Going Grey...and Spicy Red

Continuing on my grey theme, here's a card I made for our outgoing pastor's family. Of course it would make a whole lot more sense to you if I had snapped a photo of the inside where I put the sentiment taken from Isaiah 42:10, "Sing a new song unto the Lord". But by the time I thought of it, I'd already written in the card. Ugh. Oh, well.

Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
Isaiah 42:10

I finally cracked into my retired Ever After 12x12 collection kit by Cosmo Cricket. I picked it up some months ago on sale/clearance not so much because of the wedding theme, but because (yep, you guessed it) I loved the glorious greys! Like all my new loves/obsessions, I rabidly and rapidly collect and compile, and then hesitate to use. I think it's crafter's performance anxiety. So silly!

The yummy wide, striped ribbon is from Stampin' Up, and the image is from the Ippity set "Sing A New Song". I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink, accented it with Copics (W00, W0, W3, W5, W7 and W9), trimmed it out and popped it up on foam tape.



I'm entering this into the CAS-aul Friday Challenge #40, which calls for us to use ribbon.

And the Ippity Linking Party and the Ippity Challenge to go CAS!

Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned for more in my Going Grey... series (with a return to the grey + yellow combo) and some long overdue BLOG CANDY!

(((Hugs))) & Blessings!

Always Thankful for Fall

I. Love. Fall.

LOVE IT!

So when I was browsing blogland several weeks ago, and saw Sav's gorgeous card, I remembered that I had yummy Pyrus papers & embellies (that I scored a sweet deal on) that were crying to be used, and I knew I had to hop to! Here's the first one (oh yes, there are more autumn Pyrus cards to come).
A very sweet friend at church gave Mom & me some delish pumpkin bread - seriously the best I've ever tasted - and also was kind enough to think of me when someone offered her a Pecan Pie recipe. MJ knew that I was a bit nervous about my assignment to make Pecan Pie for our church Thanksgiving meal, and she wrote me such a sweet note and mailed it to me with a copy of the recipe. I don't know about you, but I rarely get snail mail cards/letters, and it just made my day to see that little envie among the catalogs and junk mail. Well, I must confess I've been remiss about getting a Thank You note out to MJ. So it's a couple weeks late, but I really wanted to make the card for her. Heartfelt and homemade deserves the same in kind, don't ya think? I do!
I used the aforementioned Pyrus papers, a long neglected Bubble Gum Tree stamp from Unity, dark kraft cardstock, Distress Inks, a brown Spica pen (which isn't showing its sparkle in this photo), a Hero Arts Sparkle Clear 2x3 sentiment set ("Thanks" is stamped inside), and lots of foam tape. If you look at the biggest bubble on the tree, you'll also see a little chipboard heart from the Pyrus Chip Sticker Shapes. The ribbon is by May Arts.

And here's my Autumn cross stitch, as promised (just please pardon the glare). The Winter one is still waiting to go to the framers, and I've missed my goal of having it up before the first snow (we got a taste of winter late last week...but being Ohio, of course the next day it was 20 degrees warmer. LOL!).
Blessings & love to all.

Join the fun over at The Odd Girl blog and link your best THANKFUL project.
(Just click the badge below.)

Finally! FWF with Unity

I honestly cannot believe how long it's been since I last took part in Unity's Friends With Flair Fridays! Eesh! But I really shouldn't be too surprised, since time seems to be flying by lately.

The project I have to share today uses the "Happy Holiday" wooden sign and the "Worn Music" background stamp. I recently got the October Afternoon "Good Cheer" collection. I always think OA and Unity are such a good pairing. I just love the retro/vintage vibe.

Living in Ohio, the idea of a red cardinal perched against a snowy blue backdrop was just irresistable to me, so I covered a chipboard bird (not quite the cardinal head, but it's got the tail going for it) from May Arts with another pattern from the OA Good Cheer paper. Memento & Distress Inks and my trusty Tim Holtz paper distressing tool did the rest. A quick, simple Christmas card that I hope does the job of spreading some holiday cheer.

It looks like I picked a great time to get back in the crafty groove, because Unity has some awesome sales & incentives going right now. Check it out:

Thanks for hopping by! Please be sure to visit the rest of the hoppers today. You can find the complete FWF list at the Unity blog.

(((HUGS)))

Friends With Flair Friday!

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Click HERE for my BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!
(Psst - There's Unity in there!)
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OMGosh, I can't believe how long it's been since my last Unity FWF! Now that I'm back from my little hiatus, I figged it was time.


For this card, I wanted a slight departure from what I've been doing lately. Gotta keep it fresh, right? And I thought Unity's Brave Girl set was just the ticket. I love the vintage look of this kit and know I'll get a ton of use from this set. I kept it fairly simply, and tried not to use my Copics, but they snuck their way in for the dress. I custom colored the doily with a mix of chalk pigment and Distress Ink to coordinate with the ribbon. Her butterfly wings are highlighted with Shimmerz.

For more fabulous creations, please pop over to the Unity Stamps blog for a complete list of today's FWF stops.

Have a great weekend!


Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - Brave Girl kit
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Nook 'n Pantry 12x12
Embellishments: vintage buttons, twine, Making Memories ribbon, Little Yellow Bicycle - doily
Inks: Memento - Rich Cocoa; VersaMagic; Tim Holtz Distress Ink
Cardstocks: Papertrey Ink - Rustic White; kraft card base - local source

Growing In Unity - Redo, Really Late

Sorry folks! This is just the craziest week ever and I've been (I love this expression) busier than a 1-legged man in an @ss kicking contest! Busy in a good way all around, but the sleep depravation is taking a toll. *yawning*

Anywho, here, finally is the redo I mentioned on Tuesday's post.
Since I've been slacking in the Growing In Unity department, let me make it up to you and give some Unity blog candy. All you have to do to be entered is:

1. Leave a comment telling me which version you prefer: the Original or the Redo
2. Share a time/stress/sanity management tip. ;) How do you decide what to say 'yes' to and what to say 'no' to when you want to do everything?

I'll leave the contest upon until Saturday at midnight EDT, and announce the winner on Sunday along with one final Growing in Unity project.

Hugs & love,


Image(s): Unity Stamp Co. - Burberry
Pattern Papers: Kaiser Craft
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: twine (from the hardware store, separated and using only 3-4 strands); Kaiser brad; letter stickers
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Walnut Stain

Growing In Unity: Day Two

Sorry folks, today's Unity card is going to be late - as in late tonight. I had a craft-tastrophe last night - I was just putting Maddie onto the card with dimensionals, and somehow managed to put a black ink smudge right above her lip. She looked like Hitler and I was beyond freaked out! There was nothing to do but start with a fresh image and color her again. Needless to say, this took awhile, and totally nixed my ability to make a new Unity card. Oy vey!

For those of you who've been kind enough to visit me before, you may have noticed that every now and then, I do a re-do. That's what I had in mind even before my bad luck last night. Maybe it's the (former) painter in me - it's kind of like reusing canvases or painting the same subject over and over again. Anywho, this is the card I'll be taking a 2nd stab (oh! lightbulb - maybe I'll do some piercing or sewing!) at this card, which was one of my 1st Unity cards made 1-year ago.

Back later tonight with the redo! Thanks for your understanding.
Hugs,

H{ippity} Hop & Growing in Unity

Happy Monday! As usual I am running a bit late (sorry!), but I am still so excited - especially for a Monday - because not only is it {Ippity} Monday, but it's also the start of my week for "Growing In Unity" - which is extra special to me, since the whole concept was started by my friend, Michelle.


This is also a special card because it is going to a friend who's husband is fighting for his life. Friend, I love you, I am praying with you, and I know God is with you. And that's why I chose this set, What Matters Most, to work with first. The cross is beautiful and the Psalm that is quoted is dear to my heart, as I'm sure it is to most of the faithful.
Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

I was also thinking of by my new, dear friend Lisa at Stampin' Sisters In Christ. This week's challenge, inspired by another Psalm, Psalm 139:13, is to "knit together" by using stitching. ETA: Stitching is also the theme of the weekly Ippity Challenge (IHHC22) on SCS in the Ippity Forum this week!
I hope you are enjoying the {Ippity} Hippity Hop goodness! You can find the list of participating blogs HERE. And I hope you'll visit me all this week for more Growing in Unity!

May you have a Blessed Monday,

Image(s): Ippity - What Matters Most
Pattern Papers: Crate Paper - Brook
Cardstock: local sources
Embellishments: Cloud 9 Rain Dots - gold; Hero Arts Crystal (center of cross) - citron green; Karen Foster Scrappers Floss

My kind of Friday - Unity FWF!

Happy Friday! As you read this, I'm probably either still in bed or lounging on the couch in my PJs....ahhhh.....to have a Friday off work. My company is taking a holiday today in celebration/relief that another April 15th (U.S. tax day) is behind us. Not that things at the office will slow down at all...which is fine by me! Busy = Job = Paycheck = Stamps ;) I have seriously missed spending my Fridays with all the fun & fab Unity lovers, and couldn't think of anything better than enjoying my day off with Friends With Flair!

Today's card is doing double-duty as a much belated b-day card to a very dear friend, and since she is a sweetie & a half, I couldn't resist inking up the giant cupcake!

Can't wait to get hopping and see what everyone has in store today. The complete list of participants, click your way to the Unity Blog.

Speaking of friends with FLAIR, check out the lovely & talented ANDREA aka Scrapamum. She is an absolutely AMAZING Scrapbook Artist - my Scrapping IDOL, in fact - and if she reaches 20 followers by April 20th, she will have some Scrap-Tastic BLOG CANDY to give away! National Scrapbooking Day is May 1st. So please pay Andrea a visit, get inspired and get your scrap on! :D

TGIF Hugs,


Image(s): Unity- Big Polka Dot Cupcake; Ippity banner - Love in Return set; SU sentiment
Pattern Papers: K & Company - Carolyn Gavin Designer Mat Pad
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: toothpick; MFT buttons
Colored with Copics
Layout: SCS - SC276

H{ippity} Hopping...just later

I can just tell this week is going to be...interesting and unpredictable. LOL! I went home yesterday with this plan in mind:

1. eat dinner

2. post Ippity card

3. get some extra, hopefully healing, sleep

My evening actually went:

1. eat dinner

2. fall asleep on couch

3. snap a less than great picture in less than ideal lighting

4. be unable to get online

5. give up and go to bed

Eesh! So there you have it - my much belated H{ippity} Hop card. TFL!

Hugs,

Image(s): {ippity} - What Matters Most
Pattern Papers: October Afternoon - Farm Fresh
Cardstock: Bazzill texture & local sources
Embellishments: printed twill tape (possibly Making Memories); chipboard heart (retired SU); pink twine
Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa
Colored with Copics

Happy H{ippity} Monday!

Hello! Sorry I'm running a bit late today. The card I have to share is actually a companion to a faith-booking page I'm working on (and late with, as it was supposed to be the page for February). I know everyone is looking forward to spring, so I hope it's not too much of a bother to look back a month. But in reality, I think it and this set called "What Matters Most" is about stopping to look all around you, right where you are.

Anyway, I thought this card was timely because lately everything is so busy - work, family, stamping, etc. And this is just a reminder to myself and (I hope you don't mind) to you, to not let ourselves get bogged down in the errands and deadlines, the hustle and the bustle. We just need to tend to what matters most to us - God and the people and places He's given us to love.

Hope you your enjoying a bright and beautiful day! For more inspiration, please check out the {Ippity} Blog, where you'll find a whole list of happy hop stops.

Hugs,


Image(s): {ippity} - What Matters Most
Pattern Papers: SU
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: MFT buttons - Chocolate Kiss Asst.
Colored with Copics and Gelly Roll Pen

I've got {Ippity}, yes I do!

What's a Unity addict to do when both her KOM and new {Ippity} arrive on the same day?!?!? On the eve of Friends With Flair, no less?!?!?!? Talk about a dilemma!

In the end, I just couldn't resist using the amazing new {Ippity} set that I won from sweetie-pie and {Ippity} girl, JenMarie! Thanks, JM!

This card is doing double duty as a belated b-day card for a very dear friend who shares my love of green and orange. You know who you are! *wink*


I got a little kick out of the buttons. The purple one has a woodgrain pattern, and the lime green one is shaped like a flower. (Yes, I'm easily amused at 3 a.m. LOL!)

Hope you enjoy bopping along with all the FWF players - you can find them listed on the newly remodeled, I-didn't-think-it-could-get-any-cuter Unity Blog! Have a fab Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Image(s): {Ippity} - Where You Should Be; sentiment from Studio G clear set
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Sugar Rush
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Bag-O-Buttons - Foof-a-La; PTI twine
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo
Layout: SC266
Challenge: IHHC12

Unity FWF: 'Wool' you be my valentine?

Hi peeps! It's Friday, and that means it's time for Unity Friends With Flair!

I can't tell you how tickled I was when I signed up for KOM in November and found 'Love Ewe' tucked in with my kit. Lambs (lamby-kins) are a thing for me and my mom, and I knew right away I would use this cute little pair on a card for her.

The card is fairly simple, but I didn't want to overwhelm the sweet image or the embossed & shimmery PP from My Mind's Eye. I added texture by running my scalloped circle through the swirls CB folder to echo the sheeps' wooly curls, and used two shades of pink pigment ink to distress the sentiment penant.

Hope you are enjoying the FWF hop! All the participants are listed on the fabulous Unity blog. And when you're done with FWF, head over to the {ippity} blog - sneak peeks of the new release started yesterday!


Valentine Hugs,


Image(s): Unity Stamp Co. - Love Ewe
Pattern Papers: My Mind's Eye
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: MFT button
Colored with Copics

FWF Redo

Does anyone do this? Make a card, and then sit and mentally edit? Something about my FWF card was bugging me. The light wasn't right and in editting the photo, the colors were just not reading true. And the buttons. Definitely not giving me the warm fuzzies that button usually do. So, what's a secretly anal retentive girl to do? Carefully pry off the heart and buttons, do it over and reshoot! LOL!


With that out of the way, and after some much needed organizing (there's still tons more - does it ever end????), I hope to have my January KitCat card posted tomorrow.


Snowy Hugs,

Woohoo for Friday & FWF!

TGIF! It's been an up & down week with my now annual sinus/ear issues. Something about this time of year. But I'm on an upswing now, and ready to ring in the weekend with some Unity fabulousness! Of course, I am drooling over the February KOM and counting down to the 15th when they will start shipping. But in the meantime, I wanted to revisit two fave Unity stamps that I thought were perfect for this time of year. We are expecting some serious snow here and V-Day is just around the corner, so what could be better than a snowman valentine, eh?

Be sure to hit the Unity Blog to get the entire list of Friends With Flair participants!
Happy hopping & warm winter wishes,

PS - I just couldn't resist coloring the bird. A little "blue bird of happiness" moment. ;)
Image(s): Unity Stamp Co. - Snow-one Like You, So-and-So Loves
Pattern Papers: Cosmo Cricket - Hey Sugar
Cardstock: MFT Perfect Panels - cream; Bazzill Basics - Hazel; kraft (local source)
Embellishments: MFT buttons - Chocolate Kiss; PTI twine
Colored with Copics
Inks: Unity/Palette Hybrid - Moulin Rouge; Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Walnut Stain, Antique Linen

Unity Friends With Flair - Let's Get Hoppy!

I am enjoying Fridays so much more this year, thanks to FWF! As always, the list of participants can be found on the Unity blog.

It is in the teens temp wise, but the sun is shining brightly, so let's get 'hoppy'! I was so anxious to get January's KOM, and I am the polar opposite of disappointed! This lovely rabbit is from that kit, and the scrumptious papers were part of the January Scrap/Collage kit that arrived yesterday - just in time for FWF. Love it when that happens!I'm not sure it has anything to do with my 'hoppy' mood, but my birthday is this weekend. So let's celebrate with a wee bit of blog candy! Leave a comment and tell me if you're ready for Spring or still enjoying the Winter delights. I'll select one winner and announce on Monday, 2/1/10. (U.S. and Canadian residents only - got watch those shipping dollars.) The prize? Unity stamps, of course! :D

Have a delightful Friday and a blessed weekend!


Image(s): Unity Stamp Co. - JAN10 KOM
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Origins (12x12)
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Making Memories - Chloe's Closet (yellow flower); SU (brown flower); KI Memories (flower button); PTI twine
Ink: Memento - Cocoa Brown
Layout: SC264

Unity Stamps Friday

Welcome to another Unity Friends With Flair Friday!

I have been waiting, very impatiently, for my January KOM to arrive. Imagine my excitement to find it waiting for me after work last night - just in time for today's FWF! Woohooo!!!!!! It was an extra wonderful mail day because I also received a package from Jacksonbelle that contained some 12x12 from October Afternoon! Of course I couldn't resist putting them both to use right away!


There's just something about Unity Stamps and kraft cardstock - a match made in heaven. I used it as the card base and for the main image so that I could really put the emphasis on the heart and the sprout, both of which I stamped on white CS and colored with Copics, then cut and pieced. (I'll replace the photo with a better one later today since this one came out a bit blurry.)

Hope you are enjoying all of today's wonderful FWF creations! Don't forget to leave comments all along the way and be on the lookout for the Prize Blinkie! The complete list of participants can be found on the Unity Blog. And don't forget, it's not too late to join the KOM Club! The stamps are beyond fabulous and the perks are wonderful!

Hoppy Hugs,


Image(s): KOMJan10 - Savor the Journey
Pattern Papers: October Afternoon - Hometown Collection
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Making Memories turquoise velvet ribbon
Colored with Copics
Ink(s): Memento Tuxedo Black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen
Layout: Splitcoast SC259

Unity Friends With Flair

Does anyone else remember Bob Ross from "The Joy of Painting"??? I loved that man. I even took one of his painting classes at the local craft store when I was 12 or so. And when I found a t-shirt at Target several years ago with a picture of Bob and the caption "Happy Trees", you know I about peed myself and bought it right away! Well, when I was editing these photos, I couldn't think of a better file name than Bob's quintessential phrase "Happy Little Trees". And this stamp is particularly fitting, because Bob always painted one tree and then gave it a little friend. Oh, how I miss that man!

This card was inspired by yesterday. After weeks of below freezing temps and snow, the sun was shining brightly and the temps topped out at a relatively balmy 38 degrees. It totally put me in the mood to celebrate nature's wonder and beauty.

Hope you are finding plenty of wonder and beauty as you hop along with Unity today. Stop by the Unity Blog for a list of all the participants.

Signing off in Bob Ross style "...and God bless."

Image(s): Unity Stamp Co. - Following My Heart KOM AUG09; SU wood grain background stamp; sentiment by PaperArtsy (Inkadinkado)
Pattern Papers: October Afternoon- Farm Fresh collection
Cardstock: brown kraft - local source
Embellishments: twill ribbon -Alpha Stamps ; PTI twine; Making Memories brads (pewter colored with copic marker)
Colored with Copics

Ink(s): Memento - Rich Cocoa; VersaMagic
Layout: Mojo Monday - MOJO121

Unity Friday: Friends With Flair

TGIF! I think this has been the busiest stamping week of my life. I've totally loved it, but I'm also totally sleep deprived! :) For today's card, I thought I'd give my Copics a rest and try something a little different. I'll let you tell me what you think.

I just couldn't resist last month's Unity Scrapbooking Kit, and these stamps are from it. I masked the definition text to incorporate it with the journaling block, pullling my colors from the soft and serene pattern paper. (I hope you can tell the card base is a dark eggplant that coordinates with the ink and PP.) This was also a great exercise in using stashed items - all the cardstock came from the scrap box, and I've been hoarding the Magenta metal bird charm for at least 5 years! Eesh!

This card is going to my gal Carol (momcgw) who was a wonderful Secret Santa to me. (Love ya, Carol!)
Thanks for hopping along for FWF today, and be sure to visit all the blogs to find the hidden blinkie! You can find the list on the Unity Blog.

Happy Friday!


Image(s): Unity Stamp Co.
Ink(s): VersaMagic
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: Magenta metal charm; PTI twine

Walking in a Winter Wonderland....with Unity FWF!

ETA: Lorie is the winner! Congrats, Miss Lorie! I'll be putting some Unity goodness in the mail to you this week! Must be kismet because I'm entering this card in the Stamping Around challenge that Lorie is hostessing. :D

I'll be back later today with an FBD new release! Stay tuned. :D
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Happy 2010! What better way to start the new year than with Unity's Friends With Flair, right? :D Be sure to head over to the Unity Blog for the list of participating stampers and be on the look out for the FWF blinkie! Leave a comment for me before noon EST tomorrow, and you'll be entered into my drawing for some Unity rubbah and images. (See - told ya I'd have another giveaway this week!)

Winter has definitely arrived here in Ohio, so it's no wonder that all I wanna do is make snow cards! I'm also totally hooked on the Joyride collection from Collage Press, and green being my favoritest color, this paper just makes my heart sing! For fun, I strung the snowflakes on twine and hung them from the top of the card - kind of like we'd hang props for a high school play. Ah, those were the days! LOL!


Hugs & love,


Image(s): Unity - Snow-one Like You, Wordsworth - Seuss Tree
Pattern Papers: Collage Press - Joyride collection
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: metallic snowflakes, PTI twine, ribbon, Stickles
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, VersaMagic Aloe, VersaMagic white
Colored with Copics

Unity Friends With Flair Friday - Last of '09

Even though this is only my 2nd FWF, I'm sad it's the last one of the year. :( But I'm sooooo looking forward to seeting what Angela & the Unity crew have in store for us in 2010! I know it will be fabulous!

I've had this stamp since last year, but this is the first I've used it. (In 2010, I really need to stop doing that and get my inky on right away!) I love how the names of each of Santa's reindeers swirl around the beautiful antlers, and the elegant and serene look on the deer's face. Magical!


Be sure to visit all the FWF blogs. You can find the complete list on the Unity Blog. Find the FWF button and leave a comment for a chance to win free stamps! Good luck & happy hopping!

And because 'tis the season, one lucky commenter today will win some Unity stamps from me! So leave a comment and check back tomorrow to see if you're the winner! :D
Holiday Hugs & Love,


Image(s): Unity Stamp Co. - All Santa's Reindeer
Pattern Papers: Basic Grey - Figgy Pudding
Cardstock: local source
Embellishments: pearly dew drops, Stardust Gelly Roll pen, Making Memories ribbon
Colored with Copics
Sketch: Inspired by Mojo Monday Sketch #116