La-La Land Craft's Summer Release Sneak Peek!

Summer is here and we're ready for fun

at the park, at the beach, in the garden, in the sun!

9 wonderful new stamps are waiting for you

go check them out, and maybe win some too!

We've got another contest for all to play

so visit the La-La Land Blog TODAY!

May OCS . . .

Hi bloggers!

Just wanted to share a Pull Out Card made by Colleen, over at Created With Aloha.  She was my May OCS partner for this month. 

Here is the card partially pulled out.  I didn't want to reveal her message, it's for my eyes only!  :)  Thanks so much Colleen!  Luv it!

Now here is the card I made for her.  This is Maria from the ROLL CALL set.

It's a Double Display Card . . . my sweet friend Brenda was so kind as to post the directions on how to make this card. Here is the link to her blog with the directions . . . click {HERE}. While there, check out all her sweet creations too! You won't be disappointed!

Thanks for stopping by!  If you want to participate in the June OCS, check out Linda's post {HERE} on signing up!  I think you have until May 30th to sign up.  :)

La-La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge 40 - Nestabilities Shaped Card

Welcome to another challenge over at La-La Land Crafts Blog!  Guess what?  I'm the hostess for this challenge and boy am I so excited!  I chose for this challenge for you to make a NESTABILITIES SHAPED CARD.   Come on . . . I know you all have a dozen or so nesties laying around!  Use them and create a card with it - - the nestie is the shape and base of your card.

Here's my card using Lala with Bunny which can be purchased at the Online Store for 20% off.  That's only for the week of this challenge!

This card was created using my Classic Scalloped Square Nestabilities.  I luv how versatile nesties can be - - using them within a card, creating a frame, cutting out a sentiment, and creating a card with it!  :)  I sure hope you'll join me and the rest of the team over at La-La Land Crafts! 

Who's Wicked?

Before I start my post, I just want to THANK everyone for all your kind words of congratulations.  It means the world to me and I definitely feel the LUV!  To all my faithful blog friends, THANK YOU for sticking with me . . . it's been a journey for sure and I know the journey ahead will be quite insane!

I'm so excited to have my ROLL CALL set, but haven't been able to do much with it.   I forced myself to color up some images and create something.  Here's Jade.  She seems so edgy and I luv her spunk! 

I didn't have any red or brown small Prima flowers so I colored my white ones with my copics.  I think it did the job.  Donna, over at three umbrellas, has been coloring her white roses with her copics and thought, "Hey, will coloring these small white Prima flowers work for me?"  You be the judge.

Hope you're having a wonderful Monday!  Come back tomorrow 'cause I'll have another card to show you for my La-La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge!

I've been keeping a secret . . .

Oh la la!  Did that title post catch your attention?  :)

Yes, my friends, I've been keeping a very BIG secret from y'all.  I didn't mean to, but had to for personal reasons.  I am now ready to share my SECRET with you.  As you have probably noticed and I've mentioned it many times in my previous posts, I've been a bit MIA these days, weeks, and months.  I have been visiting your blogs, but haven't been so faithful in commenting on your blogs during this time, sorry.  Yes, it's due to being very busy with family activities and just life itself.  However, something greater has come my way that has literally knocked me off my feet and onto my back!  I'm extremely exhausted all the time and need my daily nap during the day.  Sleeping early is a must to get through the next day.  Okay, here's some pictures to help me explain:

So, now my secret is out!  I'm expecting baby #3 in November!  I have lots to be thankful for especially since this is my miracle baby, LITERALLY!  My son and daughter are both miracles already - - - my hubby and I were unable to conceive naturally and sought a specialist to help us get pregnant.  With this pregnancy, it was all God-doing, no help from any doctor!  We are BLESSED!

I just want to thank all of you in advance for continuing to stop by.  I'm hoping that things will get better and I'll start to have more energy to get some things done.  Let me tell you, I struggle to just put together a card!  Some of the 3D projects that I've done recently, well, those took me weeks to complete.  It's been hard, but seeing all that you're creating gives me strength and motivation!  I'll end my rambling here . . .

Gift Box for a Birthday Girl

Happy Hump Day y'all!  Just wanted to share a gift box that I made for a very special girl.  Her theme was Tinker Bell. 

I had made a similar box like this for my girlfriend back in January for her wedding. 

I changed it up a bit and added a tea light cake as the top layer.  I saw this tea light cake on Teri's blog.  Click {HERE} to see her tutorial!  She is great at doing easy to follow tutorials . . . I obviously horrible at them, thus not doing any.  :(  There is another tutorial on Splitcoaststampers on making a tea light cake.  Click {HERE} for that tutorial.

I created a pocket in the back of the cake to put a gift card in it.  Those purple flowers that you see all over the cake & sprawled about the base of the gift box . . . well, I punched out many, many flowers and layered about 3 of them to make 1 full flower.  I think I made a total of 16, maybe 17. 

Thanks for stoppin in!  :)  Have a great day!

An Announcement & La-La Land Weekly Wednesday Challenge 39 - BIRTHDAY WISHES!

Hey all!

I have an announcement to make and I'm so excited about it!  My time as a Guest Designer for La-La Land Crafts was supposed to have come to an end earlier this month, but . . . the proud owner of La-La Land Crafts, Irina, has asked me to stay on board and move up to Design Team!  Woohoo!  I'm honor and thrilled especially because I get to work with some amazing, talented women on the Design Team!  Thanks Irina and thank you ladies for having me!  I hope I do you proud!

With that announcement aside, on to our weekly challenge.  Irina is the hostess for this weeks challenge and it's all about BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!  All you have to do is create a birthday card.  Easy peasy right?  :)  Here's my card . . .

I used Fairy Lala and colored her in basically 2 colors - - blue and brown.  The DP's for this card came from the BasicGrey Paper Pad - Offbeat.  Luv'd the blues and browns in those papers!  The layout was a sketch from Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #108.  I luv their sketches but can never get myself to enter challenges the way I used to. 

Here's a closer look at all that sparkles and glitter! 

Hope you can join us in the challenge!  Since Irina is using Sitting Pretty Rosie for her card, Sitting Pretty Rosie will be on sale for 20% off only for the week of this challenge at the Online Store.  Take advantage of this offer!  :)

Tamiko's Challenge #3 - Scrap Page

Are you ready for another exciting challenge?  Head on over to Tamiko's!  Joy has a great challenge this time . . . create a 6 x 6 scrapbook page!  Yep, that's right, a scrap page in honor of National Scrapbooking Month.  Here's what I created.

This picture of my 2 kids was taken in 2008.  I know, I know, you're probably wondering why I chose this older photograph.  First, my hubby is a firefighter.  Second, I luv this picture of my son dressed as a firefighter just like his daddy and my daughter as the sidekick, a cute little dalmatian.  And third, this year my hubby makes 10 years in the Fire Department!  Woohoo!  A tribute to him!  :)

I used several different TGF stamps to create my 6 x 6 page.  Of course, Fire Ian!  :)  Yes, our firefighters here in Hawai`i have yellow turnouts and drive yellow firetrucks, not red.  The pumpkin and sentiment came from the Spooktacular set.  I also used the In the Spotlight kit, the stars and label.  You can get these TGF stamps at Tamiko's Online Store and get FREE shipping if you purchase $25 or more!  (shipping only in the US). 

So, what do you say?  Come join me and the rest of the Tamiko's Creative Team!  Click {HERE} to see all the details and rules to the challenge!

Some unexpected RAKS to share

Happy Friday bloggers!

Short post, but one of thanks!  I received a couple of RAKS from special blogging friends.  The first one comes all the way from Mexico!   Berenice, of  Sweet Escape , sent these.  Thank you sooo much Berenice!

And this one is from my gf Brenda, of Sweet As A Gumdrop!  She sent me this wonderful altered composition with some books for my kids to enjoy (not picture here because they already have them in their rooms!) 

Check out this sentiment!  I just the the saying!  And those flowers . . . gorgeous!

Thank you so much ladies!  That was very unexpected and I so appreciate your friendship! 

Boy, I hope you'll stay with me through this weekend.  I have a lot to share!  I still don't have any energy, but I had to complete some projects for this weekend!  Once again, my weekend is already filled with activities so I'll be scheduling my posts.  Hopefully, I can make the rounds to visiting you all!  Have a wonderful weekend peeps!

Candi Giveaway @ Pieces of Me . . .

OMGosh, Jen, of Pieces of Me, has a fabulous giveaway!  She hit the 250,000 mark on her blog and is giving away 5 prizes! You need to check it out and all you have to do is follow her instructions.  Easy peasy!  :)  Here's what I did!

*Candi #1:  Take a picture of something PINK

This doll was given to my daughter on Girls Day 2 years ago.

*Candi ##2: Take a picture of something ROUND

This is a drawer knob that belongs to my daughter.  My DH painted flowers on each knob for her drawer.  Total?  10 knobs!  :)

*Candi #3:  Take a picture of something I ate today

Ummm . . . Sweet Onion Ahi Poke! 

*Candi #4:  Take a picture of a plant in your house

Sorry, I'm a plant killer so I only have fake plants.  Does my basket full of hydrangeas count?  :)

*Candi #5: Picture of your YOUNGEST child's dirty socks

Alright, I had just done laundry some we had no "dirty" socks!  Here's my YOUNGEST playing with a clean pair of socks.  Now they are dirty so hopefully this counts too!  :)

That was such a fun Blog Candy Game! You still have time to play but don't wait too long! 

CONGRATULATIONS JEN ON YOUR 250K HITS!!!  WOWZA IS RIGHT . . . WISHING YOU MORE HITS AND MORE FUN IN THE FUTURE!!!

La-La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge 38 - Anything Goes!

Hi bloggers!  It's Wednesday and my fellow La-La sister, KIM, has offered up a challenge . . . ANYTHING GOES!  You hear that right, you can create anything you want!   Be sure to check La-La Land Crafts blog to see all the DT's creations! 

On to my card. 

I just got this sweetie last week, Sitting Pretty Rosie.  Ain't she a doll?

I used my nesties to create this card.  Simple and clean this time!  :)

You can purchase Sitting Pretty Rosie at the Online Store.  You can also purchase Mermaid Lala too and guess what?  She's on sale at 20% off only for the week of this challenge!  Now that's a good deal!

A Few More 4 Drawer Easels . . .

Hey all!  Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day yesterday.  It was such a busy weekend for me with get-togethers and good food!  Sorry I haven't made my rounds into commenting, but believe me, I was doing some very fast visiting just to check what y'all been up too in the little time that I had. 

Just wanted to share a few more 4 Drawer Easel Cards with you.  These were made using the Matchbox die from Stampin' Up.  This first using Creeper Thursday from TGF is one of my "new" favorites!  She has attitude and spunk, just like when I was younger . . . no longer though!  :)

This next one features Fleur Anya.  She is definitely a sweetheart, just like the person who will receive her!

And lastly, this is Geisha Anya.  I had her for a while, but never inked her up.  As soon as I knew what DP I was going to use for this project, I immediately thought of using Geisha.  I think the she blends well with the DP!  :)

As you can see, my 3 girls are not staying with me.  Again, they'll find their way into the safety of a luvn home.  I wish I could keep all my girls, but they'll be happier with their new families!  I guess I still have to make one for myself, just for me!  :)  Have a great day people!  And don't forget, you can snag these sweeties at Tamiko's Online Store . . . FREE shipping (in the USA only) of orders $25 or over!

Quickie Mother's Day Gifts

Good Morning and Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are mothers, grandmothers, or soon-to-be mothers.  What ever the case, may you have a blessed day with family and friends!

Every year for Mother's Day, my family and I have dinner with my parents and my brother and his family.  My sister-in-law invites her mother and brother to join in on the gathering.  So, with little time to make something, I put together these Pop Up Boxes which were pretty easy to make.  I learned this from my gf Joy, of A Place To Be Me.  Thanks Joy . . . I was a bit intimidated, but making them was actually not that bad.

I made 3 . . . one for my mom, one for my sister-in-law, and one for my sister-in-law's mother.  Here's the side view with the lid popped up.

And here is the top view . . . you can surely put a lot of stuff in there!  I place some Ghirardelli and Hershey's candies in the box.

Well, that's it for me today.  Again, enjoy your special day ladies!

La-La Land's Weekly Wednesday Challenge 37 - Color Challenge

This week at La-La Land Crafts Blog, our hostess, JANA, has a great color challenge for us!  Here's the color challenge . . .

This was a stumper for me just looking at the 4 colors.  How was I going to incorporate each one and make a pretty card?  Well, here's what I came up with.

I went with one main color which is the purple.  {{Thanks Irina!  Luv the papers you sent me . . . see?  Already used them!}}  The green from the leaves and flowers just blended together.  Thought orange hair would work and a tinge of pink.  Voila!  I don't think all 4 colors overwhelmed each other . . . what do you think?

A closer look at Pumpkin Lala.  Yes, Pumpkin Lala!  I actually wiped away the pumpkin (which was sitting on her lap) on my inked rubber.  In place, I placed a flower, tucking it into her lap.  Click {HERE} to see how I altered this flower.  Maureen did an excellent job with this tutorial!  I've been cutting up my hydrangeas like a mad woman!  :)

You can purchase Pumpkin Lala at the Online Store!  What's better is you can purchase Window Lala for 20% off only for the week of this challenge!  Run on over to the store now!  Thanks for stopping by!  :)

Hello Kitty Mini Easel Card

Quick post & no coloring today.  I'm slowly, but surely, getting some cards and projects done.   My list is long and I'm working through them as time allows me.  I created this for a friend as a THANK YOU.  I really wanted to use my Hello Kitty charms so I took out my Hello Kitty Sizzlits Die.  It's a tiny easel measuring 3-1/2 x 4 inches. 

Hope you're having a wonderful Monday!  :)

Sweet Fleur Anya . . .

Hi bloggers! 

Well, it's release day over at The Greeting Farm of several new and fun images.  I couldn't wait to get my hands on them and start playing!  I made a card using Fleur Anya for Joy, the proud owner of Tamiko's. 

Ain't Fleur sweet and pretty!  I luv the flowers on her head and her adorable flowing dress. 

Fleur Anya and Cuddle Anya can be purchased at Tamiko's Online Store.  In the next couple of days, Joy will be getting the other 2 releases -- the new Creeper, Thursday and the Grammie & Gramps set.  You can also find other great deals not to mention the FREE shipping for orders of $25 or over (US only)!  Thanks for stopping by!  :)