Blog Candy Winner!!

As promised, tonight I have a winner for the subscription to all 10 of the awesome projects during the month of May, at Craft Project Central. Whoo Hoo! It was so fun to read the comments about what you are all looking forward to this summer! :) 

Are you ready? .....drumroll, please..... After entering the numbers into random.org (from my trusty iPhone), here is the lucky winner: 

So...WHO is lucky number 6? 

**Well, that would be the lovely 

Lynn, from Creative Crafts by Lynn!**

Congrats, Lynn! Shoot me an email at annemariehile@satx.rr.com so that I can get your Craft Project Central subscription set up for you! 

Hope you all had a great day today! :) Please come back and visit soon! 

Hand Stamped Sentiments #69: Paper Piecing Challenge

Hello and Happy Tuesday to you! I hope you had a great weekend! It's time for another fun challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week, we are focusing on a Paper Piecing technique challenge. Just in case you have never tried this technique, you can CLICK HERE for the link to the "how-to". We hope you will play along with us this week! :) 

Just Add Ink has a "fussy cutting" challenge going on this week, too. I'm also going to share my card with them because I found a lot of wonderful inspiration there to create my card. Thanks ladies! :) 

I used the "May Sketch for You to Try" at I {Heart} to Stamp for the layout:

I finally inked up my neglected SU! Sock Monkey stamp set for this card and yet AGAIN Poppy Parade was my color of choice. I promise I will find a new color to use next time. I'm kind of over-using that one, I know! :)   

For the little guy's "balloon bouquet", I cut out the balloons individually. Then I added a layer of Crystal Effects sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter. After that, I attached some black embroidery floss to the back of the balloons and then cut a little slit in the monkey image that was stamped on Whisper White. I fed the floss through and covered up the slit with the paper pieced DSP so it looks like he is "holding" the balloons.

Here is the inside of the card, using scraps from the front and a (retired) rub-on sentiment:

Thanks for stopping by today! Please stop by the Hand Stamped Sentiments site to see what the rest of the DT has cooked up for you this week. We sure hope you will join us and show off your "paper pieced" creations! :) 

Stampin Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Sock Monkey
Ink: Basic Black Classic ink
Paper: Pawsitively Prints DSP, Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Scalloped Border punch, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, Chit Chat rub-on's (ret.), Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips and Glue Dots
Non-SU! Accessories: scalloped circle die cut, silver pearls, black embroidery floss and white grosgrain ribbon (because I ran out of my SU! ribbon) 


Have a very HAPPY day today! :) 

BBQ Recipe Case and Invitation at CPC!

I'm SO excited to announce that my project for the month is posted over at Craft Project Central today! With the official start to summer kicking off this weekend, I created a BBQ-themed recipe book and coordinating invitation. As an added bonus, I have also included 5 of my MOST requested recipes from our annual summer get-togethers. My husband and I are hosting a big BBQ tomorrow (for Memorial Day) and the included recipes are most definitely on the menu. I made one of these recipe cases for each of our guests to take home...along with some left-overs, of course. ;)

The project can be tailored to a variety of themes. Perfect for holiday cookie swaps or just to share those treasured, family favorites.  It would also make a really fun class or stamp club project.


To get the instructions for my recipe case and invitation, head on over to Craft Project Central and subscribe to May. You will get 10 projects for $10 which is such an awesome deal! CLICK HERE to see all of the fabulous projects included in the May subscription.

***Blog Candy Alert!!!***

I am offering ONE lucky reader a subscription to CPC for the month of May! How can you win? Easy...just leave me a comment on this post and let me know what you are MOST excited about this summer. A big vacation? A reunion? Or just hangin' by the pool? I want to hear what YOU are looking forward to! I will announce a random winner on Tuesday, May 31st at 6pm (CST). Be sure to come back and see if YOU have won! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great rest of your day!

Paper Players Challenge #49-Anything Goes

Hello friends! Happy Sunday to you! Hope you are enjoying your weekend, so far. Time for another fun challenge over at The Paper Players. This week, it's "Anything Goes"! What do we want to see? Well, it can be your favorite technique, your favorite colors, your favorite sketch...we just want you to play along! Do you want to know more about how to play with The Paper Players? Click HERE for the details.

For my card, I shared "a few of my favorite things"although my list isn't nearly as cool as Oprah's. (*insert sad face here*) Here are my picks for the things that I seem to be using a lot right now: 

• Heat Embossing
• Pearls- This also includes BLING in any form. :) 
• Joy-Fold Cards- I don't know why, I just love making them!  HERE is the link to the tutorial.
• Poppy Parade- I seem to reach for this color a LOT lately!  
• Stampin' Dimensionals

One thing that did NOT make my "favorites" list, but was incorporated on my card, was "fussy cutting". I love how the layered flowers look but I did NOT enjoy cutting them out. Haha! This probably has something to do with the fact that I made 10 of these cards at the same time. Ugh! I'm getting a cramp in my hand just thinking about it. One more photo of the inside of the card: 

The inspiration for this creation came from a card I received in a swap, about a week ago. Thank you to Mary A. for reminding me how COOL the houndstooth paper from the Love Letter DSP really is! I just LOVED how it looked with the Flower Fest set. Here is Mary's fabby card:

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Please be sure to visit The Paper Players blog to check out what the rest of the DT gals have to share. We sure hope you will join us for our "Anything Goes" challenge this week! But please remember to check out the guidelines for the chllenge HERE. Until next time....

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 

Stamps: Flower Fest, You're a Gem (front sentiment) and Something to Celebrate (ret., inside sentiment)

Ink: Basic Black Craft ink, Poppy Parade Classic ink and Basic Black Classic ink 

Paper: Love Letter DSP, Newsprint DSP, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla and Basic Black card stock 

Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, Clear embossing powder, Heat Tool, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle punch, Fancy Flower punch, Basic Pearls and Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a great day! 

Anne Marie 

New CPC Project and an Absent Blogger...

Hi friends! I wanted to pop in to share something new at Craft Project Central and also apologize for my absence from "blog-land" this week. Things have been uber-busy here in my world and as much as I would love to create...I just don't seem to have enough time in the day. PLEASE stick with me, I promise to be back over the weekend...in between the two BBQ's my hubby and I are hosting, a fun stampin' event tomorrow in Austin and a birthday party for a dear friend. Eeek!  :) 


Until then, I wanted to share the newest project from CPC:

Need a quick gift for a teacher or co-worker?  These cute Post-it Note holders and matching cards are quick and easy to whip up for those last minute gifts.  Post-it Note holders are also popular craft fair items!

*This cute project was created by Jill!*

To get the instructions for Jill’s Post-it Note project, just subscribe to May at Craft Project Central, and please visit Jill and leave her a comment on her project!!

Have a HAPPY day! :) 

Pretty Postage Stationery Box at CPC

There is another great project posted over at Craft Project Central! This fun stationery box and card set for that special teacher, co-worker, friend, or yourself!!  Also makes for a wonderful idea for a class. 

*This pretty postage project was created and designed by Tammy!*

To get the instructions for Tammy’s project, just subscribe to May, and please leave Tammy a comment on her project!! Please click HERE to see all of the May projects posted so far. 

Have a great day! :) 

Hand Stamped Sentiments #68: A Theme Challenge

Hello there and Happy Tuesday! I hope your week is off to a great start. Hand Stamped Sentiments is back in action this week with a patriotic-themed challenge. Memorial Day is coming up here in the U.S. on Sunday, to honor those who have given their lives to serving our country. We invite you to share your project celebrating military heroes this week! 

I decided to create cards for a few of our good friends, who received military promotions last week. I whipped up 5 of these, to have 1 extra to have on hand. As these were "guy-cards", I had to hold back on the bling. So...I just compensated with lots of layers and texture! ;)

I used the Service and Sacrifice stamp set, which has seen a LOT of ink since I bought it. With my husband currently serving in the Air Force, I have had many occasions to use this set. From promotions, to retirements, to deployments or just to simply say thank you, the set is so perfect for cards for military members. I colored the flag images using Classic Ink Pads and Blender Pens. All the supplies used are listed at the end of the post. 

Both sentiments on the card are stamped in Not Quite Navy Craft ink and heat-embossed with Clear Embossing Powder, to make them stand out. I wanted to add some extra dimension by popping up the layers, too. (Note to self: order more Stampin' Dimensionals soon!) Here is the inside of the card, to celebrate the occasion: 

Hop on over to the Hand Stamped Sentiments blog and take a peek at what the rest of the Design Team has created for your inspiration. I sure hope you will play along this week. Thanks for popping by to visit.  Have a GREAT day today! :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Service and Sacrifice
Ink: Not Quite Navy Craft ink, Riding Hood Red Classic ink and Not Quite Navy Classic ink (for coloring the flags)
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla card stock 
Accessories: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder, Clear embossing powder, Heat Tool, 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, Decorative Label punch, 2" x 1 3/8" XL Oval punch, Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbon (ret.), Blender Pens (to color flags) and an over-abundance of Stampin' Dimensionals
Non SU! Accessories: the "non-girly", silver pearls on the front  :) 

Father's Day Card & Cologne Box at CPC

This handsome cologne box and matching card are perfect for the amazing dad in your life this coming Father’s Day!  This is a quick and easy project that you can even have the kids help you with!  After Father’s Day, change up the theme and use the box template for other gift giving occasions!

**This great Father’s Day gift project was created by Joanna!**

(Please stop by Joanna's blog, Inspired By Stampin', to leave her a sweet comment on her project, too!) 

To get the instructions for Joanna’s fabulous Father’s Day project, just subscribe to May at Craft Project Central.  

Have a great day! :) 

Paper Players Challenge #48-A Sketch Challenge

Howdy! It's Sunday and that means it's time for another fabby challenge at The Paper Players! Nance is our hostess this week with this super, sketch. We would really love it if you would play along and share YOUR project with us. :) 

For this card, I inked up the new Strength and Hope stamp set, for the first time. This set is SO awesome because not only is is beautiful, but by purchasing the set you are also helping to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. CLICK HERE for more details!  

For my butterfly, I used a mixture of the *new* Melon Mambo embossing powder and Iridescent Ice embossing powder to add some sparkle. Mixing embossing powders together is such a fun technique. Just head to the grocery store and snag a few of those disposable "Glad-Ware" containers. You can easily mix up your embossing powders for fun combinations on your creative projects. You can mix together as much, or as little, as you need in the containers. Think of the possibilities! After I embossed and cut out the butterfly, I inked up the edges with Melon Mambo Classic ink.

There is a LOT of dimension on this card, which you can't really see in the main photo. I went a little crazy with both the Stampin' Dimensionals (25) AND the pearls (19) on this one. :) 

Finally, here is the finished inside of the card, using the left-over's from the front:

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you will play along with this week's sketch at The Paper Players. Be sure to swing by and see what the rest of the lovely ladies on the DT have cooked up this week. There are some awesome projects!! Before you move on, please leave a comment and say hello. Have a very HAPPY day! :) 

Simply because I CAN'T resist a sweet, furry face...I wanted to share a photo of my little Emmitt. Note the "mess" in his beard and paws. My boys were spoiled with treats (from Petco) this week and his face just says it all....pure bliss! :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Strength and Hope
Paper: Porcelain Prints DSP (ret.), Melon Mambo, Baja Breeze, River Rock and Very Vanilla card stock
Ink: Versamark, Melon Mambo, River Rock and Baja Breeze Classic ink
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Itty Bitty Punch pack, Circle Scissors Plus, Melon Mambo Embossing Powder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Melon mambo Stampin' Write marker, Baja Breeze Seam binding, Square Lattice embossing folder, Basic Pearls and Stampin' Dimensionals
Non SU! Accessories: scallop circle die cut

Greenhouse Gala Keepsake Box at CPC

Another great project is posted over at Craft Project Central. This pretty little scallop circle keepsake box is a wonderful gift to give with the little mini companion album inside!  Or put other little treats inside like a gift card, jewelry, etc.!

This pretty little project comes to you designed by Deanna.

To get the instructions for Deanna’s project, just subscribe to May (and please leave Deanna a comment on her project by clicking her name to visit her blog)!

Have a great day! :) 

Bold and Sparkly Blossoms

Howdy! Not sure how Wednesday crept up so quickly this week, but here it is. I wanted to share a card I made earlier today inspired by two awesome challenges that I haven't played along with in awhile. First, I used the fun sketch from Stamping 411: 

Then I paired it up with this week's color combo at The Color Dare: 

Regal Rose

Old Olive 

Early Espresso

I was also really excited to use two new items from the Summer Mini Catalog for my card, the Bold Blossoms stamp set and the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. That punch completely ROCKS, by the way! You can really do a LOT with it. This was also the first time EVER, I was able to get my Scallop Trim Corner punch to work correctly. CLICK HERE for an tutorial from Connie Collins that makes the process super-simple. (Thanks Connie!) I wanted to share it in case anyone else out there is "corner punch challenged" like me. Haha! :) 

If you have visited me before, you know how I love, ok, LOVE sparkle. I jazzed up my blossoms by inking them up with the Versamark ink pad, then sprinkled some Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder over them.  A quick blast of the Heat Tool and they were ready to party on my card! :) I also heat embossed the sentiment, although it is tough to see in the main photo. Finally, here is a quick shot of the inside of the card: 

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great rest of your day today! :) 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
Stamps: Bold Blossoms
Ink: Old Olive Classic ink, Early Espresso Classic ink and Versamark
Paper: Regal Rose DSP (from a retired hostess paper pack), Regal Rose, Old Olive, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Scallop Trim Corner punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, Mistletoe Ribbon Originals (ret.), Basic Pearls, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Heat Tool, Signo Uni-Ball White gel pen and Stampin' Dimensionals

Strawberry Gift Set at CPC

It’s almost strawberry season, and this gift set is perfect for giving fresh strawberry jam, fresh picked strawberries, or any other summer treat for birthdays, thank you gifts, or to let someone special know that you are thinking of them!  If you’re looking for a fun class project, this one’s perfect!

**This beautiful project is designed by Nelia Harper!**

To get the instructions for Nelia’s fun project, just subscribe to May (and please click Nelia's name above to leave her a comment on her project)!

To see all of the great projects for May at Craft Project Central, please click HERE.

Have a great day today! :) 

On the Grow Swap Cards

Hello there! Looks like Blogger is finally back up and running smoothly again after all the issues last week. I wanted to share a card I made for a monthly demo swap I participate in. I recently received the new On the Grow stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog and have been excited to ink it up for the first time. 


Admittedly, I am not the best at water-coloring, but I have been practicing. What better way then to color 17 stamped images in a row? :) I used my ink pads and blender pens to color the images, then added Crystal Effects to the vase and the centers of the flowers. Then I sprinkled some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the centers of the flowers for some sparkle. I distressed the edges with the Color Spritzer Tool and some sponged ink, too. 

 Here are the swaps all ready to be boxed up and shipped off: 

I got my inspiration for these cards from a few different challenges (check them out for some great ideas): 

• Craft Us Crazy - Use a favorite embellishment and/or something new (I used glitter and pearls for the embellishments and my new stamp set and new satin ribbon for something new! )
• 4 Crafty Chicks - Spring-inspired cards
• Creative Card Crew - Flower-themed project
• Friday Mashup - used the sketch from a few weeks ago, because I really like it! :) 

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a HAPPY day today! 

Stampin' Up! Supply List: 
**Order anytime by clicking HERE to go to my website**
Stamps: On the Grow
Ink: Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron and Crumb Cake Classic ink
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Paper Crimper, Rich Razzleberry 5/8' Satin ribbon, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Scallop Edge Border punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Paper Piercing tool, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Color Spritzer tool, Crumb Cake Stampin' Write Marker, Stamping Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals and Basic Pearls

Scrapbook in a Box at Craft Project Central

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month, the bonus project this month at CPC is a really neat Scrapbook in a Box! Lift the handle on the box and you have a 6" x 6" album tucked away inside! This is a perfect Mother’s Day gift, or you could even make it up as a special teacher appreciation gift for the end of the school year (which I think for a lot of kids is coming up soon!). Makes for a fun class project as well!

This great project comes to you from Sharon. Please stop by Sharon's blog and leave her a comment on this beautiful project! 

To get the instructions for Sharon’s project, just subscribe to May, and meet one of the other bonus project requirements of, subscribing to two or more months in a row, putting the Craft Project Central badge/blinkie on your blog, or referring a friend and letting us know when they subscribe!

Have a great day! :) 

Sweet Honey Post-It Book at CPC

This isn’t your usual Post-it Notes cover!  This Post-it Note book loos and feels like a book with a hard cover and a fabric-looking binding!  the magnetic closure with floating bee completes the project perfectly!  This cute little project with matching pen is a perfect teacher gift and is a fun class or club project!

This sweet project comes to you designed by Kim Score!

To get the instructions for this project, just subscribe to May at Craft Project Central.

(and please leave Kim a comment on her cute project!)