CropChocolate's OWH Blog Hop

Welcome to CropChocolate's "OWH" blog hop hosted by the current Design Team.  You should have arrived here from Miwa's blog. If you stumbled across this blog hop, please feel free to go back to the beginning to Amber's blog to join us.  The blog hop will run from 8am MST September 28 to 8am MST October 8 so you will have lots of time to get some cards done. 

What is OWH, you ask?  OWH is short for Operation Write Home and they are an organization whose mission is "to collect handcrafted greeting cards for our deployed heroes to write home on".   So we decided to host a blog hop to encourage everyone to make and donate cards.  Here is the website with all of the information and requirements for making the cards  www.operationwritehome.org .  There is lots of requirements, so please read carefully. 

FYI - Canadian participants can follow the OWH rules, too.  Some of our DT members are from Canada and we found a place to send cards to for the Canadian Armed Forces.  Feel free to contribute to both.   

Here's the info for the CANADIAN GIRLS:  

Corinne Brauun

6-300-108th Street

Sakatoona, SK S7N 1P8

Okay, on to the other stuff about our OWH blog hop.  Each individual blog will have a challenge for you to do to complete a card or cards. There will be a main prize from CropChocolate and some of the individual blog owners will also be giving away their own blog candy.  So please make sure to follow instructions carefully on each blog.  All cards to be linked need to be 50% CC products.  Once you get to the end, please make sure you have linked up each of your cards to the respective challenge/blog by using the Mr. Linky link that is provided for that individual challenge.   I will be giving away some of my own blog candy . . . actually three (3).  I will be drawing one name from those who do my 1st challenge and drawing another name from those who do both challenges and then another who posts the MOST cards/challenges for the blog hop. :)  (More info to follow).

I think that's all the important stuff . . .

This past month I've been going to a lot of weddings and my anniversary is coming up . . . so I decided to do a wedding themed challenge.  I came up with 2 challenges, but you only need to do the first one to be eligible for the main prize. 

My 1st challenge to you is to create a card by using "something old, something new, something borrowed & something blue".  Here's what I did:

Supplies:
CC Product
"The Good Life" collection pack by Fancy Pants
"The Good Life" brads by Fancy Pants
blue/gray cardstock (WinterPark solids) by Echo Park
Walnut Stain distress ink
OMC Craft Tape

My "something old" was a tool - my magnetic brad setter; my "something new" is "The Good Life"  collection pack by Fancy Pants; my "something borrowed" is the color combination (I got inspiration online); and my "something blue" is the blue/gray cardstock.  I like this paper collection by Fancy Pants so much that I'm now "stalking" the swaps section so I can get one or two more. :)

My challenge to you is to use "2 colors (black & white not eligible) and some bling".  (If you do this 2nd challenge, you will be entered into another drawing for some special blog candy.)  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

CC Product

"Festive" paper collection by Authentique

red/cream cardstock by Echo Park

red rhinestone by Scrappin Lot

Fired Brick distress ink

Peeled Paint distress ink

Walnut Stain distress ink

OMC craft tape

Cameo

NonCC:  Misc. ribbon

Now for other blog candy I was talking about earlier.  To be eligible, please become a follower (if you aren't already) and leave a comment that you've done so or anything you would like to say . . . but please keep it clean.   All cards to be linked need to be 50% CC products. Also, please link up your cards with the Mr. Linky link that is at the end of this post.   You need to link up and use 50% CC products not only to be eligible for my blog candy, but also for the main CC prize.  As I said earlier, I will draw 1 name from those who do my 1st challenge and another name from those who also do the 2nd challenge (a goodie bag) and then for the one who makes & posts the most cards ($20 CropCredit from me).  NOTE:  I would prefer them to be all different . . . but if you do make duplicate cards, you will need to post a picture of all of them to have all of them count towards the CropCredit prize.  I will announce my winners on October 10 at 8am MST.

Thanks so much for joining us.  So now that you are done here, you can hop on over to Jenni's blog.  Following is a list of the blogs participating in this blog hop in case you get lost.

Amber - http;//ambaju.blogspot.com Michele - http://stuffbybelle.blogspot.com Brenna - www.pinterestmademeabetterperson.blogspot.com Julie - http://muddypawsinkyfingers.blogspot.com Brittany - http://britkdesigns.blogspot.com Nina - http://ninastimeout.blogspot.com Miwa - http://miwannascrap.blogspot.com Kathy - http://www.upinthenightwithkat.blogspot.com -- You are HERE| Jenni - http://wishiwasscrappin.blogspot.com --Go HERE next Chris - http://thriftysisters-chris.blogspot.com

Challenge #32 - Easel card

This week for CropChocolate's weekly challenge, we were to do an easel card . . . didn't matter if it was a basic, twisted, double, triple, etc.  Along with that we were to use 2 patterned papers, a stamp (sentiment okay) and any bling we wanted.

After much debate, I decided to go with a basic easel card.  I ended up using the same layout I did for an OWH card, but put it on an easel base and embellished the inside.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:

CC Products

"The Good Life" collection pack by Fancy Pants

"The Good Life" brads by Fancy Pants

"blue/gray" cardstock (Winter Park) by Echo Park

Walnut Stain distress ink

OMC craft tape

NonCC: flowers w/ leaves by Prima

I ended up using a pre-stamped sentiment that was included in "The Good Life" collection pack and I used the colored brads as my bling.  I am really happy with how it turned out for my first time making an easel card.  What do you think?  Next I'd like to try a twisted easel or maybe even a twisted quad . . . they look so cool. :)

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Fudge Lover's Cream Cheese Cake

The other day I decided to do some baking and was having a craving for chocolate.  So I decided to make a "fudge Lover's Cream Cheese Cake" that I had when I was at a scrapbooking retreat in St. Louis . . . it is chocolate, upon chocolate, upon chocolate with fudge frosting.  Is your mouth watering yet?

Anyway, a few of my fellow CCers from CropChocolate requested the recipe and also requested I post it on my blog so they could pin it.  So here I am typing away . . .

Fudge Lover's Cream Cheese Cake

Cake:
1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist devel's food cake mix
1 box (4-serv size) chocolate instant pudding mix
3/4 cup hot water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs

Filling:
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Frosting:
1 container Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy chocolate frosting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 for dark or nonstick pan).  Spray bottom only of a 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.

In large gowl, beat cake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds then on medium speed for 2 more minutes; scrapping bowl occasionally.  Pour into pan.

In large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and 1 egg with electric miser on medium speed until smooth and creamy.  stir in chocolate chips.  Spoon filling by tablespoonfuls evenly over op of batter.  Using table knife, swirl filling through batter.  Sprinkle with nuts.

Bake 47 to 55 mintes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool completely, about 1 hour.  Spread frosting over cooled cake.  Store covered in refrigerator.

Pretty easy, don't you think?  If you don't want so much chocolate, you can also use a Betty Crocker SuperMoist Yellow cake mix and/or Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting.

Till the next time I'm up in the Night.  Kathy

"I do" . . . September Focus Group Project

For the month of September, our challenge for the CropChocolate FG was to be "Family Tree" inspired.  Well, after much debating and some begging from a certain person, I decided to do another layout of my mom & dad's wedding.  Here's how it looked:

Supplies:

CC products

"Sunshine" from A Walk in the Park by Echo Park

Orange from Summer's End by Fancy Pants

red/cream cardstock by Echo Park

chocolate/tan cardstock by Echo Park (misted with Tattered Leather glimmer mist)

orange & red buttons (not sure what line but I've gotten all my buttons from CC)

crocheted ribbon by MME (was cream & I used Tattered Leather GM to color it)

twine by Jillibean

paper flowers by bazzillbasicspaper (leaves)j

Making Memories puffy alpha

Walnut Stain distress ink

Snake Tape

NonCC:  Walnut Stain Stickles; Double Loop "Around the edge" paper punch by Martha Stewart; flowers by Petaloo; Circle Doily stamp by Hero Arts; Gesso, corrugated cardboard; orange ribbon; "Tattered Leather" glimmer mist; branch with leaves from UmWowStudio (used TA glimmer mist on it too); and misc. heart charm

I got inspiration for this online but there was no name to give credit to. I chose the colors because they remind me of Fall and my parents were married in the Fall.  Now I have 2 layouts of my parents' wedding picture and I don't want to give either of them away.  The other one was my 1st CropChocolate DT project and this one . .  well, I really liked how it turned out.  What do you think???

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Challenge #30

This past week on CropChocolate, we had another GREAT challenge. Since the September theme for the Design Team is 3D. we were to  "Create your own 3D element (ie shaker box or something like that. Flowers do not count!) for a project, or think bigger and create a whole 3D project. The sky is the limit with this challenge!" for Challenge #30.

After some thought, I decided to work on some pumpkins for my fall decorating . . . I make these every year.  Here's what they look like:

Closeup of 1st pumpkin

Closeup of 2nd pumpkin

Supplies

CC Products: 

Mischievious by MME

Walnut Stain distress ink

Snake Tape

OMC craft tape

NonCC: misc. ribbon and paper wire; and 3" scalloped circle punch

As I stated earlier, I've made these little pumpkins every year for Fall/Halloween decorations. I used a 3" scalloped circle punch and punched 12 circles; folded in half and adhered together to make ball. Then embellish as desired.  It's pretty quick and easy. :)  (If you would like instructions with pictures, make a comment and I'll put some together.  Thanks!!!)

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Challenge #29

Each week on CropChocolate, they have a weekly challenge.  It is so much fun and not only are you entered into a drawing for $10 CropCredit for the week, you are also entered into a monthly drawing for $25 CropCredit.

For Challenge #29, we were to create a project and use only 1 color. Black and white do not count towards your color count. :)  Well, over Labor Day weekend, I did some cards for Operation Write Home's Virtual Card Party.  It was 10 different challenges, and even though I got 35 or 38 cards done, I only got 5 challenges done. :)  Since I had done a card in monochromatic theme, I decided to enter it in for this challenge also.  Here's what I did:

Supplies

CC Products:

Lush2 Navy cardstock collection by MME

Faded Jeans distress ink

Snake Tape

NonCC: Misc. stamp (doesn't say manufacturer on the block)

I also did the same card in Lush2 black and Lush2 green.  I was so excited to get so many cards done for our "heros".  

One more thing . . . I want to invite everyone back on Sept. 28 at 8am to Oct. 1st 8am MST for another OWH Card Blog Hop hosted by CropChocolate's Design Team.  We will be making cards for OWH and giving challenges to those who want to participate.  There will be prizes given by CropChocolate in addition to individual blogs giving away some blog candy of their own to those who participate.  So stop on back . . . the hop will be from Sept. 28 8am MST to Oct. 1 8am MST.  Hope to see you hopping. :)

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Challenge #28

As I stated in my previous posting, I noticed that my postings for the last 5 CropChocolate challenges did not post . . . I had them scheduled but for some reason they didn't post?  Whatever the reason, I'm going to rectify that tonight by revising and combining a couple of them so there's not so many at once.  And then  publishing them ASAP.  :)

For Challenge #28, we were to "Create a project that "Celebrates Summer" with an added requirement of including water. Water can be added however they want - in a photo, a stamp, a wave border, rain, etc!!"  When I saw the word "water" along with "Celebrates Summer", I knew I wanted to do a layout of my daughter swimming.  But I was stumped even though I have lots o summer/water pictures of my daughter.  . . . for almost a week, nothing came until late last night (8/28) when I was looking thru an old scrapbook.  Some of you may remember me mentioning that I'm "redoing" some of my old layouts . . . well, not really "redoing" as to actually just doing again because I'm keeping my old layouts.  They show how I have grown as a scrapbooker . . . it's part of my creative history.  With that being said, I knew I wanted to do this layout (again) of the 1st time my daughter went swimming.   Here's what I came up with:

Supplies 

CC Products

"Splash" paper collection by Echo Park

"Paradise Beach" cardstock by Echo Park (red)

"Baby Blue" Liquid Pearls

Walnut Stain distress ink

Snake Tape

Cameo

NonCC: Glimmer Mists in "Atlantic" and "Marmalade"

I love using tan or Kraft cardstock with bright colored patterned paper.  I think it enhances the paper especially when I "flick" mists onto the paper as I did here with my glimmer mists in "Atlantic" and "Marmalade". 

Well,, what do you think?  I'm pretty please with it . . . enough that I've scrapped some of the other pictures that were taken this same day.

Till the next time I'm up in the night. Kathy

Challenges #26 and #27

As I stated in my previous posting, I noticed that my postings for the last 5 CropChocolate challenges did not post . . . I had them scheduled but for some reason they didn't post?  Whatever the reason, I'm going to rectify that tonight by revising and combining a couple of them so there's not so many at once.  And then  publishing them ASAP.  :)

For these next few challenges, I used some layouts I did while I was in St. Louis for a scrapping weekend at Memories on Marshall wth my friends Tigerberry and &Raebae . . . They are even more fun in person than they are on the CC board.  And so encouraging!!!

For Challenge #26, we were to combine old and new to create something beautiful, fresh and current!  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

CC products:

Everyday Eclectic paper collection by EP

Walnut Stain

Tombow adhesive

tan bazzill (cardstock grabbag)

and misc. eyelets 

NonCC: Crop-a-Dile (I borrowed one since I had not received the one I 

ordered from CC yet); misc. eyelets/brads; circle punches

Even though this LO isn't quite finished . . . I need to put journal strips on but have to wait to get new ink cartridge in the AM. But I decided to go ahead and post. As I stated earlier, I did this LO over the weekend at Memories on Marshall . . . Raebae liked it so much she scraplifted it right away. :) My old was using my small crop-a-dile with a few old eyelets and my new was the paper I just got from CC before I left for the weekend. (Oh, this is now finished with the journaling strips.  AND Yes, this is the layout I used for my "Scraplift" challenge, too.)

For Challenge #27, we were to create a project that was rainbow inspired with some bling.  The picture I used is one of my daughter when we were in St. Louis at Union Station.  It was taken a few days before I was admitted into the hospital for a bone marrow transplant . . . knowing I was going to be in there for at least 30 days and had to live in St. Louis for 4 months or so, we wanted to do some "fun" things so she would have "fun" memories about St. Louis, not just "My mommy is sick" memories. Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

CC products: 

"So Happy Together" by Echo Park

Jenni Bowlin red rub-on alphas

Glimmer mist in "Red Nosed Reindeer

sweetheart ink (red)

snake tapeand Walnut Stain distress ink 

NonCC: Glimmer Mist in "Summer Glow" and misc. rhinestones

Since the picture was such a silly one, I wanted to use fun & bright papers.  I also flicked the background with some glimmer mists and inked the edges with Sweetheart ink (red) to give it an even more "happy" feel to it.

Well, what did you think?  I was pretty happy with the way these turned out.  Even more so that I came up with them totally on my own by using sketches I drew before going to St. Louis . . . that really helped me to get LOTS of layouts done over the weekend.  Any other time, I may only get one or two layouts done, but not this time.  I was also amazed because Tigerberry, Raebae and Lynnette (one of their friends, now a new friend of mine) were so much fun, I didn't think I'd get much done . . . so I was pleasantly surprised.  Can't wait for March 2013 when I get to visit with them again at Memories on Marshall.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Challenge #24 and #25

As I looked back thru my blog postings, I noticed that my postings for the last 5 CropChocolate challenges did not post . . . I had them scheduled but for some reason they didn't post?  Whatever the reason, I'm going to rectify that tonight by revising and combining a couple of them so there's not so many at once.  And then  publishing them ASAP.  :)

For Challenge #24, we were allowed to do anything we wanted.  Since I was way late in getting a birthday card made for my sister-in-law, I decided to make one for her and use it for this challenge at the same time.  Here's what I did:

Supplies

CC Products: 

"Note to Self" paper collection by EP

Tan/Brown EP cardstock

twine from JilliBean

button from Fancy Pants

Walnut Stain distress ink

Black Soot distress ink

Snake Tape 

NonCC: White cardstock; stamp from Skipping Stones Design; 

and Milk Chocolate Liquid Pearls

I got inspiration for this on Pinterest . . . I had been trying to thing of a way for the watermark stamps I had ordered. I only used 2 inks for this (Black Soot and Walnut Stain distress ink). For the 1st ring, I used both inks to get it dark, For 2nd ring, I used Walnut Stain and then for the lightest ring, I also used Walnut Stain, but I stamped it first on scrap paper to remove some of the ink, then stamped the 3rd ring. (I didn't clean stamp off after each time so I'd get a "dark" part around the edge of each ring). 

For Challenge #25, we needed to do something with "Banners".  Originally, I had this ready to post when I realized I forgot a button or a bow . . . I tried to find something but nothing looked right. So I went with a tiny bow made from twine on my journal box. Still not sure if I like it, but I used temporary adhesive, so I can take it off if I decide I really don't like it. :)  Here's what I came up with:

Supplies

CC Products: 

Used the following from Playground Collection by Echo Park -

"Journaling Cards" (orange & journal box)

"Monkey Bars" (stripe)

"Capture the flag" (blue/banner)

& "Kick the can" (arrow)

Snake Tape

Tombow Adhesive

Walnut Stain distress ink

twine from MME

American Crafts precision pen 

NonCC: "Atlantic" Tattered Angels glimmer mist; "Cantaloupe" Liquid Pearls; 

and Super Stock from Canadian Scrapbooker

I got inspiration for this 1st from Jasmine with everything at an angle and also from a LO I saw in Pinterest using the Playground collection. 

Well, what do you think so far?  I'm going to get a couple more postings combined for later today.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

Viva Las VegaStamps! DT Tryout

A day or so ago, I got a notice about Viva Las VegaStamps! DT Tryouts.  While I was excited about this, I didn't know if my stamping would be good enough . . . I mean, have you seen some of the current DT projects.  I also wasn't sure if my style was the "right" style.  But still, it called to me.  As I said, I was so excited but then I saw that the deadline was Sept. 15 at Midnight. Ugh!  I didn't know if I would have time to come up with 3 NEW projects . . . but I thought maybe I might have enough time to recreate some that I've done before.  I really wanted to at least tryout for the experience. And even though I didn't have any good VLVS (except for sayings), I went to work on some using other stamps. 

The first project I decided to recreate was  a card I did a couple years ago for a friend who was so busy at the time . . . the inside of this card says "I don't have time to be this busy".  Here's how it turned out:

I used "Golden Oldies" M-1249 by AI Original Rubber Stamps, Copics for coloring and blending, and miscellaneous cardstock.  I used a notebook paper punch to punch the part of the pink paper and  wrapped black twine for a little extra.    I also "crumpled" the background pink to give it a worn look.  Well, so far so good. :)

The second project I decided to recreate was a Christmas card I did 2 years ago.  It was a nativity scent stamped, then colored with my Copics and a little stickles.  Here's how it turned out:

I used "Small Nativity"  and "Whimsy Silent Night, Holy Night" from Northwood's Stamps; Tim Holtz "Gridlock" Texture Fad; Stazon black ink; clear embossing powder; yellow & lime green stickles; and copic markers.

The third project I decided to recreate was a tag I did last year for Christmas presents.  I used Tim Holt stamps and embossed it.  To get it so red, I inked it in red and also used red embossing powder.  I also added some greenery and ribbon to finish it off.  Here's how it turned out:

I used a blank tag, Tim Holt stamps (not sure of name because they were no longer with the package), watermelon ink, red embossing powder, pine green ink, and misc. tulle.

Then tonight when I got home, I had a message that I could use some of my best older projects . . . they didn't have to be new or recreate.  So I thought I'd submit one more project that I'm pretty proud of . .  it was one of the projects I submitted for a Design Team tryout for CropChocolate (which I did get selected).  Here it is::

I used Chocolate/tan cardstock by Echo Park; Teal/Yellow cardstock by EP; "Noel" by Teresa Collins (cream pattern); "Everyday Fun" rhinestones Kraft Funday by MME; "Everyday Fun" wood banners Kraft Funday by MME; Paper flowers by BazillBasicPaper (BBP); Walnut Stain Distress Ink; Picket Fence Distress Ink; Blue China Distress Stain; Snake Tape; Around the Page paper punch by Martha Stewart (not sure of name because I've had this for a couple of years); misc. clock stamps; "Ladies & Gents" by Webster's Pages (fussy cut some clocks); "Say it with Rhinestones" by Prima (the crystal swirls); stripe paper (not sure who by because it didn't have a name on it); and Storytellers Timeless letter stickers by Webster Pages (Time flies).

VLVS has some awesome stuff and I would be honored to be on their Design Team.  So wish me luck!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy

OWH Card Challenge

This weekend Operation Write Home had a card challenge . . . 10 challenges in all.  While I wanted to do all 10, I ended up doing only 5 of them.  But I did do a total of 38 cards. I liked a couple of them so much that I went gung-ho before realizing the time and that I needed to get a few more done.

But before I show you what I did, I want to invite everyone back on Sept. 28 at 8am to Oct. 1st 8am MST for another OWH Card Blog Hop hosted by CropChocolate's Design Team.  We will be making cards for OWH and giving challenges to those who want to participate.  There will be prizes given by CropChocolate in addition to individual blogs giving away some blog candy of their own to those who participate.  So stop on back . . . the hop will be from Sept. 28 8am MST to Oct. 1 8am MST.

Okay, onto my cards I did.

For the 1st challenge, we were to use a bible verse or inspirational verse.  Here's what I did:

For the 3rd challenge, we were to use a these of snowflakes but NOT Christmas.  Here's what I did:

For the 4th challenge, we were to use a triple time stamp technique (Here's a tutorial on how to do it).  Here's what I did:

For the 6th challenge, it was to use this sketch.  Here's what I did:

For the 7th challenge,  it was "Christmas is for Kids".  So we were to do one any Hero Christmas card and one Christmas card for one of our hearoes to send to a child.  Here's what I did:

I wish I would have been able to do more of the challenges, but I'm very happy with the number of cards I was able to do.  And am even more excited that I'll have the opportunity Sept. 28 - Oct. 1st to make more cards for our Heroes.

Till the next time I'm up in the night.  Kathy