Engaged Digital Layout

Congratulations to my nephew Ben who is now engaged to the lovely Mary!

Template for PSE by Sahlin Studio (a freebie)
Papers and Elements by Harper Finch Designs (freebie collection)

Little Brother Digital Layout

Template for PSE by Sahlin Studio (a freebie)
Papers by Harper Finch Designs
Elements by Harper Finch Designs

Jumping on the "Christmas in July" Bandwagon

I am jumping on the Christmas in July bandwagon and sponsoring a giveaway. Enter to win the retired Advent Calendar Workshop on the Go!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Embellishments

I was reorganizing my papercrafting supplies this weekend and found a green and pink "happy" metal embellishments. So I put together some quick cards using sentiments from Simon Says Stamp. I also used some paper scraps from the retired Close To My Heart Dream Pop paper packet. Then I had to use these darling owls from the Makn the Rounds, because they make me happy!

Update on Dream Pop Paper Pack Giveaway on Facebook

I apologize but as I am new to Facebook Pages it has just come to my attention about their policies regarding giveaways. To comply I now added an App for the Dream Pop Paper Pack Giveaway. So like my Crafting With Crystal CTMH page if you haven't already, then click on the entry form for the giveaway. If you did like my page you will need to confirm your participation in the giveaway with the entry form. The contest ends Saturday! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Joyful Stars July Blog Hop and a Giveaway!

Welcome to the Joyful Stars July Blog Hop. This hop is a circle so it doesn't matter if you are coming from Heather's blog or if you start here on my blog. Just continue around until you're back to the blog that you started on to make sure you see all the wonderful projects. There are 15 this month.

For my project I chose to use the July Stamp of the Month to make a few cards. I usually shy away from images that need to be colored. (I'm not sure why, I loved my coloring books as a kid!) For these cards I actually watercolored. I love the way the colors blended together, and I don't care that they bled over the lines!

I just started my Crafting With Crystal CTMH Facebook page. To celebrate I am sponsoring a giveaway! Like my page for a chance to win a Dream Pop paper pack. This beautiful paper was the special in May 2013 and is no longer available. I will choose a winner on Saturday, July 13.

Now your next stop on the hop is Stephanie's blog.

Close To My Heart Supplies:
Sweet Life, July 2013 Stamp Of The Month
Archival Black Exclusive Inks® Stamp Pad
Buzz and Bumble Paper Pack (no longer available, sniff, sniff)
Buzz and Bumble Assortment (retiring July 31, 2013!)
Sparkles Brown & Tan Assortment
Mini-Medley Accents Wooden Collection
Waterbrush Medium (also retiring July 31, 2013!)

Other Supplies:
Watercolor Paper
Distress Ink Markers 

Hydrangeas in Bloom!

My inspiration to craft this card came from our hydrangea bush that is in full bloom. I printed the full sheet of the Hydrangea Bouquet from Fred, She Said Designs. I cut three of them and layered to make a hydrangea bush!

Supplies:

Hydrangea Bouquet (Fred, She Said)

Cardstock (Bazzills)

Expressions for You Stamp Set (Simon Says Stamp)

Whisper and Slate Ink Pads (Close To My Heart)

Sticker (Basic Grey's Wisteria Collection)

Opaques Licorice Adhesive Gems (Close To My Heart)

Black Pen (Close To My Heart)

Clutch Bag Freebie!

Check out the special offer from SVGCuts. They are giving this clutch bag file away for free! Then when you make the bag and fill out a form they will give you a $6.99 gift card! Check out all the details here.

I wanted the bag to look like leather. So I printed the digital paper textured leather from Picky Chicken. The accent pieces are from retired textured paper from Close To My Heart. A couple of brads and a new bling piece from CTMH later and it's complete.

Convention 2013 Viva Layouts

I made these 2 two-page layouts at the Closing Crop during Close To My Heart's 2013 Convention. They were made with a special paper pack and stamp set that were given to Convention attendees. When I got back from my trip I chose some of my favorite photos from Convention and now they are finished!

Convention Present from My Roomie!

Before I left for Close To My Heart's annual convention I posted the layout I made for my roomie. Now that I'm back I wanted to share the darling key chain Jolene made for me! I love how their are pictures from each of the four prior conventions we attended. Such great memories! I think I need to add the picture below from this year.

My other roomie gift was also part birthday present. It was a piece from Origami Owl. I love this locket with an apple because we are both teachers, a pair of scissors since we are both papercrafters, books because we love to read and like the same authors, Mickey since we were at Disneyworld. Then there is my initial and birthstone. Thanks for the very thoughtful and lovely gift roomie. :)

On another note looking through my pictures at the Magic Kingdom I couldn't help but chuckle when I zoomed on Mickey from a faraway shot. I'd love to know how you'd caption this photo!