Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop & Another House Mouse Birthday Card :o)

If you are here for the House Mouse & Friends Birthday post and blog candy, click HERE.

Good morning and Happy Hump Day!!! It is time for this month's Facebook Designing D.I.V.A.S. "Oldies But Goodies" Blog Hop!!! YAY!!! It has been a while since I played along with the talented ladies in the monthly blog hop, and I just could not go another month without joining them!!! They are all so uplifting and inspiring I didn't care how busy I was...I was definitely hopping along in September...and if they put up next month's sign-up list...I am all in!!! In all honesty, it was because of the wonderful ladies in this group I decided to start up a new blog. My original blog was attacked by some kind of cooties, and I fought with it and fought with it to try and get it right...no luck! Out of frustration, I deleted it and thought I was finished with blog headaches. Everything changed when I joined this amazing group of inspirational ladies:o) Thanks to them for encouraging me to give this whole blog thing another go!! I have been having a blast...and so far..no cooties! :o)

Okay, I know you didn't come here for a novella. The concept of the Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop is to get us to use those creative "must-haves" that have been sorely neglected (or forgotten about) for at least six-months and create a card or project with them. We have the blog hop to encourage one another to use our hoarded goodies and to inspire others to do the same. For my card, I opted to use one of my sadly neglected House Mouse stamps (my first stamping love), one of my forgotten Indentz embossing folders, my Tim Holtz paper piercing ruler, and a Making Memories charm that I've had stashed away for about -dare I say it- five years. If you are interested in knowing specifics about the things I used in the creation of today's card, I will post a detailed list of the card supplies at the end of this post. I opted to keep the card super simple, so these adorable mice could take center stage.

Speaking of House Mouse...last week, the wonderful designers of the House Mouse & Friends Challenge Blog celebrated their 3rd birthday...and they are celebrating BIG!!! There are awesome prizes at the challenge blog; and if you participate in the blog hop, there are loads of blog candy to be won along the mousieriffic journey:o) If you are a mousie fan and would like to play along, you can find my House Mouse & Friends Birthday blog candy HERE.

Have a wonderful, wonderful Wednesday!!! Thank you so very much for dropping by. Your next stop on the Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop is Vicki Patranc. Prepare yourself to be WOWed by her talent, her sweetness, and her stunning creations!!!

I am also playing along in the Less Is More - Anything Goes (CAS) Challenge, as they are trying to reach 1,000 submissions.

Blessing & Hugs,

Carolyn

Goodies used in the creation of today's card:

• Stamp: Stampabilities House Mouse - Poppin Good Birthday (HMGR1010)
• Card stock: Georgia Pacific (white); PTI (Spring Rain)
• Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
• Fun extras: Prismacolor markers, DecoArt Glamour Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Paint (Ice Crystal), Indentz embossing folder (Lines & Dots), Tim Holtz ruler (perfect for paper piercing), Making Memories birthday charm, DMC floss, sewing needle, Nestabilities, PTI Swiss Dots satin ribbon (Spring Rain)

Inspired by Charms...

If you are here for the House Mouse & Friends Birthday post and Blog Candy, click HERE.

Happy Wednesday!!!! When I saw this  week's Creative Inspirations Challenge, I knew exactly which image I wanted to use - Precious Present by Sylvia Zet for SCACD Stamp Co...not just because CI Paints are awesome for coloring wings...but because...oh wait!...I'll tell you in a bit... ;o) These paints also give any creation that heavenly sparkle I love so much. :o) For today's card, I paired Fairy Dust and Sapphire. The pic below shows all the fabulous shimmer the paints create when light hits it. It's hard to believe a paint can create such brilliant sparkle, but CI Paints do!

I have been holding onto this "Best Friends" charm for quite some time now, and it was time to put it to use. What better encouragement than being challenged to "Use Charms"? Don't you love it when a challenge inspires you to use those neglected goodies you almost forgot about? I know I do!!

Now, onto WHY this week's particular challenge made this my "go to" image... I can't really explain it, but she reminds me of Wonder Woman, hence the color palette. I know Wonder Woman couldn't fly...she had her invisible plane to take care of that. I'm thinking maybe it's the hair...you know, I think that is it. Well, most of my BFFs (this is where the charm comes in) remind me of Wonder Women...they do it all and make it look effortless. I'm sure you can relate. Now, you can see how a simple challenge - focusing on one, little element - can jump-start your imagination and get those creative juices flowing. Hopefully, you have been inspired to show your CHARMing creations with us in this week's Creative Inspirations Paint Challenge.

Also, a huge THANKS to these awesome challenges for all their creative inspiration:

• Crafty Boots - Things with Wings
• Kaboodle Doodles - Lots of Layers
• Delightful Inspiration - Girls & Glitter
• Card & Scrap - Charms

Have a super, super day!!!

Blessings and Hugs,

Carolyn

Goodies used in the creation of today's card:

• Stamp: Precious Present by Sylvia Zet for SCACD Stamp Co.
• Card stock: PTI (Pure Poppy - red); Bazzill
• Patterned paper: Echo Park "Dots & Stripes" from the Metropolitan Collection
• Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)
• Coloring Medium: Prismacolor pencils, OMS
• Fun extras: Nestabilities, Sew Easy (standard stitch), DMC floss, Offray satin ribbon, Studio His & Hers (Hobby Lobby) adhesive gemstones (black), Mainstays Crafts (Wal-Mart) "Token Charms" (#75081), DecoArt Glamour Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Paint (Ice Crystal), Creative Inspirations Paint (Fairy Dust, Sapphire), Viva Decor Glitter Liner (Sapphire...inside the heart on charm), Martha Stewart Punch (leaf), EK Success Retro Flower Punches

Merry Christmas, Little Princess!!

If you are here for the House Mouse & Friends Birthday post and blog candy, click HERE.

 

Hello and a very happy Tuesday to you!!! :o) I cannot believe it has been over a week since my last post!! Man, time has been getting away from me quicker than usual...must be the whole aging process I keep hearing about. :o} Speaking of time going by so fast...have any of you started your Christmas cards? Every year, I tell myself to start early...every year, I don't follow through. Yes, I'm LAME-O!! I don't even have an excuse...especially with all the incredible year round challenge blogs that focus on Christmas...yes, I am hanging my head in total shame. :o(

Today, that all changes! I decided to stop being Queen LAME-O and created a Christmas card. It is later than I should have started, but was very easy with no sunshine beaming through my windows and no scorching, hot weather to distract me. Honestly, the cooler weather we've had lately has helped me get into the cheerful spirit of the holidays...I've even started planning my holiday menus :o)

I also wanted to THANK the following challenges for all the wonderful inspiration:

• A Gem of a Challenge - Sketch (flipped)
• Ellephantastic - Here Come the Girls
• Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - Photo Inspiration (color inspiration)
• Phindy's Place - Christmas (theme)
• Tiffany Doodles - Stitching (hand-stitched using Sew Easy...which are currently on SALE at SCACD:)

Seeing that I have a ton of things yet to do before this day comes to an end, I am going to have to see you later. Thank you bunches for dropping by for a visit during your busy day! I appreciate it more than you know. :o) Have a fabulous Tuesday evening!!! Tomorrow, I will have two posts to share with you...shocking right?...my Creative Inspirations post and my Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop Post. If you feel like popping by, I would love to see you and share a cuppa hot cocoa. :o)

Blessing & Hugs,

Carolyn

Goodies used in the creation of today's card:
Stamp: Princess by Sylvia Zet for SCACD Stamp Co., Great Impressions - E512 (interior sentiment)
Card Stock: PTI (kraft); DCWV
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye "Stella Rose - Mabel"
Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black); SU Classic Ink (Real Red...interior sentiment)
Coloring Medium: Prismacolor pencils, OMS
Fun Extras: Nestabilities, Sew Easy (standard and zig-zag stitch), Martha Stewart punch (branch), Prima "Holiday Treat" (poinsettias), DecoArt Glamour Dust Ultra Fine Glitter Paint (ice crystal), SU corner punch, From stash - cheap, notebook paper, DMC floss and buttons

Happy Birthday House Mouse & Friends Challenge Blog + Blog Candy!!!!

Good morning and Happy Monday!!!! Today, I have the pleasure of joining the extremely talented designers of the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog as they celebrate their 3rd Birthday!!!! I cannot express how ecstatic I am to be able to join them!!! You should have arrived here from Christine Craig's incredible blog...if not, then you will want to head on over to Vicki Parson's inspiring blog which is the start of the HM & F birthday blog hop celebration! I don't know if you are aware of this, but it was the adorable House Mouse stamps (along with their Happy Hoppers and Gruffies counterparts) that started my rubber-stamping/ paper-crafting addiction. My first stamp set was by Stampin' Up...but my first LOVE was House Mouse!!! Believe it or not...even my husband is keen on these cuties. Actually, he is the one who bought me my first hoard of House Mouse stamps. Gotta love a man who willingly supports and encourages his wife's stamping addiction...I think the technical term is a stamping enabler;) Hahaha!!

Also, it was the House Mouse & Friends Challenge Blog that led me to create my first blog (P.M.S etc...aka: Paper, Markers, Stamps, etc...). Regrettably, I had to delete it because some kind of cooties got into it and prevented me from being able to add anything or edit it. :( All I can say is, thanks to House Mouse stamps and the HM & F Challenge Blog, I was able to meet many, many wonderful and talented people...and a few have become lifelong friends...you could even say they are like family (you know who you are)!! :o) Okay...enough of my blah, blah, blah!!! Your next stop on this fabulously FUN hop is my wonderfully talented and super sweet friend, America Kuhn! You know she has something AMAZING to share with you!!!

 

One last thing before you go, to add to the birthday festivities...I have a little blog candy up for grabs :o) 

If you would like to have your name entered into the drawing, just leave me a comment. 

You don't have to be a follower (unless you really want to)...

you don't have to post this on your sidebar...

just leave me a comment so I know how to find you. 

Also, if you would like to have your name entered into the drawing a second time, 

participate in the current House Mouse & Friends Challenge. 

Once you have posted your link to the challenge blog, 

come back and leave me a second comment telling me you 

played and what your Mr. Linky number is.

(At the end of this post, you will find a detailed list of the items included in the blog candy package.)

This blog candy will close on September 25th, 2011 at 8 PM eastern time. 

The winner will be posted on September 26th at 10 AM eastern time...maybe earlier;)

There are some wonderful sponsors offering spectacular prizes and they can be found at the House Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge Blog AND there is more blog candy being offered throughout the hop! What can I say...we are in the mood to Celebrate!!!

A huge THANK YOU for joining us in our birthday celebration!!!! I hope your Monday is fabulous, and your week is off to a wonderful start!!! :o)

Blessings and Hugs,

Carolyn

Blog Candy Contents:

• Pink Paislee 365° Degrees 6 x 6 Paper Pad (30 sheets)
• House Mouse stamp - Flower Drop HMUR1049 (new; never been used)
• House Mouse stamp - Feathered Friends HMLR1023 (new; never been used)
• Sizzix Little Sizzles Cardstock Brights (48 sheets; perfect to make handmade flowers and embellies)
• Approximately 2 yards of blue, twill ribbon
• Approximately 2 yards of red lace
• Random assortment of Prima and Petaloo flowers
• 10 notecards with matching envelopes (2 blue, 2 fuchsia, 2 purple, 2 bright green, 2 yellow)

Hopping with Sylvia Zet for SCACD!!!

Today is the day we have been waiting oh so long for - the gorgeous new Sylvia Zet images are being released by SCACD Stamps! There are EIGHT fantastic and utterly adorable images, all exclusive to SCACD Stamp Co. in yummy red rubber, and they are all available NOW!!!

And... if you just have to have them all, you can grab them in discounted sets!

US/Canada: You will find the stamps in the Sylvia Zet section at Susana's Custom Art & Card Design HERE.

UK/Europe: You will find the stamps in the Sylvia Zet section at Quixotic Paperie HERE.

Today, to celebrate this fabulous new release, we've got a hop designed especially for you, filled with inspiration from the SCACD and Quixotic Paperie design teams PLUS some fabulous, special guests! We hope you will hop along with us as we introduce you to the Adventures of Loli & Shellie, Poppy and the rest of their precious friends!

You should have hopped here from Sylvia Zet's INCREDIBLE blog...doesn't her beautiful art work simply melt your heart?!?! If you're just joining us and would like to start the hop at the beginning, then pop back to the start over at ELAINE HUGHES' BLOG.

For my card, I used the adorably sweet stamp Precious Present. I just ♡♡LOVE♡♡ her!!!!

Your next stop on the hop is the beautiful and mega talented Mary Giemza. Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy hopping with us today!

If you get lost along your Sylvia Zet for SCACD adventure, a complete hop list can be found over on the SCACD Store Blog.

Blessings and Hugs,

Carolyn

A Freshly Brewed Blog Hop Just for You!

♡♡Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall♡♡

♡♡all you got to do is call♡♡

♡♡and I'll be there, yes I will♡♡

♡♡You've got a friend♡♡

Welcome to the Fresh Brewed Designs

NEW RUBBAH STAMP RELEASE AND BLOG HOP!

If you are just getting here, please go back to the beginning with the beautiful, talented and super terrific woman Sheryl.

If you are getting here from Linda's lovely blog, then you are right where you need to be!

Thank you for sharing part of your day with us today! Did you get the hint we left at the top of this post? These song lyrics tell it all! It is that time of year again where we spend lots of time with our family and friends. We chat more, cook more, laugh, make special holiday memories, and us crafters have so many amazing holidays to create for! This hop has something for every one of these things listed. We are celebrating holidays, friendships, and so much more!

I chose to share this image with you.

This lovely lady is called "Gift Girl", and she is perfect for any occasion. I chose to keep the card very simple, so this sweet stamp would take center stage. Don't you just LOVE a versatile stamp?!?! I definitely do!!!! With the colors, I thought it could double as a Christmas card...then again, maybe a birthday card...or how about a "Just for You" kinda card...since I couldn't make a decision, the sentiment never found it's way on my card. Like I said, gotta love a stamp that fits ANY occasion:)

All of Heather's awesome stamps are created using deeply etched red rubber mounted on an 1/8" cling foam cushion meaning you get a clear impression every time you stamp. Also....each stamp is produced and packaged in the USA.

By hopping IN FULL today ONE lucky winner will receive this

AWESOME prize package. If you share this hop on your blog and link it back to us, you will get your name in the hat one extra time :)

OK, so now that we have you drooling, it is time to send you on to the next hop stop. We know you are excited to continue your journey by hopping over to Gale's incredible blog and see what awesome project she has to share with you, but before you do, please read this little extra bit of news below...

We want to share some more hoppy news with you before you continue on. Fresh Brewed Designs is having ANOTHER blog hop later this month. This hop will be to support and raise Breast Cancer Awareness. We will have new digis, a new rubber stamp SET and MUCH more planned for this day, so please grab the badge and spread the word.

Thank You for hopping with Fresh Brewed Designs!
Have a SUPER, STAMPTACULAR DAY!!!!!
Blessings and Hugs,
Carolyn

All of the stamps you see today can be purchased in the

FBD Shop under Rubber Stamps

Back 2 School with CI Paints

Good morning and many happy hellos to you:) Sorry for taking such a long break, but I haven't been feeling so hot the past few days Thankfully, I am getting better and feeling more like my regular self. Yayyyy!!!

Today's card...I mean project was inspired by this week's Creative Inspirations Paint Challenge - Back to School. Our boys are grown, but I remember how expensive the cool folders, notebooks, etc..were when we went shopping for school supplies. With that said, I wanted to alter something that was very inexpensive by giving it a super quick facelift. Of course, I don't think our sons would appreciate a butterfly folder; but then again, they honestly didn't care what they put their papers in ;) I grabbed an el-cheapo folder (cost 5 cents), a Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist stencil, some painter's tape, a stencil brush and some Creative Inspirations Paint in Onyx and Antique Silver. Once the butterfly stencil and border dried, I simply added some Silver pearls with a Viva Decor Pearl Pen and four metal photo corners from my stash. To wrap things up, I also took a super cheap, standard pencil and painted stripes using Creative Inspirations Paint in Onyx and Rustic Red. I know it is nothing fabulous; but it is a one-of-a-kind:) I also hope I was able to show how a little bit of paint can take something plain and give it a bit of pizzazz...and you won't feel as bad when this folder and pencil needs to be replaced...the total cost was less than 50 cents.

I hope you have found a bit of creative inspiration here today:) We look forward to seeing your wonderful Back to School Creations in this week's challenge!! And don't forget...lots of EXCITING stuff happening tomorrow and Friday...THURSDAY - Fresh Brewed Blog Hop introducing you to some fabby, NEW rubbah...FRIDAY - Sylvia Zet for SCACD Blog Hop introducing you to Lolli, Poppy and their merry band of ADORABLE friends:) Have a wonderfully blessed Wednesday!!!

Hugs,

Carolyn

I am also entering this inexpensive back-to-school project into the following FUN challenges:

• Clear It Out Challenge - Back to School and Use Old Supplies (the photo corners have been in my stash forever...and I have had these CI Paint colors and the stencil for quite some time now...this project gave me a reason to pull 'em out and put 'em to use:)
• Paper Cupcakes Magical Monday - Back to School

Hi There!

Happy Thursday and welcome September!!!! I am still a bit dazed that it is already September, and this year is almost at an end. My parents weren't kidding when they said the older you get time flies by faster! Sheesh! If it is zipping by this quickly now...what's it going to be like ten years from now? I shudder to think of it!

Today's card features another precious stamp from The Peekers 2 Collection by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD, and this little darling is called "Partners in Peeking Peeker." Aren't they adorable?!? I just love her cherubic face and the puppy's an absolute cutie...looks like he's smiling to me. :o) Makes me wonder what kind of mischief they are planning together. If she's anything like I was as a child...it will ALL be blamed on the pup. ;o) My poor mother and all the things she put up with. She must be a saint!

The wonderful patterned papers have been hiding in my stash for far too long to mention...I just love each beautiful sheet and hate to think of using them...cuz if I use them...they will all be gone! You understand, right? I kept the layout very simple...I'm really digging the simpler layouts at the moment...and the flower was created using the Big Scalloped Circles dies from Spellbinder's. The stitching around the edges was created using the awesome Sew Easy tool! It makes me happy to be able to create cards with stitching...minus the sewing machine...as we aren't on speaking terms at the moment (or ever really).

Thanks so very much for dropping by!!! I hope your September is spectacular and your Thursday is even better!!!!

Blessings and Hugs,

Carolyn

Thank you to the following challenges for providing the creative inspiration for today's card:

• Cupcake Inspirations - Photo Inspiration (the peach and kraft color palette on today's card was inspired by their lovely and scrumptious pic)
• My Craft Spot - Sewing, Stitching, Faux Stitching
• Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Decorate the inside of your card
• 365 Cards - Challenge #178 Buried Deep (The 2 items on today's creation never used before: stamp & patterned papers)

Peekaboo ;o)

I see you :o) Happy Wednesday!!!! I hope your week has been treating you well thus far. Today's card was whipped up using Tracy's simply sweet sketch at Eat, Sleep, Stamp. I am barely eeking it in, but it has been a while since I have played along with her wonderful sketch challenge...so I had to get busy!! The sad part is...the sketch has been sitting on my desk for days...talk about waiting til the very last minute!

 

Today's card features the darling stamp "Secret Garden Peeker" by Elisabeth Bell for SCACD Stamp Co. Isn't she a cutie? I adore how it captures the inquisitiveness of children. I remember peeking around corners looking for my next big adventure...are there dinosaurs behind the fence?...or maybe a hidden treasure just waiting to be found? It doesn't seem like that long ago when me and my sons would go on our adventure walks...we would write stories of all the cool things we encountered on our journey through the park or the woods or even our neighborhood. It always amazed me at how incredibly fun their imaginations were...I think I am going to pull those stories out and read them again. :o) How I wish they were still little....I suppose that's why God created grandchildren. :o)

Thanks for taking a trip down memory lane with me! I hope your Wednesday is absolutely, positively WONDERFUL!!! And before I leave...if you haven't done so already...there are two chances to win some AWESOME Sylvia Zet for SCACD BLOG CANDY at the Store Blog....and time is quickly running out!!! If you love Sylvia Zet's beautiful artistry, you are not going to want to miss a chance to win what Susana has up for grabs!!! Good luck!!!!

Blessing and Hugs,

Carolyn

I would also like to thank the following inspirational challenges for helping me create today's card:

• Fashionable Stamping Challenges - Ribbon or Lace (I hope it's okay that I used both)
• Wags 'n Whiskers - Outdoor Fun
• Art Impressions Stamps Challenges - Summertime
• Eat, Sleep, Stamp - Sketch
• Going Grey with Scrap-Creations - Decorate the Inside of Your Card

Have a Fairy Magical Day!

Good morning, and HAPPY FRIDAY!!!! There is lots of FUN STUFF going on today at the SCACD Store Blog!!! Not too long ago, Susana welcomed Sylvia Zet to the SCACD Family, AND Elaine Hughes created an ADORABLY delicious card introducing us to Loli and Shellie - 1 of 8 NEW stamps by Sylvia Zet for SCACD Stamp Co. Well, TODAY, you can meet another one of the precious stamps by Sylvia that will soon be available for purchase at SCACD...her name is Poppy!! :o) There is also some AMAZING BLOG CANDY up for grabs...but you will have to check out the SCACD Store Blog for all the details!!!

..

Onto today's card...allow me to introduce you to Friendship Rose from the Fall Flora Fairies Collection from SCACD Stamp Co. Isn't she a cutie?!?! I adore her precious, little face and her beautiful, rose dress!!! :o) Too cute!!! She along with three of her darling, fairy friends are being released today at SCACD; and for our European friends, you can find these little lovelies at Quixotic Paperie. If you would like to meet her adorable pals, a few of my mega talented SCACD DT sisters are ready to make the introductions. You can see their lovely and inspiring creations by clicking on their names below:

Melanie

Danni

Lori

Alex

Crystal

Kim 

Marti

Elaine

Thank you for dropping by and spending a part of your busy Friday with me!!! I appreciate it more than you know:o) Have a wonderful weekend...and for all my friends living in the path of Hurricane Irene, you are in my prayers!!!!

Blessings and Hugs!!!

Carolyn

The creation of today's card was inspired by the following FABULOUS challenges:

• Flutterby Wednesday - Open, but creation must include butterfly, fairy or angel
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Flower Power
• Creative Card Crew - Handmade Flowers
• Hooked On Crafts - Things with Wings