I Hate to Post and Run, But ... A Fifteen Minute Project

Today's 15 Minute Project was actually made in 10 minutes ... but who's counting?!?

At 11:50 this morning, I suddenly remembered that today was my terrific mail carrier's birthday ... and she was due to arrive any minute! I quickly embossed these three pink cupcakes in the Cuttlebug, cut them with a Cuttlebug postage stamp-style die, tied on a ribbon and was done!

I was hesitant to give her this card because it's soooo plain but she loved it! She especially loved the cupcake "stamps" ... being a USPS employee and all. And then she pointed out how "clever I was to use 20 on the stamp since that's the day the new postal rate increase takes effect." Oh, yeah. That's me. Clever.

I'll be back tomorrow with a kinda kewl project I'm working on. Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill; Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: Provo Craft; Postage Stamp Die: Provo Craft; Ribbon: American Crafts; Die-Cut Machine: Provo Craft

We Have A New Winner ... For All the Wrong Reasons

No good deed goes unpunished.

When the Diva Impressions stamp giveaway winner didn't come forward, I decided it would be nice of me to spend some time hunting her down. And, in the so doing, I discovered that the 'winner,' had already stolen received her prize!

Confused? Turns out the 'winner' has an online scrapbook store ... and in that scrapbook store she's selling some vintage ephemera. Which is fine with me ... what's not so fine with me is the fact that she stole photographs and listing descriptions from my eBay store.

On the photographs, she's neatly cut off my watermark and the name of my eBay store ... text, she's copied verbatim. This is beyond wrong, it's also illegal; blatant copyright violation such as this is enforceable in any court in this country. If this happened on eBay, this gal's store would be shut-down completely in a matter of minutes pursuant to eBay's VERO policies.

Never in a million years would I expect someone in this craft to do such a lousy thing to another crafter! And then to have the stupidity audicity to come to my blog, post comments, and enter to win goodies I'm giving away! Well, I like to think I'm a nice person but I'm afraid giving this gal free blog goodies is beyond my threshold for pain!

So, I went to random.org this a.m. and entered all comment numbers (not including deleted comments), for a new winner.

Here's the results:

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:16
Timestamp: 2008-05-03 15:14:20 UTC

The new winning number is #16, nappy2cu, who's comment reads, '"This "Bloom" stamp makes me feel happy and hopeful, which frankly has been a bit of a challenge lately. Diva Stamps are good medicine!'"

So, congratulations nappy! Please contact me with your mailing address and I'll get these gorgeous Diva Impressions rubber stamps to you ASAP!

~Hugs,

Late Again ... A "Playing With Backgrounds" Challenge Entry

Today's card was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week's theme is "Background Stamps," and like everyone else who hoards DP, my backgrounders are feelin' very unloved.

And yes, I totally realize it's almost time for a new Suggestive Sunday challenge, but I've had a bad week what with the no Internet connection and all. But I absolutely HAD to enter 'cuz I haven't missed one of Allison's challenges ... yet. It's a thing, ya KWIM?

I chose this particular background stamp because I know how much Allison ADORES vintage! Really: Vintage anything!

Okay, the stamp: I've had it for-evuh and I think it's from "Ink and the Dog" but as it's unmounted, I can't be sure. And Ink & the Dog has l-o-n-g since sold her business and closed her ebay store so I can't check. If my good friend Karen is reading this, "Karen: is this one of Nila's stamps?" 'Cuz she would know.

(RANT ALERT): Why can't they figger out a way to have identification on unmounted stamps?!? If we can pretend to put a man on the moon, or, no that's wrong. It should be: if we can put a man on the moon ... why can't we put all of 'em, lol!?! And then put ID's on unmounted stamps.

Anyway, I loaded my stamps with embossing ink and dark brown fluid chalk ink, stamped and then embossed with clear embossing powder on Bazzill Kraft card stock. Pictured below is the card before I added the vintage photo and metal corners:

I almost like it better this ^ way!

I used an original, vintage (circa 1910'ish) photograph for my focal point, added some ribbon, some metal photo corners and, Ta DaH!

Phew! I think I'm all caught up on this week's challenges and whatnot, so now I'm clear to be late for all of next week's challenges!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me ... have a great weekend!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill and Cut Card Stock; Stamps: Trajan Monogram Collection from Papertrey Ink, Vintage Backgrounder from Ink & The Dog (I thin'); Ink: Versamark Embossing Ink, ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ink; Clear Embossing Powder; Vintage Photograph, Personal Collection: Ribbon, American Crafts; Metal Photo Corners, Daisy D's; Die-Cut Machine, Provo Craft; Dies, Spellbinder's; Adhesive, ATG 714; Dimensionals, All Night Media

15 Minute Project ... a "Thinking Outside the Box" Challenge Entry

Today's card project was created for Sharon's "Stamp Simply" blog Challenge. This week, Sharon's challenge called for "Thinking Outside the Box" ... meaning to use a stamp in some way other than the way it was originally intended to be used. Got all that? Good!

It took me longer than 15 Minutes to decide on a stamp, but once I did it was downhill from there.

I chose to use this "Outlines" ladybug stamp. I stamped my image on Xerox 110# card stock and once again on DCWV colored card stock. Then I flipped it upside down, punched out some card stock flowers and leaves, and created a shadow with a Copic marker (W1)

I mounted everything on my base card stock using dimensionals and added a loop of ribbon for ... for some reason I can't remember ... it seemed like a good item at the time ... and was done!

Regarding the Diva Impressions stamp giveaway, I've yet to hear from the winner (either one, actually), sooooo I'll wait a couple of days and if the winner still hasn't surfaced, I'll draw again for a new winner. So, if you originally posted a comment on that giveaway, you may have another shot at winning 'em!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Xerox 110#, Prism, DCWV, Bazzill; Stamp: Outlines Rubber Stamps; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink in Black Soot; Copic Marker W1; Die Cut Machine: Provo Craft; Dies: Spellbinder's; Punches: Various; Grosgrain Ribbon: Unknown, Obtained in a Ribbon Share

Better The-Very-Last-Minute Than Never ... A Verve Visual Sketch Challenge Entry

As threatened promised, here's my 'official' blog post for April 30 ... that other one was just to announce the Diva Impressions stamp giveaway winners and all.

Today's card project was procrastinated created for Verve Visual's Honored Guest Sketch Challenge #2. Now, the odds of me winning a second Verve Visual sketch challenge in one month are astronomical, but what the heck, you can't win if you don't play, right?!?

I used patterned paper from October Afternoon's "County Fair" collection ... apparently, it's the only DP in my studio 'cuz I refuse to stop using it ... over and over again. Y'all gettin' sick of seeing it yet?

The kewl sentiment and the jazzy-lookin' heart stamps are from Verve Visual, and were stamped on Xerox 110# card stock with Palette Hybrid inks. Flowers are from Prima ... brads from American Crafts.

Tomorrow, I'll be posting another challenge project that was issued last Friday ... under the circumstances though (if you are unaware of the circumstances referred to herein, please refer to my second post below), I figger I'm doin' pretty well to get it up at all ... at least, I think that's what he said.

~Hugs,

Card Stock: Xerox 1103; Designer Paper: October Afternoon; Stamps: Verve Visual; Ink: Palette Hybrid; Flowers: Prima; Brads: American Crafts; Die Cutting Machine: Provo Craft; Dies: Spellbinder's; Scalloped Edge Photo Corner Punch: Marvy Uchida; Adhesive: ATG 714; Dimensionals: All Night Media

Yay! I'm Back Online ... and We (Finally!) Have a Winner! Um, Make that Two Winners!

Hello everyone! I've finally gotten my Internet connection back ... and what a strange and scary time the past five days have been!! IWS (Internet Withdrawal Symptoms), started nearly immediately ... which I expected, but I knew I was really in trouble when I started to clean my house!!! Danger, Will Robinson!

I've been working on a couple of projects to share with you so I'll be back later today with that but I wanted to announce the winners of the Diva Impressions stamps giveaway ASAP.

So, the winning comment number (not counting deleted comments), picked by DH.org, is Comment #10, which reads, "'I love this stamp: FA125 The fairy and the Love! CUTE! What fabulous stamps!!! Thank you for the opportunity to win!'" So congrats to Jen Glover! Jen please contact me with your mailing information and we'll get these babies off to you ASAP!

Happily, we have a second winner! That would be Kisa Peters, who said that her favorite stamp is "Forget Me Not!" Congrats Kisa, you win that stamp! ('Cuz it's also MY current favorite stamp!) So, Kisa please contact me with your mailing info and this adorable stamp will be wingin' it's way home to you!

Congrats to both winners!! And my thanks go out to everyone for playing along and for your understanding and patience ... being without Internet access is soooo not fun. Forget the 782 emails I have to read; just catching up on my eBay store sales took hours!

And, because Beth of Diva Impressions is so generous, I'll be posting another stamp give-away in the very near future. So, check back for another chance to win four more beautiful Diva Impressions stamps.

Thanks for sharing part of your busy day with me ... more later!

~Hugs,

HELP! I'm Being Held Hostage By Militant Cross-Stitchers!

Just kidding ... but I am being held hostage by Comcast.net.

Here's the thing: I've lost my internet connection and won't have it back until at least Tuesday. This post is being uploaded by my wonderful non-blogging DIL ... who's kind, beautiful, and soooo stinkin' smart! LOL!

If you've e-mailed me, or posted comments, this would be why you haven't heard back from me. I'm soooo sorry ... I will get caught up as quickly as I can!

As far as the Diva Impressions stamps give-away goes, please continue to post comments for the chance to win 'em. As soon as I am able to get on the Internet, I'll have random.org (or DH.org), choose the winning comment number. That will be either late Tuesday or Wednesday, okeedokee?!?

Thanks so much for your patience and understanding.

Hugs,

Blog Candy 4 You ... 4 Free Stamps from Diva Impressions!

Aren't these stamps just gorgeous?!? Well, they can be yours ... for free!

These four unmounted, deeply etched, red rubber stamps will be given away on Sunday evening, April 27, to one lucky blog visitor. Why? Because Diva Impressions wants you to see for yourself the quality of their rubber stamps.

How? Simply visit Diva Impressions online store, choose your very favorite stamp from Beth's amazing inventory, then return here and tell me which one you love the most! Click HERE ... a new window will open and you're on your way. On Sunday, April 27, I'll choose a winner by random drawing.

THE DEETS: If you subscribe to my blog, or have your blog linked to mine, you can enter to win these stamps twice a day ... giving you six chances to win! Even if you don't subscribe or link to my blog, you can still enter once a day ... giving you three chances to win!

Simply visit http://divaimpressionsrs.com/ ... chose your v-e-r-y favorite stamp, then post a comment telling me which stamp you love best. AND, to make this even more fun, the person who happens to pick MY personal favorite stamp, will win it!

As always, international visitors are welcome to enter ... I'll ship anywhere mail is delivered.

ALSO: Please number your posts ... and make sure I have a way of contacting you. Thanks!

I'll be back later today or tomorrow with a project or three for you to CASE.

~Hugs,

One 15 Minute Project ='s Two Challenge Entries. Oh! And We Have A Winner!

Today's card project was created for Poetic Artistry's "Mojo Monday" sketch challenge. Click HERE to see the deets and the sketch I followed. After the card was photographed, I realized it also qualifies for the Caardvark's "Black/White & One" challenge. Kewl!

I love this neat stamp from Diva Impressions; it's perfect for soooo many different kinds of projects ... and you can also use it as a stand-alone image as I've done here.

I used two vintage (1950's) French vocabulary cards (available HERE), two handmade butterflies from Distinctions in Nature, and patterned card stock from Crate Paper.

Finally, I sponged all the edges with fluid chalk ink ... easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!!

Now, on to the fun stuff: The winner of the 10,000 hits blog candy is Comment #55 "... This is cool! I just getting started and this stuff is beautiful!" Congratulations, Stacy! I'll be contacting you via email for your mailing address. And many thanks to all of you who entered.

But wait! I'll be posting MORE blog candy on Friday! This time, you'll be commenting to win a lot of four, gorgeous, vintage-inspired, deeply etched, unmounted red rubber stamps! Head on over to Diva Impressions now to see all of the beautiful stamps Beth has to offer ... four of them will be up for grabs on Friday! ENABLER ALERT: I'm warnin' you now, you're gonna fall in love with these images!

Be sure to stop back on Friday to have a chance to win some uber-kewl rubber stamps! As always, international visitors are welcome to join in.

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, Crate Paper; Stamp: Diva Impressions; Ink, Distress Ink, Ranger Industries; Fluid Chalk Ink: Clearsnap; Vintage Ephemera (Personal Collection); Handmade Butterflies: Distinctions in Nature; Cuttlebug Die-Cut Machine; Spellbinder's Nestabilities Dies; Dimensionals: Fiskars; Adhesive: ATG

One 15 Minute Project ='s Two Blog Challenge Entries

Today's project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" challenge; this week's theme is 'water.' This project came together pretty quickly because I knew I wanted to use this uber-kewl stamp from "Diva Impressions" and this 'raindrop' background I created in the Cuttlebug using a Fiskars Texture Plate.

For the stacking recipe, and more info about using Texture Plates in the Cuttlebug, see THIS post.

Later, I discovered that this week's Caardvark's challenge is "Black/White & One." So by sheer coincidence this card also qualifies for the Caardvark's weekly challenge too. I love it when that happens!

As I mentioned before, I'm now designing for "Diva Impressions" and my design kit arrived this weekend ... omigosh, you aren't gonna believe how many stamps Beth sent me to give away to you! So, look for some awesome, free Diva Impressions stamp booty in the next couple of days! And the stamps themselves ... omigosh, well, they're to. die. for! I can't believe how lucky I am to be able to play work with these incredible stamps!!

I stamped my image, available HERE, on Xerox 110# card stock, then matted and mounted on my 'raindrop' background. A little frame thingie holds my sentiment, attached to the card with 1/8" ribbon.

Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

Thanks so much for spending part of your day with me ... and don't forget to leave a comment in the post below to win some fun blog candy!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill, DCWV, Xerox 110# Card Stock; Stamps: Diva Impressions and PTI; Brilliance Graphite Black; Metal Frame: Creative Impressions; Ribbon: Offray; Cuttlebug Die Cut Machine; Fiskars Texture Plate; Adhesive: ATG;

It's Time for Some Blog Candy!!

Hi boys & girls, thanks for droppin' by!

Speakin' of droppin' by, because of your visits, my blog counter has skipped past 10,000 hits! Actually, because I don't pay enough attention, it's a smidgen over 10,000 but what the heck, I'm not fussy ... close enough.

So in honor of the aforementioned blog-stone, I've put together some fun goodies for you to win! Maybe not 'you' you, but someone kinda sorta like 'you,' you.

Here's what's up for grabs:

• A brandy-new 2 1/4" x 3 3/4" Double D wood-mounted stamp;
• A brandy-new package of Stampendous! Perfectly Clear Stamps;
• A complete, 4 piece set of Martha Stewart pens with storage pouch in Indigo;
• A collection of 30 Epoxy Stickers;
• A brandy-new package of Scrapbook Interiors Scrapbook Nails in pale green;
• A brandy-new package of 9 Charming Embellishments metal charms;
• A brandy-new canvas paperback book size book cover to *alter;
• I don't-know-how-many clear, Dew Drop-like, acrylic flat-back dot-thingies in five colors;
• Two, 2" clear top metal tins; and,
• One 2" x 2 1/2" hinged top metal tin.

To enter, simply leave me a comment telling me what your favorite stamp company is ... and since the winner will be chosen by random.org, please number your posts. International visitors are welcome to enter, too ... I'll ship anywhere that mail can be delivered!

And to make it even more fun, you can enter everyday! After your initial post, you can tell me anything you'd like ... 'cept only nice things, okeedokee?!?

This post will stay on top of my blog until Wednesday, April 23rd; I'll post the results later in the day.

Thanks so much for visiting my blog, commenting on my projects, and for being one of my "imaginary" stampin' friends!

~Hugs,

*Click HERE to see what I've done with the canvas book cover ... yeah, that wasn't hard.

15 Minute Project ... A Quick & Dirty Birthday Card

My allergies are kickin' my butt today so this post will be short and sweet ... kinda like me!

I stamped my image on Xerox 110# card stock, then colored it in with Copic markers. Using a W1 marker, I created a shadow behind and below the image ... which doesn't show at all in my photograph. The dang thing looks like it's suspended in mid-air! But, IRL, it's grounded with a very respectable shadow.

I tied this kewl little word license plate to a twig with embroidery floss, tied on some scraps of ribbon, then glued the whole shebang to my Bazzill card stock base.

Easy-peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

Thanks for sharing part of your busy weekend with me ... and I hope that your tomorrow (and mine!), is allergy-symptom-free!

~Hugs,


Ingredients: Card Stock: Bazzill, Xerox 1003; Stamp: Pink Cat Studio; Ink: Palette Hybrid; Copic Markers; Twig: Mother Nature; License Plate: Unknown; Embroidery Floss: DMC; Ribbon: Michaels; Adhesive: Scotch ATG; Dimensionals: Fiskars; Cuttlebug Die-Cutting Machine; Spellbinder's Nestabilities Dies

Three Kewl Penguins = Two Blog Challenge Entries

Today's card project was created for "The Cat's Pajama's" sketch challenge. This week, the TCP challenge is being hosted by Leigh O'Brien; click HERE to visit Leigh's blog for the deets, including the sketch I followed. As always, you can click on the image for a closer look.

This afternoon, while I was waiting for my image to upload, I wandered off into Blogdom, starting with Sharon's blog ... 'cuz it's Friday and Friday's the day that Sharon posts her new challenges. And also 'cuz I read Sharon's blog regularly (TIP: you should too).

Anyway, if you follow my blog, you know that I'm havin' some really great luck this week, (if you don't follow, and are curious, you can view my older posts for the skinny). And, just as my recent spate of good luck would have it, Sharon's latest "Stamp Simply" challenge is to create a card using a black accent. Any kind of black accent ... including ribbon. Score!!!

I love these kewl little "Imaginisce" stamps ... very inexpensive and soooo stinkin' cute! These two are from the "A Shore Thing" collection. I stamped 'em with Brilliance ink, then stamped again on my patterned paper to paper piece various parts of the image. TIP: for realistic eyes, add a dot of white gel pen. And yes, I see the irony ... 'cuz I live for irony.

I set some eyelets, ran some black grosgrain ribbon through, then mounted my images over the ribbons using dimensionals. I think these little alpha tiles are from Doodlebug, but I'm not sure as the original packaging is l-o-n-g gone (greenly, of course).

In other news, I'm still pulling together some neato-keen blog yummies to give away here. I think you're really gonna love the fun stuph I'm adding to the candy-pile!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me; have a relaxin' and creative weekend!

~Hugs,

Ingredients: Card Stock: Bazzill, Xerox 110#; Origami Paper (Source, Unknown - my BFF sent it to me); Stamps: Imaginisce; Ink: Brilliance 'Graphite Black'; Gel Pen, Art Deco Paint Pen; Cuttlebug Die-Cut Machine; Spellbinder's Nestabilities Dies; Crop-a-Dile; Grosgrain Ribbon, (Source, Unknow - obtained in a ribbon share); Embroidery Floss: DMC; Alpha Tile: Doodlebug (I think); Dimensionals, Fiskars; Adhesive: ATG 714; White Eyelets: American Crafts

'Patchwork of Memories' ... a "Suggestive Sunday" Blog Challenge Entry

Today's card project was created for Allison's "Suggestive Sunday" blog challenge. This week's challenge: create something kewl using left-over scraps, itty bits, and tiny pieces of paper.

These ^ scraps are everywhere in my studio ... all left over from my repeated use of this uber-kewl "County Fair" paper collection. LOLOL, I warned you!

I simply wove the paper strips together, taped them in place, trimmed and distressed the edges, and mounted the piece on my card stock using ATG adhesive and brads.

I stamped this awesome sentiment stamp from Healing Expressions Art Stamps on Xerox 110# card stock using Palette Hybrid ink. I stamped the little PTI curlicue thingie in teal Palette Hybrid ink, then cut out the sentiment using Nesties from the Large Classic Oval collection. I used a Large Scallop Oval to cut the mat for the sentiment.

Finally, I added two picture frame hangers and some teal grosgrain ribbon. Easy-peasy and a fun way to use up all those scraps I know you're hoarding ... Ummm, oh yes you are!

I just realized that I've surpassed 10,000 hits, wowza! Thank you so much! In honor of the momentous occasion, I'm going to put together some nice blog candy booty for you. So watch for that as I really want YOU to win!

Thanks for spending part of your busy day with me!

Hugs,

Card Stock: Bazzill, Xerox 110#; Designer Paper: County Fair, October Afternoon; Stamps: Sentiment, Healing Expressions Art Stamps, Curlicue, Papertrey Ink; Ink: Palette Hybrid; Metal Embellies: Unknown, Found in Mt. Brad; Ribbon: Unknown, Obtained in a Ribbon Share; Cuttlebug Die Cut Machine; Nestabilities by Spellbinder's; Heidi Swapp Distressing Tool; Adhesive: Scotch ATG; Dimensionals: Fiskars

An Awfully Bright and W-A-Y to Cheerful Sketch and "Glitter" Challenge Entry

This wild-riot-of-color A2 card was created for Poetic Artistry's Mojo Monday sketch challenge. But ever since I won her Monthly Mojo Madness contest, I feel like, "omigosh, how am I ever gonna top that?" It's had an almost paralyzing effect on me: should I enter this card, shouldn't I, should I, is it good enough, no, it's not good enough, yes, it's good enough ... no, it isn't good enough, should I, shouldn't I, and on and on. But I put on my big-girl panties and am forging ahead; good, bad, or indifferent!

I just realized that this card also (barely) qualifies for Sharon's "Glitter" blog challenge! There's not a lot of it, but that's definitely glitter on the centers of those flowers. See, the thing is, I'm not much of a glitter-girl ... I love it when I see you do it, but me ... not so much.

This card would have qualified for a "15 Minute Project" ... except for the fact that I colored the stamped image with Prismacolor pencils, blending with Gamsol. The card itself; less than 15 Minutes.

I am head-over-heels in l-o-v-e with this new stamp from Hero Arts! I visit Michelle Rodgers' Stamper's Dream blog regularly and when I saw a card project she had done recently using this stamp, a compelling and irrestible force made me go immediately to her online store, Stamper's Dream, and buy it. Michelle shipped this baby to me at warp speed and I love it w-a-y more than any other stamp in my entire collection. Today. Tomorrow, next week ... maybe not so much. We stampers are a fickle lot, aren't we?

The sentiment stamp is from Verve Visual and is perfect to use with the SU word window punch ... so I did. I stamped my flower image twice and cut out one of the larger flowers, colored it, then popped it up on dimensionals over the first stamped image. The aforementioned glitter was sparingly applied to the flowers, I ran some pink card stock through the 'Bug in the Swiss Dots embossing folder, set some eyelets, tied on some ribbon, and was done! {breathe}

Oh. I also used a Copic marker (Pale Heath, V000), to create shadows around the right-hand side of all the flowers, but it doesn't show up very well in my photo. IRL, it looks kewl ... no, really! C'mon over, you'll see!

Thanks so much for spending part of your very busy day with me; you rock!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Xerox 110#, Prism; Designer Paper: Memory Box; Stamps: Hero Arts, Verve Visual; Ink: Brilliance; Copic Marker: Prismacolor Premier Pigment Pencils; Gamsol: Gamblin; Ranger Stickles Glitter Glue; Cuttlebug Die Cut Machine; Swiss Dots Embossing Folder; Nestabilities, Large Square Classic Rectangle; Crop-a-Dile; Stampin' Up Word Window Punch; Eyelets, Unknown: Found in Mt. Eyelet; Ribbon, Darice; Dimensionals: Fiskars

PS: I'd also like to thank Julee of Poetic Artistry for honoring me with the "Arte y Pico" blog Award. Thanks so much, Julee!! Coming from you, this means a LOT to me!

I Win, You Win, I Win Again ... and a RAK!

Well, I'm having a good day*, LOL!!

But enough about me, let's get on with the winner of the Ribbon Ring storage system Giveaway!

Random.org chose Comment #3 ... which reads, "Can I have the sample kit please? Alright, I will stand in line to see if you randomizer will pick me."

Congratulations, Annapurna, it did! You've won the Ribbon Ring Storage System Starter Kit! Please email me your address and this kewl baby will be on it's way to you posthaste! Thank you all for entering!

*Good Day News #1: My "Wild Thing" card, located here, was chosen as one of two winners of Poetic Artistry's April "Mojo Madness Contest!" How kewl is THAT?!? The prize is a stamp set of my choice from Verve Visual ... I chose THIS one. Now tell me, how gorgeous is that!?!?

The other Mojo Madness winner is Nancy of iStamp ... you gotta see this card; it's simply amazing. Click HERE to see Nancy's winning entry. Then come back.

*Good Day News #2: The oh-so-talented-and-glittery-haired Jennifer bestowed upon me this "You Cheer Me Up" award ... featuring Lucy, Ethel, and friend:

Many thanks, Jennifer! And in case you're one of the five people in Blogdom who hasn't visited Jennifer's blog, "Glitter in My Hair," well, then you must! Then come back.

*Good Day News #3: The amazing Risa of "Life's Simple Pleasures" sent me this adorable RAK:

Sooooooo stinkin' cute ... and her coloring and glittering skillz rock!! Thanks, Risa, I love it!!

Wowzer, there's more links in this post than a necklace!! But check 'em all out; you'll be glad you did!

I'll be back tomorrow with another challenge project ... Thanks for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,

Free Blog Candy ... Ribbon Ring Starter Pack Giveway

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

If you're like me, you have tons of ribbons and a real problem storing them. Well, I've solved my ribbon storage problem, and hopefully yours as well!

This:

is a close-up view of the main components in the "Ribbon Ring" ribbon storage system. Here's a wide angle view of the system in use:

While searching for an inexpensive ribbon storage solution, I discovered the "Ribbon Ring" web site and was floored by this concept! I contacted the owner, Melissa Bickle, who generously offered to send me a sample kit to give away to one of my wonderful blog visitors.

To win this kewl ribbon storage system, simple leave a comment on this post and I'll have a random drawing for the winner. If you don't have a blogger.com account, please be sure to leave your email address in your comment so that I have a way of contacting you if you win.

Here's a look at a typical stamping/crafting work area with the Ribbon Ring system in use:

Kewl, huh?!? This system makes it easy to see at a glance what you have and how much you have left. Even better, no more tangled ribbons!

This space-saving system is ideal for me; the starter kit comes with one large metal hinge ring, thirty ribbon tags, and fifteen inventory dots ... all for only $10.00! You can also purchase additional ribbon tags in bundles of 30, 60, or 90. It doesn't get any better than this!

If you'd like to win this uber-kewl ribbon storage system, simply leave a comment on this post; random.org will decide the winning post on Monday, April 14. One request: please number your post.

If you can't wait, you can order your own system from ribbonring.com ... shipping is lightening-fast; I had my new ribbon storage system in a matter of days!!

Thanks for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,

Wild Thing ... a "Mojo Madness" Sketch Contest Entry

TGiF!!

I was t-h-i-s close to making this card in time to be a "15 Minute Project" but cutting out all those flowers took me well over the 15 minute mark!

Today's card project was created for Verve Visual's "Mojo Madness Contest." Click on the link to read the rules and see the sketch I followed.

I used DP from October Afternoon's "County Fair" collection and attached my cut-out flowers to my card front using the cutest little copper dragonfly brads. The flowers on the lower right are popped up higher than the others because I stacked 'em up on dimensionals.

Using a stamp from Verve Visual's "Wild Thing" collection and Palette Hybrid ink, I stamped the sentiment on a die-cut from the "County Fair" collection.

For some extra dimension, I popped up some of the leaves on scraps of sticky foam, added three dark aqua brads, and I was done!

Now, wouldn't it be nice if I could win this thang and get some more kewl Verve Visual stamps?!?

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me ... I hope you have a relaxing and creative weekend!

Tomorrow, I'm going to post an uber-kewl "Ribbon Ring" giveaway!! Hope to see you then!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Cut Card Stock; Stamp: "Wild Thing" Collection, Verve Visual; Ink: Palette Hybrid; Patterned Paper: October Afternoon, "County Fair" Collection; Brads, HOTP; Dimensionals: Fiskars

NOT a 15 Minute Project ... Pocket Full of Posies Card

Today's card project features handmade flowers created using punches!

Using a small flower punch, a leaf punch, three green pipe-cleaners, and some glue, I created this spray of flowers. Both the flowers and the leaves were punched from Bazzill Basics textured card stock.

I stamped my pocket on card stock texturized using a Fiskars Texture plate in the Cuttlebug. For the stacking recipe, and other tips on using these plates in the 'Bug, click HERE.

I stamped my sentiment, offset my die-cut ovals, attached a 'bunny ears' bow and was done!

Thanks so much for sharing part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill Basics; Stamps: Limited Edition, Papertrey Ink; Ink: Staz-On; Brads & Ribbon, Unknown

15 Minute Project ... Vintage-Inspired Anniversary / Wedding Card

Today's vintage-inspired "15 Minute Project" was created in a flash using card stock, ribbon, some gold embellies, and two stamps.

This uber-kewl stamp was purchased HERE from Diva Impressions ... let me just say that I love these stamps and the quality is second-to-none. And no, I don't design* for them or have any other affiliation with Diva Impressions; I'm just a fan.

I stamped the central image in brown ink on Kraft card stock, trimmed and distressed the edges with my .99 edge distresser, then mounted the stamped image using dimensionals. I also distressed the edges of the dark brown mat, added four gold brads, and mounted the whole shebang on my card front using dimensionals.

Using watermark ink, I stamped my "Happy Anniversary" sentiment on card stock punched out using a round file tab punch; then embossed with fine detail embossing powder.

I didn't have any ribbon that exactly matched my ink, so I used a sepia Copic marker to color a length of white, 1/4" wide satin ribbon. I folded over a teeny scrap and adhered it to the back of the file tab. I slipped the same ribbon through a gold ribbon slide and adhered 'em both to my card front.

Finally, I added a little shine by tying some sparkly gold embroidery fiber around the fold of the card.

Easy peasy and ready to serve in just 15 Minutes!

Thanks so much for spending part of your busy day with me!

~Hugs,


Card Stock: Bazzill; Stamps: Wedding (Diva Impressions), Sentiment, (Papertrey Ink); Ink: Versamark, Palette Hybrid; Copic Marker; Embossing Powder: Ranger (Queens Gold); Embroidery Floss (DMC); Brads and Ribbon Slide (Unknown, found in Mt. Metal Embellies); Ribbon: (Unknown); Edge Distressing Tool (Heidi Swapp); Dimensionals (Fiskars)


*Guess I spoke too soon!! Since this project was posted, I've been invited to design for Diva Impressions; and I said yes!! Thanks so much, Beth!