This is the post that never ends...

It just goes on and on my friends! :) First I'll show you the card I finally made for this week's Mojo Monday sketch. It uses the new Hero Arts Cupcake set I got at Archiver's the other day. An entire set devoted to cupcakes - what could be better? I just loved the Seize the Cupcake sentiment and since Kim enabled me by pulling out 2 entire bins of new stamps from the backroom, I had to go a little crazy and buy a few new sets.

So here's the scoop on the card. It's made for a friend who has a birthday approaching and one of my goals for 2008 is to be better at keeping a schedule, including getting things in the mail so they'll be on time for friends and family. So, I started by cutting and embossing a circle and coordinating Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink mats with my Nestabilities dies I then stamped the cupcake in Versafine Onyx Black and colored with my new Copic markers. I added a few shimmers with a clear Spica Glitter pen and then finished off with Cotton Candy Stickles. For the side half circles I simply punched a Stampin Up scallop circle and 1 3/8" circle punch, layered and cut in half. The designer paper is from the American Crafts a la Mode collection. I stamped the sentiment on pretty in pink, used the 1 3/8" circle punch to curve just one end and then used a Hodgepodge Hardware d-ring to tie on a few coordinating ribbons from my stash. To finish I added a little more Cotton Candy Stickles accents to ... well, EVERYTHING! After all, life is better when it sparkles, right?

I've been having an awesome time the past few days with my brother and his wife who are visiting from California. We finally got our new HD drive and receiver all hooked up and have been enjoying cinema quality movies from the comfort of our own couch. I did take a little break from my movie watching today to set up one of my absolutely favorite Christmas gifts this year - a photo studio in a box, complete with lighting! I'm so incredibly behind on showing you all the incredible cards I've been receiving that I grabbed a big pile of stuff and started taking pictures to test out the new studio. Just fabulous! I can't believe how much of a difference the right amount of lighting and backdrops make. Hopefully this means a big bad goodbye to all the dark photos I've been taking lately! Woohoo! So in no particular order, here's a run down of my recent happy mail. I know I'm missing some, so I'll have to hunt them down and show you another time.

The first one is from the E. F. Hutton of blogging herself, Allison {Stampin' When I Can}. I just love this fabo Sprinkle card - just too much fun. Thanks Allison!

The next card is from Alma {Dancing in Pajamas}, the genius behind The Cat's Pajamas. This card is a total knockout in person. My fledgling photography skills haven't mastered acetate yet, but this is one styling card. Thanks for the card and wonderful gift, Alma!

The next card is just stunning and is from Colleen {Distinctive Touches}. I think this is the polished stone technique, but I could be wrong. It's absolutely gorgeous, and just takes your breath away. Thanks Colleen for sending such a beauty my way!

This Cosmobella card is from Jen {I Heart 2 Stamp} and totally makes me smile. I absolutely love the martini charm, the fun colors, and the bazzil bling paper just shimmers. Thanks for brightening my day with this gem of a card, Jen!

I was ELFed by one of my favorite peeps - Karrie {Burnin' Rubber}! She totally surprised me with this awesome bag of loot! There's the cutest little Gel-a-Tins stamp set EVER, in a little keychain case with a polka dot dress, purse and a couple sentiment stamps. CA-UTE! Plus a huge candy cane (which I ate the top off before I got the photo taken) and a fabulous treat bag (which I totally CASED for some of my homemade gifts for relatives). Oh, and she sent some yummylicious treats for Katie and some sheer blossoms with the cutest little tag. And some great little (Memory Box?) elf images and a fabulous Hero Arts snowflake stamp that I know just what I'm going to use it on. Thanks for my FANTASTIC package, Karrie! You made me feel so special.

The next card is from Laura F. {Scrapnextras} Isn't it gorgeous? She made it with some of the paper I sent as a RAK for winning one of the Mojo challenges. She wanted to use a J for Julee and I love how she incorporated it into the enjoy. Just a beautiful card, thanks so much, Laura!


The next card is from Lisa {Caffeine Induced Musings}, and I forgot to take a photo of the loot she sent me, but it included some oh so yummy (and almost gone!) chocolate covered espresso beans and a sampling of the Bali Breeze and Ginger Blossoms papers that will be in the new SU! catalog. They are SO gorgeous I'm afraid to use them until I know I have more on the way. LOL! Well, I'll probably give in and cut into one this weekend sometime. Anyways, thanks for the loot and the great card Lisa, I love it all!

The last two cards are from Lila {Lila's Creative Corner}. The first one she gave me a while back and I just got around to photographing. It's just gorgeous and uses the Starlight Starbright set. It came with some other rockstar bling and some liquid pearls that have already been put to good use. The second card is just gorgeous in person. The texture of the fabriano cards are just so scrumptious and the shading on the bird is lovely. Just gorgeous. I'm so blessed to have such talented friends that spoil me with their fabulous cards. Thanks so much Lila!

Whew! That was a long one! If you're still reading, you should win an award! LOL! If you haven't been there already, be sure and check out Amy's {Heartfelt Greetings} blog for some Verve candy! Peace Out, peeps!