FWF- A Special Card for a Special Lady

It's Friday already!  This week went particularly fast, even though I had to work on Monday.  The end/beginning of each month is much busier with my job, but it does make the time go faster!

Those of you who regularly visit FWF and have been with me for awhile, do you remember this picture?

Two of my good friends and I took 3 of our Golden Retrievers on a 3 hour road trip to a fund raising walk for a Golden Retriever Rescue Organization that we are involved in.  That was last October.  Annie, the dog on the left, had bone cancer, needed her front leg removed, but walked the walk just fine.  Annie let nothing slow her down!  Not cancer, not blindness.  Not, that is, until her cancer returned.  Last Thursday, I got an email that had the header, "Sad news about Annie".  I started to cry before I even opened the email.  I told my husband, "I think Annie's gone.  I'm not going to open this."  Well, of course, she was gone whether I read the heart-breaking news or not.  Those of you who are dog lovers know.  Annie is the "only child" to Janelle and Tyler and she was their world.  In honor of Annie, and to show Janelle and Ty some of what I was feeling for them, I made this card.

The Golden Retriever Stamp is a Unity/Phyllis Harris stamp called, "More Blessed to Give".  It seemed appropriate, since Annie was all about giving.  As you can see in the picture, Annie's face was getting white, so I made the Golden on the card with a similar face. And, like most Goldens, Annie liked to have something in her mouth -- usually a tennis ball.  But a teddy bear would work, too.

 

 

I used Fancy Pants Park Bench 6x6 papers on this card.  The sentiment is from a Market Street Stamps set called, "Pawprints on our Hearts". I used 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon from the Celebrations bundle, woven together, and some Queen and Co. embellishments. The Golden, of course, is colored with Copic markers.

 

Here's a close up of the sentiment that fits Annie so well. 

And, a close up of the woven ribbon and embellishments.

 

I would love it if you would come back tomorrow.  I will have posts for All That Stickles, I'm participating in the Get Inky! Stamps first EVER blog hop celebrating National Repeat Day.  The hop starts tomorrow and goes through Sunday, and I'll have a post tomorrow for the launch of a new challenge blog, the Craft Lovin' Challenge Blog hosted by Tabitha's Designs and the My Crafting Channel.

 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp blog -- anything goes

Sister Act Card Challnege -- anything goes

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- anything goes

3 Girl JAM Challenge -- anything goes

 

Lilacs? Hydrangea? I'm going with Lilacs!

Hello and Happy Thursday!  I have this card up over on the 3 Girl JAM blog today.  Since the lilacs are FINALLY in bloom after a late, late, cool, wet spring, I'm calling them lilacs (but I think they're hydrangeas).  You smell them and tell me what you think!

 

 

 

I used My Mind's Eye Meadowlark 6x6 designer papers on the card, Close To My Heart cardstock, a doily, CTMH Opaque Pearl Flourishes, a Pinque Peacock stickpin from my friend, Jessica, and of course, crinkle ribbon from 3 Girl JAM.  This is from the Celebrations Bundle.  There's some Creative Inspirations Paints on the blooms to make them shimmer in Fairy Dust. The stamp set is from Raisin Boat.  Wanna know the name?  Well, it's Hydrangea Bouquet.  I'm still going with lilacs.  I'm the artist and it's MY card!

 

That's all for me today.  I'll be back tomorrow with a Friends With Flair post and Saturday with a post for All That Stickles, a post for the Get Inky! Stamps Repeat Blog Hop (our first EVER), and a post for the brand new challenge blog, Craft Lovin' Challenge Blog, hosted by Tabitha's Designs and My Crafting Channel.  Hope you have time to visit then!

 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges: 

 

Simon Says Stamp blog -- anything goes

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- anything goes

Creative Inspirations Paints -- anything goes 

Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes

Sweet Stamps Weekly Challenge -- flowers

 



True Confession Time - I don't like Glitter!

It's Wednesday!  I can see the weekend from here! And for most of you, this is probably a short work week besides.

I have a post up over at Get Inky Stamps today.  The current Get Inky challenge is glitter, and you can link up here.  But, fact is, I don't really like glitter.  Not at all.  I make a mess of it and get it EVERYWHERE.  From one end of the house to the other messy.  So, I used Stickles on my project instead.  Stickles are my friend.  They come to my rescue again and again. Hmm.  That was almost poetic! I'll have to work on that and write another couple lines, LOL.

So, back to the project! Here's my glitter card:

 

 

I used a Get Inky! digi stamp (sailboat) and paper pieced it, running it through my printer on different patterned papers 3 times.  I had never paper pieced a digi before, but it was easy to do.  Then, I fussy cut out each piece, got a corresponding Stickles color (True Blue, Christmas Red, and Icicle), spritzed a little water on my craft sheet, picked up a paint brush, and painted on the Stickles glitter glue.  Yeah, that's my kind of glitter.  Once the glue dried, I glued the paper pieces together, and cut out the background with a Spellbinder die. The sentiment is another Get Inky Stamp.  This one is from the Sew Sweet Cupcakes stamp set. 

 

I used Fancy Pants Down By The Shore 6x6 papers, several Spellbinders dies, 3 Girl JAM ribbon (this is some of the new gorgeous NAVY bundle),  and a decorative stick pin from Close To My Heart.

Wishing You Sunshine -- and a prize winner

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I hope you had a great Memorial Day weekend.  It was cool, cloudy, and off and on rainy here.  I worked yesterday, so the holiday was short, but it was still enjoyable.

I have a tutorial today on All That Stickles, showing how to make your own glitter domes.  To showcase the technique, I made this card:

 

 

She seemed like the perfect image for a cool, rainy weekend! I used Kaisercraft Fine & Sunny 6 1/2 inch papers, Sparkle Creations Rainy Day Ruby stamp, Copic Markers, Cryogen paper, Spellbinders dies, Turquoise Stickles (so I can enter this in the current All That Stickles Linky party), and a free sample of ribbon from Ellen Hutson.  The "wishing your sunshine" sentiment is from Joy's Life Pun in the Sun stamp set -- lots of great sentiments on this one!!

 

I promised you a prize winner.  If you commented on my blog during the Joy's Life Super and Everyday Hero hop this weekend and follow my blog, you are eligible.  I used random.org to pick the winner.  Comment #4 was chosen:  Crafty_ma_am.  Congratulations, Crafty_ma_am!  Please let me know where to send your goodies.  You can leave an email address with a comment here and I'll be in touch.

 

I also want to let my followers know about some challenges that I am a part in.  I know some of you love challenges and I'm helping with some new, fun ones.  There's the All That Stickles linky party that I mentioned earlier in this post.  The current Stickles color is Turquoise.  If you can spell it, you can use it, LOL! Do you like digital stamps? Get Inky! Stamps Challenge blog has a new challenge every two weeks.  The current theme is glitter.  Embrace it, enter, and you might win digis of your choice.  Do you have a Silhouette?  There's a new challenge blog on the block.  Take a look at Silhouette Challenges.  The current challenge is "Anything Goes", but you have to be quick, because it ends May 31.  A new challenge starts June 1.  And, speaking of June 1, a brand new challenge blog launches on June 1! The Craft Lovin' Challenge Blog! We're going to work hard to make it one of the best challenge blogs out there. This new blog is sponsored by Tabitha's Designs ( you will find her new shop here -- digi papers and BRAND NEW digi stamps -- really fun stuff that can be won in the challenges!) and My Crafting Channel.

 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- anything goes

Joy's Life Super and Everyday Life Hero blog Hop

It's here, it's here! The Joy's Life Hero Hop is here! I've been excited about this ever since I knew I made the design team!  First, I'll give you the hop order, just in case you stumbled on to this hop.  I know you'll want to do the whole thing.  It's a great one!

 

Joy: http://joyslife.com    

Cyndy: http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com

Dawn: http://dawnmercedes.blogspot.com

Jennifer:  http://creativecricutdesigns.blogspot.com 

Julie: http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com -- you are here

Kendra: http://luv2scrapnmakecards.blogspot.com -- go here next

Laura: http://www.laurascraftsandmore.com

Lori: http://got2bcrafting.blogspot.com

Maria: http://asimplefive.blogspot.com  

Megan: http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com

Stacey H: http://staceyscreativecorner.blogspot.com

 

I have to give you the background to my project before I share it with you.  I am the activity director in a nursing home in the small town where I live.  I made this card in honor of a very special young lady who has volunteered at our nursing home for many years.  Here's the story:  Every Tuesday, after school, the children's choir from our church, grades 1-5, practices at my nursing home.  We have snacks, visit with the residents, play some games, then get serious about learning songs to sing in church.  It's a wonderful ministry that both young and old benefit from.  One young woman, Hannah, when she got to grade 6, said she didn't want to leave the choir, she enjoyed it too much.  Well, she graduates from high school today, May 25, and she stayed in that choir the entire length of time.  She became the co-director, and blossomed into a beautiful, talented, sensitive young woman.  She has filled in for the director when she couldn't make it.  She's even filled in for church services and preached when the pastor can't make it.  She is truly a super hero.  Hannah is the reason I've been excited about this hop.  I wanted to recognize HER!  This card was passed around the nursing home and signed by residents, then presented to her, along with a book of quotes about life, at her last Joyful Noise Choir visit. She is a role model to the children in the choir and a gift to the residents in the nursing home alike.

 

 

Hannah has grown into a wonderful woman.  She is super fantastic and totally awesome.  This Joy's Life My Hero stamp set is absolutely perfect for this card.  I had so much fun making it!

 

I also used Bazzill cardstock for the base, UmWow Studio chipboard that my friend DeeDee makes (lots of fun shapes to check out) and designer papers by GCD Studio Charleston Collection. Sentiments were stamped with Close To My Heart cocoa ink.

And, because today is Graduation Day here in my town, I made a little gift box for Hannah, using the school colors.

It is a box I found in the Silhouette Store.  If you'd like to make it, you can find it here.  I once again used the Joy's Life My Hero Stamp Set, heat embossing with white embossing powder.

 

And, there's a peek inside of the box -- perfect for a gift certificate, jewelry, even a fancy cupcake.  Don't look too closely at the tassel!  It was the first time I'd tried one and it's far from perfect! :)

 

I have blog candy!  I have a 6x6 paper pad, some ribbon, some twine, and some rub ons.  To be eligible to win, please follow my blog and leave a comment on this post.  I will choose a winner after the holiday weekend.

 

Now hop on along to the talented and lovely Kendra's blog.  You're going to LOVE what she has for you!

 

I'm entering this box in the following challenges:

 Silhouette Challenges -- anything goes

Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations
Crafting by Designs -- anything goes with a twist - Graduation
 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes

D.L Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- anything goes

 

 



Dog Claws Throw Curve Balls for FWF!

Woot! It's Friday again and Unity is celebrating 14,000 FB fans! Check out their awesome promotion and some stamps designed just for the event.  Really fun stuff that I expect we'll be seeing soon on FWF!

I had plans to make several cards for FWF when I scrapped with a couple friends after work on Wednesday.  The rolling tote got packed Tuesday evening and was ready to go.  Wednesday morning, while feeding the dogs, Sammy accidentally clawed me.  It went deep enough to knick a vein and require 10 stitches.  I worked 1/2 a day Wed and 6 hours Thursday.  When not working, I've been sitting with my leg elevated.  It is a position I can type in, but not make cards in. The evening of scrappin' with my friends had to be postponed.  I did sneak a quick card in Wed (I'm type A -- I got bored), and I ran outside and got a few quick pics of some flowers on Thursday.  Other than that, I'm behaving -- really!

Remember the snowstorm pictures from May 2?  Well, I wanted you to know that spring really has come to NW Wisconsin, so I have some flower pics from my yard.

 

Tulips and Trillium.  Yes, it is spring.  However, we have a frost warning for tonight, so I hope my flowers don't get damaged.

And now, for the only card I have to show you.  It's a very simple one.  Truly, it took me about 10 minutes to make.

It's graduation weekend here in Chetek. I needed a graduation card and this is it.  I wanted something bright and fun.  I used the Unity/Susan Weckesser set, "A Little bit Washi".  I stamped on white cardstock using Hero Arts Neon inks, then mounted it on a Close to My Heart Kraft card base.  The chipboard stars are from my friend DeeDee's company, Umwow Studio. There's lots of fun shapes to check out.  The twine is Grape Fizz from Trendy Twine. The Super Star sentiment is from a grab bag and was stamped with Gypsy Close to my Heart ink.

I've made the Joy's Life design team.  We're having our first blog hop with the old DT and new DT tomorrow.  Come join in the fun if you can!

I hope you have an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Trendy Twine May Challenge -- Kraft and twine
D.L. Art Linky Party -- anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes
Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations (Graduation)

Bee Happy Box

I must Bee a little Bee obsessed lately.  Both yesterday's post and today's post have a bee theme.  I didn't even realize it until I started this.  I made the projects quite a few days apart from each other, not realizing that they'd be viewed back-to-back by my faithful followers.  Oh well.  Bee happy I have followers, right?  And, bee-lieve me, I AM!

 

I'm posting today for Get Inky! Stamps.  This project is on their blog today.  The current challenge on for Get Inky! Stamps found here is "show us your die cuts".  Everyone who enters wins 3 free digi stamps.  It's a great deal! Enter! Here's my inspiration using the Buzzing Bees stamp set.

 This box is from the Silhouette Store.  If you'd like to make it, you can find it here. It's a 3D honeycomb box by Lori Whitlock.  I love her stuff!  I used Close To My Heart Clementine paper on the project.  It took a 12x12 piece. Here's another angle.

 

 

You can see inside the box a little better with this angle.  There's a brad that holds it together.  The bees, sentiment, and fussy cut flowers are all from the Get Inky! Stamps Buzzing Bees set.  It is a HUGE set with many options -- very fun to play with!

 

I'll leave you with one more close up of the bees.

 



 

I love the pouty lips on that one.  So stinkin' cute!

 

The Get Inky! Stamps design team is going to have their first ever blog hop June 1-3, celebrating National Repeat (repeat) {repeat} Day on June 3.  How fun is that?!? Join in on the fun, inspiration, and of COURSE  PRIZES! 

I'm entering this box in the following challenges:

 

Cameo Creations Challenge -- Mother's Day (gift for my mother-in-law)

Silhouette Challenges -- anything goes 

D.L. Art Thankful Thursday Linky Party -- anything goes

 

Hap-Bee to be here!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!  I hope it's truly spring where you are.  We're looking like it's for real here in NW WI.  The leaves are budding out on the trees, birds are building nests and singing their hearts out, and the wildflowers are beginning to bloom.  It's my favorite time of year!

I'm so happy to be posting today! It's my first post for the Joy's Life Stamps design team! Yea!  You can find today's post here. It's a great blog to visit everyday, with some awesome inspiration from a talented team!

My card for today uses the Joy's Life stamp set, Punny Animals. It's a very fun set to work with!  The theme this week at Joy's Life is dimension. Here's what I did.

 

Isn't that bee so cute?  I used the Create-a Critter II Cricut cartridge to cut it out, added some Stickles for dimension and pizazz, and used a Viva Décor Anthracite Pearl pen on his eyes. See that adorable honeycomb chipboard?  That's from my friend DeeDee.  She has a new company, selling chipboard called UmWow Studios.  You definitely need to check it out.  So cool! I used papers from Jillibean Soup Blossom Soup 6x6 paper, some chocolate cupcake Trendy Twine, a hexagon punch by Creative Memories, and some Close To My Heart Kraft paper for the tag.

 

I'll leave you with a close up of the bee and sentiment:

 

 

Hope your day is hap-bee!

 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Cocoa Creations Challenge #1 -- Let's Celebrate

Crafty Creations Challenges -- keep it simple

Oozak blog -- anything goes with earthtones

Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes

Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations

Trendy Twine Challenge -- Kraft and twine

D.L. Art thankful Thursday -- anything goes

Creative Inspirations Paint -- anything goes 



We're hop, hop, hopping through the ice cream shoppe!

Welcome to the Ice Cream Shoppe Hop brought to you by the All that Stickles design team!

Summer is almost here... and that means it's almost time for summer's favorite treat... ice cream! Bring on the cool scoops of your favorite ice cream flavor (mine happens to be black cherry) the never-ending list of toppings, and of course, you can't forget the cherry on top!

 

 

Today the All that Stickles design team has created many different ice cream-themed projects for you to savor. :) And what's our favorite topping?! Stickles, of course!

For my project, I used some artistic license.  I used the 'ice' in ice cream, and expanded on it. 

It was a strange start to May here in WI.  On May 2, we got a record-breaking 17 inches of snow.  It was certainly a memorable event, and one that needed to be scrapbooked.  So, using Ice Stickles, I created a two-page "N'Ice May Weather" layout.

 

 

These pictures were taken in my yard before I left for work the morning of May 2.  It continued to snow all day, so you can only imagine the accumulation.

 

 

This is page 1. I used Carta Bella Kraft cardstock for the base and Carta Bella Alphabet Junction 12x12 papers throughout the layout.  Here's page 2:

 

 

The title and snowflakes were cut out on the Silhouette. The wood veneer snowflakes are from Studio Calico.

Since this is an All That Stickles blog hop, here's a closeup of the Stickles:

I combined both Lemon Ice and Crystal Ice Ice Stickles on the title.

And, on these snowflakes...

 

In case you'd like to read the journaling, here's a close up of that, too.

 

That's it for me on this ice cream shoppe hop. There's just a few details to tell you before I send you on to the talented Cat's blog.

 

We have blog candy for those who are a follower of All that Stickles and leave a comment on every stop of the hop! Winners will be announced Wednesday May 22nd at All that Stickles.

QKR Stampede

5 Digi Stamps of Winner's Choice

My Craft Spot

1 Stamp Set of Winner's Choice

Fresh Brewed Designs

$15 Gift Certificate for Digital Stamps

Bugaboo Stamps

10 Digis of Winner's Choice

Here's the complete lineup:

All that Stickles 

Tonya

Chas

Karen

Cynthia

Julie

Cathy

 

Thanks for hopping! :) Don't forget to check out our Cotton Candy Linky Party!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cotton Candy and Gelatos -- it's making me hungry!

The current linky party at All That Stickles is Cotton Candy.  Maybe it's the color name, but something about it made me want to break out my Gelatos and play with them while making this card. Since, I'm the artist, that's exactly what I did!  Here's my Cotton Candy Stickles, plus Gelatos card:

I put 3 different colored Gelatos on a craft sheet, spritzed some water on them, then used my finger to mix the Gelatos and water together.  Then, I used them as my ink pad, stamping on to watercolor paper.  The cotton candy flower was heat embossed, then fussy cut.  The stamp set is from Raisin Boat, and it's Really Reasonable Ribbon.  And, of course, Cotton Candy Stickles. 

Don't forget to link up your Cotton Candy creations to the current linky party here.  You have through May 24.

Come back and visit tomorrow for the All That Stickles monthly blog hop.  We're touring the Ice Cream Shoppe. Yummy!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp -- flower power
Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes
Crafty Creations Challenges -- KISS
Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations
MarkerPop -- May Flowers
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- #109 Flowers

It's a Watercolor Friday for Friends With Flair

Happy, happy Friday, everyone!  I'm going with the assumption that FWF is up and running this week.  I went through withdrawal last week, checking the Unity blog about 20 times to see if the link was up and ready yet.  My new year's resolution to link up every Friday in 2013 has now been broken.  Or has it?  My post can be found here from last Friday, if you missed it.  It was a farewell post to my favorite online retailer that closed their doors that day, and to design team members I had worked with for nearly a year.  Sad day -- company closing, no FWF.

But, it's a new Friday, and I have Unity to share.  I used the April Sentiment Kit from Unity for both the roses and the sentiment on both these card.  I made this card first:

I used distress inks on the flowers, rolling a second color on the outside of the blossoms, then a spritzed them with water to get the watercolor effect and stamped on watercolor paper. I used Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, and some 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon.  I got the card done, stepped back, and decided I didn't like it.  Do you ever do that? So, I started over.  Here's the second card.

I based it on this sketch by Sunday Sketch and Stamp:

And, with a little tweaking, here is what I created:

I used the same watercolor technique, but just layered things up a little differently.  I used the same Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 6x6 papers, some Timeless Twine, bling by CTMH, and some heart sequins I found in my stash.  But, for some reason, I like this card much better.  Funny how that happens.

I'm sending the first card to my 93 year old friend who loves everything I make for him.  He thinks I'm a card making super star.  The second one will most likely be this week's card to my BFF.

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

Sunday Sketch and Stamp -- challenge #156, Francesca's sketch
Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations (spring)
Simon Says Stamp -- flower power
Crafty Creations Challenges -- KISS (keep it sweet and simple)
Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes
Marker Pop -- May flowers
D.L.Art Thankful Thursday -- #109 Flowers

Live Life Half Full -- a digi darling!

We're cruising through another week, at Thursday already!  And the weather is warming up here in NW WI!  Spring has sprung.

 

 

This card is on the 3 Girl Jam challenge blog today, and I wanted to share a few more details with you here.

 

 

The Martini Pin Up digi is from Sassy Studio Designs. There are many great digi stamps in the store.

The crinkle ribbon, of course, is 3 Girl Jam. Both the colors in the new Royal bundle were used -- purple passion & gold crown. 

Here's a close up of the ribbon:

 

 

Do you like that pin?   It's from the Pinque Peacock store, and it adds some real class to the card.  The image was colored with Copic markers.  The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Co.

The designer paper is from the Fancy Pants Park Bench 12x12 collection. I've had the glitter paper forever, and think it's from American Crafts. A Spellbinder label die was used, Memento ink, and Neenah Solar White paper for the digi.

 

That's it!  I hope you enjoyed my martini babe as much as I enjoyed creating her.  Va-va-va-Voom!

 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes

D.L. Art. Thankful Thursday -- anything goes

Color Me Creative Classroom --anything goes

 

Please link up your digi plus ribbon creations here:

 

Friends With Flair and a Farewell -- it's Friday!!

If you are looking for my first ever post with Get Inky! Stamps, please look here!

I usually LOVE Friday! It's the end of the work week AND it's Friends with Flair.  This Friday, however, is rather melancholy for me.  My favorite online scrapbooking retailer is closing their doors today.  But Cropchocolate.com is so much more than where I get most my scrappy supplies.  It's also where I hang out online with my scrappy friends.  Between FWF and CC, it's where my scrapbookin, creative friendships have formed.  I've been on the CC design team since July, 2012, but have been actively involved in the site since March, 2009.  My final project for them posted yesterday.  I was in the middle of my June project when I got the news that the store was closing.  I lost my mojo to finish the project, but wanted to share with you what I had done. Because it's all about unity.  And Unity.

The theme for June was going to be family.  After thinking about it for some time.  I decided to go with the idea of showcasing my Crop Chocolate family and the friendships I have made there.  My plan was to make cards for those on the design team that I have served with the whole year term.  I wanted to make cards for each of them that represented them or our friendship.  I worked on these cards for most of the afternoon one Saturday.  That evening, I found out the store was closing.  Here's what I completed for the team and the story behind them.

I'll start with Karen -- Karey2005 on CC.  She's also a FWF regular.  She and I are on 2 design teams together.  We click.  This was the first card I made.  She has a boat.  She knows the significance of a good strong anchor.  Yeah, she's my anchor.  I hope our friendship lasts for years to come.

This first card uses Unity's Itty Bitty, Anchored (WIB-453).  Karen has also "encouraged" my twine collection, sending some from her spools, so I used some of it on this card.  I love you, Karen.

And, speaking of twine, this second card is for Corrie.  Speaking of twine addictions, I mean collections.  No one has furthered my stash more than Corrie.  So, this card is for her:

Corrie has a sweetness about her that I will always treasure.  She knows how to cultivate friendships.  I thought this sentiment was perfect for her.  There's lots of twine wrapped around this card -- hopefully in a color or two she doesn't have, that I'll be sending her way.

The third card is for my friend, Miwa.  Miwa, I hope you are participating in FWF this week.  Miwa loves bugs.  I've never met her, but I've seen pictures of her and her girls.  I imagine Miwa looked quite like this as a girl -- running through meadows with a butterfly net, hoping to some day be an entomologist. A scrapbooking entomologist, of Course!

Miwa blames me for her addiction to Copic type markers, but I really don't think it's my fault.  But, just in case I influenced her, I used my Copics on this card for her.  It has bugs, of course -- several butterflies and a beetle.  It uses the Unity/Phyllis Harris stamp set, "let love fly".  And Miwa does.  She experiences life with passion.  I'm so glad I've gotten to know her.  There's also some 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon on this card from the new Royal bundle and it was cut out with my Silhouette.

This next card is for Kathy.  Kathy had some major problems with her eyes during the second design team term we served on together. It didn't stop her from getting her assignment done on time, but it did severely limit her time on the computer, and the time she could "chat" with her fellow DT members. She spent many, many hours in the office of various eye specialists. This card is for her:

 

 

 

Kathy has a heart of gold.  She will do anything for anyone.  I will always treasure our time together on the CC DT.  And, I'm quite sure we will stay in touch.  She's too sweet to lose contact with.

 

Michelle, By Belle -- as she's known on the Crop Chocolate site, makes one fantastic creation after the other.  She has a very distinctive style.  I always know her work even before I see her watermark. She is an inspiration to many of us on the CC site.  Butterflies are a common theme for her. She's also longing for a Silhouette.  So, this card is for her.

 

The Unity stamp set used on this card is a Donna Downey studio "Art & Possibility".

 

The final card I got done is for Chris, or Christina, as she's known on CC.  She also often joins FWF, so I hope she sees this card.  Chris and I have much in common, including our love of Goldens -- and aging Golden Retrievers at that.  I made this card for her and her elderly Golden.  I've seen pics of her dog and know she has a gray face, just like my old Molly.  So, I tried for a gray faced Golden for her card.

 

 

This card uses the very first Unity/Phyllis Harris stamp set I ever purchased, "First Love". It is still probably my favorite. And, I just love the little girl with red tennies.  I almost always color her that way.  There's also some 3 Girl Jam ribbon on this card using one of the new colors from the coffee bundle. I'm using this card for the Crafty Creations something old/something new challenge -- old stamp/new ribbon and paper.

 

And that's my friendship cards to share with you this week. But, before I go, I have two winners to announce from my blog candy give away. I hit over 200 followers this week, so I decided to have two winners.  One winner I already heard from -- my friend Christine -- Chris -- who's card you just saw.  The other winner was Jennifer Mitten.  Jennifer, please LMK your address so I can send your goodies to you!

 

Have a great week, and treasure your friendships!

 

I'm entering these cards in the following challenges:

 

Simon Says Stamps -- things with wings

Unity -- Friends with Flair

Crafty Creations Challenges -- something old something new

Really Reasonable Ribbon -- sparkle, bling, and ribbon

Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations

Oozak- Anything goes with earthtones

Sister Act Card Challenge -- anything goes

Silhouette Challenges -- anything goes

Cameo Creations Challenges -- Mother's Day

Marker Pop -- May flowers

D.L. Art Thursday Linky Party -- Anything Goes

Color Me Creative Classroom -- Celebrations

 







Getting Inky with Get Inky! Stamps

If you are looking for this week's Friend With Flair, you will find it here!

Do you know that saying, "When God closes a door, He opens a window"?  Well, it often holds true.  Today, my beloved cropchocolate.com closes their online scrapbooking business.  It's been my hangout since 2009.  With the ending of that design team, I wanted to fill a very big void in my life, so I put out some feelers with connections in the crafting world.  On Saturday evening, April 26, I found out CC was closing.  By Monday evening, April 29th, I was on 2 new design teams, and they were BOTH for stamp companies!  Well, I LOVE to stamp so this was incredible news for me! My first post for one of the companies, Get Inky! Stamps, is today. You can find that post here.

I got my stamps in the mail on Tuesday, and immediately inked them up.  Here's the card I made using the flower theme of the current challenge that ends today.

I used two Get Inky! Stamps -- "Sew Sweet Cupcakes" and "Buzzing Bees". I used this file from the Silhouette Store to make the card.  Cardstock is from Echo Park.  I used some Stickles on the butterflies, some Pick Your Plum twine, and 3 Girl Jam crinkle ribbon in Dress White from the new Navy bundle (isn't it yummy?)

I'm so enjoying the Get Inky! Stamps -- they are very versatile.  You'll be seeing them pop up in projects from me quite frequently, I'm sure!

Be looking for more new adventures from me as I get started with design teams for Joy's Life stamp company and Silhouette Challenges. Woohoo!

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:

Silhouette Challenges -- Anything Goes
Cameo Creations Challenge -- Mother's Day
Reasonable Ribbon -- Sparkle, Bling, and ribbon
Ribbon Carousel -- Celebrations
Raisin Boat -- Mother's Day
Simon Says Stamp -- Things with Wings
Sister Act Card Challenge -- Anything Goes
D.L. Art Thankful Thursday -- Anything Goes
Sweet Stamps Challenge -- for Mom