…Farm Fresh Color Challenge

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a…COLOR CHALLENGE (Turquoise, Black, and 1 other color).  I used an older image, “Oh, Boy Ian” to create my card.  I stamped him in Black Ink, then colored him with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the finished image with some patterned papers from a couple of retired paper pads from Stampin’ Up, and added some stitching to the large plaid panel.  I added some Paper Piercing to the edges of the focal panel, then attached the image to it using Dimensionals.  I stamped the sentiment from the “Anya Says” set in Black Ink onto Red Cardstock, then layered it with Turquoise and Black Cardstock.  After adding some Silver Nail Heads and several more Dimensionals the card was complete!

Now let's see what the other Farmers have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Tanya Tahir
• Sari Hanninen
• Tammy Maxvill
• Buttercup (TGF January Guest Designer)

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  THIS WEEK’S WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE “OA-LITTLE DREAMER” SET!  I'll see you back here some time next week!  Until then…

…Farm Fresh Sketch By Me

Don’t Forget To Check Out My Stamp Sale HERE…Prices Have Been Reduced AGAIN!

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a…SKETCH CHALLENGE BY ME.  I used the Amelia image from the “OA-Little Dreamer” set to create my card.  I stamped her in Black Ink, then colored the sweetheart with Copic Sketch Markers.  I added some sparkle to the wings on her backpack using a Sakura Glaze Pen, then paired the finished image with some patterned papers from the Modern Homemaker paper pad from October Afternoon.  I collage-stamped the star from the set onto the pink polka-dotted patterned paper panel, then Paper Pierced the edges as well.  I stitched the horizontal cardstock strips onto the pink panel, then stamped the sentiment in Black Ink in the lower left-hand corner of the same panel.  I cut out the focal panel using a Nesties Die, then added an acrylic heart and punched flower/brad combo to the panel.  After adding some Silver Pearls and several Dimensionals the card was complete!

Now let's see what the other Farmers have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Tanya Tahir
• Sari Hanninen
• Tammy Maxvill
• Buttercup (TGF January Guest Designer)

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  THIS WEEK’S WINNER WILL RECEIVE THE “NAUGHTY OR NICE” SET!  I'll see you back here some time next week!  Until then…

…A Few Of My Favorite Things from 2010

Another year has come and gone, and we’re at the beginning of a new one.  I wanted to take a look back and share some of my favorite things from this past year with you all today. 

It’s hard to believe that I was watercoloring at the beginning of the year, then my life changed with the arrival of my Copic Sketch Markers!  In the words of my sweet friend, Jessica Diedrich…”Taste the rainbow, baby”!  LOL!  My life hasn’t been the same since these little puppies arrived. :)

Then there was my favorite new recipe of 2010…Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp:

 

My favorite trip of 2010 with my favorite people, Pam Varnell and Jessica Diedrich…Summer CHA in Chicago, IL (pictured with Sankari Wegman…she happens to be another favorite of mine):

And of course there are my favorite photos of my favorite fellas:

Christian- 16 years old

Gabriel- 14 years old (pictured with his best friend, Jessica)

And my gorgeous-yet-goofy hubby, Chuck (pictured with our niece, Danielle):

Then there are my favorite cards from 2010:

January 2010

February 2010

March 2010

April 2010

May 2010

June 2010

July 2010

August 2010

September 2010

October 2010

November 2010

December 2010

What are a few of YOUR favorite things?  Will you continue doing those things, or will you start a new adventure in the new year?  I don’t know about you, but I want the adventure…bring on the NEW!  I can’t wait to discover all of the soon-to-be favorite things, and I can’t wait to share it all with you in 2011!

That’s it for me!  I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!  Thanks for stopping by for the trip down memory lane, and I’ll see you back here Tuesday with a card for By LORi Designs. Until then…

…I Do

Hey there, everyone!  I’m back today with not only another Release Preview from The Greeting Farm, but my card is also for this week’s Farm Fresh Friday Challenge…Wedding Theme!  I’m so excited that our next release is coming up tomorrow, and I know you’re just dying to see another soon-to-be-released image…so let’s get started!

Introducing “I Do”

I stamped the sweet bride image from this new set in Black Ink, colored her with Copic Sketch Markers, then cut her out.  I paired the image with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s Curio paper pad.  I pierced around the edges of the large patterned paper panel, then added a border punched panel along the bottom of the larger panel.  I randomly stamped one of the sentiments (“I do”) all over this panel in Rich Cocoa Ink.  After adding some Ribbon, Red Pearls, Glitter, and tons of Dimensionals the card was complete.  Isn’t she just breathtaking???

Now let’s see what the other Farmers and Club Anya team have created with this cutie beauty today:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Tanya Tahir
• Emma Eads
• Sari Hanninen
• Tammy Maxvill
• Buttercup (TGF January Guest Designer)
• Jen Shults
• Kristy Young
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Amber Hight
• Barbara Sproat (CA&F January Guest Designer)

That’s it for me today!  Be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for complete details.  The winner of this week’s challenge will receive this new set as a prize!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow for TGF Release Day and CA&F Sketch Challenge!  Until then…

…Fancy Anya Preview

CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE…PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED!!!

Hey there, everyone!  I’m back today with another Release Preview from The Greeting Farm, and I’m so excited that our next release is just around the corner…January 1st!  I know you’re just dying to see another soon-to-be-released image, so let’s get started!

Introducing “Fancy Anya”:

I stamped this sweet little image in Black Ink, colored her with Copic Sketch Markers, then cut her out.  I paired the image with some patterned papers from Cosmo Cricket’s Circa 1934 paper pad.  I stitched around the edges of the plaid patterned paper panel to attach it to the flourish panel, then added a Kraft Cardstock sentiment flag using a sentiment from the “Anya Says” set.  After adding some Ribbon, Rhinestones, Glitter, and tons of Dimensionals the card was complete.  Isn’t she just precious???

Now let’s see what the other Farmers and Club Anya team have created with this cutie patootie today:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Tanya Tahir
• Emma Eads
• Sari Hanninen
• Tammy Maxvill
• Buttercup (TGF January Guest Designer)
• Jen Shults
• Kristy Young
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Amber Hight
• Barbara Sproat (CA&F January Guest Designer)

That’s it for me today!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here again Friday with another TGF Farm Fresh Challenge and TGF Preview!  Be sure to leave some love at each of the designers’ blogs, the TGF Blog, and the CA&F Blog!  Until then…

…Final Tuesday Sketch Challenge (MTSC106)

CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE…PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED!!!

As you all know, this is the last of our Tuesday Sketch Challenges.  I wanted to take a few minutes to thank all of the ladies who have appeared as my Guest Muses over the last year or so…you have all been such an inspiration, and I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedules to play along with us.  Stephanie…you have been an amazing Guest Muse this month, and it’s been a pleasure working with you! :)

As for my sweet Muses that have been with me for this crazy ride…I love each and every one of you.  You have been such wonderful and faithful friends, and I couldn’t have done this without you, ladies.  I’m gonna miss you most of all (but I’ll still be stalking you via my Google Reader)!

Now here’s our FINAL sketch:

My Sample (using today’s preview set “OA-Little Dreamer” from The Greeting Farm…be sure to leave comments at all of the the DT members’ blogs today for a chance to win this precious set!  The winner will be announced tomorrow at the TGF Blog):

Stephanie Kraft’s Sample:

Let’s see what the Muses have in store for you today:

• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Jessica Diedrich 
• Stephanie Kraft (December 2010 Guest Muse)

You can also check out the previews from the TGF DT:

• Tanya Tahir
• Emma Eads
• Sari Hanninen
• Tammy Maxvill
• Buttercup (TGF January Guest Designer)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and add your creation using the InLinkz linking system below.  Be sure to use the keyword MTSC106 when uploading to a public gallery.  Thanks so much for making the MTSC such a hit…I’ll miss seeing all of your creations each week!

Happy Stamping!

…Naughty or Nice Preview

CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE…PRICES HAVE BEEN REDUCED!!!

Hello EVERYONE!  Hope you all had a very MERRY Christmas and that it was full of magic and memories!

We are beginning January previews today with some HUGE news and fun announcements...are you all ready?  First and foremost, we have some HELLO's and Goodbyes.   The Greeting Farm would like to thank Melyssa and Randi as their terms with TGF are ending and we wish them both well!  From now on, TGF Farmers terms will be 6 months long instead of one year and although it probably won't make it any EASIER to say goodbye to our talented designers, we are excited about this!

Also saying goodbye this week are the FABULOUS members of our Critter Crew. Not because their terms are up, but because the Critter Crew itself will no longer be considered a 'team' of TGF. While we will surely have a cute critter by Marina from time to time, we will no longer be releasing these on a regular basis and it is with an ENORMOUS amount of gratitude that we say goodbye to such a WONDERFUL team of designers!  Thank you all so much!

Well, now that we've gotten the sad part out of the way, we have THREE NEW FARMERS to welcome to TGF and a new Guest Designer that we are THRILLED about!   Please welcome:

• TANYA TAHIR
• EMMA EADS
• & SARI HANNINEN as our THREE NEW FARMERS, and please welcome
• BUTTERCUP as our January Guest Designer!

TONS of excitement going on around the FARM!  And as if that weren’t enough?   Check out our first preview, a Cheeky Cherry "NAUGHTY or NICE" set:

Isn't she DREAMY?   I stamped her in Brown Ink directly to the Kraft Cardstock, then added some Paper Piercing, Distressing, and Sponging to the same focal panel.  I stamped the sentiment in Brown Ink onto a scrap piece of Regal Cardstock, then later cut it out and embossed it with a Nesties Die and the Big Shot.  I added a piece of Regal Ribbon around the Kraft Cardstock focal panel, then also put a Large Scallop Border to the side of the same panel.  After adding some Pink Rhinestones and several Dimensionals the card was complete.

That’s it for me today!  Be sure to head on over to the TGF Blog to WELCOME our new designers and visit ALL The TGF DT (including Team Anya as they have previews for you today too)!  I'll see you back tomorrow with the last Tuesday Sketch Challenge previewing the new TGF Oliver and Amelia set!

…Pieces of Me

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MY MTSC102 FAVES FOR THIS WEEK

Happy Sunday, everyone!  Just wanted to stop in real quick to give you a little peek at some of digital scrapbook pages that I’ve created over the last month or so.  I have to admit that I am totally addicted…thanks to my enabling friend, Jen Tapler!  She introduced me to the crazy world of digital scrapbooking, and also led me to my favorite digi store, Sweet Shoppe Designs.  Jen has been such a HUGE help to me, and she’s always so encouraging and uplifting {and as I mentioned before…enabling!  LOL}  Thanks for all of your help and your fabulous friendship, Jen! :)

Now for the layouts:

(All elements from Sweet Shoppe Designs unless otherwise noted)
Digital SB Kits: Pieces of Me~Traci Reed, Simply Stamped Alpha~Zoe Pearn, Punchy Edges~Julie Billingsley, "WS Joyce" digi image (The Greeting Farm)
Fonts: DJB Angel Baby~Darcy Baldwin, Scriptina (Word Processor)

(All elements from Sweet Shoppe Designs unless otherwise noted)
Template: Susanna Boyd for Scrappy Sunday Challenge~November @ Paper Craft Planet
Digital SB Kits: Wondrous~Julie Billingsley, Simply Stamped Alpha~Zoe Pearn, Bad Sewing Machine I-The Basics~Traci Reed, Bliss~Fee Jardine
Fonts: DJB Angel Baby~Darcy Baldwin

That’s it for now!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here tomorrow with a card for By LORi Designs as one of their new design team members!  Until later…

…Warm & Toasty

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a…SNOWFLAKE CHALLENGE.  We were to create a card that incorporates snowflakes.  I used the Oliver image from the “OA-Fuzzy Wuzzy” set to create my card.  I stamped him in Black Ink, then colored him with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the finished image with some patterned papers from the Fine and Dandy True Blue paper pad from My Mind’s Eye.  I stitched the striped panel directly to the Turquoise Cardstock base, then added some paper piercing using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to edges of the tangerine panel.  I created a snowflake with my Big Shot and the Spellbinders’ Create a Flake One, then added some Turquoise Ink, Glitter, and a Button with Silver Cording.  After adding some Silver Nail Heads and several Dimensionals the card was complete!

Now let's see what the other Farmers and Critter Crew have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Tammy Maxvill
• Naoual du Mortier (December Guest Designer for TGF)

(Critter Crew)

• Shaela Odd
• Jacquie Nordaune
• Jennifer Royal
• Sammi Betbeder
• Kristine Reynolds
• Tangii Crain
• Margie Cortina

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  THIS WEEK’S WINNER WILL RECEIVE “OA-FUZZY WUZZY”!  I'll see you back here in a few with another Verve December Release Sneak Peek!  Until then…

…Hoppin’ Into The Holidays Blog Hop

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE TODAY’S TUESDAY SKETCH CHALLENGE

Hello, EVERYONE!  There is excitement in the chilly air tonight as the TIME. HAS. COME...to HOP into the HOLIDAYS with The Greeting Farm!  Hooray!  We have been looking forward to doing an all-customer invited Blog Hop for QUITE some time now and are thrilled that tonight's the night.

If you are just getting here, be sure to start on the TGF Blog where there will be ONE official list of hoppers due to the volume of tonight's hop.   Be sure to pop in between 7 and 8 pm CST on our PCP page to chat w/ the DT, drink virtual egg nog, and be MERRY with TGF!

Well, as you can see, we have QUITE a surprise for you this evening.  You thought previews were OVER, didn't you?  NOPE!  We are ringing in tonight's holiday hop and DECEMBER release with one more VERY cheeky character...INTRODUCING:

CHEEKY CHERRY PIE!!!

Isn't she DREAMY?   I stamped her in Black Ink and colored her with Copic Sketch Markers,  I stamped the sentiment in Black Ink also onto a scrap piece of Melon Cardstock, then later punched it out and sponged around the edges of the circle with a Sponge Dauber and Chocolate Ink.  I cut out the sentiment panel with a Nesties die, then I dry embossed the top half of the Melon Cardstock base with large dots.  I sponged the edges of October Afternoon’s Modern Homemaker patterned papers, then stitched the larger panel while adding piercing to the smaller one.  After adding some Black Saddle-Stitched Ribbon, Black Pearls, and several Dimensionals the card was complete.

That's right…in case you were wondering why we were STARTING with the DT tonight when most hops have ended with us!  THIS is why!   You won't want to miss her as we KNOW she's gonna go FAST, so be sure to grab her any time after MIDNIGHT (CST) TONIGHT when ALL the December TGF releases go live and for sale!

If you are participating in one of our contests tonight (see THIS post for categories), the THREE categories will be live and posted in the TGF Galleria at 7pm CST tonight.  Please place your card in the appropriate category in the galleria NO LATER than 11:45pm CST this evening.   Winners will be drawn tomorrow around NOON CST and posted on the TGF Blog. 

In addition, the TWO lucky Blog Hop winners (must have left comments and completed blog hop by NOON CST (This gives our overseas friends as well as here in the states plenty of time to see the projects and comment :) will be announced at NOON CST as well on the TGF Blog.  GOOD LUCK to everyone and GET HOPPIN'!

Thanks so much for stopping by and for HOPPIN' into the HOLIDAYS with The Greeting Farm!  I’ll see you back here tomorrow with another ATS Wednesday Challenge!  Until then…

…I Like You More Than Puppies

Hey Farm Friends!

As you can tell by now, there are some SUPER exciting happenings on the Farm this week!  First of all, as you may have seen on Friday, we are thrilled to welcome Naoual du Mortier as our December Guest for The Greeting Farm, and are also giddy with excitement to welcome Sheri Gilson to Team Anya as our Guest for the Month of December!  These lovely ladies have jumped right into previews and we're thrilled to have them along for the ride!

It's been a while since we've had a sentiment-only set here on the Farm, and after MANY requests by all of you out there in blog-land, we are previewing a BRAND NEW SENTIMENT set today, "Because of You".   This whimsical and fun-fonted set comes complete with that feeling of warm-fuzzies. 

To show you just how adorable these new sentiments are, we've decided to show you some preview projects today using ONLY a sentiment as the focal point.  Be sure to check out the TGF Blog AND the Club Anya & Friends blog as well for some GREAT ideas and heartfelt hugs :)

I used “OA-Buddies” along with the “I like you more than puppies” sentiment from the new set for my card today.  I stamped the Oliver image in Sahara Sand Ink as a subtle addition, and stamped the sentiment in White Craft Ink onto bold Red Cardstock.  I cut out the sentiment panel with a diecut and added some Turquoise Pearls to it for some flair! :) I distressed the edges of the large Kraft Cardstock panel, and added some ink to them with a Sponge Dauber also.  After adding some more Turquoise Pearls, some Turquoise Saddle-Stitched Ribbon, and several Dimensionals the card was complete.

Now let’s see what the other ladies have in store for you today:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Tammy Maxvill
• Naoual du Mortier (December Guest Designer for TGF)
• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Kristy Young
• Jen Shults
• Sheri Gilson (December Guest Designer for CA&F)

Thanks for stopping by today, and oh...there's ONE more little thing.  ONE of the DT members (is it a Farmer?  Guest Designer?  Team Anya member?  hmm....) has a "Because of You" set hidden on their blog today, so be sure to stop by and see their beautiful projects.  ONE lucky winner will be announced tomorrow during our "HOPPIN' into the HOLIDAYS" Blog Hop, beginning at 7pm CST on the TGF Blog.

"Sentimentally" yours,

…TGF Preview Meets CAF Sketch #45

Happy Saturday, everyone!  I’m back today with another Release Preview from The Greeting Farm, and I’m so excited that our next release is just around the corner…December 1st!  I’m also excited that the Farmers are playing along with the Club Anya & Friends Blog and their Saturday Sketch Challenge #45!  I know you’re just dying to see another soon-to-be-released image, so let’s get started!

Introducing “OA-Fuzzy Wuzzy”!!!  I stamped the Olivia from the set in Black Ink and colored her with Copic Sketch Markers.  The focal panel was cut out using Nesties and a Big Shot.  I paired the image with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s Curio paper pad.  I pierced around the edges of the floral patterned paper panel, then added an artichoke sentiment panel.  After adding some Ribbon and tons of Dimensionals the card was complete.  Isn’t she just precious???

Now let’s see what the other Farmers and CA&F have created with this cutie patootie today:

Farmers:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Tammy Maxvill
• Naoual du Mortier (December Guest DT for TGF)

CA&F:

• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Jen Shults
• Kristy Young
• Sheri Gilson (December Guest DT for CA&F)

Like what you’ve seen so far?  Wanna a chance to win this set?  You’ll need to leave some love at the CA&F Blog by 11:59 pm CST…one lucky commenter will WIN “OA Fuzzy Wuzzy”!  Be sure to play along with this week’s sketch challenge, and I’ll see you all again at the Holiday Blog Hop on Tuesday, November 30th at 12:01 am CST!

That’s it for me!  Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll see you back here in a few with an Announcement.  Until then…

…Farm Fresh Sketchy Preview

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a…SKETCH CHALLENGE BY ME!!!  I used one of the new images called “Tank” (that will be released on December 1st) to create my card.  I stamped him in Black Ink, then colored him with Copic Sketch Markers.  I paired the finished image with some patterned papers from BasicGrey’s Marjolaine paper pad.  I cut out the focal panel using a Nesties Die, then added some stitching around the large argyle panel.  I added some paper piercing using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer around the large kiwi panel, then added some patterned paper behind a Clear Button to create a coordinating button.  I added a sentiment flag to the button, then finished off the card with some Silver Nail Heads and tons of Dimensionals.  How do you like that green hair?  LOL!

Now let's see what the other Farmers and Critter Crew have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Tammy Maxvill
• Naoual du Mortier (December Guest DT for TGF)

(Critter Crew)

• Shaela Odd
• Jacquie Nordaune
• Jennifer Royal
• Sammi Betbeder
• Kristine Reynolds
• Linda Muhr
• Tangii Crain
• Margie Cortina

CA&F:

• Anna Maria Nilsson
• Jen Shults
• Kristy Young
• Sheri Gilson (December Guest DT for CA&F)

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  I'll see you back here tomorrow with another TGF Preview and an Announcement!  Until then…

…Farm Fresh Sparkly Birthday

Happy Friday, everyone!  It’s time for another Farm Fresh Friday Challenge over at The Greeting Farm Blog, and this week we have a…SPARKLY BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE.  We were to create a birthday card that incorporates some sort of “sparkle”.  I used one of the older images called “Princess Anya” to create my card.  I stamped her in Black Ink, then colored her with Copic Sketch Markers )I also created a little hill for her to stand on with the Copics).  I paired the finished image with some patterned papers from SU’s retired Murfield Designer Series Paper pack.  I dry embossed the plaid background panel using the Cuttlebug Bloom Dots Embossing Folder, then added some Pacific Point Ribbon around the card.  I added some paper piercing using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to the top and bottom edges of the large background panel before incorporated some sparkle by adding Crystal Stickles to her crown and wand.  In addition to the sparkly wand and crown, I also added some Rhinestones to two corners for balance, and stitched on a sentiment flag.  After adding tons of Dimensionals the card was complete!

Now let's see what the other Farmers and Critter Crew have up their sleeves for today's challenge:

• Jessica Diedrich
• Melyssa Connolly
• Randi Wall
• Tammy Maxvill
• Emma Eads (November Guest Designer for TGF)

(Critter Crew)

• Shaela Odd
• Jacquie Nordaune
• Jennifer Royal
• Sammi Betbeder
• Kristine Reynolds
• Linda Muhr
• Tangii Crain
• Margie Cortina

That's it for now! Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to head over to the TGF Blog for the official challenge rules and to play along with us!  THIS WEEK’S WINNER WILL RECEIVE “SWEET ANYA”!  I'll see you back here Sunday with another installment of Mercy’s Magnificent Musings, and I’ll also be announcing the winner of the random drawing!  Until then…