FLYIN WITH THE FARM BLOG HOP UPDATE

Well, our FIRST EVER release Blog Hop is tomorrow and starts on the TGF Blog!

We will show you all the new releases in full here tomorrow and then send you on your way through our "Flyin' with the Farm" Blog Hop!

The DT has tons of cute new stuff to show you, plus there are MANY prizes to be won during tomorrow's event, which all starts on Marie's blog at 9AM CST! You have all day to play, leave comments for prizes, etc. so no matter where you are "Flyin" from, please join us! ALL PRIZE DRAWINGS will remain open until tomorrow night, Wed. July 1st at 11:59PM CST. Winners will be announced here on the TGF Blog on Thursday :) Good luck to all who enter!

Be sure to stop by Jessica's blog today, too, for another chance to win the Butterfly Wishes set, which is also going to included in tomorrow's GRAND PRIZE.

How will the hop work?

Tomorrow we will kick things off at 9AM CST and show you the official schedule/order of the Blog Hop featuring our FABULOUS FARMERS and our BRAND NEW CROP of Summer Gardeners!

You will need to collect some clues during tomorrow's Blog Hop to find enough letters and unscramble a word during the event. The people who guess correctly and email Jessica at yeahshestamps@gmail.com with their answer will be entered into the Grand Prize drawing which will close tomorrow evening at 11:59pm CST.

Whew! It's going to be a FANTASTIC Day of FLYING and FUN! See you tomorrow where the fun begins!!!

BLOG HOP, NEW RELEASES AND PRIZES!

Just a quick post to let you know that on Wednesday July 1st, I will be starting my stint as a Summer Gardener for The Greeting Farm. The Farmers (permanant DT) and the 4 new Summer Gardeners (temp DT) are all participating in the first ever TGF blog hop. And did someone say PRIZES? Yup, they sure did! Each new Summer Gardener will have a new release to give away and someone will win a grand prize. I know the rest of the team is just as excited as I am about the new stamps and will have lots of fun samples for inspiration so please blop along with us starting at The Greeting Farm Blog this Wednesday.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MY DARLING HUBBY!

We have been married 15 years June 26th. Hard to believe! I know it is trite to say but time really does fly and in our busy lives it is hard to make time for those who are most important. Luckily, we have been pretty darn happy together and I still feel the same way about him that I did when we first met. Love ya sweetie!

I got the idea for his card a while ago when someone at SCS started a thread about
suggestive sentiments for their husband's card. If you are so inclined you might want to check it out. There are some really fun, creative and a bit naughty (but not x-rated) ideas.

This is the inside of the card where I put a cute bustier pop-up. I covered up the sentiment, one because I don't want to offend anyone and two because my mom reads my blog and well...that is just icky. So if you are curious as to the sentiment e-mail me and I will be happy to either send a picture including the sentiment or just what the sentiment says.

CARD STUFF
Stamps - Stamping Bella, Grumpabella; Pink Cat Studio, lingerie
Paper - SU, candy lane, ch chip, red
Etc., - ribbon, SU scallop oval punch, oval punch

Ahoy Matey!

Our SCRAPPY FROGS CHALLENGE this time was to use the ship background freebie from DUSTIN PIKE. We could use it any way we chose so I used DP's pirate dragon which was also a freebie. His images are the cutest and they are all digital so they can be sized any way you like. And in this case I printed the dragon's mirror image so that I could have dueling dragons.


I also put them on a rolling mechanism (tutorial here)so that they could move back and forth while they were dueling. I had a hard time taking a picture of this one because I couldn't stop playing with it.

Hop on over to the SCRAPPY FROGS CHALLENGE BLOG and join in on the fun. The prize last week was a Basic Grey Collection Pack 12"X12" LIME RICKEY! They always have super prizes and it is random draw so everyone has a chance to win. Good luck!

Oh yeah, and if you haven't seen Pirates of the Caribbean, parlay is part of the pirate code that says a person has to be taken to see the captain without being harmed or something like that. It just popped into my head as I was making the card and it fit at the top so I used it, probably should have used en garde though.

CARD STUFF
Stamps - Dustin Pike
Paper - SU, black, creamy caramel
Etc., Pirate dimensional stickers, brads, eyelets, twine

FIREWORKS AND ANOTHER HIDDEN FREEBIE!

Can you tell I love these patriotic stamps from LINDSAY'S STAMP STUFF? I wanted something to go with my table decorations (last Thursday's post) so I decided to make a wall/door hanging.



I was going to put these on chipboard tiles but the layered cardstock was heavy enough to provide a nice strong foundation. I made the navy cardstock base a 4 inch square and used my corner rounder on the edges. I layered on a red and a tan layer of card stock and finished with the stamps at about 3.5 inches square. I sewed around the red layer with red thread and punched a long thin hole for the ribbon to go through. The ribbon was three nested layers of tan, navy and red looped at the top to form a handle and finished off with a bow. Very simple to make and I love the cottage, folksy look.

Once again Lindsay has hidden a digi freebie at one of the design team members blogs so take a look at the wonderful projects these talented ladies have made and get yourself a free stamp to boot. And, you have till the end of June to get a free card kit with a ten dollar purchase.

Lindsay
Melissa
Janet
Lisa
Margie
Katt
Tracey
Tamara
Row
Olena
Cindy (June Guest DT)

Project stuff
Stamps - Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, Patriotic Patchwork Quilts and Elements
Red, blue, tan, white CS
Etc., - Prisma pencils, gamsol, Ribbon

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I made this card for my kids to give to their dad. Can you tell he is into golf? I thought it was funny to make the oversized golf ball and bag in relation to the golfer because he loves to play so much. I made the word window in the golf ball and then asked my son to come up with some words to describe his dad. I put them on a rotating circle so they would spin around. He came up with cool, awesome, caring and a bunch more which I thought was sweet.

My dad has been gone for quite some time but if he were here I would probably make him a card with airplane because he loved to fly. He was only a few flying hours short of obtaining his pilots license.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE!

CARD STUFF
Stamps - Stampingbella, golfafella
Paper - SU parisian breeze, baja breeze, choc chip
Etc., - Cuttlebug Embossing folder circles, brads, prismas/gamsol, SU word window punch

STARS AND STRIPES and FREEBIE THURSDAY

With the Fourth of July coming up I thought I would make some decorations for the picnic table. I used the cute country style Patriotic Patchwork Quilt and Patriotic Patchwork Elements from LINDSAY'S STAMP STUFF. The digi stamps are square but I colored them and then cut them into triangles to fit the pyramid box. I found a wonderful tutorial for making this box from Michelle Wedemeyer. She has a great video which is very easy to follow. The only thing I did differently was to cut the pointed top off about a half inch so that I could put my bouquet of stars (which I got at the dollar store) through the top.


I layered red and and cream triangles underneath the image and left them with their points in tact so that it covered the cut of edge of the blue base. Since some of the image was cut off when I made the triangle I cut out a few of the stars, buttons and hearts and popped them on to give it a little dimension.


Don't forget to check out the other design team members blogs to find your digi freebie and Lindsay still has her June special of a free card kit with a 10$ purchase.

Lindsay
Melissa
Janet
Lisa
Margie
Katt
Tracey
Tamara
Michelle
Row
Olena
Cindy (June Guest DT)

Project stuff
Stamps - Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
Red, blue, cream, white CS
Etc., - Prisma pencils, gamsol, dollar store star bouquet

LIGHTS OUT!

My son's room is decorated in a fireman's theme and although he is rapidly outgrowing it he isn't too old to still want a nightlight. I used the Rescue Ian stamp from The Greeting Farm to make my son Ian a custom-made nightlight for his room. I found the instructions for this project somewhere on the Internet but I couldn't find it when I went to look for a link so I apologize profusely to the one who came up with this idea. I always try to give credit when I use someone else's idea and like to provide a link. If I find it I will include it when I have a chance.

This was super easy to do and would look way too cute with TGF's Fairys for a little girls room. In fact I plan on making one for my sister's little girl so I will post it when I get it done. However, see my final note at the bottom before you try this project.


All you need is a plastic cup, some card stock a nightlight, and your image. I used an old nightlight we had laying around but I am sure you can get them at Walmart or even michaels maybe. You just need to look for one that has a groove that the cup can slide onto.
I was going to paper piece a fireman's shield but I found THIS one on the internet. Hopefully I am not doing something illegal by using the image since it is just for my personal use and not for sale. I printed it out on white cardstock and then added another layer to give it some body. I used black but any color is fine.


As I mentioned, there was a groove in the nightlight that I had that allowed the cup to slide into. I cut the cup in half and then cut a u-shaped hole at the base using the nightlight as a guide. Try cutting it a little smaller than you think you need so that you can adjust as necessary.


I attached the shield with the tacky double sided red tape. Now,I have to put a disclaimer here, I don't know how well this is going to hold up. I may have to re-think the adhesive if the warmth from the light makes it fall off. I will let you know if that happens, so far so good. I placed Rescue Ian on the front and added my son's name to the bottom to personalize it. It looks so cute when it is plugged in. Of course all you can see at night is the light but during the day it makes a really cute room dec.



FINAL NOTE - When I make the next one I am going to make it a little smaller by either using a smaller cup or cutting the red one down a bit. The larger size seemed to fall forward a lttle though it is still usable.

BEACHY KEEN!

The challenge this time at SCRAPPY FROGS CHALLENGE BLOG is to do something with a beach theme. I couldn't help but use these summer time cuties from ALL THAT SCRAPS. I have waving emma in the front and sandbucket trevor popping up on the inside. I made the sand castle using a technique I found at PAPER IN THE WORKS. If you haven't checked out this blog please do so. Kim Teasdale is a cardmaking goddess and I worship at her inky little feet. She used the diamond cuttlebug embossing folder to cut out bricks for a tower and the small squares for the cone shaped top, it is awesome! I used the same technique to make my sand castle. I used THIS picture of a sandcastle, sized it to about 5X6 inches and cut it up to make my template. The little pail, shovel and sunscreen are Jolee's stickers.


Scrappy Frogs Challenge always has the most fun prizes and the best part is that winners are chosen at random so everyone has an equal chance. Hop on over and give the challenge a try you will be so hoppy you did!


PROJECT STUFF
Stamps - All That Scraps, digi waving emma and sandbucket trevor
Ink - SU,creamy caramel; Distress Ink,vintage photo
Paper - Digi Chick, Living Seas; The Paper Company, Tan Parchment
Etc., - Jolee's beach stickers, Cuttlebug embossing folders, diamonds in the rough and I threw out the container for the small squares so I don't know the exact name

PRINCESS PARTY FAVOR AND ANOTHER DIGI FREEBIE

OK, So I totally stole from myself with this one. If you read my last post you know what I'm talking about. I actually came up with the idea when I saw this carousel horse digi stamp from LINDSAY'S STAMP STUFF but used it first for my last post. Scroll down to take a look at how I made it. Very simple to do and what little girl wouldn't love having this as a favor at her princess party? Lindsay also has a Pretty Princess set that would work well for this project too.






I made the image about 4X3 inches in photo shop and this seemed to be a pretty good size in relation to the size of the straw. Again, if I had a laminator I would definitely use it so it lasts for a while.

Lindsay has hidden another digi freebie in one of the design teams blogs so check them out and give digi's a try. They really are a lot of fun to work with!

Lindsay
Melissa
Janet
Lisa
Margie
Katt
Tracey
Tamara
Michelle
Row
Olena
Cindy (June Guest DT)
PROJECT STUFF
Stamp - Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, Carousel Horse
Etc., - Straw, Bead Party Bling Bling Flowers, ribbon all from wal-mart
Colored with Prismas and gamsol

IF YOU'RE HUNGRY FOR A HUNK OF FAT AND JUICY MEAT.... LUAU!

If your kids were as crazy about The Lion King as mine were you know where my title
comes from and you probably have it memorized as I have. When I was making this project that was the song that kept going through my head.... unfortunately! Having a luau party must be the "in" thing because our Wal-Mart has a big section devoted to luau party supplies.

I thought Surfer Ian and Hula Anya from THE GREETING FARM would make perfect luau decorations. If we ever get our patio and deck finished I will get to use them. I don't have a laminating machine but it would probably a good idea to laminate them so that they can be used repeatedly and easily be cleaned.

These were super easy to make.


I made the top layer just as I would for a card. I stamped and colored
the image on white cardstock. I made another layer exactly the same out of solid color cardstock. I used the SU slit punch at the top and bottom of the solid color image, in this case orange. I then punched a hole inside the slit part that pops up.
I glued the two layers together leaving the slit free of the image side.

The straw slides right through. My punch was just a little on the big side so I used the flower decoration that came on the straw to hold the image in place.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

PROJECT STUFF
Stamps - The Greeting Farm, hula anya, surfer ian
paper - white and orange CS
Etc., Prisma pencils, gamsol, coconut and straws from wal-mart, Su slit punch

1st ANNUAL 2 SKETCHES 4 YOU ULTIMATE CARD SHOWDOWN

I found a great new challenge site -2 SKETCHES 4 YOU - that has some amazing crafty prizes and I thought I would give it a try (you only fail if you don't try right?). The only problem is that it is due today and I just found out about it so....
The house is a mess, the garden has weeds as big as my 8 YO son, I have 12 cards due for a card swap (not started yet) and two DT projects due this week (also not started). But did that stop me? The kids are out of school and happy to lay around all day, the laundry can wait and in some places those weeds are considered native grasses.



Initially, I had a grand idea of making a mini photo album of my kids at the beach but time and the fact that very few of our beach pictures are digital discouraged that pretty quickly.

I used a couple of digi images from ALL THAT SCRAPS (one of my new fav places to get stamps)and made a pop up card.

I had planned on the front being a shaker card with sand but the only sand I had was the dirty stuff from the sandbox so it turned into just a box with a Jolees sand castle adn sun. I still like it though.

I made the surf boards a little larger and staggered them on pop-up mechanisms so that when you open the card they kind of accordian out, it looks cool IP. I used the new EK beach border punch from Michaels both on the front and inside, love that thing!
I have to give another shout out to The Digi Chick scrapbook store. I used the Avery paper pack for this project. Since I was in such a rush it was so wonderful to be able quickly find coordinating paper and download it immediately. I would have spent a good 3 hours running to my LSS and MAYBE finding the appropriate paper. Not to dis my LSS which I love, it is just so convenient going digi sometimes.

GOING GREEN AND MORE FREEBIES!

This week Lindsay from LINDSAY'S STAMP STUFF challenged us to use some recycled stuff for our projects and I was more than happy to do so. Also, for every purchase at Shop Handmade where she has her shop, they pledge to protect 25 sq. ft of rainforest. So, I used the cardboard from a cereal box for the base of this pillow box and I picked the brown ribbon up off the floor of the high school at my daughter's orchestra concert a couple weeks ago. I used Lindsay's FREE card kit and stamp for this one. It is a nice little gift card holder for an end-of-year teacher gift. I got the pillow box template from HERE and used the large size. I cut out one layer from the cereal box and one from brown card stock. The extra layer gives a sturdy base which will hold up well.

Lindsay has a whole bunch of great new card kits and stamps so please go check them out. And, she has a new special for June - spend 10$ and get a free card kit. Saving the environment AND a few bucks, what could be better than that? One of the other design team members has a brand new, FREE digi stamp download but I won't tell you who. You have to go on a DT scavenger hunt to find out. Have fun!
Lindsay's Stamp Stuff DT members

Lindsay
Melissa
Janet
Lisa
Margie
Katt
Tracey
Tamara
Michelle
Row
Olena

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

I found out yesterday that if you were following my blog (and I am ever so grateful if you are!!!) that you haven't seen an update in your reader since Easter. I think I must have totally messed something up in my feeds stuff when I added the subscribe by email widget. Mainly because I have no idea what I am doing here. However, I found the greatest site ever THE BLOG DOCTOR
Treated the problem and I am a happy patient. If you have problems or questions with your blog skip blogger help (no help at all in my opinion) and go right over to see the doctor. So, if you haven't visited my site in a while because you thought I didn't have anything new, boy do you have a surprise and hopefully you will take a few to check over some of the stuff you missed and I see that there aren't any pics in the updates so I will try to fix that as well. So so sorry! I will get the hang of this stuff some day.

OH, SO FORGETFUL

Since I would forget my head if it weren't attached I think this card will come in handy. Little Anya has not only forgotten a birthday or anniversary (I left it open so I could use it for whatever occasion I forget to send a card for) but she has also forgotten something else!


I used the dress me and wardrobe sets for anya and the clothes and wishing tree from The Greeting Farm. The background was sponged and stamped with some SU flowers. I tried for some clouds but they didn't show up very well so I will have to practice that technique a bit more. The tree has knotted ribbons in place of leaves and I paper pieced anya's undies using some of the background paper.


The inside says "Hope your day was full of blues skies and sunshine".

YIPPEEEEE!!!!!! HOORAY!!!! WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!

Excited..... ya think? I just found out I was selected to be a Summer Gardener for the GREETING FARM! I was so hesitant to check the blog to see who was chosen and then when I finally did and saw my name I had to go back and check a couple more times just to be sure I wasn't imagining it. Did I tell you how excited I am? I have to say they are right at the top of my favorite stamp companies. I love how easy they are to color and how I can use them for so many different things besides cards. OK, OK, I will stop gushing.
I went a little overboard when making samples for the DT submission so I have several samples to post over the next couple days.


I used one of the new Anya stamps to make a flip flop card. Pretty anya is enjoying herself soaking up the sun. I used a digi stamp from ALL THAT SCRAPS for the flip flop. I just made it the size I wanted in photoshop and cut the straps free hand. This is definitely a give in person card for obvious reasons. I punched holes at the ends of a piece of rectangle paper and threaded embroidery floss through to make the fringe. I put some crystal lacquer on her sunglasses to make them shiny, they look pretty cool.




CARD STUFF
Stamps - The Greeting Farm - Rain, snow, shine, All That Scraps - Sugarplums beach scenes
Paper - Inque boutique - cabana, water color paper, CS - CTMH
Ink - Various SU re-inkers and aquabrush
Etc., - Copics, Darice flowers, brads,embroidery floss, star button from Joann's