Look Whats Coming in 2016

Hi everyone,

I’m sorry that I haven’t posted my Christmas cards yet.  To be honest, I haven’t had 2 minutes to sit down and craft since Christmas Day.  Well, that’s not quite true.  Today I was downstairs for hours trying to work on something for the New Year but came out empty handed as things just weren’t going together for me.  I hate when that happens.  Having said that, I am not sure that I will have the chance to put together a copy of the cards I sent out because I’m going to be working on the many blog hops I have committed to for 2016.  There is lots to look forward to and below I’ve listed a quick run down of the first 6 months of hops I’m participating in.  The first hop goes live on January 8th and it’s a technique hop so you won’t want to miss it!

Jan. 9: Emboss Resist
Jan. 16: Woodland Critters
Feb. 13: Ink Layering
Feb. 27: LEAP
Mar. 12: Inlaid Diecutting
Apr. 9: Shaker Cards
Apr. 9: Bee Happy
Apr. 23: April Showers
May 14: Penny Spinner
Jun. 11: Step Card
Jun. 18: Road Trip USA

Christmas Card Fail

I made Christmas cards for all my friends and family this year and they turned out really well.  So why am I calling it a “fail” you ask --- because I forgot to take pictures to post to my blog before I sealed the envelopes shut!!  I managed to snap a couple of shots with my IPhone of 2 leftover cards that didn’t make it into an envelope this year but the quality isn’t great so I’m going to go ahead and make a copy of each style of card to post sometime in the next couple of days.

I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.  I only have 2 more days of work and then I’m off until January 4th for the holidays.  I hope to get some crafting done while I’m off as I have quite a # of blog hops I’m participating in for the New Year.  Looking forward to sharing my projects for those hops with you!

Santa Baby Blog Hop…

Santa Baby slip a Cricut under the tree, for me!

I’ve been an awful good girl

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.

Come and trim my Christmas tree

With some ribbons bought at Hobby Lobby

I really do believe in you

Let’s see if you believe in me

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, some bling

Rhinestones, sequins, or stickles will do

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight!

You should have arrived to the North Pole from Alicia’s blog.  If not,

Connie Can Crop is the elf in charge of this holiday Blog Hop.

This is a one day blog hop and we would appreciate it if you could leave a little comment for all of Santa's helpers!!

We are so excited to announce our sponsor is going to be Betsy Flot. She is giving one lucky hopper her awesome book

Progressions of Expressions Volume 2.

With over 9,000 titles and quotes for scrapbooking, cards, and other crafting!

Please visit her website HERE

you can find her on Facebook HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 10 pm Sunday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday 12/16/15 over on Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

For my project I made a card.  I used my new Cricut Explore to cut around the Santa’s.  It’s hard to tell in the picture but I added a little Wink of Stella on the brim and cuffs of Santa’s outfit.  The gold, glitzy ribbon was attached to a gift I received and I really liked it so I stashed it away for future use.  I think it makes the perfect addition to my card.

I typed out the greeting on the inside, added a little snowflake bling to finish it off.  Hubby & kids names are blurred out since I didn’t get permission to publish them, haha.

FRONT OF CARD:

INSIDE OF CARD:

Since I had so much fun with my first card, I decided to do another.  Of course, you can’t have Santa without stockings to fill.  And these ones are filled with the cutest little creatures, lol.

FRONT OF CARD:

INSIDE OF CARD:

 

 Up next is Holli!

Here's our Jolly line up in case you get lost.

Connie
Cindy

Pam

Theresa

Angela

Sarah

Jessica

Alicia

Sharon **you are here**

Holli

Shawnee

Miranda

Kim

Rhonda

Veronica

Charmagne

Haidee

Ronnel

Thanks for stopping by!  Don’t forget to visit all of Santa’s Helpers and share the love.  I am participating in some more great hops in the New Year so don’t forget to stop on by to see what’s on my calendar.

These cards were entered in the following challenges:

• Christmas at Sweet Stampin’
• Creative Moments-Traditional Christmas 
• Craft for the Craic-Christmas Cheer 
• Polkadoodles-Traditional Christmas

Coming This Weekend!

Hope to see you there!

Wild West Blog Hop

Welcome to the Wild West Blog Hop

 

 

WANTED...

YOU

to join us for a day of Tall Tales about the

Wild West

where Cowboys were legendary

and guns were cool.

Grab your hat and your horse

and meet us down at the Alamo

 

 

Connie Can Crop is the Sheriff in this town Blog Hop. You should have arrived from

Sarah’s Blog

but, if not, mosey on over to see the Sheriff before it's too late!

This is a one day blog hop and we would appreciate it if you would leave a comment for all of these cowgirls who are here showcasing their talents.

 

I have a fantastic sponsor this month - Latina Crafter

One lucky winner will get a super cute Cowgirl Stamp Set from Latina Crafter.

Please visit Latina Crafter HERE

Follow their blog HERE

you can find them on Facebook HERE

 

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become  a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 12:00am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

 

Winner will be announced on Wednesday 11/18/15 here at Connie Can Crop.

 

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

 

Saddle up those horses and join us right now for an hour of  Wild West FUN!

HeeHaw!

 

I created a masculine card for my project.  On the outside is my “Wanted” poster created especially for the birthday boy.  I used the Print Then Cut feature on my new Explore.  This is just a basic cut but it was my very first with my new machine so I’m proud of it, lol.  I created the frame using popsicle sticks. I stained them using my Tim Holtz reinker.  It sits on a burlap mat. I think it came out pretty good.  The lasso is made using some leather string I had on hand.  I tied it up and attached it to the frame with a small, black brad.

 

 

 

On the inside is an extra special reward.  My software wouldn’t save the picture unless I blurred out the denomination and serial number, lol.

 

 

 

Up next is THERESA!

 

Here is our complete line up in case you get lost along the way:

 

1. Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
2. Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com
3. Angela - http://www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com/
4. Alicia - http://www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
5. Holli - http://Sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
6. Jessica - http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
7. Daphne - http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
8. Ronnel - http://www.inkyantics.blogspot.com
9. Miranda  -http://www.nanasscrapspot.com 
10. Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
11. Sarah - http://www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
12. Sharon - http://www.piece-ofheart.blogspot.com *you are here*
13. Theresa- http://www.scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
14. Michelle- http://www.michellekinder.blogspot.com
15. Haidee- http://www.created2bunique.blogspot.com

For more fun be sure to check out Connie's Monthly Challenge!

Connie Can Crop Challenge #40

Cornycopia

due 11:59 P.M. Monday November 30th

Look What I Bought…

As you may know, I’ve owned a Silhouette Cameo cutter since 2012.  I love it, love the cuts I get with it, but one thing that has been giving me problems over the past 6 months or so was the Print and Cuts.  Print and Cuts are when you print an image on cardstock and then place it on your mat and let the machine cut around it.  Mine was cutting off to one side so I was never getting a good result.  I love me some Print and Cuts so this was really disappointing because, as far as I knew, Silhouette Cameo was the only machine that did that.  But then came the Cricut Explore.  I used to own a Cricut Create but you had to purchase cartridges to obtain your cutting file.  Not so with the Explore.  Just like the Silhouette Cameo, you could cut any image you have on hand .. whether it be an svg, png, jpg or other. This was fantastic news!  So, with my birthday money in hand, I set off to find me a Cricut Explore.  As of last week, I am now the proud owner of a new Cricut Explore. Yay me!!  And ohhhhh what incredibly wonderful Print Then Cuts you can achieve with it! Wowza!!

 

Check back on Saturday to see what I made for the Wild West Blog Hop.

 

Froggy Blog Hop

Welcome to the Froggy Blog Hop! 

This Froggy Hop will run for 2 days. If you just happened to stop by my blog, you’ll want to start the fun at Haidee's Blog!!!

We are excited to have you Froggy Hop with us! Each blogger participating in this Froggy Blog Hop is featuring a crafty project having to do with a"froggy" theme.You'll find  Froggy Unique ideas. We hope you'll enjoy each and every project along the way. Be sure to leave a comment at each hop to show some Bloggie Love and to qualify to win a Prize. Not a must but it would be nice to follow their blogs too.  Haidee is giving away a great prize so please be sure to send her some extra love and don’t forget to comment here for your chance to win.

For my part of the hop I created a window card.  I cut out each of the plants and frog by hand and popped them up at different heights to create some dimension.  The butterflies were punched out with a small punch and I used some homemade baker’s twine for the fishing line.  I colored in the frog and bushes/plants with my Copics.  I’m not sure which occasion I’ll be using it for so I left the sentiment off for now.

Now it’s time to Froggy Hop on over to the Next stop:
Alicia - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/

Here is the list of the Froggy Hop line up. Just in case if you Froggy Hop off course:

1. Haidee - http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
2. Sharon - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com **you are here**
3. Alicia - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
4. Kim - http://katydidcards.com
5. Sarah - www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
6. Holli - http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com/
7. Jessica - http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/?m=1
8. Audrey - www.kricutkreations.blogspot.com
9. Daphne - http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com

Come back to Haidee's Blog Monday September 28th to see IF you are the WINNER.

They Say It’s My Birthday!!

The BIG “5-Oh” is finally here and I decided to make myself a fun birthday card to celebrate, lol. Take a look…

 

and the inside…(sorry for the shadow, it was late, I was tired, and I didn’t notice it until I set up the post).  This lovely, little lady was colored in with my Copics.

Enjoy your day and make sure to pop by again later on tonight for the Froggy Blog Hop I’m participating in, and your chance to win a great prize!

International Day Of Peace Blog Hop

Welcome to the

Today's hop is sponsored by

and they are giving away
one class of the winner's choice from their awesome catalog of classes.

All you have to do to win this fabulous prize is comment on each of the blogs. That's it! It really is easy.
 
Of course, we would love it if you became a follower too.

Comment buttons can be found at the bottom of the post
(on most of the blogs).

Now on with the hop!

I made a card for my part in the hop.  I had the peace paper laying around for ages so it was nice to be able to use up some stash.  I created the sentiment way back in 2012 and you can download it for free, here!  I cut the dove and heart on my Cameo and popped the heart up with a dimension.  I also used my Cameo to cut the frame around the stamp.

 

Thanks for stopping by today, your next stop is

Connie ~ http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com

Here's the lineup in case you get lost along the way.

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Kim ~ www.katydidcards.com
Haidee ~ http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
Sharon ~ http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com **you are here**
Connie ~ http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
Sarah ~ www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
Nana's Scrap Spot ~ www.nanasscrapspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Music Is Life Blog Hop

Welcome to the Music is Life Blog Hop

We sang our ABC's as children loud and off key!
We rocked out in our bedrooms with our friends to our favorite tunes.
We slow danced awkwardly to that memorable ballet with the boy we crushed on. We walked down the isle to the wedding march as we married the man of our dreams. We sang a sweet lullaby to our babies as we rocked them to sleep. We sing our favorite songs as we drive the kids to school, annoying them the whole way! Yes, music is Life! It's everywhere in our lives!
Join us as we celebrate the wonderful Life of Music!!

You should have arrived from Sarah - www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com. In case you didn't and you need to start at the beginning, Connie Can Crop is our Drum Major in this Music is Life Blog Hop.

This is a one day blog hop and I would appreciate it if you leave a comment for all of these fantastic ladies who are here sharing their musically themed ideas and creations.

The fantastic sponsor for this hop is Scrap & Craft
They have generously donated a fun, fall themed kit full of cardstock, embellies, and a stamp set.

Please visit Scrap & Craft HERE
you can find them on facebook HERE

What do you need to do to win? Easy ... become a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 12:00 am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday over on Connie Can Crop’s blog.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

Our instruments have all been tuned...time for the show to begin!

I went with a classic black & white theme for this hop.  I hope you enjoy my contribution.

 

 

Up next is Theresa- http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com

Here is our complete line up in case you get lost along the way:

1. Connie - http://www.conniecancrop.blogspot.com
2. Melinda - http://www.mypapercrafting.com
3. Haidee - http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
4. Veronica - http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
5. Charmagne - www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
6. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
7. Pam - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com
8. Holli - http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
9. Alicia - http://www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
10. Sarah - www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com
11. Sharon - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com **you are here**
12. Theresa - http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
13. Daphne - http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
14. Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com
15. Rebecca - www.stampandscrapstudio.blogspot.com
16. Audrey - www.kricutkreations.blogspot.com
17. Jessica - www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

Thank you for joining us on this magical musical adventure!

School Rules Blog Hop

Welcome to the School Rules Blog Hop


School has started in many places!
Join us as we fill our backpacks with
pencils, rulers, and notebooks of every color.
Showing off projects to inspire kids and their mothers.
because School Rules, you can see it on our faces!

You should have come from Daphne- http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com.
but if you need to go the beginning of the line
Connie Can Crop is the line leader on this School Rules Blog Hop.
This is a one day blog hop and I appreciate your leaving a comment for all of these fantastic ladies who are here sharing their School themed ideas and creations.

I have a fantastic sponsor for this hop, The Paper Nest Dolls!!
They will be giving one lucky winner a $15 gift certificate to spend in their fabulous shop!
Be sure to check out their adorable stamps at The-papernest.com

What do you need to do to win? Easy... become a follower of each of the fabulous blogs in this hop and leave each of them a comment letting them know what you like best about their projects.

You will have until 12:00 am Monday to finish the hop and leave your comments.

Winner will be announced on Wednesday at Connie Can Crop.

Be sure to follow everyone and leave a comment along the way!

 

I have two projects for you today.  School will be back in session here on September 7th and I always look forward to seeing all the kids after a summer of empty halls and a break from interuption.  To welcome the students back I decided to make a special jar to hold some pencils.  It never fails (especially during the 1st week of school) that students will come to the office looking for a pencil so I’m going to be ready with my jar of pencils and some extra special encouragement.

I work in an inner city high school  as the Accounts Administrator where I deal with a lot of high-risk students, typically from very dysfuntional homes. These kids are near and dear to my heart and I am privileged to interact with them on a daily basis, especially those with behavioral problems as I often see the same kids day after day, and in a lot of cases, several times a day. I try my hardest to make connections with each and every one of them. It amazes my co-workers that in a school of just over 1100 kids, I could probably tell you 95% of their names. It's a standing joke that when a Principal comes around with a picture of a student on their phone wanting to know if anyone knows who it might be, the first thing they say is "go ask Sharon, she'll know", lol.  That’s why I wanted to add an extra something special to make them feel good and show them that I care.  I feel like my workplace is my own little mission field and it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to instill a little positivity into a teenager’s life because they probably do not get a lot of that at home.  Here is a close up of the tags on the pencils. They say “You’re A Star”, “Make No Mistake, You’re Awesome!”, and “I think you’re absolutely “uh-mason” (a little hard to see it but that’s a mason jar).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My second project is a card.  This year I’ve decided to try something new. Every month I’m going to pick a student who has shown that they are making an effort to do their best, whether that be by having good attendance, achieving good marks, or by demonstrating an act of kindness to another student, and I will award them with a gift card tucked into a special card.  This card will be for September’s “student of the month”.  I’m excited to see the look on their face when they realize that it’s not always a bad thing to be called down to the office, lol.

This past weekend one of our students was gunned down and fatally shot. The police are still investigating but my theory is that it was most likely a gang related incident.  I’m hoping that my new project might make some kind of difference and go a little way toward preventing hatred and violence on the streets.

 

That’s it for me.  Up next is Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com.

Here is our complete line up in case you get lost along the way:

1. Connie - http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com
2. Angela - http://www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
3. Alicia - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
4. Rebecca - www.stampandscrapstudio.blogspot.com 
5. Haidee  -http://created2bunique.blogspot.com
6. Veronica - http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com
7. Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
8. Holli - http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
9. Daphne- http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
10. Sharon - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com **you are here** 
11. Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com
12. Cindy - http://www.cindys-greencricut.blogspot.com/
13. Jenny - http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
14. Audrey - www.kricutkreations.blogspot.com
15. Jessica - www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

The Lazy Days of Summer…

 

Happy

Saturday

and Welcome

 to...

The Lazy Days of Summer Blog Hop!

If you have just stopped by to visit with me, thank you and welcome.  Please make sure to start at the beginning of the hop with our Hostess, Robin Lane from Create-A-Latte, just to be sure you do not miss any of the wonderful projects that are included in this hop!  So, grab yourself a Latte', sit back and hop along with us as we share our projects with you.

The theme for this hop is Summer …

One of the things I think about when I hear the word Summer is biting into a big, juicy piece of watermelon. So yummy! I decided to go clean and simple with my card to help me ease back into the swing of things.  I even managed to dress up the inside a little. I tried to let it go but the perfectionist in me cannot do it.  When I uploaded the pictures of my card to my blog I realized that I spelled the word “melon” wrong.  Grrrrrrr.  I hope you can look past my error and enjoy what I made anyhow.

 

Now, for some candy. This month we will be giving one lucky person a Becky Higgins Project Life Themed Kit, Summer.  For your chance to win this amazing blog candy you must hop through each one of the participating blogs … be sure to leave everyone a little blog lovin'. If you are not already a follower, please take a minute to follow each of the ladies so that you do not miss a single project that they make.

Now on with the hop!

Your next stop

will be with...

Jessica - http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/

If you get lost along the way here is the entire line-up of today's hop for you to get back on track and not miss a single project. And don't forget to leave everyone a little blog lovin' and become a follower for your chance to win some blog candy.

1. Robin - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com/

2. Denise - http://www.craftconfectionery.com/

3. Melissa - http://www.papershenaniganz.blogspot.com

4. Theresa - http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com

5. Kim - http://katydidcards.com

6. Eva Scraps - http://evasscrapsncards.blogspot.com/

7. Sarah – www.sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com

8. Jearise - http://www.lorbysworld.blogspot.com

9. Angela - http://www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com/

10. Nana's Scrap Spot - www.nanasscrapspot.com

11. Sharon - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com

12. Jessica - http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/

13. Lisa - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/

14. Tami - http://scrappinmykids.blogspot.com

15. Barbara - http://barbarab3.blogspot.com

Thank you for hoping along with us today, I hope that we have inspired you to get your craft on.

ConGRADulations!!

It’s been over a couple of months since school let out for the summer and I’m so very proud to say that my oldest daughter graduated from her College program after 3 years of hard work, perseverance, and much determination!  You all know the struggles she’s had this past year and a half  with her illness (and if you don’t, click on the label in the Blog Archives to the right and select “anorexia” to read a bit about her story) and I’m so proud she persevered despite that obstacle and graduated with … wait for it … High Honors & a 3.97 grade point average (highest one can get is a 4).  I don’t know where she gets her smarts from but it certainly is not me, lol. 

 

I made this card to celebrate the occasion and thought it turned out pretty cute considering how little time I’ve spent in the craft room lately.

Speaking of little time in the craft room, I have joined some blog hops to hopefully help me get my mojo back and get into the swing of things again.  The first one is at the beginning of August so keep an eye out for that!

 

 

 

 

I guess that’s about it for now.  I’ll be back tomorrow with a freebie so make sure to check back to grab that.  Thanks so much for sticking around in my absence.  I know I have been saying this a lot this past year but I really do hope to get back to blogging more regularly again.  I’m really hoping those blog hops work for me!

Take care and enjoy the rest of this beautiful, sun-shiny day (well, at least it is here).