A very short, very belated post...and a winner!

I've been busy lately. We're moving out of the house so the renters can take up residence before we leave for Ohio. Before we move back in with the folks/move into the dorms (the Hubby's going with his folks and I'm going to be an RA for the summer) we've decided to go on a little road trip. However, I know that I need to post an update before I disappear on the beach for the rest of the week.
My blog candy winner is Ren-Yi Lo! Coincidentally, her card ended up earning her a guest design team member spot with Scrap Our Stash! Congrats! (Please email me when you decide which WMS stamp set you want!)
Next bit of news: I'm applying for Samantha Strachan's new design team! Wish me lots of luck, and I'll let you know how it goes!
I'll leave you with my rules of (this) road trip:
If you realize you forgot something, you must laugh. There's no point in getting mad anyway! :)
Physics makes a great drinking topic, especially with a couple of physics majors!
The rain is not an excuse, you must still get out of the car...and you won't melt!
Forget about everything that you didn't do at home before you left. (I can't pack from Oregon anyway!)
Have fun & take lots of photos! (I'll be scrappin' this when I get back!)

I'll be back with another post after we return from our trip on June 13! Happy Monday!

This is SO much better than packing!

I just can't seem to have one of those lives where I literally have nothing to do. Now that graduation is over I have to start packing and getting ready to move. Actually, I have to pack for move #1, there will be 4 moves for me in the next two months. Oh, joy. So, as you can see, I have plenty to do. However, I have lots of commenting on blogs to do and I am in need of some wedding cards. Guess that means I have to do some crafting and take a break. WOO HOO!
I have a couple of graduation scrapbook pages coming your way but since it's wedding season, I thought I would entertain you with this pretty blue card I made for Paper Play Challenge Week 20,
Tuesday Morning Sketches #47, and most importantly, my friends Charmaine and Dustin who are getting married in June. I even made a super envelope using the snazzy scoring board that Molli bought me for my birthday! (And it's lined too!)

DON'T FORGET! You need a new set of WMS' stamps and I'm giving one away! Scroll down to the May 17th post for details on how to win!

A little extension...

I'll be closing my giveaway Friday, May 28 so that more people can play. My buddies Belinda and Ren-Yi have put the challenge out there to their follower and I hope a see a few more people! (Also, I'm doing a random drawing so don't feel like you have to compete!) Go on, see what "outside the box" is for you, or check out the awesome sketch at Scrap Our Stash. Hope you can play!

Waltzingmouse Stamps' Beautiful Birthday Blog Waltz!

* Fair warning, this is a long post. I think it's worth reading about the giveaway and at least there's a pretty card at the end! *

Welcome to my lengthy post for the Waltzingmouse Stamps' (WMS) May Blog Waltz. This month is both WMS' and my birthday and I have quite the birthday present for you! It's been 6 weeks since I've blogged. (It hasn't been quite that long since I crafted, check out Scrap Our Stash to see some of my other projects!) A lot has happened in 6 weeks, let me fill you in:
- I missed the April WMS Blog Waltz, and I was sad for days. :(
- I became a Guest Design Team Member at Scrap Our Stash
- I *successfully* defended my thesis
- I had a birthday on May 1!
- I was denied a margarita...and then got it for free (<- Critically important after a thesis defense!)
- I ran in the Montana Women's Run with my best friend and my new B-Squad mom!
- I graduated from college with my 2 bachelor degrees and my masters degree
- I said goodbye for the last time to some dear friends
- I accepted a job offer that will take me to Columbus, Ohio in July
- I went through my craft stuff and I have decided to sell almost 1/2 of it!
Those are just the highlights! A lot has happened and I've decided that I will be giving away some goodness as a way to celebrate!
Here's how to play along:
1) You must become a follower of my blog
2) You must go to Scrap Our Stash and submit something for either one of the May challenges (There's a sketch and theme challenge)
2.5) If you use WMS Stamps, you'll get 2 entries!
3) You must comment on this post with a link to your blog post!
What will you win?
You will get a Fiskars Stamp Press and the WMS Set of your choice! This is a rather large prize (especially for any of my stateside followers) and I want a ton of people to participate so, I'll leave this open until May 24!
You're probably wondering what I did for this Blog Waltz, huh? Here's my card!

I used the Labels 5 set, and some inspiration from WMS Makers' blog to make this lovely birthday card! It's a birthday card for my bestest friend! Her birthday is today and I didn't mail the card. I may just have to deliver it myself! *wink, wink* (Hi Molli!) The card is made with papers that Belinda sent to me as part of our Swappin' Sistahs challenge and a piece of copper metal sheet. I embossed the words and frame so that they stood out better on the patterned paper. If I were to submit this as my "outside the box" card at Scrap Our Stash I would have to say that using the metal sheet and the flowers-on-a-pin as something I always see but never use. In case you're wondering the card is a little mini 4 x 4 card and I'm thinking it needs a matching envelope. Back to my craft area now!
For those who are Waltzing with WMS and stumbled on my blog, go check out the WMS Forum or Claire's Blog for all of the links to the other participants' blogs!

You have to see this paper...

"...it's made out of wood!" Those were the first words out of my mouth to my dear friend Molli when I saw the paper that I used on this card. Her response, "isn't all paper made out of wood?" And my quick retaliation, "yeah, but you can tell with this paper!"

So, I'm a little rediculous! It just so happens that I'm not alone because my dear hubby thought that the paper was pretty freakin' sweet too. Then again, I was making him hang out in a scrapbook store during his 4 day Florida vacation! (This was prearranged, I did a lot of research before I finally decided to go here!) Anywho, I decided that I was not brave enough to be "trendy" alone so, I picked up a couple of sheets and brought them back to Montana. This Florida paper was sent to both coasts and I'm pretty sure I heard Laurie say "wood, really?" when she opened the envelope. Normally, for our swaps we send each other paper and embellies. I chose to send paper and a sketch. Without further ado, here's a bit about what I made for this month's swap card!

I used the wood paper to stamp the sentiment, Olivia the owl, and her branch from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps. The ink is Stampin' Up black and I used my green copic marker on the acrylic dots in the corner. I used Gamsol (I don't actually used Gamsol. I use generic odorless mineral spirits also called artist quality turpenoid. However, people generally know what Gamsol is and it's less to type!) and my trusty Crayola twist up colored pencils on Olivia and the leaves. Olivia is stamped on some Bazzill white cardstock and the leaves are stamped on the wood paper. I cut out the colored leaveds and popped them up. Inside the card says "Good for you!" and I think I know just who I'll be sending this card to! I think I'm going to try a new challenge blog too. It is April Fool's day and since I was the butt of one joke today I think I'll take advantage of the special twist in this challenge!

Do you have any tips for using wood paper? Thoughts? Ideas? (I'm not a fan of blog candy...only because I never win it but if you actually follow me and comment...I may be inclined to perform a RAK!)