…A Few Of My Favorite Things from 2010

Another year has come and gone, and we’re at the beginning of a new one.  I wanted to take a look back and share some of my favorite things from this past year with you all today. 

It’s hard to believe that I was watercoloring at the beginning of the year, then my life changed with the arrival of my Copic Sketch Markers!  In the words of my sweet friend, Jessica Diedrich…”Taste the rainbow, baby”!  LOL!  My life hasn’t been the same since these little puppies arrived. :)

Then there was my favorite new recipe of 2010…Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp:

 

My favorite trip of 2010 with my favorite people, Pam Varnell and Jessica Diedrich…Summer CHA in Chicago, IL (pictured with Sankari Wegman…she happens to be another favorite of mine):

And of course there are my favorite photos of my favorite fellas:

Christian- 16 years old

Gabriel- 14 years old (pictured with his best friend, Jessica)

And my gorgeous-yet-goofy hubby, Chuck (pictured with our niece, Danielle):

Then there are my favorite cards from 2010:

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

April 2010

May 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

September 2010

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

What are a few of YOUR favorite things?  Will you continue doing those things, or will you start a new adventure in the new year?  I don’t know about you, but I want the adventure…bring on the NEW!  I can’t wait to discover all of the soon-to-be favorite things, and I can’t wait to share it all with you in 2011!

That’s it for me!  I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!  Thanks for stopping by for the trip down memory lane, and I’ll see you back here Tuesday with a card for By LORi Designs. Until then…

…TSG70: A Farewell to There She Goes

Well I’m back from my little stamping getaway, and I can’t wait for you all to see the cards that I made this weekend!  I made 13 cards along with a cute little project that will be featured on my blog next Wednesday…fun stuff!

As the title suggests this post is about this week’s TSG Challenge, but this will also be my last project as a member of the TSG Design Team.  I’ve had such a wonderful time getting to know and working with the phenomenal Trendsetters and their fearless leader, Jessica Knutsen!  Thank you so much for letting me a part of this ridiculously talented team…I will miss you all!

Now for my sample:

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, Jessie! For this challenge you will need to include: 1. One (1) piece of patterned paper, 2. Two (2) solid cardstock colors, and 3. Three (3) embellishments of your choice. That’s it…1, 2, 3! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that includes the 1, 2, 3 RECIPE, then go back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (September 6th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG70 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out the TSG Blog to see the complete list of Trendsetters participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you in a few with a TGF September Release Preview.  Until then…

…Believe In You

 

Happy Thursday, TSG fans!  If you’ve come here from LISA’S BLOG then you’re in the right place.  If not, then you will want to start back at the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters participating in today’s hop.  Today we are bringing you a sneak peek of a new school-themed stamp set designed by the uber-talented, Torico.  There are a variety of images and several sentiments to go along with them.

“Believe In You” is a 6x8 stamp set that includes a total of 37 of stamps and will sell for $24.

Would you like a chance to win the Believe In You stamp set? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Believe In You Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Believe In You stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (the 28th) during the Release Party Chat.

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you in a few with another Verve Day Thursday card.  Your next stop on today’s hop is PAM’S BLOG!  Until then…

…Dream A New Dream

It’s another sneak peek day for the soon-to-be-released stamps from There She Goes.  If you’re here from LISA’S BLOG you’re in the right place.  If not, you’ll want to start at the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters participating in the blog hop.

This beautiful floral-themed stamp set was illustrated by TSG artist Chris Dark. We have all come to know and love Chris’s amazing and realistic stamp images…and this set is no exception! There are a variety of sentiments included in this set that lend themselves to a variety of occasions.

“Dream A New Dream” is a 6x8 stamp set that includes a total of 18 of stamps and will sell for $24.

Would you like a chance to win the Dream A New Dream stamp set? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Dream A New Dream Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Dream A New Dream stamp set. The winner will be announced Saturday (the 28th) during the Release Party Chat.

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here in a few with another ATS Wednesday Challenge card.  Until then, you’re next stop is PAM’S BLOG!

…Mercy’s Tuesday Sketch Challenge #88 (MTSC88)

Hello, everyone!  It’s time for another sketch challenge, and it’s also time for sneak peek at one of the new stamp sets being released by There She Goes on Saturday, August 28th.  If you’ve come here from LISA’S BLOG, then you’re in the right place…if not, you’ll want to head over to the TSG Blog for the complete blog hop list.

Now for this week’s Tuesday Sketch Challenge #88:

My Sample (using soon-to-be-released “Bit of Stardust” from There She Goes):

It’s hard to believe that with all of the awesome stamp sets that TSG has come out with in the last year-and-a-half that there still isn’t a baby-themed stamp set yet! We can finally check that theme off of our to do list :) Torico has illustrated some wonderful baby images that include both line art and silhouette images so that you have the versatility of coloring images or stamping them together to create quick and easy projects!

“Bit Of Stardust” is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 28 of stamps and will sell for $18.

Would you like a chance to win the Bit Of Stardust stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Angel Mail/Bit Of Stardust Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own stamp sets! The winner will be announced Saturday (the 28th) during the Release Party Chat.  Your next stop on the TSG Blog Hop is PAM’S BLOG!

Angela Thomas’s Sample: Now let’s see what the Muses have in store for you today:

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Crystal Birr
• Jackie Pedro
• Julie Lacey
• Jessica Diedrich
• Angela Thomas (August 2010 Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and add your creation using the InLinkz linking system below.  Be sure to use the keyword MTSC88 when uploading to a public gallery.  Be sure that your link works before you leave the sketch post, and I will post “Mercy’s Magnificent Musings” on Sunday!

Happy Stamping!

TSG69: Simple ATC

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our fearless leader, Jessica! For this challenge you will need to create an ATC Card. ATC (Artist Trading Cards) have been a hot and leading trend for years now. The greatest feature about these cards is their size…you only have to make a card front that measures 2.5”X3.5”, and you can get 10 cards out of one sheet of 8X11 cardstock! You can make as many as you want, so go get creative! If you need a tutorial check out the TSG Trends Post from August 4th! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create an ARTIST TRADING CARD (ATC), then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (August 30th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG69 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters that are participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge featuring one of the soon-to-be-released TSG stamp sets!  Until then…

TSG68: Bookmarks

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, Holly! For this challenge you will need to pull out your paper cutters, some patterned paper (if you’d like), and some ribbon…we’re making BOOKMARKS! You can make full-sized bookmarks, corner bookmarks, or any kind of bookmark your heart desires. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a BOOKMARK, then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (August 23rd). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG68 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started?  Be sure to head over to the TSG Blog to check out the complete list of Trendsetters participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge!  Until then…

…TGS67- Sketch By Pam

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, Pam! She has supplied us with a wonderful sketch, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that incorporates the SKETCH, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (August 16th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG67 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  Until then…

…You Might Want To Check This Out, Too

HOP ON OVER TO THERE SHE GOES’ BLOG TO CHECK OUT MY PROJECT FOR TODAY!

See you back here on Sunday with TWO WEEKS worth of Mercy’s Magnificent Musings!  Until then…

 

…Mercy’s Tuesday Sketch Challenge #85 (MTSC85)

Hello, everyone!  This is the beginning of a new month, and it is time to welcome a new Guest Muse.  But before we get to that, I wanted to thank Peggy McCurry for being such a wonderfully talented addition to the Muses last month.  Week after week she produced gorgeous and inspiring creations.  Thanks for all of your hard work and your friendship, Peggy…we’ll miss you!

I would like to introduce you to our Guest Muse for August, Angela Thomas of Sparkle and Bling!

Let's get to know a little bit about Angela in her own words:

“Hi there!!! Can I just say how excited I am to be Mercy’s Guest Muse this month??? I’m playing with some of the most amazing stampers out there!!! I’ve been stamping for about 4 years now after attending a Stampin’ Up party and then convincing my best friend, Kim Teasdale that we needed to make my wedding invitations. I never thought that my obsession with stamps, designer paper, ribbon and all things with “Sparkle and Bling” would turn into becoming a member of a couple design teams. I’ve met some of the most amazing people through cardmaking and love being able to share my creativity with others. I’m looking forward to spending this month creating alongside some of my stamping idols!!”

Now for this week’s Tuesday Sketch Challenge #85:

My Sample (using “Bee Happy” by There She Goes):

Angela Thomas’s Sample:

Now let’s see what the Muses have in store for us today:

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Crystal Birr
• Julie Lacey
• Jackie Pedro
• Jessica Diedrich
• Angela Thomas (August 2010 Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and add your creation using the InLinkz linking system below.  Be sure to use the keyword MTSC85 when uploading to a public gallery.  Be sure that your link works before you leave the sketch post, and I will post “Mercy’s Magnificent Musings” on Sunday!

Happy Stamping!

…TSG66- Watercolor Wonder

This week’s challenge is brought to us by our Trendsetter of the Week, ME!!!  :)  For this challenge you will need to pull out your paint brushes, aqua brushes, or blending stumps along with some ink pads, watercolor pencils, or distress inks…we’re going to WATERCOLOR! You may have a different way to watercolor other than the ones that I’ve listed, but as long as you watercolor you’ll be just fine. I know it’s hard to drop the Copic Markers, but let’s go back to coloring basics! We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

To be eligible for the giveaway, you are to create a card that incorporates watercoloring, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (August 9th). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the look out to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated :)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG66 so we can check out your beautiful work!

Need some inspiration to help you get started? Check out the TSG Blog for the complete list of Trendsetters that are participating in this week’s challenge!

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you tomorrow with another Tuesday Sketch Challenge!  Until then…

…Puppy Love & Bee Happy

 

Hello, TSG fans!  Today is Day Three of There She Goes’ August Previews, so if you’ve come here from LISA’S BLOG then you’re in the right place!  We have sneak peeks of two more awesome stamp sets that were illustrated by our newest TSG artist, Torico!  Our friend CraftyMathChick from the Friday Night Chats has been asking for a dog-themed stamp for soooo long, and Kelli has been wanting some “cute, little, fat bumblebees”.  As soon as Jessica started working with Torico, Jessica knew that she would do an amazing job on both of these type of sets :) And we promise that you will LOVE these cute images, too!

“Puppy Love” is a 4x8 stamp set that includes a total of 39 stamps and will sell for $18.

“Bee Happy” is a 3x4 stamp set that includes a total of 27 stamps and will sell for $7.

Would you like a chance to win both the Puppy Love and Bee Happy stamp sets? Here’s what you need to do: go to each of the Trendsetter’s Blogs and leave a comment on their Puppy Love / Bee Happy Blog Hop Challenge post. After you have finished checking out the eye candy and have left some love, return to the TSG Blog to add your name to the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this Blog Hop Challenge post. A winner will be chosen randomly using a random number generator to receive their very own Puppy Love and Bee Happy stamp sets. The winner will be announced Saturday (July 31st) during the Release Party Chat.

Make sure to stop by the TSG Blog on Friday to see new TSG Tips & Tricks sheets featuring the brand new stamp sets! The Tip Sheets will also be available to download as PDF files so that you can print them out to keep on hand for easy access during stamping :)  Your next stop on the hop is PAM’S BLOG!

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you in a few with my Verve Project Parade as this week’s Verve Day Thursday.  Until then…