Anything But a Card Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for stopping in today.

 I am participating in two blog hops simultaneously, so if you are looking for the Craft-Dee BowZ Blog Hop please make sure to click here to be taken directly to the Craft-Dee Bowz blog hop. If you are looking for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog Hop, then you are in the right spot.

Are you having fun and getting inspired !!

If you came here from Cindy's blog then you are in the right place. If not and you want to be eligible for prizes please make sure to start at the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog for all the details.Leaving a comment on each DT members blogs will make you eligible for a prize. Prizes to be awarded are: a grand prize (stamp set of your choice) and 3 hidden prizes on 3 different designers blogs. And we don't even know where the hidden prizes are.

Here is a list of the designers so you will not get lost.

** Shona Erlenborn ** Jackie Smith  ** Karalee Ingram  ** Dawn Bennett ** 

**Shanna** Anne Temple  ** Brigita Skopas ** Karin Martin **

**Cammy Vietzke ** April Williams** Cindy Keogh ** Barbara Bruder (that's me) **

**Julie Zippel ** Marie Berquist ** Brenda Smalle **  

Let me share with you my projects.
Since we are spotlighting Anything But a Card in our blog hop this month, I decided to focus on gifts. Adorning gift containers and using stamps to make everything coordinate is so easy and really a great accent to the gift itself. We all give gifts throughout the year, so these ideas can be used for whatever the reason for the gift.

First, we all use bags with handles from time to time. It seems that more often we use tissue paper to add a little pop and pizazz to the bag. Well how about using a bag topper instead. They are sometimes called a Bag Bib. Let me show you my decorated bag. I used a plain white handled gift bag, and covered the front and back with card stock and some designer paper to glam the bag up a bit. Next I decided on the theme and then decorated my bag topper. And I then decorated a box for another gift.

Here are my two coordinating projects:

Here is a close up of the bag topper

I used the mermaid from Stampette Set 477S to adorn the bag topper. Isn't she cute. 

other products used:

Mermaid - Stampette set 477s Serene Mermaid

Sea Grass - Set 404 Ocean Treasures

Embossing Powders: Pear EP 420 and Moss Star EP 430

Brushable Glue

Colored with colored pencils

Flat Backed pearls and Rhinestones

Small seashells

I also decorated a pillow box that can be used for a small gift. For everyone who likes to have things match or at least have the same theme, I continued with the sea theme.Since the pillow box was white I cut a shape to cover the top and bottom with purple cs, Next I used an embossing folder on the top cover and then I attached the purple covers.I added a ribbon and a fluffy bow. I decided that the gift was in need of a gift tag so I used an oval from Spellbinders, stamped the outside and added the verse to the inside. Added color inside and out, punched a hole and added twine I attached the gift tag to the bow.

Here is the gift tag opened with the sentiment.

Well it is so easy to coordinate gift packaging with stamped images. And this will give your gifts that coordinated look.

products used on the pillow box:

All stamped images on box - Stamp set 404 Ocean Treasures

Embossing folder

Colored pencils

Ribbon

Twine

Directions to both of my projects can be found below:
Gift Tag on Pillow Box
Gift Bag - Bag Topper

Now it's time for you to hop on over to Julie's blog for more inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

My projects are being entered in the following challenges:

Bag Topper & Pillow Box

• Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - anything goes
• Loves Rubber Stamps - anything goes
• Through The Craft Room Door - anything goes
• Vickie's Challenges anything goes

Sparkle N Sprinkle's Monochromatic Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for joining the Sparkle N Sprinkle Monochromatic blog hop.If you have arrived here from April's blog then you are in the correct spot.If you haven't and you want to be eligible for prizes, then please start at the beginning at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog to be eligible for some fabulous prizes.

Our theme for this blog hop is monochromatic and I am so excited to do a monochromatic card because I hardly ever do them. I guess I really never think of a card in all one color family. Each and every time I see one done that way, I just love the look and the outcome. So the first card I chose to do in the  monochromatic theme is in the green family.

When I designed this card  I decided to punch (or you can cut) 1 1/8" squares. I stamped 3 of them using the brocade stamp in set 398. I also stamped 2 more on the 1 1/8" squares using the small swirl butterfly in set 437. And last, I stamped the verse ( in set 437) onto one more 1 1/8"square. I stamped and glittered  the butterfly and fussy cut it out. For the complete instructions to make this card, click here.

You know, summer will be here before we know it so I used stamps that are in a beach theme. This next card showcases some of the Ocean Treasures stamps in set 404 using a beautiful blue card stock. I decided to use embossing powder on the sea grass and I used the poolside ep (ep393) and was really pleased with the way it turned out. I cut squares and used a corner rounder on opposite corners to add a different look to the squares. That  twine adds an additional element to the card, too.Click here for more info on this card.

Well that wraps up what I have for you today. Just a reminder to leave a comment to be eligible for the fabulous prizes that are to be awarded.  There are prizes "hidden" in some of the blogs, so the comment you leave just may be one of the winners.

Next on the blog hop agenda is none other than the most talented Shanna Sands, So hop on over to her blog to check out her wonderful projects.

Here is the list of the all of the designers in case you get lost.

** April Williams ** Barbara Bruder (That's Me) ** Shanna Shands ** Jackie Smith **  

** Marie Berquist ** Dawn Bennett  ** Julie Zippel ** Keri Brown **   

** Brigita Skopas ** Karalee Ingram  ** Cammy Vietzke  ** 

** Anne Temple  ** Shona Erlenborn  ** Karin Martin  ** Brenda Smalle  **

Thanks for stopping in so I could share with you some fun designs today