Thank You

I know I've said this numerous times but seriously taking something "ordinary" and wrapping it up pretty makes a simple gift seem so much more SPECIAL,

 right?

Attention to details:

Glitter cardstock that I cut down, punched a round hole and scored so that it would slide over and hang from the neck of the wine bottle.  I stamped the little chef, added some shadowing with a Copic Marker and gave him striped pants by drawing crisscross lines.  The food on his tray was colored with Copic Markers, cut out and I used foam squares to make them 3-dimensional.

Oh and that RIBBON

I hope she kept it, we all know

I WOULD

You're so AMAZING

" BABY IT's COLD OUTSIDE "
CHALLENGE
Deadline is Tonight
Saturday at midnight

Technically my card has NOTHING to do with the theme "Baby It's Cold Outside", however, that little chicca looks "HOT" standing there in her cape, pill hat and I do believe she is holding a sweet little pair of gloves!

take a peek inside where I stamped her again

Not being one to toss out even the silliest pieces of scraps look closely at how many I was able to incorporate into this project.

Side View to show that the entire rectangle is popped up using foam squares, as well as, how I have been using the little "frames" left over from the Spellbinder Die Cuts. (see it layered on top of the blue scalloped rectangle?)

I FOUND A VERY COOL CHALLENGE BLOG
WEE MEMORIES: Scrappy Saturday Challenge.
It is a judged challenge with WONDERFUL PRIZES... Make sure to check them out!

Here is the CPS Sketch #201 that I used

CHALLENGES I USED:
WEE Memories: Free your Creativity
Card Positioning System (CPS): Sketch #201

Make sure to check out these Products that I used today and REMEMBER EVERYTHING is ALWAYS 10% off
at ABC Toys & Crafts

This package of inks was perfect for stamping my image in brown and black along with aging the edges

TRIUMPHANT over ?????

MILITARY TRANSFER
NEW HOME
NO FRIENDS
NO FURNITURE
GREY ROOTS
SNAKES
TRAVELING
FAMILY VISITS
CULTURE SHOCK
&
D E P R E S S I O N

The above list could go on and on, however out of fear of regression of the depression, I WON'T

I'll just say, I'm sorry and that I have missed being a part of this community and of course all of you folks that I consider to be my friends. Thank you so much for the personal notes to say that you have missed me and letting me know that you were concerned. It felt so good today to actually cruise around looking for challenges, and CREATE............

I created today's card for our military sponsors. Upon arriving here in Florida, we had nothing except what our suitcases contained. Not having lived on the mainland USA since 1992, we were unaware that the military does not give you loaner furniture upon arrival at a new duty station. We had a brand new house here waiting on us, however it was EMPTY!! Without ever having met us, Brett & Vicki opened up their home for a few nights until we could purchase mattresses. They also put together a box of items containing plates, cups, silverware, pots & pans and even WINE GLASSES ;o) Their hospitality allowed us to stay in our new home for over a month until our household goods arrived. I'll admit that having my mattress in the middle of the living room was FUN.

This card was something that I created when I had nothing. I had printed the image prior to leaving Sicily and would you belive that Brett owns a TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLE?

The glow in the dark star was something that I had picked up off of my floor in Sicily when all of my furniture had been packed up. The room that we stayed in over at Brett & Vicki's just happened to have glow in the dark stars above the bed!!! The tag & hemp fiber behind the motorcycle image actually came off of a pair of shorts that I had purchased while traveling. My daughter created the "Thank You" sentiment using the computer.

I was so tickled with how this card turned out and I hope they know how deeply they touched my heart with their hospitality. Perhaps now that the dust and fog have lifted, I will be able to repay them by inviting them over and opening a fantabulous bottle of Wine that we imported from Italy??

CHALLENGES I USED:
Fresh Brewed: Thank You
Mercy's Sketch: Sketch (as usual, I am sharing MY interpretation of how I view the sketch)
PaperKutz: Anything Goes

Have you seen my.............MOJO

Perhaps it isn't exactly my MOO that is missing but more so the hours in the day?? Everytime I return from a trip stateside, it takes forever to get my body clock back in alignment with whatever continent I happen to be on. Coming back home and being on Spring Break from school DID NOT HELP!! I mean seriously, why can't I stay up until 4am and then sleep until noon?? OOOOOO because I have to go back to work IN THE MORNING? Stinks to be me.......
Here is a closer look at today's card so that you can see the details in my "BOOK". Doesn't that Nestie Die just scream BOOK? I would be interested to know what other ideas some of you have for Spellbinders (Nestabilities Die #7)...........

How would you like to save 15% off of your entire purchase over at ABC Toys & Crafts (sale items excluded)...... I also heard that Julie, the store owner is going to be listing the NEWEST MARTHA STEWART PUNCHES this week.
CDAJ2010
(yep that's the code to save 15% at ABC Toys & Crafts)

..........Challenges I used...........
Stamp Something: Layers (layered papers, embellishments & even stamps)
Pile It On: Spring is Finally Here
The Crazy Challenge: Don't Call Me Flat (first I love the name. The idea is to bring your artwork up off of the page (3-d'ish)
Creative Belli Challenge: Die Cut Shapes (I created a book)
Paper Makeup Challenge: Use 5 Embellishments (2 brads, 1 chipboard, 1 flower, 1 ribbon)
Scrappy Frog Challenge: Pick 3 (I chose: die cut, no coloring & sponging)

...........Supplies I used............
Stamps: Penny Black (Nature Flowers), Stampin Up (french script)
Ink: Tsukineko (dew drops Momento), Stampin Up (always artichoke)
Cardstock: Paper Trey Ink (sweet blush), Stampin Up (naturals)
Patterned Paper: K&Co. (Bailey)
Tools: Spellbinders (Nestabilities die #7)
Misc: Making Memories (metallic brads), K&Co.(chipboard), Delta (light pink acrylic paint), satin ribbon from Italy, Prima flower, foam squares

You can never say "it" too much

THANKS

I am not a huge fan of Autumn or Winter, being cold, shorter days, trees with no leaves, snow, nope I will pass on all of the above. I am a fan, however, of Giving Thanks and I love that we have a special day set aside to remind us to be thankful for everything we have. In reality, everyday is Thanksgiving right? Although I don't watch Oprah, I remember hearing something about a gratitude journal. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep or maybe I am just in a rather pessimistic mood. Surely no one else ever feels that way. Today's project is a small place where, when I am feeling negative, I can begin to list things that I am thankful for. I don't write sentances, no dates, no tabs and no lines, just blank pages where I can write words. Maybe I feel like drawing a little sketch or writing upside down. My challenge for all of you is to create a special place outside of a regular journal, to jot down anything that you are thankful for. I promise you will begin to feel very blessed and happy. Another thing I like to do as I fall asleep rather than writing, is to start a mental list or prayer of things I am thankful for. What a wonderful way to drift off to sleep. Thank you everyone who stops by here and leaves such wonderful comments. I love reading them and they truly do brighten my day.

A FEW REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
(click on the company names to visit their websites)

Shirley's 2 Girls

• 25% off all Halloween Stamps (excludes digi images)
• Congratulations to AMY who was last weeks TWISTED THURSDAY WINNER. Enjoy your new stamps and let us see what you create after receiving them
• This week's TWISTED THURSDAY sketch challenge is still going on until Wed. Maybe you will be this week's WINNER (see 2 posts down for complete details)

Paper Maniac

• Paper Maniac has a new sketch challenge that begins today ----> HERE
• 30% off Halloween items
  
• FPO/APO address can enjoy free shipping throughout the month of October on purchases of $40 or more, compliments of Paper Maniac

ABC Toys & Crafts

• ABC Toys & Crafts is offering 25% off Inkadinkado Stamps
  

100% Fun - Unity Retail Store Exclusive

Yesterday Paper Maniac introduced me as their "Charter" Guest Design Team member for the next two weeks. I'm telling you, I could not have felt more welcome. If you missed seeing my name "in lights" check it out ----> HERE
Today marks my official start and the Paper Maniac Design Team's theme for this week is "THANK YOU". My project may not look like the traditional thank you card, however, it is indeed a very special thank you card. Friday night a friend of ours took my son to play Paintball and then out to dinner for a little male bonding time. What a treat this was for an 11 year old boy and a much needed break for a tired mom. That ferris wheel was what caused me to NEED this Unity stamp set (100% Happy). I have seen so many amazing projects with this set which is a retail store exclusive meaning that it can NOT be purchased at Unity, however it is available at Paper Maniac. The FUN sentiment is also included in the set. The VIP pass was cut from a piece of Jillybean Patterned Paper which is two sided. One side of the paper is brown with little white flowers and the other is loaded with fun tags & sentiments.

Do you know any Military members or their families serving overseas? Paper Maniac is offering free shipping to APO/FPO mailing address with a $40 purchase or more for the entire month of October. Help me spread the word and tell them to use the this promotional code when checking out = SUPPORT

..........Supplies I Used..............
Stamps: Unity Store Kit (100% happy), Shirley's 2 Girls (Groovy), SU (thank you sentiment)
Patterned Paper: Jillybean Soup (olive oil-minestrone edition)
Cardstock: SU (riding hood red, confetti white, chocolate chip)
Ink: Momento (tuxedo black, rich chocolate), Copic Markers,
Tools: Spellbinders (Nestabilities square scallop & circle), Provo Craft (cuttlebug), SU (corner ticket punch)
Misc: Doodlebug (mini brown brads), Nikki Sivils (brown cordoroy brad)