Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sugar Creek Hollow

I know it's late in the day, and I've already made a blog post today, but I also wanted to share a card with you today.





This card was created for the monthly Sisterhood group swap. Michelle, our hostess for January, challenged us to create a card that represented us and our birth months. Eek! This was really tough for me. I was born in October. I did some research, but everytime I thought about my birthmonth, I came up with zilch in the creativity mode. As the month neared its end, I knew I had to do something, anything, even if it was wrong... so I stepped far away from my norm - there's NO COLORING on this card - and created a pink card (my month's color) with the theme of HOPE, which is my month's emphasis.


Being a Christian, when I think of hope, I think of the One who gives me Hope. He is very important to me, so this card truly communicates who I am.


The image I used, is a digital sentiment image by the new digital stamp company called Sugar Creek Hollow. Please go check out the site and become a follower. Tracy, the owner, is going to be giving away a gift certificate to a lucky follower on March 1.


Sentiment: Sugar Creek Hollow
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Perfect Plum and Pink Piourette
Designer Paper: Stampin' UP! Paper Flowers for You and Slumber Party Vellum
Embellishments: Classic Traditions Satin Ribbon, Gartner's Brides Collection Embossed White Shimmer Flowers, Wrights Iridescent Picot Edge Ribbon, and mini brads

... and the Winner is!


Two weeks ago I told you about an opportunity to contribute to a foundation created by a family who had recently lost their very young daughter to cancer. By purchasing the digital stamp (and letting me know you'd done so) you would be entered in a drawing to win BLOG CANDY from me.


I appreciate each and every one of you who noticed my post, who said a prayer for the family, who purchased the stamp, who created a card with it, who promoted the sale of the image, who hugged your own child/children tighter, etc... I ♥ you all!


While the blog candy is being given away today, it isn't too late to purchase the cute image and help out the CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation.



Now, without adding further to the suspense...
the winner of the blog candy (via a random drawing) is:
April!
Congratulations, April! I'll need your mailing address so I can get your prize package mailed out to you! Hugs!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Whipper Snapper Otto the Owl

You're a Hoot!
(and I say that with the utmost of respect! tee hee)

Today's card features an adorable owl image. His name is Otto and he is one of the many cute cute stamps manufactured by Whipper Snapper.





Many of you know, I am a big Whipper Snapper fan. I love the cutesy look of their stamps and the size makes them fun to color, which is my favorite part of card-making. Sooooooooooo when I joined Audrey's Favorite Stamp Company card swap, Whipper Snapper was my company of choice. The specifics of her swap required participants to use two stamps from the same company, which I did by also using the coordinating Whipper Snapper sentiment stamp.
"Owl" be back tomorrow with some more fun... OH, and don't forget! Tomorrow is the last day for entering my BLOG CANDY opportunity! Check out the details here!


Image: Whipper Snapper Otto the Owl
Sentiment: Whipper Snapper You're a Hoot
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgandy, and Summer Sun
Designer Paper: K and Company Fall Stripe
Embellishment: Classic Traditions Satin Ribbon

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Sew Many Cards New Release Blog Hop




Welcome to the Sew Many Cards New Release Blog Hop!! We’re so glad you could join us this week for a chance to see Angela’s new releases and a chance at winning some great prizes!! We’d like to say hello and welcome to all our new followers, welcome back to all our supporters and to thank all of you for a wonderful first month at our new challenge blog!

Our sponsors this month is Wags N’ Whiskers and Simon Says Stamp!



To win a $25 Gift Certificate to the Wags N’ Whiskers Store and a new release stamp from Wags N’ Whiskers you MUST comment on EACH design team members blog. We know we have a large team, but it’ll be well worth the hop to see all of our teams great projects and our sponsors awesome prizes!



Would you like to win a $10 Gift Certificate to Simon Says Stamp and the entire line of Sew Many Cards new releases…then we have a special challenge this week for you during our blog hop…You’ll find all the details on the last stop of our hop!



I am so excited to be able to debut the Sew Many Cards Donkey Pulling Hearts image. Look at that precious face! Don't you just love this sweet little guy? And he's sure to win your heart as he pulls a whole wagon load of love. It seemed appropriate to add some heart-shaped brads to my card and a Love brad, too.

Remember, this is just one of many newly released Sew Many Cards images, each one just as wonderful as this one!

Please stop by each of the Sew Many Cards design team members blogs and leave a friendly comment, and be sure to leave us an email or link to your blog when you finish the hop at our challenge blog!!

You have arrived here from Gloria's. Your next stop in the hop will be Audrey.

If you lose your way the list for the order is here and at Sew Many Challenges.

Angela -OWNER

Jessica K

Ceal

Kim G

Mary D

Cheri

Suzanne K

Melissa

Gwen H

Maria L

Deanette W

Jeri – SMC DT Coordinator

Gloria M

Jeanette C - that's me!

Audrey E

Kym W

Amber H

Kym B

Mary S

Sarabeth – SMC LO Coordinator

Tink

Sherry L

Dawnn S

Michele L

Sarah

Patricia St. M

Tammy M

Sew Many Challenges Blog



Image: Sew Many Cards Donkey Pulling Hearts
Ink: Copic and Prisma markers, Copic Spica pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Pink Passion and Real Red
Designer Paper: from the Target Dollar Aisle
Embellishments: heart shaped brads and Love brad

SEW Glad We're Friends

Do you like surprises? I know I do! And not too long ago, Joni of Inktegrity Stamps surprised her fans with a new digital stamp set. There wasn't any big release or special announcement. Instead, she slipped this really sweet set in her store and let us start creating. The set is called Sew Happy. It includes a really cute image of a handsewn heart with a spool of thread and several sayings. When I first saw it, I immediately thought of quilting.




Because the stamp set celebrates friendship, I chose to use the Friendship Star Quilt Pattern to create a quilt on my cardfront. As is the case of quilting, you will notice that my paper quilt is not perfect. It has some uneven edges and the hand-drawn stitching is not precise. I love this quality in the quilts my grandmother made and also think the slight defects add to the hand-sewn look of my card.


I added some buttons and ribbon and lace to continue the sewing theme and inked and layered the sweet sentiment before adding it to the card with raised dimensionals.


I'm so glad Joni surprised us with this cute stamp set and...



I'm SEW Glad We're Friends, too!



Image: Inktegrity: Sew Happy
Ink: Stampin' UP! Cameo Coral and Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Cameo Coral and Chocolate Chip
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishments: buttons, lace, crochet thread, and Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Mum Blossom

I have another KLM Digital Designs sneak peek for you today. The new release will be available February 1.




This image is called Mum Blossom. Isn't it a stunning image?

I wanted to give the flower some dimension, so I printed three copies of the digital image, all the same size. I colored them with my Koh-i-noor colored pencils. One image was cut out in its entirity. The other two were only partially used, to give the layers the flower needed.

In hindsight, I think it would have been fun to reverse the layers, leaving the flower center down inside the other layers. I'll have to give that a try next time I use this image.

Here are a couple other views of my card, which show the depth and details.




Image: KLM Digital Designs Mum Blossom
Color: Koh-i-noor Woodless Colored Pencils
Cardstock: Stampin' UP!
Designer Papers: Dream Street Tapestry Pear Green and scraps from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! brads

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

KLM Sick Bear Sneak Peek

Oh this is soooooo exciting! KLM Digital Designs is going to be releasing some new images in just a few days (Woo Hoo!) and they are really cute images!!!


This is one of them - Sick Bear...





Isn't this little bear adorable?!?!?!?!

After coloring my image with my Prisma markers, I added a little touch of Stampin' UP! Crystal Effects on the thermometor to make it look like glass. Just a little touch, but I thought it was fun.


Remember, you can't get Sick Bear quite yet, but on February 1, he will be available for purchase. In the meantime, be sure to check out the KLM store because there are a lot of cute images there!!!


Image: KLM Digital Designs Sick Bear
Ink: Prisma markers and Copic Spica pen
Special Feature: Stampin' UP! Crystal Effects
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Tempting Turquoise
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishments: dark brown brads and Stampin' UP! grosgrain ribbon

Monday, January 25, 2010

You + Me + Sunshine and Giggles

Please Note: I've made two blog posts today, this one and the Squigglefly Challenge one which follows. Be sure to check them both out!


IT'S SUNSHINE MONDAY!!!

(thanks to Sunshine and Giggles)


It gives a whole new outlook on Monday, doesn't it?





Today's card features the Sunshine and Giggles You + Me image. This image has so many incredible details, but I wanted to focus on the faces of these two darlings and the novelty of young love, so I spotlighted the faces, while leaving the rest of the image as a black and white drawing. I think it gives the image an artsy feel.

I layered some cardstock and designer papers and wrapped organdy ribbon around one of the layers three times before tying it.

Be sure and check the blogs of the other Sunshine and Giggles design team (links are in my sidebar) to see some more Sunshine Monday posts. And have fun today with the ones you love!


Image: Sunshine and Giggles You + Me
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Tangerine Tango and Tempting Turquoise
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Spring Craft organdy ribbon

Summer in January Challenge

Are you ready for some sunshine? Some warm weather? Anything but winter??? I know I am! That's why I was more than happy to play along with this week's Squigglefly Challenge. The challenge, should you decide to participate, is to create a summer card. Yes, I know it's January, but the challenge takes away the winter doldrums and let's the sunshine of summer in.




I used the Squigglefly Stained Glass Bee image for my card.
The pictures just don't do this card justice, I'm sorry. I printed out two of the digital images and cut out the square with the bee of one of the images. After coloring it with my Copic markers, I inked it entirely with Versamark and dipped it in Extra Thick Embossing Enamel and heat set it. I repeated this embossing process three times to get a really thick coating of enamel. It's quite striking, but the photo doesn't show that.
After coloring the main part of the image, again with my Copic markers, I added some detail with a gel pen and used a stipple brush to add some ink to the edges.
Putting the card together with many layers and a touch of grosgrain ribbon completed the look.
How refreshing... a Summer card in January!

Image: Squigglefly Stained Glass Bee
Ink: Copic markers and a gel pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Elegant Eggplant and Sage
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Stampin' UP! Eggplant grosgrain ribbon

Sunday, January 24, 2010

A Challenge with ATTY tude

I found a new challenge blog this week... and just had to participate. If I understand it correctly, Aly, the blog sketch artist, is only 11-years-old. Her challenges run for 2 weeks, so there's plenty of time to create and submit cards.

Aly's current sketch is a fun one!




Who couldn't have fun creating with this one???

I used my Stamping Bella ATTY tude stamp to create this card, I think she's adorable.


That marvelous cork strip you see on the left side of the card... well.... my dear husband got it for me from the auto parts store. It is gasket material. Go figure! It is just so rich and run!

I hope you will check out Aly's Sunday Challenge... and play along. To use the words my own dear daughter says often, It's gonna be fun!



Image: Stamping Bella ATTY tude
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers, Prisma markers, and a gel pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Basic Black, Kraft, and Real Red

Special Feature: Cuttlebug Heart Blocks embossing folder
Embellishments: cork (gasket material), damask ribbon from Michael's, and Stampin' UP! black grosgrain ribbon

Saturday, January 23, 2010

A Bright/Cheerful Sketch #264 Card

I am part of a card swap on SCS that is a bit different. Each month a hostess sends out a kit to the members in her group and we all create cards with the same papers/images/embellishment. This month Tammy was the hostess. Thanks, Tammy, for the most adorable image (Sugar Nellie) and designer paper!



The image is cute and spunky, as was the double-sided paper that Tammy sent. I loved the bright colors and think the Manga Girl colored up nicely, too.

Since one of my annual goals is to participate in challenges, I used Sketch #264 for my layout, which is this week's Sketch Challenge on SCS.


Image: Sugar Nellie MAnga Girl 1
Ink: Copic markers and gel pens
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Purely Pomegranate, Really Rust, and Rose Romance
Designer Paper: from kit Tammy provided
Embellishments: ribbon from Tammy's kit and raspberry brads

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sew Many Cards is seeing PURPLE

I love the color purple, so I was delighted to learn that the Sew Many Cards Challenge for this week is to create cards that are purple and white with just a splash of black. (The image itself can include any colors, but I chose to go with all purple there, too.)



The image I used for my card is one of Sew Many Cards newest images - Wheelbarrow of hearts. I colored it with a combination of Copic markers, Prisma markers, and gel pens. I added lots of layers of cardstock and designer papers to give the card depth. Some soft plum organdy ribbon flows from behind the image and I added a jeweled flower to make the card sparkle.


This is a fun challenge. I encourage you to play along. You'll find all the details on the Sew Many Cards Challenge Blog.


One lucky challenge participant will win an incredible prize from this week's sponsor, Cosmo Cricket. The prize is the Jolly By Golly Crafting Kit. How cool is that?!?!?!


The challenge runs from January 22-28, so don't be late!





Have fun........ and show us some PURPLE!


Image: Sew Many Cards Wheelbarrow of Hearts
Ink: Copic and Prisma markers and gel pens
Cardstock: Stampin' UP!
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: rhinestone flower and organdy ribbon

Thank You to KLM Digital Designs

I am delighted to be starting a new design team adventure! Kathryn, of KLM Digital Designs, has given me the great honor of serving on her design team. I could not be more pleased! She has some incredible fun and beautiful images. I am excited that I'll be sharing some of them with you over the next few months.





This card is made with KLM's Lily Circle Sentiment image.

I colored it with my Koh-l-Noor woodless coloured pencils, which is a venture away from the Copics I often use. I love the soft look of this coloring technique, which seemed perfect for the lily image.

Some layers of papers, including a cardstock that I embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, give a nice background to the KLM image. I added a gorgeous dash of ribbon (Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip satin ribbon) and a large button. The end result is a classy Thank You card, which reminds me............

Thank you, Kathryn, for letting me be part of your Design Team!
Thank you to all my blog friends, too, for your love and encouragement!


Image: KLM Lily Circle Sentiment
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Tempting Turquoise
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Special Technique: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing
Embellishments: button, fiber, Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip satin ribbon

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

BLOG CANDY Reminder!

Please Note: I've made two blog posts today, this one and the Kelly Jo's Color Chef #35 Challenge one which follows. Be sure to check them both out!


Last Saturday, I shared with you the story of a little girl whose life was cut short by a brain tumor. Her loving parents created CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation to help other families who are dealing with similar situations. I encouraged you to help them in their efforts by purchasing a stamp created by Joni of Inktegrity Stamps especially for this cause.

Everyone who purchases this image and let's me know by posting a comment in my blog will be in a drawing to receive some BLOG CANDY from me! The deadline is January 30, so hurry! See the details here.

Here is a card I made with the image:


I used this week's Sketches by Tamara for my layout. I chose colors that I thuoght any little girl would like, and teamed the striped paper with some designer paper that had some cute tiaras on it.

Image: created especially for the benefit of CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation
Ink: Copic markers and a gel pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Pale Plum
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon

Here's a cup of "Chloe"

Some of us just can't seem to start our day without a cup of Joe! Right? So, when I saw this Stamping Bella stamp, I had to giggle when I saw its name: Chloe! (It's a cup of Chloe!) And isn't she cute?




I created this card under the guidelines of Kelly Jo's Color Chef Challenge #35. The colors for the challenge are black, grey, red, and white. I think this is a very striking color combination!


Image: Stamping Bella Chloe the Coffee Mug Girl
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Prisma markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! black and real red
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: organdy ribbon and Darice pearl heart

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

FREE WALLY

Please Note: I've made two blog posts today, this one and the Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge one which follows. Be sure to check them both out!



This is the story of Wally the Whale...

............. it is a story of love and adventure!


FREE WALLY


Unlike the movie with a similar name, Wally doesn't need to be freed from the danger that surrounds his life. Instead Wally is FREE (with a mere $5 purchase from Inktegrity Stamps) and he is waiting for you to capture him and love him!

Wally is up for the adventures that might await him in your craft space.


Here's just one example of what you can do with him:


It's called a Shadow Box Card. Here's a view of what it looks like on its side.


It also folds flat so that it can easily be mailed. Pretty cool, huh?

Want to make one of your own? Here's a tutorial on SCS.



Now, don't forget to get your Wally image FREE with a $5 Inktegrity purchase... but hurry!
The offer ends on Feburary 14.


Image: Inktegrity Wally the Whale
Ink: Prisma markers and Stampin' UP! Almost Amethyst
Cardstock: Stampin' UP! Almost Amethyst and Sahara Sand
Designer Papers: from my scrap file
Embossing: Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles
Embellishments: brad, ribbon, Stickles

Have a little GRATTY tude!



This card was created using the Bella GRATTY tude stamp, some scraps of paper from my scrap file, a small piece of Stampin' UP! Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, some Stampin Up! Pretty in Pink and Creamy Caramel cardstock and a sketch. It doesn't get any easier than that!


The sketch comes from Technostamper. It's the Monday Lunchtime Sketch. This is my first time to participate in Mary Jo's challenge, but I plan to do so again in the future because it's been a lot of fun.
Image: Bella GRATTY tude
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers, Copic Spica pen, gel pen
Cardstock: Stampin' UP!
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Stampin' UP! taffeta ribbon


Monday, January 18, 2010

Squigglefly Challenge - Clean and Simple

Please Note: I've made two blog posts today, this one and the Sunshine Monday one which follows. Be sure to check them both out!


Are you ready for this week's Squigglefly Challenge? It's easy peasy! Seriously, it is! The challenge for this week is to create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE card that has BLUE on it somewhere. That's it! No problem, right? Sooooooooooooo you need to create your card; then rush over to the Squigglefly blog and post a link to it! You just might be the lucky winner of an incredible prize!

WAIT! Before you go, check out my card! I used Squigglefly's Puppy Love for my image. Isn't that puppy just adorable?!?!?



Okay, now... go! You need to participate in this challenge, cuz they just don't get any easier than this one.


Image: Squigglefly Puppy Love
Ink: Copic markers
Cardstock: Stampin' UP!
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishment: pawprint brad

Sunshine Monday - January 18

I love Mondays! It's a fresh beginning for a new week... and it's SUNSHINE MONDAY, the day when the Sunshine and Giggles Design Team posts a card featuring adorable Sunshine and Giggles images!!!

My card for this week is reminiscent of a young couple enjoying a special treat at an old-fashioned soda shoppe. The image is called Sharing the Love, and it is one of Sunshine and Giggles newest digital images being released today.


I had a wonderful scrap of double-sided designer paper that had ice cream treats on one side and chocolate-colored polka-dot paper on the other. I matched my colors to it and colored the sweet image with a combination of Copic and Prisma markers.
After creating layers of paper, I added the image (popped up off the page), a ribbon tied into a bow, and some heart-shaped rhinestones for added sparkle.
Be sure and check out what the other Sunshine and Giggles Design Team members have created for Sunshine Monday. Links to their blogs are in my sidebar.
And why not SHARE THE LOVE today with your sweetheart?!?!?
Image: Sunshine and Giggles Sharing the Love
Ink: Copic and Prisma markers
Designer Paper: Imaginisce Chocolate Double Dip
Embellishments: Stampin' UP! organdy ribbon adn Prima Marketing heart rhinestones

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Welcome to My Hideout

Last fall, my dear daughter took all of her belongings and moved to her first apartment - way off in the land of Oz. For a few weeks, I would walk past her empty room, and would pause and think of her. The tears would sometimes flow. THEN I decided it was time to enjoy the extra space! So I moved my craft room to the room that had once been hers, doubling my creative space. My friends on SCS even helped me name my new room - the Hideout.


These same friends keep asking to see pictures of My Hideout, so I have decided to dedicate today's blogpost to those pictures.


Welcome to My Hideout!


This is the view from the doorway as one enters my "happy place". (My husband knows that only happy things are allowed to take place in this room - it is not a place for grumbling and such. LOL!)





This is my Stamping Desk... you can even see my project in progress.

(I didn't clean up anything before taking the pictures, so the way you see the room is the way it is most of the time.)

Directly behind my desk is this wonderful shelf unit that also serves as a counter for additional workspace, when needed.




To the left of my desk (and within reach) is this marvelous drawer unit that I got at an auction for $3. It holds an incredible amount of stuff in its 54 drawers. Here's just one drawer:






I have my designer papers separated into categories and stored in these stackable Sterlite drawer units. When I'm searching for a paper, I pull the appropriate drawer from the unit and take it to my desk, where I can easily find what I need.



I store my larger Stampin' UP! punches on these Grundrails from Ikea. (I need another one, though.) My smaller punches are stored in some of the drawers by my desk.


My Stampin' UP! cardstock is stored in this lateral file (another yard sale bargain!!!) and my Cricut gathers dust on top of it. I really do need to get more comfortable with that machine!



Above is a view of the long wall of shelving units.


Two of the units house my Stampin' UP! stamps as well as some from other companies, all organized in plastic cases and/or file boxes.

My ribbons, buttons, and many other embellishments are also found on the wall of shelves.

Above is a view of the room from the doorway of the walk-in closet.

The following three pictures show three views of the walk-in closet where I store many things, inlcuding my Close to My Heart stamps, my Angel Company stamps, my Stampin' UP! wheels, completed cards, and various supplies.











Because the main room is so large, I also have room for a second desk - my Scrapping Desk. You notice there is NO project laying out on it like on my Stamping Desk. Hmmm... I guess stamping has taken over my creative life. BUT you might be interested to know that I started out as a scrapbooker and still do work on projects on this desk when I get a chance.


I hope you enjoyed this tour of My Hideout!

I leave you with a little bit of inspiration from my Inspiration Board (where I display special creations I receive from others).

Saturday, January 16, 2010

An Opportunity to Help Others and a Chance to Win Blog Candy!!!

I am so honored to be part of several design teams. Sometimes it makes my life a little crazy, trying to keep up with the crafting responsibilities, blog posts, etc., but I love being part of each and every one of these design teams!

Melissa is one of my fellow DT members on the Inktegrity DT. She was sharing with the DT earlier this week about a friend of hers from High School. She'd lost contact with him over the years, but recently discovered him on facebook and was able to catch up on life. His life has taken a sad turn. He and his dear wife recently (just last week, if my memory is correct) lost their precious 4 1/2 year old daughter after a courageous fight with a brain tumor. We can all imagine the heartache this couple is experiencing, and I'm sure many of us will hold our own children a bit closer after reading this post.

Roger and his wife Rachel created a pay-it-forward organization as a way to help them cope with Charlotte's illness (and now her death). The mission statment of CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation is to provide financial support to families of children with chronic, life-threatening illnesses through individual giving and public/private partnerships with organizations who have similar goals.

When Melissa heard her friend Roger's story, she took action. She asked Joni, the owner of Inktegrity stamps if she was willing to come up with a stamp that she could sell to help out the pay-it forward organization. Joni readily agreed (THANK YOU, Joni!!!) and this image was developed. It incorporates Charlotte's love for books, princesses, and butterflies.




The profits earned from the sale of this digital image will go to CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation. As far as I know, the only place it can be purchased is on Melissa's blog (in the sidebar).

Because this story has touched my heart so much, I want to pay-it-forward, too. First, I purchased the image myself. (I love it! so that wasn't a difficult thing to do.) I want others to purchase it, too, so together we can help CJ's Thumbs Up foundation! That's where the BLOG CANDY comes in.

I'm going to be giving away my first ever BLOG CANDY to someone who purchases this special stamp. If you purchase it NO LATER THAN JANUARY 30, leave a comment here in this thread of my blog letting me know and on January 31 I will ANNOUNCE the randomly selected winner of the BLOG CANDY! If you have a blog, put the link to the stamp in your sidebar and you also can be entered in the contest for my BLOG CANDY give-away (BE SURE TO LEAVE A COMMENT HERE LETTING ME KNOW YOU DID SO). AND if you create a card using the image and post it to your blog or an online gallery, let me know and you'll get another chance to win the BLOG CANDY!

Let's get the word out about CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation!