Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Winter Blog Hop with 3 Girl JAM and Pretty Paper Pretty Ribbons


The 3 Girl JAM and Pretty Paper Pretty Ribbons design teams have joined forces to bring you a winter themed hop using products from both companies.  And it's gonna be GOOD!  These talented ladies are going to leave you SO inspired!  Here's the hop order:

Lisa: http://prettypaperprettyribbons.blogspot.com/
Julie O: http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com   (you are HERE)
Nicole: http://teachdanz.blogspot.com  (go HERE next)
Georgiana: http://carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com
Nanne: http://nannes-creations.blogspot.com/
Scrappin Madge: http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/
Brianna: http://Bloeffelbein.blogspot.com
Marji: http://www.fstampaholic.blogspot.com/
Gloria: http://gloriasgoofycraftspot.blogspot.com/
Julie K: http://3girljam.blogspot.com/

I loved combining the great products from both companies, so I have two projects to share with you today.  First, a treat box I altered slightly to hold hot chocolate...

I used the PPPR large gift box with window, lengthened it a bit, and added a little trim to the window.  My hot cocoa packets fit inside perfectly.  The polar bear image from Pretty Paper Pretty Ribbons Winter Critters cutting files looks just fine on the box.  And, why would he wear a scarf when he can be decked out in luscious 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon?  The ribbon used on the polar bear and box is from the Hot & Cold Bundle from 3 Girl JAM. The "You're so cool" pennant is a stamp from Unity Stamp Company.
Here's a closeup of that cute polar bear:


As I said, I was having so much fun with the cutting files and ribbon, I made a card for the hop, too.
I used the PPPR Center Panel Step Card and Winter Critters Cutting File to make this:


Again, I decked this moose out with some 3 Girl JAM jute string instead of a scarf.  Dashing, don't you think? The sentiment is from a retired Close To My Heart stamp set.  The jute ribbon behind it is from 3 Girl JAM.  And, do you see that lace?  It will soon be for sale in the 3 Girl JAM store.  It is soooooo fun to play, I mean work with!
And, a closeup of the sentiment, jute, and ribbon:


Did you know there are prizes to be won?  There's a $20 gift certificate from the PPPR store, and a $20 gift certificate from the 3 Girl JAM store.   For a chance to win, you need a be a follower of each blog and please comment on each blog.  For extra chances, please "like" the PPPR Facebook page and the 3 Girl JAM Facebook page.
Now, hop on off to the beautiful and talented Nicole's blog.  You'll love what she's created to share with you today!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A Little Hug -- for The Cutting Cafe

We're thinking Valentine's Day this week at The Cutting Cafe.  We had several sets to choose from, but the theme was the same -- Valentine's Day and love.  I chose to work with Elisha Jean & Friends -- With a Big Heart.  I worked with the Mikayla Ann image to create this:



Isn't she sweet?  I colored her with Copic markers.  I thought she needed to be surrounded by hearts, so I used the Heart Shaped Card 2 cutting file from The Cutting Cafe
Here's another view of the Cutie Patootie, Mikayla Ann:


And, a list of supplies used:
My Mind's Eye Kate & Company Cambridge Court 6x6 paper
Unity Stamp Company Handmade Valentines (sentiment stamps)
Close To My Heart Lagoon cardstock
Timeless Twine -- Key Lime Sorbet
Copic Markers
Spellbinders label die
X Press It Blending Card
Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

I had a great time making this card! Valentine's Day -- I love this holiday!


I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge -- Anything Goes

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Get Inky! Blog Hop -- Hello and Farewell

As a Get Inky! alumni, I've been invited back to hop with the current team.  New members are being introduced today while we former members are saying our farewells.  What a great idea, and I think Thia for not only this chance to hop today, but also the chance to serve on her design team last term.  I adore any chance I have to play with stamps, and she has some fun ones!
Here's the hop line-up, in case you just happened across my blog and you'd like to start at the beginning:
Blog Hop Line-Up

  1. http://getinkychallenge.blogspot.com
  2. Ann  -  http://annmakes.blogspot.com
  3. Beth ~ http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com
  4. Crystal-http://paperribbonandlipstick.blogspot.com
  5. Jamie- http://capture-your-memories.weebly.com
  6. Jessica- http://www.kissinkrafts.blogspot.com/
  7. Judy - http://insearchofmycreativeside.blogspot.ca
  8. Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com
  9. Kathy - http://upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com
  10. La-Vie - http://www.cestla-viedesigns.blogspot.com
  11. Lyne - http://lynnseverydayideas.blogspot.com
  12. Susan B. ~ http://susanascorner.blogspot.com
  13. Susan R - http://susanrenshaw0404.blogspot.com
  14. Tonya- http://scrappingfunwithtonya.blogspot.com
  15. Thia- http://bluemooncreation.blogspot.com
Now, for my project...
When I served on the Get Inky! Stamps design team, the stamp set I used the most was the Buzzing Bees set.  So, it seemed only right to reach for it again for this hop.


I used a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe for the beehive shaped card. I used paper from October Afternoon.  The bees and the sentiment are both from the Get Inky! Buzzing Bees stamp set and are embossed in white. Close To My Heart Saddle ink was used on the edges of the 2 layers of beehive.  And some 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon in Aqua Splash from the Carribean Splash Bundle finishes off the card.

 Now for the fun part... Leave a comment on each blog along the way and you'll be entered to win:
* one of three one-year Inky Moonbeam memberships
* one Crafty Card Gallery app donated from Jennifer Restivo
To see what the club is all about, visit
www.bluemooncreation.net


Off you go to the uber-talented Kathy's blog.  I know she's going to WOW you with her creation!  Have fun on the hop, hop, hop!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Two Little Words for Friends With Flair

Oh yeah! It's Friday! And time for my favorite post of the week -- Unity Friends With Flair.  This is "my post", a chance to use my favorite stamps, a chance to create what I want, with whatever theme I want.  It's "me" time!
Did any of you choose 'one little word' for a theme for 2014?  I chose 2 words, and they come with a story (as many of my FWF posts do).  Mid-December, I had terrible pain in my left shoulder.  It lasted two days (and 2 sleepless nights), got better, but then the same thing happened to my right shoulder.  I had injured the left shoulder this summer, so I thought I had re-injured it.  I chalked the right shoulder up to over use.  Three days later, my left hand swelled up and had the same terrible pain.  At that point, I freaked out and saw a doctor.  After many blood tests and a couple days of waiting (at which time, my right hand was attacked), she suspected rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  This was something I didn't want to hear.  I've worked in a nursing home for many years and have seen the results of RA.  I DON'T want this!
Since then, I've seen a rheumatologist.  And, he's confirmed the diagnosis.  It's RA.  And, this is where my two little words, and today's card comes in:


These are my two words for this year, and, I hope, for many years to come.  I can take on this chronic illness and make the most of it, looking for the joy in life, or I can let it defeat me.  I've always been a fighter.  And there are lots worse things in life I could have.  Right now, it's the newness of the diagnoses, and not knowing what lies ahead that is hard.  I've started on medication for the debilitating pain and inflammation, but it will take 2-6 months to take effect.  In the meantime, I haven't slept through an entire night since Dec. 11.  But, I will, and this will all get sorted out.  I have confidence! Some days the pain is so bad it hurts to pick up a piece of paper.  But I have confidence we will eventually find the right medicine! And fatigue?  Uff da.  I drag through my days!
Although there may be many major changes ahead for me and my husband, hopefully many things will stay the same.

I used the current sketch from the Unity Be Inspired Challenge for this card. I heat embossed the "Choose Joy" sentiment stamp (Unity/Stephanie Ackerman) and colored in the heart with a Close To My Heart Tulip marker. There is my favorite chipboard on this card -- Umwow Studios Heart Confetti. Sometimes, I just have to leave it plain, 'cause it looks perfect just the way it is.  On one of the hearts, I used some gesso, then 2 colors of Creative Inspirations Paint -- Garnet & a very small amount of Burgundy.
The cardstock base is CTMH Ruby, as is the Kraft CS.  Designer paper is Carta Bella 6x6 Wildflower. And, the twine, is, of course, Timeless Twine in Tuxedo Black.

So, 'Choose Joy' my friends!  CHOOSE JOY!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Snow Day! for The Cutting Cafe

It's snowing, it's snowing!  We've been saying that often in NW WI this winter, and it was true all day yesterday.  We're still digging out from another major dumping of snow.  The weather folks predicted 1-4 inches of snow, moving through quickly in the early morning.  Well, it must have stalled because it was still snowing when I left work at 5:30 PM.  And there were inches and inches more than what was predicted.  Oh, to be a meteorologist -- always wrong, always employed.

At the Cutting Cafe this week, we had several choices to work with:

RAINBOW SHAPED CARD SET...TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE

RAIN BOOTS SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE SET

FUN WITH SNOWFLAKES....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILES

SNOW WORD SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE AND CUTTING FILE

I decided two of these cutting files worked well for me, and I combined them:


I used the 

SNOW WORD SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE AND CUTTING FILE and the RAIN BOOTS SHAPED CARD TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE SET on this card, both from The Cutting Cafe, of course. I used my Silhouette Cameo for the cutting files.


The card base is a standard A2 size (5 1/2 X 4 1/4). Ruby and  Pacifica cardstock are from Close To My Heart. Designer paper is from Echo Park - Winter Park 6X6 pad.  The bits of Kraft paper are Carta Bella. The glimmer paper is from American Crafts, and the two brads are Close To My Heart.
That's it for me.  I've got to put on my hat, mittens, and boots, and clear away the rest of yesterday's SNOW!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Friendships are Sewn one Stitch at a Time -- for Timeless Twine

Good Monday morning, crafty friends! I'm so excited to be posting today for Timeless Twine! Yeah! I'm a Twine-ista! The theme this month is "something new". That "something new" can be a new technique, a new product from the store, or a new tool we use while making our project.  Well, I'll point out quite a few "new" things while showing you my project for today.


I used a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe I had never used before to make this sewing machine treat box.  Let me show you the other side of the box:

From this side, you can really see the Timeless Twine Baker's Twine in Raspberry Pink better. 
Would you like to see what's inside the box?


More new twine!  There's some Cape Cod Timeless Twine and some gorgeous new Key Lime Sorbet Timeless Twine.  There's also a couple of spools of lace in the box from Webster's Pages.  I made this box as a Christmas present for a friend who is a quilter and sewer.  I thought she'd appreciate some spools of lace, along with the ever-fun Timeless Twine.  I even made the spools that the twine and lace are on -- another new thing for me.
The papers used on this project are:  Kraft paper -- Close To My Heart, designer paper -- My Mind's Eye, Miss Caroline, Howdy Doody 12X12 Papers.  The lace on the box is from Webster's Pages.
Here's the twine colors I used:


I had a great time making this sewing machine box for my good friend and showing it to you.  And, I had a super time working with the wonderful, new Timeless Twine! I'm going to LOVE this next year!

Friday, January 10, 2014

Love Is In the Air Blog Hop for Pinque Peacock -- and Friends With Flair!

Welcome to Pinque Peacock’s
JANUARY BLOG HOP

"Love is in The Air!"


We hope you will enjoy your time as you hop and that you feel
inspired to create after visiting the Talented Pinquettes' Blogs!
This hop will showcase projects that have been created using some of the
NEW Products from Pinque Peacock.

We are thrilled to have you joining us this month!
Are you Ready to See these products IN ACTION?
I have several projects I created, just for this hop.  And of course, they have a "love" theme.
I "love" Unity stamps, and Phyllis Harris images in particular, so it was only natural for me to reach for my rather large stash of Phyllis Harris images when looking for a card to fit the theme for this hop.





The Pinque Peacock Elegant Floral, made with 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon, the Pinque Peacock pearl stick pin and Unity/Phyllis Harris stamp, "I Will Give You my Heart" go together beautifully. I cut the heart shaped card out on my Silhouette, using a cutting file from The Cutting Cafe, found here.
I colored the image with Copic markers. Papers are My Mind's Eye, Kate & Co. "Cambridge Court" 6x6. The sentiment is from Kraftin' Kimmie.
Love is about friendship, too, so I made a friendship card for today's hop...

This card uses an image from Great Impressions Stamps, colored with Copic markers, and a retired stamp from Close To My Heart. What makes it really great, though, are the embellishments.  There's a red 3/4 inch fabric covered button from Pinque Peacock, and a Pinque Peacock beaded stick pin nestled in 3 Girl JAM ice blue ribbon from the Hot & Cold Bundle.
After you look at all the products in the month's new release, don't forget to hop on to the ever amazing Rebecca's blog to see what she has created for today's hop. Then, hop with us Saturday and Sunday for more great inspiration!


This release is showcasing some NEW products as well as some products that have been available in the shop for a while. This is a great way to see the Pinque Peacock Products in action and to get your creative imaginations in "Full Speed Ahead" mode!


Our JANUARY Release will focus on the theme of:
♪♫*~  LOVE ♥ ~*♫♪

A wide array of products were created to be able to share
the projects you will see over the course
of this Blog Hop weekend.

All New Products will be added to the SHOP
for you to Purchase and start creating your very own
Masterpieces!!!

Here is a Glimpse at some of the things
you will see incorporated into
the Pinquettes' Artwork:


Small Layered Garden Beauties

You can order them in ANY Color Combination YOU WANT!


AND HOW COULD WE FORGET TO INCLUDE
THE DARLING . . . . .
ANGEL STICK PINS

♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥

YOU WILL BE DELIGHTED TO SEE SOME FABULOUS PROJECTS
CREATED USING A FEW OF OUR
DISCOUNT HUT SUPPLIES, TOO

LIKE THESE . . . .
Mini Kraft Bags

Mini Bags - Kraft Paper - 25 pieces per pack $3.50 per pack

♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥

AND THESE...

***NEW*** HEART FELTIES


AND HERE ARE
SOME OTHER ITEMS
THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE
WITH THIS NEW RELEASE

Fabric Poppers
SHOP LINK: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.491189970949837.1073741836.396055180463317&type=3



Elegant Florals - Pleated Petals
SHOP LINK: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.428343290567839.94220.396055180463317&type=3



♥----♥---♥-♥---

BE SURE TO WATCH
THE FACEBOOK PAGE
FOR MORE PRODUCT SHOWCASES TOO

♥----♥---♥-♥---

After hopping, be sure to visit the Pinque Peacock Shop on FB to
order these items (and many others) to use on your very own projects!


!!!!Now, let's talk about the
BLOG HOP PRIZE!!!!
One winner, who has hopped all 3 days (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) of our Pinque Peacock JANUARY Product Release and followed the RULES BELOW will win


A $10 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO THE SHOP


Here is How*:

1 – Hop to ALL of the stops over the course of the 3 Day Hop and comment at each Pinquette Blog (Lineup for all 3 Days is below)

2 – Follow the Pinque Peacock Blog and Facebook Page/Shop

3 – Follow EACH of the Pinquettes’ Personal Blogs who are participating as Hop Stops this weekend.



4 - COMMENT at the Facebook Page telling us what you liked most about the 3 Day Hop

*You MUST do ALL of the steps above

to be included in the random drawing for the prize.

We would hate for you to lose out on winning just because you didn't follow these easy rules :(

The Hop will remain open until Wednesday, JANUARY 15th, at 8:00 a.m. EST.
The random drawing will be held sometime during the week that follows and announced by Wednesday, JANUARY 22nd.

Now, if you find yourself Hopping off the Path on any of the three days, you can use this Lineup to get back on the Right Track . . .

♥----♥---♥-♥---

DAY 1 (1/10/14):
Pinque Peacock ~ http://pinquepeacock.blogspot.com

Rhonda -- http://flowersbyrhonda.blogspot.com

Julie – http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com

♥----♥---♥-♥---

DAY 2 (1/11/14):

Pinque Peacock ~ http://pinquepeacock.blogspot.com

Kimberly -- http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com

Paula -- http://ScrapYourWorld1.blogspot.com

Amanda B ~ http://thescrapoholiccandyshop.blogspot.ca/

♥----♥---♥-♥---

DAY 3 (1/12/14):
Thank You for hopping along and we hope you have Loads of Fun!
Peacock Love

and

Crafty Hugs
~ Jessica, The Quirky Queen

and

her BELOVED,

TALENTED, &

EXTRAORDINARY Pinquettes
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
♥----♥---♥-♥---