Somethin' FISHY's washin' up on the FARM...

There's something fishy going on at the GREETING FARM...something a little creepy too...something TOTALLY new!  After the success of TGF's Digital mermaid line last year, we've had some requests for rubber and we are PROUD to introduce "SYREN!"


{{{If you are here for my HIP HOP post, please scroll down...thanks!}}}

Just like her name, this sassy siren will be released on April 1st-TOMORROW, along with Surfer Anya, Daisy Sprout, and the HUGE "Creepin" set on a FULL-sheet of rubber! SO exciting!  Be sure to check out the rest of the DT's creations today and also check out the unveiling of TGF's new CHALLENGE TEAM at 10AM on our new CHALLENGE BLOG!  


Syren...well....she kind of reminds me of Ariel possessed by the Sea Witch, Ursula.  I'm gonna say that had Ursula WON and taken over Ariel as her minion, this is what she would look like as a result.  Whatcha think?  She's pretty cool lookin, just the same though, huh?   I struggled w/ her red hair this shade of red, but all in all I hope it turned out ok.  The SALT AIR paper from Cosmo Cricket is PERFECT for this-as is some TWINERY twine to finish her off!

We are THRILLED about all of the upcoming events for TGF-including the DT reveal and BRAND NEW format of the new FARM FRESH CHALLENGE Blog, TGF Blog Hop w/ the Farmers TOMORROW, and a HUGE PRIZE at stake!


For now, be sure to VISIT the TGF Blog for more previews, head on over to check out the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, and grab THIS badge for your sidebars:

See you back here then for some FUN and also for another announcement of my OWN tomorrow (although most of you may have heard some rumors out there that there's a 'bella' at the end of my name now ;)

Hip Hoppin into April...already?!?...

Whoa.  CANNOT. BELIEVE how fast this month has gone by!
Seriously?!  Spring break-flash in the pan.  Now we are getting all those fliers about 'end of the year' stuff in school, including a MIDDLE SCHOOL field trip for my oldest one...yikes!

Anyway, we are Hip-Hoppin' into APRIL this week with some sneak peeks of the April KOTM:

For more sneaks, you can check out Unity's Facebook page!  For now, I have one last "reject" card from Papercraft Mag's last call featuring Go-To Sketches.  This sketch was SO not me but I actually really liked how this Clean and Simple card came out:

What do you think, honestly?

Last but not least, I have some GREAT news in terms of HAPPY MAIL-the new Spring issue of JUST CARDS came in the mail and lookie what I found inside:

Hooray for getting published again!! (mushroom card :)  I could not BELIEVE it!   Always makes for a good day when ya get some happy mail, right?

Be sure to head over to my fab friend JIMMI's blog next!  Have a WONDERFUL Thursday!

PUSH the little DAISY's and make them come up...

Hey everyone!  Haha OMG do you remember that song?  Totally takes me back to my college dorm days, LOL!!  My roommate used to find that song SO funny that she'd sing it at random ALL the time Freshman year :)


TOTALLY stoked to be back with another preview from The Greeting Farm! 

"Please welcome "DAISY", our newest addition to the TGF Wild Sprouts line!  Daisy will SPROUT up for sale on the Farm on April 1st and is a sweet and SASSY new Sprout!    I have to say that not only am I in LOVE with her AND these papers from the Stella&Rose line from My Mind's Eye, I was pouting last night when I realized my camera battery had died and I wanted to go to bed-so I took this w/ my iPhone and I have to say, it did a pretty good job, right?

Daisy is one of a TON of new releases coming to you on April 1st during our DT Blog hop and SURPRISE new TGF Challenge blog that will open its doors on April 1st as well!  There are going to be LOTS of prizes and fun popping up in the next few days, so stay tuned on how YOU can win!

For now? Want to WIN a Daisy Sprout?  Just leave a comment on ALL the DT's blogs today and make sure you go back to the TGF Blog letting us know you did!  The winner will be announced TOMORROW during yet ANOTHER preview of our April line!  The excitement is only beginning-it's going to be a great week!


I'm really glad you could all stop by today-thanks so much and stay tuned for another FUN announcement I have...but if ya want a little sneaky, you can go HERE ;)

Garden of Friendship...

Hey, everyone!

Just as my alarm failed me on my iPhone this morning (and we were still 15 minutes EARLY to school today, woo hoo!), I must have been sleepy when I typed this because I never scheduled it, LOL!

HAPPY TUESDAY, my friends!

Friendship is a wonderful thing, isn't it?  I have to say that in the 3+ years I've been doing this, I've learned a TON about friendships and how to grow them, cultivate them, and well, recognize a few 'weeds' too, LOL.   I have to say that I have met some of the most WONDERFUL people in this business-people who you only talked to through the computer, then got to meet, or maybe you didn't even meet yet-that turn out to be closer friends and bigger/better supporters than some of the people who we thought would be true to us that we've known for years....isn't that the TRUTH!?

I'm happy to be in a place where I really feel that friendship means most to me-and that the ones I have are here to stay.  I'm so thankful to ALL OF YOU (you know who you are!) for being TRUE friends-no measuring sticks, no pretenses, just THERE because well...you like me :)  Rest assured I like you, too!  <3  Life is SO much easier and yet more meaningful when we're all just 'here' together, isn't it?

I have TWO cards from Taylored Expressions' MARCH Key Ingredients Kit to show you today (forgive the angle on these-I should re-shoot them.  This was RIGHT before my DH told me that he 'accidentally' dropped my lens, hmmmm... funny how I knew something was up, LOL!!!!)

I ADORE the Stella&Rose paper from My Mind's Eye in this kit and decided to make that the main focus along with some adorable TAYLORED DIES-"Leafy Branch" and "Friendship Blooms" dies- and  that allowed me to cut out elements from one of my favorite stamp sets, "Friendship Blooms."

Are you subscribed to the Key Ingredients yet?  You have through the end of this month-Thursday! to get this AWESOME kit and just WAIT til you see next month's. You *need* both, trust me!  These two simple cards are just a TEENY sampling of the AMAZING things you can do w/ this month's kit-and let me tell you the wooden buttons are my FAVE!   Be sure to check out the subscriptions and thanks for stopping by today!

One last thing-but DEFINITELY not least,a HUGE congrats to Taylor and Taylored Expressions, as they are the NEWEST MEMBER COMPANY on Splitcoast Stampers!  Be sure to check out our new forum and come say hello!

In Friendship,

~XOXO,

  

Goin' BACK to Wonderland...

...at least for a spell!

{{{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for my TWINERY post AND my GREETING FARM preview and CLUB ANYA challenge post today...thank you SO much!}}}

I was really honored when my friend Berenice Rendon asked me to be a Guest Designer for Karber's challenge this week-to create a card using a STORYBOOK theme!  She thought of me because of the ADORABLE Alice images available in her shoppe and knows how much I {Heart} Alice in Wonderland!

Have you visited the Karber Digital Stamp Shop?  You really should-there are some CUTIE patootie images in there, that's for sure!  The Alice image I used is called "Alice Leslie" and is avaiable QUICKLY as a digi-stamp! Instant gratification, right?

My card today uses some awesome paper from the My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose line as well as the trim from that line.  The sentiment is from Sweet Pea stamps and it's PERFECT for our little friend the White Rabbit, don't you think?

Be sure to check out the Karber CHALLENGES!  There are new challenges issued weekly AND monthly and all kinds of great PRIZES are up for grabs!

Thanks a TON to Berenice for having me-I had a blast using this cute and whimsical Alice image!   Off with your heads if you don't check it out, hee hee ;)  Just kidding...but won't you pay KARBER a visit?

~xoxo,

Happily enTWINED...

Hey, everyone!

Thanks so much for coming by again for my 2nd post today using THE TWINERY Baker's Twine!

{{{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for my GREETING FARM Preview today, thank you!}}}

I'm on the TWINERY BLOG today too so be sure to head over there and say hello!

Are you following the TWINERY Blog?  I sure hope so, because you're probably happily surprised at how many giveaways and awesome project ideas you're finding over there!  If not, what are you waiting for?  ;)

My card today uses the TWINERY TWINE in "Honeydew"-I think it might be my FAVORITE color!

This card was made for my DH's birthday and it's always really hard for me to make masculine cards.  I honestly don't like them-although I've seen some REALLY awesome ones out there-its just NOT my thing, LOL.  Creating this simple card, however, would have been REALLY plain had it not been for the addition of the awesome honeydew twine and wooden button.  

Thanks so much for hanging out here and be sure to visit The Twinery blog and let them know you were there, too! 

~xoxo

Supplies:

Cardstock: PTI (Harvest Gold)

Paper: My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose

Stamps: Unity March KOTM

Twine: TWINERY BAKERS TWINE in HONEYDEW!

Button: from Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients Kit

Ink: Jenni Bowlin (Ranger) Brown Sugar

Release week is CREEPIN' UP on the Farm...

Hey EVERYONE!

I have TWO posts today so thanks for hangin with me!  Today we have an exciting preview from The Greeting Farm featuring the highly-anticipated "CREEPIN'" set, featuring a FULL SHEET (8 1/2 x11!) of rubber coming your way on APRIL 1st!

My card today uses the new "Harlow" Creeper and is also fashioned after this week's final (sniff sniff) Monday Mania at Club Anya & Friends.   Club Anya has had a WONDERFUL run, and now that we are expanding our TGF Challenges to include ALL TGF stamps in the future, be on the lookout for a SUPER SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT on Thursday on the TGF Blog!

I have to laugh at the die cut chipboard from Crate Paper that I found to go w/ this card and the "Excuse Me?" sentiment is perfect too, LOL!  It seems that little Miss Harlow finds herself standing in front of the Police Dept. bus stop...oopsies!  LOL!!!!   I am LOVING this new sheet of Creepers and they are AMAZING to color up as well!

Be sure to visit the WHOLE TGF crew today- Club Anya and Friends is CASE'ing my friend and former CA&F Guest Designer JONI WILSON for Mystery Monday:

Elena Joldersma-March Guest Designer

• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Amber Hight
• Jen Shults
• Kristy Young

and the FARMERS all have CREEPER previews for you today on the TGF BLOG:

• Buttercup's Blog
• Emma Eads
• Sari Hanninen
• Tanya Tahir
• Lisa Hjulberg-April Guest

Thanks for coming by and hope you all had a GREAT weekend~
xoxo,

Time for a little BLOG Surfin'...

...have you SEEN the cuteness on the TGF BLOG today?

You might want to start THERE if not ;)  We are "SURFIN'" into previews for our APRIL release this coming week and what better way to begin than with this adorable 

SURFER ANYA!

Isn't she dreamy?  Makes me LONG for the beach and I was just there! (although, only for a few hours and there were man-o-war all over so we really couldn't swim, LOL!)  I used some of the new "SALT AIR" 6x6 paper stack from Cosmo Cricket (available at CLAUDIA & CO~) and used some Crate Paper buttons and embellishments-the little hibiscus button is perfect, right?!

Yep...she's ONE of MANY amazing new releases that will be available at The Greeting Farm on April 1st, including our HUGE "Creepin' KIT-long awaited and a gigantic, FULL SHEET of rubbah!

We are also excited to say hello to my sweet and TALENTED friend Lisa Hjulberg as our APRIL GUEST DESIGNER...welcome Lisa!

So, yep!  Be sure to do our little "BLOG SURF" today because ONE lucky winner will be taking home this cutie patootie above!   

APRIL GUEST DESIGNER 

Lisa Hjulberg

FARMERS 
Buttercup's Blog Tanya Tahir
Emma Eads
Sari Hanninen
Jessica Diedrich-you are HERE!

Thanks SO much for stopping by today and be sure to leave this team some love by 10pm CST SUNDAY EVENING to enter to WIN Surfer Anya~hooray!

A Happy (birthday) Hip Hop...

Hello friends!

It's time for another Unity Hip Hop post and I'm gonna make this one short and SWEET because I have a VERY special birthday boy to tend to....my sweet DH!

This isn't the card I'm giving him for his birthday, but I LOVED the sentiment, 

"PERFECT THE WAY YOU ARE..." because well...despite the fact that we all have a few flaws, he loves me just the way that I am and I love him right back <3

I found this big Prima flower in my stash not too long ago and had to do something fun w/ it to make it the focal point of my card...it NEEDED to be there, don'tcha think?

Be sure to stop by the UNITY blog to see what's up for the day and don't forget to stop by my girl JIMMI's NEW BLOG and BRAND NEW MAKEUP and SHOPPING BLOG, too!  She and I share a love obsession of URBAN DECAY products and you will LOVE the new blog she has started!

Talk to you all soon...and don't forget about the TGF FARMERS MARKET today beginning at 10am...it's only happening QUARTERLY now so be sure to grab those sale items while they're HOT!

~xoxo...

Time for a TEA-riffic Tuesday...

Seriously, HOW cute is this Tilly the Teacup girl from Stamping Bella?

I made this card during my girls' weekend with my besties and had the BEST time coloring her up-I'd been wanting this stamp FOREVER and it was so fun to play with her!

So, how are all of you on this fine Tuesday?  Things could be more relaxing, but we made it home and I cannot WAIT to post pics!  Disneyworld was just as magical as always-never gets old.  I am so fortunate to have an aunt who works there and to have a family who loves big, chaotic trips, LOL!   There were some fun new highlights this year-I seriously cannot WAIT to go through my pictures!

Other than that, I have a lot of laundry and catch-up work to be done so have a TEA-RIFFIC Tuesday and I'll talk to you all soon!
xoxo,

"Rollin'" into the week w/ Mystery Monday!...

Heyyy everyone!  How's it ROLLIN'???

We are having a fabulous and I mean FAB-U-LOUS Spring Break and  couldn't be more blessed w/ a week of great weather, fun, and family!  I'll have lots more to post about that later in the week, but for now, I have a short but sweet post for this week's Mystery Monday w/ Club Anya and Friends featuring a card by PICKLE!

You can definitely see why Elena loved her layout and we all chose to CASE her today!  Here's my take on her awesome card using Later Skater, a set that I don't think gets NEARLY as much love as it deserves:

I LOVE to paper piece Anya's hat in this set.  I just think it comes out so cute and when I found this argyle paper to match her shirt, I knew it would come out just the way I had intended it to!  She's a cutie, right?   The "Hows' it ROLLIN' " sentiment makes me smile, too ;)

Be sure to check out  the Club Anya & Friend's Blog to see ALL of the adorable takes on this card and I'll see you back here tomorrow with some BELLA love!

A BERRYlicious Thursday...

Hey everyone!

Today is a very special, or should I say "BERRY" special Thursday!   It's the 3rd Thursday of the month, which means I'm debuting a new 6x6 Sampler pack from Claudia & Company! Hooray!

This month, I worked with the new BERRYLICIOUS line from Imaginisce.  I have to say that although I KNEW this paper was super cute just by the looks of it?  I didn't realize HOW much fun it would be to work with until I created one...two...three...FOUR cards with it for you today.  I just couldn't stop!

You get 12 6x6 sheets for only $3.25, and let me tell you why I LOVE this idea.  For one, cheaper shipping-you don't have to worry about 12x12 papers being shipped in a large box.  For two,  while I wouldn't say I get "sick of" paper?  There is ALWAYS something uber-cute right around the corner and while I enjoy a 6x6 pad chances are, even with the MAJOR amount of cards I make, I can't use it up quickly enough before the next new batch of cuteness debuts.  So it's the perfect amount, and last but not least?  The PRICE . Is. PERFECT.   At only $3.25 a pack?  You can scoop up a FEW new lines and have fun creating!

Also available for purchase at Claudia & Co., I used the Unity "Itty Bitty' stamp "Sweetest Day".  This sweet lil' strawberry is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  Love it!   I also scooped up the chance to use one of my fave digis, from the Sugar Sticks line, "Girl with Kite".  Isn't she a dolly?

There is SO much you can do w/ this sweet Berrylicious 6x6 Sampler pack-and with fruit stamps being really "in" right now (just in time for summer!), you can find so much to do with this pack.  Everything extra I used was purchased at Claudia & Co. as well.

The Red Baker's twine is from Twinery and the sentiment on the yellow card is from the Oliver and Amelia "Little Dreamer" set by The Greeting Farm, also carried by Claudia & CO.

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!  It was totally amazing working with such a sweet sampling and I am really grateful you guys came by to see it!  Be sure to stop by the Claudia & Co. blog for more details and product information/recipes for these 4 different cards!

~xoxo...

Mid-week TIME OUT!...

Heehee...this image and sentiment make me laugh!

As soon as I saw this adorable image from Stamping Bella I just KNEW I had to have it!  I was so greatful to meet Em and spend some time w/ her at this past CHA show.  We had an instant bond and I laughed until my sides hurt w/ that girl!

I made this card a while ago for the Valentine VSN on SCS, but never got around to blogging it.  Here's little Miss Time out, in all her glory:

Isn't she a sweetie pie despite the fact that if you saw her face she's probably smushing it all up?  LOL!   I ADORE those pig tails too!   The paper is My Mind's Eye from LAST years Valentine's Day and the TWINERY twine in Maraschino was the perfect touch!  Most of all, the sentiment kills me:  "Sometimes, everyone needs a little "timeout".   Isn't that the TRUTH!?

Well, we are getting our "time out" in a good way this week!  Gotta LOVE Spring Break!
See you back here tomorrow with TWO posts-both of which I'm pretty excited about!

Have a fab Wednesday, everyone!
~xoxo,

MARCH'n into the NEW Key Ingredients Kit...

Hey, everyone!

Can you BELIEVE it's MARCH 15th already???  We are just beginning our two-week Spring Break and St. Patty's Day is right around the corner....but in OTHER news, it's time for the MARCH Key Ingredients KIT to debut from Taylored Expressions!

I am SO, SO BEYOND excited about this kit.  Ok, I know, I know, I say that EVERY month, but as soon as I saw that this month's kit would be featuring paper from the BRAND NEW My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose line, I literally squealed.  GORGEOUS, I tell ya!   Seriously, LOOK at this kit:

Isn't it amazing?  And could those wooden spools and buttons be ANY cuter?  Plus all that yummy ribbon, coordinating cardstock, and a WHOLE pack of gemstone brads make this kit a favorite for I'm willing to wager more than just me!

Here's my first creation using the MARCH Key Ingredients kit and the adorable "Cozy Cottages" stamp set:

I colored the cute little birdhouse using Copic markers, attached the brads and ribbon, and you have a sweet, simple card ready to go!  For MORE ideas, be sure to visit the MARCH Key Ingredients Blog and Gallery!

See you soon, everyone!

~xoxo,

Mystery Monday gets Cheeky...

Howdy, peeps!

Happy Monday!  Did you all have a good weekend?  I sure do hope so!  We had a wonderful weekend just chillin' with family and yesterday celebrated my eldest's ELEVENTH birthday.  Man I am starting to feel OLD,  LOL!  I still remember it like it was yesterday when the big joke was that I'd have her the day after my baby shower...and low and behold-I did!  Motherhood forever changed me for the better on March 13th, 2000 when my amazing and beautiful mini-me was born.  I just adore her more and more with each passing year and can't get over the wonderful and creative young lady she's becoming!  Time goes by WAY too fast.... sigh...

So, anyway, I hope you all had a good weekend!  Today's Monday Mania gets Cheeky-as in CHEEKY Howdy for those of you familiar w/ this sassy lass by The Greeting Farmt!  Today at Club Anya and Friends we are CASEing a dear woman who happens to be a good friend of mine, Lynda Nielsen!

You can see Lynda's card along with the rest of my team mates on the Club Anya and Friend's Blog, and here's mine:

I used the very last of my "Thrift Shop" DP by October Afternoon and am pretty impressed w/ the stash I've used up these last few weeks.  The discipline just about killed me, LOL but now I can play with my new My Mind's Eye, Crate Paper, and Cosmo w/ a clear conscience....and wait til you see the  Sampler Pack from Claudia & Co. with the BERRYLICIOUS line I'll be debuting on Thursday!  LOTS of fun new paper comin' up the ranks...woo hoo!

That's about all for me-I am getting up UBER early this morning and am very much looking forward to our family's SPRING BREAK that starts....TODAY!  Woo hoo!

So much for sleeping in today, but it's well worth the reason ;)  More on that to come this week!

Much love to you all!

~xoxo...

Some Random Reflections...

As I sit in shock and sadness watching the news these past few days, I can't help but think of all that matters and all that does NOT...

My heart and prayers go out to the people of Japan, my friends in Hawaii who thankfully, didn't suffer half as much damage as we thought they might, and everyone who was affected by the terrible disasters occurring yesterday.

I am not a "superstitious" person by nature, but yesterday being 3/11, and all of the things occurring in the world around me, spurred a thought or two back to Revelation.   I opened to Rev. 3:11 yesterday and this is what I read:

"I am coming. SOON.  Hold onto all you have so that no one will take your crown..."

Hmmm.  That's all I have to say about that.

Stay safe and HOLD ON to those who matter-even those who need to be loved when it's difficult to do so.  Speaking of which, I found a new little 'lovely' in my inbox from my beloved BRAVE girl, Melody Ross and thought it was VERY MUCH worth sharing:

While this really spoke to me, I wasn't really going to blog about it, but for some 'odd' reason it showed up in my inbox...TWICE.  Ok, I'm listening, LOL!   Anyway-I love this.  I think that says so much.  Protect yourself, but be loving and forgiving.   Sometimes it's hard to do, but the peace that comes with it if you can master it-even if not perfectly, is astounding.  You'll know when you get it right.  For a while there I didn't think I'd 'get it', but there is an amazing peace that comes with knowing you've made the right decision but are still full of love forgiveness, and only that which is good in your heart.  Reminds me of this:

"In the end, only kindness matters..."  ~Jewel

...and LOVE.  Lots and lots of LOVE.

Love isn't something to be cataloged, labeled, or analyzed.

It's a gift that should flow freely and be accepted without measurement, limitations, or judgement... and something that should be appreciated in whatever capacity it is given or received.

MUCH LOVE to all of you...please join me in prayer and a bevy of support to everyone who is hurting right now-especially anyone affected by the natural disasters yesterday.

<3

Springin' into FFF...

Hey, everyone!

It's time for another Farm Fresh Friday challenge at The Greeting Farm and today we are ready to jump into SPRING with this Farm Fresh color challenge:

I decided to keep it simple and use the "Because of You " sentiment set and used up some of the last of my FAVE patterned paper from October Afternoon.  The TWINE is from The Twinery and if you don't have some yet...whatcha waitin' for?!

Be sure to visit the TGF blog to see the rest of the DT's awesomely colorful samples this week...and I'll be back later for some more fun!

~xoxo...

Got Moxie?..

Hey, everyone!

HAPPY Hip-Hop THURSDAY...and I say that w/ MOXIE!

Just what exactly IS Moxie, I asked myself, while making my card using Marah Johnson's "MOXIE" stamp set by Unity...

I know there's the MOXIE FAB Blog-and that immediately came to mind as this card was designed for the Papercrafts Magazine call and was REJECTED (I'm picturing big red, reject stamp here, LOL! jk jk) for the call.   I'm not gonna cry though-3,000 submissions w/ only like 288 possible slots..that's a whole lotta MOXIE!

So here's the skinny on this fun and FAB word:

mox·ie

  [mok-see]  Show IPA

–noun Slang .

1.

vigor; verve; pep.

2.

courage and aggressiveness; nerve.

3.

skill; know-how.

Origin: 

1925–30, Americanism ;  after Moxie,  a trademark (name of asoft drink)

Alrighty then-there was your lesson for the day!  And here is my card-full of MOXIE:

I used some pretty patterned paper from the My Mind's Eye LUSH Collection and used the GORGEOUS frame and "MOXIE" sentiment from the MOXIE kit.

SOOOO glad you stopped by today!  Are you guys headed over to JIMMI's blog next?  I hope so!  And if you're just starting out here, don't forget to start at the UNITY BLOG to see what's up for today!

Last but not least-TWO reminders:

1.) Be sure to check THIS OUT:

2.) There's STILL time to play in the NEW Unity Challenge!  You have until the 14th to enter to WIN and if you think THIS month's prize is good? Wait til you hear NEXT Months!  The NEW challenge will be issued on the 15th!  woo hoo!

That's it for me, guys...hope you have a MOXIE-licious day!  (was that too much?  yeah, maybe... LOL!)

~xoxo....