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.