Bombshell Em's Artistic Expressions

2012-01-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

I love to draw. More specifically doodle.

My friend Clint, and I have been joking about who is the better artist. He said he has really great skills with crayons, I told him... I prefer sharpie!

Many of you have seen these doodles before.. This is for his fridge! :) :) Sharpie and White (GP 110 Cardstock)

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday!! :)
I think so far for 2012 I am obsessed with the Bellas... or atleast for this month. :)

I make cards for my friends per birth month and mail them out to them. This happens to be a JANUARY birth month card :)

2012-01-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Ah, Bellas!!!

I love them. :)

They are so fun and versatile! I think there is one for just about every occasion!

I received this particular bella in a WRAK :) Actually everything on this card is from WRAK! :)

She is colored with Prismas, and SU Markers!

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

A Happy 25th Birthday is coming up this month. For my friends birthday, I have made them 25 birthday cards. :) I know, I have over done myself, but for this person I would do just about anything.

This is a combo of ippity {fishy philosophy} and Bombshell stamps vintage mermaid. I love these stamps, and why not create this for someone who loves fishing/ and the water?

INK: SU variety of blues, but really bermuda bay!, Browns, and colored with SU markers, and Prismas.

Stickles, and Bleach were also used! :)

2012-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing is better than a love note. :) I have a good friend of mine who is back into my life who I have been sharing notes with. Sometimes, you just need a good laugh.... or something to share how you feel.

I personally LOVE this stamp set, Maid for You, by MFT. It is probably my go to stamp set now adays. Especially with Valentines Day right around the corner!

All papers are DCWV, Recollections, or out of my stash.

Colored with Prismas, and Stampin Up Markers.... actually a lot of the new in-colors were used for this card.

I even tried getting the inside to match the outside.

I hope my friend enjoys it.

Retired: SU Fly Fishing

2012-01-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Hey friends!

I borrowed this stamp set Fly Fishing from my mom. I found it perfect for my someone special's birthday card! I used Recollections Spice Market papers, and some scrap paper my mom had left behind to make this card. I even used Stickles. And I am anti glitter too! My friend is really big into fishing... I think more Bass fishing than Fly, but its still perfect!

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Stamping Bella Bellas are one of my favorite stamps. :)
She is colored with SU Markers, and Prismas. My mediums of choice.

I mass produced these for OWH. :) In a variety of colors, and styles. Hopefully they find a fun home!

2012-01-19T10:18:00.000-08:00

Its been awhile, how about some HOUSE MOUSE?! I love this little stamp. I actually received some stamped images from SCS-DSS and I knew I had to have it. :) Sent my mom on a while goose chase, and she found it!! :)

This little creature has been colored with SU Markers, and Prismas.

What a perfect Valentines Day card.... maybe with this sentiment.... Youre hot?

Happy New Year!!! 2012

2012-01-02T00:17:00.000-08:00

Wow , I havent posted a blog post since late August!! Where have I been!? Well I have been still crafting like crazy. I met my 2011 card goal and almost surpassing it by almost double! 2011 had been a crazy year for Diem and I. We lost some amazing people in our lives, and most recently a very good friend of mine from college, Charley passed away Dec 24. He was one of the most amazing people that I ever met during my time at IWC. He was actually one of the very first people I ever met there.

I coached my very first season of High School soccer, and I plan on doing it again next year. I loved my little JV girls team. The girls became family to Diem and I and they are sure making me worry what Diem will be like in her teen years!!

As it is the start of 2012, it has almost been a year since Cortney's death. Not a day doesnt go by where I dont think of her. Diem asks about her all the time which makes it hard, but we always take time to remember her and talk about how much she affected our lives.

So on a positive note for '12. I have come up with 3 simple goals. Not resolutions, just GOALS.

1) Make 2500 Cards
2) Keep track of how much I spend on Cardmaking supplies
3) Keep track of how much I spend on postage.

The last two have been things I have been thinking about for a while. I mean I almost spent $40 on Christmas postage alone! I couldnt imagine a whole year!!!

As this post is brief, I am going to include my very first card for the new year!!! Someone special *wink wink* will be receiving this card for either A their birthday which is this month, or B for Valentines day :) :)

Enjoy! And Always be sure to send positive vibes to everyone!

Wanna Lei?

2011-08-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THIS SET!! Its probably one of my favorite sets from Bombshell Stamps. I received this set as my chosen set during my GDT month for Bombshells.

Enjoy!!!

2011-08-24T00:00:00.001-07:00

I love how people ask me to do things for people in need, or help them show how much they mean to someone. I always put a label on the backs of my OWH cards, and sometimes I have people who respond to me. A man from the USO-Shindand asked me to make several birthday cards for a woman he works with. This was just one of the several cards I made for him to share.

Stamps: Ippity

Bombshell Love

2011-08-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

I apologize to my Bombshell crew. Sorry I havent been playing much. I have had technical issues.

This is the first Bombshell I have used in a while, and I love her on this paper!!! I got this paper from a Mikes paper pack... It is "marbled-ish" I dont even know, but I love this paper, with these colors. I used my CB embossing folder (stars) and rubbed close to cocoa <-- ew I hate that word. over the top. This lovely broad was also stamped in that color as well and then colored with SU markers. :) Sorry picture quality is bad, but it helps due to my computer issues. Ugh if only you knew!!!

Enjoy!!!

Sorry I have been MIA.. but I love this SP stamp!

2011-08-21T23:20:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been MIA lately. I have been having computer issues, and I am back on my old PC... Hopefully I will get my other desktop set up soon, or my mom will send my dads laptop to me soon. :)

I love this Sweet Pea stamp. I dont know the name, but I received this as a Thank you gift, among other goodies from a great friend of mine!! I made this card for my PCP (PaperCraftPlanet) Secret Pal. I have been slacking, and I have been doing a crappy job of getting cards to her. Its a year long thing, and I have to get 5 cards (minimum) to my pal from October 10- October 11.

All paper is Recollections or Me and My Big Ideas Stacks. The lovely lady is colored with SU! :)

2011-07-22T01:15:00.000-07:00

Paper: Recollections
Ink: Versafine
Stamps: SU Wild About You, Zoofari

Made for Operation Write Home.

2011-07-21T00:49:00.000-07:00

This is my one and only Sparkle Creations stamp. I love all of Sparkle's images... but I LOVE this one... probably because her name is also EMILY!!! This is Cocktail Emily.

I dont use her as much as I should... She is one of my more neglected stamps. But I love her.

All papers are from Recollections. She is stamped in Versafine, and colored with SU markers and Prismacolor Marker.

Last elephant for a while.

2011-07-20T00:25:00.000-07:00

I have loved this elephant for a few posts now... now, on to other things...

This elephant has been used for my numerous OWH birthday cards!!!

Hope it finds a good home!!

Dollar Find being put to good use!

2011-07-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

I just cannot get enough of this cute little elephant!!!!

Come back tomorrow for another!!!

Birthday Dolla' finds!

2011-07-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

I love the dollar finds bins at Mikes. I found this elephant when they had their "Circus" themes going on. I had to have him. Because he was an elephant, and two because well he was more realistic in appearance (minus the circus get up).

This is the first time I have used him. I have used him in other styles... please check out future blog posts for that one!

He has been stamped in versafine, and mounted on Recollections paper.

OWH Christmas cards!

2011-07-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

More Christmas Cards!!! You can never have too many!!

I used some left over scraps from a previous Christmas card to make this card. I also used some green patterned paper that I think I got out of the Mikes clearance bin at one time. I rarely ever use the Medallion from SU... and lately I have used it on at least 3 different cards... Maybe its my new go to stamp? We will see what comes of it.

2011-07-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love these little Anya's. Arent they so sweet... and yet they are fun to color.... Not too much detail. Just the way I like them.

I made these little beauties for OWH, hence the different hair colors. I love pairing up my Greeting Farm beauties with Neon colors and cute patterned papers. This patterned paper came from a stack that I had sitting around with just 3 sheets of paper in it... I figured. Its time to use up this stack. I RAKed one of the sheets (that coordinated with this paper) to a friend, and one of my blog followers (Jammie!!!) Now I have to figure out what I am going to do with the paper thats left as its NOT approved by OWH... its coated in glitter!!!!!

Dear Santa.... OWH Christmas Cards

2011-07-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

During the 4th of July weekend, I was working hard on my goal of 200 cards for the OWH deadline for Christmas. The deadline for Christmas cards to date is OCTOBER 31ST!! I dont know how many I have made right now, but I am over 60!!

I have been working hard on my stash of Christmas paper... I am trying to get through it. I have soooo much of it, and I told myself I cannot buy anymore until I use a majority of what I have. This paper in particular I think I inherited from my stamping sister, my best friend hands down, Lena.

I hope you enjoy these cards OWH!!! I hope they make it to a good home!!!

More OWH Christmas Cards

2011-07-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am clearing out my old Christmas paper when I found this paper. I will not buy anymore Christmas paper until I use up atleast 2/3rds of what I have now!!! I dont have a lot but I dont need this much seasonal stuff!!!

With this paper, I had enough to make 6 house cards. I LOVE THIS PAPER. It really helps making really quick and cute cards. I used my Christmas {ippity} stamps for the sentiment. I am not really a "Happy Holidays" person. I am more of a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! kind of girl. I hope this finds a good family!!!

July Birthdays!!!!!

2011-07-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

So I always make a listing of important birthdays each month. Here are just 4 cards I made for 4 people's birthdays :) I love this stamp set from My Favorite Things. A lot of people dont like the headless broads... but I like them...

Paper: Recollections

Ink: Versafine

Markers: SU and Prismacolor

Happy Birthday

2011-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I got these "Have Your Cake and Eat It Too" birthday invitations in a Michael's clearance bin several years ago, and never used. I figured, why not use it with some OWH cards, and put it with some coordinating colored cardstock?

OWH Christmas Cards

2011-07-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Here is one of many styles of Christmas cards I am making for OWH. This House Mouse stamp I think is totally adoreable. Except for the fact that I like telling my mom that the tree isnt a pine, its really an olive tree. It takes a lot out of me not to color the tree's berries like olives.

Happy 2nd Birthday Kinsey!!

2011-07-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

My friend, Rachel from college has two small children. Her oldest, Kinsey turns TWO this month!!! I had to use TRUDY from Mo Mannings Freebie challenge!

She is colored with Prisma Marker and SU marker. I even wrote her name on the gift tag!! All paper is either Recollections, or paper from the Mikes clearance bin. :) :)

Happy Birthday lil Kinsey!!! You sweet little nugget you!!!!

Its been a while.....

2011-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

......Since I have used any Anya's!

This is Flirty Anya from The Greeting Farm. I love her since she has such a good Rockabilly feel to her. Plus she is just like me... I love a good flower in my hair too!!

She is stamped in Versafine, and colored with Prismacolor marker and SU Markers. All papers are recollections. I used a CB embossing folder (borrowed by my Aunt Marie) and used SU ink over the top of it.

She is going in with my big box of OWH cards.

Masculine OWH cards

2011-07-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

Over at the OWH fan page on Facebook, they were talking about how they are looking for some masculine cards for their boxes as they are all looking very.... summery and girlish right now. I decided... I need to challenge myself and make some more masculine cards. Most cards I make and generally unisex, but I figured... I need to really channel one sex over the other. I pulled out my Fall Stack from DCWV that I have had since... well BEFORE DIEM WAS BORN!!!!

This stamp set is my moms. She is very neglectful when it comes to her stamps. She buys them, and gives them a good home, but forgets about them. Right now she is on a digi kick right now. Who knows maybe I will adopt this set before she goes back to Arkansas.

I hope it finds a good home!!

Wild about you!

2011-07-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Most everyone knows I love OWH. This past weekend I was up to my eyeballs in making cards for OWH. I have dedicated my whole month of JULY to making prodominately CHRISTMAS cards for OWH.

I decided I needed to take a break from them, and I pulled out two stamp sets I havent used in forever! I used SU Zoofari, and Wild About You. All paper is Recollections. I love the BRIGHT colors for these cards. I like how they can be used as a love card, or for a child.

Mo Manning's "Trudy" Freebie

2011-07-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

Mo Manning is offering a freebie for a short time. This is Trudy. :) I couldnt resist not picking her up. She is actually a "doll and paper doll dress" digi. I cut the top part of the dress off because I thought the bottom would make a cute tu-tu. I used dimensionals. to make it puffed up, but you cannot tell in this picture.

All paper is Recollections. Medallion is from SU, along with the ink it is stamped in. Trudy has been colored with Prismacolor marker, and SU Stampin Write markers. She has been accented with icicles Stickles.

I made this card for my oldest niece's birthday... LENSEY LANE WILSON, IS GOING TO BE 6 YEARS OLD!!! Where has this time gone!? I think this will be the most perfect card for her birthday.

I am so spoiled by Julie!!

2011-07-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

I just got my Handmade Craft Exchange gift from my new friend Julie! :) :) I had mentioned her in a blog post with the notebook in it. She is totally awesome! She sent me allllllllllllll these goodies. I am totally spoiled. Thank you so much Julie!

She sent me!!!
6 Cards for OWH :)
A Bottle Cap necklace WITH A BOMBSHELL IN IT!!!!!
3 Bottle Cap Magnets WITH BOMBSHELLS ON THEM!!!!
and a sweet homemade card USING THE CRICUT!!!

I am so truly blessed to have Julie as my new friend! I hope we keep in touch, and she can inspire me to use my Cricut!!!

Happy 6 week Birthday Kittens!!!!

2011-07-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

So these 4 legged gremlins are 6 weeks old!!! (Thursday) Arent they soooooo cute. I cant wait for Diem to get here so she can see them!!!!

Happy Early Birthday Marissa Anne!

2011-07-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 17th Birthday Marissa!
She saw a doodle I did for my friend Jenna for her birthday, and she asked me if I could do one for her too. Of course I said yes!

This is a 12 x 12 doodle on DCWV paper (thats the only paper I had!!! eeeek!) and drawn with black Sharpie. I even put this in a scrapbook frame for her. :) I hope she enjoys it.

I met Marissa about a month ago, at a Top Shelf concert. By the way.... GO CHECK OUT TOP SHELF ON iTUNES!!! They just released a new album, called The Sound. She is awesome. I like to think of her as a 16 year old version of me!

HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY MARISSA!!!!! I cannot wait to give you your gift!!!

I wish I looked this good on a bike

2011-06-30T10:04:00.000-07:00

So I decided to pull out my Cricut the other day. I am just relearning the basics.

With this card, I just used different size circles cut out from the cartridge, Plantin Schoolbook.

I also havent really used embossing folders in a while either, I used my CB Stars folder, and used Bermuda Bay to accent it. Bermuda Bay is probably one of my favorite Stampin Up colors.

This stamp is from Stamping Bella, and this stamp is called "I wish I looked so good on a bike ABELLA" She is one of my newer stamps, and she gets a lot of use. I just adore that little dog!! She has been stamped in Versafine and colored with Prismacolor marker and Stampin Up Marker.

Its a sunny day here!!! Its nice to see some sunshine after the few gloomy days we have had!!!

Handmade gift exchange :)

2011-06-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

My partner is from IOWA of all places. :) (Most know that I spent 4 years in Iowa... so when I meet people from there, its like reliving college.) So Julie if youre reading this!! HI!!!! :) I altered this notebook for her using Recollections animal print paper, and I used some of my flowers from my stash. The bling was a new purchase, who would have thought I would buy BLING! I also used Icicle Stickles. I really hope she likes it! I didnt know what colors she liked, or anything I guess I should have been a better partner!!! You cant see the inside, but I love the paper on the inside, it matches the patterned paper on the outside. In her little package, I also included some die cut daffodils I made :) I am glad I found a great home for them!

Be sure to check out my exchange partner's blog. (HERE) She is a whiz on the cricut. Maybe she can give me lessons? I need to start using my cricut. I guess youre either a stamper or a cricut-teer!

OWH kids!

2011-06-24T00:45:00.000-07:00

I never really use clip art, or already colored digis. But lately, I have. I found this clip art, and as soon as I saw it... OWH came popping into my noggin! I am going to make more, and plan to ship a bunch to each shipper. (Like 10 a piece)

Oddly enough this card is dark, but you get the idea of what it is. I really enjoy the use of our Nation's colors. and I love that I got to use my stars CB embossing folder. I used SU night of navy over the top of it.

I hope this card finds itself a great home!

One Way to Beat the Heat!!

2011-06-23T00:50:00.000-07:00

Feet in the water. Yes, it was cold. And I was wearing a dress.

I wish I could build something like this. There were atleast a dozen of them.

It is hotter than, well... you know here in my area. I live in a house, with NO central air. We have ceiling fans, but that doesn't work well when people come in and out of the house. My parents are back in the area. I kind of suggested a family trip to the coast where it is a million degrees cooler there!!! Tuesday it was supposed to be in the LOW triple digits. I looked at my mom, and said... we should plan a trip to the coast. She replied with maybe this week. We looked into our schedules and with appointments, and helping out with Grandma... we just figured... what the hell lets just go today!!! So Monday we enjoyed a great trip to the Mendocino Coast. We checked out the little shops. I got my all time favorite thing... MENDOCINO MUSTARD!!! well this was a special kind its made with "suds" and you cant find it in the stores. It is made with Red Seal Ale, which is made in Fort Bragg, California. I cannot wait to make a huge sandwich with it!! mmmmmm it is calling my name!! Maybe I will just dip my french fries in it. What the hey right? We went to two different beaches, and I didnt collect any shells, but I did collect some rocks! Some for my friend Jen, who likes organic things that are shaped like hearts. I take credit for this as I got her started on it. I found a bunch of rocks to do some painting on with little D when she gets back from Arizona. I cannot wait. I also got to spend some time with my mom! Here are some pictures from the adventure!

Broke a OWH rule... NO GLITTER!

2011-06-21T00:37:00.000-07:00

Please ignore the black blemish.
I made this card originally for OWH. but I did a big NO NO in the OWH world, so it will not be joining its friends... I swear I just broke the cardinal rule... NO GLITTER!!!! So instead it will go into my stash, along side its sister. Yes. I made two of them.

Paper: Comes from my 12x12 stashes
Ink: Versafine <---- love!
Stamp: ippity
Embellishments: Recollections, and Stickles icicles.

First Summer Weekend!!! :)

2011-06-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

Marissa and I after the BBQ :)

Normally I blog about my cards, my projects, Bombshell Stamps and Operation Write Home. But I figure for once. I will post pictures of my great weekend.

Most know me as a stay at home kind of person. I am very quiet until you get to know me. I am opinionated, and yet keep it to myself unless you ruffle my tail feathers just a little bit. Well. This weekend. I spend the weekend at what I call.. CAMP JENNA. I stayed the night at Jen's and we had two days full of adventures.

The better picture of Marissa and I

Originally.. Jenna, her friend Travis and I were going to have a yard sale... I HAVE A CRAP TON OF DIEM STUFF TO GET RID OF. I got a phone call SATURDAY from Jen that we werent going to yard sale it up, they were going to go to the river.... and she asked if I wanted to go. OF COURSE! Gets me out of the house and all my responsbilities that I needed to do that day. They picked me up at 10, and we headed to the river! We spent a good solid 4 hours at the river... Too cold to get in, but hot enough to enjoy the sun, and drink beer. (sidenote: always have a DD -- Designated Dave, Designated Driver whatever you want to call it). Travis' friend lives in Potter and invited us over for horseshoes. We accepted... Jen and I were the only girls surrounded by guys who have been drinking and playing horseshoes all day. We left Travis there for a while when we were like, you know... we smell like a river, we are planning to go BBQ later today... so we better get cleaned up. We went and got some food, showered... cleaned up... (we looked really good too!) and headed back to pick up Travis. This was fun picking up Travis. The guys asked us where we were going... told them the Firemens BBQ and well... that lead to a bunch of different stories... INVOLVING ME. I met a cute guy ;) (even if he is a Ginger) he had some good one liners for me... and well all the guys there apparently know my family. Got to love living in a small town (Reminds me of the Cheers theme song where everyone knows your name!!!!). After we left there, went to the BBQ... saw waaaaaaay too many people that I know. My friends did point that out to me where I know just about everyone. Had a few beers, and God must have answered my prayers about not having any red wine spilled on me.... but I guess I forgot to pray that I didnt get any beer spilled on me.... (Thank you Diem's babysitter for making me spill beer on that girl, and on myself).

RIP Nemo. It was nice knowing you for the last 10 minutes of your life.

Jenna throwing sticks for Moe-dog

Sunday, was our day of rest, but Jen and I took the dog (Moe) to the lake. We walked the dam and threw some sticks for Moe, and he eventually ate them. Oh Moe!! While standing on one of the docks we came across this little Fish. We knew it was its last legs... wait fish dont have legs.. ANYWAY! I thought it would swim away if I tried to catch it... Well It let me... After closer examination... it was on its way to dying. Someone used him as it looks like live bait. You could see two clear puncture wounds to his noggin. We tried letting him go back in the water, he wasnt sinking and he was just FLOATING. Moe kept trying to eat him. I was not letting that happen.... so.... We gave NEMO the proper burial with euology and song. Courtesy of Jenna.

Jen and Moe

I finished off my evening playing soccer for my women's league. We lost. but We still had fun. I am sunburned and dog tired... But I am one happy clam!!!

I guess maybe I should include a card with this blog post... GOTTA MAKE SURE TO MAKE THE CROWD HAPPY!!!! :) :)

OWH card... Colored by Diem (age 4)

Diem likes to color my Digis while I am not looking. This was one of them. I have so many of these I was just thinking... WHY NOT GIVE THEM TO OWH!!!! And, she even got credit on the card too :) My little OWH star!

When life gives you Lemons......

2011-06-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

I love following the OWH blog hops. It is always an adventure, and you never know what youre going to find along the way. I found this digi stamp on one of my tours through the memorial day blog hop. I couldnt resist in picking it up along the way.

See the sentiment reads: When life gives you Lemons, throw them back and DEMAND chocolate!

I am totally the opposite. I would rather enjoy a lemon over chocolate. Actually I get weird cravings to just sit down and eat a lemon. Not like an apple or anything, I like to cut it into wedges, and eat them out of a bowl. I have been doing it for years. My dentist keeps telling me to NOT do it anymore. I really started doing it back in 2001 when I had braces.... And this is the times youre not supposed to!!!! It takes the brackets off. Well it eats at the glue.

Sorry its so dark, it was taken with my phone. :)

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Bombshell Magnets

2011-06-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Jenna!!

This is my second gift to Jenna... A slew of Bombshell magnets for her house. I really like the USC one for her. She is a HUGE USC fan... I am not!! Far from it.

I stamped and colored these Bombshell ladies on cardstock, and adhered them to my magnet sheets. Simple right?!

I hope Jen enjoys!

Birthday birthday!!!

2011-06-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have been making card for my June birthdays, and I figured OWH needed some birthday cards for my shippers stash. I made a bunch of these cute critters for some birthday fun.

"Age is only a number.... my is Unlisted."

Bombshell Bracelets

2011-06-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today, is my friend Jenna's 26th birthday. She AWESOME, and she is definitely my opposite. (In more ways than one!!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNA!!

This post and a few others is dedicated to YOU!!!!!

So I have really been taking a break from cards. Shhhh Dont tell! I have decided to work on some craft projects for a bit, and try some new stuff.

A while back I came across this tutorial on Bombshell Stamps Blog, by Alison, and I was like, Hell. Why not try it out. My best friend Jenna's birthday is Friday, and I wanted to do this thing where ALL of her gifts were going to be homemade. This is going to be ONE of like THREE posts in relevance to her birthday. So HANG ON FOR THE RIDE!!!

Jenna is one of my friends who has several different styles, but one thing she likes to promote is SHOP LOCAL, and SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS. Well. Here we are. I guess thats where I am ranking.

These ladies are from Bombshell Stamps, and have been colored with Prismacolor marker and Bic Mark its, stamped on tissue paper, and adhered with Mod Podge. I love making these. I think I might make them for myself.

Dogs for OWH

2011-06-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

A while back, Ciara, from OWH. (If you do not know who Ciara is, check out OWH and while youre at it, make a card to make up for the lack of not knowing who she is ;) ) had a challenge to make dog cards for OWH.

Well I went DOG CRAZY recently and made my own dogs for OWH, and I made sure almost all my dogs were a bit different. This one is my favorite. The dog was handdrawn... and was supposed to resemble a "Scotty dog", but I personally think it looks like a bull terrier. Or the Target dog, who is a Bull Terrier if you didnt know ;) Bull Terriers are my DREAM dog. Some day I will own one.

I hope you enjoy! And take some time to make some OWH cards... we are trying to reach our goal of the 2 Millionth card!!!!

June Pin Up Challenge at Bombshell Stamps

2011-06-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Grrr... Wild Thing

Here is my take on my OWN challenge for Bombshell Stamps Monthly Pin Up Challenge.

If you didnt know, I am Bombshell Stamps Guest Design Team Member for the month of June :) .

I had been thinking long and hard about what I was going to do for a challenge... previous challenges were wedding themed, linens and lace, and now.. its my turn! I had thought about doing something different, like anything but a card... but while I was writing a PM to Kathi, I came up with the idea... WILD THING. I came up with this due to the fact, Diem's cat just had babies!! So I had cats on the noggin there for a while. I think this was a brilliant idea now, as I was just recently organizing my paper and I never realized how much animal print paper I have! So why not use it up!

I figure that the Cat idea might be a hit, and easier theme for most of the ladies. I decided to come up with a second example. I came up with the peacock idea after rummaging through my Recollections Animal Kingdom paper.

The cat card and the peacock card are both a Easel card. I love to make Easel cards. They are soooooooo fun! and simple, once you get the hang of it all. All papers are Recollections. Both have their own accents on them. I made the cat tail and ears myself, hand written sentiments, and detail work. Both lovely ladies have been colored and paper pieced. Colored with Prismacolor and Stampin Up Stampin Write Markers. I really enjoyed how paper piecing gives it a different appearance. For example, the feathers have been cut of feather patterned paper that matches the outfit on the Peacock bombshell.

I hope you enjoy, and I hope you come out and play with us!!!

Its never too early for Christmas cards!

2011-06-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Its never too early to start making Christmas cards. Especially when its for a good cause. The deadline as of right now to send in OWH Christmas cards is October 31st. Which also happens to be Halloween. I have challenged myself to make 200 OWH Christmas cards, and or Christmas AnyHero mail.

During the Memorial Day weekend, I started making my stash of Christmas cards. I had some paper I had forgotten about. I felt it went perfect with this Studio G dual stamp set I bought at Jo Anns last year. The Stamp used to accent the Dear Santa is actually a Christmas stamp border from {ippity}.

The front says: Dear Santa...

Inside says: Define "Good"

I love this stamp set, I hope to make a bunch more using this set.

Dogs for OWH

2011-06-05T00:00:00.000-07:00

I came across a card using a dog similar to this one in my former SU Demo's stampin connection magazine, and I knew *KNEW!!!* I could draw one of these dogs.

What dog lover wouldnt like one of these cards!

All papers are Recollections, except the patterned one which was given to me from my Aunt Marie. I used the MS border punch, and I love how the brads are great accents to the dogs apperance.

I made several different styles of these dogs. I think they are supposed to look like "Scotty" dogs, but They kind of have a Bull Terrier apperance.

Disney Series #2: Woody

2011-06-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Aaron John Joseph Medina!
(Otherwise known as 'boyfriend')

I can not believe youre going to be TWO!
Just seems I just got over the shock of your brother being born! And here you are!

I made this card for Aaron (Adam is his big brother) and I made it to match Adam's Buzz Lightyear card.

Their sisters first birthday is next month... Maybe I should make her a Jessie card? haha.

{ippity} border stamp is the same as the Buzz card, and all papers come from Recollections, and the image is also computer generated.

Happy Birthday 'boyfriend'.. I Love you!! I hope to see you soon!

Disney Series #1: Buzz Lightyear

2011-06-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Early Birthday to Adam Tomas Medina!

I cant believe he is going to be 3! Seems like just yesterday I was making a list of baby names for is mom and dad NOT to pick. Happy birthday little friend!

I had some paper in my stash that I wanted to use up, and they looked like they would be perfect for a kids card. I was going through my list of JUNE birthdays, and Adam was the first kids name to show up, right along his brother Aaron! They happen to share the same birthday! (Just exactly one year apart!)

When I was putting these papers together, I didnt have a image in mind yet. I was setting them out, it clicked.... BUZZ LIGHTYEAR!! For those of you who dont know who Buzz Lightyear is, he is one of the main characters from Toy Story.

When I was living in Arizona I loved how Adam was learning how to talk, and how clearly he could say WOODY. Maybe I should have made him a Woody card? Nah!

The border has been stamped by a birthday {ippity}set and cut out. The image of Buzz is computer generated, and his name has been stamped out.

Adam, Happy Birthday little friend!

Missing you

2011-06-02T03:13:00.000-07:00

I love this mini stamp set from My Favorite Things.

This set is from the Who's that Girl collection, and its called. CALL ME.

I love this set for Operation Write Home cards. :)

I hope someone enjoys it.

Happy Memorial Day!

2011-06-01T03:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day!
Please take some time to respect those who have fought and died for our country. You may not agree with what they are fighting for, but they are fighting for you to be able to have your own opinions. I personally have not lost any friends or family close to me in battle, but I have friends who have. I want to thank all my friends and family who have served our great military.

I made atleast 20 of these flag cards for Operation Write Home. They look simple but man did they take forever to make. I love them, and how classic they are.

DT Call: Paper Makeup Stamps (PMS)

2011-05-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

Paper Makeup Stamps is having a DT CALL!

Most that know me, know that I am a stamp hoarder. Most are paper hoarders, I am the opposite. I saw the Ooh La La set little over a year ago, and knew I had to have that set. To be honest I have only used it a few times. I actually used it a lot when I first got it. Majority of those cards went to Operation Write Home when I first started. The set introduced me to this stamp company, and I have grown to love them!

I was on SCS a while back, a few weeks ago, and I saw that they are having a Design Team call, and I figured, what the hey, why not try it out. If I get on, great! If not, well, then I have some amazing cards to give to Operation Write Home. I see it as a win win! Dont you?

The requirements for the call was: You MUST have a blog (Check). You have to email the following items: 3 submissions on your blog, and atleast one of them must have a colored image of some sort. All submissions should be very recent. Good news, they dont have to be PMS either. I only have 2 sets so this could help me out. (CHECK!) Then you have to email your name, address, email, and little intro about yourself, and what you love about PMS. (check!!!)

So pretty simple right?

I thought so. :) So within this blog post is my FOUR entries. I couldnt decide which ones I liked the most. But I enjoyed making all of them.

All my entries use Recollections paper, and or Me and My Big Ideas paper. All images have been colored with Prismacolor markers, SU Stampin Write markers, and or SU Pastels. All embellishments I believe are Recollections, other items used are: Nestabilities: Oval, SU Top note.

One note I will like to take note of is that I used A LOT of pink. For some reason with these little fairies I instantly channeled my inner pink. I dont even like pink! It is just easy to work with I guess with these stamps. :)

Enjoy! And good luck to those who are participating!

OWH: Memorial Day Blog Hop

2011-05-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog hop!

You should have found yourself on the path coming from Cindy 's blog, if not, start from the beginning where you can find a ton of creative cards starting off at the OWH Stars and Stamps blog! ! Please share some love, as everyone loves a good comment or two.

I actually made two cards using the theme MISSING YOU. I decided to go with Kids cards as they are in frequent need.

Cards are made with DCWV patterned paper, and Recollections, and the kids are soft spoken chipboard. Letter stamps come from the $1 bin at Mike's.

Please keep on hopping on to Gina's blog to see what she has instore for you... Hold on tight and be ready to be inspired!!!

Happy Birthday, Cakeabella

2011-05-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

I personally love Stamping Bella Stamps. They were some of my very first stamps I ever purchased. I am totally addicted to them. I love this image, its cakeabella.

She is colored with Prismacolor marker, and Stampin Up Stampin Write markers. All patterned paper is SEI and the solid is Recollections. Embellishments is recollections, and the sentiment is from {ippity}.

This card is going to OPERATION WRITE HOME. My shipper Sandy is in desperate need of a variety of cards. If youre interested in OWH, you should check them out. They have a website and a Facebook Fan page. Join the fun, and make new friends!!

Bombshell Stamps May Bloghop: Goth it up!

2011-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome!!! To the May Bloghop for Bombshell Stamps! If youre here from anywhere else, be sure to start from the beginning, with Bombshell stamps blog, and join us for all the fun! If you are following along with the hop, you should have came here from the lovely Alaine's blog.

The theme is GOTH. Now that immediately turned me off. But it was a challenge!! Then I thought about it, why not include Ms. May's Challenge of Linens and Lace.... as I used BLACK Tulle. I actually made two cards, and the second one is by far my favorite.

Each card has made with papers from Recollections, and colored with Stampin Up Stampin Write markers, and Prismacolor markers. Embellishments all come from my stash, but I do know that the flowers come from Michaels.... they were in the $1.00 bins. The heels, have been accented with glossy effects. I am kind of mad at my self for accidently touching one of them before they dried.

I hope to find good homes for these cards. :) :) Maybe I have a friend who has a shoe fetish?

Well... I hope youre enjoying the blog hop.... now hop on over to Dawn's blog, and see what she is cookin up with the bombshell love!

If you happen to get lost along the way, here is a helpful listing of all the blogs in the hop. :) Hope you enjoy!

Bombshell Blog
Alison
Kelli
Sparkly Engineer
Sugar
Meredith
Jennie
Mary G.
Milo
Cheryl
Stempelientje
Alaine
Emily You are HERE
Dawn
Kathi

xo
Ms. June
Em

Tye Dye!

2011-05-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

In this picture is, myself, Haley, and Diem. Its two generations of babysitting. I used to watch Haley when she was little at camp. She was actually one of my FAVORITE campers. I can not believe she is graduating high school, and just turned 18 this year. She is such an amazing woman and I am so glad Diem loves her just as much, if not more than I do. :) I needed to do something for Haley from Diem because Diem was leaving and we like to make things. Diem and I made a trio of matching tye dyed shirts.

Thank you to Haley's mama for taking this picture of us. :)

Bombshell Stamps announcement!!!!

2011-05-19T11:02:00.001-07:00

Thursday, 19 May 2011

Breaking News!!!

Bombshell has just released two new Koi-themed stamp sets for pre-order!!! The Koi Tattoo set features an intricate Koi fish, waves, and a sentiment. The Lotus Garden set has lotus flowers, Koi, and water ripples.

More importantly, sales from these sets will be donated to Japan's relief! $5 from the purchase of this stamp set will be donated to Japan's Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Together we can rebuild homes and lift spirits.

Plus, Bombshell Stamps has a booth at Rubberstamp Chat's Virtual Convention, that starts today and runs through Monday, May 23rd . You might want to check it out. Ju$t $ayin'. *grin*

Hambo Stamps DT Call :)

2011-05-06T15:38:00.000-07:00

Forgive me as its been a while since I have posted. I have been making cards, but due to internet issues, I have been having a hard time posting.

So, on Facebook the other day I noticed that Hambo Stamps is having a DT call. I wrote on my friend, Lena's wall and said that she needed to sign up! Then she told me... I had to do it. (It took a lot for me to get the confidence to do the Bombshell DT call... so I was thinking about not doing this one.) She and I bantered back and forth, and soon enough. I CAVED. I wrote my little email with all my submission 4-1-1 (information for those who dont know what those #'s mean).... and well... I am proud to announce my two submissions for Hambo :) NO LAUGHING!

This image (Ice Cream Man) reminds me of two things, Bert from Mary Poppins. (Bert is Dick Van Dyke's 1 of 2 characters in the movie.) and the other Baskin Robbins Ice cream. I almost wanted to color him like the character Bert, but I decided against it. Maybe the next time I make a card with this image I will keep that in mind. Also, the colors remind me of the Baskin Robbins logo. I would have loved to have added a sentiment, but I didnt think I had enough room, so the inside will say, "Whats the scoop?"

"Bert" has been colored with Prismacolors, and Stampin Up stampin write markers. All papers came from a DCWV Baby 8x8 stack. I love how none of the patterns should have came together like that, but it makes it fun! All flowers have come from a stash of them I have had for YEARS and havent used in along time. All brads are glittery, and come from Recollections.

This Wee Henry, is Wee Henry Snorkel. When I saw him, it reminded me of when I took Diem to the pool this last summer, and she had a pink floatie similar to this, but it was princess. Diem had goggles too, that she never used, just kept them propped on her head the whole time. Now, this image took a lot longer for me to come up with an idea. But I knew!!! I had to use my Glossy Effects on this one. So for the card details: I had some left over scrapbook paper used (Yellow squares) I dont remember the company, as it came in a kit, The sunshine, glasses, and sunscreen came from a pack of demensional stickers that I embellished myself. I added glossy effects to the shades, and on to parts of the sun screen.... Not to forget Wee Henry... He has been colored with Prismacolor and SU markers with Glossy effects on his goggles.

I am some what satisfied with how these turned out. I submitted them to Hambo today, and their DT call is open until May 15th. :) Feel free to check them out. As for these two cards, they are going into my stash of Operation Write Home cards. They are need of a great home :)

I would love to be apart of the Hambo team. 1) they have such cute images! and 2) they do a lot of work along side my favorite organization, Operation Write Home.

For Jenna: "Im not that kind of girl, not for one dollar!"

2011-04-29T12:05:00.000-07:00

Last night, I didnt want to watch the "Royal Wedding"... but I was really pissed off when I am watching my favorite show (Late night with Jimmy Fallon) was cut off rudely by the wedding!! I was not a happy camper!! Trust me!!!

While watching tv last night, I thought about all my upcoming deadlines. I have 2 cards for SCS-DSS and a reveal gift. So I have to get creative. I already went over the $15 minimum... I have a kick ass little sis, and by the way.... SHE'S TOO SMART FOR HER OWN GOOD!!! So worked on her reveal gift for a while, then I was like... man I dont want to stamp... ME NOT STAMP!!!! Its crazy to think. So I sat down and "doodled".

This is on 12x12 white scrapbook paper. Inks are just your normal sharpie :) I should be like the spokeswoman for sharpie ;) I even have a scrapbook page frame for this. This piece of art is for my friend JENNA! its for her house. She is probably one of the only people who has been around my art process, and has been a willing reciepent this whole time. :) Its funny, because I am notorious for drawing these little doodles in the bar when I am the DD, she puts them in her purse and color at work the following work week.

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.

2011-04-25T22:27:00.000-07:00

An artist is not paid for his labor but for his vision.

-James Whistler

So this is a Cheeky Rockabilly from TGF. I love her, and I dont use her all that often.

I made this card for my sister in law Brenda. She turns 41 this year. I figured I should make her a card. :) I used some papers that a friend had given me... She is colored with colored pencil and baby oil gel. The sketch, is similar to the upcoming Bombshell Stamps May sketch. ;) Shhhhh I didnt show you something similar.

I hope she likes it!

Diem leaving and Easter goodies!

2011-04-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days, I have had the lack of sleep planning Diem's departure for 3 months, and getting ready for an early easter for her. Diem left yesterday, and arrived safely this morning. :) Here are some random photos of whats been going on in the past few days... If youre my friend on Facebook, you have seen most of these. :) Sorry for the crappy photos, my camera... still broken and I am too lazy to fix it.

First you have pictures of Diem and her cat. (ABOVE)

Now on to some craft projects: Every holiday, I make treats for my friends, and Diem and I get alllllll dressed up deliver them to everyone. This holiday, not only did I make the treats (some pictures showing the massive amounts of treats), but I also got creative and decorated some treat bags. I bought the brown bags, and used cardstock, Stamps, SU ink, MS Daffodil template, and some glitter glue. Some people had their names on the bags... Which they could take the tag off and reuse the bag :) I hope everyone enjoyed them. It meant a lot to Diem and I to go see everyone especially on her last day in town. :)

Finally here are some pictures... of her and I. The one of us was taken yesterday while at the assisted living facility that Great Gram-cracker is in. And here is a picture of Diem dyeing easter eggs!!!

We hope you have a wonderful Easter!!!

Bombshell Blog hop! Theme: Weddings

2011-04-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome! If you came here from the lovely, Miss September,Stempelientje, then youre on the right track, if not, you can start from the very beginning with the Bombshell Stamps Blog. The theme for this bloghop is Weddings. 2011 seems to be the year of all my friends getting married, and or engaged.

One of my close friends that I have known for several years now is getting married September 2011. I am soooo excited for her. I already made her an engagement card, I figured, I should make her a HONEYMOON card. That goes within the relm of WEDDINGS right? She and her future husband are going to Hawaii, so I figured what a great HONEYMOON card would be using RISE AND SHINE from the Bombshell Stamps collection?

"Becky the Bride" (this is what I am calling this bombshell right now) is in a white bathing suit, to resemble being a bride, with pink heels (one of her wedding colors). She is colored with Prismacolor, and SU stampin write markers.

All patterned paper comes from the Travel pack by Making Memories. I used CB embossing folder with GP 110 white paper, then rubbed my SU Baja breeze classic ink pad over the top for a different dimension. I used my MS double loop border punch for some more accent, and used some twine as well.

I made my own banner, I took off the RISE AND SHINE and replaced it with ENJOY YOUR HONEYMOON... please enjoy my crappy handwriting :) I put the banner up on pop dots for more dimension.

I hope Becky enjoys it!!! Now, on to the rest of the lovely bloghop, and check out the lovely bombshell Raven, who to see what she is cookin up for you! Raven also happens to be next months Pin Up girl for the month of MAY!!!

Enjoy, and keep on Rockin!

xox
Miss June --- Em

Butterfly Queen

2011-04-17T00:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, I may possibly have a new stamp addiction to the Butterfly Queen that I have been hoarding. I love her!! I plan to use her more often! :)

I stamped her out 3 times, and used dimensionals to make her really stand off the page. She is stamped in versafine on GP 110. She is colored with Prismacolors, and SU Stampin Write Markers.

All patterned papers come from the travel stack, by making memories. They are also scraps from another card I had made that is very similar to this one. Solids are either bazzil or recollections.

The ribbon comes out of my stash... the butterflies come from SU butterfly punch, and they also feature dimensionals and the occasional brad.

I adore this card. I dont think I can part with it. We will see. I just love it sooooo much!

I hope you enjoy her as much as I do!

Butterfly Queen

2011-04-16T16:47:00.000-07:00

I have never used this stamp, and I have had it for a few months now. I have always said... oh I will get to it, and then I pick up one of the other stamps I adore.

Sorry for Such a blurry picture. Maybe one of these days I will get my camera fixed, and or maybe I will just scan them from now on! haha who knows! But Anyway!

This Butterfly Queen comes from Bombshell stamps. She is a total knock out, and she is kind of intimidating. I wish I had a body like that! She is stamped in Versafine, and colored with Prismacolor, and SU! All papers are Bazzil or Recollections... Except for the patterned paper, which I think is K&Co, but I am not positive. I really love the distressed edges on this card. I dont do that normally.... and did you notice... NO embellishments!!! Thats a first for me too!

Rachael's Handmade Designs: Thursday's Interview: Bombshell Em!

2011-04-07T00:18:00.000-07:00

I was featured at Ms. April RACHAEL!!! from Bombshell Stamps personal blog today! :) She is totally rockin', and you need to check her out. I adore her. Maybe one day I will be blessed to meet her! Rachael's Handmade Designs: Thursday's Interview: Bombshell Em!: "1. What’s your name and shop name and what do you do? Emily and my blog is : http://bombshellemsartisticexpressions.blogspot.com/ 2. Wh..."

Cute Card, Cute Soldier

2011-04-02T02:49:00.000-07:00

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

I love it when I get late night phone calls from amazing friends that I have not talked to in a while. My friend Gary. I love him. He is someone I consider one of my BEST friends. I met him my first months of living in Iowa. He is from Muscatine, which is a little over an hour from where I was living. He would come visit me in at college, and we would sit and talk for hours. He and I have talked about so many things, and one of them being him joining the Army. He is currently stationed in Fort Irwin. Which is near Barstow, California. He is so close to me now, and I need to maybe go visit him. Or invite him up for a holiday. I just never know when he has his four day weekends until the last minute. He is super adoreable, and he knows how much he means to me. <3 I dont know what I would do with out him. He has been there for me more than I could ever imagine during his busy life schedule. Tonight, we talked on the phone for 3 hours. Which is NOT our record FYI. By the end of the night he was reciting movie quotes to Talledega Nights, Step Brothers, Supertroopers, and The Ringer. I love him, and I miss him!

ANYWAY...

I made this card for OWH. I LOVE all the new images from The Greeting Farm. My friend LENA!!!! got some cool new images from her cousin JAMMIE!!!! and When I was at Lena's I stamped out a bunch of the images to see if they were worthy of my purchase.... I might just have to! She is colored with Prismacolors, and SU! All paper is Recollections or Bazzil Basics. I also used scraps from my Bombshell cards in previous posts to use with this card. So that means I also followed Colour Q Challenge #77 with this card. :) I hope you enjoy, as I had fun making it!

April 2nd and my moms birthday card :)

2011-04-02T01:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I think, I am pretty positive I posted a picture of this card before, but it was from my cell phone. This card, needed to be photographed with a real camera!!! Just so you can see how vibrant that daffodil is!!! I cant wait to give it to her (mom). Shes going to love it! I know it!

Happy April 1st!

2011-04-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Happy April First!

No, I dont have some sick joke to pull on all of you. I can be cruel, but not that cruel. I like to pull jokes any other day, but today.. Got to keep people on their toes!

It is such a nice WARM day here in sunny Northern California! It is so nice to be outside for once, and not having to deal with the massive amounts of rain we have been having. This is like day 4 of this nice weather, and I hope it keeps up! Now if I could just keep the Little Miss (Diem) outside, that would be fantastic!

Anyway!

A couple nights ago... well about a week ago, I went to my friend Lena's house. We have not hung out in weeks!!! We made cards together, and we always like to challenge each other. My challenge was to use a BOMBSHELL stamp, and you have to use it in a PATRIOTIC way. :) So, this was my take on the challenge :)

The stamp set used was Bombshell Stamps RISE AND SHINE. Which is in my top 3 favorite sets! :) She looks so lovely just lounging around in her little hammock :)

All papers used are Recollections, the glittery star brads are also Recollections. I tend to hoard them. They are some of my favorite Embellishments! I also used Cuttlebug's Stars Embossing folder. It is also one of my favorites to use with my Bombshells.

This little lady was colored with Prismacolor (skin) and all the other details are from Stampin Up!

I think what really helps her stand out on this card is the black border around her, and litterally she is popping off the page with a few mini pop dots. :) I love how she turned out.

And now... On to other business. :) This whole month of April at Bombshell Stamps is dedicated to Ms April herself Rachael at Rachael's Handmade Designs. I love this girl. Even though I have not met this amazing lady in person, only virtually she is crazy talented and such an amazing blessing in my life. She has some wicked talents. I wish I was half as talented as her! Please stop by her blog, and show her some lovin!!! She needs all the support she can get. Tell her that Bombshell Stamps Ms. June sent you her way!!!

Rainy Day Activities

2011-03-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Diem has been bugging me for the past few weeks to build her a tent. I finally I broke down, and made one for her. She kept asking me to make it in the living room.... but I figured, I am supposed to be cleaning the house, and well... she wont leave me alone to get the chores done, so why not build a tent in her room? BEST IDEA EVER, and I am officially the coolest mama ever!!!

I made it yesterday. Just a simple version of it. Two sheets. That lasted great!

Today, Monday, I added on to it. We added MORE sheets, and even expanded it. I am pretty positive that I am going to kick her baby booty out of there so I can give myself a time out and hang out in there. She has been hanging out in there all day today. Which has been a life saver for me today as well I clean house to get ready for Grandma Linda, and Grandpa "Can" to get here later this week. I hope I can keep this tent up so she can play in there while I finish cleaning house, and make sure its ready for them.

I have been writing letters to soldiers. I like to include little comic strips that remind me of Diem. I found this classic Calvin and Hobbes comic that reminds me of her right now. Diem is driving me crazy... she has the worst rainy day cabin fever. For your intermission of this blog post.... Enjoy!

And now... here is our final product on this tent of Diem's. I am sure we will continue to build on it. You can make reservations ;) You just have to snuggle with Diem.

March Challenge take 2

2011-03-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

I figured, while I am at it, I should try flipping the March Challenge sketch to see what I could do with it again. I once again used the Colour Q Challenge #77.

I used the March Challenge Sketch from Bombshells, and I used my Rise and Shine set. It is probably one of my FAVORITE sets to use.

I hope you enjoy, and hope to keep up with all of the challenges!

Spread a Little Sunshine

2011-03-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

I have this book. I read it occassionally when I am feeling kind of bummed. I picked it up at Hallmark. Yep, one of my favorite stores. :) I came across it when I was in a deep part of my life where I felt where I didn't matter to a lot of people. This book is called, "The Rainy Day Book." It is a book of quotes, jokes, short stories that just make you stop and smile, and to clear your mind. I think this was my favorite short story in the book. I read it every time. And now, for your reading pleasure:

Spread a Little Sunshine

Nancy B. Gibbs

One warm spring morning, I was riding down a highway and noticed a creek alongside the road. A tree had fallen over the water, and the sunshine was bearing down on it, making it a prime sunning spot. Turtles lined the tree, taking up every exposed inch of the trunk. The reptiles were basking the warmth of the sunlight as if they were waiting for a magnificent morning show to begin.

I thought about how we humans oftentimes get too busy to bask in the sunlight or appreciate the beauty of each new day. We’re often too busy to appreciate the sunshine in our own lives, much less reflect rays of happiness to those we meet. Here are ten easy ways to spread sunshine to others and say you care:

1. Compliment others for their accomplishments and efforts.

2. Smile at everyone you meet.

3. Say a sincere “good morning” to make others realize that you care for them.

4. Shake hands-- a nice, firm handshake says, “You are important.”

5. Send out a “thinking of you” note every day for a week to a friend of co-worker.

6. Invite someone to visit your church or club and offer to give them a ride.

7. When you bake bread, take a loaf to a shut in while its still warm.

8. Say “ I Love You” often.

9. Invite a neighbor over for coffee or tea.

10. Pray for your family and friends each day.

When we spread rays of the sunshine to those around us, we cant help but be warmed by the light. Although we should give for the sake of giving rather than for selfish reasons, the truth is that when we give, the light of generosity always bounces back to us.

I think you might dispense with half your doctors if you would only consult Dr. Sun more.

-- Henry Ward Beecher

Bombshell March Challenge

2011-03-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

I normally dont follow any "sketches" to an exact T. I normally just see something, and vaguely GO WITH IT. I have never done a color challenge either. So... Why not kill two birds with one stone, eh? Lets first start with my "Sketch". My sketch comes from the ever spectacular BOMBSHELL STAMPS :) :) This is their sketch for the month of May, created by the lovely Bombshell Kathi.

Now, on to my Colour Q Challenge. This is CQC # 77 for this week. :) They come out with a new series each week, and this is the one I chose. Maybe, I will keep up the good work. You never know. I do stash up on the colors that I like, and maybe eventually I will get with the times, and participate more often.

NOW! My Card featuring both Challenges:

Yes, It is a tad blurry, taken with my camera phone, as I am having issues with my digital camera. This is the Retro Cowgirl from Bombshell Stamps, Punch is MS Border punch, Stars CB Embossing folder. I love the colors and how everything came out. Trust me, it looks better in person!! The coloring on the stars is really neat. I mixed Kiwi Kiss and Bermuda Bay together :)

Hope you Enjoy, and I hope you have a fabulous Weekend!!!

OWH: Operation Mom's Day!

2011-03-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Okay When I uploaded this card into blogger, it wasnt crooked like this. I dont know what the deal is. But you can probably stand two seconds of looking at it sideways.

This card has been made for Operation Write Home. They are currently looking for MOTHER'S DAY cards. The deadline is MARCH 31 to have them to your shipper. Mine is SANDY. :) If youre on the WEST COAST that is your shipper. She is in dire need of MOTHER'S DAY CARDS.

What I like about this card, is that yes, it says MOM on it, but you can use it for any other occasion.

I know as a mom I would love to receive this as a card! :)

March Madness!

2011-03-16T06:28:00.000-07:00

Yep, its that time of year for all of us College Basketball fans. MARCH MADNESS will be going on for the next TWO WEEKS. I normally dont catch all the games, just the ones that I actually care about.... ahem... TEXAS! (not A&M though).

Diem's dad's side of the family is really into the brackets, and everyone fills one out to see who is pretty much the ruler of the season if they do the best on their bracket, and if they pick the right National Champion.

I stay true to my team every year. Some people arent so faithful. I say every year that TEXAS is going to win. And since I have been around this family... they havent won, but they have made it to the final four! I think this year they will do amazing, and that is why I picked them as my National Champions! :)

The brackets are so much fun, because everyone seems to have a plan.... and they always claim their team is going to win. I used to partner up with Diem's dad back in the day when we were in Iowa and submit our bracket... but we started fighting over who our National Champion would be and who would beat who, and well... now we do our own bracket.

I asked Diem yesterday if she wanted to do her own bracket. She has no idea whats going on. So I helped her. You will notice I had no say!!! Here is how it went down...

"Diem pick either 1 or 16, Diem pick either 8 or 9...." it went on and on until we got to her National Champion. She picked #14 Wofford.

Like I said, I stay true to my team... TEXAS!!!! So for your enjoyment... Here are our brackets!

Do you feel like a mom?

2011-03-12T19:32:00.000-08:00

A daughter is a gift of love. ~Author Unknown

Diem and I have been doing a lot of bonding lately. With the recent death of Cortney, I have decided I needed to start writing to Diem. Especially during the times she is with her dad. She is the greatest blessing in my life. I dont know where I would be today with out her. Most people know Diem's birth story. A lot of people dont know.

My friend Breanna posted on her facebook today... that she still doesnt feel like a mom. She recently just gave birth to a little girl named Aubrey. I wrote her telling her how I didnt feel like a mom right away. A lot of people experience the feeling of being a momma while they are pregnant. I didnt. I didnt feel like a mom when I gave birth. I didnt feel like a mom getting up at 3 am feedings. I didnt feel like a mom until about when Diem was 3 months old. I think that was the first time I had a AH HA! I am a momma now moment. I still remember that day vividly. I still kick myself to this day.

Her dad and I were getting ready to go to Disneyland during our college spring break week. My dad was living with me to help out with Diem while D's dad and I went to college full time. He had left a few days before us leaving to visit my brother down in Texas. It was the day we were leaving and Diem's dad heard her making weird noises in her crib. She already had cold/flu like symptoms. We were pending on Diem's medical insurance... We called all over town to see if anyone would take her. We lived in Mount Pleasant Iowa and the only place that would take us at that time was in Burlington about 20 minutes away or so. We loaded up my jeep, and off we went to her first real live doctors appointment in Iowa. I am pretty calm... DD was driving, and I was passenger. We get to the doctors, fill out the paper work, and we are getting in really quick. Doctor Paragas wasnt with us more than 5 minutes when he rushed us to the hospital. He thinks its nothing, but he wants to make sure it isnt RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus ). We are in the Emergency Room. I am instantly freaking out. WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN THINKING IS JUST THE COMMON COLD?! We tell the doctors we have a flight we have to catch tonight, and we just need to make sure she is okay to fly. Long story short... she gets a chest xray, and a heel prick. We were told that they were sure it was nothing. They come back with Diem's lab results and they look at us and say. BAD NEWS YOU GUYS ARE QUARANTINED. We get put up in the room, we cant leave. DD runs back to Mount Pleasant to get us all the things we need. I am freaking out, and I dont want to leave her. The doctors in Diem's unit and team were telling us she was the youngest infant they have seen that year with it, and if she wasnt treated.... she could die.

This was probably the first time I realized I was a mom.

During our stay of 4 days, I would not leave her side, I barely left her side to pee. I didnt eat, sleep NOTHING. The nurse informed DD of my behavior, and she gave us an extra meal ticket and told us to go take our time in the cafeteria. DD had to practically drag me out of there. During our walk to the elevator, I kept turning around to look back. Tears constantly streaming down my face. WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MY CHILD? I felt like a horrible person for the longest time about that day. I still feel that way when she gets really sick... Should I over react? Should I underreact? That is when you know youre a mama!!!

Stylish blogger Award

2011-03-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

Man do I feel special. I have seen this badge alllllll over the blogger world. I was kind of jealous when I saw a friend of mine have two of them! I must say THANK YOU TO Michelle. She's totally amazing! And a wonderful friend!!! She awarded me with this badge :)

Now, here are the rules to receiving this: I'm supposed to share 8 things about myself and then pay it forward to 8 recipients.

1. I am adopted, my brother, and 2 out of my 3 nieces are also adopted. I used to not want to know anything about my birth mother until my 25th birthday I had a revelation and decided I wanted to start my journey on finding out who I really am, and who my mom is.

2. I love sports. I couldnt imagine my life with out them. I am highly competitive and I hate to lose. I hate it when people win who half ass things. I put my heart out into everything I do, and when I lose I feel like a failure to not only everyone I know, but more importantly myself.

3. I have a tendency of not letting things just go. I hold grudges. I never fully trust. So its probably not in your best interest to screw me over.

4. If I was only to eat one thing for the rest of my life it would probably be sandwiches. If not sandwiches, soup. I love both. I could eat it FOREVER! :)

5. I am going to go back to school to get my degree in Athletic Administration so I can fulfill my dream of becoming an Athletic Director. Hopefully for a major college one day.

6. (Man this is hard) I love to write, and send mail. I have always done a lot of writing, and drawing. Even though I think I am awful at both.

7. I love Swedish Dreams cookies from Schats bakery. They are my weakness. :) Thanks to my BFF Nick, who works there. I buy a bakers dozen, he throws in like 5 more. :) He loves me.

8. I am too loyal for my own good. I will do anything for anyone. I need to stop doing this, as sometimes I feel unappreciated. I will do anything to let someone know how special they are to me.

Heres my 8 lovely friends with 8 wonderful blogs for your enjoyment!

1) Lena

2) Leah

3) Dawn

4) Jan

5) Kathy

6) Chris

7) Bombshell Stamps

8) Natalie

Happy Birthday Week Cortney!!!

2011-03-08T12:13:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEEK

CORTNEY AILEEN HOODY!

I hope youre having a wonderful birthday in heaven. Make sure God gives you all the treats in the world.. Especially your favorite cookies! We all miss you terribly, and thank you for guiding us on our path of life. I am thankful youre holding my hand through all of this. I have your strength, and that is what I need right now.

Love you,

Mean it.

Stage 2: Add Color

2011-03-04T14:31:00.000-08:00

I have been working very hard on this portait of Cortney. I am totally not liking it as much as I was before. I have a tendency to get this way after I add color to something.

This is Stage two of the portait. I added more shading with pencil, and I also added colored pencil and some watercolor pencil to this. To blend, I used Johnson and Johnsons unscented baby oil gel. I blended with my finger, and a paper blending stump. It did smudge some of the lead pencil, but that is okay I guess.

This picture has the wet look as this photo was A)taken with my cell phone B) Still wet from the gel, and C) the gel takes a while to dry.

I need to add a background color to her... I might actually just do GREEN chalks behind her, so she shines more than ever and not a distracting back ground to take away from her beauty.

Later in the evening, I got really bored. I was watching TV, and I knew I couldnt sleep.... So I decided to pull out some 12 x 12 scrapbook paper/cardstock.

I sat down on my futon, with my ott light, and my sharpie and started "Doodling". About an hour and some change later... this is my final product. Yes, blurry. As once again, taken with my phone.

This was made for Cortney's family. William, Zachary and Zoey. All their names are in this , and I even framed this for them. I hope they enjoy it!

I am no artist...

2011-03-02T18:35:00.000-08:00

I am no artist, but I sure try.

One of my best friends passed away back in late January. Her life celebration was this past weekend. I was truly blessed to be asked to speak at her celebration. I met a ton of wonderful people. In a few posts back I posted my speech that I had written up. I feel everywhere I go, Cortney is right there.

Yesterday, well late last night I came up with the idea that I needed to take up my art again. I love to draw, and I havent pulled out my sketch book or my canvases in such a long time.

Last night I was also looking through the pictures that friends and family have posted on facebook of the celebration. Then I came across this picture (above). I love Corts smile. She had one of the best smiles I have ever seen. I decided... Hey, I should draw a portait of Cortney. And sooo.... here is part one of my drawing of Cort. Sorry its so blurry, and low quality. It was taken with my cell phone.

I will continue to work on it. I dont know what I am going to do with this one day... But I love it.

With Love, from Leah for Cort!

2011-03-01T15:10:00.000-08:00

I have met so many amazing people this past weekend. One of them being this wonderful woman named Leah. She is incredibly talented. I adore her so much! She wrote this on facebook the other night, and I asked her for permission to post it on my blog. So for your enjoyment... Here it is :) Love you Leah!

Cortney was strong, beautiful, talented and open. She was a superstar who will always be with us in spirit. She was a confidant who you could always depend on. Yesterday I attended her wake and it felt so odd. It was like going to a birthday party without the birthday girl. As if she was going to show up any minute, but never did. I wrote this poem after attending the service and visiting with her family and friends that I am proud to call my own (until 2 in the morning). Whether you knew Cort your whole life or only a few minutes, no doubt you could see what a wonderful person she was.

When I look around I see people who loved and were loved by her. I see faces full of strength just like her, but unknown it seems to many of them.

I see beauty in every person radiating out with the love and respect of a mutual friend. Yet many have voiced disbelief of their own beauty.

Her talents were limitless because of the faith in herself. That isn't often the case with me though I wish it to be.

It takes a gifted heart to be open for a world of different yet equally loving hearts. She had this gift and shared it everyday. It is a gift that beats inside the chest of everyone, but how scared some of us are to share it with strangers. It is a loss to the world when we do.

All of have the same strength she eagerly shared, we just have to exercise it more often.
All of us are beautiful when we smile wide and share our voice with the world. We simply must remember and remind each other often enough until we believe it.

All of us can be just as open as her if we will only take the chance each and every day.

My wish is that you will find all these qualities and forever let them shine. If you are hiding, then it's time to step out and show the world what it really means to be strong, beautiful, talented and open.

We may have lost one friend, but we can take this opportunity to make new ones and continue on with the spirit that Cortney was and will no doubt continue through her two beautiful children.

Thank you Superstar. Love you. Mean it.

Love you, Mean it

2011-02-28T09:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome, and I just want to say how happy I am to be here, and blessed to be surrounded by people who loved Cortney as much as I do.

My name is Emily, a friend, teammate and adoptive sister of Cortney.
Cortney had only been in mine and my daughter, Diem’s life a short period of time but she quickly became a wonderful asset to my already chaotic life.

Cort and I had a lot in common. The love of sports, mom’s, and both had tragedies in our lives that brought us together.

I first met Cortney after finding out she worked at the bank. I would come visit, and bring treats to a wonderful friend. And when I would come by for my visit, Cortney was the person who greeted me every time. She would always comment about how nice it must be to have a friend to bring by goodies or whatever at random times. She always admired my crafty talents, and soon enough, I was bringing her goodies too. I miss going into the bank now, wearing my University of Texas stuff and have her banter with me…

“Come on, get a real team.”

“Really? Like who?”

“Colorado.”

“HAHAHAHA get real, get a real team. How many National Championships do you have? Or how many athletes have made it to the pros?”

(Pause)

“EXACTLY!”

Over the following months of our bantering and more frequent visits, we became close friends. Occasionally calling her at work just to tell her hello and I would hear, “ SAVINGS BANK THIS IS CORTNEY HOW MAY I HELP YOU?” I would always respond with, “YES . I WANT TO TALK TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN THE WHOLE BUILDING.” She always knew it was me because I would start giggling. Soon after I would get, “Emily, Shut up.”

Our Phone calls and texts lead to me joining her womens league basketball team. Now I get to see her outside of the bank. I got to meet the little blessings in her life, Zoey and Zachary that she adored, and gave her life to. She and I became very close friends. We confided so much in one another, and she was always willing to help me as much as she could for me and what has been going on in my life. She was always there for me when I was feeling down, and Cort had a way of just reading me like a book. I could try to fake it but she just knew and she would always tell me that she could relate, and we could sit and talk for hours about it.

I like to think Cort had a plan for all of us. She brought the most positive people in my life that I have been needing. Thank you Cortney for being you, a supportive friend, sister, aunt and role model in mine and Diem’s life I don’t know what I would have done with out you at many points of my life.

Thank all of you, deeply…for talking, crying, laughing, loving and LIVING.
So thank you for being here. For sharing Cort, For remembering her dearly. And let me finish this the way Cort and I finished thousands of talks and meetings and feelings over the course of our friendship. To each and every one of you, and to my dear, amazing Cort, I say: Love You, Mean it.

Happy Belated Valentines Day

2011-02-18T19:06:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day only 5 days late.

This was one of my PERSONALIZED valentines for one of my friends. His nickname is Velocoraptor. He calls me platypus. So he got a non- lovey dovey card from me and Diem (platypus jr).

All paper is recollections, and me and my big ideas. Dinosaur/dragon has been colored with SU markers.

I hope he enjoys! :)

2011-01-31T00:17:00.000-08:00

I love this card!!

I kind of mass produced this card, because I doing this new thing. If I use 12 x 12 paper, I have to use it all up before going on to a new piece. I love this paper, I love the colors, I love everything about it.

This image is "Call Me" from My Favorite Things. She is colored on watercolor paper with SU markers.

Paper is Me and My Big Ideas, and Recollections.

This card, along with a few others were made for Operation Write Home. I figured it would be nice to send out to loved ones. :) Simple, Sweet, and to the point!

I hope they find their way to a good home!

Sports Series: Dallas Cowboys

2011-01-30T00:30:00.000-08:00

Here is my take on DALLAS COWBOYS CHEERLEADER. I asked Adrian the other day... What is your all time favorite team. First he said Lakers, then he said Cowboys. So here is my take on the Dallas Cowboys.... Cheerleader using the Retro Cowgirl from Bombshell Stamps.

She is colored on watercolor paper, with SU! Markers.

All paper comes from my stash. The blue patterned paper comes from my set of Christmas paper that I didnt know existed, and if you look at it in person, it looks like it has been drawn on with chalk! I love this paper!

I made this card for Adrian, I hope he enjoys it!

Sports Series: Lakers

2011-01-29T11:26:00.000-08:00

** Sorry its a little blurry, it was taken with my phone**

This lovely bombshell was themed LAKERS for my friend Adrian. He is a HUGE Lakers fan... He Loves Kobe Bryant #24. This is my thinking of you/man card. Adrian and I recently lost one of our dear friends Cortney. He has been really down lately, so I figured this would cheer him up!

All paper comes from my stash of random things. Purple, and black paper is recollections, sparkly paper... Is from a previous project. Yellow stripes on the jersey are actually yellow copy paper. Brads come from my stash, I just know the big ones come from Big Lots :) I believe they are basic grey. I am not sure. But I love the bigger brads now. LAKERS is written in rub ons... but the #24 is handwritten. She is colored with prismacolor and SU! Makers.

I hope he enjoys this card!! :)

Supporting Cortney

2011-01-28T12:09:00.000-08:00

A great friend of our DT Emily passed away unexpectedly leaving behind two small children. We would like to raise money for the family and her kids by offering this digi for Cortney. She loved Basketball! Anyone who donates will receive this digi

Cortney Hoody passed away unexpectedly Saturday, January 22nd 2011 ,

and leaves behind two small children, a wonderful family, and group of

friends. Cortney was an phenomenal mother, friend, sister, and

athlete. She participated in several sports, but her favorite sport

that she excelled at most was basketball. She was a All star

basketball player in high school, and went on to play at Hastings

College where she was a stand out player, and received several awards.

Cortney was a person you could go to for anything, and she would tell

you how it is, and help you on your journey. She touched many hearts

close to hers, and people who didn’t know her. She was actively

involved with the local sports community where she created her own

women’s league basketball team single handily and she even coached

her son’s basketball team.

Cortney has and will forever have many people who loved and cared for

her. At this time, Cort’s children, and family have a huge unexpected

financial hardship with funeral plans. We at Ward Digi’s are offering

a tribute digi of “Cortney” in support of her family with the

unexpected costs.

If you would like to donate and receive this digi please click on the donate button. All proceeds will go straight to her family . Thank you so much !

More Card examples coming soon!

Heaven gained an angel, and I know shes looking down me ♥ #23 CH

2011-01-23T20:59:00.000-08:00

Cortney Hoody, One of the greatest people in my life. January 21, 2011

I cannot believe youre gone. We have only been friends for a few short months, but you have always been there for me when I needed some one to talk to. You are an amazing mom, friend, and sister. I miss you terribly, and I cannot wait to play basketball again with you one day. I will be sure to keep a good eye out for Zachary and Zoey for you. <3 You!!!

Love is the Best Medicine

2011-01-22T00:11:00.000-08:00

Okay s this isnt the best picture (courtesy of my cell phone). She is actually paper pieced. I love this little card. I hope someone enjoys her as much as I love her!

It's your lucky day!

2011-01-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

I ADORE this card. I made it for my friend Jason. I have known Jason pretty much all my life. He is one of the strongest guys I know. He is always so positive even when all his chips are in and he loses the hand. Lately I had a bummed mood day. And he was there for me. He is AMAZING! And not to mention CUTE! (I had the biggest crush on him in the 5th grade). Thank you Jason for being you, and helping me. Youre the best!

This card is made with Recollections Cape Cod Collection. This Mermaid stamp set is from none other than BOMBSHELL STAMPS!!! She is stamped on watercolor paper, and the sentiment is too. I used SU Stampin Write markers. If youre interested in some you should talk to my bestie Lena. The Mermaid is adhered at the tail with adhesive, and at her head, there is pop dots. I love this card and it was hard for me to give it way. Atleast she is going to a deserving home.

cosmobella

2011-01-16T21:41:00.000-08:00

Anothers Girls Ruin

2011-01-15T05:07:00.000-08:00

Not super clear, but you get the idea.

Just another "too sexy" Valentine!

I am sure all you Bombshell fans will love her :)

I like her better with the zebra stripes

2011-01-14T04:54:00.000-08:00

If you dont like the "sexy" look of these lovely ladies, I am sorry, but I love them all! I guess they arent for everyone!

Girls Ruin

2011-01-13T00:25:00.000-08:00

I love this stamp! She will make the perfect Valentines Day card for someone in my life. ;)
She is on watercolor paper, recollections and DCWV paper. She is colored with Prismacolor, and SU. Embossed as well :) I hope they enjoy!

Making debut again :)

2011-01-12T00:18:00.000-08:00

Here is another Rose Bombshell. I love those piercing blue eyes. She was stamped on watercolor paper this time, and embossed. Paper is Recollections and DCWV. Colored with Prismacolor and SU! :)

Thinking of You

2011-01-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here is my newest THINKING OF YOU card. I am on a roll on these sentiments on cards. This is a Bombshell Stamp that I received in the mail. She is gorgeous!!! I embossed her with black embossing powder. She is colored with SU and Prismacolor. I wish I can as green eyes as she does. Shes gorgeous.

All paper is recollection, and I distressed the edges with Versafine.

She was so much fun, I think I am going to have to make a bunch more for OWH!!! :)

Diem is a OWH Celebrity! (Okay so her artwork is)

2011-01-09T22:51:00.000-08:00

I was checking out the OWH Facebook Fan page. If youre on FB, and you like to make cards, or need some inspiration. Check it out!!!!! Seriously! But wait until you read/see what Diem did!

While D-train was here, we had some nasty rainy days. We did a lot, A LOT of coloring. I got the brilliant idea to print out some OWH Coloring Pages, and Digis for her to color... GENIUS idea for my at the time upcoming package to mail to my shipper Sandy. Sandy has a dog named, Ciara that is iconic all over the Fan Page. She is like the OWH mascot. Well she is featured on the coloring pages. Well I let Diem sit on my lap at the computer, and we went through the coloring pages I have saved for OWH, and all my digis that are OWH and non- OWH to see what she wanted to color. Just so you know, Diem LOVES dogs. So she picked out a few images that I also knew would be easy for her to color. We did the mass coloring pages together. Filled out the worksheets together and everything. As we are coloring, Diem looks over at my coloring page and says, "Ma, You're coloring the dog wrong!" (I didnt take a picture of my coloring, but invision your typical brown dog). You should have seen Diem's (well actually youre about too!) So I will not describe it to you ;) Just surprise you.

I have started to get pretty active on the OWH page, and it is so nice to see everyone else's work and you get to interact with your shippers (HI SANDY AND DIXIE!!) <-- They are 2 out of the 3 shippers I have grown to love, and they are amazing ladies! So today, was no different than any other day... I trolled the page, and what did I find!!!!!! DIEM'S COLORING PAGE!! Sandy posted it right next to Ciara! So I am super excited to announce that Diem is an official coloring page celebrity on OWH. And now for your enjoyment.... Here is what you have been waiting for.... Diem's picture:

OWH Upcoming Holiday Information

2011-01-09T21:38:00.000-08:00

I follow the Homefront Blog, and today they posted some information that 1. I needed to remember, so why not put on my blog. 2. Maybe someone would read my blog, and maybe they wanted to play along too, and needed the 4-1-1. 3. Maybe I could make these into challenges for Lena too! :)

On that Note... here is the following PSA for OWH Upcoming Holiday cards:

http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/2011/01/important-note-about-spring-holidays.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HomefrontBlog+%28Homefront+Blog%29

Important note about spring holidays!

Now that we're past the Valentines - we need to turn our brains toward the next seasons! Two very important reminders:
1.If you're making a lot of cards for any season, remember to get your cards in TWO WEEKS BEFORE these posted deadlines; sending a couple hundred cards right at the deadline really makes it nearly impossible to get your cards mixed in the last couple boxes!

2.Making "general" cards that can also be used for a holiday are the MOST useful to our heroes. We got lots of "love" cards as well as ones that specifically said "Happy Valentines Day" --- that helps a lot when we don't know how many heroes will be sharing a box.....they can use the general love cards, but don't have to write them all out before V-Day. So - "Lucky to have you" and "Some bunny loves you" are great sentiments for spring!
St Patricks - due Feb 10

Though we do send out St Patty's Day cards, we send a lot less than we do for Valentines and Christmas - we've never gotten one request for St Pat's cards, and we've gotten some surprised comments like, "Wow you even send St Pattys cards!" So - the need is NOT as big for these as for other holidays.

You may still make St Patty's cards, but if you would have to go buy new stuff to make them, we'd love to save you the expense and ask for you to focus on our general cards - thinking of you, birthday, missing you, love, thanks, and no-sentiment. We need LOTS of these, and your help in getting those for us would be awesome!

Easter - due March 18

Bunnies and chicks, as well as religious cards are welcome. You can also make "spring" sentiments for those who don't celebrate Easter!

Mother's Day - due March 31

It's not too early to start thinking about Mom and Dad cards! Consider sending in a half dozen of these while sending in your other spring cards, just to get our stash built up for the first Moms Day boxes! Also - if you can separate your cards out so that the ones that say "Happy Mother's Day" are separate from the ones that say "Love you Mom", that helps us be able to get the Mother's Day cards targeted to mail first, and fill in with the general ones!

**** NOTE! If anyone is interested in making cards, or has a few or a bunch of A2 sized cards that they want to give to OWH, I send packages frequently, and if you want, you can mail them or give them to me, and I will include them in my package if it is easier for you that way. Just email me if this is something your interested in, OR you can mail them directly to your favorite OWH Shipper!

Definition of a Friend

2011-01-09T01:09:00.000-08:00

I love the colors featured in this card.

I found this patterned paper in a stack that I recently purchased at Mikes. If it was here (its at Lena's house) I would tell you what it was called. I love it! I wish I could hoard this paper forever, but it doesnt look like I can. Because I have decided. If I tear out a 12x12 piece of paper... I must try to use 3/4th of it! I cant just use a little piece.

I made this card for OWH. I hope someone enjoys it... because I really dont want to give it up!!!

Call Me

2011-01-08T00:10:00.000-08:00

I love this Mini Set from MFT :) I figured it would be nice for OWH too. Good Missing You card. Something!!! Why not start off the new year, with a stamp set you've never used? This would be it!

She is colored with Prismacolor and SU! Paper is actually Taylored Expressions. Wow I havent pulled them out in a long while!

I cant believe I forgot to color the phone!!!! Ugh what is wrong with me!?

I need to make more of these cards. They were sooooo much fun!

I hope a loved one of soldier enjoy's this card!

I am THINKING OF YOU and I am MISSING YOU

2011-01-05T04:00:00.000-08:00

I NEVER thought this card would pull off! Most people who know me, know that I:

#1) I am a huge Texas Longhorns fan... okay so that is a given.
#2) I ~~Always~~ okay, NEVER match.
#3) I am addicted to Bombshell Stamps and lastly
#4) I RARELY ever give my cards "themes" or "sentiments". This is true! So when Jan asked me to make a "Thinking of You" card. I was like "yay, I was asked to make a card for OWH Stars and Stamps!! Oh man, I have to actually use a sentiment!!!" Oh man!!!

This card OBVIOUSLY does not match. But I love it. :) Now that I look at it, I like the effect the turquoise and the pink have for one another.

I used Recollections paper (Butterfly Wings Collection for the PINK and Cape Cod for the Turquoise.) Just in case you wanted to know.

Stamps... well STAMP used is the mini flower from Bombshell Stamps "Bombshell" set. I never have used it as the main focus of anything, and I felt it would be perfect for "Thinking of You". I used Versafine Onyx Black ink, and Bic Mark-its for the detail work of the inside of each flower, and detail around the computer generated sentiment.

Missing You.... Kid's Edition:

Lena is borrowing my Big Shot as her's needs to be fixed. I got these Sizzix die cuts from the Mike's clearance bins one day this past fall. I have never used them... I figured I NEED to try something new for the new year, so this is what I did. I made TWO Missing You Easel Cards :)

Paper is all Recollections except for the patterned paper, and the dresses, shoes, and head bands as the come from the Latte Collection of I cant remember the brand right now. But I got them in a little pad on sale, (it comes in several different sizes!) at Jo-Ann's!

I need to get the Sizzix rub on faces for when I make the paper dolls... I am AWFUL at drawing faces. And my handwriting is even worse.... check out the HANDWRITTEN sentiment.

I am addicted to these little paper doll girls. I see more of them in my future! I hope they find a GREAT home.