Shaping Up Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Hi everyone!  I almost didn't make it to the Shaping Up Blog Hop due to work issues this past weekend but HUGE thanks to Jim and Jill for helping me get some much needed sleep!  I couldn't have done it without you!  Seriously.....you guys are the best!

{Blog Hop badge designed by JJ Bolton representing the 5 rounds of Gallery Idol and a little Joscie flair!}

Welcome to the Shaping Up Blog Hop!  I was so very honored to be chosen as one of the

Top 5 in this year's Paper Crafts Gallery Idol 2012 Contest!

As a group, we decided to do a little inspiration blog hop to THANK YOU for all the support you gave each one of us during the competition!  We also know many of you are participating in the Paper Crafts July Gallery Challenge which is Shaped Summer Cards!  I encourage you to make something and link it up HERE!

You should have arrived from the blog of Jennifer Ingle who was in the Top 5 with me!  Please go check out her awesome blog.....so much inspiration!!!  If you have gotten off track, don't worry!  Please check out the full Blog Hop list on the Facebook Event Page found HERE.

The card I designed for Paper Crafts July Gallery Challenge is definitely summer themed to ME.  Growing up every summer I couldn't wait until it was fair time......the Zipper, the food, the friends, the demolition derby, the parade.  All of it!  So I decided to ink up a stamp set from The Craft's Meow called Life is a Carnival.  What a great set to take me back to my younger years!!  My "mini" card is shaped like a ticket because as you know....."back when" you actually needed tickets to ride the rides at the fair!  I used the Blank Ticket die from Memory Box for my base.  My card layout was inspired by THIS SKETCH over at The Craft's Meow this month as well!  I did rotate the sketch just a bit!  ;)

 

Now there was a **mention** of a GIVEAWAY in my title and to thank you for all the messages, texts, emails, pm's, and comments during the competition, I have put together a prize pack of some of my favorite things.  I am so very blessed to design for Market Street Stamps and have a few new stamp sets that are included in my giveaway.  So how do you win?  I would LOVE it if you would follow my blog but I know some won't do this, so all I am asking is to leave a comment on this post for your chance.  If you do become a follower, I'd love to see you back here!
You have until Sunday, July 29 11:59PM EST to get your comments in for your chance to win!

That's it from me.........Your next stop on the Blog Hop is Agnieszka Malyszek and I know you will find something beautiful to see over on her blog!

{Sweet Summer Memories}

Stamps:  Life is a Carnival (The Craft's Meow)

Paper:  SS White (PTI)

Pattern paper:  So Happy Together (Echo Park)

Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Blank Ticket Die (Memory Box), Fishtail Flags Stax (MFT)

Misc:  Berry Sorbet Button (PTI), Crochet Thread, Janome Sew Mini, Copic E57

The Craft's Meow New Release Blog Hop!!

Hi everyone!  I want to thank you for joining me this week as I joined the fabulous Design Team over at The Craft's Meow!  It has been such a pleasure to help TCM celebrate their Birthday!  Today we are in the midst of the new release Blog Hop.  You should have arrived from the lady who does vintage so elegantly, Ivana Camdzic.  If you did not, you really need too! 

Today we got to choose any of the sets releasing and use it for our Blog Hop project.  I really needed to get a jump start on some of the other cards I will be needing, so I decided to use Beautiful Spring for my Father's Day card this year.  I decided to do some simple "masking" technique and stamp the leaf image down the side of my image panel. 

Here is the stamp set Beautiful Spring that I've used for my card.

Now get ready for this.........Do you want to win ALL 6 of these new set??  To be eligible, you will need to visit & comment on each blog on the hop!!  If you get lost along the way, make sure to visit The Craft's Meow blog for the full Blog Hop list!  But your next stop is Iwona Palamountain and you don't want to miss what fabulous project she has for inspiration today!  Thanks so much for joining me this week and for all the wonderful comments.....I've enjoyed reading every one of them! 

{Happy Father's Day}
Stamps:  Beautiful Spring (The Craft's Meow)
Paper:  SS White, Soft Stone, Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Ink:  Dark Chocolate (PTI)
Dies:  Linen IP (PTI)
Misc:  Rustic Wood Button (PTI--no longer available), Button Twine (PTI)

The Craft's Meow Birthday Bash---Day 4

Are you ready for some more goodies from The Craft's Meow March new release??  Can you stand it??  Today we get to show you a very special stamp set called Thanks Bee to Thee.  This set will not be for sale this month but will be a gift with a $50 purchase from March 21st through March 31st.  This set will be released for sale starting April 1st.  You will need this set.......so why not get it free?  :)


As we continue The Craft's Meow Birthday Celebration, today's challenge is all about BIRTHDAYS!  Here is the Birthday Celebration inspiration photo.  Come celebrate with us!  All of this week's challenges will remain open unitl 9:00pm PDT, Saturday, March 31st.  Please check out TCM blog for more details.  You say.....I don't have any TCM stamp to play along. Well, if you Like us on Facebook you will receive not one but two free digi images designed by Karen Baker for The Craft's Meow!!!! If you're not on Facebook, then you can email thecraftsmeow@gmail.com and they will be emailed to you. Remember to win a prize, you must have used a TCM stamp or digi!

Wow, I love today's set and it's so trendy and "IN" right now!  Hexagons....and lots of them!  My background was created with a hexagon background strip heat embossed with white Filigree Embossing Powder.  Then I just added color with the smaller hexagon stamps randomly stamped using the colors from the Birthday celebration photo.  My sentiment was stamped on a hand cut banner to represent the banner in the birthday photo above! 

Remember, if you want your chance at winning this set featured today, you must go leave a comment over at TCM blog! And while you are there, why don't you play along with a TCM challenge?? Who doesn't love a FREE stamp set? Thanks so much for stopping by!

{Happy bee-lated Birthday}

Stamps:  Thanks Bee to Thee (The Craft's Meow--gift w/ $50 purchase)

Paper:  SS White (PTI)

Ink:  Orange, Papaya, Watermelon, Sky (Amuse), Versamark, True Black (PTI)

Misc:  White Filigree Embossing Powder, Spring Rain Button (PTI), Crochet Thread, Copics, Foam Tape

The Craft's Meow Birthday Bash---Day 3

***Please scroll down for my Lil' Inker Designs March Release Post***

 

Welcome back to Day #3 of The Craft's Meow birthday celebration and March new release!  Today we are getting ready to show you some CUTE CUTE stamps by non-other than Jenny Suchin.  I am a huge fan of her signature owls and these 2 sets are some of my new favorites.  I'm so glad to see Jenny having such success with her line at TCM.  We parted ways when the Wee Memories challenge blog ceased but we've remained blog friends since. 

Have any of you played along with TCM yet and their challenges going on?  Today's is a color challenge and is perfect for those spring/Easter cards!  You say.....I don't have any TCM stamp to play along.  Well, if you Like us on Facebook you will receive not one but two free digi images designed by Karen Baker for The Craft's Meow!!!!  If you're not on Facebook, then you can email thecraftsmeow@gmail.com and they will be emailed to you.  Remember to win a prize, you must have used a TCM stamp or digi!

I just love this first one..........Spring is Here.  So many adorable little images in this set.  I chose to use the mailbox and letter images as well as her little owl!  My mailbox was paper pieced using the Cosmo Cricket Tea for Two papers.

The next set.........Get Well Soon, has a special place in my heart!  I am a RN so this set will gets LOTS of use!!!  I sent for a more CAS card but of course had to add some texture!

Remember, if you want your chance at winning either of these sets featured today, you must go leave a comment over at TCM blog!  And while you are there, why don't you play along with a TCM challenge??  Who doesn't love a FREE stamp set?  Thanks so much for stopping by!

{Sending all my Love}

Stamps:  Spring is Here (Jenny Suchin Designs for TCM)

Paper:  SS White (PTI), Tea for Two (Cosmo Cricket)

Ink:  True Black (PTI), Tuxedo Black (Memento)

Dies:  Mat Stack 4 (PTI), Grass Border Dienamics (MFT), Linen IP (PTI)

Misc:  Janome Sew Mini, White Pearl, Foam Tape, Copics

{Sending Heartfelt Wishes}

Stamps:  Get Well Soon (Jenny Suchin Designs for TCM)

Paper:  SS White (PTI), Tea for Two (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink:  True Black (PTI)

Dies:  Layered Hearts Dienamics (MFT), Branch Dienamics (MFT), Sentiment Flag Die (Lil' Inker Designs)

Mics:  Foam Tape, Copics

The Craft's Meow Birthday Bash---Day 2

Hey friends!  So I wanted to send out a great big THANK YOU to everyone for stopping by yesterday for Day 1 of The Craft's Meow newest release for their Birthday Bash! 

Today I bring you yet another fabulous stamp set from Nina Brackett of Nina B Designs called Cherished.  If you like floral and collagy, then this going to entice you!  Such detail in these stamps.......this set also comes with lots of great words to make this as personalized as you need for that special woman in your life.  You know Mother's Day IS right around the corner! 

Again today, I broke out those Distress Inks for my flowers and gave them LOTS of dimension with foam tape on several layers.  My background was embossed with white filigree embossing powder and then Antique Linen ink was sponged over the embossed image for that weathered, vintage look.  Some of you know that this color combo just happens to be my all time favorite!  Today I've used the inspiration challenge for my card.

To continue with The Craft's Meow challenges this week for their Birthday Bash, today is an inspiration challenge for your eye.  You could totally go vintage or earthy or floral!  Let's see what you can do with it!  Check out TCM blog for challenge details and deadlines.

Remember to leave your comment on today's post for your chance to win that days featured stamp set!  All comments need to be left by 9:00pm PDT, Friday, March 23rd on TCM blog.  Tomorrow marks another day.........See you then!

{For my FRIEND}

Stamps:  Cherished (The Craft's Meow)

Paper:  Royal Velvet, Rustic Cream (PTI)

Ink:  Antique Linen, Shabby Shutters, Forest Moss, Gathered Twigs, Milled Lavender, Dusty Concord Distress Inks (Ranger), True Black (PTI), Versamark

Dies:  Ironwork Accents (Spellbinders)

Misc:  White Filigree Embossing Powder, Lace Trim (Wrights), Pearls

The Craft's Meow Birthday Bash---Day 1

Well today is the day!  Today marks Day 1 of the festivities around here for The Craft's Meow Birthday Bash and their new release!  Can I get a woot woot?  Alright, first up did you see the newest designers for TCM??  Please welcome:  Karen Baker (stamp illustrator), Amy (Aimes) Wanford, Jennifer Cuthbertson, and Jackie Rockwell.  These ladies are way talented and I get to be among them for the month as a March Guest!

Today I get to show you a project using 2 new sets designed by Nina Brackett of Nina B Designs called Beautiful Spring and Mother and Father.  I LOVE creating cards like todays!  You know why?  I love to add embellishments and layers.  These types of sets are just my style....literally.  I could NOT wait to get my hands on this stamp set to use my most favorite technique on:  Emboss Resist.  **I did a photo tutorial on it last week and you can find it HERE.  It was also a featured technique last week over on the Moxie Fab World Facebook page!**  I've used the sketch below for my card today.

The Craft's Meow, in celebration of their Birthday during this week, is having daily challenges!  Today's challenge is to use the following sketch by Amy Tsuruta.  For complete rules on the challenge(s), please check out TCM blog for details.  There will also be prizes daily so leave those comments for your chance to win that days featured stamp sets!  The deadline to leave those comments is 9:00pm PDT, Friday, March 23rd.

Please stop by again tomorrow for more from The Craft's Meow Birthday Bash!!!

 

{MOTHER}

Stamps:  Beautiful Spring, Mother and Father (The Craft's Meow)

Paper:  SS White (PTI)

Ink:  Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick, Tattered Rose, Spun Sugar, Scattered Straw, Mustard Seed, Antique Linen Distress Inks (Ranger), Versamark

Dies:  Flags and Tags (Lil' Inker Designs)

Misc:  Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (SU), Janome Sew Mini, White Filigree Embossing Powder, Foam Tape, Pearls

Some "guest" news!

Hi everyone!  I'm so excited to finally be able to share some "guest" news I have!  I have been asked to Guest Design for the craft's meow this month!  How awesome is that??  I have been a quiet stalker of their stamps ever since I won their release last summer during the July Blog Hop!  I can not tell you how thankful I am to Lisa for extending this opportunity to me.  I have had so much fun with this release and have enjoyed working alongside Lisa's talented design team!

And guess what??  This is The Craft's Meow 1st Birthday Bash!  I couldn't have asked for a better month to design with.  Just wait until you see the stamps releasing this month!  Squeeee!  The designs are just......well, you will just have to come back here tomorrow for Day 1 of the Birthday posts!  Thank you for letting me share my news today............it's the only place that people really understand my excitement over this news!  LOL 

 

Have a great Friday!  See you tomorrow for a Birthday Celebration!

Wee Memories #78

Hi ya!  It's Saturday!  Well for me, that means work at 5am but then it's my work Christmas party tonight!  I always look forward to what they feed us and have as entertainment.  Should be a wonderful evening.  Today I'm back with the latest Wee Memories Challenge!  This week's challenge is FREE FOR ALL.  You all love these, so we'd love to see what you have been working on lately! 

I'm not sure why but I guess it's because I tend to send photo Christmas cards now but I've been in a Valentine mood when it comes to my cards.  I decided to use one of Jenny's owl sets, Owl be Thinking of You.  Oh boy, this is CUTE!  I am just tickled at how this card came out!

I know you will ask about this paper.......it's made by Creative Imaginations called Signature Collection Gingham.  LOVE.  You will probably get tired of it soon as this 6 x 6 paper pad has found it's way to my desk and it hasn't left!

Remember, this week's challenge is FREE FOR ALL.  This week's sponsor is Artful Delight and the prize is a card kit!  Go check them out.........HERE.

{Hoo Loves You?}

Stamps:  Owl be Thinking of You (The Craft's Meow)

Paper:  SS White and Dark Chocolate (PTI), Gingham Collection DP (Creative Imaginations)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Tumbled Glass Distress Ink

Dies:  Apron CutUps (The Cat's Pajamas), Circle Nesties (Spellbinders)

Misc:  Copics, Sewing Machine, Glossy Accents, Distress Tool for ink