"Oh Say Can you See" 4th of July Blog Hop

Happy Fourth of July!! Welcome to the Scrapbook News and Review “Oh Say Can You See 4th of July Blog Hop.” If you came from Peggy's Blog you are on the right track! If you didn't you may want to hop to Srapbook News and Review Card Universe and start at the beginning.

This is a pretty simple card that I dressed up with some Maya Road mist and some glitter.





















Supplies - Cardstock - Bazzil, Pattern Paper - Scenic Route, Chipboard - Scenic Route, Stickers - Pink Paislee, Creative Imaginations, Ribbon - Creative Imaginations, Mist - Maya Road, Glitter - ClearSnap

The first thing I did was use my red Maya Road mist to spray the chipboard stars. While it was drying, I sewed red cardstock paper to the card.
















After they were dry, I used my quick glue pen and added random dots and then poured silver glitter on the wet glue. I shook off the extra glitter and using pop dots added them to the front of the card. A bit of ribbon and a simple sentiment and viola!














It's hard to really see the glitter but here is a bit of a close up.




















I wanted to offer a lil' red, white and blue for one of my blog readers. It's hard to see in the photo: Scenic Route stickers, Heidi Swapp puffy stickers, Jenni Bowlin and Maya Road journaling tags, glitz gems, flowers, buttons, bling, paper clips and ribbon! If you are interested, just leave a comment. RAK will be open until Monday, midnight.















Next on the hop is Winnie. Check out what she created!

I hope you are all having a super fabulous and safe holiday. Thank you to all the American soldiers and families who have sacrificed so much, in the past and in the present, for our freedom. God bless you and God bless America!!

Too. Much. Fun.

So much goodness I just don't know where to start. We just got back last night from Portland where I was taking that photography class. I loooooved it and got to apply it in action today which you'll get to see in a bit. In my mail box were two new sets of very fun stamps from JustRite. I thought we had some more coming but I wasn't sure so it was a very fun surprise. And of course, more of the new CHA dies from Spellbinders which I can't share but you are all going to LOVE!!

Before I woke up this morning, the kids were already crafting away with their new stack of construction paper that we got at Costco. Boy, I sure should have replenished that along time ago!! I really want to share with you what Ashley created. The hard part about designing is that right before a big show, you are creating so many fun projects but you can't share them yet! So, although I have some fun new projects, I'll be sharing my daughters today.





















It's forth of July fire workers and I think it's more creative than anything I could ever put together!

I'm a manual girl!!! Huh? Let me explain. This morning, we head out to the church site to help with the demolition derby. Please keep in mind that I have just come back from this photograpy class. I was the only female there (even though at different times some of the women in the church have been helping.) So, I show up in my flip flops with my camera strapped to my side. Gloves go on. I toss a few pieces of scrap material...start reciting everything that I learned in my class in my head...gloves come off...I snap a few photos...gloves go back on....toss a few scraps....gloves come off...snap a few more shots... I am so sure that these guys in their construction boots thought that I was an absolute looney. I honestly could not concentrate on tossing wood because I was having so much fun with my aperature and shutter settings. Every photo I took was in manual and you have no idea how excited I am to say that. To a lot of you, that means nothing. To me, a whole nother field of creativity has just been sparked. I have a bazzillion shots to share and I know that there are some readers who are very interested. The rest of you, bare with me as I share our exciting journey through a mass reconstruction.

But, before I do, I have more fun news to share. So, after we finish at the church, we pull up to the step and I recognize the pizza boxes sitting on my step and I'm so thrilled. The funny thing is, while we were in Portland, I had to run into a craft store (ya know...just had to!) and find a May CARDS magazine. I've been trying to update my Scrapbook Resume and I had it down that I had a project in that issue but I could not for the life of me remember what it was. So.....I found it in the store. It's still so fun seeing your work in print.

As you may have guessed, the two boxes were actually four of my returned projects. Unfortunately, one of the boxes had an apology letter saying that they had sold all their issues of the Scrapbook Trends Stamping book and weren't able to send it to me. They sent me two other books and lots of scrapbook supplies but I'm telling you I was most looking forward to this issue. I don't even have a place close by that sells it. They gave me a link to view it online and I will but it's not the same as having your own copy. I was very dissapointed but I sure understand that mistakes happen. Now I have 6 new magazine/books to look at. I'm going on a big road trip tomorrow to send my son to camp. Too bad I'm the one driving! LOL!





















It's so funny because I looked and looked at this card below and thought, 'how odd, that's not even balanced and doesn't look like something I'd create.' LOL I just now opened the 'returned' bag and saw that pieces must have fallen off and never got put back on. Hmmmm.....I must use more glue dots!






















This one is my favorite. I just love how they staged it.














Now for the moment I know you've all been waiting for...he he....the demolition photos. Boys and their toys you know!! I'm trying to scale down on the amount I share because I took a ton. I know this post has been so long already! Also....these are unedited...and remember, I'm 'playing' in manual, I'm not a professional quite yet! LOL!

























































So, does anyone know of a good line of paper that would be perfect for a remodel?? I feel a mini album comin' on! LOL!

I'm learning!!!

Sunday was such a difficult day for me. We had to say good-bye to some very, very dear friends. They are moving a long ways away and they will be very missed. I just hope and pray that even though they are on the other side of the country now, that our paths will cross some day again. Their 5 boys were very close friends of our kids and it's so sad to see your own children experience the 'pain of loss.' Truly, they were one of the most thoughtful families I know.

On a bit of a happier note, I'm taking a photography class right now!!! I'm so excited!! We packed up the car early Monday morning as well and headed in the valley so I could this class and I'm learning so much. I can't wait to get home so I can upload some of the photos I've been practicing with. I don't have access to my own computer but here is a quick card that I wanted to share.
















Hope you are having a fantastic week!! We are finally feeling some heat and I am looooooving it!!!

Cosmo Cricket

If you know me very well, you would know about my huge obsession with Cosmo Cricket. It's been no secret right from the beginning that I am definitely a huge fan! I have applied to their DT every time I heard about a call. This recent one came up quick as I just heard about it. I love their paper so much, that I will put myself out there time and time again.

So, I thought I'd share a few of my recent Cosmo Cricket projects. If paper was edible, Sweet Shoppe would be the desert but Early bird would definitely be the main course. I am so captivated by these rich colors!


































And a few oldies but goodies...I have a lot of those but will just share these two. This layout below is the one that has been featured on the home page of Scrapbook Resumes.
























I also wanted to announce the winner of the RAK from this past week. Random Generator helped me out and it looks like the winner is Melita!! There were 2 double posts.) Congrats Melita!! Email me your addy.


Search RANDOM.ORG
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Here are your random numbers:

52
Timestamp: 2009-06-27 20:44:40 UTC

Thanks for stopping by!
Julie

3 Pubs in one day!! So excited!!

I've had two projects picked up at for the same magazine but never more than that. Needless to say, I was pretty excited to see that I had 3 happy emails in my inbox requesting projects today from Scrapbook Trends. Wahoo!! One of them was a Spellbinders project that I just finished with one of the new dies. I haven't even been able to share it yet!! Thanks for lettin' me share my fun news!

I've been playing a bit with my Copics. This is a real simple card a put together real quick last week(cuz I wanted to get in the mail...asap!) for a dear friend who spend a bit of time at the hospital. Isn't she the sweetest lil' girl nurse you ever did see??

















Here are the colors I used for it.
















Supplies: Cardstock - Bazzill, Pattern Paper - Chatterbox, Ribbon - Making Memories, Stamp - Crafty Secrets, Markers - Copic (E11, Y11, RV19, E35, BG15)

My girls have been bitten by the creative bug lately as well. Not necessarily in the ways you might think!! Yesterday, they had the entire living room set up like a library and I was 'allowed' to register for a library and pick out a few books out of the millions they had set. What a mess...too much fun though!! Yes, we've had just a few trips to the library already this summer. They've also been altering gift bags and making jewelry. And, I've got the itch to be sewin' a little project soon so, I think that'll be the next thing that 'us girls' do together.

Be inspired!

Julie

Transformers....and new Spellbinders Pendants!

Umm...okay. Wow. So, if you want to feel really old, go to a late night movie, that everyone is raving about, on the opening night, in a really, really small town. Seriously, I think 99% of the people swarming to get in were under the age of 20. Then again, we haven't gone to see a movie in a really long time so maybe that's just the way it is late at night!!

So, have you ever sat in the movie theatre at the beginning of a movie and bit your lip so hard at the beginning because you wanted desperately to ask what was going on but you don't dare?! Yup. That was me for about the first 3 minutes. Lip was bleeding but I perservered. And then I caught on, all by myself. Imagine that? My review?? Amazing graphics. Full plot. Very suspensful. Not age appropriate for my little boy. I'm so glad we preview shows before our kids see them. I'm sure there will be plenty of little boys who see it. Not mine. Kids just grow up too fast, don't they?

Speaking of transformers. Have you seen what some of the Spellbinders gals have done with the new Pendant Dies that are being revealed?? Wowzahs!! Once they have been officially released on the blog hop, we have the go ahead to share some of the ones we've created on our own. Most of my projects have been done for CHA and/or assigments and I can't share them but I wanted to put a few together real quick so you can get an idea of what the dies look like and can do.

Before I share I want to remind you that there is still a chance to sign up for the RAK that I'm giving away in the post below....here.

This first one is with the new Eyelet Pendant.


















Die cut template - S4-205 Eyelet Pendant Shapeabilities, Cardstock - Bazzill, Pattern Paper - Cosmo Cricket, Pin - Maya Road, Ribbon - May Art, Chalk Ink - Versa Magic

The second one is of the new Tulip Pendants and Tulip Borderabilities.















Die cut template - Spellbinders S4-209 Tulips Pendant Shapeabilities, S4-211 Tulips Pendant Petite Borderabilities, S4 -113 Classic Scalloped Ovals sm, Cardstock - Core-dinations, Pattern Paper - Scenic Route,Glitter - ClearSnap

The Spellbinders blog hop is still happening so be sure to check it out for some great inspiration and other newly released dies. There are also, lots of chances to win some!

And, we are still in the process of 'transforming' the church building. Here is an update.




















Arte was tearing off the cedar siding and had a piece of wood come down hard on his hand. He is at the Dr.'s office for a second time right now, finding out if he'll have to go to a specialist. He can't move it or use it all. Perfect timing, hey? Good thing we have many faithfuls who are pitching in to help out and pull this project off. Can't wait to post the finished project in the fall.

And, I absolutely cannot post without showing off these adorable toes!!

















I was watching my friend, Chloe's three children yesterday and the youngest was this three month old baby. He was such a good baby. He even slept in the girl's arms. Kelsey and Ashley were absolutely in baby heaven!

























If you made it this far down my post...you rock! And you deserve to have a fabulous day!

Oh, such a fun Father's Day!

I hope everyone had a great Father's Day! I have some very fun projects to share with you today. And don't forget to leave a comment under this post if you want a chance at winning the RAK.

The kids and I made some incredible memories with the assembly line we had going in order to make these lil' burgers. It was seriously such a hoot! I have to give all the credit to Kimberly Crawford. This is a total lift from her. I saw these adorable lil' things on her blog and I thought, 'we have to make those for your Daddy!' The instructions for the box and even the design comes right straight from Kimberly (although her design is much crisper!) These photos aren't very clear either but you get the idea.

























Supplies: Pattern Paper - Dream Street, Basic Grey; Stickers - American Crafts; Star Punch - Fiskars Ink - Versa Magic Chalk Ink


















The best part is how excited the kids were to give it to their Dad. They made a treasure hunt for him and the first clue was under the hamburgers. The rest of the clues led him to his other gift. They giggled the whole way. Such special times.
If you can't tell from the photos, it's all sweet stuff. The bun is actually Nilla waffers! You can find the recipe at Very Best Baking. That's the link to the site. The actual recipe is here.

The next fun thing that I wanted to share with you is that the Spellbinders Pendant reveal has began and the first person in the Blog Frenzy is Becca Feeken who will completely WOW you and leave you speechless when you see how gorgeous and elgegant her projects turned out! WOW!