Showing posts with label blog hop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog hop. Show all posts

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Spooktacular Signs - The Trick-or-Treat Blog Hop



Welcome to the Trick-Or-Treat Blog Hop! 
October 8-10, 2011
 

Crafter's Workshop and Clearsnap have teamed up for the next three days to create hauntingly inspiring projects for this Halloween season. It's all tricks, treats, and techniques so join us on a fright night jaunt to remember, hopping from blog to blog. Leave your "Trick-or-treat" comment on each blog in the hop in hopes of winning candy, blog candy that is! For every 50 comments posted on this blog we're giving away a set of inks and accessories to spook up any crafter's projects!!! We'll choose the winners from the blog comments posted on all the blogs in the Hop. 

The Clearsnap prize includes Smooch Spritz in Frosted Grape, Green Olive, and Carrot Cake, ColorBox Pigment InkPad in Spooktacular, Glitter in  Grape Fizz, Design Adhesives in "Trick or Treat" and "Eeeeks!?", plus our new Design Foils in Lime Burst. That's alot of spook to go around!


Plus Crafter's Workshop is giving away this fabulous assortment of templates worth over $35!! This is some serious blog candy!!


Receive extra entries in the Hop for following Clearsnap and Crafter's Workshop on Twitter and Facebook and for tweeting or posting on Facebook about the Hop - just post here afterwards that you have followed us or posted about the Hop to increase your chances to win. 


Here are the artsy spooksters to visit:



Julie Fei-Fan Balzer - http://www.balzerdesigns.typepad.com/
Charlotte Jenkins http://suepup.blogspot.com
Mary Dawn Quirindongo -http://mypinkmexico.blogspot.com/ Karen Grunberg- http://www.karenika.com/
Jen Clark - http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/  YOU ARE HERE

Happy Hopping!!


We recently visited our local pumpkin patch as a family, and while there, I saw a large family or possibly a group on tour - at any rate, they had some signs on wood sticks to identify their group.  I thought they were really cute, and that some similar Halloween-y signs would make super cute decorations...and that my kids would probably enjoy carrying them while out trick-or--treating (OR just around the house for the next several weeks, as is proving the case...).  So before we left the pumpkin patch, I made sure to gather several twigs - we live in the desert and certainly don't have any twigs in OUR yard!  My kids couldn't wait to see what I was going to do with them!

I started out by cutting cardstock to 5.25" wide by 6.5" long.  I ran each one through my Zutter Distrezz-it-All to distress the edges.  I used the 6x6 Crafter's Workshop trees template and the Clearsnap MetalXtra Platinum ink pad with a blending tool to apply ink to the cardstock to create just a shadow on the background.


After drying the ink, I applied some Glue Gloss to a tree stamp and stamped it over the background trees.  I rubbed some Lucky Penny and Plum Crazy Designer Foils over the Tree (you have to let it get tacky a bit, then rub a bit and apply several times since it's not really meant to be used with the Glue Gloss).  Then I re-stamped the tree using Clearsnap Pigment ink to give it more definition.


I used the Crafter's Workshop numbers template to highlight the number "31," using Clearsnap Espresso pigment ink.  I just love how easy the Queue's are to use - both the chalk ink and the pigment ink.  (Just a note - the chalk ink dries very quickly, the pigment ink a bit more slowly, but both are easy to use.)


I added a word sticker, going around the edges with Dark Brown chalk ink, and went around the edges of the entire sign with the same ink pad.  I added some accents with a Viva Pearl Pen, and my sign was complete.(I punched holes in the top and bottom to put it on a twig.)


On this one, I used the triangle plaid template to create a background, added the clocks over it using that template, and I used Glue Gloss to cover the witch in black glitter.  I *LOVE* using Glue Gloss for glitter - it ROCKS.  If you've never tried it for glitter, flocking, etc. - you are really missing out!!  I again used the MetalXtra Platinum ink pad - to ink the skull and to add highlights to the houses - I just love that ink pad!!  A little goes a long way.


On this third one, I started by using black ink with the tree template, and then used Design Adhesive flourishes in the corners with Plum Crazy foils.  You can see the shimmer somewhat - but it's really hard to see in photographs JUST how shimmery the foils really are!!  I added the skeleton and the Halloween card - inked with Lavender chalk ink - and the "spooky" word sticker.  I went around the edges of the sticker and sign with Espresso pigment ink.


Finally, the last sign.  I started by using the damask template, and sprayed using Wine Berry and Silver Foil Smooch Spritz.  Then I applied some Glue Gloss on the house, and again applied the Designer Foils, a little at a time.  While it didn't work perfectly - it sort of has a spooky, haunted look to it, which is fitting with the theme!  I finished it with a greeting.


For now, the signs are gracing our entry-way table, along with a few other Halloween decorations...though I had to fight my children off to get them to leave them be long enough for me to snap photos!  I have no doubt they will be missing soon, and there will be 3 little monsters running through the house sporting spooky signs!


Now on with the blog hop!!

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Paper Trail Blog Hop


Welcome, hoppers, to the 2010 Paper Trails "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" blog hop!!  I am SO excited to be the December Guest Design Team member for The (Paper) Trailmakers Challenge Blog!! 

The blog hop will run from Dec. 1 - Dec. 4, and on Dec. 5, each blog owner will pick a winner for a small giveaway or RAK from those who've left comments!!  Here are the blog hop participants, in case you've started in the middle, so you can make sure to catch all of  us:

4. Jen - you're here!
6.. Karen

Without further ado...here is my first project for the month, using the December Paper Trails kit:


First off, let me just say - I am *LOVING* the December Paper Trails kit!!!!  The papers, the embellishments - they are all STUNNING!  And SO versatile - I am finding that they allow me to create something more on the elegant side, like this piece of home decor, or something more on the whimsical side - which you'll see with the first Trailmakers Challenge.  ;)  (Interested??) 


For this project, I used all of the papers in the December kit, with the exception of the solid red cardstock.  I started with a plain-jane burdundy-red wooden 8x10 photo frame.  I sanded it a bit, using my Tim Holtz sanding block, and then painted it black using a black Adirondack paint dabber.  Once it was dry, I sanded it again, giving it a slightly worn look and allowing some of the underlying red to show through.  

Then I cut a sheet of the black cardstock from the kit, to fit inside the frame.  I then used a 1 3/8" square paper punch to punch out lots of squares from the patterned papers, as well as a few from the white cardstock.  I went around the edges of the squares with a white Adirondack paint dabber, to help the squares stand out against the black background, and once dry, I adhered the squares to the black cardstock using adhesive.  I then put the piece in the frame and closed it up.  




I adore Thickers, so I was thrilled to get some in this kit, and I thought they would look great on TOP of the glass in this project - and I was right - I love the effect!!  I placed the letters for "JOY" over three of the plain white squares, and then placed one of the gorgeous chipboard buttons over the fourth white square - again, on top of the glass.  

I used my Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher (one of my absolute NECESSITY scrapbooking and crafting tools!) to make pleats in the red and black ribbon from the kit - a gorgeous piece of ribbon, I might add!  I then used my hot glue gun to attach the ribbon, Prima vine, and Prima poinsettia (all from the kit - seriously, this kit is LOADED!) to the frame.  Finally, I added the "Merry Christmas" cardstock sticker, over the ribbon, and my project was complete.  (And I have TONS of kit product left over, I have to add!)



I supposed you would like to see a picture of everything that's actually included in this kit, right?  Well, here you go:


I promise you that there is no way you could buy this kit at retail for what the kit is selling for!

Whether you need to make cards, scrapbooking layouts, home decor projects, gifts, or whatever else your imagination can create - you cannot go wrong with the December Paper Trails kit!!  Hurry - go get yours right now!!  But don't forget to leave a comment first, for your chance to win a little something!

And keep an eye 0ut - I will have a couple more projects later in the month using the same kit!!

The next stop on your hop is Krystle's blog!  Happy hopping!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Paper Trail Blog Hop - Coming Soon!!



You are cordially invited to join me here on December 1st at midnight PST to debut the December Paper Trails Kit.  I am SO excited to be a Guest Design Team member for Paper Trails for December, because this kit is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS!   Each of the Design Team Members will have a DEBUT project to share with you using the kit and a little birdie told me that there will be giveaways too!  Then you will want to race to the Paper Trails store to purchase the December Kit because they will be gone quick as a wink.  Karen truly outdid herself this time!!!  The blog hop will last until December 4th at 11pm EST and then giveaway winners will be pulled on December 5th and announced!!!  Are you ready to get your hop on?  

Friday, November 05, 2010

Art-Full Horizons Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop - Day 5







Welcome to the Art-Full Horizons 
Jolly Jumpstart
 Blog Hop!


Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!
  1. Art-Full Horizons http://art-fullhorizons.blogspot.com
  2. Tammy Inman http://tammyi.com
  3. Nan Paturzo http://scrappynan.blogspot.com
  4. Robyn Weatherspoon http://herebygrace.typepad.com/
  5. Mykle Parker http://scrapbohemia.blogspot.com
  6. Sherry Mendoza http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/
  7. Robin Redd http://robinredd.typepad.com/west_coast_scrapper/
  8. April Meeker www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com
  9. Erin Bassett www.erinbassett.com
  10. Jennifer Clark http://jenspartyof5.blogspot.com
  11. Jennifer Edwardson http://frommypapercraftstudio.blogspot.com/

Here's how it works:
  1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, please start back at the Art-Full Horizons blog.  You should be arriving here from Erin's blog.
  2. Leave a comment on each blog hop post in the list above between now and November 7, 2010.
  3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:
  • Leave a comment on the Art-Full Horizons blog hop post between now and November 7, 2010.
  • Join the Art-full Horizons email list (fill out the form in the left hand column on the A-H blog).
  • Become a follower of the Art-full Horizons blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column on the A-H blog.
  • "Like" the Art-Full Horizons Facebook Page.
  • Join the Art-Full Horizons Facebook Group.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • U.S. entries only please

To let us know you've done these things, please return to the first Art-full Horizons Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop post and leave a comment for each thing you did, i.e. one comment for posting on each blog, another comment for posting on facebook, and another comment for joining our email newsletter. Please note: if you post it all in one comment, it will only count as one entry, so be sure to post EACH ENTRY as a separate comment.

On November 8, 2010 we'll choose the winners using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. U.S. entries only please.

*****************************************************


Today, here on Party of Five, I'd like to share with you one of my favorite holiday recipes!!  Actually, to be honest, this recipe is one of my favorites all year round...but Christmas would NOT be Christmas without my mom's special version of monkey bread!  Now, before you stop reading...I know there are a LOT of monkey bread recipes out there, and most people make it in generally the same way.  But THIS recipe is different.  I promise!  And the difference is what makes it special - AND what makes it SO. UNBELIEVABLY. CAN'T. STOP. EATING. IT. YUMMY.  Really.

Ingredients:
1 bag of 24 frozen dinner rolls (the yeast kind - like Rhodes brand)
1 3 3/4 oz pkg (the small one) box of butterscotch pudding mix (NOT instant!)
1/2 C. butter
3/4 C. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon

PREPARE THE NIGHT BEFORE for a yummy breakfast or brunch!!  Spray a tube or bundt cake pan with non-stick spray.  Arrange FROZEN rolls in the greased pan and sprinkle the DRY pudding mix over the rolls.

Melt butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over low heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture bubbles.  Pour hot, scrumptious-smelling mixture over the frozen rolls.  Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, and let stand overnight (or for a minimum of 6-8 hours).  

The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and bake for 30 minutes on 350.  I usually leave the foil loosely over the pan until the last 10 minutes or so, to avoid the rolls getting too brown on top.  After the 30 minutes, remove from oven, let stand for 5 minutes, and then invert onto a large platter, letting all of the sauce drip down over the rolls.  Use a heat-resistant spatula to scrape out any extra sauce if left in the pan.

And finally, make yourself a pot of coffee, and enjoy!

(Now, if you are REALLY ambitious, this is EXTRA EXTRA yummy when made with fresh made bread dough instead of the frozen yeast rolls - I've done it - and it truly is so delicious I could almost eat an entire pan of them myself!)

Remember, you have through November 7 to complete your entries for the A-H Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop, and each comment gets you an extra entry.

***Additionally...here at Party of Five, I will also be having a giveaway at the end of the week!!  I will be posting throughout the week, from now through November 7, various posts about holiday projects, recipes, traditions, and memories.  On November 8, I will choose TWO winners of surprise grab bags filled with goodies to get you in the holiday spirit.  How do you enter?  Several ways!  You will get one entry for each comment you leave (one per Jolly Jumpstart blog post).  You will get another entry by becoming a follower of my blog (if you are already following, just let me know) and leaving a comment letting me know you are following.  You can get another entry by posting about your own holiday traditions and linking to this post on YOUR blog, and leaving me a comment with a link to your blog.  Make sure you check back on November 8 to see if YOU are a winner!!***


Thank you for participating!!  Comments are now disabled, and winners will be announced soon!!

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Art-Full Horizons Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop - Day 3 (and CCC #20)





Welcome to the Art-Full Horizons 
Jolly Jumpstart
 Blog Hop!


Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!
  1. Art-Full Horizons http://art-fullhorizons.blogspot.com
  2. Tammy Inman http://tammyi.com
  3. Nan Paturzo http://scrappynan.blogspot.com
  4. Robyn Weatherspoon http://herebygrace.typepad.com/
  5. Mykle Parker http://scrapbohemia.blogspot.com
  6. Sherry Mendoza http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/
  7. Robin Redd http://robinredd.typepad.com/west_coast_scrapper/
  8. April Meeker www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com
  9. Erin Bassett www.erinbassett.com
  10. Jennifer Clark http://jenspartyof5.blogspot.com
  11. Jennifer Edwardson http://frommypapercraftstudio.blogspot.com/

Here's how it works:
  1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, please start back at the Art-Full Horizons blog.  You should be arriving here from Erin's blog.
  2. Leave a comment on each blog hop post in the list above between now and November 7, 2010.
  3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:
  • Leave a comment on the Art-Full Horizons blog hop post between now and November 7, 2010.
  • Join the Art-full Horizons email list (fill out the form in the left hand column on the A-H blog).
  • Become a follower of the Art-full Horizons blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column on the A-H blog.
  • "Like" the Art-Full Horizons Facebook Page.
  • Join the Art-Full Horizons Facebook Group.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • U.S. entries only please

To let us know you've done these things, please return to the first Art-full Horizons Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop post and leave a comment for each thing you did, i.e. one comment for posting on each blog, another comment for posting on facebook, and another comment for joining our email newsletter. Please note: if you post it all in one comment, it will only count as one entry, so be sure to post EACH ENTRY as a separate comment.

On November 8, 2010 we'll choose the winners using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. U.S. entries only please.


**************************************************
Today, here on Party of Five (and if you stay tuned...we may need to change the name of this blog soon...just sayin'...), I am sharing with you a holiday wall hanging made from a simple, ONE DOLLAR wooden picture frame from Michael's craft store.  


Seeing as I finished it VERY late tonight, I didn't get a chance to actually HANG it for you...so sorry for the pics of it just laying down with the ribbon on the table!!  But trust me, the ribbon is staple-gunned to the back, and it will hang nicely!!


I started out by using gel medium to cover the front of the frame with some gorgeous Donna Salazar cardstock.  I sanded the edges, and then added some Tim Holtz Tidings tissue tape around the outside and inside edges, making sure to push it all down well.  I then used distress inks (Pine Needles, Peeled Paint, and Barn Red) to ink around the edges of the frame, and used my fingers to add a layer of gel medium over the tissue tape to be sure it stays in place well over time.  Next, I covered the two strips of what looked like lace, on the cardstock, with a thin layer of Rock Candy distress stickles.  You can see the shimmer over on the left side of the frame.  If you can only get ONE color of distress stickles, I guarantee you will never regret going with the Rock Candy!!!



Next, I took a holiday pick and cut a couple things off of it - a small piece of evergreen, and a leaf.  I covered the leaf with a copper Adirondack Acrylic Paint Dabber, and then I used hot glue to attach both pieces to the frame.  I cut a tree out of grungepaper, using my Winter Woodland Cricut cartridge.  I then ran it through my Sizzix, using my Tim Holtz sheet music embossing folder.  I inked it with distress inks, and then applied Peeled Paint distress stickles on it.  I attached it to the frame using foam squares.


Next, I made the snowflakes.  Because I am using this pieces for the Compendium of Curiosities Challenge for this week (you should totally check that out!), I can't explain just how I made the snowflakes.  ;)  Just know that I used a technique explained by Tim Holtz in his awesome book, A Compendium of Curiosities.  I attached the snowflakes in layers, so that they would pop off the frame a little at a time, with the biggest one being popped out the most.






Finally, for the center...I started by simply using the cardboard filler that came in the frame as a foundation.  That way I would know for sure that my center would fit perfectly.  I covered the back with a scrap piece of coordinating green cardstock.  The front, I covered with a piece of vintage Christmas music from a songbook.  Then, using the same Cricut cartridge as above, I cut out the word "Joy" from another sheet of Donna Salazar's cardstock, and a shadow from a sheet of coordinating green cardstock.  I glued the two together, and glued them to the music, then replaced the center into the frame.  I used a staple gun to attach a length of dark red, 7/8" wide grosgrain ribbon to the frame so it can be hung, and I was finished!


I hope you've enjoyed today's holiday inspiration!  I know that I am going to pick up a few more of these dollar frames the next time I am at Michaels, because this was a fun project!!

Remember that you have through November 7 to complete the Jolly Jumpstart blog hop.

***Additionally...here at Party of Five, I will also be having a giveaway at the end of the week!!  I will be posting throughout the week, from now through November 7, various posts about holiday projects, recipes, traditions, and memories.  On November 8, I will choose TWO winners of surprise grab bags filled with goodies to get you in the holiday spirit.  How do you enter?  Several ways!  You will get one entry for each comment you leave (one per Jolly Jumpstart blog post).  You will get another entry by becoming a follower of my blog (if you are already following, just let me know) and leaving a comment letting me know you are following.  You can get another entry by posting about this project on YOUR blog, and leaving me a comment with a link to your blog.  Make sure you check back on November 8 to see if YOU are a winner!!***

Thank you for participating!!  Comments are now disabled, and winners will be announced soon!!

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

The Art-Full Horizons Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop - Day 2




Welcome to the Art-Full Horizons 
Jolly Jumpstart
 Blog Hop!


Check out all of the fabulous holiday-themed projects, gift ideas, and more from our wonderful Blog Hop Contributors from around the world!!
  1. Art-Full Horizons http://art-fullhorizons.blogspot.com
  2. Tammy Inman http://tammyi.com
  3. Nan Paturzo http://scrappynan.blogspot.com
  4. Robyn Weatherspoon http://herebygrace.typepad.com/
  5. Mykle Parker http://scrapbohemia.blogspot.com
  6. Sherry Mendoza http://sherryscreations.typepad.com/
  7. Robin Redd http://robinredd.typepad.com/west_coast_scrapper/
  8. April Meeker www.suaviloquy.blogspot.com
  9. Erin Bassett www.erinbassett.com
  10. Jennifer Clark http://jenspartyof5.blogspot.com
  11. Jennifer Edwardson http://frommypapercraftstudio.blogspot.com/
Here's how it works:
  1. Hop through each of the blogs listed above to get fabulous holiday inspiration. If you are starting at a blog in the middle of the Hop, please start back at the Art-Full Horizons blog.  You should be arriving here from Erin's blog.
  2. Leave a comment on each blog hop post in the list above between now and November 7, 2010.
  3. Enter to win our giveaway by doing any of the following. For each thing you do, you will be entered into the drawing one more time:
  • Leave a comment on the Art-Full Horizons blog hop post between now and November 7, 2010.
  • Join the Art-full Horizons email list (fill out the form in the left hand column on the A-H blog).
  • Become a follower of the Art-full Horizons blog! Just click the "Follow" button in the lower right column on the A-H blog.
  • "Like" the Art-Full Horizons Facebook Page.
  • Join the Art-Full Horizons Facebook Group.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on your own blog, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on Facebook, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • Share about this Blog Hop on a message board or forum, posting a link to the Art-full Horizons blog.
  • U.S. entries only please

To let us know you've done these things, please return to the first Art-full Horizons Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop post and leave a comment for each thing you did, i.e. one comment for posting on each blog, another comment for posting on facebook, and another comment for joining our email newsletter. Please note: if you post it all in one comment, it will only count as one entry, so be sure to post EACH ENTRY as a separate comment.

On November 8, 2010 we'll choose the winners using the Random Integer Generator from random.org. U.S. entries only please.

*****************************************

Today, here on Party of Five, I'm sharing with you a Christmas tag I made using a fun masking technique described in Tim Holtz's book, Compendium of Curiosities.  If you haven't picked up a copy, I highly recommend it - LOTS of fun inspiration!!



Products used:
  • Masks - homemade; snowman using Tim Holtz Sizzix die; snowflakes using Cricut
  • Distress inks - Pine Needles, Weathered Wood, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters, Vintage Photo
  • Stamps - Donna Salazar, Tim Holtz, Inkadinkadoo
  • Zutter Distrezz-it-All
  • Quote - Musical Memories by Donna Salazar
  • Flower - made from vintage Christmas music songbook; large scalloped circle Sizzix die
  • Glimmer mist - Chalkboard Evergreen
  • Distress Stickles - Rock Candy
  • Tim Holtz fragment, image from vintage Christmas music
  • Glossy Accents - as adhesive
  • Fibers - Basic Grey
  • Pearls - unknown brand; colored using alcohol inks Lettuce and Stream mixed
  • Shipping tag, safety pin, charm from craft supply



I hope you are being wonderfully inspired by all of the holiday projects in the Jolly Jumpstart Blog Hop!!  Remember, you have until November 7 to complete all of your opportunities to enter to win!

Also, remember that I will be having a surprise giveaway to TWO winners right here on Party of Five!!

How do you enter?  Several ways!  You will get one entry for each comment you leave (one per blog post).  You will get another entry by becoming a follower of my blog (if you are already following, just let me know) and leaving a comment letting me know you are following.  You can get another entry by posting about this project on YOUR blog, and leaving me a comment with a link to your blog.  Make sure you check back on November 8 to see if YOU are a winner!!***

Thank you for participating!  Comments are now disabled, and winners will be announced soon!!

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