Keep calm and ride on

     Wow we're already starting a new month this year.  First day of the month and first Monday which means it time for a new challenge at There She Goes.  This challenge is being brought to you by one of our new Trendsetters, Tracy Valure and she wants to see a project with a man/boy/son, etc. masculine theme.
     I've inked up a couple of stamps from the "Giddy Up" set and pulled out the bits and pieces that are left of my Cosmos Cricket "Wanted" paper pad to create my western manly style card.
     We'd love to have you come play along with the challenge.  TSG stamps are not required and there is a $5.00 gift voucher to the TSG store up for grabs for the winner.
  We've also started a new challenge over at the Catered Crop and Linda wants to see projects using twine.  You just can't have a western theme cards without some kind of rope can you.  LOL
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Amusing Challenge--anything goes
Hobbycutz--sketch or CAS
Totally Papercrafts--metal
Dutch Dare--CAS
Divas By Design--use metal
Simon Says Stamp--anything goes

     Happy Monday!

Supplies:  Paper--Cosmo Cricket "Wanted", Bazzill, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft and chipboard, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--There She Goes Clear Stamps "Giddy Up", Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Frayed Burlap Distress ink, Copics, Versamark; Tools--Sizzix Stars #2, Tim Holtz Ruler, Plastic Canvas Circle; Miscellaneous--Recollections brads, Recollections Chunky Aged Silver embossing powder, hemp cord

BFF's

     Took a little time today to make a fun card.  I was shooting for the Stamping Bella challenge this week but I couldn't make the image work with the sketch.  Have to try something else for that.  So I went to an old Mojo Monday sketch and came up with this. Wish I had Flower Soft for their boas.  I think it would look better.
     I colored it like my bestie and me.  I'm the one on the left with the ridiculously naturally curly hair.  LOL
     Here's the inside of the card.

     Cute huh.  hee hee

     I hope you all have a blessed Easter Sunday.  This card is about friends, but the one who died for us will be celebrated tomorrow as the resurrected Son of God and he is a friend who sticketh closer than a brother.  I hope you know Him as your savior and friend.

     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Stampin'--oh so girly

Brown Sugar--flowers

Crafty Catz--swirls and pearls

Wags 'n Whiskers--friendship

C.R.A.F.T.--Mother's Day/Female

Sassy Studio--funny sentiments

Paper Shelter--anything goes

Party Time Tuesday--anything goes

Bunny Zoe's--girly

Make It Monday--anything goes

Creative Inspirations Paint--anything goes

Eclectic Ellapu--whimsy or funny

All that Stickles--yellow

     Happy Easter!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Lavender", Recollections, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps:  Stamping Bella "Uptown Girls Pattie and Dottie Friends Forever"; Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics; Tools--Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder, MFT Die-namics Fancy Flourish, EK Success Retro Flower punches, Nestabilities Standard Circles, Tim Holtz ruler; Miscellaneous--Recollections and Paper Studio pearls, Yellow and Cotton Candy Stickles

A farewell

     This is kind of a sad post today.  I have decided to step down from the Whimsy and Stars Studio team.  It was a hard decision.  Mabelle is such a sweetheart and the team is just wonderful.  However, as the days go by I find myself with less and less time to spend on my crafty hobby.  When it becomes all about stress to fulfill deadlines and nothing about fun I think it's time to make some changes.  I will really miss this sweet team and Mabelle recently began a new adventure with the Craft's Meow that I hope will turn out amazing.
     So here's my last card as a member of the DT.  I've used "Springtime Toadstool" and created a very CAS card.
     Have a fabulous weekend and a blessed Easter!

Supplies:  Paper--American Crafts, Recollections, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--Whimsy and Stars Studio "Springtime Toadstool", sentiment from MFT "Love Birds"; Ink--Copics, Ranger Archival Jet Black, Sakura white gel pen; Tool--Nestabilities Standard Circles and Classic Scalloped Circles, MFY Fishtail Banners, Bow Easy; Miscellaneous--Diamond Stickles, Michaels ribbon

TSG March New Release Blog Hop--Sneak Peek #3

(If you missed my earlier post today for Mo's Digital Pencil, please click here)     

     Welcome to the last day of sneak peeks for this months new releases from There She Goes Clear Stamps.

      Our second new artist is Wendy Leach and her Phyllis has won the hearts of the entire DT.

Phyllis is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 3 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

     Just look at that happy face and all those fun polka dots.  I gave her some glittery ones with some Patina Stickles and did a bit of doodling.
     Would you like to win the new Phyllis stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.
     You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM EasternTime Saturday, March 30^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Bronte the Easter Bunny

     The universe just seemed to be conspiring against me when I set out to make this card.  I wasn't happy with how the papers were going together so I set out to fix it.  My crafty space is the kitchen table with the computer right next to it.  Well everybody decided they needed to get on the computer and right in my way.  Once they finally all cleared out and I could get to the table my mojo had taken a hike.  So this one is pretty plain and simple.
     Our theme this week at Mo's Digital Pencil courtesy of our lovely Anja is "E is for....".  My card has an "Easter" theme, some "eggs" in the basket, some bunny "ears" on Bronte, and some decorative "edges".
     We'd love to have you come play along with this weeks challenge for your chance at $5.00 to spend in Mo's fabulous store.  You can find this image, Bella and Easter Bronte there as well as lots of other adorable images.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

4 Crafty Chicks--Easter
Crafty Ribbons--anything goes with ribbon
Hanna and Friends--Easter/Spring
Little Miss Muffett--Happy Easter
Sincerely Yours Creations--cats and dogs
Crafty Creations--Easter
Inky Impressions--Easter/Spring
Sisterhood of Crafters--Easter/Spring
Crafty Sentiments--Easter
Going Grey with Scrap Creations--Easter
Loves Rubber Stamps--Easter
Oldie But a Goodie--Easter (ribbon and flowers are all well over 6 months old)
Kaboodle Doodles--Easter or early Spring
Make It Monday--anything goes

Be blessed!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Tangerine", Recollections, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic Xpress-it Blending card; Stamp--Mo's Digital Pencil "Bella and Easter Bronte; Ink--Copics; Tools--Martha Stewart Flourish edge die, Nestabilities Standard Circles, Classic Scalloped Circles, and Lacey Circles, EK Success Scalloped Scallop edge die, sewing machine; Miscellaneous--Recollections flowers and pearls, Yellow Stickles, Kraft Outlet Hang Tag String, ribbon from my stash, Glossy Accents

TSG March new releases--Sneak Peek #2

     Welcome to day two of the There She Goes Clear Stamps March new release Blog Hop.

     This month we are introducing a BRAND new artist to There She Goes, Megan Suarez!! She has started us out with three FABULOUS stamp sets, which we think you are going to love. Her style is a touch on the side of gothic, but so much fun. We are starting out with three new sets from her and we can’t wait to see what’s next with this AMAZING designer!!

Penelope & Birdcage is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 4 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Nutmeg is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Journal lines is a 3x4 set that includes 1 stamp, and will sell for $9.00.

     I've used Penelope and her little friend for my card.  Had to use some birdie paper so thy'd match.  :-)

     Would you like to win all three new stamp sets from Megan Suarez (Penelope & Birdcage/Nutmeg/Journal Lines)? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post

     You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, March 30^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.



Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Jack and Jill", MFT, Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps:  There She Goes Clear Stamps "Penelope"; Ink--Copics; Tools--MFT Fishtail Banners, Stampin' Up Ticket Corner punch; Miscellaneous--Kraft Outlet Hang Tag String, Diamond Stickles, button and rhinestones from my stash

TSG March Release Blog Hop--Sneak Peek #1

     Welcome to the first day of sneak peeks from There She Goes Clear Stamps new March releases.

     If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck…well, it’s probably a Lucky Duck!! Ok, that was corny, but this SUPER cute set by Torico will make you squee with delight…could it get any cuter? Lots of ducks, and stamps to build the perfect scene, it’s so versatile.

Lucky Duck is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 24 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

There's also a set of extra sentiments call "Hooked on Quack".

Hooked on Quack is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

     Aren't these little quackers adorable!  There are even more of them!  I decided to create a little scene with several of momma ducks babies.  I had some grassy background stamps I had never used that seemed like they'd be perfect behind the duckies, but the pond and all the ducks and sentiment can be found in the Lucky Duck set. 
     Would you like to win the new Lucky Duck /Hooked on Quack stamp sets? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.
     You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, March 30^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Bloglovin, FB, Pinterest and some photos to share

     Hello my friends!   No card for this post, just some info about a few things connected with my blog.
     I'm sure most of you have read somewhere or another out in crafty bloggie land that come July Google Reader will no longer be available.  It's my understanding that the Google Follower widget will NOT be done away with.......yet.  However, in preparation for the reader removal I have joined numerous of my friends in signing up for the Bloglovin reader.  I hope you enjoy my blog posts and work enough to follow me through the Bloglovin reader or email after the Google reader disappears.  If you would like to continue to receive my posts please click on the Bloglovin follower button in my sidebar and let me know you've done so if you'd like me to follow you too.
     Secondly I'd like to let you know that I have added boards to my Pinterest account for several of the stamp companies I love and design for.  If you've seen a card you liked or that inspired you it will be much easier to locate it on the board instead of searching on the blog although there is a search button on my sidebar and a label category too.  Just thought it might make things simpler.  ☺
     I'm going to try to pick up the pace a bit with my FB posting also so if anyone would like to follow me there you can click on the button at the top of my sidebar.  Speaking of which, the icons I have added seem to be playing hide and seek when I open my blog page.  Please let me know it they are doing the same when you come to visit and I'll change them out for something more reliable.
     Last but not least I promised to share some photos from the trip to Bellingrath Gardens my mom and I took Thursday.  It was a bit windy and nippy that day, at least for the two of us.  I think that bus load of snowbirds got quite a few chuckles out of us all bundled up in hooded jackets while they were running around in shorts, capris, and short sleeved shirts.
     With the back and forth weather we've had this year the azaleas were not all blooming out fully at the same time, but they were still lovely and there were lots of other pretties to see.  Here we go!

     Hope you enjoyed the photos.  We sure enjoyed exploring the gardens for about three hours.  My best friend was jealous when I told here we'd gone so I promised we'd go back when the huge rose garden is in bloom.  sigh......can't wait!
     Have a wonderful blessed weekend!

Mad cows

     Here's a little funny for you ladies today.  This week at There She Goes the Trendsetters are showcasing some of the older sets.  I chose to use an image and sentiment from the "ROFL Taglines" set.  I tried to make Miss Thang's couch appear to be set up in a nice Victorian style room.  I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch for the layout.
     Here's the zinger for the tagline.  Please excuse the bad picture.  I forgot I hadn't photographed the inside of the card.

     Hope I gave you a bit of a chuckle.  :-)  Those TSG team mates of mine have some wicked senses of humor when it comes to thinking up sentiments.  Since the theme for the challenge at Top Tip Tuesday is "ROFL" I think I'll enter this card.
     I'll be back later with some pics from the botanical gardens.  We had a fantastic trip!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Nostalgia", Recollections, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic XPres-it Blending card; Stamps:  There She Goes Clear Stamps "ROFL Taglines", Ink--Copics; Tools--Marvy Uchida Circle punch, Memory Box Classic Scallop die, MFT Fishtail banner die, sewing machine; Miscellaneous--Kraft Outlet Earthy Hemp cord, buttons from my stash, Recollections pearls

For Momma

     Another one of my kitchen sink cards, but it was for my momma so that's okay.  ☺  I made this card back at the beginning of the month for my mom's birthday with this weeks Mo's Digital Pencil challenge in mind.
     Our lovely Iulia wants to see projects "for the women".  I used Eileen who is perfect for my mom since she is a gardener.  I did a lot of layering,distressing, and inking on this one.  The corner die was cut several times and layered for thickness.  The butterflies were embossed and inked.  Each one of the little flowers was embossed on a mouse pad for dimension and carefully applied one by one with those tiny leaves.
    Hope you like the card and can play along with us this week at Mo's for your chance at a $5.00 gift certificate to Mo's store.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafts and Me--buttons and bows
Crafty Creations--embossing
Inky Impressions--flowers
The Paper Shelter--spring
Simon Says Stamp--Easter/Spring
The Perfect Sentiment--fairies, butterflies
Bearly Mine--anything goes
Crafty Sentiments--flowers galore
Everybody Art--spring
Card Mania--lots of layers
Lexi's Creations--Mother's Day or special female birthday
Love to Create--anything goes
Make It Monday--anything goes
Dream Valley--Mother's Day for got a female
Sentimental Sundays--anything goes
2 Sisters--flowers for springs

     Happy Thursday!  I'm off to take my momma to see lots of pretty flowers.  ☺

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye, Kraft Outlet Brown Kraft, Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--Mo's Digital Pencil "Eileen", Stampabilities "Ornate Textured Background"; Ink--Copics, Versamark, Frayed Burlap Distress ink; Tools--Sizzix Corner die, Marvy Uchida and Martha Stewart butterfly punches, MFT Die-namics Fancy Flourish, Lil' Inkers Stitched Sentiment Flag, Memory Box Tender Leaves; Miscellaneous--Kraft Outlet Hang Tag String, buttons from my stash, Recollections pearls, Diamond Stickles, Stampendous white embossing powder

Yellow rose of thank you

     Sunday opened a new challenge at the Catered Crop.  Linda wants to see some "Flower Power".  Stamped or as embellishments, just put some blooms on your card and come play along.
This little cutie is from Torico's Birdie Brown digi collection.  I've colored her up with Copics and used a fun sketch from The Sweet Stop.  Torico just posted the second challenge for her 2nd Birthday celebration for Birdie Brown so I'm linking this up there.
     Hope you're having a fantastic week.  I'm about to be up to my elbows in crafting getting ready for next week's TSG new release blog hop and I'm taking a break tomorrow to take my mom over to Bellingrath Gardens to see all the azaleas and other flowers that are decorating spring.  Hope to have lots of gorgeous pictures.
     Other challenges I'd like to enter:

The Paper Shelter--let it be spring
Simon Says Stamp--Easter/Spring
Anything Goes Challenge--use two of something (pearls)
Love to Create--anything goes

     Be blessed!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Reunion", Bazzill, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps--Birdie Brown "Girl with a Rose", There She Goes Clear Stamps "Toadally Awesome"; Ink--Copics, Ranger Archival Jet Black; Tools--Nestabilities Standard Circles, Lil Inker Designs Stitched Flag die; Miscellaneous--Queen and Co. pearls, Kraft Outlet Earthy Hemp cord, button from my stash, Offray ribbon

I'm a dunce

     I'd have to check to see if I'm the official winner, but I think I'm at least in the top running for the fastest opening and closing of an Etsy store.  LOL  Yes I closed it already and I'll tell you why.
     Some of you may think I'm being silly, but my hubby and I are both rather cautious about how much personal info we give out online.  We are constantly hearing horror stories from friends.  I did not realize that to accept payments to PayPal from Etsy sales you have to have your bank account connected to PP.  That makes sense since they would have to have some way to reimburse customers who had problems with sales, but that hadn't occurred to me.  I just assumed everything would be handled with my cc.  Putting banking info out there is just not going to happen with us so I closed up the shop.  My cards are still available for sale through regular PayPal methods.  The "Send Money" function makes it super simple and it's free for both the buyer and seller.
     So I'm out of the Etsy business and back to just being a regular Joe Jane card maker.  ☺
  Here are the latest pages for my desk calendar.  They are SUPER simple but after all they only last a year.
     For March I used a cute digi Easter Bunny from Karen's Doodles.

     For April I used another one of the adorable bears from the TSG "Beary Best" set.  Told you I was in love with these little guys.  The raindrop stamps are part of the set too.  I stamped them randomly and then added some glittery opaque embossing powder.

     Like I said, nothing elaborate, just something that makes it soooo easy to keep myself straight with projects, challenges, and life in general.  :-)
     Stay tuned for another post with my card for this week's "Flower Power" challenge at the Catered Crop.
     Hugs!

The cow jumped over the....grass?

     Woohoo!  This little girl is showing her birthday excitement.  This weeks challenge at There She Goes is easy peasy, Anything Goes!  I decided to use this cute little cow and sentiment from the "Oh Crop" set.  I gave her some Distress ink clouds and some grass with a Fiskars punch.
     Hope you'll come play along this week.  You don't have to use a TSG stamp to play although we'd love to see them.  You just might be our lucky $5.00 gift certificate winner.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

613 Avenue Create--anything goes
Challenges 4 Everybody--anything
No Matter Which--anything goes
Chocolate, Coffee, and Cards--banners
Crafty Catz--make us/you laugh

     Happy Monday!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Sunny", Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps--There She Goes Clear Stamps "Oh Crop"; Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black, Ranger Archival Jet Black, Copics, Tumbled Glass Distress ink; Tools--MFT Die-namics Fishtail Banners and Sentiment Strips, Fiskars Grass punch, Nestabilities Classic Squares; Miscellaneous--Kraft Outlet Hang Tag String, Recollections brads

Welcome Spring

     There are so many wonderful spring colored cards floating around out there in bloggie land.  Everyone is ready for green and flowers, bird and bees, and warmer weather.
     I have a card from you today using one of the newly released images from Whimsy and Stars Studio called "Welcome Spring".  She's already got her flowers and butterflies.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

2 Sisters--flowers for spring
Di's Digi Designs--Easter/Spring
QKR Stampede--dreaming of spring
Moving Along with the Times--spring is in the air
Crafting for all Seasons--spring into spring
Eureka Stamps--spring has sprung

     Hope this brings a bit of cheer to your day.  ☺


Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "Sunny", MFT, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps--Whimsy and Stars Studio "Welcome Spring", sentiment from Create with TLC; Ink--Copics; Tools--MFT Die-namics Sentiment Strips, sewing machine; Miscellaneous--Recollections pearls, Yellow and Orange Stickles, Glossy Accents, Michael's flower, orange trim from my stash