Lizzie's Birthday Bash Winner!!!

Ok, so I completely forgot to choose a winner.........the winner is:

 

#9. Maria!!!!

 

Congrats, Maria- I'm going to be emailing you to get your information so I can send out your magazines!!!

Lizzie's Birthday Blog Bash!

 

Hi everyone! I am super excited to be asked by my good friend Lizzie to participate in her week long Birthday Bash on her blog. She affectionately calls herself my #1 fan and I'm so honored (though I do not feel worthy, hehe) I've known her for quite a bit, going all the way back to a site called CafeMom I think (or something like that, don't visit that site all that often now that I've got facebook. LOL) We were pregnant with our 3rd babies together and they are only a couple months apart in age now. I love her spunk and her confidence in everything she does. It's something I definitely draw inspiration from all the time. She has been my right hand girl in helping me with a magazine called Designed To Color and if it hadn't been for her encouragement I would proabably still be waffling about doing it! So, thank you Lizzie, for everything you do and represent.

So, on to my card for her. I started doing something simple but then I decided, wait! We LOVE to color so I had to color an image especially for her. So, I pulled out this Kraftin Kimmie stamp and colored her up Lizzie style with ginger hair using Copics! I paired her with some fabulous October Afternoon papers from the cakewalk collection and used a sketch from Deconstructed Sketch to pull it all together. I love using a sketch when I feel like I'm in a design rut.
 

So, there you have it! Happy Birthday, Lizzie!!! And it's not a brithday without some prezzies, right!? So, in honor of Lizzie's birthday and our work together on Designed To Color, I'm giving away to one lucky winner a copy of our Aug/Sept & Oct/Nov issues! Good luck to all who enter. All you have to do is add your name to the link below! I'll choose a winner Monday Dec 10 and the magazines are all ready to go out on Tuesday as soon as I receive the information from the winner! 

Copics used:
Skin - E01, E11, E13
Hair - R02, E07, E19, R89
Dress - G12, G14, G17, Y13, Y19, YR33
Wine bottle - V28, V99

Simple Christmas Card Hop with Susan K Weckesser & Unity Stamp Co

 

Oh, we are so very excited you are joining us for our first ever Susan K Weckesser Design Team Blog Hop with Unity Stamp Design Team! 

If you are not already a follower, we would love for you to join our families and follow our blogs as well as stay up-to-date by Liking us on Facebook:

    Susan K Weckesser Inc Facebook page

    Unity Stamps Facebook page

During this 2-day hop, you will be inspired and in awe of all the fabulous creations shared by members of these two talented design teams.  Both teams will be sharing Simple Christmas Card Ideas using Unity Stamps designed by Susan K Weckesser Inc.  It's not too late for Christmas Cards.   According to the US Postal service, if you mail your holiday cards by December 20, they will arrive by December 25th!  And, this will give you a chance to also join in the Christmas Love Campaign.

For my simple card tag, I used the adorable One of a Kind Winter itty bitty stamp. I just adore snowman & this one is too cute! I wanted to keep it one layer(ish) by stamping directly on the cryogen cardstock and coloring with Copics. Then I masked the snowman along with some snowy hills and created the background by sponging some distress inks in different color blues. I just punched a hole and added some seam binding as well as twine. This will look so cute on a Christmas present or bag. You can also recreate this on a standard card size to mass produce for easy & simple but awesome Christams cards to mail out.

We are giving away two chances to win an amazing prize package containing a generous variety of Susan K Weckesser stamps co-branded with Unity Stamps. 

 

For a chance to win, visit each blog and leave a comment.  Then come back on Dec 3 at 6 PM CST to find out if you are a winner at Susan K Weckesser Inc and Unity Stamp Co blogs.

Here is the blog hop order: 

• Susan Weckesser: http://mysweetearth.blogspot.com/
• Angie Blom: http://www.angieblomdesigns.blogspot.com/
• Erin Lee Schreiner: http://www.erinleecreative.com/
• Carisa Zglobicki: http://ladyguineveresinkyfaeries.blogspot.com/
• JJ Sobey: http://1-goodthing.blogspot.com/
• Lisa Arana: http://dahlhouse-designs.com/
• Tracy Easson: http://queeniesscrapmad.blogspot.co.uk/
• Lisa Henke: http://www.mylittlecreativeescape.blogspot.com/
• Julie Short: http://timetocreate-handmadetreasure.blogspot.com.au/
• Vicky Varvadouka: http://vartig12.blogspot.gr/
• Natalie Dever: http://www.dougnat.blogspot.com/

Yumi & Fumi Handmade Winter Release

Hi everyone!!!! 

I'm super excited to be asked by Leanne to create a sample for Yumi & Fumi Handmade Winter Release!

I couldn't resist coloring up Bob the Yeti! I mean, seriously, how cute is he!? Reminds me of the little abominable snowman from Rudolph the Rednose Reindeer - one of my favorite holiday movies of all time! I think we've all felt like Rudolph at one point or the other, right?

So, here is my little Bob the Yeti card. Isn't he the cutest?!? I colored him with Copics and Spica glitter pens for the lights. I used October Afternoon for my paper and a wood chippie from Pink Paislee. I also added some silver bells dew drops from Robin's Nest for a little sparkle. I'm hoping for a snow day here soon. It's been a bit too dry and warm for Colorado. Come on WINTER! ;)

Be sure to head on over to the Yumi & Fumi Handmade website to get your inky hands on all these new releases and MORE.  Today is a great day to get them as you take advantage of their Cyber Monday sale with a one-time use 20% OFF entire order coupon valid only on 11/26 that expires at 11:59pm PST! For more cute projects with these adorable new stamps, stop by Yumi & Fumi Handmade Blog!

I want to thank Leanne again for asking me to join in their special new release!!! I am in love with their new line of stamps and can't wait to see more!!

May Arts & Helmar Blog Hop!

I am so excited about this hop. All of us at Helmar love playing with ribbon and May Arts always has gorgeous ribbon for us to play with.   What is even more fun is that Helmar and May Arts are giving away TWO chances to win some great product on this TWO day Hop!

Helmar will be offering two Arts & Crafts Starter packs!

May Arts will be offering two prize packages of winner’s choice of 2 spools of ribbon!

For my project, I took a simple plastic ornament and punched out a snowflake border with simple printer paper using a Martha Stewart punch. Then I laid it on top of the ornament like a mask, while it was own, I spread some Helmar Gemstone Glue over it with a paintbrush. While it was still wet, I poured some Art glitter in mystery over the top and removed the paper to leave the snowflake border showing through the glitter. I loved how it turned out. I add some red stickler to the center of each snowflake. Then, I topped the ornament with this luxurious Silky Crushed ribbon by May Arts. It really adds an elegant touch to ANY project!!!

So, how do you enter to win a chance at one of these grand prizes?   Hop through with us and visit each designer’s blog and leave a comment on their Helmar and May Arts Blog Hop post.   The first winners will be chosen on the 21st and the second winners will be chosen after the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend!    So let’s get started!

Day 1 – November 19th

• Charlene Driggs: http://www.paperandinkplayground.com/
• Letitia Grace Lauer : http://www.gracesscrapattic.blogspot.com
• Alexcia Patterson-Schroll: http://makeandmingle.wordpress.com/
• Kate Vickers: http://www.scrapsation.com
• Christina Colón: http://www.thetwistedmuse.com/
• Jen Matott: http://arttalk-sigmagirl.blogspot.com/
• Gini Williams Cagle: http://www.ginicagle.blogspot.com/
• Carisa Zgloblicki: http://ladyguineveresinkyfaeries.blogspot.ca/
• Emily Lanham: http://createserendipity.blogspot.com/
• Jen Shears: http://jenshearsdesigns.blogspot.com/
• Jingle: http://www.justjingle.blogspot.com/

Day 2 – November 20th

• Karen Baker: http://thebalddragonfly.blogspot.com/
• Martha Richardson http://themermaidscloset.blogspot.com/
• Kendra Wiggins: http://scrappincricut.org/
• Lisa Wilkinson: http://www.createfor7.blogspot.com
• Leah Farrar-White: http://1alabasterowl.blogspot.com/
• Sally Lynn MacDonald: http://www.sallylynnmacdonald.com/
• Monica Edwards: http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
• Amy Lassiter: http://sparklinggnome.wordpress.com
• Nicole Martel: http://www.nicolemartel.blogspot.com/
• Virginia Fynes: http://www.fynesdesigns.com/

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Robin's Nest & Helmar Blog Hop!

Hi, I'm Carisa and I'm a Helmar designer! We are THRILLED to be partnering with Robin's Nest for this fun Blog Hop. The start of this hop begins at the Robin's Nest Blog so if you are just seeing my blog, please be sure to head over there to start - you're not going to miss a blog as we EACH have a special prize to give away. Leave a comment on my blog for a chance to win a $10 gift certificate to shop at Helmar! 

Now, if you've arrived from Marilla's Blog you are in the right spot. 

For my project, I wanted to create one of a kind embellishments for my page so I used the Large Clear Drops by Robin's Nest plus Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive to adhere my pattern paper to coordinate with my page. 

And this is how I made them:

Then just cut them out with scissors. Easy peasy! And my page which I also used Helmar Premium Craft Glue and more Robin's Nest goodies. The rhinestones around my oval journal card is Robin's Nest from an awesome netted rhinestone ribbon that I cut apart. 

I created this page for my 30 days of Gratitude journal. This idea begins every November on Facebook and I decided to take out one of my Amy Tangerine Day Books to get a little creative & crafty with it this year. I'm looking forward to completing each page every day! 

I hope you enjoy the rest of the hop! Don't forget to leave a comment for your chance to win! A full list of every designer participating is below:

New Smash Book Page with Saturated Canary & Copics

Hi everyone! I did a bit of smashing recently. I was kinda of reminiscing about my copics and had this Sketchie colored image just waiting to be used on a project so I thought what the heck!  Smash books are not just for pictures or events. Try *Smash*ing about what is trending in your life right now to always remember!

 

 

Supplies:

Black Smash Book

Like This Smash Tape

Sketchie - Saturated Canary Stamps

Copic Xpress It Blending Card

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Copics

Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesives

Studio Calico Wood Veneers

Dear Lizzie Paper

Amy Tangerine Stickers & Tabs

Helmar Zap Dots

Helmar Premium Craft Glue

 

Happy World Card Making Day!

Hi everyone! Are you celebrating World Card Making Day today?! I did a little bit and I'm here to share with you a couple cards I made for some fun challenges going on today! 

First for Designed To Color, we're celebrating WCMD by playing Card Bingo - Check it all out on our blog. Here is my card using This is a Happy Life by Unity Stamp Co.

And 2nd, here is my card for Unity Stamp Co. - I am hosting Challenge #7 - Coloring! I'm sure everyone knows how much I love to color so it's only natural that I choose that for my challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are having fun today! 

Designed To Color Recipe Hunt with The Color Crew!

Hi everyone! 

If you haven't seen it already, Designed To Color is celebrating our 1000th Facebook fan with a WEEK of fun giveaways. Today is our GRAND FINALE and we're having a little fun with a Recipe Hunt. 

If you are searching for ingredients for your Designed To Color Recipe Hunt, then add to your crafting bowl a little bit of A COLORED IMAGE!!!

That's right, we LOVE to see YOUR coloring and I'm excited to also announce the launch of our BRAND NEW Ustream channel Coloring with Designed To Color! Since, my part of the recipe for your is a colored image, I thought what better than a Friday Night Coloring Party! Join me on our Ustream channel at 9p MDT for some fun coloring and possibly a giveaway or two!!!

Hope to see you there! And have fun looking for the rest of the recipes needed, be sure to check out the rest of The Color Crew blogs to see who is hiding an ingredient!! I hope you will play, don't forget to list the ingredients in your blog post before you link up your card. Here is a reminder of what you are playing for - 2 lucky winners will win this amazing prize donated by Crafter's Companion:

Designed To Color 1000th Facebook Fan Celebration!!!

Be sure to stop by Designed To Color's blog this week for a lot of fun giveaways and challenges as we celebrate our 1000th Facebook fan! I can't believe we have 1000 fans, I remember when I first opened the Facebook page and we got 100 fans I was so excited. This has me on cloud 9!!! Thanks to everyone who has supported me, everyone who submits to our open calls and everyone who loves this magazine. 

Now, head on over to the Designed To Color website and enter to win!!!

Hip Hopping {new release} with Unity Stamp Co & My Little Shoebox!

Hello and thanks for hopping with us today. If you've just come from the super talented Angie Blom's blog, you're in the right spot!

We are so pleased to share our new Co-Brand stamps with My Little Shoebox! Make sure you leave a comment on each blog to win one of the fabulous prizes from Unity Stamp Company & My Little Shoebox!!!

For my card today, I used the super cute set {deer to me.} I just LOVED coloring up these cutie pies. I can see myself using this stamp over and over! I know we have a long blog hop so I don't want to keep you! All the papers are also from My Little Shoebox! They are so adorable and match the stamps perfectly! 

Don't forget the amazing promotions that go along with an awesome new release at Unity Stamp Co!

Thanks so much for stopping by - be sure to check out everyone's blogs today - so much eye candy and SO many chances to win!!!! Next on your hop today is adorable Grace Tolman!

Here is a list of EVERYONE participating today:

My Little Shoebox 

Andrea Murdock 

Beckie Dreyer 

Angie Blom 

Carisa Zglobicki 

Grace Tolman

Eryn Hannig 

Erika Taylor 

Jen Erickson 

Linda Kretz 

Jennifer Roach 

Megan Aaron 

Jimmi Mayo 

Monique Liedtke 

Jolande van Oosterhout 

Pattie Beltran 

Karen Maldonado 

Robyn Schaub 

Lisa Arana

Rô Philippsen 

Lisa Henke

Jenifer Cowles

Renee Aslette 

Shellye McDaniel

Keely Yowler 

Shemaine Smith 

Shilo Miles 

Carol Theng 

Stephanie Muzzulin 

Thienly Azim 

Zoe Nemburt 

Unity Stamp Company

Exciting week - brand new Designed To Color issue & Saturated Canary YouTube Team!!!!!!

Hi everyone! 

This week has been an exciting one for me and I'll tell you two reason why! First, our 4th issue of Designed To Color has JUST been released! 

It is always exciting when a new magazine is *finally* published after ALL the handwork, sweat & tears have gone into it. Thankfully, you don't see any of that but The Color Crew certainly does and they continue to stick by encourage and inspire!! Please check out the August/September PREVIEW ISSUE and if you would like to purchase this or sign up for a full subscription, just see the website Designed To Color for more information!

The 2nd reason I'm super excited this week, is that Krista Smith of Saturated Canary has just launched her YouTube channel and I'm blessed to be a part of an amazing group of ladies and designers. This week is the kick off and several videos have already debuted. I was SUPPOSED to have a video this week but my camera chargers was MIA all week (hubby finally found it last night!) So, this awesome team helped me out and took over my spot for me. I WILL have a video for you on Monday thought so be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the new SATURATED CANARY YOUTUBE CHANNEL so you never miss a video. After our kick off week in which we had videos all week long, a new video will load each Monday thereafter.

Ok, that's all I have for you today! I just wanted to update you and now I'm going to get back to finally getting crafty!!! :D Have a happy weekend!

Surprise Birthday Blog Hop!

Surprise! Today we are celebrating Leanne Poe's birthday by throwing a fun birthday blog hop party! We thought we'd gather a few of her friends and design team members to celebrate her special day. If you came here from Eva’s blog you are in the right place. If you didn’t you may want to start at the beginning a Yumi & Fumi's Handmade Crafts blog.

Happy Birthday, Leanne!

 

I'm so excited to see you following your own dreams with your super cute new stamp company! They are sooooo cute. I loved meeting you at Winter CHA - we had such a blast, I only wish we could have hung out longer! I can't wait to see you at the next one. I hope you had a super fun birthday (so sorry my post is late ---- things totally got away from me this past week!) Here is a card I made for your birthday - you know how much I adore The Greeting Farm and since I didn't know about your new stamps (where have I been?!?!), I used some of my favorite stamps. I am definitely going to be placing an order soon, though! ;)

I colored the Amelia from the OA-Lovey Dovey set with Tim Holtz Distress Markers on watercolor paper. I paired it with Webster's Pages papers and used a super fun Action Wobble to pop up my image on the card. These are so awesome because you can mail your card flat but your recipient will get a lovely surprise when they pull it out.

Be sure to stop by Leanne's personal blog to wish her a Happy Birthday!! Next up on the hop is Danni.

Thanks for coming!

Unity Stamp Co + Ribbon Carousel Blog Hop!

I'm so excited to be a part of this hop and I know you've had a ton of inspiration so far. I made a bookmark using some of the awesome twill twine that says Back To School by Ribbon Carousel. When I got this ribbon, I knew I would use it to make a bookmark.

I used two different stamp sets by Unity Stamp Co. The sentiment I used came from 100% Real Life and the star and background I created (which didn't photograph well) came from an older store kit that I think is retired. You can see how I made the book mark in this UnityTV Episode where I used some more trim from the Ribbon Carousel!

And now for more inspiration  here is everyone participating! Be sure to stop by each blog as we have some AMAZING prizes - Unity Stamp Co. is giving away 10 itty bitty stamps (winner's choice) and Ribbon Carousel is giving away their awesome Ribbon Carousel perfect for storing all your favorite trims from their store!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Core Cards Creative Frenzy

Hi everyone! I'm here to share with you not 1, not 2...but THREE cards with you today!!! When I heard that Core'dinations was having an open DT call AND looking for video designers, I knew I had to try out. :)  You know how much I like making videos!!

I have to admit something first....when I love something ( a LOT ) I tend to hoard it....I know it makes NO sense, but it's what I do so I broke into my Core' stash and created these 3 cards just for the call. The call actually ends TODAY but I had to wait for the last day because I'm also sharing 2 of the new Phyllis Harris stamps that were JUST released by Unity Stamp Co. (Pssss...they are on special for an amazing price through the weekend!)

My first card uses some of the Core'dinations from the Tim Holtz 12x12 paper pack. I love distressing and one of the great things about Core cardstock is that you can get an awesome distressed look just by sanding it!

This cutie is from the A Tiny Witch stamp set. I colored her with Copics. I actually did quite a bit of coloring while I was feeling a bit under the weather and I hadn't colored with my Copics in WEEKS before coloring this cutie. It felt SO good to have them back in my hands.

This card I created also using cardstock from the Tim Holtz Core'dinations 12x12 paper pack. This time I used it to create my card base and also cut a border using the American Crafts Punch Out border punch. I also used a star corner punch to create my star clusters and distressed them by sanding the cardstock.

This stamp is from the NO. Fun. set. How cute is this little guy? I tell ya, he reminds me of my son who is 2....and whenever he doesn't want to do something he crosses his arms JUST like this and says "no thank you, mama" *giggle* It's so dang cute and I feel so guilty trying to make him pick up his toys.....take a nap....eat his veggies, etc! I used my Tim Holtz Distress Markers to color him - I just love the watercolor effect these markers achieve so beautifully (and easy peasy to use!)

My last card is possibly my favorite....although it's hard to choose. I just love how all the elements came together. I used a piece of Core'dinations cardstock from the Neutrals 12x12 stack to create my card base and using a Spellbinders edgabilities die I created an accent border along one side. Oh!!! I forgot to mention that I used the Sand It tool to distress the cardstock. This tool is a MUST HAVE when working with Core'dinations. I only just recently got it and it's taken my love of Core' to the next level. :) I used a piece of the core white wash to frame my image with the die cut.

So, that's it for my post and application for the Core Cards Creative Frenzy! I hope the Core'dinations team likes what they see here - it really would be super exciting to join their team!

Happy Friday and thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Core'dinations Cardstock
• Unity Stamp Co. A Little Witch, No.Fun & SOTW#27
• Copics
• Spellbinders
• American Crafts Punch Outs
• Tim Holtz Distress Markers
• Bella Blvd
• Authentique
• Copic Xpress It Blending Card
• Memento Tuxedo Black
• Archival Ink in Black
• Helmar Premium Craft Glue
• Helmar Zap Dots
• Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots
• Papertrey Ink Vintage Twine

Unity Stamp Co, Susan K Weckesser, Helmar Card + exciting news

Hi everyone! I made this card last week for the Unity + Susan K Weckesser + Helmar blog hop. I forgot to post it on the day I was supposed to. :( Do you ever have a spell when you LOVE creating but HATE blogging? LOL That is totally ME right now! I want a blog ghost writer....someone witty & charming. hehe

So, this card using the Create Your Day set. I love how cute and tiny the stamps are - they are pefectly sized for your card making needs! The sentiments are so sweet, the one I used says "Don't go through life, grow through life." I need that little reminder every once in awhile when I'm going through a rough spot. I constantly question myself in this industry and I know I don't really get personal on this blog (it's never been my thing, ya know?) I do kinda feel like I barrier myself off in order to protect myself from dissapointment......but then I'm also potentionally creating a barrier between myself and greatness!? Right?! (easier said than done, but I'm working on it!)

I love coloring with distress markers lately.....well, it happens that they are a LOT easier to transport and take into bed with me when I'm not feeling 100% than 200+ Copic Markers. *giggle* Plus, I don't feel like I have to be so perfect when I use them so it's a bit more liberating and freeing for me when I don't really want to think. I love that coloring can really take my mind off of anything and just let me be at one with my craft allowing myself some peace.

II used Helmar Premium Craft glue to adhere my main panel as well as Helmar Zap Dots to pop up my image panel. I love these dew drops by Robin's Nest and Helmar Gemstone Glue is great because it dries clear and doesn't discolor at all. 

Today I am also excited to share some fun news:

I am so exited! When Jennifer Evans sent me an email asking if I'd be interested, of course I said yes!! She is such an inspiration to me and she also has some exciting news today! Let's just say I wasn't surprsied at ALL to see her listed on the all new Heidi Swap Media Team!!! Congrats, girl!!!