iluvstamping

August - December Four Month Challenge

2011-08-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

5 POINT CHALLENGES

Author Name – first or last – begins with A

The Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley 8/27/11

Read a book featuring a teen or teens

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter 8/2/11

Genre you don’t normally read

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 8/2/11

Read a book about a musician (living or deceased, real or fictional)

Forgotten Truth

Book featuring sisters

Running Wild by Sarah McCarty 8/11/11

10 POINT CHALLENGES

Author name – first or last – begins with S

Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick 8/8/11

Read a book with a person on the cover wearing red

Barbie and the Beast by Linda Thomas-Sunstrom 8/9/11

Read a book whose author has the same birthday month as you do

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Read a banned book

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice 8/12/11

50thth book on your shelf

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

15 POINT CHALLENGES

Author name – first or last – begins with O

Kaitlyn O’Connor or Robin Owens

Author you discovered this year

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James 8/8/11

Read a book by an author who uses their middle name on the cover

The Bed and the Bachelor by Tracy Anne Warren 8/20/11

Read a book with a one name title that isn’t a proper name

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning 8/29/11

Book featuring brothers

Coming Undone 8/4/11

20 POINT CHALLENGES

Author name – first or last – begins with N

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts 8/24/11

Read a book with a one name title that is a proper name

Hannah by Kathryn Lasky

Read a book that was nominated for an award, but didn’t win

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder 8/1/11

Book with any country’s flag on the cover

Read an autobiography

A New Four Month Challenge

2011-04-18T06:13:00.000-07:00

I didn't finish the last 4 month challenge, but I'm off to a great start with this one. I have no excuse if I don't finish it since I've got such so much completed already.

The 4 Month Challenge

5 POINT CHALLENGES
Read a book that the author’s name begins with A for April IN April (first or last name)
Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix
Read a book that the author’s name begins with M for May IN May (first or last name)
A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder 5/4/11
Read a book that the author’s name begins with J for June IN June (first name only)
Lover Unleashed by JR Ward6/3/11
Read a book that the author’s name begins with J for July IN July (last name only)
Kiss Me Annabel by Eloisa James 7/22/11
Read a book that beings with the S for Spring
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas 5/5/11

10 POINT CHALLENGES
Read a ‘debut’ novel (an author’s first book)
When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas 4/11/11
Read a book where the author wrote under a pseudonym
Harmony by Jayne Castle 5/5/11
Read a book with a male on the cover (male only, no female)
Awakened by PC Cast and Kristin Cast 4/1/11
Read a book with a female on the cover (female only, no male)
An Affair without End by Candace Camp 4/13/11
Read a book with a house on the cover
Dream Daddy by Daly Thompson 4/8/11

15 POINT CHALLENGES
Read a book that you previously DID NOT finish
Read a book with a flower on the cover OR in the title
The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig 4/3/11
Read a book with a reference to a fairy tale (Cinderella theme, Alice in Wonderland theme, etc)
The Princess in his Bed by Lila DiPasqua 4/14/11
Read a book that the author was born during the Spring season
The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp 4/5/11
Read a book that has won awards
Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue 4/16/11
http://www.melissamayhue.com/hhreviewsandawards.html

20 POINT CHALLENGES
Read something that is next in a series
The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small 4/15/11
Read a book that the title begins with either your first or last initial
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs 4/9/11 (my initials CG)
Read a book where the main character is an author
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries 4/4/11
Read a book having to do with ghosts, reincarnation, etc.
Fairyville by Emma Holly 4/10/11
Read a book with one of the Four Elements in the title – Fire, Water, Wind, Earth
Frostfire by Lynn Viehl 4/6/11

Monthly Mix up challenge

2011-02-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

Here is another challenge that sounds kind of fun.

To read a book for each letter in the year. That's right, a title for the J in January and the A in January, etc.... 74 books total!

Start date: April 1, 2011, because we're fools to try this

End date: March 31, 2013, yes, two years, because well, we have other challenges to do ;)

Guidelines:
# only one letter per book
# books can be moved around if it fits better somewhere else after you've read it
# the letter doesn't have to be the first word, just the first letter of a word in the title (a, an, and the do not count)
# reviews aren't necessary but a quick "I read for letter... it was about... I did/not like it" would be nice.
# if you decide to join in, create a post on your blog telling others then come back and link up (to the actual post, not just your blog's home page)
# a blog is not necessary, just comment on that month's post at the Lair
# if you get stuck, an author's name will do in a pinch but try to have more titles than names
# the most important thing is to have fun!

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
The One That Got Away by Victoria Alexander
Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
Lover Unleashed by JR Ward
Accidental Princess by Michelle Willingham
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries
Only with Your Love by Lisa Kleypas

Frostfire by Lynn Viehl
An Affair Without End by Candace Camp
The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens
Pack Alpha by Crissy Smith
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

Counterfeit Magic by Kelly Armstrong
Awakened by PC and Kristin Cast
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Hot and Heavy by Sandra Hill

Death in the Devil’s Acre by Anne Perry
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Room by Emma Donaghue
Somewhere I’ll Find You by Lisa Kleypas
Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts
Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Cruise
When You Dare by Lori Foster

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
The Darkest Secret: Lords of the Underworld by Gina Showalter
No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway

MockingJay by Suzanne Collins
Unlocked by Courtney Milan
Lucky Streak by Carly Phillips
Much Ado About You by Eloisa James

A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen Paratore
Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Under the Boardwalk by Carly Phillips
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas
Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas
Playing Easy to Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Princess in his Bed by Lila D
First Truth by Dawn Cook
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas
Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix
An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp
Hidden Truth by Dawn Cook
One Night with a Spy by Celeste Bradley
Brides for Brothers by Debbie Macomber
Afterlife: An Evernight Novel by Claudia Gray
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
On the Prowl by Patricia Briggs
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn
The Mating by Nicky Charles
Hot Blooded by Christine Feehan
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

Rode Hard Put up Wet by Lorelei James

Dream Daddy by Daly Thompson
Ecstasy Wears Emeralds by Renee Bernard
The Courtship Dance by Candace Camp
Etched in Bone by Adrian Phoenix
Zombie Moon by Lori Devoti
Honor Bound by CJ Archer
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell

chunkster reading challenge

2011-02-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

I plan to finish the Outlander series this year so I know I'll be reading some really chunky books. I figured I might as well add another challenge.
A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) .
I signed up for the highest level - mor-bookly obese . For this level of challenge you must commit to EIGHT or more Chunksters of which three tomes MUST be 750 pages or more.

1.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon 1120 pg
2.Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko 489 pg
3.Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenoko 453 pg
4.The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 1472 pg
5.Lover Unleased by JR Ward 512 pg
6.Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole 515 pg
7.Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson 480 pg
8.A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon 1456 pg

A to Z challenge - Completed!

2011-02-13T15:34:00.000-08:00

Here is another challenge that sounds like fun and can cross-over.

Rules:

1. 26 books!

runs January 1st 2011 –December 31, 2011. For each letter, read a book that has a main character or key supporting character (not some random minor character mentioned twice!) whose name starts with that letter. It doesn’t have to be the title of the book, just the name. Ex: Alice (in wonderland), Bella (twilight), Cathy (Wuthering Heights), Dracula (Dracula) Estella (Great Expectations), etc.

2. only one letter per book!

3. Crossovers are fine

4. audio, e-book, bound book, someone reading it out loud to you, reading a book to your little brother or sister, it all counts.

5. any length—short stories, books of the Bible, etc. they all count for this one.

6. Don’t have to be a blogger, don’t have to review the book. Just tell me you're participating. Goodreads is a great way to keep track of books for non-bloggers (make a shelf for this challenge and keep track of them that way!)

Levels:
Level 1: 10 Letters
Level 2: 20 Letters
Level 3: Completes all 26 letters (yes, that means X and Z and Q. I’m sure you can find something.)

Ash Turner in Unveiled by Courtney Milan
Brisbane, Nicholas in Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn
Cummins, Lottie in One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
Duncan Armstrong in The Border Lord's Bride by Bertrice Small
Elizabeth Rodriguez in Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra
Fitzwilliam Darcy in Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Gage Michael in Satisfaction Guaranteed by Charlene Teglia
Hero Batten in Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt
Isabel Townsend in Ten Ways to be Adored when Landing a Lord by Sarah Maclean
James Rayburn in Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
Kate Woodbridge in To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott
Lily Bocastle in A Duke's Temptation by Jillian Hunter
Maggie McBride in Truly Madly Viking by Sandra Hill
Neill Oakes in The Lady most Likely To by Julia Quinn, etal
O'Brannan, Kieran in Her Warrior Slave by Michelle Willingham
Phillipa Elliot in Primal Heat by Susan Sizemore
Quinn, Zachary in The Magical Christmas Cat by Nalini Singh
Rafe Mancuso in Love me if you Dare by Carly Phillips
Stephen Carleton in Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory
Traemore, Harry in When Harry met Molly by Kieran Kramer
Udolf Watteson in The Captive Heart by Bertrice Small
Vengence in Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day
Ware, Sebastian in The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schroeder
Xinon in Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day
Younge, Amelia in Vampire Darcy's Desire by Regina Jeffers
Zane Wynter in Eternal Flame by Cynthia Eden

Where you read it challenge

2011-02-13T15:19:00.000-08:00

This challenge is really different from the others so I thought I would add it to the list.

Twist Your House
Read somewhere inside your house that you have never sat (or stood I suppose) and read before.

Place of Commerce
Read somewhere that things are sold.

Move
Read on the bus, on a train, on the light rail, on a plane, in a car, while you're walking, while you're on the treadmill at the gym.
I read in the car for a total of 3 hours going to and from my mother-in-law's house in Akron.

Nature
The requirement is that you are sitting/standing on something that isn't manmade. Man could have planted it, but not created it.

You Don't Call Home
Out of state? Sure. At your neighbor's house? Sure. Hotel? Yup. But it can't do double duty for any of the other categories. I read for a total of 4 hours at my mother-in-law's house

Probably Shouldn't
Think work, church, grocery shopping. DO NOT READ WHILE DRIVING OR RIDING YOUR BIKE OR ROLLERBLADING/SKATING. BE SAFE. Be creative.

In Pairs
I don't care where you are as long as someone else in the room is reading their own book too.

Pub challenge - Completed!

2011-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

I've signed up for another challenge but with cross-over, it shouldn't be a problem.
The Pub 2011 Challenge

1. Notorious Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt
2. Unveiled by Courtney Milan
3. To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott
4. Highland Heat by Mary Wine
5. The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen
6. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
7. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
8. The Countess by Lynsay Sands
9. Awakened by Kristin Cast
10.The Heiress by Lynsay Sands

Another challenge

2011-01-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun challenge that I ran across

1.A book with a number in the title: Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah McLean
2.A book with jewelry or a gem in the title:A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen Paratore
3.A book with a size in the title: A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander
4.A book with travel or movement in the title: Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourne
5.A book with evil in the title: One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
6.A book with a life stage in the title: The Border Lord’s Bride by Bertrice Small

Completed!!

2011 Book Challenges

2011-01-06T19:08:00.000-08:00

I have been surfing around and found a lot of reading challenges that sound like fun. I am going to join several of them and keep track in this post.

100+ Reading Challenge
1.A Duke's Temptation by Jillian Hunter
2. Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord
3. Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deana Raybourne
4. One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
5. Impetuous by Lori Foster
6. Her Warrior Slave by Michelle Willingham
7. Truly Madly Viking by Sandra Hill
8. Sea Lord by Virginia Kantra
9. Love me if you dare by Carly Phillips
10.Satisfaction Guaranteed by Charlene Teglia
11.Primal Heat by Susan Sizemore
12.The Border Lord's Bride by Bertrice Small
13.Kisses from Hell by Kristin Cast et al
14. Prince Charming Doesn't live Here by Christine Warren
15.Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory
16.Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
17. Kiss and Tell by Sandy Lynn
18. Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh
19.A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
20. The Wicked Ways of a Duke by Laura Lee Guhrke
21. Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day
22. When Harry met Molly by Kieran Kramer
23.Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries
24. Blood Lite by Keven J. Anderson
25.The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schoeder
26.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
27.The Very Virile Viking by Sandra Hill
28. The Captive Heart by Bertrice Small
29. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
30. My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding by P.N. Elrod
31. Improper Seduction by Mary Wine
32. The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn
33. Primal Desires by Susan Sizemore
34. Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
35. The Magical Christmas Cat by Lora Leigh etal
36. Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra
37. The Bride and the Beast by Teresa Medeiros
38. The Marriage Wager by Candace Camp
39. Lessons in Seduction by Melissa Schroeder
40. Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke
41. Unveiled by Courtney Milan
42. To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott
43. Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt
44. Eternal Flame by Cynthia Eden
45. A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh
46. Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right by Kieran Kramer
47. In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix
48. The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon
49. Atlantis Unleased by Alyssa Day
50. Primal Needs by Susan Sizemore
51. Her Warrior King by Michelle Willingham
52. The Empress's new Lingerie by Hillary Rollins
53. Maiden and the Monster by Michelle Pillow
54. Born to Bite by Lynsay Sands
55. Wet and Wild by Sandra Hill
56. A Date with the Other Side by Erin McCarthy
57. Demon's Fire by Emma Holly
58. Assumed Engagement by Kara Louise
59. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
60. The Exile (an Outlander Graphic Novel) by Diana Gabaldon
61. Highland Heat by Mary Wine
62. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
63. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
64. Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks
65. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
66. Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
67. To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley
68. With Seduction in Mind by Laura Lee Guhrke
69. Much Ado About Marriage by Karen Hawkins
70. Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon
71. The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small
72. Seven Secrets of Seduction by Anne Mallory
73. Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix
74. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
75. Goddess of Legend by PC Cast
76. Warrior's Song by Catherine Coulter
77. Master of the Night by Angela Knight
78. Frostfire by Lynn Viehl
79. The Bridal Quest by Candace Camp
80. First Truth by Dawn Cook
81. Hot Blooded
82. In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix
83. Awakened by Kristin Cast
84. Hot and Heavy by Sandra Hill
85. The Heiress by Lynsay Sands
86. The Countess by Lynsay Sands
87. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison
88. No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon
89. How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries
90. Night Watch by Sergei Luk i anenko
91. The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
92. The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp
93. When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas
94. Only with your Love by Lisa Kleypas
95. Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue
96. The Princess in his Bed by Lila DiPasqua
97. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
98. Brides for Brothers by Debbie Macomber
99. Fairyville by Emma Holly
100.Dream Daddy by Daly Thompson

The Four Month Challenge

2010-12-19T06:22:00.000-08:00

Here is my latest reading challenge. This is a lot of fun!
You can find it here.
FIVE POINT CHALLENGES:
Read a book by your favourite author
The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn, Connie Brockway and Eloisa James

Read a YA book
Bridget’s Quest by PC Cast

Read a book written in 2010
Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn

Read a book with a colour/color in the title
First drop of crimson by Jeanienne Frost

Read a book set in any country other than your own
Knight of Desire by Margaret Mallory

TEN POINT CHALLENGES:
Read a book with any ‘family’ name in it. Eg: Father, daughter, uncle, etc.
A Husband’s Wicked Ways by Jane Feather

Read a book you’ve read before
Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan

Read a fantasy book
Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra

Read a book you’ve been meaning to read for ages
Elphame’s Choice by PC Cast

Read a book set in the same country you live in
Christmas Eve in Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas

FIFTEEN POINT CHALLENGES:
Read a book written before you were born

Read a book suggested by a blog
One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick

Read a book set in a country/place you’d like to visit
Dangerous to Know by Tasha Alexander

Read a book about a person who is still alive (Memoir, bio, auto-bio, etc)

Read a book that is the first in a series
And Then He Kissed Her by Laura Lee Guhrke

TWENTY POINT CHALLENGES
Read a book about a person who is passed (Memoir, bio, auto-bio, etc)

Read a classic you’ve never read before

Read a book you need to read for another challenge
Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean

Read a book of short stories
Stroke of Midnight by Sherrilyn Kenyon, et al

Read a book with a food in the title

Book Challenge

2010-10-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

I apparently linked the challenge to this post so I'll keep it here even though the date is wrong.

1. To YA or not YA…
The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

2. …With a Twist.
This one focuses on sub-genres, Dystopia
XVI by Julia Karr
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

3. Hot off the Presses.
Read a book published (in your country) in 2011?
Notorious Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt
Unveiled by Courtney Milan

4. It Wasn’t Me! (aka Bad Bloggers*)
Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book ago).
One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
First Truth by Dawn Cook

5. Show it Who is Boss!
Tackle that overflowing T.B.R. pile! Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/12/10.
Demon's Fire by Emma Holly
Assumed Engagement by Kara Louise

6. Bablefish.
Read books that are translated from a language that is not your own.
The Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko

7. Will-Power? What Will-Power? (aka: The Henry Ward Beecher Memorial.)
Bought a book NEW during 2011? Then it counts for this category.
This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione

8. Mind the Gap.
Need just one more book to compete that duology/trilogy/series then read it for this one!
Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries
Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory

9. Back in the Day.
Re-read an old favourite or two for this category.
Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Unlocked by Courtney Milan

10. Way Back When.
Read books that were published before you were born for this one,

11. Slim-Pickings
Any books between 90-150 pages count.
Pack Alpha by Crissy Smith
Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

I have been spending most of my time reading instead of paper crafting lately so I've decided to join a couple of reading challenges. I also wanted a place to keep track of books I've read and authors I've enjoyed.

Fantasy challenge here
1. Hunters: Heart and Soul by Shiloh Walker
2. Sin Undone by Larissa Ione
3. Pleasures of the Night by Sylvia Day
4. Demon from the Dark by Kresley Cole
5. Viking Unchained by Sandra Hill
6. Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
7. Dream Warrior by Sherrilyn Kenyon
8. I Thirst for You by Susan Sizemore
9. Unchained by Sharon Ashwood
10.The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy
11.Soul Deep by Lora Leigh
12.Barbarian Prince by Michelle Pillow
13.Accidentally Dead by Dakota Cassidy
14.First Drop of Crimson by Jeaniene Frost
15.Hunters Salvation by Shiloh Walker
16.Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra
17.Heat of the Night by Sylvia Day
18.I Hunger for You by Susan Sizemore
19.The Last Viking by Sandra Hill
20.The Jaguar Prince by Karen Kelley

Historical Fiction here
1. Hellion in her Bed by Sabrina Jeffries
2. Secrets of a Scandalous Bride by Sophia Nash
3. To Wed a Wicked Prince by Jane Feather
4. For Your Arms Only by Caroline Linden
5. Unladylike Pursuits by Alyssa Goodnight
6. Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare
7. Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine
8. Courtesan's Kiss by Mary Blayney
9. Dance of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries
10.The Belated Bride by Karen Hawkins
11.Scoundrel in my Dreams by Celeste Bradley
12.The Silver Rose by Jane Feather
13.A Dangerous Love by Bertrice Small
14.The Tarnished Lady by Sandra Hill
15.A Husband's Wicked Ways by Jane Feather
16.Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan
17.Three Night with a Scoundrel by Tessa Dare
18.Whisper of Scandal by Nicola Cornick
19.The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig
20.The Border Lord's Bride by Bertrice Small

And done!!

Becky's Birthday card

2010-08-06T19:46:00.001-07:00

It's Coming!!!!

2009-10-04T07:27:00.000-07:00

More scrapbook pages

2009-05-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

This layout was an art inspiration. These are photos from Leslie's surprise 50th birthday party back in October. I'm doing well when I get photos scrapped less than a year after they were taken.

This is Imaginesce paper and another variety of embellishments. I used Scenic Route, Doodlebug, and Jolee's along with yellow thickers. This was a sketch challenge at Inspired Blueprints.

This layout was a challenge to use KI sheers. I also used Colorbok paper flowers behind the sheer, thickers, American Craft chipboard, and Jillibeans journaling spots.

Scrapbooking

2009-05-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been forever since I scrapbooked. But this weekend, in honor of National Scrapbooking Day, I finished several pages. I was participating in an on-line crop at Lifetime Moments.

The first page of this layout met the challenge to use 3 fonts/products in the title.
The second page met the challenge to use journaling cards for something other than journaling.
Most of the paper products on these pages are by K&Co. The cute bird and bird house stamps are by Unity.

This one used song lyrics. You may recognize the song as the first one on my blog playlist. I couldn't believe it was one of the choices for this challenge, since it is one of my favorites. It Today was Your Last Day. I didn't use the title but I chose some of the lyrics that went espcially well with these photos of my daughter living life to the fullest.

Patterned paper, title and die cut are Cosmo Cricket. The other embellishments were culled from a variety of sources. There is K&Co, Creative Imaginations, Me and My Big Ideas, EK Success, and Darice.

One more for tonight

2009-04-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

Out of the stack of mostly finished cards that I started last weekend, I did get one other done tonight. This one used the sketch at Prairie Paper and Ink. More paper from the mat pad I bought for Megan's baby card. Its by Die Cuts with a View. The image is Suzy's Zoo and the Sentiment is Papertrey Ink. Its from a gift sent you get when you buy a certain number of sets. While I haven't been familiar with Papertrey Ink that long, my friend Laurie, is a long time fan and ended up with 3 of these sets last year. She very kindly gave one to me, as well as Leslie. Thanks again Laurie!

Unity Challenge

2009-04-23T17:40:00.000-07:00

This is the card I did for today's Unity challenge. Unity turns 1 year old on Monday so one of the challenges at HipHOp today was to make an almost birthday card using a non traditional image. I thought this would make a cute card for a child or teen. The whale was stamped and sent to me and the sentiment is from the April kit of the month. 'Because of the challenge at Lifetime Moments, I have been trying to use journaling spots on my cards. Both of the circles are Heidi Swapp journaling spots. I also used my new Fiskars border punch.

Friday Sketchers Challenge

2009-04-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

This is one of the baby cards I started last weekend. I colored a whole bunch of images and then started putting together several cards. I finally finished a couple of them tonight. This one used the Friday Sketchers sketch from this week.

Whiff of Joy give away

2009-04-21T03:28:00.000-07:00

Katharina at Whiff of Joy is giving away 2 complete Elizabeth Bell summer stamp kits!!
I have already pre-ordered mine. The images I have seen from the spring kit are beautiful and I don't want to miss out again. Head over to her blog by clicking on the image on the right and check it out.

Another Tilda

2009-04-18T17:28:00.000-07:00

While I was motivated to do some coloring, I inked up the other Tilda I own and used her for the challenge at Magnolia vs Stampavie. It was another sketch challenge. I had to move some of the elements around to get them to fit on my rectangular card. I experimented with something I had read about somewhere in the blog world. I only had the one red, so I colored onto my blender pen with it. It worked pretty well, but got very wet and bled a little. I'll need to keep practicing with that. I put paper glaze over the raindrops and her boots. The sentiment is from My Favorite Things. The brads are by Queen and Company. That's all the stamping for today. Tomorrow is the last day of spring break, so there's a lot to get done. Still, I'm hoping to sneak some more time in the scrap room.

My First Magnolia

2009-04-18T17:24:00.001-07:00

I finally took the plunge and colored my first Tilda. I've had her for quite some time but hadn't taken the time to ink her up and work with my copics. I'm pretty happy with her. Her hair could be a little darker but the darkest gray I have is a 7. This is for a sketch challenge on a new challenge blog site called Just Magnolia.

Monthly card night

2009-04-18T11:09:00.001-07:00

Well, it wasn't actually either. In theory we meet monthly but it is usually more like every 2-3 months. And we didn't meet at night this time since I was off work. Anyway, Leslie and I drove to Laurie's house where we made 3 cards and had a late lunch. Our challenge this time was to use embossing on our cards.

This is the card Leslie designed.

This card was designed by Leslie's daughter Marissa. Laurie used it as her contribution since she hasn't been feeling very well lately.

And this is the one I designed. It is very similar to one I posted a couple of days ago.

Verve post

2009-04-15T20:08:00.001-07:00

This card is for the Verve blog challenge. Here is the link to the store with contest details http://shopverve.com/index.html. I used April release sketch 3 and a Verve sentiment stamp that happens to come from one of my all time favorite poems. I had to memorize this poem in 7th grade and I still can recite it. I don't even want to do the math to know how many years ago that was. The set this stamp comes from is called Beautiful You and it has a bunch of unusual but very cool quotes. I used one of my new Nestabilities to cut the label. The butterfly (Martha Stewart) is punched from a glittery pink by DieCuts With a View. I used a cuttlebug embossing folder for the strip of pink. I think the flower is Marcella and the dp is Joanne's but can't be sure since I don't have the packaging anymore.

That's finally it for today. Tomorrow I have to prep my card for card making night with Laurie and Leslie. We're getting together Friday afternoon so I'm running out of time.

Fairy

2009-04-15T19:55:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally got around to inking up my fairy stamps from Susana's Custom Art and Card Design. This card uses the sketch and color challenge on that site, as well as the fantasy challenge at Caardvarks and the color challenge at Cute Card Thursday.

Enjoying Break

2009-04-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

I have really been relaxing and enjoying spring break. Monday I went to the library for some Pride and Prejudice related books and they had the 2005 DVD version of the story on the shelf. I was so excited that I watched all 5-6 hours of it that afternoon. Then, yesterday while I was working on some cards, I had it playing on my computer. That worked so well that I did the same again today. I'm really getting my $2 rental worth out of it.

Anyway, I have managed to get some cards made. I completed all 4 challenges for the new Verve release. Here are three of them.

This one is for the color challenge :soft blue, soft yellow, and soft brown. The stamps are Unity and the sketch is from Stamp TV.

This one uses sketch 3. The sentiment is Verve and the image is Stampendous. I used Nestabilities, copic markers,Daisy D paper, Doodlebug frills, and Stampin Up oval punches.

For this one, I used sketch VSAPR1. The paper is all scraps so I don't know the manufacturer. Stamps are by stampin up, My Mind's Eye and Papertrey Ink.

I've got a couple more to post tonight or tomorrow. We'll see how much more I can get done tonight.

Give Away

2009-04-12T17:21:00.000-07:00

I'm back from Akron and trying to get caught up on e-mails, etc. Checking in with my favorite sites I found this stamp company I had never heard of before. They have really cute stuff and are giving away an Easter stamp set. http://creatingcupcakes.blogspot.com/2009/04/easter-stamp-set-giveaway.html I think this Easter set is adorable but they also have some really cute bird and owl sets. I think my favorite is the circus animals. Here is the site http://www.mycutestamps.com

Cards for work

2009-04-08T19:30:00.000-07:00

I needed to get these done tonight so I could take them into work tomorrow. With spring break starting, I wanted to give people a chance to sign them. Secretary's Day is kind of sneaking up on me because it is the week we get back.

This one is for the Gina K stamp tv color challenge and Secret Crafter Saturday challenge to use stripes. I used the sketch from Sketch Saturday.

This card is for the Happy something challenge at Stamp Something. It also meets challenges from both weeks 1 and 2 on the Lifetime Moments site in the stamping thread.

Sunday card

2009-04-05T16:40:00.000-07:00

Didn't get a whole lot done today. I cruised the aisles at Michael's and Dollar Tree looking to fill an Easter basket for my 19 year old daughter. She still insists the bunny hide her basket too. Nothing spoiled about her.

This card uses sketch 23 from Triple the Sketches and it meets the Whiff of Joy challenge to distress your card. I am still trying to get better at using my copic markers. I have trouble with bleeding. I think that means I'm over saturating the paper. I use good quality paper (Papertrey Ink) with them so that' s not the problem. I have learned a lot from different sites on-line and there are many people in the Magnolia-ious group that do gorgeous coloring. I guess I just need to keep studying and keep practicing.

Another challenge card

2009-04-04T20:49:00.001-07:00

This uses the sketch 51 at Triple the Sketches. They are celebrating their first anniversary with a blog hop and some special RAKs.

This card used stamps by Elyzabell and Verve. Dp is K&Co. , ribbon is Autumn leaves, flower is Prima, and the chipboard button is Making Memories.

New card

2009-04-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

I really thought I was going to get a lot done today. Not so. I started organizing ribbon and ended up only getting one card done.

At least this one meets a bunch of different challenges. I used the sketch at CPS and the recipe at Papertake Weekly. Several other sites all had challenges to make spring or Easter cards. It also meets this week's challenge at LM, to use ribbon and a journaling spot. It's an unusual size because I'm trying to use up a bunch of old Hallmark envelopes I've had laying around for years. Works perfectly with this K&Co mat pad stack. With the decorative edges, I haven't wanted to cut them down to use on regular sized cards.

Give Away

2009-04-04T08:14:00.001-07:00

While doing the awesome blog hop for Triple the Sketch's anniversary, I saw this post for a great give away! http://lifeonelayoutatatime.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-giveaway-another-blog-hop.html It includes a bind it all, ca-ute apron, or handmade jewelry.

Unity Challenge

2009-04-02T18:20:00.000-07:00

I don't often get a card made for the hip hop challenge on the Unity site at SCS. However, they have started posting the challenge the night before. With some extra time to think about what I want to do, I may get a few more of them finished.

This was somewhat of a challenge, since I don't have any Unity stamps that are , strictly speaking, baby stamps. But I do think the deer is adorable so I went with it.

2009-03-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is the Easter card I made for my mom and dad. I used a lot of older supplies so I'm not sure of manufacturer on all of it. Sentiment stamp is Papertrey Ink, image is PSX, eggs are American Craft, used Martha Stewart border punch and Nestabilities, stickles, Staz on ink, and colored with prismacolor pencils and mineral spirits.

Very cool!

2009-03-29T09:22:00.000-07:00

I was going through my e-mail updates and found this
http://sheetloadshortcuts.blogspot.com/2009/03/spotted-more-customer-cards_29.html
Sooooo cool!
That's me- CathyG!

2009-03-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

I have found so many awesome blogs with amazing work since I joined the Magnolia-licious group. This one, in addition to gorgeous eye candy, is also giving away blog candy.
http://rosaswelt.blogspot.com
Talk about a fabulous prize!!!!

Well, time to get something done.
Cathy

2009-03-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I've finally taken the plunge and started a blog. We'll see how well I do with it. Technology doesn't like me, as a rule.