Let's Celebrate With Pie!

I made this card for Laura. Her birthday is Thursday, September 3, so I made it yesterday and put it in the mail. She used to live here in New Bern and moved away 2 years ago this year and we have kept in touch through texting, e-mail, Facebook, mail, and occasional phone calls. Her horse's name is Pirate and she calls him "Pi" so that is what I was going with as the hidden meaning in this card. She may see catch it or she may not. Now for the details: the stamp is Unity Stamp Company September Girl as is the inside stamp- let's celebrate with pie. I stamped it using VersaFine Onyx Black Pigment Ink. I  used Recollections Foam Adhesives Squares to give the girl some dimension. I used Spectrum Noir Essentials Blendable Professional Colored Pencils to color her in. The sentiment- A Birthday Wish that's just for you... is Stampin' Up Remembering Your Birthday and I used VersaFine ink again. The paper- both front and inside is from Craft Smith Watercolor 12x12 Scrapbook Pad.  The bling at the top is from my stash.

Now for the inside:

We used to go to The Accidental Artist a lot when she lived here so since we are best friends it fits us in both aspects. I folded the edges in to make it look like a pop-up card inside.  The let's celebrate with pie stamp is smaller. I should have taken a close-up of the stamp, but didn't. I attached my note in the top right corner on a small Basic Grey Journal Note Card with a brad so she can move it to read it and still see the rest of the card. I know she's gonna love this card! I'm going to a funeral on Thursday, so I will call her sometime that day. My stepdad's cousin died in a medically induced coma this past Saturday. He had pneumonia, was on life support, his brain started bleeding Saturday and one of his eyes dilated. His wife was told by the doctor around 3 that he wouldn't make it through the night and around 7:20 pm he passed away. My stepdad's birthday is also Thursday, so we will celebrate a day after. His family was hoping he would come out of this coma and come home, but God was ready for him. His wife is heartbroken and it shook me up, too, because no one wants to see anyone die whether family or not. Please pray for the family of Larry Bowles if you pray or keep them in your thoughts. He was 62 and had problems breathing and was oxygen from January to August 29. He was in the Vietnam War. The older I get the softer and bigger my heart gets. Anyway, sorry for ending on a sour note, but that's what's going on in my life righr now. I'm working on a birthday card for my stepdad and have a birthday card to make before the weekend to mail out before Monday so come back soon to see what those look like. I may have to draw my 100+ follower winner again and will be doing so soon. I will keep you all posted! TFL!

New 100+ Follower Giveaway Winner

The winner will win  the following  prize and I might add a few small surprises: Rub-on Transfers, Soft Spoken Camping stickers, a mini album, and 25 8.5x11 Scrapbooking sheet protectors.

The winner  is  Deb Ochs-Lagrone!! Since Ashley never responded, I drew again. 

Congrats, Deb!! 

Please comment to let me know you saw this post and leave your e-mail address. I will mail out your prize as soon as I can. You can also PM me your mailing address on Facebook if you'd like. Sorry, I've put this drawing off for so long. I've had a lot going on with 2 deaths so close together. Thank you all for following me! :)

Today is the Best

I made the following layout using the sketch from Unity Stamp Company Be Inspired Challenge Color 31 and Sketch 31. The paper is from Colorbok Paper Plus+ Boardwalk 12 x 12" pad as is the banner, title- Today is the best, flip-flop journaling square, and the journaling square for the bottom pic. All the stamps are from Unity Stamp Company as part of an Itty Bitty assortment set that I won from one of their hops recently. I colored all the stamps with Spectrum Noir Essentials Professional Colored Pencils to color in the stamps and I stamped them all with VersaFine Onyx Black pigment ink. The cork butterflies/stars I won from Spiegelmom Scraps 5th Anniversary Scrap Party. The bling is from my stash.

This is a close-up of the journaling which I typed on my cBriomputer using Microsoft Word Century Schoolbook font- from left to right: Chris, Pat, me, Grandmama, Granddaddy, Jennifer on left of Granddaddy's lap & Stephanie on right of his lap, Erica standing in middle of his lap, Tiffany, Emily, Rebecca, Andrea, & Brian- all the Carrol Rhodes grandchildren in early 80s.

close-up of the true Happiness stamp

close-up of can't imagine the journey without you stamp

close-up of the panda stamp and the journaling that I typed off my computer using Microsoft Word Lucida Calligraphy font- from left to right; Roy, Granddaddy, Karen, Carroll Jr, David, Grandmama, and Daddy. I cut the journaling wrong, but these are all my dad's siblings and my grandparents.

TFL and please come back for the altered tin challenge post and the 100+ Follower Giveaway later this week!

Together Forever

I used the above sketch from Let's Get Sketchy to make the following layout.

The paper is Pink Paislee Pen Pals 12 x 12 Paper Pad as is the arrows and hearts strips. The rose circle is from Colorbok Designer Paper Holiday Extravaganza 12 x 12 pad.The black strips- joy/change definitons is from DCWV Scrapbook Kit in a Stack Love & Wedding 8 x 8 pad as is the vellum title- Together Forever & the quote- "Love is the golden thread that ties our hearts and souls together." [Mother Teresa], and the white paper behind the vellum. I traced a salad plate to make a perfect circle and then used scallop edged decorative scissors to cut it out. The rose potted plant is from K&Company Eco-Modern Die-Cut Cardstock kit of 150 pieces. I printed the journaling out on my computer using Microsoft Word in Lucida Calligraphy font- My grandparents, Carrol and Grace Rhodes, at a Sweetheart Banquet at Plymouth Church of Christ in the early 80s. TFL, 

I made another layout today following a Unity sketch so please look at that post as well! I also altered a cookie tin for an Altered Challenge on Facebook and will be posting that later this week. I also have to post my 100+ Followers Giveaway Winner- I'm still looking in my stash for a few things that I haven't used to giveaway. I know I'm slacking on my blog so bear with me! :)

4Gs Blog Hop Winner & Upcoming 100+ Follower Giveaway

I had 49 commenters, well 52, but I couldn't include myself! So I decided to use True Random Number Generator and here is the result.

The result was 8, but I know if I generate it again it will change.
The 8th person to comment and winner is Dorothy Kelly!!!  
Here is what you have won: 

It's a Studio G Mini Clipboard that you can use as is or recover, a mini album to decorate, Martha Stewart Best Wishes ribbon, and Recollections Owl ribbon. I haven't used the Best Wishes ribbon, but there is black ink on the back, so I apologize! All 4 items have never been opened.  Like I said in the 4G's Facebook group, I will get this out to you this week. I found your address in the group files. Congrats and thanks for hopping with us! :)

I gained up to 109 followers this weekend and have been wanting to do an 100 Follower giveaway so I will be choosing a winner for that soon! Who knows one of you might win that! I have a few things set aside and might add some more. Come back later this week to see who the winner is! I enjoyed this past weekend ladies! TFS with me! :)

4Gs Blog Hop Day Three

Ladies, welcome to our first blog hop! We hope you will enjoy!

What you do:

Beginning Friday, August 14 and ending Sunday, August 16, visit each blog listed below. Each blogger will post a different project during all three days of the blog hop for you to comment on. Each comment gains you one entry. 

Also, for additional entries, please "follow" each blog and "like" each blog. Each member can have up to 5 entries on each blog by the end of the hop.

On Monday, August 17, each blogger will randomly select a winner from all entries for a prize. If you are a winner, the blogger will contact you directly.

You should have come from Stephanie Collins: http://mamascrapper69.blogspot.com/
Here are my projects that I have to share today:

I made a sympathy card using an 8.5x11 stationary sheet from my stash and attached it to a Studio G card base. The paints in the middle are Shimmerz Vibez Razzeldazzle Berry and Jeni B Bleu water based spritz paint and Shimmerz Inklingz Shimmering Watercolors Pugnacious Purple and I added Shimmerz Shimmeringz Goldie Lox- to make it shine- that I won from spiegelmom scraps. The chipboard butterflies are also from Jody. I added the pearl bling to the butterfly and the purple bling both Studio Calico. The twine is Razzleberry Sorbet from Timeless Twine that was just a piece wrapped around the Watermelon Sorbet. I made the card for a friend who's mother recently died of breast cancer. The thinking of you is a Unity Stamp Company Tulips and Daisies set that I stamped with VersaFine Onyx Black pigment ink.

Now the next card:

I made this card for a swap with Mini Albums, Swaps, & More on Facebook. It was a Blind Anything Goes Swap. I made 5 cards and this is one of the 5. It's an easel card. Both papers are from Colorbok Board Plus Boardwalk 12x12 album. I found the tutorial on Easel Card Sticker Photo byd0pen that I found on Pinterest first. The butterfly is from Sticko Animal Creatures as is the little purple flower to prop it open. The ribbon is American Crafts that I bought from TJ Maxx. The Happy Birthday to You is Julie Nutting Mixed Media Cling Rubber Stamps Party Girl set that I bought from Hobby Lobby as is the doll. I colored the doll in with Recollections 2 Markers, American Crafts Pink Glitter Pen, and a Gelly Roll White Pen. I stamped both with VersaFine Onyx Black ink. I left an empty space inside the card for Karen, the woman I swapped with, to write a note when she uses the card. She made me pillowcases!  I have enjoyed hopping with you all this weekend! The next person on the hop is Paula. If you should get lost along the way, the line-up is listed below:

Stephanie Collins: http://mamascrapper69.blogspot.com/--FIRST
Amanda Rhodes: http://salnclts76.blogspot.com/-- YOU ARE HERE
Paula Driver: http://scrapyourworld1.blogspot.com/-- NEXT
Norma Gomez: http://normagomezart.blogspot.com/
Kyla Schrake: www.fwast.blogspot.com
Michele Quam: www.Chelmariescreativecorner.blogspot.com
Steff Munnings: www.EmbellishItAll.blogspot.com
Peg Rounds: www.pegscraftingcorner.blogspot.com
Stephanie Bargelski: http://stephaniebscreativedesigns.blogspot.com/

Thanks for joining us! Check back tomorrow to see if you're the blog hop winner! Thanks for all the new followers as well! :)

4G's Blog Hop Day Two

Ladies, welcome to our first blog hop! We hope you will enjoy!

What you do:

Beginning Friday, August 14 and ending Sunday, August 16, visit each blog listed below. Each blogger will post a different project during all three days of the blog hop for you to comment on. Each comment gains you one entry. 

Also, for additional entries, please "follow" each blog and "like" each blog. Each member can have up to 5 entries on each blog by the end of the hop.

On Monday, August 17, each blogger will randomly select a winner from all entries for a prize. If you are a winner, the blogger will contact you directly.

You should have come from Stephanie's blog. Here's my projects:

 I like to keep my birhtday cards in my SMASH  book & document what I do each year on my birthday! My friend, Laura, made this SMASH book with her Cinch kit so I didn't add much to the background. The "A place to put your stache" envelope is made by K&Company SMASH, I cut the top off so I could add my cards & inserted the closure in the same spot as if it were closed. I attached it with AdTech glue stick. The ribbon was wrapped around a present- American Lighthouses 1000 piece puzzle- bought from Tryon Palace Museum Store (where I volunteer). I attached it with 2 paper fasteners after I tied the 2 pieces together and twisted them. My cake was a homemade cake- well sorta- Duncan Hines Butter Recipe with Hershey's Chocolate icing so that's why I included the brownie/chocolate cake sticker from Recollections Coffee collection. The everything & fun and small family & fun stickers are from Oh Happy Day Simple Stories. The green top I fussy cut out of my birthday card from my dad, stepmom, and Tyler. I put my cards in the envelope. I love SMASHing, because there's no rules you can just SMASH whatever you want wherever!

My next project is a birthday card that I made for my sister. Her birthday was July 4th. The card base is Core'dinations Kraft 5x7 cards that I bought from WalMart. The paper is from a 6x6 pad in my stash. The stamps there's something really worth celebrating today... and {YOU} happy birthday are from Stampin' Up Remembering Your Birthday collectiion and I used Versafine Onyx Black Pigment Ink to stamp them. The washi tape/jars strip is Studio G that I bought from WalMart.

Close-up of inside.

I made this card for my stepbrother, Dustin, who turned 30 on July 3. The card base is the same Kraft collection as before. The notes patterned paper is from DCWV Primrose Stack, I found the headphones online on Pinterest and colored them in with my Copic Too 100 Black and a silver pen. The stars stickers are from a graduation collection in my stash. I typed Party Like A Rock Star on Microsoft Word and I fussy cut around the sentiment with decorative scissors.

This is the inside and the stamp is Stampabilities Happy Happy... birthday stamp that I bought from Hobby Lobby and I stamped it with Versafine ink. I added 30th with my Copic.

Sorry for not many details on the SMASH pages. I've got to get to bed soon to get ready for my fishing date. :) I don't like to fish, but I want to get to know Joe and since he asked I'm gonna try! Yes, I'm a little excited!! I won't be hopping until later after my date.  The next stop on the hop is Paula's blog. I'm sure she has something beautiful to share again! Thanks for stopping by and if you get lost along the way here is the line-up:

Stephanie Collins: http://mamascrapper69.blogspot.com/-- first
Amanda Rhodes: http://salnclts76.blogspot.com/-- ME
Paula Driver: http://scrapyourworld1.blogspot.com/-- next
Norma Gomez: http://normagomezart.blogspot.com/
Kyla Schrake: www.fwast.blogspot.com
Michele Quam: www.Chelmariescreativecorner.blogspot.com
Steff Munnings: www.EmbellishItAll.blogspot.com
Peg Rounds: www.pegscraftingcorner.blogspot.com
Stephanie Bargelski: http://stephaniebscreativedesigns.blogspot.com/

Have a great day! Don't forget to come back and join us tomorrow! :)