BFB Ties That Bind

The next book I received from Blogging for Books to read is from one of my favorite authors Cindy Woodsmall. I love reading about the Amish and this had a completely different twist to it. It was about a former Amish guy Quill, who helps the Amish leave and enter the "English" world.

In the story, Ariana and Quill were best friends growing up. She doesn't understand why Quill left the faith and now helps others leave. Her world is turned upside down when she learns he is back to help one of her sibling leave.

This is the first book of a new series and it left so many questions in my mind that I can't wait for the next one to come out. You can click below to learn more about the book and author.

• More Info
• Author Bio

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

PCS Monthly Challenge ~ Include a Button

Every month Pretty Cute Stamps has a card/project challenge where you can play along for a chance to win some prizes. This month the challenge is to use a button.

For my project, I created a card using the newly released Many Thanks (sentiment) and Bushels of Fun.

I colored the images with markers and colored pencils and popped up over the designer paper/button panel.

Here are the stamp sets I used:
     

Now we would love to have you play along! Check out the wonderful projects the rest of the Design Team created. You have until October 10th to enter your own project using a button(s) and Pretty Cute Stamps image for the challenge for a chance to win an awesome prize!

Pretty Cute Stamps September 2015 Release Blog Hop

Welcome to my first Pretty Cute Stamps' Blog Hop! If you came here from Joann's blog, you are in the right place. If you just stumbled upon this post and would like to start from the beginning, please visit the Pretty Cute Stamps Blog.

For this hop, we are sharing projects featuring the new stamps from PCS' September release that are now available in the Pretty Cute Stamps Store. 

Today, I am showcasing the Many Thanks set for my project.I stamped the image in black onto designer paper and then mounted that onto kraft cardstock. That image panel is popped up onto my card base.

Here is a peek at the stamp set and all the wonderful sentiments that come in it.

The blog candy for this hop is a $15 Gift Certificate to the PCS Store. For a chance to win, you must leave a comment on each blog. For EXTRA chances, you can also "Like" Pretty Cute Stamps on Facebook and/or sign up for the Pretty Cute Stamps Mailing List 


 A random winner will be chosen for the prize on Monday, September 21, 2015. New Releases will be on sale through September 22, 2015, and youy can save even more by purchasing the September 2015 Stamp Release Bundle.

Now it's time to hop over to see Melissa's darling project.

And if you hop over to the PCS blog, you can pick up this fun cutting file for free today only!


Here is the line up in case you need it:
Lisa: http://prettycutestampsblog.blogspot.com
Karla: http://creative-love-affair.blogspot.ca
Joann: http://jlopezdesigns.blogspot.com
Debbie: http://debbiedee.blogspot.com **you are here**
Melissa: http://8ers.blogspot.com
Amber: http://sew-ink.blogspot.com
Jessica: http://www.kissinkrafts.blogspot.com/

File Folder Box

Regina has designed a fun File Folder Box Holder file for the DT to create with this week. There are 2 sizes (each with 4 different side options) that can be bought separately or one purchase for both.

I created a box using the larger size. This sized box will hold 6" x 6" paper pads. I made mine a little different than shown in Regina's youtube video (which I highly recommend watching before making) and will share some tips that helped me.

To begin with, the file didn't come to size for me, but that's okay because Regina includes a tip sheet that tells you the size each piece needs to be. However, my silhouette cutting machine won't let me add 4 numbers after a decimal, so I just copy and pasted each piece (except for the file pieces...forgot those so will have to redo) onto on page and then enlarged all the pieces paying attention to the bottom box piece so that the "height" was a little over 6". This way I knew not only would my 6 x 6 paper pads fit, but that all the other pieces would then fit to the box. (hope that didn't confuse anyone. LOL)

I also cut my base box out of brown cardstock rather than designer cardstock. Then I cut the pieces that go on the inside and layered them on the outside.

To add the label holder, I pierced it onto the cardstock and adhered with brads before putting the box together. I don't have a hole punch that was that long as Regina describes in her video. I haven't added a label yet as I haven't decided if I'm just going to fill it with 6 x 6 misc pads or by company.

Here is a view of the back. I was going to add the label on the back, but decided I liked it better on the front and will store my file holders that way.

This was a fun project to create and I can't wait to make more of them, esp ones to hold cards.

Be sure to visit the Cutting Cafe Blog on the 7th and 21st of every month to see the design team's projects in which you can leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win 3 FREE sets of your choice from the online store.

PCS Blog Hop Starts Today!

Just popping in to let you know of the 2 day blog hop for Pretty Cute Stamps starts today. Be sure to check out their blog for today's line-up (I will be posting tomorrow) and to snag this fun cutting file which is only good today.

Pretty Cute Stamps Sneak Peek

This week is Pretty Cute Stamps' September Sneak Peek as well as a blog hop releasing their new line just in time to create your holiday cards and projects. I used the stamp set Gingerbread House to create this fun card.

I stamped the image onto kraft cardstock and then colored with Irojiten Colored Pencils. I gave the candy a sprinkle of glitter and added some white dots with a gel pen for extra whimsy. The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is also included in the set.

Be sure to stop by the Pretty Cute Stamps Blog to see what the Design Team has created with their sneaks today. You will also want to come back Thursday and Friday for our blog hop. 

Bushels of Fun!

I am having "bushels of fun" playing with my new Pretty Cute Stamps! Today is my first day posting on the PCS blog as one of their new design team members.

Apple season is upon us and we have started working them, so I thought it appropriate to create an apple card using PCS' Bushels of Fun stamp set.

I stamped the apple and sentiment in black, then colored with Tombow Dual Brush Pens. Then I just eyeballed it and drew lines with a light blue Tombow Irojiten Colored Pencil to make it look like notebook paper. Using a light brown Dual Brush Pen and an air art gun, I spritzed ink onto the stamped panel. Punched the top with a punch and tied on some jute string to finish it off.

Milk Chocolate Carton

This week's challenge for Cutting Cafe is all about milk cartons. The design team was challenged to use one of these 3 files:

HALLOWEEN - FALL MILK CARTON...TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 

PLAIN MILK CARTON....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 

ASSORTED SHAPES MILK CARTON....TEMPLATE - CUTTING FILE 

I needed a goodie box to fill for a friend and wanted to keep it neutral, so went with a milk chocolate colored cardstock to create the Plain Milk Carton.

 

I covered the main part of the box with glittered chocolate dotted paper from Michael's and the top with a chocolate grid paper from My Mind's Eye. I added the taupe ribbon and then thought it needed a little something, so pulled out some VERY old rub ons I had from SU!. The clasp at the top to keep the box closed is also from SU! and older than the rub ons.

Now all I need to do is fill it with....chocolate! 

Be sure to visit the Cutting Cafe Blog on the 7th and 21st of every month to see the design team's projects in which you can leave a comment to be entered into a drawing to win 3 FREE sets of your choice from the online store.

Pretty Cute Stamps Challenge

Pretty Cute Stamps has a challenge going on right now if you would like to play along for a chance to win a gift certificate to their store.

Monthly Challenge

1. This month's challenge is Any Card. So, create any card using Pretty Cute Stamps. A Pretty Cute Stamp must be used to create the project.
2. Please link to your actual blog post...not to your blog.  If you don't have a blog, you can add a photo of your project to the current Monthly Challenge photo folder in the Pretty Cute Projects Facebook Group.
3. You can enter as many different projects that follow the monthly theme as you want for more chances to win.
4. The challenge will run for 3 weeks.  You must link up your project by 11:55 pm CST on Saturday, September 5, 2015.
5. One random winner of a $15 Gift Certificate to the Pretty Cute Stamps store will be chosen. The winner will be announced before the next challenge starts on Saturday, September 19, 2015.