UR 2 Sweet

Wow! It's been quite a week! My husband has been diagnosed with diabetes... a HUGE shock to us! He is only 31, too.... So lots of transitions going on at home! He is not all that thrilled about this new struggle, as you might imagine, but he is doing SO well sticking to the diet and exercise plan he needs to be doing!

Guess what? I DO have a card to share with you today! Believe it or not, I have THREE cards to share!!! Woot woot!! They are all so similar that I decided to stick them all together for the photo! I like to include a handmade card in each order at Limelight Papercrafts (a tough task, but we like to share a little handmade love!), and this week I made some valentine treat holders! I included a fun-size bag of either m&m's or Skittles in each treat holder. I basically used the candy bags as a guide, cut and scored the paper accordingly, to make an envelope, and embellished the outsides! I think they are cute...and they were quick! A must when mass-producing, right?


Stamps: None! Paper: Close to Cocoa, Basic Grey Bittersweet. Ink: NONE! Accessories: Basic Grey Bittersweet Cardstock Stickers, Prima flowers, glitter brads.

I also want to tell you that I joined FACEBOOK! Too many people have asked me if I'm on Facebook... I caved and signed up! So if you're on Facebook, feel free to say hello! Add me as a friend! :) My full name is Mandy Cheshire, if you didn't already know that! :) HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!

Woohoo! JenMarie is a Friend of GinaK!

Look! Look! Our very own JenMarie is featured on the GinaK blog today! Give her some love HERE!! This card is the card being featured... It was made by Jen! :)

Sketch Challenge Winner...and Some Faves!

Wow! You guys really came up with some great cards using our Limelight sketch #13! I'd like to announce the WINNER of the single Stampendous! stamp, and I'd like to share a few of my favorite cards this week! :)

Our winner is MAGGIE!!! Here is Maggie's fabulous card! Maggie, e-mail me with your choice of Stampendous! single stamp, and I'll get it RIGHT out to you! :)


Here is a card by Paula, who share some exciting news with us! ;) I loved the coloring, colors, and simplicity of this card.


Tami created this wonderful pink card this week! I love all of the textures and how she carried the hearts through the design!


Jenn created this fabulous card! I love everything about this...the unexpected colors, the layers on the tree, the OWLS!!

Stamp-less Valentines!

That's right.... I breathed the blasphemous words. STAMP-LESS.

I created these quick, cute (if I do say so myself) valentines using Pink Paislee Press-ons (rub-ons)! I do apologize for the AWFUL picture! I wanted to get a picture of these before sending them off, but the lighting was horrible! I used the SU! scalloped edge punch about 1/2 inch from the edge of the card and adhered some coordinating patterned paper (Pink Paislee Sweet Cakes line) to the inside of the card. I applied the rub-ons, added some rhinestones and Droplets, and voila! All done! :)

Hope you're having a great weekend! It's been a strange, somewhat tough few days for us... More on that soon! (We're okay, don't worry!)

Don't forget to check out the post below for our Limelight sketch and product challenge! You could win a Stampendous! single stamp of your choice! .....And we got more NEW stamps (think: Fluffles!) in TODAY! :)

Six Chicks Sketch 13

Sometimes as stampers and scrapbookers we can get stuck in a bit of a routine of doing the same thing over and over. Well, this sketch and product challenge aims to remedy that problem! That's because we're challenging you to think of new ways to use what you have! We want to see you use two or more DIFFERENT stamps on your card or scrapbook layout. Whether you create a scene with your stamps or just combine a background stamp and an image stamp, we want you to do something new and creative! Limelight Papercrafts has tons of fantastic stamps to choose from! If you don't have any Limelight products, that's okay! Just use what you do have! We can't wait to see what you create!

For my card, I used Odd Bird Planet stamps (Cake Time! and Happy Birthday - jj mix) that coordinated well for a whimsical birthday sentiment! I colored with my Koh-i-noor pencils, layered papers from my Bittersweet paper pad, used my SU! tab punch, and added a few Soft Pink Kaisercraft Rhinestones. And voila! ;) This was the card I gave to my Sunday School teacher, Becky! TODAY is her birthday... Happy birthday, Becky, if you're reading!!

The deets:

• Sketch and Product Challenge with a focus on using two or more DIFFERENT stamps.
• Uploads to SCS should have the keyword: LLPC013.
• Participants should post a comment and a link to their card here on my blog.
  
• All entries must be submitted by Sunday, January 25th , at midnight to be eligible win a Stampendous! single of the designer's choice!

New DT Members!

At last! The moment we've all been waiting for! I'm ready to announce the new Six Chicks! We have two new members, Lee Murphy and Lorie Ames! (Click on their names to view their blogs!) We are so excited to have you ladies join us!

LEE MURPHY

Lee is no stranger to Limelight, as she is our January Seventh Six Chick!! :) We just love her style and having her around!

My name is Lee Murphy and I live in the gorgeous Colorado Mountains with my family, which includes 2 big ole dogs and 6 kitties!! I am a homeschooling mom of two....well, my 18 y.o. daughter just graduated, so really just my 16 y.o. son now!! LOL I am blessed with an amazing and supportive hubby who truly is my best friend and my Prince Charming! He understands my stamping addiction and enables me in my collection of Bling!!! LOL I "found" this incredible art of stamping and papercrafts just over 2 years ago and was instantly hooked!! I am just so excited and absolutely honored to be a Six Chick!!!! Mandy is just the sweetest and I look forward to an amazing time with her and her fabulously talented DT at Limelight!!!!


LORIE AMES

We just fell in love with Lorie's style and what she's about! We know you will adore her as much as we do!

Hi! I'm Lorie and I'm SO excited to be part of this Design Team! I am married to a wonderful man, Todd, and have three amazing boys. I love crafting and limeLIGHT Papercrafts! I'm always open to questions so if you have any you can find my e-mail address on my blog. Happy Stamping!


Also staying on the team are Becky Carafa, Jennifer Taylor, Lisa Henke, and Ryann Salamon. We are glad to have these ladies continuing on as well!

I am contacting February Guest Designers TODAY! There will be TWO Seventh Six Chicks!! (That's mathematically IMPOSSIBLE! ...Oh, I crack myself up!) :) So stay tuned!

Design Team Update

I apologize, but I will not be ready to reveal the new DT tomorrow! It has been such a difficult decision! I actually have NOT contacted ANY of the new designers (so don't worry that you haven't heard from me!!). I will be doing that in the next day or two, and I hope to have a definite "reveal date" by tomorrow. Hang in there, and THANK YOU to everyone who applied! There is SO MUCH talent out there! WOW!!

Hi There :)

Just a quick card today... I used a white base and stamped this cute teapot and sentiment from Mix-up of Cuteness. I added a strip of Hometown - Depot Park paper (October Afternoon) along the bottom, and I paper pieced the teapot using the same paper. These October Afternoon papers are double-sided, so the floral paper and the yellow and white polka dot paper are from the same sheet! I love that. ;) I finished this off with just one Dark Blue Kaisercraft Rhinestone. Cute, huh? :)

Don't forget...Today is the last day to apply for the Limelight Papercrafts Design Team! Good luck, everyone!!

Introducing Kiki Kitty and Lily & Billy Sweethearts!

Yep, new Pink Cat Studio stamps are IN THE LIMELIGHT!!

Don't miss out on these SUPER CUTE new stamps! Click on each image to be taken to that product in the store!

New Shimmerz Colors! And a WINNER!!

We have all four new Shimmerz Blingz colors in the Limelight!! These four colors are perfect for Valentine's Day, and you're sure to LOVE them! :) This is the perfect time to place an order, with all of the new products we are adding! We have October Afternoon just received this weekend, and an order of NEW Stampendous stamps for Valentines Day and even EASTER, is expected to arrive today... Did someone say "NEW FUN FLOCK COLORS"?!?!? ;)

In another (very exciting!) news, we had record participation in our sketch and product challenge! Thanks to EVERYONE for playing along!!! The winner of the 12x12 Core'dinations Chocolate Box paper pack is...

Taylor said...

Here is mine!

http://www.papercraftplanet.com/photo/tassel-tub

Be sure to check out Taylor's super-cool card! Her tassel is such a creative way to incorporate unexpected texture!

Taylor, e-mail me with your address, and I'll get your paper pack right out to you! :)

FREE GOODIES!!

Now is the time to stock up on all of the fun new products we have at Limelight Papercrafts! Each order received January 12 - January 18 that is over $30 will receive a free surprise! Could be ribbon, Stickles, glitter, cardstock or patterned paper, or even a stamp! :) We'll throw in a random surprise (as random as we can try to be while packing the orders) for each order over $30!
HAPPY SHOPPING!!

In the Presence of GREATNESS!

Look! Lisa Henke has been PUBLISHED!! :) Give her some love!

http://mylittlecreativeescape.blogspot.com/2009/01/toot-toot.html

You Rock!

Here's another card using the Limelight Sketch. Be sure to try out the sketch and link your creation to the post below this one for a chance to win THIS:

Yep, a 12x12 Core'dinations Chocolate Box Paper Pack! Just in time for Valentine's Day, right? ;) We try to keep you covered... ;)

Anyway, I could not WAIT to try out the new papers we received from Crate Paper! I am in **LOVE** with the Lemongrass line! Textured patterned papers, beautiful colors...ahh.... l'amour.... And the accessories to match are equally wonderful. The Glitter Borders I used are super-cute and have just the right touch of sparkle!! Easy-peasy! And....you get five in a package for only $1.49. Yep, that's worth trying, if you ask me! I thought these products would be PERFECT for the texture challenge because the paper is textured (Duh! A no-brainer!), there is glitter on the borders, and I Fun-Flocked the little chickie. See?

Anyway, just a quick card. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. We are about to hit the gym for a bit (I'm gonna PUMP.... ME UP!), but I've been working on entering in products all weekend! We've gotten in the following....

• Kaisercraft...New pearl colors (new to Limelight!). Lush is a springy green and Hot Pink is perfect for V-Day. 'Nuff said. We have the Be Mine patterned paper line. Lots of hearts, dots, and pink and purple! We also got in Contemporary Clocks! Perfect for altering and gift-giving and home decor! My DAD bought one the first day we had 'em!! And wants more...Get 'em before Dad gets them all! :)
• Crate Paper... We reordered the much-loved Sweet Branch rub-ons. Also, we ordered all of the 12x12 papers in the Lemongrass and Mia lines. We ordered the matching Glitter Diecuts, Glitter Borders, and Texture Brads! Gorgeous stuff.
• May Arts....A few new ribbons...Have you seen the Sheer Pink Heart-Edged goodness? :)
• October Afternoon.... Oh, yes. I said it. We. Have. October. Afternoon. WOOT! WOOT! I'm gonna be working on entering that in tonight! I've put in the Weathervane stamp set and the Good Cheer 8x8 Paper Pads, but so far, that's it. We've got the Night Light, Detours, Hometown, and Weathervane papers, along with a few accessories.... Happy drooling!

What's coming soon?

• Stampendous....New stuff comes on MONDAY!!
  
• Unity....Lots of new stamps and reorders! We're getting Ginormous Cupcakes, Love and Meaning, Shine On!, Rows of Yummies, some Easter stamps, and more!
• Odd Bird Planet....Some of their new releases!
• Pink Cat Studio...We have their two **NEW** stamp sets that will be released on Thursday! :) And some much-anticipated reorders!
• Shimmerz...The four **NEW** colors will be available to order on Monday, January 12...their release date! You will FLIP for these new shimmery colors!
  

Stamps: You Rock, Chicklet Right. Paper: Lemongrass - Lime, WNP Chocolate, GP White. Ink: Chocolate Chip. Accessories: Fun Flock (I used Sunshiney Yellow), Lemongrass Glitter Borders, Koh-i-noor Pencils.

Six Chicks Sketch Challenge #12

One trend has become VERY noticeable in the paper-crafting industry in the past year: textured products! We have textured cardstock, embossing, fuzzy ribbons, fun flock, and lots of other products that make paper crafting fun to the touch! So this week we ask you: Why don't you reach out and touch....some textured products? (Diana Ross, anyone??) Limelight Papercrafts carries some gorgeous ribbons that are fuzzy, silky, and smooth. Or if that doesn't appeal to you, how about Fun Flock in 9 fun colors!? What about the new Core'dinations textured cardstock? If it's got texture, use it! If you don't have anything from Limelight, that's ok! Use what you do have!

• Sketch and Product Challenge with a focus on textured products.
• Uploads to SCS should have the keyword: LLPC012.Participants should post a comment and a link to their card on my blog (RIGHT HERE!).
• All entries must be submitted by Sunday, January 11th , at midnight to win a 12x12 Core'dinations Chocolate Box paper pack!

*Edited to add in my card! Here are the details!
Stamps: Delectable Delights. Paper: Bazzill Criss Cross - Bubblegum, GP White, WNP Black, Sweet Cakes - Sweet Nothings, Sweet Cakes - Cupcake Cutie (both Pink Paislee). Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black. Accessories: Sweet Cakes Press-ons, Black Satin Ribbon, Star Dust Stickles, Bazill 1 1/4" Circle Chips, Koh-i-noor Pencils.

What's Shakin', Sugar?

Good morning! After a crazy day yesterday, it's been very nice to just stay home and be a homebody! We took my son for allergy testing because he has had several outbreaks of hives in the past couple of months, but (luckily) it seems to be some kind of viral infection. He has NO allergies! :) It was a rough appointment for him, but he did such a GREAT job! We were so proud of our little trooper! We treated him by taking him swimming at the pool at our local gym. We decided to rejoin the gym (we LOVED it when we were members a couple of years ago...BEFORE children!), so it was the perfect opportunity to take the kiddos.

I made this card using the new Pink Paislee Sweet treats papers as a starting point. I just LOVE this paper! The concentric (but funky!) circles with the heart in the middle are so adorable! And I thought the lollipop from Unity's Delectable Delights would be a perfect match.... So I paper pieced! Fun, huh? The "sweet thing" sentiment is actually from the Cupcakes a la Yummy stamp set (which will be back in stock soon!), but I used the "What's Shakin Sugar?" on the INSIDE of the card! I covered the rims of both circles with Pink Paislee Bubblegum Pixee Stix glitter. This glitter isn't overly SPARKLY, ya know? It's more of a pink sugar kind of look...perfect for this project! :) OH! And I used my new Koh-i-noor pencils Drew got me for Christmas to color in the bow...I love the result! LOVE IT!

Don't forget....

• Come back tomorrow for a sketch and product challenge! We are focusing on TEXTURED items in our cardmaking!!! And there will be a super AWESOME prize...A chocolate box 12x12 paper pack!
• Check out the SALES!! What's on sale at Limelight Papercrafts January 5 - 11?
  **ALL envelopes are 40-50% off! ! We want to help get you ready to send out your valentines!
  **Pebbles, Inc. Chalk - 40% off!
  **Pebbles, Inc. Love Crossword and Loverly Flower 12x12 papers!
• We are getting LOTS of new things in the store... More May Arts ribbon will be added TODAY (including some super-cute heart-edged ribbon for V-Day!)! Tomorrow, more Basic Grey Bittersweet (including new products!) is coming! We also have the Crate Paper Mia and Lemongrass lines coming, an order from OCTOBER AFTERNOON (woot! woot!), more Unity stamps (and reorders of what we were out of!), Odd Bird Planet, Kaisercraft, and Stampendous! I've been a busy shopper. ;)
  

Stamps: Delectable Delights, Cupcakes a la Yummy (both Unity). Paper: Basic Black, GP White, Sweet Cakes - Sweet Nothings. Accessories: Pink sheer ribbon, Koh-i-noor pencils, Bubblegum Pixee Stix, Circle Punches.

Project Parade: For the Kids!

Each month, we challenge our super-talented design team to create something special. Something to WOW and INSPIRE you! And for January, we figure that with the cold, dreary weather, you might be looking for something to do with the kids in your life! (Sorry mine is a little late...internet problems here this morning!)

The mission (and they chose to accept it): Create a project either FOR children OR that can be DONE WITH children. Be sure to check out EACH of the DT blogs in my sidebar (to the right) for the wonderful projects they've come up with!


For my project, I used a tin my mom brought to me for Christmas. Yep, she brought me the tin...NOTHING in it. She said, "I thought maybe you could use this for one of your projects." Yeah, she gets me. I created a Tic Tac Toe traveling game! I covered the square tin with TaDa Pokee Dots paper (SERIOUSLY...the cutest name EVER), used Red Rick Rack for the tic tac toe grid, and embellished with Pink Paislee Chocolate Alphabet Stickers. In lieu of X's and O's (which would CERTAINLY be cute and doable...), I chose to use my Unity Middle School Madness stamp set. We don't actually carry this particular Unity set in the store, but if you want it, we'd be HAPPY to special order it for you! (Really, ask us about ANY special order, particularly if it's from one of our manufacturers. We LOVE to help you get exactly what you want!) I chose the Middle School Madness because I wanted to go with a BOYS VERSUS GIRLS theme! :) Ha! What elementary schoolers (and older?) wouldn't love that? I cut out boy and girl faces and adhered magnet strips to the backs to help them stick to the tin for travel. The finishing touch to the game is a "winner's circle" (that's for you, Drew!). The "Girls Rule" and "Boys Rule" buttons were used to embellish the front, but at the end of the game, the winner could use the appropriate button to show off the winner! :)
We hope you enjoy the ideas! Be sure to come back this Thursday, January 8, for a sketch and product challenge....and, as always, a ROCKIN' PRIZE!!

Gift Cards....YUMMY!

Today is my father's birthday. Happy birthday, Dad!!!

He shares my appreciation for humorous signs. So we couldn't help but take a picture (with my cell phone camera!) of this local Zaxby's sign....

Wanna Be a Six Chick? DT CALL!!!

How would YOU like to be in the Limelight?? We are now accepting applications for our third term of our design team! Applications are due by Saturday, January 17, and I will announce the new design team here on the blog and on the site on Monday, January 19. We are only accepting design team members from the United States right now because we only ship within the United States. Here are the deets...

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A DESIGN TEAM MEMBER?
This is a three-month commitment, February 1, 2008 - April 30, 2009. Create at least the required number of cards, scrapbook pages, or projects per month using at least two products carried by Limelight Papercrafts. (The Limelight products should be the focus of your project.) Then, just post good-quality digital images to your blog and in online galleries, and talk up the store whenever and wherever you can! You would not need to send your creations to me, unless you just REALLY want to. You can use them for whatever you'd like.

There will be six total design team spots. I want to have fun with this, and the six ladies will be referred to as the "Six Chicks". Ever seen 13 Going on 30? If not, you NEED to! So cute! But I digress... The Six Chicks will be the driving force of the DT, and they will have the following obligations:
-1 "big" themed project per month. I will assign a themed project to be presented on the sixth of each month, and each DT member will create a project fitting the theme. For example, the themed project for February will be to create a Valentine's Day gift and matching card for a FRIEND.
-2 sketches per month. Yes, some months there will be three. But I would like each DT member to participate in the sketches.
-3 additional cards or projects per month.

There will also be a Monthly Guest Designer spot, which we've decided to call the "Seventh Six Chick." Now I know what you're thinking... That's mathematically impossible! (Sorry for all the 13 Going on 30 References... I do hope you've seen the movie and know what I'm talking about!) This person will participate in the sketches and the themed project only for the month they are chosen. I will choose monthly guest designer spots from applications received from this DT call (so don't lose heart if I don't pick you RIGHT NOW!!), blog/gallery discovery, and applications received after the deadline.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The compensation is set at a $20 store credit per month, 25% off of store purchases over that, and I also may send you a product or two (for free!) as needed to use in some projects.

The Seventh Six Chick (our Monthly Designer) will receive an assortment of products as well as a 25% discount for the month in which they serve.

HOW DO I APPLY?
E-mail good-quality digital images of four cards or scrapbook pages, PLUS one gift or decor project that you consider to be your best work to mandy@limelightpapercrafts.com. Please put "Design Team" in the subject line. Also include in your e-mail a list of any other design teams on which you are currently serving or have served in the past, as well as one paragraph (or so) telling me why you would like to serve on the Limelight Papercrafts design team! Also include your blog address. One more thing... Tell me where you are located! :)
*If you would really prefer to send in your application and cards/projects through the mail, let me know, and I will let you know where to send them. I will not return any projects or applications sent to me.
*If you have already applied in the past, you do NOT need to send new cards/projects unless you would like to. Just send me an e-mail indicating your continued interest!

GOOD LUCK! Please feel free to post on your blogs or forums that I am holding this call! Post it wherever it's appropriate! :)

WINNER from JenMarie's Comments!

As I said yesterday, I used random.org to choose a winner tonight from the comments on JenMarie's princess castle album post. Guess who random.org chose????

ME!

So I guess I get to keep the rhinestones. And you get none. ;) JUST KIDDING! The second number it "chose" was...

Michelle B. AKA JustPaintingAround said...

Wowza! This is Super Cute! I miss my daughter being into princesses!

Michelle, e-mail me with your address, and I'll send out a package of silver rhinestones to ya! (Unless I decide that I AM the rightful winner....JUST KIDDING! SHEESH!!) :)

Happy 2009!

Well, happy first day of 2009 to all of you! I hope you are able to spend your day with family and friends! I think I have a card to share with you that I haven't shared before...I hope! I made this a while back using one of Brandi's fabulous Limelight sketches!! I used my Snow Burst stamp set (Thanks, Jill!)...which I LOVE! I have a few store things to share with you today that I *THINK* you'll be interested in.... I'll save the best (our January 7th Six Chick!!) for last ... ;) Cuz I'm evil like that. (Although you could just scroll down, huh? ...I digress...)

• All orders placed today at www.limelightpapercrafts.com will receive a FREE package of silver rhinestones!!
• Enter the code BALLDROP at checkout to receive 15% off of your ENTIRE order! (Please don't forget to enter the code!!)
• Our January 7th Six Chick (Guest DT member) ROCKS!!!! Let me introduce you to....

The LUVLEE Lee Murphy is our January guest DT member! Many of you know her as luvlee on Splitcoast!! She is just the sweetest gal around, and her passion for papercrafting is absolutely contagious! Creativity just OOZES from her! She lives in Colorado, so you'll hear a lot about the SNOW from her, and she loves cookies! ;) LUV that LuvLee!! Here are a few of Lee's cards for you to be amazed by!

Be sure to visit Lee's blog for more inspiration... and to welcome her aboard!!