Welcome to the World Baby Avery

Hi friends!  I'm a little late in posting but I've been really busy.  As you can tell from the title of the post,  my daughter was born.  :)  Her name is Avery and she was born on Dec 27.  She weighed 8 lbs and 4 oz and is 20 3/4 inches long.  Right now, we are struggling with her weight.  She kept losing weight.  :(    Yesterday, we had a .03 oz gain so keep your fingers crossed that we have crossed this bridge and she'll keep gaining weight.  Without further ado, I assume you came for the pictures.

Here is a picture of Avery less than 12 hours old, meeting her brothers for the first time.

And here's Avery at home with this little dolly that I got from Dustin's aunt that I just adore.

Needless to say, my blog might go neglected for a while.  Have a great day friends!  

Fresh Squeezed Stamps Grand Opening (GIVEAWAY)

Hi friends!  Happy October!  Can you BELIEVE how far into the year we are?  This year has gone by SO fast!

Today, I have a VERY exciting post for you.  My friends Shannon Fralish (from Paper Made Bakery) and Ryann Salamon have a super exciting announcement.

Fresh Squeezed Stamps - the name says it all!  I’m so excited to introduce you to this brand new clear stamp company owned by my friends Ryann Salamon and Shannon Fralish.  They’re launching their new company today, October 1^st, and have a weeklong celebration planned with fantastic guest designers, giveaways and more!  The Fresh Squeezed Stamps website goes live on Saturday, October 6, just in time for World Card Making Day. There are lots of fun and specials going on, so be sure and visit their blog every day this week and their website on Saturday to pick up the very first four sets!

To celebrate, we have a giveaway going on right here!  Fresh Squeezed Stamps is giving away one of their brand new stamp sets to four lucky winners!  All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter every day, so there are lots of chances to win a free set.  The winners will be announced on Fresh Squeezed Stamps’ blog, website and Facebook page on Saturday, October 6.  Stop by and tell them Ashley sent you!  Congratulations Fresh Squeezed Stamps!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Fresh Squeezed gals were kind enough to send me a couple stamp sets to play with.  Girls, I have to tell you, the quality of these stamps are superb!  I pulled them right our of the package and got crisp, clear images right off the bat.  No need to prime.  No need to stamp on a mouse pad.  These are AMAZING!  Let's have a peek.

The first stamp set is called Happy Hexagons.  This set is REALLY really cute!  I decided to make a flower from the hexagons.  The paper is from Heidi Swapp.

Here's my second project using the Subway Series Holidays set.  I used a Whisker Graphics Chevron Middy Bitty Bag.  The paper is from Die Cuts With a View and the ribbon is orange net from May Arts.

Have a great day, friends!  Don't forget to stop by the Fresh Squeezed Stamps Facebook and let them know I sent you!  

It's A...

***For my My Thoughts Exactly post, please scroll down.***

GIRL!!!  

Just thought I'd pop on real quick to share just in case you can't on Facebook or Instagram.  :)  

An Update, BIG NEWS, and Some Chatter

Hi friends!  I can't believe it's been almost a whole week since I last blogged.  Time sure does fly by!  Summer is flying by too.  So...here are some updates on us.

First, if we aren't friends on Facebook, you might not know that I'm pregnant.  I'm just about 18 weeks pregnant and we'll find out the gender of the baby on Aug 21.  Here's a look at the baby from my last ultrasound on June 26.

Second, I am ALMOST done with the Whopping Cough.  Just about 2.5 weeks left.  My cough is only bad at night or first thing in the morning.  I'm still very tired but hopefully, this will be gone and I can get that second trimester burst of energy.

Third, Parker is starting preschool on Thurs.  GASP!  I'm excited but sad too.  He's my baby and I've never had him away from me like this.  I know his teachers and I know that he'll have a great time but my baby is growing up and it's hard.  Brady will start kindergarten on Aug 16 but I'm still in denial on that one.

Lastly, HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR SWAGBUCKS?  Ok, I normally do separate blog posts for Swagbucks but I just don't feel like it this time.  Swagbucks just launched a mobile site so you can earn Swagbucks from your smartphone.  You can check out the tutorial HERE.  You can check out how my previous Swagbucks posts HERE.

I've been doing Swagbucks for just over a year.  In that time, I've managed to get enough Swagbucks that I traded in for gift cards to get myself a couple books, an Xbox Kinnect for my family for Christmas, and the majority of what I needed to buy Brady a Nintendo 3DS for his birthday.  I'm guessing that's been about $350 of stuff I got for FREE by using Swagbucks!

But WAIT, if you want to sign up under MY REFERRAL LINK, Swagbucks has given me a special code since I'm a Swagbucks Blogger.  Upon signing up, enter in code: SBISONTHEGO for an additional 60 Swagbucks!  You get 30 just for signing up, but if you use this code, you'll start with 90!  Please use my referral code if you sign up: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/HeartHugs.

Have a great day, friends!

Super Exciting News!!!

Hi friends! I have some FUN FUN super exciting news to share with you!! I've been asked to write some paper crafting and party posts for Dollar Store Crafts!!! WOOT!!!

If you've been following my blog for any amount of time, you KNOW that I love to save money! I can't stand spending more money than I feel like I need to on ANYTHING including my crafting. I have been an avid follower of Dollar Store Crafts for a LONG time now, probably at least two years, and I'm over the moon to be blogging over there!

Funny story, Heather Mann (owner of Dollar Store Crafts) and I met at LAX airport! I almost missed my flight because I was so busy talking to her. That was Jan 2011. We started chatting because we were trying to get the Wi-Fi in the airport. She told me that she was from Dollar Store Crafts and I flipped out! I'm so impressed with this genius woman who came up with this AMAZING idea! Taking things from the Dollar Store (or dollar section) and turning it into something FAB! Incredibly smart.

Here's a picture of Heather and I at CHA just last week. :D This is shortly before she asked me to write for her. I managed not to jump up and down and scream while at CHA. Afterwards...well... ;)

Alright, enough blabbering from me. Stay tuned, I'll be posting my first posts very soon! YAY!!!

Fun News!!!

Hello friends! I have some super fun news to share with you that I'm REALLY excited about! :)

Over the last month, I've gotten the absolute pleasure of guest designing for EAD Designs. Emily is one of the most kind and generous people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and I LOVE all the wonderful products that EAD has to offer! Sooo...I will now be working with EAD doing their social marketing/public relations! :D

That means, you will see me on the EAD Facebook page, chatting it up and giving things away! You'll see me posting on the EAD Blog, sharing the latest news and showcasing customers and more. Also, if you are looking for cross promotions and other social media things, you can email ME at ashley at eaddesigns dot com!

I'm REALLY excited to have the chance to be working with such an amazing company and to be introducing people to these products that I love so much! Here are a couple pictures of EAD Designs items that are in my home:

I would LOVE if you would join me on the EAD Facebook page!

Exciting News!

Hi friends! I'm super excited to tell you that I'm a now working with Whisker Graphics! They are best known for Divine Twine but that's not all they offer. There are the cutest Bitty Bags, fun stickers, tons of printables, address labels and lots more! You'll be seeing a lot more creations from me using all these fabulous products!

If you would like to check them out on Facebook, you can go to the Whisker Graphics FB Page and "like" them. I hear that there are giveaways and contests in the future. Also, you should check out the Whisker Graphics Blog and become a follower. I've heard that there will be contests and giveaways there as well.

Here are a couple projects I've made recently with Divine Twine.

Fun News and a Call!

Hi friends! I hope you are all having a great day! I'm pretty excited about today, I'm going to the doctor to get a CPAP adjusted for my sleep apnea. I'm hoping getting a restful night of sleep will give me more energy and more time to create since I won't be so tired all the time.

I do have an announcement! From now on, I'll be writing the Product Review article for Through the Craftroom Door Magazine. This is kind of like a dream come true for me. When I was in college, I majored in journalism but then got side tracked when I decided I wanted to work with children with special needs. So, this is a little like coming home. I am going to be a PUBLISHED writer in a magazine. It's rather amazing! :D To see my article and lots of amazing projects, articles, and tutorials; subscribe to Through the Craftroom Door. I've heard that late this summer, you will be able to purchase back issues individually in limited supply too.

And since we are on the subject of TTCR, I wanted to fill you in on the next call for the May/June issue:

Themes:

~Parents

~Travel/Bon Voyage

~Graduation Gift

~Mad about 3-D

There is also a sketch. More info can be found right HERE. While you are over there, join the TTCD Ning site. There will be lots of cool stuff over there including games, contests, prizes, tutorials, product review and more.

Lawnscaping Challenge

Hi everyone! I am THRILLED to tell you about the brand new Lawn Fawn challenge blog, it's called Lawnscaping Challenge. I was so happy when Lynnette recommended me to the brains behind this whole idea, Laurel.

How it works is that every 1st and 3rd Monday, there will be a new challenge and an awesome prize! To play along, you must use Lawn Fawn stamps. Also, if you play along with all the challenges, you will be entered in a drawing to win a HUGE prize pack! The more times you play, the more times your name will be put in the drawing.

Our first challenge is All About Snow! What a fun one! We don't actually get snow where I live but some times, we'll go visit an area with snow.

Here's my creation for this week. I made it using Lawn Fawn's Critters in the 'Burbs. I might have actually made this for my own birthday. Teehee! :D

The prize for this week is a stamp set of your choice! How awesome is that? I'd love to win!

For all the details and to enter the challenge, go over to the Lawnscaping Challenge blog.

And check out the DT:

Laurel

Lynnette

Britta

Christiana

and our special guest: Tiffany

Card Details:

Card Stock: white

Patterned Paper: Echo Park Wintertime

Stamps: Lawn Fawn Critters in the 'Burbs

Misc: Stickles, alpha stickers

A Whole Bunch of Stuff!

Hi friends! I hope you're having a great New Year so far! I have a few things to share with you today.

First up is a card that I made that was rejected from a call. You win some, you lose some. Teehee! I'm just lucky to have at least a couple things picked up! :) Here's a very simple card I made with some Practicing Creativity Designs stamps. This reminds me of hot air balloon festivals. All the pretty balloons flying around together.

Next up, I have some news to share with you! I am now on the In Style Stamps design team for the next 6 months! You can read the announcement on their blog HERE. I'm really excited to be starting this new term with this fun stamp company!

Lastly, my friend Lisa has something up her sleeve. I don't know what it is, but I do know that she has a GIANT giveaway and you can read the details HERE. Also, if you would follow Papergrace on Facebook and tell her I sent you, I would REALLY appreciate it!

FWF: All Things Unity (Some Exciting Announcements!)

Hi everyone! Happy Friday! I'm so glad it's the weekend! We have a fun one planned. We are going to meet our friends' baby for the first time. We will be bringing them dinner. I am so excited! I love babies! :)

Ok, for my first announcement, you have to check out the new All Things Unity challenge blog. A few of us Unity Addicts lead by my friend Sara Henton have gotten together to create a blog for YOU! There will be challenges and chances to win awesome prizes! And you can use Unity OR Ippity to play along. This first week's challenge is to make a sunshiney card! :) And my sweet Sara is offering up a prize! The prize this time is Unity's This is The Time miniature set. You have until March 18th, 11:59pm EST to link your creation to the All Things Unity blog to be entered to win.

Here is my card using the Feb '10 KOTM. I love this paper from DCWV Citrus stack! Seriously, could you be more sunshiney? I colored my image with Copics then added bling to the middle house and Sakura Glaze Pen to the bird. The ribbon here is May Arts, also super sunny. :)

I have another card and another announcement. Though the anouncement has nothing to do with the card. I'll do the card first. This is a card I made for Jen del Muro's Sketch for You to Try last week. Also, for Taylor Vanbruggen's Dragonfly Card Drive. It is such an AMAZING cause! Please check it out! This card uses Unity's Butterfly Beauty set. The paper is Basic Grey's Sugar Rush. The flowers are Prima and the bling is Kaisercraft.

Ok, my ANNOUNCEMENT! I've been selected to be on the Creation Inspirations Paints design team!! I am so excited to be working with this brand new company! Be on the look out for my creations using these paints in the near future!

50% Off SALE!!

My friend Kalla has an online scrapbook store called Timeless Paper Arts. Due to changing times, she has decided to close down the store. I wish her the best of luck on her future endeavors. She's an amazing talent.

However, there IS good news for us! She's marked EVERYTHING in her shop for sale at 50% off! Shipping is $4.95 for orders up to $35 and FREE for orders over $35. Hurry though, it's going super fast!

NEW IPPITY!!! WOOHOO!!

Hey everyone! Today is soooooo exciting! We have a BRAND NEW Ippity Release! All the new stuff is now in my sidebar. And at the top, under my Ippity logo, there's a link to a post that will allow you to see larger images of the sets.

Unfortunately, I don't have my new stamps yet. I ordered them when I got back from CHA and I'm expecting them any day now. :D So, the card I have to share with you is a bit older.

My card uses Devoted. I love this set! It's so pretty! This card is for a house warming or other such home event. Maybe like a welcome home. The paper is American Crafts. The letters and ribbon are for the Target $ Spot. The die cut is Nesties Label 1. The punch is Martha Stewart butterfly punch and the rhinestones are Darice.

Check out the Ippity blog to see everyone else's creations today! :)

A Winner, A Sketch Card, and Some Fun News

First the winner of my Clear and Simple Stamps blog candy, picked by Random.org:

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

Oh, WOW! I just went and checked out their shop and I LOVE that they have cardstock to match copics! That is a genious idea!
Their stamps are also super cute! Thanks for telling us about this fab company, Ashley!

Emily, I already have your info so I'll send that out to you. :)

Next is a card. I made this for this current CPS challenge. Seriously, how far out of my box did I go for this one? Ok, maybe not that far but it's definitely not in my comfort zone. The stamp is from Unity Stamp Co. The frame is Melody Ross for GCD. The background paper is Basic Grey Nook and Pantry. The brown CS was embossed with Swiss Dots. What do you think? It's not matchy-matchy like I usually am. It has a slight vintage vibe too, I think. But somehow, I still managed to pull off cute. Sigh...I can't get rid of the cute. It's in my blood.

Ok, next, my NEWS! I am now writing an article for Examiner.com. :) How cool is that? I will be writing on Arts and Crafts. You can bookmark my page or subscribe HERE. And you can go HERE to read my first article.

Exciting News :)

After tons of deliberation, I finally decided to sign up for Ippity Stamps as a consultant. I really needed a good way to make a few extra dollars and I'm hoping to have some home parties, do some events in my town, and maybe even some crops. Now, I haven't had much luck with home based business in the past but I am in LOVE with Unity Stamps, which I'm sure you know. So, from now on, you can buy your Ippity Stamps directly from me! Everything is in my sidebar to the right. :)

Here's a look at everything currently in the line. They are sooo cute! I love them!

Click photos to enlarge!

Project 320 One Sheet Wonder

First off, I need to give a BIG shout out to Sandra Wingate! I used her one sheet wonder template to make this charity card set and let me tell you, it made my life SOOOO much easier! So, thank you Sandra!

Remember how I posted about Project 320 the other day? This is the card set that I sent them for their blog candy. Get ready people! On Dec 14, they will start this AMAZING blog candy! A $10 donation to help build a well in Africa will get you an entry into the drawing. You can choose which prize pack you want to be entered for. It will be VERY exciting and hopefully, we can help the Project 320 girl reach the $5000 goal and build that well! :)

On a side note, I MUST toot my own horn again. Savitri Wilder's daughter M picked my card to be in her favorites from her last sketch. :) Thanks M! You rock! You can see the post HERE.

I. Am. Floored.

Did you see THIS POST on the Card Patterns blog? Seriously! I'm so excited! I made the super six at Card Patterns! Woohoo! How cool is that? Alright, no more tooting my own horn.

EXCITING News and Another WCMD Card

Eeeeeek! I'm sooooo excited!! I found out late last week that I am a new Whimsical Ink Sorority sister! :) I'm super thrilled about this whole thing! I can't wait to start sharing my Queen Kat Designs stuff with you all! And pretty soon, you'll see me posting over at the Whimsical Ink Sorority blog, so pop that in your reader and you can see all the fun we'll be up to!

Ok, another card from WCMD. I made this card for the Stamping Bella challenge. The challenge was to make a card using the theme "girls just want to have fun" and add some 80's flair to it. Basic Grey's Euphoria reminds me of the 80's so I used that. And I used this RAK image I got. My girlfriends and I love to watch movies and have snacks when we get together. The little chipboard piece says "Joy is not in things, it is in us." I thought that was appropriate for this card since when I hang out with my friends, I'm full of joy! :)

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I'm SO Excited!!!

***Please scroll down for Friends with Flair Friday post***

Teehee, I've been holding in my awesome news for all of 18 hours and I'm ready to burst at the seams! Yesterday, I was looking in the Softpencil shop forever and I absolutely loved each and every image. I emailed Elizabeth, telling her how much I love her work and that if she was ever looking to add to her DT, she could always count on me. WELL, she decided that I could be on the DT!

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited! It's been a long time since I've fallen in love with a stamp company like this. I love every single image that she makes and will likely spend a good amount of my money in the shop. :) You can also buy Softpencil stamps on AiFactory!

Come back tomorrow for our EtsyInspired blog hop! Coincidentally, Softpencil is one of our sponsors!

Holy Exciting Stuff Batman!

I'm gonna condense all my exciting news and going ons into one blog post. I don't know why. I have a "thing" with posting once a day. I guess I don't want someone to come and just read the top post and miss out on the other stuff.

First off, I (little old me) was on the Unity blog yesterday. In case you didn't know, Unity will be sponsoring the EtsyInspired Challenge every last Saturday of the month for the next few months. How awesome is that? But I never expected Angela to plug it on her blog! She is the SWEETEST person and a huge reason why I love Unity so much.

Second, I was also on the Rubber Romance blog yesterday. :) I won the sketch challenge and they put my card on their blog. I thought that was a really sweet gesture and I appreciate that they like my work!

Third, two of my AMAZING friends are putting together a new and innovative site called Torendi. My friend and EIC DT member Tiffany and my friend and EIC June Guest designer Jenn are the two behind this awesome site. I can't wait for the launch on 9-9-09! It's gonna be awesome! You can check out the Torendi blog and there's even a giveaway going on. And their first guest designer is the amazing Maren!

Fourth, EtsyInspired will be launching a brand new blog of it's own within the next week! :) I'm so stinkin excited, you have no idea! It's still under construction but feel free to follow it, you never know when there will be follower blog candy.

Lastly, I made a card for Moxie Fab. I know, this isn't news or anything but I don't like leaving a post without anything creative to share. This is for their clean and graphic holiday card challenge. You should hop over to the site and check out all the challenges and see what people all over blogland are doing with them!