Recycled Crayons make cool Earth and Planet shapes

I also picked up an idea a while back at Katie's Nesting Spot, to recycle old crayons by melting them down.  It was super fun to let the kids pick the paper from the crayons first.  They love doing that and they also loved arranging the colors together.  After all that was finished, we chose which colors we wanted to mix together.  I had originally seen this idea around Earth Day celebration and thought it would be really cool to put the blues, greens, and whites together to see if they would turn out as good as Katie's had.  The end results were great.  

I am very happy to be entering this creation into the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #104 - Alter/Recycle

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

An altered can for my step-daughter's teacher at school

When my SD said she would like to make her teacher something for the last day of school, I was ecstatic.  I had seen a project similar to the one I have made here and knew that I wanted to try it out.  It was pretty simple, earth friendly, and it made my SD smile from ear to ear when it was finished.  I hope her teacher likes it just as much as my SD liked making it for her!

I used an old soup can, some white cardstock, wired ribbon, crayons, red yarn, and cut an Apple from my Serenade cartridge for the Teacher's Name tag.  The entire project took less than 15 minutes to complete with the die cut premade and ready to go.

I am very happy to be entering this altered can into the C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #104 - Alter/Recycle
and Celebrate the Occasion #16 - School's Out (apples)  
and The Paper Players - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

Another Graduation Card

I focused on the next person I will be seeing graduate since I already made my nephew one.  My great niece has a few years, but I used her school colors as inspiration for this one.  I am linking this card to the Cricut Cardz Challenge #76 and to CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #4 and to Stampin with the Dragon Easel challenge.

This is an easel card that I learned how to make at Creative Scrapbooking Divas (there link is on my sidebar).  A tutorial was posted by Sandy (Admin Diva DT) in the card making group.

Grillin & Chillin Blog Hop entry

What an amazing amount of talent from all of the hosting parties.  Barb @ BugBites, you did a fantastic job pulling this together.  I so enjoyed stopping by each and every blog to see all the wonderful creations.  I am done now, and feeling lots of inspiration.

Here is my BBQ invitation I am submitting for the challenge that goes with the Hop.  I hand drew the dragonfly, ladybug, bee, and ant around the BBQ Tag.  This was a fun challenge and I love the result.  Even if the lighting is far from perfect here....energy efficient bulbs make all my projects look yellow.  I am definitely going to have to figure out how to summons some good old fashioned sunshine around here!!!

Happy Memorial Day everyone...

Happy Memorial Day to all of you in BlogLand.  I hope your day is spent with family, friends, and good company.  Don't forget to take a moment out of your day to say a prayer for all those in the military and their families.

The birthday card I just finished......

K&Company dp (dbl sided) Hopscotch

Cream colored card stock

Image from Sliekje stamps

Chipboard stars (2 are glitter glazed)

Twine/Rope from stash

Happy BD red banner from stash

Studio G Chalk ink around all edges

Image colored with Whisper Strokes

 Challenges Entered:

Paper Crafting World #6 - Digi Stamp, Birthday, Glitter
Birthday Sundaes - Masculine BD Card
Graphicat Designs - Sketch for May
Color Combos Galore #194

Divas' Scrappin' Summer School BLOG HOP

When: June 11, 2011 9am - 9pm EST

What: Divas´ Scrappin´ Summer School Blog Hop!

Where: CSDivas site (RSVP here)

Summer School is here at CSDivas. This time fellow Divas and DTs are sharing amazing tutorials to learn/create different projects, techniques, etc.

There will be some RAKs offered in the blog hop hostesses blogs and we will have a Grand Prize from CSDivas! (picture coming soon)!

Due date to submit your entries is: Thursday 6/16!

Winner will be announced on: Friday 6/17

Come join the fun ¨a la Diva Style¨ !!!

RSVP HERE!!!

 

I am so excited that I will be participating in my very first Blog Hop as a spot on the hop!  I will be posting a step-by-step tutorial to be followed (fairly easy project) and will be offering a RAK at my blog to one lucky hop participant.  I would be excited to have you join along for some fun projects and prizes.  If you are not already a DIVA, I highly suggest signing up to be one.  Personally speaking, it is one of my absolute favorite places to go to every day on the web.  There are fabulous project ideas, discussion groups, challenges, and camaraderie.  It's easy to join and I promise you won't be disappointed if you make the decision to be a DIVA today!!!
 

Ryan: My Nephew: My Friend: My True Hero

 I would be honored to have you stick around to read this regardless of the lengthiness of the story.  I promise that at the end of my story their will be an amazing tribute layout for you all to see.  This story is truly motivational and honors not only my nephew, but all of our soldiers who are or who have been in the battlefields, front lines, behind the scenes, you name it.  

***Thank You to All of Those Who Protect and Serve the USA***

     I took the opportunity from the challenges I am completing this week that have a Memorial Day Theme, to highlight and pay tribute to my nephew, Ryan Groves.  There are only a few years difference between us since he is my oldest sister's eldest son.  We grew up together, playing outside in the summer, chasing each other at picnics and cook outs, having sleep overs and telling scary stories, spending holidays together, and even went to the same High School with him graduating 4 years behind me.  The point I am getting at, is that I had no idea then, how proud I would be of the man he would become.  You see,  after high school and 2 years of college, Ryan felt he was called to serve a better purpose than the path he was currently on.  In March 2001, he entered the US Marine Corps.  He finished his Basic Training and was stationed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii arriving on September 11, 2001.  Over the next few years, Ryan was deployed to a variety of places.  Now, where does this "calling" come into play?  Well, he volunteered to go to Iraq.  This was approved and he was sent to Camp Pendleton to be stationed with the 1st Marines, 3rd Battalion.  He became Squad Leader upon his arrival.  Then came his deployment to Iraq in June 2004 and he worked in areas around Baghdad and Fallujah.  On October 17th 2004, Ryan was hit by a mortar rocket that resulted in the loss of his left leg above the knee and injuries to his right leg that would require in the upwards of 40+ surgeries to repair.  I visited Ryan a short while after his arrival at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed.  While we (my sister, my brother, my niece, and myself) waited to be allowed into his hospital room, I picked up several magazines to leaf through and pass the time.  I saw one magazine article with pictures and a story, that showed a Veteran scaling rock walls with remarkable ease and accuracy despite his handicap.  I read the article and found out that the individual, whose name I don't recall, was a double amputee after the injuries he incurred from the war. 
     Now it was time to head in to visit Ryan.  I, at first, was awestruck, as I didn't like seeing my nephew laying in the hospital bed, with all the contraptions around him, unable to move around and be the energetic person I knew my whole life.  I won't lie, it was sad.  I leaned down to hug him and tell him it was great to be able to make the trip to see him.  After some chit chat and general conversation, I heard Ryan say, "I won't be able to play sports anymore, or walk right."  I looked right into his eyes, and said, "Ryan, I don't even want to hear that.  I just read an article about a man who lost both of his legs and the pictures and article talked about how he is able to enjoy rock climbing now.  I love you, and remember, you can do anything you put your mind to."
     Well, it has been almost 7 years since this took place, and Ryan has accomplished a great many things he should definitely take pride in.  I am sure he does and I am sure that each accomplishment drives his desire to continue to fight for the rights of all of our Military Men and Women.
      I would be greatly honored if you would take some time, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but soon, and do a quick Google Search to learn more about the efforts he has put forth to help our fellow Americans who lay their lives on the line to keep us free.  Quickly Google: Ryan Groves Marine, and it will direct you to a number of noteworthy articles, interviews, pictures, speeches, stories, legislative issues, and more to understand some of these accomplishments.  It may also shed some light on all of the resources that are available to soldiers that YOU might know.
Some Examples:
The Wounded Warrior Project
President's Commission on Care for America's returning Wounded Warriors
Operation Second Chance   
MTV Choose or Lose Episode
and Mount Union Speech to Students

And now, without further ado.....

PAGE 1

"This design contains artwork that is © 2006-2008 FunDraw.Com."

First page shows some shots of a few speeches that he has given since his return from Iraq.  He is an avid speaker on many topics related to general encouragement to students and others, and many topics related to the Rights of our Military Members.

PAGE 2

Choose or Lose picture, Ryan being his goofy self giving 2 thumbs up!  Ryan leaning on his Hummer, Ryan and my sister (his mom) during their visit to the President and First Lady.  If I am not mistaken, this was the visit where he was honored with his Purple Heart. The small picture in the corner is Ryan holding a special "lucky charm" he feels is partly the reason he is alive today.

2 page spread

Title Page (page 2) TRIUMPH.  Ryan shown here during his appearance on MTV's Choose or Lose in 2008 right before the Presidential Election.  In this episode, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were addressing questions asked by several military members who returned from war.  Very powerful episode, I cried hearing the veterans discuss each of the heartfelt stories.

Challenge entries:
Cooking with Cricut - #31 Memorial Day
CSDivas - Pam's May Sketch
Stamp Something - Sentimental
Creative Creations - PATRIOTIC or Military for Memorial Day
Paper This & That - Memorial Day

Thanks for stopping by!

Smilez,

Jessica

POWERFUL MESSAGE ALERT: Spreading the WORD and the LOVE by Kristal at Getting Cricky with K Andews

"We're Alright! Our Feet are on Solid Ground, Our Day will Come!! 6 Giveaways!"

Please stop for a moment and 

read a very powerful message 

if you haven't done so already.  

It is uplifting and down right beautiful!

My first set of ATC's are WILD

Just a quick post as I did not get good rest last night and I am barely staying up right now.  I finished these ATC's for the CSDivas May ATC Swap and for our RAK group over at Scrappin' Mamma about 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I wanted to be sure the ladies received their "surprise goodies" before I posted pictures.

I decided to do a series of 8 card designs that followed some type of theme.  I just didn't know what theme I would follow when I started.  So, I went through my stash, drawers, ribbons, papers, and it finally came to me.  The first ever ATC's I made were WILD:

As always,

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

Family Reunion LO with generational photos

I am so pleased to finish this layout.  For our family reunion in 2008, it was imperative to My Mother that we take time out of the fun activities, eating scrumptious food, and general chit chat, to take some generational photos.  As you may already know, or maybe you don't, so here's a shocker....my family is rather large.  My mother had 13 children, who in turn gave her 30 grandchildren.  There were then 10 great children brought into this world for my mother to cherish.  She also has approximately 15 significant others/in-laws to call her family as well.  Even though all of the family was not in attendance in 2008, not sure we would have gotten a single photo with everyone squeezed in anyway, we were able to accomplish this task.  The LO shows all of those who were in attendance, Mom with her eldest grandchild, and Mom with her youngest grandchild (as of 2008....LOL).

I completed this LO with the help from several blogs whom I want to Thank for the inspiration and help in motivation towards completing this project.  Those individuals being:

The entire Team @ Paper Patch Crafts (Challenge: Family Layout)

The entire Team @ Creative Craft Challenge (A restful colour w/blue, cream, brown)

and

The entire Team @ CAS-ual Fridays  (Bring the Bling)

I used DCWV Garden Party Card Stock for my background, side trim, journaling tags, photo mattes, and the cream w/brown trim tag to the left.  This was cut at 3 1/2" with my Lacy Labels Cartridge, Image #18 Heart (without using the layer option).  The flowers are a chocolate brown satin with rhinestone center, satin chocoalte leaves, and turquoise paper flowers from my stash.  The left side of the background paper is a glitter embossed image (that isn't showing very well on the pic, sorry).  FAMILY stickers from  Alpha Tags by pixie press.

As always,

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

My link(s) for Decorate to Celebrate pre-party activity

If you haven't went over to Decorate to Celebrate, you are really missing out!!!  There are so many fantastic inspirations from all those who have linked up so far.  I am trying to think which party decoration(s) I want to submit and the first one that came to mind, is the Wishing Well I made for my sister's upcoming wedding reception.  I am so please with how it looks and the only thing left to do is create the sentiment tags and affix the lights so that it shines at night (she's having a reception outside).
This well is going to be used for party guest to write the "well wishes" to the bride and groom on a sentiment tag (that I will also be creating) and place in the slit in the front of the well.  That way, my sis can have tags to place in her wedding album that are personalized and will be a definite keepsake.

If you wanna learn more about how this project came 

about and the products used in its creation, 

please visit the original post HERE.

I am also linking this project as my 3rd entry for MIMM at You Had Me at Craft

As always,

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

Angel Fly By Happy Birthday

I feel like I have hit a slump in my creative thinking.  I am so glad to finally be learning about new Link Up Parties and Challenge Blogs.  This has given me so much inspiration and has allowed the ideas to roll in.  I have had some technical issues while trying to do new posts.  I hope that the problems I have had with trying to upload my pictures gets resolved soon.  Are any of you experiencing a delay when you try to upload pics?  I click my image to insert it, it "unselects" the image and then nothing.  I have tried to close it out and do it one pic at a time....that doesn't work.  I save my post as a draft and then go back in to edit it and that doesn't work either.  I can't seem to figure out why it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't....eek!

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed creating this next card.  The recipe will follow the images.  I plan to enter this creation into several challenges:

FCCB #61- Blue Skies

You Had Me At Craft - MIMM Week 2: Project #2

Paper Crafting World #5 - BD with glitter

Cooking with Cricut #30 - Celebrations with balloons

Stamp Something - Beachy Colors

Birthday Sundaes #10 - Pearls and Lace

Die Cuttin' Divas #16 - Celebrate
The Emerald Faerie Garden - Anything Goes

The image is from Sliekje digi Stamps,colored with Whisper Strokes

The card stock is a white and blue cloud print

The clouds: Serenade Cartridge with 2 layers cut at 1 1/4"

The oval sun medallion: Lacy Labels Cartridge red @ 4 1/2" and yellow @ 4 1/4"

The red dp DCWV Summer Dream Stack
The yellow embossed dp is K&Company

Lace and Ribbon from stash

Making Memories colorboard birthday sentiments 
yellow:  You say it's your birthday... 
blue&pink:  make a wish

Pearls and Rhinestones

Studio G glitter (angel, clouds & balloons)

Studio G ink pads for edges of card, sun and clouds
Inside sentiment printed on vellum from home printer
 (the pic is not posting right now, sorry everyone....I will try again in a few)

As always,

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

Paper Crafters Anonymous: Blog-o-versary Giveaway

 Heather is having a Blog-o-versary giveaway until the end of the week.Be sure to head on over and get a chance to win the Graduation Cartridge.Happy BLOG-O-VERSARY Heather!!!

Mondays don't have to be mundane....SMILE!

Post #1 - Decorate to Celebrate:  HURRY!   HURRY!

Remember to visit Rhonda (aka Scrap Happens) and Amy's (aka Love to Crop) new blog Decorate to Celebrate for their new Challenge Blog.  Mark your calendars for June 1st which will be the First Official Challenge on their new blog dedicated to showcasing and inspiring your crafty projects related to PARTYs.  How cool is that?  Way Cool, I think.

So get on over to their blog, Make sure to tell them Jessica's Craft Shaque sent you and don't forget to get in on the Grand Announcement Giveaway that ends May 31st.  Awesome prizes to be given away.




Post #2 - Inner Geek

I saw this challenge and just have to submit a LO.  Do you have pictures with you sticking your tongue out, or making a silly face, or being caught doing something really nerdy?  Admit it....You Do!  We all Do!

Well the challenge over at How Much is Too Much is just that - Challenge #172 - Inner Geek.

I thought about using my Silly Mom LO that I just finished recently.  I felt that it fit the challenge pretty perfectly...although it doesn't use all the supplies listed.  :O(

Then I remembered some other pictures I had taken.  So I am off to hunt for those and to get a LO put together.  I do have a lot of other cool challenges that I want to enter this week, so STAY TUNED for all the finished creations!
5/25***Update Update Update
I can't find the silly pictures I wanted to use...I guess this LO will just have to wait.

Post #3 - Teacher Appreciation Project
When I asked my step daughter if she "would like to make something nice for her teacher", she said "yes".  I said, "it will be for the end of school to let her know you had fun in her class."  She grinned and looked at me anxious to find out what we were going to make.  I gave her a few options and she liked them all.  She narrowed it down to the crayon jar I had seen previously on a blog (gonna look back through to see if I can find where and give credit where credit is due).  Then she asked, "can we make something for my principal, too?"  I said, "sure."  She continued, "Well, then I need another gift for my Teacher's Aide, too."  WOW...that's a tall order.  But you only get to make these memories once for each of your children, so why the heck not?
She is only with us for half of the week, so I went ahead and got a head's start on the gifts.  This way she can sign her name and help with the finishing touches and it will be sure to be ready for the last day of school which is slowly approaching.

The creation is one of the two altered clipboards she requested.  Not sure if she will choose to give it to her Aide or the Principal.  But either way, I wanted to make it "generic" to make it easy for her to decide.
I will be entering this project in the following challenges:
You Had Me at Craft:  MIMM








Anything Goes #41-BINGO (row 3 vertical or horizontal)
Paper Playtime #46 Anything with a Charm
Paper Cutz #92 - Teacher Appreciation

I used a clipboard a purchased for $1 at Target, Kraft card stock for the front and back, and Tartan Ribbon as an edging (hot glued to clipboard).  I added 2 apples that I cut with my Serenade Cartridge at 2 3/4" with all 4 layers.  I placed 2 matching stickers (stack of books) at the top corners, a School Days sticker at the bottom, and several star chart stickers (again $1 at Target) around the "clip".  I added one simple heart shaped charm that says "hand made with love" to give it a little personalization and several gem rhinestones here and there.

As always,

Thanks for stopping by

and

Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

A to Z all about me...

Found this fun quiz from Ellen @ CardMonkey and she got it from CaraC @ Miscellaneous Me.  I just had to try it.  I was curious, what can I say.

A. Age: 34, wow when did that happen?

B. Bed size: California King, and I still manage to crowd Lance....LOL

C. Chore you dislike:Spring Cleaning

D. Dogs: Pablo, our Yorkie-Poo

E. Essential start to your day: Coffee, change diapers, prep the bottle, turn on the TV and start breakfast, then I can craft and blog

F. Favorite color(s): Purple

G. Gold or silver: Silver, but White Gold is good

H. Height: shorty....5' 3"

I. Instruments you play(ed): Keyboard, Xylophone (twice), Clarinet, Guitar, and I jam on some Rock Band instruments

J. Job title: Mom, Wifey, Housekeeper, Financial Advisor, Chef, Counselor.....and the list goes on and on

K. Kids: 4 biological and 1 stepdaughter

L. Live: O-H-I-O.....go Bucks

M. Mom’s name: Rochelle

N. Nicknames: Twin, Sissy, Sissyca, Jess, Chica, Chicky-Poo, Baby, Mamasita, Sugar Booger

O. Overnight hospital stays: Oh yes, Lots!

P. Pet peeves: liars, thieves, mean people, and I really hate it when people don't close their mouths when they chew.  I don't wanna see that!

Q. Quote from a movie: "Which way did he go George, which way did he go?" - from Of Mice and Men, then later featured in a lot of looney tune cartoons

R. Righty or lefty: Righty

S. Siblings: Lots (Terri, Brian, Tammy, Rhonda, Scott, Kelli, Kirk, Derek, Jodi, Todd, Cristi, Jennifer)

T. Time you wake up: 7 a.m.

U. Underwear: Yeppers

V. Vegetables you don’t like: water chestnut, mushrooms, brussel sprouts

W. What makes you run late: I am usually pretty punctual so I would say, other people not being ready, or bad traffic

X. X-rays you’ve had: teeth, mammo, chest, arms, hands, feet

Y. Yummy food you make: Chicken Fajita casserole, Salsa Dip, milkshakes, and broccoli&cheese

Z. Zoo animal favorites:  Birds, Big Cats, Giraffes

Mom, You're my Inspiration

This layout was created from the inspiration I obtained by viewing a sketch that goes along with the Paper Secrets Scrap Your A** Off Challenge #2.   The sketch was provided by the very talented Rochelle Spears. The inspiration to pay a tribute to my mom, was provided by Diva Angela Morrison Brown for the May Diva Challenge with Angela at Creative Scrapbooking Divas.  The inspiration to do a layout about an important female in your life and to use at least 20 words of journaling came from Scrap the Girls May Challenge. 

I used 3+ buttons for the centers of my flowers.  I used 3+ flowers (chipboard, some on the dp, some hand cut from dp, and one from a QVC order about a year ago)
I did a flower rubon for the center of one of my paper flowers
I used 3 photo corners on each photo (6 total)
I used 3+ brads to hold down the flowers and fiber ribbon
I stamped the sentiment
I embossed 2 of the butterflies after cutting them from my Serenade Cartridge

I added another photo (poor picture quality) to show the dimension of the layered embellishments and the embossing. The journal tag to the left was hand cut and written with my Whisper Strokes Dual Tip Markers

It reads:

Mom, 

You inspire me to do my best with the courage 

you have had over the years, by not giving up when 

you single handedly raised 13 kids.  

You inspire me to be my best with the kids each and 

every day when I look back at the beautiful morals &

values you have instilled in me.  

I love you!

This challenge was so fun, and I may even give this layout to my mother as a gift for her upcoming birthday.  She cried when I gave her the layout I did of her mom and dad, my grandma and grandpa.  It meant a lot to her and she couldn't wait to get it home and put it in her family album she has started.  I may need to copy it so that I have one, too.  LOL.

As always, Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Crafting!

Smilez,

Jessica

Hey Hey Hey, It's an Awesome Giveaway

You have got to go over the see JulieK @ A Little Bit of Bling.  She has been given the honor of being selected as a new addition to the DT at Getting Cricky with K Andrew.  How awesome is that?!?  CONGRATS JulieK!
The LO she submitted (and ultimately was the winner) for the Simply Sunday- Let's get Campy challenge was beyond fantastic.  So so cute....I could go on and on.  Well, she won the prize cartridge, but already had it.  How sweet of her to want to REGIFT the cartridge and with some fairly easy requirements. 

So head on over to see her awesome Camping Time LO, her cool projects, and enter for a chance to win the Campin' Critters cartridge giveaway.

Good Luck!

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Crafting,!

Smilez,

Jessica

Hold on to your Dreams Happy Birthday Card

I made this card with the Cricut Cardz Challenge #75 and the Die Cuttin' Divas Challenge #15, and the Creative Sisters Challenge #8 in mind.  The car is cut from Graphically Speaking (Image21-Icon and Icon Blackout) at 3".  The road was hand cut.  The grass was colored using Whispers Strokes Watercolor Markers.  The sentiment is a stamp by Scrappy Cat inked with Studio G pigment ink (in blue and green).  Added rhinestones to headlights and at each end of sentiment.  The inside sentiment was printed on my printer onto vellum and then matted on card stock.

Thanks for stopping by to see my creation.

Front

 

Inside / Sentiment

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Crafting,!

Smilez,

Jessica

Link Up Love Party with K Andrew

First I want to let you know a little bit about where and why this post came to be.  Over the last couple of weeks, I have been deeply inspired, creatively awakened, and encouraged to laugh.  One person that comes to mind, is K Andrew from Getting Cricky.  She is so funny, so real, so down to earth, and so encouraging.  She is just an amazing artist and crafter all wrapped up in a cute little package.  Her laughter is contagious, so I encourage you to watch at least one of her video posts.  She has some great Link Up Love Parties that are a fresh and invigorating way to reach out to other crafters and make new friends along the way.

The idea of the Party is to just share your creations.  No requirements to make a specific item to fit into a challenge.  Once you have shared, you only have to visit the 5 people before and the 5 people after you on the Inlinkz and comment on their creations.  SOUNDS GREAT TO ME.  My guess is that we will be seeing some great creations through these Link Up Parties, because WE ARE OUR WORST CRITICS!  So we probably won't be showing off anything less then PHENOMENAL!!!!

So, my favorite project so far would have to be.....ummm......thinking......being my own worst critic.......I'll be right with you...........ok..............nah.........not that one.............what about this one.....ok..........here it is......

My very first ever, hand-painted ornament.  I tried this and loved the results.  I love painting, which is my first passion before paper crafting, but not as easy to do with little ones at my feet all the time.  So, I attempted to paint many things in my lifetime, but not an ornament.  I guess there IS a first time for everything.  Now I have a few orders with deadlines for Christmas, shwooo.....but it will be nice to change up my pattern of crafting behavior a little from time to time.  I really like how his beard looks soft and fluffy.

Kristal, thanks so much for these parties, they are a great way for us to brag on ourselves and pat ourselves on the back from time to time!!!!

Thanks for stopping by

and Happy Crafting,!

Smilez,

Jessica

Perfect Together

Ok, first off, have you ever wanted to give the man in your life a sentimental card, but didn't have a manly card to give 'em.  Well, I thought of this creation  in conjunction with two challenges yesterday.  The card is focused on showing a man how much you love them, without getting all gushy.  The colors are basic greens, grays, black and white.  I think it's pretty manly.  Do you?  Let me know your thoughts!  I love hearing from you!
Challenges entered:
Scrappin' Chics Challenge - Kitchen Theme
Die Cuttin' Divas - Masculine Cuts

Black cs for base
Green cloud print cs for background
Salt n Pepper patterned pater from stash
Green circle cut from Graphically Speaking (got kids?) at 5 1/2"
Ribbon from stash
Printed sentiment on computer on same green cloud cs and matted with black
Hand cut salt and pepper shakers to match pattern and a little inking to make it pop

As always, Thanks for stopping by and Happy Crafting,

Jessica

Awesome New Challenge Blog and HUGE GIVEAWAY!!!

It's Party Time At... Decorate To Celebrate!!

  Decorate To Celebrate is a BRAND NEW Challenge Blog dedicated to showing off your decorations (and all things 'party' related) for every celebration!! Join them for a two-week challenge beginning June 1st.  Show off your table decorations, centerpieces, wall hangings, banners, favors, invitations, and more!!  Each challenge will have a specific party theme (from baby to birthday to anniversary to holidays and everything in between!), and Decorate to Celebrate wants to see what YOU create using any method you desire -- paint it, cut it, mold it...  use your Cricut, Sizzix, any other die cutting machine (or none!)...  use paper, fabric, wood, glass, tile, florals...  the options are endless -- Show us your creativity!!

For the next few weeks leading up to the announcement of the very first challenge (June 1st!), DTC is going to be kicking off the decorating and celebrating with inspirations, tips, ideas, tutorials, introductions, and...  oh, yeah!!  A GRAND ANNOUNCEMENT GIVEAWAY!!  How about we get to the giveaway now??

It's a "YOUR CHOICE" prize package!!

One lucky winner can select either

a SURPRISE gift box full of goodies

OR

a $50 Creative Memories Gift Certificate!!

(click here to browse the online catalog)

LOTS of ways for you to get LOTS of chances in the drawing!!

i AM SO THERE.......Thanks,

Jessica

2 more challenges - WOOT WOOT

For the Copy Cat challenge with CSDivas and Challenge #14-Anniversary theme at Celebrate the Occasion, I wanted to find inspiration to make my fiance` an Anniversary Card.  We are celebrating 5 years of being inseparable.  I can honestly say he is my soul mate and that destiny brought us together.  I wanted to do something that shows him I love him, without being overly girlie.  So I chose to look through a lot of the Creative Scrapbooking Divas' galleries and came across one Diva's card who screamed at me, "make your card like me."  That IS the whole idea of the Copy Cat challenge after all!  :O)  Plus, it fit the criteria for the CTO Anniversary Challenge, too.  The CSDiva that I chose to Copy Cat was LisaLisa&ScrapJam.

This is the card that screamed at me....

And this is my Copy Cat /Anniversary card...

I tried to find a paper that was similar, yet that would match 

the hearts (an image from Stamping Dragon Designs-Triple Hearts) which I 

had already colored last night.  I didn't think an actual 

bow was very masculine, 

so I went with a retro 

style trim from 

Memory Makers' Funky Vintage collection - Lizzie.

The patterned papers 

are from DCWV Retro Prints stack 

along with some Aqua CS from my stash.

The sentiment is from Marcella by K phrases sticker pad.

Thanks once again for stopping by and all comments all welcomed.

Jessica

FCCB Challenge Me Monday #60, Stampin with the Dragon Recipe and Sketch Challenge, and SweetStamps Challenge 15

~*~FCCB Challenge Me Monday #60~*~

The Challenge Me Monday #60 at Fantabulous Cricut Challenge Blog started off with awesome DT member examples.  Way to go DT!  Beautiful Projects!
My submission for the challenge is a layout that highlights a birthday party for my daughter when she was 3 years old....wow, that's been 13 years ago.  That year, my BFF Teresa (who I've known since I was 3 myself) and I made and decorated McKenzie's cake.  It was a fun experience with awesome results.  McKenzie still remembers that cake to this day and says how much she loved it! I'm sure the pictures help to remind her, too.

~*~Stampin with the Dragon Recipe and Sketch Challenge~*~
~*~SweetStamps Challenge 15 - Birthday Card~*~

I was totally amped about the challenge that Stampin with the Dragon posted for the Recipe and Sketch challenge on Friday, May 13, 2011.  Why????  Because I knew I wanted to use one of Stampin Dragon Designs beautiful images titled Rupert's Party I purchased recently.  I had to make a Birthday Card for my Mom and the challenge gave me a great sketch to work with.  Hop on over and link up your creation...and don't forget to have fun!  This card also fit the requirements of SweetStamps Challenge 15, so wowzers, that's bomb diggity, huh?!?

SWTD Challenge RECIPE and Sketch
1 image
2 design papers
1 embellishment
use sketch submitted by DT Member Kate
sketch:

Here is my submission (When viewing, please keep in mind this is my first coloring job ever on a digi stamp.  However, I do prefer honest criticism and advice.  I don't have Copics, yet, so I use Sugarloaf Whispers Strokes Dual Tip Brush Markers):

  

Image:  Rupert's Party by Stampin Dragon Designs

Paper: BoBunny Shabby Princess Collection - 

Spring Jewels Blossoms - cut at 7.5" using Cricut Labels Cartridge

and Spring Jewels Stripes (cut at 6"x5" and 2"x5" and 

cropped on pale green cardstock cut to matte at 1/4" larger than Stripes paper)

Embellishment: Making Memories colorboard - birthday

Thanks for visiting,

Jessica