I have been having fun this month trying out some new techniques that I learned over at Swirlydoos.  Those girls over there are such a creative bunch and always so willing to share their ideas.  Lynne Forsythe showed us how to make the coolest canvas.  I loved learning the techniqe to do the background.  You can find her tutorial here.  This is the canvas that I made.

Making the cardboard flower petals was pretty cool too.  Go give the tutorial a try!

I used the beautiful doilies from Close to my Heart's Bohemian Assortment pack, as well as some of the shapes from the Garden Wooden Shapes pack to add some extra embellishment.

I have been so blessed this week to be given the Liebster Blog Award by two of my favourite scrappers, Joyce and Tammy.  These women have inspired me from day 1 and I have learned from them and been encouraged by them.  You MUST go to their blogs and see what I am talking about!

Joyce can be found at Scraps of Elegance and "elegant" describes her work perfectly.  She shares the most wonderful stories and insightful journaling, plus you've just gotta see how she alters chipboard....beautiful!!!!

Tammy can be found at My Scrapping Place.  Tammy's work is just beautiful.  She is an accomplished flower maker and shares very detailed descriptions of how to re-create what she has done.  Tammy is another one who has many creative ideas on how to alter chipboard, which she cheerfully shares!

Thank you Tammy & Joyce for giving me this award.  It is such an honour to receive it from the two of YOU!

"Liebster" is a German word meaning dearest, beloved or favorite, and the Liebster Award is sort of a chain letter among bloggers that's inteded to showcase exceptional up-and-coming blogs (typically, those with 200 or fewer followers).  There's no evaluation committee or formal award process for the Liebster, but in a way it's even nicer - it's recognition that a peer has noticed and appreciated your hard work.

Here are the rules:

Choose 5 up-and-coming blogs of fewer than 200 followers to award the Liebster to.

Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them. 

Post the award on your blog.  Link back to the blogs you have given the Liebster to so everyone else can pay them a visit.

And, now I am sharing and passing on the award to five wonderful blogs that I'm sure will want to stop by for a visit and say hi:

Maggi www.scraptravelbark.blogspot.com.  I have so much enjoyed Maggi's blog over the past year since I discovered it.  She creates layouts of great beauty and shares a lot of tips, plus she's great fun - you will be glad you went to visit her!

Jennifer www.scrap-escape.blogspot.com.  Jennifer is someone else who has inspired me since day 1.  She has an incredible talent for using anything and everything on her layouts and they turn out absolutely gorgeous!  The wonderful little stories that she shares as she describes her work, make you enjoy visiting her blog and leave you wanting to come back again.

Maggie and Jennifer have both received Liebster Awards in the past, but I think they are so sonderful, they deserve it again!

Rosie www.atcexchange.blogspot.com.  Rosie creates inspiring and thought-provoking art journals, which are not only beautiful, but they help me stop for a moment in my busy world and look at things that need examining.  I am so glad I discovered her blog because I am always inspired by what I find there.

Barbara www.scrappygal-scraphappenings.blogspot.com.  I have only recently come to know Barbara's work, but she has been "wow"ing us at Swirlydoos for a few weeks now.  You are going to love what you see at her blog!

Debbie www.kindakrafty.blogspot.com.  Debbie is another talented lady with a very cool website.  Because I love mini-albums, I love going to her archives and looking at all her beautiful albums.  She gives great tutorials on how to make them too.

Enjoy your visit to all these wonderful blogs and remember to leave them some love!