Sketchy Thursdays Is Back From Holiday!!!

Yea!  Sketchy Thursdays is back from holiday!!  And we're kicking it off with a very cool sketch:

So, as we always say on Sketchy Thursdays, our sketches are for your inspiration, they're a starting point.  Feel free to rotate, flip, whatever.  I took that advice with my layout and both flipped and rotated it:

Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do to work with the orientation of pic you have.  For some reason I was determined that this was the pic I was going to work with today, no matter what.  I just love this pic.

~closeup detail~
I love that you can see the, what are they called, fluffs?, being blown off the dandilion.  I love that there's one on the left side that's closer and therefore more prominent than the rest.  I love the way the sun is shining off and through my daughter's hair.  I realize I've scrapped quite a few "blowing" pics with her this year...bubbles, dandilions...but there's just something so magical about those kind of pictures. 

~frame butterfly detail~
The quote says, "Within your heart keep one, still, secret spot where dreams only go."  I covered a vintage dictionary page with some transparent-ish masking tape so the quote would show up well.

Played with my Tim Holtz crackle paint!!!  How cool is that stuff??!!  Easy crackle and it comes with it's own brush!  Too cool!    I covered a wood frame with it and then topped it with some ink to age it a little more.  It's on the chipboard butterfly, too, that I first rubbed with ink.  There's also a crackle "frame" on the paper. 

~frame side detail~
Had a bit of fun with the sewing machine and wire this time, too.

~corner detail~
Both the paper and the button in the upper right corner are from my December Torendi kit Modern Red.  I wish I would've had more time this month to play with it.  I still have soooo much left over! 

Details:  Paper & button - Torendi Modern Red kit; Tim Holtz crackle paint; Stamps - Penny Black & Delish; Ink - StazOn, ColorBox & Stampin' Up!;  Melissa Frances vintage keyhole; Carolace lace; thread, masking tape, vintage dictionary page; unknown wood frame, chipboard butterfly, wire.

This week's Sketchy Thursdays challenge is sponsored by Meyer Imports.

You gotta check out this cool company.  They have some adorable stuff including some mushrooms and gnomes I gotta get my hands on!  And, yes, Diana, I am drooling over this week's prize:

Yummy AND wouldn't they be so adorable to display?!!!

You have until next Wednesday, 1/6 to hook up your creation to Mr. Linky in the Sketchy Thursdays sidebar for your chance to win that glitz-o-rama pack!!!!! 

Hope everyone has super fun plans for ringing in the new year tonight! 

Happy New Year!

Heidi

p.s.  Don't forget, you have until 11:59pm tonight (12/31) to hook up your card or layout for the Sketchy Thursdays {ippity} Second Chance Challenge, too.  Majorly cool {ippity} Because of You stamp set up for grabs.  CLICK HERE for the details.

Bucket List

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  My kids had one heck of a great time. 

But, as much fun as Christmas was I'm relieved to kiss the stress of the last couple weeks goodbye.  Looking forward to the new year.  2010!  Wow.  Of course, this time of year always begs musings and ponderings about life.  Which brings me to this week's Spunky Scrappers prompt:

Yep, the prompt is to make a bucket list, a list of things you want to do before you die. 

I realized while making my list that there aren't a lot of crazy, daring things on my list.  But I think that's because I don't feel I need to make some death-defying grand gesture to make my life feel complete.  I think that's a good thing, right? 

I didn't count how many items I managed to include.  I basically just started writing.  But I feel like I've got a pretty good list going.  I'm really liking this layout, despite its lack of embellishments.  It's basically paper, pen, and stitching.  Lots of stitching.  It's hard to see on the darker paper just how much stitching there is but just look at the back of the paper:

Hilarious, eh?

So anyway, what's on YOUR bucket list.  Show us.  Join in on the fun on Spunky Scrappers.

Have a great Monday!

Heidi

Details:  Basic Grey paper, Zig Millennium pen, thread.

Merry Christmas!

Well, it's Christmas Eve.  About 3 weeks early, I believe.  Don't know how they do it but somehow every year someone manages to shift Christmas earlier and earlier into the year.  KWIM? 

I've still got a bit of straightening up to do, a smidge of shopping (oh joy), a bit of baking, A LOT of wrapping.  Hopefully I'll get all this done by mid-afternoon.  (Well, some of the wrapping will have to wait until after bedtime!)  Then it can be snuggle with the kids time.  Get in jammies time. 

Sprinkle the Reindeer Food time.

Leave the key out for Santa time.

Unwrap the highly anticipated Christmas Eve presents time.

Leaving out the milk, cookies, and carrots time.

And then snuggle in for a healthy ration of cuddling and classic Christmas cartoons before heading off to bed for those Sugarplum performances. 

One last bit of Christmas creating before I sign off for the big day:

Happiness is buying the final gift of the season.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh...........  Hope you've achieved your happieness today!

I really love the little Shinzi Katoh "I Love NY" shopping girl stamp that is in this month's Torendi Modern Red kit and had been planning to use it for a Christmas shopping-themed project all month.  Also from the kit are the Jillibean Soup patterned paper, the American Craft cardstock, and a GORGEOUS earth-toned button. 

If you don't get that perfect crafting gift under the tree tomorrow, are lucky enough to get some fun money, or just want to treat yourself after a hard few weeks of crafting, shopping, decorating, and baking in preparation for that perfect holiday you no doubt will have pulled off, there's still time to purchase the Torendi Modern Red kit!!!!!  Check it out!!

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to look at and encourage my little crafty obsession this year!  I am humbled and honored.

Hope you have a happy, safe, healthy, loving holiday!


Heidi
Details:  Items from Torendi Modern Red kit - Shinzi Katoh I Love NY Stamp, Jillibean Soup patterened paper, American Craft cardstock, earthtone button; Stamps: WR Memory Keepers, Stampin' Up!; Ink - StazOn, Stampin' Up!; Memory Makers tiny alpha stickers; unknown ribbon.   

Reminder: Sketchy Thursdays' {IPPITY} Challenge!!

Don't forget the fun {ippity} Challenge going on over on Sketchy Thursdays through 12/31! 

Here's my {ippity} creation from this past week:

I used the {ippity} Life's Little Moments set. .  It's so stinkin' cute! 

This kit has some HUGE stamps just perfect for either cardmaking OR scrapbooking!! 

I wanted to make a Christmas card so I covered up a bit of the stamp with a Christmas brad . This stamp would be so awesome on a scrapbook page, too. The part I covered up said, "Life".

Come, play along with us on Sketchy Thursdays.  Link up your creation (it can be a card or a layout - we're easy, we just want to inspire you!) to the comments on this post HERE for your chance to win some {ippity} of your very own:

We decided since we weren't having a sponsor sketch the Thursday before Christmas, we still wanted to give you a chance to win something from us...we'd just give you a bit longer to play along. :o)  The lucky winner of the Because of You set will be drawn on 1/1/10!

Can't wait to see if you win it? Want to order it or other {ippity} kits now?   Click on over to this post HERE for the {ippity} selection available. 

I hope you are having a great holiday week!

Heidi

Details: {ippity} stamp from the Life's Little Moments kit; VersaMark ink; Stampendous embossing powder; Paper - DCWV, Stampin' Up!; Around the Block brad; Cropadile gromlet; ProvoCraft glitter; Martha Stewart pearls; Stampin' Up! silver cord; thread.

Shinzi Katoh Stamp Sets ON SALE at Torendi

The holiday spirit has Torendi in a generous mood! They've added these two adorable Shinzi Katoh stamp sets to the SALE section of the store! Regularly $40, marked down to $25! (until Sunday night) That's theirr lowest price EVER!

Wouldn't those make PERFECT stocking stuffer for any crafty friend (or yourself if your significant other is a little on the slow side). Priority shipping is always $5.00 at Torendi, so order today and they will arrive just in time to save the holidays! :D

Paris - set of 8 stamps + 2 ink pads (4 colors)

Today - set of 6 stamps + 2 ink pads (4 colors)

Each set includes 2 ink pads in 4 colors and an adorable wooden box!

If you would like to learn more about these stamps before ordering, please watch Tiffany's video: Product Review #1 Video

Just Because There's a Superhero On It...

Happy Sketchy Thursdays!  I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack!  I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to work with this week's sketch (even though I'm still swamped in the side job mire):

I was instantly drawn to the two thin lines crossing the page.  I stitched mine on although if I'd gone with white base paper I probably would have drawn them on.  I expect to use this sketch over and over and over.  And you'll notice I rotated and futzed around with the sketch a bit but that just illustrates the point we're always trying to hammer home on Sketchy Thursdays - our sketches are for your inspiration.  We want you to make them your own!  It's just more fun that way, eh?

So, on to my layout...

I love how kids wear their emotions on their faces.  Take Christmas, for instance. 

Holiday Sampler 2010

Um.  Gee.  Thanks.  Clothes for Christmas.  That's not a toy!!

Both the woohoo letters and the edges of the thought bubble are embossed with Tim Holtz distress embossing powder.  Have you played with this stuff?  It's very cool.  It's got a very textural, matte finish.  The letters IRL almost look like they're covered in moss.  Had to have them go with the GORGEOUS paper from my December Torendi Kit Modern Red. 

Seriously, you've got to get your hands on this kit.  It's adorable!  (And, if you run over to purchase it before 12/22 you'll be put into the drawing to win tickets to winter CHA!  See THIS POST for details.)  I've got so many plans for this kit.  Soon I will be back in my craft room with no pesky side job hanging over my head.  Soon.  :o) 

How cool is that paper??  It's reminiscent of the patterned papers I used to buy when I started scrapping about 6 years ago, which in scrapbook land is vintage LOL! 

And like my background paper for the pics?  It's a piece of blotter paper that I'd used to mist and ink a previous project.  It had two spots just waiting for pictures and was the perfect colors for the patterned paper.  I love reusing stuff.  I'm such a magpie.  I have piles of stuff that should be trash just waiting to make their debuts on layouts.  :o)

OK, so head on over to Sketchy Thursdays to play along with this week's awesome sketch!  Your entry will put you in the drawing for the December Scrapbook Kit Club kit.  Again, sooo jealous I can't win the amazing prize. 

Have an awesome Thursday.  I need to make a couple teacher gifts today (tomorrow's the last day of school before winter break).  Hopefully they'll be share-worthy. 

Heidi

Sketchy Thursdays Second Chance Challenge - {ippity}!!!!!

We had such a great response to the card sketch challenge a few weeks ago on Sketchy Thursdays that we thought we'd give you another!!

Here's mine:

I used one of the new {ippity} kits, Life's Little Moments. 

This kit has some HUGE stamps just perfect for either cardmaking OR scrapbooking!!

As with all Unity products, the image stamps so crisp, even embossed!!

I wanted to make a Christmas card so I covered up a bit of the stamp with a Christmas brad .  This stamp would be so awesome on a scrapbook page, too.  The part I covered up said, "Life". 

You have until 12/31 to submit your creation to the comments on the Sketchy Thursdays SCC post HERE for your chance to win this {ippity} kit:

Can't wait to see if you win it?  Want to order it or other {ippity} kits now?  Check out this post for all the details on how to order {ippity} from me!!! 

Head on over to the Sketchy Thursdays blog to check out what the rest of the DT made for your inspiration!

Details:  {ippity} stamp from the Life's Little Moments kit; VersaMark ink; Stampendous embossing powder; Paper - DCWV, Stampin' Up!; Around the Block brad; Cropadile gromlet; ProvoCraft glitter; Martha Stewart pearls; Stampin' Up! silver cord; thread. 

Thanks for stopping by!!

- Heidi

p.s.  Don't forget about the Sketchy Thursdays January Guest Design Team challenge going on until this Friday 12/18!  Post your creation to the comments on this post here to be entered!

Love Unity Stamps??? Buy Their Newest Line {ippity} FROM ME!!

Do you {heart} Unity Stamps as much as I do???!!! 

Have you seen their new line called {ippity} ??!!

{ippity} products are not sold in stores and can only be purchased online from {ippity} chicks - LIKE ME!! 

You can now order any of the {ippity} products direct from ME!!!!!  Interested in anything you see below?  Just email me:  heidi (at) heidimyers (dot) net.  (Replace the words in the parentheses with the symbols.)

$18 each (+shipping):

$24 each (+shipping) :

New sets will be released approximately every 3 months! 

As with all Unity stamps, the {ippity} stamps are high quality - DEEPLY Etched Red Rubber Stamps…unmounted, pre-cut, pre-foamed:

Be sure to check out the {ippity} gallery for samples and inspiration. 

Also, check out Sketchy Thursdays December 15 for an {ippity} challenge!!!!!!  (Yes, there will be an {ippity} set up for grabs!)

Reeeeeeeaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyy like what you see and want to sell {ippity} for yourself???  Check out the opportunity HERE and be sure to mention you were referred by Heidi Myers!!!!  I'll have a special {ippity} reward for everyone who mentions they were referred by me after their first $150 in purchases!!  Email me for more details:  heidi (at) heidimyers (dot) net.

I'm so excited for this new branch of Unity Stamps!!!  You will love the new {ippity} products! 

Heidi

Feliz Naminah

No, that's not a misspelling.  That's the song my son sang all last Christmas season. 

Holiday Sampler 2010

Don't remember if I've shared this layout with you before but thought since I didn't have anything new to share, I'd post a fun Christmas layout.

The "lyrics" go, "Feliz Naminah, Feliz Naminah, Feliz Naminah, prospecto ocho y manicibah."  Unfailingly the same every single time he sang it.  And, as it says along the edge of the layout, "Song sung with great enthusiasm, LOUDLY, with disregard for the setting (the car...the swings...the bathroom at Wal*Mart)."

He always finished off with, "I want to wish you a Merry Christmas TO the bottom of my hea-a-art!"

Hope you are having a great holiday season so far, no matter which holiday you celebrate!

Off to continue decorating the tree!

Heidi

p.s.  Anyone watch "The Middle"?  See the one about Christmas where the mom keeps talking about all the fun things she likes to do with the family every year and then they do a flashback with her all angry and yelling while angrily decorating the tree, making the snowman, etc.??  Hmmm...that really hit too close to home.  Ha ha ha!!!  Maybe decorating for Christmas IS like childbirth...you forget from year to year how much work it is!!  Anyone with me on this?  Anyone?  Beuller?  Beuller? 

He Sees You

Have you been keeping up with Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of Christmas??  O.M.G. that is just about the most talented human on the planet.  Every single day when I think there is no way he could top the previous day's tag, BAM!  Sheer genius!!!

So, day 1 I was TOTALLY inspired and rushed right over to my craft table to play along.  And while it doesn't really resemble Tim's tag it is inspired by it in its rudimentary form:

The two items that most inspired me on Tim's tag were the crackle paint and the wired ribbon.  I didn't use any wired ribbon on this (oh, but I'll use that trick sometime!) but I sure played with my crackle medium.  I realized I really need to get me some of that Tim Holtz crackle.  His cracks so BIG.  While you can see the crackles pretty well on the chipboard swirl:

it doesn't show up as well on the tag itself, which is covered, because I think I painted it on and doing it that way with my crackle medium thins is out too much. 

Santa's covered with some glittery Stickles, as only Santa should be.  :o)

So I made this tag with a couple of the papers you will get in the December Torendi kit "Modern Red"!!!! 

This kit includes:


3 pieces of American Crafts Cardstock
2 12x12 sheets of Jillibean Soup Toasted Cumin Paper
2 12x12 sheet Jillibean Soup Alphabet Pasta Paper
1 12x12 piece of Shinzi Katoh Red Hood Fabric (blue)
1 I Love NY stamp from the Shinzi Katoh NY Stamp Set
1 Red Hood Postcard (one of two possible designs)
6 Jillibean Soup Square Kraft Journaling tags
1 Random Decole Little Red Clip (varies with kit)
Multiple Earth Toned Buttons

I soooooo have plans for that Red Hood Fabric & clip (I got the wolf one) and the I Love NY stamp.  My poor craft table is just crying out for my attention.  Soon, dear table, soon. 
 

Stinkin cute, no?

And if you purchase your Torendi Modern Red kit before the 21st, you can have a chance to go to CHA** in January and be a Torendi honorary employee for the day!!!!!  I am sooo jealous!  I'm unable to make it out there this time but why shouldn't you go in my place??!!!!   Check out this post for more details!!
 
** This is for tix to CHA only - Torendi is not covering airfare, hotel, meals or any other travel expenses.
 
Details:  Jillibean Soup patterned paper (from December Torendi Modern Red kit); The Paper Company cardstock; Stampin' Up! stamp and tag corner & circle punches; StazOn & ColorBox ink; Ranger Crackle Medium; Dymo tape; Fancy Pants chipboard; Adornaments fibers; American Craft white pen; Staples; Unknown eyelet and ribbon. 
 
OK, I know you're sick of hearing about it and I'm SICK of doing it, but back to the contracts.  Ugh.
 
Hope your Friday is awesome and you have cool plans for the weekend!
 
Heidi