Well, Hello there!

Wow!  Where have I been?  It seems like when it warms up, I don't seem to do a lot of crafting.  I do, however, do a lot of stamping and that's what's been going on.  I have been swamped with orders since Mother's Day and now Father's Day is here and I'm still busy!  Hopefully, I will get back into a new blogging routine in the next week when I slow down a little bit.  Until then, I just wanted to pop in and say that I'll be having a booth at the 2nd Annual Beer Cheese Festival

in downtown Winchester, KY this weekend.  It's from 10-6 on Saturday, the 12th.  I'll have a bunch of new pieces that I'm not going to show until the festival, so you'll have to wait until my next post to see them if you don't come down!  I hope everyone is having a great summer!

-DeAndra

I have a question for you...

I am in the process of creating a special "Kentucky" piece for my collection.  Our state is hosting the World Equestrian Games this year and it's a pretty big deal! 

We'll have tons of visitors to our community from all over the globe and I'd like for them to take back something that they will treasure from their visit here.

I'm wanting to make something that has words or phrases that represent our beautiful state.  What comes to mind when you think of Kentucky?

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Please help me brainstorm! 

Thanks so much!

-DeAndra

And the winner is...

Sal said...
oh wow that is such a cute giveaway!! me likes! I am a follower and an indie biz classmate!

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Please send me your address to pinkcheckers@yahoo.com

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Thanks so much for entering the contest! 

Have a great day!

-DeAndra

Last days of giveaway!

Don't forget about the giveaway going on here!  It ends on Sunday, April 11.  So get those entries in!

Here's what you're playing for:

A crafty pendant (hand stamped by me),  plus sewing machine charm and ball of yarn charm!  This is so super cute and it lets everyone how awesome-ly crafty you are!!

How to win:

1. Be a follower of this blog

2.  Leave a comment in this post

For extra entries:

-blog about this giveaway on you blog.  Make sure you let me know that you did it in the comments of this post!

-become a fan of Pink Checkers Design on Facebook.  Don't forget to let me know in the comments that you're a fan!

Good Luck and the giveaway ends on Sunday, April 11.  I will post the winner on Monday, April 12.

Have a great day!

-DeAndra

Handmade Card Swap

I'm joining in on a Handmade Card Swap over at Crafty Carnival.  You can join in, too, but you have to hurry!  She's closing it at 22 people.

You can join in here!

p.s.  If you're looking for my giveaway, it's here

So glad it's the weekend!

I am so glad it's Friday!  It's been the perfect day!  It's 75 degrees here, my daughter had an Easter egg hunt at school, my husband is mowing the grass, we're going to Lowe's later to look for a new pump for the pond, and we're going to grill out!  Wow!  I love spring!

This is how my pond looks when I take care of it

So beautiful!  But last year my pump went out and I didn't get another one and it looks so sad right now.  It's just an empty green water mess!  The poor fish probably can't see where they're swimming!  I'm making it a goal to keep it up this year.  I love the sound of the water and my windchimes.  It's so relaxing!  So hopefully, they will have what I need at Lowe's and I can reclaim this beautiful pond! 

Have a great weekend! 

-DeAndra

In the studio

I am in the studio today working on a few custom orders.

Here's one I just finished

I'm calling it "Family Beginnings" since it has the bride and groom's names plus wedding date and last name initial.  Later on, it could have more charms added for children!

Love it!

Have a great day!  It's beautiful here in Kentucky!

-DeAndra

Special Day!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little girl!

You bring such happiness to my life! 

Happy Birthday, sweetheart

I love you!

-mom

Sunday loves

We recently rented Disney's Princess and the Frog. 

It was so good!  It made me remember how much a love a good frog prince!  Here's a few that make me smile!

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Have a great Sunday! 

-DeAndra

This made my day!

This is so flippin awesome!!!  Janel drew these portraits of me and my girls.  Aren't they fabulous???

I was going to wait and post them when I had them all framed and fancy, but I couldn't!  Yay Janel!

Amigurumi Loves

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I have been wanting to make an amigurami for a while now and have looked at pattern after pattern but can't seem to get started.  I'm a little intimidated, I guess!  They look super hard, but according to the patterns, they're for advanced beginners.  That would be me!  Has anyone tried them?  I'd love some advice! 

Here are some of the one's that I've been looking at

These are all from Amy Gaines

and these

from Irene Strange

Plus, if you go to her website Reeneegurumi, there are a couple of free downloads

Percy the elephant and Roosting Birds and My Tiny Bunny

They are all so cute!

Have a great day!

-DeAndra

Lots going on

I'm super busy right now!  That's good,  right!  I seem to stay busy, though.  I just keep adding new things to my growing list of ideas!  I can honestly say that I'm never bored! 

1.  I'm taking Indie Biz class right now

2.  I'm having my first trunk show and I'm making jewelry like crazy to prepare for that.

3.  I'm trying to get my website finished for Pink Checkers Design.  The "About Me" page is really holding me up.  I'm having a hard time getting the words out! 

4.  I have to get ready for my almost 6 year old's birthday.  She L-O-V-E-S to make up stories and draw, so I'm putting together an art and writing kit for her.  Of course, it has to be one-of-a-kind!  I'm sure I'll be working on it until the day of her birthday!

5.  Girl Scout cookie sales are finally over!!!!  I need to finish up all the paperwork for that and get it turned in.  Being the Cookie Mom wasn't that bad.  I just know the troop leader and I need to reward ourselves with a couple of pedicures!

6.  Easter is right around the corner and Easter baskets need to get put together. 

7.  Taxes need to be done. 

8.  Loose ends here, there, and everywhere that need to be tied up!!!

 

Oh, and if that wasn't enough, I found out about this class this morning

Tell Your Story:  Online Art Journal Class

Signups start on April 1st. 

It looks like a lot of fun!

Well, I'd better get going and work on some of my list!  Have a great day!

-DeAndra

Silhouette D.I.Y

Awhile back, while skimming OhDeeDoh, I came across a tutorial for this:

Silhouettes in Under 30 Minutes by Emily over at Three Boys and a Little Lady 

I've seen tutorials in the past using Photoshop, but I've never wanted to sit down and try to figure it out.  I'll leave the geeky computer stuff to my sister! 

But this one uses:

paint and cardstock! 

Now that's something I can handle!

Start with a good profile pic and cut it out

Cover it in black paint.  

Glue them down on your paper. 

Frame it up and you're done!

This is super fast and cheap, but it looks GREAT!  That's what I like! 

Have a great day!

DeAndra

Razzle Dazzle

Wow!  I'm am sooo off my blogging schedule!  I promise I'll try to do better next week!  It seems like a have a blue-million things to do right now!  I've got a 6 year old's birthday to get ready for, spring cleaning, Girl Scouts, and t-ball.  Plus, I'm getting ready to sell Pink Checkers Design in a brick and mortar shop and I'm trying to get all that together!  Time management has never been my strong suit! 

So, here's a little something fun to hold you over until I get back to normal!

We're taking the girls and nephew to see this bunch of yahoos on Saturday.  If you've never seen Yo Gabba Gabba, watch this video. 

You either love them or you hate them!  We love them, so off to Cincinnati we will go!

Have a great weekend!

DeAndra

Happy Mail and Birthday Mail!

Yesterday was a good mail day. 

I got this from my aunt for my birthday!  I love, love, love nesting dolls!  It's nice when someone actually pays attention to what you say and gets you something you LOVE!!!  Thanks, Becky!

Then, I got a card from my Happy Mail partner.  I'm so glad I joined this because it truly made me happy to get this card in the mail!  My partner, Lehua, has an awesome blog called Heart On My Sleeve.  She's super cute! 

Well, I'm still working on my new website for Pink Checkers Design.  Hopefully, it will be done in the next couple of days.

Have a great Sunday!

DeAndra

Another year younger!

Yesterday was my 32nd birthday.  I hate to say I'm 32.  It sounds old.  I don't feel old, so I guess that's all that matters!  Right?

My husband did such a great job designing my cake.  He gave the baker one of my daughter's drawings to put on it.  I just love it!

He was very proud of himself!

Sorry for not posting a lot lately.  I've been busy stamping jewelry for Pink Checkers Design.  That's a good thing, though! 

I'm working on some fun, upcoming posts, too!

Well, I have a hole burning in my pocket with birthday money!  I'm going to do a little shopping today!

Have a great day!

DeAndra

Party Time!

Today's the blog party over at Punk Projects! 

I'm so excited to be a part of this, along with some other awesome bloggers.  Thanks, Katie!

Yesterday was a beautiful day here.  We got to go out and take a walk, ride bikes, and chat with neighbors.  It made me realize that I have NOTHING to wear for spring!  I think I'll go out for a little retail therapy today.  I went back through my Style School Style File to get some ideas and here is what I found

All of this came from Old Navy.  I don't know if these white legs are ready for skirts yet, though!

My birthday is tomorrow.  I'm working on my 32 before 32 list.  I'll post it tomorrow!  I've got some good stuff on there!

Have a great day!

-DeAndra

Today's productivity=0

I have not been creatively productive at all today.  I've done a few random things, but nothing exciting.  I'm still working on my Indie Biz portfolio.  It's coming along, slowly.  Class started yesterday!  Eeek!

I feel like I need to do something, but I don't know what.  I'm just not inspired today. 

I got these paperdolls for my daughter for Christmas. 

It's all the Red Velvet girls.  They're so stinkin' cute!  I haven't let her play with them yet because I keep meaning to put contact paper over them to make them a little sturdier.  I love them so much and I know they will get torn if I don't reinforce them with something.  So there, that is my project for today.  I need to get busy, then.  I'm sure she will want to go outside and play today when she gets home from school. 

It's beautiful here.  Perfect for taking a walk and riding a bike! 

Have a great day! 

DeAndra