Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Sparkle N Sprinkle "Anything But A Card" Blog Hop






Easter has past but I hope you are still in a “hoppin” mood!!  It is time for the Sparkle N Sprinkle “Anything But A Card” Blog Hop.  If you hopped over from Julie Zippel’s blog, you are in the right place and almost finished hoppin’.  If you are just stopping by, you might want to hop on back to the Sparkle N Sprinkle Blog and start at the beginning to get all of the details.

The hop runs from April 4th through April 5th, and the winners will be announced on Saturday, April 6th.  For a chance at one of the prizes, all you have to do is hop to each designer’s blog to see what they have created and leave a comment.  Three of the prizes are “hidden” on 3 different mystery designer blogs – it could be me!!

Here is the hoppin’ order:














Marie Berquist (you’re here!!)


I have two fun projects to share today and I have to admit, I cheated a little.  I actually included cards in my first project but combined them with other items, so I didn’t think you would mind.  It was a little tricky getting everything photographed since I am visiting my daughter in Memphis, TN and didn’t have my usual set up.  Of course I could have had everything done ahead of time (ok, all my friends are now rolling on the floor with laughter) and taken pictures at home, but I had the joy of finding out that decorative paper towels make a great back drop!!



My first project is a pretty holder that makes a great gift.  It is made from a single 12” x 12” piece of cardstock and has a pocket on each side to hold whatever you want to tuck in.  I chose to make a set of cards and a coordinating note pad.  


I decided to go with a strawberry theme since we will be picking strawberries in the next month and it one of my favorite things to do in spring.  I used the strawberry images from the SNS set, Sweet Strawberries, and colored them with alcohol markers.  I cut them out with Spellbinders’ Oval and Circle dies and layered them on dark green Lacey dies, also from Spellbinders.  I centered these on a polka dot banner strip and an embossed background created with Paper Studio’s Quatrefoil Embossing Folder.  This worked perfectly with the lattice designed green designer paper I used.  I added just a touch of sparkle, using a little Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter on the strawberries and Sun Dazzle Sparkle N Soft in the center of the flowers.


You can tuck the cards with envelopes on one side and the notepad on the other side.  Add a little ink pen and you have a great gift.  You can find more details on this project in the SNS gallery here, but make sure you come back to visit the SNS Blog on Sunday, April 14th, for a tutorial on how to make this easy holder.



My second project also uses the Sweet Strawberries set and I created a cute basket using the Treat Box tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.  I used the same lattice designed green paper for the outside and coordinating polka dot paper on the inside. 


I had originally planned to fill my little basket with strawberry scented potpourri, but all I could find was apple, cherry, or raspberry.  Instead I found some faux strawberries and some lovely rose shaped soaps to add to my basket.  The strawberries were too plastic looking so I brushed them with SNS brushable glue and covered them with Cloud Nine Velvet Glitter.  Still wanting a strawberry scent for my basket, I kept looking (yes, I get an idea in my head and just can’t let it go).  I finally had to settle on one of those car deodorizers that hang from your mirror.


I also picked up a giant green paper clip and used the same design from the cards to created a decorative oval to glue on it.


I added some left over Easter grass to my basket, with my deodorizer tucked in.  After arranging the luscious strawberries and delicate roses in each corner, I placed the paper clip on one of the sections close to the center.  What a great gift!!  I do have to admit that the aroma of those little rose soaps is quite strong and you really can’t smell my little car deodorizer.  Oh well, I tried!!  Find the detailed instructions for this card here.

You have one more hop before you are done – head on over to Brenda Smalle’s beautiful blog to see what she has waiting for you.  I hope you have enjoyed all these different projects and ideas, and don’t forget to leave a comment before you leave so your name can go in the drawing for a prize!!

Thanks for hoppin’ by!


 
These projects are entered in the following challenges:

Card and Notepad Holder
Corrosive Challenge #171 – Spring Fling
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #165 - Use 2 Different Pattern Papers
Lexis Creations Challenge #87 - Use your Punches and/or Dies
Stamp and Create April Challenge: Use at least 1 die cut challenge

Strawberries and Cream Gift Basket
Stampin For The Weekend Challenge 31 – Anything But a Card
Catch The Bug Recipe Challenge - Anything you choose with Cardstock and Bling!
CI Paint Inspired By - Anything Goes
Moxie Fab World - Spring Home Decor Challenge in the Moxie Fab World
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #209 – Spring Fever

55 comments:

Katy said...

Oh wow! This is a fantastic gift! I love the papers that you used. They go great with the strawberries. :)

Jacqueline Smith said...

Fabulous gift! Love the coloring job and all the details on your projects! Wonderful job!


Shanna Shands said...

Okay total fun and crazy creative. I love how you made the basket!

April said...

Marie! Both these are fabulous projects! I love them both and you must give me a private lesson on them! LOL! See ya soon!

Barbara Bruder said...

What a cute card holder!!! And your berry basket is so cute. Love both of your projects!!!Awesome coloring and the DP you used goes great with the projects!!

Brenda said...

Love the cardstock you used for your projects! I really thought those strawberries were real!!! and sugared to boot. Beautiful set of cards and note holder....

Brenda said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Julie Z said...

Wow - like minds really do think alike lol! Strawberries and a cute treat basket - we must have totally been on the same wavelength at the time! And yet, completely different baskets in the end! I love your strawberry sets - great colors, designs and sparkle for sure!
Hope you had a nice visit with your daughter! And I look forward to seeing your tutorial!

Donna Ellis said...

oh oh oh!!!!! Marie, your projects are beyond gorgeous - I am in love - LOL -seriously, I want to make the little goodie basket, and I really like the card holder for the get set. What amazing cards, too. Absolutely beyond gorgeous! hahah, but I wanna make those! Really pretty, Marie. hugs, de

Cammy404 said...

Wowzer!!! Marie, you have outdone yourself!! Wow,wow,wow,wowwww!! I don't know why but I really, really, really love this color combo. It is so sweet and pretty. Your coloring is just absolute perfection and the various projects that coordinates are just beyond this world! Absolute perfection!

Eret said...

OMG! I can't stop looking at your projects. I keep scrolling your post up and down all over again. They are all stunning. Love your coloring of the images and your beautiful paper selection. Really stunning projects!
Eret xx

Sandra H said...

Hi Marie, Oh my goodness this is absolutely stunning!! xx

Karin said...

Good grief, this is beyond words! The note cards and holder are so cute and your coloring is super! The basket with the strawberry items is just gorgeous! And now that you gussied up those berries, they look delish!

Cindy Keogh said...

Stunning - I love every bit of these projects!

Fran said...

Gorgeous project, thankyou for joining us at Kaboodle Doodles this week xx

Melissa S. said...

I think all three projects are the best. How clever are you? Love the colors and the strawberry papers. Thank You so much for playing along with us at Bugaboo this week.

dmbennett said...

Fabulous projects. Love them both. Really like the basket. Will have to try it out....

Shona Erlenborn said...

What creativeness Marie. Love everything! The colors you've used are just so perfect and that little basket is just gorgeous. Fabulous projects! Even down to the paperclip that you used! - Really?

Pat said...

2 awesome projects.

Anne Temple said...

Love both of these! The coloring on the strawberries is fantastic and both of your projects make perfect gifts.

Ava Gavloski said...

that card holder is a must!!! thanks for sharing

elf1023 said...

What a great stamp set, so many projects from it. Great co,oring.

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

Marie, you did it again. Very creative! I am in love with that card/note holder. Such a wonderful gift. I think you used a premade note pad and decorated it, right? Really fantastic.

Karalee said...

OMG! All of these are awesome!

crafty grandma said...

I can almost smell the strawberries through the screen! LOL! It is simply beautifully awesome! TFS

NWFlamingo said...

Love these! And the paper towel photography is one to remember!

Verna Angerhofer said...

Both your projects are just wonderful. I really love the gift set of cards you created. And, that basket is so cute. Yummy! I want some strawberries now.

Kathryn said...

Just by seeing the strawberries for your theme I was hooked on your project! Can't wait to make these later. Lovely idea!!

Pam said...

love both of your fabulous ideas. can't wait to try them out

sharon g said...

That is just too cute! I love your coloring, too!!

Natasha G.P. said...

The colors you chose--very nice. I like your coloring, too. These all look so real and wonderful.

Mindy K said...

I love how clean and professional the card set is. I would love that gift! The basket/box is really cute too. I love how you used the Cloud Nine glitter to sparkle up the strawberries. =)

Anita Braddock said...

Beautiful all the projects are amazing so many cool Ideas. love the layers and the choice of papers works so great. thanks for sharing.

Jean Bullock said...

I am straberrily astounded. Love these projects. I have been looking for little gifts my elementary art students could make for Mother's Day and the little strawberry paper clip idea is perfect! Everything you have shared today was awesome.

namabear said...

WoW Marie you outdid yourself I luv both projects The card holder is so pretty and my favorite color. The strawberry basket would make a nice mothers day gift. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Colors are magnificent and so are the projects - nice very NICE!

Joanie B

Karenladd said...

This strawberry themed gift set is so beautiful! I LOVE the berry images and the way you colored them! That clip is the sweetest idea!

Candy Meyers said...

I love all your projects. Great ideas. And so useful. thanks loads,
Candy Meyers

Teresa Godines #6857 said...

Fantastic projects.

Ime said...

amazing!!! thanks for joining us at kaboodle doodles

Scrappy99 said...

That little card holder is just soooo darned cute!!! I love the green "lace" trim especially. I definitely have to try this one.

Anonymous said...

sweet, sweet, sweet & I'm not talking strawberries. Love the little pocket holder, note card & memo pad. Also love your paperclip with berry. It would make a nice bookmarker.
Don't think I'll tackle the basket. Looks to techy for I but will be doing your other sweet projects. Thanks for sharing your sweet ideas with us.
Linda Gibb

Kim S said...

Still laughing..... :D

Great gift! So cute! We missed you, hope you had a good time bonding with your daughter!
TFS
Kim

Janet said...

The strawberries in the basket look great with the glitter. Like the way you put so many coordinated items in the gift. Also like the card holder with matching cards and memo pad.

Julie said...

Two really cute and beautiful projects. Love the treat basket.

Thanks for joining us at Stampin' for the Weekend for our Anything but a card challenge!

Hugs

Julie x

Dianne Potter said...

Terrific ideas. Love the strawberry theme. A great way to give a gift of note cards and the basket can be used for bunches of things. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I like the paper you choose.

Penny Ockey said...

Great gift ideas! I like how you touched up the faux strawberries.

Jodie Mackrell said...

awesome creations... thanks for playing with us at catch the bug!

Unknown said...

Love how you used a piece of card stock to hold the cards. This is a new idea for me and I'm going to use it. You made it special by putting the trim on the slanted sections which I really like, and I also like the way you used the strawberries to pull everything together!

Billie A said...

Great project. thanks for joining us this week at Catch the bug.

carrie said...

What a fantastic themed group of projects. This would make such a special gift or gifts. Love this stamp set and look forward to trying to make one of these card holders. Love the idea of brushable glue and velvet glitter for the strawberries.

Suzanne C said...

Fantastic design and cool basket. love the cute cards that go with the whole set. Wonderful project. Happy to have you playing along with us at Simon Says Stamp and Show!

Gerlinde said...

These projects are fabulous! Love the note holder with cards - great layout and color combo! The basket is to die for! Especially with those yummy looking strawberries in it!

Unknown said...


very nice ,thank you for joining us at corrosive challenge blog good luck and hope to see you again soon.
AJ dtm