Gift of Giving Winner Announced!!!!!

Hello there gang!!  I hope you all had a fabulous holiday and got your bellies full :-)

I'm stopping in to share the winner of my Gift of Giving Blog Hop prize!!!!!  Thank you to everyone who "hopped" along with us and made our hop a success!!!!

And the winner is.... (drumroll please!!!):

MARSHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Marsha, please email me at Brandimatos@gmail.com to claim your prize!!!!!!

Thanks again everyone!!!!  Have a wonderful day :-)

Frosted Designs Gift of Giving Blog Hop!!!!

Hello there fellow crafters!!!  Welcome to our "Gift of Giving" Blog Hop!

With the holiday season lurking just around the corner, we decided to give our members some ideas for fabulous handmade items that can be gifted this year!  Our Design Team has been working really hard so sit back and enjoy the show as you "hop" along with us!

As you hop along, you will notice each Design Team member has a "secret" word on their blog that makes a quote.  Be sure to write it down and email Brandimatos@gmail.com with your completed quote!  After you've completed the hop, come back here (the Frosted Designs Blog) and leave us a comment letting us know.  One winner will be randomly selected from the comments to win a $20.00 Gift Certificate to the Frosted Designs Store!!!!

My "secret" word for you is ARE :-)

We also have some other fabulous prizes up for grabs! 
Creative Embellishments is offering up a $20.00 Gift Certificate to their AMAZING online store full of chipboard, stamps, flair, and more!!!! 

Regina from The Cutting Cafe has generously offered winner's choice for THREE SETS of their choosing to her online store FULL of digi stamps and cut files for EVERY occasion (no, seriously... EVERY occasion!!)!!!!!

For my project, I decided to create a Fall themed banner for my mother using previous and current month's kit!  Here's a look:

I started by cutting up several pattern papers from the kits into triangles and inking the edges.  I added trim from the Garden of Abundance kit to the top of each piece!

Using the doily stencil from the We Are Family kit and the distress ink from this month's Rustic Beauty kit, I created a pattern on one of the triangles :-)

I used the same papers from the We Are Family kit and the Garden of Abundance kit and cut strips to create my rosettes, inking the edges as well.  I added the sticker letters from last month's kit to create my "Happy Fall" sentiment!

I finished the banner with some jute and small mini roses!  


I am also offering a prize to one lucky participant of the blog hop!!!  All you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave me a comment below letting me know you're hopping along!  One person will be drawn at random to receive a "bits and pieces" giveaway from past kits  and other FD goodies!!!

So what are you waiting for?!?  Let's get hopping!!! 

Here is the line-up in case you get lost along the way:

Michelle

Sandee

Athanasia

Brandi

Shanna

Rachelle

Solange

Julie

Channa

Megan

Joni

Lori

Connie

Frosted Designs

You have until midnight on November 14th to "hop" along with us!  As you hop, be sure to write down the "secret" word from each member's blog.  Once you've completed the hop, you'll have a completed quote!  Email that to brandimatos@gmail.com for your chance to win one of the fabulous prizes listed above!!!!

Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!!!!  
Happy Scrapping :-)

Frosted Designs "Favorite Things" Blog Hop Winner Announced!!!!!

Hello there everyone!!!  It's a bit gloomy today here in the "Sunshine" State!!!  Hope you're having better weather wherever you are!

Looks like we have a winner for my giveaway from the Frosted Designs "Favorite Things" Blog Hop!!!! 

 

And the winner, as chosen by Random.org is:

 

Jose!!!!  

 

joseFriday, March 21, 2014 10:03:00 AM

Beautiful layout Brandi,love the mixed media effect....I'm already a follower and love to see you around on sketches4all:)

 

Well gang... Thanks soooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

 

Frosted Designs "Favorite Things" Blog Hop!!!

Hello crafty friends and welcome to the Frosted Designs "Favorite Things" Blog Hop!!! As most of you know, March is National Craft Month!!! What better way to celebrate our favorite time of year than with a "favorite things" blog hop?!? We are so excited about all the fabulous items in store that we wanted to share with you how we use them on our projects! Our Design Team has put together some AMAZING projects just for your viewing pleasure :-)

If you've arrived here from Anita's blog, then you're in the right place!  If not, please start the hop at the Frosted Designs Blog here!

We have some fabulous prizes up for grabs from the following sponsors:

Now to show you MY favorite things!!!! 

Lindy's Stamp Gang - Autumn Leaves Spray Set

Crafters Workshop - Well Rounded

InLinkz.com

 I LOVE using the Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Sprays from Frosted Designs!!!  They are truly sooo much fun to work with!!!!  So, I created a a page to show you that mists are NOT just for you paper!!!!  I also used the March Sketch challenge over at Creative Embellishments (inspired by the floating petals to the left of their inspiration page!), AS WELL as some of their FABULOUS chipboard on my page!

Here's a look:

I started with the Authentique "Flourish" Collection in the store and some layering.  I used the Circle Template (Another one of my FAVS!) and some of the sprays, as well as various inks, to create the background.  I added some layers of gesso over areas for a more "muted" tone.  Then, I used the Tim Holtz "Dot Fade" stencil from last month's kit and some molding paste colored with Lindy's Magicals to finish my background effects!

I layered on tons of flowers and embellishments, applying gesso and the mists for added color!  The round metal buttons were coated with gesso, then misted with LSG sprays until I achieved my desired colors!

I added Creative Embellishments chipboard behind my photo mats that was embossed with the Tim Holtz Black distress powder in this month's kit!

I finished with some chipboard by 7 Gypsies that I clear embossed with a polka dot stamp by Stampin Up! and some versamark ink.  I coated it generously with Lindy's Mist for a beautiful, rich teal color!!!!!

Now, I ALSO have a GIVEAWAY here for you lucky crafters!!!!  

I have put together some crafting goodies that will be mailed to one lucky person  (Anywhere in the world!)!!!  All you have to do is BECOME A FOLLOWER of my Blog AND leave me comment letting me know you've stopped by!!!  That's it!!!!

And don't forget to jot down each member's scrambled FD product and email it to Brandimatos@gmail.com for your chance to win a $20.00 Gift Certificate to the Frosted Designs Store!!!!!

My scrambled word for you is MPAEETLT (HINT*** It's located under "Mixed Media" in the FD store here!!!!! 

Thanks for stopping in gang and have a LUCKY day :-)

You're next stop is over at Brenda's Blog!!!  Have fun hopping :-)

Here is the Blog Line-Up in case you get lost:

Frosted Designs 

Barb

Debbie

Anita

Brandi (You Are Here!)

Brenda

Jean

Joni

Lisa

Lori

Sandee

Channa

Cathi

Colorful Creations "Spring Fling" Blog Hop!!!!

Welcome to the Colorful Creations Spring Fling Crop! I don’t know about you but the ladies here at CC are ready for some sunshine... how about you????

To help us get ready to usher Spring in, we decided to have a "Spring" themed Blog Hop... so all the projects you find along the hop will be themed around Spring!!!  Make sure you visit each DT member’s blog!

You should have come from Toccara‘s blog, if not, please go back to the Colorful Creations blog to start the hop from the beginning.

Since this is a "Spring" Blog Hop, I decided to do a little "Spring Cleaning" and make a little organization piece with "Spring" colors:

Here is a set of altered drawers:

Aren't they adorable?!?  I truly love the finished product here!!!

I started with a plain white storage piece from Michaels, and painted it with a Tim Holtz Dauber and Luminarte Silks Acrylic Glaze (Both from my March Kit at Frosted Designs!) for some shimmer!

I used mod podge to adhere the papers from the March kit at Frosted Designs to the inside and outside of the box and drawers!

 

I used trim from the kit and dyed it using the Pink Tim Holtz Distress Dauber.  I attached it down the center of each drawer and then added a brad directly in the center as my drawer pull.  

I took the Fabscraps chipboard from the kit and clear embossed it with the tiny Prima Stamp clock and Versamark ink.  Then I added Lindy's Stamp Gang Mist over it for the desired color!

  

Once I finished and everything was dry, I added all my favorite "small mediums" to the recess in the top for easy access!!! 

Here are some other "Spring Cleaning" projects I made with foam board from a previous post here!!!   

So, for my hop challenge, I would like you to create ANY TYPE of ALTERED OR OFF THE PAGE PROJECT using the following color combo:

Once you have completed your project, please head back over to the CC website to upload your entry. Please tag your entry: SFBRANDI. The more you play, the better your chances of winning this great prize courtesy of Colorful Creations!

ANY PROJECT NOT PROPERLY TAGGED WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR THE DRAWING!!!

Now head on over to Karen‘s blog and see the great challenge she has in store for you!

Remember you have to have your projects linked up no later than midnight, CST, March 29th

Here is the lineup in case you get lost!

Michelle http://michellesscrapdesigns.blogspot.com/

Toccara http://www.lifeandcreationsoftee.blogspot.com/

Brandi (YOU ARE HERE!) http://luckyflutterbycreations.blogspot.com

Karen http://karenandkids.typepad.com/

Marci http://ascrapfrommarci.blogspot.com/

Xara http://www.joyscraft.blogspot.gr/

Paula http://preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com/

Christina V. http://cardsbychristina.blogspot.com

Yasmina http://chezmina974.blogspot.com/

Sandrine http://sandlo80.canalblog.com/

Christina P. http://myembellisheddaydream.blogspot.gr/

Robin http://www.emptynestscrapbooker.blogspot.com

Colorful Creations (to link up) http://colorfulcreations2014.blogspot.com/

Well gang...  Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Sketches4All Jingle Bells Blog Hop Begins!!!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!! Are you ready for another Holiday Hop?!?  This one is brought to you by Sketches4All!!!! 

Welcome to the Sketches4all

Jingle Bells Blog Hop!!

So glad you could join us for our blog hop!  You will have nine days to hop around and to complete any and all of the challenges that will be offered by each design team member.  We hope to inspire you this holiday season!  The Hop starts today, December 3rd and ends on December 9th at midnight (PST).  Winners will be announced on December 13th in the Winner's Circle at Sketches4all. 

There are TONS of prizes to be won!!! One lucky winner will receive the Grand Prize which is this glorious November Kit from Frosted Designs!!! Look at all of the gorgeousness!

There will also be a second place winner of a $20 gift certificate to the Cutting Cafe!

AND...each Design Team member will offer a challenge here at Sketches4all, some with an individual prize!

So how do you participate??

1. Hop around to all of the blog's of the design team members. Follow them and leave a comment. 

(Right away, that will get your name in the hat to win the second place prize!!) 

2. Join the Design Team's Jingle Bells Blog Hop challenges at Sketches4all. 

These challenges will be posted in the Forum under Special Events. (HERE) 

 (This will get your name thrown in the hat to win the individual prizes.)

3. And... to win the Grand Prize... you will need to complete the hop AND find our mystery sentence!!!

Each Design team member will have a word hidden on their blog. When you collect all eight words you will have found our mystery sentence. After you find it, you will then just personal message it to FIA at Sketches4all. 

That's it! Just complete the blog hop and find the mystery sentence and your name will be in the hat to win that awesome kit from Frosted Designs!!!

Now for a little inspiration and a challenge to give your creative mojo a boost!!!  Since we are in the "month of giving", I decided on a very simple challenge...  All you have to do is create a holiday project that IS NOT a card OR a layout!!!!  This can be a tag, altered pieces, altered picture frames, ATC's, etc... GET CREATIVE!!!!  

I chose to alter a picture frame I've had lying around for quite some time.  I picked it up on clearance at TJ Maxx a while ago for $2.00 because it was a little scuffed up.  No biggie, right?!?  This is how I purchase MOST of my pieces that I alter because I know I'm going to be changing them anyway :-)

Any who... I used the Pink Paislee "Noel" paper pad and some mod-podge to create the outer part of the frame.  

Here's the beautiful paper collection:

And here is my finished frame:

I started by cutting all the outer pieces down to size, then the inner pieces as well.  I inked the edges of everything (as usual!!) then applied it to the frame with mod-podge (matte used here).  For the inside, I cut a piece of paper with these beautiful glittered ornaments all over it to a 4x6 size.  Then I stamped the sentiment by Hero Arts and matted it on a red,white, and green plaid paper which is also the same paper I used for the inside portion of the frame.  

Here's a look at the inner portion:

I tried desperately to get a close-up of the glittered ornaments but they just weren't coming out well as I didn't have much sunlight here in the sunshine state today!!!!  Here's the best shot I could get... You can sort of see the glimmer on them!!!!

You can also see a set of Altered Drawers I created HERE and a Winter Wonderland Christmas Tag HERE!!!  Just to give you some additional inspiration :-)

Now it's your turn to show me what you got!!! Or, what you are giving!!! Hahaha!!! 

All entries must be uploaded to the Sketches4All Gallery and tagged JBHBRANDI to receive credit.  I will choose one randomly drawn winner at the end of the hop to receive a FABULOUS prize pack!!!! Remember, you must become a follower of my blog AND leave a comment letting me know you are hopping along!!!! 

(P.S.... My secret word is "BRING")

Here is the order of the hop so you don't get lost along the way:

Stacy - http://scrapwithstacy.blogspot.com (you are here)

Cheryl - http://capturingamomentintime.com

Libby - http://jeansandslipperscreations.blogspot.com/

Rachelle - http://scrapping247365.blogspot.com/

Jessica - http://myscrappycorner.blogspot.com

Brandi - http://luckyflutterbycreations.blogspot.com

Giorgia - Guest Designer for December - http://joyblonde.blogspot.it/

Fia - http://myhappyscrap.blogspot.com

As you can see there are lots of ways to win on the Jingle Bells Blog Hop!! So come on and join in the FUN!!!

Well gang... Thanks sooo much for stopping in and have a LUCKY day :-)

Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop: Day Three!!!

Welcome to Day three of the Colorful Creations Design Team Jingle All The Way Holiday Hop!!! 
(If you missed the first two days, just scroll below this post!!!)

We hope that you are enjoying the fun, challenges, recipes and other holiday inspiration!!!

Looks like I am first on the hopping order for today but if you get lost along the way or need additional information, click here!!!

For the last day of our hop, I decided to share some Christmas Cards to give your creative mojo a boost and get those cards started!!!! Christmas is only 24 days away (unbelievable!) !!!!

"Handmade Happy Holidays Snowman Card"

So I recently purchased a pack of stamps (yes, I really needed them... I'm sure having well over 500 of them just isn't enough!!!) that has this adorable snowman in it.  I knew I wanted to use it to make my holiday card for this day of the hop!!! 

Here's a look at the finished card:

I started by stamping the snowman on Ultra Smooth White Cardstock by Spectrum Noir, then used a few different Spectrum Markers to color him in.  I fussy cut him out and set him aside.  

I made a mask on my Cricut using the new "Edge to Edge" Cartridge and used that  with gesso to create my background.  Once it dried, I went over it with various Blue Distress Inks and wiped off the top with a damp towel so the gesso would still be pretty white!  

I also made a "frame" by cutting out some white cardstock, embossing it with the polka dots folder, then cutting in 1 inch from every side.  I used pop-dots to adhere it to the base.  I took a piece of the left over Spectrum cardstock and inked it up real well with the same blues I used for my background, then spritzed it lightly with a "homemade" white glimmer mist (perfect pearls and a little water!!!) so the ink would blend a little better and it also leaves little "dots" all over the paper (not to mention a little shine!).  The sentiment is by Hero Arts and was stamped with Black Brilliance Ink.  

I finished the card with extra layers and added the snowman to the center using pop-dots for dimension.  Here's a close-up of the "title" (You can see the shimmer and water spots... makes for a lovely effect!): 

And a close-up of the gesso background:

Isn't that little snowman just too stinkin cute?!?!   LOVE IT!!!!! 

Any who... I have also been VERY busy making holiday cards for family, friends, and customers.  There's quite a few here so this should give you plenty of ideas to get yours started!!!!

 I hope these have truly inspired you to start on your holiday cards!!!!!  

Now for the "good stuff"!!!!!

I have a FAB-U-LOUS prize to give away to one lucky 

participant!!! That's right... I have a challenge for you!!!

All you have to do is submit a holiday project that is ANYTHING 

BUT a card or a layout!!!! This can be an altered tag, a gift 

you've made (or are making) for someone, altered jars or gift bags, etc....  GET CREATIVE!!!!!!!!

To be eligible for the prize, complete the above challenge by 

December 5th and upload it to the Colorful Creations Gallery using the tag JBHBRANDI!!!! ALSO: 

you must become a follower of my blog and leave a comment 

letting me know you're hopping along each day!!! 

Be sure to check each blog every day for more holiday

inspiration. Become a member of all of our

blogs and leave a comment daily for a chance to win a fabulous

Grand Prize of Scrappy Goodies!

Winner of the Grand Prize will be selected from members

that comment daily and complete all of

the challenges by 11:45 pm Thursday December 5, 2013.

Individual prizes will be announced on each member’s 

blog. The Grand Prize winner will be

announced on the Colorful Creations site on Friday December 6, 

2013.

To make sure you don't get lost along the way:

Our Hopping order for today is:

Brandi – Lucky Flutterby Creations (You Are Here!!!)

Janet - My Beautiful Life in Pages

Anne – Anne’s Scrap Corner

Paula – Precious Pages by Paula

Libby -Northern Maine Scrappy Girl

Lainie – Paper and Passementerie

Here's a re-cap of Day 1

Libby - holiday card and recipe for Raspberry Ribbons

Brandi - a wonderful set of holiday drawers

Anne - recipe for Peanut Butter Balls

Janet - online scrappy shopping recommendation

Lainie - beautiful gift box 

Paula - recipe for Slutty Brownies

and Day 2

Lainie - Advent Calendar

Brandi - Holiday Tag

Anne - Say It With Words challenge

Janet - Decorated Holiday Tray

Paula - variety of holiday projects

Libby - Layout Sketch Challenge

Thanks so much for joining us! Watch the site tomorrow for all new December monthly challenges from all of the DT.

Well, gang.... Thanks so much for stopping in and have a LUCKY 

day :-)