Monday, March 31, 2014

Newton Nook- Final Guest Post

Hello Friends!  I am over at the Newton's Nook Designs blog today sharing my last creation as a Guest Designer for them.  It has been so much fun to work with all the Jennifer and the rest of the DT for the March Release.  I wish there was more time to play more...sigh.


Here is the sneak of what I made today.  It features a lot of coloring, which you know I love, and I used 4 different NND sets. The main set featured here is the new Basket of Wishes.  I cut around the flowers and omitted the basked handle.  If you want to know more, you'll have to head on over to their blog to see, and I hope you do.

Thanks for stopping today.  Thank you Jennifer and all of the Newton's Nook Design;s Team for letting me play with you this month!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Inky Paws Challenge #8

Hello!  It has been so fun being a Guest Designer this month for Newton's Nook Designs.  Jennifer is so kind she is even letting me play in this month's challenge!  So let's get to it shall we?!

This month's challenge- NND Inky Paw's Challenge #8- is a super fun sketch:


This layout was very fun to use and I have to say, it was a challenge for me to leave all that open space, but I did- wahoo!

...and... here is what I made with that sketch.


Obviously, I rotated it for a horizontal look.  I just love this little block of cheese with the heart from Just Say Cheese and I thought it would be fun to make it the center of attention here.  The sentiment and colors make this perfect for any guy, maybe a hubby, dad or even a boss.  

So head on over to NND to check out the challenge, rules and all the other inspiration.  Then, you'll be ready to get YOUR paws inky and join us! :)

Thank you for stopping by today!  All your comments make my heart go pitter-pat!

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Fusion #7- Be Fabulous!

I know, I know... you already are fabulous!  Which is exactly why you are going to join us for this round of Fusion eh?!  Here is this round's inspiration:



Here is my take:


I went for Shabby Chic on this card.  I used ribbon on my little gold mannequin to make a scarf and accented it with a flower.  

Be sure to check out the other ladies creations and leave them some love too!



If you have any questions you can find the rules over on the Fusion blog and that is also where you link up! Be sure to have fun and remember you are fabulous! :)

Entering this into:
The Challenge #3
Through the Purple Haze- Bingo




Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Thinking forward + Liebster Award

As the weather turns to spring, my family and I are thinking about camping this summer and a possible trip to Yellowstone. So exciting!!!!   I hope this happens as I know my daughter (and the rest of us) would love it so much!  The animals and geysers, hiking and fishing, all of it.  Here is a card I made in the spirit of hoping that does happen!




Also, I wanted to share with you a wonderful, wonderful award I got from my sweet friend Kimberly the other day.  She has the biggest heart! I am so tickled that she would pass that love on to me. :)   THANK YOU Kimberly!



Liebster Award is nominated for bloggers that you admire, 
it is all about perusing blogs, betting to know crafty new friends for 
bloggers that have less than 200 followers.

This award is all about getting to know new crafty friends and perusing their blogs for new ideas and to get your mojo into high gear.
Part of the process is to answer a few questions about yourself, then to select a few blogs I visit and nominate them (thus ...... paying it forward ).

I was asked to answer these questions:


1.  The three supplies you use most?

Basic Black ink from SU!, snips for cutting and Fiskars paper trimmer

2. How long have you been making cards?

Started way back in 2007 maybe but got more serious about it in the last few years.  There are so many amazing products to try...and of course I want them all! :)

3. What do you do with all the cards you make?

Send them to friends, family and give them to co-workers.  Some folks at work want to buy some so I am all for that- hello coffee fund!

4. What is your favorite technique when making cards?

I love to stamp and then color!!!  Pencils, markers, water coloring, you name it.

5.  What are your favorite color combos to use?

Anything bright and cheery.

6.  How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to do so?

Maybe a year after I started stamping, wasn't always into that either.  As my love of card making (and product using) grows so does my love for blogging.  i want to share with others and be inspired by them- an inspiration exchange.  I LOVE playing challenges too!

7.  How does your family handle your habit?

Totally supportive!  My husband loves that I have something I like.  ....and I believe my wee little daughter will be following in my footsteps. (Lucky dad!- lol!)

_______________________________________________________________________

My turn to nominate some fabo bloggers that are worth checking out!  With out further ado- 

Evelyn- My little Craft Blog-   Ingenious creations and a master with the Cricut!

Migdalia- Crafting with Creative M- This girl is on many DTs and posts wonderful creations like crazy!

Nicole Picadura- Scraps and Stamps- She has amazing CAS creations!

Ren Yi- Small handed adventures- This coordinator extraordinaire makes wonderful creations and is a big sweetheart!

Dannielle Robeson- {Made In} apt 14- Super stamper with a lot of style!

Noelle McAdams- Paper and Ice- She rocks The Cat's Pajama products like nobody's business.  

Nominees: Should you choose to accept this award, please answer the same questions as above. Just copy and paste into your post and type over my answers.

This award is about Paying it Forward to bloggers with a following of less than 300. It's a great way to thank those that came before you and help others attain more crafty friends/followers.
To learn about how you except the award and pass it on click here.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Tissue Paper Tuesday

Guess what?  I have another tissue paper creation for you!  I am calling this one stained glass.  Why?  Because if you were to put it up to the window it would look like stained glass.  Also, because my dad has a stained glass butterfly in his window that he has had since I was a baby AND he made it!  Yep, that apple doesn't fall far does it?! :)


You can probably guess how I did this?  It is pretty much what it looks like...and that is that I cut two butterflies in black from the Top Dog Dies Butterfly Die Set.  In between I layered a rainbow of tissue and glued the outer layers together.  A quick tip- I used micro glue dot to tack the pieces of tissue together and to the butterfly.   When I was done fussing with the tissue and adhering the layers together, I carefully cut the excess tissue off.  A little time consuming because it is fussy, but really pretty easy and so fun.

So what do you think, are you going to give it a try?  I hope so.  In fact, I'd really love to see how you are using tissue paper in your creations, please leave your link in the comments and I'll stop by and visit you.

Before you go- one kind shout out to Noelle McAdams for the sweet RAK the other day!  Isn't that just the sweetest?!  Thank you kind friend!!!!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Hello Monday

Good day friends!  I hope your weekend was good.

I have a quick card to share with you today, one for a friend who is recovering from an injury.  The folks at the office will sign this one and a few others.  I hope he likes it.

The stamps and dies are from Simon Says Stamp, called Where the Heart Is.  The button is hand made by Jane in Croatia, so cool. I love the textures they have.  The button and twine are what make this card complete, just a little cheery and full of love.  



Have you played the most recent Fusion Challenge or Cut-it-up Challenge yet?  If not, you should. :)

Thanks for stopping and enjoy your day.

Entering this into:
House of Cards March Challenge#2- CAS or Classic and a Button
Cure for the Monday Blues #10



Friday, March 21, 2014

Cut it Up Challenge #41- Anything Goes

Hey- did you know it is National Craft Month?  Yep, so we are celebrating at Cut-it-Up Challenge with and Anything goes Challenge.

It is already fun seeing all the DT creations, they are so varied.  It will be even more fun to see what you come up with!  You have until March 21st at Noon to enter over at the CIU blog. 

My card for this month is a little scrappy and a little grungy!  I spritzed the base with some Heidi Swapp Coral Color Shine.  Added my trendy Neon washi.  Sponged in some Delecata gold stars and added some chip stars in gold too.  And the main interest is the feathers from PTI.  I stamped and embossed (one white, one gold) on Velum and used the corresponding die cuts to cut them out.  So cool and trendy...right?  Ya- totally! ;)



We have two sponsors for this challenge: 


BugBites-The Creative Buzz
Prize: Candy Speaks Stamp Set

AND 
a $15 Gift Certificate from 
 Die-Versions


Some friendly reminders about our challenges:
Project must follow the theme of the challenge AND include a die-cut
Only one entry per person.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Newton's Nook Designs March Release Day 3


Hello and welcome back to Day 3 of Newton's Nook Designs March Release!  What is your favorite set so far?  Don't ask me because I can't decide! :)

The final release is Basket of Wishes.  This set has so much versatility and can be used for so many occasions.  In fact, I used it for a couple myself.  

This first card makes the perfect card for a friend's birthday.  The pocket can hold a gift card from their favorite coffee shop or craft store!


This second card is gonna be perfect for my Mama on Mother's Day!  Shhhhhh, don't tell!  She loves to garden, so it will be perfect for her.


These (actually all) NND sets are so great for coloring, which I love! 

So......would you like to win Basket of Wishes?

This set will be given away to Two lucky winners

Here's how to win: 
Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)! Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, March 20th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, March 21st.

Check out all these awesome Design Team & Guest Blogs below to enter:


Thank you so much for stopping by!




Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Announcing the Winner from the Top Dog Dies and Echo Park Blog Hop


If you are looking for Day 2 of Newton's Nook Designs March Release, please click here. 

If you are here to see if you were a winner from the Top Dog Dies and Echo Park Blog Hop you are just in time......

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

results powered by Random.org
Entry #202Jessica C.


Big Congratulations Jessica!  Speaking from experience, I think you'll enjoy your new and exclusive Top Dog Dies. :) Watch your email for information on how to claim your prize!!!!

Newton's Nook Designs March Release Day 2


Hello and welcome back to Day 2 of Newton's Nook Designs March Release!  I hope you have been enjoying all the inspiration so far?!  What is not to love eh?  Well we have more fun creations and more giveaways so I am so glad you've come back to share it. :)

Today we are featuring the Easter Scramble set- so cute!  What I love about this set is that the bottom half of those egg shells also make perfect tulips.  Um, how brilliant was Jennifer when she created that?!  

So here is what I made using this fun set!  


Wait, what is that?  Is the little egg opening up?  CRACK!!!!!  Why yes, it is!  AND there is a tiny little chick inside saying Peak-a-boo!



I had fun using various textures and patterns on this.   The burlap feels like an Easter basket and the grass and woodchip make great accents.  I am happy with the result. :)


Would you like to win Easter Scramble?

This set will be given away to Two lucky winners



Here's how to win: 
Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)! Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, March 20th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, March 21st.

Check out all these awesome Design Team & Guest Blogs below to enter:


Thank you so much for stopping by!


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Top Dog Dies and Balzar Designs- Tutorial

For Newton's Nook Designs March Release & Giveaway go here.

Hey Ya'll!  Did you even know there is such a thing as the blank plastic stencil pages?  Yep, Balzar Designs makes them!  I am over on the Top Dog Dies Blog again today sharing a tutorial on how to make your own stencil from one small die and those blank sheets.  Here's a little sneak!



Won't you come by and check it out and leave me some bloggy love?!

Newton's Nook Designs March Release


Hello and Welcome to my blog!  I am so thrilled to be a Guest Designer for Newton's Nook Designs this month.  It is time for the March release and they have some super cute and fabulous sets to share.  These sets will get you in the mood for spring, guaranteed!

With out further ado, here is the Spring Showers set!  Isn't it so cute and fun!



I decided to make a cute baby shower card with it.  I used the sweet ducky with the umbrella.  The paper is perfect for the theme, as are the sequins in the little pouch!  This would work for someone expecting a boy or a girl!


Would you like to win Spring Showers?

This set will be given away to Two lucky winners


Here's how to win: 
Comment on the NND blog and Design Team and Guest blogs (see list below)! Two winners will be chosen at random from the collective blogs release posts. Make sure to check out each of their blogs and comment for your chance to win. You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning! You have until Thursday, March 20th at 9 pm Central Standard Time to comment  -- winners will be announced on the blog post on Friday, March 21st.
Check out all these awesome Design Team & Guest Blogs below to enter:

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Monday, March 17, 2014

More tissue paper fun with Top Dog Dies

So, how was your weekend?  Mine was good.  We went for a walk around the Mercer Slough for the first time.  It is a great wetland and wildlife area.  There is also an adjacent blueberry farm (YUM), we'll be going there in late summer to pick. :)

Today I want to share another card that I made with tissue paper and Top Dog Die Bella Doily.  I cut the doily from bright purple tissue.  I mod-podged the down.  What I like about this is that you can still see the bright color of the tissue but you can see a bit of the black through it, the transparency is apparent.  I stamped the floral form ME on a lighter shade of purple and embossed it white.  The sentiment is also from ME.  I added some bright green bits from the Leafy Flourishes Die to add more greenery.  Finally, I smudged around for the chalkboard look and finished of with some bright Orchid sequins from Neat & Tangled.

Entering into:
Shabby Tea Room #210- Anything Goes
Sketchbook Saturday #117


Thanks for stopping, I hope you have a great day!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Color Me Pretty

Hello and happy Friday!  Woot!  I hope you had a good week and have an even better weekend planned. :)

Speaking of weekends, my daughter and I are going to a birthday party for a 6 year old.  This is a dance party complete with tutus.  Should be fun.  So, I made today's card for that birthday girl. Seriously, what girl doesn't love to dream about unicorns and rainbows?!

I plan to make another just like it for Emma's card drive.  Just a reminder...we have a blog hop and card drive going on for her right now, you can check my link here or start at the beginning of the hop at Amy's blog. There are prizes up for grabs for hoppers AND for those that participate in the card drive.  So won't you come join us?  You have until March 24th.

Meanwhile, I wanted to tell you just a little bit about this card.  Remember my faux watercolor tutorial using tissue paper?  Well this is my second card using tissue.  I simply crumpled it up a bit, sort of accordion style but it doesn't have to be perfect and applied it from the bottom layer up.  The washi from MME is the perfect accent on top.  I stamped the sweet, sweet unicorn from the new Paper Smooches Spectrum set.  I then used colored pencils, which translated better than I thought they would onto the kraft paper.  I am super happy with the result.

Today's Question of the Day is- Besides using it for gift wrap, when was the last time you used tissue paper and what for?

Entering this into:
CAS on Sunday- Color Me Pretty
Addicted to Stamps- Anything Goes

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Treat tutorial- Top Dog Dies

Hiya!  Looky, I am over on the Top Dog Dies blog today with a SUPER, SUPER easy tutorial on this treat holder.  




Oh, and did I mention how easy it is?  Yep, about as easy as they come!

Please come by and visit here

Thanks for visiting!

It's time to stop and smell the flowers- Fusion #6

Hello, Hello.  Are you having a good week?  I am doing pretty well.  What can I say, it is sunny here and yesterday it was 62 degrees!  As I was driving down the street I got a whiff of some white flowering bush and it was so sweet.  Bottom line, spring is here and I couldn't be happier about that.  I hope it stays and the rain is on break for a while.

Since we are talking about spring, check out this fun springy inspiration for Fusion #6!  


Wow eh?!  

Here is how it inspired me.  I used some Lawn Fawn paper from Daphnie's Closet to counter the green floral pattern in the pic.  I used the layout from the sketch for my basic shape and stamped using Reverse Confetti's Be a Barista (LOVE THIS SET!).  I shadow stamped the sentiment for just a little fun touch.  



You know the drill, AFTER you check out all the other DT's FABULOUS creations (smile), head on over to Fusion and play along.

The Rules:
1. Play with just the sketch challenge.
2. Play with just the inspiration photo challenge.
3. Or you can create FUSION by combining BOTH challenges into one card.
4. Use the challenge graphic and link back to Fusion in your post.
5. Please read the other considerations on the Our Rules Page before playing along.


I can't wait to see what you make!

Entering this into: