In the spotlight: Under a Cherry Tree

Since I removed the blogs list from my margin, I have been trying to bring your attention to the blogs and sites that really get me excited. Under a Cherry tree is one of those...
Jin is one of those people with incredible talent and creativity, that bring inspiration and fun in your papercrafting world. :-)
Her blog is about svg files and Make the Cut software, but even if you don't use those you can still visit for eye candy!... ;-)

In the spotlight: My Thoughts Exactly

Another great blog to share with you tonight: My Thoughts Exactly.

Alyssa is barely 22 and already quite the multitasker: in no particular order ;-) student, wife, volunteer, member of several design teams and now even about to release her 1st stamps set ever!
I really love her style, very simple and fresh, whimsical and colorful. Her cards always make me smile.
If you are into svgs, I can only recommend you pay her blog a little visit, I think you'll like it as much as I do... :-)

In the spotlight: The Paper Dolls

If you're a papercrafter who follows blogs, chances are you know who Thienly and Tamara are. If you don't, you likely missed my previous "In the spotlight" posts where I was introducing you to their respective blogs: Thienly is Mod Paperie, and Tamara is Happy Life. Crafty Wife.

Those 2 talented creative ladies met on the SVGCuts design team, became friends, and when they left the team they decided to embark on another adventure together: The Paper Dolls was born.
The paper dolls is a new blog aimed at bringing inspiration, fun and creativity in your papercrafting. It is geared around everything svg related, and will host challenges and bring lots of projects to you. Lots of designers will be featured, as well as artists creating their svgs. Everyone is welcome, established companies and individuals alike!... :-)

The blog is just starting so there isn't tons of contents yet but you can already go visit and get to know the dolls if you don't know them yet, and grab a button for your own blog because you are gonna want to go back in a simple click. The 1st featured designer is set to have a project Friday, and the 1st challenge will kick off next Monday. There is also a Facebook page and once they reach 500 likes there will be a give-away.
I can't wait to see what those 2 have in store for us! Knowing them I am sure it won't disappoint!... :-D

ETA: Right now the paper dolls are having a link party, it's the best time to go showcase your blog!... :-)

Lettering Delights sale...

Yep, another Lettering Delights sale! :-D Till the end of May, save 40% off your order with code "UndertheSea". Start shopping here! :-D

Lettering Delights: May is "customer appreciation" month

Lettering Delights is dubbing may as customer appreciation's month! :-)
To kick off the celebration, you can grab American Pride Super Bundle for FREE here! (a $50 value set including clip-arts, svgs, fonts, doodlebats...)

And while you are visiting, why not take advantage of this special coupon: $5 off your order of $10 or more. Use code FiveForYou at checkout...

 

May I suggest the new adorable Something Fishy SVG collection?... :-)

Father's day

I made this card for my Dad, inspired by Stamp TV's video of this week (Gina was making background paper using paper scraps and her sewing machine). I didn't use scraps but beautiful japanese paper that I cut in various width instead. I created a medallion out of balsa wood (cut and embossed with a Nestability). That inspiration came from Dawn who recently die-cut balsa with her PTI dies on her blog "my favorite things". :-D I then stamped the wood with a text background and my sentiment (both PTI).

I really love this card, the different texture of the wood is really interesting in real life. :-D

Mother's day

I made this card for my Mom using my leftover blooms from the SVGCuts challenge (I had cut extra on purpose ;-)). The background paper is japanese paper, and the flowers match perfectly (both have that cute little indentation I like so much). I like this card but there's something bugging me, I can't quite put my finger on it... I think it is probably the lack of contrast between the blooms and the background paper (although it's not as bad in real life since there is a texture difference between the 2), and maybe the fact that the dark brown branch is the only thing really contrasting? Also I think I could lose the embossed white band at the bottom, but then it would be even more monochromatic... Or maybe it's because I don't like the color combo pink + purple?...
I'm pretty sure however, that my Mom won't mind and that she will be less critical!... ;-)

Carnet de Voyage

Naomi is turning 10 next week... and the lucky girl will go to France this summer as her gift. She will spend almost 4 weeks at her grandparents, in the suburbs of Paris. She'll go visit Paris and other parts of France, maybe even the French Riviera where she was born right before we moved back to the States... She'll get to walk to the bakery for a fresh baked baguette and eat all kind of cheeses, or go to the farmer's market and choose from an array of fresh produces. She'll get to spend time with family, meet her distant cousins... and just have a wonderful time! :-)
I am so jealous! >.<  But because I am a nice mom still, I made her a little "Travel diary" to take with her so she can write things from her trip that she wants to remember, and write her thoughts when she is homesick too... ;-)
It was the 1st time I used my Cinch and let's say I ran into a few problems... I used svg files from the SVGCuts collection "Cherry Blossom" and the freebie branch, and the Eiffel Tower is from their "Amelie's Accessories" collection. I handcut the leaves and the tag is made with a Papertrey die. I kept everything super flat, the opposite of if this was a card, so that hopefully the decorations will stay on the notebook all summer long, even with this being put in and out of a bag. I still have my doubts, but we shall see!... :-s