Boohoo . . . It's a Wrap!

Happy Friday my sweet dear friends!  I'm torn in my emotions today as I write this post.  Today is my last post as a DT member for the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog.  I still can't believe 6 months have passed since I started with the team.  It was such a refreshing experience and I had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful, talented ladies through this experience.  I'm definitely sad, but happy that there will be a whole new team to carry on creating with Marie's cute images! 

Now that my term is done, I can sorta take a step back {take a break of sorts} and just visit everyone on the blogs more often and create when I want and if I want.  hee, hee!  :)  Asa's 1st birthday is soon approaching as well as the holiday season so I'll be pretty consumed in taking care of "business".  Don't worry, I'll be around!

For my last post, the team was instructed to CASE another DT's card.  What our team decided to do was surprise Rachel, our wonderful Team Captain, by CASE'ing one of her cards!  This is a tribute and a HUGE thank you to her for all that she did during this term (believe me, Rach is so on it when it comes to organization).  Here is Rach's card that I chose to CASE:

I used Miss Anya . . . oops, I mean Miss Anyas'!!!!  :)  I chose 1 Miss Anya from each set (Miss Anya Collection, Miss Anya Love, Rain Snow Shine, Miss Anya Dressy, Miss Anya Lounge, Miss Anya Hats Off, and Miss Anya Bags), but only colored the one image in the middle. 

Notice that all the six Miss Anya's are stamped in Memento Desert Sand on Kraft cardstock?  This represents the Design Team - - - Jess, Sparkle, Leanne, Emily, Tasha, and myself.  The one colored represents Rach!  :)  Too corny, but thought it was fitting for my last card. 

Here's a closeup of Miss Anya Bags . . .

Please upload your project in the Galleria under the FFF section.  Thank you so much for all your support!  I so appreciate you stoppin' in to visit me . . . this is not a farewell, just a "I'll-see-ya-around-blogland"!  Have a great weekend!

White Out!

This week for the FFF challenge we want you to go "White Out" or in other words to do an all white or mostly white themed project. Can't wait to see all the beautiful and clean creations!

Here's my white on white.  Ok, not entirely white, but close enough.  The only color I added was to the stamped image of CC Lula.  She's quite a sassy kind of gal and couldn't see her without a splash of COLOR!

I used my Spellbinders Curved Rectangles to create the card and cut out a frame for it.  Popped it up with Pop Dots for added dimension.  The background was embossed, added some flourishes, and some white pearls. 

Here's CC Lula up close.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> White out.  Also, upload to the InLinkz on the challenge blog.

Thanks for stoppin' by today.  I'm bracing myself for another full weekend  . . . soccer games, a 1st birthday party, and a Yakudoshi party . . . oh, time, oh, time, where are you?  :)  Have a safe and fun weekend! 

You're Hot and You're Cold . . .

Hey, hey!  I'm back with a Farm Fresh Challenge card!  Well, this week, the challenge is "You're Hot and You're Cold"! Yep, it's that Katy Perry song.  If you're not ready to end summer, then create a "HOT" card/project . . . if you are done with summer and can't wait to cozy up for the winter season, then make a "COLD" card/project.

Well, I went with a HOT & COLD card.  You be the judge.

I used the newly released Miss Anya Bags set and went with a winter theme.  Miss Anya with pigtails is wearing a luv-ly sweater for the cold weather.  She's also very stylish and is a hip chic carrying a zebra printed bag.  Isn't she HOT, HOT, HOT?  See told ya . . . winter theme . . . HOT chic?  :)

Here's a close up of Miss Anya Bags.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner with the DT's fave project will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice! Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Hot & Cold.  Come join in on the fun!  :)  Have a great weekend!

By The Numbers . . . A "21st" Birthday!

Phew, I made it to Friday!!!  It was sure a busy week for me, but let me tell ya, I had a blast posting everyday!  Haven't done that in ages!  This week over at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, we're doing things "By the Numbers". Meaning? All you have to do is use a number on your project! Paper, stamp, embellishment, doesn't matter.  Easy, peasy right? 

Here's what I came up with.  I made a treat bag for a special friend who is turning "21" soon.  Ok, not really 21, but she's 21 at {HEART}!  Found the tutorial {HERE} . . . it's super easy and makes for a fast gift wrapping.  This treat bag measures 4 1/2 x 10 inches.  Yes, it's GIGANTIC!  It's the perfect size for what I have inside too.

Here's a closer look at Birthday Anya 2. 

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> By the Numbers.

That's it for me today.  I think I need a must deserved break from blogging this weekend . . . will be back soon though.  I'm feeling a bit generous and I'm in a celebrating kind of mood.  So, if you have a sweet tooth, I'll be back with some CANDY!!!  :)

Wishing you SUNSHINE!

Wow, I've been real silent these days huh?  Hopefully, life will settle down a bit as we get into a routine -- my older son is in school with tons of homework & both he and my hubby are off to soccer practice 4x a week with games/scrimmages on Saturday's & Sunday's. 

Anyway, the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog is having a Digital Get Down challenge.  There was a HUGE turnout the last time we had a digi challenge, so we're bringing it back again!  Just use any of TGF's awesome digis, which you can find {HERE}.  Come join us!

Today, I've used HG Rain Rain digi for my card.  When you think of a raincoat, yellow always pops to mind.  I luv the bright color, but wanted to go with a different color . . . orange!  Bright enough don't you think?

I will be sending this to a good friend of mine who is undergoing treatment for . . . CANCER.  She's is one strong person and has such a positive attitude.  As she says, she'll fight hard and will WIN the battle!  I'm so proud of her! 

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Digital Get Down 2.

Thanks for stoppin' by today . . . I SO APPRECIATE all of you who come by my blog and leaving me such sweet, encouraging words.  To show my appreciation and to celebrate my upcoming 2 year blogaversary, I'll be putting together some CANDY!  Yep, everyone luvs candy right?  :)  So, stay tuned for my post . . . ta-ta and have a great weekend! 

Back To School Already?

Aloha Friday!  YIPPY!  This week for FFF, the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog has a really cool challenge for you . . . "2 Cool 4 School"! Show us your best school-related projects, either for students or teachers, it doesn't matter.

For some of you, you or your kids may still be on summer break, but for me and my kids, school began about 2 weeks ago.  The first week wasn't so back with no homework for my son.  This week was a different story - - he and his classmates got SLAMMED with work!  You would think he attends private school, but nope, he's in the public school system.  Anyway, we've been busy with homework and with extra-curricular activities during the week and weekend.

For my project, I decided to do a set - - a card and a 3D item.  Do you spy Teacher Anya?  :) 

I kept the card pretty simple so that the letters can be seen.  The school year 2011-2012 was stamped in the corners.  I think this is perfect to give to my son's new teacher.

Here's a backpack I made.  I found a tutorial {HERE} at Splitcoaststampers, but tweaked it a bit.   I'm going to give this set to my son's teacher and will add some goodies in the backpack to get her through the school year.  :) 

This is the backside of the backpack.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> 2 Cool 4 School.

That's all I have for you today.  I'll be back soon for some other creations.  :)  Thanks for stoppin' in and have a great weekend!

A Luv-ly Fancy Fold . . .

Are you ready for a Throwback challenge?  For Farm Fresh Challenge Blog's FFF challenge, we require you to break out your "old" TGF singles/sets.  At the bottom of this post, there is an "Exclusion List" which has the last several months worth of TGF releases on it. The deal is that you can use anything on your project BUT those stamps. So dust off your very first TGF purchases and make them shine again!

Along with this Throwback challenge, there's a twist. Create a 'Fancy Folds' card/project using your "old" stamps!  It can be an Easel Card, Tri-fold, Pop-Up, Gatefold Card . . . be creative and we'd luv to see what you come up with!

Before I get to my project, there's a new Farm Fresh Face joining the team.  Welcome, Emily Martina aka Beansscrapsandsheep!  Congrats girl!

Now, on to my Throwback Fancy Fold project.  If you know me, I absolutely luv anything 3D so this Fancy Fold challenge was right up my alley!  Today, I've made a Book Box Card featuring Wild Sprout Dahlia.  Ain't she a blast from the past?    I hadn't inked her up in ages and she was just screaming my name!  :)

Here's the front of the Book Box Card.  My sweet friend Cami did a Make 'n Take for one of our gatherings and this is the project she prepared for us to make.   I really wanted to make another one and this is what I came up with.

Here's the inside of the Book Box Card.  Click {HERE} for a tutorial on how to make one.  ***Sorry, after taking this photo and doing my final editting, I notice that one of the pearls had moved.  :)

A closer look . . . the box area is big enough to fit some goodies!  On the other side, there's an area for me to write a sweet note.

That's it!  Hope you enjoyed it and let me know if you try this.  I'd luv to see what you come up with!  :)
Exclusion list

Anya/Ian Singles
Fancy Anya
Beanie Anya
Café Ian
Surfer Anya
Twirl Anya
Princess #2
Princess #3
Birthday Anya 2
Birthday Ian
Anya/Ian Sets
Miss Anya Lounge
Miss Anya Hats Off
I Do
I Heart Sweaters
Creeper Crew
Syren
Creepin’ Kit
Abbey
Piper
Cheeky Cherry
Naughty or Nice
Cheeky XMas
Cheeky Cherry Pie
Cheeky Chat
Cheeky Howdy
Oliver & Amelia
Little Dreamer
Because of You
Fuzzy Wuzzy
Ahoy
Summer Fun
Surprise

Sentiments/ Backgrounds/Other
Because of You
Splotchy
Hoo Loves You

Sprouts
Daisy
Elena
Ryan

Digital Images
Easter Anya
Easter Ian
Ballet Anya
Chibi Farm Hand
Blush
Hearts Background
Bonnie
Babette
The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Throwback Challenge > Throwback 3.

Thanks Dude!

Hey peeps!  Have you seen the newest images ready to be released come August 1st?  OMG!  As most of you know, TGF is turning a whoppin' 3!  Marie has some amazing images to go with this special occasion so check out the TGF Blog for some awesome creations by the Design Team.  Click {HERE} to see sneaks of Birthday Anya 2 and Birthday Ian.  More goodness to come so keep checking back at the TGF Blog.

Now, on to the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog's FFF challenge.  We'd like to see your "Gratuity Please"" and make a thank you project/card! Either for a specific person or just for your stash, just make something to tell someone thanks!

I decided to make a Thank You card geared to giving it to a guy/male in the future.  I rarely make guy Thank You cards since they only throw them in the trash.  YIKES!  After all that hard work . . . women seem to appreciate these cards more.  I've used Ian from the Later Sk8er set.  He's colored on Kraft with copics and the white areas with Prismacolor pencil.  Kept it pretty simple, no frills.

See his sunglasses?  He borrowed it from Anya (Rain Snow Shine set).  The sunglasses is propped on his forehead, that's how some of the young teens like to wear them these days.  Glossy Accents gave the lens a shine.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Gratuity Please.  Come join in on the fun!  Thanks for stoppin' in today!

Smiles and Sunshine and a Bouquet of Flowers!

Oh, how have you been?  ;)  Sorry for being MIA, life just creeps up and snatches every single moment and minute.  I know I haven't been the best at visiting you and others on a more consistent basis although I really try to.  I now find myself checking blogs, commenting, and reading emails at night when the kids are asleep and after cleaning up.  By that time, I'm literally zapped and hardly have energy to keep my eyes open.  Just know that I appreciate you coming by my blog and leaving such sweet words! 

Well, today is FFF over at Farm Fresh Challenge Blog.  This week should be easy peasy! All you have to do is Piece It Together...otherwise known as paper piecing. You can piece as little or as much as you want!  Come join us!  :)

Here's my paper piecing on Blush Bonnie's dress.  I enjoy paper piecing but sometimes it's more of a challenge to cut around odd areas of images.  Ok, I really wanted to try this Double Twisted Easel Card.  I don't have a link to this card . . . all you have to do is google "Double Twisted Easel Card" - the flood gates will open!  Seriously!

A friend's birthday is coming up soon and I know she enjoys gardening.  Well, maybe it's more of a therapeutic thing.  In any case, I just want to wish her a sweet birthday!

Here's what the card looks like when folded to its original state.

This is the first panel.  Not sure if you can see, but I colored in areas with copics (W's) where there would be shadows on the paper pieced dress.  Crackle paint was added to the fence for a worn look and for more of a worn look, I smudge grey chalk over the crackled paint.

This is the second panel.  Since I don't garden (I'm a plant killer, don't have a Green Thumb), I'm sending this bouquet of flowers in a watering can.

Well, that's it for me!  Hope I didn't bore you.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Paper Piecing.  Thanks for stoppin' in!

'Tis the Season to be Jolly . . .

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in . . . July?!?  Over at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, we are challenging you to make any kind of project you want as long as it involves CHRISTMAS . . . candy canes, Christmas trees, snowflakes, Santa, presents, and your TGF stamps, you get it right?  We'd luv to see what you come up with and what better why to start on those x-mas cards! 

Today, I'm using this Cheeky gal from the "A Cheeky Xmas" set.  This is the first time I'm inking this baby up.  When I purchased her at its release, my intent was to use this stamp during the holiday season.  But, things happened, like the birth of my baby boy just before Thanksgiving.  So, now I'm getting the chance to showcase her!  :)

I always wanted to try this technique of stamping the image without or using less coloring.  It seemed like I needed to color something so I colored her Santa hat and made that the focal point of the image.  The image is actually inked with Faded Jeans Distress Ink and the other parts of Cheeky's outfit was colored with white Prismacolor pencil.  Along all the edges of the papers, I added crackle paint and Snow-Tex to give my card a snow frost feel.  I think I've achieved it here.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Xmas in July.  Thanks for stoppin' in!  Have a CHEEKY weekend!

A Throwback ABC?

Do you get the title?  Well, here's the down-low.  The Farm Fresh Challenge Blog is doing a throwback challenge, but this time, with a TWIST! The throwback challenge requires you to break out your "old" TGF singles, set, or kits (which let's face it...aren't that old, lol).   So what's the twist?  Make . . . Anything But a Card!  Bookmarks, altered items, notebooks, 3D projects, whatever you'd like as long as it's not a card and that you use a Throwback eligible stamp!   Click {HERE} to see the EXCLUSION LIST.

 

I sorta cheated here, but hey, my project fits the requirements!  :)   This is an altered wooden tissue box featuring one of the Anya's from the Miss Anya Collection.  I made not one, but 2!  My son gave these to his teachers at the end of the school year . . . yep, at the end of May.  I just never had the time to post it so here it is!  (I'll post the second one at a later time).  :)

 

Anya is colored with Distress Inks and also distressed all around the tissue box.  I got the idea from my sweet friend Kim - - she also made an altered tissue box some time ago and thought I'd give it a try.  Click {HERE} to see her box.  Your jaw will drop! 

 

This is one panel.   

 

This is the back panel.  I wanted to add these sentiments to remind the teachers that they just have to laugh.  It's so easy to get caught up in the work, dealing with certain situations, and of course, teaching the young children.  Instead of crying out of frustration, "Laugh Till You Cry"!  INSPIRE . . . I don't even have to explain that one! 

And, this is the top view.  The other two panels I left plain.  Didn't want to overdo it yet I was pressed for time as well.

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST. The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice! Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Throwback Challenges> Challenge 2.  Hope you'll join us!  I luv 3D projects of any kind so I'm looking forward to seeing what y'all come up with!  Have a great weekend!

Celebrate . . .

It's that patriotic time of year here in the USA . . . the 4th of July!  We want to see your best 4th of July themed projects this week for our FFF over at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog!  However, we don't want to leave out our non-American friends, so you are all welcomed to show your patriotic pride for whatever country you call home!  :)

Here's my patriotic card.  Do you recognize her?  I did a little altering and came up with my own Superstar Howdy Elena!  That's right . . . I took the head of Cheeky Howdy and wiped away the cherry pin that was in her hair and added the torso of Wild Sprout Elena.  The star glasses came from Superstar Anya. 

Quick question:  How do you celebrate the 4th of July?  If you do not reside in the USA, what do you celebrate and how do you celebrate that special event? 

For our family, we usually stay home and BBQ hotdogs and hamburgers.  The kids really enjoy the sparklers, pop-pops, and firecrackers.  However, this year will be quite different.  There is a fireworks ban so I'm not sure what we'll do with the kids.  Oh, in the evening, we have the perfect view from our balcony . . . our family enjoys seeing the aerial shows and pyrotechnics!  We can see the beautiful fireworks from Magic Island (Ala Moana) to Pearl Harbor.  :)

Anyways, the FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> 4th of July.  Thanks for stoppin' by!  :)

Get Sentimental!

This week over at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, we are Gettin' Sentimental for Farm Fresh Friday. That's right!  Easy peasy!  :)  Use any sentiments you want (along with your TGF stamp) and show us what you come up with. 

I don't think I can make a card without adding some kind of sentiment on it.  Well, I sure went all out with this one.  I wanted to try something totally out of my realm . . . adding lots of sentiments all in the same theme and trying to not add as many embellishments so that the sentiments would stand out. 

Here's my card.  I used Anya from the Miss Anya Dressy.  She's stamped using Memento Rich Cocoa and colored with copics on Kraft.  Her apron and stockings were colored using Prismacolor pencils.  Yeah, yeah, I need practice.  Anyway, I stamped most of the sentiments in Rich Cocoa except for the "oh so Thankful" and "Gracias".  They are sentiments from the Spotlight Kit and Roll Call Kit.

The edges were painted with Distress Crackle Paint - Vintage Photo.  It was the first time I've used this color.  Not sure if it gave the effect that I wanted, but gotta try right?  I also added a little tag at the top of the card . . . yep, with another sentiment on it!  :)

Lastly, here's a close up of Miss Anya Dressy.  I just realized that I forgot to add pearls to her shoes!  YIKES!  Well, didn't I say I wanted to keep this card sorta free from embellies? 

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Sentimental.

That's it for me today.  I hope y'all will have a nice weekend.  Ta-ta and see you back here next week!

Body Snatchers!

Happy and Aloha Friday!  Well, it may not be a holiday for you, but it's a holiday for us here in Hawai`i, King Kamehameha Day. 

Over at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog, we have a fun challenge for you!  For the FFF, we want you to practice your altering skills! We are calling this one . . . Body Snatchers!  Sounds creepy, but actually really fun!  Just take some of your favorite TGF stamps and switch around the heads and bodies to make a brand new character!  Wanna see what I came up with?

I took the head of Amelia from the new OA-Ahoy set and the torso of Ballerina Anya.  The inspiration to create another ballerina came from {HERE}. I previously created a card using Ballet Anya that was just released as a digi!  When I first saw Ballet Anya, I knew my DD would luv her 'cause she's always twirling around like a pure ballerina.  However, DD doesn't look like Ballet Anya, but more like Amelia from the OA-Ahoy set with pigtails.  So guess what?  I pulled a Body Snatchers on Ahoy Amelia and Ballerina Anya.

I'm gonna confess.  From the get go, this card was a disaster.  Yep, had the perfect idea . . . didn't quite go as I planned.  I originally wanted to stamp and color my image with copics on Kraft, which I did.  The hair got colored first and then I worked on the face.  Well, I totally screwed up Amelia's cheeks!  I don't know what's wrong with me, but her cheeks weren't proportional.  What to do?  I didn't want to toss the image . . . I luv'd how the hair came out and didn't want to redo the hair again (out of laziness and NO time!).  I decided to cut the face away from the hair and start again.  Voila!  Problem solved and cheeks on this second image are way better! 

Here's a close up of Amelia Ballerina!  :)

The FFF challenges runs until Thursday, entries are due by 12 PM CST.  The winner will receive a free single TGF stamp of choice!  Please upload your challenge cards to TGF Galleria> Farm Fresh Challenges 2011> Farm Fresh Fridays 2011> Body Snatchers.  Good luck! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!

Because I'm The Princess - A Royal Fairy Tale . . .

This week is a little different here at the Farm Fresh Challenge Blog . . . we are playing along with Wednesday's Royal Challenge on The Greeting Farm's Blog which is "Fairy Tale Fun". For all the details, click {HERE}.  We are so excited to see what all you come up with :0)

Here is my card for the Royal Challenge.  I used this Princess from the Princess Collection No. 2.  Ain't she a beauty?  Ok, I'm no princess so I have to vicariously live my DREAMS through these wonderful images.  She's colored with copics and added a lot of stickle to her crown.  I know the color of her gown doesn't match the DP, but who cares!  The Princess can do no wrong and can do anything she wants BECAUSE SHE'S THE PRINCESS!  ;)

A close up.  I don't think you can see it in this picture, but I added RVOOO to her hair in the highlighted areas. 

So, will you play along with us?  Just upload your creations to TGF Gallery>TGF CONTESTS/SPECIAL EVENTS>TGF Royalty>WEEK 1.  You have until Tuesday, June 7th at 8pm CST to upload your creations!   Thanks for stoppin' in!