Welcome to the very first Birthday Bash Blog Hop.

If you have arrived here from Sheri's blog you’re on the right track. If not, and just lucked up on this blog, you can go back to the beginning HERE and hop along with us.

We're so excited to being doing this hop, and we have a fabulous line up with some very talented folks. There will be lots of fun projects, along with some great blog candy, and an AMAZING grand prize for this hop.

This hop runs all day on May 23, so you have plenty of time to make it all the way through the hop. Check out each blog and see what BLOG CANDY you could possibly WIN!!

Here is the complete line up

Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Lisa - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/

Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Creativek Kuts - http://www.creativekuts.blogspot.com/

Deb - http://www.scrappingmamma.net/

Corrine - http://celebratingordinarymoments.blogspot.com/

Tristan - http://tristans-time-4-craftin.blogspot.com/

Mickie - http://littlescrapcorner.blogspot.com/

Rachelle – http://rachelle-rachellesplace.blogspot.com/

Sheri - http://highland-eyes.blogspot.com/

Melanie - http://melaniespapercraft.blogspot.com/- YOU ARE HERE

Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/

Bobbi – http://rockgirlcustomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://craftydeb-ddscrafts.blogspot.com/

Leila - http://mypapergrowsontrees.blogspot.com/

Emily - http://www.createserendipity.net/

Jennifer - www.craftycardgallery.blogspot.

April - http://www.curlsngrins.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://scrapaholicjen.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://scrappinpinkpiglet.blogspot.com/

Donna - http://comopark1886.blogspot.com/

Elsa - http://www.justafewdesigns.blogspot.com/

Shannon - http://www.purplelionpaper.com/blog

Ashley - http://www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Monica - http://scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/

Lisa - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Scrapping With Lisa on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scrapping-with-Lisa/130882060268842

There is also going to be an overall grand prize, which is being sponsored by Lisa from Scrapping with Lisa and she will be the first and last blog on the hop. In order to be eligible for the grand prize you must leave a comment on every blog in the hop, as well as become a fan of Lisa's and of Scrapping with Lisa on Facebook. If you don’t do facebook, this won’t count against you for the grand prize, just let me know that in a comment. You must do all this, it is mandatory in order to be eligible for the overall grand prize.

I wasn't sure what to do for this hop, as it was a case of "anything goes" as long as it's birthday. hmmm... do I do a card with a digi, or paper piecing (which I'm really enjoying), so I decided to do a birthday themed scrapbooking layout. I popped off a mail to Heather from PaperyAnne to see if she had any birthday themed paper piecing patterns. She didn't but she rustled up something in no time at all for me... and this was the result.

This is the full double page layout

Page 1 - I love stitching at the moment, so I just HAD to add some stitching to the banner. I found some buttons that went perfectly with the page and colours, so had to add them too (and I stitched them into place)

Page 2 - I've used a border punch for the heart border and then just matched up some plain and patterned paper. The hearts that were punched out were used on the cupcakes (and I just punched some extra from other scraps). I used one of my stencils for the circular pearl pattern.

Close-up of the banner and buttons

Close-up of the pearls

And finally another close-up of the banner.

One lucky winner will be entitled to this gift voucher:

Just leave a comment below and I'll select a random winner once the hop is over.

PaperyAnne is looking for some new DT members to join our team. If you enjoy working with paper piecing patterns or Digi Stamps, then email Susanne with your application (include a little about yourself, what you do, and your blog address)

Thank you for hopping by, and I hope you've gained some inspiration from my blog.

Your next blog is Christine - http://crabbycakescrafts.blogspot.com/

Have a GREAT day!!

NO NO NO Cards!!

This week's challenge at Patties is to create anything but a card.

You can see my life has been rather busy - I haven't blogged for the last 2 weeks!! Yikes...

My idea with these little tags, was to actually use them on a scrapbook layout... I didn't quite manage that, but at least they're now ready for when I do decide to do it.

I coloured each baby (I love this image) in a different colour, but kept them in the yellow/orange/brown range - I'd like to create a vintage look page.

These tags were really easy to put together - I just cut some rectangles from textured cardstock, then cut 2 rectangles from patterned paper and tore them across (giving me 4 pieces). I used a rounded corner punch on just the one edge. Then just a little ric-rac ribbon down the side, a brown flower with a flower brad in the centre and finally an eyelet with some raffia tied through.

Hope to be back with some more... oh yes I will on Monday...


but maybe I'll share a little more with you before that (I have a few projects to share)

x Mel x