Hi everyone

Hope you are having a great weekend. I’d love to hear what everyone is doing this summer! Maybe give me some ideas 😀

 We are trying to squeeze out as many FAMILY day trips we can before Jay’s surgery next week. Today we spent the day at the beach, getting ice cream and Chinese food. OH MAN! I can feel the fat sticking to me already! LOL! Tomorrow will be a HARD CORE workout! LOL!! Its good to splurge here and there though (or so I tell myself! LOL!).

As I said before Im not on a diet of any kind! Just healthy lifestyle. Making better choices and limiting BAD foods. Overall I eat healthy daily, and when I do splurge I feel so awful! LOL! Its a good reminder why it is better to eat good foods regularly 😀

I have begun the Tony Horton’s 10 Minute Trainer DVD series. Honestly this week I only did it 3 times. So I can’t judge yet. I’m going all out this week-I swear!! I like to really follow the calendar set up, and give it 110%. Since I knew we’d be eating bad, I just stuck to my other workouts, so I can TRULY judge how effective the workouts are, when I actually do them as directed.  I have to say, from what I have done, that the work outs are HARD CORE KILLER!! For it being only 10 minutes, it TRULY kicks your hiney. Which I guess is the point! Maximum results in 10 minutes. You have to plan on working HARD! It is just what I needed! The bad part was I was STARVING!! Must have kicked my metabolism into high gear and I was CRAVING fatty foods, which means it was definitely burning fat! Again, I’ll let you know after the week of sticking to the program, what I think. In 10 days I’m suppose to see results, so I will report!

I can HONESTLY say it is NOT the type of series I would begin if I wasn’t in some sort of shape. That is just my opinion. BUT! If you stick with it,  (like ANY program) you will get better and be stronger and able to do more! The key to all these workouts is DON’T GIVE UP! Just do your best and stick with it. Before you know it, you will be able to do stuff you couldn’t! I wasn’t able to do the entire Mitch Gaylord workout when I started, then before I knew it I was kickin butt 😀 So I’m looking forward to seeing the same thing with this series.

In between  all I have been doing I FINALLY updated my Etsy Shop! <—-Check it out!! I’m happy to have gotten that done.

While I wait for Jay’s surgery I’m going to upload all the cards and other stuff I have too. Keep my mind busy. I don’t like to have time to THINK about stuff, and I think that is why I make so much stuff. If I didn’t stamp I’d definitely have an ulcer.

OK lets get to the reason for my post (boy did I ever get off track!)

Post Card for you

If you didn’t know Stampavie has a NEW! line of images! Oh yes! They are FAB!!

I love CUTESY,  and this line is definitely that, and then some! The images are by a designer named Tina Wenke <—-click to view collection 😀 Prepare your purses people! The “sad” part is they won’t ship till end of July.

I have to say I adore this particular image to pieces.

When I saw this raccoon-called Thinking of You, I about fell out of my chair. It brought back a great memory from my childhood!

When I was a child, my Aunt Becky would ALWAYS send me the cutest animal stickers with a card for my birthday. She LOVED raccoons, and would always make sure the stickers were FUZZY!! I loved them! I would just feel them all the time. I always felt special, that she remembered me on my birthday.

 I loved collecting stickers! I had a HUGE Pink sticker book, with a pretty Unicorn and rainbow in it. While posting this I got sidetracked for over 2 hours TRYING to find that same book online!  I loved that book, and was always very particular about WHERE I put WHAT stickers. I remember that album like it was yesterday! I’m sad typing this because I have ALL my toys in MINT condition from my childhood (yes I was OCD about my dolls when I was a girl!) and for the LIFE of me, I cannot remember where that book is, or what happened to it!

So I made this card, all the while thinking about those special memories as a girl. I also thought it was funny that I remembered the sheer JOY of getting a card in the mail! I feel like my journey towards this craft started so long ago! LOL!

This is the close up photo of my raccoon, that I flocked, in honor of my childhood stickers

Like I did as a girl, I just reminisced as I rubbed the cute fuzzy image 😀 I colored it just like I remembered the stickers I use to receive. She would also always include SOMETHING with my NAME on it! Back in the 80’s Lauren was NOT popular, at all! So I loved having something personalized.

Now given the “mail” theme going on, I have had the Post Card Sizzix die cut for AGES! I dusted it off and got some more use from it with this card. I also used the mini envelope/card Sizzix die I had too. So fun.

Its is no nice to be reminded of times like that. I so love this hobby 😀 This card brough back so much to me.

Anywho, thanks for stopping by and reading my ramblings! I did get off on a tangent, didn’t I?

I’d love to hear too, if you have a memory to share from your childhood 😀 Maybe a certain toy or something that you loved and lost (like me :C)

Thanks for sharing.

Till tomorrow

Winner!

OK SUPER QUICK POST! I am on the run here.

After all the entries were entered for the Weiman Wranglers Contest—>HERE! The winner for the Pink Cat Studio $25 gift certificate, chosen via www.random.org was Kaylah!!

Kaylah please email me so I can forward your Gift Certificate to you!

I’m so excited to see we are SO CLOSE to raising $2,000!! I KNOW we can do it!

I really want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the support of this amazing cause in honor of Ethan! It made all the hustle and bustle well worth it! I’m so happy over this.

 On another note: after lots of emails 😀

Yes! I am alive!
I am just super busy getting ready for C.C. Designs next release starting tomorrow, Papertrey Ink Senior Design team challenge and the release with My Timeless templates! I KNOW its not like me to NOT post, but my summer is always FULL! In a good way.

Lets not forget I’m finishing up stamp orders (almost 325 orders were shipped according to my receipt!), the fact I have 3 kids (plus one adopted neighbor child! LOL!) who want to actually DO THINGS on their summer vacation.

Seriously, its not almost July! Can’t be!

I just cannot get any older, because it feels like the older I get the faster time is whipping past me.

I find it strange, as a Stay-at-home-mom, how some days can seem to last forever, yet the time goes by so quickly! I have been really taking the summer to enjoy my children. They are at the BEST ages 4, 6 and 9. They are able to travel well, and low maintainence! Plus they still love spending time with me I know that will change so I’m soaking in as much as I can.

I have cut WAY back on my workload, yet I always seem to fill my time with something to keep me busy! LOL! I’m certain Im not alone in that. Summer is always more crazy because I cannot stand being home when the weather is good, and most of my friends who work, are home with their children so we have lots of play dates. YIPPEE!!

OK so I do have a quickie sample for ya!

Wishing you luck

This was for one of the Stampavie Challenges: Use flowers

I used the Rachelle Anne Miller:Lily-Springtime image. (not the best photo-sorry! It was the same day ALL my bad photos were taken! EEK!)

Then added a sentiment from Papertrey Ink: Wishing You. I LOVE my layout 😀

I thought with all the 4 leaf clovers it was really cute 😀

Make sure you check out the Stamp Avie Blog for PEEKS at a NEW! Stamp Line! (I’m dying to get my stamps!!) Can you say ADORABLE!!!

OK I’m off!

Thank you to all who stop by and take time out of their own busy life to visit me here 😀

Hugs to ya!

YEAH! The Weiman Wranglers Digi set has raised over $1,000 so far!
Thank you everyone! That is very exciting.

I have a few more samples to finish, and will post them soon.

I am working like a crazy woman here, clearing out my stamp room 😀 My friend Paulette and I are having a HUGE Stamp “tag sale” here! SO MUCH STUFF YOUR HEAD WILL SPIN!

We are buying a scale so shipping will be a no brainer. Ill post either tonight or early tomorrow!

Now onto the card 

Something I admittedly do NOT do enough of……Masculine/Boy items. 

Sometimes you just want a cute boy card!

Wishing you luck

I think this fits the bill, perfectly.

I created this card with the ADORABLE image from Stampavie- Rachelle Anne Miller’s Spring Line—>Going Fishing

I did some airbrushing, and coloring with Copic Markers. Her images are just the best! I hate to say I favor these little animals. While ALL her stuff is amazing, I just adore them to pieces.

I thought it would make the CUTEST “wishing you luck” card! Afterall, when are you going fishing, luck is definitely a NEED! Not that I fish!! LOL! I went once, and was so disgusted! Not by the worms (which I did NOT put on myself-ICK!) but the fact that I never knew the fish scales come off on your hands! Now THAT was totally disgusting to me. I was also sad to just plop them in a bucket, to “eat” later. DOUBLE EW! I decided to leave future fish capturing up to the people who make their living at it, and will gladly pay increased prices for the mere fact I don’t have to do it!

Now we had a gross story, how about a cute one.

This little elephant actually looks JUST like a stuffed mommy and baby elephant I had (and still have) as baby. I adored the duo. They were so cute and soft and always on my bed. The Mommy had the cutest blue and white bonnet. I remember falling asleep looking at the two, always together. The baby was particularly cute. I should go get them out of my storage bin! They look as good today as they do 25+ years ago! (OH! LORDY! I feel old) I don’t feel like my toys as kids could or SHOULD be considered VINTAGE when you look them up in EBAY!

 I hope Rachelle will design some other images with with elephant in the future, as I just ADORE it!

Thanks for stopping by!

I’d love to hear what your favorite animal image from the collection is!

Don’t forget to visit the Stampavie Blog! Lots of samples and inspiration!

Supplies:

Stamps:Stampavie: Rachelle Anne Milller – Gone Fishing, Papertreyink: Wishing you (sentiment)

Cardstock: Papertrey ink white, true black, spring rain, pure poppy

Patterned paper: Papertrey ink Men of Life

Ink: Copic markers, Pallette black

Ribbon from My Little Ribbon Shop

Hi everyone!

Im running off to t-ball and stuff and wasn’t home at all yesterday, so this is a QUICKIE post that Ill come back and edit later! SORRY!! Duty calls

Today’s challenge is a Sketch! Hope you like it.

Here is the sketch 

If you get a chance to play along link it HERE!!

I’ll come back to edit this!

Here is my peek! A VERY loose interpretation! LOL!

Mine couldn’t fit all the way over! LOL! Same idea though, with some added touches.

Stamp is from Stampavie Rachelle Anne Miller line-Rainy Days

My umbrella is 3D too!

Here are the My Time To Create Challenge Team Member Peeks:

A HUGE thanks to Kristen who has really taken the lead roll and helping me keep organized! She did the icon for today!!!

THANK YOU GIRL!!! I’d be so lost! My team has been fabulous, as are their peeks! So check them out 😀

Check out their blogs for MORE!!

On a side note: Please pray for my friend ‘Alicias son Ethan 😀 According to his Caring Bridge site (whcih I just cannot even read -breaks me apart) they did NOT get good news about Ethan.  The disease progressed in his bone marrow.  They’re bringing him home and setting up supportive care.  

Since everyone seemed to like the first frame I posted for my niece, I decided I will keep you posted when I make each one! I think GABBY is looking better and better for design purposes-rather than Gabriella!

This is the second frame for Gabriella. The first “A”in her VERY LONG name 😀

I used an Angel image from Stampavie: Lily called Angelface. You can find Lily & Milo images HERE!

I went with pinks for the second frame. I will change the letter placement, and color focus on each frame I create.

I took out the glass, so they could all be 3D!

There are little star twinkle stickers on here, and lots of glitter on the wings.

The letter “A” is also from the JustRite Stampers Trompe uppercase font set.

Added some primas and ribbon and called it a day!

Speaking of calling it a day, I have lots to do, so I’m off and running!

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to browse Stampavie and let me know YOUR picks for upcoming letters! There are SOOOO many cute images I don’t know which to use next 😀 Definitely the animals-just can’t decide!

Also don’t forget to check the BLOG! Lots of ideas there too 😀

Before my niece was born, I told my SIL that I would make the baby a wall hanging with her name. I told her I would do a different frame for EACH letter.

So what does she decide to name her? One of the LONGEST names possible- Gabriella. But a promise is a promise. I wonder WHAT was I thinking?! Must have been that new baby high women get.

Now she has been here for 2 1/2 months and I ONLY have 2 letters done! (looks like one for each month! LOL!) If I keep on at this pace she will get the set when she turns ONE! LOL! She may even end up with just GABBY at this rate! LOL!

G is for G-abriella

So this is the FIRST letter. I used my JustRite Stampers Trompe Script Uppercase. Its perfectly scripty yet clean.

I left the frames natural so they can be changed later if need be. Plus Im lazy! LOL! I don’t like painting 😀 I got these in sets of 3 at Target for $2.50! They are 4X4 inside the framed portion. Really sweet. Makes a great and affordable gift.

 I want to use the Rachelle Anne Miller line to complete the frames. A different image, and color for each letter. This is Candy Time. I think this little girl is adorable, so had to use her for this start of the frames.

Makes me think and feel Spring just looking at it.

I have to be honest-I didn’t have the set name when I made this so I thought she was holding a bag of goldfish! LOL! Then just sitting down resting by the flowers, waiting to go home with her new friends! LOL!

I later learned it was CANDY! LOL! I wasn’t going to “tell” but I think its pretty funny!

No matter-the girl is beyond adorable, don’t you think?

I hope my SIL and Niece like the frames, if I EVER get them finished! LOL! I have 2 done, 7 to go!

Don’t forget to check the Stampavie Blog! Always lots of inspiration going on there. You can get Stampavie collections HERE!

Here is a photo my SIL sent me 2 weeks ago

Gabby is ALWAYS smiling.

Right now they are on vacation in West Virgina, to see Valeries family. I guess I have to share her :C

I miss her already 😀 She is my baby fix! Im totally content once I spend the day with her.

I cannot wait to get a hold of this little beauty with my new camera!

OK I need to go, and finalize my new design team!

Be back later!

Today is the Stampavie Challenge!!

Use pink, brown & green (optional) in your creation!

To enter your creations, for a chance to WIN some CANDY, and see the design team samples

—>CLICK HERE!

If you are looking to find a place to buy them—->CLICK HERE!

Now its my turn to share my sample

This is Peek a Bunny

I decided that the pink and green would be my focus with touches of brown-on the bunny. This was actually my favorite image from the NEW! Spring Rachelle Anne Miller release. I can’t tell you how much I LOVE her stuff. ADORABLE!!!

This bunny was begging to be colored.

Here is a detail photo

I pierced a “leaf” and added some flowers that looked similar to the ones I colored on the bucket.

I also scored a double line down the side of my card for some interest on the card.

The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink-Around and About

I think its definitely cute! I love making all occasion cards. Handy for any time.

Well you better get started on the challenge! I have one more vidoe post to type up!

Be back soon