Drumroll........

Thank you to everyone who entered my blog candy. I read every comment and did my best to visit your blogs and leave you a comment there or via email for those without blogs.

Comment numbering did not work as well as I'd hoped. I assigned you a number based on the order of your comment. This eliminated the confusion with comments having the same number and ensured that only one entry per person was counted.

Congratulations to Natasha and Carla. Natasha won the Turtle & Frog with Frog-get me not stamps. And the Snuggle Bugs stamp goes to Carla.

Natasha and Carla, please email me your address at cossa@cogeco.ca so I can mail out your prize right away. If I don't hear from you by Sunday 10 PM EST, another winner will be selected.

Enjoy your Friday,
Maria

Celebrating YOU Blog Candy

Blog candy closed.
Stay tuned - winners announced tomorrow.

The blog candy is to celebrate YOU my visitors. Thank you for stopping by and for leaving such wonderful and encouraging comments. Blogging has become a regular part of my week - sometimes daily routine- lol. I've made some great friends which I look forward to visiting, chatting and sharing with and of course inspiration. You guys are awesome!

I've been meaning to post my blog candy for a while and see that my counter is getting close to 10,000. Wow - thank you. So to celebrate, here's 2 prizes: Prize #1 consists of the Turtle w/Frog and Frog-get Me Not stamps and Prize #2 is the Snuggle Bugs stamp. These are brand new unused wood-mounted Whipper Snapper stamps.

To enter please:
1. Post about the candy on your blog;
2. Leave a comment on this post; and
3. Number your entry in your comment.

Don't have a blog? Leave a comment on this post and you're entered as well. Also, I will mail out internationally.

You have until 8PM (EST) on Thursday, January 29th. I'd like to send the prize out asap so the winners receive it before Valentine's Day. By the way, I don't know how to do the random integer thing so if anyone knows how, please drop me an email. Otherwise, I'll do it the old fashioned way and have my girls either pick a number or name out of a hat.

Good luck and have a great day,
Maria

Whiff of Joy Challenge #15

Here's my submission to this week's Whiff of Joy Challenge. This week the lovely and talented Katharina provided the wonderful sketch. I used Melinda Blowing Kisses - one of my faves, BG Gypsy/Romani DP, SU cardstock, Martha Stewart punches for heart border and love sentiment, SU and Stamping Bella ribbons. Image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Wausau paper and coloured with Copics. I've added some Crystal Stickles to the wings. The card looks like its missing something when viewed on the screen. Perhaps I should have added some brads or flowers but sometimes simple is ok too.

Sorry the post is late and short but I'll be at work for most of this week in training so my crafting time is limited and a bit rushed.

Hugs,
Maria

Random Integer

Thank you Cheri for letting me know where to access and how to use the random integer feature. For those of you who don't already know:

1. Go to http://random.org/integers/
2. In the 1st box, type in how many entries you have.
3. In the 2nd box, leave it as 1.
4. The 3rd box should be the same as the 1st box.
5. Type in how many columns you want (same # as winners).
6. Click Get Numbers.

The number or numbers on the first line are the winners.

Hope this is helpful.

Hugs,
Maria

High Hopes Challenge + Franks' Birthday

Edited to add: So this is still a dude card but after posting I realized the challenge stated "NO FLOWERS" and 'Little Missy' is holding - you guessed it - flowers. So I don't think this card qualifies for this week's challenge over at HH.

Here's the front and inside view of my third attempt at making a masculine card. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to make a 'dude' card. I've used "Little Missy" by High Hopes for the card as she's so versatile and works well for both masculine and feminine cards. As I have girls, I think their dad and/or grandfathers would be thrilled to get a card with "Little Misssy".
I'm entering this card into this week's High Hopes Challenge to make a dude card. I mailed the card on Monday to Tina's grandfather, Frank who turned 88 on the 21st. Tina's the owner of High Hopes Stamps and is an awesome super nice lady so when I read about her grandfather's birthday and the special request to send him a birthday card, I couldn't resist. What a special way for Frank to celebrate his 88th by getting cards from all over the world!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Friday,
Maria

Stamps: Little Missy by High Hopes and sentiment by Stamping Bella
Paper: SU and Basic Grey Phoebe Embellies: from stash, Cuttlebug Birthday folder & Spellbinder Nestabilities

High Hopes & Cute Card Thursday Challenges

Edited to Add: I'm submitting this to the High Hopes Challenge as my dude card and there are no flowers in sight.

Oops, I'm late posting this card for the Cute Card Thursday challenge. I did get it done on time, earlier in the week, but forgot to post it - duh!
Well, at least I have it done for a birthday party my youngest has been invited to attend on Saturday. It's for a sweet little boy who's turning 7 and Juliette is just sooo excited to be going to his bowling party.

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by. Hugs,
Maria

Stamps: High Hopes "Small Pickles Balloon Ride" Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & Copics Papers: Wausau, SU & 3Bugs in a Rug DP Embellies: ribbon from stash & SB Nestabilities

Lovely Awards

Bernie has spoiled and honoured me with these wonderful awards! This means a lot coming from someone as talented and inspirational as Bernie.

The awards are being passed on to 7 lovely and talented ladies and if you visit them you will see why I think so - Nikki, Tina, Janna, Rach, Katharina, Aud and Nicky.

I haven't been posting much lately as I'm trying to get organized but also want to spend more time with my girls. They are growing up way toooo fast. I've had a somewhat productive week so I'll be posting a couple of cards in the next few days.

Also stay tuned cause Sunday I'll be posting some long overdue promised blog candy.

Hugs,
Maria

Candy and More Candy

There's a lot of candy being offered to mark 2009. I will list the info on my sidebar from now on but for now here's some awesome sites to visit for inspiration and for a chance to win some candy.

The talented Rach has some wonderful candy but check out her blog for inspiration first here.

The amazing Elizabeth Bell, artist extraordinaire, also has some uber great candy. Checkout her blog here to see her beautiful creations.

Checkout Sally's awesome candy here. She's celebrating 1500 hits and her 30th wedding anniversary - Woohooo!!

Lim has some very generous blog candy and great creations to view here. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed as I would love those Hanglar images.

Have a great weekend,
Maria