Hand Stamped By Lacey

Whiff of Joy Sale at Stamp and Create

Hello stamping friends! 

Edited: This card made the Top 5 at Cupcake Challenges!!!

Did you have a nice weekend? We had a great weekend. Although I was quite frustrated with Ansley's softball game Friday nigh (multiple issues there) and Ryan's T-Ball game on Saturday (got hit by 7 foul balls from a different field - nothing like a ball coming out of no where and hitting you!!). But it was still a great weekend. 

We have a slightly less crazy week this week with only 1 night with ball games - unfortunately they both have games at the same time on the same night so we will have to split up again! But I'm looking forward to a little more of a quiet week.

Ok so now it's time for the new Weekly Candy and Product Spotlight Sale at Stamp and Create.

The new candy is:

Basic Gray Nordic Holiday and Indian Summer 6"x6" Paper pads. You can enter the candy here. 

And this Product Spotlight Sale is:

Whiff of Joy Stamps on Sale 25% off this week.

I created this card for one of Ansley's teachers since Teacher Appreciation Week is just 2 weeks away...

This is the sweet Willow with Strawberry Basket. The papers are Miss Caroline Dolled Up by MME along with Resin Corners & Scroll, Coconut, Sea Breeze & Fairy Floss Blooms, Pearls, and Butterflies Die from CC Designs.

The sketch is from the Whiff of Joy Challenge Blog this week.  

Willow was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

I decorated the inside as well...

The strip of paper at the bottom is actually a gift card holder. It's taped on the sides and bottom, but not on the top so that I can slip a gift card if I want.

This card is also for the following challenges:

Paper Sundaes Challenge: Let's Get Cute

Stamptacular Sunday: Loaded with Layers 

Cupcake Inspiration: Photo inspiration (I used the "gardening" theme)

Craft you Days away: Metal (Apple Charm under the flowers)

Our Creative Corner: Butterflies

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey 

Paper Product Spotlight Sale at Stamp and Create

Hello stamping friends!! 

I hope you had a lovely weekend! It's a 3 day weekend for us so the kids and I are enjoying some time together. We went to Luke's birthday party on Saturday - it was so great to see him and his family...and we got to see SNOW in Florida!! I'll try to post pictures soon. 

Saturday night we met up with friends for a surprise dinner party for her 40th birthday! It was a lot of fun and we didn't stay out too late. The kids stayed at a friend's house over night - they love sleepovers!

Sunday we hung out most of the day, watched a movie, then went to church.

Today I have a little work to do then we are supposed to going to the movies to see Journey 2. We saw Journey to the center of the earth on Sunday.

Just a quick note to say that today is a postal holiday so orders placed over the weekend will ship out on Tuesday.

We have a new weekly candy...

You can enter the candy here.

There is also a new Product Spotlight Sale at Stamp and Create today...

This week, all Paper is on sale 25% off - for US customers only.

I'm sorry, but the weight of paper shipping outside of the US will require additional shipping.

To showcase some of the paper on sale this week, I have create this card...

This was Ryan's (my son) Valentine card. The stamp is Puff Dragon from Whiff of Joy paired with Happy Day papers from Simple Stories. I also used an Adage Ticket and Basic Grey Button.  

The image was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os..

Ryan loves this dragon so he was so happy to receive it for Valentine's Day.

This card is also for the following challenges:

Crazy4 Challenges: Stripes and dots

DYSU: Layers

Paper Play: Critters

 

 

Magical Monday Challenge & Stamp and Create Product Spotlight

Hello stamping friends!!

Sorry this is late! I got confused which day it was since it's a Holiday weekend! I did manage to get the Product Spotlight stamps on sale and store blog post done, but was too tired to finish this post. 

So far we are having a wonderful weekend. Yesterday we went to the movies to see Kung Fu Panda, church in the late afternoon, then out to dinner with friends. Today we have a slow morning then a birthday party BBQ at 3pm. Can't wait!!

**Holiday Notice**

I am leaving on Wednesday for my brother's wedding in St. Lucia returning on Sunday, June 5th. Any order placed after 3pm EST tomorrow (Tuesday) will not ship out until Monday, June 6th.

However, any order placed during that time will be entered into a special drawing for some candy!!

Now it's time for a new Product Spotlight at Stamp and Create.

Through Sunday, all Whiff of Joy stamps are on sale 25% off. 

The Design team have created some wonderful samples for your inspiration. You can check them all at the store blog.

This card is playing double duty this week since it's time for another

Magical Monday Challenge. 

The challenge this fortnight is:

A recipe (3 papers, 2 flowers, 1 ribbon)

For my card, I used the adorable Puff-Heart Dragon...

Isn't he so adorable?! I paired him with some Basic Gray Marjorlaine paper, snow pearls, white ric rac ribbon, and Whimsy sentiment.

Sketch is from Stamp, Scrap, and Doodle this week.

I'm also entering this into the following challenges:

Dream Valley Challenges: Stamp Something

The Emerald Faeries: Anything Goes (can't wait for my EF store order to arrive!!)

2 Sister's Challenge: Anything Goes

All Sorts Challenge: Things with Wings

A Spoon Full of Sugar: Things with Wings

Stamp Something Challenge: Something Sentimental

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

ABC Christmas Challenge J: Joy Fold Card

Hello stamping friends!! 

I hope you are having a wonderful week so far! Ryan got sick Monday night so he had to stay home yesterday and I feel something going on (hoping it's not my husband's strep from last week)!! 

This weekend my husband is hosting his annual "guys weekend" with 3 of his old college buddies. So I will technically be a "single mom" this weekend! Hopefully I won't loose my mind by Sunday!! Ryan has a Tball game on Saturday so we can't go out of town like we did the last time he hosted the guys weekend. But that was 4 years ago and the kids weren't in school full time so it was a lot easier to leave the guys to their fun!!

Anyway, we have some fun planned this weekend for us, too (if we are all well)!!

Well, it's time for a new ABC Christmas Challenge.

This week's challenge is: J is for Joyfold

Now, I have never made Joyfold card so it was a fun challenge for me...

I used the adorable Musing Melinda from Whiff of Joy. Now, this isn't a "Christmas" stamp, but I think any angel can be used for a Christmas Card. I like using "non-traditional" stamps for purposes other than their original intent. It think it really shows the versatility of images for those who many not be able to afford every stamp their want - use your stamps in a new and different way!!

The papers are Kaisercraft Christmas Carnival.

I added the tree charm to help close the card...

And here is the inside... 

Now it's your turn!!

Make sure to check out the rest of the Design Team cards as well!

This card is also for

Lollipop Crafts: More than one fold

Christmas Card Challenge: Non-Traditional Challenge

Stamp and Create Challenge: Charms

Flutterby Wednesday: Open Challenge (must use a butterfly, angel, or fairy).

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

ABC Christmas Challenge G: is for Girly (plus color challenge)

Hello again!! 

It felt so great yesterday to pull out my supplies and create a new card!! Although, I'm not totally happy with the outcome...at least I got one done!! It was over 3 weeks with no stamping - the longest I've gone without stamping since I started stamping years ago!!

It's time for a new ABC Christmas Challenge!

I skipped the late one because of my move so we are now on:

G is for "Girly" plus a color combo...

**Remember, this IS a Christmas Challenge - so even though the challenge is "Girly", it needs to be a pink, silver, and purple CHRISTMAS card**!!

We are sponsored this challenge by...

 
For my card, I used a Whiff of Joy image I've been wanting to use for a long time...

This is Willow with Santa's Stocking. Emma doesn't have this WOJ image in her store yet, but she does have the new release stamps! 

The papers are from my stash - a sparkly DP from DCWV (I think). 

I also added one of the Corners from Tim Holtz that I just added to the store.

The sketch is from Sketch Saturday this week.

Here's a closer shot so you can see the shimmer from the cardstock...

Now it's your turn!! The challenge is open for 2 weeks.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

ABC Christmas Challenge DT - Q; with Henry Mouse

Hello stamping friends!! It was a gloomy and rainy day for me yesterday. I don't know that the sun peeked it's head out at all! But I had a wonderful playdate with a neighbor and her kids. Less than 2 weeks and the kids go back to school, so it was nice to get to catch up with a friend since we have had a different schedule all summer long.

But I woke up with a major kink in my neck. So it made it really hard to do any work at well! Hopefully it will be gone by the time you read this post.

Well, it's time for another ABC Christmas challenge. I love that some of the stamp companies are already starting to work towards Christmas. I am always late in sending out my Christmas cards, but this year...I plan to be on time!! That's what I love about these challenges! No need to really think or plan...just follow along with the challenge!

We are now on Q - Q is for Quick and Easy!!

Let's see some simple cards!! What's even better, the extra challenge is:

Make more than one card using this sketch...

So instead of just getting one card out of the way, why not make a few?!

We are being sponsored by ME!!

 
Here's my card...

This is the adorable Angel Henry from Whiff of joy. He was very easy to color up. Only 2 browns, a little pink for the cheeks and tummy, and some neutral for the wings and tail...oh and a little yellow for his halo. Both images took me less than 15 minutes to color combined!!

I decided to make 2 cards using the sketch. You don't have to make them both the same card, but it did make it easier for making more than one...

The DP is from Kaisercraft called Tis the Season (and it may be my new favorite Christmas paper)!!. To finish the card, I add  a stamped image from PTI, some Rhinestones, and Star Dust Stickles.

Now it's your turn! Let's see those Quick and Easy cards!!

Make sure to check out the challenge post to see the rest of the awesome DT cards!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

WOJ Product Spotlight at Stamp and Create

Happy Monday! At least I hope it's happy for you! We had the sickies a little over the weekend so my stomach is not feeling that great. Hopefully it will pass quickly. Ansley was sick this weekend with stomach, stuffy nose, sore throat and a lowgrade fever. Her doctor's office is open 7 days a week so I was able to bring her in. She has an ear infection. But now she's on antibiotics so hopefully she will be better soon.

Today is a new Product Spotlight at Stamp and Create. For the next 2 weeks, Whiff of Joy stamps will be on sale 25% off with the new release Get Well Collection and Aladin Store Kit on sale for 10% off. I usually do not put the newest release on sale, but I couldn't resist!!

This card also qualifies for the Stamp and Create May Challenge: Ribbon or Fibers. Come play along (you can use any stamp as long as it is available at Stamp and Create).

Today I am using one of the stamps illustrated by Elizabeth Bell...

This is Dancing Willow. I am so glad I finally had the chance to ink it up! I LOVE this stamp. She looks like she is having a blast!! I paired her with the "Recital" clear stamp from Prima Marketing to create the music note sheet. I love being able to create my own "sheet music" using a stamp!! I inked it with Soft Suede ink from SU, sponged around the edges with Chocolate Chip ink, and distressed it with more ink, crumbling it, and roughing up the edges.

The DP is Devonshire DP by Kaiser Craft...

The orange swirl on the top layer and the orange letters on the bottom layer are actually "foil" and very shimmery in real life. The picture above shows the swirl reflecting the light. 

Willow was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinnkling H2Os...

 I added Liquid Pearls to her necklace.

For the final touch, I added some lace ribbon with a bow made from the Bow Easy and a mini rose.

The sketch is from the Whiff of Joy Challenge.

Make sure to check out the Stamp and Create.com Blog for more samples from the design team. 

I will be back at 10:00pm tonight with another card using of the new CC Designs May release stamps!! The new release stamps are in stock and will be available at 10:00pm.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey
 

ABC Christmas Challenge DT - E is for Elf - Sponsored by Me

Happy "hump day"!! It's Wednesday so that means the week is already halfway over!! Oh my, I still have quite a few projects I still need to make before this weekend!

But I have a lovely Christmas card to share with you today!

It's time for the ABC Christmas Challenge - my first "official" card!

The challenge is now on the letter "E" and the challenge is:

"Elf with extra: Red and Green" - however we are accepting "gnomes" as a substitute for elfs.

My store Stamp and Create is sponsoring this challenge! One lucky participant will win a Whiff of Joy Wee in Stocking Stamp...perfect to get you started on your Christmas Cards.

Here is my card...

I am just about out of stock of these adorable Gnomes by Whiff of Joy. I will be getting some more in at some point. But in the mean time, I still carry a wide variety of stamps that can be used for Christmas cards in the Christmas category in the store.

The papers are Basic Grey, one of my new 5" Paper Doily (inked the edges for a little distressing), some Black Silk Ribbon made with the Bow Easy, Stocking Charm, and some new Headpins.

Wee with Tree was embossed in black onto watercolor paper and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

I cut out the image with the Nestabilities Labels Four then stamped around the image with one of the Christmas Swirls. Last I added a bunch of Rhinestones from my stash onto the tree.

Here's a closer view of the Bow, headpins, and charm...

Now it's your turn. Let's see your best elf or gnome...add a little red and green...and link your card to Mr. Linky for a chance to win the prize.

If you are in need of some Christmas stamps, come take a look at my store Stamp and Create.

If you haven't already, make sure you go check out the DT amazing cards as well and go check out the top 3 from "D"!

Also, don't forget about my card drive here. And make sure to check the Store Blog for the next Weekly Wednesday Blog Candy.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Stamp and Create update and Sale!!

I had an issue with my website Stamp and Create this weekend, but everything has been fixed and we are back online.

This weekend was a new release for Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!! This month, Kimmie has some new Moonlight Whispers designed by Annie Rodrigue...

Some new Crissy's Cuties designed by Crissy Armstrong...

Two half-sheet sentiments and the premier of her newest artist Jean Grant

Also, I have finally received my order of Whiff of Joy Gnomes designed by Norma Fickel...

All pre-orders of the Whiff of Joy stamps were shipped this morning.

Starting Tuesday, December 1st, there will be a huge sale on all Christmas products!!

I will not restock any of the Christmas products, so this will be first come first serve basis!! So grab them while you can!!

Once again, thank you all so much for being such wonderful customers!!

Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Two Challenges/Two cards

I have 2 cards to share today for a few different challenges. Like I said earlier...I was busy this weekend!

The first card is for the Whiff of Joy Challenge (a sketch) and Our Creative Corner (a photo inspiration). I also used Camilla's Vintage tutorial on the Whiff of Joy Inspiration blog when creating this card. Here's the inspriation photo...

The image is from Whiff of Joy Fall kit called Fall Willow holding Baby Turkey...

I flipped the sketch. I used SU Soft Suede as my card base with a Creamy Caramel mat. I don't remember who made the DP (I bought it on the single sheet section at Michaels).

For the script background, I stamped one of the sentiments from the kit randomly. It says "The season of friendship last forever". I crumbled the paper, added ink to distress it, then sewed it onto my card. I added the Fall Corner from the fall kit in the corner under the primas.

The tag, ribbon, charm, and spacers are available in my store Stamp and Create. Although I do not have this Whiff of Joy image, I do have the new Gnomes on pre-order.

Willow is embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. If you haven't seen Katharina's tutorial on coloring with H2O's, check it out!!...it's basically the same way I color (although not in fast forward like her video hehe).

For my 2nd card today, I have another "Simply Vintage" card inspired by the Simple Card Tutorial by Kristine on the Wags 'n Whiskers blog and by Camilla's Vintage tutorial again. It's also for the color challenge on SCS this week CC244 (Very, Bravo, Kraft). I don't have the exact colors...but similar...

 

Once again, I embossed the image (Zoe and Gemma's Snow Fun by Wags 'n Whiskers) in silver without coloring...diecut with SU Top Note die. I used Basic Grey Wassail DP, a doily, a punched snowflake, star flower spacer, a brad, and inked/distressed edges. This card took me about 10 minutes to make!

Here's another angle (with less glare on the silver embossing)...

And a close up of the image...

Here's my other simply vintage card I made without coloring if you missed it yesterday.

I seriously love how quick this card was to make!! And I love the look so much! If I end up running out of time to make the rest of my Christmas cards, I think this is going to be my "quick and simple" design to finish them up!

Whew...I am tired from all of that!! I hope you liked my designs. Let me know what you think!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Recycled materials

This is going to be a quick post today. I have been doing a million things and I am on my way out to the allergist. They want to do the "prick test" to see what I am allergic to now (it's been about 8 years since they tested me last). So this whole week I have been off my allergy meds and let me tell you...I ITCH EVERYWHERE!! Apparently side affect of getting off Zyrtec!

Anyway, I only have a few minutes before I have to pick Ansley up at the bus stop and head over to the doctors.

Remember this project? Well, after the count down was over, I didn't want to throw it out...and I really didn't need to keep it since all of the boxes has been checked off. So I decided to reuse some of the materials and make this....

I removed the image and the ribbon from the count down calender, stamped the same design onto an A2 card, inked around the edges, added a strip of Bermuda Bay and some DP left on my desk from this card, and added some of the ribbon. Easy Peasy...this card took me only 5 minutes to make since the design and image was already done!

That's it for today!! I have to run.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Countdown to Ansley's 7th Birthday!

This morning Ansley asked for a piece of paper. She started drawing boxes and numbering them. I asked her what she was doing. She said that Daddy told her that there were 25 days until her birthday so she was making a calender so she could countdown the days!!

I thought this was a great idea...so I decided to make her one "my" way!!

After choosing my stamp, I figured I would make the project to fit the Whiff of Joy Challenge #43 - Pink and Brown color challenge...

Click on the pictures for a larger view...

This measures 8 1/2" x 11"

What do you think? I started by creating a "calender" in Excel. I printed it onto Papertrey Ink Stampers Select White since it's a nice and heavy white CS. I stamped the numbers (retired SU set - Best Friend Numbers) in SU Melon Mambo. I stamped a party hat from High Hopes Rubber stamps randomly around the Melon Mambo CS in MM ink. I inked up the edges of everything in Chocolate Chip.

I punched the bottom of the calender with the SU Eyelet Border Punch (by the way, most Martha Stewert border punches will not punch through PTI white since it is so thick). I added some Making Memories brown "ribbon".

For the image, I used the new Bruno with Cupcake. I embossed him in black and watercolored him with Twinkling H2Os. Then I cut and embossed him with oval nestabilities.

We are actually planning a surprise birthday party for her back in North Florida the Saturday before her birthday. She doesn't know many girls here and she really wanted a party at a kids glamour boutique called Sweet n Sassy. Since it will be a holiday weekend, it would be a good time to go back home and visit friends!

So this week, I will be working on a few things for the party. But I also have a ton of "fun" stuff to do with the kids since this is their last week home from school!!

Oh, don't forget my blog candy here!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Challenge #42 - a sketch

I have a special project today. School is right around the corner so it's time to start getting all of the needed school supplies, new clothes, getting the kids back on a normal bedtime schedule, etc...

This year Ansley needed a Composition Notebook. I love how Joy and Michelle alters their daughter's notebooks so I thought I would give it a try.

I pulled out my stamps and let Ansley choose an image. She chose one of the Whiff of Joy Angels so I decided to see if I could use this week's Whiff of Joy Challenge sketch for the layout...

 

It may be stretching it a little. In order to balance the colors, I needed to move the horizontal strip up a little. And I had to have more flowers in the bottom right corner vs the top left.

All of the papers used are from My Mind's Eye Bloom and Grow collection. It is one of my favorite packs of paper!

I had to make all of the embellishments flat so they won't snag on anything. Now, I am pretty sure Joy covers her notebooks with contact paper or something, but I used the ribbon and I don't think I can cover it! Hopefully Ansley won't destroy it too much! I may still try to cover it cutting around the ribbon...we'll see. But everything is glued down tight!

The image is Confirmand Melinda. It is embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

Sorry, this picture turned out a little blurry.

Here are a few more shots of the notebook..

The back (above)

The inside.

This was fun to make! And it really didn't take that much time. Ansley needed 2 notebooks so I am going to decorate her other one as well.

Don't forget about my blog candy here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Challenge #41

It feels so good to stamp again!! The house is mostly put together. In fact, we had our first out of town visiters yesterday. Scott's brother and nephew stopped by on a layover to a baseball tournament.

The kids are really enjoying the pool. They want to be in it constantly! As long as the weather is nice, I let them go in the pool at least twice a day!! Unfortunately, that means I have to either go in the pool with them or sit outside to watch them. They can swim, but I would never let them in the pool on their own!

However, I have figured out how I can make that work for me....I bring an image outside to color! That way I can stamp AND watch them at the same time!!

So here is my first image that I colored while the kids were playing in the pool...

This is for the Whiff of Joy Challenge #41 - Flowers...so I added a bunch of paper flowers. The image is Willow with Cookies. The sketch is an awesome one for Amy R's Sketch Challenge this week.

Did you see the new preview on the Whiff of Joy Website?! Well here it is...

I can't wait to get my kit!

Speaking of new stamps...I just received my order with some of the new Party Animals designed by Alison Action from the latest release!! I can't wait to ink them up!! Maybe later...

I have to drive our company to the airport today. I am hoping to be able to stamp this afternoon. In the mean time, I wanted to share that...

I HIT 100,000 hits!!!

I will have blog candy VERY soon!! I need to stop at the store first!!

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Challenge #38 - a Sketch

It's been awhile since I have been able to play along with the Whiff of Joy Challenges. When I saw Katharina's sketch this week, I knew I had to play along!!

I pulled out one of the images from the Summer Stamp Kit designed by Elizabeth Bell...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

I used Willow Dreamy with Flowers for my image embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. The DP is all from a retired SU pack, except the red gingham DP which is DCWV. The cherry ribbon is from a local store. The charm, pearl brad, and spacers are from Hobby House. I also used some primas and a fiscars apron border punch.

Here is the sketch I used...

 

And here is a closer look at Willow...

Have you seen the news at Whiff of Joy? Here's a sneak peek at the new Fall Stamp Kit!!

Preorders will begin on July 17th - Aug 7th and will ship on Aug 21st. If you purchase the kit, it will be a savings around $40 US compared with buying each individual stamp separately!! That's an awesome deal! Don't miss out!

I am making this short today. We have so much to do before our move next week. Not packing, though...the movers will do all of that!! No, I mean visting with friends before we move :-( I have chosen not to say good bye to anyone....apparently I am in denial!! But the day will come...all too soon...and I will have to say goodbye to some really great friends.

Today Ansley is going over to her teacher's house to bake cookies!! Mrs. Scheff likes to play "chef" with the kids so she wanted Ansley and her friend Ashleigh to come over for a bit. I am currently making Scripture pop-up balls for Mrs. Scheff's daughter's wedding!! I will have pictures of those soon...but I am still working on them. I hope to have them done before we move so I don't have to ship them to her. It's only 20, so it's not THAT hard to do! I think they are coming out really well.

Anyway, that's it for now. Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Upsy Daisy - High Hopes Challenge time

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge!! This week is brought to us by the very talented, very funny...Miss Sweet Daisy aka Anna Wight!! Her challenge is called Upsy Daisy...use some Daisys in your card.

For my card, I wanted to use one of the new images...

This is Andrea's Kitties...isn't she so adorable? (I say that for every High Hopes Stamps, don't I?!) The sentiment is actually from Whiff of Joy. Did you know the owner of Whiff of Joy, Katharina, is a High Hopes Design Diva?!

The DP is a K&Company Small Wonders - Girl pack that I've had for ages (I bought 2 packs when I was making the Baby Scrapbook for my husband's coworker). I added some Daisy primas with some SU Cordouroy Brads, and the charm is from JoAnns.

I embossed Andrea in Black and watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os...

Look how sweet she is!! I just want to pinch her cheaks :-)

The sketch is from Amy R Amyrs71 (haven't done one of hers in a long time...

 

I carried the papers and part of the layout to the inside...

However I realized after taking this picture that I forgot to add the white Oval for writing....I will fix that before I give it to someone. I was late getting this card finished. As we were working on the house yesterday, we got a call from the Realtor asking to show the house to two people...which required us to leave for 2 1/2 hours!! That wasn't in my stamping plans!!! Now, let me explain...we didn't sell the house in time to close on our new house so we had to accept the Corporate Buy-Out option that was included in my husband's relocation package. We are soooo grateful to have that option because houses are not moving in our neighborhood. It is full of Military families so many of our neighbors have been transferred to new bases so we have a TON of houses on the market right now. But getting back to our house...as far as we are concerned, the house is no longer ours...it belongs to his company. We still have to show the house if they want until we move. But what a major inconvenience when we have so much to do before the move!! Not much longer now...we are planning to move the week of July 20th...that's a week from tomorrow!!!

Back to the card...I received the personlized stamp that I ordered from Bunny Zoe's Crafts so I used it on the back of my card...

I think it's crooked! Anyway, I really think it's cute. I used to use a clear label on the backs of my cards with my phone number and blog address, so I am happy that I have something that can be stamped instead.

Oh, if you missed my post yesterday, you may have missed the announcement that the High Hopes release is now on the website!!! Yeah!! What do you think of all of the new images? Are you ready to get started on your Christmas cards yet?

High Hopes will be making an announcement in the coming weeks...so stay tuned for that along with a Blog Hop with Blog Candy that I mentioned before!!! I just may have some blog candy before that...I am fast approaching 100,000 hits!!

Anyway, speaking of free stamps...if you would like to play along with the challenge this week...create a card using a High Hopes image, add some daisys somewhere on the card, and upload it to the challenge post to be entered into the drawing to win the stamps Anna used on her card!

And if you upload your card to SCS, use keyword HHC39.

Thanks for stopping by today!!  Happy Sunday...and Happy Stamping!!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy July Project of the Month

The first of the Month means that it's time for another Whiff of Joy Project of the month! This month's project is "Teacher's Gift"....create a gift for a teacher using the wonderful Whiff of Joy Stamps!

I hate to say that I didn't have much time to make my project. I was supposed to go down to Coral Springs to close on our new house on Friday. But after some errors on the bank's part, we had to move the closing to monday AND we almost didn't get it done on Monday!! I am just so glad that we finally got it done...we now have 2 houses!! Yikes....technically my husband's company owns our "old" home and we plan to move into the new house in the next few weeks.

Anyway, that was just to explain that I didn't get home from our trip until 3pm today...which only left me a few hours to get my project done! Good thing I had 5 hours to plan it out in my head on the drive home! :-)

So here it is...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

One of the popular things that our teachers like are Bath and Body Works lotions and shower gels. For my gift, I included one of the new White Citrus (very light lemon scent...I LOVE it) lotion and shower gel set in this handmade gift bag.

The bag measures 7" tall, 5" wide, and 3" deep.

Would you like to learn how to make it? I will try to make up a tutorial to share really soon!

In the mean time, I used a fiscars punch for the top border, heart charm, pearl brads and spacer from Hobby House in the UK. The image is Willow in the Summer Breeze from the recently released Summer Kit. I embossed Willow in black, then watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os. The sentiment is also from the Summer Kit.

Here's a close up of the front...

I will make up a tutorial with both a lid (to make it a box) or use the handles (as shown in this project).

Have you seen the wonderful news on Katharina's blog? She is hosting a Call for 15 Guest Designers to participate with their 1st Anniversary Blog Hop which will take place on July 25th. In order to enter the GDT call, you need to create a card using the sketch on her post and upload it by Wednesday, July 8th (her time). Check her blog for more information.

I hope you will participate with the GDT call!! If not, make sure to mark your calenders for the July 25th Anniversary Blog Hop which will end with a release party over at Paper Craft Planet!!

Well, I have a ton of things to do to unpack from our trip this weekend and REPACK for our trip to Daytona Beach this weekend?! Hopefully, I will be able to post some pictures of my new home :-)

Edited to add...Here is the Tutorial.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Challenge #35 - Paper Piecing

I love the challenge this week over at the Whiff of Joy blog! Paper Piecing! I don't know why, but I don't do this often, so I was happy to be able to participate this week.

I wanted to use one of the new Womens Delight stamps, but honestly...I only have a handful of friends who are pregnant and no one who is getting married (I am "too old" to have friends that still need to get married)!!

So, instead of a card, I made a scrapbook layout using some pictures of my 6 year old when she was only 6 months old. My mom took these pictures...

Click on the pictures for a larger view...

I love these pictures! My mom went through 3 ROLLS of film...yes, this is before digital cameras had taken over. I am so glad that my step father had these developed on disk as well so that I could edit, crop, and print the pictures to my hearts content.

I used a layout from the the June edition of Creating Keepsakes magazine (page 24 "A Father's Love" by Suzy Plantamura") as the starting point for the layout. I didn't follow it exactly, but did like the basic layout and the stiching around the circle.

The Whiff of Joy image is Willow with Toddler from the Women's Delight release. I paper pieced some SU Bella Birds DP for her dress. The pink/brown DP for the page is also from Bella Birds. The brown piece behind the pictures at the bottom is SU Bella Rose DP.

Here's a close up of Willow...

 
The title was created using SU chipboard that I ran through the Big Shot using Sizzix Serif Essentials and Cuttlebug Red Tag Sale alphabet dies. The first letters were altered with DP and the other letters were left plain with just a little ink for a distressed look.

I used the same layout on the other side, but flipped the location of the circle...

I kept the embellishments simple since I wanted so to include so many pictures.

The journalling was done on the computer and cut out with the SU Top Note die.

It says...

Since you were a little one,

you loved to hear me sing this song at bed time.

Ansley, you are my little baby girl...

no matter how big you get!

My little Princess. My little Angel.

A gift from Heaven above!

"Rest you head close to my heart...

Never to part...Baby of Mine".

This song is from Disney's Dumbo in the scene where Dumbo gets to visit his mother and she swings him in her trunk. It was on a Disney lullaby CD that I used to play Ansley at bedtime when she was an infant. I learned the lyrics and still sing this song (along with Jesus Love Me) to the kids every night at bedtime.

The tag by the top picture says "Ansley 6 months old - March 2003". It was also printed on the computer and die cut with the 2nd smallest Nestability Label 1 die.

Here are some other pictures of the photos...

This was fun to create. I really love making scrapbook pages...I don't know why I don't do it more often.

Anyway, we are off to a "goodbye play date" for the kids. Another family in our neighborhood is also moving, so our friend is hosting a playdate for the kids to say goodbye! We will still be here for another few weeks, but we will be back and forth, so we won't get to see much of anyone before we move.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~lacey

Edited - Whiff of Joy Women's Delight Blog Candy!!

This candy is now closed!! See this postfor the winner.

The release is now available...so check out the Whiff of Joy websiteto place your order!!

I was so excited to receive an extra stamp in my DT pack when the received the new Whiff of Joy Women's Delight stamps!! Since I already had some blog candy running, I wanted to wait to make this candy special...just for those Whiff of Joy lovers out there!!

I have the Willow Bride as seen in this card...

In addition, I have thrown in a few extra goodies...

~ Assorted Charms and Spacers

~ Primas

In order to be entered into this candy, please spread the word for the Women's Delight release on June 14th on your blog. You can use this icon here...

Make sure to link it to the Whiff of Joy website.

Of course, feel free to tell them about my candy as well!!

Oh, and answer this question... What is your favorite image from the upcoming release? You can check out the WOJ DT blogs listed in my sidebar if you want to check out all of the images from this release (I haven't had a chance to ink up all of the images yet).

This candy is now closed!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Women of Delight Sneak Peek 3

I would like to say WELCOME to all of my new subscribers!! Thank you so much for entering my blog candy and leaving such wonderful comments. I hope you continue to come back to see what I create!! I love reading your comments...they help keep me going and wanting to create more cards!

Here is another card I made with one of the new Whiff of Joy Women of Delight stamps that will be released on June 14th!! This release is so beautiful! If you are visiting me from the Whiff of Joy site or other DT blogs, then you have probably seen most (if not all) of the stamps in this release. If you are a "regular" or came to my blog for the blog candy...then make sure to check out all of the DT cards (link in my sidebar)...because this release is AMAZING!!!

I decided to use the Whiff of Joy Sketch Challenge this week for my card. It is a wonderful sketch by the VERY talented Bev (I just LOVE her work)!!

Here is my card...

I used one of the Willow with Baby stamps (there are 2 with a baby and 1 pregnant Willow which I previewed here). Since I made the pregnant Willow for a boy, I decided to make this one for a girl.

I used some SU Bella Bird DP for the background. The other two layers are stamped...Gingham from CHF and En Francais from SU...both stamped in Pink Pirouette onto Whisper White. All layers were inked up with Chocolate Chip.

I added some primas, with some pearl brads and angel charm.

Willow was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os.

I left the inside plain, with just the DP background. Both the sentiments on the front and inside are both from this release.

Ansley has a sleep over tonight!! The plan is to make pizza (our grocery store sells pre-made pizza dough) and cookies. I am sure the girls will play and we may even make a card!

Don't forget that tonight is the last day to enter my blog candy here. However, I will have more candy starting tomorrow with one of the new WOJ Womens Delight images!! So make sure to check back!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Sneak Peeks have begun!!

Unfortunately, I don't have my stamps yet! Maybe today. I already have a card ready...just waiting for the image!

I am around 6 hours behind most of the Whiff of Joy DT, so many of them already have 2 cards up! Go check them out...links are in my sidebar.

These stamps will be available on June 14th.

Also, a few of DT have blog candy with the new stamps!! Go check it out!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #33

Wow! This past week just flew by! I can't believe it's already Saturday. I wanted to play along with the Whiff of Joy Challenge this week. I actually already had this card finished, but didn't have time to upload it until now. This week's Challenge is to use Charms on your card...Yeah!!! I can do that!!

Remember these ? I made these covers for the teacher's recipe book. I mentioned that I goofed up and embossed the images...which won't hold up in a heat laminator (the embossing will melt and smear). I ended up making another set the next day. I brought those into school and swapped them out. Apparently the embossed ones would have worked because she was using the self-adhesive laminating...not heat laminating. Oh well, I swapped them out anyway because I knew I could reuse them for cards and I would prefer the embossed images over the stamped images. It's amazing how much dimension the embossing gives in real life. If you haven't tried it yet, you should!

On to my card...

This is one of the salvaged recipe covers. It started out like this...

I cut it to 5" so that it would fit on a card front. I would have preferred the cherry DP to extend the width of the card, but as you can see..this was already done with a different layout so I was trying to salvage my work.

I used Willow with Strawberrybasket...I just love her :-) Her dress was so fun to color and I really love this color combo. Not one I would have chosen without the designer paper as the inspiration.

So I have a question...what do you do first? Do you color the image, then choose papers that go with it...or do you choose the papers first?

My thought process is:

1. Determine the challenge or reason for creating the card

2. Choose the image that works with that challenge or event

3. Choose papers that go with the image or challenge

4. Color the image.

Most of the time I actually have everything picked out...including embellishments BEFORE I start to color the image. This way I know I have everything I need for a card before coloring...just in case I need to switch out papers or embellishments.

Back to the card. Here is the inside...

Here is a close up of Willow...

I have heard that most of the Whiff of Joy DT have received their new release stamps from Elizabeth Bell. I haven't gotten mine yet, but I still have today's mail...so I am crossing my fingers!! The sneek peeks will begin on Monday. So make sure to check out the DT blogs (listed in my sidebar). You can also see one sneek peek from Katharina on her blog...WOW!

Don't forget about my blog candy here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Exciting Whiff of Joy News!!

As if the Summer Kit release wasn't exciting enough just a few short weeks ago...Whiff of Joy has ANOTHER release just around the corner!!

This is from Katharina's Blog...

 

I promised you the facts and a preview of the fantastic new Whiff of Joy release. Elisabeth Bell has outdone herself and came up with her best and most heartwarming images ever!

Women's Delight - a phenomenal Wedding and Baby Collection will hit the on June 14th. The Design Team's preview week will start on Monday, June 8th.

The collection consists of 7 character stamps (Willow and Oakley), 4 Accessory stamps, 2 sentiments collections in english and 2 sentiments collections in german (now you might understand why I have been so busy lately ;)

We will also be celebrating a huge release party on the Whiff of Joy Papercraft Planet group, stay tuned for all the details.

Oh my goodness!! I am just so excited! Isn't this sneak peek just amazing? I can't wait to see the whole thing!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy June Project of the Month

June brings along a few things...Summer Break, Hot Days and Begining of Hurricane Season here in Florida...and Father's Day! So this month's Whiff of Joy Project of the Month is to create a Father's Day gift. Since I'm currently a guest designer, I get to play along, too!! :-)

I knew exactly what I wanted to do...actually, I did have to think about it a little. I mean, what do you get a "guy"? My hubby is actually one of the hardest men to buy for. If he wants something, he gets it for himself. Which leaves little for me to "surprise" him for holidays.

But after thinking about this new Whiff of Joy stamp, this idea came into my head...

I altered a PTI "Egg Box" with some MME Bella Bella DP, sponging around the edges to turn the white box brown. I embossed Oakley with Wooden Sign plus Sentiment (I used a rub on for the sentiment on this image) in black and watercolored him using Twinkling H2Os. It's he so adorable?

On the inside, I have a little surprise...

Instead of filling the egg box with eggs, I used it to hold golf balls!! I lined the insert with green felt and cut wholes to hold the golf balls...

Let's clarify that...the holes are already in the PTI box insert, I just cut the holes in the felt using the insert as a template.

I think this gift will brighten any golfer's day...not just for Father's Day.

I had a really fun time making this gift. Make sure you check out all of the awesome projects the other designers made this month!

On a Blog Candy note...I am getting together some awesome stuff for my blog candy. Tuesday is Ansley's last day of school, so I have Wednesday planned to get everything together to photograph and post...if I don't get it finished tomorrow! So, maybe a little earlier! Sorry it's taking me so long....I'm already past 80,000 hits...I am so behind!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Recipe Book Cover

As an end of year gift for Ansley's teachers, one of the mom's wanted to create a recipe book. She sent me the large index cards (8"x5") and I stamped assorted dessert images on top left corner of each card. Then she sent these home with each student so they can fill out their favorite recipe. I didn't take a picture of the cards...oops.

She also asked me to create a cover for the recipe books. She is going to laminate each recipe card and the cover and bind them for a cute little book!

Since the recipe book is supposed to be our favorite dessert recipies, I thought Willow with Cookies would be a fitting image for one of the covers! I just think she is so adorable (as is all of the other images, but this one reminds me so much of my daughter Ansley).

I embossed the image...did I say I embossed the image?! Yes, I did...I always emboss the image for my cards...but guess what?...the embossing melts in a laminator!! I realized this as midnight last night when I finished them...are you kidding me? I sent them in anyway with another embossed image so she can "test" it in the lamintor before running these through. Maybe it won't be so bad. But I also have to go back to school at 11:30 for a field trip. So I left a note saying if she could wait until then, I would redo them with "stamped" images instead. So, I did redo them so hopefully she can wait until I get there!

The red gingham paper is from DCWV and the other papers are a retired SU set which is perfect for the Summer Stamp Kit images. Speaking of which...

I used Willow with Strawberry Basket for the other cover. I just love this release. Each of the images have the fun fruit-themed clothes which is just perfect for summer images!!

The swirls in the corners are actually from a SU Sale-A-Bration set called Yummy that I cut up. It was attached to a sentiment that said "a little something for you". I knew I would get more use of the swirl if it was separated. So, instead, I mounted the sentiment on the backside of another wood block so I can still use it in the future.

The sentiment in the upper right hand corner is also from the Yummy SU set...

I had to keep everything kind of "flat" with no additional embellishments so it would run through the laminator.

I am hoping that I can catch her before she laminates the embossed images to swap them with the stamped ones I made this morning. I think I can salvage these to be turned into cards.

Anyway, I have to go back to school this morning for a "surprise" field trip. Tomorrow is their last day of school so the 1st grade class is going to an icecream shop to "make your own sundae"!! Ryan's teacher (my friend Paula) has offered to watch Ryan for me since siblings can't come on field trips.

I will leave you with close ups of the Willow images...

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Blog Challenge #31 - a Sketch

I wanted to play along with the Whiff of Joy Challenge #31 which is an awesome sketch by Heather...

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

Here is my card...

I have to say that is may be my favorite card I have made!! I seem to be on a Yellow and chocolate (or pink and chocolate or blue and chocolate) kick lately!

This adorable image is Willow in the Summer Breeze from the new Whiff of Joy Summer Kit (single stamps are NOW available)!! I just love the look on her face!! Doesn't she just look like she is enjoying the warm air and smell of summer!!

I used Chocolate Chip as my card base and some yummy SU Bella Birds DP which I just got last week...I Love it!

Here is a different angle of the card...with is opened...

I saw this take on the sketch on Camilla's blog and I just love it!

I added some more DP on the inside of the card and added a white layer for writing.

I kept the rest of the inside simple so it would show when you closed the card.

Here's a close up of Willow...

I forgot to mention that I embossed Willow in black embossing powder and watercolored her with Twinkling H2Os.

Speaking of Twinkling H2Os...I received an email from Lumiarte saying that due to the amount of business they have received lately, they will NOT be closing their doors!! (Yeah)!! And that they will continue to offer 40% off retail prices until June 14th!!

For one, that is great news that a business that was suffering during this economy was able to recover. And secondly....go hurry and go place an order with 40% off before the 14th!!!

I am hoping to be able to participate with more of the Stampin' Out Alzheimers challenges! But I also have to finish up some Baby shower stuff by Friday. If you haven't already registered and donated with SOA...make sure you do it right away!! In addition to the challenges that offer drawings, various companies are offering drawings just for leaving comments!! Plus, there are free templates and digi stamps!! Check it out!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Stampin Out Alzheimers Challenge

The Whiff of Joy Challenge is posted on the Stampin' Out Alzheimers forum...the challenge is create a Post-it Notepad Holder (you won't be able to access the link until you register and make a small donation).

Here is my project...

I used Willow Sitting with Floral Wreath from the older Spring Kit since she fit nicer on my size post-it notepad.

I used some Papertrey Ink Polka Pot paper mixed with SU Bella Birds DP and Pink Pirouette CS. I added some primas, jewlery spacers, SU Ice Rhinestones, and ribbon from Making Memories 5th Avenue pack.

I'm not sure where I got the post-it notes...I've had them for awhile.

Here is a close up of Willow...

If you want to participate in the challenge for a chance to win some awesome Whiff of Joy stamps, you need to register and make a little donation. However, once you donate and join, you can participate with all of the other challenges as well more even more chanced to win awesome stuff!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Stampin Out Alzheimers and Whiff of Joy

Today is supposed to be the start of the Stampin Out Alzheimers campaign. You can get more info here...

http://stampinoutalzheimers.ning.com/forum

There are going to be challenges with lots of prizes. Whiff of Joy is one of the sponsors so make sure to look for their challenge!

In the mean time, you need to make a small donation of at least $5 to be able to participate with the challenges (not to mention helping with a great cause)...

Donate here

Also, single stamps from the Whiff of Joy Summer Kit are NOW avaiable for purchase! This kit is just so adorable... I am sure you will want them all.

I hope to have a project uploaded later today. It's been a busy week followed by a busy weekend! Happy Memorial Day for all of my American friends!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Whiff of Joy Summer Kit

I am so excited to share with you my first card I made using the new Whiff of Joy Summer Kit designed Elizabeth Bell. Every stamp in this kit is just gorgeous!!!

Katharina said that some of kits have been received it was safe to share our projects starting today. However, I don't have the names of the stamps yet.

Isn't she just adorable? Each of the main images in the kit are all wearing clothes with a "fruit" theme. This one has cherries. Others have strawberries, lemons, or apples...perfect for the Summer!!

The kit also came with 4 sentiments and a few accessory stamps as well. I used one of the sentiments...

I have to make this post quick so I will just get to the rest of the card...

I carried the design on the inside. This used the Friday Sketcher layout from last week. I couldn't enter into the challenge since we weren't allowed to post until today. But I really liked the layout so I used it anyway.

Here is a close up of Willow...

I used some MME Bella Bella French Flea Market papers that I got from Precious Scraps. Along with the awesome cherry charm, aqua pearl brads and heavy daisy spacers from Hobby House.

I have some other designs to share with you...so make sure to check back soon! I also need to get together my blog candy for hitting 75,000 hits...as of Friday, I was already at 76,000! Unfortunately I am out of town all weekend looking for houses. And this week is the last week of preschool. So I have to work all week. Maybe I should have my blog candy next week and make it an "end of school, moving soon, lots of hit" candy!! LOL

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

Whiff of Joy Challenge #29 - a Sketch

Last post was such a bear to post, so I hope typepad cooperates with me today!

Since I've been so busy this week, I don't think I posted that my Guest Designer spot with Whiff of Joy is in effect for May and June. I know the new Summer Kit will be out shortly...so I can't wait to play with it (and see it...how exciting)!

Today's card is for the Whiff of Joy Blog Challenge #29 - which is a wonderful sketch by Katharina...the great owner of Whiff of Joy (I just love her sketches).

Here is Katharina's sketch...

I used Willow with Flower Basket from the Spring Kit...isn't she just so beautiful?! I used some more MME Grow papers along with a Tempting Turquoise 5 1/4" square card base.

Here is a closer look at Willow...

I have to make this short today. I still have a little to do to finish up the baby shower invitations I have been working on. I gotta get them out today!

Make sure to check out the Whiff of Joy Challenge Blog to see all of the other cards using Katharina's sketch!! The DT is awesome!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey