Thank you for your vote! :)

Thanks to everyone who voted for my card! I won!! Your vote was very much appreciated. :-)

One last SOA challenge card!

Well, I'm disappointed that I won't be able to get a card done for the button challenge, but here's my final challenge card for the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's fundraiser. It was a lot of fun and I would definitely participate in something like this again. Here's my card for the "I've Got the Blues" challenge, which required the use of blue and brown Copic markers. I also submitted for the May sketch challenge on the Magnolialicious site.

You can't see it in the photo, but the printed paper is glittered. To add interest in the little strips of paper on either side of the card (sketch elements), I used my Glue Pad to stamp swirls (TAC) which I then sprinkled with ultra fine glitter. I also used my new Labels 1 Nestabilities for the first time. I really love that shape!

Stampin' Mania!

This weekend, I've tried to participate in as many of the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's challenges as I can. I won't get them all done, but I'm having fun getting as many finished as possible! Here's my latest card for one of the sketch challenges:


I used one of the adorable Anya images from The Greeting Farm. I love her basket of tulips. So sweet!

Blog Candy!

Check out Beatriz's blog candy over on her Iralamija blog! There's a link in my sidebar in the Blog Candy section, too.

Stampin' Out Alzheimers- Two by Two!

Have you checked out the Stampin' Out Alzheimers pay to play site yet? If not, it's not too late to get in on the challenges, giveaways, freebies and discounts. Here's my card for the Two By Two challenge, sponsored by Taylored Expressions.


We could only use brown, pink and one other neutral and two embellishments (mine are the ribbon and the photo corners). I used another one of those adorable Kiki Kitty stamps from Pink Cat Studios.

Friday Sketchers

Here's my entry for this week's sketch on the Friday Sketchers challenge blog:


Here is my cat, Tiger. (See him in the banner up top, too?) Apparently, he thinks all this cardmaking and blogging stuff is quite boring! :-)


My poor Angel Company stamps have been neglected lately, so I used a stamp from the Fall '08 Supplement. Except for the Prima flowers and the rhinestones, all supplies are from TAC, as well. I used my favorite paper pad - Rustic Chic - and one of my favorite cardstocks - TAC's Brown cs. Instead of my trusty Palette ink, I used Versamagic in Jumbo Java. For solid image stamps, I find pigment based inks make a more solid, darker image. Because my Versamagic inks are the Dew Drop size, I can manage to use the slower-drying pigment ink without somehow getting it all over my fingers and my card. ;-)

For the Boys

This week's challenge on DareU2Digistamp was "For the Boys". I knew DigiStamp Boutique's Alfie would be perfect! I just had to use "soccer Alfie" because I have become addicted to the soccer heading game on my Wii Fit! I have no hope of ever catching up to Jessica, but I've accomplished my goal of breaking 100. Now my goal is to score at least 200! Unfortunately, this means fighting my kids for time on the Wii. :)


These papers are from my scrap pile. I don't use a lot of masculine colors/prints, but I just love these papers. I think the square brads sort of echo the shape of the black hexagons on Alfie's soccer ball. Well, off to battle Jessica for control of the Wii remote. ;-)

Whiff of Joy Challenge #31

It was another fun sketch challenge (my favorite) this week over on the Whiff of Joy blog. Here's my entry:

I used "Melinda Blowing Kisses" from Whiff of Joy (thank you Diana!) and papers from my stash.

Voting has begun

The Featureabella contest has begun! If you could go and vote for my card (I'm Contestant #2), I'd really appreciate it. :)

Pretty Please?

I have two requests for you all... First, I'd like you to check out the new Stampin' Out Alzheimer's site. It was started by Jen Tapler to raise money for the Alzheimer's Association - 100% of all funds will go to help with their efforts to provide and enhance care and support for all those affected by this heartbreaking disease. Please consider making a donation and joining this cause. There will be lots of fun challenges and giveaways this week, as well.

My second request isn't quite so selfless. ;-) I submitted a card as my entry in the FREE-FOR-ALL challenge on the Southern Bella site. At 10:01 PM EDT tomorow (Tuesday, May 26th), voting will begin on the Southern Bella site amd I would really appreciate your vote! Here's my card, made with my brand spankin' new Ketto stamp:

I am so bad! I actually bought this paper specifically to use with my new Kettos - before they had even arrived! :-) The flower paper just made me think of Ketto hairstyles and flowers.

Here's a closeup shot of her glittery crown and wings:


I colored in her crown with a silver Sandford Uniball gel pen and added Icicle Stickles on little "gems" on top of her crown. On her wings, I used my trusty Sakura glue pen with some ultra fine glitter. The ribbon I used also has a shimmer to it. I think Maisy Ketto is just the kind of girl to appreciate some glitter. :)

Supplies: Maisy Ketto (Stamping Bella), CM Shapemaker - oval template (Creative Memories), Nestabilities scalloped oval die (Spellbinder), Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, Icicle Stickles, ultra fine glitter, dp from The Paper Studio, cardstock - various sources (Bazzill, Papertrey Ink, Martha Stewart, The Paper Company), ribbon from Michaels, Dress It Up heart shaped buttons (Jesse James).

A Sweet Challenge

This sweet card combines two challenges - this week's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge and A Spoon Full of Sugar's "Celebration" challenge. This sweet little kitty would make an adorable birthday card. I had a lot of fun using another one of my new Kiki Kitty stamps as well as using my Salsa paper pad again. All of the paper on this card (except the white cardstock) is from that one pad, so I know everything coordinates. I also think the cupcake paper is so cute and perfect for this stamp and the Cupcake Challenge! :)


Supplies: Kiki Kitty Plate #1 (Pink Cat Studios), Salsa Junk Padz (Junkitz), Marvy circle and scalloped circle punches, Creative Memories small circle Punchmaker, Orange Stickles, Copic Markers, Palette Noir ink, ribbon (Michaels).

Happy Feet!

I finally have my first set of stamps from The Cats Pajamas. How could I resist these cute little penguins?


I've participated in a few of the weekly TCP Tuesday challenges and was excited to finally be able to submit one using TCP stamps! I love sketch challenges (as you've probably guessed!) and I really liked this sketch. It was easy to work with and I love how the card turned out. I also love this little Salsa Junk Padz from Junkits. Except for the base card (PTI cs) and the white cs, all of the paper is from this little pad of paper.

Here's a closeup of these cavorting cuties:


I've been resisting buying the Nestabilities scalloped circles, but I've decided they will be my next purchase. Just two plain mats around the penguins looked boring, but my only scalloped punch wasn't big enough to punch a mat for the image. I thought that the edges of the blue scallops peeking under the card added a little interest to the plain circles.

Supplies: Smells like Cake (TCP), Raspberry Fizz cardstock (PTI), Salsa Junk Padz dp (Junkitz), Prismacolor pencils, black Versafine ink, ribbon (Michaels), large brad (Making Memories).

Love it!

Today got off to a good start when I heard one my favorite songs - Stacey's Mom by Fountains of Wayne - on the radio this morning. Tonight, the Wii Fit told me I've lost 3.7 lbs since Wednesday. (OK, I know that's not true, but it's nice to pretend for a bit - lol!)

Tonight I not only got to play with two of my new stamp sets - Pink Cat Studios' "Kiki Kitty Plate #1" and Penny Black's "Critter Party" - but I managed to fulfill FOUR challenge requirements with just two cards. Yay!

First up is this card using my Kiki Kitty stamps:

I used the sketch from the Sketch Saturday blog, and used glitter on my card (the purple paper is from the DCWV Glitter Stack and there's Pink Stickles on Kiki's nose) for the glitter challenge over on the Secret Crafters Saturday challenge blog. I had a bit of trouble with this sketch at first, but I had fun coloring in Kiki with a combination of markers and Prismacolor pencils. I love these kitties - they are too cute!!

Next up is this adorable guy from Penny Black:

I used the Laura's sketch from 2sketches4you and the pink/green/brown color scheme from the current challenge on the Stamptacular Sunday challenge blog. I used some more of my Basic Grey "Mousse" paper from the Bittersweet line (I'm going to cry when that paper is gone - I *love* it!) and a scrap of "Brittany" from Paper Loft. A bunch of punches were used on this card - Marvy circle and scalloped circle punches and the Fiskar's Threading Water border punch. He's colored in with my usual Copics.

Tingla

I love my new Alva stamp from Magnolia! (Oops! I had originally called her Tingla. I couldn't change the title of the post since it's my link to the challenges. My kids will tell you that I am ver bad with names! I constantly call them by the other one's name!) She was perfect for the sketch on the Friday Sketchers blog. And, of course, I had to give her blond hair so we could play in Challenge #4 on the Copic Creations blog. :)


The green background paper is from a DCWV 12X12 "stack" - an autumn stack, believe it or not. (The pink paisley paper is from Michaels.) I used my Copic markers to color her in, of course. I really need to get a few more shades of green, but I find my Lime Green marker works a lot more often than I think it will. And, of course, I always have fun playing with my pink Copic markers. :-) Here I used Tender Pink and Blush.

Lilac & Lemon and a Sketch

Crafting time has been hard to find this week. I worked at a school baseball tournament on Monday and last night we had a "double header" of our own - Ali's school musical and Jessica's band concert. I did manage, though, to make a card tonight that combined two different challenges. I always feel like I've accomplished something extra when I can say that!


This card combines the color challenge on DareU2Digistamp - Lilac & Lemon and the sketch challenge over on Card Positioning Systems. All the DareU2Digitstamp challenges require the use of a digital stamp, so I used one of my favorites - Lilly from Digistamp Boutique. I've made a concerted effort to cut down on the amount of scraps I have, so the papers are all just grabbed from my scrap collection.

Here's Ali and her friends at their play, a musical about the early American history. There were a lot of songs and lines to memorize and the kids did a great job.


And here's Jess after her concert for a goodbye snapshot with her band director, Mr. Sweeney.


(Gosh, she's getting so grown up. Yikes.)

The Warmth of Friendship

This week's theme on the Whiff of Joy Challenge blog was friendship. This Willow stamp makes me think of warmth and friendship.


Supplies: Willow with Hot Cocoa (Whiff of Joy), Bittersweet dp (Basic Grey), flower (Prima), velvet brad (MM), Scarlet and Brown cs (TAC), Copics, ribbon (Michaels).

New Blog in Town

There's a new challenge blog on the web - Scrap Online Challenges. (There's also a SOL group over on Papercraft Planet.) This challenge group hass an interesting twist on your usual challenge. Before the new challenge is issued, a supplies list will be posted (how many pieces of cardstock, how many images, etc.). The sketch (or photos of the project) will be posted a day or so later. Check out the Scrap Online blog or Papercraft Planet group to get a better description of how this works. I've checked out the most recent sketch and it looks pretty fun!

Stepping out with Gina K

I took advantage of the Mothers' Day coupon last week for Gina K's store and bought my first Gina K stamp set. I made this card for the current sketch challenge over on Gina's Stamp TV site.

I bought this paper a long time ago at Michaels and it was a perfect match for the stamp set! The shoes are almost identical! (Look at the shoe printed on the paper, just under the stamped image.)

Supplies: Retro Boutique (Gina K), Palette Noir ink, Prismacolor pencils, May arts ribbon (Jacksonbelle Embellishments), printed paper from Provo Craft, base card made with pink cs from Papertrey Ink.

Playing in the Sugar Bowl

I finally made a card with one of the Sugar Nellies stamps that I bought from Funky Kits a while ago. The card is based on the sketch in this week's challenge over at The Sugar Bowl challenge blog.

Supplies: Sent with Love (Gorjuss Girls by Sugar Nellie), Bittersweet (Basic Grey), Heritage dp (Bella Blvd.), Kraft cs & ivory cs (TAC), buttons (American Crafts), Lime Scrapper's Floss (TAC), flowers (Prima), Copic markers.

Christmas Lilly

I'm participating in the monthly Christmas Card Challenge over on SplitCoastStampers. (I'm having a little trouble making those deadlines lately.) This is a sample of my April card. I started them in April - does that count? ;-)


I used another cute digital image from the DigiStamp Boutique, Lilly. She's not a Christmas image, but I think she looks cute on a Christmas card, too. :)

Supplies: Lilly with presents (DigiStamp Boutique), striped paper (Paper Studio), cardstock (Hobby Lobby), ribbon (Hobby Lobby), Copics, bright green brads.

A Sneak Peek

Meet Ruby, the newest image from Sally-Ann Hancock!

With a name like Ruby, I had to dress her in red and give her some auburn hair. :)

Ruby will be available soon over at Digistamp Boutique. [5/14 update - she's available on the site.] She's scheduled to make her debut on Friday. While you're checking out the site, be sure to read up on the monthly challenge where you can win free digital stamps!

Supplies: Ruby (Digistamp Boutique), Scarlet cs (TAC), scalloped circle die (Cuttlebug), circle punch (CM), For You (retired TAC), Copic markers, ribbon (HL or Michaels?), MM slot punch kit.

A Mysterious "Case"

In this case (no pun intended), it's a mysterious stamp set by Victoria Case. Check out the giveaway over on Susana's Follow Your Heart blog. Play along and try to guess the mystery image.

Bittersweet

No, I'm not referring to my favorite Basic Grey paperline. :-) It was a bittersweet night tonight - Jessica's last junior high concert. Her school's long-time, much beloved choir director retired last year and we all worried about having a new teacher. We worried for nothing - Mr. Melton has been wonderful! His enthusiasm and love of music is contagious.

All the girls in Delphian choir have to wear this dress, which they all call "the Smurf dress". I love it though - anything that gets that girl into a dress! LOL!

Here's one of the songs they sang. (I missed the very beginning - sorry!) You'll have to pardon the visuals - I'm including this for the audio. :)

Butterfly Challenge

I made this card for the Butterfly Challenge on the Magnolia-licious group. We had to use a regular Tilda and add butterfly wings. I used Dreamy Tilda. She seemed to be in the perfect pose for wings.

The wings are from a butterfly image my friend Diana stamped for me, so I don't even know the stamp company's name. I had to cut a slit behind Tilda's braid to slip the wings in the right place. I like the 3D effect!

Have a "Beautiful" Mothers' Day!

Happy Mothers' Day to all the moms, aunts, grandmas, etc.! I hope you are all treated very well on your special day! I am waiting for my bacon and waffles as I type this. :-) I make a big breakfast at least once every weekend, so having someone else cook (and clean up!) is a welcome change.

This is the card we made yesterday at the monthly TAC/CM crop here in Columbia. The card is based on this sketch over on Our Creative Corner and uses one of The Angel Company's special Spring into May sets, Beautiful Friendship. I just love this set and can't wait to play with it some more! (It also has a cute bunny stamp, two birds on a tree branch and some very nice sayings.) It's only available this month, so if you're interested in placing an order, please email me at lisajtmo@yahoo.com.


Again, Happy Mother's Day!

Supplies from TAC: Beautiful Friendship, Kraft and Brown cs, Rustic Chic paper pack, Palette Burnt Umber Ink. Non-TAC supplies: brads, CM Shapemaker with oval templates (Creative Memories), white base card made from Stampers Select cs (PTI).

"Formal" Events

Last night was Ali's recorder concert. The kids all did a good job. They played some pretty complicated songs for 4th graders with recorders, including Amazing Grace and Ode to Joy. I can't say anything because I *hate* to get dressed up, but I wish my kids got dressed up more often. She looks so pretty dressed up! (Not that she isn't always cute, but you know what I mean...)


Tonight was the big event - Jessica's 9th Grade Formal. Her friend Tessa's parents are members at the local country club, so the kids met there first for pictures and appetizers.


My "baby" all grown up. (Well, almost.)


It's a good thing she was happy with that dress because it sure did take us a LONG time to shop for it! ;-)

Meet Arthur!

Better a little late than never, here's Arthur!

Isn't he adorable? You can find him in the DigiStamp Boutique now!

Supplies: Arthur (DigiStamp Boutique), Plum Pudding cs (Papertrey Ink), flowers (Making Memories), scallop circle punch (Marvy), ribbon (Michaels), Copics, K&Co rhinestones., large brads

A challenge card

Yay! I am finally getting to post a challenge card once again. This one is for the sketch challenge over on DareU2DigiStamp.


I loved making this card. I got to use some more of my favorite Basic Grey paper and a ballerina was the perfect excuse for lots of PINK! :-) (My fave color, in case you haven't noticed. lol) The scallop mat was made using a border punch and this tutorial from Julie Buhler. Mine did not come out perfectly (hence the large pink flower in the lower lefthand corner!) but I can see where this might be easier with practice. (Better eyesight would help. It's hard to see the holes through the punch when you're lining up the perpendicular sides.

Supplies: Lilly digital stamp (DigiStamp Boutique), Bittersweet paper (Basic Grey), Fiskars Threading Water Scallop Punch, Prima flowers, teardrop Papershaper punch, ribbon from Michaels, Copics, CM Shapemaker with circle templates.

Don't Fall Off Your Chairs....

I actually have a new card to post tonight!! I'm sorry it's been so long. I'm still fighting this wretched sinus infection and I've just been so-o-o-o tired. I'm about to cry "uncle" and call the doctor again. I miss stamping!


Well, enough whining from me. ;-) On a totally unrelated note, I just watched "Doubt" tonight. Fascinating movie! Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Seymour Hoffman were all really good.

Look for a sneak peek tomorrow of a new image due out soon from the DigiStamp Boutique. It's a really cute one! (Hint: Tiger really likes this new digi stamp!)

Supplies: TAC Kraft and Ivory cs, "Cup of Smiles" stamp set from The Greeting Farm, floral Cuttlebug folder, Palette Noir ink, Prismacolor pencils, ribbon from Michaels, CM shapemaker with oval templates.

Magnolia Candy

If you are a fan of Magnolia stamps, I suggest you check out Ila's blog for some unbelievable blog candy!

Accordian Mini Album

As promised, I'm posting some pictures of the mini album I made with some 4X6 prints from Sunday's picture taking session. I'm not thrilled with how it turned out overall. In an ideal world I would have had more time and energy to embellish it. Then again, in an ideal world I wouldn't work and would have a housekeeper and a cook. ;-) I am happy, however with how the album itself turned out. I'd never made an accordian album like this and was pleasantly surprised at the results.

The album is constructed of 6X12" pieces of cardstock folded in half and adhered to form an accordian. Either end of the accordian is adhered to a 6X6" cover made of thin cardboard and covered with scrapbooking paper. Here is a picture of the album unfolded.

Here's a closer look at the individual pages:



I am not happy at all with how the cover came out. (This photo doesn't help.) But I'm posting it to show how the album is closed. The ribbon is glued across the back of the album using "red line tape" (super stick double sided tape) and then just tied across the front. It keeps the album together when it's not unfolded.

May Specials at The Angel Company

Check out this month's Angel Company Spring into May promotion. Three adorable new sets available at a special price with any $30 net purchase!

While you're there, check out this month's specially priced Vintage set, Everyday Mice.

And don't forget for a chance to win this Kaleidoscope Fun Package!

Girls Gone Wild!

Well, not exactly, but let's just say today's photo shoot did not go well. I needed a picture of Jess and Ali to put in the "Nana" frame we'd bought for my mom's Mothers' Day gift. At one point, Ali stormed inside in tears. Even Mother Nature was uncooperative. The overcast weather was good for picture taking but we could've done without the gusts of wind that kept kicking up!

Here's Dixie showing how it should be done:


Just look at Mom and smile. Very easy, right Dix? ;-)

Whew! Much aggravation later, here's the final shot, as chosen by DH and me:

Jessica doesn't like that shot because Ali was standing on her toes so she looks taller. Ali, however, found it quite amusing:


In a rare show of solidarity, the girls agreed that this one was their favorite:

Great! Alison finally agrees with her sister just when DH and I were counting on her not to! ;-)

I'm printing off 4X6 prints of the additional shots and making a mini accordian style photo album. I'll post that as soon as I get it finished.

YAY CMHS!

I am late in announcing this big news... the Central Missouri Humane Society has won the nationwide ZooToo Shelter Makeover contest! It was announced in the Lifestyle section of USAToday last Sunday and become "official" on the ZooToo site on Monday. We are very excited and happy for the shelter!

If you'd like to know more about CMHS and why they are so deserving, check out this YouTube video.