BUMP!!

Okay... Just another reminder that the Sherrod Studio release is today...and you can be entered to win on the company blog. There are only a couple of entries...so you have a VERY GREAT chance at winning. So waddle on over to see the new releases, ooh and ahh...then leave a comment. You just might have a Halloween chuckle a few months early this year!!

Happy Bloggaversary...

TO ME!!

Today is my 3rd Bloggaversary...although it is only the first one I've celebrated! haha. Wow...3 years of blogging!

Feathered Friend or Friendly Florals?

Either way...the August release by Sherrod Studios are a hit in my book. Tom Turkey would make any Holiday Table festive...or brighten a far-away loved one's face when they see this fellow in their mail box.

Detail: watercolor crayons used for this turkey.

If you are big into florals, then the new set called Friendship Blooms is the way to go...

Contemporary, yet classic. And it has sentiments that you'll be happy to share again and again with your family and friends. I stamped this flower on watercolor paper...makes a simply great background and it gives the card a nice texture too!

Be sure to browse the other designers' blogs for more sneak peeks...as well as the images from the new Halloween set.

Ceal Pritchett, Dawn Barrett (aka Me), Joseline Capre, Kathi Carlson, Kelly Becker, Kim Sherrod (owner), Leah Cornelius, Mary Griffiths, Mary Vogel, Sparkle Smith

After all that, jump on over to the Sherrod Studio company blog and sign up for a chance to win one of the new sets.

Good News/Bad News (but still recognizing tender mercies in my life)

Which shall I announce first? Well...bad news...

My mom slipped on the stairs as she was walking up from the basement at 809 and broke her ankle. Dad called me around 11am to let me know and to ask me to contact my sibs and (assumably) the extended family. (Tender Mercy #1: I picked up the phone even though the ID said it was some place I didn't reconize...just that I recoginized the area code...and typically if I don't know the number, I don't pick up the phone.)

Apparently she was walking up the stairs and slipped. But dad is working afternoons (tender mercy #2) and heard her (tender mercy #3) and raced to help her out. Thinking that it could be a compound fracture, he called the abulance...who came and drove her to the hospital. Six people attended to her. The pain was excruciating...even with morphine...it was a 7 or 8. Yikes!

I talked to mom for 20 seconds before she was taken to xrays.

So, I got in contact with all my sibs, my mother's godmother and her aunt.

Just before 3pm, Dad called again to say that mom was admitted to the hospital and the surgery wouldn't be today, but it would be scheduled. He was racing off to work but I could call in a few minutes.

Well, I didn't have time to call since there were people over...but I used the internet to send out the phone number to my siblings (3 out of 4 of them LOVE the internet...tender mercy #4). As I was chatting with a neighbor I realized that I could get in touch with church members and other friends through FACEBOOK. (I had tried googling phone numbers earlier in the day and it hadn't turned anythingup.) I'm not a fan of that site but do have an account. I posted a message. Then a little while later I thought to post on on my Mom's wall...(TM #5). Then a short time after that...it "dawned" on me that I have my Mom's best friend's name on my Instant Messenger list....and send her a message. She happened to be at her desk and replied as soon as I posted. (TM#6) So she sent me her cell # and I called to bring her up to date.

Meanwhile, Facebook came through...and friends were responding. I was later able to find a church member's number online...and talked to her. She said that typically, she doesn't go online until the evening. But today, b/c of a set of circumstances, she clicked on earlier and got the scoop. (TM#7) I even got the number of my aunt and uncle in CA who I rarely talk to b/c of distance. (TM#8)

Then I called Dad to check in with him at work since I couldn't get in touch with my mom...her phone was ringing off the hook and everyone is worried/concerned for her. That's when he told me that she was down at their old house...809. My reply was, "Oh,oh...now that house is REALLY mad at her for moving away." (Her not so secret fear is that the house is unhappy that she moved out. haha) And he said that his punny was, "Is this the final break before being able to sell this house?" haha (Finding humor in the face of adversity TM#9)

I was able to talk to my mom for a few minutes. She's in horrible pain but sounds good. She's had friends call and drop by, take care of her pets and offer lots of assistance. (friends...TM#10)

I'm sure my parents could list more tender mercies from their vantage point. I'm soooo glad to be able to see the Lord's hand in all that happens. What a blessing. What a reassurance.

So...the good news?

Several months ago, Janet, of Corrosive Challenge Blog by Janet invited me to be on her design team for a few months starting in September! How flattering is that! I have done her challenges from time to time b/c she has such fun challenges. Today I received the list of designers that I will be working with. (Check out my sidebar for the complete list of names.) I knew that Diane (aka djuseless) was one. I was her big sis for a Secret Sister Swap on SCS a while back. Today I learned that Mary Vogel is on this team too. She and I are on the Sherrod Studio team together. So you can bet there will be some Sherrod images on those challenges starting in September!!

Overheard Just Now

I started making dinner and E* was telling me that he saw Mr. and Mrs. Emert leave at the same time (separate cars) when he was playing at Alexis and Christopher's house earlier today. Then they saw only Mrs. Emert return...alone.

So I explained that Mr. Emert was probably at work That he was a hard worker and had to work a lot.

E* then said, "Maybe he is counting his stars like on Top Chef." haha

He knows that Mr. Emert is a chef and we like to watch Top Chef and now Top Chef Masters...where the participants create dishes and are judged with stars. So...I hope you got a lot of stars tonight, Randy!

Furry Friends

There are 2 furry friends in the latest Doodlefactory sets released by Starving Artistamps. And these rascally creatures are on show today!

Aaaah...isn't Fargo sweet with his bushy read tail and the striped heart!

The vanilla heart layer forms a "pocket" of sorts...and then the black tag can slide in and out.




This sentiment is from the Valentine Sentiments...but perfect for any loving occasion.

Squip here is quite the character...with that gleeful look in his bulging eyes! How can you not smile?


I love these barren trees in the new set. No leaves means more possibilities for embellishements. I used small ribbon knots for this "Target Tree" as I like to call it. haha.


Scramble over to Starving Artistamps' website and order some furry friends for your own stamp collection!

Challenges: Color combo by The Pink Elephant, Layout by 2 Sketches 4 You, Theme by Janet's Corrostive Blog Challenge

Happy Harvesting with Sherrod Studio

Want some new stamp for the Fall holidays but need to stretch your dollar? Then be sure to buy the Harvest Blessings set by Sherrod Studio. It has fall/thanksgiving sentiments and images. BUT THESE PUMPKINS are delightful. Especially if you stamp them onto watercolor paper and apply watercolors. Use a purple/orange/green/black/white color scheme (give or take the colors) and you can make a great halloween card.

But, before you settle on one set...go check out the other designers' blogs to see the images and cards from the new Halloween set. It's adorably cute if not bewitching! (You will want both of these fall holiday sets!!)

Getting INTO New Starving Artistamps

First of all, Congrats to Anita who won the huge blog candy given out by Starving Artistanps when they released the latest Doodlefactory stamp sets. I'm so glad she saw the posting on my blog and did the requirements to get her name into the drawing. Not everyone is as lucky as Anita but you can still get a discount on Starving Artistamps orders by using the code: savetenDM. I love discounts, don't you?

Last week was crazy hectic and this week is just hectic I suppose. But for the time being #3 is at a friends' house and #2 and #1 are reading new library books. I managed to photograph 2 cards using Starving Artistamps.

At first glance, these Doodlefactory creatures are whimsical and certainly odd. But check out what you can do with the trees from "Into the Woods" set.

I used very elegant patterned paper to paper piece this fall inspired card. Using muted colors and a classic layout creates a more formal and stately card. (Ooh...aaahhh!)

But of course, these images have some funky style. So I took the tree and added primas and rhinestones.



Result: A great card to deliver to a new neighbor...or an old one who watched you kids for you yesterday. And just think of all the things that could "sprout" out of a Doodlefactory Tree!

Remember to pop on by here tomorrow for another look at "Into the Woods" and it's matching sentiment set!

Not just flowers...

One of Sherrod Studio's upcoming August release is filled with not just flowers...but also of thoughtful friendship sentiments. Most stampers have lots of images...but do you have those thoughtful verses that are perfect for the inside of cards? Now, here is a stamp set (called Friendship Blooms) whose verses might be used center stage or on the inside of the card. Be sure to check out the other designers' blogs to see what ghoulish delights they have come up with for this release! There will be sneak peeks for a few days but on August 13th, you can be entered to win some goodies if you post a comment on the Sherrod Studio blog!

Catching up with Paper Makeup

By now, you should know that Paper Makeup has Monday challenges. This week... USE STICKERS!! I did mine late last night...too late to get in on the company blog. It was a slow and late stamping roll last night...but I'm pleased with the results.

This main panel used some Basic Grey Paper. Then I took Saffron and ink pads to distress the card base...to echo the colors...only in reverse!

I thought I was done for the night when I came across these boisterous flower stickers already blinged out. I think Nitsy might have sent them to me last year. Hah. Thanks Anita! This card just flowed and I LOVE it. Too bad I'm out of those flower stickers.

I was out of town for the August reveal and didn't have a chance to do the Reveal Party Challenges. One challenge (PMSRP13) was to CASE a card by a non DTer. Last night I came across a lovely card by Mrs. Mac in the Splitcoast gallery. I'm sure it called to me b/c her original color was red. So I went with some paper that Kim gifted to me...and made the card pink/grey with a touch of celery since the large bling in the flower center is celery. I decided to make the ribbon criss cross instead of the straight lines on Mrs. Mac's card. A few blings for the CAS27 challenge...and presto...a card that I'd like to receive!

Remember to add the keyword: PMSgallerychal to the Paper Makeup cards you upload to SCS. You can win a stamp designed to your specifications! How totally fun is that!!

(Be sure to scroll down to see the sneak peek for Sherrod Studio...this is going to be a busy week. I'm off to play with the Doodles!! So check back later for some Starving Artistamp funniness! And yes...I can make up words when I'm talking about those creatures! haha)

Overheard...

A couple of minutes ago, #3 asked me in the sweetest voice, "Mom, can I have a brownie for breakfast?"


pause



pause



Then, "Or can I have both a brownie and cereal for breakfast?"



Haha...he was so sincere that it was a little hard to say no. But I said to him in the same sweet voice, "No, sweetie."

Sneak Peeks for the upcoming Sherrod Studio Release

Starting today, the Sherrod Studio Designers will be presenting sneak peeks for the new releases set to go live on August 13th on the Sherrod Studio website. If you are a crafter who likes to plan your holiday cards and projects, then be sure to check out this fall set! It is called Harvest Blessings. As usual, the images are delightful and the sentiments are heartwarming! Buy it on Thursday and get your Turkey Day designs underway!!


Detail of the happy couple. I stamped this image on watercolor paper and used my watercolor crayons to color it in. Come back tomorrow for another Sherrod Studio Sneak Peek!

Real Life Friends...

I liked how Kim titled our pix on SCS...so I'm casing it! haha...



I had such a great time with Kim this week. She gifted me with Pink Pirouette ink pad and reinker and roll of matching ribbon. As well as a pile of SU patterened papers and a great card to boot...

Her hubby is just as sweet and kind and thoughtful as she is. I think those 2 are a match made in heaven. I enjoyed watching them together. And..wow...can Bruce cook. Ask him about this Boar Lasagna sometime...yummy!

I'm back...and a new PMS Challenge...

I'm back from a quick trip to visit Ken's family. And lucky meet got to meet up with Kim from the Challenges Chasers thread! We spent the day together and stamped a little, chatted a lot, and it was so neat to see where someone else lived and worked and all the little things that make one unique. Next time we are sure to pick up 2 other ladies who live a bit north of her. In fact, I passed their exits when I was headed up towards Chicago yesterday. Kim's hubby Bruce snapped a pix which I'll try to get up on my blog sometime soon. I saw her office which is decorated so well that Stampin Up better get their photographers over there to show case what real people did with their products!!

In case you didn't see, there is a new PMS challenge for the month of August. It's wow, wow, wonderful! haha. Here are details from Katie's blog:

Have you ever dreamed of having a stamp made just for YOU! Well here's your chance! PMS is hosting a huge challenge! And the winner will get a fairy stamp made just for you! You pick the name... you pick the "action". You can have a fairy made in your image, your child's, your best friends, etc. The fairy can even be made to have your hair cut and style!


Here's what we're doing... We would love to see more PMS creations in our splitcoast company gallery! So all you have to do is sign up for a Splitcoast Stampers account if you don't already have one. It's free and a great resource for all things stamping! When you upload to your gallery, YOU MUST use the following tags.... Paper Makeup Stamps, PMSgallerychal
And yes, the Paper Makeup Stamps SHOULD have spaces. :)


We will choose all of our OMG did you SEE cards for the blog thru these challenge entries. And each week, 1 OMG card will win the stamp of their choice! Thats just as a bonus. :)


You have until August 31st for this challenge. Our winner will be announced on September 1st!


Dont forget, when you particpate in one of our other challenges, like a monday challenge or a release party challenge, why not upload those cards to splitcoast too and just add the new tag on! You're already making the cards, why not get them entered to win this way too! :) We love multiple ways to win!


So what are you waiting for? Lets see those cards!