Sending some green your way

I decided to make and send some St. Patrick's Day cards to friends and family. I have a wee little bit of Irish in my but enough to make me want to celebrate each year. Tomorrow we'll be doing the traditional corned beef brisket with cabbage and potatoes dinner but today I'll share my cards with you.

First off, I used colored pencils to color all my images on these these four cards.

These first two cards use digital stamps from Dear Dolls Digi Stamps. The owner and artist is a lady with a big heart who draws these digital stamps and even digitally colors them and then posts them for free on her site. I love her work and she is probably my favorite digital stamp maker.

Here is where you can download the digital stamp of Four Leaf Clover Found.

I used one of my metal dies to get the stamp frame which I then green inked. The background if some St. Patrick's day printed paper from a company that is no longer in business. I added some of my Wink of Stella glitter pen to the clovers but you can't really see them in the picture.

I stamped some little clovers under the picture and here is a close up.

Here is where you can download the Lucky Boy digital stamp.

The background is an oversize three leaf clover that I cut out using my Cricut cutter. I then embossed the clover and cut it to fit on the card. The frame for the digital stamp is made using one of my metal dies in my embossing machine. Wink of Stella glitter pen has been added to gold in the pot and the clovers but I couldn't get a good picture of it so you'll have to take my word for it.

This next image is just a digital coloring page I found that I liked. Sometimes I find the cutest and FREE digital pictures when I search for coloring pages.

I used a metal plate to emboss the design on the dark green background and then I used gold Angel Mist to give the background a gold shimmer. The frame again is one of my metal dies.

The edges were inked in green and Wink of Stella was added to the clovers to give them some glitter appeal.

Finally, I saw a card a friend made and fell in live with the stamp she used on it. It had a mouse and cat. I don't have the stamp so I thought I would try to make a digital St. Patrick's Day mouse for a card. I free handed the mouse and he looked pretty good to me but when I redid it in Inkscape, I made the face too long and he turned into a St. Patrick's day RAT! I kept him the way he is because I like rats and feel it's very original.

* My daughter thinks he's creepy looking but she's not a rat person like I am.

Here is the drawing.

Here is my card.

This card is done the same as the above card except I used a different metal die for the dark green background.

 I have entered these cards in these current challenges:

Unicorn Challenge Blog #19 Go Green

Simon Says: Bit O' Green Challenge

Die Cut Diva's monthly challenge: For the Love of Animals/Pets (I added my rat card.)

Crafty Freinds Challenge 53 For a Child (All cards could be used for a child.)

Cards und More Challenge Blog: kids/children  (All cards could be used for a child.)

Through the Craftroom Door Anything Goes Challenge Blog

Shopping Our Stash #294 - Luck O' the Irish

Digi Chooseday Carft Challenge - Anything Goes

Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog #124 - Anything Goes

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #150 - Anything Goes

The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers #79 - g is for green with envy

Here Fishy, Fishy

I love the look of Bugaboo stamps and enjoy coloring them with anything from alcohol markers to colored pencils to chalk. 

This month's card used a digital stamp and saying from Bugaboo Stamps. I used alcohol markers to color my fish and then used pastel chalks to color the water blue and finally, I used dark blue chalk ink on the edge of the digital stamp. This card is featured as part of my monthly challenge for Chalk N Stock. If you get crafty this month and use chalk of any type and anywhere on your project, come on over and join the Chalk N Stock challenge for March!

Thanks for stopping by today and see ya real soon!

Year of Card Techniques - February 2017

Welcome to the 

Sometime's it's fun to use a sketch for inspirations and that's exactly what we did for this month's hop. Here is our inspirational sketch.

First I made a Valentine's Day card based off the sketch. Instead of using three flowers, I used three hearts.

Then I made another card using one big flower, a flower border to represent the second flower and finally the cut out of the bottom of the card to represent the third flower.

Here is a close up of the flower. The card design and flower came from the Silhouette store.

Thanks for hopping with us today. 

Don't forget to comment on each blog on the hop to be entered into this

month's drawing.

This month's prize was donated by 

Claudia Henderson

Claudia is giving away this super cute Easter Bunny Stamp Set.

You must comment on each blog in the hop by March 4th to be eligible.

....and the winner of January's hop is Jennifer Earley.

Jennifer, please email me at scrapsbygracie at gmail.com

within 7 days to claim your prize.

Use JANUARY TECH HOP WINNER in subject line.

Now time to check out Lisa's take on the above sketch. Have fun!

THERESA http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/…/february-technique-blo…

AMANDA http://salnclts76.blogspot.com/

KIM http://katydidcards.com/february-techniqe-blog-hop-so-sket…/

SANDY http://www.scrapbookblessingsclub.com/…/february-technique-…

CLAUDIA http://claudiahenderson.blogspot.com/…/a-year-of-card-techn…

WILMA http://stampintotheoldies.blogspot.com/…/february-technique…

JEARISE http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/…/year-of-card-techniques-f…

LISA http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/…/a-year-of-card-tec…

JODIE http://stampin-jodie.blogspot.com/…/a-year-of-card-techniqu

Moving to Junior High and Making Choices

Sometimes being a parent is tough. There are so many things that we worry about for and with our children. Right now it is picking out junior high classes. Who would think that is a tough chore to do? Yet, it is.

My son, who will be a sixth grader next year, brought his class choice paper home for us to go over. He has to pick six electives and number them 1 through 6; one being his first choice and six his last choice. He will only get two of these in the end.

I've never been a parent to let my children join a thousand different things believing they'll never know what they like or won't like unless they do. I'm also not a parent who forces my children to continue with something if they don't like it. I believe we pick our battles with our children and dragging a whining and crying child to an activity they don't want to be at is just as painful for me as them.

I'm not saying I'm a pushover either. My son joined Cub Scouts and his dad is assistant for my son's den. In the beginning, there were many times that my son wanted to quit and threw tantrums when he was suppose to go. We made him follow through for two reasons: I felt he would eventually get something out of it because at times he LOVED going and second, dad didn't want to give up because he had made a commitment himself and formed a friendship with the leader.

I'm glad we pushed him on those occasions he didn't want to go because he is in his final year of Cub Scouts and wants to move on to Boy Scouts. He is a little apprehensive because most of his den is not advancing with him and there have been some close friendships formed in his den.

Then there is the choice of something because he wanted to try it and fell in love. That would be his fencing. Yes, we still have times where there is whining and complaining and yelling (from me) but in the end he goes and loves it. He feels this a sport that he likes and can do. That means a lot to him and me. He wants to continue in fencing but we need to discuss and decide his next level. I've told him he can't stay at the same level he's at and needs to advance, but that means more practices and more traveling for competitions which will conflict with Boy Scout outings.

Finally, he decided he wants to join orchestra. Why? He just found out his great grandpa played the violin and I still have it. I don't know if this is the right way to make this choice. I was in band all through junior high and high school and hated it. My mother forced me to stay in it and play an instrument I didn't want to play. I don't want to force that on my children. He is making the choice himself and if he really likes it, I'm hoping he'll stick to it and follow through.

If he does all three of these, that means at home practice time for the violin and driving at least an hour one way once a week for an extra fencing practice and filling up weekend with either camping or fencing. Are we willing to do that?

Yes, I said WE. When our children take on these sports and activities we, as parents, have to be willing to back them and be there for them and give them that extra push when needed without forcing. I must admit that I am not the most motivated person to get out there and do things so it's not going to be easy for me but as a mother I feel that is part of the job.

I need to support my son, gauge how he truly feels about what he is involved in, and help him continue to follow HIS dreams. Sometimes it will be tough for both of us but if his dreams involve all these different things (or even if they don't) I need to be supportive and guide him.

We all need to remember that different personalities mean different motivation levels and our children are not us. I see so many parents pushing their children to the point the children are more upset with disappointing their parents than they are in disappointing themselves. I have seen parents berate their child for not doing better in a sport while the child stands there in tears not because he/she lost but because of the way they are being treated by the one person who is suppose to guide them and give them confidence no matter what. If a child is upset with himself or herself over the way they played the game, then we need to support them and let them have their moment of frustration. These children are highly motivated and will work their butts off to continue to do better with or without our two cents.

Our children are only asking from us to love, understand and support them whatever they decide they like or don't like. The world is their oyster at this age and they will want to try EVERYTHING at least once.  We need to gauge what they try and why they want to try it. If we decide to follow through, then we need to gauge their feelings and determination. It's a lot to do especially with more than one child but as parents it is the job we signed up for even if we didn't know it at the time. In the end, the love we receive from our children is well worth it.

Last Minute Gifts

Welcome to the Last Minute Gifts Blog Hop!  You should have arrived from Lisa.  If you are lost this is the beginning Alicia's blog.  As we approach the holiday season, I am sure we are all scrambling to find unique gift ideas. We hope as you hop along you are inspired by each bloggers ideas.

First, we would like to say a HUGE THANKS to our sponsor today.

Theresa is giving away a $20 Stampin' Up Gift Certificate to one lucky winner AND

take 10% off any order placed through her (not available on website) by December 31th. 

Email her at scrapsbygracie AT gmail.com with your order. 

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!

  This picture was taken with the lights on so you can see the real color of the wood frame. 

This picture was taken with all the lights off so the frame looks black but it's not!

Recipe for making this gift...

I wanted to pick a more difficult project and here it is. I have seen these all over the web and have wanted to make one for now. The shadow box and bells came from  Michaels. The paper is some I just had lying around from Cosmo Cricket. I don't even know where I got it or how long I've had it but it was perfect for my background. The words "Jingle Bells" are from the Cricut Cartridge "The Holly and the Ivy". I saw the cartridge and just had to buy it to have the words I love the font so much. I used black indoor vinyl for the words and they are on the outside of the shadow box. Finally, I decided to add some lighting using fairy lights. I used hot glue to glue them around the inside frame.

Next up a play on glitter bulbs and vinyl...

These were done where I used Pledge Floor Care to get glitter to stick to the inside of the bulb. I do get a few runs but nothing that is noticeable once the vinyl is on.

I experimented with the pencil fish on the green bulb. I layered the black stripes before putting it on the bulb. I added the white eye after I had adhered it to the bulb. I really don't know which one works best. They both seemed to work.

Now here is a new take on the glitter bulb...

I got thinking that what do you do if you don't have a cutting machine or you don't want to invest in vinyl but yet you like the glitter ornaments. Here is my take on that that can save time and money.

Glitter the inside of the ornament in your favorite color. I used Martha Stewart glitter for this one. I don't have the color name handy but I think it's copper.

Next, take some pre-made flowers or make your own like I did. I added Glitter Mist to mine to give them color and sparkle but you can't see that in the picture very well. I added half pearls and a sweet dragonfly charm with my handy dandy glue gun.

I hope I gave you a few ideas to inspire you for those last minute gifts or for that hard to buy for friend or family member.

Next up is Card a Day Challenge

If you get lost along the way, here is the entire lineup:

Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/

Amanda ~ http://salnclts76.blogspot.com/

Sue ~ http://suek86401.blogspot.com/

Kim ~ http://katydidcards.com/

Holli ~ http://sunflowerholli.blogspot.com/

Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/

Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/

Card A Day Challenge blog ~ http://cardadaychallenge.blogspot.com/

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com/

Year of Card Techniques - December

Here is the link for the Holiday Magic Blog Hop.

Can you believe it's month twelve of a Year of Card Techniques?

Here are the links in case you missed a month:
January February March April May 
June July August September October November 

Be sure you've hopped and commented on each month for your chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Stampin Up or Blitsy.com. (Winner's Choice)

This last month of the year we are focusing all our attention on metallics, whether it's foil, embossing powder, inks or cardstock, anything metallic (gold or silver and copper too!) and since it's December we just had to make it holiday. 

Now on with the projects. 

I had a light bulb go on with this project. I was wrapping gifts with my daughter and she loved this wrapping paper because it has penguins on it and it has a silver background like tinfoil. I used it to wrap her gifts with and then got the bright idea of using the scraps to make her December birthday card with and other Christmas cards. 

Recipe for cards:

I used my sizzix dies to cut out the center of the scrapbooking paper with the swirls on it. I used a little bigger die with the same design to center and cut out the wrapping paper penguin picture. I could have just cut a square around the penguin big enough to glue/tape it in the cutout. Before assembling it, I used my Glitter Mists in red to give the card a little more sparkle. :) I put the penguin inside and attached it to my cardstock and then I went through my charms and pre-made flowers and finally found my holiday twine for the bow. 

This is a close up of the flower and twine bow I added and you can sort of see the cherry red glitter mist on the background paper.

Here are just the regular Christmas cards I made using this wrapping paper.

Then I got creative with scraps and made Christmas tags.

This tag has fall paper that was scrap. I started playing with my hole puncher and this tag is what happened. The star has been lying around for years in my craft room and I've almost thrown it away a few times. Glad I didn't. 

The washi tape is gold foil on this tag. The little blue square paper is actually orgami paper and the Santa sticker is again something that has been lying around in my craft room for years and needed to get used or thrown away. 

 Finally, a little fun with this last tag. I am on the design team for Chalk N Stock and each month we get digital stamps from Bugaboo stamps and this was one of them. I used colored pencils to color my shopper but then used silver glitter glue on her fur accents and gold Liquid Pearls for her earrings. My husband will be getting this tag on his gift. LOL

Now for my last card. This card was made using another scrap left over from my Thanksgiving/fall projects. I loved the foil leaf paper so much I just couldn't throw the scraps away and I'm so glad I didn't. The center part is a cut and emboss from either Sizzix or Cuttlebug. I made it so long ago that I can't remember or find the embossing folder I used. I used green glitter glue on the holly leaves and gold Washi tape at the bottom of the card. Even though this card was simple to make, it's my favorite.

Thanks for stopping by and now to hop over to Sharon's blog. 

Today's Lineup:
Theresa 
Lisa 
Kim
Jearise
Sharon
Claudia 
Amanda
Debbie

Holiday Magic Blog Hop

Here is the link for the "Year of Cards" Techniques blog hop.

Welcome to the 

Holiday Magic Blog Hop

Thank you for joining us for a weekend full of the magic of the Christmas Holidays! Our talented crafters have created all sorts of projects to inspire you and bring the joy of the season into your hearts!

You should have arrived from Sharon. 

If you just happened upon this magical hop, Connie Can Crop is the first stop in this hop. 

This is a one day blog hop and we appreciate you leaving a comment for all of these amazing crafters.

We have an awesome sponsor for this month! 

One lucky winner will win a $21.00 gift certificate to the Bugaboo digital stamp shop to shop their awesome products.

Be sure to visit them online here.

On facebook here.

And their blog 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 12/14/16

at Connie Can Crop.

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

**********************************
These cards were all quick and simple. I made them using the Cricut Creative Holiday Cards cartridge. Cricut posts cuts each week that you can use for free during that week and these were the ones posted a few weeks back. I make at least 40 cards each year to send to the VA home, so this was a quick and simple way to do it.

I used my embossing folders to emboss the deer and the poinsettia. 

This tree card was made by using double sided paper. The paper has an already embossed design on it and was solid green on one side and green and red striped on the other.

 A touch of glitter glue to add accent to the stockings.

A touch of Liquid Pearls in silver to the ornament tops.

This is a card I just decided to put together. I rescued the flowers off an old card I had made and decided to throw away. I made all the flowers on this card. I love making paper flowers!

I'm not the world's best drawer but every once in awhile I'll try to get artistic. I drew this weird shaped sled a few years back and colored it using colored pencils. It's been sitting in a pile of extras stickers and digital stamps and I decided to finally add it to a card to give a quirky holiday look.

  Thank you for taking the time to go through all my cards and read about them. Merry Christmas to you and yours and all the best in the coming new year!

Up next is Sarah.

Here's our line up in case you get lost:

Connie- http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com/
Shannon H- http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com/...
Angela- mermaidsnmonograms.blogspot.com
Christi- https://tranquility1905.blogspot.com/...
Sue- http://suek86401.blogspot.com/
Holli- sunflowerholli.blogspot.com
Ashley-  http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com/...
Diana- http://daisylovecreations.blogspot.com/...
Kim- http://katydidcards.com/
Veronica- http://vickyscrappingpassion.blogspot.com/...
Amanda- salnclts76.blogspot.com
Miranda- http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/
Sandy-  http://simplycraftycreationsbysandys.blogspot.com/...
Lisa- http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/...
Alicia- http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com/
Sharon- http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com/
Jearise- http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
Sarah-  http://sarahbiswabic.blogspot.com/

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

And don't forget to check out the this month's challenge!!

Connie Can Crop Challenge #53

Baby It's Cold Outside

due 11:59 P.M. Saturday, December 31st

Pacific Time