Good morning everyone!! The winner was picked by random.org

Lucky number 78 was chosen! Dee I will contact you for your address!

Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone! I’m so happy you not only liked my project but the stamp sets as well 😀

Holiday Treats looks like the #1 pick.

Here is what the winner wrote. 

Dee

Hi lauren…
What a great gift..Who wouldn’t LOVE to receive these.
You did such a wonderful job ! They look soooo good !
I went to the link the other day when you posted it and had
three choices on my list. [love them all ]
The first on my list is labels and tags… can’t wait to get them!
I do have some gingerbread men already or that would have been in first place.
Thanks for the instructions…and Thanks for the chance to WIN.

Dee

Congrats-

WOW is this post ever LATE! I hope it will have been worth it!

 I am doing a Christmas Gift Idea Giveaway! Keep reading.

Did  you all enjoy the weekend?

Anyone hit the mall?

Yesterday I hit the stores (PACKED with crazy shoppers) with one of my local reader’s “Margie”. We had a blast shopping, then had lunch at TGIFridays! YUM! Tomorrow I’m hitting Target AGAIN-cause of a 4 day SALE!!! I saw toys that were WAY marked down for the event 😀

Today I had a ton of stuff I had to do BEFORE my computer stuff was able to be done :C Sorry. BUT with this post I hope you will find another HELPFUL gift giving idea.

Well ,as you all know I am now one of the designers for this new company called A Chemistry With Paper.

I got 3 sets last week-Christmas Cheer, Holiday Treats, and Hot Holiday Drinks. I cannot put them down.

Let me say I am in LOVE with her images-seriously!! All this week I will post a new sample using the sets I have. They are mainly gift ideas too. So think Holiday ideas.

What I REALLY love is the quality acrylic. I’m talking GORGEOUS, CRISP images. The top quality acrylic is made by Stewart Superior! HELLO! Well worth every penny.

So, for my FIRST item, I will reveal – a Cookie Swap Recipe Booklet!

Now YOU have a chance to win this.

 Cookie Recipe Holder

Is this not adorable?? Now, I want you to think of this as gift idea for a lot of people in your life.

When I saw these cookie image’s I went NUTS!

What I did was get recipe’s for 8 of my most favorite holiday cookies, and got I the photos of the finished cookies to match. I then made/saved my own recipe cards!!! All I have to do is print them all off. I used photo paper because I love the look. So clear, and professional-and brings out the YUM factor of the finished baked cookie.

The cookies I included in the gift packer are:

Raspberry Linzer Sandwich Cookies

Chocolate Almond Biscotti

Candy Cane cookies

Lemon Butter cookies

Oatmeal toffee cookies

Christmas ornament dough mix

Sugar Cookies

Peanutbutter Gingerbread man cookies

 Photo of recipe cards I made  myself.

What a great variety!!!

Now, you want to step it up a bit?

How cool would it be to make a batch of all 8 recipes. Bag ONE of each up, as a taste sampler, and include this super cute Cookie recipe holder?

Considering each recipe makes a few dozen, that could be homemade DELICIOUS gifts-for ALOT of people. Without the HUGE cost.

This particular gift would be FABULOUS for those who organize a Cookie Swap, or just love baking/cooking.

This was also SUPER EASY!!! After I got the recipe cards cut- copied- pasted- sized- printed-and SAVED!!!

Now I can make a TON of these!

Here is a few more views-just click for the LARGER view

 Holder open      Side View

Now here is HOW I made it

My recipe cards are 3 1/2 X 5 1/2. So basically you get about 4 per sheet of photo paper.

My cardstock was cut 6 x 9

Simply use your Scor-Pal  and score at 1 , 1 1/2, and 5 1/2. DONE!! If you are crunched for time-Use double sided cardstock and you are GOLDEN. Or wheel a pattern if you don’t have any you like.

The flap stays closed with Basic Grey magnetic closures.

I added ribbon to the inside to tie around the holder. This will hold the recipe cards in place, and adds a cute touch! Otherwise they may slip out the sides.

Now how seriosuly SIMPLE is that?

So do YOU want THIS holder? It can be all yours. For YOU or someone else.

Well, then all you have to do is comment here, and tell me which stamp set over at A Chemistry With Paper is your favorite!

I will pick a random winner Tuesdnesday morning by www.random.org.  That way I can mail it out Wednesday for you.

Now for a bonus-it you order, then reply back here and tell us what you ordered-that gives you another chance to enter. If you already have some of their images, then also respond with a link to your creation/creations! I’m sure we would all LOVE to see what YOU have done with them!

So stay tuned! More to come!!!

Thanks for reading. I look forward to seeing what everyone thinks.

All month I am inviting you to share this challenge! Raise awareness! TIME IS TICKING!!

A random winner will be drawn on 10-31! Enter to win!

This will be kept at the top, as Im havin technical issues keeping the other post at the top.

Details ———————–>HERE

I will post later. Im having an insane morning and have to do some family stuff. So no time to upload and stuff right now.

Its going to be a post full of cool stuff-please check back later. For now I have lots to share so keep reading!

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MYTIME MAIL WINNER was picked by random.org and was #57 Mary P-please email me your address!

mary p |

I like the elephants the best. They are so huge and yet graceful in their movements. And they have the longest eyelashes. If you see one up close in a zoo, you can see that. And they have soulful eyes. I like the Pamper Yourself stamp set. We need to do that more as women. We kill ourselves caring for everyone else. Sometimes it has to be our turn!

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CARD CONTEST FOR A CAUSE!!!! 

Dont miss the ONE DAY SALE Lizzie Anne is having in honor of WCMD—–>HERE! Plus their is a new set!!! And the sets that co-ordinate with it are also on sale TODAY ONLY!

Did you see they are having a CONTEST!!! All enteries will be sent to Cards For Cancer!!! Enteries must be recieved by October 28th!! So get inking!

PLEASE READ this post for Contest details, and prizes, but also a heartwarming letter from a Cancer survivor Marcia whom founded the Cards For Cancer organization!!!

So not only will you get a chance at an AMAZING prize, you will also help make someones day! They are choosing 10 winners to get a FREE stamp set that is valued at $19.99! How cool is that!!!

Thanks Tricia and Meridith for your participation in making a difference! I am so fourtunate4 to work for some of the best companies who are run by people with such big hearts!!!!

OK Im off and running but promise to return this afternoon. After soccer we have a kids party. BUSY TIMES!

 Jungle Watch

Well the second Im done posting thing I PRAY I get to actually stamp!

Well I think its time for some MYTIME MAIL? How about you? I have so loved and appreciated all your support, thoughts, and well wishes, its time to give you a chance at a big THANK YOU gift!

Who NEEDS to win Its a Jungle Out There?  You do?! Well here is your chance!

MYTIME MAIL WILL INCLUDE: Its a Jungle Out There-This set retails at $15.95. Plus I will include the recent issue of Paper Crafts Magazine-November 2007 value $4.99, and the recent issue of Crafts n’Things October 2007 also $4.99.

I am featured in both, and have 2 projects inCrafts n’Things using the MFT set Fright Night!

All you have to do is tell me what your favorite WILD animal is! Id also like to hear what your  favorite   MFT new release set is.

My favorite wild animal is a Giraffe. I dont know what it is but I just LOVE them. My son Noah has had a baby stuffed giraffe named “Raffey” since birth! He still sleeps with it every night.

I love their gracefulness despite their awkward long neck. They also have the softness eyes. Im weird I know.

My favorite new release set was Meet me at the cafe.

I will have the computer randomly pick a winner on Oct 6th-for World Card Making day!

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Card Details 

cardstock-PT White, pumpkin, river rock, soft sky, apricot by SU!

Ink-brilliance graphite black, Copic Markers, assorted versamagic ink

ribbon- Strano Designs in Moxie

On this card I used this (its a jungle out there) set, and some liquid applique added texture to the lions mane. I was pretty happy with my jungle “scene” as this is not a typical style for me. These stamps made this really easy to accomplish.

I love how Kim made the womans face hidden by using her Safari hat! Thats genius!!

Thanks for reading! I cant wait to hear what you have to say.

Come back tomorrow cause its out Bloggers Challenge! I will post last weeks, and this weeks since I missed one!

Then Saturday is the Saturday Sketch and World Card making Day! Plus the announcement of the winner for this Mytime Mail!

 Here it is! Click thumbnails for larger view.

Saturday Sketch time-all boxed up! I really like this sketch alot.

I love Texted Boxed by Paper Trey Ink. I found I hadn’t used it much though :c I knew I had to use my new Beautiful Blooms. Im a flower ADDICT! And this set is really cute.

So I decided it would be fun to create a layered look-minus the layers!

Here is what I came up with

 Boxed Set

The colors were inspired by some bedding I saw “somewhere” but forgot where! I think it was a TV show. I had this layout, and color combo sketched in my Idea Notebook.

A notebook for your ideas and sketches can be VERY helpful!

I was really happy with the look, and the fact that is was a quick and simple layout. I love images going outside the “box”, and this was an easy way to get that look without cutting.

Its a great sketch that can be over-the-top detailed (see below) or SIMPLE.

You could use a dry embossed square image as well,

 or layer the images like this one . 

This was an older card I did that my new card was inspired by. You can choose to do circles or squares. Whatever you want really! Just make it 2 small images in the lower left corner!

If you try it out, link us here so we can all see your take on it! I’d also love to see the loot bags if anyone tries those out.

I love seeing what everyone does with the sketches. If you are new to stamping then sketch are REALLY helpful!

I got some new stamps in from Lizzie Anne today! I hope to have some great samples and ideas for tomorrow. We will see.

MYTIME MAIL WINNER————————————————————————-

Thanks for all the responses on your stamping habits! I so enjoyed reading every last one.

Well usually #13 is unlucky-but Random.org picked #113! So in this case a very lucky winner! Shawn contact me via email with your address!

Here is what Shawn wrote: 

Shawn O’Connell |

First let me say that I visit your blog daily and LOVE your creations, but mostly your stories. Your spunk and enthusiasm inspire me!! You’ve been through so much and remain so bright and cheery. I lost my husband to cancer three and half years ago …he was only 34. I know the havoc that cancer reeks on a family. I give you so much credit for all you have done to fight the battle against cancer and raise money for the cause!! Thank you for the smiles (and sometimes tears) as I visit you each day.

How often do you stamp?
I would love to be able to say DAILY, but reality keeps it at every other day or so. Sometimes only once or twice a week … three kids make it a little difficult, as you know!!

Do you stamp with ideas in mind or just let the mojo flow?
Always with an idea in mind … a need for a birthday, sympathy, baby card/gift. I would like to spend more time just stamping to grow my ability, ya know!?!

Do you send cards out often? Or hoard them?
I send cards A LOT! When I became a SU! Demo (just to get the discount!), my friends were worried that Hallmark would go out of business!! haha!

Do you do any challenges? Like on SCS or blogs.
I have participated twice … sad, I know. I’d like to start doing the sketch challenge on a regular basis, though.

Again, thanx for the chance to win!! TGIF, baby!!!

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So I hope you will all check in tomorrow and get some time to try the Sketch or my Loot bags!

August is close to over. My little Amber started school today! It was SO CUTE. I will post photos/Smilebox Creation most likely Tuesday since the kids will ALL be in school that day, and Noah hasn’t started yet. HAPPY TIMES. 

Well I finally got my copies of CARDS magazine! I’m on page 72! I have a card in there using Dino-Mite ! It is the first time I have been in this particular magazine.

So I figured it was time for some MYTIME MAIL! Anyone want these goodies?

Its the August issue of CARDS, my favorite Martha Stewart Glitter in black (perfect for Halloween stuff) and a cute acrylic set set by MSE. The total value of this is over $30. All you have to do is reply to this post!

I want you to tell me the following:

How often do you stamp? (I try to stamp daily, but if not daily several times a week)

Do you stamp with ideas in mind or just let the mojo flow? (let mojo flow, unless I have something I need to get done like a b-day card or whatnot)

Do you send cards out often? Or hoard them? (I need to get better about sending cards!!! I hoard most of them, unless there is an occasion. I always mean to send them, but never do. I HATE the P.O.)

Do you do any challenges? Like on SCS or blogs. (I try to do as many as I can, but dont always get to it. I found it very helpful in my early days of stamping)

Thats it! I just wanna hear about your stamp habits. EASY! Cant wait to see what everyone has to say.

I WILL POST THE WINNER SATURDAY WITH MY SKETCH CHALLENGE!

OK Now for our regular blog post………..

Well I was quiet exctied to be chosen as the inspiration for the Sketch Challenge!

I decided to make the time to do another one-only I used my NEW! Paper Trey  set called Beautiful Blooms. I have been having SO MUCH fun with that set. You will see all my samples VERY soon.

 Because Blooms

I really like how the Cuttlebugworks with this set. Its nice to have alot of uses for things I spent ALOT of money on. I LOVE my Cuttlebug, but dont use the DIE cut ones, as much as the embossing ones, so this was great. It used the Flowers#1 die.

I was inspired by my new paper by Scenic Route the Brighton collection. The colors are gorgeous. So that was my starting point.

I had this idea to use the flower in the set-as a sort of bug. Thats what that stamp looked like to me! LOL! Anyone else see it? The 2 green eyes, the legs, and wings???

The sentiment is from Paper Trey’s first set Paper Tray.

Anyway so that is what I chose to do. Lots of bling of course. The white cardstock is also Paper Trey. Ink and ribbon is from Stampin Up!

I wanted a anytime card so that was why I chose this sentiment. Sometimes you want to send a card Just Because!

OK if you didn’t get the bug before, maybe you will now!

 Bugs and Blooms

On this one I made the wings 3D using vellum. It reminds me of a June Bug. I dont know. This paper is by Rob & Bob Studio. Its a Slab Ive had FOREVER!!! The colors really worked for my vision.

This card started out to be the Sketch, but then morphed into a new card. All the same-I love it.

Purple is my FAVORITE color and I love when I incorporate it into stamping. I dont use it as much as I should.

The images were colored with my Copic Markers. Bug have added stickels. The flowers are done with the CB die, and the ribbon is Martha Stewart. An again-more rhinestone stickers!!! LOVE those things.

I like this card too cause you can see how you may start with a sketch for “inspiration”, then it totally changes into something else using same/similar elements. How fun!!

I still have my panel with ribbon, and my square panel. I flipped it onto the side, and re-oriented all of it! LOL!

Tomorrow I have quite the awesome post! I designed the cutest little bag idea, and would love to share it with you! Im doing these for my children’s class for Halloween. WAY cute, WAY easy  and FAST! Those are KEY to mass producing anything. Plus if the little kids rip them to shreds it wont be as painful!

OK maybe Ill just do cupcakes instead! LOL!

See you tomorrow.

I have to say I really enjoyed reading your mother stories!!! They were all great and entertaining. Jason and I got some good laughs, and felt better knowing we arent alone in the children battles and bad mommy habits.

Thank you for sharing.

Now for the winner

Random winner  selected was #23 -Aimee.

Here is what Aimee wrote:

MYTIME MAIL

 Say it Simply, SS kit Friends and Flowers.

If you wanna win this, respond to this post by telling me what your favorite flower is! I’d also love to hear what your favorite flower stamp set is (if that is possible). The winner will be drawn on Monday!

ALSO dont miss THIS! The winner for that will be drawn tomorrow morning.

My favorite flower is TULIPS! I just love them. Any and every color, they are my favorite to receive.

Favorite Flower set-well as you can tell my my blog banner, my current favorite flower set is  Jolies Fleurs by Lizzie Anne.

I love alot of sets but this has been my favorite for about 2 months.

I am also in love with SU! Garden Whimsy (kinda more like a butterfly set) and Bodacious Bouquet. I have to get Dare to be Fabulous as well.

OK now SKETCH TIME!

Happy Hula

      click to enlarge sketch thumbnail.

When I saw that All That Scraps got in images from The Cat’s Pajama’s I did my own little “happy dance” Check them out HERE. When this card was being designed that was my thought-HAPPY DANCE!

I HAD to get the hula cat and surfer dog! Why? cause Jason and I got married in Hawaii, and our anniversary is next month! I always make him a beach themed card!

This was last years-.

So I decided to do this card for your sketch. Its not Jason’s anniversary card. Just a fun to play card! Its pretty basic, and the simplest embellishments can make it a REAL WOW!

It all started with my patterned paper! I used Basic Grey INFUSE. I wanted it to have a Hawaiian feel, and believe it or not I feel like I got it! I always get the 6×6 pads. I like having a variety of each sheet, but not take up a ton of room and waste money on larger sheets that I will only hoard! LOL!

I then used Brown StazOn for my cat, which is stamped on natural ivory-and colored her in with myCOPIC markers. The oval shadow is by A Muse. Sentiment is my cut up set from SU! called So Many Sayings. Thats working very well BTW!

My cat is layered onto Wild Wasabi cardstock (which amazingly I LOVE), and the base is Groovy Guava! My ribbon is (you guessed it) Martha Stewart! And then it had to have some prima’s!!!!!!!!!! Lets not forget the BLING! My bling is usually by K&co. I swear I wish they sold JUST the green color separately. I also love their other colors and go through ALOT of packs cause its not often that I DON’T use BLING!

NOTE: All the items on this card really do match perfectly I SWEAR! LOL!

So I hope you like my cat card! Im dying to read your responses. The MOTHER responses are killing me!

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.

Please send me a link to your sketch if you try it. I love when I help inspire you, and get different takes on it!

Happy Stampin-

OK Stop drooling and read!

You’d never know-that I have been stamping like a crazy woman! Unfortunately I cant share most of it with you! (insert sad face) BUT the good news is you WILL see it-SOMEDAY! LOL! Some sooner than others.

My Favorite Things is releasing 4 sets on the 1st! So I will then get to dish some of my stuff then! I’s LOVE to hear some guesses on what YOU think they may be!

PLUS the Dirty Dozen challenges is not long from now! Just days! So again-some will be revealed then as well. Then there is next months Dirty Dozen Gallery. This is a hard challenge for me, so Im startin early! I did finish a few things that Im happy with. I hope you will like them as well.

MYTIME MAIL! Dont forget ONE more day to win this!

And today’s MYTIME MAIL!!!!! Templates! I love tmeplates! This is one cloud template, one envelope template and a Fun Fill classy brass stencil, and stylus! Pretty cool.

KEEP READING!

Today, after Alexa gets home from school a friend of mine and her daughter went to  Kaleidoscope (a childrens play/learning place) and Friendly’s for lunch.

Now lets hope they all go to bed at a descent hour.

I am having TORTUROUS THREES issues with my angel.

 This is Amber in Church. ALMOST 3.

While she looks angelic and get away with murder, we are starting to pay for our ways now! Our other two we are quite strict (I think), and her, well I think cause she is my BABY, she just slides on through. She totally knows how to “work it” too. She will seriously flash her eyes, and say the sweetest thing, followed by a kiss. She has the cutest little girl voice ever. With her blonde ringlets she looks like a little angel. See can you tell Im just in complete trouble.

Anyway last night she had a full blown screeching tantrum at 11pm! She wanted a video in her BED! Um NO!!!!!!!!!!! Daddy was like-Oh So what, whats the big deal let her have the TV (portable DVD) in bed with her. Then we can get some sleep.

HOLY bad habit forming! NO WAY! Im like Im not even going tot start this bad trend. The other 2 never have and never will take a TV to bed! Anyway 45 minutes of screeching (I just went to bed while she screamed) she then quietly came down and said Im going to sleep now.

I WON! Yeah! I know that sounds childish but it really is a victory! Its hard NOT to give in sometimes, just thinking OH JUST today! Yeah right. Next thing you know the tantrums get longer cause they know you will cave-eventually!

Obviously Im by no means top parent. I was just proud of this small victory, of many battles to come. Cant wait for the teen years! Its really hard when you  are home all day and these little things happend throught the day over and over to wear you out.

Anyway. If you have or have had a 3 year old. I know you feel my pain. If you are a new mom or mom to be and are reading thing TRUST ME! You will hit this stage. No matter how good and sweet, they ALL do it.

And good luck with it.

So back to the mytime mail

Id LOVE to hear an OH GOD Ive turned into my mother story, a tantrum story, anything like that. If you dont have children or just want to share, Id love to hear something your mom did that you swear YOU will never do!

Here is mine

My mother use to lick her fingers to clean our face! OMG! GROSS! I swore I’d never do that! Then ONE day, Alexa was about 2, we were going to an appointment and she had ketchup on her cheek. I always wanted her lookin super cute and had no napkin or diaper wipe handy. Then I ALMOST did that disgusting thing, as I quickly licked my finger-I about DIED to realize I ALMOST did the thing I hated my mom doing most!

I’ll never forget it! Its just one of those things.

Once again Ill share my favorite quote “I was a much better mother before I became one!”

Good luck with winning.

I have another MYTIME MAIL to Post Saturday as well as the Sketch!

Ill draw the random winner for this one On Sunday!

Cant wait to read your stories!