WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!

What a wonderful blog hop that was yesterday! Thanks to Zoe and all of my new hoppin' crafty friends!

The winning comment was

Theresa said...

So glad you did the hop!!! I love the yellow ribbon embellishment on the card, such a cute and funky touch. Very pretty!

TFS
Theresa

CONGRATS Theresa!!! Please contact me with your mailing info and I will get your prize right out to you ASAP!  Thanks again for your comments everyone and check back often! Have a wonderful day and may today and every day take you on A Creative Journey :)

Zoe's " Friendship" Blog Hop

(If you are here for the LULP, please click HERE :D)
Welcome to Zoe's "Friendship" Blog Hop you are in store for a lot of great projects, prizes and fun!
If you have come from Alina's page 
you are in the right place! If you have gotten to my page and would like to start at the beginning of the blog hop, please start with our lovely hostess Zoe so that you can join in on ALL of the fun!
Well for starters-I am SOOOO excited! I have been asked (along with 15 wonderfully talented ladies) to join Zoe's "Friendship" blog hop! This is my first blog hop so I am excited and a bit nervous :) If you are not familiar with a blog hop and how it works, here is some info to get you on your way to join in on the fun:

You start at the first blog (click on Zoe's listed above)  looking at the amazing friendship project(s) on her blog. You then click on the follow button (whichever platform suits you best or ALL OF THEM!) so that you are able to continue to check out her wonderful projects in the future.  Next, please comment on the projects because we all LOVE feedback! You will then go to the next in line doing the same and repeat-That's it! If you aren't sure where you are or where you need to be, I have a list below with all of our participants to help you out :)                                                                                                                    The BEST PART is you can win a prize just for leaving comments and following my blog right in the comfort of your own home and chair!  NOW HOW DO YOU GO WRONG WITH THAT??!!
Now I know I love to win prizes so of course I LOVE GIVING AWAY PRIZES and one lucky blog candy winner will win the really cute acrylic stamp set "Little Star" pictured below from FANCY PANTS!

This is a close up of the images

Now, to win you need to be a follower of my blog and comment on my project-THAT'S IT! The blog candy winner will be announced on Tuesday by 10:00 AM  Pacific Time :) Good luck everyone!  I am going to have one of my sons pick a number (between 1 and the total number of people  that left a comment by 11:59 PM 6/27)  and that will decide the winner!  That way my boys get to be included in the fun!   Now, more fun - my project! The theme is friendship so I created a card using bright colors because they make me smile just like my friends! I used two Technique Tuesday stamp sets for my card. I used "All About Me" (friends) & "Loving Words" by Ali Edwards (thank you & for being in my life.) I used Bo Bunny  paper the Popsicle Collection,) red paper (my stash,)  yellow pom-pon ribbon (Michael's,) orange rhinestone  bling (Queen & Co.,) Stampin' Up! Bigz Sizzix die "Top Note," Versamark Ink (Tsukineko,) Stampin' Up!  ticket corner punch, Creative memories corner rounder punch, white glaze pen (Sakura,)  Zing blue glitter finish embossing powder, my heat gun, Beacon 3 in 1 glue and red wire (26 gauge.)
I die cut the blue paper with the top note die and used the white glaze pen to highlight the perforation border around the die cut. I cut a piece of Bo Bunny paper, stamped the sentiments on it with Versamark.  I then used the blue Zing glitter embossing powder, shook off the excess and heat embossed it. I used my ticket punch on the right two corners of the sentiments paper. I cut a piece of red paper, mounted the sentiments piece of paper to it and used my corner rounder on the left two corners and my ticket punch on the right two corners of the red paper. I glued the yellow pom-pon ribbon and affixed the orange rhinestones to the paper. I used the red wire and molded a heart to fit around part of my sentiment. I used a small amount of Beacon 3-in-1 glue (I bought it at the Scrapbook Expo but I think Walmart carries it) and attached the wire heart to the yellow pom-pon ribbon... and there you have it :)

Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my project. I really appreciate it! Don't forget to follow and leave a comment so that you can be eligible for the blog candy stamps from Fancy Pants!
Now onto some more amazing talent - Jenny ! I wonder what wonderful project(s) she has for you today! Be sure to leave her some love <3
If I am fortunate enough to have had you get here by accident, please check out all of our AMAZING ladies projects at the blogs below :) Have a wonderful day and may today and every day take you on   A CREATIVE JOURNEY (Melissa Langford Mueller) :)
Host- Zoe Crafty X - http://craftyx.blogspot.com/ You should have started here :) 

1. Kari Sanchez -  http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
2. Nancy Morin -  http://www.scrappingoutofcontrol.blogspot.com/
3. Erin Nagy - http://www.pagesofpictures.com/
4. Linn Thompson Cloninger - http://www.linnsscrapshack.blogspot.com/
5. Gina Torres - http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/
6. Gill McCall - http://creationsbygillm.blogspot.com/  
7. Jackie-http://jackrabbitscrappin.blogspot.com/
8. Freda Thomas - http://scraparama.blogspot.com/
9. Cherie Pemberton - http://www.gracefulcardmakers.blogspot.com/
10. Jamie Lindstrom (Scrapbookingprincesjamie)-http://www.myamusinglife.blogspot.com/
11. Monica Edwards (scrap2treasure) - http://www.scraps2treasure.blogspot.com/
12. Alina Coronado (Addicted to Scrapping) - http://neverstopscrapping.blogspot.com  YOU CAME FROM HERE
13. Melissa Langford Mueller (A Creative Journey) - http://acreativejourneywithmelissa.blogspot.com/   **YOU ARE HERE**
14. Jenny - http://jennyplace26.blogspot.com/THIS IS YOUR NEXT STOP
15. Rhonda - http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com

Don't forget to stop back on Monday 6/27 for Zoe's "Friendship" Blog hop & more CREATIVE PROJECTS :)!

Link Up Love Party w/ K Andrew 6/21-6/28

Come join me and get LINKY! 

This is a great way to see the amazing creative bloggers out there and share the love for creating BEAUTIFUL THINGS! Sometimes when I feel like I need motivation, I will look at others blogs

 to inspire me to create so hopefully this will help you too :) A huge THANK YOU TO K Andrew (KRISTAL) at http://www.gettingcricky.com/! What an awesome way to create new friends and inspiration! Be sure to look at everyone's blog and LEAVE A COMMENT! We love to hear feed back and when you leave comments  it warms our heart. Thanks to all of you and your wonderful feed back.. I have commented and followed all of you thus far and will do so for all that join in the awesome LOVE LINK UP PARTY :) Enjoy your week and

thank you for going on A CREATIVE JOURNEY with me :)

Link Up Love Party and How it Works
*Link Up Party runs from Tuesday 6/21 to Tuesday 6/28.
Winners announced 6/29
*Grab my blinkie and post on your blog's sidebar
*Be a follower of this blog
*Create a new blog post that is titled Link Up Love Party with K Andrew. In your post, you must mention that the link up love party is a way to get to know each other and find new blog inspiration, mention my blog, with a link back to my blog .
*Post your favorite project that you've done in your blog post WITH ONE thing you are grateful for!
*Copy and paste the link up code into your blog post so the Inlinkz will show up on your blog
*Spread the word so everyone can join in!
*You must visit, follow, and comment on the 5 people before you AND the 5 people after you in the Inlinkz. It would be fantastic if you would visit as many as you can--maybe everyone? If you are one of the first 5 then you will need to blog the ones before you and a few more after--as long as it's a minimum of 10 near you in the link up tool/gadget)
If you do not do the above your link will be deleted, because it's just not fair to those who work so hard linking up and showing love to the ones on the list. I have two moderators who will be checking this out to keep it awesome and fun!

Link Up Party: Giveaway! A FULL year subscription to the best scrappy magazine out there: Creating Keepsakes for TWO lucky followers who Link up and play correctly. Winner will be announced June 29'th so make sure you come back to see if you won!!!! Remember, if you dont' claim your prize within ONE week, it goes back in to the pot!

I am thankful for my awesome kids and husband. We ended up moving from the Mid West to California due to my husband's work. What was supposed to be a temporary 3-5  year run turned out to be a permanent situation. Because of this, it encouraged us to get closer, enjoy each other, have deeper relationships with one another and really connect as a family. Although my kids have missed out on some things that I wish they hadn't, we try to visit family as often as time and our budget will allow. Ultimately, my children and hubby call California home and wherever they are - THAT'S WHAT I CONSIDER HOME :)

Now....onto my project! This started with the metal sign

you see in the picture 

"Because two people fell in love"

and the rest came from my crafty head-LOL - 

I created this with blank canvases, metal key, flowers, mod podge, ribbon, keys, four picture frames, ink, paint, crackle medium and the metal sign. I used various papers, ripped them, used mod podge on the canvas, placed the paper pieces on the canvas, used mod podge again on top of the paper and created the lower canvas and the two upper canvases. I took ink and inked the two small square canvases in the middle as well as the flowers. I added a nail head in the center of both for the flower for decoration and put the flowers on the canvases. I took four cheap wooden frames and put crackle medium on them-a relatively thick layer. I let it dry and then painted over it with the paint which gives the aged look as seen below. You can also see the lines from the mod podge which I actually wanted to add to the texture. If you don't like the look of distinct lines, use a foam brush. It will be more appealing to you.

I mounted all four of the painted picture frames to the canvases. 

I then cut out 4 pieces of paper and used a corner punch so

that I can switch out the pictures in the future if I choose to.

The ribbon is stapled to the back of the canvas and the key at the

top is mounted with the ribbon woven through the key hole.

  

Don't for get to get LINKY and thanks so much for looking! Have a wonderful day :D

I WON A BLOG AWARD!!!!!!

I want to share some VERY exciting news! I can barely contain myself! I was so excited when I opened my E-mails today! I have been a bit behind w/my E-mails between classes, my anniversary and Father's Day but I received the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award! This is my first award and I am honored that I was chosen to receive it! I had no idea that I was even being considered!!!!
Here is the award:
 

A HUGE Thanks to Lori Bourg Williams at http://loriscraftyspot.blogspot.com 

for this award. She is UBER-Talented & 

I am SO HONORED! 

Please be sure to check out her blog

at the above link :-)


The rules for the award are the following: 

1) Send a thank you to the person who 

nominated you and include their link. 

2) To accept this award, tell 7 random facts about yourself.

3) Pass the award on to at least 8 other awesome blog buddies.

7 Random Facts About Me :

1.   I just celebrated my 17th wedding anniversary on Saturday

I have known my husband for 20 years!

2.  I am scared  that my boys are growing up way too fast but 

I am excited and look forward to what the  future has in store for them.

3.  I am trying to stop and smell the roses more often

and not be so hard on myself. (No, it's not working yet!)

4. I want to learn how to crochet flowers.

5. I wish my cousin Christy lived closer because I miss her and her family :( ...

I wish we could create together-

She is QUITE AN AMAZING Mom, Best Friend and Crafty Wonderwoman!

6. I love taking pictures of my boys and husband-They are

AMAZING and I just love them!!!! Now, I just need to scrapbook them! LOL

7. I would love to start my own stamp line someday

including some of my son's art.

Now to share this award with 8 of my talented & crafty

Blogging friends!!!! They inspire me every day!

Please check them out!

1)Joy http://www.obsessedwithscrapbooking.com/

2)Nikki http://nikki-hobbs.blogspot.com/

3)Gina http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/

4)Wendy http://lvscrappin.blogspot.com/

5)Joy http://cricutchick.blogspot.com/

6)Cindy http://www.craftyqueencb.blogspot.com/

7)Sam http://www.thescrapmaster.com/

8)Anita http://anitaandbugs.blogspot.com

Have a wonderfully creative day! I hope you are able to go on 

A Creative Journey today... and EVERY DAY!

Father's Day Golfing Card

Happy Tuesday! With Father's Day right around the corner, I thought I would show you one of the cards that I have made. I originally started to make this for my husband a few weeks ago for Father's Day. I used my Gypsy by Provo Craft (and my Cricut of course) along with the Wild Card cartridge and Paper Dolls for Everyday cartridge. I also used a real golf tee, a red glaze pen, shimmery green card stock, light green and white card stock from my stash. I had (to my surprise) an overwhelming response to it so I ended up putting them up for sale as opposed to sending them out. I almost forgot to keep one for myself! LOL Fortunately, I did keep one so my husband will get one and this is a picture of it :) Hope you have a wonderful day and thank you for coming along with me on A Creative Journey :)

An Oldie but a Goodie

Soooo... I have been getting ready like C-R-A-Z-Y for a garage sale for the past couple weeks and today (it is past 1 AM!) is THE DAY!!! YAHOOOOO!!!!  My close friend Robin (she is also my next door neighbor and walking buddy) and I do this every year and although it is A LOT OF WORK, I think secretly we like to do it because we have fun doing it together.. The great news is we have it down to a science being that we have done our annual garage sale for almost a decade now! So although I don't have a "new" project to show you cuz I can't find the Father's Day card I made that I wanted to post - hopefully I won't be selling it by accident tomorrow! LOL I am "getting rid of old stuff" so I am posting one of my favorite "older" cards. With all of the clothes and stuff we have, Robin has quite a bit of baby stuff so it made me think of this card. Really quite simple to make but I really loved it and was honored that I was asked by my other friend Robin (yes I have two very close friends by the name of Robin) to make a card for her nephews "welcome baby" gift and this is what I came up with.  I used the Sizzix BIGZ baby carriage card die, C1, C3, C5 Copic markers, CTMH blue paper & patterned paper from the animal cookies collection, a white ribbon, string and a blue button. I hope you like it! Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Fishing

With Father's Day on the horizon, I was asked to create a few custom cards. The first one I created was a fishing themed custom card. I used my Cricut to cut the boat from the Going Places Cricut Cartridge and the fishing pole was cut from the Simply Charmed Cricut Cartridge. I used real fishing line for the fishing line (I believe it was 20 gauge.) I used two fish buttons (unfortunately I don't know what company makes them,) paper, wire for the hooks, a blue copic marker (to add blue color to the waves for the water,) a glitter pen for the handle of the fishing pole, cut out cloud shapes and added white glaze lines to highlight the clouds and this is what I got. I hope this inspires you to be crafty today! Have a wonderful weekend!