200 Follower winner

The winner of this surprise gift is Alethea.
Thanks for contacting me, Alethea. Your gift will be in the mail soon:) I appreciate all my followers. You have inspired me!





Again, I want to thank all of you for following this blog. There are now over 200 followers. I am thrilled. In response to my 200 Follower Give-away, I have chosen a winner. Actually my husband chose the winning number------CONGRATULATIONS---- ALETHA.   Please contact me with your address so that I can send your surprise gift.  you will have until Saturday, August 4, 2012 to contact me. If I don't hear from you, I will choose another winner on Sunday.  Hugs, Barbara

Welcome Baby

Thank you for taking the time to stop by for a visit.  We hope that you have chosen to enter the recent challenge at My Grafico Crafts.  The current challenge is: Challenge #133 Expecting

Join our challenge this week and show off your cards for the 

Mother-to-be!

Link up your creation by Friday August 3

Remember to link a new project and to only link your project, not your whole blog.

With the baby theme in mind, I created another baby card. This card is a "Welcome Home" card for Bridget.

Not sure what this "fancy fold" card is called but I just loved the design.

When you open the card, this is the inside.

The baby dress has been paper pieced.

This fancy fold is easy to do. 

• Begin with an 8 inch square piece of card stock. 
• Score @ 2 inched on all four of the sides. 
• Cut off the little squares in each of the corners.You can see this in picture 2.
•  Refold on the score lines to make sure that the edges fit correctly.  
• Decorate with DP on each outside flap. I chose to use 2 different DP. However, you could use only one paper, if you chose. 
• Practice closing the card like you would close the flaps on a box that had been opened. 
• Have fun decorating the inside of the card .

Did you ever wonder who thought up all the unusual fancy folds for cards? ...just a thought!

Materials Used:

Card stock: Close to my Heart

Images: My Grafico

DP, Stickers, and cut outs: K&Company-Brenda Walton

Baker's Twine

I hope that I have encouraged you to try your hand at a fancy fold. There are so many on Splitcoast Stampers or try the one above. The most important tip...do something that you enjoy! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit. Please feel free to follow this blog and/or leave a comment. I love reading your comments:)  Have a wonderful week.

i am sharing my card with:
critter challenge blog: anything Goes
fashionista challenge: baby
kaboodle doodles: Celebrate a Special Day
make it monday: Anything Goes
paper pretties blog: Use two or more DP
tammy scrapin corner: Anything Goes
simon says stamps challenge: Anything Goes

200 Followers

It is so amazing to think that there are over 200 people who are interested in following this blog. My daughter and I began: u-inspire-me.blogspot.com in April, 2010. We were very "green!" When we received our first comment, we were thrilled. Since that time, my daughter has been very busy with her family and career. I am now, the prime blogger. I have been on several design teams and literally been challenged in so many ways.I could not have continued without the support of my design teams and my blogging friends.

 I had a huge give-away in June for my birthday and promised another  surprise candy give away when there were 200 followers.

How to be fair to my loyal followers? I could just draw a number but I want to reward the followers who are constantly posting and encouraging. Therefore, I have decided to wait until Monday, July 30th to choose the winner, by random draw.

I am asking all my loyal followers, if you are interested, to post your name in the following comment section. I will choose a blogger's name  on Tuesday, July 30, 2012 and post on this blog the following day.

Thank you for all your support. It is rewarding to have so many talented crafters take the time to leave comments and words of encouragement:) Hugs, Barbara 

paper bag scrapbook

Challenge #133 @ My Grafico Crafts this week is: Expecting

Join our challenge this week and show off your cards for the 

Mother-to-be!

Link up your creation by Friday August 3

I am so excited about my paper craft project for My Grafico this week. Challenges are all about being challenged, right? Well, I challenged myself to create a paper bag mini scrapbook. I used the digital images below:

I have a friend whom I have known since she was in high school and is now expecting their first child. It was so much fun to create this scrapbook for them. They are a darling couple. 

This is the front cover of the mini album. In this picture, you can see some of the tags that can be used for journaling.

Close up of the poem

 Pages 1 and 2

 Pages 3 and 4

 Pages 5 and 6

 Pages 7 and 8...Baby Z is movable!

 Page 9

 Page 10...Notice the tag that can be pulled out, on the upper left...

 Here is the tag!

This verses completed the verse that began on page 9

If you are still with me, you have seen many pictures! I just couldn't bear to leave any out. Notice that there are blank spaces for journaling, tags inserted for journaling, places to store pictures( inside the bag openings- and pages to place pictures. I am sure baby Z's parents will have fun with this album. 

Now for the recipe...

I used 3 large size brown paper lunch bags. You could really do this nicely with just two bags, if you choose.

DP: Recollections, Basic Grey, Deja Views

Stickers: ek success

Ribbons: Michael's

Images: My Grafico

Distressed Ink: Tim Holtz

Coloring: Copic Markers

Page titles: Word

Binding of the pages: Punch holes and thread ribbon through then tie in a knot.

This images from My Grafico Crafts made this album so easy. Using Microsoft Word, I was able to use merge several of the images with the titles. Cutting all the designer paper was the fun part:) 

By now, I am sure you are thinking of events that you could make this album for. I already thought it would be cute for: summer fun, vacation, bridal showers, favorite places, etc. This album is small enough that it could also be included in a larger 12x12 in. scrapbook page. 

 I hope that I have inspired you to use your creativity and create something special. Please, take a few moments this week just for you. If you need anymore information, Please contact me.Feel free to leave a comment...yes I do read all of them and love hearing from my blogging friends. Would also love for you to become a follower:) Have a wonderful week.

I am sharing this paper craft project with:
crafty creations challenges: Tags (there are several tags within this project)
stampin royalty:: Anything Goes
perfect sentiments challenge: anything Goes + Sentiment on front
dutchdare-cardchallenges: 1 ribbon, 2 images, 3 DP, 4 embellishments
joyful stamper: Anything Goes
simply create too: Use something two or more times: Ribbons,colors: aqua, orange
sir stamp a lot challenge: What's your crafty passion? ribbons, layering, distressing
the squirrel and the fox: Babies/children
crafty boots challenges: Babies
fashionista challenge: Babies
love to create challenge: Spots and Dots
the crafty pad: Interactive designs
make it monday: Anything Goes
simon says stamp and show: Hey Girl

Jenn's candy

Jenn from Handmade by Jen has awesome blog candy.I am not able to download the picture of her awesome give-away so please check it out HERE. Tell her that Barbara sent you:)

Thanks

I am proud to share the following card that I made in my daughter's stamping class. She has been a Close to My Heart Consultant for 10 years !! She loves sharing her passion with others. Our stamping group still includes some of the original members. We often share more than our stamping techniques:) All of us look forward to our once a month meeting. 

The above card used CTMH designer paper, inks and sentiment. The flower and pom pom is from Michael's.The sentiment was first stamped with a coordinating ink then restamped again with white ink. I like the acrylic stamps because you can see just where you wish to stamp. I just love the 3D effect on the word "Thanks."  The flower was formed by rounding two of the corners of a square...unbelievable isn't it??

Thanks for stopping to visit. I hope that I have inspired you to try one of the above techniques. If you do, please let me know and I will surely stop to visit!! Please feel free to leave a comment and/or follow this blog. It gives me great pleasure reading each of your comments and hopefully I will in turn visit your blog.

Hoping that you are staying cool and finding some time to enjoy your crafting this week.

I am sharing this card with:

lej designs challenge blog:Anything Goes
oldie but a goodie challenge: Flower power, also the flower is over 6 months old!
shopping our stash: My Precious: FLOWER is from my precious stash!
!incy wincy designs: Dust it off: Flower
make it monday: Anything Goes
simon says stamp and show: Anything Goes
cute daisy may: Use up your stash: Flower, pieced flower parts
one stitch at a time challenge: Anything Goes
that craft place blog: Anything Goes
dis digi designs challenge: Pile on the flowers

Hello Baby

Weddings is the current challenge at My Grafico Crafts. You still have time to design a paper craft. Check HERE for details. The design team projects are awesome!

Here is the current set of images we used this week:

Aren't these just the cutest images?

There are so many paper craft projects that I could use these with. I am surely saving them for the future.

I decided to share how simple baby invites could be made using two of these images.

Use a paper piecing technique on the stork and bundle. Then a Word Document for the necessary information. The beak was colored with copic markers.

This invite was done the same way with the yellow paper pieced and the baby and pacifier colored with copics. Don't look too hard because my skin toned copic ran out of ink:( 

I will just have to make a trip to Buffalo Stamps to get a refill and of course shop!!

I have several baby gifts and showers in the near future. I am sure this set will be used often. Please take a look at our design team projects they are so unique. I hope that I have inspired you to use your creative energy this week. Remember, you still have time to enter our Wedding challenge at My Grafico Challenges. 

Thank you for stopping to visit. Please feel free to leave a comment and/or follow this blog. I am nearing 200 followers!!! Then?????SURPRISE!!!


I am sharing this paper project with:
4 crafty chicks: Stripes
just inspirational challenges: Inspirational Challenge (the colors inspired me)
cas-ual fridays: Strips of color or pattern
crafty anns challenge blog:  paper piecing
fat pages with attitude: Anything Goes
our craft lounge: Tag It
the poodles parlour: Use a Digi Stamp
stampin for the weekend: Tags
the crafty pad: Paper Piecing

The Bride is Ready for a wedding!

Are you ready for a new challenge at My Grafico Crafts? This challenge is a wedding challenge. Here are the images relating to this challenge:

So many paper projects that can be made from this set. To be inspired, just check out some of the unique projects from our Design Team HERE.

I decided to make a shaped card for a wedding shower for a friend.

Close up of the front of the card.

Inside of the card.

 I presented it with a ribbon tied on the handle then attached to the gift. 

The "Bride to Be" was so thrilled!! Making a card with this set was easy. I love that it is colored:)

I added the short dress to the bride and popped it up. The quote is from Nicholas Sparks. I cut a few of the images to enhance the sentiment and distressed the edges with CTMH stamp pad ink.

I hope that our Design Team has inspired you to create something unique this week and to think "outside the box!".Perhaps you have always wanted to try making a shaped card?
 Thank you for visiting this blog. Please feel free to leave a comment and/or follow this blog. I currently have 198 followers! Once I reach 200 followers I have a surprise planned  CHECK BACK SOON!! Have a wonderful week.

I am sharing this shaped card with:

deep ocean challenge blog: A sea of love
whimsy inspires: Anything Goes
word art wednesday: use an encouraging sentiment
crop stop: Show us some love
my heart pieces digital stamp challenge: For someone Special
chocolate coffee cards: Anything Goes
catch the bug blog: Anything Goes
dream valley challenges: Anything but Square
that craft place blog: Anything Goes
make it monday: anything Goes

This is my last post for the Lexi's Creation Design Team. This has been such a wonderful team to work with. They have been so supportive and encouraging:) I just love the images that I was able to choose. Unfortunately, other commitments are calling me.

This image is so darling. The theme for the challenge for the next two weeks is: For a Friend.

Doesn't she look like she needs a friend?

The inside of this tag card showcases one of Lexi's Creation's sentiments:

It was difficult to get a bright picture because the front of the card was blocking my light source. However, I think that you get the idea. I distressed it a little to give it some highlighting.

Materials Used:

DP: Close to My Heart

Distressing Ink: CTMH

Ribbons and shaped card: Michael's

Colored with Copic Markers

I hope that you have enjoyed your visit to this blog. Our Design Team has some wonderful paper projects to share with you HERE. Please think about a friend that you have not contacted in awhile. Perhaps it is time to reconnect with a card, phone call and/or a text. 

Please feel free to leave a comment and/or become a follower. Currently, I have 198 followers. I have promised a surprise once I reach 200 followers!!!!!

I am sharing this card with:

craft-room challenge:Friendship

crafts and me challenges:  1 image, 2 DP, 3 embellishments

word art wednesday: Use encouraging words

aud sentiments challenge blog: Friends

die kreativen stempel freunde: Paper piecing

make it monday: Anything Goes

squigglefly: Paper piecing

tammy scrapin corner: Anything Goes

totally stamp alicious: Favorite Embellishment: Ribbon, Ric-Rac

Happy Dotty Birthday!

Another posting this week!!! I have been quite busy:) This is a very simple card that I made at our Stamp Club. We used our circle punches, Close to my Heart DP and Baker's Twine.

After the circles were punched, I positioned them on the black cardstock then stamped Happy on several of them. Two of the circles were tied with Baker's twine and popped up on the cardstock. Finally birthday was stamped at the bottom of the card. Using this as an idea there are so many possibilities....

• Use any of your simple punches
• Use any of your sentiments
• Use ribbon, twine, embellishments
• This can be used for any kind of card. Just change the DP

Have fun thinking of the endless possibilities:) I hope that I have encouraged you to create a card this week. If you use this idea, please drop me a note and I would love to visit your blog. Thanks for stopping to visit. Please feel free to leave a comment and/or follow this blog. (I am only 2 followers from the 200 mark!!) When I reach the 200th follower there will be a surprise!


I am sharing this card with:
paper play challenges: Happy Birthday
paper pretties blog: any occasion card
whimsy inspires: Anything Goes
anything challenge: Polka dot and birthday challenge
sassy cheryls challenge: Anything Goes
the stamping boutique challenge blog: Card for a Man
top tip tuesday: One for the man
cards for men: Birthday card for a man
make it monday: Anything Goes
stampin sisters in christ: Use something new (DP is new)
emerald faeries: Birthday
the artistic stamper creative team:Circles/must use a rubber stamp
lia stampz: Use your stash (background CS and baker's twine)
oozak: Use Bright Colors

Happy Birthday America

Many times we take our freedom for granted in the United States.

 My life has changed so much during the past year due to some special friends in a far away continent. I wish they could be celebrating with us and not worrying about food, clothing, shelter, safety, jobs etc.

 I also want to thank all the military members and their families for all the sacrifices that they endure. This includes Cindy, Jason and their family stationed in Japan. May you all return home safely. We are so blessed in the USA. Life Is Good!

God Bless America

I love the images in the following kit from  my grafico crafts. I used them to create a second card for a friend who lives too far away for a visit.

  

Front of Card

Inside of Card

For this card, I used the My Grafico images and DP from my scrap collection. The Cuddlebug swirls embossing folder was used on the card front and a Spellbinders die cut buckles folder.Stickles were used on the stars for some "bling."On the inside, I used another Spellbinders die cut for the sentiment background. The sentiment was computer generated. There is just enough white space to write a short note and signature. 

I hope that you enjoyed your visit to this blog. Please feel free to leave a comment and/or follow this blog. (I only need 2 more followers to reach 200!!) You'll have to find out what I have in store?????

I am sharing this card with:

crafting for all seasons: Patriotic/Military/fireworks
the paper shelter : Punches, Dies
simon says stamps challenge : Patriotic
365cards: mailable
word art wednesday: Use an uplifting sentiment
cute card thursday: Patriotic
card makin mamas: Red, white, blue
craft punked: Independence Day
our craft lounge: July 4th
2 sisters challenge blog: Red, white, blue/ sparkle
my sheri crafts: Oh, I Love America
love to create challenge: Stars and Stripes (stripes on the inside of this card)
make it monday: Anything Goes

Fancy Flowers

If you have posted in the current challenge at   My Grafico Crafts:  Bright Summer Colors,we want to thank you. Luckily, you still have a week to post another entry. :) 

This week we are sharing another set of digital images:

These are just so beautiful and you can color them any way you like. Let the creativity spark!!!

Our Design Team has done a wonderful job. Just click   HERE  to get your mojo started!

 Michael's had a sale on DP last week and I am such a paper and ribbon addict. This summer orange is my  color of choice. The following papers just called to me. Of course I had to purchase the bright blue ribbon to accent with! I like the way these papers worked together. 

I wanted the image to be soft, so I used chalk for coloring and smudged some gray chalk around the edges for shadows.

Materials Used:

Image: My Grafico

Ribbon, DP: Michael's

Coloring Medium: Chalk

Decorated Hat Pin: My creation!!

Spellbinders
Sketch: Willow Sketchie

Thank so much for stopping to visit today. I hope I have inspired you to craft something bright and cheerful this week. If you would leave a comment, I would be thrilled. If you would choose to follow this blog, I would be especially excited......198 followers........Almost 200!! I just had a birthday blog candy but once I reach 200 followers, I will have another surprise????? You will have to wait and see....

Have a wonderful week...for all the Canadian followers: Happy Canada Day. For all the US followers: Happy Independence Day.  


I am sharing this card with:
willow sketchie challenge; Sketch + sparkle and shine
365cards: 120-Beautiful Beads/ 124-Sparkle and Shine
dutch dare: Flutterby Butterfly
chocolate coffee cards: Anything Goes
totally papercrafts: Must use a digital stamp
all sorts challenge: In Bloom