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! 

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.