A "Pinteresting" Hip Hop Thursday!...

Yeah, so I'm a little in LOVE with Pinterest.
Are YOU?

Seriously, every time I turn around there is something I want to cook or make or buy...it is dangerous that way, although since I can't buy any of it I am content window shopping... much more fun online than having to get out to the mall and then not spend money, right?  LOL

What started out as this teeny little "invitation only" group has blown up into one of the highlights of MANY of my friend's days...and I can't say I'm not a huge fan, myself!

So today, at UNITY STAMP CO. for Hip Hop, we are getting PIN-spired...Pinterest Inspired!

I'm using this week's Deconstructed Sketch to kick off my creation today:

LOVE this one- Jen is crankin' out some of my fave sketches to DATE this month and next- so stay tuned!

Today I found a pin that I re-pinned 36 weeks ago... very early in my Pinterest days.  Here it is:

...and HERE is the Unity Stamp Co. stamp set, "The Time is NOW", that it totally reminds me of!

Be sure to check out the UNITY BLOG today where our girl Jen E. (from the block) is kicking off HIP HOP and definitely check back later today too because Unity has some SMOKIN' new releases- SOOOO many it's a Virtual CHA party!  

Last but not least, please send some shout outs and leave some love for our fabulous Deconstructed Sketch team!  Links are on my sidebar this week for this talented bunch of ladies!

2012: a year of Faith...hope....LOVE...

Hey, everyone!

Today I have a card for you for our Unity HIP HOP Thursday that also uses the Deconstructed Sketch and I think this is one of my all-time favorite sketches...check it out:

Isn't it SUPER cool?  Jen outdid herself on this one- I seriously LOVE it!

It's also the 1st HIP HOP of 2012 for me since last week wasn't my week and we have a theme this week:

NEW YEAR.  NEW BEGINNINGS...

I'm not much of a 'resolution' girl.  I think maybe it's only because the word resolution when mixed w/ New Year's just has too many connotations of great beginnings w/ not a lot of follow-through...not just for me but for a lot of people I know, too.

Another thing I see a lot of people doing is that "one little word" for the year.  Ummm, hello!  I can't even do Twitter because they cut me off at 140 characters, LOL!  So narrowing down my wishes, goals, hopes and dreams into ONE word?  For some that may be powerful but for me it just isn't easily done.

...anyway, there are lots of things that I have my sights set on for 2012.  There are new ventures...there are continued goals, and increasing faith in God.  There is hope that the one yet unresolved situation in my life will be resolved...hope that through the depths of what seems like much unhappiness/unrest for someone I used to know, hope that enlightenment will find them..and that they will decide to stop living in the past even though they don't even realize they still are...hope that they can peacefully move on... but most of all, there's just love.  

There is so much love, growing love, for my family and friends.  There is love I didn't know that could grow any bigger or root itself any deeper and yet, with each passing year, it does, and that's a miracle.  I'm really looking forward to a year of growing Faith, Hope, and LOVE, and hope you all are too :)

My card today uses the "Faith, Hope, Love" sentiment  (I'm sorry, I can't remember what kit it's from!) and also the butterfly from "The Time is NOW" stamp set.  I thought this was significant because it's 2012, a NEW Year.  Time for those new dreams to be chased, new ambitions to kindle a flame, and time to get started.  now.  The TIME IS NOW.

Thanks for coming to visit today!

Be sure to check out the UNITY BLOG for the HIP HOP order, announcements, etc.

See you soon!

xoxo,

Note to self...

Hey, everyone!

(if you are looking for my GREETING FARM preview & giveaway, click HERE)

Today is the last HIP HOP of 2011...can't believe it!  The end of 2011 is bittersweet for me... I really loved this year for the most part.  I learned a lot, felt a lot, grew a lot as a person in some ways, and watched my children accomplish a lot.  so very much actually.

I can only hope that 2012 will be an even better year- or at least as good as this one :)  That's my prayer, anyway :)   I really, really found a lot of truths this year whether it be what's good for me in the people who I surround myself with, the goals I set for myself and my family, and what's important.

This project I'm showing you today is actually a sneak peek of a project that will be fully revealed tomorrow having to do w/ my art journal... for now....here's a look at it, using the "Note to Self" Itty Bitty stamp by UNITY STAMP CO....

I can't wait to reveal more of this special project tomorrow....but for now, head on over to the UNITY BLOG for all the HIP HOP details and to catch the 1st stop on the hop in case you missed it!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

xoxo,

"Chillin'" with the2Peas&Unity Holiday Cardmaking Event and the Deconstructed Sketch...

Hey, everyone!

It's a little before midnight Thursday and as I write this I am trying to ignore the fact that my throat is a bit scratchy.  Grrrr.  Do you guys know the "rule of Pam?"
Yeah, pretty much EVERY time I get ready to go to one of my dearest friends in the world, I get sick.  Is it the excitement pummeling my immune system?  HA!  I'm not sure...but I am really really hoping for some good juju as my BFF and I are about to embark on the Breaking Dawn train, baby!

But that is enough of that for now...I'm back to bring you a new card using the "Christmas Wishes" stamp set by Unity Stamp Co. featuring these adorable little pengys:

I LOVE Christmas penguins, don't you?

My layout follows the Deconstructed Sketch this week, as well:

Love this one....it's a GREAT sketch and we would be honored if you played along this week!  Just click HERE for details and be sure to visit the SUPER talented ladies on the team- links are on my sidebar :)

Boy am I glad that there was green in the DP today because as it turns out, I committed the unthinkable and RAN OUT OF WHITE THREAD tonight!  Say WHAT?  Hopefully that won't happen again, HA!

Today we are also on day four of a five-day "Holiday Cardmaking Event with 2Peas"!    Make sure you stop by and spy some of their DT and our very own DT members as well as they show you how to use one stamp set several different ways and man, are the ideas and mojo flowing!  You definitely won't want to miss stopping by!  There is also a prize up for grabs featuring the BRAND NEW Unity/My Little Shoebox stamps so check it out and find out how YOU could win!

Last but not least, be sure to stop by the Unity Blog to see what's happening today for "Hip Hop' Thursday and have a blast getting into the Holiday spirit with us as most of us have created something festive today :)

That's it for me for now...but your positive thoughts are appreciated today as I am trying to kick this thing to the curb!  Thanks as always for stopping by!
xoxo

Hello, Friend!

Hey, there, friends!

{{{Please scroll DOWN for my Deconstructed Sketch post, thanks!}}}

It's Thursday and time for some HIP HOPPIN' through blog land with some of the rockin' Unity Stamp Co. Design Team!

We are THINKIN' PINK for October with our first EVER 'themed' Kit of the Month and also an unprecedented chance to PURCHASE THIS KIT even if you're NOT a current kit club member.  For all the details on this kit, click HERE.  Isn't it gorgeous?

Faith. Hope. Love...live by it.  I couldn't think of a better name <3

We also had the pleasure of showcasing the two BRAND NEW Ippity sets yesterday- if you missed that post, be sure to check it out!

Today I have a card featuring one of my all-time favorite Itty Bitty stamps, "Hello, my Friend":

Isn't it sweet?

I used some new My Mind's Eye "Darling Dear" DP for this card and Twinery Twine in the new "Stone" color.  Thanks for stopping by today to see it!   Be sure to visit the UNITY BLOG today to see what else Angela has for you- I'm the LAST STOP today so you can head back there!

Til' tomorrow, my friends...

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

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!

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...

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....

Hip Hoppin' with LOTS to share!...

HOLLA!  It's Thursday!

Time to HIP HOP.

Time to share LOTS of excitement!

First of all, tonight is the big night-the NUGGETS basketball banquet.

I am SO. SAD. that our season is over.  I so wish for my boys that B-ball was YEAR ROUND-

it is their favorite thing in the world...and since they are two of MY favorite things in the world,

I LOVE to watch them.  HAPPY. Thriving.  Determined.  SMILING.

Our coach this year is very special to us.

Three practices into the season, the coach they SHOULD have had...well, up and disappeared. Poof. Quit.  Just like that.  We were pretty upset...

While I don't know the whole story, I DO know that you don't do that to eight year old boys.  They were devastated.  Til this one Dad stepped in.  And ended up being the BEST. COACH. EVER.

So, for my first project today-here's the Chipboard album that I made-that we'll be presenting to him tonight at the banquet:

I used the stamps from the "Champ" set for many of my pages:

(Champ is available as a Stampin' Store kit-and not on the Unity website. For a list of stores, click HERE)

I also used the Itty Bitty stamp called "Tell Me More" to create this page:

There are no Unity stamps on this page, but that is MY BOY shooting a free throw-so had to include it, haha :)

Last but not least, another page created with the CHAMP set:

And here's the back cover, with the pennant stamped again saying "Thanks Coach".  My boys signed it for the coach already and I will be bringing it for the rest of the team to sign before we give it to Coach Brian!    

I have ONE more project to show you, but before I do, can I TELL YOU how stoked I am that our first NEW UNITY CHALLENGE is catching on so well?  I am THRILLED!  We have over 40 players so far and you guys have until March 14th to play along!  WOO HOO!

And SPEAKING of CHALLENGES?  Last but not least?  Today is a NEW Hip Hop Sketch challenge:

And here's a quick little fluttery creation I made using up some October Afternoon scraps (do you catch that this week as a theme?  I am USING. SCRAPS.  Hooray! Gotta prepare for some YUMMALICIOUS new CHA releases and the only way I can justify that is to use up what I have-I'm proud of myself ;) 

The stamp is a new "Itty Bitty"-do you know that there's a NOT SO ITTY BITTY sale going on at Unity right now?  Buy THREE Itty Bitties, get ONE free...and so on...buy SIX, get two free...you see where this is going!  SO you can scoop up this adorable "Dream Big" stamp along with SEVEN PAGES of other CUTIE PATOOTIES!   

Make sure to visit the UNITY BLOG for other news, and then it's onto my pal Jimmi's blog next!  

have a WONDERFUL Thursday, everyone!

~xoxo,

HIP HOPPIN into Thursday with a NEW SKETCH!...

Howdy, peeps!

Now that the initial excitment has worn off regarding the NEW Unity Challenge (missed it?  Click HERE for the deets), let's not forget that today is HIP HOP THURSDAY and what does that mean?

Well, not only will hopefully we run into some of you on the Unity SCS forum, but it's time for a BRAND NEW SKETCH CHALLENGE!  Here is this week's sketch:

I LOVE having a sketch challenge as an awesome jumping off point for creativity.  Have you guys been PLAYING in the weekly challenge?  There are PRIZES each week and Jimmi does an AWESOME job keeping it all together HERE :)

I used the UBER adorable new Itty Bitty stamp, "I'm Here" for today's sketch and added some fun buttons and a touch of ribbon to the layout.  I am trying to use up some spare patterned papers that I've had laying around FOREVER before I even am tempted to get anything new (HELLO new Echo Park, basic Grey, Crate and Sassafrass?!?!  What's a designer to DO?!  lol).   I really like the colors on this one :)  Hope you do, too!

Well, make sure you stop by my girl Jimmi's blog next to see what she made for today's HIP HOP Thursday and be sure to visit the UNITY Blog to see what the dealio is for today!  Thanks so much for stopping by...and I'm sorry if I've been a bad bloggin' buddy!  I have like 700 posts in my reader but I plan to get to you!   Between CHA madness and coming home sick for a week it's just been a wee bit crazy!  I appreciate all your support!  MWAH!

~xoxo