Fifty Thousand Hits - WOW!!

I am amazed that it's the last day of April already, and also that my counter recently turned over 50,000 hits!!! How time flies when you're having fun!!!

Lady luck has really been in my corner this year, so I've decided to offer up some blog candy and pass that good fortune on to someone else. I think reaching 50,000 hits is a good occasion to celebrate, so here is a little something-something for one of my readers.

Just leave a comment by Monday night May 2nd at 10:00 PM EST and I'll randomly draw a winner and announce it on Tuesday, May 3rd. If no one comes forward within 48 hours, I'll draw another name until someone wins.

Due to excessive international shipping costs, I can only offer this prize to those living in the US.

Thanks for reading my blog, and good luck everyone!!

Carol

Blog Candy includes a CB diamondplate ef, Basic Grey Marjolaine dp, Websters triple collection dp, Sweet'nSassy Thankful Molly stamp set, Prima flowers, Kaiser pearls, Zing opaque white ep, Stickles frosted lace, 2 yds eggshell crochet trim

For Jill

My friend Jill of RibbonChallenged is celebrating her birthday tomorrow and this is the card I made for her. I gave it to her a bit early so she could enjoy a little shopping at a local store where we both love to shop. I stamped the large SU! Fifth Avenue Floral rose image 3 times with Versamark on Prism Azalea light cardstock and embossed each one with gold ep. I hand cut and popped up the layers with dimensionals. I added a few vellum leaves and some gold beads. The lattice was hand-woven with strips of lightly sponged cardstock and layered on another panel that was embossed with the swiss dots ef. I cut the window opening with a Spellbinders labels 4 and went around the embossed edge carefully with a gold deco pen. The tag was done with my Cricut and stamped & embossed with a Sweet'nSassy sentiment. The smaller flowers are by Technique Tuesday.
This photo gives you an idea of what the layering looks like up close. I made a matching money envelope but I didn't take a picture of it, can you believe it? Thankfully Jill took did take one and posted it in her blog here! Jill's favorite color is pink and her favorite flower is a rose, so I think I got this one right :) Happy Birthday Jill, I hope you enjoy a fabulous day tomorrow!!
Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Carol

Another two-fer day

We're having some wicked weather in PA today, so I'm just stamping my heart out and catching up on challenges. First up is the mid-week throwdown over at the S&S blog. This week's theme is to create an "any hero" card. This card will contain a message to any soldier serving overseas just to let him/her know that I support them. I used the SNSS patriot Cocoa digi image for this, coloring with Copics. The sentiment was computer generated and I added a few mini brads in red, white & blue. The top note die was embossed with a Sizzix ef. The dp is SU! baja breeze.
And here's my entry for the Stampin' B's challenge #108 which is to create a monochromatic blue card with paper piecing. I very seldom do monochromatic cards because I just get lost trying to match colors and I'm never happy with the results. This one is OK I suppose, but I let all the dp do the work for me here. I used Websters papers for this, stamping the MFP clock on dp and embossing it with clear detail ep, then cutting it out and popping it up. I doubt you can see the DP it was stamped on because the light cast a nice glare on the top. You might be able to see it if you click the photo to enlarge it, but this was the best picture I could get with it. The sentiment panel was a little frame design on the DP, so I stamped the sentiment inside of it and cut it out by hand. I added some Tim Holtz hardware to the face of the clock and a Quickutz corner diecut.
I might be back with more later today, so stay tuned :)

Carol

Penny Black Bold & Bright

My card is for this week's Penny Black challenge to use Bright and Bold colors. This week my buddy Denise is hosting the challenge. I pulled out some bright SU! cardstock for this one in shades of hot pink, bright blue and green. The PB image was colored with Copics and I added some colored eyelets to the sentiment just for fun. The pink panel was embossed with a CB birthday ef.
The first time I played along with this challenge I won! Woot! I got a new stamp set and some mix & match papers, so grab those Penny Black images and play along!!
Have a super Wednesday and thanks for stopping by!

Carol

Crazy4Cocoa Challenge #22

The challenge this week for the Crazy4Cocoa challenge is to use the colors pink & yellow! I used the Cookie's gift digi image for my card, coloring with Copics and layering with Spellbinders circles and Sprockets dies. I added a little stickles on the gift ribbon and points of the bottom layer and added some acrylic flower bling. I added 2 eyelets to the bottom of the circle and added some bakers twine tied it into a tiny bow. The yellow DP is by DCWV and I'm not sure about the pink as it was a scrap from my stash. The sentiment is from the SNS Poppies and Greetings set.
You might have seen this badge on my sidebar recently, and if you click it, you'll be taken to the brand new Sweet'nSassy Digi challenge blog that's going to be launched on May 6th! Sadly, this is our last Crazy4Cocoa challenge, but you'll still be able to use all those Cocoa digi images so don't worry! You'll be able to use ANY digi image from the Sweet'nSassy store with our new challenge blog! I think you're really going to enjoy playing along, so hop on over and sign up as a follower so you don't miss any posts! Our new challenge day will be on Fridays starting next week. The DT is waiting to share their creations with you and it's going to be very exciting!
Thanks so much for stopping by today, and I hope you'll find time to grab those adorable Cocoa images and play along with our final Crazy4Cocoa challenge! Have a terrific Tuesday!

Carol

A Sketch X's 2

Hello everyone, I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Easter weekend! We had a quiet day around here, so I got a little stamping in while dinner was cooking. I made this card for the Sweet Stop Sketch #105 found here. I colored this Sweet'nSassy image with Copics and used Websters DP for the background, adding embossing on one panel with a Sizzix powdered sugar ef. I added 2 small paper flowers and gemstones, and had to add the little bow to cover up a cutting error on the oval panel. Oops!!
I had enough scraps left over from the first card to create another for the Stars & Stamps sketch challenge #66 found here. For this one I used the SU! bird punch, and a Sweet'nSassy sentiment. The butterfly was done with a MS punch, and the heart punched border was done using an EK punch. The embossed panel was done with the same EF I used on the card above, only I sanded it just a little to show some white core. All the DP is by Websters.
We had a picture-perfect day today with all the windows open and we even got the screens in the storm doors. Right now a thunder storm is rolling through, but I don't mind at all after the gorgeous day we had :)
Wishing you all a great week ahead, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Carol

Happy Easter Everyone!

Happy Easter weekend everyone! For today's card I'm using a free digi image I got from sgtstamper/aka Jami Bova of StampHappy. Isn't this the cutest image ever? I colored this with Copics and added some Glossy Accents for a little shine. The ribbon was from my stash and the bow was done with the Bow-Easy. I used papers from a pad by Karen Neuburger. I've already given this card to my fabulous 105 year-old great aunt Kathryn, and she loves it! Those adorable little bunnies just made us both smile, but the cross also reminds us of what Easter is all about!
I'd like to send heartfelt Easter wishes and blessings to each and every one of you! Thanks for blessing me with your friendship, kindness and generous love :)

Carol

Here's to Queen Benzi!

This week over at SCS the QFTD#57 is Brenda/aka Benzi of Benzistampz! Congratulations my sweet friend, you SO deserve this recognition that's finally coming your way! In case you haven't noticed, that's Benzi's blog candy over there -----> on my sidebar, so be sure and check it out!! She's giving away an awesome prize package you won't want to miss!!!
I chose this card in her gallery that used the large rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I stamped the rose on Pale Plum cardstock 3 times and embossed it with eggplant ep. I hand cut the entire flower and smaller portions of it, and popped each layer up using dimensionals. The DP is SU! Cottage Wall and I used a sentiment from the SNSS Poppies and Greetings set. The sentiment panel was done with a Spellbinders Fancy Tag & a SU large oval punch. I added some tiny pearls and some PTI Spring Moss ribbon, and made the bow using a Bow-easy. It's a bit different and embellished a bit more than Brenda's pretty card, but I'm happy with the way it turned out.
Enjoy your reign Queen Brenda, and I hope you're having a fabulous Easter weekend too!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you're enjoying your day too!

Carol

SCACD Friends with Heart Challenge #3

I made this card for the SCACD Friends with Heart Challenge #3. The challenge this week is to use your "ART." That means A= any stamp from SCACD, R = ribbon, and T= two patterned/designer papers.
Sorry I couldn't get a good photo of this card as we've had cloudy weather for several days now and it will continue through the rest of the week as well. I had to make the picture a tad darker so the colored and embossed background can be seen. I used an impressabilities flower template to make the letterpress background, inking it with Memento Lulu Lavender ink and running it through the Big Kick. It's a subtle look, but it looks much better IRL.
Anyhoo - I used the lovely violets image for this card and paired it with some Memory Box enchanted and BG origins DP. The ribbon is from my stash, and all supplies are listed below.
If you haven't checked out this challenge yet, just click on the badge on my side bar and it will take you there. If you've been playing along all month, you have a chance to win a very generous prize from SCACD!
That does it for me today. Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Carol

stamps - SCACD violets, inkadinkado sentiment
papers - Memory Box Enchanted, BG origins, scrap of lavender, white
inks - Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Lulu Lavender
accessories - clear detail ep, Spellbinders beaded ovals die, Impressabilities flowers, lavender stickles, polka dot ribbon, Copics V04,V09,V000,V0000,YG06, SU fancy label, word window, & scalloped border punches, Bow-easy

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #51

The challenge over at Speedy the Cat's Friend Challenge #51 this week is to make a collage card. I pulled out so many stamp sets for this one I had a hard time keeping track of them all! I just kept stamping and stamping until I had no room left to stamp anymore and I'm calling this a collage :) I'll list all the stamps and supplies below for those who are interested. I don't normally dabble in collage stamping, but I think I might have to try this again because it makes a great masculine card! I guess that's why they call this a challenge :)
I'll be back in a while with another challenge card. Thanks for checking in :)

Carol

stamps - MFP southwest cowboy, take the time, Heidi Swapp, Nick Bantok compass, PB sentiment, PTI text
papers - black, DCWV gold glittered, BG, Tim Holtz Shabby Vintage
inks - Ranger pumice stone, fired brick, denim, sponge daubers, versamark, Memento london fog, rich cocoa, desert sand
accessories - brown ep, top note die, bakers twine, red twine, Spellbinders sprockets, Cuttlebug Timeworks ef

Crazy4Cocoa Challenge #21

It's Tuesday again and that means it's time for another Crazy4Cocoa challenge. This week we're using a theme of "thinking of you." For my card I used the Write Home Soon Cocoa image from SNSS. Cocoa was colored with Copics on some soft stone cardstock, and sponged with Pumice Stone ink. I stamped the sentiment inside the letter using Versafine Onyx Black ink, and added some mini brads in the corners. I used some BG granola dp for the background and embossed the vertical panel of soft stone with a herringbone ef, adding bakers twine and a cute metal tag from a set I found for pennies in an outlet store recently. The tag says "travel journal" which I thought was perfect for a thinking of you theme.
So grab your Cocoa images and come play along with us. You have a week to get your card posted. There's always a nice prize at the end of the month for those who play along, so what are you waiting for?! Tell someone you're thinking of them with a hand-made Cocoa card :)
Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful day!

Carol

Stamps R Us Bugs & Embossing Challenge

Happy Monday everyone! I'm here today with a card for the new Stamps R Us challenge. This week we're being sponsored by Doodle Pantry and the challenge is to use a "bug" and "embossing" on our cards. I used the Happy Buzzer digi image along with a computer generated sentiment. I fussy cut the image out and popped it up on an embossed circle of yellow cardstock. After I dry embossed the yellow with a Cuttlebug ef, I heat embossed it with some clear detail ep. I added some white markings on the circle and lower border with a white sharpie pen. The DP is by Cosmo Cricket from their "togetherness" stack. I added dazzling diamonds to the wings and some black stickles to the antennae. The bottom border was done with a retired SU! slit punch and some black cardstock.
Be sure to check out the rest of the fabulous creations the SRU ladies have made for you this week. You'll have 2 weeks to grab those bug images and embossing folders and play along. As always, there's a nice prize package up for grabs for one randomly drawn winner.
Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy your week!

Carol

Joans Gardens #14

This card is for Joans Garden's #14. Here is the recipe for this week's challenge:

1. Color challenge of orange, red, and green
2. Die cut circle - any kind
3. Design paper with lines
4. Use a bird or something from Nature

I managed to get all the requirements into this card, but it took me a while to put it all together! The red & orange combo really threw me as they're not colors I often pair with one another. The floral DP had yellow flower centers, but I colored over them with an orange copic. The green horizontal panel has very light lines in it and you'll see them if you click the photo. The image was a free digi from Beccy's Place and I colored it with Copics. I cut it using a Spellbinders Labels 4, leaving two leaves to spill over the edge. I matted it with green galore and used Spellbinders circles and scalloped circles for the sentiment panel, which was matted with tangerine tango cardstock. I added orange stickles to the flower centers and black pearls to the butterfly and sentiment panel. The butterfly was done with a MS punch.
That's it for now, but I'm sure I'll be back again soon :)

Carol

Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenge #65

I made 2 cards for the OWH Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenge #65 today. I like this easy sketch and will most likely use it many times in the future. I used a G Studio stamp that I picked up for $1 at Michaels, and it's one of my favorite go-to stamps that I use to make cards for OWH. I used the colors of saffron and chocolate chip for the one on top, adding tiny stamped hearts using 2 more G studio stamp sets. I did a variation of the ribbon because this makes for flatter cards which are easier to mail. The next one has a flat "bow" with a bit of hemp tied around the center and fringed. The stamp was colored with markers that matched the light teal and chocolate chip cardstocks.
I'm trying to watch the Talladega race, but it's next to impossible with the picture and sound breaking up every few seconds with our cable tv.......sigh. I wish we still had analog tv sometimes because we didn't have any of this nonsense to deal with. The worst part about it all is that we actually PAY for this service!?!?! LOL
I think I'll go stamp some more :) Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your Sunday!

Carol

SCACD Friends With Heart Challenge #2

Good morning everyone! I finally got around to playing with the SCACD Friends With Heart Challenge # 2! This is a brand new challenge blog and you'll definitely want check them out and play along! Just look at what I won!!! This is a set of the brand new Copic colors and am I a lucky girl or what?!?! They arrived in my mailbox yesterday and I couldn't wait to use them! Thanks again SCACD for your generosity!! You've really made my day!!
I used this gorgeous Scarlett Bonita by Victoria Case for my card and this week the challenge is to add hearts to your card. There are 2 tiny gemstone hearts on the sentiment panel. Can I tell you how much I love the raspberry shades of Copics in this collection? I even colored the flower centers on the DP to match her dress!
You can either click the link above, or click the badge on my sidebar to go to SCACD's challenge blog. You'll find links there to go to the store where you can find more awesome stamps like the one I used here. Be sure to read the rules for playing in the challenge, and there's a very generous prize for the month if you play along each week!
Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a great day! I'll be back soon with another card.

Carol

stamps - Scarlet Bonita by Victoria Bell, Sweet'nSassy Poppies & Greetings
paper - Neenah white, Heritage grey, MM wedding pack dp
inks - Versafine Onyx Black, CTMH cool gray
accessories - clear detail ep, Spellbinders labels 4, circle punches, heart-shaped gemstones, glittered ribbon, Copics E53, E55, E57, E59, BG53, R00, R11, RV55, RV63, RV66, E00, E000, E0000, Coo, C1, C3, C5

SNSS Birthday Customer Blog Hop

My card today is for the Sweet'nSassy Customer blog hop and the theme this month is celebrating birthdays. I used the Sweet'nSassy Poppies and Greetings stamp set for my birthday card. I just love the fonts in this set, and there are lots of other great sentiments included with this pretty floral image. I colored it with Copics and used shades of orange and green, adding embossing and ribbon, and coloring 2 tiny pearls with Copics to match. I added a little bit of sparkle to the flower centers with glitter glue.
That will do it for me for today..........thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you real soon!

Carol

Thank you Maryland

The mid-week challenge over at Stars & Stamps blog this week is to create a card with layers. No problem!! I have more of a problem making a card without layers! Sandy has been creating free digis for us lately to make OWH cards. She's been making state flowers and birds and you can find them on the above link. MD was the first state she created, and I just loved coloring these beautiful images! I hand cut the largest flower, glued it to the green galore background and ran it through the Big Kick using the SU square lattice embossing folder. I just love using this technique on my cards! The main panel was popped up with dimensionals, and the bird was hand cut and glued down to the top. This was quick and easy, but I'm pleased with the way this one turned out. I can't wait to work on some of the other state digis she's completed next!
Thanks for dropping in to say "hello" and I wish you a wonderful evening!

Carol

Crazy4Cocoa Challenge #20

It's Tuesday and that means it's time for another Crazy4Cocoa challenge! This week's theme is to create a masculine card with your Cocoa images. With father's day just a few short weeks away, I thought I'd make a card for that occasion.
I paired my Cocoa's oval image (that was a freebie) with another Sweet'nSassy stamp called "super dad symbol." I printed the super dad image, colored it, cut it by hand, and then popped it up on the oval with dimensionals. I hand-cut and embossed a piece of pale yellow cardstock and adhered it inside the oval, beneath the super dad symbol, and added a few mini brads. The Cocoa image was die cut with a Spellbinders Labels 2, sponged with Ranger tea dye ink, then matted with Chocolate Chip cardstock. The dp is BG kraft, the corners were done with a retired SU punch, and I added some brown twine and a button to finish this card.
I hope you'll find time to play along with our masculine Cocoa challenge this week. I'm looking forward to seeing what you create!
Thanks for stopping by and have a terrific Tuesday!

Carol

Stamper's Dream & Friends Blog Hop

I'm incredibly honored that Michelle asked me to participate in her Stamper's Dream & Friends blog hop today! Having the opportunity to join forces with these talented ladies is nothing short of exciting for me! I've known Michelle for a few years now and she carries all those great stamping supplies you want & need at StampersDream.com. You'll get super fast shipping and great customer service too! During this hop there will be some hidden blog candy along the way, so keep reading to learn how you might win!

I made 2 cards today using this adorable Penny Black Easter March stamp that you can find at StampersDream.com. I had so much fun coloring this fun image! I used Copics and created the background using a plaid embossing folder with some small green & yellow ink pads. I stamped alternating squares of color on the top portion only of the embossing folder, then carefully closed it over the cardstock and ran it through my Big Kick machine. I love the look you can achieve by using your embossing folders this way. If you click the photo to enlarge it, you'll see the glossy accents & stickles I added for interest.
Here's the 2nd card I made. For this one I used 2 MS hydrangea punches to create the vellum flowers and pulled out the sewing machine for some stitching around the edge.

There are 2 hidden blog candy prizes in this hop so you'll want to visit all of the participating blogs and leave a little love. The winners will be announced on the Stampers Dream blog on Thursday evening, April 14th as well as on each blog where the candy was hidden. Look at what you'll have a chance to win.....

This is the first hidden candy.....

And here is the 2nd! Who wouldn't want to win these yummy goodies?!

Here is the list of participating bloggers, so have fun hopping! Be sure to check back on Michelle's blog Thursday to see if you're a winner!

Becca Feeken
Michelle Rodgers
Jerri Kay Jimenez
Amy Sheffer
Denise Marzec
Arlene Cuevas
Leslie Miller
Cindy Lawrence
Kellie Fortin
Tosh Leyendekker
Jeanne Streiff
Mariana Grigsby
Joan Ervin
Lea Lawson
Frances Byrne
Christina Fischer
Carla Murphy
Teresa Kline
Carol Longacre - you're here!
Gabriela Divine


Thanks so much for stopping by today and good luck everyone!!

Carol

Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenge #64

Today's sketch challenge #64 over on the S&S blog really threw me today! LOL I really had a difficult time coming up with an idea for this sketch!
Nothing was working for the element on the bottom left corner, so once I decided to eliminate it, the rest of the card came together easily. I embossed the side and lower panels with a CB strip ef (forget the name, sorry) and added just a touch of color with markers. I made 2 score lines to "frame" the border, then added a scrap of black and embossed pink cardstock, with a cute image I got for $1 at Michaels. I die cut the image with a Labels 10 and popped it up on dimensionals after adding 2 mini brads. The sentiment was computer generated.
We're supposed to jump into record high temperatures tomorrow, so I hope to get outdoors and enjoy some of that sunshine!
Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by!

Carol

The Sweet Stop SSS103

I managed to squeeze in some time for a 2nd card today, so I played along with the Sweet Stop Sketch 103 found here.
I pre-colored this free digi image from OWH a while ago, and never got around to using it, so I'll probably save it for next year since all my Easter cards were mailed in several weeks ago. I colored it with Copics and used Memory Box Sprout dp and Prisma Azalea lt, med, and dk cardstock. I used 2 different ef's and a sentiment from Inkadinkado. The faux brads were made with paper punches and glossy accents, and I also added some glossy accents to the yellow ribbon and some magenta stickles to the flower centers.
That will do it for me today............now I'm off to finish watching the race...........if I can stay awake that long :)
Bye for now!

Carol

MFP Speedy the Cat's Friends #50

I got some new goodies this week and had to make time to play today, so I made this card for Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #50 which is to use the emboss resist technique. I stamped the MFP "Take the Time" image & sentiment with Versamark and embossed it with clear detail ep, then sponged it with ranger antique linen, tea dye, and vintage photo inks. I used the Clockworks CB ef and some Bo Bunny timepiece dp for the background, and embossed a scrap with gold ep. I die cut some pieces of the gold with the new Sprightly Sprockets by Spellbinders and added a metal piece of Tim Holtz Sprocket gears on the top of one. I stitched some hemp on the sides and did some distressing to finish this card. I guess you could say this card is all about sprockets and time huh? LOL
I hope your having a wonderful weekend so far, and thanks for stopping by! I'll be back soon with another card!

Carol

Pinwheels and Plaid

I made this card to meet 2 challenges for today. I thought I was being very clever combining both the WT317 challenge along with StampinB's #105 challenge, but I read one thing and my brain took a path of it's own! LOL The WT317 challenge is to use decorative scissors, but since I gave them all to my DGD some time ago, I just used a SU border punch instead. The StampinB's challenge is to use navy & green, plus add either stripes, dots or plaids. I inked up my plaid ef with blue and green and finished the card with these pretty shades of blue and green. When I was about to post it, I noticed the challenge was NAVY and green!!! DUHhhhhhhh!!! This isn't the first time I've done this, but I guess it's going to be OK, because I actually like how the card turned out in spite of my big "oops" moment!! LOL
If I find time, I'll try working on another NAVY and green card and hopefully I'll get it right the next time! LOL
Have a happy Thursday!

Carol

Penny Black ATC challenge

I read about the Penny Black ATC challenge over on Denise's blog and decided to play along. You need to make an ATC and upload it to their Flickr Gallery. Well I made the ATC and thought I uploaded it to their gallery, but I don't see it there! LOL I might try again a little later, but I'm clearly Flickr challenged for the time being :)
Anyhoo.........I used this adorable little PB image (thanks Denise) and made the ATC first.
Then I decided to make a card with it, so I used today's SC327 sketch challenge found here.
I used a few scraps of dp from my scrap bin, reversing the stripes on each panel, and embossing them with the square lattice ef. The faux brads were made using the SU owl punch, and a Fiskars circular punch, then coating them with glossy accents.
Happy Tuesday everyone, I wish you all a fabulous day!

Carol

stamps - Penny Black, Inkadinkado
paper - white, purple, unknown dp
inks - memento tuxedo black, versafine onyx black, blushing bride (sponging)
accessories - SU owl punch, SU oval punches, Fiskars circular punch, Spellbinders Labels 10, clip, gingham ribbon, stickles, Copics, cuttlebug birthday ef, SU square lattice ef, glossy accents

Pinwheel Card

After seeing a tutorial on the Stars & Stamps blog showing how to make a pinwheel card, I had to give it a try. I used different pieces from a pack of Memory Box paper for this. They're all in soft pinks, greens, and cream colors and look much prettier IRL. I used a Cuttlebug ef for the background (sorry, the name of it escapes me) and used a brad and flower from my stash. The sentiment is by MFP and it was done on a Spellbinders fancy label diecut. This is a great way to use up some of those small scraps you have lying around, so I'll definitely be making more of these!

Carol

C4CC19 Happy Birthday Korin!

It's Tuesday again which means it's time for another Crazy4Cocoa challenge! This week the theme is "birthday", and since it just happens to be Korin's birthday today, we're doing a surprise birthday blog hop in her honor!! In case you don't know.........Korin is the owner of Sweet'n'Sassy stamps, and the creator of this adorable Cocoa mouse image. Happy Birthday Korin!! I hope you have a fantastic birthday!
For my card I used the Birthday Cake Cocoa digital image, printing on Neenah card stock and coloring with Copics. I used berry sorbet cardstock along with white, and lined the envelope with matching bitty box basics dp. I embossed the background with the Cuttlebug Happy Birthday embossing folder, and added a Spellbinder's lotus behind the main image. I have several photos here so that you can see the accents added to this card. One photo simply doesn't show them all.
This photo shows the glossy accents I added to the frosting on the cake. YUM!!
On this photo, you can see all the tiny star sequins I added to the card. They're silver, white, clear, and irridescent and this outdoor photo shows them better than the other photos.

If you arrived here from Monika Davis's blog, then you're on the right track! Your next hop along the way is Jessica Fick and you can find her right here. Be sure and start from the Sweet'nSassy Stamps blog and then hop over to the crazy4cocoa blog and pick up your free digi which is available for today only!! Someone will win 3 free digis of their choice in a random drawing, so be sure and leave a little love along to way for your chance to win!

Here is a list of all participants in the hop:

Sweet N Sassy stamps blog

Janette Olen
Tammy Maynard

Sandy Domelle

Kim Schofield

Monika Davis

Carol Longacre - you're here!

Jessica Fick

Julie Smith

Ceal Pritchett

Lorie Ames

Taylor Usry

Jessica Stockmeyer

Melissa Craig

Amber Hillman

Stephanie Serrano

Neva McMullen

Joni Mastronardi

Mary Faus

Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you enjoy all the fabulous Cocoa creations in this surprise birthday hop for Korin! Now that you can pick up a free digi, there's no excuse not to play along with the Crazy4Cocoa challenge :)

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Carol

An Easter challenge with the Stamp Fairy

The challenge theme over at Stamps R Us this week is "Easter" and StampFairy.com is our sponsor. They have some of the cutest digi images around, and I used an image from the "Clementine" Easter/spring collection for my card.
I really had fun creating and coloring this Easter card, and I love these shades of blue and lavender together. Be sure to check the rest of the Stamps R Us team's creations for inspiration by clicking their names on my sidebar. You'll have 2 weeks to create and post your card, so have fun making those early Easter cards!
Thanks for stopping by today, it's always great to see you :)

Carol

Stamps - The Stamp Fairy Clementine Bunny
papers - Neenah solar white, Memory Box Enchanted, Prisma Majestic Purple lt
inks - cool caribbean for sponging - sentiment was computer generated
accessories - SU lg oval punch, Spellbinders Labels two and Fancy Labels, blue satin ribbon, lavender & white bakers twine, glossy accents, clip, Kaiser pearls, Copics B02, E00, E0000, E21, E51, E55, V000, V0000, V12, V15, R20, R22, R24, R85

OWH Sketch Challenge #63 for Dad

I'm working on father's day cards for my next OWH box, so I used today's Stars and Stamps sketch #63 to make a father's day card. I d/l the image by inascrapcreations, but I couldn't find a link for it, sorry. My DH used to have a Ford truck like this many moons ago and I'm sure there are lots of dads out there who owned one too. I colored the image with Copics and stamped the sentiment with a box of those tiny wooden stamps you get for a dollar at Michaels. I only have one very large father's day sentiment that wouldn't fit on this card, so sometimes those tiny little stamps do come in handy! I covered a piece of scrap cardstock with aluminum foil, taped it to the back, then ran it through the Cuttlebug diamondplate ef for the side panel. I added a punched star that's dotted with a white sharpie marker and finished with a silver brad to match. The DP was a scrap in my bin.
That's it for me today............but I'll be back tomorrow!

Carol

Happy April Fool's Day......are you KIDDING me??

It's April 1st and April Fool's day, and mother nature certainly has played a trick on us here in PA this morning!! Just look what I woke up to!!! LOL This is looking out my back door and it was snowing like mad when I opened the curtains to face another day! The joke's on us for sure:)
I played along with the QFTD54 challenge over on SCS today. Our newest queen is Lois Bak/aka Clownmom who has the most amazing gallery of gorgeous cards! I chose this one to case and made a few changes. I love this stamp by Inkadinkado and don't use it nearly enough, so it was time to pull it from the cobwebs and create a card. I used BG wander dp and matted everything with black. The sentiment is computer generated and I pierced around the image just for a little extra added interest.
Happy April Fool's day to all of you, and I hope nobody pranks you too badly! For years I'd put salt in the sugar bowl for my DH's morning coffee, but he's wise to me now and always tastes the sugar before adding it to his coffee on April Fool's day. I'm baaaaaad, I know........and I LOVE it! :)

Carol