Happy Release Day!

Welcome to the Paper Pretties August release blog hop!  If you are just joining the fun, be sure to head back to the Paper Pretties blog and start from the beginning... you won't want to miss a single project.

It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the new and improved Paper Pretties.  Seems like just yesterday I was sitting in my basement overwhelmed by the boxes of inventory that I had to sort through when I first took over.  I remember how excited I was to get our first new clear stamps back from the manufacturer.  I am so lucky to be working with such incredibly talented illustrators as well as having an absolutely amazing design team.  I couldn't keep this going without you guys...thanks for sticking with me and believing in me.   I want to thank all of you who continue to support me in this endeavor.  I think we have come a long way in the past 12 months.  Thank you!

With that being said...all 8 FABULOUS new sets are now available in the Paper Pretties store!

I forgot to mention that along with it being release day, it is also Wednesday which means it is time for a Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge.  The challenge this week is to use die cuts on your project.
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 my card this week, I used the newly released set PARTY POLLY!  I ADORE all of our Polly images drawn by Victoria Case.  They always put a smile on my face!

I'm the last stop in the hop!  Thank you so much for stopping by today!  All of the new stamps are now available in the Paper Pretties store...Happy Shopping!

Happy Birrthday Melissa!

Today we are blog hopping to celebrate the birthday of one of our Digi Prettie Girls...MELISSA CRAIG!  If you arrived here via Amber's blog you are in the right place.  If you are just joining us, be sure to head back to Frances' blog to start from the beginning.

Happy Birthday Melissa!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

For my card, I thought I would give you another preview of one of our August release sets,  HOLIDAY CHEERS I.   This set along with all of the August release sets will be available in the Paper Pretties store on Wednesday!  Be sure to check out the Paper Pretties blog everyday for peeks at all 8 new release sets!

The next stop in our birthday blog hop is the blog of Lynda Benden.  Be sure to hop all the way to the end and leave the birthday girl some love!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  It is the first Wednesday of the month which means an AWESOME sketch challenge from Frances!  We'd love for you to plan along. If you do, but sure to leave a link to your project on the Paper Pretties blog!

Here is this month's sketch:

I inked up PARTY GIRAFFE for the first time for today's card and I am absolutely in LOVE.  It is such a fun image to color!

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

No Marker Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  The Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge this week is to make a card or project using NO MARKERS!  It is time to dust off those colored pencils, crayons, inks...anything except markers!
We'd love for you to play along!  If you do, be sure to post a link to your creation on the Paper Pretties blog. 

I haven't used my Prismacolor pencils in FOREVER!  I was actually excited about NOT using markers!  I have never been very confident in my coloring ability but I really loved how HOLIDAY POLLY turned out!

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

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday! It is time for another Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge.  This week our challenge is EMBOSSING!  We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to link your project on the Paper Pretties blog!

Crazy as it seems...I actually have a card again this week.  I inked up SIMPLY SPECIAL.

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

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

It's Wednesday...the only day I blog nowadays, LOL.   It also means it is time for a new Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge.  This week is all about animals!  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.

We have a ton of super fun animal stamps in the Paper Pretties store.  For this week's challenge, I decided to ink up SMILE MONKEY.  I think this monkey is totally adorable!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I hope you are all enjoying your summer!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Happy Wednesday!  It is time for a new Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge.  It is the first Wednesday of the month so that means a FABULOUS sketch from Frances!  We'd love for you to play along with us!  If you do, be sure to leave a link to your creation on the Paper Pretties blog!

Here is this month's sketch:

Unfortunately I don't have a card to share with you this week.  Life just hasn't cooperated with me lately when it comes to finding time to stamp. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

Today's Paper Pretties challenge is to make a card or project using the colors Red, Yellow, Orange + 1 Neutral.  We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to leave a comment on the Paper Pretties blog!

As crazy as this is going to seem, I actually have a card for today (granted I made it almost 6 months ago when I actually had time to stamp.)
I used my favorite birthday "go to" set, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAMB.  I absolutely love this image.  It is fun and easy to color...great for those last minute birthday cards!  The HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAMB set comes with 1 main image and 7 sentiments, great for birthday or new baby cards!

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

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

This week the Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge is to create a white on white card. All layers of card or designer paper must be white.  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!


I hope you are all having a great start to your summer. 

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge!

The Paper Pretties Wednesday challenge this week is to make a single layer card.  We'd love for you to play along.  If you do, be sure to leave a comment on the Paper Pretties blog.
My bad luck continues this week.  I made a card...took photos...can't find them anywhere.  Go figure. 
Thanks for stopping by despite my serious lack of posts lately.  I hope you all have a great day.

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!