it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....

I won't keep on with the lyrics- although, they are stuck in my head now! We have been enjoying this awesome weather- FINALLY!

Today's layout is a two-fer! Jen's CASSB challenge is up- and it's another sneak peek on the June KOM today as well.


Here are my favorite kids on this planet! This was a few years back while Lauren was still a toddler and had *much* shorter hair~ I flipped Jen's sketch on it's side and placed the tree in the title spot. I took portions of the tree and popped them up with pop dots and highlighted the pears with glossy accents.

to play along, link back so we can see using keyword CASSB09


and here I snapped a picture of Mt Ranier while we were out enjoying the sun yesterday- it's much more impressive irl!!

make to sure to check the unity blog for the rest of the peeks!! Pin It Now!

sneak peek time-ONE YEAR later!

the weeks seems to be FLYING by now! It's been a crazy busy, and fun week- we have had some gorgeous weather, (FINALLY!) and out enjoying it as much as we can!

Here is a sneak peek of the JUNE KOM- by the way- June last year is when they launched their first KIT- who would have known a year would fly by and the kits would just get better and better!

Today's sneak image is the cherry and matching sentiment- this Early Bird Cosmo matched perfectly I think! I cut the cherries out, popped them up and added glossy accents.

My husband is off doing a triathlon, then we are headed off to the beach!

enjoy the sun! Pin It Now!

bring on the FLOWERS!

This weeks Stamp Simply Challenge is to use FLOWERS! I am ready for some flowers and sun!! Bring it I say!


I used Lizzie Anne Designs Garden Inspirations for this one~ the yellow seemed so cheery, (and since we have been deprived of a decent spring around here, we are all chomping at the bit to get out and enjoy the sun this last week.) I thought the black added a nice pop to it- it's a very clean and simple design, but I like how it turned out.

Remember when uploading to use keyword ssnotime89- and here are the rest--Julie, Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Becky, Deb, and Barbara.


June 1st is around the corner- lots of fun stuff happening- make sure to check back soon for some fun announcements!! :) Pin It Now!

It's that time again!

Another Thursday is here and that means it's time to partay! Today we are celebrating the end of the school year-



My first card uses the new kits everyday adorable and confession.

Here is a gift card set for my sons teacher. I went with a simple layout on a quarter sheet of card stock. I used primary colors, and made 4 of each color with matching envies.

Here is the red set- This way she can write notes on the front, slide it in the envie, and off it goes!
The whole set with envies. This should hopefully fill up her stash of note cards for a while-

make sure to head on over to Renee's blog next! Pin It Now!

what a weekend!

I had a great memorial day weekend- it was fabulously sunny and beautiful ALL weekend! I almost forgot about stamping! ;) (for a short minute!) I have enjoyed not being inside after 8 months of no sun. (we had a loooooooong winter)

Today's JBelle Challenge is to use polka dots! LOVE that! After five days of no stamping, that is certainly the way to jump back in. There should be a weekly polka dot challenge!!

My card uses the pink paislee paper, Lizzie Anne Designs stamps, basic grey buttons, and some may arts ribbon. I of course went with a kraft base, and a cas design, my personal fave. ;)

Make sure to use keyword JBE055 when uploading- and check out the rest of the girls:

Hether Lee-Reppen

Jennifer Buck

Jill Dunn

Kim O'Rosky

Kisa Peters

Lindsey Botkin

Lynda Benden

Maren Benedict

Melissa Bove

Michelle Woerner

Shannan Teubner

Pin It Now!

yea for Friday

Good late Morning- I have had a super busy week, so I am a tad late getting to my post. That will be the new norm for a while though- One kid is done with school, and only a few weeks to go for the other!!!

Today's Stamp Simply Challenge is to use red, white, and blue.



I went with a lighter blue shade- I love how it makes the red pop. It's a pti color, and I am not yet savvy enough to know the names- sorry. The bird is from Lizzie Anne Designs bless this nest set, and the jewels are from Me and my big ideas. You can get them at JBelle's store- and she is having a sale this weekend.


Remember when uploading to use keyword ssnotime88- and here are the rest--Julie, Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Becky, Deb, and Barbara.


Have a GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! I am hoping to enjoy some sun after it being MIA for the last 8 months!

cardstock- American Crafts textured, pti, neenah, real red.
stamps- Lizzie Anne Designs- bless this nest.
MAMBI Icons, & SU! ribbon. Pin It Now!

hip hip hooray!

It's HIP HOP today! Today we are celebrating our freedom, independence, and celebrating our heroes.

This card uses the new kit confession, the scroll is from the folk inspired kit, and the background is the stars of worn. I think it would have looked good on Kraft instead. I am thinking I will switch to red, kraft, & blue. please inform everyone those are the "new" patriotic colors. ;)


I love this picture of my son and dh. My Son is just so proud of his dad, he can't help but beam from ear to ear when he watches him get ready for work. He was almost 5 here in this photo. I think he's about 2 feet taller now!! :) and I would have to say he is my hero, for more reasons than just his job.

My layout uses the same background as the card, the star is from the January kit, and the alpha is the just my type. If you didn't get a chance to see the video tutorial on how to use the SAMJ with your unity handles to make backgrounds, it still may be up over at my unity place- go check it out!

ok- make sure to head on over to Jimmi next! Pin It Now!

It's here!

It's here! My first (and very un-proffesional!!!) video tutorial over at My Unity Place.

Someone had asked about how to make pattern paper with our background stamps and it seemed like a good thing to show for those who don't have a SAMJ, or for those who have it and don't know how to use it. (me, for the first 6 mos I had mine!) ;)


So, here is my finished card from the tutorial- after watching it, I see where it has a few blind spots, hopefully it's clear enough to help. The rest of the card is pretty self explanatory-

I thought maybe a splash of color would be fun also, maybe color in a few flowers hot pink, use some hot pink ribbon and whole new card!
enjoy! Pin It Now!

where did the sun go??

omg- we *finally* get nice weather here, and it changed into rain and is supposed to last until tomorrow. We haven't yet had spring, and I am sooooooo ready for some more SUN!
speaking of which......
another time for Tuesday's with Jbelle! Today's challenge is to be inspired by a cookout since the upcoming memorial holiday weekend is just a few days away! (and the forecast is calling for SUN! ;)


I was a little undecided on what I wanted to do with this challenge- but sun and ice cream sound like a fabulous plan for this weekend!!

Paper is Cosmo, Stamps are from Lizzie Anne, ranger glossy accents, and ribbon is

Make sure to use keyword JBE054 when uploading- and check out the rest of the girls:

Hether Lee-Reppen

Jennifer Buck

Jill Dunn

Kim O'Rosky

Kisa Peters

Lindsey Botkin

Lynda Benden

Maren Benedict

Melissa Bove

Michelle Woerner

Shannan Teubner

Pin It Now!

happy birthday to you.......

it isn't anyone's birthday, but the monday challenge chicks are all doing birthday cards this week~


I have been wanting to use this calendar stamp for a while now, and thought it would make a fun birthday card. You can circle the month/date when you are ready to use. ;)
These types of cards are always so great to have on hand, especially since my supply of birthday and thank you's are all running a little low-

Off to start another busy end of school year week! My youngest is done this Thursday!! I will have to be realllllly creative with my my stamping time soon!!

make sure to check the others out- Amber, Brookie, Jennifer, Jeanne, Jimmi, & Maren. Pin It Now!

look ma! no stamping

Happy Sunday! After taking a week off for Mother's day- the clean and simple scrapping challenge is back!


Now....since it's a sketch, I take it as a starting point. Instead of the circles Jen had left of the picture, I put my title. And instead of ric rac, I used wide ribbon. Use it to your advantage- make it work for you.
I am usually not into using pattern paper on a layout since it seems to take from the photos, but I think I like it here! I matted the photo on natural vanilla, then black to make it really pop.


Paper is the new Early Bird line from Cosmo, letters are DCWV. Make sure to link back and use keyword CASSB08 when uploading! Pin It Now!

It's a two-fer!

Today's Stamp Simply Challenge is to make a masculine card, and there is a twist- to use knots, cord, string, or rope.

I combined Sharon's challenge with this weeks CAS challenge to use the rock and roll technique. I don't have enough masculine cards around, so this was a good challenge for us. I should probably even make a few more- The image is from Unity's gratitue = joy, and the sentiment is from May's KOM.


Remember when uploading to use keyword ssnotime87- and here are the rest--Julie, Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Becky, Deb, and Barbara. Pin It Now!

hip hip hop ya don't stop a rockin'

EVERY week I end up with that song stuck in my head as I write my hip hop post!

This week we are celebrating the Kit of the Month's! We are all using various images from all kit of the months!!!


This first card uses the September KOM-friendship, Love, Miracles; and the current KOM- another sweet day for the sentiment. I cased the layout from stampgrover on SCS. Isn't her card adorable!? I added a ribbon tab, and threaded button to tie in the black ribbon. Black and white with a pop of color is one of my faves!


and here is the September Kit-This is one of my 2 favorite kits. (August is the other one!) and all the others too!! ;)


and my last card uses the flowers from the March KOM- Simple Life, and the sentiment is from the current kit. I inked the flower up in blush, then hit the edges with a coral marker and covered a few with glossy accents.

Okay- Confession time. There really isn't a kit that I don't LOVE! And they just seem to get more awesome each month!


okay....make sure to head on over to Jen Buck's blog!! Pin It Now!

LAYERS! and LOTS of 'em!

Today's JBelle challenge is a sketch- and I ended up adding a few mats to the layers and ended up with a few more layers than I am used to having-but I like the end result! I am still a CAS type of gal though!!! ;)


I used an inkdinkado set for the sentiment, Basic Grey for the paper, MU Punches, Prima jewels,
Maya Road flowers, & May Arts ribbon.

Make sure to use keyword JBE053 when uploading- and check out the rest of the girls:

Beth Thomas

Hether Lee-Reppen

Jennifer Buck

Jill Dunn

Kim O'Rosky

Kisa Peters

Lindsey Botkin

Lynda Benden

Maren Benedict

Melissa Bove

Michelle Woerner

Shannan Teubner

Taylor Usry

Pin It Now!

as usual-

or what seems to be becoming my "new usual"- running a bit behind for my posts!!

However...I am working on changing a few things and cutting back on others to reorganize my day. I haven't ran in quite a while and I miss it- I need to find the time to get that back in. Also, with summer nearing and one child having 2 weeks of school left, and the other done a month later, I am finding I will be short on "stamping" time here very quickly!!


Today- we decided to make simple sentiments- this is easy- it's open to interpretation...and of course everyone's is different! This is from the new set garden inspirations from Lizzie Anne.
it has a couple of awesome sentiments in nice clean fonts- something I just LOVE!

make sure to check the others out- Amber, Brookie, Jennifer, Jeanne, & Jimmi.

off to enjoy the rain...doesn't mother nature know it's supposed to be sunny out now???? Pin It Now!

It's the little things...

it's another Stamp simply challenge- "Just a little thing" for mom. Check Sharon's blog for all the details.

I went with a smaller note card- 3x3 in size. I used the Ali Edward's loving words stamps- I just love the font and sentiments in all of those sets-
I paired it with the Early Bird from Cosmo, some may arts ribbon, and buttons.

and the inside- it wouldn't stay open so it's sitting on the stamps- they seem to be reflecting back on to the card-
I may end up giving this to my husband...I know it's supposed to be for mom's, but with out him, I couldn't be where I am with 2 amazing kids.

Remember when uploading to use keyword ssnotime86- and here are the rest--Julie, Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Becky, Deb, and Barbara. Pin It Now!

happy thursday!

It's time for another installment of Hip HOP! I am knee deep in book fair this week and next, so I had to scramble today to get my stuff done for hip hop!!


This card uses my fave tree (burberry) and fave new sentiment set I love so very much~birdie inspirations.
and it happens to use that YUMMY NEW COSMO- early bird! love it!

and since we are celebrating scrapping still, I thought I would whip up a quick layout of my son- paper is basic grey, stamps are from May KOM and a previous KOM- (July I think). I sewed the square on, and then stamped the flourished frame onto a office transparency and placed it over the photo-

and lastly- here is my card from last weeks guess the DT game- ha! most of you pegged me for one of the Kraft cards! muahahahahahahahahahaha! a few of you were waaaaay off with your guesses- but always fun to see!! The yellow ribbon tab at the top is from Sharon's stamp simply ribbon store-

make sure to head over to Jen Buck's blog next- Pin It Now!

and Kraft strikes again

quick post today~ after a few crazy weeks, I am still behind!

Will I ever catch up?? anyone ever make it out of that vortex like black hole of a laundry room?? and nope, left some cash money in there- it does NOT multiply like the laundry.
such a shame-I really thought I was onto something.

anyhoo...here is another clean and simple one- stamps are from lizzie anne's newest release- garden inspirations. enjoy! - I am off to dive head first into a nightmare of mismatched socks and spaghetti stained tops! Pin It Now!

It's Jacksonbelle time! This week we are all using Melody's crocheted flowers! She makes them, and Lindsey is now selling them!

My card for today uses the cas13 sketch for this week, - (I find myself somewhat addicted to these challenges each week, this is the 2nd one!) and the paper is basic grey- marrakech, stamps are lizzie anne, and the crocheted flower can be found here.


Make sure to use keyword JBE052 when uploading- and check out the rest of the girls:

Beth Thomas

Hether Lee-Reppen

Jennifer Buck

Jill Dunn

Kim O'Rosky

Kisa Peters

Lindsey Botkin

Lynda Benden

Maren Benedict

Melissa Bove

Michelle Woerner

Shannan Teubner

Taylor Usry

Pin It Now!

Better late than never!

boy- I seem to use that title a lot lately! ;) If saw you my post this morning, you are probably thinking I forgot to show my card!

So the monday challenge chicks wanted to do jewels...and I wanted to simple. So- here is my simple jewels~it's for this weeks cas challenge- a sketch. I put my own twist on it.
not sure who all ended up posting today-

so check them all out!! Amber, Brookie, Jennifer, Jeanne, Jimmi, & Maren. Pin It Now!

happy monday!!!

bbiab with my card- slow moving this weekend!! :)

in the meantime.....

have you seen THIS!?!?!?!

I am pretty excited-this will be a lot of fun! Pin It Now!

and it's here!

Unity's official birthday- Happy Birthday! It's been a most enjoyable ride! The kit of the month is officially up for viewing and today is the last day of official challenges for a chance to win the kom free for a year!


I am still feeling the blues- but, I am not sure on this card....I don't usually lay down pattern papers like this and I am not feeling it here....maybe should take one of them out-
and since Jen Buck is *always* open to interpretation with her sketches, I used circles instead of squares-
maybe I will just re do this card....ever have a card you are thinking what the heck when you are done???? ;)

stop by the forum today for the kom challenge, the last of the celebration challenges and games.


Please upload your cards to SCS using the keyword USGDC01.

You need to link your card in this thread at SCS which contains all the deets.

Want some more examples using this sketch? Check out some of the design team that played along....

1.) Brooke Lien2.) Jennifer Buck 3.) Jeanne Streiff4.) Christi Snow 5.) Natalie Dever 6.) Amber Hight 7.) Maren Benedict 8.) Linsey Rickett9.) Jennifer Buck10.) Kimber McGray11.) Laura Williams12.) Heather Brown13.) Jimmi Mayo 14.) Wendy Chang Pin It Now!