Friday, December 28, 2012

Just Us Girls #169 and SWEET 16!

Christmas may be over, but there are STILL reasons to get your SPARKLE on!

Check!  Sign ME up!  YOU, too?  Well, THEN!  
Just Us Girls is JUST the place for you!  It's a WILDCARD 
kind of week, and dear Maria has challenged us to make
cards for New Years, that DON'T skimp on the sparkle....

Well, now.  Hmmm.  Let me think about....



SPARKLE, B-L-I-N-G, and a BRAND new year?  Wahooooo!  Sounds like a party to me!


And speaking of sparkle....  oh, and maybe just a lil' LESS sparkle...  It saddens me greatly,
to have to say goodbye to one of the SPARKLIEST gems in all of Jug-land...  Our EVER 
delightful and talented, SUPER sweet and ALWAYS organized, loving and AMAZING, 

~Lynn~

...  She is LEAVING us.  And WE WILL MISS HER, TERRIBLY!  
 
Thank GOODNESS, she's not leaving blogland, and I will look forward to spying her
stunning creations IN PRINT{!} and throughout blogdom..   BUT, I will REALLY miss
her!  THANK YOU, LYNN!  Your grace and elegance will NEVER be forgotten! 

*MWAH!

So, on THAT note..  I'm covered in EXTRA sparkle, wistfulness and NOSTALGIA....  


Well, it's my 16th anniversary of MARRIAGE, so, I can't help myself...
I'm sushi-wasted, a veteran of marriage, LIFE and blogland...  

And THAT'S a good thing!  Here's to all the good things in YOUR life!  

Enjoy!


Supplies - 

C/S - Stampin' Up!
D/P - October Afternoon
Stamp - Wplus9 Design Studio
Ink - Clearsnap
BLING - Want2Scrap
Stickers - EKsuccess
Plastic Letters - Tim Holtz
Die Cut Shape - Wplus9 Design Studio





Thursday, December 27, 2012

Want2PLAY with PHOTOS? Ma-AN layout alert!


Nothin' cures the post-HOLIDAY oblivion like a little time to oneself, for some crafting...



So, if you're hunting for a twinge of inspiration, or just a gentle caress towards a GLORIOUS resource for SPARKLING fun, scrapbooking and craft materials.... and the REST of the craftilicious details of this layout...  FOLLOW ME!

...to Want2Scrap®!

I would LOVE to see you there!  



Sunday, December 23, 2012

A Very Merry Christmas Giveaway from Wplus9

It's TODAY, it's today...  It's TODAY!


If you've been here before, you MUST know that my FAVORITE stamp company in the ENTIRE world is owned and operated by a very dear friend and ONE super TALENTED graphic designer, Dawn Woleslagle...  Mrs. "Wplus9" herself.  SHE is not only super sweet, insanely gifted and LOVELY, but she's GENEROUS, beyond compare.  Every release she gives ALL kinds of booty away, but babies - it's CHRISTMAS!  And she is practically flying around in a sleigh full of FABULOUS stampy toys and LOADS of Christmas cheer....  Read ON, for the juicy tid bits!

The Details

Each of us has hand picked a stamp set and die to include in a huge Wplus9 Very Merry Christmas Giveaway! We will be showing you which ones each of us picked and why on our blogs in the following order:

Prize Package

  • Damask Delight Stamp Set
  • Damask Delight Companion Die
  • Iconic Christmas Stamp Set
  • Banner Trio Die
  • Folk Art Flurries Stamp Set
  • Seasonal Sentiments Die
  • Happy Harvest Stamp Set
  • Happy Harvest Companion Die
  • Kisses & Cuddles Stamp Set
  • Clear Cut Stackers: Stars Die
  • Sweet Nothings Stamp Set
  • Folk Art Florals Die
  • Very Vintage Greetings Stamp Set
  • Label Layers 3 Die
  • Bitty Buddy Valentines Stamp Set
  • Bitty Buddies Companion Die
  • Country Charm Stamp Set
  • Clear Cut Stackers: Pinking Squares Die
  • 1 pack Kraft Card Stock (15 sheets)
  • 1 pack Oatmeal Card Stock (15 sheets)
  • 1 pack White Card Stock (15 sheets)
That's more than $275 in value!

How To Enter

The giveaway starts today, 12/24/12. Entering is as easy as leaving a comment. Hop around to the Design Team members' blogs all week long and don't forget to leave a comment on each blog, each day…that's up to 9 entries! If you miss a day, don't worry, comments will be open until 11:59 p.m. EST 12/30/12 so you can catch up. ONE random winner will be selected from all comments combined on January 1, 2013 here on the blog.
Also, don't forget to:
***Bonus Entries***
Help us spread the word on Facebook and/or Twitter and you can leave a comment on this post for up to 2 extra entries.

And LUCKY me, I'm one of the first stops on the lovely list of Wplus9 designy babes who will
be sharing ONE of our fave sets and coordinating dies...   {Um, just ONE?  I KNOW, right!} Well, we're EACH picking ONE to feature, but BOY, was it hard to choose!  Here's the hot set and coordinating dies I was working with...


Happy Harvest Stamp Set and Happy Harvest Companion Die!


Darling FRIENDS!  This set makes me positively giddy!  It's SO detail oriented and FUNNNN!  I never lose interest in stamp sets that register together and provide ENDLESS possibility for stamped, colorful, paper MAGIC!  {I LOVE it!!!!!}  You've got your "Harvest, Autumn, BIRTHDAY, thanks, GRATITUDE" sentiments covered by a BARREL full....of images to make a fall-lovin' crafter cry with delight...  The coordinating dies make this scarecrow practically DANCE down the yellow brick road, all by his lonesome, but WAIT!  There's SO, so much more!  A wheelbarrow full of goodness of YOUR choosing!  So many ways to fill it with stunning images, flawlessly cut FOR you, yet easy to stamp on and enjoy...   THIS SET is a BOUNTY of stampy fun and YOU'RE gonna love it!


I SURE hope you WIN! 

THANKS for checking us all OUT!  Don't forget, we've got several gals, each day, so if you haven't treated yourself yet, DON'T miss Christina's drop DEAD {but DON'T!} stunning creation! I hope YOU'LL be inspired...  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Supplies - 

C/S - Wplus9 Design Studio {Cream and Kraft}; S/U! {Curry}
Stamps - Wplus9 {Happy Harvest - Main images & sentiment}; Defining Words,
Country Charm 
Ink - Clearsnap; Versafine
Dies - Wplus9 Design Studio - Happy Harvest Companion; Vintage Envelope Die
Seam Bias - Wright's 
Baker's Twine - Divine Twine
Mini Staple - Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher

Friday, December 21, 2012

PHOTO CHALLENGE, Just Us Girls & Bling!

Dear Friends.

I don't like to over share about my personal life on my blog.  I've nearly given up throwing myself on your mercy.  APOLOGIZING for not being the friend I desperately intend to be... blah, blah, blah.  But lately, there are two little word that best describe me.  Two words that define my existence and TWO words that are my best excuse:

Dog paddling.

Yup.  THEY are perfect words.  Flawless, in fact.  Pretty much the past six months have been a sea of  life that is rocking and waving underneath like the strongest rip current, but in spite of EVERYTHING, I'm still here, dog paddling!  The good news - it means, I'm STILL here!




So, "YIPEE" is a wonderful NEW word, that I'm looking forward to embracing with ALL of my existence as I ponder the completion of the holidays, and a brand spankin' new year, sparkling with the luster of balance, possibility and mastery...  {I can HARDLY wait!}  


Consequently, this week's Just Us Girls PHOTO inspiration challenge is FABULOUS!

 And so ARE the rest of my DARLING Just-Us-GIRLfriends, so please,
if you are EVEN speaking to me - GO CHECK THEM OUT!!!!!



Make sure you check out the inspiration photo in all of it's colorful detail.
A New Year's card popped out of me without much consideration.  The INSPIRATION
motivated me on EVERY level!  Thank you, to our EVERY photogenic, Vicki, for wowing
us with her pictures and ideas, again and again!   GREAT colors, texture, etc!  Mmm, hmm!


And if INSPIRATION is bringing you joy and purpose in your crafting,
check out this QUICK and easy holiday ornament idea over at Want2Scrap!


And READ the sentiment - I REALLY am!  {!}

...  Wishing you ALL the best Christmas Cheer and EVERYTHING wonderful in the New Year!

THANK you, for bothering with me.

{Hee!}



Supplies - 

C/S - Wplus9 Design Studio
D/P - {Christmas Ornament} Graphic 45
Stamps - Wplus9 Design Studio; S/U! 
Stickers - October Afternoon
Bling - Want2Scrap
Floral Ribbon - Want2Scrap
Printed Ribbon - American Crafts

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Want2Scrap is the REASON...

....for the SEASON... of BLING!


And I've got a doozy to share with you, over on the Want2Scrap blog!  Hope you'll check out the 
fun and INSPIRATION!  My bling has been a lil' rusty, but I've got my SPARKLE on, babies!  

Please visit!  I saved you a seat!  xoxo


Friday, December 7, 2012

Just Us Girls - Go BACK to basics!

Where were YOU, the first time you saw someone use EMBOSSING powder?

Were you BIT by the bug, right then and there?  Did you buy the heat gun, right
out of the demonstrators hands?  Did you HOARD every color and texture of
embossing powder, ink, tool, tip and trinket?  Oh - wait.  That was ME.......!



Well, HOWEVER your "first time" went down, I'll BET, you've had yourself
plenty of FUN with your EMBOSSING gun....   Assuming that IF your reading
this - you're well stocked in embossing materials...  I'll bet you are going to LOVE
this week's challenge at Just Us Girls!  EMBOSS something! 


Our SWEET Lynn, ohhhhhh, SOOOOO thoughtful and intuitive, LYNN!  She had
the divine sense to make this challenge something that didn't require a whole lot of
thinking, but would leave us feeling invigorated by our WONDERFUL shared
addiction...   MAKING FABULOUS STUFF with our GLORIOUS tools!

THANK you, LYNN!


Based on the VAST array of samples, brought to you by the JUST US GIRLS crew,
we are inspiring ALL uses of embossing!  I, however, decided to go with heat/wet
embossing and try an "old school" technique, THAT I HAVE NEVER DONE!

First, check OUT the girls!


Then, let me share with you, MY FASCINATION, with ultra thick embossing!


I embossed DIRECT to a yummy chipboard oval, lovingly bathed in embossing ink...



THEN, I busted out this embossing stand!  {I KNOW, right!}



Looky!


{It's soooooo BEAUTIFUL!}



~ Don't STARE at the light!!!!!!~



Just kidding - YOU CAN STARE all you LIKE!




Look at the BEAUTIFUL impression, left by a well inked stamp...



Yum!  It's MOLTEN crafty SENSATION!



Love, love, love HOW Lynn got ALL this going, merely by suggesting a lil' embossing!

What FUN!  Won't YOU try?  We'd adore having you share!

Craft ONNNNNNN, sweet friends of the blogland!  Yipeeeee!




Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Wplus9 Design Studio - Group Reveal


Wplus9 Design Studio makes the BEST stamps in the UNIVERSE!




They're GREAT!!!!!

I'm simply a HUGE fan.  {HUGE!}

 Today is the Group Release over at the main Wplus9 Design Studio
MY favorite day!  I ADORE seeing all of the diversity in this team,
and the smallest glimpse into the infinite possibility of Wplus9 Stamps...

It's the ICING on the proverbial cake!  Mmmmmm, hmmmmm!


 I simply cannot THANK YOU enough, for supporting this wonderful company,
and giving me the opportunity to make some goods that help you get YOUR stamp on!
THIS card was composed from elements from 5 different sets, 2 dies and one texture
plate - and all I can say is YEAHOOO!  That was some seriously SUPER stampy fun!

There's a LOT of love in stamptown/blogland!  A LOT!

For every bit of delicious detail, regarding the creations of the darling team
of Wplus9-ettes - treat yourself to another glimpse at their blogs and the stunning
details from their group posts! 




Y'ARE great!  You REALLY are!  Thanks, ONCE AGAIN,
for allowing me to share my passion with you!




Supplies - 

C/S - Wplus9 Design Studio
Stamps - Wplus9 Design Studio
Ink - Clearsnap; S/U!
Dies & Impression Plate - Wplus9 Design Studio
Wooden Circle - Darice
Medallion Punch - MSC





Monday, December 3, 2012

Wplus9 is ON DISPLAY!


It's time to share EXACTLY what you are going to get from


when the new sets and accessories go on sale, Dec. 5th at 12:01am.

Each and every glorious detail is ON display over at Dawn's blog
and the creative home of Wplus9 Design Studio

Dawn and the girls have stamped, die cut, inked and glittered like 
NOBODY'S business.  I sure hope YOU are inspired to consider 
some, if not ALL, of the new goodies!  I can't WAIT to see these 
babies out in the blogland, and in YOUR capable hands...  Yipeeee


THIS was one of my FAVORITE releases - EVER!

{YES!  I KNOW I ALWAYS say THAT! Tee Hee}

So, I couldn't resist giving you a smallish glimpse into tomorrow's project...
I sure would LOVE to see you there, at Wplus9, for our group release!  
It's like the icing on the crafty cake, when Dawn and the gang
get down for the grand finale.  I NEVER tire of contemplating 
the diversity of style, color choices with our wonderful team.

Again - we couldn't DO what we do, if NOT for you!

From the bottom of my inky-lovin' heart, I thank you!

 

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Wplus9 Design Studio, Dec./Jan. RELEASE

Sometimes it's hard to believe HOW fast the year seems to tick by these days.
THANKFULLY, each release by Wplus9 Design Studio makes the passage of
time SOMETHING to look forward...  'Cause sure as shootin', NEXT season
looks a WHOLE lot more amazing, with Dawn's stamps to accent the mood!


Yes, that's RIGHT...  I QUITE like you, a lot!  

And THESE colors from the Play Date Cafe...  
HOW perfect to bring out the GORGEOUS in these stamps!


 {I KNOW!  Perfect, right!}

Haven't had a chance to visit in the Cafe for a WHILE, 
but HOW I adore lovely Julie, and her creative crew!  SO 
happy to play along this week and incorporate the fun with
these jaw-dropping STUNNING stamps!  



I QUITE like you!  AND YOU WILL LOVE THESE SENTIMENTS!  
They are quite timely and USEFUL + WHO DOESN'T LOVE THAT FONT!!!



I love how this fun card turned out - but I CANNOT take credit for it's conception...
THE STAMPS and DIES made me do it!  I was just the obedient soldier, doing 
as the art beckoned me...  I QUITE love the end result....  a LOT!  


Working with this limited palette gave me the inspiration to use a {previously HOARDED}
mirror, popped BEHIND a white rectangle panel, cut from Wplus9's new Clear Cut Stacker,
Rectangle Dies, and THROUGH a window, cut with a Clear Cut Stacker Heart Die!

~ I took great pains NOT to be visible in the reflection, but I hope you'll note the darling
glimpse of my BABY girl in earlier photos...  Thought you'd enjoy HER darling mug,
from a horse show/scrapbook layout that was sitting out...  LOL


WE are having SUCH a fun release!  If you haven't treated yourself, I sure hope you'll
visit the rest of the SUPER stamp-TACULAR Wplus9erettes: HERE THEY ARE!

Sarah Martina Parker

Meanwhile, keep checking in with Dawn's blog for ALL the details on these
sets and exquisitely coordinating dies - and CONTINUED chances to win!

As, always, I'm humbled to be a part of this spectacular team,
and creating for SUCH a stamp-savvy genius, as our DAWN!

Thank YOU, for visiting and letting me get my STAMP onnnnn!

xoxo!

Supplies - 

C/S - Wplus9 Design Sutdio
D/P - Bazzil {Music}
Stamps - Wplus9 Design Studio
Ink - Clearsnap; Versafine
Dies - Wplus9 Design Studio
Mirror - Darice
Bling - Want2Scrap®