Gotta Have Paper!

Meljen's Designs February RELEASE!!

2012-02-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

Here they are!!!!!

EEEEEK!!

The latest and greatest images by Melissa Jenkins! She's just so talented, it makes my head spin! We took some time off over the holidays to revamp the blog and how we do things at Meljen's Designs and to spend some time with our families, too! AND WOW, has that break paid off for Melissa's MOJO!!! She cranked out some of her cutest images EVAH!

Above, I used a pre-colored image, called Frog Prince, to make a Valentine for my honey! Hope he doesn't see this! I think inside I will put "You were never a frog, but a Prince, in my eyes... and the kissing sealed the deal!" HAHA! Or something cute like that. He won't care that there are tiny white pearls on the bottom scalloped strip of paper, or that there's even twine tied in a bow... he loves my cards, especially when I sell them at THIS OLDE HOUSE, here in town! LOL! A girl's gotta make an income, ya know!

You can see ALL of Melissa's pre-colored digis HERE at her website! If you are new to stamping, or just new to digis and you don't know how to use those fancy shmancy Copics or Prismacolor watercolor pencils, then this is what you want to get first! You can see how awesome digital stamps are! You can make them any size you wish! As huge as your printer will allow to turn it into a wall-hanging! OR you can make them Teeny Tiny too, so that you can make cute little gift tags! AND any size in between! You can also squish them, rotate them, flip them, anything you know how to do in a photo-editing software system or in Microsoft WORD! That's why I LOVE DIGIS!

Be sure to see ALL of Melissa's digi images at her website HERE, but for those die-hard-RUBBER-ONLY crafters, see her Rubber Stamps HERE at Whimsy Stamps! She is wanting to make you happy, too! AND if you have time to play, why not play along with our challenge at the Meljen's Designs BLOG? This week, it is all about THE LOVE! heehee! You may just win some free images from Melissa, so why not play along??

Thanks for popping by today! I hope you mosey over and see Meljen's Designs on Facebook, we know you LIKE us, so why not spend some time with us today?? Have a SUPAH DAY!

Get your craft on!

2012-01-28T13:46:00.000-05:00

Meljen's Designs digis are just adorable, and I didn't get a chance to show you the latest images that Melissa came up with this last December! My life has taken a busy-spin and I am needing to make up for some lost posts!! I am clearing out the craftroom of unnecessary stuff to make room for the work and craft supplies I use regularly, so I am eager to get those things done so I can return to regular-programming (posting) of my blog!

The holiday season was overwhelming for me, now that I am a 'workin' girl'! I tried to do it all, and managed to do that MINUS crafting! UGH! I MISS MY COPICS! So, hopefully I am gaining ground by de-cluttering my craftroom so that I can at least WALK in it! HAHAA!

SO, here's the latest and greatest from Meljen's Designs!

Melissa has been MIA revamping her business so that it runs smoothly for her and her family. Life constantly changes us and our routines and how it was working for her, well, it wasn't! SO, be on the look out for brand-spanking-new images VERY SOON! BUT until then, enjoy these! They are from Christmas/Holiday season, but if you get inspired to do a little Christmas every month so you aren't overwhelmed come next fall, go ahead and get you some digis today!

Aren't these nativity images the best? I love them all! Here's mine using Baby Jesus Bear!

Find the above images here:
Meljen's Designs Website!

Be sure to join Melissa on facebook at her digi company's page HERE!

And check out our latest HEARTS CHALLENGE HERE! You could be the winner of some free Meljen's digis! GOOD LUCK!

Happy Thanksgiving & a SALE to Celebrate!

2011-11-24T08:45:00.013-05:00

WOOHOO! A Meljen's Designs SALE! Stock up now while you can! Gift yourself this BLACK Weekend! {Why is it BLACK Friday? Shouldn't it be GOLD or RUST, since it is the day after Thanksgiving? LOL!}

Be sure to see today's new release images, too!!!!!!! There's nothing like getting a good deal, especially on brand-spankin'-new products! Am I right??! Well, there are PLENTY to choose from today!

My card is using the NEW Baby Jesus Bear, available as of today at Meljen's Designs! Melissa came up with the most fabulous Nativity images ALONG WITH some Christmas 'preparation' images, too! Pop on over HERE to see them all!

I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving and have some time to shop and enjoy Melissa's images! They really ARE just adorable! Don't forget the promocode above! HUGS!

I AM BACK and thankful for so much!

2011-11-21T20:23:00.001-05:00

Yes, I am still alive! I know some of you thought I dropped off the face of the earth, but NO! I am still here! I began a new business a couple of months ago and it has just sky-rocketed! So, I guess you could say I have been a bit busy and crafting had to take a back seat for a bit! I sure do miss crafting more often, but I do love my new business!

But I did find some time today to craft a cute little card that I am going to send to my in-laws tomorrow. We won't be visiting them this year for Thanksgiving, but will be thinking of them! So, thought I would send this along to let them know!

I used the pre-colored Pumpkin Pie Slice digi by Meljen's Designs and BOY do those pre-colored images save you time when card-making! HEEHEE! I used some papers by Basic Grey, cardstock, twine and buttons by Stampin' Up! and a stamp from them, as well! They all worked so well together didn't they!? I hope my in-laws know we wish we could be two places at once, but will enjoy Christmas with them soon!

I am so thankful to have found a career that suits me so well and that I am excited to do every single day! I am thankful to have a husband that supports my business and loves taking care of the kids when I am out doing my Scentsy thing! I am thankful that I have terrific friends and family who have supported me in beginning my business, too! Without them, I wouldn't be walking across stage at convention next year! I am so thankful to have Melissa Jenkins and Meljen's Designs as a part of my life, too! Melissa has become such a wonderful, close friend to me, almost like a sister! And I can't imagine my life without her in it! Sharing a piece of her life with her through Meljen's Designs has been such a blessing and am so grateful that she has let me go along for the ride with her! Seeing her business flourish over the past two years has been so exciting!!

But, mostly I must give credit where credit is due. I am grateful to my Lord, Jesus Christ, for helping me grow into the person I am today. These past 40 years have NOT been uneventful and without strife. But because of Him, I am here to enjoy my life with four beautiful children, a supportive husband, and great family and friends! What else does a girl need?

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend blesses you with wonderful memories, no matter who you spend it with! Thank YOU, too, for following along with me on my paper-crafting blog and I hope to post again WAY SOONER than later!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween Challenge!

2011-10-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween, er, EARLY! This week at Meljen's Designs, your challenge is to create something with a Halloween theme! For my card, I am using a just released image called "Frankenpup"! For as ugly as he is, he sure is cute! I had fun coloring him in with my Copic markers! And used these fun papers by Basic Grey to make a scene for him to be in! SO FUN!

Be sure to join me at Meljen's Designs this week! You could win some freebies for yourself from Melissa OR even be chosen to be in our TOP FIVE favorites! It's quite an honor!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

GRAND OPENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-09-01T06:40:00.001-04:00

Hi Blog Hoppers!!!! You should have arrived from Melissa's blog, if not you can start at the beginning HERE!

I am more than excited about Melissa having her own store! WOOT-WOOT! Her rubber stamps are available still at Whimsy Stamps HERE, but from now on, her new releases and images will be in her own store at Meljen'sDesigns.com!

Be sure to check out ALL of the beautiful creations by the Meljen's Designs Design team! The HOP starts at Cheryl's below:

Nicole (you are here!)

Robbie

Robin

Here, my card is using "Topsy Turvy Birthday Cake" that can be found in the Meljen's Designs store! Papers and sentiment are by Stampin' UP! Flowers by Prima Marketing, Inc. This SSS123 Sketch is from The Sweet Stop Sketch Blog, Korin has the best sketches! Join her each week for a fantastic sketch challenge!!

Let's keep hoppin' to Robbie's Blog! Robbie makes Melissa's images look supreme! Be sure to leave her some love! THEN go shopping and take advantage of Melissa's 50% off SALE!!

I hope you ENJOY THE HOP, it runs all week! So, be sure to follow it all the way through to be eligible for the Prize Drawings next Thursday at the Main Blog HERE!

ENJOY THE HOP
and Congratulations, Melissa!

The SHOP LOOKS FANTASTIC!

So HAPPY for you!

Blast from the Past!

2011-08-25T11:02:00.000-04:00

This week at Meljen's Designs, we are showcasing some older images of Melissa's! This week's challenge is easy peasy! Just post your first card that you created using an image by Meljen's Designs! If you haven't made one, then go find a freebie HERE and make one this week!

Here are some of my all-time favorite cards from the beginning of Meljen's Designs!

Using Teacup Mouse

Using Teddy Bear from PCP

Using Stuffed Elephant

Using Mushroom Mouse

Hope you join us at Meljen's this week!

I was FRAMED!

2011-07-28T06:42:00.004-04:00

I thought I would get you with that blog post title! Bwah-Hahahahhaha!!! This week's challenge at Meljen's Designs is to FRAME something, or to use a Frame in your challenge entry creation! This week's release is just adorable, I am a crafty/sewing/crocheting kind of gal, so I loved this week's release!

Above: Sewing Machine

Above: Inside

Sentiment by Stampin' UP!

See this week's challenge HERE and be sure to play along! You could just win some free images and get in our TOP FIVE FAVES if you use one of Melissa's images in your entry!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

RECIPE CHALLENGE!

2011-07-23T15:41:00.001-04:00

Happy Saturday! How's everyone doing? I have finally recovered from my New York vacation which apparently helped me find my crafty mojo! YAY! Here's the LINK to Meljen's Designs latest challenge! Use three brads, a circle and a bow and you can enter to win some free images!

Here's my creation using the Marching Ant Frame! So fun! Papers and ribbon by Stampin' UP! Image colored with Copic markers and the sentiment was stamped using SUP Peach Parfait classic ink.

Be sure to pop on over to Meljen's to play in the challenge!

Enjoy your weekend!

Back from New York city with a release and a new challenge!

2011-07-18T12:30:00.001-04:00

HOWDY! Here are the images from the latest Meljen's Designs release! Aren't they fun? Melissa IS da'Bomb, ya know! Be sure to check us out MORE on Paper Craft Planet and at Facebook!

Find these and MORE at Melissa's corner of Whimsy Stamps !

Check our the latest Challenge at Meljen's Designs, too! You may just win three free IMAGES from Melissa or get in our TOP FIVE FAVES! Just use some Buttons and Bows!

Since I was on vacation in New York last week, I thought I would share the creations from the Meljen's Designs Design Team, they are FABULOUS!

Anita

Using "Birthday Bee"

Candace

Using "Sympathy Flowers"

Using "Window Kitty"

Using "Birthday Bee"

Using "Birthday Bee"

Using "Birthday Bee"

Using "Window Kitty"

ANOTHER FREEBIE!

2011-06-28T21:06:00.004-04:00

How about another FREE

Meljen's Designs image???

Pop on over (CLICK HERE) to get it!

LOOK FOR THIS FREEBIE!!!!!!!

2011-06-28T20:36:00.000-04:00

Meljen's Designs is having a

2-hour PaperCraft Planet party

NOW!!!!

Would you like to know

how to get this

Meljen's Designs image???

Pop on over (CLICK HERE) to find out!

HAVING A PARTY!

2011-06-28T16:44:00.000-04:00

Meljen's Designs is having a

2-hour PaperCraft Planet party

TONIGHT at 8pm Eastern!

There will be challenges to face

and

Freebies to be shared!!!!

Be there (CLICK HERE) or be square!

Gotta Have Bling! Special #4

2011-06-04T19:23:00.000-04:00

Back to Business Bash!

Special #4

To read the write up on this

Rainbow Connection bracelet
(available at Gotta Have Bling! CLICK HERE!

It was $68.00! But until June 6th...

Special #4

is JUST $53.00!!!

(Shipping is $2.00 in the USA

I gotta pay for shipping supplies, you know!!)

After June 6th it will go back to $68.00

and shipping will be $3.50 in the USA, $6.00 elsewhere!

This 'Rainbow Connection' bracelet can be changed to an adjustable lobster-clasp, which is perfect for gift giving, since you may not know the 'EXACT' size to get your friend or relative! If you know the approximate size we can change it to an adjustable clasp and it will give you a little more lee-way! Please indicate in the paypal buttons below!

Don't forget about getting in on the blog candy!

BLOG CANDY ALERT!

2011-06-04T10:28:00.000-04:00

It's the Back to Business BASH

here at

Gotta Have Bling!

The CupCake KeyBling Blog Candy is valued at $27.00!

CLICK HERE to see how to enter!

More Specials soon!

Gotta Have Bling Special #3

2011-06-03T18:21:00.004-04:00

Back to Business Bash!

Special #3

Back again?? YEP, it's me! With another awesome STEAL! For the next three days, this awesome Black and White Swirls bracelet (made of Sterling Silver, Swarovski crystals and Handmade glass beads) is just $48.00! I got a special price on the lampwork beads and there's minimal sterling and Swarovski crystals, so it keeps the price VERY LOW! Grab it while you can because I will not replicate this one, so once it is GONE it is GONE! You won't find another one cheaper than this one either at Gotta Have Bling, that's almsot pocket change! HAHA! Well, maybe not exactly pocket change, but it is by far the least expensive I have shared ever!

This one ranges in size from 7 1/2" to 8" but can be adjusted during the paypal process. Just indicate in the drop down boxes! Please email me prior to purchase if desired or comment on this post any questions and I will reply as soon as I can!

Special #3 is

a jaw-dropping

$48.00!

(Shipping is also just $2.00 in the USA!

I gotta pay for shipping supplies, you know!!)

After June 6th, this one will be $60.00

and shipping will be $3.50 USA, elsewhere $6.00

Please ignore the loose wire in photograph,

this isn't crimped off until final size is established!

Gotta Have Bling Special #2

2011-06-03T17:00:00.002-04:00

Back to Business Bash!

Special #2

Similar to the BLOG CANDY I am giving away, here's a gorgeous KeyBling featuring some soft sea-spray blue and ice-white glass beads! CHUNKY Sterling Silver beads, gorgeous azore Swarovski crystals and some swirls and dots, too! Lampwork beads by Krissy Beads. This one is so sweet and perfect for a galpal or mother-in-law that you admire! In case you haven't heard.... the reason why I love to give KeyBlings as gifts is because every time the recipient uses their keys, they think of the gift-giver!

I just gave two of my children's teachers KeyBlings for thank you gifts at the end of the school year and they both just loved them! They sparkle when they dangle in the ignition and when dripping out of their purse-pockets and they are fun to play with and admire when standing in line at the post office! PLUS you don't need to worry about special sizing, like a bracelet! I LOVE ME A GIFTY-KEYBLING! haha!

(OH, in case you are wondering, YES, these are durable! I have dropped my keybling on marble floors at the dentist office, paved parking lots and even my cement driveway and not ONE of my beads chipped! So, you can feel safe knowing you are purchasing a keybling that will last quite a while!)

Special #2

Seaspray with Ice KeyBling

Just $21.50!!

That's over 20% OFF and pretty much near my cost, actually...

(Shipping is also just $2.00 in the USA!

I gotta pay for shipping supplies, you know!)

After June 6th, this will be back to it's normal $27.00 price

and shipping will be $3.50 USA or $6.00 elsewhere

Don't forget to check out the BLOG CANDY!

Gotta Have Bling SPECIAL #1

2011-06-03T16:17:00.002-04:00

Back to Business Bash!
Special #1

The first special for today is this beautiful Turquoise and Silver Tiles lampwork bracelet! Made of ALL Sterling Silver, Genuine Swarovski Crystals and handmade lampwork beads by my personal lampworking friends! You know I only will put my name on TOP quality beads and findings and that are durable to wear daily! You can change the clasp to a bar/toggle type of clasp, but it will affect the price a small bit, about $4.00....

I originally had planned to use these beads for my son's High School graduation party-outfit, but then didn't have time to put it together to wear! SNIFF!!!!!!! I am so excited to see it come together so nicely, though!

This will fit 7 1/4" to almost 8" at various links in the link/clasp, which is nice for those of you who gain water during the summer like me! HAHA! If you need it larger, just indicate the size you need in the paypal info box and I will adjust prior to shipping! Please email me anytime to ask questions prior to purchase! I have just ONE of these right now, but can make more, there just will be a 2-3 week leadtime on those.... oh, THE PRICE????

Today's Special #1

is just a tad more than MY cost....

Just $66.00!!

(Shipping is also just $2.00 in the USA!

I gotta pay for packaging supplies, you know!)

After June 6th, this will be $78.00

and shipping will be $3.50 USA or $6.00 elsewhere

Please ignore the loose wire in the photograph,

this isn't crimped off until final size is established!

BLOG CANDY!!!

2011-06-03T14:36:00.000-04:00

BLOG CANDY #1!!

It's the Back to Business BASH

Gotta Have Bling!

And what is a BASH without BLOGCANDY???

I know... BORING! HAHA!

EEEeeeek!!! Isn't this just so EXCITING!? This is YOUR CHANCE to win a one-of-a-kind, Gotta Have Bling-artisan item for FREE, just for spreading the word about the come-back of Gotta Have Bling!!!!! Easy Peasy! AND what is up for grabs? Well........

Here's your chance to get this awesome KEYBLING, as I call them, better known as a Key Chain! This cupcake KeyBling is made entirely of Sterling Silver, Genuine Swarovski crystals and handmade lampwork beads, these by Kristine Dery of Krissy Beads! Simply slide the sterling silver ring on your current keyring, or I can provide you with one so you can 'gift' this to someone special; I will even to ship it to them for you if you win it and would like to share it with a friend or family member!
The CupCake KeyBling is valued at $27.00!

SO, HOW DO YOU ENTER TO WIN?

There are many ways to enter, thus giving you MANY opportunities to have your name being drawn!

FIRST, you can share the Gotta Have Bling Back to Business Bash via:

(1) your BLOG
(2) your Facebook
(3) your Twitter
(4) your email address book; be sure to CC: ME at {anderson(dot)arts(at)insightbb(dot)com}!

Each time you share Gotta Have Bling by doing one of the four options above, you will get FIVE entries to enter to win the blog candy! Can you do all four? SURE! Be sure you comment over at GOTTA HAVE BLING (not here on GottaHavePaper!)!

CLICK HERE FOR THE

RULES AND DETAILS!

BLOG CANDY DRAWING WILL BE in ONE WEEK, Friday 10th at noontime! So, what are you waiting for? Get moving and Thank You (in advance) for sharing Gotta Have Bling with your friends and family! OH, and as you see, this is just the first Blog Candy! There will be a few more over the next week or so, so be sure to check back in for Blog Candy Updates and check in on the special Three-Day-Specials!!

THANKS SO MUCH!

Back to Business BASH at Gotta Have Bling!

2011-06-03T13:51:00.001-04:00

YEP, as promised, it's here!!!

The THREE-DAY

Back to Business Bash

Gotta Have Bling!

I am so thankful for being able to re-connect with old friends and customers, to return to the art of beading AND for the ability to share my love for Sterling Silver and of course, BLING! Please join me for the next THREE DAYS for some totally awesome STEALS, special suprises and even some (MULTIPLE!!) BLOG CANDIES to Gotta Have Bling! !!!!!

Within the hour, I will be posting

NEW ITEMS

{and some past items, too!}

at the

LOWEST PRICES

you will ever see at

GOTTA HAVE BLING!!

At just DOLLARS over MY COST, you will find some awesome deals on beautiful, one-of-a-kind artisan jewelry and gift items! I mean, these are going to be some crazy-LOW prices, SO GET READY!

And just a head's up for you, but you may want to check in HOURLY, because every so often I plan to have a "Special in 16" Event, which means, IF you catch it, you will have 16 minutes to choose something Special at 50% OFF!!! Now, that IS special, right?? Be sure to follow instructions that follow when I post it! Because with just 16 minutes, you don't have any time to lose to get something dirt-cheap and below cost!

Ok, Ladies, there you go! The RETURN of Gotta Have Bling! I can't wait to get started and I am sure you can't either, so let's do it!

Hugs all around, Nicole xo

BLOG CANDY INFO

COMING UP NEXT!!!!!

Feeling Crafty? JOIN the KRAFT CHALLENGE!

2011-05-29T14:09:00.000-04:00

Another NEW release

and

another NEW challenge at Meljen's Designs!

Aren't these Father's Day (inspired) images adorable? I had so much fun coloring in the #1 Dad Digi with the stripes and plaid!! It's hard to tell, but this week's challenge at Meljen's Designs is to use kraft, which I did 'in color' but not 'in paper', lol! (sort of forgot about having to involve the challenge, but it kinda worked out, right??)

If you are feeling up to the KRAFT-Challenge, pop on over to Meljen's and play! You may just win three digis of your choice! See all of Melissa's rubber and digital stamps HERE at her corner of the Whimsy Stamps Store!

See you there!

SKETCH CHALLENGE!

2011-05-20T09:20:00.000-04:00

It's new release time at Meljen's Designs!

And with a New Release comes
a NEW CHALLENGE, TOO!

If you play along, you could just be the winner of your choice of three Meljen's images!

Since I haven't had time to craft lately (been doing some jewelry and papercrafts for some income!),
I am going to share a couple of creations by the Meljen's Designs Design Team!!

Anita

used "Stitched Swirls Heart"
for her sketch challenge creation!

Candace

color matched her "American Angel"
just perfectly to her papers!

Melissa A

used all three of the new images! Way to go!

You can find these images at the Whimsy Stamps store! I hope you join us for the sketch challenge, too! If you pop on over to check it out, you will see even MORE creations by the design team using these new images and the sketch challenge, too!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!

Mother's Day images, AW!!!

2011-05-03T13:52:00.001-04:00

Did you see Melissa Jenkin's (of Meljen's Designs, of course!) two new images?? They were created especially for Mother's Day! These would also be great for an expecting mom, someone adopting, for a baby card or even a baby-shower card! So, they are very versatile images, ones you would use again and again!

I used 'Stripes and Baby' on my card above! Papers by Stampin' UP! I can totally see rainbow-striped zebras! Wouldn't that be cute!?? Do you want to win these for free?? Click HERE to see our latest challenge! If you are drawn you pick THREE digis for free!

You can find these at the WHIMSY STAMPS store!

Have a SUPAH DAY!

Look at these HERO BEARS!

2011-04-21T10:58:00.000-04:00

EXCITING NEW RELEASE!!

WOOT WOOT! Let's hear it for Meljen's Designs and their new HERO BEARS! Well, that's what I am calling them anyway!! Here's my astronaut bear! AND it's a birthday card for a BOY! That mean's it works with this week's MASCULINE challenge! You can play along, too!

CLICK ON OVER HERE to see the designers' fabulous talent using these images below...

Aren't they the best? I LOVE THEM ALL!

I hope you join us in this week's challenge!

Enjoy!!

My card is using all papers and sentiment from Stampin' UP!, Copics for coloring, bling by Kaiser Scrapbook and sentiment oval and scalloped oval (punches) made by Stampin' UP! as well.

NEW CHALLENGE!

2011-04-09T10:31:00.000-04:00

HEY LADIES!!!!! Here are the new images available to Meljen's Designs! Aren't they adorable!?

The new challenge may be obvious! But, if not, let me tell you! IT IS EASTER! Pop on over to the blog and play in our challenge! You could win three digis FREE from Melissa Jenkins AND even possibly earn the honor of being in the TOP FIVE FAVES!

See all of the Designers' creations HERE using a few of these images above and also see some creations using some OLDIE-BUT-GOODIE images on yesterday's 'Flashback Friday' post! Don't want to miss it!

Enjoy your weekend!

SKETCH Challenge at Meljen's Designs!

2011-04-04T10:30:00.000-04:00

DON'T YOU JUST LOVE

A GOOD SKETCH?

Me, TOO! Here's a great sketch challenge, going on at Meljen's Designs HERE! Play along and you could be our lucky winner of three images from Melissa! If you use a Meljen's Designs image in your creation, you could just end up in our Top FIVE Faves! Who doesn't love that honor??

Pop on over and see the challenge along with the creations by the Design Team using the latest New Release images below! Kinda feel old world, to me, FUN!

HOPE TO SEE YOU PLAY ALONG!

Happy Anniversary, Meljen's Designs! BLOG HOP SURPRISE!

2011-04-01T10:00:00.097-04:00

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, Melissa!!!!!!

This past 12 months has been a whirlwind for Melissa Jenkins! She debuted last April 1st with her Meljen's Designs line of stamps (digital AND rubber, too!) and grew by leaps and bounds!!!! I have been blessed to have worked alongside Melissa and watch her company grow and I feel so blessed for that. Melissa is a true artist and inspiration to me and above all of that, she's one of my best friends!

We are celebrating our anniversary today with a BLOG HOP! You should have come here from Melissa Andrew's blog, but if not, you can start at the beginning at Anita's blog here! To be eligible for the prizes, you need to leave everyone some love on the hop, and if you wouldn't mind sharing which Meljen's Designs image is your favorite, I would love to know! Or comment and share an image you would like to see made into a digi! That'd be cool, too!

Here's my super cute creation, using the Cuddle Bun Buddies image and the sketch by The Sweet Stop Sketch Blog. I used my Prismacolor Pencils and gamsol for blending to color these cuties up and I also used Imaginisce papers, crystal embellies by Kaisercraft, paperflower by Prima and ribbon by Prairie Bird Boutique to pull it together! (the twisted ribbon rose was a gift, not sure where you can purchase that, sorry!)

Thanks for celebrating with us! Be sure to keep hopping now to Robbie's Blog! You will just love what she designed! She's uber talented and even more creative, I must say! Here's the complete listing, in case you get lost!

Nicole (you are here!)

Robbie

Sandy

MELJEN'S DESIGNS BLOG!

OH and I nearly forgot to mention that there's a 50% OFF sale on Melissa's digis on this link HERE! (Pre-colored digis not included), so after you are done hoppin', why not go shoppin'??? ENJOY!

Congratulations, Melissa!

I LOVE YOU

and

wish you continued success!

AW, Look at those BUNNY BUTTS!!

2011-03-30T13:41:00.000-04:00

(I sure hope my blog title didn't offend anyone! I just love those cute dotted diapers on these bunnies!!! Tee Hee, they are sweet!!)

HEY THERE MY PEEPS! I hate that I haven't been on my blog lately, but I have been SUPAH busy on something exciting! Can't tell ya just yet, but trust me, it will be worth the wait (SO, thanks for your patience!). And once the cat's out of the bag, I will have more things for you on a regular basis! YAY!

I thought I would share with you the last two releases by Meljen's Designs, these images are available HERE! Melissa is so amazing, I can't stand it! Look at those cutie bunnies and here's some images below that say "GIRLS ROCK"!! My daughter LOVES both of these sets and really had a blast coloring in the two teeny-boppers below!

There's another release tomorrow! annnnnnnnnnd a HUGE GINORMOUS celebration on Friday to celebrate Melissa's FIRST BIRTHDAY of Meljen's Designs! So get ready for that! See the current challenge HERE at Meljen's; just have to use your punches and then you will be entered in the random draw for three freebie images from Melissa!

Glad you could stop by today!

A Little Meljen's Designs for you!!

2011-03-14T10:43:00.006-04:00

Happy MONDAY!!!

Today is FREEBIE day at Meljen's Designs! So, don't forget to pop on over to the Main Blog HERE to see the new Freebie of the week! It IS a cutie!!

But for now, I hope you will enjoy my creation above! I JUST LOVE these cute and COZY LITTLE CHICKADEES! Aren't they in love?? I tried to color them with my Copic Markers to make them look like a boy and a girl (boy is wearing RED, obviously! I mean, what man likes wearing a PINK scarf! HAHA!)

My papers are by Stampin' UP!, used my Spellbinders Nestibilities to make the circle and scalloped circle, Prima Flowers (OF COURSE! See all of my Primas HERE!) and my wrinkled seam binding ribbon is from Patsy at PRAIRIE BIRD BOUTIQUE!! Her ribbon is da'bomb and you can see ALL of my creations using her ribbon HERE! With each bundle from Patsy, you get 15 YARDS (NOT just Feet!) of ribbon for just (are you ready??), for just $5.00!!!!!!! OH MY GOSH! That's a steal!! And they are lovely!! Tell Patsy I sent you over to order, she'll treat ya well, I PROMISE!

NOW, onto some NEW images by Meljen's Designs! This week is St. Patrick's Day week! It's ALL about the GREEN, you know! So, Melissa spoiled us with these cutie images! You can use LAST week's Freebie HERE to join in on the latest GREEN CHALLENGE, if you would love to! Our random winner will win THREE free digis from Melissa's digi-line at Whimsy Stamps! AND if you use a Meljen's Designs image, you may even get in our TOP FIVE FAVES! That's a real honor!

To see last week's winners, pop on over to the blog! And check out all of the creations by the ever so talented Design Team and Meljen's Fans while you are there, too!

Hope you join us in the challenge this week!

Have a great day!

NEW NEW NEW!!

2011-03-03T13:18:00.000-05:00

Isn't this the cutest wittle bird? SO SWEET! Gotta love the boots! Makes me think of Spring Showers! This Johnny Bird Boots image is by Meljen's Designs and is already COLORED IN!! Gotta love that! Of course you can get it not-colored, too, but for those who are "Copic Challenged" this is awesome! My papers are by Stampin' Up! and so is the sentiment and ribbon!

Did you see Melisssa's newest releases? OH MY GOSH, they are cuuuute! Be sure to see our New ANIMAL Challenge! You could just be the winner of three images of your choice from Melissa if your name is drawn!

AND.... below, these Noah's ark images are just the sweetest! I think the lions are my favorite, but those elephants sure do make me swoon, too! Check out more creations using these images HERE!

Don't forget about this week's challenge featuring the latest release HERE!

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!

Claudia & Company BLOG HOP!!!!

2011-02-25T10:00:00.057-05:00

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!!!! It's raining, cold and dreary here in Southern Indiana, so what would be better than sitting a spell and enjoying a BLOG HOP full of fantastic creations by the designers and customers of Claudia & Company??? NOTHING!!!!!!!!

So, let's get to it!!!! You should have arrived here from Carol's blog! If you didn't, and want to start from the beginning, GO HERE, and I will see you in a bit!!

For my lovely creation, I used Puddle Jumper Winter Ella with Penguin! I coordinated her winter coat, scarf and boots to my papers (by Stampin' UP!) and I used Copic markers to color in this ADORABLE image (created by Lori Boyd, of course!). I added a little bit of button and bling for a nice detailed touch!

Isn't she the sweetest??!

It's time to keep hopping!!!!! Be sure to comment on everyone's creation to be eligible for the prizes that Claudia is giving away on the HOP! You have until Monday 12pm NOON Eastern time to get your voice heard!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving me some love!

NOWWWWWWW, HOP ON OVER TO....

PAOLA'S BLOG!

She's sure to amaze you with her talent!

Joy

Nicole - THAT'S ME!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

2011-02-17T08:54:00.000-05:00

Happy THURSDAY!

Another Thursday and another release from Meljen's Designs! Looky at these SUPAH cute Birthday and Celebration images! They are so HAPPY!!!!!!!! Today is one of Meljen's Designs Designer's Birthdays! Jess' birthday is today! AND POOR THING, she's SICK on her big day! SO SAD! Stop by and leave her some love if you have time! She'd feel so much better!

{Hope you feel better, Jess!}

For my card, I used Birthday Cake Mouse! Isn't he the cutest?? I cropped off the bottom portion of the image, but you can see the entire image and ALL of the new images below....

So, in honor of Jess' Birthday, this week's challenge at Meljen's Designs is to make a Birthday card that INCLUDES a birthday Sentiment!! Click on over to see the details of the challenge AND to see ALL of the designers creations using these SUPAH cute images above!! You won't want to miss out on this batch of talent, that's for sure!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by

and

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

MELJEN'S DESIGNS DIGIS ON SALE!

2011-02-11T14:40:00.046-05:00

SURPRISE, it's a SALE!!!!!!

Beginning today and ending on Sunday,

ALL of Melissa's digi-images are 20% OFF!!!!

Gift yourself for Valentine's Day!

You'll be glad you did!

GET YOUR DIGI'S HERE!!

NEW RELEASE & A FREEBIE, TOO!

2011-02-10T21:37:00.000-05:00

A NEW RELEASE

means...

NEW images along with a NEW challenge!

Are you ready? TAG you are it! Make a tag and you could just be the next random winner of three digis from Meljen's Designs!!! See details of the challenge on the BLOG! And see all of the new creations by the Designers, using these images below....

These are so cute and PUNNY! I just love puns! AND did you see my BERRY cute card above? Well, that one you can have FREE! It's our Monday Freebie of the week! Check that out on the BLOG too!

Blog Hop WINNER!!!!!

2011-02-09T08:52:00.000-05:00

Here's my lucky winner of the Meljen's Designs Blog Hop!

#16 Heidi Brawly,
you won the Bug-A-Boo Frame image from Melissa!

Congratulations!

{~ Contact me with your email addy so I can send him to ya! ~}

IF you didn't win the Bug-A-Boo Frame but would still like to own it, go to the Whimsy Stamps store! OR you can participate in our Fancy Fold Challenge and possibly win THREE freebies in the random drawing! The challenge closes tonight, but don't fret, there will be a new challenge posted tomorrow with another awesome set of images by Melissa, illustrator of Meljen's Designs!!

Thank you all for playing along!!!!

Blog Hop for PMS!

2011-02-07T07:00:00.094-05:00

Happy Monday!

Welcome to stop #16 of the

Paper Makeup Stamps BLOG HOP!!!

{{If you are looking for the Meljen's Designs BLOG HOP,

CLICK HERE!

Otherwise, keep on reading to learn more about my adorable

Coffee-Lovin' COSETTE, below!}}

My dear friend, Andrea Vernagus, invited me to be a part of the 2-Year Celebration Blog Hop of Paper Makeup Stamps today! You should have come here from Andrea's blog (did you see her awesomeness, yet?), but if not, GO HERE to start at the beginning!

Paper MakeUp Stamps is celebrating

their 2 Year Anniversary today!

Congrats, PMS!

Cosette, (above), may be lover of hot cocoa, but since I personally am a coffee-freak, I thought I would showcase her (and pretend that she is drinking coffee! LOL!) on my card today! Cosette is a stylish little fairy in her green and purple get-up, don't you think? I enjoyed coloring her in with my Copics and coordinating her with my Spellbinders Nestibilities and paper, punches, Copic-colored bling and sentiment by Stampin' UP!

Now it's time to keep on Hopping to see the ever talented, Anita Hovey! You will be glad you did!

Thanks for taking time to stop by and celebrate with Paper Makeup Stamps!

ENJOY THE HOP!

It's a BLOG HOP with tons of prizes!

2011-02-06T14:00:00.000-05:00

Here's the exciting post I have been talking about!

Are you ready to win a freebie or three?!

It's a Meljen's Designs BLOG HOP!

You should have just visited Melissa to get here, but if you just hopped on and want to start at the beginning go HERE to Andrea's blog!

We have three new designers to announce! And to celebrate our newbies, we are having a BLOG HOP with plenty of prizes to go around!! At EACH of our designer's blogs you can win the image they used in their creation! AND if you comment on every blog you will be eligible for the grand prize! See the details at the end of the hop on the Meljen's Designs Blog!

But first, let's see Melissa's Brand New images for this week! They are just adorable and already getting rave reviews! (from ME of course!) Aren't they the sweetest?? I KNOW!

Mostly everyone on the HOP used these uber cute images above as I did! I used the Bug-A-Boo Frame, it's so cute and this is the one I am giving away on my blog! Just leave a comment and you will be entered to win it! I also incorporated the Winged Heart freebie from this week and a wonderfully versatile Sweet Lace Heart image!

Below: the fun-fold inside!!!!

Below: HOW the fold works!

Check out these images at the Whimsy Stamps Store anytime!

As you hop along you will meet our newbie Designers!

They are Candace, Darsie, and Robbie!
We are so lucky to have them join us! Welcome, Ladies!

Time to keep HOPPING!

You only have until the evening of February 8th to enter,

so get going!

From here,

you should go to Robbie's Blog!

Or just start from the beginning, here......

Lisa
Lisa M (Guest Designer)

Marlena

Melissa

Nicole - you are here!

Robbie

Sandy
Meljen's Designs Blog

Thanks for celebrating with us!
I hope to see you in this week's challenge
and
Good Luck on winning some freebies!

Happy Groundhog Day!

2011-02-02T11:01:00.000-05:00

Melissa Jenkins, creator of Meljen's Designs, is feeling generous again!

She created these two images just for you in celebration of today,

which is Groundhog Day!

AND the Perfect Sentiment to go with it…

(To download, click on the images to get the full-size version,
then right-click to save on your computer! Print and create!)

Come back tomorrow for a special post!

Pre-Colored images ROCK!!!!!!

2011-02-01T08:26:00.000-05:00

Hey my peeps!

How is everyone's week so far? I hope everyone is smashing!!

Today I have a simple, fun little card for you! I used the pre-colored Frog Prince digi by Meljen's Designs! BOY, do pre-colored digis make card-making faster! I whipped this one up in no time! I used a past sketch by Card Patterns (below) as my beginning point for inspiration. I love a good sketch!

These papers are by Die Cuts with a View and are actually Christmas papers, but I don't think you can tell, can you? The image was colored perfectly for these papers so I just had to use them! My card is also incorporating this week's HEART challenge at Meljen's Designs! Make something with a heart and you, too, will be entered to win three free images from Melissa Jenkin's digi-line!!

AND did you see the latest release of UBER CUTE images (below) by Melissa? OH MY, she is just so talented! Love her little swirls, squiggles and dots! They just give the images such personality and whimsy! Lovin' Turtle has quickly become a favorite of many of our fans! I bet you are one of them, too, aren't ya?? Giggle!

See MORE of Melissa's images at Whimsy Stamps! She has rubber stamps, did you know that? AND she has other pre-colored images, too, that make it so simple to pull a project together and quickly!

Thanks for stopping by!

Be sure to drop by on THURSDAY for a SPECIAL POST!!

You will be glad you did!

Enjoy your day!

Time to bid Adieu!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-25T10:00:00.060-05:00

Digital Image: DinoMite Dinosaur by Jane's Doodles

Papers: American Crafts Dear Lizzy's Enchanted

Buttons: Basic Grey's Kioshi assortment

Copic Coloring

Flower Embellishment: Webster's Pages Bloomers

Happy (well.... kinda) Tuesday!

It's a sad day for me today. I am saying good-bye to some wonderful ladies! This is my farewell post for Claudia & Company! My term is up and although I am sad, I am feeling quite blessed! I have been surrounded by some of the best artists in the crafty-industry! Claudia runs a top-notch company and Gwen, our Design Team Coordinator, always kept me in line! (And you know that THAT is hard to do!)

But I can't leave without telling you about this week's challenge, now, can I ?????

This week's challenge at Claudia & Company is a 'recipe' challenge! Your card must have TWO designer patterned papers, three buttons, ONE image and ONE piece of decorative trim! Pop on over HERE to see all of the fabby creations the design team made using this recipe! They are just as awesome as usual!

All of the items I used in my card are listed under the picture and are available at the C&C store HERE! The dino image is just the sweetest and I am in LOVE with the papers by American Crafts! And of course NO card is finished unless it has some flowers and buttons! Claudia is having a sale right now so she can clear the shelves now to get ready to replenish them when she goes to CHA next month! So be sure to pop on over to the STORE to see all the wonderful deals!

Thank you again, Claudia for asking me to design for you AND especially for giving me the chance to get to know you and become friends with you and the team! I hope you all stop by now and then just to say HEY! Each of you hold a special place in my heart and I will miss you bunches!

Blessings on the rest of your week!

SALE! SALE!! SALE!!!!!!!!!

2011-01-21T16:31:00.036-05:00

Claudia is getting ready to SHOP till she DROPS at CHA {Craft and Hobby Association}!!!! She wants to empty the shelves of her store and fill up her pocketbook so she can get us NEW CRAFTY SCHTUFF!

So, to do this she has tons of items on sale 25-40% OFF in her STORE for you!!!!! The sale begins today and lasts until January 28th!

SHOP HERE NOW

for the best selection!!

Anyone's panties in a TWIST???!!

2011-01-20T16:42:00.001-05:00

This FUN and EXCITING new release {of the five images below} was inspired by the Meljen's Designs Design Team! We were all joking about getting our 'panties all in a twist'! Well, I guess that got Melissa's MOJO MOVING!!!

So here are some fantabulously fun images, ideal for Valentine's Day! AND be sure to see all of the cards created this week at the main BLOG HERE! There are some awesome sentiments posted that go with the images perfectly!

Here's my fun card using the new 'Little Brazier' you can find in the Whimsy Stamps store!

AND be sure to participate in this week's Meljen's Designs challenge! Just use:

PINK and RED!

See details of this week's challenge HERE!

ENJOY

and

may GOD BLESS the rest of your week!

Color Challenge with a SKETCH!

2011-01-18T10:00:00.039-05:00

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Here's a SUPAH cute card to go along with this week's color challenge at Claudia & Company! Red, Yellow and Green are the colors to use! Along with my Mary Jane PuddleJumper, I used some fabulous Modern Homemaker papers by October Afternoon, a bit of bling by Doodle Bug Design and some Kioshi buttons from Basic Grey in my creation!

My card is inspired by this week's sketch challenge SSSC100 at Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge! A good sketch always helps my creative mojo get moving!

And some exciting news! If you ever thought about joining a Design Team, go see Claudia's Design Team Call! I wish I could stay, but my washer and dryer have been so lonely lately and my cookbooks have been, too! So, I am sadly leaving after next week's challenge on January 25th! SNIFF! I am going to miss Claudia and the rest of the gals! They are such good, creative company, fun friends and SUPAH SUPPORT! So, if you get selected you will be so blessed! I think she only has a couple openings, so don't be disheartened if you don't get it, just keep trying!

Don't forget to pop on over to this week's color challenge at Claudia & Company! The designers have some FABBY creations this week using the same papers and embellies that I used! SO check it out!

Modern Homemaker Papers

Puddle Jumper Digi Mary Jane

Doodle Bug Designs rhinestones

Basic Grey KIOSHI Buttons

ENJOY YOUR TUESDAY!!

It IS HIP to be 'Square'!!

2011-01-16T12:58:00.001-05:00

Wanna win some FREE DIGIS!?

From the one and only MELISSA JENKINS!???

Well, CLICK HERE to see the challenge details, but if you know how to make a square or round card, you can enter to win YOUR CHOICE of three of her fabulous images FREE from the Whimsy Stamps store HERE!!

AND didja see her five new fabby digis above?

Didja, didja????

Aren't they just the cutest??? OH MY!

See more of these images in action at Meljen's Designs Main blog HERE!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!!

New Release at Claudia & Company!

2011-01-14T10:00:00.048-05:00

John Grutta has joined our family at Claudia & Company! He has released FOUR new images today! Skip, Hop and JUMP on over to the C&C Blog to see all of the lovely creations by the {OH, SO TALENTED!}Designers! I used LOVE VASE for the main image and the So Random set HERE for the sentiment on my card above, along with papers from the Die Cuts with a View, the "Tis the Season" line!

{I don't think that Claudia has this set of papers, but there are other beautiful paper she does have HERE, so check out those and her SUPAH prices, too!}

A double-button assortment in the corner that has a little splash of Kaiser blingy rhinestones and pearls is a simple yet nice touch for this clean and crisp card. I think I may just have to save this for Valentine's Day for my hubby. You don't think it is TOO GIRLY for him, do you?

I took a close-up shot so you could see the glitter in the paper and the delicate dots that continue pass the little vines in the image. Beautiful detail!

Claudia is offering up a freebie image in celebration of today's exciting release, so don't miss out! See ALL FOUR of John's new images below or get a closer look at them in the store HERE! Just lovely images, I think I might have to splurge and get all four!

Thanks for stopping by

and

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

An AWARD? for little ol' ME? AW!!!!!

2011-01-12T18:41:00.013-05:00

One of my local paper-crafty-galpals, Tiffany, gave this award to me! Thank You, Tiffany, it's so appreciated!

So, now I shall pass it on! Here are the rules for those paying it forward: A. Thank the person who gave you the award; B. Share 8 things about yourself; C. Pass this award onto 8 bloggers who inspire you!

About little ol' me....

(1) 2011 is gonna be a SUPAH year! Not only is my oldest son, Josh, turning 21, but I will be 40 in just 45 days (not that I am counting or anything like that!)!

(2) All of my pets' names start with "P"; I have two cats, Patches and Persian, and one dog, Pepsi! (and I had (another cat) Patches in the past and a Peaches, maltese dog, too!)

(3) I have always loved to color, which is probably why I am a COPIC addict!

(4) I don't mind doing laundry, just HATE putting it away...probably because of all those stairs in my house!

(5) I have moved 22 times in my life and lived in 5 or 6 states (not sure of the number because I was a baby during the first few moves)!

(6) One of my favorite artist/designers is Mary Engelbreit; I love her use of bold colors and contrast even though I don't craft like that at all! Primary colors are NOT my thing! LOL!

(7) I am a Farmville junkie! It's embarrassing, but I do love my farm!

(8) One of my BFF's daughter is in the hospital with pneumonia and really needs prayers! Kelsey had a heart transplant at 12 (she's 19 now) so it's kinda scary! SO if you are a prayer warrior, please help!

For my 8 Blogger friends that inspire me, there's ....

Dee, my sidekick at Meljen's Designs, we are a team!

Melissa Jenkins, creator of Meljen's Designs

Andrea, her softpastel creations are divine!

Sandy, one of my fellow Designer friends and operator of Operation Write Home!

Lori, illustrator of Puddle Jumpers and Sugar Sticks, she makes cute people!

Claudia, owner of Claudia & Co, she's a sweet friend and a fantastic artist, too!

Marianne, she's so freakingly Copically talented, it amazes me!

Gwen, such a loving supportive gal and an awesome scrapbooker!

and an extra to...

Lisa, she's so humble about her talent, and just a great soul!

I would have forwarded this to a few other gals (like the rest of Meljen's Designs DESIGN TEAM and all of the gals on both of Claudia's TEAMS, too!), but they either were already were blessed with it from others and/or I just plain ran out of time!!!!!! ALL of my favorite crafters and friends are in my sidebar at left! Take time to click on all of them, because I have the most talented paper-designer-friends around, let me tell ya!

Now, go spread the love

Pray for Kelsey!

SHAPE IT UP!!!!!!

2011-01-11T10:00:00.037-05:00

Papers: My Mind's Eye True Blue

Image: Puddle Jumper Davey with Dino

Buttons: Kioshi Collection by Basic Grey

Sentiment Stamp: So Random Up & Down Set

Claudia put down the rules! She said to SHAPE IT UP! NO squares or rectangles allowed!!!! That was kind of tricky for me since I wanted to make my card masculine! But good ol' circles came to the rescue! An adorable Davey Digi that looks like my Eli was just what these MME papers needed! And although this card is for a boy, I had to add a little embellishment with the BG Kioshi yellow buttons! Just had to have a little dabble of something! I don't think a boy would think that this is girly, do you? I think I will save this card for Eli's 9th birthday in April, it does look like him!

Pop on over to the Claudia & Company BLOG to see more fabulous creations by the rest of the Design Team! My term is wrapping up all too soon with this team and I will sincerely miss them all so much! But for now, I will enjoy each day I have left with them! Until then, are you ready to face the challenge? I hope so! See you there!!

Good luck!

Meljen's Designs GUEST DESIGNER SILKE!

2011-01-08T10:41:00.000-05:00

{I don't have something new to show you today, so I thought I would showcase the Meljen's Designs Guest Designer for January, SILKE LEDLOW! She's a fine artist and paper-crafter and someone I have admired for quite some time! So, I think you will enjoy seeing her creation! I wanted to make sure that if you missed out on this post at Meljen's Designs, you would at leaast see it here! ENJOY!}

Silke has done it again! Her clean and streamlined style really IS simply beautiful! Just the lightest touch of pink on the 'Mailed with Love' mailbox, the balanced assortment AND combination of bow-embellies, beautiful texture with the punched border and embossed hearts and perfect placement of bling in the corner, Silke easily made this one divine and sure to melt anyone's heart!

Be sure to stop by Silke Ledlow's blog 'My Life' to see more of her latest artwork and crafty-goodness! She will get your mojo on the move for sure!

Beautiful artistry, Silke!

A Bittersweet GiveAway

2011-01-07T08:34:00.001-05:00

One of my Designer-GalPals, Nikki, is having a Blog Candy Give Away in honor of her mother, who recently passed. Nikki has shared her mom with us in her blog post HERE and is letting us know how generous and giving her mom was everyday in secret. Please take time to read this beautiful post and be prepared with a tissue, her words are amazing!

Miss you, Nikki!

New images at MELJEN'S DESIGNS!

2011-01-06T09:44:00.001-05:00

WOOHOO, I love me some Meljen's Designs, especially when they are as sweet as these! AND a new challenge has been posted to give you an opportunity to win ANY three of Melissa's images for FREE!!!!!!! CLICK HERE to see the beautiful creations by our AWESOME Design Team and to get details on how to enter the challenge, too!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Who says paperbagging it can't be pretty!?

2011-01-05T08:44:00.037-05:00

HOWDY, Peeps!! I thought I would share a cute little bag I made for a jewelry-customer of mine. She bought some earrings from me and the sterling wire broke, so she gave them to me to repair. Well, OF COURSE I can't simply return to her the little earring box without proper wrapping and embellishing!!! NO! That would be a sin! HA!!!

I sent her a note in this card and used that as color-inspiration for my decorated the paper gift-bag! I used Stampin' Up colors of Groovy Guava (retired), Pear Pizzaz and Crumb Cake (kraft color) and incorporated two different stamp sets; one for the bag stamping and another for the tag images, but I thought they were just perfect together, a bold/graphic look to both sets! To see details of my card, CLICK HERE!

And here's a close up of the tag! After stamping the flower and sentiment, I added a pearl for a little soft-bling! Then, I punched a hole through the tag and adorned it with an eyelet, then punched the paper bag (already folded) and threaded the ribbon through both and tied it with a bow for simple opening! I wanted the tag to stay at an angle so I used some glue dots on the back for sturdy placement! Easy peasy and such a personal way to say THANKS for purchasing my jewelry!

Hope you enjoyed my post!

Come back tomorrow to see the latest release of Meljen's Designs images!

You will be glad you did!

ENJOY YOUR HUMPDAY!

TAG! You are it!

2011-01-04T10:04:00.035-05:00

Happy Tuesday!!!!!!! It's another challenge at the Claudia & Company Challenge BLOG!!!! {And, NO, you are not 'losing it'! I used to tell you about the challenges and send you to 'A Little Crafty Place', but Claudia has revamped her site and is sending us HERE!} SO, don't let this new experience keep you from getting all excited and playing in the challenge! It's the same gal in charge and the same designers showing their talent, too! AND be sure to play along because you might just be picked to be in the top three favorites!!!!!! (That is a real honor!)

This week, we are challenged to use a 'TAG'! How simple is that, right?? You have less than a week to link up your creations, so get to it! I used some awesome American Crafts Love papers in my card and a cute Heart Home digi by Jane's Doodles to pull this together! All of the items used in my card are detailed in the links below!

Thank YOU SO MUCH to Piali for gifting me the Ric Rac ribbon in my Christmas package surprise!!!! It's my favorite new ribbon! And you know how I love ribbon!!!!!!

I hope you take time to play along this week!

Thanks for stopping by!

Items used in my creation.......

Papers: American Crafts Love Collection

Digital Stamps: Heart Home by Jane's Doodles

Tag: American Crafts Love Decorative Tag Embellishment

Copic Coloring

Ric Rac Ribbon

It's Pixielicious!

2011-01-03T10:55:00.000-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It was a LONG and exhausting week with the kids home from school, let me tell ya! WOW, I can't believe I even survived it! Apparently I only BARELY survived it, because my brain was on meltdown mode last week and I forgot to post this SUPER cute card using these PIXIELICOUS papers!

You can see more Pixielicious creations HERE at 'A Little Crafty Place'! I used a fun Cupcake DIGI by Jane's Doodles, available at the Claudia and Company Store! Claudia has renamed and revamped her DieCutsRUs store to become Claudia and Company!! IT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!! Be sure to pop on over and browse around! Such great products and even MORE AWESOME prices! WOOHOO to that!

Come back tomorrow for another Claudia and Company inspired project and a NEW CHALLENGE!

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T09:35:00.007-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Here's another teacher candy bucket for your 'viewing pleasure'! LOL! I also made the teachers some necklaces, too, but failed to take a picture of those! GEEZ! I attribute that to my pneumonia and lack of brain juice!

I used different My Mind's Eye papers for this one, but still has the same concept to it. Fun ribbon by Prairie Bird Boutique, of course! Patsy's ribbons just rock!!!!!!!!!! (and so does her customer service, too!) You should try her ribbons, just lovely! OH and of course, you can always iron it flat, too, but I like the shabby chic look!

I hope you enjoy your Christmas and spend it making many wonderful memories with family and friends! I am lucky to be spending it with my hubbies extended family, even some from out of state, so that is surely a blessing! But I will miss out on my side of the family, so that's not so happy, but we plan to make up for that in a month or so!

I want to say thank you so much to my wonderful paper-craft followers, friends and design-team sisters! I really do sincerely appreciate each and every one of you! Sharing your comments with me here on my blog is like a breath of fresh air each time and gives me that much needed motivation to keep it going! Life gets very busy, you know, with four kids and it keeps getting harder and harder to find time to myself to craft. So, knowing that you are all looking out for me, giving me support, really does help me stay motivated and keep the blog up! I just hope that all of these illnesses will go by the way-side soon, so that I can post more often, like I used to!!!!!!!! Anyhoo!!!!

I hope you have a very blessed Christmas

and an even MORE wonderful 2011!

Christmas gift for the teacher!

2010-12-23T10:00:00.022-05:00

Papers: My Mind's Eye, I Believe line

ribbons by Prairie Bird Boutique

WOW, just two days until the BIG DAY!! Sorry my blog has been lacking, I have been down and out with pneumonia for almost a week! I'm on the mend but now Josh is yucky and Isaac still hasn't gotten over his bronchial infection! Does it ever end? I guess it is the norm right now with the cool, wet weather, but still!!

WELL!! Today at A Little Crafty Place they are sharing some design team creations using the My Mind's Eye I BELIEVE paper line! This is such a beautiful set of wintery, Christmas papers! I really enjoyed playing with them to make this teacher gift for KayLee's teacher, Mrs. Weidenbenner! The buckets are by PRIMA marketing and I filled them with all different flavors of holiday Hershey Kisses! YUM! I love the new chocolate mint!! Just like eating a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie! YUM!!!!!!

Hop on over to ACLP and see PART 2 of the MME I Believe paper creations! Part ONE is HERE from Tuesday!

ENJOY your day!

Freebie Coloring Page!

2010-12-18T18:05:00.000-05:00

Here’s a fun coloring page for your little ones…
(by Melissa Jenkins, of course!!)

It’s a Letter For Santa that they can color
and leave for Santa on Christmas Eve!

(This is just a display, please visit Whimsy Stamps to download!)

AND.... did you see the latest release of
digis from Meljen's Designs??

See Below!!

Be sure to get in on this week's 'SWEET' challenge HERE
and
see these (and other!) awesome images at the store HERE!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS
From Melissa and the gang!

Beautiful song, an even more beautiful reminder!

2010-12-16T23:04:00.000-05:00

Tag! You're it!

2010-12-14T10:00:00.048-05:00

Happy Tuesday, y'all! This week at A Little Crafty Place, Claudia is challenging you to put your tag-making skills to the test! My mom reads my blog most of the time, so I hope she enjoys seeing this! It's a cute little gift tag with HER name on it! My kids call her 'Grammy' or 'Grammie' and for space-purposes I used the Cosmo Cricket stickers for the shorter of the two! HA!

The cute digi-stamp-grandma is a digi from Lori Boyd, available at the Die Cuts R Us Store! She comes along with a Grandpa image, too! I used my Copic markers to don my mom in a plaid skirt to match the Basic Grey Jovial paper in the tag! I have to admit, the plaid skirt isn't that bad! LOL! The vanilla ribbon is from Stampin' Up! and the red crinkled seam binding is from Patsy at Prairie Bird Boutique OF COURSE!! A bit of a bling at bottom from Basic Grey and POOF a fun gift tag!

My tag's layout was inspired by the Sweet Stop sketch this week SSS86 (below)....

Korin always has the best sketches!! I hope you enjoyed my tag! Be sure to pop on over to the ACLP blog and check out all of the other designer's gifttags AND enter your own!!!!!!

Enjoy your day!!

Papers: Basic Grey's Jovial 6x6 pad

Image: Sugar Sticks Grandparents

Letter Stickers: Cosmo Cricut Tiny Type Clear/Black

Coloring: Copics

Base Tag: Manilla Tag

Whimsie Doodles IMPROMPTU Sale!

2010-12-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

Melyssa from WHIMSIE DOODLES thought she'd be generous before Christmas and help you save a little moolah! From now until Dec 19th at midnight, she's offering 20% off everything in her store! AND with your purchase you also get an extra FREEBIE digi (similar to the one above)!

CLICK HERE to read all of the details and then GO SHOP! Use Promocode SAVE20 to get in on the sale!

Have a nice evening!!

SSS85 ANOTHER SKETCH CHALLENGE!!

2010-12-11T11:28:00.000-05:00

I just LOVE my 'Sweet Stop' sketches!!!!!

Well, they aren't MINE really, but I do LOVE Korin's sketches!! I used this SSS85 sketch below for my latest Lollipop Ella/Claudia & Company Stamps creation using Basic Grey's PYRUS papers and ribbon by Prairie Bird Boutique! A little Copic-love for coloring, of course, and a row of pearls by Stampin' Up make this card perfect for ANY occasion!

Thanks for popping in! I hope you enjoyed my creation-of-the-day! Be sure to check soon to see the latest and greatest from Claudia & Company!

Enjoy your weekend!

FREEBIE COLORING PAGE!!!

2010-12-10T14:46:00.001-05:00

Melissa Jenkins (creator of Meljen's Designs) designed a Merry Christmas coloring page!
She is planning on designing more coloring pages like this and other fun freebies.

Visit Whimy Stamps to download the coloring page.

Please share what you make using this fun page with Melissa at our BLOG!

The Christmas Blues

2010-12-08T13:04:00.002-05:00

No, I am NOT sad! I am facing this week's challenge at the Whimsie Doodles BLOG AND at the Stamptacular Sundays Challenge blog AND at the iCopic Lover Challenge blog! USE BLUE!! So, I decided to make this card using some Baja Breeze cardstock (OF COURSE cuz it's my favorite!) with these beautifully soft papers by Basic Grey! And this Bauble Leah by Whimsie Doodles is such a cutie, so I decided to pop her on top! I love this wittle angel! AW!

See below the details of my 'glass beads' ornament and sparkly angel wings!!

I used this week's Card Patterns Sketch 93 for my card, it gave me some place to start! Easy peasy sketch and fun, too! Pop on over to Whimsie Doodles to play in the challenge! AND to the store HERE to see all of the new angels and wintery new images, too!

See you tomorrow!!

Sketch Challenge!

2010-12-07T10:00:00.047-05:00

HAPPY TUESDAY! Have you ever needed a little 'PUSH' to get you started doing something? I know I have! And with card-making, starting with a sketch (also known as a layout) really does get me moving in the right direction. I can look at the sketch and decide whether or not I should use a round focal image, or a tall one, then I look at the design and imagine what papers would look good together with the focal image I picked out already... Eventually, I get to this.................

This week 'A Crafty Little Place' has provided the first step for you! A very easy peasy sketch to get your juices flowing!!! I used some beautiful paper by Cosmo Cricket called Mittle Weather, available now at Die Cuts R Us!! Isn't is all pretty in purple and snowflake shapes?? I love this! I used Maree Truelove's Wreath for my card, along with a sentiment stamp from Stampin' Up! And no card is finished unless it has some crinkled seam binding ribbon from Prairie Bird Boutique! Tell Patsy I sent ya! You get 15 yards (5 yards each of three different colors) for just $5.00!!!!!! SUCH a deal and she's so fast, too!

Pop on over to ACLP and play along this week using the sketch below! You can tweak it just like I did, too, it doesn't have to be exact, it's just for inspiration! Be sure to check out all of the creations by the ACLP designers using this sketch and these Mitten Weather papers over at "A Crafty Little Place" now!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Whimsie Doodles Release Day

2010-12-05T08:22:00.000-05:00

Happy 5th of the month! And if you can think back, what does that mean? Release day at Whimsie Doodles! Being a past designer for them, I was asked to guest design for them this month! To see the full release of all of her adorable images, including ANGELS and even a set of rubber stamps, go to the Whimsie Doodles Blog!

I am using PJ Leah for my adorable card! I colored her with copics that coordinate with the Basic Grey's Jovial paper line (available at the Die Cuts R Us store Here). Buttons are by Stampin' Up and ribbon is by Prairie Bird Boutique!

Whimsie Doodles has a new challenge each Wednesday, so be sure to come back and see what I come up with for that!

Enjoy your day!

PRE-COLORED STAMPS!!!!!!

2010-12-01T21:02:00.001-05:00

Melissa Jenkins has ventured into a new area of digital stamping!!

Pre-colored digital stamps! (‘Moose Lights’ pre-colored digital stamp –

this is just one of her images, please visit the shop to see them all!)

Melissa colors these herself from some of her selected favorites from her digi line, and she is just thrilled to offer them to you all! There will be new ones each month. If you’re lacking coloring supplies, or if you’re needing to get a card done fast, these will be perfect to help you out. :-)

CLICK HERE to see the pre-colored digis!

(You’ll see some of Crissy Armstrong’s lovely images there too!)

Melissa's first release is all

Christmas-themed!

Enjoy!!

Skating Mia!

2010-11-30T10:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Tuesday!

It's another 'ACLP' day! Today the designers at "A Crafty Little Place" are featuring creations using the Basic Grey CURIO LINE of papers! If you love romantic, shabby chic, then you will LOVE these papers! This normally isn't my style or choice of papers, but I do love the colors! DO NOT adjust your monitors! The colors here are light peachy-pink, kraft brown and mossy-green yellow! Skating Mia makes these look even prettier, don't you think? I used last week's Card Pattern's sketch (below) to inspire my layout and I used Copics to color match Mia to the papers!

Pop on over to ACLP to see what's new and find all of these items at the Die Cuts R Us store today!

Enjoy your day!

Papers: Basic Grey Curio line

Image: Jane's Doodles Skating Mia

Coloring: Copic Markers

Pearl: Kaisercraft

GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!!!!!

2010-11-25T09:48:00.052-05:00

Happy Turkey Day! Today marks the official release of 3 commercials out of 4 being about Christmas and what you 'just have to get' your children, spouse or yourself on December 25th! HAHA! And don't think that you will be able to ride in an elevator or be put on hold without hearing 'I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas' or any other traditional Christmas song!!

SO, I might as well kick it off with Melissa Jenkin's NEW release (below) featuring this uber cute Christmas tree and a couple mugs of cocoa! And it wouldn't feel like Christmas without carrolling snowmen and a glimpse of homemade Gingerbread men ornaments hanging from a primative Christmas tree or two!

See all of them HERE at the Whimsy Stamps store and pop on over to see a handful of creations by the Meljen's Designs DT on the blog, which also announces the new challenge of the week, Buttons & Bows!! You could win 3 images of your choice, including ANY of these below, if you are randomly picked!

I based my card on this week's Sweet Stop Sketch Blog challenge below! I didn't finish the inside due to time constraints (had to bake some cookies, you know!), so I can't officially enter it, but I do like the sketch! Korin always has good sketches!!

Thanks so much for checking in on me!

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with PIE and NAPS! That's what I am aiming for anyways!

Blessings to you and yours!!

MY CARD: papers: Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses

Button: Stampin' Up!

Ribbon: Prairie Bird Boutique

Crushed glass glitter by LSS.

Joy Snowman!

2010-11-23T10:00:00.040-05:00

HAPPY TUESDAY!!!!!!

Are you excited that Thanksgiving is just TWO DAYS AWAY??? I don't know about you, but I LOVE ME SOME PIE!!!!!!!! HAHA! There's nothing else that says 'Thanksgiving' better than some homemade pumpkin pie! I can't wait to eat some! But, since I have to wait, I might as well get crafty and make some cards, right?!!

SO, here you go!!!!!!!!! A Crafty Little Place isn't having a 'formal' challenge this week, but asked us to use these awesome papers by Basic Grey from the Marjolaine line! Aren't these beautiful? When you first look at the collection, it doesn't really make winter come to mind, but I really wanted to use this sweet Joy Snowman digi by Jane's Doodles, so I made it work!

A close up of the glittery SMOOCH by Stampin' Up!, isn't is lovely? It goes on like a nail polish and dries quickly, so that is wonderful for last minute gals like myself! The bottom scallop of the card was made by a punch by EK Success, snowflakes by Martha Stewart punches and of course I used COPICS for coloring and crinkled seam binding by Prairie Bird Boutique!!

Pop on over to 'A Crafty Little Place' to see this week's challenge post and all of the creations that the Design Team made using the Marjolaine line by Basic Grey! And don't forget that Claudia couldn't wait until Black Friday to begin offering awesome steals and deals! Check out the Die Cuts R Us store every day this week, INCLUDING Thanksgiving, to get in on some awesome sales!

Papers: Basic Grey Marjolaine 6x6 collection

image: Joy Snowman by Jane's Doodles

Copic Coloring

WANT ONE????

2010-11-21T22:08:00.000-05:00

If you are ONE of the FIRST 12 people who place an order for $100 or more beginning tomorrow at the

DIE CUTS R US STORE HERE

you will get one of these totally awesome Limited edition sets by Quickutz!!!!

See the glorious details HERE on the ACLP blog! Claudia just couldn't wait for 'Black Friday' to show her appreciation to her fabulous customers, so you are going to be able to take advantage of her generosity as early as TOMORROW! Start making your shopping list NOW!

ENJOY!!

Face the SPARKLE!

2010-11-21T10:51:00.015-05:00

Hi PEOPLE! Long time, I know! It has been a crazy-busy week! Besides the typical 2 hours of homework every night with the kids, regular shopping, cleaning, and homey stuff, Eli and I had haircuts, then had a few jewelry things to wrap up AND I had to figure out coordinating clothes for ALL SIX of us for our new Church Directory picture! Who KNEW that doing that would be so much work!? Josh came home this weekend to be in the picture, too, of course! And his paternal-grandma is having her Thanksgiving tomorrow so he's getting a headstart on that pumpkin pie! I AM SO JEALOUS!

Just a few more days of the Fall/Thanksgiving 'feeling',

then we will be facing this..............

YES, that's right, all things Christmas! YAY and BOO at the same time for me! When the holidays come I am a wicked stressball, but I ALWAYS end up being blessed with wonderful memories, so that's good!

My card features a Happy Holiday Wreath by Meljen's Designs and is supah BLINGY with Martha Stewart extra fine glitter to let you know about the new challenge this week! You have till Wednesday to get your card entered for a chance to win three images of your choice, so play along!! My papers are by Basic Grey, the Jovial 6x6 line that you can see HERE at the Die Cuts R Us store and my wonderful crinkled seam-binding ribbon is from Patsy at the Prairie Bird Boutique!!

Pop on over to Meljen's main blog and check out the challenge details! OH and you have just one more day to get in on the Fisher Moose giveaway HERE, too!

GOOD LUCK!

New Challenge Blog!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-20T23:23:00.000-05:00

If you know me, I LOVE challenge blogs! Well, I got wind of a new challenge blog called Card Makin' Mamas! Isn't that the cutest??? So easy to remember, too!!!!!!!!

A new challenge has been posted and I AM SURE that you can play along this week, because it is ALL about HOLIDAYS!!!! So link your creations to the CMM challenge blog and you could just win their prize this week!!!!!!! What is it? Well, "JUST" four images of YOUR choice from Meljen's Designs digi line!! That's some incentive, eh?

I have a holiday card being posted on here tomorrow that I am going to be entering into Jessica's challenge, I hope you can play along, too!

See you in the morning!

Special Release TODAY!

2010-11-16T12:08:00.042-05:00

Today we are celebrating the LIFE of Keith L. Smith! Who is he? He is the father of Melissa Jenkins, the creator of Meljen's Designs! Melissa's father passed away one year ago today and we have decided to celebrate his love for fishing with a special release of these images below! Aren't they cute?

Today, of course, is bittersweet for Melissa. While I am sure she is sad and misses him terribly, I KNOW she is grateful for all of those special moments she shared with him and that HER KIDS shared with their grandpa! We hope that you celebrate his life with us today! There's a special give-away of Fisher Moose on the main blog HERE and also on FACEBOOK HERE! Enter both to double your chances to win!

You can find all of these images (and MORE!) HERE at the Whimsy Stamps store!

Love you, Melissa!

I am thinking of you today!

Altered Challenge at ACLP!

2010-11-16T10:00:00.027-05:00

Papers: Basic Grey's Pyrus Collection

Good morning, Ladies! Here's a new challenge from A Crafty Little Place!! AND LET ME TELL YA, it was definately a CHALLENGE for me... I am not an altered art type of gal, but I do like how this turned finally. I used some GORGEOUS papers by Basic Grey from the PYRUS LINE! LOVE THESE, they are my new favorite papers!!! When I saw these pears and funky flowers, I just fell in love! These subdued fall colors reminded me of caramel apples, so I decided to use some caramels I had in the pantry for this 'altered challenge' at ACLP!!

Won't this make the cutest gift? I think KayLee's teacher may get this next Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but then again, it's kind of tricky to give 'caramels' when you don't know if they are caramel-lovers or if they have dental work that keeps them from enjoying them! Oh well, my mother-in-law LOVES caramels, so maybe she will get this instead!

Close Ups of the Pyrus papers by Basic Grey and candy bucket!

I used a punch by EK Success for the double scallop at bottom and my trusty circle and scallop circle Nestibilities by Spellbinders for the bucket top. A little dab of Prima flowers with a coordinating brad and an array of ribbons from my stash give it a nice touch at top!

I hope you enjoyed my candy bucket and that it inspired you to join us at A Crafty Little Place with an altered project! I can't wait to see what you make!

See you tomorrow!

HUGE News from Claudia & Company!

2010-11-15T10:00:00.053-05:00

There's some exciting news from Claudia, owner of Claudia & Company Stamps and the Die Cuts R Us store!! See the full announcement HERE on the blog, but in short........

Select Puddle Jumpers are NOW going to be available as DIGITAL STAMPS! WOOHOO!! I don't know about you, but that IS some exciting news to me!! AND my card is an awesome example of "WHY"!!

I used the teddy bear (below)from the Puddle Jumper SAMMY digi set for my card today! I took the teddy bear and made it larger (JUST ONE of the THINGS you can do with DIGITAL stamps, TEEHEEHEE!) into a Christmas bear!! The set of Sammy and Bear is just $3.50, so affordable for such a versatile set!

And let me remind you that when you purchase digital stamps, there are No shipping charges!! That can save a lot of money, not to mention that when Claudia emails the images to you, you can begin to create with something NEW without ever having to leave your home to purchase some crafty-goodness! And on a cold, wet, and almost-wintery day like today that is not just wonderful, it is CONVENIENT!! Haha!

Also, another big announcement is that Claudia is going to be holding a special sale the week OF Thanksgiving! No more waiting until BLACK FRIDAY to take advantage of great deals! That's right! You will be able to take advantage of special promotions beginning a week from today on November 22nd! Be sure to check out the sale at the Die Cuts R Us store on Monday!

Till then, why don't you POP on over to the main blog and check out all of the new creations by the Design Team? You will be glad you did!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

New Release in RUBBAH!

2010-11-11T11:08:00.000-05:00

Woo-hoo, more rubber stamp designs are here! Join in the hop (it starts at Crissy’s blog) and see two new designs by Melissa and other lovely designs by Crissy and Ann!

These are a part of Melissa's new and exclusive Whimsy Stamps line and will ONLY be available in rubber. Here are Melissa's TWO new rubber stamps!!

‘Cozy Little Snowman’

Melissa said, "This one was inspired by the little Rankin Bass ‘Frosty the Snowman’ cartoon with the little magician’s rabbit! Also, I just love woodland creatures in wintertime."

‘Elf Bell Mouse’

Melissa said, "This little one was my favorite, and came to me right away. I love Christmas mice, they remind me of the ‘‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ poem…and the bell this one is holding was inspired by Santa’s sleigh bell from the ‘Polar Express’."

Purchase them HERE at the Whimsy Stamps store!

Getting into the spirit with a Color Challenge!

2010-11-09T10:00:00.030-05:00

Papers: Basic Grey Jovial Collection

Image: Wreath by Maree Truelove

Pearls: cream

A new challenge is facing you at A Crafty Little Place! It's a color challenge! And what gets you into the spirit of the holidays better than the colors of RED, WHITE and GREEN??

I used some wonderful papers by Basic Grey, from the Jovial line which are just drenched in these holiday colors!! Just gorgeous! You can see the Jovial collection that Claudia has in the Die Cuts R Us store HERE!

For my card, I used Maree Truelove's new wreath image and of course had to add some Prairie Bird Boutique seam binding ribbon to add some shabby-chic style! A Stampin' Up! button threaded with some twine atop the ribbon really shows off the color challenge nicely!

Be sure to check out all of the Designers color challenge cards using the Jovial line at the ACLP blog! I look forward to seeing what you make this week at A Crafty Little Place!

See you tomorrow!

WINTER CELEBRATION HOP!

2010-11-05T10:00:00.067-04:00

Welcome to the

Claudia & Company Winter Release Party!

If you are already 'hopping' then you should have come here from Krista's awesome BLOG!

If not, you may want to start at the beginning HERE!

You have seen a couple of sneaky peeks over the past week, but here's the full collection of images! Introducing a new Gingerbread House, by Jane of Jane's Doodles.......

Then of course, the beautiful Wreath by Maree Truelove......

And Skating Mia by Jane's Doodles........

Hop along and leave some love as you go to be entered into the prize drawing! All of these images can be found at the Die Cuts R Us store! And of course you can see tons more inspiration at the Claudia and Company BLOG each week!

I hope you enjoyed my cards today! If you like, become a stalker, er uh, I mean a Follower! I love having new crafty friends! Hope to see you again soon!

{Now, HOP ALONG to Margie's Blog!

She's super stylish!

AND so are her creations!}

Here's the complete list.......

Claudia & Company Blog

Nicole (you are here!)

Our wonderful guest designer:

Mercy Kerin

Claudia

New IMAGES & some inspiration!

2010-11-04T07:53:00.001-04:00

Using Meljen's Designs 'SKIING MOUSE' and some fabulous papers by Stampin' Up! I made this card for some seasonal fun! Gotta love Baja Breeze, my most favorite color by Stampin' Up! I swear I am going to paint my entire house inside AND OUT this color some day! HAHAA!

AND BELOW........

some AWESOME new images by Melissa!

Released just today, these images just scream "THANKSGIVING", don't they? I am finally getting some autumn weather here in Southern Indiana! Took long enough! It was mid-October before it dipped into the low 70's during the day! Check out all of the Design Team creations on the Meljen's Designs BLOG HERE and also check out the new 'SHAPE CHALLENGE', too! It's another easy one!

See you tomorrow!

Another Sneaky Peak!

2010-11-03T10:00:00.002-04:00

Howdy Peeps! Here's another preview of what is to come this Friday at Claudia and Company! Another fun winter image for the WINTER BLOG HOP! Jane of Jane's Doodles outdid herself with this image! Isn't she sweet? I used a "BFF" sentiment from the So Random stamp set HERE for my card, along with ribbon and papers by Stampin' Up! A little Copic coloring and VIOLA! A really sweet card!

This card was inspired by this week's sketch by MOJO MONDAY below! Gotta love a little MOJO!

Come back tomorrow to see some new SCHTUFF and also be ready for Friday's Winter Blog Hop! There will surely be prizes to win and fabulous creations to get your MOJO MOVING!

Enjoy your day!

Sketch Challenge!!

2010-11-02T10:00:00.030-04:00

SugarStick Digital Image: Grandparents

Miss You: So Random Sentiment Stamp Set

Papers: Basic Grey's Wander Sampler pack

HAPPY TUESDAY!

Another challenge from A Crafty Little Place! This week it is a sketch challenge! Put it together with a "masculine" twist and you can enter this week's challenge HERE! I used Basic Grey's Wander paper line for my card, adding a bit of Not Quite Navy blue cardstock as an accent color. A touch of twine through my button gives it a nice touch without over-doing it for a MAN-card! The man image is ONE of two from the Grandparents SUGARSTICKS collection by Lori Boyd! You can see her images, these papers and the sentiment (Miss You) vertical set in the Die Cuts R Us store HERE!

I think I may send this to my minister that just retired last year. I really do miss him and I think he would appreciate a personal note letting him know how much he's missed by me and my family! Miss you, Steve!

Hope you face the challenge this week at ACLP!

Meljen's Designs Freebie of the week!

2010-11-01T08:38:00.000-04:00

Look at this fabulous Holiday Bird! Melissa, fabuloso creator of Meljen's Designs, is really giving us some versatile freebies!! This one could be used now for a fall-Thanksgiving card or you could color it up in holiday colors, too! AND in the Spring, why not make it yellow, like a canary? You will use this one a ton, I am SURE!

Be sure to click on it to get the bigger version in a new window, then right-click to save it on your computer! Print away and Create! Don't forget to face this week's SEEING DOUBLE challenge HERE!! You could just win some freebie images just for playing along!

Thank you, Melissa!!

SNEAKY PEEK!

2010-10-29T10:00:00.001-04:00

HaPpY FrIdAy! It's a preview day today! Claudia & Company will be releasing some fabulous new images on November 5th, but I am allowed to give you a little SNEAKY PEEK of one of the new images today! Maree Truelove designed this sweet wreath stamp! Of course I am sure she had Christmas in mind when creating it, but since I am not totally ready to see red and green yet, I turned it into a Fall wreath!

My card is using all paper and button products by Stampin' Up!, twine from a friend and Copic coloring, of course!

Be sure to check out all of the creations using this new image on the Claudia and Company BLOG HERE!! We will have another sneak peek on Wednesday, so look for that next week, but until then why not shop around the Die Cuts R Us store and see the vast array of products that Claudia has in store for you! From rubber and digital images to papers and embellies, Claudia has you covered for ALL of your crafty needs!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

SPOOKY!!!

2010-10-26T10:00:00.030-04:00

Papers: TPC Studios Rockets and Rayguns
Digital Stamp: Lollipop Gracie

Button: Basic Grey Nook & Pantry

Copic Coloring

It's Halloween almost! Full of scary, spooky and spine-tingling creatures all around us! So why not put them to work for you!? Create something spooky and enter it into the 'A Crafty Little Place' challenge of the week HERE! You could just win the honor of being in our Top Three!

For my card, I used a Lori Boyd Lollipop GRACIE image, symbolizing Little Miss Muffet! Along came a spider by Basic Grey's Eerie collection to frighten her away!!!!!!!!! SO FUN! My Halloween papers are by TPC Studios Rockets and Rayguns collection, Prairie Bird Boutique seam binding ribbon behind a button by Basic Grey, too.

I hope my card inspires you to play along with this week's SPOOKY challenge! CLICK HERE to see the details of the challenge and ALSO to see the other designer's scary creations!

ENJOY YOUR DAY!

Tea-riffic!

2010-10-23T12:13:00.000-04:00

Happy Saturday!!!!! Here's a newbie card for you! I used some new images by Maree Truelove! This Tea Party Set is available at the Die Cuts R Us store and is so versatile! Cute sentiments and adorably fun images perfect for the color-lovers out there like me!!!!!

I used some fabulous PRAIRIE BIRD BOUTIQUE ribbon to tie off the side and colored my image and sentiment with Copic markers to match these cute papers by Stampin' Up! The pearls are by KaiserScrapbook and are available at the DCRU store HERE, too!

Hope this gets you inspired in your craftroom today! I have to go take my Eli shopping for a birthday party, then hope to get to some crafting myself! Thanks for stopping by!

Make it a SUPER Saturday!

Meljen's Designs Latest Release!

2010-10-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday! For some odd reason this post didn't show up yesterday! AGK! SO, now I am a day off on my postings!!!!! Before I talk about my card, above, I need to let you know that yesterday, Melissa (owner of Meljen's Designs) released another collection of Halloween-fabulousness! This is my all-time FAVORITE set of Melissa's, JUST AWESOME! Didn't she capture the spirit of Halloween at it's finest?

I told ya! They are just awesome!! And with this release comes a new weekly challenge! And I know you will want to play! It is 'ANYTHING GOES'!! So, click HERE to see what the Design Team created wtih these new images AND to enter all that you make this week on the challenge post! You will be entered into a drawing for three FREE images from Melissa's store HERE!

Now, as for my card above! I used the 'Autumn Crow' image, but colored it to match the birds in the paper! The Stampin' Up! buttons have Making Memories wire wrapped through the holes, as does the ribbon, by PRAIRIE BIRD BOUTIQUE, has swirls of wire in it, too! I thought that was a neat idea, whatcha think?

Well, stop on over to the Meljen's Designs Blog and play along in this week's challenge! Can't wait to see what you make!

TGIF!