Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop hosted by Honeybearz Designs

 I am excited to be a guest designer for the hop today.

So, if you came here from Heather's blog then you are in the right place. Otherwise, jump back to  Lisa's blog so you don't miss any of the fun.

Today I have made a Wintery Thank you card for my daughter who is student teaching and wanted to give her teachers a little something. I used a silhouette thank you card file and added a snowman  from a larger piece of My Minds Eye winter Wonderland  paper with pop dots. I then thought it would be fun to add a little wobble on the back.   
I think it came out so cute. I am sure my daughter is going to love it for her teacher.

I also made another accordion card using a silhouette file of Santa and his sleigh. My granddaughter loved this file and of course she had to have a card to give her teacher too. LOL.
 So she assisted me in cutting the file out and then after she went to bed,  I cut another copy of the file out using DCWV Chalkboard paper which is extremely sturdy and ran it through my Xyron to make the entire card a little sturdier for all the little hands that I am sure will be handling it. :) We also added some Liquid pearls for reindeer eyes and here it is. Hope you enjoy. 

Now don't forget to hop over to see what the wonderfully talented Miss Ashley has for you. This is such a fun hop with many wonderful creative ideas. 

Thank you again to Lisa and the wonderful sponsors!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful and creative day!

Suzy's Crafts

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop hosted by Honeybearz Designs

 I am excited to be a guest designer for the hop today.

So, if you came here from Lisa's blog then you are in the right place.

I wanted to make something for two of my girls who moved into new homes this past month. 

The supplies I used:

Cricut Word Collage Cartridge 
Mini gel pens
Chomas Gel pen holder 
Ribbon (Michaels) 
A christmas pick (Michaels)
Frame (Kohls -picked it up real cheap on Black Friday) 
Ranger Stickles - Green, Christmas Red and Frosted Lace.

This is the first time I have used the Chomas gel pen holder and it was so easy and fun to use. I will be using this more often. :) Once I had used the pens to complete the outline, I added a little bit of stickles to add some extra sparkle. Can never have enough sparkle, especially at Christmas. :-)
And here is the one I have all put together:

Super easy and fun project. I think my daughters will love it.  Thanks for stopping by. 
Now hop on over to Mary to see what wonderful project she has created.  And in case you get lost along the way, the entire lineup is posted below.  

Thank you Lisa for allowing me to be a guest designer today and to all the wonderful sponsors a huge thank you for your support!!  I have really enjoyed being part of this hop and hope you have had some fun also. 



1. Lisa Pontious ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/c

2. Suzy's Crafts - http://suzyssimplecrafts.blogspot.com/

3. Mary Montecalvo-http://mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com/

4. Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/

5. Theresa~ www.thescrapbookingqueen.com

6. Sheila- http://www.2pawprints.blogspot.com/

7. Jillian - http://www.paperalamode.com/

8. Pam (Mama LoveBug) - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

9. Rebecca~ http://blog.scrapprincess.com/

10. Teresa~http://freshandrenewed.blogspot.com/

11. Madge- http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/

12. Jessi http://mylifeinartsncrafts.blogspot.com/

13. Miranda http://www.nanasscrapspot.com/

14. Shawnee ~ http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

Stepping Stones! Happy Birthday Ethan!!

Welcome! You should have come from Shawnee and if not, please start back at Melissa so you don't miss any of the fabulous projects and stories.

This blog hop is for Ethan. Ethan has been through so much in his 3 years that it is only fitting that we wish him a great big HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

I was lucky to meet Ethan and Melissa during a very low and difficult time in theirs lives. It was last year, the day after Christmas,  that Ethan was transferred to Cincinnati Children's Hospital and put on a ventilator. I had spoke with Melissa through crafting and when I found out she was so close by and going through such a trying time, I went down to the hospital to see if there was anything I could do.

Through many sleepless nights spent worrying, crying and just sitting in the hospital room,  we became fast friends. Melissa is such a strong and wonderful woman. 

Although my first meeting with Ethan was him on a ventilator it was not until over a month later that I really got to meet and see the real Ethan. Watching him progress from that little boy so sick and helpless laying in the hospital bed,  to playing and running in my backyard chasing my girls, was so beautiful and wonderful.

Melissa and Ethan have gone home, but it was a bittersweet day.  Happy for them to go home, but they had become such a part of our family, we all miss them so much.Luckily they are not too far away and we keep in touch via phone and fb. I just love hearing Ethan saying hello and I love you on the phone. It is so special.

So here is to you big guy! I love you too and hope you have the best birthday after and many many many more to come!

We do have a few Generous Sponsors for you all today! 

 CREATIVEKUTS  ...5 WINNERS WILL RECIEVE $5.00 In free files!

Sherri Baldy Stamps- Is giving away 3 Digi Stamps

Monica Scrapstreasures- Giving away 6 flowers and Ribbons

In order To be eligible to WIN you Must Comment on EVERYONES BLOGS and FOLLOW ALL THREE SPONSOR's BLOG and please THANK THEM! 

Melissa Pinter http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com

Jearise - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Haidee - http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/

Lisa - http://bitbythecricutbug.blogspot.com

Shelly - http://myscrapandstamphouse.blogspot.com

Scrappin Madge - http://www.thescrappinlounge.com

Madison - http://ifeeltheloveproject.blogspot.com/

CallyAnn - http://callyanncraftycreations.blogspot.com

Tahi - http://tahisscrapcorner.blogspot.com

Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com

Sue-Ann- http://Suzyssimplecrafts.blogspot.com

Thanks for stopping by the Autumn Blessings Blog Hop. You should have come from Tricia if not, please jump back to Lisa so you don't miss any of the fabulous projects along the way.  

I am so excited to be a part of this Hop with this wonderful group of ladies.  A big Thank  you goes to Lisa for putting this together. :)  

This is the time of year where everything seems to get so chaotic and everyone is rushing here and there to make sure you have the perfect Holiday season. You start out so excited but by the time you are done and the Holidays arrive, you are so exhausted, stressed and are glad its over. 

I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family. My children are by no means perfect and they drive me crazy many times...okay, more often than not. :)   But this is the time of year they all gather to go to the Halloween Fest at the local amusement park, Pumpkin Patch, Thanksgiving or even Black Friday Shopping. These are our yearly traditions they expect and love. 

Now as they grow, they bring their significant others and children.  Its funny when we show up at the pumpkin patch with a group of 10-15 and only 2 or 3 are children, because even their friends, my "other" children come to be part of our family traditions.  But I wouldn't trade it for the world. 

I love them all and with the recent unexpected loss of a loved one, it reminds me how much I am truly blessed and during the next few weeks and months, I'm going to remember to stop and enjoy these blessings as time they passes so quickly.  I'll also hug them each a little tighter because you just never know what tomorrow might bring.

So for my project I have made a mini book that highlights one of our Fall excursions to a local amusement park. I hope to make more of these little memory books to keep the memories close at hand after the holidays have passed and I am stressed out.  :)

For my Project, I used

 Best Creations Hello Fall 6X6 paper

Assorted Stickles

Zutter Bind it all Book Covers

Various Buttons, brads,  flowers, ribbon and embellishments from my stash. 

Thank you so much for stopping by. Now head on over to the fabulous Melissa to see what wonderful project she has created!

And if you get lost along the way, here is the entire line up.

1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/ 

2. Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/ 

3. Maria ~ http://JoyfulStamper.blogspot.com/

4. Esther - http://forthejoyofcreating.blogspot.com/

5. Shawnee - http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com/

6. Christine- http://hotberrydesigns.blogspot.com/ 

7. Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com/

8. LLuvia  http://sweetbirdmemories.blogspot.com/

9. Pam http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com/

10. Haidee http://created2bunique.blogspot.com/

11. Paula http://preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com/

12. Pam (Mama LoveBug) - http://lovebugcreations3.blogspot.com/

13. Rebecca~ http://blog.scrapprincess.com/

14. Tricia http://mysticalcardcreations.blogspot.com/

15.  Suzy's Crafts - http://suzyssimplecrafts.blogspot.com/ ->

you are here

16. Melissa http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com/ ->

go here NEXT

"UnBOOlievable" Blog Hop 10/27

I am super excited to be a part of this Hop!! First things first, to make sure you are in the right place, you should have come from Tricia. If not, please start at Lisa's page so you don't miss out on any of the fun!

I know I have been a major slacker on my blog recently. Due to some medical issues, I have been MIA. But things are looking up and I am so thrilled to be a part of this Blog Hop with a great group of ladies :). I'm so glad you have been hopping with us and had a chance to see all the beautiful projects. Please sit back and just enjoy yourselves.

Halloween is the 2nd biggest decorating holiday at our house. (Christmas is the first) My husband loves doing woodwork and makes beautiful decorations for our yard. He sets everything up the first weekend of October and it takes the entire day. Also, every year, he removes an item and adds something new he has made. Families come every year to get their pictures taken. It is a fun and friendly family atmosphere. 

The pictures below were taken during daylight hours, but at night, there are spotlights to highlight the monsters. Some of them light up, some have moving parts and then there are always the bubble fog machines that the kids love to pop the bubbles and see the smoke. 

The eyes in this monster glow.

This teeter totter actually moves up and down. 

Don't miss the Headless Horseman towards the back!

And here is my project. A Halloween layout with my two granddaughters standing in front of the big Green monster. I used the Cricut Celebrate with a Flourish Cart on this project. This is one of my favorite carts. :)  Then added some cute cut outs my friend Kat gave me over a year ago!! Added a little bling and some fabric monsters and voila! I am happy happy with my project and had a lot of fun making it.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and will continue on to see what wonderful project Anna has created for you. Thanks so much for stopping by and thank you to Lisa of HoneyBearz Designs  for having this fabulous Blog Hop. It has been so much fun. Don't forget to hop all the way through to be eligible for Lisa's Blog Candy!

Here is the entire lineup incase you get lost along the way. :)



1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com/ 

2. Dena ~ http://missdjones.blogspot.com/ 

3. Ashley - http://thebloghopprincess.blogspot.com/

4. Teresa~http://freshandrenewed.blogspot.com/

5. Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/

6. Christine- http://hotberrydesigns.blogspot.com/

7. Lucy ~ http://love2createitall.com/

8. Lluvia aka misses crafty- http://sweetbirdmemories.blogspot.com/

9. Pam http://mzlavr2.blogspot.com/

10. Paula http://preciouspagesbypaula.blogspot.com/

11. Connie http://conniecancrop.blogspot.com/

12. Esther - http://forthejoyofcreating.blogspot.com/

13. Janea http://www.recollectionalley.blogspot.com/

14. Rebecca ~ http://blog.scrapprincess.com/

15. Tricia http://mysticalcardcreations.blogspot.com/

16. Suzy's Crafts - http://suzyssimplecrafts.blogspot.com/ ------> YOU ARE HERE ;)

17. Anna~ http://www.stampanna.com/ -------> GO HERE NEXT!!!

18. Liz Mullen~ http://ScrapiliciousLife.blogspot.com/

19 Diana - http://daisylovecreations.blogspot.com/

20. Melissa http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com/

21. Jessi http://mylifeinartsncrafts.blogspot.com/

22. Angela-http://www.3crazymonkeys.com/

Some Mixed Media

I decided to start going through some of my stash and see what I had to have and then never used. :) (happens to the best of us, right?)

I have always loved Tim Holtz but it tends to intimidate me. So I just pulled everything out and went to work. I had the best time. Just mixing Alcohol colors, using grungeboard, using Spritz spray, and anything else that I found. LOL

And here is what I came up with:

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great day!

Suzy's Crafts

A Homespun Affair Color Challenge

Ok, here is my quick Challenge creation for A Homespun Affair....this was alot of fun!  Here are the colors you could use for the challenge.


And here is my project I made. I used Tim Holtz Alcohol inks to create the background and then stamped some clear embossing on top. Grungeboard was used for the butterfly. 

This was alot of fun to make. Hope you like it.

Suzy's Crafts

Loving Women of a Lifetime Blog Hop

You should have arrived from Melissa's Blog. Welcome to our Blog Hop where we all have a story to tell about the wonderful women who have inspired us during our lifetime.

My story is a little different and it took me some time to decide who I was going to write about. Turns out she was right there all along. :)

This blog is dedicated to my mom. This is a difficult time of year for us as yesterday was two years since my dad passed. Dad had been sick for about 5 years prior to his passing. Cancer, Dementia, Parkinson's. It all came on slowly, a little at a time.

Mom and dad were married 40 years when it all started. Mom having never had an easy life growing up, married my dad at the young age of 21. They had 4 children and provided well for us. Mom kept us involved in all sorts of activities, cheerleading, dance, pageants, fishing, and sports for my brother. Dad worked but mom was always there. Mom worked, but there was always a hot dinner on the table every night, the house cleaned and everything taken care of.

As everyone left and started their own families, it was mom who pushed dad to start traveling a little, vacations here and there and to enjoy being together.

Once dad became sick, it was mom who stepped up to the plate again to make sure dad had everything and all was taken care of. Even during the last year when dad had to be lifted into and out of bed, mom refused to put dad in a nursing home but instead to care for him herself. She was the true meaning of "through sickness and through health". She was there.

Once dad passed and everyone went back to their own families and lives, I feel like mom was lost. All her life taking care of others, she was not sure how to go forward.

In her process of trying to find herself, she moved across the country to Texas with my sister. She found she was not happy. She then moved across the country to live with her sister in Virginia. Again, this did not work for her.

Finally, she began the healing process and chose to get her own apartment, she joined the YWCA and the senior center. She is meeting new people and she is thriving. She still has so much life and a chance to live for her. Mom is now making quilts and taking trips with her new friends and plans on going to Germany next year! AWESOME!!

So here's to you mom! I love you so much and hope this brings at least a small ray of sunshine to you today. Dad would be so proud and happy for you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. Next be sure to visit Jessica. She is such a talented and sweet lady so make sure to leave her some love!

Besides, we have lots of sponsors for this wonderful Blog and you don't want to miss out!


You have to make sure you comment on every blog to be eligible to win.
These are our generous Sponsors for our hop. Make sure you stop by their sites and thank them!!

Kat Shriber- $30 CTMH kit

The Scrapbooking Queen- 6 of
her stamps  & 2/25 packs of wobbles

LuAnn Hale -Gift Certificate to her stamp store


Amuse Studio: $25 dollar gift certificate

Pink By Design -  a stamp set

Ginger snaps scraps-  winner's choice of Camp A Lot, Little Miss or Hello Sunshine 6x6 paper pad.

K Andrews Designs 

Suzy's Crafts

Welcome to the Picnic Blog Hop. You should have come from My Cricut Craft Room.


Erica challenged us to make something Picnic related. So when I think of picnics, I think of watermelon. So I pulled out my trusty Gypsy and went to work.  I found this adorable watermelon and saying on the Simply Charmed Cartridge.  Hope you like it.!

Using Kaiser Crafts 'Cock A Doodle' small paper stack for the background of the card. (Card 5" X 10").  I cut the Watermelon at 3 inches out of various colors of green cardstock. Added some inking and some googly eyes and the mouth was done with a Black Viva Decor pen. I then added just enough Green Stickles to give it some sparkle. :)  The saying was cut from the same Kaiser Craft paper stack. Stickles and the pearl pen were used on the little face smilies.  I found some ribbon I had and added a button to finish if off.  Super easy and super cute.


Thanks for looking. Now head on over to KathyJo to see what fabulous project she has designed!!


Have a wonderful Day!

Suzy's Crafts