Saturday Showcase: April 6, 2013

 If you are here for the San Design blog hop click HERE. 

Today would have been my paternal grandmother's birthday.  It is hard to believe I lost her due to cancer 23 years ago this coming June.  She was a big supporter in everything I did and would have definitely been the first person in line buying cards from me.  I miss her dearly so I am dedicating this showcase in memory of my wonderful grandma--Eleanor Prowse.

I hope those of you who celebrated Easter or just the long weekend all had a wonderful time.  I got to spend a bit of extra time with hubby so that was the best thing about my weekend.  He actually had three days off in a row.  Good thing, since it had been over two weeks since having a day off.   Of course he slept most of his time off but he needed it.  He's been fighting a cold on top of being worn thin so I'm happy he got in some extra rest.

Anyways, it is time for the Saturday Showcase where I highlight other artists' work (whether it be stamps, cards or otherwise), a blog post offering a great technique, or I might even just pick a whole blog to showcase. If you are new to my blog you can find out why I created the showcase HERE.

This week I'm switching it up again.  I'm still showcasing some cards, a few freebies and a few store digis; however, the entire showcase is going to spotlight one blog.  You'll also have the opportunity to win an extra goody so make sure you stick around. 

Today we celebrate

MELIN & THE GANG

From...
MyPaperCrafting.com  

Melin's store, called PaperCraftingWorld.com, can be found HERE

This is a wonderful blog filled with sooooo many different features.  Five days a week, you can find something going on over at MyPaperCrafting.com (PCW).  So whether you are into digis or diecuts this is the place to be!

Each Monday, Melin and the gang spotlight a different Cricut Cartridge including showcasing projects made with the cartridge.

Tuesdays brings the Terrific Tuesday SVG Link Up and Showcase where team members display projects they have created using one of Melin's SVG cutting files from the store.  There is also the opportunity to link up your projects made with any cutting file from PaperCraftingWorld.com. The great thing is that Melin offers you a new free cut file each week and you are welcome to use the free weekly files for your entrant into the challenge.

Wednesdays you have the opportunity to become a "Top Crafty Cutter." Each week the team provides a challenge theme and some inspiration. As long as you stick to the theme, use a Cricut machine in some capacity and follow all the regular rules you find every where else (i.e. new projects, link to post, etc.) you can enter your project into the challenge.

Thursdays are Tag 'n ATC day where team members explore different themes, elements, techniques or embellishments to be used on tags and Artist Trading Cards (ATCs). There is a link up for a monthly challenge and there are no restriction on what tools you use to create these tags or ATCs. It could be a die cut machine, punches, stamps, etc. Pssst. Melin also offers a free vintage graphic this day of the week too.

Fridays, or rather Fridaze, are my favourite day of the week over at PCW. This is the day that projects using digital images are showcased. I've been having a lot of luck since entering challenges each Friday. Since January I've won four times! On Digi Dessert Fridaze we once again get to see some awesome inspiration from the design team using Melin's fabulous digital stamps. The readers have the opportunity to enter the challenge (now monthly). You can enter one card using a digital image from another company and one using a PCW image.  There is also a free digital image available every Friday as well.

Now I had my entire write-up above done but went over to the blog to confirm a few things and found out that starting this month there are some changes regarding the link ups to the challenges.  I think I've fixed all the info above to match the new rules but in case I haven't here is a summary of the new changes that I copied right from the site:

• Beginning this week, All Link Ups and Challenges will be “monthly”
• The designers will continue to post weekly (or bi-weekly for SVG's) but participants will have the entire month to link up.
• Free cut files, vintage graphics, and digital printables will still be offered with each post.
• A prize will be given to one random winner and one Design Team pick winner at the end of the month.
• Additionally, the team will award up to four “Top Picks” from each category and invite the “Top Picks” to be a guest designer in the following month.
• You can read the specific details and view the prize package for April HERE.

Great inspiration, awesome challenges and three free files a week. What more could you ask for from any one blog!

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Free Files Available This Week

This week Melin is offering the following free images to her readers:

This is this week's cut file.  It will be available until this coming Tuesday.  I wish I had the appropriate software to cut files because this one is wonderful.  Okay, who am I kidding, they are all wonderful!

This is this week's free vintage graphic.  It will be available until this coming Thursday.  Isn't she just adorable?  This sweet image could be used for so many different projects.  The possibilities are endless.

This is this week's free digital graphic.  It will be available until this coming Friday.  What a precious little lamb.  The expression on his face is just so sweet and that wool looks fully squishable.

You can get each free file by clicking on the individual images which will take you to the post where they originate.  The files can be found down at the bottom of the post.  Please be sure to leave some love for Melin if you grab one of these freebies.

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Card/Tag Choices

This card was made with one of the recent freebie files so I'm really glad that Larelyn, Melin's DDF Coordinator, chose to make a card with it.  Now I have something to cheat off for proper shadowing.  I just love all the different shades of blue.  We hit a range all the way from pastel to bold and bright blue within the project and Larelyn makes them all coordinate so well together.  Please note that if you are interested in this file, it is available for purchase in the store.

Next up is a card from Melin, using one of the cut files available in the store.  This is such a beautiful and bright card perfect for ushering in spring.  I love the fact that Melin chose to use gingham on the butterflies and those buttons are such creative embellishments.  The choice of DP is very pretty and a nice contrast too.  Additionally, I love how she used flourish type objects to create the feel of movement within the piece.  You can almost see the butterflies flying.  The card is then all wrapped up in a pretty green bow.  Anyone would be luck to receive it.

Another of my favourite Larelyn creations! That bunny is precious and I just love the raining hearts.  I can never colour hearts the way they should look.  Larelyn does a fantastic job of not only colouring the hearts but the whole image.  The umbrella looks like it will pop right off the page.  I also love the contrast of the pinks, blues and yellows within the DP and how Larelyn coloured the pic with this in mind.  Those bows are incredible too.  Such a well thought out, put together piece!

Not only does that cake look yummy, the whole card does too!  First off, I love the card shape.  I've been seeing these shapes a lot lately and am itching to try and put one together.  I love the softness of the colours and how everything matches so well.  That sentiment is also perfectly paired with the image of the cake which is coloured so nicely.  The finishing touches of course are those great balloons which have been cut out and then added to give the piece an even more three dimensional look.  I love how Melin paper pieced them, then added a highlight and also the string.  All in all a card anyone would be proud to receive on their birthday! 


This card was created by Larelyn using one of Melin's pre-coloured vintage images.  These flowers are gorgeous and pre-coloured images are always wonderful for those times when you are...well, running out of time and have to come up with a card quickly.  The paper choices complement each other so well and Larelyn uses another really interesting ribbon and bow to give the card its finishing touch!

The final creation I'm showcasing in this section is Melin's beautiful tag.  She has also used a pre-coloured image.  The other reason these types of digis are great is for those people who don't buy digitals because they have no confidence in their colouring skills.  By buying pre-coloured you get the convenience of a finished image but the versatility to be able to change the image around (i.e. size, orientation, etc.) to suit your individual needs.  I love the way Melin built up the frame to show off the image.  I'm not sure whether the flowers are die-cut or fussy cut but regardless, they work perfectly with the flourishes, image and backdrop she used to create this tag.  The ribbon and the metal brad (?) add that something special to finish off the project.

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 Finally, that brings me to the...

Not only have I won four challenges, I've also been lucky enough to win during the '25 days of Christmas' and during the recent blog hop.  When I had to pick my stamps for each of these wins, I had an extremely hard time deciding.  The first time I must have spent over an hour and a half just trying to narrow things down.  However, because I've picked my favourites previously, choosing them for the showcase was an easier process.

 I really need to start looking for some more adjectives because adorable just doesn't cut it with this sweetheart.  As soon as I saw it in the store, I knew it was coming home with me.  It is the perfect concept for a few different occasions.  It could be used for a Christmas card but it could also be used for a sympathy card.  It could even be used to say thanks to someone who has been an angel for you, helping you get through a difficult situation or just one where extra help was needed.  You know me, I am all about getting the most bang for my buck even when it is free.

When I laid eyes on Freda 'n Fred, well, I was smitten.  You see my husband who is of French Canadian (northern Ontario born and bred) ancestry, just loves frogs.  People use the term frog to insult French people but he just embraces it whole heartedly and is not ashamed to be a 'frog'.  He also collects them.  A lot of them.  At least this one won't collect dust and I'll be able to use it for many different card occasions.

Now while an image specifically related to birthdays isn't quite as versatile as the ones I try to get, I just had to have this one.  While I can only use it for one occassion, there are always birthday cards to be made so I will still be able to get many different projects created using this fun image.  Perfect for all those people aging around me! 

Clicking on each image will bring you to its location in the store.

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BUT WAIT...

Melin is graciously providing me with the opportunity to hold a draw for one lucky winner to get their hands on two free digi files (singles, not sets) of their choice from the store.  So, if you would like the opportunity to win two of Melins fabulous designs, read and follow the instructions below.

This is what you need to do in order to qualify for the draw... 

• Be or become a follower of this blog either through Friends Connect or BlogLovin.
• Link your name to the linky list below.
• Go to one of the following posts from this week over at My Paper Crafting.com,
• Monday:  Cartridge Showcase
• Tuesday:  SVG Cut File, Link-up & Freebie
• Wednesday:  Cartridge Challenge
• Thursday:  Tag 'n ATC, Link-up & Freebie
• Friday:   Digi Desserts Fridaze

• find your favourite project from the post of your choice.
• leave a comment on that post.
• come back and tell me which post you went to, and the designer of your favourite project.

You are up to a bit of a challenge right?  I can't make this too easy on you.  If the instructions are at all unclear, just leave a comment or email me.

However, PLEASE only become a follower if you truly plan to stick around.  It would make me rather sad knowing that you became a follower solely for the purpose of this draw.  The draw will be open until next week's Saturday Showcase (April 13th) goes live.  I will announce the winners in that post.

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 Now you have even more of a reason to go check out My Paper Crafting.com.  I must take a moment to personally thank Melin and Larelyn for allowing me to showcase their beautiful cards and Melin's digital designs and for donating two images to be offered up in a draw for one lucky reader.  PCW is such an incredible site and all the designers are extremely talented and warm-hearted individuals.  I hope that you take the opportunity to go and introduce yourself.  Please also consider adding PCW to the list of challenge blogs you frequent.  Let the peeps over there know that you learned about them from my showcase.

Until next time,

Note:  

*Thanks to Nikki from Limited Runs Stamps for creating my Saturday Showcase badge.