A Surprise I Received....

Sharon over at A Piece of Heart gave me a great compliment today by nominating my blog for the Liebster Blog Award.  This is my first blog nomination ever so I'm really excited to be able to share this news with you.  Be sure to check out Sharon's blog.  She has some cute cards and some Freebie Friday digital sentiments.  You won't want to miss them.  Thanks Sharon...you made my day!

The Liebster Blog Award is an award that is given by the blogging community to new up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. It's designed to be a blog award in the pay it forward fashion to share your dearest and most beloved blogs.

RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE:
Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog. Post the award onto your blog. Give the award to five bloggers who you appreciate that have less than 200 followers. Leave a comment on their blog letting them know that you have given them this awesome award!

PAY IT FORWARD:
So now comes the fun part! I am privileged to give out 5 nominations.  Here are the 5 fabulous blogs with less than 200 followers that I would like to pass the Liebster Award on to:

Jan Marie at Re-Creations

Crafty Math Chick at Canines & Card Designs

Tricia at ...Simply Staming...

Cynthia at Stampin' in Alaska

Korin at Rejoicing Every Moment

I'll be leaving a comment on each of these ladies' blogs to let them know I nominated them.  I hope they'll each accept the award with the admiration that is intended towards them.

Thanks for stopping by today and an extra "Thank You" to those that choose to follow me.  I'm truly honored.

As a PS....I couldn't let this day go by without wishing a Happy 3rd Birthday to our precious grandson.  Happy Birthday, Jack.  You have truly added so much joy to our lives.

October Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Release - SNSDC76

It's time for another challenge but we have some extra fun this week!  Along with our challenge, the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Team is having a blog hop to introduce you to the October Digi Release.  If you came here from Patricia's blog then you are at the last stop on the hop.  If you are one of my regular readers and just came straight to my blog, you may want to go back to the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog and start the hop from there so that you don't miss a thing.

While you're hopping, be sure to leave some love on each of the blog hop posts…One of the ladies below is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments on her blog post!!

The winning prize will be the whole October Digi Release!! (The winner will be announced on the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog on Friday, October 26th.)

This week's challenge is to use metal somewhere on your card.  This can be a staple, brad, button, wired ribbon, charm...anything metal counts.

 I got to play with the new Christmas Greetings set.

My card design was inspired by one of our challenge participants that entered this card for challenge #74.  I thought it was such a unique design that I had to give it a try.  I used lots of sponging and pearls on this card. My bow is made with some fantastic May Arts ribbon that I just found at a scrapbook store down the street from where I work {good thing my lunch break is only 30 min.!}.  I included this metal button I found in my stash and added a red "ruby" dew drop to the center.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Season's Greetings)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Christmas Greetings, Christmas Sentiments)
Ink:  Stampin' Up (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools:  ribbon (May Arts), pearls (Stampin' Up, Queen & Co.), Spellbinders (Lacey Squares, Fancy Tags 3), Dew Drop, Misc. button from stash

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #50 - Use a positive sentiment
The Crafty Pad #191 - Distress It
Kraft Outlet - Ink it up
Pile It On #42 - Shaped Card
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Favorite (Spellbinders dies & brown ink)
Scrap Creations - Leaves (holly leaves on my paper)
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC228) (sentiment as focal point)
52 Card Pick-up #42 - make a card
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #33 - Traditional Colors
Ooh La La Creations Challenges #116 - Christmas Sentiment

Now, here is the blog hop list to see October Digi Release - Metal Challenge creations.  Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog for the best chance to win the entire October Digi Release.

Tricia Traxler

Cynthia Olheiser

Crafty Math Chick

Ceal Pritchett

Patricia Hays

Stephanie Wright

I'm the last stop on the blog hop.  Now it's your turn to inspire us with your project using a digi and a metal element.  Please link up your project at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.

Thanks for *hopping* by today.  Have a wonderful weekend!!

A Rose for You

It's time for another challenge at the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge Blog (4CCC112).  This week, we want to see dry embossing.  Pull out those embossing folders and have fun!!

I used two different dry embossing techniques on my card.  Behind the rose, you can see simple embossing done but running my die-cut cardstock thru the Cuttlebug while inside a Swiss Dot embossing folder.  The pink background is not patterned paper.  I found a wax paper embossing technique on Stamp TV (Cuttlebugged Wax Paper).  I ran a piece of wax paper thru my Cuttlebug while inside a Victoria embossing folder. I then placed the wax paper between two pieces of white cardstock.  I placed the waxed paper sandwich under a towel and ironed for a few seconds until the wax melted onto my cardstock.  I then ran Angel Pink ink all over one of the pieces of cardstock. {The 2nd piece of cardstock can be used on another project or as a back up in case you mess up the first one.  :)  }  After inking to the coverage I wanted, I wiped off the entire piece with a paper towel.  This removed excess ink from the waxed sections. The wax paper acts as a resist and brings out the Victoria pattern.  You can see it a little better in the detail picture below.

A bling flourish and an organdy bow provide lots of femininity to this card.

I colored the rose with copics.  I cut them out before popping them up on pop dots on my embossed and matted panel.  Some Diamond stickles provide some sparkle. 

This card also has some interior decorating.  The Angel Pink ink is light enough that I could have used it as a watermark under the sentiment but I chose to let it shine in the bottom right corner.  A glitter pen gave the butterfly some sparkle.  A border punch gave the inside another feminine touch.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill, DCWV
Stamps: The Craft's Meow (rose), SU (Mini Mates), Studio G, Studio 18, Inkadinkado Expressions
Ink:  Memento (Angel Pink, Tuxedo Black)
Embellishments/Tools:  Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Swiss Dot, Victoria), Cut-Rite wax paper, household iron, Spellbinders (Petite Ovals Large, Petite Scalloped Ovals Small), Prima Say It In Crystals Flourish & rhinestones, Ribbon Trends ribbon, Stickles (diamond), Martha Stewart border punch, Sakura Gelly Roll pen (Clear Star), Copic Markers (YG03, YG05, R81, R83, R85, Colorless Blender)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Whimsy Inspirations #52 - All Things Sparkly (bling flourish, stickles, glitter pen)
Simon Says Stamp & Show - Favorite (This has several favorites: spellbinders dies, layers and sparkle)
Word Art Wednesday #50 - Positive sentiments
52 Card Pickup #41 - make a card
Crafty Friends #8 - Dry Embossing

I hope you'll join in the fun this week and give embossing a try on your card.

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope you'll come back soon.

Your Ministry is a Blessing - SNSDC75

This week the challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge blog is to make a card of appreciation.  Since October is Pastor Appreciation month, I decided to make one for my pastor.  Now, it is true that my pastor is also my husband.  However, who better to appreciate all the hard work he puts into shepherding his flock than one who has a true "behind the scenes" view?  I see all the effort, sacrifice, prayer, hours of study & research, and just plain hard work that he puts into being a pastor.  Even after listening to him preach hundreds of sermons, I can still say I look forward to going to church to hear him preach.  Pastor Appreciation Month is a great excuse to let him know I do appreciate all the work he puts into being such a wonderful pastor.  If you know him personally, please don't mention this card to him as I haven't given it to him yet.  :)

Since this was a masculine card, I chose to go with muted colors, distressing, brads, and jute instead of my usual pearls, bling, ribbon & flowers.  :)  I embossed the kraft panel under the Scripture verse and then inked it to bring out the embossing.

 One of the wonders of digi stamps is being able to resize them.  I was able to use PSE to make the church a watermark and layered the verse on top. I added some brads for a finishing touch I used the sketch from Speedy TV Sketch with a Twist but forgot to add this week's twist of buttons.  :(

Supplies:
Card base:  The Paper Co.
Cardstock: Recollections/Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey (Oxford)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Country Church, Many Thanks)
Ink:  Stampin' Up (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools:  eyelet (Oriental Trading), brads (Making Memories Metallic Medium & Mini Circles), corner rounder (EK Success), jute (JoAnn's), Spellbinders Labels 7, Cuttlebug embossing folder (Forest Branches)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Shopping our Stash #72 - Tic-Tac-Toe (top row - brads, kraft, embossing)
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday  - Tic-Tac-Toe (right column - punch/die, kraft, digi)
Friends of Speedy TV #41 - Distressing
Sentimental Sunday #123 - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge #60 (PPMC60) - Sentiment is the main focus
Simon Says Stamp - Dies and/orPunches
Divas by Design #75 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday #49 - Scripture
4 Crafty Chicks - Tag
52 Card Pick-up #41 - Make a card

I hope you'll use this week's challenge as a motivator to express your appreciation to someone.  Cards are such a great way to brighten someone's day.

Thanks for stopping by to visit today.  I hope you'll come back soon.

Purr-fectly Sweet of You

It's time for a new challenge at the 4 Crafty Chicks Challenge Blog (CCC111).  This week...Tag, You're It!!

I chose this adorable pre-colored digi image from Carly's Cuties (the set comes with pre-colored & outline images along with the sentiment in jpg & png formats).  I *found* this adorable 6 x 6 pad from 3 Bugs in a Rug that is all about cats.  You'll be seeing more of it.  :)  I used the September sketch from The Craft's Meow for the card design.

I mounted the image panel and its mat on a double layered tag.  I embossed the yellow tag layer with an embossing folder for extra texture.  Carrying on the circle theme from the mouse paper and the embossing, I used a sheer dotted Swiss ribbon on the tag and across the card.  I used glitter pens on Kitty's collar and eyes for a little sparkle.  Faux stitching accents the image panel and the photo corners and a few pearls finish it off.

Supplies:
Cardbase:  Bazzill
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  3 Bugs in a Rug (Frisky)
Stamps: Carly's Cuties (Sweet Kitty)
Embellishments/Tools:  ribbon (Michael's), Fiskars border punch (Apron Lace), pearls (SU), Skaura Pens (Blue Star, Pink Star, Clear Star, Glaze), Uniball Signo pen (white opaque), Creative Memories Fine Tip pen (black), CuttleBug embossing folder (Spots and Dots)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #49 - Encouraging sentiment
52 Card Pick-up #40 - make a card
Shopping Our Stash #72 - Tic Tac Toe (I have the bottom row and diagonally from bottom left to top right)
Sentimental Sundays #123 - Anything Goes plus a sentiment
Papertake Weekly - All Creatures Great and Small (any creature)
Divas By Design #56 - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today and I hope you'll play along....Tag, You're It!!!

Scarecrow's Happy Thanksgiving - SNSDC74

Since it's Friday that means it's time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.  This is sort of an extra special week for me because it's my first official week as the Digi Challenge Design Team Coordinator.  :)

This week's challenge is a Tic-Tac-Toe challenge.  We're to use 3 items from the board below that will make a row horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

I chose to use the far right vertical column:  button, distressing & paper piecing.

I paper pieced the scarecrow's hat and overalls. {He is a new image for me and I think he's adorable.} The rest of the image was colored with copic markers.  The yellow panel was distressed with a distressing tool and ink. 

I sewed the button to the banner with jute and, instead of knotting it at the back, I tied it with a small bow on top of the button.  I added faux stitching with a brown fine point Sharpie marker.  I honestly don't remember how that particular marker got in my collection but it is SO useful.  :)

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Random)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Happy Scarecrow, Gobble Gobble Sentiments)
Ink:  Colorbox Fluid Chalk (chestnut roan)
Embellishments/Tools:  jute (JoAnn's), button (La Mode), Copic Markers (Y17, Y38, Y35, Y11, Y000, YG03, YG05, B23, C-1, E02, E07, E11, E31, E33, E50), Spellbinders (Standard Circles Large & Small, Lacey Circles), 1/16" circle punch (used behind button), Sharpie fine point marker (brown)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
The Craft's Meow October Sketch Challenge
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - Tic-Tac-Toe (Punch/Die, Kraft, Digi)
Sentimental Sunday #122 - 3-2-1 (3 layers on image & sentiment panels, 2 different patterned papers, 1 button)
Catered Crop - Halloween/Fall
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC59) - Fall
Word Art Wednesday #48 - use sentiment
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (Option of Celebration - Thanksgiving)
52 Card Pickup #40 - make a card

I hope you'll break out your digi stamps and join us this week in our game of Tic-Tac-Toe. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Have a good weekend.  Sir Cuteness (aka our grandson) is coming for a visit so we're going to be kept hopping.  It's been a LONG time since we had an almost 3 yr. old running around our home. We're just a *little* excited.  :)

Thanks Be for Thee

I was so excited to be asked to be the Guest Designer for the 4 Crafty Chicks challenge blog.  This fun challenge blog was started by 4 friends who like to craft and to do challenges.

This week's challenge is to make a Thanksgiving card.  For Canadians, Thanksgiving Day is in October and for those of us in the USA it's in November.  No matter when you celebrate, a day set aside to thank the Lord for all the blessings He has given us is a very good idea!

For my card, I chose one of my favorite "fancy fold" card designs -- an easel card.  I used a retired 1998 Stampin' Up set that I was given several years ago but hadn't used yet.  I used a sketch from Mojo Monday (MOJO199) for the main panel.  This card features lots of inking on the sentiment & image panels.

I colored the brads used in the bottom sentiment panel with an E29 copic marker.  There were originally a yellow color that was too bright for my color scheme.  Due to my impatience, the color isn't smooth but in the end, I kind of like the swirly look.  My card is a standard A2 (4.25" x 5.5") when closed.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Little Yellow Bicycle (Hello, Fall)
Stamps:  Stampin' Up (Thanks Be for Thee)
Ink:  Stampin' Up (creamy caramel)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Circles large & small, Lacey Circle), Copics (R27, Y17, N0, N5, N7, N9, E07, E08, E33, E37, E29), ribbon (Michael's), Bazzill Just the Edge Scallop Strip, brad on large flower (Oriental Trading), brads on 2 smaller flowers (American Crafts), flowers (Portofolia)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday #48 - Use encouraging/uplifting sentiment
52 Card Pick-up #39 - make a card
Terrifically Thrilling Challenges - Tic Tac Toe (Dies, Free, Ribbon)
Sentimental Sunday #122 - 3-2-1 (3 layers on big flower, 2 colored brads, 1 ribbon)
The Crafty Pad #190 - Floral
Catered Crop - Halloween or Fall
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge (PPMC59) - Fall
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes (Option of something to Celebrate - Thanksgiving)
Scrap Creations - Fall Flowers
Divas By Design - Texture
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge (PWC226) - Flowers

I hope you'll play along this week and make a Thanksgiving card.

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Because There's You

I have a quick card to share with you today.

I have had this image by Clear Dollar Stamps colored for awhile now.  I have been waiting on just the right card for him.  When I saw this week's Sketch with a Twist over at Mark's Finest Paper's Speedy TV, I knew he'd found a home.  The twist this week is to make a non-traditional (no squares or rectangles) shaped card.  I used by Grand Nestabilities for this cloud-like shape.  I had to trace outside the smaller size and hand-cut it to get a mat.


Supplies
Cardstock:  Recollections
Patterned Paper:  The Paper Studio (Textured Cream Sheet Music)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digi (True Friend Digital Sentiments), Clear Dollar Stamps (dog image)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders Grand Big Scalloped Ovals, SU Corner Rounder, Copic markers, The Twinery baker's twine (cappuccino), brads (Hot Off the Press - Music Notes)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
MFP SpeedyTV Sketch with a Twist #14 - use sketch and make a non-square/rectangle card
Word Art Wednesday #48 - Use encouraging sentiment
52 Card Pick-up #39 - make a card
Sentimental Sunday #122 - 3-2-1 (3 brads, 2 colors of cardstock, 1 adorable dog image)
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #159 - Use music elements (paper & brads)
Tuesday Throwdown #118 - Cute & cuddly image
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #29 - Any shape but square

Have a good day!

Rhubarb's Punkins - SNSDC73

It's time for another challenge at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog.  This week, It's Hip to Be Square.  We want to see your square projects...it could be a square card or square project (square scrapbook page, photo cube, square paper box, etc.).

I chose to make a 5.5" square card with the adorable Rhubarb.  I really like this image of him with his wagon of "punkins."  I colored the image with my copics and then used lots of sponging to highlight around the image.  I also used sponging on the Scripture panel as well.  I handmade the buttons with a little help from a SU Sizzix embosslit die.  I cut several and stacked them to thickness.  Sponging and DMC floss finished off the buttons.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections (brown and cardbase), Bazzill Dotted Swiss (clover leaf), Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Farmhouse)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (Rhubarb's Punkins, Encouragement Scripture)
Ink:  SU (Creamy Caramel)
Embellishments/Tools:  Spellbinders (Circles large and small), SU Sizzix Embosslit (Sweet Buttons), Offray ribbon, DMC floss (ecru), Copics (YR07, Y38, YG03, YG05, W-1, E04, E07, E08, E09, E11, E29, E31, E33, E35)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Sentimental Sunday #121 - Autumn
Word Art Wednesday #47 - Use Scripture or an encouraging sentiment
Love to Create #34 - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Sketch #72
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
Paper Pretties Wed. Challenge (PWC225) - Fall inspired
52 Card Pick-Up #39  - make a card
Shopping Our Stash #70 - Fur or feathers
Tuesday Throwdown #117 - Fall colors
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #158 - use something handmade (I made my buttons)
Catered Crop - Knot Now (tie a knot -- mine are thru my buttons)
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - use a food item
DCC & Friends #3 - Use a character (Rhubarb)

If you participated in last week's September Digi Release Blog Hop, don't forget to stop by the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog to see if you are the winner of the entire release.  Thank you to all those who left comments here for me.  I appreciate every one of them.  Thanks for adding a smile to my day.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you'll stop back again soon.

Friends...SNSDC72

It's Friday so that means it's time for another Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge.  However, today, we are very excited to add a little something more!  The Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Team is bringing you a fun Blog Hop to show you our September Digi release!!  If you arrived here from Patricia's blog, you're in the right place.  If not, you probably will want to start back at the Sweet 'n Sassy Digi Challenge Blog so that you don't miss a thing!

While you're hopping, be sure to leave some love on each of the blog hop posts…One of the ladies below is a mystery blogger and she will be picking a random winner from the comments on her blog post!! The winning prize will be the whole September Digi Release!! (The winner will be announced on the SNS Digi Challenge blog on Friday, September 28th.)

 I got to play with the new 4 Petaled Flower Digi Set.  I think this set was just made for paper piecing and layering...so that's exactly what I did!  :)

This week's challenge is to use scoring on your project.  I have scoring to make the shape of my card and I also scored each petal of my flowers to give the flower more dimension.  Each petal has 3 scores and then I folded them mountain & valley style.  You can see the scoring best in this picture.  My bling really doesn't have pink in it....it's the lighting.  Sorry!

I recently saw this card design on SCS in their Try a New Technique challenge for 9/10/12 (TLC394). It's called a "twisted card." I thought it looked so unusual and of course, as always, I really like new card folds.  I had to give it a try.

I adhered the front pocket closed and put a removable panel in the inside pocket for a message to the recipient.

Here's a close-up of the left interior panel.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Recollections, Paper Company
Patterned Paper:  Echo Park (Times & Seasons)
Stamps:  Sweet 'n Sassy Digis (4 Petaled Flowers, True Friend Digi Sentiments, A True Friend)
Ink:  Tim Holtz Distress Ink (Tea Dye)
Embellishments/Tools:  Bling flourish (Prima Say It In Crystals), rhinestones (Studio G), brad (Oriental Trading), Spellbinders (Petite Oval Small, Petite Scalloped Oval Large), ribbon (Offray), Copic Marker (Black 100)

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:
Terrifically Thrilling Thursday - shaped card
Cute Card Thursday #235 - shaped card
Word Art Wednesday #46 - encouraging sentiment
Diva's By Design #53 - Lovely Layers (at least 4 layers)
52 Card Pick-Up #38 - make a card
Catered Crop - Knot Now (tie a knot)

Now, here is the blog hop list to see September Digi Release-Scoring Challenge creations.  Don't forget to leave a comment on each blog for your chance to receive the entire digi release!

Cynthia Olheiser (Guest DT)
Sarah Miller (Guest DT)
Ceal Pritchett
Cyndi Bundy
Makiko Jones
Melinda Gleissner
Crafty Math Chick
Patricia Hays
Stephanie Wright
Wendy Jordan

I hope you'll play along with us this week.   Just a few things to keep in mind as you play....

~Please remember to use digital images ONLY for the challenge.

~You don't have to use SNS digi images to play along but we sure do love when you do!

~When uploading to online galleries, please use keyword SNSDC72.

Every card you enter into our challenges throughout September, you will get one entry to be eligible for winning 3 digis of your choice from the Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps store.

Because we strongly think those of you who love to use our digital images should be recognized a little more, every week we spotlight one participant who uses SNSS digi images for their card or project.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Your next stop is Wendy Jordan's blog.