Late again...

the story of my life!  Today's Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge is a fabulous sketch from Frances!  We'd love for you to play along.   If you do, be sure to leave a link to your creation on the Paper Pretties blog.

I made a card for today's challenge but unfortunately, I mailed it off without taking a photo...I hate when I do that. 

Be sure to check out the Paper Pretties blog for the sketch and a look at the amazing cards made by the design team!

I hope you all have a great day!

Blog Candy Winner...

Our vacation has really thrown off my schedule.  I just realized that I hadn't picked a winner for my Cystic Fibrosis Fundraising blog candy. 

First off...before I post the winner, I want to thank every single one of you who donated!  It means so much to me!

With that said....the random grand prize winner of my blog candy is....
JACKIE RAKOSKI!

Congrats Jackie!

The random winner of a Paper Pretties stamp set is.....
DEBBIE B!

Congrats Debbie!

Everyone else who donated...I have some happy mail to send you too!

I need everyone who donated to email me your mailing address to hlrcrafts at hotmail dot com.

Thank you everyone for you kindness and generosity!  I will be doing this again next spring with hopefully even bigger and better blog candy!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  It is time for another fabulous Paper Pretties challenge.  The challenge this week is to make a birthday card. We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to post a link to your card on the Paper Pretties blog!

For my card this week, I went back to my all-time favorite CAS card layout.  I have used this layout SO many times.  I used the set HAPPY DAYS.

 Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are all having a fantastic week!

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser Blog Candy!

This post will remain at the top of my blog until May 19th.  Please scroll down to see current posts.

EDITED:  I am extending the deadline for donating until Tuesday May 24th.  I will post the winner of the candy on Wednesday May 25th.


I FINALLY got a few moments to take some pictures of my Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser blog candy!

I'm reposting the CF Fundraiser blog candy details today.  If you donate, you can leave a comment on either this post or the original post.

Here are the details again:

If you have been a follower of my blog for a while you probably remember that I have done a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser blog candy the past few years.  Well...it is time to do it again!!!!!
My good friend Chava (who I've known for over 30 years) has a 3 1/2 year old son, Alex. Shortly after Alex was born he was diagnosed with having Cystic Fibrosis. For those of you unfamiliar with CF here is a brief description:
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.


Here is where my blog candy challenge comes in... Chava is participating in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides walks in Des Moines, IA on May 21st. Her fundraising goal is $500. Nearly 90 cents of every dollar raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation you can visit there site HERE.

I'd LOVE  to help Chava reach her fundraising goal.  Along with selling the EASTER BABIES set to raise money, I'd like to help out a little more. I am offering a chance at some REALLY AWESOME blog candy to anyone who donates.   You can donate $1 or more. (FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES - YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE). All you need to do for a chance at the blog candy is go to Chava's CF donation site HERE and place a secure donation (don't worry if your name doesn't show up on her donation list instantly, I've noticed that in some cases it takes several hours). If you would prefer to send a check instead of donating online you can mail a check made out to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) to Chava. Her address is: Chava Pocernich 514 NW Cindy Ln Ankeny, IA 50023. After you donate (either online or by mail), leave a comment on this post. You DO NOT need to tell me how much you donated. I just appreciate any help you can give! I'm keeping this blog candy open until Thursday May 20th at midnight CST, in hopes of helping her raise as much money as possible...I will pick a blog candy winner on Saturday May 21st (the day of the CF Great Strides Walk). Please help spread the word!! I'd love for any of you to mention my post on your blogs, the more exposure the better.

My blog candy for a cause gets better every year (IMO).  Here is what you have a chance to win this year:

Prize package is worth over $200!!!

* a $50 gift certificate to the Paper Pretties store  ($50 retail value)

* your choice of 10 digital images from the Paper Pretties store ($30 retail value)

* Dino Essentials Set, Bronto, Rex, Trike, Iggy and Terry stamps from Dustin's Dino's line of stamps at Paper Makeup Stamps (all mounted on EZ mount) ($32 retail value)

* Freckled Lemonade set from Paper Makeup Stamps (mounted on EZ mount) ($10 retail value)

* Solo snail, Cottage and 4 sentiment quotes (all unmounted rubber) ($10 retail value)

* 4 designs by Leere, clear stamps from Stampavie (Shopping Girl, Going Places, Bathing Beauty and Mother and Daughter) ($30 retail value)

*  Victoria Case Hearts and Hugs Summer Collection (sheet of unmounted rubber) ($34 retail value)

*  Chin Up Snowman from Firecracker Designs by Pamela (sheet of unmounted rubber) ($9 retail value)

*  {Tu-tu-rific} clear stamp set from Little Paper Shop (retail value $8)

*  Heidi Swapp edge distressor ($3 retail value)

*  3 misc The Angel Company stamps ($5 retail value)

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  It is time for another fun Paper Pretties challenge.  The challenge this week is to use flowers somewhere on your project.
We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to post a link to your card on the Paper Pretties blog!

For my card this week, I inked up my FAVORITE fairy image EVER....GARDEN FAIRY KATIE illustrated by Victoria Case.  I think she is absolutely gorgeous.  I fell in love with her the second I saw this image.  I actually had this card published in Scrap and Stamp Arts a couple months ago.

 

 Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Did you hear the EGG-citing news...

IT'S NANCY'S BIRTHDAY!!!

Nancy, I'm so lucky to have you on my design team and to have you as a friend.  I'm so glad our paths crossed so many years ago on SCS!  I hope you have a wonderful day!  Happy Birthday!

If you just joined in our blog hop, be sure to head back to the Paper Pretties blog and start at the beginning.  You won't want to miss a single stop!  If you arrived from Taylor's blog, you are on the right path!   Be sure to follow all the way to the end and leave some birthday love for Nancy!

Next stop in the hop is the blog of the amazingly talented ARTish!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

All of the new Paper Pretties May release sets are now available in the Paper Pretties store.  If you NEED graduation sets before the end of the month, be sure to order by Friday.  The Paper Pretties store will be closed from May 14th-24th.  All orders placed during this time will be shipped on May 25th.  Shipping delay will not affect digital image sales.

Happy Release Day!

Welcome to the Paper Pretties May release blog hop!  If you arrived here from Taylor's blog,  you are on the right path.  If not, be sure to head back to the Paper Pretties blog and start from the beginning!

All 5 of the May release sets are now available in the Paper Pretties store!  Reminder - The Paper Pretties store will be closed from May 14th - May 24th for inventory and some family time.  Any orders placed during that time will not ship until May 25th.  If you NEED a graduation set before the end of the month, be sure to order before Friday!

Along with being release day, today is also Wednesday (it also happens to be our wedding anniversary - Happy Anniversary to my wonderful, supportive husband!) which means it is time for a new Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge.  Our challenge this week is to add texture to your card.  We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to leave a link to your project on the Paper Pretties blog for a chance to win this week's prize.

For my card today, I used the set GRADUATION ZAC.

Here is a look at the inside of my card.

I'm the last stop in the hop.  Thanks for hopping along with us today!   We hope you enjoyed all of the fabulous creations! Have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday Janet!

I totally suck at being on time lately.   Sorry my post is late this morning.
Today we are celebrating the birthday of one of our Digi Prettie girls Janet with a fun birthday blog hop!  If you just joined the hop be sure to head back to the Paper Pretties blog and start from the beginning!  You won't want to miss a single stop!

Janet, I hope you have a terrific birthday!

Next stop in the hop is the blog of the talented ARTish!  Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you all have a great day!

Paper Pretties May Release Preview Day #3!

Happy Mother's Day!  I hope all everyone is having a great day!  Today is the Paper Pretties May release preview day #3!  We will be releasing 5 brand new stamp sets which will be available in the Paper Pretties store on Wednesday May 11th.   You can catch peeks of the new sets each day until Wednesday on the Paper Pretties blog!

One random lucky commenter on the Paper Pretties blog each preview day will win the set being previewed (so be sure to head on over there and leave a comment!). The winners from each preview day will be posted on the Paper Pretties blog on Wednesday. As in previous months, we will still have a inspiration filled blog hop on release day.

• Join us for our release Blog Hop this Wednesday 12 AM EST 11th May, starting on the Paper Pretties Blog.
• New Release Stamps available in the Paper Pretties Boutique on Wednesday May 11th.
• Don’t forget to check out the Paper Pretties Blog each day to see all of the fabulous previews.

Today's preview set is called GRADUATION LILY and is illustrated by the amazing Victoria Case!

Due to my extreme lack of stamping time lately, I went with a nice CAS layout for today's card. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!  Be sure to check out the Paper Pretties blog every day though Wednesday for chances to win the May preview sets!

Paper Pretties May Release Preview Day #1

Today I am super excited to share with you the first of our Paper Pretties May release peeks with you. We will be releasing 5 brand new stamp sets which will be available in the Paper Pretties store on Wednesday May 11th.   You can catch peeks of the new sets each day until Wednesday on the Paper Pretties blog!

One random lucky commenter on the Paper Pretties blog each preview day will win the set being previewed (so be sure to head on over there and leave a comment!). The winners from each preview day will be posted on the Paper Pretties blog on Wednesday. As in previous months, we will still have a inspiration filled blog hop on release day.

• Join us for our release Blog Hop this Wednesday 12 AM EST 11th May, starting on the Paper Pretties Blog.
• New Release Stamps available in the Paper Pretties Boutique from Wednesday 12 AM EST 11th May.
• Don’t forget to check out the Paper Pretties Blog each day to see all of the fabulous previews.

The set being featured today is called "Handy Man" and it is illustrated by Victoria Case. This is a super fun set for the men in our lives.

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a great weekend!  Be sure to check out the Paper Pretties blog every day though Wednesday for chances to win the May preview sets!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge

Happy Wednesday!  It is time for another fun Paper Pretties challenge.  It is the first Wednesday of the month which means a FABULOUS sketch from Frances!
We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to post a link to your card on the Paper Pretties blog!

I inked up both BIRTHDAY BOY and SWEET 16  for today's card.  This sketch is a lot of fun!

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check back on Friday for the first Paper Pretties May release preview!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  It is time for another fun Paper Pretties challenge.  The challenge this week is Paper Piercing!  Grab your piercing tool and have fun!
We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to post a link to your card on the Paper Pretties blog!

Before I share my card this week I want to post a huge THANK YOU to a few of our DT members that are leaving us at the end of this month.  First off we have had 2 amazing guest DT members, Michele and Alaine, for the past 2 months.  It has been fabulous working with you two ladies.  Thanks for playing with us the past 2 months.  Next off we have a couple of our permanent DT members who are leaving us to spend more time with their families, Cindy Haffner and Pam Varnell.  Cindy and Pam both joined the Paper Pretties team last year when I bought Paper Pretties.  They are both absolutely AMAZING stampers and they are going to be greatly missed.  I am so sad to see them go, but I completely understand the value of spending time with family.  Thank you ladies for everything you have done for myself and Paper Pretties!

My card this week is dedicated to all of my DT...current, past and future.  Thank you for everything you do for me!  I couldn't do this without you!

I hope you all having a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday Cindy and Dominique!!!

Happy Easter!  I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!  Today we are celebrating the birthdays of two of our awesome DT members, Cindy and Dominique!  Both of these ladies are incredible stampers and I am SO blessed to have them on the Paper Pretties DT!
If you arrived here via Michele's blog, you are on the right path.  If not, be sure to head on over to the Paper Pretties blog and start at the beginning.  You won't want to miss a single thing!

Happy Birthday Cindy and Dominique!  
I hope you both have a wonderful day!!!!

For my card today,  I inked up the new set RETURN OF CLUCK!  

Next stop in the hop is the blog of the incredibly talented ARTish!  Be sure to follow the hop all the way to the end to leave some love for our 2 birthday girls!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge

Happy Wednesday!  It is time for another fun Paper Pretties challenge.  The challenge this week is a color challenge:  Pink, Green, + 1 neutral.
We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to post a link to your card on the Paper Pretties blog!

For my card this week, I inked up EVERYDAY LILY.  I think Lily is such a beautiful image and I love the sentiment "Friends are the flowers in the garden of life"....so true!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a fabulous day! 

Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser!

Welcome to the Paper Pretties Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser blog hop!  If you arrived here from Delia's blog, you are on the right path.  If not, be sure to start at the Paper Pretties blog to make sure you don't miss any of the fabulous projects.  

Here is the blog hop list just in case you get lost along the way:

PP Blog
Frances Byrne
Jessica Fick
Kristine Reynolds
Kelly Collins
Amber Hillman
Jackie Rakoski
Jacquie Peifer
Delia Cruz  

Heather Lee-Reppen

I am so glad you joined us today.  Unfortunately due to some unexpected chaos in our life, I don't have a card to share today.  BUT...I still have some fun things to share, so keep reading...pretty please!  PLEASE read my entire post, even though it is long!  It is definitely worth reading to the bottom.

All of the cards in today's blog hop are made using the ADORABLE new digital image set EASTER BABIES from Paper Pretties.  All of the proceeds from the sale of this set (minus Paypal fees) will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation!  The entire digital set is only $7!  We've only sold 8 sets so far and I'd love to see that  number increase.   This set is full of super adorable digital images!  The possibilites are endless! 

As an added bonus today, buy the EASTER BABIES digital set and receive any single digital image from the Paper Pretties store for free.  Please add your choice of single digi to your cart and use promotional code: FREEDIGI when checking out.

If you have been a follower of my blog for a while you probably remember that I have done a Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser blog candy the past few years.  Well...it is time to do it again!!!!!
My good friend Chava (who I've known for over 30 years) has a 3 1/2 year old son, Alex. Shortly after Alex was born he was diagnosed with having Cystic Fibrosis. For those of you unfamiliar with CF here is a brief description:
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that: clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections; and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.


Here is where my blog candy challenge comes in... Chava is participating in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides walks in Des Moines, IA on May 21st. Her fundraising goal is $500. Nearly 90 cents of every dollar raised is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education. Research and care supported by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a huge difference in extending the quality of life for those with CF. To learn more about CF and the CF Foundation you can visit there site HERE.

I'd LOVE  to help Chava reach her fundraising goal.  Along with selling the EASTER BABIES set to raise money, I'd like to help out a little more. I am offering a chance at some REALLY AWESOME blog candy to anyone who donates.   You can donate $1 or more. (FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES - YOUR DONATION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE). All you need to do for a chance at the blog candy is go to Chava's CF donation site HERE and place a secure donation (don't worry if your name doesn't show up on her donation list instantly, I've noticed that in some cases it takes several hours). If you would prefer to send a check instead of donating online you can mail a check made out to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) to Chava. Her address is: Chava Pocernich 514 NW Cindy Ln Ankeny, IA 50023. After you donate (either online or by mail), leave a comment on this post. You DO NOT need to tell me how much you donated. I just appreciate any help you can give! I'm keeping this blog candy open until Thursday May 20th at midnight CST, in hopes of helping her raise as much money as possible...I will pick a blog candy winner on Saturday May 21st (the day of the CF Great Strides Walk). Please help spread the word!! I'd love for any of you to mention my post on your blogs, the more exposure the better.

Now for the fun stuff...

I have put together a FABULOUS blog candy package worth OVER $200.  I'm typing this post way past my bedtime so I'm not going to list everything right now but I promise it is FABULOUS.  I will take a picture and update this post with a list of the blog candy items on Friday after I get home from work.

To be entered in the blog candy giveaway all you need to do is go to Chava's Cystic Fibrosis donation site and donate...then come back here and leave me a comment and let me know that you donated.

As an extra bonus this year, I am going to do a 2nd drawing for those of you who post about our Paper Pretties EASTER BABIES set and about my blog candy for a great cause giveaway on your blog or FB page.  One lucky random person who helps us spread the news will win a Paper Pretties stamp set of your choice!

Be sure to check back to see the updated blog candy posting!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Paper Pretties April Release Blog Hop

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Welcome to the Paper Pretties April release blog hop!  If you arrived via Pam's blog, you are on the right path...if not, be sure to head back to the Paper Pretties blog and start at the beginning.  You won't want to miss a single project (my DT is AMAZING!).   All 4 fabulous new sets are now available in the Paper Pretties store!  Along with being release day, it is also time for a Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge!  The challenge this week is to use 2 or more different pieces of designer/patterned paper on your card! We'd love you to play along with us!  If you do be sure to leave a link to your project on the Paper Pretties blog.

I used the new set FUN QUOTES for my card.  I had so much fun playing around with my new distressing tool.  I absolutely love this quote.  The quotes in this set work perfect as a focal image on a card!

This is the last stop in the hop!  Thanks for joining us today!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Running behind...are you surprised?

LOL.  Running behind is the theme of my entire life right now.  Hopefully things will be back to the way there were before sometime soon! 
I know it is Thursday, but let's pretend it is Wednesday...and time for a Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge.  The challenge this week is a fabulous sketch from Frances!  We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to leave a link to your project on the Paper Pretties blog!

Here is the sketch:

 

For my card, I inked up a Sophia that I had never used before...Hola Chica Sophia.  I have no idea why she had never seen ink, she was SO fun to play with!

Thanks for stopping by and pretending that is it Wednesday!  I hope to have my blog candy for a cause posted SOON...but you know how things are with me...always running behind!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  The Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge this week is BRING ON THE BLING!  We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to post a link to your card on the Paper Pretties blog!

For my card this week, I used Lady Sophia.

I also wanted to mention that Paper Pretties is helping to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.  We have a super adorable DIGITAL IMAGE set called Easter Babies for sale.  All proceeds from the sale of the Easter Babies set (minus Paypal fees) will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.   The entire Digital set sells for only $7!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!  Along with selling the Easter Babies set, I will also be posting my annual BLOG CANDY FOR A GREAT CAUSE post soon.  I have some fabulous blog candy to give away this year.  Be on the lookout for in the next few day!

Happy Birthday Frances!!!!

Today is Prettie Girl Frances' birthday!  To celebrate, the Prettie Girls have put together an awesome birthday tribute blog hop.  If you arrived here via Dominique's blog, you are in the right place.  If not, be sure to head back to the Paper Pretties blog and start at the beginning. 

Frances, you are AMAZING!  I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate EVERYTHING you do for me!!!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday!

Next head on over to Jacquie's blog to see her fabulous creation.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you all have a great day!

Happy Wednesday!

The Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge this week is to use Spring as your inspiration for your card.  We'd love for you to play along!  If you do, be sure to leave a link to your creation on the Paper Pretties blog!

For my card this week, I used one of ARTish's adorable digi images, Pink or Blue,  along with a sentiment stamp from the set Everyday Sentiments.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!