TEA-G-I-F!...

So, are you all exhausted, reeling from this FULL week of previewing the FIVE new stamp sets being released at The Greeting Farm TOMORROW?????  Well, we thought we'd help out with that and wind down the week with a nice cup of tea....

However, winding down is not all THAT possible because we have a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW, don't forget!  For now though, sit back...relax...and pour yourself a cup or two of inspiration from our new "Teariffic" set:   

It is a bittersweet day at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog today as we bid farewell to our first challenge team.  As a SPECIAL surprise for Rachel, our Team Captain, we are ALL CASEing one of Rachel's cards today!

I cased THIS card from Rach which is the inspiration for the layout above using this SUPER cute new set which will be released TOMORROW...hooray!

We are totally zen on the TGF BLOG today too (ok, we are bursting with excitement about tomorrow, but we are TRYING to be, anyway!), so be sure to head over for more project inspiration and another chance to WIN "Teariffic" today!  Thanks, as always for stopping by and I'll see you tomorrow for ALL the excitement!

Furever and ever...

Hello, again, everyone!  Well, we've covered babies so far at The Greeting Farm this week...did you think we would leave your pets out?  Not a chance!   How CUTE is this new clear stamp set, titled "FUR-ever"???  Awwww.   Whether you have a fantastic feline or precious pup, this is definitely a must-have for all pet lovers out there, kids and adults alike!
Now, most of you know that I'm a WEE bit obsessed with our dog, Kekipu Sparklepuff.   She is definitely the family obsession at the moment and has been ever since we got her back in January!  I have to laugh- you know the age old story where the kids beg you to get the puppy...promise to love it and feed it and help take it outside, etc. and then about a week later, the novelty wears off?  Well, NOT at the Diedrich abode :)   I must say the kids are still gaga over her and they actually fight over who gets to play with her, take her out, etc.  It's SO cute!   She is such a loving little dog that when I saw this set, I immediate thought of her, LOL...so here's my card...reminds me of Madelynn and "keeks":

My card design is today's DECONSTRUCTED Sketch challenge issued every week by my good friend and former TGF alum, Jen Shults!  Here is DS21:

Love this one!  I used some of my leftover "Fine and Dandy" DP from My Mind's Eye for this card.  Please don't forget to visit the rest of the Deconstructed sketch girls:

• Amber Hight
• Angela Sowell
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Arielle Gordon
• Emma Eads
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich (that's me!)
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Sheri Gilson

Last but not least, you can WIN this set!  Just head over to the TGF Blog and be sure to find out HOW!  Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo,

Joy in the Simple Moments...

Hi, everyone!

***Before I begin, please make sure you head over to the TGF Blog today for day 2 of previews! The Farmers and I are all taking turns for the rest of the week to bring you FIVE new releases this month! Don't miss it!***

I'm back today with my last post as Guest Designer for Sparkle Creations, wahh! Seriously, HOW fast did this month go, right?

Thank you SO much to Sparks, Steph, and the whole SCRS crew for having me- it's been so much fun!

This week we are playing along with Inspiration Card Sketches and using the above layout for the challenge today.  I ADORE this beautiful "Fall Charlotte" and paired with Crate Paper's "Farmhouse" line she is like a dream come true!   Here is my take on the challenge:

I added just a few buttons in the corner and finished them off with some Buttercream Twine (I think it's my new must-have color!) from The Twinery :)

Don't forget to stop by the entire SCRS Crew today for even MORE inspiration:

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog

Alice Wertz

Amber Hight

Elena Joldersma

Jessica Diedrich

Kadie Ensley

Kim Yu

Mary Johnson

Piali Biswas

Shaela Odd

Jessica Diedrich

Simonne Clay

Sparkle Smith

Stephanie Kraft

Thank you to ALL these beautiful ladies for having me this month- it's been a WONDERFUL experience!  xoxo,

Sleighbells ring....are YOU listening?

Hey, everyone!

 It's hard to believe that in a few short months, we'll be twirling into Thanksgiving, caroling into Christmas, and putting some HEART into the HOLIDAYS!   While we don't want to rush any of the magical times ahead (and maybe not rush that cold weather, either!), we know that it takes time and energy to get a head start on those Holiday cards!

Today marks day one of a FIVE-day PREVIEW EVENT at The Greeting Farm, and we are thrilled to bring you our first sneak peek at a new CLEAR stamp set, simply titled "CLEAR CHRISTMAS!"  Before we get to previews, we have a SUPER special October Guest Designer to announce today!  Please welcome the amazingly sweet and talented LORI CRAIG to our TGF family this month!   Lori's blog, "Make a Difference" is inspiring and from the heart, you'll definitely want to visit and we are over the moon that she is joining us this month. WELCOME. LORI!

My card today uses this adorable sleigh and a super fun 'naughty/nice' checkbox sentiment-I had a BLAST making this card even though I normally balk about making holiday cards TOO early!  Isn't this set just so sweet and different for TGF, too- which is another cool thing about it!

Well, does that get you in the spirit, even though it's a little early?  We hope so!  Don't forget to check out the TGF BLOG today for MORE samples from the entire DT and a chance to WIN this set before it's released!  What's more?  We have a HUGE announcement coming on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1st during our RELEASE day post and you will NOT want to miss this one...promise!  Not only do we have a new release coming, a new Challenge Team coming October 1st...we have ONE more exciting announcement and it might just be our best one YET! 

 Thanks for stopping by today...I will definitely be back with more very soon!

xoxo,

PS- thank you to EVERYONE who participated in the Twinery blog hop post this past weekend- holy cow what a HUGE turnout!   Congrats to AMY COOSE!  You are my winner of the SAMPLER PACK!  please email me your details and I'll get them over to The Twinery to send out your prize pack! Thank you!!!!

The TWINERY Blog HOP and GIVEAWAY day! Hooray!...

Hey, everyone!

Today is the THIRD and last day of the awesome TWINERY DT Blog Hop and I'm SO excited to share with you a project AND a giveaway!

If you're not familiar with The Twinery, They offer gorgeous, colorful, eco-luxe Bakers Twine in 14 beautiful colors.  I use it ALL the time!  I can barely tie off a button those days without using it- the hardest part is picking which color to chose first!

I really love the new "Buttercream" color twine and that's the color I'm showcasing today :)  I used the "My Wish for You" stamp set from Avocado Arts which is special to me because a friend of mine is fighting the good fight- this card is for you girlie- you know who you are!   My guest spot for September has come to an end and I'd like to thank everyone for being SO sweet to me!   The paper is "Flutter Butter" from the  6x6 sampler pack :)

And now...onto a VERY exciting giveaway!  Nicole (owner of The Twinery) is SO amazingly generous that she's given a good amount of us a DELUXE SAMPLER PACK OF TWINE to give away...that's ALL 14 COLORS!...so comment on this post and I will pick a winner and post it here on MONDAY-that gives you until Sunday night at 11:45pmCST to get your entry in!  How FUN is that?  Thanks, Nicole!!!

Last but not least, don't' forget to visit the rest of the girls on Day 3 of our DT Blog Hop today! They are

The Twinery                      

Julie Ranae                       

Katrina Hunt                      

Jordan Bariesheff     

Jessica Diedrich        <--you are here!  :)

Be sure to stop back by The TWINERY blog for more info on the final day of our THREE day extravaganza!  Thanks for stopping by!

"I'll be HOME for Christmas..."

Yeah...you know WHY?

Cuz I'm comin' HOME.

To UNITY.

Isn't it funny how life's little shifts may let us 'roam' from time to time but eventually, you end up RIGHT where you SHOULD BE? 

I'm thinkin' that's pretty darn true- and I couldn't be MORE grateful for such a wonderful group of women who have welcomed me back so warmly and graciously!  Being a person who likes to live with NO regrets, I must say, that God's timing is pretty darn remarkable.  We'll just leave it at that ;)  VERY happy to have that path lit for me, know what I mean?

For today's hop, we are showcasing some Christmas and Holiday sets because there is a HUGE sale starting today and you can find all the details on the UNITY BLOG!  Ang has been hard at work putting some NEW kits together and some oldie but goodies on SALE too!  

My card today uses the Deconstructed Sketch DS20:

Seriously how FAB is my friend Jen and her sketches?  Be sure to check out the other Deconstructed Sketch girls too- links are on my sidebar!

Before you leave, I must ask that you PLEASE SCROLL DOWN because I have THREE MORE UNITY CARDS to share!

Yep, I said THREE MORE!

Thank you for being here today in sharing my EXCITING news.  I have loved all my endeavors, but TGF and Unity are my HOME and it wouldn't be the same if I couldn't share it with you!

“There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.” Margaret Elizabeth Sangster

xoxo,

Flutterin' By with some UNITY!...

Hey, everyone!

Thanks for scrolling down after my last card to see some MORE Unity today...featuring the 6x6 Sampler Pack of "Flutter Butter" designer paper from Claudia and Company!

Today is the 3rd Thursday of the month, and once again it's time for my monthly sampler pack extravaganza!  (ok, well, at least that's what *I* like to call it, haha ;)

I was perusing the Claudia and Company website and when I stumbled upon this 6x6 sampler pack, I knew I had to grab it!  Here is my first card using a UNITY "ITTY Bitty" stamp:

I think the paper is so pretty, I wanted it to remain the focal point of my cards.  Here's another one using the New "Direction of Happy" stamp:

Last but not least, here's one I did with a pretty Butterfly Embellishment and a sentiment from one of the past kits of the month from UNITY:

Have you guys tried the 6x6 sampler packs from Claudia & CO. yet?  I always love getting them because they are so affordable and I don't feel like I'm wasting paper if I try it out and it's something I wouldn't use a whole 6x6 pad of.  Even if I did,-you can't beat the price on these packs- just around $3 each!

As if that weren't enough, you NEED to see all the new product that Claudia has in the STORE!  Holy awesomeness, batman!  Check it out!  I LOVE that Claudia stocks The Greeting Farm and Unity- my two favorite stamp companies!

Thanks so much for sticking with me today-and for helping me celebrate the happy news about Unity, too!  I will see you back here tomorrow- until then, xoxo....

"You and me, baby, we're stuck like GLUE..."

Hey, everyone!

I'm SO excited about my DT post on the Helmar Blog today!  I have been wanting the "Glue Daddy Caddy" for a while now and when my box came from Tracy the other day I was ecstatic! Tracy's dad (aka "Glue Dad") makes these amazing holders for all my Helmar goodies and I couldn't WAIT to decorate :)   Here's what it looks like when you order it:

...and here's the "AFTER!" 

I have to say that I'll always be the "pink girl" but I am REEEALLY loving the color yellow lately.  It's just so happy and cheery and I find myself reaching for it a lot.   So, I painted my Glue Daddy Caddy and waited for it to dry...

Next step was the Helmar Crackle Medium.  OMG, I LOVE this stuff.  Don't let the fact that it's a 2 step process fool you- it's actually UBER easy!  The hardest part is waiting for step 2 to dry and see your results..but even that only took about 30-45 minutes!  Check out this closeup of the crackle:

(TIP: to make your crackle stand out more, use distress ink of some sort and rub all over surface to 'fill in' the cracks, then wipe off excess ink!  Easy peasy and FUN!)

Next up was to 'seal the deal' with Helmar Acrylic Sealer- GOOD stuff.  Makes it so shiny and smooth!

After I crackled, I took one of my favorite stamps from Ippity (Unity), "Music of my Heart" (LOVE this set)  and I stamped it in Black StazOn all over the top and front of my Glue caddy.

I then wrote on the back of it in a Black Sharpie- one of my favorite quotes!   The flowers are dark grey Webster's Pages "bloomers" and I really love how they 'pop' on the yellow and black!  I had to girl it up a little, ya know?  :)

What do you guys think?  You will definitely have to check out the Glue Daddy Caddy- I love my 'Deluxe" version that has 2 side pockets- perfect for all my zap dots, liquid scrap dots, all of it!  Here's a view of the side pocket:

...and here's the finished product one more time:

Be sure to stop by the Helmar DT blog today too for more info and thanks as always for stopping by!  I have a REALLY exciting announcement tomorrow so stay tuned!

Taylored Expressions September Key Ingredients Blog Hop...

{{{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for my SPARKLE CREATIONS guest spot today- THANKS!}}}

Hey, everyone!

I know I shouldn't be surprised right now at how QUICKLY this month has flown by, but OH MY GOODNESS it's the 20th!

You know what that means?  It's time for the Taylored Expressions Key Ingredients BLOG HOP with the KI team!   First of all, a HUGE congrats to Taylor Van Bruggen, her husband Jon, and the whole family on the birth of the beautiful Madelyn Grace!  She is a GORGEOUS baby and I'm so happy for my friend and new Mommy, Taylor!  She is SO cute!

Have you guys had a chance to check out all the new releases and September Key Ingredients kit over in the TE store?  If not, definitely head over and see all the CUTE new releases this month!

I was excited to pull out my "Make a Wish" set and create this card for today's hop.  The inside is actually a money and/or gift card holder!   My kids' classmates are famous for dropping the last minute bday invite into someone's backpack, so I always like to have cards on hand for this type of event.  This months' KIT is PERFECT to make cards that could easily suit a girl OR a boy...check it out:

Here's a close up of the buttery smooth "Buttercup" liquid pearls as the 'frosting' for my cake- I think this is my favorite color of liquid pearls, yet!

Have you SEEN the amazing projects on the Key Ingredients Blog this month by our KI team?  If not, be sure to check it out, along with my own S'mores kit!  Here's a little sneak peek of that post:

Well, ENJOY this months' projects and I would definitely recommend signing up for the Key Ingredients subscription if you don't already have one!  Here are just a FEW of the perks:

First and foremost- the kits themselves are amazingly put together and everything matches- all the guesswork is taken out for you!  You can create TONS of projects and have leftovers every month- trust me!

º Store Discount. Subscribers will be given a special discount code to save 10% on any order placed between the 10th - 13th of the month to be combined with your subscription shipment. Subscribers in the US may combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment for no additional shipping fee. Subscribers outside the US will pay additional shipping costs to combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment.You'll receive a reminder e-mail on the 10th of each month which will also include a list of other products that will coordinate with the kit being shipped to you that month. This list is incredibly helpful for those who want to stretch the use of a KI with even more supplies!

º Design Team Inspiration. We'll debut the Key Ingredients kit on the 10th of each month followed by 5 days of inspiring projects posted by the Key Ingredients team right here on the Key Ingredients Blog. Of course, don't forget to check out the gallery where the design team is constantly adding new projects!

º Storage. Subscriber kits will come in a Storage Solutions Plastic Case. This $3.25 value is a special benefit that is FREE to Subscribers.

So there you have it- and those are just a few!  Be sure to check it all out right HERE :)

Last but not least, don't forget to visit the rest of our KEY INGREDIENTS team including the new momma herself ;)  Congrats, again, Taylor!

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

See you back here tomorrow for something you'll want to be tuned glued into!  ;)

xoxo,

"Adventure Bound" with 2 challenges in ONE!...

Hey, all!

I'm back today with not one...but TWO challenges in ONE with my Tuesday challenge and guest post for Sparkle Creations, and also my bi-weekly post for the Ribbon Carousel challenge!

Today at Sparkle Creations we have a " FAVORITE SONG" challenge.  Well, I have too many to choose just ONE...but a song very near and dear to my heart is "Life is a Highway", especially the Rascal Flatts version!  With all the amazing changes going on right now, I thought it was appropriate.

Oh- and speaking of change- this is NEVER easy, but I wanted to announce that I have had a WONDERFUL run with Stamping Bella and am moving on creatively from that team.  It was a fantastic seven months and I adore their stamps and you'll definitely still see them on my blog!  I love the girls and Em and know that our friendship doesn't know boundaries between design and everything else, so I can't wait to hang out with her again in L.A. next year :)   Thanks to the team for the fun camaraderie and this isn't goodbye...just...'see'ya around :)  Never easy though to walk away from something you love...is it?

Alrighty!  Today I'm using Bicycle Chloe, cuz she's ADVENTURE bound...on that highway we call life :)

The SCRS September Sale featuring the sweet "Emily"character is still going strong at SCRS, but you ONLY have til the 23rd, so be sure to check it out!

Last but not least, don't forget to visit the rest of the awesome SCRS girls:

Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Store
Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps Blog
Alice Wertz
Amber Hight
Elena Joldersma
Jessica Diedrich
Kadie Ensley
Kim Yu
Mary Johnson
Piali Biswas
Shaela Odd
Jessica Diedrich
Simonne Clay
Sparkle Smith
Stephanie Kraft

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Last but not least, the fabric/felt on my card is for this week's Ribbon Carousel challenge, 'The FABRIC of our lives...":

I used some extra thick Celery grosgrain from Ribbon Carousel.com and a "Gluber" to make a rolled fabric flower...what do you guys think!?

Check out all the awesome SPONSORSHIP details on the RCC post today to see how you can enter to WIN a prize pack of felt!

Be sure to check out the RCC girls playing along this week, too!  They are wonderful, talented, and definitely worth visiting:

Angela Thomas - Guest Crew CoordinatorAshley Nguyen Newell - Sponsorship Coordinator
Corinna McGregor - Crew CaptainDebbie Carriere
Danielle Lounds
Jessica Diedrich
Jessica Knutsen
Jessie Knight Rone
Linda McClain

Laurel Seabrook
Savannah O'Gwynn

Sparkle Smith

That's all for me today!  Whew!

Hope I've kept you entertained and I'll see you back here tomorrow!

xoxo,

Love Always...

Hey, friends...

Can you believe it's Monday?  Again?  Already?

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!  

It's Mystery Monday over on The Greeting Farm's "Farm Fresh Challenge Blog" and I wanted to play along using the cute "Boho Anya".   We are casing my friend Tracey Wilson today :)

We added an "In Linkz" featured to the Farm Fresh Challenge blog last week- check it out for easy access to linking your card or project to this week's challenge!

TONS of fun this week, so stay tuned!   In the meantime, be sure to visit the rest of the Farm Fresh Challenge DT:

• LuvnMama
• Leanne Poe
• Sparkle Smith
• Rachel Schneider
• Emily Martina-our awesome "Farm Fresh Face!"
• 
  

See you back here tomorrow!

xoxo

It's a sweet Sunday with All Things Unity...

Hey, everyone!

Happy Sunday...or Sundae, if you see fit ;)

I'm back with my 2nd and last post as the September guest for the ALL THINGS UNITY challenge blog and this week (shudder!) we have a ONE-LAYER challenge. 

Yeah, you guys know me- I was a little freaked seeing this challenge and actually threw a few (or more than that ;) in the trash while creating for this challenge...but I do have to say that I was pleased (finally!) with the end result.  Here is my card using the Unity March Kit of the Month, "Just You":

So, thoughts?  What do you think?

Can I pull off the CAS look or stick to the stitching?  LOL!

Thanks to Sara, Sav, and the whole ATU crew for pulling me out of my comfort zone this week and into today's Sweet Sundaye post ;)  

For ALL the deets on this challenge, be sure to visit the All things Unity blog!

Thanks guys!

xoxo

Keeping the Faith...and OPERATION JULIE Smile!...

Hey, everyone!

I am SO glad it's the weekend.  Oh, my word this week has been BIZZZZAAAAYYYYYY!

 We have some AMAZING things going on here... lots of fun things going on at home and some FUN announcements coming up from both my family and my creative path and I just am kind of bursting...but that will have to wait because I have a TGF "heART journaling" page to share with you today...and 

....it's ALL about FAITH.

My husband and I have been talking a lot about this lately, and he's been watching some shows and listening to a few radio talk shows in addition to what we learn at church.  We have had a lot to pray on lately in our personal life, some decisions we've needed to make for our family, the kids activities and even some of my creative stuff too.  I'm feeling really good about some things coming up in the next while and i am SO proud of my kids- I can't wait to share more!!!!   Anyway, I know I don't talk about spiritual stuff very much, but this week has been one of those weeks that proves that if you are being STILL..being VERY still and being OPEN to hearing what the answers to your prayers are...that you can actually read what God writes on your heart sometimes and that is pretty. darn. amazing.

So today, at The Greeting Farm, our heART journaling class is featuring projects using ONE WORD as the focus of our page/pages today and here is mine...FAITH:

Stamps: Spring Butterflies and Bubble Wrap background by Stamping bella.


This page ended up being a LOT more journaling than I had thought, LOL!   But, I drew an unfinished staircase to symbolize one of my favorite quotes about faith:
"Faith is taking the FIRST step, even when you don't see the WHOLE STAIRCASE..."  ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Speaking of faith, I have a friend who needs prayers and if there's one thing I put a lot of faith in besides God and my family, it's a few of my good friends.  I have some information about "OPERATION JULIE SMILE" today that I'd like to share with you:

**********************************************

A bloggin' friend of mine, Julie Ranae Murray, has been a faithful friend to me and is also involved in coordinating the Twinery team we serve on together.  Much more than that, though, we've become friends and when I heard about her recent dental emergency, I felt compelled to help.  It is by FAITH that we are called to help sometimes, and it is by FAITH that we 'get by with a little help from our friends" sometimes too...  Here's her story:

Many may know that a few weeks ago, Julie Ranae had to have emergency oral surgery resulting in the removal of her two front teeth.  The dentist at that time believed the best course of action would be to remove the rest of her teeth and replace them with permanents. (as to avoid *years* of dental work) Relieved at finding a solution to this major dental problem .. she visited the office for dental surgery the week. Unfortunately, it wasn't the visit she was expecting.  After the consultation and scheduling the surgery, the surgeon's office informed her that she would need to bring $4000 back to the appointment with her and they would proceed.  This amount would not include the 'dentures' to follow.

Here Julie is today, sitting without front teeth that were pulled with the belief that they would be replaced immediately.

It is an overwhelming experience for our dear friend and one that I hope our creative community can help with.

SO...HOW can you help?

There will be a benefit blog hop called 'Operation Julie's Smile' that will take place Oct 7-9.  There are a variety of

companies and design teams who will be participating in this hop to help raise funds for this benefit, and THE GREETING FARM is one of them!

So far, nearly $500 in prizes have been made available and will be awarded for both participants and those who donate. (paypal button on my sidebar!)

Operation Julie's Smile is now accepting designers/teams who would like to be a part of the benefit hop. If you are interested

in getting involved in this creative fundraising event, please contact Nicole Rixon at nicolehrixon@gmail.com.

  The deadline to be a part of the hop is Wednesday, Sept 28th. Participants will be notified of the blog hop order between Oct 3rd-5th.

This blog hop is an opportunity to have fun, feature your design work and raise money for a friend in need. A donation button

will be made available to all who participate. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this post, and help restore a little faith to a friend who's in a tight spot.  Love and hugs to you all!

xoxo

Here, Kitty Kitty...

Hey, everyone!

Why does it seem like every Thursday, I realize that the next day is Friday and that means the week has again, FLOWN by?  Sheesh!

Anyway, it's time for another Deconstructed Sketch :)

Here is our awesome challenge this week, DS19:

Today at The Greeting Farm, we are releasing this ADORABLE new digi, "Cheeky Kitty".  She is perfect for Halloween, but you should see the CUTE Christmas cards I've seen from a few of our DT members already.   SO cute!  Here's my take using the new "Cheeky Kitty" today:

Serious. Cuteness.  MEOW ;)

Be sure to check out the rest of our Deconstructed Sketch crew and see what they've been able create this week:

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

Thanks for stopping by today, and be sure to check out The Greeting Farm blog today!

xoxo