Dealing With Rejection

I'm having to deal with rejection once again and I'm having a hard time not taking it personally. You try to psych yourself and tell yourself your good enough and that your work is good then you do finally submit to just get an email/letter saying thank you for your submission but we decided to go another way or with someone else.

I'm not throwing a pity party. I'm not even looking for sympathy. I'm just letting anyone else out there that went through the same thing that they are not the only one.

I just went for something that shall remain unnamed but I didn't get it. This is what I created...

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Feb KOM Endings & Beginnings, Oct KOM Thinking About the Good Times; Paper: SEI Oasis; Ink: Versafine Black; Other: Green eyelets, Chatterbox ribbon, clear eP

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Endings & Beginnings; Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Versamark; Paper: Archivers Cream; Stephanie Fizer Chocolate printed on GA Pacific White; Other: American Crafts ribbon, pearls, nesties, AI glitter, glitter glue, stampamajig

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Love Grows, Mar KOM Simple Life, Love & Angels; Ink: Versafine, SU Pumpkin Pie; Paper: SU Pumpkin Pie & Certainly Celery, GA Pacific White, SEI Oasis; Other: Nesties, SU Punch, Cutterpede Scorer, Chatterbox ribbon, stickles, SU markers

I Need Your Opinion

Today in between loads of laundry and doing some straightening around the house, when I would normally be doing some "craft time" I made a decision. I've been a little tired of how my photos have been turning out lately so I decided to make my own lightbox. I had found the directions from someone or somewhere and they didn't look hard so I dove right in. It wasn't hard but here's the thing, I'm not really sure which I like better before or after the light box. So I'm hoping I can get some help from you my lovely friends. What do you think?

Before:
After:
Now I will admit this, that maybe the biggest thing is that I might need practice but tell me what you think anyway because I can always use the help.

Inspirational Hopping

Hi, if you're here you're probably looking for Unity Stamp Company's World Record Inspirational Blog Hop and you just came over from the sweetie Kerry's blog. If not you may want to start at the beginning which is Angela aka Ms. Unity herself.

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Feel the Joy; Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa; Paper: HL Kraft, GA Pacific White; Rebecca Oehler's Digital Paper; Other: Liquid Applique, Glitter, American Crafts Ribbon, Nesties, Tab Punch

My Inspirational Quote:
Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake - Henry David Thoreau

Your next stop on the hop is the ever amazingly talented Laura.

Hip Hop Hooray Friday

Ever have one of those weeks? I keep feeling like I'm stuck in one like the movie Groundhog Day. So the fact that another week is over is YEAH to me right now. It was my week to host the Friday Fun Challenge and I choose the cover of the book I just finished reading to use as inspiration. I thought it looked pretty cool.

Stamps: My Unity Stamps Co - Love Birdies, Fun Night Out, Jan KOM - {love, etc}; Ink: SU Real Red, Versafine Black; Paper: Basic Grey, GA Pacific White; Other: Nesties, Circle Punch, clear eP, copic & ABS, Stickles

Don't forget to check out my Friday Fun Crew to see what they did with the book cover, I know I can't wait to see...
Kim
Jimmi
Sherry
Kimme

A quick reminder Saturday starting 11am EST / 10am CST it's...
now granted I'm not first on the list or second...I'm more like 70th but it should be fun so make sure you come back tomorrow to check it out. It will be a really short post.

Mea Culpa

I get this call today from my mom telling me that she's not talking to me anymore. I tell her that that's not really gonna work since she just called me. So she tells me the only reason she was calling me was to tell me why she wasn't talking to me. She told me I told everyone that her dog/baby was a brat. I was like, and... I figured to rectify this situation I would in turn show you my brat/baby because mine is just as spoiled just in a different way.

Here's our last outing in the car, which every time I do I wish I didn't.And trust me 5 minutes after we have left they wish they didn't either.

Cherry Blossoms

I have a confessions...I really like Cherry Blossom time. I like that right before the Bradford Pears bloom, then the Cherry Blossom trees bloom and they are gorgeous. Where I live they have like a two week festival for it so that means there are cherry blossom trees everywhere. I love it!! We usually go to at least one event or one day of the festival every year since we moved here. If you ever come let me know and we can check out together. So the point of my ramble...this past weekend when my nephew, Liam was in town we took him to Central City Park for the fair and to see the Sea Lions.

I really don't have any pictures of the Sea Lions because this is the first year they were here. For the past say 4 years they have had tigers, which don't get me wrong are wonderful and majestic creatures, but they got kinda old to see every year. When you go to see the Sea Lions right now it's jam packed, you're doing really good to get anywhere near. I did get a couple of pics like of Liam's "tattoo" and of him on the ferris wheel with me.

This brings me to my next topic, Ashley challenged us to a new shop, alliebeans, for this week for the etsy challenge and you'll guess what they had in the shop...no come on guess? Ok, I'll wait. Oh you already guessed...I know it was easy. That's right something cherry blossom, so you know I had to do it.

Stamp: Unity Stamp Co - Feb KOM Endings & Beginnings, Hey Chick; Ink: Versafine Black; Paper: Archivers Pink & Red, Digital Paper printed on GA Pacific White, GA Pacific White; Other: SU Marker, Stickles, SU Punch, Misc Ribbon

So What, I'm Still a Rock Star

And I got my rock moves...Ok I'm not but Iyana is. Again I know this is normally Hello Ian but by the time I got done I thought it looked more like a girl so I renamed him Iyana. So what do you think, does he/she look like a rock star with their guitar?

Stamps: The Greeting Farm - Hello Ian; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Paper: Neenah, Digital Paper Printed on Georgia Pacific White, Archiver's Cream; Other: Copics, Spicas, Grosgrain Ribbon, Hero Arts rhinestones, nesties, guitar clipart, white
gel pen, SU circle punch, fake baubles

Now, I've tried to take a closer shot on this one so you could see all the glitz & glamour better cause our rockstar has a glittery coat on, plus glitter eyeliner & mascara. Then the fake baubles & round punches make cam lights for our rocker. I tried to simulate stage lights with the rhinestones which is why they don't go all the way around. I don't know about you but in these close shows sometimes the performer doesn't have shoes on which is why Iyana isn't wearing any.

Wednesday's Addicts Back in Play

I'm sure all of the Addict Girls think I'm totally out of commission but I'm not, I've just gotten a little lost along the way. But hopefully I'm back for a little while at least.

Stamps: March KOM - Simple Life; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Paper: Neenah, SEI Oasis; Other: Copics, Stickles, Glitter Glue, Heidi Swapp Ghost Flower, Prima Flower, fake baubles, Foof a la Button, DMC thread

Then I made another one as a special request for a girl at work for her grandson.

Stamps: Argus with Teddy, Unity Stamp Co Father Set (can't remember name); Ink: Versafine Black, Memento Tuxedo Black; Paper: Basic Grey Archaic, SU Chocolate Chip, Neenah; Other: Screw Brads, Copics, Nesties, Chipboard Numbers, Distress Embossing Powder

I've Been Photo Tagged

Jimmi tagged me the other day but I've been a slacker about getting this posted...

Here are the rules:
•Open your photo folder on your computer
•Open the 6th folder of photos
•Select the 6th picture
•Post the picture on your blog with a description
•Invite six friends to join the challenge
•Link your six friends to your blog post

This is a brave game for me because the 6th pics folder on my computer is titled "Delete" and has all the crappy pics in it that I don't want people to see...but I was honest and I am posting it...this is the 6th pic in the 6th folder on my computer:

This isn't of my baby. This is of Mom's brat Freckles. She was over visiting and had decided to use my laundry basket as a bed. I thought it was kinda cute so I took a pic.

Now for the 6 friends I'm supposed to tag...
Abra
Michelle
Katie
Abra Leah
Lee M
Jacquie

It's Friday!! It's Friday!!!

And it's a glorious day. I got to take a mental health day today so I have the day off, my nephew is visiting so we have a fun weekend planned including the Cherry Blossom Festival where there will be a Bed Race and Seals performing.

To kick my fun weekend off I got ready by doing the Friday Fun Challenge where Sherry is challenging us with the year's spring fashion line up. I had fun with this and decided to use it in combination with a little Hip Hop Hangover because BABY I was back and got to HIP HOP!!! These are the images I used, however I don't know if you can see my score lines.

Stamps: March KOM - Simple Life, Love Grows, Love & Angels; Ink: SU Pumpkin Pie, Versafine Black; Paper: SU Pumpkin, Certainly Celery, SEI Oasis, GA Pacific White; Other: Nesties, Stickles, SU Markers, Chatterbox Ribbon, Punch

Now make sure you go check out to see what the other girlies made from the fashion inspiration...
Kim
Jimmi
Sherry
And starting this week Kimme

Playing Around...

I'm so excited with everything that's been going on lately I haven't gotten a chance to just sit down and play. I did some yesterday evening after I did some grocery shopping.

I used Paper Makeup Stamps aka PMS today. For this first one I went all digital with my elements except the ribbon. PMS did a pre-release of their rubber stamps with digital versions, and this is Lauren with a Gift. The paper is Stephanie Fizer's Chocolate Kisses from MFT oh did I mention these are digi papers too!! Didn't they come out awesome!!

Stamps: PMS Lauren Fairy; Paper: Stephanie Fizer - Chocolate Kisses digi paper, Neenah paper; Other: Circle Punch, Copics, Xyron Ribbon

For this next "play toy" I did for a challenge that PMS is doing on Paper Craft Planet to make something 3d. The funny thing is I was sitting there looking at this tin of mints wondering how I could alter it and hoping that this week I would have something that would come up that would challenge me to use it. Lo and behold I co

Stamps: Argus with Teddy; Ink: Memento Black; Paper: Neenah, Basic Grey Euphoria; Other: Copics, Jewels for $1 Target, MS Butterfly Punch

Do you have PMS?

No not that kind...the good kind. Paper Makeup Stamps. Katie is having a party this weekend. It's includes a blog hop, challenges, and lots of fun. Now I won't babble a lot because I know you are here just to see what I created. So here it is.


Now don't forget to check out what everyone else for some really great inspiration. And at the end go back to Katie's blog for all of the fun.

Lisa Kind - http://kindcreations.blogspot.com

Jennifer Greco - http://glitterinmyhair.blogspot.com

Tangii Crain - http://www.tangiink.com/

Danyel Owens - www.psychostamper.blogspot.com

Lisa McKinney - http://www.lisabeesponderings.blogspot.com

Dawn Knight - http://dawnsrubberroom.blogspot.com

Melissa Craig - http://stampitscrapitshareit.blogspot.com

Ashley newell - http://hearthugsdesigns.blogspot.com/

Ceal Pritchett - http://simplybeautifulcreations.blogspot.com/

Tina Hale - http://woodedviews.blogspot.com/

Jamie Morris - www.jaymerzstamps.blogspot.com

Shannon Bracken - http://shannonssentiments.blogspot.com

Cheryl Penner - http://mycreativetherapy-cheryl.blogspot.com/

Tenia Nelson - http://www.jazzypaper.blogspot.com/

Nancy Bush - www.southernyankeecrafter.blogspot.com

Joni Wilson - http://astickysituation.blogspot.com/

Kimberlee Doktor - http://craftingforsanity.blogspot.com/

Cassie Larson - http://www.fortheartofit.blogspot.com

Shaela Odd - http://www.shaelaodd.blogspot.com/

Heather Lee-Reppen - www.inkonmyear.blogspot.com

Kim Stewart - http://impressyourself.typepad.com

Christi Thorsen - http://cici510.blogspot.com/

Katie Cotton - http://papermakeup.blogspot.com

Catching Up

This weekend has been a total catch up weekend. Catching up in straightening up the house. Catching up in doing laundry. Catching up in doing things for people that needed to be done. Well you get the point. I even did some grocery shopping. Tonight in between loads of laundry I snuck into my craft room because I wanted to do at least a couple of cards.

The first one I used some stamps from my buddy Katie. I don't know if any of you know Katie but she is so super sweet and she just started her own stamp company called Paper Makeup Stamps aka PMS.

Stamps: PMS Stamps - Grumble Bear & Wish You Were Here; Ink: Memento Black; Paper: Basic Grey Boxer line, Neenah; Other: Copics, Paper Piercer, Nesties, White Grosgrain

Stamps: Hero Arts - Cupcakes; Ink: Memento Black; Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops, Neenah, Archiver's Blue; Other: Copics, Shimmerz, Corner Rounder, Mike's Cupcake Ribbon, White Pen

MFT Idol

My Favorite Stamps is having a contest similar to that of American Idol. I am deciding to try out. Here's my entry. I'm nervous and I think my voice is a little hoarse so be nice...lol.

Stamps: Friends Furever; Ink: Memento Black, Versafine Black, SU Chocolate Chip; Paper: Basic Grey paper (really old not sure what kind it is), Neenah, Metal Sheet (Karen Foster); Other: Nesties, Copics, Art Institute Glitter, clear eP, Tonic Distresser, Misc Brads, Glimmer Mist, Walnut Ink Spray, Hemp Cord

A few things I did on this. I didn't want a little boy for my frame so I did my best to draw a ponytail, that wasn't working well. Then I got the idea to try drawing one this way and it looks like a braid.

The flowers I made by using my Nesties to cut out of the same paper as the frame. Then I distressed the edges with my distresser, once I was done doing that I balled it up and then un"balled" it. When I was done doing all that I then ran some SU Chocolate chip around it and on some alternating layers I would cut the "petals" and reball it up again. I think they cam out looking really cool.

Flashback/Review of Etsy Blog Hop Challenge

Last week Ashley had the most fun day planned out for those who participate in the Etsy Challenges. There were 8 challenges for the entire day one from each Design Team member including the leader Ashley and the Guest DT (me!!). You can see my challenge from last week here. I only got to do three others, I wish I could have got to do the others because they were great challenges. NOTE: In case you missed it Wendy P. you won the prize for playing in my challenge so make sure you email Ashley to get your prize.

The first one was from Tiff and it was to choose a Etsy shop for inspiration and create a project from that. My inspiration came from Sherry Truitt's shop where she had Testing Compass Adventurer Cufflinks.

Stamps: SU ; Ink: Versamark, Palette Noir, SU Glorious Green, True Thyme; Paper: Basic Grey Boxer, GA Pacific White; Other: Nesties, American Crafts Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Aqua Brush

One of the next challenges was from sweetie Ms. Lee who wanted us to use some of her favorite colors Pink, Black & White.

Stamp: WoJ Spring Set; Paper: MM Sabrina, PTI Sweet Blush, GA Pacific White; Ink: Palette Charcoal; Other: Copics, Nesties, MS Butterfly punch, MM Sheer ribbon, CB embossing folder, Spicas

And of course there was the loverly Lindsay's challenge where we couldn't use any patterned paper. When this idea came to mind it then came out very quickly & simply and I loved it!!

Stamps: Unity Stamp Co - Simply Said and Endings & Beginnings (Feb KOM); Paper: SU Tempting Turquoise, Apricot Appeal, Rose Romance, Mellow Moss, Blush Blossom, Archiver's Beige; Ink: Versamark Black; Other: Circle Punch

Want Blog Candy

I do too! Here's a chance at getting some...Deb in Scotland (I love that place). Is giving away some awesome candy, you should go check it out.

I'm Certified

There's so much to say so I'll try to keep it to a minimum. First of all I'm a Copic Certified Designer. And I had so much fun last Monday. The very first person I met as I walked in the door was Latisha, which was so nice to meet someone that you have known online and then get to meet them in person and they are just as nice in person if not nicer.

Then I got to meet Asela and her friend Jamie, and a few others that I apologize I can't remember their names.Then there was the wonderful Becca. Her and Tish sat at my table and they were so much fun. If you look really hard you can see Deb in the background.Then there was our wonderful hostess Jan Marie, the owner of Flourishes, and our awesome instructor Marianne.I just couldn't get enough of meeting everyone because then it was Faith Hofrichter aka Markie's Mom...Beate...(and yes we have crosses growing out of our heads)and Jenn.It wasn't just about meeting all of these wonderful people although this was a really fun part. The next fun part was actually getting to color all day.

Here is Jil and Becca while we are learning one of our techniques for coloring with the markers.And another one where Marianne is showing us a technique that we can do to look like a certain other alcohol ink.Then last but not least here is one where Tish & I got to airbrush. Gotta say this way lots of fun. Would like to try this more.
This day was so much fun and I wish it could have lasted longer. I loved meeting everyone!!