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Saturday, April 30, 2011

EXTRA...EXTRA! OCL...is in the news!

Our Craft Lounge has a brand new NEWSLETTER to share with our customers & we are very excited about it!  To get a better look, you can click Page 1 & Page 2 for the online version. 

If you'd like to have it come directly to your email inbox ~ visit the OCL website and register. Once registered, click on My Account , then click on Update Address, and finally on that screen, check the Mailing List box.


Isn't it bright and fun???  You'll love all the fun things we have planned over the next few months!

Friday, April 29, 2011

OCL Challenge #63 ... Sketch Time!

Are you ready for a sketch?  Well it's the last Friday of the month and that means it's time for an OCL Sketch Challenge!


I made a few little changes on my card from the sketch, but the basic idea is the same.   Here I used the new OCL set called The Pond ~ I love that cute little frog!


Here's another card I made using the same supplies.  This one was for a technique class I taught at the local scrapbook store.


Now it's your turn to play along.  Go add your link to the OCL Blog and show us your stuff!

I also wanted to mention that Kate at i{heart}papers is doing something special this weekend by donating to the American Red Cross for the tornado relief efforts.  Here's the information from Kate's blog and how you can help...
In light of the recent tornadoes and disaster in the Southeast of the US, I will be donating 10% of ALL ORDERS received starting today through Sunday 5/1 to the American Red Cross for their Tornado Relief fund, benefiting victims in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Virginia.  Please share and keep these folks in your thoughts.


Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Our Craft Lounge (The Pond)
Copic Markers ~ YG91,93,95,97; BG70, 72
Nestabilities

Embossing Folder ~ Quickuts (Polka-dots small)

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Whimsy FUN is HERE!

Today is the day that all the new Whimsy and Stars Studio digital images are available for sale!  Woohooo!  Take a look at this cute little bug ~ her name is Mimi and this image is called Mimi Gardner.


I'm sure Mabelle is going to have lots of samples on her blog today ~ so you'll want to take a peek at all the fun DT projects.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

It's SUPER BOY from Whimsy!

Today I have another sneak peek to show you from Whimsy & Stars Studio called Super Boy.  This image along with a bunch more, will be released tomorrow!



You won't want to miss all the SUPER cute new images Mabelle has in her store tomorrow! 


I'll be back with another project tomorrow!

Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Patterned Paper ~ Echo Park (Little Boy)
Copic Markers ~ Y15, 17, 18, 19; B93, 97; YR07, 68; E00,51
Nestabilities
Ribbon ~ May Arts

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Whimsy Sneak Peeks!

Good Tuesday Morning! 

OMW ~ I am so excited to share this adorable new image with you.  Mabelle R•O at Whimsy & Stars Studios is coming out with a bunch of new images this Thursday (April 28th) and I just adore this new stack of tea cups called Cups of Kindness.



Check back tomorrow for more Whimsy cuteness!

Supplies Used from i{heart}papers:
Copic Markers ~ R37, R59; E33; BG70, BG72, BG75; YR31, YR31, YR23; Y32; YG93, YG95
Trim ~ May Arts
Pattern Paper ~ Lily Bee Designs (This & That)
Sparkly Fluff ~ Our Craft Lounge (24 Kt Gold)
Nestabilities ~ Oblong Oval, Scallop Oblong Oval

Monday, April 25, 2011

Weekly Lizzie Anne Sketch

This week it's my turn to share the weekly Lizzie Anne Sketch Challenge ~ woohooo!  The sketch I came up with is pretty straight forward...


And this is what I came up with...


I used the new Spring Mix Club Set called Follow Your Dreams along with new pattern paper from Crate Paper from the Portrait Collection.

It's your turn to create something with this sketch.  Make sure you leave a link on the Lizzie Anne Facebook page so we can see what you came up with too.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Easter Greetings...



Hippity Hoppity ~ The Easter Bunny is on the way!

Stamps from Lizzie Anne Designs ~ Follow Your Dreams Spring 2011 Mix &
Lucky You March Monthly Mix 2010 (chocolate bunny mix)

Friday, April 22, 2011

OCL Challenge #62...Punch it up!

Another week has passed and I can't believe it's time for another OCL Challenge!  This week we're gonna get a bit "punchy" with it ~ LOL!   That's right, we are using punches with our OCL stamps this week!



For my project this week, I used the set Swingin' By.  For my punches, I used layered tag punches along with some sweet little flowers on the tree and on the tag.


OK ~ it's your turn!  Get a little punchy and share the link to your creation on the OCL Blog.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Just for Mom...


The week is just flying by ~ Thursday already!!!  

I wanted to share this project with you today using the new Mother Defined single from Lizzie Anne Designs.  I used the new Hello Luscious papers and Pinwheel flowers by Basic Grey.

See you tomorrow with a new challenge card from OCL!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

New Whimsy Digi Images Are Coming...

I'm excited to announce that Mabelle ~ the owner/illustrator for Whimsy & Stars Studios, has a bunch of new digital images coming out next week!


She just couldn't wait to share this sweet little girl called With All of My Heart ~ so that is now available in her Etsy store.   I added some text on the digi image using Photo Shop so it would say Happy Mother's Day inside the heart.  It would be super easy to add or stamp a sentiment for all kinds of occasions as well.

I paper pieced the skirt and heart for the girl by running two pieces of pattern paper through my printer ~ just make sure you don't resize the original image!

I'll have more to new digi images to share with you next week!

Supplies:
Pattern Paper ~ My Mind's Eye (Gertie)
Copic Markers ~ E23, 25, 27; E00, 51; Y21,19,32
Nestabilities ~ Classic Ovals, Big Scallop Ovals

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

i{heart}papers... Exclusively Yours Challenge

Today the i{heart}papers team is having a new challenge.  I love challenge days ~ so fun!   Our challenge this month was to use stamp sets that are only available at i{heart}papers.  Did you know Kate has three lines of stamps available ~ Mint Motif, The Petal Press and Chicken Girl Designs.

The sets I decided to use for my projects are from the Mint Motif line ~ Beyond Borders & Very Square Sentiments.  I just love all the bright colors on this card and the border reminded me of gumballs, so I had to go buy some for the treat bags!



Now don't forget to hop around and see all the fun project the girls made ~

Carolyn
Deb
Gretchen
Kendra
Loretta
Lori
Lynn
Megan
Tracy
Kate


Supplies from i{heart}papers:
Stamps ~ Mint Motif line ~ (Beyond Borders & Very Square Sentiments.)
Palette Ink ~ Noir, L'Amore Red, Orangerie, Sunflower, Giverney Green, Reflection Blue, Iris
Nestabilities ~ Labels 18, Big Scallop Oval, Classic Oval
Twine ~ Divine Twine (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green)
Embossing Folder ~ Quickuts (Sm Polka-Dots)
M&M Treat Bags

Monday, April 18, 2011

Elegant Apology...

Welcome to a new week!  I know you're going to find this odd, but Monday is probably my favorite day of the week.  I feel like it's a fresh start ~ well that, and everyone goes back to school/work & I get a lot more done. 

Today's project features one of the singles for this month called So Very Sorry by Lizzie Anne Designs.  I also added some images from the Garden Inspirations set and Fanciful Flourishes.



Have a wonderful Monday!

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Sketch Challenge Cupcake

This week I played along on the Splitcoast Stampers Sketch challenge (SC328) and used my sweet little cupcake from Whimsy and Stars Studios.



Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Supplies:
Digital Image: Whimsy & Stars Studios (Set of 2 Sweet Cupcakes)
Sentiment Stamp: Technique Tuesday
Pattern Paper: Jillibean Soup (Dutch Mustard Soup)
Nestabilities: Lacy Ovals
Copic Markers: Y32, E27

Friday, April 15, 2011

Lizzie Anne DT Challenge ... Easter

The amazingly talented Lizzie Anne team is showing off Easter cards & projects today.  I decided to go with a bit of an unconventional Easter card this time around.  I'm so hooked on kraft, blue and chocolate brown right now & I love this bird nest image ~ hey, why not?


All of the images are from the new Spring Mix called Follow Your Dreams ~ there are so many gorgeous images in this set.

Now you might want to hop around and see what the other girls have made.  You can find the list on the LAD Blog ~ and don't forget to leave some love along the way!

OCL Challenge #61: Clearly Creative

Friday again & this week the OCL Challenge is Clean & Simple (CAS) and you must use a clear element.  It could be a clear card or have a clear button on it ~ you decide how Clearly Creative you want to be!  Here is a little inspiration for you...


My card today uses the Build-A-Bouquet set for the background along with Say it Big for the sentiment.  I used a pre-printed clear sheet over the teal background and attached it using the black brads.  I also added a clear button on the bow. 


So now it's your turn to play along ~ make sure you add your direct link to the OCL Blog for your chance to win a cool stamp set!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Hippity Hoppity Easter is Coming...

Easter is rapidly approaching and I need to show you some of the things I've made for the store samples.  This cute little guy is from the Hey Chick stamp set by Our Craft Lounge.   I used some pretty paper from Fancy Pants for a bit of a different look on my Easter card of browns and blues.   I also added some Cotton Candy Sparkly Fluff to the bunny's tummy and ears ~ cute stuff!


Tomorrow it's time once again for the OCL weekly challenge and I can't wait to show you my card ~ it's so CLEARLY creative!    I will also have a card for the Lizzie Anne DT challenge as well ~ busy, busy day.  See you tomorrow!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Great Smoky Mountains...

It took awhile, but I sorted through our vacation photos yesterday and picked out several to share with you.  My husband is a MAJOR shutterbug ~ he had THOUSANDS of photos on his memory card & it took forever to upload just the photos of this trip.  I really need to remind him to back up and empty his memory card every now and then ~ whew!

We started our trip from Indiana and drove down through Ohio to West Virginia.  At about 2am, we stopped and spent the night in a Wal-Mart parking lot.  Oh the beauty of RV travel!  The next day, we drove through North Carolina to the border of North/South Carolina.  There is a Cedar Fair park there called Carowinds where we spent Saturday evening and a good part of the day on Sunday. 



The state line goes right through the park!



On our way to Asheville, NC, we stopped at Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina.  We hiked the trails and it was great because we could take the dogs with us on the hike!


 


That night we stayed in a nice campground in Pigeon Forge, TN.  The next morning we drove though Gatlinburg, TN on our way to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  I have to say, I thought it would be nice, but it was much prettier than I expected.  It didn't hurt that the day was absolutely GORGEOUS!




Later that day, we drove up to Clingmans Dome (6,643 ft altitude).  Once we were up there, we hiked UP the 1/2 mile trail to the observation tower.  That 1/2 mile hike felt like 10 miles & it was COLD!



This ice had formed on the side of the mountain and you could see the water running under it.


Someone built a little snowman on one of the park benches.


We finally made it to the observation deck ~ our climb wasn't done yet!


On the way back down, we found the Appalachian Trail & made sure to get a family photo.  The Appalachian Trail is a 2,175-mile long public footpath. Conceived in 1921 and completed in 1937, private citizens built the trail and thousands like you each year volunteer to maintain its footprint. From Maine’s Mount Katahdin and Georgia’s Springer Mountain, this footpath traverses scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild and culturally resonant lands through 14 of the eastern United States.


Then... we hit the road again.  The next day we landed in....
NASHVILLE, TN & spent some time at the Grand Ole Opry!
I do confess that I am NOT a big fan of country music; HOWEVER,
I LOVED the Grand Ole Opry tour ~ what a blast!


We saw tons on the tour and even had the honor of singing on the big stage of the Opry!


After we went on the tour, we walked over to the amazing Gaylord Opryland Hotel ~ WOW!




On our last day of vacation, we spent the day in Horse Cave, KY at a little place called Kentucky Down Under.  We were there years ago when Matt was only 3 months old and Megan was almost 3 years.  Of course, they didn't remember a thing, so it was fun to show them this place again. 


Megan wasn't too sure about the Lorikeet Cage!  LOL! 


But Matt loved both the parakeet & lorikeet cages!




Other favorites were the sheep herding demonstration, the kangaroo and the caves.


11 month old joey



So as you can see, we had a great time exploring the Smoky Mountains and some of the surrounding areas over Spring Break.  The states we hit ~ Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North & South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and back home again in Indiana!