Papertrey Ink Blog Hop--The Total Package

One of my very favorite places to shop online is with a company called Papertrey Ink.  Their products are amazing and their design team provides me with so much inspiration.  While shopping a few days ago I noticed they were hosting a Blog Hop.  What is a Blog Hop you ask??? A project challenge is issued on the 15th of each month and participants have until the 25th to complete it.  They then post the completed project on their blogs and invite all  other participants to take a peek. This months challenge was to complete a card with the "Total Package"--- meaning create a card as well as the interior and the envelope using at least one product of Papertrey Ink.  I have never participated in anything like this before but I am so inspired by these products I thought I might give it a try.  I completed three cards and am so excited to share them with you. All three cards are created using the new stamp set Baby Button Bits. I adore all of the images in this set and had so much fun completing this challange.

The next card I completed using the little cupcake stamp.  I added a bit of fabric that matched this stamp so perfectly........

My third card was created using the little baby bee stamp.

Thank you to all of the "Blog Hoppers" for stopping by my blog tonight. I hope you enjoyed your stay.    I can't wait to meet all of you and see what  you have created. 

Picture of the Week

I don't know if any of you are like me--- I love to take pictures.  I have a little digital camera that my husband gave me for Christmas two years ago.  It is the perfect size for tucking into my purse so that I can take pictures at a minutes notice.  I have thousands of pictures stored on disks--all treasured memories.  I thought it might be fun at the end of each week to share with you my ONE favorite picture taken during the past week.  A challenge for me for sure as there are  many to choose from.   I hope you enjoy this week's photo of my sweet girls, Mabel and Sassy soaking in the sun.

1 2 3 part 2

As promised the second little counting book..........

Hope you are enjoying the rest of the weekend.  I have some fun new projects to post soon, so  stop back for a visit.

1 2 3 part 1

Did you ever come across a scrapbook supply that provided you with instant inspiration.  I love it  when that happens.  On a recent shopping trip, I discovered these plain chipboard albums from the company Cloud 9.  The coolest thing about these little books is that they also came with a box that the finished album could be stored in.  In my hast to get creative, I forgot to take pictures of the before project but I have lots of after pictures to share.   The shape of these little books were so unique I instantly thought of turning them into a counting book.   And with the perfect number of pages provided,  my mind was twirling with ideas.  Some time ago I purchesed two clear stamp sets from Sandylion designs.  I admit I have a thing for big chunky animal stamps and these sets were too adorable to pass up. There is a little girl set as well as one themed for little boys.  After stamping the images on patterened paper, I cut them out  in the appropriate number and created this fun little book. 

This project was so much fun to complete. It takes me back to when I used to read counting books to Alex.   I am showing the little girl version today.  Check back tomorrow and I will post pictures of the little boy version.  Have a Happy Friday!!!!

And the Winner is............

Before I announce the winner of my little blog contest, I just want to Thank You  all for playing along and leaving me such sweet comments.  I was happy to see so many regular friends as well as several new readers joining in the fun.  I  truly appreciate each and every one of you.  Now onto the winner.  I was unsure how to pick the winner so that it would be fair to all.  I decided to enlist the help of my son. (what a good sport he was to help out his Mom)   I asked him to either write down or with a show of fingers, a number from 1-13. (the number of comments that were made) Without further delay.......   

The winner is Melinda of Country Dreaming. Her comment was the seventh one.  Melinda has a delightful blog full of fun. Hurry on over and say Hello.   Congratulations Melinda--I hope you enjoy all of your surprises.  If you could e-mail your address I will get your package in the mail right away. 

Well I am off to visit several new blogs.   Thank you again to all of you for taking a moment from your busy day to say Hello and encourage me with your thoughtful words. 

A Day to Love and a Surprise Give Away

Apart from Christmas, Valentines Day is my favorite holiday.  I love everything about it. After all who could not adore a day dedicated to LOVE.  A day to tell all those you hold dear just how special they are to you.  A day to do that little something apart from the daily routine to surprise your loved ones.    The colors of this day are so sweet and romantic.  I so enjoy designing projects at this time of year.  Pink, red, white, hearts, buttons, lace, ribbon, vintage valentines from days gone by all come together into the most delightful  creations.  I wanted to share with you tonight two Valentine banners that I  recently completed for my shop at Sweetpeas.  The first one made with my nestabilities die cuts.  A scalloped circle for the base coupled with a plain circle of patterned paper and white cardstock for the middle.  I added letters to spell "Be Mine",a few pretty pink flowers, ribbon and some bakers twine. 

This next banner is created in the other color of the day--Red! Again using my square scalloped nestabilities as a base coupled with a plain square of patterned paper in the middle, buttons, ribbon, bakers twine and a couple of hearts punched with my new Martha Stewert heart punch 

Now I have a little surprise for all of you my blog friends that I hold dear.  In celebration of this my 100th post I am having a little give a way.  If you would like a chance to win my love banner (and a few other little surprises) just leave me a comment on this post and I will pull the winning name on Monday.  That will give you all the weekend to enter.  I am so excited to send this surprise to one of you.  Not only to say thank you for reading my blog and leaving me encouraging comments but for your friendship.  I appreciate you!!!