Sunday, May 5, 2013

Third Blogiversary Giveaway: My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software

Anniversary Banner-001

Time to start having some Blogiversary fun! Be sure to check back this week for continued celebrating. Each giveaway will be up for three days. 

First up, I have loved using My Memories Suite digital software to create all kinds of things. Ironically, I haven't done much actual scrapbooking with it but I've used it to create holiday menus, in cardmaking, printables, and lots of graphics. 

My blog banner and buttons, and my anniversary banner and buttons were all created using My Memories. My weekly link party rules graphic was also created using it. So I'm excited to be able to give away one copy ( disclosure, I am a My Memories Suite affiliate, opinions are mine ). 

The winner will be able to download their own copy of the SW ($40 value) which comes with lots of great digital papers and embellishments. There are also a lot of free kits in the shop as well as kits you can buy, and each week there are "Friday Freebies" available on the My Memories Facebook page. It also works great with other photos and png files. 


Details are in the Rafflecopter-thingy-ma-whatsit . Good luck! 


3rd Anniversary Button


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, May 4, 2013

I Don't Know How It's My Third Blogiversary But It Is!

Anniversary Banner-001

I’m 3! It seems surreal to think that three years ago today I plunged in, logged on to Blogger, set up a blog and hit publish. Who the heck was I to start a blog and why would anyone (would anyone?) decide to read it? I had no clue that the day I chose was National Scrapbooking Day or that there was a whole Star Wars meme devoted to May 4th. See? The things you learn through blogging.

Three years later, I’m still as excited about blogging as I was that first day. With every post, I still wonder “will anyone like this”? and then hit the post button to find out. I started this blog because I’ve always loved creating and writing. The irony to my non-blogging friends is that they know me as somewhat of an introvert, someone who’s not overly social ( look up homebody in the dictionary and you’ll find my picture).

But here I am now with this, my 780th post and:
  • 1031 GFC Followers
  • Several hundred more via RSS , Blog Lovin and G+
  • 700 Facebook Fans
  • 947 Twitter Followers
  • 1300 Pinterest Followers
I’ve loved every minute of it and see no signs of stopping any time soon. I’ve met such amazing, inspiring, passionate, brilliant, and above all supportive people through the places blogging has led me.

I’m not going to attempt to name names only because there are so many and  I know I will unintentionally forget someone and honestly? Everyone I’ve encountered through my blogging life has had an impact.

I’ve had opportunities to work with companies I love and have been honored beyond measure to have had my work shared by them and accepted onto Design Teams.

It was kinda karmic that my link party this week was #103 , to coincide with my 3rd anniversary. The inspiration and creativity that gets shared each week feeds my creative soul. The chocolate recipes feed my chocoholic cravings!

If anyone out there’s reading this and has thought about starting a blog but something’s stopped you, take the chance. If you have the passion that makes you want to start, I guarantee you it only continues to grow.

Bloggers are a community, a family. I’m so glad to be among them.

OK so enough with the mushy gushy. Stay tuned this week for some “blogiversary” fun. I may still not be the biggest blog out there with the super-sized giveaways but we’ll for sure have some fun.

For now, a huge THANK YOU to anyone who has ever stopped by my little chocolate covered corner of the internet. To all who have decided to follow along with me one way or another, THANK YOU. To everyone who has featured my work, THANK YOU. To those who have given me an opportunity to stretch my skills, test myself, increase my confidence, THANK YOU.

And of course to The Mumster who bought me my first Martha Stewart book; to Mr. Chocolate who brings home cigar boxes, wine crates, and any number of found things for me to play with and understands and supports my excitement over things he has no clue about; to College Boy who spent countless hours in Michaels and JoAnn’s growing up ( and who now texts me from school asking “Does Michaels carry _________”  for a party or project or....) THANK YOU and I love you guys.

3rd Anniversary Button


Thursday, May 2, 2013

BFF Open House #103 : It Must Be A Flower Thing Edition

The Answer Is Chocolate

Whew. I'm so so glad it's almost Friday! I still can't believe it's May already and that Mother's Day is two weeks away and will be here in a blink. Let's check out some of the ideas that were shared last week that would make great ways to celebrate the Moms in our lives. I didn't intentionally hone in on floral projects but they jumped out at me. 


Would you ever guess that these lovely water lilies from Bliss Bloom Blog started out as milk jugs? Anyone can have a garden water feature with this idea. 



Sweet Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday is sharing these pretty Mother's Day printables done for her by Free Pretty Things For You. Ready, print, use! 


The always talented Aimee from Twigg Studios has a tutorial to make these beautiful ( and realistic) looking paper anemones. What mom wouldn't love a bouquet of these?


I'm always intrigued by what Mich in LA sees when she looks at things. Some people would see fonts in the font stencils she used to make this storage jar. Mich saw flowers. 


While these aren't flowers, you know I have to have a chocolate feature and with Cinco de Mayo on Sunday, I thought these Shortbread Dulce De Leche Bars from Karyn at Pint Sized Baker were "perfecto". 

Now let's get to this week's party! Welcome if it's your first time here. Welcome back if you're returning. Thank you either way for partying with me! 







Wednesday, May 1, 2013

New Scrappy Tags Giveaway Winner and Mom/Sister Printables



Remember these? I was giving them away and I never heard back from the original winner so Rafflecopter has picked a new one. Congrats Tiffany! 

I was also playing around on PicMonkey again and adapted this saying that I've seen into a printable that can be used for Mother's Day. I also made one with the original version. Since I don't have a sister but I do have a mom (who has sisters and who first told me about this), win-win. 








Sunday, April 28, 2013

Tick Tock Faux Vintage Clock From a Ceiling Medallion

Vinyl Face Faux Vintage Clock

I’ve wanted a vintage “clock” for a while but have not wanted to pay the prices I’ve seen. I was wandering through the hardware store one day and found these ceiling medallions in the lighting section and had an aha moment.

Of course this also meant I had to try and “craftsplain” this to the lighting department guy. “No it’s not for a light fixture. I’m going to make a faux clock” . “Oh sure that was obvious!” said lighting department guy walking away looking back at the weird lady.

Portfolio Ceiling Medallion

For this project you will need:
  • 16 inch Ceiling Medallion ( I got mine at Lowes )
  • Ceiling Medallion Canopy Kit
  • Acrylic Craft paint ( I used Craftsmart black and Martha Stewart Pearl)
  • Vinyl ( I used Expressions Vinyl beige)
  • Cutting tool ( I used my Silhouette Cameo)
I started by painting my medallion black.  Since I usually go for an aged / distressed look I wasn’t particularly careful about brush strokes.

Ceiling Medallion Painted Black

Then I dry brushed it with the pearl paint. Again, not particularly careful. I changed from a foam to bristle brush for this.
Dry Brushed Ceiling Medallion

While this was drying, I laid out and cut my numbers using CoCo, my Silhouette Cameo. I did these in two rows and then once I’d applied the transfer paper, cut the numbers into separate pieces to make them easier to apply.
Faux Vintage Clock Vinyl

Positioned them where I wanted them and then went over them with a burnishing tool to apply them.

Celing Medallion Canopy

This is the canopy that usually covers the guts of the light fixture. I just glued it through the hole in the medallion. It came with a piece to plug the middle hole and I used some scrapbooking brads to plug the other two. It also came with some other pieces that will likely end up being used in jewelry. I did not attempt to craftsplain this to the Lowe’s guy.

Vintage Faux Clock Closeup

And now I have my brand new vintage faux clock!







Thursday, April 25, 2013

BFF Open House Link Party #102

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday eve all! Welcome back to another link party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Can you believe Mother's Day is in just over two weeks? 

Before we get to this week's features, I did a little spontaneous giveaway going for some tags I made. The winner is: Michelle! I've emailed Michelle to let her know. Thanks to all who participated. 


I love things that are pretty and practical. Like these magnetic bookmarks from Crafty Cravings. If you're giving Mom a book by her favorite author for Mother's Day, why not whip up one of these to go with? 

With Mother's Day upon us, that means it's also graduation season. Jewelry Making Journal has some fun and inexpensive graduation jewelry ideas. 


These could also work to mark a special anniversary, birthday or other milestone. 


DIY wall art is the way to go and Rebecca from Dear Beautiful You has a great statement piece using three different canvases for one continuous piece. 

Finally, this week's chocolate feature. Oh My. I wanted to lick the screen. Check out these incredible Mocha Toffee Fudge Cupcakes from Stephanie at Back for Seconds. Want. NOW.



Now, for this week's party. If you're a first time linker upper, welcome. If you're a regular, thanks for once again hanging out in my chocolate covered corner of the blogosphere! Following's not required but I love meeting new Crafty Peeps.





Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Gold Silver and Black Jewelry Set: Party Like a Rockstar

Gold Black and Silver Set

Sharing the rest of what was tucked into The Mumster’s keepsake box. Mom may be retired, but she’s constantly on the go and she’s always been a fashionista.

I was totally jealous when she told me she’ll be going to a Rolling Stones concert. The Rolling Stones. In Las Vegas. Isn’t this what all moms and grandmas do?

I thought she needed to have some fun and special jewelry for the occasion.

Antique Gold Chain Loops

I started with a chunky gold loop necklace portion from Styled by Tori Spelling that I picked up at JoAnn’s. I combined it with some antique gold Blue Moon Bead chain and connectors. I was mixing gold and silver so I used silver jump rings to connect the pieces.

Gold and Silver Dangle

I’d also picked up a mixed bead pack from JoAnns in golds, dark purple and black. I used it , along with a black crystal beads and some silver findings, and gold head pins to make the pendant.

Black Gold Silver Earrings

The earrings I made are basically the same construction as the pendant. LIke me, mom wears clips so I used this black faceted connector pieces as the earring bases.

Gold and Black Mixed Bead Bracelet

And last but not least, I made a coordinating bracelet with the rest of the bead mix, just strung on stretchy cord.

Have fun mom! Not too much though lol.

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