Create your imagination

I did this adorable card with some bright spring colors for this week's Squigglefly challenge.  The challenge this week is called "March to the beat of your own drum"  and thus it's Anything Goes!  I chose this adorable new image from artist Cheryl Alger called "Pencil Boy with Glasses" and I chose to make my card in a monotone theme using all green, predominately limes.   Isn't he too cute?

I added some great sentiment in vellum, "This world is but a canvas to our imagination."  Perfect!
Drop by the Squigglefly Challenge blog and play along with us this week.  Now's a great chance to take ANY Squigglefly image you love and make a card for a chance to win a prize. 

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, DCWV, Neenah);  Image (Squigglefly); Saying (JoAnns); Flowers (Prima); Buttons (Jesse Jane); Twill (Doodlebug); Flowers (Prima); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue Dots, Glue All);  Brads (Making Memories); Color (Copic Markers);

Hi everyone--just checking to see if everyone has gotten their prizes from the Blog Candy Contests last month.  Most of them should have arrived at their destinations by now...I know a few countries have very very slow mail, but most I hope would have gotten there.  Please let me know if you didn't.  Cheers, Holley  htondre@aol.com

Guest Artist: Sandra Caldwell

So yesterday I showed you a card I made with a digi-stamp designed by artist Sandra Caldwell.  I have also showed you many other stamps she has made, both from her own Digi-Stamp site (Babycakes Doodle this and that) as well as rubber stamps from Queen Kat.  Many of you recall her making some wonderful freebies for everyone during my month of celebration in February, and in thanks for that, I had sent her a package of a handful a crafty supplies along with a package of handmade cards that I had done, all using her images, both digis and rubber stamps.   That was one small way to thank her for her incredible generosity to me.  Well, low and behold, this week I found a package on my own door step!!  She sent me, some AMAZING goodies, two cards that she handmade for me, along with some other stunning handmade items and some crafting goodies.  Today I am going to show you the two cards she made, and later on...I will show you some of the other items.  WOW....

Here's my goodies package from her!!

 

Here's some scanned images for you to better see the cards she created, can you say WOW!!

 

 

Huge thanks to you Sandra!! To see Sandra's other artwork, check out her site Babycakes Doodle This and That or you can see her Rubber stamps at Queen Kat.  (NOTE--she's having a celebration on the Babycakes site, so do go over there, she's having a contest in celebration of her 40th anniversary and has a new freebie on there!!)

It's the Easter Piggy

Here's  a cute Easter theme stamp from artist Sandra Caldwell of Babycakes Doodle This and That.  Too fun!  I made this adorable card and added some metal embellishments to the base of it.  She has several sweet Easter theme stamps, both on her Digi-stamp site and through Queen Kat stamps. 

Project materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Digi-Stamp (Sandra Caldwell); Ink (Colorbox Chalk); Embellishments (OTC): Brads (Bazzill);  Punch (Martha Stewart); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots);  Color (Copic Markers);

Easter and Spring

Here's a stunning Sweet Pea stamp from artist Joanne Schempp called Brandy. She's sold in digi-stamp format and I thought she would just be perfect for Easter time because of the stunning flowers that she has.  Those Lilies are just stunning.  I used one of the Sweet Pea Vertical sentiments to add a simple and perfect saying to the card.

Here's another wonderful card that's just perfect for the spring time season, this stamp is available both in rubber form and in digital form.  Must say that I love both, but I am very much a huge rubber stamp fan.  This wonderful stamp is called is called Zoe from artist Valerie Wade.

She's just super cute and I added a fun saying from Cosmo Cricket (sticker) that says "You are the only thing I need."  Just perfect for the love of your life be it family, friend or hubby. 

 

Easter is rapidly approaching now as it is March 31st this year.  There's plenty of time though to grab a wonderful digi-stamp and get some beautiful cards made for those special family members.  Sweet Pea is having a huge sale too, 11 pages worth of goodies at 40% off (click here)

 

 

Cheers, Holley

Get well soon!

Here's a funny image from Queen Kat artist Corriander Shea called Laughter is the Best Medicine.  How cute is that?  I must confess that though the ribbon and the coloring on this card match so very perfectly, I didn't actually plan on that!  I colored the image first and then found this awesome ribbon.  How fun is that...I love it when you find that embellishment that just matches your card's design so well.

Be sure and check out of Coriander Shea (Phantom Rose) designs at the Queen Kat store.  She has some adorable images with this cute character as well as others with beautiful women and fairies.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah, Hobby Lobby);  Rubber Stamps (Queen Kat;  Saying-Sweet Pea);  Ink (Memento);  Buttons (American Traditional); Ribbon (JoAnn Fabrics); DieCut (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Color (Copic Markers); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Ribbon Glue, Glue Dots); 

Dandelion Wishes

Here's a great stamp from Kraftin' Kimmie. I just love her!  Isn't she adorable?  This girl is too cute. I had to add one of the sayings that comes with her "Sending you love and sweet Wishes!"  that goes out to all of you!  Hope you are having a wonderful spring.  It's going to hit 90 degrees here!! Can you believe that?

Project materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Image (Kraftin' Kimmie);  Buttons (); Lace (JoAnns);  Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk, Memento);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue);  Color (Copic Markers);

Goth Woman

Here's a stunning Goth Maiden designed by artist Morgan Fitzsimons of Scrapbook Stamp Society.  She has all sorts of amazing stamps like this woman.  I just love her detailed stamp designs.  She also has some wonderful scenes and fun teddy bears.  My favorite though is always the beautiful women that she draws. 

Drop by the Scrapbook Stamp Society store or check out their facebook page to see all sorts of creations made with her beautiful stamps. They also have a challenge blog where you can win prizes!

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Hobby Lobby, Bazzill, Neenah);  Digi-Stamp (Addicted to Stamps-Scrapbook Stamp Society); Ink (Colorbox Chalk); Lace (JoAnns);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Ribbon Glue, Glue Dots);  Color (Copic markers);

You are my Sunshine

Happy Monday everyone!  So the challenge this week at Squigglefly is to create a song theme card.  This cute song below popped right into my head.  I am sure many of you know the chorus.  "You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me Happy, when skies are grey.  You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away." 
But, do you know how many artists have recorded this song?  I must confess, I just think of this song as some children's song, esp recalling it from a TV commercial.  But this song has been recorded by a number of famous muscians including--Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Rickie Nelson, Ray Charles, Gene Autry, Copeland, Bob Dylan, Donnie Osmond, Ann Murray, Doris Day, Carlie Simon, Elisabeth Mitchell and SO many more!! It is the State Song of Louisiana!  I am using a beautiful stamp from artist Cheryl Alger called You are my Sunshine.

Be sure and drop by the Squigglefly Challenge blog this week and create a card to play along.  Just come up with a fun song and make a cute card to go with it.  If you use any Squigglefly stamp, you are eligible to win a prize!

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill Bling, Neenah);  DigiStamps (Squigglefly); Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities; Sizzix); Flowers (Prima, Hobby Lobby);  Suns (Jesse James); Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue Dots, Glue All, Ribbon Glue); Color (Copic Markers);

Bear Hugs

Here's a darling digi-stamp from artist Sandra Caldwell of Babycakes Doodle This and That.  She has the most adorable images.  She sells digis on the link above and has rubber stamps sold through Queen Kat stamps.  This cute bear is called Bearly Bee Yours.

 

She gave away some wonderful stamp (at her Babycakes site) during my Feb Celebration month.  We are going to have a cardmaking contest using any of those three images (you chose which image you want to make a card with and get ready).  I am going to have some great blog candy for that.  That contest will start on Apr 1st so get your cards ready!! You can enter up to three cards, one with each freebie from Sandra Caldwell (if you don't have them, check her Babycakes site on Feb 9th, 17th and 28th!)

 

Project Materials: Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah); Image (Sandra Caldwell); Rubber stamp saying (unknown); Stickers (Dollar Tree); Heart (Recollections); Die Cut (Lifestyles); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots);  Color (Copic Markers);

Dreaming

Here's my view on the stunning stamp chosen for variation's week.  This stamp is called Dreaming of Aquamarine Tides from artist Katerina Koukiotis.  What a beautiful stamp.  I paired it with a wonderful saying from Plate #33.  I think that saying is just perfect with her expression.

Be sure and check out all of Katerina Koukiotis' designs at the Sweet Pea store.  She has some really stunning creations.  If you missed yesterday's posting, it was a blog hop with Sweet Pea stamps, be sure to go down to it and leave a comment.  Sweet Pea is going to pick on random person for a prize and announce that prize winner on the Sweet Pea blog Monday, so you still have time to sign up!  I hope someone on my blog wins!!

  

Cheers, Holley

 

Here's a fun link from someone who just got her prizes from me....read about it here

Sweet Pea Stamp Blog Hop

Hello everyone!  Today we are having a wonderful blog hop featuring brand new stamps from Sweet Pea stamps all from artist Rebecca Sinz. This gorgeous stamp is called Gardenia and comes from Plate #241.  Be sure and go through the blog hop today to see what all the other design team members made with the other stunning stamps that Sweet Pea just released.

I also used a wonderful sentiment "You make my heart skip a beat!"  That sentiment is sold in a set of three sayings, currently on sale for $2.60!!  That's less than $1 a stamp, how can you beat that?  It comes with "Life is a Beach" and "YOU complete ME." 

Here is a list of the stops today, as you visit each one remember to leave a comment at every stop. On Monday, March 18, 2013, Sweet Pea Stamps will pick one winner to receive a $10 gift certificate to the Sweet Pea Stamps store!

Nataliya

Ali

Sharon

Holley <=== YOU ARE HERE

Karina

Connie

Kate

Gry

Milo

Jennifer

  So, check for the winner on Monday at the Sweet Pea Stamps Blog.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill Swiss, Shimmer Yellow, Bazzill, Neenah);  Rubber Stamps (Sweet Pea Stamps); Flower (Prima); Brad (Basic Grey); Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk); Lace (Hobby Lobby);  Pearl(Queen &Co);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots, Ribbon Glue); Color (Copic Markers);

Spring Chick

Here's a perfect spring card and a super cute Easter theme card.  This adorable image is called Spring Chick by Queen Kat artist Sandra Caldwell.  So cute!!  I just love her.  I colored up in yellow and made her floral hat match her flower and her skirt. 

I added a Colorbok vellum saying that is flocked with velvet "I'm here to be Different"  Just perfect for this cutie.  Be sure and check out all of Sandra Caldwell's images at the Queen Kat store. She's got a bunch of great spring time images and adorable Easter images too.

Cheers, Holley

It's a Mermaid kind of day

Here's an adorable Mermaid card for spring time.  This cute mermaid was designed by Scrapbook Stamp Society artist Sherri Baldy.  The stunning papers are all from Paper Temptress. I also added some gorgeous buttons from Jesse James to add just a little flair. 

The navy blue paper in the background is Basis 80 # in Blue.  To look like water I used some wonderful layering of ruche paper, multiple layers on top and bottom;  I used Sky Blue Crepe and colored it by rubbing a Colorbox Chalk inkpad over it to give a darker blue ink.  I chose a wonderful mica cardstock, which matches the color I used when coloring the mermaid, it's called Emerald.  I used Heavenly White cardstock to print the image on and colored it with Copic markers.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Paper Temptress);  Digi-Stamp (Addicted to Stamp--Scrapbook Stamp Society);  DieCuts (Lifestyles); Buttons (Jesse James); Ink (Colorbox Chalk); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue Dots, Glue All);  Color (Copic Markers);

My heart listens...

Here's an adorable Penny Black stamp.  I added a wonderful sentiment from Cosmo Cricket, "When your soul sings, my heart listens."  Oh how true.  Doesn't always take words coming out of someone's mouth for me to hear it.  Sometimes I can just look at him and know, good or bad, what he is thinking.  Of course for us, mostly good, but there are always those moments when I can tell he's holding back those crazy things that he would like to be saying to the people around us, lol!  ha!

Hope you are all having a great week.  Are people receiving their goodies yet?  I sure hope so, after all that mailing, I can't wait to see when people get their stuff, all the good things they are going to make.

Cheers, Holley

Project materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Stamp (Penny Black);  Ink (Memento, Colorbox Chalk); Die Cut (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Saying (Cosmo Cricket); Borders (Bazzill); Flowers (Prima); Brads (Basic Grey); Color (Copic Markers); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue all);

Spring is Near

It's Monday and you know what that means.....yep! it's time for a Squigglefly Challenge!!  This week the challenge is called "Spring is Near."  The challenge is simple and very open, to create a card using any Spring related theme.  It can be flowers, Easter, Gardening, St Patrick's Day....so many wonderful topics.  I chose an adorable image from artist Diana Carubia called Fairy Beary Hugs.  That image is just full of spring cheer. I added some adorable flowers from Doodlebug and Hobby lobby.

Drop by the Squigglefly Challenge Blog and see what the other Holley Hobbyists created this week and then think up your own wonderful Spring Card.  If you use a Squigglefly image then you are eligible for a prize!  I can't wait to see what you all make!

Project Materials;  Cardstock (Stampin' Up, Neenah, Bazzill); Image (Squigglefly); Ink (Colorbox Chalk); Flowers (Hobby Lobby, Doodlebug); Buttons (Grandma's Button Bag, Doodlebug); Saying (Colorbox); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue Dots); Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Color (Copic Markers);

Congrats Brother!!

So here's a card I made for my Brother and his now wife Amanda, these were for his Shower.  He and Amanda got married last week in San Antonio and last night was their reception.  They have dated all the way through college for at least 7 years....I can't remember family events without Amanda being there.  Once they both finished college it was time to tie the knot officially!

Guest Artist: Audrey

Here's a beautiful Thank You card that I received from Audrey R who lives here in Austin, TX. Thanks so much Audrey!

The images on this card are from DOTS and she did it in my favorite color base, which is yellow.  She knows me well.

Color of the day: All brown

So, I always see cards done in black and white, it's a technique that I love. I often see cards done in monotone theme, meaning, all the décor on the card is in one color family.  For this card, I combined the two ideas, ALL the ink colored on the image are in the SAME color family E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, and E39  (ok, I guess there is the white base of the paper and a tiny amount of C0 shawdow). All the remaining décor on the card is also in brown, which is one of my fav colors.

It may be hard to see on the main card, but the dark flowers are actual cut out of some gorgeous Turkish ribbon and I added red jewels in the center of them.

The image is colored completely with E30-E39 Copic Markers

This gorgeous stamp is called A Steampunk Angel from Marlon Tuenissen (Plate #231).  She has some wonderful Steampunk theme stamps.  Be sure and check out all her wonderful creations.

So, I hope this idea challenges you to pick your favorite color family and make a creation using only one color.

Cheers, Holley

So yesterday evening, the following prizes were sent out:  Phi T, Dawn S, Skylark, Susan D, Ret C, Kaye G, Ionabunny, Ellis, Rhonda M, Wendy (Postal Orphan), Catherine A, SDJWolf, Sylv, Vithya, cards by Sharon

Queen Kat Stamps

Hello everyone. Here's a brand new stamp Queen Kat stamp that will be introduced very soon! This image is from artist Coriander Shea and is called Laughter is the Best Medicine.  So cute, huh?  I colored up the creatures in purple with matching green.  I used some gorgeous lace from Istanbul, Turkiye.  I used a shade of Bazzill purple paper and some shimmery purple cardstock to go with it. 

Ok, hoping to make another round to the post office soon, so keep an eye for a new list of names that will say whose packages get mailed soon!!  The morning mailed packages are Susan D, Rhonda M and Wendy

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah, Crafter's Companion);  Image (Queen Kat)l  Ink (Memento); Lace (Istanbul, Turkiye); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue all, Ribbon Glue); Color (Copic Markers);

I Chews You!

Here's an adorable image from Kraftin' Kimmie.  What a cutie! I just love this artist's stamps and all the cute sayings that they come up with to go with them.  Too fun.  I am also a HUGE fan of bubble gum.  Not just gum, gum balls!

The packaging process is going really well, once I get going, I get going!! I am about 99% done now with all the wrapping.  Last night I got the following items out, because they were digi-prizes;  If you were supposed to get a prize from a digi-stamp company, you should have rec'd it, please let me know if you didn't:  Bhawana, Sue D, Regina, Ardilla, Betsy, Trish, IS, Glennis and  ellyscard creative

I am also hoping to get another major shipment to the post office today, if I do, I will update my list.

Project materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Diecut (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Stamp (Kraftin' Kimmie); Ink (Memento, COlorbox Chalk); Flower (Making Memories); Brad (Bazzill); Buttons (); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots); Color (Copic Markers);

Rowena Ribbon

Isn't this the cutest girl ever?  you just need to add some buttons to something to make me want it!  I so think this stamp is adorable. So adorable. I used a pink and brown combo on her.  She's called Rowena Ribbons and she was designed by artist Sherri Baldy of Scrapbook Stamp Society.

OK, here's who's packages are all wrapped up with the paper work filled out and are ready for mailing!  So many that I have someone dropping me off at the post office in a hour!

Karin E, Patti (Scrapunzel), Debbie A, Ramona (Create with Joy), Sue B, Shell, Gilly, Teresa Godines, Kaija S, Lucie H, Leanne (Being sent to Canada), Amy #8546, Sonia, Kelly Sas, Sue in CT, Trish D, LOZ, Nikki, Stacy H-W, Jackie P,  KC, Phyl, Rosalee, cebelica, Dona Jean Eno, teriavidreader, and Betsy

I hope that later on tonight I will get all the people who won Digi images your images out in emails!! So check your emails if you won digi stamps.

Cheers, Holley

Dream Out Loud

Here's a wonderful new image from Squigglefly artist Fawn Palmer called  I am using it for this week's Challenge at Squigglefly which is called "A Ribbon Dancer " and the task is to use ribbon on your card in ways more than just making a bow.  Of course, I think image itself would qualify given the ribbon dance she is doing! This stamp also comes with a saying "when you stumble, make it part of the dance."

Squigglefly is having a great sale this month, 15% off with the CODE:  spring15

Drop by their challenge blog to see the cards made for this week's challenge.  You can also get a freebie and play along.  Use any Squigglefly image (even a freebie!!) and you could win the challenge and get a free Squigglefly prize! 

So, here I am going through a huge list of winners and creating packages:

You can see stacks of envelopes with goodies in them, piles of stuff, and stacks of rubber stamps with names on them.....there's a five+ page printout with names and address on it (and of course, that Diet Dr Pepper that keeps me going!!).  May not get to the post office Monday, but as you can see, the stack is getting pretty big.

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Stampin up printed paper, AC Metallic, Neenah); Image (Squigglefly);  Saying (Colorbok); Butterfly Bling (Michaels); Flower (Prima); Brad (Provocraft); Ribbon (Doodlebug);  Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Color (Copic Markers);  Ink (Colorbox Chalk);  Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots, Ribbon Glue)

Good Things

"To do good things in the world, first you must know who you are and what gives meaning to your life."  How Wonderful is that?  The simplest of things can do something good even.  For some, just stopping and talking to a person can do be a good thing.  Just reaching out and letting someone know you do care.  I wrote my doctor a card when I took his package to him last month, I told him about this celebration and how many people might write me at times and tell me about their own stories after they read mine.  How hearing about what I went through would encourage them to keep on going and keep on looking for the medical help they need as well as seeking that care and doing that surgery that the doctor is encouraging them to do even though it is so frightening.

If that is the smallest thing I can do to make a difference to others and that doctor gave me that, then he has reached out to hundreds of people just through me.  Multiply that times the hundreds of people (at this point in his career) that he has given care for (at the same level as me).  Not to mention the other hundreds of patients that have received other types of care from him and his staff.  Most importantly he has me talk to people who are in very similar situations to mine and are perhaps facing brain surgery just like mine. 

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, DCWV, Neenah); Image(Digi-stamp); Flowers (Recollections, Prima); Brads (Basic Grey, Imaginations); Hearts (unknown); Die Cuts (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Saying (DCWV); Bling (Michaels);  Color (Copic Markers); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots);

Talk Blarney to me

Here's a great card for the upcoming St Patrick's Day.  This image is from artist Morgan Fitzsimmons and is called Shades of Green 1.  Perfect for the holiday, though you could color her up for other occasions too. 

Don't you love this gorgeous stamp, I love those green butterflies and that great saying that comes from Studio G.  If only I had those over the knee socks in green!  NOTE:  the last two contests have their winners added now, scroll down a couple entries and see the full winner list!!  If you see your name in blue, please email me your information!! htondre@aol.com

Project Materials:  Cardstock (Bazzill, Neenah);  Digi-Stamp (Scrapbook Stamp Society); Diecut (Spellbinders Nestabilities); Stamp saying (Studio G); Ink (Colorbox Chalk); Buttons (Jesse James);  Butterflies (Petaloo); Flower (Prima); Adhesives (Pop dots, Glue All, Glue dots); Color (Copic Markers);

Longing...

Here's an awesome image from Sweet Pea artist Rebecca Sinz called Longing (plate # 224). Isn't she beautiful?  I decided to color up this card using a dual tone combination of pinks and white.  I think the card turned out just lovely with those colors.

Hope you all had fun with me during Blog Candy month!!  I can't believe March is here. It's super busy at my house not. First thing I am doing is tracking down the rest of the winners.  If you see your name in BLUE on the Blog Candy Winners posting (See below), then please email me at htondre@aol.com.  Mailing will start on Monday, so you will see names posted each day for packages going out in the mail.  I hope you all love the goodies!! 

Thanks so much for all the support I got back when I was SO sick and suffering so badly going through and having brain surgery and then healing.  Thanks so much for celebrating with me now, the amazing recovery and remarkable healing that I have been given.  Just know that even when life may be so hard and so painful, and I mean daily struggles with horrible pain that is debilitating to the point of no longer working, even going outside your own house, that a real miracle can be just around the door for you.  And you just like me could find that doctor and two months later have those surgeries and three years later be celebrating like I am now!!

Hugs all, Holley

HUGE HUGE HUGE Thanks to Sweet Pea Stamps, Artist Sandra Caldwell of BabyCakes Doodle This and That, Squigglefly, Queen Kat Stamps, Scrapbook Stamp Society, and Paper Temptress for joining in with me on my celebration.  You all are just wonderful.