Jessica's Craft Shaque: October 2011

Monday, October 31

Happy Halloween :O)

Well, I am realizing how sad I am going to be that Halloween will be over today. I have really found out that I like it more than I thought. I am still not sick of seeing Halloween creations, nor am I tired of making them. I really think I am going to miss making them. That is, unless I secretly make them during any spare time that I might find...LOL! Trick or Treat tonight with the kids should be fun. Can't wait to take some pictures and maybe finish a few layouts, too.

This next card is no exception. It kept me smiling through the entire creation process. And I am able to hit a few challenge blogs with it, too.

Happy Halloween to all of my wonderful Blends, new and old.

INGREDIENTS:

Recollections Olive Green Card Stock

K&Company embossed dp (pale yellow)

other papers from stash

Pumpkin cut from Create A Critter at 3"

Frame behind pumpkin cut from Lacy Labels at 4"

Peachy Keen Stamp - PK493

Sentiment stamped with Rubber Stamp

Studio G and Darice Ink

Studio G glitter glue (for leaves on pumpkin)

Fall colored rhinestones

Ribbon from stash

White and Black gel pens

Challenges that I wish to enter with this creation:

:O) Jessica

Huge Christmas Candy (3rd post this a.m.)

If you are looking for my Making' It to the Mailbox Monday (MITTMM) #3 - CLICK HERE

HUGE CHRISTMAS CANDY from CANDY

Hello to all my crafty people out there in BlogLand. I am cruising around today and stopped by my friend Candy's blog. I was able to congratulate her again on her achievement of reaching 100 followers and to congratulate the winner of the Robotz cartridge giveaway.

Candy has Candy AGAIN. She is so generously offering 3 separate cartridges simply because she is in the Holiday Spirit. Does it get any nicer than that??

Candy is quite talented and you would be missing out if you don't stop by her blog and follow her!!!

Stop at this post: Huge Christmas Giveaway to enter the awesome giveaway and to try to win one of the three adorable Christmas Cartridges she is offering!!!

Happy Crafting and Until Next Time
:O)
Jessica

Get Inspired With ChatterScene & Giveaway

Chris at ChatterScene is celebrating and trying to reach 500 followers!!!! At the time of this post, she is already at 462...WAY TO GO CHRIS!!!

Chris at Get Inspired with ChatterScene is a few followers shy of 500 and is having an amazing giveaway. She is giving away . . .

to one lucky follower!!

In her own words...

"I am hoping this will spread the word about my challenges and help me meet my goal faster."

She is attempting to reach 500 followers and I am sure this will take no time at all from the measure of her amazing talent not only in crafting, but her blog makeovers....Have You Seen Her Work? If not, here are some of the most recent makeovers she has finished...
I Came, I Saw, I Created.
Candy's Craft Corner
Stamp, Cut, Create!

You can get in on the fun giveaway by visiting Chris's blog and following the easy steps to enter!!!

!GOOD LUCK CHRIS!

Makin' It To The Mailbox Monday (MITTMM) #3

Welcome to our third week of

Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays!

I started this installment series to showcase the generosity that floods our Crafty Blogging Community. So many times we receive a very generous prize from a dear friend and I this is where we can shout out "THANK YOU" to those who really deserved it.

You are the people behind the Magic of Making My Day!!!

I want to take this opportunity to shout a huge

to all of you who have shown me your kindness and your generosity.

Every week, on Monday, I am will be posting a new installment of Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays, where I will give a proper shout out to the generosity I have experienced first hand each and every week! I hope you will take the opportunity to visit all of the wonderful and talented bloggers that I mention each week, to see their beautiful creations. Those of you who know me, know I wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction. There is so much to see and all of these fine ARTISTS are just a click away!!!

First up, I would like to offer a sincere THANK YOU to Judy at Judy's Handmade Creations for the wonderful crocheted bracelet and handmade beaded earrings she sent me! Judy was having a giveaway during the LUFP party at the beginning of October. Judy, I just want to say the jewelry is more amazing in person than the pictures can show! The girls love them!

Don't you just love the hand card display Judy created and the wonderful embossed cards for the earrings??? AWESOME!

My next THANK YOU shout out is for Rona at A Little Inspiration from Rona. Rona is a Design Team member at The Outlawz. I was ecstatic when I found out that I won a $15 GC to Ippity Stamps during the 1000 Member Party with the Outlawz. I got more excited when I went shopping at Rona's Blog for the stamps. I couldn't decide, so I went with a couple sets (exceeding my GC, but getting free shipping because I ordered a total of $40 or more). Rona also offered 2 generous paper stacks that were embellished with adorable handmade flowers. They are so pretty, I almost don't want to unwrap the twine....LOL!

The two sets of Ippity Stamps that I chose were:

Music of My Heart

and

Now and Always

THANKS Rona for the wonderful stamps!!

You might recall at the beginning of October when I posted about a fun Sock Game at Paper Playtime. Well, they had a few games they played along with the challenge that week. The game was to try and guess who's feet belonged to the fun Halloween Socks. No one was able to guess them all correctly, but they did chose a random winner out of all who guessed. I WON!!! THANK YOU Paper Playtime for the wonderful prize. The prize was a set of Cricut Pens and I can't wait to use them. I haven't had a chance to open them yet. I think it might require a whole day to conquer the task of learning how to use them (LOL) since I am not exactly sure where to begin.

Look at the adorable card that accompanied the pens....isn't it darling?

My last THANK YOU for this week's MITTMM goes to Cindy at Cre8ivecindy. Cindy has a weekly post every Friday at her blog and at I Did It Creations called Fabulous Friday Fun. Each week she shares wonderful techniques that are a MUST SEE!!! The first week was a technique on inking your embossing folder to create two different effects. I was super excited to try this technique. Cindy also offers a prize to one lucky person that tries the technique and shares it with her. I tried it, loved the result, and in the process won this fabulous set of goodies....

What a wonderful show of generosity Cindy. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I hope that if I have inadvertently left anyone out of this gracious THANK YOU, that you all know you are all included in my thoughts, past and present. Please, if you wish for me to do a shout out to you in a future Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday, don't hesitate to remind me of a prize you sent my way, and I will do my best to give you the credit you so rightfully deserve!!!

Also, if you would like to show off your own winnings, just title your post Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday and if I am your follower, I will gladly stop by to read it once I see it at my dashboard. Or, if you'd like, you can leave a link with your comment below. I would love to see the happiness that greets others in their Monday Mailboxes :O)

DON'T FORGET TO:

Happy Crafting and Until Next Time
:O)
Jessica

Friday, October 28

~ Robin is celebrating her Blogaversary ~

create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!

I feel like a horrible Blend. My dear sweet Blend Robin at The Cricut Scrapper is celebrating her Blogaversary this month, and I just realized that I never did a post about it to spread the news! Shame on Me.

Robin, I hope you can forgive me sweetie. :O)

Robin's creations are fantastic and her blog is so fun to visit on a regular basis. She just recently finished her blog makeover and I love how she dedicated it to the fun colors of Halloween. Robin has been a doll since the first day I met her in BlogLand. She stops by to visit on a regular basis and I feel lucky to call her my friend.

She is celebrating her Blogaversary with an awesome giveaway at her blog.The giveaway ends on 10/31/11, so hurry over and wish her a well deserved CONGRATULATIONS and to find out how you could win the grand prize. . .
A Wild Card Cricut Cartridge!!!

Please be sure tell her that I sent you somewhere in your comment. It won't give me any extra chances to win the prize or anything, but it may put an extra smile on her face (which honestly would make me happier than winning a prize)! I just want her to know that she means a lot to me, and even though I didn't do a post before now, she is always in my thoughts!!!!

!!!THANKS to you all and GOOD LUCK!!!

:O) Jessica

Thursday, October 27

There is still time to HOP with Kimberli's Creations

I am just now getting around to hopping, but am loving every minute of it so far. I wanted to get around to it a lot earlier today, but just couldn't sit for long. Now the kids are in bed and I am cramming my head full of ideas from Kimberli's Creations Halloween Hop

Feel free to join in!!! Such cute Halloween projects, and I am only two designers into it....now Off I Go to finish hopping!!!!

:O) Jessica

DT Diva Thursday Post - Home Decor / Gifts

Thursdays are my day to share my Home Decor and Gift ideas and projects at the Creative Scrapbooking Divas Mansion. If you don't follow the Divas, you may want to stop by! All of my Diva Sisters are fabulous and very talented. There are monthly challenges hosted by the Divas with wonderful prizes offered. Tons of inspiration, friendly filled atmosphere and laid back conversations!!! PLEASE JOIN US!!!

This is a favorite project of mine, that I am sharing again for anyone who may have missed it back in July!!!

I love Christmas for a lot of reasons, but just to name a few: snow angels, caroling, cute and fuzzy reindeer, kids opening gifts. Oh, and don't forget the ***jingle bells***. For my project, I had a stack of paper that I purchased right after Christmas last year and hadn't got to use yet (ooohhh, early present for me, right there...LOL). The stack is called Harvest Holiday, by Cloud9 and boy oh boy is it nice! I really like the embossed metallic accents some of the design papers have and the prints are so festive. My DT theme at the Mansion is Home Decor-Gifts, so I decided to make a decorative garland.

The step-by-step pictures/tutorial are below if you are interested in learning more about how I achieved these results.

****THIS GARLAND IS CURRENTLY FOR SALE HERE***

Step-by-Step and Recipe

Diamonds cut using Classic Font @ 5" (emerald green cs)

Wreath and Tree cut using Gingerbread (layer) @ 4 3/4" from Pine Holly Print dp

NOEL cut using Jasmine (Shadow) @ 4 1/2"

NOEL cut using Jasmine (Shadow blackout) @ 4 1/2"

Wreath and Tree cut using Gingerbread (shadow) @ 4 3/4" from Red Holly Print dp

Affixed all layers together using Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive

Pine Garland

Decorative Velvet Bows

Placed small hole punch at top of diamonds to affix bows

Fed wire foil through hole to affix bows to the diamonds and the diamonds to the pine garland

Got out the ***JINGLE BELLS***

Used a deep red yarn trim to hang the jingle bells from the diamonds

Affixed with scotch tape

And the garland was ready for it's final photo shoot.

I hope this gets you in the mood to start creating your own Holiday Crafts!!!

Thanks for visiting the Mansion!

Jessica, CSDivas DT

Tuesday, October 25

Take Me Out to the Ballgame DAD

this past summer, the older kids and Dad went to a local baseball game and had a lot of fun. I was happy that they returned with some pictures from the experience because my dd usually forgets amidst all of the fun to snap them. There was only two pictures with her in them. One with her little brother looking absolutely tired and the other blurry, blurry. So she is not in the layout shown. I thought the pictures turned out great despite how tired the kids were from the extravaganza. Their very first ever ball game, full of memories and lots of playtime in all the inflatable jump houses and such (no pictures of those though).

I had different plans for the sketch contest over at PageMaps when I began, but in looking through my photos, I realized I need to print up more of my Fall and Halloween pictures. So, I chose to scrap the pictures from the Lake Erie Crushers game back in June. Then I thought, "how perfect would it be to use primary colors" for the challenge over at Tuesday Throwdown #72. So, I looked through all of my papers and found the perfect star paper by Oriental Trading Company Boys will be Boys. I also had a set of sports die cuts and trims to use. I started with my basic Navy Blue card stock and went from there. After cropping the pictures and deciding my placement of all the elements, I felt like getting a little "messy". I inked some stars with white Studio G ink (it looks pink in the pics) on the "blank canvas", swirled some Yellow Ochre acrylic paint then smudged it with a paper towel, and then did the same with Engine Red for an effect that sorta mimicked fireworks. I added some stickers, ribbons, and embellishments for extra dimension. Finally, I lined the actual tickets from the game alongside the pictures for my journaling.

All in all, I like how it turned out.

Here's the sketch:

Here is my layout (I hope to add a second page to it eventually)

:O) Jessica

Awesome Giveaway at My Creative Ink

Do You follow My Creative Ink?

Excellent products showcased in beautiful projects.

Be sure to check this out!!!

Tell Corina that JESSICA 'S CRAFT SHAQUE sent you!!!

Art Philosophy Cricut Collection $99 Giveaway

Here's the details about the giveaway (copied from Corina's Blog: My Creative Ink):

Close To My Heart has partnered with Provo Craft to introduce a new Close To My Heart Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge.

So to celebrate the opening of my new blog, I am giving away this wonderful collection valued at $99 to ONE lucky winner.

The collection includes:
1- Cartridge (700 images: font, shapes and 3D items)
3- My Acrylix D-size stamp sets
3- 9" x 12" Dimensional Elements (3 sheets of different shapes)

There are four ways to enter:

1. Become a MyCreativeInk follower.
(leave a comment on this post saying you have become a follower)

2. Like MyCreativeInk on Facebook
(leave a comment on the page)

3. Subscribe to MyCreativeInk You Tube channel
(leave a comment on this post with your YouTube username)

4. Subscribe to receive my posts in your inbox
(leave a comment saying that you signed up)

5. Refer a friend
(have your friend become a follower and leave a comment saying
that you referred them)

Now... you might be wondering, "How long is the giveaway going to last?" that is completely up to you ALL. My GOAL is to have 250 followers. It can take a couple of days, a week or a month, so the more people you refer the better. As an added bonus, I will be giving out some extra goodies to random followers as they join. :)

Giveaway open to Canada & US residents only, you must be 18 years of age and older. Giveaway opens September 30th, 2011 and has no set closing day. Giveaway will close after the 250th follower signs up. Winner will be announce between the hours of 9:00 am to 5:00PM PST the following day after the 250th follower is announced. One unique entry per person, (one person cannot enter with multiple user names).

:O) Jessica

Monday, October 24

Makin' It To The Mailbox Monday (MITTMM) #2

Welcome to our second week of

Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays!

I started this installment series to showcase the generosity that floods our Crafty Blogging Community. So many times I have received a very generous prize from a dear friend and I did not give a proper shout out "THANK YOU" to those who really deserved it. For that, I deeply apologize. I do not want you to think that I am ungrateful or don't care about the people behind the Magic of Making My Day!!!

So for that, I want to take this opportunity to shout a huge

to all of you who have shown me your kindness and your generosity.

First up, I would like to offer a sincere THANK YOU to Amy at Love To Crop for her kindness and generosity. Every week, Amy shares her DT's project with each weekly challenge announcement. her challenges are amazingly fun, too. She offers a prize for one lucky person who visits each DT member and leaves them some bloggy love. It's really a win, win situation. You win the second you arrive at Love to Crop and see Amy's beautiful creations. Then you win again at each DT member's blog that you visit because you are greeted by extaordinary talent once again. I received my package from Amy on Tuesday, 10/18/11, and loved the wrapping of the prize, so I had to take a picture of that first. It really showed the dedication and compassion Amy has for her crafting!!! I also loved the handmade card and the yummy goodness that it was paired with.

I can't wait to use the sheer ribbons and the wonderful eyelet flowers!!! THANK YOU AMY!

Next up, we have a dear sweet Blend (Blog+Friend=Blend) of mine, Carri of Abusybee. Carri happens to be one of the earliest crafty persons I started following back at the beginning of my blog. I can say that her unique style and the crafting techniques that she shares, continue to be a constant inspiration to me. I am a bit jealous she got her picture taken with Tim H., too (LOL). Carri was one of the "hop stops" during Bitten By The Bug 2's Blog Hop. She was offering some adorable Butterfly themed Blog Candy and I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the winner. THANK YOU Carri.

This package arrived 10/21/11 and I am happy to see purple butterflies. One, purple is my favorite color and two, I just adore butterflies!!! Isn't that handmade congrats card just the cutest?!?

The next THANK YOU goes out to Erika at Crafty Sprouts. Erika was a sponsor during the 3 Girl JAM Ribbons and Buttons Blog Hop. I was the lucky grand prize winner and won a set of Crafty Sprout Stamps. I have been oohhhing and aaaahhhing over these ever since I first saw them. I was jumping up and down (all day might I add) that I had been chosen as the grand prize winner. I also love surprises, so I couldn't wait to see which set I would be receiving. Friday, 10/21/11, was a good Mailbox Day...as this was the 2nd of 3 yummy packages that arrived!

Check out that adorable tape that greeted me even before I opened the package...LOVE IT. And here is a picture of the goodies that were inside...

Erika was so sweet to offer me her best selling stamp set Besties for Life!!! I can't even begin to describe how much I want to play with this set. I have an idea for every stamp on there. . . LOL! Erika also sent the adorable Best Witches card along with a hand-written note (adorable, too). And how sweet of her, now that card can still be used. THANKS AGAIN ERIKA!

The third package that arrived 10/21/11, was a wonderful one that makes me wish I didn't feel so sick so I could do some shopping. This prize was won during The Outlawz 1000 Member Party earlier this month. I was so ecstatic to find The Outlawz and even more excited that I signed up just in time to play along with the games and challenges for the party. There are so many wonderful and talented people at that site, that I HIGHLY suggest taking a peek and joining. THANK YOU Outlawz and Roxann and Brenda (Color Hosts) for this kind and generous prize. It got to me so quickly! I will post again to show what I buy with this wonderful gift card.

Today I received some wonderful images from Teresa at Delicious Doodles Shop. She was a sponsor over at Flutter by Wednesdays. I was chosen (from a redraw) to win 4 images. Here are the ones I chose and these are just a sample of Teresa's wonderful designs. It was very hard to pick just four. I definitely will be heading back to her shop to get some more. THANK YOU Teresa for your wonderful images. I can't wait to play with them. So keep you eyes peeled, you should be seeing them in some creations very, very soon.

On Saturday, 10/22/11, I was so happy to see the 3 Girl JAM logo on a package that arrived. I love Julie's blog, A Little Bit of Bling, and her wonderful hand-dyed ribbon that I have been seeing on creations. I was ecstatic to find out that I had won the grand prize during 3 Girl JAM Ribbons and Buttons Blog Hop! Along with the Crafty Sprouts stamps I mentioned up above, I also won a bundle of each color of the 3GirlJAM ribbon...WOO HOO... Of course, I couldn't wait to open it and touch it's softness. And wow, the ideas that are popping in my head are non-stop. THANK YOU Julie. Keep your eyes open because you will be seeing this ribbon in A LOT of my new projects (hmm hmm...if you missed the post last night, I already used the SUNFLOWER ribbon on a card . . . LOL)

Silly me....I noticed it would have been a better picture if I would have taken them out of their packages. Seriously, this picture doesn't do any justice to the true beauty of this ribbon. You have to own it, touch it, and use it, to realize how gorgeous it truly is up close and personal. So, to get your own ribbon, head right over to 3 Girl JAM to place an order NOW!!!!

And the excitement continued on Saturday when I got to open a second package. The last THANK YOU goes out to Jill at The Scrapoholic. She hosts sketches (cards and layouts) each Saturday and also has a Facebook Page that you should really consider following. A while back she was having a DT comment contest giveaway. It was simple and so rewarding. I love stopping by blogs and posts to read and see wonderful creations. I truly feel that a lot of my growth can be attributed to all of the wonderful talent I have been subject to throughout the crafty community. For commenting on each of the Design Team members blogs, I received this adorable card and CTMH stamp set.

I just adore that teeny Christmas tree stamp and I love seeing Thank You cards from all over. Gorgeous prize package...Thanks Jill!!

That concludes this week's MITTMM! I hope that if I have inadvertently left anyone out of this gracious THANK YOU, that you are all included in my thoughts, past and present. Please, if you wish for me to do a shout out to you in a future Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday, don't hesitate to remind me of what you sent my way, and I will do my best to give you the credit you so rightfully deserve!!!

Also, if you would like to show off your winnings, just title your post Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday and if I am your follower, I will gladly stop by to read it once I see it at my dashboard. Or, if you'd like, you can leave a link with your comment below. I would love to see the happiness that greets others in their Mailboxes :O)

DON'T FORGET TO:

Happy Crafting and Until Next Time
:O)
Jessica

Sunday, October 23

Happy Halloween with Steampunk Vivian

Well, the night is upon us, and the Progressive Relay Challenges are about ready to come to an end. I am finishing my card just under the wire. It has been a crazy weekend and I am quite surprised I was even able to continue. I think all of the Get Well wishes from my friends have worked *knock on wood*!

So, I have to keep this short so I don't miss the deadline.

Here is my card (all ingredients will be updated later this evening or tomorrow):