Hey everyone! Happy Tuesday!
Tap, tap – is this thing on?
Yes, it’s been such an eternity since I posted anything that you’d be forgiven for forgetting I actually exist! So allow me to reintroduce myself: I’m Taheerah, and I used to be far better at being a part of the papercrafting community than I have been recently. Let’s just say that life and a few issues have been putting paid to that quite a bit. In fact, I had been considering my place in the papercrafting world, and had been coming close to hanging up my heat tool, secreting my scissors, and shying away from my stamps altogether.
So it took something rather special to break me out of my funk and back into creating. And that something special goes by the name of Ruby.
You’re probably more than aware of the amazing and awesome talent that is Rubeena Ianigro – she has, after all, been setting the place ablaze with her talent, her style, and her infectious humour. So when she asked me if I’d help her celebrate her 4 year blogging anniversary, I just had to say yes!
So welcome!
Welcome to Rubeena’s Crafting Anniversary 2-Day Blog Hop! This hop is epic with more than 70 guests and over $1,000 in sponsored prizes! Not only are we celebrating four years since Rubeena first discovered cardmaking but also crafting in general. This industry is made up of wonderful individuals who are creative, inspirational, kind, and incredibly supportive! Hop along so you can learn about why we create and how much joy it brings us!
So seeing as we’re celebrating crafting, I thought I’d talk about what it means to me, and why I love it so much.
To me, crafting has always been a way for me to express myself through art. I see it as anything from a technical exercise, to something to do with my hands to balance out all the cerebral stuff I do at work, to just having fun and seeing where the supplies take me. Through this ‘hobby’ I found the industry and the amazingly talented individuals that inhabit it. I’ve seen dizzying heights when my star was in the ascendency, to quieter periods where I’ve questioned whether I even belong her anymore. But one thing that has always kept my soul fed, was the inspiration and joy of others’ work, and the kind souls I’ve encountered in my journey. I may not be one of the ‘big names’ – but I won’t ever forget some of the industry’s biggest hearts. Like Ruby’s.
So, before I get all existential again, let’s have a pretty card!
Well, this event called for a celebration so here’s my celebration on a card!
I used some Ranger Detail Blending Tools to add pops of colour to my card base using some of my favourite inks from Catherine Pooler. I love these inks so much!
I added sentiment, stars and little circly things (sorry, I really can’t think of the names of them!) from the Pinkfresh Studio Sweet Treats stamp set. I also built a multi-layer cake which was originally going to adorn this card, but I settled for just the ‘YAY’ topper instead, which I partially heat embossed with sparkly gold embossing powder. This card is perfectly ‘me’ in its style – bold, bright, trendy, and fun!
Giveaways!
So it wouldn’t be a party without prizes! Ruby has pulled out all the stops to secure you some amazing prizes!
In celebration of this anniversary, we have several amazing sponsors. Let’s thank them for their generosity! Winners will be randomly selected from comments left on all the blogs. The winners will be announced by Wednesday, September 5 on this page. Winners will have up to 2 weeks to contact Rubeena at [email protected] to claim their prize before another winner is selected.
Let’s take a look at what you could win, shall we?
Here’s your Hop order for today:
Rubeena Ianigro
The Stamp Market Blog
Jessica Frost-Ballas
Nina-Marie Trapani
Neat & Tangled Blog
Cheiron Brandon
Tania Ahmed
Laurie Willison
Barb Engler
Janette Kausen
Carly Tee Minner
Nichol Spohr
Amy Tsuruta
Mayline Jung
Emily Midgett
Kelly Griglione
Caly Person
Stephanie Klauck
Tracy Freeman
Dana Joy
Erica A-B
Channin Pelletier
Kimberly Wiener
Marcie Sharp
Rowena Miniaci
Sharna Waksmulski
Laurel Beard
Miriam Prantner
Leanne West
Tracey McNeely
Marge Yoon
Ankita Gupta
Justine Hovey
Taheerah Atchia
Kimberly Crawford
Lisa Hetrick
Laura Jane
Michele Ferguson
Talk about talent! I’m sure you recognise many famous names there!
I want to thank Ruby once again for inviting me to her Hop, and for just generally being awesome. Happy crafting Anniversary Ruby! Here’s to many more!
Thanks for stopping by!
Supplies
Hi Taheerah! Oh my, my memory SUCKS and I just cannot remember if I left a comment or not. Worry not, I shall submit a new one because I adore you. Thank you SO much for saying yes when I invited you to my hop. You are definitely not forgotten. I think of you every now and then and hope things are going well for you. Your cards are always a treat because they are a unique expression of you! I hope you’ll continue to create to express yourself. I’m here if you ever need a sounding board. Hugs!!
Taheerah, you’re a BIG name in my world – and in the worlds of many others! I’m thrilled that you joined in this celebration, with a card that is so absolutely and completely YOU! Trendy and gorgeous! Rather like its designer!
Yes, sometimes we need to step away from ‘things’, whether to rejuvenate and return or change directions completely. I deeply believe you have a place in the crafting community; your creative expressions are inspiring, appreciated and deeply loved (as are you). We’ll be here whenever you arrive…long time, short time…any time at all!
I hope you’ll be doing your Advent Calendar series, which is so incredibly popular. If not, totally understand, given all the behind-the-scenes work and time investment required.
Love you, sweet friend!
hugs~c
Hey Taheerah, I hope you don’t mind that I’m late to the party! It’s been pretty hectic over here and I’ve been wanting to get to all the blogs of this special hop. First, I’m so glad you said yes! You are one of my favorite crafters because of your unique vision and style. Thank you for your kind words about me — I think you should keep crafting a part of your life so you can continue to express yourself. Just do it for yourself 🙂 Thanks so much for being part of this and making such a pretty card. You rock. Hugs to you!!
lmao yep I did comment twice. it’s okay! twice the love 🙂
Cute and fun card design.
It’s nice to see you in this Hop. And as usual your card is sooo cool !!
[margessw(at)icloud(dot)com]
Fabulous card! I love the circle-things and the sparkly Yay!
I too echo what Janis in ID said in her comment. You have been missed and I truly understand how life & jobs get in the way of crafting and blogging. I do hope you are back and that life has calmed down for you. Thank you for sharing your celebration card.
Simple but bold!!! Yay! Great card and love seeing all of you talented designers along this celebration blog hop!
Fun card it really looks like a celebration!
Sometimes it’s good to take a break, for me it reminds me why I love it so much when I am doing it lol. However I’m glad Rubenna got you back at least for her celebration, you will know when it’s time to return for more. Your card is awesome, love the colors and the fun, thanks for joining in and for sharing.
I really love this as a CAS card! It’s just fun and so easy to create and pass along in the mail! Thanks for sharing and for supporting Ruby’s anniversary!
Love this sweet and simple card! Thanks for sharing and being a part of this blog hop.
SQUEAL!! Just BEAUTIFUL!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Aren’t celebration hops fun? They’re like Holy card bonanza batman!!! Lol! Very cute and FUN celebration card, and how wonderful that Rubeena has so many crafty friends like you who are ready and willing to help her celebrate! TFS–have a blessed day.
This reminds me of a champaign bottle popping! Definitely celebratory!
Congrats to Ruby!
Ps… please don’t hang up your crafting tools!!! It’d leave a huge hole in the crafting community!
That is a pretty card! I love Catherine Pooler inks too, at least the ones I have.
Wonderful card! I love the “yay”!
What a great card! You definitely belong in the paper crafting community! I like your style – it’s fun, colorful and trendy. I love how you did the sentiment on your card. I know you said it was supposed to be the topper on the cake, but alone it looks like paint dripping from the letters . Very cool! Thanks for sharing and celebrating with Rubeena!