Feel Better Soon + my GIU WINNER!

Happy, happy Monday to you! I hope you had a great weekend. We were busy, busy little beavers here at my house, so the weekend just flew. We made a special trip to the Museum of Science in Boston to take in the special Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit on Saturday morning. It was absolutely fascinating!! We really learned sooooooooooo much.

Well, I'm here today to announce the winner from my week of posts as Growing In Unity gal last week! I had a total of 269 entries--WOW!! Thanks to everyone who came by last week. I really appreciate ALL of your comments! It was the best fun reading through every single one of them. I wish I could have given ALL of you a prize!! But, since I can't, I'll leave you with one last bit of Unity inspiration:  a little Feel Better Soon card made with a clear acrylic card base and LOTS of buttons. I think this will be perfect for someone who's feeling under the weather!

The sunshine image is from Unity's Quotes a'la HAPPY, and the sentiment is from the amazingly useful Just Wanted to Say kit. That fun cloud background is a digital paper printed out from the ultra sweet Baby Safari collection by Carina Gardner (available from JessicaSprague.com).

Allrighty then, enough stalling! On with the GIU winner:

I used Random.org to draw the lucky number.

That points to Carla from Utah!!!!

Now, Carla, I couldn't find any way to contact you directly*, so it is up to you to email me to claim your prize!! You'll find my email address by clicking on the "View my Complete Profile" link just under the "About Me" section in the right-hand sidebar of my blog; look for the "Contact Me" section. In your email, please include your choice of two Itty Bitty stamp sets from Unity (you may browse the selection HERE) as well as your shipping address, and I'll get that info sent off to Unity pronto.

Carla, if I don't hear from you by 10 AM EDT on Wednesday, June 12, I'll have to draw another winner so I can get my GIU week all wrapped up with Unity in a timely fashion.

Another huge thanks to everyone who participated in this awesome Unity giveaway! Have a great week! Thanks for stopping by,
Emily

* Carla, normally I'd reply to the email address associated with your comments, but you are a "noreply-comment" commenter on blogger! Click HERE to find out what that is and how to fix it. And you haven't included an email address as a way to contact you on your Blogger Profile page. My next step would be to leave a comment on your blog, but you don't have one!!! So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you come back to check for my winner post, find your name lit up in lights, and drop me an email ASAP!! Unfortunately, so many "noreply" bloggers don't realize they can't be contacted in the event of a win and never check back for winners' posts because they think "of course I can be contacted!" I hope you aren't one of those folks, Carla!!! Waiting eagerly to hear from you!!!!

DeNami Patterned Paper Blog Hop

Good morning, friends! And welcome to the DeNami Design Patterned Paper Blog Hop! Today the DeNami Design Team and customers alike are showcasing projects that show off patterned paper in any way.

Hopefully, you've arrived here by way of Jennifer Harris's blog, Jen & Paper. If so, you are on the right track! If not, you'll want to head over to the DeNami blog to start the blog hop at the beginning. (And remember, if you get lost along the way, you can always head over to the DeNami blog to get pointed in the right direction.)

Don't forget, there are some super-fun DeNami prizes to be won! Two lucky commenters will be drawn at random from among the comments left along the blog hop to win a $20 DeNami Design gift certificate! You have until Monday, June 10, 2013, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs to be eligible for a prize. 

Did you know that DeNami Design sells patterned paper designed by Nami? If you didn't, you should totally check it out! There is a fun array of patterned papers that coordinate perfectly with motifs of many popular DeNami rubber stamps. I used papers from the delightfully summery Watermelon Sampler Pack, which coordinates beautifully with the Tropical Fruit stamp set that I used, as well. 

I also used the Arched Sweet Friend stamp, various colors of baker's twine, Deco Scallop border punch, Tuxedo Black Memento ink, Leaf Green cardstock, and Magenta cardstock, all from the DeNami Design store.

I love how this sweet card turned out!


That wraps it up for me! Before you leave, be sure to leave a comment to be eligible for the randomly drawn prizes and then you can be on your way to the next stop on the hop, the blog of Diana Fernandez. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Enjoy the blog hop,

Emily

Growing In Unity~Day 5

Well, this is it:  the last day of my Growing In Unity posts. Boo hoo. Time definitely flies when you are having fun!

Today for my last GIU project I am sharing a colorful and festive birthday card. I had the best time coloring those lanterns and banners!

The image and sentiment stamps come from Unity's July 2012 Kit of the Month, Ol' Bag of Fun, which I seem to have used a lot this week. There's just so many fun images and sentiments to play with in this KOM! I kept this pretty simple design-wise with such a busy image, adding just a single panel of patterned paper (from SEI's Vanilla Sunshine collection) and nothing else.

Well, all good things must come to an end, and this seems to be it for my GIU week. I've posted every day this week for Growing In Unity, and if you've missed any posts, feel free to go back and comment on them now. I will be randomly drawing a commenter from all of my Growing In Unity posts from this week to WIN two free Itty Bitty stamp kits, winner's choice! So be sure to leave a comment on this post, one comment per person please. But if you are a follower of my blog (or become a new follower), you can leave a second comment--for a second chance to win--on today's post:  just let me know that you are a follower and how you follow my blog!

I will leave commenting open through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 9, 2013, and will come back on June 10 to announce the winner here on my blog. If I can find a way to contact the winner via email, I'll be sure to do that, too. :)

So THANK YOU for visiting me this week! I've had a blast Growing In Unity with all of you and have had the best time reading your comments. Thanks for sharing this little slice of bliss with me!
Emily 

PS Today I'm also linking up with Unity's Friends With Flair. Welcome, friends! It's good to have you here today!

Growing In Unity~Day 4

 Thanks for coming back for Day 4 of my week as Growing in Unity gal!

Today is a two-fer day! I've got two little Unity projects that I've been just itching to share with you. Let's get started!

The sentiment is from Unity's {my thoughts are with you} kit. Definitely a must-have! It is loaded with a great variety of "thinking of you" types of sentiments that are perfect for cardmakers. I love how this one in particular fits perfectly in my Stampin' Up! modern label punch.

The patterned paper is a digital print from the Beautiful Moments collection by Carta Bella (available from JessicaSprague.com).  I built the gilt frame around the portion I printed out using some really cool gold washi tape. It totally looks like a fancy picture frame, right? I think the effect is awesome.

Now, switching gears a bit.

This card pulls together two different Unity Stamp kits. The doily stamped in the background in white on kraft and the fancy label are from the Generations kit, and the fantastic "You are fabulous" sentiment is from the Where You Should Be kit. Quick and easy and perfect for dropping in the mail to a fabulous friend!

And I think that does it for today!

Please leave a comment on this post to be in the running for two free Unity Itty Bitty kits, one comment per person please. But if you are a follower of my blog (or become a new follower), you can leave a second comment--for a second chance to win--on today's post:  just let me know that you are a follower and how you follow my blog!

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for my last GIU post. If you haven't already commented on my GIU Days 1, 2, and 3 posts, you should check out and comment on those as well to maximize your chances of winning in the random drawing. I will leave commenting open through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 9, 2013, and will come back on June 10 to announce the winner here on my blog. If I can find a way to contact the winner via email, I'll be sure to do that, too. :)

I'm so happy that you stopped by to visit today!
Emily 

Growing In Unity~Day 3

Greetings! Thanks for joining me for Day 3 in my week as Growing In Unity gal!

Today's project is a birthday gift card holder!

I revisited the paper bag image from the card I shared on Monday.  It's included in the July 2012 Kit of the Month, Ol' Bag of Fun. It was so easy to form a little pocket for slipping in a gift card! I simply stamped the paper bag image on kraft cardstock, cut it out, adhered the bag cutout to another piece of kraft cardstock along three edges, and trimmed off the excess. Done!

The blue banner and flag are digital elements that I printed out from the Falala collection by Design by Dani (available from JessicaSprague.com).

Did you spy a little washi tape? If so, good for you! I used a little of my now-signature embellishment to adhere my sentiment flag to a pearl-topped stickpin. Both sentiments also come from the July 2012 KOM, Ol' Bag of Fun.

Gee, it can't possibly be true that my GIU week is now half over! Please leave a comment on this post to be in the running for two free Unity Itty Bitty kits, one comment per person please. But if you are a follower of my blog (or become a new follower), you can leave a second comment--for a second chance to win--on today's post:  just let me know that you are a follower and how you follow my blog!

And then come back tomorrow and Friday for more Unity inspiration and more chances to win in the random drawing! If you missed my GIU Days 1 and 2 posts, you should check out and comment on those as well to maximize your chances of winning ;). I will leave commenting open through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 9, 2013, and will come back on June 10 to announce the winner here on my blog. If I can find a way to contact the winner via email, I'll be sure to do that, too. :)

Thanks so much for sharing a little slice of bliss with me today!
Emily

Growing In Unity~Day 2

Welcome back to Day 2 of my week as Growing In Unity gal!

Today I'm sharing a little clean and simple number. It measures 6" x 3 1/2", so it fits perfectly in a #6-3/4 size envelope. I love how this card turned out!
 

The sentiment comes from Unity's Quote Bundle Pack.  Perfect for an encouragement card, or even a graduation card! I stamped the quote over top of some paint strokes digital elements from the Gouache Painte Strokes kit by Nancie Rowe Janitz (available from JessicaSprague.com). I simply recolored the paint strokes in image editing software and printed it out on cardstock. I'd originally intended this to be a one layer card, but in the end I decided to cut out around the paint strokes and mounting this free-form panel with foam tape. I love the extra dimension that gives the card!

So, part of the deal with being GIU gal is that I get to randomly select someone to receive some free stamps from Unity Stamp Co.!  To be in the running for two free Unity Itty Bitty kits, be sure to leave a comment on this post, one comment per person please. But if you are a follower of my blog (or become a new follower), you can leave a second comment--for a second chance to win--on today's post:  just let me know that you are a follower and how you follow my blog!

And then come back the rest of the week for more Unity inspiration and more chances to win in the random drawing! And if you missed my post on Monday, be sure to go back on comment there, too. I will leave commenting open through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 9, 2013, and will come back on June 10 to announce the winner here on my blog. If I can find a way to contact the winner via email, I'll be sure to do that, too. :)

Thanks for stopping by today! Wishing you a day filled with bliss,
Emily

Growing In Unity~Day 1

Happy Monday morning to all of you! I am bursting with excitement today because this Monday morning kicks off my week as Growing In Unity gal for Unity Stamp Co. Yay!!

Not familiar with Growing In Unity? Well, it's simple. Each week Unity has lined up a different Unity stamp fan to share projects and inspiration all week long. At the end of the week, the GIU gal has the honor of randomly selecting one of the commenters from her week of projects to receive two free Unity Itty Bitty stamp kits of her choice. Is that awesome, or what? And with over 400 Itty Bitties to choose from, there is truly something for everyone.

So, let's get on with the show! I'm kicking off my GIU week with a kinda sassy birthday card.

Hilarious, right? I just LOVE that paper bag image. I think it is so very versatile (and just to prove it, I'll be using it again later this week). It's from the July 2012 Kit of the Month, Ol' Bag of Fun. Lots of fun accompanying sentiments to choose from, too. I've just got to think of exactly the right person to send this birthday card to, 'cause I'm not sure that everyone would appreciate it! ;)

The patterned paper is a digital paper from the Georgia Rose collection by Jodie Lee Designs, available from JessicaSprague.com. I love the vintage look of the paper to go along with the "vintage" bag!!

OK, to be in the running for two free Unity Itty Bitty kits, be sure to leave a comment on this post, one comment per person please. But if you are a follower of my blog (or become a new follower), you can leave a second comment--for a second chance to win--on today's post:  just let me know that you are a follower and how you follow my blog!

And then come back the rest of the week for more Unity inspiration and more chances to win in the random drawing! I will leave commenting open through 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, June 9, 2013, and will come back on June 10 to announce the winner here on my blog. If I can find a way to contact the winner via email, I'll be sure to do that, too. :)

Thanks for dropping by My Little Slice of Bliss today and sharing a little happy with me! See you back right here tomorrow,
Emily

Purple Anniversary Wishes

Thank goodness it's Friday! I'm ready to relax this weekend--who's with me? I'm also looking forward to Unity's Friends With Flair, a linky hop that is the highlight of many a Unity Stamp Co. fan's Fridays. I've got a special anniversary card to share for FWF today. Here goes:

I made this card in tribute to my dear friend Colleen who was recently honored as Featured Stamper over on Splitcoast Stampers. I couldn't be more thrilled for her! Today I'm playing along with her SCS Featured Stamper challenge (for a second time! Here's the first time. I just couldn't easily narrow down my list of Colleen's cards that I wanted to CASE).

For today's entry, I was inspired by this beautiful hydrangea wedding card of hers. I loved her gorgeous purple color scheme, so I kept that but went with purple patterned papers instead of embossed ones and pulled out my Unity stamps (of course!) to recreate the look of her card. I also kept her awesome sketch! I know I couldn't surpass the beauty of her stunning punched hydrangea, but I thought I might be able to get a somewhat similar look with the beautiful solid flower from one of my favorite Unity sets, Now & Always. The anniversary sentiment comes from Unity's Just Wanted to Say kit.

Thanks for dropping by for today's Friends With Flair for a little Unity inspiration! I hope you'll try to come back next week when I'll be serving up some more Unity inspiration each day, Monday through Friday, as Unity's Growing in Unity gal!! I'm so excited to share some of my Unity creations next week that I can hardly stand it ;). Be sure to comment on any or all of my GIU posts next week to be entered for a chance to win two free Unity Itty Bitty stamps of your choice! Unity rocks!!

I've got a busy day ahead of me today, and then we all are heading out to an art exhibit tonight. And not just any art exhibit! Our 4th grader had a painting accepted to our school district's juried art show, and tonight is his night to shine. We have no idea what to expect of this K-12 exhibit, but we can't wait to see the creation that landed him this honor. Should be fun!

Thanks for dropping by to check out my little slice of bliss for today!
Emily

Airplane Congrats

I already posted earlier today (with my washi tape giveaway winner), but I'm popping back in with another quick post to share my card that's being featured over on the DeNami blog today.

Rather appropriate for this time of year with graduations every time you turn around, right? But you could also use this design idea for a promotion, new job, etc. I used DeNami's Medium Polka Dots and Small Congratulations. I found that bit of denim in my fabric scrap pile and used a trimmed-down sheet of copy paper to fold into a standard paper airplane. You'll find a bone folder useful for creasing the thicker folds!

The summery heat we are having today has inspired me to make one of our favorite warm-weather desserts:  a strawberry pie!! My homemade glaze is cooling now. I just need to mix in some sliced fresh berries into that, fill my baked pie shell, pop it in the fridge, and we'll have a refreshing dessert for tonight's supper. I can hardly wait!!!


Thanks for sharing my little slice of bliss for today!
Emily

PS  So many of you were gracious enough to leave comments about my new profile photo. Thanks for the warm fuzzies!! I couldn't be happier with it myself, and love that my sweet readers do, too. :D It was time for a change!!!

A Love-y Anniversary Card + a WINNER!

Good morning! Today is shaping up to be a fine early-summer day with temperatures predicted to hit 89F this afternoon. I think it's time for us to put in our window a/c units!

Wonder of wonders: I have a card to share with you this morning! My dear friend Colleen was recently honored as Featured Stamper over on Splitcoast Stampers. I'm SO happy for her!!!! I've had so very little time to stamp for fun recently, but I desperately wanted to play along with her Featured Stamper challenge. It's taken far too long to find time to do this, but I finally have a card I created in your honor, Colleen! After perusing Colleen's extensive and impressive Splitcoast gallery, I decided to CASE this beautiful card. Here's what I came up with:

I kept Colleen's elegant layout, including the fancy Martha Stewart punch-around-the page frame, but changed the color scheme. I also substituted a similar oval frame and love flourish sentiment from my collection of DeNami Design stamps. The patterned papers are from the New Beginnings collection by Webster's Pages. I always admire how artfully Colleen uses pearls in her creations, so I just had to follow her lead on pearl placement for this card! This card will make a perfect anniversary card for all of those June wedding anniversaries that I like to remember. :)

OK, thanks for indulging my need for card sharing. I know that you are eager to get on to the "winner" portion of this post! I owe you a winner for my washi tape giveaway from my May Ways With Washi feature. And here she is . . .

 Commenter #31, Amy McCue!

Amy, I couldn't find a way to contact you via email, so please drop me an email (you'll find my email address by clicking on the "View my Complete Profile" link just under the "About Me" section in the right-hand sidebar of my blog; look for the "Contact Me" section) with your mailing address so I can mail off your washi tape prize to you!! I can't wait to hear from you!! Congratulations!! :D

Thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who drops by for my Ways With Washi features and graciously comments! I always have the best time reading what you write.

Have an awesome day, everyone!
Emily