Join us for the 3rd & FINAL day of the 2nd Annual Handmade Holiday Hop!

Welcome to the 2^nd Annual
Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!!!

 Calling all crafters! We’ve gathered designers from some of our favorite manufacturers to show you ways to create something from the heart this holiday season. This 3 day Hop includes over 60 stops with inspiration brimming from every corner. Explore all of the thoughtful and frugal handmade gifts you could create for the holidays, all in one place, during our second annual
Handmade Holidays Blog Hop!

To sweeten the Hop, we’re offering a gift for you! For every comment you leave on the blogs in the Hop, you’ll be entered to win a prize pack from one of the participating manufacturer sponsors! Use the Rafflecopter widget on the Clearsnap blog to gain extra entries each day:http://cleasnap.blogspot.com

Look at what Graphic 45 is offering up as a prize package for this hop...

WOWZA... right?!?!

So don't miss out, comment at EVERY stop along the way during this 3 day hop!

For my handmade project, I created these holiday ornaments using Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet collection. You can achieve so many varieties of ornaments with the versatility of Nutcracker Sweet -- reds, greens, pinks, purples, winter blues... ballerinas, Nutcrackers... you can't help but love this collection!

Here are some photos of the ornaments I created... the base of the ornamentres a raw paper mache alterable ornaments I purchased at my local craft store...

On this ornament, I used a lot of winter blues and pinks from the Nutcracker Sweet collection. The coordinating chipboard die-cuts are the perfect accent...

I can't get enough of the Staples metal ornate keys. I think I just about accent every project with these keys! LOL!

Here is the opposite side of the ornament...

Here's the 2nd ornament I created... I used more purples on this one...

I also incorporated the coordinating Nutcracker Sweet stickers

Here's the opposite side of this ornament... (there's another ornate metal key!)

Here's my 3rd and last ornament... this one has more of the traditional reds and greens of Christmas... and the cute little Nutcracker guy...

Here's is the opposite side of this ornament...

How about a little tutorial that shows you how I created the first ornament?

Please join me right here...

(For full quality view of this video, click over to my YouTube channel HERE.)

Now don't forget... visit the list of blogs below and leave a comment on each for your chance to win some prizes! Each day we will be sharing a brand new list of blogs with brand new projects for you to explore, be inspired by, and create from!

Nov 16

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/

The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Kristin Wilson – Graphic 45 -  http://www.kristinwilsonhandmade.com/

Jennie Garcia - Tombow -  earthyscrap.blogspot.com

Gini Williams Cagle - Hampton Art - http://ginicagle.blogspot.com/

Sabrina Alery – Clearsnap – http://Sabrinaalery.blogspot.com

DeeDee Catron - Globecraft Memories - http://umwowstudio.blogspot.com

Michelle Grant – Donna Salazar Designs -  http://michellejbg.blogspot.com

Emily Lanham – Authentique Paper -http://www.createserendipity.net

Emma Jeffery – Fiskateers - http://hellobeautifulblog.blogspot.com

Natalie Clause – The Twinery -  http://www.southernbellescharm.com/

Alberto L Juarez – Graphic 45 http://vintageodyssey.blogspot.com/

Vivian Keh - Hampton Art - http://contadinak.wordpress.com/tag/vivian-keh/

Jennifer Priest – Clearsnap – http://hydrangeahippo.blogspot.com

Heather Conklin – Authentique Paper - http://goldiecar.blogspot.com/

Nov 17 

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/

The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Diana Gonzalez – Clearsnap – http://www.arteypoemas.com 

Monika Wright – The Twinery - http://www.iloveitallwithmonikawright.com/

Gretchen McElveen - Hampton Art - http://gretchenmac.blogspot.com/

Megan Aaron – Clearsnap- http://thoughtsoftraveling.blogspot.com 

Tania Willis – Fiskateers- http://throughtrialsiambeingpurified.blogspot.com/

Gloria Stengel – Graphic 45 - http://www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Austin – Clearsnap - http://whatsinalousyananut.blogspot.com/

Shellye McDaniel – Authentique Paper - http://paperedcottage.blogspot.com/

Natasha Naranjo Aguirre – Donna Salazar Designs -  http://www.moments-of-tranquility.com

Jen Carter – The Twinery - http://jensinkspot.blogspot.com/

Laura Denison – Graphic 45 - http://lauradenisondesigns.com  

Candy Spiegel – Globecraft Memories - http://candyspiegel.wordpress.com/

Nov 18

Clearsnap – http://clearsnap.blogspot.com

Hampton Art - http://blog.hamptonart.com/
Graphic45 – http://g45papers.typepad.com/

Fiskateers - www.fiskateers.com/blog

Donna Salazar Designs – http://donnasalazar.typepad.com/

Tombow USA – http://blog.tombowusa.com/

Authentique Paper http://authentiquepaper.blogspot.com/

The Twinery - http://www.thetwineryblog.com/

Eileen Hull for Sizzix http://eileenhull.blogspot.com/

Globecraft Memories – http://globecraftmemories.blogspot.com

Dana Warren - Hampton Art - http://kraftpaperstamps.blogspot.com/

Steph Ackerman – Globecraft Memories - www.stephaniescraps.blogspot.com

Arlene Cuevas – Graphic 45 -  http://butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com/ (You're HERE!)

Susan Lui – Graphic 45 -  http://luv2scrap-pages.blogspot.com/

Ashley Bores – The Twinery - http://www.heartmadelife.com/

Mistra Hoolahan – Donna Salazar Designs - http://mistrabutterfly.blogspot.com

Nina Yang - Hampton Art - http://waffleflower.com/

Angie Blom – Authentique Paper - http://angieblomdesigns.blogspot.com/

Denise Hahn – Clearsnap – http://inmyblueroom.blogspot.com

Stephenie Hamen – Fiskateers - www.mycraftyadventures.com

Guiseppa Gubler – Authentique Paper - http://guiseppagubler.blogspot.com/

Jessica Fick – The Twinery - http://iembellish.blogspot.com/

Cheers to creating gifts from the heart this holiday season!

Next on the hop is one of my Graphic 45 DT sistas, and let me tell you.... she is AMAZING... it's Susan Lui! I'll meet ya over at her blog!

Happy Hopping!

xoxo!

Graphic 45 & Petaloo Team up for a Blog Hop FULL of Inspiration!

Hi everyone! 

What an exciting week this is! Graphic 45 and Petaloo are teaming up to bring you a SUPER fun blog hop overflowing with inspiration and... you got it --- PRIZES!!!

Look at what Graphic 45 is offering up as one of the blog candies:

Wow, right?

All you have to do to enter to win the prize above is leave a comment on the blogs along the hop. 

The theme of the hop was to create a gift. I decided to create this card that doubles up as a gift card holder. Perfect for giving the "gift" of giftcards this holiday season!

The base of my card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" and I used Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet papers along with Petaloo's gorgeous purple Darjeeling flowers (all product descriptions/links included below.)

Here are photos of my card giftcard holder:

  For a walk through video detailing this card, here's a short video:

Before you head off on your hop, here's some information about these AMAZING companies, 

Graphic 45 and Petaloo...

Graphic 45 Bio:
Graphic 45 is an award-winning scrapbook and paper crafting company. We offer vintage inspired crafting products that capture the flamboyant style of the 1920's and 30's - with vibrant color, irresistible texture and imaginative design to create products with decades-old appeal that's both fresh and familiar. Let our products inspire your next scrapbook layout, card, album or home decor project.

Petaloo Bio:
Petaloo is a family-owned business specializing in flowers and embellishments for the crafting industry.  Our embellishments are designed specifically to
match all the best selling papers in the industry.  We specialize in embellishments that work perfectly for card makers, scrapbookers, jewelery designers and altered artists.

Now, let's get you on your hopping way. Next on today's blog hop, is the super talented and amazing Maiko Miwa

I'm sure she will dazzle your imagination with her project. I'll meet ya over there!

Oh, and in case you are just joining us and want to get your load of inspiration (you don't want to miss out on the blog candies, so comment as you go!!) here's the master hop list!

Monday,  November 12: 

Alberto Juárez: vintageodyssey.blogspot.com

Nicole Eccles: http://nicoleeccles.blogspot.com

Lisa Valentine  - http://petaloo.typepad.com

Tuesday, November 13: 

Arlene Cuevas: www.butterflykisseswithlove.blogspot.com

Maiko Miwa: http://shiny-scrap.blogspot.com

Sharon Ngoo: http://glooshmoo.blogspot.com

Lynne Forsythe : http://petaloo.typepad.com

Wednesday, November 14:

Clare Charvill: http://www.mycreativespirit.blogspot.com

Laura Denison: www.lauradenisondesigns.com 

Susan Lui: www.luv2scrap-pages.blogspot.com

Eva Dobilas : http://petaloo.typepad.com

Thursday, November 15:

Denise Hahn: inmyblueroom.blogspot.com

Kristin Wilson: http://kristinwilsonhandmade.blogspot.com

Tara Orr: http://eachmoment-onlyonce.blogspot.com

Christine Ousley: http://petaloo.typepad.com

Friday, November 16:

Gloria Stengel: www.gloriascraps.blogspot.com

Jane Tregenza: http://janetregenza.blogspot.com

Betto Cesare: http://scrapguys.blogspot.com

Irene Tan: http://petaloo.typepad.com

Saturday, November 17: Alice Carman: http://petaloo.typepad.com

Sunday, November 18: Helena Johansson: http://petaloo.typepad.com

            Monday, November 19:  Mireille Divjak: http://petaloo.typepad.com

So what are you waiting for, get your hopping on! ♥

xoxo ♥,

Products

Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet papers

Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet Stickers

Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet Chipboard Die cuts 1

Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet Chipboard tags 2

Staples Stamped Metal Brads

Petaloo Dahlias x 10 - Teastained Purple

Darjeeling Mini x 8 - Teastained Purple

Petaloo Glass ornament pins - Lavender

Paper Trey Ink Kraft Cardstock

4" White doilies from Owl & Thistle (Etsy)

May Arts Pearled Lace

C'ordiations Colorcore Graphic 45 Signature Series cardstock 

Ranger Stickles - Diamond

Sizzix Bigz Die - Giftcard holder

Bird Song Altered Matchbook Box Scrapbook Page

Hey everyone! Today I have a Graphic 45 project to share with you that is near and dear to my heart.... because it is a project I created for my Mom to remember her birthday this year.

I created this altered Graphic 45 8x8 Matchbook Box Scrapbook Page using Graphic 45's Bird Song paper collection. This collection is awe inspiring and its vintage-Asian theme is just stunning!

My project will be featured on the Graphic 45 blog in its full glory (hehe!) with product details, so be sure to stop on by and visit me over there!

First, here are some sneak peaks of my altered Matchbook Box...

I love working with the Bird Song papers... and my new favorite, these Matchbook boxes! If you love to alter like me, you can seriously go-to-town with these babies!

http://www.g45papers.com/bird-song-category

Graphic 45 Staples: 8x8-matchbook-box

Here is a video walk through of this project:

I hope to see ya over at the Graphic 45 blog!

xoxo,

I Am Roses Sketch Challenge #2 - "Thankful"

Hey everyone and welcome to another I Am Roses challenge! This month, I Am Roses has a sketch challenge up and this was a FUN sketch to create and play with!

Here's the sketch:

Here's what I came up with...

This is me and hubby before we were married... I can't believe how YOUNG we look! 12 years does A LOT to a person! LOL!

Here's a video tutorial for this scrapbook page...

For more information on how to participate in this month's challenge and enter to win a package of I Am Roses product, visit the I Am Roses challenge blog today!

Products:

R 76 Large roses [peach & ivory roses] (*Coming soon!)

R 60 Brown Rose

S-10 Brown Two-tone flower

Small White Mulberry Butterflies

Mixed Brown Rose Leaves

Graphic 45 Place in Time paper collection

Graphic 45 Place in Time Alphabet Stickers

Graphic 45 Staples - Metal Brads, Metal Hinges, Ornate Key, Ornate keyhole, recycled packaging

Stampin' Up Banner Punch

Cordinations ColorCore Signature Series cardstock (Graphic 45)

Heavy weight chipboard

Ranger Distress Ink - Walnut Stain

ScorTape

Glossy Accents

3G ATG Adhesive

Thanks for stopping by today!

xoxo,

Nutcracker Sweet Scrapbook page & Tutorial

Hello there everyone! I have another project to share with you today. For today's project, I thought about some of the "new" scrapbookers out there who have often wanted to take the plunge to create a scrapbook page, but never have. Many get intimidated by the "space" and "empty slate" when they look at a piece of paper. I really wanted to help provide that little "push"and share how you can create a beautiful, simple layout with a little bit of inspiration and help from Graphic 45. Graphic 45 takes a lot of thinking out of creating by providing such FUN and inspiring products to coordinate nicely with their paper collections. For this project, I used the Nutcracker Sweet papers, complimented by the coordinating chipboard tags and metal Staples.

Here are a few sneak peaks of my project:

For more photos, details, and a video tutorial, visit the Graphic 45 blog. I'll meet ya over there!

hugs! xoxo

Graphic 45 Bird Song Altered Hanging Photo Tray

Hey there bloggers! It's Arlene here with another fun Graphic 45 project to share with you.

I was one of the many G45 fans that was patiently waiting for an Asian themed vintage collection to come out and when Bird Song was released, I was just in heaven! The papers really capture Asian beauty and serenity.

A few months ago, I snapped a few photos of my son Logan eating Udon noodles at our favorite local Japense restautant. I thought it was just adorable how he was "hanging" the noodles up in the air and trying to aim the noodles into his mouth below. LOL! Too adorable! I thought these pictures went perfectly with the Bird Song papers. I altered a Kaisercraft "Off the page" photo tray and went to town with the Graphic 45 Bird Song paper collection and metal Staples.

Here are a few sneak peeks of this project below. For full photos and project details, meet me over at the Graphic 45 blog!

Thanks for stopping by today and have yourself and AMAZING weekend!

hugs! xoxo

Happy Haunting Treat Box, Tutorial & birthday celebration!

Hi everyone! Happy Monday! Hope you all had a fun, crafty weekend! ♥

Yep, it's that time of year again when I grow another year older (another year wiser? hmm, maybe! LOL!) Anyhow, I'm really excited to be sharing a festive project with you today! Since my birthday falls around the Halloween season, my birthday celebration always consists of candies and sweets. Who am I to complain? hehe! For my project today, I'll be sharing an altered Halloween treat box that I created using Graphic 45's Happy Haunting collection and the *new* Staples Small Matchbook Box.

The project, along with a detailed tutorial and video, is featured over at the Graphic 45 blog, so be sure to head on over there for all the birthday festivities!

First, here are a few sneak peeks at my Happy Haunting altered treat box...

See ya over at the Graphic 45 blog!

hugs! ♥

Product list:


Happy Haunting papers
Happy Haunting Chipboard Tags 1 & 2
Happy Haunting Stickers
Staples Small Matchbook Box
Staples Metal Ornate Key
Staples Antique Metal Door Pull
Staples Stamped Metal Brad
Lindy's Stamp Gang Starburst Spray - Toto's Tornado Black & Midnight Rendez Vous Raven
I Am Roses Flowers
Petaloo Flowers
Memory Box Mini Iron Gate die
Memory Box Spider Web die
Cheery Lynn Designs - Pine Branches die
PaperTrey Ink Black cardstock
Martha Stewart bat stickers
Ranger Distress Ink - Black Soot
3M dimensionals
ScorTape
E6000 glue
Glossy Accents