~~~CHILLIN' BUG HOP~~~

Welcome to BugBites first ever Grillin’ & Chillin’ Bug Hop!  

To celebrate the beginning of summer, Barb over at BugBites is hosting two consecutive weekends of Bug Hops.

Last weekend was about the Grillin' and this weekend it is all about the Chillin’, June 4-6.

I am so very nervous excited as this is my first ever blog/bug hop! YAY!  Thank you Barb for this opportunity!

If you've come from visiting Cherie, you're in the right place! If you've just happened across my blog and would like to play along with our Grillin’ & Chillin’ Bug Hop, click HERE to start from the beginning.

Each fabulously talented lady along the bug trail is featuring a project based on the Chillin’ theme. What’s more exciting is you can participate too by creating a project and linking it up over at BugBites for a chance to win a Big Prize.

But, there’s a twist. Your project must included at least one Cricut cut and at least one of the critters that have been hidden within some of the bug stop blogs. Be sure to visit all the bug stops to find all your critter choices.

While you are looking for the critters, be sure to check out the blog candy that each designer has to offer you. You don't want to miss out on any of it!

Now for my project!  I created a card that incorporates some of the colors that remind me of summer and  things I love about summer!  Who doesn't love shopping for a new pair of sunglasses, going to the beach, or just chillin' with a nice cold treat on a hot day? Summer is vibrant, bright and so much FUN!!

Recipe:   A2 sized Kraft cardstock card base
                All paper used is from my scrap stash
                1" circle punch and cuttlebug swiss dot folder for background circles
                All cuts were cut at 1": Popsicle, Palm tree,sand castle, dragonfly from
                                                          doodle charms
                                                          Sunglasses from nifty fifties
                                                          Watermelon from stretch your imagination
                Black sticker alphas
                Studio G {fun} stamp, embossing ink pad, black embossing powder, heat gun
                Stampin' UP So Saffron ribbon
                Recollections punch on left side



Next stop... (the ooooh so talented), Diana's blog, I have been a long time follower of hers and she is so talented. See what she has in store for you today.
Remember, once you have hopped to all the bug stops, it's your turn to show us your  Chillin’ project.
Make sure to include a Cricut cut somewhere on your project, include one of the hidden critters and link up your project over at BugBites by Midnight CST June 6 to be eligible for the big prize.





 Now for some blog candy! I have up for grabs today a wonderful Posi-Bendr Bow Easy! I will also throw in some embellishments from my stash. If you would like to be eligible to win this blog candy please become a follower and leave a comment under this post. I appreciate every one of my followers/friends.  I will randomly choose a winner on June 7th.

Just in case you lose your way here is the line up!

Barb          http://bugbites411.blogspot.com/~ Start

Tanya         http://nonnascraftcorner.blogspot.com/ 

Jenn          http://scraphappensembellishit.blogspot.com/

Jovan        http://www.cardsbyjovan.com/

Britt          http://sunshineandcrafts.blogspot.com

Brynn         http://www.flairandfrillscreativity.blogspot.com

Maureen     http://mosaddiction.blogspot.com

Cherie        http://oneheartscrapper.blogspot.com

Jen    H      http://theholtonshome.blogspot.com/<-----You Are Here

Diana L      http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com<-----Your Next Stop 

Priscilla      http://priscrafteeescape.blogspot.com/

Heather     www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com

Theresa      www.miislucky.blogspot.com

Peggy Sue  http://ICrea8Cards.blogspot.com/

Kim           http://uscrap2.blogspot.com/

Shelly        http://mypaperlove.blogspot.com

Amy          http://www.lovetocrop.com

Lezlye      www.lezlyes.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for hopping along with us!!!

   
 ~~Jen H~~

Grillin' &Chillin' Bug Hop Challenge

I made this Summer fun card for the Bug Bites Grillin' Challenge. You must include at least one cricut cut and a hidden critter. I made this with scraps and the nifty fifties cart for the hamburger and the twine I made and the ants are stickers. I have no idea what the bright spots are on top of the hamburger, my camera just kept picking it up.  Thanks for looking!

DD's Crafts 1000 follower giveaway!

Debbie over at DD's Crafts is having a giveaway! She is almost at 1000 followers, how great is that? As soon as she hits that mark she will be picking one lucky lady to win the Wild Card Cricut Cartridge!

I can't wait to get my hands on this cartridge. It is one that is on my wishlist. Head over there by clicking here, and become a follower today! You wont be sorry! =)

Have a great one, ~~Jen~~

Ahoy

Just a quick card to put on here. Friends of our are sailing in for memorial day and I just wanted to make a quick card for them.

All of the paper is scraps. The Ahoy is from Plantin Schoolbook.

The frame cut is from gypsy wanderings I used my gypsy to make a frame. 

I used scallop scissors to make the waves and left a little gap so the card base could peek through.

Of course the picture makes the red look a lot brighter than it actually is.

Four black brads and some hemp cord.  The little piece of paper at the top of the navy blue was made using a punch I got at M's for $5 yesterday. It took me about 15-20 minutes to make and I think it turned out cute for a quickie.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
~~Jen~~

Bow holder for my sister....

I stayed up last night to finish this bow holder that I made for my little sister, and I don't mean her daughter or something. My father remarried and I have a 9 month old half-sister who is just so precious. I always prayed to God to give me a sister and He obviously heard me!  Even though I am 28 years old, I am still thrilled to have a sister!  I made all the bows that are on it and the bow holder itself except the gerber flower.  There are two ribbons stitched together to make little pockets for the bow so they don't slide anywhere. That is what I did before getting into paper crafting was making hair bows for my daughter and niece and to sell at craft fairs and such. I still dabble when my daughter needs a bow to match a new dress or I get a new sister!=)

 

 

 

This is my lil' sis Francesca

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look! I hope you have a fabulous day!

Hugs,
~~Jen~~

So Very Busy

I have been so busy lately. My family is moving as soon as the kids get out of school. My Hubby is working out of town and only coming home on the weekends until we can move to where his new job is. It has been hard for the past month being apart, being a single mom during the week with three active kids, and financially supporting two households! I am looking forward to getting the move over with but before that happens I have to pack this 5 person house by myself and keep enough out to live on till we move. Not the most horrible thing in the world but definitely not fun. I am determined to still take a little time out of each day to spend with my craft stuff before I have to pack it up. I am trying to keep it out till the last possible minute. =) I really have a few challenges that I would love to do and I need to work on my project for the Grillin' and Chillin' bug hop, which by the way is going to be so much fun, hosted by Barb over at Bug Bites !!! I am so excited for that!!! I'm not participating in the first hop which is the Grillin' part, but I will definitely hop along with the very talented ladies that are. I will be participating in the second or Chillin' bug hop and can't wait! Mark your calendars for this one it is going to be so much fun with lots of blog candy and an end of the hop challenge.

Hugs,
 ~~Jen~~

My first Award...How exciting!

I received this award from Priscilla over at Pri's Craftee Escape. Thank you so much! I am very excited because this is my first award and it is a great feeling!

The Liebster Blog award is given to bring newer blogs into the light. It's a great way to share blogs that might not otherwise have been noticed and should be! As a recipient you must share the love and pass it along to others, as well as these four things:

1. You must post on your blog and tell a little about the award and announce your 3-5 picks.
2. Let those know you have chosen them.
3. Copy and post the award on your blog for all to see.
4. Have fun and continue to inspire.  

I have chosen the following blogs to pass this award on to in no particular order-

1. http://kcustom-fi.blogspot.com/ 
2. http://sweetpeascards.blogspot.com/ 
3. http://savorysweetandsparkly.blogspot.com/ 
4. http://lovecupcakesandjesus.blogspot.com/
5. http://crafdeecat.blogspot.com/ 

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs, 
~~Jen H~~