And the Blog Candy WINNER is . . .

Thisisthesouth2!

Please send me your contact information so I can send you your goodies! My email is: ComekaStamps@hotmail.com

Sad you didn't win? I have tons of soon-to-retire paper so I'll be doing another give away soon!

Photo Friday and Last Call for Blog Candy!!

This is my 'baby boy' Rowdy . . . Isn't he a sweetie?

Today is your last chance to be entered into the drawing for my blog candy! I'll be sending one lucky winner an assortment of DSP, cardstock, and hardware . . . see THIS POST for details on how to enter! Don't forget . . . you will get a 'second chance' entry for adding yourself as a Follower of Sparkle Happens!

And two more things before I forget . . .

First, I promised a link to the inspiration for this card feature on the blog hop post . . . Click HERE to see the original on Michelle Sturgeon's Blog. I just LOVE her card, don't you?

While you are there, make sure and check out all her other wonderful creations!





And finally, I promised to explain a One-Sheet-Wonder on my Parade of Paper blog post . . . and it is coming, really, it is! I'll have two great examples to show you in a day or two!

Manchester for Mother's Day

As promised! Another project featuring Manchester DSP . . . this time a Mother's Day card. And yes, I should have posted it BEFORE Mother's Day so it could have inspired you but then my Mom might have seen it before she got it in the mail. You wouldn't have wanted to spoil her surprise, now would you? LOL!

Well . . . I LOVE this card! As soon as I saw folks using the Big Shot Pennant Die to make crisscross pocket cards, I KNEW I had to have that die! Sadly, this is the first one I've made but it will NOT be the last! Whatcha think?

Don't forget the blog candy! See HERE for detail on how to be entered into the drawing!

And some more different . . .

All Supplies from Stampin' Up! Stamps: Wanted. Paper: Sahara Sand, Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red DSP. Ink: Not Quite Navy, Bravo Burgundy. Accessories: Top Note die, Jumbo Eyelets.

Yes, I DID promise more projects that feature Manchester DSP . . . tomorrow! I promise! Have you ever fixed a yummy dinner and then had to eat the leftovers for 5 days? Not so yummy after awhile, is it? LOL Tomorrow's post will feature the card I made for my Mom for Mother's Day. Hopefully, you will think it is worth the wait!

For today's card, I really tried to get out of my own 'box' . . . I've had these stamps since I got them free at SU! Convention '07 but I've just not used them much. And this is the FIRST time I've EVER used Pacific Point, aside from the Make & Take projects I did at the SU San Antonio Regionals . . . it is just not my color! To help it become more 'me' and to help give it a bit of an aged western look, I sponged and distressed both the cardstock and the DSP. Well . . . I'm not doing any happy dancin' about this card, but it isn't horrible either! Just wait, you are gonna love the card tomorrow! Promise!

Oh yeah . . . don't forget the blog candy! Leave a comment on THIS post to be entered into the drawing! And for a second entry, sign up to follow my blog! Don't know how to follow? Just click on the 'Follow' button in the right hand column!

And now for something completely different . . .

All Supplies from Stampin' Up! Stamps: Always. Paper: Bella Rose & Raspberry Tart DSP, Pirouette Pink & Riding Hood Red CS. Ink: Riding Hood Red classic. Accessories: Pretties Kit

First of all . . . THANK YOU!

The Parade of Papers was a huge success . . . thanks to all the great folks who took the time out of their busy weekend to visit those of us participating! I am especially thankful for all of you who left such kind comments . . . those comments made me wish for more hours in the day to STAMP! LOL I also owe a big 'Thanks!' to the other 23 participants with a special 'shout out' to Yapha who did such a good job on coordinating the whole shebang!

Now, you might have just looked at the pictures on my last post BUT if you read carefully, you might have noticed that I have a couple more Manchester DSP projects to share . . . but not today! LOL Today, we need something a bit different! What do you think of this card that uses Raspberry Tart & Bella Rose DSP? It was totally simple, aside from dying the flower, but I think it turned out pretty cute!

ANOTHER thing you might have read in my last post was a mention of blog candy! Did you catch that one? LOL SOOOOOO . . . leave me a comment on THIS post and you will be entered into a drawing for some blog candy. Want TWO chances to win? Add yourself as a Follower of Sparkle Happens and I'll put your name in twice! Unfortunately, I will only be able to mail candy to those in the U.S. - maybe someday I'll be able to afford to include the rest of the world but until then, accept my sincere apologies. The picture to the left shows the assortment of DSP, cardstock, chipboard, and hardware I'll be sending to the lucky winner! I'll draw the name on Friday evening and announce the winner on Saturday, so be sure to comment by 5 PM on Friday!

Parade of Papers Blog Hop!

(OPPS! You missed the big event! The links have been removed from this post because the Blog Hop ended at 12 AM, May 11, 2009. Please enjoy my projects and contact me if you would like more information about the other participants!)

Welcome to Stop #13 on Stampin' Addicts first ever Blog Hop! Each stop along our Parade of Papers tour features projects made with Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper (DSP) created by 24 different Stampin' Up! demonstrators. There is an amazing special on Designer Series Papers this month - buy 3 get 1 FREE - and we are throwing a parade to celebrate!

My projects all feature Manchester DSP. My first thought on this paper was that it would make wonderful masculine projects but, when you look at my projects, you will see that it is great for girly stuff too! Manchester features the colors Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Kraft, and Very Vanilla. Don't you just love that combo?




May is, of course, National Scrapbooking Month so my first project is a 12 x 12 scrapbook page. I've been
holding on to this picture for years, just waiting for inspiration . . . and I finally found it with the color scheme and style of the Manchester DSP! Yes, that really is me in the picture . . . and yes, I know. But I'll bet you were cuter 23 years ago too! LOL!

All supplies from Stampin' Up! In addition to the DSP, I used Baja Breeze textured cardstock and classic ink, Always Artichoke cardstock and marker, On Board Timeless Type chipboard letters, and the SU! Exclusive Top Note die with my Big Shot.




Next up is another scrapbook related project . . . this time a mini brag book!
I used my Big Shot along with the Top Note die to cut my chipboard, DSP and cardstock. I then used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes in everything, added Jumbo Eyelets in pewter to the front and back cover, then pulled everything together with a book ring. The front and back covers feature the DSP, Very Vanilla cardstock, and On Board Timeless Type chipboard letters, which I dyed using Baja Breeze Classic ink. A bit of Baja Breeze ribbon gives it a finishing touch!

And . . . My name is Earl. Really, just like on TV. Except we are not at all like that Earl! Really. Not at all. LOL!

How about a card or two? If you saw Wednesday's Sneak Peek, you saw my Father's Day card and I'm sure you will agree that Manchester DSP is great for masculine cards. Well, this card is very girly!
Now . . . I am not normally thrilled with 'odd' colored roses but - oh my goodness! - I love how this turned out! It reminds me of Waverly fabric. For this, I did a One-Sheet-Wonder (if you aren't familiar with that term, check back next week because I'm going to explain) using the set A Rose Is A Rose with Baja Breeze and Always Artichoke classic ink. The sentiment is from All Holiday stamped in Artichoke and the ribbon is Baja Breeze double stitched grosgrain. I really wish you could see this in real life . . . the pic just doesn't do it justice!

My next card was inspired by a card I saw on Michelle Sturgeon's blog, Come Stamp With Me. (I'll post a link to her blog next week 'cause I want you to see her great stuff!) Even though this is very simple, the DSP makes it striking . . . again, the picture just doesn't do it justice! In addition to the DSP, I used Kraft, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla cardstock with Always Artichoke classic ink. The stamps are from Thoughts & Prayers and All Holidays. Finally, I used the oval scallop punch from the Occasions mini catalog, along with the Large Oval punch.

So . . . Whatcha think?

Want to see more cards?? Check my blog next week! I had so much fun with these, I created more projects than I could use for the blog hop and you are not going to want to miss them! And there just might be blog candy involved . . .




I ALWAYS try to save the best for last! This group of projects are my absolute favorite. And the best part? They were SO EASY! I think I'm gonna have to plan a party so I can make favors! LOL! Again, they all feature Manchester DSP.

The Just For You basket was cut from the SU! Exclusive Basket and Blooms die using my Big Shot and features the large oval punch, the scallop oval punch, and Baja Breeze ribbon. The stamp is from Oval All using Always Artichoke classic ink.

The pillow box is cut from the Pillow Box die and uses the oval punches. The stamp is from Great Friend using Baja Breeze classic ink.

And finally, the box was cut with the new Matchbox die from the SU! Occasions mini catalog and features flowers from the Pretties Kit that were dyed with Baja Breeze ink and attached with a Rhinestone brad. And, oh yeah, that IS chocolates in the box!

(Sorry, Links have been removed . . . contact me if you want help finding the other participants. Believe me, you will be happy you did!)

For more information about Stampin' Addicts and the blog hop, click HERE.

Sneak Peek!

So . . . last Friday, I told you about the Parade of Papers Bog Hop, 'member? How would you like a little sneak peek at what is coming? Well . . . since you insist! LOL

All Supplies from Stampin' Up! Stamps: All Holidays Paper: Kraft, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, & Manchester DSP Ink: Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze

This card, like all the project that will be featured on the Parade of Paper, use Stampin' Up!'s awesome Designer Series Paper . . . all my projects will use the paper Manchester. Don't you just love these colors together?

I would really love to share more of my projects but then, you wouldn't have anything to look forward to on Friday, now would you?! Soooooooooo . . . check back on Friday morning so you won't miss the fun! Want to know more about the Parade of Paper Blog Hop? Read about it HERE!

Butterfly Card

All Products from Stampin' Up! Stamps: Oval All Paper: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red DSP & Cs, Whisper White. Ink: Riding Hood Red, So Saffron.

Do you ever see something so cool that you just HAVE to figure it out right THEN? Well, yesterday I was blog 'cruising' and happened upon THIS post on Krissie's blog and immediately started trying to figure out how to recreate that butterfly! Isn't it amazing? I will probably continue to fine tune my version but overall, I'm pretty please with it! Whatcha think?

Vasculitis Awareness Week May 3-9, 2009

There are so many worthy causes and a lot that can be gained by sharing information and supporting important research. I'm going to take a break from the fun craft stuff to share a cause that is important to me because Vasculitis is a disease that has touched my family. Let me share our story . . .

At 17, my son began losing weight - no one thought much about it because he was just a bit chubby and the weight loss seemed to begin about the same time he joined the track team and began training to throw the discus. A couple of months later, he had what everyone thought was probably Mono - he had all the symptoms but the tests showed no Mono. But since his energy level seemed to return to normal, no one thought much about it. In the meantime, he continued to lose weight. A few months later, he started complaining of pain in his ankles . . . and then the pain spread to various other joints. And the fatigue seemed to come and go. He finally reached a point where he was suffering from joint pain, fatigue, a high fever that would spike at night but subside by morning, AND stomach pain with nausea . . . but still, the symptoms were vague and intermittent. His doctor ran lots of test and told us lots of things he DIDN'T have . . . then referred us to an infectious disease specialist. Who told us we might be looking at Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and we should see a Rheumatologist. Who told us he definitely did not have JRA but she found a new symptom . . . blood in his urine. So we were referred to a urologist. During the 4 month period while all these tests and specialist visits and so on where taking place, Drew finished High School, turned 18, and moved into a dorm to begin his freshman year of college. By the time we got the referral to the urologist, he had lost a total of 80 pounds and could barely walk up a set of steps. He could barely open a bottle of soda. Then, a new symptom . . . his fingers began turning ice cold which cause unbelievable pain. At that point, I took him to the ER and luckily, they admitted him. Eleven days, one hospital transfer, 2 biopsies, and dozens and dozens of other medical tests later - we finally had a diagnosis of Pauci-Immune Necrotizing Cresentic Glomerulonephritis (a kidney disease) and a few days after THAT, we had a diagnosis that was the underlying cause of the kidney disease AND the joint pain, weight loss, fatigue, etc . . . Drew was diagnosed with Microscopic Polyangiitis or MPA, for short. I won't go into all the details but I am happy to say that today, he is in remission and has fully recovered kidney function.

So, what the heck IS Vasculitis? THIS article will give you a better answer than I ever could. Oh yeah . . . Dr. Gregory House (you do watch House, right?) LOVES to suggest Wegner's, Churg Strauss Syndrome, or any number of other forms of vasculitis while solving his medical mysteries.

Alrighty! I've bored you enough for today BUT I may post some other info or links about the topic later this week . . . feel free to ignore them if you would rather just see my stamping projects, okay?

Brenda's Challenge

Challenges are a great way to improve your crafting skills! I have to admit that I've not participated in many until recently but I've learned that they are perfect for giving you that inspirational 'spark' you need to get started on a project. Brenda (she is on my blog roll - check it out HERE) is hosting a set of demonstrator challenges for the month of May (If you are a member of the SCS demo forum, you can read about them HERE - If you aren't a member, ask me how you can BECOME a member!)

This project is for the Color Challenge - Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, and So Saffron. I 'started' this in my head yesterday but the only color I had settled on so far was Saffron . . . as soon as I read Brenda's challenge, I was good to go!

The picture really doesn't do the tag justice (if I may say so myself! LOL) . . . the saffron layer is embossed with polka dots using my Big Shot and the cupcake is very popped up in 3 different layers. And what you can't see is the back that is covered with Riding Hood Red DSP . . . you saw my previous post about the awesome DSP special, right?

Well, off to get ready for the Birthday Party! Hope y'all are having a great weekend!

Want to know more? Click on the link to my Stampin' Up! Website in the right column!

Parade of Papers!

BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for a Parade of Paper Blog Hop to showcase each of Stampin' Up!'s beautiful Designer Series Paper packs. On May 8th and continuing ONLY through that weekend, I am part of a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators from Stampin Addicts who are hosting a virtual tour through our blogs. Each blog will showcase a different package of the fabulous Designer Series Papers from Stampin' Up! and will also link to another blog participating in the Parade of Paper Blog Hop. You may start at any post, stop and pick it back up later, or visit all of them in succession. You will eventually wind up back at the blog where you started.

Just like Cinderella at the ball, however, all the fun ends at midnight on Sunday, May 10th. The tour will be over and the blog links will be broken. So check back here on Friday, May 8th at 8:00 am when the Parade of Paper Blog Hop links go active and join in the fun by clicking the links to visit all of our blogs. We hope you will be inspired by all the creative projects and beautiful scrapbook pages and cards.

NOTE: Some blogs may have additional contests or blog candy. Each will show off our expertise with one particular package of DSP, as well as give you a little taste of our personalities and our blogs. You can find all of us in the chat threads at Stampin' Addicts, a great site for demos and non-demos alike!