Backyard Blast ~ Day 2

Welcome to Day2 of our Backyard Blast Blog Hop!

Today you are hopping to three more blogs:

~Michelle Pearson (that'd be me!)

~Kim Gruetzmacher

~Julie Okada

....and remember, you are invited to join in on the fun! Upload your sketch project to our gallery and post so you qualify for the prize drawing! Check out all of the details HERE.

I don't think I mentioned it here on the blog yesterday.....but this is all of the fun goodies you will receive: One lucky winner will receive a complete collection of papers from the American Crafts Backyard collection (24 sheets) and some fun extra stuff too!

Good Luck!

~michelle~

Welcome to our Backyard Blast Blog Hop!

Welcome to our Backyard Blast Blog Hop!

Design team member Christine has provided us with this awesome sketch.....and we're using it for our inspiration this month.

Our theme: Think backyard gardens and BBQ's, pool parties, picnics, camping, trees ....anything outdoors and summery!

The hop starts HERE.....and so does your fun!

~This month we are challenging each of YOU to come up with a card or layout using Christine's sketch. For cards you may omit the journalling, or not! For either a card or layout you may substitute another large object for the butterfly...just show us your stuff!

~You'll need to upload your sketch project to our gallery here and use keyword BLOGHOP1 so we are sure to find your creation. ...and you'll want us to, because there is an awesome prize package on the line here! When you upload your image, you'll want to select the July Blog Hop Gallery from the drop down.

~Please post your entry in this thread with a link to your gallery image (you'll need to register for the forum, it's free!), and that's all there is to it!

The Design Team will vote for a winner in 10 days, so you'll have plenty of time to get your project finished. One lucky winner will receive a complete collection of papers from the American Crafts Backyard collection (24 sheets) and some fun extra stuff too!

Today there are two more stops on the hop......

~July Guest Designer, Latisha Yoast

~Christine Ousley

Have fun! ~michelle~

Backyard Blast.....and YOU are invited!

We're having a Backyard Blast Blog Hop....and you're invited! We hope you join us for the fun and games we have planned!

WHEN: Wednesday, July 22 ~ Thursday, July 23 ~ Friday July 24

WHERE: You'll start right here and we'll head you off on your first game! We'll give you the design team members blogs so you can join in the fun!

PLEASE BRING: ....your creativity! We've got some fun planned for YOU!

To peek at some of the fun, check out the snippets below!!

We hope to see you Wednesday!
~michelle~

Friday Challenge 51 - Happy Birthday!

Welcome to Friday Challenge 51....just a few days late!

Our hostess this week was Julie, and her challenge was a Happy Birthday card.
The details: Let's create a birthday card for someone special....just make sure it has a cupcake on it!

This is the cupcake card I made using these items from our store:
~May Arts 1/inch Ric-Rac
~BasicGrey Bittersweet Brads
~Imaginisce Pocket Full of Posies

We'd love to see your birthday cards featuring cupcakes in our gallery! If you can play along, please use keyword FC51 in our gallery!
~michelle~

More Lemonade, Anyone?!

Lemonade Take Note Rub-Ons BasicGrey

Pack includes 4 printed, die-cut transparencies with matching die-cut cardstock journaling blocks.

Lemonade Sticker Shapes BasicGrey

Includes 4 sheets of printed die-cut chipboard shapes

~michelle~

New American Crafts Thicker Styles - IN STORE!

Jewelry Box Glitter Thickers American Crafts
Glitter Chipboard

Typo Thickers American Crafts
Chipboard Thickers

~michelle~

Check out this beauty that It-Girl Kim added to the gallery today!

Items from the store:
~Stampavie A Little Help From Margot
~Noir Palette Ink Pad, Stewart Superior

~michelle~

BasicGrey Lemonade Collection - IN STORE!

Lemonade 6x6 Paper Pad Basic Grey

Like a cool dip in the pool on a hot, summer day, Lemonade is a refreshing collection of sun-kissed patterns, all in a color-drenched palette of tropical delight. For your next artistic endeavor, chill out with a cool glass of Lemonade to quench your creativity.

Includes 36 sheets of 6x6 paper
• 18 designs, 2 sheets of each on 65# heavyweight paper

~michelle~

Spotlight on Guest Designer: Latisha Yoast!

We are so pleased to have Latisha Yoast with us in July as a Guest Designer! I asked her a few questions and we're featuring on of her beautiful cards today as inspiration!


1. Describe your style in 5 words or less.

~Clean, Organized, Fresh, Simple elegance

2. What is your favorite embellishment?!

~easy ribbon

3. Where do you find inspiration?!

~I know my style and only buy things that I love, so finding inspiration from fashion, magazines or pictures makes it easy to put that into a card or lay out. For instance the Early Bird line from Cosmo Cricket has me going bonkers, its such a fun paper line and I have ideas just swarming around, I love when a product can do that.

4. Do you start with your design elements and see where you end up...or do you sketch your work out first?!

~I will look at my stuff and kind of have a game plan before I start, I waste less paper that way. I will find an image to color in, have some ideas of my color scheme then work from there. Or I will match my coloring to a paper I want to use.

5. What is your favorite technique?!

~I really enjoy coloring with Copic markers, is that a techinique lol. I love tying bows (not knots) it has taken a long time to learn to tie one.

6. What is your greatest dream?!

~My biggest dream....Well, I have an auto-immune disease called Crohn's Disease (there is no cure). So my biggest dream is to live a long and happy life, where I get to see my children grow up, graduate college, get married and enjoy my grand children, that would be perfection and make my life complete.

My biggest dream as a designer, is to continually get better, maybe one day have my own store or line of stamps, that would be pretty cool!

Items from the store:

~Stampavie First Kiss

~Copic Markers

~American Crafts, Backyard Collection; Splash

~May Arts Silk Ribbon

~American Crafts, Backyard Collection; Baa

~American Crafts, Backyard Collection; Slurp

Be sure to check out Latisha's gallery and blog for more inspiration!

~michelle~

Friday Challenge 50 - Wildflowers not Weeds!

Today is my challenge.....and I'm a flower-lover, be they paper or real!
The challenge: Let's look at flowers and not the weeds. This week make a flower the FOCUS of your card, layout or project.

For these cards I used Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird Crafting Kit and Basic Grey's Brads.

If you can play along, we'd love to see your flower creations! Check out the details *here*.

Use the code GLITTER in the voucher box at checkout to save 20% off your entire purchase every day of the year!!!!!!!

~michelle~

SWEET!

Check out all of the gorgeous texture and detail on this card I found in our gallery by Danni!

These items are available in our store:

~American Crafts Backyard Collection; Ribbit

~American Crafts Backyard Collection: Peep

~American Crafts Backyard Collection: Buzz

~American Crafts Backyard Collection: Boing

~American Crafts Backyard Collection: Splash

~American Crafts Craft Fair Collection: Edith Fitzbolt

~American Crafts Rockabye Thickers

~American Crafts White Textured Cardstock

~Stampavie, Sara Kay, Best Friends Forever

~michelle~

Teapot Tuesday #52!

Happy Tuesday! Here is your inspiration photo from Cindy! Such gorgeous details on the teapot....let's see what you come up with for a card, using this piece as your inspiration!

You can read Cindy's story and see her card HERE. Use keyword TPT52 in the gallery if you upload a card!
~michelle~

BasicGrey June Bug Collection - IN STORE!

June Bug 6x6 Paper Pad Basic Grey

The vibrant blending of traditional and contemporary flair brings a distinct, sublime look to June Bug, all in a brilliant, modern collection of en vogue designs. Saturated in color, these rich, dynamic patterns will add capivating style to your next creative venture!

Includes 36 sheets of 6”x6” paper
• 18 designs, 2 sheets of each on 65# heavyweight paper

You can get it here for 20% off if you enter GLITTER in the voucher box at checkout! ~michelle~

Picnics of Daisies!

Check out these gorgeous flowers from Prima! They add so much dimenison to your project!

I used the following items from the store:
~American Crafts, Baby Collection: Humpty Dumpty
~Prima Petite Fleur Vines Daisy
~Copic Markers
~Copic Airbrush
~Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
~Stampavie: Picnics of Daisies!

Thanks for taking a peek!
~michelle~

Oh, Baby!

Lookie what I found in the gallery! What an adorable gift to give to a mom-to-be.....an onesie basket!

Design team member Kim used these products from the store:

~American Craft Lullaby Thickers

~American Craft Baby Bunting

~American Craft Ring Around The Rosie

Happy Wednesday!

~michelle~

Teapot Tuesday!

Here is Cindy's Teapot Inspiration piece for our 51st Teapot Challenge! Take a peek at the photo above, and make a card that is inspired in some way by the teapot! Upload your card to the gallery and use code TPT51 for your keyword.

You can check out the thread here to see Cindy's take on it! We hope you can play along!
~michelle~

Country Girl!

Check out this gorgeously fresh card by Design Team Member Danni that I found in the gallery!

These items are found in the store:
~Stampavie Country Girl
~American Crafts Baby Collection; Humpty-Dumpty
~American Crafts Baby Collection; Itsy-Bitsy Spider

The gallery is overflowing with inspiration....stop in, spend a little time and leave a little love!
~michelle~

Cosmo Cricket Early Bird Crafting Kit - IN STORE!

Early Bird Crafting Kit Cosmo Cricket. Perfect for crafting, card making, book making, collage making, scrapbooking and decoupage!

12 Designer Papers- 2 of each design
18 Cut-Apart Element Cards
9 Cut-Apart Border
19 Cardstock Stickers

Remember.....the early bird gets the worm! ....so get yours quick before they are gone!

Use GLITTER in the voucher box at checkout and receive 20% off your ENTIRE ORDER!! ...how cool is that?!

~michelle~

Happy Birthday Suzy!

We had an additional Friday Challenge yesterday! Suzy's birthday was the 26th!

Friday Challenge 48SUZY: June 26
Hostess: Mothermark
Challenge: Happy Birthday Suzy (Surprise!)
Details: Make a birthday card for Suzy for her Surprise Birthday Challenge! No requirements. Just a big ole birthday wish!

Please use keyword FC48SUZY (no spaces between) when you upload your projects to the gallery so we can all see your beautiful work!

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday Dear Suzy
Happy Birthday to You!!

Items found in the store:
~American Crafts Baby Collection; Mary, Quite Contrary
~American Crafts Baby Collection; Little Bo Peep
~American Crafts Thickers; Cappuchino
~May Arts Ribbon; Grosgrain Diagonal Stripe

We hope you can join the fun and post your wishes! ~michelle~

Bring On The Fireworks! Friday Challenge 48

It's Friday, and time for Friday Challenge 48 with our hostess: Danni.

Her Challenge: Bring on the Fireworks

Details: Do you love the red, white & blue? Do you love to see houses with decorations, kids with attire or outdoor barbeques with the cutest place settings for the 4th? Do you love to see 4th of July cards in your mailbox or tags to adorn your napkin rings? If so, this is your challenge. Create home decor, celebration attire, cards, layouts (to display) etc. to celebrate the 4th.

PLEASE USE KEYWORD FC48 (NO SPACES BETWEEN) WHEN YOU UPLOAD YOUR PROJECTS TO THE GALLERY SO WE CAN ALL SEE YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORK.

To see all the submissions click *HERE*

Set includes: tin, cupcake, cupcake topper, bubbles & 4th of July glow wand

Items on this project that can be found in the store:

~BasicGrey Lime Rickey 6x6 pad

~American Crafts Textured White Cardstock

~BasicGrey Buttons

~May Arts Ribbon

~Prima Flowers

Happy Weekend Everyone!

~michelle~

Teapot Tuesday #50!

Welcome to Teapot Tuesday #50!

Cindy has uploaded the challenge teapot.....and it's a beauty! Take a peek at the teapot above and use it as an inspiration on your next paper project! Take a photo of your creation and use keyword TPT50 when you upload it to the gallery.

You can check out Cindy's creation and the *rest of the story* here.
~michelle~

Spotlight on Design Team Member: Julie Okada!

Today the Embellish-Online.com blog spotlight is on Julie! I asked her a few questions and we're featuring one of her fun layouts today for inspiration!

1. Describe your style in 5 words or less

Clean and simple!

2. How many projects, on average, do you complete in a week?

Usually 2. However, I was on a roll the other night and actually got 4 different pages done.

3. What is your favorite embellishment?!

I'd have to say American Crafts Thickers for sure but buttons are a close second!

4. Where do you find inspiration?!

I love looking at other peoples blogs and seeing what they are creating. I also use sketches (not my own) to scrap with although most of the time when I get done tweaking my page looks nothing like how I started.

5. Do you start with your design elements and see where you end up....or do you sketch your work out first?!

I pick the photos, find some paper to match and go to work.

6. What fictional character would you like to be for a while?!

A Mermaid!



Julie used these items that can be found in the store:
~American Crafts, Craft Fair Collection; Pearl Bobbinhauser

~American Crafts, Craft Fair Collection; Elanore Battington

~American Crafts, Craft Fair Collection; Faye NeedleWorth

~American Crafts, Thickers

~American Crafts, Embellishments

To see more of Julie's gorgeous creations, check out her Gallery and her Blog!~michelle~

Stampavie's First Kiss!

I'm just so in love with these Stampavie images....they are adorable in black and white, but so fun to bring alive with color!

These items can be found in our store:
~Stampavie's First Kiss
~Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
~May Arts 1-inch Satin Ribbon
~Copic Markers
~Spica Glitter Pens
~Copic Airbrush
~Cuttlebug Embossing Folders
~Prima Flowers

We hope you are inspired by the projects we showcase on the blog. We would love to see your work in our gallery....we hope you will share your creativity with us! ~michelle~

Friday Challenge 47 - A Color Challenge!

Welcome to Friday Challenge 47 with our hostess Julie.

Her Challenge: Color Challenge

The Details: Kraft, dark gray and pink. Use these 3 colors plus your choice of white or vanilla to create a card or a layout.

Please use keyword FC47 (no spaces between) when you upload your projects to the gallery so we can all see your beautiful work!

Julie used these products from the store in her layout:

~American Craft Thickers

~American Craft Fleece

Happy Weekend everyone! Hope you find a few spare minutes and can play along with our challenge!

Also...time is winding down, if you haven't participated in the Sumthin' Bout Summertime Blog Hop/Contest, it's not too late.....get your answers in so you have a chance to win the fabulous prize!

~michelle~

Happy Hello!

This sunny little card was made by Design Team Member Christine using the American Crafts Baby Line.

Here are the items she used from the store:

~Twinkle Twinkle

~Peek-A-Boo

~Mary Quite Contrary

~American Craft Thickers- Lullaby in Sunflower

Thanks for stopping by! ~michelle~

Sweet Wishes!

Today I'm sharing a card I made this weekend....had a girlfriend and her family over. The kids played, the men golfed and we had ourselves a *stampavie* session!

This card all started with the cuttlebugged layered piece in the background! It was from a trial run of a 5x7 anniversary invitation. I was recycling pieces of the card and not thinking, tore the panel in half...I like the half clean half torn look!

Items from the store:
~Sara Kay, Precious Moments
~American Crafts, Baby Collection, Little Bo Peep
~Copic Markers
~Spica Glitter Pens
~BasicGrey Mini Brads
~Memento, Tuxedo Black Ink Pad

Hope you like her as much as I do! ~michelle~

Spotlight on Guest Designer: Lee Murphy!

Today I'd like to put the Embellish-Online blog's spotlight on our June Guest Designer:
Lee Murphy!

I asked her a few quick questions!

1~Describe your style in FIVE words or less:

Lee: Layers And Bling, Bling, Bling!! (that's 5!! LOL)

2~ How many projects, on average, do you complete in a week?

Lee: I generally do about 10 cards/projects a week as I'm blessed to be a Stamp At Home Mom with older teens that are self-sufficient with their homeschooling!

3~ Where do you find inspiration?

Lee: I particularly find inspiration in my surroundings, I live in the Colorado mountains.....everywhere I look is beauty!!

4~ What is your *go to* color combination of the moment?

Lee: My go-to color combo has been quite firmly Pink and Chocolate.......

I don't think it's gonna change anytime soon!!! LOL

5~ Favorite embellishment?!

Lee: Bling, Bling, Bling!

6~ Stir-fry or tacos?!

Lee: More like Pasta and Cookies!!!!! LOL

This is Lee's latest Project for Embellish-Online.com!

These items can be found in the store:

~American Crafts, Baby Collection

~Stampavie, Spring Blossoms Sara Kay

~May Arts, 1/8-inch RicRac

~May Arts, 1/4-inch Silk Ribbon

To see more of Lee's beautiful work, check her Embellish-Online Gallery or her Blog!

~michelle~

Friday Challenge 46 ~ Fabulous Fathers!

I'm the hostess for this week's challenge!

my challenge: Fabulous Fathers!

the details: Let's see your cards, projects and layouts that celebrate the Fathers (or other men, be they tall or small) in your life!

Please use keyword FC46 (no spaces between) when you upload your projects to the gallery so we can all see your masculine masterpieces!

I used the following items from the store for this card:

~American Crafts Baby Collection; Jack Be Nimble

~May Arts 1/8 inch RicRac

~American Crafts Thickers; Sprinkles

~BasicGrey Buttons; various collections

To see all submissions click *here*

I hope you can find a spare minute to play along.....I'd love some more masculine card ideas!!

~michelle~

Teapot Thursday #48!

ok, if you're like me...this week just hasn't seemed quite right since we didn't have a Teapot Tuesday! All is well again though, Cindy came through and here is your teapot inspiration for the week!

Take a peek at the teapot above and make a card inspired by the teapot! If you make a creation, use code TPT48 in the keyword area when you add it to our gallery. We hope you can play along!

Take a peek at Cindy's card in the gallery and get the whole story!
~michelle~

Some Twitterpated Beauty From the Gallery!

IT-Girl Christine: Shape cards are so much fun. This card is in the shape of a little girls swim suit, perfect for those summer time pool parties!

This card features the Twitterpated Collection by Imaginisce:
~Critter Chatter
~Mushroom Fancy

Brought to your attention by ~michelle~ ....Enjoy!

From Our Gallery.....BasicGrey's Lime Rickey!

Today I want to share two of the cards that Danni uploaded to our gallery featuring BasicGrey's Lime Rickey Collection. What a fun and festive cards....perfect for the occasion!

Remember....I'm always browsing through the galleries looking for creations using products from our store......so keep uploading them, we love to see them!! ~michelle~

Friday Challenge 45 ~ Get In Shape For Summer!

Hostess: Suzy

Challenge: Get in Shape for Summer!

Details: Summer is just around the corner, are you ready for swim suits, sunshine and popsicles? Create a shaped card or layout with a summer theme.

Please use keyword FC45 (no spaces between) when you upload your projects to the gallery so we can all see your beautiful work!

For my card I thought of sunshine and flowers. I used American Crafts Baby patterned papers and May Arts Ric Rac trim, which fit perfectly with the shape of the paper. To see all submissions click *here*

We hope you can play along!

~michelle~

Somethin' Bout Summertime Blog Hop ~ Day 3!

Well...we have one more day of hopping....and you can start posting your guesses!

June 3rd stops:

~Lee

~Suzy

The Hop ends at the EI Forum on this post where you can unscramble the letters and post your guess word!

One winner will receive a prize package consisting of a Stampavie Stamp, American Crafts papers and Thickers, and ribbon. Value of prize is approximately $25. The winner will be announced on June 21st, the first day of Summer!

Rules: You can post your guess anytime between June 3rd and Midnight CST on June 20th, 2009. One entry per person please. We apologize, but due to high shipping costs, you must have a North American address to ship your prize package to.

Now you have hopped to each blog on the design team and have taken a peek at all of the gorgeous projects that have been made items similar to the prize package. Keep an eye on our gallery as the It-Girls continue to wow you with the projects they have made with these supplies throughout the month! ~michelle~

Somthin' Bout Summertime Blog Hop ~ Day 2!

It's day two and the fun is just begun! The projects presented so far have been beautiful...inspiring, and simply stunning.

It's June 2nd, continue your hopping to these blogs and collect your letters!!!

Hop Stop 1: Julie

Hop Stop 2: Kim

Hop Stop 3: Michelle

Feel free to join us in the chat thread!
~michelle~

Welcome To Our First Ever Blog Hop And Contest!

It's June 1st, and we are welcoming in the new Embellish-Online Design Team, the IT-Girls!!

We wanted to kick off summer in a big way so come along and get inspired, play a little game and enter to win an American Crafts Prize Package & a Stampavie Stamp!

We want to welcome you to the Sumthin' Bout Summertime Blog Hop & Contest!

This is the first stop on the hop. This is the blog to keep your eye on for new products in the store, contests, announcements, sales and challenges. In the coming weeks we will be introducing the IT-Girls and Guest Designers....so you may want to become a follower so you don't miss a thing!

As you hop from blog to blog, you will visit each of our design team members and collect their letter. Unscramble all of the letters at the end of the hop, on June 3rd, and we'll give you the link to the post to give your answer for a chance at the prize!! Good Luck to you and enjoy the gorgeous creations along the way!!

June 1st

YOU ARE HERE: Embellish-It.com Blog ...and the letter you are looking for is D

1st Hop Stop: Christine

2nd Hop Stop: Cindy

3rd Hop Stop: Danni

I'll post the hop stops here for you each day as well!

~michelle~