Owl Thank-you Card for Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge 65

I have been trying to get this post up for awhile now and I apologize for the delay.

I have had some unplanned obstacles in my way this past week, including almost 3 days without Internet Service!

My provider couldn't even give me a straight answer about what was wrong and they kept promising it would be fixed "soon".

I finally gave up and figured they were stalling because of the Holiday.

Sure enough, come first thing Friday Morning (right after Thanksgiving was over!) my service was magically restored!

Oh well...it probably did me good to be away from the internet for awhile.

Another issue I had, is a bad allergic reaction to some medication I took last night.

Me & DH ended up in the ER, but thankfully it went fast and had a good ending!

They had to give me some Prednisone which really helped.

I was actually working on this post when it happened, my face began getting real hot and tingly and at first I thought my BP was up, then I finally went and looked in the mirror and almost screamed!
My face had swollen up and had big welts on it (hives I am assuming).

Thankfully, all the drama is over now and I can FINALLY get this project posted and in the challenge at Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge Blog!

Now on to my project for this challenge...

This challenge is a sketch with a TWIST!

Here are the requirements for the challenge:

Create a card OR layout based on the sketch & use

PAPER PIECING in your project!

Not sure how to paper piece? 

Using your stamps, stamp individual elements onto different papers and "piece" them together!

There's a great photo tutorial on SplitcoastStampers website - go take a peek, then check out the inspiration over at Peachy Keen Stamps Challenge Blog from their fabulous Design Team!!

Peachy Keen Stamps are not required for this challenge, 

but if you've got them, they would LOVE seeing how you create with them!

• Project must include basic elements and layout from the sketch (feel free to flip anything!) and the twist (Paper Piecing) 
• Project must be new, created for this challenge 
• Link up by November 28th {the collection closes at 11:59 pm Central on 11/28} 

I really love Peachy Keen Stamps, but I have to admit that at the moment I only have the faces for the Cricut Dolls and one Easter Stamp, so I didn't actually use one of their stamps for this challenge, because I had a specific person in mind when making this card and wanted to use owls, so that is why.

But I can assure you, I will be using them soon, because they are just adorable!

If you've never seen them, you gotta go check them out!

Their "Winter Friends" Bundle is so stinkin' cute! 

It's my favorite at the moment and I'm going to have to get it!

They are having a 25% off sale on most of their items right now and 35% off on their exclusive Thanksgiving Bundles through November 28th!

Here is a collage I made of how I paper pieced the Penney Black Heart/Owl Stamp on my card:

If you've never done this technique and need a good tutorial, you can go to the SplitcoastStampers tutorial that I linked above or there is another VERY Good video tutorial on YouTube by Stamped By Hand (Joanne B) that you can see here.

You can also check out Joanne's awesome blog at: www.stampedbyhand.blogspot.com

Here is a photo of the tools and supplies I used for this project:

Recipe for the card:

White Card Stock (GP Image Plus 110 weight)

Patterned Fleur de Lis (White & Lime Green) Cardstock (From stash on hand)

Dark Red/Pink Cardstock (Colorbok - Bright , 8-1/2" x 11" Non-Textured Cardstock)

Purple Card Stock (Colorbok)

Blue, Green, Pink, Lt. Green, Golden Yellow & Brown Cardstock (Various Brands from stash on hand)

Patterned Paper, Pink/White, Gingham

Patterned Paper, Purple, Damask

Grosgrain Ribbon, Lime Green, 7/8" w, (Celebrate It - By Michaels)

Stamp, "Owl Be Yours" (Penney Black, #40-045)

Stamp, "Heartfelt Thanks" (Ditto, Studio G, #IC0098)

Pearl Brads w/Silver Lined Edge, 2 ea. (Eyelet Outlet)

Copic Multi-liner Pigment Ink Pen, Size 0.1

Glitter, Blush Rose (Recollections Signature Special Extra Fine Glitter)

Gel Pen, Orange

Pigment Ink Pad, White (Studio G)

Pigment Ink Pad, Lt. Brown (Studio G)

Pigment Ink Pad, Dk. Choc. Brown, (Studio G)

Ink Pad, Hot Pink (All Night Media)

Dye Ink Pad, Black (Inkadinkado)

Stamping Block, Pink Acrylic, 4"x6" (Apple Pie Memories)

Stamping Block, Small Acrylic, 2"x2" (Not sure of brand, but think I purchased it at "Oh My Crafts")

Water Color Sponge, Natural (Royal Langnickel)

Glue Pen, (Zig Two-Way Glue, Squeeze & Roll)

Glue Dots, Mini, 3/16"

Glue Dots, 3/8"

Zots 3-D, 1/2" (Thermo Web)

Glue Tape Runner, Small (Scotch)

ATG Glue Gun (Scotch)

Zip Dry Paper Glue

Mod Podge

Tools Used:

Paper Trimmer (Fiskars)

Bone Folder (Provo Craft)

Scissors (Fiskars)

Small Detail Scissors (Cutter Bee)

Paintbrush, Size 00 (Grumbacher)

Metal Spatula Tool, Small Flat

Toothpick

Hope you enjoyed my project and if you are inspired will join in on some of the Peachy Keen Stamps Challenges!

I have also joined a link-up party at Robin's Creative Cottage and have submitted this project/card there.

Thank-you for visiting my blog!
:)

Lisa

Christmas Craft Haul

It's that time of year again...The Holiday Season is upon us and of course for me that means at least a shopping spree or two at one of my favorite Craft Stores, Michaels!

I have been so inspired and excited by some of the awesome projects I have been seeing and "pinning" on Pinterest the last few months, so I decided to pick-up some supplies to keep my creativity flowing this season!

Check out my video of my most recent craft haul and see all the goodies I got!

It's a bit long, but I had fun making the video, because I love to talk about crafting!

Actually, I love to talk in general! LOL!

Hubby is probably awfully glad I did this video today...saved him from having to hear all my babbling! :)

He is such a great Husband though...he always tries his best to listen...even when I go on forever about nothing!

Thank-you all for checking in with me and I will be back soon, (hopefully tomorrow) with a posting about the latest craft challenge I am entering!

Storybook Video for Granddaughter

As most of my loyal followers already know...I usually post about crafty stuff, but that usually includes some tidbits about my beautiful Grandbabies as well and since this blog is also about the "Grandma Life", I'd like to post a little bit about that today.

God has blessed me and Hubby with 5 beautiful Grandchildren and sadly, we don't get to see 3 of them very often because they live far away.

Because of this, I started thinking of ways that I could stay "in touch" with them more often, besides just a phone call or "Skype" call. (Not that these are not GREAT...I just wanted something more to let them know I am always thinking of them!)

So, awhile back, I started video recording myself reading stories to them, just as I would if they were right here with me!

At first it was a bit hard for me, because I do not like to have my picture taken and I REALLY don't like to see myself on video.

But, I realized that my Grandchildren love me just the way I am, flaws and all, so I just went with it!

At first I just sat in front of my webcam and read the stories and just did a simple video, but as I went along, I decided it would be fun to add music and titles and make it look a little more formal.

Recently I got one of those little "bloggie" type HD cams, (JVC Picsio) and I've been experimenting with it to see how it might work for some of my crafty blog videos.

I decided to try it out on one of my Storybook videos for my Granddaughter "J" and even though I wasn't thrilled with the lighting in the room, otherwise, the video turned out pretty good.

Check it out and let me know what you think:

The best part is...My DIL sent a picture of  "J" watching it with her Dog "Simon" and she looks so happy watching it, which just tickles me pink!

That is all that really matters...is that my Grandbabies are well and happy!!

If you are interested in seeing any of the other "Storybook" Videos I've recorded for my Grandbabies, just go to my YouTube Channel and you will find them all there!

Thank-you all for joining me, I love talkin' about my babies!

XOXO
Gramma "Gigi" Lisa

Yay! We Have a WINNER!!!

Well, I didn't get as much participation as I would have liked for my recent giveaway, but that's okay, I still would like to thank all of you who did come by and visit me and sign-up for my free software giveaway sponsored by "My Memories"!

We have a winner....(Drum Roll Please....)
And the winner is....

#9 KIMBERLY!!!!

Congratulations Kimberly!

I will be contacting you soon for details and instructions on how to download your full version Free "My Memories" Software.

I am so excited for you to try it out, because I know you are going to LOVE it!!

Thanks again to everyone who entered and if you would like to purchase a copy of the software, please use my link on the sidebar and you will receive $10.00 off on the software plus it comes with a $10.00 coupon good for any of the design packages in the store! (Be sure to type in the special code below the box on the sidebar when it asks for a promo or coupon code.)

If you have any questions or need any assistance, just let me know.
You can e-mail me by clicking the "Contact Me" link at the top of my blog.

Lisa

Giveaway! Giveaway! First Digital Layout & Software Giveaway!

I am so excited today to share with you my first digital scrapbooking layout and a fun giveaway!

I have dabbled a bit in "digital" scrapbooking in the past, but could never seem to find suitable software that made it easy and yet look good.

Well, recently I was contacted by a wonderful company called "My Memories" who asked me to review their digital scrapbooking software and see how I liked it and I was really impressed!

Their software is rated #1 on Amazon for Digital Scrapbooking and it is so reasonably priced.

Here is the layout I did using their software and it took me less than 10 minutes to complete this album, which consisted of 6 pages:

This layout features my gorgeous Granddaughter "J" of course and I couldn't be happier with the results!

I used one of their included pre-made templates that came with the software and it was so simple with the "drag and drop" interface.

They have tons of templates and backgrounds to choose from, along with more you can buy or get for free on their website.

You also have the ability to start from scratch and customize your layout anyway you'd like.

You can even include music and videos into your layouts!

This software package does so much more than just scrapbook pages.
You can create calendars, posters, cards, invitations, personalized books and more!

I love that you can turn your album pages into a beautiful personalized book that can be ordered in multiple copies and shared with all your family and friends!

If you'd like to see more about this amazing software, check out their YouTube site at: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyMemoriesSuite

There are some great videos on there that really showcase everything the software can do and it's pretty impressive!

Now here is the exciting news, they have given me an extra copy of the software to giveaway for FREE to one of my loyal followers!

If you would like to be eligible to win a copy of this Digital Scrapbooking Software Program, then here are the requirements:

1. Be or become a follower on my blog.

2. Go visit the My Memories site at: http://www.mymemories.com/ and make note of your favorite template or kit, then come back here and leave a comment stating which is your favorite from the site. (Be sure to include an e-mail address or a way to get in touch with you in case you win!)

3. For a second chance entry, please "Like" their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MyMemories/140359372717593

4. For a third chance at winning, please follow the My Memories Blog at: http://www.mymemoriesblog.com/

5. For a fourth chance at winning, please follow My Memories on twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/MyMemoriesSuite

(NOTE: After doing steps 3,4 and 5, make sure to leave a comment for each, saying that you completed the step...this is to make sure you get your extra entries!)

Remember to be eligible to win, you MUST do at least steps 1 and 2, all other steps are for extra entries!

This giveaway opportunity will be open through Sunday November 6th, 2011 and I will choose a winner via Random.org on Monday November 7th, 2011.

If you don't win, don't fret!

My Memories has given me a discount code and allowed me to share it with you if you decide to purchase the software:

CODE: STMMMS91285

I'm looking forward to experimenting more with this fab scrapbooking software  and sharing my results with you, so please come back again and see what I'm up to!

XOXO
Lisa