Hey Melon Head!

A sneak peek from Treehouse Stamps, these stamps are due to be released on June 12th. This set is called Life's a Picnic. I combined 8 challenges here! Limited supply which was to make 3 cards using the same set, colors, ribbon, hardware, etc. Inspiration challenge which was to find a dress from a movie and be inspired by it. I used the one that was put up in the thread as a sample. (didn't feel like looking all over for a dress) Beate's, Amy R's and Toy's blog challenge sketch. Sharon's color theme sketch and two old Ways to use it challenges (ribbon and stamp-a-ma-jig) that I had never done.

close up of card i did for Toy's sketch challenge

close up of card i did for Amy R's sketch challenge

close up of card i did for Beate's sketch challenge

End of the Year gifts for Teachers

Well it is that time again.... End of the School year! While the teachers are jumping for joy, us parents are crying from sorrow!! lol

Allie's 3rd grade male will be getting a set of 10 cards. Five will be with Angler and the other 5 will be using Noble Deer. I will post the entire set when I am all finished.

I am posting this one now as I used it for the Ways to use it challenge this week on SCS. The challenge was to use Packing/shipping supplies on your card or to spin it the other way and use a travel theme. I went with the travel theme.

Image is watercolored with Prismacolor watercolor pencils. Sentiment is computer generated.

Guest Hostess for Sketch challenge

Yes, I know this update is a little late. Today is my day to catch up on my blog that I have been negalecting!!

Rox, the hostess for the Sketch Challenge on SCS, asked me if I would be willing to be a guest hostess this week. Whew! What a challenge that is itself!! Do you know how hard it is to either find a card in the gallery or make one up yourself that isn't close to a pervious sketch challenge we have already done??

At a recent workshop I had precut cardstock, one stamp set, one color of ink to stamp it in, 2-3 markers, corner round punch and ribbon and that i gave the ladies and told them to make a card. After some moaning and groaning, they went to work and produced some great cards. I really liked one of the ladies card so i cased her as i knew I wanted to use it for the sktech challenge!

I did add a background to mine (at home of course), some faux stitching, faux brads.

The only requirements for the sketch is to keep the square turned, keep panel 2 no higher than one inch from the bottom and panel 4 is optional. could use a cutout flower or nothing there.

I did a second card to show how it would look if you flipped the sketch. I used a new set from Treehouse Stamps that will be available June 12th. I also used the color challenge; chocolate chip, sage shadow and very vanilla, from this week on SCS.

Please feel free to play along and upload to SCS with the keywords SC178. Here is the thread on SCS if you need more info on how to upload there etc: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=351118

Recipe of the day

Rhubarb Lemon Muffins
from mar/apr 2008 Simply Delicious mag.

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp sugar, divided

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground ginger

2 eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk *

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 T grated lemon peel

1 3/4 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb **

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and ginger. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and lemon peel. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the rhubarb.

Fill paper-lined or greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Sprinkle with the remaining sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.
Yield: 1 doz

* If you don't have buttermilk (like me), you can make your own by measuring 1 T of vinegar or lemon juice into 1 cup and then filling it up with milk. Let sit for 5 mins and then take out what you need for the recipe.

** If using frozen rhubarb, measure rhubarb while still frozen, then thaw completely. Drain in a colander, but do not press liquid out.

My oldest, who is very picking, gobbles these down! So you know they have to be yummy.

Treehouse "Customer Appreciation Day"

Wanted to pass this on:

In honor of YOU we are holding a "Customer Appreciation Day" TODAY! Save 10% off your order by using promotional code #: CA4MJ08. This is our way of saying THANK YOU!
So, Join us today at: www.treehousestamps.com

4 Challenges, 2 cards

Once again I am a day late with some cards! Here they are for your veiwng pleasure.

First, Sassy challenge was to use Rubber Romance stamps. Some of us don't have them and the images that were sent with us... well we think the post ladies are making some beautiful cards right now! So those of us that didn't have the stamps went with "Lovely Lady" as a theme. So here is my lovely lady:

This is also the sketch challenge and color challenge on SCS. I embossed the buildings in silver. and stamped the wording in versamark. Set is called "Going Places" by My Favorite Things.

The Brainwave Challenge for this week is Colors: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou. I used the new set from Treehouse Stamps called American Dream. Used glitter gel pen on the sparklers.

Make sure you check out the other ladies:
Ashley
Elizabeth
Karen

Catching up

I know I don't always post my creations here on the same day I put them in my gallery at Splitcoaststampers. So here are two items from Sunday's Featured Stamper and Monday's Try New Technique challenge that I had yet to upload.

Featured stamper card using For Father. I changed my image to use this set, changed my colors and added polka dots. I watercolored my image with watercolor crayons. A note on my image, I used this set at a workshop and one of the ladies thought that there was a pumpkin in the image. It is not a pumpkin but a baseball cap! lol So I had to try coloring it how she did. I think I like it better as a cap.

Monday's Try a new Technique was to make a double pocket bag. I have made these before and they are fun. For directions go Here. I used my favortie design paper, Berry Bliss, and stamp set One of a Kind.

This year's Tea Party

What a lovely Tea Party we had on Saturday at our local library. Before tea we got to take a tour of the Kiser Mansion that is up for sale. We were lucky to go through it as you have to be preapproved to even get a viewing of the mansion. But the owner is a little ole lady who, along with her sister, is always invited to the Tea Party at the library.

Here are a few pictures from the Tea Party. Sorry, I didn't get any of the mansion.

Allie fixing her tea.

Allie and her friend have a grand ole time.

Tea Party!

I'm going to a Tea Party with my 8yr old daughter in a few minutes. Our library puts it on for girls age 8-12 and their moms or dads (yes, hubby has taken them once when I couldn't go) every year. Just thought I'd share a few picture from last year when my oldest daughter was still 'young' enough to attend too. (well really she could have come this year as she is 12 but I guess Tea Party's with your mom is not the 'in' thing ;) )

Well we are off to see what we will be eating this year. I will post the pictures for today's Tea Party later on!

American Dream

New set by Treehouse Stamps. Finally got the Brainwave Challenge done. Colored image with prismacolor pencils and blended with gamsol. Used Nestibilites to cut out image and scallop piece. Added retired SU eyelet stars.

FREE:

Labrador Retriever, male, chocolate, 4 yr., neutered, house trained, loves kids, real good dog. Wife is allergic & keeps finding her way back in the house. Lab free to good home. Call (000) 000-0000


This was an ad placed in our local booster, this week, for our little town that was just too funny not to share. Hope you have a good laugh.

BrainWave Challenge #5 and Family Pictures

It's time for Ashley's Brainwave Challenge. This is #5 and is a sketch. Use BCW5 if you upload to SCS. Also post back here so I can check out your card. I have lost my mojo so no card from me today but check out Ashley, Michele and Kristin's blogs for their samples. And remember, you don't have to have Treehouse Stamps to play along.

We went away this past weekend to visit some friends and attend their daughter's college graduation. (Think this is where I lost my mojo... a whole weekend without stamping!) Since we were all dressed up from going to the graduation, I had a family pictures taken much to the dismay of my family! (It could have been cause it was raining outside!! lol)

We wanted to have just the two of us in the picture but little Miss Jorden wouldn't let me put her down.
Can you tell me where we went for the weekend by this picture? I know it's not the best but this was as close to the field that the public was allowed to get! Everyone was taking pictures of the field with their cell phones. Last time we were up there (2yrs ago) for their oldest daughter's graduation, we sat in the stadium as that is where the ceremony was held. But since they are tearing it down, they held the ceremonies a little different this time. The room we were in just happen to exit out to these doors! Just a little piece of history I had take a picture of.

If anyone finds my mojo, please send it back!!

More shrinkie dink dogs!

I was able to get a better picture of the item I made for my daughter. She loves pink and poodles. She claims she is going to have a Pink Poodle when she grows up so I just had to make her this bracelet:

The poodle is from "Gone to the Dogs" by My Favorite Things. I used pastels to color in the poodles before I shrank them. Black Stazon ink was used.

Calling Sandy!!

Sorry for having to post this here but I don't know how else to get in touch with my winner.

Hi Sandy, I got your comment that you emailed me but nothing has come through at all. Can you please try again so I can get it out today as I am extremely busy this weekend and i know you are looking forward to some new toys!!

Now back to your regular show! Which will have to be later today as the item I was going to post is sitting in 3rd grade on my daughter. I did take pictures this morning but since she was wearing it... the pictures are all fuzzy. So I will have to take more pictures when she gets home. So until then... here are a few clues to keep you guessing all day.... 1. it is stamped, 2. she is wearing it, 3. I used one MFT's new release sets.

Chow!

Blog Candy Winner..... Lucky 13!

The winner of MFT's "Setting the Stage" is.........

random.org picked #13

sandyh50 said...
I was just checking out the Setting the Stage set yesterday. Thanks for the chance to win. Sandy

Congrats, Sandy!! email me at hillmanfam@woh.rr.com with your name and address and I will get it out to you. If I don't hear from Sandy by the weekend, I will draw a new name.

Thanks to everyone for stopping by and all the nice comments you leave. May you be the lucky one next time.

BINGO!

When I first saw the new MFT set "Gone To The Dogs", I got this crazy idea in my head. And like all crazy ideas, I just couldn't shake it until I actually made it. Well what is it, you ask? A traveling BINGO set, which means it is all magnetic!! From the boards to the shrinkie dink dogs to the bones that are the numbers! There are at least 100 dogs and 58 dog bones. The bones are stored in the 'bone' bag in the back there that I whipped up.

And here is what the case looked like when I bought it. It was sitting in the damage rack at Joanns for $1.47!! Couldn't pass it up!!

Close up of the case after I altered it.

Now we just need to take a trip so that we can play BINGO!!

Don't forget to enter my blog candy a few posts down featuring an oldie but goodie MFT set! Drawing is tomorrow.

Something new for you

Ashley of Treehouse Stamps asked the Design Team if we would make samples for her Brainwave challenge that she posts each Wed. on her blog. This week was an inspiration from a shopping trip Ashley had.

I love the purses she bought so I used one of them completely for my inspiration. I scored the entire cardstock to give it a 'quilted' look, only i didn't make diamonds, just plain squares. I used several different Treehouse stamps, Fluttery Friend, Delightful Dahlia and Simply Organic. Added some faux stitching and ribbon handle. Inside has two pockets.

Check out some of the other girls samples here:

Ashley Bowen
Elizebeth Neumann
Kristin Edwards
Michele Kovack

Feel free to play along even if you don't have Treehouse Stamps.

MFTeasers and BLOG CANDY

A few more teasers today and some BLOG CANDY!! First a card "From All of Us".... no, that isn't the name of the set.. just the name of the card. New set coming from MFT called "Gone to the Dogs" featuring 12 breeds! I only used 5 breeds on this card. Paper pieced the outfit and also used the same dp for layering the image. Prismacolor watercolor pencils were used on the dogs.

Another "Gone to the Dogs" card. This card is for the color challenge and featured stamper. I had to do the Featured Stamper or i'd be in big trouble with my Sassy Friend group seeing as the Featured Stamper is a member!! lol So, Kim, here is my case of you! Hope I did you justice! To see Kim's card that I cased, see here. I kept the same layout but changed images (stamped and cuttlebugged) and of course coloring to match the CC, which is Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery and Lovely Lilac. Instead of ribbon, i used My Favorite Things set, Setting The Stage, to make my faux ribbon and my scallops.



Blog Candy! How would you like to have your very own "Setting The Stage"? Just leave me a comment and I will pick a winner Thursday morning. I am also including the above card in with the set!





My Favorite Things (www.mftstamps.com) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, May 7 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and we hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

Sneak Peek and WHAT IS THAT??

Picture of the day:

So what is it?? And should I let my kids vaccum again??!!

It's that time again... Sneak Peek for My Favorite Things!! This set is called "Furever Friends". I used this weeks MFT sketch for my card. Image is colored with prisma watercolor pencils. Instead of a cirlce, i used the dog bone. Be watching all week long for more sneak peeks. I have some totally different ideas this time around!
stamp: Furever Friends - My Favorite Things; paper: black, old olive, white; ink: black stazon; accs: ribbon, cuttlebug, eyelet, prismacolor watercolor pencils

My Favorite Things (www.mftstamps.com) is having a New Release Cocktail Party on Wednesday, May 7 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. Lots of fun is planned including finding out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and we hope to see you there on Wednesday night.

Special Delivery Girl Brag book

As promised, here are the rest of the pages in order. Once again I used the Simply Scrappin' Kit, Special Delivery Girl, by Stampin' UP! You'll notice that on the photo corners and one of the big flowers, I didn't take them completely off the paper that way she can put her photos in and then take it off and have the photo corners/flower attch to the photos better. The sayings on the front and back covers are actually from the design paper that comes in the kit!

Enjoy.

Would you like a Brag book for yourself, grandparents, teachers, coworkers, etc. but don't have the time to make one or don't know where to start? I will make one for you. Contact me at hillmanfam@woh.rr.com for more details.

Have you Scrapbooked today?

Today is National Scrapbook Day. So in honor of the day, the Inspiration challenge on SCS is to take your favorite scrapbook page and make a card from it. Find inspiration in the colors, theme, layout.. whatever makes you want to creat.

Now I don't usually do the Inspiration challenge as it is just not my cup of tea. But today's was different. I had just got done doing a 8x8 brag book for a baby shower that is today and still needed a card. So I picked out one of my favorite pages from the brag book and went to work.

I used a piece of the Simply Scrappin' kit, Special Delivery Girl, design paper. Gathered up some ribbon, added some flower eyelets, punched out some flowers with the boho blossom punch, added some faux brads and my baby card was done! Thanks to Lauren, mytime, for the toturial on the onesie.





Here is the scrapbook page that I liked the best out of the brag book and used as my inspiration. I will upload the rest of the pages later as now I have to get ready to go to the shower.