Happy Birthday to Me -- Blog Candy for YOU!

It's July 6, and today is my 60th birthday.  When I was diagnosed with stage 4B non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 57, and given about a 15% chance of surviving, I never thought I'd see 58.  Now, I'm celebrating 60!  Every day is a gift, every year a cause for great celebration.   I have more than enough crafty supplies, so I want to share the wealth with you, my blog followers.  More on that in a bit.

Today, there is a new challenge starting at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.  It's an Anything Goes challenge, so you can link up absolutely anything you want this week.  Bugaboo Stamps has such a wonderful variety of images that you're bound to find something you can color up.  There's always yesterday's freebie.  Have you grabbed it yet?  Or Tuesday's wonderful New Release?  She's 1/2 off this week.  

Since today is my birthday, I made a birthday card for today's Anything Goes Catch the Bug Challenge.  I used this Happy Birthday Chickie image to create this:

I colored the Happy Birthday Chickie with Copic markers, then used this week's sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches to create the card.  Here's the sketch:

I used scalloped and stitched dies from Spellbinders to cut out the image and the papers.  Papers have been in my stash forever.  They are the Soiree collection from Pink Paislee.  Are they even still in business? The twine is from the same collection.  The balloon is a die from Paper Wishes.  The sentiment is a stamp from them, too.

Now, for the blog candy.  Please follow my blog.  For the month of July, if you comment on this post, you will be eligible.  Leave me a way to contact you.  I have over $60 of crafty goodies to send to a US winner.  I will use random.org to choose my winner.  If the winner is from elsewhere in the world, they will be able to pick a $15 gift certificate from an online store of their choice. 

 Blog candy -- Spellbinders dies, a Memory Box die, Close To My Heart stamps, Cricut vinyl and iron-on, Basic Grey 12x12 papers, 3 6x6 paper pads, bling and ribbons

So, that's it for this post!  Follow my blog, leave a comment, then head over to the Catch the Bug blog for the Anything Goes Challenge.  Ready, Set, party!

Take a look at this fun event, coming up in a couple weeks:

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Tuesday morning Sketches -- Week #510
Crafty Animals -- ATG with an Animal
D.L. Art -- July Linky Party
Outlawz Festive Fridays -- birthday
Seize the Birthday -- cover the card
Crafty Sentiments Designs -- bright colors
Outlawz Twisted Thursday -- Yarn or string

The Sky's the Limit -- for Julia Spiri Stamps

It's time for a new challenge at the Julia Spiri Challenge blog. The  theme for our second challenge is 'Girls, Girls, Girls'.  Since Julia Spiri has some of the cutest girl images in the world, take the opportunity to use of them to increase your chances to win a better prize!

This is Girl on a Swing, and she's colored with Copic markers.  I used 2 sizes of a Spellbinders label die to cut her out and back it.

Backing paper and the sentiment are from Pink Paislee - Prairie Hill Collection.  Paper behind the image is from We R Memory Keepers.  I also used their scalloped corner chopper. The card base is Bazzill card stock.  There's Webster's Pages lace trim, and 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon on here.  Although it's hard to see in the picture, I also used a Spica glitter clear pen on the sun and the clip in her hair.

Please join us at the Julia Spiri Challenge blog for our 'Girls, girls, girls' challenge.  It will last 2 weeks. I'd love to see your creations!

I'd like to enter this in the following challenges:
Craft-Dee Bowz -- ATG with a handmade bow
Crafting from the Heart -- Always ATG
Craft Your Passion -- ATG
D.L. Art -- Sept. linky party
Through the Craftroom Door -- ATG

Birthday Wishes -- for IDCB

It's Challenge time at Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog (IDCB).  As always, it's anything goes!  This week, like many weeks, we have incredible sponsors.  I love Gerda Steiner's art, so I chose to work with one of her digis.

Meet Rollerskating Bunny:

I colored the Bunny with Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils, using Canson Mi-Tientes paper.  I used a Lifestyle Crafts circle die in two sizes to cut him out and layer him.  The sentiment is a retired Close To My Heart stamp, punched out with a 1 inch circle punch (also CTMH). The cupcake-shaped card is a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe. Papers are from Pink Paislee -- the Soiree Collection.

I hope you join us this week (and every week) at IDCB.  I'd love to see what you make!

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

Through the Craftroom Door -- ATG

Happy Spring -- for Crafty Sentiments

It's Saturday, and I'm posting today for the Crafty Sentiments Inspirations blog.  I have a tutorial for you today.  Actually, it's more of some hints for more favorite card-making techniques.  First, I'll show you my card, using Crafty Sentiments Designs rubber stamp, Rainy Days:

I like to make shaped cards.  I think that add a lot to a card, drawing the viewer's eye to the image.  I use either an electronic die cut machine, like my Silhouette Cameo, or in this case, My Cricut Explore, &/or a manual die cut machine like my Big Shot or Grand Caliber. 

I colored the rubber stamp, Rainy Days, with Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils.  I've used them before on flowers and animals, but this was my first attempt on skin tones, hair, and clothing. 

Another "tip" -- I like to match elements to the theme of the image. The die cut umbrella (by Memory Box)is a perfect example of this.  As with the shaped card, I think it draws the viewer's eye TO the image, instead of distracting from it.  Using papers that match the image does the same thing.  One of the designer papers, by Pink Paislee (Hello Sunshine 6x6 pad) has rain drops on it -- sticking with the Rainy Days theme.  

One more tip -- many of my creations have crinkle ribbon on them.  I find it incredibly easy to work with.  I can tie the perfect bow almost every time.  It's very forgiving!

Visit the Crafty Sentiments Inspirations blog for lots of tutorials and beautiful work.  There's also the Crafty Sentiments Challenge blog, with chances to win charming Crafty Sentiments stamps for yourself.  Have you checked out the Crafty Sentiments Designs Facebook page?  There's even more inspiration there. 

Thinking of You -- New Release for DS4J

It's Sunday, and there are new releases today in the DigiStamps4Joy Store.  To add to the excitement, there is a new artist!  I was lucky enough to be able to work with Lesie's first image in the DigiStamps4Joy store:

This DigiStamps4Joy image is called Patchwork Country 1. I printed it on colored card stock (Close To My Heart), then used distress inks and a wet paintbrush to color it with.  The sentiment is a stamp from My Pink Stamper. 

I was trying for a sun ray of patterned paper behind the image.  It all got a big busy, but if you look, maybe the sun ray is apparent? The designer papers are from Pink Paislee Hello Sunshine 6x6 pad. The white baker's twine is from Timeless Twine. 

Check out the DigiStamps4Joy blog today to see what other design team members have done with this new release, and other new releases.  You won't be disappointed!

Candy Cane Jingles -- for Delightful Challenges

It's Thursday, and time for a new challenge at Delightful Challenges.  This week, our theme is "Bundle Up" (winter).  I found the most wonderful image, Candy Cane Jingles, that I used to create this:

You can find the image in the Digital Delights by Louby Loo Store.  Candy Cane Jingles comes in uncolored and colored versions.

I colored Candy Cane Jingles with Copic markers, then used a Lawn Fawn stitched die to cut him out and mount it with 3D foam tape.  The designer papers are Pink Paislee Snow Village 6x6. The card base is Juniper card stock from Close To My Heart. The crinkle ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM.  These are the two colors in the Winter Bundle.    

Our sponsor this week is The Robin's Nest.

Come join us at Delightful Challenges for our Bundle Up Challenges.  Stay indoors, stay warm, start crafting, then come link up!  I'd love to see what you make!

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

Word Art Wednesday -- ATG

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art -- December Linky Party
TTCRD -- ATG

Let's Celebrate! with DigiStamps4Joy

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Welcome to the Digistamps4Joy CELEBRATIONS. We are celebrating our 100th Blog Challenge with a Blog Hop running from 3 – 16 September 2014, a month long challenge, and ad hoc prizes during the month .

Our first challenge on our new blog was on the 23rd February 2012, and we are thrilled to still have you as our 'fans' after 2 and a half years! As a big THANK YOU to all of you, we are holding a BLOG HOP where you can win many prizes, including more of our fabulous digistamps! We have some new releases we are showcasing and which will be given away to some lucky followers. If you enter our challenge, you again put yourself in line to win more of our digistamps. And to top it all off, Margy will be throwing in some ad hoc prizes and discounts on the main DS4J blog (http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com) during September! Join with us as we CELEBRATE!

You have arrived at Julie O's blog in NW Wisconsin, USA! I have been on the DigiStamps4Joy team for just about 6 months now, and I am continually overwhelmed at the talent and friendship of this team.  I am blessed!

Fabulous HOP Prizes

1. DS4J is offering 6 new digistamps as prizes on six of the DT member’s blogs to a randomly drawn follower of that blog and who has left a comment. The other DT member blogs will be giving away a previously released digistamp, also to a randomly drawn follower and commenter! In addition, some of the blog owners may have personal prizes which are only applicable to the country they live in. So come on in, meet our fabulous Design Team, and have some fun!

2. The main DS4J blog is also giving away 100 REWARD POINTS during the Hop to one lucky winner, which can be spent in the Digistamps4Joy store(www.digistamps4joy.co.za/eshop)! Now isn’t that a fabulous prize?

There are some rules for winning these prizes, so make sure you read these below!

Blog Hop Navigation

If you landed on my page first, you may want to start at the top at the Digistamps4Joy blog, and work your way though to the final stop (Zella’s blog). The full hop order is listed on the main DS4J blog.

 Speaking of celebrations, I've got a card to show you that I made just for this occasion:

I used the DigiStamps4Joy digi "Celebration Cake" on this card. One lucky commenter will win this digi!

 I colored the image with Copic markers and sponged the edges with Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Spun Sugar.  I used several Spellbinders dies on this card.  Papers are from Pink Paislee -- Soiree Collection 12x12.  The ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM. It is from the Tie Dye 2 Bundle. The sentiment is from Close To My Heart. A We R Memory Keepers Corner Scallop Chomper was used on the corners. The stick pin is from Pinque Peacock. I finished the card with some Skittles.

Here's a closeup of the colored "Celebration Cake Image: 

NOW, FOR THE PRIZES!

I am giving away a $10.00 gift certificate to the DigiStamps4Joy store.

RULES FOR WINNING THE GIFT CERTIFICATE:

Please read carefully!

1) Be/become a follower of THIS blog

2) Leave a comment on THIS post

RULES FOR ENTERING THE RANDOM DRAW ON MY BLOG

Please read carefully - I do not want you to miss out!

1). Be/become a follower of THIS blog

2). Leave a comment under THIS post

RULES FOR ENTERING THE 100 REWARD POINT PRIZE ON THE MAIN DS4J BLOG

Please read carefully - we do not want you to miss out!

1). Be/become a follower of the main DS4J blog

2). Leave a comment on the blog post.

The Hop will end at 1600 (Central African Time) on Tuesday 16th September.

The full list of Blog Hop winners will be announced on Thursday 18th September on the main Digistamps4Joy blog. 

Each blog will also indicate its own winner on 18th September.

CELEBRATION CHALLENGE

Don't forget, you can still enter our regular challenge - running for the whole month, and with the theme of "Celebrations"

AD HOC PRIZES

There will be ad hoc prizes and discounts given away on the main DS4J blog only. But you will need to pop in regularly to 'catch these' as each one will only be available for a short time.

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 That's all for me.  Off you go to the very talented Karin van Eijk's to see what she has for you! Let's keep this party rolling!

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

Cards Galore Encore -- Make a Card!

Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge -- ATG with Patterned Paper

Doodle Pantry digital Challenge (DPDC50) -- Any Digi Goes

Imagination Crafts Challenge Blog -- ATG

Ladybug Crafts -- ATG

Sisters of Craft -- ATG

Clear It Out Challenge -- ATG -- stash item -- paper is 3-4 years old

Crafty Sentiments Challenge Blog -- ATG

Fan-tastic Tuesdays -- ATG (must be square or rectangle)

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge Blog -- ATG

Through the Craft Room Door -- ATG

Craft-Dee Bowz Challenge (CDB17) -- ATG with a Homemade Bow

Crafting From the Heart -- Always ATG

Craftin Desert Divas Craft it up and link it up -- ATG

Crafty Bloggers Network -- ATG (1 of 3)

Sister Act Card Challenge -- ATG

D.L. Art September Linky Party -- ATG

Digi Makeover Challenge -- must use digi

Marker Pop Challenge -- ATG with Copic markers

Melon Headz Friends Challenge -- Two or More Dies (I used two)
My Craft Creations -- ATG
Stamp and Create -- Circle or Dots (1 entry per week)
Word Art Wed. -- ATG

A great gift box -- for The Cutting Cafe

I love making gift boxes and bags.  They are one of the favorite things I make with my diecut machines.  So, when Regina, from The Cutting Café, gave us the assignment of making a pizza box this week, I was very excited.  And, as it turned out, I needed a box for my Sister-in-law's birthday gift.  Perfect!

I set to work, picking out my papers and deciding how to embellish the box. Here's what I came up with...

 

 

The pizza box was very easy to cut out and assemble. I used Pink Paislee Prairie Hill 12x12 papers on this project.  I loved working with them -- they have a nostalgic feel to them.  I used a chipboard tag from Bazzill, covered it with designer paper, and used a Unity Stamp on it from the Sweet Celebration birthday set.  The rhinestone brad is from Making Memories, and the twine bow is Trendy Twine.

Here's a view of the inside of the box:

 

 

The bow is also from The Cutting Café.  It's called "Loopy loopy bow flower" cutting file.

I'll leave you with a close up of the bow and sentiment...

 

 

That's it for me today.  I'm off to make more pizza boxes!  I love this thing!