A Smorgasbord

So you may be wondering where I've been the last couple of days.  But don't worry I'm not taking one of my sabbaticals.  I've just been busy cleaning up my house (*GASP* I know, shhh Mom don't tell anyone how my house usually looks)  I've also been majorly organizing [special thanks to Lisa Hetrick, she is DA BOMB by the way.  If you have never checked her out you need to].  The $1 document holders that I was telling you about the other day, she sent me a bunch of them.  Want to see what I've done with them...

By the way one of those is holding what used to be 16 (yes I said 16) Stampin' Up sets.  This drawer used to only hold those sets, now it's holding most of my stamps...THIS IS AWESOME!!!  I'm so excited.

Number two on my things to tell you about, I have news of another Whiff of Joy giveaway.  This time it's Bev and she's giving away Herb and Baby, plus some other snow inspired things.  So go check it out.

Number three, I've been tagged!!  Lindsay tagged me so I have to  not only come up with 7 new things that you wonderful people don't know about me but tag some of you as well.

1.  I love peanut butter.  I even will eat it with my pancakes/waffles...got this one from my dad.

2.  I am severely allergic to a lot of things, including cats, mold, trees, grass, dust, etc.  These have only developed in the last couple of years before that nada, I was fine.

3.  I love animals especially dogs.  I had a love for cats to until a pesky allergy messed that up.

4.  I am a major night owl, I would rather stay up all night than get up early in the morning.

5.  I've been doing arts & crafts stuff since I was in the 3rd grade.  It all started with jewelry.  And although I've been doing stuff this long I still don't consider myself artistic.

6.  I am a huge movie buff.  I love watching movies.  Usually when I'm crafting I have a movie on.  I may not be watching it but I have it on for the noise.

7.  Right behind being a movie buff I love reading and music.

Now, who to tag?

JenMarie
Jan
Joy
Carole
Jimmi
Jenn
AJ

Unity Addicts Challenge

Every week we have a challenge for us Unity Stamp Addicts, no we do not have a problem.  This week Carole's challenge was to use the color's red & white to make a thankful card. 

Here's my take on it.  I tried to do some different stuff.

First I stamped some Simple Fans from the Gratitude=Joy kit in Palette L'Amour Red.  Once I had done that, I went over it in Versamark with clear eP.  I then went over it with Palette Canvas.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Simple Fans, Gratitude=Joy; Ink: Palette L'Amour, Canvas, Noir, Versamark; Paper: Bo Bunny Velvet Flower, GA Pacific White; Other: Threading Water Punch (broke my stupid rounded corner punch on this one), Circle Punch, Stampendous Stickers, Clear eP, Red Ribbon

Etsy Challenge

Ashley's Etsy Inspiration this week is based on the store Mercy's Mark.  From what I can see their store looks really nice.  I'm thinking I might actually buy stuff from there later unless I really get special and win the challenge two weeks in a row.  That's right you heard me correctly, I WON LAST WEEK!!

This week I decided to think outside the box.  And I copied the layout of Mercy's Mark wallets for my inspiration.  So let me know what you think.

{Just to prove that it opens and the pockets work}

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - November KOM; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: Misc DP, Beige Bazzill, Other: Copics, Paper Piercer, Black Pen, Basic Grey Magnets, May Arts Ribbon

Craft Day & Candy Winner

Ok, yesterday I had the following conversation with my nephew:

Liam:  I don't have a mask.  I sure would like to have a mask.

Sara:  What kind of mask?

Liam:  A lion mask.

Sara:  Would you like to make it?

Liam:  YEAH!!!

And so proceeded to have our craft day.  Now let me explain some back thinking on my part (misguided as it was).  Here I was thinking, this is cool.  He will be working on his mask and I can get some work done in my craft room while he does it.  Let me resummarize that thought in one word....HA!!!!

I had to be involved in the entire process.  It was very fun.  First he wanted a front and back to his mask.  And this was to be no typical lion mask, he wanted his lion to be multicolored. (WARNING: My craft room looks like it has exploded.  Please ignore this fact)  Then when he colored the back and was finished, he wanted to put his name on it.

If this weren't all enough, I asked him, "Liam, would you like to add leaves?".  "No."

"Would you like to add flowers?"  Thinking there's no way a boy would want to add flowers.

"NO"  Ok, I was right.

"Would you like to add ribbon?"  Again thinking, he's not going to want to add ribbon.

"Yes" Huh? Ok.

Alright.  Now we have a multicolored lion that we're adding ribbon to.  I grab my scrap ribbon jar and then ask him which ribbon would he like to add.  He chooses the purple one.  Purple?  I think.  Hmmm? 

"You want me to find you some red since you said it was your favorite color?"

"No, I want purple"

By the way, he told me today purple was his favorite color.

And here is the finished product...

Now onto our last day of Blog Candy Winner.  Our prize basket winner is...

M.R

Candy Winner & Some More Candy

Our Day 3 Winner is #5, Renee from Lasting Memories Scrapbooking.  Please contact me with all your information and I will get prize out in the mail.

Now on to Day 4 Blog Candy

It's a prize pack of sorts.  It includes:  Tags, Tags in a bag, Cloud 9 Coasters & Plaques, Scallop Scissors, & a Basic Grey Mini Album.

You will have until Monday, November 24 at 6 pm EST to post a comment and I will choose a winner at random.

Blog Winners for Day 1 & 2

Day 1 Winner

Lindsay Spencer come on down you're our first winner!

Day 2 Winner

Jacqueline is our day 2 winner, come on down!

Don't forget I still have a blog candy open in the post below this one and I'll be posting another one shortly.

A Hip Hop, A Hip to the Hop

Yes, it's that time again.  Time for another hangover the one without the headache or other aftereffects of alcohol, well most of them.  If you hung out with us yesterday you may be tired.  Some cut out a little early to head to the movies.  There were a lot of specials going on yesterday including free shipping on all orders over $25 (these are still good until 12 noon CST).

One of yesterday's challenges was to make a Think Snow Challenge.  I went a little overboard on it and it didn't exactly come out as I imagined it in my head.  I used the new November KOM.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - November KOM; Ink: Palette Black & Raw Sienna, SU Always Artichoke; Paper: Basic Grey - Deciduous, SU Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, GA Pacific White; Other: Heidi Swapp Snowflakes, Snowflake Ribbon, Cuttlebug Snowflakes, Rounded Corner Punch, Copics

I will announce the Blog Candy winner for the Snow Paper and today's winner at the same time.

I also have another prize to give away for Day 3 of the Blogoversary.  I have a pail of Michael's Wedding flowers that are great for cards and just as easy to use as Primas.  Just leave a comment by Saturday, November 22 8 pm EST and I will randomly draw a winner.

One more thing and I will end this long post.  Debbie at Passion for Crafts is having some major Blog Candy including Copics so go check it out.

A Threefer and Day Two of the Blogoversary Giveaway

Tonight was such a busy little girl.  I was actually organizing.  I know *GASP*!!!  Natalie aka Dougnat suggested these stamp organizers that they have at Target for $1.99 but they don't have them at my Target.  Well, I started thinking what else do I have.  I have the Document Holders that Target usually sells in the $1 spot and they work just as well and let me tell you they hold A LOT!!

When I finished filling the ones I had, I decided to go ahead and make a card.  I made it to fit three challenges, the color, inspiration, and sketch challenge. 

Stamps:  Unity Stamp Co - Gratitude=Joy, Together Forever; Ink: Versafine Black, Creamy Caramel, Real Red; Paper: Real Red, Kraft, GA Pacific White; Other: Stickles, Black Pen

On the two side plants, I stamped off the black once before I stamped on the card.  Then on the reeds I used a blending stump dipped in Creamy Caramel ink to draw them in to match what I chose for my inspiration challenge.

Now it's on to Day Two of the Blogoversary giveaway.  Today I am giving away a Provo Craft paper pack.

Please leave a comment by Friday, November 21 at 6 pm EST and then I will randomly draw a winner.

Don't forget that tomorrow is Hip Hop Thursday so make sure that you join us in the Splitcoaststamper forum for loads of fun and giveaways.

Wednesday's Challenge

This week Mrs. Michelle Shuman is hosting this week's Unity Wednesday Challenge. For this week we are to use this picture from Mystic Valley Trader's for inspiration.

I used the coloring and and the "waves" in the bedding as my inspiration for my card.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Neighborhood of Simplicity; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: Basic Grey Sugared, SU Apricot Appeal, GA Pacific White; Other: Copics, Rounded Corner Punch, Pearls, Black Pen, Misc Ribbon

Big Dummy

I'm not exactly sure how one does it but I managed. I totally missed my own blogoversary. I started blogging a year ago in August. I realized this and wanted to smack myself on the forehead when I figured this out. So make up for this I want to make up for it by celebrating for the rest of the week. First up is this very weather appropriate paper pack. You have until Thursday November 20th at 6 pm EST to leave a comment and then I will randomly draw a winner.

Today I also got a gorgeous card from Stephanie aka SmilynStef. I got it out of the blue and it blew me away.

Creative Kick

Yes, I can't believe it either. After making 11 cards, I am still on a roll. I don't know that I've ever been on this much of a roll. It's kind of scaring me, I'm probably gonna crash soon.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - Sweet ZZZZs & Worn Grid; Ink: Palette Noir, SU Cool Caribbean; Paper: SU Cool Caribbean, Making Memories Boho Chic, GA Pacific White; Other: Copics, Spica Glitter Pen, Decorative Scissors, May Arts Ribbon & Other, Darice Jewels

Stamps: Stampingbella Baboo's Owl & Happy Forest; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: SU Certainly Celery, GA Pacific White, Basic Grey Two Scoops; Other: Copics, MM Brad, Rounded Corner Punch

This one I made for Ashley's aka Heart Hugs etsy Challenge. This week's challenge was to be inspired by something in BrightColorArt's store.

VSN Weekend

I don't think I have every made this many cards in one sitting that weren't the same. And believe it or not I actually liked most of them.

Day 1 - I made 7 cards
This 1st one was to use the technique Spotlighting. I chose this Gina K stamp because I thought it would be perfect for this technique.

Stamps: Gina K Designs - With Daddy's Help; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: SU Whisper White, Blue Bazzill, Misc DP; Other: American Craft Ribbon, Ribbon Tag, Copic

One of things I loved about playing VSN this weekend was I got to use things I haven't used since I got them which may have been years ago. For example in this card was this shaker kit.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Oct KOM, Whispy Grass, Together Forever; Ink: SU Going Gray & Brillant Blue, Palette Rouge; Paper: GA Pacific White, Misc DP; Other: Primas, Embellies

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Together Forever; Ink: SU Going Gray; Paper: Basic Grey - Sultry, PTI Sweet Blush & Berry Sorbet; Other: Fiskers Corner Punch, Primas, SticklesStamps: Unity Stamp Co - Cuter Than Most, Hambo - Heard You Had a Bug; Ink: Palette Noir, Versafine Black; Paper: SU Whisper White, Heidi Grace DP; Other: Copics, Fake Baubles

I based this on a saying that a friend of ours says all of the time, in fact I'm going to have to send this to her.

Stamps: High Hopes; Ink: Palette Noir, SU Chocolate Chip; Paper: Basic Grey - Deciduous, Misc Brown; Other: May Arts Ribbon, Copics, Cuttlebug Distress Lines

I got the idea to wrap ribbon around a frame and I had gotten this frame for like $1.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Oct KOM; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: Appricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise; Other: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl

Day 2 - I made 4 cardsFor Maren's challenge it was to either touch up/remake one of the cards you earlier. I chose the one right above this one because I really didn't like the way it turned out.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Oct KOM; Ink: Versafine Black; Paper: Making Memories 5th Ave, SU Apricot Appeal, Whisper White; Other: Mike's $1 Ribbon, Darice Jewels, Clear eP

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Giggle Groove;Ink: Versafine Black; Paper: All Basic Grey - Boxer Line, SU Handsome Hunter; Other: Baubles, American Craft Ribbon

Stamp: Girl Face by Stampland; Ink: SU Brillant Blue; Paper: All Bazzill Cardstock; Other: Fake Baubles, Prisma Color Pencils, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots & Birds & Swirls

Stamps: Rubber Romance - Trisha Spa Diva; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Misc DP; Other: Copics, Blue Eyelets, Brown Ribbon

Quickie

This is just a quick post to remind you that Hip Hop Thursday is tomorrow. Don't forget because you can get in on $300 in goodies so make sure you check out Angela's blog around 10 a.m. CST tomorrow to find out all about it. In the meantime here's a quick fix on some stuff that I got to make.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - KOM October; Ink: Palette Noir, SU Chocolate Chip; Paper: SU Appricot Appeal & Whisper White, Bazzil Orange & Blue; Other: Art Institute Glitter, Tear Ruler, Copics, Fake Baubles, American Crafts Ribbon, Cuttlebug Just My Type & Distressed Stripes

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - KOM October; Ink: Chocolate Chip; Paper: K & Co. Brenda Walton Neapolitan, PTI Sweet Blush, SU Whisper White; Other: American Crafts Ribbon, Star Jewels

Also don't forget this is a new week so there's a new designer up in the Growing in Unity spotlight. So go see what Maria Levine has up.

Crazy Eyes on You

You really didn't think I could live that long without using a Unity Stamp did you? You're right I couldn't. I've been dying to use this set since I got it. They are the cutest which maybe why the set is called Cuter Than Most. Unfortunately I couldn't find my googley eyes.

Stamps: Cuter Than Most - Unity Stamp Co.; Ink: Palette Noir; Paper: DP - Crossed Paths, SU Whisper White, Night of Navy, Misc Brown, PTI Aqua Mist; Other: Copics, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

RAK Contest Winner

My sad little contest only had two entries. I thought this would be easy and that especially at this time of year and with so many RAK groups out there people would jump at the chance to win this set. Boy, was I wrong. OH well!

But we do have TWO winners! The grand prize winner is Nicky W. Please email me your address for the stamp set from Unity Stamp Co. Katie because you were my only other entry you will be getting a runner up prize. Thanks for playing along girls.

Etsy Inspired

So I'm trying out a new challenge, one that Ashley aka Heart Hugs posts every Saturday. Each week she picks an artist from Etsy and we get to choose something from their shop to inspire us to make something. This week's artist is Camille or Pretty Girl Things.

This is what I chose for my inspiration. Granted I don't have a stamp of the Eiffel Tower but I used the next best thing, a street view of Paris street. And believe it or not I didn't use a Unity Stamp Co stamp...yes you may go into shock now.

Stamps: Rubber Romance - Chocolaterie; Ink: Palette Noir, SU Chocolate Chip; Paper: PTI Sweet Blush, SU Whisper White, all DP is Basic Grey Sultry; Other: Paper Piercer, Black Pen, Red Heart Jewels

Contest / RAKs

I decided today to make up this contest as I was sitting there addressing a bunch of envelopes that this would would make a interesting contest.

• What do you win? Good question...A chance for Unity Stamp Co.'s Fanciful Dots.
• What do you have to do? For every 10 RAKs you send out you get 1 entry. This is a great way to keep in touch with those in your address book that you haven't even dropped a note to say hello. Plus for us hoarders it give us a chance to clean out our stash.
  
• How do I know you've done it? Great question...I thought about this, either you can email or PM through www.splitcoaststampers.com with a picture of the RAKs that you are sending.
• How long do you have? You have until November 10th, 8pm to get all of your emails/PMs to me and then I will draw a winner by 8:30pm EST

I think I have covered everything. If I haven't feel free to contact me and I'll post the answers here.
ETA: Swaps don't really count since they aren't RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) however if you are doing an image RAK, this would count.

Hip Hop Hungover Week 11/12

I put 11/12 because we're not really sure if it's week 11 or 12 of {HIP HOP}ping. That's what happens when you are too busy having fun you lose track of time. And we do have a blast every Thursday, it starts at 10am CST til midnight. Because we do stay up so late we have a hungover party every Friday. You can see everyone's work by 1st going to Angela's blog and then clicking on everyone's from there.

Stamps: All Unity Stamp Co - Delectible Delights; Paper: Orchid Opulence, Perfect Plum, Basic Grey - Two Scoops; Ink: Versafine Black; Other: Various Ribbons, Threading Water Punch, Marvy Punches, Copics, Baubles

Stamps: All Unity Stamp Co - Gratitude = Joy, Doily; Ink: Versafine Black, Distress Ink Black Soot; Paper: Certainly Celery; Other: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, Clear eP

Also this week, Ramsey has been doing a Growing in Unity: day by day, week by week. So make sure to see what she's been doing this week (she's also giving away some copics).

PaperCraftPlanet

So Susanna Boyd started this ning community a while ago but in the last few weeks it has really taken off. You can not only make friends but you can keep up with your favorite companies like Unity Stamp Company, Gina K Designs, Stamping Bella, and so many I can't name them all.

In fact, I just created a group for Rubber Romance Stamps. So feel free to come check it all out. It's at www.papercraftplanet.com and remember it's not just about stamping it's about all things crafting.

Can I get a Hip HOP?!?!

For those of you that don't know what's going on Thursdays you really need to come check it out on Angela's blog to start out. Then we party all day long at www.splitcoaststampers.com in the Unity Forum.

Ok, but here's a question for you what happens when you make a card that you don't like? Or it just doesn't turn out the way you wanted?

Stamps: All Unity Stamp Co. - Tiny Trinity, Together Forever; All Patterned Paper Paper Basic Grey, SU Certainly Celery, Yoyo Yellow; Ink: Versafine Black; Other: Clear eP, Yellow Stickles

I case'd Becca's card but I SOOOOO didn't do it justice. Here's the card I case'd... http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...;ppuser=145503.

Stamps: All Unity Stamp Co. - Worn Vintage Clock, Gratitude = Joy; Paper: Always Artichoke, Creamy Caramel, Kraft, DP; Ink: Pixie Pink, Chocolate Chip; Nesties, Hero Arts Jewels, Fiskars Punch, SU Punch, Misc Ribbon

Lisa aka lisamh challenged us today for the Unity Wednesday today to do use Pottery Barn plates for inspiration. I don't know if I did justice to the plates but here's what I came up with.

I used Hey Chick stamp in Gold Stampabilites ink & Doily in Tempting Turquoise. The CS used are Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, & Certainly Celery. The ribbon is just some Mike's ribbon & the charms I got from HL & ebay.