April Showers are what my Puppy Sees

Wow, after a few short blog hops and cruising all over the Web, I wasn't sure

if I was going to find time in between Mommy duties and computer escapades to

be crafty at all....LOL!

There were just too many fun blog hops to pass

on the chance to get

some fun inspiration though!

So, onto my card:

So I made a quick CAS card with the help from a few challenge inspirations:
April Card Game at The Crafter's Cafe - Get Hippity With Ippity Group

The Outlawz - CAS challenge Anything Goes CAS042212

Erica's Craft Room Card Challenge

to use Blue, Green and Purple

along with her fun sketch

The theme was to make a card that depicts what your doggie (or other animal)

may see when they look out the window.

Well, my dogs see their doghouse at the edge of the property

and I couldn't resist adding in some rain.  After all, this is April in Ohio. . . LOL!

I chose to use my raindrop background stamp from 

the Unity Stamp 02/12 KOM ~ {lucky to have you}

since the theme of April Showers is being hosted at 

# 19 Get Hippity with Ippity challenge

I used VersaMagic - Cloud White ink and Whispers Opaque embossing powder.  The chipboard elements (puppy, bone, and doghouse) are all from the DCWV - The Pets Stack chipboard box.  The sentiment sticker is by K&Company.  The papers are textured blue card stock (outside), white card stock (base), and the purple, green and blue polka dot card stock is MME - wild asparagus "Family Roots".  I simply applied some foam squares by Recollections onto my MME paper and my puppy and adhered everything else flat to its background.

I like how it turned out, considering it only took a few short moments to create it.  I would love to hear your thoughts, too . . .
Keep Crafting
:O)
Jessica

HAPPY EARTH DAY - Postcard CANDY Winner!!!

 I know that the end of April has not yet arrived,

but the participation has dwindled down enough

from the  

Send A Postcard Candy Giveaway

that I felt

compelled to 

go ahead and pick my

Candy Winner

today, on Earth Day!

Another reason I felt compelled to do this today

is because it  

IS Earth Day

and because

my Candy for this Giveaway

 (which was a secret up until now)

is the following 

Unity Stamp Set

ecoChic

and

the 

winner

selected 

by random generator

is

Cely - Hawaii Paper Party

who said

Hey Jessica! Postcard went out in the mail today. :) 

CONGRATS Cely

Please email me at strgazrblueyes22477{yahoo}com 

with your mailing address info

to claim your prize

THANK YOU 

to everyone who helped brighten Anna's Day!

At last count, she received 85 post cards!

Keep Crafting 

:O) 

Jessica

OSAAT #110 - AG~~My final DT Post with One Stitch at a Time~~

Hello to all of my crafty Blends!  

It is with great pleasure and honor that I have had the opportunity
of being on such a fabulous Design Team
over at One Stitch At A Time.
I have felt welcomed and am thankful for all that I have
learned from my fellow DT sisters and our Fearless Leader, Choccy!


This week's challenge marks my last post with them as a Design Team Member.

This week's theme is to ANYTHING GOES

Head on over to the OSAAT Challenge blog and get in on the fun.

But before you go...peek at this.

For this challenge, I was offered the opportunity to play 

with the beautiful Sign of Spring image by  Donna - Lil Diva Stamps.

You can find all of the images you see on the DT cards at Stitchy Bear Stamps. 

I also was inspired by a few challenges while making my card:
Wags n Whiskers - #77 Anything Goes
Made Especially For You - 3 Flowers
Outlawz - Greeting Cards GC041612 - Distress
The Crafters Cafe (ning) - ME041612 Embellies with a Twist: Flowers


PROJECT INGREDIENTS and RECIPE

Desert Tan CS by Wausau
DP  from 6x6 The Country Diary...stack
Distressed and Inked edges
Colored image using Whisper Strokes Markers
The purple flowers were a gift from my sweet Blend, Nataliya

Sentiment was stamped using VersaMagic Cloud White ink
and embossed with a soft lavendar embossing powder
The sentiment is from Unity Stamp Co. 
03/10 KOM - Rockin' It Unity Style

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Keep Crafting

:O)
Jessica

CAMEO Giveaway from Pink By Design

I came across this fun

CAMEO Giveaway

today

at 

Pink By Design

Click the Link above to 

get your entries in today!!!

Be sure to stop over and check out 

the New April Stamp Release

also!

Keep Crafting 

:O) 

Jessica

New Blogger Changes and Painting some Unity (FWF)

OK so this will be my first post in the "new blogger" screens.  

Wish Me Luck!

It doesn't look like much changed here and I do like how the page header/toolbar stays put and doesn't require you to keep scrolling up and back down through your post every time you need to add a link to a blog or add a picture....that used to be somewhat tiresome.  And wow, I think

that Blogger took its vitamins today, too.  My pictures never loaded this fast!!!!

TWO THUMBS UP

for the New Blogger Changes!!!

I finished another card to enter in the Friends with Flair Friday and for the color challenge going on right nowat Unity Stamp Co.  I had prepped the stamping and watercolors the other day

when I was playing with my paint set.

The flower stamp is from the Unity 03/12 KOM - {from head to soul).  

 I just inked it three times, while masking the previous image with a sheet of paper to create the bouquet look.  The diamond background is from the same KOM that I also painted.  I fussy cut the flowers and raised them up with foam squares.  The twine in the center is from doodlebug designs.  The papers are an assortment of textured cardstock by Darice, luxury stack by DCWV, and cream cardstock by Recollections.

The sentiment is from the Unity set - Dutch Mustard Soup by Jillibean.

Challenge Inspiration:

DL Art - Thankful Thursday 4/4/12 Thank You (any occasion)

My Craft Spot - #52 Make It Pop

The Outlawz - Paper A La Mode PAM041412

Unity Stamp Co. - Pink Green, Off White

Whiff of Joy - #127 Karina's Sketch

Keep Crafting 

:O) 

Jessica

The talented Heather is having a ***HUGE GIVEAWAY***

Happy Thursday Morning

to my

sweet wonderful BLENDS!

Just a quick shout out

to let you know

that

Heather F. of Paper Crafters Anonymous & I Heart {ippity} 

 is celebrating

her upcoming Blogaversary (5th year of blogging: wowzers)

and has some fantastic prizes

up for grabs.

Heather is an amazing and talented person and artist

and her blog is a MUST FOLLOW!

Head on over to the Giveaway now and check it out for yourself!

Prize #1

Lifestyles Letter Press Starter Kit

(you can use this kit in the Cuttlebug or Big Shot)

Prize #2

Smash Book & Smash Goodies

Pink Smash Book

Smash Stick

Smash Pad

Smash Stickies

Prize #3

Piggy Tales

Hide & Seek Flap Book

Sliding Doors

Slide Book

Prize #4

Scrapbooking Caddy

w/ Miscellaneous Goodies

Flowers

DieCuts

Chipboard Shapes

Glitter

Japanese Printed tape

Journaling Spots

Rub Ons

Ribbon Stickers

Prize #5

$20.00 Gift Certificate to I Heart {ippity}

Keep Crafting 

:O) 

Jessica

Thinking of You - 3 Girl JAM DT post

Hello Crafty Blends!

Today is my first DT Post at 3 Girl JAM.

I was so exited to try to put this idea to execution on a card.
I was quite pleased that it turned out exactly as I had imagined.

For my card, I used a few of the fabulous colors of crinkle ribbon available
at 3 Girl JAM:

Holly Berry Red

Harvest Orange

Sunflower Yellow

Mistletoe Green

Ice Blue

and

Witches Brew Purple

and for the sentiment, that is a Unity Stamp from their
March 2010 Kit of the Month - Rockin' It Unity Style.
  I just stamped it directly onto the card, then paper pieced another cut out (of the cloud) and used adhesive foam squares to raise it up.  A simple CAS card with a fun and colorful result!

I will be entering my card into the following challenges:
Stamptacular Sunday - #159 AG Freebie Week
Wags N Whiskers - #77 AG
Go Fish #15 - AG
ChatterScene: Just Elements #3


Keep Crafting

:O)

Jessica S

Playing with Watercolors

 Last night was exhilarating as I was able

to get out my watercolors and paintbrushes to play.

It had been a while since I last painted

and I couldn't wait.

I got my watercolor papers, my Unity stamps, and some Archival ink and

began to dabble.

Here is what I was able to create . . . but be on the lookout. . . . cuz there will be more!

The colors were inspired by these current challenges:

CAS-ual Fridays CFC48 - Opposites Attract

Unity Stamp Co. Theme: Pink, Green, Off White

The Paper Players - CAS Watercolouring

For my image I used  the Itty Bitty Frazzled  ~ find it HERE~

 For the sentiment I used the Itty Bitty All Smiles ~ find it HERE~

pink cs is by Recollections

Button is from Purple Pumpkin

I distressed the edges of my image and mat with the TH Distressing Tool

The sentiment was stamped with VersaMagic - Cloud White

and heat embossed using Whispers - Opaque embossing powder

Keep Crafting 

:O) 

Jessica

3 Girl JAM Blog Hop *WINNER*

First I want to shout a 

HUGE

THANK YOU

to everyone who joined us

for the first ever 3 Girl JAM Blog Hop!

It was a fantastic Success and 

I want to personally welcome

all of my new Blends!!!

Our random winner

is

*

*

*

*

*

*

#63 Gloria of Craft N Things http://craftnthings.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Gloria!

Please send me your mailing address information

to 

strgazrblueyes22477 at yahoo 

before April 23rd.

 

If I do not hear back from you, I will be choosing another winner on April 23rd!

 

Keep Crafting

 :O) 

Jessica

Makin' It To The Mailbox Monday #16 (MITTMM)

Please be sure to scroll down for more posts that you may have missed!!!!

 Welcome to the 16th week of  

Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays!

I started this installment series to showcase the generosity that floods our Crafty Blogging Community.  So many times we receive a very generous prize from a dear friend and this is where we can shout out "THANK YOU" to those who really deserved it.

You are the people behind the

Magic of Making My Day!!!

I want to take this opportunity to shout a huge

 

 to all of you who have shown me your kindness and  your generosity.

Every week (if time allows and if it applies), on Monday I will be posting a new installment of  
Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays,
where I will give a proper shout out to the generosity I have experienced first hand each and every week!  I hope you will take the opportunity to visit all of the wonderful and talented bloggers that I mention each week, to see their beautiful creations.

Those of you who know me, know I wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction.

There is so much to see and all of these fine ARTISTS are just a click away!!!

******************************************

First up, I would like to offer a sincere THANK YOU to
the fabulous people
at Ella Publishing!

I played along in the fun contests during the March Stamping Month activities.
I was OVER THE MOON
Happy to find out I was chosen as the winner of the grand prize:
7 stamp sets by different manufactures.

THANK YOU ELLA PUBLISHING!

****************************************** 

******************************************

For the next shout out, I say THANK YOU to the lovely Heather D. at Heather's Coffee Break.  Heather is the  artist behind the wonderful images at Fresh Brewed Designs.

I was chosen as the random winner for sharing their Release Hop Badge back in February and
won an awesome new FBD Rubber Stamp.  I asked Heather to surprise me!

 THANK YOU Heather and FBD!
******************************************

******************************************

Last Month, I stumbled upon a fabulous blog, Homeketeers, full of inspiration, fun challenges, contests and wonderful tutorials.  They also have a great forum site called WeScrap.  I now am a daily visitor!

Back in March, they hosted an event called 10 for 10 on their facebook page.  I was happy to have been chosen as a winner of some fabulous scrapbooking kits.

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH Homeketeers!!!
******************************************

******************************************

Now, it is no big secret how much I Love Unity Stamp and the Ippity Line.  I have found

an amazing group of fellow crafters who have the same passion for this

company and their products and

follow them on their blogs and their facebook pages.

One person in particular is the FABULOUS Heather Flaherty of I Heart {ippity}.

She is one of Unity's Fantastic Ippity Chicks and is delightful to chat with.

Her projects are amazing as well as her customer service skills as an Ippity Chick.

If you love Unity and don't have an Ippity Chick....go see Heather!!!

She is currently holding a Guest Designer Call RIGHT NOW!

Heather has some fun contests every so often, and I was happy to be chosen as a winner during her FB Fan Giveaway.  I was happy to win the New Be Brave, Branch Out

THANK YOU Heather!!!
******************************************

 ******************************************

My last sincere THANK YOU  this week goes out to the wonderful group at Whisker Graphics!

Their products are A*Dorable with a Capital A!

I joined in the fun for the FB 2000 Fan Giveaway and was the random winner
of their cute Honeycomb Bitty Bags.

THANK YOU Whisker Graphics!!!
******************************************

I chose to pick the Pink and Gray colors!!!!

******************************************

I hope that if I have inadvertently left anyone out of this gracious THANK YOU, that you all know you are all included in my thoughts, past and present.  Please, if you wish for me to do a shout out to you in a future Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday, don't hesitate to remind me of a prize you sent my way, and I will do my best to give you the credit you so rightfully deserve!!!

Also, if you would like to show off your own winnings, just title your post Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday and if I am your follower, I will gladly stop by to read it once I see it at my dashboard.  Or, if you'd like, you can leave a link with your comment below.  I would love to see the happiness that greets others in their Monday Mailboxes :O)

DON'T FORGET TO:

Happy Crafting and Until Next Time

:O)

Jessica

Smile! It Suits You!! Chick Challenge #26

 Happy Sunday Evening Blends!

Be sure to scroll down to Hop with Softpencil Studios Blog Hop

and

just in case you missed any previous posts!!

Now, what did I get done today...lots of DT assignments, closed out some open ended projects,

house cleaning, a walk to the train depot with the DH and Kids and, yes and, I am jamming to some

fun retro songs on Pandora.  It is turning out to be a

fantastic Sunday.

I hope you are as blessed to be enjoying this Day!

I knew when I saw the new sketch over at Chick Challenges #26, that I just had

to get out my new Chevron Packing Tape to use on my card.

I chose to work with the color theme at Play Date Cafe, too.

The photo at PDCC has these adorable bathing suits, which prompted me

to use the Unity Itty Bitty ~ It Suits You

by Jillibean Soup

and for the sketch and a requirement for the Little Scrap Pieces, I used a flower stamp 

from the {Ippity} set Now and Always

AND 

then just placed my sentiment inside a 2" yellow circle (cut with my punch)

I used the new 3 Girl JAM 3 layer Twine -  in Sunshine Yellow

I am entering the Chick Challenge #26

Outlawz GC40912 - Name Yourself Day (I used J-Jillibean Soup)

Little Scrap Pieces - Use a flower

and

Play Date Cafe #127

Keep Crafting 

:O) 

Jessica

Softpencil Studios Blog Hop (4/15 - 4/20)

Hello my crafty Blends! 
Are you ready to HOP???

If you arrived here from the Fabulous Lola, then you are definitely on the right track.
If you are just stopping by and want to hop along with us,
please be sure to start with Elizabeth at Softpencil Studios blog

We are celebrating the first year of Elizabeth's characters, the Tinytwinies™, the first year of Softpencil Studios relaunching, and her10th anniversary as a professional artist!

We are also celebrating the opening of her shop where all her products will be available: digi-stamps (yes, they´re back!), clear stamps, stickers, rub-ons, kits for card making, scrapbooking and paper crafting (they´ll be available on the upcoming weeks) and many more products coming soon!

  There were over 50 blogs participating in this hop, so they were organized into 3 different blog hops. This is the 2nd round of Hopping and the third will start on April 20th!

And there will be many prizes for hopping at each round!

Now onto the prizes!
• Elizabeth will be choosing a random winner (through random.org) from the players who complete the blog hop, who´ll receive a gift certificate of $15 for her shop... and a surprise!
• All the players who participate by leaving their comments on each blog will receive a free digi-stamp of their choice. Yes! only leave a comment on each blog and win a digi-stamp! 

Write her at elizabethpujalka@hotmail.com to let me know you comment on all the blogs.
• And there is a "mystery blog" so all the girls who leave a comment on that blog will be entered on a drawing to win a digi-stamp... and a little surprise too!

And here are the blogs you have to visit, don´t forget to leave your comment!

LINEUP
Softpencil Studios blog (start)

Annette Bowes   http://mypommiepurplepatch.blogspot.com

 April Lower  http://allaboutthelowers.blogspot.com

Stephanie Serrano  http://www.stephaniesstampinspot.blogspot.com

Julie Masse  http://stampinwithjulie.blogspot.com

Farida Rone  http://frcreaciones.blogspot.com

Monica Torres  http://scrapandomeconlosrecuerdo.blogspot.com

Melissa Craig  http://stampitscrapitshareit.blogspot.com

Carole Rinear Chesser  http://fibrejunky.blogspot.com

Michelle Quinno  http://shellsq.blogspot.com

Debra Miller   www.creamcityangels.blogspot.com

 Heather D  http://stampingdesignsbyheather.blogspot.com

Pauline Guttrey  http://paulineguttrey.blogspot.com

Cyndi Kim  http://strwberizncream-cyndi.blogspot.com
 Mervi  http://leikkaan.blogspot.com

Lola  http://littlecardmaker.blogspot.com

 Jessica Shelton  http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com  YOU ARE HERE

Monica Flores www.monicascreativemadness.com
Softpencil Studios blog  (finish)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I was happy to receive the 

Watering My Garden

image to use 

for this hop!
Being that I am a twin myself, I couldn't resist picking an image of either Molly or Amy,
since they are twins.

This is Amy, one of Elizabeth's darling Tinytwines!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

 Now onto my project today.

The papers are by My Mind's Eye - Stella and Rose collection.
The fabulous ribbon is from 3 Girl JAM - Goblin Green.
The sentiment is from a Unity Stamp set called Dutch Mustard Soup by Jillibean Soup .
The rose in the center of the rosette is from Purple Pumpkin.
The image is colored using my Sugar Loaf Watercolor Pens.
(I am not real pleased with the coloring, as I was experiencing a shaky episode and it shows)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Now head on over to see what the Sweet Monica has in store for you . . .

Happy Hopping
and

Keep Crafting

:O)

Jessica

Win a Tim Holtz Vagabond and other fabby prizes

If you are thinking about how you will be spending

National Scrapbooking Day 2012,

why not decide

to stop by the 

National Scrapbooking Day

and 

participate in the fun?

They are just now launching this fun site and

already have announced an awesome 

CONTEST

 to win

some really fabulous prizes

sponsored by the fabulous people

over at Homeketeers.

Keep Crafting

:O)

Jessica

"Nice to Meet You ~ 3 Girl JAM Blog Hop

Welcome to the 

Nice To Meet You Blog Hop

with 3 Girl JAM

Now, if you have arrived here from the sweet Ashley at The Glamorous Side of Scrapping, then you are on the right track.  If you just happened to stumble upon this hop and want to start from the beginning, please go to Julie's Blog ~ A Little Bit of Bling.  

 

Hello sweet Blends and new Blends to Be!

Jessica here in the Buckeye State.  I am delighted to be a part of the very first Design Team at 

3 Girl JAM.  I have loved making friends with Julie and her girls (Hi Avery and Mackenzie!!!) and am so ready to start showing off the fabulous products that 3 Girl JAM has to offer (more than I do already...he he he).  I am also excited to be working alongside so many wonderful crafty peeps that I am ecstatic to call my Blends!

A Little About Me:

I have always loved the Arts and I am no stranger to paper crafting since it has served as a constant in my life over the last few years.  I enjoy working on creating wreaths, painting pictures, wood crafts, and altering an item into a masterpiece.  Definition of masterpiece ~ anything that can be seen with the eyes, admired, and enjoyed.   I am fortunate enough to have found and fallen madly in love with my soul mate, Lance.  I am also blessed to be able to stay at home with my 5 lovely children whose ages range from 2 years old to 16 years old.  I love the color purple, all types of music, and strive to make people smile!  A few of my favorite life mottoes are "Laughter is Good Medicine", "No questions is a dumb question", and "Don't forget, Karma bites".   

So to sum it up, "Live by the Golden Rule, ask lots of questions along the way, while laughing hysterically whenever possible!"

I mostly enjoy stamping using my Unity Stamps whenever possible!

Pair that up with the versatility and bright beautiful colors of 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon

and it is a match made in heaven!

~ Here is the project I made for this Hop ~

The flower in the corner was created by pleating some
Harvest Orange 3 Girl JAM ribbon and adhering to
a 2" circle then affixing a glitter button in the center.

The Bargello Technique was used on the background papers. 
You can view a great tutorial on YouTube HERE.

All dp are by My Mind's Eye.

The stamps used are from:
Umbrella and raindrops - Unity KOM - Feb 2012  {lucky to have you}
Ticket - Travel Notes
Sentiment - created on vellum from my home computer

The scallop frame was cut using the Cricut Lacy Labels cartridge.

I am entering this card into the following challenges that inspired my creation . . .
The Kraft Journal - April Showers

Chick Challenges #25 - sketch

In addition, I wanted to share some of my own personal favorite projects that I have created using 3 Girl JAM crinkle ribbon.  I will add a link to the original blog post so that you can read more if you like.

Thanks for All Things 

NOEL

Follow Your Heart

birthday girl . . . you are fabulous

Here at my blog, one lucky commenter will have the opportunity to win this 

fabulous prize sponsored by 3 Girl JAM
 You must be a follower of the 3 Girl JAM blog/shop
and
Like 3 Girl JAM on FB 

Adhesive Backed Canvas Border Strips
2 packages (2 per pack)

(here is a close up to show the fun texture)

And for the Grand Prize Drawing

there will be 3 Winners chosen to win 1 of  the 3 Prize Packs shown below

1.) Crinkle Ribbon Total Package (Bundles 1-6)

2.) Canvas Border Strips (packs 1-6)

3.) 6 Piece Twine Sampler Package

All winners will be chosen on Sunday, April 15th 

and announced on Monday, April 16th!

Now, in case you get lost along the way, here is the Hop Lineup.  

Be sure to stop by each blog and check out their projects.  

There is lots of wonderful prizes to be won and you want to be sure not to miss out.

Julie: A Little Bit of Bling

http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com/

Jessica E: Chick n Scrap

http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com

Angie: The Crazy "Scrap" Lady

http://crazyscraplady-angelpie.blogspot.com/

Jovan: Cards By Jovan

http://www.cardsbyjovan.com/

Mackenzie: Cheese and Crafters

http://cheeseandcrafters.blogspot.com/

Ashley: The Glamorous Side of Scrapping

http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Jessica S: Jessica's Craft Shaque

http://jessicascraftshaque.blogspot.com

Zeni: Scrappy Zeni

http://www.scrappyzeni.com/

Avery: Iowa Craft Girl

http://iowacraftgirl.blogspot.com/

Gloria: Oma's Crafts

http://www.omascrafts.com

Carri: AKA ABusyBee

http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/

3 Girl JAM

http://3girljam.blogspot.com/

I can't wait to meet many more friends and gain 

even more inspiration from new and past followers!

Keep Crafting

:O)

Jessica