it was pain so... if you know anyone with MSK or another "silent" disease and they say they are hurting, trust them, believe them and most of all- support them!

Without further adieu here's my card and info.  To find out how to get this set for only $3 you can go here and click on the Stamp out Breast Cancer link (and see- it works for other causes as well!)  What a GREAT set!

Recipe: (all amuse studio)
Stamps- Fight Like a Girl, Rockstar
Ink- Grass
Paper- Sugar, Grass
Accessories- Pearls

I'm Here for You

If you saw THIS POST then you know that a*muse|studio is doing something phenomenal!  They are giving away up to 10,000 Fight Like a Girl awareness stamp sets.  These sets are worth app. $18 and they are yours for only $3 (which is the shipping).  I received mine this week and with it being fall break I planned to play- only my migraine didn't let me until tonight.  I put this card together very quickly (love CAS) and used this as my inspiration.  If you want to find out where to get your set check the info after the card.

Card info:
Stamp set- Fight Like a Girl
Ink- french roast, bubblegum (I had to use bubblegum because shell would not show up)
Paper- shell, kraft
Accessories- shell ribbon

Some more info regarding the set; 

As of a couple of days they had only given away 2,000 sets!

Each set comes with a fact sheet, a 20% coupon to be used on an online order before the end of December and a chance to be entered into a big drawing.

If I can "give away" 30 sets  I get my choice of a free stamp set.  I am personally at about 8.  I have a LONG way to go and would LOVE your help!  You can do this one of two ways- go here to my webstore and purchase it that way OR you can contact me at the email located to the side and I can order it for you and you can pay me directly.  Here's the thing- there's only one per customer!  And, think of what a great stocking stuffer this would be for that stamper in your life! 

Dreaming Dreams

I have lots of dreams- dreams mainly for the future and yes, even dreams for the present.  Goals I want to achieve- and not just achieve but smash through them with a fire and a thirst for more.  I won an ippity challenge a few weeks ago and requested this stamp for my winnings.  When I saw it- it reminded me of all of those motivational pins I pin over at Pinterest.  Similar to the following:

Here is the card I made- which uses the ippity stamp: Happy are Those. You can find the challenge I used here: Unity Opportunity blog 

 

Recipe:

Stamps- Happy are those (ippity)

Ink- memento black

Paper- bermuda, onyx, sugar, bermuda chevron

accessories- butterfly die, twinkle stickers, and dimensionals

Enjoy and have a blessed day!

Stamp it Out

This isn't going to be a long post- just wanted to update you on some a*muse|studio news.  You will see below a flyer for an amazing gift!  a*muse is giving away up to 10,000 free stamp sets to help support cancer awareness.  The only cost to you?  The time it takes to order it and $3 for shipping.  It will take 6-8 weeks to be delivered to you BUT it also includes a 20% coupon for a future purchase.  I think the thing that I like the most about this set is that it will be versatile to use for other "support your cause" things.  It seems as if every disease/cause has their own color ribbon and this will work perfectly hand in hand with it. 

How to order?   Go HERE and you can order it at anytime- but hurry, they are doing really well as people understand the importance of this!  While you are there- feel free to poke around the catalogs and see if anything else strikes your fancy.  and if you order the set- PLEASE let me know I would love hear!

Thought of you Today

So, I haven't stamped/made a card in over 5 weeks. I finally sat on Saturday and made this one- and boy, could I tell I had been away for a while.  It took me forever to get this card put together (which is not typical for one as CAS as this is).  Anyway, I hope you enjoy- I joined in on this week's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use black, white, and one other color.  Wasn't really thinking with this one because of the flower stem but I'm okay with it ;)

Recipe:
Stamps- a*muse|studio- smile inside
Ink- memento black, orange copic marker
Paper- sugar, onyx, orange chevron (love this!)
Accessories- onyx satin ribbon, pumpkin button, nestabilties labels 1, dimensionals

Life Happens...

I can't believe it's been a month since I have posted!  Life got a little busy- school started back, I have been working on my exercise habits all summer so needed to keep those going, and then just life in general.  I did make a few cards this summer so I do have them to show- just haven't had/taken the time to blog about them.  I'm sort of in a crafting "funk" right now.  I have not made in a card in over 3 weeks and I just kind of sit there and look at my stuff.  I have great intentions to make something and then one thing leads to another- the next thing I know it's 10:30 and time to head to bed.  The following has kind of been where my mindset has been lately- it's become extremely important to me to build my healthy habits and exercise has become my main outlet for stress. 

I talked and talked for months/years and decided it was finally time to do something about it.  I have been posting more over at my healthy living blog so you can read some of those thoughts HERE

The following is a card I made back in late July for some challenges over on SCS.  I have several friends on this journey with me and thought this would be a good pick me up for them.  I LOVE this image (it's one of the few "exercise related" stamps I can find that I like. HINT- I would buy MORE if they were available) 

 

Thanks for looking!

Recipe:

Stamps- Taylored Expressions, Paper Makeup Stamps

Ink- black, spectrum noir markers

Paper- amuse (ocean, onyx polka dot, sugar)

Hot Cocoa...

Yes, I know it's summer but why not get a head start on your Christmas cards and/or gifts.  Just hop along through the blogs to get some inspiration. If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Linda's blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Karen's blog until you come to my blog.

Yesterday, August 1, the a*muse|studio holiday catalog was released.  LOTS of great stamp sets, paper, and embellishments.  So, today we are focusing on the holidays.  I chose Cup of Good Cheer to showcase.  Mine is not actually a card- I am a teacher and I am planning on putting together little goody bags with hot cocoa packet, marshmallows and a candy cane for Christmas (some call it snowman soup).  I figure this would be a good bag topper when I get those bags filled.  Enjoy!  Thanks for looking- and I would love to hear what little gifty type things you are going to do.  I did keep this CAS!

 

Recipe:

Stamps- cup of good cheer

Ink- black

Paper- kraft, cherry, sugar

Accessories- copic marker, cherry chevron ribbon (I know it looks crooked but it's really not) :)

Here's a list of all the blogs participating:

Karen Crisp http://www.papernstamps.blogspot.com
Linda Suarez http://www.luckydogstamper.com
Tami Grandi http://journeyoflifetamijo.blogspot.com
Kristine Vicente http://www.checkerberrylane.wordpress.com
Kathy Hatzke http://kathatstamps.blogspot.com
Pamela Fredrickson http://attemptedcreativity.blogspot.com
 

You can see all of the new products HERE

Now on to your next stop Kristine's blog.

Dream Big

I loved this set from Sweet n Sassy Stamps when I saw it and finally bit the bullet and ordered it last week.  It came on Saturday and I had a chance to stamp and color it on Sunday and make a card.  Loving this color combination as well- great summery combo.

One of the reasons I have liked this set is because of the following picture that you can find on my pinterest board (motivation).  I need to set goals to achieve results and goals=dreams- so dream big!  

and here's the card (need to work on the photography a bit)

Stamps- Sweet n Sassy Stamps- Dream Big
Ink- memento black, copic markers
Paper- Ocean, sugar, watermelon

Nice to think about

It's been a busy few weeks, between working on school things, exercising, going to a conference, more exercising, and just life in general I haven't shared much here.  I have made a few things but not shared them.  So, today I decided I would :)  Maybe even a few more times this week as well (*shock*).  Anyway, here's the card for today.  I was playing with a new a*muse|studio product that will be out August 1.  It's called Color Splash and it's basically a spray-able ink.  You will be able to see it here on August 1 (or contact me for a holiday supplement catalog which I should have in my hands late this week).  I chose the Winter Sky color splash because I thought it was the most neutral and while I am still playing with it to understand how it works, I did discover that it makes the paper flowers look great!  :) 

I kept this design CAS since I hadn't played in a while and decided to incorporate this Friday's CAS-ual Fridays challenge to use black as your card base.  Enjoy!

Recipe (all supplies are a*muse|studio)
Stamps-Just Because
Ink- memento
Paper- Onyx, sugar, winter sky
accessories- nestabilities, paper flowers, color splash (winter sky), onyx twinkle stickers

Thinking of You in red

I was browsing through my google reader earlier today and saw a card someone had made with a sketch from a blog that I was unfamiliar with.  When I saw the sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches I wanted to make a card since it's such a CAS sketch.  First time I have stamped in a few days after being out of town for a family wedding and time with my family. 

On to the card- I love the colors red and yellow together- just very fresh and pops of colors.  Enjoy and have a blessed day!

All supplies are a*muse|studio and can be purchased here (US only) 24/7

Recipe:
Stamps- Friend to Friend
Ink- black, copic markers, cherry
Paper- kraft, cherry polka dot, sugar
accessories- dimensionals, papaya satin ribbon

Don't forget- 10% of my commission for sales in July and August will go toward my brother in law's Team in Training fundraising effort for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  I would LOVE to send him a BIG check! 

July Spotlight, a Card, and some Randomness

Okay- three things to address here- it's late, I'm tired so I'm addressing them in an outline format ;)

First, July 1 started a new spotlight for the month of July.  You can see the details in the flyer below.  Personally, I don't have any of these sets so no cards to show you but they made some fun activities in the photos below (a memory game is one of them) and my favorite thing- they are Olympics related!  I love that- I'm looking forward to the upcoming summer Olympics- I still remember back in 1984 watching Mary Lou Retton and gymnastics- what a fun memory! 

Second, a card- I have several cards that I need to blog- I'm going to really try to do much better about blogging- I really do enjoy it but I need to actually sit down and take the time to put the cards here.  I'll work on it!

Recipe: (all products are a*muse|studio)
Stamps- Contemporary Greetings
Ink- black
Paper- sugar, cherry polka dot, blueberry polka dot, buttercup polka dot
accessories- scallop edge die
 

Third, this one is a little different- my brother in law is running in races as part of the Team in Training for Leukemia and Lymphoma.  He is a leukemia survivor and is using that to fuel this passion.  He is fundraising as part of that and I would like to help him.  I already have some set aside to donate BUT here's what else is going to happen.  As many who read my blog know I sell for a direct sales company called a*muse|studio- it is my "crafty" money to help support my hobby as best as I can.  However, for the months of July and August I am offering half of my commission to his fundraising efforts (that's 10%).  For every order placed (through me or my website in the months of July- half of what I  make will go toward him at the end of August.  On top of that- I think I'll have a little drawing- everyone who does place an order will go into the drawing for a stamp set- I don't know yet what set it will be (maybe winner's choice up to a certain dollar amount?  maybe a specific one?).  I will draw for the stamp set on the day I announce the amount of the donation.  I would LOVE to donate a nice little sum towards the research and his fundraising efforts.  He has worked extremely hard to get to this point.  He has no idea I am doing this (and Janna if you read this- do NOT tell him). 

Thank You and Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July- I hope and pray that as you enjoy/have enjoyed time with family and friends today that you took some time to remember the fact that we are free due to those who have fought or are fighting for those rights.  Having family and friends who have been (and still are) part of that is such a sobering thought yet fills me with such pride!

So, tell me what you did on the 4th?  Me, I took it easy- did an hour and a half spin class this morning, went grocery shopping and sat around... :)  Lazy days- they are hard to come by (oh wait, lazy and spin class do NOT go together!)

Anyway, I made this card a few weeks ago and wanted to post it today to say Thank You to all of those who serve(d).  I hope you enjoy!  AND, tomorrow- be looking for a post about the fun stuff for July (including a little something special)

Recipe:
Stamps- essential sentiments, let freedom ring
ink- cherry, blueberry, black
paper- cherry, blueberry, sugar
accessories- dimensionals, window dies

*all supplies are a*muse|studio and can be purchased here 24/7

Christmas in July!

Hard to believe that Christmas is less than 6 months away!  I have been working on my Christmas cards throughout the year so that I can hopefully get them mailed out this year!  These were my set of June cards and they fit perfectly with the Christmas in July theme for the a*muse|studio consultant blog hop. 

If you are participating in the blog hop, you should have come from Mindy's blog and if not, then you should start from the beginning with Samantha's blog until you come to my blog. (if for some reason Samantha's blog is not showing then pop on over to Karen's blog and go from there)

Recipe:
Stamps- holy night
Ink- black, papaya
paper- sugar, onyx
accessories- onyx satin ribbon, onyx sheer ribbon

ENJOY!  Oh, and keep your eyes peeled- the a*muse holiday supplement will be available August 1 and there's some FUN stuff coming out!  We'll be celebrating with a Holiday Hoopla!

Now on to your next stop Pamela's blog