Flowers (and Cards) for a Family

Every year around this time, my girls and I sell Christmas cards so the girls can earn some spending money for Christmas gifts.  This year our family has agreed to put all of our profits towards our adoption which is progressing quickly.  We will continue to sell our handmade flowers - lapel pins, hair clips or scrapbook-ready for $2 each.  We are also selling Christmas cards for $2 each. Cards and flowers can be customized to your requests of colors and sentiments. These prices include shipping.  We also appreciate your prayers for our family and the little boy we are adopting.  You can read more about our adoption story on our Facebook page or place your order at curlsandgrins.weebly.com.  Oh, and the proceeds from your purchases at my Close to my Heart site also go towards our adoption.

School Blog Hop Day 2

Welcome to the School Blog Hop! This is a two day blog hop in which we will feature different projects both days. I hope you enjoy as you are hopping along. There will be a grand prize winner drawn from those who comment on all of the blogs both days. The grand prizes are from Cloud9 (or on Facebook) who is giving away a $20 gift certificate to their store. And Jens DigiStamps who will be giving away a $5 gift certificate to their store which is worth five digistamps. I would appreciate if you could take the time to check out their sites if you have time as we are happy to have them as our sponsors.

You should be coming here from Clare's blog, if not you may want to go back and start at the beginning.

If you get lost along the way, here is the complete line up:

Jamie http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com
Berenice http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com
Ashley http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com
Jessica http://scrappyluvs.blogspot.com/
Christina http://cema1cema.blogspot.com
Amber http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/
Dena http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
Deborah F. http://www.scrappingmamma.net
Shelley http://shelleysland.blogspot.com
Clare http://cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com

April http://curlsandgrins.blogspot.com   - you are here

Jearise http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/  - next stop

Kristy http://www.scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com
Brynn http://flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/
Janet http://createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com
Staci : http://preciousmem.blogspot.com
Lisa http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Cheryl http://cardsbycg.blogspot.com/
Gina http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/
Paula http://www.scrapyourworld1.blogspot.com
Crafty Homemade http://craftyhomemade.blogspot.com/
JulieK http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com/
Maria -http://www.mdcraftcorner.blogspot.com

This is a little rewards box I created for one of my kids:

I created this rewards box using the Memory Game, Elemental papers, Blue Ribbon stamp set and Art Philosophy Cricut cartridge - all exclusive Close to my Heart products. The edges of the box are sponged with Desert Sand ink.  I love that the chipboard elements and stamps coordinate with the Cricut shapes.  I used a small strip of Desert Sand cardstock across the bottom and also embellished with chipboard elements from the Art Philosophy pack and a few brads.

The memory game box has a magnetic closure on the front and includes 24 3x3" chipboard squares for an extra bonus!

 Thanks for hopping with us!  You can leave a comment here for your chance at our monthly blog candy and we would love for you to become a fan of our Facebook page.  As an extra bonus,

Your next stop is Jearise's blog.

School Blog Hop Day 1

Welcome to the School Blog Hop! This is a two day blog hop in which we will feature different projects both days. I hope you enjoy as you are hopping along. There will be a grand prize winner drawn from those who comment on all of the blogs both days. The grand prizes are from Cloud9 (or on Facebook) who is giving away a $20 gift certificate to their store. And Jens DigiStamps who will be giving away a $5 gift certificate to their store which is worth five digistamps. I would appreciate if you could take the time to check out their sites if you have time as we are happy to have them as our sponsors.

You should be coming here from Clare's blog, if not you may want to go back and start at the beginning.

If you get lost along the way, here is the complete line up:

Jamie http://myamusinglife.blogspot.com
Berenice http://karbersweetescape.blogspot.com
Ashley http://theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com
Jessica http://scrappyluvs.blogspot.com/
Christina http://cema1cema.blogspot.com
Amber http://pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/
Dena http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
Deborah F. http://www.scrappingmamma.net
Shelley http://shelleysland.blogspot.com
Clare http://cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com

April http://curlsandgrins.blogspot.com   - you are here

Jearise http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com/  - next stop

Kristy http://www.scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com
Brynn http://flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com/
Janet http://createatdreamscrapbooks.blogspot.com/
Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com
Staci : http://preciousmem.blogspot.com
Lisa http://handmadewithlove-lisa.blogspot.com/
Cheryl http://cardsbycg.blogspot.com/
Gina http://californiascrappin-gcinderella21.blogspot.com/
Paula http://www.scrapyourworld1.blogspot.com
Crafty Homemade http://craftyhomemade.blogspot.com/
JulieK http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com/
Maria -http://www.mdcraftcorner.blogspot.com

I am working on my 2012 calendar and thought I'd share my September page with you.

 I created this using the calendar and Typeset A papers from Close to my Heart.  I also used the Art Philosophy and My Community Cricut cartridges to cut the letters and schoolhouse.  The arrow is created using Creme Brulee grossgrain ribbon and the photo backings are Juniper cardstock.  The letters are cut from Creme Brulee and Juniper cardstock. I sponge daubed the top of the calendar using Juniper ink and September is backed with Desert Sand sponge daubing.  The accent across the back is made with color-ready kraft borders.

 Thanks for hopping with us!  You can leave a comment here for your chance at our monthly blog candy and we would love for you to become a fan of our Facebook page.

Your next stop is Jearise's blog.

50 States Blog Hop

Welcome to the 50 States Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the 50 States Blog Hop! Most of us would love to travel but are having staycations this year. What better way to travel but through a blog hop. This hop was inspired by our host Shawnee's journey across the United States as she traveled with her family to their new home. The United States is truly beautiful with many wonderful places to visit and see.

If you've hopped along from Maine, then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard or happened along from somewhere else, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start with the first state in the union, Delaware, because you won't want to miss out on any of the fun (or any of the blog candy!!)...

There is an AMAZING Grand Prize Package for one LUCKY hopper (winner chosen by Rafflecopter)!!  To be entered to win, please do the following:

• Visit each state and leave a comment on each project (simply follow the links provided below)
• Like Blessed on the Bright Side and Handmade By Lisa FB Pages.

So what's the Grand Prize???
Cricut Cartridge - Destinations, beautiful handmade flowers from Shannon at Creative Chaos Flowers, and a $20 Gift Certificate to Scraptastical Kreations.
Now on to my state and my project....

Welcome to Missouri!

Our family has called Missouri home for two years and the beauty here never ceases to amaze us.  Being from the California desert (which we think is also beautiful), we love that the landscape constantly changes.  As soon as you get used to the lush greenery, fall comes and turns the leaves to hundreds of colors of reds, browns, golds and yellows.  Then winter blows that away with the bright whiteness of snow and bare branches and then spring comes and turns everything green again.

Here is my interpretation...

To create my September tree, I used the Potpourri Basket Cricut Cartridge.  The sentiment "happy now, happy forever" reminds me that we need to be happy with what we have right now and we will always have a source of happiness.  The paper is from Close to my Heart.

I am also giving away blog candy on September 30th to one lucky person who comments throughout the month. Please comment below and check back on September 30th to see if you are the winner!

Now you can hop to the Arkansas. Remember to leave a comment on each state to be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE!!







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50 State Blog Hop

Welcome to the 50 States Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the 50 States Blog Hop! Most of us would love to travel but are having staycations this year. What better way to travel but through a blog hop. This hop was inspired by our host Shawnee's journey across the United States as she traveled with her family to their new home. The United States is truly beautiful with many wonderful places to visit and see.

If you've hopped along from Oregon, then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard or happened along from somewhere else, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start with the first state in the union, Delaware, because you won't want to miss out on any of the fun (or any of the blog candy!!)...

There is an AMAZING Grand Prize Package for one LUCKY hopper (winner chosen by Rafflecopter)!!  To be entered to win, please do the following:

• Visit each state and leave a comment on each project (simply follow the links provided below)
• Like Blessed on the Bright Side and Handmade By Lisa FB Pages.

So what's the Grand Prize???
Cricut Cartridge - Destinations, beautiful handmade flowers from Shannon at Creative Chaos Flowers, and a $20 Gift Certificate to Scraptastical Kreations.
Now on to my state and my project....

Welcome to Kansas!

My husband and I lived in Kansas for 2 years while he was in the Army.  It meant so much to us - our first 2 years of marriage and we had our first of three daughters there.  Coming from the desert in California, what struck me about Kansas was all of the wildflowers - specifically sunflowers there.  Did you know that sunflowers grow towards the sun and will turn throughout the day?

To create my sunflower, I used the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge available only from Close to my Heart.  Sunflowers remind me to "seize the day" and take advantage of what we have which inspired me to use this sentiment from Close to my Heart's Something Splendid acrylic stamp set. The leaves (from the same stamp set) are stamped in Olive Ink and a button is placed in the center of the flower.

I am also giving away blog candy on September 30th to one lucky person who comments throughout the month. Please comment below and check back on September 30th to see if you are the winner!

Now you can hop to the West Virginia Remember to leave a comment on each state to be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE!!






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100 Cricut Cartridges Blog Hop

Welcome to the 100 Cricut Cartridges Blog Hop!  If you just got here, please go to http://mycricutcraftroom.blogspot.com to start at the beginning and see all of the wonderful projects!  I am so excited to be a part of this blog hop and use my new Close to my Heart Art Philosophy cartridge.


Our family gives lots of handmade goodies for the holidays, so I made a little goody box using the Mistletoe papers, New England Ivy ink and Cranberry cardstock, also from Close to my Heart.

 

All items were cut using the Art Philosophy cartridge.  The pillow box was cut using Cranberry cardstock at 8", the holly leaves and berries were cut at 3", and the tag was cut at 2 1/2".  The leaves and tag were brushed with New England Ivy ink.  The box was tied shut using two strands of ribbon.

Flowers for a Family

Adoption update: This week we have been busy running all over to get paperwork signed, notarized, authenticated, and stamped.  You can read more about that at mamacurls.blogspot.com if you are interested in the details.  We appreciate your thoughts and prayers during this adventure.  If you'd like to help, we are selling flower hair clips and Christmas cards to offset the costs involved with our adoption.  You can shop at curlsandgrins.weebly.com.  Thanks!

August Blog Hop Winner

 The winner selected from all of the August comments is...

 

Judy who said...

Well, I really enjoyed sharing your little fantasy for the hop:-) Sadly, we have the cute Aloha card for today. Thanks for sharing...



Please email your contact information to me at mamacurls {at} yahoo {dot} com by September 5th to claim your prize!

2 Great Deals for September

September's Stamp of the Month is here...

This month you can enjoy Limited Edition (S1109), a new D-size stamp set, available in September only, for just $5—that’s over 70% off retail! When you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for this special Stamp of the Month pricing.  Simply add it to your cart and the discount will be calculated for you!

In addition to that great deal...

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix^® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75 through September 30, 2011. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your handmade cards all year. And with a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!