Some New Inspiration!

There's a new challenge happening at Poppystamps blog starting today! You'll find some examples from the design team to inspire you for this month's "My Love" them.  Entries can be any creations related to love ... Valentine's Day, Wedding, Anniversary, or just because ... and you have the entire month to post.  You must include at least one Poppystamps image on the project you design. The prize this month is the Large Madison Window Set.  For more information, hop on over to the Poppystamps blog by clicking on the Challenge icon on the right.

Below is the sample I provided.

I used the new Curbside Mailboxes die as the focal point here, and the Frisky Squirrels die is the perfect size to add a little fun.  The letters were created with the smallest tag in the General Store Tags die, and with a little squiggling, it looks just like miniature envelopes.  I cut the leaves from a tree die, and added some white Flower Soft for the snow.  I also added a little Flower Soft on the mailbox and lots on the ground.  The background was sponged in with a gray ink pad, and the snow drops were created by splattering white acrylic paint that was diluted with water.  And I have to say something about the layers ... I LOVE the new Open Studio products, and a favorite is the Rectangle Layers die set.  It makes layering sooo easy!!   Hope this inspires you to post an entry for this month's challenge!  Be sure to check out the other samples on the Poppystamps blog!

Many Thanks

I  hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas! Can you believe 2014 is almost over?!!

We'll be ringing in the new year with a fabulous new release from Poppystamps and Memory Box which I'm very excited about!  New designs will be posted on the Poppystamps Blog starting January 12th.  In the meantime, here is a non-holiday card using the An Apple a Day die from Poppystamps.

 

My card base is a standard A2 size from cream paper, on top of which I adhered a light green piece cut slightly smaller.  I cut the Massa Leaf Frame from a darker green card stock and adhered it to a cream card stock measuring 4-5/8” x 3-1/2”, so that the leaves would extend beyond the edges.  I sponged some Peeled Paint Distress Ink onto the leaves, and shaped them for dimension.   I cut the Nestled Bird from cream card stock and used Fired Brick Distress Ink to sponge and shade it, adding a small dot for its eye.  It’s amazing how that little dot brings the bird to life. 

I cut one set of apples from a peach colored card stock and another set from the same green card stock as the backdrop.  I then shaded the peach colored ones with Fired Brick, going darker on the right sides and fading it to the left. I sponged Shabby Shutters Distress Ink on the green apples in the same manner.  I shaped the apples to give them a slightly rounded look, and then adhered the leaves to the stems of the apples, mounting them to the Massa Leaf frame as shown.  

 

I tied a bow from lime green sheer ribbon, added a small apple to the center, and then adhered that to the corner as shown.  

Here's another view of the card:

Hope you enjoy!  Happy celebrating and here’s to a wonderful 2015!

Memory Box - Poppystamps Blog Hop: Day One!

This should be a fantastic hop with three days of inspiration coming your way!  

If you’ve been following the hop from the beginning, you should have arrived here from Eugenia Petzer's blog.  If you’d like to start from the beginning, a list of all the participants can be found on the Poppystamps blog as well as on the Memory Box blog. I also have them listed for you later in this post.  By the way, be sure to read all the way to the end, as there is a second chance to win another prize!

My Merry Christmas tag is fairly simple and it's easy to assemble.

I used the Memory Box Fabulous Holiday Wreath, cutting one from a light green card stock and a second one from a piece of patterned Christmas paper.  Using Poppystamps’ Small Blooming Poinsettia, I cut two poinsettia flowers from gold foil paper, and the smallest flower from cream card stock, the Merry Christmas as cut from the gold foil paper, and the Woodland Fawn from a light brown card stock. 

I adhered the wreaths, offsetting them a bit, to a cream colored 2.5” x 6” piece of card stock that is backed by a slightly wider piece of dark green card stock.  I next assembled the poinsettia, shaping the petals and adding a red gemstone in the center.  I attached it as shown with a small piece of mounting tape.

I sponged the fawn on all edges and on its backside with Frayed Burlap Distress Ink, added a black dot for the eye, a red gemstone for its nose, and some white spots on its rump with a white gel pen.  I positioned it as shown with mounting tape.  I then adhered the words above and below the wreath, as shown, and added additional red gemstones on the wreath itself.  The various ribbons were added, which completed the project.

Be sure to leave a comment on each blog, and you’ll be entered to win a Birch Press Design Pack of Recipe Cards, winner's choice!  There will be one winner chosen by Memory Box and one chosen by Poppystamps!  It just might be you!! 

You have until December 10th to leave your comments, and the winners will be posted on the Memory Box and Poppystamps blogs on December 15th . Your next stop on the hop will be to the blog of Anne Thompson.  If you'd like to start at the beginning, here is a complete list of all of today's participants:

Mary McMillan  

Sherry Eckblad  

Sue McRae  

Bibiana Martinez-Ziegler 

Pam Simpson  

Evgenia Petzer  

Sherry Hester  - You are here.

Anne Thompson 

Before you leave, I’d like to share a recipe for Oreo Balls … a decadently delicious, easy-to-make candy that’s a sure winner!  I made these for two holiday events last year, and they were gobbled up!

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package Oreo cookies, crushed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (24 ounce) package white chocolate bark
1 (24 ounce) package chocolate bark.    

  

Crush Oreos using a food processor or blender.

Combine softened cream cheese until blended.

Shape into little balls and refrigerate at least one hour.

Melt chocolate bark in microwave safe bowl one minute,

then stir.

Continue microwaving for 15-second intervals until melted.

Dip balls into chocolate and then place onto waxed paper.

Drizzle with melted chocolate bark in the opposite color

or add sprinkles.

For a second chance to win, go to Facebook and like Birch Press Design (https://www.facebook.com/BirchPressDesign), and share the post about the hop.  One person who does both will win a prize from Birch Press Design.    

Have a wonderful day hopping to all of our blogs.  And the good news is there are two more days of fabulous creations to come!  Thanks for stopping by today!