Amber's Crafts and Stuff

The Beginning of the End

2011-08-11T10:38:00.000-05:00

I am sad to say that I have decided to end the challenges here at Amber's Crafts and Stuff.

Our last two challenges will be sponsored, so I want to give them their advertisement time!

The last Challenge will be for the week of August 24th - August 30th.

Thank you to all who entered over these last 24 weeks. Its been a pleasure to host all your beautiful projects!

Challenge 21 WINNER

2011-08-11T10:31:00.000-05:00

This Challenge was sponsored by

http://glitterbabedigis.com/shop/

The winner of Challenge 21 and the $10 in digi's at Glitterbabe's shop is

Cat's Creative Corner

Congratulations Cat!

Challenge - 22 - Back To School

2011-08-11T10:04:00.000-05:00

This week you are challenged to create a school themed project!

RULES

Just submit something SCHOOL themed and you could win

5 FREE DIGI'S FROM

Our guest designer this time is Miria

She won for our Embossing challenge with this entry

http://amanoamano-miria.blogspot.com/2011/07/winter-wonderland-new-challenge-give-it.html

Here is what she created for your inspiration this week:

Hi, my name is Miria. I live in Italy with my husband.We've a grown up son who lives on his own now.
I have been making cards for many years and I can say I'm addicted to stamping and papercrafting. I love different styles and techniques and always trying something new.

I started blogging about one year ago and I met a new world and fab new friends. After six months I was invited to join some talented teams and I found more lovely friends and gorgeous images to play with.
I'm so proud to be invited on this blog, you can find mine here http://amanoamano-miria.blogspot.com/

Crafting Pal Natasha submitted this school themed scrapbook page

Party Decorations - Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers

2011-08-08T12:18:00.000-05:00

Still in my party decorations phase.

This weekend I followed a tutorial from Dana Made It

Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers!

So pretty.

Here are Dana's

I took a short video of my streamer making, so you could see how cool it looks as they ruffle up!

I wish I had more vibrant colors, but all I had left in my party stash was lime green and white and I was too broke to go buy more!!

CLEANING- it gets worse, before it gets better

2011-08-08T11:47:00.000-05:00

This weekend I went into my craft room with the intention cleaning it up a bit.

What I ended up doing was re-arranging things!

And in rearranging, I made a HUGE GIGANTIC MONSTROUS MESS

Keep in mind that when I walked in there it was messy, but you could still work on the desk.

About two hours later it was still a rather large mess

I finally brought my daughter in to help and we got it in order, but then we started crafting again and it got more messy!

I forgot to take a picture before we messed it up again though!

The "ing's" of life

2011-08-08T11:15:00.000-05:00

I ran across a blog this morning, how exactly I found it I can't recall. Then I realized the girl's name was Amber, and I have a fondness for all girls named Amber (I wonder why).

She's hosting this linky party where you answer these "ing's" about your life. I thought it was a cute idea so I am playing along! You all should too!

Here is how to play!

Copy all the "Ing's" below, erase my answers and put in your own. Re-post on your own blog (you can backdate it so it's not your most current if you want) and then come link it up with us. We will come visit, read your "Ing's" and get to know you a little better!
Please only link up your blog if you're participating in the "Ing's of Life" link up party.
Go read at least one other "inged" blog and show some love. The whole point of this is to get to know each other!
Spread the word and encourage everyone to come link up their "ings".

~*~*~*~*~*~

Making : Party decorations and altered clothes for our camping trip

Cooking: new recipes all the time

Drinking : as much Diet Coke as I can!

Reading: I haven't read a book in way too long. I have about 100 on my shelf to read!

Wanting: A new sewing machine and more shelves in my craft room.

Looking: at Pinterest all day long

Playing: Drop 7 on my phone

Wasting: time on the internet all day long!

Sewing: Altered shirts

Wishing: that the next 8 days would FLY by because I get to take a week off work.

Enjoying:

Praying: That our job holds on and we can get ahead...(I'm tired of running behind, aren't you?)

Waiting: on a call about getting my CPAP machine

Liking: Strawberry Jelly on Ritz crackers

Wondering:

Loving: the fact that my daughter has a JOB - she actually bought her own pair of jeans last week!

Hoping:

Marveling:

Needing: A vacation - good thing I get one next week!

Smelling: stale office air

Wearing: all black. Work clothes!

Following: blogs and pin boards on pinterest!

Noticing: how itchy I am

Knowing: I need more sleep.

Thinking: about opening an etsy store to sell altered shirts

Bookmarking: I dont bookmark things anymore, I just pin them!

Opening: more browser tabs so I can multi-task.

Gigging: at my self for thinking people want altered shirts

Feeling: Very tired, I need that CPAP!!!

Challenge 20 WINNER

2011-08-03T13:42:00.002-05:00

We had 69 fab entries to our Patterned Paper challenge, but there is only one winner and the winner is:

#47

BRENDA DEAN!

Super cute card Brenda! I love your scallop technique with circle punches!

You are invited back to be a guest designer. Look forward to hearing from me via email!

Challenge - 21 - Sparkle & Shine

2011-08-03T13:30:00.002-05:00

This weeks challenge is for you to use

Anything sparkly or shiny!

This week we are sponsored by

http://glitterbabedigis.com/shop/

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before August 9, 2011 at 11:59 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One lucky and random winner will be

chosen to come back

and be a Guest Designer

AND

Will get $10 to spend at the Glitterbabe digi shop

If you use a digi from Glitterbabe in your design you will get an extra chance to win! Just put an asterisk next to your name when you enter and we will give you an extra entry!

Check out what the Crafting Pals did this week:

Amber (me)

Anne

Juelmarie

No thumbnails again this week.

My Challenge 21 Project

2011-08-03T07:56:00.002-05:00

I am still stuck on making party decorations. This one was sort of a flop!

I found this idea via pinterest.

They were designed by Jen Johner

Here is a link to the original blog.

http://kimemories.typepad.com/celebrate_life/2009/12/12-days-of-christmas-day-11.html

They were super cute and looked easy and sort of looked like party hats, so I thought I could incorporate them into our outdoors party decorations.

Here is a close up of one of the little "hats"

Here is a picture of the whole thing hanging. As you can see I didnt get them very even. It was harder than I thought. I may re-do the whole thing (not the hats or the image) to figure out a better way of attaching them

As you can see, I used an image from

Called Summerade.

I enlarged it to about 6" tall colored it digitally and then created a mirror image.

I printed them both out and glued them back to back

so when the wind blows you can see the image on both sides.

Lately I havent been myself

2011-07-29T13:35:00.000-05:00

I've been so sleepy. I told my doctor and he suggested a Sleep Study.

A few weeks ago I did my first study. It was the worst night's sleep I believe I have ever had - which may be attribuitible to all the crap that was attached to me.

Then there were the two things crammed up my nose

Last week my doctor called and said that my study showed that I had sleep apnea and ordered another test to determine the amount of air pressure that I will need to keep my airway open.

Here I am last night getting ready to take the test.

Here I am in the morning with the nice red marks the machine left on my face

at about 7:30 this morning the marks looked like this

If I end up having to wear a mask, that one is probably not it the best one for me.

Here is how the marks looked around 9am

And at noon its nearly gone

Challenge 20 - PATTERNED PAPER

2011-07-27T15:09:00.002-05:00

This weeks challenge is for you to use

PATTERNED PAPER

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before August 2, 2011 at 11:59 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One lucky and random winner will be

chosen to come back

and be a Guest Designer, just like Nikki did!

Nikki won Challenge 15 - Shades Of Gray

Here is a link to her winning card

http://nmcardcreations.blogspot.com/2011/07/dt-card-for-osaat-anything-goes.html

About Nikki:

Hi my name is Nikki Byrne, Wife and mother of 2 boys Theo aged 6 and

jake aged 22 months. They keep me very busy but I try and make time

for my card making which keeps me sane when my husband is at work from

8 am til 10pm every day! I have crafted for as long as I can remember

and love it! I have managed to make it onto 4 design teams at the

moment and am enjoying every minute of it :o) I would love to see you

visit my blog.

Nikki's Inspriation Project for you:

I love it Nikki!

Now lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with!

Amber (ME)

BRANDI

GISELLE

NATASHA

Sorry, no thumbnails again this week:

Challenge - 19 - ~~WINNER~~

2011-07-27T12:24:00.004-05:00

THE WINNER OF THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE IS

IRIT!

Congratulations!

You are invited to be a guest designer in a few weeks

AND

you are the winner of the digi's from

Limited Runs Digi's

My Week 20 Project

2011-07-27T11:08:00.001-05:00

This week I am focused on making party decorations for our camping trips where we celebrate each other's birthdays with our camping friends.

I made two things with pattered paper this week.

This is a garland or streamers made from circles of paper that were sewn together.

The above photo was a small sample I used for taking a photo

The actual garland has eight different papers cut into 20 2" circles

So its about 25' long.

This is it all folded up nice and neat in a box

I also made this thing.

I am going to attempt to put it on some sort of swiveling device on it so I can hang it under the awning and let the wind make it spin. I have enough strips cut to make 4 or 5 of them.

I am adding this post to the Linky Party at 30 Handmade Days

http://thirtyhandmadedays.com/2011/07/pity_party_46/

Challenge 19 - Circles & Swirls

2011-07-20T14:48:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge is for you to use

CIRCLES AND SWIRLS

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before July 26, 2011 at 11:59 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

This week we are sponsored by Limited Runs Digi's

One lucky and random winner this week gets 3 free digi's

AND

will be chosen to come back

and be a Guest Designer!

Your inspiration from the Crafting Pals:

Amber (ME)

Brandi

Juelmarie

Phillipa

Sorry about no thumbnail links this week - I didnt have the funds to update my subscription.

Challenge - 18 WINNER

2011-07-20T11:35:00.000-05:00

We had 51 amazing entries for our Embossing challenge:

Random.org chose #18

Miria

Contratulations!!!

Challenge 17 WINNERS

2011-07-20T11:06:00.000-05:00

Since there were only two entries for the Shades of Gray challenge, I've decided that both ladies are winners and will be invited back to be guest designers.

Contgrats to both of you

Nikki

Hazel

Challenge - 18 - Embossing

2011-07-13T09:45:00.000-05:00

This weeks challenge is for you to use

EMBOSSING

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before July 19, 2011 at 11:59 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One lucky and random winner will be chosen to come back

and be a Guest Designer, just like Janet did!

Janet won Challenge 15 - Dog Days of Summer

Here is a link to her winning card

http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/2011/06/welcome-to-my-blog-and-summer-theme.html

Now, lets learn a little about her:

http://ladyluvbug.blogspot.com/

Hi Everyone! My name is Janet, I’m 63 years young. My husband and I have been married for 38 years and have one very beautiful daughter, 3 awesome grand kids a dog and a cat. I’m a Registered Nurse by profession and work in an Alzheimer and dementia unit. I’ve been crafting for as long as I can remember. I taught myself to knit at the age of 9 or 10 using pieces I broke off of a metal coat hanger, a small hank of yarn from my grandma’s stash of scraps and a how to book from the library. I sew, crochet, have painted Gold Pans when I lived in Alaska, and have done cards off and on with the computer for many years, My daughter introduced me to scrap booking the modern way, I enjoy it but I fuss over my pages a lot, she can complete 5 to my one easily. I have had a cricut for about 4 years and it sat in the box until last June. I had tried and failed miserably to cut out images ( wasted lots of paper) so I put it away. Last year I came across “Above Ruby Studios” blog where I found many video tutorials and she had compiled a paper cutting guide that was awesome. I started cutting and making cards and was hooked. Can’t believe it’s been a year! In September my blog will be a year old as well.

And here is her project for this week:

I love it!

Let's see what the Crafting Pals came up with this week:

Giselle

Linda

Natasha

Announcement!

2011-07-12T12:51:00.000-05:00

I am thrilled!

My daughter got her first job!

She starts Saturday at Sonic!

Here she is in her Visor that is part of her uniform, on the phone telling her BFF the good news.

Challenge 16 - Red White & Blue WINNER

2011-07-07T14:49:00.000-05:00

This week we had 60 entries, plus one extra entry for one person for using digi's from our sponsor

The random winner for our RED WHITE AND BLUE challenge is

#21

Jenn Zeeb!

Congrats Jenn!

You are the winner of the free digi's and you are invited back to be a guest designer!!

Challenge 17 - Shades of Gray

2011-07-07T14:33:00.001-05:00

This weeks challenge is for you to use only

BLACK WHITE AND GRAY

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before July 13, 2011 at 5:00 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One lucky and random winner will be chosen to come back

and be a Guest Designer, just like Sandi did!

Sandi won Challenge 14 - Vacation

Here is a link to her winning card

http://oneofakindcreations-bysandi.blogspot.com/2011/06/fun-in-sun.html

Married to Frank since 2003. I kept my maiden name since it is the first time I got married (and the last) at the age of 54. Neither of us has children, but we have nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. Of course, our Yorkipoo is our baby!

We reside in Toms River, that's the southern part of New Jersey.

I started card making/crafting in May of 2010 and have been loving it since. I'm learning as I go along, and have had a lot of help from my sister, Pattie, of Pattie's Creations. Her crafting projects are awesome. I don't think there isn't anything she's done that I haven't liked! Plus, she has her own line of digital images, with her signature line of Pattieboop and Allie!

I do have to say that crafting keeps me busy and away from the TV, that's a good thing. I've actually lost a few pounds too, since it keeps my mind off of food and snacking. My background is in the Graphic Arts and Printing industry for over 25 years.

Here is Sandi's amazing inspriation project for you:

Simply stunning!!!

Now lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with:

LINDA:

APRIL:

PHILLIPA

Challenge 15 - WINNER

2011-06-29T14:29:00.000-05:00

We had a great turn out for challenge 15!

57 entries and the Random.org winner is

JANET S!

Challenge 16 - Red White & Blue

2011-06-29T13:31:00.000-05:00

With the 4th of July right around the corner, I chose Red White & Blue as this week's theme

We are also thrilled to have a sponsor this week!

We were given this great Boot digi to work with:

The winner will get 3 Digis from Pattie's Creations!

If you use a DIGI from Pattie you will get an exta chance to win.

Make sure you put an ASTERISK * by your name when you enter so we know you used one.

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before July 6, 2011 at 5:00 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One Random Winner will be selected to recieve the 3 free digi's!

Now lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with this week:

Amber (Me)

Juelmarie

Linda

My Red White & Blue Entry

2011-06-29T11:44:00.000-05:00

Since I have some major car repairs and a summer vacation, and the upcoming wallet strapping Senior year of high school for my daughter to pay for, I have begun a journey to reduce our grocery bill by couponing and comparison shopping. While I researched on the internet how to best use coupons (and get deals like they do on Extreme Couponing on TLC, I came across the idea of a price book.

A price book is where you write down prices for items you normally buy at various stores so you know where you can get each item at the lowest price

So I used the free digi to make a cover for my book.

Here is what my inside pages look like.

(sorry this is so crappy, I scanned it because my camera is dead)

Challenge 14 Vacation WINNER

2011-06-22T10:12:00.000-05:00

Random.org chose an awesome winner for this week:

#12 - Sandy DeFalco

http://oneofakindcreations-bysandi.blogspot.com/2011/06/fun-in-sun.html

I'll post a picture once blogger stops being mean to me!

Challenge 15 - THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

2011-06-22T10:08:00.000-05:00

Its awful hot in Texas right now, and pretty dry too - there are wildfires all over!

Make anything you want as long as it is

about SUMMER TIME!!!

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before June 29, 2011 at 5:00 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One Random Winner will be chosen on July 29^th
and will be invited back to be a guest designer!

Now lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with this week:

Since blogger is not ALLOWING ME to post pictures right now....

please follow the links to view the crafting pal's projects

Anne

Phillipa

Great - now blogger wont let me add pictures!!!

2011-06-22T10:02:00.000-05:00

AAAAAHHHHHHHH!

That is all!

Challenge 14 - forgotten inspriation picture

2011-06-16T08:15:00.000-05:00

My friend Jen submitted this layout for our Vacation challenge and I forgot to post it along with the Crafting Pals inspiration pieces, so I thought I'd give her a special post!!!

My submission to THE "BLOG" OF "UNNECESSARY" QUOTATION MARKS

2011-06-15T16:29:00.000-05:00

I submitted this sign I saw a few months ago at the Walgreen's by my workplace to the Unnecessary Quotes blog - and it posted today! WOOOO

I feel famous. My submission to Cake Wrecks never got chosen.

Go here and check it out - its really funny!

http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/2011/06/get-yours-today.html

The manager caught me taking the picture and I couldnt think of a lie fast enough when he asked me why I was taking the picture so I told him that I have a habit of taking pictures of signs with improper grammar. He asked me not to put it on the Youtube. I was thinking of course not - that is no place for this picture!!! Now the jerk face calls me the English Teacher whenever he sees me. I try to avoid him at all costs now.

Challenge 13 WINNER

2011-06-15T15:55:00.000-05:00

The winner as chosen by Random.org is

SAMMIBUG

Challenge 14 - Vacation - All I Ever Wanted

2011-06-15T15:46:00.001-05:00

This week's challenge theme is

VACATION

Since the word vacation always makes me sing this song

Make anything you want as long as it is

about vacationing.

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before June 21, 2011 at 5:00 pm Central Time (GMT-6)

(I extended the cut off this week since I got the post up super late)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One Random Winner will be chosen on the 22^nd
and will be invited back to be a guest designer!

This week's Guest Designer is

JOY
Crazy for Daisies

My Name is Joy Stagg. I have been crafting for 6 years. In addition to crafting, I am a full time Addictions Therapist. I also love to read, travel, watch movies, and spend time with my Jack Russell Terrier, Polo. So excited to be guest designing this week, what a wonderful opportunity, thank you!

Thanks Joy, that card is adorable!

Now, lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with this week:

AMBER (ME)

BRANDI

LINDA

NATASHA

Challenge 14 is delayed

2011-06-15T09:55:00.002-05:00

I just finished typing up the whole post for this week's challenge and when I clicked post Blogger at it.

I will get the post up as soon as I can.

What a difference a couple of months makes

2011-06-09T11:07:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken February 9th

This one was taken May 13th

(it actually said 100, but when I got the camera out it had changed)

Challenge 12 - WINNER - Teen Celebration

2011-06-08T08:31:00.001-05:00

The randomly chosen winner for the Teen Celebration challenge is

JOY

Challenge 13 - Special Man

2011-06-08T08:20:00.001-05:00

This week’s project:

You can make a scrapbook page about your favorite guy

Make a card for your Dad.

Make a gift for your Grandpa,

Anything you want as long as it is about or for some special man in your life.

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before June 14, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

One Random Winner will be chosen on the 15^th
and will be invited back to be a guest designer

Now, lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with this week:

ANNE

Juelmarie

Phillipa

Challenge 12 - Teen Celebration

2011-06-01T09:01:00.002-05:00

Today my baby girl turns 17. This challenge was inspired by the best day I ever had. The day I became her mother.

Make anything you want

make it for a teen

about a teen

about the birth of someone who is now a teen

about you when you were a teen.

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before June 7, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

*****Please note the following change to our challenge*****

We will no longer be choosing our favorites every week, instead a random winner will be chosen on Tuesday June 7th.

Now, lets see what the Crafting Pals came up with this week:

Amber

Giselle

Linda

Natasha

Add your Teen Celebration projects here:

My week 12 project

2011-06-01T08:07:00.001-05:00

Teen Celebration!

This week I attempted to do a digital hybrid project.

I created the background using Microsoft Publisher and then I added pictures.

I think I am going to yank the pictures off and mat them, and add a ribbon and some jewels.

And to try and get a better image to show you guys here, I scanned my project.

I'll probably put this up on the wall in a frame since I don't have any 8.5" x 11" scrapbooks.

BugBites Blog Hop Winner

2011-05-31T13:39:00.000-05:00

Now for the winner of the Blog hop blog candy

I had 37 comments and random.org gave me #11

SiskiyouSue!

Congratulations!

Please email me by June 4th with your address so

I can get this out to you!

amber (at) amberscraftsandstuff.com

BugBites Chillin’ & Grillin’ Bug Hop times 2!

2011-05-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the BugBites Grillin and Chillin' Blog hop

This is the Team Grillin’ hop (May 28-May 30)

Team Chillin' will hop from June 4- June 6

If you arrived here from Saundra then you are on the right track, if not head on back to BugBites and catch all the blogs and a chance to win some blog candy.

I have some candy for you too, its at the bottom of this post.

I wanted to do a layout about grilling, but apparently I've never found that it was a picture worthy event!

So here is a layout of the first time we went Tubin'

Here is the full line up in case you get lost along the way.

Barb http://www.bugbites411.blogspot.com/

Jenny http://jennyplace26.blogspot.com/

Kerie http://kerieskafe.blogspot.com

Larelyn http://handmadefromtheheart-designsbylarelyn.blogspot.com

Saundra www.luvscrappingtogether.blogspot.com

Amber www.amberscraftsandstuff.com

Shana www.scrapinshana.blogspot.com

Sher www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com

Deb http://debspaperpassion.blogspot.com

Amber www.pixiperfectcreations.blogspot.com/

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

Dana http://iwycd.blogspot.com/

Ashley http://shellyscrafts.blogspot.com

Debra http://debican01.blogspot.com/

Lisa http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

Glenda http://www.glendascards.blogspot.com/

Pat N www.patsscraps.blogspot.com

Sherri http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

Melissa http://melspurplegiraffe.blogspot.com/

Here is my blog candy. Just leave me a comment with a your favorite summer activity and be a follower!

I will pick a winner tomorrow.

Finalists and winner for Challenge # 9

2011-05-25T09:48:00.001-05:00

This week didn't have a big turn out, but what we did get was great!

Thanks to everyone who kept something out of the landfill and made something awesome with it.

Our design team had a hard time picking their favorites once again.

Here are their choices:

Linette
Dr. Sonia SV

Juelmaire & Phillipa
Agnieszka

Amber & Natasha

Sexi Lexi

Linda, Giselle, Anne, Brandi & April

Carrie

And our winer by majority rule is

CARRIE!

CONGRAUTLATIONS CARRIE!!
Please contact me by May 29th with your address if you would like your small winner prize.

Here is your winner blinkie, we hope you will wear it with pride

Here is the blinkie for all the Finalists

Challenge # 11 - Vintage

2011-05-25T09:41:00.002-05:00

Sorry I got this up so late today. I was sick Monday and it feels like today is only Tuesday, so I wasn't prepared at all to post this.

Make anything you want

with a vintage feel

or using vintage materials

or vintage photographs!

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before May 31, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

Since we have no sponsor this week, our winner will be entered into the grand prize drawing for the month of May and will be invited back to be a guest designer for Challenge No. 13.

Click here to find out how we pick our winners

Now on to the good stuff.

Challenge # 7 - redrawn winner

2011-05-18T09:29:00.000-05:00

The original winner of Challenge #7 did not contact me for her prize from Digi's with Attitude, so I need to draw another winner

Click here to see all the finalists again http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com/2011/05/finalists-and-winner-for-challenge-7.html

Again I used Draw Straws, and the new winner of $10 (canadian) to spend at Digi's With Attitude is

Amy D.

Congratulations Amy!

Finalists and winner for Challenge # 8

2011-05-18T09:22:00.000-05:00

THE ORIGINAL CHALLENGE 8 WINNER POST WAS EATEN BY

THE BLOGGER MISHAP LAST WEEK

HERE IS THE WINNER FOR WEEK 8 ONCE AGAIN.

We had some wonderful entries for our Special Lady challenge.

Here are our Crafting Pal's Favorites:

Amber

Melissa

April
Joy

Brandi & Phillipa

Irene

Giselle
Lori

Janice

Stampfairy

Linette
Blackdragon

Natasha

Chris Olsen

And our winner by majority rule is:

Juelmarie, Linda & Anne

TRACEY

CONGRATS TRACEY!

PLEASE CONTACT ME BY SUNDAY MAY 22nd

SO YOU CAN GET YOUR PRIZE FROM DZ DOODLES.

Challenge # 10 - Dogs & Cats

2011-05-18T08:43:00.006-05:00

Make anything you want

about your dog or cat

for your dog or cat

or with a dog and/or cat on it somewhere!

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before May 24, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

Since we have no sponsor this week, our winner will be entered into the grand prize drawing for the month of May and will be invited back to be a guest designer for Challenge No. 12.

Click here to find out how we pick our winners

Now on to the good stuff.

AMBER

BRANDI

GISELLE

Giselle was asked to take over the Featured Pets board at the Animal Shelter she works at. Each animal she has featured has been adopted!

LINDA
Linda madet his cat toy for her daughter's cat. You MUST go to her blog and read about it.

NATASHA

Made this super cute birthday card with the Cricut Create a Critter Kitty!

Here are som pictures of my dog Blade, he is a Chihuahua-Doxie mix and Brandi's dog Geordi, he is a Chihuahua. We also have a Rottweiler named Chakotay, but he lives outside (and he smells) so I take many photos of him.

Blade giving me kisses!

Geordi looking sweet and unassuming.

Geordi riding in the car.

Blade thinking he is going to drive.

Waiting patiently for some cuddles from me.

Blade eating, and Geordi ready to pounce.

Geordi is really food agressive when it comes to Blade.

Blade nomming on his old favorite toy.

This is Geordi right after we took him in after Hurricane Ike in 2008.

He was scared of everything. I think someone left him out in the storm

or else his previous owners mistreated him severely.

My week 9 Submission

2011-05-11T11:15:00.000-05:00

This week I made another card even though I vowed not to, but since I was recycling I wasn't wasting my stash.

The only thing that was from my stash was the sequins and I still have a long stand of them left for another project.

The card base was made from a piece of cardboard that was in a pack of 8.5" x 11" paper.

The Teal colored piece of chipboard was the backing from a rhinestone flourish ebellishment I used for my Mother in Law's gift for Mother's day.

The piece of pearlescent paper at the bottom was from my scrap bin.

Challenge # 9 - Recycle!

2011-05-11T08:23:00.002-05:00

Well, look at me being a rebel! Everyone else was doing their recycle projects for Earth Day, but I chose to do mine in May for no apparent reason, other than to remind people that Earth Day should be Every Day!

So this week I want you to get out there and recycle something and make it awesome!

Make anything you want with something recycled.

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before May 17, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

Click here to find out how we pick our winners

Now on to the good stuff.

AMBER (ME)

BRANDI

GISELLE

JUELMARIE
Used soda can pop tops on her card

JANICE
Heineken Bottlecap Magnets

LINDA
Recycled postal packaging, recycled fabric from inside of gift box, and the flowers are also recycled from flower arrangements

NATASHA

PHILLIPA
Used paper that had fallen out of a book and re-used.

Upcoming changes to our weekly challenges

2011-05-10T16:52:00.000-05:00

Beginning with Challenge #10, some changes will be taking effect here!

Weekly prizes are going to be discontinued unless there is a sponsor. Instead, the winner of each week will be asked to come back and be a guest designer on a challenge. Monthly Grand Prize Winners will remain the same.
The Crafting Pals Design Team is splitting into two teams. I'd love some input on some clever names for the two teams, because Team A and Team B is just boring!

April Challenges Grand Prize Winner

2011-05-10T10:28:00.001-05:00

In the month of April we held 4 challenges:

Here were our weekly winners:

Challenge 4

April 6 - New Technique

Winner - Gale

http://galevarland.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-may-have-sprung.html

Challenge 5

April 13 - My Favorite Things

Winner - Julie K.

http://jk-littlebitofbling.blogspot.com/2011/04/camping-time.html

Challenge 6

April 20 - Ribbons & Bows

Winner - Julie

http://jjuli2.blogspot.com/2011/04/creative-inspirations-challenge-108.html

Challenge 7

April 27 – Use a Digi

Winner - Lalkygirl
http://lalkygirl-my-creative-place.blogspot.com/2011/05/friendship-challenge-at-lexis.html

Once again I used Draw Straws to choose the inner

And the April Grand Prize Winner is

GALE!

CONGRATULATIONS GALE.

Please contact me by May 15th to claim your prize.

Finalists and winner for Challenge # 7

2011-05-10T09:29:00.009-05:00

Here are the finalist and winner for our Week 7 challenge (Use a Digi)

This is a week late, but I say its better late than never!

AMBER

Kathy D

ANNE

APRIL

BRANDI

GISELLE

JANICE

JUELMARIE

LINDA

LINETTE

NATASHA

There was no majority rule pick this week so I used Draw Straws.

And the winner of $10 (canadian) to spend at Digi's With Attitude is

Lalkygirl

Congratulations Lalkygirl

Here is your winner blinkie. We hope you will wear it with pride!

My Mother's Day Gifts

2011-05-09T14:51:00.001-05:00

I got these gifts on Saturday, I picked them out at Hobby Lobby

Sunday My hubby came home with these

And I got to sit around doing mostly nothing all weekend, which I really regretted this morning when I realized I should have washed my work clothes.

New Crafting Pal!

2011-05-09T09:37:00.000-05:00

Please give a warm warm welcome to

Phillipa

I live in Dunedin, New Zealand, with my husband David. I have been scrapboooking for only a few months but already I am obsessed. I am a creative type and am also interested in sewing, knitting, crochet and I love music too. I starting scrapping when a friend held a scrapbooking night at her place. I went along and had so much fun I was hooked.
My scrapping revolves mostly around my husband and photos of me as a child. I love neutral colours, browns blues and greens, destressing and dirty, but also some of my favourite LO's are bright! I scrap as a way to express myself and as artistic expression rather than memory keeping, so I love creating beautiful LO's as art.
I'm keen to try anything and love participating in different challenges that get me thinking outside the box and stretch my comfort zone.

There is something wrong with my circut.

2011-05-08T12:30:00.000-05:00

Its ripping everything it cuts.

I changed the blade, tried many different papers. Cleaned my mats really good. Tried to re-stick a mat with Zig 2-way.

Nothing helped. The only thing I haven't tried is buying another new set of mats.

I am so sad.

Teacher Appreciation Blog Hop

2011-05-07T10:54:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the Teacher Appreciation Blog Hop! Hosted by Jen's Craft Corner!

You should have arrived here from the amazing Julie K, but if you just stumbled upon this, please don't miss a thing and head on over to Jen's Craft Corner and check all the talented crafty blogger's sites.

My project today is going to my daughter's amazing German teacher, Trina Powers a/k/a Frau Powers a/k/a "the frau".

She is a wonderful teacher, she is always smiling, and she is truly passionate about teaching not only the German language, but also the culture.

She gets the students involved, keeps them interested, and makes learning such an unromantic sounding language fun!

She spends long hours after school and on weekends working with the students in preparation for the Houstonfest and the Texas State German Competition every year and travels with them to Austin for the competition.

Without further ado, Frau Powers, I thank you for being a wonderful person and awesome teacher.

All the circles and letters are cut with my cricut.

The shapes in the center of each letter are old border strips from Creative memories.

It doesn't show up in these photos, so I think I'll take some more close ups, but each letter is outlined with silver stickels and to cover up the holes that the ribbon is run through, there is a little pearl on each one.

I used the color yellow, some stickles, ribbon, and die cuts

http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-anything-goes-challenge.html

Jenny's Big 3-OH! BLOG HOP

2011-05-06T08:29:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Jenny's Big 3-OH Birthday Blog Hop!

If you arrived here from Savannah's Blog, then you are on the right track!

If you just happened to stumble upon this hop, please be sure to go back to Jenny's blog http://www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com/, so you don't miss any of the wonderful projects we have to share.

Here is my project.

Its suppposed to be saying Thinking of Ewe, but without words.

I cut the critters out with my create a critter cart. The ribbon at the bottom is wrapped around some very old hook and eye type closure that I found in some of my grandmothers sewing stuff. She never threw away any button or closure that she could reuse. The polkadots at the bottom were stamped with pale pink ink.

I am not really thrilled with how this turned out, but my daughter said it was cool so I went with it.

Your next stop is Monica!

Here is the line up in case you get lost:
Jenny www.papercutcreations.blogspot.com
Linda http://www.fancyframework.com/
Linda http://www.fancyframework.com/
Jennifer http://scrap-a-tude.blogspot.com/
Katie http://kwilliamskreations.blogspot.com/
Jennifer http://craftyfulgardens.blogspot.com/
Kathie http://kathleessnippitsncricuts.blogspot.com/
Jen http://www.jenscraftcorner.com/
Diana www.daisylovecreations.blogspot.com
Kristen http://fantabulouslypink.blogspot.com/
Nadia www.nadiasbeautifulmess.blogspot.com
Giselle www.crossmyheartpapercrafts.blogspot.com
Belinda http://theembellishedcard.blogspot.com/
Savannah http://www.simplecricutcrafts.blogspot.com/

You are here--> Amber www.amberscraftsandstuff.com
Go here next--> Monica http://www.stampindaisies.com/

Michelle http://www.madebymisha.blogspot.com/
Nikki http://www.theglamoroussideofscrapping.blogspot.com/
Juel http://jandjsyummycreations.blogspot.com/
Sher www.patternsbysher.blogspot.com
Darlene www.talesoftayandbay.blogspot.com
Kara http://www.karassweetcreations.blogspot.com/
Jamie http://cutecardsandcraftsbyjamie.blogspot.com/
Jessica http://www.bakingupcrafts.com/
Elaine www.ExpressionsByElaine.blogspot.com

Blog Candy @ Little Scrap Pieces

2011-05-05T16:29:00.000-05:00

http://littlescrappieces.blogspot.com/2011/04/100-followers-blog-candy-thanks.html

Challenge # 8 - Special Lady

2011-05-04T09:05:00.003-05:00

This week we are sponsored by another digital stamp company! YEAH!

The design team was given some digi's to work with.

Make anything you want with a Special Lady in mind.

This could be a Mother's day card, a gift for a special lady in your life,

a layout that reminds you of someone you've lost - its up to you, just

make sure its for a Special Lady!

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before May 10, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

Click here to find out how we pick our winners

Now on to the good stuff.

REMEMBER ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER WEEK.

Giveaway at The Cottage Home

2011-05-02T09:01:00.000-05:00

Check out The Cottage Home. She is giving away a $100 Visa gift card and a Libman Freedom Spray mop

http://thecottagehomereviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-cleaning-100-visa-gift-card-and.html

4 layouts for my friend

2011-04-30T00:50:00.001-05:00

For Christmas I gave my good Friend Ramona two 8x8 scrapbooks for her two older sons school photos. I did procrastinate a bit too much and only got Pre-K thru 3rd grade done.

Tonight I finished 4th and 5th grade for both boy's books. Too bad those pages will hang out empty for quite a while. One boy is still in kindergarten.

I am entering the above layout in the Circles challenge at The Crafty Pad

I am entering the above layout in the For The Boys challenge at Bunny Zoe Crafts

Finalists and Winner for Challenge #6

2011-04-27T14:37:00.000-05:00

There sure were some great projects using ribbons and bows!

Thank you to everyone who entered.

AMBER'S FAVORITE

KARIN

ANNE'S FAVORITE

MAXINE

APRIL'S FAVORITE

HAZEL

BRANDI'S FAVORITE

JAN'S FAVORITE

LINETTE'S FAVORITE

NATASHA'S FAVORITE

LINDA , JUELMARIE, and GISELLE ALL PICKED

JULIE

CONGRATULATIONS JULIE

YOU ARE OUR WINNER BY MAJORITY RULE!

HERE IS YOUR WINNER BLINKIE

WE HOPE YOU "WEAR IT" WITH PRIDE.

And here is the blinkie for all the wonderful finalists!

Great Job everyone.

I hope to see you back again really soon!

Challenge # 7 - Use a Digital Stamp

2011-04-27T08:36:00.002-05:00

I am super excited to announce that

This week we have our first sponsor:

Digi's With Attitude

The winner will get a Gift Certificate for $10 (Canadian) to spend in their online store!

Use Any Digital Stamp.

Make anything you want using any digital stamp

**************Read The Rules!*************

Post your project using the linky tool below

before May 3, 2011 at 8:00 am Central Time (GMT-6)

In an effort to shorten these posts and get to the good stuff quickly, here is a quick rundown of the Recurring Challenge Rules.

To read the rules in detail, please go to the Challenge Rules Page Here

Be a follower!

Must be a new post, no back linking.

Can be combined with any other challenges.

One entry per person per week.

Linky list entry must point directly to your challenge entry.

Projects can be ANY type of craft you want to make.

Click here to find out how we pick our winners

A few of the Crafting Pals are absent this week,

but we still have some great inspiration pieces for you

REMEMBER ONE ENTRY PER PERSON PER WEEK.

My Week 7 Submission

2011-04-26T22:08:00.002-05:00

I am so far behind in my scrapbooking, I decided I need to focus on getting some pages done instead of making cards that I never send out or give to anyone.

My main project is Brandi's school album, and I haven't even finished her 7th grade section and she is about to finish 11th grade.

I pulled some photos off our computer that she took of herself in 9th grade and I used the sentiment I got from Digis With Attitude.

Here is a close up of the ribbons and the bling.

I cut the words 9th Grade using the Keystone Font Cartridge.

These little monkeys I got at at Walmart, I think they are K&Company.

Close up of the sentiment. And the other ribbon scrap I have poking out of the top of one of the pictures.

I've entered this in the following challenges:

Sketchy Thursdays

The Lollipop Ladies

Giveaway - Straight From the Nest Cartridge

2011-04-26T11:51:00.000-05:00

Craft-e-Corner is giving away this cartridge.

go here to enter: http://blog.craft-e-corner.com/2011/04/fantastic-giveaway-tuesday_26.html

Amber's Crafts and Stuff

The Beginning of the End

Challenge 21 ***WINNER***

Challenge - 22 - Back To School

Party Decorations - Ruffled Crepe Paper Streamers

CLEANING- it gets worse, before it gets better

The "ing's" of life

Challenge 20 ***WINNER***

Challenge - 21 - Sparkle & Shine

My Challenge 21 Project

Lately I havent been myself

Challenge 20 - PATTERNED PAPER

Challenge - 19 - ~*~WINNER~*~

My Week 20 Project

Challenge 19 - Circles & Swirls

Challenge - 18 **WINNER**

Challenge 17 **WINNERS**

Challenge - 18 - Embossing

Announcement!

Challenge 16 - Red White & Blue **WINNER**

Challenge 17 - Shades of Gray

Challenge 15 - WINNER

Challenge 16 - Red White & Blue

My Red White & Blue Entry

Challenge 14 Vacation **WINNER**

Challenge 15 - THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

Great - now blogger wont let me add pictures!!!

Challenge 14 - forgotten inspriation picture

My submission to THE "BLOG" OF "UNNECESSARY" QUOTATION MARKS

Challenge 13 *WINNER*

Challenge 14 - Vacation - All I Ever Wanted

Challenge 14 is delayed

What a difference a couple of months makes

Challenge 12 - WINNER - Teen Celebration

Challenge 13 - Special Man

Challenge 12 - Teen Celebration

My week 12 project

BugBites Blog Hop Winner

BugBites Chillin’ & Grillin’ Bug Hop times 2!

Finalists and winner for Challenge # 9

Challenge # 11 - Vintage

Challenge # 7 - redrawn winner

Finalists and winner for Challenge # 8

Challenge # 10 - Dogs & Cats

My week 9 Submission

Challenge # 9 - Recycle!

Upcoming changes to our weekly challenges

April Challenges Grand Prize Winner

Finalists and winner for Challenge # 7

My Mother's Day Gifts

New Crafting Pal!

There is something wrong with my circut.

Teacher Appreciation Blog Hop

Jenny's Big 3-OH! BLOG HOP

Blog Candy @ Little Scrap Pieces

Challenge # 8 - Special Lady

Giveaway at The Cottage Home

4 layouts for my friend

Finalists and Winner for Challenge #6

Challenge # 7 - Use a Digital Stamp

My Week 7 Submission

Giveaway - Straight From the Nest Cartridge

Challenge 21 WINNER

Challenge 20 WINNER

Challenge - 19 - ~~WINNER~~

Challenge - 18 WINNER

Challenge 17 WINNERS

Challenge 16 - Red White & Blue WINNER

Challenge 14 Vacation WINNER

Challenge 13 WINNER