Fun with Rub-Ons!

Hello! Happy Thursday! I'm still trying to play catch-up after being without power -- somehow the stamping took a back seat to laundry and dishes!! I do have something to share with you, though. Last week was an exciting one for me -- twice I received packages from Paper Crafts magazine, with my complimentary copies! I have a card in the October issue and I have a Christmas gift bag in Holiday Cards & More!

Here's the card I created for the Rub-Ons feature in the October 2008 Issue. I used SU! Eastern Elegance Rub-Ons, and I applied them to the patterned paper, the ribbon, and the Flower Fusion felt flower. It's funny -- I hardly ever use rub-ons, and this is not my normal style, but it was a fun card to make, and I was thrilled that PC accepted it! It just goes to show you -- when you step out of your comfort zone and try new styles or techniques, you just may create something you love! :)


Tomorrow I'll be back with a two C.C. Designs cards -- one for the ATS Challenge, and one for the ATS Blog Hop! We're having another "Review Preview" of the newly released sets, and there's a chance to win an ATS gift certificate -- if you go blog hopping! I hope to see you then! Thanks for visiting today! :)

Alphabet Sentiments

Happy Friday!!! Geez, where do the weeks go? Here's a card I made today -- it was supposed to be for the Limited Supplies Challenge, but I kinda strayed from the challenge. The challenge is to use alphabet stamps as a sentiment and as the focal image of the card. Well, I used alphabet stamps for my sentiment (Playful Caps from CTMH), but it's not exactly the focal image! I needed a graduation card for my neighbor, and I HAD to use Diplomabella, so I guess the sentiment and the Bella are sharing the stage on this one! The school colors are -- you guessed it -- blue and gold. The paper is SU! More Mustard Prints, and the cardstock is SU! Night of Navy and Whisper White. I colored with Copics, sponged the edges with More Mustard ink, and added Xmas Red Stickles to the roses. I pierced around the edge and embellished with SU! brads and May Arts satin ribbon.

While we're on the topic of alphabet stamps as the sentiment, I have something exciting to share with you!! This card is in the June/July 2008 issue of Paper Crafts Magazine!! It's my first Paper Crafts pub!! WOOHOO!!!

Thanks so much for the visit today -- I hope you have a great weekend!! :)

I Have Some Cleaning to Do... And Some Fun News to Share

THIS is what my table looks like right now after all my Valentine crafting. No joke. Looking at it, I'm not even sure how I finished my last project -- there's no room at all. I need to clean this up before I can do any more stamping, so I don't have a project to share today. Maybe, if I'm lucky, there will be something tomorrow. I DO have some fun news to share, though...

Nancy Panko awarded me this Excellent Blog award. Check out her blog, Fancy Nancy Loves 2 Stamp -- she has some fantastic projects there!! Thanks for the award, Nancy -- I'm honored! :) I can't possibly nominate just a few bloggers to receive this award, because I'm inspired by so many ladies every day! I'll just nominate my entire blogroll -- you all are amazing!! :)

In other news... yesterday I received a complimentary copy of the Take Ten Spring 2008 issue, which means I had something published!!!! I didn't even know I had anything in this issue, so it was definitely a happy surprise! I have two cards in there -- on pages 30 and 60. They are cards I had submitted for their "variations on a theme", so they have the same layout and stamp sets. They decided to break up the pair and use them separately -- okay by me!! *big grin*

Gotta go get a start on that table -- thanks for checking in! Happy Friday -- have a great weekend!!

Celebrate With Me! It's a Giveaway!

Today is my birthday. I'm 42. Birthdays are typically a time when I look back over the past year and its ups & downs (and most of all give thanks that I've made it through another one!). This year I have much to celebrate. I am fortunate to be healthy and to have healthy family and friends. I have a wonderful husband and four beautiful children. I'm a papercrafter. I am able to do something every day that I LOVE and that hopefully brings joy to others as well. I can't believe how much has happened in just this last year. I started this blog in July, and it is something that has brought new abilities, new friends, and new opportunities. I recently passed 25,000 hits -- that just blows my mind. Thanks to all of you for taking the time to visit me every day!! This year, I was chosen to be on my first Design Team, and I can't thank Christine and Amy at All That Scraps enough for having faith in me. I was asked to be Jen del Muro's Guest Designer for December -- what a thrill! Also, this month, I was published for the first time!! Several of my cards are featured in the Winter 2008 issue of Take Ten magazine, on pages 52-53, as part of their "Variations on a Theme." Check it out if you get a chance!!

Like I said, it's been a great year! *smile* Sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself to be sure it's really happening! With all these things to celebrate, I thought I'd give a birthday gift to YOU!!! I'm having my first Celebration Giveaway! I'm giving away some Studio G Clear Stamps and a Clear Block, 12 SU! Long Notes with envelopes, Candy Cane Stickles, some Got Flowers? by Prima in blue and pink, and lots of fun ribbon! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post. Tell me about your favorite birthday, how you like to celebrate birthdays, or just say hi! On Friday morning, December 21, I'll select a random number to be the winner!


Thanks so much for celebrating with me -- have a fantastic day!! :)