Blog Candy Wrap Up, Liebster Award, & Random Musings

Hello, blog friends! It's time to wrap up my blog candy!!! :) I've used random.org to create a widget and randomly choose a winner...and then I couldn't figure out how to paste it here--it never had the number of the winner...so you'll really just have to trust me!!!

The random winner is~
#25 Paperella!!!

Please email me ASAP at onastampageATyahooDOTcom with your information and I'll get your package out this weekend! :) If I don't hear from you within the week, I'll redraw, so hurry! :)

I'm also giving a special shout out today to my friend, Katy, over at I like to cut and paste! Katy has been kind enough to award me the Liebster blog award! Thank you, Katy!!! You're so sweet! Pop on over and see some of her fabulous creations! :)

The origins of the Liebster Blog Award are somewhat unclear but the general consensus is that they originated in Germany. Liebster, meaning-favorite or dearest to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. Upon accepting this award, the recipient must then pass it on to 5 more blogs.

So, who will I award this to? Well, after some considering, I've chosen the following 5 bloggers:

1. A Crafty Person--I don't know her given name, but she really is crafty! She always participates in PTI's MIM--and her creations are fabulous! She's inspired me, as participating each week in PTI's MIM is something I am wanting to do after I purchase more of their products. Go check her out!

2. Cardartart--Just like A Crafty Person, I don't know her real name, but she has an eye for color! I LOVE seeing her colorful creations pop up on my blog feed! She's always doing fun shaped cards or cards that are a little bit different than the norm--I LOVE her telescoping card she recently made!!! Leave her some love today! :)

3. Esther @ Shoregirl's Creations--Esther is an amazing crafter! Not only is she a fabulous card maker, she also gives away a lot of free digital prints; sews amazing purses, clutches, and more; and shares where she gets all her ideas! She's amazing--I know you'll agree after you visit her!

4. Craftilicious--Another friend who's name I don't know, but who has some amazing talent! She makes some of the most fabulous CAS cards I've ever seen--and the way she uses color is spectacular! If you're new to CAS style or love it like I do, she's a must follow!

5. Jacqueline @ Deezines Art--Last, but most definitely least, I've chosen Jacqueline. Jacqueline has become one of my very best blogging friends. She and I co-host a Christmas challenge blog (52CCT) and she is the owner of Make My Monday (I'm on her Deezine Team!). She has got some of the most fabulous ideas--she is so inspiring and I KNOW you'll love her style! Pop on over to say hi!

Thank you, ladies, for being such fabulous blogging friends! Each of you totally deserves this award! :)

Now, some other random musings that don't fit in with any other posts...

Here is my puppy, Hundie, as a Jedi~

Yeah. We're Star Wars fans. I've even figures out my Jedi name. But I forget what it is...anyway, we LOVE Sci-Fi at our house. Doctor Who, Star Wars, Star Trek, Fringe...I could go on. But I won't!

Here's one last musing for you--what have you done or made something for someone else today? I've found that I am happiest when I am giving instead of thinking of myself. I truly believe that crafters are some of the happiest people you'll meet because they are constantly creating for others--it's no fun to hoard cards and projects! ;) Thanks again to Katy, congrats to all the winners today, and I hope you all have a fabulous day! Happy crafting, friends!

Gratitude Challenge...Expanded

For those of you who follow me, you know that I recently joined the Gratitude Challenge--basically that means that this holiday season we make thank you cards and send them out! Because gratitude is so incredibly important. I have a few thank you's I'd like to say here on my blog. I will share a card as well, but this post is mainly about my gratitude for the blogging community and some very special bloggers who have helped me...and they might not know it because I've never really told some of them!

But first, the card. :) I made this extremely quickly--it took a little less than 5 minutes. And I love the way it turned out!

Here it is~

This is why it was so easy--I used patterned paper for the main images! Yep. It's just patterned paper on top of a cardstock base! Then I stamped my sentiment, punched it out and backed it with more punches, colored it with a clear glitter pen and attached it to the card. Then I added a bit of bling.

Here's a close up of the sentiment~

And the bling~

And now onto the more important part of this post--the thanking! I was recently awarded the Butterfly Award and the Versatile Blogger award by Susan at Cricut & Grasshopper. Thank you, Susan! You made my October! :)

With the Butterfly Award there are no rules attached but with the Versatile Blogger award there are a few rules:

1.) Thank the person who awarded you.
2.) Tell 7 things about yourself that your readers may not know.
3.) Award 7 other bloggers this award.

Here are 7 things that you may not know about me (and may wish you never knew...DUN DUN DUN!):

1) I was born on Mother's Day. And I sang in Carnegie Hall in college. (Yeah, that's two...oh, well!)
2) I LOVE tomatoes and tomato based foods, but they do NOT love me--they give me horrible heartburn! And yet, I can't stop eating them...
3) I am an avid (understatement) reader. I own almost all of Agatha Christie's mysteries...yep. Almost all 80-something of them!
4) I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I feel blessed to be sealed to my dearest husband and best friend not just for this life, but for all eternity! :)
5) I am the November Guest Design Team Member for Make My Monday! (Please join us--it's so fun!)
6) I do not have any children due to infertility issues--we're working on it, but it is totally stressful! This issue makes me feel terribly alone sometimes...but I love that my blog friends lift me up!
7) I LOVE McRib sandwiches from McDonald's (just like Susan, who nominated me). Don't judge! ;D They rock!

Some of those things actually play a part in who I would like to honor with these awards. You'll see how in just a bit (if you don't stop reading...I know this is terribly long!) If you are honored, please feel free to take these buttons and add them to your blog (please follow the rules if you choose to take the Versatile Blogger award).


In alphabetical order, I would like to honor:

1) Aunt Peaches for always making me smile! She is totally hilarious and has some seriously unique craft projects!
2) Deborah's Gems for always leaving me comments--you make my day quite a bit! I consider you one of my best blogging friends! :)
3) Deezine's Art for honoring my with the November Guest Design Team Member spot at Make My Monday for November--you seriously helped me to continue blogging! I was about to quit...
4) Shoregirl's Creations for all her sweet comments when nobody else bothered with my little unknown blog...and for all of her FABULOUS craft ideas and delicious recipes!
5) Simplicity by Lateblossom for helping me discover CAS style, the Gratitude Challenge and her other wonderful blogs--Questioning my Intelligence and Questioning Autism.
6) Thoughts on Infertility for sharing her personal experiences to help lift me when I need it and for researching options for those of us struggling with infertility.
7) Two Shades of Pink for taking the time to post her WHOLE infertility struggle story--you will never know how much it helped me stay strong and keep my hope and faith for a baby.

Ladies, you all rock! You all make my day in different ways--you're versatile! THANK YOU for all you do! You make a difference in MY world!!! :)

I hope that you are inspired to say thank you to someone today--it's so important and it makes you feel happier! Happy thanksgiving! :)