Julie's Second Blogoversary Blog Hop! It's HERE!

I've been blogging now for 2 years, and oh, how my life has changed.  Online friends, Facebook, design teams, challenges -- I had none of this before my blog.  Now it's all a part of my daily life.  To celebrate it all, I've gathered some of the friends I've made, and we're celebrating.  The theme?  Friendship! Of course!

Here's the hop order, in case you get lost along the way.

Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com/2014/03/julies-second-blogoversary-blog-hop-its.html

Rebecca - http://www.bloomingpink.blogspot.com/

Brenda - http://centralnyscrapper.blogspot.com/2014/03/julies-blogoversary-celebrating.html

Paula - http://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com/2014/03/happy-happy-blogoversary-julie.html

Kary - http://karyg.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/julies-blogoversary-blog-hop.html

Erin & Ruth - http://celticcrafters.blogspot.com/

Miwa - http://miwannascrap.blogspot.com/2014/03/julies-blogoversary-celebration-of.html

Angeline Choo - http://scrappyscrappy.blogspot.com/2014/03/julies-blogoversary-blog-hop-friendship.html

Chris- http://thriftysisters-chris.blogspot.com/

Regina   http://reginaeaster.blogspot.com/2014/03/so-lucky-to-have-friend-like.html

Kathy - http://www.upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com/

Donna  http://createdbydonnak.blogspot.com/2014/02/julies-blogaversary-friendship-blog-hop.html

Gwen -  http://windchimesandlilacs.blogspot.com/2014/03/fwf-julies-blogoversary-hop.html

Rachel -  http://kitchentablescrapper.blogspot.com/

Polly - http://pazasproductions.blogspot.com/2014/03/julies-blogoversary-blog-hop.html

Lucy http://littlescrapsoflucy.blogspot.com/2014/03/julies-blogoversaryfriendship-hop.html

Corrie - http://corriescrafts.blogspot.com/

Mary - http://www.mkbugs.blogspot.com/

Maria - http://riacreations.blogspot.com/

Karen - http://karey2005.blogspot.com/2014/03/friendship-blog-hop.html

And, here's the prizes you can win:

2 $10 gift certificates from Unity Stamp Company (donated by Unity!)

3 sets of winner's choosing from The Cutting Cafe (donated by Regina Easter)

A ribbon bundle from 3 Girl JAM

Timeless Twine -- Rainbow Party Pack (donated by Timeless Twine)

Close To My Heart Stamp Set

Close To My Heart Stamp Set

$15 Gift Certificate from Pinque Peacock (donated by Jessica Shelton-Buffa)

Embossing folders (2)

 2 $25 Gift certificates for My Scrap Chick store (donated by My Scrap Chick)
Websters' Pages 6x6 Sweet Notes pad, an embellishment set and a Websters Pages Stamp set, plus a Unity Cloud background stamp -- donated by Lucy Evans
A background stamp from Flourishes and 3 Aqua markers -- donated by Ruth & Erin Carnes

Now, for my projects:

The first one, I'm also posting on The Pinque Peacock blog today.  I have 2 friends that I try to get together with several times a year for some quality "girl time."  We've got a few days planned next month.  We gather ourselves and our 4 legged friends, find somewhere that lets us have all of us, and just enjoy each other's company.  I made this card to honor that friendship.

I used a Unity stamp set, "Vicki, Catherine, and Leica Girls", coloring the image with Copic markers, using hair color and clothing choices that match our styles.  Papers are from Authentique.  I love the Blue Jeans papers.  And that 3/4 inch fabric covered button from Pinque Peacock is the perfect match!

The ribbon is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Project # 2 --

This may look familiar.  I made a card very similar to this.  My BFF saw it on my blog and commissioned me to make her a 5x7 framed art piece just like the card.

Again, I used a Unity Stamp Company stamp set, "Choose Joy with a Heart", heat embossed with white embossing powder. There's some Umwow Studio Chipboard on it, Tuxedo Black Timeless Twine, and Carta Bella Wildflowers 12x12 papers.  The frame is one that my BFF got at a thrift shop for me.  She knows I use them for projects, so she collects them for me.  Now, she gets one of them back! 

And, the final project is another card, with a sentiment I really like. It seemed perfect for today's hop, and the friendship theme...

The sentiment is from a Unity Stamp Company sentiment kit, "Here's My Thought".  I love the Unity sentiment kits, they are so versatile! This card uses Carta Bella Alphabet Junction paper, UmWow Studio chipboard that's been heat embossed, and a flower that was crocheted for me by an online friend, Sharon.  She made a whole bunch of these little lovelies for me and gave them to me when I met her in person this summer!

And now, for how to win the prizes, please follow this blog, "like" my Facebook page (it's NEW!), visit every stop on the hop, and leave comments there.  The prizes are hidden along the way.  You never know which blog will have a prize.  If I can get to 100 "likes" on my Facebook page, I will pick another winner - this will be for a giant box of 12x12 scrapbook paper, ribbon, twine, embellishments, a Unity Stamp Co grab bag, and whatever else I can fit in the shipping box.
I want to thank each and every one of you, my friends, for hopping with us, and a special thanks for my friends who went to the work of making a project to hop with me.  Where would I be without my friends? I treasure each of you!

Thanks for hopping with us, have fun, off you go to the uber talented Rebecca's blog.

Springtime Wishes -- for 3 Girl JAM

Happy Thursday, crafty friends.  I'm posting today for 3 Girl JAM, and I'm thinking positive.  Instead of coloring snow boots,  and snowmen, I'm thinking spring.  What do you think?

I used some of my favorite Goblin Green 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon on this card, from the Spooky Bundle (just to prove you can use it ANY season) and a Pinque Peacock stick pin. 

DP papers -- My Mind's Eye

Cardstock -- Close To My Heart

Stamp Set (sentiment) -- Close To My Heart

Markers -- Copic 

Stamp Set (rain boots) -- Great Impressions

Sparkle flourish -- Close To My Heart

If you "need" some of this ribbon (and you KNOW you do!) visit the 3 Girl JAM Store. Use code JO10 at checkout to save 10% on everything in the store.  Start shopping!

Thanks for checking out my card.  Please come back tomorrow for "Julie's 2nd Blogoversary Blog Hop".  I'm celebrating 2 years of blogging, hopping with some of the friends I've made through my blog.

There's lots of prizes to win throughout the hop -- including 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon, and Pinque Peacock products.  Plus LOTS more!  March 7-9!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame?

We're into March, the days are getting longer, but the warmth hasn't made it to Northern Wisconsin yet.  I'm going to try to bring a little on with the card I made today for The Cutting Cafe.  

This week's theme is:

 BASEBALL AND BAT SHAPED CARD SET.....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

GOLF WORD SHAPED CARD...TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

IT'S BOWLING TIME..TEMPLATE - PRINTABLE STAMP SET

FOOTBALL SHAPED CARD...TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

Here's what I created:

I used a few Cutting Cafe files on this card --

Baseball & Bat Shaped Card Set

Fence Shaped Card

Garden Stand Ups Cutting Files

The polka dot paper in the background is from Pebbles basics.  All other paper is from Close To My Heart. The twine is Timeless Twine in Bubblegum Pink and Aqua Blue. I stamped the sentiment using a retired set from CTMH.
Just like every week, if you comment on The Cutting Cafe blog on Thursday, you can win any 3 sets from the store of your choice.

Now, if we could just get some warmer weather....

Please come back Friday for "Julie's 2nd Blogoversary Blog Hop".  I'm celebrating 2 years of blogging, hopping with some of the friends I've made through my blog.

There's lots of prizes to win throughout the hop -- including 3 sets from The Cutting Cafe!  Plus LOTS more!  March 7-9!

Timeless Twine and Lawn Fawn Cross Promotional EVENT!

Woohoo! I've looked forward to this Monday for a long time!  The design teams from Timeless Twine and Lawn Fawn are sharing products all week.  I'm one of the lucky ones that get to start things out today.  So FUN!

I'm a big fan of Timeless Twine, of COURSE, and I've long enjoyed the whimsical style of Lawn Fawn stamps.  What I really enjoyed was the Lawn Fawn 6x6 paper.  I cannot get enough of this Lawn Fawn "Hello Sunshine" petite paper pack.  It is awesome!

I made two cards for today's hop.  Both cards used the "Hello Sunshine" paper and the "Float my Boat" stamp set. I love to kayak and my favorite vacation spot is Lake Superior, so this stamp set was so much fun for me! 

I'll tell you the Timeless Twine/Bella Creationz products after I show you the cards.  I'm so excited to show you!

First, my anchor card:

I braided some Tuxedo Black Timeless Twine to make my 'rope' for the anchor.

Now, for card #2, my sailboat card:

I found the file for this step card at SVG Attic.  I modified it a bit to fit my needs. I stamped the sailboat directly on to a Bella Creationz Kraft tag, then I did a little paper piecing because sailboats HAVE to have colorful sails! I stamped a little more, adding some waves and sea gulls, then made a multi bow from Lemon Yellow, Aqua Blue, and Cherry Red Timeless Twine.

Here's a close up of the tag...

and, a close up of the sentiment, with some waves in the background:

Products used:

There'll be a whole week of sharing ideas on both the Timeless Twine and Lawn Fawn blogs, so check out all the fantastic projects from these 2 amazing teams!

You. Are. Old. -- for DigiStamps4Joy

It's Sunday, and that means there's new releases at DigiStamps4Joy.  I had a great time with this birthday card.  I think whoever gets it will get a good chuckle. Margy, artist and owner of DS4J, drew this digi from her father's car.  WOW!

The digi is printed on Close To My Heart Colonial White cardstock.

The card base is CTMH Juniper, the papers are retired CTMH.  The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Company.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Craftitude Challenges -- ATG

Sister Act Card Challenge --ATG

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge -- ATG

Digitally Sweet Challenges -- ATG with a Digi

Docerela Creations -- ATG

Simply Create Too -- Shop Your Stash (I've had these papers for several years, trying to use them UP!)

It's Time for Another Challenge at Sunday Sketch & Stamp

I'm playing hostess the next 2 weeks at Sunday Sketch & Stamp. Stop on over, check out the sketch I made (my first), and play along.  Here's the card I designed using my sketch.

I used the Unity Stamp Company Sentiment Kit, "Here's My Thought" on this card.  Papers are Carta Bella "Homemade Love" 12x12. The card base is Close To My Heart Pacifica.  I'd love it if you linked up to Sunday Sketch and Stamp! We've got great prizes!

I want to let you know about an exciting event (for me anyway!) coming up Mar 7-9. My blog will be 2 years old and I'm celebrating all the friendships I've made with a blog hop.  I've got many great sponsors.  It all starts here  at my blog.

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges:

Craftitude Challenges -- ATG

Sister Act Card Challenge --ATG

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge -- ATG

Docerela Creations -- ATG

Card Makin' Mamas -- Stack It Up (add layers)

Daring Cardmakers -- Sentimental

Pattie's Creations Design Challenge -- Spots or Dots

It's FRIDAY! It's FRIENDS with FLAIR! and, its a NEW Design Team for ME!

Hurray, hurray, for Friday!

It's my favorite day of the week.

I like Saturdays and Sundays and sometimes another day,

bur Fridays, they really speak!

(and that was a really lame poem!)

I have a card to share with you today that I'm entering in the Unity {Be Inspired} Challenge.  I used the colors from the challenge, and I tried my best to use the sketch, but couldn't help myself.  I modified it a bit.

Here's what I came up with:

I used a Stamp of the Week, "Some Bunny Thinking of You" and colored the image with Copic markers.  Papers are My Mind's Eye Indie Chic Nutmeg 6x6 pad. Rhinestones are from my stash. I used a couple Spellbinders Label dies and some rhinestones from my stash.

Today is the day that I can let the cat out of the bag! I am on the design team for My Scrap Chick! They have some of the cutest cutting files EVER! Here's several projects I've made using their files -- you may have seen them on my blog in the past:

Stay tuned for more fun with My Scrap Chick!

I also want to let you know about a blog hop coming up next weekend, starting with next Friday's Friends With Flair.  I'll be celebrating my second year of blogging with a hop! I've gathered together friends I've made through blogland and we're hopping together, celebrating friendship.  They'll be LOTS of prizes, including 2 $10 Unity Stamp Company gift certificates, donated by Unity, and 2 $25 gift certificates donated by My Scrap Chick! Come hop with us! March 7-9

I'd like to enter my first (new) card in the following challenges:

The Cutie Pie Challenge -- Spots and Dots

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Feb Linky Party

Card Makin' Mamas -- Stack It Up (3 or more layers)

Challenges and Candies -- Spring around the Corner

Craftitude -- ATG

Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge -- ATG

Docerela Stamps -- ATG

Pattie's Creations Challenge -- Spots or Dots