winners!

So I picked 3 people. I didn't use a fancy random generator... I used my kids and one of their friends. I had them each pick a number between 1 and 31 (there was 1 deleted comment) and here's what they picked!

#1 stamp and scrape
#23 annelise
#30 susan
thanks so much for playing and please email me at julieokada@live.com with your mailing address and I'll get a goody bag of primas out to you on Monday.

for Jordan's room

It's almost 5 so I'll be drawing a couple of names for my sweet prima giveaway. thanks for all the sweet comments and I feel your pain on so many of your must haves...but never use!! LOL I definitely have a laundry list...twinkling h2o's, pearl-ex, paper crimperand i keep buying those giant pads of paper and use like 2 sheets out of the 300 that you get.

Anyhow this little beauty is a bare elements chipboard canvas. I "had" to have it the other day and I'm so proud that I have used it and it has not even been a week! I used SU's new paper Berry bliss, some prima flowers, making memories glitter brads, american craft ribbon, pretties beads and hat pin and a couple of my new Hero arts Valentine set embossed with some hologram highlights. The o is crooked on purpose. When I was putting everything together Jordan came over to see what I was doing and told me to put it that way. She said she liked it because the o looked like it was dancing! She is too cute and of course I had to oblige!

I'll be back in a few with those names!

make it a great day! (even if it is almost over!!)
julie

featured stamper and a treat!

*edited to add* I guess I could have put a deadline on this little give away! Let's say Friday 1/25 at 5:00 mountain time. *


Good morning! I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday so here I am this morning! This weeks featured stamper challenge at Splitcoastsatampers is to case KathyC. Wow! She has a really amazing gallery...definitely go check it out. This card is pretty straight forward. I'm trying to use up some of my retired Stampin' Up! paper as I have a 5 new packages showing up today! So when I came across this Loves Me dsp from last year I was on an instant mission to use it all up. My daughter's valentines are almost done thanks to this slightly neurotic problem that I have.

Another problem that I have is with Primas. Back when the were so popular that you couldn't find a single jar of Primas , I acquired several. I had to have them and once I got them I couldn't use them on anything. It's not what you're thinking...I'm not a hoarder. I do actually try to use up the things I buy because there will come a time when I do not like it anymore and then it just takes up space. I couldn't use them because it turns out that I really didn't like them . I jumped on the Prima bandwagon and jumped right back off. I still have 6 jars of Primas that are just sitting there! That being said I have been eyeing these Prima Sprites for some time. I finally broke down and got the pink ones (used here on this card) and the next day had to go back for one of everything! I think I didn't like the old Primas because they were too small. These are anything but small and I love them!

Holy cow! If you made it this far you deserve a treat! Leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a couple of names to get an assortment of Primas from my stash.

make it a great day!
julie

edited to add: tell me about something you had to have and ended up not liking!

Vday projects

This little gift set was so fun to make! Don't really think I can give it away though....

I used a little candy tin and one of last years love notes (I think that what they were called) to make this darling gift set. I was all set to fill the tin up with those yummy Cherry Cordial Hershey Kisses but they don't fit. I guess I'll have to eat them all up and fill it with something else. I've seen on so many blogs the inspiration stations everyone is setting up. I did a mini one with a few of the valentine ish items that I wanted to start using. I have to say it is the best idea! I was able to pick and choose from all of the embellishments to find just the right things to go on these projects. I used some buttons, prima sprites with a glitter brad center, maya road ribbon, su ribbon, and a Making Memories brad. This was too fun to make...I'm off to start the Valentines for the kiddos to hand out at school.

make it a great day!
Julie

20 % off at Embellish It

I almost forgot! Barb has the Basic Grey two scoops line back in stock! You have to go check out the clear stamps...oh so fun!!! Oh and don't forget, the 20% off code for this month is snow days. To get to the store front click on the Embellish It banner at the bottom of my blog!

Here is yet another card with my one and only new set...Embrace Life! I know, I know it's getting a little old. But have no fear...I caved so bad and not only ordered the few things that I "needed", I ordered every thing that I had to have as well! It comes on Monday and I'll finally have some new stuff for you to see. But for now...Embrace Life!!!

Card 1 Supplies: Stamps-Embrace Life, Wonderful Favorites
Cardstock-Whisper white, basic gray
Ink- Basic black and basic gray
Accessories-red marker, crystal effects, brads, SU! ribbon originals, Marvy circle and scalloped circle punches.

Card 2 Supplies Stamps- Embrace Life
Cardstock- Chocolate chip, rose red, whisper white, bali breeze DSP
Ink- chocolate chip, basic black
Accessories-White taffeta ribbon, crystal effects

Splitcoast Sketch challenge

I am so glad that I was finally able to do one of the Splitcoast sketch challenges. I always work on Wednesday's and never get a chance to play. I know I could do it any day but it never seems to happen! I get a few more Wednesday's off before I have to pick up some more hours so I'll have more sketch challenges to share.

Supplies: Garden Whimsy and fundamental phrases , basic black, blush blossom and whisper white cardstock, unknown pattern paper, blush and celery markers , polka dot ribbon and Su! fibers, glitter and rhinestone.

featured stamper

I was finally able to participate in the Sunday challenge at SCS. This week featured I'mVeronica's gallery. Full of inspiration. I chose this card of hers to case. I added the pearls to the corner and changed the stamps and colors. I could make this card all day long! It's was so quick to put together. It would be great to make up a set of these to give as a gift.

E-ISC06

Time for another Embellish It sketch challenge. This one is courtesy of Michelle one of the Embellish It design team members. As always I'd love for you to play along. Feel free to upload to the Embellish It gallery or if you upload elsewhere link back to it by leaving me a comment.

My version features the new Basic Grey Line Two Scoops. Love it! It is so pretty and it totally matches Su's Blue Bayou and Groovy Guava colors which are 2 of my favorites. I used my quickie glue pen to add some glitter and liquid applique for the frosting. The cupcake is from a new Hero Arts set that I picked up the last time I was at Archivers. I finished it off with a crocheted flower and a tiny two Scoops button. All of the Basic Grey Two Scoops items can be found in the Embellish It store. There is a link in my side bar for Barb's store if you're interested. She is great to work with and has the fastest shipping!! You can get 20% off of your order by using the code snowdays. If you sign up for her newsletter she'll email you a new code every month.

Check out my previous post for my stamp sale. I'm trying to downsize my collection.

make it a great day!!
Julie

Cleaning house!

I've been wanting to get rid of my retired stamp sets for a while...just didn't want to mess with ebay KWIM? So I thought I'd see if any of you were interested in them.

I will ship them priority mail and will accept paypal or money order. Email me if you are interested julieokada@live.com. 1 set $4.60 2 or more $8.95. Thanks!

French Script $9
A Light Heart $5
Watercolor Garden II $15
Friends are Like Flowers $12
Mixed Bouquet $13
Bold Butterfly $15
In Full Bloom $10
Mon Ami $8
Sweet of You $5
Wishes Awash $9
Trim the Tree $8 (Stained blocks)
Doodle Alphabet NUM $22
Doodle Numbers NUM $10
Bundle Up $8 (Blocks Stained)
Happy Harmony $5
A is for Adorable $7
Little Holiday Wishes $5
Paint Prints $5 (stained blocks)

This is the card that I made for the monthly shoebox swap that I attend. It's probably my favorite night each month. Great cards and so much laughing...my cheeks hurt when I leave!! This month we had to use something new and since Embrace Life is the only new set I have...(I know really hard to believe) I had to bust it out again. This doesn't look that hard but I'm telling you it took me forever to come up with something that I liked. I used the new Bali Breeze DSP, my circle and scallop punches and the Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon. The flowers are colored with the Rose Red Stampin' Write marker and I used the white gel pen on the edges.

I have another swap so I'll have yet another version with Embrace Life very soon! After that I promise to use something new. I got the cutest Hero Arts clear stamp set from Archiver's the other day. I've got to start my birthday cards for the year so I'll sneak one of those in here soon. I'm also on an organizational kick right now so I'll check in with some photos of the progress here and there. And last but not least...I totally have to start scrapbooking again! I am going through total withdrawals and I just keep looking at the pile of pictures I want to get in a book.

hope today was a great one!!
Julie

Wow I got it done!

OK wow I have totally surprised even myself! I really wanted to get to this sketch card but I can't believe it actually happened. I changed up Suzy's sketch in that I moved the top element below the main image. I really tried to put it on the top but it just wouldn't work so I conceded and moved it below.

This card uses all Stampin' Up! products. Paper:real red, very vanilla, old olive and Dashing DSP. Stamps: Season of Joy, Polka Dot background stamp and Fundamental Phrases. Accessories: Real red grosgrain, red gingham, red button and Tsuniko Glue Pad.

I'd love for you to play along!

Embellish It Sketch Challenge 5

I think I can now be on top of these Embellish It sketch challenges! Here is E-ISC05 coming to you from our Design Team Diva, Suzy. I'll have my sample by tomorrow. If you would lie to play along please link your card here so I can have a look. Feel free to upload it to the Embellish It gallery so we can all see what you're up to.

Hope today was a great one!!
Julie

This picture was taken the day after our blizzard last year. We had too much fun playing in all that snow. It was freezing though and we had 3 cars to dig out so I didn't get to play. :( I did take a break and snap some great pictures though. Now that I've done this page I'll have to scrap the rest of the pictures which includes a snow fight!!!

The Basic Grey Dasher collection, two scoops buttons and cuttle bug alpha are all from Embellish It Online. This is part of the January design team gallery, Baby It's Cold Outside, go check it out. It's full of chilly creations.

Have a warm Saturday!
Julie

I am so excited to get my hand on the new line from Basic Grey Two Scoops. It's so yummy I just want to eat it! This card uses the two scoops clear stamp set flower swash and the fancy pants set fresh mod. I used a two scoops button...have I mentions how much I love the basic grer buttons? Well I LOVE them. They are so pretty and they match perfectly to the Basic grey line of course but also to the Stampin' UP! colors. Love, love, love them. I have every collection all from Embellish It.

We would love to have you stop by Embellish It online. There is a a store full of pretty papercrafting thingsm a warm and inviting forum and a galley to upload all of your creations. Stop by and say hi!

Wow 2 projects in one day....maybe I'm on a roll.

hugs,
Julie

Favorite Christmas Moments

I finally got a project done for the Embellish It design team.
I used the Basic Grey Quarter Pint chipboard
album to document all of our favorite things from this Christmas. I was trying to use up some of my holiday paper and this Basic Grey Blitzen collection came in handy. Check the Embellish It design team gallery on the 5th to see the rest of my album.

OK here is the long awaited final swap card! I changed the pattern paper and the size and was much happier with it. The rhinestone brad adds a little bling...and I'm still in love with this new Stampin' Up! set Embrace Life. I love the sentiment and it's hard to believe, but I don't have any flowers that look like these.

So sorry it took so long for me to get this loaded on here! And starting tomorrow I should be uploading new stuff a lot more often. I sort of took a crafting break here at the end of December and I'm itching to get back to my stamping room.

hugs,
Julie