A New Pastel Ribbon Challenge for 3 Girl Jam and FWF! -- and a Give Away!

There's a new ribbon challenge starting today on the 3 Girl Jam Challenge blog and this time of year, it seems easy to use pastel colors and ribbon.  I have a couple of projects to share today using 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon and Unity stamps.  The two go together like bread and butter.  Or jelly beans and chocolate bunnies.

I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut out a couple double decker bird houses.  Spring is coming late here in NW Wisconsin.  Those birds are going to need every advantage, so I gave them a two-story house!

I only decorated one of them up so you could see both stories of the front of it, but both houses are exactly the same.  I used MME Miss Caroline paper on the houses, daffodil  crinkle ribbon from the Spring Flowers bundle, and a 3 Girl Jam Flair button that matched the paper PERFECTLY!  The stamped bird image you can see from this angle is from the Feb. 2010 Unity Kit of the Month.

 

Here's a couple more angles of the decorated house...

 

 The singing bird on the front of the house is from the Unity set, "Could I be Any Cuter?".

 



The "birds of a feather" sentiment is a Market Street Stamp set by the same name.

 

 

And, I finally had a chance to play along with the Unity challenge this month.  I used both the sketch challenge:

 

And the color challenge,

to make this card:

I used 3 Girl Jam  Baby Boy crinkle ribbon from the Baby bundle on this card, playing along with the Pastel challenge just getting under way today. I also used the Unity Stamp of the Week, "No.Bunny".
Card base is Carta Bella Kraft, DP is Fancy Pants Be You.  I used some Basic Grey fibers on the tag, CTMH twine around the framed portion of the bunny, Creative Inspirations paints in Mocha Latte, Blush, and Peach.  A little Eucalyptis Stickles finishes off that bunny with style. He's going to the nursing home to bring a smile to a resident's face on Easter Sunday morning. I used Memento Espresso Truffle throughout this project.

And, the giveaway I mentioned.  While organizing my Stickles collection last week for a  tutorial I did on All That Stickles blog, I found I had some duplicate Stickle colors.  So, I decided they needed a good, loving, crafty home.  I also have a couple Unity stamp of the week stamps I haven't used and probably won't, and a 6x6 paper pad, plus some embellishments.  To win, follow this blog if you don't already and leave me a comment.  To increase your chances of winning, leave a comment on my post from Tuesday also.

I'm entering these projects in the following challenges:

Creative Inspiration Paints Anything Goes challenge
Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes Challenge
Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge
Oozak's Anything Goes with Spring challenge
Crafty Creations Challenge's blog Easter theme
The new Unity challenge
Raisin Boat's Easter/Spring challenge
Cameo Creations Easter challenge
Sweet Stamps Easter challenge

Please link up your own pastel color projects with the 3 Girl Jam ribbon challenge. You can use any ribbon. Of course, we prefer 3 Girl Jam ribbon (and you will, too, once you try it!), but any ribbon or twine will do. You can link up on the  challenge blog. The pastel color challenge with ribbon goes from March 29-April 11.

Snow Angels

When I made this layout last month, I was hoping the snow would be gone by the time it posted on The Crop.  Little did I know we'd still have two feet of snow on the ground, and nearly 30 inches of ice still on the lakes.  The calendar may say spring, but it still seems very much like winter here!

I have a layout to share with you today with a nature theme in mind.  I gathered twigs and birch bark from my yard and used them on a 2-page layout with photos from an ice fishing expedition in January.  Well, maybe I should call it a walk across the ice to the ice shacks in January.  The guys never actually let us in the shacks. 

There were 7 of us walking about 3 miles across the lake.  Three of us were on 2 legs, 3 were on 4 legs, and 1 was on 3 legs.  We took our time, enjoyed the mild 20 degree January day, and walked to the shack.  We thought it would be about 1.5 miles, but the fishing wasn't good in that spot, and the guys had moved further down the lake.  But, we found them.  We just had to walk a little further.

I wanted to use non-winter papers on this layout, so I went with Echo Park For the Record 2, purchased from my favorite place to buy most of my scrappy supplies, cropchocolate.com. I also used Clear Rock Candy Distress crackle paint from CC to adhere the letters to the birch bark, Tim Holtz distress ink in Frayed Burlap from CC to accent the crackle effect of the paint on the birch bark and for inking the edges of the papers. The letters in the title are by Making Memories (CC). The base of both pages in Carta Bella kraft cardstock, also purchased from cropchocolate.com.  There's also some My Mind's Eye Follow Your Heart twine used to tie the pictures to the twig.

Here's a close up of the left page:

My friend, Sheri's jacket says, "it's not where you walk, but its who walks with you that matters."  Perfect for the day, don't you think?  The wood veneer snow flakes are by Studio Calico.

And, the right page.  I used more wood veneer snowflakes from Studio Calico.  I also used a piece of wood veneer that I got at my LSS.  I ran it through my Big Shot, using a Spellbinders die.  I used 2 different stamps on it, the "Jan. circle" is a Unity SMAK kit from Nov, 2012.  The "2013" is a Studio Calico/Hero Arts stamp.

And, there you have it.  Ice fishing in Wisconsin. Friendship at it's finest, whatever the weather!

Leave a comment on this blog and on The Crop for a chance to win some blog candy.  Tell me a story about friendship, and double your chance to win!  I'll announce the winner on Saturday, along with some other exciting news!

A card and a winner. Is it YOU?

Happy Monday, everyone!  Here we are at the start of Holy Week.  For those of you involved in a church, it's a busy week.  Last week (or is it last month) was busy rehearsing with the choir for the Palm Sunday services.  This week, rehearsal's continue with the choirs, the trumpeters, the youth groups, then add in Maundy Thursday services, Good Friday services, & the 3 Easter services.  And, my 40 hour work week.  Yes, it's Holy week, all right.

But, I had a little time to get crafty yesterday afternoon after church, and I made a couple things, including this Easter card for a friend.

I made it for a couple challenges.  The cropchocolate.com challenge this week requires the participant to make a homemade flower.  I used a circle punch for a base, then layered hearts from 2 different heart punches on top of the circle. I'll list the other challenges at the end of this post so I can list the winner of my Stickle give away.

I used random.org to choose the winner.  Denise P, from the All That Stickles blog was chosen!  Congratulations, Denise P!  And, yes, that darling little duck is a Unity stamp.  I'll send you some Stickles, a 6x6 paper pad, a Unity stamp to help build up your collection and some more bling that I know I've got in my stash. Send me your address, Denise, and I'll get your goodies heading your way.

Now, for the challenges I'm entering this in:

Crafty Creations Challenges -- embossing
Creative Inspirations Paints -- anything goes
Oozak's Anything Goes with Spring
Really Reasonable Ribbon -- flowers and ribbon challenge (#68)
Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge
Raisin Boat's Spring/Easter challenge

Come back tomorrow, if you can.  I have a really fun layout that will also be on The Crop at cropchocolate.com.  It's nature based.  I raided my backyard for this one!

I'm still thinking green -- FWF

I have 3 cards to share with my FWF peeps this week.  Both have some Unity stamps and some others on them.  I'll get to it.

First, a St Patrick's Day card I made for my husband.  It's the first digi stamp I've used.  I know, I know.  I'm late jumping on this band wagon.  But when I have a scrap room full of red rubber I haven't need to try to master yet one more thing.  But it's intrigued me.  So, I found this cute little freebie and decided to see if I could figure out how to size and print him.  Here he is:

I'm not even sure what sort of character he is, but there you have it, my first digi.  I used a sentiment from the Unity Feb. Kit of the Month.  I also used green Stickles and Creative Inspirations paints in sage and mellow yellow on the shamrocks. He's colored with Copic markers.

My next card is a birthday card for one of my staff.  She lives on a lake that is still very much ice covered.  On last report, the ice fishermen tell me there are 28 inches of ice.  It'll be awhile until she's sitting on her dock, even if the calendar says it's spring.  Here's her card:

The dock and birds are from Raisin Boat. The sentiment is from the Unity set "Sweet Celebration Birthday".  My friend, Miwa, first introduced me to this stamp set and I just love it. 

I used a brayer on this second card.  It was one of the first stamping tools I got and I haven't had it out in a couple years.  I almost forgot how to use the thing.  I was trying to get kind of a sunset effect, but then I realized I had started the wrong direction on the paper.  Instead, I have green water.  I made two of them, and on the second one, when I turned the paper around, it looks more like a sunset, but the sentiment doesn't show up as well in the darker ink on the bottom.  What's a girl to do?

And, one more card with no Unity at all, but I want to get it on my blog for some challenges.  The stamp is from Wild Rose studio. I got it so I could practice coloring with my Copics.  I used MME Nostalgia 12x12 papers and ribbon from the Ribbon Carousel. Glitter Domes are Marc Richards.

I have a giveaway going on right now.  I was a guest designer yesterday on the All That Stickles Blog. I realized when organizing my Stickles for that post that I have some duplicates that need a good home. There's also 6x6 paper, stamps and some bling. To be eligible to win, just make a comment sometime this weekend on any of my blog posts (including this one), follow my blog if you don't already, and I'd appreciate it if you'd check out my Stickles post from yesterday.  It uses one of my favorite Unity Itty Bitty stamps.

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

Creative Inspirations -- Go Green
Reasonable Ribbon's -- flowers and ribbon challenge
Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge
Simon Says Stamp -- Easter/Spring
MarkerPop Challenge -- use glitter
Raisin Boat's Easter/Spring challenge

Enjoy your weekend!  Thanks warm, happy weather.

 

No Matter The Weather!

I'm guest designing today over on the  All That Stickles blog, and it's a sunshiny day no matter what the weather is!  I have a step-by-step tutorial there on how I made this card, so I'll spare you that here.  I do want to share, though, the card again, 'cause that bird makes me smile!  AND!!!!

    
I wanted to let you know that I have a give-away going!  When I was organizing my Stickles for this tutorial, I realized I had some duplicates.  They need a good, loving, crafty home.  So, please follow my blog if you don't already, leave me a comment, and you'll be eligible to win some blog candy that will include a 6x6 paper pack, some stamps, and of course, Stickles!  (plus some other things)

I'll leave you with a close up of the glammed up bird.

 

Supplies used: a Unity Itty Bitty stamp set, "Dance in the Rain", My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary Jack & Jill 6x6 paper, Spellbinders dies -- small oval and Opulent Ovals, Stickles in Lime Green and Icicle, Copic markers, Memento Tuxedo black ink, Close To My Heart twine, Close To My Heart Easter Wishes (B1422) for sentiment, Carta Bella kraft cardstock base. 

I'll be linking this card to this week's All That Stickles linky party -- lime green
I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Marker Pop's glitter challenge
Ribbon Carousel - Spring is in the Air Challenge

I'll choose the winner early next week. Check back then!  And, as this little cutey says, "Easter wishes" to you and your families.

Hoppy Easter

It's snowing -- AGAIN! -- here in Wisconsin as I write this post. I need to go shovel as soon as I post this.  Weird, right?  Well. think spring!  Hoppy Easter!  I made these treat boxes using my favorite 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon.  I wasn't much of a bow tie-er (somehow I don't think that's spelled right) until I discovered this ribbon.  It's no-fail, I swear.  LOVE this stuff!

I used my Silhouette to cut the shape, glued them together, and added 3 Girl Jam ribbon from the Pink & White bundle because the colors matched the Echo Park cardstock so perfectly.  Then, I drove all over this small town looking for Cadbury eggs to put in them. I could not find them anywhere in town, so I settled for a substitute.  Oh well.  Sammy thought these were just fine...

Is it the smell of chocolate? or rabbit?  Something caught his attention!  Thanks for checking out my latest creations!  Hoppy Easter and keep thinking spring!  Let me know if it's still snowing where you live.

I also wanted to let you know that I have a give-away going.  I'm guest designing today on the All That Stickles blog.  To be eligible for the blog candy, follow my blog if you don't already, leave me a comment, and I'd love it if you'd check out my tutorial there and my other post today.  I'll choose the winner early next week.

I'm linking this up to Cameo Creations Easter Challenge.

Don't forget the All About the Green plus Ribbon Challenge going on until March 28th on the 3 Girl Jam Challenge blog!

It's All About the Green -- and Orange!

Top O' the morning to you, 3 Girl Jammers and Friends With Flair peeps!  Remember in school when the non-Irish kids wore orange on St. Patrick's Day?  I was somehow taken back to that period of my life when I found this My Mind's Eye paper, and thought it would be fun to mix green and orange on the same card to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

My Silhouette helped with the initial design of this card, and a Unity stamp set was used for the sentiment and label.  The gorgeous harvest orange ribbon is all 3 Girl Jam! (harvest bundle)  Aren't those pops of orange fun on there?  It makes me feel like a teenager again! Notice the green Stickles on there too, to really bring you good luck.

And, here's a close up of the ribbon and one of the lucky four leaf clovers (dusted with lucky leprechaun ink, of course!)

I made another, more traditional, toned down version of the card, too.

 

It uses the same Silhouette card file and the same Unity Lucky Friend wood stamp, but different paper and ribbon gives it a totally different look. This card has sterling ribbon from the Celebrations 3 Girl Jam bundle. And an angel pin from the Pinque Peacock. The twine is Close To My Heart. I used some Creative Inspirations paints in sage and sunshine yellow on the 4-leaf clover.

 

I'm entering this card in Unity's Friends With Flair

Creative Inspirations Paints Go Green Challenge

All That Stickles Green Linky Party

Ribbon Carousel's Spring is in the Air challenge

Oozak's Anything Goes with Spring challenge

 

Please link up with us at the 3 Girl Jam All About the Green with Ribbon Challenge 

 

 

 

 



A Shower of Birthday Wishes

I've been practicing my shading with my Copics.  I colored this girl, using her as a birthday card for a good friend, and using her in a couple of Springtime challenges.

I used a Unity stamp set, Lizzie Girl (Showered in Love), Carta Bella Kraft cardstock for the base, and a small piece of My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary paper I have been hoarding.  I'm particularly pleased with how well her boots match the paper -- one of the things I'm working on with my coloring.

I used this card for cropchocolate.com's challenge this week -- something you do on spring break.  In my case, it always rains when I'm on vacation, so I always need an umbrella.

I'm also entering this card in:
crafty creations challenge, singing in the rain
Oozak's challenge #12:  anything goes with spring
MarkerPop's Spring Bling challenge #18

Sister Act Card Challenge Design Team Try Out

There's a new Challenge blog in town, and I want to be on their design team.  You can check them out here!  Several of my friends are hoping to make the team, and it would be fun to serve on this new challenge blog together.  I love a good challenge.  Just ask my crafty friends at Cropchocolate.com.  We've been having weekly challenges there for 53 weeks now.  I've completed all 53 of them.  I'm ready for the Sister Act challenge blog! Yes, I am!

Now, for my top 3 cards, in no particular order:

 

This first card uses Fancy Pants Blissful Blizzard 12x12 papers, and Unity's Itty Bitty stamp, Bernie the Owl.  The word bubble is by Lawn Fawn.  The sentiment is part of the Unity Itty Bitty. Bernie is colored with Copic markers.

 

 

This tulip card uses Crate Paper's, Fourteen 6x6 papers, Unity's Tulips And Daisies stamp set, a Close To My Heart stamp set, You Rock, and Really Reasonable ribbon. Bling is also CTMH. I painted the tulips with watercolor paints.

 

The final card is cut out on the Silhouette Cameo.  All stamps are Unity.  The butterfly is Making Memories.  Button is from my stash.  Ribbon is 3 Girl Jam. The flowers are colored with Copic markers.

I love challenges, have an active blog, and would love a chance to make Sister Act Challenge blog a success.

Spring Fever with Market Street Stamps

If you are looking for the TAWS/3 Girl JAM hop, please scroll down one post. This is my second day of guest blogging for Market Street Stamps, and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I want to thank Jorge, Angela, and Steph for the opportunity.  It's been darnright FUN getting out all my MSS stamps and getting them inky.  I've loved the experience.

It's still very much Winter here in NW Wisconsin, but there are some hints of Spring in the air.  I've been looking for robins, but there's still way too much snow on the ground for them to return, I'm afraid.  To bring a little Springtime into our home, I made this small 3D birdhouse on my Silhouette, and decorated it with the Market Street Stamp Set Birds of a Feather".

 I used Fancy Pants Hopscotch 12x12 papers on this, because they were just the cheerful colors I wanted.  Inks were Close To My Heart in Sorbet and Cocoa.  The hearts were punched with a Creative Memories heart punch.  The "Birds of a Feather" stamp set was perfect for this project because it has birds (of course), but also sentiments and hearts. 

 Above, it the back side of the birdhouse.

And, the other side of the house you haven't seen yet:

 Here's a close up of the bird on the nest.  I used a rock and roll technique to get several ink colors on the image.

Next, I've got a card that used 5 different Market Street Stamps sets.  I used two background stamps, a butterfly stamp, my all-time favorite stamp, and a sentiment set. 

I started it with a piece of 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 desert sand card stock folded in 1/2 for the card base.  I stamped the front of the card with the background stamp "Sweet Lace".  If you have never used Market Street Stamps background stamps, they are wonderful -- big, easy to stamp with, and beautifully patterned.  They take paper from ordinary to extraordinary in one stamp.  Next, I used my all-time favorite stamp.  Now, I have many doily stamps, and many, many, many stamps.  But, I absolutely adore this "Doily" stamp from MSS.  It stamps so cleanly and crisply every single time.  Perfection! After I added the paper strip wrapped in twine (that came packeaged with Market Street Stamps so I don't know the brand), I went to work on the butterflies.  I used the "Two-Step Butterfly" mini, another favorite of mine.  I wanted a similar shade of blue to the doily, but not as intense as the Close To My Heart Lagoon ink I used on the doily, so I stamped the butterfly off on scrap paper, then onto the background stamp, "Grace". It was inked with CTMH desert sand ink, the same color as the Sweet Lace background. Once I kissed the two stamps together, I stamped them on white cardstock.  I did this several times, varying the place on the Grace stamp so the pattern on the butterfly would change.  Then I fussy cut them, bent up the wings, and attached them to the card with glue dots.  The only thing left was to stamp a sentiment from the "Simple Salutations" stamp set.

And there you have it.  Two Springtime projects.  Now, if we could only get a little Springtime weather, I'd be happy!  Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and visiting.  I always love your sweet comments. herehere

I'm a hoppin'! Cross Promotional Mini Hop with The Alley Way Stamps and 3 Girl Jam

Welcome to the 3GJ/TAWS Cross Promotion Double Challenge Blog Hop!

The goal of this cross promo/double challenge is to introduce you all to 2 awesome companies, gather inspiration from both DT’s and have the opportunity to enter 2 fun challenges!

Here is a bit about TAWS for those of you not familiar~
The Alley Way Stamps is owned and operated and all super adorable designs drawn by Alison Spelman...you can check out her shop here~ http://www.thealleywaystamps.com/

Here is a bit about 3 Girl JAM for those who are unfamiliar ~
3 Girl JAM is owned and operated by the talented Julie K Bling and her 2 daughters. They make the most beautiful hand dyed crinkle ribbon.... you can check out her shop here~ http://www.3girljam.com/

Every 2 weeks TAWS have a new challenge based on a fun photo called "Be Inspired" and 3GJ has their own challenge using 3GJ Crinkle Ribbon
So for this challenge the DT's are using the inspiration photo, The Alley Way Stamps and ribbon.

 
YOUR challenge will be to come up with a project using THIS photo, a stamp and ribbon.
Remember the photo is for inspiration ONLY....
~~~be creative, use your imagination and show us what this photo inspired you to create~~~
Need some inspiration?
We hope you will hop through the line-up and see all the gorgeous projects the DT’s have created.

Then at The Alley Way Stamps blog   and the  3 Girl Jam Challenge blog  you will find out more about their individual challenges and have the opportunity to link up to not just one challenge but both challenges for the chance to win some awesome prizes!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PRIZES:
This is the second 1/2 of the hop, the re-inspired portion. You need to hop through the mini hops both weekends to be eligible for the prizes.
And
entering BOTH challenges
~which will be easy to do.....if you don't own any TAWS they share a bunch of freebies  HERE
Your name will be entered to win a
TAWS stamp set and a Bundle of 3GJ ribbon!

But that is not all!
Each challenge will also be giving away a
TAWS stamp set and a Bundle of 3GJ Crinkle Ribbon

SO there are LOTS of ways to be entered to win some awesome prizes!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~
Onto the hop...
You should be coming from the talented Arielle's blog.

Remember that inspiration photo?  And, if you visited the 3 Girl Jam Challenge blog or my blog yesterday, remember the stamp set I'm working with?  It's The Alley Way Stamp's Phraseology background stamp that looks like this:

Well, I was inspired to make this card, using the photo and the stamp set:

 

 

 

The card was made using My Mind's Eye Miss Caroline Dolled Up 12x12 paper for the background to mimic the wood effect in the photo, a Bodacious Blooms die to stack up the flower like the stacked up pillows using the Hot Off the Press Rosemary & Thyme 6x6 paper pad, a Spellbinders die was used to cut out the tag, focusing on the word, "Dream" from the Phraseology TAWS set, and Tuxedo 3 Girl Jam ribbon was finger pleated across the bottom edge of the card, then tied in a double bow.  Some baker's twine holds the tag in place, and a white crocheted flower from Close To My Heart holds the flower together.

 

And, a close up of the tag and beautiful 3 Girl Jam bow before you go...

 

 





Now, happy hoppin' to the talented Jovan to see her fabulous style.

Thanks for hopping with TAWS and 3GJ.
We look forward to seeing all your projects!

And, don't forget to link up below. There's plenty of prizes to win, and I want to see your creations.

Bonjour Mon Ami! Friends with Flair!

I like Friday for lots of reasons, but mostly because it's Friends With Flair over on the Unity blog.  Link up your Unity creations and join in the inspirational fun!  You'll be hooked!  I'm keeping this short as I have three posts going up today.  I suddenly feel like I spend as much time blogging as crafting.  Life has changed! 

Today's project comes with a story.  Many of you who read my blog know I work in the activity department of a nursing home.  This week, one afternoon, we took a figurative, "Trip to Paris".  I used my Cricut Expression 2, the "Summer In Paris" cartridge, & Unity stamps to make some table decorations for our party.  I spent Saturday morning cutting out Eiffel towers, embossing Eiffel towers, and stamping "Bonjour" sentiments.  Here's what our table decorations looked like for Wednesday's party:

I used the Sweet Lace background stamp from Market Street Stamps on the card, and the Unity Dec 2012 KOM for the Eiffel tower and the "bonjour" on both the card and the tower.  I made 6 of the towers to decorate up the room with cards on either side.  I wanted the tower on the card to really sparkle, so I embossed it with Donna Salazar Mix'd Media Inxz in pewter, then used Judi Kins psychedelic embossing powder over the top.  It is REALLY sparkly.

I hope you enjoy today's FWF entry.  If you have time, please scroll down to my other two posts, I'm proud of my projects in both of them and would love your sweet comments.

For everyone that participated in "Julie's Blogoversary Blog Hop" last weekend, thanks so much!  The prizes were mailed out yesterday.  So if you were a winner, happy mail is heading your way.  Thanks for visiting!  Au Revoir and merci boucoup!

Sneak peek for The Alley Way Stamps, 3Girl Jam cross promotional mini hop

Happy Thursday, blog friends!  I'm featured on the 3 Girl Jam challenge blog today, sneaking a peek for the upcoming blog hop with the Alley Way Stamps and 3 Girl Jam.  This is the first time I've participated in a cross -promotional hop, so it is super exciting for me! 

We were given a picture to use for inspiration and here it is!

Well, I have to tell you.  I studied and studied, and studied that thing.  With the stamp set I was given for the challenge, I was stumped.  I'm using the very fun TAWS set, "Phraseology".  It looks like this:

 

Here's the card I came up with:

 

I stamped the Phraseology stamp on the background, and circled all the 'u's.  Then, I stacked the hearts, like the pillows in the inspiration photo.  I also used some of the colors in the phots.  The card uses a Kraft cardstock base.  3 Girl Jam Holly Berry crinkle ribbon and a Vintage Button finish off the card.

 

Come back tomorrow to see what I created for the hop, and to see the other fantastic creations!  You're gonna love it!

 

And, please play along with us, using the linky tool below to link up to the present 3 Girl Jam Challenge using the photo above for inspiration. 

 

 

Beauty Makeover -- did it work?

I got your interest on that title didn't I?  Well, the makeover wasn't for me (hopelesss, I'm afraid), but rather for a card challenge.  Crafty Creations Challenge blog has a CASE/re-invent yourself challenge this week, and I've been wanting to put something together for it all week.  This is the last day of the challenge, but I'm squeeking this one in under the wire.  I'm going to show you the former card first, then the "beauty makeover" of it.

Here's the old card:

I made it so long ago that I can't remember a lot of details. I recognize the cardstock as Echo Park because it's a different color on each side.  The pinwheel stamp is from Close To My Heart, and the heart punches are Creative Memories. I used a Spellbinder die for the background shape and a cloud corner rounder on the edges of the card. The Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher did the stapling and I have no idea what kind of twine it is. Those of you familiar with cropchocolate.com will recognize some of the infamous celery ribbon.  It's not a bad card, but it's pretty plain.  My style has evolved since this card.

 

Now, for the makeover:

 



This card uses October Afternoon's Cake Walk papers, Pick Your Plum baker's twine, Close To My Heart cranberry ribbon, the same Spellbinder die, Tiny Attacher, corner rounder and heart punch as the above card, and a Unity Stamp of the Week, {no.bunny}. I used some green Stickles on his necktie, and colored the bunny with Copic markers. It was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink, as is the sentiment.

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
          Crafty Creations Challenges CASE/re-invent yourself
          All That Stickles green linky party
          Oozak's "Anything Goes with Spring" challenge
          Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes" challenge (Tim Holtz tiny attacher)
          Really Reasonable Ribbon's "Show Me the Green" challenge
          Ribbon Carousel's "Spring is in the Air" challenge
          Love To Scrap! Challenge #1 "Anything Goes"

Please leave me a comment and let me know if my beauty makeover was a success!

Prizes and a card. Lots of winners! Woohoo for you!

First, I can't thank all of my blog readers enough for hopping with myself and my crafty friends this weekend.  It was wonderful for me to read your comments, not just on my blog, but on others also.  Such a great community this is, and I'm in awe to be a part of it.  Thank you to each of you for the part you play in it. 

I'm going to share a card first, 'cause that's what I do, then I'll get to the winners of the blog candy and other prizes.  This card is for a couple of challenges -- Crop Chocolate's weekly challenge, Creative Inspirations "Inspired By Anything Goes" & All That Stickles green challenge.  This is my 52nd challenge in a row that I have entered on CropChocolate.com.  Yup, a year without missing once.  I think there are 3 of us who have done it.  We are each part of the 52'er club.  I do think, though, that I am the only one who has the distinction of entering all 52 times and not once winning the weekly random drawing for cropcredits to be used at the cropchocolate.com site.  Oh well.  It's for the challenge, right?  Well, back to the challenge.  This week's CC theme is "Celebrate" because it's also their 4th anniversary.  We were challenged to make a step card, so here's what I came up with:

I used My Mind's Eye Lime Twist Fly a Kite paper, Echo Park Splash card stock for the base, Pick your Plum baker's twine, Indian Corn Blue ink from Close To My Heart, Green Stickles on the cupcake and one balloon, Creative Inspirations paints in Tickled Pink and Winter Frost. I used 2 Unity stamp sets -- "Balloons to You" Itty Bitty (WIB-336) and "Sweet Celebration Birthday" (Bella Blvd).

And now, on to the winners of the blog candy and prizes. 

I used random.org to choose all the winners.  The easiest one was the blog candy from my blog.

Random chose #16.  And that is Sheri Marek.  Now, for those of you not familiar with this name, Sheri is my BFF.  She moved across the state a couple years ago, but we've still stayed very close.  So, with this hop themed "Celebrate Friendship", Random.org is being a little spooky choosing Sheri for this prize.  Plus, I have some Unity stamps to send her from an order we split.  So, here it all comes, Sheri.  Don't bother to send your address.  I know it by heart!

On to the other winners.  There were 19 blogs on the hop, so I had random.org first pick which blog the prize was coming from, then which comment from the blog.  Here's the results.  Are you ready?

$5 in crop credits from cropchocolate.com, chosen from Gwen's blog -- Angel

$5 in crop credits from cropchocolate.com, chosen from Theresa's blog -- Kary

a bundle of crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl Jam, chosen from Angel's blog -- Erin (Celtic Crafter)

a bundle of crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl Jam, chosen from Chris'es blog -- Pollyzas

a Close To My Heart stamp set, chosen from Erin & Ruth's blog -- Pryn

a Unity stamp, again chosen from Erin & Ruth's blog -- Lucy E

a Unity stamp, chosen from my blog -- FeistyCrafter

Congratulations to everyone!  Please contact me with you addresses so I can get your prizes out to you.  Angel & Kary, I'll need your email address for cropcredits.

Winners, you can email me at julieodil at charter dot net with mailing info if you'd like.

Come back tomorrow for a makeover I did for a challenge, again Thursday for a card I made for the 3 Girl Jam Challenge blog, and then Friday is my busiest blog day ever.  I'm guest designing for Market Street Stamps again, blog hopping in a cross-promotion with The Alley Way Stamps & 3 Girl Jam, and I hope to have a Friends With Flair post. Phew!  See you throughout the week!

It's here! My Blogoversary hop, "Celebrating Friendship"

I've been blogging for a year now, and I'm amazed at how my life has changed since starting Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers.  To celebrate the wonderful things that have happened, and the special friendships I've made, I'm hosting a blog hop for the next 3 days.  Please hop with us and enjoy the inspiration!  Here's the all-star line up: 

Your starting here, of course, so if you get lost, head back to
http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com
next, it's Rebecca -- http://www.bloomingpink.blogspot.com/
Polly -- http://pazasproductions.blogspot.com/2013/03/celebrate-friendship-blog-hop.html
Rachel Anderson -- http://kitchentablescrapper.blogspot.com/2013/02/celebrating-friendship-blog-hop.html
Mary -- http://www.mkbugs.blogspot.com/
Angel -- http://scrappyscrappy.blogspot.com/
Miwa -- http://miwannascrap.blogspot.com/2013/02/welcome-to-julies-friendship-blog-hop.html
Brenda -- http://centralnyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Gwen -- http://windchimesandlilacs.blogspot.com/
Maria -- http://riacreations.blogspot.com/
Chris -- http://thriftysisters-chris.blogspot.com/2013/02/julies-blogoversary-blog-hop.html
Paula -- http://scrapaddictsattic.blogspot.com/2013/03/celebrate-friendship.html
Lucy -- http://littlescrapsoflucy.blogspot.com/
Karen -- http://karey2005.blogspot.com/
Corrie -- http://corriescrafts.blogspot.com/
Kary -- http://karyg.blogspot.com/
Erin & Ruth (they share a blog, but you'll find 2 entries here) http://celticcrafters.blogspot.com/
Laura -- http://lauraannsbreakfastpizza.blogspot.com/
Theresa -- http://inkyfingers1.blogspot.com/

It wouldn't be a hop without some prizes and blog candy, so let me explain what's in it throughout the hop.  Some of the individuals have blog candy for you.  As hostess of this hop, I'm also giving away some random prizes for commenters of all the blogs.  And, I'll have blog candy if you follow my blog and leave a comment. To be eligible for the random prizes, comment on each of the blogs, then come back here and tell me that you completed the hop (so you'll leave 2 comments on this blog). 

Prizes for commenting on all the blogs will be: 2 Crop Chocolate.com crop credits (gift certificates) for $5
2 bundles of crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl Jam
2 stamp sets from Unity Stamp Company
Close To My Heart Stamp Set
blog candy (6x6 paper, bling, ribbon, embellishments, Unity Itty Bitty, misc who-knows-what from my stash). If I get to 175 followers, I'll pick 2 winners. If by some miracle I get to 200 followers, I'll give away 3 awesome prize packages.

And, now, finally, for my projects!  Our theme for this hop is "Celebrate Friendship". This canvas is perfect for that, I think.  It celebrates some of the best friends I have in life -- both 2-legged, 3-legged, and 4-legged.  Annie, the dog on the left, had a front leg removed last summer due to cancer.  She still participated in a Golden Retriever fund raising walk in October.

This 12x12 canvas is a kit from Close To My Heart.  I added the pictures, did  a little stamping, rearranged some of the elements, and, voila, I had a wonderful piece of art.  I love how this turned out!

Next, a card, just beecause I'm so excited to have you hopping with us, having you celebrate with me!

I cut the card out on the Silhouette, using Echo Park Little Girl cardstock.  I love that it's 2 different colors.  It works so well for cards like this.  I stamped the front of the card with a Market Street Stamp, Sweet Lace, using Close To My Heart Lagoon ink.  The bee and sentiment were stamped on the inside of the card with the same ink.  The bee is from a retired Close To My Heart stamp set.  It's on an action wobble so it'll pop up when it comes out of the card.  The baker's twine arrived yesterday from my friend, Corrie (you'll see her talent later in the hop).  It's from Pick Your Plum.  I absolutely love how thick it is!  Yummy! The bee was stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with Copic markers.

My last card is my message to all of you before I send you on to my blog friend, Bek.  I treasure the many things that have happened to me in this year of blogging -- entering and winning challenges, making 2 design teams, but mostly, the many, many connections and friendships that I never thought were possible.  It amazes me daily how connected I can feel to people I don't know in person, but have touched me through my blog.  And so, I want you to know that -----
Y-O-U  are .... A:

Yes, to me, every one of you that has made it this far on this post, and plans to hop this hop and share this journey with me.  You are MY rock star.  And, I thank you.

Again, I used a card program that I cut out on my Silhouette, Echo Park card stock, a stamp from the July 2011 Unity Kit of the Month, and various washi tapes.

Hop on to the Uber talented Rebecca.  You'll love what she has for you!

I, and many of the hoppers, are linking up with Friends With Flair.  We get together there many Fridays.  Some of the friendships began there and have blossomed.

Remember to comment on each blog to be eligible for the random prizes, follow my blog if you don't already, leave a comment on your first visit here, then again after you've completed the hop.  Have fun, and thank YOU for celebrating with me!