Gina K Release Party Fun!!

If you haven't attended a Gina K release party over at Splitcoaststampers...I would highly recommend it. They are totally fun, inspirational, and, well, hard on your bank account :)

This release, my friend Lee who is on Gina K's Senior DT was nice enough to let me play with her on one of her challenges. It was a color challenge using Cranberry Tart, Good As Gold, Black Onyx, and Ivory. I used the adorable snowman from Gina K Design Warm Winter Wishes by Carolyn King for this card. Hope you like it!!

Happy Halloween

This card was made for another fun challenge over on stamptv! It was to make a kickstand card, which I had never done before. These are super fun to do!!



Supplies:
Paper: SU Basic Black, SU patterned paper (sorry I don't know the name :() PTI Summer Sunrise
Ink: Versafine Black, PTI Summer Sunrise
Stamps: Gina K.'s Happy Haunting

stamptv challenge...sparkles!!

Gina K posts all of these fabulous tutorials on how to make cards, do techniques, use things in new and different ways. She is pretty much brilliant ;) Last week, she posted a tutorial on making your own sparkly background. Head over to stamptv and check it out for yourself. Here is the card I made. It is very difficult to get a good photo of the sparkly background, but you can see a bit of the shimmer! Hope you like it!!


Supplies:
Stamps: The Magic of Christmas by Rupa Shevde for GKD
Paper: GKD All Spruced Up, GKD Rocket Red, SU Whisper White (I am so not wasting GKD's white on a layer ;))
Ink: Colorbox Silver
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Christmas Ornaments CB folder

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2009

Hi friends,

My annual JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes is tomorrow. I am $150 from my goal...so if you can help out, in any amount, small or large, I would greatly appreciate it.

For those of you who haven't heard me talk about my niece, Sierra, she is 8 and was diagnose with Type 1 diabetes in 2005. She uses an insulin pump which reduces the number of pokes she gets, but she still has to endure 8-10 finger pokes a day. In just the short 4 years since she was diagnosed, she is already showing signs of kidney damage. She will now take a pill every night for the rest of her life as a result. We need a cure now. No one should have to go through this, much less an 8 year old who knows more about diabetes and taking care of herself than any 8 year old should. She is such a great kid, she even grew out her hair for over a year to donate to Locks of Love.

So, if you are interested, and can make a donation (I know times are tough) then I would greatly appreciate it, as will Sierra and her family. You can click here to make a donation. If you aren't able to make a donation, please if you could say some prayers for a cure being found, for Sierra's health, and for all the walkers tomorrow as it is supposed to be really cold and rainy while we walk...but unless its dangerous weather, we walk.

To see and read more about Sierra see these a post here and here

Thanks!!

stamptv challenge...gold gold gold

I do not usually use gold in my card making. I am more of a silver girl. But this challenge was to use gold, and I gotta say, I am going to be using gold in my cards more often!!

I was the lucky winner of the Pure Luxury Holiday Assortment companion set from the wonderfully generous Gina K. Tonight was the first time I used it, and holy cow this paper is THE best paper I think I have EVER used. I pulled out the ivory, and checked three times to make sure I had just gotten one piece because it is so thick and sturdy!! Needless to say, I will need more of this!!

So, here is my card...

Supplies:
Stamps: GKD's The Magic of Christmas
Paper: SU Night of Navy, GKD Ivory, GKD Rocket Red
Accessories: Gold embossing powder, gold Hallmark ribbon, gold self adhesive dots

stamptv challenge...lil piggies :)

Hi there!!

I am continuing to love doing the challenges over a stamptv. And if you haven't checked out Gina K.'s most recent release of yummy delicious stamps, paper, ribbons and buttons you should check it out here!

At the rate that I am going, I may, someday, ink up all of the stamps I own!! :)

This was a color challenge, pink, navy and white or cream. I actually had several dreams about this card, lol. And, I will say that I felt like the card was much cuter in my dream...would love to hear what you think of it!!


Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Gina K.'s Down on the Farm, How sweet it is!, Inspiration Mosaic
Ink: SU Craft Whisper White, SU Marker Pretty in Pink, Versafine Black
Paper: SU Whisper White, Night of Navy, Pretty In Pink

stamptv challenges are addicting!!

I am in love with the challenges over at stamptv.com. They are amazing, inspiring, and easy enough that I can do them ;) I am having so much fun creating with them!! And I am inking up stamps that have never seen the glory of ink!!

I very rarely finish a card that I am in love with. But when I finished this card, I was in love!! Hope you like it too!!


This next card combined a challenge with making something for our families upcoming JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes. I am only 21% to my goal, so if you would like to donate please click here! For more information about why we walk go to this post.

Melanie Muenchinger is brilliant!!

She creates amazing stamp sets, make incredible cards, AND shares her brilliance so that I can try and be as cool as her. Well, I certainly can't be as cool as her, but I sure did try...and here is what I came up with using her super cool Inspiration Mosaic stamp!!


I still need lots of practice with copics, and well, I need lots more copics too!! But for a first try...not too shabby ;)

Stamptv challenge

I participated in my first stamptv challenge. It was bundles of fun and I am hoping to do more of these on a regular basis!! The challenge was to pick one color and one neutral and that's it for your card. I actually love how this turned out!!

Meant to post these a long time ago!!

I made about 55 of these notebooks for all of the people I work with for our first day of our new program year. They were super simple to do, just time consuming in that quantity because each persons name is on them too above the first letter of their first name...that's a whole lot of letters :0 You might not be able to see that in this pic (forgot to bring my camera home again). I will eventually stop posting bad pics, I am just so excited to be back creating again. I have a scrapbook in the works for my sister and will post that when I get it done.

I made a card!!!

Last night, I was in the mood to color. So I got out some of my new Ketto gals from Stamping Bella, my prismacolors and gamsol and had some fun! Today, I took one of my colored images and made a card!!

The pic is not very good and every time I rotate it, it ends up back in the sideways positon, grr. It's also a lil blurry, I took it with my phone as I left my camera at work, so use your imagination to make it more in focus!! ;)

ETA: Here are some better pics!!!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes 2009

It's that time of year again when my family and I participate in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes. My 8 year old niece, Sierra, was diagnosed in April of 2005. She has been forced to grow up way too fast, to know things she shouldn't have to worry about and to have to pay attention to everything she eats and how she feels. I am brokenhearted to report that in just the time since she was diagnosed, she has already had damage done to her kidneys. Now, on top of finger pricks and using her pump, she has to take a pill, every day for the rest of her life until there is a cure.

Sierra never ceases to amaze me. This year, she grew her hair out so that she could donate it to Locks of Love. How cool is she?!?!

I was watching Dr. Oz on Oprah just last week, and he was talking about all the gains that have been made in research in the last few years. He said that he believes that we are within single digit years of finding a cure for diabetes. I sat on the couch after he said that and cried and prayed.

I am walking to show my support, honor Sierra in her fight and raise money for research. If you are able to give, please go here to donate!! If you are not able to give, if you could please pray and root our team on I would greatly appreciate that too!!! Thanks!!!

Prayers Please

I would like to start out by saying definitively...I hate cancer. It sucks. Big time.

So even though my mom's results after her surgery were fantastic, the doc changed her tune, and mom starts chemo tomorrow. Once every three weeks for 16-18 weeks, then radiation, then hormone therapy. I wish I lived in St. Louis so I could go with her. I have to say I am highly annoyed with her doctor...don't freaking tell a person all you should need is surgery and maybe radiation...then change your tune.

I am asking for some serious prayers please!!! I would greatly appreciate it!

Amazing News!!!

Hi all!! I wanted to share with you all the very overdue, but amazing news!! My mom's tests came back after her second surgery, and they got all the cancer this time!!! We are so happy, relieved and thankful!!! She will now do radiation and then I will be officially ready to say my mom kicked cancer's booty.

I have to tell you the journey to get these results seemed really really long even though from start to finish it hasn't been THAT long. But this past week was very very long. A week ago Tuesday she had her second surgery. They were supposed to have results by Friday or Monday of this week at the latest. On Tuesday evening, when they still hadn't gotten a call for results, they called the doctors office to find out that while they were testing my mom's tissue, the machine broke. They assured them they would get them the results by Wednesday at 5. At 6 on Wednesday, no call. My mom's was down and my dad was angry. He called the doctors office and told them it was cruel and unusual punishment to not call to let them know what was going on. When I called to check in that night, I didn't even recognize my dads voice because he was soooooo mad. Anyways, Thursday morning the results came in, thank you God!!

So, mom will have another appointment with the radiologist to see when they will do the radiation. I am hoping it's not for a few weeks so I can make it home to help out.

Thank you all for your cards and support. It has helped more than you will ever know!!

Thank you!!! from my mom and me

My mom wanted me to post a thank you from her. She has absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVED getting all the cards.

She will be going back in for surgery this week and then once she is recovered from that will start a 5 day session of radiation. We are still hopeful that there will be no need for chemo. Please keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming please!!

If you are still interested in sending a card, or another card it would be great to keep them coming. Her address is Nancy Young, 15181 Isleview, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Based on her response (loving getting the cards) I decided I would just go ahead and post the address here to make it easier!

I have the week off to spend some time with my nephews. Nathan is here from St. Louis for the whole week. Luke, who lives here in KC is here for a few days. We are having lots of fun, and they are playing lots of video games :)

While they play video games I have been getting things done around the house...including some time in my stamp room, so I will have some creations to post soon!!

Going Pink Part 2...

Hi there!! Just thought I would pop in and give you the latest update on my mom and the card campaign.

First of all, final results came back. Her lymph nodes are clear, thank you God!!! But the breast tissue was not, so they will be doing surgery again to remove more tissue. They are waiting on the doc to tell them when surgery will be. I am hoping it will be this Wednesday, as I will be in St. Louis and can help take care of her.

So I am still looking for prayers and cards to keep her spirits up as she continues her battle. She said the other night that she is tired of this, mostly because she has better things to do. And she does, so I hope this next surgery can be the last.

She said last night that she is getting cards every day now. THANK YOU to everyone who is sending cards. I would love to keep the mailbox full until her battle is officially over. So, if you are interested in sending her a card, please leave a comment on this post with your email and I will send you her address, or click on View My Profile in the sidebar, then click on email me.

Here are the stats on peeps signing up to send cards (Mom said yesterday she thinks she's gotten like 40, woohoo)
I have cards being sent as a result of posting on the following sites:
9 from SCS Stampin Flybabies friends
13 from SCS friends
16 from Facebook friends
15 blog friends
16 non computer connected friends
69 total

Some of the people listed about are sending multiple cards, so my numbers are a bit off...I cannot tell you how much I appreciate each and every one of you who has sent a card, said a prayer, thought positive thoughts, etc. It means the world to me!!

Going Pink!! **UPDATED AGAIN 6/19/09 :)**

Hi there,

Long time no post.

Here's the short version of what has been going on in my life. I just ended week 8 of a continuous headache/migraine. Been to lots of docs, had lots of test. So far the diagnosis is labrynthitis and basal migraines. But it's not getting better, so I will be heading back to the docs. ** New meds for the headache. Steroids to try and get rid of it, migraine preventative meds, and new meds for when I have a migraine. Keeping my fingers crossed that this works!!**

I am going pink because my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She will have surgery this coming week or the week after. She has some more tests to do.

So needless to say, I haven't been stamping at all, though I think it might take my mind off of things. Might have to head to the stamp room this weekend.

For any of you who have not seen my request for cards for my mom...I am wanting to FLOOD her mailbox with love from anyone and everyone who is willing to send a card. If you would like to send a card, please reply to this post, include your email and I will email you her address.

**UPDATED NUMBERS AS OF 6/19/09**
So far I have cards being sent as a result of posting on the following sites:
9 from SCS Stampin Flybabies friends
9 from SCS friends
16 from Facebook friends
15 blog friends
16 non computer connected friends :)
65 total plus me **We're stalled in the 60's...come on now...we can do better**(We hit 50 NOW let's keep growing!!! Think it's possible to make 100?!?!?)

I want those numbers to grow, grow, grow so if you'd spread the word I would greatly appreciate it!!!

ETA: Thanks to Charlene and Christi and Lee who have linked to my blog to try and help me get more cards!!! Click on their names and go check their blogs out...they are AMAZING!!!

**My mom was in KC this weekend. She has started getting cards...and she is loving it. She even brought all the cards with her to KC to show me...so I KNOW it is helping her spirits. Thank you all and lets keep em coming!!
**My mom has been really happy to get so many cards. She continues to get them and has been amazed at the number of cards, and how many she is getting that are hand made. Thank you to all of you who have sent them, and to those who are wondering, yes, you can still send one!!

Mom had surgery Wednesday. It went very well. Initial test of the tissue around the lump and of the lymph nodes came back negative for cancer. YEAH!!! They still do an extended test with results back sometime next week, but it is looking like it was caught early enough to kick cancer's booty Her spirits were really high yesterday, I was surprised and happy about that! She is having some pain, but she says its not bad. She said that her pee was blue...and they didn't mention that the dye they inject her with to see where they need to cut would do that so that was quite a surprise for her.

Today, her spirits were a little down, she said she wasn't sure why but that she was a little tired of talking about it and explaining what's going on and such. I think part of it may be just an emotional release but she certainly could use more cards to lift her spirits

The relief I feel cannot even be explained. I am so thankful to God for taking care of my momma and answering my prayers!! The relief will be complete next week when we get the final test results.

Thank you again to all who have sent cards, prayed, or sent good thoughts my momma's way!!

JDRF Walk 2008 Scrapbook Thank you

Finally...6 months later, the thank you scrapbook for the place where my niece takess Tae Kwan Do lessons is done. Scrapbooking on clear plastic is more difficult than I thought because of the need to plan the fronts and backs so you don't see the backs of pics and glue and such. I am fairly happy with how it turned out and think the clear effect is neat!! Love to hear what you think!!

This is how it all started...

A few years ago I went to my first Stampin' Up party and fell in love/became obsessed/addicted. This is the first card I EVER made! Many many dollars, cards, stamps, punches and lots of other goodies later, I have found a hobby that I have stuck with.

Open for business ;)

I finally finished it. The stampin space is how I want it and I love it. Here is how it looks. I have a project ready to finish all laid out on my desk and everything!!

Coming Soon...

I need about another hour in my stampin space...and a good vacuuming and it will be FINISHED. I know, shock and awe....how long has this taken me? How bout we don't answer that?!?!?!

Anyways, I am super excited beyond belief!! I will get it done just in time to head off to Florida to see my parents and the NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!! And when I come back, I have every intention of using my stampin space and the many many supplies that I have which are mostly all organized!!!

Thanks for tagging along on my journey! Once the finishing touches are done I will get pics up!!

Hmmm

Not sure if you will be able to see the difference in the stampin' space, but I totally can. I have gotten a ton done, mostly organizing inside drawers and baskets...guess I should take pics of that so I can prove that I AM making progress. Here are pics...see if you can tell the dif...







Pic One is the view from the hallway...there are less boxes...

Pic Two is of some of the labeling I have been doing so I can easily find things...much more labeling to be done!!

Pic Three...my love!! The fantasical cubes form Michaels, which I am thinking I need three more of, and I think my sewing machine will go on top.

Pic Four...the towering paper racks...love having all the paper right there ready to use.

Pic Five is the closet which I am really liking all the space to store stuff.

I feel like I'm tormenting my two blog readers, so this will be the last set of pics until it is done. Which will be a few more weeks now...mostly because I will be leaving for Florida to see my parents and New Kids On The Block next week...yipee!!

Elzybells Cute New Stamps!!

Hi there!! Elzybells has some seriously cute stamps...and they just released some more!!! Head on over to see the cute new stuff and find out how to win ALL of the stamps released this time!!

Cute new stamps are here!!

Elzybells blog with contest info is right here!!

Progress in my Stampin Space

It's coming along. You will learn as you come with me on this journey that I am an arrange and rearrange kinda gal til I find the flow that fits me. Who knows if this is how it will all end up, lol.

So, here are some more pics with the progress I've made this weekend. Two more cubes from Michael's via two 40% off coupons, and lots of stuff put away.





Pic One is the view from the hallway. The shelving under the window houses all of my Anne Geddes dolls and toys, books, games and other items for my nieces and nephews to play with when they come over. There are some candle holder on there that must be moved somewhere else now that I look at that pic ;)

Pic Two is the shelving unit moved into place...and my lil Justice checking things out!

Pic Three is the closet...again, lol. I have move some of my paper racks in there.

And Pic Four is the Cow Wall with the two new Michael's cubes and getting full use of the table top space!!

The finished product...late VD goodies!

Here are the cupcakes that I made to take to work, decorated with a variety of things, including some of the chocolates I made.

Also, the cute lil baggies of chocolates that also go to work!!

My messy lil stampin space

So this is definately a work in progress...but if you look past the mess I hope that you can see the potential of what amazing things will come out of this space once everythings put away where it should, and the furniture is arranged and I am sitting there creating away.

This will be installment one of the pics of my space. Thought I would bring you along on my creation journey. Umm, and if you could not think badly of me because of the disaster that it is now, that would be great ;) There are descriptions of each pic below!





Pic One is the view from the door. Frightening, huh?!?! The shelves straight in will go on the wall to the left of where it is currently planted :)

Pic Two is the view standing kinda in the closet. It shows my fabulous stampin desk (purchased from Target) and umm, well, a bunch of stuff that needs to be put away!!

Pic Three is the closet. It's the best looking place in the whole room. I bought some cheap plastic shelves on clearance at Target and started unloading and organizing all of the stuff that I have. Mostly what's in there now is stuff to be altered, but I am also putting other items in there too.

Pic Four is the Cow Corner. I have 4 of the Michael's craft cubes (which are the bomb I might add) with the table toppy thing you can also get a Michael's. On top of that, well is a bunch of crud, and my paper, umm, and there are a couple more paper holders still downstairs. Yes, I have a problem...well a lot of problems when it comes to this craft!

What have I been doing?

Making chocolates to share with friends at work. It has been a long time since I whipped out my Wilton Candy Melts and Molds and made some pretty chocolates, and now that I am feeling motivated, back on track and happy with life, I decided no time like the present to make presents ;) Yup, cheezy, I know! Yes, these will be belated VD candies, but better late than never I say. So here is a pic of the chocolates I have been working on, there are teddy bears, roses, hearts, flowers and stars. Some of them will go into a lil clear baggie, some will top the cupcakes I am going to make tomorrow, and a few will just stay where they are and go to work to sit on the table for anyone to eat!


I have pics of my disastrous stampin space for you...so come back!! And then you'll have to keep coming back so you can see it when it's FINALLY finished. And I promise I will work hard to get it together in the next 1-1.5 months ;) and will post pics of my progress!!

Happy VD!!!!

Long time, no post. So here's a quick update to what's been happening with me. I have been working hard on getting my stampin space organized. I am FINALLY making progress!! I will get some pictures up this weekend. I am also participating in a weight loss challenge and working very hard to be healthier!!

This weekend I am doing a 7 day total body cleanse. Took the first round of pills last night, round two this morning and so far, so good. I have also been diligent about taking multivitamins, vitamin C, fish oil, echinacea and glucosomin chondrontin (yeah, prolly spelled those wrong). Additionally, I became a Mone Vie distributor really for the purpose of purchasing their juice for me. It is an Acai berry blend juice and I am super excited about the health benefits!!

I have also been exercising regularly on my Wii Fit, which I LOVE!!!!! And eating healthy. I am not doing perfect but I am certainly making serious progress.

The other thing that I have been working on getting myself organized. I got a cool new Blackberry phone and I am putting everything in there. It is amazing and I am getting things done so much more efficiently. Once I get the stampin space organized and useable that is going on my calendar and I am getting serious about stampin play time.

So that's my life right now...I will be back later this weekend with some pics to make this a lil more interesting ;)

Check this out!!

Melanie Muenchinger has always always always been such an inspiration to me. She is so creative, thoughtful, and just all around wonderful!!

But today I discovered that something I posted gave her an idea for a totally cool challenge that I personally challenge each of you to participate in. Click on her name above and check it out!

Happy New Year!!

Welcome 2009!! I am super excited about the idea of starting fresh in a new year. So many things I would like to accomplish this year...one of them being creating more often and posting it on my blog for all my blog friends to see!!! We'll see how that goes!! I have started getting my new stampin space put together...still a work in progress, but it's getting there slowly but surely! I will post pics when it is done.

I was a bad girl and forgot to take pics of some of the projects I gave as Christmas presents. I will try and get some taken later to share...lots of scrapbooking stuff!

OK, I am rambling pointlessly...so off to eat some dinner and do some cleaning!!