And the Winner is......

CONGRATULATIONS L. ANN!!

YOU'RE the BLOG CANDY WINNER!
(Please send me an email by Sunday evening with your address)

Thanks to everyone who has visited my blog...expressed an interest in supporting the Card-a-Thon by sending a donation...posted a kind comment....or joined as a follower..

I have always enjoyed giving ...more than receiving..so sending this Blog Candy off to L.Ann is my pleasure!

and here's the drawing.... (it has sound..so pls scroll down...turn off the playlist music so that it doesn't override the video...and me and my wonderful New York Accent!)

A Short and Sweet Post...

Today is the closing day for the Blog Candy comments (see post above)..
I'd love to have everyone who visits my blog,have a chance to win...
...so if you haven't posted a fast comment..take a sec to do it now!

All comments and followers will be entered..and the winner will be picked tonight...the old fashioned way...(everyone's name on a slip of paper and a winner drawn by Chelsea)

I'll post the winner tomorrow..

So if you see your name here..be sure to email me no later than Sunday evening..so that I can send your goodies off to you Monday!

Good Luck everyone!!
..and thanks so much for visiting and posting such kind and wonderful comments to my blog..

TODAY'S THE DAY! APRIL 30th BLOG CANDY...Winner to be drawn this evening and posted tomorrow! (Closing Candy Post/Comments at 10 p.m. tonight)

I'm reposting about the Blog Candy....to simplify...

**THIS POST WILL REMAIN UP TOP UNTIL THE BLOG CANDY GIVEWAY WINNER IS ANNOUNCED
PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR CURRENT POSTS TO THE BLOG

If you didn't read the original post about the Blog Candy and the Card-a-Thon...i should tell you that the blog candy is a little something that I am offerig as a thank you to all who take a moment to comment below this post...or join as a "Follower" to this blog... AND help me spread the word about the Card-a-Thon by posting a link to my blog..on YOUR blog..

So...to get your hand into the Candy Bowl here's what you need to do:

1.. post a comment to THIS entry re the blog candy and include a link to your blog (if you have one)

2.. post a link to this Blog/Blog Candy Giveaway on YOUR blog (which will help me get the word out about the Card-a-Thon..and hopefully getsome much needed donations.

3. If you'd like...go to the sidebar and join as a Follower of this blog if you enjoy visiting me here.. (this is not required...so if you just stop in now and then for a blog visit...thats great too!)

*more about the Card-a-Thon here (blog post dates March 19th): Card-a-Thon

and on SCS at: ISO Card-a-Thon Donations

Whiff of Joy Blog Candy

Be sure to visit the Whiff of Joy Blog to see their fantastic Blog Candy giveaway for 2 Elisabeth Belle Summer Kits! The winners will be picked on May 1st.

If you've never visited the WOJ blog..you'll love it..and will definitely be hooked!

A Card-less day..... Blog candy: 1 Day to Go!.....and Card-a-Thon Update with an S.O S. for Adhesives

Just one more day to go until a Blog Candy Winner is chosen! The Candy post will remain opened until midnight tomorrow (April 30th)..and a winner will be drawn on May 1st..and posted here on the blog!

Good Luck Everyone!
(If you're reading this post..and haven't commented under the blog candy post yet...go!! do it now!..so you'll have a chance to win what's posted in the pic above!

...and it's time for me to thank everyone who posted a link on their own blog..to help me get the word out about the Card-a-thon...

The Card-a-thon is coming along nicely...the Oceanside First United Methodist Church has been so kind in donating their church hall for the day..October 11th...

Some of the ladies who attend the Workshops/Crops that I organize every month have offered to help out with prepping materials..and at our May Workshops/Crop..they will begin taking home card stock to cut..score..etc....all of which is a HUGE help!

I have been receiving donations...primarily from SCS-ers and blog visitors who have contacted me and offered to "clean-out" their personal stashes..box it up..and send it to me....everything has been wonderful..and in looking thru the boxes..I see all sorts of things that will be useful and appreciated that day....

Donations from "companies" has not been as successful...
Most tell me that the economy has forced them to limit donations...other have told me that I am not a "large charity organization"..and have declined the invitation to donate...2 "companies" have donated thus far...

*Ucutathome.com (Thank you Marcie!)
*Scor-Pal (Thank you Diana!)

In as much as i was SO pleased to have such generous product donations from Diana and Marcie...the poor response from companies is a disappointment..considering the dozens and dozens of companies that I have contacted (that we all know and give our business to)

....but I am not one to become discouraged..and so I'll continue to contact companies..(there are oodles of them out there..)..in hopes of a better response...

IF you are an individual and would like to make a donation...the primary..and largest need right now is for the following:

***ADHESIVES: double sided tape (in dispensers)...glue dots/all sizes...adhesive runners (snail style...Xyron..Tombow etc)

***Pre-cut and scored A2 cards in white, ivory and LIGHT colors (so that the soldiers can use a reg pen to sign the inside)

*** Colored images (all types) that are matted on one additional layer of (any color) card stock (punched, hand cut, nestied) and ready to go

***Card stock (all colors) cut to 4 x 5 1/4...for card fronts and Cuttlebugging
OR if you love your BUG like I do..Cuttlebugged cardstock (all colors) 4 x 5 1/4 that had been Cuttlebugged

Donations of these 4 items is essential to the success of this event..and remain the biggest challenge thus far.

If you would like to make a materials/supplies donation, please email me at lovesstampin@aol.com

I am Loving the Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die....

Yesterday I mentioned that I am loving my BIGZ Beautiful Butterflies die...I like the shape of the full butterfly itself..and the size...and as if loving it isn't enough...I had to run the butterfly thru my Cuttlebug..and so now... I'm totally bonkers for it..

and speaking of bonkers....I am still going crazy with Ruth's White on White swap..I think I made an error when I posted yesterday's white card...when I said it was card #9...that was actually card #8...and today's butterfly card is #9...
(...I guess you KNOW that you're over the edge with White on White Swap cards when you can't keep track of how may you've done...lol)

I like to use dimensionals when layering different CB patterns....because I think it brings out the textures and contrasts more...and so I used dimensionals on the photo corners...and flipped the butterfly wings up...for added depth.

And now.... off to the drawing board for White on White card #10...

Thanks for visiting!

(P.S....2 more days for the Blog Candy..so if you are visiting and haven't posted a comment to the Blog Candy post above..be sure to make a fast pitstop there now and to make a comment....so you'll have a chance to win!

Yes..I'm still at it with the White on White Cards....

Well...I've been keeping a low profile about it..but now the truth is out..

I have secretly been working on white on white cards for Ruth's swap..in which I now have 10 spots...(lol)..yes..you read it right..10 spots!

I figured that if I openly confessed to taking a few More spots, I'd be written off as being insane...but I am thoroughly enjoying working with white...and so..with some egging on from my SCS friend and co-hort, Sue....we have both signed on for 10spots!...

Sue is actually one spot behind me now..at #9...but I suspect that she will be joining me for #10 very soon!

This card is for my #9 spot in the swap...and was a fun card to make...

I am LOVING the Sizzix Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die...and am exploring mixing CB embossed patterns/textures and layers..and enjoying it tremendously!

Thanks for visiting...and don't forget to comment above at the Blog Candy post...if you haven't already!

Just 3 days to go!

Weekly Inspirations.....

Wow..the days and weeks are flying by...

I can't believe that it's time again for a Weekly Inspirations Video..

Thanks, as always, to my niece Simone..for providing beautiful inspiring cards...and a she is also sharing a pic of a very special treat box..so keep an eye out for it in the video!

Now it's time for me to get bossy:
scroll down to my playlist and turn off the sound so that it doesn't override the video music...which is sure to pep you up and have you tapping your foot!

and..after you watch this weeks Inspirations..be sure to scroll up to the top of the blog..and post a comment under the blog candy for a chance to win...(just a few days left!)

and finally...(this is the last bossy thing I'll say...
...sit back and enjoy Simone's Weekly Inspirations...

and xoxo Gary..for taking the time and care ..as always..in putting together this weeks Inspirations video..

Workshop Card Variation: For those who don't need "Guy Cards"

This is the feminine version of yesterdays Guy Cards for the May Workshop..

This card is made with the same materials and basic techniques as yesterday's masculine cards.. (su cs: choc chip, always artichoke, very vanilla...the ink is su classic choc chip...)....the only difference is the feminine image ..and addition of a bauble on the hat...and the card base is ivory.

I think that most people need a guy card now and then..but...just in case one/some the ladies isn't fond of "guy cards"..I wanted to have something for them to work on..and this is what I came up with...(I acquired this stamp on a SCS PIF thread...and love it because it's a vintage style image)

Thanks for visiting..and please be sure to comment above for a chance to win the Blog Candy!...only 4 more days to go!

May Workshop: Cards for the Guys.....(and "Home Sweet Home" Challenge Card)

Masculine cards always seems to be scarce...even when I make cards..I find that most of them are on the feminine side...the cutesy side...the girly side...

Some days,I make a conscious choice to make "guy cards" only...and actually..I just swapped out and mailed the cards for a Masculine Card Swap that I hosted on SCS... which, by the way..were all fantastic..and inspiring!

For my May "Cards Only" Workshop..I thought I'd have everyone give "guy cards" a try....afterall..Father's Day is getting near..and there's always a need for guy-ish birthday cards...

At the Workshops..we always make 2 variations..using the same materials/supplies/stamp set)

The challenge is that most of the people coming are beginner card makers..and haven't yet tried precise matting,...coloring..2-step stamping...so we are at the beginning stages of learning card making...

Yet..it is my desire and focus..to have them leave each Workshop, having made cards that are NOT easily identifiable as being "beginner" cards...and having them WOW themselves with what they have created and accomlpished..

In May...I wanted to
*make "guy cards" with an ink only" image
*not induce frustration with techniques that are too complex....and keep it all very basic and simple..
*use the SU "Backwoods" stamp set
*create a "background" paper by using a stamp and ink
*incorporate paper tearing (and distressing) ....a simple new technique for the group
*introduce shading using ink and daubers
*use a small asst of materials..also to minimize being overwhelmed with things like color combos...embellishments
*enjoy using the Cuttlebug..(hard to see here.. but the base layer of choc chip cs is embossed with leafy branch)

and so...these are the "guy cards" that we will be making at the May Cards only Workshop..

*I'm double dipping with the log cabin card and will also use it as my entry for the Cuttlebugchallenge Blog weekly challenge #28.......because it was inspired by the blogs Wednesday "Home Sweet Home" challenge...

*Tomorrow I will share the optional "feminine" version..using the same basic materials...but a different stamp/sentiment..which will be offered for those who might not have a need for masculine cards..

PS...If you like using natural hemp like it do...you MUST look for a ball/spool of Natural Hungarian Hemp in your local hardware store or in the odds and ends aisle of your supermarket!
This hemp is fantastic...and one spool will last you a lifetime....and the cost is under $2...