Scrappers Ranch Has Enlightened Me!

Although I've been super busy at work after being out sick for 3 days, I'm still finding time to craft.  My friend Bonnie (Scrappers Ranch) has introduced me to a few new groups that are all about getting crafty.  She is a great friend, huh?  :D 

First, Bonnie introduced me to Scrappin Sista Swap.  There I entered a swap where I had to make 5 altered cd's.  They each had to be the same, so that helped a lot.  There was a specific theme and a specific color palette.  I had never altered a cd before and although it challenged me I had a lot of fun learning and doing it.  I will definitely try it again.  Not only that, I will most definitely keep up with the talent on the Scrappin Sista Swap.

Next, Bonnie added me to a group on facebook called RAK ~ Random Acts of Kindness.  Just by seeing the name, I knew I would enjoy this group.  So, I started looking threw the members of the group & there were some ladies from the Scrappin Sista group- yeah!  In this group, I've signed up for a lace swap and a Secret Sister.  Looking forward to both!

The next day I get on facebook to check and Bonnie has added me to another page.  The SisterHood of Papercrafting.  Holy Cow!  I had a ton of sisters out there and didn't even know it!  What a relief because no one and I mean NO one in my family is into papercrafting.  I was going to start searching for my adoption papers this weekend.

In the group SisterHood of Papercrafting, a young lady posted a blog hop.  But this is not just any old blog hop, this is a special hop for a special little boy named MASON.  Mason has been very ill and is only 3 years old.  The hop is for cards of encouragement for the sweet little boy and his family.  Below is what I created for Mason.  He is a true hero to go through his life suffering the way he does and still have energy and not give up. 

If you don't do anything else, please say a prayer for Mason and his family.  I am not one to preach or judge others so this is out of character for me.  However, I feel very strongly in posting this scripture from Matthew 18:19-20

"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.  For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."

The more that pray for little Mason, the more God will hear and answer the prayers.  While asking for health of Mason, please thank God for the life Mason has already had and will continue to have.  Also, please do not forget to lift up Mason's family in this time of hardship.

Mason's card was created using the new Superhero Workshop on the Go by Close To My Heart

Use Your Stash Blog Hop - Buttons & Flowers

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If you are joining us for the "Use Your Stash Blog Hop" you are on the right track. You should be coming from Cherri’s blog.  This month we are featuring buttons and flowers.  If you get lost along the way you can see the entire list of hoppers on Rachel’s blog.  Let’s get started. 

Welcome to my blog

 Inks & Inspirations

So, if you aren’t a buttons and flowers kinda crafter – how do you design something for a buttons & flowers blog hop?  Ya – I had no idea either.  First thing I did was dig out find buttons that I’ve had for at least a year and flowers I’ve had since….well… um... a while.  In fact, I’ve had them so long, I have no idea where and/or when I got them!  But, luckily I’m in this fun blog hop & can Use up my Stash!

After finding the buttons and flowers, I looked at the colors and said “Hey! Sonoma would be perfect!”  I love flourishes, so I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge to make me a giant (fit to page) flourish.  Very carefully, I removed the paper and the flourish from my Cricut mat.  I wanted some depth, so I used the negative space/paper to sponge in New England Ivy the flourish onto the background paper.  Also, I added a few swipes of New England Ivy to the flourish itself, which is cut out of Olive paper.  Next, I used more pop dots than is legal to adhere my gi-normous flourish to the background.

Apparently I’ve been on a purple kick lately, so along with the Sonoma paper pack, I inked the Just Blooms flowers in Amethyst and Gypsy. Along with the Just Blooms flowers, I layered the other flowers I had found in my treasure hunt. Of course, I needed that ‘something’ for the flowers. 

That ‘something’ turned out to be the flowers from the

Heirloom Assortment.  Don’t you just love when you find that just right ‘something’!

Opposite the monstrous flourish, I stamped a flourish from the Dreams Come True stamp set.  I also used a couple of the flower stamps from this set to add flowers to my vine-type flourishes.  I used the buttons as the centers of flowers, but also as extras for the flourish at the top. 

Ok, so now I’ve created a buttons & flowers layout.  And I had a ton of fun doing it.  What do you think?  Feel free to leave me a comment and don’t forget to sign up to follow my blog.  Thanks for checking out my creation, now hop on over to Debi's Blog for more ideas of using up your stash.

Even Easier

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month we are highlighting the “Even Easier” Technique as shown on page 91 in the Spring/Summer 2012 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. 

We would love to see what you’ve created using this month’s technique, please visit our challenge blog at http://technicallyterrific.blogspot.com/ where you can share your project and be entered in a chance to win great prizes.  You will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way.  Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Joy's Blog, you are on the right track! 

This month, I chose to do 2 projects using this super easy technique.  The first project I did was a "You Rock Valentine Bag."  I made several small gift bags using the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge for Valentine's Day for some students.  Then, I chose the 2" heart (<heart3>) stamp that came with the Art Philosophy bundle.  Since I had to make 9 bags, I cut out 9 hearts and then stamped the hearts in Amethyst, Crystal Blue, and Cotton Candy ink. 

Here are pictures of the bags I cut out.  Using the "You Rock" Stamp and the "Star Power" Stamp {both of which are retired now - sad!}, I stamped in Grey Flannel (Z2124) and Black (Z2105) ink.

Here are the bags all put together with the goodies.  The heart that was cut out with the Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge and then stamped, was placed on a pop dot to give dimension and then over the wings on the back.

Add a little bit of leopard print ribbon and you've got a rockin' cute Valentine gift!

Here are the items in the goodie bags: 

2 Valentine pencils

2 packages of pop rocks candy

bookmark made from a paint sample at a hardware store

I also used this technique to create a couple of hearts for Valentine's Day for my niece and nephew.  I began by cutting a 5 1/2" heart  <heart3> on the Art Philosophy cartridge - one in blue and one in pink.  Next, I took the negative space from the 9 hearts I did for the bags, and used them as stencils.

After inking the stencils in Grey Flannel (Z2124), I then used the stamp itself to stamp the image over the stenciled portion.  I added a Valentine message with their names.  These hearts were just added to their Valentine bag I made for them.

To make these projects, here is your shopping list:  
Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge - Z1686

2” Heart stamp from the Exclusive Stamp Sets that come with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge

You Rock Stamp Set – D1346

Star Power Stamp Set – D1403

Amethyst – Z2100
Grey Flannel - Z2124

Crystal Blue – Z2117

Cotton Candy – Z2193

Black Ink – Z2105

Micro-Tip Scissors – Z534

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Kimberly's  Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation.  And don't forget to follow me, I love my followers!

Happy hopping!