Think Spring Birthday Card, Digi Stamps, AND an award for some BLFs!! :)

Hello, hello, hello!!  How are you, my friends???  I want to thank you for taking a few moments out of your day to visit me -- If you are visiting my blog today, I'd love for you to leave me a comment with a link to your blog so that I can stop over and visit you too!!  If you're visiting via email, remember that you can always click "reply" to let me know if there are any crafty projects you'd like to see me tackle in the upcoming weeks...  I always look forward to the inspiration that others are willing to share!! :)

Now, onto what I have for you today...  There are two challenges that I just LOVE entering as often as I can...  And today I have a card that's eligible for both challenges (YAY!!  Love when that happens!!)...

Isn't that image just the SWEETEST???  It's a Digi Darla's image that I received for FREE for entering one of their previous challenges...  I thought it fit perfectly for their current challenge of "Think Spring" (and who's NOT thinking of Spring right now???  Especially after last year when it seemed the weather skipped from Winter to Summer, right???)...

I used the "Today is your day!" sentiment from the "Positive Thoughts" Stamp Art Set from K Andrew Designs on the inside of the card -- Perfect for a BIRTHDAY card!!

And since I added the BLING to the front of my card, it's eligible for the current challenge at Celebrate The Occasion too (birthday -- must use bling)...

This A2 card starts with a white cardstock base...  I cut a fuchsia piece of cardstock at just under 4.25"x5.5" so that just a peek of the white card base would show on the edges.  I used the Stampin' Up! Eyelet Border Punch along one long side, embossed it with a Darice embossing folder, and then adhered it to the card front.  Once it was adhered, I punched the open edge of the card with the Eyelet Border Punch to create a layer (the trick to this is not to slide the paper all the way in to the ledge of the punch -- then, carefully line it up down the edge for the layer).

My image is colored with Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen...  I added some 3 Girl JAM Crinkle Ribbon in a strip next to the punched edge and then tied a double loop bow to add to the center side.  My bling is courtesy of a grab bag find at my LSS...  I hope the recipient of my birthday card will enjoy that sweet image as much as I do!!  And speaking of the image....

What about those Digi Stamps???

Since I get a lot of questions about Digi Stamps now that I've been posting more than an occasional one or two....  Once upon a time, I had NO idea what a "digi stamp" was...  I didn't quite understand the idea of printing a digital "stamp" that really wasn't a "stamp" at all...  But after trying a few freebies from here and there, I discovered that I really LOVE digi stamps!!  I've been practicing my coloring techniques with some Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen.  Now, I find that if I have plenty of digi stamps printed out ahead of time, I can whip up a quick card for almost any occasion even if I remember that I need one "last minute"...  I use my Digital Scrapbooking Software (StoryBook Creator by Creative Memories) to organize all of my digi stamps.  I've made a folder for each of the artists/companies I like to frequent and save each of the digital images as embellishments.  This allows me to use the "rubber stamp this image" option in the software...  I can then resize the images to the size I'd like to use and then print out an entire sheet of images at once.  If you don't have scrapbooking software, or want a free trial of what I use, you can find a 30-day free trial HERE...

There are plenty of "free samples" for Digi Stamps out there to get you started...  So if you haven't tried them yet, maybe today is the day!!  Currently, I know of two sites that are offering FREE images...  The first is Digi Darla's (this is where the image I'm using today is from!), and the second is Dustin Pike...  I hope you'll check them out and try out some digi images -- Be sure to let me know if you try them and post a card or layout using digis...  I'd love to stop over and see it!! :)

TIME FOR AN AWARD!!  :)

And now...  An award I received and can't wait to pass on!! :)  I was thrilled to receive this award from  Lisa, Pam, Amy, Cheri, Rhonda, and Jessie  (THANK YOU -- You know I LOVE you all!!)...

This award was originally created by Beckie of Just B Creative Crazy -- To read all about how the award began, please CLICK HERE!!
Here are the terms under which this “Green Blend Award” are to be given:
1. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has helped you develop your blog in any and all ways.
2. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has cheered you along in your blog building, craft advancing career.
3. This award is for any co-blogging friend who always stops by and is kind to you. You can count on them to always be one of the great comments at the end of your post.
4. This award is to be given to 3 to 5 Blends whom you feel meet the listed requirements.
5. Create a post with the terms of use and publish your Blends of choice.
6. Blend of choice may copy the award from your blog and proudly post it on theirs.
7. Blend of choice may continue the kindness by issuing this award to keep the circle forever growing.

I am thrilled to have met so many WONDERFUL Bloggie-Land-Friends since I've popped into the Bloggie-World...  And my list of who could receive the award is LONG indeed (and includes both Lisa and Pam who gave it to me)!!  BUT...  After careful consideration, I've decided to pass it on to the following five Blends (please know that if I could give it to everyone, YOU would be on my list too!!)...  I hope you'll stop by and visit these lovely ladies as they are sure to be a delight to you too!!

Gloria of Girlia's Cards (one of my very first friends/followers!!)

Kristan of Baby Cakes (always one of my first comments on every post!!)

Heather of Heather's Crafty Blog Space (stops by SO often!!)

Rhonda of Scrap Happens with Rhonda (my co-host at DTC!!)

Tammy of Beyond Measure (always ready with an uplifting word!!)

Congrats, ladies -- Each of you have offered such amazing inspiration to me -- THANK YOU!! :)  And thank you again to Lisa, Pam, Amy, Cheri, Rhonda, and Jessie -- You are all such fantastic, encouraging Blends!! :)

Thanks again for stopping by to see me today!!  Be sure to leave me a link to your blog in the comment section so I can check out what you're creating too!! :)

Until next time,