Happy first birthday to.....

Divas by Design, Happy Birthday to us!

Can you guess whose birthday it is?  No?  Really?  I think I might have given you a clue or two, maybe!  It's the Divas and we are a year old today!!!

As this is a very special day for us the prizes are very special too - and we're having a blog hop!  Never been in a blog hop before - so fingers crossed I'm getting this right.

The theme for this challenge is 'Anything Goes' and you can participate in the hop or challenge or both. There will be a prize for the winner of the challenge who (as always) will be picked by Mr Random thingy.  Then there will be prizes for seven hop winners - but in order to be eligible for a hop prize you MUST leave a comment on all the blogs on the hop and the challenge blog itself.

You should have arrived with me from Jayne and your next stop on the hop is Laurie.  If you get lost at all (like I normally do!) just hop back to Divas by Design and the full list is there.  The sponsors and prizes are brilliant so why not pop over to the blog and see for yourself what's on offer.

The winner of the Challenge itself is in for a lovely treat as the challenge sponsor is Mullberry Crafts who are offering this fab prize:

The Design Team were allowed to pick images from two of the sponsors and I got to pick from the wonderful:

Who are offering a prize for a hop winner as well!

Pause, deep breath!  Finally I get to show you what I created for this special birthday.  I made two cards as I really loved the image I picked - I'd not used Tickled Pink images before but I can see me going and getting more.  And here they are:

Card one:

 I used:

Tickled Pink digi stamp - Lil Fashionette  - 60's Willow, coloured with my Promarkers.

The stamp is from a Fiskars set - Make a Wish Quotes, and I inked round the edges for some definition.

The swirl is a Memory Box die - Valerian Flourish.

The papers, frame, ribbon and buttons are all from my stuff and so old that I've no idea where they came from.

Card two:

I used:

Same image as before this time die cut with and mounted onto nestie circles

Sentiment - same stamp set but a different quote.

The papers are My Mind's Eye - Bloom & Grow, front and coordinating back.

The circle is a Memory Box die - Whimsy Circle

The flower and pearls from my stuff.

Both card blanks are from Craftwork cards

Not sure if you can tell, but I was experimenting with different shades for red hair - one is distinctly oranger than red, but I like them both.   I think the second card needs something else, but I'm not sure what so I left it!  Also, while I'm here, can I just say thanks to Arabella for the inspiration for the first card.  I've had these frames for ages, but no idea what to do with them and one of her recent cards really gave me a good idea of how to use them!  Thank you, Arabella - love your cards!

I really don't know where the last year has gone and I can't believe how brave I was trying out for a Design Team.  I had only been blogging for a couple of months, took a really deep breath, stuck my head over the parapet and put my name up for a chance on the Design Team of Divas.  I will always remember the sheer panic I felt when I went looked at the blog and realised I'd been picked!!!!  I'm so grateful to Rebekah and Jo for taking a chance on me and giving me to opportunity to get onto a DT and have really enjoyed working with my wonderful team mates.

Speaking of my Teamies, they have made some marvellous cards for this challenge, please head on over and take a gander.  As well I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone who enters the challenge creates - you are such a talented bunch.

So see you at the Divas birthday bash!

Sarah

A challenge, or two:

Anything Goes Challenge Blog - Anything Goes

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT challenge - Challenge #57, Spots and Stripes (1st card)

Craft your passion challenge - Challenge 104, Dots and Stripes (1st card)

Cupcake Craft Challenges - 186 - Sewing Box (buttons / ribbon on 1st card)