My CHA Core'dinations Shares!

Hey there!  As I await the results of whether or not I shall remain on the Core'dinations Cardstock Design Team, I thought I would finally share my layouts that were displayed at the Winter CHA Tradeshow in Anaheim back in January.  I previously tried to upload my pictures before but Blogger was being a real bugger that day and wouldn't let me share pix. I really loved what I was able to create for the event so I don't want to miss out on sharing them here on my blog.  Oh, how I wish I had been there... but one day I hope to experience CHA in persona and in full sensory mode, lol! 

This first page I am showing wasn't actually displayed at the Core'dinations booth but rather it was created for a "Core'dinations Scrapbook" which was gifted to Anthony, Core's Creator and Director. 

 

Please click on any of these pictures to view them larger and in more detail. 

Here I used a combination of Black Magic, Whitewash and Vintage Core... all favorite collections!  The diecut design was cut with the Cricut Paper Lace cartridge. 

 

 

 

This is my first page I did for CHA featuring the Core Essentials Pastels collection!  I really liked the end result of the torn edges which were also stitched together to form the background.

 

"Ribbons In the Sky"

 

 

I also included some embellished areas on the cardstock with some vintage embossing powders from Stampendous!  I thought it added the perfect accenting for this... as well as all the wonderful diecutting added using the Cricut Ashlyn's Alphabet cartridge.

 

 

 

Next up... a page with the ever so fabulous Glitter Silk!   This glitter cardstock is all that's needed besides some wonderful photos to make a page SHINE!

 

 

 The canvas leaves and florals are by Prima, and I misted them with pink and green Glimmer Mist sprays.  I punched the bees out from black and yellow Glitter Silk using a Martha Stewart punch and the title was cut out using the Art Nouveau Cricut cartridge. 

 

 

 

And the final page I did was one to feature the Tim Holtz Kraft Core Shattered collection which made it's debut at CHA.  I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Shattered line of Core. It can be used for so much more besides vintage! 

 

 

I used the Teresa Collins Sophisticated Cricut cart to cut out the "Beautiful" and flower cuts.  Also used a flower edge punch of Martha's and some embellishments and twine from Queen & Co. 

 

So there they are and I'm so glad I was finally able to share them.  Core'dinations just makes scrapping so easy and fun... their cardstock quality really is the cream of the crop! 

Hope you'll visit me again soon! 

 

My Core'dinations Creative Frenzy... 2013!

It's that time already!  Where has it all gone?  All along I've been blissfully creating with my beloved Core cardstock and truthfully... I don't EVER want it to end.  But, there is a new Design Team call happening and I need to... I MUST, re-apply.  Like I said, I never want it to end!  Core'dinations cardstock is the first supply I think about or touch when it's time for me to get my craft on, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Seriously, it's that good!

Sooo, here we go... a look at what all I've created lately using many of my favorite Core'dinations collections.

 

This first project came about as wanting to create something special for two of my dear friends who've recently lost their mothers this past year.  I wanted to send them each something, "more than a card"... something that they both could keep around nearby as a token of remembrance.  This is how the embellished Angel Wings ornament came to be. 

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother!",  is a quote from Abraham Lincoln, that I instantly knew needed to be written on these wings.  For this project I used pink cardstock from the Core Essentials Pastels collection as well as Snowflake White Core Essentials.  I must say that Core'dinations is the perfect weight of cardstock to bedazzle with glitter.  The texture of the cardstock creates a perfect surface for holding super chunky glitter like the vintage Diamond Dust glass glitter I've used here. 

 

These wings were die cut using the Cricut Picturesque cartridge.  I distressed the edges of the pink layers a bit before applying the glitter, and the edges of the white layers were inked with a soft gray ink to give them some definition.

 

I only hope these wings of remembrance will serve their purpose and will be well loved in their new homes!

 

Next up is a card that I had so much fun creating... and yess, it is loaded with yummy, gorgeous Core.  I've used Vintage Core, Gemstones, some Core Impressions Basic Grey Ornate collection, David Tutera Celebrate A7 Embossed Floral layers, as well as a smidge of Whitewash and White Smooth texture cardstock... all on one card! 

 

 

I've always loved the look of peacocks!  Their feathers are so majestic.  Sometimes it's all about choosing the perfect Core for a project that you want to be "just right", ya know?!  The Gemstones Core collection with all it's glitz and sheen seems to me to be the ultimate look for creating a design featuring a peacock.  The Gemstones surface even takes well to inks and sprays which is also really cool.  Here I sprayed some gold Perfect Pearls spray from Ranger onto the feathers, giving them an even more intensified color and visual interest.  I used the Cricut Give A Hoot cartridge to cut the body of the peacock from some Whitewash and Basic Grey Ornate Core Impressions for the top layer.  I sanded the embossed texture and then inked the edges of the teal cardstock with a green ink to highlight and add variation.  The feathers were cut using the Sentimentals Cricut cartridge.  For the background layers I used 2 of the floral embossed A7 layers from the David Tutera Celebrate line from Core'dinations.  The magenta piece I used full size, but used the reverse debossed side and layered a dark teal piece on top which was cut down smaller and sanded.  It's always so amazing to me that a project like this card, with the exception of a few embellishments can be created from cardstock only and look SOOO decorative.  I love that about Core'dinations cardstock... no patterned paper neccessary!

 

Here's one more photo of the delicious details... I even dressed it up with some gorgeous May Arts Ribbon! 

 

 

 

 

For my last share, I did some experimenting with Core on a scrapbook page.   See, I've had this nifty little tool to use with my Cricut for some time now, and I finally decided to give it a try. Not sure why I waited so long. It's an Engraving Tip by Chomas Creations and it goes directly into a Cricut machine in place of the Cricut blade holder.  The tip of the engraver is made of a very hard carbide which can engrave, or etch into surfaces such as metal sheets, acrylic, plastic sheets, clear transparencies AND even Core'dinations Cardstock!  The result, is a fabulous, clean etched design onto your cardstock surface.  This tool will NOT cut through your surface, rather "engrave" a fantastic design.  I'll tell you... it works like a dream and I love this tool!  So here is my background that I etched onto a sheet of brown French Roast Core Essentials cardstock with a repeated quadrafoil design.  This design can be found on the Cricut Paper Lace cartridge. 

 

You can see it left a perfect pattern on the surface of the cardstock.  This can now be manipulated, sanded and inked as I have done here on my layout.  I distressed the edges of the piece by sanding a bit more before mounting onto a larger sheet of green cardstock from the Tim Holtz and Ranger Distress collection.  I then replaced the engraving tip with the original Cricut blade and repeated the same pattern on a sheet of green from the Tim Holtz Kraft Core Shattered collection.  I took several of the die cut green quadrafoils and adhered them to the brown cardstock sheet with foam dimensional adhesive directly over the corresponding etched shapes in an alternating pattern. 

 

 

To finish this page I cut out the title using the Cricut Teresa Collin's Sophisticated cartridge, from some brown Shattered cardstock and Smooth textured Kraft.  To add the perfect complimenting details to this cardstock creation, I used a burlap Prima flower, some jute twine, green crinkled May Arts ribbon and a Recollections butterfly button and resist tag.  I really like the results of the engraving technique and I know I will be using this fabulous tool for much, much more.  I think this is easily a tool that any crafter who breathes cardstock would love to have.

 

 

Well I do hope you've enjoyed my little journey of cardstock projects that I've so lovingly shared here with you all!  There is just so much that can be done and accomplished in creating with Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock!  I've loved my time designing with this fabulous brand and I'm sure I've only scratched the surface of what all can be done!

Fun Announcement!

Hi all!  I have such a fun announcement to blurt out today, AND a fun share! 

I am excited that I have been added to the  Design Team of a fabulous little Etsy shop and creative blog... The Curtsey Boutique (Shop and Blog)!  If you are a fan of sweet, vintage and shabby-chic, you really need to check out what all the Curtsey Boutique has in store.  I believe you will fall in love with all the cute hand-crafted elements!  Today the shop's blog featured my very first project and tutorial and I would love for you all to check it out and comment (there and here) to let me know how I did for my very first go of it!  ;)  HERE is the blog post!  I'm not going to go into depth here with the tutorial since it can be seen on the Curtsey blog, but I will share the picture here of the finished card.  Since St. Patty's day is coming up, I went with that theme.  I paired my green up with some lovely "SPRING" yellow!  Anything to set that spring mood of course! ;) 
 

 

 

The elements I used on here from the Curtsey Boutique include the hand-dyed yellow doilies, the seam binding and the green pearlized heart pin.  The green seam binding was originally white but I sprayed it with some wonderful Fairy Green Glimmer Mist!  You can see I also packed this card with loads of wonderful new Core cardstock too...the fabulous NEW Tim Holtz Shattered collection, as well as some beautiful softer shades of yellow and green from the current Graphic 45 Signature Series in Lights!  My die cuts were cut from Cricut cartridges. I used the Paper Lace cart to cut out a heart shape... I used 3 different hearts pieced together to form a clover design.  Then I also used the Teresa Collin's Sophisticated cart to create the banner to house the sentiment which I stamped on with Vintage Photo Tim Holtz Distress ink. 

 

So there you have it... my first design for Curtsey Boutique!  I'm hoping you liked it and that you'll go check out the shop!  There are tons of beautiful goodies in there to spark your creativity!

And, one more thing before I forget to mention... my favorite company to design for is now hosting an open Design Team call!

 

  Yesss... that's right, Core'dinations is having a new designer call and you do not want to miss out on this fabulous opportunity.  Believe me when I say, this is one design team that I DO NOT WANT TO GIVE UP... like EVER!! So now maybe your chance.  Break out that Core and create in a frenzy!  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the week :)

Cupcake Inspirations Challenge with Core!

Hey there! The Cupcake Inspirations Challenge Blog currently has a fun challenge underway at their site and it's exciting because Core'dinations also happens to be their sponsor for the week too!

Here's the inspiration...

 

I fell in love with this color combo and decided to create a "Hello" tag, drawing from both the colors AND the fluffy texturing of the frosting as my inspiration. 

Lotsa texture created on here with Core cardstock in both the Pastel collection and the Tim Holtz Distress collection, embossing (Lifestyle Crafts - Floral Set folders), inking (Tim Holtz/Ranger), dimensional tape, vintage glitter (Stampendous! and Diamond Glass) and ribbon (May Arts)!

 

Both the bird/branch and butterfly die cuts were made with the Cricut Picturesque cartridge.

 

Thanks for stopping by and I do hope you will take some time to create something beautiful this week with this inpiration piece!

Core Is Hoppin' with Hampton Art!

That's right!  We have been blog hoppin' ALL week long with Hampton Art and it's been so much fun!  I hope that you have been greatly inspired as I have and I am happy to have you visiting me here today with my project too!  Hampton Art has loads of fun stamp offerings and of course stamping is a favorite technique to use with all our fabulous Core cardstock collections. 

Here's the line-up... but, if you are just starting the hop today, please find some time to go back and explore the previous days.  You won't be disappointed!

Hampton Art blog: http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Core'dinations blog: http://www.coredinations.com/index.php/cat...scrapbook-blog/

Monday: Adora Concepcion http://adoraconcepcion.blogspot.com/
Beverly Sizemore http://bevscreativepath.blogspot.com/
Debbie Standard http://debbiestandard.blogspot.com/
April Derrick http://memoryvilla.com/blog/

Tuesday: Britt Bass http://pinkpapercrowns.blogspot.com/
Vivian Keh http://contadinak.wordpress.com/
Ellen Sosnoski http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/


Wednesday: Gretchen McElveen http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/
Nina Yang http://waffleflower.com/
Lydia Jackson http://lidibids-scrapnotions.blogspot.com/
Leica Forrest http://10-4livingoutloud.typepad.com/leica_forrest/


Thursday: Gloria Stengel http://gloriascraps.blogspot.com/
Dana Warren http://kraftpaperstamps.blogspot.com/
Debbie Standard http://debbiestandard.blogspot.com/
Melissa Oliveira http://www.bzzyfingers.typepad.com/

Friday: Gini Cagle http://ginicagle.blogspot.com/
Andrea Amu http://imlivinonscraps.blogspot.com/  * You are here... this is ME! *

This stamp set from Hampton Art that I got to use for my project is the "Blossom Sentiments" set by Kelly Panacci.

 It's a very fun and funky flower set that is perfect to design with as we head into Spring.  I was so glad to create something with a Spring vibe to get me away from the Winter blahh hum-drum!

So, I made a flower arrangement to welcome Spring... and let's hope that it is real soon as the good little fella, Phil, predicts!

First, I glued Darice 2 ply jute around a salvaged "bread crumbs" canister.  I diecut 2 " circles from shades of Pastel Core'dinations and then stamped a large floral image onto each with Tuxedo black Memento ink. All these were outlined with a silver Signo pen and colored in with EK Success colored pencils. I sanded around each circle and then sprayed each with Pearl Glimmer Mist. I created the flowers by adhering each of the stamped circles onto a dowel rod for the stem, using Adhesive Dodz by 3L.

These rods were spray painted Apple Green with American Accents by Rust-Oleum. I tied pieces of May Arts ribbons around each flower stem to mimic leaves. I stuffed the can with spanish moss to hold the flowers in place. To complete the project I tied a green mesh bow around the can and accented with a butterfly and tag which were diecut using Cricut Picturesque. Of course I used stamping and a sentiment to complete the look of the tag! 

Well, that is all I have to share for today.  Thanks so much for stopping by and remember to visit and comment on all the other stops along the way.  You just never know when you maybe lucky enough to score a prize! :)  Have a great weekend!

Knock, Knock! Anybody Home?

I bet you all are wondering?  I know... it's been a few months since my last post, and I am sorry about that!  I hate neglecting my blog.  It's actually quite frustrating for me because blogging is an activity that I really enjoy and since I haven't been having the time to blog it only means that I've been having to do alot more of other stuff that I DON'T really enjoy! It also means that the Holidays were quite busy and it all seemed to happen in a whirlwind.  I mean really... is it already 2013?  Geesh! But, I am here now and I am glad to finally be posting again.  I would've posted a bit earlier last night but I have been unlucky enough to have caught the flu this weekend and in all of my couch seclusion, I've gotten swept into an all day Saturday marathon of watching the Food Network and HGTV.  When that happens, not much of anything else gets accomplished.  Maybe you can relate!

So last week all you mega crafters and scrappers out there know that the huge CHA Tradeshow took place in Anaheim, CA!  Everytime these shows roll around I am so envious of you all that get to attend and get to experience the event first hand... to peruse the new products and to meet fellow crafters and manufacturers.  I just keep telling myself one day I will attend, and I really hope I get to do so.  At least every cloud has a silver lining though.  If I couldn't be at CHA, at least some of my creations could be!  I was once again happy to have had a few more projects on display for the Core'dinations booth this Winter show, and of course I really want to share them with you here, BUT Blogger isn't allowing me to upload pictures at the moment!  Arghhh, frustrating!
First of all, Core'dinations in conjunction with Tim Holtz, revealed their latest and greatest new collection called "Kraft-Core Shattered"!  Actually, if you scroll down the page on that link I just gave, you will see my layout... it's the second one over titled, "Beautiful Tokens of Summer". This cardstock is soo cool, and I know you'll want some.  It totally looks like you've crumpled and distressed your cardstock, but it's even better, because although the look is there, absolutely no effort is needed to distress.  It's already done for you and there is a wonderful appearance of texture  without all of the added bulk... couldn't get any better, right?   I also have 3 other pages full of other Core collections that I had at CHA, and I will get back on and post those images too as soon as I can.  Hopefully good ol' Blogger will cooperate with me soon.  If anyone knows what's up and can help me trouble-shoot the photo uploading problem, I would greatly appreciate it!

I have all day Sunday left to relax and try to feel better before heading back to work on Monday.  I sure hope I feel better soon, because I am not liking this soreness in my ribs from coughing and sneezing!  I plan on catching up on some card-making if I feel up to it... fingers crossed!  Hope everyone has a great week ahead of you all and I hope to see all my bloggy friends back here soon.  I will try my best to not be a stranger again, lol! 

 

Welcome to the 2nd Hard Core Crop (Holiday Edition)

Welcome!  I sure hope you are ready to crop your heart out to the Core!

We have a ton of Holiday inspiration headed your way with challenges designed to get your holiday spirits creating, so grab your Core cardstock and all your other scrappy supplies and join us all in the fun this weekend.  Please head over to the Core blog for crop rules. And we have the Facebook HCC crop page HERE for you to chat and hang out with fellow Hard Core Croppers so make sure you head over there, too. You never know when challenges or giveaways will pop up over there!

 

So, we are all officially in holiday mode and who doesn't like to bake or eat some cookies this festive time of the year?  I know I can't wait to be baking my favorites again, and even though there are too many varieties I want to attempt, I ALWAYS start with a classic... CHOCOLATE CHIP!  And with that said, I am offering you all up a challenge ---- a Recipe challenge.  I'd like you to create a scrapbook page featuring these 4 prominent ingredients of a classic "chocolate chip cookie":

BROWN SUGAR - Page must contain some type of Core'dinations Kraft or Kraft Core (Tim Holtz collection) cardstock, OR you may use any color of Brown Core'dinations cardstock that you may have on hand!
SUGAR - Page must contain some type of Glitter, Embossing powder or Bling.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS - Page must contain Polka Dot embossing, (either Tillie or Jillian Spotted Core or Core cardstock that is embossed with a dotted folder).

CHOPPED WALNUTS - Page must contain some "distressing technique".
 

And here is my inspiration piece...

 

 I've used Green Jillian Spotted cardstock that I've sanded with my Sand It Gadget for the base... and it represents the chocolate chips ingredient.  I have used some Dark Green Kraft Core that I have both scored and distressed around the edges for matting the plaid Simple Stories patterned paper. This represents both the brown sugar and chopped walnuts. 
 

 

I cut out some "cookie tree" accents using the Gingerbread Cricut cartridge. They represent the sugar ingredient on my page. I heat embossed the white icing layer of each tree accent with some Vintage White/Gold embossing powder by Stampendous.

 

 

(The Kraft cardstock used on the cookie trees also represent brown sugar).

 

Here's one more detail shot of my page, using some fantabulous May Arts wide twill ribbon...

 

 

 Please keep in mind that you are welcome to incorporate other items and techniques onto your pages, but all challenge pages must include the above specified 4 ingredients to be considered for a wonderful Core prize!  And what prize are you creating for you may ask? 

Here ya go...

 

One lucky person will win a collection pack of this Jillian Spotted Core! 

 

(Challenges must use the Linkinz below. If you do not have a blog, please feel

free to use Photobucket or Flickr or any other photo sharing sight that provides

links. Challenges must include Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock. You may NOT

combine this challenge with any of the other HCC challenges but you may complete

this challenge as many times as you like. You must link by 8 pm, December 2nd

(Sunday). All winners must email ellen_sosnoski@coredinations.com by DECEMBER

12th with their name, address, phone number and prize the won in the subject

line. For ex.: Core'dinations Crop Jillian Dot Prize pack Winner. )

 

Now go... you have some scrapping to do!  I hope to see pages from everyone cropping! 

 

 

Blog Hopin' With Core and Stampendous!

If there's anything besides cardstock that us Designers enjoy with a full heart, it definitely is a BLOG HOP, and have we got a fabulous match up this week with a well known stamping company... STAMPENDOUS!  Do check it out because you won't be disappointed!

We love Stampendous and their products so make sure you do a few things for us while you are here this week.

1.) Like them on Facebook. AND 2.) Follow them on Pinterest. Oh and if you tweet, 3.) Follow them on Twitter here.

 

Soo, let me just tell you how excited I am to share with you my project!  It's all about Fall and if you already know me a bit, you will surely know how much I adore everything and anything pertaining to this time of the year and the rockin' season of Autumn!  For every holiday/season I like to decorate a Primitive tree that I have sitting in my bay window and for this Fall I decided I needed some extra seasonal embellishing and set out to create some cute vintage inspired pumpkins to add just the right touch to my tree. And for these pumpkins, I've envisioned some kind of chic typography, so how lucky to find the cool Autumn Words collage stamp from Stampendous! to use for this project!  

 

 

To begin, I selected a pumpkin image using the Damask Decor Cricut cartridge and I cut several shapes at both 6" and 7" using Tim Holtz & Ranger Adirondack Collection cardstock in Terra Cotta. After cutting out the pumpkins I then stamped each using the Autumn Words Cling stamp from Stamendous! using Tim Holtz Distress Ink from Ranger in Vintage Photo. I used Cinnamon sticks to create the pumpkin stems, for which I attached to the cardstock with Helmar's Craft & Hobby PVA Glue. Green hemp twine and natural jute were tied around each ornament to create the vines. I also created pumpkin leaves with some burlap. The cut out burlap leaf shapes were glued onto some green Core Essentials cardstock scraps using Fabric Stiffener Liquid from Aleene's. After cutting around each shape when dry, I then also sanded the edges a bit. Some extra burlap leaves were also cut out to be used without the stiffener. These, along with some Petaloo paper flowers were colored with some green Smooch Spritz and added to the pumpkins for added embellishing. To make a hanger for each ornament, I attached a mini clothespin to the back of each pumpkin with some Helmar ZapDots.  Here are some detail pictures to show you that cool typography style and embellishing a little bit better!
 

 

 

 

Now for more great Core'dinations and Stampendous! inspiration, keep on hopin' with the list of today's blogs:

 

Stampendous Blog

Andrea Amu

April Derrick

Cyndi Bundy

Janelle Stollfus

Krissy Fossmeyer

Wendy Price

Capture Your Grief, 2012

Hello, my beautiful blogland friends!  I know you are no doubt thinking to yourselves, "Do I remember her"?  Afterall, it's been about 2 months since my last post.  I'm not at all happy about that, but I tell you what, life has a way of getting in the way sometimes, and lately I haven't been having much time to do much of anything I'd like to or love to be doing.  I'm actually lucky if I get to sleep somedays it seems.  But, I am back and I am planning to really make this new month of October a top priority on my TO DO list!  I love October immensely... love the season, love the Fall festivals that take place, love the cooler weather, and I love the decorations!  But most of all, I now enjoy that I get to reflect upon a cause near and dear to my life... Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness!

I would like to invite everyone to keep returning here to my blog for the entire month of October.  I am participating in a very special project called, Capture Your Grief 2012,  that is taking place and being hosted by Carly Marie.  This is a project designed to help the healing process for anyone who has endured a loss.  There is no limitations to your grief... you may have been walking on the road of grief for 20+ years, or you may have just stepped onto your path in this grief journey this year... all are welcome to join and explore to the depths of your hearts.  What this project encompasses is a story of your pain... your life through images of your own photography.  Capture Your Grief is a 31 Day Photo Challenge and there is no need for a fancy DSLR camera... any camera or camera phone will do.

In Carly's own words...
"You can join in this project through your own blog or website, your favourite social media website like facebook or twitter or any photo sharing website like pinterest or instagram. This is an opportunity for you to document your grief and your healing for a month and to share it with the world through your own eyes. You can be as creative with your photographs as you please. The event on my facebook page so that everyone can come to one place to share their images! If you can just make sure that the beginning of your photo caption is titled with the day number and subject, for example: “Day 1. Sunrise” If you are joining from twitter or instagram you can use the hash tag #captureyourgrief
I’m not massively concerned with having rules for this project, just make sure you only use your own photographs – don’t take someone else’s off the internet, it’s just not cool! If you only want to take part in a few of the days, that is great! If you want to do the full month – brilliant! The main thing is that this is a healing experience for you, and if we can all raise some awareness at the same time, that is a bonus! If you would rather keep your photos private, you are more than welcome to do that. So breathe this month in and make it just for you. A sweet idea would be to go and print all of your images at the end of the month and place them all into a special album for your memory box.
I have created 31 daily subjects. 1 for each day of the month. Some of the subjects may not entirely relate to you, or you may not feel comfortable with the subject so you are more than welcome to take a photo inspired by your own subject for that day. My subjects are simply a guideline. Below are the subjects with a few extra ideas to spark some inspiration in your heart."

Again, the entire subject list for the month is in the above pictured image.  Click on the image to view the list better. 

So, onto Day One...
Today, for the start of the month I was challenged to take a photo of the sunrise.  "Day 1. Sunrise I thought it would be sweet for us all to capture the beginning of this beautiful project and important month by us all getting up early to photograph the sunrise from wherever we are in the world. I know depending on where you are and what climate you are in that there may not be a sunrise, but if you can still get to a window, snap a photo of the morning! When you share your photo online make sure you write what State/Country you are in and the time of the sunrise {just for fun!}".

On my way to work this morning at 6:55, this was the view from my car.  I pass this scenery every morning.  The sun was not bright, as it usually is not.  Fog seems to be the norm on my morning drive, and this morning there was a little mingling of the morning mist. 

 

October 1st, also happens to be a special day of remembrance in our home as we fondly remember back to 2006 when we welcomed our baby girl Ava Noel, and then sadly kissed her goodbye all in the same day.  It's usually a tough day for me, but I did manage to have a pleasant day all in all.  I thought about her constantly throughout my day, but my spirits were high and I know it's all because my angel was right there with me guiding me through.  I totally felt her presence tonight as I was driving home and the song that always reminds me of her played on the radio. 

 

 

"Remember Me"
Mark Schultz

Remember Me
In a Bible cracked and faded by the years.
Remember Me
In a sanctuary filled with silent prayer

And age to age
And heart to heart,
Bound by grace and peace.
Child of wonder,
Child of God,
I've remembered you,
Remember Me.

Remember Me
When the color of the sunset fills the sky
Remember Me
When you pray and tears of joy fall from your eyes.

And age to age
And heart to heart,
Bound by grace and peace.
Child of wonder
Child of God,
I've remembered you,
Remember Me

Remember Me
When the children leave their Sunday school with smiles
Remember Me
When they're old enough to teach,
Old enough to preach
Old enough to leave.

And age to age
And heart to heart
Bound by grace and peace
Child of wonder,
Child of God,
I've remembered you,
Remember Me.

Age to age
And heart to heart
Child of wonder
Child of God
Remember Me.

She really knew I needed to hear that song today for her Birthday!  My baby would be 6.  So hard to believe!  I love her so much!

Well, I best be on my way, but please remember to come back to visit me all month long.  Tomorrow will be another challenge project photo to share!  :)

Welcome... It's A Hard Core Crop!

So welcome to the very FIRST Hard Core Crop, and all the fun begins today! We are so excited that you have joined us. All of the Core Design Team members, plus a few guest designers, will be hosting fantastic challenges on their blogs and giving away collections of Core’dinations Cardstock as prizes. For full Crop details please see the Core Blog HERE!  Interested in a Guest Designer spot?! Learn how you could design for Core for the next three months HERE!

All entries must be linked using Mr. Linky to this blog post by July 22nd, 2012 at midnight EST. Cards and layouts are both welcome just make sure you follow the guidelines below.

So, are you interested yet in my challenge for you?  If anyone has frequented my blog previously, you no doubt know my passion for using the Cricut on my projects!  If you just happen to be popping in here for the first visit, then you do know now!  Anyway, die cuts are pretty happening these days, and whether you may use a Cricut machine, a Silhouette machine, a Cuttlebug, a Slice... or if you happen to hand cut your own die cuts, it doesn't matter... die cuts are totally fun for adding that lil' something extra to your card or layout.  So yes, my challenge involves  die cuts!  I challenge you to create at least one fabulous die cut embellishment to enhance a project of your choice.  The only stipulations are that your die cut MUST be created out of Core'dinations cardstock (NO other Patterned Paper or other Cardstock brand) and I'd also like to see the use of dimensional adhesive to create a "layered" die cut!  I have created a card for you all as an example to show you how the use of cardstock and dimensional adhesive can really bring a die cut to life!

Did you happen to know that one of Core'dinations latest releases include their very own collection of "punchable" die cut cardstock accents with frames and borders?  They are super cool and if you look closely to the orange embossed flourish accents behind  my bee die cut, you can see how great they are for layering too!   Here are some details...

They simply punch right out of the collection pad, and they are pre-embossed and ready for sanding too!

So, would you be interested in trying these new Core Cuts out for yourself?  Well then, hurry and take up my die cut challenge because I will be giving this NEW Core Cuts collection pack away to one lucky challenge participant! 

Here's just a few more details of my cardstock die cut ...

Isn't it wonderful what a bit of dimensional adhesive can add to the look of a diecut?  Also take notice to the subtle sanding of the Tim Holtz and Ranger Distress Collection Core in Walnut Stain paired with the yellow Vintage Core cardstock from the Retro Mod Squad collection! 

I also used some fabulous Color Magic Resist Paper by Heidi Swapp (The hexagon graph print)which I received in a super card swap from Patricia Roebuck at the Nook.  I simply swiped a Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad (Vintage Photo) over the surface and used a soft cloth to buff it dry.  I then sprayed on some Glimmer Mist in Antique Gold. 

Don't forget to get check out the chatter over on Facebook at our Crop Event HERE! And for a Master schedule of the event challenges be sure to check in HERE! 

Happy Hard Core cropping, everyone!