FWF and Enjoying the Ride!

OMG!!!! Yesterday was soooo incredible and I'm just enjoying the ride. Thank-you all for the sweetest messages and comments and emails. I have been busting at the seams to tell you all this HUGE secret. Becoming a part of the Dirty Dozen is something I never thought would ever happen to me. I am so grateful for all the opportunities this hobby/craft/passion of mine has given me! Thanks to all of you, my faithful readers and friends. My life is truly blessed!


Okay, so in preparation for this fantastic week, I worked waaaay ahead and made this card last week. I finally have a day I can share it with you. This is one of those cards that got in my head and I just had to create it! I'm in love with this lady bug and all the polka dots! I used 4 different stamps from the Unity March KOTM! Isn't it fabulous how they all work together so well? The polka dotted dp is Jillibean Soup Staples in black, and my red gingham ribbon was screaming to be used-it's MFT perfect plaid ribbon. Oh, and the lady bug is pieced with a little bit of Report Card by Oct. Afternoon!
There you go! Hope it makes you smile. Lord, knows I'm smiling today! Thanks! Hugs, Lisa

Post no. 2....Friends with Flair

yeah for me!!! I actually got to the CAS 49 challenge this week. The challenge was to cut out a stamped image, I made 3 cards this week thinking they each would be used for this challenge, BUT I was having issues keeping it clean and simple. I think I finally did it with this card. Love that tea bag and it's sentiment from the Dec.09 KOTM. Paper is from the new SU pack, Sweet Pea! Ahhhhh, it's deeddee-lish! I just love the colors in that pack, and the patterns are so fun. I stamped the tea bag, cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals. I added a bit of twine to give it a real string and add an extra bit of texture, yet still keeping it simple. Short and sweet on this FWF Friday. Check out the full list of inspiration here on Angela's Blog!

Two things before I go. Be sure to check out the {ippity} blog. I'm hosting today's Fresh Idea Friday! and if you haven't seen my blog candy, today's your last day to enter! I'm announcing the lucky winner tomorrow! Hugs, Lisa

August KOTM Sneak Peekie!

The Unity Peeps are in Florida gearing up for CHA Craft SuperShow!!!! After reading about all the people I know going to this event, I'm a little jealous. It would be sooooo fun to meet all of my stamping idols. Oh, well...some day, one day....maybe! Just to lift my spirits (I'm kidding, I'm really not sad. BUT this does make me happy!!!) I have a little surprise for you. How about a sneak peak of the August Unity KOTM. I am sad my time with the Unity DT is coming to an end. All week long, we have sneak peeks for you!!! Get ready to drool.....

And here's a little craftiness with it! I had fun with my Jillibean Soup dp on this one.
Check back tomorrow for some more from the August KOTM!!! I tell you, every month gets better and better! You can sign up for it starting August 1. Hugs, Lisa

Post no.2 for today!

Let the fun begin! It's a Friday addition of Hip Hop Hangover! If you are looking for my Stamp Something post, scroll down. We are giving the lake another go this weekend, hoping for better weather than we had last weekend. The boys are dying to go tubin'. I played along with the Hip Hop challenges and got my June KOTM all inky. The first challlenge-Unity Takes the Cake. I made my ice cream all frosty with yummy stickles glitter! After I had the card all put together, I realized I could have made this into a cupcake by taking off the bottom layer of the cone. There's always next time, right? LOL! Here's a detail shot of the frosting.

Next up was Bits & Pieces and Unity-use scraps on your card. I had all this in my scrapbasket, except for my card base. I've seen lots of these scrappy flowers floating around blogland lately, so I decided to give one a go. I used some Pink Flamingo dsp topped off with a button. Here's a close up of that!

So that's it for today. I'll be back on Monday with my CAS challenge card. Enjoy the weekend! Hugs, Lisa

Just Bee-cause!

I told you yesterday my Unity June KOTM came on Monday. The other image (besides the cherries) I was dying to ink up was these whimsical wild flowers! I paired them up with close to cocoa and yummy, crushed curry to make this CAS card. I embossed the flowers with versamark and white embossing powder on some Parisian Breeze specialty dsp. I then stamped the cute little bee and sentiment, you're beautiful, and added them to the top corner! Have a good one! See you tomorrow with a new Stamp Something Challenge! Hugs, Lisa

Way to Start Out a Wednesday!

I got the morning off from being MOM! The boys stayed at Nana and Papa's last night (Tim and I went to a Dave Matthew's Band concert!) and I got to sleep in! I didn't get out of bed until 8:45 and I'm still sitting here drinking coffee and surfing the web at 9:30 am! It feels sooo nice to have these rare moments of peace and quiet (even Tim is gone to an appt.). As if that wasn't enough, I then find out that I got two different honorable mentions for some of my hard work! THE Nichole Heady from PTI, gave my strawberry card a shout out. I am a bit in shock! Check it out here! Then, I see THIS on the Jillibean Blog (Bean Talk). My Sprout Flower Pot card was also mentioned (go check out the winner! Tracey did something awesome with those sprouts! I knew she would win!).

To help put a smile on your face, I'll share this card with you. I got some of my Unity June KOTM images inky yesterday! The SCS color challenge was-baja breeze, ruby red (I used riding hood red) and white. I also used this awesome sketch from Card Patterns.

Yes, it is a good day! We are off to pick the boys up and then head out to King's Island to ride some rides. Hope your Wednesday is a Happy One! Hugs, Lisa

Monochromatic Unity

Glad to see all the entries for the color challenge I posted on Monday. You still have time. Get your entry posted in the comment section by 6pm tonight and I'll pick a winner for the Free Limelight goodies.
Another guest designer spot with Unity is up for grabs. I would soooo LOVE to be a part of that team, even if only for a month. I've made two cards, but I'll share the other one on Friday (for HHH). It was a monochromatic theme this month. I went with my FAVE color that I don't use very much (although it has been more often, lately thanks to yummy plum pudding ribbon by PTI). All stamps are from the May KOTM.

Here's a detail shot.

I cut out that tree and let me just say, Holy Cutting! I added stitckles, a ghost heart,and a dew drop for added detail. I'll be back in the morning with a winner! Stay tuned! Hugs, Lisa

Just For You!

A quick Sunday post. I created this card earlier in the week for the Moxie Fab Citrus Color challenge. These are the yummy colors we were asked to use and this is the gorgeous inspiration piece to draw from.

Sooooo, this is what I came up with. I used my PTI bitty dots paper along with my FAVE unity May KOTM image. I think it's so Moxie Fab!
That's all I got today, BUT stay tuned for tomorrow it's a two post Monday with lots of fun and EXCITING stuff to share! It's Limelight's First Birthday Celebration and I've got a little something else.....you'll just have to stop back by to see! Hugs, Lisa

Enjoy Your Day!

Quick post for this holiday weekend. Tim is working and Joshua's soccer team is in a tournament. We are loving being outside! Temps are in the 80's and LOTS of sunshine!!! Here's another CAS challenge card I did this week. Image is one of my faves from the May KOTM by Unity. I embossed the flowers with white ep and then highlighted the inside of the petals with the VersaMARKER! Enjoy your Day! Hugs, Lisa

Unity KOTM Inspirational Blog Hop

This Month Unity is doing a Blog Hop to feature their fabulous KOTM (kit of the month). I'm not kidding you, this is the BEST deal around in stamps! You get a TON of amazing image all for $24 (plus $5 shipping). Not a member yet, check out the details here on how to sign up.So here's a card I did the other day using my April KOTM and Feb. KOTM.

The sketch is from Amber, she posted it over at the Unity Place. I used kraft as my card base and the dp is Off Beat by Basic Grey. I also created this scrapbook page for my middle guy, Ryan. It is his preschool picture from this year. The papers are from Close to My Heart. I used the numbers and journaling/title block from the Unity March KOTM-Simple Life. The punched out saffron Floral stamped circle is from the April KOTM-Fresh Beginnings. Here are a few detailed shots. I couldn't resist adding some of my beloved, distressed dots over these numbers.

Okay, so if you stumbled upon my blog without following the hop, be sure to start HERE at Angela's blog. If you are following along, your next stop in the hop is here! Kim is such a joy and her blog is awesome (she was my secret Santa and boy did she spoil me)! That's all for now, off to be inspired, come join me :) Hugs, Lisa

Recycled Butterfly

I'm sure you are all aware that yesterday was Earth Day. I loved that both my boys came home from school talking about recycling and keeping the Earth clean. Joshua had a doozey of a question about Green House Gases. Whatever they learned in school has made a bit of an impact on them since they both made great efforts yesterday. Joshua came in from the bus with an empty plastic container he found in the street (it was garbage day yesterday and it was windy, I think the container had blown in the street from a neighbors) and he put it in our recycling bin. Later that evening, Ryan turned off the light in his room AND in Joshua's since no one was in there (this is huge, since turning off lights is something I can't get them to do, LOL). Wednesday is the Unity Addicts Challenge and we were asked to create with something recycled. I had gobs of brown packing paper from the SU box I got yesterday (my SAB rewards arrived) sitting in front of me so I tore off a bit and ran it through my Big Shot with the Beautiful Butterfly Die.

The sentiment is from March KOTM and the butterfly stem image is from this month's kit. I'm excited about the May 1st KOTM Challenge being posted in the Unity forum on SCS. A Guest Designer spot is up for grabs for those who play. You can only play if you have the kit, so be sure to order yours today! Okay, back to the card...I finally got my hands on some Aqua Mist colors from PTI. ahhhh, such a sigh of relief I felt when I opened this color. The polka dots are some of that Jillybean Soup dp that Becky sent me. Love it! This card just makes me smile. I'm planning to lay some mulch and plant some flowers today. It is supposed to be gorgeous here this weekend. Can you say 80 degrees! Oh, yeah, high of 84 to be exact and just think two days ago it was high of 39. That's the Midwest for ya! Hugs, Lisa

Hip Hop Hangover with my KOTM!

This is my second post for today. Please scroll down to see the Stamp Something Challenge.

If you are looking for some Unity inspiration, then you've come to the right place. I have new Unity rubber in my hands. Yep, my April KOTM arrived in my mailbox just in time for me to use some of the images on the Hip Hop Challenge cards yesterday. I just think these little trees are the cutest. Not to mention the adorable little birdies nestled in the tree tops. Thanks to my dear friend Becky, I also had some fun new paper in my hot little hands by Jillybean Soup. She read my mind! I discovered these papers last week and have been drooling over them ever since. This first card is for the Hole-y Unity challenge-add some piercing to your card. You can see mine along the left edge of the tree panel. I've even been spongin' in some sky and grass on my cards this week. I'm liking the look and am getting a feel for the right touch with the sponge. Here's the next challenge card, which was to use a Bow on your card. Easy 'nough, I do bows alot! Isn't this dress form image just darling?

I had fun with more of that paper and pieced together that image. This is just a nice, simple, any occasion card. Okay, off to do some blog hoppin'. See the full list of HHH participants here in this SCS thread or stop by Angela's blog. As always, I am so happy you hopped on by!

Hugs and TGIF! Lisa

CAS Tuesday

Really it is a CAS Monday for me since I really enjoy starting my week off with these quick and easy cards. The CAS challenge at SCS was a sketch challenge and I actually did two cards with it yesterday. Here's the first one.

I just love the Unity March KOTM! I know, I know, I say it all the time, probably about everything I show you here. If I didn't love it, I would buy it! This fun little candy image was just perfect for a CAS card. The dsp is from the retired, Summer Picnic pack from SU. I colored the image with copics and added crystal effects and glitter to the strawberry. The ribbon is sweet blush twill from Papertrey ink. So after I did this first card, I took a break and played with the boys. Hey, look what Ryan did today. Yep, he's a 2-wheelin' man!Later, while I was trying to get Nicholas to nap (nope, he didn't sleep today or yesterday, but he did nap the three days last week.) the idea for this next card came to me. AND I LOVE IT!

I used the PTI set, polka dot basics with two of their colors-raspberry fizz and summer sunrise along with some chocolate chip. The deer and sentiment are Unity. I dressed up the cute little deer with a flower fusion felt flower and rhinestone brad. Isn't it just adorable? I just love that font. I hope Angela uses it more!

Come back tomorrow and see the challenge I get to host in the MFT forum. I was picked as an ambassador during last month's release and now I get to host a challenge. You don't want to miss out! I'm just so giddy! Hugs, Lisa

Today's the DAY!-World Record Blog Hop with Unity Stamp Co.!!!!

Yes, today is the day where you can spend time hopping from blog to blog and get TONS of Unity inspiration. There are over 200 participants. WOW!!! I will try to make this simple for you to follow. If you happened upon my blog by chance (welcome!) but you need to start the Inspirational Blog Hop by going Here (which is Angela's blog, the official Unity Stamp Co. blog!)
From there you will hop from one blog to the next by clicking the link that blog has provided. The next blog to go to will be at the end of this post.

Now for my Unity projects. The sentiment, the little birdies and the flowers are all from the Feb. KOTM, Endings and Beginnings. Each month, the kits just get better and better.

The next project I have to share today uses stamps from the amazing, March KOTM, Simple Life! I think this is going to be my new favorite kit. All I can say, if you are looking for a deal on stamps, and want fun hip images, then you must check out Unity's monthly stamp kits. There is a special going on right now, sign up for the kit and get a coupon for $15 off a past kit of the month (special good through Sunday!). So here it is, an altered tin to hold cards. I did the tin up with some of my favorite October afternoon dp. I used some very cool card stock sticky letters from CTMH and stamped them up with some bits and parts of images from the journaling block, the rainbow, and the dots from the two trees-all stamps from the kit. The "thanks a bunch" flower matched this paper almost perfectly. I colored those with copics and added three of them to the journaling block. I had to add my favorite sentiment, Live Simply, so I got that on this tin too. Finished it off with a few buttons and lots of yummy ribbon! It's a little busy, but I think it is just darling! So there you have it, my contribution to this HUGE Unity Blog Hop! Keep on truckin' and don't forget to leave some love along the way. Before I go, I have a quote to share. I am not a quote person per say, but Angela is and I really do love to read the quotes and words of wisdom she always leaves for us. She asked us to include a fave quote here today. I found this one while I was finishing reading The Shack (for the second time. Have you read it? I highly recommend it if you haven't. )
Faith never knows it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading.

-Oswald Chambers

That's all I have for you today, actually for this weekend. I'm pooped! Plus I've got some projects I'm working on for next week. Stay tuned! Thanks for being part of this World Record Blog Hop with Unity! If you are new to Unity stamps, check out this special!

From my blog you need to hop on over to Andreascraps!
Hugs, Lisa

Check it out! It's HHH!

How stinkin' cool is that?!!! Angela had her tech people come up with this super fun blinkie! She had a bunch other Unity blinkies made up,too. Go see them and grab one for your blog! I got the Hip Hop Challenges done (always a goal of mine on Thursdays) and I just think they turned out super cute. I'm only sharing one today and saving the other for the World Wide Blog Hop Tomorrow. I'll have some other Unity goodies to show you too (at least I hope I do, hehehehe!). Here's the card I did for the No Sour Grapes at Unity Challenge-use purple, black and white on your card. I kept it CAS and used this cute little flower from the March KOTM, Simple Life! I love the white embossed layer, something about it just makes me smile. The purples I used are Pale Plum and Perfect Plum (SU). I colored the leaf with my copics and added a patch of grass (just had to ground that flower). The actual flower is paper pieced with Perfect Plum cs and finished off with a black PTI vintage button and some plum pudding satin ribbon. Check out the HHH list here or on Angela's blog. Enjoy your day! Hugs, Lisa

Getting Inky

My stamping world is a little turned upside down at the moment. As you know, I live for nap time, it's my time to stamp. Well, what happens when nap time is no more? Ummmm, I don't get a lot done. For almost 7 years ( well at least the last two I've been religiously stamping almost everyday) I have used this two hour, almost completely uninterrupted time to be creative. Nicholas has almost stopped napping completely this last week! WHAT?! How can this be? He only just turned 2, my other two didn't give up naps until they were almost 4! I'm a little upset about this, but will find something that works for us. If you have any suggestions, bring 'em on! Here are the two quick cards I did yesterday. I got my Unity March KOTM, Simple Life, a bit inky! This silhouette floral image is one of my favorites from the kit (the whole kit is amazing!). I used the Wed. Unity addicts challenge for this first one. We were to use the colors-turquoise, orange, pink, and brown. I almost pulled out some retired Bali Breeze dsp, but decided on some Pink Flamingo (SU) and Offbeat (Basic Grey). The second one was even quicker. Happy Thursday! Hugs, Lisa

A little More Spring

I had this one still sitting on my desk and thought I should share it there, too. I posted it to my SCS gallery the other day for the color challenge-Riding Hood Red, Summer Sun, and Kraft (black was optional). I think this little mushroom is adorable. Stamps are all Unity, again from the Feb. KOTM. Are you sick of that yellow polka dotted paper yet? I'm not, I love it. Funny thing is, I really like the design on the flip side (that's the reason I got it in the first place) but haven't been able to work it into a card yet. Have a wonderful Saturday! Tomorrow I'll step away from the Unity and share some SUO stuff! Hugs, Lisa

Happy Spring, Happy HHH!

If you are looking for the Stamp Something challenge, please scroll down, it is the first post I did today. If you weren't looking for it and want to see it anyway (it's cute, I promise) please scroll down, too! There is a prize involved.

So, I am back with a little HHH (Hip Hop Hangover)! I didn't get any chatting in with the Unity Peeps yesterday because Tim was home, I had to make dinner for a friend, and I had to volunteer at the school, BUT I did take some time to make two cards. Each week, Jeanne comes up with two great challenges to get us to use our Unity rubber! Challenge #1 was to create a card using Easter colors. My new pack of dsp, A Walk in the Park, was calling to me. Really it was, it said, "Here I am, open me. Look at me! Use me!". So this is was I came up with. Oh, and I am finally, happy to say I have now used most of the images from my Feb. KOTM (Endings and Beginnings). There was a little mix up in the shipping, so I got my kit late. I was feeling pressure since my March kit should be here any day now (I hope). Okay, enough babble, on to the card.

I LOVE how this turned out. You can get this new pack of dsp on April 1 . The colors in it are-basic grey, cameo coral, kiwi, baja, and saffron. The ribbon is the saffron grosgrain from the SAB ribbon bundle (you can get that FREE until March 31, contact me to place an order). The layout was roughly inspired by the Diva's Coffee Break Designs blog. Kristin's card this week was so cute and I guess it was still in my head when I designed this card. Challenge #2 was to create a card using ovals.

This was a no brainer for me since there is this beautiful egg stamp in the KOTM. I stamped it three times on three different patterns of the SAB Darling Dots dsp pack. The flourish in the corner comes from the Growing in Unity kit. You can't see it in this photo, but I did add some stickles to the flourishes. It adds just the right touch of sparkle. Hey, it pays to play! I just saw that this card was picked as the winner. Doin' the Happy Dance! Unity rocks and so do Hip Hop Thursdays. Okay, I have gone on long enough. Do stop by Angela's blog (or this thread on SCS) to see what the other HHH peeps have posted today. Hugs, Lisa

Neverland Flowers

I just adore this row of flowers from my Unity, November KOTM (you can buy this stamp as a single too)! They look fabulous stamped on white and colored in or like I did them here,stamped on Kraft with white or cream ink. I added a pop of color to them with Fruit Punch stickles. Love the touch of sparkle this added. The ribbon is yummy hot pink satin ribbon from MFT! The strip of dp is from the SU pack called Urban Oasis. Love the simplicity of this card and the pop of color! Have a delightful day! Hugs, Lisa

Unity Kit of the Month

Want a great deal on stamps? Then you must check out the Kit of the Month by Unity stamps. I have never been a big fan of monthly kit clubs, but once I kept seeing the beautiful images people were using from Unity I was intrigued. When I found out I could only get them by signing up for the monthly kit, I was bummed. It took me a few months of looking and almost hitting the join button before I was sucked in completely. I joined in October and each month gets better and better. You get a ton of stamps for $24.99. The images are a great size and all are unmounted red rubber stamps to use with your acrylic blocks (or the handles Unity sells). I just saw the Feb. KOTM and OMG! I think it might be my favorite so far. Angela has it up on her blog. I made these two cards for last week's hip hop challenges and they both use images from the Jan. KOTM called Love, ect.

Yes, I know, this one is a little bright an funky. Isn't that peacock just adorable? The challenge called for Bold and Bright. The next card is a little more tame. We were to use something gritty on our card. I added glitter to a piece of sticky strip. I love the contrast of the bright pink with the natural tones of the chocolate and kraft. Oh, and just so you don't miss out. This is straight from the Limelight home page:

A selection of our Valentine's Day themed projects are 20% off this week only! Here are the items on sale:
Unity Stamp Company Love Is Toxic and Rows of Yummies
All Basic Grey Bittersweet Accessories (6x6 Paper Pads NOT Included)
Odd Bird Planet Hey Handsome, Me & You, and Heart Lolly Tree Stamps
Pink Paislee Sweet Cakes Clear Stamp Set Click on the Weekly Specials button on the left column to view our sale items!

Stop by the store to take advantage of the savings! Hugs, Lisa