Enjoy Life a Latte!

Today was a slow day...my son slept over his friends house last night and then they went to the DBack's game today...he didn't get home till 5pm ish... You would have thought that I got a lot accomplished today...nope. In fact, I didn't craft, but I did do "some" straightening up around the house. Then I decided to visit one of my LSS's, so I went to Madscrappers to look for some Rusty Pickle items. I found a few, and that's all I've done today!

So, I figured I better at least post one of my recent swap cards. I'm in a monthly swap with five other gals. We just send one card a month (doesn't matter what holiday, sentiments, etc.), as long it's all Stampin' Up! Well, yes, they are all SU! demo's. I used Sip by Sip stamp set by SU!, and realized that I had not inked up this set at all...oh my...get inking!

I crimped, I tied, I faux stitched, I distressed...

From Stampin' Up! Only Cards and Projects

From Stampin' Up! Only Cards and Projects

From Stampin' Up! Only Cards and Projects

All Supplies are Stampin' Up! Thanks for looking!

It's Friday and it's...HHH!

Yay, Unity Hip Hop Hangover! It's Friday and all the wonderful fans of Unity Stamp Co are posting all of their fantastic creations to share...there is a lot of talent out there in Unity blog land...and I mean inspiring talent!
This weeks Unity challenges were: "knot" challenge (to have a knot on your card somewhere), and also the "new stamp" challenge (to use your newest stamps). This card could actually fit both, as I placed a knot in the ribbon and the cord on the buttons; and these stamps are "new" to me from the May KOTM, "another sweet day", and the "change quote" from the quote bundle pack:

From Unity Projects

Stamps: Unity May KOTM: ...another sweet day; Quote Bundle Pack
C/S: SU! Gable Green, Glorious Green, Textured Whisper White
Ink: Basic Brown, Gable Green
Accessories: Su Ribbon Bundle, Gold Brads, Bold Brights Buttons, Gold Cord
Be sure to stop by the Unity Blog to see all the specials...you can't go wrong with all the enticing prices posted by Angela!
Thanks for blogging by!

Austin: National Junior Honor Society and 4.0 GPA!

I am so proud of my son, Austin...he made the 8th grade National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)at his Middle School for the new year in August! He received an invitation to apply for NJHS as he has good grades; and had to submit a completed questionnaire, along with an essay. He then had to interview for it, and it was announced a few days later that he and two of his buddies made it!
I just had to share a picture from their induction ceremony...Austin is on the far right. Starting in Middle School, all kids are required to volunteer in the community and they cannot get paid for it. NJHS is a step up and that means the boys service hours will increase to 12 hours a quarter...48 hours for the next school year! It may not seem like a lot, but with other activities, including baseball, chores, and friends this will be tough, but he will make it work.

From Blogger Pictures

And if that wasn't the best...yesterday was the last day of school...Austin was presented with a 4.0 GPA certificate in his 7th grade assembly! Woohoo, I am soooo proud of him! He told me that he was embarrassed having to leave the seats and go accept this...he was hanging out with his buddies and was the only one in his "group" who received this.
Here's a picture of him with his certificate...thanks for letting me share...it's such a thrill to see what your child can accomplish...I am so proud of him!

From Blogger Pictures

P.S. He told me he'd get a haircut now that school is over...I am so glad, he has so much hair and it's too hot for summer baseball! Haircut here we come...

Unity Kit of the Month Blog Hop All Weekend!

Welcome to Blog Stop #30! If you have arrived from the spectacular LuvLee's blog, then you are on the right track. If you didn't, please enjoy the full experience by viewing the Unity Kit of the Month Blog Hop by "starting" at http://theunitystampco.blogspot.com.

For my KOTM project I created a gift bag and gift card. I used the April KOTM-Fresh Beginnings...click on the link to see this fabulous set! I used 5 stamps from this set...can you tell which ones?
I paper pieced the trees, put Crystal Effects on the two birdies in the trees (need a close up to see this), did a little sponging, tore some paper edges, and, yes, these are my favorite colors...Taken with Teal and Chocolate!

From Unity Projects

From Unity Projects

Stamps: Unity KOTM--Fresh Beginnings
Cardstock: All SU!: Taken with Teal, Textured Very Vanilla, Whisper White, DSP: Loves Me & Au Chocolate (both retired)
Inks: All SU!: Taken with Teal, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: All SU!: Metal Edge Tag, Hemp Twine, Alpine Ribbon Originals, Crystal Effects, Three Flower Punch, The Tearing Edge, Oval Scallop Punch, Circle Punches. kraft gift bag

Now go hop on next to Randi's fabulous blog at: www.thedarkmermaid.blogspot.com

Remember...you have all weekend long to visit everyone's blog, so take your time and enjoy the rest of the hop! Thanks for stopping by!

Unity Inspiration Challenge

Did I mention that Unity issued out challenges all last week for their First Year Anniversary, and they are due this week? They have so much going on, and it's one more day till Hip Hop at Unity!

Okay, so this challenge was to be inspired by a cake...click here to see the cake that inspired me, and here's the card that I created:

From Unity Projects

Stamps: Unity Live the Life you Love, Tiny Trinity Tree
Cardstock: Lovely Lilac, Whisper White
Inks: Lovely Lilac, Whisper White Refill
Accessories: SU! Pretties Flowers, Rhinestone Brads, Pearls and Stick Pin; White Tulle, Circle Scissor Plus

Happy Wednesday!

Unity's "FIRST" Birthday Challenge

Another Unity challenge, you ask? Why yes, of course another one! This challenge was to make a project which MUST include:
1. Unity Stamps
2. F is for flowers (I used a Prima flower and SU! Pretties flower)
3. I is for insect (I used a Unity butterfly stamp)
4. R is for ribbon (I used SU! ribbon)
5. S is for scallops (I used the SU! scallop punch)
6. T is for turquoise or teal (I used SU! Taken with Teal cardstock)

From Unity Projects

Stamps: Unity April KOTM--butterfly, sentiment, and outside flourish
Cardstock: Taken with Teal, Close to Cocoa, Loves Me DSP (retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal
Accessories: Flirty Ribbon Originals, Alpine Ribbon Originals Set, Prima Flowers, Pretties Kit Flower, Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Punch

Thank you for stopping by!

Unity Color Challenge

With all of the celebration for Unity's 1st Anniversay, I haven't posted my challenge cards, so....

Here is the card that I submitted for the Anniversary Color Challenge--to use Kraft, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, and So Saffron...take a look:

From Unity Projects

Stamps: Unity April KOTM
Cardstock: SU! Kraft, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, So Saffron, Candy Lane DSP
Inks: Baja Breeze, Versamark
Accessories: Baja Breeze Grosgrain Ribbon, Earth Elements Brads, Heat & Stick Powder, Pearl Ex, Distress Tool
TFL and have a great evening!

Happy "1st" Anniversary Unity!

Isn't it just a beautiful day...the sun is shining and we're celebrating Unity Stamp Co's ONE year anniversary! Let's hear a "Hip Hop Hooray"! I discovered Unity Stamp Co in the SCS forum and made my first purchase in February and already have met so many wonderful and very talented ladies!

Now, don't miss out on all of the Unity specials and sales and well...just go take a look here...you've gotta see it all to believe it!

On to my card...I made this simple card for Jeanne's challenge to make a Unity card or project that has at least one edge that is either scalloped, torn, or cut in some other pattern. So, I decided to use the August '08 KOTM, "remember HAPPINESS" for my card...did I tell you that I LUV this set?!! I stamped the butterflies on the bottom edge and then cut those edges out. I embossed the flower in silver for my background paper, and used Stampin' Up's Metallic Art Pencils to color in the raised butterfly. The metallic pencils look much better IRL...they don't show up too much in the photo. I wasn't able to get this card posted to the forum in time, but that's okay...there'll be plenty more challenges!

From Unity Projects

I think this is appropriate to say that we have all made "friends for life" (hence the sentiment on the card) all because of the wonderful folks who are associated with Unity Stamp Co!

THANKS Unity for the all fun and such wonderful stamps! And, thanks everyone for stopping by!
Stamps: Unity Aug '08 KOTM "remember HAPPINESS"
Ink: Basic Black
C/S: Textured Going Gray, Regal Rose, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Embossing Pad, Sterling Silver Embossing Powder, Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Curly Label Punch