SFYTT, FCCC, The Big Blog Tart and A Funny Story

How's that for a title!! I actually thought I was too late to enter Jen's big blog tart. If you haven't heard about it you need to run, not walk to {THIS} post. She is giving away HUGE prizes and we all get to help out a great cause :) I mailed my card yesterday and then totally forgot to get this post ready. I woke up at 2:00 this morning and remembered :( Then while reading my google posts I saw I still had until the end of today to enter. I'm so not a last minute person and I hate squeezing in under the wire. I had plenty of cards along the way I could have entered but it felt like cheating. I wanted to make one specifically for this giveaway, so here it is. I used last weeks SFYTT and was inspired by Courtney's Closet with the colors. (FYI, make sure you check out Libby's blog next week, Courtney's Closet may just be full of Candy too :)
Now on to the funny story. My middle child Mattea (pronounced like the singer Kathy Mattea) is a handful (putting it mildly). She always has been. Thursday was a rough day. She spent the entire day just not listening. By the time my hubby got home I was near tears. I had just given her a bath because after dinner she was going to bed!!!!! I was explaining the day when my oldest came in the kitchen and said "Mom, Mattea just peed on the floor", my hubby immediately took over because I can't see through my tears :) I had just mopped floors that day!! After he gets her and the floor all cleaned up he came in to me to explain. Apparently she STOOD in front of the potty and tried to pee like her brother........... Leave it to a 3 year old to think she can pee like her 2 year old brother. Gotta love her anyway ;)
Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Flower Chat (stampendous)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Rose Red, White, Pink Ruled Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery
Accesories: Brad, Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Punches

I've Been Tagged...

...twice actually!! I got this award from ! Thanks LeAnne. I've had her blog on my google reader for awhile now (I stalk all the Color Throwdown girls) and love her work.
I'm suppose to pass this award on to ten other blogs but I always have such a hard time choosing. I get inspired by so many blogs everyday. I'd have to nominate like 200 blogs to include everyone so I'm just gonna give it to everyone who visits me. I love having readers and getting such sweet comments :) You all ROCK!!

I was also tagged by Caryl at Stamps and Stitches. I have to share 7 random things about myself and I have to say I've struggled. I'm really not that interesting :( but here we go anyway!!
1. My favorite color is green.
2. I love to cook and bake, but I HATE to clean up the mess. I wish I had a little fairy who could swoosh in behind me and tidy up. Well actually I would like one of those for my whole house.
3. I was the youngest girl in my high school class (you wanted random). It was really terrible. My birthday is in August so I spent the whole summer before my junior year waiting for my license. Talk about torcher!!!!
4. HAHAHA, I'm the youngest girl from my graduating class!!!!!!! It's GREAT!! Everyone else is turning 29 (some 30) and I'm still only 28!!!!!!!!
5. My kitchen is decorated in roosters.
6. I'm addicted to reality t.v. Most nights I would love to stamp but can't pull myself away from my crap t.v. I record my shows and watch them when the kids are asleep. My faves, The Bachelor, The Real World (I've watched it from the beginning), America's Next Top Model, anything on VH1 (I did say crap t.v ;)
7. I love anything with bees or ladybugs on it. I can hardly resist!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Bella Angel

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE these angels from H&M Stamps?? They are so adorable. I had yet to try paper piecing them so I thought I would give it a whirl for this card. I've had this Bella Rose paper from SU since the last catalog came out and since I loved it so much, I never used it..lol! I'm a terrible hoarder of certain things. I just never wanted to run out of this paper so I never used it :) I finally broke into it a few days ago and now I find myself using it a lot!! The sketch I used was last weeks Viva La Verve Challenge, I'm a little behind. The twist was to use flowers. I added the one in the bottom corner last minute. I was going to count my flower paper but then it felt like cheating so I caved and added a flower :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Calling All Angels (h&m stamps)

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Red Gingham (the paper studio), Bella Rose (su)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), copics

Accesories: Black Polka Dot Ribbon, Flower, Button, Black Embroidery Floss, Paper Piercer

Real Red Polka Dot Chick

I'm on a roll here lately!! I've been whipping through challenge cards like crazy. I love when your mojo is working :)

For this card I combined two challenges. The Color Throwdown and Laura's sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You.

This weeks Color Throwdown brought mixed feelings. The colors (brocade blue, real red, and basic black) are so ME!! I love this combo, I use it a lot!! But I was a little apprehensive playing again. After being the featured stamper last week I put a lot of added pressure on myself to make this one great. It took a little longer than usual (to much second guessing) but I'm so happy with the way it turned out.I really love the 2 Sketches 4 You challenges. They start me in the right direction but I don't ever feel tied to the sketch. Some sketch challenges box me in and I take them really literal. I always feel like I have creative freedom with Kazan and Laura's sketches..so thanks ladies. I'm truly inspired :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Chick (Imaginesce For Peeps Sake Collection), Flower Chat (stampendous)

Paper: Bordering Blue, Real Red, Basic Black, White, Not Quite Navy DP

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Night Of Navy

Accesories: Red Gingham Ribbon, Button (su), Black Embroidery Floss, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Labels One Nesties, Red Brads, Jeweled Brad (su)

Recipe Challenge 33

Sketches {by tamara} Recipe Challenge:
Die Cut
Buttons
Ribbon

I broke into a long neglected stamp set for this one. It's a Saleabration set from last year that I loved, had to have, and then barely used :) Anyone else have some of those??? I paper pierced the butterfly in a green floral print (it's sort of hard to see in the pic).
The background was stamped in Chocolate Chip ink using my Bella Toile stamp. I really love this stamp and don't use it near as much as I should. I tore the floral paper for a bit of interest but it isn't real noticeable in the picture either. Hum, maybe this card is just better in real life..lol!

Make sure you head over to the Sketches blog and check out the other design team members cards!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Merci (su), Bella Toile (su)

Paper: More Mustard, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, My Minds Eye DP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Taffeta Ribbon, Buttons, Black Embroidery Floss, Script Embossing Folder, Machine Stitching, Word Window Punch

Guess I need to use Pink Passion more often. Check out the featured stamper on The Color Throwdown blog!!!

Created By Courtney Color Challenge

Wow, I've used Pink Passion twice in the last week. Maybe it's not so scary :) This weeks Created By Courtney Challenge is a color challenge: I didn't have to reach far for this Kim Hughes set since it hasn't left my desk since I got it :) I paper pieced the trees (again) and stamped a row of these adorable flowers. I colored them with my Pink Passion SU marker, and the tree trunks with my copics.
I stitched along the edges of the pink decorative paper and added some buttons in the corners to cover a boo boo :)
Make sure you check out all the other Chicks creations!!
Chris Dickinson
Courtney Fowler
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Lorie Ames
Maria Fiscella
Sarah Anderson
Sparkle Smith
Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Welcome Spring, Birthday Bash (CHF kim hughes)
Paper: Kraft, Pink Passion, White Ruled Paper (cm), Red Gingham Paper (the paper studio), Pink DP (my minds eye)
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion, Always Artichoke, Copics, Close to Cocoa
Accesories: Button, Pink Embroidery Floss, Machine Stitching

Mojo Monday 71

Can you believe this is the last Mojo sketch for January?!? Where did the month go?? It's been so fun working on these fabulous sketches Julee gives us each week. I made this weeks card a standard A2 size instead of square. As much as I love square cards, I just don't mail them, so I don't make them much :)
I inked up my my new Welcome Spring set from CHF's Kim Hughes line. I love the trees that come with this set, they are so fun to paper piece. Not to mention all the other adorable little images that come in this set.
I stamped the little squirel in the smallest square and put him on the little tree stump. I love the little row of mushrooms peeking out from behind him. I didn't have room to stamp the whole sentiment welcome spring, so I cut the stamp apart and just stamped welcome. I thought this would be a cute card to welcome a new neighbor or maybe even a new baby.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Welcome Spring (CHF kim hughes)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Polka Dots (my minds eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Chocolate Chip, Copics
Accesories: Paper Piercer, Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon

BLOG CANDY WINNER!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:26
Timestamp: 2009-01-26 00:49:28 UTC

That means the winner is:
Giovana said...
Congratulations Maria!!! I am celebrating my Blogoversary too!! Your candy is really yummy. Thanks for the chance to win. God blessGiovana
Congrats Giovana, please email me your details and I will get your goodies in the mail :)

Happy Blogaversary To ME!!

{THIS POST WILL STAY ON THE TOP OF MY BLOG UNTIL SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR NEWER POSTS}
One year of blogging already!!! WOW...I can't believe I've been at this that long already. I've had so much fun getting to know so many of you and wanted to celebrate by offering some blog candy.All you have to do is leave a comment on this post and I will draw a winner next Sunday, January 25th.

Cherry Polka Dot Cupcake

Isn't it yummy!!! I'm sort of addicted right now to this Kim Hughes cupcake. Yesterday was the first time I got it inky and I have already made about 7 cards with it now!! I'm working on the nine sketches for Taylor's One Year Cupcake Challenge Celebration so this stamp was super fitting.
I also used the colors for this weeks Color Challenge by Kristina Werner and I love this combo. The green and yellow are great compliments to the black, red and white.
I also made it a birthday (celebration) card to enter into my friend Toni's blogaversary candy!!
Phew...that's a lot!!
Don't forget tomorrow is the last day you can enter my blogaversary blog candy {HERE}. Thanks for stopping by

Recipe:

Stamps: Birthday Bash (CHF kim hughes)

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, So Saffron, Black Gingham (the paper studio)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento)

Accesories: Scallop Border Punch, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Button, Black Embroidery Floss, Orange Peel Stickles

Color Throwdown Valentine

Pink Passion is not a color I use often...okay ever!!! I think I still have every piece that came in the package I bought when I started stamping. I don't usually use bright colors all the often, I just can't make them work for me.
Until NOW!!! I'm starting to figure out how to make things that arent me (i.e. pink passion), work with my style (i.e. gingham and kraft).
This card is for this weeks Color Throwdown Challenge, Pink Passion, Black and Kraft. Of course these colors made me think Valentines and again I reached for my new Verve stamps. I used Sweet Valentine which is a mini set for only $9.00!!! A total steal for the great stamps that come in this set. I colored the hearts with my copics and cut them out and attached them over the small hearts that come with the sentiment stamp because I goofed when I was coloring them :)
The ribbon has been in my stash for-ev-ver and I've never used it but it was the perfect color for this card. I love the jumbo bow, not sure how well it will fit in an envelope but oh well!!!
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Sweet Valentine (verve)
Paper: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Kraft, Black Gingham (the paper studio)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), copics, Chocolate Chip
Accesories: Labels One Nesties, Paper Piercer, Machine Stitching, Pink Polka Dot Ribbon, Black Embroidery Floss, Button

Keep Me In Your Heart...

...I'll stay there forever!! Man, I love Verve!! I got my new sets last week and I spent last weekend inking them up.
I used last weeks SCS Card Sketch (SC211). The colors were inspired by the new SU catalog that I've been drooling over. I really love these colors together. The pop of Riding Hood Red on these other soft colors is fabulous.
Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Hundred Hearts (verve)

Paper: Baja Breeze, Barely Banana, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip

Accesories: Paper Piercer, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Recipe Challenge 32

This weeks Recipe Challenge at Sketches {by tamara} was an easy one for me. It combines a few of my favorite things!
- Lined Notebook paper
- Ink/Paint
- Journaling Box
I'm absolutely loving stamping on white lined paper. I'm white space phobic so this makes me a little less anxious..lol!! The paper I used is from Creative Memories and I had to make sure it was still available. I've had mine since my days as a consultant but I'm running low. Luckily they do still sell it and you can find it {HERE}. I love the texture of this paper, it's not glossy (which I like!!). I noticed they also sell it in Spargo (off white colored) so I'm sure I'll have to get some of that soon too!!
Okay, more about the card. I stamped this adorable frog from Kim Hughes Little Guy set on the lined paper. I colored him with my copics and attached it to my card with staples. The journaling box is actually a stamp from a set I got at Target. I stamped the word prince (also from the KH set) onto the journal box. I stamped it three times (without) reinking for the faded effect.

Make sure you check out my blog candy on {THIS} post!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Little Guy (CHF kim hughes), Arrow Journaling Box

Paper: Bashful Blue, Garden Green, Kraft, White Ruled Paper (cm)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip, Copics

Accesories: Staples

Created By Courtney Sketch Challenge

Sketch challenges are easily one of my favorite's so this weeks Created By Courtney Challenge was a super fun one. Check out this sketch!! It's such a great layout and super versatile. I've already made a few cards with it. I'm showing you my favorite today.

I dug into my 6x6 SU paper pack again, this time using Not Quite Navy. I stamped the biggest star from Verve's Polka Stars in Night of Navy on Kraft cardstock and cut it out. I inked all the edges with Chocolate Chip ink and then I tied on a button with red embroidery floss and attached it to the card. The sentiment is from Kim Hughes' Little Guy stamp set and made this a perfect masculine card. It only took me about 15 minutes to put this together.

Make sure you check out the other Chicks creations.
Chris Dickinson
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Kim Gruetzmacher
Lorie Ames
Maria Fiscella
Sarah Anderson
Sparkle Smith

Also, don't forget to check out my blog candy {HERE}!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Polka Stars (verve), Little Guy (CHF kim hughes)
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Not Quite Navy DP
Ink: Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accesories: Red Embroidery Floss, Paper Piercer, Button

Mojo Monday 70

I was super excited to play with this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch. My new Verve goodies came just in time to get inky!! I was determined to use this flourished heart so I had to flip the sketch. I was a little unsure if it was going to work but I absolutely love it. It's so hard not to love a card when the stamp is this gorgeous!!
I'm trying to use up some of my neglected products. I've had this dp from the 6x6 pack of SU's papers since the catalog came out and today it's officially retired..lol!! {YOU CAN ORDER FROM THE NEW CATALOG TODAY!!} Guess it's time to use it. The thing I love about SU's paper is when you sand the edges the white shows through. I only used on sheet for this card (it's double sided).
I paper pieced the heart, added my sentiment and the yummy polka dot ribbon and it became the perfect valentine. To bad my honey already saw it. He did love it too though, these are his favorites colors.
Make sure you check out my blog candy on {THIS} post!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Hearts on Fire (verve), Short and Sweet (su)

Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Real Red Designer Paper

Ink: Basic Black, Close To Cocoa

Accesories: Black Polka Dot Ribbon, Black Brads, Scallop Edge Punch, Cutting System (cm), Paper Piercer

Leopard Print FCC/PCP

I was so bummed that I missed the first From Courtney's Closet challenge of the new year and was determined to play this week. She has on the most adorable leopard print outfit and luckily I had one piece of leopard print paper in my stash. I've had this paper for many, many years and have no idea where it came from but it worked perfect. Only the border is leopard print so it was a little tricky stamping the spots for my little animal but boy was it worth it. Ain't he cute!!!
I stamped the image from H&M Stamps on Kraft and colored him with my copics.I used the sketch from Paper Craft Planet for this card too!
Make sure you check out my blog candy on {THIS} post.
Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:
Stamps: Stitched Animals (H&M Stamps), Short and Sweet (su)
Paper: Kraft, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, Leopard Print DP
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics, Chocolate Chip
Accesories: Paper Piercer, Black Embroidery Floss, Button, Word Window Punch, Corner Punch, Houndstooth Embossing Folder

YUM!!

I'm bringing you two yummies today!! One is my lunch...yes, lunch. With the kids at my Mom and Dad's I've been indulging in a few of my favorite things!! My all time fave...Angel food cake with strawberries!! So yummy!! Probably not the most sensible lunch but I don't care :)
I also have a yummy cupcake card too!! I used the colors for this weeks challenge from Kristina Werner. I've really been using pink a lot lately so this was a fun challenge.
Well that's it from me, back to my craft room :) Don't forget to come back tomorrow for something else really yummy. No not more angel food cake, how about some blog candy?!?!

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Simple Birthday Thanks (su), Birthday Bash (CHF kim hughes)

Ink: Basic Black, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, White Lined Paper (cm), Sweet Always (su)

Accesories: Purple Gems, Machine Stitching, Pink Gingham Ribbon

FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought I wasn't going to have a post today. This week has been low on stamp time :( because I've been trying to get so many things done. I found this card on my computer that I made a few weeks ago. I'm running low on backup cards for just such an occasion but as my title says...IT'S FRIDAY!!! I've been counting down the days for this particular weekend..why?? My parents are taking the kids ALL WEEKEND!!! Wait, it gets better. My hubby is working too so it's only me and my craft room. I probably won't even get out of my jammies :) I warned my hubby that I'm also not cooking this weekend so he better swing by Taco Bell on the way home (not that he minds, he's a Taco Bell addict). AHHHHH!! 3:00 can't get here fast enough.
The cardboard heart is a leftover from a CBC Challenge. You can see more about it {HERE}.
Have a wonderful weekend and make sure you come back by on Sunday!!!! I'll have some pretty cool stuff ;)
Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:
Stamps: The Birds and The Bees (CHF kim hughes)
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, White Lined Paper (cm), Red Gingham (the paper studio), Black Floral (unknown)
Ink: Basic Black
Accesories: Staples, Black Embroidery Floss, Button, Cardboard

Not Quite Navy Angel

Isn't this angel adorable?!?! I placed an order with H&M Stamps during the recent garage sale. I've been eyeing Heather's stamps for awhile and I'm so glad I finally have some. This set called Calling All Angels has always been on of my favorites. When I saw this week's color challenge at SCS I knew right away I needed to get this angel inky. I'm not usually a blingy girl but I love her silver wings :)

Recipe:

Stamps: Calling All Angels (h&m stamps), Short and Sweet (su)

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Kraft, DP (my mind's eye)

Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Chocolate Chip, Copics

Accesories: Word Window Punch, Brads, Silver Stickles, Button Embossing Strip, Swirl Embossing Folder, Black Polka Dot Ribbon

Recipe Challenge 31

I decided after last week to post my Recipe Challenge card for Sketches {by tamara} on Wednesday's. I had two posts last Tuesday and I don't know how many of you saw it. My card will still be posted on the Sketches blog every Tuesday I just won't feature it on my blog until Wednesday. I want to make sure I'm giving Tamara's challenge enough time to get noticed too. These recipe challenges are super fun!!

This week's challenge was:
Use 3 strips of paper
Distressed edges
A tag

I had a whole other layout in mind and then this happened. I really like the shabby feel of this card and the layout is pretty versatile. I've been ignoring my background stamps so I pulled out Bella Toile and stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink on the Kraft cardstock. I left more of it showing on the sides than usual and I like the chunky border. The flower is actually from my reject pile for another card. The only thing I'm a little unsure of is the tag. It was a recipe requirement so I had to put it on but I'm not sure I'm loving it. I think I would have rather had the sentiment stamped on the panel with the flower....what do you think??

Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe:

Stamps: Bella Toile Background and Bella Blossom (su), Birthday Surprise (verve)

Paper: Kraft, Pink Pirouette, Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla, Floral Print (my mind's eye)

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa

Accesories: Button, Lace, Staples, Machine Stitching, Embroidery Floss

CBC Challenge Inspiration Station

Yes, I'm a New Kids On The Block fan!! I was one of the screaming little girls at there concert when I was young. I was also a screaming girl at their concert a few months ago..lol!! I won tickets from the radio ( I listened all day just to be caller nine :) I drug my hubby along and he didn't complain..much!
This weeks Created By Courtney Challenge is an inspiration challenge. You have to make a card based on the CD cover of the album you listen to while your crafting. Most of the time I'm listening to their new album which is pretty good. I really loved the layout on the cover and thought this would be a fun card.
WRONG!!! This was a super tough layout!! The first attempt I made I also tried to to follow the colors of the CD and that was a big mistake. I don't like these colors together and it was really bad. I was going to show you attempt one and then chickened out. Trust me it was bad. I also tried using silohette stamps to mimic their black shirts. Another mistake.
Here is attempt two!

I'm still not totally in love with it but it's miles better than the first one. I asked my hubby what he thought of card one, his response, "Well, it's not a bad card.....". When I showed him this one he was relieved because he said the last card was really bad!! See I told you :)
I stamped my favorite Stampendous flowers on Kraft cardstock twice side by side. I colored them with my copics then cut them in strips. I staggered the strips to resemble the way the hunky new kids are on the cover.
I don't think I'll try this layout again but if anyone else gives it a whirl let me know, I'm dying to see!!! Make sure you go check out the other chicks creations!!
Chris Dickinson
Danielle Marcus
Holly Brown
Lorie Ames
Maria Fiscella
Sarah Anderson
Sparkle Smith
and say an extra special hello to another new chick Kim Gruetzmacher!!
Thanks for stopping by!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Field Of Blooms (stampendous)
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Night Of Navy
Ink: Tuxedo Black (memento), Copics
Accesories: Word Window Punch, Brads, Brown Gingham Ribbon

Mojo Monday 69

It's been awhile since I've worked with circles and this sketch through me a little. It was a bit out of my comfort zone but I pushed through and love how it turned out. This however is card three...lol. Julee made me realize my nestie collection needs some work....again!! I'm awaiting my labels one and am totally blaming her. The next purchase will be her fault too :) Make sure you check out the Mojo Monday Blog and see what the other ladies made. The cards are fabulous again this week!
Thanks for stopping by.

Recipe:

Stamps: (verve)

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Ruby Red, Polka Dots, Floral Print (my mind's eye)

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa

Accesories: Brads, Scallop Circle Punch (marvy), Circle Cutters (CM), Paper Piercer, Flowers