Happy Birthday!

A few months ago, Cheryl Saforek, owner of Scraptownlady contacted a few of us, with an invitation to join her first Design Team.  What a fun few months it has been!  We teamies have become friends with each other, are having fun watching each others children grow up, and of course, we've had a great time designing with our Scraptownlady products!

Today is Cheryl's Birthday, and we are here today with a Birthday Hop in her honor!  She is a wonderful boss, and has become a very good friend, as well.

Cheryl, we hope that your day is as special as you are! Happy Birthday!

Here is my card for Cheryl:

Front of card.

This shows the popped up birthday cake in the inside center!

Just a close up of the 'candles' that prove Cheryl is 29 today!!! We are the same age :)

Now, I hope that you will hop on to Rebecca's blog!  Rebecca and Cheryl live near one another, and are friends outside of blogland - I can't wait to see what she has created for Cheryl!

In case you get lost, here is the hop order:

Scraptownlady Blog
Marcia
Cathy
Dawn Rene
Rhonda
Patti J. (me!)
Rebecca

Thanks so much for hopping along.  Please stop over at the Scraptownlady Blog, and wish our special lady a very Happy Birthday!

Thanks for stopping by,
Patti J.

Scraptownlady Supplies:
Authentique 6 x 6 Bundle 'Hope'
Kaisercraft Sparklets 'Daffodil'
Kaisercraft 75 cents Collection 'Sixpence'
Glossy Accents

Other supplies:
Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch
a muse Brown Cardstock
Stampendous Glitter

OWH Memorial Day Weekend Bloghop

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  I am excited to be a part of this blog hop, along with many talented individuals and wonderful companies.  What a great way to show support for our heroes!  As you are enjoying your long weekend, please remember the sacrifices that these folks make each day so that we may enjoy our freedom.

When you are ready to move on, just click on the photo above - it will take you back to OWH, and the full list of participants!

Today, I used sketch #150 from the Operation Write Home Sketch Library for my inspiration.

 

And here is my card:

(Supply List Below)

Enjoy the rest of the hop, my friends!

There is SO much inspiration here, and so much love and support for our military.

(Leave comment to be eligible for blog candy...
See yesterday's post for candy info!)

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Patti J.

SUPPLY LIST:

(I couldn't resist playing with more goodness from Scraptownlady!)

Authentique 6 x 6 "Cherish" Collection

Impression Obsession "Hydrangea Set" (Sentiment)

Impression Obsession Tree Die

Impression Obsession Hydrangea Die (Flowers on tree)

Impression Obsession "Solid Tree" Stamp Set

KaiserCraft Pearls "Chino"

Micro Glue Dots

Martha Stewart Glue Pen

Scor-Tape

Spellbinder's Nestability "Sm. Ovals"

Kraft Cardstock

Versafine Brown Ink

Creations by AR Hop-A Picnic Basket!

 Hello, and welcome to the Creations by AR New Release Hop!

Today, the AR team is featuring Adela's newest creation, 'My Picnic Basket'.

Here is the sweet basket, done up with lots of grass, candy, and ribbon, just in time for Easter!  Note that I do NOT have a lid on this version.  It is an open basket!

Most of you know that I don't have a cutting machine.  

What I love best about the Creations by AR templates, is their PDF files. Each template comes in PDF, SVG, or DFX files. If you are lucky enough to own a machine, or lucky enough to own a sharp pair of scissors, you can create your own beautiful projects!

Here, I have used some pretty pearl brads, and a darling pre-colored digital image from Doodle Pantry.  For this version, a lid was added, for a typical picnic look.

 

I found some pretty double sided cardstock in my stash to create my basket with!

You are SO going to want this template!

Here is a shot with one side of the lid raised at the 'hinge'.  How cute is this???!!!

Can't you just imagine this at a wedding or baby shower, or a child's birthday party? Too much fun!

Last, here is a photo with both lids up at the 'hinges'.

You want this, I know you do!

HOW CAN YOU WIN THIS TEMPLATE?

• Leave a comment on each blog listed below
• Leave a comment on the Creations by AR Facebook Page
• Leave a comment on the Creations by AR PaperCraft Planet Group

 Blogs to visit:

Adela - http://cbyar.blogspot.com/2013/03/ar-march-blog-hop.html
Jak - http://www.jakheath.com/2013/03/creations-by-arpicnic-basket.html
Julia - http://createwithjulia.blogspot.com/2013/03/creations-by-ar-march-release-my-picnic.html
Lisa - http://www.lisasomerville.com/2013/03/my-picnic-basket-creations-by-ar-dt.html
Lori - http://savingmine.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-tisket-tasket-creations-by-ar-new.html
Patti J - http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2013/03/creations-by-ar-hop-picnic-basket.html
Sue K - http://suesstampingstuff.blogspot.com/2013/03/creations-by-ar-blog-hop-baskets.html
Sue M - http://www.suessentiments.org/2013/03/creations-by-ar-march-release.html

Comments will be accepted until March 24 (12:00 noon EST)

One random winner will be announced on March 25th, on the AR Facebook Page, AR PCP Group, and AR Blog.

 

 Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Hope to see you soon, and good luck - hope you are the lucky winner!

Hugs,

Patti J.

Why do snowmen wear hats?

Good morning!

It's Monday, and time for a new Stamp of the Week at Repeat Impressions Stamps.

I'm sure you are all wondering why DO snowmen wear hats?

Well, to cover up their bad twig days, of course!

Today, we are featuring the 'Twig Hair Snowman'.  This image is so sweet, that I wanted to keep my card very simple. 

Repeat Impressions 'Twig Hair Snowman" #2003, Repeat Impressions 'Thinking of You' #1105, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Martha Stewart Glue Pen, Glitter, Copic Markers, Ribbon Scrap, Perfect Layers Rulers (see sidebar for details)

I stamped the image and sentiment, and drew some black lines to frame this cutie patootie.  All that was left to do was color him, and add some snow.  Hope he gave you a giggle or two!

I'm sure that my fellow Rockstars have had some fun with this image too!

Cheri     Karen     Geri

Check out their creations, and then head over to the RI Blog, The House That Stamps Built, for information on getting this darling snowman for 50% off this week!

Have a great week,

Patti J.

A Boy and His Frog...

Happy Saturday!

I have a Saturday smile to share with you!

I had a few minutes this morning, so I printed out this adorable image from The Digi Garden.  This image is in the "Boy" section, and it's called, "A Boy and His Frog".  Of course, the frog is Ribbit!

Image: The Digi Garden    Sentiment: SRM Stickers     Twine: a muse studio     Grass Border & Leave Dies: C.C. Cutters,      DP: Scraps from my stash ???     Cording: A gift from my friend Shirley     Butterflies: Martha Stewart Butterfly Trio Punch     Cardstock: Bazzill

The sentiment is an SRM Sticker, and it says "Heartfelt Thanks".

Seems we are always in need of a thank you card.

My Perfect Layers Tools were used to create beautiful, uniform layers!

Have entered this in the Flutter By Wednesday Challenge :)

Hope your weeking is going well.  So far, so good, here on the hilltop!

Hugs,

Patti J.

Birthday Wishes

Hello!

Thought I'd share something pretty today.  I was invited over to play in my friend Shirley's amazing 'girl-cave' on Tuesday.  We created, laughed, ate, and created some more!  What fun :)  Shirley is an Amuse demonstrator, so we crafted with her new Amuse stamps and inks.  I needed a birthday card for a friend.

Cardstock, Stamps, and Inks are A*Muse

We centered a small panel onto the main panel, adhereing with removable adhesive.  First the light color, then the darker color, were sponged directly onto the stamp, using small finger daubers.  We stamped the flowers, then the sentiment, lifted the small panel off, and permanently adhered it to the darker mat, then adhered the panel to the card.  I used a few pearls and some Martha Stewart punched butterflies to embellish my card.

Hope you give this a try - you could add as many panels and as many images as you like!

Thanks for stopping by - have a great day!

Blessings,

Patti J.

Soaring by...

Hi there!  Welcome to our 'What-If Wednesday' Repeat Impressions' Sketch Challenge.  Today's sketch just HAD to be flipped.  I've tried to behave myself lately, and not be a 'sketch flipper', but you know how it is...sometimes the temptation is just too great! 

Repeat Impressions 9112 I - Airplane, Amuse Blue CS & Cloud CS, Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Black CS, Copic Markers, Glossy Accents

Repeat Impressions Sentiment: 9104-G Soaring By to Say Hi, Martha Stewart Loop Border Stamp, Baker's Twine, Blue Amuse CS, Black CS, White CS

 As I look at the blank inside page on the screen, I'm thinking I will ink up the airplane stamp, stamp it off on a scrap, then stamp it onto the panel so that it's fairly transparent....this just looks too unfinished...

The Repeat Impression's Sketch J2712

I hope that you will head over to the Repeat Impressions' Blog, The House That Stamps Built, for all of the challenge details, and that you will check out my fellow Rockstars' blogs to see their beautiful creations!  We would love to see you participate in the challenge!  Someone will win some great RI goodness!!!

                 Cheri          Dawn          Joy          Karen          Kecia          Lynette          Makiko

Edited:  Please, please send up some good thoughts, and prayers for those in the 'line of fire' in Colorado Springs.  As of 2:00 this morning, there were 32,000+ evacuated, many left knowing they have nothing to come home to.  Our friend, Lee Murphy's daughter is one that was evacuated...so please pray for her! 
This photo was taken yesterday afternoon, from our daughter's apartment complex. 
If you look to the left, you can see the front of the apartment buildings.  
The fire is actually 1.5-2 miles away, and at least for now, she is safe, but it is very frightening.
Certainly makes our tree in the photo below look silly.  We appreciate your thoughts and prayers. 

Here's the excitement at our house on the hill yesterday.  I was chatting with DD yesterday evening, and heard a horrendous cracking, sounded like gunshots. The dogs began barking wildly, and would not settle down.  I walked to the sunporch doors to see what was making them so crazy, and found this:

The limb actually broke off and fell at an angle, missing the corner of the house by a mere inch, thank goodness!  Also grateful that the man that mows for us was not mowing under the tree at the time - Yikes!

Sigh...another Honey-Do for DH.  Poor guy!

Thanks so much for stopping by - love having you visit!

Hugs and smiles,

Patti J.

Soaring By to Say Hi

Good Morning!

It's Wednesday, and time for a new Repeat Impressions Designer's Choice Challenge.  Today's hostess is Karen, and she has challenged us to use three elements in our projects: A stamped image, embossing, and a die cut or punch.

Supplies: Repeat Impressions 9116-N Air Balloon Cluster, 9104-G Soaring By To Say Hi, Spellbinders Circle Dies, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Quick Kutz Embossing Folder, Amuse Cardstock, Bazzill Basics CS, Offray Ribbon, Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Tsukineko Sponge Dauber, Recollections Dimensional Squares, Copic Markers.

I'm featuring stamps from the latest Repeat Impressions Release.  I've wanted to ink up this Air Balloon Cluster for weeks!  What a great image, and one that would work for such a variety of occasions!

Hope to see you at Repeat Impressions' Blog, The House that Stamps Built!  We would love to see you enter the challenge.  All the details are on the blog - if you don't own any RI stamps, it's okay - you can enter whatever you have!  If you do use RI stamps, you'll get an extra entry in the challenge drawing! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs and blessings,
Patti J.

When life gives you lemons....look for Blog Candy!

Well hello!  Hope you are all doing well, and looking forward to a lovely weekend!

Did you ever see an image that just made you go 'awwww'???  Well, when I was at Pixie Dust Studio last week to purchase the sweet little graduation girl, I saw this image and had to have it.  Is she not just precious?  As you can see, I started with an orchid card base, and carried the orchid throughout the card.  Any of you out there that have helped your kids with a lemonade stand are smiling - I just know you are!

Bazzill Basics CS, Express It Blend CS, Martha Stewart border punch, cut in half lenthwise, Copic Markers.

This is one of those that is prettier in real life - you'll just have to take my word for it - lol...

I've been visiting DD this week, and have not gotten to hop around as often as I'd like. Hopefully, after Monday, I'll be back into a normal routine!  In the meantime, how about some Itty Bitty Blog Candy?  Now remember, it's Itty Bitty, and I don't have it 'yet', but I can promise it will be fun.

You see....DD lives in Colorado, and so does our friend Lee Murphy! Lee is going to come pick me up tomorrow, and we are going to shop (and probably eat someplace very sinful too)  'till we drop!
 (I promise not to drop prior to finding some yumminess to give away!)

I'm very much looking forward to meeting Lee. It's so much fun to travel and get to meet blogging friends!

To throw your hat in the ring for the Itty Bitty Blog Candy, just leave a comment on this post.  You don't have to jump through a single hoop!  Just leave me a comment here.  I will draw a name on Monday evening.  Good Luck!

I probably won't be posting again until next week, but I will try very hard to get by your blogs!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Hugs,
Patti J.

Creations by AR - Mothers and Grads Blog Hop

Good morning, and thanks for dropping by to hop with us!  

Adela has been busy over at Creations by AR, designing some fun and very useful templates for Mother's,  and for those Graduates that you need to remember with a little something, or a lotta cash...

let's get started!

As always, there will be prizes.  There will be two winners per blog - each winner will receive one of the new templates.  How do you win?  Very simple - leave a comment at each blog!  That's it! Winners will be posted on Friday.  If you get lost, the blog roster is below!

 First up is the Birdhouse Topiary.  Oh my goodness - what a fun project!  As you know, I do not have a cutting machine, so all cutting is done by hand.  There were a lot of pieces, but the directions were concise, and the pieces were well marked.  I had no trouble figuring it out!  As you can see by the photos, you can display the entire piece as one, or you can set the birdhouse next to the base, which you can fill with candy, money, etc.

CS: a muse, Butterfly punch: Martha Stewart, Flowers on base & sign on house: computer generated. Butterfly bodies and sign 'hanger' were drawn with zig pen.

Next, we'll move on to the Grad Cap.  This was easy peasy!  Three pieces - the box (which can be used alone), the cap top, and the sentiment piece.  The Congratulations stamp is a Michael's $1 bin stamp, and the scroll is from a Doodle Pantry digi image set.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  You can purchase both of these templates at Creations by AR.  

Now, hop on over to Sue's Stamping Stuff to see her gorgeous creations!  

 Blog Hop Roster

Adela Rossol

Amy Park

Lisa Somerville

Magdalena Cortez

Patti J. (that's me!!!)

Sue Kment

Shirley Hotop, Guest Designer

Be sure to stop back on Friday to see if you are one of two lucky winners on my blog!!!

Hugs,

Patti J.

Just Sittin' Here

Good morning!

I'm enjoying this beautiful day, and hope that you are, as well.  On a little hike around the yard with the dogs today, I realized that nearly overnight, our Bradford Pear trees are all beginning to flower.  They are so pretty!  I'll share a photo tomorrow or Thursday after a few more blooms appear.

Today's share is a fun card.  The day is so bright and cheerful, that this card had to be cheerful too.  Hope little Heidi gives you a smile.  This is for a brand new challenge, "Sweet Stamping Pixies".  The theme is "Spring", and you must use a Pixie, Sprite, or Fairy on your card. 

Supplies: DCWV CS., Echo Park Country Drive CS,  Really Reasonable Ribbon's Baker's Twine, Kaiser Craft Pearls, Wal-Mart Nail Heads, C.C. Designs "Heidi Among the Flowers", C.C. Designs "Leafy Branch" Die, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Pink Sharpie Marker, Copic Markers, Amy R. Stamps "Wish You Were Here" Sentiment, Recollections Dimensional Squares, White Vision Pen, Diamond Stickles

Inisde of Card

So, hurry into your stash, and find a sprite, fairy, or pixie, and get creative!  You have lots of time to get into the very first challenge at Sweet Stamping Pixies!

I will also be entering this card in the following challenges:

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges - Spring
Little Darlings Challenges - Pearls
The Pixie Cottage - Things with Wings
Totally Stampalicious - Flowers
Totally Papercrafts - My Favorite Things (Patterned Papers!)
Crazy 4 Challenges - Spring is in the Air
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Goes
That Craft Place - Anything Goes

Have a great day - hugs!

Patti J.

Hi!

Hello, there, and happy Monday!  Wow, it has been a gorgeous weekend in Missouri!  Today is no different.  The sun is shining, and the birds are chirping....sounds and feels like an April day.  Ha ha, I keep wondering what might be around the corner for us!

Today, I have a card for the Wednesday Challenge at the All That Scraps blog.  The challenge is to use blues, browns, and tans, and of course, stamps that can be purchased at All That Scraps.  I thought that Coffee Birgitta, an adorable digi image, would be delightful done in these colors.  Hope you like it!

CS: BoBunny, DP: Simple Stories, Generations, Image: C.C. Designs Coffee Birgitta, Sentiment: Amy R. Designs, C.C. Designs Leafy Branch Punch, C.C. Designs Phlox Flowers Die, Martha Stewart Border Punch, Kaiser Craft Pearls, Copic Markers, Jute, Dimensional squares (Michael's), Stampin'Up Jewelry Tag Punch, and Spellbinder Dies.

I am also entering this card here:

Crazy4Challenges: Layer it on - Use lots and lots of layers & embellies


Hope she brings a smile your way today!  If you have any questions about how this card was created, please let me know!!!  I have a lot going on this week, so posts will be very short and sweet.  I'll fill you in on all the details next week!  Also coming next week is another photo tutorial!

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful day!

Patti J.

Stately Flowers 2 with Tutorial

Good morning fellow crafters!

I'm not sure who stole the month of January out from under us, but it's nearly gone!  I've had such fun creating with Melanie Muenchingers stamp set, Stately Flowers 2.  This is my last post as Melanie's guest designer, but I will be using this set often!

Along with a card using the Goldenrod images, I have a photo tutorial for you, sharing the process used for the card.  I haven't done too many tutorials, so please feel free to contact me if you have questions about anything shown below.  

Start with white panel and Brushed Cordoury Distress Ink.

Using foam dauber, and a circular motion, sponge entire panel with ink.  I always work on my craft mat.  Start your cirular motion OFF the page, bringing it in toward the center for better results.

Next, use the same technique with Rusty Hinge ink, but keep the sponging toward the outside edge of the panel.

Choose the smallest Goldenrod image from Stately Flowers 2.

Begin stamping with Rusty Hinge, around all four edges of your panel.

Next, choose your sentiment and the largest Goldenrod image from Stately Flowers.  Place them on your block where desired, and stamp them on the plastic sheet using a guide.  I love the Stamp-a-ma-jig for this.  Once stamped on the plastic, it is easy to align your Stamp-a-ma-jig for stamping on your panel.

Once stamping is completed, mat your panel onto your choice of cardstock.  I chose black.

Next choose another panel for background.  I chose a black and white tiny gingham check.  Cut a piece or ribbon long enough to secure on the back of your background piece, and adhere.

It will look like this.  Once ribbon is secure, adhere this panel to card front.

Turn focal panel over, and adhere dimensional foam.

Add focal panel to card.  Tie a knot in a scrap of ribbon, and adhere to panel with glue dot.

Supplies: Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury White CS, Stately Flowers 2 stamps, Gingham & Black CS, A muse Studios, Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Memento Tuxedo Black, Dimensional Foam (Michael's), Sor-Tape

I have one more card to show, using the single flower Missouri Hawthorne stamp.  Let me know you need any information on how it was created.  I think it's probably pretty self-explanatory.

Supplies: GKD Pure Luxury White CS, Pink Bazzill CS, Scor-Pal, Copic Markers, Spica Glitter Pen (for dots on score lines), Baker's Twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon), Memento Tuxedo Black Ink, Martha Stewart Border Punch (inside of card).

Have a wonderful day!

Patti J.

Just Because...

Guess who made a card this evening "just because"? Yep, yours truly!

This card is made for the Wednesday Challenge at All That Scraps, which is Anything Goes.
I've used the CC Designs Swiss Pixies Ice Cream Birgitta, and the sentiment is from the "Wish You Were Here" set by Amy R., also found at All That Scraps.
The DP is Echo Park, and the bling is Michael's.
Butterflies were punched with Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, CS is Bazzill, and there are some white Stickles and Brown Spica Glitter Pen on her ice cream cone.
All coloring is done with Copics.

Hope you had a great weekend, and are off to a perfect week!
Ours will be busy, but hopefully, survivable!!!

Hugs and blessings to all,

Patti J.

Color Outside the Lines...

Hello! Hope you are all having a wonderful day - TGIF!!!

I had a little time today, and decided to do a card for the Tuesday Trigger challenge. Here is the inspiration photo:


And here is my card:



I was totally inspired by these colors. I used to sew, and cross stitch, and have threads in so many of these colors! How much fun to play along this week :)

Thanks Cath for another fun image!

I just used some CS scraps, a Martha Stewart bubble punch, and a TAC sentiment. Hope the fabulous rainbow of colors brought you a smile! I am also entering this in the CAS-ual Friday's challenge, which is Colorblocking.

Have a great Friday night!

Hugs and blessings,
Patti J.

Food for thought: Worry doesn't help tomorrow's troubles, but it certainly can ruin today's happiness!!!

"Sweet" Congratulations!

Happy Tuesday, dear cyber-friends! Hope today is off to a great start for you all.

Put your sunglasses on!!!

I promised you something pretty today, and here she is!
I think these little C.C. Designs Birgitta's are the prettiest little gals!
This is one of the new June releases at All That Scraps.
She's called "Ice Cream Birgitta".
Sigh...I wish the dusting of glitter on her ice cream cone had shown up in the photo!

What's in it? CC Designs Ice Cream Birgitta, Amy R. Stamps Wish You Were Here, Copic Markers, Spellbinders Labels 18, Twill and Grosgrain Ribbons Hobby Lobby, Zig Pen for 'stitching', Bazzill Cardstock, Martha Stewart yellow, lime, and aqua DP.

This card is for the Wednesday challenge at All That Scraps.
It was a color challenge: aqua, yellow, and lime.
Try as I might, the photograph looks blue, but I totally PROMISE you that it's aqua!
Hope she makes you run out for an ice cream cone right after you go shopping at All That Scraps!
You really should check out this month's releases - they are just darling!
The Congratulations sentiment is a Just Rite demi phrase, and the "sweet" sentiment is also a new release at ATS - "Wish you were here" by Amy R. Stamps.
Pretty sweet, don't you think???
I might also enter this in the Gallery Idol competition. I don't think I stand a chance, but the theme is Congratulations, and I know I can't place for sure if I don't enter! lol...

Well, I'll be back tomorrow morning with a surprise, and I'm thinking that the weekend will be a good time to offer up some "itty bitty blog candy" so be sure to check back!!!

Have a great day,
Patti J.

Food for thought: I've never been hurt by anything I didn't say!

Narcissus...

Here is hoping that you all enjoyed a wonderful weekend. Ours was nice! Very quiet - DH made his 'rounds' of jobsites, we went to the cemetery and put out our flags and flowers, and then he and I threw a pork steak on the grill.

~~~~~~~~

Rosie the Wonder-grandaughter-doggie, escaped from the house while we were watering, and nearly gave us heart attacks. She is most certainly a LEASH dog, and was not on hers! She was half a county away before we even saw her sneak out! Got her back very quickly, and she sure is sleepy after all that exercise! Grandpa went after her, but I was the smarter one -
I just enticed her to the back door!
What an adventure for her (she was SO proud of herself) and a scare for us :)

I have a card today for a challenge at the Stampendous blog. This is Challenge #38, and is a sketch challenge, hosted by Geny Cassady. I used the 'Narcissus' set from Stampendous. Narcissus' were one of my dear mom's favorite flowers - oh how she loved Narcissus and Clematis! If she were still with us, this card would be on it's way across town to her!

All coloring is done with Copics, Ink is Memento Tuxedo Black, CS is Bazzill, and the white CS is PaperTrey Ink. Butterflies are punched with Martha Stewart Punch, and the butterfly DP is a Gina K. Designs Free Digi Paper.


I think I will enter this at the 1st challenge at The Craft Room as well! The theme is anything goes, and this is anything!

Have a great week! I'll be back for the Doodle Pantry Blog Hop on June 3rd!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hugs and smiles...

Patti J.

Food for thought: Worry is like golf stokes - those that have the least are the winners!