Whimsy and Stars Studio Blog Hop & Release Party!

Good morning!!! Today is release day for Whimsy and Stars Studio and Mabelle has two, super sweet images to share! Be sure to start at the beginning of our blog hop and hop along, as there is the chance to win a free Whimsy and Stars digital stamp!

Our first new image to share with you, is a lovely image called Little Princess Girl. 

For my first card, I went light and airy. I used some yellow and purple papers and left my card clean and simple! Wouldn't this image be perfect for a little "princess" party! 

Mabelle also has a more contemporary girl this month called Amelia, and she is sporting an adorable flower and super cute boots!! 

I used the fun sketch over at Crazy 4 Challenges to  create my card!

Crazy 4 Challenges

There are many exciting things happening at Whimsy and Stars:

1. Whimsy and Stars Studio now has instant download digis at the Etsy store!!! Woot!

2. We have a brand new bunch of talented designer, joining our team!!! Welcome, ladies!

3. We have a brand new design team blog, where you can come and see our creations!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, to continue with the hop, please visit 

Karen Hanson 

Here is the HOP order, in case you get lost!! 

Don't forget to leave comments for your chance to win!

Whimsy and Stars Studio http://whimsyandstarsstamps.blogspot.com/

***Lesley Croghan http://www.alwaysplayingwithpaper.blogspot.com/ (You are here! )

Karen Hanson http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com/  

Melissa Oeters http://8ers.blogspot.com/

Theresa Harris (The Scrapbooking Queen): http://www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

Kathy Curry http://willstampforwine.blogspot.com/

Cathy Santie http://papiergirl.blogspot.com/

Audrey Emst (aka Hippieaud) http://hippieaud.blogspot.com/

Marcee Rodgers http://inkybird.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Bier http://sparklingscrapper.blogspot.com/

Lesa Smaligo http://punkydoodlepapers.typepad.com/    

Marsha Sanderlin http://www.stampingdownsouth.blogspot.com/

Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge

All week I have been waiting to create a card for the PPA Sketch Challenge.  I finally got the chance tonight and went to work.  I decided to rotate the sketch because I liked the long shaped box #4.  I also tried their tip to use Ribbon as one of my layers!

When breaking down a sketch I look at:

1. What stamp would work with the main panel on the sketch?  Box #4 seemed like a focal point to me, so I was looking for a long or tall image.
2. What kind of a card do I want to create with that image?  Birthday?  Sympathy? Wedding?
3. Where and what would my sentiment be?

I am sure many stampers do the same thing!!  So I went to work, and found the image from the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set which was the first set I bought as a Stampin' Up Demo.  I love it and have used it a lot!  Then I looked at the circles where the sentiment could go and decided to use my new Fabulous Phrases set.  This stamp set is perfect in Clear Mount because with an A sized Clear Block, I could fit the two words onto my punched circles perfectly.

I had some scraps of Rose Red Designer Paper on my desk and decided to pair it up with River Rock and White.  This card is very simple but I love these two colours together.  I know this card is not fancy or clever but I wanted it to be clean and pretty.  I used my crimper to add some texture to the bottom box #2 on the sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!  If you get the chance head on over to the Pals Paper Arts challenge blog to play with this terrific sketch!!

Smiles,
Lesley

PS  I created a new Watermark for myself!!  What do you think?

Crazy 4 Challenges-Celebrate Something

Over at Crazy 4 Challenges, they are asking for a card or project to celebrate something!!!  I received a call at midnight last night from my best friend.  She was calling long distance, from a party, to say Happy New Year!!  My best friend Jackie is not only fun, hilarious and kind, she is true-blue!  We met on our street when I was 7 years old and she was 5 years old!!  We are now 35 and 33!!  She was the maid of honour at my wedding and she has been there through thick and thin with me!! So when I saw the challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges, I created this card to celebrate my friendship Jackie to let her know how much I love her! She is like a sister to me.

This photo below is of the kids on my street when I was a kid!!  I am in the middle with my arms around the little boy sitting on my sled.  That is Mikey, Jackie's kid brother!!  Jackie has her hood up over her toque.  She is to my left.  The girl to my right is my cousin Kate, who I will be seeing today!!  My sister Kelley is sitting beside her.  The little girl in front of Jackie is Vicki, her sister.  The other two kids on the end are Laura and Nick, neighbours on our little street.

Thanks for stopping by!
Smiles,
Lesley

Crazy for Challenges and Curtain Call Colour Challenge

This card was made for the current Crazy for Challenges Sketch Challenge and Stacey's current Curtain Call Colour Challenge. I have been looking for a reason to use my new "Beary Best Friends" Stamp set...I just orderd the matching word stamp set for this set and I am so excited about it! For now, I used my "Short and Sweet" set for the sentiment. The DSP is from the Sweet Pea Pack and also from the Pawsitively Prints Pack which is supposed to go with the Bear Set. I used my new Button Sizzlit to make the buttons on the side and used some white craft ink to draw some lines on the buttons to make it look like I had sewn them with thread. His little outfit is paper pieced with the DSP.The inside of the card was finished as well. I love the Scallop Trim Border Punch! I added a button on the inside too!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lesley ;)