Top Dog Dies + The Twinery Blog Hop

This is post 1 of 2 for me today...click HERE for my Poppy Sketches post.

Hello and Welcome to Day one of the Top Dog Dies and The Twinery Blog Hop!  

Prizes:  The Twinery will be giving away a sampler pack of twines ($25 retail value) and Top Dog Dies will be giving away $50 in exclusive dies from Top Dog Dies.

You should have arrived here from the The Twinery Blog, if not, you'll want to start there because that is where it all begins!  Here's a listing in case you get lost along the way:

The Twinery 

Top Dog Dies

Amy T
Amy W
Giovana
Katie
Karen
Renee
Nicole
Wendy Sue

Here's a peek at the new release:

Laurel Lace Border Die

Alaina Lace Border Die

Pretty Petals Die Set

Decorative Corners Die Set

Here's a smidge about The Twinery:

"The Twinery's twine is made from 100% cotton (and some of our twine is twisted with gorgeous metallic string!) and made in the USA. Whether you're gift wrapping, crafting or tying up baked goods to give to a friend, our baker's twine adds a fresh, yet nostalgic look to any project at hand! Our baker's twine comes in an assorted array of delicious colors and is uniquely twisted against a bright white hue, creating an eye-popping burst of color and a creative embellishment!   Our twine has lots of color which lends to a fun, candy-striped look."

Today I will be featuring the two border dies.  I used the Decorative Corners Die set last week in THIS card.  I'll be featuring the Pretty Petals Die set this Thursday.

In my first card I used the Top Dog Dies Alaina Lace Border Die and 

The Twinery Natural

I definitely tend to gravitate towards solid twine because I generally use quite a bit of patterned paper.  

cardstock:  PTI  paper:  authentique anchored  other:  Top Dog Dies Alaina Lace Border Die, The Twinery Natural

Isn't the new Alaina Lace Border gorgeous?  So pretty and intricate!

Next up is a card that uses the Top Dog Dies Laurel Lace Border Die and

The Twinery Peapod

The Laurel Lace Border Die is my favorite.  I love the pattern and the tiny botting along the top border. 

cardstock:  pti  paper:  authentique anchored stamps:  Verve  ink:  zing white other:  Top Dog Dies Laurel Lace Border die, Paper Accents vellum, american crafts glitter tape, The Twinery Peapod

The Twinery Peapod is my all time favorite green twine.  I love it teamed up with the Authentique Anchored collection.  Doesn't it seem 80's preppy?

That's it for me!

Now hop on over to 

Amy Wanford's Blog

Make sure you check back at Top Dog Dies and The Twinery on Tuesday & Wednesday for more hoppin' fun!

Ribbon Carousel: xoxo

Howdy!

I have exciting news...I've joined the Ribbon Carousel Crew!

Super excited, and thrilled to be part of such a talented team!  Check it out HERE.

Here's the new challenge:

 There are only three (3) rules you must follow to be eligible for the prize:

1. You MUST use ribbon, twine, thread, washi tape or anything that comes on a spool on your creation 
2. Your project must be based on the theme of the month. 
3. You must add a NEW project to the INLINK and link directly back to your project on your blog or online gallery. 

Here's how I was inspired:

Pinterest to the rescue:

Here & Here

I managed to use 2 different washi's and of course, twine!

I've been wanting to do the Lasso type technique with twine and if you look at the first picture, you can see my second washi, polka dot.  It is used to hold down the twine.  The vellum panel is adhered with zig zag pink stitching.

I can't wait to see how you're inspired by the challenge.

Make sure you check out the Ribbon Carousel blog for more inspiration!

the best day ever...

My Boss had a baby girl this week!

All the paper is from Amy Tangerine's Ready Set Go collection...that grid paper is upcycled packaging from the collection...I adore that canvas ellie!

It's been much too long since I last inked up The Craft's Meow stamps...

I managed to use 2 sets on my card

Good Times

and

Vintage Rides

Love Nina's sketch for this month!

I finished off my card with some goodness from The Twinery....

hello.

Thursday.

Here's a card I whipped up this morning:)

I'm on a mission to completely'ish use a whole collection.  I tend to buy collections...not just the paper or the stamps but, well, the collection.  This it my 2nd card from the Amy Tangerine Ready Set Go line....HERE'S my first.  I bought all that Two Peas had on Thanksgiving...I love the contrast of the green stitching.

The wooden flag is Jillibean...funny story about that purchase.  I bought a load of them on Thanksgiving from the Jillibean site.  Well, I think it was a combo of user error and site overload but I ended up accidentally purchasing x 2.  Ummmm, when I said I was buying a load of them, I was and I certainly didn't need a double load of them.  So I quickly sent an email apologizing but letting them know my order may have gone twice but I only wanted the one order....THEE Jill answered...on Thanksgiving....how's that for Customer Service?

My card was inspired by 

Case Study

...gotta love Windy Robinson!

Evidently I've been crafting in the wee hours of the morning now...when I get home from work I'm just too drained to craft.

In case you missed it, I posted the winner of the Sebastian card drive HERE.  Really excited to see that there will be a total of 30 cards going out to Sebastian....thanks to everybody for participating!!!!

Here's a little Paper Issues Sneak Peek...

Times Square is the name of December's Low Cal Kit 

It posts Friday, December 14th @ Midnight Eastern! 

peace and serenity

I've been challenging myself to design Christmas cards using non-holiday oriented paper....whaddya think?

A combo of Jenni Bowlin {paper} and Melissa Frances {flashcard}.

I used Maraschino ala The Twinery for a pop of color.

I was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketch: 

I haven't played along with those gals in awhile...trying to get back into the sketch challenges!

Remember that the current Paper Issues challenge is

Holiday Happy

Pop over to the Paper Issues blog for all the deets!

Thanks for stopping by and can I get a big Woot Woot for a short work week?

good coffee co.

I was able to make 2 Cameo cards for this week....here's the second one, first:)

Chock full of goodness, eh?

Pink & Green

{love that combo!}

Chevron

Strawberry Twine

Coffee theme

Impress card blanks

I'm slowing learning to do some things with the Cameo, more based on trial and error.  I need to login to the Studio Calico Cameo class, I've just been too busy....

So for you Cameo experts, please leave me your favorite Cameo tip!

small gang

Happy Sunday!

I have a tag card for you today:

I'm pretty sure that everyone that has been following me for a while knows how much I love tags...I covered this one with Freckled Fawn Pink Classic Airmail.  The card base is Stampin' Up Barely Banana.

The sentiment is from Mama Elephant's 

Good Times

Dontcha just love the sentiments?

Just a reminder that Paper Issues has teamed up with Unity Stamps!

We want to celebrate Pink and all that it stands for
so our newest theme is "Believe In Yourself".

Unity will be giving away $50 worth of stamps to 3 winners!!!!
All you have to do to win is:
1. Like Unity on Facebook
2. Like Paper Issues on Facebook
3. Leave a comment on all the blogs in the hop
4. Leave a comment in this post that you did everything
5. Link up a project here for a Bonus entry!
A winner will be chosen on November 3

Check out the Believe in Yourself kit...available in the Paper Issues Shop!

Remember...

Use Code Amy12 for 20% off of your Paper Issues goodies!!!!

**Garage Sale**

You might remember me mentioning having a Garage Sale yesterday.  

I had a $200 sales goal...the weather definitely did NOT cooperate with me...unfortunately, it was cold and rainy.  I had some diehard garage salers stop by and even some repeat customers.  I'll just say that I made more than 50% of my sales goal and it was a LONG 5 hours.

I took a quick powernap and then met up with my friends for Glass Blowing...

I thought I'd share a couple pictures:  

I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I've always wanted to try Glass Blowing out.  We each picked a project to make and then picked the colors that we wanted.  I upgraded my project to a 'larger' pumpkin.  Although it might sound boring I decided on a clear pumpkin with the stem being a metallic coppery color.

A big shout out to our friend Christina that so kindly put together the event for us...gotta love Groupons!

In case you're going to ask, we did the actual Glass Blowing...and I was able to help shape the glass but the professionals did everything else....

The Play Date Cafe: Ticket to Ride!

Hello and Welcome to The Play Date Cafe #154!

This is a super special challenge because it is also The Play Date Cafe's 3rd Anniversary Celebration!

Big Ginormous Congrats!!!!!!!!

f l a m e   g r a p e   m u l b e r r y

My methodology of color challenges is to go to my patterned paper stash first to see what I have...then embellies...then ink/stamps.  Throw in the fact that I'm not a purple girl, I was starting to sweat fret.

Here's what I came up for this week:

I'm a huge fan of giving gift cards so this will be going to a nice home soon.

I used The Craft's Meow 

Life is a Carnival set

{hi girls!!!}

I ♥ my Memento Dew Drops

L a d y   B u g

G r a p e   J e l l y

S w e e t   P l u m 

Get ready to party over at The Play Date Cafe!!!!

It's a 5-Day Celebration over at The Play Date Cafe!!  You'll want to stop by The Cafe each day for new inspiration, more prizes & surprises!  Remember The Play Date Cafe Facebook page & Twitter:

 @The PDCC

There will be random giveaways there too!!!

Prizes!  There will be multiple prizes available...be sure to check The Play Date Cafe blog for the deets!

Check out the new 'I Play' badge...post it on your blog and link it to The Cafe....there will be random prizes for peeps!

Alumni Guests!  The Cafe will be welcoming back many of the alumni designers!

Have you seen the all NEW look over at The Play Date Cafe?!!!  It's pretty spectacular...fresh AND fun!!!!

The Craft's Meow September Previews: Day One!!

This is post 1 of 2 for today...make sure you check out my EAD Designs/Action Wobbles Blog Hop post!

Hello and Welcome to The Craft's Meow September Previews!

Today we are previewing 

Vintage Clocks 

{stamp illustrator:  NinaB}

This is going to be a fabulous 'go-to' set that will work for both masculine & feminine cards!

I always LOVE Nina's delicate details, don't you?

Makes sure you see all of the fab sneaks over on The Craft's Meow Store Blog!

Want a chance to win Vintage Clocks?  All you have to do is leave a comment on the Vintage Clocks post over on The Craft's Meow Store Blog by 9:00 pm pacific tonight to be eligible.  The winner will be announced on tomorrow's post over on The Craft's Meow Store Blog!

EAD Designs Blog Hop: What's up

Hello!

Welcome to the EAD Designs Blog Hop!

(it officially starts at 7 am pacific}

You should have arrived here from spectacular Shellye's blog

Papered Cottage

If not, you'll want to start at the beginning of the hop which is the EAD Designs Blog.  You don't want to miss out on any of the fun OR freebies!  Each week one lucky hopper wins a prize!

It's been awhile since I've ordered new goodies from EAD Designs...this is the time peeps...there are TONS of new goodies in the store!!!!  Recently, Rose,  my bloggie friend and EAD Designs Teamie, posted a fabulous Mason Jar card and well, I just had to jump on the bandwagon because you all know how much I love Mason Jars!

I used the new

Fall Friends Stickerz

and

yup

Mason Jars Stickerz

I was inspired by the latest retro sketch:

retro sketches #28

...thrilled to see I was one of the retro sketches shout outs from last week!

and I was also inspired by

CAS-ual Friday

The orange panel has been dry embossed with polkas:)

Funny story about this particular card...did you notice it is on a kraft base?  I haven't been using kraft bases lately and the design was originally on a white base until the kids decided it would look better on kraft:)

Okay, now scoot on over to Jenn's blog

Double N Designs