Hand Stamped By Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge: Lace

Hello stamping friends!!

It's been a crazy week!! My husband was out of town for 3 days - of which the kids had soccer practice. So after dealing with the store, homework, and dinner - I also had to take 2 kids to soccer practice every night then come home to get showers and bedtime routine done! I don't know how single mom's do it! Honestly, I'm pooped!! 

We also have a busy weekend planned. I will probably have to take a nap to keep up with it!! LOL

Ok, so now it's time for a new Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge!

This week's challenge theme is: Lace (real or faux)

(Hehe, every time I type the word Lace, it ends up being "Lacey", then I have to remove the "y" :-) Guess my fingers type faster than the brain thinks!! LOL

You don't need to use a Wags 'n Whiskers image on your card to enter the drawing for the free Wags' n Whiskers stamp. But if you do, you will be entered into a 2nd drawing for a free WnW digi!

If you are in need of some Wags 'n Whiskers stamps, you can find the rubber stamps here and the digis here. 

Speaking of Digis, we will be releasing the Pin-Ups as digis in 2 weeks!

I also want to mention that there is a DT Call over at the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog.

To enter the DT Call, enter this week's challenge and add "DT" by your name.

Make sure to check out the Challenge Blog to see the details of the DT Call.

Here is my card...

Ansley was invited to a birthday party this weekend. So I thought it was time to pull out Ansley's Surprise again! This image is perfect for girls birthdays. But did you know it was designed as a Christmas stamp? It works for both occasions.

I used some My Mind's Eye Life of the Party paper. I just LOVE the colors in this pad!! I also used some pearls, pink wrinkle ribbon, and lace. 

The sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches this week.

The image was embossed in black, watercolored with Twinkling H2Os, then cut out and attached with dimensionals.

Now it's your turn! Let's see your take on the Lace challenge. I love how some of the DT used the "faux lace" option!

This card is also for the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks: Embossing Heat or Dry (I have both)

CCEE Stampers: Pretty in Pink - include Lace/Doily

Cute Card Thursday: Anything Goes

Moving along with the Times: Sparkle (stickles on the wings and headband of the image)

Crafting for All Seasons: Birthday

Magical Monday: Anything Goes

Stamp Something: Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

Build-a-Friend - Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge: Buttons and Bows

Hello stamping friends!

Well, it's been a much crazier week that it was supposed to have been. As I mentioned earlier, Ansley is at Horse Riding Camp this week. The ranch is about 25 min away so it's an almost hour drive round trip to get her there at 8am then again at 2pm to pick her up. So that's almost 2 hours a day just to get her to and from camp. So much for thinking it would be nice to have her in camp this week thinking I would get a lot accomplished! Plus we had eye doctor appointments for me, Ansley, and Ryan on Wednesday and a birthday party last night.

Of course, I had to go hang out yesterday to get some pictures of her riding....

I took most of the pictures on my Canon Rebel with zoom lens. But that camera is not compatible with my computer so I have to use my husband's computer to download them from the camera. That means it takes a little longer to download the pictures since I have to wait until his computer is available. However, I did take a picture using my little camera so that I could something right away. 

On the picture above, Ansley is riding a horse named "Dolly". The blond horse to the left is "Sonic". Ansley and her friend brought their horses over to the gate so Ryan could see them.

He looks thrilled doesn't he?! Can't even put down his DSi game!! LOL Actually that was after he got to pet them...

Ryan loves Mario and Sonic video games so he was excited to me a real "Sonic"! :-)

Ok, now it's time for the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge.

This week we are hosted by Tammy Louise and her challenge is: Buttons and Bows

One random participant will win a free Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamp.

Now you don't need to use a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp on your card to enter the challenge, but if you do, you will be entered into a 2nd drawing for a free WnW Digital Stamp.

For my project today, I decided to make another scrapbook page...

 While we were at Hammock Beach Resort on 4th of July weekend, they had a kids activity called "Build-a-friend". It's the same concept as Build-a-Bear, but on a lesser scale.

The kids picked out an animal, stuffed it, and gave it some love adding a little angel to watch over it. They gave them a "birth certificate" and they got to color a little T-shirt for it. It was a fun activity for them.

The papers are from my stash. Plus I used some Vintage Buttons, White Silk Ribbon, and pearls. The image is Wags 'n Whiskers Best Friends Forever.

The left side... 

The Right Side... 

 

Here's a closeup of the image and the kids with their birth certificate... 

 D

Did you notice that even the image has buttons (on her dress) and a bow (in her hair)! :-)

Now it's your turn!! Let's see your take on the buttons and bows challenge. 

The challenge will be open for 2 weeks.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Birthday Boy - Wags 'n Whiskers

Hello stamping friends!!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend so far! We've had a fun weekend with a friend's birthday party and then "game night" with two other families. But, man, now I'm exhausted. I'm watching the Women's World Cup at the moment, and just praying that the US is able to win!

Since I'm not very goo at doing one thing at a time well, I decided to make my nephew's birthday card while watching the soccer game.

The challenge over at Wags 'n Whiskers is: Birthday. So this is a mid-challenge card...

My nephew is having is birthday party at a go-cart place. So I thought Speed Racer by Wags 'n Whiskers would be a perfect image for his card. I added the fire from High Hopes Dragon's Finger set.

The papers are the new Splash by Echo Park. I also added some Basic Gray buttons, Kaisercraft rhinestones, punched stars, embossing thread, and die cut "6". The sentiment is Buddy's Birthday Sentiment from High Hopes.

 

This card is also for the following challenges:

Birthday Sundaes: Anything Goes (must have a birthday sentiment)

Here Goes the Boys: Sporty (yes, car racing is actually considered a sport!)

Sweet Stampin: One for the Boys

Always something Creative: Yellow and another color

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

Wild Things - Magical Monday Challenge: Textures

Hello Stamping friends!!

Happy Monday to you. Did you do anything special this weekend? My family met up with 2 other families at Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia on Saturday. There were conflicting weather reports between weather.com and the weather app on my iphone (both are supposed to be from the Weather Channel). One said it would be on ok morning with rain in the afternoon and the other one said rain all day. So we took the change and drove an hour and a half to Valdosta and when we arrived, the skies were clear...for about an hour! 

Unfortunately, we wasted about a half hour in line on a ride that broke just as we were getting on. We saw some clouds heading our way so we decided to head to the water park to get some water fun in while we can. Well, after 1 lap in the lazy river, the skies opened up and it started raining. And that started the on again-off again, but mostly on, spell of rain, thunder, and lightning all day!

We did manage to get about 45 in at the water park and ride 2 rides. But that was about it! We were able to get rain checks since it rained most of the day. At least the kids had a blast playing in the rain!! After the thunder stopped, they still hadn't opened the rides so we let the kids play and burn off some energy...

My kids are the two on the left. The other two boys are friends of ours and we had 3 younger girls with us as well. 

Ok, it's time for a new Magical Monday Challenge.

This week's challenge is: Two Textures

Remember you MUST use a Magical Character on your project (Angel, Mermaid, Fairy, or Dragon).

We are being sponsored this challenge by me and Stamp and Create...

Here is my card...

This little cutie is "King of The Wild Things" by Stamping Bella. I fell in love with him as soon as I saw him!! What little boy doesn't like to dress up like a Dragon?!

The papers are Campfire by October Afternoon. I also used a Magical Mini Letter Seals sentiment, and net fibers

The sketch is from the new Pink Ink Sketches.

For my textures, I used a cuttlebug dry embossing folder on one of the layers, net fibers, embroidery thread, and heat embossing on the image...

Now it's your turn! Let's see you Magical creations.

This card is also for the following challenges:

The Crafty Pad: Lots of texture

Pile it on: Favorite Technique (sewing)

A Spoon Full of Sugar: Sewing

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

 

Scrap and Stamp Saturday - Stitching: "A New Tradition"

Hello stamping and scrapping friends!

Yesterday was Ryan's birthday party!! Monday is his actually birthday, but we had his party last night. It was a lot of fun. Pictures (or another layout) will follow soon!! :-)

Today is time for a new Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge. This week's challenge is: Stitching

That can be: faux stitching, add stitched ribbon, hand stitching, machine stitching, etc...

We are sponsored this week by... 

Here's my layout...

This is Ansley's first Pumpkin Patch photo shoot!! Isn't she so sweet?! 

Look at those cheeks!! 

The sketch is from Scrapbook Challenges Sketch 222

The left side...

You should be able to click on the pictures for a larger view.

The photo in the bottom left side was taken by my sister. I love that she took this picture of me taking the picture of Ansley! Of course that was a little thinner version of me :-(

The right side...

For the stamping portion of the challenge, I used Hannah from Wags 'n Whiskers.  

She actually reminds me of Ansley!

Now it's your turn!! Let's see your scrapbook layout using some sort of stitching. Just remember that you must use at least one stamp.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Stamp and Create "Summer" Product Spotlight

Hello stamping friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend!! Unfortunately I had to work...time to submit the 2nd Quarter Florida Sales Tax for the store!! I was up until 1am both nights this weekend trying to get it all done. But that's my fault for always waiting until the last minute!

I am going out of town on Friday to visit my sister for my niece and nephew's birthdays and since I haven't seen her since Christmas. That means I have a LOT of work to do to get ready to be gone for a week. My husband is staying home and he said he will fill the orders for me :-)

Now it's time for the 2nd week of the "Summer" Product Spotlight sale at Stamp and Create! The stamps in the Summer Category will be up to 25% off through Sunday.

Here is my card...
This is Eleanor from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps. I've had this image colored up for about a month!! Just never got around to putting it on a card. Therefore, this card came together easy!

I wanted to show the versatility of the new Basic Grey Oliver 12x12 paper pack. When I saw this background DP, it looked like splashes of water and water bubbles!! So these papers work great for a "girly" card, too! Perfect for the Summer!!

The Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge this week is "Beautiful Bows", so I added some White Grosgrain ribbon, a Basic Grey button, and a bow created with the Bow Easy. To make it fit for the Stamp and Create Stitch challenge, I added some hand sewn stitches (although the stitched button works as well).

Eleanor was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...
Now it's time for me to get back to work!! So many orders to fill today (which I love)!!

Don't forget that the new Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps were released this week...you HAVE to see them!! So adorable and sassy!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey 

Stamp and Create Challenge

Hello stamping friends!! So how was your weekend?! Mine is still going on!! By the time this posts, I should still be at our Beach Resort vacation with our friends! We are leaving this afternoon to come home!

It’s time for another Stamp and Create Challenge!! Head on over to the store blog to check out all of the awesome cards from our DT and a special guest!!

This month’s challenge is: Stiching/Sewing!

That can mean machine sewing, hand sewing, or faux sewing!!

The prize for this challenge is $20 Gift Certificate to Stamp and Create!!

For my card today, I used the sweet and beautiful Fleur Anya from The Greeting Farm…

  

My son knocked my sewing machine off my desk (putting a small dent in our new wood floors) and messing up my machine. I haven’t gotten it fixed or replaced yet, so I decided to do a little hand stitching instead.

There are new rules with this month’s challenge…

We are now accepting ANY stamp for our challenges!! You are also welcome to enter the challenges more than once…but please limit it to only once a week. And please make sure to link it back to the challenge blog. You can grab a challenge banner for your blog from the store blog if you would like!

Don’t forget about the 4ht of July sale!! 10% off anything in the store when you use discount code celebrate at check out. The sale runs through tonight.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!!

~Lacey

ABC Christmas Challenge BLOG HOP!!

 
Hi there Stamping friends!!

It's time for another ABC Christmas Challenge!! But to celebrate the almost half-way mark to the Christmas countdown...we are having a blog hop!!

If you started at here, you may want to start at the top at the ABC Christmas Challenge Blog!! Because...shhh...it's a secret...there is candy along the way!! BUT you won't know where!! In order to enter the drawing for the individual candies, you must:

1. Answer my question by leaving a comment (don't worry, there's no right or wrong answer) and

2. Participate in our challenge!!

What is the challenge? M is for Mistletoe(or flip it to get w is for wine) with bonus...stitching!! That could be machine sewing, hand sewing, or faux or fack sewing.

And guess what?! My store is the sponsor this week!! Therefore, in addition to being entering into the drawing for the individual blog candies (if you leave a comment), if you enter in the challenge, you also have the change to win a $25 gift certificate to Stamp and Create!!

 
  
Now...here's my card...
This cute pair is called Mooshie Steals a Kiss from High Hopes Rubber Stamps (did you hear about the awesome news? No? Make sure to check back later about ANOTHER release from High Hopes on Friday!!). The mistletoe is a separate stamp.

I used some Cosmo Cricket DP, Lace, and embriodery floss. Yes, my sewing is "hand sewing" since my 5 year old son kicked my sewing machine off my desk!! It's not working so great...and it put a nice mark on the wood floors!! Grrrr.

The sketch is from Sketch Saturday.

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

 
So, here is my question...

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

I have to say that I have many favorites. It's really hard to choose. My daughter's first Christmas was awesome! But she was really so young...only 3 months old. Her 2nd Christmas was really wonderful. We spent it with my sister and her family (it was my niece's 1st Christmas that year) and my father was there with us so that was special. Of course, the following year was spectacular since it was my son's first Christmas and my daughter was just getting old enough to be wow'ed by Christmas morning!!

I'm going to really have to think back on the year. But the most memorable Christmas to me was when Ansley was 4 (I think), we went to a live Nativity. They created a scene where you would walk through to see "baby Jesus". I took Ansley with me (Scott stayed home with Ryan) and we walked through. When we got to the "manger", Ansley saw the actors playing Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. She walked under the ropes and gave Joseph a blanket for Jesus!! See when we talk to the kids about Christmas, we try to focus on the true meaning. I asked Ansley, since we celebrate Jesus' birthday at Christmas, what birthday present did she think Baby Jesus would want? She answered "a blanket...babies need blankets". So we went to the store and she picked one out and she went to the Live Nativity really thinking that she was giving Jesus a gift!!

I took video the whole time. And I remember when we got to "Mary and Joseph", I asked if she could give them a gift. I remember my voice cracking because I was already crying!!

Ok...wipe your tears (I just did)...what is YOUR favorite memory of Christmas?! Leave a comment and participate in the challenge for your chance at (maybe *wink*) some candy!!

Oh, and be sure to come back later for the awesome High Hopes announcement AND another sneak peek card later today!!

Your next stop is LOLS!!!

I'm also entering this into:

Bah Humbug: Anything Goes

Winter Wonderland: Traditional Christmas Flower

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge - A Bookmark

It's Sunday...so that means that it's time for another High Hopes Challenge!

Our hostess this week is the awesome Alex! Her challenge...to create a bookmark.

Next week, my son's pre-school is celebrating "Teacher Appreciation Week" so we were asked to bring in a card one day and a "keepsake" another day (along with a brunch item one day, flowers another day, and candy the last day). So, I thought I would turn my "bookmark" into a card. But I haven't decided if this is going to be the "card" gift or the "keepsake" gift.

Here is my bookmark...

I created a tag/bookmark using Sunday's Best. I've had this guy in the store for awhile now, but just realized that I hadn't inked him up myself!!

The sketch is from Friday Sketchers this week.

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

 
I used some Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend and October Afternoon Report Card DP. The image is lined with Kraft CS on the back to make it stronger. I used some Black Brads in the corners along with some Black ruffle ribbon, and Tim Holtz tag.

I used the tag, the corner punch, and the photo tag to hold the bookmark onto the front of the card.

Now it's your turn! We would love to see your bookmark! Just remember that you must use a High Hopes image to be entered into the drawing for the free stamp.

I have some new stamps on their way along with restocks of the rest of the designs. I have added them to the store, but marked them as sold out. But you can see what is on the way...just look for the stamps marked  **New**. As soon as they arrive (which should be this week), I will send out a newsletter.

Today is the last day for the CC Designs sale, so grab them now at the awesome discount of 25% off! And don't forget about the Weekly Wednesday Candy here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday DT - Debossing

Hello stamping friends! I hope you are having a lovely start to your weekend! I stayed up really late last night to watch Avatar...great movie. But I'm in slow motion this morning and I'm late getting this up.

Now it's time for another Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge. This week our hostess Pamela has created a tutorial for our challenge technique...Debossing.

I've seen this techinque before, but have never tried it. Pamela's tutorial is VERY easy to follow...and her layout is awesome, too. So make sure to check it out.

We have a lovely sponsor this week...

GCD studios has provided a great scrapbook pack for one lucky participant to receive.

They also generously provided the DT with some papers from this same pack to use on our layout. I was able to use 2 of them, but I still have a ton left over so I will try to make a card or another layout with them soon. Thank you so much GCD Studios!

Here is my layout including the debossing technique...

 
The left side...

The right side...

The "K" which stands for Kindergarten is debossed. I used clear embossing powder over watercolor paper. Since the paper has a yellowish tint (and I heated it so many time), it gave it this great antiqued look. I also added a little chocolate chip ink around the edges, too.

To bring out the letter better, I added some Shimmerz. As you can see, it beaded off of the outside before it dried for a washed out look. I really like how it turned out!

I also added some punched flowers around the "white space" of the cardstock to use as a masking template and gently sprayed Shimmerz Vibez. This created a custom DP affect!

Here's a close up in the sunlight so you can see the shimmer and the debossing better...

The butterflies and the stamp are from the first Greeting Farm Scrapbook kit called Spotlight. I will make a card using this kit soon, but since TGF is having a scrapbook challenge this week, I thought I would use it on a layout first.

Here's a close up of sweet Anya...

Other supplies used:

Paper: SU Whisper White CS, GCD DP, Watercolor paper

Stamp: SU Well Worn Letters (retired), TGF Spotlight Kit

Embellishments: Lillyput Prima Roses, Prima Mini Roses, Prima flowers, Kaiser Craft Pearls, American Crafts Thickers, Silk Ribbon, shimmerz, Shimmerz Vibez, flower punch, and border punch.

Make sure to check out the tutorial and the DT samples. They are all fantastic!

We would love to have you play along, too! The technique is not hard at all...and I am sure that you have a ton of photos lying around that need to be scrapped!!

Don't forget about my CC Designs sale atStamp and Create this week. And don't forget about my Weekly Wednesday Candy here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey 
   
  

Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge - Sports or Outdoor Activity

Hey there! I hope you had fun on the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog Hop yesterday. If you didn't hop along, there is still time, the blog hop will be open until Monday morning. Go check it out.

In the mean time, it's time for another Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge. And this week my store Stamp and Create is sponsoring the challenge...so you will see a few more of the new Wags 'n Whiskers "Let's Play" Release on some of the DT layouts today.

The prize this week is...

For my layout, I used the new Go for Goal image...

This was professional photo package provided by the soccer organization. Since Daddy was coach, they got a picture of Ryan and Scott as well.

The soccer ball in the background is from Stampin' Up (not sure if it's still active or retired yet). On the white CS, it was stamped in Black. On the Green CS, it was stamped in SU Wild Wasabi so no DP used on this layout. It's hard to tell in the photo, but over the black strip under the photos, there is a strip of Olive Net Ribbon. It adds great texture in real life and almost looks like grass!

I embossed the image in black onto watercolor paper and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os...

I created a tag by cutting off the top corners, then adding a punched circle and Basic Grey Button. Then I added some punched stars and more buttons.

Here is a closer view of the photos...

For the title, I used some American Crafts Thickers Glitter Chipboard Stickers. They are perfect for adding titles...

This is my 3rd layout using the Wags 'n Whiskers Let's Play Release stamps. They really are perfect for scrapbook layouts as well as cards.

To show you the versatility, here is a card I made using this same stamp...Go for Goal...

This is actually the card I created to give to Coach Scott (aka Daddy) from the team for the end of the season game. All of the parents/kids signed the card.

But now you can see just how versatile these stamps really are. I hope you will go check out the blog hop AND come play along with our challenge!!

Just make a layout about an outdoor activity or sport and link it to the Scrap and Stamp Challenge post for a chance to be entered into teh drawing for my prize!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers "Let's Play" Blog Hop and Release!!!

It's release day for Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber stamps!! We are so excited to be able to share another release with you.

If you just happened on my blog...we are in the middle of a Blog Hop. You will probably want to start at the top at the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog so that you don't miss anything. Make sure to leave comments on every stop...because you never know where there may be candy!!

The blog hop (and candy opportunities) will end at 7am EST on Monday morning. So it's not too late to help spread the word about the hop. If you haven't already, make sure to grab the Blog Hop Logo above, post it on your blog, and link it back to the WnW Blog for a chance to be entered into a drawing for the whole release!!

If you have been hopping along, you should have arrived here from the super talented Christa (she's a hard one to follow...hope I don't disappoint you!!).

For my project today, I am actually sharing a scrapbook layout. If you have been following my blog for any time, you know that I love to scrapbook just about as much as I love to make cards. So as with every release, when Nikki and I discussed the images we wanted to see, I always think about both scrappers and card makers needs. And boys are always hard to make cards for. I hope the designs illustrated by Cris de Lara are "boy'ish" enough for the little (or big) guy in your life!! Plus there are some sweet girl images as well.

 
This was probably the quickest layout I ever made!! I had a last minute change in the blog hop line-up so we didn't want to have the same stamp back to back. Therefore, I made this one quickly and will have to share my "Go for Goal" card at a later date.

This handsome batter is called "Home Run". I have a lot of T-Ball pictures from Ansley playing 3 seasons and Ryan's first season. But as you can see, Ryan wasn't thrilled with the game!! LOL Although, I was quite upset with him while he was acting up on the field, I am glad that I captured these pictures. He was 3 years old when the season started, but was 4 by the end of the season. This was Fall 2008. Maybe he was just too young.

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

 
If you would like to see the pictures in the layout closer up, keep scrolling down.

Otherwise, your next stop is our guest for the hop Joy.

Remember to leave a comment, I may just have some candy hiding here somewhere!! You never know!!

The stamps are now available for purchase!!! Check them out on the WnW Blog. Now hop on over to Joy...

Here is a closer view of the pictures in the layout...

The above picture sums up how Ryan played in the field (he liked to bat, but hated being on the field). So the only way he wouldn't totally goof off was when he was standing directly in front of the coach. And even then, he still goofed off!!

This picture was actually taken at a different game than the others (I can tell because he has a long sleeve shirt under his game shirt in this photo). Anyway, Daddy was coaching this game and he got fed up with Ryan so he sent him into the outfield...and this is how Ryan played in the outfield!! LOL

Yeah...it's a good thing he's cute, huh?! LOL

All of these pictures but the one picture in the outfield was taken on the first game of the season. Scott wasn't able to make it to that game (he was the assistant coach but had to work that day). So after taking lots of pictures of Ryan goofing off, I finally had to run onto the field, grab him under my arm, and carry him to the bathroom for a "talk"!

But as the title says... T-Ball is "not Ryan's game...yet"!! He did do better at Soccer this past season, so maybe he was just too young!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping (and scrapping, too)!

~Lacey

Kraftin' Kimmie Blog Hop and Release...oo la la!!

Hello Krafty Friends! I hope you are enjoying the Kraftin' Kimmie Blog Hop! I am so excited to be able to participate in the hop again for this month's release. Let me tell you, when I saw the image for this release, I just about jumped out of my seat!! All of the artists did a remarkable job with this release!

If you came to my blog first, then you may want to start at the top at the Kraftin' Kimmie Challenge Blog. If you are following the hop, you should have arrived from Elaine.

This is my 2nd post of the day. If you are looking for my High Hopes Challenge card, click here.

Make sure you leave a comment on each blog in the hop because there will be prizes...but you know know where...and you will only win if you left a comment in the right spot!! Got it?!

The stamps are now available for sale. I carry them in my store Stamp and Create and, of course, you can also get them from the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps Store.

Now here is my card...

OMG!! Is this image too sexy or what?! This is Babette and she is one of the sexy ladies illustrated by Annie Rodrigue. I may just have to give this card to my hubby!!! ROFL... if only I looked that sexy!! I'm thinking having hips bigger than your bust in real life is NOT as sexy as this image portays!! LOL Beleive me...I should know!

The sketch is from Papertake Weekly (although I altered it a little to fit the sentiment under the flowers).

I'm also entering it in the Moxie Fab Tuesday Trigger Challenge this week (which is a photo inspiration)...

The card base is SU Pumpkin Pie, then SU Whisper White. The DP is from a new MME glitter stack (I have to stop buying these...but I can't).

The sentiment is sold together with this stamp. It is stamped in black staz-on and punched with a SU punch. I added a strip of CS that was stamped with SU En Fransais background stamp in chocolate chip ink.

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

Gosh, if only I could walk in heals like that...let alone dance!!

I added some primas and pearls along with a paper doily...

I added stickles to all of the flowers.

Now, for your next stop, it's time to hop on over to Melanie's Blog! But make sure you check out her flying monkey card as well...I double-dared her and she rocked the dare!!

 Remember to leave a comment...you never know where the candy will fall!!

Also, remember that the stamps are now available at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps and at Stamp and Create.

Also, for those of your who may be new to my blog because of the blog hop, you may want to check out my Weekly Wednesday Candy here and my Card Drive here...there are chances to win free prizes!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping and happy hopping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge DT - a Sketch

Happy Saturday everyone!! Are you in the mood for a layout? I hope so because it's the Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge! This week we have a fun sketch for you using one of the Pencil Lines sketches...

Our sponsor this week is Glue Dots! One lucky participant will receive 2 Dot n Go runners.

Now onto my layout...

I used the same elements that I used on Ryan's 1st Birthday Cake layout from last week. This little dog was a birthday gift so I wanted it to be in the same theme as his cake pictures.

For the stamping element, I randomly embossed the letters A, B, and C and the numbers 1, 2, and 3 in clear (retired SU Bestfriends Upper and Best Friends Numbers). I also spritz around the background with Shimmerz Spritz, but it didn't show up well in the photo. I stiched around the layout in black thread. The polka dot and strip paper is from MME Christmas glitter stack.

The title was die cut with sizzix alphabet die using some of the new PTI black felt. Then I added some White Crochet May Arts ribbon and Faux Suede Ruffle Ribbon (which all ribbon is still on sale 25% off at Stamp and Create through Monday morning) and added a Pearl Brad to tie it to the cake layout.

Here's a closer view of the layout...

The jounaling reads:

Ryan received this dog for his first birthday. It sang songs, played music, and spoke spanish. He loved it.

In these particular pictures, Ryan was "dancing". He didn't walk until he was 15 months, so his form of dancing at 12 months old was to rock back and forth.

I just adore these pictures! I LOVE the one all the way to the left with his tongue sticking out!! LOL

Now it's your turn. Let's see what you do with this layout! It was a fun one...a great way to scrap a series of pictures or maybe just 2 small photos (like in the actual sketch). Make sure to link your Layout to Mr. Linky in the Blog Post!!

Other news:

~ Whiff of Joy new gnomes by Norma Fickel are now available today at Stamp and Create! Also the City Girl Collection and the Blooming Spring Store kit is also available.

~ Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps will have a release on Sunday!! I will be participating in the blog hop. Let me tell you...Ooo la la...some of these stamps are VERY sexy!! I love it!

Don't forget about my Card Drive here and my Weekly Wednesday Candy here!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge DT - Musical Inspiration

Oh my we have a fun challenge this week at Scrap and Stamp Saturday!!

Before we get to the challenge, we have a lovely sponsor this week!! I had the privillage of sponsoring them, now they are sponsoring our challenge!! Sew Many Cards is our sponsor this week!!

So, this week we want you to use Music as an inspriation. "Scrap a Lyric" or use a song or lyric for your layout! Some of the DT using music sheet as a background...Just somehow incorporate music into your layout.

I have so many ideas in my head that I could have used. But the very first idea was this... My Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. You should be able to click on the name of the song to hear it.

Here's my layout...

These gorgeous pictures of my daughter were taken at a photo shoot from a friend of mine. I bought so many pictures from this shoot...she is such a great photograher. Unfortunately, she moved away to Wisconsin. So anyone in the Wisconsin area, feel free to check out Erin's website.

I always prefer to have a two page layout, but don't always have the time to scrap 2 pages each week. So I am so happy that I managed to get most of this done before my head cold kicked in...which, by the way, I am feeling much better today.

On both layout, the basics are the same...the damask design was stamped using PTI "Damask Desings" stamped on SU Very Vanilla in SU Soft Suede ink. That was sewn to a SU Kraft CS base. I also sewed around the edges. I added a Chocolate Chip CS strip punched with a border punch (I think a Fiscars punch). Then I added some May Arts Crochet Lace 3 and some new ruffle ribbon (gosh, I love that ribbon)!! I also spritzed the sided with some Mud Pie Spritz by Shimmerz. I love the spotches that it left as well as an over-all shimmer.

It's always so hard to photograph a layout, so the lace looks crooked, but it really isn't in real life.

For another stamping element, I used Bear Hug by Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. This stamp was designed after my daughter, so I am so happy to incorporate it into her layout.

The image is embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added some head pins, flowers, Large Star Spacer and Pearl Brad, and some Basic Grey pearls.

For the title I used a combination of things. "My" is stamped with a retired SU set (Best Friends Lower). "Brown Eyed" are actually wood letters that my friend gave me (her mom found them at a garage sale...I LOVE them!!). And "Girl" was die cut with a Sizzix die and painted with Ranger Crackle Paint (Antique Linen). I had a hard time trying to do this title. Everything sort of blended in with the background. So, I was messing around and decided to go with the painted strip of distress crackle paint to ground the title.

You may remember that I used the same technique and Damask stamp on my Wags 'n Whiskers tag from yesterday's post. This is where I tried it first. And I really love how it turned out.

For the other side of the layout, I just added the same elements on an opposite layout. I LOVE these pictures of Ansley!! And they are pefect for the theme of this layout since it really does show off her beautiful brown eyes (which she got from her daddy...Ryan got my blue eyes...I have pictures of those too which still need to be scrapped).

I carried the flowers through to this side. As well as some painted distress crackle paint to ground the date (retired SU stamps). The butterfly was created by die cutting a SU/Sizzix butterfly die on watercolor paper. Then I added some crackle paint and let it dry. Then I stamped some Whiff of Joy Christmas Swirls stamps in Soft Suede ink. I added some Angel Wings Shimmerz paint, aBasic Grey Button, and some twine.

I REALLY like how this layout turned out. I adore these pictures of Ansley and wish I could take credit for them!! But Erin did an awesome job!!

Here is another layout I created last year using some more pictures from this photo shoot.

Ok, now it's your turn!! We would love to see how you incorporate music into your layout!! Make sure to link your layout to Mr. Linky for the chance to win the prize from our sponsor Sew Many Cards.

Don't forget about my Weekly Wednesday Candy here and my Card Drive here!

Happy Scrappin!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #13 DT - Free Style

Yay!! It's Friday!! I've had a very busy week. My husband was out of town all week so it was a rough one trying to take care of all of the store stuff and home stuff.

I hear there is a ton of snow in the NorthEast...I sure hope everyone is safe! It is beautiful here in South Florida in the 60's with clear skies! Although it was quite chilly in the morning at the bus stop in 43 degree weather and whipping winds! Much too cold for the capris pants and flip flops I am used to wearing!

I am looking forward to the weekend. Both kids have their last soccer game (although Ansley still can't play because of her head injury...but Scott is the coach, so we still have to go). Ansley's game is on saturday and Ryan's game is on Sunday. Both games will be followed up with a little party at the park with some cupcakes and trophies!

Besides that, we don't really have any plans...just relax after a long week of being apart.

Anyway, it's time for the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge! Before I get to the challenge, I want to know...

Do you want to be a guest for one of the Wags 'n Whiskers Challenges?! If so, make sure to check out the challenge post on the Wags 'n Whiskers Blog today.

For this week's challenge, Inge has given us an easy one: Free Style!! Yep, that means anything goes this week!! As long as you have a Wags 'n Whiskers image on your project!

Don't forget that one participant will win a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp of your choice!

My card for today was actually made a long time ago...

This is He Loves Me from the Love is in the Air release (which was released in December). This was my first card I made from that release. I didn't share it earlier because I submitted it to a magazine. It wasn't picked up, but I forgot about it for awhile...then I needed a challenge that it would work with so I could post it...well that and I was saving it for a week that I didn't have much crafting time - and that is this week!

I used a couple punches and dies, a MS border punch, some ribbon and buttons. I also added some shimmering paint from SU around the edges of the image, butterfly, flower punch and tag (obviously the card call was for a Mother's Day card which is the reason for the sentiment). The papers are from Cosmo Cricket.

Here's a close up of the image colored with Twinkling H2Os...

And here's a close up of the butterfly embellishment...

I cut 2 butterflies from the SU/Sizzix butterfly die. Attached them in the middle with some foam adhesive on the wings. Then I added a button with some Hemp Twine for antennas. I have seen Dawn McVey do this often so I got the idea from her.

Ok...now it's your turn!! Make sure to upload your card to Mr. Linky in the challenge post for a chance to win a free stamp!! And don't forget to let us know if you are interested in being a guest for one of our challenges!!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

~ Stamp with Fun - Stitch

~ Paper Sundaes - Distressing

~ Cute Card Thursday - Ribbon-tastic

~ Flutter By Wednesday - Open (just add butterfly, angel or fairy)

Have a wonderful weekend! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday DT - Adding Digital Elements to Paper Layouts

 
Happy weekend everyone!! I am so glad it's the weekend!! I really hope that I am still sleeping by the time this post goes live!!

I will actually have 2 posts for you today, so make sure to look out for the Sketch Saturday Post - Sponsored by Stamp and Create.

Now it is time for the Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge!!

We have something really fun planned for you this week! Over the holidays, the DT threw around ideas for adding value to the challenge blog. One thing I came up with was creating tutorials that can be incorporated into our challenges...but can also be used just a reference or learning tool. So this week we have a tutorial to share with you!!

We have a wonderful Sponsor this week...Dragon's Lair Designs!

They were so kind to give the DT a digital kit to use on our layouts this week.

That was a great way to lead us into our first tutorial...and I have the joy of creating the first Scrap and Stamp Saturday Scrapping Tutorial...

Adding digital elements to a traditional paper layout.

Come check it out on the Scrap and Stamp Blog.

Before you go, I want to share a few things about my layout that I didn't include in the tutorial...

The papers I used behind my photos are from the Dragon's Lair Designs kit as well as the cute elephant digital stamp (oh and your should see the cute dragon digi!!).

Before I added the printed digital papers, I spritz the white cardstock with Shimmerz Vibez (Princess). I love how it splattered...

 
I also added Shimmerz vibez to some coasterboard die cut letters...

 
Wow! Does it shimmer!! The middle letters are the same color in real life, the paper was buckled when I took this photo so they are at different angle than the other letters.

I also created some handmade chipboard buttons...but that is a tutorial for a later date!!

Now it's your turn...let's see how you incorporate something digital into your paper layout! Remember, it must include 1 stamp...and, yes, I think we will count a digital stamp for this particular challenge.

For some ideas on how to include digi with paper layouts...check out thedesign team projects!

Don't forget about my Sketch Saturday post if you haven't see that one!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

 

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge DT - Favorites

We have a GREAT challenge for you this week at Wags 'n Whiskers!!

The wonderful Jacqui has challenged us to use our FAVORITES!! Use your favorite Wags 'n Whiskers image, favorite colors, favorite technique or style...anything that is "your favorite"!!

As usual, one participant will win one Wags 'n Whiskers stampof your choice. But you must use a Wags 'n Whiskers image to be entered into the drawing.

If you are in need of a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp, you can find them here.

Now on to my card...

Remember Kate that I posted about earlier this week? Originally I was "introduced" to her through a card drive that Jennifer McGuire helped to coordinate. But now I follow her blog and look forward to receiving updates on her mom regarding her journey towards healing. It is a great reminder to pray for her daily since I receive her updates. By the way, her transplant seemed to go well so we are now praying that she can fight off anything with her weekened immune system for the next few weeks (she will be isolation at the hospital).

Anyway, I am not interested in sending her a card in order to win a prize, and I wasn't sure how often the card drive cards were sent to her. So I posted on her blog that I wanted to send Kate a card and her Grandmother responded that I can send it to the hospital. She will be there for at least 4-6 weeks.

I knew right away that I wanted to use the new Say a Prayer image...

First I have to say that this photo doesn't do this card justice!! I need to get my camera looked at!! Seriously!!

I am also entering this into a few challenges:

~ Flutter By Wednesday Challenge with is to use a butterfly, angel, or fairy PLUS a Heart (the charm).

~ Paper Sundae - Glittery Spring (I think the flowers, butterfly, and teal color is very springy)...the flowers have shimmerz, the image is colored with Twinkling H2Os, and the added rhinestones cover the "glitter".

~Cute Card Thursday - Metal Mania (the charm and the green swirls for the flowers are actually wire.

I grabbed some of my favorite papers as the starting point...My Mind's Eye (man, I have a lot of MME paper...and I love it all). I also love the look of teal and black together, so that is one of my "favorite" color combos. The image is one of my favorites: a stamp designed after my daughter and an angel - 2 favorites. More favorites are: doilies, vintage style, ribbon with a bow made with the bow easy (now back in stock at Stamp and Create), Prima mini-roses, butterflies, bling, sewing, charms, nestabilities and border punches. Yep...this covers most of my favorites!!

The image was embossed in black onto watercolor paper, watercolored with Twinkling H2Os, and die cut with the Labels Five Nestabilities...

I added some of the new Prima Mini-Roses (Jewel Tones) with a little Angel Wings Shimmerz added for a little extra shine. The ribbon is some of the new May Arts Ribbon.

I carried the layout on the inside. I have a personal message for Little Kate that I printed on the computer. I will cut it out with the Nestability die, then attach it to the inside. I also plan on giving her some stamped images to color...maybe some blank cards so she can create her own cards!

Now it's your turn. We would love to see your work. Make sure to link your card in Mr. Linky for a chance to win a free Wags 'n Whiskers stamp of your choice!!

Don't forget about my Weekly Wednesday Candy over at the Stamp and Create.com Blog!

Thanks for stopping by!! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday- a sketch: Sponsored by me and Wags 'n Whiskers

I had a "little" bit of time to relax and unwind after the Wags 'n Whiskers release yesterday, but not too long since I still have DT projects to work on for the rest of the weekend.

That includes my Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge this week which is being sponsored by my store and Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps. Most of the design team have used one of the new released Wags 'n Whiskers stamps on their layout.

We hope that you will play along with our sketch challenge this week!! One participant will win a Basic Grey 12x12 Origins Scrapbook Pack and a Wags 'n Whisers Easter Blessings Rubber Stamp.

Here is my layout...

These pictures were taken at an Easter Photoshoot in my neighborhood a few years ago. A local photographer set up 15 minute slots and just took TONS of pictures within that time frame. Of course, I have a ton of pictures I purchased from this shoot. I was hoping to add a few more in the 2nd half of this layout, but ran out of time. I will have to finish it later.

I used SU Kraft CS for the base, then stamped the large flower from "PTI Friend 'til the end" set randomly in the background using versamark ink (I wish I used a a darker color since it has faded into the heavy cs more than I wanted. I also randomly stamped a dot from PTI Polka Dot Basics in a darker ink.

The white ruffle ribbon is SILK and will be added to the Stamp and Create Store this weekend. I layed some of the Bright Pink Ric Rac over top. The 1/8" Scor-Tape is perfect for adding the ric rac ribbon. The embroidered circle ribbon is from my stash (Making Memories).

The image is from the Wags 'n Whiskers new released and is called Hey Chickie...

This image was desinged after Wags 'n Whiskers' co-owner Nikki's youngest daughter. There is a little story behind the design process of this image and the image on my card below that I will go over at the end.

The title tag was printed on the computer, then diecut with a Nestability  Labels Four. The flowers are from my stash with one of the new Large Flower Spacer for the center. You can see the stamped flower in the background a little better in the above photo.

Now since I was sharing these photos, I needed to include something with the new Easter Blessings image as well...

This card is for the Stamp Something Challenge that Wags 'n Whiskers is sponsoring "Something Cute"...

The layout for this card is actually the same as the sketch challenge. However, please remember that you must use a scrapbook layout if you want to be entered into the Scrap and Stamp challenge (no cards). But I just had to share this card today...

Do you see the top image in the layout? That is the photo inspiration for Easter Blessings. You may notice that in the photo, my kids are playing with chicks, not bunnies...well that brings up the story behind the design process for these images. Nikki wanted her daughter Danni holding a chick. Since we didn't want to have 2 images with chicks, we decided to add bunnies to the basket.

Here is a close up of the Easter Blessings image...

Here is a close up of the inspiration photo...

Isn't that an awesome match!!

Ok...now it's your turn...let's see what you do with the great sketch that Pamela created!! Make sure to add at least one stamping element on your layout. Then upload it to Mr. Linky for a chance to win my prize from Stamp and Create!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Satruday DT Challenge - A photo Inspiration

So are you having fun with the Scrap and Stamp Blog Hop? It's still going on. So if you haven't made the rounds, make sure you do. Remember, there are 3 prizes to give away!!

Today I have another layout. This is for our regular saturday challenges. Our sponsor this week is Whimsy Stamps. Their stamps are so cute and "whimsical" (hehe), make sure to check them out!!

This week's challenge is a photo inspiration...

Create a layout using elements from this photo.

You can use the layout (four quadrants), the color sheme (bright pink and black), Hearts, checkerboard, Winged hearts, Rocker girl or pirate girl, "heartbreak", etc. Those are just some ideas...I would love to see what your take on the inspiration will be!!

I chose the colors and "rocker" theme...

This actually may looks familiar. This is the other half of the layout I had in mind for this layout that I used for the "Scrap a Gathering" challenge a little while back.

For the stamping element, I die-cut some coasterboard letters, stamped them with PTI's Polka Dot Basics in black, then sponged the letters will SU Melon Mambo ink. I added a coasterboard tag that was stamped with 3 stamps. The tiara is from High Hopes, the swirls are from WOJ Christmas Swirls, and the sentiment is from Kimmie's Everyday Sentiments.

I added a small spacer behind the brad and some rhinestones on the crown and the "i".

I added a Crown Charm (on sale at Stamp and Create), along with some layered flowers and another brad and spacer.

Oh, the papers are SU Basic Black and Melon Mambo 12x12 CS and a retired SU DP. I used one of the Martha Stewart border and corner punch.

Here are both layouts next to each other.   

Now it's your turn to play along as well!! I would love to see what you do with the inspiration!

Just remember, in order to be entered into the drawing for the prize from our sponsor, it must be a Layout or mini book (not a card) and you must use at least 1 stamp. Make sure to you link project to the Challenge Post to be entered into the drawing!

Don't forget about my Love Sale here!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge #10 - Blue, White, and Brown

This week we have an AWESOME Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge for you!! Our lovely Inge has given us a color challenge...Blue, White, and Brown!!

This happens to be to one of my favorite color combos!!

This is going to be a quick post because I am just so behind on everything right now!!

I created an easel card (I love these)...

I used Bear Hug (designed after my daughter Ansley). I have many people I could give this to right now...my cousin's as a sympathy card or for my friend who is going through chemo for breast cancer...I'm not sure who is getting it yet. But I love how this stamp is so versatile. Plus it is a gorgeous Valentine's Day card as well.

I used some retired SU paper, a chocolate chip card base, a mini paper doily, some ribbon and a Teddy charm. The bow was created with the bow easy. The button is from Basic Grey.

I also used some Basic Grey Half Back Pearls and Bling it on rub-ons!! I love the look! Then I added Star Dust Stickles around the outside of the card and on the bear's bow.

The Bear Hug was embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os.

On the inside, I stamped the sentiment directly onto another doily and used more half back pearls to hold the easel. The glitter heart brad was from the dollar section at Target.

Now it's your turn!! We would really love for you to play along, too! One participant will receive a free Wags 'n Whiskers Stamp of your choice!!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday DT - Use up your Stash!!

Sorry I am late posting this today. I received bad news yesterday that my Aunt passed away. It wasn't totally unexpected since she has been battling lung cancer for years. I also received word that my Grandmother is in the hospital. She broke her hip last year and then had a stroke a little over a week ago. Now she has some sort of infection. She is not going to take the news well at all. My father passed away about 2 1/2 years ago, so this would be her second "child" she lost in less than 3 years. Please keep her in your prayers.

Anyway, needless to say, I have been in "slow motion" since I received the news.

But on to this week's chalelnge. It's a fun and easy one...

Use up your stash!!

You can use some new products, but you must use at least some products that you have had in your stash for at least 6 months. It's a good week to do some purging in your craft room!! And you must include at least 1 stamp to be entered into the drawing from our awesome sponsor Queen Kat!

I had fun with this challenge. I am a paper addict...I admit it! And it seems like the bigger the paper stack the better. So it felt good to have to go through my stash and use something that I have had for awhile.

I am also entering this into a few challenges:

~ Stamp Something Challenge this week... Funny Somethings (because I think the look on Ryan's face in the photos are funny...and NOW I can laugh about this!!

~A Spoon Full of Sugar - Lots of layers...there are 6 layers on here!

~ "Be Inspired" challenge for Wags 'n Whiskers. I'm on the Wags 'n Whiskers DT, but I have too many people who inspire me so I had to do another one. This one was inspired by this layout my Niki Estes. 

Here's my layout...

The blue background is SU Bermuda Bay stamped with PTI Polka Dot Basics (which was my first PTI stamp set ever purchased) based on Niki's layout. I added some Kraft CS, then some MME DP (which I've had for at least a year).

The pictures are from Ryan's first trip to the ER (as the title of suggests). I will explain the photos and the story of his ER trip at the end of the post.

I used Wags 'n Whiskers Super Ryan image because the image sort of matches how he got injured (again story to come soon) AND because of another injured little boy...when my brother was 3 years old, he was running through the house in his Superman costume...he tripped on a step and landed head-first into the corner of the wall...that was HIS 2nd trip to the ER...he had many trips after that!!  So when I think of ER trips...I think of Superman for some reason!! LOL

Here's a close up of Super Ryan...

The image was embossed in black and warecolored with Twinkling H2Os. Do you see "Bo Bo" in the Super Ryan stamp? That is my son's dog blanket. If you look carefully in the top left photo, you can see a portion of Bo Bo to the right of Ryan on the bed. Yes, he came to the ER with us!

 Another element that I used that I have had for over 6 months is the Sizzix Serif Essentials dies that I used to die cut "ER". I die cut it with coaster board, added some Chocolate Chip CS, ran it through the cuttlebug swiss dots folder (which I've had even longer), then added a ton of "Mud Pie" Spritz...you can see a little of the shimmer from the spritz in this photo. The other chipboard from the title were die cut with a newer Sizzix alphabet set (all lower case, plus the number 1).

Oh, I also spritz around the Bermuda Bay border with Seafoam Spritz so the border is shimmery, too.

Since there wasn't a lot of space for journaling, I created a tag that I placed behind the photos so it slides out...  

I printed out the journaling on the computer, then matted it onto some Chocolate Chip CS...

Here's a closer view of the tag. And the story reads...

"While visiting Grandpa Amstrong (who is my father) in Port St. John, FL, you and Ansley were chasing each other in the house at 9:oo at night. You went to run towards Ansley and she moved out of the way. You ended up head first into Grandpa's glass TV stand. The glass didn't break, but it cut you right between the eyes. Daddy wasn't with us, so Mommy had to leave Ansley with Grandpa and take you to the Titusville Emergancy Room. These pictures were taken a little after 10pm when you were tired and ready to go home. You received "dermabond" instead of stitches...but you ripped off the glue the next day!! We got home from the hospital around midnight. You proceeded to climb out of your pack-n-play all night long. That made for a VERY tired mommy the next day...which happened to be Mother's Day! We drove home to Jacksonville that morning where I handed you over to daddy, took a nap, then went shopping for the rest of the day! If only I knew this would not be your ONLY trip to the ER!!"

So there you go...the story of my worst mother's day!! LOL Of course, now I can laugh about it!

Ryan has since been to the ER one more time...because he decided to cut an apple himself with a steak knife!! That's a layout and story for another day!!

Ok...now it's time for you to play along! This is a really easy one! We all have stuff in our stash that we've had for at least 6 months...admit it!! LOL

Make sure you link your layout to Mr. Linky in the Challenge post to be entered into the drawing!

Before you go, why don't you check out the other DT layouts...

Tamara Bennett

Shirley Yow

Shana Tedrick

Regina Jones

Pamela Young

Lacey Stephens

Isolde Pyncket

Hollie Smallwood

Cariena Basson

Boni Boutelle-Jones

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey 

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge 9 - Be Inspired!

It's friday...yeah!!! I am glad this week is almost over!! But that also means that it's time for another Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge.

This week our host is the ubber-talented Crissy Armstrong...aka our Illustrator!! Crissy has a wonderful challenge this week. I was a lot of fun to play along.

Her challenge..."Be inspired"! Find a blog or stamper that inspires you and create a card or project with that inspiration. You can "case" (or copy) a card, you can use elements from a card as a stepping stone for your card, or you can use their "style".

As always, one luck participant will win 1 FREE WAGS 'N WHISKERS STAMP OF YOUR CHOICE!! But you must use a Wags 'n Whiskers stamp in order to be eligable for the drawing. If you don't have any Wags 'n Whiskers stamps, here is a link to our stores.

Now...onto my card...

I have been a fan of Julia Stainton since the very first time I went blog hopping! She was one of the first blogs I came across and I read every post! Her style is totally different than mine. She's very much into "scrappy", vintage, and LOTS of layered embellishments. But even though her style is different than mine, it draws me to it every time!! She's published often and each of her cards are just stunning!

So, when I saw this card, I instantly fell in love!! And here is my take on her card...

 
I didn't have any black gingham DP, but I did have this shiney striped black DP from Stampin Up (retired). It's hard to tell in the photo, but the stripes alternate between "flat" and "shiney". The red DP is also from SU from their Holiday mini I believe and the white is flocked so it adds texture. The pink gingham layer is from CHF (which I first saw on Julia's blog and had to get it for myself). For the "text" piece sticking out on the side, I stamped SU En Franseis in black onto Ivory CS, then inked it and distressed it. All of those layers were sewn following Julia's card for guidence.

Well since it's a Wags 'n Whiskers challenge, I had to use to WnW image!! I thought "Thinking of You" mixed with the shape of the Nestability Label Five resembled the stamp on Julia's card. To get a closer mat on the Nestability, I cut out the ivory layer using the die, then I traced around that die (on the outside) on black cardstock with a pencil, then cut along the pencil lines.

I embossed the image onto watercolor paper, watercolored with Twinkling H2Os, then cut out the image.

So this card also qualifies for the Ways to Use it Challenge this week WT254...Cut it Out! This challenge is usually hosted by Julia, so I thought it was fitting that I could enter my cased card into her challenge!!

To finish off the card, I added some SU ribbon, hat pin with beads, a coasterboard heart painted with Angel Wings Shimmerz, and tied on with some linen thread.

I carried the layout on the inside as well. Which means I can also enter this card into the Start to Finish Challenge on the Moxie Fab Blog (again, Julia has a sample card for this challenge so I may be a Julia staulker this week)!! LOL

Lastly, this card qualifies for the Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge - Lots of layers!!

Ok...now it's your turn!! Grab those Wags 'n Whiskers stamps, find a stamper that inspires you, and come join the jun!!

Make sure you link your card to Mr. Linky in the challenge post to be entered into the drawing for the free stamp!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday DT - Sugar n Spice Challenge

Happy Saturday to you! I hope you are having a lovely start to your weekend. Me...I plan on sleeping in a little...crafting a little...going to the kids soccer games a little...and doing a little stamping!! :-)

Today it is time for another Scrap and Stamp Saturday. This week's challenge is Sugar n Spice...it's all about the girls!!

We have a lovely gift this week provided by our sponsor Queen Kat.

I've been wanting to scrapbook these pictures for a while now, so this was the prefect challenge to break them out...

Almost 2 years ago we went to Richmond, TX to visit Scott's brother and family. We had a lot of fun with Luke (now 18), Laney (now 15) and Leah (now 9). At the time of our visit, Ansley was 5 and Leah was 7. They had a huge yard that grew wildflowers (or weeds as my brother-in-law called them). So one day, the girls were playing outside and started picking a bunch of flowers.

This day was one of the inspirations in my head when I asked Crissy Armstrong (illustrator for my stamps Wags 'n Whiskers) to draw this image for our "Love is in the Air" release. This is called He Loves Me. I am soooo happy that I am finally able to pair this stamp with these pictures.

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

Isn't it so sweet? My little Angel!

*I have to point out that in all of my photos, my lips look black...they are actually a deep pink in real life but I guess the raised edges of the embossed image may block the color. I am going to have to use a different color in the future and see if the lips turn out better in photos.** Sorry, that's been bugging me for awhile...don't know why the photo is totally different than what it looks like in real like!

Back to the challenge...now it is your turn to come play along! Let's see those girly layouts. It doesn't have to be "pink and sassy" to be girly! Let's just see a layout with a photo of a girl. Make sure to add some stamping. Then add it to Mr. Linky in the challenge post to be entered into the drawing from our awesome sponsor this week!

Before you go, don't forget about my Weekly Wednesday Blog Candy here!

And make sure to come back tomorrow for the first day of the Sir Dustin High Hopes Sneak Peeks!!

Products used:

Stamps: Wags 'n Whiskers He Loves Me

Paper: Basic Grey Origins 12x12 scrapbook pack, SU Whisper White

Ink: Black embossing, Twinkling H2Os to color, Chocolate Chip to distress the image.

Tools: SU Top Note Die, SU Word Window Punch, sewing

Embellies: Prima flowers, Flower Spacer, SU Rhinestone Brads, Flower Charms, Black Ruffle Ribbon, Star Dust Stickles, Coasterboard letters

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge #58 DT- Put a bow on it!

This is my 2nd post of the day. So make sure to scroll down for my other post...

Once again I am so excited to be able to get back into my DT challenges! This time it is for High Hopes Rubber Stamps.

By the way...did you hear? There is news coming to High Hopes...make sure to check back often to see what's going on!!

This week's challenge is brought to us by Karen! She wants us to use bows on our cards!! Yippie!!

So it's time to grab a High Hopes stamp, some ribbon, and come play along! One participant will win these stamps...

  

Here's my card..

This is The Love Bandit. Isn't he adorable?! I used some Basic Grey Porcelain paper. On the pink background, I randomly stamped the Solid Heart and Open Heart in red ink. On the yellow paper, I spritz it with my SU So Saffron marker and spritzer tool.

The glitter heart brads and heart paper doily were an awesome find at the $1 section of target!!

I added a bow made the bow easy (which should be back in stock this week), a button, and one of my new charms.

The image was embossed in black onto watercolor paper and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. It was cut out the the Nestability Label Four die and added some Star Dust Stickles around the image and on the heart.

Now it's your turn. Grab a High Hopes stamp, a bow, and come play along!! Make sure to add your card to Mr. Linky on the challenge post to be entered into the drawing! Just remember, you must use a High Hopes stamp to be entered into the drawing.

Don't forget to check back later this week for some awesome High Hopes news!!

And don't forget about my Weekly Wednesday Blog Candy here!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy stamping!

~Lacey

A Spoon full of Sugar - Bear Hug

My wonderful friend and Wags 'n Whiskers partner Nikki asked me to be a guest for the A Spoon full of Sugar challenge this week!! How fun! Thanks, Nikki!

She created an AWESOME sketch for the challenge this week! You know I love my sketches!!

The whole Spoonfull of Sugar DT is using the Wags 'n Whiskers "Love is in the Air" release stamps so make sure to check them out!!! Wow! They are awesome!

Here's my card...

I used the new Bear Hug designed by the awesome Crissy Armstrong for Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps!

This little sweetie is my daughter, my angel...Ansley. Gosh it just brings a smile to my face to see how Crissy Armstrong captures her sweetness!

Here's another little look into our design process! I asked for an image with Ansley hugging a teddy bear. Crissy Armstrong sent us a draft of the top half for us to approve the position of holding the bear. So, Ansley grabbed her teddy bear that a friend gave her and held it similar to what Crissy designed! So for this particular image, the drawing was the start. Isn't that the coolest thing?! I am always amazed at the transition from idea to final stamp!!

Ok...Some card basics...DP is Basic Grey Bittersweet, Nestabilities Label 4 for the image, and Fleur De Lis Pendant dies for the black behind the image, Pink Twill from the Assorted Twill package, and new Daisy Spacers all from my store Stamp and Create. Others: Mini paper doily, martha Stewart heart border punch, SU pink brads.

The image is embossed in black and watercolored with Twinking H2Os...

All edges are inked with Chocolate Chip.

Now it's your turn...come join in on the fun! Create a card using Nikki's sketch and add it to Mr. Linky in the challenge post for a change at the awesome prize this week!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday - Scrap a Gathering

 
It's Saturday, so that means two things...Soccer games and the Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge!!

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and participation with the Blog Hop and Release yesterday, I am still trying to recover. If you are here looking for the blog hop, click here.

This week's Scrap and Stamp challenge is "Scrap a Gathering". Let's see some layouts with your family or a fun group activity!

The sponsor this week is Creations by Penny. Check out their store filled with awesome Digital images and papers here.

Here is my layout...

Now, I have to be honest...this was a VERY busy week for me with setting up the store for the release yesterday. I did manage to get this layout done. But last night while writing this post, I realized that I forgot to add the picture of the girls who came to the party!! This WAS supposed to be a layout about a gathering at a Birthday Party! But instead, it ended up being just about my little Pop Star Ansley!! I do plan on doing a 2nd layout with some more of the pictures (I actually will end up with 4 pages from this party), but I don't think I can get it done today. My mind is just not there this week...opps!!

Some of the details...I punched the Melon Mambo CS with the martha Stewart punch and corner punch all the way around. Then I sewed on some DP from SU (retired). Then I matted that onto a Black background to frame it out.

For the journaling and stamping part, I actually added one of the Birthday Party invitations that I had saved for Ansley...

This stamp is from High Hopes Rubber Stamps and is called Singing Catrina. She embossed in Black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I added the outside of another invitation for an embellishment.

I added a large silk flower from the SU Pretties Kit. For the inside, I took the flower embellishment off of the invitation that I added to the layout since it was in the way and wouldn't be seen anyway.

For the final touches, I added a few rhinestone swirls from my stash.

Here's a picture of the photos. Not sure if you can see them better here...

Ansley was so adorable all dressed up at her birthday party (this was a costume she got to wear at the party which was held at a girl's party salon...her theme was So you wanna be a Pop Star? and the girls got their makeup, nails, and hair done, and danced and sang!!). Here is my original post from her invitations.

Ok, now it's your turn. Take a break from all of the crazy Christmas card making and take some time to scrapbook a layout from some Gathering. Maybe do a layout from Christmas last year to give as a gift for a grandparent! I know it's a busy time of year, but we would love for you to play along!

There is a fabulous prize this week, so make sure you link your layout to the challenge post in Mr. Linky to be entered into the drawing.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

High Hopes Challenge 56 - Tall Card

It's time for another High Hopes Challenge!! I was out of town last weekend at Disney World, so I wasn't able to participate in last week's challenge.

This one was definately a challenge for me!! Amy L is asking us to make a "Tall Card"!! I struggle with layouts on tall cards, but the Design Team did a fantastic job!

There is an awesome prize for this week's winner...

That's right...2 main images PLUS 2 sentiments!! Wow! What are you waiting for? Grab any High Hopes image and make it TALL!! But don't forget that you MUST use a High Hopes stamp if you would like to be entered into the drawing for the prize. If you need some High Hopes stamps, I carry some in my store at Stamp and Create with an order on the way with new designs.

Oh, by the way....I have a secret!! But I can't share it will you yet!

Onto my card...

I used Snow Family for the image embossed in black and watercolored with Twinkling H2Os. I used a circle Nestability to cut it out.

The layout was kept simple because I wanted to show the awesome snowflakes on the MME Glitter paper. So I just added some Black Mini Pom Pom ribbon and stitched a edge punched with the SU Scalloped Edge punch. The sentiment is also from High Hopes.

I added a bunch of Star Dust Stickles to the image as well to go with the glitter paper...

Now it's your turn...pull out those High Hopes stamps, make a tall card, and link it to Mr. Linky for a chance to win the awesome prize!!

This is the last High Hopes Challenge for the year. This challenge will stay open until Jan 3rd...so there is no reason for you not to participate...you have plenty of time!!

I will be back later with some Wags 'n Whiskers Release information.

Don't forget about my Christmas Sale going on right now!! And my blog candy here!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Wags 'n Whiskers Challenge 5 - Distressing!

 

Where has the week gone?! Oh, that's right...I spent it in the doctor's office getting Ryan's X-Rays!!  We went back to the doctor's today for a 2nd X-Ray to make sure that the penny he swallowed yesterday was moving. It is...but slowly...he's apparently constipated! So now we have to monitor it and go back next week for another X-Ray to make sure it is completely passed! Again...like I really needed to add this extra activity in my already busy week! Oh well, such as life as a mother of an active boy!

Before we get to this week's challenge...I have a few things...

1. I am so sorry...I totally forgot to post about last week's challenge!! I had told the team that I would not be able to participate this week (along with the High Hopes challenge on Sunday) because we had family in town then we were going to Disney World. But I at least meant to post about the challenge without a card. So I am sorry that I totally forgot to do that...just realized it last night!

2. There is some wonderful news....

Wags 'n Whiskers will be having our 2nd release on Friday, December 11th!!

The sneak peeks will begin on Wednesday, Dec 9th...continue with peeks on Thursday, Dec 10th...and a Blog Hop and Release on Friday, Dec 11th!!

Therefore, there will not be a challenge next week! But....

If you participate with this week's Wags 'n Whiskers challenge (which is Distressing - add some sort of distressing: inked up edges, roughed edges, torn paper, crumpled paper, etc), use a Wags 'n Whiskers image, and link it in Mr. Link on the Challenge post, you will be entered into the drawing for....

1 Free Stamp from the NEW RELEASE!!!

How awesome is that?! So get those Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps out and play along!!

If you need to order a Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps, you can buy them through here. Many stamps are currently on sale right now, too!

Ok...onto my card...

I used Ride 'em Ryan for my image. I am still in desperate need of Christmas cards! So much so, that my husband is forcing me to buy photocards instead of stressing about getting so many handmade cards done!! Gasp!! The Horror!!

I embossed Ryan in black and watercolored him with Twinkling H2Os. I used the sketch from Truly Scrumptious this week. The papers are My Mind's Eye.

I added a snowflake charm, Cowboy Boot Charm, Basic Grey brad, and Natural Twill ribbon. A little distressing with ink around the edges and roughing the edges with my scissors and it's done!

Here's a close up of Ryan...

Now it's your turn.

Make a card with a Wags 'n Whiskers image, add some distressing, and link your card in Mr. Linky for a chance to win one of the new release stamps!!

Don't forget that I still have my Christmas Sale going on at Stamp and Create!! I also have a restock of Shimmerz and Spritz!!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey

Scrap and Stamp Saturday - Fall Traditions

Happy Saturday to you! I have scheduled this post since we are currently at Disney World!! Yeah!!

Today is another Scrap and Stamp Saturday Challenge. The Challenge is to scrap a layout of your Fall Traditions...what do you do every Fall?!

We have a few things we do each Fall...Ansley's Birthday in September, Ryan's Birthday in October, My birthday in November, Halloween activities, Thanksgiving activities, Christmas (of course), Football games (my husband is a huge College Football fan), trips to Disney World...but what we always do is some sort of travel to out of town family.

Therefore, here is my layout...

This is actually from 3 years ago. We took a trip to Gainesville, Georgia to visit my mom. My sister also lives there with her family. So, on this trip, we took advantage of a pile of leaves! As the journalling says...we don't get this type of fun in South Florida!! Nope, the grass is always green (unless it doesn't rain), and the trees are always full of green leaves!

In fact, on Thansgiving, it was in the low 80's! So we have fun playing in the leaves when we can!

Here's a close up of the leaves that I stamped using an old SU set. I stamped them, then cut them out. Added a button, and sewed it onto the layout...

I also stamped some swirls in the corners of the paper. The DP is from Stampin' Up!

The title are chipboard letters that I inked up with Chocolate Chip ink, then added some Glossy Accents...

The leaf charm, and ribbon are from my store Stamp and Create.

This week's Sponsor for the challenge is my business partner Bunny Zoe's Crafts! She ships world-wide and has a huge selection of papers, stamps, and other supplies.

If you would like to join in our challenge this week, create a layout of one of your Fall Traditions, use at least 1 stamp, and upload it to Mr. Linky in the challenge post!

Don't forget my blog candy here.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stamping!

~Lacey