April "Blogging with Friends" - Spring Snows

Hi!  It's the last day of the month and that means it's time to blog with a few of my favorite friends!  Our challenge this month comes from Lee at "My Reality is all Good" .   Lee loves the snow and so her challenge to us is "Spring Snows".

Where we live, spring snow is just about nonexistent but March of '93 we experienced  Spring SNOW!  My husband and I had gone on a backpacking trip earlier in the week and gotten sun burned but the weekend brought what was dubbed as "The Storm of the Century".  I worked 7pm to 7am admittance desk at the hospital and I would step outside all night long to watch the snow.  Having lived in the south since I was twelve that was the most snow I have experienced since childhood.   It  was a weekend to remember!  Thanks Lee, for the fun challenge and a little trip down memory lane!!

Since I am not any good at doodling, I quickly gave up the idea of taking a spring-like stamp and adding snow but then I came upon the idea of a birdhouse surrounded by spring flowers AND snow!

Shhhhh! Don't tell Lee, but I am so far behind with my Christmas Card Challenge that I think I am going to add this one to my April CCC and mail it out in December!!!

Thanks so much for looking!!!

I am entering this into Simon Says Blog Challenge - Anything Goes

Jingle Belles - Flying Home for Christmas (my bird flies)

Supplies Used:  Paper: SU!  Crumb Cake, MME 12 days of Christmas.  Acces: MFT Die-namics Homespun Birdhouse,  Snowflake Punch, Sizzix Branch with Leaves MS 3-In-1 Hydrangea punch, glittered gems.

Speedy Fox & Friends 157 - Easel

Happy Weekend!!!   It's vaccine day for our furbabies and DH is due to return from his birthday backpacking trip any time now but for the moment, let's talk  Speedy Fox & Friends challenge!  Our challenge this week is to make an easel card.   Here is the tutorial I used and it includes a video! Splitcoaststampers Easel tutorial .

 I am thinking of giving this to my daughter's chorus teacher as thanks for all she has done this year including taking about 50 students to Washington DC.

A front view 

I used two Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps sets.  The butterfly is from "Cracked Hello" and the sentiment is from, "Just a Note".

Thanks for looking and I hope you have a great weekend!

Stamps Used:

Just a Note

Cracked Hello

Paper: Blu Raspberry CS, White CS, College Press - London Market DP.  Acces: Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Squares, Pearls.

Get Well Umbrella Style

Hello!  I had a set of cards to make and decided on a CAS design so I headed on over to CAS(E) this Sketch #24  to give me a little nudge in the right direction!    

I stamped the umbrella directly on the DP.   Next, I popped up the middle of the umbrella to give a hint of a rounded edge to the umbrella. 

The inside:

I am entering this into CAS(E) this Sketch #24 

Stamp Set I used:

Rain Clouds

Supplies Used: Paper: MFP 140 lb Premium White, MME Quite Contrary Jack and Jill, MFT Blu Raspberry.  Stamp:  MFP a HC -Rain Clouds.

Speedy Fox & Friends 156 - Punched Border

Happy Saturday!  Last weekend at this time were out  camping and this blogger left her camera at home so no photos to share!!!!  We had the most beautiful weather you can imagine.  Smack dab in between the 2013 Pollen blizzard (pollen count was around 8000 on Thursday and blowing in yellow clouds.)  and the chilly rain on Sunday we were given  48 hours of stunning spring weather with beautiful blue skies and moderate temps.  It was a quick trip but memories were made and I even took a nap!!!

We are home this weekend and I am thinking about stamping, how about you?  We have a brand new challenge today at Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge.  We are creating cards with punched borders this week. For more inspiration and all the details on the challenge join us HERE .

For my card I thought I would use this K&Co. DP, which was one of my first DP purchases.  I love the watercolor look of the flowers in this sheet.  Since I wanted some of the DP to show I decided to shorten the opening of the card and punch a decorative border.

The butterfly is from the Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps a HC Set "Glad Glads" and  was stamped on the remains of an alcohol reinker scrap that didn't work out.  The sentiment on the outside and inside is from the same set.

I popped up the center of the sentiment....

When card is opened a big view of the Water Color Bouquet DP.

Now I just need to find someone to send this to that likes flowers, really likes flowers!!! I might have overdone the DP a bit!

We hope you will play along with Speedy Fox & Friends this week.  One lucky winner will receive this stamp set:

Supplies used:

Glad Glads

Stamps: Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC - Glad Glads.  Paper: Crumb Cake, Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC - 140 lb Premium White, K&Co. Watercolor Bouquet. Acces: Die-namics: Vintage Flourish, Picket Fence, and Fishtail Flags, Spellbinders Splendid Circles, 

Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps HC - Blog Hop Day 4 - Birds & Trees

April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries

Featured April 17
Be a Showoff
 

Featured April 18

Honor & Glory
 

Featured April 19

Birds & Trees

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"You May Bow"
                                                         

Welcome to the last day of the hop!  I hope you enjoyed viewing the new releases with us this week!

I have three cards to share with you today. First up is my little scene using MFP a HC 140lb Premium White paper for my base and clouds.  I love  the quality of this paper.  It's a heavy weight, perfect for bases and if you enjoy creating CAS in white you will love the look of your finished project when using this paper. 

This little guy is drawn perfectly to add a little paper pieced wing! 

 The inside:

Next up my little birthday snapshot:

The inside: 

For my last card I did a little experimenting with the stamps.  Can you find the tree?

If you guessed it's the flower petals you guessed correct!  I stamped 10 trees, heat embossed them with white EP then inked them and layered them into a shape of a flower.  

Thanks for spending some of your time with me this week!  This is the last day to leave a comment on my blog, my teammate's blogs and Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps a HC blog for your chance  to win today's stamp set!

Yellow Scene: Stamp: MFP a HC - Birds & Trees. Paper: MFP 140 lb Premium White, MME On the Sunny Side.  Acces: Die-namics - Flat Bottomed clouds, Fishtail Flag, Fresh Cut Grass, Snow Drifts, Wonky Scallop Border.

Birthday Snapshot: Stamp: MFP a HC - Birds & Trees. Paper: MFP 140 lb Premium White, MME Lost & Found Two - Sunshine, Creative Imaginations Loolah.  Acces: Die-Namics - Party banner, insert it instaframe, MS balloon punch, twine.

Get Well:   Stamp: MFP a HC - Birds & Trees. Paper: Whip cream, Crumb Cake, Lost & Found Two - Blush. specialty paper for petals. Acces: Die-namics Leaf Filled  Flourish, Fishtail Flags, Botanical Beauty and Paper Studio Flower Brad Pink.

 

Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps HC - Blog Hop Day 3 - Honor & Glory

April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries

Featured April 17
Be a Showoff
 

Featured April 18

Honor & Glory
 

Featured April 19

Birds & Trees

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"You May Bow"
                                                         

Today's Feature is "Honor and Glory".  I decided to create this for a relative that plays Ultima Online.   I hope he likes my take on his game play!  

The ivy is from a previously released stamp set from MFP a HC  called, "Ivy and Blossoms".

I tucked some leaves underneath the circle window and on the top layer as well for some fun dimension.

I stamped a second wing and attached it at the top, curling the lower tip of the wing upwards.

The inside:  I do not usually color the insides but the shield image cried out for a little color.  After adding the color to the shield I added just a touch of green to the leaves at the top of the circle. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  If you leave a comment on my blog and my teammate's blogs you will be in the drawing to win today's stamp set!

Featured Stamp Set:

Ivy & Blossoms:

Supplies used:

Supplies used: Stamp: Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC - Honor and Glory, Ivy and Blossoms. Paper:Mark's finest Paper & Stamps aHC 140lb Premium White  Access: Lifestyle Crafts Nesting Circles

 

Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps HC - Blog Hop Day 2 - Be a Showoff

April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries

Featured April 17
Be a Showoff
 

Featured April 18

Honor & Glory
 

Featured April 19

Birds & Trees

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"You May Bow"
                                                         

Today's feature is "Be a Showoff".  The title of this set makes me laugh and takes me back a bit.  When I lived in FL, I lived on a campus beside a river and several Peacocks resided there as well.  One of them would see himself in the bumpers of cars and he would peck at the bumpers for hours!

Well, this little guy isn't pecking anything, he sat nice and still and was a pleasure to color!

I added gems to the tale feathers.

The inside:

For my second card I stamped the feather on DP, die cut a tag and added a jewel!

 Thanks for stopping by today.  If you leave a comment on my blog and my teammate's blogs you will be in the drawing to win today's stamp set!

I am entering my card to Craftin Desert Diva's - color challenge with a Peacock feather photo inspiration.

Supplies Used:

You are a Jewel:  Stamp: MFP a HC - Be a Show Off.  Paper: MFP a HC 140 lb Premium Paper, MME Indie Chic "nutmeg", CS from stash. Acces: Paper Studio spiral clip, Black Ribbon, Die-Namcis - Double Scallop.

Feather: Stamp: MFP a HC - Be a Show Off.  Paper:  MME Lost & Found Two - Breeze and MME Cowboy, Crumb Cake, Whip Cream and Recollections Jewel Pack.  Acces: Die- namics Medium Fancy Flourish, Paper Studio gemstones and Dollar Tree sheer ribbon.

 

Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps HC - Blog Hop Day 1 - Columns & Topiaries

April Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

 Featured April 16
Columns & Topiaries

Featured April 17
Be a Showoff
 

Featured April 18

Honor & Glory
 

Featured April 19

Birds & Trees

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on April 20,2013 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday April 19,2013.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is

"You May Bow"
                                                         

Today's feature is "Column's and Topiaries".  I thought it would be fun to place my Topiary outside my front door so this is what I came up with.

A little dimension was added to the topiary by stamping a second set of flowers, coloring and cutting them out, then using my stylus and pressing in the center so the petal would pop up.

I couldn't stop there....I stamped more flowers for the swag above the door.... 

and for the wreath....a little bow.

I wish my front door looked like this!!!!  Thanks for stopping by today.  If you leave a comment on my blog and my teammate's blogs you will be in the drawing to win today's stamp set!

I am entering this card with Simon Says Stamp Blog - Rain or Flowers....I am showing the flowers!

Supplies used: Stamp: Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC - Columns and Topiaries. Paper: Mark's Finest Paper's & Stamps a HC - 140 lb Premium White. Acces: Grand Madison Door,  Spellbinders Splendid Circles, Die-Namics - Vintage Flourish, Paper Studio brad,

 

Mark's Finest Paper & Stamps Mini and Special Set for April

Hello friends!!  It's April Release week at Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps!  I will have posts every day this week!  Today we are featuring the special set and the mini.

 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Zoo Friends"

I thought this tree paper was so fun that I just cut a strip of it and placed my little monkey so he looks like he is swinging from the tree branches.

For the sentiment I took Hello from "Zoo Friends" and Baby from the "Oh Baby" set.

The inside is a simple banner and that monkey hanging from the banner.

 The mini stamp set we have for you this month is:

"You May Bow"
                                                         

At our house we love "King" or "Queen for the day" so I enjoyed using the sentiment here!  I have lots of ideas floating around in my head for this one but I ran out of time.  I think it would make a great voucher enabling the receiver to one free "King" or "Queen" for the day!

I hope you enjoyed this peek at the special and mini sets.  The blog hop starts tomorrow with a chance to win a free set each day so I hope to "see" you tomorrow!

King Card: Stamp: MFP a HC - You May Bow. Paper: Crumb Cake, MME Cowboy.  Acces. Paper Studio - Vintage Trinket Brads#2, MFT Fishtail Flags, Paper studio copper brads.

Hello Baby: Stamp: MFP a HC - Zoo Friends. Paper: Crumb Cake, Paper Studio Little Safari. Acces: Die namics - Say What and Party Banner.