Last Post of 2013....

It's bittersweet, really.  I've changed a lot this year and I KNOW my art has changed a lot.  There have been epic ups and downs creatively but I've learned to push past slumps and to not let how anyone critiques or discusses my art define me.  I won't be discouraged and I won't give up.  (Cue Lea Michele's AMAZING cover of Jason Mraz's "I Won't Give Up".  Actually just go watch it!)

I thought it only fitting that my last post of the year be one that not only has a lot of special emotional meaning to me, but that my final project for the year be one inspired by the amazeballs Tim Holtz.  I think he's a big part of the reason my art has started to evolve this year. I hope that next year continues that journey.  Here's what I created for his 12 Tags December Tag Contest:

This is my mom's Christmas card.  Yep, it's a card!!  I used the technique Tim showed on his Ice Skates tag.

The fibers kind of blur because they're so shiny.  The snowflake I actually colored with Copics cause the clear wouldn't show up.

A close up of the pontsettia.  My first time using the Clearly For Art plastic.  I LOVE that stuff.

Seeee?  I made it a card!  I even put stars and inked the edges of my liner :D

Thank you everyone for looking and thanks Tim for a great year of inspiration!  See you in 2014!

I'm BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!

Happy Holidays!  Oh how I needed those two weeks off!  The time FLEW by but it was wonderful to have the break.  I needed time to craft, wrap gifts, shop, eat, and just enjoy the Christmas season.  Seems each year there's less and less time for that.

Anyways today's my day to post with It's A Creative World, and I made a quick but cute owl card.

You can see more about this card at IACW!  I'll be back soon with more new projects.  Laters!

Crafty Break.....

I'm going to take a few week-long break to enjoy the holidays with the fam and finish gifts for people.  But I want to share the following random crafty thoughts with you all....

I loooove to craft.  My art makes me sane and it makes a crappy day much less so.  I have a blog and joined design teams and choose to share my work with people because it always feels good to have someone say, "Oh that looks nice".  Or something like that.

I visit a LOT of people's blogs.  And I always leave a comment. There is always something nice to be said about someone else's artwork.

In the last week or so, I've had a TON of views and no comments.  And I think, hmmm, that's strange.  It makes me wonder why courtesy isn't a universal thing.  Especially at this time of year.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year!  See you in 2014!

Twilight Ornaments with It's A Creative World!

Happy Hump Day!  I'm crazy busy getting ready for the holiday season and I'm getting my tree ready this week.  Since there's not an abundance of Twilight ornaments like there are for, AHEM, other genres and fandoms, I thought ok fine I'll make my own.  Here's what I'm sharing this week at It's A Creative World!  We're having a Twelve Days of Christmas crafty bonanza so be sure to check it out!

You can see more photos and details at It's A Creative World.  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

The Stamping Chef and Simply Betty Stamps Challenge!

Another post to share today, and two more cards!

The Stamping Chef is teaming up with Simply Betty Stamps again for another fun challenge!  TSC's Nile Goddess vs. SBS's Persephone.  These will be available for only $1 for 24 hours!  Then they will be regular price!

Submit your cards to the linky tool on Betty's blog and you could win a $10 gift certificate from either store!  The challenge will be open until December 8th.

Here's what I created with the Nile Goddess:

And with Persephone:

Thanks so much for looking and have fun!!  Laters!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THE STAMPING CHEF!!!

The Stamping Chef is one year old today, can you believe it?!?  We're having a blog hop to celebrate, and Tamara has created an extra-special digi just for the event!  If you visit all the blogs in the hop and crack the secret hidden word, you can get this digi for free!  Here's what I made.

You can find the Blog Hop on The Stamping Chef Blog.  OR you can use this link to start your hop at Deanne's blog.  Here's a complete list of the Hop:

Deanne

Summer

Kerrie

Jill

Christin

Bettina

Tania

Anita

Christine

Tanja

Good luck finding the secret word and have fun!!

Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

SURPRISE! Happy Birthday The Stamping Chef!!

Can you believe TSC is already a year old?!?  It's gone so fast!!  To surprise Tamara, the Sous Chefs have all created birthday cards to surprise her!  Here's what I made, using Me?  I'm Just Awesome!

Thank you so much for looking.  Tamara I hope we surprised you!  Laters!!

Fasten Seatbelt - New Release With The Stamping Chef!

Happy Friday!  The latest digi release from The Stamping Chef is here and it's twenty percent off!  You can get Fasten Seatbelt through Sunday on a great deal.  Here's what I've created.

I just love the way she pops off the card.  Super cute.  Plus there's something naughty in her expression, love that!

Be sure to visit the blog and see what the other Sous Chefs have created.  Thanks so  much for looking.  Laters!

Glittered Roses Day 7

Today's the last day of my week as a featured blogger at Glittered Roses!  I wanna thank Deirdre for this amazing opportunity to share my work with all of you!

One more big Christmas card to share.  I just love this one, and I especially love that the ornament and two of the layers were made out of SCRAPS!  That's such a good feeling when a pretty project is also a green project!

Thanks so much for looking and happy crafting.  Laters!

What I'm Working On Wednesday - Fall Edition

I haven't done one of these in awhile.  Just because it's almost Thanksgiving doesn't mean I'm done with leaves and pumpkins and warm fall colors.  I'm trying to make a canvas and it's not going all that well, but here's a sneak peak.

Any guesses?  I hope to have this ready to share by Thursday.  Back to the craft room.  Laters!

Glittered Roses Day 6

Today I've got a custom-made card to share with you.  It was so fun to find just the right image to work with.

I spatter painted the backgrounds, you can't really tell in the photos.

Thanks so much for looking and happy crafting!!!!  Laters!

NEW Challenge With The Stamping Chef - EASEL Cards!

Happy Hump Day!  the newest challenge at The Stamping Chef is Easel Cards!  They're super fun and deceptively easy to make.  They only LOOK hard!  Here's what I created using the Laylah digi.

This is what the card looks like when it's closed.

And here it is open.  I'm so happy with how this turned out, and I can't wait to make another card with this beautiful image.

Be sure and play in this weeks' challenge!  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

Glittered Roses Day 5

Hi everyone!  Day five of my week with Glittered Roses, and today I've got a card that's NOT holiday-oriented.  Yay!  I know I can kinda go overboard with the seasonal crafts so I figured I'd try to branch out today.

I felt Princessy today!!  Isn't this so cute?  It's all sparkly but only the blue layers really show up in the photos.

Thanks so much for looking and happy crafting.  Laters!!

Glittered Roses Day 4

Happy Monday!  I've FINALLY got power again (I swear not having TV for twelve hours felt like being in a cave!) and I've got a fun fall card to share with you as part of my week as the featured artisan on Glittered Roses!

I love that you can use this card for any occasion during the fall season.  Plus, the detail and the varying colors in the pumpkin.  So different.

This card is available here in the shop.  Thanks so much for looking and have a great day!  Laters!

Glittered Roses Day 3

Happy Sunday!  Today's the third day of my week as a featured artisan with Glittered Roses, and I wanted to showcase a card that wasn't Christmasy.

The handmade flowers have a lot of detail, they're printed and there's glitter in their centers.

Thanks so much for looking everyone.  You can find this card and lots of others in my shop!  Have a wonderful rest of your weekend. I'll be back tomorrow with more creations.  Laters!

Fall Shadowbox With It's A Creative World!

It's no secret that I LOVE fall!  LOVE it. So I wanted to share this shadowbox I created. I hung it up starting in September and since it's a fall theme and not Halloween I can leave it on display until after Thanksgiving.  This is my project this month for It's A Creative World. It's a fun blog full of crafty inspiration, check it out!

You can see more pictures over at IACW.  Thanks so much for looking and happy crafting!  Laters!

Glittered Roses Day 2

Hi everyone!  It's day two of my week as the featured artisan at Glittered Roses!  I'm so grateful to have this opportunity to share my art with all of you.

Today I've got another Christmas card.  It's that time of year, after all.

The shimmery texture of this card just doesn't come across in the photo.  You can purchase this card at my shop here.

Thanks again to Deirdre and Glittered Roses for this amazing opportunity.  Laters!!

I'm Featured On Glittered Roses!

Happy Friday!

This week I am the featured ARTISIAN on http://glitteredroses.com/

Glittered Roses creates and supports handmade. When you know the creator, you know the passion. When you know the passion you know the care it took. Promoting partners in such a diverse community rather it be a retailer that provides products or an individual who does the construction, highlighting the unique aspect of handmade businesses through social media is a great way to bring information forward. This week you will have an opportunity to take a look at my business as well as the website of Deirdre Smith who is the proud owner of Glittered Roses.

Deirdre's blog. which is also on FB, showcases crafters and artisans.  It's a really fun site, I hope you'll take the time to check her out.  If you're coming from Glittered Roses, welcome!

The first thing I want to share with you is one of my favorite Christmas cards, ever.  This is one of my mom's creations and OMG she really needs to create more. I mean LOOK!

Amazing, right?!?

This card is for sale at my shop.   Thank you so much for looking and stop back tomorrow to see what else I've got to share.  Happy crafting.  Laters!

Don't Pout, Just Kiss!! New Christmasy Release From The Stamping Chef!!

Happy happy Friday!  Are you guys getting ready for Christmas?  There's just thirty days left!  I've got my cards almost finished (YAY ME!!) and here's a new one I've just created with the brand  new release from The Stamping Chef!  Don't Pout, Just Kiss will be available this weekend for twenty percent off. I'll add a purchase link as soon as the site's servers are back up!

Thanks so much for looking.  Happy stamping!  Latesr!

MY Vampire Can Beat YOUR Werewolf

Any day of the week, just try him!  It's no secret that I'm Team Edward and that I usually side with whoever doesn't grow twice their size and become covered in fur whenever they're angry or there's a full moon.  This card perfectly evokes my supernatural preference. I used one of the newest digis from The Stamping Chef, cleverly named Fangtasia!

I'm entering in a few challenges/linky parties...

• Just Be Creative Crazy November Linky Party
• Make It Monday 166
• Fab N Funky - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

Mirror Mirror On The Wall.....

...Who's the most creative of all?  You can be in the running with this new release from The Stamping Chef!  Mirror Mirror is on sale through Sunday evening so hurry to the shop to pick her up!

Isn't she so awesome?  I love it.

Don't forget that Mirror Mirror is on sale through Sunday night only!  Pick her up and make something awesome.  Don't forget to see what the other Sous Chefs are up to on the blog.  Laters!

Fail To Bail - NEW Release with The Stamping Chef!

Happy Friday everyone!  Kick off your weekend with Fail To Bail, this great new release from The Stamping Chef!  This weekend only she's twenty percent off so make sure to get her!

I just love the look on her face, it's flirtatious and ambivalent at the same time.

Be sure to pick her up in the shop this weekend!  Visit the blog to see what the other Sous Chefs are up to this week.  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

Princess Of Hearts - New Release With The Stamping Chef!

OFF WITH HER HEAD!  Oh wait, that's the QUEEN of Hearts....anyways I had soooo many ideas for this week's new The Stamping Chef release.  It took me a few tries to nail down my final project.  I think of her as the Queen of Hearts' daughter in waiting.

Princess Of Hearts

I'm not usually so undecided on a theme as I was with this card.  At first I thought to color her like Alice.  Then I thought of her being just a regular princess with no Alice or Wonderland connections at all.  In the end though, I thought of her being the daughter of the queen was kinda interesting. You know I like my projects to have stories :D

Remember that Princess of Hearts will be on sale for twenty percent off through Sunday night.  Happy crafting.  Laters!

A SPOOKY Craft Star Collection Featuring ME!

Hi all!  Today I'm excited to share another Halloween card, this one is featured in a Craft Star collection called Creepy Spiders!  Not gonna lie, I couldn't bring myself to actually LOOK at this one, too scared.  But I CAN share my card with you!

I don't even think I used creepy spiders on this card, but I digress.  You can pick it up here in the shop.  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

STAMPtember Celebration!

Hi crafters!  September is National Stamping Month (WOOHOO) and that means lots and lots of projects from me this month.  I'm aiming for one a day, we'll see how it goes.

This week I just wanna share with you some Halloween cards I've created in the past that I've recently uploaded to my shop on The Craft Star.  For those of you that don't shop The Craft Star, you really should.  It's MUCH better than that other handmade supplies shop, and much more seller-friendly.

Embrace Your Inner Witch

October 31st

What's Brewing?

All these and many more can be found in my shop!  Thanks so much for looking, I'm off to play with my Copics.  Laters!

Batter Up! New Release With The Stamping Chef!!!

Happy Friday!  This weekend the new release from The Stamping Chef is perfect for the end of summer--it's baseball-themed!

Batter Up!

I'm not a huge baseball fan but of course I had to do this card in Detroit Tigers colors!  I'm so happy with how she turned out!

Don't forget that through Sunday night, Batter Up is available for twenty percent off in the shop!  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

Use KRAFT - New Challenge with The Stamping Chef!!

We've got a brand new challenge this week AND a brand new challenge blog!

This week we're all about using KRAFT on your project!  Kraft CS is what I used, inked and embossed and even painted!

I used the Scarlett Hunger digi to create this card.  Be sure to visit the challenge blog and play along.  Laters!

August Snowflakes

We've had a VERY uncharacteristicly cool summer here in MI this year.  The rest of the country seems to think we've been melting (I was asked, actually, if I was dying in the heat.  On that day, it was a high of 70.  Low of 55.) but we've been cool and comfortable.  Until today.  August is usually a miserable hot month in Michigan.  Your skin feels like it's boiling and you down tea and water by the gallons and still don't feel a lot of relief.  Well, guess what? It's been damn near ninety for three days and you know what you do for that?

You make a Christmas card!!

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  Sure all the sparkly goodness doesn't come across on screen, but I promise you that all that glitters is silver, pink, red and white.

I'm entering this in:

• Delicious Doodles Challenge 49 - Christmas
• Creative Corner Challenge - Anything Goes
• Dutch Card Lovers - Anything Goes
• Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
• Cutie Pie Challenge - Anything Goes
• Totally Gorjuss #197 - Punches/Die Cuts 
• Sweet Stamps Challenge 131 - Anything Goes
• 613 Avenue Challenge - Anything Goes
• Make It Monday

Thanks so much for looking.  I'm off to start my Halloween projects.  Laters!

It's A Digi Battlefield!!

Hey everyone!  We've got an amazing treat for you today, The Stamping Chef is having a mini-challenge with Simply Betty Stamps!  It's a battle of the Vulture Knockouts (TSC) vs. The Skullhead Babes (SBS)!  You have the opportunity to get two AWESOME free digi stamps to use to play along with the challenge!  Here's what I made with the images:

Kitty Paw Vultura

Bonnie Skullbabe

You can request BOTH images for 24 hours only!  To get Kitty Paw email info@thestampingchef.oo.gd with the word DERBY in the subject line.

To get Bonnie Skullbabe email simplyb10@aol.com with DERBY in the subject line.

Then, create your projects and play along in our Roller Derby Challenge!  To create a project with Kitty Paw follow this recipe:

1. 1 piece of ribbon
2. 2 buttons
3. 3 background papers

When you make your project with Bonnie Skullbabe, you will need to use the colors Lime Green, Hot Pink and Black!

The contest ends Auguszt 28th at 11:59 pm PST.  Winners will be chosen on August 30th and receive a $10 gift certificate from the artists!  

Upload your projects here: thestampingchef.oo.gd/Gallery

Have fun playing along!!  Laters!!

Musically Challenged GDT Project - Inspired by The White Stripes

...I'm gonna fight 'em off.....a seven nation army couldn't hold me back...

I'm so excited to be a GDT for Musically Challenged this week!  They're being sponsored by The Stamping Chef and the theme this fortnight is the White Stripes video for "Seven Nation Army".  This is the card I created:

Rock My World

I used the TSC digital stamp Rock My World to create this fun card.  I was inspired by the triangles in the video and that's where my design came from.

Make sure you play along with us at Musically Challenged, you have until the 31st to play!!  Thanks so much for looking!  Laters!

PJ Party - New Release With The Stamping Chef!!

Happy Friday everyone!  It's Friday so that means a brand-new release at The Stamping Chef!!  This adorable digi is twenty percent off THIS WEEKEND ONLY so make sure to stop by the shop and pick her up!!

PJ Party

Be sure to visit the blog and see what the other Sous Chefs have cooked up this week.  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

Christmas In August - New Challenge With The Stamping Chef!!

Happy Hump Day!  It's time for a new challenge with The Stamping Chef, and this time it's all about CHRISTMAS!!!  When it's 100 degrees out (though not here--what's up with this WEIRD spring weather?!?) it's fun to think of snow and Santa Claus, right??  This is the card I made:

Happy Birthday Mr. President

You can get the digi I used, Happy Birthday Mr. President, at the Stamping Chef Store.  And don't forget to play along with our challenge this fortnight!  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!!

Caged No More with It's A Creative World!

Happy Saturday!  You'll want to hop over to It's A Creative World today to see my post featuring Martha Stewart's circle punch and a new stamp I got last weekend at the Heirloom Stamp Show!  Here's a sneak peek:

Have a great weekend.  Laters!

A Bootyful Night - New Release From The Stamping Chef!!

Happy Friday everyone!  I've got a great new project with the newest release from The Stamping Chef, on sale for twenty percent off through Sunday!!  A Bootyful Night is a fun digi, perfect to get a jump start on those Halloween projects!

A Bootyful Night

Don't you just love her evil smirk?  Be sure to check out what the other Sous Chefs have cooked up on the blog.  Thanks so much for looking.  Laters!

Toadstool Taylor - New Release with The Stamping Chef!!

Happy Friday everyone!!  Time to kick your weekend off with this new digi from The Stamping Chef!  Toadstool Taylor is on sale for twenty percent off this weekend only!  Hurry to get her before the discount ends.  She's adorable and is super versatile!

Toadstool Taylor

Don't forget to check out the blog to see what the other Sous Chefs have cooked up this weekend.  Thanks for looking!  Laters!!

Happy 2nd Blogiversary To Me!!

Two years in the books.  When I started this blog I wasn't sure I'd be dedicated enough to update it often.  I didn't know if I would want to keep crafting at such a high capacity in the future (Note to my past self: I do).  Some things have changed, but some things haven't, and I'm really happy to still be as passionate about the art and the shop and the blog as I was when I started two years ago.

I of course made a card to share for the event.

I chose this because I believe that I'll always find the passion for my art.  I hope that everyone has something they believe in as deeply.

Fabulous Friday--New Release from The Stamping Chef!!

Happy Friday everyone!  I've got an amazing new release to share with you from The Stamping Chef.  This super cute digi is on sale for twenty percent off this weekend only!!

Life Is A Cabaret

Visit the Stamping Chef Blog to see what all the other Sous Chefs have created this week.  Thanks so much for looking, have a great weekend and go shopping at The Stamping Chef!!  Laters!!

It's Such A Sweet Sweet Fantasy Baby....

....when I close my eyes, you come and you take me....oops sorry got carried away singing there.  When I saw that the Hobby Cutz Challenge this week was Fantasy, I got instantly inspired, and not just by one miss Mariah Carey, either.  PLUS, Hobby Cutz is having a DT call right now!  I'm really excited--wish me luck!!

I loooove Tinkerbell.  I'm having issues with the background showing up despite taking about a hundred photos of it, but it's actually a shimmery blue ombre effect.

A close-up of Tink, the flowers I made and the die-cut frame.

I wanna thank Hobby Cutz Challenge for the opportunity to join their DT!  Thanks everyone for looking, have a great day!  Laters!

Wild Thing

Hi everyone!  As I sit here jamming to early 90s rock, I'm in a great, creative mood.  The card I'm sharing today was created with one of the newest digis from The Stamping Chef, I'm A Raver.  She can be purchased here through the shop link.  Isn't she fun??

I'm entering in these challenges:

• Make It Monday
• 52 Card Pickup
• Sister Act Challenge - Anything Goes
• 613 Avenue Create Challenge - Anything Goes
• Inspire Me Fridays Linky Party
• A Creative Romance - No Designer Paper
• Addicted To Stamps Challenge 60 - Lots of Layers
• Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
• Brown Sugar Challenge - Anything Goes
• Crafting By Designs - Anything Goes
• Let's Create Challenge 74 - Anything Goes
• Anything Goes Challenge - #97
• Hiding In My Craftroom #107 - Freestyle
• Whoopsi Daisy - Use Your Markers!
• LEJ Designs Challenge - Anything Goes
• DL.ART Linky Party

Thanks so much for looking guys!  Have a great weekend.  Laters!

**PERSONAL POST** Gone But NEVER Forgotten.....

I have no words.  Rest in peace, Cory.  We loved you.