And the blog candy winners are.....

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I divided up the candy pile and used Random. org to draw the numbers.
Remember, this drawing was for the candy when I announced my "The Greeting Farm" guest DT.
The first winner is #29 from my blog.....Jennyv!!!
The second winner is #47 from "The Greeting Farm" blog....Chrissy!!!
To make it fair, the first one of the two who responds to this blog gets to choose which candy package they will get!
I hope you all will check back tomorrow because I have a few announcements to make. You know what that means.... MORE BLOG CANDY!!!!! :)

My Personal Challenge Challenge Card :)

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There are tons of fabulous challenges out there that I want to join in on, but with a full time job and several DT positions it is sometimes hard to make the time. So…I challenged myself!
I always have time to do just ONE card so I set out to see how many challenges I could cover in one card without it being tacky or too much.
Here is the result!



Now here is the challenge info:
Sketch and Stash
Use the provided sketch and some kind of stash.
(My old stash was the image. When I first started stamping I colored my images in multiples but never used them all because I was always buying new stamps. This little guy has been buried in a drawer full of (ready for cards) images that are about a year old. My new stash is that pretty Bazzill Dots cardstock. I bought tons of it!)
Penny Black-Buttons Galore
Use a Penny Black image and buttons.
(I used a PB hedgie and 5 buttons)
Basic Grey-Doodling
(I used some scrap pieces of Basic Grey’s “Euphoria” papers and I doodled the bee’s some flight paths)
Simon Says Stamp-Simon Says…Animals
(I used a hedgie for my animal)
Paper Take Weekly-Scrap This!
(The Basic Grey papers were all scraps from a card I did some time ago)
Whimsy Stamps Challenge-Summer Fun
Use anything that reminds you of summer
(Bees buzzing and the little hedgie using the flower to shade himself reminds me of summer)
Note: I am a Whimsy DT and have always used their stamps for challenges, but I thought by entering this card that it would be one way to let you know that Whimsy has changed their challenge guidelines so that you do not have to use one of their stamps to enter. I am sure though….once you get over there to look, you will be wanting some. They are soooo darned cute!
A Spoon Full of Sugar- Add lace
(I used K&Co. self adhesive paper lace)
Creative Card Crew-Pretty Flowers
I used four paper flowers, the hedgie is holding one, and the papers are flowered)
ABC Challenge-P is for Pearls
(I used 9 pearls on the paper lace)
Charisma Cardz Thursday Craft Challenge-Going Dottie
I used Bazzill Swiss Dots for the card base and scalloped frame. The pearls and buttons also count as dots)
Cute Card Thursday-Bit o’ Bling
(For bling I have used pearls, sparkly ribbon and 6 colors of glitter)


OK…in case you weren’t counting, that was an even dozen challenges covered in one card including my self inflicted challenge!
Whew!

It also works for 3 more challenges over at http://stampinoutalzheimers.ning.com/ Put on by "Paper Craft Planet". Hope you will go check it out. You can donate and help us find a cure by clicking in the Stampin'Out Alzheimer's box in the upper right hand corner of my blog.
Thanks! :)
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think! ;)

UPDATE!
I just got back from looking for more challenges that I would like to join in on and found 3 more that this card fits into. Hope they don't mind! BTW...that makes 18!!!
Forever Friends-Buttons and Bows
Used 'em!
Creative Inspirations-Favorite Stamp Image
This is my favorite "Penny Black" image
Everybody Art Challenge-3D
Popped the image and lots of 3D embellishments

Whew whew! ;)

Sneek Peek @ Whimsy's About to be Released Monkey

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Hi!
This is sneak peek week over at “Whimsy Stamps”.
I was given the new Monkey stamp to play with. It will be released for sale on June 1st, along with some others that I have not seen yet. Make sure and check out the other “Whimsy DT’s” blogs this week, to see their peeks!

I was a little nervous. I have never been involved with a companies newly released stamp before. I got to thinking about how my card will be the first time others will see the image. I wanted to make sure I did it right! Oh….the pressure! LOL! Anyhow, I painted the image a couple of different ways to see which one I liked best for the release. (I haven’t seen it in color yet either so there was nothing to sway my thinking) Of course I had to paint extra copies so I could “pop” the image for the 3D effect. The whole monkey is popped once, then his body, foot, nose, and fingers around the rope are popped again. Man was that a lot of cutting! ;) I should mention that the monkey on the stamp has no belly button or nipples (can I say nipples?) so I took some artistic liberties and added some in. You can do yours with or without.

I also had a couple of papers from my CRAZY paper stash that I could not choose between. The banana paper which of course lends itself quite nicely to the monkey image and then there was this pretty jungle leaf paper.
What do I do?... I make two cards. Then I had to figure out which “one” I wanted to use for the peek. You guessed it…I’m using BOTH!

I made smaller cards then I normally do because I thought the image needed to be in the upper left corner so I went with a 5” card for balance sake. I think if you added some tree braches and leaves that it would look awesome on a bigger size card and it could be centered more. I will try that next time!

The yellow card with the red monkey had me a little flustered at first. It just looked plain, even with the fancy leaf stitching. I didn’t want to add any more embellishments because it would cover that cute banana paper. I got brave and colored in the stitched leaves with water color. Talk about nerves…taking paint to a card that was already stitched and glued together. One slip of the bush and it would have been disaster!  After the last minute final touches I was very happy with how it turned out! Whew!



The green card with the black chimpanzee (see how versatile this stamp is?) didn’t need much embellishing either. That is the great thing about finding themed DP. It adds a lot to the card without needing too much embellishing. I wish I could tell you the name of the DP manufacturer but these were loose sheets from packs and not marked.



I am so glad that peek day is finally here! I usually post my cards as soon as I finish them. I did these just after Denise sent me the stamp...almost two weeks ago. The monkey is just so darned cute! I had do dive right in!

Thanks a whole “bunch” for “swinging” by to see what I have been “monkey’ing” around with lately! You all are “the bananas”! Sorry…I couldn’t help myself!

I would love it if you would leave a comment below and let me know which card you like best and why. Remember, you can click on the images to enlarge for better detail.

"Oh, for the love of CHOCOLATE!" Challenge

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SCROLL DOWN FOR THE BLOG CANDY BLOG!!!

Hi!
I know….you saw the word CHOCOLATE and it peaked your interest. Me too!
Over at Stamptacular Sunday Challenge, this week’s is anything to do with chocolate.
I had these cute little House Mouse chocolate lovers already painted up. I did a bunch of them about a year ago and did not use them all. Yes, I have quite a large stash of painted images! Painting is my favorite part and I go a little overboard sometimes!
When I saw what their challenge was, I knew instantly what I was going to make!
This is a candy bar wrapper. It is the perfect size for a 3.5 oz. Lindt bar…just happens to be my favorite! Hmmm.. how did that happen? .:)
The papers are Papertrey and K&Company.
I would love it if you would leave a note and let me know what you think. By the way…what is your favorite chocolate?
(Remember...you can click on the images to enlarge)

This Blog Candy is now Closed! Woo Hoo! I'm the Featured Artist @ "The Greeting Farm" Plus ~ BLOG CANDY SURPRISE!

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I brought this post back to the top so it would be easier for people to enter my blog candy give away. Please scroll down a couple for newer posts.

I am so excited to be featured! Marie sent me some awesome stamp sets to play with which made it very easy to create some fun cards!

To celebrate, I will be giving away 2 sets of surprise blog candy. I can't tell you what it is yet...it's a surprise silly! :) I can tell you that it will be well worth your time! I will have a random picker draw from the comments under this post and another from the comments under my feature blog @ "The Greeting Farm. I will post pictures of the candy and names of the winners here on my blog on May 30th.

If you are a friend of my blog, hugs to you and please go to "The Greeting Farm" blog and check out the article on me and my cards. Don't forget to leave a comment there about the article or my cards, not the candy, so I will know you were there and to be entered in the drawing.

If you came here from The Greeting Farm" blog...Thanks! I would love it if you would become a follower and leave a note below so I will know you were here, and to get a chance at the blog candy drawing. If you didn't leave a comment when you were @ "The Greeting Farm jump back and leave a comment there about the article or my cards, not the candy, to get in that drawing too.

Also I would be thrilled if you would post the "Surprise Candy" on your blog and link back to me! You can use my badge in the upper right hand corner of my blog instead of a candy picture if you would like. :) Sorry about no picture....it's still a secret! LOL!

Sneak Peeks at some of the candy. I will add to it through the month and divide it into 2 drawings. Check back every now and then for more peeks.


Everyone LOVES Nesties!

These ar really cool ink daubers. I bought one for myself and LOVE it! It has 48 different colors of ink!!!!

If you would like to check out all of the cards in my archive, including all of my "TGF" cards, CLICK HERE to be able to scroll them all more easily.

Here is an updated photo of the candy collection to date. I will still be adding to it. I know it is hard to see everything that is in it...I guess that will be the surprise part since I keep spilling the beans! LOL. Remember..it will be split into two drawings so you get 2 chances at some of the goodies! Keep checking back. I will update this picture when I get more stuff! :)



Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs your way!

Woo hoo! I am officially the newest "Crafty Friend" for "Cuddly Buddly"

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I am sooooo excited!
Please click HERE to visit the store.
Here to see my profile in the 'Meet the Team" page.
HERE to see the digi gallery.
HERE to see the rubber stamp gallery.
Kim has already put some of my cards in there too.
Check out the awesome watermarks she adds to the images!

Hey...if you visit the galleries...don't forget to leave a comment on my cards!
Thanks guys! I think all of my followers are just too awesome! You are always so supportive and sweet!
Hugs,
True :)

"Whimsy" Flower Power Frog Card

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Hello!
Glad you dropped in!
This card was made with another of those too darn cute “Whimsy” stamps.
I made it for the latest “Whimsy Challenge”. It is “Flower Power”. You should go check it out!
I used my all time favorite cardstock…Bazzill Dots, for the card base. The coral colored CS is “core’dinations, and the beautiful DP is “DCWV”.
This little guy is popped from the background a couple of times. Just don’t know what I would do without my trusty, tiny detail scissors!
Notice the color coordinating again! I just can’t help myself! Froggy’s eyes and the water match the base and Nestie frame, his belly matches the pink flower. The lily pad matches the green flower and rectangular base paper. And the frog himself matches the faux stitching in the green base. I am starting to think I am OCD about color coordinating! Anyone else have that problem? ;)
Anywhoooo….thanks again for stopping by and if you have time, I would love it if you leave a comment. Even just to say “Hi” so I will know you were here! 

Cuddly Buddly Bear Card

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Hello!
Glad you dropped by!
This card was made with a "Cuddly Buddly" stamp. I love their digi images but with their rubber stamps I am able to match the exact colors I want to my choice of papers.
This little guy was water colored (in small circular motions for texture) then popped several times. His balloon has been hit with "Stickles" and then "Crystal Effects".
.

The ribbon was done with shimmering watercolors to give it a satin effect. I used white acrylic paint for the dots on his feet, tie and ears.
Remember...you can click on the pictures for a closer view of the details

The papers are "Stampin Up" and "DCWV".
Want to see more pictures? Check them out on my eBay auction...HERE.
Please leave a note to let me know what you think and so I will know that you were here! ;)

Sugar Nellie Cat and Mouse Card

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Hello friends!
Tonight I am showing my very first "Sugar Nellie" card. They have some super cute images but I have never bought any...until now. I bought about a dozen so look for more to come! :)
I used DCWV and Bazzill Dots paper. I thought I would do it in pastels to give contrast to the black kitty.
Please leave a note and let me know what you think. :)

"Yorkie" Pig Card

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Hi and Happy Mother's Day!
I made a card this afternoon with another one of those cute "Whimsy" stamps.
Most pigs are pink but I decided to color this lil' guy like a Yorkshire just to be different!
I found this really cute "Memory Box" designer paper that made a nice backdrop for the image. Other papers I used are Bazzill Dots and core'dinations.
I managed to fit it into 3 challenges! Cafe' Mojo has a tool challenge to use stamps. That was an easy one! :) Colour Crate and "The Pink Elephant" had color challenges to use blues and greens.
Please let me know what you think. :)

Another Mother's Day Card

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Hello All!
I hope your weekend is off to a good start. I spent the entire morning in the front gardens. I have been trying to plant flowers for 3 weeks now but it has rained cats and dogs the last two. I finally got it done! Woo hoo!
I also had to make time to finish another Mother's Day card. Nothing like waiting for the last minute huh? The hard part will be trying to figure out which one to give to my mom and which to my mother-in-law. ;)

This card was made with another "The Greeting Farm" stamp. It is from the "Fancy Fleurs" set. The papers are Bazzill Dots and Basic Grey.
Please leave a note and let me now what you think. :)

BTW...Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommies who dropped by!

I am sooo excited! Toot toot!

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I found this awesome pair of ladies that just started a new digi stamp company. They are Dee and Robin and they have some cute cute cute digis! They had an open call for their very first Design Team and I was lucky to be one of the girls chosen to represent!
Please go check out what they have to offer so far and check back often because there is much more to come!

"Peaches" Whimsy Turtle

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Hello All!
Hubby and I went fishing today but I still managed to squeeze in some crafting time.
I used one of my favorite "Whimsy" stamps to create this all occasion card in peach and green. I don't know how many turtles have peach shells in real life but it looks kind of cute on this one.
The papers are Bazzill Dots, core'dinations, and Basic Grey.
Please leave a note and let me know what you think. :)

Mother's Day Card for a Friend

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Hello! Hope you all are having a great weekend!
A friend of mine asked if I could make him a special card for his wife's first Mother's Day. She likes pink and brown and Gerber daises. This is his favorite picture of the two of them. She was a sweet little bunny for Halloween. The hardest part about this card was learning Photo Shop! I had really never used it before. The background in the original picture was very dark paneling with a lamp and other distractions. I got rid of all of that, added a gradient, and tuned it into black and white except for Mom's gorgeous blue eyes and baby's painted on pink bunny nose.
I hope they like it!
The designer papers are K&Company and My Mind's Eye.
Please let me know what you think. :)