**NEW** Unity "KOTM" Challenge

Starting in May UNITY will be hosting a customer challenge geared around the KOTM...
how cool is that!!! I know you are all so excited :)

You all get to participate in the challenge and upload you card(s) and/or
project(s)...AND you create as many as you want...using the previous months KOTM. Since we are starting in May you will have to use the April KOTM.

All you need to do is upload your creations to SCS with a certain keyword (that we'll give you) starting on the 1st...you'll have a deadline of the
2nd and the winner will be announced on the 3rd...sounds fun doesn't it!!!

**All projects will have to be new...never posted before or entered in another contest to prevent doubling up with other KOTM challenges.

Now I am sure you are all wondering What do I win???? Well you could be the next Guest Designer!!! You know you wanna be the next guest designer right for the following month...so if you play in May and win they YOU WILL BE one of the guest designers for June. How FUN is that!

"Each month some of our design team members will be participating in a challenge with the new KOTM. Starting in May we will be opening this challenge to you, the Unity customer! Would you like to be a guest designer? This is your chance! What do you need to play? The KOTM! Your first opportunity to enter will be May 1st and you will need the April KOTM to play. Are you game?...."

To get your very own KOTM you can click HERE...

To get us going for this FABULOUS NEW KOTM for April the DT over at Unity was given the simple challenge of...create a card and/or LO following this challenge:

1.) a spring themed card/or Layout
2.) using the colors pink, blue, green, and yellow
3.) and adding sewing on the card...either faux or real

...here's what I came up with some of you may be surprised that its a card and not a LO (lol) I'll have a new LO to share tomorrow :)



Check out the other DT Ladies :)

AJ Otto

Christi Snow

Jeanne Streiff

Jimmi Mayo

Maren Benedict

Amber Height

Chelsea Cook

Patter Cross

Robyn Weatherspoon

Heather Brown

Brooke Lien

Jen Erickson

Jennifer Buck

Julie Campbell

Wendy Chang

...you may have noticed a new name in the line-up...Julie Campbell is Unity's April Guest DT Member! WELCOME JULIE! Welcome :) Looking forward to seeing your creations this months!
Thanks for stopping by ;)

Today is my turn...

...to be feautured on Angela's Blog for Design Team Tuesday...so if you haven't been over there today - you should go check it out...I have a never before seen LO (well almost never before ;) a couple lucky people got to check it out before I sent it on to Anglea...and I also have this "family" frame I'm sharing with you today here...showcasing "my" favorite Unity stamps...some of the old Giggle Grove Collection (Burberry Tree, Hackle Berry Point and Shurbery Tree)




Materials Used: Bazzill Cardstock, Pattern Paper, Cardstock Sticker: Bella Blvd., Unity Stamping Co.: Burberry Tree, Hackleberry Tree, Shurbery Tree, Ink: Staz-On, Other: Machine Stitching, Misc. Buttons, Frame

...now if the weather cooperates with us today we are off on a hike on our 2nd day of Spring Break!!! Wish us luck!!!

Happy Sunday!!!

I have another card and a digital LO to share today...

Everything here is by GCD Studios...and a some yummy Coordinations Cardstock, I used my cuttlebug to emboss on the striped paper in the background. I think this card turned out really cute...there's only one thing I would have done differently, but I didn't have what I wanted...so I just had to settle with this, but I do like how it turned out - tfl



On this digital LO - everything is by Crystal Wilkerson - I used her Playground Solids, Playground Dots, Playground Embellishments and Decorative Graph Paper.(I threw in my favorite stitches by Sande Kreiger and some fun date stamps by Karla Dudley).



Yesterday we took the kids to see some baby animals...and some NOT so small...take a loot at this bunny!!!



...as you can tell from the picture Mason didn't like that big bunny...at all!!! LOL











...and the last thing we saw was this cute little puppy!!! And I think we all wanted to take him home with us...well okay not all of us...Stuart didn't agree...but me and the kids really wanted him! He let us pick him up and he let me take his picture...he sure was a cutie...an expensive cutie $400! I bet he's worth every penny! lol Needless to say we left with out him...



We are fully enjoying Spring Break over here, however the weather IS NOT cooperating...it rained most of the day yesterday...today it looks like the wind is going to blow a gale...and I really HATE the wind!

So...for tomorrow I am thinking taking the kids to see Monsters vs. Aliens tomorrow...I have heard great reviews...and they won't stop bugging me about it.

**UNITY** Inspirational BLOG HOP

Welcome!!! You can view the "Inspirational Blog Hop" by starting HERE :)





Materials Used:
Unity Stamping Co. March KOTM "a day to remember", Bazzill CS, GCD Studios PP, Making Memories Letter Stickers, Quickutz: SnowDay, American Crafts: Brads, Fiskars Punch, Other: Ribbon, Machine Stitching


I also decided to share a card as well :)



Materials Used: Unity Stamping Co. Match KOTM : "thanks", Kraft CS, GCD Studios PP, Prima Flower, Bazzill Brad, Fiskars Punch, Other: Fabric

Quote:
I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.
- Bill Cosby

NOW you need to HOP on over to Jenyfur Pohl's Blog!

Didn't get as much accomplished today...

...at least not as much as I had hoped :( Met my sister at STARBUCKs went to Target and picked up the 3 birthday gifts...for the 3 birthday parties this weekend...but I still need to finish the baby gift for a friend and work ahead on some other Design Team Assignments...THANK GOODNESS today is the START of SPRING BREAK - WOO HOO!!! Now all we need is the weather to start cooperating!

However, I did manage to complete one card...I used 3 stamps from the March KOTM...this one is going in the mail to a dear friend! (He has been sending me some STARBUCKs gift cards...because he knows I'm an addict-lol)So the stamp I used on the inside was PERFECT!!!





TFL :)

Happy Hip Hop!!!

Today's Hip Hop is all about "FRIENDSHIP" Today"Floral Friends" by Lisa Hetrick is being released - what an amazing grouping of flowers this one is! Check it out!!!
...and don't you just LOVE todays SURPRISE release :) gotta love surprises!
Make sure you check out Angela's Blog for all of today's specials.

Today I wanted to share with you all about my best friend...my husband Stuart. In exactly 3 weeks, 3 days he has been a part of my life for 18 years! That's a long time...since I'm only 34 years old! He is the only person I can trust or count on in this whole world!

On this 1st LO I used the new "Floral Friends" and Our Life, Our Stories in WORDS and Plaid Journaling Box.





In keeping with this "Best Friend" theme I made a 2nd LO and the journaling reads: A best friend gives you a lot...laughter, friendship, love...mine gave me all that and more...mine gave me a family!

On this 2nd LO I used the 1,2,3,4,5 from the March KOTM, Just My Type Alpha and Just Circles.

REMINDER: Don't forget about the Inspirational Blog Hop this Saturday!!! How exciting...200 Blogs full of INSPIRATION...I can't wait to grab my STARBUCKS and lock myself in my scraproom...I can't wait to be inspired!

...now back to the HOP...its time to get going to the next blog and you are off to see what Chelsea has created especially for us...

Digital Share and I've been Tagged!!!

I made this digital LO using a template and kit both made by the fabulous Di Hickman

hee hee hee :) Robyn tagged me!!! I needed to post my 6th photo in my 6th folder...and since today I was on Stuart's computer you are getting an oldie :) Here's Mason...about 2 years ago...I remember he HAD to have this bandaid!!! There was no ifs ands or buts about it!!! lol The Spiderman bandaid to go along with his Superman Jammies :) He is still our little SuperHero!!!

Now for the 6 people I am going to tag all you need to do is...

Open your photo folder on your computer • Open the 6th folder of photos • Select the 6th picture • Post the picture on your blog with a description • Invite six friends to join the challenge • Link your six friends to your blog post
...and I'm tagging:

Di

Gina

Jennifer

Carrie

Danea

Karen

GIVE-A-WAY WINNER

BERNICE you are the winner!!! Please send me your mailing address and I can get these stamps in the mail!!! :) enjoy

It's Thursday already!!!

Hip Hop Everyone!!! Isn't today's new release just the cutest! "Love Ewe" was created by Lindsay Spencer and I think it is just so adorable!!! Thank you Lindsay for sharing your talent with Unity!!! Make sure you stop by ANGELAs BLOG for todays specials and deals!

Today I thought I would do something egg-stra special for Hip Hop...I made a Hybrid Layout - using both digital and traditional scrapping supplies!
I used a little bit of the Snorkle line by Cosmo Cricket and the stamp I used was from the March KOTM...for the digital elements I used Crystal Wilkerson's 365 Challenge March digital kit, her Written Family Words and her "new" Journaling Snippits which will be available March 24th at 2Peas.



Ben and Camryn are pretty simple kiddos and they are egg-specially sweet! If I don't say so myself ;) Now it's time to hop your way on over to CHRISTIs BLOG and see what she has in store for you today...

Happy St. Patrick's Day & a Give-a-way!!!

So...do any of you do anything fun on this day? What family tradition's do you have? I remember when I lived in Las Vegas my friend Charlotte and I went to her mom's house for a big family dinner of corned beef and cabbage and of course green beer!!! I remember my mom making that too...I do not care for that and I won't be making that for my family...I wonder if Papa John's makes some kind of green pizza - LOL That's more my style :D

This morning my kiddos will get some special donuts for breakfast - I know very nutritious...



I think maybe - after school we will make some shamrock short bread cookies for snack...we all LOVE those!!! And all 3 of the kids love to make cookies...

...and for the Give-a-way!!! I have these two stamp sets one by Basic Grey and one by Hero Arts that are in need of a good home...just leave a comment by Sunday and on Sunday evening I will throw all of you into the drawing :)



Have a SUPER day!

Is the wind ever going to STOP!!!

I hate the wind!!! It did manage to stop for just a bit this morning...but it has already picked back up...I lucked out this afternoon and both Camryn and Mason took naps after lunch...(oh and I can't forget Morris, here's Camryn and Morris during their nap...)



...so while everyone was napping I decided that I should sit down and do a digital LO - its been awhile since I've made one of those :) now...Camryn is already up but Mason is still snoozing away!!! ...and I SHOULD be doing other things...I have some other deadlines quickly approaching but NO IDEAs for those yet...

Here's the LO I did for March's Celebrate the Season's over at 2Peas...this LO was based off the sketch by Nichol Magouirk, but this month I decided to just make a 1-pager instead of a 2-pager...I used Crystal Wilkerson's The March 365 Challenge Digital Kit which you can also find over at 2Peas...tfl

Hip Hop **REWIND**

Did you start your HOP today at ANGELAs BLOG...if not head back over there...check out today's deals and specials!

Have you all seen the March KOTM? OOOhhhh isn't it fun?


There is a new special running right now for NEW Kit Club Members... $15.00 off a past KOTM if you sign up this month! Now that is one AWESOME deal...and Cosmo Cricket is sponsoring a FREEBIE for EVERY SINGLE kit club member this month. WOO HOO how generous is that!!!

For today's Hip Hop Rewind I am focusing on the stamp set "School Rock Star" Doesn't my Ben just look like he ROCKS...he does - lol!!! and sometimes he doesn't!!! lol He's a totally cutie!!! And he sat down with me and actually helped me with the placement of this LO.


...this next LO is of my little guy Mason who is in Preschool...I really liked how versatile this set was I could make a real primary LO but also a more "grown up" LO as Ben put it ;)



Now its time to go see what HEATHER B has made for today :) Have a great day!!!

...one BIRTHDAY PARTY after another...

...this weekend...Mason had 2 Birthday parties to attend this weekend for his preschool buddies...I am exhausted!!!

I think I spent more time in the car this weekend this just hanging out at home...Ben also had his Baseball tryouts yesterday...so I spent 2 hours out in the cold wind!!! I could barely move...but I was thankful that it wasn't any colder then it was...Ben did really well and we are all looking forward to finding out who drafted him...along with the excitement that the Spring Baseball Season brings...LOTS OF BUSY nights at the ball field...lots of hotdogs...and sunflower seeds...lol





...for the Birthday parties I did manage to make the gifts and here is what I was able to put together...

For this one I pulled out the Feb. KOTM from Unity Stamping Co...






...and this one I couldn't resist using the you + me = happy I am telling you I CANNOT get enough of this stamp set...those turtles are TOO CUTE and this little flower is ADORABLE!!!

You + Me = Happy...PART TWO :)

Just like I PROMISED....here's LO #2...these photos of Ben and I were taken a couple of years ago...Ben looks so little...these photos make me laugh a little :) lol...ok a few of you are going to say..."Renee' I thought you said you didn't like Basic Grey!" I know...I know...I did say that...I normally do not...but I actually did like this new line "marrakech" and I really like how it all came together! ...and just a heads up a another LO I am working on that I will share real soon is also BG - maybe I am becoming a lover after all :D





I just can't say enough about this newest release by UNITY...I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!! **YOU + ME = HAPPY**

you + me = happy

...is that a cute name or what? That's today's **new** release over at Unity...I LOVE TURTLEs and the minute I saw it I immediately had TWO IDEAs for new LOs...this is just one...the other one I will share real soon...PROMISE ;) (I also used the "giggle" from the set "Something to Say" set.)



There really is so much in my life that makes me happy but today I want to share this...

GINA + ME = HAPPY, we had such a great time in Seattle last weekend...so many laughs were shared...many of them turned to tears...we get like that sometimes - lol we laughed till we cried!



Here's my second LO for today...I used a stamp from the Feb. KOTM :) it was perfect for another LO from my cruise :)



...now its time to head on over to Jimmi's Blog she's not only BEAUTIFUL she's so creative and FUNNY too...let's see what she has in store for us today...if you get a chance I'll see you have at SCS in the Unity Forum :)

So many changes...

...the days just keep flying by...and just like the changing of seasons...lots of changes going on here...our things are going back into storage...we'll be living more and more out of boxes...I said "goodbye" to a couple of my design teams and we are busy BUSY busy working on designing our "new" home. The Realtor and Stuart told me I had to pack up my scrapbook room and that STILL hasn't happend yet - as a matter of fact I've made a BIGGER mess instead of a smaller more organized one...uugghhhh why does this have to be so hard - LOL...last night in the midst of piles and I mean PILES I was able to make this card for someone special, I hope it can bring just a little bit of peace to her during this difficult time. I used a stamp from the Feb. KOTM from Unity :) tfl



...oh and Mason's little mini "ABC" book I made...to help him with his letter ID - it got picked up for publication so now I need to whip him out another one so we don't fall behind on that idenification :D - He is doing so well...last Friday he did a quick Kindergarten Assessment with Camryn's teacher and scored a 61 out of 80 - which is great since that is usually done at the beginning of the school year with kinders...and we still have 6 months to go before Mason is there - I am so proud of him! WAY TO GO MASON!!!

...and oh my goodness...look at this!!! Unity's March KOTM....oooohhhh I can't wait for this one...look at those Quail!!! Row's of quail are something we always see around here...this stamp will be something FUN to play with this month for sure :)