It's a SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER, everyone...

Hello, everyone!

{{{Please scroll down for my DECONSTRUCTED SKETCH post, thanks!!!}}}

It is shaping up to be a SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER indeed as it's the FIRST and time for our exciting stamp release today at The Greeting Farm!

As if that weren't enough...I FINALLY get to show you the brand new MISS ANYA set that has become all the 'buzz' around farmland this week.... INTRODUCING:

MISS ANYA "BAGS"!

Here's my card that I previewed only a snippet of back on Friday:

Isn't this new Miss Anya set "Fierce" as Christian from PROJECT RUNWAY would say???  We are just in love with this new set, and speaking of runways and fashion, it's time to crown the 2011 FARM FASHIONISTA so be sure to check out the TGF BLOG today to see who WON!

In addition to that excitement, we have today's hop for you to enjoy because there isONE MORE FULL RELEASE up for grabs as today's PRIZE on the TGF BLOG!  Be sure to start there for all the release excitement to begin and check back there tomorrow to see who the winner was!  In case you get lost along the way, here is your hop order:

• 
  
• TGF BLOG
• Jess Marin
• Becca Fabozzi
• Carisa Zglobicki
• Denice Bartucci
• Kim Yu
• Tracey Pickersgill
• Jessica Diedrich- you are here!

Thanks for hanging out with us all week long to enjoy all of our previews and happenings...and now...GO!  SHOP! STAMP!   The time is now...happy September, everyone....and a special shout out to my beautiful MOTHER today...it is her birthday, and a day that TRULY I celebrate.  Love you, Mom!  Can't wait to spend the day with you!  xoxo

Deconstructing Betty...

Hey, everyone!  Thanks so much for scrolling down to see this week's Deconstructed Sketch!

Here is DS17:

Today we are sponsored by Simply Betty Stamps here at the Deconstructed Sketch. Simply Betty Stamps is stamp company dedicated to producing stamps that are FUN, FUNKY and just a little bit DIFFERENT than your everyday stamps. Betty offers stamps in deeply etched red rubber, clear and digital formats. You are sure to find something to love!

I used this adorable new School Girl Betty- she totally reminds me of my daughter and Jen even said that's the first thing she thought of :)
Our prize for one lucky sketch participant this week is THREE stamps from Betty's new Sweet Gothic Kids Halloween line of clear stamps and this week Jen is picking that stamps and she's chosen Pumpkin Carvin' Alex, Witch Wednesday and Tily Vampire! Entries will be accepted from today until September 7, 2011 at 8 pm CST!

Be sure to check out what the other Deconstructed Sketch Girls have made using this fantastic line from Simple Betty!

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Emma Eads
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson

That's it for me today- have a wonderful Thursday!
xoxo,

Boho, Baby...

It's a week of Boho, CHIC, and everything in-between at the Farm this week!

Have you heard about all the excitement at The Greeting Farm this week?  In case you are just tuning in, we're in the middle of previewing some awesome new stamps this week...all leading up to our SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER release and DT blog hop coming TOMORROW....and that's not all!  You still have a few hours left to enter our FARM FASHIONISTA contest before the winner is announced TOMORROW and I can tell from the entries rolling in that we are gonna have our work cut out for us!

Before that time comes though, we have ONE more preview to sneak in today and she gives a whole new meaning to the term "boho-chic"....  

INTRODUCING....

BOHO ANYA!

This darling new addition to our famous "ANYA" character line is just as adorable as can be and we are SO excited to welcome her into our TGF family!  I could not WAIT to pull out this new My Mind's Eye paper pack (6x6) "Blink of an Eye", it is SO gorgeous and some great color combos for fall!  Here's little miss Boho Chic herself:

I used the "WOW Wednesday" sketch this week to create my card- be sure to stop by the FFC blog today too, and check out today's challenge:

Don't forget to stop by the TGF BLOG today for a recap of ALL of the exciting happenings at the Farm this week and to see how you can WIN a BOHO ANYA today!  Thanks again for stopping by!

La-la-la Lula...

Howdy, friends!

So glad to see that you all liked the newest Sprout on the Block, "Logan" yesterday.   I was not feeling very well yesterday after getting home from a weekend trip for my cousin's baby shower and had some stomach issues so I am just kind of creepin' out of my fog today...and SPEAKING of Creepin'....

Today we are previewing a CREEP-tastic new addition to the Farm....introducing CC Lula!

This punky lil' princess will be released during our "SPECTACULAR SEPTEMBER"  release day on the 1st, including the the new Miss Anya set and 2 other singles....all leading up to some awesome new stamps to add to your collection on the 1st!   With FOUR new releases, plus our recently-released CLEAR stamp sets, "Bantastic" and "Fairy Princess",  you guys are gonna have a field day!  It ALL kicks off on September 1st at 12:01 am (cst), so don't miss it!

I used some older Cosmo Cricket papers on her after I colored her hair a nice shade of violet.  Not sure what got into me- I guess you could say I had a 'wild hair'?  LOL!

Oh- so want to WIN her?   Rumor has it she's playing hide and seek on a DT member's blog today... will YOU be the lucky commenter?   Guess you'll have to make the rounds and come back TOMORROW to find out!  You have until 11:59pm CST tonight to enter :)  Thanks for your AWESOME support guys-What a week at The Greeting Farm!

Before I go, I just had to send a shout out to my friend and DT mate, Kim Yu.   Kim sent me the most beautiful birthday gift a while back and you may have seen it when I posted my Bday RAK's...well, when I got home last night, this TOTALLY unexpected package was waiting for me and LOOK at what she made me!!!!

Thank you SO much Kim, and I'm so glad I can share this w/ you guys because I have some WONDERFUL crafty friends, don't I?  <3

Gettin' Sketchy with da Bellas...

Hey, everyone!

{{{Please scroll down for my GREETING FARM preview post...you definitely will want to see it!}}}

We are getting sketchy at Stamping Bella on Bellariffic Friday today with this awesome sketch!

Isn't it great?   I used the adorable new Jasmine stamp, I just LOVE her.  The entire Green Bean baby line is SO cute, and I'm sure you guys know I love them...and I just can't get enough of this new little cutie!

I used my August Key Ingredients kit from Taylored Expressions to create this card.  Everything is included in the kit w/ the exception of the Kraft card stock base I used and the Peapod Twine by the Twinery! 

Next week's challenge is all ready for you guys to participate in!

a

BACK.

to.

SCHOOL.

challenge!

Yes, we'll have already been back a month by then, LOL...but I am looking forward to it!

Until then... MWAH!

xoxo  

Fashion's Fantastic at TGF!...

Hello, Farm friends....or should I say, FASHIONISTAS?  Well, we're assuming there are some fashionistas out there amongst you all!

I'm here to preview just a tiny tease of a BRAND NEW MISS ANYA set coming to The Greeting Farm! WOO HOO!  We know it's been a while, and we heard ya loud and clear that a new Miss Anya set was wanted by many... can you GUESS what the theme is?

Well, we're hoping you'll figure it out somewhere along the way, but for now, we have a SUPER FUN contest to announce!   Remember our "Club Anya Couture" contest from a few years past?  Well, we're vampin' and AMPING it up this time in search of our latest "FARM FASHIONISTA!"

What does that mean?   One lucky winner who shows us the most fashion and flair will WIN the ENTIRE SPETEMBER release...and there are FOUR new releases including the new Miss Anya set to be revealed on the 1st!

Here are the OFFICIAL RULES (you can also view them on the TGF BLOG):

*Create a card or project using TGF stamps.   You can alter, fashion, reposition clothes, heads, whatever, but it needs to be with ONLY TGF Stamps.

*Submit your card or project to the TGF Galleria/TGF CONTESTS and SPECIAL EVENTS/FARM FASHIONISTA 2011.  ALL entries must be submitted by Wednesday, August 31st at 6pm CST.  

WINNER will be voted on by the Farmers, Jess and Marie and be announced on RELEASE DAY, Thursday September 1st!

HOW FUN does that sound?   Thanks for stopping by today and be sure to let that mojo FLOW...YOU could be the next FARM FASHIONISTA at TGF!

In addition to all of that news, we are SUPER excited to welcome JESS MARIN to the TGF family this month as our SEPTEMBER GUEST designer!  Jess is no stranger to TGF, plays in a ton of our challenges and is just an all-around awesome supporter-so let's give her a fabulous TGF welcome, as always!  WELCOME, JESS!

That's it for me today, but I'll be back with lots more to share on Monday!  Thanks as always for stopping by!

Sampler Spotlight: It's the Little Things...

Hi everyone!

I'm back today with a special post that not only introduces this week's "Deconstructed Sketch", but also it's time for a new 6x6 Sampler Pack demo from Claudia and Company!

First thing's first, here are my three cards using the "It's the Little Things" 6x6 sampler pack :), the first one being for the Deconstructed Sketch (DS16)...here's the sketch:

...and here is my card using the Unity Itty Bitty "Call Me" available at Claudia and Company!

I have to say (and I told my good friend Jen this ;) this sketch scared me a teensy tiny bit...but I really love how it came out!  We definitely have a TALENTED group of ladies using this sketch today so be sure to check them out- links are on my sidebar thanks!

Next up is the super adorable "Hello friend' from another Unity Itty Bitty that is carried at Claudia and Company.  I love the old postage look and the pink patterns on this one:

Last but not least, I adore this keychain stamp, "No greater Love", also by Unity Stamp Co. and available at Claudia and Company:

I added a few flowers here and they are Fancy Pants coordinating "It's the Little Things " flowers available in the shop.  Love that they match perfectly with this pretty paper :)

Thanks SO much for stopping by today and be sure to check out all the NEW 6x6 sampler packs and 6x6 pads of paper that Claudia as in the store!  Fall is sure to bring us some more stamping FUN with TONS of new patterned papers and you know me, I'll want to try them all :)   Thanks tons and happy shopping, everyone!                    

So Proud...

Hey everyone! It's Tuesday and you know what that means...a new challenge on the RIBBON CAROUSEL challenge blog!

Grab your school colors, blue and red, or any school image, because Angela wants us to celebrate the kids and teacher’s going “Back to School” for this week’s Ribbon Carousel Challenge (RCC17).

My card is a little non-traditional that I have to share with you today.  I actually made it early knowing this challenge was coming, because I made it for my little one who began Kindergarten this year.  It all but broke me to send her through the school doors that first day, but after almost 3 weeks of school she is I am adjusting just fine :)

Both the sentiments are from Verve stamps- the "so proud of you" is from the "Small Phrases" set which is the perfect go-to stamp set, I swear. I just got it and I'll be getting a TON of use out of it, I am sure!

  The large sentiment is from another one of my must-have sets, "Always on my Mind".

This week, we're giving a $10 gift certificate to RibbonCarousel.com to one lucky participant, so be sure to check out the RCC Blog for all the rules and details!  I used a cute saddle-stitch ribbon on my card today.

Last but not least, don't forget to visit:

Angela Thomas - Guest Crew CoordinatorAshley Nguyen Newell - Sponsorship Coordinator
Corinna McGregor - Crew CaptainDebbie Carriere
Linda McClain

Laurel Seabrook

Thanks for stopping by and see ya soon!
xoxo,

It's just another...

MYSTERY Monday....

and yeah, I kinda wish it still were a Sunday, 'cuz it was definitely our FUN day and an "I don't have to run" day, too :)  heehee

Had a GREAT but all-too-short weekend, how about you guys?

On Saturday we had a fun day of hanging around the house and just kind of relaxing...much needed.

On Sunday, we went to church, and hubby was off so it was nice that he got to come with us.  I love when he's off on a weekend. SO nice to go to church and be together to give thanks for our MANY blessings.   After a nice lunch we spent the day cleaning house and then went to the lake- it was a HOT day but I am so grateful for a nice, long summer.  What did you guys do?

Well, last weekend I got to spend some precious time w/ an even more precious friend, Pam Varnell-another GREAT way to spend the weekend.  We stamped two whole days away, so I thought I'd play along with this week's MYSTERY MONDAY on the Farm Fresh Challenge blog!  

This week we are CASE'ing THIS card by our very own Farmer, Tracey P.!

...and here's my take on it using the AUGUST KEY INGREDIENTS kit from Taylored Expressions and the beautiful BLUSH BABETTE from The Greeting Farm:

I love this stamp- her hair is so pretty and she totally reminds me of a modern-day Alice for some reason.  What do you guys think?

Well, be sure to check out the rest of the AMAZINGLY TALENTED Farm Fresh Challenge DT:

• 1LuvnMama
• Leanne Poe
• Sparkle Smith
• Tasha Beasley
• Rachel Schneider
• 
  

Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

August Key Ingredients Blog Hop...

Hey everyone!

I'm so excited that today is the day- for a special KEY INGREDIENTS Blog Hop with Taylored Expressions!

Each month, Taylor puts together some hands-down GORGEOUS kits, and more important than gorgeous?  They are affordable AND totally useable to the very last piece of card stock, paper and embellishments! That's what I love best about them!  All the guesswork in making a cute card, layout, or 3D project is taken out for you and it all comes complete in a clear storage box that you can see through AND label.  Doesn't get much better or more efficient than that!

My project today uses the beautiful "New Beginnings"  set from Taylored Expressions and all the other elements are included in the August kit!  I have a friend who is going through a hard time right now and I want to send this to her for encouragement because she is AMAZING.

Before I send you off to the next talented lady, we have a special promotion!  Taylor is running an AMAZING special right now for NEW KIT SUBSCRIBERS! 

***Become a NEW KIT subscriber before 8/31 and in addition to receiving the AUGUST kit, you will be able to purchase the JULY kit for 50% off while supplies last!  What a great way to jump start your collections and have tons to work with!***

(in order to take advantage of the new KI subscriber special, you must purchase a 6 month subscription using your credit card :)

Click HERE to take advantage of this awesome offer!

What else is awesome about becoming a subscriber?  You get TONS of ideas, including exclusive idea sheets, access to the KI Gallery, and be sure to check out our Key Ingredients blog for monthly sneak peeks, ideas, and FUN new products-the KI kits are always made with some of the latest and greatest product lines which another reason why I ADORE them!

That's it for me today, but please be sure to check out the rest of our lovely lineup today!

• Corinna McGregor
• Jessica Diedrich
• Lea Lawson
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Stephanie Kraft
• Taylor Van Bruggen
• 
  

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a SUPER awesome Saturday, everyone!

xoxo,

Speaking. MY. Truth...

***IF you are looking for my ECHO PARK/TWINERY Blog Hop post, click HERE ***

Friday.

Fun Day.

an "I don't have to run day..."  LOL!  No, seriously, it's prob the first day in a WHILE that I don't :)

It's also time to share another week's topic from The Greeting Farm's "Heart Journaling" journey.  This is a journey that I am REALLY loving!

This past week's (week 4) assignment was to create a HAND DRAWN girl.

Say that with me.  HAND. DRAWN. G....

no, just stop at HAND. DRAWN.

yikes!

I had NO idea how I was gonna pull this off.  NONE.  Thankfully there was Google, and the fact that I pretty much knew I wanted my creation to look SOMETHING like the "SheArt" stuff by Christy Tomlinson that I've been seeing around the blogosphere.

Still that one PESKY little problem though- the fact that I cannot draw.  True story.  It was google and my daughter, Madelynn to the rescue- madelynn was my cheerleader and she actually created a page too that I'll be posting later!  I am so proud of her!

(please click on the image to enlarge- you can see a lot more of the detail on the face and legs if you do ;)

So....here's the deal.  I did it.  I did it ANNNNND I liked it!  after decorating the background with Spring Butterflies,  the Mini Bubblewrap, Mesh and French Script, I went to work on drawing her.  It helps if you start out with the DRESS portion, I can tell you that.  I think it makes it more 'proportioned' when you're trying to draw the rest of her.  Worked for me, anyway! 

What do you guys think?  As for the paper, it's the new My Mind's Eye 6x6 Stack "lost and found" and I'm in LOVE!  The papers are perfect for her and when I saw the measuring tape DP I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do.

Every stamp on here is Stamping Bella except for the sentiment "Speak the Truth, even if your  voice shakes" is from the new Verve set, "Words of Wisdom".

...and wisdom this is, INDEED.  

"Speak the TRUTH...even if your voice shakes... "

...and my first 'truth'?  As shown above... NO ONE. should EVER. ever. hold you up to their own 'measuring stick' of expectations.  That is on them, not on you.  

True friendship and love comes from and by ACCEPTANCE of the beautiful person you are...the unique makeup of one's SOUL <3

remember that, k?

I am a 'people pleaser.'.  So this little bit of wisdom took me a while...and it's a precious lesson learned.

FREE to be me.

and you are FREE to be YOU.

and I will appreciate you for all the "YOUness" that comes with that, because we are all so beautifully different.

TRUTH.  Acceptance.

They are BEAUTIFUL things... and that is the TRUTH :)

Bellariffic Huggabuggs!...

***If you are looking for my ECHO PARK/TWINERY blog hop post, please click HERE.***

Hey, everyone!

Are you STILL so excited about the darling MEGA-release in Bella-land this week?

Have you heard?  Stamping Bella released 29 NEW IMAGES this past Monday and I'm in LOVE 

with them ALL!

This past week, we've challenged all of you happy stampers in Bella-land to create a card or project 

to get out those cute little "HUGGABUGGS" and create with them :)

Well, funny story.  I actually do not own a single huggabugg stamp at the moment.  Can you believe that?  That being the case, I have a different project for you but because I have other stuff to post with it, please actually scroll UP for that project, thanks!  I hope you all had a TON of fun creating with the Huggabuggs this past week!  

Please do check out the lovely creations of my teammates:

• 
  
• Catherine Groden
• Dana White
• Ebru Vatansever
• Emily Block-Stamping Bella herself!
• Linda Heavens
• Paula Williamson
• Pauline Godfrey
• Robin McKinley
• Tammy Hershberger
• 
  

Next week we have a sketch challenge! Take a peek:

Well, that's it for me today- for now, anyway!  Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to check out BLOGGABELLA for more inspiration!!

MWAH!

I ECHO all the excitement this week!...

Hiya! It is the BIG anniversary week for The Twinery and as I'm sure you've seen, there are sooo many awesome companies joining us to celebrate!   We are so glad you could join us for our 1st Anniversary Celebration blog hop with The Twinery and Echo Park Papers.

First thing's first-if you came here by way of my sweet friend EMILY LEIPHART's blog,you are on the right track!.  If not, make sure you start at the beginning over at The Twinery's blog because there are terrific prizes for those who complete the hop by commenting on each blog.  You'll have two days to enjoy this hop, so relax and have fun!

I was THRILLED to be able to work with Echo Park paper today and cannot wait to show you what I've been up to :)  I created three cards today, and they are all special to me!  The first one uses the gorgeous Victoria Gardens collection:

My second and third cards use papers from the adorable "SPLASH" collection and I just can't get enough of summer and soaking up all that's left of it!  These verses fit well for that too, don't' you think? (from Verve Stamps).  Here are my next two cards, one featuring a button/twine flower with Mandarin Twine:

Now....just for hopping...have I MENTIONED the prize that one lucky winner will take home from this hop?  The Twinery is giving away a SAMPLER PACK of twine, and Echo Park has generously offered to give away THREE COLLECTIONS!  That is a mega-prize, baby!

Be sure to hop to each of our amazing designers blogs and check out the projects using baker's twine from The Twinery and the fabulously creative designer papers from Echo Park.  Each 12x12 collection is double sided, comes with stickers, journaling boxes, pretty borders....oh, my goodness they are SO FUN.

I'm so glad you stopped by today and I hope I've inspired you to try The Twinery's twine.  Not only is it the best quality, but their customer service is excellent and well, I have to say I think the design team is pretty great, too ;)

Just ONE more reminder-the deadline for commenting is 11:59pm EST, Friday, August 19th.  Prizes will be announced on Saturday, August 20th on The TWINERY blog!

Your next stop on the hop is the UBER talented Echo Park designer Wendy Sue ANDERSON's blog.   Thank you SO much for hopping and for sharing in The Twinery's exciting ANNIVERSARY EVENT!

Go Confidently...

...in the direction of the DECONSTRUCTED sketch!  (then, after your dreams, of course ;)

I cannot believe how fast this Thursday rolled around again....but it's here, and not only am I here with another AWESOMESAUCE sketch by my friend Jen, I have a special SNEAK peek for you of the Claudia & Co. 6x6 Sampler Pack "It's the Little Things" that I'll be showcasing NEXT THURSDAY on her blog!  (normally, I do it the 3rd Thursday of the month but C&C is on vaca and I have another huge post later today....so please be sure to catch up with us next Thursday, too- thanks!)

Here is Jen's marvelous sketch this week, DS15:

...and here's my take using a brand new stamp set from Verve Stamps, "Words of Wisdom" (I freakin' LOVE this set-and it's all the more special to me as it was a gift from a special friend :)

I hope you'll stop by and take a look today at all of the other talented ladies' cards and see what they whipped up for DS15:

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Emma Eads
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson

Thank you as ALWAYS for stopping by!
xoxo