Guess what I got in the mail??!!

So, do you remember that card that I sent to Card Maker that "got lost" and then somehow a few months later I got a check in the mail for it, then an e-mail that it would be in the March issue, and then it wasn't??? Well, we took our daily walk to the mailbox and there was a package for me. I wasn't expecting anything so DH opened it and inside were two copies of Card Maker May 09!!! Check out page 72!! So exciting! I've had some e-zine publications, but this is my first "in print". And it's a full page!

MyTimeless30 Sketch

My inspiration for todays card came from Lauren's search for a new challenge design team. She posted last week about wanting to change up her blog and her challenges, and that she would be looking for a new team. To apply we had to use one of the three sketches that she posted. I picked the MyTimeless30 sketch, and changed it up a bit. Thankfully she extended the deadline. With my morning (all day long) sickness and this welcome home bar-b-q for the soldiers I wasn't able to get it finished this weekend. For some great inspiration and more info on her weekly challenges, check out Lauren's blog here. I can't wait to see the team she picks, I know they will be great!
A little about the card... I chose not to do the first sketch because I just did a card using Taylors Cupcake Challenge 62 that was almost identical, so I chose to start with the second sketch. I usually follow sketches pretty closely, but I when I saw this sketch, I saw scallops for my card and decided to change the rectangle in the back to a circle. I also flip flopped the 3 "embellishments" and the sentiment to make it fit the stamp I used. Rather than using square embelishments like the sketch, mine are hearts. For my supplies I went "green" and upcycled a few patterned pretties I've been holding on to. The flocked damask print came from a store bought Christmas card a freind sent me last year. The pattern was so pretty I couldn't throw it out, so I cut out the section of damask print with my nestabilities, and tossed the rest. The black dot came from the packaging of a Target dollar spot purchase and the pink stripes were off of another premade card that turned into scrap paper. The hearts are cut with QuicKutz from scraps, glittered and pop-dotted onto the ribbon. The rest came from cs and embelishments that I had on hand. I love the way it turned out. I'll have to try not following the sketches so closely more often. :) Maybe tomorrow I'll get a chance to try the third sketch.

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge 62

Back in the game!!! Sort of... I've had some time again to not just stamp, but to start looking at some of the challenges and playing along in a few. Honestly, I need to be getting some mojo and doing some layout challenges, but cards have become my favorite. I really need some inspiration to get started on some layouts though. Can you believe Bug is 18 months already and she only has 7 pages in her first year book and 1 in her second?? Maybe I'll try a page tomorrow :) For today I used Taylor's Cupcake Challenge 62 to make this thank you card. I do believe we have had our last bit of cold here in Texas, so in remembrance of the wonderful cold weather, I chose to use my warm wishes set that I hadn't inked up yet. I actually inked up a few of the images trying to decide which one to use. Maybe tomorrow *after I get a LO or two done* I'll use another of the images on another card challenge.
Here's the sketch...

And here's my card...