A Different Sort of Blog Hop

Hello there!  Welcome to this very unique blog hop.  This one is a bit different from the normal blog hops we're used to. This one is more about the crafty blogger behind the name.  So, pull up a chair and grab a cool drink :-)

I was tagged by Evelyn to participate in this special blog hop.  Her wonderful blog is My Little Craft Blog.  She is co-owner of the bi-monthly Cut It Up Challenge blog.  I answered a DT call last year and I've been on her DT ever since :-) She's so easy going and fun to create for!!  Pop over to her blog and check it out.  She creates the cutest cards and projects. 

I've been crafting in one form or another since I was very little.  My mom taught me to embroider, crochet Barbie clothes, sew doll clothes and later we moved on to Counted Cross Stitch.  I was invited to a Stampin' Up party by a friend that I worked with and I've been hooked on paper crafting ever since. 

My first love is making cards which is closely followed by mini albums.  I also create some home décor items and holiday decorations once in a while.

What am I currently working on?  I am working on a few projects for various DT assignments.  I have a few ideas in my head about creating something using a recycled item.  And another project is a fun fold card using a sponsor's digi.  It's going to feature a pop up slider card which I have never made before.  I'm excited to try this out!!  My husband is also having a birthday in a couple weeks so I have some plans to make him a really cool card.  I just completed a card for a little kid birthday party my son went to yesterday.

How does my work differ from others?  I don't tend to embellish my cards and projects as much as some crafters do.  I have a more simple style but I love lots of layers, pretty papers, and girly cards are my favorite.  They just make me happy :-)

Why do I create what I do?  For me crafting is a way to relax.  I love being able to create something pretty.  And I am usually making something for someone special.   So that makes me feel good to be able to send someone some happy mail!!  It's also fun to share with crafty friends in groups online and to enter challenges and receive feedback/comments on the projects I make.

How does your creative process work?  Usually it all starts with whatever cute digi image I can't wait to use or a die cut I need to try out :-)  I then decide what pretty papers to put together with the image or die cut.  I decide the layout of the card and what shapes would work well.  And then it's all about the embellishments.  I don't tend to use too many together.  But I love ribbon, lace and trims, bling, twine, buttons, etc.  You get the idea...LOL!  I don't glue anything down until I'm completely happy with the layout and all the embellishments are planned out. 

How do I stay motivated to create?  I create almost every day.  I think that really helps me just by doing what I love very consistently.  It's my happy place...LOL.  A lot of times I'm making something for one of the DTs I'm on so that gives me some guides to follow.  If I'm really stuck for an idea I try a sketch.  It's kind of rare that I follow a sketch exactly unless it's for a challenge.  I also belong to quite a few crafty groups on facebook and they provide tons of ideas for different shaped cards or fun folds to try.

Okay, enough about me already!! LOL!!  I've tagged three bloggers to post on their blogs on Aug 18th.  Sandy http://aworkingmomsjoy.blogspot.com/ , Marilyn http://marilyncricutcards.blogspot.com/ and Sher wwww.sherscards.blogspot.com .  We are all on the Scrapbook Blessings Club DT.  So make a note and be sure and visit their blogs on the 18th.

Phew!!!  Thanks for hanging in there and reading such a long post.  Have a great day!

Cindy---

Crafty Catz Challenge#243: Lazy Days of Summer

Hello and happy Friday!  It's time for another fabulous challenge on the Crafty Catz weekly challenge blog.  Our theme this time is:  Lazy Days of Summer.  Perfect for this time of year :-)  If you are looking for the new Cut It Up challenge that starts today also, please scroll down to the next post.

Our fabulous sponsor is:  Bunny Zoe Crafts

 

 

 

 

Recipe:
5" square cardbase in Kraft
Impression Obsession clear stamp set
watercolor pencils
Elegant Edges Cricut cart - ivy @ 4 1/4"
Tim Holtz sanding tool
Tim Holtz distressing tool
Core'dinations cardstock - turquoise papers
Cuttlebug embossing folder - swiss dot
Sew Easy floss- candy stripe
red bling
pop dots

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come and play with us at Crafty Catz :-)

Cindy---

I'm entering this into the following:
ABC challenge: Q is for quote
Creative Inspirations:  #275  Here Comes Summer
Digi Choosday#31:  Shabby Chic
Fan-tastic Tues#47 Anything goes
Loves Rubberstamps #115:  Anything Goes w/twist of stripes
Send a Smile 4  Kids:  CAS 4 Kids

Cut It Up Challenge #51: Inspired by a Song

Happy Friday!  It's time for another fabulous challenge on the Cut It Up blog.  The theme this time is so much fun:  Inspired by a Song.  Also,  you will need to include a die cut on your project.

Our sponsor this time is:  Fleurette Bloom --$10 Giftcard :-)

I took this opportunity to make a Christmas card and it's inspired by Jingle Bells of course...LOL!  I just got the Creative Memories 'Tis the Season Cricut cart recently and I love-love this font!!

Recipe:
DCWV - Metallic grey
The Paper Studio - Dec 2th stack - red chevrons
black glitter paper
'Tis the Season Cricut cart - sleigh 2 @ 3 1/4", 'Oh What fun' @ 2"
Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder - snow flurries
red organza ribbon
pop dots
red bling

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come and join in the fun over on the Cut It Up challenge blog :-)

Cindy---

I'm entering this into the following:
  Crafter's Café#75:  Lots of Layers
  Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Extra:  August - Anything Goes
 Southern Girls:  Christmas

Rocking card

Hello there!  I've got a fun fold card today.  The base is a rocking card.  So easy and so much fun!  I'm the hostess on the Scrapbook Blessings Club blog today.  I have a tutorial on how to make the base if you want to learn more about that hop on over to the SBC blog.

Recipe:
The Paper Studio - Dec 25th stack - word paper
Elegant Edges Cricut cart - ivy @ 5 1/2"
'Tis the Season Cricut cart - sleigh @ 3 1/2"
Christmas button
Trendy twine
pop dots
Icicle Stickles

Thanks for stopping by today :-)

Cindy---

I've entered this in the following:
 Completely Christmas # 23:  Anything Goes
 Christmas Cards All Yr Round:  August - Sparkle and Shine
 Weekly Christmas Card Challenge #36:  Embellish it

Scrapbook Blessing Club Challenge #26: Joy Fold

Hello there!  It's time for another great challenge on the SBC blog.  Our theme this time is Anything goes w/a twist of Joy Fold cards.  You can visit the SBC blog to watch a video on how the cardbase goes together.  I've actually modified mine to be an A2 size.  My base piece is 4 1/4" x 8 with a score at 5 1/2".  And the flap piece is 3 1/4" x 8 with a score at 4". 

Our wonderful sponsor this time is Meljen's Designs digis.

 

Recipe:
Meljen's Designs - Cozy winter owl
DCWV - The Christmas Matstack - green snowflakes, multi dot papers
The Paper Studio - Christmas Basics stack - red/white dot paper
Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder -snow flurries
water color pencils
Diamond Stickles, Christmas red Stickles, Icicle Stickles
pop dots
red/white polka dot organza ribbon

Thanks for stopping by today.  Come play along with us at SBC :-)

Cindy---

I've entered this in the following:
 Completely Christmas #23:  Anything Goes
 Christmas Cards All Yr Round:  August - Sparkle and Shine

SBC August Card Kit Reveal & Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Scrapbook Blessings Club Aug Card Kit Reveal Blog Hop!  If you've hopped over from  Teresa's wonderful blog you're right on track.  If you are just joining us you'll want to start at the beginning on the SBC blog so you don't miss a thing :-)

I have decided to try a mini album with the Aug Card Kit.  And I love how it came out.  This is a mini to record the fun my kiddos and I had this summer at the library :-)  Pictures will be wallet or 3 1/2 x 5 size. 

 

Front cover:  A Child's Year Cricut cart - play @ 1".  All book pages were cut from Elegant Edges @ 5 1/2":  butterfly, circles, burst.

 A Child's Year Cricut cart - music @ 3 1/2", laugh @ 1".  Tags, Bags, Boxes & more cricut cart - bvltop tag @ 4 1/2".

 A Child's Year - happy @1", fun @ 1".  Cuttlebug embossing folder - honeycomb.

 MS corner punch. A Child's Year - fun @ 1".  (butterfly is from the cutout on the front cover :-)  Another tag @ 4 1/2".  Cuttlebug embossing folder - typeset.

 A Child's Yr - reading @ 3 1/2", love @ 1".  Darice embossing folder- beach waves.

 This folds out for more room to put a photo and some journaling.  A Child's Yr - play @ 1".

Back cover:  The two butterflies represent my two kiddos :-) 

Add'l supplies (not included in the kit):
DCWV glitter papers in blue and gold
black/white cardstock
pop dots
Cinch binding tool /1" wire
Christmas red Stickles
white square paperclip

Thanks for hopping along with us this month. 

Cindy---

Crafty Catz Challenge# 242: Sketch

Happy Friday!  It's time for another fabulous challenge this week on the Crafty Catz challenge blog.  This time it's a sketch challenge:

And the challenge is sponsored by the fabulous Bugaboo Digi Stamps and Crafty Ribbons.

Recipe:
Bugaboo Digi Stamps - Knobby Knees Fairy
watercolor pencils
Glossy Accents - on the ladybug
Star Dust Stickles - on her wings
Core-dinations cardstock - orange paper
Cuttlebug embossing folder - from the Simply Charmed set
Tim Holtz sanding tool
TPC Studio - Greetings stamp set
orange button
Sew Easy floss- limeade

Thanks for stopping by today!  Come join in the fun on the Crafty Catz Sketch challenge :-)

Cindy---