An AWARD? for little ol' ME? AW!!!!!

One of my local paper-crafty-galpals, Tiffany, gave this award to me!  Thank You, Tiffany, it's so appreciated!

So, now I shall pass it on!  Here are the rules for those paying it forward: A. Thank the person who gave you the award; B. Share 8 things about yourself; C. Pass this award onto 8 bloggers who inspire you!

About little ol' me....

(1) 2011 is gonna be a SUPAH year!  Not only is my oldest son, Josh, turning 21, but I will be 40 in just 45 days (not that I am counting or anything like that!)!

(2) All of my pets' names start with "P"; I have two cats, Patches and Persian, and one dog, Pepsi! (and I had (another cat) Patches in the past and a Peaches, maltese dog, too!)

(3) I have always loved to color, which is probably why I am a COPIC addict!

(4) I don't mind doing laundry, just HATE putting it away...probably because of all those stairs in my house!

(5) I have moved 22 times in my life and lived in 5 or 6 states (not sure of the number because I was a baby during the first few moves)!

(6) One of my favorite artist/designers is Mary Engelbreit; I love her use of bold colors and contrast even though I don't craft like that at all! Primary colors are NOT my thing! LOL!

(7) I am a Farmville junkie!  It's embarrassing, but I do love my farm!

(8) One of my BFF's daughter is in the hospital with pneumonia and really needs prayers!  Kelsey had a heart transplant at 12 (she's 19 now) so it's kinda scary! SO if you are a prayer warrior, please help!

For my 8 Blogger friends that inspire me, there's .... 

Dee, my sidekick at Meljen's Designs, we are a team!

Melissa Jenkins, creator of Meljen's Designs

Andrea, her softpastel creations are divine!

Sandy, one of my fellow Designer friends and operator of Operation Write Home!

Lori, illustrator of Puddle Jumpers and Sugar Sticks, she makes cute people!

Claudia, owner of Claudia & Co, she's a sweet friend and a fantastic artist, too!

Marianne, she's so freakingly Copically talented, it amazes me!

Gwen, such a loving supportive gal and an awesome scrapbooker!

and an extra to...

Lisa, she's so humble about her talent, and just a great soul!

I would have forwarded this to a few other gals (like the rest of Meljen's Designs DESIGN TEAM and all of the gals on both of Claudia's TEAMS, too!), but they either were already were blessed with it from others and/or I just plain ran out of time!!!!!!  ALL of my favorite crafters and friends are in my sidebar at left!  Take time to click on all of them, because I have the most talented paper-designer-friends around, let me tell ya!

Now, go spread the love

 

&

 

Pray for Kelsey!

Sunshine Award!

I was awarded this SUNSHINE AWARD

twice now, so I guess I oughta get to it, huh!? 

My local scrappin' gal pal, Tiffany of MY CRAFTY WORLD and a fellow Design Team Diva of Meljen's Designs, Lauretta See, have honored me with this award!

It is so sweet to know that these ladies think I bring a little sunshine into their lives! 

Now I am supposed to pass it along to another 12 gals!  Well, since I just recently did something similar to this, which  YOU CAN SEE HERE, I would like to forward this to ALL of my FOLLOWERS and COMMENTATORS!  Those gals that leave me some love on my posts are so sweet and encouraging and I do appreciate each and every comment!  And these comments do bring some sunshine to my life; sometimes MUCH NEEDED SUNSHINE!!!

SO, if you have ever commented and left me some love, please grab this award and pass it along to your friends that bring a little sunshine to your life!

Thank YOU for being my cyber friend!!

Award and a DT CALL!

One of my cyber-crafty-friends, MEGAN of PICTURE PERFECT CREATIONS, bestowed a blogger award on me earlier this week!  And of course I have to spread the love!  It is so unfair to have to make me choose just seven!  I know so many inspiring artists and crafters, here in blogland!  A certain few do stand out to me, but for different reasons...

Korin has a wonderful, Christian, inspiring blog REJOICING EVERY MOMENT.  She's taking a break right now, but scroll down through past posts, she shares so much about her relationship with Christ AND her family, a really good read!

Kris, my sister, has a great blog AT HOME WITH KRIS, that shares great recipes, sales, and interesting online 'finds'!  She also shares personal and medical issues, which remind us that we all struggle at times!

Melanie, one of my fellow Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps digi Design Team members, has awesome talent using Copic Markers!  Well, you know how I am such a fan of Copics!!  See her blog PAPER BLESSINGS and see her creations, she's ultra Copic-talented!

Sarah Moran is a lampwork artist.  She makes glass beads and WOWSERS, go see her blog Z-BEADS.  I have seen her beads sell up to $100.00 EACH!!!  Yep, I have seen sets of beads (Just beads, NOT in a bracelet to wear!) go for $600.00+!  But, wait until you see them!  THEY ARE AWESOME! The Boro beads are my favorite!

Melyssa, who is the creator of WhimsieDoodles.com, whom I design for, is not just a great illustrator, but a fabulous card maker!  She, herself is on other Design Teams eventhough she has her own digi and rubber stamp line!  Her creations are clean lined, balanced and wonderful embellishment detailing with buttons, twine, lace and ribbon!  And she can use those Copics, too, let me tell ya!  Check out FantastINK and see her talent!

Melissa Jenkins is new to me!  I just found her a few days ago when looking through a freebie digi site.  She is a very talented illustrator of her own digi line, called Meljen's Designs!  She has a sweet line of digi's surrounded with dashes, stitches, bubbles and I just think her style is so fun!  Go check her out and leave her some love!

Kathleen Paneitz is still a favorite of mine!  She's not as published as the paper-crafter-artist she used to be, per her request!  She enjoys photography and gardening more now than just papercrafting, and I am glad she DOES!  Her photos AMAZE ME!!!!!!!!!!!  She has been an idol of mine for a long time since finding her in magazines like PaperCrafts, CardMaker and MORE!  Her creations are so beautifully done and inspire me everytime!  Go peruse her blog, KASEY'S KORNER, you will be glad you did!

OK, so there's my seven for now!  Believe me, there are more I could list!!!!!!!! I think all of my fellow Design Team members are awesome!  There are a ton of gals that I am inspired by every single day!  But for now, these gals will have to give you some inspiration!  I will share more favorites with you another day!!!!!!

As for the SEVEN THINGS ABOUT ME.....

1. I dream to go to Italy some day!
2. I want to learn to lampwork my own handmade beads!
3. A hot air balloon ride better happen before I die!
4. I have always wanted a white Toyota truck with pink trim and pink shock absorbers, etc., (that's the Texan coming out in me!)
5. I LOVE boots!  Again, the Texan....
6. I love anything and everything raspberry!!!!!!!
7. Velvet Tuberose is my favorite scent at Bath & Body Works! If you want to know the way to my heart, it's that! HA!

Thanks, Megan!  I so appreciate this gift of Beautiful Blogger!!!!!

AND, on that note, MEGAN is having a DT call!  She has started her own challenge blog HERE!  If you would like to apply, click HERE to see the details!!

See you tomorrow!!

WOW, AN AWARD!!

WOW, What a pleasant thing to get online to tonight! You have to understand that I have been in bed ALL day today since church let out at 10am! MAJOR MIGRAINE going on here! I peeked in on email earlier, but no blog hopping until now! WOW, this migraine was a bad one!

I am no stranger to migraines, but normally they aren't this bad! BUT, I am totally on the UPSWING with this award, my fellow design team member, KELLY LANDERS, has honored me with!! THANKS KELLY! This 'I LIKE YOUR STYLE' award is such an honor to get coming from Kelly! She's a SUPAH artist, let me tell ya! Check out her blog and see for yourself!

Of course I now have to forward this to those I think are "WORTHY", HAHA! I do have so many artist friends that I think are MAJOR talented; and you can see them ALL at left under the 'What's New in the Paper-World' blog roll. But, please allow me to highlight a few for you!

Kathleen Paneitz - she is quite the accomplished (and HUGELY published) artist, you may have seen in any paper-related magazine. She and I have become cyber-friends over the past year and while she doesn't post many paper items on her blog, you should check it out anyways! WOW, she's an amazing photographer, too! PLEASE take some time to check her out, she is SO worthy of this award!!

Kelly Birrell - this is a different Kelly than the one who forwarded this award to me, don't be confused and skip over this gal! Kelly is a personal friend of mine (poor girl!) and is seriously an amazing scrapbooker! Make no mistake, her cards are lovely, too, but her scrapbook pages astound me, too! Kelly's eye is keen and detailed and SMART, too! She's always composing her photographs while taking pictures so that they will work for a future layout! YEP, that's why I said SMART!

Diana Gibbs - Well, let me tell ya a little ditty about Di... she's HILARIOUS! Not only is she a gifted artist and superb card designer, she's a sit down (opposed to a 'stand-up') blogger- comedian at her computer! I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading her blog every time she posts! She can always get me movin' and motivated even when my mood is NOT the best! Some of her paper-creations are sweetly twisted (go look for the recent post of her robot 'passing gas', LOL), which makes her a favorite in my book!

Andrea Vernagus - Andrea, Andrea, Andrea... a truly talented and giving artist! I met Andrea through a blog-candy-for-a-cause last year {that she was hosting for a sick baby} and have been impressed with her card-style ever since! Recently Andrea has been posting some of the most beautiful techniques! And her end result is even more beautiful! G0 scroll on over down her blog for some beautiful artwork and get inspired to try something new!

Tiffany Bauer - The Sketch QUEEN of Paper-Crafts! Tiffany seriously can work a SKETCH! She just posted a SLEW of cards using different sketches from different sources. Tiffany is also a friend of mine and my one and only Stampin' Up! Downline, too. She was #1 Rising Star last year at convention and #50 Top Demonstrator in the U.S., too! So you can tell from that she's got some talent AND knows how to make a business successful! I can't wait to see how she fairs at convention this summer! I am SURE she will be one of the top 10 in sales (or better!)!!

Marianne Walker - Last but surely not least (don't forget to check out my blog roll at left) is MARIANNE! OH, HOW I LOVE Marianne! She is employed by Copic Markers and seriously knows her STUFF!! It is shocking to me what this gal can do with just markers! From shading to shadowing (which she taught me is two different things!) she knows how to make images come to life on paper! Her blog is full of tips and techniques and inspiring creations, too! Put her in your favorites or on your blog roll if you use Copics OR even if you are considering investing in them! Her knowledge is crazy-plentiful and will keep you on top of the COPIC GAME!

Now, I really REALLY wanted to give more information out on these gals...

Sharon Harnist (this famously published gal can COPIC COLOR to no END!)

Denise Marzec (PeanutBee is amazingly detailed INSIDE her cards, as well as out! I love her pastel ways, something I just can't seem to accomplish!)

Carolyn King (Another amazing artist, often published in mags, too! Cammie is wonderfully well-rounded from stamps to paper to embellies, don't miss out on her blog!)

AND My fellow Design Team Members of:
Whimsie Doodles
Precious Scraps
SheetLoad of Cards

ETA: HOLY CRAPOLA, I forgot to mention my dear friend, JenMarie! She's quite the paper-guru, TOO! So, be sure to see her lovely creations, too!!!

... BUT, I am seriously needing to go put my head back on my soft pillow! The migraine is trying to return and I need to nip this in the bud NOW before it gets worse! My hubby can NOT stay home tomorrow so I can lay in bed for two days in a row, so I better scat for now! BUT please be sure to check out Sharon's, Denise's and Cammie's blogs as well as all of my VERY talented friends and designers on SheetLoad of Cards, Precious Scraps and Whimsie Doodles (listed above), you will be inspired by these talented ladies each and every day!

Thanks again to Kelly for forwarding me this award! I am SO very flattered!!

Have A GREAT WEEK!

An AWARD? FOR ME???

My galpal, Kelly, awarded me with the LEMONADE STAND AWARD!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I get to forward it on to those blogger-friends that I think also show a great attitude and show awesome gratitude on their blogs!

Thanks, KELLY!
I hope your back surgery today was an awesome success!
I LOVE YOU!

As for my TOP FIVE:

Kathleen Paneitz - I only know Kathleen from this cyber-paper-world, but seriously, she is the kindest, most gracious and giving person I have NEVER met! She's talented as a paper-crafter, photgrapher and gardener, too! Check out her blog!! xoxo to you Kathleen!

Denise Marzec - I love Denise. She inspires me each and every day with her up-lifting attitude and glorious artsy crafts! She seriously does have an awesome attitude and is always there with a kind word when I need one!

Cammie - Oh, Cammie! She's another wonderful gal who puts her family and charities before herself at times. Here paper-talent amazes me and she always seems to have that positive attitude that I need to hear to get me back on the up-swing of things! Hope that tooth is healing, GIRL!

Amy - my long-time girlfriend. Although her blog doesn't highlight her papercrafting as much as her family, she really IS one talented gal! She's too humble, trust me! I always find it wonderful to read her blog as well as speak with her about the regular going-ons in her life and how she trusts the Lord so much in her life. I aspire to be able to give my problems to the Lord so easily as she does. I am just such a control freak! Love you, Amy!

Marianne - Ms. Marker Herself! Marianne Walker is one talented gal! I hope to be able to give her a hug in person someday!! Marianne works for Copic Markers and is seriously the QUEEN of COPIC!! Her blog just inspires me to whip out those markers every single day!! She's also a stamp-image creator/illustrator for My Craft Lounge stamp company!! AND she is just as sweet as she is UBER talented!

PAY IT FORWARD, GIRLS!

Lady Bug AWARD!!

AW! Cheri Howard honored me with this cute little award!! I so appreciate it! THANKS, CHERI!!

Of course, I am supposed to forward it! Due to time-constraints, PLEASE let me direct you to my blog roll at left!

There are so many bloggers out there that are awesome that I can't possibly put them ALL on my blog, but these peeps are the gals that I love to watch. Whether it be their humor (Stampin' with Di) or their techniques and tips (I like Markers) or their sheer talent (every single one in the blog roll!) I love to visit these gals the most! I try to comment when I can, but if I did every single time, I would never get any cards made or laundry done! LOL!!

SO! If you are in my blog roll, consider yourself awarded with this LadyBug Award, because your blog does make MY HEART SMILE!!!!!!!!!!! So, add it to your blog and forward it to your favorites, too, if you wish!

See you all in a bit!

Lovely Blog Award

I have been given a Blog award from Andrea at Crafty Engineering! AW!!! She is just so super sweet AND UBER TALENTED "craft-wise"!! I have just recently gotten to know Andrea and really think she is an outstanding person! All around great gal, giving, too, always trying to help others with her 'Blog Candy for a Cause' and raise awareness for those people who need it!

Thanks, Andrea!



To pass this along... of course I am supposed to give this to some wonderful other bloggers!! Well, I just recently gave out an award last week, so I will pick some different people that I do indeed also admire!

Well, I have to say that one right now, really stands out....
Stamping with Di - OH MY GOSH, she is so totally hilarious! Her witty personality shines through her words, please check her out! I should mention that her creations totally ROCK, too!!

Marianne Walker - I haven't mentioned her lately! For those who love Copic Markers, she is ONE GAL you need to get to know through her blog! She shares her tips AND SECRETS to her divine illustrations! And she now has her own stampline, Our Craft Lounge!

Carolyn King - I still love Cammie, she is one great gal, and a NEWBIE Dirty Dozen!! She has wonderful and inspiring creations nearly everyday on her blog! She is a designer for a couple of stamp companies and is published often in magazines, too!!

Rachelle Anne Miller - OH GEEZZZZZZ, check out this gal's stamps! I seriously am in LOVE with her! She's more artistic than crafty, in my opinion, please look at her illustrations, they seriously are to die for!!

Denise Marzec - AKA Peanutbee, is another great cardmaker! I love the fact that she adds an interior design to her cards. I always stamp my envelopes, but she does the inside, as well as card fronts!! She designs for some stamp companies, as well, so you KNOW she is talented!

There's my Five, I could go on, but seriously the kids are coming off the bus as I type! (I sent Josh to go get them, he's super sweet sometimes.... I wonder if he's wanting something... HAHA!)

Make it a super afternoon!

I WON AN AWARD!!

WOW, I have been bestowed this award (scroll down to see it) from Marianne Walker!! She has a fabulous blog that shows us COPIC MARKER fans how to use our markers in different ways, and in general, to get the best results we can!

Apparently, Marianne (who, I should mention, is employed by COPIC) has been given a ton of 'Blog Awards' in the past that she needed to pass along... well, instead, she designed, created and used her Copics to fashion up this NEW AWARD for her 'Best Commentators'! AND she chose me as one!! WOW, so flattered!

{{AND isn't this award she created just the CUTEST?? Maybe that is why she and a couple of gals got together to create their very own stamp-line, OUR CRAFT LOUNGE!}}

So, to be able to say that I have been awarded with this award from the person who created it, really is soooooooo cool!! So, now I have to forward it on to my best commentators! I love all of the feedback that everyone gives me! So, if your name isn't listed here, don't get upset! I do appreciate ALL of the comments each and every one! But there are some special peeps out there that just make me feel so special! SO! With that being said, check out the following:

1. 2 Guys A girl and a lab - my good friend Amy has a great blog about friends, family and faith - I just wish she would post some of her paper creations and scrapbook pages!! We have sons the same age so we relate to each other very well; and she's always leaving the most encouraging comments for me to read!

2. Robbi - my Canadian Friend, who will eventually get a blog up and running (HINT HINT, no pressure though!!) to show off her fabulous creations always leaves such kind comments! She is also a great friend who supports me often with uplifting advice AND the most hilarious emails ever!! xoxo!!

3. Kathleen Paneitz - she is a wonderful artist (published in tons of mags, too!) and a cyber friend that I have gotten to know over the past year or so. She is so inspiring to me in so many ways! She has a fabulous garden that I envy, she has such a keen eye with her camera it will shock you, and she of course is one of my favorite paper-crafters EVAH! I love getting comments from Kathleen because I admire her talent so very much!!

4. My Crafty World - Tiffany is a local friend and a true blogger, always supporting me with steady comments mostly each day. She is a SUP! demo and has a great blog with not only cards, but scrapbook layouts and other projects, as well! She is a faithful jewelry/gift supporter of mine as well, so I appreciate her bunches!

5. Scrap Happy! - Kelly is a lonnnnnnng-time friend of mine, known that chick FOREVAH!! She is an amazing scrapbooker!! Don't get me wrong, her cards are great, too, but her flair with the 12 x 12's is AMAZING!!!!! Kelly's commenting has slacked off a bit since she has picked up more working hours, but when she does leave a comment, I get a big head!

Now, if you want to forward it, just snag the award and post it on your own blog! OH, and I will break a rule and say that any commentator on my blog can forward it, so we call all feel the love!

Thanks to all of those who take time out to comment!

And "THANKS AGAIN" to Marianne for this award! I appreciate it!!