Happy are those...

Hey, everyone!

Miss me? haha well.....

I took a little break this week to hang out with the kids before they went back to school and also to edit some photos and work on my photography business that I'm trying to get off the ground!  I'm really excited about it but man, editing takes FOREVAH!

All that in due time, but today I've got a Deconstructed Sketch to show ya!  Here is DS33- love this one:

I used the BRAND NEW {Ippity} stamp today, "Happy are those".  Could this sentiment come at a better time for me while I'm pursuing some new dreams in the next few weeks?  Don't think so <3  Love that about Unity...they always have a quote to fit my life and/or feelings and I love being a designer for them even more because of this.

Here's my card using this cute new stamp:

"Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come TRUE..."

Have I mentioned I.LOVE. THIS?!

I'm really inspired by this and hope you are too!

Now, for a little 'business'...there are some {ippity} announcements today!

  We are VERY EXCITED about the NEW YEAR CHANGE with {ippity} stamps by Unity!

Starting this weekend {ippity} will be available on the UNITY WEBSITE!

Once the WEBSITE IS READY and all tuned up for this change over - All YOU will have to do is CLICK ON the photo of YOUR Favorite {ippity} CHICK - and BUY your favorite {ippity} stamps from there...HERE is something MORE LOVELY! ...if you would like to add UNITY STAMPS to your order YOU CAN! 

ALSO - Starting SOON - ANY Unity DISCOUNT CODE used in combination with your order of {ippity} WILL WORK, including Unity Kit Member 25% discount codes.

It is going to be UNITY SIMPLIFIED - making our {ippity} line available through your favorite {ippity} chick - RIGHT on the Unity website and SHIPPED TO YOU directly through Unity! :) 

So there ya have it for now- EXCITING changes with {ippity} and it's going to be SO much more convenient to order!  I'm thrilled about it and think you guys will be, too!

Be sure to check out the UNITY BLOG for all of the happenings today and also my DECONSTRUCTED Sketch girls have lots more inspiration on Jen's fun sketch today and the DECONSTRUCTED SKETCH blog is sponsored by Scrappin' GREAT DEALS and there is a $25 gift certificate up for grabs for playing along this week!

 

The Deconstructed Sketch Girls

• Amber Hight
• Andrea Ewen - Guest Designer
• Arielle Gordon
• Donna Wardle
• Jen Shults
• Jessica Diedrich
• Kadie Ensley
• Lori Boyd
• Pam Varnell
• Sheri Gilson
• Tracey Pickersgill - Guest Designer

Have fun and check it out!

xoxo,

Time for Friends...and WINE!...

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to be posting a fun card and project using HELMAR adhesives and  {Ippity} stamps today!  I have a super FUN project featuring the adorable new set titled, "Time for Friends and Wine" that was just released at the beginning of October!

This set is fresh off the press and with the holidays coming up (right around the corner- there's no escaping this, ha!), we all could use a quick and EASY hostess gift on hand, right?
I took a bottle of wine and made a fun label featuring some super glittery and fun paper from My Mind's Eye.  I just happened to have this brad with a clock on it.  I loved that it was "Time" for friends and Wine and so it worked out perfectly:

I'm still a sucker for frilly, floral trim so I adhered some trim on the top when I was done to give this an even prettier flair to the bottle:

...and I could NOT have done any of this without my Helmar cast of characters!  I am NOT kidding!  I used Acid Free glue to glue down the label all the way to the edges.  This is super important when you're glueing anything that curves because the paper edges can lift all to easily sometimes.  I then took Helmar 450 Quick Dry to glue the floral trim down (Webster's Pages Bloomers :).  LOVE this trim. 
Of course, no hostess gift would be complete without a card, right?  Here's a closeup of a quick and simple card I made.  The best part?  All of the papers were scraps from the wine label!   Again, it was Helmar to get the job done.  These papers are SOOOO glittery that a normal tape runner wouldn't cut it. I used 450 Quick Dry for the entire card and flowers.

I hope you guys enjoyed my project today!  I had a blast making this and can't wait to give it away!  This project is featured on the HELMAR USA Design Team Blog today and will also be on the Unity Blog this evening....a "Triple feature" if you will...hope it's worthy!See you all soon!  For a list of where you can buy {Ippity} stamps, click here.
xoxo,Jess

More FALL fun with new IPPITY!...

Hi, everyone!

Thanks so much for stopping by today because I'm SO excited about the TWO new Ippity releases today from Unity Stamp Company, "Thanks for All Things", and "Time for Friends...and WINE!"

I am using the latter today although another cool perk about this set is that there are so many great images and sentiments my particular card has nothing to DO with the vino today.  Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a nice glass every now and then, LOL, but I wanted to showcase how versatile this set is. 

 Here's my card:

...and I decorated the inside too-bonus!  

IPPITY stamp sets are available through your favorite IPPITY CHICK.  You can find a list of those chicks HERE, and also on the main Unity Stamp Co. site, where a full listing of what all the Ippity Sets look like!

Last but not least, don't forget to visit the UNITY BLOG today for more samples from our AMAZING Design Team...and you'll notice the Unity blog is PINK....you can find out why when you're over there!

xoxo,

"You are UNIQUE...and if that is not fulfilled...something has been LOST..."  ~Martha Graham

...an Ippity-Hippity-Hop Fond Farewell...

{{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for my Club Anya MYSTERY MONDAY post-thanks!}}

...or maybe I SHOULDN'T call it a farewell and I'm determined to see this girlie again one day and her beautiful smile...and BRAND NEW BOUTIQUE!

I met Eryn Hagen at Winter CHA last year and the first thing that struck me about her was her smile and laugh.  I already knew that she was one of the sweetest souls on earth because of the emails we'd exchanged and when I met her in person she was just how I'd pictured her and more, probably.

Eryn has been a HUGE source of organization behind the Unity walls for a few years now, working at Unity, and also a creative POWERHOUSE behind Ippity...and recently, you may have remembered seeing some of her GORGEOUS Jewelry, like in THIS post.

Eryn is saying goodbye to Unity to pursue an AMAZING dream-opening her own boutique.   I know a few of my friends have ordered from her-and if you haven't please check our her GORGEOUS line, "Vintage Glam"

HERE.

We are having a surprise little "Send off" today for Eryn and I chose to use a Unity balloon (from the ADVENTUROUS itty bitty-it will definitely be a NEW ADVENTURE for you, Eryn!!!)  & the sentiment is from Ippity's Quotes a la Happy "YOUR SMILE LIFTS ME".  Indeed it DOES, sweet Eryn, and will CONTINUE to I hope, as I know we'll stay friends!

Be sure to check out the IPPITY BLOG to see everyone's send offs to Eryn-you will definitely leave a hole at Unity, chickie...but we are ALL. SO. PROUD of you!!!

GOOD LUCK and I KNOW you'll go far Eryn!  You are unstoppable, creative, and a WONDERFUL friend!

~xoxo,

Jess :)

The Little Things...

Hey, everyone!

{{{{ETA: I am SO sorry that my MTSC post is late-I'm not sure what happened but Blogger is being naughty!!!  Oh, and I didn't get to see the Eclipse because it was so cloudy here-I set my alarm for 12:45am, 1:30, and 3:30 am and got up, went outside, scared the pants off of DH and still no luck, LOL...}}}

I am anxiously awaiting the viewing of tonight's Lunar Eclipse and thinking back on 2010 with a good feeling and it really made me think of this quote from Ippity:  "The little things?  THEY AREN'T LITTLE".  

That is SO true.  If I had a nickel, even a penny, for every little glance exchanged with one of my kids, every laugh with a friend, every smile with a stranger, I'd be a very rich girl.  But see, that's just it, I FEEL rich...I feel truly blessed.  So, as this year comes to a close, I invite you to look back on your 2010 and cherish all those "big things" that might not seem so big at the time.  I love that we can do that.

As 2010 comes to a close, we are also saying goodbye to the MTSC Challenges, next week being our final sketch.  Above is this week's sketch, MTSC105.   I want to thank Mercy, for having me on this super fun team, but mostly for her friendship and the fact that I found two of my best friends, Mercy and Pam, through stamping.  I love you guys-and although stamping may have brought us together,  we are so much more than that now.   So as our sketches come to a close, I won't be sad...as we all will have a little more time on our hands but a lot of those 'little things' that we know are BIG THINGS to cherish and also to look forward to continuing.

In that spirit, here's my card using IPPITY stamps:

I do have some BRAND NEW IPPITY for sale-check out my current inventory and specials HERE :)

Until later my friends,
xoxo ~

NEW IPPITY in da house...

Click HERE to see what's new :)

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!

FLIP FLOP to the HIP HOP!...

YEAH BABY!

SOOOO excited about today's version of HIP HOP with UNITY Stamp Co!   Because today, HIP HOP has become FLIP HOP!

HUH? you ask?  That means the UNITY chicks are playing with Ippity Stamps today, and the Ippity Chicks have UNITY to show you!   HOW FUN IS THAT?  If you're just hoppin' here, be sure to go back and start on the UNITY BLOG for some flip-hoppin' good times!

One of the best things about this Flip Hop for me is that I get to work with my FAVORITE Ippity set from the last release "Quotes A La Happy".   Can you SEE WHY I LOVE this set?

"LIFE is TOO SHORT to be anything but HAPPY..."

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!   Seriously, the ONLY way to live and that's one of the reasons I love Unity and Ippity so much-we are not afraid to express ourselves through these AWESOME sentiments :)

I was SO happy about Quotes a la Happy and "Flip Hop' that I made TWO cards for the occasion today :)  One is a very loose interpretation of this weeks Hip Hop SKETCH CHALLENGE and the other one is a more definite one :)   Here's the sketch:

You can find the sketch along with chit chat, prizes, and all kinds of Flip-Flopped FUN over on our SCS Forum beginning at 10am CST and on our FACEBOOK page as well!

Well, thanks for stopping by and hope you're just as excited about this little twist as I am!  Your next stop is my friend Jimmi-I really <3 this girl and am SO glad to call her my friend.  I can only imagine how awesome her project will be, so head over there and leave her some love!

See you tomorrow, everyone!  FLIP FLOP!
Jess :)

MTSC Miracle...

Hey peeps!

LITTLE slow on the uptake this morning-sorry I'm late w/ my post for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!  Wasn't feeling too well last night and had a baby doll boy who had a LITTLE too much fun swimming yesterday and had a very bad earache last night :(   Whew!  This weekend, although long, really FLEW!

Anyway, how are all of you?  It's time for another installment of my sweet friend Mercy's sketch challenge-here's MTSC90:

I used one of my FAVORITE {Ippity} sets, "Delightful Little Things".  It's a sentiment/quote set-I know you're shocked, LOL!

One of my closest friends has a friend who is going through a very hard time right now and I made this card to send to her.  I LOVE the sentiment:  "Be Realistic:  Plan for a Miracle".  That is so uplifting and positive, don't you think?  I just adore it.

I used some October Afternoon Thrift Shop paper and Distress ink in Antique Linen.   So, it occurs to me that I'm REALLY bad about writing about WHAT I use to make my cards.  I get so wrapped up in rambling and I know you guys like that, but would you like MORE info on my cards?  Should I go back to doing "recipes?"    Let me know-I can't wait to hear from you!

For now, be sure to visit my fellow Muses:

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell
• 
  

And a BIG fuzzy welcome to Lori Tecler, our September Guest Muse!

I'll see you all very soon-big HUGS to all of you out there!

Show me the Stars...

Hey everyone!

I'm back with another MTSC that of course, I adore.  I was just telling Mercy this weekend that her sketches really are some of my faves.  Lots of them, in fact!   What a fun team to be on, esp with friends who I adore and SO much talent!

Here is this week's MTSC:

I used one of my very most favorite {Ippity} sets, "Delightful Little Things" to create my card for today. I got this crocheted flower from a kit and it was SO bright I always wondered what I would do w it and well, today was the day!  I LOVE the DeLovely line from Cosmo Cricket and this really finished off my card, dont' you think?

What are you guys all up to this week?  We hope you'll play along with us!  Be sure to visit the other muses today, too:

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich <--that's me :)
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell
• 
  

Last but not least, a sweet farewell to our AWESOME August Guest Muse, Angela Thomas!  Thanks for all of your beautiful samples this month, Angela!  Was so fun working with you!

Well, tomorrow is the 1st and I am SOOO excited about our Greeting Farm release and DT blog hop!  Be back for that first thing in the morning!

Hugs!

Ippity Skippity...HOP!

Hey all!

It's been a while since I posted for {Ippity} Mondays and I had a card I couldn't wait to show you so I figured I'd hop along!

I have been so swamped w/ work that I haven't yet been able to order the NEW Ippity but if you can be patient with me, I should have some in later this week!  I plan to dedicate a little more of my time to this AMAZING business now that the kiddos are in school and because my passion in life has truly become the inspiration that I can GIVE AND GAIN by sharing Ippity and Unity with all of YOU!

Here's my card today, using "Delightful Little Things", which is definitely one of my favorites:

Last but not least, I want to turn your attention not JUST to the fantastic list of hoppers, but to one Ippity gal in particular-my friend Eryn Hagen.  Eryn not only works her butt off for the Unity Stamp Co. and us DT girls, but is also UBER talented and she has recently opened up her own business selling handmade jewelry and I am a HUGE fan!  Be sure to check out her Sale Blog and you'll be seeing some of her new designs show up on pictures of me very soon-as soon as they show up at my DOOR!  Hooray for sparkly things, butterflies, and crafty friends!  Seriously, stop by-she has some beautiful things and AWESOME pricing!

Be sure to start out at the Ippity Blog for the complete list of Hoppers today!  Thanks for stopping by-you have ALL definitely become NECESSARY. TO. My. DELIGHT.  :)

All I have to say is...

AMEN. to. THAT.  (that being the sentiment below :)

 

Oh, ok, I guess I do have a FEW more things to say, hee hee :)

Today is Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge and here's the AWESOMEness she has for us today:

Have I mentioned how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE my girl's sketches?  I always look forward to Tuesday and what she has in store for us!  My card today uses the "Delightful Little Things" set by Ippity.  I *should* have the new IPPITY in stock later next week, SO..

***IF there is an {Ippity} set you are looking for, please leave me a comment here or email me and I'll be sure to include it in my order.  I'd rather order what YOU GUYS want, so just let me know!  Have you seen the new releases??  Click HERE to view :)   And you can check out MY {Ippity} page by clicking the "Got Ippity?" tab above!  :)

Be sure to check out the rest of the Muses this week to see their lovely creations and also to visit our August Guest Muse, Angela Thomas!

• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich
• Julie Lacey
• Pam Speidel
• Pam Varnell

Now, one more TEENY weeny thing before I go....OK NOT TEENY.  HUGE!

Today there is a HUGE giveaway on the PaperCrafts Magazine FB page and it involves UNITY!   They are giving away:

3 Decadent Pear Sets by Samantha Walker for Unity

and 3 August Kit of the Months!

ALL you have to do is click HERE for more details!  HUGE HUGE GIVEAWAY?  What could be MORE fun than Papercrafts and UNITY!?!?!

I'll see you tomorrow (I hope) with a Birthday RAK post that is LONG overdue!   That crocheted flower on my card?  Was MADE for me by the lovely Kim Yu...I'm tellin ya, I am truly blessed and the above sentiment on this card could NOT be more true!  Hugs...


OH!  P.S.  Like my new watermark?  My girl Heather Rolin is UBER fab and does it ALL!  Check out here website, Individual Blog Banners!  She takes such good care of her customers-if you're looking for watermark or perhaps a Blog-Over?  She's your gal!

Can I get a HIP HOP?!? (and a H{ippity} too!

Hey everyone!

{{{Please scroll down today for my SCRAPBOOK CHALLENGE layout from The Greeting Farm!  I wouldn't want you to miss an adorable pic of my lil' water bug ;)  THANKS!}}}

We've got some serious FAB going on today at UNITY!  Check out the UNITY BLOG where it ALL begins!

Not only is it time for our Thursday HIP HOP, but it's also {IPPITY} Release Day!   (Yep, I will have some new releases in stock VERY soon and will post on my blog when they come in so you can send me your wish lists now if you want to!)...

...In fact, I am once again offering FREE SHIPPING *AND* 10% off all pre-orders (will ship out beginning next week), so be sure to visit my {IPPITY PAGE} for all the details!

For now, sit back and enjoy the FUN!

We also have an AMAZING Sketch designed by Ippity DT chick Maria, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this sketch, oh my goodness.  SO something I would sketch out if I could draw, LOL!  Thanks, Maria!  DEFINITELY one I'll be using again!

I used some pretty pretties from Webster's Pages, including my Lullaby 6x6 pack and of course, my beloved BLOOMERS.  I LOVE these flowers...LOVE LOVE LOVE.  The sentiment is from the MAY Kit of the Month.  Have you SIGNED UP yet? ;)

We'll be chatting it up again on SCS today w/ you guys....won't you join us?   For now, be sure to head on over to Jimmi's blog and we'll meet ya over at SCS at 10am CST for GAMES, PRIZES, and of course, there will be chatting...after all, look who the Unity girls are, LOL!

See you there!

Oh, Alice, CURIOSITY is KEY...

" Suddenly Alice came upon a little three-legged table, all made of solid glass; there was nothing on it except a tiny golden key, and Alice's first thought was that it might belong to one of the doors of the hall; but, alas! either the locks were too large, or the key was too small, but at any rate it would not open any of them. However, on the second time round, she came upon a low curtain she had not noticed before, and behind it was a little door about fifteen inches high: she tried the little golden key in the lock, and to her great delight it fitted!"

Hello again!  Welcome back to our Oh, Alice challenge!   This week your curiosity is KEY to this week's challenge.

Rather, the Key IS the challenge!  Yep!  Let's see how YOU open the door to your creativity this week using a KEY as your inspiration.   You can use embellishments, DP, stamps, whatever KEY elements you have to play is fine with us!

We'll be CURIOUSER and CURIOUSER to see how you use them!

I used the really awesome MOJO 137 Sketch for this card and found it to be a bit of a challenge- which is GOOD right?  I really felt excited when the card came out just how I wanted it too-all I did was flip the sketch so that you could still see the name of the sheet music ;)  


LOVE new October Afternoon "Thrift Shop" paper pack and there just so happened to be a sheet music DP that was perfectly titled "The Rabbit".  I think the White Rabbit would be proud, don't you?  ;)   I had a blast w/ a little patchworking, sewing, and found this Key image from my Ippity set, "Music of my Heart".   Be on the lookout for NEW Ippity releases toward the end of this week!  Sentiment is from Unity's "birdie inspiration" set.

There's no time limit to play along with us this week, however, entries are always appreciated by everyone at Oh, Alice and we'd love to stop by your blogs to see your beautiful creations.  Your participation is KEY to all of this and to show you just how much we thank you, we have a fantastic prize next week along with a fun few announcements too!

For now, be sure to stop by the rest of our Twisted Thirteen:

• Betty Roberts
• Catherine
• Jen Shults
• Jimmi Mayo
• Kristy Young
• Kyra Sanders
• Lisa Hjulberg
• Margie Cortina
• Mary Giles
• Pam Varnell
• Peggy McCurry
• Sammi Betbeder-will be back next week :)
• Tasha Beasley

Have a Curious week, everyone!