“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

LOVE Dr. Seuss.  What a wise, wise soul...

{{{Thanks by the way, for scrolling down to see my LPS post today.  It's a fun one!}}}

Reading is a HUGE part of our lives, especially in my family and even more specifically my 9 year old Madelynn.  She has SUCH a passion for reading and writing...puts me to shame with the number of books read in a year, I tell ya...and I could NOT be happier about it!

That being said, I'm sure it comes as NO surprise to you how SUPER excited I was when I saw these new images that will be released TOMORROW at The Greeting Farm!!!!!

I am SO, SO excited about these three new images, illustrated by the amazing author and artist Elizabeth Dulemba.  She brings these whimsically vintage characters to life in the form of rubber stamps for The Greeting Farm and we are SO stoked to have her!

Some of you may have gotten a SUPER sneaky peek at the cards I have for you today in our TGF Newsletter, which is released each month on the 15th.   Here they are, using:

Victorian Reader

and Reading Fairy

The best part?  You only have to wait ONE more day!  Our TGF release is TOMORROW and it all begins with a Blog Hop on the TGF Blog so don't miss it!

See you back here tomorrow!  And THANKS for scrolling down for my Little Paper Shop post!  Cheers!

A Recycled LPS Monday?

Yes!

This is actually a SUPER fun post for me to write because this week's challenge allowed me to dig pretty far back into my DT career...and with Thanksgiving just having passed, it really made me appreciate how far I've come and also how lucky I feel!

So this week's LPS CHALLENGE is to "Recycle it!"  Basically, the challenge is to take ANY LPS sketch that we've done and use it again.  Heck, a great sketch DESERVES to be used at least twice, right?

Well, out of all the sketches, I started back with numero uno...that's right!  I bring you, Sketch 1 from 2008, before we even started doing regular challenges!...

Here is my NEW take on an OLD sketch...using an OLD set that I also happen to love, called Friends:

I hope you enjoyed my card today!  I am ALL about the Basic Grey Nook and pantry paper pack OMG!  It's ADORABLE...and along with other Basic Grey items, it is 40% off at DieCuts R Us today for "CYBER MONDAY!"!!  (which, btw I didn't even KNOW that was a "thing" til this year, LOL!) Hurry over there as other items like Cosmo Cricket, etc are 40% off as well!

What's more?  LPS has a HUGE sale-our biggest of the season going on right now-all items are marked down 10 to SEVENTY percent off now through December 7th or while supplies last!  This CUTE "Friends" set is only $9.30...that's 40% off the retail!  Grab it now and you can do some gift shopping, too!

Be sure to head on over to the LPS Blog today to see the rest of the great creations made by our DT:

• Julia Betemps
• Allison Fillo
• Ann Kranitz
• Bonnie Sharp
• Cindy Haffner
• Heather Lee-Reppen
• Jennifer Greco
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Varnell-Guest Designer
• Silvia Mabie

Well, that's about all for me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by, and I hope to see you again tomorrow.  I have a Blog Hop and a HUGE announcement....can't wait to tell you all about it tomorrow!  What a way to ring in December!!!

SASSY Saturday...

Ok, guys, seriously?  When you head on over to The Greeting Farm's blog today?  You will not BELIEVE how cute this new kid on the block is...or shall I say new SPROUT on the block!

Perhaps some of you remember a few months back when we had our "Design my Sprout" contest at The Greeting Farm and gave everyone an opportunity to come up with TGF's next Wild Sprout?   Well, the winner of that contest was Kim Yu, who designed the ADORABLE "Sassy Suzi" Sprout!

Here she is:

Does she not have the BEST hair?  LOVE her!  She's SUPER Sassy, SUPER fun to color and she'll be released on Tuesday, December 1st at The Greeting Farm!   Wait until you see how adorable the rest of the DT's creations are today, too:

• Cheryl Walker
• Cindy Haffner
• Kadie Ensley
• Lisa Futch
• Lynda Nielsen
• Mercy Kerin
• Sandra Maclean

Last but not least, our friend and Sassy Suzi's designer KIM YU has a special preview of Suzi on her blog today, too.   Be sure to visit, because ONE lucky commenter on Kim's blog will WIN Sassy Suzi!  You have until 8pm CST tomorrow night to leave your comment and the winner will be announced on the TGF blog too!

I'll be back later with my C4C card...I'm running behind, sorry guys!   Thanks for stopping by today!

Jessica :)

A VERY Exciting Black Friday Blog Hop...

I was SO uber-UBER-excited when Taylor Van Bruggen contacted me asking me if I'd like to participate in her Black Friday Blog Hop.  Uhhhhh, YEAH!   I couldn't respond fast enough!   I must admit though that when I saw what we'd be doing I was a bit scared as I'm not always the best at 3D/altered stuff...

(front view of box)

Well let me just TELL you-her Perfect Package Card Boxes are a DREAM to work with!!!!  I am
smitten after making just ONE and I will definitely be ordering a ton of these to make Holiday gifts this year.   You'll see what I mean if you try one-they are SUPER sturdy, perfect to store A2 cards or other gift ideas, and SO MUCH FUN to decorate!

(Back view of box)

I used my favorite Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly DP, and some Prism cardstock.  A lot of these particular items can be found in Taylor's Christmas Key Ingredients.   Have you guys worked much with Prism cardstock?  It's definitely become my favorite cardstock to work with besides the Neenah that I color with.  I just love it, and I ADORE the colors it comes in!  You can check out the line of Prism available in the TE store HERE.

I also made some cards for this set using the "Wings of Joy" stamp set as well as using that on the front of the box as well.

Like what you see?  I sure hope so because I had an absolute BLAST making this, and finished it up just in time to bring to my Mom's as a hostess gift for our wonderful Thanskgiving dinner we had yesterday.   I have about oh...40 or so more cards to finish for her, LOL..but here are a few of the highlights from the box I gave her:

Well now, to the good suff!  It wouldn't be BLACK FRIDAY without a SALE, right?
 
In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the two biggest shopping days of the year!), Taylored Expressions is offering 15% off everything in the store! Just use the promotional code TEBlackFriday upon checkout to receive the discount. You don't want to miss up to 50% off all JustRite products, Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Tiny Twinkles, and the new TE Shirts & Aprons!

In addition, for today, I am only ONE stop on an AMAZING Blog Hop today and cannot even TELL you what an honor it is to be included with this sensationally talented group of women:

Here's a list of all of the participants in our Black Friday Blog Hop....you ladies are AMAZING!

Alex Maldonado: http://fairyblossoms.typepad.com/
Amy Rohl: http://inkaboutme.blogspot.com/
Beate Johns: http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Bev Gerard: http://savorthejourney.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Charmaine Ikach: http://oodabugalley.blogspot.com/
Cindy Haffner: http://cindyhaffnerscorner.blogspot.com/
Debbie Olson: http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com/
Donna Baker: http://www.serenityinstamping.com/
Jami Sibley: http://jami.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Jen del Muro: http://iheart2stamp.com/
Jen Tapler: http://jentapler.blogspot.com/
Jenn Balcer: http://jbalcer.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Jennifer Buck: http://thebuckstampshere.blogspot.com/
Jessica Diedrich: http://thewhimsicalbutterfly.blogspot.com/
Joan Ervin: http://stampingwithapassion.blogspot.com/
Joanne Basile: http://www.stampedbyhand.blogspot.com/
Linda Duke: http://www.lindaduke.typepad.com/
Lori Craig: http://loricraig.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Rose Anne Reynolds: http://paperdelightz.blogspot.com/
Sankari Wegman: http://sunnysankari.blogspot.com/
Sharon Harnist: http://paperfections.typepad.com/
Sherry Cheever: http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
Taylor VanBruggen: http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

WHEW!  Seriously is this NOT an AMAZING list?   I just want to thank Taylor for including me today, too.  It means the world to me to be able to be a part of such a fun day with such a wonderful product, so THANKS TAYLOR!

Hope you've all enjoyed today's post and I do so much appreciate you scrolling down for a SPECIAL PREVIEW from The Greeting Farm today!   Thanks so much and ENJOY BLACK FRIDAY! 

HAPPY SHOPPING EVERYONE!!!!

~Jessica :)

Farm Fresh Strawberry Cuteness...

Hello everyone!

Thank you for scrolling down to see today's Farm Fresh Friday challenge at The Greeting Farm and what's more?  Today I have the first of several AWESOME PREVIEWS for you as we are nearing the 1st of the month!  December 1st, can you believe it?  I can't!

We are previewing TEN new digital stamps that will be available at The Greeting Farm on the 1st by new artist Jessica Hymas!   These ten new digis are deemed "Chibis" and I have the "Chibi Lunch" digi to share with you today.  As soon as I saw the sweet little strawberry on her lunchbox I knew I had to have her!  Not only does she remind me a bit of my oldest DD with her cute glasses and love of school, but funny story-when Madelynn was little, she used to call strawberries "Straw-shree-bees", which sounds a lot like "Straw-chibis!"   I giggled when I saw the name of these new lovable little characters!

So today we have a special TGF preview of another kind for you too...our new December Guest Designer is giving us a SUPER sneaky peek at a new Stamp set by Marina Neira for The Greeting Farm!   Please welcome GABBY and head on over to her blog to see some super cute critters DAYS earlier than the rest of the DT will be showcasing them!

Last but not least?   Today's Farm Fresh Friday challenge is one sure to satisfy your Sweet tooth...in fact, it's called "Sweet Treat"...as in what's YOUR favorite?   That's right!  All you have to do is create a card using any TGF stamp that best describes your favorite sweet treat!  It can be based on the colors, ingredients, ANYThing....doesn't have to just be a stamp of your fave sweet.  Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Head on over to the TGF blog for the rest of the DT's creations and to check out the full deets on this week's challenge, and make sure to leave some love for my girls as EACH of them has a PREVIEW of one of the new stamps!

• Cheryl Walker
• Cindy Haffner
• Kadie Ensley
• Lisa Futch
• Lynda Nielsen
• Mercy Kerin
• Sandra Maclean

Thank you SO much for stopping by and sticking with me today as it's been a very exciting day for me!  Hope you have a wonderful "black" Friday!

See you back here tomorrow for another TGF Preview!  ~Jess :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING....

 To my Darling "DH", Four AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL children and my Mom, Dad, brothers and sister:

I don't have a card, not even a note,
Just this little collection of words that I wrote
To tell you how lucky, how happy I am
To be living this life,  so simple yet GRAND.

To own a new home, and within these walls
There are footsteps, and voices, and welcome phone calls.
There is laughing, and giggling, even squealing at times,
There's of course banging and stomping, but there are still nursery ryhmes...

There are children who I still stare in awe of today
There's the sound of DH coming home...hooray!
There are two people who love me more than words could express-
My parents, two minutes away none the less.

There's a school that we love, just down the road,
There are pictures all over this warm, safe abode-
They all tell the story of the life that I live-
A gift that's so big, only God Himself can give.

How thankful I am, these words only start,
To convey all the love that I have in my heart
For my family, my friends, my blessings that touch
my heart and my soul...I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.   ~yeahshewroteit :)   By me :)
 **********************************************

To all the rest of my family, friends, relatives, and all of my wonderful blogging friends, THANK YOU for being you.  I am so grateful for all of you and leave you with this AWESOME quote I found:

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Had to throw this one in there!   DH met PAULA DEEN last week!   LOVE HER.  LOVE her food.  Wonder what she's making today for dinner...YUMMERS!  

HUGS.

One Sweet Sketch...

...from my sweet son, Jack!

Greetings, everyone!

It's just another Whimsical Wednesday here and time for another challenge that we lovingly refer to as "The Diedrich Dare!"   I'm super excited about this week's sketch that Jack drew for our Daredevils.  It's a GREAT sketch w/ tons of possibilities and I'm really excited about my card today, too because I got to use a new "just for fun" stamp!

I stamped a few of these ADORABLE Swiss Pixies from my friend Pam while we had our fun girls weekend with Mercy and Jessie.  Gotta loooove raiding the stash of others, right?  Haha.   I just think this little NORA Swiss Pixie is adorable beyond words!  And she was SO fun to color!

Paired with my favorite Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly paper and some fun half-pearls from Kaiser, I think this card came out just the way I wanted it too.  Always nice when that happens, LOL!  The sentiment is from Verve stamps.  Their Holiday release is TOO gorgeous this year!

All in all, this was just a SUPER fun card for me to make and I hope you'll stop by the rest of our awesomely talented DAREDEVILS to see what they came up with this week:

• Cassie Larson
• Darla Wilson
• Debbie Lee
• Heather Schlatter
• Jacquie Peifer
• Jessica Diedrich
• Kim Ross
• Randi Wall
• Rebecca Ednie
• Sandra McLean

Don't forget to stop by the DARE blog because there is a PRIZE being given away for this week's challenge!  That's right!  ONE lucky winner will take home something FABULOUS sponsored by Club Anya...so go...check it out!!!!!

Sadly, we say goodbye to our friend Lisa Hjulberg this week as it will be her last week as a Daredevil.  Thanks for all your contributions, Lisa and we'll definitely be watching your beautiful blog!

That's about it for me today, guys.  I am SUPER excited as my brother is here from L.A. and I haven't seen him in years!  It's his first trip to TN to see my new house and my parents' new house and we are thrilled to be spending Thanksgiving with him.  The kids and I are SUPER stoked to see him as is DH...they can sit and talk cars forever, LOL.

So, I'll see you back here on Friday for a SUPER AWESOME SURPRISE I've been bursting to show you!   See you then!

Naughty? or Nice?...

Hee hee...

...I think this little WINTER FAIRY digital stamp from The Greeting Farm is letting you know what she's made of today, don'tcha think?   Have you guys SEEN the AMAZING new Fairy digis from TGF?   This mischievous little Winter Fairy is one of FOUR awesome new stamps available as digital downloads in the TGF store.  New and different from what Marie has done before, they are just TOO awesome and I can't stop playing with them!

It's time for another fabtastic week of Mercy's Tuesday sketches, too!  This week's sketch is SUPER fun and versatile and we hope you'll play along:

I was excited to borrow my good friend Pam's Snowflake punch to make this card.  I can't believe I still don't have this punch!   I then paired my two fave colors of the season together-some aqua and Rose red (prism colors, though) with my FAVE DP this season....you guessed it!  Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly!   You can purchase the DP along with other AWESOME Cosmo Cricket products for an AMAZING price at Die Cuts R Us!   

Well, I'm SO glad you stopped by today and know that you'll want to stop by the rest of the Muses' blogs this week too to see what their take on this super sketch is:

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell
• and our FAB November Guest Muse, VIV Holden!
  

Thanks again for coming by today and I'll see you back here tomorrow with a DARE you won't want to miss!

Frosty hugs,
Jess ;)

LPS Monday: A Krafty Color Challenge...

...brought to us by our own Julie Lacey!

This week, we have a great color challenge at Little Paper Shop that Julie came up with, to use Kraft, Real Red, and Soft Suede on our projects this week.  I swear I am having de-ja vu with this card.  I have to confess I made it a while ago and couldn't remember if I posted it or not...don't you hate that?   I was happy to see that the stars had aligned for me and that it turns out I didn't post it yet because I was sick all weekend and wasn't feelin' the mojo if you know what I mean!   So thanks Julie for knowing that I already had something up my sleeve, LOL!!!

Be sure to stop over at the LPS Blog to see what the rest of our awesome DT has in store for you today and to find out all the deets of this week's Color Challenge-there's always a prize up for grabs so don't miss out on your chance to WIN!

Have a WONDERFUL day and thanks for coming by!  I'd love you to stop by the rest of the LPS DT girls blogs and leave them some love, too!  They are:

• Julia Betemps
• Jessica Diedrich
• Allison Fillo
• Ann Kranitz
• Bonnie Sharp
• Cindy Haffner
• Heather Lee-Reppen
• Jennifer Greco
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Varnell-Guest Designer
• Silvia Mabie

Happy Monday, peeps!  See you back here tomorrow for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!

~Jessica :)

An end to another CRAZY week...

Hey all!

Thanks so much for stopping by again today...we have another GREAT Challenge over at the Crazy for Challenge blog!

This week, we have a sketch for you by Frances:

This is a super simple and versatile sketch and I hope you will all try it out!   I just adore the images from our November sponsor, Kraftin' Kimmie stamps, so I couldn't wait to use PIPER girl here for my next card!  Now, you'll notice I kind of flubbed on the sentiment and didn't really make it a bottom panel so much as just stamped the sentiment on the bottom.   The image was so large that I really didn't have room but insisted on using this cutie pie!  Hope you like!

Wanna play along this week?  We'd LOVE to have you!   Just enter your name using Mr. Linky on the C4C blog and be sure to see what the other CRAZIES came up with for this challenge too:

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Jocelyn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Mercy Kerin
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

Thanks again for stopping by!  Have a fun weekend!  Make it a "Crazy" one!  ~Jess :)

"No one will dare to call you plain when I’m through with you"....

~Alice Cullen.  Yeah, she said that!


{{{Please scroll down for my UNITY Friends w/ Flair Friday post...THANK YOU!!!}}}


Hey everyone!

I am SUPER honored and excited to have been asked to be a guest for today's NEW MOON Blog Hop...brought to you by Twilight Tuesday!

So do you ALL have your tickets to see the movie?? I know I will be there!   

I couldn't WAIT to print out and color this exclusive digi image from The Greeting Farm for today's event.  Alice is definitely my favorite character in the book (ok, BESIDES our boyfriend, Edward...I say OUR because I know we all have him LOL!!!) so I wanted to do something fun with her.  She is so stylish, fun, and funky and always wants to help Bella look better, LOL!

Be sure to head on over to ERICA's blog next to continue the hop.  In case you get lost, I've posted the entire order of the hop below! 


Starts at Twilight Tuesday – http://twilighttuesday.com/
1. Tonya – http://www.stamphappens.com/
2. Laura – http://craftylittlewoman.blogspot.com/
3. Jennifer O. – http://wannabecr8tive.blogspot.com/
4. Pam – http://pamdabearshares.blogspot.com/
5. Jen del Muro {Guest} – http://iheart2stamp.com/
6. Dani – http://countyourbeautifulblessings.blogspot.com/
7. Tamara Bennett – http://scrapcationgetaway.blogspot.com/
8. Cathy – http://cathy-cunningham.blogspot.com/
9. Dina – http://mrsnoodlesdoodles.blogspot.com/
10. Makeesha Byl {Guest} – http://www.makeeshabyl.com.au/
11. Beth – http://stampinsanity.com/blog/
12. Sarabeth {Guest} – http://www.scraphappie.blogspot.com/
13. Mindy Baxter – http://stampinmindy.blogspot.com/
14. Tia – http://ametypething.blogspot.com/
15. Jami Bova {Guest} – http://sgtstamper.com/blog/
16. Eve – http://thisisbliss838.blogspot.com/
17. Monika in VA – http://makingcardshappen.blogspot.com/
18. Lois Bak – http://clownmomcreations.blogspot.com/
19. April D. – http://mousekemom.blogspot.com/
20. Stephanie {Guest} – http://www.apaperbuffet.blogspot.com/
21. Leigh Ann Baird – http://www.stampingwithannieb.blogspot.com/
22. Jeri Moody – http://craftyjsplace.blogspot.com/
23. Juanita – http://stampintwilghtmom.blogspot.com/
24. Amber Goble {Guest} – http://thecountryscrapper.blogspot.com/
25. Jen S. – http://deconstructingjen.com/
26. Sammi – http://www.stuffbysammi.blogspot.com/
27. Tracey F – http://booyagirl.blogspot.com/
28. Corinne aka Rinne – http://rinnesbliss.blogspot.com/
29. Jodi Collins {Guest} – http://stampingalatte.blogspot.com/
30. Margie – http://ohbumbleismemargie.blogspot.com/
31. Cheryl – http://secondglantz.blogspot.com/
32. Kathy – http://pixieduststudio.blogspot.com/
33. Holly – http://inkadinkadoodle.com/
34. Jodi Ann Lee {Guest} – http://inkedinspirations.blogspot.com/
35. Rebecca – http://bellacarta.typepad.com/
36. Kathy J – http://inspiredtostamp.blogspot.com/
37. M.E. Driggs – http://cr8iveme.blogspot.com/
38. Randi – http://www.thedarkmermaid.blogspot.com/
39. Jessica Diedrich {Guest} – http://thewhimsicalbutterfly.blogspot.com/
40. Erica – http://inkedupandreadytoplay.blogspot.com/
41. Jacquie – http://www.javablustamper.blogspot.com/
42. Donna Schnees – http://donnasscrapbooknook.blogspot.com/
43. Julee Tilman {Guest} – http://poeticartistry.blogspot.com
44. Donna W. – http://donna-wardle.blogspot.com/
45. Heather Lee-Reppen – http://inkonmyear.blogspot.com/
46. Jackie R. – http://stampingsister.blogspot.com/
47. Joni – http://astickysituation.blogspot.com/
48. Joy Kennedy {Guest} http://joyofstamping.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
49. Alison – http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/
50. Jacquie N. – http://jacquiemakescards.blogspot.com/
51. Monika Davis – http://www.stampnmad.typepad.com/
52. Julie http://www.starsfallcreations.com
53. Beate Johns {Guests} http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com
Ends at Twilight Tuesday – http://twilighttuesday.com

Thanks again for stopping by and THANK YOU....a HUGE THANK YOU to the Twilight Tuesday girls for asking me to be a Guest today...I am SO honored and excited!  It's been my pleasure hoppin' with y'all!  Now go....go see NEW MOON!  GO NOW!!!!   :)

Coffee and Friends...with Flair!...

Good morning, all!

It's another Happy Friday and a UNITY Friday at that!   That's right...time for another fun Friends with Flair post and hey..there's coffee!  So sit back, relax, and enjoy!

If you're just getting here from my Twilight Tuesday post, thanks for sticking with me!  What a fun day today is!  Enjoy and take it in...kind of like I do the smell of fresh-brewed coffee! 

So, are you all going to see the movie tonight?  Speaking of Vampires and staying up all night?  Check out this funny quote:

"SLEEP is a symptom of CAFFEINE deprivation..."  ~Anonymous

HA!  LOVE it!  I am also LOVING the warm, fall look of this Cosmo Cricket NUTMEG paper...isn't it yummy?  As soon as I saw it I knew which stamp I wanted to ink up from my UNITY kit of the month..which is always a tough choice because I love so many of them!

Be sure to head on over to the Unity blog for the complete list of FFF participants this week and make sure to leave them some luuuurve.  There's no where I'd rather be on Fridays than hanging w/ my UNITY peeps!

Thanks for stopping by and hope to meet you for coffee again here sometime soon ;)

Warm hugs and mugs,
Jess ;)

A Fairy Good Day...

YAY!  TODAY IS THE DAY!

The highly anticipated FOUR NEW FAIRIES are now available as Digital Stamps from The Greeting Farm!

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet today as it is my sweet BABY Ava's 4th BIRTHDAY TODAY!!  I have to put "baby" in caps because I cannot believe she is FOUR!!!!  So, yes, short post, as  I have a VERY special princess who deserves my undivided attention today, but I am LOVING this Autumn Fairy.  She looks like she's about to get into some trouble, huh?

There are FOUR new fairies-Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter and be sure to check out the blogs of our TGF DT AND our Club Anya girls too this week as they are flittering and fluttering all about blog land this week!

I'll be back with another fairy tomorrow for Farm Fresh Friday!

Have a great day, everyone!!!!

A DARE that you could "Easel-y" give in to...

Hey everyone!

Before I begin today's post, I want to thank you all for your love and support of yesterday's post.  November 17th will always be a tough day for me, and as much as I was really apprehensive about sharing the poem I had written so many years ago, I'm really glad I did.  I'm really thankful for you guys and also excited that I have the 19th to look forward to as tomorrow is my sweet baby girl's birthday and definitely something to celebrate!  Again, thank you SO much for your wonderful words of support and for letting me know that something that affected me so deeply has touched you, too...

Well, it's another Whimsical Wednesday here and time for another Diedrich Dare!  This week our Featured Stamper is RANDI and she has a WONDERFUL card and also some simple instructions for you to follow over on the Diedrich Dare BLOG!   Instructions for WHAT, you ask? 

Well, Madelynn has been watching her Mom become crazy addicted to Easel cards and liked them SO much, too, that she wanted to DARE us all this week into making one!   I give you my take on DDSC11: The Easel Card:

Isn't this new Miss Anya Autumn digi stamp absolutely AMAZING?  I LOVE HER!  She is definitely one of my favorite Miss Anyas and I'm hoping she's gonna be made into rubbah one day ;)   I used my favorite Autumn Vine DP from Stampin Up and my beloved Filigree brads to decorate this card and used the standard A2 size card for today's Easel card.  That's the beauty about this technique-as long as your front panel is a size that you're able to score the back panel in half (in this case, I marked it 2 3/4" with a tiny gel pen mark because the Scor Pal isn't marked at that measurement, but all I had to do was line up the paper and make the score mark and it turned out great!)

Be sure to check out what the rest of the DT has simply and easel-y prepared for you today :)  They are totally excited about their creations and so am I!

• Cassie Larson
• Darla Wilson
• Debbie Lee
• Heather Schlatter
• Jacquie Peifer
• Kim Ross
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Randi Wall
• Rebecca Ednie
• Sandra McLean

Thanks for stopping by today, and the new Autumn Digis are now available at The Greeting Farm so check them out!   Thanks again for everything you all do to make me smile...  HUGS!

Jessica :)

Butterflies are Free...

Hey everyone,

{{{Kind of a long post today.  PLEASE scroll down for MERCY'S TUESDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE and a preview of a BRAND NEW stamp from the Greeting Farm that is FAIRY awesome, if you ask me ;)}}}

Today's Challenge at Die Cuts R Us has us feeling girlie and whimsical and I LOVE that!   There aren't a whole lot of cards I want to make that DON'T involve at least one of those two things, LOL.   Anyway, today's challenge is to simply create a "girly" card and so head on over to the DCRU DT Blog for more details on that!

Also, be sure to check out what the rest of the DCRU DT has been up for this challenge:

• Amber
• Cara
• Gwen
• Jessica (that's me!)
• Lori
• Margie
• Sammye Jo-DT Coordinator
• Sarahbeth Burke

Ok, now for the disclosure, LOL....: The rest of this post is a bit nerve-wracking as the idea for my card today came from a date that I wish I didn't have to commemorate, but that has left an indelible mark on my life as well as many others around me.  I wrote something several years ago and haven't showed it to anyone and well, for some reason, today I felt it was time.

Eighteen years and 9 days ago, I got a phone call from a friend to let me know that one of my childhood best friends Meggan had been in a terrible accident.  She was 14, I was 15.   It had been a few years since I had seen her on a real regular basis because I had moved to another town and we were going to different schools, but she was one of my favorite people and I adored her and her family.

On November 17th, 1991, Meggan died as an innocent victim of a careless, reckless, and horrific drunk driving incident.  The next year or so of my life was pretty tied up with emotion, regret...a year that was  consumed by following the news and papers to be sure that justice was done to the drunk kids responsible for her accident and that ultimately took her life.  I became a confirmed Catholic that year and took her name w/ special permission from my church as my Confirmation name to honor her life.   Most importantly, though, I made the choice to become an advocate for my high school friends about the dangers of drinking and driving and the devastating impact and ruined lives it can cause in the process.   That is one thing I NEVER did and now that I'm a mom myself, I really hope I can instill this in my kids.

I normally try not to turn blog posts into Public Service announcements but please, do not drink and drive.  If there is anything I know, it is the pain and sheer agony that has been caused to Meggan's family and all the people in her life who knew her and loved her...including me.  Not to mention the two other girls killed in that crash.  It happens all the time...every minute... and it has to stop.  When I think about who that wonderful, BEAUTIFUL girl would have been today it makes me crazy to think that it couldn't have been stopped...I can only imagine how her family feels.  Especially today.  November 17th.

There isn't much I can do today to comfort her family who still relives this horrific event every day...not even much I can do for myself not to be sad from time to time, but you better believe that I will do everything I can to turn around what I know and try to remind people, especially my own family.    In thinking about all of this tonight, I wrote something for Meg, and although I'm a little apprehensive about sharing it, it means too much not to.

My whole life I've been obsessed with butterflies.   You all know this by now, I'm sure :)   When Meggan died, the liturgy program for her funeral mass had the words "Butterflies are free" typed on it.   It moved me at 15; you can only imagine how it moves me to think about that now.   I hope you, too are moved by the poem I wrote so many years ago...the rhythm/banter isn't the best, obviously, but I hope you find it as meaningful as I do and that it moves you in some way.  You may have to click on the pic to read it better, but those were my words years ago and they still ring so, so true today.

Thanks for reading if you've gotten this far.    I just want to say this:


Even if you tell ONE person not to drink and drive today, you could save a life.  Perhaps several.

I want to dedicate today's post to Meggan's family, specifically my friend Jen, Meg's sister.  She is a beautiful person on the inside and out and I know she could use an extra hug today...which I am sending across the miles, Jen..to you and your Mom.   Thanks for all you do to educate people and to keep Meg alive and with her loved ones as best you can.   I love you guys always.

Much love and thanks for being here,
Jessica

A Fairy Nice Sketch....

Hi everyone and Happy Tuesday...otherwise known as "catch up day" here.   I want to start by saying THANK YOU for visiting me...and also want to let you know that if I haven't made it to your blog in the last few days...I'm coming!  I feel SO bad I haven't had much time to browse and/or leave comments but I really appreciate your art and can't wait to catch UP!

I can't believe it's Tuesday already and time for another FABULOUS Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge!  I'm really excited about my card today, in part due to the fact that I got to make it while hanging w/ my girl Mercy in person!   And I am SUPER excited about the new fairies that are coming out on Thursday at The Greeting Farm!  Have you seen the previews on the TGF Blog?

These michievous little ladies are coming to you in DIGISTAMP form on Thurs, November 19th...just in time for my little Ava's birthday!  She fell in love with these fairies the minute she saw them, and just so happens to be a huge Tink fan-the ultimate in sassy fairies, right?

So what do you think of Glimmer Mist?  Have any of you used it?  I just got on the Glimmer Mist bandwagon and spritzed the image panel along with this pretty Prima flower with "Snow Angel", a Light Pink colored mist.  I kinda like it!  Hope you do, too!

Well, be sure to check out the rest of Mercy's Muses because I'm sure they'll have some AMAZING creations to show you as well!  Leave some love for our girlies:

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Julie Lacey
• Mercy Kerin
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell
• Shannan Teubner
• and our AWESOME Guest Muse VIV!
  

Thanks for stopping by today and have a FAIRY nice day ;)

Another LPS Preview {For You}...

...{For You} being the name of the stamp set, that is!  And a WONDERFUL set indeed!

It's Little Paper Shop Monday, and time to bust out a super fun challenge, and more!  Today we are previewing a new SENTIMENT SET called {For You}.   I LOVE this set.  LOVE IT!   The sentiments are interchangeable, the font is a pretty script-type lettering and it's as SUPER versatile as can be!

What's more?  You can WIN this set TODAY over on the LPS BLOG!  Just leave us a comment there and we'lll draw a winner tomorrow during the release!

We also have a CHALLENGE for you today-to use a DIE CUT on your card or project.  Players will have unti Sunday night to participate and we'll be giving another prize out, too!   Just leave us  a comment and let us kno you're playing along!  We'd LOVE to have you!

Be sure to check out the rest of the LPS DT and their awesome previews {FOR YOU} today ;)

• Julia Betemps
• Jessica Diedrich
• Allison Fillo
• Ann Kranitz
• Bonnie Sharp
• Cindy Haffner
• Heather Lee-Reppen
• Jennifer Greco
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Varnell-Guest Designer
• Silvia Mabie

Thanks everyone and see you tomorrow!

Jessica ;)

Hop on over to the SPA with Club Anya!...

Greetings, all!

TODAY is the DAY!

{{{BEFORE I get to all the fun Spa Hop details, I just want to ask that you please scroll down for my Little Paper Shop preview.  We are debuting a SUPER cute new set-one of my faves, actually-and I dont' want you to miss it!  Thank you so much!!!}}}

Well, here we are!  Ahhhhhhh.  Do you hear that?   It's the sound of my week beginning with a TON less than I had on the books for last week....aaaaaahhhhhhh.

Serenity is the theme here as Anya is making her trip to the Spa for some "Me Time" and I think we all need to do the same!   I used this week's Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #91 to create my card and the new Basic Grey "Nook and Pantry" paper which I LOVE!  Hope you like it too...

...and now, without further adeiu, here is the order of the hop...I'm the last stop-so if you're just getting here, head over to Club Anya to start and then follow the signs to rest and relaxation:

Club Anya
Kelly
Pam
Suzi
Kim
Amy 
Me <--------you are here ;)

Well, I have a special little treat for you today, too, as do the rest of my girlies, so be sure to stop by everyone and leave comments!   As for my blog, ONE LUCKY girl will win my card today along with a $15 gift card to Bath and Body works!   All you have to do is LEAVE A COMMENT by 8PM CST!

All the winners of the Club Anya SPA HOP will be announced after the contests close.  Good luck and get Zen...now's your time..."ME" time!!!

I {Heart} my Friends...

Hey everyone!

It's been a while since our last Little Paper Shop release so I'm excited to bring you something fresh, fun, and pink today!

As you are reading this, I am probably en route home from another amazingly fun weekend with my girlies Mercy, Pam, and Jessie.   I HEART these girlies...so this post is dedicated to them!  And it just so happens that Pam is our FABULOUS LPS Guest Designer so check her out and the rest of the LPS DT:

• Julia Betemps
• Jessica Diedrich
• Allison Fillo
• Ann Kranitz
• Bonnie Sharp
• Cindy Haffner
• Heather Lee-Reppen
• Jennifer Greco
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Varnell-Guest Designer
• Silvia Mabie

Well today I have a fun card to show you using some Flower Soft and a topiary from the new {I heart} set which is being released THIS TUESDAY, 11/17!

Be sure to check out the LPS BLOG today to be entered to WIN this set and be on the lookout for an awesome sale this week too...beginning Tuesday for ONE WEEK ONLY, everything in the store will be on sale!  Julia has priced everything from 10 to 70% off!  So mark your calendar...only two days to wait!

Have a great day, everyone!

Clearly, I'm Crazy....how 'bout YOU?..

...at least, that's what they tell me...and that's A-ok with me!

Today is Saturday, and it's time for another Crazy 4 Challenges Challenge...to use ACETATE on our project today.

As I write this, I am surrounded by Mercy Kerin, Jessie Rone (TWO fellow Crazies!), and our hostess with the mostess Pam Varnell!  The coffee's hot, the stamps flying, and I suspect a laugh or two might be in store for today!  I've said it before and I'll say it again...if I am not back by Monday morning, call the authorities!I am completely acetate challenge so it will be very interesting to me to see what you think about this project!

 I decided to make a bookmark for my DD who is missing me a little bit while I'm hanging with my girls.  She is a very avid reader and LOVES this stamp so Madelynn, sweetie, I hope you love it!

Dont' forget to head over to visit the other crazies
 today!  They are waiting for you...CLEARLY you know that ;):
Barbara Anders
Cindy Haffner
Frances Byrne
Jessica Diedrich
Joanne Grzelak
Joycelyn Turner
Lori Boyd
Lynda Benden
Mercy Kerin
Robin Willis
Vicki Garrett

Thanks for stopping by today, and thanks again to Kraftin' Kimmie stamps for being our NOVEMBER Sponsor!  You rock, Ms. Reid!   Be sure to leave us a comment on the C4C blog letting us know you played along!  See you tomorrow for a Little Paper Shop preview!   Thanks again!

Jess ;)

Another Quote with Flair...

{{{Please scroll down for my Greeting Farm post and Guest Designer contest deets!  THANK YOU!!!}}}

So, the other day, I found this CRAZY AMAZING QUOTE by Emerson:

"DO NOT GO where the Path may lead, GO INSTEAD where there is NO PATH, and LEAVE A TRAIL"...

I thought this was the coolest quote...and a few minutes later, our sweet Angela left me a comment saying "I have that in a stamp!"   YOU DO?  I thought....smiling at the prospect of getting online and ordering it immediately..until I realized...DUH!  I HAVE this stamp.  Oh, man...it was one of those days, HA!   Funny though-and SO glad I had it!   LOVE this from the UNITY QUOTE BUNDLE!!!  Yay!

Ok, so I am SUCH an amatuer, but my Mom gave me my sister's sewing machine that wasn't being used and I have begun to stitch on my cards!  Go easy on me...I'm not so good at the whole straight-line thing let, LOL!   What do you guys think about sewing on cards?   

I have to admit it's something I said I prob wouldn't do...too fussy..too much work..etc...but turns out I am QUITE the fussbucket and I like me that way, HA HA!

Well, be sure to head over to the UNITY blog for the complete list of FWF Participants...and have a WONDERFUL day!  I will be whooping it up with my pals Jessie, Mercy, and Pam for the weekend...prob won't sleep much but can you hear the laughing?? 

WILD about this Sketch...

Hey friends!

It's week TWO of the "Where the Wild Things Are" contest and up for grabs for the first time ever is a one month Guest Designer spot with The Greeting Farm, to work specifically with these adorable images by Marina Neira!  LOVE THEM!

Today I'm super excited to bring you the 2nd Challenge...it's a sketch by our very own Cindy Haffner!  Here is the sketch:

Isn't it fabby?   

Be sure to check out the TGF Blog for complete details and eligibility requirements for this contest as it is a two-week cumulative contest.  Anyone can play the sketch though!  So feel free!  Here's my take on it:

I LOVE this cute digi stamp, don't you?  These little mice are just too sweet!   Well, thanks for stopping by today...as you read this, I am either in the car with Jessie or hopefully we've already made it to Pam's house....yep!  It's another weekend with the Crazies!  I'll be spending the weekend with Mercy Kerin, Pam Varnell, and Jessie Rone again and I cannot WAIT!

It's been a stressful week and this will be just what I needed!  Take care and I'll see you back here on Sunday for the Club Anya "Spa Hop" and a preview from Little Paper Shop, too!  busy, busy...just the way I like it ;)

xoxo
Jess ;)