Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Another Hint

You guys are funny! No, it has nothing to do with Lime Tart. But, yes, Lime Tart is awesome. :)

Here is another sneak peek/hint until tomorrow! Sorry about the hazy picture.

Stamps: Teacup Topiary. Paper: Pool Scalloped Circle, Chocolate Circle (2 of them to make the card), PTI White. Ink: Black, Pretty in Pink. Accessories: Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Grey DP, Target $1 Spot Rhinestones, Sponge.

By the way, tomorrow is also my son's second birthday! HOW does that happen???

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

BIG News!

I have some BIG news! And I mean BIG!!

But I can't share it with you today. I know, I am so mean! But I will be sharing this news with you on Thursday, May 1! And there will be a blog candy giveaway then, too, so be sure to check in! Until Thursday, here is a little hint...

Katy Loves Four Wheelin'!





OK, if you know me well, you totally know I would not allow my children on an ATV or anything of the like. But Cameron has this little SpiderMan Power Wheels-type thing, and we had some fun with Katy with it. By the way, Katy went for her four month doctor visit, and she weighs 13 pounds, 12 ounces, and she is 25 inches long!

justjohanna April Sketch

Here are a couple of cards done using this month's sketch! I had lots of fun with this one! First, here is the sketch! If you make any cards using this sketch, leave a comment with a link; I would love to see!!

Stamps:Flo, Lacy Circle Large, Ciao!. Paper: Orange Dream DoubleMates by Worldwin, PTI White. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: Copics, Stickles, Sticky Tape, DD Glitter, Stamping Bella Pearl Baubles, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1/8" circle punch.
Stamps: Pitcher, Very Sweet (jj mix). Paper: Barely Banana, Basic Black, PTI White. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, DD Glitter, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Hero Arts Sequins, Scallop punch, 1 1/4" circle punch.

The Big Boy Bed

Hi! I'm sorry I've been AWOL on you lately. Things have been way crazy. I'm going to jump back in with a few posts today! I'll start with the news on Cameron... He has moved into his big boy bed!! We have a convertible crib for both kids, so all we had to do was take off the front of his crib and then put up a toddler rail. Cameron was super-excited when Drew was working on this project. Check out the pictures!!

This Thursday is his birthday! I cannot believe my baby is going to be two years old. I must have not been heeding the advice given to me. People always say that when you blink they'll be grown. Now, I know he is still "only" two, but I still feel like I "blinked"!

Monday, April 21, 2008

Earth Day Extravaganza Winner!

Random.org chose number TWO, so that means Tania is our winner! Check out her awesome card here!

Thank you to all for playing. You all are so creative! I was very thrilled to hear that you enjoyed this challenge as much as you did! :)

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Earth Day Extravaganza: Organic Stamping!

All right! Is everyone ready for a CHALLENGE! We are all Earth Day'ed up here in the Cheshire household! We went to the Matthews Farmer's Market early this morning (one of my FAVORITE things to do!) and picked up some organic Bordeaux spinach. We went to an Earth Day event at a local municipal park with the kids. And now I am posting my Earth Day Extravaganza challenge!

My challenge is Organic Stamping. This means that you will be challenged to use FOOD in your stamping! That's right! You can use coffee grinds to create a stain for a background... You can
use potatoes to make stamps to be used in your stamping... The sky's the limit! Use whatever kind of foods YOU would like to incorporate! No, you are not required to actually use organic foods in your entries!! ;)

I have made a couple of cards to give you some other ideas to creatively use food in your
stamping...
For this first card I used a halved lemon and painted it with black scrapbooking paint. I stamped it onto some Barely Banana card stock to create the background for this card. Very cool effect, I think. ;)













For this card, you can't SEE the food I used, but you can sure SMELL it! I embossed these cupcakes (in gradually darker shades of pink!) with a sugar-free strawberry kiwi-flavored drink mix. You mix clear (or in this case Iridescent Ice) embossing powder with an equal part of the sugar-free drink mix (sugar-free is VERY important...the heated sugar in regular drink mixes will caramelize and become very sticky...Yes, I know from experience!) and emboss with the mixture!






So, what can YOU come up with? Remember, after making your wonderful creations, to post a comment to THIS blog entry with a link to your card either on your blog or in the justjohanna gallery. You have until Sunday night at midnight (technically 12:00 a.m. Monday) to complete the challenge and leave your comment! I will draw a winner to win this totally super-cute stamp:









And don't forget, everyone who plays in any (or all!) of the challenges will be entered to win grand prizes!
  • one winner will receive $250 in justjohanna stamps
  • one winner will receive $50 in justjohanna stamps
  • five winners will receive a 25% discount coupon when they place a justjohanna order
Also please go to the justjohanna forum for a list of all of the Earth Day challenges. New challenges will be added as the day goes on!

Friday, April 18, 2008

Earth Day is Coming!


Don't forget, tomorrow is Earth Day, and that means justjohanna's Earth Day Extravaganza is almost here! :) My challenge will be tomorrow from 12pm-3pm PACIFIC time, so that means 3-6pm Eastern time (my time!). I hope to see you right here for the festivities! I think you are REALLY going to enjoy my challenge, which I will reveal here tomorrow! If you know me well, you won't be surprised! ;)

This card features justjohanna's Tiny Crown and Chicklet Right. The colors are Lovely Lilac and Going Gray. See you here tomorrow! :)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Simple Moo! And LOTS to share!



This is one of the new images by Johanna! This little cow is called Frontal Cow! Ha! I made just a quick, simple card using a piece of textured Regal Rose cardstock (love that) and an A Muse pretty little paper. :) Those are a great size. The cow was colored with Copics. Scroll down for some fun announcements...

Stamps: Frontal Cow, hi (jj mix). Paper: Regal Rose textured, A Muse pretty little papers (Summer collection), Stamper's Select White, Basic Black. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: Stickles, Copic markers, dimensionals.

OKAY! I have two more things to announce... First, did you know that Johanna is retiring several of her stamps?? That means they are being offered HERE at a discounted price! Time to stock up!

Also, this Saturday, April 19, justjohanna is hosting an Earth Day Extravaganza! That means that the design team members, including ME!!, will be hosting Earth Day-themed challenges on their respective blogs! All you have to do is create a project that fits the challenge and leave a comment on my blog post on Saturday (it should be up around 12:00 p.m. EST) linking your card in an online gallery or your blog. Easy-peasy!

There will be PRIZES awarded to the winners of each challenge! Each design team member will randomly choose one winner from all of the blog comments to win a brand-new Limited Edition Earth Day stamp from justjohanna! And it is SOOOOO cute! Trust me, you'll want it! And there's more...all of the participants will be entered to win the following:
Grand prize of a $250 shopping spree

Second place winner will receive a $50 gift certificate

Five third place winners will receive a 25% off coupon

Okay. That's enough for one day. But do me a favor...tune in Saturday for my challenge! I cannot wait to see what you all come up with! :)

EDITED TO ADD: All of the PARTICIPANTS will be added to the drawing for the grand prizes, not just the individual challenge winners! Even better!

Sometimes Ya Just Need a Nap...


I was feeding Katy earlier today and Cameron started messing with Katy's swing. First he turned on the swing. Then he turned on the music. Then he proceeded to take off his shoes and socks and climb into the swing!! He closed the little tray and then drifted off to sleep! How cute is that!?!?!? Those of you who know Cameron will, no doubt, especially appreciate this. He NEVER chooses a nap!!

Friday, April 11, 2008

Blog Candy Winner

The winner is lucky number 13! I think I had a #13 winner before... Hmm...maybe 13 really is lucky! ;) The winner this time around is Jan Scholl! Congrats Jan! E-mail your snail mail address to me, and I'll get your prizes out to you.

Jan Scholl said...
I am taking a break from cardmaking but still buy up paper and cardstock and find myself always buying earth colors.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Lime Frosting!



Well, we've had chocolate frosting, so now it is time for some lime frosting! With cherries on top! I decided that I wanted to use my new limeaid glitter from Doodlebug...LOVE THAT STUFF! SO SPARKLY!...and mask the cherries on the cherry cupcake for this card. I like the outcome. I hope you are all having a great day! Don't forget to enter the drawing for some blog candy! :)


Stamps: cherry cupcake (justjohanna). Paper: Soft Sky, Certainly Celery, Stamper's Select White, Imaginisce For Peep's Sake DP. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: Copic Markers, Limaid Glitter (Doodlebug), Crystal Effects.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Blog Candy!


Wanna win a package of MM aluminum metal sheets, some Karen Foster birthday license plates, and a Colorbox inkpad in Twilight? Just tell me your favorite colors to use on cards right now!! :) Feel free to tell others about this giveaway! The more the merrier! I will choose a random winner on Friday and post it on the blog!

Mmmmm....Chocolate Frosting!


Who doesn't love chocolate frosting, especially on a cupcake? I used my Copics to color this cupcake and I used a little bit of (Diamond, I think) Stickles for some shimmer! The ribbon is by American Crafts and I got it on clearance when my local Memories store went out of business. I think this is the first time I've used it, and I've had it for a couple of years! I know, I know! The horrors! I really like the ribbon; I just had a hard time using it on a project, personally!
Well, the kids and I are heading down to visit my family today. We'll be back Thursday, I think, but I am trying to set up some posts ahead of time! We'll see how it works! :)
Stamps: frosting only (justjohanna). Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Stamper's Select White. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: American Arts Ribbon, Pearl Baubles (Stamping Bella), Stickles, Copic Markers.

Monday, April 7, 2008

And Now, Landlubber, Ye Walk the Plank!


Hi! How cute are these little chicklets in their acting debut?? They are in a pirate play, of course. A musical, I like to imagine. Haha. :) Anyway, this stage is brand-spankin' new from justjohanna. This was actually the image I had the privilege to share a sneak peek of when it just came out. Can you imagine all the possibilities with this stage? I had a lot of fun coloring this stage. I have about 13 or 14 Copics, and I wanted to see what I could come up with using those. I really like the way the stage floor came out. I used two browns and blended them. Copics are wonderful! I really love the rich, vibrant colors and of course the blending possibilities!
Stamps: stage, chicklet right, pirate chicklet left (justjohanna). Ink: Palette Noir. Paper: Stamper's Select White, Real Red. Accessories: Copics, Stickles, Brown Taffeta Ribbon, Silver Spica AtYou Glitter Pen.

April Special Deal!!


Johanna's got another special deal up her sleeve! It's a doozie, too! Aren't these the cutest? I love the Flo image (the bird). I just ordered it and can't wait to have it in my hands!


To purchase this deal at the unbelievably low price of $24.37, follow this link... http://www.shop.justjohanna.com/product.sc?categoryId=5&productId=1461

Saturday, April 5, 2008


Good morning! This will be a quick post because we are all about to go to Thomasville to serve at the Baptist Children's Home. It will be a fun trip, I think! Pray for us, though, cuz we are bringing the kiddos! ;)


I am sharing this card today because we have a rainy, yucky day in store. The kind of day where a good hot drink is much-appreciated! I used glossy white card stock, embossed the stamp (it's a big background-type stamp) in black powder, and brayered the Groovy Guava over top! I love how this technique leaves a few little white spots (in the letters, I mean). It adds a little more to it, I think!
Have a fantastic Saturday!! Check back later this weekend for blog candy!! :)
Stamps: I love tea (justjohanna). Paper: Glossy White, Basic Black, Groovy Guava. Ink: VersaMark, Groovy Guava. Accessories: Brayer, Black EP, Embossing Buddy (a MUST!), Black Satin Ribbon.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Tagged!

Emma tagged me, so now I am supposed to list seven random facts about myself. Hmmm...it is always so hard to come up with things like this! Well, here goes!

1. I have this weird thing about leaving the last bite of a sandwich on my plate. I never eat the last bite. I didn't notice it, but my husband (so lovingly) brought it to my attention several years back...

2. I love to read. Most of what I read is nonfiction (Christian books, educator books, etc.) but I am almost done with Randy Alcorn's Deadline now. It is very good, and I highly recommend it!

3. I love finding things wrong with signs like spelling errors or ambiguity. For example, I recently passed a hotel, and its message board read "Relax from all the stress in our suites." Get it?? Ha!

4. My favorite color is yellow. I love bright colors, although you wouldn't know it if you came to my house. We've lived here for three and a half years, and the walls are still WHITE! (Except for the kiddos' rooms.)

5. My middle name is Jo. Not many people know that, I don't think! That also means that my husband and I have had the same initials since we got married...AJC! Pretty cool, huh?

6. Drew and I always joke about leaving lawn gnomes in the neighbors' yards when we go on walks. No, we have never done it, and no, Emma, we have not thought of putting them in your yard. :) I don't know why I think that would be so funny!

7. I have a really big secret that I know you will all want to know about soon! Very few people know about it (if you do, don't give it away!). I will be revealing that secret in about a month or month and a half.

7 1/2. No, I am not pregnant. That is NOT the secret. ;)

Who to tag? Who to tag?
1. Drew
2. Debbie Olson
3. Nancy Grant
4. Johanna
5. Lorie

Happy April!


Hope April is off to a great start for you! :) It's off to a busy start here in our lives! But you know what? I think I kind of prefer it that way. Not that I like too much craziness to keep up with, but I do enjoy having things to do!


Today I want to share with you one of Johanna's new releases! This cute image is called

Al on a Swing. I colored him in with my Copics, and I really love how the coloring on the star turned out! I outlined the star in Waterfall Stickles. I love that color Stickles. I use it ALL the time! Very light blue, but the perfect shade for so many things.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Stamps: Al on a Swing (justjohanna). Paper: Brocade Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Stamper's Select White. Ink: Palette Noir. Accessories: Copic Markers, Rhinestones, Stickles.