Overwhelmed!

Well I just had an overwhelming adventure at the CK Convention. It's in Manchester less than 2 miles from where I live so I figured I'd head down and pay a few quarter to park and see what it was all about. Seriously, overwhelming! So much product, so many people and did I mention so much product??? I think next year I need to find a friend and go together...safety in numbers! Mostly there was scrapbooking stuff, again reminding me that I need to get back to it, but not having things organized kept me from buying anything. However, I did get myself some of these (which they don't have in stores around here) with a bit of birthday moolah:

I also finally saw Copics for the first time, but not knowing what I was doing (and knowing how many I would need to buy) I stayed strong and walked away. Did I walk by you and not say hi? Sorry! Can't wait to craft a bit tomorrow and Sunday and try these out....

Smiles,

Winner

Blog candy winner is........

Moni said...
Happy Birthday, fab card! So great candy! Hugs;moni

Moni, send me an e-mail at cpstampin at gmail dot com and I'll get the candy right out to you!


Smiles,

Like no "udder"

Just a quick card to share tonight...YAY! I haven't played along with a OWH Stars & Stamps sketch in awhile and I thought the slanted panel might be just the right challenge for me. I also combined it with the "wild thing" challenge, though I'm not sure how wild a cow is!

I love this old SU set "Very Punny" and don't find myself using it as often as I should. I love a good punny joke...this is just the kind of card my dad would've sent me if he had ever been stationed overseas, and had access to OWH cards of course!

There's still time to enter for my birthday blog candy too, because I'll be gone all day tomorrow--it's the annual drive to and from Phili in a day! Worth it to see Aunt Greta, who's just a few months from being 107! So since I'll be gone early (ugh, before 5) and back late, I'll pick a winner on Friday. Just leave a comment HERE to be entered!

Smiles,

A bit to share

Nothing of my own to share today--an unproductive vacation is what I'm having. Although I guess that's productive in the sense that I'm actually relaxing!


I wanted to share another beautiful and fun birthday card I got from April. Thanks April!! I didn't capture the the true bright colors, partly due to the dreary day here, but also because I had a helper.....

At least Bella sat still to have her photo taken this time!

Today I'm off to lunch at Pickity Place, (of Little Red Riding Hood illustration fame, I'm told)which I've heard lots about but haven't been able to get there yet. I wish it were a bit sunnier out to enjoy the gardens in addition to lunch, but we'll see what the afternoon brings. Either way I'm sure to have some pictures to share!

Smiles,

Introducing...

Bella, my birthday kitty!

We've missed the pitterpatter of kitty paws around here for the past four months and with me home this week for vacation it seemed the perfect time to take a furry friend home from the shelter. She called out to me from the moment I stepped into the cat room and has made herself right at home, but doesn't sit still long for a photo shoot. So these pictures were taken while playing with the wire, a favorite toy. Bella's about 6 months old (she was a stray, so it's an estimate) and seems to be doing well for her first weekend home.

Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes yesterday (did you leave a comment for blog candy yet?). As Susan remembered, today was my husband's birthday and he was lucky enough to have it off. We had a lazy day at home with Bella, and the three of us watched some baseball. Too bad the Yankees didnt' win one for him today!

I wanted to share a few beautiful cards I got to make my birthday that much more special.

This first one is from Steph, even more beautiful than my photography skills can capture.

This card came from my Aunt Karen in NM, and since I have this stamp I may need to CASE the design and layout. Never thought to seperate the balloons from the sentiment!

She also included this adorable set of mini cards as well. So cute!!! But that's not all, turn the bag around and......

The stamp is included so I can make some too! I'm excited to break this out, just had to capture it in photo first. I'm planning on coming back tomorrow with something crafty....we'll see!

Smiles,

Earth day blog hop, and birthday CANDY!

Good morning!!!!! Not only am I happy because it's Saturday, but I'm also on vacation this week so I'm sure to get more play time in. Woohoo!

Today, Unscripted Sketches is having a blog hop in honor of Earth Day. Not only is there a sketch, but also a piggyback challenge to use something recycled. If you didn't get here from Beth (and here AMAZING card) then head to the top of the hop at Unscripted Sketches.


For my card I looked around my (messy) workspace to see what I had, since I found no inspiration elsewhere in the house. I found the inside of a card, sent to me with a coupon from somewhere for my birthday and cut out the sentiment for my panel. I then looked around for bits of ribbon I hate to part with and found the hearts lying around from Valentine's day too.

It's subtle on the backround piece, but I used a new Houndstooth embossing folder. So much fun and it doesn't take away from the main pieces--just a bit of texture.

And, in addition to a hop and Earth Day, today is my birthday! So since I love presents I'm giving away candy. Leave a comment by Wednesday April 28th and I'll pick a winner to receive a retired (oldie) SU set and a matching tag punch. I forgot that it comes with 3 stampin spots too (certainly celery, real red, brocade blue). I'll even enter followers twice!


To continue on this Unscripted hop, head over to see what Debbie has created. Then go back to Unscripted Sketches to play along for yourself!


Smiles,

swirly thanks

Another weekend in spring, and more snow here in NH. Yes, I said SNOW! I woke up to wipe slush off my car yesterday and it looks like a cold and rainy weekend, with the chance of snow now and then. Such is New England.....


But on a happier note, it's time for a fun and funky Unscripted Sketch!

I loved the torn edge of the sketch so I turned it up a notch and did two layers. Tomorrow I'm heading up a team for the local MS Walk and the colors The National MS Society uses for their walks are green and orange. This card even matches the t-shirts I'm making up for the team. (I'll share those tomorrow Mom, they're stitches even if I didn't stitch them!) This is one of many thank you's headed out to my generous family and friends who have supported me in my fund raising. I did the swirl stamp in the background and added the swirl thickers afterwards for a bold color to ground it all.

I do hope you'll head over to Unscripted Sketches this week to play along and check out the other fabulous work the DT made with this sketch!

Smiles,

Unscripted's 50th sketch

Wow, Unscripted is on their 50th sketch, can you believe it? It's a great one for either a card or a layout, and I wanted to do a page but just couldn't find the right elements to work for it. So a card it is....

One thing that has been keeping me from getting crafty lately is this BEAUTIFUL weather! It was ridiculously hot a few days this week (think summer), but now it's chilly and normal again. But the crabapples out side my window have tiny leaves and I can't wait for the blossoms to come. We planted them late last spring so I haven't been able to see them in full bloom yet, I can't wait! And that's what inspired me when I made this card. The sentiment was RAK, I think from LeAnne and I've looked at it all year trying to figure out where I could use it. I guess I'll need to make a few cards with it now that I'm in the right time frame!

Hope you find time to play along this week, head on over to Unscripted Sketches for more inspiration...the DT really hit this one out of the park! I'm trying to get out of my crafting funk, any tips or tricks to get me creating on a more regular basis? I've been MIA because I thought taking a break would help. But it's too hard to get back into the swing of things now. Thanks for any help or advice you've got, I miss the old blog!!

Smiles,

Curious Thank You

What a week it has been, is it Saturday yet? I'm not even wishing it was Friday, I'm jumping straight to Saturday!



I made a few simple thank you's to go with my nephew's invitations. I kept them simple since I don't have tons of time, and also because I don't know that the people that get them care about all my layers!

The set of Curious George stamps I got is an old set, but I bought them on e-bay and they were never used. However, I understand why they were never used...the largest stamp is maybe 3/4 of in inch tall. If I had time to recreate pictures from the book that would be one thing...but I don't. So I saw this stamp and figured George could be paining the wall with his message of thanks. I used a ruler and pen to create the illusion of a wall and threw the letters on with markers. Perhaps I should've added a drip or two in there?

That's all for me tonight...but Linda is having a celebration so be sure to head over and check it out. More candy to come when she gets more followers!!!

Smiles,

Happy Easter!

Good morning and Happy Easter! I'm off to see family so this will be quick, but I have another sketch posted on the Stars and Stamps blog for OWH. Head on over to see it and make a card to share. Here's the card I made:

I'm not always good at masculine cards but this one came together fabuously. Hope you have a wonderful day and find time to play this week!

Smiles,

Unscripted Blog~iversary!

It's hard to believe that one year ago we started out on this wild ride of Unscripted Sketches! I've met so many great crafters, learned new techniques, stretched my own creativity and most importantly had fun with the sketches! So in addition to todays' sketch and card, head through the designers blogs to find their hidden treasure.......

My use of the sketch today is for a birthday card for my MIL, the first of my many April birthdays.

Besides turning the sketch on it's side, I used a bit of a birthday card I got (one of the many you get along with a coupon from companies when it's your birthday) because I loved the happy birthday sentiment in pink on pink. I went with a fall back color combo of pink/turquoise/brown which is always beautiful, threw on some brads and I know she'll love it.

Good luck on the treasure hunt and I can't wait to see what you create with this week's sketch! Head on over to Unscripted Sketches for details on the treasure hunt and more designer inspiration.

Smiles,

PS~ To find all my Unscripted creations just click on the unscripted label at the bottom of this post to see all things Unscripted at Stamps and Stitches!

Curious

Oh my, spring is here and I have spring fever!!!!! I'm out walking with a co-worker on the days it isn't raining and there's a few barbeques in the future too. With April here, so starts the birthday season. First my MIL, then the nephew and onto myself and DH. Cake will become my enemy by the end of the month!

Recently I made the invitations for my nephew's 3rd birthday, a Curious George theme:
The design was much simpler than his 2nd birthday and 1st birthday since I was able to get my hands on stamps this year. I had to mask the balloons so I only did 3 to match his age. I guess I should do a few thanks you's before the party next week.

Don't forget that tomorrow is Saturday (I won't, I LOVE the weekend) and it's not only time for another Unscripted Sketch but there's also a treasure hunt for our 1 year anniversary. Be sure to stop by for the fun and candy!

Smiles,