Christmas Card Challenge Week #48

Howdy ya'll!

I'm still on vacation, and enjoying every minute of it!  We went and saw Paranormal Activity 2 last night and now I'm slightly disappointed.  We had heard it was just as scary, if not more, than the first, but it wasn't for us.  But, if you like scary movies, it's definitely one to see.

I have another Christmas Card to share with you today.  The challenge is to use candy canes or Christmas treats on your card.  I'm so glad that I was finally able to use one of Sparkle's images, although I'm not sure I did it justice.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

In hindsight, I should have added liquid applique to the boa like thing around the top of her dress.  Instead I went for a gold color, and some glitter to make it like "tinsel".   I didn't have time to redo my card, so I just went with what I had.  I've been trying to use up some of my stash again.  This paper is old, but I like it.  I tied a bow, which I'm very pleased with, added some pearls, and I was done.  I'll have to see about making a different one soon, using different colors and liquid applique.  I'll post it so we can compare them. :)

We have another wonderful guest designer this week.  I hope you'll check out who it is, and the rest of the DT cards for today.

Have a great Sunday!
Hugs!

Twisted Sketches #31

This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down for this weeks Unscripted Sketches project.

I'm totally thrilled to bring you another card for Twisted Sketches.  The sketches that Anam comes up with are fabulous!  The twist was glitter, any how, any way.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

For those of you who know me fairly well, know that I don't do glitter.  I don't like it on me, and I don't like going places all "sparkly". lol  Fortunately for me, I have tons of stickles, so I used them for the centers of the flowers.  For an extra bit of sparkle, I used my Sakura clear Stardust pen to outline the leaves, and the cork paper border.  I love these papers, and think my card turned out well.  Those Tim Holtz tickets were just what I was looking for.

The projects posted for this weeks sketch are absolutely gorgeous!  If you get the chance, you should go check them out.  I know you'll be happy you did.

Have a great day!
Steph

Unscripted Sketches #79

Hi everyone!

Happy Saturday, again!  Are you having a good weekend, so far?  As you read this, I'm in Austin with one of my other favorite people, my sister.  We are celebrating our birthdays together this weekend and it was my turn to go to her (she came to me last year).  We have a really fun weekend planned that includes a meal at The Salt Lick (the BEST Texas BBQ, ever!) and going to see Paranormal Activity 2.  I can't wait, love scary movies.  It should be fun, but even if we didn't do anything, I'd be happy just to be here with them. :)

Ok, so onto this weeks project.  I have another layout that I've redone for their wedding album.  This weeks sketch was perfect for the little elements I wanted to add.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

I just love these photos from their wedding.  It was so much fun, and they're a gorgeous couple (in my opinion).  It's been a bit difficult, but I'm trying to incorporate their wedding colors, orange and blue, into each layout.  So far, I think they've turned out ok.  I love how much my brother in law looks like Woody from Toy Story in this picture. lol 

I hope you'll head over to see what my friends have created for you today.  They're always so wonderful!

Hugs!

Need Your Help!

We recently had some headshots taken for Scrapper's Boutique.  As many of you know,  I'm the crop hostess there on Friday and Saturday evenings (you should stop by and say hi if you're in the DFW area).  Anyway, there are two that I think turned out ok, but I need your help.  Which of the two do you guys like better?  I think my friend Taj did a fabulous job on everyone's photos, by the way.

This is the first one.

And here is the second.



So which would you pick if it were you??  #1 or #2?  I have until the end of the week to decide, so that I can create my layout using the photo for the shadow boxes they'll be kept in.  Ya'll are always honest with me, so I appreciate the input.  Thanks a bunch!

Have a wonderful day!

What A Weekend!

Hi ya'll!

I'm so happy to be home, but had a wonderful vacation!  My vacation included spending four whole days (on a scrapbook retreat) with one of my favorite people in the world, my friend Joni.  Joni and I met through a Stampin Up! stamp club almost three years ago (I think) and we've become such good friends.  She's an amazing person and I hope that one day I can be as kind, generous, and loving as she is.

This is one of my favorite photos from the weekend.  Thank you Joni, for everything!  I love you lots!  I also want to thank Bobbi, Paula, Lynn, Angie, Lori, Brenda and Adair for making this weekend such a nice event (we celebrated my birthday early).  I {heart} all of you!

Much love!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #47

Hi ya'll!

I hope you've  had a good weekend!  It's time for another Christmas card challenge.  This week, the challenge is to include flowers on your card.  I have to say, this card isn't what I imagined, but that's ok.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I like the flower and the snowflake together along with the new Christmas papers I just got.  In real life, the flower isn't that bright.  I think my camera settings are all jacked up again. 

I hope you'll head over to the Christmas card challenge blog to see what my friends, and our wonderful guest designer, have created for you today. 

Have a great weekend!

Unscripted Sketches #78

Hi everyone!

As you read this, I am on day number three of my vacation!  I've been on a scrapbooking retreat since Thursday morning, and I'm loving it!  I even turned off my work phone, and left it at home.  Talk about a real treat! lol

Today I have another Unscripted Sketches project for you.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

I flipped the sketch because I wanted to use the cut out ornaments for the one part, and I think it turned out really neat.  These new Girls Paperie papers are absolutely gorgeous too!  I wanted to make the snowflakes on the middle panel "pop", so I debossed, and used a brayer to apply some River Rock ink.  The results were perfect. 

I'm off to finish up some more crafty stuff, and eat some more yummy goodies that everyone has brought.  I've been proud to stick to my Weight Watchers for most of the weekend, but I just cannot pass up the pretzel filled M&M's.  My gosh, they're fantastic!!  I hope you'll head over to the challenge blog to see what everyone else has created for you today.  They're all pretty wonderful, as usual. :)

Hugs!

We Have A Winner!!

Woo hoo!  Thanks to all who participated.  I used my handy dandy friend, Random.org, and the winner is:

#9 - Lelia Pierce!!

Congratulations Lelia!  Please send me an email (steph_castro@hotmail.com) with your address so that I can get your goodies out to you.

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

Today's The Last Day!

...to enter my blog-versary candy give away!  Click HERE, for the details.

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Don't forget!!

Hi everyone!

If you haven't already, don't forget to sign up for my blog-versary candy!  This Friday is the last day to sign up.  Click HERE to see what you could win. :)

Have a great day!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #46

Hi everyone!

I'm happy to bring you another Christmas Card challenge.  This week our challenge was a recipe challenge.  The recipe includes two designer papers, one stamp, bling and a butterfly.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I'm not happy at all with my photo today, but I do like the way my card turned out in real life.  Of course, you know how I love my butterflies, so this was a fantastic idea in my opinion.  I'm totally excited today.  We have an amazing guest designer.  I know you all know who she is, and we're all so blessed that she accepted our invitation.  You should hurry over and check out who I'm talking about.  Her card is absolutely gorgeous!!

I need to get caught up on some stuff, so that's all for me, for now.  I hope you have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Twisted Sketches #29

Hi ya'll!  This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down for my Unscripted Sketches blog hop post.

I'm SO excited!  This is my first posting as a Twisted Sister.  This weeks sketch is another fabulous one, with room for all kinds of interpretation.  The twist is: Jewel - any how, any way.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I'm really pleased with how my card turned out.  I'm also happy about the good photo I got as well.  My camera sometimes acts retarded, and I'm lucky this wasn't one of those times.  I love this color combo.  I stamped all of the flowers, and butterflies in coordinating ink, and then cut them out.  I added a few leaves, and lots of jewels.  This card turned out exactly how I pictured it in my head, and I'm completely happy with it.

I hope you'll head over to Twisted Sketches to check out what my fellow design team members have created for you today.  They're all pretty fabulous, as I would have expected.

Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches #77 - Blog Hop!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Today's US post is a special one.  We're having a blog hop in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I'm sure all of us have had some kind of exposure to this dreadful disease, in some way, shape or form.  It's terrible and hopefully one day they will find a cure so no one else will have to suffer from it.  This week is also special because we have an amazing sponsor, Anita Be Stampin.  Check out this awesome, never before seen, stamp she created for BCA that will be released today.  Isn't she beautiful?!  All proceeds from the purchase of this stamp will go to the Susan G. Komen foundation.  You couldn't ask for a better reason to use her, could ya?  Hurry over and get ya one! :) 

I know we're celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness month, but I just couldn't help using this image for a birthday card for a friend of mine (a guy).  He's very supportive of the cause, since his mother is a survivor, so it has dual meaning for him.  He's always joking, in a good way, about saving the ta ta's, so I thought this was more than perfect for his card.  I know you're not supposed to, but I need to point out that in my rush to get this done last week, I colored the image wrong.  I'm so bummed.  I'll have to try to use her again, soon, and this time color her properly. 

I'm pleased to be the first stop on the hop.  I have to say, the projects created for you this week, are absolutely fantastic!  I am more than positive you'll enjoy the hop, and all of the eye candy you'll have along the way.  Don't forget to comment on everyone's posts.  You never know what might happen when people are feeling generous. *wink, wink*

That's all for me.  Now it's time to hop on over to visit Linda.  You'll be more than excited to see her posting.  She's amazing!

Much love!

Unscripted Blog Hop

I'm sorry I'm a bit behind in posting this.  I've been running around trying to get everything done.  In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we at Unscripted Sketches are having a blog hop.  There is a fabulous sponsor, and a never before seen image that will be released, to coincide with our blog hop.  I know all of us have been touched by this awful disease, in some way, so I hope you'll come back tomorrow to visit and show your support.  It's going to be so much fun!

Remember, we MUST help save the ta ta's!! :)
Hugs!

Back in Business, Somewhat

After a painstaking 6 days without a computer, and after a lot of whining to my IT guy, he was nice enough to loan me a laptop until the new one I ordered arrives.  I'll be doing my best to catch up on postings, and visiting to comment on your blogs.  Thanks a bunch to everyone for your well wishes.  I'm doing much better, and have decided to forgive and move on.  It seems like the right thing to do. 

Have a wonderful evening!
Hugs!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #45

Hi there!

Today's post will also be short and sweet, thanks to the people who decided it was ok to violate our house on Tuesday.  Can you tell I'm still a bit angry? lol  I didn't have my card finished for this week, and was unable to finish it, due to the circumstances.  Since I don't have a Christmas card for this week, I'll leave you with another picture of what I'm asking Santa for this year.

See?!  That's enough to cheer me up! lol 

I do hope you'll head over to the CCC blog to see what my friends have made for you, and to see who our wonderful guest designer is this week. 

Have a happy Sunday!
Hugs!

I'm So Excited!

Do you finally want to know why?  I'm a Twisted Sister!

Check it!

I'm SO excited!  There are some amazingly talented ladies on this DT!

Hugs!
Steph

Unscripted Sketches #76

Good day to all!

I apologize, but this is going to be a very short post.  I'm sorry I don't have a project to share today.  On Tuesday someone broke into our house.  They cleaned us out, and trashed the house.  I had everything on my laptop.  I had some stuff backed up onto a jump drive, but unfortunately, it hadn't been updated for the last couple of weeks.  I'm thankful that they didn't take any of my scrapbooking stuff.  That stuff was completely intact.  Fortunately, the kids weren't home from school when it happened.  Thank God!  I'll try to get a picture of my project for Unscripted Sketches this week, and post it as soon as I can.  In the mean time, please head over to the US blog to see what my friends have created for you.  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

Let's Celebrate! :)

Hi everyone!

Two years ago today I overcame my fears, and started a blog.  For the last two years, I have posted on a semi-regular basis, have made some amazing friendships, and have been inspired by everyone I have come in contact with.  Hard to believe it's been two years already.  How time flies!  Along the way, everyone has always been very encouraging, and wonderfully supportive, even through the rough spots.  Thank you to all who have been with me on this wonderful journey, and who continue to support not only me, but each other.  I hope to continue to inspire, and to make new friends, along with maintaining the friendships I've created, for as long as I can.  In celebration of my blog-versary, I'm going to give away some goodies.  Because, what's a party without gifts, right??  Below is a picture of the goodies I have for one lucky person.

I've put together some of my favorite things.  There's lots of good stuff in this give away.  Jenni Bowlin vintage buttons, Bo Bunny flowers, Maya Road flowers, Spellbinders Nestabilities (cause you know how I love mine), Cosmo Cricket Pixi Licious paper pad, American Crafts thickers, 5 of my favorite colors of felt and one of the best tools I've ever purchased, an ATG Gun.  In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness this month, the ATG I have purchased is the new pink one that is benefiting the Susan G. Komen foundation.  It's a win/win if you ask me.  Should the lucky winner already own an ATG gun, I will substitute it with a $25 gift certificate to their favorite store, and draw another winner for just the ATG.  Anyway, in order to be entered to win, link your blog down in the Mr. Linky box, and leave me a comment telling me how you got started and how long you have been involved in this fantastic hobby of ours.  Easy, right?  You have until midnight, central time, on October 22nd. 

Thanks again to all of you, my blog friends, for allowing me to share in this wonderful hobby with you.  Your support and encouragement are always much appreciated. 

Much love!

The Infamous Masculine Card

Howdy ya'll!

The weather here in the Dallas area this weekend was fantastic!  I spent as much time outside as I could yesterday.  As you know, I have a terrible time with masculine cards.  I think I've figured out that it's because I don't really like making them.  I mean, yeah they've got some nice masculine stuff out there, but I can't add bling, or flowers, or ribbon to a masculine card.  And for that, I think I struggle creating them.  Unfortunately for me, this month is filled with masculine birthdays at work.  6 out of 7 cards I need to make this month are for guys, and I'm almost dreading it.  lol  Do any of you struggle this much with making male cards?

On the bright side, Jen's SFYTT this week, is one that allowed me to create a masculine card that I'm actually quite happy with.  I would imagine that Jen is very happy about OU's win over Texas on Saturday. lol (Hi Jen!)  I flipped it, and tried to keep it as simple as possible.  I love the cork paper star.

I'm back to work today, but I'll have more stuff for you this week, I hope.  I've also got some exciting news to share with you soon.  Hope you have a wonderful day!
Hugs!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #44

Hello again!

I'm SO excited, the fall weather has finally started to roll in.  I love the fall, and always get so happy when the weather starts to cool down.  I love the thought of taking walks in the park wearing sweaters, or sitting out on the front porch with a cup of hot cocoa.  I just love everything about fall, I think. lol  It also means that the holidays are getting close, and that means I get to see my family.  Anyone else excited about fall arriving soon?

Today brings us to another Christmas card challenge.  The challenge this week is to create a card based on your favorite Christmas movie.  I have to say, this was a lot more challenging than I expected.  I went with one of the classics.  Miracle on 34th Street.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I just got the Fleur de Lis pendandt from Spellbinders and had to use it right away.  I love how this turned out!  It's simple, but adds so much to my card.  I found this classic Santa image online, printed it onto Neenah paper, and colored just a few parts with my Copics.  I deliberately left most of it in black and white.  The sentiment is computer generated, so that I could mix fonts.  I love this!! 

I hope you'll check out what my friends have put together for you, and see who our guest designer is this week.  There's also a cute sneek peek happening on the blog today.  Why not check it out?  Remember, the challenges are optional.  Any Christmas card is perfectly fine to submit. :)

Hugs!

Unscripted Sketches #75 - WCMD!

Greetings ya'll!

Today is a super fabulous day!  We're celebrating World Card Making Day at Unscripted Sketches!  The sketch this week was awesome, as always, and I'm absolutely loving my card.  For this weeks sketch, click HERE.

I have to say that this card turned out better than I pictured in my head.  It takes a lot for me to be completely satisfied with something I've created, but this is fantastic, if I do say so myself.  It's going to be a great day full of fun WCMD festivities.  I hope you'll head over to the US blog to see what everyone has created for you today.  They're all pretty fantastic.

I hope you enjoy all of the WCMD fun!
Hugs!