Hello Stamplings,
Happy Monday morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! We had the twinsters and the time went by too quickly. Adam is still in good spirits as he deals with that cumbersome chest and neck brace. It won't be long before it is removed and we hopefully get the good news that he won't need surgery.
So what's happening here today is that I was delighted when my friend Rubeena asked me to be a part of the 4-year anniversary celebration of her delightful blog, A Rare Ruby!
So what's happening here today is that I was delighted when my friend Rubeena asked me to be a part of the 4-year anniversary celebration of her delightful blog, A Rare Ruby!
Ruby asked us to share why we craft and how much joy this hobby brings us. What a beautiful premise for a hop! Briefly, I started making cards back in 2002 because I was a person who loved sending greeting cards and I was spending a lot of money on cards. I thought making my own cards would be way cheaper. Oh, bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! My goodness, that makes me laugh so hard the tears run down my leg!
When I started making cards, my resources were Stampin' Up workshops and magazines. It wasn't until years later in 2011 that I discovered an entire Blogland community of like-minded card artists on the Interwebs. What a treasure trove of ideas! I stalked around a bit, as one does, and then I decided to launch my own blog. I never dreamed pushing that button to publish would be the start of endless inspiration, a wealth of knowledge, and a never-ending pool of friendships!
In truth, the order of those benefits of blogging should be in reverse for me because I find the friendships I have made to be the most precious and priceless. I made this QACAS card for the hop to reflect that:
When I started making cards, my resources were Stampin' Up workshops and magazines. It wasn't until years later in 2011 that I discovered an entire Blogland community of like-minded card artists on the Interwebs. What a treasure trove of ideas! I stalked around a bit, as one does, and then I decided to launch my own blog. I never dreamed pushing that button to publish would be the start of endless inspiration, a wealth of knowledge, and a never-ending pool of friendships!
In truth, the order of those benefits of blogging should be in reverse for me because I find the friendships I have made to be the most precious and priceless. I made this QACAS card for the hop to reflect that:
Using a linen card base, I brushed a Broken China background panel using a Tim Holtz stencil. You would think the little bits of china would have made it difficult, but it went on very easily. Then I embossed the front with a Cuttlebug e/f. Next, I die cut the NBUS word die, Zigged the little NBUS flower from MFT, and added them both. Of course, you-know-who added winking!
*ETA: A lot of you wrote to ask the name of the e/f I used, which I didn't know because I didn't have the packaging or I would have mentioned it. Some of you asked me to email to let you know, but you are "no reply" bloggers so I have no way of contacting you. Just for the heck of it, I did a Google search and tried "Cuttlebug branches" because it looks like branches and it popped right up! Whoot! The name is "Forest Branches" by Cuttlebug.
*ETA: A lot of you wrote to ask the name of the e/f I used, which I didn't know because I didn't have the packaging or I would have mentioned it. Some of you asked me to email to let you know, but you are "no reply" bloggers so I have no way of contacting you. Just for the heck of it, I did a Google search and tried "Cuttlebug branches" because it looks like branches and it popped right up! Whoot! The name is "Forest Branches" by Cuttlebug.
I've been blessed with many followers, and over 220 of them have become card pen pals. I've also been fortunate to meet many in real life from all over the United States, Canada, and Great Britain! It all happened one comment at a time and I highly recommend it! One comment to let another card artist know how much their art has inspired you leads to a response, which leads to another comment and before you know it, you've made life-long friends who are the kindest, most supportive friends you'll ever have! Mwah! Thank you to all my bloggie friends!
Challenges
- AAA Cards: Use a stencil.
- CAS(E) This Sketch!
- Color Throwdown
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I'm turning this over to Ruby, who I've been friends with since her first comment on my blog on January 16, 2015! Her talent and her blog are never-ending sources of inspiration! If you haven't met her, you are in for a treat! The same goes for the other ladies in the HOP! I hope you bookmark Ruby's post to return to it in the days ahead so you can meet all these new friends! You'll be blown away by their artistry!! Congratulations, Ruby!
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Welcome to my Crafting Anniversary 2-Day Blog Hop! This hop is epic with more than 70 guests and over $1,000 in sponsored prizes! Not only are we celebrating four years since I first discovered cardmaking but also crafting in general. This industry is made up of wonderful individuals who are creative, inspirational, kind, and incredibly supportive! Hop along so you can learn about why we create and how much joy it brings us!
GIVEAWAYS
In celebration of this anniversary, we have several amazing sponsors. Let’s thank them for their generosity! Winners will be randomly selected from comments left on all the blogs. The winners will be announced by Wednesday, September 5 on this page. Winners will have up to 2 weeks to contact Rubeena at ararerubycrafts@gmail.com to claim their prize before another winner is selected.
Studio Katia - $50 gift card
Hello Bluebird - $50 gift card
Altenew - $50 Gift card
Pinkfresh Studio - $30 gift card
Gina K. Designs - $50 gift card
Clearly Besotted - $35 gift card
Simon Says Stamp - $25 gift card
Spellbinders - Card Kit
Jennifer McGuire - $50 Simon Says Stamp gift card
winnie & walter - $40 gift card
Mama Elephant - $25 gift card
Hero Arts - $25 gift card
Nichol Spohr - Custom-sewn rainbow pencil case filled with brand new Spellbinders' dies
Danielle Flynn - $25 Simon Says Stamp gift card
Picket Fence Studios - four $25 gift cards
BLOG HOP
Darnell Knauss - you are here!
Maria Peters (Instagram)
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Enjoy your day! No, seriously, enjoy! LITS!*
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!
As always, thank you for coming by to visit the Playhouse and special thanks to you if you take the time to join as a follower! Please let me know you came by so I can be sure and return the flavor!
*Life is too short!
To open the pop-up comment box that let's you jump to the end w/o scrolling: Click CTL + Home. Click the Home tab under my blog banner which resets the post. Click Page Down to reach the end of the post. Click Comments and a pop-up box opens. Click "Jump to Comment Form" and wallah, no more car pool tunnel! Mwah! (p.s. If you ask me a question in your comment, please remember to leave me your email address so I can respond. Thank you!)
