The silence is over, My Time Made Easy March release is HERE

The silence is over! That means my intermittent posting gets to be filled with some fun crafty ness! In other words... its sneak peek and release time! WOOHOO!

Today i get to share my first peek into the release from My Time Made Easy. Now i know this is only release number 3....but truly, My Time Made Easy is just getting better and better and better! I am LOVING this release and just know that i'll be using these templates and stamps over and over again! To get all the details, as well as see some amazing other creations, be sure to check out Lauren's blog everyday!

My project for you today uses the Card Catch All.

Let me just say, this came at a perfect time, because it's my girl Jenn's birthday today (i'm just praying she does read my blog before i see her today! haha!)

This catch all is truly a catch ALL! I kinda feel like there is nothing this baby cant handle!

There are lots of options too with how to adapt it to your own needs. You can add in the inserts (that come with the file) that act like index cards to create fabulous organization. (this is something i did not do... this time ;) ) You have the option of adding or not adding the divider creating 2 spaces (which i did) and there are lots of other embellishment options.

I decided to create 2 catch alls with the dividers and then adhere them together back to back to create 4 nice sized compartments. Here is an overview...

So the front side you've already seen, filled with cards for just about every occasion! It's the perfect grab and go card caddy so that you always have that last minute card handy.

The opposite side i've filled with card making goodies. There is a pen (because you have to have a good pen!) and a little notepad to keep addresses and other notes in. In the front pocket i've filled with extra embellies and prestamped sentiments, making for more quick cards when you need them!

Ok, back to the front of the catch off for a bit! :)

Here is a view of the card catch all without everything inside. I wanted to be sure that you saw all the scrumptious curved details! I just think it makes it look SO elegant!

And now, a peek into one of my new FAV stamp sets ever!

So Sentimental...

That little quote is just one of many many sentiments in this set. There is 1 4x6 sheet full of sweet quote sentiments for every occasion and then 1 4x6 sheet full of larger sentiments that fit beautifully into a gorgeous image stamp. Oh stay tuned... more pictures of those coming up!

And i just had to show a close up shot of these flowers. I would love to say i made them, but i did not. They are by Martha Stewart. haha.

And now... those lovely large sentiments i was telling you about... well i used them to make very simple yet elegant cards to fill the catch all!

Do you love it? Cause i know i do!

And that paper! Oh i love the digi paper being released in March!

So thats what i have for you today! But there is so much more to see and drool over!

Today the Just Us Girls Challenge blog is showcasing some wonderful things

as well as the rest of the My Time Made Easy team...

Lauren Meader - owner

Kristin Bueter

Mona Pendleton

Katie Cotton - that's me

Pam Imholz

Catherine Doucette

Tracey Cuccia

Have a wonderful day! I'm off to play at my son's birthday party!!!!!

Stamps:

So Sentimental from My Time Made Easy (being released on March 1st!)

Template:

Card Catch All from My Time Made Easy (being released on March 1st)

Paper:

Cardstock from Cardstock Couture (Fallen Leaf, Carousel, Ganache, One Sheet Wonder White)

Pretty Printables Digi paper, Fanciful Flourishes by My Time Made Easy (being released on March 1st)

Tools:

Border Punch by Martha Stewart

Flowers by Martha Stewart

Grosgrain Ribbon from the stash

Chocolate Pearls by Kaisercraft

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A beautiful picture...

I hate that I dont have anything of my own crafty to show you today. My parents got into town yesterday (yeeeeeeeeeeah!) and we've been prepping for my son's birthday party on saturday and i've had a pretty large wholesale order i've been working on. :) So needless to say, crafting time has been slim. Hopefully my mom and I will get to have some crafty time tonight since my mom is a pretty great card maker herself! Plus there are going to be sneak peeks for both PMS and MTME coming up! In fact, Lauren has started the MTME peeks today, so you can go to HER blog to check that out! You can also check out Mona and Pam!

But i did have to share that the makeup 4 the weekend challenge from PMS starts today and OMG, lisa has picked the most beautiful picture as her inspiration!

Is that picture not just beautiful?! I want to print it and put it in a frame is so gorgeous! Oh and you should see what my dear friend Lisa Kind did with this as her inspiration!

Go check everything out HERE!

And hopefully i'll have somehting crafty to show you very soon! :)

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It's my little cookie monsters birthday!

My little man is 4 today! I simply can not believe it!

When did he get to be so big?!

He may be crazy, a little bit um, quirky, but he's my little man and i love him to death!

He loves to craft with me. He loves to make people cards (which these days involve less and less stamps and more and more drawing.... perhaps he'll be one of my illustrators one day!)

He loves all things blue, monsters, and anything sweet to eat!

So i made him this card for today!

I used Cookie Man from the february release from Paper Makeup Stamps.

This image so reminds me of Jack! Especially since he's trying to sneak some cookies before anyone catches him! It doesnt matter where i hid them... he will find a way! haha!

Here is a close up of the image...

I probably should have done a little more shading on the cookie jar. Oh well!

Jack has fully learned his numbers and letters and is now learning how to put them together to spell on his own. He can spell his name, mama, and Elle (one of his little girlfriends who's name i taught him for her birthday card... now he spells it all the time!) and he's constantly asking how to spell other things. Its fun, and sad all at the same time since he's growing up!

For his card i knew i needed to have the number 4 on it because after today it will surpass his current favorite number which is 3. I used the Precious alpha set from Close to My Heart. Even though i've done a recent MAJOR cleanout of my stamps (see the for sale up in my tool bar, there is still a ton left) my alpha sets by CTMH were definite keepers. I love the ability to line up clear alpha stamps and the CTMH quality just cant be beat!

Thanks so much to everyone for stopping by! The rest of my day is going to be filled with fun and games, blue cupcakes and Chuck E Cheese! Gotta love a 4 year olds birthday! Time to eat with reckless abandon!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Stamps:

Cookie Man from Paper Makeup Stamps

Precious Alpha from Close to my Heart

Coloring with Copics:

B21, B24, B28 (spots), E40, E41, E42, E44

Paper:

all from my scrap bin so i dont really have colors for you, sorry!

Tools and Accessories:

Man, minimal card huh! haha!

Circle punches by Creative Memories

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I finally found it!

My camera! hahaha! My camera often goes missing in my house as my VERY soon to be 4 year old loves to take pictures! I've been hunting for days.... and i finally found it! Ok, so this time it was in a coat pocket, completely not the kiddos fault! Now i'm missing the charger, go figure.

Those who know me, know that i LOOOOOOVE coloring in monotone particularly black and white. In fact, a long while ago i did a black and white copic coloring tutorial that you can see here.

Over the weekend i had the pleasure of teaching the copic munkies at Funkie Munkie Scraps.

I decided to revisit the idea of coloring in black and white but this time used the Cool grey copics.

here is what I came up with!

Although the card is simple (side effect of taking some time off, i always lose my mojo!)

I was please with how the card turned out.

My image is one of the Miss Anyas from The Greeting Farm and the sentiment is from an unloved set of mine from Stampin Up called From the Heart.

I also used my new big polka dot embossing folder from Quickutz. Thanks to Julee Tilman, i saw 1 card of hers using it and i did a quick online search to buy it!

Here's a closeup shot of the image....

Ok, thats all i have for you today! Now i have to jet to get some things in order for a certain someone's birthday tomorrow! :)

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The time has come...

to do a major clean out of my craft room! Soon i'll be combining my craft room with my PMS rubber and things. Overall, it will make my house flow much nicer. it will give the boys a playroom downstairs. But it currently has made my craft room/guest bedroom... a wee bit CRAAAAAMPED! So i decided.... it's time for a massive clean out!

I dont have time to possibly use all the stamps i own... not even close! So i figured the weed out would 1, make the room make-over a little bit more manageable, and 2, bring in some funding to make the room make over happen!

This is the biggest weedout i've ever done! There is plenty in the list that I am sad to see go, but at the same time, i just had to be good and do it! Who knows, i may even add more!

So rather than clutter this blog with the list (it's pretty darn long) you can find everything for sale HERE.

Thanks everyone!

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I'M BAAAAAACK!

Whew, that turned out to be a little bit longer of a hiatus than i expected!

But after my little break, i had too busy of a week to get crafty! I have however, organized a list

of craft supplies that i'm selling that will be posted shortly, i made a project for a class (which you'll see in a minute) and i worked a political ad campaign (doing makeup on set) so it has indeed been a busy week!

Here is a little project that I made for a class at Funkie Munkie Scraps....

My original thought is that little seed packets can go inside the paper holder which just slides out when you pull on the ribbon. But a lot of things could go in there really! The template design was my own, but super easy to make. Just construct one half of a box and then measure paper to go around it! :)

Here is a photo with it opened up...

Now i didnt get a great detail shot of the flowers, but it's the new ultrafine flowersoft! I love this flowersoft much more so than the original. The texture is devine and not too chunky. It's really easy to work with too!

Here's a close up of the card, you can see the flowersoft a wee bit better here....

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

If you are in the mood for a challenge, dont forget to take a peek at this week's Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge at Paper Makeup Stamps! I hope to participate over the weekend!

Stamps:
Stampingbella, gardenabella, flowahbella

Paper:
LilyBean patterned paper
bazzill cardstock


Accessories
Flowers from floral stems - hobby lobby
acrylic discs - michaels

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Happy Heart Day everyone!

I hope everyone has had a truly wonderful valentine's day! I actually do have a card for you today! It's the card i made for my hubster. He giggled when he opened it and said, I love my cards from you! And he truly does. he has each and every one of them on display in his office. I've taken over a whole shelf! haha!

So how was everyone's valentine's day?

Mine has been very low key with a lot of lazy around the houseness. :) Gabe has had a prett gnarly cold so we didnt even go to church this morning. It isnt anything too major, but i wouldnt want to get anyone else sick. And i did take the time to dye my hair! I picked a new shade (ok, so it will look the same to most, but i notice it!) and i'm loving the new shade. it works well against my skintone. Tomorrow is Family Day in Canada and since we are half canadian in our house, i'll be taking the day off to do more fun fam stuff. perhaps i'll have a photo op with my newly dyed hair!

Here's my card using a hodgepodge of stamps... but the largest image is from The Greeting Farm.

I put my card together a little quickly. I have had the image colored for some time, but just hadnt gotten to the card yet. The black striped paper was a leftover scrap on my table from my Moody for Rock card i made earlier in the week. It just fit perfect for the card so i thought, woohoo! The red triangle is also a scrap. I took my favorite heart from the You've Got Mail set from My Time Made Easy and stamped it to mimic the bandanna on the monkey's head. :)

The sentiment is from a studio G dollar set that i've sort of horded away. I stamped the heart again in red ink (without cleaning it off well, bad me). but my booboo of not cleaning it well gave the heart a little bit of shading. haha! here are some close up views...

And here's another fun detail show... it's hard to see in the photos, but it really makes the image pop on the card. After cutting out the monkey image with my standard rectangle nesties, i used my copic airbrush and a light grey marker to give it a little depth. My image was already colored when i did this and didnt affect the coloring at all. My advice is to just stick to airbrushing the edges and you'll be fine. :)

Well i hope everyone had a fantabulous day today!

Here are...

Stamps:

monkey image from The Greeting Farm (sorry, i'm pretty sure this cutie was discontinued)

Heart from You've Got Mail, My Time Made Easy

Sentiment from Studio G

Color with Copics

Reds R24, R37, R29

Grey's N2, N4, N7

Monkey E33, E35, E37

Pink for monkey heart in tail R20

Tools and Accessories

Standard Rectangle Nestabilties

1 3/8 circle punch by EK Success

1 1/2 circle punch by Creative Memories

Copic Airbrush

Rhinestones from $1 section at Target

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quiet for a minute

Hey everyone... i'm going to be a little quite for a few more days.

The beginning of the month is always a mad house around here with releases, classes to prep for the month, this month adding in valentine's day, etc.

My house is a mess. My hubby not too pleased. He reminded me last night that i'm still essentially a stay at home mom. Even if i run a company from home.

And as mad as I was at him last night for telling me our children were being raised by the television this month... he's kinda right. So, now that most of my obligations for the month are done, time to get my house back in shape and spend some quality time with the kiddos this weekend. Dont worry, I dont plan to be gone long... unless i get trapped behind the washing machine or something. hahaha.

If you are looking for some fun, check out the Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge today on Paper Makeup Stamps.

The digi stamps for Gabby continue to be a big hit but I'd still love for you to pass on the word!

You can check out that post HERE!

See everyone on the flipside!

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I get by with a little help from my friends

Ok, this time it isnt a case of my getting by, it's a case of helping someone else get by.

Because this is what we do as friends!

A dear friend of mine, Gabby, has been having trouble. She and her family have hit a financial hardspot that has caused to to make some big sacrifices. Since there are a lot of peeps in the paper crafting world who know Gabby, and i knew that quite a few of them would want to help, but just not know how... i thought it would be fantastic to release a few digi stamps where all they money would go to her and her family. :) You can read all about the digi release and see some Auh-mazing creations by the PMS design team on the PMS company blog.

Here is my card using Moody for Rock!

I love love love this moody girl! Everything down to the details in her hair! I know girls who actually have prints died into their hair and while i could never pull it off, i think its way fun!

Here is a closeup shot of this rockstar!
The teardrop shapes in the background i simply colored with copics: R24 in the center, c9 on the outside and C5 to blend the outer and inner together.

Also being released today are 2 digi wordarts. The one not seen on my card today (though you'll see it soon) was arranged by Gabby herself! Gabby is not one to ask for help, so when i approached her about this release, she at least wanted to contribute to it a bit! You can check out her word art HERE.

Here is a close up shot of the 2nd of the digi wordarts being release today. This one is really more of a digi sentiment than a full out wordart. :)

Gabby definitely rocks my world! I have "known" her for over a year when we were both on a design team for another stamp company. And now i'm fortunate enough to have her on my design team for Paper Makeup Stamps. her talent amazes me. Her passion motivates me. Her friendship makes me all warm and fuzzy. I hope that everyone who knows (and loves gabby, because who doesnt love gabby!) sees this as an opportunity to help a girl out. :)

Thank you so much everyone for filling my life with such wonderful joy!

You are all rockstars!

Stamps

Moody for Rock charitable digi stamp from Paper Makeup Stamps

You Rock My Word charitable digi sentiment from Paper Makeup Stamps

Coloring: Copics

Reds used R24, R29, R59

Greys C1, C3, C5, C7, C9

Browns (on the guitar) E40, E31

Skin E00, E000, E21

Paper:

Rock a Billy by Stampin Up (retired)

Cardstock: Real Red (SU), Basic Black (SU), Solar White (Neenah)

Tools and Accessories

Labels 9 Nestabilities by Spellbinders

Black Rhinestones by Studio G

Red Rhinestones by Basic Grey

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Surprise Giveaway from My Time Made Easy and a super fun project!

SUPRISE GIVEAWAY!

Today is the last day of peeks from the February My Time Made Easy ™ LLC Release!

We are giving away the chance to receive a $50 Gift Certificate to the My Time Made Easy ™ LLC store. BUT there are 2 chances to win! So the giveaway totals $100! That Lauren is so generous!

In order to qualify you have to do the following:

* Visit each design team members blog to view their project.

* Leave each member a comment about what you liked best about one of their release projects from the week.

By commenting here, you are agreeing to play along, and comment on everyone's post, in order to qualify for the giveaway.

The winner will be drawn via www.random.org.

The winning name will be crossed checked for comments on all design team members posts. If the winning person did not complete teh round of commenting, then another number will be drawn, and cross checked.

Winner will be announced Friday February 12th.

Enjoy!

How fun an exciting is that! I love giveaways. You know what else i love? When I'm able to take a crafting item, whether it's a stamp, template, punch, or even paper and multi-purpose it. When i'm able to use something in a completely different way, and make it look like it didnt even come from the same beginning... i love that! Why? Well, partially because i'm cheap and I like to get more uses out of things. haha. And also just because i think that extra challenge to find more uses for one thing is awesome. I mean really... how many stamps do YOU own that you've only inked up one time. Or templates that you've just put together once? Be honest. Ok, you can keep the number to yourself because i'd be embarassed at my number!

SO, i thought it would be a super fun thing to switch things up a bit and turn this adorable mail box template called You've Got Mail, into an oven! :) If you want to see my original You've Got Mail project (where it actually looks like a mailbox!, click HERE). The change was super easy too. And i love the outcome! I used my SCAL to cut out my template, so when cutting the front piece, i added in a rounded corner rectangle. it's just a shape that comes with SCAL so i didnt need to do anything fancy.

Had i used a PDF the window could have easily been cut out with a craft knife or even a punch.

Here is my project!

Fun huh? Ok, well i thought so! The little details (so easy to change) is really what makes this switch from a mailbox to an oven. I added an oven door handle but just so it wouldnt look like a mailbox handle, i stamped on a little scrap of white paper to create a "towel". I also added 2 circle punch outs to create my stove.

The heart used on the towel was used all over the template. It's from the You've Got Mail acrylic stamp set. I also used the Home Made stamp as this little box is now perfect to give away home made baked goodies, or in this case... some soap that LOOKS like a homemade goodie. :)

Here is the heart again stamped onto my printed digi paper. This paper is from the Darling Dots collection and i just love this shade of pink! I used some pink ink to stamp the heart on top and then also added on some pearl baubles.

I also created a little matching note to include with the gift. This is actually a cut file called love notes and it's only 2.50! Here's a tip, you dont have to cut out everything in the cut file. If you are used SCAL, you just ungroup it, and only keep whatever you want to cut. Why spend a fortune on a scalloped heart punch or even nesties when you can have this one and just resize to fit whatever needs! Perfect!

The little cupcake in this picture is the same little guy that was sitting inside my oven in the pictures above. Believe it or not... it's SOAP! Super easy to make too. Just buy some melt and pour soap and some of those silicone bakewear muffin cups. I also poured out my left over soap onto a silicon baking mat and let it set a few minutes. In the meantime, i stamped a butterfly from the All A Flutter stamp set and cut it out. BUT there is a cut file for that too, which i would have used if i wasnt sitting in my kitchen. Then i just placed the cutout butterfly on top of the set soap, and cut around it with a knife. Easy peasy.

The Love Notes cut file also comes so that you can easily have a little note that opens. here's a little quick shot so you can see what i mean...

So thats my project for you today! Dont forget to leave you comments on the entire team's blogs for your chance to win a $100 gift certificate! here are some quick links for you!

Lauren Meader - owner

Kristin Bueter

Mona Pendleton

Katie Cotton - that's me

Pam Imholz

Catherine Doucette

Tracey Cuccia

Have a wonderful day!!!

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It's time to rethink!

I took a quiz from Bare escentuals (in which you can win free makeup or possibly a trip to paris!)

It's called www.rethinkwhatmatters.com. Simple little quizzes really, did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up (check!), etc.

Well the idea of Rethinking... that was a fun one! My good friends Tangii and Christi had come up with the idea to redo our first PMS cards in honor of Paper Makeup Stamps first birthday.

How much fun is that idea! That idea, comboed with the BE quiz.... and i thought, yes, let's all RETHINK! I think it might be my new favorite word! And i never did that word challenge where you pick a word for the year.... so i'm doing it now! RETHINK! (next week's challenge, rethink my craft room... hehe)

So anyhoo.... here's a link to my very first post about Paper Makeup Stamps. The one where i announced the whole thing! :) I wasnt sure if this card really qualified as my first, since the squirrel on the card is a drawing, not a stamped image. But from that drawing came the Nuts About You set. Funny thing about this set... i discovered after my first release... perhaps i did better conveying to other illustrators what images i wanted rather than trying to draw my own! hahahahahahah!

Here is my reworked version of the card...

I definitely think i'm a better crafter than i was a year ago.

I can use my copics better as i've have tons more practice.

I'm not as afraid of layers as i think i once was.

I have more tools, more embossing folders, more embellishments, more punches.

Perhaps i have too much. I really need to RETHINK all that an scale back to make my room more manageable! Actuall, thats already in progress and i'll have a for sale list here in the next week or so!

If you'd like to see christi's first card... and read more about the challenge, go on over to the company blog!

For now, i was late getting this post up, and i have to get ready for church! I have about 10 minutes! YIPES! So i'll come back in and edit in the "deets" (copics used, tools used, etc) after church! :)

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OMG - one more post for today!

OMG... i know i already posted once today, but this post just came to my attention...

http://www.mastersinhealthcare.net/blog/2010/top-40-rubber-stamping-craft-blogs/

At first look, i'm like... wow, this is a great comprehensive list of some great crafting blogs and then..... WHAT?! I'm on the list! ME! My blog! NUMBER 12!

I'm honored, floored and very humbled. I dont know who posts on this blog... but they just made my day during a moment that i really needed my day made. :)

Thank you!

Ok, now scroll down to continue to read about a fun gift and the update to Sure Cuts A Lot. :)

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A gift for ME and some SCAL news!

Howdy everyone! I dont have anything crafty to show you today but I do have something fun to share and some important news for SCAL users or for those that have wanted it and just not purchased it yet! :)

First, my giftie!

My dear friend Tangii got me a birthday present for my PMS birthday of 1 year! Isnt that sweet of her?! And i just got it in the mail yesterday and i am in love! It's so stinkin cute!

She had a special card back stamp made for me!

Here is a photo of what it looks like...

Isnt that super fun! It's me as a fairy with the PMS font and my name and everything!

I'm so excited to stamp it on EVERYTHING! hahaha!

This stamp was made by Cat Dubail. She has all kinds of fun designs ready for the pickin' (think of return address stamps... which i think i'm going to have her make for me!, card back stamps, many many more ideas!) or you can send her your own idea OR she will think something up for you! Endless possibilties... super fun and she gets them made and out to ya SUPER fast!

Oh, and at very reasonable prices! The stamp comes to you on a mount with handle. :)

So thats my fun gift! And now onto some SCAL news!

The Sure Cuts A Lot version 2 has been updated again! It's now at update 5 and there are new drawing options, editting options, a lot of stuff really. The best way to give you the info is to direct you to Canda Crafts...

I also want to mention that Canda has the BEST deals on the SCAL program as well as a lot of other products, cricut carts, etc AND she has a special going on right now thru february 14th to save and ADDITIONAL 10% even on her clearance items.! Use FEB14 at check out. :)

You can also get the update to SCAL version 2 for free at Canda's site... HERE

And now we're off to a birthday party! Have a wonderful day everyone! Come back tomorrow... i have a very special card and post to share! :)

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PMS Makeup 4 the Weekend Challenge!!!

Ugh, i absolutely can not take this weather here anymore! It totally has be down in the dumps!

My craft room is at a stand still until i get some new furniture...

it's next to impossible to craft out of boxes!

All that said, i thought to myself today, i need something to perk me up!

I wonder what the Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge for PMS tomorrow is (I dont have anything to do with the challenges, that's all arranged by the design team coordinator extraordinaire... Christi)

Well, i'll be a monkey's uncle... This week's challenger is Danni Bindel and the challenge is anything with pink and sparkles.

If there is anything that is going to perk up a gloomy spirit.... it's something pink a sparkly!

And as luck would have it, daddy got home so my 3 year old tore downstairs to see him and at that moment, my 16 month old decided he wouldnt mind taking a little snooze! My luck!

So i got to coloring! It's been far too long since i've played with my copics! As in almost a week! This is unheard of for me!!!

Here's what i came up with...

It's not quite as sparkly as i suppose it could be, though i did use some spica pen in her hair and on her clothing that doesnt show up well in the photo. The flowers are SUPER sparkly though!

I like the color pink, but i have a mild obsession (to use the term lightly) with the color grey.

I seriously just need a big pack of grey patterned paper. This paper is from a 6x6 hostess pack from SU that I have been hoarding because i'm afraid of running out!

I loooooove this moody girl named Moody for Fun. She's definitely one of my favorites. I think it's her hair. :) P.s i'm so bored with my hair right now... i need to do something to it!

Here is a couple close up shots...

Now i do apologize.... i know i normally give you all the color details, but this card uses the Copic Munkie bundle colors of the month and I'm going to let them use it as a sample and since the bundle colors are only available to club members, i can't reveal them BUT you can check out the Copic Munkie Blog for some info on bundle colors every month as well as contact the store (Funkie Munkie Scraps) about club info. :) PS Rachel has done a faboosh job coloring a different moody girl with these colors, so you can check that out on the Copic Munkie blog as well.

Ok, well i'm pooped and I actually have a tutorial to film while everyone is in bed and it's already after midnight so i'm going to cut this post short, get it scheduled up and then get to work. Pray that my coffee machine works in the morning and that they dont cancel school because i'm not sure i'll be able to handle my wild one on little sleep! hahaha!

Don't forget if you want to play along with the challenge to link up your card to Mr. Linky on the Makeup 4 the Weekend challenge PMS post...

Every challenge for the entire month we are giving a stamp set away! You dont want to miss it!

Stamps: Paper Makeup Stamps

Moody for Fun

Birthday Cheer (sentiment)

Paper

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Grey, both from SU

Patterned Paper: From SU hostess pack (retired)

Tools

Labels from Spellbinder (large)

Accessories

velvet rick rack ribbon from American Crafts

Sparkle Flowers by Prima

Smaller inside flowers, prima

rhinestone brad from the $ spot at Target

Have a wonderful day!

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Whats in my makeup bag...

I get asked quite often by papercrafters what my recommendations for skincare, makeup, etc are.

I recently made this post over on my makeup blog... but the last time I did a poll, the papercrafters were interested in my posting some of that kind of info over here.

Since i've been busy lately working on some things, i dont have anything crafty to share, SO i thought i'd share a little post called whats in my makeup bag!

These are my personal recommendations of what works well for my personal skin type

(which is super dry in the winter, dry to normal in the summer and on occasion, gets a little oily in the "t-zone". I also have sensitive skin. other words, i have pain-in-the-butt skin type!

These are the products that I have found work great for me... some of them are on the cheap side... some are not. None of them are outrageous though, i promise.

So.... What's in my bag?!

Let's start with my basic skincare routine....

I wash my very sensitive dry skin with Aveeno Ultra Calming Creme Cleanser....

As you can read on the package... it has no fragrance which is good for those with skin sensitivies... it also has feverfew which is fabulous for those with roseacea problems (thankfully, not a problem that i have) and it's a cream base which is good for those with very very dry skin. They also make a foaming cleanser that i havent tried, i don't do the suds.

Little FYI - if you have dry skin, avoid products that suds up (including shampoo, body wash, etc). What makes they suds up is detergent, and detergent is very drying to the skin. So if you already have dry skin, you arent helping it any by using a washes that get lots of bubbles.

Next at night i use pure Evening Primrose oil. I'm old school. If it worked for grandma then it can work for me! My grandma is 95 and looks 15-20 years younger than her age. So I trust her. haha! But seriously, if you have skin as dry as mine and is sensitive, a lot of the moisturizers you might be using may actually make your skin more dry believe it or not. There are some pure oils that are fabulous for your skin, and are natural oils so they wont blog your pores. :)

Another skincare line i use a lot is Aloette.... Its a fabulous skincare line. Their enzyme peel is AMAZING! Its super gentle so it doesnt irriate my skin at all (which is hard not to) and just gets rid of all the flaking dead skin cells on top. I often use this on clients before i apply their makeup to get the smoothest possible start. You only need to use this once a week or so. The price seems high ($40), but i promise this stuff lasts forever!

And one more skincare product that i just have to mention is my new love for a moisturizer! I mean this stuff boots my others (except for my evening primrose oil for the super dry days!) to the curb! It's by RareMinerals (a branch of the Bare Escentuals company)

It's a super lush feeling lotion that is paraben free (major bonus!) but does not feel even the slightest bit oily to me. I had no flakey skin issues for the entire day the first day i tried it! Love this stuff! I definitely recommend it! You can also find it in the BE kits (soemtimes they have makeup, sometimes its all skincare, but this is definitely a way to get it at a price break, and to get some other stuff too. :)

Ok, so thats that for the skincare routine! Now let's move on to my current everyday makeup routine. Now remember, my daily wear is not extensive! First of all, i'm a mom to young kids. I dont really have anywhere to go during the day but to drop my preschooler off and pick him up and to run to the post office. I run my own stamp company.... from home. I dont have a lot of extra time dolling myself up for the day especially if my biggest plans are to hit Target or my LSS. I barely even get dolled up for a makeup job anymore! haha! I keep it basic and save all the fun stuff for everyone else! hahaha!

Ok, so here is my current makeup choices....keep in mind the weather plays a major factor in what i choose for makeup. Maybe i'll do a video on what i do makeup wise for dry skin (especially in dry months :) )

Foundation... i love this new formula by Stila called One Step Foundation.

For many that arent crazy into makeup, this costs more than they want to spend on a foundation. My favorite BOAB (beauty on a budget) foundation is by Almay.

Next is cheek color and in dry months i usually always opt for a cream color. My current favs are the Nars Multiple in Malibu and the Stila Convertable cheek color in

There are other cream blushes out there of course, but these are my 2 favs and in my 2 fav colors. :)

My favorite eyeshadows remain the velux or satin mac shadows. I dont even use them on a daily basis (a litte cream blush on the brow bone is fast and very fresh looking, check out my 3 minute makeup video - that i need to reshoot... haha) for more info on that!

But my favorites in these shadows are

Rice Paper, Arena and the Notoriety Quad (skipping the 1st color, i dont like the lustre finish)

My favorite mascara is by sheer cover because it doesn cake on and removes easily without a black runny mess down your face, though from what i've read and heard from others, the closest rival is the new tubes mascara by Loreal. I just havent tried it yet.

And last but not least, my favoritest lipgloss.... i fear i'm going to have to pick a new fav soon because mine is almost out and the color is no longer available! But the lipgloss is sheer and not sticky, truly beautiful! It's by Bloom Cosmetics and my favorite color is Dolce. :)

So thats all i have for ya today. :) But if luck is on my side, I'll actually have a crazy post for you tomorrow... for sure on saturday! :)

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