Operation Safe and Sound

Hello friends,

I have a special post today.  A dear friend and fellow crafter, Christy's home was broken into about a week ago and a lot of their things were either destroyed or taken. Some things held such sentimental value that nothing will replace it.  

What makes our community so remarkable is that we are there for each other even though we can't physically be near our friends. These "people" violated her home, the place where we are supposed to feel the most safe, where we raise our children and where we sleep in peace. I can not even imagine what she is going thru or the loss she has endured.  Dealing with the police and insurance company has been and continues to be exhausting and frustrating for Christy and her family. She has been updating her facebook page with some details.

 Some of Christy's friends have come together to help. We are of course making cards for her because that's what we do, right? But ultimately, the expense of trying to get her family back on their feet will be somewhat of a strain. Imagine having to replace household items, necessities in our world all while trying to rebuild a sense of security that we all most times take for granted.
 
So, we're asking for your help. We've tried to make it convenient for you to help Christy and her family. There's a PayPal button on each of our blogs. We are asking that if its your heart's desire (or ability), that you donate whatever you can to help Christy and her family regain a sense of safety and security.  NOTHING is too small. Every little bit will make all the difference. Our goal is to raise $1,000 to help cover the costs of food, lodging and replacing at least some of the items taken.

If you're interested in seeing all of the cards, a full list of girls who are participating in the card drive  is available at the Lawnscaping Challenge blog & A Blog Named Hero"

Linda xx

Happy Birthday Michelle~!!

Hello!!

Today is our Design Team (over at ABNH) member Michelle's birthday!

Some of the girls (who were able to) made cards to celebrate--here is mine

Happy Birthday Michelle--may your day (and the year ahead) be as amazing as you are!

To see the rest of the cards, please visit the blog HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Linda xoxo

WINNER!! Simon Says Stamp Dies Blog hop

Hello hello!

Sorry I've been absent for a few days, my parents have been here staying with us and it's been crazy busy doing LOTS of things with them!

I'm so happy and excited to be here today to announce the winner of the Simon Says Stamp New Dies Blog Hop GIVEAWAY! (say that three times fast :))

A huge thank you to Heidi at Simon Says Stamp for asking me to be a part of the blog hop (SUCH a huge honour!) and (of course) for offering a prize to give away!

Obviously, a BIG BIG thank you to everyone who commented!!

The winner is.....*drumroll*

Elizabeth!!!

Congratulations Elizabeth!! YOU have won the die I chose as my favourite--The Star Border!!

I've emailed you :)

Thanks again to everyone for stopping by for the post and leaving so much support!

Linda xxx

Simon Says Stamp New Dies Blog Hop

Hello Hello!!


WELCOME to the Simon Says Stamp Blog Hop!!

I am SO super-duper-jumping-out-of-my-skin-with-excitement happy to be here today!!!

I hope you've been enjoying the hop, I know I have! If this is your first stop, then feel free to go back to the start HERE (at the Simon Says Stamp blog) so that you can see everyone who is involved in this fun event. (psst, be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a chance at a GIVEAWAY!!)

SO obviously by now you all are aware that Simon Says Stamp have released their very own line of steel dies!!! They. Are. GORGEOUS.


I made two projects for you today, and a video showing you how the second one (a layout) was put together.

Here is my first project, using both the Star Border die and the Brilliant and Strong dies

This card was SO simple to make--the dies did all the work!

To make the 'Brilliant' diecut stand out (even more), I cut it three times. The bottom layer, I coloured in with BG10 copic marker (to create a 'drop-shadow'), the next two were white cardstock, but the very top layer, I covered in Stardust Stickles :) SO pretty.

Here you can see the shimmer and dimension--up close, it looks just like a store bought embellishment rather than paper!

 For my second project (I couldn't stop at one...) I made a layout. As soon as I saw the Brilliant, Strong, Anything words, I knew what I wanted to do.

here is the layout for you--

 I made a (fairly quick :)) video showing you how the whole layout came together!

Well that's it from me for today--I could have made at least another TEN projects using these dies just off the top of my head, but thought I'd better let you get going onto the next person on the hop!

Don't forget to leave a comment, because one lucky reader will be randomly drawn to receive my favourite die, the STAR BORDER! How amazing is Heidi for offering up a prize PER blog on this hop?! She's a star!! (teehee, couldn't help myself)

Once you're done commenting, please go straight over to the beautiful Lorraine's blog, to see what amazing project she created!

Thank you so much for visiting!

sending you crafty smiles :)

Linda xx



Products I used:

Brilliant Card:

InLinkz.com

Brilliant, Strong, Anything Layout

InLinkz.com

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Glittery Thanks--inspired by Jennifer McGuire

Hello!!

The amazing fantabulous Jennifer McGuire posted a video HERE just yesterday and after I watched it (three times in a row), I hopped straight to my craft desk to whip this little number up.

i used picfx on my iphone to get the bokkah :)

Its nowhere near as cute as Jennifers, but it was so fun to make. I used some really cheap (and old) glitter that I had around, and I think it would be pretty easy to do a whole set of these.

The trick seems to be burnishing (rubbing very well) over the glitter once it's stuck down. I put a piece of paper over the top, then used my bone folder to do it. Worked a charm. Now very little of the glitter comes off if you rub your fingers over the card. I'm sure with the finer glitter Jennifer used, it would work even better.

Be sure to give it a try!

Thanks for looking :)

Linda xoxoo

InLinkz.com

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