Amazing Give-Away

Danielle is giving away some amazing goodies on her blog, Life, One Layout at a Time. She's actually giving away three different prizes...one of which is a Bind-it-All. Go check out her blog here to see how to win.

Unity Inspiration Blog Hop

Today I'm participating in Unity's Inspirational Blog Hop. View the Inspirational Blog Hop by starting at Unity's Blog.

Whenever my dad had to travel out of town, my mom would hide love notes in his luggage. I have continued the tradition and also leave little notes or at least a card in my husband's luggage. I made this card for one of his upcoming business trips.



Supplies:Unity Stamps -- Crazy for You from the Be My Valentine Kit and a Small Bracket (sorry I don't know which kit that's from...I got it in the recent grab bag). Papers & Ribbon -- Paper Studio, Silver Rhinestones -- Michael's, Flowers -- Prima, Brad -- Bazzill, Stickles, Ink -- Colorbox.

My favorite quote:

If you'll do after you're married,
what you did before you were married
in order to get married,
you'll stay married.

~~Donald Worch

Your next stop on your blog hop adventure is to the very talented Michelle. Enjoy!!

Gift Set

I wanted to share a gift set I made for a friend of our daughter. I got the idea from Georgina Hefferman in an article she wrote for Scrapjazz. You can read Georgina's article here.

I used papers I'd received in a swap (so I don't have a brand for them) and a Studio G stamp. Our daughter's friend likes to write letters and loves funky colors so we thought this would be perfect for her.

The outside:



The inside:

DT Challenges at AC Bailey

I completed a couple of the February Design Team (DT) challenges at AC Bailey. Here's a set of cards I made with the card sketch:



Supplies: Daisy Bucket Bailey line, Prima Flowers, Oriental Trading brads, Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink, Studio G stamp, & Stickles, & misc. bling flowers.

Here are two digi LO I made with the sketch of the month:

This first one features our son's girlfriend, Amy, at her first crop.



Journaling: Amy went straight for the Basic Grey & Jenni Bowlin papers! A girl after my own heart. Much to the surpirse & admiration of every lady there, Amy handcut the flowers, leaves & stems from a piece of Jenni Bowlin paper to make her very first scrapbook layout. The result was a very dramatic page. Hopefully, this 1st crop won’t be her last.

Supplies: Digi kit: Ali Sarah Designs Spring Fling!

This next one showcases our son with Amy.



Supplies: Digi kit: Evelyn by Laura's Kathi

Frog Countdown

We were able to go see Kendra this past weekend. She is at that point in the semester where she can't wait for summer vacation. She'd just finished a difficult week that had a couple tests, a couple projects and a big research paper due. On the ride home, I decided I'd make her a "Summer Vacation Countdown" and send it to her this week.

She really likes frogs and when she saw Basic Gray's Color Me Silly line asked me to save those papers for her. I've been trying to figure out a way to use them for her and this was the perfect project. I used a some stamps (Vacation, Hip Hip & the bracket) from the Unity Stamp Co. for a little embellishment and cut out several frogs from one of the Color Me Silly papers. I made my chart in Word. I inked the edges of the papers and did my stamping with Color Box Fluid Chalk in Warm Red.



I used some scraps and some Thickers from American Crafts to make her a quick little card.



She should get it later this week. I hope she enjoys counting down to vacation with her new froggy friends -- or at least that it brings a smile.

Favorite Stamp

I have a favorite stamp to use when making cards. It's my Stampendous Thoughts & Prayers stamp. It's just a perfect size for cards and a perfect sentiment to let people know I'm thinking of them and praying for them. I've shown you a card I made from the SheetLoad of Cards using it here. I thought I would show you a few more I've made with it recently.



Papers: K-ology - Hannah



Papers: BG - Two Scoops




Papers: Autumn Leaves - Black, Red & Cream line




Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Jitterbug

Travel

Here's a new digi LO I made last night with for the DT challenge over at AC Bailey Designs. We were to use 7 pics and emphasize one of the pictures in some way. The pics were supposed to be things that were just part of our daily life. I chose a series from one of our recent trips because traveling is now part of our "new life." I love the focal pic of Tim's hands on the piano. I just think it looks cool.

Journaling: Our "new life" includes lots of travel. A typical travel weekend includes arriving at the church, setting up our table, practicing, playing/singing during the service, preaching, and then when it's all over...relaxing. This weekend was in Frostburg, MD. Feb. 13-15, 2009.

Supplies:
Digi Kit: Evelyn by Laura's Kathi
Masks: Bouille Pack 1

Shout out to SheetLoad

I have discovered a great website that not only gives you a sketch to make a card but gives you the "recipe" and cutting directions for making a whole bunch of them. I loving have the directions for mass producing cards. LOL Makes it so much easier since the card design is the hard part for me. Each month they come out with a different issue, have a different sponsor, and show you great ideas on how to use the sketch. Check out their February edition here. The February sponsor was Unity Stamp Company. Here's a card made from the February edition.

Valentines Gift

I just wanted to give you a quick peek at what I made Tim for Valentine's Day this year. For his card, I tried a new technique and used a clear card base. I was pleased with how my first clear card turned out.

Vellum Envelope front & back

Card front & back

Since Tim has to travel more without me and I know he likes to have pictures of us with him, I made him a mini-album of our "Love Story." I didn't put ribbons on the rings because I thought that might be a bit too feminine. I wanted it to be protected a bit when he packs it to travel so I cut the flap off an envelope that photo prints come in & covered it with coordinating papers. I blocked copyrighted photos.

Protective sleeve for album



Front & back covers

Inside pages:

Supplies:PP - BG - Two Scoops, Inks: Colorbox Fluid Chalk - Deep Green & Stampabilities dye ink - Black, Paper Studio Bubble-a-bilities photo corners, MM - Defined (Precious) sticker, Rubons - MM, Lasting Impressions, Be Bless Scrapbooking, AC THickers - Remarks & Giggles, Michaels rinestones & silver beads, Robin's nest DDParis raindrops, Embassy White invitation envelopes, Misc - stickers & notebook rings

Thanks for looking.

Scrappy give-away

Wow! I didn't realize how long it had been since I've posted anything. Oops! Sorry about that. I'll try to get back and post some recent projects soon. With our travel schedule and me working full-time my "playtime" has been minimal of late.

I just wanted to let you know about a scrappy give-away over on Nicole's blog Crop-a-holic's Creations. She's purging a lot of her traditional supplies because she's doing so much digital scrapping. Check out her blog if you're interested in participating in her contest.