Pretty Easter Card - Yummy!

I had some crafting time today -- in between the very necessary clean-up in the PaperJungle! -- and played with a new Cheery Lynn Designs die I purchased from Happy Scrappy.

The die cuts this fantastic Easter basket and chocolate bunny. I layered the tan craft cut with a mustard cut that I intentionally undercut.  I also purchased some egg-oval nesting dies (also by Cheery Lynn Designs, from Happy Scrappy LLC) but their smallest egg was too large for this basket, so I cut the eggs here using my Cricut Easter 2010 cartridge. Easy-peasy!

I decorated the bottom of the card with some new-for-2012 Prima flowers, accented with a Sizzix leaves die.  The greeting tied onto the bow was computer generated and cut with a Sizzix mini-tag die.  I did some layering and pop-dotting for dimension. I think this Easter card is yummy, do you agree?

What an honor!

Please scroll down for the Shape Card Blog Hop ...

First, I have a little news .....  Please allow me to brag a bit.

My CardMonkey's Paper Jungle blog has been chosen to receive national (international?) recognition as the "Best of the Web" by an independent group of crafters at www.craftcorners.com.  Come see my little star on my sky, and thank you all for inspiring me to keep up with this blog...
Here's the link: http://craftcorners.com/best-of-the-web-no-11/

Cards: All shapes, all sizes: Welcome to the Shape Card Blog Hop, March 10!

Round, oval, square, rectangle, triangle .... tea pot, coffee cup, dog house ... all are shapes that we're called on to explore in Ashley's "Shaped Card Blog Hop," happening today in the Blogosphere.

For my card today, I chose egg-shaped, in preparation of Easter. An egg-shape is not fully oval as the top of the oval is narrower thanthe bottom.  Getting cuts to line up to weld has always been a challenge I've not yet mastered on my Cricut/Gypsy. 

But, with the advent of the fabulous Cricut cartridge "Art Philosophy", sold exclusively by your Close to My Heart representative, mastering the art of shaped cards has never been easier. 

Using the "card" setting on the Art Philosphy cartridge, I cut a yellow conjoined egg shape in 4.75", and topped it with the single cut layer (cut in light blue) in the "Decorative layer" setting.  I cut a second Decorative layer in polka dotted paper, using the off-cuts to fill the top and bottom scalloped area. 

The bunny with flowers is a newly released digital stamp by Whimsy Stamps.  I colored it using both Prisma pencils and Copic markers, highlighting areas with a white Gelly pen.  I blended the pencil lines using a blending tool and Gamsol.  I accented areas (e.g., the tail, leaf cuts and dots) with Stardust Stickles.

The inside sentiment is a simple "Happy Easter" stamp from Hero Arts.

I hope you'll continue on to the rest of the Shaped Cards Blog Hop, to get some interesting ideas to inspire your fancy cuts on your card.  Your next stop is my dear Best Bloggie Blend Friend, Beckie. You'll love her joie de vivre as well as her talented cardmaking! :)

If you've missed any part of the Hop, please start at the beginning: Ashley's "The Glamorous Side of Scrapping."  There, you can see what blog candy is being offered by some fabulous sponsors, and you can catch the whole line-up for today's hop.

Thank you again for joining me in the PaperJungle!

CardMonkey's Favorite Things -- We Have A Winner!

Early this morning, it was my pleasure to leave this message on the Blog of the lucky winner of the CardMonkey Favorite Things Blog Candy...


DRUMROLL, please ....


SUZANNE ROSEBERRY, c'mon down! You have been randomly selected as WINNER of the CardMonkey Favorite Things SUPER grand prize giveaway, with an MSRP of approximately $300.  Please send me an e-mail with your mailing address, and I will send you your gift ASAP!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Fondly,
Ellen ♥ CardMonkey
http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com
E-mail: cardmonkey@comcast.net


Suzanne has been verified as a new follower of my blog. She had to say this in her Comment:

"Oh, my gosh! I love your site! And, I love monkeys! I am so happy to have found your site, and I have become a new follower! I will for sure be visiting your site a lot in the future. I love your inspiration! And...oh, my goodness! Your blog candy is absolute Heaven! So very very generous and kind of you! I have to say that my favorite scrapbooking item in ink by Colorbok. I love the cat eye collections. All of my pages always have ink around any edge on my page. To me, it is just the icing on the cake. Or, we could say the banana on top of the ice cream sundae!!! Thank you for a lovely blog hop today. I feel so inspired, and I look forward to crafting after I complete this wonderful blog hop!! Thank you so very much!"

Suzanne, feel free to pick up and use this blog button!

A CardMonkey's Favorite Things! Blog Hop This Weekend -- BIG blog candy!!!

When one of my very favorite blogger friends DENA JONES invited me to join the "Our Favorite Things Blog Candy Extravaganza", I immediately started thinking of what are my favorite things that I use in my craft room.

I know this is an unusual "take" on the assignment. Some bloggers are posting about their favorite people, favorite techniques, favorite cards or layouts that they used.

It must be saying something about me that my mind went instantly to shopping!!!

And since blog candy giveaway is one of the requirements to join in this Hop, I thought, "well, why not giveaway a bunch of your favorite things, CardMonkey."  (Actually, I don't really refer to myself in the third person ... much. LOL)

I started assembling my giveaway, and it started growing bigger and bigger ... and this post has gotten longer and longer in the months we've had to prepare. So without further ado, let me FIRST show you my fabulous giveaway prize that will be going to ONE lucky CardMonkey follower who leaves a comment below this weekend!   (Please be SURE you are a follower on Google Friend Connect -- it's how I check to be sure you're a follower. If instead you get my posts by e-mail or some other way, PLEASE tell me so in your comment).

And let me get down to the business of the Blog Hop first .... You should have come here from Jamie's blog, and you'll be heading to Shannon's blog when you're done here. To get to ALL the fun and prizes GALORE, please start at the very beginning of the Blog Hop at our Hostess Dena's blog. (All of those links are live, so hop, hop, hop!!)


NOW, without further ado, allow me to share with you my PaperJungle essentials ... MY favorite things, in no particular order...

Pink ATG gun: Made by Scotch 3M, this gun dispenses a clean line of strong adhesive. Refills are available in acid-free for long lasting project. MSRP: $39.99
Good value: Use a 40 or 50% off coupon at a major retailer, like Michael's or AC Moore.
Best value: Win one as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Crop-A-Dile:  Made by We R Memory Keepers, a Crop-A-Dile is a tool that allows you to set eyelets and grommets, and also hole punch. There are versions available that are handheld, as well as those known as the "Big Bite" that are larger (for table-top use) and have a longer reach. I prefer the Big Bite because my hands are old and arthritic, but the picture here is that of the handheld version. MSRP: From $18 to $40.
Good value: Hunt one down on eBay, for about half the retail value, or use a coupon at a major retailer.
Best value: Win a handheld Crop-A-Dile as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

HoneyBee Crafting Scissors: For most of my fussy cutting, I need very small, very fine cutting scissors with super-sharp points. I love how these feel in the hand. They're made by CutterBee, which is a division of EK Success. They're available in most crafting stores with an MSRP of $6.99.  I also like the Close to My Heart Micro-Tip Scissors (MSRP $9.95).
Good value: Best to buy these at a major retailer like Michael's, using a coupon.
Best value: Win a pair of HoneyBees as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Martha Stewart Fringing Scissors:  The name speaks for itself: all things crafty! Use these sweet special effects in cutting paper, for things like hair, fringe or grass, or to evenly slice tissue paper at the top of gift packages. MSRP: $12.99
Good value: Amazon.com currently has them listed for $10.07, with free shipping if you're a member of Amazon Prime. Get a free trial of Prime, too!
Best value: Win a pair as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Martha Stewart Fine Ball-Tip Glue Pen: While I'm speaking about the crafting Diva, let me say I can't live without my MS glue pens! They're a little tricky to figure out at first -- exert some pressure at the flexible glue well while laying down the glue, and you'll be just fine! I use it for EVERYTHING! 
Good value: Go directly to Martha Stewart Crafts' website by clicking this link. She sells these babies for $3.19 each and they're in stock. Remember, coupons don't always apply to MS craft items.
Best value: I'll part with a new one as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

SookWang Scor-Tape: So now I'm stuck on adhesive -- oops, pardon the pun. Sometimes I crack myself up! ♥ For very strong hold especially on things like rosettes and boxes and such, you should use a good double-sided tape. My favorite is by SookWang Scor-Tape, distributed by Scor-Pal. It is a premium, double-sided, super-sticky, acid-free adhesive tape that's heat resistant. This means it will not lift up or curl when heated. Use it with many different media: glitter, embossing powder, foil, microbeads, flock, on chipboard, matboard, foamcore and more! It comes in all sorts of widths. My favorite to keep on hand are 1/8" (perfect for adhering thin strands of ribbon), 1/4" and 1/2" (best for those 3-D projects you see that I love!). Comes in rolls of 27 yards, all the way up to 4.5" wide!  MSRP: $4 (1/8") to $50 (4.5"), and everything in between.
Good value: The "official" distributor of Scor-Tape is Scor-Pal, and here's the link. However, you can generally find many on-line retailers who have it for about 10-15% less. E-bay is NOT a good place to buy this ... I haven't found any discounts on this genuine tape there.
Best value: I'll part with a roll of 1/2" SookWang Scor-Tape as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

(Different colors are in the giveaway)

Copic Markers: Moving right along, let's talk a little about markers to color in your rubber or acrylic stamps, digi-art, or whatever moves you. I am addicted to Copic Markers. With a fine-tip flexible nib on one end -- such a great "hand" -- and a firmer broad nib on the other, these markers simply work great! They now come in 380 colors. They're refillable, and also, you can use Sketch Copics with an airbrush system. (I haven't gotten into that -- yet!)
Good value: Hands down, the best place to buy Sketch Copic Markers is from Terri Olsen at Stamps Alive! Terri's regular discount price on Copics is $4.20 each plus shipping -- a huge reduction in the MSRP of $6.99. P.S. Congratulations, Terri, on the birth of your new baby Grandson!!

Best value: Terri has generously agreed to sponsor my post here today, and so you'll get some of the prettiest color Sketch Copics in with the "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy! Thanks, Terri!

White Gelly Pen:  I've tried them all, really I have. For terrific faux stitching on your cards or layouts, or to add accent dots or "eyelights" to your Create a Critters' eyes, use a White Gelly Pen.
Good value: I buy these at Michael's. I stock up when I have a 20% off your entire purchase, since they're just not pricey enough to waste a perfectly good 40% one item coupon.
Best value: I'll part with a new White Gelly Pen as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Acrylic Stamps: I'll confess -- I haven't been much of a stamper, and have only recently started collecting them to improve the versatility and ease of making a quick card with beautiful designs. Here are three of my favorite sets:

Waltzingmouse Stamps: Their Autumn-Winter sentiment set is crazy-versatile. Check out their other brilliant designs, too.

K Andrews Designs: Kristal's "Positive Thoughts" sentiment collection resonates with me, and I've used it often.

Peachy Keen Stamps: Called "PKS" on most crafty circles, this company has a wonderful selection, but it is most famous for their face stamps. Try the "Everyday Faces" or even Corny faces to add fun to even inanimate objects.

Good value: Occasionally you can find these used on the Internet, such as on one of my favorite Facebook Groups called "~Get It Sold~".  Otherwise, MSRP is in the $20 range for each of these sets.
Best value: I have one of the Waltzingmouse Autumn-Winter sentiment sets, as well as one KAD "Positive Thoughts" sentiment sets to give away as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Digi-Stamps: I am a digi-stampin' fool!  I love designs by Heather Ellis (particularly her Pure Innocence line) and MelJen Designs.
Good value: Digi-stamps are a GREAT value no matter where you purchase them, and you'll typically have to go directly to the source for them. You can reuse, resize, reprint and use them as often as you wish, of course, honoring the company's Angel Policy not to redistribute or sell them other than a product (e.g., card) you make with them. 

Cutting My Designs: I first got into papercrafting after my dear daughter Emily asked for a CRICUT for Christmas 2008. I had no idea what that was, but as soon as I found out, I bought one for "her" ... and then had to have one for myself. I planned to cut fabric with it, as I was "into" sewing appliques.

True confession: I gave up sewing when I saw how much fun it is to work with paper ...and six months later I started blogging about it. Since then, I've bought more than 120 cartridges, and growing strong.

My favorite Cricut cartridge -- my go-to -- is CAKE BASICS. And no, I don't decorate cakes with it. It has a TON of basic shapes and images that I'm always using. I keep it at my left hand at the Cricut station at all times.
My favorite NEW Cartridge is "ART PHILOSOPHY", a Close to My Heart exclusive. OMG, what wonderful images there are on that -- so versatile for every occasion! 
Another favorite is "WRAP IT UP" since I can cut shaped cards, packages and sentiments for just about every celebration. Again...versatility PLUS!
Good value: I've never been disappointed buying Cricut cartridges on E-Bay. Be careful though, if you're wanting the Cricut Reward Points and to be able to link up your cartridge to Cricut Craft Room or your Gypsy. Make sure you're buying NIB (New in Box). A favorite retailer there is "Proud Parents", who also sell online as www.cricutmachine.com.
Best value: The Wrap It Up cartridge retails for $79.99 but I have an extra, NIB, and I'll give it away as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Cheery Lynn Designs Dies: Having acquired so many Cricut dies, I couldn't imagine why I'd ever want to get into collecting dies to cut on my Big Kick or Cuttlebug. But once you experience the intricate designs now available in dies by several different die manufacturers, you'll be hooked like I am. There's no way to reliably produce such intricate wafer-thin designs on a Cricut. My very favorite thin metal designs are produced by Cheery Lynn Designs!

Good value: My very favorite retailer for Cheery Lynn Designs dies is Alex at Happy Scrappy. Alex offers deep discounts on Cheery Lynn, and soon, Spellbinders dies too, and there is free shipping on domestic orders over $50 -- and reasonable flat rate shipping up to that. Alex generously provided several dies to me for blog hop giveaways, so is honored here as one of my Favorite Vendors sponsors. Please visit Happy Scrappy, shop, and tell him Ellen ♥ CardMonkey sent you!
Best value: I've given away several of the Cheery Lynn Designs dies Alex donated to me, but I've saved My CardMonkey Favorite, called "Fanciful Flourishes" to add to my blog candy here!

Paper: I'm a stickler for paper quality since I invest so much love into making my cards and other paper projects. Two lines are consistently My Favorites both for design and paper quality ("hand", thickness, etc.). Those are Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker LLC, and Bella Boulevard.  I have an Iris box full of NSS papers, which I turn to regularly to stimulate my creativity when designing a card.

Good value: My Favorite Retailer for all of the designer papers you might need is Stop and Scrap. They carry many, many major designers' lines, at great discounts, and their customer service is excellent!  I bought my latest supply of NSS "Li'l Monster" collection from them on clearance ... I don't think they're carrying NSS any more, but I'll be buying my next order of Bella Boulevard from them for sure, once my wallet can take the pressure of seeing all the other fantastic papers in stock and on pre-order. When I asked for an additional pack of "Li'l Monster" to giveaway, they didn't hesitate to step up to sponsor this prize ... thank you!!
Best value: I have a full collection of "Li'l Monster" paper set by Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker to giveaway in my blog candy, thanks to Stop and Scrap!

At the risk of totally boring you with more of my very Favorite Things, I'll list some more essentials in the PaperJungle, and may add to it over the course of this hop:

1. GEEZ!!! I can't believe I missed this entirely in my main features list, since I use it ALLLLL the time ... STICKLES!!!!  I have them in every color available. I'm giving away one large bottle in my blog candy, too!
2. Creative Charm Embellishments
3. Hug Snug Seam Binding
4. Mei Flower Satin Ribbon
5. Action Wobbles
6. Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue
7. My hot glue gun (any one!)
8. Martha Stewart fine glitter
9. Amazon.com - for everything!
10. Shutterfly for photo books
11. Ikea - for scrap storage supplies
12. I-Rock and I-Top
13. Online shopping
14. USPS online shipping of Priority Packages - 15% discount!
15. Crafting magazines for inspiration (Paper Crafts, Scrapbooks Etc., CardMaker, Creative Keepsakes, Cricut Magazine, Cards .... I buy 'em all or subscribe (cheaper)
16. ... more coming soon! ...

Thank you again to the following of MY favorite vendors for sponsoring some of the items in my blog candy today, and for being supportive of crafters who blog, generally!!  Please patronize:

www.stampsalive.blogspot.com

www.happyscrappy.us

www.stopandscrap.com

To qualify for my "CardMonkey's Favorite Things Blog Candy" (pictured above), you must:

1. Be a follower of CardMonkey via Google Friend Connect, so I can check my list. If you can't join GFC, then please indicate in your comment how you follow my posts (e-mail, etc.). Sorry if this sounds cranky, but I do put a lot of time and effort into my blog and I want you here :).
2. Leave a comment during the "Our Favorite Things Blog Candy Extravaganza Blog Hop", March 3-4, here on the CardMonkey blog. The comment MUST include the answer to this question: "What is YOUR favorite thing in your arsenal of paper crafting?  It can be a product, a service, a vendor, a supply, whatever. Please be specific, and if you'd like, provide links ... Let's build a Resource Directory together!"
3. Your comment should also include a way for me to contact you when you win! 

A Winner has been announced and it's SUZANNE ROSEBERRY!  Congratulations! To others, thank you for playing along. All comments are still welcome, but you will not qualify for this blog candy any longer. 

Now, for more of Our Favorite Things, please hop over to Shannon's blog at http://my-o-scrappin.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by! And Good Luck!!

Seuss's Imagination Blog Hop - March 2nd (Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!)

"Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"― Dr. Seuss

Don't Hop on Pop but hop on top of the Dr. Seuss Blog Hop, where a bunch of talented people came up with their own interpretations of the wonderful imagination of Dr. Seuss.

The sky's the limit when you have an imagination like Dr. Seuss and talent like those in this hop. Our hop today is hosted by Jearise in Lorby's World and that is were to begin if you've happened here by chance ... otherwise continue on, my friend.  Jearise in Lorby's World has some fun blog candy for this hop. She has a stuffed Cat in the Hat and a fun Thing 1 and Thing 2 craft, plus a $10 gift card to Michaels. She says they're silly but what else would you expect when you're following in the steps of Dr. Seuss?

Now here's what I've been monkeying around with -- goodies for a Seussical party!

First up, a paper cone to hold your candies or popcorn:

For the striped paper, I purchased some digital Seuss-styled paper
on line, from the Etsy shop of Mindy Goldberg.
I created the red, yellow and blue checkered paper
just by putting color blocks in a row using my computer's Adobe
Illustrator Program and printing on my home computer.
The image of the hat-tipping Cat in the Hat came off of
the back of a 2012 Seuss calendar that came free with
my granddaughter's Dr. Seuss Club books.
I pop-dotted the Cat in the Hat to stand above the cone.
I'd love to see this cone filled with popcorn that's been
colored with blue and red Kool-Aid!

Next up, some candy treat bags, filled with "Red Fish" (Swedish fish) ...

I found the red fish image online and printed it out
to the size I needed (4" wide) for a bag topper.
I Stickled the fish to make it seem more magical,
and added Glossy Accent dots to the water for
bubbly fun.  I trimmed out the topper using a
Martha Stewart double loops punch.

Next up .... I made some "Dr. Seuss Anti-Grumpy Pills". They're really jelly beans, prescribed by "Doctor" Seuss...

<><><><>

This blue medicine bottle was literally snatched from the trash!
(When will my hubby learn never to throw anything away!!?
A gentle scrub and sanitizing -- no Prilosec leftovers here! --
and it was ready for re-use!!)
I made the label for the anti-grumpy "pills" on my computer.
Easy peasy, and fun!



Rounding out the fun ... Party favors! What's a Seussical party without celebrating one of the country's most prolific juvenile-market writers of the century with a bookmark?!  I made this assortment and gave out some to ladies with whom I cropped last weekend at a local library:

These are made using Seuss art, sayings, etc., all from the Internet.
I created them in Adobe Illustrator, printed and laminated.

BLOG CANDY:  Would you like some of the Seuss treats for yourself? I'll be giving away the bag of Red Fish and a bookmark or two to one lucky person who follows CardMonkey and posts a comment here to this Seussical blog post. 

“You're off to Great Places!  Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,  So... get on your way!”

                                                        ― Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"


Get on your way to: Your next stop is my JAMIE at http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com/.

If you get stuck behind the great parade down at Mulberry Street, Hop on back to find the full Blog line up on the Great Thing-a-majigger:   Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com  - Your hostess, serving up Green Eggs and Ham!

A Beautiful Award - "Green Blend" Bloggie Friends!

I am honored to accept a new blog award that has been co-created by my Blend Friends Forever Beckie of Just B Creative Crazy and Jessica of Jessica's Craft Shaque.  Beckie named me as one of her BFFs and described the award to me this way:

"The “Green” portion represents how we should be kind to one another and help one another…such as being “Green” and helping our environment. Reissue the kindness that someone once gave to you as an infant blogger. Recycle the ideas you have learned or invented to pass along to up and coming crafters. Reduce the frustrations of wanting to a blogger with magnitude."

The "Green Blend Award" is passed along to Bloggers who have helped me in the following ways:

1. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has helped me develop my blog in any and all ways.
2. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has cheered me along in my blog building, craft advancing world.
3. This award is for any co-blogging friend who consistenly stops by my blog and is kind. I can count on him or her to have posted one of the great comments at the end of my post.
4. This award is to be given to 3 to 5 Blends whom I feel meet the listed requirements.
5. Create a post with the terms of use and publish your Blend Friends Forever (BFFs) of choice.
   
   
6. Your BFFs may copy the award from my blog and proudly repost it.
   
   
7. My BFFs may continue the kindness by issuing this award to keep the circle forever growing.

So without further ado, just a few of my BFFs are:

1. Elaine of Expressions by Elaine

2. Lori of Scrappin My Stress Away

3. Ashley of The Glamorous Side of Scrapping

4. Rachelle of Creations by Rachelle

5. Jennifer of Crafty Card Gallery

...I'm sorry this one's limited to 5, because I could have named SO many more. Thank you, to all of my friends and followers, for making me the sort of blogger I am today. Humbly, I honor you all for inspiring me to be a better papercrafter ... and person.

Thank you for this beautiful award, Beckie! I'm honored to be one of your inaugural BFF's!