Welcome to the Back to School Blog Hop, brought to you by the fabulous design teams of Made Especially For You and the GoFish Challenge Blog!

These two design teams have joined together to bring you some fun and crafty inspiration to help you get started on those back to school projects! If you've just come across the hop and would like to start at the beginning, please visit Made Especially For You.

 

Hello everyone!  I hope you all are having a great time

visiting all of the blogs on todays hop and enjoying the wonderful projects the ladies have made.  We have some

really talented crafters and you dont want to miss out on any of the inspiration they have to offer...and please dont forget to show your love by leaving a kind word.

Since this is my first ever blog hop that Ive been a part of, I want to celebrate by giving away a

$10.00 gift certificate for Mo's Digital Pencil! 

One lucky winner will be selected and announced on August 14th...and all you have to do for a chance to win,  is be or become a follower of my blog and leave a comment.   Good luck!

Now on to my project...While I was making this card, I couldnt help but think back to when each of my children were just starting school for the first time...watching them wait for the "BIG" yellow bus with their bookbags at the ready and seeing the smiles on their faces as they

wondered what the day held for them.  Oh, and lets not forget the joy they had to share once they got home.

Ready, set, go!

For this card I used the following cartridges and measurements.  Potpourri Basket-school bus/shadow (pg 63), cut at 5 inches and Plantin SchoolBook-mixed letters and numbers, cut at 3/4 inch.

I also used three of the Mos digital pencil images that are just perfect for a school project. 

The first image (Yale) far left was colored using the following Copic markers...Flesh-E000, E00, E01 and R20...Hair-YR20, YR23 and YR31...Outfit-YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97, E35, E37, E44 and E47...Shoes-E53, E55 and E57...Bookbag/books-B21, B23, BV11, BV15, YR04 and YR07.

For the second image (Dundee) center...Flesh-E00, E01, E11 and R20...Hair-E44, E47 and E49...Outfit-B32, B34, B37, R24, R27, G24, G28, Y35 and Y38...Bookbag/books-B93, B97, YR04, YR07, E13, E15, BG11 and BG15.

The third image (Berkley) far right...Flesh-E11, E13, E15 and R22...Hair-E35, E37 and E39...Outfit-B91, B93, B97, RV32, RV34, BV11, BV13, V12 and V15...Bookbag-BG11, BG15 and BG18...Apple-R24 and R27.  I also used a little Glossy Accents on the apple.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of the hop!  Kathie

We have some wonderful sponsors giving away prizes to those who comment on EVERY stop of the hop! Let's see what they have to offer...

Paper Piecings by Nikki

$15 Gift Certificate

Scraptastical Kreations

$20 Gift Certificate

The Stamping Boutique

3 images of the winner's choice

You must comment on every stop of the hop to be eligible to win a prize. Hoppers have through Sunday August 12th to comment. Winners will be randomly chosen and announced on Made Especially For You on Tuesday August 14th. 

Your next stop is PAMs blog.

Here's the entire lineup in case you get lost along the way:

Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com

C - http://www.tradefishdesigns.com

Laura - http://scrappinaroundtheclock.blogspot.ca/

Kate - http://scrapperscreativecorner.blogspot.com

Jessica - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com/

Amy - http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/

Kathy - http://letsgetscrappytogether.blogspot.com/

Pam - http://scrappinfabpam.blogspot.com/

Nancy - http://thetrinketcollector.blogspot.com/

Cyndy - http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com/

Sarah - http://www.mypaperpie.blogspot.com/

Robin - http://www.thecricutscrapper.blogspot.com/

Eileen - http://www.scrappingactuary.blogspot.com/

Karen - http://simplyfrenzied-karen.blogspot.com/

Thanks so much for hopping along with us!

FANTABULOUS CRICUT CHALLENGE #122
S'MORE ANYONE?

Its that time again...Time for another super Monday challenge over at Fantabulous Cricut and this week your inspiration is "Smore anyone".  So, whatever it is that comes to mind, campouts, barbaques or  campfires, let it out and create something fabulous!   Dont forget to stop by and check out all of the wonderful projects the Design Team has come up with this week...theyre really super!

For my project, I decided to make a 12"x 12" layout from a picture that I took of  my children while they were camping out on our property and the fact that they were making S'mores (goodies between my daughters) made it the perfect choice!

Country nights

For this layout I used the following cartridges and measurements.  Campin' Critters-porcupine (pg 34),

cut at 1 1/4, 1 3/4 and 2 1/4 inches, Plantin SchoolBook-letters, cut at 1 inch and Pooh and Friends-

grass/icon (pg 29), cut at 1/2 and 3/4 inches, fence/icon (pg 30), cut at 1 inch.

I used the Martha Stewart punch "Stars" for the night sky, Liquid Pearls and Copic marker E55 for the marshmellows (it gave the marshmellows a puffy golden look...yum), mini brads for the eyes on the porcupine, pop dots on the large/small critter and Copic marker R20 for their bellies/feet and noses.

Lastly, for the campfire, I cut the image from a piece of patterned paper and used Glossy Accents to give it a shiny glow.

Thanks so much for stopping by and having a look.  Kathie 

SHADES OF GRAY

When I think of shades of gray, I think of the old silent movies or the classics that starred  people like Bette Davis, Myrna Loy, Cary Grant, William Powell...You see where Im going. 

And for this reason I chose a digital stamp that I have from MosDigitalPencil.com  that is called "The Tramp" for the following challenges.  The first is over at crafting when we can and its a "monochrome" challenge...the other is over at paper play time and the challenge they have going is a "Miss you" challenge. 

The Tramp

For this card I used the following cartridges and measurements.  Art Deco-Pantages Theater

Marquee (pg 41), cut at 1 3/4 inches, Plantin SchoolBook-sentiment, cut at 1/2 inch and Mickey

and Friends-icon/border (pg 114), cut at 1 inch.

I colored the digital stamp using the following Copic markers...C0, C3, C5, C7, B32 and B34.  This is the first time Ive done this type of coloring, so I hope it looks alright!

I then centered my sentiment and put pop dots on the underside of the marquee and placed

all of the images on the mat...which is 4 3/4"x 6 3/4" (blue),  4 1/2"x 6 1/2" (black) and 3"x 5" (gray).

Thanks for stopping by and having a look.  Kathie

158 DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!

Christmas is fast approaching and there are still plenty of "Christmas in July" challenges out there for you to take part in to build up your supply of cards...Its also a good way to get one motivated.

So that is just what Ive done...I went ahead and decided to get motivated and create another Christmas card.  I will be entering my card into the challenges over at A Muse Studio and Send a Smile 4 Kids.

5"x7"

For this card I used the following cartridge.  Plantin SchoolBook-letters/shadows(muliple pages), cut

at 1 inch.

I also used a Magnolia stamp and colored it using the following Copic markers...Flesh-E000, E00, E01

and R20...Outfit/stockings/hair bow-R24 and R27...Gift box-B000, B21, B23, E35 and E37...Hair-E15, E17 and E19.

I made a bow with red satin ribbon and used the same to add across the top.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Kathie

PURPLE AND PUNCHES

ONE CARD, TWO CHALLENGES...BOTH USING SOME OF MY FAVORITES.   THE COLOR PURPLE AND MY NEW ADDICTION, MARTHA STEWART PUNCHES!

I made this card to enter into the challenge over at scrapitgirl.net, which is a "Punch" challenge and all thats required is to make a project using any of your punches...The other is over at littlescrappieces.blogspot.com, and its a "Purple" challenge.  So, if you have some time, stop by and check them out or even create something to enter.

Sweet and simple

For this card I used the following cartridge and measurements.  George and Basic Shapes-

oval (pg 114), cut at 3 inches (green) and 2 3/4 inches (lilac).

For this 5" x 7" card, I cut two pieces of paper for the first layer...the lilac paper was cut at

4 3/4" x 4 3/4" and also scored every 1/4" using the Martha Stewart score board...the green paper was cut at 2 3/4" x 3 3/4".

I used the following Martha Stewart punches to make the images...branch punch and 3 in 1 hydrangea punch.  I used two shades of green cardstock for the branches and used white cardstock for the flowers.  I then colored the flowers using the following Copic markers...V93, V95, BV01, BV02,

B91 and B93.  The centers of the flowers are made using Liquid Pearls-Lavender Lace and Baby Blue.  All of this was then arranged on a strip of purple ribbon.

The sentiment was made using a stamp and Olive green ink and placed on the matted ovals.

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by and having a look.  Kathie

 THE DRAGONFLY...

IVE ALWAYS LOVED DRAGONFLIES...AND I CAN SIT ON THE FRONT PORCH FOREVER, JUST WATCHING THEM DART AROUND MY POND AND THEN LANDING ON THE LOTUS FLOWERS...

And for this reason, I chose the dragonfly as my "bug" in the "Dont bug me" challenge over at fantabulouscricut.blogspot.com. 

Little dragonfly

For this card I used the following cartridges and measurements.  Art Nouveau-water lily (pg 27), cut at 3 1/2 inches and dragonfly (pg 54), cut at 1 1/2 inches.  Plantin SchoolBook-mixed letters, cut at 3/4 inches.

I decided to cut all of my images in white cardstock and color them using my Copic markers...I really wanted to give it the feel of being painted with water colors...Flower and sentiment-RV32 and RV34...greenery and dragonfly wings-G24 and G28...dragonfly body-E35, E37, YG20 and YG23.

I also altered the dragonfly (slightly), used vellum for his wings,  Liquid Pearls (buttercup) for his eyes and put him on a pop dot to place him above the flower.  Oh, and I put pop dots between the flower layers to have the flower open.

Thanks you for stopping by and having a look.  Kathie 

YIPEE!

ONE MORE DAY OF SCHOOL LEFT AND SUMMER BREAK BEGINS!  THE MICKEY IMAGE ON THIS CARD WILL BE MY KIDS COME MONDAY AFTERNOON...HAPPY, EXCITED AND READY TO LET LOOSE TO ENJOY LIFE!

This card will be added to the others that I am making for Send A Smile 4 Kids.

Oh yeah!

For this card I used the following cartridges and measurements.  George and Basic Shapes-star (pg116), cut at 4 3/4 inches, Mickey and Friends-Mickey #3 (pg 81), cut at 5 inches and Wild Card-Celebrate/phrase (pg 59), cut at 4 3/4 inches.

This card was so fun to make and easy too...For Mickey, I decided to cut him out entirely out of white cardstock (except for the base) and color him with Copic markers...Flesh-E000, E00 and E01...Shoes-Y35 and Y38...Pants-R24 and R27...and B000 for the gloves.   I then used Glossy Accents for his tail, ears, head and nose.  Oh, and Liquid Pearls -white opal for the buttons.

 I cut the star, celebrate and base for the sentiment mount out of white shimmer paper.  I then placed the word onto black cardstock and placed it on the base of white shimmer paper.

Thanks for looking.  Kathie

FLOWER POWER

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE...SOME BELL BOTTOM JEANS, PLATFORM SHOES AND FLOWERS IN YOUR HAIR.  

 

When I saw this digital stamp, I knew I had to have her (plus a few of her friends)...shes just so sweet.  If youd like to take a look for yourself, you can check out Tickledpinkstamps.com.au.  She has quite a few different style stamps that you just might like.

Ill be entering this card in the "Pink-a-licious" challenge over at cookingwithcricut.com.

Peace

For this card I used the following cartridge and measurements.  Plantin SchoolBook-flower (pg76), cut at 1/2 inches, 3/4 inches and 1 inch.

After cutting the flowers out on white cardstock, I colored them with Copic marks to match the flowers in her hair and added large and mini brads for the centers.

The flower girl image was  colored using the following Copic markers...theres quite a few, so please be patient.  Flesh-E000, E00, E01 and R20...Hair-E11, E13 and E17...Blouse-RV32 and RV34...Jeans-B32 and B34...Eyes/shadow-YG23, YG25, B21 and B23...and finally all of the Flowers-V12, V14, RV32, RV34, B32, B34 and YR65

I used pink satin ribbon around the center of the card and made a bow for the finishing touch.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and have a look.  Kathie

 

 

DREAM...

I just love this lady, she seems like she hasn't a care in the world.  I've never used digital stamps before or colored such a large image,  but when I saw Mummu,  I knew I had to give it a try.

I have now found my new addiction...mosdigitalpencil.com, the stamps are so adorable.  I can't believe that I've never even thought of using digital before...I always thought I needed the actual stamp in my hand.  Boy, was I wrong! 

I will be entering this card into the Virginia's View challenge over at lilypad.inlinkz.com..  There's still a couple of days left if you'd like to create an entry.

Sweetie pie!

For this card I used the following cartridges and measurements.  Pagoda-flower #7 (pg 56), cut at 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch and 1 inch.  I didn't use the base of the flower, simply the top layer.  George and Basic Shapes-oval (pg 114), cut at 2 inches and 2 1/4 inches.

For the cherry blossoms, I used white card stock and colored them with the following Copic markers-R20, R22 and Y32.   Now for Mummu.  I printed the image out at 6 inches in height and used the following Copics to color her with.  Shoes-E53, E55 and E 57...Skirt-B91, B93 and B97...Skin-E000, E00, E01 and R20...Sweater-V91, V93 and V95...Hair-W0 and W3.  Oh, and Y28 for her hair clip.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and have a look.  Kathie 

GREEN, BLUE & PURPLE ...

This card was made for a challenge over at http://ericascraftroomchallenges.blogspot.com..  For this challenge you had to use the sketch provided and the following colors...green, blue and purple.

I decided to make a card using both my faithful Cricut and a Magnolia stamp (Edward) and here is the finished card. 

Score!

For this card I used the following cartridges and measurement.  Plantin Schoolbook-HOME, cut at 1/2 inch and 21, cut at 3/4 inches.  Sports Mania-basketball (pg 54), cut at 1 1/2 inches, backboard (pg 55), cut at 4 inches and the word "hoops" with shadow, cut at 2 inches.

Now for little Edward (I really wish they had more stamps of him).  I colored him using Copic markers and if you're interested in the colors used, here they are.  For his flesh, I used E000, E00, E01 and R20...Shirt-BV01, BV02 and BV04...Pants-B02 and B04...Hair-E53, E55 and E57.

*I did alter Edward a little by cutting the butterfly net form his hand to make it look like he was actually playing and making a shot...

Thanks for looking, Kathie