A Birthday Card!!!

Wow, I haven't made a "special" birthday card in a long time.  But I had to try Birthday Sundaes inaugural challenge.  And I decided to enter this in the 365 Cards ABC Challenge, Pause Dream Enjoy's Fancy Fold Challenge, and Crafty Cardmakers Special Birthday Challenge.

This was my first time ever making a tri-fold style card.  Amazingly Enough, I didn't use my Cricut--Was feeling really lazy!

Recipe:

DCWV Textured White Core Cardstock in Turquoise

Paper Studio Birthday Extravaganza Mat Stack (LOVE THIS!!!!)

Ribbon Scraps

Buttons

Brads

Decorative Clip

Embroidery Floss

Foil Stickers

Vellum Stickers

I am totally loving how it turned out!  A card like this is really cool because you can use up all your scraps, plus it looks like it took hours (well, it DID take an hour and a half, but that was with a few pauses for bedtime stories, prayers, and snuggles).

Head on over to these challenge sites and try your hand at any of these fun challenges!  And let me know what you think!  I read every precious comment, and I love new followers friends!

Jen

Blog Hop Winner--A Little Late

Hey, there!  So sorry this is so stinking late!  It has been a crazy week, and it's only Tuesday...whew!  But the winner of my "I'm So Lucky" Blog Hop Grand Prize Candy is

Jenn N.

Yay, Jenn!!!

You have till midnight Thursday to message me with your snail mail address, and I will get it out to you!

Thanks so much to everyone who hopped along with us and became new followers friends.  I appreciate so much all the new people I have met through this whole bloggy adventure!

Jen

Kich N Bleus Design Team Tuesday

Hi, Everyone...

Today is another fun day at Kich N Bleus Designs.  This time we are showcasing the Kich Travels set, which you can purchase here.  My favorite, favorite image from this set is the one with Kich soaking up the sun on a chaise lounge.  Living in Colorado, and being really tired of winter, I am eagerly awaiting my vacation next week!  It will be sunny and tropical, and I can't wait!!!  In honor of this, I have created a gift bag, and a matching card.

I colored the digi with chalks this time.  I "enhanced" the glasses with a little SU Crystal Effects.  I love that stuff!  I adhered it to a mat featuring SU patterned paper and DCWV paper.  I adhered it to the gift bag, added ribbon, and there ya go.  Very simple, but I'm loving how it turned out.  I'm also loving this orange and pink color combination, which I have spent a lot of time with this week, if you noted my previous post!

Everyone have a fabulous week, and I'll see you back here this weekend!

Jen

Crafting with Cristina Challenge

So, I have been having this wild infatuation with Hot Pink and Orange together lately.  It's so weird because I don't normally like orange--AT ALL--and I love pink, but it is a paler shade rather than hot pink. Then I saw that Cristina at Crafting with Cristina is having a Hot Pink and Orange Challenge!  Woohoo!  Now I know.  I actually have two projects to enter in the challenge, which can use any other colors as well, as long as Hot Pink and Orange are prominently featured.

Entry #1

A scrapbook page from my daughter's 2008 album, which is currently in progress.  I created this page yesterday. (I know, I know, but at least it's gradually getting done).

Recipe:

Hot Pink Core'dinations Textured Cardstock Background 12x12

DCWV Patterned Floral Cardstock for photo mats and bathing suit

Paper Studio Pink Paisly patterned paper for photo mats and towel

Peach Core'dinations Textured cardstock for photo mats and journaling box

DCWV green textured cardstock for lotion bottle

Turquoise Core'dinations Textured cardstock for title

Color Box Cat Eye White Ink for title

Stickles

SU Stampin Write Old Olive Marker

Entry #2

A set of cards, in a box, that I made for my dear friend Jennifer, who has a birthday tomorrow, so I made her this today.

I normally don't get this ambitious when creating!  But I had some time and the motivation today!

Recipe:

DCWV Glitter Stack Papers--Brown Stripe and White Pattern

DCWV Textured White Core CS--Pink and Orange

Pink Toile Paper (Paper Studio, I think)

Vellum

Box cut from Wild Card for Cricut cut using Fit to Page

Acetate (for box window) run through cuttlebug

Assorted Cuts from DoodleCharms for Cricut cut at 2"

Cuttlebug folders for bugs and flower

Assorted Ribbons

Cards are 4 1/4"x4 1/4

ATG Adhesive

I put these in a SUPER cute gift bag that will be posted on Tuesday as part of my Kich n Bleus designs DT project.

Have a great week!

Jen

My Fist Time Hosting a Blog Hop! I'm So Lucky!!!

Recent events in my life have led me to reflect and contemplate the many, many blessings of my life.  I am the princess daughter of a Heavenly King; I have an amazing (I mean, AMAZING) husband with whom I have shared my life for 22 years.  I have two beautiful children, two handsome stepchildren and two exceptional step-grandchildren.  I was blessed to be raised by a mother who loved me unconditionally and taught me the value of service to others.

I decided to host this blog hop to showcase the many blessings of life, and I invited fellow bloggers whose work I admire, but who also love to share their blessings with others.

I am the first stop on this hop, so if you just happened by, make sure you get to the other blogs on the hop in order to be blessed!  And I have some fun blog candy too.  

This hop is about blessings, and I have chosen two layouts to share that I think showcase the blessing of friendship.

This first one is a carnival layout from 2008.  My children and I were invited to spend the day with some friends at a local festival carnival.  We had such an amazing day.

This layout features cuts from Everyday Paperdolls and Paper Doll Dress Up, along with some Gypsy Wanderings (for the frames) and Plantin Schoolbook for the title.  I put all the cuts on my Gypsy and did the layout on there to make sure all would fit.  Then I added stickles and SU Crystal Effects.  

The second layout features my three best girls:  my daughter and two of my best friends.  We took a fun road trip, and I took this picture of the three of them at one of our pit stops.

This layout was very simple, with 1 1/2" squares of different papers accenting the photo.  The only Cricut cut is the large purple flower next to the photo--from Accent Essentials.  

This hop is sponsored by the great people at Beacon Adhesives, manufacturers of Glitter It and Zip Dry.  

The blog candy up for grabs in this hop includes a bottle of Zip Dry (donated by Beacon), a pack of Paper Studio Brads, a Fiskars Paper Tearing edge, a pack of DCWV Safari Die Cuts, and a cute padded address book.  ONE winner will receive ALL of these prizes. (Pictures of Each Candy Item at the End of this Post). 

In order to win the blog candy, you must:

1.  Visit all the blogs on the hop list below and leave a comment on each

2.  Create a project that showcases one of your many blessings and post it using Mr. Linky

3.  If you are not already a follower of each blog, become a follower of each, then leave another comment here on my blog letting me know that you are now following all of the blogs in the hop.  This will get you an extra chance to win.

4.  Have a US or Canada mailing address.  

Submissions close on Sunday, March 20 at midnight, so work diligently to get your project posted by Saturday night.  I  can't wait to see what you all create!

The complete lineup for this hop is:

(Some sites have the list incorrect due to last minute cancellations--this is the CORRECT list!)

Jen H. (Me)   HONEYBEAN CREATIONS  http://huffinatorshangout.blogspot.com

Beth  YOUR NEXT STOP:  SCRAPPY JAVA GIRL   http://scrappyjavagirl.blogspot.com

Paula  RASPBERRY AND LIME DESIGNS  http://raspberryandlimedesigns.blogspot.com

Gigi  THE CRICUT BUG    http://thecricutbug.blogspot.com

Jen C.  THE PURPLE SCRAPBOOKER    http://www.purplescrapbooker.com

Vivi VIVI EN PAPEL  http://vivienpapel.blogspot.com

Cheryl PINK AND PAPER  http://pinkandpaper.blogspot.com

Sharon  MEEMEE’S CREATIONS   http://meemeescreations.blogspot.com/

Michelle  PURPLE MONKEY MOMENTS  http://mumoftwoblog.blogspot.com/

My First Paper Playtime DT Project

Hi, all...

This week over at Paper Playtime, it is the challenge teams turn to play and design for you.  This is a "Choose Your Challenge" Monday...our options were:
1.  Purple and Green
2.  Pink and Glitter
3.  Critter and a Rhyme

Though I LOVE Create a Critter, I had to go where my heart was....pink?  glitter?  pink and glitter?  You know it!

I decided to create an "identifier" tag for my suitcase to make it easier to spot on the baggage carousel...I HATE waiting around to figure that one out.

I used Tags, Bags, Boxes, and More on my Gypsy.  I cut the tag 8 times on plain white card stock at 3 1/2"  Then I cut the window and the blackout as well--I cut these on DCWV patterned paper.  I glued all the white layers together with Zip Dry Paper Glue...now, if you haven't tried Zip Dry yet, you just gotta...it is the BEST glue ever...seriously.  Dries quickly, no bubbles, no warping...LOVE it.  I used a MS red paint pen to ink up the edges of the 8 glued-together tags.   Once this dried, I glued on the window tag to the front, and the solid tag to the back.

To embellish the tag, I cut the suitcase from the Hello Kitty Greetings cartridge at 1 3/4" on plain white paper.  I then cut the layer on a piece of pink scrap paper and added Stickles.  (Did I mention that I love glitter?)  I adhered this to the window section of the tag with Zip Dry.  Then I painted the entire thing with Mod Podge to add a bit more sturdiness and structure to it.

I added a little chain, a few pieces of ribbon and ricrac.  I attached it to my suitcase.  Now, when I'm at the baggage carousel, I'll be able to spot my cutie tag and know that's my bag!  Neither picture is very good; sorry bout that!

Thanks for looking at my project...
Have a FABULOUS day!

Jen

My Very First Kich n Bleus Design Team Project

I am so excited to be part of this DT!  I love, love, love these whimsical "digi's." This time, we are showcasing the "Kich Goes Irish" collection.  It is available for purchase through the button on the right of my blog under "Those I'm Blessed to Design With..."

For my card, I chose to make something for my honey...he is so good to me and to our children.  He is a fabulous human being...here is the front of my card...

The card is a piece of DCWV cardstock from the Grade School Stack, cut at 4 1/2 x 9 and folded in half.  I printed the digi on plain white cardstock, and colored it with a combination of SU markers, MS markers, MS paint pens, and crayons.  The shamrock is cut at 2" from Paper Doll Dress Up for Cricut.  I printed the sentiment on plain white cardstock, then used the "centerpoint" feature on the expression to cut it out.  The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.  The digi and shamrock (which is inked with colorbox cat eye ink) are adhered with Elmer's dimensional tape for "pop."  

The inside is simple...Sentiment printed on a piece of plain white cardstock...then corners cut with Creative Memories paper edgers, then inked with colorbox cate eye ink.  Adhered with ATG general purpose adhesive.

Thanks for looking!

Be sure to stop by Kich n Bleus designs and check out all the other DT projects for this week!

Jen

A Card for Julia...Plus a Plug for Birthday Sundaes

There is a new blog out there in Blog Land--Yay!  It is a challenge blog, dedicated solely to birthday projects.  How fun is that?!  What a cool idea because who doesn't always need a birthday card or gift to give to another, right?


They are having a challenge right now, to help promote the new blog, so your really should check it out
here.  There is blog candy involved, too--fun, right?


A little about the new challenge blog:
Birthday Sundaes is a weekly challenge blog beginning March 20, 2011.  The goal of Birthday Sundaes is to build up those birthday card stashes!  I just love to make birthday cards and hope you do too! Types of challenges Birthday Sundaes will be hosting are color, supply, recipe, inspiration & technique challenges incorporated into birthday themed cards.



In keeping with this happy theme, and because my friend Saundra at Luv Scrapping Together has a beautiful daughter with a birthday this week, I created this card...it is the first easel card I have made in a long time.

I used a 4x 12 piece of white Core'dinations cardstock as a base.  Scored at 3" and 6".  Then I cut a piece of yellow Core'dinations cardstock at 4x6.  Next, cut a piece of blue DCWV textured white core card stock and ran it through the Textured Impressions with the Cuttlebug Paisley folder.  I used my Gypsy and the Gypsy font to make the word "you're" and the number 16, and welded them together.  I cut the 16 again on thick cardstock and adhered it to the first layer.  I covered the 16 and you're with Stickles, adhered this to the card with Zip Dry.  I added a crocheted flower sent to me by a friend.  I adhered the bottom half of the yellow cardstock to the bottom part of the front of the white card.  For the inner sentiment, I used my Gypsy to cut the word "Sweet!" from Create a Critter  on a piece of Cardstock from the DCWV All Dressed Up stack.  I stretched it to make it a bit taller than it is on the cartridge.  I backed it with blue DCWV white core cardstock, then another piece of yellow Coredinations cardstock.  I adhered this with Elmer's dimensional tape to make the easel holder.  Hope you like my creation, and don't forget to go over to Birthday Sundaes.


Jen

I'm Flattered by Another Sweet Award

Thank you to Paula, from Raspberry and Lime Designs, for this award. I was very honored that you thought of me! Please visit Paula's blog and check out her super cute projects.

The Liebster Award is designed to bring new blogs to light.  It is a great way to share blogs that might not otherwise be seen, or blogs that you may want to share with others. I am here to honor these blogs and to bring awareness to other wonderful blogs.

As a recipient you must share the love and pay it forward by: 1-Creating a post where you blog about the Liebster award & reveal your 3-5 blog picks, 

2-Let them know you chose them,

3-Copy & paste the blog award on your blog,

4-Have faith that your followers will rally & show their crafty love back out to those you awarded,

5-Have fun!

Here are my award choices, go on over to their blogs and support them by becoming a follower:

Carley:  http://the-real-icarley.blogspot.com
Glenda:  http://glendascards.blogspot.com
Mary:  http://kraftingmama.blogspot.com

Even More Excitement--Plus a VERY SPECIAL BOX!

Hi, y'all...Today was another really wonderful day...aren't they all?   We are alive and so blessed.  I have more exciting news!  I have been selected for the KichnBleus Digital Design team.  These are fun, fun, fun digi stamps designed by Kich Mendoza.  They are available for sale by clicking the button on the right side of my blog.  I am really excited to be part of this team, of course!

My project today is something I have wanted to create for a long time.  It is an Ebenezer box.  What is an Ebenezer box, you ask?  It is a creation invented by a member of my church, Geri Morrison.  It is a reminder of 1 Samuel 7:12.  The children of Israel had been at war, and Samuel paused to give thanks to the Lord by erecting a stone, which he called "Ebenezer".  The purpose of the box is to stop and remember all the times that the Lord has provided answers to prayer...these are written on slips of paper and put in the box.  I have been keeping track of these events...so many of them...and they are now resting in the box.

I got an unfinished treasure chest at Michaels, then sponged it with colorbok cat eyes to resemble a camo pattern.  On top, I glued a rock, my "Ebenezer."  Then added the verse on the outside.  On the inside, I added a commentary by our Adventist Prophet, Ellen White.  I hope you will "lift" this idea, and that you will document the times during which God has held you in His mighty hand.

Jen

Flaunt It Fridays--Twinkle Toes

This week over at Flaunt It Fridays, we are flaunting the girl ballerina from Twinkle Toes.  I don't have that cartridge, unfortunately, BUT--I DO have Paper Doll Dress Up.  I absolutely adore this cartridge because it offers so much versatility.  On the cartridge, there is a ballerina cut, so I used it.  I decided I wanted to try my hand at a pop-up card.  I found the tutorial at Splitcoast Stampers.

I have to say, I love her!  She is really happy!  I drew her face with gel pens.  The background is DCWV white core cardstock, and all other pieces came from the scrap bin.  I inked the edges of the dress, shoes, and hair with colorbox cat eyes (love those too!)  I ran the background through my Sizzix Textured Impressions machine using a Cuttlebug folder.  And GASP!  did you notice.....No Glitter!!!!!!!!!  Almost died from withdrawls, but I'm coming out of it now!

Head on over to FIF and show us how you flaunt it!  You know you want to!  Come on...all the cool crafters are doing it!  LOL!

Enjoy!  (And come back tomorrow for more exciting news!)

Jen

Excitement!!!!

I am now a Queen at Paper Playtime!  Hip, hip, hooray!  This is a biweekly challenge blog, and I just love all the great projects over there!  Check it out!  More posts coming this week---stay tuned!

Jen