Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Designs

Are you ready for a Blog Hop?

Come join us in a special blog hop with The Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Design Teams!

As you make your way through the hop make sure you comment on each and every post. There will be two prize winners chosen randomly among the blogs.

Flower Soft and Our Daily Bread Designs will each be selecting a winner for a $20 prize package!

The blog hop ends on August 30th. The prize winners will be announced on the Flower Soft blog and Our Daily Bread Designs Blog on August 31st.

If you came here from Marie Berquist's blog you are in the right place. If not please start at the beginning at the Our Daily Bread Designs Blog.

It is rare for me to have a clear mental picture of a fully completed card before I begin, but for today's hop, I knew exactly what I wanted to do!  I envisioned a simple, soft, monochromatic pale gold and ivory card using ultrafine sand Flower Soft and the wheat image from the set, Our Daily Bread.

I love this set with this beautiful verse from the Lord's prayer...the verse and image remind me of the words Pastor Cory often shares when he asks the Lord's blessing over the elements for weekly communion at our church.  That God would take something as everyday as bread and wine to illustrate His great love for us helps me to remember that time with Him daily is as vital to my spiritual life as a meal is to my body.  He is the Bread of Life!  (If you've never done Beth Moore's study of the Tabernacle, you should!  Everything in the Tabernacle is a correlated to something about the character of Christ!  It is filled with Covenant imagery...love this study!)

Notes: 
ODBD set, Our Daily Bread
ultrafine sand Flower Soft 
Color Box Donna Salazar Mix'd Media Inx
Basic Grey Capella designer paper
Prima Innoscence 2 paper and pearl flower
Kaiser Craft pearls
sheer ribbon (I folded a short strand and heated it with the heat gun for "leaves")
JBS/Superior stick pens

Now hop on over to Angella Crockett's!  Can't wait to see what gorgeousness she's created!

Vintage Paris!

I've really been enjoying this week's focus on May Arts and Our Craft Lounge!  One of the things that has been fun about it is the variety!  The ribbons and fibers the generous folks at May Arts shared with me ranged from cutesie, happy polka-dots to rustic jute, elegant velvet, organza, and tinsel.  This gorgeous lace and rich velvet combo is one of my favorites!

Do you have stuff that just sits in your stash for ages, waiting and waiting for the right moment?  I have had these swirly Prima pearls for a really long time, and finally found the perfect occasion to use them.  They brought forth the old world elegance that I was hoping for with this lovely vintage image of the Eiffel Tower from OCL's Vintage Traveler.  I have only been to Europe once, and am grateful to say that this was one of our stops!  Sooooo romantic!  :)

The background print from Basic Grey's Oxford designer paper pad is reminiscent of a beautiful brocade traveler's bag.  I used Memento Rich Cocoa ink to stamp some other images from Vintage Traveler collage-style onto a layer of card stock, then tea-dye inked and distressed everything, machine stitching  the background layer to draw the eye to its worn, frayed edges.

The blossom accent is actually from May Arts' beautiful chiffon wedding floral ribbon with wired edges...I snipped the stitching to remove the flower and replaced its single pearl center with a cluster of pearls to match my pretty Prima pearl swirly.  A few strategically placed mini-glue-dots helped shape the petals into something resembling a dogwood blossom.

I really love how simple and yet elegant this card turned out!

Notes:
Our Craft Lounge Vintage Traveler
Memento Rich Cocoa ink
Ranger tea-dye distress ink
Basic Grey Oxford designer paper
Prima e. pearl embellishments
May Arts velvet lace
May Arts wired floral chiffon ribbon

Once again, remember to visit the Lounge and the May Arts blog for more inspiration and details on entering for a prize!  (My apologies to those of you who are having trouble leaving comments on my blog.  Blogger seems to be intermittently having trouble, and I'm not sure what the solution is!  Some have suggested logging out and commenting anonymously, leaving your name/email within your comment, although even this workaround seems not to be consistently working!)


And remember, we have one more day!  I hope to see you again tomorrow!

More OCL and May Arts!

Back with more May Arts and Our Craft Lounge goodness!  Gotta love this little garden hedgehog from Growin' with Granny!  This gorgeous two-toned satin ribbon is a perfect match for Basic Grey's Sweet Threads designer paper.  I tied on a pink button with some May Arts burlap string, and added some pretty May Arts lace to girlify this pink concoction even more!

This layout is Mojo Monday sketch 205.  I've listed the products I used below...most of them, with the exception of the gift of ribbon that I received from May Arts, are from i {heart} papers.  You can find lots of these and other May Arts ribbons there also!

Remember, visit the Lounge and the May Arts blog for more ideas...and while you're there, look for details on how to win some great prizes!

Notes:
Growin' with Granny
Basic Grey Sweet Threads designer paper
Memento ink

Copic markers
Nestabilities large and small classic circles
Pumpkin Delight Sparkly Fluff
May Arts lace
May Arts burlap string
May Arts two-toned satin ribbon
Curio button
MS corner and border punch set

If you're having trouble leaving comments on my blog, try not signing in, leaving your comment as "Anonymous"...but remember to leave your email address so you can be contacted if you win!

Last Chance!

Welcome to the last day of blogs4boobies!  There is still time to join in on the fun(draising)!!!!

There are two ways you can help:
1.  There is still time to bid on my project!  Here is another look at what I have up for auction. 

 
The auction will end at 8:00 p.m. Mountain time tonight, August 23rd.

The highest bid at the time this post was published was $10.  Please be generous and bid!  Think of the women (and men too!) that your generous donation will benefit!  I'm sure you personally know someone who has been affected by this dreaded disease...my thoughts and prayers are with them and with friends of mine, too, who are currently fighting like a girl!

To win this card, simply bid more than the highest bid currently listed in the comment section of THIS post (be careful, because I have multiple posts today!). YOU MUST INCLUDE your EMAIL ADDRESS with the dollar amount of your bid. This way we can contact the winning bidder!  If you are the top bidder you will receive a paypal invoice for the amount that you bid. 

Remember, 100% of what you bid will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation!!!

2.  There is still time to shop!!!  Through midnight tonight (the 23rd of August) Skipping Stones Design is still donating $2 to the Komen Foundation for every stamp set sold.

 
Together we can make a difference!!!

CPS 232

Another great CPS sketch this week, sponsored by the {stamps} of Life!  I have had SO much fun with guitars2play!  I was looking through my stack of patterned paper pads and came across this Kaiser Craft background dp which made me think of beads hanging in the doorway.

Notes:
TSOL guitars2play
Kaiser Craft designer paper
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Copic markers
White craft ink
Jolee's All That Bling (flowers)
Kaiser Craft Basics bling (rhinestones)

May Arts and OCL!

I'm so thrilled that May Arts has teamed up with the Our Craft Lounge team this week!  They sent each of our OCL designers the most amazing package of ribbon, so I'll be sharing cards with cute OCL stamps and gorgeous May Arts ribbons and fibers over the next few days!  I cannot say thanks enough!

My CAS card for today features a cute Copic-colored gator from OCL's Shout It Out and some fun May Arts grosgrain polka dots!  I paired them with a teensy background print from Basic Grey's Oxford designer paper pad, adding a few heart-shaped buttons laced with May Arts burlap string.  Simple, quick and cute!

Kate from i {heart} papers has a whole page full of gorgeous May Arts ribbons and fibers to choose from!  Check it out!

Be sure to visit The Lounge and the May Arts blog for more inspiration using May Arts and Our Craft Lounge products!

Notes:  
OCL's Shout It Out
Basic Grey's Oxford designer paper pad
Memento ink
Ranger distress ink
Copic markers
May Arts grosgrain polka dots
May Arts burlap string

Reminder--Blog4Boobies!

Just wanted to give you a little nudge to please bid on the cards up for auction for the Skipping Stones Design Blog4Boobies event.  There were 3 days of hops which included lots of amazing artists...you can find my card and more information about the event here, or visit Skipping Stones Designs!

I would, of course, be thrilled if you would place a bid on my card, but I would really love if you would encourage your friends to take part and invite their friends too!  Our goal is to raise $1500 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and that means we need your help!

Flower Soft and CPS

Here's a card made for both CPS and the current Flower Soft challenges.  We are to use stitching on our cards.  I had the perfect little stitched tag stamp and matching die from My Favorite Things that I purchased at CHA SuperShow, and since MFT is sponsoring CPS this week, it worked out great to combine challenges.

What a little darling this image is!  This is A Cart Full of Love along with the Notched Tag Die and Stamp Set.  I paper-pieced her dress, and did a bit of fussy-cutting for the bunny and bear.  The stitching around the tag is a stamp, and the rest was added with a Copic multi-liner.

My Favorite Things A Cart Full of Love, and Notched Tag Die and Stamp Set
Spellbinders classic rectangles
Memento Tuxedo Black
Ranger tea dye distress ink
Basic Grey Designer Paper
Copic Markers, multiliner
Creative Impressions ribbon
Flower Soft Ultrafine Sage and PVA glue
Twine

Hope you will join in these fun challenges!  Check out the Flower Soft forum, and CPS blog for more info on each!

ihp Design Team Challenge!

It's time for the monthly i {heart} papers design team challenge!  This month's theme, "Beat the Heat," was inspired by the summer heat wave that engulfed so much of our country during the last month.  As summer draws to a close and we look with longing toward the arrival of cooler temperatures, our i {heart} papers team is turning to cool colors and textures.

The FIUMC mission team worked really hard while we were in Costa Rica.  The extreme humidity combined with heavier than usual exertion caused one of our team mates to experience heat exhaustion.  Ever since then I have been even more aware of how important it is to stay hydrated.

I had planned to stamp some sort of snow scene for today's challenge until I came across this cute little water bottle.  I thought that it would be fun to decorate it with a summer scene in cool colors that would serve as a reminder to drink more water.  I chose a sentiment that fits for every day, but this with a different sentiment this would be a fun token of congratulations to give a runner at race's end.

The waves were cut from Basic Grey's Lauderdale designer paper, distressed to create "whitecaps."  The whale and sentiment from Our Craft Lounge's Shout It Out were stamped with Memento ink on Copic blending paper, and colored with pale, cool Copic markers.  The matching sentiment was stamped with Pear Tart from the Gum Drop assortment of Memento inks.

The glimmer ribbon borders are as functional as they are decorative...they allow the scenic label to be removed so that it will not be ruined when the bottle is washed or refilled.  If there had been enough of the cool mint glimmer ribbon I would've used that instead, but I had only a scrap, so I used the longer strands of white.  Even though the design is simple, it's kinda cute, and it makes something everyday seem a little more special and fun to use.

Be sure to check out the cool "Beat the Heat" creations of the rest of the i {heart} papers design team!

• Carolyn
• Gretchen
• Kendra
• Loretta
• Lori
• Lynn
• Tracy
• Kate

Help Stamp Out Cancer!

Welcome to the 2nd Annual Blog4Boobies fundraiser!  You should have arrived here from The PaperCrafts Connection.

This is Day 1 of a 3 day blog bounce where every project is up for auction!  Last year, Skipping Stones Design raised and donated $1108.99 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation!  This year, our goal is $1500, and we need YOUR help!

There are 3 ways you can join in the fun(draising!)
1.  Go Shopping!  For every SSD stamp set that you purchase between August 15th-August 23rd, Skipping Stones Design will donate $2 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  Click *here* to laugh at some of their funniest stamps, or *here* to be inspired, or *here* to take a look at everything SSD offers!

2.  Bid!  Every single card or project on the Blog4Boobies blog hop is up for auction, so please bid!  We recommend a starting bid of at least $5.  Your bid will include the purchase of the project as well as shipping and handling.  (See *how to place a bid* for more detailed instructions!)  If, on August 23rd at 8 p.m. mountain time, you are the highest bidder, the card or project you bid upon will become yours!

3.  Tell your friends!  Spread the word about Blog4Boobies to everyone you know!  The more who know, the more money we can raise...please share the links via your blog and social networking sites, and encourage your friends to bid!

*How to place a bid*  (READ THIS ENTIRELY FIRST!)
Step 1:  Leave a comment in the comments section of the post which contains the project upon which you'd like to bid...please note that you may only bid on projects specifically posted for the Blog4Boobies auction.  Any bids placed on an incorrect post will be considered invalid.

Step 2:  In your comment, include the dollar and cents amount you'd like to bid.  It is recommended that your starting bid be at least $5.  Remember, your bid includes shipping and handling...100% of your bid will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Step 3:  With your bid, include your email address.  During a silent auction, bidders sign their names next to their bids.  Including your email address with your bid is the electronic equivalent of signing your bid, and provides a means of contact should your bid be the highest.

Step 4:  Watch and wait!  If someone outbids you, you may bid again!

• On the morning of August 23rd, Blog4Boobie participants will re-post their projects as a reminder that bidding is coming to a close.  Bidding will continue in the comments section of the most recent post until 8 p.m. Mountain Time on August 23rd.
• The winner of the card will be the one who places a comment containing the highest dollar amount and the bidder's email address.
• Near the end of bidding, the comment containing the highest bid may not be published.  If the blogger has comment moderation enabled, the comment containing the highest bid may still be awaiting approval, so keep this in mind and bid accordingly!  

At the close of bidding, the blogger/designer will declare the winner of their project.  Skipping Stone Designs will send the winner an invoice for the amount of the bid.  Please be prompt in your payment so that your card can be shipped to you as quickly as possible!

My card is made with one of my favorite SSD sets, HeartSong using this month's layout from S4YYT.  The other products I used are from i {heart} papers.
Notes:
HeartSong
Basic Grey Oxford designer paper
Memento ink
Ranger tea-dye distress ink
Copic markers
Nestabilities classic squares, large and small
Kaiser Craft lace
Creative Impressions crinkle ribbon

Here’s the list of today’s blog hop participants:

• Paper Crafts Connection
• Deb Felts <---you are here
• Michelle Giraud
• Michele Gross
• Wendy Jordan
• Sarah Martina Parker
• Becky Olsen
• Barb Turpin
• Taylor Usry
• Brenda Weaver

From here, you're headed to Michele's!  Enjoy the hop, bid generously, and remember to visit often to recheck your bid.  In addition to cards posted today, there will be two more groups of designers posting cards Tuesday and Wednesday, so you have a rare opportunity to score a card from your favorite designer and fight the war against breast cancer!

Together we can make a difference!