Hey everyone! Happy Saturday – and welcome back for a very, very special Blog Hop indeed!!
In fact, it is the Blog Hop to end all Blog Hops!! Just you wait and see what we’ve got in store for you today!!!
So, it is pretty common knowledge now that Cath Edvalson is stepping down from the Moxie Fab World blog and from Paper Crafts Magazine. What maybe isn’t so well known though – especially to Cath! – is that several of us decided to organise a very special, very secret Blog Hop in her honour!!
And I say ‘several’ – I mean 285 of your friends, fans, followers, successes, company owners, Go-To-Gals, colleagues and more than a few sneaky Admins *wink* all coming together for the Hop to end all Hops!!
So, Cath, surprise!!! I bet you didn’t expect to be dropping back by here again so soon!! *wink* I hope you like the Hop we’ve put on for you!! Everyone worked very hard behind the scenes pulling this all together and it’s all because YOU are MOXIE FAB!!!
You should have made it here from AJ Otto’s blog. If not please do start at the Moxie Fab World blog and check out the Hop from there! I’ll also be including an Inlinkz link list at the bottom of this post for convenient hopping! 🙂 Many thanks to Inlinkz for the help they gave in setting up this very big list!!
So, before I get to my card, I wanted to post something heartfelt about Cath. Cath, if you’re reading this, I know I’ve already shared somewhat over FaceBook and on the blog, and on a post of mine before, but I was holding back to add something more here!
Cath, I cannot imagine Moxie Fab World without you. In fact, I cannot imagine the papercrafting industry without you. Your influence, your grace, your keen designer’s eye, your flair for the written word, your sheer generosity and kindness and encouragement and sincerity… those things will always stay with me, with us. Just look at how many turned out to honour you – and this was with just a week to get organised and several that just couldn’t make it but sent their regards! I don’t have the words to say how much of a difference you’ve made to my life. You’ve had an immeasurable impact on my ‘career’ as a designer.
You see, Cath was always someone I wanted to impress. I still do. Her knowledge and sense of style and appreciation of trends and so on – a lot of that inspired me and spurred me on to push myself that bit harder to try new things. I entered contests such as the challenges and Tuesday Trigger, because I wanted to show you what I could do. When I didn’t win, I used that to drive me to improve and keep improving. When I did have the great fortune to be selected as one of your winners, I felt like I had won an Oscar!! I dreamed of being selected as a Moxie Fabber of the Week (I guess this one will go unfulfilled now) When she left comments on my posts I felt a giddy dizzy headrush of glee. That is what cannot be replaced. The effect you have on other people. You are so, *so* special in that regard – you truly inspire people and give so much to us in the process.
I was lucky enough to meet Cath, once. It was early on into my paper crafting career and I was visiting CHA. I wandered up to the Paper Crafts booth and a bright and bubbly Susan Opel took me under her wing instantly. After some chatting, she said she simply must introduce me to Cath, and took a (nervous!) me up to her. Cath was nothing short of warm, bubbly, kind, friendly, sweet and, well, just Cath. She felt like a favourite auntie you always wanted to visit as she was so nice to you. She put me at ease.
Cath, though I know we will always be friends and keep in touch, and I’ll maybe even see you round here sometimes, your stepping down from the world I hold so dear breaks my heart. I am already deeply missing your little doses of daily inspiration, clever quips, inspirational showcases, and so much more. I am as good as I am, because of your influence. And I will continue to get better each day, because I still want to keep impressing you for years to come. I love you dear friend, and to me, the paper crafting world will never be the same without you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for BEING Moxie Fab World.
Well! That was longer than I expected it to be! I expect you would all like to see a card now, lol!!
Well, I ended up making something a little different. Something that stretched me a little. And something I felt conveyed my sentiments exactly. In all senses, the perfect card for my thanks to Cath:
What do you think? I love how this turned out!! Isn’t it just perfectly true?!
I started with a Stamper’s Select White card base and stamped the bear from Mama Elephant’s Nursery Deco many, many times with Versafine Onyx Black ink. I created 5 little masks of the bears which I kept moving around my base as I stamped, so I could get that sea of heads all perfect!! There are something like 50 bears here!! And of course, that one-in-a-million giraffe. 🙂
I added a good splash of trend here of course, in the form of neon spatter! And Hand-drawn lettering! I was going for a comic book style. Hmm. It’s almost there, lol. But I love how it all came together!!
Well, I shan’t keep you any longer – you have much hopping to do!! If you’re going in order then your next stop is Laura Williams’ blog. And you can always use the Inlinkz list below too! Check out all the names who have turned out for this!!
One last thing. This Hop could not have been made possible without all the people who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make it happen. I was one of the Admins so believe me when I tell you it was a *lot* of work! But a totally amazing, fun experience too, one which I’ll never forget! My heartfelt thanks to Keren Baker And Virginia Lu (my dream team partners!), Kryssi Ng (for those amazing blog banners and badges!), Susan Opel as Chief Cheerleader, Stacy Croninger and Paper Crafts Magazine for allowing us to hijack the Moxie Fab World Blog, Inlinkz for the technical help and support, and countless others who have helped in other ways. You are the epitome of Cath’s greatest achievement – the ability to bring people together! Mwah!
Well, I am off to hop/fulfil some more Admin duties. *wink* I would *love* it if you left some love before you went on your way! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
Supplies
Fabulous!
Love your card!
This is SOOOO adorable!!
Oh my goodness, Taheerah! Not only is this an adorable card, but I am so touched by your heartfelt words that I find myself quite speechless…but mostly, I want you to know how much it means to me to know that my efforts to inspire have touched you so deeply. I am so honored to know that the Moxie Fab World has had such an influence on your creative path, and that is something that I will always treasure on a very deep and important level.
I also want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your part in organizing this colossal blog hop. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support shown to me by you and all of the others. Hugs and loves to you, my ever moxie fab friend!
Awwww….this is sooooooo cute!
So so so adorable!
Great card! Love all the masking!!
SHUT the front door! WOW WOW WOW! Love love love the masking!
this is a fantastic card! love that little guy standing head and shoulders above the rest. Thanks so much for all you've done to organize the hop!
LOOOOOOVE this card!! 🙂 Simply, perfect!
T, this is perfect for Cath! You put so much love, work and thought into designing this card and it just shines through. THANK YOU for all of you hard work on this event. You are a star! 🙂
This was one of the cards the totally stood out on the MF Pinterest page, I love it and that giraffe peeking out! Totally cute.
how adorable and perfect is that card?!!! Hugs, Katrina
She is totally one in a million!!! We will probably never find someone as inspiring as her!
That's what I get for trying to type on my iPad! Your post made me cry and your card made me smile. I love it, Taheerah! Thanks for being so techno savvy and helping this hop be so successful!
Taheerah- your card is brilliant. Such a perfect idea both in design and the concept. It just suits the blog hop and Cath completely. I love your heartfelt post but it doesn't surprise me- having got to know you; it's just you! What can I say to the girl who has saved my bacon so many times this week. I'm so thankful for your skills and your crazy dedication to the task. I hope you fully recover this week. I am truly thankful to have been your friend this week- this blog hop was meant to be. You are a very special person and I look forward to meeting you in IRL. You haven't missed out on being Moxie Fabber of the week; you ARE the Moxie Fabber this week in my eyes- for so many reasons! Mwah my friend! x
Thank you big big bunches for your fabby work on the blog hop for Moxie Cath!
This card is a pure delight! (and oh so true!)
~Bev
TexasGrammy
Taheerah, I'm so glad & grateful for all your work to help make this happen.
That card? So moxie fab! Genius concept & perfect execution, darling!
Eek, totally adorns!
Agh! Adorable card, T! Thanks for all your hard work in helping put this all together!
I LOVE this. So clever, so witty.
Taheerah, – this is so clever and beautifully done. Lovely, lovely words too 🙂
what an absolutely adorable card! and so very true!
thank you for your part in making this hop so very successful! all of you worked so hard to bring a smile to Cath! 🙂
Such a fun card, Taheerah; it made me smile! And thnks for all your hard work helping to put this all together!
so cute!
ok, so I just read your post, and wow! such beautiful words for Cath! I was very impressed 🙂
Excellent stamping here! This hop was such a great idea. I'm still working my way through. Thanks so much for all of your hard work!
Totally moxie fab card Taheerah. And thanks for putting this awesome hop together
oh your card is absolutely fantastic! all that work was well worth it! and your post is amazing, you have a gift with words! thank you for organising this ; )
Fantastic and clever card! Thank you for all you've done to help organize today's hop!
Such a great way to give Cath a fun farewell! Thanks for the inspiraton!
Thanks SO much for all your hard work! Love this fun card with the splashes of color 🙂
wow this is so fun.. clever design.. love it
What a fun, clever card!!! And this IS one amaaaaazing hop! Wonderful wishes to Cath and kudos to all of you who put together this shining tribute to her
WOW WOW WOW! this is sooo amazing!!
Love your sweet and adorable card! Cath will love it. Thank you for organizing such a great event!
Taheera, this card is the epitome of master masking!! WOW!! I adore it! Your words were beautiful. I'm sure Cath will appreciate them. Thank-you for your tireless efforts and cheerleading while this blog hop has come together. I hope you are feeling better soon.
i am so in love with this cutie, girl!! you are so creative! thanks so much for all your hard work that helped making this happen! =)
Your card made me laugh! Love the images and the splatter!
This is completely fabulous, and appropriate for the occasion, Taheerah! I love all of the masking, just super fun!
So cute! Such a fun idea – with the one standing out of the crowd!
Sorry – forgot to say Taheerah – well done on an amazing job on the hop – you are truly remarkable and I really appreciate all the work you (and the "dream" team) put in to get this up and running. Hugs.
Made me smile BIG! Love it.
OMG … so unique, sweet, fun and perfect, Taheerah 🙂
Your words made me tear up. So beautifully expressed, Taheerah. ♥ And your card?!!? Absolutely GENIUS!! Love, love, loooove!! 😀 So incredibly perfect. Thank you for all your hard work and late nights getting this hop together. I adore you to pieces, Ms. T. xoxox
very clever card.
such an adorably clever card….love it! thanks so much for getting this blog hop going; can't imagine keeping track of 285 bloggers but it's an amazing success!