I'm a Paper Cowgirl!

WOOHOO! I'm officially a Paper Cowgirl! I have registered for this amazing Art Retreat this June. It takes place in Waxahachie, Texas. I'm so excited. I've never been to Texas AND I'm going to be taking Art classes from some amazing teachers. You have to hop over and check out the line-up.

More exciting news...an altered vintage trunk I created a few months ago was auctioned at the Louisville Center for the Arts. Proceeds from the auction benefit arts education in public schools. This is a cause near and dear to my heart. The more funds are cut in public schools, the more the Arts disappear. This is such a mistake. Everyone needs a creative outlet in one form or another.

Here is what I have been up to this week...

ScrapTiffany Week #13 challenge is "Then and Now". I found the sweetest picture of Houston when he was a baby and paired it with one of his muscle pics from today. He is always doing the funniest things and keeps me laughing. I created this layout, "My Lil' Ham", to show his love of life.

My Verona challenge at The Whimsical Ink Sorority this week is to create a card inspired by this vintage card. There are so many things about this card that are inspiring...the colors, the flowers, the title, the sentiment (baby), the ruffles. I created my card based on the colors pink & blue and the title down the side. Be sure to include at least one stamped image on your card.

Queen Kat Designs Monday Blog Hop

Hello, gals! This week's challenge at Queen Kat Designs is to create a banner using QKD stamps. If this is your first stop on the hop, please start here. You don't want to miss any of this crafty goodness :)

I purchased 17 new Copic markers yesterday and I couldn't wait to use them on my project. For my banner, I used pages from a chipboard album, inked them with Ranger Distress Inks, and linked them with pretty pink tulle. These beautiful mermaid stamps are Aquamarine, Monarch Mia, and the March debut mermaid. These and many other stamps are 40% off until the end of March in the QKD store.

Thanks so much for stopping by. The next stop on our hop is Terri's blog. I can't wait to see what she has created.

Have a wonderful day and create something fabulous this week :)

I'd Like to Meet...

If you could meet anyone past or present, living or not, who would it be?

Would you want to meet your Great Grandmother that passed away before you were born, or your favorite poet from the 1800's?

Would it be the hottest actor of 2010 or possibly the band you've loved since High School, or maybe your baby niece that was just born?

We all have someone we would like to meet, and that's what this week's challenge at Scrap Tiffany is all about.

I chose Rachel Ray. I love watching Rachel's show, reading her magazine, and she may be the only person in the world that can actually teach me to cook :) She just seems so fun and easy going. She could teach me to cook. I could teach her to craft. We could gossip about the celebs, talk fashion, and of course, eat lots of yummy food. OK...I'm a Rachel groupie :)

Who would you choose to meet? Create a layout based on this challenge and link it here for a chance at some great scrap goodies :)

For my layout, I used beautiful patterned papers from the Domestic Goddess collection by Graphic 45.

Queen Kat Designs Blog Hop Monday

Hello, everyone! If this is your first stop on the blog hop, please start here. I don't want you to miss any of the stops on our hop. These ladies have mad talent.

We have a fabulous inspiration photo challenge on the hop today. I used bright colors for my March mermaid and alternated stripes and polka dots for the background paper. I think it also would have been fun to create a card with 2 mermaids side by side, like the beds in the inspiration photo. So many ways to be inspired by this advertisement. I love the design layout. Mmmm...I may create a scrapbook layout, too.

After you have finished the hop, stop by the QKD store. All stamps are 40% off through the end of March. WOW! Stock up now.

The next stop on our hop is Terri. I know she has created something amazing. Have a wonderful Monday :)

Luck 'O the Irish

Happy St Pat's Day! I have so much to share with you. My tutorial for creating dimensional layouts is featured at the Simply Renee Inc. blog. I love all of the romantic goodness in the Le' Romantique Collection from Graphic 45.

You will love week's sketch challenge at Sketchabilites. I created this layout, "We are Family", based on the sketch. The new design team was also announced today. I have really enjoyed my DT term at Sketchabilities.

The Week 11 Challenge at Scrap Tiffany is all about LUCK. Hop over to check out the incredible DT projects and post your creation for a chance at this month's prize.

This week's challenge at Candy Shoppe Designs is to create a monochromatic green layout. Play along to try to win the March Goodie Bag from Wild Olive Kids. Their Etsy shoppe is fabulous!

These pretty mermaids were created for a Design Team Crop at Queen Kat Designs. Hop over the Shoppe where all stamps are 40% off until the end of March. This is the Monarch Mia Butterfly Stamp by Queen Kat Designs Stamps.

Awaiting the Moment Mermaid Stamp by Queen Kat Designs Stamps

The Koi Pond Mermaid Stamp by Queen Kat Designs Stamps.

Have a wonderful week!

Queen Kat Designs Monday Blog Hop

Our challenge for this weeks's blog hop was to use the color combination GREEN, BLUE, and ORANGE to create a stamped card. I just love how these colors work together and are so Springy.

If this is your first stop on the hop, please start at the QKD blog. I don't want you to miss any of the wonderful stops on this hop.

For this card, I used the Tilly with Background stamp. Isn't she beautiful? Don't forget to visit the QKD store to see all of the new release stamps. Many stamps are 40% off through March 30.

I would love to see what you can create with this week's color combination. Hop on over to the QKD blog and leave us a link to your card. We'll be sure to hop over and leave some love :)Your next stop on the hop is Terri's blog. I know she had something fabulous to share with us.

Verona's Saturday Challenge and CHA Giveaway

Today is Verona's Challenge Saturday at Whimsical Ink Sorority. I love to color my Queen Kat Designs stamps in bright, bold colors. I want them to pop off of the page. To avoid competing with a busy patterned paper, I like to create monochromatic cards. A monochromatic object or image is one whose range of colors consists of shades of a single color or hue.

In the spirit of St Patrick's Day, this Saturday's challenge is to create a monochromatic card in GREEN. Use at least one stamped image.

For my card, I used the beautiful mermaid stamp, Anemone. She and many other stamps are on sale at 40% off in the QKD store through the month of March.

Hop on over to Whimsical Ink Sorority and post a comment here for a chance to win a yummy package of the latest scrap goodies from CHA. I'll randomly draw a name on Monday. If you take this challenge, post a link to your project. We would love to see what you are creating :)

Fabulous Find...

I found the most wonderful tutorial today for a Butterfly Mobile. An extremely talented artist, Lupen, has created the project and posted the tutorial here. Doesn't this just scream SPRING! I have to make one for Jennah's room (and probably one for my craft studio, too).

If you are like me, it is hard to find a variety of good felt for projects. You can find a link to Lupen's Etsy shop on her blog. Her items are beautiful and she sells felt/supplies at great prices.

Thank you for the great tutorial, Lupen! Be sure to leave her a comment about her fabulous project :)

ScrapTiffany Week 10 Challenge

Isn't it wonderful to see all of the bright colors starting to appear in stores, clothes, and of course, scrapbooking. Yes, it is almost Spring! This week's challenge at ScrapTiffany incorporates one of Spring's most beautiful colors, yellow, and pairs it with black. Create a project with yellow and black as your primary colors....the catch...no bumblebee projects :)

I chose to pull out all of my scraps of yellow and black patterned papers and create a collage. I love how my layout turned out. Jump on over and check out the DT projects at ScrapTiffany. The yellow and black projects are amazing! Don't forget to link your project to this link at ScrapTiffany. We would love to see what you are creating.

Queen Kat Designs Monday Blog Hop

Our challenge for this weeks's blog hop is to use this fabulous sketch to create a stamped card. Id this is your first stop on the hop, please start at the QKD blog. I don't want you to miss any of the wonderful stops on this hop. I'm so happy to be working with the March mermaid kit. Isn't she beautiful? Don't forget to visit the QKD store to see all of the new release stamps.

I would love to see what you can create with this week's sketch. Hop on over to the QKD blog and leave us a link to your card. We'll be sure to hop over and leave some love :)

Your next stop on the hop is Terri's blog. I know she had something fabulous to share with us.

Verona's Saturday Challenge

Happy Saturday from the gals at Whimsical Ink Sorority! I'm counting the days until Spring. The birds singing, the flowers peaking their heads up from the ground, and of course, the beautiful sunshine. That is the inspiration behind today's challenge. In the spirit on Spring, create any project (card, layout, or altered item) using a stamped image, the color yellow and flowers (at least one).

I used this month's Whimsical Ink Sorority mermaid stamp. Isn't she gorgeous? I created this mini-album to showcase all my beautiful mermaids. Yes, I'm on the quest to collect all of these fantastic stamps.

Post a link here to share your project with us. We would love to see what you are creating. Have a wonderful weekend :)

Are you ready to hop with Smeared and Smudged?

I'm just SO excited to be participating in the "First Ever Member Blog Hop" at Smeared and Smudged. At Smeared and Smudged, we are dedicated to focusing on alternative art styling and unique ways to use rubber stamps. If you enjoy creating art using gothic, alternative, vintage, or out-of-the norm stamp images, you are definitely welcome here. We have such a wonderul forum here with friendly members and awesome projects, we'd like to give everyone the opportunity to be a part of it!

The challenge was to create any project with stamping. Fabulous! I knew I wanted to create an altered project with a monochromatic feel...and of course, vintage. I'm so happy with the way this "Vintage Altered Cigar Box--Paris" turned out. I got to use some of my favorite new products.

Supplies:

Patterned paper: Graphic 45 (On the Boardwalk, Fashionista, & Domestic Goddess collections); Teresa Collins

Stamp: Hampton Art Stamps (DF4521 Woman Collage/Passport)

Ink: Tsukineko, Ranger

Brads: Making Memories

Pens: Copic, Michael's

Ribbon: Offray

Vintage Lace

Now, on with the hop...Check out all of the stamping goodness from these talented ladies:

Meredith http://www.papercanteen.com/

Kathi http://kathstales.blogspot.com/

Kim http://www.offthewallcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Alex http://paperandstring.blogspot.com/

Kelli http://www.cajunstampingqueen.blogspot.com/

Monica http://www.giddygreetings.com/

Alison http://www.alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/

Amberlee http://supermomscrappin.blogspot.com/

Black Dragon http://lynsblogger.blogspot.com/

Steph http://stephscreativechaos.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://mylifemydreamsmyscrapping.blogspot.com/

Kas http://www.kasmello.webs.com/

Kymberly http://missannesvintageart.blogspot.com/

Kymberly http://dulcamarasdarkart.blogspot.com/

Kymberly http://vaerieenchantedfaeries.blogspot.com/

Keely http://www.keelyy.blogspot.com/ (You are here)

Lisa http://ldfdesign.blogspot.com/

Lynda http://cre8tiveme.blogspot.com/

Sarah http://www.sarahscrazycreations.blogspot.com/

Jean http://daretobedifferentchallenges.blogspot.com/

Terra http://www.moresmearedink.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment. I would love to visit your blog, too :) Have a wonderful day!

Countdown to Spring

If you are like me, you are counting the days until Spring. I can't wait to see the daffodils poking their heads up, the tulips in bloom, and the end of snow. I'm really a warm weather girl and could do without Winter all together.

I created a few cards with gorgeous Graphic 45 paper. I love all things vintage! These images are just so pretty and perfect for any occasion.

On to this week's challenges. This week at ScrapTiffany, our Challenge is all about Buttons! Buttons are one of the things that I love to add to everything. I love lots of texture and dimensions on my page, and you certainly get that by adding buttons.

At Candy Shoppe Designs, St. Patrick's Day is coming up and we thought it would be fun to "GO GREEN" for the environment in honor of the holiday. So join us as we turn our trash into treasure. For this project, I recycled cardboard, paint, plastic netting from a fruit bag, a page from the telephone book, a starbuck's cup holder, tickets, postage and play money.
Last,but not least, please check back tomorrow as I join the gals of Smudged and Smeared for the First Ever Member Blog Hop! I'm so excited to participate and have something really COOL to share with you. Have a great day :)