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! 

Bella Blvd. = Baby Bliss!

It's a fun week week for us designers at Core'dinations Cardstock because we've had the chance to team up with the fabulous designers at Bella Blvd., to share some over the top creations and inspiration on both the Core and Bella blogs!  I'll just say, it's insane how wonderfully these two companies compliment one another, and I'm sure you'll all agree! 

That's right, be sure to check out all the posts at both blogs this week (and go back to check out Monday and today's as well).  There are opportunities to win some great Core and Bella Blvd. products so don't miss out!

For today I designed this baby card featuring Core Essentials and Whitewash paired with the adorable Baby Boy collection from Bella Blvd.  

This baby collection also has fun chipboard and sticker elements to match (take note of that sweet baby giraffe!).  And did you know Bella Blvd. now has their own Washi tape?  They do!! Swoon!! For this card I used some of the cool yellow chevron designer paper tape and I created some super cool alphas by applying some of the tape to a scrap of Core cardstock and then cutting them out using my Cricut. 

I used the Lyrical Letters Cricut cart - Jack Sprat font and cut my letters out at 3/4"... on the Core blog post I had said they were 1/2" letters, but they are 3/4"... sorry! 

Anyway, I only used one row of tape, but you could also line several strips together on top of one another and cut out larger alphas as well!

For this card I also folded some of the paper tape into tabs and used them on the neck of the giraffe diecut which was cut from some yellow WhiteWash Core. I embossed my giraffe die cut (Cricut New Arrival cart - cut at 6") with a Sissix animal print folder, sanded the spots and then went in and added some extra brown tones with a Ranger ink pad and the Ranger blending tool.   This really adds visual interest and texture to the die cut! 

Other product used here:

Core Essentials in green from the Nostalgia pack.

Bella Blvd. Simply Simona Orange Sophisticates Ciao Chipboard alphas.

Bella Blvd. Baby Boy Chipboard and stickers.

Bella Blvd. Baby Boy, Wild About You paper.

Martha Stewart Fringe scissors.

Bakers Twine from The Twinery.

Black pearls by Kaiser.

 

That's all I've got for now, but please remember to come back and visit the Core and Bella Blvd. blogs each day this week... you won't want to miss a thing!  Enjoy! 

Today I Want To Celebrate

Today is not one of my usual upbeat blog posts.  Please excuse me, and if you'd rather not read about my grief today, you may just want to by-pass the rest of the post... sorry!  See today is one of those days I'd love to be celebrating, but I'm finding it hard to even crack a smile.  I'd love to have balloons, some presents, a fabulous girlie pink cake and I'd LOVE to help blow out 4 big candles on top of that cake!  Rather I am here at home pondering what I should do with myself today.  I could be at work, but instead I took the day off... for Amelia's 4th Birthday.  But why?  She's not here.  Only me.  I tell myself I am taking off for her Birthday but the real reason is because I simply can't stand the idea of caring for and spending an entire day with a classroom of "4 year olds" and Amelia not being one of them... afterall, today is HER day!  So for right now I sit here crying, and missing her completely.  Sometimes I wonder just how much hurt my heart can possibly endure before I fall apart into a million pieces. 

So for today, I am going to celebrate with Amelia the only way I know that I can... by remembering her.  Just like I do every single moment of every day. I remember her strength and how much fight she had in her wee little body.  At only 18 weeks she lived and breathed for 45 minutes.  I remember her teenie little wimper of a cry when she came into the world.  She gave us a beautiful kitten like wimper that was a joy to my ears. Just as with Ava, we were not expecting to hear them cry... but both of them did.  I will never forget the precious sound of either. I remember holding her in my arms and to my heart... and loving on her with utter passion.  That passion has not gone away and never will.  I remember kissing her sweet little nose... the one that was shaped just like her daddy's and her sister Ava's noses.  And I too remember kissing her Good-Bye and surrendering her over to the arms of her Heavenly Father.  Amelia is my Angel baby... one of my greatest miracles from God. I want to share her life... no matter how brief.  I want to celebrate her!

Amelia,  I can only imagine how wonderfully lavished and loved you are up in Heaven. It's difficult for me to comprehend that you could possibly be loved any more than you would be if you were here with me.  How could anyone love you more than I do?  One day I'll be able to clearly see and to understand, and then I can eternally celebrate with you, and reminisce on all your Birthdays!  Happy 4th Birthday, my sweet daughter... mommy's sweet little Angel for all my life!  I Love You completely to infinity!

Core Blog Hop with Peachy Keen!

Are you  ready for some mid-week fun and inspiration from your favorite cardstock brand?  Look no further... you have come to the perfect spot.  A few designers here with Core'dinations have teamed up with some Peachy Keen Stamps designers to bring you a blog hop full inspiration, so put in a load of laundry, grab your favorite drink and spend some hopping time with us! You know you want to, lol!  And this is a 2 day hop so please do visit us again on Thursday. 

Sooo, let's get started!  You will want to make sure you hit every blog along the way, and may I add, there are giveaways up for grabs!  So here's a complete list of our first day's installment...

Day 1
Core blog: http://www.coredinations.com/index.php/cat...scrapbook-blog/
Nikki Foraker http://scrappinnavywife.blogspot.com
Andrea Amu http://imlivinonscraps.blogspot.com/     *YOU ARE HERE*
Michelle Criswell http://www.scrappinwithmybug.com
April Derrick http://memoryvilla.com/blog/
Leanne Garner http://www.createdbyLeanne.blogspot.com
Debbie Standard http://debbiestandard.blogspot.com/
Raven Baca http://love4stamps.blogspot.com

Today for the hop I'd love to share with you a card set that I created using some way cute stamps that I got to play with in our swap with Peachy Keen stamps.  I had the chance to use an adorable collection called, Bee Happy (PK-244).  I designed two different cards using these super adorable bees...

Aren't they just so stinkin' sweet? 

Tons of other cool product went into making these cards.  Of course I cut out those beehives with my Cricut Expression using the Walk In My Garden cartridge.  Just too perfect for those bees.

Absolutely no patterned paper was used for these designs... strictly Core'dinations cardstock and tons of embossing!  The yellow beehive and the yellow background on the second card is Core Impressions Basic Grey Whimsy cardstock in the "Simon" embossed pattern.  The kraft background and kraft colored beehive is the Heritage Kraft (GX-3100-09) from the Graphic 45 Signature Series Core collection.  The cool hexagon embossing on the kraft was created by using the " So Trendy " Spellbinder's M-Bossabilities folder. 

The paper flowers on these are all from the Petaloo Core Color-Matching Series.  I used the larger Camelia flowers in Tulip Yellow and the Mini florals in Mantis Green and Tangerine.  I added some fine pastel yellow glitter to the centers of all the florals.  All the ribbons here are from May Arts Ribbon.  I used some Grosgrain ric rac in orange and Chevron twill ribbon in both yellow and lime green. 

Here are some more closeup photos...

To make the bees I stamped the images onto the backside of some Snowflake (GX-FB010) Core Essentials with a Jet Black Staz-On ink pad.  All the colors to the bees were added using Spectrum Noir markers from Crafter's Companion!  Love those markers... similar performance and impact as Copics, but very reasonably priced.  On the wings I also added a touch of Sugar Shimmer Fairy Dust glitter from Donna Salazar.  After stamping the images, I cut out around each bee, but I cut off the antennae and if you look close, you can see I added my own with some May Arts black Burlap Twine.  I poked a small hole in each bee head and inserted two pieces each of the twine into the holes.  I secured the twine from the back with some double stick adhesive and then I tied knots at the end of each piece of twine.  It was so much fun to create with and embellish these stamped images.  To complete these cards all I had left to do was adhere the bees to the cards with some foam sqaures for added dimension. 

Well, I do hope that my cards were Buzz-Worthy enough, bwaha-haa!  Get it?  Buzzz... bees?!  Okay, I'm finished, lol!  But you are not... still more stops along the way!  Next you will want to be sure to go to visit,  Michelle Criswell http://www.scrappinwithmybug.com .

Enjoy and remember to come by again tomorrow, June 7th for more creativity with Core cardstock and Peachy Keen stamps.

A Permanent Remembrance

Gee wiz... it seems lately the only posts I make here are for my Stuck On U Sketches challenge weeks.  Things should soon start slowing down for me here in the weeks ahead, so hopefully I will then have some time freed up to get more crafty and bloggy, lol!  At least that's what I'm a hopin' for!

So yes, it is SOUS sketch reveal Friday here and that makes me sooo happy!  Also kinda makes me sad though too, because it's my last sketch as a SOUS designer.  I hate to give up my spot on the team, but I know there are so many other talented ladies waiting for their chance to shine their creative lights there too!  So with that, I do hope you like my interpretation of Leah Shaeffer's sketch this week...

I really love the split imagery design of this sketch and it was easy for me to roll with it!  I had the perfect photo to scrap about and I knew I wanted to use the cool tattoo heart imagery to compliment the photo, using the Indie Art Cricut cartridge. 

"A Permanent Remembrance", is about my brother's tattoo that he's gotten in memory of his son (my nephew), Isaac.  Later after we had lost our Ava and Amelia, my brother went and had hearts added to his tattoo for both of them with their initials as well.  Probably one of the most touching gestures of love that a brother can do... I still am beyond touched and I think it looks just lovely! 

All the papers and stickers here are from the most recent "Carefree" collection by Authentique!  I thought the collection was perfect for adding just the right amount of masculinity to this page, especially with that muted gray woodgrain pattern!  I also used some Core'dinations Core Essentials cardstock.  The wing diecut is also cut from the Indie Art cartridge.  I tied on the sticker tag embellies with some Papertrey Ink natural twine.

Hope you've enjoyed this sketch and my page.  Please don't forget to go to the SOUS blog and see what all the other ladies have created this week as well.  Before I go I'd like to express to the girls how much I've enjoyed sharing my work over on the blog and how fun it's been getting to know each and everyone them.  They are a special group of ladies and I've been totally inspired by them all!  Thanks for having welcomed me there at Stuck On U Sketches! 

Happy Friday!

Ohh, am I ever glad it's Friday!  Another work week scratched off the calendar, also means it's PAY-DAY and SOUS sketch reveal day at the Stuck On You Sketches challenge blog!  Ohhh HAPPY Day indeed! 

Today's sketch was created by our own SOUS designer and co-creator, Leah Shaeffer.

I adore her sketches and this one was definitely fun to create from...

And, here's what I did using some lovely Fall pix from 2010...

Please click on photo to view the details better!  These pretty petals in a pumpkin were delivered to me from my hubby for our 10th Anniversary... he knows how much I love Fall, so he couldn't have put had a more perfect arrangement sent!  I used Glitz Designs paper, accents and woodgrain tiny alphas here.  The Pretty Petals title piece was cut using the Cricut Country Life cartridge and the decorative flower and leaf accents were all cut using Picturesque.  The frame surrounding the title was cut with Elegant Edges.  Other paper flowers here are from Petaloo and I added orange rhinestone centers from doodlebug design.  All cardstock is Core'dinations.

So there ya have it!  Please don't forget to come visit us over at SOUS and try out the sketch yourself!  We'd love to see what you do!  Hope everyone has a beautiful and enjoyable weekend!

Quiet Moments

Hmm, quiet moments are something of a rarity around here lately, but that's what my page today is all about!  I thought that it would be the perfect title for my layout that I created for the Stuck On U Sketches challenge blog today.  Sometimes the quiet moments are all you need!  Isn't that the truth?  Anyway, this page features one of my favorite photos that I took last summer of the hubster and our doggie niece, Jenna who we were doggie-sittin' for one weekend. But if you procede further on and take a look at my page, you will notice that I have titled my "QUIET" Moments page "QUITE" Moments instead!  Lol... major spelling error!  I will be fixing that, however I guess that's what I get for staying up late to scrap!  I seriously can't believe that I didn't even notice that while I was cutting out the letters and placing them... silly me! 
First of all, here is the cool sketch we got to play with this week...

And this is my page...

Remember, you can click on the picture to view my page is closer detail!  And again, so sorry for my spelling error! 

I love the blues and greens that I used here to reflect upon the serenity of the picture.  All of these papers are from the Pink Paislee Nantucket collection, and the embossed Core'dinations cardstock is all from the matching Pink Paislee Core Impressions line of Modern Prints, which happens to be some of my all time favorite Core cardstock!  For my page I also used the Cricut Picturesque cartridge to cut the dragonfly embellishment.  The "quite" in my title was the Paper Lace 2 font as well.  Other product here includes some baby blue chevron ribbon by May Arts, some green tinsil fiber from Darice, some decorative brads from Basic Grey, green paper flowers from Petaloo, pink alpha stickers from Pink Paislee and mini alphas from Glitz! 

So sorry to be so short today, but I've got a busy Friday ahead and must be running!  Like I said, where are my quite moments, lol!  I hope you all have a great weekend and be sure to stop by the SOUS challenge blog and have a look around to be inspired!  ;) Take care, friends!

Playing Catch-Up!

Wow... so sorry for my lack of blogging these days!  I have not made a post in over 2 weeks and I haven't really been reading or commenting on others blogs either these days, which makes for a pretty sad Andrea!  I just don't know how the time has been getting away from me.  Granted I have been working 40 hour weeks for the first time in nearly 5 years, so this in itself maybe reason enough!  I dearly miss my extra leisure time for crafting that's for sure! 

But anyway... I've also let my little giveaway from the SOUS blog hop get away from me.  I'm really sorry that I haven't posted a winner on here before now, but I won't make any excuses.  Shame on me! 

Okay, without any further wait... the winner is...

Please email me your addy at amuoct21 at aol dot com, Mickey's Craft World, and I would love to send you a package which will include this...

As for other stuff, today I had the pleasure of having a project featured on the Crafts Unleashed blog for Consumer Crafts.  Ya'll remember that Mother's Day is coming up shortly next month?  Well, I created an easy but elegant card for mom that is short on time and supplies.  I used my Cricut Sophisticated cart, some scraps of Core Essentials and DCWV Linen Collection patterned paper, the Martha Stewart Garden Gate edge punch and a Fleur De Lis emboss folder from Darice!

You can check out the blog post on Crafts Unleashed for more step-out shots and instructions of how I created the card!

Now, how would you like to win $700.00 worth of wonderful Core'dinations Cardstock and other fabulous scrappy stuff?  I mean who wouldn't want that kind of prize, right? 

You can enter to win right HERE!!  Good luck!  :)

Stuck On U Sketch's Blog Hop... Get to Know Me!

Yes, today is the perfect time to be stopping by the SOUS blog for inspiration, because it's not just the normal Friday reveal of a sketch, but today is full of extra fun because we are hopping too to share some pages "all about" the designers and some fun facts as well along each stop.  In addition, there may also be some special blog candy  here and there along the way so you'll want to visit each member!

Sooo, about the hop...

Hello and thanks for visiting Stuck on U Sketches today! We are happy to have you to join us for our "Get to Know Me" Blog Hop! Our design team has been working hard to create layouts about themselves to share with you & we hope you enjoy them! They will also be answering 10 fun questions about themselves. We are including this bonus sketch today, so we hope that you will get an opportunity to use it this week.

The Blog Hop begins here at SOUS, so just follow along the blog path. We are linking to one of the SOUS designers and that designer is linking to the next and so on. In case there is a glitch along the way, here is a complete list of all the participating blogs:

                                                            Agnieszka Bellaidea

Andrea Amu

Annette Gearside

Beatriz Guzman

Charlotte Brochu

Elizabeth Currie-Matsko

Faith-Abigail

Fern Riley

Leah Schaeffer

Lisa Norris

Nanné Harry

Sandi Clarkson

Sandi Smith

Shona Keehn

Stine Ursin

Theresa Kelly
Tracey Kelly

Stuck On U Sketches

Of course we are offering some yummy blog candy! And here it is:

A winner will be randomly chosen after the hop is over. it is important to leave a comment on each blog. Many of them are also offering a small blog candy of their own.

The Blog Hop starts today, 7:00 AM EDT USA March 30th and runs through 11:59pm USA EDT on Sunday April 1st .

The SOUS winner will be announced on Monday April 2nd. You must leave a comment on each of the designers blogs as well as become a follower to be eligible to win the SOUS blog candy.

Thanks again for joining us! Have a great time!

So let's begin... 

First off, here are the "get to know me" questions followed with my own answers...

1.  If I was a crayon, what color would I be?  Okay, I'm not sick or feeling green in the tummy, but I would be green... my favorite color!

2.  What would people be surprised to learn about me?  Ohh gosh, I have been trying so hard to come up with a creative answer for this but I feel as though I would be pondering on this forever.  I'm not good at talking about myself sooo, would you be surprised if I were to say I don't know how to answer questions about myself, lol?

3.  What 5 things are always on my crafting table?  Now that's an easier question!  1. Core'dinations cardstock  2. Pounce Wheel tool  3. Paper trimmer  4. Cricut Expression  5. Zig Glue Pen

4.  What is my go-to embellishment?  Currently I would say ribbon or twine. 

5.  What is my ALL-TIME favorite crafting tool?  Can you guess?  Come on!!  Oh yea... definitely my Cricut!

6.  Tell about my family... first in one word.  Then in a sentence or two. 

My family... HEAVENLY! 

My family IS heavenly, for it is through my family and because of my family where I find strength!  I have always wanted to be a mom and I have 3 little angels in heaven.  They are 3 of my proudest accomplishments and I can't wait to one day be reunited with them forever! 

7.  What is my dream vacation?  A never ending vacation, lol!  Perfect, right?

8.  Who is my favorite crafty company?  I would say Core'dinations!  Can't go without cardstock, and Core is thee best! ;)

9.  Tell a little about my crafty style!  I love, love, love layers!!  Layering is my thing!

10.  Where do I live?  I live in a home that I'm so very blessed to have and share with the love of my life! 

Okay... that wasn't too hard.  Now we can get onto something more interesting... this week's sketch... It's a cute one...

I really enjoyed this, and I really was excited to finally scrap this photo of myself from last Fall...

(Please click on photos to view them larger.)

I also used one of my favorite Fancy Pants collections here, Summer's End!  Here are two more close-up detail shots...

I also used some of the fun Hambly Studios washi tapes here... such a fun product to layer with.  All the embossed cardstock is from Core'dinations.  The floral printed blue cardstock mat is a piece from the Fancy Pants Core Impressions line and I used and inked over the reverse side with a brown inkpad.  Lovin' the look!  I do hope you've enjoyed my portion of the hop.  Please let a comment here on my blog to let me know what you've enjoyed here and I'd love to put your name in for the chance to win a litttle package of goodies from me in return!  Please include an email in your comment so I can get back to you if you are chosen! 

Your next stop along the way is... Annette Gearside!

Enjoy... and again, thanks for hopping by!

A card for My Mind's Eye Blog Challenge #33!

Hello there!  I know this is kind of last minute posting this card tonight, even though I actually finished this one up at our girl's scrappy weekend last week!  I meant to get it posted earlier but THIS weekend was kind of a blur... why does it always seem like that? Really!  Anyway since the deadline for this MME blog card challenge is 12 midnight, I think I'm still pretty safe with about an hour to go!  So first, here's the card sketch...

and here is my card creation...

I used a mix of papers and a diecut from the Lime Twist and Lost and Found Two collections along with some Core'dinations Vintage cardstock, and Cricut cutting! 

The sweet heart chains and butterflies were all cut with the Teresa Collins Sophisticated cartridge... totally one of my all time faves! I really do love the soft Shabby Chic inspired designs of these MME papers!  Okay, that's all I really have to show for tonight's post but I will have some more cards and a layout to share that I also made at last weekend's scrappy get-together later in the week!  See ya then!