Our Craft Lounge Blog Hop with Candy

Welcome to another Our Craft Lounge Blog Hop. I hope you have enjoyed all the Valentine sneaks the past few days.

I have a fun set to show you today and to give away! The set I used is Life Is. This is great for scrapbooking but also works great for cards.

For my scrapbook page, I used 4 different stamps from the set on just the title! If you look real closely you’ll see what I used by comparing it to the panel below. I’m not going to tell you right now what I used. I also used the ‘circle dot’ from Life Is and the two ‘circles’ from The Journey (also a new release from Our Craft Lounge that works great with Life Is) to make my own design paper on the brown cardstock.

To get my shapes, I traced a ClearScrap shape onto the brown cardstock and cut it out. I then used another stencil (Lotus) on the Mulberry design paper. Cut that out also and added faux stitching to all the layers. Made a scallop frame for the picture.

I just love this picture of my kids and I during my pregnancy with #4 (in '06) and hence the title of the page {Life Is Precious}. So, have you figured out what stamps I used for the title? I used Life Is, Precious, the row of dots and this symbol {. Yes, there is a label in the set that already uses those images but I wanted mine just a little bigger. That’s the beauty of this set, you can make the label any size you want. (of course you don’t have to use the pieces that way too) The title is attached to the page with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to give it some dimension.



I also did a card using Life Is and The Journey. (told you these sets work great together!) The words “You are” are from The Journey. The label and “Fabulous” is from Life Is. The Limited Supply247 was posted way early as Long and Tall cards. I decided to do a quick small tall card.

I used design paper from My Mind’s Eye. It’s double sided so I used both sides and added ribbon to the middle. Stamped the wording/label in Distress Ink worn lipstick and cut it out. Layered it onto brilliant blue that was cut with the oval nestabilities. Added some crystal stickers to the top and bottom edges.



Click here for Retail Locations that will carry the entire
Valentine Release.

Leave a comment if you would like to be in the drawing to win this set, Life Is. Time has expired for the blog candy. Thank you for your comments.

We have a winner! Kimmie come on down! Give me a holler with your contact info. Contact me at hillmanfam@woh.rr.com and CONGRATULATIONS!

Here is the list to the other ladies in the blog hop. Don’t forget they have blog candy too!

Bird and Groom – Beth
Hang it Up Cupid - Carol, Vicki
Hearts & Hugs - Holly, Joy
The Journey – Charmaine
Life Is –Amber
Love Notes - Heather, Beate
Out for a Spin – Pam
Fairy Dust is a Must - Cami, Broni
Granny's Truffles – Val
Jungle Love - Deb, Kendra
Shamrock Blessings –Cindy
Sweet on You –Kisa
Wanted - Lila

Our Craft Lounge Sneak Peaks!

It’s that time again… new releases from Our Craft Lounge! Sneak Peaks start today with a Blog Hop on Friday. Wait until you see all the sets. You’ll be in “love”.

The set I’m sneaking to you today is called Sweet On You. With a little masking, I grouped 3 of the images together. Colored them with prismacolor pencils and blended with odorless mineral spirits. I added some Sparkly Fluff to the flowers and some Crystal Effects to the milkshake glass, straw and cupcake liner. The …heart at the top is an individual stamp in the set, I just added it after the sentiment. The design paper is from DCWV The Sweet Stack. I used the Sketch Challenge 255 over at SCS for my layout.


Close up of the image. The crystal effects didn’t take to well in the close up.


Check out the other members of the OCL team to see what they did with the sets they are sneaking.

Bird and Groom - Cindy, Kisa
Hang it Up Cupid – Heather
Hearts & Hugs – Deb
The Journey – Kendra
Life Is – Kendra
Love Notes – Pam
Out for a Spin - Lila, Vicki
Fairy Dust is a Must – Carol
Granny's Truffles – Pam
Jungle Love – Charmaine, Joy
Shamrock Blessings – Holly
Sweet on You – Amber
Wanted - Beth, Carol, Cami

Any comments left on sneak peek days will be counted for the blog candy on Friday, you just won’t know what set that will be the until Friday so don’t forget to stop back by on Friday to see what set I will be featuring.

Just a couple rules ~ 1) you MUST either be signed in to blogger or leave contact information in order to be entered; 2) you can enter on each blog once a day; and 3) you will only be eligible to win one new set. Blog candy will be drawn on each blog on Friday, November 20th at 9pm pacific time.

Don’t forget to stop by The Lounge this week. Our Craft Lounge is still celebrating their 1st Birthday with some Birthday Party Challenges. Believe me when I say you don’t want to miss out on participating as The GRAND PRIZE WINNER will win a $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE to Our Craft Lounge!!!!!!!!!

Supplies used: Sweet On You, white/blue/brown cardstock, DCWV Sweet Stack, ribbon, rhinestones, Sparkly Fluff, crystal effects, prismacolor pencils, odorless mineral spirits, black ink

Happy Birthday, Our Craft Lounge!

Our Craft Lounge is celebrating it's FIRST BIRTHDAY this month! So head over to The Lounge to celebrate. Did you know that the very first release went live on Nov. 14th, 08? I just might have to stamp tomorrow to celebrate that. If you hop over to The Lounge or The Forum, you can join in on the fun scavenger hunt they are hosting! Good luck!

Not sure if I'll have time to stamp today as the kids have their Fall parties at school and I'm a headroom mom for 5th grade class. BUT i will stamp tomorrow using OCL of course!

Another blog hop and Guest Designer News!

Hi blog hoppers!  Well if you haven’t figured it out by now (or seen my badge on the side), I am a Guest Designer this month for Creative Cuts & More!

Weren't Angie's projects great? (If you didn't arrive here from Angie's blog, you don't want to miss what our designers have in store for you! The CC&M Blog Hop starts at Die Cut Diva. If for some reason one of the links is broken along the way do not worry, HOP back over to Die Cut Diva where the complete list will be.

I have a couple of Fall projects to share with you today. I decided to do some scrapbooking and using CC&M’s 12x12 Color Block Page made it go so easily. I went with the DoubleMates cardstock as I like the two tone with this layout. My regular readers will remember these pictures as I just shared them not too long ago. See how easy it is to whip up a page using the color block page. I decided to use both the frame and the block pieces BUT I turned the block pieces over to get the other tone of the DoubleMate cardstock.
I used JustRite Brayton Font to stamp “Circle Farms” on the large pumpkin. Helmar Premium Glue was used to attach the ribbon that I just twirled while gluing it down and then I used Helmar Liquid Scrap dots to give the trio of pumpkins some dimension. I just happen to have a package of DoubleMates cardstock so I used brown to layer the photos and yellow for the tags. I used Helmar Quick Fix Adhesive to secure everything down.



I went with fall colors for the Peek-A-View Box which I stamped acorns and leaves on in Crushed Curry. The stamps are from Our Craft Lounge - Nuts About You.

I stamped the acorn and leaves on white cardstock and colored them with copics. Then cutting them out, I attached them to the top and bottom corners of the ‘lids’ with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots to give them some dimension. I attached brown rick rack to the lid using Helmar Premium Glue. Scalloped square nestibilities were used on DoubleMates cardstock to layer on the top.

I filled the box with a Thanksgiving Blessing Mix. This is what it says:

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.
Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.
Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.
Seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.
M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.
Hershey's Kiss: The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.


As part of our celebration, CC&M will offer 15% off the entire store. But act quickly,  this sale will end on 11-15. Make sure you enter this code ccholidaybloghop1109 during checkout.

As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will be giving away a FUN Christmas Card Kit! After you have finished the blog hop, return to Die Cut Diva and follow the directions.

Did you know CC&M is now on Facebook? I’m a fan, why don’t you come join me?

Now hop on over to Carla Mayfield and see what she has in store for you. And don’t forget to keep checking back the rest of the month, you never know when I’ll post more CC&M items!

Creative Cuts & More Mega Apron Holiday Treats Blog Hop

Welcome, today is the second day of the Creative Cuts & More Mega Recipe Blog Hop which features the Apron Holiday Treats Recipe Kit. We have 24 designers who will be showcasing wonderful pages and yummy Holiday Treat recipes. Hopefully you just came from Jen Johnson’s blog. If not, here is the start of this mega recipe blog hop: http://www.diecutdiva.com



Here is what is included in the kit: chipboard aprons, bazzill candy apple cs aprons, doubleMates Grassy Green cs aprons, Doodlebuge Sugar & Spice paper aprons, Doodlebug Goody Goody Gumdrops paper aprons, Doodlebug Ribbon Candy Spot glittered cs aprons, book rings, red silk ribbon – 18in, extra sugar & spice doodlebug paper, Goody Goody Gumdrops Doodlebug cs, Candy Apple Bazzill Criss Cross textured cs, Grassy Green DoubleMates Linen textured dc, Miscellaneous die cuts & gingerbread/misc buttons. I also used Gingerbread Fun, Crafty Sparkles & SparklyFluff from Our Craft Lounge, rhinestones, lace and Helmar adhesives on the aprons.


This would be a cute project for a Christmas Cookie Exchange. Just think of all the recipes you’d come home with. Your little apron would be filled. As for my apron, I filled it with a couple of drinks that sounded yummy, our favorite cookies and candies I like to make during the holiday season. I’ll have to admit I wanted to go bake some gingersnaps while I was getting my apron album done!


Used oval punches for title and scallop oval nestibilities for the ‘rug’.

I wanted the recipe cards to be attached somehow to the aprons so I poked holes in the papers and threaded floss through them. Cutout a mini gingerbread man or girl from Gingerbread Fun by Our Craft Lounge and attached them over the hole with Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots. The other end of the floss is then attached to the card. There is some give to the floss so the card can dangle onto the counter.



Brown Sugar Sparkly Fluff from Our Craft Lounge was attached to the spoon with Helmar Premium Craft Glue. Helmar 450 glue was used to attach the ‘cookie cutters’ that come with the apron kit. Oval punches were used for the sentiment which can be found in the Gingerbread Fun from Our Craft Lounge. I went over the “icing” on the word LOVE with a white gel pen.




Yellow Fluff and red Crafty Sparkles from Our Craft Lounge were used on the “cookies”. The red oval is from the bowl that comes with the apron kit. The little gingerbread man is from Our Craft Lounge’s stamp set Gingerbread Fun. The ‘cutting board’ was from the kit. The lace is from my stash and glued on with Helmar Premium Glue.

More SparklyFluff was used on the gingerbread men below. The heart is from Our Craft Lounge’s “Lola Love”. The row of gingerbread men from Gingerbread Fun are on Helmar Liquid Scrap Dots and the candy on the recipe card is also from that set.


My apron will not be staying in my house but will be going home with someone on Dec.7th when they bid (and win) on a basket filled with cards, altered items and the album of course. Yes, I’m talking about my post here, Cards for Paula request. (and yes, I’m still taking cards, still have time to get them to me by Dec.1st) I thought it would be neat to add my album to the basket and give someone a little helping hand in the tasty treats section of their Holiday baking.

You can find a few of the recipes that I put in my apron already on my blog! Dipped Gingersnaps and 5 Day Coconut Cake. Here is another favorite of ours that I included in the album:

Mountain Cookies

1c butter, softened 1c powder sugar 2tsp vanilla
2c flour 1/2tsp salt

FILLING: 1 (3oz) cream cheese 1c powder sugar
2T flour 1tsp vanilla 1/2c finely chopped pecans
1/2c flaked coconut

TOPPING: 1/2c semisweet chocolate chips 2T butter
2T water 1/2c powder sugar

In a mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar & vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-in balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Make a deep indentation in the center of each cookie. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 mins or until the edges just start to brown. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. For the filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add pecans and coconut; mix well. Scoop 1/2tsp into each cookie. For topping, heat chocolate chips, butter and water in a small saucepan until melted. Stir in sugar. Drizzle over cookies.

Yield: 4 dz




As part of the celebration CC&M will be having a great sale. For the next six days, we will offer 20% off the entire store. But act quickly, it is only for six days – this sale will end on Nov 14th. Make sure you enter this code recipebloghop2009 during checkout.

As a continuing part of the celebration CC&M will of course give away great gifts. Each day we will give away one kit. Here is the twist – go through the blog hop, leave wonderful comments for the great designers. After you have finished the blog hop, return to www.diecutdiva.com and instead of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. Share the recipe on your blog and link it back and get another chance to win the kit. Help us also make this a great recipe swap. Now head on over to Carla Mayfield to see her apron album and what yummy recipe she has to share.

Card for a Cause

Today’s featured stamper is Miss Boo aka Jen. I got to met Jen way back in ‘07 at a stamping retreat so I had to do the challenge. I picked this card of Jen’s to case. I changed the image to another Thomas Kinkade image, changed colors and used a stamp for my sentiment.

This card will be going into the basket that mom and I are donating to the silent auction for Paula Lowry. A big thank you to those who have donated so far. To date we have over 70 cards for the basket with more coming in! Details are below if you would like to donate.

(on Sept 23 about 6pm just a few miles from our house, Paula had walked down her driveway to get her mail (on her side of the road)...a pickup pulling a flat trailer (narrow country roads)was coming up the road, the trailer somehow came off the truck, struck Paula head on and stopped in the neighbor’s yard about 100 ft away!!
Paula’s right leg, her tibia and fibula were broken and everything from her knee down was torn away. She also sustained fractures in her back which required screws to be inserted (c4-c7) and (t1-t5). She also had a brain injury at her brain stem.
She has been through quite a bit of surgeries since then and is now breathing on her own during the day. (To read more about her day to day progress, please see My Story) She has 2 young teens and runs the only florist shop in our town. The community is putting on a dinner and silent auction with the money all going to the family to help with doctor bills.)

If you have any cards/small altered items that you’d like to donate for the basket, we’d sure appreciate it! And of course the recipient will end up with the best ever basket!! (please include envelopes with your card) Email me at hillmanfam@woh.rr.com with Cards for Paula in the subject line and I will email you my address as I don’t wish to post it on here. We would like to have all the items by Dec.1st.

supplies: TK-It Doesn’t Get Much Better (CHF) & sentiment from MFT Let’s Go for a Walk, black ink, copics/prismacolor markers, brown, green, white cardstock, ribbon, hodgepodge