{Gratitude and Blog Giveaway Winners!}

  We had a B-U-S-Y weekend so I didn't get a chance to find out the winners of my blog candy, sorry about that! But first let me tell you about today's card! I used the PTI set "Lovely Leaves". I stamped the leaf centers in SU More Mustard, and the leaf outlines in Real Rust. The branches were stamped in Early Espresso.  I added a few strips of washi tape and a pretty PTI Kraft button tied with twine.  The gratitude sentiment is from the PTI set Beautiful Butterflies.   Ok, ok, now let me announce the winners of my Big Blog Giveaway prizes! I used random.org but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to download pictures of the winning numbers drawn. lol.


The winner of the International Only $10 gift cert. for Your Next Stamp is:

# 10 - Crafting Vicky

The winner of the $10 gift cert generously donated by Karen the owner of YNS is:

#22 - Nancy L

And the Big Blog Giveaway Prize winner is......drum roll......

#18 - Jessica at Paper Deckerations

             Congratulations everyone! Please email me at    alwaysctr at yahoo dot com with your mailing info. Thank you to everyone for the sweet comments and stay tuned, I have already started to gather goodies for my next Blog Giveaway!

        
                                       

{Market Street Stamps Block Party!}

  Wow, what a BUSY weekend we have had! We had company this weekend and had a wonderful visit but sadly I did not have any crafty time until this evening. I wanted to play along with the Market Street Stamps Block Party. As soon as the house was quiet I snuck into my craft room and whipped up a card for the party! I had the idea in my head already so putting the card together was a breeze! I used the adorable set "Gone Camping" to create my card. I used night sky  paper that has literally been in my stash for over 5 years. I mean, how often do you create a card with a night sky? hehe.  I hope you like it and I hope you have a great rest of the weekend!!

                                                                                 

{Papertrey Ink April Blog Hop}

Hello friends! Today I am happy to play along with the April PTI Blog Hop Challenge! Take a look at the inspiration picture:

   To create my card I used Simply Jane by PTI and one of my all time favorite paper lines from The Girls Paperie. I added layers using coordinating patterns and added machine stitching to give it a little something extra. The pretty rosettes are from Zva Creative. I LOVE the way my card turned out and I hope you like it to! Thank you for visiting my blog today!



                                                                          

{Find Your Heart-Be Yourself}

  Hello! I know this is very last minute but I wanted to play along with this weeks challenge at The Play Date Cafe! Look at these beautiful colors:

  This card was more like working on canvas then working with paper. I used one of my ALL time favorite SU sets "Butterfly of Happiness". I used two shades of pigment ink to stamp my butterflies. Now, to achieve the "velvet" appearance I stamped my butterflies on Vellum Bristol art paper. Next I spritzed the stamped butterflies with water. I used a paper towel to soak up the excess water and left it to dry over night. It turned out so pretty and I know I will be trying this technique again. The create sentiment is from the Hero Arts set " Treasure The Moment". I heat embossed the sentiment using black powder.   I used more of my vanilla burlap and to finish off my card I added a PTI linen button tied with twine. Today I am also playing along with the current Tuesday Trigger at Moxie Fab World. Here is the picture: 

  The water color effect of the butterflies was what I tried to achieve with my card. I hope you like my card and don't forget to check out my BIG blog giveaway HERE.  Thank you for visiting today and have a great week!

                                                              

{Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge # 125}

Hello and welcome to this Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge # 125. Here is this weeks sketch:

  To create my card I used the SSD New Release Heart Song 2, and the back ground stamp set "Timeless Textures". I stamped the roses using Fresh Ink in Tomato Red, and A Muse Studio ink Grass. The sheet music background was stamped using Latte by A Muse Studio as well. The floral patterned paper is from Echo Park, and the burlap patterned paper is by "The Paper Studio". My vanilla burlap is from the Wal-Mart fabric department. I added wooden buttons from Oriental Trading. I hope you like my card and I hope that you will play along with this weeks challenge! You don't have to have Skipping Stones Design stamps to play along.  Thank you for visiting my blog and have a wonderful week!

{Celebrate The Earth!}

                                           

  Happy Earth Day! You could not ask for a more beautiful day then today, the perfect day to celebrate our beautiful planet! You may not know this but I am very much into nature, wild animals, trees, well you get the picture. This day holds a special place in my heart.  There is an old Indian proverb that goes

      "Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. - Tribe Unknown"

   To help celebrate Earth day I thought I would photograph my card outside. I created my card with two challenges in mind, first, this weeks Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger:

I cannot resist a challenge involving butterflies! I incorporated the butterflies, and the beautiful shades of pink and red in my card. I also love the way the  butterflies stand out as the focal point of the card and wanted to produce the same affect on my card. The butterflies are the Butterfly Trio die set from A Muse Studio. The wood grain patterned paper is by Echo Park. The sentiment is from the PTI set "Think Big Favorites #12". The second challenge I had in mind when creating this card is this weeks CAS-ual Friday sketch challenge:

To add an extra little "sumthin'" to my card I used a paper piercer to outline the die cut butterflies. I looooove the way that turned out!

I also want to remind you about the BLOG GIVEAWAY I have going on right now, you don't wanna miss your chance to win!

Well, I hope you like my card, and I hope that today you will take a moment to step outside and really look at the beauty all around. Earth Day, Every Day!

                                                                                            

{Paint The Town Color Challenge and a BIG BLOG Giveaway!}

Good afternoon! This week I put in my very first order with Market Street Stamps, and thanks to their super speedy shipping I received my order on Thursday! I couldn't wait to ink up "Gone Campin". This set is SO cute! Today I am playing along with the Paint the Town Color Challenge with Market Street Stamps. Check out these yummy colors!

To create my card I used the adorable camping trailer and paper pieced it using patterned paper. On a separate sheet of white card stock I stamped the image again and colored the heart shaped window. I used two of my new favorite metal dies from Your Next Stamp, grass, and clouds. The sky was created using "sky" card stock from A Muse Studio that I embossed using the PTI Linen/Canvas impression plate. The wood grain patterned paper is from Echo Park. I LOVE my cute little card and I know just who I am going to send it to! 

Now, I have been talking about it all week and today I am finally ready to share my BIG Blog Giveaway!  To celebrate April being such a great month for me, Stamping Royalty, hitting the 150 mark on my followers and lots of new subscribers I thought I would share some of my favorite things with you.  I think there is something for everyone in this prize package!

   All of the K And Company embellishments from my WCMD prize package. I have several packs of Studio Calico embellishments. Making Memories ribbons and acrylic flower accents. A Making Memories kit, which includes and awesome assortment of high quality buttons in pretty spring colors! Dear Lizzy ribbon, Remarks 3-d embellishments by American Crafts, and last and probably my favorite part of the giveaway, 3 brand new Fresh Ink Pigment ink pads in Melon, Strawberry, and Mango.

   To enter my giveaway all you have to do is become a follower, and leave a comment on this message. Easy peasy! I will draw a winner Saturday morning using random.org. Due to the extreme cost of shipping I can only ship this to the USA and Canada. But, because I don't want to leave anyone out (I appreciate ALL my readers) I am offering a $10 gift certificate to one random international reader for one of my VERY favorite stamp companies, Your Next Stamp. Yay!

  Thank you to my faithful readers, and those that leave comments on a regular basis. And if this is your first visit I hope you come back! Have a great weekend friends!

                                                                           

{Fun Friday With Your Next Stamp}

                                                                                          

 Hello friends! Welcome to another super Fun Friday with Your Next Stamp! Today I am posting a card using the April New Release stamp set "Hot Stuff Mug Set". This set has 3 matching dies (sold separately) that will die cut any of the adorable mugs in the set. Fun! I knew I wanted to create a bright springy card so I used patterned paper by The Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby's brand) that I picked up on my last trip to H.L. I used a floral cutting file by Lori Whitlock to create my adorable little daisy. I used the wood grain embossing folder to create my white wood grain card base. Which leads me to my Fun Friday Tip, or topic anyways,

"Incorporating wood grain elements onto your card."

  There are many different ways to accomplish this goal. Wood grain embossing folders, background stamps or wood grain buttons. Many different pattern paper companies have wood grain designs this year. Endless possibilities! You can use them as a subtle background on your cards, and believe me you will get lots of compliments on your cards!

   Thank you for coming to visit my blog today and check back this weekend for your chance to win a HUGE..(gets bigger everyday) blog candy giveaway!! Have a wonderful weekend!

                                                                            

{Life Is A Balancing Act}

    I was inspired by a few different things today to create this card. Let me start with the sentiment..."Life is a balancing act."This is SO true, and in the paper crafting world it can be very easy to get wrapped up in deadlines, challenges, you get the picture. I was inspired by this post by the uber talented Kelley Eubanks. She talks about balance and the importance of maintaining it. I loved it and can relate on a much lower level of course. lol  Anyways...my second source of inspiration is the sketch challenge from this weeks Card Patterns Weekly Sketch. It has been such a long time since I played along with this one. Here is the sketch:

    I thought I would use a Clear and Simple stamp set that I had not inked up yet, "Circus Fun". This set is alot of fun to use because you get to build your own circus! I used Pretty In Pink DSP from Stampin Up, and the outline circle background was created using PTI's Polka Dot Basics background set. I used a Spellbinders die to create my eyelet circle. I also used the SU canvas background stamp to give my kraft card base a little more dimension.  I hope you like my card and as always thank you for visiting my blog! Come back tomorrow for a chance to win a HUGE blog candy prize package I am putting together. Have a great day!

                                                                    

{Skipping Stones Design Sketch Challenge # 124}

   Hello! Welcome to this weeks Sketch Challenge at Skipping Stones Design. I am a guest designer for the month of April and I am sad that April will soon be coming to an end. I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to work with such talented designers, and top quality stamps. To create my card I used the SSD stamp set HeartSong. This is such a pretty set. I used patterned paper from The Paper Studio (burlap, and sheet  music) and paper from LilyBee Design. (cornflower blue pattern). I added machine stitching to my layers , and a touch of vintage lace that I picked up at an estate sale two years ago. To help with the must "vintage" smell I put two dryer sheets in a plastic storage container along with the lace and it worked like a charm. I finished off my card with brown stitched ribbon by Offray. I hope that you will play along with us at Skipping Stones Design this week, and thank you for visiting my blog today!

                                                

{Playing With Color}

Hello friends! Whew, I just finished my submissions for the Paper Crafts Magazine Holiday Cards issue.  The creative side of my brain is tired. hehe.  Luckily I had just enough creative juice to play along with this weeks challenge at The Play Date Cafe! Take a look at these colors!

 So happy and bright, and let me tell you I am ready for anything besides red and green. LOL  I created my card using the PTI set Beautiful Butterflies. The oh so pretty washi tape is by Studio G, and I was lucky enough to find it at Wal-Mart last night! I stamped the butterfly in Tomato Red Fresh Ink. I LOVE that color so much! I ran my white card stock through my Cuttlebug before stamping it using the PTI Linen/Canvas impression plate. I can't stop using it on all of my cards! Plain white just seems too plain without it. I hope you like my card and if you want to play along with this weeks PDC challenge there is still time!
                                                                

{A Lifetime of Happiness}

  Hello friends! I am here today to show you a card I created using a few of my favorite stamps! I used the Skipping Stones Design New Release "Heartsong 2" to stamp the rose. I stamped it in SU Crushed Curry, and Old Olive. Isn't it beautiful? The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink's "Beautiful Butterflies". I stamped the canvas mesh background using a stamp from Stampabilities.  The script patterned paper is from the "Simply Jane" collection from PTI. My second favorite part of the card are the wooden hearts from Studio Calico. LOVE those!  I hope you are having a nice relaxing weekend, and if you are in the line of those wicked thunderstorms please stay safe this weekend! 
Today I am playing along with these challenge:

Simon Says Stamp Challenge - April Showers Bring Spring Flowers


                                                                              

{Your Next Stamp April Release Blog Hop}

       Good Morning! Today YNS is debuting the FABULOUS April Release featuring new stamps and dies. My card features the brand new stamp set You're So Tweet", and two New Release metal die's  Clouds, and Grass. I LOVE both and will be using those dies so much! I used Copic and Promarkers to color the watering can and birds. I paper pieced the handle using wood grain patterned paper from the Echo Park This and That collection.  I hope you like my springy little card! To celebrate the new release Karen at YNS is giving away a $20 YNS gift certificate to one lucky winner, PLUS 2 secret bloggers will win  YNS ScrapFest stamps - Shopper Fhiona and Cropper Fhiona. You must leave comments on all design team blogs to be eligible for prizes.   Karen is also offering bundle deals to save you $'s and the Bargain Bin has been filled with amazing stamp deals so don't wait to order because you will miss out on some great deals!       

Here is the full list of designers playing along in today's New Release Hop!                     

Jen D. – http://iheart2stamp.com/
Veronica – http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/  <---You are here!
Peggy - http://cardcrazy.wordpress.com/
Jenny P. –  http://mylittlestampinspot.blogspot.com/
Kerri –  http://cardsbykerri.blogspot.com/
Jen R. –   http://www.tennisgirl27.blogspot.com/
Susan –  http://susiestampalot.com/
Kelli -  http://stampingwithadream.blogspot.ca/
Diana – http://doodledeedesigns.blogspot.com/
Karen –  http://yournextstamp.blogspot.com/                                                                       

{Skipping Stones Design Heartsong 2 New Release Blog Hop}

Hello! I am a  Skipping Stones Design Guest Designer for the month of April and today I am joining the Design Team to celebrate the release of the much anticipated set "Heartsong 2". This is such a beautiful set and it has been a real pleasure working with it this month.

                                                                
     To create my card I stamped the bird/branch using Rich Cocoa Memento ink. I used the music background stamp from "Timeless Textures" to create the sheet music background. The patterned paper is by Teresa Collins and I used the PTI Mat Stack 4 die to create my label. I fussy cut two of the branches to accent the label. I finished off my card with seam binding ribbon tied with a button, and machine stitching around my card.  The sentiment is also from Heart Song Two.   Here is the list of all of the Design Team members for today's New Release Blog Hop!

Karen


Pamela

Annette

Jingle

Veronica <--- You are here!

Stephanie

Wendy P.

Wendy J.

Katie

Dina

JoAnn

Lindsay

                             Thank you for visiting my blog today and have a great week!



                                                                                                 

{Ribbon Carousel Sketch Challenge #48 and a YNS New Release Sneak Peak}

   

Hello friends! Today I am thrilled to be playing along with the Design Team for this weeks sketch challenge at The Ribbon Carousel! We were given some pretty pretty ribbon to play with from the April Kit of the Month  and I chose the satin striped ribbon for my card.

     Today I am also showcasing a brand new metal die set from Your Next Stamp that was created for the rubber cling stamp set "Cheers". I colored my "beverage" using copic markers. The super cute citrus embossing folder is by Provo Craft. The patterned paper is by K and Company. Doesn't that ribbon look fabulous?!  To give my card a touch of distressing I went over the raised embossing with a sanding block. I added a few drops of glassy glaze on the ice cubes, and I finished off the card by adding a pinwheel accent from American Crafts.

      Since YNS is sponsoring The Ribbon Carousel Challenge this week there is a fabulous prize up for grabs!

       Check out this cutie:

Not only is there a great prize this week but YNS is also offering a 10% off discount code for everyone to use:

RCCAPRIL

  So play along with us this week and make sure to visit all of the design team blogs for ooodles of inspiration! Thank you for visiting my blog today and have a wonderful week!

                                                             

{Monday Monday...}

 Hello! I hope you had a nice weekend. Ours was spent enjoying time with family, and a big family dinner yesterday. Love days like that! Today I am posting a card I made for this weeks challenge at The Playdate Cafe. Look at these great colors!

  I looooove these colors! I thought it would be  fun, and a little change of pace to create a CAS card using the Recollections Sea Life cling stamp set I bought at Michael's several months ago. This was my first time using it. It is so cute! I used a shade of blue, and green for the fish, and I used Fresh Ink's Provincial gray to stamp the bubbles. The gingham background block is from Glitz Design.  I hope you like my cute lil card and I hope you have a great week!


                                                            

{A Dream Come True - Stamping Royalty! }

Finally I can share my unbelievable news with you!

I was chosen as one of the 15 winners in the Paper Crafts magazine Stamping Royalty contest! We were notified on Monday. Finally after I stopped squealing, and crying I began to wonder if I even deserved to be a part of such an elite group of stampers. Self doubt is one of my biggest enemies. But, I took a step back and looked at all I have accomplished in the past year, World Card Making Day winner, several cards being published and several waiting to be published, lots of challenges won, and recognition. Finally today I am thinking that maybe I do deserve to be a part of this group. I am honored, completely honored. I look forward to the next year.  I truly love card making, and all of the amazing people I have met along the way. Thank you for encouraging me with your sweet comments. I can't wait to receive my tiara! 

Oh yeah, the card I posted was a card I created for Stamping Royalty. On the day I sent in my entries (5 cards). I decided against submitting this one. I LOVE the colors and design but was worried the patterned paper was too old. My Minds Eye Lush collection from two years ago.  The beautiful die cut lattice is a cutting file from "A Little Hut". I used  PTI Retro Background Basics stamped in PTI Kraft to add the small scalloped background. The butterflies started out being white. I sprayed them with Mister Huey's Bluegrass color mist. (The butterfly and mist were a part of my WCMD prize package.) I sponged the color into the wings and was very happy with the end result. I added a sentiment from PTI Think Big Favorites #7, and the big ol' button is also from PTI.

   If you have stayed with me this long THANK YOU. I didn't intend to write such a long post. I am thrilled and still in awe of being chosen as Stamping Royalty and again thank you for the support, friendship, and inspiration!

                                                                           

{YNS Fun Friday}

     Hello Friends and welcome to another fabulous Fun Friday with Your Next Stamp! My card today features an adorable stamp set designed by the very talented Jenny Suchin especially for YNS named "Up Up and Away". Now a few weeks ago you might remember this card that I created using a similar set "Basket Animals". Well, I loved the design and thought I would use it again! This time I stamped and heat embossed the clouds using white embossing powder. It is kind of hard to see but the blue sky background is shimmer paper. It looks beautiful in person! I colored the balloon using pigment ink, Stampin Up ink and a blender pen. Another extra touch I added is hand stitching. The little patch on the balloon, and basket have stamped stitches. I thought it would be cute to add "real" stitching and it turned out so cute! That leads me to my Fun Friday Tip:

   Adding hand stitching to your projects is a great way to add dimension, especially if you already have the stitching outlined for you!

   I hope that you will visit the other YNS Design Team Fun Friday projects today!

I am happy to be playing along with this weeks Color Q challenge: