McVic is 36 Birthday Blog Hop!! Happy Birthday Kacee!! :)

Welcome to the "McVic is 36" Birthday Blog Hop! 

Hello, friends!!  Welcome to the "McVic is 36" Birthday Blog hop!!  Please sit down, stay a while, and enjoy the cards or crafty projects we have made...  Each of the talented ladies participating in today's hop have created something special to celebrate our MAGNIFICENT friend, Kacee!!

If you've hopped along from my FABULOUS friend, Shawnee, then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Kacee's blog (cuz starting at the TOP is the way to see it all!!)...

To celebrate her day, Kacee is offering one lucky WINNER the chance at her Birthday Blog Candy!!  To be eligible, be sure to visit each blog and leave some bloggie-love (you'll want to follow too -- Just to be sure you're eligible for any extras!!)...  Keep alert throughout the rest of the hop too as there are several other stops along the way that will offer some goodies as well...  I know you won't want to miss the chance at some extra-special goodness!! :)

Now on to what I made for Kacee!! :)

This is a standard A2 card base (5.5"x4.25")...  My camera wasn't exactly cooperating with me tonight, so I apologize for the sub-par pictures -- I hope you'll get the basic idea of this card!! :)  I cut a piece of light gray cardstock for the background (5.5"x4.25").  I then embossed a piece of black color-core cardstock using my Cuttlebug embossing folder -- "Birds and Swirls" -- and then distressed it with a sanding block to really bring out the design.

I added this bright pink, very sparkly ribbon and bow to the front before adding two of my handmade stick pins (have I mentioned that I'm pretty much addicted to these things?!?)...

I also added five of my handmade flower embellishments for a little extra "BLING" on the card!! :)

My "Have a Great Birthday!" sentiment is from the FUN Mix-N-Match "Coffee & Tea for You & Me" Stamp Art Set from K Andrew Designs...  This is such a versatile set and so much fun to mix and match for creative new sentiments!! :)

Thank you SO much to all of my fabulous friends and followers who are helping to CELEBRATE my friend, Kacee, on her incredible birthday hop!!  It means so much to me that you are here for the FUN!! Now.... Before I send you off to your next stop on the hop...  I have some extra special goodies to send out to one fabulous friend!! :)

The "Birds and Swirls" Cuttlebug embossing folder (just like the one I used on my card!), a yard of the sparkly pink ribbon I used, a sleeve of my handmade flower embellishments, and TWO handmade stickpins exactly like the ones on my card!! :)

To be eligible for my blog candy:

• Please leave me a comment answering this question: "What's your favorite birthday dinner?"
• Receive a BONUS chance when you "Like" the Love To Crop! Facebook Page!! -- 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 Monday, September 5th to see if you are a winner. No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

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

Now you can hop on over to your next stop (and one of my Bloggie-land Besties): Rhonda!! 

I'll know you'll just love the SPECTACULAR project she has to share!!

Here's a list of the entire hop, in case you get lost along the way or want to revisit anyone:

*** Please note that the following links will take you directly to each participants post if you are joining the hop later in the week!! ***

1. Kacee at You Had Me at Scrap
2. Gloria at Oma's Crafts
3. Yolie at Just Yolie
4. Shannon at my-o-scrappin'
5. Laura at Laura's Crafts and More
6. Shawnee at Blessed on the Bright Side
7. Amy :) at Love To Crop!  You are HERE now!! :)
8. Rhonda at Scrap Happens  Go here NEXT!!
9. Brenda at Creativity is only a State of Mind
10. Audrey at Cute and Some
11. Alisha at My Crafty Ways
12. Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly

Thanks again for visiting!!  Happy Wednesday!!   :)

Until next time,

Faith Verse Blog Hop

Welcome to the Faith Verse Blog Hop! 

Welcome, friends!  My dear friend, Kari, is kicking off a new series starting September 12th called the Faith Verse Series that she will put on her blog every Monday...  Today she wanted to show you what it is all about...  Kari, along with a few of her guest designers will be sharing their favorite verse (and why it is a favorite) as well as creating something featuring that verse.  We all hope you are blessed and encouraged on your spiritual journey as you go through this hop with some talented ladies...  We are each so blessed by their friendship and stories.

If you came here from Lynne, then you are in the right place!!  If you are just popping in from your dashboard or reading this via email, be sure to CLICK HERE to start at the beginning (you know that I think the beginning is a good place to start!!)...

I'd like to thank Kari for including me in this very special event!!  I'm so excited to share my verse and creation with you...  

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV):

but those who hope in the LORD
     will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
     they will run and not grow weary,
     they will walk and not be faint.

Just reading this verse causes my heart to feel a bit lighter!!  What an AMAZING reassurance for those of us who face challenges and struggles and disappointments...  This verse holds so much POWER and PROMISE for me.  The only requirement on my part for fulfillment of this promise is...  HOPE...  If I HOPE in the Lord, my strength will be RENEWED -- It doesn't say that I'll just be stronger, it says that my strength will be RENEWED!!  Now, I know you can't see how excited I get about this verse through the computer screen, so let me see if I can give you an idea...  As I sit here writing this, it is HOURS past my bedtime, but my eyes are WIDE and I am sitting up straight (maybe even bouncing a bit in my chair!!)...  I mean, it isn't like the verse says that my strength will be 'refilled' like a coffee cup being refilled from that "hours-old" coffee pot -- It says that my strength will be RENEWED like a brand new, fresh pot of coffee!!  Even THAT isn't enough...  Hmmm...  Imagine yourself as good as you've ever felt -- Your hair done up, your make-up just right, dressed to the nines, and ready to take on the world!!  Now add your SUPER-HERO cape -- Yeah...  THAT kind of renewed!!  WOW!!

Think about it...  A tiny little thing like "HOPE"...  Hope in the Lord and RENEW your strength...  You won't fly like a cardinal or run like an ostrich, you will SOAR like an eagle -- That causes a little catch in my throat actually!!  To soar, high above the world, on wings like eagles -- What a RUSH!! :)  And then...  You won't give it a quick jog for a few moments only to stop, bent over, gasping for air...  You will RUN and not grow weary!!  Imagine running to the end of your driveway...  Now to the end of your street and the end of your town -- Imagine feeling the oxygen powering up your lungs for miles and miles of running -- Are you sitting up straight in your chair yet???  Are you feeling the POWER of RENEWED strength???

Whatever you are going through...  Whatever you are facing...  Whatever obstacle is standing in your path...  God does not want you to be weary or to faint!!  He doesn't want to refill your strength, He wants to RENEW it!!  Now, if you think that means taking away your pain and your troubles, that's not what I'm saying here...  This side of heaven we will see plenty of pain and plenty of trouble...  We can either struggle underneath it, gasping for air and wishing for relief OR we can HOPE in the Lord, allow Him to RENEW our strength, and PRAISE Him for His POWER and PROMISE that will carry us through another day on the wings of eagles!!  I don't know about you, but I want to soar high above this world, lay my burdens at His feet, and rejoice in the blessings of the moment...  And so I have made this Isaiah 40:31 Verse Journal to share with you -- A place to jot my prayer requests, praises, and HOPE in the Lord...

This journal measures 7" wide and 5.5" high.  I created the base with two pieces of chipboard and covered them (all sides) with decorative paper.

My handmade flowers were created by first cutting a scallop shape (I used a punch, but the ones on the Accent Essentials Cricut Cartridge also work well) and then cutting a swirl just inside the scallops and into the center.  Since I used plain Kraft cardstock for these, I inked it with Stampin' Up!'s Rose Red ink to give it the color I wanted...  Starting with the outside edge, I rolled the cardstock into itself, glued the center, and added a pearl.  Since I realize this may not explain things too well, here is the VIDEO that I watched ages ago to first learn how to make these -- Since then, I've kinda done my own thing, and my flowers here are much, much smaller that the ones in the video found HERE (they also don't take nearly as long because they are smaller).

I made the leaves by folding a small strip of ribbon into a triangle, then folding the edges in again before using my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (stapler) to hold them in place...  Glue dots attach the ribbon leaves to the backs of the flowers and the flowers to the journal.

I inked the edges of my verse panel, the journal, and the journal pages with Stampin' Up!'s Rose Red and Creamy Caramel.  After punching holes for the binder rings using my Crop-A-Dile, I added lots of ribbons to the rings... 

Would you like to create a journal similar to this one?  I have created a png file with this verse (my formatted version) as a FREEBIE for everyone!!  Simply click on the image below (open the picture to a LARGE version), then right click on the image, select "Save image as", and then click the "Save" button...  You will be able to use this in any digital scrapbooking software (if you would like a FREE version of the software I use, please CLICK HERE), paint, or publisher...  Because it is saved in high quality 300 dpi, you will be able to resize it without distorting the image.   You can even print it from your picture viewer!! :)

Have you heard this song by Third Day?  The name of the song is "Eagles" and can be found on their Wherever You Are Album...  This is one of the songs that reminds me of my favorite verse -- I hope you enjoy it too!! :)

My pain and problems keep me chained
And my troubled heart makes me weak
I'll wait for You to comfort me
And in You I know I'll find my strength

I will soar on the wings of eagles
I will learn to fly high above this world
And I will soar on the wings of eagles
I will learn to fly
I will learn to fly high above this world

I tremble with this heavy weight
And I'm buried underneath my grief
I'll run to You and not grow faint
And I'll lay my burdens at Your feet

I will soar on the wings of eagles
I will learn to fly high above this world
And I will soar on the wings of eagles
I will learn to fly
I will learn to fly high above this world

 And for those of you who enjoy the music too...  :)  A video...

If you cannot see the video above or prefer to watch it on YouTube, please CLICK HERE...

If you are interested in learning more about this group, please be sure to visit us on Facebook!!




To celebrate this new series, Kari is offering one lucky WINNER the chance at her Grand Prize Blog Candy (a Scripture Sayings Stamp Set from K Andrew Designs and some other embellishments and ribbons)!!  To be eligible, be sure to visit each blog and leave some bloggie-love (you don't have to follow everyone, but it sure would be nice if you do!!)...  Keep alert though -- There are other stops along the way that will offer some goodies as well...  I know you won't want to miss the chance at some extra-special goodness!! :)

Oh LOOK -- Here's a little bit of that extra-special goodness I was just talking about!!  I have a special surprise gift to send out to one fabulous winner!! :)
To be eligible for my blog candy:

• Please leave me a comment answering this question: "Do you have a favorite verse?"  If you do, I'd love for you to share it!!
• Receive a BONUS chance when you "Like" the Love To Crop! Facebook Page!! -- CLICK HERE -- then leave me an extra comment for your bonus chance!)
• Receive a BONUS chance for visiting EACH of the Faith Verse Hop participants and leaving them a comment (YES! That means an EXTRA TEN chances when you visit EVERYONE and leave a comment!!)...  After you have visited and commented on each blog, you may leave me ONE comment letting me know how many EXTRA chances you are eligible for!! :)  Remember -- the links below are updated to take you directly to each participant's post!!

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 Thursday, September 1st to see if you are a winner. No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

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

Now you can hop on over to your next stop: Christel!! 

I'll know you'll just love the WONDERFUL project she has to share!!

Here's a list of the entire hop, in case you get lost along the way or want to revisit anyone:

*** Please note that the following links will take you directly to each participants post in case you're joining the hop later in the week!! ***

1. Kari at PurpleFuntastick Creations
2. Vicki at Maw Maw's Thoughts
3. Carolyn at Mess, Muddle, and Fun
4. Lynne at Her Craftiness
5. Amy :) at Love To Crop! -- You are HERE now!! :)  
6. Christel at Scrappin' Sista -- Go here NEXT!! 
7. Shawnee at Blessed On the Bright Side
8. Tammy at From Me 2 U Papercrafting
9. Lynda at Memories In Tyme
10. Eileen at Crafty Kards

Thank you SO much to all of my fabulous friends and followers who are helping to make this a WONDERFUL hop!! I can't begin to tell you how much your visits mean to me!!

Until next time,

August Winners!! :) Where'd the month go???

Yes, indeed, I am behind again!!  Now that The-Girl-Child has joined The-Boy-Child in college, I'm supposed to have a LOT more time on my hands, right???  LOL...

I have a list of winners to share with you today!!  YAY!!  Thank you to everyone -- It is always such a TREAT and a JOY to read your wonderful comments, and it does my heart good to see names of people who are generous, kind, and caring!! :)  If you're not a winner this time, please be sure to stop by for the next hop (I'm in a few THIS week and several more over the coming weeks), as I do enjoy sending out my little goodie bags!! :)

Here are this month's winners: 

Getting Cricky Ustream & Blog Hop -- Christel from Scrappin' Sista 

Bucket List Blog Hop Day 1 -- Rhonda from Scrap Happens

Bucket List Blog Hop Day 2 -- Vicki from Maw Maw's Thoughts

"Life Is Grand" Challenge -- Brenda from Creativity is only a State of Mind

Box Card Challenge -- Suzanne from Cricut Crafting Grammy

Cooking With Cricut Guest Designer Day (Vinyl) -- Lisa from A Mermaid's Crafts

How Neat is that Hop -- Carol K from NY (no blog)

Back To School Blog Hop (mini clipboard) -- Kathy from Scrapping Felkatz

Laura's Guest Designer RAK: Audrey from Cute and Some

Lynne's Guest Designer RAK: Stephanie from Cricutmimi

Kari's Guest Designer RAK: littlen from Because I Can

Rhonda's Guest Designer RAK: Peggy Sue from ICrea8Cards

If you know any of these winners, please feel free to tell them CONGRATS and pass on the good news!!  Some have already been contacted, and I will be contacting others in the next few days; however, if you are winner and I haven't reached you yet, please email me your address -- scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com

Congrats, everyone!! :)  Until next time,

Getting Cricky: Simply Sunday Challenge -- Winged Things!! :)

Happy Sensational Sunday, friends!! :)  Once again, it's time for one of my favorite days!!  It's Simply Sunday Challenge Day over at Getting Cricky!!  This week, the challenge is to create something with the theme of "Winged Things" -- Whether that's a bird or a bee or a butterfly, you can create a card, layout, or altered art project of YOUR CHOICE...  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 one of Kristal's NEWEST stamp sets -- "Winged Things"  -- However, I do not have this set (yet), so I chose to feature the "Amazing You" Stamp Art Set from K Andrew Designs...  I just love this set for encouraging a friend or reminding someone how special they are!!  :)

This is a "Butterfly Wand"...  When I was little, my dad would cut all kinds of shapes out of wood and attach them to the end of a stick for me -- These would become my Fairy Princess wands, my Valentine wands, and my Anytime wands...  Sometimes I would add curling ribbon that I had saved from a present to the bottom of the star or heart or letter "A" to make it extra pretty.  For me, those wands held something special that no one could take away -- By simply waving that wand, I could turn a not-so-great day into a day of FUN and IMAGINATION...  So when I saw that we were having a "Winged Things" challenge, I had an image in my mind to make a butterfly wand!!  Butterflies are symbolic of change and transformation...  And so I thought having a Butterfly Wand could maybe make some of those changes a little easier -- Just wave that wand and change your attitude toward whatever challenges you have to face!! :)

I cut the butterfly at 3" using all of the layers twice (base, shift, and shadow) on the Give A Hoot Cricut Cartridge.  I also hand cut the butterfly shape from some white tulle.  I attached each set of layers at the center only and then attached each SET of layers to either side of my stick (a bamboo skewer) so that the butterfly would be very 3D...

By scoring the butterfly wings where they join the body, I could fan the layers of wings out...  I inked each layer with Stampin' Up!'s Creamy Caramel ink and added some iridescent Stickles to the lavender layer of the butterfly wings.

After stamping two tags (cut at 1" from the Plantin SchoolBook Cricut Cartridge) with "beautiful" and "blessings", I added some pink flowers with pearl centers, some purple gingham ribbon, and two of my handmade stick pins....

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 "Winged Things" 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 (PRE-ORDERS will be shipping SOON!!)-- reserve yours before they sell out!!  There are THREE brand new sets -- "Coffee & Tea for You & Me" (get your Java on!!), "Sympathetic Sayings" (a super-sized set!!), and "Winged Things" (an awesome Mix-N-Match set perfect for many occasions!!)...  :)


 Coffee & Tea Mix & Match 


 Sympathetic Sayings (Larger set)


 Winged Things: Mix & Match (Bonus frame & images)
Until next time, may your today be filled with beautiful blessings....

Becky's Birthday Blog Hop!!

Welcome to Becky's Birthday Blog Hop! 

If you've hopped along from the FABULOUS Birthday Girl, Becky, then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Becky's blog (cuz starting at the TOP is always BEST!!)...

I'd like to thank Becky for including me in her Birthday Celebration!!  She's gathered up a selection of creative friends to join her on the Birthday Adventure...  And to celebrate her special day, Becky is offering one lucky WINNER the chance at her Grand Prize Blog Candy!!  To be eligible, be sure to visit each blog and leave some bloggie-love...  Keep alert though -- There's LOTS of stops along the way that will offer some Birthday Candy Goodness too...  I know you won't want to miss the chance at ANY!! :)

For my project, I'd like to share a gift bag featuring a rosette and a "glammed up" jar of Cherry Vanilla fruit spread (homemade, but not by me!!)...

Becky loves polka dots and cherries, so I started with a red polka-dot ribbon rosette, added some green ribbon and a yellow paper rosette, and topped it off with two of my handmade stick pins...  I have really enjoyed making these stick pins (if you'd like to try some, I learned how to make them from my bloggie-land friend, Carri, with her tutorial HERE), and I love putting them on just about everything!! :)  I also added a few of my little flower embellishments...

I covered a plain white gift bag with a sheet of 7.5"x 10" decorative paper that coordinated with the green ribbon on the rosette -- This is a fun way to turn a plain gift bag into something much prettier!! :)

I made a quick gift tag to add to the jar of fruit spread (this happens to be one of my favorite flavors and is made by an Amish family not far from my home)...  I covered the top of the jar with some red cardstock and white tulle, then wrapped the green ribbon around the edge.  My "Today is your day!" (perfect for a birthday or other occasion) is from the "Positive Thoughts" Stamp Art Set from K Andrew Designs...  And there you have it!!  I hope you have enjoyed my project to celebrate Becky's Birthday FUN!! :)

Thank you SO much to all of my fabulous friends and followers who are helping to make this such a WONDERFUL hop!! I can't begin to tell you how much your visits mean to me!! Now.... Before I send you off to your next stop on the hop... What's a hop without some CANDY??? I have one of these red polka dot rosettes with stick pins and a sleeve of my favorite handmade flower embellishments (like the ones found on the rosette!) to send out 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's on your Birthday Wish List?"
• Receive a BONUS chance when you "Like" the Love To Crop! Facebook Page!! -- 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 Thursday, September 1st to see if you are a winner. No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

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

Now you can hop on over to your next stop: Kimmarie!! 

I'll bet she has something WONDERFUL to share!!

Here's a list of the entire hop, in case you get lost along the way or want to revisit anyone:

*** Please note that the following links will take you directly to each participants post in case you're joining the hop later in the week!! ***

1. Becky at Becks Cricards  The BIRTHDAY GIRL!! :)
2. Amy :) at Love To Crop!  You are HERE!! :)
3. Kimmarie at Kimmarie's Korner  Go here NEXT!!
4. Dandy at Dandylicious Creates
5. Kathy at Kathy and Kids
6. Nicole at Canadian Nickel Scrap'n
7. Gill at Creations by Gill M
8. Kristy at Scraptastical Creations
9. Nicolette at Beyond Scrapin'
10. Momo at Made by Momo
11. Sylvia at Bella Scrapbook Designs
12. Faith at Faithfule Creations
13. Paula at More Than Favors
14. Ashley at The Glamorous Side of Scrapping
15. Haidee at **created2Bunique**
16. Gina at California Scrappin'
17. Sue at Scrappin' Dhilly
18. Stephanie at Always Crafting
19. Linda at Linda's Crafty Piece of Heaven
20. Misty at The Daily Scrapper
21. Wendy at Nana's World
22. Erica at My Cricut Craft Room

Until next time,

It's A Jungle Out There!! Challenge Time!! :)

Happy Fabulous Friday, Friends!! :)  The weekend is upon us...  Have you had a SUPER week???  As many of you are aware, The-Girl-Child packed up and followed The-Boy-Child off to college yesterday -- I'll admit, I'm still in denial, but I might be handling it a bit better than The-Toby-Dog...  He curled up and slept at the front door all day yesterday...  He wasn't up for his usual treats or jaunts outside...  Isn't it amazing how your pets just "know"???

Since it's a FANTASTIC Friday, AND it's time for a NEW challenge here at Love To Crop!...  I thought we could celebrate all things wonderful and fun about some of my favorite animals...  So pull out your animal print papers and ribbons, add an animal image, or show us your own interpretation of "It's A Jungle Out There!!"

For a little inspiration, I have one of my very special friends and an incredible creation of hers to share with you....

Brenda from Creativity is only a State of Mind created this fabulous elephant sign...  If you're looking for some nifty creations with all kinds of different mediums, I'd love for you to visit my friend, Brenda...  I happened across Brenda's blog some time ago and was immediately amazed at all the incredible ideas she had!!  Little did I know that at some point down the road, we would be on the Getting Cricky Design Team together!!  I've so enjoyed getting to know Brenda -- She's such a loyal and caring friend...  If you haven't visited her before, I hope you'll click here and pop on over to become a follower of hers -- I know you won't be disappointed, and if you leave her a comment letting her know that you're stopping there from here, well I'll just have to do a drawing for a little goodie for someone who does!! :)

To follow up Brenda's incredible inspiration, here is a card from me...

And a few of my friends from the zoo wanted me to tell you that they hope to be a little inspiration for you too!!

Each of these photos was taken during our trip to the ZOO this past Monday (another last minute "Let's spend the day together" idea from The-Girl-Child!!)...  Thank you to my favorite zoo animal friends for inspiring today's challenge!!  I hope you'll join in with any animal-themed project (card, layout, altered art -- your choice!)!!  Please remember to mention the challenge and include a link to Love To Crop! in your post when linking up...  Can't wait to see what you create!! :)

** Cricut Cardz Challenge is ALSO having a challenge for "It's a Jungle Out There" until Tuesday, August 30th, so be sure to link up there as well!!  I was tickled to get to enter my Monkey card there too!! :)

Oh!!  One more thing -- YES, there will be a WINNER who will receive a little something-something from me -- And I have winners to announce from my last challenge PLUS some recent blog hops -- Those are all coming this weekend (sorry -- it's been a little hectic with the kiddos getting ready for school).  I will update this post with the last challenge winner too!! :)  Thanks!!

Decorate To Celebrate: Challenge #7 -- Wedding, Engagement, or Bridal Shower: Decorative Glass Block!! :)

Welcome to another WONDERFUL Wednesday!! :)  I would like to thank both my new followers and friends as well as my 'seasoned' followers and friends -- I look forward to your visits -- I invite you to leave a comment with a link to YOUR blog (if you have one), so that I may come and visit you too!! :)

Today is the start of Challenge #7 at the Decorate To Celebrate!! Challenge Blog!!  The theme for this challenge is WEDDINGS, ENGAGEMENTS, and BRIDAL SHOWERS!!  So we want to see all of your decorations and party supplies celebrating everything fantastic about the UNION of two people in LOVE!!  :)

Recently, I was asked to create one of my lighted glass blocks (or Ice Lights as my mom sometimes refers to them) for a 25th Wedding Anniversary...  25 years is a wonderful thing to celebrate, so I was extremely pleased to add some extra special touches to one of my blocks perfect for the Decorate To Celebrate!! Challenge this week!! :)

I hand-piece many of the flowers on my glass blocks...  I also hand-painted the pips on this one so that they would be white and sparkly next to the silver ribbon!! :)

A few well-placed gems and silver balls add just a touch of sparkle perfect for the Silver Anniversary theme...

I added a handmade tag (embossed with Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls), complete with a small silver rosette on flowers and two of my handmade stick pins.  I personalized the tag with the married couple's names and wedding date.

I do make these by Special Order for all seasons and holidays, so if you are interested in placing an order for one, please feel free to email me at scrapbookingwithamy at gmail dot com for pricing and shipping information.

Now it's YOUR turn!!  Show us what you've got!! :)  Link up your NEW Wedding, Engagement, or Bridal Shower Themed (or ANY Themed) party project 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:

CallyAnn

Lisa

Raina
Holly
Melissa

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 -- Challenge #27: Circle Card -- Today is your day!! :)

Happy Terrific Tuesday to ya!!  It's another one of my very-most-favorite days, cuz it's time for another challenge at Celebrate The Occasion!  This week, they've asked us to loop round, ring in, wheel over, and orbit by to show you our cards for ANY OCCASION in the shape of a circle (a sphere, an ellipse, a globe!)!! :)  So...  Come on and show us YOUR take on the challenge!!  The AWESOME Design Team has celebrated up another revolution of inspiration for ya, so band together, curve around, and have a ball while you check out the AMAZING circle-shaped creations in store for ya over at Celebrate The Occasion!!

Here's what I made to inspire ya (but don't just stop here, please check out what the rest of Design Team 1 has rounded up just for!!)...

While it's difficult to see, I actually welded two 6" circles together for my card base...  I then added another 6" circle cut with TAFFY pink cardstock to the front so that the flat (fold) edge of the card would not be visible.  I then cut a 5.5" circle from some KRAFT cardstock with a decorative plaid print.  I inked the edges of both circles with Stampin' Up! Creamy Caramel ink and added faux stitching with my Creative Memories brown fine tip pen.  I also cut 6 more little circles (1.25", 1", and 3/4")...  One set from the taffy cardstock, and one set from the kraft cardstock.  I inked the edges and added faux stitching to those as well.

The loop-de-loop punch is from MS Crafts (double loop, I believe the punch is called).  I punched along both edges of a 2" strip of taffy cardstock.  I added a strip of the kraft cardstock to the center of the punched image before adding the raspberry sheer ribbon.  I then made a cluster with the circles, added a loopy bow, three buttons, and two of my handmade stick pins, and then topped it all off with some of my little gemmed flowers.  The sentiment stamp is from the "Positive Thoughts" Stamp Art Set from K Andrew Designs (HEY!! Did you know that Kristal just released three BRAND NEW AWESOME stamps sets???  CLICK HERE for more details)...

I hope that you like my card, but it's even MORE important that my BFF Christi likes it...  You see, I thought that TODAY was her birthday (and I was so on top of things), but her birthday is actually Thursday...  So while I might be ruining the SURPRISE of her card, she doesn't know that I'm sending out this HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTI shout-out to her two days early (this, in itself, is very unusual as I honestly am the WORST at remembering birthdays!!)...  So, Christi...  Just this once I want to be early :)  -- HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  You know I love you more than anything!!  Thank you for always being there for me, for sharing your craft table with me, and for making DQ runs with me!!  I hope your birthday is the very best that it could possibly be, because you deserve nothing less than the ABSOLUTE BEST!!  :)  I'm even including my very-most-favorite birthday song to give you a smile on this special (early) day -- please feel free to read all of this (and play the song too) again on Thursday, so it's extra-official!! :)

If you cannot see the video above, and want to join the Birthday Fun, please CLICK HERE...

So join the circlet of creative friends at Celebrate The Occasion and link up YOUR elliptical project for a chance to WIN this month's PRIZE!!  You have until Sunday, August 28th at 11:59pm to add your hooped, looped, or regular round card with ANY theme into our "CIRCLE CARD" Challenge!!  Hope to see you there!! :)


Until next time,

Find Your Wings Layout -- Kleenex ALERT!! :)

EXTRA!! EXTRA!!  Read all about it!!  I only have a few more days until I am officially joining the ranks of the "Empty Nester's Club"...  I have a few friends out there in Bloggie-Land who are prepared for the rainfall of the century when this happens!!  :)  But before I go on...

Welcome to all of my friends and fabulous followers!!  It's a Sensational Sunday!!  We've been having thunderstorm after thunderstorm it seems, but I think most of you know how I feel about the rain...  If you don't, I'd love for you to CLICK HERE and see why "puddle splashing" is one of my all-time favorite activities!! :)  As it turns out, today has been one of those days where the weather can't quite figure out what it wants to do -- Between each thunderstorm, the sun comes out (well, at the moment, the rain is pouring down while the sun SHINES and the blue skies are in sight...  It's a rainbow moment!!)... 

I suppose the weather can't quite make up its mind about what its feeling just like I can't make up my mind what I'm feeling this week either!!  As I mentioned, it's about to get very lonely around here...  The-Boy-Child packed up his car last Thursday (he called it 'creative packing', I called it 'creative unloading' as I'm pretty sure it all fell out as soon as he opened any of the doors!!).  The-Girl-Child will be following suit THIS Thursday...  Yes, I'm still in denial.  I try hard not to think too long about it, and I try to remember that I will be fortunate enough to see both of them plenty because of their sports activities (which I do my best to attend as often as possible), but I'm sure that won't stop the waterworks this Thursday. :)  So, like the weather, I'm up, and I'm down.  I'm crying, and I'm laughing.  The good news is that my mother has not left the country as she promised to do (because she was sure I would be unbearable to be around when The-Girl-Child left)!! :)

However, despite the constantly changing emotions (and during the "up" moments), I created this layout...

A few things inspired this layout...  A sketch challenge over at Lasting Memories Layout Challenges, my favorite picture of The-Girl-Child from this year's prom, and the song "Find Your Wings" by Mark Harris (2005).  In 2006, I was introduced to this song when my friend Julie gave me a copy of Mark Harris's CD - "The Line Between The Two"...  I was driving the first time I ever heard this song and I literally had to pull off the road to listen to the song again (and because I was crying so hard).  Everything that I could wish for my children (both gazing at me from the backseat at the time -- watching me sob over the lyrics) was bundled up in this song...  How quickly they grow!!  And how much of ourselves we pour into them with the hope that their lives will be everything they could possibly imagine and dream...

If you cannot see the video above (and trust me, if you have children, you WILL want to see it), please CLICK HERE...

Find Your Wings -- Mark Harris

It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

May passion be the wind
That leads you through your days
And may conviction keep you strong
Guide you on your way
May there be many moments
That make your life so sweet
Oh, but more than memories

I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings

It's not living if you don't reach for the sky
I'll have tears as you take off
But I'll cheer as you fly

As I've watched this mini-version of myself (or so I am told) grow into a beautiful young lady, I have been so amazed and inspired and blessed...  Grounded in her faith, driven by kindness, and eager to make a difference, The-Girl-Child repeatedly causes me to step back and say...  "How did I get to be her mom???"  For those of you wondering, yes, I feel equally blessed to be The-Mom to The-Boy-Child too...  I certainly was fortunate to get the double-whammy of two amazing kiddos -- When they say God opens a window when he closes a door, these two ARE my windows...

Now, this post gets much longer, so for those of you who can't see through the tears anymore, please feel free to ***CLICK HERE TO LEAVE A COMMENT*** so that you can continue with your day (and maybe hug your children)...  I thank you for taking the time to share in this special moment with me, and I'd love to hear your thoughts on the layout and song. :)  For those of you that would like more details on the layout, here ya go:

I followed the sketch and challenge found HERE at Lasting Memories...  In addition to using the sketch, you had to add buttons to your layout -- I almost forgot that little twist and was stressing about not having any 'nice enough' buttons for the layout when I remembered my fantastic little embossed button punch from MS Crafts!!

Earlier this week, I was a Guest Designer for Cooking With Cricut (woot-woot!!), and I showed two layouts, a card, and some vinyl wall art made with the Creative Memories Traveler Cricut Cartridge (available for purchase HERE)...  Well, this is another example of the FABULOUS font you'll find on this cartridge!!  The "WINGS" title was cut at 2" with the "Road Trip" font and shadow layers.  I used my Gypsy to weld the font found on the Songbird Cricut Cartridge for the "find your" and cut that at 1.5".  I embossed all of the letters (and the white square in the background) using my Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder.

Part of the sketch requirement was to use a ribbon across the bottom of the layout...  I used a silver ribbon (67 cent find at Wally-World), but in a different way.  I took a strip of cardstock measuring 3/4"x8" and ran it through my Xyron (doesn't matter if you use a scrap because you will not see it when you are finished).  I then criss-crossed the ribbon up and down across the strip, allowing the folds of the ribbon to overlap and hang off the edges.  I then adhered the strip, with the ribbon attached, to the bottom of the page.  My larger stars were punched with my Creative Memories Embossed Star Maker (available HERE, while supplies last), and I added some of my little stars and punched flowers accented with bling for the cluster of embellishments!! :)

For the song lyrics I typed them (Jester font) into my digital scrapbook software (StoryBook Creator -- Try it HERE for FREE!!) and printed them in BLUE onto a piece of CLOUD cardstock (trimmed to fit my printer).  I then cut a circle around the lyrics with my Creative Memories Jumbo Circle Pattern (red blade) and layered that on a circle cut from the Wishes and Dreams Power Palette (blue blade).

I'm very pleased with how this layout turned out...  Sketches are always a challenge for me, but this one was so much FUN!!  I hope you'll stop over at Lasting Memories to see what everyone else came up with -- You still have time to enter this challenge (and apply for the DT too!!).

One last look...  And, by the way, when The-Girl-Child saw this layout on my desk, she found me in the living room and gave me a GREAT BIG HUG. :)  Talk about WINNING!! :)

Thank you so much for joining me today...  I hope you have enjoyed today's layout and video inspiration.  Please visit again soon!! :)

Have a beautiful Sunday!!  Until next time,

Getting Cricky Ustream Event & Blog Hop -- Have a Brewing Good Time!! :)

*** If you are looking for the "Bucket List" Blog Hop, please CLICK HERE ***

Welcome to the Getting Cricky Ustream Event and Blog Hop where we are showcasing three BRAND NEW sets of K Andrew Design's Stamp Art Sentiment Stamps!

All of the FUN will start RIGHT HERE at the Getting Cricky Ustream Channel at 9pm EST (6pm PST)...  So please click on the link and Join the Getting Cricky Crowd (if you are joining us later, we invite you to watch the recorded version of the Ustream so that you don't miss out on ANY of the EXCITEMENT!)!!




If you're joining us after the Ustream, thank you!!  Each of us on the Design Team, along with our Special Guest - Amanda from Amanda's Crafts and More, are so pleased to have you here with us!!  What an exciting night of NEW RELEASES we've had!!  So let's get HOPPING so we can each show you what we've created using one (or more) of Kristal's NEW stamp sets!!

If you've hopped along from Faith then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start at the beginning with Kristal's blog (you'll want to catch up on all the FUN!!)...

Each of Kristal's stamp sets benefit charity. At least $1 per stamp set goes to benefit the charity noted on the stamp set package. Kristal is donating to the following charities: Cancer Angels, Storefront Shelter for Homeless Children, Intrepid & Fallen Heroes, E. Glaser Pediatric AIDS  Foundation, Doorways Shelter for Women & Children (Domestic Violence), Wayside House for Women, Camp Good Days & Special Times, and Autism Research Institute. Kristal will donate $1 for every stamp set sold, retail or wholesale to the charity noted; and over time believes this will add up to some wonderful miracles for these special people. So you can feel good that each time you purchase a K Andrew Designs art stamp set, someone around the country is receiving some good help!

K Andrew's stamps are all made and assembled here in the USA, which is very important to Kristal. This ensures all product materials are safe and that jobs are being provided and maintained here in America.  You can learn even more about Kristal's stamps (and pick some up for yourself) by visiting her online store: K Andrew Designs:




Tonight on the Ustream, you saw previews for THREE brand new sets!!  Weren't they wonderful???

For my project, I'd like to share the "Coffee & Tea For You & Me" set...

benefits Wayside House for Women

This is a Mix-n-Match set, so you have SO many options for phrases!!  Even though when I first saw this one, I knew that I wanted it for some Coffee, Tea, and Me cards, I wanted to show the versatility of this set for the BIG release!! :)  The original card I made is a.....  Get ready for it.....  Can you believe it????  It's a Halloween card!!

Maybe I've had Shakespeare's Three Witches on the brain lately ("Double, double, toil and trouble"), but when I saw the 'Brewing' stamp, I just KNEW that I had to make a card with a cauldron. :)

The cauldron and the frame are both from the Happy Hauntings Cricut Cartridge.  I embossed the background cardstock and the bubbling bubbles in the cauldron with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder.  The eerie green steam escaping from the pot is embossed with my Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls folder and generously covered with iridescent stickles.

Since my card base was black, I lined the inside with some orange decorative paper and added some of those eerie green bubbles from the concoction in the cauldron...  What a treat it'll be to receive this card of tricks, eh?

Earlier today, we were graced with a big ole thunderstorm that knocked out the electricity!!  So armed with only my smarty-phone and a fully charged laptop (and a funny DVD), I was kickin' it old school and made these sweet little coffee favors too...

My little Keurig K-cups are the perfect favors for weekend crops, right???  Cuz at 4am, who doesn't need a cuppa joe to perk up???  :)

Super simple to make and so much fun to receive...  Simply wrap the K-cups in tulle, tie it closed with a ribbon, add your stamp and bling to pre-cut tags (I have a ton of these on hand -- cut at 1" with the Plantin SchoolBook Cricut Cartridge, but you could easily cut these with a trimmer), two little handmade stick pins, and you are ready to gift your co-workers and friends with a BOOST of energy!! :)

Thank you SO much to all of my fabulous friends and followers who are helping to make this such a WONDERFUL hop!!  I can't begin to tell you how much your visits mean to me!!  Now....   Before I send you off to your next stop on the hop...  What's a hop without some CANDY???  I have a *surprise package of goodies* to send out 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 New Release Stamp Set tonight?"!! 
• Receive a BONUS chance when you "Like" the Love To Crop! Facebook Page!! (Click HERE, then leave me an extra comment for your bonus chance!) 
• Additionally, if you are the FIRST ONE (Jamie was first) to correctly tell me which Shakespeare play I referred to in my post above,  I'll send you your choice of the card from my post OR the coffee favors...  :)  For anyone who correctly answers after the first person, you'll get a BONUS chance in the candy drawing. :)

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, August 23rd to see if you are a winner.  No captcha here, so commenting is quick and easy!! :)

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

Thanks again for checking out my projects!! :)

Now you can hop on over to your next stop: Janis ......

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