A Crafty Pay It Forward Challenge

I'm so happy to have the time to catch up on blog reading the last few days ... I've missed so much! Fun summertime artwork, challenges, photo shares, recipes, book reviews .... and this wonderful little gem I came across on Tuesday over at NJ Stamping Queen:

Remember this? ..... now who didn't love this movie ...





Well, this is a Pay It Forward Challenge with a homemade, crafty twist. I was one of the first three to comment at the NJ Stamping Queen post. I will receive a surprise handcrafted gift from Marie sometime between now and August 2013. How fun could that be?

If you'd like to participate in this Pay It Forward Challenge, here's how it works:

1. I will make a little something for the first 3 people who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and may arrive at any time in the next 365 days (yes, a year).

2. To sign up to receive a gift from me you must play along, too. Share the giving love on your blog by promising to send a handmade goodie to the first 3 people who comment on your blog post.

3. You MUST have a blog.

4. After commenting on my post, you have to post this (or similar) on your blog to spread the love. If you haven’t posted in 48 hours then the next commenter will be chosen. If you want to join in, just comment below and if you’re one of the first 3 I’ll send you something before the end of August next year! Can’t wait to hear from you!

**Make sure you leave an email address so that I can contact you if you are one of the first three to comment!

I LOVE crafty-fun surprises ... how about you?

Thanks for stopping by and Good Luck!

Sharing Inspiration

I want to share some lovely cards I've received recently from my endlessly talented CTMH Team Leader, Brenda Rose

Hugs via snail-mail!
How about that for job benefits?

She keeps each and every team member motivated and inspired not only with her art, but with her kind and generous spirit. Everytime one of us achieves a goal, participates in a team challenge, or just needs a little "happy bump", we find one of these in our mailbox!

No. Its not my birthday but you can bet I'll be making some of these to give away!
This card features some wonderful techniques. A must-see up-close!

Dotty for You papers and Stamp of the Month
What a combo!

Cruisin' paper and Stamp of the Month
Love this idea for a guy or grad card!

These cards were all created using Close To My Heart products. You can see the full line-up HERE.

P.S. If you've ever considered becoming part of a CTMH Team, I encourage you to contact me and I'll be happy to share the how-tos with you!

Thanks Brenda Rose .... you truly are an incredibly awesome CTMH Team Leader and friend!

{comment are always welcome} ....

Oh Baby!

I love that {creativity} takes on many forms! If you missed this on today's MSN news feed, check it out by clicking on the link under the picture. It's a happy place! .... just sayin' ..... 

http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

Blogland Inspiration

I've had some time in the last couple of days to catch up on my blog reading. I want to share some great ideas and fabulous inspiration from just two of the many, many talented paper crafters out there .....

From the Ella Publishing Co Blog: This adorable mini album caught my eye immediately ....

http://www.ellapublishing.com/blog/teresa-moon/chipboard-mini-photo-book

From Practical Scrappers: I know most of my retreat friends own the Creative Memories cutting system so you'll love this card!

http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2011/12/december-8th-ribbon-wreath-card.html

There are TONS of incredible blogs to read in practically any area of interest.You DO NOT have to operate a blog of your own in order to access or subscribe to blogs. There are a number of RSS readers out there (I prefer Google's) that allow you to get daily updates and feeds from the blogs you want to follow. Think of it as an e-newspaper. You get the headline, and if you want to see the entire article, just click on the link. Otherwise, you can pass it by and move on down the list until something grabs your attention.

Just for fun, here's a starter list
*** WARNING! *** .... one blog will lead to another, and another, and another..... Kind of like that whole "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" sort of thing!

Angie Lucas: http://www.angielucas.com/yeahwrite/
Brenda Rose: http://roseblossomlegacies.blogspot.com/
Cathy Zielske: http://cathyzielske.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Cricut Chick: http://cricutchick.blogspot.com/
Crystal Wilkerson: http://www.crystalwilkerson.com/blog
Jeanette Lynton: http://www.jeanettelynton.com/

Tiffany Tillman: http://simplytiffanystudios.com/blog/
Wendy Smedley: http://wendysmedley.typepad.com/possibilities/

Click here to go to a list of Challenge Blogs: http://ididnthavepotatoes.blogspot.com/p/challenge-blogs.html

Go .... be inspired .... and have a lovely day!

As always: comments are welcome and appreciated.

Portable Education

Here's a really great article on how to use different, or other-than 4x6, photos on your pages and layouts.
http://www.paperclipping.com/printing-unusual-photo-sizes-how-do-you-choose/

While you're at Paperclipping, check out the other great articles and videos Noell Hyman has to offer.Go here for free videos!  If you like what you see, check out the Paperclipping Roundtable podcasts, or become a Paperclipping member and gain full access to Noell's fabulous video collection! Best part .... you can access all the her stuff through iTunes if you wish.... you can't beat portable education! Believe me, this gal knows her stuff!

Lights...Camera....(photo) Action!

It's no secret .... one of my favorite blogs belongs to Ella Publishing. I love how they touch on just about every aspect of this sport we call papercrafting.

If you've been looking for ways to improve or alter the appearance of the photos you use, today's post is a really good one. Diana Chen talks about photo actions ..... just pass'in it along!

http://www.ellapublishing.com/blog/diana-chen/add-another-dimension-your-scrapbook-pages-free-photo-effects

Scrapbooking ideas, photo tips, journaling help, and more—it’s all right here! You’ve found the world’s top source for scrapbooking eBooks, which you can read on your computer or iPad or print for your inspiration collection. Also enjoy our FREE weekly eZine and daily blog