Jolee's First Birthday

My Little Lamb is getting so big! Jolee turns one today, and we had a small birthday party for her last night. It was great having everyone over, and the kids were super excited to see all their favorite aunties, uncles, and grandparents at the same time.
My sister, Jackie, is a professional baker and chef and she made my cake dream come true. Jolee's middle name, Rachel, means little lamb. I found this adorable lamb cake mold on clearance at Jo-Ann's and knew it was perfect! I had less confidence in my own decorating skills, but had this idea in my head of what I wanted it to look like (how many times have we done that with ideas for cards?). Auntie Jackie did an amazing job and everyone loved it -- even Jolee!

DeNami Sketch Challenge #1

I've stamped more this week than I have in a long time. Between doing a custom scrapbook for a dear friend, miscellaneous projects and challenges, and prepping for my first stamping class of this season, my stamping area has seen a lot of activity. Sometimes it's challenging to work around little hands wanting to help (Maddie-4, Jolee-11 months), but I try to turn it into a "Mommy and Me" moment. Fortunately, Maddie isn't very particular about the kinds of paper scraps she gets; she just loves to be part of the creative process with me! It's pretty cute. Baby Jolee just wants to eat everything she gets her grubby little paws on.

Paulina has offered up a Sketch Challenge at the DeNami blog, so here is my version. The daisy stamps from DeNami are some of my all-time favorites and I find myself falling back on that collection often. You can see more daisy card ideas here.

SUPPLIES 
Stamps: B85 Small Solid Circle, J77 Large Daisy Blossom, N129 Scallop Border, PF05 Rosevine Flowers stamp set, TR25 Let's Get Together stamp set (all stamps by DeNami Design)
Cardstock: White, Chocolate Brown, pink dots paper
Sand Boutique Buttons
Extra Fine Sparklets Glitter
Quickie Glue Pen (a must-have!)
Tombow Markers: 162 Pale Yellow, 673 Orchid, 800 Light Pink

Easter is just around the corner!

Happy Spring everyone! Yesterday was sunny and warm here in the Pacific Northwest and I loved it! It's a little grayer today, but inside I'm stamping with bright, sunny colors for Easter. Jolee's first birthday is five days before Easter this year, and her middle name (Rachel) means "little lamb," so I'm thinking a springtime/lamb theme to celebrate.
In the meantime, however, I have a few Easter projects to share.

This uses one of my new favorite products, the Cotton White Staz-On Opaque ink pad. It stamps on almost any surface, and I was surprised at how quickly it dried on this cool clear box. A simple ribbon wrap and a cute circle punch completes this yummy treat box. I love the pretty colors peeking through... ok, I just love candy! I used almond M&M's because they are egg-shaped, and chocolate and almonds are one of my favorite candy combos, but you could use skittles, jelly beans, foil-wrapped chocolate eggs, anything! And I confess, I have been munching on the leftover candy for two days. Oh, I also used DeNami's Fun Fluff on the chickie :-). See, touch, taste!

SUPPLIES
All stamps by DeNami Design: D110 Easter Chickie, E98 Small Dot Wreath, TR24 Easter Eggs stamp set
Ink pads: Smoky Grey Versafine, Sea Breeze Versamagic
Ribbon: Robin's Egg Blue/White Dots ribbon (5/8-width)
White Fun Fluff
Clear Boutique Boxes
1½-in Scallop Circle Punch
White Cards
Tombow Markers: 133 Chartreuse, 162 Pale Yellow, 491 Glacier Blue, 673 Orchid, 703 Pink Rose, 985 Chrome Yellow


Easter cards are such a great excuse to use lots of bright, yummy colors! I love the Brilliance ink pads - they are quick-drying, have lots of great colors, and match the DeNami papers perfectly! (Sorry my photo isn't so great, I'm still figuring out the best way to get my cards online.)

SUPPLIES
All stamps by DeNami Design: A93 Teeny Swiss Dot, F174 Chickie Easter Basket, TR24 Easter Eggs stamp set
Ink pads: Pearlescent Lime Brilliance, Pearlescent Jade Brilliance, Pearlescent Orchid Brilliance, Pearlescent Purple Brilliance, Smoky Grey Versafine
Paper: White, Iridescent Aquamarine, Lime, Magenta
Tombow Markers: 133 Chartreuse, 162 Pale Yellow, 173 Willow Green, 452 Process Blue, 491 Glacier Blue, 623 Purple Sage, 673 Orchid, 703 Pink Rose, 985 Chrome Yellow
Other Supplies: 2" Scallop Circle Punch, 2½" Circle Punch, White Fun Fluff, Citrone Sparklets Glitter, Extra Fine Sparklets Glitter

My first post!

Hello everyone!

Well, I finally created my blog. After collaborating with Nami and Paulina on the beautiful new blog for DeNami Design and seeing what others share online, I had to get in on all the fun. I have the privilege of being a part of the DeNami Design Team, and I couldn't be the only one without a blog! My posts will likely feature a lot of DeNami stamping projects, but maybe a little about my own life as well.

Stay tuned, and God bless!