Friday, January 13, 2012

Valentine's Day Card Blog Hop for Kids with Cancer



Hi :)  Welcome to the Valentine's Day Card Blog Hop for Kids with Cancer <3
My name is Nikki Calmes, owner and designer/artist of ©Paper Piecings by Nikki :)  If you have just come from Lena's blog, you are on the right track :)

I am so honored to be a part of this blog hop <3  Knowing that all of these wonderful ladies have come together to create beautiful cards for these amazing kids just melts my heart :)  I wish I could be there when they open up there surprise Valentines <3

Today I have created a 5x7 card using all digital artwork designed my me :)  The cute little ladybug bears are from my digital paper piecings pattern set "Always Be My Little Lady".  I drew the hearts on the front of the card and on the inside of the card, using Photoshop (one of my most favorite programs on the face of the earth) You can do just about anything you can dream of with your crafting and photo editing using this amazing software!!  It's a little pricey, but you will never need another photo editing or digital scrapbooking software again!

I used Bazzill card stock paper on almost the entire card, except for the heart patterned paper that I used for the photo mat on the inside which I bought at Michael's.  I printed the inside message on Bazzill card stock right from my printer.  Instead of using white inkjet paper, I just cut a piece of 12x12 Bazzill down to 8.5x11 and put it in the printer tray :) Easy peasy :)

The also drew the heart that appears on the outside and added the message to the inside of the heart and printed it on Kodak professional photo paper :)

I added pop dots to the Ladybug bears and the photo mat messages to make them stand and give them a 3-dimensional look :)  I've seen a lot of stickles lately and I just LOVE how it looks so I added lots and lots!! I figured the little "love bug" who gets this card would like the sparkles <3


Sorry for the glare on the photos :(  I couldn't get a shot without a flash glare :(




I had so much fun making this card :)  I hope you enjoyed your stop here today :)  I am also giving away BLOG CANDY!!!  The winner of my blog candy will receive $25.00 worth of free patterns or digital elements from my store :) In order to be considered for my blog candy you MUST:
1. Follow my blog :)
2.  Subscribe via email :)
3. Head over to my Facebook Fanpage and become one of my newest fans so you can get updates on all my new designs and have chances to win free, FUN stuff from me :)  
4.  Leave a comment on this post :)
I will choose a winner via Random.org.  Your number will be whatever number your comment is on this post :)

For those Hoppers who would like to participate and send Valentine Cards for the Children, please make sure they are for either sex boy/girl as we will not know how many of each will be in the unit towards V-day. Also, please send your cards to me...

                                                                             Ashley T.

                                                                        6 Sherin Drive 

Newark, DE 19702


Please make sure they are delivered before Jan. 31 as we need enough time to send them out to the Hospital for the children!!! 


Thank you so much for "hopping by" :)  Your next stop is Nicolette :)  Have fun on the rest of your hop today and may God Bless you every day <3

Lots of Hugs,
Nikki

6. Nicolette www.beyondscrapin.blogspot.com  HOP HERE NEXT
8. Ellen ♥ CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Very First Blog Award!!!









I AM SO SO EXCITED AND HONORED!!! I have just received my very first blog award!!! 

Now, I get to give this award it to 5 newbie blogs that I think are amazing! These blogs are all up and coming and have less than 200 followers. As a recipient it is now your turn to pick 5 blogs and share the love!

Here are the rules:
  • Choose 5 up and coming blogs of fewer than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.
  • Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them. If you are not a follower of theirs, that might be a nice way to show appreciation for the award.;)
  • Post the award on your blog.  Link back to the blogs you have given the Liebster to so everyone else can pay them a visit.
The award goes to:

3. 
4.
5.
I am Still visiting newbie blogs to find 3 more of my favs but
please click on these blogs and visit them and leave some love :)


I hope they become your favorites too!!


Don't forget, If you were given this award, please pass is on to 5 bloggers with less than 200 followers.


Thanks so much Doris - you truly have made my day!!

Nikki