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,

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,

Note to self...Part 2.... ;)

Hi, everyone :)

I'm back today with "part 2" of the post I started HERE.

{{{if you're looking for my Lucky Bunnies preview, please scroll down, thanks!}}}

Today marks week 23 and the last week of our "heART Journaling" project at The Greeting Farm.  I am SO grateful for this project.  I will admit,  there were a few weeks when I was seriously wondering how I was going to get a page done...squeak out some form of 'art' because I was tired, pressed for time, sick, busy...whatever... but I am SO glad I finished it.   

I now not only have my first completed art journal (you can see the beginnings of it HERE), I also have been inspired to keep going because I realized that art is only how I see it....and I'm making memories for a lifetime...for myself and most of all, to pass down to my kids.

Here is my 23rd entry and first completed journal, with this week's "Letter to Me" project (cue Brad Paisley ;)

You'll see that the 1st page is what I showed you on Thursday during Unity's Hip Hop...the rest is actually taken from a "brave girls club" email that really resonated with me, especially because of some awesome personal things that have happened during this time period while I was working on my first art journal.

I know that art journaling is very personal, so I applaud anyone who has been sharing.  It really is bearing your soul on a whole different level...and even if you haven't posted publicly, if you're art journaling at ALL...congrats.  Cuz it's really kind of a beautiful thing, isn't it?

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,

Made with Love...

Hey, everyone!

I'm back today with another awesome Deconstructed Sketch:

I have really been enjoying the December Kit of the Month from Unity Stamp Co. and this little "made with Love" stamp was perfect for today's creation.  Here is my card using DS32:

I want to say how appreciative I am that you've all stopped by today...I know how crazy busy this time of year is and it's hard to get to blogs, leave comments, etc.  I know I haven't been around as much as I'd like to between being down for the count all last week and prepping for FUN times this week!  The highlight is definitely the friends and family that I get to see.

In fact, today my husband, kids and I are venturing a few hrs south to spend the day and pass along some Christmas cheer with my sweet friend who just so happens to be my Deconstructed Sketch teamie, too, Pam Varnell.   I'm so excited for our hubbies to finally hang out- I think that might be the best part.  Even our little Kekipu is going with, LOL.

Have an awesome day, everyone!  Don't' forget to stop by the rest of the Deconstructed Sketch girls, too!

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

Thanks again for stopping by!

xoxo,

Lettin' it Snow and lettin' it ROLL...

Hey everyone....

{{{please scroll down for my GREETING FARM post today, too- thank you!}}}

Thanks SOOOO much for all your emails, Facebook posts and comments wishing us well.  I wish I could say we are totally out of the woods but I am hoping that will be the case soon.  There were 4 confirmed cases of influenza at school as of yesterday and I'm pretty sure what we have isn't just the common cold.  My sweet little Ava baby finally went back to school today after being sick for 3 days and Nicky came home from school on Tuesday with a 101 fever as well-it seems to be making the rounds and FAST.   I guess I'm just happy that it's the week before Christmas, right?  Still, so much to do and so much going on this week... so with that.... I realize, I gotta let it ROLL.

I'm NOT going to be able to get 'everything' done.  And that's ok.   I'm GOING to forget something.  And that's ok.   It has to be, right?   So thankfully, I am not letting it snow (yet!) in sunny TN, but I am definitely going to let it ROLL this week.  So not worth getting frustrated, especially given the Reason for the Season.  <3

Today I created a card for UNITY Thursday using the November KOM and also the adorable "Christmas Wishes" set co-branded with Bella Blvd.  Have you SEEN this cute set?

There is SO much going on at Unity I don't even know where to start- so make sure you check out the Unity Blog because there will be more details there.  There are AWESOME sales going on this week too- really big sales and great offers so definitely check out our FACEBOOK page as well!

I used the Deconstructed Sketch today for my card:

Love this one!  I had a hard time "visualizing' it at first but that is probably due to the medicine head I had while creating it, lol.    be sure to stop by the DECONSTRUCTED Sketch girls today too- links are on my sidebar and they'll be waiting for you!

xoxo,

Puttin' the SMAK down on Deconstructed Thursday...

Hey, there, friends!

{{{if you are looking for The Craft's Meow BLOG HOP, click HERE.  Thanks!}}}

So....
I AM...

(just as this card suggests ;)

...puttin' a little SMAK down today for the Deconstructed Sketch :)

I have been itching to get inky with Unity's new "SMAK" Kits (a monthly scrapbooking/mixed media/art kit- you HAVE to check it out!) and this sketch was the perfect jumping off point.  Here's DS30:

My card today uses stamps from the NOVEMBER and DECEMBER SMAK kit:

Like the star?  I had soooo much fun pouring some chunky glass glitter from my sweet friend Lydia -couldn't have been a more perfect embellishment for this project today :)  Kinda fun, right?

Unity has a TON going on today.  My Hip-Hop group isn't hopping this week but I have to give you the low-down cuz it's too good to miss:

BRAND NEW Phyllis Harris stamps release today- they are SOOOO stinkin' cute, OMGosh.  I know that I'll be in a coloring mood this weekend and this will be the first thing I reach for ;)

Oh- and check out THIS set- "You're the Ticket".  LOOOVE IT!

..and I NEED this one "Christmas to all" by the sweet Lesley Langdon!

There is a TON of NEW, NEW, NEW going on so be sure to check out the UNITY blog today to find out all the happenings...I love it!

Last but not least, check out the rest of the Deconstructed Sketch crew to see their take on today's awesome sketch:

 

The Deconstructed Sketch Girls

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

xoxo,

HELLO! :)

Hey, everyone!

{{{PLEASE SCROLL DOWN for my DECONSTRUCTED Sketch post- it's a "SPARKLE-y one ;)}}}

HIP to the HOP and HELLO, Unity peeps!

I'm here today with a fun card I can't wait to show you.

It has nothing to do with the holidays.

Nothing to do with new releases.

It's just a HAPPY little HELLO that I want to share with you :)

This time of year can get so crazy and with all of our obligations, it's nice to just sit and say HI to someone who makes ya smile ;)

I think that sometimes it's a welcome break in all the hustle and bustle of this time of year and also it's nice to not make EVERYTHING red and green if ya know what I mean!  :)

So here is my creation, using the MY Little Shoebox Co-branded set "Pretty Little Things":

...and again, HELLO friends- I can't tell you how much I appreciate you still coming by after all this time!

So now...let's get to the FUN stuff- the NEW stuff...and let's talk a little SMAK:

LOVE these new "SMAK" kits- oh do I ever! Check out the new December Kit:

For those of you NEW to SMAK, it's a new Scrapbooking/Mixed Media Kit of the Month club working very similar to the Unity KOM club.  and speaking of which....

It's DECEMBER 1st- so stay tuned for pics of the NEW KOM!

Last but not least?

GIFT CERTIFICATES.

I hate to tell you this, but you have like, maybe 23 shopping days left!  ;)

They are available in several denominations- so get your friends and fam and fellow stampers together on a list- check it twice- and you're golden :)

Well, I think that's it for me, but make sure you stop by the UNITY BLOG because I'm sure Ang has a few announcements as well!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

xoxo,

Jess

Mixed Media and MOTHERHOOD...two of my favorite things...

Hey, everyone!
I am up today on the UNITY BLOG with a Mixed Media project focusing on Motherhood and I thought I'd share it with you guys, too.   
I had some special help w/ today's project and am very proud of the little hands that helped with it!   I am participating in a 24 week Art Journaling course through The Greeting Farm and this week's assignment was "mother/Motherhood."  I LOVE that subject.
Becoming a mom of my 'fab four' as I always refer to them was the best thing I ever did.  They are my greatest accomplishments and although I have some wonderful childhood memories and wonderful teen/early adult memories that I wouldn't trade for anything, I feel as though my life didn't even begin until the day my first child was born.
My twin boys were upstairs playing in their room last night and the girls noticed me getting out all of my paints/ markers, mixed media 'schtuff' and said "can we help?"  It was my first instinct to say "not this time, guys.." but you know what?  What better assignment to have them participate in than one surrounding my FAVORITE quote by Elizabeth Stone:
"Making the decision to have a child is MOMENTOUS...it is to decide FOREVER to have your heart go walking around outside your body"....   
Isn't . that. the. truth.

I started by stamping the flowers and butterfly from the "A Mother's Love" set and watercolored the background using some Gelatos by Faber Castell (LOVE these- you have to try them and they are totally washable/cleanable!)  
The girls were beyond excited to be able to help color in the flowers with my copies.  I did the butterfly but they helped w/ everything else.   They also helped stamp the dots from an Ippity set, "Love in Return".    By this time, the boys had come downstairs so all 4 of them took turns stamping some all over the page in pink ink ;)
I can't think of anything better to share with you this Sunday afternoon, especially after Thanskgiving because I am so grateful for these four amazing little human beings and the wonderful people they are becoming with each passing day.   No better thing to share, either as we embark to the theatre to have my baby girl's (ok, she's 6...but I can still call her a baby, right? ;) birthday party -we are seeing the Muppets!
Have a HAPPY Sunday, everyone!Thanks for letting me share w/ you!xoxo,Jess :)

"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

Saturday Creative Imaginations Showcase...

Hey everyone!

So excited to be showcasing some "Creative Imaginations and Unity" projects today!

+

I am a huge fan of Marah Johnson AND Samantha Walker and am blessed to be able to design for Unity who manufactures BOTH these awesome stamp lines!

Here are a few cards I made using Creative Imaginations paper lines (featuring some fun Samantha Walker paper)   and the first card also uses the "Embracing Hope"-Marah Johnson stamp set  (this set is ON SALE for only $8 right now!!!!)

2nd card:

Be sure to stop by the UNITY BLOG today and also TOMORROW for our last day sharing

Unity & Creative Imaginations projects!

Make sure you leave a comment on today's Unity Blog post,

then head on over to the Creative Imaginations blog

 and leave a comment there too for the chance at some awesome prizes!!

PRIZES:

*Creative Imaginations Paper packs (valued at $25.00)

*Creative Imaginations stamps

That's a WHOLE lotta fun!

Be sure to stop by to see the beautiful creations of my teammates Karen and Eva, as well!

Thanks and have a "Creative" Saturday!

xoxo,

DS27: I am THANKFUL...

Hey, everyone :)

TGIF!  Well, sorta :)  It' TGIT today since the kids don't have school tomorrow and I'm here today with a Deconstructed Sketch card that I am really excited to show you.

I have to admit, I was a little crazed as my week has been so busy and I was faced with the Wednesday night "what to do?" question for today's sketch...check it out:

I'm telling you- this is a FUN one!   I was so tired today I wasn't sure if my mojo was going to return but in talking to my good friend Jen last night on the phone, she reminded me that when I stop thinking about it, it just kinda happens!  Yeah, she's right.  Here is my card using the sentiment from Unity Stamp Co's "The Time is Now" set:

What do you think?  I really like the way the patchwork-y stuff came out using papers from My Mind's Eye (Stella/Rose collection) and the sentiment is not only pretty but so poignant for my life right now, and for the month of November.

I. am. thankful.

Be sure to visit the rest of the Deconstructed Sketch girls today to see their version of this FUN sketch:

The Deconstructed Sketch Girls

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

See you soon!

xoxo

Getting Cozy w/ Brandy and Emma...

Hey, everyone!

{{{If you're here for the Deconstructed Sketch, please scroll down.  If you're not, please scroll down anyway because it rocks ;) }}}

Today we are HIP-HOPPING into the end of the week (which is insane because the last time I checked it was Halloween?!) with UNITY STAMP COMPANY and a brand new line of SUPER cute new storybook-style stamps, "Brandy and Emma!"

You may have seen this adorable new line debut late last month- and people are falling in love with them..FAST!  I mean, really, how can't you?  Phyllis Harris is the designer, and she is a wonderful artist who designs for Highlights magazine.  I personally adore this tidbit of info because I always had a subscription to Highlights growing up.  My dad would often come in and read it with me before bed when I was a kid and I really love it to this day!

My kids now have a subscription from my aunt and it's still so much the same as I remember from when I was a kid.  I love that!

Please help WELCOME this adorable NEW line with a card today I whipped up:

So, can you even BELIEVE it's NOVEMBER yet?  Have you seen the total CUTENESS that is the November Kit of the Month?  Check this out:

Is that sentiment calling your name?  HA!  Love it!  and have you been talkin' some SMAK?  I am IN. LOVE. with the new MONTHLY Mixed Media/Scrapbooking kit...or shall we say, "Scrapbooking Mixed Media Art Kit"!  Check it out:

There are TONS of happenings, special deals, and what not over at UNITY today so be sure to check out the BLOG and find out what Ang has going on!   You won't be sorry you did because the deals keep getting better and better and they go FAST!

Talk to you all soon- HIP HOP!

xoxo,