Friday, August 17

HELLO THURSDAY - Giveaway with Northridge Publishing

There is still time to hop
with the "It's a Rainbow Party" Blog Hop"
---just scroll down to hop---

☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺
Wow, the new Hello Thursday
releases yesterday
KNOCKED
MY
SOCKS
OFF
!!!!!!
 “Mini Books”, “Frame of Mind”, “Tablescapes – Fall & Winter”
and “Team Spirt” Cricut® cartridges

I
 ♥ love ♥
the new cartridges
and really
adore Mini Books 
and 
Tablescapes - Fall and Winter
!!!!!!!!

How fun would it be to create your 3-D projects 
if you had those in
your Cricut® Cartridge
collection???

Well, stop over to the 
for a chance to win!!!
 Lots of ways to earn entries...

GOOD LUCK
 
☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

Wednesday, August 15

"It's a RAINBOW Party" Blog Hop - 8/15-8/17


Today we are helping our dear
sweet Blend,
 Candace of Scrappin' 2 Little Princesses,
celebrate the
Birthdays of her  two Sweet Little Princesses
Happy Birthday Little Princesses

I am so happy to join this r celebration
and talented line-up of friends
with this fantastically colorful 
and cheery
"It's a Rainbow Party"
Blog Hop!

We were all given this image of a 
Slew of Rainbows and Festive Birthday Fun
to get our creative MOJO flowing.
How can you not want to create 
when you see this???


I actually had a ton of ideas
rush through my mind
and even waited until the last
minute to make my project.
I finally decided on
some Glittery Rosettes
and Fun Rainbow colored buttons.

Here is my Card for Candace's Little Girls

I started with white card stock for the base.
Then I cut a few strips (1"x12") out of different colors 
of card stock (solid and Glitter Couture by Core'dinations).
The star borders were created from the strips by using
a fun ekSuccess American Girl Star Border Punch
 To make adhering them
to the card more easy, I ran them through my
Xyron 1/2" Sticker Maker.
The rosettes were created by 
scoring my 12" strips every 1/4"
on my Scorpal.
I adhered some buttons on the center of each rosette with my glue gun.
For the sentiment: I used a stamp from my own Unity Grab Bag
and inked it with Tim Holtz - Black Soot onto white cardstock.
I used a 2" circle punch to cut around the sentiment.
I traced around the perimeter of the circle using my Zip Glue Pen
then in a circular wheel motion, ran the edge
of the circle through some
into Martha Stewart Glitter (tourmaline/pink).
The misting was done using my handmade glimmer mist in a Mini Mister
Handmade Glimmer Mist
2 parts water
1 part Perfect Pearls (liquid)
2 drops Vermillion re-inker, 
3-4 drops FolkArt Acrylic paint (pink)
I cut a second circle to add behind the sentiment.  
I adhered them together with some 3D foam square adhesive.  
I raised both up from the card using another layer of foam squares.
I adhered more buttons around the 
circular sentiment
in a rainbow color pattern using some
Glue Dots.

For the inside of the card
I used all left over coordinating
colors of card stock from my stash
and randomly placed them
until I liked how it looked.

I hope you are enjoying the hop so far
and 
want to tell you
about the 
fun Blog Candy
aka
 "PRESENTS"
that you could win!!!

To be eligible for these prizes, 
please make sure you leave 
a comment (with a way to contact you) 
on EACH of the blogs in the hop 
before midnight (MST) on August 17th.
Random winners will be chosen 
and announced early next week on the

We have some great prizes 
to give away from our generous sponsors!!
  ☺  Flirty Girl stamp set from Pink By Design  ☺
☺  $10 gift certificate from Pretty Paper, Pretty Ribbons Graphics Store  ☺ 
☺  $25 gift certificate from Pretty Little Studio   ☺ 
☺☺$10 gift certificate from the 3 Girl Jam   ☺ 

Before you go, I would like to offer
some Blog Candy here at my blog as well!
What's a Birthday Party
without a Goody Bag, right?
 ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺

ONE random winner 
from all the comments left on this post,
will be chosen to win 
A  Grab Bag of Unity Stamps
***SMALL PRINT***
(The winner will be required to pay shipping charges if address is outside of the U.S. and Canada. 
I  am really sorry to do this, since this is something you are not used to, I know.
The shipping for a lot of past prizes I offered were held up to due high shipping costs)
***decorations on goody bag will be different than picture shows.
I think I may have to decorate the bag with
rainbow colors to fit the occasion***

Here is the lineup if you get lost along the way:

Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

Monday, August 13

Card Creating Tuesday w/ MCCR "Thinking of You"



Hey there sweet Blends.  

Today I get to share 
My  Design Team Member
project with you
for
My Cricut Craft Room

The theme today
is
Thinking of You Cards

For my card today,
I was eager to make a card for our
wonderful MCCR leader, Erica.

Since she will be making a lot
of huge transitions in the
next few months,
I wanted her to know that she will be in
my thoughts and I wish
only the BEST for her
during this time!

I asked her what her favorite colors were
before starting
and Black, White and Pink 
is what she answered.

I started with a 5x7 card base - Kraft cs
then I layered
some wonderful pink hounds tooth  pattern patter
after distressing the edges a bit.

I cut the Box and Handle with Care
images from
Graphically Speaking at 4.5"
using the wood panel design paper from
the MME - On The Bright  Side 6x6 paper pad
and some 6x6 squares I had in my stash (Kraft w/hounds tooth)
I inked up the scored lines with some Peppermint Pink ink to highlight them
and make them stand out a bit more.

I cut the sentiment from my
Cricut Classic Font cartridge at 2.5"
using black cs (shadow) and the same pink dp (top layer).

I added a few Want2Scrap baby bling pearls to "dot my I's" since
they mysteriously disappeared from my Craft Table.

The heart pearl bling is from a making memories set in my stash.

I inked around the edges of the sentiment
using the same peppermint pink ink.

The final touch was to add a charm and some
Charcoal Black Twinery Twine
to the bottom part of the card.

Now hop back over to
My Cricut Craft Room
to see what the talented
DT Members have created today.

Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

♫ ♪ ♫ Weeeee Haaaaavvvvve a WINNER ♫ ♪ ♫ (from DL Art Birthday Blog Hop)

Wow, what a productive Day this is turning out to be!!!
Please take note, that this is the  
3rd post today
here at 
Jessica's Craft Shaque.

Visit THIS POST to see
Julie K's Showcase at the Shaque
*and to enter her giveaway
for a $25.00 3 Girl JAM credit*

and
Visit THIS POST to see
the fun Layout
I created using a fabulous Authentique Sketch Challenge
and
Products by Authentique, Want2Scrap, and Unity

Now, for the Winner of my Blog Candy
from the wonderful
Birthday Blog Hop
for  

☺ ☺ ☺ 
CONGRATULATIONS, TARA
Random. Org
chose
comment
#32
and
that
is
YOU
☺ ☺ ☺

32.
Craftin Desert DivasAugust 6, 2012 9:13 PM
Great job. Love all the green. I'm a new follower. Hope you visit my blog.

Tara
Craftin Desert Divas

 Please send me an email at strgazrblueyes22477@yahoo.com
stating
Blog Hop Winner in the subject line.
Include your full name and mailing address
in the email!

Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

School Days - using Authentique, Want2Scrap, and Unity Itty Bitty

Happy Monday Blends!

If you missed the earlier
Showcase at the Shaque post,
be sure to scroll down
to learn fun facts
about a dear Blend, 

*******************

 I had a fun weekend that was quite relaxing
and enjoyable.
On Saturday, my SFF (Sweet Friend Forever), Heather Lynn
and I, both got to visit 
Erica and her mom, Jackie
for some fun Crafty Time.

I started a layout that I have been eager to get done.
When I first peeked at 
I couldn't wait to get out
my fabulous Glory Papers and Authentique stamps by Unity
and get started.

Here is the Sketch

and
here is my finished layout
All the papers are from the Authentique Glory Collection 
with the exception of the Navy card stock and Red card stock.  
The background paper is "Allegiance" and the patterned papers are "United".
The Red card stock is by American Crafts (Damask).

Here is a close up to show the fun 
Authentique Happy Day Itty Bitty stamp by Unity Stamp Co.
inked with Tim Holtz - Barn Door.

I will be entering this layout into the 
 

 The border at the top of the page
is a sticker from the same Glory Collection kit.

The title stamp school days
was inked using ColorBox-Merlot.
The weekdays on the banner were
inked using Color Box-Dune.
The report card journaling spot
was inked using Color Box-Brown.
All three stamps are from the Simple Stories set by Unity
called smarty pants.


 The rosettes were created by cutting the coordinating card stock
into 3 strips into 1" X 12" strips then scoring
them every 1/4".
The button centers were chosen from my stash.
I did adhere each rosette down onto a 2" inch punched circle.

This fabulous bling above is a wonderful prize I won
from the sweet Barbara Ohanlon in the
fun Scrapbook Deals group on Facebook.

The bling is by Want2Scrap
and is called Funky Swirles - Silver Rhinestones
Visit their fun blog http://want2scrapco.blogspot.com/ to be inspired
and Get Your Bling ON!

The rustic stars were purchased at my LSS and I grabbed up on 
a few while shopping.  They really add a nice detail to the already fantastic
Authentique Papers. 

Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

♪ Showcase at the Shaque ♪ Julie K of 3 Girl JAM (+giveaway)


 On the 13th of each month, I will be inviting a Guest to
SHOWCASE at The Shaque!
There will be a series of 13 questions that they will answer
in hopes to make new connections 
across Cyber Space and Blog Land 
as well as teach you a few fun facts about themselves 
that you may not know.
For today's Guest, I am honored to have the Wonderful Crafter, Julie K!

Please join me in Welcoming Julie and leaving her some love!!!


1.What’s your name?

Julie Kraling


2. What is the name and link of your blog?  How long have you been blogging? 
 

Little Bit of Bling- started Feb. 2011-  http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com/


A Little Bit of Bling


3 Girl JAM- Started Sept. 2011-  http://3girljam.blogspot.com/

3 

Girl JAM

 3.  What is your favorite craft to work with (type, technique, style)?

 
I love paper!  
I am a card maker for sure!  I honestly am still
figuring out what my style is.  

 feel like I don't really have a
particular style- I just create how I feel.  

I guess that's my own style.  :0)

4. Do you have other hobbies?

I'm learning how to sew!  My mother tried to teach me when I was young but
I wouldn't even try.  I wish I would have listened to my Mother!

5. How did you get started in the Craft World?

Definitely from my Mom.  She did everything- and I have no idea how she
did it!  I've been "crafty" since I was a kid.  When I became a "grown up" I stopped doing any kind of crafts.  I spent my time working and partying and doing other things that college kids
do.  LOL 

Once I really grew up and had kids- they started coming home 
from school saying, "I have to make a collage" or "I have to decoupage this box" my craftiness
started coming back.  One day, two years ago, a Cricut infomercial came on
and my girls talked me into getting one.   10 minutes with my Cricut
Expression and I was hooked.  

I watched videos and started reading a few
blogs and realized that this was something that I really wanted to do.  

I started my blog "A Little bit of Bling" in Feburary 2011 so I could
participate in some challenges.  I started making some friends and fell in
love with this whole on-line crafting community!  I started 3 Girl JAM in
September 2011 and started selling hand-dyed crinkle ribbon and vintage buttons.
Little did I know that the decision to start that blog- would turn into a life
changing event!  I hope to sometime in the near future, be able to turn 3
Girl JAM into my full time "job".  I have a phenomenal group of
ladies who support my efforts and make fabulous projects to share with the
blogging  community every day.  I am blessed beyond measure!


6. Where are you from?

I am from Iowa.  There is a lot of corn here.

7. If you could give a tip to a new crafter/blogger, what would it be?

Craft and write about what makes you happy.  People want to see what
you're doing- even when you think they don't.  Your blog is your own
little piece of cyber real estate!


8. Name some things that you have learned this year, that you are glad  you  learned?

I have learned how to express myself again!  I learned what truly makes me
happy and peaceful- creating!

9. Do you have anything personal you wish to share with the readers?
I hate amusement parks.
I’m allergic to dogs.
  
I want to play the tambourine in a rock band.
Watermelon is evil.
 
 I love new socks! *Random*

10. What are your future ambitions?

I want to make 3 Girl JAM a household name- but I'd settle for a personal shout out from
Tim Holtz, Heidi Swapp, or Teresa Collins.  LOL

11. What challenges have you faced, but conquered in crafting?</ span>
In crafting- it's always a challenge to learn a new technique.  

A fun but sometimes frustrating too!  When I first tried using
distress ink, I was like, "What is this junk and why does everyone love it
so much!"   Sorry Tim- I just didn't get it.  

So I practiced and watched you tube videos.   
Now I get it - and I LOVE my Distress Inks.  
I'm still not sure about Alcohol Inks though!  Right now I'm
trying to figure out Spellbinders.  I'm not sure I can get over my plates
getting marked up!  (That's my imaginary OCD though!)

In Blogging- the biggest challenge has been learning that not everyone is
"real".  **Spoiler alert- there are some mean people out here in
blog land. (There are some crazy people too!)   However, for every 1
mean (or crazy) person, there are 100 sweet, honest, kind hearted people who
would be willing to do just about anything to help out a fellow Crafter.

12.  When told you would be interviewed for this Guest Post, what
question were you hoping to be asked?


I was hoping to be asked if there was anything new or exciting happening on my
blog.

13.  What answer would you give to the unasked question?

Wow!  I'm so glad you asked!!  :0)

At "A Little Bit of Bling" I continue to be busy as Design Team
member for Pink by Design.  
I love promoting products that I truly love
and use everyday!
“3 Girl JAM” continues to rock my world!  
My Daughters are a huge help to me and I love them more than anything in the world!  
We launched a new store website: www.3girljam.com.   

A couple weeks ago we announced our latest Design Team
AND we are starting a new Challenge Blog!  
The first challenge is scheduled for August 25th, 2012.

Thanks for having me as a Guest today Jessica!  Love ya!


Here is the wonderful project Julie created
for her Showcase at the Shaque
Isn't this darling?
Look at that adorable little bow...perfection!


Stop over to Julie's Blog to read all the yummy details
on how this beauty was created!

While you are hopping about,
you might want to swing by
Julie's fantastic GIVEAWAY POST
where Julie and 3 Girl JAM
are celebrating the new Challenge Blog.
Go now to see how
you could get entered
to win a $25.00 Gift Certificate
to the 3 Girl JAM store!
Winner will be chosen and announced
on August 23rd!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

to JULIE
for being my August Guest
on
Showcase at the Shaque
13 Q&A's on the 13th

I hope to have a guest on the 13th of every month
and would love to 
have my Blends join me.
If you are interested in being 
Showcased at the Shaque
please send me an email at strgazrblueyes22477@yahoo.com
with the following details:
1. Your name and Blog address
2. Which months work for you to be showcased (at least 3 top picks)
{right now I am accepting Guests starting as soon as September}
3. A picture of a NEW project you have created
to share on your Showcase Post
4. Any questions or comments you may have regarding this opportunity
5. Please put Showcase at the Shaque in the subject line of your email
:O)
♪  ♪  ♪  ♪  ♪  ♪  ♪

AS
ALWAYS,
REMEMBER
to
KEEP CRAFTING
:O) 
Jessica S





Thursday, August 9

Scrapbook Friday - Beautiful Sunshine

Scrapbook Friday - August 10, 2012 ~Outdoor Layouts~


Hello Crafty Blends.
I am exited to share my
fun Layout with you today.

For our DT projects today at
 My Cricut Craft Room,
 we were to create
a Scrapbook Layout with the theme
Dance or Outdoor.

I have a few pictures of my kids frolicking about the yard
around Memorial Day that I wanted
to get into a layout.   So I chose
do create the Outdoor Theme.

I couldn't find the pics in the short time I had looked, 
but I do have one last place in mind to check.
I will add them in as soon 
as they are found and then the layout 
will be 100% complete.
I initially had gotten out my Create-A-Critter cart
thinking I was going to do a
campy/woodsy/outdoor layout.
That was, until I thought about the pics I would be using.
 I started be creating three photo mats for the layout.
The background paper is a deep navy blue cs and the yellow is
Core'dinations Sunflower Yellow hues.


The pics of the kids frolicking about, includes a few where
they are smelling the flowers as well as
peeking through some patches of flowers, too.

The Echo Park - Playground papers and stickers
gave me a grand idea to create a "Yard Scene".
I used the fun aqua cs as my background, then cut the green cs
using my CM blade trimmer to create the grassy hill.
I adhered the green and the flower strip using 3D foam squares.
The border of flowers was cut from a sheet of cs (borders) in the same EP stack.
I inked the green cs lightly for added dimension to the hills.

I first cut layers of my sun from CAC cart at 2.75"
using Core'dinations Sunflower Yellow cs and a deep blue
cs from from left over from my photo mattes.
The top layer of the sun is Core Couture-Glitter (Yello).
For the sun,  I used a fun "shadow" technique
that I learned from watching
one of Erica's Craft Room
U-stream Episodes last month.
Here is the her channel for you to
consider stopping
over and subscribing.
You can learns tons of techniques
that make crafting more practical and fun.

The small medallion phrase in the bottom corner
was cut from Graphically Speaking
at 2.5" in two layers.
The aqua color matched the background fairly close
and I wanted to shadow the phrase
so that it would stand out more.
I used the same Core'dinations Glitter cs (Aqua)
again with the deep blue cs from my stash.
I then used a dauber with some Darice Deep Aqua ink
and daubed around the medallion for more contrast.


I used another fun technique I learned from
one of Erica's Ustream tutorials for the grass cuts.
When placing my Core'dinations CS (Produce Greens) scraps
on my Cricut mat, I flipped them over (with the backside exposed).
I then used the Flip feature on my Cricut when setting up all my grass cuts.

The grass cuts were created using the CAC cart again.  I cut
them from scraps of green cs in my stash at different sizes
between .75" and 1.25".
Before pulling my grass up from my Cricut mat, I used my Xyron
Cheetah 2 adhesive runner across the back sides of my cuts.
Wa-Lah...easy adhesive idea for small cuts.
Thanks Erica!!!


I then randomly
placed them about the page until I felt there were enough.


OTHER SUPPLIES:
Flowers from stash
Ticket stamp from Unity Itty Bitty
"You're the Ticket"



Now, if you want to see more fantastic
layouts, be sure to stop over
at 
My Cricut Craft Room
to check out
what all the other talented DT Members 
have in store for you!!!

 THANKS
FOR
STOPPING
BY
&
Remember,
Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

3 Girl JAM - Favorite Part of My Day

Happy Thursday
Crafty Blends

Today is my day to share my
LOVE for 
with all of you!

I got to play with a new color of ribbon
for a change.
I opened my 
Tuxedo Black Crinkle Ribbon
for the first time
and used it on my project today!

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

When I am eager to 
ink up some {Ippity} rubber stamps,
I hop over to 
my favorite "Go-To" Challenge Blog
and
this is the 
being hosted by 
 

Here is my finished card
 (I flipped the sketch upside down)
Base paper - Black Damask cs (American Crafts)
Pattern Paper - Crate Paper (Portrait collection)
Ippity Stamps  - BE BRAVE...BRANCH OUT
Crinkle Ribbon - 3 Girl JAM (Tuxedo Black)
Punches - EK success and  Fiskars
Ink - Tsukineko  Brialliance (platinum planet)
Adhesives - Glue Glider Pro, 3D Foam squares, Glue Dots
MISC - White embossing powder, black brad, and black pearls

%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 
Now, before you go...
I wanted to share some exciting 
3  Girl JAM news with you!!
I am elated to have the opportunity
to begin another term as a 3 Girl JAM Design Team Member.
 Thank you Julie
for offering for me to stay on with all the fabulous
talent in the group!

If you haven't had the chance to 
get acquainted  with the 
hop over to offer them all
a Nice, Warm, 3 Girl JAM Welcom . . .

Julie Kraling
Jessica Shelton
Jessica Esch
Oma Gloria
Zeni Pradel
Scrappy Zeni

Jovan Brooks
Cards by Jovan

Carri V.
DoubleClick- AKA Abusybee

Cheri Parish
DJ Sundries

Abby Henderson
ScrappinAbby

Scrappin' Madge
Madge's Scrappin' Lounge

Rebecca Daniels
BloomingPink

I also want to share with you,
that 3 Girl JAM will be 
hosting some AWESOME
new challenges
at the New
Be sure to stop over
for the First Challenge 
on August 24th
to play along.
There are some wonderful sponsors
lined up
with fabulous prizes
up for grabs!
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

I will also be linking up to
DL.Art - Happy Birthday Linky Party


Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

Monday, August 6

Happy Birthday Diana (DL.Art) - Blog Hop

Welcome to the  
Happy Birthday Diana 
Blog hop

I am honored and delighted that Diana from DL. Art
asked me to join her in celebrating
her Birthday
during her
Virtual Birthday Party!!!

If you have arrived here from the sweet and talented
Karen @ Little Scrap Pieces
then you are on the right track.

If you need to start from the beginning,
please head back to Norma @ Pink Bling Crafter

Diana will be giving a way 2 prizes 
1 for  participating in the hop 
24 sheets 6x6  hand made paper
2 Imaginisce snag 'em stamps
and 4 packaged creative charms embellishments
and
1 for the challenge winner
Challenge will  open at 6:00 a.m. on August 6th 
and close at 11:59 p.m. on August 10th  
Winner will receive "Love you a Latte" Cricut Cartridge

Diana will announce the winners on August 12th at 3:00pm PST


To be eligible to win any of the prizes,
 you will need to do these 3 things:
Visit each Blog, Comment, and
Become a follower


After you  have visited everyone's blog,
please head back to Diana's Blog
and Link Up a Birthday Project


% % % % % % % % % % % %
Knowing that Diana's favorite color
is GREEN,
I just had to use as much
as I could find.
I also gathered some inspiration from the
Authentique - August Sketch
Here is the project I created 
to wish Diana a Happy Birthday

inside view
Base: Kraft card stock  
Designer Paper: Authentique Free Bird collection
Stamps:  July 2012 KOM (sentiment) - Unity
Create your Day Susan Weckesser  (sun and banner)- Unity
Bitty Backgrounds (on small squares) - Unity
Splatters and Stars Itty Bitty by Simple Stories (stars) - Unity
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - forest moss
Quick Quotes powder puff - Green with Envy
Rubber Stampede - Lime
 Other Supplies:
Twinery Twine: Honeydew 
1" Circle Punch 
Pearls
3D foam squares
 glitter glue
embossing powder
Zig Pens
Whisper Strokes
TH distress tool


OOPS!!!
Don't forget to put on your party hat first:
What's a hop without a Prize?
For all those who follow
the requirements listed above,
you will be put into a drawing to win the prize
I am giving away here at my Blog
 *****PRIZE*****

Winner will be announced on August 12th

Keep your party hat on and Hop over to
my Wonderful and Talented Sweet Blend,
Diana, the Birthday Girl!!!

And just in case you get lost from the Conga Line, here is the lineup:
and
The Birthday Girl Diana -  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/


Thanks for hopping
and
Remember to
Keep Crafting 
:O) 
Jessica

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