TEN YEARS!

Ten years ago today I very tentatively jumped into the world of blogging. TEN YEARS.... a whole decade! Where has the time gone???

That old saying "Time flies when you're having fun" couldn't be more true. I've been having a blast getting inky and sharing the results. It still boggles my mind that people actually visit my humble little blog. I am so grateful for it, and for the lovely comments that some of you leave. And especially when someone wants to CASE something I've created!

To celebrate this 10th Blogiversary, I'm giving away some blog candy. Because I love to color, and this is such a fun set for coloring, I'm giving away a brand new, unopened, Blossoming Basket bundle from Sale-A-Bration (a clear-mount stamp set plus the Basket Weave Dynamic TIEF) AND brand new, unopened, Watercolor Assortment 2 pencils to color it! (I use the Assortment 2 to color this card.)

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post before Friday, August 31st. I'll have a random drawing Friday night and announce the winner Saturday, September 1st.

Thank you all for following my blog; I can't wait to see what the next ten years bring!

Happy Blog-iversary

Today marks the 9th anniversary of my very first blog post! I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. I had no idea what I was doing back then, and still don't, but it's been a ton of fun, anyway!

Who could have predicted that I would be even more addicted to card-making than when I first started?! All credit for this happy, harmless addiction goes to my best friend forever, Barb. We have been BFFs since junior high and this year is our "golden anniversary", LOL. (Dang, how did THAT happen?!)

So, to my friends and followers who have stuck with me on this blogging journey, even if we have never met face-to-face, I just want to say that I love you (and coffee)! This card is for you!!!

Here's the "How To"
 Coffee cups: Coffee Break DP
 Greeting: Whisper White 1-1/4" x 1-3/4"
 Circles: Pool Party 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" and Whisper White 1-3/4" x 1-3/4"
 DSP strip: Coffee Break DSP 2" x 4-1/8"
 Mat: Early Espresso 2-1/8" x  4-1/8"
 Embossed background: Whisper White 4-1/8" x 5-3/8"
 Card base: Whisper White Thick 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored & folded at 4-1/4"

1. Emboss background with the Sparkle embossing folder and adhere to card base.
2. Die cut Pool Party cardstock with the second smallest circle in the Stitched Shapes Framelits, and Whisper White with second smallest circle in the Layering Circles Framelits.
3. Adhere DSP strip to mat and circles to DSP.
4. Wrap Pool Party Shimmer Ribbon 1/2" from bottom, adhering ends to back. Attach to card front.
5. Stamp greeting using Early Espresso ink and fussy-cut the heart. Attach with dimensionals.
6. Die cut coffee cups from DSP using the coordinating die in the Coffee Cups Framelits. Attach with dimensionals.

Product List

Coffee Café Photopolymer Bundle

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Coffee Break Designer Series Paper

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

Big Shot

Sparkle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

Layering Circle Framelits Dies

Pool Party 3/8" Shimmer Ribbon

Stampin' Dimensionals

The One That Didn't Make It

I wasn't planning on posting anything today, but I just had to share this project.  It was going to be for the Holiday Mini Blog Hop,  but I thunka sumpin' more better, so I'm showing you this today.  It's a travel tic-tac-toe game!  I inked just the center grid of the new Bingo Card stamp (120851, available 9/1) and stamped it on some Candy Cane Christmas DSP (120809, also available 9/1), then adhered it to a piece of Magnet Sheet (119816, pg. 205 of the IB&C). Stamped some Jolly Bingo Bits (121187, 9/1) and adhered them on the magnet sheet, as well.

The playing board sticks to the back of the tin for ease of playing, and then stores inside with the playing pieces to keep them from getting lost.  Yes, the magnets hold them inside, too, but you know how things can get lost when traveling!

Those are just a couple of the Jolly Bingo Bits you'll be seeing on my Holiday Mini Blog Hop post this Friday!  Be sure to check back!  Also, Wednesday is my second blogiversary, and I'll be putting some blog candy up for grabs.  That should entice you all to come back, right???

Edited to add:  I've had several people contact me for the source of the tins.  They are available from Specialty Bottle in Seattle, WA.