500 Friends Blog Candy + An Announcement!!!

***THIS IS A STICKY POST AND WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP OF MY BLOG INDEFINITELY.  SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE CRAFTY GOODNESS!***

Hi, all!  I've been noticing my followers number creeping up slowly and steadily and to that I would like to say THANK YOU!!!  To all of you who have followed me for any amount of time--you rock!  You are the reason I keep doing this!  I LOVE your feedback and I strive to be better each day to bring something new to those who even glance my way!

That said, I have a goal for myself.  I would like to reach 500 followers!  I only need about 150 more to get to my goal, but as an incentive, I've got some blog candy I'll be giving away once I reach my goal!!!

Here's the candy~

Candy includes a 6"x 6" paper pad and enamel dots by My Mind's Eye,
the Happy Sentiments stamp set from Inspired By Stamping,
and three colors of baker's twine.

So, want a chance to win this?  Oh, and did I mention I will ship WORLDWIDE?!  That's right, this package of goodies will go to one lucky someone ANYWHERE in the world!

Here's how to gain a chance (or more than one) to win:

1. Follow my blog.
2. Like my blog page on Facebook.
3. Follow me on Twitter.
4. Follow me on Instagram.
5. Follow me on Pinterest.
6. Follow me on YouTube.
7. Follow me on Bloglovin'.
8. Add a picture of the blog candy on your blog linked back to THIS POST.
9. Refer a friend who follows me on any/all of these social outlets. (Each separate friend is ONE extra chance to win.)

For each of these things you do, leave a comment below stating which of these things you do/did.  If you already follow me on all these social media outlets, all you have to do is comment!  When referring friends, add a single comment with the person's name ONE TIME, meaning that you can't add their name each time they follow me on a social media outlet...that's THEIR chance.  You may add an extra comment for each friend that follows me, I just need to know their name so that I can allow your comment to count.  So, basically, you have UNLIMITED chances to win!!!  SCORE!

As an extra incentive...I might add a few more candies when I reach 400, 450, and then 500...so you may really have a chance to win one of four prize packages!  So, tell your friends, follow me, and THANK YOU for all of your support! :)

And now, I have a happy announcement to make! :)  I am SO excited to announce that I have been asked to join the wonderfully talented design team for Diane's Daydream Designs!!!  Diane's digis are fabulous and inspiring--you really need to hop over to the store to take a peek!  I feel so grateful to God for this chance to work with digital images again and to work with such amazing women!  I'll be sharing more cards made with these fabulous products each Wednesday from now on, so stay tuned for more!  But for now, here's a little something for your viewing pleasure...

Here's a card featuring one of Diane's sentiments~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Word Art Wednesday: Anything Inspirational Goes

Crafty Calendar: Love is all around!

Crafts & Me: Inspiration Photo

Creatalicious: Pearls & Glitter

Doodle Pantry: Any Digi Goes

Ladybug Creations: Be Mine

I've used a sentiment from the Snowbaby Love Sentiments set at Diane's Daydream Designs, a crocheted heart made by a friend's daughter for me--she made me hearts & flowers, so stay tuned for more of these--, glitter paper by DCWV, a snowflake punch by Martha Stewart, pearls by Studio 120, Stickles by Ranger in Diamond, liquid pearls by Ranger in Silver Pearl, and all papers are by Stampin' Up!.

Thank you SO MUCH for stopping by today!  I hope you all take some time to create today and that you join in these fabulous challenges and my blog candy!!!  As always, HUGS and happy stamping to you all!

DDD: Glossy Nails + Wednesday Wisdom

Hello again, friends!  It's hump day!!!  Hope your week is going well and I hope that you have an amazing finish to it as well!  I'm here with another card using digital elements from Diane's Daydream Designs.  I am just IN LOVE with her new girly sets--and this card was definitely made with a special friend in mind!

Here's the card~

Details~

Products used: It's a Girl Thing (sentiment), What Girls Like Color Set (images), Summer Breeze (floral paper)

I like to make cards that are especially for specific people.  I feel that God has given us talents and that we should use these talents to share His love with His children--who just happen to be our brothers and sisters! :)  This card reminds me of a special friend and it has already been sent to her.  She has helped me through many many trials and been a wonderful sounding board.  Proverbs 18:24 teaches us:

"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Friends truly are the family we create for ourselves.  I feel so blessed that the Lord has brought the friends into my life that He has--they are truly family to me!

Thanks for stopping by today to take a peek at my creation!  I hope you take some time today to show someone you love how much you love them!  And don't ever forget how loved YOU are!  HUGS to you all!

DDD: Graduation Card + Wednesday Wisdom?

Hi, all!  I'm back with another fun card using digital elements from Diane's Daydream Designs!  This one was made for my little sister who graduated from high school this past weekend.  I cannot believe she's old enough to do that! ;)

Here's the card~

Details~

Products used: Tibits of Turquoise (paper), It's a Girl Thing (sentiment)

This card and time of year is always a reminder to me that life is always ending.  I know that may sound depressing, but I find it to be something that keeps me looking ahead and trying to do my best.  I think that it is natural to become a better person when we realize things are coming to an end.  We are kinder and more thoughtful for the most part at endings.

No scripture to go along with these musings this week, just a thought I've been having!  I'm going to try to make all my ends kinder and happier, I think!  Thanks for stopping by to take a peek!  I hope you hop over to the Daydream Design's store and grab these fabulous elements!  HUGS and happy stamping, all!

DDD: Butterfly + Wednesday Wisdom

Welcome, welcome to Wednesday, friends!  It's time for another card using sweet and fabulous products from Diane's Daydream Designs!  This one was made specifically CAS to show off the gorgeous patterned paper...take a look!

Here's the card~

Details~

Products used: Doodle Garden set (butterfly), Mother's Garden papers (striped paper), Garden Gifts set (scripture).

This verse is very personal to me, and I am sure it has different meanings to each of us at different times in our lives.  As someone who has struggled with depression and infertility for the past 10 years, I do know that waiting patiently can and will lead to us finding peace if we all the Lord to work on our hearts.  How else would I now be able to live a full life and find joy in motherhood without having my own children?  It is possible, friends, and He is there with outstretched hand waiting for us to take it and be lifted up.  How can you apply this to your life today?

Thank you so much for stopping by today to look at my card and thank you for your sweet comments, too!  I hope you all have a great rest of the week and that you remember that you are ALWAYS loved!  HUGS and happy stamping, friends!

DDD: Daisies + Wednesday Wisdom

Hello, all!  It's a new Wednesday and a new card that uses some beautiful digital paper and a gorgeous digital image from Diane's Daydream Designs!  I LOVE this image and I think it is so versatile--you need to go and grab this set today!  Take a peek...

Here's the card~

Detail~

Products used: Bouquet of Daisies (image & papers)

This simple card with no sentiment reminds me that God is aware of each of His creations.  His children, his flora, His fauna, He knows them all and He loves them all.  All His creations are beautiful.  From Matthew 6:28-29:

"Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."

I think it's important to see the true beauty in the world around us and to remember that God created us all to be beautiful without a lot of "help".  :)

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at my card!  I hope you all love what you see and I want to sincerely thank you for all your kind comments!  Take some time to make something beautiful today--even if it's just a smile. :)  HUGS and happy crafting, friends!