Top Dog Dies- Friday!!

Good Morning y'all!! I am back with my weekly Top Dog Dies post. Still playing with some dies from the new release!!

Isn't that cross beautiful... all the detail. The Top Dog Die Cross set has both the detail cross and a wonderful base... just think of all the combinations (together and each die alone). I created my card with a little color (what can I say) instead of a more traditional look!!

AND.... I am still a ribbon/twine girl!! Sentiment is from Verve's Easter Joy. The glitter paper is from DCWV... bling and bows!

Don't forget to check out the TDD blog HERE. We just had a blog hop and there is an awesome prize up for grabs... all of the dies from the Spring release!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown # 331- thinking of you!!

Happy Wednesday!! Hope you are doing well wherever you are. They are predicting anywhere from 3-5 inches to 5-9 inches of snow tonite!! Now, I know that many of you are dealing with much more than that but, that's a lot for us southern folks!!

Jodi picked the colors this week...

Aren't they bright and beautiful!! And, yes... I went with flowers!!

Used a bunch of Reverse Confetti for this card. Stamped the background with Whole Lotta Dots (versamark on crumbcake), added a couple layers with Tag Me, Too, Love Note, and Pretty Panels Chevron confetti cuts. The flowers are Love Blooms and Love Blooms confetti cuts. Sentiment from Beautiful Banners was stamped on a Beautiful Banner confetti cut. Added a couple pieces of knotted ribbon.

Check out our February guest designer: Jen Shults from Deconstrucing Jen!!

Stephanie Severin, is our Guest Star Stamper - Ingenious Inkling

And my teamies!

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD331  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

Hope you enjoy the colors and can't wait to see what you create!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Top Dog Dies Blog Hop- NEW SPRING DIES Blog Hop!!!!

Good Morning!! I'm so excited to be showing some NEW Spring dies being released today at TOP DOG DIES!!

And, we're having a blog hop to celebrate!! Along with a FABULOUS prize (deets below)!!
You should have arrived from Piali's blog but, if you got lost along the way, all the links are below. 

I made three cards today using a bunch of the new dies. 

Here's a close up of the sweet Easter Eggs... can you see all the detail... those dots... adore!!

I embossed the background using Top Dog Dies Modern Mosaic A2 mat. Added some grass with the new Grass die set and layered on top. The Decorated Eggs die set comes with three intricate egg patterns and one solid egg for backgrounds!! The Easter sentiment is also new... die cut twice and layered for a little dimension.

What is spring without Rabbits... this set has all shapes... LOVE!! I die cut several of the shapes in different colors and placed them all in a row. See that sweet scallop border... it's Top Dog Dies Dotted Borders (click on the picture for a close up... those dots just add a little sumthin' sumthin'). The sentiment was created using the new Uppercase and Lowercase Typewriter Alphabet!! Did a little stitching, paper distressing, and added a twine bow. 

Here's the inside...

It's not a good pic... sorry!! Oh, I should've added from "all of us" - how perfect would that be with all those rabbits!!!

My last card uses the new Sheep dies. Aren't they adorable!!

I stenciled the background using modeling pasted and Simon Says Stamp Falling Stars stencil. Dies cut those adorable sheep- the heads were popped up with foam tape. Sentiment is from The Cats Pajamas. 

PRIZE: The Top Dog Dies blog is hosting a giveaway, one lucky winner will receive the entire new set of spring dies. $122.00 worth of products! That includes all of the dies I have shown you today plus, the Feathered Friends, Typewriter Numbers and Symbols, and Cross die sets!! Whoo Hoo!! In order to win visit the Top Dog Dies blog HERE. You have until March 6th and the winner will be posted on the Top Dog Dies blog on March 7th. Good Luck!!

Here's a link to All New Spring Dies!!!

Here's the list of designers participating today!! 

Jeanne Jachna: http://akeptlife.blogspot.com/
Kelly Griglione: http://notablenest.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Wierner: http://wienerhoneymooners.blogspot.com/
Kymona Tracey: http://kreativekymona.com/
Marcia Dehn-Nix: http://onescrapatatime-bymumsie.blogspot.com/
Natalie Dever: http://dougnat.blogspot.com/
Nicki Scheck: http://idreamcreateinspire.blogspot.com/
Piali Biswas: http://touchofcreation.blogspot.com/

I'm the last stop on the hop so head on over to the Top Dog Dies blog to see the full release and get your "dibs" in on the giveaway!! Maybe do a little Mother's Day shopping?

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Viva la Verve sketch- Birthday Wishes!!

Happy Sunday!! Another busy week here. The Viva la Verve sketches are back (took a little break for January) AND I had a chance to play... (in between Prom Dress shopping for my grand daughter... she said "yes to the dress" and it's gorgeous!!)

This sketch intimidated me a little (it happens) but, sometimes that's the little "umph" to find a way to make it work. It was the right side geometric panel...

Die cut the flower from Verve's Goodness Flowers Set with Xpress It Blending cardstock, Stamped the coordinating image from Verve's Surely Goodness and colored with copics. Papers are Heidi Swapp Favorite Things. Added the sentiment (Surely Goodness) onto a flag from Verve's Flag it Die Set and a twine button.

I was enjoying the bold colors... black, white, and ORANGE!!

Here's the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!! PS.... I have worked on one more (it's a little different) hoping to do them all this month. Love a good sketch and my Verve has been sorely neglected!!

Top Dog Dies- Happy St. Patrick's!!

Welcome to my weekly Top Dog Dies post... Valentine's is behind us and I'm looking to the next holiday... St. Patty's Day!! Don't put away those hearts just yet.....

They make wonderful shamrocks!!

I have to say... we celebrate St. Patty's day at my house... Bill's (my sweetheart) mom's maiden name is Patterson and if that isn't enough I grew up just a little south of Chicago. You know they dye the river green for St. Patty's!!

I used the heart from Top Dog Dies Camera Finishers die set (love the size) using some DCWV green glitter cardstock. The sentiment is from Verve's Lucky You set. Added a few sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown #330- Thanks a Bunch!!

Good Morning!! It's Wednesday and time for another Color Throwdown challenge. Working on getting this post set up- they say we have sleet coming (intermittent so far) and likely to be without power. And, we'll be in the single digits this week!!

Now, don't get me wrong... I know I am nowhere near dealing with weather like others. Talked to my Sis tonite and single digits was the high today, and they have plenty of snow on the ground. Yes, I've lived in the South so looong... the thought of single digits makes me shiver :)

 Joan picked the colors this week...monochromatic with a splash of orange. LOVE!!

Here's my card. I played with Altenew's Painted Flowers and Label Love sets. Honestly, do you ever make a card and love the concept of it... but, wonder if you need to have your eyes checked? (tilted panels) Added some gold Heidi Swapp mist- flicked for a little shine!

Check out our February guest designer: Jen Shults from Deconstrucing Jen!!

Amy White joins us this week as our Guest Star Stamper..... you can find her blog HERE.

And my teamies!

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD330  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

I used this week's Retro Sketch for the layout, turned on it's side... fun!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge- Valentines!!

Good Morning and Welcome to the second installment of this month's Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge!! 

This month the theme is "All You Need is Love" so all you need to do is create a card or project creating a design of love! Think Valentine's, Wedding, Anniversary... you only need to use one Serendipity stamp or die.

Did you have a good Valentine's Day? I did... nothing out of the ordinary but, a good day! Started out with a cold (thanks to my daughter) but, felt a little better by afternoon and Hubs and I did a little specialty food shopping... Mediterranean diet shopping, For the price of fresh fish, you would have thought we went to a jewelry store :)

Mary (owner of Serendipity Stamps) gives the DT an extra challenge... this time around is to use vellum. I love vellum and this gold embossed piece from SU was my starting point. Added black, white, and bright pink for coordinating colors... Love the boldness!!

The Heart is Serendipity's Heart Scroll die and the sentiment is Serendipity's Valentine's die. I adore this heart and have a tendency to use it leave the die cuts in place. FYI- you can "poke out" the little pieces and have a beautifully intricate heart die.

This month Kara Vrabel is joining us from kandrdesigns... so happy to have you joining us!!

For more inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

Karen Amidon
Jeanne Jachna

Marybeth Lopez

Jenny Gropp 

Julie Warner 

 Miriam Napier

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and the theme of Thankful/Grateful. You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Top Dog Dies Friday- Butterfly!!

Happy Friday!! TGIF!! It's been a couple crazy weeks at work and home... my goal this WE is to stay inside (warm and toasty), drink coffee, and stamp!! Sounds good, right!!

Friday is my Top Dog Die day and here's another one for you using a gorgeous background die and butterfly!!!

In this photo, you can see the dimension I created by die cutting two of the butterflies, adhering only in the center, and "opening the wings"

Here's the full card. I left off a sentiment... sometimes that's perfect to have in your stash so you can add the sentiment as needed. This card would work for so many occasions. Isn't the background gorgeous... that is Top Dog dies Modern Mosaic Background. The butterfly is Top Dog Dies Butterfly die set. There are two in the set, the other one is a silhouette. BTW- they are both on sale right now!!

Another little close up so you can see the intricate cuts in the butterfly.. the pearls were the perfect accent.

Thinking Spring? I am!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop!!

Good Morning and welcome to the Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop!! We are featuring some new dies and stamps available now at Serendipity Stamps! Whoo Hoo!

You should have arrived here from Miriam's blog, (gorgeous, right!) if you got lost along the way, just pop along to the Serendipity Stamp's blog and start from the beginning.

Lots of new goodies (already in the store)!! I have had so much fun playing!! I have several cards to show today but, I'm going to be short and sweet (it's been a long couple of weeks)

The first one uses this sweet puppy image colored with copics and layered... LOVE!!

The inside. 

My next two cards are bright and colorful... reminds me of my sweet friend Jeanne (she's next on the hop and you'll see what I mean)

Isn't that a fabulous border  and with the ladybug.. both are Serendipity dies!!

I've used a bunch of Serendipity dies on this card... the Bunny, the border at the bottom (die cut twice and inset some color for the flowers and added pearls for the centers) and the Easter sentiment. 

My last card uses some new dies that I just ADORE!! I grew up in the Midwest and we were card playing/game playing fools!! 

For this one I made a shaker card. Not sure if you can see all the elements in this die. The "poker chip" had three layers- outside, inside layer, and crown. The outer layer die cuts tiny hearts, spades, clubs, and diamonds... LOVE!! AND the lucky sentiment die cuts a four leaf clover.

Here's the deets.... there's a prize...One $20 gift code will go to one random commenter from the blogs. The more blogs you visit, and leave a comment, the greater chance to win. You have until  Febuary 16th to leave comments, winners will be posted on Serendipity's Stamps blog on Febuary 17th.

For a second chance to win - like us on Facebook and share the ad about the hop.  One person who does both will be selected to win a second $20 gift certificate.  If you already like us on FB all you have to do is share the ad with a friend.  Click on the "share" link under the photo. 

Next stop on the hop is my sweet friend Jeanne, sure to be something bright and beautiful...

Here's the full hop list. 

Mary's Blog

Marybeth Lopez
Miriam Napier
Vickie Zimmer
Jeanne Jachna
Jenny Gropp
Julie Warner
Karen Amidon

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown #329- Thank You!!

Good Wednesday morning... time for another Color Throwdown challenge... Wednesday's make me smile :) Not only are we halfway through the work week but, time for another set of colors to play with!!

Boni is the hostest this week...

What a fancy and sweet little coin purse!! Well, that's what I am calling it anywho... could be a lipstick case...

I pulled out some older stamps that needed a little love. The vase/s are from Clear and Simple Stamps. The background for the vase was stamped with SU Pool Party and the "outside" image was stamped with versamark onto vellum and heat embossed with white. Flowers are also Clear and Simple stamps- stamped twice, once onto the Neenah cardstock and again onto XPress It Blending cardstock. Colored both with copics. Fussy cut the red flower images and layered with foam for a lttle dimension. The sentiment is from Altenew's Label Love.

Yes, the green is there :) The flower stems.

Check out our February guest designer: Jen Shults from Deconstrucing Jen!!

Ashwini is our Guest Star Stamper this week..... you can find her blog HERE.

And my teamies!

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD329  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

I WOOF You!!

Hey, how are you doing? We had fabulous weather this WE... 60!! Sunday it was windy so it felt a little cooler but, I was one happy girl!!

Also, had a chance to play with some new goodies...

Aren't those pups from Reverse Confetti adorable... matching dies too!!

The pups were stamped onto XPress It blending cardstock and colored lightly with copics. The sentiment is from the same set Puppy Love and they were die cut with the matching dies. Other RC goodies... whole lotta dots, tagged tote confetti cuts, and love note confetti cuts. Here's the link to the store  :)

Used this month's SFYTT sketch challenge and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge... Bright and Beautiful (maybe puppies aren't what comes to mind but, there a lot of color going on here!)

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Love!!

Valentine's will be here in a week and I am in the mood to play with hearts!!

This is one of my favorite color combos- love red, white, and black... this time I added a little pink too. The hearts are layered using Spellbinders dies, added a thin piece of patterned paper, a Glitz bauble, and some twine.

I was inspired by the current Curtain Call Inspiration challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge to be inspired by the letter "H"... obviously I went with the theme of the month :)

Hope you're having a great Saturday. We're supposed to hit 60 degrees today- not sure it's going to happen but, I have to say it's warmer than it has been lately!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Top Dog Dies Friday!! Tea Time!!

Good morning!! Here again to post another card using Top Dog Dies!! I am still in the spring mode... sitting outside on the deck drinking tea or coffee (whatever your pleasure!), listening to the birds, watching the first sprouts of flowers!! You know it's spring when you can do that without shivering!!

I played with Top Dog Dies Tea Time Basics die set. The teapot lid and cup were die cut with some fun patterned papers. The teapot was die cut with soft suede and stamped with a background stamp from Verve's Bountiful Backgrounds. I used the Top Dog Dies Dotted Border set (the scallop) to create layers with patterned paper. You can see a close up of the dotted borders above.... aren't they sweet!!

Here's the full card. Sentiment is Waltzingmouse stamps and added a doily and ribbon to finish it off!! I am so ready for the early morning tea/coffee on the deck to start the day!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown 328- hello!!

Good Wednesday morning... time for another Color Throwdown challenge... Wednesday's make me smile :)

Barbara picked the colors this week... FUN!!

My card....

I made a tall, skinny card... fun!! I finally used my MFT polka dot cover up.... love it!! I die cut with midnight muse (doesn't look as dark in the pic) and added some dots with SU peach parfait, lucky limeade, and coastal cabana. Also played with Technique Tuesdays sweet chickadees. Sentiment from the same set.

Looking for more inspiration using the colors...

Check out our February guest designer: Jen Shults from Deconstrucing Jen.  Sooo happy to have you playing with us this month!!

Flo is our Guest Star Stamper this week..... you can find her blog HERE.

And my teamies!

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte
Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD328  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

For my layout I used CAS(E) this sketch....

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!