H{IPPITY} HOP + Blog Candy

I am so thrilled to be participating in my first H{ippity} Hop blog hop for {ippity} stamps! I've been using {ippity} stamps for just about a year now and absolutely adore them. I figured it was high time that I joined in a H{ippity} Hop! Please visit the {ippity} blog for a full list of the blog hop participants so you can see all of their inspiring {ippity} creations. (And keep reading for a chance at a little blog candy, 'K?)

With today's card, I'm playing along in the March 2011 {ippity} Monthly Challenge {with a twist}--specifically the inspiration photo of this lovely pillow:
Here's the 5" x 7" card that I came up with:
After staring at that fab pillow for a while, all I could see was a flock of layered paper lollipop flowers! So I set out to recreate it. I used the leaf image from Now & Always and the birthday sentiment from Just Wanted to Say. For the flowers, I used my circle punches to punch four circles in different sizes for each flower. I spritzed them lightly with water, pinched and crumpled them, and then allowed them to dry. Finally, all I had to do was stack them up to create a flower and attach it to my card with a rhinestone-studded brad. Easy!

I also incorporated these challenges into my card:

• All Things Unity #27: Bling It On
• ABC DT Challenge: Happy Birthday
• Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Happy Birthday
• The Shabby Tea Room: Birthday or Celebration theme

And now for some exciting news: this post is my 200th blog post!! I was stunned to realize that I've made that many posts, especially since I only started blogging last July. To celebrate this milestone, I am offering some blog candy:

one brand-new
Margarita Moments stamp set
from Unity Stamp Co.
(isn't it adorable?)

Yes, I know you must be thinking "How fabulous! What can I do to win this awesome stamp set?" Well, it's really quite simple. To enter my random drawing for Margarita Moments:

• You should be a follower of my blog or become one.
• You should be a U.S. or Canadian resident. (Sorry, I'm not able to ship internationally.)
  
• Leave me a comment on this post telling me your current favorite color of card stock! (One comment per person please). Be sure to mention your favorite card stock color in your comment or you will be ineligible for the prize.

Entries for the blog candy drawing close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 24, 2011. I will announce the winner here on my blog on Friday, March 25, by noon EDT. The winner will have until noon EDT on Monday, March 28, to contact me via email to claim her prize, or a new winner will be drawn.

So, how does that sound? Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today, checking out my little slice of bliss, and helping me celebrate my milestone 200th blog post! I hope you'll come back to visit again soon!!

Cheers!
Emily

Card Recipe:
Stamps: {ippity} Now & Always and Just Wanted to Say
Paper: Kraft CS from Paper Maniac, various card stock scraps for flowers and leaves
Ink: Palette bourdeaux, Palette jardin moss
Accessories: various sizes of circle punches, scissors, various brads, Queen & Co. rhinestones in various colors, sewing machine
Techniques: machine stitching, handmade flowers