Zva Creative May Design Team Blog Hop

Zva Creative and my fellow Design Team members welcome you to our May blog hop! We are excited about month's hop and look forward to sharing our new work with you!

Today's Blog Hop begins at Zva Creative's Facebook Page! Be sure head on over to check it out! You will also find a complete list of all the participating blogs there (in case there is a glitch along the way).

As you know, Zva offers many beautiful color groupings for pearls, flowers and crystals.  If you like what you see along the hop you can find a list of stores and online retailers that sell Zva HERE.

Each Zva designer has a schedule of the color they are to feature
each month and for me, it is black.  Because I typically use 'partial' flourishes
on my cards, I am always trying to 'think outside of the box'  I certainly did
that with the flourish I feature today, as this is one that actually is
the 'feathers' of a peacock turned upside down.

When I thought of the perfect sentiment, I couldn't help but think
of ocean waves or 'sea billows' and this verse from The Craft's Meow
was a great fit.

If you would like to play along with our design team, just follow along the blog path.  I am linking to one of the Zva designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. Be prepared to be inspired along the way!

The Blog Hop starts today, May 27^th and runs through midnight US Eastern Standard Time ^{Tuesday, May 28th}

***Prizes***

Hidden on FIVE of the designer's blogs is a 

Zva Creative prize package! 

Winners will be randomly chosen after the hop is over. All you need to do is leave a comment on this Blog Hop post... you do not need to leave a comment on each and every designer's blog post to qualify. 

However, the more times you comment along the blog hop path, 

the more chances you will have to win.

The 5 winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 1st

on Zva Creative's Facebook Page.  

We will do our best to notify each winner, but it's best if you can pop in to Zva's blog on Wednesday to see if you are a winner!

We also thought it would be more fun to add even more chances to win our blog hop prize!  To increase your chances of winning:

* Comment to let us know that you posted on your Facebook page about our hop (link to any of the blog hop posts)

* Comment to let us know that you "tweeted" about our hop 

(link to any of the blog hop posts)

* Comment to let us know that you asked your local store to carry Zva creative products.  If they already do, that's fantastic, maybe you can suggest other products that they don't carry.

*Hop over to Zva's facebook page and "like" our page or leave a comment there to tell us that you stopped by if you already like follow us there!

Mark your calendar to join us again on 

June 24^th for our next Zva blog hop!

 The blog hop begins at the Zva Creative FB Page

Your next stop is Anna Zaprzelska's blog

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Beautiful Hymns by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: Fancy Bird flourish {CR-04CB-102}

from Zva Creative
Tools: Swiss Dot EF by Cuttlebug, Big Shot

You Make my World Go 'Round

Are you ready for a really fun color combo ?

It's time for this week's new challenge from

I really love this graphic... L.O.V.E. I.T.  ! ! !

This week, I got to play with a new 'Pinwheels' stamp set & brads

from Close to my Heart which also happens

to be this week's prize.

I grabbed inks to match the color combo and got to work.

When you see the stamp set, you'll see how easy it was to

do this card.  Simple layers.

This week's sponsor is

Elizabeth Mindemann

I really hope you'll come by The Cafe, check out

all of the amazing projects from our team and play along !

Great to see you here ... please say hello before you go !

Project Recipe:

Cardstock: dot embossed by Bazzill

Stamps: Pinwheels from Close to my Heart

Inks: A Muse Studio 

Embellishments: pearl brad from Close to my Heart

 

It's New Release Day at The Craft's Meow !

The day has finally arrived !

It's The Craft's Meow 
May Release Blog Hop

I hope you stopped by from my friend & new TCM designer

Jinny Newlin's Blog

If not, I would love for you to join us from the start at

The Craft's Meow Blog

because someone is going to win the

entire collection of new releases and it could be you !
More on that in a moment !

Today we are revealing our final set

and

the entire collection goes on sale!

Today's set is TCM's

FREE GIFT w/$50 PURCHASE

called

'Chalkboard Birthday'

illustrated by NinaB Designs

What a fun, FUN set !

I thought it would be fun to make a couple cards

using the washi tape I've been 'collecting'  LOL

I have jars full from Freckled Fawn, BasicGrey & Recollections.

I simply layered a variety of patterns

and coordinated with 'splatters' of ink using TCM's

'Typically Teen' set

{ which to this day, remains one of my fave sets }

I simply added a few fun silver pearls for a 'pop'

I thought it would be fun to go with a whole other color palette

Here is today's set . . .

and remember, it's only available for a limited time

FREE w/$50 purchase

YOU COULD WIN
the entire collection of new releases

pay a visit to our designer's blogs,

leave a comment and cross your fingers

all by 9pm PST, Thursday May 23rd.

One random winner will be chosen from one of the blogs

on the hop, so make sure you leave a comment.

Speaking of the hop, it's time to send you on to

Karen Baker's Blog

Thanks so much for coming by . . . I look forward to hearing from you !

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Chalkboard Birthday & Typically Teen
by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments:  washi tape from Freckled Fawn, BasicGrey & Recollections
silver pearls Recollections

A Fine English Gent!

Are you ready to have some fun today ?

I am here on Day #4 of the

NEW RELEASE PREVIEWS at

We have an uber-fun set today

illustrated by Nina B Designs

'Let's Face It'

Oh yes !  I had my dear 'English' husband in mind when I created this card !

Of course, I have yet to find a Bowler hat in his closet and his mustache

is definitely less than a handle bar, so I guess the most accurate picture

here is the sentiment !  He IS so darned amazing !

When you see all the possibilities with this set, you will

have so much fun putting your 'faces on'.

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST tonight to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.


I sure hope you'll leave a little note here as well.
I'd love to know you stopped by.

See you tomorrow for the 
BIG REVEAL
as the TCM sets become available!

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Let's Face It by The Craft's Meow

Side by Side at The Craft's Meow

Welcome back to The Open Window !

It's a great time to be 'peeking in' because it's

NEW RELEASE PREVIEW WEEK at

Today we are sharing the beautiful new stamp set

designed by the talented Karen Baker

'Side by Side'

I kept this card very CAS.  I love the sentiments in this set

and how they can randomly be placed on the front of the card

OR

you can use on on the front and the another inside to complete the greeting.

I simply paper-pieced the flower and wound beautiful, subtle baker's twine

from The Twinery between to bright copper brads.

It's always fun to add little pearls here and there, isn't it ?

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST tonight to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.


I sure hope you'll leave a little note here as well.
I'd love to know you stopped by.
See you again tomorrow for another
aMAZing preview from TCM!

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Side by Side by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: pearls by Recollections

baker's twine in Shore from The Twinery

Tools: Swiss Dot EF from Cuttlebug, Big Shot

 

Day Two of New Release Previews at The Craft's Meow

It's Day #2 of our New Release Previews over at

We have another terrific set to 'sneak peek' with you

illustrated by Nina B Designs

'Wildflowers'

This one has so many fabulous possibilities.  I love creating

fields of flowers using light & shadow and that's what I did

with this card.  I simply added tiny pearls here and there

and stamped my butterfly in teal for a bit of color.

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST tonight to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.


I sure hope you'll leave a little note here as well.
I'd love to know you stopped by.
See you again tomorrow for another
aMAZing preview from TCM!

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Wildflowers by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: pearls by Recollections

The Start of a Fabby Week...Oh Yeah! It's Friday!

I am so glad you came by because, while it's the end of the week

for all of us, it's the BEGINNING of the

NEW RELEASE PREVIEWS WEEK

at

This week, we have five...count 'em FIVE new releases

that are going to knock your socks off!

And...in case you missed the news earlier this week...

THREE AMAZING NEW DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS

who are joining us for the first time this week!

Angi Barrs

Amy Crockett

&

Jinny Newlin

Let's get things started here with a beautiful sentiments set

'Beautiful Hymns Two'

illustrated by Nina B Designs

I can't wait to send this card to my mom to keep her spirits lifted!

If you are familiar with the original 'Beautiful Hymns' set, you will

see that this set is a variety of more inspiration for your cardmaking.

I simply stamped one of the coordinating flower flourishes along

the side of the frame, used my Swiss Dot EF from Cuttlebug to give

some texture, added fabulous bling from Zva Creative and

finished with the wonderful sentiment from the TCM set.

How would you like a chance to win this set ?

All you have to do is stop by the TCM blog and leave a note

to say you stopped by for a visit.

Each day of the previews will bring another set up for grabs.

You have until 9pm PST, tonight to comment to be eligible.

I'll be back tomorrow with another fabby preview.


I sure hope you'll leave a little note here as well.
I'd love to know you stopped by.
See you again tomorrow for another
aMAZing preview from TCM!

Project Recipe:

Stamps: Beautiful Hymns Two by The Craft's Meow

Embellishments: crystal flourish by Zva Creative 
{CRW-06CA-143 & CRS-05CA-108}
Tools: swiss dot embossing folder by Cuttlebug, Big Shot

Goin' Retro at The Play Date Cafe

Just a quick check in to let you know 

The Play Date Cafe Color Challenge

has a brand new color story just waitin' for ya!

This week's sponsor is

How fun would it be to win a workshop of YOUR CHOICE!

Capture the Good Times

Hello !  I'm really glad you came by today !

It's Thursday...at least on the East Coast ; )

so it's time for ...

My dad had a small collection of vintage cameras

and when I saw the 'Oh Snap' collection from Taylored Expressions,

I knew I had to have it.

I simply used the colors for the challenge and made

them work for this design.  The patterned paper around

the base card is from Prima.

I found this uber-BIG gem from Teresa Collins in my stash

and thought it was a perfect 'add' for the lens.

This week's sponsor is sharing a $25 Shopping Spree

to the 'Cup of the Week'

I hope you'll join us in The Cafe !

Hope you had fun with this card...I sure did !

Project Recipe:

Patterned Paper: Rondelle by Prima

Stamps: Oh Snap by Taylored Expressions

Embellishments: gem from Teresa Collins

 

 

A Floral Spring

Hello . . . so great to have you stop by today !

It's blog hop day with the designers of

If you are hopping with us, then you should have come from

Jessica Fick's blog

If you just happened by, then get yourself over to

The Craft's Meow blog

Someone is going to win a stamp set of their choice

simply by visiting all 13 blogs & leaving a little love.

Deadline to be eligible for prize is

11:59 EST, Thursday May 9th

Winner will be announced Friday, May 10th

There are some pretty fabby things coming up at TCM

and you won't want to miss anything!

This month's theme is:  FLOWERS

I pulled out a design I created about a year ago when the set

'Beautiful Spring' was introduced.  I love how simple it is

and couldn't help but use it again.

Here is the original design created for Mother's Day 2012.

This time, I paired it with the sentiment from the 'Rejoice' set.

I used the Sizzix 'Wreath' embossing folder for my base.

I simply stamped the flower image on three different paper from

Prima and cut them out in layers.  I added a beautiful gem flourish

and pearls from Zva Creative to complete the look.

I thought this was a great color combo for this week's challenge over at

The next stop on the hop is my friend & TCM Illustrator

Karen Baker's blog

Don't forget to say hello before you go!

Our designers await your visit!

ENJOY!

Project Recipe:

 Patterned Paper: Romance Novel by Prima

Stamps: Beautiful Spring & Rejoice by The Craft's Meow
Tools: Wreath EF by Sizzix, Big Shot
Embellishments: pink gem flourish {CR-06CA-120}

white pearls {PEW-03CA-104} from Zva Creative

 

A Mother's Day 'Thank You' Gift

Welcome to a very special Sunday post here at The Open Window

I'm so glad to be able to join these fabulous ladies today

with projects to inspire you to create for Mother's Day.

You should have come by way of 

Angi Barrs' blog

If not, I'd love for you to start at the beginning at

Donna Bowman's blog

There are some pretty fabby prizes up for grabs
and ONLY TEN BLOGS in the hop

{more on that below}

My mom recently asked if I would be willing to start making 

'Thank You' cards for all of the kindess people have been showing

since she started her chemo treatments.  Of course, I am happy to.

I just thought it would be fun to have a nice place for her

to keep them stored as I add to them.

This is going to be a lengthy post, but I thought it would be

fun to show you how I created the designs on the box, so let's get started !

I recently purchased a set of stamps from HSN

and they arrived in this terrific box.

Because there was already so much bold color, I thought it would

be great to keep the box base and most of the lid the way it came.

So I grabbed a few dies, an embossing folder and stickers from

SRM Stickers and proceeded to make my own frame for the lid.

From there, it was time to choose some fun borders to place

on the edges of the lid, so I pulled out my collection of

stickers from SRM.

From there, I knew I wanted to include some fabby baker's twine from

The Twinery, so where to start . . .

I chose to use The Twinery's Mandarin, Marigold & Carribean,

which I also used on each of my cards.

Each of my cards use My Mind's Eye 'Sunny' Collection, SRM Stickers

along with a variety of embellishments such as Stickles, pearls & gems
from Zva Creative & KandCompany.

and fabric flowers (also from MME) & baker's twine from The Twinery.
I also used dies & embossing folders from Spellbinders, Sizzix
and LifeStyle Crafts.

I sure hope you enjoyed this project and find inspiration to
do something fun & colorful for the 'mom' in your life !

To be eligible for prizes from this hop, simply leave
a little love along the way on each designer's blog
and YOU could win !  To see a list of the prizes up for grabs
and a complete list of participating blogs
{ and there are only 10, so it's very do-able }
make sure you start at the beginning.

The next stop on the hop is my dearly creative friend
Jen Cuthbertson's blog

So glad you stopped by today !
Fingers crossed that one of those great prizes is yours !


Products used in this post include:
baker's twine from The Twinery
stickers from SRM Stickers
patterned paper from My Mind's Eye
dies from Spellbinders & Sizzix
embossing folder by LifeStyle Crafts
gems from Zva Creative, KandCompany, Recollections
 cardstock from Bazzill