MTME April Release Day!

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This is post 1/2 for today! If you are looking for my Play Date Cafe post (with an all new challenge), please scroll down...
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Hello! Today is the day that the My Time Made Easy © April products are officially released! The past few days, the design team previewed three new templates. Today all of us all showing you some card projects! With so many products being released, I wanted to show you a little of everything, so here goes...

I used one of Kristin's new digi papers, Fun Flowers - Ganache (part of the Fun Flowers © paper collection) and used sentiments from Just For You © on both the inside and outside (see below for simply finished inside). I kept the rest fairly simple since I didn't want to cover up the pretty paper. I finished it off with some stitching (which I did on all of today's cards), silk ribbon and some embellishments.

For my next creation, I made my own background paper by stamping the medium flower from Petal Perfection © in black ink onto cream cardstock. I decided to add a pop of red, so I stamped and colored one petal with Copic markers and my Lipstick Spica glitter pen, cut it out and popped it onto one of the flowers. I added tiny red pearls in the center of the flowers as well. The sentiment "With Love" is from So Sentimental ©.

Next up is a fun cupcake card. The patterned papers are Cutesy Cupcakes from the new Just Perfect © paper collection and Fresh Fabric - Indian Summer from the Fresh Fabric © - Collection 3. I paired them with Indian Summer and Sea Foam cardstocks provided by Couture Cardstock. I stamped the cupcakes image (from Just For Me ©) three times, colored with Copics and cut into an oval.

For my final card for today, I used one of my favorite sentiments from Just For You ©. It says "Someone like you should be celebrated every day!" I made my trio of layered flowers by using one of the new cut files, Petal Perfection ©, which coordinates with the stamp set of the same name. I used my Cricut to cut several layers out of mulberry.

Please be sure to visit the rest of the MTME team today as they are also showing off some of their card creations... you definitely won't want to miss any of it!

Lauren

Geny

Katie

Mona

Pam

Tracey

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~

Card 1 - A Little Something
Stamps: Just For You © (MTME)
Paper: Gumshoe (Couture), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Fun Flowers - Ganache (MTME),
Green - Bayberry Cottage (Pink Paislee)
Ink: Versamark Onyx Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels Ten Nestabilities and Fancy Scallop Pierceabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Silk Ribbon (May Arts), Flower, Pearl Stick Pin (Maya Road),  Rhinestones, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Card 2 - With Love
Stamps: Petal Perfection ©, So Sentimental © (MTME)
Paper: Cream, Black
Ink: Versamark Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Long Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Markers, Lipstick Glitter pen (Copic), Silk Ribbon (Creative Impressions), Pearl (Kaisercraft), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Card 3 - Cupcakes
Stamps: Just For You © (MTME)
Paper: Indian Summer, Sea Foam (Couture); Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Cutesy Cupcakes, Fresh Fabric - Indian Summer (MTME)
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Petite Oval and Petite Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Embossed Curve border punch (EK Success), Markers (Copic), Ribbon (MME), Twine (May Arts), Button (Making Memories), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Card 4 - Flowers
Stamps: Just For You © (MTME)
Paper: Seafoam (Couture), Cream CS, Flights of Fancy (Prima), Mulberry
Ink: Versamark Onyx Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Petal Perfections cut files (MTME), Labels Six Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Eyelet Lace border punch (Martha Stewart), Ribbon, Brads, Pearls, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge 23 (PDCC23)

Hello! It's time for another Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge! Thanks to all of you who played in our challenge last week! I had so much fun viewing your wonderful creations!

I just love the blues and soft cream colors that Sarah chose this week. When I first saw the colors, I instantly thought of this houndstooth paper from the Making Memories Poolside collection. It came out a year (or two?) ago, and it hadn't seen daylight in a little while. It qualifies as Julie's BOO element (that's Bring Out the Old).. click on the link to read more about it!

I kept my layout fairly simple. I stamped the floral image using Verve's Plain Jane, Birthday Wishes twice, colored the flower with my Copic markers, cut out one and popped it on top of the other. I added a blue pearl to the center of the flower. And the large flower embellishment just above it? I made that myself! I used this tutorial to create a melted flower. My intent was to use all organdy fabric, but I found it too thin when I attempted to melt the edges. The small flower on top is organdy, but the rest of it is an unknown polyester fabric that I picked up at Wal-Mart. It's just a little thicker than Chiffon. I cut my flowers out with Spellbinders Blossom Nestabilities and followed the tutorial to gently melt the edges of each petal. I added a few fresh water pearls to the center of the blossom and attaching the petals together with some thread. As a final touch, I sprayed the flower with Pearl and Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist. They create a subtle glimmer effect which is pretty much impossible to photograph!

Are you ready to play along? We'd love to see your creations! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC23. And, be sure to visit my PDCC teammates for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville
Guest Designer, Arielle Gordon

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Birthday Wishes Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Poolside Paperie (Making Memories)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Fleur De Lis Borderabilities and Blossom Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Blue Pearl (Kaisercraft), Organdy and other poly fabric, Candle flame, Fresh Water Pearl Beads, Pearl and Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

TSC Wednesday... Happy Easter!

If you are looking for my MTME Sneak Peek, please scroll down to the next post or click HERE to go directly to it... THANKS!

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It's time for another TSC {The Scrapbooking Cottage} Wednesday! Today, Stacy and I both made Easter cards. A couple of weeks ago, we both chose to feature one of the new Basic Grey collections. Stacy chose Green at Heart and I chose Kioshi. We were going to pair it with one of the Lockhart chairs... well, I somehow forgot to do that and instead used Easter Emma.. oops! So today, I decided to use Lockhart Adirondack Chair. It's an inviting little chair with a pot of flowers next to it.. so I thought it could pass for Easter... :) The sentiment is from Spring Sentiments by AmyR (C.C. Designs).

It's been so long since I've been able to play in Mercy's sketch challenge, so I was determined to use it this week. This one is MTSC67.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Adirondack Chair (Lockhart), Spring Sentiments by AmyR (C.C. Designs)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Green at Heart (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Deco Fan border punch (Martha Stewart), Markers (Copic), Ribbon, Button (PTI); Flowers (Prima), Twine (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

MTME Slip Cover Sneak Peek!!!

Hello everyone! Have you been enjoying the sneak peeks the last couple of days?! My teammates have outdone themselves as usual! Today is the sneak peek day of the My Time Made Easy © Slip Cover © template which will be released tomorrow, April 1, along with a bunch of other goodies! Be sure to visit Lauren and Tracey to see what they are peeking today.. whatever it is, it is sure to be fabulous!!

click to enlarge

My gift ensemble is for my Mom. She will be celebrating her birthday in just a couple of weeks, so I put this together for her. I made two boxes and a coordinating card. In addition to using the Slip Cover © template, I am using a new stamp set that will also be released tomorrow. It is called Just For You ©, and it is a wonderful everyday set that you will be able to use again and again! For all of these creations, I used Couture Cardstock in Oat and Silent Night. The patterned paper is one of our new digi releases created by Kristin! This one is called Fresh Fronds - Coral and it is part of the Fresh Flowers Collection.

click to enlarge

The larger of the two boxes (above) will hold standard A2 sized cards (I would show them to you, but I don't have them made yet.. :)). My plan is to make some relatively simple cards that can be mailed with a single stamp. I stamped and colored the wheelbarrow of flowers and above it are the words "Just a little something...". 

The smaller box (below) is 80% smaller than the other. I used my Cricut Expression and SCAL software to cut them both out.. very simple and quick! For the main image/sentiment on this one, I stamped the circle that says "Just For You!" and stamped a little butterfly twice. I cut the second one and popped it on top of the first one. This set is full of little sentiments and images that can easily be cut out with punches or dies.

click to enlarge

I made the smaller box to hold a little address book or notebook and stamps. Here's a look at the inside of the box. It's hard to see in the other photos, but on this one you can actually see that I embossed the strip of Silent Night (navy) cardstock with a floral embossing folder.

click to enlarge

And, finally, I created a card to complete the gift set. I embossed Happy Birthday on the Oat cardstock with clear embossing powder. I also embossed the sentiment, which reads "Someone like you should be celebrated every day!", with white embossing powder.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my little project as much as I enjoyed creating it! Be sure to stop back tomorrow when the entire My Time Made Easy © team has more projects to show you, and all of these wonderful projects will be available in the store!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Just For You (MTME)
Paper: Oat, Silent Night provided by Couture Cardstock, Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Fresh Fronds - Coral (MTME)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark Watermark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Dahlia Nestabilities and Fancy Tags (Spellbinders), Circle punches, Bloom Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), (EK Success), Scalloped Corner Rounder (Marvy), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Markers (Copic), Silk Ribbon
(Creative Impressions), Blue Pearls (Kaisercraft), White Pearls (Queen & Co), Clear Embossing Powder, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

My Time Made Easy © Template Winner!!

Hello! Thank you to everyone who stopped by and left such kind words for me... I greatly appreciate them! The winner of my MTME giveaway wins a Pretty Packaging © Template of her choice!

Random.org picked #44:

Silke Ledlow said...
FABULOUS NEWS Stephanie!!! Congrats on making the DT!!! I;m looking forward seeing your upcoming creations!!! Hugs ~S~

Congratulations, Silke! I will send you an email... Please confirm that you have received it and I will forward your code.

I will be back tomorrow with a Sneak Peek of a new template being released on April 1 (no foolin')!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
-Steph

Exciting News to Share!!!

Hello! I hope you're having a great weekend!! I have some very exciting news to share with you... I've been holding it in so long that I feel like I'm just going to burst at the seams...!!! If you've followed along with me for any length of time, you know that I love to create not only cards, but gifts.. and one of my favorite methods of packaging these gifts has been templates created by Lauren Meader! I have followed her journey since she created the My Timeless Templates by Papertrey Ink) and began her own business late last year/early this year -- My Time Made Easy © (MTME)!! Not only does she offer fabulous gift packaging templates (Pretty Packaging ©), but also Acrylic and Digital Stamps (Pretty Impressions ©), Digital paper (Color Me Pretty ©, Pretty Impressions Printables ©, and Pretty Printables ©) and coordinating cut files (Pretty Pieces ©). With the aid of her fabulous products, you can create your own handmade cards, tags, gift packing, etc. in no time at all!!

So... what's the big news?! I am now a member of the My Time Made Easy © (MTME) Design Team!!! Lauren is adding four new team members: Geny Cassady, Dawn Easton, Lesa Rapp, and myself!! We will be joining the fabulously talented team which includes Lauren, Kristin Bueter, Tracey Cuccia, Katie Cotton, Pam Imholz, and Mona Pendleton. Kristin's role will change as she will be focusing on digital paper and helping Lauren with some administrative duties.

I am super busy preparing for the April 1 release, but I didn't want to post and not have something to show you. I whipped up this card using a few MTME goodies. The butterfly image is from All a Flutter Sentiments and the background paper is from part of the Pretty Impressions Printables line called Fluttering-by. I started out using Fall-to-Layout 84, but decided that my card is far from Clean & Simple (CAS)!

How about a GIVEAWAY?! Each of us new girls will be giving away a template of your choice! And, Lauren is giving away a free stamp set of your choice! All you need to do is leave a comment here (and visit the other girls, too for a chance to win their giveaway). Winner will be announced on March 30!

Don't forget that peeks for the new release start tomorrow, Monday, March 29!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: All a Flutter Sentiments (My Time Made Easy)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Fluttering By Pretty Impressions Printables (My Time Made Easy)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels Thirteen Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Embossed Curve Border Punch (EK Success), Markers (Copic), Rhnestones, Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Just Us Girls 3-D/Template Challenge... JUGS26

Hello and Welcome to Just Us Girls 3-D/Template Challenge! This week's challenge is sponsored by Lauren Meader from My Time Made Easy. Your challenge is to use a template to create a 3-D project. We would, of course, love it if you would use a My Time Made Easy template (by the way, there is a FREE one for you to try - you can get it here!) BUT we also want all of our fans to be able to participate so you may also select any template of your choosing in order to play along with us.

Lauren's challenge to the JUGS team was to use her Slip Cover template (which will be released on April 1). It is a 2-piece template that was designed to hold standard A2 cards. As all of her templates are, it can be used in many other ways as well. I often give away sets of notecards and usually put them in a clear box that I order in bulk. I look forward to using this new template instead! For my project today, I created a box for my DD, Sabrina. Each week she gets a list of spelling words. I thought this would make the perfect box to hold her flashcards in one place!

I have used Lauren's templates in the past by printing the PDF file and cutting the pieces out by hand. Quick and easy enough since the hard part is in the design of the template. So this was my first time using my Cricut Expression along with the Sure Cuts a Lot (SCAL) software (that allows you to import SVG files). It worked like a charm! I resized the box, making it a bit smaller so that it would fit my flashcards. There is plenty of room for her existing cards and many more (the cards are 3" x 3 1/2"). The lid slips right off (without having to remove the ribbon or any other embellishments) revealing the flashcards.

I let Sabrina choose the colors and patterns for my project. She chose pink and polka dots! Everytime I'd ask her if I could add another color, she'd just say pink, so it turned into a monochromatic project! Both of these are digital papers designed by Kristin Bueter for My Time Made Easy! I printed Darling Dots on one side and Butterfly Definition from Fluttering-by on the reverse side.

I printed the polka dot print on some thinner paper, then I cut several sizes of flowers using Spellbinders Dahlia Nestabilities. I curled the edges with a stylus, stacked them and attached them with a big brad. I made the brad with the Imaginisce I-top. I punched out a piece out of the same dot paper and stamped the letter "S" in the center and in no time made my brad. I sprayed the entire flower with Pearl Glimmer Mist for some shimmer. I like the way that the mist made my ink bleed a little and created a more natural looking flower. Here's a closer look at the flower:

This is my final post as the JUGS March Featured Designer.. I've had a wonderful time this month and would like to thank each of the Girls for a fabulous time.. it's been fun playing along side such talent and getting to know them a little better! I hope you will play along with us this week! For more details on the challenge, please visit the Just Us Girls site HERE, and for more inspiration, be sure to check out the fabulous creations by each of the girls:

♥♥ Just Us Girls Design Team ♥♥

Kristin

Pam

Dana

Lisa

Mona

Maria

Tracey

Alicia

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Catalina Lower Letters Large (Technique Tuesday)
Paper: Blush CS (CTMH), Ultra Premium Presentation Paper (Epson), Darling Dots, Fluttering-By (My Time Made Easy)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Dahlia Nestabilities (Spellbinders), With Gratitude Embossing & Die set (Provo Craft), Pearl Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels), Pearls (Queen & Co), I-top brad maker (Imaginisce), Velvet Thickers (American Crafts), Silk ribbon (Creative Impressions), Rose (Prima), Slip Cover template (My Time Made Easy), Foam tape, Red line tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge 22 (PDCC22)

If you are looking for my JustRite Mega March Blog Hop post, please scoll down to a couple of  posts below this one or click HERE! You have until 6 PM EDT on Thursday to comment for your chance to win some Mega Blog Candy!

Hello friends! It's time for another Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge! Julie chose the colors and created the fun graphic above. She described the far right color as "taupe", but I ran with my first take on it which was Kraft. When I first saw these colors, I immediately thought of the My Mind's Eye Life Stories Collection. The Red Damask paper in particular even has some blue distressing already on it.

While at Target earlier this week, I was browsing the scrapbook aisle (which, unfortunately at my Target, seems to get smaller and smaller). I happened to notice a lone EK Success border punch that I hadn't seen before (actually, I don't recall ever seeing EK Success punches at Target before). This one is called Scroll & Dots. Pretty fun, isn't it? My image/quote are from Taylored Expressions The Places You'll Go. The Dr. Seuss quote reads,
"You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself,
any direction you choose."

How about 1 card, 2 versions? When I originally sat down to create my card, I was so caught up in the color scheme that I completely ignored the vacation/travel theme. Below is version 1. One of my favorite things to do is highlight a quote or special sentiment in lieu of an image. I used a Charles M. Schulz quote from the Verve set, Love's Flower. It reads, "All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt". After much thought on how to make chocolate fit into the vacation/travel theme :), I decided to change my image. In the interest of time and with very careful removal of foam tape, I was able to replace only the main image panel.

This is a special week for me because it is my turn to host! I sincerely hope you will join along in this week's challenge! I'd love to see your creations! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC22. And, last but not least, be sure to visit my PDCC teammates for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Lisa Somerville
and, our Fabulous Guest Designer, Jean Franks Beck

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies Version 1 ~
Stamps: Love's Flower (Verve)
Paper: Kraft, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink), Life's Memories (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Chai distress (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Mega Curved Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scroll & Dots border punch (EK Success), Ribbon, Crochet Lace (May Arts), Pearls (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Supplies Version 2 ~
Stamps: The Places You'll Go (Taylored Expressions)
Paper: Kraft, Spring Rain (Papertrey Ink), Life's Memories (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Long Rectangle and Scalloped Long Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Scroll & Dots border punch (EK Success), Ribbon, Crochet Lace (May Arts), Candy Dots (Pebbles), White gel pen, Markers and Glitter pen (Copic), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

TSC Wednesday... My Mind's Eye and a Layout

If you are looking for my JustRite Mega March Blog Hop post, please scoll down to the post below this one or click HERE! There is still time to leave a comment for a chance to win some major goodies!

Today is Day 2 of the JustRite Mega March Blog Hop - to get started, be sure to visit the JustRite blog HERE!

Good morning! It's time for TSC {The Scrapbooking Cottage} Wednesday}! Stacy and I are featuring My Mind's Eye Quite Contrary with a scrapbook layout. I based my layout upon a sketch from the March Pagemaps (slightly adapted by me).

I decided to make a layout featuring my DD, Sabrina, and her love of music and performing. I used papers from MME Quite Contrary Mary Mary "Wonderful" (pink papers) and Little Miss Muffet "Delight" (multi-colored polka dots).

click on photo to enlarge

The title "diva" is stamped using My Favorite Things Bling 'bet. I cut out the letters, popped them with foam tape, then I added a total of 34 Swarovski crystals to the letters... now that's a lot of bling! Detail shot:

Journaling reads:
"A couple of months before Christmas, we were on our way home from school. As you often do, you were looking through a catalog that had come in the mail. As we were pulling into the garage, you shouted at me to stop and look at this pink microphone and stand. It was the only thing you talked about for weeks. Several times a day, you would ask, “Santa bring pink microphone?” And being the diva that you are, you were relentless! Little did you know that it was sitting in a box in the guest room! Shortly after you requested it, I ordered it so that you would have it to open on Christmas Day! We saved it until the very last present… suffice it to say that you were ecstatic! You immediately had Daddy put it together so you could perform for us. The funniest part?! I didn’t have any “C” batteries, but you didn’t care. You still LOVED it!!"

Be sure to visit Stacy for some scrapbooking inspiration and to get her coupon code for this week (she's offering a whopping 30% off Copic markers!!).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Bling 'Bet (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Colonial White (CTMH), Quite Contrary (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Scalloped Scallop and Embossed Curve border punches (EK Success), Crystals (Swarovski), Felt Ric Rac, Rhinestone stars, Flowers (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JustRite Mega March Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the JustRite Mega March Blog Hop!

Edit to answer a few questions:
1) The "object" that I use to hold my card in the photograph is a floral frog. If you google it, you will find some sources. I bought mine on eBay.
2) Yes, it can cost more to mail a card with layers and embellishments. For this one, I might even consider hand-delivering! Normally, though, I mail my cards in a bubble envelope so that the embellishments don't get squished. I also have a small scale and weigh my card if there is any doubt that it is over 1 ounce.
3) My blog header is a photo that I took last year in Crater Lake, Oregon (the water is really that blue!).

For my creation, I stamped the Poppy from Plant a Little Love twice, colored with Copic markers, then I cut out parts of the flowers and popped them on top for some dimension. I added some Star Dust Stickles to the center of the large flower. Then I cut out the entire bouquet and popped it onto my partial circle. My sentiment is from Joyful Hearts, which I was happy to see it fit perfectly on my Spellbinders Labels Ten Nestabilities as well as into the Oval Nestabilities. It reads, "Friends are flowers in the garden of life".

To ensure that I could fit both an image and sentiment on the front of my card, I adapted the Mojo Monday 130 sketch and made a 4.75" square card.

25 designers, FIVE shopping sprees each day. No one knows where the prizes will be! Each day of the hop JustRite will have five Mystery Blog Candy Prizes hidden along the hop with a total retail value of $600. JustRite will randomly select five mystery blogs each day of the hop and randomly allocate each of the shopping sprees. For your chance to win, simply leave a little love (a comment) on each designer’s blog including the JustRite blog. The more designers you leave comments with, the better your chances of winning. Each day’s comments will remain open for three days. A winner from each of the mystery blogs’ comments will be randomly chosen using Random.org. Consult the listing of designers at the JustRite blog each day (each day’s designers will be different) and start out on your way! Beginning Friday, March 26, summaries of all the winners will be posted on the JustRite blog. Good luck to everyone and enjoy all the JustRite eye candy along the hop!

Today during the JustRite Mega March Blog Hop (Day One) JustRite and its sponsors will be giving away the following five prizes:

· $200 JustRite Shopping Spree
· $100 Spellbinders Shopping Spree
· $100 Stampers Dream Shopping Spree, and
· Two additional $100 JustRite Shopping Sprees!

Blog comments for Day One will be open until Thursday at 6pm EST. On Friday, JustRite will announce on their blog which five blogs have the mystery candy for Day One. You will need to go to the JustRite blog to determine where you need to go to find out if you are one of the five lucky winners. Here's today's lineup:

JustRite Inspiration Blog

Becca Feeken

Tosha Leyendekker

Kazan Clark

Laurie Schmidlin

Kellie Fortin

Amy Sheffer

Jerri Jimenez

Denise Marzec

Michelle Rodgers

Stephanie Kraft (here)

Sally Lynn MacDonald

Cindy Lawrence

Jenyfur Pohl

Silke Ledlow

Carolyn King

Dawn Easton

Holly Simoni

Julie Overby

Karen Maldonado

Colleen Schaan

Kimberly Crawford

Karen Taylor

Maren Benedict

Eli Harlan

Linda Beeson

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy the hop!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Plant a Little Love Borders & Centers - 3 1/4" Circle, Joyful Hearts Borders & Centers - Small Oval (JustRite)
Paper: Raspberry Fizz, Vintage Cream (PTI), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Sweet Leaf (CTMH), Gossamer (Memory Box)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Labels Ten Nestabilities, Fancy Scalloped Border Pierceabilities (Spellbinders); Markers (Copic), Pearls (Queen & Co), Pink Pearls (Kaisercraft), Ribbon, Button (Papertrey Ink); Star Dust Stickles (Ranger), Twine (May Arts), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Where Flowers Bloom So Does Hope

Hello! I hope you're all having a great weekend! I spent most of yesterday doing computer chores (aka backing up photos).. I hadn't done it since the beginning of the year and with a chugging computer, I was long overdue.

Today I thought I'd kickstart my mojo for the week by playing in a new challenge by Lisa Johnson. This is week 2 of her Poppy Seed Challenge. The requirements for the card (or project) are what she calls "seeds". This week's seeds are a few of my favorite things: Buttons, Polka Dots and the color Light Moss. I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for this week (posted above), which she dedicated to Susan (and her hubby, Eric). He was just diagnosed with lymphoma, so this card will be heading their way and hopefully will provide some encouragement for them as he begins his chemo treatments. You can read more about his story on Susan's blog and maybe even consider sending them a card as well!

I used Everyday Button Bits for the main image and the sentiment (which reads "Where flowers bloom so does hope) is from Lisa's mini set, Flower Garden Sentments.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Flower Garden Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Berry Sorbet, Spring Moss, Vintage Cream (PTI); Krafty Dotty by Christy Lyle (Sweet Shoppe Designs)
Ink: Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Versafine Onyx Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Big Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Swiss Dots embossing folder (Provo Craft), Round-it-All (Zutter), Buttons (Papertrey Ink), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Just Us Girls Color Challenge... JUGS25

Hello! It's time for another Just Us Girls Challenge! This week is a color challenge hosted by Lisa. She chose some soft and soothing colors (and isn't that image just the cutest?!).

Here's my creation:

I chose some coordinating papers from DCWV Nana's Nursery - Boy and used Kraft as my pale brown. My image is one of the new Sarah Kay releases, Zoe Gazing at the Butterfly. I stamped and colored this sweet image with Copic markers. I added buttons and pearls to embellish my big scallops. I tried to add some ribbon as well, but it didn't look quite right, so instead I added a Prima flower and tucked some punched leaves underneath.

This month has just flown by. I have only one week left as the March guest designer... sigh... I do hope you will play along with us this week! For more details on the challenge, please visit the Just Us Girls site HERE, and for more inspiration, be sure to check out the fabulous creations by each of these talented girls:

♥♥ Just Us Girls Design Team ♥♥

Kristin

Pam

Dana

Lisa

Mona

Maria

Tracey

Alicia

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful weekend!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Zoe Gazing at the Butterfly (Sarah Kay by Stampavie)
Paper: Kraft (PTI), Crystal Blue, Sweet Leaf (CTMH), Nana's Nursery Boy (DCWV)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Rectangle and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Embossed Curve border punch (EK Success), Leaf punch (Martha Stewart), Buttons (PTI), Pearls, Flower (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JustRite Mix & Match

Hello! I didn't get a chance to play in last week's JustRite Friday challenge, so I thought I'd get started on the challenge for this week before time got away from me again. This week's challenge is to Mix & Match -- JustRite stamps, that is. My sentiment is from Seeds of Kindness 1 5/8" Round Borders & Centers (which just so happens to be on sale during their March Madness event, along with all other 1 5/8" products). Instead of using a circle die, I cut it out in an oval shape and framed it within a border from Beautiful Blossoms. I just love how versatile all of their stamps can be if you think outside the box!

I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for my layout which is so fun (shown below) and full of many possibilities. First, I swapped the circle for an oval. I used some papers from Making Memories Flutter and added a vellum layer in between (the semi-circle layer) so that the butterfly print would show through.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I'll be back later tonight/early tomorrow with my Just Us Girls Challenge card.

Supplies ~
Stamps: Beautiful Blossoms Oval Borders & Centers, Seeds of Kindness 1 5/8" Circle Borders & Centers (JustRite)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Hibiscus Burst, Raspberry Fizz (PTI); Vellum, Flutter (Making Memories)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Star Dust Stickles (Ranger), Flowers (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge (PDCC21)

Hello! First of all, thank you to all who participated in the Play Date Cafe blog hop last week and also to those who played in our challenge, PDCC20! It was so fun to take a peek at all the fabulous entries!! Are you ready for another challenge? Savannah is our hostess for this week's Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge #21. I just love the inspiration photo (above) -- the colors are just perfect for spring!

For my card, I layered some Basic Grey Lemonade papers and used the newly release Waltzingmouse set, Roses in Bloom for my image. I stamped and colored the rose with Copic markers. I also added a tiny bit of Star Dust Stickles to the center of the rose.

I hope you will join along in this week's challenge! Be sure to go over to the Cafe and link your post. If you use an online gallery, please use the keyword PDCC21. And, last but not least, be sure to visit the other PDCC gals for some wonderful inspiration.

Sarah Anderson
Suzanne Czosek
Ruby 2 Shoes
Savannah O'Gwynn
Mona Pendleton
Julie Ranae
Lisa Somerville

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Roses in Bloom (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Lemon Tart (PTI), Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Lemonade (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Labels Thirteen Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Dotted Wave border punch (EK Success), Markers (Copic), Ribbon (PTI), Star Dust Stickles (Ranger), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Happy St. Patrick's Day... Waltzingmouse Blog Hop

Hello! This is my second post of the day! For my TSC Wednesday post, please scroll down...

Are you ready to do some hopping?! It's time for the Waltzingmouse Stamps St. Patrick's Day Blog Hop! Claire has provide some fabulous Waltzingmouse digi stamps, so I decided to use them for my card today. I know that St. Patrick's Day is traditionally green (not green and pink), but I added my own little spin to it!

To start the hop, you will need to go on over to the Waltzingmouse forum and register. From there, you can go to the "Play Room" and see the list of participants in the hop.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: digi (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Hibiscus Burst (PTI), Spring glitter stack (DCWV)
Accessories: Labels Ten Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Double Loop border punch (Martha Stewart), Markers (Copic), Ribbon, Rose (Prima), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

TSC Wednesday... Happy Easter

Good morning! I hope you're having a great week! Today I'm back with TSC {The Scrapbooking Cottage} Wednesday! Stacy and I are featuring Basic Grey this week. Be sure to visit her to see her wonderful creation with Green at Heart. I have used paper from the Kioshi collection.

I stamped Sugarplums Easter Emma and colored her with Copics. I popped the image and added some rhinestones and stitching, but otherwise attempted to keep it clean. My layout is SC271 from last week.

Do you love Basic Grey? Do you love a sale? Just use coupon code basicgrey to receive 30% off all Basic Grey purchases at The Scrapbooking Cottage (good through Sunday midnight EST).

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Easter Emma, Spring Sentiments by Amy R (C.C. Designs)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Lavender Moon (PTI), Kioshi (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Long Rectangle and Scalloped Long Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Rhinestones (Kaisercraft), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Just Us Girls Technique Challenge... JUGS24

If you are looking for my Play Date Cafe blog hop post, please scroll down or click here.

Hello! It's time for another Just Us Girls Technique Challenge! This week's challenge is to create a Flap card.. What's a Flap card, you ask? There's a great tutorial HERE. This was my first time making one, and it was fun to make something other than a standard A2 card.

I was in a springy mood when I made this card! For my image, I used one of the new Verve releases, Feel the Sun. I stamped the flower twice, colored it with Copic markers, then I cut one of the blossoms out and popped it on top. The patterned paper (floral and turquoise blue) are from Deena Rutter's Happier paper collection (Design House Digital).

Here's a look at the inside. I finished it off simply by stamping the sentiment (also from Feel the Sun) which reads "Some people make the world special just by being in it".

I hope you will play along with us this week! For more details on the challenge, please visit the Just Us Girls site HERE, and for more inspiration, be sure to check out the fabulous creations by each of the girls:

♥♥ Just Us Girls Design Team ♥♥

Kristin

Pam

Dana

Lisa

Mona

Maria

Tracey

Alicia

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Feel the Sun (Verve)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Pink (Prism), Happier collection by Deena Rutter (Design House Digital)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Blossom Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Circle punch and Mini Scallop border punch (EK Success), Welcome Baby embossing and die set (Provo Craft), Markers (Copic), Rhinestones (Prima), Magnetic Snap (Basic Grey), Coluzzle circle, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

JustRite Terrific Tags

If you are looking for my Play Date Cafe blog hop post, please scroll down or click here.

Good morning! The Friday JustRite challenge, JRC_008, is to create some kind of tag using JustRite stamps. I first created my tag by layering some patterned papers across Kraft cardstock, then I stitched them together. I stamped the daffodil from Breath of Spring Borders & Centers Oval, colored it with Copics and cut out with Labels Ten Nestabilities. I then popped this on top with foam tape. I added a large grommet and felt ric rac to complete my simple tag. I finished the tag off with a row of black pearls. I took my finished tag and used it as the main embellishment on my final card.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Breath of Spring Borders & Centers Oval (JustRite)
Paper: Kraft, Rustic Cream, Select White, True Black (PTI); Granola (Basic Grey)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko)
Accesories: Labels Ten Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Yellow Grosgrain Ric Rac (May Arts), Black Felt Ric Rac, Pearls (Kaisercraft), Grommet (CTMH), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

The Play Date Cafe Creativity Challenge 20 (PDCC20)

Hello! I am SO excited as this is my very first post as a Design Team member of The Play Date Cafe! Grab a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) as my post is a long one... :)

As the Play Date Cafe begins a new season of designers, we also say goodbye to Julie Campbell, who has been on the design team for the past 4 months. To celebrate Julie's achievements and the new design team, we are having a BLOG HOP!

And.. there is candy to be won!!

The start of the hop officially begins at The Cafe. If you came here from Sarah's blog, then you are in the right place! Your next stop will be Ruby 2 Shoes!

In order to be eligible to win the blog candy:

• You MUST visit each designer's blog and leave a comment on each blog!

Additional ways to have a chance to win:

• Become a follower of The Play Date Cafe...easy-peasy!
• Play along with this week's color challenge, PDCC20 (deadline is 11:59 PM EST on 3/16).

The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on 3/18 as part of our regular challenge post.

Please welcome the fabulous new designers I will be creating along side:

Suzanne Czosek

Ruby 2 Shoes

Savannah O'Gwynn

Lisa Somerville

We will be joining these talented Senior Design Team members:

Sarah Anderson

Mona Pendleton

Julie Ranae

Finally, I wanted to post a card using PDCC20, so below is my CAS creation. I used the Papertrey Ink set, Butterfly Dreams. I added the sentiment "Let your dreams take flight" and thought it was appropriate as I am truly honored to be chosen for the team and would like to thank all the Senior Design Team members for this wonderful opportunity!

Your next stop on the hop is the wonderfully talented Ruby 2 Shoes!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Butterfly Dreams (PTI)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Lavender Moon (PTI), Gossamer (Memory Box)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamagic Wheat (Tsukineko), Lavender Moon (PTI)
Accessories: Labels Ten Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Butterflie die (PTI), Round-it-all (Zutter), Ribbon, Rhinestones, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

TSC Wednesday... Strawberries

Good morning! For TSC {The Scrapbooking Cottage} Wednesday, it's all about strawberries today! Stacy and I are featuring Cosmo Cricket Garden Variety and Lockhart Strawberries. I stamped and colored the strawberries and bowl with Copics. Next I added some dimensional glue over the strawberries and set that aside to dry. I paired it with a couple of patterns from the Garden Variety collection (strawberries and the green plaid). I used Jen's Sketch For You To Try for my layout.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Strawberries (Lockhart)
Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Topiary (CTMH), Garden Variety (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Apron Lace border punch (Fiskars), Markers (Copic), Liquid Glass (CTMH), Ribbon, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Just Cute as a Button

Good morning! The layout for my card is Laura's sketch #47 from 2 Sketches 4 You. My color combination is this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge #19. I'm not normally a big fan of yellow, but after working with these colors, it's kind of growing on me.. :)

I used PTI Summer Sunrise for my deep yellow and Lemon Tart for the pale yellow. My main image/sentiment says "Just Cute as a Button" and is a center from the JustRite Stitched with Love Set.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Supplies ~
Stamps: Stitched with Love 2 3/8" Borders & Centers (JustRite)
Paper: Classic Crest Solar White (Neenah), Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise (PTI); Garden Variety (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scalloped Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Markers (Copic), Ribbon, Buttons (PTI); Embroidery floss (DMC), Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.

Your Thoughtfulness Touched My Heart

Hello! Today I'm playing along with Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch #59 and Color Throwdown #82.

I used the colors from my Cosmo Cricket Early Bird papers. My flower is made out of 3 sizes of stamps by Heartfelt Creations, which I stamped several times on natural mulberry paper, cut out, then layered on top of one another. I curled the edges with my stylus to make the flower look a little more realistic. The sentiment is from Verve's Thankful Blossoms.

Supplies ~

Stamps: Thankful Blossoms (Verve), HC224 (Heartfelt Creations)

Paper: Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream CS (PTI); Early Bird (Cosmo Cricket), Natural mulberry (August Arts)

Ink: Pure Poppy, Chamomile (PTI), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)

Accessories: Scalloped Scallop border punch (EK Success), Pearl brad, Foam tape, Thread, Sewing machine.