A 50th Birthday Celebration ~ M & M's Melt in Your Mouth Not in Your Hand Blog Hop, Stop # 7

Welcome to Melts in Your Mouth but Not in Your Hands Blog Hop for not one but two beautiful ladies who are beautiful inside and out but have the love and joy of crafting. We are celebrating their birthday with a wonderful candy that is not only beautiful inside but outside and both sides are delicious!!!! What a better treat than to use M&M's for birthday wishes!!!! And, they are both turning 50, but shhhh don't spread the rumor as who would ever believe you after looking at their picture!

We have a super wonderful group of crafters to help wish not only Kimberly Pate but Rachelle Larsen a super very happy Birthday. Our hop begins with Kimberly Pate at http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com in case you just happened to stop at my blog to visit me. Don't get me wrong, but since there is such a delicious hop, I wouldn't want you to miss a single stop along the way!!!!! If you have arrived from Amazing Amanda's blog (http://thescrapoholiccandyshop.blogspot.com) then you are following the empty bags of M&M's.

For my projects, I created two cards using M&M's and Stampin Up's Treat Cups. I love using them for cards..so many ways to incorporate them. I loved using M&Ms for these projects..gave me a chance to sample a few. Have you tried the Pretzel and Mint M&Ms...Pretzel ones are ok, but mint ones are deadly good...yum.

ANYWAY...To my projects...The first card uses M&Ms for the center of a flower. The Stampin Up sweet center stamp set has the flower petal stamp. I stamped 8 of them using red ink on pink paper to give it the same shade of pink as the ribbon. Then I used pop dots to make a few of petals stand out. I love the way it turned out. I used another Stampin Up sentiment and added some Stickles and glittery flower ribbon for some bling. The M&M's are the pretzel and regular. I picked colors that'd match the ribbon.

My next card has M&Ms as a hot air balloon. I used a turquoise card and matching ribbon...then, I added some festive polka dot paper with colors to tie to the M&M's.  I added glittery red Stickles to the hot air balloon bags to add some bling (I always add bling to my cards).  Unfortunately, I didn't have time to print a cute birthday sentiment...If you have any ideas, please leave me a comment!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RACHELLE, KIMBERLY, AND A FABULOUS BLOGGER, BLUE CRAYONS!

Have an awesome day, Ladies!!!!

Your next stop along the way is Beautiful Belinda is your next stop, http://theembellishedcard.blogspot.com. I have included the complete line-up just in case you would happen to get lost along the way or at too many M&M's.

1. Kimberly ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com
2. Rachelle ~http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/
3. Lynne ~ http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
4. Lisa Peters ~ http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
5. Miriam ~ http://www.miriamscreations.blogspot.com
6. Amanda~ http://thescrapoholiccandyshop.blogspot.com
7. Angie ~ http://atuttletime.blogspot.com (Me  :)  )
8. Belinda ~ http://theembellishedcard.blogspot.com
9. Janet ~ http://www.ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/
10. Lucy ~ http://www.love2createitall.com
11. Lisa Woodward ~ http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
12. Edwina~ http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/
13. Rhonda  ~ http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com/

There is a wonderful group of sponsors to help us with the celebration but as with everything else, there are rules and regulations which will be noted with each sponsor.

After a long afternoon of crafting, deadline rushes for orders and posts, what would be better than a prize package from SimplySilverton-a soap and paperworks company?  This prize pack will include 2-4oz. handmade luxury soap and and a pound of bath salt soak.  To be eligible, please show your blog love to our participants by leaving comments and following their blogs, and also visiting and liking their page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/SimplySilverton-a-soap-and-paperworks-company-llc/218576901486847.

Lucy Kelleher - Independent Consultant for Close to My Heart is donating a $10 Gift Certificate which you can use towards any Close to My Heart products in celebration of Kimberly and Rachelle's birthdays! ( http://lucyk.ctmh.com). To enter to win, you will need to leave a comment on her blog (http://love2createitall.com) and become a follower of her blog. For an additional entry, "Like" her Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/LucyK.CTMH.

The amazingly talented Daisy Collins of “I Love Sketches by Tsunami Rose” has donated a $15 gift certificate to her store (http://www.zibbet.com/tsunamirose) and a copy of “I Love Sketches By Tsunami Rose” sketches from the month of July! In addition to leaving blog love for all of our participants and following their blogs, please followhttp://tsunamirosedesigns.blogspot.com for updates and inspiration for Daisy’s sketches and visit and like her fan page athttps://www.facebook.com/groups/106370486155916/

Lisa Peters of Scrapping with Lisa Designs, http://www.scrappingwithlisadesigns.com/, is offering a $20 Gift Certificate to her store for paper piecing or digital designs.

July Calendar Girlz -- Cheer Up the Lonely day!

Welcome to our July Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. Papercrafts Presents 365 Cards magazine which is our inspiration for these monthly hops which thus became the Calendar Girls. The magazine has Creative Ideas for every day of the year: occasions, holidays, and celebrations including 42 unique holidays!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. The July unique holidays are:

July 14th Calendar Girls Blog Hop:

National Ice Cream Month: Lisa Woodward

Cell Phone Courtesy Month:

1st: Happy Canada Day- Laura

4th: Independence Day - Lisa

6th: National Fried Chicken Day- Edwina

11th: Cheer up the Lonely Day - Angie

12th: Teddy Bear Picnic Day - Lisa

14th: National Nude Day - Miriam

20th: National Lollipop Day - Kimberly

23rd: National Hotdog Day - Janet

24th: Amelia Earhart Day   Anita  

25th: Threading the Needle Day -

28th: National Chocolate Milk Day - Kimberly

29th: National Lasagna Day - Lisa

30th: National Cheesecake Day -Janet

The hop starts with Lisa Woodward (http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com/). You won't want to miss a single calendar event not to mention the weddings, graduations, birthdays -- ok, you get the idea!!!! 

The line-up for JULY includes:

Lisa Woodward: http://mycraftyspaces.blogspot.com/

Laura: http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com

Lisa Peters: http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Edwina:  http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/ (WHERE YOU SHOULD HAVE COME FROM?)

Angie: http://atuttletime.blogspot.com/ (YOU ARE HERE!)

Miriam: http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/ (YOU'RE NEXT AWESOME STOP!)

Kimberly - http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com/

Janet: http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Anita: http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Stop by and check out these holidays as I am sure you are going to want to remember these holidays and include them in your card making projects!!!!! We will have blog candy to the lucky recipient that remarks on each site along the way! Thanks for stopping by and mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on August 11th for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

========================================

JULY 11TH ~~ CHEER UP THE LONELY DAY!

My job has become nuts with our fiscal year end, so I have not had much time to craft. I am so thankful for groups like Calendar Girls to give me a reason and excuse to work on a card. I created this card for a friend who needed some encouragement. I used a red cardstock paper base and added a strip of light blue and coordinating ribbon. I used the Cricut to cut out a sun using Simply Charmed cartridge. I love the little sunglasses. I embellished the lenses with some purple Stickles and drew a cute smile.

I hope this will add some sweet sunshine to your day! :)

Miriam: http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/ is you're next stop!

Have fun and a great July! ~ Angie

Calendar Girls - June Edition!

Welcome to our June Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. Papercrafts Presents 365 Cards magazine which is our inspiration for these monthly hops which thus became the Calendar Girls. The magazine has Creative Ideas for every day of the year: occasions, holidays, and celebrations including 42 unique holidays!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. The June unique holidays are:

June Blog Date: June 9, 2012

1. June is Adopt a Cat Month:  Laura 
2. June is National Fruit and Vegetable Month:  Angie  (Me!)
3. June 3: National Repeat Day:  Lynne
4. June 4th: Hug Your Cat Day:   Pamela 
5. June 4th: Old Maid's Day:  Laura
6. June 6: Yo-Yo Day:  Miriam Meserve
7. June 7th: National Chocolate Ice Cream Day:  Pamela
8. June 8: Best Friend Day:  Edwina 
9. June 13th: National Sewing Machine Day:  Lynne 
10. June 14: Flag Day:  Kimberly 
11. June 17: Father's Day:  Lisa 
12. June 20: First Day of Summer:   Kimberly 
13. June 20th: Ice Cream Soda Day:  Janet 
14. June 23: National Pink Day:  Laura
15. June 28th: Paul Bunyon Day:  Anita  
16. June 29: Camera Day:  Angie (Me!)

The hop starts with Laura (http://lauraleesdream.blogsot.com/). You won't want to miss a single calendar event not to mention the weddings, graduations, birthdays -- ok, you get the idea!!!!  On to my projects...

JUNE 29TH ... CAMERA DAY

Rather than create a card with a camera in it, I decided to do one of my favorite things...and add a photo to my card projects. It adds a nice personal touch. I like to use photos on my thank-you cards. Below is a thank-you card I made for guests at my daughter's Princess bday party.

Then, I took a cute photo and a window stamp and some floral embellishments to make this simple card for my girl's grandparents. Grandparents LOVE photos...

For my son's school, I helped organize their Dance and Graduation. For those events, vendors and some parents donated free items as give-aways. I took a group photo of the students at their dance and used that to cover the Thank-You card.

Just adds a nice touch...

Did you know that June is Fruit and Veggie Month? ... I didn't....Summer time is my favorite time for produce, like melons and strawberries!  I made this card previously, using paper that my daughter decorated with markers.  

Ok, below is a card I made special for this hop, but it needs some help!  To win a $15 Michael's gift card, leave me a comment with sentiment and embellishment ideas...

If Random.org, chooses you...I will finish the card using your idea!  Thanks!

Have Fun...and continue hopping on to the next amazing Calendar girl...

The line-up for JUNE includes:

Laura: http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com <--A great place to start our hop!

Angie: http://atuttletime.blogspot.com/ <-- You are here.

Lynne: http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/ <-- Your next fabulous stop.

Pamela: http://kraftykatstampstudio.blogspot.com/

Miriam: http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/

Edwina:  http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/

Kimberly - http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com/

Lisa Peters: http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/

Janet: http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Anita: http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Stop by and check out these holidays as I am sure you are going to want to remember these holidays and include them in your card making projects!!!!!

We will have blog candy to the lucky recipient that remarks on each site along the way!

Thanks for stopping by and mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on July 14th for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

Have an amazing MONTH!!!! ~~ Angie

We Have a Winner...well 2 of them! :)

For the...

Random.org has chosen...

Andrea, here's what  you have one...

Well, actually, these earrings were a bday gift for Whitney.  You have won similar earrings in any color you choose.  I have emailed you.  Please send info as soon as you can!

For the...

Random.org has chosen...

I have left a message at Pamela's Blog, Krafty Kat Studio.

Here's what she has won...

Since Pamela loves frogs, I hope she loves this ribbon!!!!  It is so cute.  I hope to find another one at Michael's.  

Congratulations to my winners...I hope to hear from you soon and that I hope to "hop" along with you soon!

Happy Sweet 16th Birthday to Whitney!

(If you are looking for the May Calendar Girls Blog Hop, please click here!)

Welcome to Whitney's Birthday party Blog Hop!

I had a bit of a challenge thinking of what to make for Whitney. She is an animal lover, but most of the animal stamps or Cricut cartridges I have are a bit too young and whimsical for a 16 year old! I wanted my card to be special...age appropriate, inspirational, and sweet. Finally, when I learned that her favorite color was green and that she liked nature/animals and also the color red, I decided to go with a green tree with red apples. I cut the tree from the Simply Charmed Cricut Cartridge and glued on 16 "apples" which are really small, bright red beads.

Unfortunately, I only took a photo of the card at night in my craft room and wthout the sentiment...so I'm sorry that it's rather plain and dark. I was in such a hurry to get the card in the mail that I didn't get a photo of the finished card!
At the bottom front of the card, I put some burgundy reddish paper down that tied perfectly with the beaded apples...added the verse from Psalm 1:3...


...like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

When I was 16, I was babysitting my little sisters when I came across this album from Evie. (Note to Whitney: This is a record...We didn't have iPods and CD's back then. Ha! Ha!)  

Anyway, I played the album and I fell in love with the song called, "The Tree Song." You can hear the song and a beautiful tree slideshow here. The words really made an impact on me. I printed a copy of these words on the inside of Whitney's card.

Tree Song  By:  Ken Medema

I saw a tree by the riverside

one day as I walked along.
Straight as an arrow and pointing to the sky

growing tall and strong.
"How do you grow so tall and strong?"

I said to the riverside tree.

This is the song that my tree friend sang to me:
I've got roots growing down to the water,
I've got leaves growing up to the sunshine,
and the fruit that I bear is a sign of the life in me.
I am shade from the hot summer sundown.
I am nest for the birds of the heavens.
I'm becoming what the Lord of trees 

has meant me to be:

A strong young tree!

From that point on in my life, I wanted to be a "strong young tree!" I survived a bit of a drought and almost suffered root rot at one point, but after being "transplanted" to sunnier, more peaceful place, I have thrived! :)

My sincerest hope and prayer is that Whitney grows and thrives into a beautiful, healthy, strong young tree!!!

Happy Birthday, Whitney!!! I hope you also like these pair of earrings I made just for you...

If you would like a chance to win your own pair of earrings like these, 

please leave me a short comment here on this post.

CHECK THIS OUT BELOW!!!!

It's Whitney's Birthday, but you could end up with the gifts!!!...For this hop we have an awesome gift to one lucky participant. Please follow instructions below for a chance to win:

A Crop A Dile~From Host

I Rock~From Host

$20 dollar Gift Certificate to Scraptasticalkreations

http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com/

Paper Piecing Piece set by Colleen of CBC Scrapbooking, winner's choice.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/CBC-Scrapbooking/133078110098299

In order to be eligible for grand prize drawing please make sure you check out each blog and leave some blog love, also make sure you leave a comment and become a follower at Rachelle's blog.

Enjoy the hop! Here is the fabulous line up:

Rachelle ~ http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/

Ashley ~ http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Ellen ♥ CardMonkey ~ http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/

Kimberly (KPKre8tions) Pate ~ http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com

Beth (M&Ddesigns) ~ http://motherandaughterdesigns.blogspot.com

Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/  (YOU CAME FROM HERE...)

Angie- http://atuttletime.blogspot.com  (YOU ARE HERE...)

Shelly-http://kccroppers.blogspot.com/  (SHELLY IS YOUR NEXT AMAZING STOP!...)

Suzanne-http://cricutcraftingrammy.blogspot.com/

Patti B-http://pattispaperfun.blogspot.com

Melissa Pinter -http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com

Brenda - http://www.friendscraftinwithfriends.blogspot.com/

Jenny http://cccjalessi.blogspot.com/

Kristy http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com 

Don't forget to leave a quick comment below for a chance to win the fabulous grand prize and/or a pair of handmade earrings! Thanks for hopping by!!!!

Mommy's little helper

(If you are looking for the May Calendar Girls Blog Hop, please click here!)

I'm a working momma, who tries to get some crafting in before bed...

I have a craft room just down from my bedroom that I sneak into just after I put my daughter to bed.  Recently, however, I have had a shadow following me.

 How can I resist?

 She loves cutting shapes with the Cricut, blinging things up with Stickles, and coloring with markers.  Yes, training her well....but, she knows to only play when mommy's here.  Thankfully, she has complied.

Michelle's creations....

 Birthday card for cousin, Gabe.

A baby congratulation card.

Let's see what she will create next week! :)

Calendar Girls ~ MAY 2012

Welcome to our May Calendar Girls' Blog Hop. Papercrafts Presents 365 Cards magazine which is our inspiration for these monthly hops which thus became the Calendar Girls. The magazine has Creative Ideas for every day of the year: occasions, holidays, and celebrations including 42 unique holidays!!! These unique holidays are our inspiration. The May unique holidays are:

May Blog Date: May 19, 2012

1. May is National Salad Month - Lynne 
2. May is National Hamburger Month:  Anita    
3. May is Bike Month:  Pamela 
4. May 1st: Mother Goose Day - Lisa Peters 
5. May 4: International Space Day:  Lynne
6. May 5: Cinco DeMayo:  Jearise
7. May 6: Beverage Day:  Kimberly  
8. May 6th: National No Diet Day - Laura  
9. May 7 - 12: Teacher Appreciation Week:  Lisa Peters  
10. May 13: Mother's Day:  Laura  
11. May 13th Frog Jumping Day - Angie (ME)
12. May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day:  Edwina   
13. May 19: Armed Forces Day -  Janet 
14. May 21: National Memo Day:  Pamela  
15. May 23: Lucky Penny Day:  Kimberly 
16. May 25: Nerd Pride Day:  Miriam Meserve  
17. May 31st: World No Tobacco Day - Lynne

The hop starts with Lynne (http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/). You won't want to miss a single occasion!!! 

LET'S HOP ALONG TO MY PROJECT...

For this hop, I've made two cards. I love using frogs in cards. They're so cute and whimsical. In this first one, I used a digi stamp that I printed on white paper...cut it out and then just added it to my card. The colors are difficult to see in this photo, but the card is a greenish blue that ties with the striped accent paper. I cut a burgundy red circle that ties in with the striped paper. I received these really cool "rain drop" stickers as a RAK (Random Act of Kindness). I applied these to the right side of the card. I love the water drop effect it had on my card. Using my favorite Stickles, I created a "fly" ... On the inside, I added a cute sentiment: "Frogs have it made...They just eat what bugs them!" This could be a cute card for someone who is going through a challenging time.

For the second card, I made an easel card for my new FB friend (who also happens to be my blog hop neighbor, Edwina). She is awesome and sweet...I love easel cards, because they display the cover and sentiment at the same time.  Here's a side view of my second card...

Using my favorite Cricut cartridge, Create A Critter, I cut out a frog and added some googly eyes. Also, I incorporated one of Edwina's favorite colors, turquoise, and added a little friend for the frog, dragon fly...also a fave of Edwina. Hope you like it, girlfriend! :)  

Don't you love the ribbon I used for this card? If you do, please add a comment that includes your favorite critter to add to cards. I will tally up all the entries and using Random.org, I will choose a winner....

Good luck and enjoy all the posts along the way!!!

The line-up for May includes:

Lynne: http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/

Anita: http://www.anitaandbugs.blogspot.com/

Pamela: http://kraftykatstampstudio.blogspot.com/

Lisa Peters: http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/ 

Jearise: http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Kimberly - http://scrappingrookie.blogspot.com/

Laura: http://lauraleesdream.blogspot.com (You should have come from here...)

Angie: http://atuttletime.blogspot.com (You are here...)

Edwina:  http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/ (Next blog)

Janet: http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Miriam: http://miriamscreations.blogspot.com/

Stop by and check out these holidays as I am sure you are going to want to remember these holidays and include them in your card making projects!!!!!

We will have blog candy to the lucky recipient that remarks on each site along the way!

Thanks for stopping by and mark your calendar again next month to see what Holidays to Celebrate on June 9th for the next Calendar Girls Blog Hop!

Follow up Winner of the Crafty Friends Give Blog Hop

(For the Dr. Seuss Hop...Please scroll down just below!)

I never heard back or had any way to contact our previous winner....so after another Random.org drawing, visitor number 2 is our winner.  Liza Bratt from http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com.  

$25 Gift Certificate to the beautiful Nesting Pretty Etsy shop!

Congratulations, Liz!