"Be A Blessing" Blog Hop - April 27

Felicity -- the precious daughter of a dear scrapping friend, Shawnee -- has turned one, and in her honor Shawnee has organized the "Be A Blessing Blog Hop".  

What a wonderful way to celebrate the life of this darling baby!   

Felicity, the youngest of 10 children, has special needs and so her first year has been a challenging one for her and her family.

Yet every day, Felicity has brought smiles to her family, doctor and therapists who work with her to help her live her life fully and with joy.

The purpose of this blog hop is to have crafters -- and that includes YOU! -- "Be a Blessing" to those around you, bring a smile with your touch of humanity. Perhaps you might make a card for a neighbor in need, or bring cookies to a shut-in?  Whatever it is, join us today ... and make it a habit.

For my project today, and my ongoing commitment, I have volunteered with Operation Birthday Box, a local organization that provides a box of birthday goodies to children living in shelters. 

 
For this month, I have decorated a gift box and have made a party banner (shown above).

Gift boxes prepared by the OBB are loaded with goodies purchased by the volunteers (like that at right) or by the OBB Founder's daughters, Jonna and Eva. 

Each box also gets a book donated by a local bookstore; and each recipient gets a decorated cookie made by a local

bakery. OBB has just started this month. They're hoping that with time and continued generosity of individuals and businesses, more children can be served in our local community. 


Update:  I've spoken to the wonderful and enthusiastic founder of Operation Birthday Box, Christa Nielsen, to get a drop-off/mailing address for this month's box. I hope to be of service to her organization in the future, helping in any way I can and/or is needed to serve our community's less fortunate children. Other volunteers are always welcome -- at OBB or in a similar organization in your own community. Please help!

The cake I bought and show in this picture will be given today to another birthday girl -- my dogs' groomer, Mindy!  I'm sure it will make her Smile, too!

Incidentally, Mindy herself is a warm and generous soul who not only makes my two Bichons look their best, but she gives generously of herself to make others look great, too.  

See this gorgeous, long hair of Mindy's at the picture, above left, (shown with her niece, Juliana)?  Today, when I had my dogs groomed and dropped off the cake, I noticed Mindy has a cute, short bob now. Mindy told me that she'd shorn off 12" just yesterday for Locks of Love -- "I had fun! I hope someone can use it," she said. 

12-year old Georgia has Alopecia Areata

Locks of Love, a national nonprofit organization, takes donated human hair and crafts it into beautiful hairpieces for disadvantaged children suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis (e.g., alopecia areata). The prostheses provided by Locks of Love help restore a child's self-esteem and confidence.


It is my honor to know such beautiful people as Mindy, Felicity and Shawnee!

OK, now that I hope I've inspired you to "Be A Blessing" by sharing your talent. Please do leave a little comment/love below for a chance to win blog candy. Felicity's Mom Shawnee will be giving some out, and more has been donated. For an extra chance at the Candy, do a good deed (or "Mitzvah"), and Tweet or post on Facebook about it. 

Now, it's time to move on to see other projects by other crafters participating in this hop.  Your next stop is RACHELLE

In case you get lost on the blog hop, here is your full list of participants:

1. Shawnee - http://www.quiverofangels.blogspot.com/
2. Beth ~ http://thecraftyscrapyard.blogspot.com/
3. Lisa ~ http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com
4. Janis ~ http://pausedreamenjoy.blogspot.com/
5. Amanda ~ http://craftsbyamanda.blogspot.com
6. Ellen ~ http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
7. Rachelle ~ http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com
8. Lori ~ http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
9. Julie ~ http://www.readysetstamp.com
10. Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com
11. Stacey ~ http://staceyscreativecorner.blogspot.com
12. Michele ~ http://michelescraftroom.blogspot.com/
  

Rumple Ribbon on a Triple Stamped Card

Welcome back for another Rumple Ribbon Thursday!  Today, I'll show a fun stamping technique called "Triple Stamping", and the cute card I made that includes one of my favorite Rumple Ribbon colors, "Sugar Plum".

Ma Belle Cherie -- La-Vie!

I made the base card at a Make-and-Take Dessert Party at a Stamp Scrap Art Tour's expo last month. There, I met (as planned) one of my Facebook besties, La-Vie, and several of her friends. (Click on the La-Vie's beautiful name to be taken to her post describing that fun evening!)  How wonderful it is to meet those with whom I've only had an Internet connection, and to get to craft with them is icing on the cake!

Here's the card:

To make this card, first cut and stack the top layer (here, white) at your desired sizes. Layer them together temporarily using a light touch of double-sided removable tape.  Stamp your background images (here, several different images of shells) in multiple, complementing colors.  Center your sentiment on what will be the top layer.

Next, separate the layers, removing the double-sided tape. Cut mats for each layer approximately 1/16" surrounding the top and middle layers. Adhere the white layers atop each of the mats, and then on top of the card. Wrap the upper layer in ribbon and tie into a bow.

I also added an inside panel to write a sentiment inside, because the card paper is so dark and not everyone has a white opaque pen.  

   

My Fancy Folds Treasure: STT Blog Hop, April 20

Welcome to the Scraps to Treasures Monthly Blog Hop. This month, we're featuring fancy folds -- those unique ways to fold your paper and create a card for extra "WOW!"  As usual, we're to use our scraps in making these projects.

I decided to do a "side-step" card.  This card folds flat to 4.25" high x 5.5" wide, with two extra "valleys" to decorate. There is no inside to this card, so the sentiment is printed on the outside of the card. You can use this style to highlight any layered message you'd like.

I used scraps of Close To My Heart's "Surf's Up" paper, focused on the pretty swirl/wave that was leftover after I cut a layout.  I found other waves in scraps that I liked for the second focal point, and used the center of a sunshine-looking piece for the third focal point. The flip flops and surfer were cut using 3 scraps no bigger than 3x4", and the card base was also a leftover piece of CTMH Colonial White paper that was 5.5" x 8.5". 

I hope you enjoyed seeing this card. If you'd like to be inspired by additional ideas, be sure to start at our hostess's site (Robin at http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com) and hop through our inspiring group.  Oh, wait! Before you GO!!  Don't forget to leave a comment here if you'd like to win the blog candy sponsored by our hostess, Robin!

Robin has a huge bundle of goodies to give away to one lucky person! The bundle (pictured here) is packed FULL of all kinds of goodies for you to make lots and lots of cards. In order for your chance to win you must be sure to visit each of the blogs in our hop today and show some love by leaving each of them a comment letting them know what you thought of their fancy fold card that they made to share with you. 

OK time to move on... be sure to hop on over NEXT to Camille who is never "Short on Ideas" to intrigue and inspire!! 

Here is the complete line-up in case you get lost:

Robin L. - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com/
Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com
Pam ~ http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com/
Robin S. - http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/
LissaMarie ~ www.somanycrafts.com
Ellen  ~ http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
Camille ~ http://shortonideasaz.blogspot.com/
Kathryn ~ http://www.creationswithkathryn.blogspot.com/
Liz ~ http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com/
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Cicily ~ http://pinkdalmationscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jessi ~ http://mylifeinartsncrafts.com
   

New Nest card with Rumple Ribbon

It's time for another Rumple Ribbon Thursday!

I'm back with another card, this one for a friend who has just bought her first home. Long ago I printed out this digi-image and at the moment I can't for the life of me remember where I bought it. (Please, if you know or it's yours, let me know so I can give you credit.)  I colored the image using Copic markers , set the sentiment on my computer and folded it to look like a ribbon banner.

I used My Mind's Eye paper for the backing and mounted the finished art onto a pre-made Close To My Heart daisy white card.

I trimmed out the new home in Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon, in a beautiful brown color called Gentleman's Jacket.

Happy Birthday, Stephanie!

I am amazingly blessed to serve on the Lovebug Creations Creative Team (think: Rumple Ribbons!!) with some tremendously talented and simply GREAT women. 

One, our gal Stephanie, is turning 40 today!  Welcome to this side of the "hill", Stephanie!!

Here is the card I've sent:

I used a fun "paper bag" technique for this card. I folded a small white paper bag and used the inside of the bag to hold a greeting tag that's reusable by our birthday girl.  (That's the cupcake.)  Inside are some flowers that I cut from coffee filters and colored using Copic's Air Brush System.  The outside greeting was reverse-cut using a Silhouette file, and garnished with Prima roses. And of course, there's Rumple Ribbon to make it jolly!

  

An Unplanned Trip to Scrapbook Expo

Saturday morning is my time to spend with my granddaughter -- time together I call "Gii & Me".  Don't you just love that sweet name that Charlotte gave me, "Giiiiiiii?"  

Even not feeling well, Charlotte is almost
always the most pleasant little girl! ♥

Well, today little Charlotte woke up at 3 a.m., feeling under the weather. Her temp went all the way up to 103.7, OMG! and she was coughing up a storm. Poor thing!  So our playdate was cancelled and she stayed home with Mommy and Daddy, watching some Disney movies about princesses.  

That meant I was able to visit the Scrapbook Expo when it traveled to nearby Oaks, PA.  I bought some cute stamps from Rubbernecker Stamps and Stamps by Judith; you'll be seeing those a bit later. I suppose it was worth the trip ... but always worth the trip are the nice people I meet at paperfests.

Rubbernecker Stamps: Poppies

Even when it's just chatting in line, waiting to pay for purchases, hands down, the people who paper craft are just charming!  

I'm working on finishing up my cards from the Jillibean Soup Card Kitchen card kit. With 8 unique designs and plenty of paper left to figure out your own designs, I ♥ this collection in particular.  Here is one of the cards I made tonight:

Hello there, Sunshine!

In continuing celebration of SPRING!, here is another card I made using The Card Kitchen collection by Jillibean Soup, for April.

I hope you enjoy your Friday ... yay, the weekend's coming!!

Cheery Friendship Card with Rumple Ribbons

Welcome to another Rumple Ribbon Thursday! 

For this cheery friendship card, I used a splash of vibrant Rosebud Rumple Ribbon from Lovebug Creations for my border to hold the simple butterfly cut and to draw the eye down and into the card.

The base of the card design is from Jillibean Soup's Card Kitchen's March kit. I changed it up slightly by adding the red button and of course, the Rumple Ribbon. 

I think the red highlights really "make" the card. What do you think?

See you again next week with more Rumple Ribbons!   

Welcome Spring!

Wow, when it's been said that Spring goes out like a lion and in like a lamb, they really mean it. Early in Spring (was it just last week?), the winds were fierce and snow threatened. I was still wearing my winter leather coat.

Today, it's noon and already mid-80's!  The sun is shining, the flowers have blossomed and it ... is summer!  Welcome to Spring in Philadelphia: here one day and summer the next.

On Monday, daughter Emily and I took my grandbaby Charlotte to the Philadelphia Zoo for her first visit. It was beautiful, and we got to see a lot of "aminals" sunbathing in their habitats.

In celebration, I made this pretty card welcoming Spring. The base of the card is from Jillibean Soup's Card Kitchen collection for April. I like to change it up a bit, so I added some Lovebug Creations' Rumple Ribbon in Lemonade, darkened the center-feature flower a bit with Copic markers, and added a "Candi" button to its center.

I also have the pleasure of announcing the winner of my Blog Candy from my March 30 post -- the candy is a handmade cylindrical box chockfull of vintage buttons. The winner is: #24, Martha Pineda!!  Martha, please contact me with your mailing address, and I'll get the candy out to you quickly.  Thanks for playing along!

OMGee, Kimi's turning 30 Blog Hop - Saturday, April 6

What a fun occasion we're celebrating today -- our friend and high priestess of Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbons Kimi is turning the big 3-0!  So members of the Lovebug Creative Team thought, "Let's throw a party!", blog hoppin' style.


Once I learned that Kimi loves GIRAFFES and the colors pink and green, I decided to custom design a card just for her:

The sweet giraffe I used is from the Silhouette Online store, and of course, the ribbons I used are from the Lovebug Creations Rumple Ribbon collection!  

There is some fabulous blog candy for the winners on this Kimi's 30 Blog Hop. To qualify, the winner must have commented and followed every blog on the Hop, and at the last stop (Kimi's blog), please wish the birthday girl a swell day!  Winner will be chosen at random on April 8th, and posted on Kimi's blog. Here are the three prizes (awarded separately):

Prize #1 (shown at right)
2 - 6x6 pad from Canvas Corp
1 – 6x6 pad from Pink Paisley
6 – flower trims
3 different colors of Rumple Ribbon (gentleman’s jacket, sugar plum and beary brown)

Prize #2 (shown at left)
Peach Color Shine
Heidi Swapp Flowers

and Prize #3 is a

$15 Jaded Blossom Gift Certificate

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your next stop is Julie Cricut Chick

Don't forget to stop at each of the blogs, follow and leave a comment to be eligible for the terrific prizes!  In case you get lost along the way, here is the full line up:

1.  Tanya Stilwell -http://www.scrappinkymomma.blogspot.com/
2.  Martha Pineda- http://beautifulcreationsmp.blogspot.com/
3.  Stephanie Eaken www.stephanie-eaken.blogspot.com
4.  Michelle Criswell www.scrappinwithmybug.com
5.  Candace Pelfrey www.papercraftsbycandace.com
6.  Dawn Rene Carlyle http://designsbydawnrene.com
7.  Ellen ♥ CardMonkey ~ http://cardmonkeyspaperjungle.com/
8.  Julie Cricut Chick - www.cricutchick.com
9.  Dawn Mercedes - www.dawnmercedes.blogspot.com
10.Christine Barker - www.scarletcalliope.com
11.Jenny Johnson- www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com
12. Dorcas - http://www.craftycardangel.com/
13. Zeni - http://www.scrappyzeni.com/
14. Kimi and Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

Bright, springy card

It's Rumple Ribbon Thursday on the CardMonkey blog, so welcome! I enjoy incorporating these lovely ribbons into my cards, especially when they are so colorful and joyful.

This is a simple, all-purpose card made in light, Spring colors.

I used my Jillibean Soup Card Kitchen card as a base; in March, the papers were from both Jillibean Soup and a 6x6" pad from My Mind's Eye Collectable Unforgettable collection. The sentiment is cut from a MME paper, as are the cute and trendy hexagons.

The Rumple Ribbon shown here is "Butterfly Blue" -- yummy!  You can get your own bright and brilliant Rumple Ribbons by going to http://lovebugcreations.net. 

OH, speaking of how bright and beautiful Rumple Ribbons are, check out this 3D Star I made by adhering Rumple Ribbons onto a dimensional 12" My Creations star from Close To My Heart.

I have this pretty star hanging in my Paper Jungle to celebrate life's brilliant colors -- doesn't it just make you happy!? :)

Thanks for swinging by!