Creating from the Heart

♥ Simon Says... Tag it! ♥

2012-02-15T03:00:00.004-05:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is sure to be another fun one! We want to see tags!! You can make a stand alone tag or you can add a tag to a creation. Just have fun with it!!

This week the SS girls are showcasing the fabulous Tim Holtz! {Love him!} I used a super cute clear stamp set called The Journey. I also used some beautiful papers from his Vintage Shabby Paper Pad, including the tag that I made by simply cutting out a rectangle, snipping the top corners, punching a hole and then adding one of his Idea-ology Hole Reinforcers.

I also used some of his Distress Inks, Ranger White Opal Liquid Pearls, Martha Stewart punched butterflies, seam binding and mini rose.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore! Good luck everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderfully sweet Valentine's Day yesterday! I spent the day with my mom and kids and the night with hubby. Had fun! Hope you did too!! ;)

Hugs...

♥ Sweet Shabby Cherries ♥

2012-02-13T00:01:00.002-05:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is a sweet one! It is called "Hi Ho Cherry O" and it is to create a card/project featuring cherries for National Cherry Month! Did you even know there was such a thing?? I didn't. But I can't wait to see all of your sweet cards!

The Shabby Girls got to use digi stamps, papers and templates from My Time Made Easy! I chose these adorable stamps from 2 digi sets called Sweet Sentiments and Sweet Treats. And the adorable cherry paper is from their Farmhouse Fresh Digi papers.

I also used some vintage lace, seam binding, twine and glitter.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 1 template, papers and Digi Set from My Time Made Easy!

Here is the super sweet inspiration photo for you all!

There is a DT call ongoing for The Shabby Tea Room! Unfortunately my time is up there as well as a few others, so there are 4 positions available for this awesome team! Just go HERE for details!

Don't forget to leave some love for the other Shabby Girls too! ;)

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a wonderfully sweet day!

♥ Simon Says... Love is in the Air! ♥

2012-02-08T03:00:00.001-05:00

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog "Love is in the Air"! We want to see your Valentine's cards or any type card/project for the love of your life! Make it cute, shabby, vintage however you like just show some LOVE!!

This week the SS girls got to play with some Prima products. I chose to use some of my favorite Prima papers, stamp and products. The papers are from the Printery 8x8 Paper Stack and the stamp is a Journaling Clear Stamp. I also used some Prima Toggle Wooden Buttonsand the large flower is from the Antique Parchment Petals collection.

I also used some of my handmade crinkled seam binding and mini pink roses, White Opal Liquid Pearls, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Pastel Chalks and chunky glitter.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore! Good luck everyone!

♥♥♥ And finally the winner of my last giveaway is.... Carmen Palermo! Congratulations Carmen! Please send me an email with your snail mail addy! You have until next Monday the 13th to contact me or I will have to pick a new winner. Be on the lookout for another giveaway coming up soon!! ;) ♥♥♥

Have a wonderful day!

hugs...

♥ Treasures from the Heart ♥

2012-02-07T11:54:00.000-05:00

I recently came across this wonderful blog called "Treasures from the Heart" and I must say I was so inspired and intrigued by the fabulous creations on there. Barbara, the owner, who besides being so sweet, is so creative and just does the most wonderful things with the most simple of things. I don't normally "push" other blogs onto people but you have to check hers out!

Here are just a couple of the things that inspired me.

♥ Tea Bag Roses

♥ Vintage Baby Shoes

♥ Vintage Eyeglasses

She has the most wonderful and easy tutorials on how to make these lovely things as well as a ton of others!

You know I had to give those vintage eyeglasses a try!! Of course, they didn't come out as good as Barbara's, but I will try again! They really are so simple to make and they give such a sweet touch to any vignette. And I loved the idea of using an old Bible. I had my grandmother's old, torn, distressed and worn from good use Bible just tucked away in a drawer but now it is on display for all to see in my upstairs hallway along with a pair of "granny's old glasses!"

Thank you Barbara for your inspiration! You are a treasure!!

Hugs....

p.s. I didn't forget about posting my Birthday giveaway winner. I had been sick all last week and I am still going through all the entries. But the winner will be posted tomorrow in my Simon Says post!! Good luck everyone!

♥ {Shabby} Candy Hearts ♥

2012-02-06T00:01:00.006-05:00

Happy Monday everyone! This week I am your Hostess at The Shabby Tea Room. I chose the theme of "Candy Hearts". It is to create a card and/or project with a food theme and it must include a heart. You can use chocolate images, candy hearts, fruit, popcorn, coffee, tea, etc, etc. You don't have to use the colors from the inspiration photo if you don't want to, just the food and heart theme.

This week the Shabby Girls got use some more fabulous digi images from Robyn's Fetish. I chose the "I Heart U" image, which I enlarged in a photo editing software program, to make my actual card base from it. I printed the image out 3 times. First onto some Crafty Secrets red polka dot paper twice and then once onto some pink heart damask paper (both are from the Creating with Vintage Patterns CD #1). I then cut the 2 red hearts out and the center pink heart out of the third. I then adhered the pink heart onto the center of 1 of the red hearts. To attach the 2 together to form a card, I simply glued a piece of pink gingham to the inside of the 1st heart and then to the back of the 2nd heart. I printed the sentiment onto white cardstock and then colored it with some pink pastel chalk and then added chunky glitter.

I also used a vintage French Chocolate label from The Graphics Fairy, a heart made from chocolate shavings (found online), a handmade stick pin, my handmade crinkly cabbage rose ribbon (seam binding) and some little pink roses that I made with 2 $1 punches that took me literally minutes. I will have the tutorial on how to make your own little paper roses up soon.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 5 digi images of their choice to the Robyn's Fetish store!

Here is the inspiration photo for you all!

♥ My Birthday Giveaway! ♥

2012-02-01T09:00:00.002-05:00

♥♥♥ Now Closed! Winner to be announced soon! ♥♥♥

Well, today is the day that I thought would take forever to get here! My 40th Birthday! How am I 40 already? Wasn't I just playing with my Barbie dolls a few hours ago?? How did this happen? Well, I guess there is nothing I can do about it unless one of you want to give me a time machine or youth serum for my Birthday?? No, ok, well I guess that just leaves me to give something to you then!!

What's up for grabs this time????

~ Michaels Gift Cards totaling $140.00!

~ 1 Kaiser Crafts 6.5 x 6.5 Vintage Timeless Paper Pad

~ 1 Maya Road Chipboard Love Banner Set

~ 1 May Road Love Banner Stamp Set

~ 1 Fancy Pants 6x6 Love Story Paper Pad

and 1 Inkadinkado Birthday Fun Clear Stamp Set

All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post telling me what your favorite birthday gift was that you ever received and also link my giveaway on your blog! And you know the drill, if you don't have a blog just tell me how you will spread the word! Easy Peasy! This giveaway will stay open for 2 weeks. It will close on February 1st! I will announce a winner a day or two after that! Good Luck everyone!!

Now I'm off to have some fun today! I don't normally pamper myself on my birthdays but this year I don't want to do anything!! No laundry, no cooking, no dusting, no vacuuming, no nothing!! hehe Not even any crafting! Just taking it easy with my family, going out to lunch with my mom and dinner with my husband! Love it! ;)

Have a wonderful day!

♥♥♥♥ Giveaway Closed! Winner to be announced soon! ♥♥♥♥

♥ Simon Says... Animal Antics! ♥

2012-02-01T03:00:00.002-05:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is a cute one!! It's called "Animal Antics". We want to see any type creation with some furry, cute little animals on it! It can be dogs, cats, mice, rabbits, bears, etc. As long as it's furry and cute, we want to see them!!

The Simon Says DT got to play with some Stampabilities stamps this week. I chose this cute stamp called Gruffies Bear 'Biggly's Tow Service'. I think they are so cute on the tricycle and skateboard! In a couple short years I can see my 2 boys outside doing the same thing! I guess that's why I like the stamp so much! ;)

I wanted the image to be the main focal point so I kept the card simple. Just plain old cardstock, kraft and a light blue. As well as some brown lace trim, seam binding, string, button, Martha Stewart Heart Punch, Melissa Frances rub-on transfers and some Liquid Pearls in White Opal.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore! Good luck everyone!

You still have a few hours left to enter my giveaway!! Winner will be posted in a few days!! Good Luck!

Have a sweet day!

♥ Love is in the Air! ♥

2012-01-30T00:01:00.003-05:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is sure to get you in the Valentine's Day mood! It is to create a Valentine card and/or project using the inspiration photo colors and you must also include one mail or postage item. Here is the sweet inspiration photo!

This week the Shabby Girls are honored to have JustRite Stampers as our sponsor. We were sent some of their new cling stamps to work with. And they are beautiful! For my card I used the new cling sets called Always and Forever Medallion Labels and Your Special Day Medallion Labels. I also used the Cling Set called Greetings from Paris. Love that set!!

The papers I used are from Echo Park's Yours Truly line. I also used some seam binding, pearls, gems, mini roses and some chunky glitter.

Love the details in these stamps!

The winner of this week's challenge will win this fabulous prize from JustRite! From their new CHA release!

~ Nested Medallion Labels Dies

~ Nested Oval Medallion Labels Dies

~ Just Keep Calm Clear Stamp Set

♥ January PTI Blog Hop Challenge ♥

2012-01-25T16:08:00.000-05:00

♥♥♥ For today's Simon Says Post, please scroll down! Thank you! ♥♥♥

I couldn't wait to join in on the fun in this months PTI Blog Hop! The challenge is a fun one! The challenge is to pick a favorite project from 2011 and create a new one inspired by that project!

I must admit though, this card from last year is not my all-time fave from last year but it used one of my all-time fave stamp sets! PTI's Love Lives Here. The original post is HERE.

My new card uses the Love Lives Here set as well as my other all-time fave stamp set, Garden Variety. Oh, I could just use both of these sets forever and never touch another.

The papers I used are by Echo Park, Making Memories and My Mind's Eye. I also used PTI's Seed Packet Frame die, a punched heart, heart stick pin, pearls, satin ribbon and chunky glitter.

I hope you all have a sweet nighty night!!

♥ Simon Says... Anything Goes!! ♥

2012-01-25T03:00:00.004-05:00

That's right! it's another Anything Goes challenge this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog! Make any type creation, link it up at the SSS challenge blog and you're in the running for an awesome prize!

This week the SS DT got to use some products by Echo Park! I used the adorable line, Yours Truly. The Paper Pad is full of gorgeous papers perfect for any Valentine's Card or even a wedding card.

I also used some Liquid Pearls in White Opal, seam binding, Prima trim and mini rose , Martha Stewart Heart Punch and a Bo Bunny metal key. I love that Italian Post Card from the EP paper pad! It's perfect for my hubby!

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore! Good luck everyone!

Have a wonderful day!

♥ some shabby chic goodness ♥

2012-01-23T16:59:00.001-05:00

Hi there! Hope you are having great day! Just stopping in with a couple of things for you! I must admit, that a few years back, the thought of going to a consignment/thrift shop, garage sale or picking up someone else's garbage (treasure) off the road was not my thing! I still can't buy used clothes, shoes or anything that will touch my body. LOL But I am now hooked on finding vintage goodies at little or NO cost!! It really is addicting! HELP!!

Several months ago, my husband, kids and I were out for the day at the beach. On the way home, just around the corner from my house, was a shabby little white dresser on the side of the road getting ready to go to shabby chic heaven! Well, I wasn't going to let that happen! I asked my husband to go back with the truck and pick that baby up! She had no top, old rusty caster wheels on the bottom, old drawer pulls and needed alot of TLC.

Well, last week I finally got around to cleaning her up! I didn't totally re-paint her, just touched her up. That is shabby chic after all, right?! Gave her some beautiful crystal knobs, took off those tired wheels on the bottom and hubby cut a piece of wood just the right size for her top! And here she is!! I just love her!! The perfect addition to my Craft Room! That mirror frame on there I still have to paint white, but I got her for 5 bucks at the thrift shop!

This is a card I did for this week's Card patterns sketch. What a fabulous sketch it is too! Love round cards!!I cut some large circles out of some My Mind's Eye Lost and Found paper, added some lace and pearls around the edge and then some more trims in the center.

I then added a punched, distressed heart, roses, Martha Stewart stickers, chunky glitter and pearls.

Here is the sketch!

I hope that you all have a wonderful night! See you tomorrow! ;) GO NY GIANTS!!!

Lots of love...

♥ Shabby, sparkly and bright ♥

2012-01-23T00:01:00.007-05:00

Wow! Thank you all so much for all of my birthday wishes! I really appreciated it! I had a wonderful 40th birthday last Wednesday! My sister and brother-in-law flew in from Tennessee to surprise me! I was so happy to see them and we had a wonderful time and so much fun! It was the best birthday ever! And not only did they come here, which was already the best gift and enough, but they gave me this little sweetie for my birthday! I love it too! ;) Thank you so much Stacey and Tim! Love you! ♥

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Sparkly and Bright". It is to create a card and any type creation using the colors white, cream, silver, any neutrals and a splash of pink. It does not have to be wedding related. This week the Shabby Girls got to use some beautiful digi stamps by our sponsor Digi Doodle Shop. I chose this adorable "Pumpkin Carriage". I think it is perfect for any "Fairy Tale" Wedding card.

I colored the carriage in with some pastel chalks and a silver marker then covered it in some chunky glitter. I also used some sparkly silver paper from Michael's, some beautiful wedding sentiment paper by Best Creation, some pearls, Prima Roses and pink seam binding ribbon.

I placed a Basic Grey white Rub-On directly on the ribbon.

The winner of this week's challenge will win a $10 Gift Certificate to the Digi Doodle Shop to spend any way they want!

Here is the beautiful inspiration photo that Debbie picked for you all!

♥ Simon Says... It's Sketch Time! ♥

2012-01-18T03:00:00.001-05:00

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog we have a great sketch for you all! This one has so many possibilities! Turn it upside down, sideways anyway you like as long as you follow the basics of the sketch. We can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

For my card this week, I used some beautiful Kaiser Crafts paper from their Vintage Timeless Paper Pad. I love the gorgeous papers in this pack. From beautiful music sheets and handwritten papers to playing card paper! It has it all.

I also used a Hero Arts stamp set called "Just Saying Hi". I love that old phone. Remember the days when we had to turn that dial! I do!! There is also some mini roses, punched Martha Stewart butterflies, Melissa Frances White Pearls and some satin pale pink ribbon.

Here is the awesome sketch by our fabulous Domi!

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

My Birthday Blog Candy will be up in a few hours! So make sure you stop back for that!! See you later!

Hugs...

♥ Gorgeous Gateaux ♥

2012-01-16T00:01:00.004-05:00

That is the fabulous name of this week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room...Gorgeous Gateaux! It is to create a card and/or project using the colors Grey, Lilac, Peach and Pink plus lace and a metal embellishment. Here is the beautiful inspiration photo.

This week the Shabby Girls got to use some beautiful digi stamps by our sponsor Bugaboo Stamps. I chose to work with this digi stamp called simply "Wedding Presents". It is so versatile and could be used for a birthday, wedding, anniversary or even Christmas! (I think so anyway, if they are colored appropriately!:)

I also used a paper doily, Making Memories metal plate, seam binding, vintage lace, lots of pearls and the pearl-ized hearts and gems I picked up at AC Moore.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 7 Digi images of their choice to Bugaboo Stamps.

♥ There is Poetry in Kindness ♥

2012-01-14T14:49:00.000-05:00

I love that sentiment. There is Poetry in Kindness. So beautiful!

Happy Saturday everyone! I hope your weekend is going well so far! I had a few crafty minutes today, so I snuck up to my craft room to make a little card. My youngest was taking his nap, the oldest was happily playing his Wii game and my hubby went to help a friend. Laundry is caught up, the house is clean and everyone was fed! So up I went!

I couldn't wait to make a card for this week's challenge at the JustRite Inspiration blog. Just loved the inspiration photo (See below) and the warm beautiful colors!

I used the JustRite Kindness Cling Set. Love this beautiful set. For some reason though, no matter where I photograph the card or what light I use, the darker color looks like dark blue but it is actually a teal color. Oh well! I also used some Kaiser Vintage Timeless papers as well as some Hero Arts trim, mini white roses that I inked shades of blue and teal, sheer ribbon, punched butterflies, pearls and some chunky glitter.

Here is the inspiration photo. You can use the colors or just be inspired by the photo itself.

I hope you have a fabulous rest of your weekend! See you Monday! Oh, and don't forgot to come back on Wed. the 18th for my 40th Birthday! I will be celebrating with a Giveaway!! ;)

Thanks for stopping by!

♥ hello friend ♥

2012-01-11T16:35:00.002-05:00

♥♥♥ For today's Simon Says Stamp post, please scroll down! Thank you! ♥♥♥

Hello friend.

Stopping in with a shabby chic card for ya! Here is a fun card I made with some beautiful Farmhouse papers by October Afternoon. Love these papers! That beautiful silhouette image is from The Graphics Fairy.

I also used some vintage trim, lace, buttons, mini roses, wooden spool, glitter, thread and a Jenni Bowlin stick pin. All on a kraft cardstock base.

I used the fabulous sketch over at Totally Papercrafts for this card.

And I was also inspire to make this by this week's City Crafter Challenge, Back to Black. It is to use a black silhouette image on your card.

And also this week's challenge at The Kraft Journal is to use your favorite colors. Love kraft, cream, pink and blue together!

Thank you so much for stopping by! I really appreciate all your sweet comments! Don't forgot to check back in on the 18th! It's my 40th Birthday! And I'll be celebrating it all with you with another BIG giveaway!

Bye for now friend!

♥ Simon Says... Spots and/or Stripes! ♥

2012-01-11T03:00:00.001-05:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge is another fun one! Simply use spots and/or stripes on your creation, link it on the SSS challenge blog and you have a chance to win an awesome prize!!

This week the Simon Says DT got to use products by Memory Box. I used some gorgeous papers from the Minuet Paper Pack as well as the Wrought Iron Gate Die. That little gate and mini lock is just too cute!

I also used some Prima trim, seam binding, white pearls, a mini key and some Martha Stewart punches. The Classic Butterfly Punch and the Doily Lace Edge Punch.And the little "Believe" is from Cosmo Cricket's Life Tiny Text Stickers. Love these!!

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Have a wonderful day!

♥ Valentine's Frame ♥

2012-01-10T16:51:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone! I hope you are having a great day so far! Just stopping in with a quick and easy Valentine's Frame. I picked up this sweet wooden frame in Michael's the other day for a buck and thought it would be a cute little gift for my Mom. {She loves anything with my kids picture in it!}

I covered it with some wood grain look paper by Pebbles Inc. and then a sheer sheet of some old polka dotted paper by K&Co. I then trimmed the paper with some thin ribbon and added some trim around the heart window, some cute little Martha Stewart Valentine stickers, red ribbon, pearls and a Cosmo Cricket word text sticker.

I used the really easy yet so versatile and fabulous sketch from this week's Card Patterns Sketch challenge. Love this great sketch!

I hope you have a wonderful night! Oh, and I went Consignment Shop shopping today! I can't wait to show you the awesome vintage finds I got!! ;)

Hugs...

♥ Vintage Style ♥ {The Shabby Tea Room} and {My Big Giveaway Winner!!}

2012-01-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Ready for a fresh week of creating? I know I am! :) This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Vintage Boudoir". Just look at this gorgeous inspiration photo! I could just stare at this photo all day long! Love it! You need to create a card and/or project using the colors from the inspiration photo as well as 1 item related to sewing. Easy peasy!

This week the Shabby Girls got to create with some beautiful digi stamps by our sponsor, Tiffany Doodles. I chose this fun and pretty "Dancing Dress". I printed it out twice, once on some digi paper by Crafty Secrets and once on plain white cardstock. I cut just the dress out of the patterned paper and adhered it over the white cs image. I colored in the sash to match the one in the inspiration photo and added a small flower in the center.

The other papers on the card are by Prima and My Mind's Eye (the vintage New York label). I also added some seam binding, trim, buttons, pearls on my handmade stick pin as well as a mini wooden spool. And the "vintage style" stamp is from a Papertrey ink stamp set.

There will not be just 1 winner to this week's challenge but there will be runner-up's too! Our super fabulous sponsor Tiffany Doodles is giving away the following!

The Grand Prize Winner- 10 Digi's of your choice; 1st Place- 6 Digi's; 2nd Place- 4 Digi's; 3rd Place- 2 Digi's! Wow!

Don't forget to leave some love for the other Shabby Girls too! ;)

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

And finally the moment lots of you have been waiting for!! My End of the Year Giveaway Winner!! {Sorry I am just posting this now, I have been having internet issues!} But before I tell you who won, I just wanted you all to know that I will be having another BIG giveaway in just 9 more days! It is my 40th Birthday on the 18th {ughh!} and since this giveaway ran so long, I didn't get to have my Birthday giveaway, so I will start the giveaway on my birthday the 18th! So make sure you come back and see what it is!! Now, Drumroll please......................

My Winner is.... Candy Frankie (Candace F.) Candace please send me an email with your snail mail addy! (keepsakesbymelissa@yahoo.com) If I don't hear from you by the 18th, I will have to pick another winner! Thanks again everyone for stopping by my blog!

Have a wonderful day full of sweet surprises!

♥ Good Times ♥ {MOJO222}

2012-01-04T20:38:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! Just stopping in real quick with a card for this week's Mojo Monday sketch. Love this sketch! It can be turned in so many fun ways. But I stuck to the sketch as is because I liked it so much! ;)

I used some awesome papers by Echo Park from the Times and Seasons line. And I also used some October Afternoon 5 and Dime rub-ons.

Isn't that little Teddy Bear rub-on cute?! Love him!!

I finished up the card with some small white pearls, seam binding and some small heart gems.

Here is the awesome Mojo sketch!

Thanks for stopping by! Be back with my giveaway winner tomorrow!! Nighty night!!

P.S. I am adding new things to my little old store as I type!! (If anyone is interested!)

♥ Simon Says... Something New! ♥

2012-01-04T03:00:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone! It's time for a new challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog! This time we want you to create something for either a new home, new baby, new car, etc, etc OR you can use something new on your creation! Get something new and crafty under your tree?? Well, use it on your card and then link it up on the challenge blog for a chance to win a fabulous prize!

This week the Simon Says DT got to play with Cuttlebug folders. I used the 5x7 Polka Dots Embossing Folder on my card. The adorable papers are by Simple Stories from the Baby Steps 6x6 Paper Pad.

The adorable Flower Frame stamp is by Imaginisce. I also used some punched hearts and butterflies by Martha Stewart as well as some pearl swirls, seam binding ribbon, Melissa Frances flowers and glitter.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

I'm still going through all the entries from my Big End of the Year Giveaway. I will have my winner posted shortly!!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs...

♥ Time Flies ♥ { And...my Crafty Secrets Winner!}

2012-01-02T00:01:00.014-05:00

Happy New Year!! I hope you all are having a wonderful start so far in the new year! Can you believe it's 2012?! I wish each and every one of you the BEST year ever!!

(courtesy of The graphics Fairy)

This week's challenge to start the year off at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Time Flies". It is to create a card and/or project inspired by the beautiful photo below and you must include something with wings!

I made my card with some more gorgeous papers from the FarmHouse line by October Afternoon. One of my faves! I also used a couple of die cuts from Jillibean Soup as well as some punched Martha Stewart butterflies.

To finish the card off, I used some seam binding ribbon, twine, pearls and lots of glitter.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 5 digi images of their choice from Robyn's Fetish! So many cute stamps!!

♥ My Annual End of the Year/ Christmas Giveaway!!! ♥

2012-01-01T15:05:00.001-05:00

♥♥♥ Now CLOSED! Winner to be announced soon!! ;) ♥♥♥

Well, it's that time of the year again! Time to make someone's Christmas extra special!! (i love doing that!) And start the new year off right!! Let's just get to it....

What do I have to giveaway this time? Well, how about this!!

~ A $150.00 Gift Card to Michael's Craft Stores

I could of just stopped right there, but did I?? Of course not!!

How about this too??!

~ 1 Copic Air-Brushing Starter Set System

~ 1 Copic Color Swatch Book

and finally....

~ 36 Copic CIAO Marker Set!

To qualify for the giveaway you must do the following. (I will check after random.org picks my winner)

1. Leave a comment here on this post
2. Spread the word about my giveaway. Leave a link to my giveaway on your blog. No blog, let me know how you will spread the word!

For a second chance...
3. Either become a friend (follower) of my blog or subscribe to it (already do, then your halfway there!)
4. Keep your fingers crossed!! ;)

This is open worldwide and will stay open until January 1st, 2012! I will announce my winner a day or two after that!! Good luck everyone and Have a wonderful Holiday and may this coming year bring you all lots of happiness, great health and peace and love!

Hugs to you all...

♥♥♥ Now CLOSED! Winner to be announced soon! ;) ♥♥♥

♥ Simon Says... Anything Goes!! ♥

2011-12-28T03:00:00.002-05:00

It's time for another Anything Goes challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog! Just link any new type of creation on the challenge blog for a chance at a wonderful prize!!

For my card this week I used some beautiful October Afternoon papers from the FarmHouse collection. Love this line!! And the stamps are My Mind's Eye Everything Rosy.

To finish up my card, I used the Epiphany Shape Studio Button Tool to make the round button on the bow. It's so easy and fun to use. You can create your own buttons with any patterned paper you want! I also used some Prima trims, small white pearls and seam binding.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Have a wonderful day!! And don't forgot you still have time to join in my 2 giveaways!! See above and below this post!

♥ A Colorful and Shabby New Year! ♥ {And another GIVEAWAY!!}

2011-12-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas or Hanukkah! Ours was filled with lots of presents, joy and most of all love. We had a house full on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! And I loved every second of it!! Both of my kids had so much fun opening presents and being with the family. Such a blessing!

This week I am your hostess at The Shabby Tea Room. I wanted to do something fun and colorful for the new year! So I chose this fun inspiration photo for you all! It DOES NOT have to be New Year's related, just use the colors from the photo. But of course, if you want to make something for New Year's, we would love to see it!

This week the Shabby Girls are so excited to have Crafty Secrets as our sponsor! Sandy, the sweet owner, sent us all the new Creating with Vintage CD #2 Illustrations to use on our creations. All the papers and embellies (minus the ribbon, trim and pink flowers) on my creation are from this fabulous CD!

If you're like me, every year I say "I'm not gonna do this this year" or "I'm gonna do this this year" right before the New Year starts! And then either forget to do it or just plain old don't do it! You know, make a resolution or promise to yourself! Well, I decided to make a box that will hold all those resolutions, promises and wishes for the New Year! I am going to have every one in my family write something they wish for and/or promise to do for the new year on some journal cards (from the CD) and place them in the box. We will do this on New Year's Eve and hopefully will do it every year as a tradition. Then next New Year's Eve we will open it and see who lived up to their promise!

This box was alot of fun to make. And the CD is so easy to use. So many wonderful easy to print or re-size illustrations, papers, die cuts and templates!

For the frame and name label, I simply opened up the frames in a photo-editing software program, added a text box and resized it to fit. And there you can easily create any type of personalized label, tag or frame! Easy peasy!!

♥ For the Giveaway, Sandy has generously given me both of her Creating with Vintage CD's to give away to you today! CD #1 Patterns and CD #2 Illustrations! All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me what your plans are for this New Year's Eve! And if you want 2 chances to win this awesome prize, join this week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room and then make sure you come back and tell me your Linky Entry #! I will announce my winner next Monday, January 2nd! Good luck!

The winner of this week's challenge will win CD #2 and a gift certificate to the Crafty Secrets store!

♥ Simon Says... BINGO! ♥

2011-12-21T03:00:00.002-05:00

This week's super fun challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is to play Bingo! Just pick any 3 squares in a row and make your creation with those items! Easy peasy! I chose diagonal, Ribbon/Twine, No Patterned Paper and Brads.

For my card, I used this adorable clear stamp set by American Crafts from the Dear Lizzy collection called Wonderland. I stamped the background paper with some snowflakes from the set using my glue pad and then added glitter as well as the little red stars. The sentiment, frame and adorable little ice skates are also from the set.

I finished the card off with some red and white twine, Prima trim, sheer ribbon, pearls and a small red brad in which the skates are "hanging" from!

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Here is the Bingo board for the challenge!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday!! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!!

Hugs...

♥ A 'Krafty' Christmas ♥

2011-12-19T00:01:00.002-05:00

Can you believe it is Christmas week already? Just 6 more days! My oldest son is counting the seconds until he can open up his presents from jolly old Saint Nick!! What a wonderful, special time of year!

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "A Krafty Christmas". It is to create a card and/or project using kraft, red, newsprint/ad and silver papers and it also must include a star. This is one of my all-time fave color combos for this time of year. And with the addition of the newsprint/ad paper, it is just a wonderful combination!

This week the DT got to play with some beautiful digi stamps by Bugaboo Stamps. I chose this adorable stamp called Winter Circle Sentiments - Warm Wishes. I love those adorable mittens. This stamp is perfect not only for Christmas but for any type event in the winter months. I colored it in with some colored pencils, added lots of glitter and some Liquid Pearls.

The papers I used are by Echo Park (the Christmas Ad paper), Magnolia (newsprint) and Teresa Collins (red polka dots). The beautiful silver sparkle paper is from Michael's. I added some little gem stars to the center of the punched snowflake and in the corner of the card.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 7 digi images of their choice from Bugaboo Stamps!

And here is the beautiful inspiration photo for you!

Don't forget to leave some love for the other Shabby Girls too! ;) Their projects this week are just beautiful!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a sweet day!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says... A Sketch! ♥

2011-12-14T03:00:00.002-05:00

This week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog we have a fabulous sketch for you! (see below) You can turn it sideways, upside down, whatever you like! Just remember to have FUN with it!

This week the Simon Says DT was also challenge to use glitter on our cards as well as stamps by La-La Land Crafts. I chose this adorable stamp called "Caroling Luka". I colored him in with some chalks and then added lots of Martha Stewart Fine White Glitter to it.

I also used paper by October Afternoon's new line called "Holiday Style" as well as trims, seam binding, pearls and flowers.

Here is the Simon Says Sketch!

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Have a great day!

♥ Shabby Christmas Stockings ♥

2011-12-12T00:01:00.003-05:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "The Stockings were hung by the chimney with Care". It is to create a card or project using colors from the beautiful inspiration photo (see below) and also must include a stocking.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some adorable stamps by Love to Stamp. I chose this adorable Little Darlings stamp called "Every Stocking Counts". Isn't it just precious! I colored it in with some pastel chalks and then coated it with lots of glitter.

I also used some Bo Bunny paper, seam binding, jingle bells, a Simple Stories sentiment and lots of pearls.

The winner of this week's challenge will win a stamp set of their choice from the Love to Stamp Store! They have so many awesome things to choose from. What a fab store!!

And here is this week's gorgeous inspiration photo!

♥ Simon Says... some Vintage Christmas Inspiration! ♥

2011-12-07T03:00:00.008-05:00

I couldn't wait to make my DT project for this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge! It is to create a card and/or project using this gorgeous inspiration photo! So many fabulous things to inspire you. Love it!

(pictures courtesy of Pinterest)

I made a Christmas Tree using a paper mache' cone, beautiful stamps by Crafty Secrets called Christmas Joy Ornaments and some fabulous paper from Echo Park's Season's Greetings Paper Pack.

I simply wrapped the Christmas Ad paper around the cone, trimmed the excess and then adhered it to the cone. I then adhered some trim and twine around the tree. The adorable little bulbs were stamped onto cardstock, cut out and then drenched in glitter. I then hot glued them to the twine.

To finish the tree, I also used some more trim, seam binding, more stamped images from the Crafty Secrets stamp set, punched Martha Stewart snowflakes, Hero Arts Pearls, small styrofoam balls and lots and lots of chunky glitter!

When the tree was finished, I placed it atop a round box covered in music paper, trims and ribbon and more glitter.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

♥♥♥ I am also entering this into the following fabulous challenges! ♥♥♥

~ City Crafter Challenge Blog: Home for the Holidays (Home Decor Project)

~ Papercraft Star: A Tree! (Challenge 74)

~ My Time to Craft Challenge Blog: Vintage Christmas

~ Tuesday Throwdown: Celebrate the Season

Have a wonderful day!! I just can't wait to see what you all come up with from that gorgeous inspiration photo!

Hugs...

♥ The Magic of Christmas ♥ The Shabby Tea Room

2011-12-05T00:01:00.001-05:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is to create a card and/or project using the colors pink, gold and neutrals and to also include snowflakes and flowers.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some beautiful digi stamps by our lovely sponsor Robyn's Fetish. I chose these beautiful Christmas Presents to use on my card. I colored them in with some pastel chalks and then coated them with glitter. I placed them over a Maya Road Kraft envelope that can be opened and a small gift such as money or a gift card can be placed inside.

I also used some beautiful paper by Glitz Design, a Maya Road Vintage Wooden Snowflake, seam binding and trims, Liquid Pearls and a mini paper rose.

This week's winner will win 5 digi images of your choice from Robyn's Fetish.

Have a magical day!

♥ Simon Says... Anything Goes!! ♥

2011-11-30T03:00:00.009-05:00

It's that time of the month again...NO not that! ;) It's Anything Goes over at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog! Just link any type of new creation and you could win a SUPER fabulous prize!!

This week I made a card with a cute Itty Bitty stamp by Unity called Snowbody Warms My Heart. I first stamped him onto white cardstock in black ink and then re-stamped him 3 more times in 3 different shades of blue. I then paper pieced him over the black image and added lots of glitter.

The paper I used is by Echo Park, Season's Greetings and the snowflake is Vintage Wooden by Maya Road.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

I'll be back shortly with my End of the Year/Christmas Giveaway!! And it's a DOOZY!! :)

Hugs to all...

♥ Holiday Sparkle ♥

2011-11-28T00:01:00.013-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am still stuffed! ;)

This week's theme at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Winter Picnic"! It is to create a card and/or project using white or cream and silver and glitter. This is the gorgeous inspiration photo.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some fabulous stamps by JustRite. I chose the Musical Notes Labels Twenty Cling Set and the O Christmas Tree Clear Set. What beautiful and versatile stamps. I created the background with the adorable little snowflake stamp from the O Christmas Tree set.

I finished off the card with a vintage wooden snowflake by Maya Road which I painted white and then added some chunky glitter and Liquid Pearls to it. I also used some white seam binding ribbon, white pom pom trim and some silver tinsel trim.

The winner of this week's challenge will win this fabulous prize from our sponsor JustRite! Amazing prize!!

JustRite Prize Package – $84.80 Value:

JustRite Custom Dies – Charm Dies
Charming Christmas Cling Stamps
Elegant Charms Cling Stamps
Be Charmed Cling Stamps

And don't forget to leave some leave for the other Shabby Girls too! Their projects this week are just gorgeous! (Well, they always are!!)

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a wonderful day!

♥ Pink Christmas ♥

2011-11-23T18:33:00.000-05:00

Hi! Just wanted to stop in real quick with a card I made for 2 awesome challenges. The card uses this week's sketch from Card Patterns and it also fits this week's theme at the City Crafter Challenge Blog, A Pink Christmas.

I used some beautiful Christmas ad paper by Echo park and some Die Cuts by Jillibean Soup. I also used some seam binding ribbon and trim, Liquid Pearls and some chunky glitter.

Here is the fabulous Card Patterns Sketch~

And here is City Crafter's beautiful inspiration photo~

I want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow! Thank you so much for stopping by and for your lovely comments! They mean so much to me!! :)

Lots of Love...

♥ Simon Says... Tag You're It! ♥

2011-11-23T03:00:00.005-05:00

This week's FUN challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is to make a tag! You can incorporate a tag onto a card or make a tag that can be attached to a special present for Christmas, Hanukkah or even a Birthday!

I made some Christmas tags that I can easily attach to a present and you can make a little pocket in the back to hold a gift card or money. With the awesome JustRite Spellbinders Nested Frame Die they are so easy to make! I love this die set. You can do so many things with it! After running the larger rectangle die through my Cuttlebug, I stamped Tim Holtz's Santa Letter ATC Rubber Stamp onto the tag. You can then run the next size die through your Cuttlebug, attach it to the back, only gluing the bottom and two sides, leaving the top open to make a pocket. There you have a wonderful handmade Christmas Tag/Gift Card Holder! You can even add a longer piece of ribbon to it, so it can be hung from the Christmas tree!

Here is a closeup of all the tags.

Tag #1

Tag #2

Tag #3

Tag #4

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

I am also entering this into the My Partner in Crafting Crime's Christmas Tag Challenge!

And finally, the winner of my last Giveaway is....Kristen Woods! Kristen please shoot me an email with your snail mail addy! I will be having my HUGE End of the Year/Christmas Giveaway shortly!! You won't want to miss it!! ;)

Have a wonderful and safe Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Hugs and lots of turkey!!

♥ Here is a list of some other products used to make the tags! ♥
            ~ Just Rite's Deck the Halls Cling Set
            ~ Epiphany Shape Studio Button Tool
            ~ Autumn Leaves Clear Bag O Buttons
            ~ Bottle Cap Inc. Antiqued Gold Bottle Caps
            ~ Bottle Cap Inc. Christmas Express Images
            ~ Maya Road Vintage Wood Snowflakes
            ~ Doodlebug Chunky Sugar Coating Glitter
            ~ Cuttlebug Machine
               and ribbons and trims.

♥ Colors of Nature ♥

2011-11-21T00:01:00.005-05:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Colors of Nature". It is to create a card and/or project using the colors found in nature. And this time of year, color is everywhere outside. All the golden oranges, browns, reds and greens.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some Digi stamps by Whoopsi Daisy. I used this beautiful little fairy girl from the Whoopsi Daisy Sheet #199. Each sheet comes with 4 beautiful digi's.

I used some sweet papers by Jillibean Soup, some leaf trim, paper doily, seam binding, Liquid Pearls, a felt leaf, Melissa Frances rub-on transfer and some glitter.

This week's winner will receive 5 Digi Sheets of their choice from Whoopsi Daisy! That's 20 images, 4 per sheet!

Here is the lovely inspiration photo!

Don't forget to visit the rest of the Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

I'll be back shortly with the name of my winner from my last giveaway!

Hugs...

♥ It's Giveaway Time!! ♥

2011-11-18T13:02:00.001-05:00

♥♥♥ This post will stay up top until end of giveaway! Scroll down for new posts! Thank you!! :) ♥♥♥

Time for another giveaway!! My little Thank You for all of your sweet comments and my fabulous followers (friends)! Let's get started.....

First up...

♥ 1 Smash Book Kit in Pink

Next a.... We R Memory Keepers Sew Ribbon Tool in the Zig Zag pattern

Sew Ribbon ribbon in shades of reds...

Sew Ribbon ribbon in shades of greens....

A Pink Paislee Mistables Wood Shadow Box Frame....

Mistables Fabric Flowers....

And finally a Tom Holtz Amusement Tote Bag!

What do you have to do to win all these fabulous things?? Just leave me a comment on this post! I will not be picking "Candy Chasers" though. This candy is for all of my faithful "friends" only as a special thank you! If you want to be a new friend though that's great!! :)

This will stay open until Nov. 18th! I will announce my winner a couple of days after that! Good luck everyone!

♥♥♥ For today's Simon Says post, please scroll down! Thank U! ♥♥♥

Hugs....

♥ Simon Says... Thanksgiving/Thank You! ♥

2011-11-16T03:00:00.005-05:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is to make a Thanksgiving or a Thank You card and/or project. You can never have enough Thankful cards, especially with the Holidays coming! So get a head start on those Thank You's or a card for Thanksgiving and then post a link to it on the Simon Says challenge blog! You may just win an awesome prize!! ;)

The Simon Says DT got to play with Hero Arts products this week. I used this adorable Happy Thanksgiving Seal stamp and I used lots of tiny little Liquid Pearls to encircle it. They really dress it up! Love them!!

I also used some beautiful Hero Arts Lace Ribbon as well as some larger White Pearls. The felt, paper and glittered leaves are by Me and My Big Ideas. I also used a mini Jenni Bowlin calendar, seam binding and gingham ribbons, a K&Co resin turkey and the paper is by Cosmo Cricket.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

And don't forget to check out the rest of the super fabulous Simon Says DT girls too! You won't be disappointed!! :)

Have a great day!

♥ A Pink and Black Christmas ♥

2011-11-14T16:08:00.000-05:00

♥♥♥ For today's Shabby Tea Room post, please scroll down! Thank U! ♥♥♥

When I first saw the current challenge at the CR84FN Color Challenge Blog, my first thought was something for a wedding or something with lots of flowers on it, just like on the inspiration photo. Then I thought "Oh, what the heck! Let's do a Pink, Black and White Christmas"!

Here is my card...

The Santa Bingo paper is by Simple Stories. The large Maya Road chipboard ornament is covered in Glitz Design paper and then smothered with chunky glitter. I hand wrote the tag and then added lots of white Liquid Pearls.

The punched snowflakes are made with some Jenni Bowlin paper and also smothered in glitter and pearls.

Finally, I added some string pearls, crocheted trim, satin ribbon, crystal snowflake and the "Merry Christmas" is from a Just Rite Stamp set called "Deck the Halls".

Hope you have a great night! Thanks for stopping by!!

♥ A Shabby Pastel Christmas ♥

2011-11-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

This week I am your Hostess at The Shabby Tea Room! I chose the theme of "A Shabby Pastel Christmas"! It is to create a card and/or project with a Holiday theme and using the colors from the inspiration photo. Here is the beautiful and yummy photo.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some awesome templates by Creations by AR. I love their templates. They are so fun and easy as "pie"! I chose this adorable "Piece O' Cake" template. I decided to turn them into little Christmas trees! They are perfect to hold little presents inside!

These adorable templates took me literally 15 minutes to print, cut and assemble all three of them. If you need a last minute gift, how cute would these be to make real quick and stick money or a little gift inside!

They would also make a wonderful centerpiece for your table! Put some snow (batting) around them on a large platter, add a little snowman or Santa and there you have an instant centerpiece!!

And if you want, you can add a piece o' cake inside!! ;) hehe

I used some Digi papers by Crafty Secrets to make the trees. I also used some seam binding and trims, Maya Road chipboard snowflakes, little glittery styrofoam balls (snowballs), mini pastel paper roses, jingle bell, wooden button, Liquid Pearls and lots and lots of chunky glitter!

The winner of this week's challenge will win 2 templates of your choice by Creations by AR!

Here are the rest of the fabulous Shabby Girls! Please stop by there blogs and share the love!! :)

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

I hope you will join us this week at The Shabby Tea Room!! I can't wait to see all the shabby goodness that you all come up with! But remember, it doesn't have to be shabby to join!!

Have a wonderful day filled with lots of love....

♥ the smallest things... ♥

2011-11-10T15:23:00.000-05:00

...take up the most room in your heart.

Yesterday my hubby, kids and I took a ride up to New Hope, PA just for a little family outing. My husband and oldest son went into a little shop to look around and my 14 month old and I decided to stay outside. While we were walking around, my son picked up a 'ginormous' leaf. He started to giggle uncontrollably by the looks of this strange object. It made my day to see this happy little boy get so much joy by just a leaf!! Sometimes...it's the smallest things.

This is a card I made for this weeks Mojo Monday sketch. What a great sketch it is too! It would look awesome turned any which way! I used some of my FAVORITE papers at the moment! Prima's Printery line. Love, love, love this collection!!

I paired up the beautiful papers with a tea-stained heart, Jenni Bowlin stick pin, mini wooden spool, ribbon and a Prima Spool Button. To finish it off, I used this awesome Verve Stamp called, Smallest Things Plain Jane.

Here is the awesome sketch!!

Have a great weekend everyone! And Happy Veterans Day tomorrow!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says... Get Inspired by a Photo! ♥

2011-11-09T03:00:00.002-05:00

That is this week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog...to use this beautiful photo as your inspiration!

I made a card using JustRite's Greetings from Paris Cling Stamp Set. I just love this beautiful set!

I also used some beautiful papers by My Mind's Eye and Jenni Bowlin. I also used a Magnolia Red Paper Rose, seam binding, Liquid Pearls and and some Martha Stewart glitter.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Have a great day!

♥ Give Thanks ♥

2011-11-08T11:09:00.003-05:00

♥ Give Thanks Poem ♥ {Author unknown}

For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped,
For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped,
For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb,
For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land,
For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand,
For the good that our artists and poets have taught,
For the friendship that hope and affection have brought--
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

For the homes that with purest affection are blessed,
For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest,
For our country extending from sea unto sea;
The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" --
Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving!

Such a beautiful poem. This time of year we start thinking about how thankful we are, with Thanksgiving and the Holidays coming up. But I try to think of everyday as "Thanksgiving". I am always so grateful for what I have in my life. Especially my children, husband, mom, sister and the rest of our family and friends. Remember to give thanks not just this time of year but always.

I made this sweet little box to give as a gift to someone special. I am going to fill it up with either some candies or mini cookies. I covered the box with some Prima Printery papers. That adorable little squirrel is from Michael's. I also painted a wooden spool, added some twine to it and then added that beautiful stamped frame and sentiment to it. I also stamped a sentiment onto the tag also. The stamps are from JustRite's Kindness Cling Set. I also used the flower stamp (around the box) from the Fancy Labels Cling Set. Such beautiful sets!

I was inspired to make this once I saw the current JustRite Friday Challenge, Give Thanks. It is to make and GIVE or SEND a thank you card or gift. And you must also use JustRite stamps on your creation too!

Happy creating! So thankful that you stopped by!! ;)

♥ a special gift ♥

2011-11-08T10:17:00.000-05:00

Hi! Well, my little one is now walking up a storm! He wants to walk all the time, everywhere he goes. We just walked halfway home from the bus stop, sending my other angel off to kindergarten. I had to pick him up halfway, because if I didn't we would probably get home around midnight! And it's only right down the street! haha But all kidding aside, it's the simple things in life that really just melt your heart. Just watching him laugh and giggle because he can finally walk down the sidewalk, like his big brother, is all I needed to make my day! What a special gift. ♥

This is a card I made using the new Sidewalks line from October Afternoon. What a sweet collection! I used some papers, journaling cards and chipboard from the line.

I also used some punched butterflies, seam binding, Liquid Pearls, button, pink gem chain and lots of chunky glitter.

I was inspired to make the card as soon as I saw the current Play Date Cafe challenge. What a beautiful inspiration board! And not to mention those colors are right up my crafting alley! You have until tonight to join the challenge!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs...

♥ A Shabby Thanksgiving ♥

2011-11-07T00:01:00.001-05:00

That is the name of this week's theme at The Shabby Tea Room...A Shabby Thanksgiving. It is to create a card or project using the colors blue, yellow, brown and neutrals inspired by the inspiration photo. (see below)

I made my card with a free printable graphic from The Graphics Fairy. I paired it with some blue seam binding, Prima trim and Liquid Pearls. And to finish it off, I used a Melissa Frances rub-on transfer and some fabric leaves.

This week's winner of this challenge will win 5 digi images of your choice from our sponsor, Robyn's Fetish!

Here is the sweet inspiration photo~

♥ O' Christmas Tree ♥

2011-11-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

Just stopping in for a quickie post!! :) Just wanted to share a Christmas card I just made with my new JustRite stamps, Musical Notes Labels Twenty and O Christmas Tree. Both sets are just so beautiful! So many endless possibilities of beautiful creations can be made from these 2 sets!

I also used some Melissa Frances Christmas paper, red and white twine, a mini bell, Maya Road Chipboard Snowflake and lots and lots of glitter and pearls!

I made this card for the JustRite Christmas Linky Party! A fun way to show off your JustRite Christmas creations!! It runs until Nov. 8th! Come and join the fun!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

♥ JustRite Christmas Linky Party! ♥

2011-11-02T16:04:00.000-04:00

For the next week at the JustRite Inspiration Blog there is a week long Christmas celebration going on! Link up your Christmas creation using JustRite stamps to their linky party and you may just win a prize or two!! It's also a great way to get a head start on those Christmas cards!!

I made a quick and easy card using the beautiful Deck the Halls Cling Set. I used some old papers that I had left over from last year's cards as well as some pearls on a string, seam binding ribbon, red and white twine, a crystal snowflake and lots and lots of glitter!

Can't wait to see what you come up with too!! Don't forget to link up your JustRite Christmas creation HERE! Have fun creating!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says....Buttons!! ♥

2011-11-02T03:00:00.006-04:00

Who doesn't like to use buttons on their cards or projects?!! What a super fun challenge we have for you all this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog!! Just upload any type creation using buttons!! Can't wait to see what you all create this week!!

This week the Simon Say DT got to play with Basic Grey! I chose to use some fun buttons called Picadilly Wooden Buttons! They are just beautiful! I love the wood look they have with the beautiful flower images on the front.

I also used some other BG buttons from their Wander Collection.

The beautiful stamped frame is from the Urban Prairie Bitsy Bug Stamp Set. I inked the stamp with several different colors of blues and greens and stamped it onto a piece of Prima's Printery paper. The background paper is also by Basic Grey from their Euphoria line. The cute little lady bug is also from the stamp set.

To finish off the card, I also used some Liquid Pearls in White Opal, some "chunky" glitter, Melissa Frances rub-on transfer, Prima trim, seam binding, Martha Stewart punched butterflies and some hemp twine.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

♥ I am entering this card into some other fabulous challenges too!

~ The Ribbon Carousel Challenge Blog: Anything Goes (Use something that comes on a spool)

~ Oldie but a Goodie: Buttons and Bows (and stamp must be at least 6 mos. old)
~ Tuesday Throwdown: Thanks

~ The Pink Elephant: TPE123 Distressing

~ There She Goes: Au Naturale (Wood Button and hemp twine)

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs...

♥ Homespun Fall ♥

2011-10-31T00:01:00.006-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!! Hope you are having a 'spook'tacular day!! :)

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Homespun Fall". What a lovely title! The challenge is to create a card and/or project inspired by the inspiration photo with a fall scene.

When I first saw this adorable little owl in Michael's I knew I had to have him. Not sure what I wanted to do with him at first. Then as I was starting to think of something for this week's challenge I thought of him! I first made a tree out of some wooden spools, twine, paint, punched leaves and some acrylic branches and mini flowers, for him to rest upon.

I adhered some gorgeous Prima papers, the Printery Line, to an oval wooden box...added the tree and owl and then a little wire pumpkin. To complete it, I added a sentiment that I printed out of MS Word and the best for last...some gorgeous seam binding ribbons.

The seam binding ribbon is from our own Debbie's beautiful Etsy shop called "Simple Treasures". It is filled with loads of the most beautiful seam binding ribbon out there! And it is fabulously priced too!! ;) The winner of this week's challenge will win 15 yards of your choice of ribbon!!

Here is the lovely inspiration photo!

♥ A Monochromatic Shabby Chic Card ♥

2011-10-27T13:55:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Just stopping in to share a card I made for 2 awesome challenge blogs. The Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge Blog and the Let's Get Shabby Challenge Blog. Both of their challenges this week is to make a card using only one color. So FUN and challenging!

I used some gorgeous papers by Prima from their Printery line. I also used some Prima lace trim, punched butterflies, Liquid Pearls, lace, seam binding, a chipboard heart, paint, a button, glitter and the "beautiful" is from the Princess Blush stamp set by My Mind's Eye.

I hope you all have a "beautiful" day! Thanks for stopping by my little blog! I really appreciate it!

Hugs and lottsa love...

♥ Simon Says... Anything Goes! ♥ {A Shabby Little Album}

2011-10-26T03:00:00.005-04:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is a super easy one!! Anything Goes!! Create a card, scrapbook LO, altered project, etc and link it directly to your blog post on the Simon Says Challenge Blog for a chance at a fabulous prize!! It can't get any easier than that! :)

This week the Simon Says DT got to play with either Bo Bunny or Studio Calico products. I chose to work with some awesome stamps and papers by Bo Bunny.

I had been wanted to make a mini album for awhile now and this was just the push I needed to do it! I love this Mini Et Cetera Edgy Album by Bo Bunny. I couldn't wait to shabby it up!

I used some gorgeous Bo Bunny papers from both the 6x6 Welcome Home Paper Pad as well as the 6x6 Et Cetera Paper Pad.

I also used some Bo Bunny Stamps....Et Cetera Clear Set (currently out of stock, but will be back in shortly!), Welcome Home Clear Set and the Gabrielle Clear Stamp set.

I also used lots of other goodies on there too! Some Pink Paislee Vintage Vogue Spool Buttons(love these!!), Prima Mini Resin Windows, Prima Lace, lots of Martha Stewart Fine White Glitter, Maya Road Chipboard pieces, Mini Wooden Spools, seam binding, string pearls, Liquid Pearls, Prima Quirky Wooden Buttons and finally some pics of my kiddoes.

There are 2 more pages of the album that I still have left to finish. I will work on that sometime this coming weekend. I will post them too when I'm finished.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

♥ I am entering this into the following fabulous challenges!

~ Bearly Mine Challenges: Anything but a Card!
~ Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog: Sundae Bar (Black, Sparkle, Flowers, Distressing~ Must Use 2)

Have a sweet day!!

Hugs...

♥ A Happy {Shabby} Halloween ♥

2011-10-24T00:01:00.008-04:00

So looking forward to taking my little ones out to Trick-or-Treat in a week or so. My oldest son is going to be Mario from the Mario Bros. and my 1 year old is going to be a little pumpkin. Love this time of year! We Trick-or-Treat on the 30th here and not on the 31st! Why you ask?!! Well, on Halloween night we have a HUGE Halloween Parade here in town. It is the 2nd largest in the world! So this way the kiddies don't miss out on either and not to mention it cuts down on alot of mischief on the 30th since people are out walking around!

So to get in the Halloween spirit, this week's Shabby Tea Room challenge is simply called "Happy Halloween"! Just create a card or project with a Halloween theme using the colors Purple, Orange and Black and you must also use some twine and or raffia!

I used an adorable (free) Witch and Cat image from The Graphics Fairy. The papers I used are by Fancy Pants Designs, the Oct. 31 line. The sentiment is a stamp from Crafty Secrets.

To finish up the card I used both raffia and brown twine. I wanted to try to make the twine look like a spider. I also used a black button and some glitter.

The winner of this week's challenge will win a $20 Gift Certificate to our sponsor "More Paper than Shoes". What a gorgeous shop!

Here is this week's Inspiration photo!

Don't forget to visit the rest of the {Super-talented} Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a wonderful day filled with lots of sweet surprises!!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says... Nursery Rhymes and Fairytales! ♥

2011-10-19T03:00:00.004-04:00

How fun is this week's Simon Says Stamp Challenge!! Nursery Rhymes and Fairytales!! Your creation must be inspired by one! The possibilities are endless....Cinderella, Snow White, Three Blind Mice, Jack and Jill, etc, etc!! Just have fun with it!! I can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

This week the Simon Says DT got to play with Magnolia stamps. I am just loving the Magnolia Mini's! So that is what I decided to use... Magnolia Mini Castle Window, Mini Longing Tilda and Magnolia Blue Starlit Paper.

I made my card based on Rapunzel. I thought of that fairytale once I saw Tilda's long flowing hair and knew I wanted to make a castle shaped card for her to sit in! I traced a small wooden castle frame that I had onto the paper to make the castle. I then hot glued the inside edges of the left sides of the card together to form the base. I also used a Melissa Frances rub-on transfer, a Magnolia Paper Rose, Prima Trim, seam binding and Liquid Pearls in White Opal.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Can't wait to see what you all come up with!! Have a wonderful day!

Hugs....

♥ Pumpkins...Flowers....Harvest ♥

2011-10-17T00:01:00.003-04:00

The weather and temps have been wonderful here lately. Low 70's during the day....cooler at night. Pumpkins, Cornstalks and Bales of Hay are everywhere! Autumn is finally here!! Yay! My favorite time of the year!

This week's theme at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Pumpkin Garden". Isn't that a lovely title! For the challenge you must use the colors in the inspiration photo (see below) and also use a dry embossed element.

I chose this beautiful Daisy and Swirl Embossing folder to use on my base card. After I embossed it, I ran some pastel chalks over the raised areas for more effect. I also used a Dots folder for the darker orange cardstock. The gorgeous flowers are by Prima and are called Gillian Cider. And the beautiful Flower stamp is by Inkadinkado.

To finish it off I added a raffia bow, button, sentiment tag, ribbon, Liquid Pearls and lots of glitter!

The winner of this week's challenge will win a $15 Gift Certificate to our sponsor Classy Cards 'n Such! They have a wonderful selection of all kinds of goodies!! And the owner Beverly is really sweet too! Check them out!!

Here is the beautiful inspiration photo~

Don't forget to visit the rest of the {Super-talented} Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

And finally since we are talking Autumn....I thought I'd share a pic of our front door this year. I since added a few giant pumpkins to the mix since taking this pic. Just love Fall!

Have a wonderful day!! ♥ And a HUGE Thank You to everyone for voting for me in the Practical Scrappers Card Making Contest!! I really appreciate it! I just made it to the 3rd Round!! Woo-Hoo! :) ♥

♥ Simon Says... Halloween!! ♥

2011-10-12T03:00:00.001-04:00

♥♥♥ A BIG Thank You to everyone's sweet comments and for voting for me in the Practical Scrappers CardMaking Contest! Thank you!! ;) ♥♥♥

That is the theme this week at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog! Create a Halloween or Goth inspired card! Can't wait to see all of your spooky creations!!

I chose this adorable Crafty Secrets stamp set simply called "Halloween Fun" It has the cutest images!

I colored in the stamped images with some Copics and added some Martha Stewart Halloween glitter to bling it up! I also used some fab papers by Fancy Pants from the Oct 31 Paper Pad and also from Pink Paislee's Phantom Paper Pack.

I also used some Prima trim, seam binding, Liquid Pearls in Mint Green and a paper doily that I inked black.

As always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

And lastly, my last giveaway winner is... Jennifer (The Country Life)! Congratulations!! Jennifer please shoot me an email with your snail mail addy!! Sorry I didn't post this sooner....I actually forgot to do it!! Sorry! Oops!!

Have a wonderful day everyone! I will be having another giveaway shortly!! ;)

Hugs...

♥ Total Girly Girl ♥

2011-10-10T00:01:00.005-04:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Fall Flowers". It is to use the colors from the inspiration photo (see below) and to make your own flowers! How fun!

This week the Shabby Girls got to use some wonderful digi stamps by "Digi My World". I chose this beautiful "Mannequin Card" stamp. I used some colored pencils this time to color it in and then added some sparkle to it. I made the flowers from some white felt, which I inked with some yellow and orange ink pads and then added some glitter to them. I made the leaves from some green felt.

This week's winner will win a $10 Gift Certificate to the "Digi My World" store!

Here is the lovely inspiration photo~

Don't forget to visit the rest of the {fabulous} Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a lovely day!

Hugs and lottsa love...

♥ I Made it... ♥

2011-10-09T13:32:00.000-04:00

...to the 2nd Round of the Practical Scrappers CardMaking Contest! Would you mind voting for me?!! I would really appreciate it! Just visit HERE and leave a comment saying that you'll vote for me! Here is my card...

We had to make a Fall/Halloween card using any type of twine on it. The twine and seam binding ribbon can be purchased at Reasonable Ribbon. The adorable Witch card and pumpkin is FREE from The Graphics Fairy.

Thanks for all your votes!! I really appreciate it! Enjoy your day!

Hugs...

♥ Really Reasonable Ribbon Guest Designer ♥

2011-10-07T07:00:00.009-04:00

I was so excited and thrilled to be asked to Guest Design over at the Really Reasonable Ribbon's Rambling's Blog! Thank you so much Bonnie for having me!! And don't forget to visit the Really Reasonable Ribbon Store for all kinds of ribbon, seam binding, bakers twine and more!! You won't be disappointed!

I chose this gorgeous Autumn Diamond Satin Assortment to create a few things with.

I made a thanksgiving Dinner Invite and Turkey Candle/Placecard Holder.

I also made this super fun Pumpkin Decoration.

For more details, directions and another project, please visit the Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings Blog! Stop by and say Hi!! :)
Have a wonderful day!! Happy Fall!

♥ Simon Says... Sparkle and Bling! ♥

2011-10-05T03:00:00.000-04:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is gonna be a sparkly one!! We want to see lots of sparkle and bling on your creations!! So break out the glitter, shimmer sprays, rhinestones, etc!!

This week the Simon Says DT got to play with stamps by Stampabilities. I used this adorable Peanuts Snoopy Flying High Airplane stamp. I colored it in with some Copics and added lots of Martha Stewart Sugar Cube glitter to it.

The papers I used are from Bo Bunny's Et Cetera Paper Pad. I made the "clouds" out of some white cardstock using Spellbinders Labels 14 Dies and of course, smothered them in more glitter.

I finished it up with some ribbon, Prima trim and Hero Arts rhinestones. I hand wrote the sentiments.

And as always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

I will announce my winner from last week's giveaway within a few days!! ;)

Have a great day!

♥ Paris in Fall ♥

2011-10-04T20:11:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone! Just stopping by real quick to show you a card I made for the current JustRite Friday Challenge, Fall Festival. It is to make a Fall themed project or card.

I used the gorgeous "Greetings from Paris" set. I also used some twine, chipboard letters and Liquid Pearls. I also made some "pumpkins" out of some clear buttons.

I hope you all have a wonderful night!!

Hugs...

♥ A Shabby Autumn ♥

2011-10-03T00:01:00.002-04:00

This week I am your hostess at The Shabby Tea Room. I chose the theme "A Shabby Autumn" for you all. It is simple, just create a card/project with a Fall/Autumn theme.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some digi stamps by Robyn's Fetish. I chose this adorable "Scarecrow" to use on my card. I colored him in with some Copics and add a little sparkle here and there to him. I used some beautiful Fall papers by We R Memory Keepers and Pink Paislee. I also added a small lightweight wooden fence to the background. I painted it brown and added some sparkle to it.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 5 Digi Images of their choice to our fabulous monthly sponsor, Robyn's Fetish!

Here is the Shabby Tea Room inspiration photo that I chose~

Don't forget to visit the rest of the Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a great day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs...

♥ Would you mind voting for me?!! ♥

2011-10-01T10:32:00.000-04:00

I made it to the 1st Round of the Practical Scrappers Card Making Contest! Woo-Hoo! I am so thrilled and excited!! Would you all mind voting for me? Just visit this post HERE and leave a comment telling them you would like to vote for me!! ;)

You can vote 3 times per day! This is my card that I entered!

I would really appreciate your votes!! Thank you for your support!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says... Anything Goes!! ♥ {And a GIVEAWAY!}

2011-09-28T03:00:00.002-04:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is an easy one!! Anything Goes!! Just upload a link to your card, scrapbook LO or any type of creation!! We want to see it!!

This week the Simon Says DT got to play with Brads. You don't have to use them on your creation unless you want too! ;) I chose these adorable Crate Paper FarmHouse Sew Brads. They are one of my all-time faves! So cute! I also used papers from the CP Farmhouse 6x6 Paper Pad.

I used an adorable mini Kraft Envelope by Maya Road. I first inked the edges with some white ink and then decorated it with some paper, twine and then used some brads on the closures. I also used a My Mind's Eye stamp set called Princess.

I also used a brad on the center of my twine bow.

As well as the center of my flower. I hand cut the leaves out of cardstock and smothered on some yummy Martha Stewart Sugar Cube glitter.

And as always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

{ETA: Giveaway!} I will give 1 winner everything I used to make this card!

~ 1 Crate paper FarmHouse 6x6 Paper Pad

~ 1 Pack of CP FarmHouse Sew Brads

~ 1 My Mind's Eye Princess Blush Clear Stamp Set

~ 1 Pkg. of Maya Road Mini Kraft Envelopes

~ 1 Jar of Martha Stewart's Sugar Cube Glitter

To be entered to win, it's easy peasy!! First you must make a card for this week's Simon Says Anything Goes Challenge and Second, come back here and leave me a comment with your entry #! That's it!! I will leave this open until next Tuesday, October 4th @ 10 pm. est! I will post my winner within a few days after that after I check all the entries! Good Luck everyone!!

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs...

♥ Shabby Chevrons! ♥

2011-09-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is to use Chevrons on your card or project! If you don't have any paper with chevrons on it, you can make your own! Just cut out some different papers in a zig zag pattern. Just think of all the endless possibilities of patterns and colors! Here is the beautiful inspiration photo. You must also use the colors from the inspiration photo too.

This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some gorgeous stamps by our sponsor JustRite! I chose this beautiful Cling stamp set called "Greetings from Paris". Just ♥ this set!! I love the adorable little postcards that you can make with it!

The orange and green chevron papers that I used are digi and can be found HERE. I finished up the card with some Liquid Pearls, seam binding ribbon, a Prima flower and a chipboard heart.

The winner of this challenge will win this fabulous prize from JustRite! 2 of their new October release stamp sets!! Aren't they just beautiful! (Click on pics to go to JustRite!)

Don't forget to visit the rest of the Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a great day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says... To Die For! ♥

2011-09-21T03:00:00.001-04:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is all about dies! We want to see any type of creation made with either a die or a punch! Easy Peasy!

This week the Simon Says DT got to play with dies by My Favorite Things! I chose this Die-Namics set called Polka Dot Greetings. It comes with the shaped die and this gorgeous versatile stamp set!

I first ran the die through my Cuttlebug with some light pink cardstock. I then stamped that beautiful polka dot frame onto some white cardstock and then cut it out with scissors and the center I cut out using a craft knife. I then adhered the stamped frame onto the die cut and then stamped the sentiment onto the center. The pearls on the corners are Liquid Pearls in Flamingo. The papers are Cosmo Cricket's Odds and Ends.

I then finished up the card with some seam binding ribbon and some punched Martha Stewart butterflies.

And as always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

All this month at the Simon Says Stamp Superstore we are celebrating STAMPtember! Every order placed during STAMPtember will receive a FREE gift!! NEW Items are being added every day!!

Have a wonderful day everyone! Thanks for stopping by!!

♥ Vintage White ♥

2011-09-19T00:01:00.001-04:00

That is the name of this week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room...Vintage White. It is to create a card and/or project using all neutrals inspired by the gorgeous inspiration photo. Just use the colors white, cream, kraft, brown, black, etc.

And this week the DT got to play with some super sweet digi images by our sponsor Ellephantastic! I chose this adorable "Charlotte Halloween" digi image. I colored her in with some colored pencils for a change and added a little sparkle here and there. I also used some papers by My Mind's Eye, a piece of cardboard that I added some white paint and glitter to, some twine and some Liquid Pearls.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 4 Digi Images of their choice from the Ellephantastic Shop!

Here is the beautiful inspiration photo~

Don't forget to visit the rest of the Shabby Girls too! We have some new inspiration for you too!! Welcome to the team girls!!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Cindy Holshouser - Sweet P Paperie
♥ Fran Westmoreland - Purple Peanut's Crafty Blog
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says... Song/Film Title! ♥

2011-09-14T03:00:00.001-04:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is a FUN one!! Create a card and/or project inspired by a Song or Film Title! I can't wait to see what you all come up with!!

I was inspired by Billy Joel's "Piano Man" as soon as I saw this gorgeous stamp set by Darcie's called "Life is a Song". I just love that Piano image!

I also used the music paper stamp on the pink cardstock in the background as well as the sentiment. The patterned paper I used is from the My Mind's Eye Rosy Paper Pad. I finished up the card with some Prima Trim, seam binding, Liquid Pearls , a Chipboard Music Note, mini rose and glitter.

And as always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

All this month at the Simon Says Stamp Superstore we are celebrating STAMPtember! Every order placed during STAMPtember will receive a FREE gift!! NEW Items are being added every day!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Hugs...

♥ Look at this awesome giveaway! ♥

2011-09-13T10:17:00.000-04:00

Please visit my sweet friend Karen's blog HERE for this awesome giveaway! You could win this awesome antique Frog to display your cards on!

You have until October 17th! Just become a follower of her beautiful blog and leave her a comment!

Have a wonderful day!

♥ Life is a Highway ♥

2011-09-12T00:01:00.003-04:00

♥♥♥♥♥♥ Always Remember 9/11/01 God Bless us all! ♥♥♥♥♥♥

Life is a Highway...Isn't that such a true statement!? You never know what lies ahead in front of you or what would have happened if you would of made a left instead of a right! (figuratively speaking) But one thing is for sure, life speeds on by! So enjoy every minute of it! Life is so precious! What a wonderful gift!

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Boys will be Boys". It is to create a card and/or project with a masculine theme. This week the Shabby Girls got to play with some digi stamps by our sponsor, Heart Song Designs. I chose this beautiful Butterfly Duet set. And who says that men don't like butterflies! :) And the first papers that came to mind for this card was none other than the awesome Tim Holtz! I used his gorgeous paper pack called "Vintage Shabby". I also used a few other digi elements on the card as well as a Studio G stamp, twine, glitter, chalks and Copics.

The winner of this week's challenge will win 3 digi images of their choice to the Heart Song Designs Shop.

Here is the gorgeous inspiration photo~

Have a wonderful day!!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says...Multi-fold! ♥

2011-09-07T03:00:00.004-04:00

This week's challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog is to create a card using multi-folds! There are so many fun folds you can use! There is a Tri-Shutter card (love these), a Napkin fold, Diamond Fold there are so many different folds you can try! I decided to make a simple Stair Step Fold Card.

The Simon Says Stamp DT also got to play with papers by either My Mind's Eye or Jillibean Soup. Since I love My Mind's Eye soo much and use it alot, I decided to go with something different for a change. So I chose the Jillibean Soup 6x6 Paper Pack called Blossom Soup and the Jillibean stamp set called Home Tweet Home. The papers are really sweet and the stamp set is adorable and gives a crisp, clean image.

I also used some Martha Stewart White Glitter and Scallop Border Punch as well as some seam binding ribbon and trim.

And as always, Heidi will generously give the random winner of this challenge a $50 Credit Voucher to the Simon Says Stamp Superstore!

Have a great day!!

♥ Pink Wedded Bliss ♥

2011-09-05T00:01:00.007-04:00

This week's challenge at The Shabby Tea Room is called "Pink Wedded Bliss". And there are not 1 but 4 lovely inspiration photos for you to choose from! Just make a card and/or project with a Wedding or Anniversary theme and the colors from the inspiration photos.

For my card, I used the beautiful Rose digi stamp from our wonderful monthly sponsor, Robyn's Fetish. I colored it in with some Copics and added some glitter for some sparkle. The gorgeous papers I used are new ones from Simple Stories called "Baby Steps". They are so beautiful!! (One of my new faves!)

I finished my card with some pink satin ribbon, a Jenni Bowlin stick pin, some punched MS butterflies, Rouge Liquid Pearls, black adhesive pearls, a paper doily and the stamped sentiment is from Studio G. This card could probably be used for both a Wedding or an Anniversary.

This week's challenge winner will receive 5 Digi Images of their choice from Robyn's Fetish!

Here is 1 of 4 inspiration photos for you!

Don't forget to visit the rest of the Shabby Girls too!

♥ Debbie Marcinkiewicz - {TSTR Creator} - Simple Treasures
♥ Pattie Goldman - The Pampered Paper Patch
♥ Danielle Greenwood - Au Claire De La Lune
♥ Charlene Cundy - Expressions of Me!
♥ Sheri Holt - My Sheri Cards

Have a wonderful day! And a Happy Labor Day to everyone in the U.S.! My son starts Kindergarten tomorrow and my tummy is in knots!! His is fine, it's mine that is upset!! :)

♥ Shabby Team Room DT Call Reminder! ♥

2011-09-01T10:05:00.000-04:00

Well, as you can see, we survived the Hurricane! Sunday morning as we woke up, it was still a little windy out and rain here and there. But we had power! Just some branches and leaves everywhere, but we had power!! We felt so lucky and happy! So off we went outside to clean up the yard and pool. My sister and brother-in-law was here for my son's 1st Birthday, so they even helped us clean up. (Thank you Stacey and Tim!) As soon as we were done cleaning up, guess what happened next?!! Yup! Our power went out for almost 3 days! Lost all our food in both refrigerators. But I know we are still one of the lucky ones! Some people will be without power until next week! But we are all alive and healthy! So we are truly blessed and lucky! Thank you to you all for all your well wishes and prayers!

♥ Now onto the Shabby Tea Room DT Call! ♥

Sadly we will be saying goodbye to two of our Shabby Girls in a couple weeks when the current term comes to an end. The happy news is that we're looking for {new talent} to join the Shabby Girls for our weekly challenges!

If you love a challenge and are interested in applying to be a part of this fun little family, then read over all the requirements. If you feel you can meet all the requirements, then check out the details of this call at the end of this post and send in your submission!

Good luck to all that apply!

REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR SHABBY GIRL DESIGNERS:

1. You must have a blog and be an active blogger!
2. You must speak fluent English!
3. You must create one card or project per week for our Monday challenges!
4. You must be willing and able to work with sponsor supplied products, including but not limited to digital images, digital papers, stamps, ribbons, templates and dies.
5. You must be willing to comment on our followers' weekly submissions. You will be assigned two numbers to comment on weekly -- there are no exceptions to this requirement!
6. You must be able to meet weekly deadlines, submit projects in a timely manner, have your blog posts go live in conjunction with our weekly challenges and link back to The Shabby Tea Room and to our weekly sponsors.
7. You must be able to commit to a six-month term with the Shabby Girls.
8. You must be able to create and host weekly challenges once every six weeks.

Want to apply for the team? Here's the challenge:

'Let's Have Tea'

Create a card or project inspired by the photo using pastels in blue, pink and yellow plus flowers!

This Design Team Call will run from 12:00 am EST Monday, August 22nd through 11:59 pm EST Sunday, September 4th. The two new Shabby Girls will be contacted on Monday, September 5th and the announcement of the new team members will be made on Sunday, September 12th. The two new Shabby Girls will officially begin on Monday, September 19th.

How to submit your application:

1. Send a picture of your completed card or project to me at deb4tasteful@earthlink.net as an e-mail ATTACHMENT.
2. Send your complete name, address, phone, e-mail address and blog address.
3. Include a brief bio about yourself to include how long you've been paper crafting, what inspires you with your paper crafting and what are your favorite paper crafting mediums ... ie: cards, layouts, altered art, 3-D projects.
4. Send your resume to include any design teams you are currently participating on as well as any past positions. Please also include any publications you have earned. {A past or present design team position is not a requirement to earn a spot here with the Shabby Girls, we just want to know your experience level.}
5. Let us know why you want to be a Shabby Girl!!!

You may submit AS MANY times as you wish ... we are excited to see your best projects and awesome creativity!!

Good luck to all who submit!

Hugs...

♥ Simon Says...SUPER Hop and Treasure Hunt! ♥

2011-08-31T00:01:00.002-04:00

For the second year in a row, Simon Says Stamp and Show and The Simon Says Stamp Challenges are joining forces to bring you a SUPER hop and treasure hunt to celebrate the approaching fall and winter holidays.

To help celebrate we will be giving a BIG BASKET OF CRAFTING GOODIES to the winner of this hop! PLUS 3 $25 VOUCHERS to the Simon Says Stamp Store! The vouchers will be the hidden treasure on 3 DT blogs and you have to find them.

The Blog hop will start, today, August 31st, on the Simon Says Challenge Blog

and will finish on September 5th, at on the Simon Says Stamp and Show Blog.

The theme for both challenges this week will be ANYTHING GOES. You can make anything you like … a card, an ATC, a Scrapbook layout … the possibilities are endless!

You will need to hop through each blog, find the little parcel of goodies and make a note on which designer’s blog you found them. You do not HAVE to comment on all the DT blogs but we would appreciate any comments you would like to leave. If you lose your way at any time a full list of all the participating blogs with links will be available on Simon Says Stamp Challenge and the Stamp and Show Challenge blogs

For more details please refer to the Simon Says Stamp Challenge or the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge blogs for more details.

The last stop on the hop is the Simon Says Stamp and Show Challenge blog. You will need to leave a comment there with the names of the 3 blogs with treasure chest pictures. The comments will be moderated so you will not be able to see the answers.

If you arrived here from the super talented Mandy's Blog, then you are going in the right direction otherwise you need to start at the beginning on the Simon Says Stamp Challenge.

For my card, I used the adorable Itty Bitty stamp set called "Enjoy this Day" by Unity Stamps. I love the vintage style bicycle and beautiful sentiment. I used some pretty paper by Cosmo Cricket. I also dry embossed the paper with an old Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. I don't remember the name of it but it has alot of vines and flowers on it. I then ran some Pebbles pastel chalks over the embossed areas to give it color. I also ran my paper doily and tag through the Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots folder.

To finish off my card, I added some Prima trim, seam binding ribbon, glitter and some Liquid Pearls in White Opal.

From here you need to go to the super talented and very sweet Heather's Blog for more inspiration :-) I would appreciate a comment if you would like to leave one

Have fun hopping along!!