Red, White, and Anything BUT Blue

Here came July...and there it almost goes! What in the world is it about the days after July 4th?  They just seem to melt away.

Blog Hops with Heart is celebrating with a bit of a twist on your usual patriotic July motif--Red, White, and Anything BUT Blue!  You are probably arriving from Becca's Blog, but if not, you will get there if you keep following our links at the end of each post.

I must confess, the Cubbies fan in me had a really hard time getting past the "no Blue" mandate...we're talking paper torture, people.  I mean, come on...no blue???  Who does that?  I put it off for DAYS as I found some relief painting our garage THE actual, legit Cubbie Blue from Benjamin Moore Paint (I will post some pics before and after when I have it all put back together!)  I honestly don't think I would have survived otherwise!

Soooooo, I will be the first to admit I LOVE the end result of my torture, hahaha! I have been wanting to use the So Many Smiles stamp set from Close to My Heart again for eons, and now seemed the perfect time to add some color punch with the Cranberry red against black and white.  Since it is DEFINITELY not blue, I threw in a bit of a sneak peek of Close to My Heart's new color of the year available starting in August--Bashful!  (Technically a shade of red, mind you, right Becca?)  ;)  The real POP happened when I threw in the Willow green leaves. 

I don't know about you, but I adore Jennifer McGuire's blog and have found SO many techniques to try over there...including this one.  I layered three "hello" die cuts to make it stand up and out.  My original idea included a layer of Bashful Glitter Paper--but the white was a bit more stunning, albeit less glittery, lol.  I intentionally left all bling (again the torture!!!) off this card in the end as I felt it really needed to let the paper and ink speak for itself.

You are now on your way over to Kelly's Blog to see her rendition of "blueless" red and white!  Enjoy!!!  Here is a complete line-up if you ever get lost along the way...

Becca

Amie (that's me!)

Kelly

Stephanie

Wendy

Jayma

Did you hear!?!?

Last Day for Stampaganza!!!

How in the world is it possible for March to have just one more day?!?!?  The worst part is that means Stampaganza is almost over too! 

Today (March 31st) is the last day to receive a FREE stamp set for EVERY 2 you order on my website!  Any size stamp is eligible, with just a few exclusions like hostess rewards and the stamp of the month. Just add the stamps to your cart and your free sets will automatically be discounted.  Remember, the lowest price stamps will be free first, so plan accordingly!  (See all the details here...)

I am so excited for my customers to be able to purchase these stamps at such a super price!  Here are some of my faves available now!

Rain or Shine

Ink Blot

Treats of Friendship

So Many Smiles

Illinois

Handwritten Print

Don't forget it is also the last day to grab this adorable Stamp of the Month, too!

La Vie En Rose Layout with So Many Smiles

I have been waiting to share this layout...soooo long in fact that I can't even remember if I shared it yet.  The struggle is real, you guys.  There must be a slow leak in my brain since I turned 40, lol.

So here it is in case I haven't shown it to you, and if I actually HAVE, then Throwback Thursday it is!  ;)

This is one of my personal faves from my big girl's first year at college.  I practically survived her being so far away by stalking her on FB (seriously, I have no idea how my mother survived my college years without social media stalking) and stealing every last one of her pictures.  I have successfully compiled them into an album for her now, and by golly, I think Mikey likes it!  ;)

I discovered this FANTASTIC second use for my Picture My Life Overlay cards--in my regular layouts!  LOVE!  These Green Glitter and Enamel Duos triangles are super little bits of bling added to the other shapes from the stamped images of So Many Smiles on the page...

Oh my word, you just have to see this black and white paper from La Vie En Rose in person.  But trust me that it is actually dizzying to stare at too long!

Only available in January!

PML Cards only in January!