"Back to School Blog Hop"

    I'm super excited to be joining Scrappy EMT on her first ever blog hop.  This is also my first time being part of a blog hop, so I'm even more excited.  I first have to thank you for stopping by.  I'm a beginner scrapbooker and love to do other crafty projects with my scrapbooking supplies.  I decided for this blog hop to use my Cricut and the "Making the Grade" cartridge to decorate my daughter's pencil box.  I used Glue Dots Vinyl for this and let me just say I love using vinyl with the cricut.  Super easy to use and works in the cricut just like regular paper.  LOVE IT!  All the black on the pencil case was cut with the cricut and the other accents are just stickers my daughter picked out.  Hope you enjoy and thanks again for stopping. I would love if you become a follower of my blog. ~~~

Now it is off to the rest of the hop you will now go to:

http://www.scrappyemt.blogspot.com/ (started here)

Colleen - http://www.sassycrafter13.blogspot.com/   (you are here)

Tina - http://www.craftyandgreen.blogspot.com/

Candace - http://www.mypassion4scrappin.blogspot.com/

Dawn - http://www.strawberryrainsdelights.blogspot.com/

Thank you again for hopping with us and I hope that you enjoy all the projects and talents each one has brought to this hop.

Happy Crafting!!!!

Beach Cupcakes

I just have to share these cupcakes.  My husband's co-worker made them today for CNA appreciation week.  So they aren't my creation, but that's ok...have to share.  They are frosted with a german chocolate frosting to look like sand.  The chair is a piece of gum.  The beach ball is a jawbreaker, and of course the beach umbrella could be purchased at any party supply store.  Love these.  Can't wait to make some for my next summer potluck or party. 

Basic Training USAF

I created this layout following the studio calico sketch as a starting point.  I thought this was a great chance to create a layout showing pictures of my brother's graduation from basic training.  I am so proud of him and all he has accomplished.  He is still an active duty member of our US Air Force!

Rainbow

I created this layout with my husband's grandma and my kid's Granny in mind.  This is a picture of the first rainbow we saw after she passed away.  Everytime we see a rainbow now, the kids say it is Granny telling them she is here.  I followed the Studio Calico Sunday sketch and their weekly challenge to use five or more colors. 

"I Want to Ride My Bicycle"

I created this card for the "My Mind's Eye" card challenge #24.  I used My Mind's Eye Paper and embelishments and then included the words "I want to ride my bicycle" from the song by Queen.  I love the way this card turned out and I will be saving it to give to my dad, as he loves to ride his bicycle. 

My Wings

   This layout I made following the Helmar Design Team sketch and Harmonie's challenge to use only two colors, not including black and white.  I have been anxious to scrap this photo and today's challenges worked perfect for this.  I did decide to use butterflies instead of flowers for my sketch and I used Halmar adhesive to attach them to the page.  Hope you enjoy. 
http://www.helmarusa.typepad.com/
http://harmonieloisirscreatifs.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-de-juin-june-challenge.html

Challenge 59- Inspirational

Crazy for challenges has a challenge this week to create something inspirational.  Here is my layout with the theme "HOPE".  I think everyone needs a little "hope" sometimes.    I recently received this glitter "HOPE" sign and thought that would be perfect to use on this layout.  I got it a couple weeks ago from hope101.net radio.   I also was able to use some awesome Maya Road Rose ribbon and some super fun Jenni Bowlin receipt paper.  I used my trusty thesaurus to find 13 words that share the meaning of "HOPE" and my favorite Bible verse about "HOPE".  I think this page will get framed in my craft area.  I love the design, the colors, and the theme.  Thanks for looking!  Here is the link to this fun challenge...

http://crazy4challenges.blogspot.com/

Beach Bride Wedding Shower Card

         My step-sister is getting married on a beach in July and we are having a bridal shower this weekend for her.  I wanted to make a card that was personal for her.  I used my cricut cartridge, paper dolls dress-up, and created this fun little card.  Did you notice the sand at the bottom?  Yes I used some sandpaper I had in my stash.  Much easier and less messy then trying to glue little sand particles to my card.
  I'm entering this card in the following challenges. Hope you enjoy!

~Crazy for challenges-#89 favorite vacation activity
~2 Sisters challenge-anything goes

Challenge 51 ~SPARKLE

  Pear Tree Designs blog has challenged us to make something this week that sparkles.  I recently received this glitter "HOPE" sign and thought that would be perfect to use on this layout.  I got it a couple weeks ago from hope101.net radio.   I also was able to use some awesome Maya Road Rose ribbon and some super fun Jenni Bowlin receipt paper.  I used my trusty thesaurus to find 13 words that share the meaning of "HOPE" and my favorite Bible verse about "HOPE".  I think this page will get framed in my craft area.  I love the design, the colors, and the theme.  Thanks for looking!  Here is the link to this fun challenge...
http://peartreedesigns.blogspot.com/?spref=fb

Stamping with Markers

         Paper Crafts Magazine and Jennifer McGuire have "Dared" us this week to try something new.  Stamping with markers.  I tried this for the first time the other day, and LOVE it.  So many more choices then just using ink pads. I have been using my ZIG markers and they work great for this.  I also followed Jennifer's idea to spritz the stamp pad with water for my waves.  Kinda left them with a watercolored look that I thought looked great for this.  So after playing with stamps and markers the past couple days...here is my card that I will showcase.  I think it is simple and fun and just perfect for a note to say "hello".  I used my new stamps, paper and little pearlized bubbles from Vanilla Bean Creations to create this card.  Hope you enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/vanillabeancreations
http://www.papercraftsconnection.com/blog/2011/06/groovin’-with-the-go-to-gals-–-i-dare-you/

Scrapbook Layout with the theme "Family"

              Scrappy Jak is hosting a challenge this week to create something related to the theme "family".  Of course for me this is a great chance to create a page about my "Family of 5".  I used a fun stitched family page that I have had in my stash for awhile now.  The journal card is from the Life Documented ~Simple Stories collection.  And of course I had to break out the stamps.  I have been stamping by inking my rubber stamps with markers this week.  Love that idea.  I saw it in a blog post by Jennifer McGuire on the Paper Crafts Magazine blog.  If you haven't tried this yet, go for it.  It's fun to use different colors then just what you have in ink pads.  I used my ZIG memory System markers and they worked great.  Lastly I asked my eleven year old daughter to help me come up with words that describe our "Family of 5".  I like the way this turned out.  Hope you enjoy!  Did you notice there is even 5 hearts?  Check out these posts to see what the challenges are.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Scrappy-Jak/116385911739420
http://www.papercraftsconnection.com/blog/2011/06/groovin’-with-the-go-to-gals-–-i-dare-you/

Link up with Tip Junkie

Thanks for checking out my new blog.  I'm new to blogging and would love for you to follow my posts.  Also, please check out these other great projects for more crafty inspiration.  Just click on the badge above.

Graphic 45 Introduces The Magic of Oz!

       OK those of you that know my kids and I....know what this means.  We not only are going to be doing some fun scrapbook pages, we are going to be making some wall art.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this.  Can you hear how much I love it.  These papers are great.  The possibilities are rolling through my head like white caps on the river on a super windy day.  I can't wait to get this and to start creating.  Hmmm, do you think I should order a seperate set for each of my girls??? I really do not want to share.  And what about my son?  When he sees the girls working with "Dorothy paper" he is going to want to create too.  Yes I think I need four sets.  Maybe five??  I'm going to plan a day of creativity this summer that is dedicated to "OZ Crafting".  To be continued....

Go see what all the excitement is about.  Get your own set and come join us for "OZ crafting".  http://g45papers.typepad.com/graphic45/2011/05/graphic-45-introduces-the-magic-of-oz.html
             

Creative Crop Challenges

        Let me start by saying I had a great Mother's Day and am so thankful for my husband and my kids and all they do everyday to make me feel special and loved.  They are my world and my everything.  After tackling tons of yard work Saturday, I was ready to relax and just enjoy a quiet day Sunday.  My oldest daughter and I decided to see what we could do for the Big Pictures Creative Crop Challenges from NSD.  This was a set of 10 challenges that you could participate in for a chance at winning some great random prizes.  And those of you that know me, know I love to get excitting free things.  =)  We spent a few hours yesterday deciding what we could create to enter.  Here's what we came up with.  Please remember I'm new to scrapbooking this past year and I'm not a professional....
  1.  The challenge was to make a layout using 10 items, 10 techniques and 10 words to describe the picture.
  2.  The challenge was to organize your scrapbook area.
  3.  The challenge was to somehow show wood grain look or use wood in a layout. 
  4.  The challenge was to use a banner in a layout.
  5.  The chanllenge was to use journaling in your design.
  6.  The challenge was to use the spring has sprung journal box in your design.
 Here's what we created.  The best part was doing it together....=)

Teacher Appreciation Week Project~

             I have to start by telling you how fortunate I am to live in a great community with a preschool -12th grade school.  Yes, it's all in one building and no it's not as small as you are thinking.  There are probably 55-65 students in each grade level.  The teachers are amazing.  I can not say enough good about them.  If you have a few hours, I would be happy to elaborate...  My son in in preschool here and has done so well this year.  I am so greatful for his teacher and the classroom he is in.  He has required a little "tweeking" to meet his needs and she has "tweeked" just right for him.  He loves school and that in turn makes me even more happy.  Anywho, I wanted to do something special as a thank you for all she has done for him this year. I set out to the fabric stores in search of the perfect "teacher" fabric.  This is what I came up with and this is what I created...  It's throw quilt sized and I love that it's "teacher print", but bright and fun colored just like the person getting it.