Celebrate The Occasion - Ribbon!! PLUS -- Disney/Pixar Card Link Up Challenge & A GIVEAWAY!! :)

Hey there!! Howdy!! How y'all doing??? :) I sure hope you're having a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!! :) Wow... I've got so much to SHARE with you today!! I hope I don't forget anything...

First of all, it's time for another challenge at Celebrate The Occasion!!! This week is my week off, but I've really wanted to join in with Design Team #2 lately, so I thought this was the week to do it!! Have you visited my CTO DT Friends yet??? Lemme tell ya, these crafty friends of mine are sooooooo talented, and I would LOVE for you to give them a visit!! This week, they've all created projects with an "Anything Goes" theme (any occasion you'd like to CELEBRATE!!), but (of course) there's a TWIST -- You've gotta add some RIBBON to your project!! :) You can create a card, a layout, or any other project you'd like (just be sure to include that ribbon). I hope you'll pop on over to CTO, leave some bloggie-love for my DT friends, and create something for the challenge too!! :) Here's my take on the challenge....

If you've been visiting this week, then you know it's been all about some DISNEY FUN for me (if you haven't been visiting, I hope you'll stick around to snoop out my Mickey-themed projects -- I made a Mickey Hat Transformer Explosion Box for the Disney/Pixar Hop this past weekend (see it HERE)... I Mickey-ed up a flower arrangement with some Mickey rosettes for the Disney/Pixar Decorations and More Link Up Challenge yesterday (see it - and LINK UP - HERE )... And today I'm entering my card in the Disney/Pixar CARD Link Up Challenge over at Disney Dreamer Designs!! WOW!! It's a week-long celebration of our favorite DISNEY characters -- And YOU can join the FUN (and WIN some MAGICAL prizes too!!)!!

• Want to share a layout?  Please visit Shawn at Crafty Chics to link your layouts there!!
• Got a magical card to share?  Please visit  Melissa at Disney Dreamer Designs to link up your cards there!!
• Any other Disney~Pixar projects (not layouts or cards) can be linked up right here with me (Amy) at Love to Crop!!

Now...  I have ONE MORE thing to share with ya today!!  This past weekend, I visited my bloggie-friend, Julie over at A Little Bit of Bling...  And I learned that she has just released a whole line of my very FAVORITE crinkle ribbon!!  If you haven't had a chance to try this ribbon out yet, I really hope you'll visit her new store -- 3 Girl JAM, and check out her AMAZING introductory prices (PLUS, she's offering FREE shipping in the US!!)...  Just LOOK at all the colors:

Isn't your mouth just watering over all that ribbon???  You can get this ENTIRE set of Hand Dyed 100% Rayon Crinkle Ribbon (4 yards of EACH color for a TOTAL of 48 yards!!) for ONLY $24.99 (introductory price) PLUS FREE shipping (in the USA)!!  WOWZERS!!  She has LOTS of other combinations too -- You can try out her ribbon for just $4.99 (the BEST price I've seen ANYWHERE!!)...

So...  If you like the ribbon I've used on my Mickey Mouse card (OH! That FABULOUS button is from her pack of Vintage buttons that are just $2.99 with any ribbon purchase too!!), I know you'll want to stop over and visit Julie's new store (just click on the ribbon picture to go!!)...  Now...  GIVEAWAY TIME!!  If you'd like to WIN one of her $4.99 bundles, here's what you can do for chances in the drawing:

• Visit 3 Girl JAM and become a FOLLOWER there...
• Take a look at all the colors and leave me a comment on this post letting me know which set is your FAVORITE...
• Pop on over and "like" the 3 Girl JAM facebook page (click HERE)...
• While you're on facebook, make sure you "like" the Love To Crop! page too!! (click HERE)...
• Post about this giveaway on YOUR blog or on facebook (or both) -- you will need to include a LINK to www.lovetocrop.com so others can join in....
• Make some of that AMAZING Crinkle Ribbon YOURS (I can tell you that the quality is EXCELLENT!!)...  Be sure to add a note to Julie that I sent ya under the "comments" section of your payment -- You'll get one chance for EACH ribbon you purchase (so that's TWO chances for EACH bundle!!)...

For EACH thing you do (you don't have to do them all, just as many as you'd like for chances), be sure to leave me a separate comment because you get one chance for EACH completed step (plus the bonus chances if you make a purchase -- remember to add that note as I will have Julie let me know when you order!)!!  I will keep this GIVEAWAY open until October 7th for those of you who want to order on a PayDay...  I will choose TWO winners for this GIVEAWAY!!  Woot-woot!!

Here's a close up of that AWESOME button, that FABULOUS Crinkle Ribbon, AND my very-most-favorite sentiment from the "Positive Thoughts" Stamp Art Set by K Andrew Designs...  Isn't that just PERFECT for a Mickey Mouse card???  :)

Alright, Fabulous Friends...  That was LOTS of info for today!!  I hope you'll make a project (with a ribbon) to enter at Celebrate The Occasion!, make a Disney card to enter at Disney Dreamer Designs, a Disney layout to enter at Crafty Chics, any other Disney project to enter HERE at Love to Crop!!, and enter the GIVEAWAY for some of Julie's AWESOME Crinkle Ribbon!! :)  Whew!!  :)

Until next time,

Original Disney/Pixar Blog Hop Link-up Party!! Add your decorations and 3D projects HERE!! :)

Woot-woot!!  It's YOUR TURN to join the FUN!!  Here is your chance to share your favorite Disney-Pixar creations with everyone!  Shawn and Melissa always have so many people wanting to join their hops that they thought this was the perfect way to let those crafters participate.  You can share a  layout, a card, decorations, party favors or anything else you decide to create as long as it is Disney or Pixar related! Just post your project and link it up by 11:59pm (Eastern) on October 3rd, 2011!!  Post as many projects as you would like, and please be sure to include a link back to this post to tell others about our link-up party!

Here at Love To Crop! you can link up your decorations or any 3D projects (altered art, cakes or cupcakes, banners, signs, centerpieces, etc.) with a Disney or Pixar theme!!  Please use the Link button below to join the FUN!!

Want to share a layout?  Please visit Shawn at Crafty Chics to link your layouts there!!

Got a magical card to share?  Please visit  Melissa at Disney Dreamer Designs to link up your cards there!!

Any other Disney~Pixar projects (not layouts or cards) can be linked up right here with me (Amy) at Love to Crop!!

Now get busy and show us your Disney-Pixar creations!!  Whether it's Mickey, Donald, Buzz, Woody, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Aladdin, Eeyore, Snow White, Bambi, Lightning McQueen, Mater, or...  well, you get the idea...  We want to see your layouts, cards, decorations, and MORE!! :)

For a little inspiration, I created THIS:

I really love tulips...  My mom had given me this red tulip spray last spring (I know it looks SO real, but it's really not!) -- If I feel like I need a little day brightener, I just move my tulips into a new room (or a new spot), and I instantly have a little something to make me smile!!  I decided to add some Mickey "flower" rosettes to make this an even happier (and more magical) bouquet!!  Who wouldn't walk into a room and just SMILE to see this???  :)

The rosettes were created with the same  Creative Memories Disney Additions Kit (available HERE) paper that I used on my Mickey Hat Transformer Explosion Box from Sunday's Disney-Pixar Hop (if, for some reason, you missed this hop, it's DEFINITELY worth a lookie-see!!)... :)

To create each rosette, simply cut a 1"x12" strip of paper and score it every 1/4" down the length of the strip.  Mountain/valley fold the entire strip, adhere ends to each other (to create the circle), and glue (I use hot glue) the centers to a solid circle (I use a 2" circle behind the rosette -- this makes it more sturdy, gives it a nice base to use plenty of glue, and helps when you "fan" the rosette out a bit to create the correct size).  I added the Mickey silhouette and shadow to the front (found on the Mickey & Friends Cricut Cartridge and cut at 2"), hot glued a skewer to the back, and then added a small silver bow to each...

My tag was created by punching two tags with my Creative Memories Tag Punch (available HERE) -- one in white and one in black.  I then used my Creative Memories Disney Magic Maker Punch (available HERE) on the white tag to create the Mickey head and starburst...  I edged the punches with my red marker and adhered the black tag behind the white one (so that the black would show through the punches)...  I used the AWESOME mix-and-match sentiments from the "Winter Wishes" Stamp Art set from K Andrew Designs. (if you'd like to make this set yours, be sure to CLICK HERE (and don't forget to use Shawn's discount code "20shawn" for a 20% discount on your stamps today!!)...  A little silver bow and two of my handmade stick pins finish off the tag. :)

Okay...  YOUR turn now!! :)  I will be offering one link-up participant some MAGICAL goodies!!  Simply create a NEW Disney or Pixar themed decoration or other 3D project (no layouts or cards here, please!) and link it up below for your chance to WIN!! :)  Have FUN!!  ~Amy :)

Getting Cricky Simply Sunday Challenge -- Trick or Treat Me to some Candy Corn!! :)

Happy Sunday, friends!! :)  I hope this day finds you enjoying moments with family and friends... 

It's time again for one of my favorite challenge days!!  It's Simply Sunday Challenge Day over at Getting Cricky!!  This week, we were asked to create some "FALL TREATS" -- What do YOU think of when you think of "Fall Treats"???  Is it a gift card holder (to get treats for fall scrapbooking?), or a layout (with pictures of your little sweet treats jumping in leaves?), or maybe a 3D project to hold candy (that you can only find in the fall season)?  Well, whatever this challenge makes ya think of...  We want to see you use your CREATIVITY and show us your interpretation of the challenge!! :)

For this challenge, many of my Design Team Sisters will be featuring Kristal's NEWEST stamp sets -- I chose to use the new "Fall-O-Ween" for my treat bags (check out all the newest stamps at K Andrew Designs)...  This great Mix-N-Match set is an "extra-large" stamp set filled with all kinds of fun phrases!!  :)

I found this candy corn at my local grocery store that looks black, orange, and white (instead of yellow, orange, and white) and is called "Indian Corn"...  Since the college colors for my kiddos are black, orange, and white, I thought these would make perfect little treats for them -- So I bought a big bag and set to creating some treat bags for them...

To stamp the sentiment, I placed the "Trick or" stamp on the block normally; but when I added the "TREAT" stamp, I rounded it on the block (this is a great feature of these high-quality stamps -- they are so easy to twist or round a little to fit your needs!!)...  I stamped the sentiment with Stampin' Up!'s Only Orange ink on a circle cut from white cardstock and added that to a circle cut from orange cardstock.  I distressed the edges of the circle first with my distressing tool and then with SU!'s Chocolate Chip ink.  Two of my handmade stick pins, some handmade flower embellishments, a strip of 1" black grosgrain ribbon, and a little bow were added to the topper (embossed with my Cuttlebug "Checkerboard" extra-large folder) before I attached the topper to the plastic baggie...

And there ya have it!!  Fall-themed candy in a treat bag sure to be a hit with the kiddos....  Now that I've shown you my take on the challenge, I hope you'll hop on over to see what all of my Design Team Sisters made for inspiration...  Then, I hope you'll enter this week's "Fall Treats" Simply Sunday Challenge at Getting Cricky...  We can't WAIT to see what you create!!

Dont' forget to stop by and see Kristal's NEWEST Stamps available HERE!! 

Until next time,

Disney/Pixar Blog Hop -- Day TWO -- Ears to YOU!! :)

Welcome to Day TWO of the Disney/Pixar Blog Hop!!

 
Hey everyone!! :)  I'm so excited to be a part of this FANTASTIC hop!!  I am a HUGE Disney fan -- Disney World is still one of my most favorite vacation spots!! This is Day TWO of the hop (there was a completely different line-up yesterday), so be sure to catch both days for maximum ideas (you'll find the entire line-up below my post)!!

If you're ready to begin this Magical Adventure with me, then let's get started...  If you've hopped over from Tami, then you are in the right place!!  If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and you'd like to join our Mickey, Pooh, and Woody FUN, then please CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Shawn's blog because...  If you want to begin at the beginning, then you must start at the START!! :)

For the hop today, I made something I'm very, very, VERY excited about!!  If you are a regular visitor to my blog, then you know how much I LOVE to make what I call "transformer" boxes...  Here is my latest addition to my collection....

Yes...  My Mickey Ears hat is made completely of scrapbook paper...  It's actually big enough to fit on my head too!!  I created this "hat" in similar fashion to my paper luminaries (pumpkins and apples) and my double-layer birthday cake...

The emblem on the front is cut with the Mickey Font Cricut Cartridge -- This was one of my very first cartridges, and it's STILL one of my all-time favorites -- I can make the Mickey Font work for almost anything!! :)  Of course, this wouldn't qualify as one of my "transformer" boxes if it didn't hold a secret....

So when you lift the hat....  What you'll find inside is....

.... Room for a LOT of Disney pictures, embellishments, and memorabilia...  Because it's an explosion box!!

I used paper from my Creative Memories Disney Additions Kit (available HERE) to make some photo mats for all the FUN photos you can add....

This is a hexagon explosion box...  I hand cut all the pieces for these boxes with my trimmer...  So other than the emblem on the front of the hat, I can make one of these completely Cricut-less!!

So whaddya think???  Did that make it worth hopping all the way through to the END of the hop???  :)  I sure hope you've enjoyed my little creation here....

I'd like to thank Shawn and Melissa for including me in this WONDERFUL and MAGICAL Hop --  I'd also like to thank  all of my wonderful friends and followers who take the time to hop through and help make this such a FABULOUS hop!!  Now....   Before you leave...  What's a hop without some GOODIES???

I have a little blog candy for you!!  I will be sending a pack of 6x6 paper and embellishments to one fabulous winner!! :) 

To be eligible for my blog candy:

• Please become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment answering this FUN question: "Who is YOUR favorite Disney character (mine is -- can you guess? -- Mickey!!)?"!! 
• Receive a BONUS chance when you follow Love To Crop! via Networked Blogs -- (CLICK HERE then leave me an extra comment for your bonus chance!)

If you leave your email address (please leave it in SAFE scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com form), I will be happy to contact you if you are the winner; otherwise, you will need to check back after Wednesday, September 28th to see if you are a winner.  No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

***CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT***

Thank you again for checking out my project...  You have OFFICIALLY reached the END of the hop!!  If you missed the first day you can go HERE.  And remember, if you want to be the FIRST to know about upcoming hops, be sure to join Shawn and Melissa's Blog Hop Facebook Page.

Here's a list of the entire hop, in case you get lost along the way or want to revisit anyone (please note that I will update the following links to take you directly to each participants post if you are joining the hop later in the week!!)

1. Shawn
2. Melissa
3. Kim
4. Bobbi Jo
5. Jenny
6. Jessica
7. Cathie
8. Jamie
9. Kaye
10. Susan
11. Tami
12. Amy :)  You are HERE (and you've reached "The End")

Until next time,

School Blog Hop -- Day TWO!!

Welcome to Day TWO of the School Blog Hop!!

 
We're so happy you could join us for this second day of showcasing cards, layouts and projects with a "school" theme!!  You'll find an array of ideas throughout the hop -- From gift ideas to cards and more, we hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way!! This is a TWO-DAY hop with NEW projects for each day, so be sure to catch both days for maximum ideas (you'll find the entire line-up below my post -- or CLICK HERE if you need the line-up for Day ONE)!!

Since class has already begun...  Let's get started!!  If you've hopped over from Janet, then you are in the right place!!  If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and you'd like to join our School-Themed FUN, then please CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Jamie's blog because...  Starting at the start is always SMART!! :)

Yesterday, I made a school-themed gift box...  For today's hop, I'm sharing some Lunchbox Goodies for your little ones (or maybe your big ones, if they'll let you get away with it)!!

Aren't those little gummy goodies ADORABLE??!?!?  Oh my, I nearly jumped for joy when I found them at my local Dollar Tree...  Here's a few close-ups...

Let your kiddos know that loving them is easy as (PIZZA) pie...  Who doesn't love pizza???

"Hot Dog! It's a great day..."  Well, it IS a great day!!  Be sure to remind your kiddo of this fact in a FUN (and YUMMY) way...

When times (and tests) are hard, remember to "sandwich" your day with determination -- You simply cannot fail when you are determined to succeed!! :)

And here's my favorite!!  Sour gummy fries that say "Fry your best!"  Yippee!!  You can't go wrong when you try your best! :)

All of these FABULOUS sentiments are from the "Food For Thought" Stamp Art Set by K Andrew Designs...  To make this set yours, be sure to CLICK HERE!!

I'd like to thank Jamie for including me in this super FUN School Blog Hop --  I'd also like to thank  all of my wonderful friends and followers who take the time to hop through and help make this such a FABULOUS hop!!  Now....   Before I send you off to your next stop on the hop...  What's a hop without some GOODIES???

We have a WONDERFUL Grand Prize for one lucky hopper -- A $20 Gift Certificate for Designs On Cloud 9 and a $5 Gift Certificate for Jen's Digi Stamps!!  To be eligible, please visit each "Blog Hop Stop" and leave a comment (remember to visit BOTH days)!!  One random winner will be chosen on Monday, September 26th...  For more details on what you could choose if YOU are the winner, please be sure to visit our sponsors:

and...

 Designs on Cloud 9 Facebook Page

and...

I ALSO have a little blog candy for you!!  I will be sending a pack of 6x6 paper and embellishments to one fabulous winner!! :) 
To be eligible for my blog candy:

• Please become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment answering this FUN question: "What is (or was) your favorite school LUNCH (we all had ONE we looked forward to -- mine was grilled cheese!!)?"!! 
• Receive a BONUS chance when you follow Love To Crop! via Networked Blogs -- (CLICK HERE then leave me an extra comment for your bonus chance!) 

If you leave your email address (please leave it in SAFE scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com form), I will be happy to contact you if you are the winner; otherwise, you will need to check back after Wednesday, September 28th to see if you are a winner.  No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

***CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT***

Thank you again for checking out my project...  Now hop on over to Staci's blog and remember to visit all the stops for more chances to WIN!!

Here's a list of the entire hop, in case you get lost along the way or want to revisit anyone (please note that I will update the following links to take you directly to each participants post if you are joining the hop later in the week!!)

1. Jamie at Life in Words and Pictures
2. Berenice at Sweet Escape
3. Ashley at The Glamorous Side of Scrapping
4. Jessica at ScrappyLuvs
5. Christina at Crazy about scrappin, cricut, and cards!
6. Amber at Pixichick Creations
7. Dena at The Unknown, Entertaining Mind of Miss Dena Jones
8. Shelley at Shelley's Land
9. Clare at Cricut Crafty Clare
10. April at Curls and Grins
11. Jearise at Lorby's World
12. Kristy at Scraptastical Kreations
13. Janet at Create, Believe, Imagine at Dreamscrapbooks
14. Amy :) at Love To Crop!  You are HERE!! :)
15. Staci at Precious Memories Scrapbooking  Go here NEXT!!
16. Lisa at Scrapping with Lisa
17. Cheryl at Cards by CG
18. Gina at California Scrappin'
19.  Paula at Scrap Your World
20. Indira at Craft, Scrapbooking, and More
21. Julie at A Little Bit of Bling
22. Maria at MD Craft Corner

Until next time,

School Blog Hop -- Day One!! :)

Welcome to Day ONE of the School Blog Hop!!

 
We're so happy you could join us for this super-fun hop showcasing cards, layouts and projects with a "school" theme!!  You'll find an array of ideas throughout the hop -- From gift ideas to cards and more, we hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way!! This is a TWO-DAY hop with NEW projects for each day, so be sure to catch both days for maximum ideas (you'll find the entire line-up below my post)!!

If ya want to be the "Teacher's Pet" today, then pull your up chair to your desk, sit up straight, and focus on the projects (hee hee)!!  If you've hopped over from Janet, then you are in the right place!!  If you've just popped in to visit my blog or are reading this via email and you'd like to join our School-Themed FUN, then please CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Jamie's blog because...  Starting at the start is always SMART!! :)

For the hop today, I made a school-themed gift box...  Perfect for your student OR your student's teacher!!

I started with a 12x12 piece of black cardstock and scored it at 4" and 8" on two sides (so it looks like a tic-tac-toe board)...  I then scored the four corner sections diagonally from the outside corner in to the center.  Once all the score lines were made, I folded on all the score lines -- Be sure to fold the corners in the opposite direction so they will tuck to the center of the box.

Once everything was folded, I added eyelets to the corners (one eyelet on each side of the diagonal fold) for extra support for the ribbon.

After adding my decorative paper and cardstock around the outside of the box, I threaded some red grosgrain ribbon through the eyelets and pulled all the corners together...

The decorative paper shown here is from the Creative Memories High School paper pack.  You could make this in any theme and even add Cricut cuts or or other embellishments...

I used the "You control your own Destiny" sentiment from the "Positive Thoughts" Stamp Art Set by K Andrew Designs...

I'd like to thank Jamie for including me in this super FUN School Blog Hop --  I'd also like to thank  all of my wonderful friends and followers who take the time to hop through and help make this such a FABULOUS hop!!  Now....   Before I send you off to your next stop on the hop...  What's a hop without some GOODIES???

We have a WONDERFUL Grand Prize for one lucky hopper -- A $20 Gift Certificate for Designs On Cloud 9 and a $5 Gift Certificate for Jen's Digi Stamps!!  To be eligible, please visit each "Blog Hop Stop" and leave a comment (remember to visit BOTH days)!!  One random winner will be chosen on Monday, September 26th...  For more details on what you could choose if YOU are the winner, please be sure to visit our sponsors:

and...

 Designs on Cloud 9 Facebook Page

and...

I ALSO have a little blog candy for you!!  I will be sending a pack of 6x6 paper and embellishments to one fabulous winner!! :) 
To be eligible for my blog candy:

• Please become a follower of my blog and leave me a comment answering this FUN question: "What is your favorite school event (mine is track meets!!)?"!!

If you leave your email address (please leave it in SAFE scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com form), I will be happy to contact you if you are the winner; otherwise, you will need to check back after Wednesday, September 28th to see if you are a winner.  No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

***CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT***

Thank you again for checking out my project...  Now hop on over to Staci's blog and remember to visit all the stops for more chances to WIN!!

Here's a list of the entire hop, in case you get lost along the way or want to revisit anyone (please note that I will update the following links to take you directly to each participants post if you are joining the hop later in the week!!)

1. Jamie at Life in Words and Pictures
2. Berenice at Sweet Escape
3. Ashley at The Glamorous Side of Scrapping
4. Jessica at ScrappyLuvs
5. Christina at Crazy about scrappin, cricut, and cards!
6. Amber at Pixichick Creations
7. Dena at The Unknown, Entertaining Mind of Miss Dena Jones
8. Shelley at Shelley's Land
9. Clare at Cricut Crafty Clare
10. April at Curls and Grins
11. Jearise at Lorby's World
12. Kristy at Scraptastical Kreations
13. Janet at Create, Believe, Imagine at Dreamscrapbooks
14. Amy :) at Love To Crop!  You are HERE!! :)
15. Staci at Precious Memories Scrapbooking  Go here NEXT!!
16. Lisa at Scrapping with Lisa
17. Cheryl at Cards by CG
18. Gina at California Scrappin'
19.  Paula at Scrap Your World
20. Indira at Craft, Scrapbooking, and More
21. Julie at A Little Bit of Bling
22. Maria at MD Craft Corner

Until next time,

It's Challenge Time!! Let's Scrap It!! :)

Yippee-ki-yay!!  It's a FANTASTIC Friday!!  The weekend is here, and it's TIME for a CHALLENGE!!   don't know about you, but I was SUPER excited to see all the AMAZING challenge entries last time!!  Y'all really, really, REALLY love your FALL colors and creations!! :)  Thanks so much to ALL who joined!!

Before we get to this week's challenge details, I need to announce TWO winners!!  The winner of the "Happy Fall Y'all -- Use your Fall Colors" Challenge is:  Kelly!! WINNER has a blog called "Kelly's Crafty Life" --  I'd love for you to pop over and visit her...  Here is her card!!

Isn't that adorable???  Kelly, please email me (scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com) with your address so I can send your little goodie out!! :)

I also promised to send a little something to one person who popped over to my Guest Designers' blogs to comment on their projects...  That winner is:  Christine!!  She has a blog called "Scrappin' with Chriss and Lou"...  Please hop on over there to congratulate her!!  And thank you, Christine, for helping everyone feel welcome (please be sure to email me at the above address!)!! :)

Okie-dokie -- This time around, I'm challenging you to USE YOUR SCRAPS and create whatever your heart desires!!  You can make a card, layout, or 3D project *as long as* you use MOSTLY scraps to complete your creation!!

You can use ANY tools (your Cricut or other die cutting machine), you can stamp, use punches, or just use your trimmer!!  Your project can have any color scheme or theme!!  Feel free to make a card, layout, or other art project!!  This week, I have THREE talented friends to provide some inspiration for the challenge!!  Remember to pop on over to their blogs for more details on their projects -- Be sure to mention that you're stopping over from Love To Crop! so that I can pick another lucky winner for a little something-something!! :)

Onto the inspiration...

CallyAnn had a LOT of fun using some of her scraps (and this is just ONE picture of what she made, wait til you see the rest!!)...  Her blog is: CallyAnn's Crafty Creations!! For more details on her project, please CLICK HERE!!

Laura created this adorable card (and wait til you see all of her organization tips for her scraps!!)...  Her blog is:  Laura's Crafts and More!! For more details on her project, please CLICK HERE!!

Brenda created a WHOLE BUNCH of goodies (she even showed you her original project!!)...  Her blog is:  Creativity in only a State of Mind!!  For more details on her project, please CLICK HERE!!

All of the cards came from her leftover scraps from her beautiful layout....

WOW!!  Didn't they all do a FABULOUS job???  I just LOVE the variety!!  What a creative BUNCH!! :)

 To finish off the "inspiration," I also created a little something...

{{{Well....  I will have to add the photo later since my camera battery just died!!  In the meantime, I hope you'll be inspired to create something too!!}}}

Okay!!  It's YOUR turn!!  Show us your take on the challenge and create a card, layout, or 3D project using YOUR SCRAPS!!  The challenge is open until Thursday, October 6th at 11:59pm EST.  You are welcome to link up as many NEW creations as you like as long as you follow the theme AND include a link to www.lovetocrop.com so that others may play along...  I also respectfully request that you do not "backlink" when entering the challenge (linking a project that was posted previous to the challenge date).  Thank you!!  You will need to enter your actual post link (not a link to your entire blog).  To do this, after clicking "Publish" on your post, click on "View Post" and copy and paste the address from your browser address bar into the Linky tool.  If you have questions on how to do this, please feel free to leave a comment with your email address, and I'll be happy to help.

Now be sure to pop on over and visit my WONDERFUL Guest Designers for a chance at a little goodie from me!!  One random comment will be chosen (so be sure YOURS says, "I'm visiting from Love To Crop!")...  Clicking on each name will take you to their projects!! :)

CallyAnn

Laura

Brenda

........

Decorate To Celebrate: Challenge #9 -- Baby Birthday Party!! :)

Welcome to another WONDERFUL Wednesday!! :)  I would like to welcome my newest followers -- I am so thrilled and honored that you are here!!  Today is one of my favorite CHALLENGE DAYS....  So let's get to that!! :)

It's the start of Challenge #9 at the Decorate To Celebrate!! Challenge Blog!!  The theme for this challenge is BABY BIRTHDAY!!  That means you can submit ANY decoration or party supply for a BIRTHDAY themed party for a BABY (no cards or layouts, just decorations and supplies, please)!!  :)  The fabulous designers this week have some GREAT inspiration for you -- And I can't WAIT to see what YOU create too!! :)

Here's what I made to inspire ya....

For as long as I can remember, Elmo has been "all that" for Birthday Parties...   I just love this fun little guy, tickled or not!! :)  And so, I decided to make a bright and cheerful yard sign to direct the party guests to the right location for the party -- I used the Elmo's Party Cricut Cartridge exclusively for both of these projects -- I just love that EVERYTHING you need to create so many FUN decorations and party supplies can be found on just ONE cartridge!!  Elmo and his crayon were cut at "fit-to-page" which made him about 11.5" high!! 

After using my white Signo pen to add some faux stitching all around Elmo, I also added the blue squiggly arrow by hand-trimming a piece of cardstock that matched the blue crayon...  I simply LOVE how Elmo turned out!! :)

The "Brea's Party" was cut at 5.5" using the font and font shadow features on the Elmo's Party Cricut Cartridge.  I also used my white Signo pen to add some faux stitching to the letters -- It really made the letters POP...

These long, thin gift bags would make perfect treat bags too -- How fun for each party guest to leave with their very own Elmo bag!!  I thought each guests name could be added quickly and easily with my white pen...  Don't ya just LOVE Elmo???  :)

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my inspiration for a Birthday-Themed Party for Baby!!  I'm looking forward to seeing what YOU submit for the challenge now...

Now it's YOUR turn!!  Show us what you've got!! :)  Link up your NEW decorations or party supplies for a BIRTHDAY THEMED party for BABY at the Decorate To Celebrate!! Challenge Blog...



The winner(s) of the challenge are invited to be future Guest Designers AND are entered to win the Grand Prize for September -- A Slumber Party Cricut Lite Cartridge!!  For more inspiration, be sure to visit the other designers' blogs:

Jeanette 
Jessica

Daynene

Norma

Brenda

Rhonda

Thanks so much for stopping by!!  I can't wait to see what YOU create for the challenge!!

Until next time,

Celebrate The Occasion: Birthday with a Balloon -- 12x12 Layout... :)

Happy Tuesday everyone!!  It's one of my FAVORITE days -- and time for another challenge at Celebrate The Occasion!!!  This week we were asked to create a card, layout, or 3D project with a Birthday Theme AND at least one balloon!!  Sometimes it's the "twist" that catches me up, so I'm so glad I remembered to add a balloon (or three) to my project!! :)

The AWESOME Design Team has some WONDERFUL inspiration for you, so I really hope you'll pop over and check out all the GREAT ideas!!  For my project, I created a bright and colorful 12x12 layout using two of my "oldie but goodie" Cricut Cartridges -- Lyrical Letters and Celebrations!!

If you have the Celebrations Cricut Cartridge, but haven't had it out for a while, I really encourage you to dust it off and give it another look-see -- There are so MANY fun cuts on this cartridge!!  To help you discover a few of the hidden treasures on this cartridge, I'm sharing one of my Cricut Cartridge Tutorials with you today...  Feel free to click on each of the following pictures to enlarge them and print them off on 8.5x11 paper to find out how to create every cut on this page!!  For a little more "pizazz" you can substitute some decorative paper or add some embossing and pen work...  One of the GREAT things about this tutorial is that you can create this entire layout using mostly SCRAPS!!  Here are all the details...

I hope you will enjoy creating this layout for yourself -- And hopefully you will find a few new features hidden in these cartridges too!! :)  If this cartridge tutorial is something you enjoy (and find helpful), please be sure to leave me a comment letting me know -- It really helps me to know if this is something I should do again!! :)

Now, pop on over and visit my creative friends at Celebrate The Occasion to link up YOUR card, layout or project celebrating a Birthday (be sure to use a balloon) for a chance to WIN this month's PRIZE!!  You have until Sunday, September 25th at 11:59pm to add your take on the Challenge!!  Hope to see you there!! :)



Until next time,