Dot & Whimsy

...December Daily starts :)

I have the base for my album finished and am now working on one to sell on Etsy.  I'm using the Peppermint Collection from Crate...also the December My Scrapbook Nook Kit.

I dug way back in my stash and brought out some old Daisy D's papers...all inspired by vintage prints.

I created the assorted pages using my Cricut. I love how each page peeks out from one another...adds fun and interest!

Aw!  My very last projects for  Your Scrapbook Stash.  If you hadn't heard, Erica will be closing down the online store on December 31st.  Tons of great deals can be found there, so go by and visit soon.

I created this sweet mini cork-board hanger using materials by Bella Blvd's FINALLY FALL and Amy Tangerine's PATCHES.  I will be giving a tutorial at the YSS blog next month.

And a layout that I scrapped for my mom's 2012 calendar!

Here's another card featuring the cute bird (or penguin?  I'm not sure!) from the PAIN AND PRIDE stamp set by Unity.

It's a little hard to tell in this photo, but I decided to make this guy a bluebird this time around.

Heather has NEW stamps coming this week...I hope you have a chance to check them out!

www.iheart-ippity.blogspot.com

Gotta get back to work...December Daily calls :)

Shellye

It is time to announce the My Scrapbook Nook Blog Hop winner from my blog!  My daughter, Sydnee, chose the number and the winner is

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Kari Ann, just email me at paperposey@aol.com with your mailing address and choices of THREE different fringe assortments.  You can view them all here

Congratulations, Kari Ann! Thank you, everyone for the sweet comments...I cherish them all :)
The official winner of the MSN prize will be announced very soon!

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Well, if you frequent the forum at The Nook, then you know we've been without power for a week now...I'm happy to announce that it's back up and running! 

While the board was disabled, a blog was set up so that we could continue to share challenges and news with all of you. 

My latest CARDS Challenge will go live at the blog tomorrow, but to keep with my "Wednesday" schedule at the forum, I did go ahead and post it there today. 

I'm giving away a PRIZE to the first (non Nook DT person) to complete the card and upload it here at the forum  *hint* the theme is "Give Thanks" :)

And here is a beautiful collage of the November Kit...shop for yours today!

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I adore this newest set of stamps that I received from Ippity last week! 

I had my Christmas tunes playing, so I was really in the 'spirit' while making this little cutie.

I stamped, then cut out the image from a sheet of white cardstock.  I mounted that onto a sheet of patterned paper (by My Mind's Eye) and cut it out a little larger.  Using that same size, I also cut a circle from the front of my card.  The actual stamped image is placed on the inside of the card just for kicks :)  I then outlined the circle in baker's twine.

Heather has ALL of your favorite Ippity stamps by Unity!  Be sure to visit her at

It's a bittersweet time for Erica at YSS!  She will officially close the store's doors on December 31, 2011.  I can simply say that I have thoroughly enjoyed designing for one of the most fabulous scrapbook stores on the net :)

YSS will be greatly missed!

I will be working with some adorable papers and accents from Bella Blvd this month...I'll be sharing those soon as my last stint as a Design Team member *sniff*

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I will see you all in a couple of days, if not tomorrow.

Take care,

Shellye

Have you ever worked and worked on something only to have it go in the trash?  What a waste of time and good scrappin' supplies.ugh. I had one more layout to submit for Your Scrapbook Stash and I thought it would never come together...but it did...finally :) Saved me from going bananas or hysterical...not that one would be prettier than the other LOL

 Patterned papers and clear overlays from Phantom by Pink Paislee.  I doubled the overlay on the photo of Snoopy.

 A Not So HAUNTED Halloween on the Great Pumpkin Train excursion in Palestine, Texas a couple of years ago.  Such a nice relaxing trip and the train ride was like stepping back in time.

Speaking of bananas, I made the yummiest treat this week

1/2 cup butter, softened

1½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 cup (8 oz) sour cream

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

2 medium ripe bananas, mashed

Cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs, sour cream and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Stir in bananas.  Spread in a greased 15x10x1 inch baking pan (jelly roll pan).  Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes.  Cool.

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 tsp. vanilla

3½- 4 cups powdered sugar

Cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla.  Gradually beat in sugar.  Frost bards.  Store in refrigerator.

Here are two other layouts that I created for Your Scrapbook Stash.  The first is based on a sketch that I created for their blog

I absolutely LOVE this set by Pink Paislee...VINTAGE VOGUE

And finally...another layout that I did using the Vintage Vogue.  I adore this layout of Sydnee and Tyler's girlfriend, Kristin.  Kristin took these photos with her cell phone, so not the best quality, but I just couldn't resist scrappin' them!

The flowers were crafted from the Vintage Vogue Ribbon Trims.  I simply threaded a running stitch through the top of crochet trim and gathered into a flower design. Aren't those papers so sweet?!? 

As always, SAVE when you shop at Your Scrapbook Stash...Erica loves to share coupon codes with her customers :)

Speaking of Erica...she just announced a SKETCH CONTEST with a couple of great prizes to give-a-way!

To get the full run-down, just visit the YSS BLOG

Just use one of the sketches from the Gallery and have it completed and uploaded by Thursday, November 3rd.  Hope that you can play along...AND win a prize...Good Luck!

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Whew, lots going on over at The Nook!  I will begin my official capacity as Design Team member this next month...I'm sooo ready and excited.  I am counterpart to Danni Reid in the CARDS division, which is located on the fabulous Nook Forum :)  Each week we will host a couple of cool challenges, sketches, tutorials and more.  If you love making cards then this is the place for you.  New to cards, then this is the place for you.  Be sure to join us!  The rest of the awesome Design Team will be providing other challenges in the area of layouts and altered art.  Also, Danni and Leah (owner of MSN) have been up to creating one-of-a-kind cards kits and classes to go along with them.  If you're interested, be sure to check out the forum and soon before they're gone!

Guess what?

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I will update with the 4-1-1 later on this weekend.  And yes, you read it right...Leah will be giving away

  Ten SUPER FABULOUS Nook Kits

Stay tuned...

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The Little Yellow Bicycle blog is going full blast!  If you haven't visited in a couple of weeks, there are several new projects that have been posted featuring the Cycling Team.  I did get my HELLO FALL project done and it should be up sometime next week....I will post it in its entirety once it's up, but in the meantime here's a little peek

I can't wait to show you the rest!

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I'll be back in the next day or two...still lots to share and update!

Shellye

As the old proverb goes...time flies when you're havin' fun!  I finally got back to the craft room yesterday and whew, I've whipped up a couple of cards, two layouts, a sketch and even an album for Etsy.

After my October kit from Your Scrapbook Stash took a major postal detour, it finally arrived at my doorstep on Friday...so happy and relieved to see it :)  It's always like Christmas when I rip open the tab to peer inside...this month I was surprised with a collection of Phantom by House of Three and Vintage Vogue by Collage Press!

 I love the way companies are designing papers with an edge of embossed or glittered accents...it's like stamping, but it's already done for you.

For my third pop of color (since I design in three's) I used some lavender brads from my stash AND a couple of the sweet Chipboard Pops from the Vintage Vogue kit! And I'm now addicted to making medallions, just so you know.

I have an adorable layout completed with Vintage Vogue;  as soon as it goes live at YSS's blog on Friday, I'll share here...along with a cool sketch by lil old me.

Yeppp...got me some new stamps this week!  

While I had my Vintage Vogue papers still out, I thought they would look cute paired up with one of the 'girls' from this stamp set.

Tomorrow is Wednesday Wowsers over at I Heart Ippity Blog...check it out♥

Things are humming right along over at the Nook forum...never a dull moment...always tons and tons of inspiration and chat.  I ♥ The Nook :) I'm still churning out the cards using the October Kit...can I just say that it's going a loooonnnggg way!  

This is a card that I crafted using a sketch by Danni 

 I've just listed this beautiful mini album at my Etsy shop...here's a little peek...

LITTLE YELLOW BICYCLE

So, next on my agenda is a project with the Hello Fall from LYB!  I will work on this tomorrow...hint...I will be incorporating something from my yard :)  Can't wait to share it with you.

Take care!

♥ Happy Tuesday ♥

It's been a busy, busy past few days...blog hops, getting acquainted over at The Nook, completing a few Design Team projects, several items made for Dot & Whimsy...and phew, I'm whipped...but lovin' it!

I got my Fall/Halloween goodies out this past week.  One of DH's friends brought me three bundles of corn stalks a couple of months ago...just need to get a scarecrow, some colorful mums and a few pumpkins and I'll be set to decorate the front porch and back patio.  Thank you, God for FALL ♥

Okay, so I'm diverting a bit from my raves of Fall.  As promised yesterday, I have a couple of next things to show you;  all from the Peppermint collection by Crate Paper.  What a load of retro and nostalgic F-U-N.

You can pick up your own Peppermint loot from Your Scrapbook Stash;  Erica always has the best deals and coupon codes for any of your purchases.

Here we go...first up is a card that I created for the Gallery at YSS

Every single thing was from the Peppermint Collection except for the crochet trim, felt snowflake and baker's twine.  I alternated chipboard snowflake rounds with a couple of the domed Sew Brads.  Santa's 'buttons' were cut from the pom pom trim.

This little album is chocked full of goodies...I even staggered the pages to create even more interest. Isn't the snowman the sweetest? I ♥ his smile!

I also scrapbooked a double-page layout from Peppermint, but I'll have to wait and share it once it's been pubbed on YSS Blog :)

I got my newest stamps from I Heart {Ippity} this last week...yay!  Always wanting to set out to do something 'different', I came up with this card, which folds from the top. The flower and "faith" stamps are from the Faith Blooms set by Ippity (Unity Stamp Co.)

I like that it's simple and I like that it's shabby...enough said *wink*

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I'll be back in a few!

Take care

...just thought I'd quote Dr. Suess this morning.  But that's how my mind feels right now...think, think, think!  Remember to do this and don't forget to do that.  I thrive on busyness and multi-tasking; maybe it's because I can actually feel my blood pumping, which is a good thing, right? :)  Some people work better under pressure...not saying that I don't look like a crazy woman while I'm at it, but I actually get a kick out of working on a layout while putting on make-up and folding clothes LOL  I keep reminding myself to enjoy these days when our kids are young, healthy and very active...couple that with my own priorities and yes, I have a gloriously full plate ♥ A Senior mom has always taken on the responsibility of coordinating the pre-game feeding of the Varsity football boys; of course I volunteered.  After-all, I've been helping out for the past two years and know the ropes...what foods weigh them down and if you put 200 cupcakes out, 35 boys will find a way to eat them...all.  DH and I also haul the inflatable Bear tunnel and a trailer loaded with portable water coolers to all of the away-games.  Hey, I get there extra-early, take lots of pictures of the boys warming up AND get a great seat!  Top that off with a WIN for the underdog and I'm a super happy momma!  So proud of both of my boys' WINS this week...way to go, guys...you always play like champs and like gentlemen :)

First of all...I made it!  I can't believe it, but I made the My Scrapbook Nook Design Team.  Truly I was stunned...so much talent to choose from and they picked little ole me ☺

Congratulations to these lovely ladies- they have all earned a spot on the Nook Team!
Anna Sigga- Iceland
Carol Monson- USA
Danni Reid-USA
Deanna Misner- USA
Gina Rodgers-Australia
Hilde L Aaslund- Norway
Jaz Lee- Singapore
Jessy Christopher-Malaysia
Katarina Damm-Blomberg- Finland
Kim Moreno-USA
Leah Killian-USA
LG Belarmino- Phillipeans
Lilith Eeckles- Belgium
Lisa Kisch- Canada
Marinette LEFEVRE- France
Nicole Nowosad- Canada
Pamella Brown-USA
Shellye McDaniel-USA
Stacey Michaud- USA

There are many ladies on this team whom I have admired for quite some time; what a dream to be named amongst them.  I'll work on getting their blog links up on my sidebar so you can take a gander at their work :)  Visit us over at The Nook Forum...I'm pretty picky about Forums...this one is AMAZING!

YOUR SCRAPBOOK STASH 
It's layout time!  Oh my goodness, I've had the best time playing with Fancy Pants' OFF TO SCHOOL papers, stickers, glitter cuts and filter papers.  I will have a Stash Fav post on the YSS Blog coming up soon where I share a couple of ideas for using the Filter papers.  In the meantime, here is a layout that I did using the filters as banners...it created its own unique look after each was machine stitched and distressed.

I love the way the banners curl to-and-fro!  I also used a star as a mask and spritzed a little Tattered Angels around it.  I also spritzed with Smooch Spray and a few flecks of butter-cream acrylic paint.

 Patterned paper, rubon stars and filter papers from OFF TO SCHOOL line.

And my very favorite layout that I've completed from...you guessed it, Fancy Pants' Off to School! I took another one of the large Filter papers and folded it in half to resemble a sun...well, half of a sun anyway.

Hope everyone has a terrific weekend!  Thanks for always stopping by and leaving comments...I appreciate them so very much♥

My kids have been back in full swing for three weeks now;  hard to believe that the first six weeks is half-way over...whew!  They're all the "big man (or girl) on campus" this year...a Senior, 8th-grader and 4th-grader.  Big.  One afternoon after picking Syd up, she comments on a girl walking along the sidewalk..."look at that cute little 1st grader"  She talks so big, as though she isn't cute or little herself anymore :)

Okay, ya'll know that I got some fabulous loot from Your Scrapbook Stash last week!  I finished my first project with the Fancy Pants' OFF TO SCHOOL line today.  It went together pretty quickly and was a lot of fun to make.  In my stash, was an acrylic sheet that has the alphabet in brown flocking from top to bottom.  I thought "how cool to use this in between pages...like the acrylic albums of old."  So, I went to cutting!  I actually machine stitched the "School is Cool" sticker on the front

Then, I grabbed a Maya Road scalloped chipboard album (from my stash) and cut the sheets (with an X-Acto knife) into different lengths to create a staggered look

Here are the following pages for you to enjoy

 I'll be back to list a couple of other projects tomorrow!

My Scrapbook Nook will be announcing their new Design Team tomorrow as well...good luck to all of the ladies trying out...it will be an amazing team ♥

Shellye

I've had a hauntingly good time at the craft desk for the past couple of days...the result is a few new Halloween goodies for Dot & Whimsy.  I have the whole week off and look to get lots of things done...last week netted nothing in the crafty department and I've missed my crafty time!  I cleaned the kids' closets out and ended up donating four huge bags of clothes to the local women/children's shelter.  I boxed up some of the boys' trophies and other little dust-collectors.  Trashed a ton of my daughter's stuff...I don't know why she keeps what she does...left me shaking my head so much that I'm surprised I didn't sprain my neck!  Broken toys, candy wrappers and every single crayon that she's ever owned...it goes a beyond simply being a pack-rat LOL.  Each year when school starts, I am just itching to get into her room and de-stash...she's none the wiser :) But I have learned to HIDE the trash from her too hahahaha!

I'm going to be working with Crate Paper's Peppermint and Fancy Pants' Off To School for the month of September...I'm so h-a-p-p-y!  Both collections are two that I've had my eyeball on since they debuted :)

I'll be posting a picture of my kit when it arrives.  Don't forget...YSS is a fabulous place to do your scrapbook shopping...and Erica is always hosting great specials!

It's been a good while since I last updated the blog, so here are several of my most recent projects:

Mini Halloween Album created for Dot & Whimsy.  I used vintage flashcards as the base pages!  I've been holding on to this reproduction vintage black cat postcard for quite a long time now...I thought it looked too perfect for this shape album so I decided it was time for us to part *sniff*

So I kept passing this adorable stamp at Hobby Lobby, laying in wait for the 40% off sale!  I love its whimsiness :)  My thought when purchasing the stamp was to create 'calling cards' for kids to handout when trick-or-treating.  I've left them blank so that they can be colored in and embellished by the kids themselves.  They can add a note of thanks to the back, along with their signature!

My latest card for I Heart-Ippity using Flowers + Friends= Priceless stamp collection from Unity Stamp Co.  I really love how it turned out and it was so super-simple!  First, I 'water-colored' the actual stamp using a little ink that I pressed into the lid of the stamp pad and a water-color brush...then I stamped it onto the actual card three different times.  Next, I used a darker ink and pressed the same flower stamp into it and then stamped onto a separate piece of white cardstock.  I hand-cut the two flowers and placed them around the other flowers.  Inks: Tulip and Smoothie by Close To My Heart

Wowee!  I'm multi-tasking between blogging, crafting and getting caught up on scrappy news...I've just made it over to My Scrapbook Nook's forum and see that I've made the Short-List for their upcoming Design Team.  How exciting!  I'm headed there now to get acquainted with everyone :)

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I had a fabulous 40th birthday!  Thank you for the emails and birthday wishes...it made my day just that much more special ♥

I'll be back in a day or two!