Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lucky Winner of the Cricut Cozy ~ Candy from the Bunnies and Blossoms Banner Hop!

It wasn't easy picking a winner ... I promised that I'd review every hop stop's comments and include each one in the drawing. Believe it or not, there were nearly 600 comments posted on all the blogs combined!  Thank you for your interest, and the love shown to each of the fabulous women who so generously made banners for the children at Pediatric Specialty Care.


Here's what the winner had to say:

"This is the best blog hop I have ever participated in. Fantastic cause. Bless you!"


Why, thank you ... PAM of ScrappinFabPam!! 


Here's the sort of color combo Pam picked:  "If I am chosen I would like what ever colors you chose, I like surprises. For the wording I'd like it to say "I am the Winner of the Bunny Hop Blog Hop.."


So here is Pam's surprise ... I had a lot of fun designing this and making it for her:




To make it, I used my Husqvarna Diamond Viking sewing/embroidery machine to set and sew the text. I cut the bunny and blossom from felt, using my Sizzix die, and puff-appliqued it to the cover. I then sewed zig-zag stitches for the facial features on the bunny.  It's far and away the most challenging covers I've ever made ... and no, I will not be making another one until the next hop.


For the Labor of Love (Halloween-themed) banner hop ... see below for more information ...  I will go back to my custom of having the kids at PSC pick the winner of the Cricut Cozy Cover from the banners submitted by our talented crafters. There will be blog candy sponsors for that event, which participants (and crafters, alike) have the opportunity to win. 

Photo courtesy of Lori Apgar
Last year's Kids' Choice winner was Lori Apgar, and I posted a picture of her winning cozy on Facebook not too long ago (because ... eeeek.... I just made it now. Sorry, Lori!!).  I want to tell you a little story about how that banner was picked.

Lori Apgar's winning Kids' Choice banner ... from the Labor of Love Banner Hop.

There is a little guy who's a patient at Pediatric Specialty Care ... he's 6 years old, and neurologically intact though physically devastated by a lifelong disease. He's a charmer, full of personality, and he's well-loved by the staff at PSC.  He went around to each banner, judged them himself, then polled all the staff, family members and other kids to see which one they liked the best. He had a staff member take a picture of the winning banner and he sent it to me via e-mail from the staffer's computer, offering up his congratulations:  "It is the best. It is in my room now." 

This little guy can't judge the banners this year. His condition has taken a turn for the worse, and he has been hospitalized with little chance of survival. While he outlived the typical life expectancy for his disease, that he has gone from charming to hospice care is sad for all of us at PSC who love him dearly. That our banners gave him such joy -- and pride in judging them -- is a true fond memory I will take with me. 

Thank you, all, for what you've given him -- and me.

Special note:  Our next banner hop for special needs children will be held during Labor Day weekend (3 days).  The theme is anything Halloween -- but please no scary, gruesome, or "death"/R.I.P. for these kids.  If you would like to participate in making a Halloween banner for the medically-fragile, technologically-dependent children at Pediatric Specialty Care in Bucks County, PA, please send an e-mail to cardmonkey@comcast.net.  You do not need to have a blog to send a banner, nor must you participate in the Banner Hop to make a banner.  If you would like to be a blog hop stop (and be eligible to win a custom-made by CardMonkey Cricut Cozy Cover), you are most welcome.  Again, just indicate your wishes in your e-mail.  ALSO, sponsors are welcome!  Please contact Ellen ♥ CardMonkey at the e-mail address provided.  Thank you!!


Tuesday, March 27, 2012

How did you start to Cricut?

So in order to win a Cricut Circle exclusive cartridge called "Sophie," my friend Erica asks the question: "How did you start to 'Cricut'?" 
I can honestly answer: It's all my daughter's fault. I wasn't "into" papercrafting at the time ... I was into sewing, (or maybe getting into sewing, at least) and just bought a hugely-expensive sewing/embroidery machine that was to be my Next Favorite Hobby.

I'd never heard of "Cricut" before when she asked for one for Christmas, 2009. I went to Joann's, paid full price for a Cricut Expression (eeek, and full price for several cartridges) ... and then looked more at the box when I got home ...

"Hmmmm.... cuts FABRIC?!" 

"This would be fun to use with my sewing machine, to applique and embroider."

I struck a deal -- Daughter could have it early (October), which she wanted so she could make her own Christmas cards, if she'd keep it at my house not at hers a mile away ... and if I got to use it, too.  "Sure!!" -- which almost guaranteed that she'd get more cartridges ... and more ... and more ....

I started using the Cricut more than she did, and very quickly had to buy one of my own so we could craft together. And more cartridges. And more paper. And she bought a Cuttlebug ... and embossing plates.

And then all of THESE cartridges (shown at left), consolidated into boxes for the books/overlays and drawers for the carts) ... more than 100 by now ... plus a Gypsy so we can both craft.

Pretty soon we bought more tables, had expanded to fit the entire upstairs of our house (a junior 1-br apartment where Daughter once lived, pre-wedding).  Just a few months after that first Cricut, Daughter announced she was pregnant ... and I started scrapping about her pregnancy.

I never finished the scrapbook and then along came grandbaby Charlotte.  I will say that we did the shower invitation and decorations (and blogged about it) ... birthday party stuff (1 year later, and the pregnancy scrapbook STILL isn't done!) ... and I'm now Cricuting Elmo paper-piecing projects for Charlotte, who's now walking. Talking, learning to use the i-Phone and i-Pad, and pretty soon will want her own baby Cricut. Oh brother!!!

And now, my deluxe sewing machine hardly ever sees me ... except if it's to stitch a border around a card. UGH.

Learn more about Erica's call for entries, below.  Maybe if you win the Sophie Cartridge, you'll let me borrow it?



Next up ... When does the word
"Cameo" not apply to jewelry?
And why would I want one more than I want jewelry?!
And HOW MANY MACHINES can fit into one craft room!?

To my love...

Thirteen years ago today, I married the love of my life, John. We joke that John knows me even better than I know myself, but it's true.

For all you are, for all you have given me, for all we are together, thank you. I love you John, and always will. IWALY13.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

My Buddy Brandon: Bunnies and Blossoms Banners, Day 2


WELCOME to DAY #2 of the
BUNNIES and BLOSSOMS BANNER HOP
for Special Needs Children.  

More than 30 fantastic papercrafters have come together to create  Spring-themed banners to bring smiles to the faces of the children at Pediatric Specialty Care (PSC) in Bucks County, PA, where I work as Admissions Coordinator.

The children we admit to PSC range in age from newborn to 21 years, and most of them come to PSC for long-term care. They come to PSC from all over the country, because there are so few facilities nationwide committed to caring for children who are medically-fragile and technologically-dependent.

Meet Brandon, one of the sweet children recently admitted to PSC. (Brandon's story is told here, with his mother Linda's permission.) He relies on a ventilator to breathe due to head injuries, and is paralyzed from traumatic spinal cord injuries. 
This was the horrible car accident that Brandon survived thanks to the heroism of the men and women of Station 34 Fire and Rescue of Ridgeway New Jersey.  Brandon's heroes escorted him to PSC, in a salute to their "Li'l Man" they've come to love for the child's will to live.

Before this accident, Brandon was an active, fun-loving and playful little guy, just shy of his fifth birthday. The tragedy of the car crash causes Brandon's family to find a "new normal."

When Brandon was admitted to PSC, I made him a special "SpiderMan" themed banner that hangs over his bed. It brings him and his family joy, and the wish for super powers to help Brandon through the difficult road ahead. Here it is:


It's kids like Brandon, and the dozens more like him, that made me want to provide banners to decorate their rooms for various holidays.  My "family" of blog friends -- wonderful women, all -- have graciously crafted right along side me, in meeting the needs of all of these very special children.

Without further ado, let me show you the banner I've made for Day #2:


I used this fabulous digi-kit that I purchased to create the artwork for my banner. It is by Shanna at "Art Made With Heart."  Here is what all of the pieces (combined) look like ... you can pick and choose which pieces you size, print and fussy cut.

Here is the banner I made for Day #2 ... you'll recognize which pieces I've used from Shanna's collection:



To make the banner, I cut the pendants at 9.75" using Banner #3 of the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge, and also cut the topper at the same size/same cartridge.  The illustrations are from "Art from the Heart" digital collection (see above), sized, printed (computer-generated) and fussy-cut. I pop-dotted them at various heights to give dimension. I used Peachy Keen Stamps for faces on the flowers, cloud and sun, with a splash of Copic marker for the rosy cheeks. I added googly eyes to the bees with some white Gelly pen for their smiles. I also added some Glossy  Accents on the heart, birds and sun, and used the pen (Gelly white, and Sharpie black) for decorative lines and faux stitching; Martha Stewart fine glitter is the cloud's "wind."  The pennants were first cut from cereal boxes, and topped with Bazzill pastel papers, using ATG adhesives. The pennants were tied together using tulle.

Again, MANY THANKS to the women who made banners so lovingly for the children at Pediatric Specialty Care.

Without further ado, here is the line-up for Sunday's banner hop:

Ellen CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/

Ashley - http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/

Pam - http://pammejo-scrapbookflair.blogspot.com/

Rachelle - http://creationsbyrachelle.blogspot.com/

Jessica Esch- http://chick-n-scrap.blogspot.com/

Nancie ~ http://alittlepieceofmebynancie.blogspot.com/

Tami ~ http://tamboscreations.blogspot.com/

Susan E Bermudez - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/

Beckie - http://justbcreativecrazy.blogspot.com

Jamie M. http://craftygirl21.blogspot.com/

Vicki ~ http://scrapbookingcreationsbyvicki.blogspot.com/

Robin - http://scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

Jennifer - http://craftycardgallery.blogspot.com/

Debbie T. - http://debbiescrafttime.blogspot.com/

Lisa T. - http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com/

Cindy - http://toolsofacropingqueen.blogspot.com/

Yvette ~ http://gammascreativecorner.blogspot.com/

Please also visit yesterday's banner posts from the following crafters, and leave them some love and thanks. You'll love their banners too! 

And now for your blog candy.... drum roll, please........



I DO have some blog candy to thank you for visiting us today!  What's the prize??!  

photo: Courtesy of Lori Apgar, winner of this CardMonkey Cricut Cozy Cover

How about one of these beautiful handmade (by me, CardMonkey!) Cricut Cozy Covers?!  Each one is individually styled in your pick of colors and embroidered words! These are RARE because I do not make them for sale and I don't sew that often!  

To qualify, there are two steps:  
1.  Comment on as many Bunny & Blossoms Blog Hop blogs as you wish -- the more blogs on which you comment, the more chances you have to win.  There will only be one winner, picked at random by Random.Org, 'cause ... like I said ... I really don't sew that often!  It's PRICELESS!!

2. Follow and comment on the CardMonkey blog ... Leave a comment for me here and let me know if your name is picked, what 2 accent colors you'd like on your Cricut Cozy Cover, and what text you'd like embroidered (up to 3 lines). You MUST be a follower of the CardMonkey blog to win and you MUST leave a way for me to contact you if your name is picked. 

So now .... onto your next stop on the Bunnies and Blossoms Banner Hop:

By the way, congrats to Ashley for just hitting 700 followers!!! WOW!!


Thank you for stopping by!

Friday, March 23, 2012

Bunnies and Blossom Banners for Kids Blog Hop - March 24 and 25


WELCOME to the BUNNIES and BLOSSOM BANNER HOP for Special Needs Children.  

Today and tomorrow, 30+ fantastic papercrafters have come together to create  Spring-themed banners to bring smiles to the faces of the children at
Pediatric Specialty Care (PSC) in Bucks County, PA, where I work as Admissions Coordinator.

The children we admit to PSC range in age from newborn to 21 years, and most of them come to PSC for long-term care. They come to PSC from all over the country, because there are so few facilities nationwide committed to caring for children who are medically-fragile and technologically-dependent.

Some of the children we see have been born too early -- preemies born so small they'd fit in the palm of your hand -- and before their lungs have had a chance to mature. 

Some children at PSC have genetic diseases or birth defects or injuries, such as spina bifida, sickle cell anemia, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or short gut syndrome, which leave these children less than able without significant mechanical support.


Other children have shorter stays to receive sub-acute care including a month-long course of antibiotics, or while their family home can be modified with ramps etc. that enable a wheelchair-bound child to live at home.   

Other children suffer injuries later in their young lives that forever change their future -- those who have traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injuries from accidents (car, diving, bicycle, struck by a car), or choking injuries that have caused permanent brain injuries, and a lifetime of dependency on medical technology in order to survive, and the love of their families and PSC's staff to thrive.

These children and their families -- and our staff -- will be thrilled to receive these special Spring-themed banners, to help bring the flowers inside to cheer and delight. 

Here is the banner I made for this hop:

I used Cricut's ART PHILOSOPHY and FLOWER SHOPPE cartridges to make this banner.


THANK YOU to the women who made banners so lovingly! 

Without further ado, here is the line-up for Saturday's banner hop:

1.     Ellen CardMonkey - http://cardmonkey-business.blogspot.com/
 
 
3.     Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/
 


6.     Theresa ~ www.thescrapbookingqueen.com/


8.     Janet S - http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/



11.    Jenny D - www.yogimemories.blogspot.com/




15.    Shelly Lynn - http://kccroppers.blogspot.com/


Please stop back tomorrow when the following women will be posting their banners:

CardMonkey
Ashley
Pam
Rachelle
Jessica
Nancie
Tami
Susan
Beckie
Jamie
Vicki
Robin
Jennifer
Alina
Debbie
Lisa
Cindy
Yvette

And now for your blog candy.... drum roll, please........


I DO have some blog candy to thank you for visiting us today!  What's the prize??!  

photo: Courtesy of Lori Apgar, winner of this CardMonkey Cricut Cozy Cover

How about one of these beautiful handmade (by me, CardMonkey!) Cricut Cozy Covers?!  Each one is individually styled in your pick of colors and embroidered words! These are RARE because I do not make them for sale and I don't sew that often!  

To qualify, there are two steps:  

1.  Comment on as many Bunny & Blossoms Blog Hop blogs as you wish -- the more blogs on which you comment, the more chances you have to win.  There will only be one winner, picked at random by Random.Org, 'cause ... like I said ... I really don't sew that often!  It's PRICELESS!!

2. Follow and comment on the CardMonkey blog ... Leave a comment for me here and let me know if your name is picked, what 2 accent colors you'd like on your Cricut Cozy Cover, and what text you'd like embroidered (up to 3 lines). You MUST be a follower of the CardMonkey blog to win and you MUST leave a way for me to contact you if your name is picked. 

So now .... onto your next stop on the Bunnies and Blossoms Banner Hop:

By the way, congrats to Ashley for just hitting 700 followers!!! WOW!!


Thank you for stopping by!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Need Recommendations for an Online Photo Editing Program, please!

For several years, I've been using an on-line photo editing tool called Picnik.  It's how I create my photo collages, watermarks,  as well as information around a photo, like this one, here:


Alas, Picnik is closing as of mid-April ... I'm sad!!  They've refunded Premium membership costs (a mere $39.95/yr) and are going on to other things. I loved Picnik, and now I must find a new home to do the same/similar stuff. 

I'm trying out two sites I've found.  One is called PicMonkey (seems to be a natural for a CardMonkey, ehhh?). I created this photo (enhancements) using this so-far-free program ... the site seems to be the closest to Picnik that I've found ...


The other site I've found is called Aviary.  I haven't played around much with this site (yet) but it seems to have far-reaching techniques to enhance all sorts of media. Maybe more to learn initially, but definitely has cool effects that are possible. I played around a little bit with one of their stock images, and came up with this "Raining Rainbows":


Have you tried any other online software programs to edit your photos?  I'm hunting now, and would appreciate any suggestions!


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Why, Blarney! There's my St. Patrick's Day Card!


Here is my long-awaited St. Patrick's Day card, yes, the only one I made for the 2012 season!

I wanted to use a sweet leprechaun, and found that a Christmas elf works just as well. I wonder if Santa does his recruiting in Ireland during the off-season??




I created this card (new) in response to the Peachy Keen Challenge, which this week is a color challenge using greens and the rusty-orange color.  You can see the challenge here: http://www.peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Irish You a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Hop over to here if you're celebrating Jennifer's 39th birthday with a blog hop...

I'm on my way upstairs to make my one-and-only St. Patrick's card for 2012. Yeah, a little late.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you this amusing picture of my grandbaby, O'Charlotte:

Not to worry ... she's still limited to whole milk and an occasional apple juice.
No Guinness. But doesn't she look like a Leprechaun who has found the prize
at the end of the rainbow??!  "Dad, I thought these were screw-tops!"

Thursday, March 15, 2012

It's Jennifer's Birthday "39 for the First Time Blog Hop" ... You're as Young as You Feel!

old lady Pictures, Images and Photos
Age is just a number ...
It's really how great
you shake it every day that counts!
Hi! Welcome to Jennifer's "39 for the first time blog hop"!!  If you've come from my buddy Ashley's Glamorous Side of Scrapping blog, you're on the right track.  If you've just wandered onto the scene here, do stop by the blog hop's start at Jennifer Restivo's Crafty Card Gallery and wish her a happy birthday.

Anywhooo, Jennifer decided to throw her own card party since she had so much fun having a hop on her birthday last year. This, however, is the first maybe-annual 39th birthday party ... you know what they say about getting to that 4-0 hill.
It's just so much fun, Jennifer just might be staying at the summit again next year, or maybe going back down that hill to celebrate the 1st anniversary of her 39th birthday ... just saying.


At any rate, I made Jennifer a "never-ending card" last year, figuring that her celebration would be never-ending. This year, I incorporated one of the things I like so much to do when making my own cards, and that is: personalize them! 


So I designed and made this card for Jennifer, with YES, 39 candles, enough to set off the smoke detector!!! Here's the outside of the card:
It opens up twice ... first to reveal the sentiment ...
And then to reveal the age ...
Hey, had to rub it in a bit, since I am WAAAAAAAYYY Jennifer's senior.  What the heck, my darling daughter reminded me tonight that on the birthday when she'll be celebrating 30 (in 3.5 years), I'll be hitting 60 and we should have a big blow-out (of candles??). 

At any rate, it DID remind me that every day is precious and to be enjoyed, and that age is just a number. Who knew that at MY age there'd be such a thing as blogs (and Cricuts!?), Twitter, Facebook and all of the rest of these techno-marvels.  Heck, I didn't even have a pocket calculator in college ... we had slide rulers!!!  EEEEEK!!

Now that I've taken you on a trip down memory lane, or if not so much (you young'uns!), at least let you know how OLLLLLLD I am, it's time for us to hobble on down to the next stop on the hop. (Careful -- osteoarthritis, you know. Hip replacements, and "leakage" while hopping ....) ....

Oh wait, before you run off, do make sure you check out the ways to qualify for Jennifer's birthday blog candy. She's giving away cake and ice cream ... oh wait, that's only if you live down the block (sorry, Jen -- maybe next year!).




Really, she's giving away a set of stamps. Shhh, a surprise!  You'll get one entry for hopping along, and a 2nd entry if you make a birthday card and post the link to it on Crafty Card Gallery. You don't even have to send it to Jennifer ... you can save it for ME when my birthday rolls around in August, LOL ...

OK, now off you go. You'll be heading off to Jamie's Crafty Girl 21 blog.  Geesh, I'm feeling like the grandma in this group.

Oh wait, I AM a grandma!!!  You just have to see this latest picture of Charlotte, now 15 months.






Yes, the time really does fly ... especially if you get to play with chalk outside on an unseasonably warm day ...


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER RESTIVO!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Crops of Luv: Giving Back Blog Hop by Shawnee

My favorite Disney character: Figment
Welcome to the Disney Gives Back Blog Hop. This wonderful blog hop was created by my friend Shawnee out of her desire to give back to a wonderful organization called Crops of Luv.

Crops of Luv makes memory albums for Make A Wish families who go to Disneyland or Disney World. They make these handcrafted albums using donated layouts, to make these albums extra-special for these extra-special families.  

Throughout the hop, you will see layouts from talented crafters who have chosen to give back and help make these children's days brighter. We'll be sending our layouts to Shawnee for contribution to the Crops of Luv projects.

Here is the 2-page layout I made for this hop:

My 2-page layout features 4 photo blocks (for standard 4x6" photos, to be inserted by the Make A Wish family through Crops of Luv).  I stitched banner strips onto the pages for accent.  The Minnie is a paper piecing; I also used Disney stickers and also created embellishments using paper cuts (round Spellbinders, as well as the frame for the Magical memories sticker).  I created a Parade Time flag for Minnie to carry, and highlighted with a white Gelly pen.


For the hop, you should have come here to the PaperJungle via Jennifer's Crafty Card Gallery. If you just happened upon my blog first, don't forget to start at the very beginning, at Shawnee's Blog. Please visit and support each crafter.  Also if you would like to make layouts for Crops of Luv you can do so by contacting.... Crops of Luv at http://www.cropsofluv.com.

Shawnee has arranged for blog candy:  a set of Stamps from CardzTV Stamps set called "Encouraging Thoughts." This is one of Shawnee's favorite stamp sets that Mary has made this far. You get one entry for hopping with us (and leaving a comment at each blog hop stop) and a 2nd entry if you make a 2-page layout for Crops of Luv and mail it. Post your layout to the Mr. Linky at Shawnee's blog then mail the layout to:

Crops of Luv
11424 S. Pawnee Circle
Phoenix AZ 85044

Thank you again for visiting us here today, and to Shawnee for hosting such a great "cause" Hop. 

Your next stop is: ESTHER at For The Joy of Creating.