CHA Top Pick #1 and Some Blog Candy

Did you think I fell off the face of the planet? Because I sure feel like it! Ever since I got back from CHA, I've been exhausted. I think I was running on adrenaline the whole week. I also sprained my ankle but pushed through walking on the floor however NOW just at home, it's killing me. But enough about me! Time for some PICS!!

Ok, this is my first CHA top pick post. I'm gonna show you some of the stuff from CHA that I just loved! And these posts will probably be a little picture heavy. What can I say? I love pictures. This picture is of me standing at the Clear and Simple Stamps Supershow booth.

Now, Clear and Simple stamps are new to me but they have been around for a while now. They are owned by a mother daughter duo (seriously sweet ladies!) Reenee is mom and Ewunike (Nicki, I hope it's ok to call you that!) is daughter. Teehee, Reenee's last name (and Nicki's maiden name) is BRADY. It's like I was meant to be in love with this company! How could I not? Here's a picture of me and Nicki. Look at her sweet face! She's just as nice as she looks. I actually loved everyone at the booth! They were all fantastic!


Ok, now onto some PRODUCT info. Lately, I've been feeling the need to place an order for some card stock. Did you know that I used to use the kind you bought at Michael's in the value pack? Yikes, it's not great stuff, especially for card bases. Anyhow, Nicki was telling that all the CSS card stock colors and made to match Copic markers. WOW! How much do I love that?! I got a little sample pack of the card stock. The colors are rich! I love them. The card stock is super smooth and a nice weight for cardmaking. Not only that, but they have matching BUTTONS, ribbons and ink. EEEEK!!! (This pic if some fun project samples.)

I also got a couple little stamps sets from the Clear and Simple Stamps booth. I've tried stamping them with the CSS Hybrid ink and my ink at home (Memento) and the stamps stamped perfectly on both occasions. Now, I can be a bit wary of some clear stamps. But these are super nice. I got a nice crisp image and appreciate that a lot.

Another thing I LOVE LOVE LOVED at the CSS booth was the templates!! Oh my gosh! Look at this robot! It was made with one of their templates! Maybe I'm a little goofy but this robot made my heart super happy. You can find all sorts of AMAZING templates on the CSS blog for FREE!

But wait! Didn't I say there was BLOG CANDY? ;) Yes, I most certainly did! Nicki was kind enough to give me some stuff to give to YOU! How cool is that!?!? Here's a little St Patrick's Day set (but would work great for good luck type cards), a Glamazon Green hybrid ink pad, and a little clear block. Just add your own paper and you could start stamping!!

1 entry for each of these things:
1. Just leave a comment, easy peasy
2. Leave ANOTHER comment telling me what you favorite item on the Clear and Simple Stamps shop is
3. Blog, Tweet, or Facebook this giveaway (you can leave one comment for each)
4. Follow me, you know you want to. You can leave a comment if you already follow me too.

I will close this blog candy in one week. It will close Feb 6 and I will announce a winner shortly after.

EtsyInspired #73 ~ Elies Happy Hats

This week's EtsyInspired shop is Elie's Happy Hats. Oh my goodness, this store just oozes cuteness! They have amazing bright fun colors and cute designs. The color combos are really fresh and I love that. Gone are the days when boys just wear blue and girls just wear pink. These colors are trendy and darling. Not only that, but they have fun new hat styles that I find super unique like this darling floppy hat to the right. They have so many other cute styles like beanies with brims, double pom pom hats, flapper hats, ear flap hats, etc... And they don't just have hats either! They have headbands and shoes too! The shop is having a HUGE clearance right now so check that out! You can also find them here: Elies Happy Hats Twitter and Elies Happy Hats Facebook.

This week, Elies Happy Hats is offering up a HUGE prize pack! One lucky winner will get 1 Baby Flapper Summer Hat, 1 White/Purple two-layer flower hat, and 1 teddy bear hat. (Please feel free to send the teddy bear hat over to Parker! ;) ) Ok, to enter to win, all you have to do is go to the Elies Happy Hats shop and pick anything to be inspired by. Make a creation and post you link to the EtsyInspired #73 post on the EtsyInspired blog by next Friday, Feb 4 by noon Pacific time. If you upload to SCS or PCP, pleae use keyword EIC73.

But that's not all!! We have an awesome sponsor as well. It's Pixie Dust Studio. They offer tons of adorable digi stamps. They have given the DT some stamps to work with so you can see their cute stamps in action. They are offering up a prize of their new release, The Berry Fairies. :)


Here's my card using the adorable Strawberry Fairy. I was inspired by the Baby Vintage Flapper hat. I used the cute orange color of the hat for her hair and the other colors for her hat. The designer paper is from the Target $ spot. The ribbon is Bo Bunny. The die cut is Nesties Label 8 and the punch is EK Success.
Check out the DT:

Ashley (that's me)
De
Emily

Heather P (Jan Guest)
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Shannon
Tiffany

Blog Candy (For A Cause)

NEW extended deadline: Feb 4th!!

Alright, so I'm sick right now and I haven't been creating. And then I'm off to CHA this weekend and I'll be gone for a good part of next week. I've decided to leave you all with some BLOG CANDY while I'm gone. :) Isn't that sweet of me?

However, there's a catch! This blog candy is a challenge. To win, you must make a card using the Baylee Fairy and post a link here. The Baylee Fairy digi stamp is available for $3 at Paper Makeup Stamps. All the proceeds go to the Tadlock Family. A winner will be chosen at random.

Here's a list of what you can win:

~Sassfrass Wee Bundle paper and chipboard stickers

~Gina K assorted ribbon

~a tube of glitter

~Autumn Leaves Mindy's Flowers (lightly used)

~3 wood mount rubber stamps (Stampendous and Vap Scrap)

~Chipboard accents

~ Unmounted stamp set from Firecracker Designs by Pamela

~Studio G mini stamp set and clear block

~2 packs of stickers

~mini note card set

~The Details Unity Stamp Co Single

~jumbo paper clips

~binder clips

You have until next Thurs, Jan 28 to post your creation right here using Mr Linky. I do hope you'll participate! :)

A Baylee Fairy Card by Brady

The other day, I was coloring my Baylee image and Brady walks up to me and says "Ohhhh, pretty!" Sometimes that child makes my heart sing! :) I asked him if he wanted to have his very own Baylee to make a card with and he was very excited. I cut the papers for him and DH helped him use the glue stick.

Here's a list of supplies he used, just in case you were wondering. The purple paper is DCWV, the orange paper is Stampin Up, and the flowers are Prima. The dew drops are generic from Michael's. And of course, the image is the Baylee Fairy from Paper Makeup Stamps.

Please buy the Baylee Fairy as the proceeds go to The Tadlock Family. :)

And here's a picture of my little artist. This is what he NORMALLY does when I'm crafting. It's called "sticker art." He's supposed to but the stickers on a paper but that day he decided to use his shirt. He often does.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Paper Makeup Stamps Special Release: Baylee Fairy

***Please scroll down for IPPITY post!***

The paper crafting world is one with a lot of heart. I think that's one of the main reasons I love the community so much. I have a very special post for you today that really has my heart in it.

Sonda Tadlock is a friend I met on Splitcoast Stampers. We live pretty close to each other but have not met in person yet. Sonda has a very special daughter and that's what my post is about.

Katie Cotton writes:
At the age of 9 months, Baylee was diagnosed with Leigh's Syndrome. Leigh's Syndrome is a metabolic-mitochondrial disease. The family was told to expect Baylee's life to be only of about 2 years. That she would never walk, talk, sit up or even crawl. But Baylee was a fighter and a lover of life! She loved to ride horses! She loved disney and princess Ariel. Baylee recently went to be with our Lord on January 9th at the age of 13. You can read all about Baylee, her too short life, and her family's amazing faith at www.adreamforbaylee.com

So, my good friend Carole Chesser and I approached my other good friend Katie Cotton who owns Paper Makeup Stamps. Katie contacted her artist Diem Pascarella and they came up with this amazing stamp. The proceeds of this stamp will go to the Tadlock family. I do hope that you will buy the stamp and help out.

Here is my card. I colored Baylee with a combination of Copics, Bic Mark Its and gel pen. The pink paper is Cuttlebug embossed with the Floral Fantasy folder. The designer paper is from My Mind's Eye. The die cut is Nesties Label 8. I hope you like it. I tried really hard.

The direct link to buy the stamp is HERE.

Ippity (Late, but Finally Up)

Alright, so the baby is up and I finally have taken my picture. It's been a rough morning around here. Brady is restless and it's raining. We are also having potty power struggles. But alas, I have a card and a post to share.

Here's my card. It's using the Mojo Monday sketch from last week. I also wanted to use it for another card for Winter's Cards for St Jude's drive. This card uses the Straight From the Heart stamp set. (Available in my sidebar.) The paper is just some old Target $1 paper from last Valentine's Day.

Don't forget to go to the Ippity blog and take a look at all the people doing the blog hop today! Lots of eye candy out there!

A-Z Year and a Super Generous Offer from Paper Temptress

So, I just started reading/following Nicole Maki's blog. I know, I've been living under a rock and I'm late to the Nicole Maki party. What can you do? I read A LOT of blogs. Anyhow, I'm kind of in love with her (in a totally straight non-weird way.) I like the way she writes. I like the way she thinks. And if we were to meet in person, I'm sure we'd get along very well.

Ok, enough about my new found love for Nicole. While I was on her blog, I found this awesome article she wrote about her A-Z Year. To super simplify, you spend two weeks focused on a letter and doing something new. You will go through the entire alphabet in a year. How cool is that? I am loving this idea! She even has an A-Z Year Ning Group you can join for ideas. And as always, I'm late to the party so I will be starting with the letter B.

For you "B" viewing pleasure today, I give to you a picture of the Baby. :) Today, we are going to hang out with Brady's Best friend and his family. And we are all going to eat BBQ together. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. I love doing new things and this will really push me to think outside my box.

On a totally different note, I was talking to Patricia of Paper Temptress yesterday and she's doing the most generous thing ever! If you donate $10 or more to a charity to benefit Haiti, she will send you a Silver Lustre Paper package for free! Here's what she wrote to me:

"PaperTemptress is offering a Silver Lustre Package for every donation of $10 or more that is donated to any charity for Haiti by anyone for the next two weeks. All you have to do is email me at patricia@papertemptress.com with some form of proof, an email confirming the donation..a cc bill (of course cover the numbers) or any type of proof of a donation with an address and I will send you a Silver Lustre package (my absolute favorite) free of charge. There is no greater joy than giving! I hope to hear from all of you so please donate to any charity of your choice to help during this tragedy."

Card for St Jude's

The amazing Winter Sims has put together a card drive for St Jude's children's hospital. She is looking for Valentine's Day cards and is offering blog candy. Please go HERE for more details.

Ok, so maybe my card isn't exactly gender neutral but hey, who doesn't love TV? ;) This stamp is from Unity Stamp Co, rightly named Love is Everything. The plaid paper is Basic Grey and the dot paper is Making Memories. The button is from Gina K.

So, I think I'm getting sick yet again so I'll keep this short. Please donate some Valentine's and make Winter's card drive a big success! :)

EtsyInspired #71 ~ Amethyst Soap

This week's EtsyInspired shop is Amethyst Soap. And WOW! These soaps are really something spectacular. I've never seen anything like them before. These are SOAPS! Can you believe it? I mean, seriously, they are so pretty that I'm not sure if I could bring myself to use them. But beyond the looks, some of this soap is actually really functional. There's a complexion bar that designed for people that have acne and other skin irritation. There's a pomegranite bar made from REAL pomegranite. This shop even has a "great eight" unique oil blend that is magical for the skin. Not only that but they GUARANTEE that you'll love it or you get your money back. Not many stores off that kind of deal.

This week, Amethyst Soaps is offering their The Trio (Small) Turquoise Soap as a prize. How do you win? Just pick any item in the Amethyst Soap shop to be inspired by and make any creation that you wish. Link your creation back to the EtsyInspired #71 post on the EtsyInspired blog by next Friday Jan 22nd, noon Pacific time to be entered into a drawing to win. Please make sure you credit the shop where you got your inspiration and this challenge to be eligible to enter. If you upload to SCS or PCP, please use keyword EIC71.

As if all that wasn't enough, this week, we also have an awesome sponsor! The Cutting Cafe! They offer all sorts of amazing digi crafting things! From background papers you can print to digi stamps to cutting files. They have an awesome assortment of things! You have to go check them out! Especially if you want some extra WOW factor for your cards! The Cutting Cafe also donated some items to the DT to work with so you can get a glimpse of what kind of awesome stuff they have.

Here is my card for this week. I was inspired by these beautiful Sweethearts soaps. I used the Small Hearts Backgrounds from the Cutting Cafe. I wish I could have showcased it better but I am out of color ink for my printer. But I thought this was a nice way to make a masculine card. The stamped image is Ippity from the Because of You set (available in my sidebar.)

Check out the DT:

Ashley
De
Emily

Heather P (Jan Guest)
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Lee
Shannon
Tiffany

FWF: You're the Cherry on Top

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a great week! I can't believe it's Friday already! I'm not complaining though.

Here's my card for this week. It's using October Afternoon paper and chipboard. The sentiment is from Unity June 09 KOTM, Perfect in Every Way. The border punch is Martha Stewart. I hand stitched the flourish using a template by Bazzill. I'm loving these stitch templates, I need a bunch more since I don't have a sewing machine.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend! Check out the Unity blog for the list of everyone participating in the blog hop this week!

OMG! How Cute is THIS?

Ok, so I have the BEST friend ever, De, you all know her. She's on the EIC team and she ROCKS! She is the most amazing graphic designer! She does ALL our EIC blinkies and she did my blog for me. I asked her to make me a little place holder for my out for publication card. And THIS cuteness is what I got back. Seriously?? Is that not the cutest thing in the ENTIRE world??!?! I love it!! YAY!! Thanks for making me smile De!

Hello Hello

Wow, it is much easier to title your post when you have sentiments on your cards. ;) I hope you all are having a good day. Mine started off a little overwhelming but I just took a break to collect myself and I'm feeling a lot better.

Here's a card I made using a sketch from Paper Crafts Magazine for their last publication call. The image is from the Dec 09 Unity KOTM and the sentiment is from Unity's Tiny Trinity. The background is Distressed Dots. And the DP is Basic Grey Origins.

Have a happy rest of your Wednesday everyone! Oh and CHA is coming, woohoo!!

A Thank You Card and EXCITING NEWS for Me!

Wow! Today has been a good day! I need to thank all my friends who have been sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts my direction! I met one of my crafty goals for this year, to be published! One of my cards has been accepted into CARDS magazine, you can see their amazing blog HERE! Also, I will be teaching card classes at a local scrapbook store, Scrap-N-Stamp.

I made another card using Basic Grey. A thank you card using Unity's Simply Said. I stamped my Kraft paper with Versamark ink and the Distressed Dots background stamp. Then I covered it with May Arts ribbon and tied some twine so you could get a little peek-a-boo action. The larger die cut is Nestie's Label 1 and the smaller ones are Label 8.

Also, you HAVE to check out this awesome BLOG CANDY on Winnie's blog. You can see the details HERE.

I Hope You Know

Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you are all having a wonderful day so far! We are off to a slow start here but are gonna run a couple errands in a bit.

Here's a card I made using the AMAZING Basic Grey Origins paper that my friend LISA got me for my bday. I love love love Basic Grey and this line is no exception! I busted out my Bazzill In Stitchz template and stitched a flourish onto the paper and then added some Kaisercraft pearls. The sentiment here is from a Hero Arts clear stamp set. The butterfly is a Martha Stewart punch, LOVE Martha! And the scalloped border is actually made of 1 inch circle punches.

ALSO! Torendi is having a giveaway. Super simple, all you have to do is become a follower and you get entered to win the CUTEST rub-ons EVER! Deets HERE.

Dance to the Beat

Hope you all had a happy Monday! :) I didn't do much other than go to my Mommy Group. I just had a nice weekend though.

Sorry this picture isn't super good. I'm kind of disappointed. Oh well, we aren't getting much sun right now. I bounced my flash off the right wall instead of the ceiling and that was my mistake. It works for people but obviously not cards.

Anyhow, how fun is this Unity sentiment? It says "Dance to the beat of your own drum." It's from the December 09 KOTM and so is the image. The houndstooth paper is from Recollections. The ribbon is from Michael's. I pleated it and then stapled it down with some hot pink staples. You can't really tell though and I'm disappointed in that too.

Alright, have a good night and see you all later!

Ippity Monday

Ok, so I tried to take a break by it really just didn't work. I was overwhelmed and upset. I just moped for a couple days but not creating was just making me worse.

Enough about me, it's an Ippity Monday! Woohoo! I love me some Ippity! Don't forget to hop over to the Ippity blog and check out all the girls that are doing the Ippity blog hop today.

This is one of my favorite sets right here! It's called Because of You. It's such a sweet set. I made this using one of the Paper Crafts Magazine sketches for the call they just had. The designer paper is Basic Grey's Indian Summer. I used some Kaisercraft pearls to embellish.

If you are interested in Ippity, I have it for sale in my sidebar. :)

Etsy Inspired #70 ~ Skylar's Candy Clips

I'm still on a break so I'm gonna make this a very very short post. I did still want to post since I love love love this shop, Skylar's Candy Clips. And I got wonderful materials from our sponsor this week, Paper Temptress and I HAD to show you all how pretty it is! Let's so how short I can make this post!

This week's shop is Skylar's Candy Clips and I am in love with it! They are offering up a prize this week too! The winner will be able to pick from either one (1) Happy Flower Headband OR one (1) Baby Happy Flower Headband. This shop makes me wish I had a little girl! Eeeek! I'm dying for headbands, flowers and all things girly!

To play along with this challenge, all you have to do is find any item in the Skylar's Candy Clips shop to be inspired by. Make any creation that you would like to and post a link to the EtsyInspired #70 post on the EtsyInspired blog. Post your creation by next Friday, Jan 15 noon Pacific time to be entered in a drawing to win! Also, please remember to credit where you got your inspiration from and please mention this challenge. Can't wait to see what you made!

This week our sponsor is Paper Temptress! You must check out this AMAZING shop! They have the most amazing paper you've ever seen in your life! Oy! My picture doesn't do it justice! The prize from Paper Temptress is a Silver Lustre Package. So pretty!

Here's my card for this week. I was inspired by THIS headband. I love these Poofy Flowers. I can't find the original tutorial though. My card base is Paper Temptress Gold Linen and my die cut (Labels 8) paper is Mountain Rose Glimmer card stock.

Check out the DT:

Ashley
De
Emily

Heather P (Jan Guest)
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Lee
Shannon
Tiffany

Officially on Break

I just had to get yesterday's DT obligation posted but I'm officially taking a short break from my blog and creating. I just wanted to post and let people know so you all don't think I've fallen off the face of the earth or that anything bad happened. I'll be back in a week or so.

Royal Tuesday Hop

If you are just stumbling in to my blog today, don't forget to go back to the QKD blog to start the blog hop. Today, there's a sketch (which I had to fudge because of the size of the image I had to use) and we are showing off the new releases that will be available on Wednesday.

This new release stamp is called Awaiting the Moment. How sweet is that? I love this mermaid from darling Maigan! I colored her with my Copics. The background paper is Deja Views. The white paper is embossed with the Swiss Dots folder. The flower is a Prima and the bling is Darice.

Now, your next stop is the Queen Kat Designs shop to get yourself some stamps! Here's the current sale:

Take 10% off everything!
That makes all clearance items 65% off

(Good today through 01/10/10)
use coupon code: BL10

Personal Update and a Break

So, I spent the majority of today sleeping. Granted, I did go out to dinner and drinks with my friends last night but I don't think that's why. I just feel so very depleted. There's so much going on in my life right now and I am feeling like it's a challenge to keep my head above water.

I'll give you a general overview because I don't want to give other people's personal details on my blog. My mom and stepdad are getting a divorce and it is getting extremely ugly. I mean, it was an ugly and sudden reason for a break up and it just keeps getting worse. I feel like my mom has been thrown off kilter and is making some horrible decisions that might end up affecting my life permanently.

On top of that, my grandma is nearing the end of her battle with lung cancer. It's just so very hard to watch. It makes my heart very very heavy.

So, for now, I'm taking a break. I can't manage to keep up with my creating with all the stuff I have going on. I need to step away and work on getting myself back in order. I'm hoping to be back in a couple week.

EtsyInspired #69 ~ Manic Muffin Totes

Due to some family issues and illness, I will not have a post for this week. Sorry. However, there IS still a challenge. Please check out the EtsyInspired Blog tomorrow and my sweet DT member Joy will have all the details for you.

Oh, and here's a sampling from the AWESOME store, Manic Muffin Totes.

FWF: Thanks So Very Much!

Wow! I can't believe it's a new year! Did you know that yesterday was my birthday?? It was! :) I hope you all had a wonderful time celebrating the new year coming in.

Here's my card for today. The background paper is one that I'm in LOVE with, Basic Grey Origins. So pretty! The main image stamp is from the Unity Dec 09 KOTM. The sentiment is Unity's Simply Said. And the flowers are Prima.

I'm actually writing this on my birthday and I'm headed out to a party so I'll keep this one short. Here's to another wonderful year of blogging with my DEAR friends I've made over the last couple years.