Sweet Surprise

I got the mail this afternoon and I found a sweet surprise from Tami Hall. For those of you newbies, Tami Hall won blog candy in July. She made me a adorable thank you card using the stamp set she won. This totally made my day, thank you Tami. This is why I enjoy sharing what I love. This week has been a roller coaster for me and I thought nothing heals the heart better then MORE BLOG CANDY! Up for grabs is 2 half sheets of 8 1/2x11 "NEW" In Line Color Cardstock, which will be available August 11th to order. (Tangerine Tango, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze) I am also going to throw in a little sneak peek of our new Bella Rose Paper.

This is how you can win these "NEW" In Line Colors: Simply leave a comment about what you love to share or what makes your heart happy! Blog winner will be announced Monday August 4th. Good Luck!!!

August Blog Candy

Card Designed by Tami Hall

July Blog Candy Winner

Things That Make You Go Hmmmm

After having a wonderful weekend at the "Sagaser" family fishing derby, I was brought back to reality when we returned home on Sunday. My dad had chest pains and had gotten really sick....after twisting his arm. (Real hard I must add and a lot of you know what). He went into the emergency room and was admitted. To give you a little history; my father had a stroke at age 52, since then he has had heart attack after heart attack....they've put stints in one after another to no avail for the last 6 years. We are still in the same situation wondering what is going on? Most importantly why? My father doesn't drink/smoke and for the most part pretty active and healthy. Tomorrow we'll sit and wait as he goes through more tests and possibly another angieogram. The worst part about it....tomorrow is his birthday! After a long day at the hospital I knew my mind wasn't in the right place to create, so I did the next best thing. I found a neat card on splitcoast and cased it, done by Luv2Stamp&Scrap.

Project Supplies: Big Bold Birthday & Wow Flowers Stamp Set, Jersey Shore Designer Paper (Soon to retire), Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue and Whisper White Cardstock, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Black and Bashful Blue Ink, SU Dimensionals, Circle Punch and Ribbon.

Monkey See Monkey Do

It's great to take a card you've seen and take it one step farther. I was totally inspired by SeattleStamper on Splitcoast today. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/983481?cat=14262 (Here is the link) I changed all the colors and added my own flair. Hope you like!

Project Supplies: Sock Monkey & Wow Flowers Stamp Set, Cuttlebug Emboss Swiss Dot & Circle, Almost Amethyst, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Apricot Appeal Cardstock. SU Markers, Ribbon (Both Retired) and Dimensionals

Summer Crazies

A little over a week ago we adopted a 4 week old kitty, the kids named her Sugar......on Sunday we added 5 tadpoles to the mix. Needless to say we are learning to share! This week is busy with all kinds of appointments, getting ready for school to start in less then a month. Plus Aiden and Adison had their shots today, which Adison clearly stated she was not happy about. It took three of us to hold her down.....she's tough! For the rest of the day, I have to get busy getting laundry done so I can pack the camper for our fishing trip. Always something! I did squeeze in time to stamp while the twins napped today, which is amazing. Now I'm off to make dinner.

Project Supplies: Wow Flowers Stamp Set, Bella Rose Designer paper, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red Cardstock, SU Punches and Dimensionals.

Project Supplies: Wow Flowers Stamp Set, Cutie Pie Designer Paper, Certainly Celery & Rose Red Ink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White and Rose Red Cardstock, SU Dimensionals, Rhinestone Brad and Punches.

Ashton & Sugar

Oh, Hail No!

We were surprised to come home from the lake to find golf ball to softball size hail. Thank god, we only got minor damage to the west side of our house, 4-5 holes in the siding. We were very lucky!! My parents windshield got busted out and my mom collected these hail stones in the pictures. I told the insurance lady today we would have been better off with crop insurance as our gardens were pretty much destroyed. Of course the weeds are still standing, imagine that! I am just thankful we didn't get more damage.

Anyway, tonight's card I used another "sneak peek" stamp set called Wow Flowers. This set is really fun, don't know if I'm too crazy about my card creation, but I thought I would share it anyway. Have a great night!

Project Supplies: Wow Flowers Stamp Set, Pacific Point (New), Barely Banana, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie Cardstock and Ink. SU Punches, Dimensionals, Brads and Ribbon.

Saturday's Hail Storm

Deer Friends, New Hostess

I made five 3x3 Gift Cards for a box gift set for a "Dear Friend". (No pun intended) I had plans of designing the box, but in the midst of my creativity my girl friend, Kari called and invited our family to the lake. So, I decided the box will have to wait.....I am posting a sneak peek at the gift set quick before I jump out of my jammies and get ready for the day. Yes, I am still in my jammies I got so excited about all my new stampin' supplies, I had to start playing right away this morning and lost track of time. One more thing before I forget, I added a link to Stampin' Up discounted retired accessories, check it out 25% off!!! Have a great weekend!

Project Supplies: Deer Friends (New Level II Hostess Set), Bella Rose Designer Paper (New), Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood and Chocolate Chip Cardstock, SU Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Ink, Punches and Dimensionals.

I'm Lovin' It

I can't stop using these new In Line Colors....I'm addicted! Now I just want coordinating ribbon and accessories! I had to dye ribbon for the first time, my hands have all been Kissed with Kiwi. My husband might mistake me for a leprechaun tonight, but I couldn't be happier. Maybe I'll get the stampin' bug again, I haven't had it for awhile with our summer being so busy. Anyway, I'm heading off to bed....have a wonderful night.

Project Supplies: Priceless & Wonderful Words Stamp Set, Bella Rose Designer Paper, Red Riding Hood, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip Ink and Cardstock.

Sock Monkey

Today I tried yet another SCS Challenge, it was actually yesterday's Sketch Challenge. I guess a little late is better then never, right? These challenges are very addicting!! I thought this sketch would be fun with my new "soon be to released" Sock Monkey Stamp Set, which arrived yesterday!!! I can't wait to play with it some more.....very fun! I am so happy to announce every "new" stamp set that Stampin' Up offers is going to be die cut, which saves a lot of time let me tell you!! Also in this card I'm using our "new" in line colors and designer paper. I can't wait for the new catalog in August!

Project Supplies: Lots of Thoughts (Retired SAB 2008) & Sock Monkey (New Fall 2008), Riding Hood Red, Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette Cardstock and Ink, Bella Rose Designer Paper, SU Whisper White Cardstock, Gel Pen, Scallop & Circle Punches, Dimsensionals, Glitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Non SU Brads and Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Folder.

First SCS Challenge

I saw Tuesdays Splitcoast Challenge this morning (Groovy Guava, Barely Banana & Chocolate Chip Color Challenge) and I knew I had to try it. I haven't stamped in a awhile as we just got back from our cousin's wedding, adopted a 4 week old kitty and now a dear friend is staying this week in Bismarck, (thanks to Bobcat) so our kids are getting a chance to hanging out. We have been busy every day doing something extra special, today we are heading to the water park. I hope to have time this evening to try this color challenge again.

Project Supplies: Priceless Stamp Set, SAB Rub On's (2008), Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana and Groovy Guava Cardstock, SU Ribbon, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Ticket Punch and Chocolate Chip Ink.

In Color Line

Today I thought I would make some cards using Stampin' Up's soon to be retired In Color Line....Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Groovy Guava and Purely Pomegranate. I am going to miss these colors, as I'm sure some of you are also. I did place an order today to stock up on cardstock, I was low on a couple of the colors. I also ordered the 6 new In Color's that are coming out in August. I can't to get my box of goodies and begin playing.....Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July weekend.

Monochromatic Anniversary Card

Project Supplies: Garden Silhouettes (Retired) and Hugs & Wishes Stamp Set, Blue Bayou and Whisper White Cardstock, Blue Bayou Designer Prints Paper, SU Ribbon, Blue Bayou Ink, Ticket Punch and Demensionals

Paper Crafts Cased Card

Card designed by Lisa Nichols

Project Supplies: Riveting Stamp Set (Retired), Sky Blue, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Hodgepodge Hardware, Emboss Ink, Silver Emboss Powder, Punches, Mat Pack, and Dimensionals

Wedding Card

Project Supplies: Baroque Motifs Stamp Set, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou and Whisper White Cardstock, SU Brads, Ribbon, Dimensionals, Purely Pomegranate & Blue Bayou Ink.

Fire Alarm @ 4am (Blog Candy Winner Announced!)

Yes you read the title right....we had our fire alarms go off at 4am this morning, after my husband and I had minor heart attacks we discovered there was no reason for them to go off. I tried to go back to sleep, but it was really hard and my mind kept coming up with funny ideas for why they went off.....So, I'm a little tired this morning.

Thank you to everyone that left such nice comments! I wish I could give everyone of you some blog candy......There could only be one winner and her name is Tami and this is what she wrote.

"Melissa, Congratulations and thanks for the chance to win a great prize! I am looking forward to our first cruise ever with my husband next week. He is Army National Guard and will be gone most of the summer, so we are REALLY looking forward to some time just for us! Otherwise, just hanging out with our three kids doing fun things like summer movies, planting flowers, swimming lessons, and going to the beach,(and a little scrapping in between) are what keep us busy . . . and happy! Kristen is the one who first shared your blog with me. She sent me your URL to check out a card we made from your example. Thanks for the great ideas!"

Tami, please e-mail me with your snail mail address to melsagaser@hotmail.com and I will get your blog candy out to you ASAP. If I don't hear from you by Thursday I will mail it as soon as I get back from yet another wedding! (July 9th)

Here is a couple cards I have been working on. I needed Thank You's for Aiden and Adison to fill out for their birthday that was held last weekend....so, here are two of them! I would have gotten more done except my oldest was down with the flu yesterday.....I ended up doing extra laundry and scrubbing instead.

Project Supplies: A Greeting for All Reasons (Retired) & Twin Monkey's (Stampendous), East Coast Prep Designer Paper, So Saffron, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi and Bashful Blue Cardstock, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, SU Brads, Ribbon, Punches and Dimensionals, Cuttlebug Swirl Emboss Folder.

Project Supplies: Amazing to Zany Stamp Set (Soon to be retired) & Twin Monkey's (Stampendous), Cuttlebug Emboss Folder, Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, Whisper White, Bashful Blue Cardstock, SU Markers, Ribbon and Dimensionals.