Blog Candy Alert

Hello! Now that I am back, I thought I would share some information about some fabulous blog candy from a NEW stamp designer!! Amy is sharing the details on her blog A Thousand Sheets of Paper. Check it out!!

Hello!!

Happy Saturday! A quick shout out to anyone interested in a Missy Ballance ATC swap over at Crafty Carnival! She is a designer of some Amuse stamps as well as a fantastic artist of all things fabric, wood and so many other mediums.

Hugs!

More Just Johanna Blog Candy!!

Click here for more details on how to win some Just Johanna stamps!!

Win a drawing for a painting by Stephanie DosReis

Hello! Happy 4th! I hope you all have a wonderful, fun and safe day! Are you loving Just Johanna's Odd Bird Planet? They have such fun and whimsical stamps! My favorites right now are the owls and cupacke stamps. You so must check them out! Well, one of their artists has created an original painting that is being given away as blog candy! Just head over to Melissa Phillip's blog for further details. ((hugs))

What a day!

Hello! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Almost all the ATC's are here for the swap and they are FANTASTIC! I am holding off sharing mine so they will be a surprise when you receive them. My daughter Mallory broke her elbow at school today. Poor girl. She is my danger prone Dauphine. What a start to the summer!

Also, Amuse is doing some candy today be certain to check it out!

Stamp Expo in Saint Paul

Yesterday was a stamp expo in Saint Paul! The lovely and talented Gina K. was there! I just LOVE meeting all the stamp celebrities, don't you?! She was super sweet! Gina signed my Amy Butler bag which I started having all my favorite stamping celebrities sign. Do any of you do this? Am I alone in my crazy admiration? Can you recognize any other signatures on the bag?

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend~ Hugs!~

Missy Ballance Image

Hello! There are still a few spots left in the Cat's Pajamas and the Memory Box ATC swaps! I hope you will join us! Also, last night I participated in my monthly shoebox swap. It was lots of fun! Thanks to Erin, Tami, Ruth Ann, Carolyn, Tamera, and Darlene! Here is the card I created. All items used are A Muse and the bear image is Missy Ballance for A Muse. Love it! I hope the weather is warm and sunny wherever you are! Hugs!

AMuseapalooza is coming in July!

Click here to see the dates!!

Are you psyched!? Tami, we are ready here in Minnesota :)!! Teach away!

Hugs,
Kristina

ATC Swap Time

Hello! Yes, It has been too long since I've been in touch. I am hoping that a few of my blogging friends are still checking in because I would like to hold a few ATC swaps. Please sign-up by May 5th and make 10 of your fabulous creation. ATC's must be postmarked by May 17th. Please include a stamped pre-addressed envelope. All ATC's must have at least 2 layers and one embellishment. This is gonna be fun!!

Groups

A Muse (including Elzybells and Missy Ballance)
1. Kristina Lewis FINISHED
2. Teresa Ehteshami RECEIVED
3. Erin LeveilleRECEIVED
4. Michele H RECEIVED
5. Tracy Clemente RECEIVED
6. Nancy RECEIVED
7. Tami Wood RECEIVED
8. Jen Daloisio RECEIVED
9. Missy Ballance RECEIVED
10. Tinla Woo RECEIVED

A Muse Group 2

1. Kristina Lewis RECEIVED
2. Erin LeveilleRECEIVED
3. Tinla Woo RECEIVED
4. Tandra Boyer
5. Tamara RECEIVED
6. Leigh O'Brien RECEIVED
7. Heidi RECEIVED
8. Tami Wood RECEIVED
9. Tracy Clemente RECEIVED
10. Lexi Daly RECEIVED

Stampin' Up!
1. Kristina Lewis FINISHED
2. Kathleen Hopperstad RECEIVED
3. Erin LeveilleRECEIVED
4. Tandra Boyer
5. Bobbie RECEIVED
6. Alexandra RECEIVED
7. Adrian RECEIVED
8. Corie RECEIVED
9. Rhiannon RECEIVED
10. Paula S. I am taking this spot as I have not heard from Paula FINISHED


Cat's Pajamas
1. Kristina Lewis FINISHED
2. Erin LeveilleRECEIVED
3. Tracy Clemente RECEIVED
4. Nancy RECEIVED
5. Leigh O'Brien RECEIVED
6. Kathleen Bennett RECEIVED
7. Kathleen Hopperstad RECEIVED
8. Ruth Ann RECEIVED
9. Linda RECEIVED
10. Kristina FINISHED

Memory Box
1. Kristina Lewis FINISHED
2. Erin LeveilleRECEIVED
3. Michele H RECEIVED
4. Tracy Clemente RECEIVED
5. Nancy RECEIVED
6. Tami Wood RECEIVED
7. Carlyn Parsons RECEIVED
8. Sarah FINISHED
9. Jen Deloisio RECEIVED
10. Tinla RECEIVED


Thanks! I am looking forward to this!!

Valentine Projects

Hello!

I have Stamp Club this evening and I thought I would share two of the projects we will be doing. I LOVE this new SU! Valentine's set, Happy Heart Day. The box was created with a template from Nichole Heady. Are you getting in the Valentine's Day spirit?

Happy New Year!

Hi strangers! I hope you are all well! I miss blogging and am trying to scan in a card as I am typing this. Hugs and here's some inspiration:


Take Action

Planning your future is very important. You need to know where you are headed to get there. But planning without taking action equals zero results.

Put your plan into action on a daily basis. Do something everyday to move forward toward your goal.

Everyday that goes by without positive action equals one more day that it will take to realize your goal.

Life is to short to regret even one day. What will you do today to make your dreams come true?

-Becky Williams-

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just woke up and I need to start cooking! But first, I had to let you all know that I am thankful to you! All of the friends I have made through blogging have really been such a blessing in my life. What a wonderful, generous and supportive community we have. Thank you for all your kindness, encouragement and friendship. Have a wonderful day with friends and family! Happy Thanksgiving! ((hugs))

What have I been up to...?

Hello! I'm certain some of you are wondering where I wandered off to. I do have some wonderful news to report. After designing jewelry for celebrities for a long time, Maya Brenner has made her beautiful creations available through home based sales with Luxe founder Jessica Herrin! My mother worked with the CEO, Mike Lohner, at another company and I was invited to join - I couldn't refuse this opportunity! I am now a part of the Luxe Jewels team! This is a ground floor opportunity! I have always wanted to join a company at the begining! Yes, I do love jewelry and this is the real deal! Everything is sterling silver, real gems, quality pieces and gorgeous! Not to mention they are worn by celebrities all over the place! Teri Hatcher wore them on Desperate Housewives, Jennifer Garner has worn Charmed Life on Alias, Penelope Cruz has a piece named after her and she is featured in the catalogue. Linsay Lohan, Tori Spelling, Demi Moore and Rebecca Romjin are shown wearing Luxe on Luxe's website. Peek at them by clicking here. They are featured in magazines as must have items and they exclusive through us representatives! I am so excited about this chance and I would LOVE to share this with you! Email me if you would like more details! I just had to share this excitement with all of you!

Elzybells ATC

I just love this ATC for Taylor's swap and had to share it with all of you! I hope it makes you smile! Who can resist these adorable images??? The word was created with Karen Foster's snap together letters. The tree was made with Martha's new holiday punches. The bling is Hero Art. Have a happy day! ((hugs))

Happy Halloween!!

Morgan, Mallory and I had fun carving out these pumpkins. None of us can handle digging out the pumpkin guts. Even as a child the smell and appearance made me nauseous!
Here is David's gruesome pumpkin:

Here is our front yard:

Have a fun evening, bwa ha ha :)!

Goodie Bags

Here are the 25 goodie bags I made for Mallory's class. I was suprised at how long it took to create them. Does anyone else own the Scotch adhesive ATG gun. I love this thing. I feel so empowered using it **wink**! It is a power tool for paper crafters!! Have a happy!!

Featured Artist- Rhiannon Christianson

Hello! Balance is proud to feature artist Rhiannon Christianson from Rings Like A Bell. Rhi is super talented and has a very clean and feminine style. Her photography is so crisp and the displays she creates in her photos is perfection!! I had the pleasure of meeting her through Amuseapalooza, Tami Wood and Rhi's piggy ATC. Rhiannon had linked her piggy ATC on one of the Amuseapalooza challenges and Tami and I fell in love with the ATC. We immediately contacted Rhi and became fast friends. She is such a wonderful person- one of the best friends I have made through blogging!! Thanks for sharing your talent and art Rhi!

Here is my interview with Rhiannon:

How long have you been stamping? I have been stamping for six years now.

How long have you been blogging? I started blogging about two years ago...right before my second child was born.

What made you decide to start a blog? I decided to start a blog because I wanted a place to share recipes as well as pictures of my kiddos for my family and friends who live far away. After the birth of my son, my blogging took a hiatus :) I then started blogging on cardmaking and crafting stuff in June of this year. That is the primary focus of my blog now, as well as the occasional recipe and of course pics of the family.

What was your first stamping experience? My first stamping experience was a Stampin' Up! Stamp Camp at my awesome demonstrator's home. I probably still have the projects/cards that we made that evening tucked away somewhere :)

What was your first stamp? My first stamp set was "Holiday Wishes" by Stampin' Up!...I used it to make Ryan's and mine first Christmas card :)

What are your favorite stamp companies? Hmmmm...this is tough, there are so many GREAT companies out there!! I was a die hard Stampin' Up girl until this year...I still love their stamps, but also enjoy A*Muse, Close To My Heart, PaperTrey and I just bought some Bellas by Stamping Bella...so excited!!

Where do you get inspiration from? Lots of stuff...usually things that I see around me: Clothes, advertisements, Designer Paper, magazines...I am constantly seeing color combinations or techniques that I want to recreate!

What other hobbies do you enjoy? Let's see...I love to spend time with my family, as well as scrapbooking, reading (when I get the chance), coffee with friends and cooking/baking.

How do you Balance your art with being a mommy and a wife? Great question! Let's see...I have made a space in my office/craft room for my oldest, Maya, so that she can create with me. She loves to make cards and whatnot for her friends :) and we get to spend time together doing what we both enjoy. I also have a pact with myself, that I have to get my "chores" done before I can play...this makes cleaning, laundry and cooking more doable, knowing I get to play afterwards :) Ryan and I also, don't watch a lot of TV, so he will spend time doing what he likes to do in the evening while I create...and then we will usually watch a show or movie we have netflixed at the end of our day before bed.

Do you have favorite blogs? Yes :) Let's see...the list seems to be growing, but here are a few: Balance (this really great gal, Kristina, always has fun things to share :), by Samm (she has great scrapbook page ideas...I love what she does), Stampin' When I Can (Who does not LOVE Allison! She pretty much rocks), Taylored Expressions (Taylor's site actually introduced me to the whole stamping blog world!) and Prairie Paper and Ink (Amy is so down to Earth!)...those are just to name a few that I visit faithfully :)

Do you teach stamping? Yes, I just started teaching stamping/cardmaking/papercrafting classes at my local Michael's store.

Do you have a favorite stamping moment? I can't pinpoint just one moment...I think one of the best things that happens while stamping, is when a design comes together! That is what makes it all worth while :)

Thanks for sharing your passion with all of us Rhiannon! And now here are a few samples of her art:






Here are a few altered items:





Rhi resides in Washinton state with her husband and 3 gorgeous children.

So are you feeling inspired? Thanks Rhiannon, you inspire me all the time!! You are the best!! ((hugs))

What happens at stamp club...

stays at stamp club :)! Just kidding! Here are the fabulous women who attended the festivities...

This is Kim, Mary, Carrie, friend Jennifer and nieces of Mary's.

Here's Kasey, Katie and Erin!
We had lots of fun! Mary made a yummy apple crisp with apples from her dad's tree! Mary made candy packaged in breast cancer awareness packages and made me a darling keychain with photos of my girls. How sweet! We all made a "Let it Snow" scrapbook page, a Pegi Taylor inspired Christmas card and a holiday planner. I will share these photos later! ((hugs))

Nominated for a Happy Award!!

Tami at the Journey of Life nominated me for this award:

I was so flattered because Tami is just a sweetheart and a great stamper and blogger!! Thanks so much Tami!!

Now I would like to nominate a few blogger babes who make me smile! Anyone listed on the right makes me smile! But to name a few:

Adrian at Adrian's Crazy Life
Elena at The Stamping Shac
Tandra at A Little Inkalicious
Tracy at Eat, Sleep, Stamp
and Pegi at Bella Willow

You are all such talented women who inspire me so much with your creativity and kindness!! ((hugs))

I've been scrappin'

Here are 2 pages I did recently... All images and paper is SU! What do you think??