Belated Birthday RAK

I received this birthday RAK the other day from Rebecca Langsdorf from IFS-ATC group. It's called "Her Locked Heart."




Isn't it lovely? And aren't belated birthday treats such a surprise and so much fun? Today I still had some scraps on my desk left over from the sketch challenge from yesterday so I made Rebecca this RAK in return. I'm calling it "Timeless" since the clock has no hands. I hope she likes it!

Art From the Heart Giveaway

I was just looking at this book on Saturday and thinking to myself it must go on my wish list...and now the author...Catherine Matthews-Scanlon...is having a giveaway for two books! The book itself is beautiful and there are several projects I know I'd like to try. Take a look at her blog here and sign up for the giveaway!

TMTA - Geometry

The theme today on TMTA is Geometry. No we didn't have to do any proofs or actual math...ha! We were simply to use geometric shapes in our ATC. Here's mine...I've included some diamonds, a circle, a square and a little triangle hat. The background and the little girl are both images from Digital Collage Sheets.

Sketch Challenge Card

On Technique Junkies this week several people created cards in response to a sketch challenge from Technostamper. I've never tried making a card from a sketch but I was inspired by all the wonderful cards everyone was creating so I thought I'd give it a go. This paper is Basic Grey Recess and the images and sentiment are from Time to Stamp.

Valentine's Day Countdown

You know you love them! Get ready for another fun Valentine's Day countdown from Lisa Vollrath. She'll be generously sharing some more wonderful images starting on February first. Take a look here.

TMTA - Winter

Well, winter is the perfect theme on TMTA this week. We've had more wintry weather this year than I can remember in a long time. We even had snow on Christmas day! Here's my entry for the week. This stamp is from Red Lead Paperworks and I thought it would just be perfect.

A is for Acrobat

We're starting a new alphabet swap on the IFS-ATC group. I wasn't in the last one since I'd joined the group after it was already started so I'm excited to be in this one so I can swap a complete set. Here's my A is for Acrobat card. I can't wait to see what I'll get in return! This card will be sent to Beth Babcock. Now, what will B be for? Hmm....

4 Card Stud

On the aMUSEme group there's a swap each month that Marjie calls 4 card stud. Basically you make 4 ATC's and send them in by the end of the month and get 4 back. The theme this month is "vintage." I came across this image while looking at Cora's blog Paper Flowers. If you get a chance you should take a look...there's some wonderful artwork and Cora has generously shared some lovely images.

RAK back

I forgot to post the RAK back that I made today to send to Val. I love this stamp...I hope she likes it too.

RAKs

I received two fun RAK's this week from a gal in the InkyFunStampers ATCgroup...Val Roloff. It was my first RAK from someone in this group and I have to say it was such a treat! Not only did Val send me two ATC's, she packaged them in a little envelope that she made out of an old calendar page with two wonderful sheep on it! How did she know I love sheep?! Here are the cards along with the envelope...Thank you Val!

A new friend

Isn't this the most adorable face? This little gem of a card was given to me today by a new friend...Lyneen. It's such a fun story how we met. I posted a photo of my inchie tree back in December. Louise was kind enough to comment on it and show it to Lyneen. Lyneen then commented on it herself and lo and behold it turns out she works in the same small town I live in! After a few e-mails back and forth I find out she's part of a local ATC group that I've wanted to hook up with and she teaches some classes at my local scrapbook store! Well, today we met for lunch and I had the best time! Lyneen is so friendly and funny not to mention talented and I'm really looking forward to getting to know her. Ok...so don't you just love these cosmic coincidences? I've "met" so many talented and generous people online since I've started blogging and participating in some online groups and I've had such fun sharing my small art with people all over the world. But it's such a treat to actually get to meet one of these people in person! Fun, fun fun!

TMTA - Photo Stamp

The challenge this week at TMTA is to use a photo stamp and share what type of ink was used. This stamp is from Time to Stamp and I used a Memories Chalk-a-lots ink pad.

Valentine Inchies - Take 2

Here's the second set of Valentine inchies all ready to be sent away!

TMTA - Postage Stamps

Here's my entry for TMTA. The theme this week is postage stamps. I love this picture...this child is so sweet and if you look very closely I do believe there's a lamb on the cover of the book he's reading! I also got to use this huge alphabet background stamp I just found. For some reason this card just wouldn't scan well...no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of the glare on the upper left. Ah well....

Valentine Inchies

Well, I got started on my Valentine Inchies today. Here's the first batch...I've used a photo of my mom at 16. The photo is signed at the bottom "Love, Mary." Isn't she gorgeous? She's 82 now and still going strong! I love you Mumma...

Giveaway

Well, the last of our holiday company departed today. As much as I've enjoyed having a house full I think I'm ready for some quieter times. I'm off tomorrow and will have the house to myself so I plan on taking some time to update my blog and work on some upcoming swaps...I have inchies and ATC's to get going! But for tonight I'll leave you with this. Catiean is celebrating her birthday and her 75th blog post by having a giveaway. You can take a look here.

A happy New Year to all and happy birthday to me! It always surprises me when another birthday rolls around...I don't feel as if I'm getting older. I feel younger all the time actually especially now that I'm spending more time creatively. I can remember so well as a child spending afternoons making paper dolls, drawing or coloring. Lambie and I would have our coloring books spread on the floor and a pile of crayons between us and we would lay there on our stomachs coloring away and be happy for hours. Or we would make our own paper dolls and create outfits for every occasion. Lambie still has some of those very paper dolls! And isn't that really just what I'm having so much fun doing now? Every time I come to my desk and touch my papers, markers, stamps and paints I experience that same child-like joy I can remember so well. So, my wish for everyone for this new year of 2008 is that you embrace that joyful child inside of you. Be creative...in whatever way brings a smile to your heart and makes you feel ageless!