welcome to the Paper Issues blog hop

My music library was very sadly in need of updating - so  I grabbed a bunch of albums just after the Grammy's. I love ALL of these and would recommend them to anyone. ^_^

Today we're hopping to share some fun projects for the new Paper Issues theme: Spring into the Studio. It features one of my all time fave companies, Studio Calico. I love their stuff. I feel like they have this great modern/retro vibe that totally fits my style. I hope you'll join in and link up your projects to have featured on the Paper Issues blog!

Stop in and take a peek at what all of the other girls have made, and when you're done, follow the steps to enter the giveaway!


Anna: http://annasigga.typepad.com/
Audry: http://audreysreflection.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://carolmonson.blogspot.com/
Jennie: http://jenniemcgarvey.typepad.com/
Kristy: http://www.theoddgirl.com/
Leah: http://amusing-to-create.blogspot.com/  <<<--- here="" p="" re="" you="">

Blog hoppers can enter for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to the Paper Issues shop - which is just getting all of the new American Crafts and Studio Calico goods in from Winter CHA! Yay!!

To enter, just

1. Like Studio Calico on Facebook {tell them we sent you} 

2. Like Paper Issues on Facebook

3. Leave a comment on the Paper Issues blog post

Studio Calico is also offering up a great discount to new subscribers - you can get 20% off your total first month's order {above and beyond your kit purchase to include anything from their shop} using coupon code: 

PaperIssues20

The coupon is good through March 10, midnight EST. 

You can always save 20% on your Paper Issues purchases using coupon code BLUEBIRD. Happy hopping, and shopping! ^_^

Stamp On It!

It's Sunday - and also time for a brand new theme over at Paper Issues - Stamp On It! This theme's fab sponsor is Hero Arts, and they're offering up a fun prize for those who participate! I used their winter wishes and big pine bough stamps to create this winter themed card. Love how crisp the images came out using these stamps.

You don't even have to link up a project - that's actually a bonus entry. Here are the deets!

Prize package:

To enter:
1. Like Hero Arts on FB http://www.facebook.com/hero.arts.3?fref=ts
2. Like Paper Issues on FB http://www.facebook.com/PaperIssues?fref=ts
3. Leave a comment on the Paper Issues blog that you did both
4. Link up a project for a Bonus entry




Hop through for some inspiration from the Paper Issues design team girls!

Leah F. http://amusing-to-create.blogspot.com/   <<< That's me!

Lori H. http://www.lorihairston.blogspot.com/

Amy T http://tsurutadesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/over-river-and-through-woods.html

Diana http://designbydiana.blogspot.com/

Sabrina http://sabrinaalery.blogspot.com/

Happy hopping!

she believed

even when it didn't seem she could...

It's been kind of a tough month dealing with sick kiddos - everything from a round of stomach flu to a couple of rounds of colds/cough... It makes me so grateful for how healthy they are generally.

This is just a reminder to myself to keep at it. Keep believing. And on that note - that's the current theme for Paper Issues. So link 'em if you got 'em! I'm loving this Soleil line from Basic Grey... And you can always use code BLUEBIRD for 20% off your purchase from Paper Issues if you feel like snagging something! ^_^

Happy Friday!

Halloween Harvest Time

It's time for a new theme at Paper Issues! Link up your Harvest and/or Halloween projects in this post and check out the theme sponsor Gossamer Blue for a chance to win one of their kits!

I know I've shared this one before, but it's a fave, so I decided to link it up!

Happy Tuesday!

World Cardmaking Day

I so meant to post this sooner. Today was world cardmaking day, and to celebrate, Paper Issues wants you to link up your cards for a chance to win 1 of 3 $20 gift cards to the shop! Yay!

fallin' for flair

I've had a long time love affair with the stuff {shh. don't tell hubby. Well, I'm sure he actually already knows. LOL}Flair was always one of the very first things that I grabbed from The American Crafts collections WAY back when! I love that so many companies make their own fun and unique flair now. I say, the more the merrier! I used the fun tin pins from October Afternoon's Witch Hazel line. Cassie has the whole line in the Paper Issues shop!

Over on the Paper Issues blog, the current theme up is Fallin' for Flair! Feel like winning some awesome goodies from A Flair for Buttons? Stop by the Paper Issues post for details on winning and link up your flair button project! It doesn't even have to be new - it can be something you've already made!

break out of your comfort zone - with gauche alchemy

Paper Issues is hosting a new challenge! Isn't great when you can push yourself to break out of the comfort zone that you can sometimes find yourself falling into? That's what our new challenge is all about! So cut loose and play along! And be sure to stop by and see what the other girls have come up with to break out of their's!

This challenge is also hosted and sponsored by Gauche Alchemy. I had the chance to work with one of their super fun and quirky kits from their shop to create for this! This is what I came up with. If you know me at all, you know that pink is definitely not in my comfort zone! LOL I rarely use it. But I do love how this turned out! I just used a few sheets of patterned paper, the thickers and tape from my stash. {Gauche Alchemy kits are all about the vintage and quirky ephemera!}

For the hop, they've offered up a 30% discount code to their shop! Such a deal. And a great way to try a kit out! Just use code PAPERISSUES2012 at checkout. And don't forget to link your "out of your comfort zone" project to the linky party for Paper  Issues, and the Gauche Alchemy flickr group to receive your coupon!

As always you can shop the Paper Issues store with a 20% coupon here from me - just use code BLUEBIRD at checkout to receive your discount.

Don't forget to pop over and see what Patricia, Melissa, Christina, Cassie, and Lori have made, to!

Happy Sunday!

not just for travel

Even though Abroad is a travel line, you don't have to scrapbook "travel" photos with it, of course... I chose to document some of the thoughts that I've been contemplating lately. I think like most women/people I tend to sometimes tell myself "one day, or some day" I'll do that - take that trip, try something new, lose that weight... My focus lately has been to realize that even though things are tough with kiddos, etc., I'm just plain old making excuses for myself. And some of them are valid! But that doesn't mean they should stop me from doing the things that I want or need to do! So I followed the title "no more some days" with the journaling - I'm working hard to make it today.

Here's a link to the shop! And be sure to remember that you can always use the code BLUEBIRD to get 20% off your purchase there! Oh, and don't forget - Cassie is offering up some great Studio Calico goods on the Paper Issues blog! Good luck!

picking a winner!

{photo from my bluebird chic blog here}

Drawing a winner by randomnumber.org today for the Show Me Your Chevron Challenge at Paper Issues!
Random.org gave me the number 18 - which is... drumroll...

Elizabeth Manna!
  elizabeth said...

Love, the lo! i too have jumped on the chevron bandwagon and honestly, can't look at the gas station without getting inspired to create...lol!

I'm already a follower of your blog and just followed them as well :)

Elizabeth, just send over an email to chicscrapper at gmail dot com with your info so that Cassie can get your goodies out to you!! CONGRATS!

Remember the challenge is still going on over on their blog, so you can jump in and link up!!