Simple Stories //Holiday Guide & Decor Week

Have you checked out the latest happenings over at

the Simple Stories blog?

We are in the middle of Simple Stories Holiday Guide & Decor Week 

and you can find LOTS of great ideas, inspo, 
and maybe a little something to get you all merry & bright! :)

My post is coming up this Saturday, Dec 3rd 

but in the meantime, 

here's a sneak on my desk tonite...

Are you making handmade gifts this season?

So much fun & what better way to speak from the heart! :)

Gauche Alchemy // Lush or Maybe Just "Bare Nekkid"?

HAHA - I knew that title would get ya! (wink wink)

You can hop over to the Gauche Alchemy blog for more on that....

Created this project up awhile ago for SNR but 

thanks to Gauche Alchemy for the additional love 

shared up by Michelle (thanks womannnn) in the write-up article

over at the Gauche Alchemy blog today!!

If you love some killer cool kits that are crazy twisted

(in a good way, of course)

vintage ephemera, mixed media addicted, wild, wicked & just challenge your creativity to the next level...check 'em out here!

The Acme kit is just a must.have. (just sayin')

Thanks again Gauche, love you all!!

NYC you have stolen my heart!!

Backkkkkk from an A.MA.ZINGGGGG. vacation 

of 8 days in NYC

FAB FAB FAB!

If you have not already been to NYC, definitely put it on your "bucket list".

I've been 3 times before but this 4th time was the BEST to.date!

Literally walked a bazillion miles, saw EVERYTHING on the top listssss, and took 700+ pics!

EEKKKK!

So, I'm thinking a week long+ of special blog posts in order to share up the pics and tell you a bit

about what we saw, did, ate, and conquered (hehe).

and feeling so inspired.

I'm outta' here...

Jetting out early this a.m to NYC
&

maybe I'll have a minute/two to pop in here to update ya' with a pic or two!
but 
vacation should be vacation, ya' know? ;-)

Anyhoo, expect a big update with pics laterz....
plus I'm rolling with some new projects when I'm back :)

In the meantime....
I leave you with nothing like a little JayZ & Alicia Keys to inspire it up for NYC!

Something new & fun happening in January.....

but I can't squeak a peek until then....

terrible, aren't i?
*hehe*

but

I'm superrrrrr excited about it! :)
look on the bright side...
as fast as time is flying by these days, January will be here before you know it! :)

xo

Simple Stories // Mixin' It Up with Maya Road

Excited for Simple Stories to collab with Maya Road next month!!!

We on the Simple Stories design team will design it up with Simple Stories + Maya Road!!

Details below & over at Simple Stories for ALL to come next month....

Seriously, you don't wanna miss it!!! 

LOTSA' great things!!!

In TWO daysssssss.....NEW YORK NEW YORK NEW YORK!!

This girl.... 

is about to jet out for a mini vacation 

of 8 daysssss on MONDAY to NEW YORK CITY!

I posted a bit about it here....

source.

And I get to give my BFF of 5 years a HUGE hugggggg after TWO YEARS

Can we say, emotionalllll?! oh gosh.... 

Even though he will be a bit jetlagged from the 10 hour+ flight but we will enjoy the bits & pieces of the city for what we can explore in the time we have.

I'm looking forward to lots of chatter & laughter.

Some of the best medicine :)

Now, what to pack? 

hmmmmm *hehe*

Bella Blvd // FREE Digital Printables (Pre-Thanksgiving Mini)

It's almost turkey time :)

& 

Bella Blvd has created an easy peasy digi mini for you to capture all the memories

of Thanksgiving Day!! :)

Stephanie has designed some FREE digital printables, to create a Thanksgiving 5x7 mini album. She also shares up a great tutorial on how to create the album from start to finish.

Each page has the same identical mini questionnaire for each person in your family to complete/fill-in. 

Give this year's Thanksgiving a personal touch with this FREE download, creating handwritten keepsakes for years to come!

It can be as many pages as you want to be. Whether you have a large family gathering of 20, or small immediate family dinner of only 5 people, create this darling mini album this weekend so you are ready to go next week!

The free printables come in high resolution PDFs ready for you to print out onto photo paper or cardstock. 

All the printables are available to download at the end of the post over at Bella Blvd here!

What do you say? 

Will you join the pre-Thanksgiving weekend 
Digi Mini Album Challenge? 

Bella Blvd // December Daily 2011 "Behind-the-Scenes"

It's UPPPPPPPPPP peeps!!!

Check it out over at the Bella Blvd Blog!!

A bit of "behind-the-scenes" into the making of my Bella Blvd December Daily '11 album!!!

More will be shared all month of December here on my blog, ScrapNspire! :)

A few of my favorite pieces in the album (so far)...

and in December I'll share more in the making of this page

which uses a sewing technique called "free motion stitching" where you use a free motion foot/darning foot on your sewing machine.

December is gonna' be a fun month ahead!!!

Have you started the framework for your December Daily '11?

  

November is flyinggggg by....so you best get started *hehe*

Just around the corner....

Check out this trailer of my "behind-the-scenes" take on my Bella Blvd December Daily 2011 album!

MORE to be revealed TODAY (later this morning) over at Bella Blvd Blog!!

Also, join me all month December 1-25th here on my blog

as I document & share each day in my album!

Let the countdown begin to NYC!

in 11 days....

source.

I've been about 3 times before but this time

really planning to enjoy the city and chillax with my BFF flying in from Italia (first timeeeee to the city!!) 

to meet me there in NYC!

We haven't seen each other in TWO years!!! 

We'll meet up at JFK airport & I envision a scene from a movie, running towards each other and then you stop like 5" apart and say "hi". storybook. :)

Nahhh, but I'm sureeeee there will be tears & sweet hugs! :)

We're staying in midtown-Manhattan for 8 days!!! 

SO.READY.for a nice break!

source.

We'll take LOTS of pics, eat fun & delicious food, laugh wayyyy too much, I'm sure we'll look like the ultimate tourists (eyes to the sky at all the skyscrappers), 

chat to the crack of dawn, many subway rides, crazy taxis' and who knows the adventures that are around the corner...

oh!

and enjoy a broadway show too! :)

source.

Broadway tickets are booked & in hand!

So excited to see this show!

The reviews seem really amazing & funny!!

Of course, travel guides, subway map, iphone app but other than that no real plan but to just to stroll & explore as we wish.

Sometimes those make the best trips, ya' know? :)

eeeeeeek....EXCITED (just a little) :)

life.is.good.

Bella Blvd // Dec Daily 2011: How About a Sneak (or Two)?

The "behind-the-scenes" take on my 

Bella Blvd December Daily album is coming up this Saturday over on the Bella Blvd Blog.

I'm really excited to share it up the framework to putting it all together and then for December 1st to arrive to start documenting & picture taking :)

So, Diane & Tammie pushed a squeak out of me in their comments 

and I'll share up just a couple peeks for now :)

Toot Toot!

source.

Sweet publishing toot toot!!

Thrilled to receive a happy pub email yesterday for

a 12x12 layout request for a 

Scrapstreet Family Magazine (special issue)!!

Excited!! :)

Punky Scraps // Challenge 33:

November is here!  WOW, this year has basically flew by and it's time for the first challenge of the month, we have two pieces of inspiration for you over at Punky Scraps for Challenge 33.

Challenge 33

This is a 2-part challenge including the following...

First of all, a quote from Tupac which you can use in full or interpret in your own way:

"You can spend minutes, hours, days, weeks or even months over-analyzing a situation; trying to put the pieces together, justifying what could've, would've happened... or you can just leave the pieces on the floor and move on." ~ Tupac

Second, this photo (don't you just love the splashes of colour against the dark background?)

{also, I just realized after Nat posted this that this is actually a hint of whereeeeee I'm going on mini vacation for 8 dayssss in less than a couple of weeks!!}

Anyhoo, play along with Punky Scraps all month & all you have to do is 

link us up to your layout over at Punky Scraps in the sidebar here.  Oh, and while you're over there, be sure to check out what Team A rebels rocked on this challenge! :)

Happy Tuesday & a Smile!!!

Yeppers, some new pics coming soon.... :)

Thanks to everyone who hopped along in the Blog Hop and enjoyed the hop!!!

It was lots of fun & SO MUCH talent & inspiration!!!

I'm sure some lucky peeps are gonna' enjoy those amazing give-a-ways!!!

xoxo

On a side note....

I have some exciting news coming up this weekend about my 

December Daily Album for Bella Blvd where you will get a "behind-the-scenes" look at the framework to build my album :)  

I put the "finishing" touches on the start of it this past weekend so I'm ready to rock & roll with it on Dec 1st in documenting & picture taking!  

But stay tuned...because I will share more of the details of what's to come this week :)

andddddd....

I have a MUCH needed mini vacation planned for later this month....
and I can't wait to tell you whereeeeee.... :)
I'm gonna' hang out with a sweet sweet friend & enjoy 8 days of pure bliss from the daily full-time grind
and an inspiration jolt in a pretty spectacular city!

SO HONORED!! // "Crafty Boutique: Crafty Crushes" feature [ScrapStreet, Nov 2011 issue]

About a month ago, I was contacted by Dora over at Scrapstreet for the GingerScraps Ezine Nov 2011 special feature

"Crafty Feature: Crafty Crushes"

Such a sweet article that I'm *major blushing* from the compliments.... from Dora 

[and happy to be an enabler to her for grabbing up the Simple Stories collections] *hehe*

Here's a snapshot...

But you can check out the complete article here.

This free online scrap magazine is truly inspiring every month!!

THANK YOU again Dora & Scrapstreet!! :)

Cards that Care // "Naughty or Nice?" Card: Supply List

Hi "Cards that Care" blog hoppers! :)

Many of you have asked in your comments from the hop about the vintage Santa/how much you love him :)

Well, as promised, here is the full supply list that I used to create up my card in the hop below - 

Bella Blvd:

Paper - Christmas Wishes - North Pole #342 (green polka dot)

Paper - Christmas Wishes - Borders #347 (candy cane stripe)

Stickers - December Details - Label Additions #089 ("naughty or nice?")

Other:

Cardstock - Source Unknown - White

Silver Glitter Alpha - Recollections (Michaels store brand)

Snowflake Buttons - Dress It Up (shanks removed from buttons with shank remover)

Bling - Stampin' Up!, My Minds Eye
Cherry Red Chevron Stripe Ribbon - May Arts (but you can also find it on www.etsy.com)

Stamps - Delta Rubber Stampede (Santa Collage #3408F){I believe I bought mine at Hobby Lobby}, Fancy Pants ("merry christmas"), PrintWorks (Leave a Little Room #D3819 - greeting inside card)

Ink - Ranger - Distress Ink - Fired Brick, Archival Ink - Jet Black

Punches - Fiskars

Envelope - Source Unknown

Pop Dots - American Crafts

Welcome to the "Cards that Care" Blog Hop!!!

Note [11/4, 10:14pm]: I'm really enjoying reading ALL your comments!!

YOU ALL ARE SO SWEET!!! 

I'll share up the full supply list of my card this weekend. 

Keep on hoppin'!! :)

The holidays are about family, kindness, and joy. The holidays are the times when many of the elderly who live in nursing homes would really feel the loneliness or missing their family. 

Wouldn't it be awesome if we can bring a smile to their face & brighten their holiday season simply by sharing our love of Christmas & holiday card making? 

A simple gesture to let them know that they are not forgotten.

Many of the cards in this blog hop are being mailed to Vera Yates & Jennifer McGuire {the coordinators of the hop} to deliver to selected nursing homes.

So, this is the purpose of the "Cards that Care" blog hop.

You can check out FULL details here if you want to join in & make a card for a sweet soul in the nursing home.

So, let's get to sharing & hopping...

No doubt you have hopped to my blog from Alice Carman :)

Welcome welcome & here's my card - 


When making cards, I really love to match the envelopes to the card.  Here I used a sticker from the Bella Blvd "December Details" collection.

I typically stamp images in black ink but put a twist on stamping the Santa in red.

A bit of blingy letters, red chevron striped ribbon tied as a bow, and a sweet Bella Blvd sticker from the "December Details" collection along with papers border punched from Bella Blvd paper.

and the greeting inside is stamped to read as...

Be sure to leave comments on all the participant blogs (see full list below) for a chance at some up some GREAT prizes from the sponsors below.  

The more blogs you leave comments, the better your chances. :)

You have the ENTIRE weekend to hop around & leave comments

(till Sunday, 11/6/2011 midnight CST).

Next, hop over to Sue Mylde for another inspirational card!

I'm planning to sit with a cup of hot cocoa & hop around to all the blogs this weekend! FUN!! :)

By the way, here's 

the complete blog roll list of FAB participants in this hop...

Vera Yates

Jennifer McGuire

Kelly Marie

Laurel Beard

Lynette Kauffman

Melania Deasy

Amy Kolling

Cathy Fong

Brandi

Christy

Cristina Kowalczyk

Stephanie Muzzulin

Judy Marino

Annie Lung

Laurel Seabrook

Rachel Isakowicz

Kathy Racoosin

Amy Tsuruta

Kelly Bertram

Sheri Feypel

Kathy Martin

Becky Williams

Alice Carman

-->> Wendy Morris <<-- YOU ARE HERE

Sue Mylde

Gretchen McElveen

Loredana Bucaria

Deanna Misner

Kimberly Neddo

Sweet Stamp Shop

Savannah O'Gwynn

Aga

Donna Mikasa

Nicole Rixon

Trinh Arietta

Monika Wright

Brenda Urbanik

Joy Meadows

Annette Allen

Samantha LaRoe

Karin Akesdotter

Jenny Suchin

Anita Recksiedler

Giovana Smith

Thanks to these LOVELY sponsors 

offering prizes & donations for the hop - 

Bella Blvd

{offering up this TOO cute "Christmas Wishes" collection}

Lawn Fawn

Hero Arts

May Arts

Paper Crafts 

PSA Essentials

Simon Says Stamp

Paper Smooches

Some Odd Girl

Market Street Stamps

The Twinery

The Crafts Meow

Sweet Stamp Shop

Penny Black

Avocado Arts

Janes Doodles

Eclectic Paperie

AND moreeee......

you can check out pics of prizes here.

Cards that Care Blog Hop // Coming 11/4, Friday 6am CST

So happy to join in with a fab group of peeps for a special & sweet blog hop, "Cards that Care", led by Jennifer McGuire & Vera Yates (Ling) tomorrow starting at 6am CST with TONS of blogs that you must check out!!! 

This hop will feature cards that will be shared with nursing homes and spread some joy this season.

My blog will be on the lineup & my card will feature some sweet Bella Blvd! 

PLUS there are give-a-ways too for those hopping on the blogs & commenting all weekend!!! 

More details will be shared up later tonite!! :)

Gigi's Scrapbook Retreat // MORE Class Sneak Peeks

Wanna' see a couple of sneak peeks of my finished mini book coming up for the class at Gigi's Scrapbookin' Retreat in January 2012?!!!

It will be on display in the store starting this Saturday afternoon!!
Class registration for the event posting up soon!


EVERYONE needs a beach retreat in January, right?! :)

A lot of the class materials will be pre-prepped ahead of time, so the class will flow along at a good pace! 

Students will receive a recommended list of supplies to bring to class,a PDF printout of my designed class project for reference, and a class kit packed to the max with a CRAZY load of

Simple Stories coolness!!!  

(BIG THANKS Simple Stories) :)

ONE more class project in the works....

with LOTS of Bella Blvd!!! :)