Sunday, February 26, 2012

stamp of week #8

It's Sunday and that means it's time for another new Stamp of the Week from Unity.
Introducing Love Lives Here....


Isn't this stamp just the cutest?
Only $5.79 (which includes shipping) and only available for ONE WEEK!!


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp of the Week #8...Love Lives Here
*October Afternoon paper collection
*watercolor pencils
*StazOn Jet black ink pad
*Martha Stewart border punch
*buttons
*Nestabilities Labels dies



Monday, February 20, 2012

Week 7 Stamp of the Week

It's a new week, which means that there is a new Unity Stamp Co. Stamp of the Week!

I think that this week's is my favorite so far. 
It's called Beautiful You.
and it is that...so beautiful!
Love those butterflies!


Supplies used:
*Glitz Designs Laced Grace Paper collection
*Spellbinders frame die
*ribbon
*MM butterfly
*flatbacked gems
*watercolor pencils
*corner rounder
*Martha Stewart border punch


Only $5.79 a week which included shipping and handling. 
You are not going to find a better deal! 
I love these stamps!!!



Thursday, February 16, 2012

Hip Hop- heart challenge

Happy Hip Hop Everyone! 
This week was the 15th,  and on the 15th, we start a new Unity Stamp Co. Challenge.
This month's challenge was to create a heart card without the use of red and pink.
The following two cards both fit that criteria. ;o)


Supplies used:
*Unity STamp Co. Simply Stories Generations
*MME paper collection
*Heart doily
*nestabilities labels die
*glue pen
*glitter
*Palette burnt umber ink pad
*brads


***********


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co Authentique Love You Owls
*heart doily
*glimmer mist
*Nestabilities labels die
*Basic Grey ribbon
*Amer. Crafts brads
*StazOn Jet Black inkpad
*corner rounder
*glue pen
*chunky glitter


Now you need to hop on over to ***Jimmi's gorgeous blog***



Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Writing on Wednesday- Let's Talk Characters...

Y'all know, I am working on book #2...Operation: Endeavor, right?
The book is started and I already love where it's going.

Right now is my favorite part of the writing process...the plotting and figuring out the nitty-gritty details about the characters.

And whoa, I really, really LOVE these two characters...Colton & Penelope.
They are complete opposites.

 Colton...
Colton is a huge, staid, quiet guy. Based on what happened as a kid (see last week's scene- which is the first scene in this book) he has always tried to take care of everyone, but not everyone appreciates that. He has a hard time understanding that. He's had a rough couple of years and there's no end in sight to the stress in his life. He just recently left the Air Force (he was a C-130 Spec Ops pilot) and is trying to figure out what his new Endeavor (hence the name of the book) will be in life. He's floundering. Not knowing exactly where he fits in anymore. (he's Cassie's -book #1- older brother)

Penelope....
Now meet Penelope. Penelope's parents are profs at Texas Tech and are hugely conservative and intelligent. They had her later in life and tried to fit Pen into a mold of what they believed she should be. She didn't agree. She has a mensa IQ, but majored in Theater in college. She's exuberant and outgoing. Drives a VW van. Teaches yoga. Colton considers her to be a modern-day Dippy Hippy chick. BUT she is so much more than what you see on the surface, as Colt will find out. (One of Cassie's best friends)


 Julie...
Another of Cassie's friends who is in all three books.



Chris...
Cassie's twin brother and a main figure with what happens between Cassie and Jake in Book #1.


And just in case you don't remember, here are 

Jake...

 Cassie....
hero & heroine of book #1. They will also play a roll in all three books.

There are other inspiration pieces that I have tagged from the books that you can see on my Pinterest Board about the books.



Sunday, February 12, 2012

New Week, New Stamp!!1

It's Sunday! That means it's time for a new Stamp of the Week from Unity!!!

Isn't this a fun one? I just love it!!


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co You Deserve Happy (only $5.79 for one week only!)
*Bella Blvd. paper collection
*watercolor pencils
*glitters
*Martha Stewart doily
*Nestabilities labels dies
*buttons


Remember, these stamps are available for ONE WEEK ONLY! Only $5.79 which includes the shipping! It's a fabulous deal and a fun little treat in your mailbox every week. I love opening my mailbox and seeing one of these sweet little packages! A little treat JUST FOR ME!

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

Writing on Wednesday...the start of the next book!


Well, in the past week, I finished editing Operation: Endgame and started book #2 in the series, Operation: Endeavor. So far, the feedback on Operation: Endgame has been good and I officially started submitting it, so we'll see. I know that it's a LONG process and trying not to dwell too much on the waiting part of the process.

In the meantime, I am in love with my new hero, Colton. *sigh* He's a complex guy. I am not going to be able to share too much with you about this book, because I don't want to give any spoilers for book #1, but I will share the prologue with you. Like Operation: Endgame, this book starts with a flashback to when the kids were little. BTW, I don't think that it ever says it within this scene, but Colton is ten years old in this scene.

Operation: Endeavor
by Christi Snow
Prologue, 22 Years ago 
The Chapel, Fort Hood, Texas
Colton stumbled down the hall of the chapel and worked to keep a tight rein on his emotions. He could feel the tears battering at his insides, trying to get out. He couldn’t cry. If he started, he wasn’t sure he would ever be able to stop. Don’t think about it, he berated himself. Don’t think about his parents lying dead in the next room.
He needed to focus on the twins. Chris and Cassie were only six years old and they didn’t understand why mom and dad weren’t coming home. Not that he really did either, but that didn’t matter. Not now. Now, he needed to be there for them, but first he had to find them. They were always wandering off. The twins lived in their own little imaginary world where only the two of them were invited. 
He started to turn the corner of the hall, but two female voices stopped him before he rounded the corner.
“It’s just so sad. Those poor kids. What’s going to happen to them?”
“I heard their grandfather, Lora’s dad, is coming to get them, but as far as I know, he doesn’t even know the children. He and Lora were estranged. He never approved of her marriage to Major Robertson.” Colton could hear the women murmuring their disapproval. “Those poor kids, but there’s nowhere else for them to go. There aren’t any other relatives willing to take in all three of them. He’s single. You have to wonder about a man his age living by himself. How is he going to handle three young children?”
That ball in the pit of Colton’s stomach started spinning more. Estranged? Colton had no idea what that word meant, but it couldn’t mean anything good. A grandfather? He didn’t even know they had a grandfather. Who was he and why had he never met him?  And now they were supposed to go live with him?
Colton could hear the women continue talking as they wandered down the hall, but their voices were too quiet now for him to hear anymore. He peered around the corner towards their retreating backs. He still had no idea where the twins were. He had to find them before they got into trouble. They were his responsibility now and losing track of them was not acceptable. 
He gritted his teeth and started looking in the doorways, searching. Finally, in the third doorway he peered into, he could hear whispering coming from the back corner. 
Creeping in, he quietly approached the voices, just in case they didn’t belong to the twins. But as he got closer, he realized it was Cassie he heard. Actually she was crying and Chris was comforting her. Colton swallowed the lump in his throat as he crouched down beside them. Chris looked up at him with anguished eyes. Colton started to reach for him, but Chris shook his head vehemently. “We’re okay. Just leave us alone. We’re coming. Just a minute.”
Colton turned and went over to the door to wait for them, trying not to let the rebuff hurt. He knew that the twins always turned to each other before they’d turn to him. He knew that, so he shouldn’t let it bother him, but in this case, they were all in these miserable circumstances together. Colton clenched his jaw as he heard the twins walk up behind him and tried to get his anger and hurt under control.
He turned to them as they walked up behind him and asked gruffly, “Are you guys okay?” Colton turned to analyze the twins. At six years old, the twins were still young enough that they looked identical regardless of the fact that they were the opposite sex. The only difference between the two of them was their hair. Cassie’s was flame-red and Chris’ was blond. Right now both of them also shared identical red-rimmed sapphire blue eyes, but they both nodded at him. 
“We need to get back, before someone starts looking for us.” Just as he said that he looked down the hall and Colton’s stomach sank at the sight of his father’s commander coming towards them. At first glance, he didn’t look happy, but when he spotted them, his face softened.
The tall man looked at them kindly even as he quietly admonished Colton, “We’ve been looking for you three. We need to get started and I need to introduce you to someone.” 
Colton looked beyond the Colonel and saw an old man standing there observing the three of them. Colton immediately stood up straighter and reached for Chris and Cassie. As they approached the man, Colton studied him. He looked at them unsmiling, but his blue eyes were kind. 
“I’m sorry that we weren’t there, sir.” He said to the Colonel, but then he nodded his head at the man. “Is that our grandfather?” 
The Colonel looked at Colton in surprise, but nodded. “Yes.” 
They’d reached the man, so Colton stretched out his right hand towards him. “I’m Colton.” He drew his siblings up beside him. “This is Chris and Cassie. They’re twins and only six. This is hard for them.”
The man cleared his throat as he said, “This is hard for all of us. I’m your Grandfather. Your mom was my daughter and I hope you three will come live with me. I’m sorry this is the first time we’ve had a chance to get to know each other.” 
As one, the twins reached up to grab hold of each of Colton’s hands. He squeezed them in reassurance and swallowed his own fear and uncertainty. Colton nodded. “Do you live here?”
The man shook his head. “No, I live in a town further north of here called Lubbock. Have you ever heard of it?”
Colton nodded, “Yes, we went to a Texas Tech football game there last year.” Colton saw a flash of hurt in the old man’s eyes, but he didn’t know what he’d said wrong.
The man cleared his throat, “Well, from here on out, it’ll be your home…with me, if that’s okay with you three.” He looked at the three of them questioningly.
“Yes, sir. We appreciate you taking us in.” Colton looked down at the twins and tried to give them a brave smile. They would make the best of it, the three of them together. He was the oldest. He’d be strong. The twins needed that from him.

************
These are my words so you are not allowed to copy, alter, or re-print them anywhere else without my permission. ;o)

BTW, I won't be sharing too many more scenes with you from this book, but next week, I do plan to share a bit more insight into the hero and heroine of this book. I promise you, you will want to come back. Not only is Colton a very complex character, he is also VERY pretty. *sigh* There will be pictures. ;o)

Monday, February 06, 2012

Monday Meanderings...I'm Back!

I everyone! I know, I know...
I have been really bad about blogging the last couple of weeks. 
It's just been crazy busy around here.
New artwork for Unity.
Reading.
Finishing Operation: Endgame and then editing it.
But I am coming out the other end...I think...hehe!

During the Superbowl yesterday, I officially started Operation: Endeavor.
The first scene in the book is done.
This is book #2 in the trilogy.
Curious?
I'll share more on Wednesday.

But for now,  I have a couple of cards to share using some new Unity stamps.
Stamps that are already on sale for a fabulous price at CraftySteals. (today only!!!)

Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Simple Stories- Simple Stamp ments
*Websters Pages paper collection
*buttons
*corner rounder
*Nestabilities labels die
*Martha Stewart border punch



***************


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Simple Stories- Simple Pointers
*Unity Stamp Co. Simple Stories- Simple Vintage Box Memory
*MME paper collection
*MM heart and cupid
*buttons
*Nestabilities lacey square
*Spellbinders frame die


Thursday, February 02, 2012

Hipping and a Hopping...

It's Thursday, which means that it's Hip Hop time!!

I am still playing with some of the Unity Stamp Co. new releases. 
This one comes from the Jillibean Soup co-brand stamp called Chicken Dumpling.


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Chicken Dumpling (Jillibean Soup)
*paper collection
*watercolor pencils
*Martha Stewart border punch (used on bottom of banner pieces)
*corner rounder
*string


This week, we are also talking about the "love of our life." 
Here is mine...my darling hubby, Ben.
This year, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary.


Now you need to head on over to Jimmi's gorgeous blog...



Wednesday, February 01, 2012

February kom sketch

It's February 1st, so it's time for a new Kit of the Month and a new Sketch Challenge over at Unity Stamp Co....

Here's my card using the Feb kit and sketch. I adore that stamp... "you. are. old." ...too funny!


Supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Feb kom
*Glitz Design paper
*lace doily
*twine
*corner rounder
*buttons


Below is the sketch. Be sure to play along with the challenge. There is a fabulous prize!!!





Also, I am over on the Unity blog this afternoon sharing a quick little {ippity} card....



Related Posts with Thumbnails