Wednesday, February 19, 2014

It's Been Two Years!

2 years ago today I heeded my friend Rosemary's encouragement to start my blog & I'm so glad I did. It's so much fun to share my love of cardmaking with people around the world. I've also reached the milestone of having over 100 followers--109 as of today.  I'm grateful for all of you.  I had a couple of very unexpected highlights this year:  being chosen as a member of the first Penny Black Stamp Squad & being picked as a Guest Designer for Flourishes.  To celebrate I'd like to send one of my followers a card & little gift. I'll do a random drawing on 2/26/14 from comments on this post.
Lai-Yoke's Gorgeous Card
The challenge at ODBD is to case someone you admire or a card you've wanted to case. There's a huge list of people & cards I could choose.  Lai-Yoke was the first person to ask for my address & send me a card, which she has done many times since then.  I chose to case this gorgeous Valentine now on display in my home.  She knows pink is my favorite color & we both love to use vellum.  My card is made with 3 ODBD stamp sets: Vintage Border Background, Don't Worry & Quote Collection 1. You can't tell from the picture, but the butterflies are stamped in Versamark & colored with purple & green Pearl-Ex which gives a lovely iridescent shimmer.  I have trouble using ribbons that have a design--thanks for the help, Lai-Yoke!  I don't use my Satin embossing powder very often even though I love the look.  It's perfect for the subtle background on the card front. 
My Card
The corner punch is MS & the bottom of the vellum panel is die cut with MFT wavy edge.  Love this little resin flower (added a touch of Stickles) & with it my card qualifies for the inaugural Butterfly Challenge begun by Mrs. A--one of my newest blogging friends.  Can't get the glare on the embossing out of the picture, so here's what the quote from Helen Keller says: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Thank you so much for visiting my blog.



39 comments:

  1. MANY congrats on your milestones Greta!! I'm so happy we found each other through DeNami blog hops. You've done a beautiful CASE of Lai-Yoke's card.I love the softness the vellum brings to the butterflies. And your bow is GORGEOUS!!

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  2. Love the card! Congrats on the blog anniversary!

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  3. Oh, Greta! What a beautiful post celebrating two years blogging and for the milestone of followers! It's no surprise!! Congratulations! And how precious to honor your dear friend who encouraged you! Encouragement goes a long way! I love your take on her card, and it's beautiful! It's always a joy to see one of your cards for the ODBD Shining the Light challenge, and I'm so delighted to have gotten to know! Warm hugs, precious friend!!

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  4. Happy 2nd Blogoversary, Great!! I can't wait to see the exceptional creations you have in store for us in all the coming years you will be sharing your posts!! This card is a brilliant CASE of Lai-Yoke's beautiful card and a perfect design for this special anniversary celebration! Huge hugs, Darnell

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  5. Congratulations Greta, and not only for the 2nd anniversary of your blog, but on so many other levels; your progression in design and composition being just one of them.
    I am not at all surprised you would case Lai-Yoke, she will be thrilled, I can see how she influences you. We all have our preferred genres, and each of us are inspired by others who we believe are brilliant within these genres, but I have come to realise that everyone of us who need to create have talent, believing in ourselves and what we have to offer is the hardest for us to accept. The female species does suffer from doubt, that is why blogging and meeting like minded souls helps enormously. When most of us look back to our first post, we cringe and it is only then that we realise how far we have come creatively. I am here to confirm to you my friend that you have progressed in leaps and bounds, if you have not already realised this yourself. You found your comfort zone and you are excellent at it, but you also extend yourself occasionally into areas where it is a challenge, this is what having a Blog encourages one to do, it may not always be successful but each time it is attempted is another learning curve and that is always a positive.
    So here's to another two years of continued pleasure not only for yourself but for all your followers as well. Who knows in time you may want to case me!!!!!!!! Ha.
    Smiles:)
    Sue

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    1. Thank you, dear friend! You've been one of the major encouraging forces in my journey--even though our styles are so different & your artistic talents are at such a higher level than mine. Casing one of your cards is probably not in the realm of possibility, but you are the one to show me the beauty of dry embossing a stamped image. I never would have tried that & now it's one of my favorite looks. Hugs, Greta

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  6. Greta, just so you know, you probably have more followers than you think. There are probably more like myself who follow you thru Feedly, I dont think this leaves any indication on your blog when you pick up a follower this way. Love your style of cardmaking, I have enjoyed finding more cards that I woul like to CASE here.

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  7. Wow...it has bee two years??? How time flies when you are having fun, right! So glad that my pestering you paid off, lol!! Your CASE of Lai-Yoke's lovely card is absolutely gorgeous! Here's to many more years of blogging and sharing your talent!!!

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  8. GORGEOUS....gorgeous cards Greta!!! Happy...happy blog Anniversary too :) Hugs <3

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  9. Congratulations on your two year blog anniversary with many more to follow. I love the dreamy look of your beautiful card and the saying for me is just perfect for my #1. Thank you so much for fluttering by and joining in today. Hugs Mrs A. (butterfly challenge).

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  10. This is beautiful, Greta! Love the soft colors, the vellum, the yummy ribbon, and the embossing!! Congratulations on the 2nd anniversary of your blog and 100+ followers! Here's to many more years of creating, inspiring and being inspired!!!

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  11. Congrats on your two year blogaversary Greta!! I enjoy viewing your creations and this is no exception! I just love your case with the vellum the butterflies and the beautiful sentiment!! What a beautiful card you cased as well. How sweet to have such an encouraging friend!! I am sure she will be so appreciative of your kind words and your tribute to her. Encouragement and friends play such a big role in our lives. Thanks so much for joining us at Our Daily Bread Designs!!
    blessings,
    Chris

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  12. First of all, congrats on the blogiversary!! Blogging is a great way to share with other stampers and meet friends from around the world. I absolutely love this card. I love the big bow, the vellum, and the shiny embossing powder. Some things are just classic and will never go out to style!!

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  13. congrats on your anniversary Greta. Your blog is such a beautiful place to visit and very inspiring too!! :) Sending you smiles :) !!!!

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  14. Congrats on your two years of blogging! It's been so fun to follow you and your beautiful work, Greta! I sure hope there are many more fun blogging/card-making ahead! Today's cards are simply beautiful!

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  15. Congrats on two years of blogging, Greta! I so enjoy your blog and always find inspiration here. Lai-Yoke's card is beautiful and your CASE is such a creative interpretation. Love the decorative corners you added and of course, that gorgeous bow! Hugs!

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  16. Congratulations on your two years Greta! You inspire manny of us with your beautiful cards, blog post and kind comments. Love the cards you showed today ..your and the one you received .Hugs.

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  17. Your friend must be thrilled that you cased her beautiful card! Your card is so feminine and elegant. Congrats on two years! I didn't realize we started our blogs at about the same time. I enjoy all of your beautiful cards and cool techniques that you use. Most of all, I enjoy your friendship!

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  18. Congrats on your blog anniversary and success Greta! Your card is so beautiful with the vellum (which I love), soft colors, shimmer and that stunning bow! Just beautiful! Thanks for creating with us this week at ODBD!

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  19. Congratulations on your blog anniversary Greta it is always a pleasure to come to your blog and see what delights await me. Your case of Lai Yokes card is just so beautiful. Mayyou continue to love this craft and share your creations fir many years to come.

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  20. Happy Blog Anniversary, Greta! I know I'm glad you started too :) What a beautiful butterfly card - I love the embossing!

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  21. Karen D said...
    I thought I was already following you Greta, I have fixed that!
    You have cased Lai-Yoke's card beautifully. I love the luscious bow and the gorgeous punched corners. So pretty. Congrats on blogging for two years and going over 100 followers. Have a great week.

    February 20, 2014 at 2:54 AM
    This was added on my comment by mistake but I knew it was for you so I copied and pasted to your blog.

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  22. Happy Blogaversary Greta!

    2 Very pretty cards here AND you used ribbon on both of them. Very decadent! x

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  23. I'm blushed.....Greta! Your card is absolutely gorgeous with the softness of the vellum and the ribbon matches perfectly with your stamping and colours. Love the punched corner.

    After saying all the above, Happy Blogaversary and many more to come, Greta, Likewise, I am fortunate to have known you and always a treat to receive your wonderful creations.

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  24. Happy Blog-iversary, Greta! You and your site: best discovery I've made! You always dazzle and delight with your wonderful cards and your cheerful posts. Your willingness to venture into new techniques is especially inspiring, as your creations are always fresh, with a unique touch to catch our eye. Occasion after occasion I've been inspired by something you've done, and although my efforts don't translate as well as yours do, oh the learning! Your card here is precisely what I've described: pretty, fresh, unique! Perfect for Mrs. A's challenge; perfect for brightening someone's day...like mine!! Wishing you many more blog-iversaries, filled with more of your fabulous creations and smile-making words! Hugs~c

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  25. Congratulations, Greta! I'm so glad you share your talent with all of us. I thought I was following your site, buy didn't see me there, so I've remedied it. LOL, I can't keep up with all of this! I LOVE this gorgeous card! It has such a soft and dreamy look! I'm off to see what Lai-Yoke has on her blog. Thanks for introducing her.

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  26. First, I love the reflection of your BG and your quote! Your card is stunning, as always, Greta! The corners, the bow, and all of it just sings! The quote is so true too. :-)

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  27. Greta, first and foremost a big congratulatory hug on your 2nd year anniversary. I am looking forward to many more years of your posts. It is always such a nice stop with beautiful cards as I troll through blogland. I love the edge you added to your vellum piece, it makes it a lovely decorative addition to the card as well as a sentiment piece. Keep creating!

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  28. Congratulations Greta on your Blogiversary!! If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have kept plugging away at keeping my blog going and for that I am ever thankful, my friend! I always love stopping by your blog as you have such a beautiful card making style and you aren't afraid of trying new things or challenges! Today's card is the perfect example - it's so gorgeous! Here's to many more years of sharing your talent! Hugs, Robin:)

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  29. Congrats Greta! Your card is so beautiful! Love the pretty bow and fancy corners!

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  30. Congratulations on so many wonderful happenings to you this past year. Quite a lot of accolades. I love your vellum ODBD card. This company is one of my fav stamps & their sentiments cannot be surpassed. I don't do a lot with vellum, but what you have achieved on this card is just stunning. Well done, and congrats for reaching 100 followers too! That's a big milestone. See you at the Playground and now at Mrs. A's too. TFS & Hugs

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  31. Such a beautiful post Greta:-) A huge congrats on your milestone. It's so precious to remember all those personal moments about crafting friends.
    Love your casing of Lai-Yoke's card design, beautifully done!!!}

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  32. Greta, what a fabulous post! Congratulations, on your two years of blogging! I always enjoy visiting your blog! What a beautiful card you've created...great take on Lai-Yoke's card!

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  33. Congratulations on your 2nd blog anniversary! What a beautiful post! Blogging and crafting is so rewarding and fun! Your cards are gorgeous as always and the highlighted one today is so pretty with the butterflies, sentiments, and lovely bow! Take care and have a great weekend!

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  34. Hi Greta, congrats on your blog anniversary. Your card is beautiful.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving me a sweet comment on my "Wish Big" card.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  35. Greta...congratulations my friend and happy 2nd blogiversary! I too am not surprised with all your incredible accomplishments over the past 2 years, so well deserved. Your card is so amazing too, just beautiful and a fabulous case of Lai-Yoke's. Again, congratulations, so happy for you and proud to be one of your followers!

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  36. Yay Greta! Congratulations! And for many more years of creativity, having fun sharing and friendship! Love, love your card, the subtle coloring on the vellum and the sentiment are perfect! TFS

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  37. very pretty card...love all your elements!!

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