ABC Blog Hop!

Hi ya friends,
Today marks a special day at ABC Challenges!  It's our birthday and we're celebrating in a BIG way with a birthday blog hop!

If this is your first stop, you may want to head over to the ABC Challenge Blog and get the full scoop about all the events and sponsor prizes up for grabs! If you've arrived from the lovely Angelique's blog, you're right where you should be :)
Here are the highlights:
1) There's a new challenge up that will run for 2 weeks : Y is for yesterday
Go vintage, use an old stamp, or choose an old ABC theme

2) There's a DT call! If you'd like to join us as part of the DT, email us with your info (check the main blog for all the deets)

3) Blog Hop! There's a list of the blog hop participants. Be sure to comment on all blogs to be eligible for the prizes~ and there are loads of prizes up for grabs! Check the main blog for contest rules---> HERE!

So on to my project:
First, here's my card:

 My sponsor is our lovely friends at Pollycraft. Who are offering a *special* prize for one lucky winner. I am using Swings & Slides- Cute as a cupcake image on my card. Isn't she a cuuuutie! She's holding a scrumptious cupcake while sitting on a present. My "yesterday" piece is the pattern paper I used which was last year's Quite Contrary collection from My Mind's Eye. I also added pearl detail with my Viva Decor Pearl pens. I used another fab sketch from The Sweet Stop for my card as well. 

I have a project to go along with this cuuuutie inspired by her yummy cupcake.
Here it is:

 Looks yummy right??!! But, this is no ordinary cupcake....nooooo...... this cupcake is hiding a surprise! Hee! Hee!

When you pull up on the cherry...

higher...

 HIGHER....

 You'll find a gift card!

 Here's the gift card completely out of the cupcake. Just remove it from the binder clip & it's ready to be used & enjoyed!

Here's the way it tucks into the cupcake. shhhh, it's our secret ;)

It took me about 1 1/2 hours to do this & a few fried fingers from the glue gun I hardly ever use! But isn't the final product so unique & a perfect way to give a gift card, don't ya think?

I followed a great tutorial to make this however one of the biggest complaints people had was that it took them several HOURS to make, so I did make a few modifications to be able to make it faster.
To make this cupcake, you'll need a styro foam ball, ribbon, flowers, a cupcake liner, & that dangerous weapon called a hot glue gun---> ouchy!

Thanks for joining us & being part of our birthday bash! Don't forget to check the main blog for all the deets & leave a comment on the DT blogs. I'm sending you off to my uber fab teammie Suzanne T who has an AMAZING creation to share with ya!

Thanks for sharing an ABC birthday with us!
Gotta Go!

D2D: Tropical Summer Hibiscus

Hi friends,
I'm here to remind you about the Progressive Challenge at Designed 2 Delight. If you played along last week you got this week's awesome images called Tropical Summer Hibiscus in your mailbox. Here's a little card  I created with it:

I printed out 6 Hibiscus flowers, colored them with Copics, & cut them out to create a Lei. I added a few sprinklings of my Viva Decor pen to the middles of the flowers.

You can find all the deets to the progressive challenge at the D2D blog.
Thanks for peeking!
Aloha!

D2D: Summer Days

Hello Friends,
I'm back to share the new image coming to you if you played along on the progressive challenge this week at Designed2Delight.
Here's my card:

This sweet image is called Summer Days. I'm a June baby so summer is my favorite season. The sun is out, time to relax, & as you can see, this girl is enjoying some sunshine :)

For my card, I colored the little summer bear with Copics & then used a washcloth with blender solution to dab over the image to give it that fuzzy look of fur. I used a bit of pointilism for the grass. I had so much fun creating a little quilled sun. I haven't quilled in ages, so I need to do it more often :)
Here's a closer peek:

To finish I added a ribbon banner & buttons.

You can find all the deets to the progressive challenge on the D2D Blog as well as more inspiration from the DT.

This card will be joining the fun at the following challenges:
The Sweet Stop: Sketch 108 (rotated the sketch)
A spoonful of Sugar: Anything Goes
Truly Scrumptious: Anything Goes

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

D2D: Bullfrogs and Butterflies

Hi ya friends,
Today, I get to give you a sneaky peek at the new image you'll be getting in your email if you played along last week in the progressive challenge on Faith's blog at Delightful Inspiration! Thank you everyone for playing with us :) It's a treat to see your crafty creations!
Here's my card:

I used this week's sketch at The Sweet Spot (luuuv their sketches) & this card came together speedy quick! That doesn't happen too often, so I'm grateful when it does. Especially when I'm under the weather :( sniffle, sniffle...
Card deets: Isn't this image cuuuute! It's so fun & happy :) It is called Bullfrogs & Butterflies (colored with Copics). I printed it twice & popped-up the flowers. I used the additional flowers that come with in the corner as well as the matching sentiment. The flower centers have a bit of yellow Stickles. The butterflies are Stickled out too :) All the pattern paper comes from the Sweet Nectar collection from K&Company (which is the collection that's included in my blog candy #2, if you likey!).
Here's a closer peek:

Oh, I also ran a piece of cs through the tiny bubbles embossing folder to give it the look of bumpy bullfrog skin. To finish, I let my Viva Decor pen do it's crazy thing!

Be sure to stop by the Card-Ideas blog for card inspiration by the DT, and check out all the deets to the progressive challenge at Delightful Inspiration.

My card is entering these bloggy challenges:
The Sweet Spot- Sketch with a spin
Paper Sundaes- Texture (Embossing)
Cupcake Craft Challenges- Lots of layers
Incy Wincy- Bright & Bold
Stamps R Us- Bugs & embossing

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta hop!

The 411

Copic Recipe: R20, R22, R24, R81, R83, R85, YG11, YG13, YG17, G21, G24, G40, BG10
Stamps: Bullfrogs & Butterflies- Designed2Delight
Paper: Sweet Nectar- K&Co, Pretty in Pink-SU, Neenah White cs, Bazzill cs
Tools: Oval punches, Cuttlebug embossing folder- Tiny Bubbles
Other: Copics, Stickles, Viva Decor Paper pen- Rose

D2D: Ladybug Balancing Act

Hi friends,
I'm so happy you're excited about the blogoversary candy! You can find all the deets on this post---> Here if you're not in the know ;)

Today, I've got a sneaky peek at the next fab digi that will be emailed to those of you playing along on the progressive challenge on Faith's blog ~ Delightful Inspiration. It is called Ladybug Balancing Act.
Here's my card:

Isn't it adorable??? I printed the image twice so I could pop up the flower. I then staggered it a bit so it's not lined up with the base flower this way, it makes the flower appear fuller. It's colored with Copics & it got a Diamond Glaze bath. I topped it off with a heart button.

 Here's a closer peek:

I added some pearls with my Viva Decor Pearl pen a la Sankari :)

Thanks a bunch for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

Copic recipe: Flower: R29, R27, R24, R22  Ladybugs: R29, R24, R22, BG11, BG13, BG18  Grass: YG17, YG13, YG11

The 411

Stamps: Ladybug Balancing Act Digi- D2D, Everyday Button Bits- PTI
Ink: Memento black, Charcoal- Colorbox
Paper: Black, Pure Poppy, Beautiful Blooms PP- PTI, Neenah cs
Tools: Ribbon Banners- Spellbinders
Other: Vivs Decor Pearl pen- opal, ribbon, Copics, button, twine

Creative Card Crew Challenge: Spring

Hi friends,
This week's challenge at Creative Card Crew is SPRING! I think we've all been waiting for the spring weather, so why not start on a bright & cheery card!
Here's my card:

This was a rather simple card. The little lambs are digis from Robyn's Fetish. The tree is made with circle punches & the hills are torn cardstock. Wrapped a little double bow around it & called it a Springy day!
Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish who is generously offering 5 digi stamps or 4 digi stamps & 1 digi paper to one lucky winner! Please be sure to take a peek at the Creative Card Crew blog to see the rest of the DTs beautiful cards & be sure to Linky your card creation by next Monday.

Thanks so much for peeking today! Be sure to check back for a special announcement... or two... or three ;)
Gotta Go!

D2D: Garden Party

Hi friends,
I have a card to share using this week's free image that was emailed to everyone who played along with the progressive challenge at Designed2Delight last week. If you didn't get to play along, this image will be available at the D2D store so you can get in on the fun!
Here's my card:

I decided to go with fun, spring colors cuz the weather here is SoCal has been wonky! It was near 90 degrees earlier in the week & now it's raining & cold! ugh :(
How 'bout some card deets :)
This is a cuuuute image & was fun to color. Speaking of which, it was colored with Copics, then I added yellow liquid appliqué to the centers so they're puffy. To finish, I gave all of the flowers a kiss of Diamond glaze. The bee's wings & the cupcake got a bit of Stickles for sparkle.
Here's a closer peek:

The edges got bitty pearls with my Viva Decor Paper pen :) To finish, I added a double bow & hung a paper charm from it.

If you decide to play with this image the next cutie will be emailed to you. Please hop on over to the Card Ideas blog for more card inspiration! and if you're looking for the *perfect* Easter image for your cards, Faith has posted a beautiful one as a Facebook Freebie---> Here.

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Copic recipe: Flowers: Y32, Y35, Y38, YR65, E08, E19, Y11, Y13, Y18  Leaves: YG11, YG13, YG17 Mice: C00, C1, C3

Stamps: Garden Party (digi)- D2D
Ink: Creamy Brown- Colorbox
Paper: Chloe's Closet- Making Memories, Bazzill cs, Neenah cs, Rustic White- PTI
Tools: Classic Frame Frameabilities- Spellbinders, hi punch- ATB, 
Other: Copics, Viva Decor Paper Pen, pearls- Kaisercraft, Ribbon, Embroidery floss, Yellow Liquid Appliqué, Stickles, Diamond Glaze

Designed2Delight Reveal

Hi ya friends,

I finally get to share the news I've been so excited to share with you!!! I will be on the cover of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIM SUIT EDITION!!! I was notified that I was a finalist for their special "Hot Teachers" edition & last week I received the photo of the cover to be released in June!
Here is a sneak peek for ya:



wait for it


wait for it

                                                             APRIL FOOLS DAY!!! LOL ;)

Sorry about that! Hee! Hee! so evil of me ;) For friends who may not be familiar with what happens on April 1st quite simply, it is widely recognized and celebrated as a day where everyone plays all kinds of jokes and foolishness and that was my attempt to fool ya :) Me as a "Hot Teacher" in Sports Illustrated is seriously funny! As if...

But now, the real news is that I've been invited to join the Designed2Delight DT!
Today, I have the pleasure of sharing my first card as part of the DT. I used the Digi stamp called "Spotty Dotty Watering Can."

Here's my card:

 Such a sweet image don't ya think? I printed it twice so I could pop up the flowers & the butterflies. It's colored with Copics & I added some pearls with my fav Viva Decor paper pen :) I mean, shouldn't every girl's watering can have pearls??? By all means...

Here's a closer peek:

I added some Glossy Accents underneath the watering can so it looks like it's sitting in a little puddle of water & a little on the spout. The butterflies & the centers of the flowers have Stickles on them. I added a few stick pins through the bow & finished it off with a sticker sentiment on the bottom right corner that reads "Gracias."

Spotty Dotty is the fabulous Freebie for April to get you started on the progressive challenge at the Delightful Inspiration blog. Pick it up by Thursday, get crafty, & create a card with this image & the next one will be emailed to you. Be sure to check out Faith's blog (Delightful Inspiration) for all the deets!

There are some amazing cards the DT has created to inspire you at the Card Ideas blog too!

Thank you so much for peeking!
Go out there & fool someone today ;) ---> but keep it nice!

The 411

Stamps: Spotty Dotty Watering Can- D2D
Ink: Creamy Brown- Colorbox
Paper: Cappella- BasicGrey, Gray cs- Bazzill, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush- PTI, Neenah cs
Tools: border punch-EK Success
Other: Copics, Viva Decor Paper Pen, ribbon, Stickles, Pins-Maya Road, Glossy Accents, Signo White gel pen, sticker-Stampendous

ABC Challenge: Q is for...

Quilting/Sewing!

Hello there friends!
Welcome to a brand new challenge from the ABC Challenge blog. This week's challenge is Q is for Quilting or sewing.
Here's my card:

 I faux stitched and real stitched on my card!  Faux on the edges & real on the corners(cross-stitch) and to form the stem of the flower. I used the We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy & let me tell you, it lives up to it's name! I likey that little tool ;) No fear that I'll sew my fingers together either! yesssss ;)

Here's a closer peek at the stitching:

The letter Q is brought to you by: Stamp Fairy

and they're offering a grand gift certificate to spend at their store!
I got to play with this cutie Lenny Bee image. As soon as I saw it, it reminded me of the Steiff Bears so that was my coloring inspiration.
Here's a pic of a Steiff bear:

After I colored it, I took a washcloth with blender solution & dabbed it over the image to give him the appearance of fur/texture. Here's a closer peek at that:

His wings are covered with Stickles for sparkle. The flower was cut with the Sunflower Nesties (layered with foam adhesive) and then I added Flower soft to the center (and on the flower in the image too).

Here's a peek of the innies: more stitching there

 Calling all quilters & those brave enough to sew- here's a challenge with your name all over it. Let's see your quilting or sewing skillz on your cards this week! You've got til Monday, March 28th to Linky your card creation to the ABC Challenge blog. Please be sure you check out the amazing cards the rest of the DT has created for ya!
Thanks so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411:

Stamps: Lenny Bee 2- Stamp Fairy
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard- SU, Chestnut Roan- Colorbox
Paper: Bee Happy Collection- Adornit Carolee's Creations, Bazzill cs, Barely Banana cs- SU
Tools: Sunflower Set 1 & 2- Spellbinders, Sew Easy- WeRMemory Keepers, Cherish Border punch- MS
Other: Copics, Ticket- Tim Holtz, ribbon, embroidery floss, Flower Soft, Stickles, sakura pen, Signo white gel pen

Guest Designer for Digital Delights

Hi ya friends,
I'm so tickled to have been asked to be this week's guest designer at Digital Delights! I have a card I created using the Tree Circular Background image.
Here's my card:

The Deets:
The image is colored with Copics: tree & grass: G99, YG67, YG63, YG03, G20 shadowed with C1 & highlighted with BG10. The card base was cut out on my Cricut (Wild Card Cartridge) with the help of my beloved Gypsy---> boy, do I luuuuv my Gypsy :) The I added Flower Soft to the base of the tree for accent.

Here's a closer peek at that:

 Yes, as you can see, I color like a 2 year old~~~ not staying in the lines! (among other things) Hee!
I added Stickles to the border around the image & sprinkled some pearls with my Viva Decor Paper Pen around the edge of my base card.
I used papers from the Fine & Dandy collection from My Mind's Eye for layering & for embellishing. I cut out the banner & sun with clouds from the paper as well. I wrote 4U FRIEND with a white Signo gel pen.

Here's a peek of the innies:

It isn't crooked, it's just tilted ;) soooo need to fire the photog! ;)

Thanks so much for peeking today and thank you, Wendy, for inviting me to guest design. This week's challenge is up on the Digital Delight's blog so be sure to play along!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Circular Tree Background (Digi)- Digital Delights by Louby Loo
Paper: Fine & Dandy- MME, Neenah White cs, Bazzill bling cs
Ink: Chestnut Roan- Colorbox
Tools: Cricut, Gypsy, Wild Card cartridge, EK Success Circle Cutter
Other: Copics, Stickles, Viva Decor Paper pen- opal, Flower Soft, HB sticker- Stampendous

Fluffy's St. Patty's Day Card

Hi friends,
I wanted to share a card I made for my sweet guinea pig Fluffy (he died last year.) My fellow Glitterbee, Mary, made this adorable card, and as soon as I saw it, I thought of Sir Fluff. Even though the image is technically of a hamster, it looks a lot like a guinea pig :)
Here's a pic of Fluff:

Here's my card:

Ok, so Fluff-n-Stuff was more white in the middle- but look at how adorable they both are! The image is from Hambo stamps & it's called St. Pat Hamster.  I made the shamrock-shaped card on my Gypsy & cut it out on my Cricut. The shamrock is on the Everyday Paper Dolls cart. I cut out a layer from patterned paper & outlined it with Moss Green Viva Decor Paper pen. I love how my Sweet (& uber talented) friend, Sankari does that with Liquid Pearls :) I find myself doing that more & more.
Here's a closer peek:

Mini-Fluff is colored with Copics (Body: E41, E53, E25, R20, R30 clothes: YG11, YG13, YG17  Pot & hat: C1, C3, C5, C7, C9 )
I colored the gold coins with Gold Smooch & the shamrock on his hat with Green Smooch. I printed the image twice, colored the coins & shamrock & popped them up with foam tape.

I don't usually make cards for myself, but this one is for me. It will sit in my craft room to remind me of how lucky I was to have that sweet fur baby in my life. Uh huh... i miss him :(

Thanks so much for peeking today :)
Go give your fur babies some love today.

The 411:

Stamps: St. Pat Hamster- Hambo Stamps
Ink: Chestnut Roan
Paper: St. Patty's Day- Best Creations, Bazzill CS
Tools: Shamrock punch- MS
Other: Copics, Smooch, Viva Decor Paper Pen, Rhinestone bling-K&Co, Ribbon

So Lucky... to Have Her

Hi friends,
Hope this weekend is treating you well :) Today I have a card that's going to my son's teacher with the pot of gold box I shared ---> here.
My blog pal, Kathy, is part of the Designed2Delight's DT and posted THIS fab card. (Aren't they lucky to have her :) Well, I luuuved the (digi) image of the shamrock in the jar & had to get it :) plus, Kathy always makes fabby cards so she has me at "hello" ;)
Here's my card:

The little shamrocks are colored with Copics YG11,YG13, YG17 outlined with C1, the jar is accented with BG10 & the cork E41, E53, E25. Then I added celery Shimmer paint to the shamrocks which gave them a really pretty shimmer but totally wiped out the shading/highlighting of the coloring! Ha! Ah well :( I also added some Stickles under the shamrocks cuz if I had a jar of shamrocks there would be a sprinkling of Pixie Dust in there with them :)  Then I covered the image with Crystal Lacquer to give the jar a glass look.

Here's a closer peek at that:

Sorry for the glare :( I die cut the shamrock from an old Sizzix die & hand wrote the sentiment.

Here's a peek of the innies:

This card also meets a few challenges out in the blogosphere:
Paper Play Challenges: Shades of Green
Creative Card Crew: No flowers
Shabby Tea Room: Inspiration pic-Luck of the Irish
Simon Says Stamp: anything goes
CPS- sketch 208

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend & don't forget to set your clock forward 1 hour!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps: Wee Bit & Lots o' Luck (Digital)- Designed2Delight
Ink: Chestnut Roan- Colorbox
Paper: St. Patrick's- Best Creation Inc, Mira- K&Co, Garden Green- SU, Bazzill green CS, Neenah white CS
Tools: Copics, Shamrock die- Sizzix, Retro diamonds EF- Quickutz
Other: Ribbon- offray, Shimmerz, Stickles, Crystal Lacquer

ABC Challenge: N is for...

Neutrals!
Hi ya friends,
Sheesh, I feel like I've been gone forever, but I'm here with my first card for the DT at The ABC Challenge Blog. The letter "N" is brought to you by Whimsy Stamps.

Here's my card:

I used a digi from Meljen's Stamps called Swirly Daisy Pot and for the sentiment I thought Stitched Hello would be a great compliment (& it's a freebie offered on the Meljen's design blog :).
There's lots of paper piecing on this card- the flowers, the pot, the "Hello." The flowers are popped on dimensionals & got a bit of Copic & Glossy Accents. The leaves were first colored with Copics, then painted over them with some Blingz paint, & then a dab of Glossy Accents. They look pretty IRL- a litlle like marbles. The mossy grassy part in the pot is flower soft.

You've got til 6pm next Monday to Linky your card to the ABC Challenge blog & possibly get your hands on some goodies from Whimsy Stamps!

Thanks so much for peeking today & have a great crafternoon!
Gotta Go!

The 411

Stamps (Digi): Swirly Daisy Pot, Stitched Hello- Whimsy/Meljen's stamps
Ink: Creamy Brown- Colorbox
Paper: Linen Closet- DCWV, Kraft- PTI, Gold CS- PTI
Other: Frameabilities- Scalloped Edge Frames- Spellbinders, pearls, Viva Decor Pearl pen- Cream, Twine, Glossy Accents, Blingz Gold Glimmer, Copics, Flower Soft- Sage