Fresh Brewed Designs Valentine's Blog Hop and New Image Release!

Good Morning and welcome to the FRESH BREWED DESIGNS Valentine’s Blog Hop and New Image Release! If you are getting here from awesome Camilla's blog then you are at the right place! If not, then please go back to Heather’s Coffee Break to the start of the hop!

For those of you who are staying right here, we want to begin by thanking you for taking time out of your schedule to hop along with us. This hop will feature some of the many newly released Valentine’s digis available TODAY in the Fresh Brewed Designs Shop. These images are all lovey and sweet; the perfect way to tell your someone special how you feel about them. I created a card with the image Cutie Pie Holding Heart.  I colored Cutie Pie with Copics (love the rich reds!) and used very fine glitter on the heart and wings.  What would Valentine's Day be without roses?  The dp is paper I keep on hand for those very special cards that call for these American beauties.  I added a patch of hearts embossed with Cuttlebug, a rich green frame, and more glitter in the flowers.  The charm "Love" just might be a pretty accurate clue that I intend to give this card to my honey....... it's doubtful that he will see this before Valentine's Day, I hope!

Everyone hopping today will be entered in a random drawing for a Fresh Brewed Prize, so be sure to leave a comment on each blog you hop to. Everyone who snagged the Jan 19 blog badge and emailed Heather will be entered twice!

For every 10 hop participants, there will be an extra image added to the prize package for this hop, which means the more you share; the more there will be to win.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Your next hop stop will be a visit to the lovely and talented Stacey D.

BUT…..

Before you leave I want to let you in on a little secret! Fresh Brewed Designs is getting ready for another Rubber Stamp Release!!! Heather has designed several new stamps to add to the shop including the Cutie Pie featured on the badge below and some new coffee girls. The hop and release will be on March 1. Heather has created this badge and is asking us all to help spread the word by adding it to our sidebar and linking it back to Freshly Brewed Challenges. IF YOU DO add the badge, head over to the challenge blog, email Heather and let her know. She will add you to a drawing for a special prize that will be announced after the March 1 hop.

Thanks again for hopping with us at Fresh Brewed Designs. Have a LOVEly day!

Fresh Brewed Designs New Releases

It's early October and that means new releases from Fresh Brewed Designs!  This pumpkin is one of my favorites!  To see more be sure to visit FBD Challenge blog and go shopping at FBD Store.

For my card I used the image "The Great Pumpkin", colored with Copics.  This simple card is embellished with a beautiful pumpkin ribbon, some maple leaf brads, and a sticker sentiment.  I love this image and can think of many more projects to use it for. 

How lovely autumn is, and how quickly leaves change colors turn then fall.  But the fun doesn't stop there: walking down the road with the crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet; gathering around bonfires of dried leaves; the smell of fireplaces on chilly nights; then waiting for that first flurry of snow.  This is the time of year that I missed during the 30 years in Arizona, so I get really jazzed with it all!

Thank you for stopping by today.  Now hurry on over to FBD Challenge for more inspiration.

     

Fresh Brewed Designs August Blog Hop

It's the first Wednesday of the month, and you know what that means for Fresh Brewed Designs ... another blog hop and image release. The HOP starts with Rhonda, so be sure to go there first! If you are hopping and got here from Amanda 's blog, then you are good to go!

This hop will not be your ordinary hop... it is full of secrets and smiles, wonder and amazement. Magical things happen when you get a group of ladies together. What kind of magic you ask? The only magic worth seeking, wanting, cherishing... the kind of magic you find in true friendship. Today we have a little bit of magical enchantment to share with you in these newest Fresh Brewed Designs images. Each tells a little story, a little mystery, a little fun, and adds just a little bit of fantasy to each creation you will see during this hop.

As children we remember those Fairy Tales about mermaids and magical worlds where fairies live. We would lay in the grass and wonder if the patch of wildflowers was full of life, if mermaids swam in the sea beneath us. It is always fun to imagine and dream.

"Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again” ---- CS Lewis

For my card I used Tiana with the lovely Lilies of the Valley on her wings.  I remember finding these delicate flowers in both of my grandmothers' gardens.  The way they bloom in clusters, facing downward like little bells, they must produce sweet music heard only by the fairies of the gardens.

I colored Tiana with Copics and made the card with a purple and green color scheme.  The background paper is from the Basic Grey Wisteria collection.  The green and lavender trim papers are punched with three of the Martha Stewart border punches: wrought iron, pansies, and branches. The Lilies of the Valley are silk picks from Hobby Lobby wedding department and the ribbon from my stash.

Thank you so much for hopping, fluttering, or splashing by today. Please continue your journey by stopping by Jenn 's blog to see her beautiful creation. There is more magic and fun to come. Be sure to complete the hop in full, you will not want to miss the surprise at the end!!!
 

Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Sketch

It's time for Fresh Brewed Designs July sketch challenge.  Heather has a fun and versatile sketch for everyone this week.

Heather has also been very busy creating a LOT of fun images for summer.  I've had this young baseball player, Tommy, on hold just for this sketch and now he gets to make his debut on my blog.  There was just something about the sketch that made me think of a baseball field.  Maybe it's because the "boys of summer" are in full swing (pardon the pun) and I do love baseball.  I colored Tommy with Copics in the colors of Missouri's two major league baseball teams, the Kansas City Royals (Blue) and the St. Louis Cardinals (red). 

The grass dp is from my stash of scrapbook paper and I picked up the baseball ribbon at Walmart.  The bat and cap buttons are also from Walmart.  Home plate is cut out of heavy white cardboard.

Tommy is just one of many summertime images from the very talented Heather Dennis at Fresh Brewed Designs.  Please jog on over to the FBD Challenge blog to see more of the DT's creations and details of this week's challenge.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have an awesome day!

Fresh Brewed Designs --- Summer Fun!

Summ....Summ.... Summertime! Wow, can you believe it's already July and that we just celebrated the 4th? You know what that means don't you? Along with fun summertime activities with family and friends, it's time for another Fresh Brewed Designs blog hop with some fantastic fun images! We are so excited to share these with you and have lots of wonderful inspirational creativity along the way from our talented design team. These ladies are some of the best so be sure to leave them a comment with your appreciation of their efforts. If you have hopped here from the wonderful creation by Stacy then you are on the right path, but if this is your first stop then it would be best to go back and start here because leaving a comment on each blog that means one lucky person gets the opportunity to choose 3 images from the store and you certainly wouldn't want to miss out on that, now would you???

Here is my card using three FBD images:  "Peace Be Still" is the sunset and beach image and I placed Daniel and Grace there with their sand buckets.  What better place to spend a summer day than at the beach?  And what better way to end a day at the beach than to watch the sunset.  Now, if you are on the Atlantic coast, this would probably be a sunrise, and Daniel and Grace are up really early for a fun day in the sun!

I colored the images with Copics, but I have to say that I am not at all pleased with the job I did on the sunset/sunrise.  It's not the Copics' fault.  I think I regressed to a 5-year-old Barb coloring with crayons!  I don't know, but it is very colorful.

Now I strongly recommend getting this psychedelic picture out of your head by hopping on over to sweet Kelly's blog for a really exciting & wonderful creation that is in store for you.

We also would love to “catch” you displaying our badge on your blog... and playing in our next challenge! Hope to see you there, now get a move on!  As always, thank you for stopping by!

Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Sketch

Fresh Brewed Designs has a new challenge up today and more new images to come!  Today is this fun sketch that can be used as is or rotated.  I made two note cards with the sketch rotated 90 degrees to the left. 

The book and mug images on both cards are colored with Copics. I used dp from the K&Co "Life's Journey" and other scraps of paper, including a piece of faux leather.  The butterfly and dragonfly are 3d stickers also from K&Co. I left the insides blank to use for any occasion.  One of them is going to be a birthday card for a man, but not telling which or who in case he sees this post. 

I hope you hop over to the Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge blog and play along with us.  The DT always has some terrific creations, as do the participants!

Fresh Brewed Designs June Release Blog Hop!!

Another month has whizzed by and our lovely Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs is releasing adorable new "just for kids" images of Hannah Belle and Tommy.  So, grab a cup of coffee with your favorite pastry and hop along with us for a look at these great summertime digistamps.

If you came here from beautiful Kelly's blog then you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning go back to see what sweet Carolyn has created!  You'll want to check out all the stops along the way, not just because there is a lot of talent and inspiration here, but there are two secret blogs (I don't know who they are, either!) with prizes attached.

Here is my card with pretty Hannah Belle dressed in paper-pieced dress and hat, that just happen to match the card and the envie liner.

Isn't she precious! And the kitty is just purr-fect, too!  After paper piecing on the image I colored the rest of the image with Copics. The flowered paper in the card and envelope is from a stack of envelope liners I've had forever!  The pink paper is from my scrap pile.  Actually, I made use of ribbon scraps, too, and misc. flowers and brads.  I actually forgot to put a sentiment on the card, but since it is notecard size and blank inside I'll just leave it and let the right occasion determine the message.

This image and all the new ones are available at Fresh Brewed Designs Shop.  

Now I have the pleasure of directing you to the creative force behind FBD, Heather, for the last stop in the hop. 

Oh, I almost forgot!  Coming Friday are two new images, perfect for cards to our service men and women. Here's a sneak peek at one of them:

Thanks for stopping by and hopping along with Fresh Brewed Designs.

Fresh Brewed Design Challenge --- Sketch 1

Welcome to the first sketch challenge at Fresh Brewed Designs blog!  Our lovely Heather is ramping up the fun at FBD and we are so excited to be on board!  Be sure to follow us each week as we introduce new challenges.  But first, this week's sketch:

And here is my card.............

This java-sipping pinata is one of my favorite images from FBD's May release.  For more of these festive digistamps check them out here.   I colored this cool guy with Copics.  The papers are scraps from other projects, all mounted on Kraft card stock.  Simple, friendly and fun!

For all the deets about this week's challenge hop on over to Fresh Brewed Designs.  I sure hope you play along with us!  Any image will do!  Lookin' forward to seeing your projects!

Fresh Brewed Designs Cinco de Mayo Celebration Blog Hop!

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!  Fresh Brewed Designs is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with all new releases that are HOT HOT HOT!  Not only that, but we are also unveiling our brand new FBD Challenge Blog, which you will see later, because to kick it all off we have a blog hop for you today!  If you came here from our gorgeous and talented Heather's blog then you are on the right track.  If not you might want to jump back just one space and start with her for all the deets.

Now, on to my card for the hop.  I am celebrating my 6th wedding anniversary today, too!  Lots to celebrate today, for sure!

Yep, these new images are HOT!  Just like my DH!  Happy Anniversary, Honey!

Actually, when I saw all the hot Cinco de Mayo images I started craving the food at our favorite place in Phoenix, Macayo's.  The best chimis ever!  But, I digress...... I colored this hot couple with Copics and they sit on a dahlia die cut from Nestibilities.  The curly flowers are actually made from the dahlia Nestibilities dies, too.  Here's a few pics of how I made them..........

Using three of the dies I cut one from each of three colored papers.  The large flower uses the three largest dies, then I dropped down a size for the smaller flower.  I cut slits between the petals to extend their length.  I wanted to curl them tight and because of the small size I needed something really skinny to roll the petals on.  So, this paper piercer worked the best.  This paper was pretty thin with little specks in it and held the curl really well.  As a final touch I added the painted brads you see in the finished card.

 So, while my honey and I celebrate today, you all can continue the hop over at the amazing Catherine's blog. Catherine is one of our guest designers this week. You might recognize her from the Busy Beauty Boutique DT.  We love her a LOT!  Also today we welcome Kym, another one of our welcomed guest designers, who you will meet in a few hops from here.  

I hope you enjoy the blog hop and our new challenge blog.  There you will be able to put names to faces!

Thanks for stopping by!  Whatever you are celebrating today, I hope it is terrific!

Fresh Brewed Blog Hop --- March Releases

Welcome to the March Fresh Brewed Designs blog hop.  Our lovely and talented Heather has all new releases that are sure to whet your appetite, in more ways than one!  The word game we did last month was very popular so we are doing it again.  As you go through the hop, beginning with Mary, you will pick up one word from each of us.  When the words are strung together you will have a tasty request. 

So if you came here from Kelly's fun and fab blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning lovely Mary will welcome you to her blog.  I'll tell you in a minute what my word is, which blog to hop to next and what to do at Heather's blog.

I don't want you to get away without seeing my tasty treats from FBD's new images.  We are all holding out hope that warm weather will be here soon, so this hot fudge sundae is first on my list of summer treats:

Back in Arizona we had an ice cream parlor called Swenson's.  I don't think they are around anymore, but they served up delicious ice cream smothered in hot fudge, whipped cream, and a waffle cookie wedge, just like this image.  I think they put cherries on top, but I really like the strawberries!  Yum.  With the cuttlebug embossing folders and Nesties die cuts I kept the card somewhat simple.  Believe it or not the image is colored with Bic fine point permanent markers (What!? No Copics?) The colors are limiting but fun to use.  The vanilla ice cream looks more like lemon, but we'll just call it a rich French vanilla! I also made an envelope to match.  With the new Martha Stewart scoring board and envelope template I really have no excuse for not going that little extra step. 

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Now, what could be better in the summertime than refreshing lemonade?  Gotta start with lemons and here is a beauty.  She will make you pucker up, so don't forget the sugar!

Again the Cuttlebug and Nesties were valuable tools, as well as the MS scoring board and envelope template.  The lemon was also colored with the Bic markers.  The rub-on words here and on the hot fudge sundae are from the KI Memories Juicy Summer collection of embellies.  So, are you ready for summer yet?

Thank you for looking at my cards.  Now I will reveal my word to you:

w i t h

and from here you will want to hop over to our guest designer Carol.  (We are happy to have you with us, Carol!) Carol is the last designer before reaching Heather where she will let you know where to send your tasty phrase from the list of words as well as other deets about the blog hop.

I am so glad you stopped by and hope you are enjoying the FBD Blog Hop.

Fresh Brewed Designs Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the Fresh Brewed Designs Blog Hop to celebrate the Hannah Belle and Tommy release.  Our lovely and talented Heather has been very busy adding new digital stamps.  If you saw my post on February 17 then you saw a sneak peek of one of the fun new images at FBD.

The hop is for today only and we have a fun game for you as you hop along, looking at the rest of the DT's terrific projects.  Each DT member has a special word on her post and when you put them all together you will see a time-honored little ditty that you are sure to recognize.  Collect all the words, then at the end of the hop email your results to Heather.  She will have her email in her post. 

If you arrived here from Jenn's blog then you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning I encourage you to hop over to see Callie. 

For the hop I have two cards featuring Tommy.  He is an adventurous little guy!!  First, you can find him out on the beach with his surf board.  Now, I'm a little jealous of Tommy today, because it is only 30 degrees here today and, even though I'm not a surfer, I sure would like to soak up the sun and bury my feet in warm sand! 

I colored the image with Copics.  This card needed to be really, really bright!  I used a 12x12 sheet of scrapbook paper, leaving enough to make a matching envelope.  The chipboard letters and the little flowers are from my stash.  I used the swirls embossing folder from Cuttlebug for the white paper.

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On the second card Tommy is exploring space! (I told you he was adventurous!) 

Again, the image is colored with Copics and I added some Copic Spica on the stars and planets.  The metallic hologram paper provides a lot of stars and sparkle and the card stock has flecks of white, giving it a deep space look.  The metal letters spelling "explore" are tags I've had for quite awhile.

Now I'm sure you would like to know what my special word is.  It is

a n d

Please head on over to Mary's blog to see her fab project and to pick up another special word.

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving your comments!  I know you will enjoy the rest of the hop and don't forget to collect all the special words. 

Two Trios: News of an Upcoming Blog Hop and a Change of Pace

Tonight I have two, yet very different trios in post.  The first is a brand new image from Fresh Brewed Designs.  In fact, it is so new it isn't even available yet, but it will be on February 24.  That just happens to be the day of the Hannah Belle and Tommy Blog Hop, introducing this image and many more!  My friend and fellow Busy Beauty, Heather, is the artistic talent at FBD and I am honored to be joining her team to roll out the new release.  How about a sneak peek at Hannah Belle and Friends?

This adorable trio are not only cute, but they are best friends.  As the sentiment indicates, they share --- secrets, clothes, encouragement, but never,ever boyfriends!  Thinking back to my high school days (hey! not that far back!) I was part of a trio much like these girls and we were "tight", as they say. 

Be sure to come back for the blog hop on February 24.  There will be fun and prizes!

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Now for a change of pace.  Though I usually show cards with images colored in Copics, I do love vintage and retro graphics.  I have found, too, that many of my potential customers are looking for simple but unique note cards. Before I get to the cards I have to send big hugs to Chrissie.  She has introduced me to so many new adventures in cardmaking, including Joanna Sheen. If you visit her blog you will love her and her talent as much as I do!  Here is a trio of simple note cards featuring Joanna Sheen artwork on CD rom.

These seaside English gardens look so elegant and peaceful.  What a lovely place to sit and dream.  On each card I placed a small vellum envelope.  These were from a Hot Off the Press booklet I bought years ago!  The border is a Martha Stewart punch and the background papers are from my scrap bin.  

There are my two trios for today!  Thank you for stopping by and I hope to see you again!  There's so much more to come!