Amy Jo's Birthday Bash & Blog Hop!!

Good morning, fabulous friends and welcome to Amy Jo's Birthday Bash & Blog Hop! We are so excited you could join us today to help celebrate Amy's birthday!

This is a very special, unique hop as we were not required to just stick with one particular subject or theme. Amy asked us all to use any of her favorite things to create a card or project with that in mind. Some examples of Amy's favorite things are the colors black, white, and hot pink, along with anything Alice in Wonderland, she listed some of her favorite animals, etc!

If you arrived here from my dear, sweet blend Jessica of Jessica's Craft Shaque, then you are in the right place! If you just happened upon my blog today, please start at the beginning with Amy Jo at Scrapping, Card Making and Living with Fibro because you don't want to miss out on the fabulous prizes that are being sponsored!

This is a two-day hop; however, we are only making one project. That should give you two full days to go through the entire hop and leave comments on each blog and become followers of each blog, if you are not already, to be entered to win some of our sponsored prizes! Some blogs may be offering blog candy as well so this is a hop you're gonna wanna finish!

For my project, I used Amy Jo's favorite colors of black, white and hot pink and one of her favorite themes, fashion, to create a purse!!

Ever since a purse like this was featured on the Spellbinders blog (click HERE to see it) I have wanted to try one. I had to come up with my own dimensions by trial and error because I used different dies than the instructions. The paper is from The Paper Studio Uptown Flair stack. I used the three largest sizes of Spellbinders Grand Nestabilities Labels 23 for the base. Since there are three layers, the purse is nice and sturdy. I used Spellbinders Grand Labels 4 for the top.

I added a magnetic snap to open and close the purse, and attached this gorgeous flower from Flower Shoppe over the top of the snap to disguise it. Pink crystals decorate the flower.

I used a Marvy Uchida super-large circle punch for the opening of the purse.

I used sturdy 20 gauge wire and added pink, white and black beads from my stash for the handle.

Here's a side view...there's lots of room inside to hold all kinds of goodies :)

The label is made from three sizes of Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 4. I hand cut around the flower and added ribbon and pink crystals. "You've got purse-onality" is from K Andrew Designs Fashionable Friends stamp set!! Isn't it just perfect for this??

Click HERE to purchase your own set or to see the entire fabulous line of stamps!!

I am entering this in the following challenges:

1. DL.ART Thankful Thursday - Anything Goes
2. Creative Cutter Room - Shape Cards

I have blog candy!! All you have to do to be eligible to win a package of 8 x 8 paper and matching flowers is:

1. Be a follower
2. Leave a comment with a way to contact you

That's it!! I will choose a winner on Monday, March 5th. Also, I have a set of Fiskars Home Sweet Home stamps up for grabs as well!! Click HERE to visit the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop!!

Thank you so much for joining us and helping us celebrate along with Amy! Your next stop is the super-talented Liz at ScrapiliciousLife!!

Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge - Argh, Matey!!

For the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop Day 2, click HERE!!
For the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop Day 1, click HERE!!

Hi everyone and happy Sunday!! I hope you are having a great weekend :) It's time for another fun Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky!! The theme this week is Argh, Matey...we want you to create a project with a pirate/fish theme!!

For my project, I used the Pirate Tales and Fish Scales stamp set:

Aren't these sentiments fun??!! Click HERE to purchase your own set or to see the entire fabulous like of K Andrew Designs stamps!!

For my card, I printed the map from Life's A Party. To give it an aged look, I crumpled it up and then brushed Tea Dye and Walnut Distress inks over the surface.

I have a hard time making a card without ribbon, lace or bling, so I had to add rhinestones!!

The skull and crossbones stamp and "your friendship is a treasure" are from Pirate Tales and Fish Scales.

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Getting Cricky and check out the rest of the design team projects and then link up your pirate/fish project!! I can't wait to see what you create :)

Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop - Day 2!!

Welcome to Created By Cori's Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop!

In this hop, you will see projects featuring Cricut cartridges using all things found in the Wonderful Wilderness! We hope you enjoy our blog hop today!

If you have just hopped onto the tour, please start at Cori's blog: www.createdbycori.blogspot.com. If you came from Melody then you are in the right place!

For my Day 2 project, I again turned to one of my favorite carts...Campin Critters!!

I just love the scenes on this cart!! I chose to use the wild west for my wilderness project today. I cut the background at 4". I embossed the mountains with the Distressed Lines embossing folder, the cacti with Swiss Dots and the desert with Seeing Spots. I attached each layer with foam tape.

The happy rattler is from Animal Kingdom and I added googly eyes.

Yes, I know there aren't bears in the desert, but this guy is so sdorable and I thought he would look so cute peeking around the cactus...hiding from the happy rattler :) "Sss up" is from K Andrew Designs All About Animals stamp set. Click HERE to purchase your own or to see her entire line of stamps!!

I attached the rattler with a homemade wobble so he shimmies and shakes!! If you would like to know how to make one of these, my dear friend Amy of Love to Crop has a wonderful tutorial that you can find HERE!!

I have blog candy!! I am giving away a Fiskars Home Sweet Home stamp set!!

All you have to do to be eligible to win is:

1. Be a follower of my blog
2. Leave a comment with a way to reach you

That's it!! I will choose a winner on Thursday, March 1st!!

For my Day 1 project, click HERE!

Your next stop on the Wonderful Wilderness hop is Patty!

While you were wondering through the woods, a Giveaway came out of hibernation! For this weekends blog hop, Created By Cori is giving away a Chore Chart Cricut cartridge. to enter to win this cartridge, make sure you head to Created By Cori and become a follower, then leave a message at the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop post!

If you get lost in the woods during this hop, here is the blog hop list to help you find your way!

1. Cori - http://createdbycori.blogspot.com
2. Carri - http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
3. Annette - http://mymindsdustbunnies.blogspot.com/
4. Melody - http://melodylanedesigns.blogspot.com/
5. Lisa - http://indymermaid.blogspot.com
6. Patty- http://creativediva98.blogspot.com
7. Amanda -http://amandascraftsandmore.blogspot.com/
8. Barb - http://bugbites411.blogspot.com
9. Sukie - http://scrappindhilly.blogspot.com/
10. Lisa - http://lisashandmadecards.com/
11. Lisa P - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
12. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
13. Sylvia - www.bellascrapbookdesigns.blogspot.com/
14. Veronica - http://mommyscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
15. Missy - www.tangledwebsoftangwen.blogspot.com

Thank you for hopping along, we hope you have found lots of inspiration from our Wonderful Wilderness blog hop!

Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop!!

Welcome to Created By Cori's Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop!

In this hop, you will see projects featuring Cricut cartridges using all things found in the Wonderful Wilderness! We hope you enjoy our blog hop today!

If you have just hopped onto the tour, please start at Cori's blog: www.createdbycori.blogspot.com. If you came from Barb, then you are in the right place!

For my Wonderful Wilderness project, I turned to one of my favorite carts...Campin Critters!!

I just love the images on this cart!! I made a step card to showcase the scenic view.

The scenic view sign is from Campin Critters, cut at 1 1/2". The scene is from the same cart, cut at 4". I embossed the water with Swirls, the snow caps with Swiss Dots and the trees with Seeing Spots. The fence in front is from Paper Doll Dress Up.

The adorable photographer is from Campin Critters and I attached all his layers with foam tape for dimension.

The label is a Spellbinders Nestabilities Label 11. "Oh Snap" (which I just love paired with the moose snapping pictures!) is from K Andrew Designs All About Animals stamp set! Click HERE to purchase your own set or to see the entire line of stamps.

I used a lot of foam tape for this so there is a ton of dimension to this card :)

I have blog candy!! I am giving away a Fiskars Home Sweet Home stamp set!!

All you have to do to be eligible to win is:

1. Be a follower of my blog
2. Leave a comment with a way to reach you

That's it!! I will choose a winner on Thursday, March 1st!! Be sure to stop back tomorrow for Day 2 of the hop...I will have another project and you can enter a second time to win this stamp set!!

Your next stop on the Wonderful Wilderness hop is the fabulous and talented Miranda!!

While you were wondering through the woods, a Giveaway came out of hibernation! For this weekends blog hop, Created By Cori is giving away a Chore Chart Cricut cartridge. To enter to win this cartridge, make sure you head to Created By Cori and become a follower, then leave a message at the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop posts!

If you get lost in the woods during this hop, here is the blog hop list to help you find your way!

1. Cori - http://www.createdbycori.blogspot.com
2. Lisa P - http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
3. Lucy K - http://love2createitall.blogspot.com
4. Jenny J. - http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
5. Gloria - http://www.craftnthings.blogspot.com
6. Vicki - http://scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com/
7. Laura - www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com
8. Barb - http://bugbites411.blogspot.com
9. Lisa - http://indymermaid.blogspot.com < YOU ARE HERE
10. Miranda - http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/ < NEXT STOP
11. Corri - www.buglvr.blogspot.com
12. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
13. Missy- http://tangledwebsoftangwen.blogspot.com/
14. Jackie - http://jackrabbitscrappin.blogspot.com/

Green Blend Award!!

I am so excited and honored to have received the Green Blend Award from my sweet friend Jessica of Jessica's Craft Shaque!!

This is from Beckie of Just B Creative Crazy, who created the award:

"There are several blog awards that bounce around in blog land. To each award is a purpose and pride. I wanted to create an award for those who are co-bloggers and friends. I wanted to create an award that I could give to those who have helped me develop as a blogger, a crafter, and friend.
When I first began in the vast world of blogging, I had zero knowledge of what to do. What the heck is a gadget…and isn’t adding it supposed to help, not drive me nuts!?!

There were a few people along the way that took me under their wing and helped me even after 5 emails of “I have no idea what you are talking about!!” haha

So to honor those whom I have befriended, I have created an award. My stupendous friend, Jessica, of Jessica’s Craft Shaque coined the term “Blend”. She says this is a friend and a co-blogger. I just love that word.

I contacted Mrs Jessica and politely asked her to be co-creator of the award and for copyrights to use the term “Blend”. She graciously accepted to both requests.

The “Green” portion represents how we should be kind to one another and help one another…such as being “Green” and helping our environment. Reissue the kindness that someone once gave to you as an infant blogger. Recycle the ideas you have learned or invented to pass along to up and coming crafters. Reduce the frustrations of wanting to a blogger with magnitude."

Here are the terms under which this “Green Blend Award” are to be given:

1. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has helped you develop your blog in any and all ways.

2. This award is for any co-blogging friend who has cheered you along in your blog building, craft advancing career.

3. This award is for any co-blogging friend who always stops by and is kind to you. You can count on them to always be one of the great comments at the end of your post.

4. This award is to be given to 3 to 5 Blends whom you feel meet the listed requirements.

5. Create a post with the terms of use and publish your Blends of choice.

6. Blend of choice may copy the award from your blog and proudly post it on theirs.

7. Blend of choice may continue the kindness by issuing this award to keep the circle forever growing.

In my almost one year of blogging, I have met so many amazing blog friend...blends :) This was hard for me to narrow it down...there are so many people who have been instrumental in my journey and continue to inspire me daily. But in keeping with the rules, (okay, I stretched it just a teeny bit because I wanted to give it back to my dear blend, Jessica of Jessica's Craft Shaque! Thanks again, Jessica!!) the blends I have selected, are (in alphabetical order):

Amy of Love To Crop
Amy of Amy's Crafting Space
Karen of Kaleidoscopic Sparkles
Pam of Craftycards4u2
Shelly of My Paper Love
Sherrie of Sherrie Scraps With Passion
Susan of Cricut and Grasshopper

Each of these amazing bloggers have been with me through this journey, they visit me often, if not daily, and leave such sweet, encouraging comments!! I am so very thankful for them and for all of my blog friends...blends!!

Winners and Blog Hop Tomorrow!!

Hi everyone and happy Friday!! I'm a little late announcing winners for two giveaways and I apologize!! The first winner is from my Guest Designer spot at Love To Crop!!

I used random.org to select the winner of the K Andrew Designs Merci stamp set:

And the winner is...........................#27............................................

Congratulations, Cyndy!! Please send me an email with your address to indymermaid(at)gmail(dot)com and I will get the stamps in the mail to you!!

And now the winner of the K Andrew Designs All About Family stamp set from the Getting Cricky Cabin Fever Promo Week and Blog Hop:

Random.org selected...........................................

And #202 equaled comment #3 from the Blog Hop, which was.....................

Congratulations, Audrey!! Send me your address to indymermaid(at)gmail(dot)com and I will get the stamps in the mail to you!!

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for the Wonderful Wilderness Blog Hop!! There will be fabulous projects featuring things found in the wilderness and more blog candy up for grabs!! Have a great evening everyone :)

Getting Cricky With It Surprise Blog Hop!!

For My Decorate To Celebrate Post, Click HERE

Welcome to the “Getting Cricky With It”

Surprise Blog Hop for Kristal!!

Today the Design Team is bringing you some very special projects created for our wonderful and amazing leader Kristal! Our term is almost over and we wanted to show her just how much we appreciate ALL that she has done for us. The projects that we will be sharing with you will also be sent to Kristal. We encourage ALL of her fans to join in on the fun as well! Be sure to add your card/project to the link below and then be sure to mail it off to her!

If you've hopped along from Vero then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Kristal's blog (you'll want to catch up on all the FUN!!)...

Each of Kristal's stamp sets benefit charity. At least $1 per stamp set goes to benefit the charity noted on the stamp set package. Kristal is donating to the following charities: Cancer Angels, Storefront Shelter for Homeless Children, Intrepid & Fallen Heroes, E. Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Doorways Shelter for Women & Children (Domestic Violence), Wayside House for Women, Camp Good Days & Special Times, Adopt a Classroom, and Autism Research Institute. Kristal will donate $1 for every stamp set sold, retail or wholesale to the charity noted; and over time believes this will add up to some wonderful miracles for these special people. So you can feel good that each time you purchase a K Andrew Designs art stamp set, someone around the country is receiving some good help!

K Andrew's stamps are all made and assembled here in the USA, which is very important to Kristal. This ensures all product materials are safe and that jobs are being provided and maintained here in America. You can learn even more about Kristal's stamps (and pick some up for yourself) by visiting her online store: K Andrew Designs.

I am so honored to be a part of Kristal's design team!! To thank her for her amazing generosity and all she has done for us, I have created a wall hanging for her :)

For my regular followers, you might remember that I got a great deal on a set of 10 canvases in January. This is project #3 of 10 :) I used Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the canvas. I picked up this sheet as a single and have no idea who made it (HOTP, maybe??). It has natural fibers in it...so pretty!

The letters are from Base Camp, and I cut them out on grunge paper and then dabbed on Snow Cap Adirondack Paint. Once they dried, I sanded them for a whitewash look popped them up with foam tape and added gems.

I cut the owl from Kate's ABC's and snipped off the branch so I could add a real one, painted white. I painted a piece of corrugated cardboard with Snow Cap paint and then sanded it off when it dried. All of the flowers are from Flower Shoppe in various sizes. The crystal design was created with a pattern for my iRock and I added individual gems to the branches for sparkle :)

I punched circles from My Mind's Eye Lost and Found Market Street paper and used them for "feathers".

The tag is a Spellbinders Nestability Label 10. I used Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet Distress Ink to ink the edges and for the sentiment from Crafty Friends:

I also made a card for Kristal:

The labels are Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 10. I used Swiss Dots on the larger one. I inked all of the edges with Victorian Velvet. The butterflies are from Picturesque and the lace is from Really Reasonable Ribbon. "My Crafty Friend" is from Crafty Friends.

For the inside, I used the frame and "thanks" from Merci:

Thank you, Kristal for all you have done and for having me as a part of this amazing team!! Now you can dance on over to your next stop: Jennie!

Here is the line up in case you get lost along the way:

1. Kristal
2. RhoLynda
3. Charlotte
4. Cheri
5. Linda
6. Amanda
7. Debbie
8. Vero
9. Lisa < YOU ARE HERE
10. Jennie < GO HERE NEXT
11. Kristan
12. Jamie
13. Christel
14. Jana
15. Patti
16. Heather
17. Miranda
18. Ildi
19. Jessie
20. JoAnn
21. Letillia
22. Larelyn
23. Anita
24. Laura
25. Sherry
26. Shawn
27. Faith
28. Amy

Decorate To Celebrate Challenge #19 - All About Boys!!

Hi everyone and happy Wednesday!! It's time for another super-fun challenge at Decorate to Celebrate!! The theme is week is All About Boys - we are asking you to create any project to be used as a party decoration (or party supply) for a boy party (remember to use BLUE!!)!! Let's celebrate everything wonderful about the sweet little boys in our lives with your table decorations, party banners, pennants, yard signs, cupcakes, party favors and more!!

For my boy party decorations, I created a race party theme :) Indiana - Indianapolis specifically - is the racing capital of the world and the Indianapolis 500 is known as the Greatest Spectacle in Racing!! I was born and raised in Indiana and for a couple of years I even lived in Indy, just a few short miles from the Speedway. I then moved to New York for several years but came back to Indiana...it's home :)

When I decided on a racing theme - with the inaugural Krafty Girls Home Sweet Home challenge in mind - I came to the sad realization that I have no checkered paper!! So I had to create my own :) I used my Gypsy to make a checkered pattern and cut it out on plastic from a Cricut clamshell. I then used it as a stencil and dabbed Snow Cap Adirondack paint on black paper.

The blue ribbon is from Something to Celebrate and I attached all of the layers with foam tape for dimension. The number 1 is from K Andrew Designs Crafty Friends stamp set and "you're awesome" is from Food For Thought.

I also came to the realization that I have over 100 cartridges and not one image of a race car!! How sad!! This was the closest I could come to one...it's from Paper Doll Dress Up. The number 20 and the stars are also from Crafty Friends.

The winner's cup is also from Something to Celebrate. The number one is from Crafty Friends and smile is from Food For Thought:

Click HERE to purchase your own sets or to see the entire line of K Andrew Designs stamps!!

The goodie box (I don't have a close up) is from Spring Holiday Cards and Happy Birthday on the front is from K Andrew Designs Fall-O-Ween and Coffee & Tea For You & Me sets respectively.

I made pit passes which could serve as invites to the party. Each child's name would be written on the front.

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Decorate to Celebrate and link up your Boy's Party Decorations (and don't forget to use blue!!) I can't wait to see what you create :)