Sweet Watermelons, flowers, and a GIVEAWAY for a Summer "Send-off"...

Ok...I am not REALLY sending off Summer because part of the reason I live in the South is to PROLONG our summer as long as possible!  However, school has been in session for TWO weeks now, can ya believe it?  I still can't.  My heart has literally left me in little pieces these past few weeks as I watch my children grow up before my eyes...thankfully these pieces are returned to me, almost in tact, each day they return off the bus  (even on those 'chaos' days, haha!)

Anyway, I have a card today debuting a BRAND NEW stamp from Stamping Bella, this little chick's name is JASMINE and she is DARLING, is she not?!  LOVE her.  Today for the Bella-riffic Friday challenge we had a 'paper piercing' challenge so as you can see I had fun piercing :)   Next week's challenge is to pull out those CUTE "huggabuggs" and use 'em!  Check out the rest of my Bellariffic teammates too- links are on my left sidebar here!


So....my last trip to the Nashville Farmer's Market inspired me to think of how much I LOVE flowers and watermelon, in particular, during the summer.  That may sound funny, but it's where my mind went while making this card, which is also featured today over on the TWINERY BLOG!.  Also inspiring was a card I received for my birthday (another one of my favorite things about summer!) from a dear friend of mine who used Twinery Twine that she created into a handmade flower embellishment.  I loved it SO much I had to try it and here's what I came up with:

I took some BLOSSOM twine snippets and glued them down to the back of a button, being careful to leave the button holes open until I achieved the desired look of this flower.   Wrapping some HONEYDEW twine around my card  (see the cute watermelon-inspired paper?) I pulled it through the button and tied it into a bow.  This was SO EASY and so much fun to do!

Now, speaking of ALL this cute Twinery twine, have you seen the newest COLORS?   Check them out:

As I am feeling UBER grateful for my friends in the stamping community (I'm hanging out with TWO of them TODAY, as a matter of fact...can you guess WHO they are?  LOL!) and my family, I am GIVING AWAY a sampler pack of this new TWINE!

Leave me a comment here saying what YOUR favorite thing about summer is and I'll announce the winner on Monday at 12:01 AM CST so you have all through SUNDAY NIGHT to enter!

Good luck and thanks for sending-off SUMMER with me so sweetly!  <3

GOOD NEWS! A GIVEAWAY!...

Thanks to ALL my friends in blogland, I came in first for the little 'friendly competition' that we had as a new DT For Helmar USA .   We had a little contest to see who could bring in the most new fans on Helmar's FACEBOOK page, and it was SUPER fun!   *AND*, since my good friend Jimmi and I were the top two, we BOTH get to give away a prize pack on our blogs!  HOW fun is that?!?

I am so grateful to Tracy for giving us this little opportunity because the person who wins this will find out EXACTLY why I'm so excited to be designing for Helmar....their products are THAT awesome!

Be sure to leave a comment below....I'll give you guys til, let's say tomorrow at NOON CST to enter and I'll annnounce the winner straight after that!  Tracy will mail out your packages as soon as the winner can email me their info...GOOD LUCK to everyone and THANK YOU SO SO MUCH for your help and for "liking" Helmar...cuz ya really want to, anyway!  ;)

Oh-and SPEAKING of friendly competition, here's a little "ETA" for my post:  my adorable friend Jimmi is STILL trying to beat me even though the competition is over, LOL!   So be sure to go "like" Helmar's Facebook page if you haven't already and tell 'em Jess Diedrich sentcha so I can keep the "title" of top sender, if you will...HA!

xoxo,
Jess :)

Rumor Has It...

...that I owe you guys a WINNER!

THANK YOU, first of all, for all of your very sweet, SINCERE, and SUPPORTIVE comments regarding my post on Thursday!  I think it's fantastic that so many of you came out regardless of whether or not I had a little prize to give away.   Life. Is. SWEET!

Without further adieu, congrats to RONA!  You're the random winner of my Kit giveaway, please email me w/ your details!

I have a little card using the adorable "Rumor Has It" stamp from Stamping Bella.  How cute are these two?   Let's see...if I'm the curly crazy-haired one on the left, I could think of a few of my favorite peeps that could be the one on the right!  Ha!  Isn't this image SO so sweet?

I used the My Mind's Eye Stella&Rose paper pack in to and some machine sewing (I know, you're shocked, LOL) to make my card and the image is colored with Copics.  That pretty felt flower is from Maya Road :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

~xoxo,

Right Where I Should Be...(and some BLOG CANDY)...please read all :)

....sigh.

tough post.  but ALL GOOD THINGS come from GOOD times...and GOOD decision making...and GOOD people behind them.

That being said, this will be my last Hip Hop Thursday with UNITY Stamp Co. for a while, at least <3  

I have sadly, and very regretfully (this is tugging on my heart tonight as I write....) decided to step down from my position as Design Team member for Unity in order to pursue some other things and cannot thank Angela enough for believing in me...and most of all for the friendships I've made in the past year and a half.   In addition, Pamela Young and Julie Campbell (PC mag's latest GO-TO girl, woo hoo!) will also be moving on from UNITY and I wish them well.   It is SO hard to have to decide what stays and what goes sometimes...especially when you TRULY do not love something any less...

  I will NEVER forget when AJ Otto emailed me asking me to be their guest designer for December of 2009.  This spun into staying into January to avoid all the CHA craziness and help make samples, as well.    And then, the email from Angela, simply asking "Would you like to stay?"  

NO. BRAINER.  YEP.  Sign me up!

I am just going to say that in the past year and a half, I've met some of the most amazing people in my life.  And although I LOVE the stamps, I love LOTS of stamps.  I WILL say, Unity's quality is unsurpassed, especially for a company that makes their stamps IN HOUSE, and I am so grateful for the tons and tons of rubber that I will continue to use and submit with in the next phase of my stamping career.

But, the biggest reason I'm going to miss Unity has NOTHING to do with the stamps.  It's talking to THESE girls every day...over email, in our DT forum, etc....

I shouldn't be sad, right?  Because HOW could I NOT stay close to these ladies?
I have to keep saying-it's only the Design Team that's changing... right?

 MOST of all, I am of the EXTREME hope that if you are here reading this because it's Thursday, that you'll stick with me even though I might not be designing for Unity any longer.   I have missed chatting w/ you guys in the Forum on Thursdays...but love that we have blogs and Facebook to keep in touch w each other, don't you?

I HATE decisions like these, because they toy with my heart.  I KNOW that creatively I am RIGHT. WHERE. I. SHOULD. BE.  JUST like the card says <3


Card deets: "Right Where You Should Be" stamp by Ippity
Paper: Crate Paper Portrait, Diecut flower also by Crate paper
HELMAR Zap-Dots (1/4" black ROUND)

And w/ some new things on the horizon...something had to give :(  Never easy...but I'm confident...and as I told the girls...my friends on the Design Team that I. LOVE...

You see, again, I have this stamp...it says I'm

RIGHT.  

WHERE. 

 I. 

SHOULD. 

BE.

IRONICALLY....
AS I TYPE THIS...my "brave girl" newsletter came in my email:

"If your heart is telling you the way to go...GO! Even if it seems impossible, or terribly difficult, or futile. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy...and the way something hard-earned feels and tastes has no comparison...it is worth it!"

Thank you to EVERYONE...and let's keep in touch.  FACEBOOK.  Twitter. SCS...I will NOT be a stranger.  And PLEASE continue to play in the NEW Unity Challenge.  That was my baby and I hate to give it up, either :(  I LOVE how many of you have come out to play-you have no idea how happy thats made me!  So keep it up...I'll be cheering you ALL on from the sidelines!

Last but not least, I happen to have an EXTRA February Kit of the Month

"The BEST is YET to BE..."

(how fitting is that?!)

ONE LUCKY WINNER who comments on this post will be drawn to WIN this kit-and I will keep this open through the weekend, Sunday evening at 10pm CST.

For now...go see my DEAR and CHERISHED friend, Jimmi...

I'll announce the winner on Monday's blog post :)

HUGE HUGE thanks...I LOVE YOU.  all of you.  <3

Paying it Forward in 2011...

Hey Everyone!

Thanks for coming by yesterday and for your patience w/ me as I have yet to make it to my bloggin' friends blogs this week-the puppy is definitely like having a baby in the house again, LOL!

I am coming up on my 3 year "blog-a-versary" and I was actually messing with some of my settings in Blogger yesterday when I noticed, OMG-I have 505 followers.  This overwhelmed me.  I have never had a blog candy or giveaway where you have to become a follower of my blog.  I've never solicited that because well, although I definitely don't mind the promotional idea, I just want people to be here because they WANT to be here, you know?  That being the case, I am VERY grateful for all of you and really thank each and every one of you for the attention and support you guys give!

There are a few goals I have for 2011 related to crafting.  I have many related to other aspects of my life, but we'll start with crafting.

* I want to be a better card RAK'er.   I have already sent out a few and want to continue my streak.  I know how I feel when I get mail...I want my friends to feel that way too :)

* I want to complete PROJECT LIFE. (becky higgins.com)  I was VERY upset to see that it's sold out, but I will start snapping pics and hope to snag a kit when it's available again at the end of this month (fingers crossed!)

* I want to PAY IT FORWARD when I can.

This one I will begin today as I have a giveaway for someone on my blog today.   This is a little different than your average "Blog Candy".    I have a stack of paper packs, a few stamps, and some embellishments that I didn't finish using, including a new Ippity set, some brand new unopened Primas, and a few rolls of washi tape.  There are also lots of miscellaneous odds and ends including brads, flowers, stickers, etc.   Yes, the paper packs are mostly used, BUT, there is a TON left-some appear like new!  In fact, most of the paper packs are at LEAST 3/4 to 1/2 untouched.

Here's the giveaway:

Here's the catch:

I would like this stash to go to someone who needs a 'boost' this winter.  Whether it's a financial or emotional rut they might be in, I would like you to NOMINATE a person to receive this RAK from me and you can do that either by leaving a comment OR if you don't feel comfortable leaving a public comment, you can EMAIL ME at yeahshestamps at gmail dot com.   Please put "PAYING IT FORWARD" as your subject line so I can create a folder for all the entries and draw a random winner on Thursday, January 13th.  13 is my LUCKY NUMBER-so that's the day I chose ;)

As blessed as I have been in this industry and in life as a whole, I am VERY lucky to have the things that I do and would love to share some of it with someone less fortunate than I-than us.   My friend Jimmi did this and I was very touched by it and couldn't wait to get a package together myself.

I know that the holidays can be hard on people at times, and with a new year and new opportunity for all of us, what better time to PAY it FORWARD?

I hope to see your emails soon nominating the person you think could use it most.   Again, I will draw a random winner on Thursday, January 13th after midnight and announce it that day here on my blog!

Love, hugs, and LOTS of AWESOME to come in 2011~xoxo,

Don't BOX us in for this week's Hip HOP!...

                                                                                                                                    Hey, everyone!

Hopefully you're back after getting SUPER-psyched reading yesterday's post and announcement regarding UNITY's Co-Branding adventures!  Be sure you start on the UNITY blog today to re-read ALL the important SALE info and to see just what you can scoop up today!

We are SUPER excited to bring you another THEMED version of Hip-Hop today, the Winter IPPITY release, a new Hip Hop Sketch Challenge, and TONS more, including some Blog Candy here today on the ol' bloggaroo :)   HOW fun is THAT?

One lucky commenter will take home the fun "Love is in the Air" set from UNITY!

Today's Hip Hop theme is Children's Christmas ideas and/or ornaments.  I did a little something different today w/ my project.  Instead of making something FOR the kids, I'm actually making each of them a little Holiday "Thank You Card" Kit.

My family is SO blessed around this time of year-and the children, although I strive every year to teach them about what the TRUE meaning of Christmas is, well...Santa Claus might be one thing, but RELATIVES are another LOL!  I have a few in particular-Grandma, Grandpa, and THEN some, that really love to spoil them this time of year.  So, I think it's really important for the kids to keep in mind, not only what the true Spirit of Christmas is about, but also that they express their gratitude for all the goodies they receive.

I am in the process of making four of these, but here's my first completed kit.  Its for my oldest and I let her choose the paper, etc.  She chose "The Girls Paperie' and I think she has good taste ;) :

I then cut some cardstock, patterned paper, felt, cork, even die cut some sentiment panels and then the kids can pick HOW they want to position everything on their cards and make it their own :)

I used this week's Hip Hop Sketch Challenge to put together the card:

Heres a better peek of what's on the inside so you can see, and the kiddos are free to add/embellish as they like :) :

What do you guys think?   I really like the idea and hope they cherish it.  I also like that these cute card boxes (available at Taylored Expressions) can be refilled so when the kids run out of cards, I can make them some more goodies to use inside :)

Well, it's time to head over to Jimmi's blog now for even MORE inspiration!

FLIP HOPPIN' for a Cause...Blog Candy, and a special SNEAK PEEK!...

...WOW!!!  That's a WHOLE LOTTA HAPPY :)  Hey there, Hip Hoppers!

Today is an exciting HIP HOP Thursday here at Unity Stamp Co.!  We are enjoying our SECOND "Flip Hop", meaning the Unity girls are using {Ippity}, and vice/versa!

For starters, we have a FABBY sketch challenge:

Today's theme is encouragement.   I used today's sketch as inspiration for my card.  Now, as you know, I've been rockin' a pink streak in my hair all month long for Breast Cancer awareness month and although my card isn't pink today, we have an AMAZING announcement for you!   For today only, starting right now (midnight CST!) until midnight CST tomorrow, Unity will donate .25 cents to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for EVERY NEW FACEBOOK FAN who signs up...how AWESOME is that????   Visit our FACEBOOK page right now to become a FAN and come back throughout the day to see the progress-this is SO exciting and I think it's AWESOME of Ang and the gang to do this!  Unity ROCKS.

"ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE for those that BELIEVE"...

VERY encouraging, don't you agree?  I hope you liked my card for Flip-Hop, as that's just ONE of the surprises we have in store for you today!  WHEE!!!!!   Next up, I have a VERY special sneak peek to show you today :)  It is always with excitement that we reveal our co-branding, as ALL the companies so far have been top-notch-well, today we have an announcement to make, and you guys are gonna LOVE this!  Unity is now co-branding stamps with Jillbean Soup!  If you're already a fan of these adorable papers, just WAIT until you see the stamps!  I have a little peekie-boo for you today using a new set called "Jolly Good Fun!" Here's what I came up with using this fun little set:

Well, what do you think?  Totally cute, right?   Be sure to join us on our SCS page today at 10am CST for chit chat and prizes during Hip Hop, and be SURE to check out the UNITY Blog today because there is a HUGE 40% off sale, so I hear ;)  WOO HOO!!!!

 Last but not least, I have a PRIZE up for grabs today on my blog, a BITSY BUTTERFLY stamp!  All you have to do is leave a comment and I'll draw a random winner after midnight CST.   That's it!  Until then, head on over to my girl Jimmi's blog and I'll see you guys really soon!

Thanks for Hip-Hopping and all of your support this week!  Smooches!

Hip Hoppin' with some Comfort...(and candy, too ;)

Hey, hey everyone!

I'm excited for today's HIP HOP with UNITY STAMP CO!   I have a really fun new set to show you and it just so happens to be SEPTEMBER 2nd...you know what that means?

Yep, the NEW Kit of the Month is out!   Here it is:

Isn't it fabulous?  Oooh-la-la indeed!  Today is gonna be fun, guys!  Head on over to the UNITY SCS Forum starting at 10AM today CST!  We'll be chattin, giving away prizes,  and just hopping around to see all of our fabby DT's amazing creations!   I will be in and out so be sure to find me and say hi!

SPEAKING of PRIZES, this Whimsical Butterfly just so happens to have a "Butterfly Beauty" up for grabs today RIGHT HERE!  Just leave me a comment letting me know what you think of my card and this cute Samantha Walker line and I will choose a random winner and add it to tomorrows post!  You have until 11:59PM CST tonight to ENTER!  RIGHT HERE!  Woo hoo!!!  :)

My card today uses the adorable Tea for Two set designed by Samantha Walker.  I ADORE this set and am so excited I finally got to ink it up!  I used the TESC Sketch this past week as a starting point for my card :)

Speaking of Samantha Walker, she is featuring my girl JIMMI over on her blog today with some awesome projects using her stamps!   I am so excited to see her beautiful creations showcased on Samantha's Blog, and for those of you who are new to Samantha's Unity line, this is a great opportunity to get your feet wet!

Speaking of which, Jimmi's the next stop on the hop, so head on over and leave her some LOVE!  If your'e just beginning, be sure to start on the UNITY BLOG!

Thanks for HIP HOPPING with me on this beautiful Thursday!  May all the comforts of tea, family, friendship, and butterflies touch your soul throughout the day!

xoxo,

A HIP HOPPIN' SURPRISE!...and a GIVEAWAY!

HELLO PEEPS!

Are you soooooo excited to be coming to me from Lesley's blog?  WHAT?  You haven't heard the news?? Well the head on OVER to the UNITY BLOG b/c Ang has a HUGE announcement!  We have added not one, not two, but THREE new talented ladies to be part of our SCRAPBOOKING DT!   They are:

Lesley Langdon
Shemaine Smith and
Pamela Young!!!

HOW EXCITING is that?!  I'm gonna cut right to the chase cuz I'm SOOO excited and I have A TON to show you- but before I do, in case you didn't see, the winner of the SPRING UNITY set from last week's post is KRISTEN!  Congrats and don't forget to email Jimmi to claim your prize!

This week, I have MORE to give away, but first a few things to show ya...

DID YOU KNOW that UNITY is now sponsoring a WEEKLY challenge on the SCS Forum with a WEEKLY prize at stake?  Our customers adopted the "Unity Addicts" challenge a while ago and it has now become the OFFICIAL Unity CHALLENGE!  EVERY WEDNESDAY!

I played this week.  Only I goofed and did LAST week's challenge...but, it actually COUNTED for this week.  Whew-ok-so-Funny story- Last week's challenge was to STAMP on ANYTHING BUT paper.  I was STUMPED, I tell ya!  Well, I got a set of these beautiful mugs from my sister in law a few years ago and decided that this sentiment from the Life Becoming set NEEDED To be on the mug!   Whatcha think?

I entered my mug for the challenge and then much to my dismay, I realized.  OOPS.  Wrong week, silly girl!  This week's challenge is to use black, white and a splash of color.  OMGOSH was I lucky or what?  This mug just happens to be well, black and white w/ a splash of pink!   Can you say LUCKY GIRL??  Sheesh.  Well, do as I say, not as I do, in this case!  LOL!  Just be sure to read the instructions HERE-I'm sure you will-I was such a scatterbrain last week, haha :)

I do have a chance to redeem myself though-with this weeks Hip Hop sketch:

Here's my card using the sketch:

Last but not least,  I leave you with the final pages of my BRAVE GIRL album.  I'm sad it's coming to a close, especially after your sweet comments week after week.  I saved the best for last, though. My FOUR beautiful ones grace the last few pages of my book.  You may remember THIS video that I posted a while ago-it is my most favorite tribute of words to my children and I printed out part of the verse to include on my book:

I really can't thank you guys enough for letting me BE BRAVE and opening up the pages w/ me over the last few weeks!  The best part for me, though, has been hearing from some of you that you've been inspired to create something similar for yourself.  Please email me if and when you do-I would LOVE to see what you BRAVE GIRLS come up with!

I ended the book with one of my very favorite stamps EVER from the new MELODY ROSS scrapbooking Kit-"One Precious Life":

DECIDE to make EVERY SINGLE DAY the very BEST day of your ONE. PRECIOUS. LIFE.

Last but not least, I am giving away an ECO CHIC to one lucky commenter today!  You have until 11:59pm CST tonight to WIN and I will definitely post the winner tomorrow cuz I have like a crazy amount of posts Saturday, LOL!

Thanks everyone!  Time to HIP HOP!  Meetcha there!  Time to head over to my girl Jimmi's blog next!  I just adore her AND her talent and know she's got something great!

Have a BLAST today-that's why we HIP HOP!!!

All You Need...

...is HIP HOP!   with UNITY!  AND, a giveaway...but we'll get to that in a sec :)

It's Thursday and time for another FUN filled day of hip hopping with UNITY!   I have LOTS of fun stuff to share...but first thing's first, congrats to SHERI aka Papercrafty!  YOU win the Crazy for Daisies set from my blog giveway LAST week for Hip Hop!  Again, I'm so sorry about the delay!

I have ANOTHER blog candy/giveaway today-can I get a louder HIP HOP???   ONE lucky commenter today will WIN the adorable SPRING UNITY set!  You have until 11:59pm CST tonight to comment and I pretty please promise I will post the winner tomorrow w/ my Farm Fresh Friday post!

Today I have a card for you using the DARLING Kit of the Month for August-"ALL YOU NEED":

The "Love" sentiment and the add-ons really made me smile and I just couldn't wait to put something together with the "LOVE THIS LIFE" sentiment....because well, yanno...I really DO.

I used that big yummy Prima and some October Afternoon DP to finish off this fun card-not my 'normal' style (whatever that may be, lol) but I think I LOVE it, speaking of LOVE :)

Oh, and today's Hip Hop Sketch Challenge as my inspiration:

Did you guys know that in addition to the weekly "Unity Addicts" challenges on Wednesdays that there is a HIP HOP sketch challenge on Thursdays?  You can enter to win prizes for BOTH these challenges weekly by submitting your cards!

Be sure to stop by the UNITY BLOG first for a WONDERFUL tutorial and to read Ang's awesome post, and then it's time to HOP!  It all takes place on our SCS Forum, just like our HIP HOP chat today beginning at 10am!  I've got a sicky home today, so I'll be popping in and out to chat w/ some of my favorite peeps!  Speaking of which, be sure to stop by the beautiful and talented JIMMI next!

Have a WONDERFUL day, all...LOVE this LIFE...and LOVE some of these words of wisdom I stumbled upon recently...and fell in LOVE with:

"The best day of your LIFE is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins..."  ~Bob Moawad


"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of.  You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life..." ~Albert Camus

..and about LOVING LIFE...this really struck me....love this one:  "I say to my child, I will explain to you as much of life as I can, but you must remember that there is a part of life for which YOU are the explanation.  ~Robert Brault