Liebster Award

I was given this award by my blogging friend, Lisa, quite awhile ago & more recently by Colleen, whose blog I've recently discovered.  Lisa & I met because I follow the DeNami Designers, but the first thing I noticed on her blog was the picture of her Miniature Schnauzer, Max! We instantly connected as Schnauzer moms & her incredible talent is a constant source of inspiration. The first thing I noticed on Colleen's blog was that she's right up the road from me!  She uses lots of wonderful PTI products & makes a wide variety of great cards.  I appreciate the honor from both of these women. I've decided to skip the questions & to pick blogs differently this time.  Starting with my most recent followers here are 7 with under 100 followers. Maybe you'll find someone you really connect with.

Judy: http://princess-judy.blogspot.com/

Chris: http://thecardphilelady.blogspot.com/

Jan:  http://cardsbyjankeen.blogspot.com/

Karen:  http://karencreatescards.blogspot.co.nz/

Sharyn:  http://mycraftyplace281.blogspot.com/

Kathy:  http://stampsatplay.blogspot.com/

Dottie:  http://somethingcraftybydottie.blogspot.com/

Here are the rules for the nomination: (But this is all about fun, so you'll notice I followed my own rules)

1. Be sure to thank the blog that nominated you and be sure to link back to their blog.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the blogger asked you.
3. Nominate 11 of your favorite blogs with under 500 followers and ask your own 11 questions.
4. Make sure to let each blogger know about your Liebster Blog nomination on their blog (leave a comment and link back to your Liebster Blog post).

What's Up? and an honor

Another try at a CAS card--this time for PDCC & CASology.  Most 3rd graders can color better than me, but today I actually used my COPICs (Y21 & BV00) to color this cute little Hero Arts butterfly--yah--simple is good!  The sentiment is from the same older clear set called Happy Hello.  I think this is the first time I've used these 2 stamps.  Yellows are not really my color, but I have to say I love the PDCC color combo.  At first I expected to use mostly the Lavender, but I'm actually really happy I decided to use my textured Buttercream colored cardstock for my "white space"--what do you think?  I punched out the butterfly & matted it with a scrap cut with the smallest Spellbinders Lacey Circles die.  Being CAS, I resisted the urge to add embellishments except for a spot of lavender Stickles on the antennas.

I had a wonderful surprise & honor on Saturday when Sally (Abbey's Attic) nominated me for my second Liebster award. This award was designed to promote blogs which have less than 200 followers. Once the award is accepted, the idea is to pay it forward to five other blogs you enjoy, encouraging others to visit, leave comments, and hopefully follow. 
To accept the award:Thank the person who gave it to you and link back to their blog. Post the award on your blog. Give the award to five other bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  
Write a comment on their blog letting them know they have been nominated. 
I hope you'll check out Sally's wonderful work & her cute kitty cats as well as these 5 inspiring blogs with less than 100 followers: 

Stacy, Sweethearts & Sweet Tarts--A fellow Oregonian (we gotta meet one of these days!) who shares heartwarming "mommy" stories, her wonderful decorating, views of our neck of the woods AND terrific crafting projects. 
Jessi, OneCraftyMama--A fairly new friend I met through the new Muse Blog.  She makes beautiful cards & took time to enter my 1 yr Blogiversary Challenge with a fabulous kraft canvas butterfly card.
Kristie, Kreative Kristie--Another blog I discovered through Muse. She nails every challenge she enters--"Kreative" is the perfect name for her blog.
Kim, Inky Kim Craft--Not sure how we found each other, but we seemed to just connect.  She lives in England, her style is completely different than mine & I love seeing what she comes up with--lots of gorgeous elements.
Martha, Martha's Creations--We met through Flickr & now both have blogs.  Anytime you need a little inspiration, just check out her fabulous tag cards--so professional no matter what style she chooses.

So many wonderful blogs--can't see them all, but maybe you can take time to check out these 5 ladies--you won't be disappointed!

Saturday Surprises

No, I didn't win the 600 million dollar lottery, but this is a happy Saturday for me!  First off, I was nominated by Suzanne Russell "Beauty & Blessings Blog" for the Liebster Award--Leibster, is a German word meaning "beloved, dearest or favorite" and this award is shared only among up-and-coming bloggers who inspire you and have less than 200 followers. Once nominated, you then: 

• Acknowledge the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
• Give the award to 5 other bloggers, who have less than 200 followers and let them know through a comment on their blog.
• Post the award on your blog.

Thank you so much, Suzanne--what a boost you've given me!  Hard to pick just 5 people to nominate, but here they are:

• Debbie ( http://debbiedoescrafts.blogspot.com) She has awesome cards with dry embossing--one of my favorite things!
• Natalie ( http://www.simplysweetstamping.blogspot.com/) Truly one of the sweetest people I know & you won't believe her talent which includes making gorgeous flowers!
• Lai-Yoke ( http://walchowdesign.blogspot.com/) The first person to ask for my address to send me a card--I hadn't even realized people did that & what a thrill to get my first card & from across the world!
• Tracey ( http://inmycreativeopinion.blogspot.com/) I was so excited to get a comment from someone not on the design team who I hadn't even communicated with--& she's done it more than once.  I found her blog & love her style!
• Sue ( http://scrumplescrunch.blogspot.com/ ) A fellow nurse who is now my friend & what a talented papercrafter--she takes time to leave comments noticing details & explaining what is good about the card!

You won't be disappointed if you check out these wonderful crafters!

Secondly, I won the DeNami Color Challenge #9 (here).  This is my first time to win a DeNami Challenge, so needless to say, I'm thrilled to have my card (posted here) chosen.

I know this is a long post, so I'll close with the story behind this card.  You may know I recently resigned from the position I've had for 17 years.  Some people in my office didn't even say goodbye & yet a group of physical & occupational therapists that I worked with by phone (never met them in person) sent me a card with each of the 6 people writing a note saying how much they will miss working with me.  It made me cry & feel so thankful for good people in my life.  I used my PSA monogram stamp for the thank you card I sent to these wonderful professionals.

Thanks for visiting--I'm grateful for all of you.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend!