Back to School Blog Hop

We're doing a blog hop at The Stamping Boutique to introduce the Back to School images that a few of you have already purchased! I can't believe some of my American friends are already talking about back to school shopping! I did buy my DS his backpack, lunchpail and a shirt for his big day!! We start JK this year so it's a big year!! I can't believe my "baby" is starting school!!

I created this layout for a photo of my son's first visit to kindergarten - without Mommy! I need to do the journalling and add the photo (I left it off for security reasons...it's got his school's name on it, etc...so I decided to leave it off!)

I used the backpack, pencil and desk stamps from The Stamping Boutique.

So now, here's your blog list:
Aletha
Amanda
April
Ashley

Collette
Crystal B
Crystal D
Donna
Jan
Jennifer
Kym
Lorie
Maria
Michele
Melissa
Robyn
Sherri

Have fun hopping!! Don't forget to check out the Design Team's creations on the TSB blog!

Winter Wonderland

Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring the Winter Wonderland blog this week...(YES MORE WINTER STUFF...I think someone's trying to tell me something!) I was assigned this challenge...and it was a CHALLENGE for me!

Here is my card:

I didn't use traditional colours...the glittery letters (from American Crafts) are supposed to look like snow and the shimmery cardstock gives that glisten look! The challenge was to have NO PATTERN PAPER on your creation! This was a HUGE challenge for me!

Don't forget to pop over to the WW blog to link your creations for a chance to win 4 FREE images from SSD!! And with the new release on Sunday, you don't wanna miss out on that!

Stamp Insanity HATES Cancer...

...SO DO I!

I came across this site tonight and boy am I glad I did! I found this incredible digital stamp set from StampInsanity Stamps...Beth Schultz, the illustrator of these incredible images, has been affected by breast cancer.

Here is her story:
I am very partial to all of my character stamps, but there is none that are so special to me as Katie. You will be seeing Katie from time to time, battling various ills and raising awareness for various causes. This first one, however, is especially dear to me.

Earlier this year, in 2010, I got a call from my Mom – in and of itself, not a bad thing! Her news, however, shook me to my core. My cousin, the now grown in to a beautiful woman Kate, had been diagnosed with breast cancer! My first thought was, How can that be?! She’s 33 years old, and perfectly healthy! Then the tragedy and fear set in. The world is a better place for having her in it. Kate is special. Everyone would agree.

Kate’s story is not unique and that is epically tragic. Breast cancer has hit more mature members of my family and our friends for generations, and there is no shortage of news stories on tv and in print. But… Katie is younger than me! She will ever be the little girl who followed me around as a kid and wormed her way into my heart, so that she was more like my little sister! This was too much, but what could I do? I raise a kid and market stamp art – hardly conducive to any manner of help. From there Katie for a Cure was born.

I ask that you consider purchasing the Katie set, and know that your contribution will be combined with all the others to benefit breast cancer research. It is time this disease was stopped. This is how we can help.


You should consider purchasing this set. You can also make an additional donation with your purchase. The money raised goes to the Susan Gomen Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

Thanks for reading this! You will not be disappointed with this set!

I am going to use it for Ovarian Cancer too...that's the awesome-ness of the set (yes awesome-ness is a word!)...you can colour the ribbon whatever colour you want! Thanks Beth! This is an incredible addition to your collection! Thanks for doing your part to fight the good fight!

Dare to Be Thursday Challenge at SSD

Okay, so as much as I don't wanna think about Christmas, this week's challenge at Sassy Studio Designs is Christmas in July...so I used "Under the Mistletoe"....I like this stamp because it is a versatile stamp...I've used it for an anniversary card before. I just don't use the mistletoe!

The funny thing part: now that I think about it, mistletoe berries are white...not red!! That's HOLLY!!! :D Oh well! Maybe this couple kisses under holly too! :D

Here's a close up of the "mistletoe"/holly!

Thanks for checking it out! :D
And maybe I should start my Christmas list!
Get a jump-start on my shopping!

It's a sad day...

Last night I jumped on Facebook to check out what happened during the day...I come across a friend's status saying she's sad...so I drop down all the comments to find out what's wrong...and I find out that a girl we met through the Ovarian Cancer walk has lost her 5 year battle with cancer...I just broke down in tears.

I've never met this girl...I've talked to her over through Facebook and I was supposed to meet her two years ago at the first OCC walk we did but she got sick the week before...our teams were "rivals" to see who could raise the most money for the fundraising part of the walk...I did get to meet her sister and the rest of the Teal Titans though. They were an amazing support system for Becky through her journey.

Becky's been battling ovarian cancer for 5, almost 6 years...she was diagnosed when she was 26 years old. She almost made it to her 32nd birthday...it's just so sad that such a brave young woman was taken from this world and taken from her little boy...I think that's what makes me sad the most...I can't imagine my kids growing up without a mommy...my heart goes out to her brave little guy but I know he will be watched over by his own personal angel now...

I'm bawling my eyes out as I'm typing this and I don't know why. I guess some people touch other's lives without even knowing it...I was reading Becky's facebook profile (yes it's still up!) and she's touched SO many lives. There was even one guy that said thanks for being my first girlfriend in grade 3! (I kinda chuckled at that! I thought that was cute!) You just never know how you will touch other's lives and what impact you will have on them.

We'll all be walking at the Winner's Walk of HOPE in Barrie with even more determination this September...This walk will be dedicated to Becky...she'll be watching over us all...I'm sure there will be lots of tears shed and stories shared but that's what it's all for...to celebrate those that have passed...to cheer on those that are going through their treatments...and to be thankful for those that have come through it and are still here to tell about it...let's help get rid of this awful disease...or at least help catch it early and get the treatment these women need...

My prayers are with Becky's family...you've lost a mother, sister, daughter but you've gained an angel! Some people only dream of angels; you got to hold one!

(Becky, Photo taken in 2008 for the OCC Gala)

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat away peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the Spirit.

Someone had posted this video on Facebook...it's beautiful...

Rest in Peace Becky! Know you are loved and you touched so many lives!

Some you didn't even know about!

Nanny...Rest in Peace...

It's been three years since my nanny passed away in front of me...she was the first person I watched die...it was the most heartwrenching thing to go through but I wouldn't have had it any other way for her...she had her whole family around her...That's the way I think everyone should go...with the people they love around them...my DS was even there and at 19 months, knew to be quiet and still...

DS with Nanny at 2 months old when she was in the hospital...she had fractured her hip and had to stay in the hospital so we decided to visit Nanny (on my birthday too!)...she had a stroke a month before he was born...they always had a special bond!

I get to see Nanny's picture every week at Grandpa's when I clean and it seems like she should just be in the next room...she will forever be in my heart...

We're off in a few minutes to visit her grave...love you so much Nanny! You will forever be in our hearts!

Three Generations...Nanny (in the middle) with her mom (left) and her grandmother (right)

Aloha!

Thought I'd share this card today too!! I created it last night/this morning for a challenge at In Style Stamps...they are SUPER cute stamps of all kinds...even some anime!

I LOVE the anime ones...and ISS has a GREAT tutorial on their blog about colouring the eyes the right way! I followed it last night and I REALLY like the end result!

Thanks for letting me share! Hope you like it!!

Stamp Something...

Sassy Studio Designs is sponsoring Stamp Something challenge blog...the challenge is to use a digi stamp...make ANYTHING as long as it includes a digi...so here I used the Dhyana stamp...the top half anyways...

Check out the other examples from some of the SSD design team...the blog is here...thanks for checking it out!

New look!

I've revamped my T& J Studios blog...it's got a new header, a new background AND a new giveaway! Check it out! I'm giving away a 1hr photography session....(sorry locals only unless you're paying for my plane ticket and hotel room!)...I'm also adding a new rental page (for weddings/parties)...so check that out soon too!

(Can you guess who this was named after?!)

Bella Blog Hop

Christy Dillman, our illustrious DT leader at The Stamping Boutique organized the DT members to create a special card for a very special little girl, Bella!

You can read more here http://www.bellatucker.org/. You can also donate to the family through that website to help cover their medical costs and other accumulating costs.

Your challenge is simply to create a card for Miss Bella to brighten her day!! Pop it into the mail and you will help lift this little girl's spirits!! Send some love through the post office! Below is the mailing address for where you can send your cards.

The Bella Tucker Fund
P.O. Box 199
Londonderry NH
03053 USA

Here is my card for Miss Bella! I hope she likes it! :D

The next task is to follow through the blog hop...you will be entered into a chance for the grand prize. The prize includes goodies from Chrissy Armstrong, Whiff of Joy, Firecracker Designs by Pamela, and Whimsy Stamps, Simon Says, Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, Paper Jewels, Soft Pencil, Quixotic Paperie, Digital Delights, Sunshine and giggles, Lala Land, The Stamping Boutique and Digi images by Edith. The grand prize to be drawn on July 20. Follow this link to see the grand prize.

Here is the list for the hop:
Denise Lynn
Marianne
Elizabeth Pujalka
Julie Glasgow
Tanya Rudd
Adrina Smulder
Chris Olsen
Christy Dillam
Sarah Ketchum
Katharina Frei
Rachel Vaughn
Pat Sergeant
Erin Bailey

Thanks for contributing to make today a very special day for this special little girl!