[Connie's] Birthday Bash Blog Hop!

Welcome to the 

Birthday Bash Blog Hop

We hope you are ready to celebrate Birthdays with the biggest Bash around!!
This hop is full of Balloons, Cake, Presents, Smiles and more!
So let's make a wish and blow out the candles
as we celebrate another year of birthdays!! 

  You should have arrived Shannon H.
If you just happened upon this spectacular hop, Connie Can Crop is the first stop in this hop. 

This is a one day blog hop, but you have until Sunday to finish hopping and leaving your comments for all of these amazing crafters.

We have an awesome sponsor for this month!

One lucky winner will get to choose two Bundles or files of their choice ($6.00 value)

Please visit Miss Kate Cuttables HERE

Follow their blog HERE

you can find them on facebook HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday 3/15/17

at Connie Can Crop.
Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

OMG! My friend Connie is.... (shhhh.... $&!!!!) and if you can't figure that out... look at the corresponding numbers on a "normal" computer keypad... and that's a good age, too! Because... that's what I'll be later this year! So... HAPPY BITHDAY, CONNIE!!!!

I made... a card... hmm... I really tried to use something else. I did a "gatefold" type. I'm not sure I did the "3-way" dies right... But, YOU can take a look for yourself and see...

I had a 1/2 sheet of cardstock, scored it at 2-1/8", then flipped it and repeated. Really flipped it because I didn't want to do the math. It worked out just fine... And I was starting with this die and this paper (my LAST bit of THAT paper... so I had to make it work...).

I ran it through a total of 4 times (2 on each flap side) and had to do that... because it didn't fully cut through (you'll see that later...).

Don't do THIS at home... (if you're going to use a paper as a backing... be sure to apply adhesive to the DECORATED SIDE!!!)

Ummm... Spectrum Noire Glitter Pens go through TWO layers of cardstock. 

Use it sparingly...

The dies probably cut much better if you empty them out of their previous cuts' little tiny pieces. I was a tad on the lazy side that day..

And Voila! There you have it...
Be careful with wild brush pens, as they are likely to go WILD and do their own thing... No... my kid DID NOT color this. I did. Um... Yes... I need A LOT
more practice... but... I've said that before...

 Up next is Marji!

Here's our line up in case you get lost:

Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com

Michelle- https://michellekinder.blogspot.com/

Holli- http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com/
Kim- http://katydidcards.com

Sandy- http://simplycraftycreationsbysandys.blogspot.com/

Amanda- http://salnclts76.blogspot.com/
Rebecca- http://rebeccaanndesigns.com/

Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/

Sue- http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
Angela- mermaidsnmonograms.blogspot.com

Shannon M- https://my-o-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Miranda- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/

Ashley-  http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
Christi- https://tranquility1905.blogspot.com/
Shannon H- http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com/
Lisa- http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/

Marji- http://fstampaholic.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to check out this month's new challenge at Connie Can Crop!!

Connie Can Crop Challenge #56

Sketch Challenge

due 11:59 P.M., Friday, March 31st, 2017

Pacific Time

A Year of Card Techniques - (December - Metallic)

If you intended to get to the Holiday Magic Blog Hop, you can check out our latest technique, or just click here to move on (but you're always welcome back!).
Welcome to... 

Can you believe it's month twelve of a Year of Card Techniques?

Here are the links in case you missed a month:
January HERE            February HERE            March HERE            April HERE           
May HERE                 June HERE                   July HERE                August HERE
September HERE       October HERE              November HERE

Be sure you've hopped and commented on each month for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Stampin Up or Blitsy.com. (Winner's Choice)

This last month of the year, we are focusing all our attention on metallics, whether it's foil, embossing powder, inks or cardstock, anything metallic and since it's December we just had to make it holiday too.

Now on with the projects.

Now... don't go getting excited. I didn't get far with this. My water spilled all over my table, getting my Scor Tape and this really cool (and kind of expensive... to me) foil wet. Lesson. Put your beverage, whatever it may be AWAY from your workspace or maybe drink wine while you work. I believe I may never have put that darned glass down, had it been wine...

But, all is well. My daughter needed a birthday card. The little girl (not so little... she's almost 12!) has her birthday 3 days away from Christmas! So... I started with these items. (Thank you, Anna Griffin kits!!!)

I love that these Anna Griffin things (from HSN) no... this isn't an advertisement!!!! have almost everything you need! This silver element made the perfect banner for the card.

There always something to play with, whether it's the positioning or not enough of something...

This one's not enough of something. READ: SOMETHING'S MISSING!!!!

And so... with the added Baker's Twine, I believe it's good! Super Duper simple! and easier than all getouts, since I still haven't plugged in my machines upon my return (omg... it was back in the beginning of LAST month!!! I have to get moving and get stuff unpacked!!!) from the Scrapbook Expo (where I got the original foil I was going to use...!

And that's that! Ok... so it's not quite Christmas, but... I forgot it was supposed to be I figured you all might be inundated with everything Christmas and thought I'd throw this in the mix!

Please be sure to come back and visit us next year, where we have a whole 'nother Year of Card Techniques for us you to learn! And with that being said... here is the final lineup of the year (for the Year of Card Techniques, of course! because we all know I can't shut up...):

Theresa

Lisa (You are HERE!)

Kim (Up Next...)

Jearise

Sharon

Claudia

Amanda

Debbie

30th Anniversary of Connie's Sweet 16 Birthday Blog Hop

 

Welcome to the 

30th Anniversary of 

Connie's Sweet 16 Birthday Blog Hop

We are so delighted you are joining us to celebrate Connie's Birthday!! We will be showcasing projects centered around, you guessed it, birthdays! 

 Connie Can Crop is the first stop in this hop. This is a one day blog hop and we appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these amazing crafters.

We have several awesome sponsors for this hop! 

And a freebie for everyone at the end!

One lucky winner will win 2 free files from Miss Kate Cuttables.

 

One lucky winner will win these awesome goodies from Connie's Crafty Cart.

 

And

Everyone can win this cute Birthday cut file for free. After you hop and leave a comment on all the blogs, send Connie a message on FB or via email conniecancrop@yahoo.com and she will send you the Free SVG from Paper Crafting World.

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 10 pm Wednesday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday 3/16/16 at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

  

Did you know...? Connie shares her birthday month and Zodiac sign with Girl Scouts of America!

And all most of us Girl Scouts are out there selling cookies during this time of year, whether we are at a booth or even door-to-door. And... we get "marketing tools" to help us sell and reach our goals. (I say "we" because you know it's not just the girls... Their parents are out there, right along with them. What kind of parents would we be if we let our kids roam the streets... alone?

So... I picked up these little gems at the Girl Scout Store. Not "priceless..." with the total cost for 3 discs and 6 overly large cookie boxes being $50. YIKES!

And the girls used them. Cute, huh? But... it just wasn't quite enough for the big birthday coming up... and it didn't quite attract enough attention. So... I needed to bling them up!

And I did... only that stuff got absolutely EVERYWHERE. In their hair, in their faces, in their eyes... OUCH!, all over the car... You get the picture.

So, I sealed all that glitter so the above incidences never happen again with Mod Podge. Please do not call it "Modge Podge." There is no "ge" at the end of the "Mod." Just a teeny weeny pet peeve of mine... and lots of other crafters and non crafters alike.

And voila! Here we have 3 2-sided discs, each with a glitter-surrounded cookie in the middle. Makes ya want one, huh? I also had punched two holes on each side and threaded ribbon for reversible handles, so the girls wouldn't get hands all over the cardboard. I mean... who the heck likes paper cuts? They happen, you know...

Then to make a banner... I broke out my We R Memory Keepers Banner Punchboard. FYI... the only thing you punch on that is the holes to thread the line through... So why the heck they call it a "punch board" I will never EVER know. and some white and green cardstock. Sliced it in half... and went to town.

I totally love how it all fits in there and the magnets that hold the paper in, once the top part is folded down. AWESOME!

And that it cuts THREE different shapes! Woohoo! Easy! (I only used two, though... the Pendant [triangular] and the Flag [the one above... that's the bottom. The top is squared.].

The punch... can punch 2-3 sheets of cardstock at time! Makes it all a bit easier!

Don't ask... the girls picked "pink glitter" for the lettering. Totally wouldn't be my first choice. Or my last, either.

Here's pink on green... Ugh. Ugh.

And pink on white. Did I ever tell any of you... I really REALLY don't like pink?

 

Well... I only did two letters. The banner alternates green and white (Girl Scout colors, yo!) and pendant and flag. It will spell out H-A-P-P-Y B-D-AY G-S-A! (Girls Scouts America!), but... I figured the girls need to do some decoration-making. Afterall, it IS supposed to be girl-led. And they we will be wearing some cutesie party hats and other fun stuff... Nonetheless, I'm hoping that since we do have a booth on the GSA b-day... Our girls will sell LOTS of cookies!

 

And btw by the way, in case you don't know that by now because... some people (like my husband) just don't know... what did I actually do for Connie? Well... I'm hoping she's having a grand ole time visiting sunny Florida and she can tell me how very different it is from sunny Southern California when she comes back. But... she did ask me for the Frogger card I made earlier this month. And me being "almost" the same age as her yes... I'm the younger version! lol!, I mailed it to her! Woohoo! Enjoy the 80's, Connie! Have a brilliant birthday and let your Sweet 16 Self Rock On!

 

 Up next is Holli! Give her a "Holla!!!!"

Here's our line up in case you get lost.

Connie- www.conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Kim - http://katydidcards.com
Veronica- http://Vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
Amanda-http://salnclts76.blogspot.com
Sarah - www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
Janet - http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com
Alicia - http://www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com
Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com
Angela- http://www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
Lyne- http://lynnseverydayideas.blogspot.com
Barbara-http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Michelle- www.michellekinder.blogspot.com
Ashley- marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
Shawnee-http://sunshinythought.com
Daphne- craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
Holli- http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com

 

Angela's Birthday Blog Hop

Welcome to Angela’s Birthday Hop! So glad you can join us! 14 super crafty girls would like to share with you their birthday creations. Hopefully this will give you all some inspiration to make something for that upcoming birthday!

If you came from Shawnee, then your in the right spot! If not, please start at the beginning at Angela's!
...

For today's hop, Angela is giving away a fun birthday package! All you have to do to win is like and comment all 14 of us!
The photo wouldn't save here for some oddball Blogger reason, so for this moment only, please use your imagination. This is the blingy birthday package she has up for the winner!
Jaded Blossom Birthday Splatter Stamp
Recollections rhinestone embellishment
Recollections purple burlap
Basic Grey 6x6 Shine On paper pack
Mon Ami Gabby diamond mesh

Angela is a very creative lady. I often "hop" with her... Never met her in person, but I suspect she's a pretty cool gal in real life. So, when she decided to host a Birthday Hop, I asked if I could join in! And... here we go!

Angela's blog is creatively called 3*Crazy*Monkeys... so what better of a bday card for the bday girl than a little monkey business?!? Here's a little cut... I moved the bits about at the mat point, so it would fill in the spaces of some scrap paper I had... (these little guys were originally put together by the program).

See the gaps I had to fill? Yes... I save every. flippin'. scrap. of. paper.

Ok... so I didn't realize until I'd gotten here, but it's flipped a bit. Get over it. See how well it's all filled in? Use those scraps! Save a tree or part of one! Oh my... we need some color here...

The cut (from the Cricut) only has one monkey... but uh... she's got three... so I obliged.

And here... a totally non-PC song was going through my head (to the tune of "3 Little Indians"... You know... that song that's "not" allowed anymore in kindergarten? One Little...

... Two Little...

... Three Little Monkeys...

They're so cute! See how I mad them kinda sorta hold hands? You know... Like all good siblings do...

Wow. I don't like it. It has to go! But I did leave the pretty vellum piece on the back...

*Note to self* Darkness can't be worked in. Be sure to move about the craft room on a regular basis. You know there is a timer on a motion-sensor light. Because your handy dandy husband didn't want you to leave the craft room light on all the time. and THIS could happen...

I water-colored the vine. Next time... I'd do that first!

Added some Stickles, slapped down the sentiment piece... and there we have it!

I'm the last bit in the line of wonderful crafters for this hop, but if you missed anyone, feel free to hop to where you missed or start at the beginning with Ms. Angela! Hope you had a good time (and hope Angela has an AWESOME Birthday!). Please don't forget to leave a comment...

Here's the full lineup:
Angela (The Birthday Girl! - be sure to wish her a Happy Birthday, when you stop by!)

Kim

Michelle

Veronica

Miranda (Nana)

Sandy

Holli

Jessica

Amanda

Connie

Daphne
Shawnee
Me! <==== You are here!

Guest Designer at Connie Can Crop: February Challenge - I Do! (Wedding or Blingy... You Choose!)

So... I'm having a Virgin moment... I am a first-time VIRGIN! guest designer over at Connie Can Crop. and just so you know... I'm her first, too! So... does that mean we had a double-virgin? I'll take that with sugar on the rim, no salt please. Trying to watch my sodium intake in my margaritas nowadays.

Connie does a monthly challenge, and February's challenge is "I Do!" We were to do something either wedding themed get it? "I Do!"? duh... but me? I had invitations to make. My youngest kiddo turned 11 at the very end of January, but circumstances never allow us to have a party for her that particular weekend. So... we usually do something the day before Super Bowl never on SuperBowl Sunday; that would be totally un-American! This year, she wanted to have a roller-skating party. And so... we did. I was a tad late on the invites, as I was having slight difficulties which turned out to be user/interpreter error: read: I was reading it all wrong! and had to get those resolved on the Brother front.

 

Moving on... First thing's first. Had to design a skating boot. Way back in the day, when I did a set of these, I truly did design my own. Nifty Fifties (by Cricut) wasn't out yet (that's where I got the skate/boot!). I created a skate and boot from a hiking boot (from a camping cartridge, I think) and added circles (wheels!). lol. But... with the Cricut Explore Air (and the subscription), there are so many more possibilities and less work, which makes more time for me to play! and I found he perfect one.

 

I cut everything out individually... and inked or colored or Gelato'ed it all while on the mat(s). Heck ya! I had to make 15 of these babies, and I wasn't about to put them all individually down and ink them to have them slide all over the place. Remember, the mats are sticky. Things stay in place. DO NOT TAKE THE NEGATIVE PAPER (IOW: Don't weed out your design!) BEFORE INKING OR COLORING. You don't want to get the mat dirty with your colors and potentially take away the "stick."

and if you're looking at the dates I have written down on each mat, I date everything. Just so I know how long something lasted. (It's an OCD-analytical-mind thing. And it works for me. Don't judge.

Those Gelatos go on SOOOO smooth. I just love them. The pics look a tad yellowish, but trust me. That is white.

On to the Brother Scan N Cut 2. I love this machine. (Love the Explore Air, too! I'm giving love to almost all my machines today... I handwrote this... scanned it, and cut it. Then I did it all over again, because the OCD in me didn't like the separation of the "Skate" and "Celebrate". It left WAY too much space between and didn't feel like a full element to me. Yes, I'm a slight perfectionist with flaws. I love for things to be homemade and have a slight imperfection, but the imperfection that of my choosing.

So... like I said. I did it again. and copied it. and copied it. and copied it. and copied it... you get the picture, right? I copied it 11 times, to get 12 total. I tried to copy it on the machine itself, but it separates out the writing from the background. IOW... I couldn't figure out the dang thing, so I gave up and did it a way I could figure out, as I was spending WAY too much time trying to figure it out.

And just so you know... this would scan into the Brother... but wouldn't save. It said there was "too much of a pattern." So, I kept trying... by taking out one pattern piece at a time. It would finally save at 8 pattern pieces. And this... is the final cut. YAY!

See how delicate and detailed it is? So cool!

And after all the layers (of the skate and boot), this is what we've got...

Super lovin' it! I'm not a pink person... but my kid is. And she wanted super glitter, too... but I decided against it, as she was inviting boys, too... and these boys aren't the glittery kind.

But me and the OCD just needed something else... it was missing... Wink of Stella on the snowflakes! And so... I obliged. Still totally loving the stuff and getting the hang of it so much easier! and yes... I finally bought the full-color pack! Can't wait to play with all that.

And... the final invitation in all it's glittered glory.

And the whole lot of them. Because you know I love my kid.

You can see... In my own way, I said, "I Do!" to my kid. And "I DID!" her invitations. Haha! I'd totally do it again. She loves them... and so did everyone else.

 

The party? Yep. It was great. Only a few knew how to skate at the beginning, but by the end... no one wanted to leave. I think it's a keeper!

 

Thanks for visiting. I sure hope you enjoyed the Virgin Territory my Guest Designer Stint. Please don't forget to visit Connie Can Crop and check on her other designers. She always has lots of fabulous people doing fabulous things. Feel free (and you know you're appreciated) to comment at the bottom. I always love to hear from you! Enjoy your day, and think about what YOU say, "I Do!" to!