DeNami Design Back to School Blog Hop

hi there!  (if you're looking for the AWESOME news i had to share earlier this morning, please GO HERE.)

welcome to the DeNami Design Back to School Blog Hop--so glad you're here!  you should have come from Emily Keaton's blog.  if you got lost or want to start at the beginning, go HERE.

okay, so let me give you the low down...

When: The blog hop starts on September 9th at 6 AM, PST. However, you have until September 10, 2012, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize). 

Why: To be inspired by fun DeNami Design creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website! 

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

and let's get on with the fun--here's my project :D

i couldn't resist using this teacher chickie (i mean, hello, teacher here :D), and then i even did some other stamping (the apple and the rockin' guitar).  lots of green scraps from my drawers--yay for using it!

i constructed the front sentiment from a few different stamp sets.  the inside then echoes what the outside says...

no matter the teacher or the subject, gratitude is cherished in schools!

i'd love to hear what you think (plus you get entered for an awesome prize), so make sure to comment!  your next stop on the hop is the SUPER talented Wendy Elliot!  hooray! :D

so that's it... ski-daddle it outta here!  thanks for stopping by, xoxo

10 Minute Craft Dash #2

hi everyone!

if you're here in the States, i hope you had a lovely Labor Day... I know that i did--full of fun times visiting with a college roommate and doing all sorts of tourist-y types of things!  i'll be posting pictures of those adventures later this week, so stay tuned.

BUT, today is all about the second 10 Minute Craft Dash!  Paulina and i are so excited about doing this another time--there were so many awesome entries for the first one, we can't wait to see what you do this time around!

so, here's the details if this is your first time with the challenge:

Challenge starts: TODAY, Wednesday, September 5th.  Use the colors above & post the time it took to create your project.  Don't forget to link up too!

Deadline: the challenge will run for 10 days, the deadline is September 15th, 11:59pm, PST. 

Prize: $20 Neat and Tangled gift certificate

we have such an awesome sponsor and prize, so you're going to totally want to join in... and this time we're using certain colors to narrow down your 10 minute options.

honestly, i thought that having colors to incorporate was a blessing... made my decision making that much easier.  and when you only have 10 minutes to work, you have to make some decisions in a split-second!

so here's my card creation.  you might have seen a sneak peek at Paulina's blog, if so, i'm so glad you stopped by! 

time to create: 9 minutes 39 seconds

even though i think the colors limited my choices (a good thing!) i wish i had realized how hard "fussy" cutting the bike would be.  i have this awesome Schwinn cruiser that pretty much looks exactly like this Lawn Fawn stamp, and i love it... been biking a lot recently.  but when you only have so much time and you're going for two colors/ fussy cut images--EEK! :D

washi tape came to the rescue again, as well as a DeNami "love you" sentiment and some Studio Calico patterned paper.

i'd love to hear what you think, thanks for stopping by, xoxo

hello sunshine! Denami Blog Hop

welcome to the Denami Design Blog Hop!

you should have come here from Karen's blog. if you didn't you can start over here.

this time we're going with a MONOCHROMATIC theme along the hop. don't forget that Denami is giving away TWO $20 gift certificates to the website to TWO people who comment along the hop! you have until April 11, 2011, 11:59pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize). :D

so for my card, i LOVE the 'hello' sentiment Denami has, and since yesterday was one of the first sunny days Washington has seen in a long time, i decided to go wiht a monochromatic SUNSHINE card :D it makes me smile! the paper comes from Basic Grey, Cosmo Cricket, and October Afternoon. i added some stickles to some of the sun's rays and bling by the sentiment (it looks dark, but it's really a gold yellow). the felt/ chipboard sun is from Me and My Big Ideas.

i had a ton of fun making this, and also limiting myself to one color :D who would have thought? i'm actually writing this in Seattle as i'm on a scrapbook retreat... so far we've had TONS of laughs, quite a few things accomplished, and most of all--FUN :D

the next blog on the hop is Samantha's... thanks for stopping by and leaving your encouraging comments! :D have a lovely Sunday!

my brain isn't always logical...

hey everyone! long time, no see, right?

well, i wanted to share a few things with you, but beware! they're in no particular order and aren't necessarily crafty:

• my friend Paulina has an awesome fitness blog and she's having a GIVEAWAY that you can still get entered in
• i recently joined PINTEREST and have become quite addicted. thankfully i'm busy right now, so my time on the site is limited, but BOY oh BOY!
• my co-teacher Jen and i are heading to Seattle this weekend for our twice yearly scrapbook retreat... we're going to be experimenting with paperbag scrapbooks, so it should be fun... oh, and we'll also be making sure that we just relax and enjoy ourselves, maybe have a drink or two :D

• i'm going to be joining a band in the next week... i know what you might be thinking, a BAND?? really? well, it's not a rock band, and i'm not going to be singing... i'll be playing one of the two instruments i know--the tenor saxophone (i've played the clarinet for longer, but don't enjoy it as much). i'll be in a community band (about 40 people, aged 16-70+) that practices once a week and plays concerts throughout the year. it seems like it's laid-back, which is perfect for me since i won't be able to go to every single practice, you know? BUT, one thing you should know. i am SUPREMELY excited about this. in my college search back in HS, i specifically looked for a college that had 3 things: water polo, marching band, and a good education program. i was blessed to have found one that specifically met my requirements :D so yes, i have "band camp" stories, and they're actually hilarious. i loved playing ALL FOUR YEARS in my college marching band. in fact, if i could afford it, i'd go back every single year and play in the alumni marching band performance they have every fall. music for me is almost like crafting... it relaxes me, and i love being a part of a group. does anyone kwim?
• i'm currently reading "To Kill A Mockingbird," and i really love it. i somehow missed reading this in HS or college, and i'm so glad i picked it off my shelf recently.
  
  (photo courtesy of Amazon.com)
• my birthday is coming up, and i recently discovered the Amazon Wishlist feature. does anyone else use this? i think it's awesome because you can post anything from the internet to whatever wishlist you want, and it puts it all in one place. amazing.
• the library system in my county now has free music downloads through a resource called "freegal." the music you get can even be downloaded to an iPod, etc. how cool is that?? :D

• i'm decorating birdhouses instead of making cards or scrapbooking. i mean, i'm not going to stop doing either of the other things (tongue-twister there), but for RIGHT NOW, i've been making some decorative birdhouses that will go around my apartment.
  
  
  (note to self: still must share apartment photos. after i do 4 loads of laundry. *le sigh*)

and that's it, i think... oh, please come back for the DeNami Design Blog Hop on sunday...

because it will be awesome... thanks for stopping by and leaving your lovely comments :D

DeNami Buttons Blog Hop

welcome! so glad you could join in on the fun with the Denami Buttons Blog Hop! you should have come from Sue Lelli's blog, and if you didn't/ got lost/ want to start at the beginning, then just go HERE. :D you're sure to see inspiration from everyone today!

today i have a non-traditional project to share with you... i actually couldn't decide on which one to show until friday night, when i wore this necklace to a jr. high dance i was chaperoning :D (oh, don't you remember those days of young love? :) hehe!)

so for this necklace, i borrowed my idea from Jennifer McGuire, and i dug through my stash of buttons to find a rainbow collection, which for anyone who knows me, is TOTALLY my style. i tell people all the time that my favorite COLOR is "red, black, pink, and blue. oh, and i like orange, yellow and green too. purple's not bad either!" you see?

and of course i have to package it all pretty :D i stamped a white dot background with the Denami polka dots [love!] and then added some ribbon and flowers... as well as that cute tag that features a Denami sentiment, "you're a sweetie!" wouldn't this make a great gift for someone? a sweet little surprise? :D

so what do you think? i love wearing this with just about anything, and it's totally a rush when someone asks--"DID YOU MAKE THAT??" ha! anyway, hope you enjoyed... be sure to leave a comment for a chance to qualify for a gift certificate to Denami Design. oh, and be on your way to Ruza Rebel's fabulous blog for more eye candy!

happy hopping & come again! :D

DeNami Scallops Blog Hop

welcome to the DeNami Design Scallops Blog Hop! you should have made your way over here from Tina's blog if you're following the bunch of talented crafters. :D remember, if you get lost along the way, just head on back to the DeNami Design blog and pick up where you left off.
okay, just a few reminders about the hop:

• you have a chance to win a $20 gift certificate for commenting on the blogs along the way, so don't forget to leave some love for each of the lovely gals! :D
• also, the commenting doesn't end today, you can comment all the way until January 10, 2010, 11:59pm PST to be eligible for a prize.

sounds like fun, huh? well, let's get to it then...

my scallops project was super fun to create, and i totally love the results.
it amazes me to say this, but this has to be my first CARD creation in... forever? i've been busy working on mini-scrapbooks and before Christmas i was scrambling to finish mini-albums for some family members. i just didn't fit cards in!
so here we go...
this card features a Fiskars scallop punch called "threading water" that i absolutely LOVE and always come back to... it's timeless and cute--perfect for just about everything. paired up some dinosaur paper from MME and the sentiment "Lil Baby Stomps" (including the DeNami "baby" swirl script sentiment). the inside is one of my favorites because it says, "congratulations on your little guy's first steps!" hehe, super cute, huh? :D i know who i'll be sending this one to!
this card was easy, but cute... kinda what we all need every now and then, huh?

anyway, thanks for visiting! i love seeing all your lovely encouraging remarks!

also, don't forget that your next stop is over at Amy Smidebush's blog. you're sure to enjoy her project--she's such a sweetie too! thanks again, and happy hopping :D

DeNami Tag Blog Hop

welcome to the DeNami Design Blog Hop featuring tags! hope you'll find some inspiration along the away!

you should have come from Ruza's blog HERE, but if you missed her creation (or any of the others), then you can always start at the beginning of the hop at the DeNami Blog.

i had a great time making this gift tag--i used two DeNami stamps--"baby" for the sentiment "baby it's cold outside" and then on the opposite side, "you're so sweet!" fun stuff, huh? that polar bear with the cute little snow cones always cracks me up. of course there's some patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly 6x6 pad.

don't forget that if you comment before midnight on December 11th (PST) you have a chance to win one of THREE $20 gift certificates to the DeNami Design website... how cool is that? be sure to leave some love along the way.

so now you're off to Kristy Smith's blog HERE, you'll be sure to see some eye candy there!

Merry Christmas and happy hopping! :D

welcome December! & vintage love

hi everyone! it's December now, and it's my favorite time of the year--Christmas! :D i've been so excited about Christmas for the last few weeks (or maybe even months) that i know i've had several dreams about my decorations, how things will work out when family comes to visit, etc.

are you getting excited for the season too? i sure hope you are... it's coming sooner than we know! :D

so i know a lot of people have been talking about doing a December Daily scrapbook album, and i've actually planned ahead to join the fun. in mid-November I made all my foundation pages and sparsely embellished some of them, so i'm all set to go! i can't wait to have a daily record of the things i do in December... whether they tie into Christmas or not!

so, i also have a card for you... it's sort of a vintage shabby card, and it would be perfect for a wedding or anniversary. the sentiment reads 'happily ever after' but it's hard to see in the picture. speaking of 'ever after,' during the snow storm here last week, i had a friend and her family come over to wait for traffic conditions to get better, and we watched that movie. a SERIOUS favorite of mine :D

oooh, see that doily peeking out? i'm loving doilies (just like everyone else :D) and thought it matched perfectly. there are also some Sassafras papers (not on the bright side of things like i normally do) and a graphic 45 tag too. i got to borrow a PTI set from Paulina for the sentiment, and i used some DeNami Design grosgrain ribbon for that sweet little bow :D

this card just makes me sigh... now if only i could find a man ...hehehe! :D

well, i think that's it for now... go and enjoy your first day of December--things will get crazy soon!

DeNami Christmas Blog Hop!

welcome to the DeNami Design Christmas Blog Hop!

you should have arrived from Michele's blog. but, if you didn't start along with us, head back to the DeNami Design blog and follow all the way from the beginning. and, if you plain just don't know what's going on, check out the info below:

When: The blog hop starts on November 14th at 8 AM, PST. However, you have until November 15, 2010, 11:59pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize).

Why: To be inspired by stunning DeNami Design Christmas creations and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

so it sounds like fun, right? i agree :D right now i'm actually enjoying a weekend of scrapbooking in Seattle... fun stuff, and i'm actually being productive too!

anywho, on to the blog hop card i made. this one features a non-traditional take on Christmas, but i love this DeNami stamp and glitter :D

you all know the Bing Crosby song, Meli Kalikimaka? yeah... that song is one of my favorites of the season, and truth be told, i've actually been playing Christmas music for a long time. now, i'm not usually one of those 'forget Thanksgiving people' and move to Christmas, but this year, even though i'm not forgetting Thanksgiving, i am really excited for Christmas. like, a LOT.

the above is a close-up... the rhinestones (love 'em!) are from my stash, and the letter stickers are from Making Memories that complete the sentiment. i love that hibiscus flower stamp... seriously so fun and cute, so i shaded it and glittered the center.

hope you have fun checking out the rest of the ladies along the hop--they have some seriously awesome projects to share.

next on your stop is Angela! you'll totally want to see what she cooked up for the Christmas blog hop!

have fun, and thanks for stopping by! :D

DeNami Blog Hop Cuddly Critters

welcome to the DeNami Design blog hop! every stop you make on the way is featuring some of the cute cuddly creatures that everyone seems to love, including me! so let's see what's going on...

if you're following along, you should have come from Anne Harada's blog, and now you're here! if you didn't start at the beginning, you can go back and start at the DeNami blog here!

i hope you're having as much fun as i am as we look at all the lovely creations that DeNami lovers have made :D so here we go, on to my cuddly creature project!

i was thinking of using a 'spring' chickie, but couldn't come up with a solid idea, so i switched gears and pulled out the cutest little snow chickie... he seriously makes me smile :D

i tried to make things a little vintage-y and i pulled out some Cosmo Cricket papers. i also tied a few ribbons together--satin and seam binding/ aka crinkle ribbon.

you can see i made a matching envelope (decorated both the front and back with some simple borders and ribbons) and i think it adds a ton to the project...

this card is completely in non-traditional 'Christmas' colors, but i absolutely love it! a few flowers here, some glitter there, oh! and don't forget the bling! :D

alright! thanks for stopping by today, i hope you have fun... be sure to hop on over to Teresa E's blog, and see what loveliness she's created!

Denami Product Challenge #3

WOW! >> two posts in one day?? :D hehehe... i'm getting greedy i think!

but hooray and yay, another challenge post! i love these opportunities to stretch myself or jog my creativity... it's a good thing :D

this time i'm participating in the DeNami Design Product Challenge (#3!) that involves using produced by the company... and this time, it's...

GLITTER :D hehe... love this stuff... i only have two of the colors shown above (yellow and pink), but DeNami also offers some awesome gold and red glitter (perfect for holiday cards + projects!) that i have and love love love.

so, for the challenge, you're asked to also use a DeNami image... so i pulled out a fun little sentiment that's perfect for anyone, and based my color scheme off of the butterfly image i was going to use, and also the glitter colors i had available! :D

so here we go! i think that this card is a little bit on the classy side of what i've been making lately... it's not super fussy or layered... just some fancy flourishes stamped with the glue pad and then covered with the 'citrine' glitter, the butterfly image popped up, Kaiser bling, May Arts ribbon, Polka Dot Basics II, and of course, the DeNami sentiment 'miss you.'

well? what do you think? i love reading your comments... you're ever the kindest :D hope you have a great day, and if you haven't checked out my other challenge card for 2s4y, you should hop over HERE and do that :D

thanks for stopping by!!

denami color challenge #3

hey there! back with another post, this time for the DeNami Design Color Challenge #3 ...such fun colors, right? thanks Laurie! if you want to see what the DT did with the colors, you should go check out the link above :D

and here's my card. i wanted to really focus on the SUPER cute ice cream cone stamp here, and YES, i did choose that stamp because a) i love ice cream, and b) it's sooo hot here in WA, and c) well, i just like it!

so, i kept this card kinda clean and simple, a little different than the card i posted the other day HERE, eh? i punched out each embossed cone (w/ VersaMark and clear embossing powder) on the 4 colored card stocks, added a scalloped circle, and then stamped the 'hello', drew the outline, and fished in my stash for some buttons that would perfectly match these colors. yay, doesn't it look awesome? i hope you think so too...

that's all for now, i hope you have an amazing day. i think i'll be spending time w/ friends and family, you know, just chilling out before the big crazy week starts tomorrow! thanks for your sweet comments!

XOXO

p.s. don't forget to check out my scrapbook album post HERE... i'd love to know what you think!

floral woodgrain + tags galore

so yesterday i left you hanging with a sneak peek at some tags. well, i have to say, i'm going to leave you hanging again... although not as much (hehe--am i evil or what?)

no really, i just found that after loading and editing the tag photos, there were just too many to put in all one post. so you'll get to see them all spread out over the next couple of days. but today, never fear--you get to see tags AND some cards :D

yes, i'm good to you ;) i think i'm in a weird mood today. weird, but good. anyway, lets get back to the tags:

these first two are just a smattering of things i found in my scrap drawer and in the little containers i'd gathered for other projects. i always have little things left over that still go together in a great color scheme, but just weren't right for the project i was working on, you kwim?

i just love the oddness of these tags--i have some Amy Butler glitter paper in there, along with ric-rac, a cute flower, and some textured white specialty paper. (not to mention all the other goodies loaded on!)

ooh! check out this fun guy! the one above has a cool felt star that i just love. the one below has some green and blue ribbon thrown in there to mix things up, also featuring some felt--this time in the form of a blue crown. i grabbed that felt last year at the CK Bellevue Scrap Convention (4 laser cut sheets for $4... i couldn't resist). i've been using bits and pieces here and there in TONS of my projects. good deals, good deals.

more butterflies appearing all over the place here. these tags are all inked up on the edges with my tim holtz antique linen pad.

below you can see more in the series here... i made 8 in each color, and i think i used 8 different card stock colors :D

that huge button is from DeNami Design, and it looks perfect on this tag, don't you think? it's an awesome focal point.

the little felty butterfly here has a letter attached--a J from a KI Memories alpha chipboard pack. thought it looked good here, and i dotted the 'j' with a rhinestone from my stash :D

the fabulous striped flower is from a sweet pack of plastic-like embellies from Recollections--i grabbed them at Michael's. :D

and just to make sure you keep coming back... i have a sneak peek of what i'll be showing you tomorrow in regards to tags... these were some of my favorite of the bunch.

okay, phew! we're done with tags today, and we're on to the cards...

i made these at the Impress Stamp Night i mentioned in THIS blog post. those nights are pure awesomeness :D

i grabbed some limited supplies for these cards, but they came together so well... a woodgrain stamp (from Impress) along with that lovely vintage rose stamp. then i paired it with a strip of Basic Grey's lemonade paper from the 6x6 pack... perfect for this. add some crinkly pink seam binding, DeNami buttons again, a rhinestone, and VOILA! *sigh* i LOVE :D

thanks so much for coming by--i love reading your comments... do you like seeing these tags, or do you prefer the cards? let me know!

oh, and one last thing... any guesses as to what i'll be sharing with you LATER in the week? i'm pretty freaking stoked to show you :D

have a WONDERFUL day, and don't forget to come back later to see more! :D

DeNami Sketch Challenge #1

i think i know what you're thinking...

either it's--omgosh, why is she doing ANOTHER sketch challenge,

OR

it's--yay! so glad she's showing me something pretty :D

i'm hoping the latter is the case.

so--here's the deal. DeNami Design is having a lot of fun over at their newly remade blog, and they're really amping up the fun... they're hosting a challenge twice a month on the 5th and the 20th, and all you have to do is follow the guidelines--either use the colors, sketch, theme, etc.

AND here's the best part (for me at least)... my good friend Paulina is on the DT, and she *MADE* this sketch! how COOL is that? :D

anyway, awesome sketch Paulina... here's my creation.

i was definitely in a summery mood... i've got the 'yum yum' stamp in light green ink in the background along with the small polka dot stamp paired with the watermelon slice image... all from DeNami.
the sketch is really sweet and simple--perfect for a newbie, or really just anyone. no excuses not to play, right? :D *ha, like we need excuses to make cards, right?*

so yeah, i added the lace from my LSS, the BG watermelon chippie (from the lemonade line) along with some b/w SEI paper and some bling along the bottom of the watermelon rind.

so what do you think? gonna play along? if you don't then AT LEAST go and look over at Paulina's work, or the others from the blog :D

have fun this week... i'm definitely going to be busy. i have 3 polo games to coach this week, so i'm sure i'll be really tired all the time. i can't wait for a friend of mine to have her baby--can't wait to meet him or her! :D

well, have an awesome week, thanks for stopping by!

'hi baby' denami color challenge #1

happy sunny saturday!

i'm so excited for the sunshine we're getting here in WA--it's absolutely GORGEOUS out when we have days like this. i can even see a little bit of Mt. Rainier when i look out my apartment window.

well, i'm making this a short post because i'm going to be crafting with a friend, Helene, today... i can't wait to share my new craft studio with a crafty friend!

the challenge comes from Nami of DeNami Design. it's a fabulous color challenge, and i'm loving seeing all the entries--you have a little more time, maybe you want to make something too? if not, then there's always next time.

anyway, i used my Cricut for the baby safety pin, and then a DeNami stamp, 'baby.' i love the color combo--it's so bright and fun!

thanks for looking :D and have a sunny day!