Hot cocoa, anyone?

I have something special to share with you today that my friend, Justine, made with the Winter Mittens stamp set. Look at all the details on these gift jars. I love the layered die cuts and those pretty bows on the side. And don't forget the buttons and twine with the mittens...just beautifully executed.

They would look pretty even just to put on a shelf for decoration. :-)

You will find the details on HER BLOG, including the recipe for this yummy concoction. Thank you, Justine, for sharing your talent with us. Your neighbors will surely be blessed by your work of love.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

Lovely Labels 2 Lovelies

I hope you are enjoying the GinaK Designs previews still going on now. I have one more set to show you tomorrow. And of course, it coordinates with Spellbinder dies!

Today's cards are by two of my talented friends who made these gorgeous Lovely Labels 2 cards. First is by Jennie Harper. I love this Graphic 45 paper that makes such an elegant, vintage card. The verse is from my Vintage Borders set. You can find more details of her card -->>HERE.

The second card is by Carla Suto, who makes such beautiful vintage cards. Here's another one of her beauties. She even made that beautiful flower. Find more info on her card-->>HERE.
I have tons to show you tomorrow featuring the new Heirloom Ornaments set. Can't wait! :-)

Fancy Cards from Jennie and Me

Where has time gone? It seems we just arrived from Croatia yesterday and now I can't believe it's almost September already. My craft stuff has been put away and split up between "must have's" and "can wait till next time" categories. In light of that, I haven't made anything new. I do have some new cards to show you today, though.

First up is from last week's Card Patterns sketch using my Fine Furnishings and Melanie's Arranged with Love sets. The papers are Cosmo Cricket DeLovely and Pink Paislee.

Speaking of beautiful friend... my Guest DT, Jennie, created this gorgeous card using my latest Grand Damask and Fanciful Tags sets. You can read more about it on her blog post HERE.

Introducing Grand Damask and Fanciful Tags

We're busy organizing and packing (including my craft supplies) for our upcoming departure for Croatia. It has been hectic, so it's nice to get my mind off that for a short while and introduce you to my latest stamp designs, Grand Damask:

And Fanciful Tags, which coordinate well with Spellbinders' Fancy Tag dies.
I have a beautiful card by my friend, Carla, to show you using these sets. You can find more info on her StampTV post.

We're taking a day off and enjoying the day with my parents and girls today. It's always good to take a break once in awhile. Stay cool and enjoy your day.

Some Carla Inspiration

I have two cards from one of my Designing Friends, Carla Suto, using Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Addition sets by GinaK Designs.

First up is a classic and elegant card. I just love black and white cards, don't you? This would be perfect for Anniversary, Wedding or any occasion card.

I love the vintage masculine feel of this second card. I wouldn't have thought of using pearls for a masculine card, but Carla made them work so well on her card. I love her color combo.

On a different note, we finally got summer weather in Croatia. We were heating our house just last week and today, our high is 86 deg F. I'm one happy lady :-) My girls still have two weeks of school. Croatian schools end late. I just wish it's over already, but at least we have the nice weather to enjoy :-).

Please meet Michelle

For the winner of my Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop, please scroll down below.

I am so glad to introduce you to my next Designing Friend this month, Michelle Woerner. She has a beautiful and elegant style that I just love. Look at what she created with my latest stamp sets by GinaK Designs, Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Addition. She has a way with bows, and an eye for color and design.

Let's get to know her a little bit.

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

Just over 3 years ago, I answered an ad off Craigslist to buy some scrapbook paper, and while I there I saw her lovely handmade Christmas cards. She said she made them using stamps from a company called Stampin’ Up!. This was a novel idea to me, I never knew people MADE their own cards?! How funny THAT is now -LOL! The rest is history as they say.

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques -Die cutting shapes, I love my Nestabilities!!
  
• Tools -My 5x7 paper cutter from Creative Memories, with all my trimming and tinkering for each card, I go through one every 6 months -LOL!
  
• embellishments -RIBBON!!
  

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?

A card can be a WOW card in many ways. With CAS cards, a WOW could be a well placed trio of bling. With layered cards, a WOW could be layering with the perfect border punch, or something. After I finish a card, I step away then come back and ask myself if anything could be removed or added.

4. What inspires you to create? Define your crafting style.

I create cards because I MUST craft everyday! It truly is my passion. I love the instant gratification of completing a card, and I love sharing my cards with friends and family. My style has changed a couple times over the years. Right now, I would say my crafting style is CAS-ish.

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from? Other interests besides paper crafting. Or any random fact about you.

I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband of 7 years, Bill and my 2 sons Daniel (6) and Ryan (4.5). Right now it's hard to have any other interest other than my family and cards. But I will say that I am a TV buff. I love TV shows and watch them all -DVR is my best friend!

Please meet Carla

First, happy Memorial day! Don't forget the Operation Write Home hop still going on. I will pick the winners of my giveaways tomorrow morning, so you have till tonight to enter!

Carla Suto is one of my StampTV friends and she's gracious enough to be one of my Designing Friends this month featuring my latest stamp sets by GinaK Designs, Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Addition.

Look at her beautiful cards below. I love how she mixes patterns so well. She excels in making elegant and classy cards.
Let's get to know her some more:

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

I was always an avid crafter but I only got into paper crafting about three years ago when my good friend brought me with her to a Stampin' Up party. The rest is history! I've been addicted to stamping and card-making ever since!

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques: Coloring with Copics, Embossing

• Tools: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Dies, Punches

• Embellishments: Ribbon, Flowers and Pearls

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?

A WOW card to me is something that really stands out with a unique layout, color combination or arrangement of embellishments. I'm always impressed by the amazing creativity of paper crafters. I love seeing designs I would never have thought of.

4. What inspires you to create? Define your crafting style.

I am inspired by lots of things. I love challenges and I find lots of inspiration on my favorite blogs and stamping sites. I'm not sure I have just one style. I love to use patterned papers in my creations. If one style appeals to me most, it is probably shabby chic. I love vintage-inspired images and embellishments.

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from? Other interests besides paper crafting. Or any random fact about you.

My immediate family consists of my wonderful DH of 22 years and our two sweet cat children. They are 12 years old. A year ago, I moved my 85-year-old Mom here to NC to be closer to us. I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I stayed in New England for college and graduate school, then began moving around the country for my post-doctoral work and for our jobs in the pharmaceutical/biotech industry. I lived in Houston, TX, Ann Arbor, MI, and San Diego, CA before settling here in North Carolina. We've been here for 6 years now. Before I got into paper crafting, I was really into jewelry-making, especially beaded jewelry. I also enjoy playing golf with DH and my friends when I have time.

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?

One of my favorite quotes is: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Introducing Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Addition

I finally get to share my latest stamp sets by GinaK Designs, Fine Furnishings and Fine Furnishings Addition. They were so much fun to illustrate and even more to stamp. They are perfect for paper piecing, 2-step stamping and creating scenes.

Most of these sentiments fit inside the frame stamp in the set above.

Here's a card that is inspired by the French country style. The papers are October Afternoon Thrift Shop, GinaK Bubblegum Pink and Ivory.

And one of my Designing Friends, the very talented Michelle Woerner, created this beauty with Fine Furnishings Addition. You can find more details on her blog post.

I also designed a new digital paper pack, Bright Botanicals, that match the new Card Kit, Botanicals.

I'll be back with a special blog hop tomorrow to honor our troops. I will have giveaways, freebies and lots of card samples to show you. Have a good Friday!

I love note cards...

...don't you? I think they are not only fun to make, but also to give away. It doesn't need to be for a birthday or whatever occasion, just to let someone know you're thinking of them.

These cards were made using the Cosmo Cricket Material Girl collection. The label stamp is from my Lovely Labels set that coordinates perfectly with many Spellbinders Labels dies. The sentiments are by SRM Stickers (Sticker Sentiments - Love, Sticker Sentiments - Thank You, Sticker Sentiments - Thank You). The cardstocks I used are PTI Melon Berry, GKD Lemon Drop, Ocean Mist and Creme de Menthe.

And look at what my friend, Justine, made with Vintage Backgrounds (the lace on the bottom). This is just the inside. Wait till you see the outside. It's hilarious and makes this sentiment even funnier. I don't know if I agree, though...haha. I'm dreading the day my youngest goes to school. I have one more year with her at home :-(.

You have to go check out Justine's post to see the rest of the card. Don't you just love all the vintage touches she put on this card? She does it so well.

Finally, did you know that I have two stamp set designs that were released before I joined the GinaK team? I will be back tomorrow to feature one of them for the There She Goes' Mother of all Blog Hops. There are lots of prizes to be won, so don't forget to hop along with us.

I've been busy creating and designing for many projects that I can't share yet, and we have guests from America coming on Sunday (woohoo! conversations in English). I am also teaching my second card class on the 15th that needs a lot of prep. So, I haven't been able to visit you all and your beautiful blogs. I just wish I don't need to sleep :-). But I am thankful for rest and that my being busy is because I'm doing something I love. God is good!

My Lovely Friend

I am thrilled to introduce you to another of my Designing Friends today who was one of the first online friends I made when I started this blog a year ago. She's a fellow expat and lives "next door" in beautiful Italy. Please help me in welcoming my lovely friend, Justine! I think she has the most clever blog name, Cardiology, because every card we make is a work from the heart. Isn't that right, my fellow crafters? :-)

Look at what she made with Vintage Backgrounds and an oldie-but-goldie GKD set, You Know You're Old When. That old man's face cracks me up and the houndstooth pattern, which is stamped superbly, just adds to the retro feel of the card. She colored him beautifully, too.

And she decorated the inside, too! I love all the little details.

Here's my interview with Justine:

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?
As far back as I can remember, I dabbled in crafts of one form or another. For years my entire card making supplies could fit in a single medium sized rubbermaid. I come from a very artsy/creative family but never felt like I had any talent whatsoever. I did love it when my students would say "Oh Mrs. Frederick, you color so beautiful and you can stay in the lines". Those sentiments always warmed my heart.

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques : Coloring with my Copic Markers & Distressing
  
• Tools : My Cuttlebug & My sponge dauber that I use for aging/distressing
  
• Embellishments : Hands down, RIBBON & creating my own out of vintage cloth
  

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion? Something that is different and has it's very own distinct style. (the cards that I look at and think, "Wow, why didn't I think of that")

4. What inspires you to create? Most of my inspiration comes from cruising around my favorite blogs & I've gotten to where I NEED a CHALLENGE to get my ideas flowing.

Define your crafting style:
This is tough, I could probably describe someone else's but I don't know that I have a particular style. I would love for someone to tell me what they think it is. My style is very much based on how an image "speaks" to me. I believe that I have a tendency to sit somewhere in the middle. Not too simple or clean but not overly embellished where my images get lost.

5. Tell us something about your family?
We are active duty Navy Special Operations, been married for 21+ years, 3 amazing children. We have not lived on the mainland United States since 1993. Where are you from? This is a trick question for a military family..... Both my husband and I were raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma area, however we consider either Honolulu, Hawaii or Sicily, Italy home since that is all our children have ever known and of course where our taxes are paid to. We did just purchase a home in Florida and will be moving in a little over a month. Other interests besides paper crafting: Collecting seaglass and just being on the beach. I would be perfectly happy living in a little grass hut on North Shore Oahu Any random fact about you: I consider myself to be a Motorcycle Mechanic, my husband races one of our Ducatis (Italian sport bike) and my Mechanic Nickname out on the Race Track is "JACK"

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?
I think anyone would tell you my favorite thing to say is "SOOOO, How's that workin' out for ya?",,, which is usually said to call attention to a not so good decision someone has made. Because I am super impulsive, one of my favorite bible verses is 1 Cor 10:13 (temptation).

And don't forget, you only have a few hours to enter you project on my challenge for a chance to win $20 Gift Certificate from Stampin' Up!

Just for You

My next designing friend is one who's been working with my Squigglefly digis for awhile now. She is one exciting, talented, prolific and beautiful person. Let me re-introduce you to...Savannah!

Look at what she made with my Vintage Backgrounds and Lovely Shelf sets? She thinks so out of the box and the results are beautiful. I never thought of going rustic with a teapot image, but she does it well here:

I did a little interview with Savannah when I introduced her as my Designing Friend with my Squigglefly images. Go HERE to read it again :-).

And I have to share this beautiful card made by one of GinaK Designs' finest, Lynn Mercurio, with Vintage Backgrounds. Isn't this stunning? You can find more info HERE.

Only ONE more day left for my challenge. I hope to see you submit your work. One random winner will get a $20 gift certificate from Stampin' Up demo, Lisa.

Introducing One of my Designing Friends

I'm so thrilled to introduce you to one of the three friends who are guest designing for me for my latest Gina K Designs set, Vintage Backgrounds.

Today I'm featuring my friends, Heather Jensen, who has a very feminine, shabby vintage style. I love her work and want to make cards like hers when I grow up :-). Just look at this gorgeous card she made with Vintage Backgrounds and Bright and Grungy Dots.

I asked her a few questions and I hope you enjoy reading these about this talented card maker as much I did.

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

I have been a Paper Crafter for about 3 years now.

2. What are your current favorite techniques, tools and embellishments?

My current favorites are anything vintage, Lace, Doilies, Glimmer Mist, Seam Binding, Border Punches,and Spellbinders.

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?

A WOW card for me is Vintage, soft, feminine, and pastel. I actually love all kinds of styles. I appreciate that everyone has different perspectives on things. I don't strictly like only my style. That is just what comes naturally for me.

4. What inspires you to create? Define your crafting style.

I have seen many things that inspire me to create. I have been in the bathroom dept at Target before and saw a shower curtain that had colors and a theme that inspired me. Packaging, and pictures inspire me a lot too. I would say my style is "Shabby Vintage" I like the inked edges, soft colors and feminine touches.

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from? Other interests besides paper crafting. Or any random fact about you.

I am a Navy Brat. My father was in the Navy for 21 years. We moved a lot! I just moved back to Alabama, which is where I was born. I enjoy working in the yard and watching the birds.

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?

Favorite saying is...Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

And don't forget the challenge I have going on now. A $20 Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate is the prize! You have less than 4 days to submit.

How about some inspirations from my friend?

I am so happy to introduce you today to another of my Designing Friends, Melissa! She and I became friends through StampTV and she has been a source of inspiration and encouragement through her beautiful work and frequent visits to my blog.

Look at what she's done with my Nana's Needlework and Sentiments sets:

And she paper pieced this quilt! Wow, amazing, isn't it? I love her attention to detail.

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

I have been stamping for 18 years. I got started by taking a class at a little stamp store and the rest is history. As a little girl, I love coloring and playing with paper. Even then I needed to have every color of Crayon that was made. :) Kind of like my Copics today!

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques : I guess you could call me a layering junkie! I love, love cards that have lots of layers.
• Tools: I don't think I could make a card without my Cuttlebug, Spellbinders dies or my Scor-It. I consider good adhesive a tool as well and some of my favorites are my Scotch ATG gun, Scor-Tape and Glue Dots. Oh, I can't forget my Copics, Prismacolor pencils and Twinkling H20's either.
• embellishments : rhinestones, ribbon, glitter and buttons, I love them all!

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?

A wow card to me is any card that I see either in person or online that I wish I could pick up and touch. Usually these are the cards that are layered and embellished alot such as cards created in a vintage style.

4. What inspires you to create?

• My love of stamping and papercrafting,
  
• All of the amazing blogs/designers on the internet. Everyday, I fall in love with a new card!
  

Define your crafting style. Oh wow, I don't know if I have a style per se. I like everything from cute to vintage. I am partiulary drawn to flowers and images that are timeless.

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Central California. I have been married to my best friend for almost 24 years and we have two sweet, wonderful sons. We also share our home with two terrier mix furbabies. We live in a rural area near Yosemite National Park and I am so blessed to be living the life I have been given. Other interests besides paper crafting. I like to read (although I haven't done much of it lately) and I aspire to be a world traveler some day. My hubby says " I have one foot in the road at all times", I like to say "have passport, will travel"

Or any random fact about you. I have never been to the circus, because I don't like clowns. I think clowns are so scary! Also, I am a tried and true warm weather girl, I am happiest when the sun is shining.

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?

I don't know if I have a quote that I live by, but I do have a couple that I really love. 1. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; –Psalm 84:11 2. The better part of life, consists of its friendships; -Abraham Lincoln

Don't forget to check out my BLOG ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAYS.

Look at what my friend made

My friend, Stephanie, is designing for me this month. I can't remember who visited whose blog first, but we "met" because our cards were published on the same page by Paper Crafts Magazine (Nov/Dec 2009 issue). I've been a regular visitor to her blog since then and just love her style. I'm so thrilled she agreed to design Nana's Needlework and Sentiments for me this month. Look at her gorgeous creations here:


1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

I have been paper crafting for about six years now. It started when my best friend was having her first baby and I was asked to do the baby shower invites. I was hooked after that and there was no turning back. I entered a couple Paper Crafts Magazine contests and won and that gave me a little more confidence to put myself out there in the blogging world. I am so happy I did although I have only had my blog a couple years it has been an amazing experience with alot of great opportunities. More importantly I have made some amazing friends!!!

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques - I love paper piecing.
• Tools- this is a good question with so many new tools coming out all the time there is alot of stuff I love such as punches,spellbinders dies, and embossing. I also have really gotten into sewing on my cards.
• Embellishments - Ribbon and buttons almost always have to have both of these or at least one of them on my creations.

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?

A WOW card for me is when everything matches like it was meant to go together. Or there is something that I would never think to put together. There is alot of amazing talent out there and I see a WOW card on a daily basis.

4. What inspires you to create? Define your crafting style.

I love to blog and look for inspiration and also love the paper crafting magazines I could look at them for hours. This is a hard question I'm not sure if I really have a style there are days that I love CAS and there are other days that I love layers. I really just love to try new things.

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from? Other interests besides paper crafting. Or any random fact about you.

I am married to a wonderful husband who supports this wonderful hobby of mine. I am a SAHM of two beautiful children Mackenzie 6 and Codey James 4. We live in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut out in the country love it it's nice and peaceful. As a family we love to go camping, fishing and hiking all those fun outdoor activities.

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."

-Joyce Brothers

Spotted: Beautiful cards

Here are some beautiful cards that use my GinaK Designs stamps and/or Squigglefly digis.

Some from my fabulous Designing friends.

Janice - She used Lovely Labels on her cards
Pinkaliciuos card
Vintage Blessings
Lovely Thank You card
Beautiful Quote card

Savannah
Teacup card using Lovely Shelf
Tweet card using some of my Squigglefly digis
Elegant Wedding card

Tami - using my Squigglefly digis
Spring Flowers card
Wedding cake card

Lea - She used Lovely Labels on her cards
Felt butterfly card
Rainbow of Hearts card

Other cards from my talented friends:

Lisa's Little Joys card
Melissa's Pretty Pastel card
Stephanie's Lovely teacup and For Grandma cards
Jen's fabulous Blessings card
Carolina's Easter bag
Linda's Hope card
Jennie's Sweetest Blessings, Pretty Purple, Vintage Loveliness and More vintage loveliness cards

Thank you all for creating such beautiful cards with my illustrations.

My Designing Friend Tami and Some things you don't want to miss...

I'm happy to introduce another Designing Friend using my Squigglefly images,

Tami Grandi

Here's a great wedding card she made using the Wedding Bliss: Beautiful Cake. You can find more info about her card here.

Let's get to know her a little, shall we?

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

I started scrapbooking in 2001 by going to a Creative Memories party and did that exclusively until 2005. I journeyed into card making in 2005 when I went to a Stampin' Up! party and as they say- the rest is history!

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques- hmmm... this one is a tough one but I love paper piecing (and LOVE that I can do this with digi images also) and I also like cracked glass (but it takes the perfect stamp for me to pull it offf!)
• Tools- my stamps :), cuttlebug along with the embossing folders and my nestabilities, punches
• Embellishments- ribbon, buttons, and pearls are my FAVES and I usually use at least one of them on each card I make (unless it's a guy card then I might not use any)

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?
The ones that stand out to me (and I find myself creating and gravitating toward) are the ones that are CAS. Layers are GREAT but I find that I can make something cluttered if there's too much so I look for CAS.

4. What inspires you to create? Define your crafting style.
I am inspired by others. I also look for inspiration out in the world- whether it's in print, creation, or just elsewhere. The reason I craft is that I thoroughly enjoy the time I spend on this hobby. Being a first grade teacher it's my stress relief at the end of a long day/week. As I mentioned earlier, I find myself leaning towards a more CAS style- occasionally I like to add a bit more but CAS is such a good look too!

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from? Other interests besides paper crafting. Or any random fact about you.
I am single and am a teacher in Knoxville, TN. I have been teaching since 1998. I grew up as a pastor's daughter in Indiana and Ohio. I love to read, spend time on SCS (probably too much time), and travel. I am an active part of my church's singles ministry and have been able to go on several short-term mission trips with my church. I have been to Greece 3 times (twice with singles and once by myself) and to Romania 2 times.

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?
Hmmm... this is a tough one. I love/collect quotes and verses. My "life verse" is Zephaniah 3:17 (it's even my email addy). "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
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Some things you don't want to miss...

• The new SRM Stickers Monthly Challenge blog is up. It's going to be a very fun month, seeing so many adorable cards. Go to the SRM Blog for more info.
• Card Patterns is celebrating its 1st anniversary by having a blog hop all week. Go to this post for my card and this post for all the details. There will be prizes and eye candy just for you. :-)
• GinaK Designs' contest for the CSS Guest DT is still going. Check out Gina's blog post HERE for all the deets. Believe me, you will want to try out for this one. The prize package is HUGE.
  

Lovely friend card and SRM Stickers Update

I am thrilled to introduce you to another of my designing friends,

Savannah O'Gwynn

She's so full of life and energy, as evidenced by her upbeat and colorful blog. She created this stunning card using one of my Squigglefly images, A Lovely Friend:

Isn't that clever how she separated the butterfly image from the sentiment? It's a stunning creation! Here's a short interview I did with Savannah so you can get to know her better.

1. How long have you been paper crafting and how did you get started?

I have always been interested in art and crafts--my mother painted and was really good at sewing. I started making cards from scratch (no stamps, ink, etc.) in college. I would paper piece everything with construction paper! When I moved to Florida, I took a break and focused on teaching. My husband has been very supportive and encouraged me to start a business--my passion. I just recently resigned and took up crafting full time. I paper craft and sew--I would like to get into scrapbooking. I love love love it!

2. What are your current favorite:

• Techniques--I really am so new to this--but I would say that I enjoy using the digital stamps and using the computer.
• Tools-- Cricut, Embossing powder/gun, sewing machine
• Embellishments-- Buttons, flocking, glitter, ribbon, EVERYTHING!

3. What makes a "WOW" card, in your opinion?

I know I've made a WOW card if I don't want to use it or give it away! I love both the clean and simple look, as well as the embellished over the top look. I think WOW cards can come in many different styles!

When I look at someone else's cards and think WOW...it is because they did something that I never would have thought about doing (i.e. using tulle for leaves, stitching and layering the papers, stamping several designs for a background, etc.). It makes me say, "I WISH I would have thought of that! How can I use that idea/paper/stamp in a different way!?"

4. What inspires you to create? Define your crafting style.

I am inspired by photos, magazines, blogs, challenges, design papers, new stamps, dreams-- just about anything! I'm not sure how to describe my crafting style--I would like to say it is shabby chic yet modern and full of love!

5. Tell us something about your family. Where are you from? Other interests besides paper crafting. Or any random fact about you.

My family consist of my husband of three years, Travis, and a Catahoula Leopard dog, Olsen Bebo. I am originally from Star City, Indiana--I grew up on a farm. Loved the country life, but after living in Germany to do my student teaching, I knew I needed to move. That is how I ended up in Florida. I love paper crafting and sewing, but I also enjoy singing. Travis and I are worship leaders at our church--he plays the guitar and sings with me.

One random fact about me is that my nickname is Jelly Bean. I always say, "You know what I mean?" and Trav started saying, "Jelly Bean" afterwards. It just stuck:}

6. Do you have a favorite quote/verse that you live by?

For life- Trav and I try to live by Ecc. 4:12b, "A cord of three is not quickly broken." For my business and other passions, I like to remember that it is all about the customer--I love to make people feel special, and when my cards [or other products] bring them happiness, smiles, and love...then I know that I've done the best I could.

Her card today has certainly brought me happiness, smiles and love. Thanks, Savannah. You will see more from her and I can't wait.
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I am so happy to announce that the SRM Stickers store is now open for retail purchase. Check it out HERE. Here is a sample at what they have in the store - awesome stuff! Imagine how many cards you can make from this Sticker Sentiment: Thank You sheet.

And check out my friend Kathy's card using it on the SRM Blog. While there, make sure you follow so you don't miss the happenings in the blog. And SRM is sponsoring the Caardvarks current challenge. Go check out what the Crew made with SRM sticker products.