jane's addiction

Gingerbread Kisses......

Merry Christmas to one and all!!! 

While I'm still on a self imposed stamping/blogging break, I thought I'd take a moment to share this card--Merry Christmas and all :)  I made it earlier in December for one of my Mom's co-workers.  I was delighted with the way it turned out---it's so Christmasy!!

The gingerbread house is from Whippersnapper and I think the expression is from Great Impressions.  I added a cute litte gingerbread man charm to a velum metal edged tag for just the right amount of cute (if'n I do say so m'self!)

I sincerely wish you all a very Blessed and relaxing Holiday!   We'll not travel due to the weather, but will enjoy the wonder and excitement with our five little blessings just the same.

Be Safe.  Be Well.

Merry Christmas!  Jane

With Privilege Comes Responsibility

How many times have I counseled my little humans on this truth:  with privilege comes responsibility?  Silly little humans that they are, they want and want, but need to learn about give :)

We've been supporting the Foundation For Hope In Africa since it's beginning.  During this season of giving, I thought I'd share the opportunity to change lives with you!

Currently, the Foundation For Hope In Africa is planning a life altering project at a school in Africa--electricity!!  Something we take for granted will absolutely transform the lives of each and every student.  When one life is transformed, there most certainly will be a ripple....and another ripple.....and another.....

You can learn more about the Foundation For Hope In Africa here or by clicking on the link in my sidebar. 

I've chosen not to use my blog for any other reason than sharing my art, my family and a passionate issue or two.  Call this one of those--a passionate issue.  I'm hoping you'll feel moved to make a donation--either monetarily or in prayer for this Foundation.  Your financial support can be made right on the Foundation For Hope In Africa's website....Please, check it out!

Blessings, Jane

Takin' A Holiday Break

I'm takin' a bloggin' vacation!  I've got a tree to decorate and cookies to bake so, I'm takin' a bit of a break :)   In my absence, I thought I'd leave something adorable to gander upon...I call it "Dan and the Lamb".....Many Rich Blessings to You and Yours, Jane

Holiday Planning....

Planning, planners, shopping and the like!  We 're all busy busy busy, right?

I thought I would structure my upcoming class around holiday preparations--help a girl out and all that....a great way to justify your need to have a little R&R amidst all the hustle and bustle!

My class will be offered at the Stamp Shoppe on December 8th. One of the projects will be this cute little holiday planner.  The planner features yummy papers and stamps by Papertrey Ink and Stamp Shoppe Creations.  It's also a great work out for my sadly neglected Bind-It-All :)

I made one of these last year under the awesome tutelage of Pat Huntoon and absolutely used it until it was worn out!  I'm horrible with trying to remember where I put my "lists" or receipts so this is the perfect solution!

 

There are a total of four inside pockets although you can only see three of them in this shot.

The Papertrey Ink set called Take Note is great for all kinds of projects--if you're a fan of PTI (and even if you're not) it certainly deserves a look see.

In addition to three cute holiday projects, this class will provide instruction in the use of the Big Shot, Bind It All, Scor Pal and Copic markers--YUM!  What a fun class :)  Check it out!

TTFN, Jane

Chicka Late....

Ever have one of those days??  The kind of day that you just want to do over, and then do it over again....LOL! 

It's almost bed time and I JUST remembered my cute little monkey card! 

The Chicka Challenge this week honors the Chicka's very own bro...no, I'm pretty sure he's not an ACTUAL monkey---just likes 'em much!

To play along (you have a whole week before a new challenge is issued!) you just have to use a monkey or some other adorable creature!

My girl, Sophie, wanted this paper so so bad!  It really is adorable with it's fuzzy little red monkers.  The paper really sells it all on it's own so, I had to do very little stamping.  I have been itchin' to use some new goodies and this was just the right opportunity!  The Nesability border is actually two stamps from PaperTreyInk's set.  The sentiment inside is from an old Stampin' Up! set called Mixed Greetings.  I rarely get rid of sentiment sets--you never know when that one verse or sentiment will be just what you need!

I added a touch of black to an otherwise unusual color combo:  Kiwi, Red, Hot Pink.  I think the black makes it pop!  What do you think?

Get out those cute critter stamps and ink 'er up!  You can leave a link to your project either here or there.  Have fun--meet you back here next week!

TTFN, Jane

Time for a Junkie Treasure Hunt!!

Now that our turkey hangovers have subsided, it's time for some good ole junkie fun!!!

This month, the designers will be sharing projects from the latest TJNL!  As always, an awesome treasure awaits you at the end of the hunt!  To make sure you don't miss any of the treasures, you'll want to start the hunt here.

My project features the Ancient Paper technique and stamps from I Brake For Stamps.  I wanted to keep my project fairly simple to avoid detracting too much from the technique piece.  I chose only to add a touch of color to my image--also some golden bling on a few "bubbles."  It really makes the piece pop in real life!

The technique piece is cut using Stampin' Up!'s scallop square die.  I pierced in between each scallop, as well.  This is such a versatile technique--it lends itself well to a variety of looks and styles.  I sure hope you'll set about giving it a whirl!

The treasure you'll pick up here is  "E" 

As they say, the last is not the least.....you're off to the final stop, Pat Huntoon's blog.....aren't you feeling lucky??

TTFN, Jane

Merry Thanksgiving!!!

Don't you think "merry" is a much.....merrier word for the best food holiday of all time??  LOL!!!  I do....happy just isn't enough....it must be "Merry!"

I shall "gobble till I wobble!" today--I know you will too!  I was recently discussing Thanksgiving with a friend of mine and we both decided if we were on death row, "Thanksgiving" would definitely be our last meal-- I'm just sayin'...

Movin' on.....I created this little candle and candy match book for today's Three Clover Designs Thursday challenge.

The stamps are from Hambo stamps--turkey and sentiment.  The orientation of the stamp is the image on the candy match book.  I decided to flip the image for the candle--I think both pieces turned out sweet--and were sent to school for the girls' teachers.  Number one has a dude teacher and, apparently, I'm not allowed to gift him with scented stamped candles and other such nonsense!!  LOL!!!  The other teachers thought the gifts were wonderful so, it's all good!

I'm thankful for so many things this day---I try to remember to be thankful each day....Today, my list is this:  My God who loves me despite myself; the best hubba around; healthy children (praise the Lord!); family and friends; My Chicka who keeps me sane and is fun to hang out with; AND I'm thankful that I had a dollar for the kettle each time I saw it this week--which WAS ordained since I never have cash!

Oh....and, I'm thankful for that fat turkey who gave up his/her life so that I may partake of it's yummy goodness :)  (and pumpkin pie!)

Gobble 'til you wobble!

TTFN, Jane

Thankfully Chicka!

Happy Chicka Challenge Tuesday!  Our challenge this week:  thankfulness!  You can pull that off-right?

I saw a card like this in a recent edition of Stampin Success (magazine for SU! demo's).  I absolutely loved the whole concept the minute I saw it!

My colors are a bit wonky in the scan--it looks much better IRL.  Trust, I say!

I cut each "hill" with my nifty little Cutter Kit tool from Stampin' Up!  It's a great tool for free hand cutting--and lots of other goodies, too!  Check it out!

I mounted the first "hill" on a piece of Confetti white and then stamped my favorite tree from Hambo Stamps.  I pieced a chocolate chip designer paper for the tree trunk and colored the top with Copic markers.  The subsequent "hill" are mounted on top of each other with dimensionals--the top "hill" as two layers of the same.

The sentiment is from a SU! set, as well.  I think I will play around more with this concept because it is tres cute!!

The Chickas created today....you will so want to go check it out!  Please play......all you have to do is make a project expressing thankfulness and post it in the comments either here or there.  Easy Peasy!

TTFN, Jane

Coco Couture

Yummy in my tummy!!!  Isn't she??

It's been ages since I shared a picture of my wee one.  As you can see, she is brimming with personality!!  You'd actually think someone was on the other end of that phone!  I'm in sooo much trouble when the teen years hit!

Anyhooo...I've been absolutely obsessed with the outfit she is wearing!  I often find inspiration in her clothing or toys and decided to stop refraining from the share! 

While Coco's outfit was the beginning point for my inspiration, I'm drawing the layout from MJ's Monday Sketch Challenge.  Make sure to check it out!

So here is what I came up with!  I've used a retired Stampin Up! set called Big Blooms.  The set, Petal Pizzazz (current in the SU! catalog) would also be a good fit for this project :)  I stamped with craft  ink and embossed all of the flowers then, cut them out.

The flowers are arranged on a scallop square die cut with grid lines and then matted on a 4.75" white square.  "Be Yourself" --(Smarty Pants, SU!) is also embossed on a strip of white...a little more pink, some bling--done!

That's it for me--see you tomorrow!

TTFN, Jane

PS-For those who don't know.....her sweet little name is Chloe and I lovingly call her Coco :)

Thanks Be To Thee--Blogger's Challenge

This week's Blogger's Challenge is, appropriately, "thankfulness."  I'm thankful for so many things--I'm truly blessed!

 I'm blessed to serve on the Hambo Stamps design team AND as a member of the Technique Junkies Newsletter design team.  My project today recognizes both of these honors.  I do not say this lightly--it truly is my honor to design for both of these organizations and I count them as great joys in my life.

Naturally, I'm blessed in many ways...family, friends, health, a warm home, a job, funny-wild-adorable kids....  I am grateful.  At the end of the day, when I reflect on that part of my life that is just for me, I am so thankful for the world stamping has created and opened up for me! 

The stamps featured in my project are both from Hambo Stamps' fall release.  The technique is one I've been planning to try for awhile.  When I received these Hambo goodies, I just knew that tree would be perfect for the Van Gogh technique as featured in the June/July 2009 TJNL.

Make sure to visit the other Blogger's (see my side bar button for the links!)

Have a great rest of your day!

TTFN, Jane