Deb's Creations Grand Opening Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Deb's Creations Grand Opening Blog Hop! If you've come from Vicki's blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, start back at Vicki's blog and make sure you don't miss anyone!

Yep, today is the day!  Today is the GRAND OPENING of the Deb's Creations Store! It's an online store that's physically located in Australia and has a fantastic selection of stamps, flowers, and other paper crafting accessories and tools.  You won't be disappointed with Deb's collection of stamps.  She is currently carrying such companies as Whimsy Stamps, Kraftin' Kimmie, Wags and Whiskers, Magnolia, The Greeting Farm....just to name a few! There's just too many to list here so make sure you drop by the Deb's Creations Store, especially if you're an Aussie.  I'm sure you'll be getting a great deal, especially on the shipping!  Oh, make sure to join us at the Deb's Creations Ning Group! There are a lot of friendly gals there who love to chat it up :)

Today I have a card to share using the Wags and Whiskers Easter Blessings stamp.  Deb kindly sent this to me and I had such a great time coloring it!  For this card, I've used the sketch from Truly Scrumptious Challenge #26 Sketch and used the recipe at Stamp Something Challenges - decorative paper, ribbon, and button.  I'm also entering this card into the Wags and Whiskers Challenge #13 Freestyle.

Stamp: Wags and Whiskers Easter Blessings; Ink: Copics, BIC; Paper: Cosmo Cricket Earth Love; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, ribbon, button, twine

Below is a complete list of the blog hop.  If you lose your way, you can always come back to my blog to find the hop order.  Now, it's time to head to Melissa's blog!  Happy Hopping!

Vicki's blog

Ann's blog - - - you're here!

Melissa's blog - - - this is your next stop!

Mandy's blog

Lisa's blog

Kylie's blog

Lynette's blog

Karen's blog

Deb's blog

Pile It On! Sunday - Lucky Me!

Happy Pile It On! Sunday!  This week we have the challenge theme "Lucky Me."  You can interpret this any way you like - put green somewhere on your creation, have a clover somewhere, maybe have the sentiment "good luck," or just a creation that makes you feel luck.  Really, there are lots of interpretations to this theme :)

This week we're being sponsored by Whimsy Stamps and the winner will receive a $15 Gift Certificate to the Whimsy Stamps Store.  Whimsy Stamps just released some 3 new fairies, one mermaid (which I've used here), and 3 new sentiment sets.  So what are you waiting for?  Head on over to the Pile It On! blog to enter for a chance to win!

Oh, and no, the ribbon in real life does NOT look like the orange lifeguard buoys! I have no idea what happened in this picture....

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Splashy Sabrina; Ink: Copics, BIC; Paper: BasicGrey Nook and Pantry; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, rhinestones, ribbon, Stickles

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Pile It On! - Lucky Me
2. Lexi's Creations - Anything Goes
3. My Time To Craft - In The Frame
4. Tellen's Place - Anything Goes
5. C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Ribbons and Sparkle
6. Cute Card Thursday - Ribbon-tastic 
7. Clearly I Stamp - It's Hit to be Square
8. Fussy and Fancy Challenge - Movies - inspired by Disney's A Little Mermaid of course!
9. The Treehouse Stamps - Bling
10. Friday Sketchers - Sketch #91
11. SSDS - Sparkle and Shine

Time for another FREEBIE! Dog Sentiments

Most of you guys know I'm a HUGE dog lover so to celebrate dogs, the weekend, and life in general, I'm giving away this Dog Sentiments set as a freebie. I would love to see any creations you make with it!

As before, the set includes all 7 sentiments in transparent PNG, non-transparent JPG, and a whole sheet of the sentiment ready to be printed out in JPG, PNG, and PDF formats.  Enjoy!

Click here or click the picture below to be taken to the download page

As a recap, my husband and I have four dogs and here are their mug shots :)  Yes, that last one sleeps with a stuffed animal in his mouth.  Weirdo.

Shy-Ann is ready for spring!

Today I have a creation to share with you using one of the new fairies from Whimsy Stamps!  I've used Shy-Ann and I just love her pose, her sweet innocent eyes, and that hair in a bun.  I love putting these new fairies in Spring colors, maybe it's because I can't wait for the flowers to start blooming.  On this card, I've also used some Cherry Blossoms (another thing I can't stop playing with), and guess what?  You can also get these Cherry Blossoms at the Whimsy Stamps store!
On this card, I've also used a sentiment from the new sentiments set Whimsy Oval Snippets.  These Oval Snippets are pretty versatile because even though most were made to fit in SU! punches, they also fit a lot of the Cuttlebug dies, which is what I used to make the little label that's holding the sentiment.

Stamps: Whimsy Stamps Shy-Ann, Whimsy Oval Snippets; Paper: BasicGrey Nook and Pantry; Medium: Copics; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug small labels dies; Stickles, Cherry Blossoms, flowers from Wild Orchids, MS border punch

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Sunday Sketch and Stamp - Challenge #22 Sem's Sketch
2. Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - Flowers
3. Lexi's Creations - Anything Goes!
4. The Corrosive Challenge - Wings
5. Creative Inspirations - Thank You
6. All Sorts - Ticket, Tag, or Label
7. Stamp Something - A touch of spring

2 Cute Tuesday: Owl Miss You

Wow, did you see that fantastic tutorial by Jennifer on the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps blog? I definitely have to try it out and I think I'll use this Owl Miss You image!  I just love this little guy.

Hi everyone, I'm back again with another 2 Cute Rubber Stamps card.  Jennifer has inspired me to try something new so maybe I'll have a different type of project for you next week!  That is, if I can stop procrastinating, lol.   This time around I've used the Owl Miss You stamp, but remember, it's also available at the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Etsy Store as a digital image and wood mounted.

Stamp: 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Owl Miss You; Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Ink: Copics; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, ribbon, embossing folder

Oh, and you still have lots of time to enter our challenge!  Just click here to be taken to the post.  We have a free digi for you to use, so grab it at Heidi's blog and start creating!

This card is for a couple of challenges:

1. The Pink Elephant - Challenge #55 A Sketch 
2. Saturday Spotlight - Messing Around
3. Sophisticats - Embossing

See you again next week for another 2 Cute Tuesday creation :)

Time Sentiments FREEBIE!!

Hello again and happy Friday!! I was looking over some of the sentiment sets that I made for Paper Maniac (when the store used to offer digital downloads) and decided to start gradually giving those away as freebies.  At least I hope I can remember to do that, lol.  Today I'm giving away the entire "Time Sentiments" set.  You will get all sentiments and "image" as transparent PNG, non-transparent JPG and the full set in a 8.5"x11" JPG, PNG, and PDF file ready to be printed and used.

To download, click on the picture below or click here to be taken to the download page.  Enjoy!

Time Sentiments

Oh, and if you like freebies, make sure to check out my post below to get some free digis from Melissa!

Meljen's Designs Freebies!

I made a new friend! I found her wonderful blog when she left a comment on one of my posts.  Whenever anyone leaves a comment, I try my best to comment back on your blog because if you took the time, I should too!  Well anywho, I just wanted to share that Melissa has some adorable and wonderful digis on her Etsy store here: Meljen's Designs Etsy Store, but she also has a couple of free digis (both of which I've used on my cards in this post) on her blog.  I'm sure you're going to fall in love with her images like I did. 

I'm entering both cards into the Cupcake Craft and Pals Paper Arts Challenges which are to Keep it Simple and I'm entering the second card into the Sketch and Stash Challenge (using the sketch and my new digis).  Oh, and Whimsy Stamps is currently sponsoring the Sketch and Stash Challenge so make sure you swing on by!

 Make sure you keep checking back because I've got good feelings about this super talented lady!!!

Images: Meljen's Designs; Paper: DCWV; Ink: Copics; Accessories/tools: ribbon, flowers, MS border punch

Digital Stamp Oasis - Flying High

 Yay for Thursdays! It means one day closer to Friday :)

Today I have a card to share using one of the many wonderful images from Digital Stamp Oasis. For this card, I've use Flying High and I think it's a great image to use for male cards.  Even though this card will probably be for a guy, I couldn't resist putting some ribbon on it (no surprise there).  Hope that your week is going well so far!

Image: Digital Stamp Oasis Flying High; Paper: DCWV; Medium: Prismacolor Pencils; Accessories/tools: MS border punch, ribbon, button, brads

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Cute Card Thursday - Metal Mania
2. Cupcake Craft Challenges - Keep it Simple
3. Paper Maniac - Ribbon and Punches
4. Incy Wincy Designs - Punch it Out
5. Pals Paper Arts - Keep it Simple, Sweetie

2 Cute Rubber Stamp Challenges with a FREEBIE!

Are you excited for the launch of the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Challenges?! I know I am! Today is our official launch and Heidi is giving away the Happy Crabby image, which I've used on my card below, on her blog for you to use.  Make sure to visit both the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Blog to see the wonderful creations that the DT has come up with and to visit Heidi's blog to grab the free image.   

Oh, and what's the challenge?  Create anything your heart desires using the free image.  Happy crafting and hope to see your creation at the blog!

Image: 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Happy Crabby; Sentiment: Whimsy Stamps Ruff Day Sentiments; Medium: Copics and Prismacolor pencils; Paper: DCWV; Accessories/tools: ribbon, paper edger

Word Art FREEBIE

Gosh, I haven't given out a freebie in a while.  Sorry about that!  This freebie is a sentiment that didn't make it onto the Whimsy Stamps Oval Snippets set, but I think it's still a good one :)

Just click on the image to be taken to the download page.  Download includes transparent PNG and non-transparent JPG versions of the sentiment in 300 dpi resolution.  If printed without resizing, sentiment is approximately 3" x 2.5"  Enjoy!

Click here to be taken to the download page

Whimsy Stamps Magical Mythical Tour

Thank you again for joining us for another Whimsy Stamps release!  We're releasing 4 images (Pretty Peartunia, Shy-Ann, Water Lily and Splashy Sabrina) and 3 sentiment sets (Snippets Set 1, Snippets Set 2, and Oval Snippets.)  They're all available for purchase now at the Whimsy Stamps Store!

I'm your second stop on this tour and if you've come from Simonne's blog, then you're on the right track.  If not, make sure to either start at Simonne's blog or go to the Whimsy Stamps website for the blog hop list because there is some great candy to be won.  Take a look at this great prize! It's just awesome!

all four images from the new release

all three sentiment sets from the new release

various flowers and various charms

We're doing more than just releasing images and sentiments today; we're also debuting the new Whimsy Stamps Inspiration Blog!  Soon we will start some wonderful posting at the blog to inspire you and to be inspired by you in return.  Make sure to comment there also and to check back often because there is an extra prize to be won at the Whimsy Inspiration Blog.  Oh, and did you know that the Whimsy Stamps Store is also now carrying some beautiful flowers and charms?  If not, make sure to go check out those sections!

Now, on to my sample for the hop! Yesterday I put up a sneak peak and it was of Pretty Peartunia.  Here's the whole card.  I hope you like it as much as I liked making it!

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Pretty Peartunia, Whimsy Stamps Snippets Set 2; Ink: Copics, Memento Tuxedo Black; Papers: BasicGrey Nook and Pantry; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, paper edger, Prima flowers, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts, ribbon

Isn't Pretty Peartunia just absolutely stunning?!  I see three pears, how many do you see? LOL!

Now, it's time to get back on the tour bus to the next stop in our Magical Mythical Tour!  Head over to Stacey's blog to see the beauty that she's created!  Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the candy.

Oh, and this card is for a few challenges:

1. All Sorts Challenges - 3, 2, 1 Challenge - 3 "pears", 2 DP, 1 sentiment
2. Little Paper Shop - Distressing
3. A Spoon Full of Sugar - Spring is in the Air
4. Artful Inkables - Naughty or Nice - I think Peartunia looks a little naughty, lol
5. Flourishes Timeless Tuesday - All About Me - I love my flowers, Basic Grey papers, and ribbon!
6. Stamp With Fun - Challenge #46 A Sketch
7. The Pink Elephant - Ribbon
8. Little Red Wagon - Ribbon
9. Inky Impressions - Think Spring 
10. Our Creative Corner - Something Old That's New - I've had these BasicGrey papers for months and I've finally used the paper pad for the first time!
11. Totally Gorjuss - Feel the Lurve
12. Your Next Stamp - Spring Colors

Whimsy Stamps Sneak Peek of Pretty Peartunia!

Before I show you a peek of one of the newest images for the upcoming Whimsy Stamps release this Wednesday (tomorrow), I have to say that this peek does not do the image any justice! She is so much fun to color and, well, the rest of her is just stunning.  You'll see what I mean ;) 

For now, here is my sneak peek! Make sure to come back tomorrow at 12 PM EST for the start of our Magical Mythical Tour to showcase four wonderful new images from Katie Sowa and some brand spankin' new sentiments from me!  As always, there's some FANTASTIC candy involved so you don't want to miss it for the chance to win!

See you soon!

2 Cute Tuesday: Cat-Knit

I hope that everyone's Valentine's Day weekend went well! I was lucky enough to have a day off yesterday to get a little R&R.  I also got to do a little stamping with my Cat-Knit stamp from 2 Cute Rubber Stamps.  This kitty sure does look happy with his ball of yarn!  Remember, this Cat-Knit stamp is available in cling-mounted, wood-mounted, and digital versions at the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Etsy Store.

Also, make sure to stay tuned because we have some exciting things coming your way like the start of the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Challenges!  Don't forget to come back to the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps blog every day!

Stamp: 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Cat-Knit; Paper: DCWV; Ink: Copics; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, pearls, buttons, ribbon, flower

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Sketch Saturday -Week #90
2. Lexi's Creations - Spotted or Stripped
3. Creative Inspirations - Anyone for some leftovers?  - The yellow DP is a scrap I had lying around

Fluttering Heart - Another Valentine's Day card?

Yes, another one.

I'm pretty proud of this card because I actually tried a new technique - ribbon braiding!  Not sure if there's a tutorial out there, but it's easy.  You can probably just figure out by looking at the card.  All I did was punch 3 holes on each side, threaded the ribbon through one set of holes, braided it, and threaded it again through the other set of holes.  It's been a while since I've done anything new on my cards.  Oh, and I also used two different Stickles so that the glitter on the heart has some shading.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Stamp: Unity; Papers: BasicGrey; Ink: Copics; Accessories/tools: button, ribbon, rhinestones, MS border punch, black pearls

This card is for a few challenges (yay new personal record):

1. Cute Card Thursday - In the name of love
2. The Treehouse - Say it with love 
3. Daring Cardmakers - Have a heart 
4. Fussy and Fancy Challenge - Dazzle Us 
5. Clearly Inspired Challenge - Glam it up
6. Stamp Something - Something Cute
7. Crazy 4 Challenges - Be My Valentine
8. Etsy Inspired Challenges - Traveling Mama - inspired by the glitz on these shoes
9. Creative Inspirations - Valentine and Red/Black
10. Die Cut Dreams - Have a Heart
11. Ooh-la-la Challenge - Love
12. The Pink Elephant - Mushy Gushy Valentine
13. Creative Card Crew - Valentine's
14. Creative Craft Challenges - Roses are Red (Valentine)
15. Die Cuts R Us - Love
16. Stamp With Fun - Hearts
17. Everybody Art - Valentine
18. My Time To Craft - Hearts and Kisses
19. Tuesday Taggers - Love is All Around
20. Little Red Wagon - Red with Bling
21. Simon Says Stamp - What's Love Got to do With It?
22. Tellen's Place - Valentines' with at least 5 hearts
23. CCEE Stampers - Inspiration Challenge - I was inspired by this heart
24. Incy Wincy Designs - Pink and Black or Red and Black
25. Little Paper Shop - Valentine Colors (Red, White, Black)
26. Artful Inkables Challenges - Sketch

Stamp-By-Step March GD

Not only did I win this FANTASTIC blog candy by Cheryl and Stamp-By-Step, but she also asked me to be her guest designer for the month of March.  How cool is that?!? Thanks, Cheryl!  Make sure to visit the Stamp-By-Step store because there's lots of great things for sale and there's also a Classifieds section where you can get some amazing deals on lightly used goodies.  Check it out!

2 Cute Tuesday: Happy Birthday Penguin

I'm back again with another 2 Cute Rubber Stamps creation to share with you! This time around I've used the Happy Birthday Penguin on this Thank You tag that I plan to attach to a Thank You gift. I think this little guy is just the perfect touch. Remember, you can purchase this image in the 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Etsy Store in either wood mounted, cling mounted or digital version! How's that for versatility and choice?

Image: 2 Cute Rubber Stamps Happy Birthday Penguin; Paper: DCWV; Ink: Copics; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, embossing folder, corner rounder, ribbon

Oh, and remember, Heidi has some new digital-only version stamps on her blog here. AND you also have a chance to win a free cling mounted stamp of your choice. Just visit Sammye Jo's post by clicking here to read more about it.

CAS with some poofy flowers

Look! No colored images! Are ya proud of me? I guess sometimes, just sometimes, I can make cards without colored images :) Both of these cards use the Cosmo Cricket Early Bird papers. The flowers were made by me with my trusty Cuttlebug and a Nestie.

For the first card, I used the sketch at Diva Coffee Break Designs Sketch Challenge #163. For the second card, I used the sketch at Moving Along With The Times Challenge #32 Sketch.

Birds of a feather...

I have another "love" card to share with you today! I've used my new digi stamp that I received from Ellie for the Digital Stamp Oasis DT. Aren't these Love Birds just...well, lovely? I think they're such a sweet pair :)

Image: Digital Stamp Oasis Love Birds; Medium: Prismacolor Pencils; Paper: Sassafras Las; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, ribbon, pearl, button, dew drops

This card is for a few challenges:

1. SophistiCat - Love
2. ABC Challenge - N is for New - I used my new digi stamp and dew drops
   
3. Crafty Creations - Wings
4. Creative Belli - Ribbons
5. Inky Impressions - Pink and hearts
6. La-La Land Crafts - Use hearts
7. Simon Says - Photo Inspiration Challenge
   
8. CRAFT Challenge - Love/Valentine
9. Delightful Sketches & Challenges - Love
10. Lili of the Valley - Valentines
11. PaperPlay - Love Notes
12. Charisma Cardz - Love
13. Stamp Something - Love Somethings
14. Stampin' For the Weekend - Valentines Themed
15. Sunday Sketch and Stamp - Challenge #20 Ger's Sketch
16. Design Dollies -Red, Black, and one Neutral
    
17. Die Cut Dreams - Red and Black with Love
    
18. Pink Elephant - Pink
    
19. Pals Paper Arts - Challenge #28 Color Combo
20. The Threehouse - Challenge #35 Colors of Love
21. Cute Card Thursday - Spots and Dots
    

Whimsy Stamps: Summer Day Emma

Hm, sometimes I think it's summer already and sometimes Southern California surprises me with a little bit more rain. I thought it was a little funny that the week before CHA, it was raining here. Way to show our visitors the sunshine, California! Speaking of CHA, I wish I could have gone (I'm only 30 minutes away from Anaheim), but it's at least nice to see all the new stuff that was released. I don't know about you, but I'm drooling over the new BasicGrey papers! Time to break the piggy bank again, lol.

Anywho, on to my card. I've used Whimsy Stamps Summer Day Emma on my card and wow, isn't this such a gorgeous image? I love the hair being blown by the wind. I chose to go with these colors because I got tired of seeing so much pink and reds from my cards lately. Also, I think this stamp has just enough detail - not too much where I get tired of coloring and not too little where I can't add my own interpretation. I loved adding the pearls to the flowers and butterfly too - I think they're an extra little touch. You can purchase the stamp here.

And hey, if you haven't signed up for the Whimsy Groups on SNR, then you're missing out! We have weekly challenges and this week's challenge is Use Lots of Frills! Our host is Janna and she is asking us to pretty much make a girlie and feminine card using a Whimsy Stamp. Upload your creation to the Whimsy Group discussion thread here to get a chance to a $10 Whimsy Stamps gift certificate!

Stamp: Whimsy Stamps Summer Day Emma; Medium: Prismacolor pencils, Copics, BIC; Paper: DCWV Indian Summer; Accessories/tools: Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Shapeabilities, pearls, ribbon

This card is for a few challenges:

1. Whimsy Stamps SNR Group - Use lots of frills
2. Stamp with Fun - Challenge #44 Sketch
3. Stampin' B's Design Team - A butterfly, a flower, and a die-cut
4. Pollycraft Monday - Things with Wings
5. The Treehouse - Butterfly + Flower
6. Saturday Spotlight - Oversized things - I thought my bow and butterfly were pretty oversized, lol