SFYTT: Best Wishes

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Good Morning friends!

This week I finally got to the point where I had had enough of the congestion in my chest and went to see the doctor yesterday. As a mum and wife to a kidney recipient, I usually make sure everyone else gets to their appointments, but when it comes to my health, I'm not as persistent. So apparently I have an agitated airway (ya think?!) and I now have an inhaler to help alleviate the problem. Keep your fingers crossed that it works, because I'd really like to hold a conversation again without coughing midway though! lol

I've got my last card as guest designer for Jen's Sketch For You To Try to show you this morning. I've had such a fantastic time playing with these sketches every week. And yes - it is SUPER FUN playing with them before everyone else sees them! :D

I think you're going to love this sketch because it's one that can be turned on it's side and still work for you! My first obstacle was finding a stamp small enough to fit inside that main panel. Then I had (mental) issues with all the weight being on the right hand side of the card, but I persevered! lol I scoured my stash of stamps to find something small enough...and I found my Ketto's! :)

I don't use these babies nearly enough! They're soooo cute and whimsical!

First I colored up Maisy Ketto with my reinkers and aquapainter brush. Then sponged around her with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I decided to use up some of my old Basic Grey paper (Origins) since I'll be adding a few more pads to my collection soon (yay!) with their new CHA releases. I tried something different with the smaller rectangular panel and created a pleated strip instead. I scalloped the longer strip, then sponged each panel with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink and machine stitched them.

For some final touches, I added some glitter with a quickie pen to her wings and some gloss (with a clear jelly roll pen) to her crown and shoes. I'm off to check out what the SFYTT diva's have created with this sketch this morning and you should do the same! Here's a list of their blogs:

Jen del Muro
Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
{Taking this week off.}
Megan Lock
{Taking care of new baby Emma Grace}
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Jenn Diercks
Kelly Lunceford
Carole Burrage
{At CHA - lucky duck!}

Well, that's it from me. I hope you've enjoyed my cards for Jen's sketches this month. I know I've had a BLAST playing with them! :)

Don't forget that tonight, starting at 9pm EST, in the forum, There She Goes is having their August release party and trust me when I say - you WON'T want to miss this one!! Jess is moving house and the Trendsetters are taking over the release celebration!! Woohooo! And on Sunday will be The Greeting Farm's 2nd Anniversary Blog Hop starting at 7pm CST and you don't want to miss out on that!

Supplies
Stamps: Stamping Bella 'Maisy Ketto' and PTI's Mixed Messages
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Really Rust, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap and Black Soot'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Origins'
Access: Spellbinders Circle Nestibilities, Black Rhinestones, Sponges, Machine Stitching, Dimensionals

TSG Puppy Love and Bee Happy Blog Hop!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Hello and welcome to the third and final blog hop for the There She Goes August releases! Today we're showcasing FABULOUS NEW sets designed by TSG's newest designer, Torico!

If you have stopped by here from sweet Pam's blog, then you're on the right track. But if you haven't and would like to see some FABULOUS cards, then head back to the TSG blog to start your journey there.

One of them is an adorable and hugely versatile mini set called Bee Happy. But don't be fooled by the word 'mini' - this set has 27 individual stamps in it! That's an INCREDIBLE value for $7!

How cute is this set?! You really can't afford to not have this set in your collection! I heard that TSG's dear friend, Kelli, begged and begged Jess for a 'fat bumble bee' set and when Torico joined the TSG team, Jess knew she'd create the perfect bee for Kelli. She sure did, didn't she?

Want to take a guess at how many stamps I used to create this card? 7? 9? Try 12! Yep, it was all pieced together from 12 individual stamps! Told you it was a versatile set! To make this card I stamped out the plain hexagon shape multiple times on kraft cardstock. Then I stamped out the patterned hexagon shapes, the different stems to make the flowers, the little baby bee and their dashed flight path. Then I sponged the sky with SU's Cool Caribbean using my Post-It tutorial. Last, but not least, I stamped the two huge bumble bees on some scrap paper, colored them in with my reinkers, cut them out and popped them on dimensionals onto the main panel. And guess what? Not a single piece of designer paper in sight!! See ma: It can be done! lol

Puppy Love is the other set being showcased today and it's a 4x8 set that contains a WHOPPING 39 stamps and will sell for $18. TSG fan, Meredith had been pleading with Jess to create a dog set and Torico was just the designer to do it!

I am absolutely and irrevocably in LOVE with this set!! It is hands down, the BEST dog set out there in stampland right now! I can't wait for you all to see the whole set on Saturday at the release party! You're going to FREEEEAK!

Sometimes when I make cards for release week, I will use the set first that I love the most, and other times I'll save it until last...which is what I did with this set. There are so many cute images in this set, I couldn't decide which to use! In the end I chose this one. Adorable, right?! I picked out some paper from Basic Grey's Max and Whiskers line and used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch #79 for my layout and whipped up the card in a couple of hours. (That's amazing for me!) And yes, those cute little images I stamped on the background paper are in the set! :)

Ok, I think I've kept you long enough! hehe Your next stop along this hop is none other than the super talented illustrator herself, Torico!!

Don't forget that you could win this set just by hopping (and commenting) along with us and leaving your deets in the Mr. Linky at the bottom of the TSG blog post!

Supplies
'Buzz On Over'
Stamps: There She Goes 'Bee Happy'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Morning Marigold, More Mustard, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Sahara Sand, Cool Caribbean
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Kraft, Bazzil Basics
Access: Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Dimensionals

'Friends Furever'
Stamps: There She Goes 'Puppy Love'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Max and Whiskers'
Access: Ribbon, Buttons, PTI Rustic Button Twine, Spellbinders Labels 10 Nestibilities, Sponges, Dimensionals

TSG Winning the Race and Kindred Spirits Blog Hop!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hello sweet peeps! Welcome to the second blog hop for the There She Goes August releases where we're showcasing two FABULOUS mini sets - Winning The Race and Kindred Spirits!

Kindred Spirits is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $7.

Winning The Race is another Stamps for a Cause set for TSG. Kristy K. contacted Jess back in April with an idea for a stamp set about a cause that was close to her heart- Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Being a Stamps for a Cause set means that for every set sold, TSG will donate $4 to the American Cancer Society! It's a 3x4 set that contains 10 stamps and will sell for $7.

I couldn't resist using the fabulous Winning The Race set since I knew I'd be using a whole lot of pink on the card! :)

I stamped out Penny (that's what I'm calling her) with StazOn and colored her up with reinkers and an aquapainter brush. Then I cut her out and popped her on a panel that was sponged with SU's Pretty In Pink and Pink Passion. I also used the Hope sentiment in the set and stamped it several times across the middle in Frayed Burlap Distress Ink.

For the base of the card I used a few papers from the gorgeous Pink Plum collection by Crate paper and stitched them to a piece of pink cardstock, much like a quilt. Then I added the ribbon, a big pretty bow and the sentiment tag along the bottom.

Sadly, this is the end of the hop! :( Please head on back to the TSG blog and leave your name in the Mr Linky at the bottom of the post to be in with a chance to win your very own set of Kindred Spirits or Winning The Race!


Supplies
Stamps: There She Goes 'Winning The Race'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty In Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Soft Suede
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Crate Paper 'Pink Plum Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Spellbinders Deckled Oval Nestibilities, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

TSG The Journey Blog Hop!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Hello and welcome to the first of three blog hops for There She Goes celebrating the new August releases!

If you've stopped here from the talented Pam's blog, then you're on the right track. But if you haven't and would love to check out some amazing cards, then head on over to the TSG blog and start your journey there!

For this hop we're showcasing the latest set designed by the fabulously talented Chris Dark! It's called The Journey and it's a beautiful Asian inspired set that is a must have for your collection. There are 20 individual stamps and sentiments in the set and it will sell for $24. Chris has managed to WOW me again this month with a set that will, quite frankly, make your jaw drop!

I really resisted the urge to color up the orchids in the set (because I really, really wanted to!) and went with the bamboo image instead. And it's a really nice bamboo image too! It's got a real calming look to it, which I love! And the sentiment compliments it so perfectly!

To make this card, I pulled together some paper from Basic Grey's Capella collection, a charm from Michaels jewelry section, some square copper brads from Making Memories, and a simple, geometric layout. I stamped out the image and sentiment on some Strathmore Bristol paper, colored it with my reinkers and aquapainter brush, then cut it out using the Labels Two nestie. Then I used a combination of Antique Linen and Frayed Burlap to sponge around the edges and machine stitched it to a piece of chocolate cardstock. The base layer was sponged with Frayed Burlap, distressed with my Tim Holtz edge distresser then stitched to a piece of tan cardstock. I did the same thing to the three stripes, except I didn't distress them. Lastly, I added the ribbon detail and the Chinese money charm for a fun little detail.

Thanks so much for hopping by today! Your next stop is actually the end of the hop! Head over to the TSG blog and leave your name on the Mr. Linky to win your very own set of The Journey!! :)

Supplies

Stamps: There She Goes 'The Journey'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Old Olive, Soft Sky, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Capella Collection"

Access: Ribbon, Charm (Michaels), Making Memories Brads, Spellbinders Labels Two Nestibilities, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Blog Candy Winner!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Good Morning sweet friends!

Did ya have a good weekend? We had a quiet one, which was so nice for a change. On Saturday The Man had to work, so Little Sunshine and I spent time by the pool and then headed out for dinner and a stroll. Sunday we had breakfast at our favorite little bistro, then we went hunting for wild blueberries on a mountain side. It was quite the hike up the mountain and the pickings were slim, but the panoramic views and the 75 cents per quart price tag was amazing! Fresh wild blueberries on vanilla bean ice cream...PRICELESS! :)

The girls and I had a lot of fun reading all your answers to our feet quiz! You girls cracked me up! Almost everyone voted the same way! The only problem was that not a single person got it right! Hahaha

Here's the final answer:

I think the side profile of my foot totally threw everyone off! (Very sneaky of me! hehe) So unfortunately there was no clear winner. :( But since someone HAS to win the blog candy, I randomly picked a name from the comments left and so, without further ado, the winner from my blog is...........

Margo said...
Great minds think alike - even with toenail polish!! My BFF and I often do "samesy" stuff too, even though I live in Canada and she lives in the US!My guesses are : 1- Sandra 2-Mary3-Kadie

Congratulations Margo! Email me and I'll get your addie details to Mary so she can send you the TGF Sweet Messages set and Cosmo Cricket paper out to you!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

SFYTT: Dance Like No One Is Watching

Saturday, July 24, 2010

A happy Saturday morning to you!

What funny weather we've been having lately here in New Hampshire! It rained all day yesterday and today it's supposed to be very humid and in the high 80's! The heat, I can handle. It's the humidity that I can't stand! But I'm not complaining....this is better than snow! ;)

Being that it's Satuday, I have another Sketch For You To Try card to show you! I have had so much fun playing with these sketches this past month! And I'm SO SAD that it all ends next week. :( Jen's sketches are so awesome and by far, my favorite sketch challenge to look forward to each week!

My mojo had gone completely AWOL last weekend and into the early part of this week, so when I finally got around to sitting down at my desk to start work on this card, I was more than a little nervous about it! (I freaked out and prayed to the Mojo Gods! haha) But when I started picking out the stamps, papers and ribbon, everything just fell into place so easily! PHEW!

I knew right away I wanted to use a quote for the main panel and my favorite one at the moment is this one from the mini Dance set from There She Goes. It's reminds me of that song by Lee Ann Womack - I cry like a baby EVERY time I hear it! Seriously! The Man even laughs at me when it comes on the radio now because he knows the water works are going to start! lol

Anywho! Getting back to the card...I stamped the qoute on some Very Vanilla cardstock with Timber Brown StazOn then heat set it with some Versamark ink and clear embossing powder (to do this I ink the stamp up with Versamark first, then the StazOn, then stamp it out and cover with the powder). Then I cut it out with the oval nestie and while the nestie is still in place, I sponged some Antique Linen and Tea Dye around the edges to soften it up a bit. Then I matted it with some more Very Vanilla and a scalloped layer of Bazzil cardstock. Each of the base panels were sponged with Tea Dye and Vintage Photo Distress Ink and machine stitched. The flowers were stamped and colored with SU reinkers, then cut out, layered and I popped an adhesive pearl in the center to finish it off. Last, but not least, I added the ribbon strip and the bow (made with a bow-easy template). I snagged that ribbon last Christmas when Michaels had all their holiday ribbon out. It's a great time to find some elegant ribbons for your stash!

I'm officially IN LOVE with the So Sophie collection from My Minds Eye! It's so rich and elegant and perfect for beautiful cards! I bought mine as a 6x6 sample pack from Claudia @ DieCutsRUs. (Love her sample packs!)

Need more inspiration?? Then pop over to the rest of the SFYTT crew to see what they created with this sketch!

Jen del Muro
Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
{Taking a break this week.}
Megan Lock
{Taking care of new baby Emma Grace born on the 20th!}
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Jenn Diercks
Kelly Lunceford
Carole Burrage

Well, I'm off to the pool this morning since it's going to be a scorcer today. Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you have a good one!

Supplies
Stamps: There She Goes 'Dance'
Inks: StazOn 'Timber Brown', Versamark, Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo'
Papers: Very Vanilla, Bazzil Basics, PP - My Mind's Eye 'So Sophie - Graceful Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Kaisercrafts Adhesive Pearls - Pearl, Spellbinders Large Oval, Scalloped Oval and Labels One Nestibilities, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Farm Fresh Friday...and a Birthday Blog Hop!

Friday, July 23, 2010

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS JESSICA!! I hope you have a F.A.B.ulous day and your family shower you with love and lots of pressies!

It's the Queen of Coordination's birthday today and we're combining today's Farm Fresh Friday post with a big, birthday blog hop bash to celebrate Jess's GRAND day!

If you've stopped here from the oh so talented Mercy Kerin's blog, then you're on the right track. But if you haven't and would like to hang out with us along this special and impromptu hop, then head back to the Club Anya blog and start your ride there!

Today's Farm Fresh Friday challenge is all about USING YOUR FLOSS! So get out your embroidery thread or scrapbooking floss and apply it to your card!

My usual M.O. is using floss when threading buttons, but today I decided to 'think outside the box' and stitched with it on my card instead! I colored up Maggie Bunny with my reinkers and aquapainter brush and created a simple layout to let Maggie shine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Your next stop along this hop is the fabulous Sparkle Smith's blog!



Supplies
Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Maggie Bunny', sentiment from PTI 'Mixed Messages'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Morning Marigold, Pumpkin Pie, Sahara Sand, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Going Gray
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - My Minds Eye
Access: Ribbon, DMC Thread, Martha Stewart Edge Punch, Machine Stitching, Needle, Dimensionals

Card Kit TIme!

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Good morning sweet peeps!

I have a fun card to show you today! It was created with the card kit I sent (actually, I hand delivered it this month!) to my two girlfriends, Mary and Kadie, to see what we all come up with using the same supplies. It's just fun to see what each of us create when our styles are so different!

In the kit, I put a few stamped images of the adorable Emma Puddle Jumper from Claudia & Company (so cute!) as well as a few sheets of BoBunnies Love Bandit collection of papers, some ribbon, a few buttons, a couple of heart trinket pins and some candy dots (which I can't believe I never used!).

Even though I hand delivered this kit to the girls while we were in Maryland, I only got as far as coloring up little Emma while I was there. (Actually, I colored up a few images while I was there! haha) So this is the first time the girls have seen the image put together on a card.

A lot of the BoBunny paper was double sided, but I stuck to the purple and green hues to let the Baja Breeze blue in Emma's dress pop. It's a really simple layout but it lets the image and sentiment shine, I think. I added one of the buttons and the heart pins to the bow, but that's about all the embellishments I used from the kit. I really am embellie-challenged!

Since I was at Mary's when I colored this, I got to use her SU colors, and man - I NEED more colors! lol Time to invest in some more reinkers I think! I used Baha Breeze and Pretty in Pink on her dress, Antique Linen and Tea Dye on her hair and Soft Suede for her shoes. Mr Bunny was colored with a tiny bit of Going Gray and Pretty In Pink (with a teensy bit of Regal Rose) for his nose. The grass was colored with Old Olive and the sky was Cool Caribbean.

I'm dying to see what Kadie and Mary came up with using their kits, so hop like a bunny with me over to their blogs to check out what they've created! Thanks SO much for popping in today! :)

EDITED:
When you get a group of girls together, you do some funny things and we were no different! We didn't realise until we had our shoes off that we all had the same nail polish color on, so we decided to document it and play a little game with all of you! If you can guess who's red toes belong to which girlfriend, Mary has graciously offered up a little candy up for a winner from each of our blogs! Love that girl!

Prize 1

Prize 2

Prize 3


You have until Sunday July 25th at 9pm EST to make your guess and leave a comment!
GOOD LUCK!! :)

Supplies

Stamps: Claudia & Company 'Emma Puddle Jumper' and 'Tea Party Set'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty In Pink, Cool Caribbean, Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Going Gray, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye'

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - BoBunny 'Love Bandit Collection'

Access: Ribbon, Button, Heart Trinket Pins, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

TSG64: Polka Dots and Chipboard

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Good Morning!

Sorry for the long time, no post thing... I didn't do a lick of stamping over the weekend and couldn't find the motivation these last two days either. Ever gone through one of those? I figured I'd just jump right back into it to get myself going again. I think this chest cold is kicking my butt a bit....I'm just sick of coughing! Grrr!

Monday's There She Goes Challenge (TSG64) brought to us by Trendsetter of the week and Dirt Girl, Lisa Henke! Her challenge for us this week is to use two of the most popular trends this year - polka dots and chipboard!

This was more of a challenge for me than I thought it was going to be! Trying to incorporate the chipboard was...well, a challenge! (I think I left some of my mojo in Maryland somewhere!)I used the main image from the recently released Art is the Window set and colored it up with my reinkers and aquapainter brush. I actually ran out of my favorite Strathmore Bristol paper and ended up having to use some of the watercolor paper I used to use. And I have to say that I miss the Strathmore paper! It's a brighter white and smoother too. I have to say that if you're watercoloring on watercolor paper and feel pretty confident in your coloring, have a go at the Strathmore paper because I think you'll love it more.

For my polka dots, I used October Afternoon's Fly A Kite collection of papers and the chipboard birdie was from DCWV's Green Stack Chipboard die cuts. A quick and easy addition - exactly what I needed! ;) The sketch is Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC78).

Now it's your turn (to do a better job than me). Create a card that incorporates polka dots and chipboards, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the Inlinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (July 26th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have a card kit challenge to show you tomorrow... and hopefully my mojo will return for that one!

Supplies

Stamps: There She Goes 'Art is the Window'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede, Going Gray, Cool Caribbean, Really Rust

Papers: Canson Watercolor, Bazzil Basics, Kraft Paper, PP - October Afternoon 'Fly A Kite Collection'

Access: Ribbon, Prima Flowers, Making Memories Brads, DCWV Green Stack Die Cuts, EK Success Edge Punch, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals

SFYTT

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Good Morning sweet peeps! :)

I was going to write this up last night, but I couldn't stay up late one more night longer, so it was lights out for me by 9pm last night.....boy did I need it! I feel soooo much better this morning. Chest cold still lingering, but I didn't really expect that gone overnight. :) I'm hoping to scoot over to my local scrapbook store this morning to stock up on cardstock and then after that, maybe some blueberry picking. Yum!

I have Jen's Saturday Sketch For You To Try to show you today and it's another one that I know is going to be a HUGE go-to favorite of mine!

I have been house (and dog) sitting all week for my in-laws since coming back from Maryland and I only brought basic supplies with me while I was there. So please forgive the lack of 'thinking outside the box' with my card this week! Being away from all those supplies I've accumulated really makes you appreciate them a whole lot more when they're not available to you! LOL

My sweet friend Kadie gave me this cutie patootie stamp while we were in Maryland together and I couldn't resist stamping it up for this card! It's by Elzybells and when I went to their website to find the link to the stamp, I was sad to find out that they're closing down! I really hate how many online stores are being affected by this recession. It's so sad! But when there's a closing, there is usually a huge sale and there are tons of stamps at 50% off going on right now (not that I'm trying to enable you girls or anything)....depending on how much I sink at my LSS, I may have to make a small purchase myself! haha

As usual, I colored in Girl In Car with my reinkers and aquapainter brush. I'm often asked how I get my colors so intense on my images, and all I can say is that there is usually very little water on my brush. There's just enough to move the ink where I need it to go and the rest is all ink. Those YUMMY papers are from My Mind's Eye Clever-Pretty Girls collection.

You DEFINITELY want to check out what the SFYTT girls created with this sketch. I love to check out their cards because I just love how they all put their own signature style on their cards!

Jen del Muro
Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
Megan Lock
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Jenn Diercks
Kelly Lunceford

Thanks so much for taking a bit of time out of your Saturday to come visit my blog! :) Have a fabulous weekend my sweet friends!


Supplies
Stamps: Elysbells 'Girl In Car', sentiment by MFT 'Essential Sentiments'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Soft Suede, Cool Caribbean, Going Gray, Sahara Sand, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen and Black Soot'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Georgia Pacific, Bazzil Basics, PP - My Minds Eye 'Clever-Pretty Girls' Collection
Access: Ribbon, PTI Button, PTI Rustic Button Thread, Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Pearl, Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

TGF Anniversary Blog Hop Details!

Hey all! It's hard to believe that just TWO short years ago, Marie had a couple of 4x6 sets for sale, a brand new blog, and watched Pink Poison become The Greeting Farm. Two years later, after some big dreams realized (including the first trip to Anaheim for CHA 2010!), after being SO blessed with the AMAZING designers that work their magic for then, and after truly befriending all of YOU...here they are!

TWO YEARS and TWO BLOGS later, The Greeting Farm invites YOU to be a part of the celebration!



We are pleased to invite you to:
THE GREETING FARM's TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY Blog Hop!
When: SUNDAY, AUGUST 1st
7:00pm CST
All customer and DT posts should go LIVE at 7pm CST (promptly, please!) with a link back to the TGF Blog where there will be ONE master list of hoppers!


Live chat on our PCP page from 7pm CST to 8pm CST


***RSVP: Here's the important part***
PLEASE EMAIL teamanya@gmail.com with the
***SUBJECT LINE: TGF 2 Year ANNIVERSARY HOP***


Since a lot of us will be gone that last week in July, PLEASE RSVP NO LATER than SATURDAY, JULY 24th. No late rsvp's will be able to be accomodated since we will have very little access to internet and will have to finalize that post before we leave.

FAQ:
What shall I post with?
You may use ANY TGF Stamp/stamps-retired, new, digi, you choose! Just get your TGF MOJO flowin' and JOIN US! In addition, during that week, we will be rockin' the "OLD SCHOOL" challenge and will have more info on that later!

Prizes? Did someone say PRIZES???
YOU BET!
TWO RANDOM COMMENTERS (that participate in the hop!) that complete the ENTIRE HOP by Monday, August 2nd at NOON CST will win the ENTIRE August RELEASE!!!!

ONE random commenter NOT participating in the hop will win the 4x6 set we will be previewing next week!

In addition, there will be a BRAND NEW Birthday digi for sale!!! And quite a few digital images given away as well. You know TGF-we LOVE our prizes and LOVE our customers even more!

This will be a HUGE celebration-please join us!

Feel free to attach the above badge to YOUR sidebar as well with a link back to THIS post on the TGF Blog! Can't wait to see you there!

FFF: Digital and Something New

Friday, July 16, 2010

Wooohoo! It's Friday peoples!! :)

It's time for another Farm Fresh Friday challenge! This one is brought to us by the talented Farmer, Melyssa Connolly. She wants us to use a digital image and to try a new technique on our projects. Don't worry: it doesn't have to be new to everyone, just to you.

I was looking forward to this challenge since I'm not so brave when it comes to trying new things on my cards! Lately I've been seeing a ton of handmade flowers on projects so I thought I'd try to make one too. Not bad for a first try, right?! I used this tutorial by Wendy Smedley to make mine. I think next time I'd like to try some really bright patterned paper and really go to town on the distressing part! :)

I colored the fun digital image of Harold the Koala banging on his bongo's with my reinkers and aquapainter brush on some Georgia Pacific cardstock since it's all I can fit through the printer at Staples. The edges of each panel were sponged with either Antique Linen or Vintage Photo and I machine stitched there edges too. Although you can't see it in the picture too well, I sprayed the main panel with some Glimmer Mist to give it more sparkle - LOVE that glimmer mist! Then I added the rustic twine, some candy dots and the paper flower and I was done!

Check out what the Farmer's and Critter Crew created for today's challenge:

Jessica Diedrich
Cindy Haffner
Kadie Ensley
Kim Nath
Mary Giles
Melissa Connolly
Mercy Kerin
Randi Wall

and the fabulous Critter Crew...

Amber Hight
Heather Schlatter
Jen Shults
Shaela Odd
Sparkle Smith

What are your plans for the weekend?? We're thinking about doing some blueberry picking and catching a movie or two at the drivein's. There's one about a half hour from our place and it's surrounded by farmland. It's so quaint! I'm looking forward to a quiet weekend close to home after all the flying, walking and driving I did last weekend with my girls.

Thank you so much for visiting today! I'll be back tomorrow with my card for tomorrow's Sketch For You To Try! :)


Supplies
Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Harold Drums digi stamp' and 'Fly Away - retired'
Inks: Going Gray, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo'
Papers: Georgia Pacific, Bazzil Basics, PP - Bo Bunny and K&Company 'DayDreams Collection'
Access: PTI Rustic Button Twine, Basic Grey Green At Heart Buttons, Spellbinders Large Circle and Big Scalloped Nestibilities, Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Pebbles Inc. Candy Dots - Brown, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

Wicked!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Good Morning!

How are you today? I'm trying to get over a chest cold I've had for two weeks now. I feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest! Yesterday, after being sent to the hot and humid warehouse for work, I discovered that air conditioning is aggravating it. When I'm in the heat, I stop coughing. It's a pity my desk isn't outside in the nice warm sun. :(

Today's card is one I made last week for my sweet friend Mary. I've been dying to color up one of my Wild Sprouts for months and months now!

I've been so busy coloring in the Critters from TGF that I have a pile of uninked stamps a mile high! And that doesn't sit well with my conscience. So I decided to color up Jade from the Roll Call kit! She's such a doll! I thought she'd look great with some of that new paper from Basic Grey, called Olivia. LOVE this collection!!

I colored Jade with my reinkers and aquapainter brush on some Strathmore Bristol Vellum. I've mentioned this before, but just to be clear, it's not really vellum. It just describes the texture of the paper. I buy it from Michaels for about $7 a pad. Each panel was sponged with distress inks and machine stitched with black thread. The PTI Buttons were threaded with black DMC embroidery thread.

Something momentous is coming to The Greeting Farm! Look out for some BIG NEWS tomorrow! ;)


Supplies
Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Roll Call Kit'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Old Olive, Cool Caribbean, Not Quite Navy, Buckaroo Blue, Distress Inks 'Broken China, Frayed Burlap'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Kraft, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Olivia Collection'
Access: Ribbon, PTI Buttons, DMC Thread, Spellbinders Label Eight Nestibilties, Paper Piercer, Sponges, Dimensionals

TSG63: Inspiration Challenge

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Good Morning!

Sorry for the lack of posts these last couple of days. I got back from my Maryland vacation on Monday evening and decided to spend the rest of the day with the family. And I'm not that organized, so I didn't have any cards prepared to post while I was gone. It was a great vacation! Got to spend some quality time with my girlfriends as well as take in the sights of Baltimore and Washington, DC. Can't WAIT to go back and take the family this time! :)

This week's There She Goes challenge (TSG63) is brought it us by junior trendsetter, Heather Pulvirenti and her challenge is one she is FABULOUS at - an inspiration challenge! You can check out the image on the There She Goes blog, but before you head over there, check out my card:

I thought the patterns on the wrapping paper were really bold, so I picked an equally bold patterned paper for my card. It's the Paper Doll collection by Crate Paper - so cute! I bought mine while I was visiting a scrapbook store in Virginia. And I paired it with the recently released A Drink A Day set.

Since coming home from my trip, I've been house and dog sitting for my in-laws so I don't have all the supplies I usually have around me. Which is why I think my card is lacking something,...I just can't figure out what. It's really hard creating when you're out of your comfort zone, isn't it? Makes me wonder if going on a stamping retreat is a good idea....I'd have to bring EVERYTHING! lol I used Taylor's TESC120 sketch for my layout and colored up the cocktails with my reinkers and aquapainter brush. Added some rhinestones and some machine stitching and the whole card was done in a couple of hours!

Now it's your turn! Just create a card or project and upload your creation to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of the TSG blog post! It's that easy!

This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (July 19th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. Jess will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

Thanks SO much for stopping by today! I have a fun card I created last week to show you tomorrow. :)

Supplies

Stamps: There She Goes 'A Drink A Day'

Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Cool Caribbean, Certain Celery, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Ruby Red

Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Georgia Pacific, Bazzil Basics, PP - Crate Paper

Access: Spellbinders Labels Four Nestibilities, Adhesive Rhinestones, Machine Stitching, Dimensionals

Sparkle Creations Grand Opening Blog Hop!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Morning my sweet friends!

I have the huge honor today of helping out a stamping friend and team mate with the grand opening of her exciting new venture...her very own stamp company!! This is the grand opening blog hop and you are going see some amazing samples along the way!

If you've stopped here from the uberly talented Aki Fukuoka's blog, then you're on the right track, but if you haven't and would like to see some new and exciting stamps, then head on over to the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps blog and start your journey there.

Sparkle is releasing 8 new darling stamps and she's giving away a ton of prizes! One lucky person will win the grand prize of all 8 images! There are also 5 single stamp prizes hidden, so make sure you comment on everyone's blogs! You will have until midnight Eastern time (12am EST) to comment and the winners will be announced on the Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps blog.

The artist behind these new stamps is the very talented and fellow countryman (I was born in Auckland, New Zealand!) Aki Fukuoka. My favorite image is this one of Scooter Chloe - isn't she adorable?! I loved the lines on the scooter! I don't know why, but it just HAD to be an orange one! :) As always I colored up my image with my reinkers and aquapainter brush. And because today is Saturday, I used the today's Sketch For You To Try for my layout. (When you have a moment, check out the link and what the SFYTT girls have created!)

As an added bonus, Sparkle will be offering free standard shipping for all orders over $25 for the weekend (til midnight EST Sunday), and the code is FREESHIP. Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and now it's time to go to my good friend, Mary Giles's blog!


Supplies
Stamps: Sparkle Creations 'Scooter Chloe', sentiment by The Greeting Farm 'Roll Call'
Inks: StazOn' Jet Black', Creamy Caramel, Pretty In Pink, Morning Marigold, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust, Buckaroo Blue, Ruby Red, Cranberry Crisp, Going Gray, Old Olive, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye, Frayed Burlap and Black Soot'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Kraft, Bazzil Basics, PP - October Afternoon 'Thrift Shop'
Access: Spellbinders Labels One Nestibilities, Doodlebug Brads, Fiskars Decorative Scissors, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

FFF: Sketch By Mary

Friday, July 9, 2010

Yay! It's Friday again!

I've been on vacation all week and looooving it! The first half of the week I spent my mornings by the pool, catching some much needed rays (don't worry - I didn't toast myself!) and stamped the hot afternoons away. And now I'm in Maryland hanging out with friends for the weekend. Yes...I could do this every week! :)

And being that it's Friday, I have another Farm Fresh Friday challenge for you all! This week's challenge is my favorite kind - it's a sketch! And my sweet friend, Farmer Mary Giles, is the talent behind it. You can see the sketch and all the details on TGF blog.


I tried really hard not to color Irvin Sax in like I did last time, but I couldn't help it! He's just meant to wear a tux jacket and crisp white shirt! :) I printed Irvin on some Georgia Pacific cardstock and colored it up with reinkers and an aquapainter brush. I decided to use up some of my old Basic Grey paper since I have a few new pads coming in the mail any day now, so I pulled a couple of papers from the Offbeat collection and paired them with chocolate and kraft cardstock. I LOVE kraft cardstock! It's like that favorite shirt in your wardrobe that can be dressed up or down! I decided to emphasis the criss cross element instead of playing it down and instead of a regular square behind the main circle panel, I used the Labels Four nestie. After I made the card, I decided to add the buttons for some interest. The sentiment is from a There She Goes set called Birdie Wishes.

Now it's your turn! We want to see what you create with Mary's sketch! Create your card and upload it to the TGF gallery for everyone to check out! You could be in with a chance to win a fabulous prize from The Greeting Farm!!

I have a special blog post for tomorrow, so ya'll come back now ya hear?! I hope everyone has a FABULOUS weekend!

Supplies

Stamps: The Greeting Farm 'Irvin Sax digital stamp', sentiment from There She Goes 'Birdie Wishes'

Inks: More Mustard, Really Rust, Going Gray, Cool Caribbean, Soft Suede, Distress Inks 'Frayed Burlap and Black Soot'

Papers: Georgia Pacific, Kraft, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Offbeat Collection'

Access: Spellbinders Labels Four and Circle Nestibilities, Buttons, DMC Thread, Dimensionals

Color Throwdown 100th Challenge

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Good Morning!

If you haven't heard, here's something VERY BIG going down over at the Color Throwdown challenge blog today!

They're celebrating their 100th color throwdown challenge today and just about every stamp company has come to the party! And the best part is that they've all contributed prizes to be given away! You can find out all the deets on their blog.

The colors for the throwdown today are Regal Rose, Certain Celery, Real Red and Baja Breeze. Don't worry if you don't have the exact colors to play along, just use something similar.

Phew! That's a good thing for me because my entire SU collection consists of 2 sheets of Certain Celery and about half a sheet of Real Red! However I did manage to find a BoBunny collection of papers that seemed to match the color challenge pretty well...if I don't say so myself! :)

Does the layout look familiar? It should. It's this week's Sketch For You To Try...revisited. I told you I loved this sketch and I just had to play with it again! This time I used the brand new set from There She Goes, called Polka Dot Pals. I kept most of the panels the same, except I added a scalloped edge to the smallest panel and changed the main panel to a circle.

There She Goes is one of the companies putting up goodies for grabs, so if you want to win some TSG stuff, I hope you'll all find some time to play along! Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies
Stamps: There She Goes 'Polka Dot Pals'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Regal Rose, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - BoBunny 'Persuasion Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Button, Making Memories Flowers and Brad, Spellbinders Circle Nestibilities, EK Success Corner Punch, Machine Stitching, Sponges, Dimensionals

There's A Sale Going On!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

If you love stamps by The Greeting Farm, Just Rite Stamps, Gillian Roberts, Stampavi, Sarah Kay, Claudia & Company and Unity, and lots of embellishments and paper pads, then you need to RUN, yes RUN over to

Die Cuts R Us

Claudia is having a CRAZY 'Getting Ready for CHA' sale and tons of things are 40% off! I went shopping in her store twice last week (shhh, don't tell hubby!) and even I couldn't resist buying a few more things this week!

Hurry!! You won't believe the deals!

From All Of Us!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Good Morning sweet friends!

Yes, it is Monday again, but for us in the USA it's a public holiday! :) Unless ofcourse you work in the retail or service industries, like my hubby, and you're at work today. :( He was not a happy camper this morning! Syd and I however, are going to be ladies of lesiure today. We've have a big day planned full of painting, card making, coloring and lazing by the pool. I hope all my American amigos are doing something similar today! But if you're like my husband and have to work today...my condolences. Hehehehe!

In between doing the laundry and waiting until it was time to go to the July 4th party we were invited to, I made this quick card!

I just had to color those cute little dogs again from the Pet's Place set by Taylored Expressions! Their expressions are just too funny! This stamp set is the latest in the TE Giving Tree program where Taylor will donate $7.00 for each Pet's Place stamp set sold to the Humane Society. This stamp set is part of the TE Giving Tree during the months of June, July, and August 2010. Just so you all know, the set arrives on cling mount but in order to save on manufacturing costs and donate more to charity, you'll need to trim you stamp set when it arrives. That was fine with me, because cutting rubber means you have new stamps to play with, and that's never a bad thing! :)

Coloring those doggies reminded me of how we ended up spending our Saturday evening. We were at my brother in law's house out in the sticks and the guys had lit a couple of fireworks when their 10mth old chocolate lab freaked out and bolted into the woods! No one thought he would react that way because he's so placid. Well, the sun was about to set and there was no sign of him in those woods - not even a peep! So everyone got in the cars and circled the roads around the area looking for him and after an hour we had to give up. It was pitch black and trying to find a chocolate lab in the dark is HARD! We thought we'd take one last lap around before heading home and just as we were going to call it a night, we saw a shadow running across the road ahead of us! It was Grizzly, the friendly lab! He was still shaken up and weary of us, but we got him in the car and home in one piece! Phew! It was a good thing too, since my BIL lives in the sticks, we knew his chances of surviving out in the woods overnight were slim.

Back to the card! :) I colored up the doggies with my reinkers and aquapainter brush and cut them out. I then used Taylor's TESC119 sketch for the layout and some of the Basic Grey paper from her awesome matching Project Pantry Kit! Each panel was sponged with Vintage Photo Distress Ink and the base was machine stitched just to pull it all together. The felt flower is from a package of Max and Whiskers Bloomers and the sentiment was embossed with Versamark in and heat set with clear embossing powder.

Unfortunately, I think this card will be my last card during my term as a guest designer for Taylor and her Baker's Dozen team. :( I've had such a fun time creating cards with her adorable stamps! However, I will still be playing along with Taylor's sketches each week because I LOVE them! I also think there is a release happening this week, so we'll all get to see some amazing sneak peeks, introduced to a new guest designer and Friday will be the big release unveiling!! Woohooo! I know I'm looking forward to it!

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Have a good one!

Supplies
Stamps: Taylored Expressions 'A Pet's Place'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Versamark, Soft Suede, Morning Marigold, Going Gray, Ruby Red, Buckaroo Blue, Old Olive, Distress Inks 'Vintage Photo and Black Soot'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Basic Grey 'Max and Whiskers'
Access: BG Max and Whiskers Bloomers, Stampendous Clear Embossing Powder, Sponges, Machine Stitching, Dimensionals

Guest Designer? Me?!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

My regular readers probably know by now that I don't normally post on a Saturday...unless it's for something special, so you know I have something to scream from the roof tops today!!

For the month of July, I get to play along with Jen del Muro, of I{heart}2stamp fame, and her Sketch For You To Try posse! Waahoooo!!! I can't begin to tell you how excited I was when Jen emailed me this week! Some of my all time favorite card making idols are on this team as well as design team mates I have the pleasure of stamping along side with every month! Score!

The image above is this week's sketch. It's a fabulous one right? I see lots of possibilities with this one....so much so, I may have to make another one next week! :)

We're heading out this morning to pick strawberries and the crew will stage a mutiny if I hold us up, so without further adieu, here's the card I created with the sketch!

I have seriously been neglecting my Whipper Snapper stamps!! My mission this summer is to dig out all the stamps that haven't seen ink in a while or no ink at all and, well, USE THEM! :) I have a very loud conscience.

This cute little scene is from Anna Wight's Beware of Bears set. It was a no-brainer as to which paper I had to use for this image....Cosmo Cricket's Mr Campy of course! Why mess with a good thing right?! :) I colored up the image with my reinkers and aquapainter brush on some Strathmore Bristol Vellum (remember, it's not really vellum!). Then I sponged around it with some Antique Linen ink from Distress Inks to age it just a tad and paper pierced the edges. For the card base, I sponged the panels with various Distress Inks and machine stitched them to some coordinating cardstock. To add some interest, I matted the largest panel twice and distressed it's edges with my edge distresser. The brown ribbon was calling my name so I caved and used it! I made it into more of a knot-bow instead of a proper bow, just to not make it so girly! The sentiment is from a coordinating set called the Great Outdoors.

Of course, before you get started on your creations, I know you're going to want to see what Jen's girls have created with this sketch too! Here's a list of their blogs:

Jen del Muro
Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
Megan Lock
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Jenn Diercks
Kelly Lunceford

Ok, that's it from me. I'm off to pick me some strawberries! :) Thanks so much for stopping by on this beautiful Saturday morning! Hope it's gorgeous where you are! Oh, and happy July 4th to all my American friends!

Supplies
Stamps: Whipper Snapper Designs 'Beware of Bears' and 'Great Outdoors'
Inks: StazOn 'Jet Black', Old Olive, Certain Celery, Morning Marigold, Going Gray, Not Quite Navy, Distress Inks 'Antique Linen, Tea Dye and Vintage Photo'
Papers: Strathmore Bristol Vellum, Bazzil Basics, PP - Cosmo Cricket 'Mr. Campy Collection'
Access: Ribbon, Spellbinders Labels One and Four Nestibilities, Pebbles Inc. Candy Dots - Brown, Machine Stitching, Paper Piercer, Sponges, Dimensionals