Seize Every Opportunity

Here's a fab image from Bloobel stamps!  I just love this artist's images.  I added a fun sentiment, "seize every opportunity" which I thought would be just perfect for this month's celebration.  I am so thankful for what I have been given that I do try and remember to seize what I have and be thankful for what I have been given.

Question of the day:   Do you like this cute little girl?  She's the prize that will be given away as a digi file today to several winners!

NOTE:  It's celebration month with prizes everyday!  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 12th through the 18th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Fairy Dog

Here's a super cute image from By Miss Rach stamps called Fairy Dog.  I combined that with two different trims and lace from Turkiye.  By Miss Rach also has a great blog, HERE which includes some awesome freebie stamps, HERE.

Question of the day:  Which of these Freebie stamps is your favorite? freebie stamps, HERE.

My personal fav is the one 2 up from the bottom, though y'all saw my super cute card with that chick on top! (it's here); Here's another card I did with one of her adorable freebies, click here.

If you have never used a digi stamp before, just right click on it, download (choose Save picture as to load it to your hard drive) then you have a file can print it out. What's great is you can make it as big or small as you like!  I use Microsoft word and import the image into a document and print 4 images at a time.

Be sure you saw the earlier post today and leave a comment there too!!

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 11th through the 16th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Ballerina Hippo, Join in the contest!

Don't forget we are having a contest using a great stamp from Sandra Caldwell called 1592 Ballerina Hippo.  This stamp is one that you can get now for just $1.50.  Create any handmade project and enter the contest for an additional chance to win prizes.   Even if you entered using the other stamps, you can still get this stamp and create a new card because there will be prizes awarded for each image.  More details on Feb 2nd blog posting. The contest will end on Feb 23rd.

There will be prizes given for overall favorites from Artist Sandra Caldwell and one chose by Holley Barnhart, then there will be individual prizes (die cutters) for each different image used!

Here's my card using this cute stamp

When you have completed your card(s), you can enter them HERE, if you don't have a blog, you can post it somewhere on the internet and email me the link or send me your image htondre@aol.com

Question of the morning:  what types on non-craft stuff do you use for crafting?

I see crafty supplies in everything lol, every time I look at something I am decomposing it and thinking about what I could use from it.  I was just wondering what you all use....things that come to mind--paint cards, tiles, sequins, I go to a lot of garage sales and craft reuse stores and look at all kinds of things...

Stay tuned for a card later this afternoon.....

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 11th through the 16th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

You are my best friend

Here's the cutest brand new stamp from Sandra Caldwell of Babycakes DND on Etsy.  This cutie is called #2066 Sweet Dee.  How adorable is she?  I colored her up to match this adorable striped card and added some lovely lace from Istanbul, Turkiye.

Question of the day:  do you have other crafts that you like? beading? sewing? ATCs? scrapbooking?

In addition to cardmaking, I also so some occasional scrapbooking for big trips that I make.  I also do jewelry making, especially for the annual bazaar at the local church.

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 10th through the 16th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Cute and Quirky in Yellow

Here's the cutest image from one of our prize stores on Etsy this year, it's Notturno Digital Arts. I just love this artist's fun images. They are TOO cute and quirky. What a delight.  It was so hard to pick just a handful of them to make cards with for this month.

  

Question of the day:  What are your favorite colors?  what are your least favorite colors?

my favorites are warm colors: reds, oranges, browns, yellows, pinks

my least fav (or at least least used) green, purple, blue

I posted a late afternoon bday card for my sister yesterday, did you see it? Make sure you left a comment  to wish her a happy bday! 😁

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 8th through the 14th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Happy Birthday Sister

As a bonus Feb 14th treat, I made this card for my sister who is currently teaching in Abu Dhabi with her husband (also a teacher).  I wanted to wish her a very happy birthday today! I hope she is having a wonderful experience overseas and just loving her work.

Have a very Happy Birthday Sister! Have a special day today.

Please leave my sis a happy bday from your location.

for example.  Happy Bday from Austin, TX USA

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 7th through the 13th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Valentine's Day Love

Here's the valentine card that I made for my DH.  I hope he will like it. This stunning image comes from Ike's Art.  Her lady stamps are fabulous. This image is called Never.  Be sure to check out the Ike's World Challenge as every two week's there is a new contest and she gives away a wonderful digi stamp freebie so you can play along!   http://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.gr/

Question of the day number 1:  do you use printed papers of mostly card stock? premade cards (i.e. blank cards you get in packs) or just cut up paper to make your own cards?  What size?

I like to cut my own cards, have a really hard time using printed papers, I am always so envious of people who can pair papers with images, esp those who can use multiple papers at once.  I also just buy plain or polka dotten cardstock and cut my own cards typically rather than buy packs of blank cards.  I do a lot of square in 5.5 to 6"

Check back later this afternoon for ANOTHER post :)

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 7th through the 13th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Be Mine

Here's a stunning image from KJ Arting on Etsy. She has some fabulous stamps! I just love her amazing images and the great variety she has available.  I just had to get this one of course, you all know I love some Dia De Los Muertos!

Question of the day:  Check out her amazing store and let me know what images you like
CLICK HERE

I love all her sexy lady images and her dia de los Muertos theme images.  She also has some fun skulls and images that are zombie style!  *I know a bunch of you don't care for skulls, lol, that's OK, I promise not to send you that :)


NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 6th through the 12th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Winter theme Bestie

Here's a darling card today using a beautiful stamp from Sherri Baldy.  Her store is called My Besties and she makes the cutest little girl stamps and wonderful coloring books!  Check out her amazing site HERE: http://www.mybestiesshop.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

The contest over on the SSS Challenge blog this week is to create a winter theme card, drop by the SSS Challenge blog and share your best Sherri Baldy creations and you could win some wonderful stamps from her!

Questions of the day:  Do you like big eye stamps?  Little girl stamps?  what type do you prefer?

My husband tells me that some stamps look a little creepy to him including those that don't have noses or mouths (Like Magnolia or Gorjuss Girls).  I just LOVE those stamps!

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 6th through the 11th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Just for you!

Here's a wonderful image from Limited Runs. I just adore her fun and quirky stamps. She has everything from cute little girls to a hilarious set of cupcakes! TOO CUTE.  Check out her stamps HERE.  I am so excited to say that we also now have prizes from their store!  Woo Hoo!!

There's also a fun Facebook group where they have regular challenges and fun games going on, you can find that HERE.

Question of the day #1, What stamp topics don't you like?

I don't use a lot of realistic images, I don't care for alphabets (though I keep one set, there's always that occasion where you need it); I don't seem to ever use the flourish stamps I have;  I also never seem to use those XL background stamps and believe it or not i font really make Christmas cards. 

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 5th through the 11th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Forever isn't long enough

Here's the cutest Skeleton image from Maria Medel Illustrations.  I just love this artist's images.  She has some awesome images including some cute Halloween images which you know is just my favorite holiday.  I thought this cute image could also be used for Valentines.  I added a sweet Valentine sentiment "Forever isn't long enough"

Question of the day #2: what's your favorite animal theme stamp?

Mine are owls, bears, and lately I seem to gravitate toward foxes

Did you see the early morning posting?

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 5th through the 10th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Dr Hippo, join in our contest!

Don't forget we are having a contest using a great stamp from Sandra Caldwell called 1712 Doctor Hippo stamp.  This stamp is one that you can get now for just $1.50.  Create any handmade project and enter the contest for an additional chance to win prizes.  The contest is on Feb 2nd.

There will be prizes given for overall favorites from Artist Sandra Caldwell and one chose by Holley Barnhart, then there will be individual prizes (die cutters) for each different image used!

Here's my card using this cute stamp

When you have completed your card(s), you can enter them HERE, if you don't have a blog, you can post it somewhere on the internet and email me the link or send me your image htondre@aol.com

Question of the day #1:  Do you have any special occasions coming up?  wedding, new baby, special birthday or anniversary?  something else?

Watch for another post on Sunday 😁
NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 5th through the 11th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

School girl

So excited to have a wonderful image today from Paper Nest Dolls!  Isn't this little girl so very cute? she's called Maddie with Glasses. You can check out her images at her store for rubber stamps:  http://stamps.the-papernest.com/

or for digi stamps https://paper-nest-dolls.myshopify.com/

I have a wonderful digi prize today from this company

They also have a  challenge blog, it's HERE.

Question of the day,  do you like clear or rubber stamps? both? neither? 

I almostly always used red rubber stamps, I don't use many clear stamps.  I am about 80% digi now.

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 4th through the 9th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Pretty Sweet

Here's a fun image from artist Sandra Caldwell of Babycakes DND on Etsy. She's 1823 Pretty Sweet and she will be released in the store today!  She makes a great assortment of stamps as you saw back on the contest which started on Feb 2nd.  Here's a little reminder that you can still join in the contest!  CLICK HERE to see the details about it.  There's lots of prizes surrounding that contest.

Questions of the day:  What's your favorite stamp topic? 

I am sure you can tell from me that I love little girls, I also love skeletons/skulls, funny and quirky stamps; I love cute animals; I love women and sexy women that I can use for making cards for the hubby;  I like sentiments of all kinds.


NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 3st through the 8th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Istanbul

Here's a sweet and simple card using some gorgeous papers from Paper Temptress.  I am so excited that Paper Temptress will be handing out a prize this month.  The stamp I am using here was a gift from my husband this Christmas.  It's the Istanbul skyline on top of a heart filled with birds.

The bottom sheet of back is called Black Basis.  The wonderful mica metallic that is layered under the lace as well as under the stamped image is Silver Ore Glimmer .  The image is stamped in Black Memento ink onto Heavenly White paper and layered on some Black Ruche paper.
Paper Temptress is offering a wonderful set of paper as a prize this month!

Question of the day:  Which of Paper Temptress Paper variety packs is your favorite?  click here

I think my fav is the Valentine package, esp because I love the reds and pink papers right now; But the Jackie K's designer package is a close 2nd.


NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 1st through the 6th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

You and Me

Here's the cutest image from a store called Enchanted School on Etsy.  She has this Cute Digi set that I will be giving away this month and I just adore her images.  I colored this girl up in copic markers and used some great Turkish lace and prima flowers to go with her.

If you get a chance to look at her store, I also adore this cute Mermaid stamp set she has in addition to the four girl stamp set that this image comes from.  This cute image set will be the prize that I give out (the entire four image set).

Question of the day:  what is your favorite card theme?

for me, my favorite theme is probably just everyday cards, but I also love to make Halloween cards, I am sure that's a surprise;  I also have started doing more and more birthday cards as I work at a school now with lots of other people.  But I do love to make the Halloween cards, esp with skulls (lol, must be my brain fascination)

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 1st through the 6th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Puppy Love

Here's a beautiful stamp from Ike's Art. I just love her stamp variety and all of her wonderful images from sweet and beautiful to scary and gothic.  This lovely image was just perfect for valentines.  I am so happy that Ike has agree to give away a prize this year.  This cute image is called Puppy Love and it's only $1 at the store!  What a great price for such a precious stamp.  

OMGOSH, I have a HUGE surprise coming from Ike's Art!!  She made a stamp to celebrate my 8th anniversary!  WOO HOO, I can't wait to show it to you....stay tuned for that later this month

Check out Ike's store and tell me what your favorite stamp is

CLICK HERE

not really fair for me to say because I feel like I own half her store, but of the ones that I haven't gotten yet, my latest wish list is: Snake Cake Surprise (you know I like the skulls on that cake!!),  Dance with Death set (you know I love the skellys), and Black Widow.  On the cute side, I like the new image "Kindness" a handful of sweet animals, and Party Pug!

What are your favorites?


NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 1st through the 5th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Bunni Hippo, Join our contest!

Don't forget we are having a contest using a great stamp from Sandra Caldwell called 2036 Bunni Hippo.  This stamp is one that you can get now for just $1.50.  Create any handmade project and enter the contest for an additional chance to win prizes.  The contest is on Feb 2nd.

There will be prizes given for overall favorites from Artist Sandra Caldwell and one chose by Holley Barnhart, then there will be individual prizes (die cutters) for each different image used!

Here's my card using this cute stamp

When you have completed your card(s), you can enter them HERE, if you don't have a blog, you can post it somewhere on the internet and email me the link or send me your image htondre@aol.com

Question of the afternoon: what is your current project? what are you making the most of lately?

for me, I am just making cards for everyday topics, though I am getting a few easter things done.  I am on several design teams that I make cards for, I don't have a particular project going right now.  Just cardmaking.  The next huge project undertaking I can think of will be Vacation Bible School.

Capivate Self

Here's a lovely image from Digistamps4Joy called Here's my Heart.  I made this card for the current Monday Greetings Challenge at Outlawz.  Every week they have a new sponsored contest with great prizes and they challenge requires that you use a sentiment on your card.  This week's challenge is called "Have a heart please...."  Please put a heart somewhere on your card.

Question of the day:  who's your favorite stamp maker?  digi stamp maker?

for me, hmmm in rubber stamps, I love Unity, stampotique, whipper snapper, oh and I LOVE Grumplings from Taylored Expressions

in Digi stamps, eeek, too many to list, lol, Sandra Caldwell, Lizzy Love, Bloobel, Ike's Art,  East Wind, loving the new companies that I am sharing this month Enchanted School, Noctturnoc, Scribbles (oh those cute penguins!!), Paper Nest Dolls, can you tell I use a lot of digi stamps lately?

NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.  Also winners have not been picked from the 1st through the 4th yet if you haven't commented on those days.  Check the winner list HERE.

Heart Shaped Glasses

This image is just TOO cute, it's called Heart Shaped Glasses.  I love the great animals from By Miss Rach stamps.  Her images are just so adorable.  Check out her stamps at her Etsy store HERE.  I added a fun sentiment to this card, what sentiment do you think it should say?

Miss Rach has graciously offered several wonderful digi stamp prizes.  Question of the day:  Which of her lovely stamps are your favorites  (Click here)

I recently bought several, but my recent new found loves in her store are the Baby Rhino Bubbles, the Sea Otter Love, and the Baby Giraffe Leaf.

Cheers, Holley

Heart Spring

I am so excited to have a prize from Bloobel Stamps this year!  I just love this artist's fun and quirky images.  I am sure you all have seen them on my blog before. I recently signed up to be on their design team as well.  How awesome is that?  This is a cute image that is on sale in their store called Heart Spring.  I have several copies of this cute digi image to give away. Plus a gift certificate from Bloobel Stamps!

Question of the day: 

Check out the fun site on the Bloobel Stamps, click HERE

https://www.bloobel.com/collections/digital-stamps

What's your favorite image?

My newest favorite, has to be High Heels or Easter Parade Judy

NOTE:  This is celebration MONTH!!   If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE;   You can also go back and comment on yesterday's contest as a winner has not yet been chosen!

Don't lose hope

I am so excited to share this wonderful stamp today, this image was created just for me by artist Sandra Caldwell!  It is the cutest hippo with a head injury.  This stamp is called #2010 Holley's Ouch Hippo!  How awesome is that?  I added the perfect sentiment for the occasion "Don't lose hope. You never know what tomorrow may bring."

For me I can say for the last year or two prior to surgery I was so very sick. I was sleeping 10-12 hours a day, barely making it.  Hope was pretty low on my list.  In fact the doctor who sent me to Dr Aboumatar, really should get a lot of credit as she told me she would fix me....I literally laughed when she said that.  After a year of working with me, she sent me to Dr Aboumatar and my life changed pretty instantly.

Consider the question of the day: do you have a die cut machine? Be sure an leave a comment today, winners will be picked from among those who comment below.  Those who comment below is separate random drawing contest from the "CONTEST OF THE MONTH" project making contest which will have a bunch of winners selected.

CONTEST OF THE MONTH--there's only one contest this month, here it is!!  these prizes are in addition to all the goodies you will already get :)  You know you want to play with us! Join in!

So now on to a contest that will be going this month!  It's a fun card making (or any type of project, ATC, bookmarks,....anything handmade).  Sandra has put 4 awesome images on sale for the contest!  It's a HIP HIP HIPPO Celebration!   Create any card theme card you like. You can enter up to 4 times, once per image.  There will be a bunch of prizes, 2 prizes (one from Sandra, one from me) overall so across the 4 groups will get digis from Sandra's store!  PLUS 1 prize in each digi group (i.e. one winner will be chosen from each of the entries per image) will win a die cutter (one I will pick special for you, or if you have no die cut machine, I will substitute a rubber stamp);


The four stamp choices which Sandra Caldwell has put on sale are (click on each name to see the stamp in her store)
2010 Holleys Ouch Hippo
1712 Doctor Hippo
1592 Ballerina Hippo
2036 Bunny Hippo

You can enter one project for every image.  That makes a total of 4 projects if you use each image available.  The theme is anything goes .... there are prizes for each image and prizes overall...so more than 6 prizes available for this contest!  Enter ALL your creations here, you may enter a card with each image once, as each image will have it's own prize, as well as an overall prize. IF you don't have a blog or an account to put your file in simply send me your creation at htondre@aol.com


NOTE:  If you didn't leave comment on Feb 1st,  please go back and do so as winners will get picked from there everyday! CLICK HERE.

It's Celebration time!!

It's Celebration time!!!

Can you believe it? It's celebration time!! February 2018 is here.  I am so happy to be celebrating 8 years of seizure free life, and frankly just LIFE!!  Let me especially Thank Dr Aboumatar and the staff of Austin Epilepsy for arranging all the amazing testing and the surgeries (2 brain surgeries) that saved my life and ended my seizures! I have all my crafting friends to be so thankful for their support during that time.  If you are new and haven't see my story, you can find it HERE.

Here's a wonderful image from Scribbles designs called Dump Truck Wishes.  As you can see, just like me, it's filled with wonderful goodies!!   HUGE THANKS to Scribbles Designs who is a sponsor of a wonderful $10 gift certificate to their store! Also let me tell you that Scribbles Designs is having their OWN celebration here, so drop by there for a chance to win something from them on their site!

Here's some info for you all about how things work for those who are new or need a reminder.

Prizes are given to the people who leave comments each day, some randomly chosen, some chosen by a secret number, some chosen by one of the prize sponsors, etc.  Every day during the blog posts I ask a question, it's wise to fill out the answer as I use that info to help gain information to select what to send everyone.  I am not just trying to make you read things, I just want to learn a little about everyone and what they like.  I also have sponsors who love to get feedback about their creations and what you love about their stamps. 

I keep notes on what everyone likes all month long!! I swear even during the year I may see something that I know what popular during last year's celebration (like say, um, Flamingos) and buy some Flamingo die cutters for this year's contest.  So I do really try and send goodies that you all want :) so the more you tell me, the better I try to choose what you would like :)

BE SURE to leave a comment today's Feb 1st as winners will be chosen from Feb 1st all month long.  You can always go back to the previous days if you didn't leave a comment and fill it out.  I will let you know when I choose the prizes for each day and I will create a prize winner list.  When you see you name on the winner list, you can email me your Addy or email, depending on what you won. Don't stop checking the list, you may win more than once and at the end of the month there will be a bunch of prizes listed as well!  here's my addy-- Htondre@aol.com

I anticipate many people will win more than once as that happens all the time, so I always wait to mail items until the end of the month.  Please be patient as this year I have a job so packages won't get out as frequent as years previous.  But PLEASE, if you don't ever get your package, just let me know, I usually have one or two that don't get there and I am happy to resend your goodies to you.

Thanks so much for celebrating with me this year!!

Let's start Celebrating!!

(Did you miss the awesome prize photos and list of sponsors for the month? go back to yesterday's posting!)