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!

ABC Challenge: X is for...

Xing (crossing) Ribbons!

Hi again friends,
We've got a brand new challenge for ya at ABC Challenges. This week we want to see you cross ribbons.  That could be quite simple or a little more complicated. Guess which one I chose???  ;)
Here's my card:

 I crossed ribbons to create the look of a garden trellis. That wasn't hard to do at all. I just added adhesive to the back edges of my cardstock, cut strips of ribbon, lay them across the cs, & secured them in the back. I used one of my all-time fav stamp sets (now retired) called Wild Rose (SU) along with the matching DP. These are way old, but I still luuuv them :) The GORGEOUS die cut of the leaves with flourishes is a Heartfelt Creation die from the Bella Rose collection. (I am in love with this die!) The sentiment is stamped on a Spellbinder's Ribbon Banners Die.
Here's a closer peek:

The rose centers got a bit of Stickles & a pearl. Of course, I added my obligatory Viva pen work all over it :) (Thanks, Sankari- you've created a monster ;)  Hee!

Head over to the ABC Blog to check out the creative ways my teamies have crossed ribbons and be sure to Linky your crafty creations by Monday night. Oh, the letter X is brought to you by our friends at One Stop Card Crafts and they're offering this fabbie gift voucher to our lucky winner!

For my card, I used this week's sketch at The Sweetest Thing- SSSC123.

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

ABC Challenge: W is for...

WEDDING!

Hi friends,
It's time for a brand new challenge at ABC Challenge! This week we are challenging you to create something with a wedding theme. You know if wedding's the name cake is my game!
Here's the box closed:

Here comes the cake!

I love making these cake boxes using the sizzix pop up cake die! I used real pearls & my viva decor pearl pen all over it. Then I draped it with some Prima roses from YMH. It's ready to receive a gift card or two & a heartfelt sentiment.
Our sponsor this week are our friends at Sugar Nellie who are offering a tasty prize to one lucky player. Please stop by the ABC Challenge blog to peek at the rest of the DT creations. you can find more deets about making cake boxes on a previous post---> Here.

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

ABC Challenge: V is for...

VARIETY... of embellishments!

Hi ya friends,
We've got a new challenge for ya at ABC Challenges. This week, the challenge is for the letter V- for Variety of embellishments. This is your time to load up on those embellies cuz you need to have at least 3 types on your crafty creations.
Here's my card:

Here's a closer peek:

I made this card for my friend who is having a baby girl in a few months :)  I used ribbon, pearls, rosettes, & die cuts to embellish my card. The little bear is colored with Copics & her wings got a coat of Stickles. I used this week's sketch at The Sweet Stop.

The letter V is brought to you by our friends at Stamp Fairy who is generously gifting our winner with a gift certificate to their store where you can pick up this cutie called Linda Fairy if it tickles your fancy. Please stop by the ABC blog & check out the amazing creations the rest of the DT has created & Linky your card by next Monday to be in the running for the fab prize!

I can't tell you how super busy I've been, but I've got end of the year teacher ideas to share, soon :)

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Have a great day!

ABC Challenge: U is for...

UNUSUAL Folds!

Howdy friends,
Welcome to a brand new challenge at ABC Challenges! This week the challenge, should you accept it, is unusual folds. This is a great challenge because now those of us who stick to the basic card form get the chance to step out of our comfort zone & create something different. I chose to go with a card style I've long admired but was very intimidated by---> The Tri-Fold Shutter card.
Here's my card: closed

 opened:

I couldn't believe how super simple it was to make. Seriously, I felt like such a fool for being afraid for so long cuz it's an AMAZING card style!
Here are a few more peeks & then come the deets :)

flattened out on the table

 stretched out view from the top

What i love about it is even though it stretches out to 12 inches, it closes to A4 size! (4 1/4" x 5 1/2")
This is a wedding card. I used some papers from one of my fav BasicGrey collections---> Cappella. I embellished it simply with some Prima flowers from YMH and my Viva Decor pen.

You will definitely be seeing more of these type of cards from me, let me tell ya! It's so easy, but fabulous!  It took longer to cut the layers than to create the card. Is there a particular card style that you've put the brakes on? Join us this week & just do it! Do it afraid like I did & you might surprise yourself ;) You've got til next Monday to Linky your card creation to the ABC Challenge blog & possibly be awarded a spot in the Top 5 or be the winner of the fabbie prize offered by our sponsor:

Whiff of Joy! Woo hoo!

You can find a wonderful tut on the tri-shutter card at SCS---> Here.
Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta go!

ABC Challenge: T is for...

TWO or more images!

Hi ya friends,
Welcome to a brand new challenge at The ABC Challenge! This week is T is for Two or more images (sentiments or text don't count as one). But first, I'd like to apologize for not coming to visit your blogs lately :( It's been crazy busy here with report cards (for nearly 200 students) and planning for the 5 de Mayo activities the Spanish Department has been preparing for. Hopefully things will return back to just crazy normal in a few days!  ugh :(
Ok, back to this week's challenge...
Here's my card:

Isn't she just Ahhhhhdorable! I know I say that about all the Maggies ;) My two images are Longing Tilda & Romantic Window. They're colored with Copics. The little roses got a bit of red Spica glitter pen so they're sparkly.
Here's a closer peek:

The letter T is brought to you by: WILD ROSE STUDIO 

 who is offering this cutie Milton fresh from their newest collection :) sweetness...

 Be sure to stop by the ABC Challenge Blog & check out the fabulous cards the rest of the DT has created using 2 or more images. The more the merrier, right?! You've got until Monday night to Linky your card creation.

We are also saying good-bye to out fearless team leader, Heidi :( we sure do appreciate everything she's done to make it such a great DT to be a part of. We'll miss you Heidi!

Thank you so much for peeking today!
Gotta Go!

The 411
ETA Copic Recipe: Flowers: R24, R29, G24, G21, G40   bricks: R20, R22, R24  Window (wood) E25, E31, E53 glass: BG10 Tilda: skin E00, E000, E11, R20 Hair: YR23, E35, Y23 Clothes: BG11, BG13, BG18

Stamps: Longing Tilda, Romantic Window- Magnolia stamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Paper: The Thrift Shop- October Afternoon (luuuv), Aqua Mist cs, Vintage Cream cs, Pure Poppy cs- PTI
Tools: Doily Lace Die- PTI, Cricut & Wild Card Cart
Other: Copics, Viva Decor Pearl Pen, Pearls- Kaiser, Ribbon, Stick pins- Maya Road, Stickles, Spica Pen

ABC Challenge: S is for...

SPARKLE!

Hi friends,
Welcome to a new challenge at ABC Challenge blog. This week our challenge is to add *Sparkle* to your crafty creation!
Here's my card:

 All the papers are from Best Creation so you know how they glitter & sparkle! Everywhere you see pattern paper, there's sparkle! This is Little Bunny Tilda & oh how cuuute is she!!!? She melts my heart with those floppy ears & tubby belly! She's colored with Copics. Then I went crazy with my Viva Decor Pearl pen :)
Here's a closer peek:

The letter S is brought to you by:

 

They are offering this week's lucky winner a gift voucher for their store! Please stop by the ABC Challenge blog to see the sparkly goodness the rest of the DT created to inspire ya. You have until next Monday to Linky your card creation & be in the running for the gift voucher or be named in the Top 5!                                    

This card meets the challenges going on at:
Magnolia Down Under: Easter
Magnolia Stamp Lovers: Easter
7 Kids College Fund: Easter/Spring
Delightful Challenges: Easter
The Shabby Tea Room: Inspiration Pic -How eggcellent
Just Magnolia- Sketch 

Thanks so much for peeking today! I'm off this week, but I've been feeling icky :( No fair  -tear, tear :(
Gotta Go!

The 411

Copic Recipe: C1, C00, T1, E000, E00, E11, R20, R30,  E25, E29, E31,0 

Stamps: Little Bunny Tilda- Magnolia, Abundant Hope -SU
Ink: London Fog- Memento, Tempting Turquoise- SU
Paper: Bunny Love, Bella- Best Creation Inc, Bazzill cs, Neenah White, cs
Tools: Ribbon Banner dies, Labels 10, Labels 13- Spellbinders, circle punches, grass border punch- MS
Other: Copics, Viva Decor Pearl pen, roses, butterfly- Prima

ABC Challenge: R is for...

Ribbon!

Hi ya friends,
Welcome to a brand new challenge at ABC Challenges! This week, the challenge is to use ribbon. Woo! Woo! I have a love affair with ribbon so I am all over this challenge!
Here's my card:

In honor of the ribbon challenge, I inked up Ribbon Hair Tilda. She's colored with Copics. I added Stickles to her dress trim, on the bow of the gift she's holding, and to the ribbons in her hair. There are loads of dimensional elements and layers around her, so I hope it doesn't look like a hot mess in this pic! I did add some bitty pearls with my Viva Decor Pearl pen, but I kept it small & as an added detail. The HB sentiment is stamped on the new Spellbinders Ribbon banners die---> luuuuv 'em :)

The letter R is brought to you by Pollycraft who is offering a fabbie prize to one lucky player. Be sure to Linky your card creation to the ABC Challenge blog by Monday April 11th. Please stop by the ABC blog & check out how the rest of the DT has used ribbon on their cards.

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

 The 411

Stamps: Ribbon Hair Tilda- Magnolia, Delightful Dahlia-PTI
Ink: Memento  Rich Cocoa, Tuxedo Black
Paper: Twig- Little Yellow Bicycle, Gray, Soft Blue- Bazzill
Tools: Fleur de Lis Pendant dies, Classic Squares, Ribbon Banners- Spellbinders
Other: Copics, Stick pin- Maya Road, roses- Prima, Stickles, ribbon, Viva Decor Paper pen, leaves- petaloo

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

The ABC Challenge: P is for...

Pearls!
Hello friends,
Welcome to a new challenge this week at The ABC Challenge. This week, the challenge is P is for Pearls- one of my absolute faaav embellies! (Probably because I'm a June baby & pearls are my birthstone :)
Here's my card:

 This is a Sarah Kay stamp called Spring is Back. This is a very detailed image so it is a colorista's delight!
Here's a closer peek:

 There is a pearl swirl along the edge, on the middles of the punched pansy border, & larger ones on the edge of the panel. I added Stickles to her bell bottom ruffled hems & to the middles of each flower.
Copics used: skin E000, E00, E11, R20  hair Y23, YR23, E35  pants BG11, BG13, BG18  top R30, R32, R35 Hat E31, E41 flowers R20, R22, R24, R29, R59, Y11, Y13, Y18, YG13, Pebbles T1 and the entire image is highlighted with BG10

Here's a peek of the innies:

 Kept it simple & I even added pearls on the middles of the punched pansy border with my Viva Decor pearl pen.

The letter P is brought to you by

Whiff of Joy will be giving one lucky person Miss Ladybugs stamp- (soooo pretty). I ordered my WoJ stamp, but it didn't get here in time for my card :( it will see some ink soon :)

So are you ready to show us your pearly whites, creams, & colors? Remember to linky your card creation by Monday March 13th and please be sure to stop by The ABC Challenge blog to see the gorgeous cards the rest of the DT has created for ya.

My card also meets the following challenges:
The Sweet Spot- Sketch
The Crafty Pad- Ribbon
Cute Card Thursday: Signs of Spring
Delightful Challenges: Spring
Terrifically Thrilling Thursdays @Shelly's Images- Layers, layers, layers

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta go!

The 411

Stamps: Spring is Back- Sarah Kay, Oval All- SU
Ink: Memento Black, Creamy Brown & Chestnut Roan- Colorbox, Close to Cocoa- SU
Paper: Fine & Dandy Tickled Pink- My Mind's Eye, Bazzill CS, Neenah White
Tools: SU Oval Punches, Pansy Border Punch- MS
Other: Prima flowers, Pearls- ZVA, Viva Decor Pearl Pen, satin ribbon- PTI, Stickles, Copics