CardMonkey

Why, Blarney! There's my St. Patrick's Day Card!

2012-03-17T22:02:00.000-04:00

Here is my long-awaited St. Patrick's Day card, yes, the only one I made for the 2012 season!

I wanted to use a sweet leprechaun, and found that a Christmas elf works just as well. I wonder if Santa does his recruiting in Ireland during the off-season??

I created this card (new) in response to the Peachy Keen Challenge, which this week is a color challenge using greens and the rusty-orange color. You can see the challenge here: http://www.peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Irish You a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2012-03-17T19:17:00.000-04:00

Hop over to here if you're celebrating Jennifer's 39th birthday with a blog hop...

I'm on my way upstairs to make my one-and-only St. Patrick's card for 2012. Yeah, a little late.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you this amusing picture of my grandbaby, O'Charlotte:

Not to worry ... she's still limited to whole milk and an occasional apple juice.
No Guinness. But doesn't she look like a Leprechaun who has found the prize
at the end of the rainbow??! "Dad, I thought these were screw-tops!"

It's Jennifer's Birthday "39 for the First Time Blog Hop" ... You're as Young as You Feel!

2012-03-15T01:01:00.002-04:00

Age is just a number ...
It's really how great
you shake it every day that counts!

Hi! Welcome to Jennifer's "39 for the first time blog hop"!! If you've come from my buddy Ashley's Glamorous Side of Scrapping blog, you're on the right track. If you've just wandered onto the scene here, do stop by the blog hop's start at Jennifer Restivo's Crafty Card Gallery and wish her a happy birthday.

Anywhooo, Jennifer decided to throw her own card party since she had so much fun having a hop on her birthday last year. This, however, is the first maybe-annual 39th birthday party ... you know what they say about getting to that 4-0 hill.

It's just so much fun, Jennifer just might be staying at the summit again next year, or maybe going back down that hill to celebrate the 1st anniversary of her 39th birthday ... just saying.

At any rate, I made Jennifer a "never-ending card" last year, figuring that her celebration would be never-ending. This year, I incorporated one of the things I like so much to do when making my own cards, and that is: personalize them!

So I designed and made this card for Jennifer, with YES, 39 candles, enough to set off the smoke detector!!! Here's the outside of the card:

It opens up twice ... first to reveal the sentiment ...

And then to reveal the age ...

Hey, had to rub it in a bit, since I am WAAAAAAAYYY Jennifer's senior. What the heck, my darling daughter reminded me tonight that on the birthday when she'll be celebrating 30 (in 3.5 years), I'll be hitting 60 and we should have a big blow-out (of candles??).

At any rate, it DID remind me that every day is precious and to be enjoyed, and that age is just a number. Who knew that at MY age there'd be such a thing as blogs (and Cricuts!?), Twitter, Facebook and all of the rest of these techno-marvels. Heck, I didn't even have a pocket calculator in college ... we had slide rulers!!! EEEEEK!!

Now that I've taken you on a trip down memory lane, or if not so much (you young'uns!), at least let you know how OLLLLLLD I am, it's time for us to hobble on down to the next stop on the hop. (Careful -- osteoarthritis, you know. Hip replacements, and "leakage" while hopping ....) ....

Oh wait, before you run off, do make sure you check out the ways to qualify for Jennifer's birthday blog candy. She's giving away cake and ice cream ... oh wait, that's only if you live down the block (sorry, Jen -- maybe next year!).

Really, she's giving away a set of stamps. Shhh, a surprise! You'll get one entry for hopping along, and a 2nd entry if you make a birthday card and post the link to it on Crafty Card Gallery. You don't even have to send it to Jennifer ... you can save it for ME when my birthday rolls around in August, LOL ...

OK, now off you go. You'll be heading off to Jamie's Crafty Girl 21 blog. Geesh, I'm feeling like the grandma in this group.

Oh wait, I AM a grandma!!! You just have to see this latest picture of Charlotte, now 15 months.

Yes, the time really does fly ... especially if you get to play with chalk outside on an unseasonably warm day ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER RESTIVO!

Crops of Luv: Giving Back Blog Hop by Shawnee

2012-03-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

My favorite Disney character: Figment

Welcome to the Disney Gives Back Blog Hop. This wonderful blog hop was created by my friend Shawnee out of her desire to give back to a wonderful organization called Crops of Luv.

Crops of Luv makes memory albums for Make A Wish families who go to Disneyland or Disney World. They make these handcrafted albums using donated layouts, to make these albums extra-special for these extra-special families.

Throughout the hop, you will see layouts from talented crafters who have chosen to give back and help make these children's days brighter. We'll be sending our layouts to Shawnee for contribution to the Crops of Luv projects.

Here is the 2-page layout I made for this hop:

My 2-page layout features 4 photo blocks (for standard 4x6" photos, to be inserted by the Make A Wish family through Crops of Luv). I stitched banner strips onto the pages for accent. The Minnie is a paper piecing; I also used Disney stickers and also created embellishments using paper cuts (round Spellbinders, as well as the frame for the Magical memories sticker). I created a Parade Time flag for Minnie to carry, and highlighted with a white Gelly pen.

For the hop, you should have come here to the PaperJungle via Jennifer's Crafty Card Gallery. If you just happened upon my blog first, don't forget to start at the very beginning, at Shawnee's Blog. Please visit and support each crafter. Also if you would like to make layouts for Crops of Luv you can do so by contacting.... Crops of Luv at http://www.cropsofluv.com.

Shawnee has arranged for blog candy: a set of Stamps from CardzTV Stamps set called "Encouraging Thoughts." This is one of Shawnee's favorite stamp sets that Mary has made this far. You get one entry for hopping with us (and leaving a comment at each blog hop stop) and a 2nd entry if you make a 2-page layout for Crops of Luv and mail it. Post your layout to the Mr. Linky at Shawnee's blog then mail the layout to:

Crops of Luv
11424 S. Pawnee Circle
Phoenix AZ 85044

Thank you again for visiting us here today, and to Shawnee for hosting such a great "cause" Hop.

Your next stop is: ESTHER at For The Joy of Creating.

Pretty Easter Card - Yummy!

2012-03-11T17:42:00.001-04:00

I had some crafting time today -- in between the very necessary clean-up in the PaperJungle! -- and played with a new Cheery Lynn Designs die I purchased from Happy Scrappy.

The die cuts this fantastic Easter basket and chocolate bunny. I layered the tan craft cut with a mustard cut that I intentionally undercut. I also purchased some egg-oval nesting dies (also by Cheery Lynn Designs, from Happy Scrappy LLC) but their smallest egg was too large for this basket, so I cut the eggs here using my Cricut Easter 2010 cartridge. Easy-peasy!

I decorated the bottom of the card with some new-for-2012 Prima flowers, accented with a Sizzix leaves die. The greeting tied onto the bow was computer generated and cut with a Sizzix mini-tag die. I did some layering and pop-dotting for dimension. I think this Easter card is yummy, do you agree?

What an honor!

2012-03-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

Please scroll down for the Shape Card Blog Hop ...

First, I have a little news ..... Please allow me to brag a bit.

My CardMonkey's Paper Jungle blog has been chosen to receive national (international?) recognition as the "Best of the Web" by an independent group of crafters at www.craftcorners.com. Come see my little star on my sky, and thank you all for inspiring me to keep up with this blog...
Here's the link: http://craftcorners.com/best-of-the-web-no-11/

Cards: All shapes, all sizes: Welcome to the Shape Card Blog Hop, March 10!

2012-03-10T00:00:00.004-05:00

Round, oval, square, rectangle, triangle .... tea pot, coffee cup, dog house ... all are shapes that we're called on to explore in Ashley's "Shaped Card Blog Hop," happening today in the Blogosphere.

For my card today, I chose egg-shaped, in preparation of Easter. An egg-shape is not fully oval as the top of the oval is narrower thanthe bottom. Getting cuts to line up to weld has always been a challenge I've not yet mastered on my Cricut/Gypsy.

But, with the advent of the fabulous Cricut cartridge "Art Philosophy", sold exclusively by your Close to My Heart representative, mastering the art of shaped cards has never been easier.

Using the "card" setting on the Art Philosphy cartridge, I cut a yellow conjoined egg shape in 4.75", and topped it with the single cut layer (cut in light blue) in the "Decorative layer" setting. I cut a second Decorative layer in polka dotted paper, using the off-cuts to fill the top and bottom scalloped area.

The bunny with flowers is a newly released digital stamp by Whimsy Stamps. I colored it using both Prisma pencils and Copic markers, highlighting areas with a white Gelly pen. I blended the pencil lines using a blending tool and Gamsol. I accented areas (e.g., the tail, leaf cuts and dots) with Stardust Stickles.

The inside sentiment is a simple "Happy Easter" stamp from Hero Arts.

I hope you'll continue on to the rest of the Shaped Cards Blog Hop, to get some interesting ideas to inspire your fancy cuts on your card. Your next stop is my dear Best Bloggie Blend Friend, Beckie. You'll love her joie de vivre as well as her talented cardmaking! :)

If you've missed any part of the Hop, please start at the beginning: Ashley's "The Glamorous Side of Scrapping." There, you can see what blog candy is being offered by some fabulous sponsors, and you can catch the whole line-up for today's hop.

Thank you again for joining me in the PaperJungle!

CardMonkey's Favorite Things -- We Have A Winner!

2012-03-05T05:31:00.003-05:00

Early this morning, it was my pleasure to leave this message on the Blog of the lucky winner of the CardMonkey Favorite Things Blog Candy...

DRUMROLL, please ....

SUZANNE ROSEBERRY, c'mon down! You have been randomly selected as WINNER of the CardMonkey Favorite Things SUPER grand prize giveaway, with an MSRP of approximately $300. Please send me an e-mail with your mailing address, and I will send you your gift ASAP! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Fondly,
Ellen ♥ CardMonkey
http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com
E-mail: cardmonkey@comcast.net

Suzanne has been verified as a new follower of my blog. She had to say this in her Comment:

"Oh, my gosh! I love your site! And, I love monkeys! I am so happy to have found your site, and I have become a new follower! I will for sure be visiting your site a lot in the future. I love your inspiration! And...oh, my goodness! Your blog candy is absolute Heaven! So very very generous and kind of you! I have to say that my favorite scrapbooking item in ink by Colorbok. I love the cat eye collections. All of my pages always have ink around any edge on my page. To me, it is just the icing on the cake. Or, we could say the banana on top of the ice cream sundae!!! Thank you for a lovely blog hop today. I feel so inspired, and I look forward to crafting after I complete this wonderful blog hop!! Thank you so very much!"

Suzanne, feel free to pick up and use this blog button!

A CardMonkey's Favorite Things! Blog Hop This Weekend -- BIG blog candy!!!

2012-03-02T23:52:00.000-05:00

When one of my very favorite blogger friends DENA JONES invited me to join the "Our Favorite Things Blog Candy Extravaganza", I immediately started thinking of what are my favorite things that I use in my craft room.

I know this is an unusual "take" on the assignment. Some bloggers are posting about their favorite people, favorite techniques, favorite cards or layouts that they used.

It must be saying something about me that my mind went instantly to shopping!!!

And since blog candy giveaway is one of the requirements to join in this Hop, I thought, "well, why not giveaway a bunch of your favorite things, CardMonkey." (Actually, I don't really refer to myself in the third person ... much. LOL)

I started assembling my giveaway, and it started growing bigger and bigger ... and this post has gotten longer and longer in the months we've had to prepare. So without further ado, let me FIRST show you my fabulous giveaway prize that will be going to ONE lucky CardMonkey follower who leaves a comment below this weekend! (Please be SURE you are a follower on Google Friend Connect -- it's how I check to be sure you're a follower. If instead you get my posts by e-mail or some other way, PLEASE tell me so in your comment).

And let me get down to the business of the Blog Hop first .... You should have come here from Jamie's blog, and you'll be heading to Shannon's blog when you're done here. To get to ALL the fun and prizes GALORE, please start at the very beginning of the Blog Hop at our Hostess Dena's blog. (All of those links are live, so hop, hop, hop!!)

NOW, without further ado, allow me to share with you my PaperJungle essentials ... MY favorite things, in no particular order...

Pink ATG gun: Made by Scotch 3M, this gun dispenses a clean line of strong adhesive. Refills are available in acid-free for long lasting project. MSRP: $39.99
Good value: Use a 40 or 50% off coupon at a major retailer, like Michael's or AC Moore.
Best value: Win one as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Crop-A-Dile: Made by We R Memory Keepers, a Crop-A-Dile is a tool that allows you to set eyelets and grommets, and also hole punch. There are versions available that are handheld, as well as those known as the "Big Bite" that are larger (for table-top use) and have a longer reach. I prefer the Big Bite because my hands are old and arthritic, but the picture here is that of the handheld version. MSRP: From $18 to $40.
Good value: Hunt one down on eBay, for about half the retail value, or use a coupon at a major retailer.
Best value: Win a handheld Crop-A-Dile as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

HoneyBee Crafting Scissors: For most of my fussy cutting, I need very small, very fine cutting scissors with super-sharp points. I love how these feel in the hand. They're made by CutterBee, which is a division of EK Success. They're available in most crafting stores with an MSRP of $6.99. I also like the Close to My Heart Micro-Tip Scissors (MSRP $9.95).
Good value: Best to buy these at a major retailer like Michael's, using a coupon.
Best value: Win a pair of HoneyBees as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Martha Stewart Fringing Scissors: The name speaks for itself: all things crafty! Use these sweet special effects in cutting paper, for things like hair, fringe or grass, or to evenly slice tissue paper at the top of gift packages. MSRP: $12.99
Good value: Amazon.com currently has them listed for $10.07, with free shipping if you're a member of Amazon Prime. Get a free trial of Prime, too!
Best value: Win a pair as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Martha Stewart Fine Ball-Tip Glue Pen: While I'm speaking about the crafting Diva, let me say I can't live without my MS glue pens! They're a little tricky to figure out at first -- exert some pressure at the flexible glue well while laying down the glue, and you'll be just fine! I use it for EVERYTHING!
Good value: Go directly to Martha Stewart Crafts' website by clicking this link. She sells these babies for $3.19 each and they're in stock. Remember, coupons don't always apply to MS craft items.
Best value: I'll part with a new one as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

SookWang Scor-Tape: So now I'm stuck on adhesive -- oops, pardon the pun. Sometimes I crack myself up! ♥ For very strong hold especially on things like rosettes and boxes and such, you should use a good double-sided tape. My favorite is by SookWang Scor-Tape, distributed by Scor-Pal. It is a premium, double-sided, super-sticky, acid-free adhesive tape that's heat resistant. This means it will not lift up or curl when heated. Use it with many different media: glitter, embossing powder, foil, microbeads, flock, on chipboard, matboard, foamcore and more! It comes in all sorts of widths. My favorite to keep on hand are 1/8" (perfect for adhering thin strands of ribbon), 1/4" and 1/2" (best for those 3-D projects you see that I love!). Comes in rolls of 27 yards, all the way up to 4.5" wide! MSRP: $4 (1/8") to $50 (4.5"), and everything in between.
Good value: The "official" distributor of Scor-Tape is Scor-Pal, and here's the link. However, you can generally find many on-line retailers who have it for about 10-15% less. E-bay is NOT a good place to buy this ... I haven't found any discounts on this genuine tape there.
Best value: I'll part with a roll of 1/2" SookWang Scor-Tape as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

(Different colors are in the giveaway)

Copic Markers: Moving right along, let's talk a little about markers to color in your rubber or acrylic stamps, digi-art, or whatever moves you. I am addicted to Copic Markers. With a fine-tip flexible nib on one end -- such a great "hand" -- and a firmer broad nib on the other, these markers simply work great! They now come in 380 colors. They're refillable, and also, you can use Sketch Copics with an airbrush system. (I haven't gotten into that -- yet!)
Good value: Hands down, the best place to buy Sketch Copic Markers is from Terri Olsen at Stamps Alive! Terri's regular discount price on Copics is $4.20 each plus shipping -- a huge reduction in the MSRP of $6.99. P.S. Congratulations, Terri, on the birth of your new baby Grandson!!

Best value: Terri has generously agreed to sponsor my post here today, and so you'll get some of the prettiest color Sketch Copics in with the "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy! Thanks, Terri!

White Gelly Pen: I've tried them all, really I have. For terrific faux stitching on your cards or layouts, or to add accent dots or "eyelights" to your Create a Critters' eyes, use a White Gelly Pen.
Good value: I buy these at Michael's. I stock up when I have a 20% off your entire purchase, since they're just not pricey enough to waste a perfectly good 40% one item coupon.
Best value: I'll part with a new White Gelly Pen as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Acrylic Stamps: I'll confess -- I haven't been much of a stamper, and have only recently started collecting them to improve the versatility and ease of making a quick card with beautiful designs. Here are three of my favorite sets:

Waltzingmouse Stamps: Their Autumn-Winter sentiment set is crazy-versatile. Check out their other brilliant designs, too.

K Andrews Designs: Kristal's "Positive Thoughts" sentiment collection resonates with me, and I've used it often.

Peachy Keen Stamps: Called "PKS" on most crafty circles, this company has a wonderful selection, but it is most famous for their face stamps. Try the "Everyday Faces" or even Corny faces to add fun to even inanimate objects.

Good value: Occasionally you can find these used on the Internet, such as on one of my favorite Facebook Groups called "~Get It Sold~". Otherwise, MSRP is in the $20 range for each of these sets.
Best value: I have one of the Waltzingmouse Autumn-Winter sentiment sets, as well as one KAD "Positive Thoughts" sentiment sets to give away as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Digi-Stamps: I am a digi-stampin' fool! I love designs by Heather Ellis (particularly her Pure Innocence line) and MelJen Designs.
Good value: Digi-stamps are a GREAT value no matter where you purchase them, and you'll typically have to go directly to the source for them. You can reuse, resize, reprint and use them as often as you wish, of course, honoring the company's Angel Policy not to redistribute or sell them other than a product (e.g., card) you make with them.

Cutting My Designs: I first got into papercrafting after my dear daughter Emily asked for a CRICUT for Christmas 2008. I had no idea what that was, but as soon as I found out, I bought one for "her" ... and then had to have one for myself. I planned to cut fabric with it, as I was "into" sewing appliques.

True confession: I gave up sewing when I saw how much fun it is to work with paper ...and six months later I started blogging about it. Since then, I've bought more than 120 cartridges, and growing strong.

My favorite Cricut cartridge -- my go-to -- is CAKE BASICS. And no, I don't decorate cakes with it. It has a TON of basic shapes and images that I'm always using. I keep it at my left hand at the Cricut station at all times.
My favorite NEW Cartridge is "ART PHILOSOPHY", a Close to My Heart exclusive. OMG, what wonderful images there are on that -- so versatile for every occasion!
Another favorite is "WRAP IT UP" since I can cut shaped cards, packages and sentiments for just about every celebration. Again...versatility PLUS!
Good value: I've never been disappointed buying Cricut cartridges on E-Bay. Be careful though, if you're wanting the Cricut Reward Points and to be able to link up your cartridge to Cricut Craft Room or your Gypsy. Make sure you're buying NIB (New in Box). A favorite retailer there is "Proud Parents", who also sell online as www.cricutmachine.com.
Best value: The Wrap It Up cartridge retails for $79.99 but I have an extra, NIB, and I'll give it away as part of my "CardMonkey Favorites" blog candy!

Cheery Lynn Designs Dies: Having acquired so many Cricut dies, I couldn't imagine why I'd ever want to get into collecting dies to cut on my Big Kick or Cuttlebug. But once you experience the intricate designs now available in dies by several different die manufacturers, you'll be hooked like I am. There's no way to reliably produce such intricate wafer-thin designs on a Cricut. My very favorite thin metal designs are produced by Cheery Lynn Designs!

Good value: My very favorite retailer for Cheery Lynn Designs dies is Alex at Happy Scrappy. Alex offers deep discounts on Cheery Lynn, and soon, Spellbinders dies too, and there is free shipping on domestic orders over $50 -- and reasonable flat rate shipping up to that. Alex generously provided several dies to me for blog hop giveaways, so is honored here as one of my Favorite Vendors sponsors. Please visit Happy Scrappy, shop, and tell him Ellen ♥ CardMonkey sent you!
Best value: I've given away several of the Cheery Lynn Designs dies Alex donated to me, but I've saved My CardMonkey Favorite, called "Fanciful Flourishes" to add to my blog candy here!

Paper: I'm a stickler for paper quality since I invest so much love into making my cards and other paper projects. Two lines are consistently My Favorites both for design and paper quality ("hand", thickness, etc.). Those are Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker LLC, and Bella Boulevard. I have an Iris box full of NSS papers, which I turn to regularly to stimulate my creativity when designing a card.

Good value: My Favorite Retailer for all of the designer papers you might need is Stop and Scrap. They carry many, many major designers' lines, at great discounts, and their customer service is excellent! I bought my latest supply of NSS "Li'l Monster" collection from them on clearance ... I don't think they're carrying NSS any more, but I'll be buying my next order of Bella Boulevard from them for sure, once my wallet can take the pressure of seeing all the other fantastic papers in stock and on pre-order. When I asked for an additional pack of "Li'l Monster" to giveaway, they didn't hesitate to step up to sponsor this prize ... thank you!!
Best value: I have a full collection of "Li'l Monster" paper set by Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker to giveaway in my blog candy, thanks to Stop and Scrap!

At the risk of totally boring you with more of my very Favorite Things, I'll list some more essentials in the PaperJungle, and may add to it over the course of this hop:

GEEZ!!! I can't believe I missed this entirely in my main features list, since I use it ALLLLL the time ... STICKLES!!!! I have them in every color available. I'm giving away one large bottle in my blog candy, too!
Creative Charm Embellishments
Hug Snug Seam Binding
Mei Flower Satin Ribbon
Action Wobbles
Aleene's Turbo Tacky Glue
My hot glue gun (any one!)
Martha Stewart fine glitter
Amazon.com - for everything!
Shutterfly for photo books
Ikea - for scrap storage supplies
I-Rock and I-Top
Online shopping
USPS online shipping of Priority Packages - 15% discount!
Crafting magazines for inspiration (Paper Crafts, Scrapbooks Etc., CardMaker, Creative Keepsakes, Cricut Magazine, Cards .... I buy 'em all or subscribe (cheaper)
... more coming soon! ...

Thank you again to the following of MY favorite vendors for sponsoring some of the items in my blog candy today, and for being supportive of crafters who blog, generally!! Please patronize:

www.stampsalive.blogspot.com

www.happyscrappy.us

www.stopandscrap.com

~~To qualify for my "CardMonkey's Favorite Things Blog Candy" (pictured above), you must:~~

Be a follower of CardMonkey via Google Friend Connect, so I can check my list. If you can't join GFC, then please indicate in your comment how you follow my posts (e-mail, etc.). Sorry if this sounds cranky, but I do put a lot of time and effort into my blog and I want you here :).

Leave a comment during the "Our Favorite Things Blog Candy Extravaganza Blog Hop", March 3-4, here on the CardMonkey blog. The comment MUST include the answer to this question: "What is YOUR favorite thing in your arsenal of paper crafting? It can be a product, a service, a vendor, a supply, whatever. Please be specific, and if you'd like, provide links ... Let's build a Resource Directory together!"

~~Your comment should also include a way for me to contact you when you~~ ~~win!~~

A Winner has been announced and it's SUZANNE ROSEBERRY! Congratulations! To others, thank you for playing along. All comments are still welcome, but you will not qualify for this blog candy any longer.

Now, for more of Our Favorite Things, please hop over to Shannon's blog at http://my-o-scrappin.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by! And Good Luck!!

Seuss's Imagination Blog Hop - March 2nd (Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!)

2012-03-02T03:49:00.000-05:00

"Think left and think right and think low and think high.

Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"― Dr. Seuss

Don't Hop on Pop but hop on top of the Dr. Seuss Blog Hop, where a bunch of talented people came up with their own interpretations of the wonderful imagination of Dr. Seuss.

The sky's the limit when you have an imagination like Dr. Seuss and talent like those in this hop. Our hop today is hosted by Jearise in Lorby's World and that is were to begin if you've happened here by chance ... otherwise continue on, my friend. Jearise in Lorby's World has some fun blog candy for this hop. She has a stuffed Cat in the Hat and a fun Thing 1 and Thing 2 craft, plus a $10 gift card to Michaels. She says they're silly but what else would you expect when you're following in the steps of Dr. Seuss?

Now here's what I've been monkeying around with -- goodies for a Seussical party!

First up, a paper cone to hold your candies or popcorn:

For the striped paper, I purchased some digital Seuss-styled paper
on line, from the Etsy shop of Mindy Goldberg.
I created the red, yellow and blue checkered paper
just by putting color blocks in a row using my computer's Adobe
Illustrator Program and printing on my home computer.
The image of the hat-tipping Cat in the Hat came off of
the back of a 2012 Seuss calendar that came free with
my granddaughter's Dr. Seuss Club books.
I pop-dotted the Cat in the Hat to stand above the cone.
I'd love to see this cone filled with popcorn that's been
colored with blue and red Kool-Aid!

Next up, some candy treat bags, filled with "Red Fish" (Swedish fish) ...

I found the red fish image online and printed it out
to the size I needed (4" wide) for a bag topper.
I Stickled the fish to make it seem more magical,
and added Glossy Accent dots to the water for
bubbly fun. I trimmed out the topper using a
Martha Stewart double loops punch.

Next up .... I made some "Dr. Seuss Anti-Grumpy Pills". They're really jelly beans, prescribed by "Doctor" Seuss...

<><><><>

This blue medicine bottle was literally snatched from the trash!
(When will my hubby learn never to throw anything away!!?
A gentle scrub and sanitizing -- no Prilosec leftovers here! --
and it was ready for re-use!!)
I made the label for the anti-grumpy "pills" on my computer.
Easy peasy, and fun!

Rounding out the fun ... Party favors! What's a Seussical party without celebrating one of the country's most prolific juvenile-market writers of the century with a bookmark?! I made this assortment and gave out some to ladies with whom I cropped last weekend at a local library:

These are made using Seuss art, sayings, etc., all from the Internet.
I created them in Adobe Illustrator, printed and laminated.

BLOG CANDY: Would you like some of the Seuss treats for yourself? I'll be giving away the bag of Red Fish and a bookmark or two to one lucky person who follows CardMonkey and posts a comment here to this Seussical blog post.

“You're off to Great Places! Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!”

― Dr. Seuss, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

Get on your way to: Your next stop is my JAMIE at http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com/.

If you get stuck behind the great parade down at Mulberry Street, Hop on back to find the full Blog line up on the Great Thing-a-majigger: Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com - Your hostess, serving up Green Eggs and Ham!

A Beautiful Award - "Green Blend" Bloggie Friends!

2012-02-25T06:04:00.000-05:00

I am honored to accept a new blog award that has been co-created by my Blend Friends Forever Beckie of Just B Creative Crazy and Jessica of Jessica's Craft Shaque. Beckie named me as one of her BFFs and described the award to me this way:

"The “Green” portion represents how we should be kind to one another and help one another…such as being “Green” and helping our environment. Reissue the kindness that someone once gave to you as an infant blogger. Recycle the ideas you have learned or invented to pass along to up and coming crafters. Reduce the frustrations of wanting to a blogger with magnitude."

The "Green Blend Award" is passed along to Bloggers who have helped me in the following ways:

This award is for any co-blogging friend who has helped me develop my blog in any and all ways.
This award is for any co-blogging friend who has cheered me along in my blog building, craft advancing world.
This award is for any co-blogging friend who consistenly stops by my blog and is kind. I can count on him or her to have posted one of the great comments at the end of my post.
This award is to be given to 3 to 5 Blends whom I feel meet the listed requirements.
Create a post with the terms of use and publish your Blend Friends Forever (BFFs) of choice.
Your BFFs may copy the award from my blog and proudly repost it.
My BFFs may continue the kindness by issuing this award to keep the circle forever growing.

So without further ado, just a few of my BFFs are:

1. Elaine of Expressions by Elaine

2. Lori of Scrappin My Stress Away

3. Ashley of The Glamorous Side of Scrapping

4. Rachelle of Creations by Rachelle

5. Jennifer of Crafty Card Gallery

...I'm sorry this one's limited to 5, because I could have named SO many more. Thank you, to all of my friends and followers, for making me the sort of blogger I am today. Humbly, I honor you all for inspiring me to be a better papercrafter ... and person.

Thank you for this beautiful award, Beckie! I'm honored to be one of your inaugural BFF's!

Banner "Kids' Choice Award" Announced Today!

2012-02-21T12:09:00.000-05:00

Today, I have the great pleasure to announce the winner of the "Kids' Choice Award" for the recent Love Bugs Banners for Special Needs Kids Blog Hop.

This prize -- the "Positive Thoughts" stamp set from K Andrews Designs -- is given to the maker of the favorite banner picked by the medically-fragile children at Pediatric Specialty Care, where the banners have been hanging this month.

Congratulations to Nancie Nalewajko Brungard of "A Little Piece of Me" whose Bee Mine banner (shown below) was picked by the kids! :) Nancie, please be in touch with me with your mailing address so I can send your prize!

Everyone else, you also received the best prize of all -- knowing how much your banners lifted the spirits of the children, their families and the staff at PSC. Thank you again!!

NOW, for those of you who still haven't signed up to make a banner for our next Spring Themed banner hop, please contact me quickly ... we only have 2 spots left! Here is the banner hop button (thank you, Lissa Marie!) to pick up if you've already signed up.

Handmade Sympathy Card offers love and comfort

2012-02-20T12:32:00.000-05:00

Well, friends, I'm still playing with my watercolors today ...

I made this card for the family of a baby who passed over the Rainbow Bridge. The baby technically died months before I got to know her.

She was a wee one, less than 6 months old, and she was co-bedding with Mom while Dad worked overnights in Security. One night as the exhausted Mom slept, the baby tragically slipped between the mattress and the wall, and suffocated. Dad came home, found the missing baby; he and the EMTs worked frantically to bring the baby back ... and they did, but not before the baby had been without oxygen for too long to survive without mechanical ventilation.

This family made the very difficult decision to allow the baby to pass on her own terms and in her own time. She stayed long enough for many to love her deeply, and to offer solace and prayers for self-forgiveness to the grief-stricken parents.

When the baby came to PSC for what turned out to be just a few days, Mom asked me to take some pictures of the darling baby for a keepsake. I had only my cell phone with me, and the pictures are beautiful. (I wish I could share them, but privacy laws prevent it without explicit permission.) This card is the holder of the photo prints that I am sending to the Mom tomorrow.

Card Recipe:
To make the card, I first used a Cheery Lynn Designs butterfly to remove the butterfly from a piece of watercolor paper. Then I used mask to cover places for the little butterflies and for the path-to-heaven dots underneath the main butterfly. Once the mask was dry, I used a sponge to wash the rainbow sky over the paper.

Then, because I'm always anxious to get to the next step, I dried the paper with my heat gun, and removed the masking glue with an eraser. I opted to edge the outline of the little butterflies ... I'm not sure I like how that came out .. and Stickle the heavenly path's dots. (I do like that). I had the little butterflies cut in my stash (I have a boxful from other projects!). I cut them using Cricut Cake Basics cartridge (my favorite). The sentiment is a wood-mounted stamp that I believe is from Hero Arts; I bought it at Michael's.

I mounted the watercolor paper to Bazzill lilac cardstock, trimming the paper to 8" wide by 12" long. The card has a pocket inside that I lined with a piece of Anastasia border trim in lacy white, similar to the purple border trim on the front cover. I wrapped the wire-trimmed ribbon around the card, adhering it to the card front and back so the bow serves to close the gift packet.

In my opinion, sympathy cards are some of the very hardest to make ... but also among the most appreciated. I hope you never have occasion to need one, but if you do, please consider the message and the love when making it for the individual. You'll be glad you touch and care.

Monkey Flowers and other Watercolored Delights

2012-02-18T11:46:00.000-05:00

If you're here for the SKETCH CHALLENGE BLOG HOP, please click HERE.
♥ - ♥ - ♥

This weekend, I was finally able to dig out from my garage the old box of watercolor supplies that I haven't visited since I moved to my "new" home 5+ years ago.

I was delighted to see that most of the tubes of paint hadn't dried out, and that even those that had dried, I was able to chip off pieces and reconstitute to use well. Delightful!

I wanted to try using the paints on a rubber stamp instead of ink, and then paint in highlights. Here is the birthday card I made using this technique.

The stamp is a Stampin' Up hostess set that I purchased as recycled from a Facebook (and blog) friend, Nicolette. I participate in the "~Get It Sold~" group on Facebook, where crafters resell their unwanted goodies to others of us hoarders.

Incidentally, do you know the difference between a hoarder and a collector? A hoarder is poor and usually looks for bargains. A collector is rich, and it doesn't matter the cost of a wanted item. Just sayin' ...

I really liked how I was able to control the placement of color and shadows with my watercolor brush versus using a Copic marker. I also like the kind of raggedy, unpainted edges of the leaves that gives this image a more vintage feel. I also like that my watercolor didn't bleed through to the back, leaving just the right amount of tint to the image.

For the embellishments at the side, I diecut a border using Cheery Lynn Designs' "Anastasia border", using the same ivory parchment cardstock I used for the card. I washed it in the lilac paint, heavying up at the tips of the border cut. I then cut another piece of the Anastasia border, using the same paper I used in the inside, and lined it with a piece of the beautiful sage-colored satin ribbon from Mei Flower.

Inside, just as yummy....

I used handmade seeded paper from "Of the Earth", computer-generating the sentiment and the description of the paper.

Here's more about the paper -- that is, what I wrote on the inside text (left) of the paper...

"Bloom where you are planted": The interior paper of this card has been embedded with tiny seeds that will grow in North America when planted or composted. It is handmade lotka paper made in the highlands of Nepal by rural craftspeople using an environmentally friendly process. They use the bark of the Daphne bush, beating it by hand and boiling it to break it down to a pulp. Seeds include 15 annual species which tolerate partial shade, needing 4 hours a day of direct sunlight. The flowers, which grow to about 3' tall, include Red Corn Poppy, Corn Poppy, Spurred Snapdragon, Catchfuly, English Daisy, Showy Evening Primrose, Gold Yarrow, Roman Chamomile, Tussock Bellflower, Foxglove, Fringed Sagewort, White Yarrow, Red Yarrow, Monkey Flower and Creeping Thyme. If yo plant this paper in a pot or in your garden, please cover with just 1/8" of soil and keep moist until the plants are established.

I got this neat, beautiful paper from Save-On-Crafts. It is $10.99 for 25 sheets (8.5"x11"), or $10 each for 3 packages. Here is the LINK to the paper.

By the way, did you notice that the seeded paper includes seeds for Monkey Flowers? Silly me, silly CardMonkey, did not know there's a such thing as a Monkey Flower. It just may have to be my Blog Flower! Here is a picture of one, which I lifted off of this site: http://www.laspilitas.com/groups/Monkey_flower/California_monkey_flower.html

My Day #2 card for the Sketch Challenge Blog Hop!

2012-02-18T11:40:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day #2 of the next in a series of Sketch Challenge

Blog Hops

sponsored by my friend Jennifer at the Crafty Card Gallery.

I'm guest designing this week for Jennifer, too!

Everyone has had so much fun doing these with Jennifer that it's turned into a regular event.

The purpose of this hop is to show how all of these talented bloggers can take the same sketch and come up with totally different cards.

If you've never used a card sketch before, give it a try! If you missed Day #1's cards, be sure to scroll further down to see all of the cards in the challenge.

So sit back & be inspired!

For my Day #2 card, I made a card to send to "Cards for Emily," a cause-related collection for a dear child suffering from Leukemia. You can read more about Emily HERE, and join in ...

To make this card, I used happy/fun pink papers that I stitched in a swirly pattern to try to imitate the curls around the flowers in the floral patterned paper. I did the same loopy curls around the medallion, which I cut using a Spellbinders Nestabilities Classic Ovals die. I trimmed the medallion with flowers (cut with a Sizzix die), and wrapped the card in a bow. Inside, I handwrote an inspirational message to the young girl, and wished her happy times ahead in her recovery.

My card for Day #1 is this Bee-ooutiful card...

To make this card, I used stripes of designer scrapbook paper from one of my favorite companies, Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker, in the Willow Bee line. I used a bee cut using a Sizzix die as my embellishment. To give the cutie a little more movement, I mounted her on an Action Wobble. The horizontal stripe that the Sketch calls for is the sentiment stripe. To make it, I typeset it on my computer, printed and trimmed. Voila! I quick, fun, and happy card to brighten a winter's day.

Your next stop on the Sketch Challenge Hop is one of my Best Bloggie Friends, RACHELLE.

If you get lost along the way, here is the full Hop line-up:

Jennifer: http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/

Ashley: http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Susan: http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Kerry: http://kerryscraftycardsandcuts.blogspot.com/

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey: http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ - You're here

Rachelle: http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/ - This is your next stop!

Jearise: http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Kristy: http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com/

Angie: http://luvs2scrapbook75.blogspot.com/

Jamie: http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/

Be sure to go to the beginning of the Sketch Challenge Blog Hop, to link up your own creation and be eligible to win Jennifer's blog candy!

Sketch challenge at Crafty Card Gallery

2012-02-17T05:34:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another Sketch Blog Hop, sponsored by my friend Jennifer at the Crafty Card Gallery.

I'm guest designing this week for Jennifer, too!
Everyone has had so much fun doing these with Jennifer that it's turned into a regular event!

The purpose of this hop is to show how all of these talented bloggers can take the same sketch and come up with totally different cards.

If you've never used a card sketch before, give it a try!
Be sure to check back on Saturday, as there will be some bloggers posting new cards on Day 2.

So sit back & be inspired!

Here is my take on the Sketch:

Your next stop on the Sketch Challenge Hop is one of my Best Bloggie Friends, Rachelle.

If you get lost along the way, here is the full Hop line-up:

Jennifer: http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/

Ashley: http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Susan: http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Kerry: http://kerryscraftycardsandcuts.blogspot.com/
Ellen ♥ CardMonkey: http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ - You're here

~~Denise: http://deesdesignsfrommyheart.blogspot.com/~~

Rachelle: http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/- Go here
Jearise: http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Kristy: http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com/
Angie: http://luvs2scrapbook75.blogspot.com/
Jamie: http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/

Crazy Kind of Monkey Love!

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Shhh...don't tell hubby yet, but this is his Valentine's Day card! To make it, I used this adorable sock monkey cut that I received from Bonnie Beck. Bonnie and I are part of a cut swap group that's formed among Facebook friends. She writes that she made this sweetie using the Cricut Lite cartridge called "Sugar and Spice."

These Facebook groups are a great way to get cuts from Cricut cartridges you may not have, and also to have neat ones that you may not have thought of creating yourself.

Another helpful Tip of the Day: If you aren't sure how to find what's on your cartridge, go to My Cut Search (www.mycutsearch.com), where you can enter a phrase as silly as "sock monkey" and find this cut. Enter just "monkey" to find even more places to find more cuts of the species! :)

Naturally, this is a great cut for me to use for hubby, since our little pet name for each other is "Monkey" or some endearing off-shoot of it -- like when I call him "Monkey Butt." He does get even, not to worry ... like this time on the occasion (several years ago!) of my 50th birthday.

Anywhooooo, back to the card. I created the adorable Valentine's Day tickets using a Tim Holtz' Sizzix die (shown at left) that creates 5 tickets in a strip, along with the companion ticket stamps collection called "Odds and Ends." Aren't the tickets sweeet?

For the quote balloon, I set the sentiment using my computer/printer, fussy cut it into the shape I wanted, and inked the edges in pink. I then put it on an Action Wobble. The background papers are from my stash.

I'll be posting this up on Jennifer Restivo's "Crafty Card Gallery," where I'm Guest Designer this week. Hop on over there for a visit and a Sketch Challenge!

Remembering Whitney

2012-02-12T06:56:00.001-05:00

With the sudden passing of Whitney Houston this weekend, we stop to reflect on how much we've missed this remarkable woman's voice in recent years.

Time, abuse and drugs all had taken their toll long before the singer's death, unfortunately. I hope we can remember her for the beautiful songs she left for us to enjoy.

From a papercrafting perspective, Ms. Houston's passing also makes me think how difficult it is for us to create meaningful sympathy cards at such time of loss. One of my very favorite bloggers always hits the nail on the head with sympathy cards -- likely borne of her own pain from having lost her husband at a young age.

She is Becca Feeken, and her blog is Amazing Paper Grace. Recently, she posted this card that to me, speaks to the loss of Whitney. Please hop over to her blog to check out Becca's truly Amazing work:

Blog Candy Extravaganza Count Down Begins!!!

2012-02-11T08:45:00.000-05:00

Here's a little gift card I made to enclose with

this week's mailed blog candy. Card, mehhh.

The thing I like about it is that cute center

digi-stamp in a 2.5" square. Where did I

get it??? I made it! Yeppers, easy peasy,

using Adobe Illustrator and clip art with

free fonts.

Isn't it terrific fun to win a bit of blog candy? Well, I've been assembling the biggest bunch of blog candy E.V.E.R. and will be giving it away during the month of March. It will all kick off March 3-4 during the "Our Favorite Things Blog Candy Extravaganza Blog Hop," hosted by my friend Dena Jones.

So far, I've collected more than $300 worth of MY Favorite Things -- favorite tools, Cricut cartridges, papers, adhesives, embellishments, markers, pens, magazines, dies, stamps, and more -- and I'll be giving it all away.

In the meantime, I've sent out blog candy to the following winners in recent hops. Stalk your mailman, if you're:

Amy Courchaine - A grab box of all sorts of goodies

Amy Voltz - The winner of the Lacy Dragon Frame from the "Chinese New Year Hop"

Karen Yarko - Winner of last week's Cheery Lynn border die.

Showcased by Nikki Sivils!

2012-02-06T09:20:00.000-05:00

How fun is this ... some of my projects were featured on Saturday's Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker's blog in her "Showcase on You!" Hop over to see a card, my "Smash" book, and the 3D house I made using Nikki's "My Li'l Monster" line of papers. Go here.

2012-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Day #2 of the "Ticket To Love" Blog Hop, hosted by the very lovely Lissa Marie at www.somanycrafts.com.

This is Lissa Marie's first time hosting a blog hop, so please be sure to visit her blog to show her some L♥VE!

I hope you like this second card I created for this Blog Hop, as much as I enjoyed making it ...

The adorable image on this card is a digi-image from Heather Ellis' "Pure Innocence" line. I colored her with Copics markers, added some Punch Bunch flowers to her bouquet, popped her up using Ranger super-deep dots, and adhered her to a die cut frame using a new-release Cheery Lynn "Swedish Spring Frame" die that I thought complimented her flower bouquet nicely. I made the pennant with a stamped (Hero Arts) sentiment and stuck it on a hat pin. I put the end of the pin into the foam pop-dot, for safety's sake. I like the contrast of the deep blue card -- a little change of pace for Valentine's Day.

Did you miss the other "Ticket" cards I also made for this hop? Here they are, reprised:

and....

Do you have a favorite of these three? Please let me know!

Before you go on to the next stop, how 'bout a taste of BLOG CANDY!? I have a scrumptious border die by Cheery Lynn Designs that was generously donated to me by one of my favorite vendors, Happy Scrappy LLC. They sell Cheery Lynn and soon will add Spellbinders dies to their inventory, all at terrific discount.

TO WIN my Blog Candy:

1. Follow this blog, and let me know you do in your comment, please. Also, leave me a way to be in touch with you when you win!

2. In your comment here, tell me which of these three cards you like the most, and why ...

Time's up with the CardMonkey! Your next stop on the TICKET to LOVE HOP is JEN BLUE!

All Aboard!! It's the TICKET TO LOVE Blog Hop, February 4-5

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hello my precious Valentines...

... and welcome to the "Ticket To Love" Blog Hop, hosted by the very lovely Lissa Marie at www.somanycrafts.com.

This is Lissa Marie's first time hosting a blog hop, so please be sure to visit her blog to show her some L♥VE!

Here is the card I created for this Blog Hop ...

To create this card, I used my Cheery Lynn Designs new "Sophie's Heart" die as the background. I removed the center of the die cut for this card to add emphasis to Cupid. (Don't be afraid to snip out portions of the die cuts ... not the die! ... if they don't quite work for you.) I cut the Cupid using Cricut's Sweethearts cartridge, at 4". I created the ticket (in keeping with the Hop theme!) using an old clear stamp by Autumn Leaves. I pop-dotted Cupid, and used super-thick dots to give the ticket even more lift. A grosgrain dotted bow, and a few dollops of Stickles and this card is ready for giving!

Did you miss the other "Ticket" card I also made?

This one I meant to save for this hop, but inadvertently posted it early, for Ashley's weekly "Clean and Simple" Sunday card challenge. (You may have hopped over from Ashley's blog as she and I enjoy hopping together. If you just happened upon my site, be sure to go back to the beginning at Lissa Marie and then on to Ashley....)

Plain black and white swirled paper, from stash ...
Punch five hearts (one black, one white, 2 pink, one red).
Cut a deep V in the black heart, to resemble a jacket, and line it in the white heart; cut a shallower V in the red heart that's been embossed with Cuttlebug Swiss Dots.
Stack two pink hearts to resemble a blouse with collar, and line the red heart.
Knot a scrap piece of ribbon and glue on for man's tie; add a pearl embellishment for woman's dress.
Mount hearts using foam dots, on white cardstock (lined with black) that's been stamped with sentiment. S
tamp ticket sentiment on white card stock; trim and punch corners to resemble ticket.
Tah-dahhh, done -- 10 minutes!

Before you go on to the next stop, how 'bout a taste of BLOG CANDY!? I have a scrumptious border die by Cheery Lynn Designs that was generously donated to me by one of my favorite vendors, Happy Scrappy LLC. They sell Cheery Lynn and soon will add Spellbinders dies to their inventory, all at terrific discount.

TO WIN my Blog Candy:

1. Follow this blog, and let me know you do in your comment, please. Also, leave me a way to be in touch with you when you win!

2. In your comment here, tell me the one romantic thing you WISH your Significant Other would do for you this Valentine's Day.

Until tomorrow then ... HOP over to JEN BLUE, your next stop in the TICKET TO LOVE HOP!

Clean and Simple Valentine

2012-01-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

My dear friend, Ashley, asked if I would make a Clean and Simple Valentine for her Sunday challenge that she features on her blog: The Glamorous Side of Scrapping.

"Would" is never a problem when it comes to my friend, Ashley ... I'm happy to help!

The question is more like, "could" I make something clean and simple.

I tend to "over-do" everything. Ask my hubby!

So here is a card that I made in less than 5 minutes.

The heart, wings and arrow were cut using a Sizzix die with all three images on it. I cut the paper to size from scraps I (literally!) had lying around, and laid them on top of the die. One pass of the die through my Sizzix Big Kick was all I needed.

The card is an ivory pre-made. I arranged the pieces on it as I wished. The only change I made to what the die cut was that I used an X-acto knife to cut semi-circles where the arrow pierced the heart, and threaded the arrow through the cuts. I taped the wings in place to the back of the heart, and glued the heart in place, leaving the wings loose to flutter.

I stamped the sentiment, and used a red gel pen for the faux stitching around the perimeter. Tah-tah, done!

A Princess' Wedding Blog Hop - 12x12 Layouts fit for a Queen (to be!)

2012-01-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome and thank you for joining us to celebrate the fairytale wedding of Princess Heather, the beautiful daughter of our hostess Liz Cline.

Today, January 28th, 2012, is Heather's wedding day. While you are hopping she will be getting dressed, walking down the aisle, and already celebrating her new life with Prince Charming.

This blog hop is dedicated strictly to 12 x 12 scrapbook layouts. All layouts you see in this hop have been sent to Liz and assembled into a wedding surprise scrapbook album for Heather, a gift fitting of any young princess. You are going to be amazed at what creations these fabulous ladies have designed.

As a “thank you” to blog hoppers, Liz has secured some dreamy blog candy to offer. Here is the list of the ever so generous sponsors for today’s hop:

My Pink Stamper

FB: https://www.facebook.com/mypinkstamper

Creations with Christina

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Creations-With-Christina/110022992358395

Paper Creations by Nikki

FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paper-Piecings-by-Nikki/210135505721726

Bugjuiced

In order to be eligible for this blog candy, all that is required of you is to comment and follow each blog along the hop and to stop in at the Facebook pages of the sponsors to thank them.

The last stop on the hop is Heather’s blog, Please stop in and wish her congratulations and if you Facebook, drop her a note on her wall: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1224236273

Without further ado before the "I Do!", let me tell you a secret: I was ALMOST unable to post a picture of my layout I did for Heather because (duhhhh), I skipped town before creating and scheduling this post. The picture of the layout I created is on my computer back home, and I am visiting my two favorite lovebirds, my parents Ed and Dot -- married 61 years -- in Florida.

... but, luckily for me, I finished my layout and mailed it to Heather's Mom Liz -- who despite all the hub-bub around her house, was able to take a pic of my layout and send me a picture of it to post here. Thank you, so much Liz, for doing that for me.

Here is the layout I created:


I intentionally kept the layout clean, classic and elegant ... and in the bride's colors of ice pink and silver. I'm partial to the ice pink myself, since it's the color I wore as a bride when I married John (the love of my life!) nearly 13 years ago. It was the second-time (LAST time!) around me as a bride, and I just loved my elegant beaded jacket over a long chiffon dress.

When I was worried that I would have nothing to post for this hop, I caroused a few of the many blogs I ~~stalk~~ follow, and found these two gorgeous layouts -- ones I now WISH I had done for Heather. Perhaps I can scraplift one of these to have a re-do, once I'm back from Florida and home to my crafting supplies:


This layout was done by Danielle Flanders and is currently featured on her blog, Homespun With Heart. She made it using the new "Victorian" line of Melissa Frances' "C'est La Vie" papers -- and I think it is simply GORGEOUS!!

This layout was done by international scrapper, Karola Witczak. It is featured on the manufacturer's blog of Melissa Frances Papers. Gorgeous, especially in that it features silver and gentle pink, the colors our Princess bride, Heather, has chosen for her wedding.

These two BEAUTIFUL layouts remind me that I am a cardmaker at heart -- and how utterly beautiful layouts can be when we follow expert crafters. Oh, I'm just so jealous of the abilities it takes to make layouts like these. Beautifully done, Danielle and Karola!!

I'm sure you'll find more inspiration along the Hop! Please hop over to these Hops and leave comments/love. Your next stop is SHANNON.

Liz - http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com
Sher- www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com
Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com
Ellen - YOU ARE HERE ... go to Shannon next ...
Shannon - http://my-o-scrappin.blogspot.com
Lisa - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/
Nikki - http://paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com
Michelle- http://www.craftychelle.blogspot.com
Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com
Kristy - http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com
Gloria - http://craftnthings.blogspot.com
Cori W. -http://createdbycori.blogspot.com/
Staci- http://preciousmem.blogspot.com
Erica - http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com
http://pinkpunkcosmo.blogspot.com

Don't forget to visit PinkPunkCosmo -- that's Heather's blog -- and wish her love and luck on her wedding day! ♥ Loads of Love ♥ on your special day!

Thanks for stopping by!

Unleash the beast, and Blog Candy winner!

2012-01-24T22:11:00.000-05:00

Hi Everybody ...

I'm having quite a bit of fun "Being Me" in 2012.

That's my goal, you know ...

TO BE....

...happy ...loved ...amazing

...kind ...honest ...unique

...believable ...healthy

...grateful ...inspiring ...creative

...ME!

To get there, I have a lot of "unleashing" to do...

I made this card, just because ...

This is my "Unleash the Beast" card, that goes with my 2012 smash book.
The outside cover (like my mild-mannered exterior, ha!) is timid ...
Inside, I'm the creative beast!!! (HAHAHAHA)

Here's the inside of the card.

Here's the mild-mannered exterior. (I crack me up!)

What are you doing ... to be you?

And I have some sweet (BLOG CANDY!!!) news for you, too!! The winner of my Lacy Dragon Frame die by Cheery Lynn Designs is AMY of www.lovetocrop.com. Congrats, Amy. Please e-mail your post-address to me so that I can get your die out next week!

This button's for you, AMY!

I'm off for a couple of days for some much needed R&R ... re-energizing for some more creative projects next week. You'll next see me over on my BFF ("Bloggy Friend Forever") Ashley's website on Sunday, where I'm a guest designer for her Clean And Simple Sunday, featuring a Valentine! Stop over there on Sunday 1/29!

Greetings from China - New Years' Dinner - Blog Hop, Day 2

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

This is the second day of the Chinese New Year Blog Hop, hosted by April Nourse, who has an extra-special reason to celebrate: She and her family have welcomed their son, Alex, an adopted 6-year old who came to them from Taiwan.

To welcome Alex and to share her happiness with us all, April invited her bloggy friends to celebrate The Year of the Dragon, Chinese New Year. You should have arrived here from the Queen T's blog spot; if not, or if you're one of my followers who'd like to start at the beginning, please go to April's site and wish her well on her journey (and learning Chinese!) with her wonderful gift from Taiwan.

In case you missed it, see yesterday's post to learn that last night, I hosted a Chinese New Year dinner party for some neighbors. I showed the invitation in yesterday's post.

Here is one of the napkin rings that I made for the occasion:

To make this napkin ring, I found an image of a Chinese dragon on ClickArt Online. (www.clickartonline.com). I then printed the color image on white cardstock and fussy cut it out, mounting it on yellow paper for added stability. For the ring, I cut a 1/2" piece straight across and off of a toilet paper cardboard. I put a swab of glue inside the ring and wrapped it with red seam binding from Zipperstop. I slit the opening for the fire from the mouth of the dragon, and fussy cut a fire-like/tongue thingie that I slid into the opening. After letting a liberal dose of Stickles dry, I used Sookwang double tape (strong!) to adhere the image onto the ring. To allow it to dry, I rolled a piece of white cardstock into the ring, which is when I took this picture for this post. They looked FABULOUS on my table, with yellow linen napkins trimmed in red.

I just found this great looking cupcake dessert tray, posted on Facebook, via HelloCupcake's blog (http://blog.hellocupcakebook.com/2012/01/23/year-of-the-dragon-cupcakes.aspx). Wish I saw this before dinner!!!

Be sure to visit April's blog to learn about the GRAND PRIZE Blog Candy for those who comment on each of the blog's stops. However, I also have blog candy! ...

SPECIAL BLOG CANDY alert!! For my SUPER blog candy for this Hop, I am giving away the die I used to make the invitation I showed yesterday. It is the beautiful Lace Dragon Frame by Cheery Lynn, which I purchased from Happy Scrappy LLC.

ANYWHOOOO... if you'd like to win the Cheery Lynn Lace Dragon Frame I used above, please:

a) Be or become a follower of mine,

b) Leave a comment on this post telling me:

c) "My favorite Chinese food dish is ...."

Winner will be picked at random using Random.org, and announced on this blog on Tuesday, January 24 (since this is a 2-day hop). Post about this hop on your blog or on Facebook, and get another chance to win!!

So now head on over to the next stop on the Chinese New Year Hop: PSA Essentials!

Here is the complete line-up, in case you get lost along the way:

April - http://curlsandgrins.blogspot.com

Lynne K. - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Amy - http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog

Inga - http://mommahobbit.blogspot.com/

Maria - http://www.mdcraftcorner.blogspot.com/

Janet- http://www.createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/

Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://jenrubio.blogspot.com/

Theresa- http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

Ellen - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ <--- YOU ARE HERE!

PSA Essentials - www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com/

(Thank you!)

More Butterflies -- In Sympathy of a Baby's Passing (IFTL)

2012-01-23T00:00:00.004-05:00

If you are here for DAY 2 of the CHINESE NEW YEAR BLOG HOP, please click HERE.

As a butterfly graces our lives with one moment's fragile beauty, so too has Olivia’s presence blessed you, and those that surround you with her short life, and unique spirit.

May you find peace, and joy with each butterfly that passes, knowing that your beautiful baby lives on in the hearts of all she touched.


Baby Olivia's family, including her twin Amanda.

The family of sweet baby Olivia will be the recipients of the very special cards made by the friends of one of my BFF's, Madison, and her "I Feel The Love" project.

Olivia and her twin sister Amanda were born in August 2011. Olivia was just 2.2 pounds at birth and had both heart and lung defects. Her life expectancy was just two weeks, but she grew and thrived, with love and special attention. Following multiple open heart surgeries, her parents held hope that they'd be able to bring Olivia home by Christmas. Sadly, the baby died on December 19.

Sympathy cards are often the hardest to make -- and when the angel is a child, it makes it even harder. As a result, I think, Madison has received only a few cards to help support Olivia's family in their grief.

Will you help by making a card for this sweet baby's family? More information can be found here: www.funkycards.blogspot.com.

I made the card at the top of this post, for the IFTL project, and will be sending it to Madison later today. I used the flower (a Hero Arts stamp) as an image symbolizing Earth. The two pink butterflies (similar, but not identical, twins) represent Olivia and Amanda. Olivia has been blessed and glittered, with love on her journey across the Rainbow Bridge. The cloud she is flying to is glittered as well, representing Heaven. The flight lines represent her joyous time on Earth.

The pink text (above) is what I typed inside the card, in loving memory of Olivia.

Supplies used: Stamps from Hero Arts; Colored with Copic Markers; glitter glue by Ranger Glossy Accents; fine glitter by Martha Stewart; Exotic butterflies by Cheery Lynn Designs and purchased at Happy Scrappy; ribbon from stash.

Chinese New Year Hop - January 22-23

2012-01-21T22:00:00.000-05:00

There is a tremendous amount of excitement in the home of our Chinese New Year Blog Hop hostess, April Nourse. Her family has expanded by one -- a son -- who came to California just two weeks ago from Taiwan. Alex, the very handsome young guy, is six years old!

To welcome Alex and to share her happiness with us all, April invited her bloggy friends to celebrate The Year of the Dragon, Chinese New Year.

You should have arrived here from the Queen T's blog spot; if not, or if you're one of my followers who'd like to start at the beginning, please go to April's site and wish her well on her journey (and learning Chinese!) with her wonderful gift from Taiwan.

Be sure to visit April's blog to learn about the GRAND PRIZE Blog Candy for those who comment on each of the blog's stops. I'll have some of my own blog candy to encourage your comment here (read more later!)

So here's my project:

I decided to actually host a dinner party for my neighbors tonight. It's going to be catered by my local favorite Chinese restaurant with take-out specialties that we love. The restaurant's co-owners, husband and wife, Alvin and Shema, came to the U.S. via Chinese adoptions as well! Here is my invitation that I made for the event:

Isn't that just the perfect die to use for this occasion? It's by Cheery Lynn, and I bought it from my favorite vendor -- Happy Scrappy LLC -- who sells these dies at a deep discount. Alex, the owner, is a generous sponsor of many of the hops I am in, and I hope you will patronize him when you're shopping for dies. Please tell him I sent you!

SPECIAL BLOG CANDY alert!! For my SUPER blog candy for this Hop, I am giving away the die I used to make this invitation! It is beautiful ... and in addition to the dragon (shown above), there is an oval lattice frame that circles it that can be used on many other projects.

I will tell you that I had difficulty using this die at first. Then I contacted Alex at Happy Scrappy who was the best in terms of walking me through the use, leading me to some excellent videos -- and urging me to buy a "Cuttlehug" metal plate adapter to use with these very thin, intricate designs.

Alex sells these adapter plates in two sizes, and also sells other supplies (like B and C plates for Sizzix and Cuttlebug, embossing pads, and crafting picks) -- no craft room should be without them as mine was!!

ANYWHOOOO... if you'd like to win the Cheery Lynn Lace Dragon Frame I used above, please:

a) Be or become a follower of mine,

b) Leave a comment on this post telling me:

c) "My favorite Chinese food dish is ...."

Winner will be picked at random using Random.org, and announced on this blog on Tuesday, January 24 (since this is a 2-day hop). I hope to have another project for you tomorrow (January 23), so you can leave another comment then for 2 chances to win. Post about this hop on your blog or on Facebook, and get another chance to win!!

So now head on over to the next stop on the Chinese New Year Hop: PSA Essentials!

Here is the complete line-up, in case you get lost along the way:

April - http://curlsandgrins.blogspot.com

Lynne K. - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Amy - http://www.lovetocrop.com/

Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog

Inga - http://mommahobbit.blogspot.com/

Maria - http://www.mdcraftcorner.blogspot.com/

Janet- http://www.createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/

Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://jenrubio.blogspot.com/

Theresa- http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/

Ellen - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ <--- YOU ARE HERE!

PSA Essentials - www.psastampcamp.blogspot.com/

(Thank you!)

Touched by a Butterfly: David Kracov's art

2012-01-21T10:50:00.009-05:00

It's a snowy day here in suburban Philadelphia -- a perfect time to lounge in my jammies, catch up on reading some of my favorite blogs, discovering new ones, online shopping (shhhhh!), reflection ...and of course, there will be some crafting.

But given the snowy landscape outside and the bitter cold, I likely won't be seeing a butterfly ... and I miss them!

So here I am minding my own business, thinking back on the new knowledge about The Butterfly Project I last blogged about, when I stumbled across (on Facebook) a beautiful picture of art done by Artist David Kracov (www.davidkracov.com).

This is a metal sculpture called "The Book of Life" commissioned as the Rabbi Raichik Memorial Award in honor of the beloved director of Chabad's Children of Chernobyl project. Through that healing project (and at the time of the commission of this art), 2,547 children had been evacuated from the Chernobyl region, and provided medical care, a new home, and education in Israel.

David created this art using butterflies to represent the lives of each of those 2,547 children.

Seeing David's use of the butterflies here, I explored more, and found this remarkable sculpture he did on commission for the Holocaust Museum of St. Petersburg, Florida.

And now, here's one of those "small world" sorts of connections I have to this art. The founding Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum of Florida was a warm, wonderful and loving guy named Larry Wasser.

Larry was my first boss out of college, when he hired me to work as communications director for the March of Dimes in Philadelphia. Larry was super-fun, always good spirited, kind and what a boss! He and his family moved to Florida a more than two decades ago.

"My Heart is All A Flutter" (c) David Kracov

I never knew this about Larry, he never mentioned it: he was the son of Holocaust survivors Kurt and Goldie Wasser. Larry's heart was so large that it finally gave out on June 2, 2003; he died of a massive heart attack at age 56, leaving his widow Deanna and two young sons, Kurt and Adam.

I miss Larry!

"Reflections" (c) David Kracov

... but his work lives on, through butterflies. Today, David Kracov adds a butterfly to each and every piece of art he does, whether the theme is a butterfly or not -- whether visible or not. Why?

The Outdoor Arts Foundation (another that has commissioned works by David) says it best:

"The butterfly represents hope through our children.

May children all over the world fly free as does the butterfly;

May they be able to imagine and live a life filled with life and hope;

May they be given a chance to reach the fulfillment of their dreams; and,

May their aspirations soar as high as does the butterfly."

Now in Flight: Kari's Butterfly Kisses Blogaversary January 19 Blog Hop

2012-01-19T00:33:00.006-05:00

If you are here for Tina's 3-0 Birthday Blog Hop, please click HERE.

Our friend, Kari, chose the butterfly to celebrate her blog's anniversary, and to have you all visit on a Hop to see projects featuring this lovely creature, the butterfly.

So if you've come from Ashley's blog, you're on the right flight. If you'd like to start at the beginning, and wish Kari well on the start of her new year of blogging, go HERE.

To continue on the hop, please go to AMY next. Be sure to leave comments and ♥ love ♥ along the way to qualify for the blog candy detailed on the blog of our hostess and 2-year blogger, Kari. A full list of hop stops can also be found at Kari's blog.

And now for my project:

What a beautiful image, full of hope and new life, dazzling color and freedom of expression!

Our projects are to use a butterfly, and so mine does. A dream one night brought this card to me -- a colorful flock, released to the winds, when our creativity emerges.

This card is 5x5". I generated the sentiments on my computer and printed them on an 8.5x11" white cardstock. I lined up my Spellbinders circle die to cut the opening over the words "Unleash the creativity." I then lined up stripes of colored stock on my Cricut mat, and cut oodles of butterflies (found on my favorite cartridge, "Cake Basics", using the shadow/shift) that are 1/2" each. I used Aleene's Turbo Tack glue on just the body portion of each of the butterflies, lining them up in flight as if to form a rainbow of ideas.

I thought I was done with butterflies for the week ...

... But then, just as I was creating this post, a new bloggie friend, my watercoloring friend Jenn, told me about THE BUTTERFLY PROJECT and asked if I'd join in. The timing and theme were too coincidental ... and if it's about children, and memorializing them, I'm in.

The Butterfly Project is a special exhibit, scheduled to be placed in the Spring of 2014, that has been created by the Houston Holocaust Museum to honor the estimated 1,500,000 innocent lives of children lost during the Holocaust. Each life will be represented by a handmade butterfly made in many media from all over the world. They have already collected 900,000 butterflies!! Will you be making a single butterfly, to send to Houston's Holocaust Museum by December 31, 2012? I will be.

If you'd like more information, click on the pink text next to the butterfly image, above left. You'll find parameters on what size to make your butterfly, limitations, and where/when to send it.

This tender poem was written by one young woman who lost her life in Auschwitz in 1944. It lends the reason for the exhibit:

The Butterfly

The last, the very last,
So richly, brightly, dazzlingly yellow.
Perhaps if the sun’s tears would sing
against a white stone....

Such, such a yellow
Is carried lightly ’way up high.
It went away I’m sure
because it wished
to kiss the world good-bye.

For seven weeks I’ve lived in here,
Penned up inside this ghetto.
But I have found what I love here.
The dandelions call to me
And the white chestnut branches in the court.
Only I never saw another butterfly.

That butterfly was the last one.
Butterflies don’t live in here, in the ghetto.

by Pavel Friedman, June 4, 1942

Born in Prague on Jan. 7, 1921.
Deported to the Terezin Concentration Camp on April 26, 1942.
Died in Aushchwitz on Sept. 29, 1944.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Your next stop on Kari's

Butterfly Kisses Blogaversary Hop is AMY

Tina's 30th birthday blog hop

2012-01-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

How fun is it that we bloggers get to meet friends all over the world, all nationalities, all ages and through the scrappy world, we can come together to celebrate life's great occasions??

Today is one such FUN occasion -- Tina at Crafty and Green is turning 30! And she's hosting a blog hop to help celebrate the occasion. So if you've come from one of my BFFs, Susan's blog, you're at the right party. Be sure to stop and wish a happy b'day to Tina at her blog, too... as she says, she's not 30, she's 18 with 12 years of experience!

Now, it's been quite some time since I've turned 30 ... in fact, I'm closer to twice that age. But looking back, all I wanted then (and now!) was a haus-frau. So Tina, this one's for you:

I made this tri-fold card for Tina, which features an adorable digi-image of a housework fairy by Mo Manning at Mo's Digital Pencil. I paper-pieced the fairy's dress and apron using the reverse side of some Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker paper, in the My Li'l Monster line. Snips of the same paper decorate the center of the folded card. The cover I designed, typeset and printed on my computer.

To see what other treats Tina has in store for her birthday bash, be sure to hop on over to your next stop:

AMANDA

If you get lost along the way, here is your full blog hop list. THANK YOU for joining us today ...

and Tina --->

Tina - http://craftyandgreen.blogspot.com
Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
Caroline - http://www.stampingsandinklings.blogspot.com/
CallyAnn~ http://callyanncraftycreations.blogspot.com
Barbara-http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
Susan - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
Ellen - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE!
Amanda http://craftsbyamanda.blogspot.com/ Please visit here next!
Shawnee - http://www.blessedonthebrightside.com/
Amy Jo - http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com
Nikki-http://creationsbymommy.com
Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
Monica- http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
Anita~ http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com
Enjoli- http://mississippihippycrafts.blogspot.com/
Erin - http://deeplyrootedlife.blogspot.com
Jamie- http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com
Shannon - http://scraplady324.blogspot.com
Janet- http://createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Lori Apgar- http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
Debbie http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/

A dreary day -- brightened by friends

2012-01-17T16:20:00.001-05:00

Perhaps it was the winter, rain, sleet and impossibly gray (Copics Warm Gray W-02!) sky, but when I posted earlier -- feeling blue (Copics B02) -- friends have come to the rescue. Thank you.

I wrote of my new friend, Jenn (http://justaddwatersilly.blogspot.com) who makes my day sunny with her reparte and beautiful sketches of flowers. Through her, I found Flickr and DailyPaintworks, where you can have sent to your e-mail daily postings of the works of artists around the world -- gorgeous, uplifting, art.

Through a combination of all of the above, I found a photographer whose pictures of flowers simply make my heart sing when the gardens here are as stark as the sky. Magda Indigo ... of the U.K. ... what more can I say, but amazing?!

She sent me a lovely response to a comment I made on her blog, and with it, attached a photograph of a stunning flower. I am speechless in God's beauty, and in Magda's specialty in capturing it so.

She's graciously given me permission to share this on my blog, with attribution which follows. I do so, hoping it brings you as much joy as it did me. Blessings to you too, Magda!

The skies have brightened and the sunset is glorious ... my mood has too. I think I'm a YR, but I'm not sure of the shade.

Speaking of colors, you all know about my love of Copics. They're sponsoring a HUGE giveaway if you "Like" their fan parade on Facebook. Here is the promotional image. If you're a Facebooker, do it, comment/share. If you win, I'll be all shades of YG06.

I am secure enough to admit I am sometimes insecure.

2012-01-17T12:01:00.002-05:00

by Jennifer McLean: http://justaddwatersilly.blogspot.com

I realize I'm more than two weeks into the new year, and there ought to be a time limit on when you can decide on some resolutions. Frankly, I hadn't given them a thought ... I've been so busy, so entangled in projects that I wasn't enjoying, and dealing with the stress of life.

Holidays, expectations, wanting perfection and procrastination. All get in the way of my life as I should be living it.

...and then I met a blogger, clear across the continent, in British Columbia, Canada, in a town with a beautiful name: Nanaimo. I should get the history straight of how we met, as some day it might be important. I do know that I found a blog posting of hers (on her site: http://justaddwatersilly.blogspot.com) and won a bookmark that she lovingly drew and then laminated. Delicious blog candy, that's in the mail to me.

From: Flickr

We struck up a conversation online, and she's helped me in ways that she doesn't know yet -- at least not until she reads this posting. I hope I helped her a bit too. We both have insecurities about how "good" our craft is ... our self-judgment is harsh!

A mosaic Jenn created using Flickr images and a Mosaic Maker helped me formulate my resolutions or at least my goals for 2012. It's here, above left.

My resolution for 2012? "To be." I plan on creating some work, challenging my life on being: me!, loved, happy, honest, kind, amazing, unique, creative, believable, healthy, inspiring and grateful. (Notice there are 12 "be" words? Perhaps I'll have monthly posts and challenges, to be ....)

To do that, I need to: dream, have patience, have courage, create, live, laugh, pray, believe, have passion, breathe, wish, hope, and love.

A first step: Jenn said it best. Like her, I'll be "...'thinning the herd' ... of superfluous things that are cluttering my time. I have to concentrate on things that are important ... making the life I want to live." "Declutter the mind and focus one's feelings..."

From: Flickr

On today's obstacle: I admit I was having a tough time recently with rejection, one of my fears. I tried facing it down, and in December, applied to a Design Team where I thought I was meant to be. I'll own it -- I made application to the Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker team, as I love those papers and embellishments, and hoped my talent would help me reach a goal for 2012 to be on their design team.

I have to say, I was crushed not to have been chosen. Not just that I was rejected, but also the way in which it was done. Without so much as a personal e-mail to say, "sorry ol' chap, try again later," the new team was announced with fanfare. Those who made the team got personal telephone calls from Nikki herself; those who didn't were left without so much as a group hug on a Facebook post. Lots of jolly blogs screaming joy of having made it ... blogs I joined to see what I could have done better ... sadness, feeling inadequate and untalented.

Then I read a quote on Jenn's blog today ... One she quoted from another's writing. It speaks volumes to me:

"Here’s another important truth for me: Always sign up for adventure. Always say yes. Even if it’s terrifying to the core of your soul. That means you’re doing the right thing. You’re learning and growing and shoving yourself right out of your comfort zone. Unless… well, unless there are guns and heists. In that case… stay in your comfort zone and away from guns. Also… before you forge forward. Have breakfast (preferably with chocolate) and pack cookies." ~ from Joy the Baker

In this era of impersonality, Twitter/Tweets, blogs and e-mails substituting for the real thing -- a look in the eye, a gentle hug when a day is sad -- please let's remember that we're real humans out here ... with beating hearts, caring souls, with dreams and aspirations.

P.S., Nikki, I still love you. I'll still continue to buy and use your paper. I know you're busy (CHA). But just remember this: it's a sign of character in how you treat those who hope to walk in your footsteps, or along side of you. And as another blogger, Abby, writes: "The strength of character can be written in at any time."
By the way, Abby also wrote the headline to this post, well before I could. I lifted it from her blog, and give her credit here.

In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr.

2012-01-16T23:57:00.001-05:00

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
~Martin Luther King, Jr.

To all my blog friends around the world, of all ethnicities and creeds, talents and styles, I wish for all of us the continued commonality that brings us together regardless of our differences -- that is, the world of craft.

Bless you, most sincerely, for being a large part of my world.

~Ellen ♥ CardMonkey

Blog Candy Announcements

2012-01-15T18:39:00.000-05:00

Hello all! I've been somewhat remiss in not announcing here the winners from the Love Bugs Banners for Kids blog hop ... and I also can announce the winner of my blog candy for this weekend's Valentines for Kids with Cancer blog hop.

Without further ado ...

"Randy" at www.random.org chose the following winner of the JELLYPARK 2 free digi-images from ALL of the comments on the blogs featured on Day #1. The winner is:

DENA JONES!! Who wrote on Jearise’s “LORBY’S WORLD” on Jan 6, 2012 04:50 AM
"Love how colorful your banner is, Jearise! As always, you put so much love into what you create! TFS!
Aloha, Dena Jones ~ missdjones.blogspot.com"

"Randy" again was put into action at www.random.org and he chose the following winner of the 5 free digi-images from ROBYN'S FETISH. The winner, from ALL of the comments on the blogs featured on Day #2 is:

SHAWNEE PENKACIK!! Who wrote on Janice's "SCRAP and CHAT" blog on Jan 7, 2012 12:32 PM: "I love that you chose the word smile. It is what the children will be doing when they see your banner. It is so cute. Great job!"

Congratulations Dena and Shawnee! I will contact each of the sponsors to have them reach out to you to provide you with access codes to get your prizes.

The grand prize winner will be selected by the CHILDREN at Pediatric Specialty Care, once all of the banners are hanging at PSC. The winner will be picked from the banners received -- so make sure you get your banner to me ASAP, hopefully by January 17.

.... Now, from this weekend's Valentines for Kids with Cancer Blog Hop, I'll be assembling a grab bag of great goodies from the PaperJungle. The winner, again, chosen by Randy at http://www.random.org/, is AMY JO! Amy, please be in touch with me via e-mail (scroll down here for the Kontactr form) and provide me with your mailing address. I'll get your goodies out quickly!

Valentine Card Blog Hop for Kids with Cancer - January 14

2012-01-13T23:43:00.013-05:00

One of my greatest joys is to craft for the benefit of ailing children and their families. Perhaps I'm an old softie, or just like an appreciative audience. Nonetheless, when the call went out by Liz Decade for blog hop participants in the Valentines for Kids with Cancer Blog Hop, I joined right in.

Liz is battling cancer (leukemia) herself, and knows how much a tender thought and a generous gesture like a card can help someone in need of a smile. The cards made during this Hop are being sent to the Jackson Memorial Holtz Cancer Unit in Florida.

So if you've come from Misty's beautiful MBTreasurista's blog, you're in the right spot. If you've just stumbled upon my blog (and thank you, and welcome!), feel free to go to the Hop's beginning at Liz Decade's blog at http://decadeofscrap.blogspot.com

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I made this cute set of Valentine cards simply and quickly, using a single sheet of Valentine's specialty paper (I think it's by Making Memories?) and a 12x12" piece of black paper, three pre-made boxed plain cards, and the Cricut cartridge called "A Child's Year."

For the card on the left, I used Flower Soft to embellish the two bouquets, and trimmed out the card using red seam binding from Zipperstop. The silhouettes are sitting on a die cut from "My Favorite Things." The sentiment stamp is from Hero Arts.

For the center card, I fussy cut the hearts being carried by the girl in the silhouette, and pop-dotted the one in her right hand. The Eiffel Tower image was pre-printed on the specialty paper for a Parisian feel for this romantic card.

The framed card on the right was layered with a piece of the same specialty paper, and criss-crossed with white seam binding from Zipperstop. The small red heart on the kite was also fussy cut and adhered.

Here are some additional cards I made for this Hop, and am just posting at 3 p.m. These sweet .jpg images are FREE from Lettering Delights. I sized them to fit a standard pre-made card size purchased inexpensively at Michael's (with envelopes, and using a coupon, what a deal!) After printing these images on white cardstock (4 up on an 8.5x11" piece of cardstock), I trimmed them and used my Pink ATG gun (LOVE IT!) to adhere these images to their cards. I used Stickles to highlight little areas ... added a heart on top of the basket for the hot air balloon, for instance, and little dots in the corner of the "live, laugh, love" card ... and ta-ta! DONE! How easy-peasy is that?!

My BFF (Beautiful Bloggy Friend) Edwina Brown -- http://www.edwinascreations.blogspot.com/ -- made these three cute BEE MINE cards for me to include with those I'm donating to the Jackson Memorial Holtz Cancer Unit. Aren't they the sweetest!?

I can't resist giving away a little blog candy ... so I've put together a SWEET package of Valentine's goodies for you. I'm working in the PaperJungle this weekend, so the goodie pack will grow as I find more sweetness to include. To win it, simply be/become a follower, and leave a comment to this blog post. Winner will be picked at random from qualified entries, and announced on Monday, 1/16.

YOUR NEXT STOP is

Theresa at

Scrappy Art Crafters

Here is the full blog line-up,

in case you get lost along the way:

1. Liz- http://decadeofscrap.blogspot.com/
2. Ashley- http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
3. Teresa - http://www.scrappintplace.blogspot.com/
4. Lina- http://www.sweetnothingspaperco.blogspot.com
5. Nikki-http://www.paperpiecingsbynikki.blogspot.com
6. Nicolette www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com
7. Misty - http://mbtreasurista.blogspot.com/
8. Ellen ♥ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ <--YOU ARE HERE
9. Theresa Neubaum - http://www.scrappyartcrafters.blogspot.com <--GO HERE NEXT!
10. Beckie http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/
11. Doris - http://mybugandmecreate.blogspot.com
12. Amber - http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com
13. Leslie-http://ScrapOfArtDesigns.blogspot.com
14. Melissa-http://timeweavers.wordpress.com

15. Amy - http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com

My own version of a "Smash book" -- and Copic winners!

2012-01-10T13:57:00.000-05:00

Well, today I have two fun things to do ... first, to show you a project I did last night, and the next, announce the winners of my Copic markers giveaway from yesterday.

So I keep a thousand little scrap notes all over the place for my adventures in my craft room. I decided that this year, I'd try ("no try ... only do," quote Yoda) to keep my musings, notes, addresses, etc. a little (emphasize: LITTLE) more organized. "SMASH" books are all the rage -- a journal that comes with pen and glue stick -- but why spend it there when you can just make your own?

Above, left, is a picture of the composition book I made my own. Yes, the BEAST that has been unleashed is my Creative Monster ... the one who wakens and shakes me, the one who slogs me through the paper quicksand.

To make the journal, I used a standard $1.00 composition book from Staples, covered it in my favorite Nikki Sivils Scrapbooker paper (Li'l Monster line), and adhered complementing cut-outs, punch-outs and stickers from the same line. I used Helmar Decoupage glue to both adhere and to coat the full cover. I'm looking forward to filling it up with ideas, contacts, whatever!!

NOW for the COPIC MARKERS winners!!!

I've weeded through my Copic marker collection and found I have 9 duplicates. This is why I now plan to shop with my Copic Color chart (see yesterday's post) with me ... I laminated a copy for my purse!

So the beneficiaries of my stupidity (or perhaps it was my enthusiasm for finding them out at the Expo at a reasonable price) are these THREE winners. Each winner was chosen at random by Random.Org and meets all of the eligibility requirements of the post; each will receive a gift pack of THREE gently used Copic markers from my collection:

JESSICA (http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/) will receive E00 Skin White, E02 Fruit Pink, and Y02 Canary Yellow.

SHARON JOY (http://cardcreationsbysharonjoy.blogspot.com/) will receive B00 Frost Blue, B05 Process Blue, and YG06 Yellowish Green

JEN (http://jensunchartedterritory.blogspot.com/) will receive E21 Baby Skin Pink, E43 Dull Ivory, and W-1 Warm Gray No. 1.

Ladies, please e-mail me at cardmonkey {at comcast . net} with your mailing addresses for this little mid-week treat! Congratulations, and thank you for following CardMonkey!

Copic Blog Candy for a Monday!

2012-01-09T09:52:00.001-05:00

For those who've been following my blog over the years, you've likely noticed that I started papercrafting using my Cricut Expression. I then ventured into mixed media and embellishments -- loving Stickles! I've done a little stamping and then paper piecing.

Lately, I've added coloring to my cardmaking. I've also added die cuts more often, but I'll get into that at another time. Today, I want to talk about my new BFF in papercrafting: Copic markers.

Digi-art by Mo's Designs

The card front (at right) I colored using Copic markers, a bit of paper piecing, Liquid Pearls (for the snow on the fairy wing) and dots of Stickles (for the snowflakes the fairy is blowing).

I think this turned out nicely, with good blending of colors. I've never taken a Copic certification class nor had any professional art classes ...
and if I can color this well, so can you, if you'll invest in some Copic markers.

Copic markers come in several different sizes of marker, and now 358 colors!! Who knew the rainbow could have that many colors!? The two types of markers I prefer are the styles called Ciao and Sketch:

Photo credit: www.copicmarkers.com

I started collecting Ciao markers because they are more economical. Their MSRP is $4.99, and you can usually find discounts on them. While they are refillable and you can replace the nibs on them, and they do have the two styles of nibs (flat and pointed), I find they hold less ink ...and they're only available in 180 colors, or about half of the colors in the Sketch marker.

So I switched over to Sketch markers. A few of the advantages: Sketch markers hold more ink; they can be used with Copic's air brushing system (which I'm not yet into); they have the widest array of colors; and their flat side keeps the marker from rolling off the table. I know -- silly thing -- but when you have a puppy who sits under your table waiting for you to drop something they think can be chewed, this means something. The MSRP for each Sketch marker is $6.99.

Drop the MSRP on all 358 markers, and you have an investment of $2,502.42 plus tax and delivery!!

But I'm here to tell you that you can usually find these "magic" markers at a discount. This week (1/8 - 1/14), for instance, Michael's is running a Members Only discount on Copic Sketch markers -- buy one, get the next 1/2 off! That's approximately $5 each when you buy two. Or a dozen, or three.

My Michael's also honored a 20% off your entire purchase coupon yesterday (1-7 p.m. only) ... so that's $4 each.

I spent the early part of my day yesterday organizing my Copics. This is how my former collection looks, in a tool caddy I purchased from Lowe's. You'll see on the left that I have hanging a chart that I made so I can easily see my available colors and their nearby blending shades.

I realized yesterday that there is no chart available that includes all 358 colors, including the 12 that were introduced for 2012:

So I set about making one. This is the result:

This chart barely has room for all of the color numbers, which means I wouldn't know their color names. Spoiled that way, I also created a second document that's 5 pages long, which breaks down the colors by color group, color number and color name. Blogger won't let me post this doc for some reason ... you'll have to believe me!

I'm happy to provide you with printable PDF's of either or both charts, free! To get your free copies e-mailed to you, do three things: 1. Be or become a follower. 2. Leave a comment for me that you'd like a copy e-mailed to you. And, 3. Scroll down on my blog to where it says "SEND AN E-MAIL" -- then send me an e-mail so I can respond easily with the attachments!

NOW, I have a special treat!! In my excitement seeing all these Copic Markers now at my Michael's, I accidentally picked up a few that are duplicates. And I have some other duplicates already that I own. I'm going to have Random.Org pick one or two bloggers who comment here, to send a Copic marker or two, free, from my collection. It may have been gently used ... or it may be new. Want one or two? Comment below ... and please leave me a way to contact you when you win!!

YAY!! Blog candy on a Monday!!

I'm participating in many upcoming blog hops ... There will be plenty of blog candy!

2012-01-08T07:46:00.000-05:00

January 14: Valentine's Cards Blog Hop for Kids with Cancer

January 18-19: Tina's Big 3-0 Birthday Bash

January 19: Kari's Butterfly Kisses Blogaversary

January 22-23: Chinese New Year Blog Hop

January 28: The Princess' Wedding Surprise

February 4-5: Love Is In the Air - Ticket to Love

March 3-4: Our Favorite Things Blog Candy Extravaganza

Day 2 - It's Cold Outside (NOT!) but it IS cold ... inside your nose!

2012-01-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

I'll be posting a ROUND-UP for all the SUPER "Love Bugs Banners for Special Needs Kids" on my blog today as well. Don't miss it ... there's some SUPER blog candy to share at: THIS POST!

Thank you for joining us today on the "It's Cold Outside Blog Hop." Today is DAY #2 of the hop ... click here to visit the card I made for yesterday's post.

If you arrived here from Lissa Marie's blog, or landed here by chance, welcome -- and please hop over to the start of the hop at Z's blog (http://scrappinwithz.blogspot.com/). Zenita will tell you about the blog candy available for followers on this wintry trail. Thank you to our sponsor, Chris at Visual Designs, for the digi-art blog candy!

I'm sure somewhere in what's supposed to be winter it's cold outside, but here in suburban Philadelphia, truth be told, it's unseasonably mild. The shine's shining and it's still nice enough outside to go without mittens and woolies.

BUT the variable weather leads to more misery -- germs spreading and FLU SEASON! So baby, it may not be cold outside, but you sure have a cold inside ... your NOSE!

So I made this little gift "get well kit" for my suffering friends, and wrote the little ditty on its cover. Here goes:

The box is cut using Cricut's "Tags, Bags, Boxes and More" cartridge -- it's a "crayon box".
The art work is clip art from www.ClickArtOnline.com (a subscription service) and I
created/welded/cut the word "Achoo!" using Fairy Cut software.

Here's what's inside the box:

A cup of chicken soup...

...a small pack of tissues

...and a plastic Zip bag with a packet of 2 Tylenol,
....a few cough drops
...and some tea bags.

Please jump on over to Anita's blog next to continue shooshing down the snow-covered path. I welcome your comments, and hope you'll come back often, for inspiration, a little story telling, and friendship.

In case you get lost along the way, here is the blog line up for the "It's Cold Outside Blog Hop":

1. Zenita - http://www.scrappinwithz.blogspot.com/
2. Janet Royer- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/
3. Lissa Marie - http://www.somanycrafts.com/
4. Ellen -- http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/
5. Anita - http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/
6. Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
7. Teresa - http://scrappintplace.blogspot.com/
8. Yvette- http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/
9. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
10 Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog/
11.Melissa-http://www.timeweavers.wordpress.com/
12. Pammejo- http://pammejo-scrapbookflair.blogspot.com/
13. Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
14. Jennifer - http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/

A Round-Up of Fantastic "Love Bugs Banners for Kids"

2012-01-08T00:00:00.006-05:00

When I'm looking for talent in the world of papercrafting, I am never disappointed by the wonderful group of crafters who generously design, make and donate banners for the special needs, medically-fragile children at Pediatric Specialty Care.

Each of the pictures below has been watermarked with the blogger's address. Please don't forget to leave some love/comments on those blogs whose banners you appreciate.

Your comments posted on each of the blogs today do count toward the delicious blog candy our sponsors have pledged.

Winners of the digi-art from Robyn's Fetish and Jellypark will be posted on this blog tomorrow. The winner of the K Andrew Designs stamp set will be picked by the children at Pediatric Specialty Care, and announced as soon as possible.

In case you missed any of the fantastic banners, here is a compendium of all of the banners that have been made for the very special kids ... They are posted in the order that they appeared in our 2-day hop.

Thank you again to our banner makers, and to you for visiting and leaving your comments!

Love Bugs Banners for Kids Blog Hop - Day 2!

2012-01-06T23:15:00.006-05:00

Please note: If you're here for the It's Cold Outside Blog hop, please click HERE to be taken there.

If you'd like to first swing by the Love Bugs Banners for Kids from Day #1, click HERE for yesterday's post.

Welcome to Day #2 of the L♥VE BUGS BANNERS FOR KIDS BLOG HOP!

This is the THIRD banner hop where 40 fantastic and generous crafters donated their talents, time banners to the children at Pediatric Specialty Care in Bucks County, PA. (See www.PediatricSpecialty.Com) Previously, we made banners for Halloween and Christmas ... and this one's for Valentine's Day.

Before I get on to the business of this hop, let me invite you to participate in our next banner hop. Most of our talented friends who make banners will be re-joining us to make banners again this spring, with a Spring/Easter kid-friendly banner hop for special needs children. If you too would like to join us, our needs are great. Typically at our ONE facility in Bucks County, we have about 50 children. We DO have four other facilities throughout Pennsylvania, with about 50 other kids.

So right now, we focus on the largest facility (where I work) ... but if we have more crafters, we have more children who would give their most precious gift -- their smiles -- for your banner. Please send me an e-mail (to cardmonkey@comcast.net) if you'd like to join in. You can either join our hop and post about your banner, or you can simply make/send a banner, your pick. Will you join us??

I work at Pediatric Specialty Care as Admissions Coordinator. The children (ages 0-21) we see are medically-fragile and technologically-dependent -- many are tethered to a ventilator that runs through a tracheostomy; most are wheelchair-bound, and cognitively impaired. They are all delightful children who face life with optimism and hope for a better tomorrow.

No matter their limitations, the eyes of the kids who reside at Pediatric Specialty Care light up when given a handmade banner or card. They love the bright colors, and knowing that there are so many people from around the world care enough to send them these decorations for their rooms.

On this 2-day hop, we have 38 generous hoppers who have created fabulous banners. I've split the group in half so you're not overwhelmed with completing the hop in just one day.

So DO stop back tomorrow to visit the second set of unique and precious banners. Please scroll down for the full list of today's hop stops.

And there's BLOG CANDY to be had!! THANK YOU to our generous sponsors who have provided prizes to those who hop along. Here are our sponsors and their prizes:

Jellypark Digital Stamps will award
2 free digi-images to the winner of this prize!
The winner of this prize will be selected
via RANDOMdotORG from all the
comments received on Day #1.

K Andrews Designs (thank you, Kristal!) will donate
one fabulous stamp set to the winner of his prize!
The winner of this special prize will be presented
to the creator of the banner picked by the kids
at Pediatric Specialty Care as their favorite.

Robyn's Fetish Digital Designs will donate
FIVE (5!!!) digital images to the winner of this prize.
The winner of this prize will be chosen via
RANDOMdotORG from all the comments
posted on Day #2 (Saturday).

All hoppers are eligible to win. Here's how:

Follow the blog and comment on as many projects as you choose -- the more blogs where you comment and follow, the more chances you have to win. There's just one catch: please actually comment on the project, which shows you've looked at the project, not just cut/pasting random comments ("CUTE! TYFS") only to win the prize.

Without further ado, here is my banner for Day Two:

These bugs are created by using one of my favorite clip art programs: www.ClickArtOnline.com. This is a subscription-based clip art program ... I believe it's $39.95/year for unlimited access. Using it, I found these adorable bugs, printed them out on cardstock and fussy cut, and mounted the cuts on wide ribbon. Quick, simple and colorful.

I also use ClickArtOnline to find my backgrounds for my blog, and also for art with which to make blog buttons (like the one for this hop). I don't get anything for this endorsement (I pay my own annual fee), but I thought you'd like to know one of my best-kept secrets, LOL! Consider it your own little blog candy!!!

And in case you missed it, here's my banner from Day #1:

I alternated buggy images from Cricut's Doodlecharms cartridge (cut at 5.75") with heart charms, strung on a paper chain of red and white alternating strips. Here's a close-up:

Thank you (!!!) to each of the crafters who has made a Love Bugs Banner. Please stop by each of their blogs to send them some love. Today (Saturday, January 7), please hop to the following blogs:

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey – http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ YOU ARE HERE
Tami - http://tamboscreations.blogspot.com/ THIS IS YOUR NEXT STOP
Jessica- http://thecreativestamperspot.blogspot.com/
Robin – http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/
Theresa Neubaum - http://scrappyartcrafters.blogspot.com/
Nicolette - http://beyondscrapin.blogspot.com/
Vicki - http://scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com/
Lisa T.- http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com/
Jessica ~ http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/
Jessica ~ http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com/
Jennifer ~ http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/
Nancie ~ http://alittlepieceofmebynancie.blogspot.com/
~~Tonya Wilson -~~ ~~http://creativeaddictiontopaper.blogspot.com/~~
Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
Rachelle- http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/
Beckie - http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com/
Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/

...and stop back tomorrow (Sunday, January 8), I'll do a round-up of all of the banners from yesterday and today, with a SPECIAL BIT of BLOG CANDY for the commenters who visit that day ... so come back one more time then and CHECK IT OUT!!

DON'T FORGET ... TODAY, HOP OVER TO TAMI NEXT!

Thank you again for visiting us on this

very special blog hop for even more special needs kids.

Our next banner hop will celebrate

Spring holidays, flowers, Bunnies, chicks...

To be held March 25-26.

Please e-mail Cardmonkey@comcast.net

if you're interested in joining us!

BLOG HOP: It's Cold Outside (it is???) Blog Hop - January 7 and 8

2012-01-06T23:10:00.000-05:00

Please note: If you're here for the Love Bugs Banners for Kids blog hop, please click here to be taken there.

Thank you for joining us today on the "It's Cold Outside Blog Hop."

If you arrived here from Lissa Marie's blog, or landed here by chance, welcome -- and please hop over to the start of the hop at Z's blog (http://scrappinwithz.blogspot.com/). Zenita will tell you about the blog candy available for followers on this wintry trail.

I'm sure somewhere in what's supposed to be winter it's cold outside, but here in suburban Philadelphia, truth be told, it's unseasonably mild. The shine's shining and it's still nice enough outside to go without mittens and woolies.

Yes, that's unusual for us. And yes, most of us consider ourselves blessed.

I suppose there are some snowbunnies out there who might disagree ... but I detest snow. It may be fun to look at for a day or two especially if I have nowhere I need to go and can spend my time crafting. But after it's dingy and yellowed (ahem!), sloppy and slushy, no thank you.

So I've used my imagination this year to put on my fuzzy mittens and drink a cup of hot chocolate, and make this card for those who think the world of pretty white fresh-fallen snow:

I made this three-paneled card to feature two of the cutest snow fairies I've ever seen. They are digi-images from Mo's Designs. I colored them with Copic markers, and paper pieced in complementing colors. Liquid Pearl gave the snow on the wings dimension and sparkle. Stickles lightly applied to snowflakes gave them a magical touch. The stripe of glitter is double sided 1/8" tape adhered to the paper then glittered with fine Martha Stewart glitter. I strung the beautiful snowflake between panels 1 and 3, using fishing line mounted underneath the art. The snowflake is cut from glitter paper using a Cheery Lynn die. The sentiment in the center is computer-generated with snowflake art by DaFont.

Love Bugs Banners for Kids Blog Hop - Jan. 6 and 7

2012-01-06T00:01:00.009-05:00

It is my pleasure to host the LOVE BUGS BANNERS FOR KIDS, where 40 fantastic and generous crafters donated their talents, time and Valentine's-themed buggy banners to the children at Pediatric Specialty Care in Bucks County, PA. (See www.PediatricSpecialty.Com)

I work at Pediatric Specialty Care as Admissions Coordinator. The children (ages 0-21) we see are medically-fragile and technologically-dependent -- many are tethered to a ventilator that runs through a tracheostomy; most are wheelchair-bound, and cognitively impaired. They are all delightful children who face life with optimism and hope for a better tomorrow.

No matter their limitations, the eyes of the kids who reside at Pediatric Specialty Care light up when given a handmade banner or card. They love the bright colors, and knowing that there are so many people from around the world care enough to send them these decorations for their rooms.

On this hop, we have 38 generous hoppers who have created fabulous banners. I've split the group in half so you're not overwhelmed with completing the hop in just one day.

So DO stop back tomorrow to visit the second set of unique and precious banners. Please scroll down for the full list of today's hop stops.

And there's BLOG CANDY to be had!! THANK YOU to our generous sponsors who have provided prizes to those who hop along. Here are our sponsors and their prizes:

Jellypark Digital Stamps will award
2 free digi-images to the winner of this prize!
The winner of this prize will be selected
via RANDOMdotORG from all the
comments received on Day #1.

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I alternated buggy images from Cricut's Doodlecharms cartridge (cut at 5.75") with heart charms, strung on a paper chain of red and white alternating strips. Here's a close-up:

Thank you (!!!) to each of the crafters who has made a Love Bugs Banner. Please stop by each of their blogs to send them some love. Today (Friday, January 6), please hop to the following blogs:

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/ (YOU ARE HERE)
Sandie Dunne - http://sandieshores.blogspot.com/ (THIS IS YOUR NEXT STOP)
Lori Apgar - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/
The Scrapbooking Queen~ http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/
Linda Simpson - http://lindasimpsoncraftypieceofheaven.blogspot.com/
Lisa Lam- http://craftylam.blogspot.com/
Jenny (Crazy About Cricut) - http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
Haidee-http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/
Carol - http://cardstockscissorsandglue.blogspot.com/
Edwina - http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/
Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Janet S - http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
Denise - http://vintageheartfeltdesigns.blogspot.com/
Jamie http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/
Teresa - http://scrappintplace.blogspot.com/
Alina - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com/
Dena - http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
Martha- http://pattisscrapingtime.blogspot.com/
Erica http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com

...and stop back tomorrow, when ~20 different crafters will be showing their banners, and giving you more chances to win blog candy!

On Sunday, January 8, I'll do a round-up of all of the banners from both days, with a SPECIAL BIT of BLOG CANDY for the commenters who visit that day ... so come back one more time then and CHECK IT OUT!!

DON'T FORGET ... TODAY, HOP OVER TO SANDIE NEXT!