Woohoo, I'm in....

....and if you are wondering, what I'm talking about, I am talking about being all signed up and enrolled in two awesome "Copic Coloring Workshops" that Sandy Allnock, of Operation Write Home, will be teaching at my LSS, "Absolutely Everything" in June!   Today was the first day that you could call or go to the store to sign up for the classes and I was thrilled to call bright and early and sign up.   I am also hoping that some of my online craft friends and fellow "OWH Cardmakers" will be signing up too.   If so, please let me know, so we can plan to meet up and spend some time together at the classes.  I'm taking both of the classes being offered on Sunday and I know I'm going to love them.  

     I'm also excited to be headed off the AE tomorrow for "Card Club" which is a really fun and creative monthly workshop that I'm a part of.  It's really a great group and is offered twice every month.  If you live in the area and love to create cards and spend time with other card-makers, it's something you should consider signing up for.  

    And, on top of that I'll also be starting a brand new Online Class, next Monday over at the "Online Card Classroom", where Jennifer and Kristina and a fabulous array of Guest Designers will be teaching the latest class -- Watercolors for Cardmakers!!  I have already picked up some new supplies from the class list and have been working on my homework!   I really can not recommend these classes enough, they are always fabulous and I have been fortunate enough to have taken EVERY one.   They are also very affordable and you'll be amazed at how much is packed into each class, they are well worth every penny.   I don't recall anyone ever being disappointed and all the new students always are leaving comments about how much they loved being part of the class!    I always take the classes in the "Interactive" phase, as I really love the interaction with the other students and designers.   Hope to see you there!

   Now, it's time to share some new cards with you, all of which I have been working on today for some of my favorite challenges.   Today, I'm very much back into my "Purple" mode and used that color on my first card, which was inspired by a fun new "Inspiration Challenge"  over at "Iron Craft".   If you are new to "Iron Craft" I think you'll really enjoy it.  It was created by Chaitali, a very talented designer, who hosts it over on her blog, which is called - "Cuts, Crops and Creativity" --!  She hosts online video interviews with some of our favorite designers and then they each work on a card, using the exact same stamp set and share it in the Video   I've really enjoyed the videos and now subscribe to the blog and was delighted to read about her new challenge.  Please go HERE, for the details on how you can play along!!   You can also watch one of her fun interviews -- this one was with Julie Ebersole.  For this challenge, we had a choice of Inspiration, (themes), all of which were based on recent interviews.   I knew right at that I was going to base my card on # 3, which was an interview done with Sarah , all about working with difficult colors --- and guess what color they mentioned?  Purple, which for me is NEVER difficult, because it's my favorite!!   I am also sharing this wonderful Inspiration Board that Chaitali created based on that interview!

My Card

       I started this card, with a wonderful digital image "Butterfly Border" which I purchased over at  Bugaboo Stamps.     I printed it directly onto my favorite Copic Coloring cardstock, which I Cryogen White, and then went to work colored it in loves shades of Purple, along with some pink.   Once I had it colored, I added some "white" highlights with a Signo White Pen and then pulled out some of my favorite "Purple" shimmer cardstock to create my card base.  I trimmed down the imaged and bordered it with matching strips of black and purple cardstock and then adhered it all to the left side of the card, leaving room on the right for my sentiment.  I hope you'll like it and I hope those of you who find "purple" a hard or scary color to work with, will take a peek at "My Card Creations" board over at Pinterest,  where I share several of my cards --- there is no doubt you'll finds lots of Purple Inspiration! 

      My next card would also have worked for the challenge, as it too has a lot of purple and is a card I created with one of my new Hero Arts Clear Stamp Sets, this one is called "Dauber Bunch" and I bought mine from the A2Z Scrapbooking Store, using a promo code, saving me an extra 15%, and you can shop there today and use the latest code for 15% off your order, of $25 and up, including the brand new "Starry Nights" release that is just hitting the store!   What I like about this set, is that it was designed to use with your "Hero" Daubers and that's exactly what I did to color my flowers.  I then simply trimmed it down a bit and added it to another piece of my purple "Shimmer" cardstock.  I tied on a little pink satin ribbon and  stamped my Penny Black "Special Wishes" Sentiment, in pink to pull out that shade in my flowers.  

   And once I was into my Penny Black goodies I found myself drawn right back to this gorgeous stamp "First Dance" which I'm sure you have already seen here a few time.  This time, I colored it shades of pink and then framed it in black, and then created my card base with this adorable Polka Dotted cardstock from Amuse!   I used the exact same Penny Black "Love and Laughter" sentiment, as on the card above to complete this new card.    

    I am submitted this one to each of these new challenges and hope you'll come on over and play along:

• AMuse Studio - Amusing Challenge - Anything Goes
• Penny Black & More Challenge -- Blossom & Blooms
• The Outlawz Challenges - Paper a la Mode - All about Pink

   My final card of the day was also inspired by a two challenges, one being this week's Muse Challenge, where we have this gorgeous card as our inspiration.  It was created by Gillian Ross and is stunning!!

Challenge # 65 / Gillian's Card

   
    I love the very classic "Clean and Simple" Design that Gillian used on her card.   But, I have a very minimal supply in my stash when it comes to "Baby" related things, probably because my babies are now 22 and 26 and as much as I would love some "Grand Babies", there are NONE in my near future.  Even so, I knew I could use her classic design and that's exactly what I did to make this cute little "Teddy Bear" card that I thought might brighten someone's day.

   My image and sentiment are both from a very sweet stamp set that was designed by Kristina Werner for Simon Says Stamp.  I have had this set a long time, and it goes perfectly with a set of "circle dies", but for this card, I thought it would look much more like the Muse design, if I did not die cut out the little bear.  I also colored him "Blue" as it seemed to fit with the Sentiment.  

    I am also submitting my Life's A Bear card to the current 'Keep It Clean and Simple' Challenge hosted this week over at the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Blog!!

    That's it for today, time sign off, clean up my craft room and pack up my craft bag for tomorrow's card club.  I haven't been to the store in a few weeks, so I'm also excited to see what's new and I'm sure I'll be coming home with a few new things to add to my never ending collection of craft goodness!
 

A soggy Sunday....

...I would rather have it a nice and sunny Sunday, but it is still pretty cool, so if we need to save the best weather for the warmer season, that's perfectly fine with me.   Another rainy day is the perfect excuse for me to spend the majority of my day in my craft room and that makes me a Happy Girl!!

  Today, I have three new cards to share and some fun news!   I found out yesterday, after reading the Newsletter from my LSS, that the fabulous Sandy Allnock, of Operation Write Home is going to be coming her in June to teach a weekend full of Copic Classes!  Woohoo!!  I could not have been happier and can't wait to call and hopefully get a spot of two of the classes scheduled for Sunday!!

  It was also a great reminder that I have become very behind in sending off cards to Operation Write Home and that is something I need to get done, hopefully in the next week or so.  I have quite a selection put aside, but need to take the time to sort them, stamp them and also "tuck" them into their enveopes and get them off to her.  If you are new to card-making and have never head of OWH, I would LOVE for you to hope on over to the blog watch Sandy's welcome video and then think about all the cards that you have created and please  consider making donating them to this wonderful cause!!   I first started by sending in many of the cards that I had actually created for challenges, (all those that fit the guidelines), and that can quickly add up. Since I first started I think I have donated close to 350+/- cards and I would love to get over the 400 mark this year!   Being at the blog also reminded me that I was also behind in playing in the Sunday Sketch Challenge, which I have also loved.  I was especially excited to see that my friend, Donna's card was the actual inspiration for this week's sketch!  Woohoo and Congratulations Donna!  I am happy to have a copy of her card to share, as well as the sketch which also helped inspire my card!

Sketch # 222

Donna's Card

My Card

    It was a fun and easy card to create, and the best part is that it helped me to use up some of my patterned paper scraps.   Donna spent far more time with all her details --- I admit I kind of cheated by finding some patterned paper that actually had tiny hexagons on it.  I combined that with a contrasting blue piece and them cut three matching circles for my Sentiment.  "Hugs" is my favorite sentiment and always works great when creating cards for OWH!    

     My next exciting news as that after all the troubles and phone calls I had been making trying to resolve the email problem on my Galaxy III phone, I have now replaced it with a brand new iPhone 5C, in a beautiful Pink color.   Neither Samsung, TMobile or Verizon could figure out WHY my phone was no longer receiving my Verizon emails, and after TMobile sent me a replacement, that was also defective, they knew I was not a happy camper, and since I've been a customer with them for over 12 years, they last thing they wanted was for me to leave, so they offered me a brand new phone, (my choice) at a fabulous price, far better than anything I could find and I had been looking for some time.   I'm loving it and since I already have an iPad I had wanted an iPhone for along time, but up until recently they had never been offered by T-Mobile and I'm so pleased they now have them.  Plus, we still keep our exact same "Grand-fathered" rate plan and I will have Unlimited Calling, Text and Data too!  Yippee!!   I forget to take a picture before I started this post, but I can share a stock photo, which I grabbed on Apple.   So far, I am loving it, and have already synced it up with my iPad.   Sometime...I would LOVE to upgrade my PC to an iMac, but for now, I'm very happy with my new Dell Touch and the prices of the Macs are just too darn expensive, at this time.

    My next card is another one that I had fun created and it's for the current challenge at Fusion, which is another of my favorites.   I'm also sharing a copy of this week's inspiration image and hope I can talk you into playing in this one too!!

  I "fused" both the "Chevron Theme" along with the Sketch and created this fun card.  My patterned Chevron paper is from Stampin' UP, as is the border punch that I used to create my 'arrows'.  My sentiment is one that I created with this fabulous stamp set, by Winnie and Walter!  Love Love Love!!

  That's brings me to my final card for today, and this too was created for a fun new challenge that is being hosted this week by two groups.   Cas(E) this Sketch and the "Runway Inspired Challenge" , have teamed up together to inspire us all to create a card based on one of both of these photos:

   As I did with my other card, I took something from each of the images and combined them to create this pretty new card using one of my new favorite "Penny Black" Stamp/Stencil sets.  

  To create my half circle edge, I used a large Grand Circle Nestie die, and cut it to fit onto the side of a Standard A2 size card, that idea and the flowers came from the CTS image. I then chose a longer flower and tried to incorporate the colors from the Runway inspired image.   Used my "Verdant" stencil, which I taped directly onto my white card front and then I colored it in with Distress inks and one of my new mini blender tools.   In hindsight, I should have "stamped the image" first, but I did mess that up, so I carefully outlined the colored image with a black fine line marker,   I also colored over the Distress Inks with my Wink of Stella Markers, to add some extra sparkle.   I finished off this card with some black sequins and the "Happy Everything" sentiment, also from Penny Black.

   Heading back to my desk to keep on coloring, I'm on a roll and you just never know when you might lose the MOJO, so I'm taking advantage of it, while it's here!!

   Oh, and don't forget, to head to over an check out the brand new "A2Z Scrapbooking Supply" Blog --- it's not too late for your chance to WIN!   More details are on my post from yesterday, which your find directly below this one.

How would you like to win.....

  .....a $25.00 gift certificate to go shopping over at the A2Z ScrapbookingStore on Etsy.   Sounds pretty good don't you agree!   And the best part is that's it's easy and this is all you need to do for you chance to be the lucky winner!   Hop right on over the the brand new A2Z ScrapbookingStore Blog, which just launched today!    Be sure you start by looking at the gorgeous cards that the very talented Lisa Spangler created to promote the Blog Launch.  They are absolutely stunning and as soon as I saw them, I knew that I must order that wonderful new stamp and die set, as soon as it arrives in the store!

      I also am excited about the brand new A2Z Design Team, which be announced on May 1st.   My Congratulations to Linda Trace who had already been named the Design Team Coordinator!!    I can't wait to find out who will be one the team and will look forward to the big announcement!  ]

     I'm also excited to have some new goodies, all from a little shopping spree I had at A2Z last week.   I was thrilled to see so many new things in stock, especially some of the brand new Hero Arts products from the new Starry Nights Catalog.   I quickly ordered these favorites and will be ordering even more as they  continue to arrive in the store.  This is a little peak of  my order and as soon as I finish this post, I'm heading to my desk to start inking them up!

       For those of you who are taking the new "Watercolor for Card Maker Class" at the Online Card Classroom, coming up on May 5th, I'm sure you may recognize the Hero Arts Watercolor Wheel, I bought.   It's the same one that Jennifer McGuire shared in one of the Pre-Class videos and I'm very happy to now have one of my own.

      If you follow my blog on a regular basis you already know how much I love shopping at A2Z and how I'm always happy to recommend the store to all my creative friends.  Today, not only can you visit the new BLOG and take a chance to win the $25 Gift Certificate, you'll also find a Special Promo Code there, which will save you 20% off any order of  $25.00 and up, (excluding shipping).    And don't forget to check out the SALES section where you can save 50% or more of some of your favorite Hero Products.

    That's it for me -- time to head to my desk now to start creating with my newest goodies.   I  hope to have some new cards all ready to share with you tomorrow.  In the meantime, hurry on over the the brand new A2Z Scrapbooking Store Blog, become a follower and enter for your chance to the win the $25 Gift Certificate.   And don't forget to look for the special Promo Code before you head to the store for some shopping!

Good Luck and Happy Shopping!!

       Update:   I finished up a new card and I thought I would stop by back to share it, as I am showcasing one of the new Hero Set that I bought from A2Z.   I created this fun little floral themed card using the new CL775 - Making the World a Better Place.   It quickly sold out in the first store batch, but is already back in stock and the new matching die set, should be in very soon!    I used my Hero Arts Memento Markers to first color the solid floral image, directly on the stamp, I then spritzed it with Perfect Pearls Mist and then stamped it directly onto some Watercolor paper.  Once it was dry, I used the "Outline" image from the same set and stamped it directly over the colored image in Black ink.   I then cut out that image and added it onto a piece of Simon's fabulous white woodgrain cardstock, and placed it in the center of my Hero Hues card base.  I then cut orange and white gingham strips for each side to add a pop of color.  Ised the same "Amuse" gingham paper to frame my sentiment, which is also part of the same stamp set.    I  finished it off with some matching pearls, and added some extra shimmer to my flower with a clear Wink of Stella Marker.   I'm loving this stamp set and so pleased to already have it on hand to create with!  

    This card is also being submitted to each of the fun new challenges!   Each are OPEN to all and I encourage you to play along!!   

• A Blog Named Hero - # 42 - Layer Cake - Layering/Dimension
• Hero Arts Spring Sketch Challenge -- I was inspired by Sketch # 2
• CASology - Clean and Simple - Garden Theme Challenge - # 92
• The Outlawz Challenges - Twisted Thursday - Anything Goes
• Mod Squad Challenge - Going Gingham

Trying to catch up...

....That is my goal today, to try and catch up on making some cards for my favorites challenges and also work on some projects for a big surprise that I will be sharing with you soon!     Be sure to stayed tuned for more exciting details over the new week or so!

    After two lovely days, today it's back to rainy cooler weather and I hope it's not going to last for long.  It is the perfect kind of day to catch up on chores, paperwork, paying bills and all that sort of thing and I'm happy that I have now accomplished all of that and still had time to work create two new cards.

    I'm also working on some "Pre-Class" Homework for the fabulous new "Watercolor for Card Makers" class that is starting on May 5th, over at the Online Card Classroom.

   I'm really excited about this, as I'm finding I love the look of watercolor on cards and I also love trying new things and learning new techniques.   As soon as I heard that the next class was going to be a Watercolor class, I signed up.  Of course, I am kind of a "Professional Student" over at the OCC, and am thrilled to have taken every class that Jennifer and Kristina have offered.   I can't say enough about how much I enjoy their awesome classes and fabulous teaching style.    These classes are always well-loved and I don't know anyone who has ever been disappointed in any of the classes.   If you like working with "Watercolors" or simply want to learn more about them, I think you'll love this class!    The "Interactive/Live" class starts on May 5th, however, the Classroom, Gallery, Forums and such are now open and there are some awesome new videos to help us all to determine what type of supplies we may want to add to our stash for this class!   And as always, there are even student discounts to the stores that generously sponsor the classes, which is another bonus!  

      Obviously, all of the actual class content is Copyrighted and can't not be shared outside class.  We can however share any of the cards or project we created in class and I'll look forward to doing so, once class begins.   I was already very impressed with the all the information that was shared the new videos already and have already learned some great tips and placed my orders for the new supplies I want to have for class.  Hope to see you there, especially those of you who always take the classes, like me.

    Now, it's time to share my latest new cards with you.   The first one was inspired and created for this week's MUSE Challenge.  I absolutely LOVE the card that we have as our MUSE Card and I am very happy to be able to share of copy of it with you below.  It's a beauty and was crated by Marion Vagg, one of very talented Muse Design Team members:

Muse Challenge # 64

My Card

  As you can see, I took a few different ideas from her card and put them into mine, unfortunately it's a rainy day here, so my photo is not nearly as nice and bright as Marion's.   However, I did use the same idea of created a square card base and also used some of my favorite woodgrain textured cardstock, which I buy from Simon Says Stamp.    I also went with a pretty floral image and started with my "First Dance" stamp, which is a gorgeous lily flower and one of my favorite new stamps from  Penny Black.   I used different colors and also went with a circular theme as well as adding a simple little "smile" sentiment, but I was very much inspired by Marion's card!  

  Additionally, I am also submitting this card to the new "Clean and Simple" Challenge over the the Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge Blog. 

    I created a second card, also somewhat based on the same idea,  and have that to share with you too.   It's also a square card and has a pretty flower image "Etch Flower by Hero Arts G5749", and a sweet sentiment from Hero's "Find Joy CL497" Sentiment set both of which I bought over at the A2Z Scrapbooking Store on Etsy, my go to store for all my Hero Arts goodies.   For this card, I used my water-based markers, (Tombow, Stampin' UP, Hero Arts), and colored directly onto my stamp.  I then very lightly misted it with some Perfect Pearls Mist and stamped it directly onto Watercolor paper, the same technique was used on the first card.   I framed my image with some of my all time favorite "patterned paper", the Viola line from Memory Box, which is now retired.

   This card is being submitted to the "Anything Goes" challenge over at "Through The Craftroom Door",  as well as today's new Anything Goes Challenge which you can find at Fan-Tastic Tuesday.   I encourage you all to play along in ANY of these fun challenges.

    My last post today is a very bittersweet one, as the crafting world has lost a very kind and dear woman.  I was deeply saddened and very shocked when I learned that "Linda Palmer", died unexpectedly after being stricken by a massive heart attack this weekend.   My heart goes out to all her family and friends and to all her know her in the crafting community.     She loved her family very much and was always proudly sharing pictures of her children and grand-children on her Facebook page.  She is also a very talented designer and was a member of several different design teams.    I met her when I first started card-making and she was always a Joy to know and also spoke so kindly to all.   We both took Copic Classes together and also shared that wonderful LOVE of coloring and card-making.  

Shared from Facebook

God Bless you Linda!

 May you forever rest in peace, as one of Heaven's newest angels!

Today's the Big DAY!!!

    Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you all had a really nice weekend and for those of you who celebrate Easter, I hope you had a fabulous day with your family and friends.

    Today, here in Massachusetts it's Patriot's Day and also "Marathon Monday" and it's a day that once again brings back the memories of the tragic events that unfolded last year.   My heart continues to go out to each and every person, friend and family member who was injured or hurt on that very sad day.   I'm also so inspired by everyone who has shown so much caring support to Boston and am proud of our city and state, along with everyone across the country who have care so much!!    I'm very honored and proud to be "Boston Strong" and I honor each and ever runner who is out there running again today!

     I would also like to once again say THANK YOU to all of who were here on my blog last Monday taking part in the Blog Hop and Card Drive for "Little Lauryn".   I was so touched by everyone who took the time to stop by, to leave a comment and also to those who donated to Lauryn's fund and also are making cards for her.   My heart continues to go out to that sweet little baby and I hope and pray that each and every day will help her win her battle.  Please remember that this is a very long road and I once again encourage you all to keep sending cards from time to time, as it's very special to her and her family.   You can always find updates on her Facebook page!!    

   And now for the exciting news, I am happy to announce the Winners of the Blog Candy that I am gifting to two lucky crafters who joined me here last Monday.   I have close to 50 people stop by and that was very inspiring.   To draw the names for my prizes I used the Random Number Generator from Random.Org.

  These are my lucky winners!!

Prize # 1

$25 Gift Card to Simon Says Stamp

Lucky # 4

Theresa  April 14, 2014 at 7:45 AM who wrote --  

  Lisa, lovely projects for Lauryn! You ladies are doing a wonderful event for her family. Will be making her a card with one of the images that I received.

Prize # 2

Craft Goodie Bag

Lucky # 11

 JoanApril 14, 2014 at 9:47 AM  who wrote --  

Thanks for allowing me to be part of this heartfelt experience.  Your cards are so cute.  Did you feel my AHHHH?

I will be contacting you both via email or your blogs this morning.   Please be sure to check your email, or blog comments for my message.    If you do not receive it, PLEASE feel free to contact me directly by email:   Purple_Place@verizon.net  -- Thank you!

CONGRATULATIONS to you both and I hope you enjoy your prizes!!

Boston Strong!!!

Note:   If you are looking for the
 "Lots of Love for Lauryn" Blog Hop 


Please click - HERE!!
~~~~~~~~~

BOSTON STRONG!!

We will NEVER forget the tragic events that unfolded during the Boston Marathon, one year ago today.    

One Year Anniversary ~ April 15, 2014

Proud to be - "Boston Strong"

  Below is a card I created using my "Boston Strong" stamp.  This stamp was inspired and created by Hero Arts in conjunction with my LSS "Absolutely Everything", to help raise money for 

 "The One Fund".   It us currently available again for a brief time and the supply is limited.   If you would like to purchase one, you can contact the store for more details.   The link above will take you to AE's Facebook page, which has the contact information.

   It was another way for us to share our proud New England Spirit.   I am very proud to have one of my own and was very grateful to Absolutely Everything and Hero Arts for working together to create this wonderful stamp! 

Memories.....
....the bad and the good.....

Forever in our hearts!

BOSTON STRONG!!

The One Fund continues to collect donations for all those affected by this horrific event.  You can still donate on their secure website or read more about the fund -- HERE!!

Lot's of Love for Lauryn Card Drive/Blog Hop!!

     I am very honored and happy to be part of this wonderful group of crafters who have put together this very special Card Drive/Blog Hop we call "Lots of Love for Lauryn".   

    I have donated two Blog Candy Prizes and it's very easy for you to win!    All you need to do is leave me a comment, (be sure it includes your name, email or a link to your blog),

 and agree to send a card and/or donation to Lauryn.  

The deadline for comments is Friday, April 18th at 5pm!   

Now how easy is that -- everyone who comments will be entered to win one of these two prizes:

A $25 Gift Certificate to 
Simon Says Stamp

Or

A "Craft Goodie Bag" 

"Filled with lots of things we all love!

      I will randomly draw two lucky winners from all the comments and those names will be posted here, next Monday, April 21st, please be sure to stop back then, to see if YOU are a lucky winner!  Thank you in advance for kindness!   

Please meet Lauryn...

Isn't this little girl just precious?  Let me introduce you....
Lauryn was diagnosed with Leukemia on March 27, 2014.  She is currently hospitalized in the DC area undergoing chemotherapy to fight this terrible disease.  Lauryn is Linda Payne's granddaughter...many of you in the stamping community probably already know sweet Linda!

As news of Lauryn's illness spread via social media, many of you have asked if there is anything you can do to help, so we have come up with a plan. We decided to have a Card Drive and would like to invite YOU to help by sending "happy mail" to Lauryn and her family.

Please create cards to share your love and encouragement for Lauryn and her family. Lauryn's parents are Josh and Elizabeth and she has two older siblings: Lily and Logan. We thank the Lord for this dear family and need to pray for them as they are seeking to glorify the Lord throughout this trial. 

Kindly mail your cards to:

Children's National Medical Center
Hematology/Oncology - Room 437
Lauryn Newsome
111 Michigan Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20010

  
You can find updates on Lauryn via a Facebook page that has been set up by some family.  It is Fight on Little Lauryn.  They have shared how encouraging it is receive a simple "like" on a Facebook status or words of love and encouragement that is posted.

    If you are hopping in order you will have arrived her from Mary Anne's Blog, Lakeside Stamping and your next stop will be over at Patti's Blog - Patti’s Paper Creations   If you find yourself lost at ANY time or if ANY of the links are not working, please head back to Lauryn's blog, Lots of Love for Lauryn, and move to the next person on the list.   A full list of all the participants is also included below.

    You are welcome to send any type of "Happy" card, something that a sweet little two-year old might love! Lauryn has a special love of Princesses and Spiderman -- she's very cool!   I am sharing a few of the cards I have created for her, and hope this may help to inspire you....

I also made a little wall hanging using one of the digi images that have been so generously 

donated to this cause.  This image was gifted to us by Claire Keay of JellyPark!

  Here is the fabulous group of bloggers who are all promoting this Card Drive.  We would love for you to hop with us as numerous bloggers have Blog Candy and all you need to do is leave a comment... !   

"Lots of Love for Lauryn"

Olga Jewell Craftieodamae

Mary Anne Kelemen Lakeside Stamping

Lisa Haines The Purple Place

Patti Painter Patti’s Paper Creations

Jennie Harper Stampin Away the Day 

Colleen Holmes A Card’s Delight

Jennifer Scull Just Coffee Please…& Stamps & Ribbons &Paper

Anita Autore Cards & Coffee 

Sandra Van Blaricum Cards and Creativity 

Jerusha Borden I Love Paper Crafting 

Jenn Borjeson Stampin' Angel Jenn 

Nina Brackett Crafting in Croatia

Linda Coughlin The Funkie Junkie

Kathleen Curry Will Stamp for Wine

Melissa Czapor My Many Journeys

Vicki Dutcher All I Do is Stamp

Debbie Ebat Debbie’s Stamping Adventures

Tera Fujan Stamp Queen 

Patti Gilliam Cherish Each Precious Gift

Joy Hadden Pieces of Joy

Danielle Haddon The Musings of a Chocoholic

Karen Knegten Studio at the Lake 

Lori McAree Smiling While Stamping

CG Merrill CG Says (something loudly)

Rhonda Miller Rhonda’s Place to Shine

Lee Murphy My Reality

Betty Neville Betty's StampTV Blog

Jackie Randolph Paper Moments 

Shirley Ross Card Art, Etc.

Melissa Shultz  Coffee Stamps and Stitches

Carla Suto Carla’s Stamping Spot 

Cat Tidwell Cat’s Creations 

Brenda Turner Stamp It Up

Geri Utterback Geri’s Cards 

Cheri Weston Stamp’n Boomer 

     I thank you in advance for visiting as many blogs as you can, we know this is a very long list and we are grateful to each and every one who has joined us to help promote the card drive.  Please note:   While comments are always appreciated, it's only necessary in this HOP on the blogs who have kindly donated prizes.  Please follow their rules for your chance to win!   

      You can also donate to Lauryn's family to help cover their ever growing medical expenses!  We have a few places where you can do so.  First, you can use donate to her PayPal fund, using the button I have added to my Side Bar.  You can also visit  Lauryn's blog and also purchase some of the fabulous digi images that have been donated for Lauryn's benefit.   And lastly, there is also a new Fund that has been set up by Elizabeth, (Lauryn's Mom),  through "Go Fund Me" and you can link directly to that site HERE!!   Please know that EVERY dollar can help and no donation is ever too little!   

      I thank you again for taking the time to hop by --- Please remember to win my Blog Candy, all you need to do is leave me a comment and include your name and email, if you post does not link me to your blog!   The deadline for comments is Friday, April 18th -- 5PM.   The winners will be posted here on Monday, April 21st!  

     It's now time to head on over to your next stop, which is Patti's Blog -  Patti’s Paper Creations!   

It's a Hero kind of day.....

...and if you are wondering what kind of Hero, I'm referring to, it's Hero Arts, of course.   Today I have had a great time breaking out some of my Hero Arts "Wooden" stamps and using them to create some pretty Thank you cards.

    My first two cards were both created with the same exact stamp, which is called "Painted Flower" K5767 and a really gorgeous image.   For my first card, I wanted that wonderful watercolor look and started with a piece of Watercolor Paper.  I then used my Memento "Water-based" markers and colored directly onto my stamp.  When I finished the coloring I immediately coated the stamp with a very fine mist and then stamped it directly onto my Watercolor paper.      Next I created a little mat from my image on some matching "Gingham Cardstock" and added that onto a green card base I created with this Hero Arts Layering paper.    My final step was adding a greeting, which I chose from this set, of Hero Arts Clear Stamps along with some matching pearls.

   Using the same "Painted Flower" stamp, I went on to create a second card and this time, I went with dark shades of red, along with some dark pink.   I also used the same coloring and stamping technique and after my image dried, I colored over the entire image, with my "Clear" Wink of Stella Marker.  I just love the amount of shimmer that these amazing markers add to colored image.   I then used a circle shaped die to cut out my image and layered that onto some some black cardstock and added those to a Red Hero Arts Card Base.  I picked my Sentiment from Hero's "Message with Flourish" clear set (CL738), and stamped the "Thank You" greeting with Versamark and then heat embossed it with Ranger's Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder, a wonderful new shade that Jennifer McGuire introduced me to.  

This close up photo shows how much

sparkle/shimmer that the Wink of Stella Marker adds:

  That brings me to the last card today, which was inspired by the new Sketch Challenge that is being hosted by Hero Arts.   You can see the choice of sketches on that link and you can also download this PDF file to save or print for your own use.  I am also sharing a copy of the three sketches so that you can see which one I used on my card.

  I'm sure over the next couple of week, I'll try all three of these, but for today, I chose "Sketch #3", and used my "Hero Arts" Etched Flower stamp.    I started by creating my own version of a 'tag' from some of Hero's Snow Cardstock, and then using the same fun "watercolor" technique I stamped my "etched flower" directly to my tag and put it aside to dry.  I then pulled out a white snow card base, and layered on a piece of this fabulous "Woodgrain textured cardstock", along with a piece of pink and white polka dotted paper from this new set by Simple Stories.   (I love paper sets with any type of polka dots, and love that this set also have stripes and a variety of fun colors).   I "popped" the tag up off the pink paper with foam dots and then tied on a small pink and white bow that I make from Baker's Twine.  I finished off my card, with a Thank You sentiment from the Messages with Flourish set, after inking with Ultra Pink Shadow ink.  The final touch was some more matching bling....!  Tada!!

    I find that you really can never have enough Thank You cards on hand, but after today, I'm happily  building up my collection a bit!   

    I'm also super excited about the newest Hero Arts Release - Starry Nights, which was released on Hero's blog today!   All the newest goodies will be shipping to stores and April 15th!   I have already started my Wish List and know a few things, I want to purchase right away.   One of the brand new Gold Spray Mist, a new Starry wooden stamp, one of the new sentiment sets...on my!!    If you would like to see a peek at the brand new Catalog, you can find it HERE on Hero's website.   And don't forget for all you Hero Arts shopping needs, you can always shop with a Promo Code* and save money over the A2Z Scrapbooking Store on Etsy!!  My "go to" store for all things Hero Art!   *Note:  The current promo code at A2Z is "AprilShowers", which will save you 15% on your order of $25.00 and up (excluding shipping).   Please be sure to enter it at Check Out!!    Happy Shopping and Happy Crafting!