Blog Hop Winner!!

Thank you to all who visited my little corner of the blog world this weekend as part of the Black Friday Blog Hop.  Your comments were wonderful.  I enjoyed reading each one of them, and I look forward to sharing inspiration with my newest Cricuteers.

Sheree asked at what size to cut the Shopping Bag because she doesn't have a Gypsy.  I made my bag to hold just the card itself, not the holder it came in from the store.  For just the card, you should be able to use a 5" cut.  You will have extra room at the top of the bag to tuck some tissue paper or pretty shreds.  Hope this helps!  :-)

Using Random.org, I have "drawn" the lucky Cricuteer who has won the cute Sugar & Spice stamp set.  Congratulations to Carol who said "I love the bag, you've done a great job for your first hop! Thank you for sharing your talents. I had the best time hanging with my husband, that was the greatest deal."  I have to agree with her.  I spent Black Friday shopping with my DH, too... he went to Michaels, JoAnn's, and Hobby Lobby with me, and I will to Gander Mountain with him.  :-)  Carol ~ I have your e-mail, and I will be contacting you shortly to get your address so I can get these stamps off to you in time to enjoy this holiday season.

Reminder to all ~ I will be participating in the Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree Blog Hop this Saturday, and I will have more yummy blog candy for another lucky Cricuteer.

I have a beyond fun project to post for you all, but I'm feeling a little under the weather today and want to give the project the attention it deserves... so I may not post it until tomorrow.  We'll see how I'm feeling after dinner.  Hope you all had a fabulous holiday weekend!

Until next time, Cricuteers!
~ JD ~

Black Friday Blog Hop

Good morning, Cricuteers!

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving and are all rested up for the fantastic Black Friday Blog Hop we have for you today.  If you are a first time visitor, welcome to JD's Adventures in Cricuteering.  I am excited to share my adventures with you.  If you've come from visiting The Daily Scrapper at http://www.abusyplace.blogspot.com/, you're in the right place!  If you just happened across my blog and would like to join in the fun, you should definitely head to Crazy About Cricut to start at the beginning.  Each blog has created a project centered around the shopping or using the colors black and green.  Be sure to visit all the talented crafters for inspiration and fun blog candy!

Just in case you get lost along the way, here is today's lineup:
♥ http://www.crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/
♥ http://www.onescrappinsista.blogspot.com/
♥ www.gabycreates.com/
♥ www.pinkcricut.com/
♥ www.caramiller.com/
♥ www.almabrooksblog.blogspot.com/
♥ http://www.love4stamps.blogspot.com/
♥ www.abusyplace.blogspot.com/
♥ www.jdscricuteering.blogspot.com/ <-- That's me, Cricuteers!
♥ http://www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com/
♥ http://www.scrappinwithmybug.com/
♥ www.cricutlove1.blogspot.com/
♥ http://www.craftypinknaynay.blogspot.com/

Now onto my project...

I absolutely love gift giving.  I love shopping for the perfect gift, wrapping it beautifully, and adding a customized card or tag.  There's something so satisfying about finding a gift that is just perfect for someone and watching their reaction as they open it.  While I enjoy the gift giving that traditionally comes along with Christmas, I know many people who are simply stressed by the thought of it.  As my gift to those people, I created this fun shopping bag gift card holder.  I have to admit I've been known to give gift cards at times ~ there are some people who are just too hard to buy for and rather than getting something they don't like / need, I believe it's better to let them pick their own present.  But I try to jazz up the gift a little with a fun card or wrapping such as this...

JD'S SCRAP-IPE:
♥ Black & silver glitter cardstock ~ DCWV The Glitter Stack
♥ Red metallic cardstock ~ Recollections Gemstone value pack
♥ 1/4" silver satin ribbon ~ The Ribbon Boutique
♥ Shopping bag cut from Tags, Bags, Boxes, & More (pg. 55)
     *I shut off the aspect ratio link on my Gypsy and "stretch" the width to fit a gift card without adding more height.
♥ Scallop-top tag cut from Tags, Bags, Boxes, & More at 1" (pg. 32)
♥ Tag tied with black embroidery floss by DMC

In honor of my first blog hop, I am having my first blog candy giveaway!!!  I will be sending one lucky Cricuteer this fun set of Christmas stamps.  Aren't they cute??  I was tempted to get a set for myself!  To be entered, please follow my blog and leave a comment below sharing your best Black Friday deal (from any year!).  One comment per Cricuteer please, and U.S. residents only (I love my international Cricuteers, but I hope you'll understand!).  I will pick a winner on Sunday evening using Random.org.

Now hop on over to visit Yolanda at http://www.craftyscentiments.blogspot.com/.  Her designs are wonderful.  You won't be disappointed!

Until next time, Cricuteers!
~ JD ~

My First Blog Awards

On Sunday, Kel and Laurie over at Serenity Scrappers gave my week an awesome start by giving me my first ever blog award... the I Got The Attitude Blog Award.  Then today, Rhonda from Scrap Happens awarded me with the Stylish Blogger Award.  A big thank you to these fabulous ladies for these fun awards!

As part of  accepting these awards I am supposed to tell you all several things about myself... 3 for the Attitude Award and 8 for the Stylish Award.  And then I am supposed to pay these awards forward to friends in the blog world.  So first I'll start with fun facts about JD.
     ♥ I love Ben & Jerry's Mint Chocolate Cookie ice cream.
     ♥ I am a self proclaimed addict of all things scrap related.
     ♥ I love country music.
     ♥ I live four houses away from my parents and across the street from my childhood best friend.
     ♥ Traveling to all 50 states is at the top of my bucket list.
     ♥ I'd rather be home reading or scrapping than out on the town.
     ♥ I set my alarm to wake up in the middle of the night last night for Customs Crops' Pink Tuesday sale.
     ♥ I spent 31 nights in hotels last summer for work (on the upside, most of those nights were in Charleston, SC - what a beautiful city!)
     ♥ I am also addicted to taking pictures (which sometimes drives my DH crazy).
     ♥ I can fall asleep after being in the car for less than five minutes (which also drives my DH crazy).
     ♥ I am proud to be part of such a wonderful community of scrapping bloggers.
 
Whew!  That was some list!  I think I will leave you with that for tonight and check back in this weekend to pass these fun awards on to other deserving bloggers.
 
A big thanks again to Serenity Scrappers and Scrap Happens.  You ladies rock!
 
Until next time, Cricuteers!
~ JD ~

Thanksgiving Blessings

In just a few days, families will begin gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving.  My DH and I will head to my aunt and uncle's for an early dinner with my family and then out to his parents’ for a late dinner with his family.  The holidays have always been a special time with our families, but the events of 2009 really changed things for my DH and me.  For those of you who don’t know, we lost my husband’s father last year in addition to our little angel Faith.  Despite all the sadness these losses brought into our lives, they have also opened our eyes to the blessings around us.  There are still tough days, but we have settled into our new abnormal and have a renewed appreciation for all the blessings God has given us.

While we will not gather with all our family and friends this Thanksgiving, we will be thinking of them… those who live close but have others to spend the holiday with, those who live many miles away, and those who are blessed to enjoy this time at the Lord’s table in Heaven.  We will miss them all.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I am entering the following card into two fun challenges this week.  The first is the Gaby Abby Challenges with SEI 7 ~ Anything Thanksgiving challenge over at Scrapbookaholic.  The second is Challenge Me Monday ~ Challenge #37 Thankful For... at Fantabulous Cricut.  Fantabulous Cricut challenged us to create a project about something we are thankful for.  No, I am not thankful for turkey... well, okay, this week I am very thankful for turkey... and stuffing... and mashed potatoes... but yeah, that's not what I am thankful for in this card.  I made this card especially for my grandma, and I am so very thankful for her.  She is the recipient of many of my cards, and I truly enjoy the time I spend crafting special cardsto send her.  And above all, I am truly thankful for the phone calls we share each time she receives one of my cards in the mail.

JD'S SCRAP-IPE:

♥ Cardstock ~ Stampin' Up! (Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Crushed Curry) and Recollections (Spice Market - brown)

♥ Ribbon ~ American Crafts Fall 2010 Dollar Spool Collection (I'm totally addicted to these liittle spools!)

♥ Button ~ Favorite Findings Ocean

♥ Turkey and Gobble cut from Create A Critter

Until Next Time, Cricuteers!

~ JD ~

Blog Hop News and My New Christmas Tree!

Happy Thanksgiving Week, Cricuteers!

It’s been a while since my last post.  I’ve been so busy getting ready for the holiday season and working on some fun projects that I can’t show you just yet.  One is a surprise for my sister is having her 16th birthday party this coming Saturday.  I’m trying a project that I’ve never made before and am hoping it turns out the way I am envisioning.  Wish me luck!

The other projects are for two upcoming Blog Hops I will be participating in.  The first is the Black Friday Blog Hop hosted by Crazy About Cricut.  This shopping themed hop should be lots of fun for those staying home this Black Friday as well as those returning from the craziness that will surely be found in stores everywhere.  I will be doing my first blog candy giveaway in honor of the hop.  Be sure to join us Friday morning starting at 12 AM Eastern time.  The second hop is the Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree Blog Hop hosted by Totally Stamps (http://totally-stamps.blogspot.com).  This hop will feature great Christmas themed projects and is taking place on Saturday December 4th.  I will have more blog candy that day, too!

In addition to all the crafting and craft planning I’ve been doing lately, we spent last night decorating our house for Christmas.  We aren’t having any company for Thanksgiving this year so I wanted to get my decorating done early.  I just love coming home from shopping on Black Friday morning, turning on the Christmas lights, and curling up on the couch to watch a movie.  I so enjoy this time of year!  I even put a little (and I mean, little) tree in my scrap room / office. I found this fabulous PINK SPARKLY tree at Hobby Lobby… for only $2!!!  It’s only about 5 or 6 inches tall, but absolutely just too fun not to have in my crafting space.

That’s all for now.  Be sure to visit me this Friday the 26th for the Black Friday blog hop and next Saturday December 4th for the Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree blog hop.  I’ll have some fun projects and blog candy to share with you!

Until next time, Cricuteers!
~ JD ~


P.S. What do you think of my new Winter blog makeover?  It's even snowing thanks to Small Bird Studio!

Finding Inspiration...

I found out yesterday that my aunt's mom (my dad's brother's mother-in-law) passed away on Thursday night.  Although not officially related, she was almost like a part of the family.  She would attend various family functions with my aunt and uncle... holiday celebrations, bridal / baby showers, graduation parties, and more.  The visitation is tomorrow, and I knew I wanted to make a card for my aunt, uncle, and cousin.  I just wasn't sure where to start. So I turned to my fellow paper crafters in the blog world for inspiration.  {I am so thankful for all of you!}  Several of this week's challenges caught my eye and sparked an idea in my head.  So I pulled out one of my new Cuttlebug folders and created this sympathy card.  Strangely I wasn't really sure about this folder when I purchased it, but am now glad I did because it worked beautifully for this card.

JD'S SCRAP-IPE:
Card Front
♥ Paper from Recollections ~ Kraft, Brown from Spice Market, and Green from Cypress
♥ Embossed with Cuttlebug ~ Bird Call folder
♥ Tiny round brads from The Paper Studio ~ Metal
♥ 1/8" ribbon from Offray ~ Leaf and Brown
♥ "in sympathy" sentiment from The Paper Studio ~ Everyday Expressions
     ~ inked with Stampin' Up! Early Espresso
Card Inside
♥ "God be with you" cut from Lyrical Letters

I am submitting this card to the following challenges:
♥ Made By Momo ~ Anything Embossing (use heat embossing or dry embossing)
♥ Cooking With Cricut ~ Fall Colors
♥ Fantabulous Cricut ~ Challenge Me Monday #34: "Bird Bonanza: Create a project using something having to do with a bird (bird cage, owl, bird, etc.)"

Until next time, Cricuteers!
~ JD ~

Winter Wedding

The first snowflakes of the year have official fallen here, and this year, we actually have a Winter wedding to attend.  Being in the Midwest, most of our friends and family choose to get married in the Spring or Summer... or Fall... well, really just any time when there isn't a risk of snow on the ground.  :-)  But for the first time in a long while, we'll get to worry about staying warm at a wedding instead of staying cool!  It's kinda funny... my cousin on my dad's side is getting married on December 3rd of this year, and my cousin on my mom's side just got engaged and is planning a December 3rd wedding next year.  Popular date!

I decided to do something completely out of character for myself and make my cousin's wedding card... wait for it... EARLY!  {GASP!}  I never do such things!  Don't know what's gotten into me... guess it must be the snowflakes (or the cool new Martha Stewart punch set I picked up at Michael's last weekend!).  AND to add to the "who are you and what have you done with JD?" confusion... I tried a new-to-me card style: the Gatefold, AND I even finished the inside of my card!  YAY ME!!!!

[Please note: All paper used is metallic and shiny... yet metallic and shiny tend not to photograph well.]

JD'S SCRAP-IPE:

Card Front

♥ Metallic Blue, Silver, and White paper from Recollections Precious Metals and Gemstones value packs

♥ Wedding Cake cut from Wild Card

     ~ Silver layers created by cutting a second cake from Wild Card and trimming just the portion I wanted

♥ Pearls from Recollections

♥ Snowflakes ~ punch scraps from interior of card

♥ "For the Newlyweds" sentiment from Stampin' Up!

     ~ inked with Stampin' Up! Not Quite Navy

♥ Oval cut from George and Basic Shapes (oval 2)

Card Interior

♥ Layers edged with Martha Stewart Snow Flurry punch

I am submitting this card to the following challenges:
♥ More Than Favors ~ Anything Goes
♥ My Creative Time ~ Throwback Thursday: "ANY project of your choice just as long as it has to do w/FOOD"  (mmm... wedding cake!)
♥ The Paper Variety ~ Wedding Themed Project

Until next time, Cricuteers!
~ JD ~