Scrap with Stacy

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!!

I hope you are all having a wonderful day today. I wanted to share a few projects that I did. I made a layout for the Sketches4all February Sketch Valentine LO Challenge and I am just now getting around to sharing it with you. This challenge lasts the whole month of February and ends on the 29th. There is a great RAK for the winner. So you should go check it out and join in!!

I was required to use a Valentine/Love theme and this fab sketch from Liz Qualman:

I worked with a lot of chipboard and painted it silver. I used glimmer mist to spray the heck out of that big flower which was white to start with. My fingers were red for a couple of days afterwards. It was kind of funny because everyone kept asking what happened to my hand. They thought I was injured. lol The struggles we artists go through....lol

My friend Mike took this photo of my hubby and I when we were visiting him and his wife a couple of months ago. I immediately wanted to scrap it. Mike made us this gorgeous roasted red pepper and goat cheese bruscetta and served us lovely champagne as a little appetizer before making us an awesome gourmet dinner. It was just a wonderful evening.

I also want to show you a project that I made for Crafter's Companion too. It is a sneak peak at a new stamp line we will be getting next week called Anthony and Burt. Anthony and Burt are a frog and a fly. They are super cute and funny. I decided to use the Party Amphibian Stamp Set and make a birthday card.

I tried to keep the focus on the image and the festive star pattern paper which I think gives the whole thing a "party" feel. I made the accordion flower and thought I would share with you how I did it.

First I grabbed one of my Martha Stewart punches and punched a 12" x 1 1/2 inch piece of patterned paper down one side.

Next I pulled out my trusty Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool and scored it about every 1/4". I had to eyeball it a bit. I scored in the middle of each scallop and I scored between each scallop.

Next is to accordion fold the scored paper back and forth until you get to the end.

Once you reach the end you just need to put adhesive on the end and attach it to the other end of the folded piece forming a circle.

I punched a circle out of card stock next and put adhesive on it.

Gently push the accordion flower down onto the sticky circle forming a flat flower shape.

I fussy cut a star out of my pattern paper and added it to the top of the flower and crowned the whole thing with a button with noted bakers twine on it. I think it adds just that little something extra to the card. I also decorated the inside of the card too.

Remember you still have time to go enter your name to try to win the new Sheena Douglass Paint Fusion -Lilac stamp set we are giving away over on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. Giveaway ends on Thursday the 16th at 8pm PST.

The month is fast rushing by so get busy on those February Something Sweet projects for the February Challenge at Crafter's Companion USA Blog!!! Hurry for Pete's sake!! LOL I'm dying to see what you come up with. There is a wonderful prize and you know you want to win it!! lol

Have a fabulous Valentines Day!!

xoxo Stacy

2012-02-10T20:28:00.000-08:00

I'm still sick. But I didn't let it slow me down today. Started the morning at Gymcats with my two younger kids for that all important "parent involvement day". (hehehe) It started out a little off kilter but eventually they warmed to the place and by the time we left they didn't want to go. For those who don't know, Gymcats is a gymnastics place.

My "brave"one getting ready to jump in the foam pit.

This one is a bit suspicious of all this fun being had!! lol

After that we headed back home and we got to see my hubby who had flown back home and arrived while we were gone.

I worked on a project for Carri's Birthday blog hop which is fast approaching...February 16th! Plan to come hop around and help us celebrate Carri's birthday!! There will be awesome inspiration and candy!!! I know I'm giving away something GOOD!! So stop back by on Thursday.

I fixed some yummy Italian Wedding Soup, salad and crusty bread rolls for dinner. And now I am getting ready to go sit in the living room with my hubby and watch Real Steel.

I just wanted to stop by and say hello!! And remind you that this weekend is a good time to get your project made for the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog's February Something Sweet Challenge!!! (am I bugging you enough yet?!?! lol) I sure need my friends to come join in the challenge this month...hint hint, hint.

Also, if you are interested, the Crafter's Companion Informational Blog is giving away a Sheena Douglass Paint Fusion - Fuchsia Stamp set this weekend. Go over there and enter to maybe win!! Giveaway ends on Sunday.

The Crafter's Companion Challenge blog Stamp It Australia - Rose Clock stamp set giveaway winner is Hoosier Stamper.

THE HOOSIER STAMPER said...

Oh this is an awesome, awesome stamp!!!

Congrats Hoosier Stamper!!

Finally who wants to see a photo of my giant schnauzer who thinks she is a mini laying in my lap?

Have a nice weekend.

Just Living Is Not Enough

2012-02-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is already Thursday!! This week has flown past. Sorry to have not posted very much but I have been sick and busy. Two things that really don't go together well. ha I'm still not feeling that great but the show must go on...right?

I spent the morning with my oldest daughter at the doctors office. She has been having chronic hives and we have been struggling to find out what the problem is. We were worried it might be something serious so took her to a specialist. But good news...the specialist says she is fine. The hives might be food related so we will work at it from that angle until we figure things out. She has been having them less and less so I have my fingers crossed that they will stop altogether soon.

After the doctor I took her out for breakfast and then we had to stop by my Local Scrapbook store because they had called me to say that they had a Christmas present waiting for me at the store!! They said they had called in December and left a message but I was out of town and missed hearing it.

When I got there they gave me a wrapped box and I opened it and it was filled with candy AND a $50 gift card to the store!!!!!!!!!! WOOT!! Of course I immediately went shopping and spent it!! lol Just think it had been sitting there for over a month!!! What a fun surprise.

Now I am waiting for my mother in law to come home with my oldest son. He fell at school and hit his hand. We are worried that he might have broken something and since I am sick she offered to take him to the Doc in the Box. (urgent care facility) I have my fingers crossed that it is just bruised.

I wanted to remind you to please go enter the February Something Sweet Challenge at Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. Remember how I am trying to grow the number of entries???!! We are giving away a cool prize that you will probably really want to have so get busy already!!! LOL

I made a card for the Crafter's Companion Informational blog using Sheena Douglass Paint Fusion - Fuchsia stamp set. I stamped out the image and then painted it. Next I fussy cut it out and layered it with Popdots for dimension.

You can use a straight edge punch to create a border for a circular shape. Here is what you do:

First you punch a length of paper with your edge punch. Cut off a strip of the paper leaving a small border 1cm or about .5 inch.

Snip at regular intervals, from the straight edge through to an aperture close to the patterned edge, leaving that edge intact

Slightly overlapping the sections, stick the strip behind the curved edge you wish to decorate.

Cool right??!! I found this idea on Pinterest and thought I should share it with you.

I went for a fairly clean and simple card to let the fuchsia flower stand out. I finished up by stamping out my sentiment which I thought was appropriate. Have a look and see if you don't agree.

Okay, my son has come home and his hand is not broken. It is severely bruised and they have it in a splint. They sent him home with some strong pain pills.

More tomorrow...

Free Stamp Set Giveaway

2012-02-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

I wanted to remind everyone that there is a stamp set giveaway over at Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog that ends tomorrow, February 9th at 8pm PST. You can win the Stamp It Australia - Rose Clock stamp set. All you need to do is go comment HERE on the Crafter's Companion USA Blog site to get your name in the hat. What are you waiting for??!!! (open to US residents only)

You have to go over to CCC Blog to enter....not here on my blog.

DENISE MADE TOP TEN!!

2012-02-04T20:28:00.000-08:00

My BFF, Denise from Lalasworld Blog made it to Round 4 in the Practical Scrappers layout challenge!! TOP TEN!! WOO HOO!! I'm sure it is partly from some of you voting for her. I would LOVE it if you would pop over and check out her project and if you love it as much as I do vote for her! (Click HERE)

How can you not love this layout??!!!

I've been very, very busy today. Had a Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast at my daughter's school this morning then off to a full afternoon of Lacrosse. Then off for birthday present shopping for my daughter who is turning 10 on Monday. Finally we finished up with an early dinner out.

When we got back home I was so tired I laid down on the couch in the living room and fell fast asleep!! lol I'm so lame!! But now I am up and refreshed and raring to go.

I have two DT projects due tomorrow...(oh dear...ha) So I guess scrapping is in my near future. How about you? Do anything fun today?? Any big Super Bowl plans??

I will leave you with a photo of the birthday girl cheering this morning before the Run. And a photo of my 3 olders kids after they finished the Fun Run.

GIVEAWAY FRIDAY

2012-02-03T15:55:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

It's time for Giveaway Friday over at the Crafter's Companion Informational Blog! This weekend, they're giving away a new Stamp IT stamp, called Butterfly Frame:

Just leave a comment on the post over at Crafter's Companion by Sunday night and you could win this gorgeous stamp. They will post the winner on Tuesday's blog post. (Must be a U.S. resident to win.)

***REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO GO TO CRAFTER'S COMPANION INFORMATIONAL BLOG TO ENTER.***

New Stamp Release!!

2012-02-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

Look what I just found out!! Here is that cool set of stamps I have been putting on everything I have made this week!! You can check them out here. Just thought I would share...

Month Long Candy Giveaway on Holley's Blog!

2012-02-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Go check out the month long candy giveaway on Holley's Blog. This will be a month of celebration because she is about to hit 2 years after successful double-brain surgery!! You need to go check out her blog and leave her some love!!

Winner Announced!

2012-02-03T11:35:00.000-08:00

The winner of the SWALK stamp set giveaway on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog has been announced!! Go check it out and while you are there check out the new February Something Sweet Challenge and our new Guest Design Team member, Janette Garcia!! AND the December/January challenge winner!!

There's a lot going on over there right now. So my USA friends, get out those Crafter's Companion stamps and make me something for the Something Sweet Challenge!!! I would love to feature one of you next Friday on the blog!!

Happy February!!

2012-02-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!! Are you ready to Leap into February!!?? I guess we get one extra day this year. What are you planning to do with your extra day??!! I'm gonna sleep!! LOL (jk)

I wanted to let you know that we have a new challenge up over at the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. You know how I have been practically driving everyone nuts to enter our challenges!! This month the challenge is "something sweet". You just need to make something with a Crafter's Companion stamp and the theme "something sweet". Easy peasy. Go check it out and while you are there sign up to try to win the free SWALK stamp set!!

Here is the easel card I made for my something sweet project.

I used my new Strawberry Kisses - Birthday Kitten stamp and some My Little Shoebox paper. I punched out the flower border with a Martha Stewart punch (love it!!). I used a couple more punches from my stash too - a tag punch and another edge punch. I also pulled out a few brads, Stickle, ribbon and bling from my stash to use. I love the bright happy feel of this card. Perfect for birthday card.

I fussy cut the two flowers out of a sheet of pattern paper and layered them with Popdots.

I colored the image with my Spectrum Noir markers and then fussy cut it out.

I have been living vicariously through photos on Facebook and on blogs of all the fun everyone was having at CHA. Did you get to go or are you and armchair traveler too? I saw these super cool pennant buttons that I just have to share. Aren't they the cutest!?!

These will be finding their way into my stash as soon as they are available! LOVE THEM! What's you favorite new stuff previewed at CHA?? Anything coming out that you just have to have?

Okay see you next time!!

Stacy

Crafter's Companion $100 Giveaway!

2012-01-31T13:18:00.000-08:00

****This post will stay at the top for awhile. Please scroll down to see new posts****

Crafter’s Companion Giveaway

Just wanted to share that Crafter’s Companion is having an awesome giveaway right now. (The design team has been given the challenge to spread this message to everyone we know)

You will be entered into a drawing for $100 gift certificate for anything on the Crafter’s Companion website and so will I (you will be making two people very happy – you and me)

1) Just become a Crafter’s Companion blog follower http://crafterscompanion.blogspot.com/ and
2) email YOUR NAME AND MY NAME (Stacy) to bindy@crafterscompanion.com

- that’s it … I know I could think of LOTS of things I could get on the website for $100; couldn’t you?

Contest started Jan 25 and ends on Feb 29th… you don’t want to miss this.

Post it on your FB page,

Tweet about it,

Pin it,

please help me out and spread the word.

***** open to new Crafter’s Companion followers and US residents only *****

Extreme Bed Head!

2012-01-31T12:12:00.000-08:00

Want to see a hilarious case of bed head??!! This is what I saw when I went into the kitchen this morning.

I'm not sure if you can quite get the feel of how bad it is. Let's get a little closer...

While I was helping someone else find something my oldest son got Georgie up, dressed and set her in front of a bowl of cereal. Apparently, he doesn't feel that personal grooming is important before you put on your NEW GLASSES!!

Yep, I said it...new glasses!! They actually called me yesterday afternoon and told me her glasses were in. I piled all the kids in the car (hubby is out of town) and off we went. Here is a better photo after her introduction to a hair brush.

I'm not sure why but I'm loving that serious look on her face. She moved every time I tried to take one of her smiling....blurrrrville. Aren't they cute on her??!! She seems to be doing pretty well with them so far. She wore them to school and came home with them still on her face. I think that is definitely progress! ha

Okay, enough about my little baby doll. I actually did scrap a tiny bit. I started working on a page in my journal. I used the same papers from G45. I made a little pocket and then made a tag to go in the pocket.

The tag was made to go along with my friend, Michelle's tag challenge over at Sketches4all. (challenge ends today) She gave us a sketch to use and we were told to use something altered. I actually pull some scrap chipboard from my scrap pile for the base of the card. I had done some embossing on it and didn't like it so tossed it in the pile. (Georgie had mixed two containers of embossing powder together and when heated they looked awful together)

here is the before

here is the after

I made a layout for Crafter's Companion using the Stamp It -Butterfly Frame stamp that we are giving a sneak peak of this week. It will soon be in stores. I told you yesterday that I really like this set of stamps because they really work well on layouts and other altered projects like my journal. I love that! I am just going to show you my layout here. If you want more details on it go check out the post I did over at CC Blog today.

I will tell you that I scrapped a photo of my sister and our cousin. In the photo they are sitting on our grandmother's lap. My sister and our cousin were both born prematurely in the same city on the same day but in different hospitals. We always call them the "Twin Cousins". Neither my aunt nor my mother knew the other one was having a baby at the same time they were!! That memory definitely deserved a layout to commemorate it!

Notice that I used the same G45 paper from Botanicabella. Yummy paper!!

Okay enough for now. I hope you are having a great Tuesday. Thank for visiting.

Happy Monday!!

2012-01-30T14:27:00.000-08:00

Did I mention that my 4 year old is getting glasses?? She apparently can not see far away AT ALL!! How could I not know this?? I took her to the eye doctor not so much for her eye sight but because she has a "wandering" eye or rather two wandering eyes. (Exotropia) And one of the main reasons this happens (apparently) is when the child has very poor eye sight. The eyes get bored with nothing to focus on and wander outward.
So she is getting glasses. Do you remember me mentioning she is 4? I asked the doctor how I was going to keep them on her and the doctor said that I probably won't be able to get her to take them off because right now her world is very small. Once she puts on these glasses her world will open up. However I did order her the special plastic glasses with a strap to hold them on!! LOL

Here is a couple photos of her trying on the new frames. (they still need her lenses put in)

I think they are going to be cute on her but I am biased!! lol I don't know if you can see it in the photo but she fell that morning as she was running to get on the bus (with me yelling, "don't run, don't run...") and slammed her nose into the ground. She has a weird vertical bruise on her nose.

She seems excited to get glasses. Maybe because 4 of us in the family wear them and she feels a bit left out. She is always taking off my glasses and putting them on herself. I will let you know how it turns out.

I finally have something to post!! I worked on two DT projects this weekend but they don't post until later this week so I couldn't share them yet. I have a new Stash challenge going on at Sketches4all. The challenge is to share either the cover or a page from your Smash book type journal. I don't have a Smash brand book. I just bought a journal from Target and finally got inspiration to decorate the cover.

I plan to use my journal to glue and jot down inspirational things like photos, sayings, colors, projects etc. I decided on the perfect title and it set off my creative juices!! ha I used some G45 -Botanicabella papers. I even fussy cut out some butterflies to add. I stamped out a cool new soon to be released Stamp It Stamp - Compass and then I added distress inks to "age" the paper. I punched out the paper border strip with my Martha Stewart border punch. And finished up with a few brads, some stickles and alpha stickers that spell out my title. Be Inspired, Be Inspiring. (love that!!)

I really love how it turned out! I am also going to post it over at Color Me Creative Classroom on We R Smash Bookin. I love visiting over there and being immediately inspired!!

If you are into Smash booking right now, I would love it if you came over to S4A and joined in my challenge. I would enjoy seeing your projects!! There will be a RAK for the winner.

Tomorrow is the last day to enter the "Anything Goes" Challenge on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. You still have time to throw you name in the hat for the awesome Humphrey Goodies!! Be sure and check back on the 1st for the new February Challenge and to see who has won those Humphrey goodies.

I'm completely surprised that only 5 (!) people tried to win the free stamps sets I gave away last week. GASP! I would actually like to give away a couple more stamps sets.(I have a Humphrey and some SWALK) If there is any interest please leave me a comment. I would like to give these stamp sets to folks from the US who might be interested in using their new stamp set to join in a challenge at Crafter's Companion USA Challenge blog. (and don't worry my dear sweet international followers...I am gathering up some goodies for another giveaway which will include YOU TOO!!)

And the last thing to tell you is that we have a new stamp set to giveaway on the CCC Blog. (US folks only) You only need to leave a comment to get in on a chance to win. The stamp is from SWALK and is called You Deserve A Treat. A perfect stamp to use on those Valentines Day cards!!

Isn't it cute!!! You know you want to try to win so go on over there and enter to win!!

That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog today.

Denise Made It To Round 3!

2012-01-28T13:00:00.000-08:00

My BFF, Denise at Lalasworld Blog has made it to Round 3 at Practical Scrappers!! WOOT!! I would ask you to check out her layout here and if you love it as much as I do please go vote for her. http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2012/01/3rd-round-layout-contest-vote-here.html THANKS!!!

Win $100 Gift Card and More!

2012-01-26T08:36:00.000-08:00

Who wouldn't want to win $100 to spend in the Crafter's Companion Store??!!! Well right now they are having a giveaway and it is for new followers only. What do you have to do to win?

To enter to win you must:

1. Follow the Crafter's Companion Informational Blog. (New Followers only)
2. Send an email with your name AND my name (Stacy) to: bindy@crafterscompanion.com
saying that you are a new follower and that I sent you.
3. Be a U.S. Resident.

That's all you have to do.

I know I talk about Crafter's Companion all the time but it is because I really love being on their DT and I love their products and the people I work with there. I just get very excited about all of it and want to share.

Are you aware from all of my posts that there are TWO U.S. Blogs?? (And One United Kingdom Blog??) Obviously I am on the U.S. team and the two blogs for us here in the U.S. are the Crafter's Companion Informational Blog and the Crafter's Companion U.S. Challenge Blog. (the UK blog is the challenge blog for the UK) I just thought I would help to make that a bit more clear.

Before you leave to go enter to win the $100 gift card, I want to remind you to be sure and go sign up for the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog stamp set giveaway because it ends today at 8pm PST!! You could win the Strawberry Kisses - Babe Stamp Set!!!! While you are there why don't you "follow" this blog too!!!

And if you haven't entered the "Anything Goes" Challenge over there...what are you waiting for?!?!?!? LOL Come on now - help a sister out!! ha To encourage you to do this I will send a Crafter's Companion Stamp Set to the first 5 U.S. residents that promise to use their stamp to enter the Challenge at the CCC Blog!!! Email me at Scrapwithstacy@gmail.com with your name and address if you are interested.

Do you want to see the cool project I made?? I saved it for last. I made this Set of Drawers Card and a matching envelobox for it to go in. I used papers that I printed out from the Strawberry Kisses CD ROM and the Strawberry Kisses "Gorgeous" Stamp Set. Isn't it cool. There are 4 drawers and they fit things like gift cards, candy and jewelry. It is fun to make when you follow Sara's instructions on the Ultimate Crafter's Companion Advanced Construction Techniques DVD. This DVD is seriously one of the first things I reach for when I want some inspiration. There are so many cool projects! If you are interested in any of these goodies you can find them in the Crafter's Companion Store.

Okay, enough of me.....go sign up for all the giveaways now!!!!

YUM!

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

I just saw this on Facebook and thought I would share.....I'm pretty sure this is in my immediate future!!

Pour melted chocolate into ice cube tray, place strawberries in each slot and freeze.

I'm off to read a book for awhile. Just wanted to stop by to say hi!!

Come back by tomorrow...I will have a project to share.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

2012-01-23T12:41:00.000-08:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy!!! Happy Chinese New Year!! It is the year of the Dragon this year. I have two Dragons in my house. My two older boys were born in 2000 which was the last year of the dragon. It is a very special sign to be born under.

We went out to eat Chinese food at our favorite restaurant for lunch today. They treated us very specially. This evening we gave the kids their red envelopes. We enjoy trying to incorporate some Chinese traditions into our lives.

I wanted to let you know that we have a new stamp set to give away on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog!! This week we are giving away the super sweet Strawberry Kisses - Babe stamp set. LOVE IT! Go over to their site and leave a comment and try to win. You might be the lucky one. Go on...!!! (US residents ONLY) (sorry)

2012-01-22T14:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday!!

I've been busy today cleaning and rearranging things. My brother is leaving on Tuesday to go back home so I figured I better use his help while I still have it!! lol He has helped me move some furniture around and do other projects.

You all probably know I have 5 kids and they all have their own bedrooms however they don't like to sleep alone yet (except for the littlest one! Go figure! ha). I have to be creative when pairing them up otherwise they stay up playing and being loud instead of going to sleep.

My plan has been to pair up my oldest son, with my youngest son in one room. And my daughter and other son in another room. This has worked fine until recently when the son who shares with my daughter (in her room) decided he wanted to start sleeping in his own room. Well now that doesn't work unless she can sleep in his room with him because now she is scared to sleep alone.

He only had a twin bed in his room so she has been sleeping on the floor in there. (she has a bunk bed with a trundle bed under it in her room.) I hated that she was sleeping on the floor so since we had a trundle bed frame under his bed and another twin mattress on the floor in another room (don't ask. ha) I decided to set up two twin beds in his room. One for each of them. So we have spent the morning cleaning his room and dragging things around the house and rearranging his room. Looks pretty great now! She is thrilled...him, not so much!! LOL

We have a basement which is pretty empty since only the kids use it. I decided to make it into a playroom for them. We took the play kitchen out of my oldest daughters room (she doesn't use it anymore) and put it down there. Took the train table and all the Thomas the Tank Engine train things down and a few more odds and ends. You get the idea. They are loving it but man have we been busy!

I have to get a DT project done and ready to post today. But I wanted to say hi to you guys first.

HI!

LOL

I actually just got two of the Spectrum Noir pen storage bags in the mail yesterday and wanted to let you know about them. A friend emailed me asking questions about them and that gave me the idea to share the info with you too.

They are light weight bags with a zipper around the top. The zipper goes around 3 sides of the bag. It is perfect for storing and transporting your pens but might be awkward if you wanted to use your pens while they are in the bag and it is open. The top doesn't fold all the way back and stay back so you would have to keep moving the top to get to the pens. But for storage and transporting they are great. I have two bags and they hold all of my SN Markers. And I have all 70 some odd markers. (each bag is supposed to hold 36 markers)

Copics fit in them fine too Here are a few photos so you can see what I am talking about. I put a few of my Copics inside of the bag so you could see how they look.

Cool huh!? They are really reasonably priced too. (currently they are only $3.95 a bag!) I just thought you might be interested.

Okay, that is enough for right now. I need to get scrapping!!

Friendship Friday and Giveaways Galore!

2012-01-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

Question Of The Week

What Inspired Your Blog Name?

I don't have any fancy reason for the name of my blog. It just seemed to be a good name at the time. My name is Stacy and I love to scrap with friends hence ScrapwithStacy. Now how about you??

I wanted to thank everyone who went to vote for Denise yesterday. I also wanted to tell you the name of the person who won the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog stamp set giveaway.

The winner of the Art-Kure - Tewksbury Mill Stamp is: SONYA!

Sonyasaid...: What a stunning image...how beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win!

There will be another stamp to giveaway on Monday so go join in. You could be the winner next Friday!!

It's time for Giveaway Friday over at the Crafter's Companion Info Blog! They thought they would give away another gorgeous new Art-Kure image this week. It's called: Durham Castle .

Just leave a comment over there on today's post by Sunday night and you could win this gorgeous stamp . They will post the winner on Tuesday's blog post. (Must be a U.S. resident to win.)

Finally, I wanted to let you know that Kathy at Kathysdouble-k-krafts has candy to giveaway on her blog. You will definitely want to go check it out because it looks yummy. And you will be happy you stopped by because her projects are super creative and pretty.

AND Khristen from Khristen's Craft Room has an adorable stamp set to giveaway on her blog. Khristen makes the most awesome projects so you will want to go over to her blog just to look a bit!!

So what are you waiting for?? Go sign up for some candy!!!!

That's all for tonight.

Stacy

Vote for Denise to Win!

2012-01-19T14:14:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! My BFF has her Grinchmas layout in a scrapbooking competition over at Practical Scrappers. If you have time today (it's just for today), can you please check it out and vote for it? I'd really appreciate it. Next Saturday they will dwindle down the 70 entries to 25 and I think it would be really cool if she made it in. Her layout is the 2nd one listed. Click HERE to go to their site.

Thanks so much!!! Go vote for Denise Coulter to win!!!

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

2012-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's Wednesday and today is the day I pick my Blog Candy Giveaway Winners!!

Are you excited?? Did you sign up and are you now eagerly waiting to see if I have picked your name???!!! Well, the wait is finally over.....the winners are...... (and sadly you all can't win #3....)

The winner for stamp #1 is Michelle H.

Michelle H.Jan 15, 2012 09:03 PM

I love your card so pretty and love the bling!!
Love the baby swans!! I love the stamp with the Balloons because they remind me of a Birthday and I don't have any bday stamps except a stamp that has the word Happy Birthday. That stamp collection with the balloons is so adorable!!
I will link it up on my blog Monday night!!
Hugs!
Awesome giveaway!!

The winner for stamp #2 is Becky Dunham

Becky DunhamJan 11, 2012 08:39 PM

Gorgeous card Stacy! I adore Humphrey and I don't own any so I would be happy with any of them! But of the 3, my favorite is #1 because it is so versatile - could be for birthday, for Valentine's, for "I'm sorry", or just because! Thanks for the chance to win :)

and the winner for stamp #3 is Terriavidreader

terriavidreader (IN-USA)Jan 15, 2012 03:51 PM

Oh, I love the party conga! What a cute image, and thanks for a chance to win it.

Please email me immediately with your name and mailing address so that I can pop these in the mail to you tomorrow. ScrapwithstacyATgmailDOTcom (remember to change out AT and DOT)

And REMEMBER all of the winners are required to enter the Crafter's Companion USA January "Anything Goes" Challenge!!!! LOL (not kidding!!!! ha) You need to help a girl out!!

Hope the rest of your day is wonderful!!

Happy Monday...errrr...I Mean Happy Tuesday!

2012-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday! Is anyone else confused this week?? With the long holiday weekend we had here in the US, I keep thinking it is Monday. I remembered at the last second this morning and rushed to get my daughter to school for Running club. My two older sons are having half days this week. They go for a full day today and then only until 11am the rest of the week. Lucky them!! lol

I have my oldest son home sick again today. He has been sick all weekend and he stayed home last Friday. You know they are sick when they come home, lie down and fall asleep for hours in the living room. We took him to the doctor yesterday and he is on antibiotics and some other medication. Hopefully he will start feeling better soon.

My hubby flew off to Colorado this morning and won't be home until either Friday or Saturday. My brother is still here visiting and we are really enjoying having him here. He is really great with the kids and they love him to death. It was kind of funny the other night because my 4 year old was putting stickers on him and he just sat there patiently letting her. She even put one on the face of his watch!! He had to rush in and show me afterwards.

I have a project to share with you and I have reminders for you to go join in on the stamp set giveaways here on my blog (ends at midnight tonight PST!!) and also over at Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. (ends Thursday 8pm PST) And don't forget to join in the Anything Goes Challenge at Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog!!!!

First my project. (well I guess technically now that I have already given you the reminders, my project is actually second! LOL) Anyway, on to my project.

With all of the fun new stamp sets that have been coming out I have never really gotten the chance to use the Winter S.W.A.L.K. sets enough. These are the perfect sets to own because they are winter themed so that you can use them over and over for months to come. And the images are gorgeous and fun to color.

I decided to color the S.W.A.L.K. Winter - LOVE YOU stamp set with my Spectrum Noir markers. Those two kids are just so super adorable. Since I was making a Valentines Day card I tried to keep my color palette in reds, pinks and greys to match the Echo Park - Yours Truly papers I chose to use. I fussy cut the colored images out and then used double-sided adhesive foam circles to adhere them because I wanted to give the card a bit more dimension. I did the same thing with the sticker I used for my sentiment.

I was lucky enough to get this gorgeous hearts punch set for Christmas from my mother. Yes, she spoiled me!! LOL Isn't that punched hearts edge just the prettiest thing?? Don't you just love Martha Stewart Punches??

Speaking of punches, my darling brother helped me out by hanging up these curtain rods on my wall. I saw this idea for punch storage somewhere and have been dying to try it out. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! And I love my brother for getting it up on the wall for me. What do you think?? Now I just need to figure out what to do with the punches that don't work on the rods.

Isn't it totally AWESOME!!! I have them hanging over my kids computer desk in my scrap room. It is so nice to be able to have them up off the table and all easily visible. I can't rave about it enough. But I guess I can since this is the end of the post.....lol

Hope the rest of your day is wonderful!!

GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY!!!

2012-01-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

I wanted let you know the exciting news....we are giving away one of our brand spanking new stamp sets this week on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog!. The stamp we are giving away is the newArt-Kure - Tewksbury stamp set. These stamps give the feeling of a timeless Britain. The giveaway is open to all US residents. To enter to win you will just need to leave a comment on the post on the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog. (not on this blog post) The giveaway is open until 8pm PST Thursday, January 19th. We will post the winner on Friday the 20th. So please stop back by the CCC Blogto see if you have won.

ALSO if you haven't already signed up for my stamp set blog candy giveaways here on my blog you better hurry up and do so because they end on WEDNESDAY the 18th!!!!

So what are you waiting for??? GO sign up now for both candies!!!!!!!!

We Survived

2012-01-14T02:08:00.000-08:00

Well, I guess we survived Friday the 13th! I didn't even realize it was Friday the 13th until I started blog hopping tonight! LOL Did any good scary movies come out?

It is late, I'm tired and I'm not sure why but I switched over to the new blogger so I'm trying it out. Probably the wrong time to check things out but what can I say. This post will be short.

I am going to post a picture now of some swans and their babies...

Random I know...lol

Weird post but I will do another one when I wake up in the morning. Night!

Friendship Friday

2012-01-13T11:58:00.000-08:00

Question Of The Week

What do you love most about blogging?

I love the community of blogging. I love the friendships I've made and the inspiration I've gotten from followers and other bloggers. I really enjoy learning about and from other people. I would never have realized a little more than a year ago how much this would come to mean to me.

If you are interested in joining in on this blog hop here is where you go: http://www.create-with-joy.com/2012/01/friendship-friday.html

BLOG CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2012-01-11T19:45:00.000-08:00

Hi there!!

How about a giveaway!??! I would like to give away a few Humphrey the Elephant stamp sets.

If you win you must immediately make something with your new stamp and enter it in the Crafter's Companion USA Challenge Blog January Anything Goes Challenge!! LOL (soooooo not kidding!! ha)

I have 3 stamp sets to give away so I will draw 3 winners, one for each set.

Stamp set #1 "Humphrey" Stamp Set

Stamp set #2 "Friends Forever" Stamp Set

Stamp set #3 "Birthday Conga" Stamp Set

This Blog Candy starts today and I will pick the winners on Wednesday, January 18th. So you have one week to enter.

1. Leave a comment telling me which stamp set you like and why.

2. Link back from your blog. (either on your sidebar or in a post)

3. Follow me if you want.

That's all you have to do. Please be sure to either leave me a way to contact you or check back next Wednesday to see if you have won. I will pick a new winner on THURSDAY (January 19th) if you do not contact me on Wednesday. I want to get these babies in the mail to you ASAP!!!

Spread the word!!

Now....want to see a card I made yesterday?

I made it for Fia's Get Sketchy Challenge at Sketches4all. http://sketchesforyou.ning.com/group/getsketchy/forum/topics/january-1st-sketch

She has a really cute Pagemaps sketch for you to use. I used some more fun paper that I bought while I was in Oklahoma and have been itching to use. This is by TaDa Creative Studios - Bountiful Bloom Snippets & Clippets. (I think that is the name of the line and not just one of the papers) I hadn't heard of this company before but the paper is yummy looking and is a good weight double sided paper.

I colored my clear bling with my Copic Markers to customize the color. (again) I used some ribbon from my stash and some of my Stickles. What do you think?? I think it is fairly clean and simple. I like it.

Okay, enough for today. See you tomorrow.

Red, Black and White

2012-01-10T23:09:00.000-08:00

This week is going by pretty quickly for me for some reason. I can't believe it is almost Wednesday! I'm not sure why I'm commenting on it...? lol Do you feel like this week is flying by??

I was lucky enough to scrap a bit today. I made two cards. I am going to share one with you. One is still drying...well the Stickles on it is still drying.

I decided that I have put off posting a new card challenge at Sketches4all long enough so I pulled out a cool Pagemaps sketch and got to work. I used some YUMMY new EP - Yours Truly paper that I bought while I was still in Oklahoma. I've been itching to use it but haven't found the time to do it. Well...now I have. ha

If you get crazy you can come join in on the challenge Here. It ends on January 23rd. You just have to use this cute sketch:

I've been told that bold prints are IN this spring...... So I used the hounds tooth pattern along with the circle paper. They seem really bold to me! I tried to stick with Red, White and Black on my card. I punched out the black circles and added the sweet little red heart stickers. I layered the sentiment sticker on some black card stock too. It is attached with Pop dots to give some added dimension to the card. I used one of my new edge punches. I love those hearts! The large bling that I found in my stash was red to start with but the pretty scroll bling was clear. I colored it with my copics to match. I LOVE that I can do that!

I think it is a fun card. It is bright and happy. Have you started working on those Valentines Cards? This one doesn't have to be for Valentines Day but it could be. I really love this line of paper because most of the papers are in Valentines colors (i.e. red, pink, black, grey) but the patterns are versatile enough to use any time of the year. There are stripes, hounds tooth, circles, flowers etc. It is just totally yummy!

I am entering this card in a couple of challenges:

The Pink Elephant - Hearts http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/

The Squirrel and The Fox - Something New (my edge punch)http://thesquirrelandthefox.blogspot.com/

Sparkles Forum Challenge - Anything but Christmas http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/

Tip Top Tuesday challenge - Anything Goes http://toptiptuesday.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-67-anything-goes.html

Simply Create Too - Layers http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.com/

Just Tracys Crafts - Love is in the air http://justtracyscraftschallenge.blogspot.com/

Truly, Madly, Crafty - Anything Goes http://trulymadlycraftychallenges.blogspot.com/

UnstampaBelles - Anything Goes http://unstampabelleschallenges.blogspot.com/

Cupcake Craftroom - Anything Goes http://cupcakecraftroom.blogspot.com/

Joanna Sheen - Celebration http://joannasheenchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year-and-new-challenge.html

Gingerloft Challenge - Anything Goes http://www.gingerloftchallenge.blogspot.com/

Karens Doodles Challenge - Love http://karensdoodleschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Heart Song Inspirations - Border Punches http://heartsonginspirations.blogspot.com/

I was lucky to be able to use a new stamp set that is coming out next week at Crafter's Companion. http://www.crafterscompanion.com/ Here is a sneak peak at their Kanji Stamps. I was excited when I saw the new line of stamps. I immediately heard a bell go off in my head that said, "make a layout Stacy"!! lol No, really the bell said that to me....LMAO (jk) I have this great photo of my kids that I took last fall of all of them in gorgeous asian outfits that I had custom made for them in China when we were there adopting our 5th child. That sounds so much fancier than it really is. Denise (my bff) and I found this little hole in the wall while we were out exploring and they custom make outfits, purses and so much more. They sew it up very quickly and it is very inexpensive. So we bought some for our kids.

Anyway, I took the photo and never made a layout with it. These Kanji words were the perfect thing to go on this layout. I stamped them out on vellum to give them the feel of painted rice paper. I layered them on card stock and attached them with bronze brads.

I struggled with this lay out because I kept wanted to add stuff and it really just needed to be clean and simple. Once I realized that and just focused on the photo and the Kanji banner it came together quickly. I was lucky to have that bronze heart in my stash and also the red, orange and black fiber trim. They just went so perfectly.

So there you go. Two project to dazzle you today!! LOL Thanks for stopping by!!

Sketches4all Layout Challenge and GDT For February

2012-01-10T21:06:00.000-08:00

Hello there Sketches4all Fans!!

The Design Team Sketch Layout Challenge just started on January 8th and the RAK is a 6x6 Paper pad from Echo Park Happy Days!!

This includes some very, very pretty paper and some thickers!! It a fun and easy sketch by Moma.

The challenge ends on Jan. 31st at midnight!

Sketches4all is also looking for a Guest Design Team member for February and the winner will receive a Nikki Sivils kit donated by Nikki!!!! You can find the details at Sketches4all under special events!!

Go check it out!!

Believe!

2012-01-08T17:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Sunday!!

I am sitting here in my office enjoying Dora and Diego playing in the background. Do you have small children who are obsessed with a TV character or show? If you do you will totally understand how close I am to pulling my hair out!! LOL (jk) My kids don't get to watch TV at all during the week so they make up for it on the weekend. I sometimes have to force them to go outside!! LOL

It is a gorgeous day here in Vegas (yet again). And here two of them sit watching TV. But I guess I'm equally guilty because here I sit on the computer inside instead of going out and enjoying the sunshine. oh well...

I told you yesterday that I did made two layouts well today I am going to share one with you. I made it for Sketches4all. http://sketchesforyou.ning.com/ It was out Design Team sketch for January. It is posting on S4A this afternoon (not sure exactly when because it wasn't up yet when I just checked).

We used this beautiful sketch by Moma website: http://www.scrapsketches.blogspot.com They do the loveliest sketches!!

I really LOVE how this layout turned out. I had fun putting it together. I bought a paper pad at Michael's while I was in Oklahoma from Recollections called Warm Wishes. I really just called to me so I had to have it. The paper is Kraft paper based. On this layout I only used paper from this pack and a sheet of green card stock from my stash.

I was so happy to get to use my new Martha Stewart punches. YUM! LOVE THEM SO MUCH!! I fussy cut the mittens out of one of the paper sheets and used them for a banner along the top with some bakers twine.

I also fussy cut the ornament out of another sheet of paper to use as an embellie.

I even made a hidden journaling tag. Isn't it a fun layout!

The photo is of my kids doing they yearly tradition of sitting on Santa's lap at the mall. I'm not sure how many more years I will get of them all doing it since the older boys are already 11 years old. We go every year.

Do you have this tradition?? Or another tradition you want share? I'm always so curious on how other's celebrate the holidays.

Enough for today... thanks for stopping by my blog today. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Family Reunion Mini Album

2012-01-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday! I made this mini album for my cousin for Christmas and I thought I would share it with you today.

Every year I go to our annual Christmas party/family reunion. These are my dad's relatives. (He died when I was 16)

I love that they all make an effort to get together EVERY year!! I have been going for 15 years and haven't missed once! (They started having it 15 years ago)

Anyway, we always have a "dirty Santa" present exchange. Which is the one where you bring wrapped presents and draw numbers. Each person gets to either pick a new present from the pile or steal a present that has already been opened.

Last year I made a mini album for the exchange and it was VERY popular. It was stolen the maximum times it could be stolen and then I was given orders by one of my cousins (who didn't win it) to make her one. So, I made her this one and took it to the party this year. She loved it!

When I gave it to her, her mother (my aunt) asked me why I made her one and I said, "because she asked me to". Well....you guessed it. The next thing my aunt said was, "make me one!!" So I guess I know what I will be bringing to the party next year!! lol

I totally forgot to take photos of the one I made last year (silly me!) but I made a point to photograph this one. And now you get to look at it too. I know you are thrilled!! LOL

Today I was very scrappy. I did two layouts and I am making a necklace too. Well, I'm making some charms to hang from a chain. I will share one of the layouts tomorrow and the other one you will get to see on Tuesday. Both are for DT's. And they both are so totally different!! It is like two separate people scrapped them. ha

We are still having nice weather here in Las Vegas although it was pretty windy today. How's your weather? Did you get to be scrappy today? Have you made your CCC project yet??!! lol (jk)(well..sort of...lol)

Okay, enough for tonight.

Denise has Candy

2012-01-06T22:23:00.000-08:00

Denise at Lalasworld has a fantastic blog candy giveaway going on right NOW! She is giving away some goodies from Crafter's Companion - a Crafter's Companion Boxer board, Envelobox board, and the Ultimate Advanced
Construction Techniques DVD! GASP!!! Hurry and go sign up to win.

Karla has Candy!

2012-01-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Karla at Made by Karla has candy!! You need to go check it out and look around her blog while you are there. She makes gorgeous things and you will be inspired!! It ends March 23rd.

Happy Birthday Sweet Humphrey

2012-01-06T00:07:00.000-08:00

After several requests I took a couple of photos of my new desk and ginormous computer monitor for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy the clean look of the desk because I am sure by tomorrow it will be covered in stuff!! LOL

I added a smaller rectangular folding table to my office for my kids to use. I put it facing my main scrap desk. Two chairs fit side by side and will be just perfect for homework or crafting! I will show a photo after I clean up a bit. It is still really messy in here.

They used to have a full sized square folding table to work on but this is more functional in the space and still works.

I have been working on stuff for awhile and then playing awhile. lol I don't want to dread going into my scrap room!! Right??! It will get done little by little.

I wanted to share this card I made with a sweet Humphrey Stamp Set. One of my best friends is having her birthday in a few days and I think she will like getting this card in the mail.

I paper pieced her dress from some paper by Cosmo Cricket. I wanted her to have a summery floral dress and this paper was just so gorgeous I had to use it. If you want to see how to do paper piecing you can check out my mini tutorial over at Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog today. http://crafterscompanion-challenge.blogspot.com/

I finished out the inside of the card with some of the matching papers and stickers. I've just started decorating the inside of my cards. I really like the finished feel it gives. Do you do the inside of your cards too??

The weather here in Las Vegas is really just gorgeous today. Sunny and mostly warm. We still have green grass in our neighborhood and a good portion of our trees still have green leaves too. My brother is visiting from Oklahoma and he said it was so weird driving into our neighborhood after being in Oklahoma where the grass is dead and all the trees are sleeping without their leaves...lol How's the weather where you are??

I wanted to end with a reminder to please join in the Crafter's Companion USA January Anything Goes Challenge. That's a mouthful isn't it??! LOL You just need to use a stamp from Crafter's Companion and your creativity! Come on people....help a sister out!! LOL http://crafterscompanion-challenge.blogspot.com/

And also there is a giveaway on the http://crafterscompanion.blogspot.com/ Crafter's Companion Info Blog. Go leave a comment and get your name in the hat for the drawing!! You could be the lucky winner and then you would have a stamp to use in my CCC Challenge!!! LOL Go on now.....

Some Cards to Share!

2012-01-04T21:02:00.000-08:00

Hi guys! Today I bought myself a new desk for my scrap room. I LOVE IT! It was a 50% off sale item from World Bazaar Store. So it was even a bargain! ha

I also set up the new computer I got for Christmas finally. Well, I'm still adding things to it but I'm typing on it right now! woo hoo!

I specifically asked for a bigger monitor and man is it big!!

I still have a ton to do in my room to make it all work but I think it is going to be cool.

I wanted to share a card I made for Sketches4all. I made it with Nikki Sivils Gingerbread land kit goodies. The photo is a little dark because I took it inside at night and I'm too lazy to take another photo! LOL

I also have a card that I made for the Crafter's Companion Informational Blog. We are doing a sneak peek at the new Art Kure Stamps that are launching next week. These stamps are so detailed and so elegant. There are wonderful winter scenes, cozy cottages in the woods and majestic trees. I chose the Spruce Tree. It just called to me. lol

I decided to make a graduation card because I found this awesome quote and it just kind of went with my sketch idea. I used stuff from my stash and one of my new Martha Stewart punches I received for Christmas. LOVE THEM!! I was totally spoiled this Christmas by my Mom. She got me several MS punch sets. Yeah!

I finished out the inside of the card too. I decided to staple the vellum sentiment on the inside. I used brads to attach the one on the front of the card. I still haven't found an adhesive that works well under vellum so those are the two ways I tend to adhere them to my projects. Have you found a good vellum adhesive? Or do you have a creative way to adhere vellum to your projects that you would share?

I just wanted to say hi and to play on my new computer. That's all for tonight. Thanks for stopping by.....Stacy

Kelly has Candy!

2012-01-03T19:49:00.000-08:00

Kelly at Uniquely Me Imperfections and All is having a giveaway on her blog. She is giving away this gorgeous necklace from Shabby Apple. Go check it out and get in on the action!! LOL

The Night Before Christmas

2012-01-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

I decided to throw you a curve ball by sharing a layout!! It has been a while since I posted a layout hasn't it?? I need to get back to making more of them. I think that is my goal for tomorrow to make at least one layout. That is a good goal right?? ha

This layout I made for a challenge at Sketches4all. It was a sketch challenge. We were given some lovely Nikki Sivils goodies to use. On Christmas eve I dress my kids in matching new pajamas, they drink egg nog, make cookies for Santa (and snag a few for themselves) and then we finish up with their Dad reading them Twas The Night Before Christmas. It is kind of comforting to follow traditions isn't it?

I used photos from last years reading for this layout. Everything on this layout is from my Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land kit except for the red card stock, Stickles and brads! It is really just loaded with goodies! I had such fun playing with all of it.

I loved the sweet little gingerbread men on the back of the paper. I couldn't help myself but I had to fold it down so you could still see some of it. I love to staple everything so I used my tiny attacher to keep the folded edge down.

I fussy cut the tree out of a piece of the paper and the tag too. I added the sentiment to it and the put glossy accents on top to add some shine and extra dimension. I know this isn't a new technique but it is kind of new to me and I have been using it a lot lately.

I like how it turned out. I didn't get it posted during the challenge because I was out of town so it has been sitting waiting to be put up on my blog.

I just finished making a card using a stamp from the new Art Kure stamps that Crafter's Companion will be giving sneak peaks of this week. You can check mine out on Tuesday.

If you love me and I know you do. LOL Get yourself a Crafter's Companion Stamp and make me something for the Crafter's Companion USA Anything Goes Challenge this month!! (It is only open to US residents) I'm the new DT Coordinator over there and I am really excited about it. I want to see a ton of entries this month!!

I am going to end with a sweet story about my dear sweet just turned 4 years old daughter, Georgia. She and I hang out in my scrap room a lot. We were sitting in there and I was on the computer and she was sitting at her table using one of my edge punches on some paper. I thought she was just messing around but after awhile she came running over to me with this piece of red paper that she had edge punched all the way around and said to me, "Look Mommy!! I made you a card!" It melted my heart. It was so cute. She was so earnest and excited about it.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Everything Looks Better In Pink

2012-01-01T00:04:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!!

Happy New Year!! WOW 2011 went by super fast! I'm excited to see what 2012 brings.

I'm back in Nevada with my two boys and my brother. My hubby and the rest of the kids fly home tomorrow. And even though Las Vegas was definitely a New Years Eve destination spot, we just hung out at home, watched the fireworks from our deck and played some dominos. We had a nice time though. What did you do last night??

Has anyone made any new years resolutions yet?? If you have please share!! I'm always interested to see what resolutions are made.

My New Years resolution is to get more organized. I doubt it happens but it is a good thing to try to do right?? ha

Today I want to share with you an easel card I recently made for my gorgeous niece. She is very, very pregnant and will soon be delivering a baby girl. I am using this card for my example dt project for the January Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog "Anything Goes" Challenge. You know you only have to use a Crafter's Companion Stamp and the rest is up to you! I decided to use the Humphrey's Corner Collection Stamp Set - New Baby.

I am still totally enamored with these Humphrey Stamp Sets. They are all really just so adorable. I colored the image with my new, fabulous, ridiculously reasonably priced Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Markers. Again something I am totally enamored with and using practically every day.

Why spend more for Copics when you can get comparable markers for so much less??!!

I have two daughters and 3 sons. You would think they were all boys from the colors of their clothes. My girls are both tomboys so no pink in my house. So I splurged by using as much pink on this card as I could possible use!! LOL I even used a sentiment that says "Everything looks better in Pink!" Thank goodness she is having a girl. ha ha

I tried to make a fairly clean and simple card. I didn't even use any patterned paper at all just colored card stock. The fun polka dot ribbon is from my stash and had never been used. It was purchased in a moment of weakness (and hopefulness) thinking maybe I could use it on a layout of my girls. ha Crazy me!! lol

I used bling and crystal Stickles from my stash to add a bit of sparkle. And I punched the white trim out with a Martha Stewart double sided punch. The sentiment is from the My Pink Stamper-Everyday Occasions stamp set.

You should really go join in the "Anything Goes" Challenge at Crafter's Companion. My goal as the new DT Coordinator over there is to try to get as many of you to join in as I possibly can!! lol SO go on already!!!

Happy 2012!

SWALK Snowman

2011-12-29T08:30:00.000-08:00

Well, here is a quick post to keep you interested while I am traveling back home to Nevada. If all goes well I will be on the road by 6:30am today and won't stop until I hit Gallup, New Mexico. My mouth is watering already because there is a wonderful little local restaurant there that we usually stop at that has the best food!! YUMMMMMM It keeps me motivated to drive all day! lol

My brother is driving back with me...well he is driving my hubby's car back to Nevada and I am in the minivan so not exactly "with me" but close enough. I am going to let him have one of the boys in the car with him and I will have the other one and the dogs with me. It looks like we will have decent driving weather thank goodness. I was a little worried it would be snowing.

I wanted to share this card I made for Crafter's Companion. I actually made several projects with these SWALK stamp sets because they are just so cute. You can buy them at the Crafter's Companion Store if you are interested. I can't remember what the exact name of this stamp set is right now and I'm too tired to go look it up. Sorry.

I stamped it out and colored it. These I decided to start with a Kraft paper base and layered it with dark blue and dark green card stock. I wanted to keep it fairly clean and simple. I added a little snowflake and ribbon from my stash and some stickles for sparkle. I actually love how it turned out. It is really pretty in person.

I really do wish you guys would join in the challenge at Crafter's Companion Challenge blog. This month the challenge is Sparkle. So fun and easy. And they always have the best prizes.

Well, wish me luck. I will try to post again from the hotel in Gallup if they have wifi. If not, I will post again on Saturday.

You And Me Babe

2011-12-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

We are doing sneak peaks this week over at Crafter's Companion of the new Strawberry Kisses stamp set line that is coming out next week. I think these new stamps are precious. I picked this cute one out that has both the dog and the cat on it. It is the You and Me Babe stamp set. I figured it would be perfect to use for a Valentines Card right? Valentines Day is coming up soon. No time like the present to get a card made for it.

I pulled out my Crafter's Companion Advanced Construction Techniques DVD and decided on the Tealight Candle holder card. I really love all of these DVD's that I have gotten from Crafter's Companion because they are all loaded with cool projects and have easy to follow step by step instructions. I really do find myself pulling them out anytime I need some extra inspiration. And I am not just saying this because I am on their design team! I seriously love this company and their products! It really is a joy to be on their design team.

You should definitely start stopping by their informational blog every Friday because they are doing a regular Friday giveaway of a stamp set. Go and leave a comment. You might be the lucky winner. (open to US residents only) (sorry to my international followers)

I have some good news...I was asked to be the Design Team Coordinator for the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog starting in January! I was so honored to be asked. It is sad that Denise is stepping down but I am thrilled to get to take over for her.

Now you know what this means don't you??!!! It means you need to start doing their monthly challenge!!!! I'm going to start driving you crazy asking you to join in each month!! So be prepared!! LOL

I am planning to leave to drive back to Nevada on Thursday weather permitting so today will be a crazy day getting things packed and loaded. It seems like we just got here and now we are heading back home. I know my kids have had a wonderful vacation spending tons of time with their grandparents.

I will try to have a couple of posts scheduled to post while I am traveling. I already have some photos of projects saved I just need to write something up to go along with them.

Have a great week!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

2011-12-27T01:33:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from the Watson family!!

Sorry I didn't post a winner yesterday but it was just a little too crazy busy and then today my new wifi wasn't working....boooooo.

But cross your fingers that I can get it posted before it goes back down....

Did you guys have a good Christmas?? Get any good presents or fun scrappy stuff??? I am the proud owner of a new desk top computer. Yes, you heard me right....a desk top. I'm not sure why I wanted a desk top instead of a lap top but that is what I asked for. I haven't actually even seen it in person yet because my hubby had it delivered to our home in Nevada but I'm itching to try it out. ha

I also was lucky to get some new Martha Stewart punches from my mother and a wonderful paper kit from my bff that is gorgeous! I am looking forward to finding the time to get in a little scrapping. How about you?? Found any time to scrap lately?

How do you like my photos?? I told the kids to do a funny faced one to break up the tension when it seemed like all I was doing was yelling, "look at me!" "smile" "look at me!" "smile!" etc etc

Can you image how happy I was when I got the camera back from my mil after she took the family photos and saw that my number 2 son spent every photo making a funny face?!?! Serves him right that I sent this photo out to everyone!! LOL

It is always crazy to try to get all of 7 of us happy and smiling into the camera and when you add dogs.....well....down right impossible!! LOL We still try though...ha

Have I drawn this out long enough?? Are you dying to find out who won??!! Well okay....here we go...

The lucky winner of the Ultimate Crafters Companion Tool is:

46
jose said...
Hi Stacy,just want to say "hello"I'm thankful for a great family and for every single day that I can enjoy life with my dear husband.Hugs Jose

Congratulations Jose!! Please email me at scrapwithstacy@gmail.com with your full name and mailing address. You have until January 2, 2012 to email me with your information at that time I will pick a new winner.

I'm still feeling the holiday spirit so I am picking a second name and this person will win two stamps sets from Crafter's Companion.

The second lucky winner is:

8
Cathy said...
I am thankful for the wonderful family I have been blessed to have and the Peace that this country still has on its soil, oh and for the 22 pond turkey I have cooking in the oven right now. I am going to link back now:) happy thanksgiving.cathyplus5.blogspot.commexicopetshop at hotmail dot com

Congrats Cathy!! Same requirements apply to you. Email me before January 2nd with your full and address or you forfeit your prize.

How about a third winner!!!??

This person will also win two stamp sets from Crafter's Companion!! The third lucky winner is:

23
karen In Houston said...
I am a new follower also and found your blog from sketches4you. Wow would I love one of your giveaways it looks just like what i need. BTW love your blog really great looking.

Congratulations Karen!! Same rules apply to you. Email me by January 2nd with your personal information or you forfeit your prize.

Thanks to all of you who entered my giveaway and for all of you who are so kind to follow me and to leave comments. Your kindness fills my heart with happiness!!

HUGS!

Friday Giveaway - Celebrate

2011-12-23T18:19:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone!! Sorry I have been away from the blog for so long. My family traveled to Oklahoma for the holidays and where we are staying there is (was) no internet connection. if you follow me regularly you will already know this about this dreadful situation. (haha) I usually go to Starbucks and do my blog postings but I have been here alone with my kids (hubby has been busy working in Minnesota) and haven't really wanted to drag them all to Starbucks so....no posts. BUT today........wait for it....... internet was installed!!!! WOO HOO!! So expect to get regular posts for the rest of my visit here. (aren't you super excited to hear this?! LOL)

Today I have my newest Crafter's Companion project to share with you. I have been DYING to share these new SWALK Winter Stamp Sets with you. They are just so wonderful I know you will love them as much as I do. I was immediately drawn to the Celebrate Stamp Set. As soon as I got my stamps I rushed over to my craft table and stamped out this image. I colored it with my Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers. I even pretended they were my husband and I and colored their hair to match our hair color!! LOL I just had to add some Stickles to the image for that little extra bit of sparkle.

For my sentiment I pulled some alpha stickers from my stash. I used two different sets. I love to do this because it adds extra interest to the card and it helps me use up my stash. Don't you have a ton of alpha stickers just going to waste because you don't have enough of one set to write out your whole sentiment?? You should try mixing different sets on your next project! Finally, I decided to use pop dots on the letters that spelled out Happy to give some added dimension and added some dots made from Stickles to the letters that spelled out New Year because you just can't have enough sparkle. ha

So there you go, a card that I plan to use for New Years but a stamp set that could be used for any celebratory card!

Now for the great news....Crafter's Companion is having a giveaway of this exact stamp set! All you have to do is rush over there and leave a comment by Sunday night. They will post a winner on Tuesday. (you must be a U.S. resident to win) So hurry on over there and sign up!!

Don't forget that my blog candy giveaway ends TOMORROW so if you haven't already signed up for it you should do that before you go. You could be the lucky winner of the Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool!!! I will be posting the winner on Christmas (hopefully). So plan to stop back by and see who won.

I hope you having a wonderful holiday season. Thanks for stopping by today.

Happy Thanksgiving Blog Candy

2011-12-20T00:36:00.000-08:00

*****I wanted to push this back up to the top to remind everyone to enter!!***** This will stay at the top for a couple more days so scroll down to read new posts***********

I want to wish everyone in the USA a very Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for so many things. One of the things I am thankful for is my scrap booking community. I love the camaraderie, the inspiration, the fun, I just love it all! So as a thank you I want to offer a blog candy giveaway.

As you probably know if you follow me, I am on the Design Team for Crafter's Companion. When I first joined their team they sent me one of their Ultimate Tools. I had never used one before and wondered if I would ever want to use it. Well....guess what?? It is used EVERY SINGLE TIME I scrap! Here is what they say about it at Crafter's Companion,

"The all-in-one, compact carry-case which allows you to score, measure, trim, emboss and embellish; create boxes, shaped card blanks, envelopes and so much more… The Ultimate Crafter's Companion is everything you will ever need for your card making projects, in one handy and portable carry case. Includes a 24 full page instruction booklet and a 2 1/2 Hour Project & Instructional DVD which takes you step by step through 12 different projects and detailed instructions. "

Guess what?? I'm giving away a Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool!!!

All you need to do to enter is:

1. Follow me.

2. Link back to me from your blog.

3. Leave a comment telling me what you are thankful for this year.

That's it!

This starts today November 24th and ends on December 24th. I will try to post the winner on December 25th.

And YES, this is open to ALL my followers, no matter where you live. I'm thankful for you ALL!!

Happy Holidays

Michelle has Candy!

2011-12-14T13:27:00.000-08:00

Michelle from I Luv Scrapping Blog is having her blogiversary and wants to celebrate by giving YOU presents! Go check out her awesome blog and get in on a chance to win.

Winner Announced

2011-12-13T00:01:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone!! First I want to announce my personal winner of the Crafter's Companion Christmas Blog Hop. My winner is:

Donna said...

I love your card! And my fav set would be 1st Christmas. So cute. Thanks for the chance.

Congratulations to Donna. As soon as you email me your name, phone number and address I will see that your stamp set gets sent to you! Remember you only have until December 20th to email me or you forfeit your prize. Scrapwithstacy@gmail.com

The big winner of all the Spectrum Noir markers will be announced on the Crafter's Companion Blog. Thanks to everyone who hopped along!!

Now I wanted to share with you a Christmas Tree home decor project I made.

I am an admitted Scrap Magazine addict. I should probably be in a 12 step program for it but I'm not. lol The other day I was in my local book store and picked up Paper Creations Magazine. Right on the cover was a gorgeous paper crafted Christmas Tree. It was just so gorgeous that I immediately went to my scrap desk and started cutting out strips of paper! (I am totally not exaggerating!! LOL)

I cut the paper strips 1/2 inch by 4 inches out of MME Signature Christmas paper. I cut WAY TO MANY strips because I had decided to make 3 trees in graduating sizes to sit on my fireplace mantel. I think a good number of strips would be about 140. I used 5 different papers of coordinating paper. (Unfortunately, you can't really tell how different the papers are in the photo.)

Next I got out a Styrofoam cone. After gently folding the paper strip in half without pinching the folded end, I started attaching them to the bottom of the cone with pins. I continued doing this all the way up the tree until I got almost to the top of the cone. Once I finished attaching the paper strips, I got out some ribbon and wound it around the top covering the last row of pins in the paper. Finally, the last step is to top off the tree with buttons. I actually pinned down the bottom button and then glued the others to that button. If you have long pearl pins you could just pin the stack of buttons to the top of the tree.

I already have them sitting on my mantel and LOVE them!!

This was such a simple project. It took a bit of time to cut out the paper strips because as I mentioned I cut way too many of them but after that it just went together quickly. So that is it for today. If you are inspired you should go join in the December "Anything Goes" Challenge at Scrap Our Stash!

Gingerbread Land Challenge At Sketches4all

2011-12-12T00:01:00.001-08:00

Who doesn't love all of Nikki Sivils products??!!! Well, I know that I love them so you can imagine my happiness and excitement when I was given the Design Team assignment to make an altered item using the scrumptious Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land kit. There are just so many fun papers and embellies to choose from I really had a blast picking and choosing what I wanted to use.

I decided to alter a common brown paper lunch bag and turn it into a holiday gift bag for my daughter's teacher. I used my Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool to dry emboss the top edge of the sack, then I cut off the excess paper leaving the decorative edge.

I have been really drawn to this darling gingerbread house and this is now my second time to feature it on a project. Don't you just LOVE it!? I actually cut this one out of a 12x12 sheet of paper and rolled the back of it around a pencil. I attached pop dots to the back to give it added dimension. I fussy cut the tree from the same sheet of paper but adhered it flush with the sack, hiding it behind the house a bit. I used the cloud sticker in the sky and added some Martha Stewart Crystal Course Glitter to give it more sparkle.

To get all that "snow" on the roof top and the ground I first put down Glossy Accents and then sprinkled some Stampendous Shaved Ice bits on top. I gently pressed them down into the Glossy Accents and then let it dry.

I made the greeting on the bag by layering a sticker and wording from decorative paper. I put Glossy Accents on the wording to make it pop. To finish up all I had to do was fold over the top of the bag. Next using a whole punch, I punched two holes and threaded ribbon through. Finish by tying a bow.

There is a fun challenge at Sketches4all running from December 10th to December 17th. All you have to do to enter to win this yummy kit is to comment each day on each Design Team project. The design team members will be posting new projects throughout the week to inspire you. Come check it daily and comment, comment, comment!!! Each comment will get your name thrown into the drawing for the Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land Kit!!! WOO HOO!!

What are you waiting for?? You know you want to win!! Hey, before you leave make sure you have entered my blog candy giveaway. I'm giving away a Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool!! You definitely want to enter to win this beauty!! The giveaway ends on December 24th.

Thanks for stopping by...now go and comment at S4A! LOL

Stephanie has Candy!

2011-12-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

First, if you are looking for the Crafter's Companion Blog Hop just click here to find it.

Second, if you are still here....Stephanie at Arty Carty Blog has delish candy up for grabs. You better go check out the yumminess (that has to be a word, right??!! lol)

Sarah has Candy!

2011-12-11T00:06:00.001-08:00

If you are looking for the Crafter's Companion Blog Hop you can click here to find it.

I wanted to let you know that Sarah at Serendipity Stamping Blog has yummy candy. She is trying her best to reach 100 followers. She is really extremely talented and FUNNY! So go help a girl out and maybe win candy for your effort.

Crafter's Companion USA Christmas blog hop!

2011-12-09T00:07:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Crafter's Companion USA Christmas blog hop!

I am so glad you decided to join me on the Crafter's Companion Christmas Blog Hop!! I'm pretty excited because there are so many fun projects to share along the way and so many prizes to give away!!!!!! If you are coming from Khristen's Blog, you are in the right place. If not, make sure you head over to Crafter’s Companion USA over here, where the blog hop starts. We are giving away a prize on every blog, including the entire set of our new Spectrum Noir alcohol markers to one lucky winner who posts a comment on every blog. These markers are so new, that you will be receiving our first prototype of them. That's 72 markers!

Spectrum Noir pens are alcohol ink based which have been designed specifically for crafters, but these affordable markers are also great for beginners, students and hobby artists alike. Each pen is double-ended, with a broad chisel nib for large area fills and a fine bullet tip for detailed work. Spectrum Noir marker pens will soon be available in 168 colour shades including a colourless blender. The colours blend seamlessly and can be mixed or layered over each other. These fast drying, alcohol based markers are acid-free and non-toxic, and the coloured ends of the pen allow for easy colour identification. (Please note: The design of the pen, color names and numbers may be different than the pens that will be released in January.) The image colour has been reproduced as accurately as possible.

For today's blog hop project I have made this sweet card to share with you.

I hope you were inspired by my project today. I know I am inspired every time I pull out one of these cute stamp sets so I am giving away your choice of one set from Humphrey's Christmas Collection Stamp Sets to one lucky random commenter. Just leave a comment saying which of the Humphrey's Christmas Collection Stamp Sets you would like to have before Sunday, December 11th at midnight for your chance to win. All the winners' names will be posted at Crafter's Companion USA News blog on Tueday December 13th. (Must be a U.S. resident to win). I will post my personal winners name here on the blog on Tuesday also. You will need to email me your name, address, phone number and which stamp set you would prefer as soon as possible. You must do it before December 20th or you forfeit your prize.

Your next stop is the talented Ann from Stamp With Me blog.

Here is the list of all the blogs you should visit along the way:

Crafter’s Companion News Blog - http://crafterscompanion.blogspot.com/

Lisette - http://totallyinkspired.blogspot.com/

Holley - http://holleybarnhartsblog.blogspot.com/

Lynda - http://positive-force.blogspot.com/

Amy - http://yorkieluver2.blogspot.com/

Denise - http://lalasworldblog.blogspot.com/

Khristen - http://khristenscraftroom.blogspot.com/

Stacy - http://scrapwithstacy.blogspot.com/ (you are HERE)

Ann - http://stampwithme-ann.blogspot.com/

Jinky - http://www.jinkyscrafts.blogspot.com/

Crafter’s Companion News Blog - http://crafterscompanion.blogspot.com/

Thanks for hopping along. Good luck!! Now hop on over to see what Ann has made.

Hey, before you leave make sure you have entered my blog candy giveaway. I'm giving away a Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool! You don't want to miss out on winning this awesome prize. This giveaway ends on December 24th.

Letter to Santa

2011-12-07T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hello! I must admit that I am a procrastinator. I usually put off things until they are almost due and then rush to get them done. Are you like that?? Or are you one of those people who are very scheduled?? I guess I just work better under pressure so I think it was a little odd for me to be trying to get all my projects done early. December is always such a busy month and I don't want my projects to be lacking. So I used the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to work on all those projects that are due in December. And you are getting to see one that I made without being under pressure.....well... what do you think? Better or worse than normal?? lol

I am obsessing over the Humphrey Christmas Stamp Sets so this card is made using the Humphrey Christmas Wishes Stamp Set. I just love, love, love how sweet it looks with him putting that letter to Santa in the mailbox. I colored the image using the awesome, new, ridiculously reasonably priced (able to be pre-ordered) Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink Markers at Crafter's Companion. Can I just say, "I"M LOVING THEM!!". ha

I used paper , ribbon, bling and embellies from my stash to put together this card that I think will be going to someone very special who reads this blog so I can't say who it is. I hope they love it as much as I do.

Do you have your holiday cards made yet?? If you don't you better get busy!! And if you make one using a Crafter's Companion Stamp set you could even enter it in the "Sparkle" Challenge at the Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog. The prize this month is an awesome one and you would be lucky to win it!! I hope to see your projects over there soon.

Crafter's Companion is having a blog hop this upcoming weekend. It starts on Friday, December 9th and you will have until midnight on the 11th to hop around to all the blogs. Each member of the Design Team will be giving away a Humphrey Stamp Set to a randomly drawn name from their blog. There will be an AWESOME prize for one person who comments on all the blogs. That person will win The WHOLE SET OF SPECTRUM NOIR MARKERS!!! These are so new that you will be getting our first prototype of them. That is 72 markers!!!!!!

So be sure and hop around this weekend and get in on the fun!

In case anyone was wondering we made it back home from our trip to Oklahoma and Texas. Our family reunion/Christmas party was really a great time. I'm already missing all my family. My kids had a blast running around and acting crazy with their cousins. They are already making plans for next year. Here is a photo of me and the 4 kids who got to go this year in front of the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby.

Sketches4all still has their special Nikki Sivils Layout Sketch Contest going on right now. You can use any theme you like. You just have to use the sketch that you can find here. The 1st place winner will receive The Nikki Sivils Gingerbread Land Collection Kit!! I have been making so many fun projects with this awesome kit. You would be very lucky to win it!!! And there will be a RAK of Goodies for the 2nd place winner too. Go check out this challenge now because it ends at midnight (central time) on Friday, December 9th!

I just realized that next week is when I have planned to drive to Oklahoma for the Christmas break with my two older boys!!! GASP!!! I'm so behind on everything except my DT projects!! LOL (the younger kids will fly there with their dad the following week.) Okay, back to work!! LOL Thanks for stopping by and please don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY!! You could be the lucky winner of the Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool!!!! Hurry, go enter!!

Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle

2011-12-01T00:03:00.000-08:00

WOW! Can you believe it is December already!?! This year has really gone by so fast. It seems like only yesterday that I was setting scrapping goals for my year and now the year is almost over. December is bound to really zip by... are you ready for the holidays to get into full swing? I am!! I love this time of year. Anything that sparkles is my friend! LOL

And talk about sparkle...Crafter's Companion Challenge Blog has a new challenge for December that starts today. Guess what the challenge is??!! You probably guessed it...Sparkle!! You just need to use a Crafter's Companion Stamp and make your project sparkle.

I made this Christmas card for my example. I colored one of the Humphrey's Christmas Collection Stamps - Meeting Santa. I think the little guy in the image is just the sweet thing ever! I colored the image with my new Spectrum Noir markers that are available for pre-order at Crafter's Companion right now! I really can't rave about them enough, not only are the comparable to Copics but they are so reasonably priced it is ridiculous! (enough said!)

I wanted to let you know that Sketches4all is having another fun event featuring Nikki Sivils goodies that you need to go check out!! It starts on Friday, December 2nd and ends on December 9th. There will be yummy prizes. You really want to go see what it is all about.

I'm leaving at 8:45am to fly to Oklahoma to meet up with my mother and then hop in her car on Friday and drive down to Texas for the big Family Reunion/Christmas party. The kids and I are all packed and ready to go. I am sure we will have a blast.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway if you haven't already done it. You know you want that Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool that I am giving away. (and hint hint...there might be a couple more goodies added....just saying...)

Have a good weekend!!

Frea has Candy!!

2011-11-29T20:42:00.000-08:00

Frea at Creafrea has candy!! Go check it out NOW!! Her blog rocks, she's a fab artist and her candy is delish. What more can you ask for??!!

Amy Has Candy

2011-11-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

Amy at Scrap This, Save That Blog has blog candy!! It looks really yummy so you should go check it out here. Better hurry it ends November 30th!!

TGIS (Thank Goodness It's Saturday)

2011-11-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Did you guys have a good Thanksgiving (if you celebrate it)? We did! I cooked for two days to get it all done. But it was worth the effort. We ate and ate until we were stuffed!! ha

I never remember to take a photo of the turkey before we cut it up. I'm not sure why that is but unfortunately I only have photos of turkey slices! ha Oh well....

I have been exceptionally motivated to scrap this weekend. I am trying to get all my DT projects for the rest of November and December done. The holiday season is just so busy and I don't want the quality of my projects to suffer. I have 80 percent of them done and ready to post!! woo hoo! Unfortunately that means that I have nothing crafty to post here today so you just get to see a couple of photos of us sitting down to eat out Thanksgiving meal. Hey....it something at least!! LOL

This coming Thursday I am taking 4 of my kids and going to the annual Harper Family Reunion/Christmas party in Texas. This party is always so much fun and the kids have been working really hard to make good grades. I require them to have good grades in order to go since they will miss 3 days of school. Usually only a few get to go because flights are expensive but my hubby found some super cheap fares and booked flights for 4 of them!! The only one staying home is the littlest one. We all can't wait to go! The kids have already started packing their stuff. ha

Did any of you go shopping on Black Friday?? I did not go. I do 98% of my shopping online. The only stores I enjoy going to in person are scrap book stores and book stores! lol I did get a lot of good deals online and avoided the crowds. And I have 98% of my shopping all done! WOO HOO!

Don't forget if you haven't already signed up for my Blog Candy Giveaway be sure and do it. You know you want to win that Crafter's Companion Ultimate Tool!! And "hint hint" there might be a few other goodies given away too. The giveaway ends December 24th.

TGIS!! Hope you are having a great Saturday!!

Rita Has a Challenge and a GIVEAWAY! & Winners Announced for blog hop and ebook

2011-11-19T15:17:00.000-08:00

I want to share a wonderful idea and GIVEAWAY with you.

And since it is so close to Thanksgiving it is just the most perfect thing!

Rita at Let's Embellish is putting out a cool challenge to you and then she will have a giveaway of a $30 gift card to Target or your favorite scrapbook store at the end if you are chosen as the winner.

Her wonderful idea is to keep a running list on the sidebar of your blog for 30 days of the things you are thankful for in your life. You are allowed to "cheat" and get caught up since you are already 19 days behind!! LOL The challenge will end on the 30th of November. You need to go to her blog and read more about it here. Don't you just love the layout she made from her last years list??!! Gorgeous!!

I am going to do it and I am going to have my kids do it too. I just think this is a really good way to have them focus on the positive things in their lives. (and me on mine!) Thanks Rita for the great idea!!

I also want to share a Christmas card I made yesterday. Just for fun. I think it is sweet. I used some papers from Recollections -Warm Wishes paper pad that I just got at Micheal's for 40% off. I mostly just used the papers from the pad to make my embellies and the only other thing I used was some Stickles (because...hello it's me!! lol) and the sentiment sticker. It is from a sticker pad from The Paper Studio. And it doesn't stick at all...I had to glue it down...cute but not well made.

I'm really in the holiday spirit and am even threatening to decorate for Christmas tomorrow!! ha I know, I know...I'm a total early bird Christmas decorations Freak!!! LOL I'm going to be too busy after Thanksgiving to do it so this weekend works best for me. AND other people in my neighborhood have already started decorating their homes so I don't feel too freakish!! LOL

I'm also in a scrapping mood and I am working on some Christmas trees right now to decorate one of my fireplace mantels. I saw a photo on the cover of Paper Creations Magazine and almost immediately got to work cutting 1/2 inch by 4 inch strips of paper! LOL I am making 3 in graduating sizes from Styrofoam cones and My Minds Eye Signature Christmas paper. I will give you a little sneak...lol It is a little slow going but I think they will turn out nice. I will hopefully get them done today and maybe show them to you tomorrow.

We have been cleaning around our house today. Not sure what is motivating us but it sure has been a busy morning.

My dog, Sophie is still doing well. Thanks for all the well wishes! She is old so she mostly just sleeps but she has been eating and keeping it in her belly so that is a great thing!! She has been a blessing in my life. She is definitely going on my "thankful" list!! She how awesome this Challenge of Rita's is?? It is already making me think in positives!!!!! Go join in too. Or don't ....better odds for me to win!!!! LOL (jk) Her blog is great and she is so talented you will love visiting even if you don't join in the challenge.

And FINALLY the announcement of my winners for the 3 prizes on the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Candy Giveaway.

1st place is #5 Trisha

2nd place is #9 Nikki

3rd place is #3 Kelly Massman

Congratulations to the the winners. Please email me your full name and email address by November 25th or you will forfeit your prize. Scrapwithstacy@gmail.com

And the last announcement is for the RAK I am giving to a random winner chosen from the Sketches4all Gingerbread Land Blog Hop.

The number drawn was #22 Jessica. Congratulations Jessica. I need you to email me your full name and address by November 25th or you will forfeit your prize. Scrapwithstacy@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Enjoy the rest of your day!!

Happy Friday!

2011-11-18T10:24:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm a dork! I almost sent my kid to school on a day he doesn't have school! LOL I had him all ready to go when it occurred to me that it was Parent Involvement day. Oops...lol So this means I have two little ones home with me this morning. See.....a "Parent Involved"! LOL

I am trying to keep busy so I will not worry about my dog until I can call and find out how she is at 10:30am. So I am cleaning off my scrap desk in hopes that I will be able to scrap a lot this weekend. I am actually in the mood!! Which hasn't been the case lately. My hubby just came in and put in his order for Christmas cards to give to his employees so I guess I have "permission to scrap"!! LOL Yippee!

Don't forget today is the last day to enter my 12 Days of Christmas Blog Candy Giveaway! Winners will (hopefully) be announced tomorrow. And then as soon as the winners email me their email addresses I will shoot the candy off to them! Go ENTER now!!!! Hurry!!!!

You guys know how much I love Crafter's Companion and being on their Design Team. (I wish more of you would go check out their monthly Challenges because they give away the best prizes!!) I have a little news.......Psssstt....coming in December there will be something wonderful to talk about... I can't say what yet but you are definitely going to want to participate!! BELIEVE ME!!

Well, here is the easel card I made for the Crafter's Companion Informational Blog this week. I used one of the new Christmas Humphrey Stamp Sets - Auld Lang Syne. This is such a versatile stamp. You could use it for any celebration card like birthdays or congratulations. Or use it as a New Years card like I did.

I usually make up some New Years cards for those people that I didn't send Christmas cards too who send me a card during the holidays. That way I can send them the card after Christmas when things settle down and they don't feel slighted getting a Christmas card after Christmas....

I was inspired to make the banner by a card by Bev Rochester I saw in a magazine . It just seemed to add such a fun touch to her card I thought it would be a perfect addition to mine!

I colored the image with my new Spectrum Noir alcohol ink markers that are coming soon from Crafter's Companion. (they are taking pre-orders NOW!) Can I just say Oh My GOSH!! They are comparable to my Copics and a fraction of the cost!! You will definitely want to own some for your very own if you color. Especially since I hear that Copic is increasing their cost once again! And don't get me wrong I love my Copics but if you can get something equal for so much less...why buy them?? They are on pre-sale right now at Crafter's Companion and you can get a package of 6 markers for $11.95!!!!!! That is less than $2 a marker! See what I mean!?! AMAZING!

I wanted this card to be bright and happy since I think this image is so upbeat and fun so I used bright yellow and green with some red. The ribbon and bling are from my stash. And I finished it off with some Crystal Stickles to add some sparkle.

I think it turned out really fun. Now I just need to decide who to send it to!! ha

Okay...good news...it has taken me so long to write this blog post that I made it to the time to call the vet. I just called and she is doing much better. The blood work looks pretty good so she can go home later today. We still need to give her medication and a bland diet for a bit but if she keeps getting better than it was just something minor. You always worry about something major especially when they are getting older. So cross your fingers that she keeps getting better... I'm really relieved.

Now I can say Happy Friday and really mean it!! Have a wonderful weekend!! Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

Frea Has Candy

2011-11-17T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hi guys,

How's life? I've been a bit busy this week. I can't believe it is already almost Friday!! This week really went by fast and next week is Thanksgiving!! Pretty soon it will be Christmas. This year will be over before we know it.

I am happy to announce that I made it back on the Crafter's Companion Design Team!! I'm really super happy about this because I love them! I'm going to miss the outgoing design team members. But it will be fun to work with the new ones too. There will be some new and exciting things going on over at Crafter's Companion in the new year. If you don't already follow them you should go check them out.

My friend, Frea with Creafrea Blog is giving away some candy. It will totally yummy delish so go check out her blog and sign up!! You will be happy you did because she is an artistic genius! (and the candy is awesome too!! HA) The photo I'm showing of her candy is only a part of it...

Unfortunately, I have a sick dog and she is spending the night at the vet tonight. We are not sure yet what is wrong with her. She is old and it is so hard to see her feeling so sick. I should know more tomorrow in the late morning. (she is the dog in the blue collar in the photo)

I do have a layout to share with you. I made this layout for Fia's November Get Sketchy Challenge at Sketches4all. She offered a sketch for us to use and the requirement was to use the them "Christmas". I like how it turned out and it was great to do a project just for fun.

I used some Holly Jolly Christmas paper from Echo Park. I actually received it as a gift from Fia and her sister, Jose so it was kind of cool to use it on her challenge.

Don't forget tomorrow is the last day to enter my blog candy giveaway to win the 12 Days of Christmas Craft tutorial e-book. So hurry up and get your name in the the hat to win this fab book.

Well, I am going to end here and take the kids out to eat some yummy Mexican food. Thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Sunday!

2011-11-13T11:41:00.000-08:00

How was your weekend?? Do anything fun?? I had a great time this weekend. Friday we celebrated my son's 6th birthday (he's the one in green in the photos). We went to Chuck E Cheese's and all the kid had a great time. Unfortunately they can not all look at the camera and smile at the same time so this is the best group shot I got. I love the next photo of the birthday boy with his older brother. His older brother told him to, "smile hard". So he did! I think he looks hilarious.

I told him that I only got him 1 present and he hesitated for a minute and then said, "but I want a lot of presents". I couldn't help laughing. He said it so seriously. (he got more than one present) His favorite present.....Spongebob house shoes. I don't think he has taken them off yet!!! LOL

Saturday we mostly just played around the house. I did some scrapping and made this Thankful card. I actually combined three challenges. Mojo Monday's sketch challenge #214, Frosted Design for embossing and Fussy and Fancy's Combine "be thankful" with a featured sentiment. I'm cutting it close on time for one of them (not sure which one at this moment) so this post will be a bit short as I rush to try to make the deadline.

I used mostly Imaginisce paper and embellies. I used some Stickles and ribbon from my stash. I embossed leaves using an embossing plate from Crafter's Companion. Simple and clean.

I entered Cheryl's Christmas Challenge #4 at Sketches4all. She has a sketch challenge going on right now. I just love her sketches. They are just so versatile. You should go join in the challenge too!

I used my new EP Holly Jolly Christmas paper kit that I was given as a gift. (love it!!)

We ended last night with a movie night. We popped popcorn and watched Cars 2. It was great! The bluray version is just gorgeous!!

Now for a sleepy Sunday. So far the morning has consisted of sleeping in, eating a breakfast made by my mother in law, drinking coffee and reading the paper and now sitting down in my office to blog and then scrap!! Life is good.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the the awesome 12 Days of Christmas E-Book. And remember that the Sketches4all blog hop is still going on and you get your name in the hat for a RAK that I am giving away just by commenting! Happy Sunday!!