vienna world cup

as always, found at 8A

BBTB2 Blog Hop - Bless this Nest

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Let's celebrate with a BBTB2 Blog Hop with candy galore. If you've arrived from wonderfully creative Theresa's blog you're on the right track. If not, hop on back to BTBB2 to start at the beginning because you wouldn't want to miss a thing. This week our fabulously talented DT sister Jeri chose the Bless the Nest cut from the Sweethearts cartridge. Funny, this project just grew and grew. I started making a shaped card, then decided on a little hanging, and ended up adding the big frame from the Camp Out cartridge (stretched to fit in DS) so now this baby measures 8 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches. The welded leaves are from Heritage and the nest is from Give a Hoot. The gorgeous papers are from the DCWV Linen Stack. I just LOVE it. The flowers were a gift from my sweet friend Leah.

The background shadow cut and the regular words were cut twice to give even more depth and dimension (and the fact that my first color choice wasn't exactly what I wanted and why waste the cut? LOL) There's quite a bit of popping as you can see. Now hop along to my dear friend and uber talented DT sister CAROLE'S BLOG, but before you do, be sure to leave a comment here to win a $30.00 gift certificate to Custom Crops! Be sure to stop back this FRIDAY to see who WINS!!!!

And just in case there's any snag in the hop order, here's the list and have a great holiday! Anybody barbequeing? I'm doing Cornish hens on the outdoor rotisserie...YUMBO!

BBTB2

Julie

Jeri

Enfys

Jeannie

Theresa

Donna (ME!)

Carole

Marina

Heather

Sandi

Look Good & Feel Good: Fashions that Give Back

I love shopping, too much probably. Sometimes I worry I might turn out like Isla Fisher in Confessions of a Shopaholic. I probably even get her worried facial expression when I finish a mini-shopping spree, but then I smile when I remember how cute my new stuff is! :) But no worries for now...my college-student budget keeps me in check. 

 

As I was kicking back earlier this Memorial Day weekend, I was thinking of simple ways that would allow me to give back to my community, society, mankind, etc.... And then it hit me! I can shop at stores that support charity projects. It's a great way to get both the rewarding feeling of helping people & some stylish new threads. So I booted up my trusty Macbook and browsed for stores that contribute to some organization or project, and here is what I found:

*****

H & M "Fashion Against Aids" supports projects to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS amongst youth. 25% of every purchase from their "Festival Collection" goes to HIV/AIDS prevention for youth across the globe. Unfortunately, the closest H & M is about 150 miles away. Here are some neat finds on their website:

Most of the clothing and accessories in the collection have a boho-rock feel. I looove the tent, how cute is that?? And the headphones are great...I get annoyed with the little iPod earbuds after a few songs.

*****

TOMS shoes gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased! I was humbled after researching their movement "One For One." The TOMS shoes that the children receive will allow them to attend school, prevent cuts and sores as well as diseases transmitted through soil. Other brands have joined the movement, too - Ralph Lauren Rugby and Element shoes and skateboards to be exact. Check out the TOMS movement for more information.

I will admit, before I knew they story, I was skeptical of TOMS shoes when they became trendy on campus. I guess they grew on me because now I really want a pair. Everybody I know who owns a pair absolutely loves them. People even host paint parties where they paint a pair of TOMS canvas shoes. FUN!! Here are my faves:

Women's Red Newport Cordones and Classic Natural Burlap shown. The latest People Style Watch shows a cute, new TOMS heel that has an espadrille look, but I can't find it online. :(

*****

(RED)contributes HALF of all profits from Product Red sales to The Global Fund which helps women and children affected by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Africa. Brands including Apple, Gap, Converse, Dell, Starbucks, and Nike are (RED) partners. In the UK, you can order flowers through FLOWE(RED) and 100% of profits go directly to the Global Fund. These products were my favorites:

Gap(PRODUCT)RED women's "Hippie Girl" tee, Dell laptop with (PRODUCT)RED Artwork by Joseph Amedokpo, Gap (PRODUCT)RED men's "Let Love In" tee

*****

This Ladies' Home Journal article is about brands that give back - check it out!

Any brides out there? Visit I Do Foundation and "discover chic and unique ways to raise money for charity with your wedding." Share the love ladies!!

The Charity Vault is a handy website that helps you find charities and organizations and places where you can volunteer.

Look Good & Feel Good: Fashions that Give Back

I love shopping, too much probably. Sometimes I worry I might turn out like Isla Fisher in Confessions of a Shopaholic. I probably even get her worried facial expression when I finish a mini-shopping spree, but then I smile when I remember how cute my new stuff is! :) But no worries for now...my college-student budget keeps me in check. 

 

As I was kicking back earlier this Memorial Day weekend, I was thinking of simple ways that would allow me to give back to my community, society, mankind, etc.... And then it hit me! I can shop at stores that support charity projects. It's a great way to get both the rewarding feeling of helping people & some stylish new threads. So I booted up my trusty Macbook and browsed for stores that contribute to some organization or project, and here is what I found:

*****

H & M "Fashion Against Aids" supports projects to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS amongst youth. 25% of every purchase from their "Festival Collection" goes to HIV/AIDS prevention for youth across the globe. Unfortunately, the closest H & M is about 150 miles away. Here are some neat finds on their website:

Most of the clothing and accessories in the collection have a boho-rock feel. I looove the tent, how cute is that?? And the headphones are great...I get annoyed with the little iPod earbuds after a few songs.

*****

TOMS shoes gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need for every pair purchased! I was humbled after researching their movement "One For One." The TOMS shoes that the children receive will allow them to attend school, prevent cuts and sores as well as diseases transmitted through soil. Other brands have joined the movement, too - Ralph Lauren Rugby and Element shoes and skateboards to be exact. Check out the TOMS movement for more information.

I will admit, before I knew they story, I was skeptical of TOMS shoes when they became trendy on campus. I guess they grew on me because now I really want a pair. Everybody I know who owns a pair absolutely loves them. People even host paint parties where they paint a pair of TOMS canvas shoes. FUN!! Here are my faves:

Women's Red Newport Cordones and Classic Natural Burlap shown. The latest People Style Watch shows a cute, new TOMS heel that has an espadrille look, but I can't find it online. :(

*****

(RED)contributes HALF of all profits from Product Red sales to The Global Fund which helps women and children affected by AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in Africa. Brands including Apple, Gap, Converse, Dell, Starbucks, and Nike are (RED) partners. In the UK, you can order flowers through FLOWE(RED) and 100% of profits go directly to the Global Fund. These products were my favorites:

Gap(PRODUCT)RED women's "Hippie Girl" tee, Dell laptop with (PRODUCT)RED Artwork by Joseph Amedokpo, Gap (PRODUCT)RED men's "Let Love In" tee

*****

This Ladies' Home Journal article is about brands that give back - check it out!

Any brides out there? Visit I Do Foundation and "discover chic and unique ways to raise money for charity with your wedding." Share the love ladies!!

The Charity Vault is a handy website that helps you find charities and organizations and places where you can volunteer.

CUTE AND SOME SHOWCASE #9

Hello everyone, and welcome to Showcase $#9. 

This week is my turn at Audrey's

 CUTE AND SOME 

I have set a theme project for you that I hope you will all enjoy doing.  Using any color or medium you'd like, I would like for you to make a card which will include three (3) basic materials:  a stamp of your choice, a ribbon and a charm.  You can design the card however you like and use any other materials you'd like as long as the card has these 3 items.

Here is my sample theme project for you using the above mentioned 3 items:

 I used the stamp for the background, added the ribbon and a charm.

I know everyone is real busy and I wanted to make something simple but you can take it wherever you want.

Have fun!

our boy Carlo sending V15, or V14, whatever it is.

check video here @
deadpointmag
norcal original and boulder Local, Carlo Traversi has sent something once considered, too hard. nice work Carlo.
oh man and he's got his own site, check it here

Wayward Vegan Cafe

simply amazing. this place is so good. my wife and I just went to Lunch here at the Wayward. i have heard many tales but since we are not big going out to eaters, we have not gone there. this will change because of this place. the menu is spectacular, and what you see here is just some of it. i challenge anyone to go to this place and say it is not wonderful. great location, right across the street from Sidecar, and right in the U-district. i can see this being my new zone before husky games.
so check out Wayward on your next breakfast or lunch outing.

Macabre Monday Challenge #40 Beautifully Beastly Butterflies

Phew, just finished although I really wanted to do more. I've been messing with this Haunted Design House Macabre Monday challenge all week. Beautifully beastly butterflies, WooHoo! I designed mine in Cricut Design Studio using the butterfly from Hannah Montana with the skull and crossbones and (blood) drop from Indy Art and the bat from Paper Doll Dress Up. I cut it in 3 layers of grungpaper (so this sucker has some strength) and mixed up my own brew of glimmer mist with Perfect Pearls and Distress Reinkers and sprayed the crap out of it (along with anything else within a 3 foot radius). Well, I'm exaggerating just a tad, but let's just say my ironing board will never be the same. LOL And my fingers...YIKES!

Recognize the skull? I asked my DH and he actually saw it for what it was so that's a good sign! Just finished blinging it up and will perhaps put it on a clip to use for a lovely Halloween hat embellishment or something. Would have liked to do a wall hanging, but DH is yelling at me to get ready for Art in the Vineyards so who am I to refuse? Have a great holiday. I'll be back tomorrow with the BBTB2 blog hop so I hope to see you then.

unlucky, unlucky, unlucky...........BS!!!!!

i am so sick of hearing that. you get unlucky every once in a while, but when it is game after game after game, you just dont have things right. very disappointed tonight. on another note, we went and saw Robin Hood. it was pretty good.

'Get Out,

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+

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Upcoming Show...

Kai & Sunny
'Return To The Wild'

04.06.10 - 20.06.10

Kai & Sunny are a prolific, multidisciplinary design duo, whose work appears in many arenas of art: fashion, advertising, publishing, illustration and exhibitions. Their work has won them multiple accolades, including a D&AD award in illustration/design. 

 Thanks to www.stolenspace.com for the infos

FATHER'S GIFT BAG

My husband

is a baseball fanatic and our family room is filled with baseball memorabilia and a few other sports. Our theme for the May Challenge is Father's day by our dear Emma and since you all know now my husband loves baseball my project for today is a Sports Gift Bag especially for him. The signed baseball he already has but I thought it was a cute accent :)
I used the Baseball solutions cartridge for everything except the DAD word which is from the All Mixed Up one. The images are cut at 5 inches, the All Star word and baseball are cut at 1.5 inches. The sentiment inside the baseball is one of My Pink Stamper clear stamps set called Simply Sweet Occasions and it reads: Celebrate Today...perfect for the occasion, lol.

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HAVE A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

Love

n

xoxo

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

I'm sure many of us are getting ready for the long holiday weekend with plans for a getaway or a barbeque. Not quite sure what's in the works for us, but I did want to call attention to the reason for this holiday and say thank you to those who have risked or sacrificed their lives for our country. We truly are the land of the free because of the brave men and women who serve. I decided to make a wall hanging using the We Love Our Troops set of downloadable printable stamps from The Cutting Cafe. The United States and open star are from the Stand and Salute Cricut cartridge.

I printed the sentiment twice, once in red and once in blue and punched the layers. I use my Printmaster program to do this and Regina has easy instructions on The Cutting Cafe site.

The ribbon is also part of this wonderful set and I cut it out with scissors, but if you have SCAL for your Cricut or a Pazzles or Gazelle machine you can let your machine do the cutting. This set includes 34 stamps and is perfect for patriots, military families and those of you who participate in Cards for Soldiers, so be sure to check it out. Also, there are new sets arriving several times a week for all kinds of occasions so if you havn't visited The Cutting Cafe recently, you're in for a treat. I hope every one has a safe and wonderful weekend!

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ART FRAME

This frame was so much fun. 

I used my Robotz cartridge for the first time and I loved it......I used the robot from page 51..... layers2 from page 57.....font from Robotz and Jubilee. I also used Indie Art image #40. Where is the nose from??? You gotta guess that one, lol. The background paper source is unknown and the rest is textured cardstock from American Crafts, I also used stickles for some bling. We have to have bling, right?
The swirls you see in the abdominal area of the robots are from My Pink Stamper clear stamps set Simply Sweet Occasions. Aren't they cute?
About the sizes...You can make them any size you want...this is the beauty of it. My robots were cut at 5 and 3-1/4 inches high and the frame is a 10 x 7. The chain to hang is from the jewelry department of one of the crafts stores around.
It was my pleasure working on this project. 

On this photo I added the swirls on the belly because I thought they would look nice on that spot.

I hope you enjoy it.
Hugs from flowerdisco!!!

This frame was showcased yesterday at 
Robyn's site
as part of our monthly designer's team project.
 

Having fun making bunting

Having got SO excited about the news of my allotment I decided to make some celebratory bunting to hang up in my shed (when I eventually get one)! I decided that you can't have customised bunting without including some original work, so I incorported some of my rose designs. (I have previously made bespoke bunting for weddings, babies, house moves, etc. and am happy to take orders - contact via my Etsy Shop).

And now for something completely different! Allotment

I am delighted to announce that after waiting for more than 2 years on the local allotment list, I have now got an allotment. YEAH!!!!!! It might not look much, but it has enormous possibilities. A blank canvas, albeit liberally studded with thistles. I will be scouring YouTube for Alys Fowler's (my garden guru) hints and tips in the allotment department. Being a textile creature by nature, I celebrated the news by making some flowery bunting un shades of blue to hang up in my shed. When I get one, that is. At the moment the only structure is a tool shed and I am planning a recreational area brimming with herbs and flowers so that I can sit and sew when I am not sewing and hoeing.

Loopy Vintage Knit

Another one for all those vintage aficionados out there! I found this delicious knitting pattern for a loopy bolero jacket in a vintage shop. I remember knitting something very similar back in the dark ages! Loopy knits take an enormous amount of wool but are very warm and cosy. Enjoy!

a little frustrated

after feeling like i was in the best shape of my life, ready to send proj after proj, i have felt the seattle hate. the inability to stay psyched, with the inability to stay dry, are going hand in hand. i cannot fathom how anyone has ever gotten any sends in the spring out at the little si. pretty much everything high up seeps, and pretty much everything high is all im trying to do.
please rain, stop coming down so i can get psyched again and try to send the projz. its very hard to train and diet and stay focused week after week only to have it rain on the weekend or have the holds be wet.
i love it here, i will never leave. but this really is hard to deal with right now.

Oh Alice! Chapter 14-Getting Sketchy on a Golden Afternoon

This week the Oh Alice! challenge is a sketch by the talented DT member Jen Shults. Fortunately I've managed to overcome my fear of sketches and no longer run away screaming. I'm also getting the hang of tweaking it just a tad and not feeling totally guilty. The adorable image is by Elaine Cox for Sweet Pea Stamps colored with my Copics. I popped a mat cut with my Large Scallop Oval Nesties. The DP's are Basic Grey Urban Prairie 6x6 pad and Me&My Big Ideas 8x8 pad. the lacy punches are MS and the flowers are Prima. I really love the colors and almost think this could be used as a baby card (providing the recipient doesn't think I'm calling her new bundle a piglet. LOL) What do you think?

WILD CARD WITH LISA/HOUSE

Well, I finally got here.

I started this card this morning, then I had to go to the gym, came back 1-1/2 hour later. My flowers were really thirsty and had to attend to them. Then it was Lulu and blah-blah-blah and I finally got it done.

Hold your horses now and enjoy my

House Card

7.75 inches

(I think this is the max size on a 12 by 12 mat)

 Where do I start?

 The card base is a kraft cardstock, a bit thick for stability. You will find embossing with the cuttlebug, inking because I love inking, stickers, the Sweet Treats banner is from
Christmas Cheer and the font is from Blackletter.
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The candies and pink ribbon and the swirly mint are stickers from the $ store.
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The banner was cut at .86 inches and the font is .42 inches. 
For the font I used my Cri-Kits pens.
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The balloon and the cupcakes are also stickers and the small leaves are from a punch and I treated them like they are making them now: misted, crunched and inked, lol.
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You can see the leaves better here.
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A Big Sundae is waiting for me when I get skinny again, lol
It will be my reward :P
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The inside and the envelope. I got some ink on it but that is ok.
The top flap of the envelope was punched with a Fiskars punch.


This was a lot of work but I really enjoy this type of work when I do not have pain, lol.


Enjoy and if you have any questions, please use the 
Frequently Asked Questions
since it is just there laughing at me and waiting to see who will use it first, :P


Love You All!