CardMaker/Crate Paper blog hop

hello there!  i'm participating in a fun blog hop today from the folks at CardMaker Magazine, in conjunction with Crate Paper.  a few gals from each company have got some beautiful cards to share with you, all using the CP Maggie Holmes collection.  i think you're going to like what you see...AND, if all of these beautiful creations leave you wanting more Maggie Holmes, check out Crate's blog for a fantastic giveaway!  it's worth $40 and is all MH so you won't want to miss that!  

if you've arrived here from Melanie's blog, welcome!  and if you're a lovely returning guest who wants to see what this hop is all about, i'll have the complete list of participating blogs at the end of today's post.

the Maggie Holmes collection is full of gorgeous products and colors and i kinda wanted to use as many of each as i could for this set.  the patterned papers i used here are all of my favorites from the line--"Instafriends," "Elizabeth Kate," and "Remember This."

the occasion for this card is exactly what it says...because.  in other words, there is no occasion.  it's just meant to be given because...you're missing a good friend, you have the world's best Mom, or maybe you know someone who needs a pick-me-up.

i am in love with those birds and these bows!

i made a matching gift and tag to be given with the card.  because of this project, i became a huge fan of the "Remember This" paper.  i love the hand-writing and it works great as the backdrop for a layout, card or tag, but the hand-writing element also works well when you mix up the words to create your own message. the handwritten sentiments offer a personal touch, don't you think?  (even if it isn't my hand-writing!)

okay, how amazing are the gold glitter Thickers?  i LOVE them!  i'll admit i had kinda been hoarding them before this, but now i just want to put them on everything i make!

the MH resin flower clips are instantly give-able.  i actually wear a couple in my hair on a regular basis so i figured someone else might enjoy them as barrettes, too. 

i trimmed the lower portion of the actual cardboard packaging that the clips came with.  it's pretty, sturdy, and already has 3 slots to slip the clips into.  then i hand-stitched it to a gold doily and a piece of "Elizabeth Kate" paper.  a couple of torn strips from "Remember Me" and now i've got a quick and easy gift all ready to go!  

thanks so much for stopping by today!  if you're following along on the CardMaker/Crate tour, your next stop is Latisha Yoast's blog. and don't forget to visit Crate's blog for the awesome giveaway featuring a $40 Maggie Holmes prize pack!

and (in case you missed any) here's a list of all the talented ladies in the hop today:

CardMaker
Melanie Muenchinger
Rebecca Luminarias {that's me!} 
Latisha Yoast
Piradee Talvanna
Ivanka Lentle
Janna Werner
Christine Okken
Anabelle O'Malley
Becky Cowley
Katie Ehmann
AJ Otto
Crate Paper

have a terrific weekend!