Unity's Inspirational Blog Hop!!!!!

It's here!!!!

The World Record Unity Inspirational Mega Blog Hop!!!!!

I'm sooooo happy to be a part of this amazingly creative and inspirational journey with Unity Stamps!!!! If you just happened to hop by my blog and would like to start at the beginning...........then head over to Angela's Blog and begin!!! Just grab a mug/glass/cup of your favorite seasonal beverage and enjoy!!!!

I have a quick share for you so you can hop quickly through!!! I made a set for a very sweet and wonderful friend!! You know who you are!!!! :) I used images from the new Unity March KOTM and the February KOTM. I soooo love getting these awesome Kits Of The Month!!!! I also used the beautiful stamp, Feel The Joy. I used some of my favorite colors!!! PINK!!!!!! Of course!!! And some stickles and ribbon and primas OH MY!!!! LOL Hope you enjoyed this little ensemble and have some ideas now to get craftin'!!!

Now let me leave you with this quote that really has such deep meaning along with true hope:

If there is light in the soul,

There will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,

There will be harmony in the house.

If there is harmony in the house,

There will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation,

There will be peace in the world.

~ Chinese Proverb ~

Now................continue on this one-of-a-kind creative journey by hopping on over to my FABULOUS friend and fellow DT member..........Joy at Crazy For Daisies!!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

HHH................Sweet Thing!!!!

Hip Hop Hangover!!!!!!!!! Cupcake Style!!!! It's Friday..........y'all know that means some Unity Stamp creating!!!! I've just got one card to share since I'm saving up a special project to showcase for tomorrow's HUGE, MEGA, AMAZING, RECORD-SETTING Unity Blog Hop!!!! Yep........that's right.............come back tomorrow and hop through over 200 blogs!!! You heard that right!!!!! Now check out this week's Hip Hop Specials on Angela's Blog through this whole weekend!!!

• Stamps: Cupcakes A La Yummy
• Paper: Neenah Solar White, Real Red, Basic Grey
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Accessories: Hardware, Gems, Ribbon, Stickles

Well, for now..........here's a little sweetness!! I love this cute Cupcakes A La Yummy kit!!!! Such cute sentiments too..........and since I've made this card I have Keith Urban's new song, Sweet Thing, playing over and over in my head!!! LOL Not a bad thing at all btw!!!! I love my country music!!!! This new Marrakech Basic Grey paper is sooooooooo amazing!!!! It made for some perfect Paper Piecing of the cupcakes!!! I got all my wonderful Embellies from Mandy at Limelight Papercrafts!!!!

We are in a major SNOWSTORM!!! We've had over a foot of snow and it's still snowing!!! Yippppeeee!!!!! I LOVE it!!!! Keeping the woodstove going and DH is keeping the driveway plowed with the ATV.........DS has to keep our woodpile full!! And I get to bake and stamp!!! Gotta love THAT!!!! LOL Hope you all have a FUNTASTIC weekend and don't forget to come back tomorrow for that special Unity Stamps Hop!!!!


~ Have A Creative Day! ~

ETSY Inspired #29........Melanie's Tee In Pink!!!!

Is that smilie me or what????!!!!!!!!!!! LOL Today's ETSY Inspired Challenge is found at HandmadeByRebecca. I chose one of her projects that uses a Gina K. set designed by the amazing Melanie Muenchinger.........Little Tees combined with the super fun The Best Things In Life!!!!

• Stamps: Little Tees, The Best Things In Life
• Paper: SU Pretty In Pink, PTI Dark Chocolate, Pure Luxury White, Basic Grey dsp
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Pink Pirhouette
• Accessories: Pearls, Ribbon, Gems

Of course I LUV my PINK!!!! And Basic Grey Bittersweet is sooo perfectly pink and chocolatey!!!! Couldn't resist adding the GORGEOUS Chocolate Pearls I get from Mandy at Limelight Papercrafts!!! You know how I LOVE my bling!!!! LOL Please check out Ashley's Blog HeartHugs Designs for all the details and of course to link up your creations so you have a chance at a fun prize!!!!! Now here are my fellow ETSY DT blogs for some more mojo inspiration!!!!

Heather
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Kristen
Lindsay
Shannon
Taylor
Tiffany
Tonya

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Belli Challenge #60..........Bookmarks!!!

Books!!!! I LOVE to read!!! I still find at least a little time each day to read........even though I'm also consumed by stamping!!! LOL I also love bookmarks!!! And I think they make such fun, little gifts!! Our Belli Challenge this week is to make Bookmarks!!! And there are sooooooo many styles and kinds to choose from!!!! Make sure to go to the Belli Challenge Blog for all the details and to link up your creations!!!

For this one I used some Wide Scalloped Pink Ribbon I got from Mandy at Limelight Papercrafts......LOVE her ribbon!!!! I layered two other ribbons on top. I stamped the rose from Melanie's A Year Of Flowers by Gina K. Designs and used Copics and Shimmerz to color it!! Then just used some nice, strong Tacky Tape to adhere the image to the end of the ribbon and folded the top over and also taped that down to have a more finished look.

Here is more of a traditional bookmark.........using my new Unity Stamps March Kit of the Month!!! I sooooooo love these Kits!!!!! I also used the butterfly images from the Cosmo Cricket freebie included in our kits this month as a gift!!! I did use the tiniest bit of Stickles for some glitz, but not too much so it would still lay flat inside the book!!

This third bookmark is a Corner Page Bookmark........I found the info in this Technique Challenge on Splitcoast. I used some CAAAUUUTE Easter Paper and Stickers by Pebbles. Mandy at Limelight Papercrafts carries such a fun array of dp and embellies!!!! I thought these would be such a cute little gift addition to a little one's Easter Basket!!

I hope you find some fun inspiration and gorgeous samples to get you on your way to making a bookmark or two for this challenge!!! Check out all the gorgeous and unique DT samples on the Belli Challenge Blog!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Does Your Mojo Need A RES-Q Crew??

Well.......if you ever get Stamper's Block...........guess what??? Yep...........there's a new blog just for you!!! A group of us who've had so much fun hostessing several Splitcoast Virtual Stamp Nights have an informal and fun creative blog!!! No prizes, no deadlines, no pressure...........just some fun and creative challenges to get the Mojo A-Go-Goin'!!! Head over to the Res-Q Challenge Blog.............a new challenge will be posted on Mondays!!! And use the Mr. Linky there so we can have a look-see at all the fun creations that you get inspired to make!!!!

• Stamps ~ Unity's Little Buggers
• Paper ~ Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery, Pure Luxury White, BG dsp
• Ink ~ Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Markers
• Accessories ~ Stickles, Pearls, Ribbon, Flowers, Button

This first challenge is a super fun Scavenger Hunt Challenge given to us by Jean (naturecoastcrafter)!!! Head over to the Res-Q Blog to get all the details and directions!!! For this card I chose a sketch, along with using a floral image, from Michelle (eliotstamps)........the color combo from Pat (casep)...........and the ribbon a la Jacq (jacqueline).........let me tell ya............this Scavenger Hunt was soooooo fun!!!! I used my Unity Stamps kit Little Buggers and some of my favorite Basic Grey Two Scoops dsp!!! Hope you have fun and enjoy a little JUMPSTART to your Mojo!!!!

• Stamps ~ Gina K. Floral Frenzy, Elegant Flowers
• Paper ~ Pure Luxury White, Lavendar Lace, Black Market Letters From Paradise
• Ink ~ Memento Tuxedo Black, SU Markers & Ink Pads
• Accessories ~ Gems, Hardware, Ribbon, Clip

This card I made for Gina's Stamp TV Color Challenge this week.........Lavendar and Olive. Now lavendar is not my favorite color, but I sure do love how Spring-y and cheery they look together!! I used the Floral Frenzy Kit, Elegant Flowers stamp set and the watercoloring technique with my SU ink pads and the wonderful Niji Waterbrush. I need some more practice watercoloring, but I really enjoyed it!! The dsp is Black Market Letters From Paradise that Gina also carries. And of course I had to add some bling.....pretty Spring Bling!!! LOL You'll want to come check out the Stamp TV challenges for some awesome Gina K. prizes!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Etsy Inspired #28.........Pink Mushroom!!

Are you all ready for another super cute Etsy Inspired Challenge??!!! Our sweet Ashley picks out the most fun inspiration for us with these Etsy Shops!!! And some lovely prizes too!!! This week's shop is Alliebeans...........even that name is just darn cute!!!! LOL

Here is the little pencil bag I chose for my inspiration.............pink mushrooms!!! Aren't they sweet??? And I immediately thought of my adorable mushroom from the Feb. KOM at Unity Stamps!!! And of course anytime I get to use PINK I'm happy!!!!! :)

• Stamp: Unity Feb. KOM
• Paper: PTI Lemon Tart, Pure Luxury White, Basic Grey - Eva
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics: Pale Cherry Pink, Pale Yellow
• Accessories: Stickles, Ribbon, Gems, Clip

Please go check out all the details on Ashley's Blog and play along for a chance to win a prize!!!! There are lots of cute little bags here to get your stampin' mojo going!!! Also check out the awesome Etsy Inspired DT for some creative ideas:

Taylor Usry (March Guest Designer)
Heather
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Lindsay
Shannon
Tiffany

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Limelight Six Chicks.........Fuzzy, Fluffy, Fun!!!!

Are you ready???? (umm.....yes, this is just several hours late......can you say "issues"??) But what a FABULOUS challenge and layered up sketch for Limelight Papercrafts this week!!! LOL

The product focus today is...........FUZZ!!! Fun flock, fuzzy fibers, furry embellies.........whatever your little heart desires!!!! Make sure you play and upload to Mandy's Blog for a fun PRIZE!!!!!

I used this adorable little Stampendous Mini Penguin Stamp...........I just LOVE him!!!! I'm not quite ready to give up my hopes for some more snowy winter yet........so I just had to ink up this cutie!!! I used Cottonball White Fun Flock and also a thin little bit of Citrus Orange Fun Flock underneath the white on his beak and feet!!! I put on a few snowflake embellies, a little red fiber, some Christmas Red Stickles and some Pearl Dew Drops for some more wintertime glitz!!!! LOL

Here are the details:

**Sketch challenge using Fuzz and Fluff!

**Key word for SCS upload is LLPC017.

**Post a comment with a link to your card on this post by Sunday March 22th at midnight (or before winner is drawn Mon a.m.)

**PRIZE ~ One jar of Purple Pleaser Fun Flock AND one package of Pineapple Sparkle Fibers to one random winner!

Check out my Sistah Chicks for some awesome creations!!!!!

Limelight Papercrafts Blog ~ Mandy

Live, Laugh, Love, Create ~ Lorie

My Little Creative Escape ~ Lisa

The Inked Spot ~ Ryann{the lakeshore stamper} ~ Becky

Taylor-Made by JenMarie

Toy's Haven ~ Holly

Caffinated Cropper ~ Amy

Don't forget there's a fun little Easter Egg surprise included in your order and you never know just what little goodie you might find!!!! Or big one!!! ;)

My HHH post is below this one!!! This is an unprecendented 2 post day!!! I've never done that before!!!! LOL

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

HHH.............Hip Hoppin' Away!!!!

Hip Hop!!!!! Another fabulously fun-filled day with challenges and prizes and chatting!! Make sure to pop in on these awesome Thursday Hip Hops in the Unity Forum at SCS!!!! You know how I love my Unity Stamps!!!

• Stamps: Hey Chick
• Paper: Real Red, Summer Sun, Kraft, Basic Black
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Markers: SU Summer Sun, Real Red, Creamy Caramel
• Accessories: Flowers, Pearls, Ribbons, Stickles, Clip

This was for SCS Color Challenge this week, Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, Kraft and optional Black. I didn't have Riding Hood Red, so I substituted Real Red. And some of the fun and awesome Unity gals threw out the challenge to use this Unity Kit, Hey Chick!!! So great for such a fun, colorful challenge!!! Just a fun and funky card!!! That's all I have time for, such a crazy and busy week!!! But head over to Angela's Blog for all the fun HHH blog posts and the super specials - 30% off!!!!!! Enjoy your Friday!!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Belli Challenge #59..........Gina K. Day!!!!

Well?????????????? Have you guessed the Belli Challenge for this week????????? WHEELS!!!!!!!!! I believe Chrissy actually intended Stamp Wheels to be the challenge/inspiration.......but many of us didn't have any! So we were allowed to be creative and use ANY kind of wheels!!!!! So bust out the Stamp Wheels if you have 'em, but if not...........no prob........stamp a vehicle, make a wheel out of punchies, heck......ink up that hamster wheel and make some home-made dp!!!! ROFL!!

• Stamps: Whatever Floats Your Boat
• Paper: Pure Luxury White, BG Marrakech
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
• Copics: R05, R11, E57, E77, YG63, G94
• Accessories: Brads, Ribbon, Clip

So I just HAD to ink this precious Gina K. stamp set up!!! It's Rupa's Whatever Floats Your Boat!!! Can you believe I hadn't played with it yet???? SHUCKS!!! I couldn't let another second go by!!!! And besides..........isn't this lil turtle THE cutest on that skateboard????!!!! I couldn't resist Stickling him up just a bit!!!! ;) And the Basic Grey Cupcake Brads match the new Basic Grey Marrakech dsp I got at Limelight perfectly!!!! I LOVE this new dsp!!! But that's no surprise certainly!!! LOL

Now you can check out all the deets and the super talented Belli Girls DT on the Belli Challenge Blog!!! Be sure to play along and link up your creation there!!!!

• Stamps: A Charmed Life
• Paper: Pure Luxury White, Black Market Paradise dsp
• Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Ruby Red
• Accessories: Ribbons, Pearls, Crystal Effects

Ohhhhh I just **had** to immediately cut out Mel's new set, A Charmed Life!!!! Oh my HECK what a fun and adorable set!!!! CHARMS!!!! Seriously.........billions and billions of charms!!!! Okay, slight exaggeration maybe!! LOL The Black Market Paradise dsp is soooo perfect for a glass of "Tickled Pink"!!!! Both Melanie and Cat shared that information with me.........I did goof just a tiny on the sponging above the glass......I sponged the wine color since I wanted a more bubbly, effervescent feel to the liquid in the wine glass. And the Rose Pearls match perfectly!!!! I LOVE my Limelight Pearls as you all know!!!! LOL I'll let you in on my secret.............I always color and embellish my images AFTER I adhere them to the card!! I've smudged and ruined too many hours of work before and have learned that lesson!!! I made this card for one of the challenges on Gina's StampTV..........come check us out!!!! Step-by-step video tutorials, forums, challenges with Gina K. stamps as prizes........it's a blast!!!

I hope you all have a truly Wonderful Wednesday!!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Happy St. Patty's Day........Show Some Green!!!

Awww......aren't they sweet??!!! And yes I am Irish!!!!!! I have the red hair to prove it!!!!!!!! Okay, okay, well, I MARRIED a true blue Irishman and my hair was close to red and I just gave it a nudge!!!! LOL Anyway........there are some fun Irish Toasts and Poems and Blessings.....have fun with them today!!!

This card is for the Clear Artistic Cottage Rumble ~ Shamrocks. Go check out all the DT submissions for this fun challenge on the In The Cottage Studio blog!!! Stay tuned for some more info soon to come about Cottage Rumbles and how you'll be able to play along!!! I'm a tease!!! LOL Our challenge was to use green, gold and one other color. I chose pink..........of COURSE!!!! My gold is the embossed shamrocks I made with the Sweetpea Sweetheart heart image and the pearls and ribbon!!! I used some of the new FABULOUS Shimmer Paper!!! It's hard to capture on my camera..........but this is soooo beautifully shimmery!! The one I chose is called Seagrass, which goes with the pink dp so perfectly!!! Well, if you're like me and love a pink and green color combo anyway!!!! LOL

Now, you all remember that Clean and Simple card I was challenged by Suzanne to make??? Well, turns out even THAT wasn't stricly a Clean and Simple card according to strict definitions!!! Are you serious??? Do you KNOW how nekkid that card was???? Well, okeedokee..........I have issues and just cannot resist a challenge until I get it "right"!!!! LOL So back to the drawing board.........errrr........stamp table!!! I used the same GORgeous tree image since it is MY tree after all from the Whispers In The Woods set..........but I had to change up colors, so I decided a pretty, pastel Spring-y card would be fun!! Do you see??? NO cuttlebugged or scored up bg.......just THREE lines and the ribbon to "frame" the tree!! Did I do it???? Does this pass???? I'm SERIOUSLY afraid for my sanity if I have to attempt this one more time!!!! LOL

A heads-up.................be sure to check Belinda's Clear Artistic Stamps site as she's retiring a few stamp sets at a seriously awesome price!!! Check out the Clearance Page. The Sweetpea Sweetheart set I used above is one being retired...I absolutely LOVE this set, better hurry if you hope to add it to your collection!!! LOL Also her brand new sets in the Capacious Collection are sooo wonderfully artistic and sweet!!!

I'll leave you with this:

May your glass be ever full.

May the roof over your head be always strong.

And may you be in heaven

Half an hour before the devil knows you're dead.

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

EtsyInspired Challenge #27.........And A Clear Artistic Stamps Peek!!!

It's Saturday which means a new EtsyInspired Challenge from our sweet Ashley at HeartHugsDesigns!!! This week's EtsyInspired artist is TR Mack Studio. Check them out for a very distinctive, fun style!!!! This week, things are a little different. Since the artist couldn't afford to do a giveaway at this time, Marti from Pez-A-Doodle emailed me and asked if she could sponsor a challenge. They have the CUTEST exclusive stamps that are based on Marti's own little girl!! The awesome prize this week is a $20 gift certificate for ANYTHING in the Pez-A-Doodle shop! Not only that, but Marti is giving you ALL a coupon code for 10% off your purchase!! Just use coupon code: etsy10.

Here is the photo that I based my challenge card on...........

Well, as promised...........here is my ONE LAYER card!!! AAAACK!!!!! My Stampin' Flybaby friend, Suzanne, challenged me to make a one layer, one image, one sentiment, one embellie card!!! Sheeeesh!!! I think it would have been less painful to cut off one of my fingers!!!! LOL But I bit the bullet and did it!!!!

Stamps: Whispers In The Woods by Clear Artistic Stamps

Paper: Pure Luxury 120 weight by Gina K.

Ink: Tuxedo Rich Cocoa and SU More Mustard, Really Rust, Bravo Burgundy

Embellie: Ribbon

Technique: Thumping

I used a brand new stamp set from Belinda at Clear Artistic Stamps!!!! It's called Whispers In The Woods and was just released!!!! You can get a discount by joining our Clear Artistic Stamps Yahoo Group!!!! In fact, you can get a 20% discount all the time by joining our Yahoo Group!!! You'll just e-mail Belinda your order instead of ordering directly online!!! There are 6 large and simply GORGEOUS stamp sets in this release!!!!! Check out the Capacious Collection!!!

I just stamped **my** Aspen Tree (yep, Belinda drew it for me!!!! Aren't I the cat's meow??!!! LOL) using the Thumping Technique added the sentiment and then ran it thru the Cuttlebug and added a ribbon. I scalloped the edges to help it look layered!!! ;) Seriously.........sooo simple. Now the $64,000 Question is: What do you think??? Please be honest...........I very, very, very, very (need I go on?? LOL) attempt Clean and Simple cards!!! So let me know what you think!!!!

Be sure to play along and post a link to your creation to Ashley's Blog for a chance to win that cool prize!!!! And check out all the fabulous DT creations:

Taylor Usry (March Guest Designer)
Heather
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Lindsay
Shannon
Tiffany

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

HHH...............Think Pink Snow!!!!!!!

Okeedokee.........................first up.............the WINNER of the Princess Tay Blog Candy..........is...............

Martha of Creating Is Fun!!!!!!!!

Thank you to ALLLLLLLL of you wonderful, lovely ladies for entering and sharing such sweet and touching comments!!!! I'll say it again............this Papercrafting community is the BEST!!!! Martha..........just e-mail your snail mail addy and I'll get the Spunky Princess kit and the Bracelet out to you as soon as possible!!!!!

A VERY exciting and happy update with sweet lil Princess Tay..........her latest tests shows she is CANCER FREE!!!!!!!!!! Now I know there are still many uphill battles............but truly what a miracle is that in itself!!!!!!!!!

Next up.............didja get to Hip Hop with all of us fun, wacky, amazing, silly, sweet and loving Unity Stamp Addicts???!!!! Whether you can just pop in now and then or Hip Hop the day away......you'll be welcomed and have a great time and be truly inspired by the amazing talent!!!!

Stamps: Unity's Jolly Little Winter

Paper: SU Pink Pirhouette, Whisper White

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics - R-11 Pale Cherry Pink, BV-29 Slate, E-11 Barely Beige

Accessories: SU Pink Pirhouette Ribbon, Liquid Applique, Stickles, Rhinestones, Snowflake Embellies

One of the Hip Hop challenges was to use a "not new" Unity stamp/kit. This Jolly Little Winter was my very first Unity Stamp purchase..........and it was all I needed to become an instant addict!!! LOL I will always {{heart}} these penguins!!! And I'm still in a major PINK mode!!! Yep.........I am!!!! Well, I guess I often am!!! LOL I used Stickles and Applique to bling up this wintery scene!!

Now the next card I post will be a big change............if I succeed that is!!! ;) My friend Suzanne has issued a challenge to me..........and danged if I can't resist being challenged!!!! LOL I'm only allowed to use 1 layer, 1 image, 1 sentiment and 1 embellie!!!!! OMGOSH!!!!!! Talk about a challenge!!! You all HAVE to promise not to laugh at my efforts!!!! Well........at least not until I laugh first!!!! LOL By the way.......is 1 layer one layer on the card base or no layers on the card base???? See??? My very definition of Clean and Simple is in question!!!! ;)


Now many of you may already have Read About This On Splitcoast or on Lisa's Blog, but just take a moment and click on this picture or the link to read about how you can help out with the heart-wrenching Australia fires. It's a Non-Raffle with a chance to win some AWESOME prizes!!!

Well, please go check out Angela's Blog and the Unity specials and then all the other talented and wonderful blogs for the HHH!!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Unity Blog Candy For A Sweet Lil Princess!!!

I want to share a truly touching and amazing story...........many of you may already know about sweet Princess Tay and her amazing story!!! I know all of you fellow Unity addicts sure do!!! Please read about Tay and her incredible mom, Gina, along with the rest of her family at Taylor's Caring Bridge Website. Here's just a small excerpt from the introduction:

"Tuesday evening around 7pm, Dr. Reich came in the room and told us, "You will be seeing a specialist tonight, we think Taylor has Leukemia."
Just like that and her world was changed, ours was rocked. We were told over the next two days about ALL and the high success rates. Then we were told that she had indicators of AML and then it was confirmed that it was AML. The success rate 60% instead of 90%. We were rocked even deeper. That same day we were told that she had, what appeared to be, chromosomal defects in her leukemic cells. That was confirmed a day after that - monosomy 7 and 5Q- were in half of her leukemic cells meaning she would need a bone marrow transplant to have a chance at fighting this monster.
She has endured 3 rounds of chemo. After the first round she was declared to be in a complete remission and has stayed that way until now. On February 5th, 2009 she received her bone marrow transplant - cord blood from a New York site. The donor's birthday is 10/6/2005 based on the cord blood gathering date and I can't wait until the day Taylor and this family can meet.
She will heal - this is our mantra. She's a fighter and she's going to win."

I avidly keep tabs and wait for the truly miraculous and joyful day when Tay and her family can all be back in their own home together and get back some semblance of childhood!! Her life will be different always......but she and her family will forever touch and help and support and inform and pray and love.....so many who will fight this same fight!!

Before the Blog Candy......I have to share this post about these wonderful and very special Bracelets for Tay:

"Oh, and guess what came in the mail today? My mom took a pic to send to me so it's not the clearest but I wanted to share it will all of you.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b82/Gina_Jones/Bracelets.jpg
Aren't they gorgeous?? If you haven't ordered one and still would like one we have some left. They are $3 and you can either pay thru here: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=271392 or you can email me for our address ( ginamariajones@gmail.com ) and I can accept checks there. For those of you who have paid, I will be sending them out in the next couple of days. I will let you know for sure when :) YAY!"

I've ordered a couple and one of them will be included with this Blog Candy!!! So what is the Blog Candy??? Well..............it's the very Stamp Kit, Sparkle Princess, that Angela and Lisa Hetrick and Unity Stamps made just for sweet little Princess Tay!!!! And $5 is donated to this amazing family from EVERY single kit sold!!! So the Sparkle Princess stamp kit and the very special Titans For Princess Tay bracelet make up this Blog Candy!!! What do you have to do??? Just leave a comment!!! I'd love it if you could visit Tay's site and leave her a fun comment, but it's not a requirement to enter............I'll share a secret.......I color my comments PINK after I type them 'cuz she loves Pink!!! Just like me!!! LOL I'll announce the winner tomorrow nite during the Unity Hip Hop that's always sooooooooooooooo fun!!!! I'll also post the winner here on my blog!!!!

Also check out a wonderful and special new blog I was asked to be a part of......A Heart With Paper Wings. It's a special RAK blog and just getting started so it's under construction......please comment on the blog or e-mail any of the team if you'd like to participate as RAK'ing can never have enough Angels!!!!

Ready for a busy day??? HIP HOP with Unity and then join the Gina K. Release Party......all on Splitcoast!!!! I'll be back tomorrow for HHH and the Blog Candy winner!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

Stamp TV Challenges and Belli Challenge #58!!!

Sorry for the late posting...........crazy insomnia but with a sinus migraine this time so I just didn't get anything done............but so far so good today!!!! LOL

So are you all signed up at Gina K.'s new website Stamp TV.............it's soooooooooooo cool!!!! Challenges, prizes, chatter, techniques, releases..........starring our own fabulous Gina K. in step by step videos and starting a line of Stamp TV kits to follow along exactly in creating super fun and gorgeous cards!!!

Here are a couple of challenges I did for this week...........
This one uses the Floral Frenzy kit........this kit includes TWO stamp sets, ribbon, brads, designer paper, cardstock, flowers........and of course some M&Ms!!!! LOL This was the Sketch Challenge. All I did was flip the sketch to vertical.....the stitching is faux......I seriously need someone to teach me to sew on this cool Serger we bought from a friend!! Anyone wanna come visit me and teach me??!!! LOL I also used the Thumping Technique that Gina demonstrated in one of her Stamp TV videos!!! I tried using the Thumping Technique with Copics and they didn't work as well........they tended to remove the base color from the stamp instead of adding the color of the marker to it. I used my SU markers and they worked beautifully!!

This was the Color Challenge.........to use the color combo of Red, Black and Pink. Oh yeah...it was sooo hard for me!!!! NOT!!! LOL I used the second set, Bold Flowers, that came with the Floral Frenzy kit. I thought I'd try the Clean and Simple look.......you know my friends keep teasing me that **my** version of clean and simple is not actually clean and simple!!! ;) But I think I got it right this time!! Look!!! NO designer paper and there's lots of white space!!! But layering with the threading water punch and using the Scor Pal on the white were some fun little details to add!! Okay, so I did use a "little" bit of Stickles!!! LOL

Now remember to go check out the new Creative BELLI Blog!!!! You can find the new challenge up each Wednesday and all the designers' samples right there in one place!!! Chrissy has a fun one for all of you Twilight lovers this week!!! The challenge is an inspiration from one of the book covers. I'm not sure which one as I haven't read any of them.........yeah, I know.......prolly the only person on Earth who hasn't!!! LOL Well, I took my inspiration from the colors of the cover...........black, red and white.............yep and it is a favorite combo of mine!!!! LOL I inked up a new Unity Stamp too!!! Love Conquers All..........actually also very appropriate for the story line so I've heard!!! Be sure to get all the details of the Belli Challenge and to play along!!!!

Now don't forget the Unity Hip Hop is tomorrow on SCS and I'll have a special Blog Candy surprise to give away in conjunction with it!!!

Also...........the Gina K. Release Party tomorrow nite on SCS.........yep a busy and very happy stamping day ALL day Thursday!!!! I better get to my stamping room and get creating!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

ETSY Inspired Challenge #26........Sweet Tweets!!!!

LOL............Mornin'!!!! We're leaving Abilene now and doing lots of geocaching and birding, so it'll be an easy driving day to just get to Amarillo tonite. Then home tomorrow nite............I'm sooo ready for my own comfy bed that's for sure!!! ;)

So here's today's ETSY Inspired Challenge.......the blurb from Ashley's Blog:

This week's EtsyInspired artist is a really fun one! Expressing You sells vinyl creations for your walls and car. I've noticed that vinyl wall decor is all the rage right now. I really love it since most of us don't have the money to have an artist actually paint on our walls. These vinyl decals give an artsy touch while being affordable. And for those who rent, these wall decals can be removed safely without damaging the walls.

This week, Expressing You is giving away a gift certificate for $15 (not applicable towards shipping.) With this sweet gift certificate, you could get an adorable wall decal to liven up your home. All you have to do to be entered in the Random.Brady drawing to win is make any creation that you would like inspired by anything you see in the Expressing You shop. Anything can inspire you ie the colors, the layout, the design itself, etc... Make your creation and post a link right here on this post by March 13 noon Pacific time and you'll be entered to win! If you upload to SCS or PCP, please use keyword EIC26. Have fun and go be EtsyInspired!

I just love the bird theme many of the pictures in the ETSY shop featured!!! I LOVE Unity Stamps you know..........so I couldn't wait to use the new Kit of the Month with these wonderful images!!! And can you tell I'm still on my pink and white and black color combo kick??!! LOL Sorry for the short post...........but hubby's ready to hit the road! Don't forget to make your challenge card or project using this shop as your inspiration and post a link to Ashley's Blog for a chance to win!!!! And have fun checking out our amazing DT Blogs for some more gorgeous inpiration!!!!

Taylor Usry (March Guest Designer)
Heather
Jackie
Joy
Kerry
Lindsay
Shannon
Tiffany

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

It's A Limelight Easter Basket Bonanza For HHH!!!

It's the 6th!!!! You all know what that means?? The Limelight Six Chicks project!!! Plus the Guest Designers and our amazing leader Mandy........that actually means lots more than 6 amazing projects to check out!!!! LOL And did you all Hip Hop yesterday with Unity???? I couldn't this time here in Texas.......:(...........but I just ***know*** it was TONS of fun!!!!!

This month's theme is Easter Baskets!!! Can you tell??? LOL Although I decided to make mine a bit different from the norm!!! I just love these sweet lil pails and I found several in pastel colors. How perfect to fill them up with pretty, pastel M&Ms!!! And a little 4x4 matching card!!! I'm thinking maybe a teen or preteen who is "too old" for a traditional basket but still loves yummies!!!! LOL

So I used the adorable Little Buggers by Unity Stamps............Mandy has a TREMENDOUS selection of awesome Unity Stamps at Limelight Papercrafts!!! I also used Christmas Red Stickles and Yellow Stickles and White Satin Ribbon. And of course some of the FABULOUS Kaisercraft Rhinestones that Mandy carries in amazing colors!!!

Be sure to check out the other amazing designers and get some inspiration for some fun little basket and gift ideas!!!

Limelight Papercrafts Blog ~ Mandy

Live, Laugh, Love, Create ~ Lorie

My Little Creative Escape ~ Lisa

The Inked Spot ~ Ryann

{the lakeshore stamper} ~ Becky

Toy's Haven ~ Holly

Caffinated Cropper ~ Amy

Taylor~Made by JenMarie

EASTER EGG PROMOTION!!!!!

at Limelight Papercrafts! With each and every order (regardless of amount) through Easter Sunday, Limelight will be sending out a plastic Easter egg filled withgoodies! They could be filled with ribbon, stickers, Cat’s Eye inkpads, small stamps, buttons, Dew Drops, Shimmerz, and more! A few will have some “big prizes” written on slips of paper! There will be no rhyme or reason to which egg goes in an order. We’ll keep it as random as humanly possible! How fun is this??!!!!

Now stop by Angela's Blog for my fellow HHH Blog Hop!!!

Okay, it's almost time to get up and hit the road for our trip back home......maybe I can get a few winks in before breakfast!!! LOL Have a SUPER fabulous weekend and my friends and I'll see you at home!!! :)

~ Have A Creative Day! ~

LL Sketch & Product Challenge......Ric Rac Rockin' in Texas!!!!

As a trim or to complete a scene,

Ric rac can be used on anything!

Used on a card or used on a layout,

Ric rac will make your creation stand out!

Time for the Limelight Papercrafts Sketch and Product Challenge! The theme for this challenge is RIC RAC ROCKS! Your challenge is to use ric rac on your card or layout!
Mandy has some 1.5" Ric Rac from May Arts at Limelight Papercrafts. It is so fun to work with, so be sure to pick some up if you don't already have some! If you do not have the large ric rac, incorporate some of the skinny ric rac into your design. So you don't have ANY ric rac? Just create a fun ric rac pattern with some wavy-cut paper!

Here is my take.......using a bit skinnier Ric Rac because UH OH!!!!!! It didn't get packed into my stampin' stuff for the trip!!!!! I seriously was panicked and felt soooooo awful........but I found some ric rac that I could make work okay.......but I reallllllllly think this card would be so much "cooler" with the WIDE Ric Rac!!!! LOL I used some wonderful Stickles to dazzle up the flowers a bit, otherwise I let the Ric Rac be the star of the card!!!! :)

The Deets:
~ Sketch challenge using Ric Rac!
~ Key word for SCS upload is LLPC016.
~ Post a comment with a link to your card to Mandy's Blog by Sunday March 8th at midnight (or before winner is drawn Mon a.m.)
PRIZE ~ one yard of EACH of the four new 1.5" Ric Rac ribbons from May Arts!

Don't forget to check out the Limelight Six Chicks and the Guest Designers and Mandy herself for more fabulous inspiration!!! You'll find their blog links in my sidebar!!!

Well, we're in Austin enjoying some FABULOUS stampin' friends.........Melanie, Cammie, Donna and Paula (mrslaird on SCS)!!!!!!! Pinch me!!!! I swear I'm dreaming!!!! Someday I just know I'll meet ALL OF YOU wonderful friends!!!! I know I am so HOPELESSLY behind on blog-hopping and commenting!!! I've hardly even posted anything!!! A crazy and fun and wonderful and happy and busy time right now!!! But I promise when I get home to start all over and keep up with all of my awesomely talented and very sweet friends and blogging buddies again!!!! We head home tomorrow morning and will do a few fun things with DS on the way.......DD is staying here in Texas and let me tell ya.........THAT is so much harder than I ***ever*** imagined it would be!!!!! But we'll be back at the end of April to get her and she's just gonna have to put up with a LOT of Mama Hugs!!!!!! LOL

NOW, because of more wonderful Limelight Papercrafts generosity............

My winner for the Silver Kaisercraft Pearls was randomly picked and is Maria Matter of Joyful Blogger!!!! Maria........e-mail me with your addy and I'll pass it along to Mandy so she can get those awesome embellies out to you!!!!

AND............my winner from the FABULOUS Etsy Blog Hop challenge is a random draw and is Kimberly and her adorable 4 year old daughter of The Daily Details!!!! E-mail me so I can let Mandy know where to mail the wonderful Basic Grey prize pictured below!!!!! And thank you EVERYONE for playing along with the Amazing ETSY Blog Hop!!!!!


~ Have A Creative Day! ~

A BELLI Wednesday With A Big Announcement!!!

Our Belli Challenge now has a NEW HOME!!! The name of the Challenge has been changed to Creative Belli Challenge!!! You can subscribe to the new blog so you can follow along with each new challenge posted each Wednesday!!

Our Color Challenge for you today is to pull out that color that you hate, and create something with it. For the Belli Design Team, Chris sent us all images from new stamp sets that have just recently released from Sweet N Sassy Stamps. His Eye on the Sparrow stamp set was drawn/designed by Chris Dickinson and Easter Lily was drawn/designed by Courtney Fowler!!! I used the Easter Lily and I incorporated a plum color which I have a VERY difficult time using!!!

So come join us today at the Creative Belli Blog and take the Belli challenge!!! Check out the Design Team's wonderful samples!!! When you upload your challenge to SCS (Splitcoaststampers) or to PCP (Paper Craft Planet), please use keyword CBC57.

Well, I'm still in Texas and having a fabulous visit!!! I'll catch y'all up when I get home and post some fun pictures!!!!

~ Have A Creative Day! ~