Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge: Summertime!!

Happy Sunday, everyone!! I hope you are having a great weekend!! It's time for another super-fun Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky!! And starting this month, we are rolling out a new format. The challenges will now be monthly...you will have a whole month to link up your project!!

The challenge theme for June is Summertime!! So fun!! For my Summertime project, I created a beach bag and matching card :)

I know the colors are a little bold, but I love this paper from K&Company Happy Trails paper stack. Some of the pages are glossy and embossed, like the wave paper on the front of the beach bag. It's really beautiful!! I didn't get the chance to write out the instructions on how to make the beach bag, but it is similar to THIS bag, I just added a top flap that snaps closed. The bag is made with Spellbinders Creative Book Pages dies (thanks again, Shirl!!). The trees are from Life's A Beach, the flip flops are Spellbinders Surf's Up dies inked with Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink. The flower is a Spellbinders Rose Creation die using Core Couture paper from Core'dinations, and the gem swirls are from Recollections. The tag is a Nested Pendant die, inked with Spiced Marmalade. "Enjoy the Summer" is from K Andrew Designs Splashtastic Summer stamp set.

The base of the card is a Spellbinders Grand Scalloped square with a Grand square on top. The next three layers are Spellbinders Ornate Artisan Tags and Accents, inked with Spiced Marmalade and popped up with foam tape for dimension. The flower is a Rose Creation in Core Couture paper. "Sending You Sunny Thoughts" is also from Splashtastic Summer:

Kristal also has several awesome new sets available now and she has TWINE!! 100 yards for $5.00 in several beautiful colors!! What a bargain!! Check it out here:

Now it's your turn!! Head on over to Getting Cricky to see the amazing projects my talented Design Team sisters have created, and then link up you Summertime project!! You have a whole month...no excuses!! I can't wait to see what you create :)

Getting Cricky Summertime Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the "Summertime" Getting Cricky Blog Hop!!

We're so happy you could join us for this month's Getting Cricky Design Team Blog Hop!! We'd like to invite you to visit each of our DT Sisters' Blogs (it's just half the crew this month -- you'll see the other half next month!!) and our very special Guest Designer, Melissa of Needful Things!!

Throughout the hop we'll be showing what we love about.... SUMMERTIME!! From parties and celebrations to campfires and s'mores, we hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way!! Sooooo, let's get hopping...

If you've hopped along from my dear, sweet, amazingly talented friend Amy of Love To Crop!, 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 and you don't want to miss the opportunity for BLOG CANDY!!)...

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:

Kristal's stamp sets are perfect for cards, layouts, and so much more...

For my project, I'm featuring the Splashtastic Summer and Fashionable Friends stamp sets!!

Splashtastic Summer

Fashionable Friends

For more details or to make these sets YOURS, please click on the preview!! Plus...enter the code "newship" to receive FREE SHIPPING  on your entire order during the hop!! What an awesome deal!!

I love just about everything about summer...the sun shining, being outdoors, long days, trips to the beach, camping. And during the summer (and okay, Spring, Fall and Winter when possible ;) I live in flip-flops!! I have sporty ones, dressy ones and everything in between :) So for my project, I created a gift box to hold a summery surprise (I know I still owe a tutorial on making a box and I will get to it soon!!) I embossed the box with the Sizzix Flower Clusters embossing folder...they look like hibiscus. I cut a hibiscus from Life's a Beach three times and pop-dotted between layers to give it dimension. The paper is from Core'dinations Core Couture. I used a Spellbinders banner tag for the sentiment "Enjoy the summer" from Splashtastic Summer.

Inside the box is a pair of flip-flop earrings!! The flip-flops are from Spellbinders Surf's Up dies. The tag is a Marvy Uchida mega-punch, also embossed with Flower Clusters. I added eyelets with my Crop-a-dile. "Sole-sister!" is from Fashionable Friends.

I colored in the white parts with Ranger White Enamel Accents and used platinum Liquid Pearls for the rest. Once they dried, I covered both shoes with Glossy Accents. The black flower is a little cheapy punch and I attached a Paper Studio crystal.

I lightly stamped the back of the earrings with Barn Door Distress ink and then stamped "Aloha" from Splashtastic Summer on both.

I have BLOG CANDY!! I am giving away a set of Pirate Tales and Fish Scales stamps!!

There are so many creative and fun sentiments and images on here!! All you have to do to be eligible to win this set is:

1. Be a Follower of my blog
2. Leave me a comment with a way to contact you

That's it!! I will choose a winner on Wednesday, May 23rd!!

We'd also like to share TWO BRAND NEW Stamp Art Sets that are now available for Pre-Order with an expected ship date of May 25th!! If you want to be one of the FIRST to own these SUPER-CUTE sets, you'll definitely want to order TODAY (clicking on the previews will take you directly to the order page!!)...

Guy Talk

Southern Sayings

Don't forget to enter the code "newship" for FREE SHIPPING on all your purchases during the hop!!

Now you can hop on over to your next stop: the awesome and talented Miranda of Nana's Scrap Spot!!

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Getting Cricky Design Team Post!!

For the My-O's 32 Birthday Blog Hop, click HERE

For the Getting Cricky "Show Your Style" Blog Hop, click HERE

For the Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge, click HERE

Happy Monday, everyone!! I hope you had a fabulous weekend!! Today, we are debuting an exciting new feature at Getting Cricky!! Each member of the Design Team will be taking turns posting daily projects to Kristal's blog, so you will get the chance to know us a little better, learn our styles, and hopefully pick up some inspiration along the way!!

I have beach-themed card for my post today :) Here's a preview:

Head on over to Getting Cricky to see the entire project, then be sure to stop back by here and leave a comment on this post for an extra chance to win a Positive Thoughts stamp set...my favorite!!

I will announce a winner on May 1st!! (If you missed it, you can visit my Show Your Style Blog Hop post HERE for another chance at winning!!)

Thanks so much for stopping by!! Have a wonderful day :)

Simply Sunday Challenge - Fantasy Land!

Hi everyone and happy Sunday!! I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!! It's time for another super-fun Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky!! The challenge this week is Fantasy Land! Create a card, layout, home decor item...any project with a fantasy theme!!

For my project, I created (big surprise!) a mermaid step card!! I cut Ariel from Disney's Dreams Come True, but I changed her coloring. I attached all of the layers with foam tape. The paper for her tail is from the DCWV Le Tres Chic stack. The paper I used for the base and the water is from Fancy Pants. I cut the waves from Life's a Beach and inked them with Broken China and Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. I attached each layer with foam tape to give the waves dimension. I added waves to the top of the card so it looks like she is in the water. The seaweed is from Life's a Beach, also attached with foam tape. I added some bling to the mermaid: a gem for her belly ring, and a pearl necklace, bracelet and flower barrette.

This is the first time I've made this type of step card with a prominent center. I didn't have the measurements when I was in my craft room so I played around until I came up with a format that worked.

I'm not sure where the paper I used for the tail fin is from...I had some pieces in my stash. I think it might be from the DCWV All About Girls stack. It is so pretty and sparkly...I took a close-up so you could see the texture.

The sign is from Camp Out. I cut it on kraft paper and used Walnut Distress Ink around the edges. "Tales of a mermaid" is from K Andrew Designs Pirate Tales and Fish Scales stamp set:

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

I am linking this up with the Little Scrap Pieces Challenge - Use Red

Now it's your turn...link up your Fantasy Land project at Getting Cricky!! I can't wait to see what you create!! :)