Wednesday, April 29, 2009

USC33 - Happy Birthday Unity!


I have about two seconds to post, so be sure to check out {this thread} to read all about this week's Unity Addicts Challenge...it's a sketch challenge, and we were supposed to use as many colors as possible. I think this card qualifies! *wink*

I'll be back later to edit this post with details! In the meantime, be sure to check out the Unity Blog and the Unity Forum to see the games and challenges for today (and every day this week!)

Have a wonderful day! Thanks for stopping by!!
~Michelle

Friday, April 24, 2009

mmmm....caffeine

It has arrived!!I ordered my new espresso machine Sunday night, and it arrived Tuesday! Starbucks has some amazing customer service and SUPER FAST shipping...in my box was also a coupon for a free beverage, Starbucks chocolates, and a tin of after-coffee mints. *grins*

But, being sick, I just didn't feel like trying to figure out my new espresso machine until today (I did steam some milk yesterday for a vanilla chai, but didn't try out the espresso because I'd already had one that morning). Well, I just made my first white mocha on my machine, and I must say, it is dee-licious! Coffee, anyone? *wink*

Have a fantastic weekend! Be sure to check out the Mini VSN (Virtual Stamp Night) at SCS this weekend...there are some fabulous challenges lined up, starting at 10am EDT Saturday! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle

ETA: Forgot to tell you...there are also a couple surprise (rather high-profile) hostesses doing some challenges this evening, and there will be prizes involved! Check it out!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Unity Addicts challenge #32

LOOK! I stamped! *grins*

Today's Unity challenge is to "Go ahead and get creative make something using something recycled or images that represent what Earth Day means to you". The boys play a game on Starfall that says 'Everyday is Earth Day', and I couldn't agree more...God gave us this earth, and we are called to be good stewards of what God has given to us.

Here's my card:
I interpreted the theme in several ways...everything on the card is from my scrap bin, and the photo turn and skeleton leaves are things I've had hidden away for YEARS. I also used this wonderful verse from Something Within, and the butterfly flowers silhouette image from April's KOTM "fresh beginnings". I stamped the silhouette onto the background using Stazon Cotton White ink, then stamped the verse onto a scrap of Bazzill (first in Cotton White, then in PTI's Dark Chocolate for a 'faux embossed' effect) . Then I simply layered everything on, trimming pieces as necessary.

Thanks for stopping by today! Be sure to see what the other Addicts are doing! *wink*
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: Kraft CS (SU!); Textured CS (Bazzill....'Kachina', I think); Classic White CS (Amuse); corrugated paper (unknown)
Ink: Stazon Cotton White (Tsukineko); 'Dark Chocolate' Perfect Match Palette Ink (PaperTrey Ink)
Stamps: 'Something Within', April KOTM 'fresh beginnings' (Unity Stamp Company)
Other: Hodgepodge Hardware photo turn and brad (SU!); copper skeleton leaves (unknown)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Hard Workout *wink* ...just some funnies to share!

So, the boys have both been sick on/off this week...which means I haven't had many breaks, and *no* chances to go to the gym (which I only joined last week). In an attempt to keep up my new habit, I've been doing workouts at home. Which is challenging. (Just try doing a workout with a 2 1/2 year old 'helping' you by climbing on your back while you do pushups, or sitting on your tummy during crunches, or bouncing on your fitness ball as you attempt a pike, and you'll see what I mean! LOL) Today, I decided to try a new video, and Daniel (my 4 1/2 yo) was my cheerleader/coach, echoing the trainer on the video. Near the end of the video, the chipper little workout lady suggested a way to 'take it up a notch' and I said "What is she, kidding??". To which Daniel replied (in the perfect deadpan that only a 4 1/2 year old with no understanding of sarcasm can use) "No, Mommy, I don't think she was kidding. You should keep doing it". LOL!! That kid seriously cracks me up! *grins*

After I finished, I went to get some water and lunch for Daniel (who hadn't eaten yet), and returned to find Jonathan (the 2 1/2 y.o.) like this:
Poor kid. Must've been a hard workout *wink*

I hope you have a fantastic weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle

Sunday, April 12, 2009

He is Risen!

Happy Easter, everyone! Yesterday I finally had a chance to do a wee bit of crafting, and made my two boys' buckets for their egg hunt happening later today (I only bought the buckets about 3 weeks ago! LOL)

The images are from several Unity KOTMs, and were stamped on Amuse white cardstock, colored with Prismacolors, and cut out. The 'grass' at the bottoms are strips of burlap, with the tops cut into points, and the numbers at the top (from the March KOTM) were stamped using Stazon Cotton White. Everything is held on with Terrifically Tacky Tape (aka 'red liner' tape) and Mini Glue Dots. *wink*
I hope you all have a blessed Easter! I'm off to work on scalloped potatoes and stuffed eggs before church! *wink*

Thanks for stopping by today!
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: Classic White CS (Amuse)
Ink: Stazon Jet Black and Cotton White (Tsukineko)
Stamps: November 2008 KOTM "Enjoy YOUR STORY...laugh", February 2009 KOTM "Endings and Beginnings", March 2009 KOTM "Simple Life" (Unity Stamp Company)
Other: Buckets (Target); 'Summer Sunrise' Saddle Stitched ribbon (PaperTrey Ink); Prismacolor Artist Pencils (Sanford); Terrifically Tacky Tape; Mini Glue Dots; burlap

Friday, April 3, 2009

Life...

Life sometimes gets 'in the way' of crafting. Lately there really does seem to be too much to do, and too little time. *sigh* I think I need to set aside some time for another crafting session, but first I need to get my craft room re-cleaned up (and really cleaned OUT). All the 'stuff' I've collected for this fabulous craft sometimes becomes a hindrance to creativity rather than a boost for it, KWIM? I think it's time for a clean sweep, and a bit of reorganization! *wink*

Alrighty, enough rambling...onto the card!
I absolutely love this set (Beautiful You) from Verve. It was a set for their 1-year anniversary, and each of the design team members picked a favorite quotation, so it is VERY versatile, and it has a beautiful floral image that is great as a focal or as a background image. Verve's stamps are clear polymer (aka 'acrylic'), and they are super high-quality...nice and thick, and give great detail and very clear stamping.

I stamped the 'Life' sentiment onto a scrap of Very Vanilla using Ruby Red ink, and mounted it to a scrap of Ruby Red CS, adding three self-adhesive rhinestones to accent the sentiment. Next, I stamped a panel of Kraft CS with the flower image using Ruby Red ink. The card base is a standard A2-sized card in Bashful Blue. I stamped a border along one edge using Versamark ink and Martha Stewart Crafts 'Clear Pattern Stamps' polka-dot border (it's actually stamped twice, and since the stamp is clear, aligning the pattern was EPLS). I tied a bit of satin vanilla ribbon around the base, then adhered the Kraft panel, and attached the matted sentiment to the top using foam tape.

This was a *very* quick card, and the layout is one that would be easily adapted for other cards (and it's a great way to use up scraps! *wink*)

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle

Supplies used:
Paper: Bashful Blue, Ruby Red, Kraft, Very Vanilla CS (SU!)
Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko); Ruby Red (SU!)
Stamps: Beautiful You (Verve Stamps); Clear Pattern Stamps (Martha Stewart Crafts)
Other: foam mounting tape (3M); satin ribbon (Offray); rhinestones (Michael's)