Tip Tuesday:
50 ways to use stamps (found on Scrapbook.com)
1. Use alphabet stamps to make your title on a strip of cardstock
2. cut out the individual letters and pop dot them for an even jazzier title
3. stamp directly on your photos
4. get a personalized stamp with your return address for all your correspondence
5. get a personalized stamp with “handmade by ____” to mark all your creations
6. stamp a small image over and over again to make your own patterned paper
7. try the above with versamark ink for an even subtler background pattern
8. stamp with acrylic paint
9. use a phrase stamp on the inside of a card to make it even more professional-looking 
10. stamp lines in versamark as a guide for straight handwritten journaling
11. use an inkpad, without a stamp, directly on your paper to jazz up the edges
12. stamp a flower and add a brad or eyelet for the center
13. use small alphabet stamps to make captions for photos
14. stamp a word on a tag to highlight the theme of your page
15. stamp an image multiple times, color in and cut out the pieces to overlap and form your own paper piecing
16. stamp an image and cut out, then pop dot or use on your page just like a sticker
17. emboss your stamping for extra shine or the 3D effect
18. use one set of stamps throughout an entire minialbum to tie it all together
19. use stamps to decorate the cover of a cloth album so that it coordinates with the theme of the pages inside
20. practice stamping on scrap paper and use the result as a pretty bookmark
21. use wheel stamps for handmade giftwrap
22. use a wheel stamp to make patterned paper
23. use a wheel stamp for a quick and easy border
24. stamp on paperclay and punch a hole in the top to make your own charms
25. stamp on a magnetic sheet and cut out for cute handmade magnets to give as a gift
26. stamp an image in black ink and color it in
27. stamp an image in clear ink and emboss in clear, then rub colored ink over the paper so that you get a reverse image
28. stamp an image in black and use a sponge dipped in ink/pressed on the inkpad to color in the image – looks even better if you *don’t* stay inside the lines
29. stamp in versamark and dab chalk over the top for a softer image
30. you can also try stamping with chalk ink
31. stamp a whole scene and mat it just like a photo
32. overlap stamped images for a collage look
33. use an alphabet stamp to make monogram patterned paper
34. use word stamps to make interesting patterned paper
35. try stamping your title with mismatched or different sizes of alphabet stamps for a funky/ransom note look
36. customize your home décor by stamping on your walls
37. stamp on fabric – aprons, dishtowels, tote bags, swatches for scrapbook pages, etc
38. stamp the sides of a post-it note cube for a cute gift
39. use stamps on your holiday cards – makes it easier to mass produce the same design over and over
40. print business cards or address labels from your computer and stamp an image in the corner to jazz them up
41. stamp off on scrap paper once before stamping so that the image is softer and you can read text through it
42. when making background paper, stamp two or three times before re-inking – you get even more ‘shades’ out of just one color this way
43. use Staz-On ink to stamp on vellum or metal
44. stamp on polyshrink and bake it to make your own plastic charms
45. stamp on bottlecaps for an even jazzier embellishment
46. use a stamped image as the outline for creating a wire shape
47. use a word stamp to stamp on ribbon or twill
48. leave space in printed journaling to stamp a few words so that they stand out 
49. used stamps to fill in the smaller squares in a colorblocking page
50. get non-toxic ink and stamp on yourself – makes a cool temporary tattoo! (kids love this one too)

Illuminate November Stamp of the Month Blog Hop

 Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring November's SOTM,

which is Illuminate, a set of 15 stamps.  If you have come here from Sara's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants here at Melinda's Blog.

This month we have 54 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

This is a little card I put together to mail to a friend.  The saying in the top says, "Let your light shine through".  I decided to use some of the paper from our new paper pack, Sparkle and Shine.  I had to decide where to place my lamp post....hmmmm  front or back of the page?  I decided in the front.   I stamped a lamp light, colored it using my honey alcohol marker, cut it out and hung on a lamp post.   There is  a candle inside it  that I colored, then stamped, using my Juniper alcohol marker.  After this all dried, I put a little bit of glitter around the light to give it a shimmer, like you see around a light at night.  I used 2 sentiments from this card set.  On the bottom sentiment, I put it on a piece of ribbon.

Thanks for looking.  Now "Hop" on over to Terri Ann's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the November SOTM is only available until November 30, 2013!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click here) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount or even free!

Halloween for Handmade Harbour

This fella, or gal, is all dressed up and ready to go.  They are even carrying a sign, so when they get tired of asking, they just have to hold up their sign.  I made this into a flip card, so when you lift up, you can see the inside saying, which is "Have a safe time, trick or treating."

I got this stamp from Handmade Harbour and love the creativity behind it.  I reminds me of when I was younger, and my mom made all my costumes.   I hope you enjoy this.  It is stamp #208, trick or treat monster.  

Classes at my house

Scrap-booking and card making get Together is on for Saturday!!!!  Come down and see what fun you can have with us.   Bring your pictures, papers, stamps, inks, whatever you need to work.  It will be fun.  At 4:00, I will be teaching a class for a scrapbook layout using our newest Cricut cartridge, Artbooking.  It is really a cute layout, 2 pages, with Grateful and Give Thanks are titles I have for it, but you can change it if you want.  Dinner will be turkey meatball sandwiches, chips, and salad.  After dinner, around 6 or 6:30, I will give you a lesson on using the alcohol markers.  Yes, those of you who ordered the first set of markers…they are in!  We will make a card exclusively for you alcohol marker purchasers. 

I will be placing my next order after you leave on Saturday, so if there is anything you want to order, get your order in right away.  I have gotten many of the new stamps from the Christmas catalog, and they are cute!

There is a new Stamp of the Month for October called Scandanavian Wishes.  If you place an order of $50, you can get this stamp set for only $5.  Now, those of you in the marker buy, that means you need to only order an additional $23.80 

Our next get together will be October 26, and we  will be starting classes to make Christmas cards.  I have a set of cards made for you to look over, to see if you want to take this class.  You have two options:

Option 1:  You take the class, creating 10 cards.  You will receive 10 blank cards and envelops, the paper needed for the cards, use of my ink and my stamp set, and I will provide any embellishments needed.  Cost to you…$15.00

Option 2: Purchase the Workshop on the Go Frosted for $24.95.  With this kit, you have the ability to make 15 cards, plus you get your own "D" size stamp set (valued at $19.95), and embellishments for the cards.

Next month, we will be making more Christmas cards, using the new Sparkle and Shine set from the Holiday Catalog.  You will have the same choice of options for that also….so think ahead.  

Chi Chi Memories has some really cute digital designs.  They have challenges that are offered and you can pick up a free digital stamp to use for the challenge.  You can also purchase other digital stamps too, if you want.  I loved the one they have now.  I downloaded the stamp and created this card with it.

I printed the stamp out and colored it with my Copics and layered it on a piece of glitter cardstock.  I cut out corners using spellbinders and attached them.  Finally I added a Thinking of You.  I will be sending this to family for Thanksgiving.  If you like the digital stamp, you might want to head over to Chi Chi Memories and get one for yourself.  

I have linked this card up to Chi Chi Memories, Lady Anne's Challenge #12, and  Fetch A Sketch.

Soon it will be Halloween.

Spring is officially here!!! The leaves are starting to change color, and in the evening there is a nip in the air.  Before long we will be seeing frost on the ground.  Right around the corner is Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas!

Here is a card for Halloween that I made.  I will probably send it to one of my grandchildren...or maybe one of the great-grand-kids.  

I love how this turned out.  I combined 2 digital stamps from Handmade Harbour, number 209 witches cook diner for vegetarian and 211 potion shelf.  The caption says, "There are vegetarians coming over so its eye of newt substitute."

It was fairly simple to place both stamps together where I wanted them to go.  I decided to wrap text in front of or in back of the picture.  Once I got the pictures lined up where I liked them I printed it out and colored the pictures with copic markers, mounted the picture on cardstock, added the quote that I had mounted on a punched edge piece of cardstock, added 3 purple buttons in the corner and then put a spiderweb ribbon on the card.  I hope you like it.

Hello everyone out there is cyber land.  How are things in your part of the world today?  Here in NJ, USA, the weather is still warm during the days, but evenings are getting colder.  Summer is on its way out, and autumn weather is gradually coming in.  I like this time of year, when it is still warm enough you don't need a sweater or coat, but it is cool enough that you are very comfortable.
This is my card that I am sharing with you today.  It focuses on school starting, and how family members work with each other.  When as a child I went to do my homework or school projects, Mom would help me pull it together, with suggestions.
In this card, the girl has been working on a science project, Mom has been helping.  It is a thank you card, for Mom.  Without her, the project would be a little harder.

I combined two different digital stamps from Handmade Harbour.  First was the mom, which is actually a birthday stamp, #205, birthdays are good for you and #112 the girl at the potting bench.  I used only the woman from the first stamp set, and then added the girl at the potting bench and colored them all with Copic pens.
If you want to try some digital stamps, check out Handmade Harbour!  There are several stamps that will tickle your fancy, and the prices are reasonable.  

Look what you can get this month!

Now you can get SEVEN stamp sets and the CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge! Find out how! I wanted to share something big with you today... You can get the CTMH Artbooking Cricut cartridge and SEVEN stamp sets for just $114 (that's only $15 more than the regular Artbooking pricing of $99). Just $114 before tax and shipping. Here's the value of the deal shown above: WOW!  That's a great deal!   You are getting: -7 stamp sets -the Close to My Heart Artbooking Cricut cartridge  -plus 3 sheets of chipboard shapes (not shown)  -for just $114 -which has a value of $190.85! So, if you've been holding off, now's the time to get it! Click HERE to purchase the CTMH Artbooking Cricut bundle and get SEVEN stamp sets for just $114 (before tax and shipping). Just add the Artbooking Cricut bundle to your cart and the system will prompt you to enter the other sets of stamps. It's so easy! Already purchased the CTMH Artbooking Cricut bundle? That's ok - you can still get the additional stamp sets!  Check out the deals below: and the September Stamp of the Month Promo: Here's a quick link to the online catalog - CLICK HERE if you want a peek.

Handmade Harbour Stamps

I have recently been selected to be on the design team for Handmade Harboure!  Wow.  I was excited.  We were given the opportunity to select some images to get our creative juices flowing.  I looked at all the great choices and finally settled on a couple of stamps.

My first stamp set I chose was the couple who had been retired (199).  Here is my card!

Being retired has its advantages and disadvantages. This couple could be my husband and I.  I colored the people with my Copic markers, faux stitched around the edges and mounted the picture on photo mounts.  In the background, I colored grass and the sky with my gelatos.  It is a little hard see, but the grass is there, along with the sky and clouds.  I added blue pearl buttons on the side.  I faux stitched around the saying.  

I haven't decided on the inside of the card.  I initially was thinking it would say PARTY! with balloons all over.  I may still do this, but then I had another thought....why not say something like....."Let's go bug the kids!"  There are so many choices to be had.  I would appreciate some help...what would you put inside?  One of  my choices or do you have something else it could say.  Since I have many friends who are retired, or about to retire, I can see me using this set a lot!

Now for my second choice.  I chose the set tea and cake (069)  

 

This was a very simple card, but yet I think it says a lot.  The stamp alone tells you that as a friend, you mean something to me.  I colored the cup, then the dots on it were calling for bling, so I added some red bling to it.  The flowers are small little flowers, but flowers are for friends.  I put this stamp on a layered card...black, red, white, and black and finally the stamp.  I am sending this to my friend.  I have colored the other pictures from the set and will be using them shortly. 

I would appreciate a comment, if you don't 'mind.  I could use some help with coming up with the inside verse to my first card.  Also, don't forget, you can see many other stamps at Handmade Harbour.  Check them out.  See you soon!

SuperStar L.I. Bloghop for August

Welcome back to our monthly Team L. I. Blog Hop!   Our Team L. I. (Linked In) Blog hop group numbers have dwindled and we didn't want to bring you a blog hop with just 2 or 3 participants, so we gave everyone a vacation and hope that participation will pick up again once school is back in session and people are back from vacations.

     We’re back from our July hiatus with a brand new theme and some really great projects. This month, our topic is “Super Star”, and we hope our interpretations of "Superstar" gives you some inspiration for your own superstar. The topic for this month  was actually a reader suggestion from our June Hop contest, and I was really excited to see it suggested because I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!   I have a very special card to share with you.  If you hopped over from Laura’s blog, you are in the right place!  If you want to start at the beginning, you should head on over to Stamp-Patty’s.  Or you can start right here and we will cycle you around to the beginning. 

     Win a prize at each stop on the hop: This month, instead of choosing a single winner for the entire hop, each blog will choose one winner among visitors who left a comment using www.random.org. (We’d like it even better if you subscribed to our blogs and/or like our Facebook pages, but all you have to do to qualify is leave a comment.)

     Now, on to my Superstar card.  There is a young man who was in my classes when he was in 7th grade.  During the year, he had his problems with learning and completing his work, but he tried, re-did the work, and really put forth a fantastic effort.  Over the years, we have kept in touch and this young man decided to join the Army.  After a few years of trying one job, then another, this was his decision.  He left for boot camp a couple of weeks ago, and is looking for mail.  I have made this card for him.  

I folded the card in 2 1/4 inches on each side, making a gate-fold card.  I then took an embossing folder I had that was full of star and ran my paper through it.  Once the card was embossed, I took a sanding block and sanded off the top layer of paper, on top of the stars.  This allowed you to really see where the stars were.    Next I but out 4 stars using my Art Philosophy Cartridge from Close to My Heart.  I cut the bottom star at 4 inches, the red star at 3 1/4 inches, the next white star at 2 3/4 inches and the blue star at 2 1/4 inches.  I glued half of the star on one side of the blue embossed star paper and then I stacked the stars one of top of the other, using pop dots in-between each layer.  I added some lettering to say "You're a SuperStar" and placed it in the top right corner.  I wrote his name in the bottom corner.

I hope you like this card.  It was fun to create and it wasn't that hard to put together.  Our men and women who are serving our country are certainly SuperStars in my eyes.  Now, hop over to see Cindy's creation!  You can find her here:http://craftyneighbor.blogspot.com/2013/08/august-blog-hop.html

Be sure to stop at each blog and leave a comment.  Following us would also be great.  Thanks for stopping by.

Others who are in this Blog Hop are:

Patty Chenail 

 http://www.stamppattys.com/2013/08/august-blog-hop.html

Laura Hedgecock 

http://www.TreasureChestofMemories.com/sports-memories/ 

Connie Walsh
papercraftingfromanotherviewpoint.blogspot.com/2013/08/superstar-li-bloghop-for-august.html (You are here)

Cindy Murray
http://craftyneighbor.blogspot.com/2013/08/august-blog-hop.html

Amanda Woodward
http://www.awoodward.stampinup.com/2013/07/august.blog.hop.html

Winner is selected

Time is over for the June Blog Hop visits.  A winner is to be selected
I have used the random.org widget to select the winner of the 8 vinyl line art stickers.  There were 4 people who left comments on my blog.  The winner is number 4!

Lisa, from Lisa Loves to Stamp is the winner!  Please send me your address so I can mail them out to you.  Congratulations

A Set of Note Cards

This past week I took my mother up to a hospital for a gamma knife surgery.  (She suffers from trigeminal neuralgia)  The doctors were fabulous, but if anything, the nurse was out of this world!!!  Clare, the nurse was with my mom every step of the day, everywhere they had to be.  Clare also got breakfast for my mom, helped her and cleaned her up...above and beyond the call of duty.  We are going back for a followup visit on Wednesday, so I made a set of note cards for her, as a way of saying thank you.  Here is what it looks like:

It is a fairly simple card to make.  I pulled out papers that were leftovers from years ago when I went to a class at CKC in Philadelphia.  Then I went to work!  I used an embossing folder for the base paper.  I took a 3 1/2 inch sheet of black designer paper and used an edge punch by EK Success, and centered this on a base sheet.  Next I cut a 1 1/2 inch strip of black cardstock and layered a piece of ribbon that was 1 1/4 inches wide.  There was a solid piece of white ribbon with a heart in the center, and sheer ribbon on the sides, trimmed in gold.  I then cut a circle and a scalloped circle out and used a stamp from Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps that said "Hi and Hello" and stamped on the white circle.  I added faux stitch lines around the edge and popped the circle on the scalloped circle and then on the ribbon.   As a final touch, I punched out 2 very small butterflys, glued them together separating the wing, and placed it off center of the sentiment. I like the over all appearance.  What do you think?

I have entered this in challenges at the following 

• Creative Craft Challenges
• Party Time Tuesdays
• Shopping Our Stash

Summer Fun is now beginning

Schools are out for the summer!  Kids all over are either working or having lots of fun...swimming, playing outside, going on vacation, hiking, going to the amusement parks, and so on.  There are several challenges for card showing something that is fun in the summer...or hot weather. 

I started out using this sketch from  Your Next Stamp.  

Here is what I did with it...

I used a Magnolia stamp stamp that I colored with my Copic markers, a piece of metal foil that I ran through my Cuttlebug with an embossing folder.  I sanded the top layer to show silver flowers.  I used Washi tape on the edges of the metal foil, to cover up the sharp edges some orangeish yellow paper from Michaels and put it on a spring green card base.  I hope you like it.

June Blog Hop!

What does June mean to you? Is it graduation, weddings, dads, or just fun in the sun? Our blog hop this month is special because all of us are sharing what June means to each of us! I am sure that you are bound to find some inspiration on several of our blogs!

In planning for this blog hop, the girls and I were discussing what June means to us.  For many, our minds went straight to the traditional “June Brides” or “Fun in the Sun” themes of summer, but we were quickly reminded that the internet is a global community, and while those of us in the U.S. and Europe will be enjoying a lovely summer, our friends and colleagues south of the equator will be facing the start of winter.  It was quickly apparent that many of the themes we thought of just wouldn’t work, so instead, we opted for “What June Means to Me,” which leaves us with a much broader area of interpretation, and really got me thinking about a few things.
If you came here from   Roxie Nitti's  blog, then you are in the right place! If you are a regular subscriber of my blog then be sure to follow all of the links to see the great projects we all have to share with you!

Of the many things that are happening in June, at least in my family, one thing is Father's Day.  Yes, I have birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations  (but no weddings this year) in addition to other June events, but Father's Day brings back fond memories of my Dad.  I also think of all the wonderful things my husband has done with our children.  I also think about my son, and what a fantastic father he has become.  Wow!  From one generation to the next.

I thought I would show you my Father's Day card, in a mini tutorial that can show you how to take a card from nice to better.  Here is the nice card.

It is a very simple card, and it could do.  In fact, I think I am sending this card to my son, who has turned out to be on fabulous father.  His kids mean everything to him, and he shows it.  He supports them with all their activities and takes them everywhere.


I decided to change the card, or should I say update, the card.  I took the beige background paper and used my Martha Stewart edge punch to add a border on each side.  Not too bad.

 

After that I decided to stamp a frame to put around the word Dad, and I cut the next to the smallest Romantic Rectangle nestability die cut and mounted it on the bottom of the frame with pop dots. 

I stamped a pocket watch on white card stock and fussy cut around it then I glued it on the next to the smallest beaded circles nestability and popped that up. 

For the final thing, I added a heart shaped button on the card. 

This is what the card turned out to look like.  It is basically the same card, but with a little bit of extra work, the card looks much better, don't you think?

 

So, as promised, here’s how you can win a prize from me.  This month for the hop, each blog is hosting their own prize, so that means you have more chances to win!  I will be giving away 8 sheets of vinyl peel off sticker sheets in gold and silver.   That will be 4 sheets of gold and 4 sheets of silver.

 

 

All you have to do is comment on my blog about the project for this month, and tell us what theme you think we should pick for next month (July).  That’s it!  Then go visit all the other blogs in the hop and do the same thing for a chance to win some of those fabulous prizes, too!  We’ll pick a random winner for each blog on July 1, so you have until June 30 to enter.   While you are visiting, maybe you would like to become a member.   After you have commented, hop on over to Lisa's blog at Lisa Loves to Scrap.  See what she has to share with you. 

Here is a list of all blog participants:

 

Cindy Murray

 

Laura Hedgecock

 

Roxie Nitti

 

                                                Connie Walsh      (You are here right now)

 

                                                Lisa Tyndall at  Lisa Loves to Stamp

 

Patty Chenail

 

Sharon Armstrong

Leave a comment on my blog and let me know what you think. 

More Mouse in the House

Here is another Mouse in the House cards that I made.  Just like the last one, I used a quilt background, but my mouse is busy drinking his hot chocolate.  We all need something hot and soothing when we are not feeling well.  I colored the stamp with my Copic markers, and used a spritz or two of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist.  This can be used for a man or a woman who isn't feeling well.

 

 

The Mouse is in the house....

I have a few House Mouse stamps in my collection, and I just love the way these little mice are placed...outdoors, in the house, in all kinds of interesting places.  This is one I bought several years ago, and I do love it. 

 

 

Above is a birthday card I was going to give to my grandson.  Initially I wasn't sure what I was going to do.  I was trying a new technique using a quilting pattern.  Once I placed the quilting papers down, and I was looking through my stamp collection, I knew what I wanted to do.  This House Mouse stamp fit the bill.  I used Copic markers to color it in.  As I look at it now, that cupcake looks mighty good.    I hope you like this.

I have posted this card for these challenges:

Here Come the Boys which is to use ribbon on a boy's/man's card.
Brown Sugar Challenge which is for a masculine birthday card.
Paper Crafting Journey which is for a masculine card.

Hello everyone.  This is our Saturday once again to scrap….Girls day/night out!  I am making a Brocoli Potato soup for dinner.  There is some water available and some other snacks.  I am out of chocolate right now, so if you have that chocolate urge, maybe bring some with you.  Dave will be making his famous coffee for everyone around 4:00. 

I have been experimenting with different things, and I may have a little scrapbook page kit available for you to try, if you want…my treat.  I also have a card with a quilting technique I have been keeping aside, and forgot about it, so maybe we will try that too. 

One thing I didn't get a chance to tell you…I was the recipient of a BIG package of goodies from EK Success.  I am thrilled and was so excited that all I could say was "Oh My God!!!"  "Oh My God!!!"

There were 18 punches in one box  (some are duplicates) and K and Company paper, kraft flowers, and Stamping Gear stamps, Jolee stickers, 3 small boxes of stickers,    These will be here for you to use if you need any.  We should have a fun time!

K and Company paper, STamping Gear stamps, kraft flowers

Jolee stickers

  

Punches, and punches, and punches!!!!

new stickers from Sticko

Team L.I. Blog Hop is here!

Welcome to Team L.I.'s second Blog Hop: May Flowers!

To start at the beginning of our Hop, go here

The theme this month is May Flowers. To be eligible for the prize, you must:

1. Leave a comment on all posts from yesterday AND today (the Hop started here yesterday Elizabeth's blog.  
2. You came here from Laura's blog  Subscribe manually to our blogs. You can find my section for subscribing on the right side of my page, titled "SUBSCRIBE FOR EMAIL UPDATES".
3. Like our Facebook Pages; mine is here Connie's' Facebook page.

Our prize this month is an awesome package from Cindy! Check it out!:

Prize package includes:

$100 voucher good towards class fees on the next Crafty Neighbor Scrapbooking cruise*

“Ocean Breeze” paper assortment (8 pieces)

Coordinating Cardstock (not pictured)

Embellishment assortment (some items not pictured)

*Voucher covers all scrapbooking-related fees, including all classes, workshops, make-n-takes, gifts, prizes, and give-a-ways throughout the cruise – a value of $250 - $500.  Winner must register for the cruise with a full deposit no later than June 15, 2013 to use the voucher.  Winner is responsible for the cruise fare, as well as any airfare, hotel stays or incidental expenses (see our website for more details about the cruise: http://www.craftyneighbor.com).

 

Crafty Neighbor is offering a $100 discount voucher good towards the next Crafty Neighbor Scrapbooking cruise, sailing from Galveston, Texas aboard the Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas December 1, 2013 on a 7-Day cruise of the Caribbean, including ports in Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. The voucher covers all scrapbooking-related fees, including all classes, workshops, make-n-takes, gifts, prizes and give-a-ways throughout the cruise - a value of $250-$500. Winner must register for the cruise with a full deposit no later than June 15, 2013 to use the voucher. Winner is responsible for the cruise fare, as well as any airfare, hotel stays or incidental expenses (see our website for more details about the cruise http://www.craftyneighbor.com). Winner will also receive a small grab-bag of cruise and beach-themed products including “Ocean Breeze” paper assortment (8 pieces), coordinating cardstock, and an embellishment assortment.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You have until May 31st to comment on all the blog stops from both days, and the winner will be announced on June 1st on Elizabeth’s blog. We will also contact the winner, so make sure we have your contact info when you enter. Winner will have one week to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.

I have recently received a digital stamp, and I am trying them out.  This is something new for me.  This umbrella, from CDAC, is a stamp they sent me. This is what I created with that stamp.

I sized the umbrella to 3 inches, then colored it with my Copic markers.  I added the dots with pearl drops.  The background paper is from a paper pack of Recollections.  I found an old pack of dried flowers, which were perfect for this card.  I placed some glue on the background paper, and then added my dried flowers to it.  Then I placed the umbrella over them, making the umbrella bulge with all the flowers. For my corners, I took a Spellbinders die and some blue glitter paper and cut it in half. 


Here is the inside of the card.  I gave it to my Mom for Mother's Day.  

Please leave a comment to let me know your thoughts about this card...what you liked and what could be changed.  I am trying to get better at what I do.  Thanks.

Now go on to Nicoles Blog to see what fabulous thing she has created for you.

Here is the list of all our players:

Blog Hop Day 1

Elizabeth Mindermann

Krysthle Poitras

Laura Hedgecock

Connie Umstead Walsh (this is me.)

Nicole Robinson

Inger de Wild

Linda Fleur

Blog Hop Day 2

Valerie Klein Ward

Roxi Nitti

Lisa Tyndall

Beth Barnes

Amanda Woodward

Cindy Murray