A Card and A Contest!

Good morning everyone!
Normally on Thursdays here you'll see my take on the weekly UDI Blog Inspiration Challenge - notice I said NORMALLY! :)
For the past two weeks, I've been focused with "gazelle like intensity" (if you are a Dave Ramsey fan, you know what that means!) on my goal of earning the SU! Alaska cruise. Consequently, there hasn't been much "fun" stamping going on here with the exception of the times I've had parties and classes here. That is going to change today - I'm itching to get into the studio and let the mojo flow! So you'll see some new creations from me over the coming days.

This card is actually a re-do of a Stamping 411 card I did a few weeks ago. Here is the original post, and here is my new version:

My stamped bunny mutiliating friend Diana Gibbs invited me to participate in her swap for cards showcasing products from the new catalog that comes out next week. So, since I loved the original card so much, I updated it a bit.

So, let's have some fun, shall we?
Leave me a comment on this post and tell me what the differences are from the first card to this one! The guesser who gets them all correct will get their very own copy of this card in the mail! BE sure to name the different supplies used in both, including stamp sets. I'm not giving you a supply list today, but I'll post it on Saturday evening with the name of the winner!

I hope to get my UDI Inspiration Challenge card stamped and posted today, but in the meantime, check out the other design teams projects by visiting the UDI Blog.

Thanks for visiting me - can't wait to see what your guesses are!
Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

**In case you were wondering, I am still working on getting on the boat to Alaska and am hopeful that by Saturday, this dream will be a reality! I am painfully close - too close to give up now - so if you are a client of mine, or if you are a regular blog reader and don't have a local demonstrator that you support, please consider placing an order with me before the 30th. An order of ANY size helps from a pack of envelopes to a SNAIL refill to the Big Shot! :) You all are the BEST and I appreciate you so very much!

ECS Charity Raffle Winners Announced!

Good morning stamping friends!

It's not often that I am at a loss for words, however, I've been so amazed at the outpouring of generosity during the raffle I held for the Emmanuel Christian School Art Department, I just don't know where to begin this message.
So many of you purchased tickets and just straight up donated money towards the purchase of supplies - I am overwhelmed with the huge response from your hearts.
I really shouldn't be surprised - stampers are known for their big hearts and giving nature - after all, we make and send hand stamped art from the heart!

I am so excited to announce that your generosity in participating in the raffle and donating funds raised $790.00!
That is so much more than I had anticipated and every penny will go toward the purchase of art supplies for the Elementary students this upcoming school year.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you - whether you bought a single ticket or donated money - you are all amazing people and I am grateful for each of you!

Now, would you like to know who actually WON the raffle prizes?!!!

Ok, I had my daughter Emma draw the winners names from a basket of tickets that I'd filled out with all the participants names on them.
The first one she picked actually sent her money in this gorgeous hand-stamped card:

SELENE KEMPTON!!

Yes, Selene was the first name drawn from the basket and we called her to tell her so! She was so stinkin' excited she started squealing - and she may have even cried! She, of course, chose the Cruise Purse and told me that she'd be sporting it with pride on next year's Alaska cruise! (Yes, she and I are still working on earning it. We've been encouraging each other along the way, but we both still need a little help from our stamping friends!)

So next, Emma drew the second name from the basket and the winner of the Big Shot Die Cut Machine was.........

BETTY KEALEY!!

The best part of Betty winning the Big Shot is that she is actually one of my Stampin' Fools stampers club - they meet here once a month to stamp and be foolish (have fun) but these ladies have the biggest hearts and always bring so much life to the studio when they are here playing. I just love each one of them and it was so fun to be able to tell Betty in person that night that she had won the Big Shot! It had been on her wish list for a while now, but she hadn't taken the plunge yet.
Betty, your Big Shot is on it's way to you now!
Thanks so much for being you!

I'll be meeting with the ECS art teacher this week to complete her wish list of supplies and they will soon be on the way to her so she can plan her classes and projects for the kids.
I know she will be amazed and overwhelmed when I tell her how much was raised.
You ALL are a blessing and I am praising God for you today!

Have a wonderful day friends!
~~Robin

Card today by Selene Kempton, all supplies SU!
Stamps: Because I Care (SU! hostess set sneak peek), Medallion
Inks: Concord Crush, Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive, Concord Crush, Shimmer White
Accessories: Vanilla Smooch Spray, Scalloped Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

Internet Restored - Meltdown Averted!

Yes, really! Have you ever felt that way?!
My goodness, I never realized how much I depend on having internet access to get stuff done and stay connected. My good friends know that I'm computer averse - it's a tool, not a toy - at least that's what I tell my daughter. But between business stuff and family stuff like checking bank balances, movie times, restaurant menus, etc., its pretty hard to live without it! It's been killing me these past few days just checking e-mails on my iphone - it's so hard to write a long response on that thing - and not having an easy ability to just "go look it up".

I was also able to confirm the theory that when the repair people give you a window of say between 8 am and noon, they really mean the last possible second before noon, so just prepare yourself. Yep, 11:59 am today, that's when he showed up. Ai-yi-yi!

Did anyone watch the Next Food Network Star last night? Well, DON'T tell me, I'm waiting to record the rerun this week to see who got tripped and fell flat on their face. It was in the commercial, but you couldn't tell who was involved. THAT could be a nasty kitchen accident!

I know one thing that is NOT an accident and that's this card. I love pink and black together and this new Elements of Style stamp set just makes those colors wowzers together!

We made this card at my June Just Cards Classes and the gals loved it! It was our last real chance to use the Black Gingham ribbon since it's retiring and I love the French County look it lends to this card. Fancy, but not so much, kwim?
All the stamping was done with the Black Staz-On pad (I love the clean, crisp look it gives) and I used my Pretty in Pink Watercolor Wonder Crayon and the Aqua Painter to color in the flowers.
The focal panels are popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals, as is the greeting circle, so a total of 6 dimensionals were sacrificed in the making of this card! :)
Yep, there is a reason I keep multiple packs of them in the studio - they don't last long!

Thanks for stopping by today - I love when you visit me! Be sure to come back tomorrow, I'll be announcing the winners of my Cruise Purse and Big Shot Raffle and sharing how much money you helped me raise for the ECS Art Department! I'm waiting to notify the two winners first!

Stamped blessings,
~~Robin

Tropical Father's Day

Hey everyone!

I know it's the day after Father's Day, but I couldn't very well put Mark's card on my blog yesterday - he would have seen it! :)

Actually, this card is great for any masculine occasion and the gals at my June classes loved it!

The greeting came from Teeny Tiny Wishes and just about any from that set would work well here. Lots of the gals in class made use of Happy Birthday with this one.

I used that fabulous Lattice Embossing Folder on this one, sponging the Kraft (Crumb Cake) cardstock with Soft Suede ink to match the other cardstock. I used Old Olive and Naturals White too, along with a piece of that Island Oasis DSP.
A few Vintage Brads, some Twill Tape and, voila! we've got a card!
Oops! Almost forgot, we sprayed it with Log Cabin Smooch Spray to give it some Wow!

Mark loved it and I hope you do too!
Have a great day today - still no internet at our house, hopefully by the end of the day, I'll keep you posted!
Blessings,
~~Robin

The Dads in My Life

Happy Father's Day Dad!
Happy Father's Day Mark!

You are two of the best Dads ever and Emma and I are so blessed to have you in our lives.

To all my blog readers, I hope you are able to enjoy a day with the Dads in your life, or if not, that you have happy memories to share with the ones you love. I know for some, their relationship with their Father in this life is difficult or has been troubled, but I pray that you know our Heavenly Father who loves you and cares for you even when our earthly ones do not. The love of God our Father is greater than any hurt or pain you've experienced and can heal any wound if you only let Him. I promise to pray for you today my friend.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband who is just the most amazing Father to our daughter Emma. When she was a newborn, I was brought to tears one day when I saw Mark changing her diaper. I quickly told him that I'd be happy to take care of that, but he turned to me and said "I don't ever want Emma to think that I didn't care enough about her to take care of her when she needs me." And 12 years later , he still is taking care of her, and me for that matter. He is truly an extraordinary man.
I found a few of my favorite photos of the two of them to share with you today. One thing you may notice is that we always have fun together as a family, we are so fortunate to have lots of joy and laughter in our home and Mark's wacky sense of humor is often the catalyst for our laughter!

Here he is dancing with Emma at a friend's wedding several years ago.

They made the most beautiful couple!

Outside the Carnegie Deli on Seventh Ave. in NYC.
Yes, their cheesecake is really the most fabulous on earth!

You can see we've just enjoyed a piece!

Here they are clowning around at the Kittery Trading Post in Kittery, Maine.
It was August, but really, don't you always need a good winter hat?

From the coast of Maine to the coast of North Carolina, here they are on the beach at Pine Knoll Shores.
Hang loose!

Mark and Emma love to spend time together in the kitchen. He is a wonderful cook and is patiently teaching her the basics. This was at the beach house that year and they were making homemade Salsa. It was a particularly fragrant batch if I remember correctly. We had to go outside for awhile........

I wish I had some photos of me and my Dad loaded onto this computer so I could show you all the fun things we used to do together when I was little. He taught me to fish, and how to roast a marshmallow to just the right consistency to slide perfectly off the stick we'd whittled onto the graham cracker and Hershey bar. He taught me that football was not just for the boys, and I enjoyed many Sunday afternoons curled up in the afghan on the couch watching our beloved Redskins. He also taught me the value of hard work, determination, and kindness along the way. He taught me that with a solid days work and a clear conscious, you could really sleep well at night. He also taught me that love conquers all, as I never saw a day go by without him telling me and my Mother that he loved us, even when times were tough or I wasn't being very lovable.

My Dad has apologized to me in the past for being what he said was "not a very good Dad", but what he really needs to know is that his guidance and love were the voice in my head at times I truly needed a helping hand or great advice. My Dad is a good man, not perfect - who is, but he did his best to take care of me and my Mom and taught me solid values along the way. I am partially a product of his expectations for me and I'm grateful for them and for him.
I am especially grateful that in spite of his terrible illness this past year and all the hospitalizations, I still get to spend another Father's Day with him, reminding him of how much he is loved and cherished.

There is an older country song by a gal named Holly Dunn that sums up pretty well how I feel about my Dad. I was able to find a video of it on You Tube and I'm sharing it with you here today.

Blessings to you all - have a wonderful day!
~~Robin

No Phone, No Internet, No TV - Yikes!

Well, it's been an interesting day in the Merriman home.............Mark was mowing the grass this morning in advance of my big sale and the mower hit the Verizon box on the side of the house. So, we have no service until sometime Monday morning!

Thank goodness Emma had synchro practice this afternoon and the rink has free Wifi - I am burning up my keyboard getting some work done! :)
Bonus! It is nice and cool in here and it's 95 degrees in the shade outside - sometimes being a skating Mom has great benefits!

So, wherever you are, enjoy your Father's Day tomorrow and someone please watch the Next Food Network Star for me tomorrow night since I'll apparently have to wait for the rerun next week! Uggh!

Robin

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge SSC156

I'm so happy to be posting again - it's been such a crazy week around here! I've been cleaning out my studio for the big sale tomorrow, doing end of the school year stuff with Emma - today is her last day of 6th grade. Just where does the time go? She is such a beautiful young lady, both inside and out. I'm so proud of the way she has grown this year, she embraced middle school and has thrived there. Much different from my own middle school experiences, believe me!
Here is the photo I took of her this morning before she headed out to catch the bus. Emma has her own sense of style and embraces it just like she embraces everything else in her life. Since today was a special day, she thought it deserved a very special outfit.

What you can't see in the photo are the cute black leggings with her treasured Coach black tennis shoes. So chic and so very Emma!

So, I know you didn't visit today just to see a cute photo of my girl, you came to see something creative! How about the latest Sketch from Stamping 411?! In all the chaos this week, I've managed to stamp just two new cards, my UDI card yesterday and this one. Honestly, I should stamp under pressure more often because I really like them both!
Here is the sketch from Selene (I did remind her that I hate working with diamond shaped elements!) but that didn't stop her! LOL!

And as you can see, it worked out pretty good for this card:

I started with just the sketch and a plan to use the new colors, Cherry Cobbler and Marina Mist with Crumb Cake (Kraft). And I thought that the colors lent themselves well to a patriotic type card, so that's where I went with it.
My complete supply list is at the bottom of this post for you, but I started the card with a folded card base of Crumb Cake cut at 4 1/4" x 11". Using the Hero Jumbo Wheel, I rolled Marina Mist ink across the bottom of the card front.
When this ink is stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock, it looks closer to Not Quite Navy so that is the blue cardstock I used here. The soldier image from the Courage stamp set is inked in Marina Mist as well.
I sponged all the Crumb Cake pieces with matching ink including the panel with the stars.

To make that panel, I used my Stars #2 Die and my Big Shot to cut out the two small stars. I adhered them to the Crumb Cake panel and trimmed off the edges with my Paper Snips. The sponging really brought out the texture there. I love the subtle look of this.

The diamond shaped focal point is mounted on Stampin' Dimensionals as is the greeting which was stamped with the Elegant Thank You single stamp.

I have a special military family in mind to send this card to, they are stationed in Germany and their Daddy has just been deployed to Afghanistan. Our military members and their families bear so much and sacrifice so much for us to protect our freedoms - I am so grateful that they are willing to stand in the gap.

Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my post and my blog - I appreciate you more than you know! Be sure to check the other operators creations over at Stamping 411 - I know they will blow you away with their takes on this sketch!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Blessings,
~~Robin

Supply List (All SU!):
Stamps: Courage, Elegant Thank You, Hero Jumbo Wheel
Inks: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Big Shot, Stars #2 Die, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, Jumbo Wheel Handle, Word Window Punch