CardPatterns Sketch Challenge #52

I decided to play along with the CardPatterns sketch challenge this week, using some brand new imaginisce paper that I picked up at Wholly Scrap this week. (The one downside to working at a scrapbook store is that you get first dibs on all the new stuff!) Here's the sketch: And here's my take on the sketch! This paper line, called Live Loud, is filled with wonderful band-inspired images, a perfect match with my "Rock On" guitar and sentiment from Unity. Instead of using small squares at the top and bottom of my card, I decided to add some hardware...a must for a rock 'n roll inspired card! :-)

I'll have to take some pictures of the entire imaginisce Live Loud line to share...Oh, I should mention that I have the ability to ship product from the store to out-of-state customers so...if you have any special paper or supply requests, let me know! Enjoy today's card and check back tomorrow for a Sweet 'n Sassy challenge card! Hey, it's a week full of challenges - love that!

Stamping Around Challenge - And Prize!

Goodness, I am soooo late in posting this challenge!! Almost so late that there is little more thatn 24 hours for you to participate. The prize is a bag of Unity rubba! It's good stuff, a wonderful collection of never-been-used unmounted Unity stamps! And it can be yours for just participating in the Stamping Around Inspiration Challenge! The challenge was posted by the other half of Stamping Around and my all time good buddy, Julie, who gave us a beautiful Lands End catalog as a jumping off point. And you should see the pretty card Julie created! It's on the web site here!

This is the card I came up with, mixing those pretty soft colors of the sweater and flowers with the khaki color of the model's pants. All the images, with the exception of the polka dot image, which is from SU!, are from Papertreyink. The tiny rhinestones are from Taylored Expressions. So head on over to the Stamping Around blog and get your name entered into the drawing!!

Enjoy!

Sweet Shop Challenge - SSS44

It's time for another Sweet Shop skech challenge! I choose three newly released images from Sweet 'n Sassy on my card...but just a sneak peek of each! I'll share cards in the next few days that showcase the entire image. But if you just can't wait then head on over to the Sweet 'n Sassy home page, Korin has posted a link that will take you to all of the newest releases. I live in New England so Spring has definitely not sprung yet but the sun is shining today and the weatherman is calling for rain tomorrow instead of snow so...I think we're on our way and I have to say that I can't wait!! We haven't had a bad winter, especially in comparison to some of my DT members who have been hit with many feet of snow, but the cold keeps us in and I'm ready for some warm weather. :-) Quick post today as I'm off to work for the day!! Please stop by The Sweet Shop to check out all of the other beautiful DT creations and try out your hand at this week's challenge! Remember that if you participate in the sketch challenge, you'll be entered into a drawing for free goodies!!

Keep it Simple Sunday

Today's Tip: Create a main focal point on your card, leaving the

background unembellished! (**gasp!**)

Psssttt...I know it's only Saturday night but I thought I'd get a head start on my Keep it Simple post since I have lots to share this week!! This week's card is in response to a CAS challenge over at Splitcoast. The challenge was to create a Spring CAS card and since I haven't inked up my PTI sets in awhile, I decided to use the Everyday Button Bits and Borders & Corners/Square sets to create a card. I first stamped a frame from Borders set and then layered a scalloped square, the frame, and then the flowers and buttons. I used my Scor-Pal to create just a few lines in the back of the square...just for a little something extra! I also added some distress ink to the edges of the card and the sentiment smack dab in the middle! I'm not sure how Springy kraft cardstock is but then it's hard to take the grunge out of a grunge girl! LOL! Enjoy!

Can You Handle More Chocolate?

I'm reminded of that Jack Nicholson line, "you can't handle the truth" in relation to today's post title! LOL! But we can all handle some more chocolate, right? I just can't help myself...I love these Sweet 'n Sassy digital chocolate images!! I confess that this card is a bit of a throwback to a Valentine's Day theme but I think any day is a good day when we tell our loved ones that a day without them is as tragic as a day without chocolate!! Speaking of chocolate...do you know what time of the year it is (almost)? Easter...and do you know what that means? You can now get Cadbury Mini Eggs!! Do you know how much I love Cadbury Mini Eggs? I think I may need an intervention...LOL! Today's card showcases my beloved but retired SU! DP and a cupcake from the Chocoholic set that has been attached to one of those metal edged rings. Remember when those were all the rage? I actually found a swap from years ago that someone in my SU! team had created with this layout and realized it would work perfectly for this sweet cupcake image. So, thanks Trish...whevever you are now! :-) Enjoy...hey, it's Friday!!

SALT Challenge - Continue in Prayer

This week it was Julie's turn to set the SALT challenge and she picked "continue in prayer." She also posted a wonderful write up, which I've copied here for you: My topic today is taken from Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer." I have been thinking a lot lately about prayer and it's importance in the life of God's children. As a busy wife and mother it's often difficult to find time for a meaningful conversation with anyone!! And yet, prayer is most important especially when we are busy! I remember hearing this quote from John Wesley, "I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it." When I read the morning reading from January 2 out of Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon which used this verse as it's text I was convicted to be more prayerful this year. Here is an excerpt of that reading: It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, "Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;" and just as we are about to close the volume, the "Amen" of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in His Word, He intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If He has said much about prayer, it is because He knows we have much need of it. . . .If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father's face, and live in thy Father's love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of His love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. I have to agree with Julie...it is so hard to find time to really pray when one has a busy life and a household and children to care for. I find that some days I'm not really praying until my head is on the pillow! The verse that has been going through my mind this week is from I Thessalonians 5:17, "pray without ceasing" and it has reminded me that I can have more prayer time but that it may be in shorter bursts, throughout the day. So I used this verse as the main focal point on my card and surrounded it with chipboard leaves and felt flowers from SU! and Wholly Scrap. The ribbon is from Papertreyink and the dp is a scrap found in my stash. Thanks so much for stopping by today! The SALT team would love to see what you create using Julie's inspiration - please leave us a link on the blog to your project.

Scrapbook News & Review Published Creation

Today's card is a flashback to the holidays...I know, noooo....I just got the decorations packed! LOL! This is actually a card that was published in Scrapbook News & Reivew to support one of their sponsors, Shirley's 2 Girls. (From the looks of their web site they've gone all digital, all the time and their clear stamps are 50% off!!) This card, along with another one that I'll post later, is from before the holidays and was part of a lovely package I received from SNR. I love packages that contain free stamps!! I was asked to help out with some last minute stamping and of course how could I refuse!! I really liked the design of their images and enjoyed creating with them! The DP is from Stampin' Up! and the image was colored with Copics. And speaking of SNR...I've made the difficult decision to step down from the team. I've recently taken on a larger teaching role at Wholly Scrap (the store where I work P/T and have taught for a number of years) and that combined with my current design team work was making it too difficult to keep up with the workload required by SNR. However, I loved my time on the team and was thrilled to have been given a number of writing assignments (I love to write!). I'm hoping for a few guest spots here and there but would encourage you to check out their site...it's a fantastic resource and a great group of people!! Enjoy! (We finally got hit with about seven inches of snow yesterday...it was nice to feel like we actually live in New England yesterday instead of Florida - it's been so warm...well by NE winter standards!!)