TCPTUES103--Any TCP Stamp!

Well, we almost didn't have a TCP Tuesday challenge today! It's my turn to be The Hostess With The Mostess, but I had totally forgotten that it was my turn until Toni reminded me. (Maybe because I've got a little bit going on?) Thanks so much, Toni! Please forgive me for this being a little late!

Anyway, to make life easy, let's just go with the challenge being to use any stamp from The Cat's Pajamas for your card. This card, I have to admit is another one I did a while back when this set, A Beary Good Year first came out. I still love it, though! I know St. Patrick's Day has already passed us by, but it's still March and since I'm a little behind on life, I feel it's ok to still post it! (It's MY blog anyway and I'll post whatever I want, whenever I want--nanner nanner! Haha!)

Here's what ya'll need to know to play along (and we hope you do!):
1. All challenge entries will go into TCP's monthly Swanky Stamper contest. This means $25 in Cat Cash for the winner to spend on new stamps from The Cat's Pajamas!
2. Link your creation to the slide show/guest book on Alma's blog so that we can all see it!
3. TCP stamps are not required (unless the challenge is a STAMP challenge from ME-- like today--when specific stamps are required), but are of course highly recommended.
4. If you'd like to also upload your piece to Splitcoast Stampers, use the keyword TCPTUES103 for this week.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Don't forget about that fancy die cut machine you just HAD to have (Cricut, Slice, etc.). A simple shape that matches the theme of your card or project can go a long way.

Stamps: W-9679 A Beary Good Year (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Basic Black, Garden Green (SU!), Cream (MFT), Aqua Mist (PTI), Tea Party (AC), Vintage Music Paper
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Slice/Spring Card, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Big Scallop Border Punch (EK), Black Brads, Black Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (TCP), Twine, Sweet Thing Button (BT-005 TCP), Hot Glue, Foam Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Party Time

Well, I'm sorry I didn't ever get my little update about Eric posted the other day. Saturday night left me too tired to get up off the couch after having been out with Jen the night before at a last minute crop at Scrapper's until midnight! That catches up to me quick and renders me useless!!! Then Sunday, we had a little birthday party for our oldest daughter, Shelbie. She turned 18 on the 21st, but we weren't able to have the party then due to Eric's sudden predicament. It was just family and her boyfriend, Dominique, whom we hadn't had the pleasure of being around for a long time. Shelbie informed us at the party that she would be going to New York City on a little trip with Dom and his family this summer. My first thought was "you didn't ASK me if you could go", but then I remembered, "oh yes, she's 18, she can do what she wants". Letting go. It's hard. Then I told her she better get me a Coach purse while she's there and I'll give her some money for it! Letting go has its perks.

Anyway, here's a little birthday card I did for The Cat's Pajamas using that cuddly bear, P.J., from A Beary Good Year.
I know with my story just a bit ago the 6 looks like it should be an 18, but I did this card a while back and the 6 is just a random number I chose! However, since Audrie is six, she thinks I did it for her. I said ok it is. Ssshhhh, don't tell her! I did use some of that fabulous Glitzy Glass Glitter on the 6 and it's super sparkly! This card is quite large, measuring in at 6 inches square if I remember right. I put 2 large scallop rectangles together on a base to make it that big. It was one of the most fun cards I've made in a long time. Oh and fyi...Be sure and check out the cute Project of the Month on the TCP site. You may need to make a few of them for Easter treats!

Eric Update: We had a doctor appt. last Friday as a check up to see how his chemo did and to also finally get the results from the Mayo clinic we had been waiting on. His tumor has shrunk (shrunk, shrank, shrinked?) a noticeable bit with just the one round of chemo. The results from the Mayo clinic did come back, but they were a little hedgy. They claimed it's Large B cell with agressive tendencies towards Burkitt's. Well that gets us nowhere! So we are lucky that our oncologist has friends in high places because he has now sent Eric's 'complicated case' to a world-reknowned lady named Elaine Jaffe, who is the Senior Pathologist for the National Cancer Institute in Washington D.C.. She helped "write the book" on cancer classifications for the World Health Organization, and if anyone can find out what Eric's cancer type is, she can. Dr. Maisel is now saying we have more than a 50% chance that it's Burkitt's and to hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst news about the diagnosis. I like that, so that we can get ready for a crazy life in the future during his treatment! Meanwhile, we are still waiting. He anticipates her answer back before April 7th, when it will be time for either another round of chemo if we are dealing with Large B, or time for a port placement and daily rounds of chemo for 5 days followed by hospital stays if it's Burkitt's. Please keep us in your prayers and the cards everyone is sending are spectacular and Eric is loving getting the mail everyday! We are big fans of the show, Gene Simmons Family Jewels. Recently, his longtime girlfriend, Shannon, had a breast cancer scare. When talking to her sister about it, she said, "We will laugh until we have to cry". I'm so glad we watched that, because that has become our motto around here! Eric's hair is due to fall out any day. Giggle!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use a sentiment stamp to frame a panel on your card or project.

Stamps: W-9679 Bear Thing (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Summer Sun (SU!), Pure Poppy, White (PTI), Tea Party (AC)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities, Swirls Embossing Folder, Red Tag Alpha Die, Cuttlebug, Scallop and Circle Punches, Sewing Machine/White Thread, Copic Markers, Sweet Thing Glitzy Glitter (Glitzy-04 TCP), Glitter Glue (Martha Stewart), Sweet Thing Button (BT-005), Red Stitched Ribbon (PTI), Twine, Hot Glue, Foam Boosters
Finished Size: 6" square

A {What's Crackin'} Sketch For You To Try

Well, today is Saturday and ya'll may think I forgot what that meant, since I haven't been playing in the sketch for a couple of weeks, but I actually had time to stamp this week! Of course it's time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try! It was a good one to get back into the swing with, too--it's super easy!


But first I have a little Audrie story (she's our 6 year old). She may have a small part in how my friend is going to spell her baby-on-the-way's name--or no, how she's NOT going to spell it. So my friend Melissa and I were talking and she told me they had decided on the name ZOE (pronounced zo-ey) for her baby girl. However, she wasn't sure how to she wanted it spelled. I told her I have always liked just Z.O.E., and told her, "it's not like anyone's going to call her ZO as in JOE". Well, her 6 year old, Abby and Audrie are best friends. The conversation between them at school the next day went something like this:
Abby: My baby sister's name is going to be ZOE. (zo-ey)
Audrie: Zo-ey? How do you spell THAT? (because she wants to know how to spell EVERYTHING these days)
Abby: Z.O.E.
Audrie: That spells ZO. (As in Joe, as in how I told Melissa, "it's not like anyone will pronounce it JOE!" Um, yeah, no one but MY daughter!) So now, Abby is insisting it be spelled ZOEY, just to make sure. That is classic 6 year old stuff right there. I was cracking up!

Speaking of cracking up, on to my SFYTT card! I used the new set from My Favorite Things, What's Crackin'. Ever since I got this set, those eggs have been "poaching" out to me to paper piece them! So easy! I colored the bunny and chick with my long lost friends, my Prismacolor pencils and OMS. I forgot how much I loved coloring that way!

I have a little bit of news about Eric, but I am running LAAAATEE this morning and need to finish this up. I'm hoping to post about it a little later tonight after we go to church.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Green Prima Flowers? Yes. Go ahead and get some (I just got a big package of just green ones from Michael's). If anything else, they make great "leaves" for the bottom layer of paper and other Prima flowers.

Check out what my other SFYTT peeps have done with this sketch and then get you need to get crackin' and play along!:
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock

Stamps: What's Crackin' (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Regal Rose, Old Olive (SU!), Aqua Mist (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Daisy Bucket
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/Thread, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Prima Flowers, MFT Button, Twine, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Verve Project Parade Time

Well, I thought I'd pop in and make sure ya'll all knew that the Verve Project Parade started yesterday over on the Verve blog. This month's theme is "FUN WITH FLOWERS". Perfect to kick off this spring season! Read on to see how you can win some great Verve stamps just by checking out the parade or by creating your own "Fun with Flowers" project!

But first before you just "skim" for the details of that nifty acrylic acheivement award, I'm going to make ya'll look at a couple of cards I made using some of Verve's latest releases. That first one up there is a "black on black" card. I love how Amy Sheffer does a lot of layering with the same color on color, and I wanted to try it! I'm thinking black wasn't the best to start with, as I didn't get it photographed very well, but just know, that the top layer is distressed on the edges and dry embossed with my cuttlebug. I used the new Feel The Sun set for the sentiment and flower, which I stamped multiples of, cut out and layered. The leaves are colored with my Copics.

The next card is another one I did using that same Mojo Monday sketch (128) as my last little MFT card in my last post. I'm telling ya'll--that sketch rocks!! Ok, I like it so much I went to the trouble of providing a link for ya'll this time--HERE. LOL! I used my Easter Joy set and some of my favorite Nestabilities. A different color combo going on here as well and I stamped, colored and cut out and popped up the little egg border along the bottom of my main panel. It wasn't hard at all! My Cutter Bee scissors help tremendously--ya'll know I've recommended them over and over!! Git U Sum!

Ok, here's the info ya'll all've (that's a word here in Texas) been waiting for!--
As with all of our Project Parades, we've got prizes! There are two ways to win:

1. Link up your new creation (posted March 22 or later) to the Mr. Linky widget on Jen's Post before Midnight on April 8th
2. One lucky stamper will win a $25.00 gift certificate to the Verve Store.
3. Be sure to leave the Diva's a little shout out in the comments as we parade our creations inspired by this month's theme. One lucky commenter during the course of the parade (March 22 - April 7) will win his/her choice of any Verve stamp set!

Eric Update--He's feeling back to normal today! No sick to his stomach feeling at all and he looks really cute with his buzz cut! We have an oncology appointment this Friday at 9:15 to hopefully get those dad-gum results!!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Try the same color on color layers. What's a good name for that? I.don't.know.

Bring Your Own Sunshine Card
Stamps: Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Basic Black, Garden Green (SU!), Rasberry Fizz, White, Bitty Dots (PTI)
Ink: Versamark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Heat Tool, Black EP (Judikins), Copic Markers, Distress Tool, Fiskars Border Punch, Ribbon (PTI), Rhinestone Brads (MM), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Easter Joy Card
Stamps: Easter Joy (Verve)
Paper: Taken With Teal, Barely Banana (SU!), White, Aqua Mist (PTI), Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels 8, Scallop Circle, and Circle Nestabilities, Texture Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Silver Brads, Copic Markers, Clear Button, Twine, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Kill The Cooties

Well, I can't have my blog become the cootie channel--All Cooties, All the Time, so I wanted to finally share a card today and I'll have a little Eric update below. Today is Jen's Sketch For You To Try, but again, that didn't happen in my world this week. I was going to make one yesterday, really, but Jen invited me over to chat and do whatever suited my fancy, so we just played and I colored some stuff, as Ellie directed me as to what colors to use! It was fun. My friend Randi and I got a little crazy last night too, and went and stood in line with all the tweeny Twilight teens starting at 10:30 for the midnight release of New Moon at Wal-Mart. We ended up being only about 25 people back from the front, but there MUST have been 200 people in line altogether! Crazy, but she didn't want to go by herself and she bought my laundry soap I needed for me to return the favor, so it worked out (Susie wishes she bought a bigger box!). Haha!

Like I said, no SFYTT card for me today, but I'm throwing this fun Tweeny Tween Rock On girl from My Favorite Things on here, just for a change of pace. I love love love this card! I used a Mojo Monday sketch that's a couple of weeks old now, but it was current when I made the card! I will definitely be using it again! How do ya'll like how I "popped up" her legs, making them look like they hang over the pappason chair and outside my image panel? Cute, no?

Anyway, I also wanted to inform ya'll of a little favor I have. Jen posted THIS CARD on her blog the other day and now it's in the running to win some serious inkage from Impress Rubber Stamps! She who gets the most comments on her card on Facebook wins! Can you help a sister out and comment over there? You need to become a fan of Impress Rubber Stamps HERE to vote and Jen's card can be found HERE.

Eric Update: Still no results back from the doctor, diagnosing the type of lymphoma he has. Grrrrr!! But the doctor did go ahead and get some chemo underway Thursday. We got to the "cootie spa" at about 9:30 and were there all day until about 5. He had a little allergic reaction to one of the medicines, so they had to give him some Benedryl and wait until the reaction went away before they could start the therapy drugs back up. That's why it took so long. Normally, it would have only been about 6 hours. Anyway, it was pretty much uneventful. He watched basketball while I colored some stamped images with my Copics all day! He's felt a little bit queasy since then, but that could have just been from my driving him around for the past 3 days! He's still sleeping now, so we will see how he feels today. He wants to go get a short buzz haircut today! Maybe I'll take a picture and post it soon.

Ok, NOW ya'll need to play in the Sketch For You To Try! Go check out what all my SFYTT sisters have made for ya'll to look at!
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock

SUSIE Q-TIP: This is such a long post, I don't have one! I have to go get ready to work at Scrapper's!

Let's Get This Show on the Road!

Well, our oncology appointment for Tuesday was put off until this morning at 10:15 due to the fact that Dr. Maisel had not gotten the results from tests he had sent to the Mayo Clinic back yet. So yesterday turned out to be just a "hang-out" type of day and then we went last night for the steak dinner we never got to have before all this started! It was so good! It had been years since we indulged so and afterward we came home and watched "our shows" (Biggest Loser and Parenthood--tonight we catch up on AI and get to watch the results show right after that--gotta love DVR)!

So this morning we went to the Dr. appointment, only to find out that they still didn't have these results back! Ugh! Dr. Maisel said it's impossible to rush them as much as he'd love to, but that we also want them to be correct. We totally get that. Now he thinks Friday is the day they will shoot for them being finished.

However, he's as tired of waiting around as we are, knowing how aggressive this is and that Eric's neck could start growing even larger at any moment, thus impacting his ability to breathe (kind of important!). So tomorrow, we are going ahead and starting a cycle of chemotherapy called R-CHOP that is mostly for the Large B Cell diagnosis. He said it won't hurt, even if we have to switch over to the drastically different treatment for Burkitt's in the next few days, as it includes several of the drugs he would need for Burkitt's anyway.

If we get to stay on R-CHOP (with the Large B Cell diagnosis), it will be one infusion every 21 days and we do that 6 times. Wow. That's the lesser of the two evils and the best we can hope for. Burkitt's is quite more involved and requires several days of a different type of chemo in a row, then a week in the hospital for more drugs and spinal tap chemotherapy, then a week at home--and doing this cycle 3 times. Not so fun.

So here we are, about to "get this show on the road"! Eric dropped me off here at the house this afternoon, while he is going to work the rest of the day and plans on working all day Friday. This morning, not even 10 minutes before we left for Dallas, he was in the back yard, killing weeds. He is strong and completely willing and ready to fight, as long as there are a few more steak dinners along the way!

I'll update soon and I may even throw a card in the mix here in the next few days! Keep thinking those happy thoughts, ya'll!
sus

Think Happy Thoughts

Well, we are at home! Our oncologist (Dr. Maisel) sent us home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. After three days of intensive testing--CT Scan, MUGA Scan, PET Scan, Large Biopsy Surgery and a Bone Marrow Biopsy, and tons of blood drawn, he said Eric was just as well off or better staying at home while we await the results from most of the tests. The main one we are waiting for is the Large Biopsy. I said in my last post that the results were due back over the weekend, but it seems the "scary disease checker" pathologists don't work weekends. Let's let them get their rest so they can be sure to get the facts down 100% correctly. I'm all for it. Now the timeframe is hopefully by Tuesday.

So last night we both slept pretty well, except Eric was given some pretty heavy steroids to get a jumpstart at shrinking his tumor until we get to the hardcore chemo, and it's giving him a little insomnia. Lots of reading will be getting done by him in the days to come when he can't sleep. Anyone have any book recommendations?

Today we took the girls to see Alice in Wonderland and I got my hair cut as I don't foresee being able to get it done in the near future. I was way overdue and went ahead and had her cut it a bit shorter than normal in case it's a while before I can get another cut. Eric on the other hand (teehee), is in dire need of a haircut, but we are holding off, as his is about to be microscopically short! Perfect for the Texas summers!

We have a few errands to run tomorrow and lots to consider in the coming days. He is going to work on Monday. He still can't talk clearly, so don't call him at work, you crooks or you'll be sorry! (He is a legal specialist for the US Attorney's office and collects restitution from former federal criminals) If you do call, you may think you're talking to the Godfather and he's likely to "make you a deal you can't refuse".

Then Tuesday, will be the "big day" with Dr. Maisel at 1:15 to discover our fate and see what we're in for over the next days, weeks, months, etc. He told us to pack our bags, just in case he wants to start chemo in the hospital (mainly if it IS Burkitt's--the chemo is especially hard on the body and he'll need extra monitoring).

We truly appreciate all the love, prayers and thoughts ya'll have been sending our way. The personal emails and guidance are welcome testaments to God's faithfulness and we have felt each prayer as you've spoken them. Thankyouthankyouthankyou!! Please don't stop.

Also, some of ya'll have so wonderfully requested our address to send cards, etc. Eric would be stoked to get some from ya! Here you go:

Eric and Susan Liles
7920 Sunrise Dr.
Watauga, Tx 76148

I'll try and post as soon as possible after our appointment on Tuesday.
Think Happy Thoughts, sus

Good Vibes, Positive Thoughts and Fervent Prayer Needed

Well, i found a computer in the hospital that i could get on to make a quick post to everyone. i won't be stamping for a while.

We found out yesterday that my husband, Eric has been diagnosed with a pretty potent form of cancer. We have been admitted into Baylor Hospital in Dallas until I don't know when so that we can work with the best of the best doctors. He has had a tumor about 7x10 cm in size come up on his neck since Sunday the 7th. tomorrow we get a large biopsy taken out surgically for a proper diagnosis of what kind. right now, it may be what's called Burkitts, but that may change and become Diffuse Large B cell something or other. the biopsy will let us know all that. the results are due back over the weekend.

I will try to keep everyone posted here, and on my facebook page. We'd really appreciate any good vibes, positive thoughts and fervent prayer anyone's got laying around.

We are also going to be in need of some new hats for Eric when he goes bald!! haha!
Thanks for being my friends ya'll. i love you. sus

An {Unlikely Yellow Wildflower} Sketch For You To Try

Well, I'm still riding the wave of the Verve Release from last night. After I said goodnight on the chat thread (ya'll have to go back and see all the amazing sample cards and projects the Divas created again!), I immediately went to work on this card for today's Sketch For You To Try from the "famous" Jen del Muro. It's a really fun and easy sketch that I didn't think I'd like at first, but I have to say, I think this one's a keeper! I will definitely be using it again soon.

Since my Verve stuff was still out on my desk, a.k.a., it was getting late and I didn't have time (or the want) to color anything, I went for a sentiment from the Feel the Sun set for my main image. The green flowery paper has been calling out my name and saying "use me!" for the last couple of days, so I finally gave in, marrying it with the very last of my Groovy Guava from SU! (I really liked that color, so if ya'll don't, send it to me!) and a little Ruby Red. Obviously not much planning went into this card ahead of time, so I just pulled things together as I went along. When it came time to add the little embellishment from the sketch (represented by the heart), I put my bucket o'flowers on my desk and when I saw these yellow felt flowers from Hobby Lobby, that was all she wrote. I then fell in love with this card. The little unlikely yellow flower made me swoon.

Hey guess what!? We have some new SFYTT sisters to introduce! Ya'll will now have some more inspiration to draw from before you play in Jen's Sketch For You To Try Challenge every Saturday. Added to the sisterhood are Amber Hight, Jenn Dierks and Megan Lock. Isn't that exciting? Some fresh talent and lots of different styles! Check out what the other girls have made:
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock

Don't forget that if you play (how to's on Jen's blog), you have a chance at becoming the Guest Designer for the next month! This month, Jen chose the fabulously talented Angie Tieman!

SUSIE Q-TIP: Yellow. 'Nuf said.

Stamps: Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream (PTI), Groovy Guava, Ruby Red (SU!), Cherry Hill (October Afternoon)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Roan (Colorbox)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle Punches, Sewing Machine/Thread, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Button, Twine, Ribbon (PTI), Yellow Felt Flower (HL), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Verve Spring Fling Blog Hop

Well, this has just been an incredible and fantastic new release from Verve! I am loving all of it and am on a roll with stamping. I can't stop and it's easy to get my mojo flowing when I have such fabulous stamps to work with. You just can't go wrong with Verve. Ok, I'll stop my gushing and "get to gettin'"! Ya'll are in for a treat if you are here for the Verve Spring Fling Blog Hop! If you just happened to pop in, you'd be remiss to not start at the beginning of this hop over on Julee's blog (where you will also find a full list of hoppers in case there's a hitch in the giddy-up for some reason). So if you need to go catch up, I'll wait for you! Do--to-do-todo!! Ok, you're back? Let's move on...

I saved my favorite card of all from this release to show ya'll for the blog hop. I used the new Big Wish set which is one of the coolest birthday sets I've seen in a long time and I'm not just saying that because I design for Verve. The birthday sentiments alone steal my heart! I also used the sketch that Amy provided for the Spring Fling Challenge 2(VSMARSF2) over on the Verve Blog. Since it was Amy's challenge, I decided to pump up the volume on this and also drew inspiration from her style...lots of distressing, sewing, layering, and piercing. LOVE IT! The colors just leap off the card and say HELLO SPRING to me!!

Ok, well, I'd love for you to stay and hang out, but ya'll need to run along and go see what Jen's cooked up on her blog. (Which reminds me, I better go make up a sample for her Sketch For You To Try coming tomorrow! Almost forgot!)

SUSIE Q-TIP: This card is literally about a half an inch high when you look at it from the side with all the dimensionals I used (because I have an addiction), especially where the sentiment is. Needless to say, there were a couple of times that I needed to "adjust" something I had already stuck down with the dimensionals (foam boosters). I figured out it was much easier to get my little Cutter Bee scissors up underneath that layer and just cut them loose rather than try to pull off the panel and wrinkle the cardstock as it lifted. Then I simply and gently used my CM Pick Up Square to remove the cut dimensional and replaced them. Who'da thunk, right?

Stamps: Big Wish (Verve)
Paper: Barely Banana (SU!), Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist (PTI)
Ink: Pure Poppy (PTI), Walnut Stain, Antique Linen (Ranger), Chestnut Roan (Colorbox)
Accessories: Circle, Scallop Rectangle and Scallop Circle Nestabilites, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/Thread, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Chunky Glass Glitter (TCP), Copic Markers, Distress Tool, Buttons, Twine, Ribbon (PTI), Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

We're Having a Spring Fling With Verve

Well, tonight is the long awaited Verve release and what a fun day leading up to it this is going to be! There is lots and lots going on, so rather than reinvent the wheel and come up with my own words to say it, I'll just copy and paste what Julee has to say from the Verve blog to best fill you in on all the happenings! (Not to mention, I've got a bit of last minute eye candy to put together for it!) Off we go...

Spring Fling Blog Party
We've got 4 new sets and 5 plain janes releasing this Friday night, and they're sure to put a spring in your step. To celebrate, this Friday (March 5) we're having an all-day blog party right HERE on the Verve Blog. We'll be posting hourly starting at 1 PM Eastern, so save the date for a day of challenges, sneak peeks and prizes.

Spring Fling Set Reveals & Chat
It's been a while since our last release, so we couldn't go without a bit of a chat to catch up with all our friends! Join us on the Spring Fling Chat thread this Friday night (tonight) at 9PM Eastern for an hour of speed-reading, set reveals and gorgeous sample cards from the Divas while we countdown to the release.

Spring Fling Blog Hop
The Divas are stamping up a storm, and we'll be finishing off the night with a grand finale design team blog hop showcasing the new sets. The hop begins when the new sets release at 10PM Eastern, this Friday night (tonight). There'll be a chance to win our entire release, so be sure to tune in!

See? I told ya'll there was much going on!! I hope to "see" ya'll real soon! I'm so excited about it...the stamps are TO DIE FOR!!

My Favorite Things March Blog Hop

Well, are ya'll enjoying the My Favorite Things Blog Hop? That's right, if you've just stopped by, ya'll have caught me in the middle of a blog hop for MFT. You're welcome to stay, but I would highly suggest starting at the beginning over at Kim's blog, so that you don't miss any of the eye candy the rest of the team has to offer (trust me, you don't want to)!

Okay, onto the schtuff about my card--How about some Pure Innocence action today? Three new PI sets are available now for only $9 each. This one is called Sunshiney Day. Isn't she just adorable running outside enjoying the sun?....
a.k.a..Won't you be glad when the weather warms up and your little "innocent" ones can go outside (and leave you to stamp)? I'm SO ready for that! Anyway, I colored her with my Copics and made the flower embellishment with my Slice machine. The yellow panel just needed a little something. Here lately, whenever that happens, I've been grabbing for my Swarovski crystals from MFT--perfect for a bright and sunshiney card!

Ok, now I KNOW ya'll want to see more MFT goodness. Hop on over to Michele's blog. I guarantee she's got a fabulous project to show ya'll. Have a bright and sunshiney day (Think Spring)!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I love bright colors, especially this time of year. Use a shaped panel in stark white for your main image and boost it up with dimensionals against some solid colors and/or prints with NO mat for lots of pop.

Stamps: Sunshiney Day Pure Innocence (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Aqua Mist, Pure Poppy, New Leaf (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Cherry Hill (October Afternoon), Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Labels 8 Nestabilities, Swill Dot EF, Cuttlebug, Scallop Scissors, Slice Machine/Noteworthy, Red Twine, Ribbon/Swarovski Crystals (MFT), Buttons, Copic Mkrs., Sewing Machine/Thread, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

TCPTUES99--A Sketch From Leigh

Well, it's Tuesday. Another week just flying by. Yes, I'm already saying it even thought it's only Tuesday. When I think about everything I have going on this week, I'm already getting behind during the minutes I contemplate it! (Remember, I'm a slow stamper?) Not to mention the fact that today is the day I go to work an hour in Audrie's kindergarten class (pray for me), Eric's been home the last two days with laryngitis, and I have an itchy, scratchy throat myself. I did take a swig of some apple cider vinegar yesterday on the advice of a friend that swears by it and it's supposed to kill all that ails you as it goes down. I think it did that and then some. I don't want to talk about it.

Needless to say, I did not get a card done for today's TCP Tuesday Challenge for The Cat's Pajamas, but I wanted ya'll to be sure and get the 411 from me just in case ya'll came here looking for it (because I know ya'll love me!). Leigh is our fabby Hostess with the Mostess and she's got a great sketch for us to play with. We'd love for you to play along, and be sure to add your creation to the Slideshow on Alma's Blog to be entered to win $25 in Cat Cash (she'll have it posted a little later)!

HOWEVER, I do have a card (several really, but I'll give you this one for now as I need to go take a shower) to show you that I did using TCP's latest release set, A Beary Good Year. I think it's one of my all-time favorite cards I've done. I know I'm a little late for Valentine's Day, but I.don't.care. I never got the chance to show ya'll it for V-Day because I was so busy being romantic and in love the whole month of February that in all my blissfulness, it slipped my mind. Believe me? I hope not.

SUSIE Q-TIP: I just watched a news segment on the Today Show (Matt Lauer is hot) about stores selling used underwear that people have returned. You'd think they would focus on a big store like Wal-Mart for this, but we're talking Victoria's Secret, Frederick's, Macy's, Bloomingdale's, The Gap--all those! Every single store happily returned the merchandise (with no tags on them), and put them directly back in stock on the shelves without even inspecting them for wear (and/or stains)! Well, maybe 2 of the stores didn't restock them, but without 100% assurance if they do this 100% of the time, that's just gross! ALWAYS wash your newly purchased underwear when you get it home before wearing it! You never know where its been or if its got cooties (a biochemist on the show assured us they did). More than a SUSIE Q-TIP, this has been a public service announcement. Just doing my duty to keep ya'll informed and cootie-free.

Stamps: W-9679 Bear Thing (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Vintage Cream, Aqua Mist (PTI), Regal Rose (SU!), Girl Friday (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Roan Cat’s Eye (Colorbox), Pretty in Pink (SU!)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Scalloped Scallop Border Punch (EK), Big Scallop Border Punch (EK), Slice/Basic 1 Card, Sweet Thing Glitzy Glitter (Glitzy-04 TCP), Pink Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (TCP), Sweet Thing Buttons (BT-005), Twine, Copic Markers, Hot Glue, Glitter Glue (Martha Stewart), Foam Boosters
Finished Size: 5.5" Square