Wednesday, September 29, 2010

WELCOME...

to the newest members of the Pixie Cottage Design Team:

Nanda - Senior Designer
Paola- Junior Designer
Sadia-Junior Designer
Lisette - Junior Designer
Suzi - Junior Designer
Carla - Junior Designer

I can't wait to see your Pixie Cottage creations!!!


Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The cat that swallowed...

not only the canary, but all of the Halloween Candy too!

Indulgent Sugar high, caloric tremors,

pre-tummy ache for sure;

that's why he looks SO content

and is the new poster kitty for:

WHY not to buy your October 31st TREATS EARLY!




This week's challenge at The Pixie Cottage --#38

is ORANGE and the sketch By AUD Nordheim


You have the option of using one or the other or both.

To be eligible to win Pixie Cottage Stamps

post and link back a new fitting creation to The Pixie Cottage Challenge #38

I combine the two and created this Sweet card:


equipped with removable tag for a bit of extra journaling!

A great place to jot down what time the gym opens!



The star of the card is my latest furry friend
to reside in the The Pixie Cottage DIGITAL Shoppe

Introducing OREO


Hopefully running all over Blog land
to enter some challenges
will get him up and moving:


Stamp It Crazy free for all
Gingerloft Happy Haunting
One Stitch at a Time - Anything Goes
Incy Wincy - Anything Goes
Make It Crafty - Anything Goes
Stamp Something - Fall colors
Meljens - Fall Colors
Stamptacular Sunday - Colors of Fall
Creative Stamp Friends - Autumn
Craftalicious - Autumn Colors
Drunken Stampers - Fall
A Crafty Little Place - Autumn
Flourishes - Autumn
Speedy The Cats Friends - Pumpkin
Stampin For The Weekend - Tag It

Practical Scrappers -Stamps!
Paper Pretties -Animal or Animal Print


Thank you very much!


Can't wait to see what you concoct!

*****


Last week the Pixie Cottage and Sienna


teamed up to bring you


SIENNA’s Benefit Autism STAMPS


for more on Sienna .


THANK YOU for supporting their cause


and for sharing this information with everyone you know!!!


A few weeks ago we attended Open House. I documented our evening to share with Daddy. When my eyes fell upon the HERO portion of Sienna's poster my heart skipped a beat.



I couldn't wait to get home and email Miss Michelle...


WOW. It just amazes me how God puts particular people in our life and how a little bit thoughtfulness and kindness can blossom into something more than we ever could have imagined on our own.


If you've read the blog posts with Sienna's letter explaining her choice of benefit. You know that she had to spend 2 weeks in National Jewish Hospital in Denver. We were blessed to have insurance, but only the first 2 nights were required hospital stays, the additional 12 nights you were on your own. A friend of mine, Miss Debbie, that I met attending weekend crops, has a sister, Miss Gayla, that lives in Denver. Miss Gayla, opened her heart and home to Sean and Sienna. Giving a scared child a sense of comfort and normalcy. Because of her thoughtfulness Sienna was able to meet STAR.


(I emailed Miss Gayla about SIENNA’s Benefit Autism STAMPS)


she wrote back:


Sienna,

How can all the children you will help ever thank you. I have sent your link to many people this evening and will continue to send it on. Angel and Star are here this evening when I got your message and we all have a tear of joy and thanks in our hearts and eyes. Because of people like you children all over the world will get better. They will learn to talk, to walk, to sing, and most of all to draw. You all by your self are changing the world. YOU are my hero.


Thank you Gayla


Who is your HERO?


Who has God put in your path


and what wonderful things


does he have up his creative sleeve in store for you?




Friday, September 24, 2010

Sienna's Stamps benefit AUTISM...

Have you ever been so passionate

about something that you eat, sleep,

DREAM about it every day and night?


This is how Sienna is about ART
and Caring for others.

Her "love language" is the gift of giving.

If you are blessed to truly know Sienna,

chances are she has made you something;

from a card, to a purse, to a critter from craft supplies.

My children have always had access to my studio,

half of it is dedicated to them.

Art is something I live out loud daily...

it is no wonder they have followed suit.


This past spring as Sienna saw more and more of my images

becoming tangible Pixie Cottage Stamps she started inquiring...

"Are there any children that make stamps?"

"Do you think I could have my very own stamp?"

I encouraged her to continue drawing

and to email Miss Michelle, owner of the Pixie Cottage.


Sienna did just that!

The following pics are the night Sienna read the email

from Miss Michelle...

saying "YES, Sienna,



I will make one of your images into a rubber stamp!"


Can you feel her excitement!!!!?
It was in June when discussions furthered
and the plan became to use Sienna's ART to benefit others.
Sienna was thrilled with the concept
and wrote about which charity she selected and why:
***
Hi my name is Sienna. I’m 9 years old. I love art! My favorite is drawing and coloring. My mom told me about illustrating stamps. I really wanted to do it too. She told me to keep on drawing and that’s what I did. At church while the grown ups were talking I brought paper and pencil and drew a raccoon named Razz. I asked my mom if this could be a rubber stamp and if I could show it to Miss Michelle. Since then I have been submitting drawings. Miss Michelle had the idea to use one of my images for a charity stamp. I have chosen for all of the proceeds to benefit children with Autism. A year ago I was in a Denver hospital for 2 weeks; the family we stayed with at night was wonderful. They have a granddaughter named Star, who has Autism. I’m a child who is following my dreams, my hope is that my art can help make their dreams come true.
Thank you for supporting Autism research too!
Love, Sienna



We encourage you to get your hands on some of
SIENNA’s Benefit Autism STAMPS

They would be super stocking stuffers, make great gifts for teachers,
a fabulous addition to any craft room and KIDS LOVE TO CREATE!

AND most important they benefit AUTISM, not to mention they cost less than your average cup of coffee!!!

It didn't take her long to use hers...



The look of amazement and pride is one I recognize.
Can you just imagine what she'll be doing when she is 38?


Leave it to Sienna to request the thick pink mulberry paper
so the flamingoes could be feathery!



engrossed in creativity!



Signs of a HAPPY stamp...INK!



On the morning I debuted my Polkadotasuraus Stamp I wrote that the girlies were up bright and early making tri-shutter cards of their own. I wasn't kidding...



Sienna gave her creation to Mrs. Hayes,
her teacher from last year,
who got to hear this process every step of the way.
BRAVO Sienna!


Thanks again for sharing the word about
SIENNA’s Benefit Autism STAMPS
around the world!!!





***
She sometimes refers to herself as "little ARTish"


but truly, it is Sienna that inspires me!




Tuesday, September 21, 2010

It's All FUN & GAMES...

this week at The Pixie Cottage !
Last week we encouraged you to Hop on over
and enjoy a free digital image I designed of
two friendly frogs flying over each other in a game of leap frog.
I hope you got them!!
They'd be perfect to use for the theme of this week's Fun & Games Challenge 37
Let me now introduce my newest digital image with a passion for hopping...
Her name is... HOPSCOTCH HOLLY
available in the digital section of the Pixie Cottage shoppe.

Holly is hopping into 3 challenges this week:

My Time To Craft kids at play
Anything Goes cute
Sweet Stampin stitching

As always in addition to the theme,

we provide you with a sketch. You may use either or or both.

Link back your NEW creation to Fun & Games Challenge 37

for your chance to win Pixie Cottage Stamps


Which of you paper aficionados recognizes

the pattern paper I used on the inside of this card? :)

I bet most people throw that sheet away!

Once again the recycler in me comes to life!!

Thank you very much hopping by. I hope you have a wonderful week of creating.

Next up on the creative agenda...

(for the kiddos) 3 designer pumpkins, a cake, and a loaf of banana bread for the fair.

I turned in my art last weekend.

This Friday I voyage to St.Louis to see my mommy and to attend the So You Think You Can Dance Tour...can't wait!

In Studio work continues daily on my first children's book.

I am so blessed to be living out my dreams.


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

3 Fall Mice, 2 FREE Frogs & a...

not so Itsy Bitsy Spider.
(All I'm missing are the Lords a Leapin')
but I've got Ian here, so even the leaps are taken care of!
This week at The Pixie Cottage
we are delving into CHALLENGE #36
In addition to a sketch, our theme is Mellow Fruitfulness
(that's fancy Katie lingo for Autumn/Fall) :)
You have the option to use one or the other or both!!
Link back your NEW creation to The Pixie Cottage -CHALLENGE #36
for a chance to win Pixie Cottage Stamps

I branched out this week and tried my hand at the
oh so popular Easel Card~
I can see why they are always oooooh and ahhed over~
I love the dimension and moving parts!!
On the front I showcased one of my latest images:

And used this week's sketch by Adrina...


on the "down low"~the part that rests on the table...


The FAMILY of mice and I are entering in the following challenges:
365 Cards Day 196 - Country Charm
Pollycraft - Autumn Colors
Paper Make Up - Autumn
Paper Players - Fall color combo
Creative Card Crew - Autumn
Theme Thursday - Autumn
Paperplay - Autumn Colors
Incy Wincy - Autumn Colors
A Spoon Full of Sugar -
Wee Memories - Fall into Autumn
Stempel Magie - Fall Colors
Allsorts - Colors of Autumn
Raise the Bar - Orange, Brown and Green
Timbro Scrapmania - Anything Goes
Chamber Maids - Anything Goes
Gingerloft - Anything Goes
Tellens Place - Anything Goes
Stampin Sisters in Christ - Real or Faux stitching
Going Grey - Go Digi
*************************
So...which of the little critters do you relate to?
Are you excellent at the balancing act called life?

Are you prepared, sheltered or full of surprises?




Or are you just so plum tuckered you are in need of a cat nap?



I'd love to read which you match.
Happy creating!!


***********
I mentioned 2 FREE Frogs...
HOP on OVER to The Pixie Cottage
and enjoy a special gift from Miss Michelle & moi...
2 ARTishtic froggies engrossed in a

lifting game of leap frog
can be yours wit a click! THEN tune in next week for an opportunity to use them!!!
*****************************************************


The third element of my title was the "not so itsy bitsy spider"
If the mice didn't have you squealing SHE might!
Sienna pointed her out yesterday..."Yikes"
(at least she is on the outside of the window!)




Spooky, intriguing and Challenge Worthy for her zig-zag stitching!!!



Embrace the little things in life;
fuzzy white mice, BIG scary spiders, fidgety frogs,
or NOT!


Either way, have an awesome day!!


Friday, September 10, 2010

POLKaDOTaSAURUS...





He is one of my many NEW DIGITAL Images!


You still have time to enjoy theSALE & Blog CANDY




This week I have the special privilege


of being a Guest Designer at
STAMP SOMETHING
>


where their current challenge is SPOTS and STRIPES.


(POLKaDOTaSAURUS definitely qualifies in the SPOT department!)


***

POLKaDOTaSAURUS is going to stroll

on over to the following challenges:


PAPER PRETTIES -Brads or Eyelets
GINGERSNAP -PUNCHES-circle

Pile IT ON -Layers
FABnFUNKY -Whateva
COOKING IT UP WITH KATIE -I Sing Clearly With 3 Papers
365 CARDS -favorite coloring tool: Copics /favorite dimension additive: BOOST Stickers 
Just Hanna Stamps -Tri-Shutter Card
OOH-LA-LA CREATIONS -Stripes


******

The reward for creating your own SPOTS & STRIPES for Stamp Something


(card, layout, or gift item) is the possibility of winning a fabulous prize from


their sponsor, and home of the Pixie Cottage Stamps .



The winner will receive a $10 shop gift certificate


as well as her choice of the New Hannah Stamp in rubber


OR her choice of any 2 digital stamps from Michelle's Scrapbooking and More!

WOO-HOO!






Now, that's a great reason to pull out all of


your pattern papers with SPOTS & STRIPES....


I love to learn new things! (ask me in a few weeks how crocheting is going)

I challenged myself in this endeavor by attempting a tri-shutter-card.


(looks more complicated than it actually was, in fact this a.m. my girlies were perched in my window seat stamping and making tri-shutter cards for their teachers!)


start with 6" x 12" piece of paper


score from both short ends at 2" and 4"


rotate paper vertically cutting at the 4.5" mark on both sides


from the two score lines furthest apart


Having the dots under control, I plotted out my STRIPES...



I wanted to bring Polkadotasaurus to life via layering (and lots of coloring)


him and all his 'pieces parts'...


And now assembled utilizing "BOOST STICKERS" :)

(That is what Sierra asked for this a.m.--

it took me a few to realize she wanted 3-d foam pop dots

to give her image a BOOST off her card. How cute is that!?)

FLAT spots seemed boring, so I sprinkled fuzzy brads upon the green and blue SPOTS



got to love COLORFUL CHAOS....



I am such a fan of dimension- this style card truly delivers!


here is the stretched out view...a glimpse at the layers...



the very sparkly palm frans and petite brown pom-pons trunk...


slick dino parts




And a message for all of my artistic friends,

Thank you ladies at Stamp Something for letting me play with you!
Good Luck to all who enter their SPOTS & STRIPES!!