Allow me to Espresso...

mornin', CHICKENS!  it's Monday, and while Mondays have a bad reputation, they hold a totally different meaning when it comes to Paper Issues!  we have a super fun issue going on right now, and today, it's part TWO of our Creative Team's inspiration! 

today's theme is "Let Me Espresso my Gratitude"... which means you're welcome to submit any NEW or OLD creation that fits the theme, and that can be PRETTY broad...  stuff like COFFEE (!!!), anything for which you're thankful, Thanksgiving (natch!), embellish with coffee-related stuff (have you seen the PaperPOPs in the Paper Issues shop?!), use our free printables and/or cut files (there's a new "Thankful Watercolor" printable available now!)...  make scrapbook pages or cards or anything that fits the theme!

i decided to give a little shout-out to my biffy for the last 15+ years for my page.  he's been a HUGE support through all the crazy stuff going on in my life, he's seen me through a move to New Jersey, a few great losses and job changes, and some very happy moments (there are some going on RIGHT NOW!).  i am totally grateful for my best friend, my Smudge-Paw...

this page uses some awesome papers from Basic Grey's "B-sides" line, Elle's Studio "Joyful", Seven Paper's "Clara" line, plus some goodies from Maggie Holmes' Shine and Pink Paislee's Cedar Lane and Memorandum.  OH!  and mustn't forget the Swag Bag bits!  don't know what a Swag Bag is?  have you been living under a rock?  ;)  CLICK HERE and grab yourself a subscription!

entering this challenge (do it by CLICKING HERE) means you're eligible to win a $20 gift certificate to the Paper Issues shop (and lemme tell ya, it can go a LONG, LONG way, especially when you combine it with a discount!).  you have until December 6th to play along!  just remember that when you link, your entry (blog post, Facebook post, whatever) needs to also link back to us.

so there you have it!  CLICK HERE to check out today's post and see what my teamies did to rock this challenge.  Jennie and Sherri kicked it hard, and have some gorgeous inspiration for you!

and when you win that gift certificate, or decide to shop for some of the new fabulosity in the shop, remember the code!

  

some odd favourite things popping the cork and hello again

okay, hello there chickens.  haven't been around in a bit as i've been extremely busy with the new job and then with losing my father on Christmas Day and scrambling around ever since.  i'm trying to settle back in but there is SO MUCH TO DO and i feel very overwhelmed. 

that's why it was important for me to decompress a bit last night and spend some time in my craft studio.  LONG overdue. 

i coloured.

i combined elements.

i combined challenges.

i played with some new goodies.

i felt a little better by the time i went to bed, so i'm glad i took some time for ME.  haven't had much of it lately.  and thank you to everyone who's been so supportive while i'm dealing with things.  i appreciate it more than i can possibly express on a computer screen.

here's one of two cards i made last night...  it features the critter from Some Odd Girl's Acorn Fairy clear stamp set, the heart and sentiment from the Nutsy Kaylee set (she's on clearance!) with Some Odd Girl's Sunshine Sorbet paper, some lovely adhesive cork, background papers from Pretty Little Studio.  and the wood sequins are from Chic Tags, coloured up with Wink of Stella from the Paper Issues shop. 

 

close up of critter love, coloured up with my Prismacolor pencils
(and maybe you can see a bit of the shimmer on the sequins):

 

annnnnnd i am throwing down for the new sketch challenge (211) at My Favorite Things - i followed it pretty closely:

and i'm also linking up at the current Linky Party at Paper Issues - the theme is "Popping the Cork" (sponsored by the awesome Elle's Studio) and it inspired me to FINALLY cut into one of my adhesive cork sheets.  i think i bought the cork pad about a year and a half ago, and that's just silly. 

and that will do it.  it felt GOOD to get my craft on.  what have you folks been up to?