Birthday Violets -- a New Release at DS4J

It's Sunday, and New Release Day at DigiStamps4Joy. I was so excited to get a chance to work with one of today's new releases, 'African Violets'.

I love coloring flowers.  They are my favorite thing to color.  I colored these Violets with Copic markers, then used several colors of Tim Holtz distress inks around the edges of the die cut heart (Die-namics).  The sentiment is from Close To My Heart. 

I have long admired Graphic 45 papers, but have been afraid to use them.  They seem so "busy" to me.  I decided to bite the bullet while at a crop at the LSS, and bought some.  This is my first attempt using Graphic 45.  The crinkle ribbon is 3 Girl JAM. 

Don't forget the DigiStamps4Joy challenge that is underway.  It is an Anything Goes challenge, and you can find it HERE. Also, check out the other new release project on the DigiStamps4Joy blog.  They'll be wonderful!

The Importance of Fishing -- for QKR Stampede

Hello, crafty friends!  It's Friday, and time for a new challenge at QKR Stampede.  This week, our theme is "fishing".  While no one in my family does, we are rare.  Most people in this city of 6 lakes LIVE to fish.  The card I made for today is a motto many live by:

I used 2 QKR Stampede digis on this card -- Gone Fishing (digi12406) and Fishing Is (digi12401).

I colored 'Gone Fishing' with Copic markers, then used a stitched circle die by Lawn Fawn to cut out the turtle.  All other dies on the card are from Craftin' Desert Divas (Banner Dies Set).  Designer paper is Pebbles Americana 6x6 paper pad.  The card base is Close To My Heart card stock. The rhinestone bling has been in my stash for ages (as my 5 year old neighbor would say).

 I hope you can join us this week at QKR Stampede for our Fishing challenge.  It's going to be a big one ;)

Berry Sweet chance to GD for Scrappin' Madge!

Awhile ago, my good friend Madge asked some of her scrappy friends if anyone wanted to guest design on her blog.  I, of course, said, "sure!". Then, a week or so ago, a sign up document showed up -- very official looking -- I signed up, and suddenly, my day is here!  Thanks, Madge, for the chance to be featured on your lovely blog, Madge's Scrappin Lounge with you and your uber talented friends!  I am honored!

It is berry season here where I live.  In Northwest Wisconsin, few things get us as excited as fresh strawberries.  Well, maybe a Packer win, catching fish, and a good beer, but strawberries rate right up there, too.  The season is short, but when they're ripe, we're picking, cleaning, jamming, jellying, baking, and anything else we can think to do with berries.  In this case, I'm crafting berries.  After all, it's berry season!

These berries in their berry carton are treat boxes.  I tucked my favorite year-round treat inside (chocolate), and gave them to a friend celebrating a birthday.  I found this cutting file at My Scrap Chick, and cut them out with my Silhouette Cameo. 

Here's a couple close ups of the strawberry treat boxes. All the card stock on these projects is from Close To My Heart.  The designer paper is Echo Park Dots & Stripes 12x12. 

No gift is complete without a card, so I made a Strawberry Shaped card to match the carton of strawberries:

I found this in the Silhouette Design Store.  The sentiment is a stamp from Close To My Heart.  There's also a bit of Timeless Twine on there.  Madge and I first met through 3 Girl JAM, so I just HAD to throw a pretty crinkle ribbon bow of 3 Girl JAM Sterling ribbon, from the Celebrations Bundle on here. 

I'll leave you with one more view of those yummy strawberry treat boxes...

Again, I want to thank Scrappin' Madge for the opportunity to guest design for her.  If you are ever in need of inspiration, head to  Madge's Scrappin' Lounge.  She never runs short of scrapping mojo!

Hacked, But Back! Welcome to the New Blog! Candy Alert!

***This post will be pinned to the top of my blog for the next few weeks. For newer posts, please scroll down.*** 

Bad things happen to good people.  We've all heard that saying.  On  June 11, 2015, my Google and Facebook accounts got hacked.  I was able to reset my FB account without a snag.  The Google account has proven more complicated.  The next day, my blog disappeared.  I had just written my 900th blog post.  That's lots of hours of blogging, & even more hours of work to create over 900 projects for those posts.  To make it even more painful, every blog post I've written on any other blog is also gone.  I've been on some companies design teams for several years now, writing many posts for them.  All gone.  It feels like such a loss. I feel like I have lost a piece of myself.

But, I am picking up the pieces and moving forward.  Today is an important step in that direction, my first post on my NEW blog!

I want to thank you for taking the time to find my new blog.  I'm hoping to build up followers again.  I was nearing 600 before the disappearance of my first blog.  Please follow this blog, leave a comment on this post, and I will give away blog candy at every 50 new followers.  That's better odds by far than ANY lottery!

Blog candy includes, but not limited to:  Close To My Heart stamp sets, Unity Stamp Company Grab Bags, Unity 4x6 stamp sets, 6x6 paper pads, embossing folders, 3 Girl JAM ribbon, Timeless Twine and more!  Every 50 followers -- more goodies!  

Birthday Cards x 2 -- for Snapdragon Snippets

I have the pleasure of posting today for Snapdragon Snippets. I love the variety of projects available both in the SDS Store, and in the Silhouette Design Store.  Today, I have 2 Snapdragon Snippets birthday cards to showcase. 

This first card is an A2-sized Candle Card (Design ID #58775).

I used paper and a Stamp set from Close To My Heart.  It was straightforward to assemble.

The second card was designed as a Patriotic card, but I modified it  to make it into a birthday card.  It's called the Stars & Bands Trio A6 card (Design ID #78958):

I used the same Close To My Heart papers and stamp set on this card.

There are many July birthdays among my friends and family, so these 2 cards will be out the door shortly.  I love it when I'm ready with bright, happy cards!

You're Pretty Awesome! -- for The East Wind

I am very conservative.  I think that's why I love The East Wind images so much.  Today's new release is no exception.  This girl's got attitude!  And purple hair!  And, a partially shaved head!  I bet she's got a tat, also!  

This image, from The East Wind, is Lucy Loo 'DIY Punk'.  I colored Lucy Loo 'DIY Punk' with Copic markers, then cut her out with a tag die from Paper Wishes.  The tag behind it, also from Paper Wishes, was stamped with a matching stamp set.  The sentiment is from Close To My Heart.  It's cut out with yet another tag die from Paper Wishes.  The brads are from my stash, and I've had them forever.  The chipboard hearts are from UmWow Studio. 

You'll find this digi, and many others, at the Etsy shop.  Check out The East Wind's Facebook group for challenges, inspiration, and great chats.

Sharing is Caring - for Path of Positivity

I'm so excited!  Today is a big day for me!  It's my birthday (woohoo!) AND it's my first official post as a design team member of the Path of Positivity Challenge Blog. I love this challenge blog. I have participated whenever I can since I first discovered it over a year ago, and the time was right to join it.  Let the journey begin...

At PoP this month, our theme is "sharing".  I used an image from our wonderful sponsor this month, Fresh Brewed Designs.  

This image is called, "Puppy Love".  I colored the 2 pups with Copic markers, and used a Spellbinders die to cut them out.  The sentiment is computer generated, and cut out using a die from Paper Wishes. 

The side step card is a Sizzix die.  Papers for this card can be found at Scribbles Designs.  They are designed by Lisa Decosse, of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles. The baker's twine is from Timeless Twine.