FWF Blinkie Winner!!!!

PHOTO SOURCE: http://www.orlandodreamin.com/attractions/assets/DisneysMagicKingdom.jpg

Me and my boys are on our way to Florida to visit Disney World! So, depending on what time we actually leave, traffic, how fast my husband drives, and when you look at this post we might be in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia or Florida!

Okay, enough about me, you are surely here to see who is the winner of the Unity prize for finding the FWF blinkie!

So, without any further ado........

Random.org picked #13

Gwen said...
Cute card, great use of the challenge! Have a great getaway time!Thanks for hosting the blinkie!
August 27, 2010 2:13 PM

CONGRATULATIONS Gwen! To claim your prize from Unity, please email Jimmi at: jimmi.mayo@gmail.com with their full name, mailing address and let her know you won the FWF Blinkie prize.

Thanks to everyone for your comments! I won't be around this week, I'll be having a "Magical" time with my husband and son in Disney! Please stop my blog next week for "Growing In Unity". Beginning Monday, September 6th, I will be sharing a Unity/ippity project every day on my blog!

PHOTO SOURCE: http://blogs.aggieathletics.com/fastbreak/files/2009/11/mickey-mouse.jpg

See ya then!

Have a great week!

xx, nora anne

Happy Friday! I'm extra HAPPY on this fine Friday since we will be hitting the road at 5am tomorrow to DISNEY WORLD! YAY! I feel like a little kid, I'm so excited! And I bet your especially HAPPY that you stopped by for a visit today because YOU FOUND IT! Yup, ya did! The Unity Flair is right here, so be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a prize from Unity!

My card today was made with the Unity Addicts challenge #15 in mind, black and white with a POP of color. It was quick and easy (5 minutes!) and I think it's pretty cute for such a fast card!



Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a fabulous Unity prize!

And if you haven't ordered your new {ippity} release stamps yet, stop by my sales blog, they are all in stock! as well as past releases still on clearance!

*I will be on vacation until 9/7 so any orders will ship on September 7th*

Have a great weekend!

xx, nora anne

Some Halloween Fun and Amuse Challenge

I broke out the Halloween goodies over the weekend and had some fun ! This little witch is one of those Studio G $1 sets from Michael's. I used Tim Holtz's Bingo embossing folder and one of the new Donna Salazar Smooch Spritz colors from Paper Wings. Many new colors in stock there!
I am entering this tag for the Simon Says Stamp challenge to make a "gift". This can be the tag for my gift OR a bookmark for all of you Halloween lovers out there!


These two tags are made with two Stampin Up Halloween sets I bought last year. All 3 tags are part of my workshop that I'll be doing next month at Paper Wings.


and this one is a Recollections set from Michael's. I love the images in this set, but like the Studio G $1 sets, they are cheap so they are not the best quality. To get a decent stamped image, I find I have to use Staz-on.

And this adorable stamp is by Impression Obsession. I stopped in to see my friends at One Little Spark on Saturday and couldn't resist the Laundry Night stamp~too cute!

Last, but not least, I made this card for the Amuse Challenge (AMC19), Stick to The Pattern. I've been wanting to do something like this since I saw this project on Ali Edward's blog. I still want to do a shadow box, but for now I just made a card.



Thanks for stopping by today :)

See you on Friday for Unity's FWF blog hop!

xx, nora anne

H{ippity} Hop Monday~Sketch Challenge

FINALLY, I got my act together to do one of the Unity Challenges on SCS. The card I made is for Hip Hop Sketch Challenge #21 {HHSC21}. The stamp set I used is What A Hoot, by Samantha Walker for Unity. I won this set during a Hip Hop a few Thursday's ago, how cool is that?! Another reason to ((heart)) Unity!
The DP is from K&Co and I used a scalloped border punch by EK Success. The owl is stamped with embossing ink and embossed with Ranger Distress embossing powder~love this stuff! Finished off with my hand-dyed wrinkly ribbon!


I also have another tag to share today (I'm obsessed!) This tag was crinkled up in a ball (great way to get your frustrations out-lol!), distressed with Ranger Tea Dye distress ink and then stamped with the Music of My Heart background stamp from {ippity}. Love this stamp!!!
I punched two stars, ran them through my Xyron and then covered them with some silver Martha Stewart glitter. Paired it up with two little pieces of trim and Voila~cute little tag!
I will actually be doing a tag workshop next month at Paper Wings in Brant Beach and this happens to be one of them!

Well, that's all for now! Next stop on the hop is The Year For Change or you can go back to the {ippity} blog for a full list of participants.
Have a great week! 5 more days til Disney!!!!
xx, nora anne

Three Years In Heaven

I love you and miss you everyday Mommy!

My Mother seems so far away from me,

On that beautiful white shore across the sea.

Yet I remember love’s soft glow upon her face,

And the feel of her touch and tender embrace.

When I am weary from the burdens I’ve borne,

And the path is unclear and I feel so forlorn,

I remember her loving support was always near,

And her advice made the path ahead seem clear.

When I feel there is no one who seems to care,

Or when the heartache seems too hard to bear,

I remember how she always stood by my side,

And would tenderly wipe away the tears I cried.

When there are moments of great joy and pride,

And I wish my Mother was standing at my side,

I remember she saw more than I thought I could be,

And know I owe my triumphs to her belief in me.

When I reminisce about the things she used to say,

And I miss her and think she is so far away,

I remember what she gave lives on through me,

And one day I’ll see her on the shore across the sea.

Source: Remembering My Mother

TGIFWF!

Yay! Friday :) One more week and we will be leaving for Disney World-woohoo! Can't wait!
I got into making some tags last night with my {ippity} stamps after seeing some cute ones during Monday's H{ippity} Hop!
Christmas in August!

Stop by the Unity blog to see the list of participants!

Enjoy your weekend!
xx, nora anne

4 Simple Goals Progress

As you know, I decided to join Elsie Flanagan and many of her blog followers in 4 Simple Goals. And HERE is where you can find my list of goals to reach before I turn 40 in February 2011. In my original post, I mentioned I may share some BEFORE pictures of my crafty space to motivate me by embarrassment! So, here is the first photo of my workspace (hanging head in shame).

So, this may not look SO bad if it was only this spot that was messy from a few projects and these particular items just needed to be put away and tidied up, but I have to admit the entire room is as bad as this table which is why it's so overwhelming! I am proud to say I did spend about 3 hours in there this weekend and made a bit of progress. I will share some of those photos later in the week.

I didn't get much done in the closet (goal#2), but I did eat a fair amount of strawberries this weekend (goal#3) and I also made a few cards (goal#4)!

Now to just keep it up!

xx, noraanne

Books A Flutter & a New Watermark!

Happy H{ippity} Hop Monday! Quick little project today using the Books A Flutter stamp set by {ippity}! This project was "cased" from Lisa's project on SCS that I really loved! I'm going to keep it short today, gotta run. Swing by the {ippity} blog to see the full list of participants, or go visit Christy for the next stop on the hop!

I still have a great sale going on previous {ippity} releases, if you're interested in low prices and FREE SHIPPING, click ------->>>>>HERE!!!!!!

Enjoy your week!
xx, nora anne

p.s. Do you like my new watermark on my first photo?!?! I'm still learning how to do it, so it's only on one photo! But, it you would like to get your own customized watermark, check out Lisa's blog, she does awesome work and is SO FAST! Great customer service and lots of talent!

Unity & Teresa Collins

Happy Friday! I have two projects to share with you today for Unity's Friends With Flair blog hop and they are both using Teresa Collins. The first is a layout using her new Celebrate line that was just released, LOVE THIS collection! The little "tickets" are from Unity's November 2009 KOM, Simply Magical.

Next is my card using stamps from Donna Downey's "She" set, available for purchase at Paper Wings in Brant Beach, NJ! When I saw this set I fell in love with the image, there is just something about it! The DP for this card is Teresa Collins Chic Bebe Girl line.

Did you all get a chance to check out {ippity's} new release?! It's AWESOME, isn't it?! I can't pick which is my favorite and the DT and ippity chicks that were hopping yesterday shared so many inspiring projects, it was incredible!

If you are looking for some of the past releases at incredible prices, click HERE! to check it out!

Have a great weekend, next stop on the hop is the talented Jo, who is also hosting Growing In Unity on her blog this week, make sure to check it out!

Or if you didn't start at the beginning go back to the Unity blog to see the whole list of participants today!

xx, nora anne

4 Simple Goals

Good Morning All,

I've decided to join Elsie Flanagan in her blog project, 4 simple goals. I am turning 40 in February, so I thought it would be a good time to set some life goals for myself to try and accomplish before turning 40. Nothing too complicated or stressful. Just some small changes I would like to make in my life to make it more pleasant for myself!

1. Spend time in my loft at least two nights a week organizing and de-stashing/de-cluttering. I have so many beautiful scrapbook papers, stamps and supplies that I find myself "rarely" using because my space is such a mess and I do not make the time to go up there and do something about it. **I think I might get brave and post a BEFORE photo to embarrass myself into sticking to it-LOL!**

2. Clean out my closet little by little and get rid of things that I have been "holding onto until I lose some weight"! I am not giving up on trying to lose some weight and getting healthier. But right now, the clutter is overwhelming me and if, no WHEN I lose some weight I can reward myself with a few new wardrobe goodies! (I have already started cleaning out the closet, donating clothes and consigning some and it feels GOOD! My goal is to keep up with it.

3. Make more nutritional food choices. I always try to get my son to eat more fruits and vegetables but I am not setting a good example by doing the same myself. Being healthier and eating better will help me accomplish my other goals!

4. Create MORE! This will go hand in hand with goal #1. The main reason I do not spend more time creating, is the mess I've got in my loft! I cannot focus on anything with the mess around me-LOL! So I need to stop thinking about it and JUST DO IT!

I know my goals are not very original, but accomplishing them will make my life so much better, I think about doing these things all the time but do not take action. Now that I have gotten them down in writing, it's time to STOP making excuses! I will be posting updates on my blog to keep me going! Why not join in and set some goals for yourself?!?!

Thanks to Elsie for the never ending inspiration!!!!!!!

xx, nora anne

Ippity Giveaway Winner!!!!!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 13
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Random.org picked #13


Terri E. said...
I adore this sentiment! It's a good life!Terri E.
August 6, 2010 9:50 PM

CONGRATULATIONS TERRI E!!!!!

Thanks to everyone who played along. I appreciate all of your comments and visits to my blog! Terri, please email me your address to noraanne@verizon.net

Hope everyone has a good Tuesday afternoon!
xx, nora anne

Cupcakes!

Here's my card for today's H{ippity} Hop! This card started out completely different in my mind, but it was just not turning out the way I pictured it initially so I just went with it. The cupcakes are cut from my new EK Success punch that I just picked up in Michael's, I think it's so adorable! I meant to put some bling on each of the cherries but just realized as I'm typing this that I forgot them-oops! I distressed the edges of the Coredinations cardstock with my Close To My Heart distressing tool to give it some texture. The burlap ribbon is also from Michael's. The birthday wishes stamp is from the Just Wanted To Say set by Ippity.
Check the ippity blog for the rest of the hop participants today! and if you haven't already, leave a comment HERE for a chance to win Where You Should Be.

Thanks for stopping by today!
Hugs, nora anne

Flower Tutorial and {ippity} Giveaway

****SCROLL DOWN FOR MY FRIENDS WITH FLAIR POST****

Well, here I finally am with my flower tutorial, and I'll have to apologize! My tripod is on it's last leg (no pun intended!!!) so I couldn't actually take photos to demonstrate me actually DOING the flower, but I think you'll get the idea!

Supplies needed: Sparkle Mod Podge, scalloped circle punches (any size) but I used 3" and 2". A foam brush, a brad and a piercer or hole puncher of some sort.

And don't forget about your vintage sheet music! I found a whole box of these bad boys at an Antique Consignment shop on my lunch break one day.

Punch your scalloped circles out, I used four 3" circles and three 2" circles, I like my flower to be nice and full.

Crinkle them up in a ball and then un-crinkle them :) This will give them some texture and also help to prevent them from sticking to your drying surface.

Apply a pretty generous coat of sparkle Mod Podge to both sides of each piece. I used a paper plate to work on and then put them on tin foil to dry (they didn't stick to the tin foil much).

Let them dry for about 15-20 minutes, they should still be tacky. Stack them all on top of each other as pictured (in the picture they do not have mod podge on them, but you get the idea, right?!)

Use your paper piercer or hole punch to make a hole through the center and insert your brad. Now you can crinkle it up some more and shape it to how you like it. Set it aside to dry all the way. It will dry very stiff and crunchy, and sparkly beautiful!!

If you do not have access to Vintage sheet music and would like to make your own flowers, you can purchase the pre-punched scallops HERE in my Etsy shop!

You've seen these before, but here are some samples of flowers used on a layout and a card.

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial today! To thank you all for your visits to my little blog and the lovely comments you leave that brighten my day, I would like to do a giveaway today! All you have to do is leave a comment here on this post and you will be entered to win the "Where You Should Be" ippity set pictured below, along with some pre-punched scallops to make your own flower and some other goodies that I will throw in for the winner :)

The winner will be announced on Tuesday! Have a great weekend!

xx, nora anne

Unity Friend's With Flair Blog Hop

Happy Friday!
I have another simple card for you today using the Shine sentiment stamp from Unity and Basic Grey DP. These sentiment stamps are so easy and fun to work with when you need a pretty simple card.

Thanks for stopping by today, next stop on the hop is Carolina or if you didn't start at the beginning you can go HERE to see the full list of participants!

*****I'm still running a clearance sale on Ippity stamps, free shipping and LOW prices*****
Check it out HERE!
email me to order @ noraanne@verizon.net

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!!
xx, nora anne

I'm late, I'm late!

I know I promised my flower tutorial yesterday, HOWEVER, I spent 4 hours at the allergist being poked and prodded and left there with 6 prescriptions, apparently I am allergic to EVERYTHING! LOL!

When I got home I had the pleasure of spending the night with a 3 foot little man (my adorable nephew)! so plans got a little sidetracked, but it's coming SOON (I better make this good, huh?!?!) Maybe I will throw in an {ippity} giveaway for being LATE! Sounds good! I think I'll do that :) STAY TUNED.......

Have a happy Tuesday!
xx, nora anne

Ippity HUGE BLOW OUT Sale!

For all of you out there who haven't tried {Ippity} stamps yet, and for those of you who have and know how AWESOME they are, this SALE is for YOU!
Please email me at noraanne@verizon.net if you would like to purchase, they are available on a first-come first-served basis, while supplies last!
In addition to the drastically reduced prices below, I am also offering FREE SHIPPING!!!!!! (on US orders only! email me for international shipping quote)

See HERE for pictures of each set!

Straight From the Heart - $8.00 (MSRP $18.00) 4 available
Moonbeams & Heartstrings - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 2 available
Regal Greetings - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 3 available
Sweet Thoughts of Spring - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 3 available
Music of My Heart - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 2 available
Kissmas & Mistletoe - $8.00 (MSRP $18.00) 1 available
Devoted - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 1 available
Life's Little Moments - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 1 available
Love In Return - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 2 available
What Matters Most - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 3 available
Fishy Philosophy - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 1 available
Where You Should Be - $8.00 (MSRP $18.00) 3 available
Because of You - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 2 available
Alphabetically Adorable - $12.00 (MSRP $24.00) 1 available

All Sets Will Be Shipped First Class Mail (unless otherwise requested)

My sister came to visit for the weekend, so I didn't have any crafty time this weekend. We went to the beach and went boating~lots of fun! So I don't have a new ippity project to share today, but I did make this very simple card the other day with one of my favorite Unity sentiment stamps.
Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow with a flower tutorial!
xx, nora anne