Welcome to the Families First Pals Blog Hop for April 2017.  We are thankful you stopped by to take a look at our 2017 Blog Hop monthly themes.  This month we are featuring projects that are all about our families. This is a great time of year to think about what to make for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or upcoming graduations. And, family vacations are just around the corner… how would you want to remember those special family moments? We hope to provide you with lots of ideas and that you enjoy our creations.

You may just be starting the Blog Hop or may have come from the previous link from the Line-up on the Pals Blog Hop listing shown below.  The full lineup will help you move along from blog to blog so you may see all the projects.

At first glance you might be saying…..WHAT THE HECK SUSAN? What does this have to do with families? Well, hang tight! My peeps are all grown and it is far and few that we get to be together…but let me tell you ~ when we do….TOTAL FUN (and yes, I still cry as they drive away)

When this stamp set came out, Layering Love… I knew that it was coming to Randall Lane. I simply adore sentiments and when they are BIG SENTIMENTS….I say a double whammy! The reason that I chose this card for this hop it that this simple sentiment, “live, laugh, love” are 3 words that sum up family to me!

I think that you will agree that the other sentiments in this stamp set are equally wonderful – a HOMERUN all the way around and the best thing – IT IS BEING CARRIED OVER into the NEW CATALOG….yippee!  🙂 

If you follow my blog you already know that simple is me and I think that you can agree that this is a super simple card but the sentiments makes it have a BIG WOW. I would easily send this to a family member or dear friend after having a great time together. To me, it is all about the message…and live,laugh,love sums it up for me!

I know you have a bunch of hopping to do today as there are 30 of us on the hop…so I won’t keep you too long – Here is a quick scoop for you in case you want to case (you really do not need me as it is soooooo easy….but here you go!) The full line up of products used will be at the very end of the post.

• The Base is in the NEW THICK VERY VANILLA Card Stock – (did you let that SINK IN????) YEP, in the NEW catalog we will all be doing the happy dance with the THICK VANILLA! (I am so excited)

• The next layer of Very Vanilla (regular weight) is 4″ X 5 1/4″ and then run through the big shot with the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder (that’s walking the plank 🙁 )

• The FUN POLKA DOT NEW PAPER is from the NEW CATALOG, and it is called Eastern Palace and truth be told because I do not have a bunch of this paper, so this is why I have a 1″ strip on the left edge but honestly – it does the trick!

• The Sentiment was stamped in the NEW TRANQUIL TIDE (super yummy color) and then cut out with the largest Stitched Circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits Die (a must have…just sayin’ 😀 ) I also cut another one the same size in the NEW In Color and off set them a wee bit.

• Here is a tip because I am the FIRST TO ADMIT that this thin silver thread can be ONE HOT MESS to work with. After having many struggles….we came to terms and this is the EASIEST way I can tell you to do it. Ready…??? Just hold your hand out and wrap it around all 4 fingers (the width of your hand) several times – cut it and just press it into the adhesive that is already on your circle. Trust me…it is when you start fooling with it that you loose your crackers and get super frustrated 👿 ….Once we had an understanding…we are happy and I think that it adds a fun flair….how about you?

• The Dapper Denim Bakers Twine is from the April Paper Pumpkin Kit and I added a bow and secured it with a simple glue dot.

The envelope…same thing I do just about each and every day as I do love my envelopes….lovin’ your envelope makes the world happy!!! (well, in my world at least)….it’s like not making your bed in the morning – YIKES….my day would not be in order and that is how I feel about my envelopes!

I realize that this is a twist to our theme….but this makes me roll when I think of family…..I think that this is a perfect card that you can send many times to many different loved ones…because the way I feel about it is we all need to live, laugh & love more!

Now go be a bunny rabbit and HOP on….there are so many amazing ideas out there….take them all in and I thank you for POPPING into my little simple world…..

Thanks for visiting. To continue with the hop, please refer to the Blog Hop Line-up below. We hope to see you on next month’s Pals Blog Hop! 

1. Mary Fish at Stampin’ Pretty
2. Lynn Tague at Beyond Beaches & Blessings
3. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom
4. Debbie Mageed at Secret Stamper
5. Amy Hoptay at Craft Carnivore
6. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven’s Retreat
7. Brian King at Stamp with Brian
8. Tricia Chuba at ButterDish Designs
9. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin’
10. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti
11. Karen Zaring Browning at Stamp With Me KZB
12. Susan Itell at simplestampin.com
13. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
14. Karen Hallam at Karen’s Stampin’ Habit!
15. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
16. Debbie Crowley at expressively deb…
17. Lisa Pretto at InkBig Academy Stamps
18. Julie DiMatteo at The Paper Pixie
19. Becky Retzer at Just in Thyme by Becky Retzer
20. Lynn Kolcun at Avery’s Owlery
21. Jennifer Spiller at Westside Paper Creations
22. Debra Simonis at Deb’s Stampin’ Grounds
23. Rae Harper-Burnet at Wild West Paper Arts
24. Jackie Beers at Blue Line Stamping
25. Shawn de Oliveira at ShawnStamps.com
26. Rosanne Mulhern at Heartfelt Stamping
27. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
28. Sara Hicks Stuart at Sentiments by Sara
29. Jennifer Michalski at Stamping Serenity
30. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards