hi all!

so, i’m two days late posting this.  blame it on The Sims.  i haven’t actually been playing though, or building houses… all i want is for it to work on my computer the way it always worked before. 

i have uninstalled and reinstalled it 3x now… it is now no longer on my MacBook for the time being.  it will be, probably tomorrow, after i get around to getting BootCamp set up on here so i can make a Windows partition and play my games normally.  mostly, the games they come out with for Macs are not the good games, or they are sorry ports of PC versions, so they don’t work as well and don’t get tested as thoroughly before being released.  sadly, after my jaunts through many a forum trying to piece this puzzle together, i found that Mac users in general are complaining about the latest Expansion Pack and how it pretty much breaks everything – especially if you run Custom Content from sites other than EA, which i do excessively.  my problem?  i suppose.  i love my MacBook though, and thanks to people who are smarter than me who have also had the same problem, i now have a solution.  am i entitled to complain about it?  absolutely.  i paid a lot of money to have all the Expansions and stuff, so i could have the game.  i actually paid – not pirated.  so i’m out… $50 for the original game, $30-40/each for 5 expansions and $20/each for 5 stuff packs.  WTF?!  yes, i spent $300 over the course of the last 3 years buying these games, and they say “PC/MAC” on the box, so …. i should be able to use it, right?  RIGHT?!  yeah, apparently if i want to have a Mac, not without a whole bunch of hassle first.  let me just say this:  it took the program 2.5 HOURS to load the other night before i could play anything and then the gameplay was so laggy and terrible that it wasn’t even worth bothering.  and since then, i’ve been on this quest.

but i digress, and apologize horribly for the g33k breakdown i just had.

what were we talking about again?  oh, right!!  The Sampler!  February Card Challenge!

[ image via Etsy ]

MOUSTACHES!!!

that’s the theme this month, and we’re hoping this image will inspire you to make some really cute cards with this month’s kit, “Oh, Penelope“.  it definitely inspired us!  here is what Amber, Amy S., and I came up with for this challenge:

[ by Amber ]

[ by Amy S. ]

[ by ME  ]

i totally have so much fun playing with this kit!  there are so many fun little tidbits in there to use for stuff like this… i love how all of our cards turned out for this challenge, and i can’t wait to see what you put together too!  come join us – the challenge runs through March 9th at 11:59PM so you have a whole month to think about it  and if you haven’t picked up the February kit, “Oh, Penelope” yet, then go on over to Scrapbooking Supplies R Us and grab yourself a little Valentine’s Day treat  you know you want to!

get your challenge submissions linked up to the Sampler’s blog, via the inLinkz widget on the challenge post for your chance to win a prize package from the Sampler!  plus you get to make a really cool card so it’s a two-fer

well that’s about it for me for now, back to fighting the good fight… with my crochet hook!  i’m done with that awful mess of a game for right now, gotta finish up some last minute V-day goodies and whatnot and then maybe play some Halo because all the headache of dealing with THAT situation makes me want to kill some aliens.  excessively.

in the words of the famous LeVar Burton, i’ll see ya next time.

SUPPLIES:

* Cardstock – Core’dinations “Stormy Gray”, Bazzill Dotted Swiss “Butter” (from the Sampler February 2012 kit); Bazzill black (personal stash)

* Patterned Paper – Simple Stories “Year-o-Graphy – Blue/Newsprint”, My Mind’s Eye “Love Me – Doilies” (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Bling – KaiserCraft Pearls “Latte” (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Butterfly – FabScraps (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Banner – My Mind’s Eye “Kraft Funday Everyday Banners” (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Stickers – Echo Park “Times & Seasons” cardstock stickers (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Ribbon – May Arts twill with olive stripe & twill with blue stripe (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Journal Card – Lily Bee “Memorandum” index cards (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* EK Success corner rounder

hi!!!

just stopping by really fast to plug my post over on The Sampler’s blog and show off a page i made using “Oh Penelope”…

in my post for this week, i talk about sketches and how you can personalize a sketch to fit your own style and needs.  it’s really easy to use a sketch and also helps in those times when you really need a creative kick in the butt!!  in honor of my stint with PageMaps this month, i am going to make it official Sketch Month and will be sharing projects with you throughout the rest of the month based on sketches from around the web – so stay tuned for that.

(ps – please excuse my lazy lack of journaling on this page.  i am waiting to bribe my mother-in-law out of her typewriter so i can use it for stuff like this!)

in other news… it’s been a busy week.  but that’s a good thing

be back tomorrow with our February Card challenge from The Sampler – with a really cute card to inspire you & more info on how you can play to win a package of goodies from The Sampler!

until then… may the force be with you.  

peace, love and stickers -

SUPPLIES:

* Cardstock – Bazzill Basics “Dotted Swiss – Butter” (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Patterned Paper – Crate Paper “Random – Victorian”; My Mind’s Eye “Love Me – Doilies & Stamped”; Simple Stories “Year-o-Graphy – Blue/Newsprint” (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Ribbon – May Arts twill with olive stripe (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Stickers – Echo Park “Times and Seasons” cardstock stickers (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Alphas – Fundamentals Petites kraft (from The Sampler February 2012 kit); Pink Paislee “Wood Chip” alpha (from The Sampler January 2012 kit)

* Wood Banner – My Mind’s Eye “Kraft Funday Everyday Fun Wood Banners” (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Butterfly – FabScraps (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Journal Card – Lily Bee “Memorandum” journal cards (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* Pearls – KaiserCraft latte (from The Sampler February 2012 kit)

* red glitter (personal stash)

inspired by the upcoming arrival of The Sampler owner Holly’s new daughter, whom she will be naming Penelope (SO CUTE!)…

we are proud to present this month’s The Sampler kit, Oh Penelope!  this kit is just absolutely STUFFED with amazing goodies for you to play with.  it includes facets of Valentine’s, Fun, Family… and some delicious Echo Park / Hambly / etc / etc / etc. goodies for you to play with!!!

so fabulous!  jog on over to Scrapbooking Supplies R Us to see more pictures of this amazing kit.  here’s what you get:

* (1) sheet Core’dinations – Kraft-Core #6
* (1) sheet Core’dinations – Kraft-Core #16
* (1) sheet Core’dinations – Snowflake
* (1) sheet Core’dinations – Stormy Gray
* (1) sheet Bazzill Dotted Swiss (butter)
* (1) sheet Echo Park “Times & Seasons – Spiffy Moustache”
* (1) sheet Simple Stories “Year-O-Graphy – Simple Basics Blue/Newsprint”
* (1) sheet My Mind’s Eye “Love Me – Doilies”
* (1) sheet My Mind’s Eye “Love Me – Stamped”
* (1) sheet Jenni Bowlin “Red Black Extension – School Dress”
* (1) sheet Crate Paper “Random – Victorian”
* (1) sheet Hambly “Mini Graph Overlay” (pink)
* (1) sheet Hambly “Little Hearts on Kraft” (red)
* (1) pkg KaiserCraft Pearls (latte)
* (1) pkg Lily Bee Design “Memorandum – ABC Cardstock Stickers”
* (1) booklet Fundamentals Petites Alphabet sticker (kraft)
* (4) FabScraps Metal Butterflies
* (1) pkg Hambly Remnants Rub-ons (white)
* (1) pkg My Mind’s Eye “Kraft Funday – Everyday Fun Wood Banners”
* custom hexagons in gray velvet & canvas
* (3) FabScraps fabric brads (red)
* (1) pkg Lily Bee Design “Memorandum – Index Journaling Cards”
* (3) lengths May Arts ribbon (twill w/ olive stripe, twill w/ blue stripe, white grosgrain)

SO. STUFFED!  there are about a million different ways to use up this kit, and i’ll be back throughout February to share some ideas and tips with you!  look for my Thursday posts over on The Sampler’s Blog as well as here on my blog for more ways to work with “Oh, Penelope”.  i’ll be back ASAP with a picture of the first layout i created with this kit, as well as our card challenge on the 10th!  so you’ll definitely want to check back in soon!

now for today’s Life.in.Lists:

I “HEART” FLAVOR.

Tami relates a story about Baskin-Robbins to open up today’s post.  unlike Tami (who shockingly chose vanilla!) i have always been a bit adventurous.  i remember going to BR myself as a kiddo, and the first thing i wanted was mint chocolate chip (since it was green, and, at the time my favorite color was green)… that started a love affair that has never ended.  my grandparents will tell you that i would go as far as ordering mint chocolate chip with pineapple or strawberry topping every time we went to Friendly’s for a sundae.  i’ve always been the weirdo that likes fruit in my salad and dessert as a part of my meal.  i will try anything – at least once – but i’m so fond of food that it doesn’t really even matter anymore!  so today’s post will be a fun one for me:  Today, some of my favorite flavors are…

* Mint.  anything and everything mint, preferably peppermint but definitely NOT spearmint.  it’s my favorite flavor AND scent.
* Chocolate.  nuff said.
* Coffee.  any kind, iced or hot.  i’m down.
* Raspberry/Blackberry.  my dad started this one with blackberry picking when i was a kid.
* Beef.  is that allowed? lol.  i love beef in all its many forms – especially stroganoff
* BACON.  baconbaconbaconbaconbacon.  i love bacon.  especially if mayonnaise is touching it.  i actually thought to make a bacon and mayo casserole once.  yeah i know it’s gross.  and prob REALLY bad for you.  but i’d eat it

allrighty, well that’s all for me for today!  thanks for taking the time to stop by – i’ll be back soon with some great inspo for The Sampler’s February kit

peace, love and stickers -

i. am. SUPER. excited !!! !!! !!!  i was so stoked when Becky Fleck of PageMaps.com asked me to design a sample for one of her sketches for this month!  i knew i was gonna have to do it real BIG.  she gave me an 8 1/2 x 11″ vertical sketch to work with and immediately a million different ideas whizzed through my head – this sketch is so cute, i might have to use it for several concepts

[ image from PageMaps ]

i used several facets of this sketch to compose my final layout.  i love clouds, so that had to go somewhere, but since my theme didn’t really seem to need clouds as an element, i chose a cute cloudy patterned paper from My Mind’s Eye “Lime Twist” collection.  i also liked the music note patterned paper on the sketch, so i dug out a little Sassafras Lass for that one.  i mimicked the overall design of the sketch, adding a clothesline in place of the birds/wire and added a few more layers and some fun odds & ends from my hoarde.

the best part about this page, though?

i handmade all the mini clothing, and it is all a replica of something i actually own.

i. am. so. impressed. with. myself. i. could. poop. rainbows.

as i dug through my entire stash looking for elements for this page, i started to find things that would be a perfect fit – a denim sew-on patch from Hobby Lobby became the jeans, a raft from an old Jolee’s and a bit of felt made my FAVORITE Old Navy Tech Vest that i’ve had since my Senior year of high school (:sigh:), and a few more scraps of felt to make my houndstooth peacoat  i also made the hangers the clothes are on with wire bending supplies… um, a lot harder than i thought, but it still worked out fantastically  i’ve been really antsy to post this page!!

 i really do have a closet addiction.  NO, i DON’T need an INTERVENTION either, thank you.  i am just fine having a different outfit for every day of the month (and shoes to match!)  in the photo you can really actually only see about 2/3 of my space in the closet.

i am extremely grateful to Becky Fleck for letting me create a sample for this month’s PageMaps.  i have been a huge fan for years, and going and just browsing through all the sketches and samples sometimes really inspires me — even when i don’t use the actual sketch as the basis for my page or card.  i have another layout coming up, to showcase February’s The Sampler Kit, and i will show you how you can stretch a sketch to make it fit your needs and make it yours as one of my February posts on The Sampler’s blog.  keep your eyes peeled for that!  getting really excited about the February Sampler Kit release – i love every single piece of this kit and that is no lie.  i can’t wait to share it with you

now for today’s “Life.in.Lists”…

ENDEARING WORDS.

Our family words of endearment:

* Honey.  Travis and i have called each other “honey” for i don’t know how long.  we are just these honeys, i guess

* Little Baby or just Baby.  Kellan is kind of stuck with that.  but he knows his name too, so that’s good.

* Buddy.  usually applies to Brodyn.  sometimes Amber, and always Ryan.  lol.

* Rooskie.  that’s me.  it’s an office, not a title.  all of my close friends call me that, and that’s what they said it means.  i’m confused as well, but as long as i’m the Rooskie Incumbent then i don’t give a darn.

* Dude.  can be anyone, depends on the tone of the conversation.

* Stinky.  usually applies to the dog.  because he usually smells like rotten pancakes or sweaty dog.

well that about wraps it up for me today!  i have a ton of stuff to do.  on the upside, i just beat Lego Star Wars the Complete Saga, so that will stop sucking up a large chunk of my existing free time; the downside of that is that when i finished the game it said i only had 37.4% complete.  …..  i should probably just ignore that, right?  lol.  i will be back in the very near future with the release of The Sampler’s February kit, “Oh Penelope”!

peace, love and stickers.

SUPPLIES:

* Cardstock – Hobby Lobby (kraft); Core’dinations (white); The Paper Studio (yellow)

* Patterned Paper – My Mind’s Eye “Lime Twist – Fly a Kite & Out of the Blue”; Sassafras Lass “Indie Girl – Headphones On”; Fancy Pants “It’s the Little Things – Spring Fever”; Graphic 45 “ABC Primer” (skirt)

* Stickers – KI Memories “Love, Elsie”; Crate Paper “Random”; K & Co (buttons); EK Success (ad)

* Ribbon – KI Memories “Love, Elsie”; Offray; We R Memory Keepers (twine)

* Other Materials – Hobby Lobby (felt, inTatterz denim patch, wire, mini clothespins, brads)

* Button – American Crafts “Flair”

* Alphas – EK Success; American Crafts Thickers

* fine tip Black Sharpie

just wanting to share a page i made real quick

you can read more about it in my post for this week over on The Sampler’s blog.  i’m really excited about this page …. just a bit proud of myself, LOL!

here it is!!!

i really love it!  i made it as a farewell the day that we took the purple out.  it was definitely bittersweet – but i like my new hair so much better!

there are smaller pictures inside the calendar pocket, with more shots of the purple experience:

and some detail:

one more thing to share before i go – a sneaky peek at a page that i created the other day for February’s PageMaps!  i am really excited that i got to create a sample for PageMaps, and i can’t wait to share that page with you – here’s a little look to tide you over until Feb. 1st!

i mean, it. is. fabulous.  i handmade little Jolee’s style replicas of actual clothing i own  it was so much fun!!!  look for that later.

thanks a ton for stopping by today – my Little Man turns the BIG ONE today so we are gonna have an awesome day!!!  hope you all have a great weekend

peace, love and stickers -

SUPPLIES (for “purple”):

• Transparency – Hambly Studios “Lattice” (antique blue) from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Patterned Paper – My Mind’s Eye “Lime Twist – Out of the Blue – Playful” & “Kraft Funday – Lollipop Dots”; Lily Bee Designs “Memorandum – Payday”; Simple Stories “Live Life – 24-7″ from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Calendar Pocket – EK Success Calendar SMASH Pockets from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Stickers – Simple Stories “Yearography” Expressions Stickers from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Chipboard frame – Kraft Fundays Happy Days Chipboard Elements from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Ribbon – My Mind’s Eye “Stella & Rose – Hattie” trims from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Alpha – Pink Paislee “Wood Shop – Wood Chip” from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Jenni Bowlin Vintage Number Set from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Purple Glitter, Purple Rhinestones – Hobby Lobby (personal stash)
• Purple Sharpie (personal stash)
• pop dots (personal stash)

it’s here!  February’s Paper Lovelies kit is just overflowing with romantic, shabby goodies – just in time for those Valentine’s projects and layouts

it’s really gorgeous!  there is really a lot of stuff in this kit, too – even stamps!  here’s what you get:

★ KaiserCraft “Sweet Nothings” 12×12 double-sided papers (2 each):  Dozen Roses, Devoted, You & Me, With Love, Sincerely, All Yours, Silver Lining, Cupid’s Arrow, Love Letters, Memories

★ KaiserCraft “Memories” die cut sheet (1)

★ Jillibean Soup 12×12 corrugated alpha – white (1)

★ KaiserCraft pearls – blush (1)

★ small red felt heart (1)

★ Maya Road mini ruler (1)

★ Jenni Bowlin bingo card – red (1)

★ Prima mini bouquet – color varies (1)

★ Maya Road wood spool (1)

★ Maya Road game pieces (2)

★ Hug Snug seam binding – white (24″)

★ May Arts rosette ribbon – red (12″)

★ KaiserCraft “With Love” mini stamp set (1)

so very exciting

to get you started with some inspiration, you can check out my samples below, or visit our other designer’s blogs to see their creations:

★   AMBER   ★   ILENE   ★   KASSIDY   ★   LISA   ★   SARA   ★   CARRIE   ★   NANCY   ★

and here are mine:

this kit absolutely has a bazillion possibilities!!!  you definitely need to check out Paper Lovelies before they sell out – they go FAST!!!  don’t forget to stop by the Paper Lovelies Facebook page from time to time to participate in giveaways and see other creations made by the Paper Lovelies fan club!

thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today.  make sure you stop by The Sampler’s blog tomorrow to see the ultra-fabulous-super-amazing layout i made to finish off this month’s kit!

peace, love & stickers 

SUPPLIES:

“Tiny Toes”

• Patterned Paper – KaiserCraft “Sweet Nothings – You & Me, Sincerely, Cupid’s Arrow” (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Alpha – Jillibean Soup (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Flowers – Prima (rosettes from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit; petaled from personal stash)
• Pearls – KaiserCraft (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Mini ruler, game piece – Maya Road (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Hug Snug seam binding (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Rub-on – Basic Grey (personal stash)
• Metal charm – ??? (personal stash)

“With Love”

• Patterned Paper – KaiserCraft “Sweet Nothings – You & Me, Sincerely, Memories, Silver Lining, With Love” (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Pearls – KaiserCraft (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)
• Stamp “With Love” – KaiserCraft (from Paper Lovelies Feb. 2012 kit)

i have noticed that {this} post gets more attention than any other post on my blog.  apparently, Dollar Store crafts are a hot commodity these days

so here’s another round of coolness – if only i could just make some of these someday!!!

1.  Stenciled Quote Pillow (from Amanda, Wit & Whistle) - i. absolutely. love this.  need to make for our bed!  and you can achieve it with no more than $3, or more if you want it to be a bit more elaborate.  such a fantastic idea!!!

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

2.  Pebble Mat (from After I Finish This Row) - i’m pretty sure every bathroom in our house needs one of these.  possibly the front and back porches as well.  $3 total for the materials… i’m almost tempted to get up and go buy some rocks right now!

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

3.  Duct Tape Rings (from Living Locurto) - these could be virtually free if you already have all of the supplies on hand – a little duct tape, a little cardboard, and whatever you want to embellish them with! a fun project to to with kids, too

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

4.  Leftover Candy Canes = Minty Sugar Cubes (from Carolyn’s Homework) - brilliance.  sheer brilliance.  i love minty coffee anyway, and i’m running out of that “holiday-only” Peppermint Mocha creamer.

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

5.  Origami Wreath (from Dollar Store Crafts) - the scrapbooker in me squealed with joy when i found this!  another project added to the list.  and it only uses 5 sheets of paper

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

6.  Cute Spring Tree (from Craft Jr.) - pretty cute, cheap, and so many different ways you could spruce this up to match your decor!

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

7.  7 Fashionable Wardrobe Revamp Projects (from Dollar Store Crafts) - an absolutely amazing collection of cheap and easy (some even no sew!) ways to spice up some of your old stuff or thrift store finds.  including the men’s dress shirt tutorial that has been floating around pinterest.

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

8.  Reusable Swiffer Covers (from Merwing-Little Deer) - and… i probably need to look into this.  i was just complaining the other day about the stupid Swiffer, maybe this will help… also only costs $1, so that ‘s helpful.

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

9.  Fork Bracelet (from Stars for Streetlights) - my BFF Shannon will love this, if she hasn’t found it already!  dollar store silverware is obviously fantastic for craft projects.  might have to pick up a few pieces next time i am there.

[ photo via Dollar Store Crafts ]

well i hope that you have enjoyed this little update to my previous post!  pinterest has come out since that post, so i’m always skimming over great projects like this.  i will try to make another post like this sometime in the future since it seems to be a popular thread among so many people.  i always love finding new things too!  thanks for stoppin’ by

peace, love and stickers -

just wanted to stop in really quickly and share a card with you that i made yesterday for The Sampler Kit Club, using the January 2012 kit

it’s so simple, but i love it because it was a great way to use up bits & pieces of leftovers from the kit!  everything is from The Sampler’s January 2012 kit “Ready, Set, GO!”, minus the kraft, the mini brad, and the woodgrain embossing folder – those were from my hoard.  this card was also a great excuse to try out the woodgrain embossing folder that i bought at Hobby Lobby the other day.  i can’t say i’m fully pleased with it as yet… this emboss was done on a piece of the Core’dinations from the kit, and the emboss seemed to almost come right through the paper!  this piece was the second attempt.  the first i had run through the Cuttlebug twice, as i usually do to get a nice crisp emboss, and the paper was perforated all the way through in some places!  this second one was a little better, since i only ran it through once.  it was still a tidbit fragile and wanted to perforate in places if i manipulated it too much.  maybe i’m using the wrong combo of embossing plates or something… idk, i’m a n00b when it comes to this embossing stuff (heat or dry)!

the brand of this particular folder was “The Paper Studio” which is Hobby Lobby’s flagship scrapbooking brand.  comparatively, i never really have a problem with “The Paper Studio” products – they are generally pretty durable and quality is pretty good, and they keep up with the current trends at a fraction of the price.  this folder was originally $4.99, but with the 40% off any one item coupon, i snagged it for $2.99.  it didn’t seem to vary much from the Cuttlebug and Sizzix folders i have that have produced nice embosses in the past.  i will certainly be trying it again, possibly with some different / thicker paper in the future, and i will hopefully be able to give a more accurate review of this product then

[ PS - this is my personal, honest opinion and the tested results of the use of this product.  Hobby Lobby and/or "The Paper Studio" is in no way compensating me for this review, howevermuch i wish they would!!!!!  ]

oh! anyway, back to the card.  i have a tutorial for the flowers made on this card and the “hey you” card i posted earlier in the month for the reveal of The Sampler kit, so head HERE, to The Sampler’s blog, to read that post and make you own cute, quick little flowers for your own creations.  i made three flowers during the tutorial, these were a bit different from the flower from the original card, but you can achieve either result with my tutorial.

*** UPDATE ***

Shopping is a chore that I don’t always enjoy but…

1. CRAFT SUPPLIES!!!  i mean, are you kidding me?  i keep considering asking if they will let me just move into Hobby Lobby if i pay them a monthly premium…
2. CLOTHES.  i have tons of clothes.  i don’t like to wear the same things all the time, and i like everything to be matchy.  there was a time (when we weren’t dirt poor) that i couldn’t go into a store that had clothing without making a purchase.
3. FOOD.  i love food shopping.  i love food.  i love being surrounded by all the pretty packaging and smells!
4. BOOKS/MAGAZINES.  i’ve been known to spend hours in B&N just wandering around and pitching camp on the floor surrounded by stacks of books with Starbucks in hand.
5. IPHONE APPS.  it’s rare that i miss a Thursday App Store update.  you just never know what little program they’ll come out with next that simplifies another area of your life!  or… if you’re me, a game that ends up consuming more of your time than originally planned

peace, love and stickers 

SUPPLIES:

• Cardstock – Core’dinations “Marsh” from The Sampler January 2012 kit; kraft (personal stash)
• Patterned Paper – My Mind’s Eye “Lime Twist – Out of the Blue Playful”, Simple Stories “Live Life – 24-7″ from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Sticker – Simple Stories Yearography Expressions from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Chipboard – My Mind’s Eye “Kraft Funday Happy Days” from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Ribbon – My Mind’s Eye “Stella & Rose – Hattie” trims from The Sampler January 2012 kit
• Mini brads, Woodgrain Embossing folder, foam squares – The Paper Studio – Hobby Lobby (personal stash)
• “3 flowers” die cut by Lori Whitlock – Silhouette Online Store / Silhouette SD

hi everyone!  here with a challenge from The Sampler Kit Club, featuring this month’s kit: “Ready, Set, GO!”

it’s a very simple challenge, and there are so many different ways you could use your supplies from this kit to make a card for this challenge… and so many different designs you could take away from this simple photo!

[ photo credit - Pinterest ]

such a cute card to begin with, but with all the krafty goodness in the kit, you could really take this idea 1,000 different directions.  here’s what i came up with to inspire you:

isn’t it TWEET?!  lol.  okay, i admit… that was pretty corny!  i just love this kit, though, it’s just awesome how everything works together so well!  i added a piece of plain kraft and a scrap of black cardstock, the twine, and the brads from my own stash.  our other card designers came up with some fantastic examples to share with you as well, stop by their blogs and check ‘em out!

★  AMY S.  ★  AMBER  ★

so stop by The Sampler’s blog to get more info about the challenge, and link up your creations so we can admire them and leave you some love!  and if you haven’t gotten your The Sampler kit yet, you’d better hurry over to Scrapbooking Supplies R Us and grab one before they’re gone!  challenge submissions for the card challenge will be due on Feb. 10th – so you have a whole month to play with the kit and come up with something!  and one lucky, random crafty person is going to win some goodies from The Sampler for playing along!  just upload your creations to The Sampler’s Flickr Gallery by Feb. 10th to be entered to win!  how awesome

also, a couple fun giveaways i wanted to plug really quickly!!

#1 – Paper Lovelies has a FANTASTIC giveaway going on at their Facebook Page through Wednesday – Carrie is giving away 4 packs of AC Thickers, 1 pack of AC Remarks stickers, 9 acrylic stamp sets from We R Memory Keepers / Flourish / Dina Wakely / Maya Road / Pink Paislee / Hero Arts – so stop by the Facebook page (join if you haven’t already!) and leave a comment on the giveaway post by Wednesday for your chance to win this super-sweet prize pack!!

#2 – Fellow The Sampler DT member Amy C. posted about a giveaway on The Greatest View blog and i figured i would pass that one along too!  The Greatest View is giving away THREE $25 vouchers for The Greatest View Etsy Shop to celebrate their new products and blog!  You’ll have until Jan. 31 at 9pm for that one – stop by the new The Greatest View blog for more d’s and to enter for your chance to win!  Here’s a sneak peek at what they’re offering in their shop:

sooooo CUTE!  i need me some of them chevron buttons!  ASAP!

thanks for stopping by today, please visit The Sampler’s blog on Thursday for my post there!  i’ll be back with more soon

SUPPLIES:

* Patterned Paper – My Mind’s Eye “Kraft Funday – Patchwork Party”; Lily Bee Designs “Head Over Heels – Dreamy” (from The Sampler Jan 2012 kit)

* Cardstock – Core’dinations “Snowflake” (from The Sampler Jan 2012 kit); Colorbok (black) & Hobby Lobby – The Paper Studio (kraft) (from personal stash)

* Sticker – Simple Stories “Yearography Expressions” (from The Sampler Jan 2012 kit)

* Trim – My Mind’s Eye “Stella & Rose – Hattie” trims (from The Sampler Jan 2012 kit)

* Twine – Walmart (from personal stash)

* Brads – Hobby Lobby – The Paper Studio (from personal stash)

* Silhouette SD / “birds on a wire” by Alaa’ K from Silhouette Online Store

you have no idea.

i’m really scared about how long this post might be actually!!!

I. LOVE. MAKING. THINGS.  (obviously.)  it like drives my entire day!  i will really try to keep this list to a minimum, i promise

I WANT TO MAKE THINGS.

• a knit / crocheted Super Mario afghan.  i’ve been working on a pattern for like two years now, after seeing several that i really REALLY want.  it will happen.  trust me.
• a gallery wall in our foyer.  it’s coming along slowly.  i’m making individually framed scrappy projects to include – pages, pictures, letters, etc.  it’s going to be so awesome when it’s done.
• a Super Mario mural in our gameroom.  another work-in-progress for several years.  i am WAYYY too much of a perfectionist!
• learn how to knit.  so i can make this amazing $5 in Paris sweater i saw on ravelry.  among other things.
• my December Daily that i shamefully neglected.  i put together the MOST AMAZING book then never added any content to it.  i swear i’m going to get to working on it one of these days!!!
• a Halo-themed afghan for Brody.  he really wants one.  i really need to do it… yeah… one of these days, just like everything else!
• video game inspired floor pillows for the game room.  probably crochet.  who knows?  something else i’ve been stuffing onto my “to-do” list for years.
• an acrylic mini album.  i have all the supplies.  my perfectionism always keeps me from starting it, though!
• Christmas cards.  yeah, i’ve made a bunch.  yeah, i have a bunch that i never sent to anyone.  one of my goals for this year is to actually have enough to feel confident about sending them out to people!

i could seriously go on, and on, and ON.  but i won’t.  those are my top things!  glad i have this list to reference back to whenever i’m trying to think of yet another project to start