PPA 103- sketch challenge

I managed to eek out a little time this week to play along with the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge.  I'm blessed to be a part of the talented group that calls themselves the Stampin' Pretty Pals.  I have a workshop this coming Saturday and I know a couple of the ladies are big fans of the new houndstooth embossing folder so I was determined to incorporate it into my card.  I also know that they liked the retired color Cameo Coral so I thought I'd try to use the new Calypso Coral in color.  I must say that coral is not a color that I gravitate towards so it took me a while to come up with something I was happy with.  I had to go to my color coach a couple of times to get my mo-jo going.  More than likely I'll still be using the same pack of Calypso Coral a year from now, but I'm really happy with how the card turned out.  I hope they like it too!

I used Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, a little Riding Hood Red and a bit of Just Add Cake DSP.  I love the new In Color ribbon.  Isn't it just darling?  What do you think of my card this week?

PPA 102 and the livin's easy...

This week's theme at the Pals Paper Arts blog is "summertime and the livin's easy".  I can't say that the livin' is easier this summer (due to our new addition) but it's definitely better.  Living in TX is super hot so we're spending most of our days indoors.  My card below uses the new Pool Party in color, the Pennant Parade stamp set and the Bring on the Cake stamp set.  We made this card at my 1st Annual New Catalog Open House last weekend.

I also made these cute little cupcake picks with the Cupcake Builder punch.  They were super easy.  It's somewhat hard to see the colors in the photo below.  The bottom is crumb cake and the top is Pretty in Pink patterns paper.

  
A pool is about the only thing we do outside and Saige absolutely loves being in the water.   We've been taking her to a "bathtime babies" class where they get her used to the water and she's done great with it.  They play games and teach us how to help her get used to the water in her face and floating.  (She's only 3 months old, but we thought we'd start her early and I'm going to try to do a waterbabies class with her once she's 6 months old.)

Life Happens

Wow- I'm really not much of a blogger!  Our little addition made her way into this world on April 8th and we couldn't be more smitten.  The past 3 months has flown by filled with lots of photo shoots (my husband is a photographer), feedings, dirty diapers and not a lot of sleep.  We're settling into a routine now and I'm blessed to be able to quit my job to stay home with her full time.  This means I'm going to try to step up my Stampin' Up and I'll have to do a better job at blogging.  Last Saturday I hosted my first Stampin' Up event since her birth and I can't tell you how great it was to get together with the ladies.  I've really missed it.  Here are the cards (I cas'ed 2 of them so that helped with the creative side of things) that we made and a couple of photos of Saige.  Thanks for stopping by!

 thanks to http://www.stamppaperscissor.blogspot.com/

 my creation

 thanks to http://ilinacrouse.blogspot.com/2011/03/eastern-blooms.html

 Saige at 3 days old

Matt and Saige on Father's Day.  I love them both so much!

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope you are all having a great day.  This year I embarked on the "14 Days of Valentine's" again for Matt.  I think he enjoyed it again this year and I hope I'm still "together" enough to pull it off once we have an almost 1 year old next year.  I can't believe how fast the time is going.  She should be here in about 2 months!  Here is a card that we did in my January card club that was part of Matt's special valentine treat.  I enjoy making 3x3 cards because they are so easy!

2011 Calendar- all at once

I'm currently stuck at the Columbus, Ohio airport waiting for my plane back to Dallas.  The ice storm has majorly delayed my flight back so I thought I'd take the time to share my 2011 Desk Calendar with you to take my mind off of things!  This year I went a different route with my desk calendar.  I first saw the idea on Anne Matasci's blog, http://mauistamper.wordpress.com/ then I asked my terrific husband to help me create the calendar files for a workshop.  I hosted 2 workshops and we all had a great time putting the calendar together.  Here are photos of every month.  I hope you enjoy!  If you have any questions about the supplies used please feel free to leave me a comment and I'll respond.

January PALS Blog hop

Welcome to the January PALS HOP! This month, we're featuring Valentine’s themed projects for your inspiration! If you've hopped over from Mary Fish's site, http://stampinpretty.com , I'm stop number 3 on the PALS HOP and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for papercrafted creations from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the PALS HOP LINE-UP below and you'll be back on track!

My project features the new Love Patterns designer series paper that's currently available with the Filled with Love bundle promotion.  I also used the I {Heart} Hearts stamp sets, which has to be one of my favorites.  I'm not typically a fan of red and pink together, but it's growing on me and I like the look of it here.  I hope you enjoy the card and please let me know if you have any questions.

 PALS HOP line up:
1. Mike Funke-  http://stampin-style.typepad.com
2. Mary Fish-  http://stampinpretty.com
3. Kylie Nicolosi - YOU'RE HERE
4. Martha Stewart- www.SeasonsOfStamping.com
5. Joanna Munster- www.inspiredbystampin.com
6. Melissa Ordelheide- www.naturalstampin.com
7. Nicole Watt- www.impressionsbynicole.com
8. Stephanie Uzee- http://stampinwithsuzee.blogspot.com
9. Joan Norris- http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/clearlycreative/blog
10. Carla Bazhenow- www.Carlas-Scraps.com
11. Melanie Collins- http://www.oopsadaisy.typepad.com
12. Dawn Gross- http://dawnsthisnthat.blogspot.com
13. Nina Dee- www.deesignsbyninadee.blogspot.com
14. Ann Schach- http://www.stampinchic.com
15. Sue Bendinsky- www.mycolorcreations.com
16. Gina Shaw- www.cardsbyginashaw.com
17. Barbara Chatzkel- www.takeoutpaperarts.com
18. Angela Richwine- http://www.stampinawaywithangela.blogspot.com

Hop along for more inspiring ideas from Martha Stewart, www.SeasonsOfStamping.com, stop number 4 on the January PALS HOP! Thanks for "hopping" by!

December Pals Blog Hop

Welcome to the December PALS HOP!  This month, we're featuring Birthday themed projects for your inspiration!  If you've hopped over from Dawn's blog, http://dawnsthisnthat.blogspot.com , I'm stop number six on the PALS HOP and I'm glad you hopped in!  I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for papercrafted creations from the Stampin' Pretty Pals!  Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the PALS HOP LINE-UP below and you'll be back on track!
 
1.  Melanie Collins -- www.oopsadaisydesigns.com
2.  Barbara Chatzkel -- www.takeoutpaperarts.com
3.  Patti MacLeith -- http://papercraftsbypatti.blogspot.com 
4.  Stephanie Uzee -- http://stampinwithsuzee.blogspot.com 
5.  Dawn Gross -- http://dawnsthisnthat.blogspot.com 
6.  Kylie Nicolosi -- YOU ARE HERE
7.  Joanna Munster -- http://www.inspiredbystampin.com
8.  Linda Callahan -- http://www.stampinseasons.blogspot.com
9.  Mary Fish -- http://stampinpretty.com 
10.  Sue Bendinsky -- http://www.mycolorcreations.com
11.  Gina Shaw -- http://www.cardsbyginashaw.com/

I hadn't picked up my Concord Crush yet (shocking I know!) so I thought I'd break it out for a monochromatic birthday card for the Pals hop.  I also used the Birthday Bakery Hostess set that I received with my last order.  I used the MOJO Monday sketch for my card design.  I haven't played in a while and it was good to have a sketch to start from.  If you've never played before you should check it out (www.mojomonday.blogspot.com).  I hope you enjoy the Pals hop this month and I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!