Sparklers Unite Blog Hop

   Hello everyone and welcome to our Sparklers Unit blog hop! The Sparklers are split into two teams; The Blog Squad and the YouTube Squad. Each month we come together to hang out here and bring you some great tips, technique and inspiration! For this hop, you should have arrived here from Jody's blog. She is the mastermind behind Spiegel Mom Scraps.

Here is the order of the hop.
SMS Blog http://wp.me/p2WVrX-28x
 Jody: https://spiegelmomscraps.wordpress.com/
Guest Designer :) Mandi Holmes: http://mjskraze.blogspot.com
Lisa Kingston: http://pinkglitterscrapper.blogspot.com/
Sarah McClellan http://theadventuresofscrappysarah.blogspot.com/
Hannah Lemieux http://www.scrapbookpagesandcupcakes.com/
Khristina Sorge http://www.redefinedkreative.blogspot.com/
Beth Soler  http://scrappingwonders.com/
Crafty Meggy   http://www.craftymeggy.com/blog/
Sara Scraps - https://sarascrapsblog.wordpress.com/
Katty Miranda https://kattymiranda01.wordpress.com/
Evi Cortes http://www.lifewithevi.com/
Felicia Young http://rosescrapco.blogspot.com/
Christy Harriman https://christysbeautifullife.wordpress.com/
Rachel Stewart https://wordsandpaperscraps.wordpress.com/
Laura Rumble http://beadsbuttonsandbirds.blogspot.com/

I ended up creating a fun shaker bag that features the Summer Paradise sequins and the cloud felties.

Supplies: transparency (American Crafts), pattern paper (My Mind's Eye and American Crafts), sequins (SpiegelMom Scraps), felties (SpiegelMom Scraps), doily (doodlebug Designs), adhesive (hot glue), die (Spell Binders and Heidi Swapp), manual die cutter (Spellbinders) and small gift bag.

   Here is a tip on how to attach the transparency to the paper bag without losing the sequins. With a hot glue gun glue the transparency to the bag along three of the sides, fill the opening with the sequins and glue shut.

 I love those felt clouds with the hot air balloon print.

   If you want to get some of these felt and sequins for yourself be sure to use the coupon code mandi15 for 15% off your purchase.

   Thank you for spending your time with us today! I'd love for you be in the running for the $10.00 shop credit, so be sure to leave comments on all the blogs to be entered! You have through August 4th to comment and enter. Sharing on social media will also earn you an extra entry. Just leave another comment letting us know where you shared the blog hop event.

   Now, you'll be heading over to Lisa Kingston's blog. Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Totally Random

Yesterday, i came across a blog post by Susanne from Snaps and Snippets. It was 44 odd things questions.  I thought it would be fun to do the same type of one here but I am switching it up just a little by replacing some of the questions with my own.

Hope you enjoy reading these completely random Q&A session.
1. Do you like blue cheese? YUCK. I can't stand the smell or taste of it.
2. Do you have a favorite veggie? I love green beans. I cook them and top them with olive oil, salt and garlic powder. Yum.
3. Best thing that happened so far this year? Gaining a lot of vision back from the last cxl surgery.
4. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Cookie Dough.
5. Do you get nervous before Doctor visits? Yes. I still freak out before going to an eye doctor, that is still after 30+ trips I did in a year's time.
6. What is your favorite summer clothing to wear. I live in skirts most of the summer.
7. Favorite Christmas movies? Polar Express, Holiday Inn and White Christmas.
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Coffee with milk.
9. Do you do push-ups? I haven't did any in a few weeks since I injured my toe.
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry? At the moment I am loving arm jewelry. Almost every day you will me wearing one of the cuffs I made with pieces I was given as a gift.
11. Favorite hobby? Cooking, sewing and paper crafting. See I can't just pick one.
12. When was the last time you went to a movie theater? Feb. 2008. National Treasure 2
13. What’s the one thing you hate about yourself? My voice. It just doesn't match my age.
14. Middle name? I am not even you can even call my middle name a name since it is just the lonely letter J.
15. Name three thoughts right now:(1) Should I open a new online selling site. (2) should get off the computer and head back to dt assignment deadlines (3) Should I make a double batch of egg rolls?
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee and water. Once in a while I will have a glass of milk
17. Current worry? Am I wasting my money and time on Etsy, should I venture off to my own site.
18. Current hate right now? The muggy summer heat.
19. Favorite place to be? Would love to be at the beach right now.
20. How do you ring in the new year? Very boring, staying at home.
21. Where would you like to go? Anywhere. I need a vacation that doesn't involve a out of state trip to an eye doctor.
22. Green or a black thumb? Somewhere in the middle. First year of successful growing stuff in containers.
23. Do you own slippers? Nope
24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Black and white stripe tank top.
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Never had.
26. Can you whistle? Yes
27. Favorite Color? Teal
28. Would you be a pirate? No. I think I would get sea sick.
29. What song would you say would be your theme song. Gold by Britt Nicole.
30. Favorite hairstyle? At the moment I like it short with layers and side swept bangs.
31. Favorite summer shoes? Wedges.
32. What’s in your pocket right now? Noting. I rarely ever have anything in them.
33. Last person that made you laugh?
34. Best toy as a child? I loved my big wheel when I was little. I use to tie my baby carriage to the back so I could carry items in.
35. Worst injury? I would have to say dislocated toe and thumb.
36. Where would you love to live? I like Michigan.
37. How many TV’s do you have in your house? 5 but four are in use.
38. Who is your loudest in your house? My parents.
39. How many dogs do you have? 0
40. Does someone trust you? I would like to think so.
41. What is your favorite movie? The Royal Wedding
42. What’s your favorite candy? Dark chocolate
43. What’s your favorite sports team? Not a big sports fan. I do cheer for MSU,
44. Barefoot or shoes? I go barefoot always in the house.

Busy Month

   A little heads up next month is going to very active here on my blog. Expect a blog post every weekday some days there might be more than one. 

   Starting August 1st. there will be a sketch reveal for Scrapbook Challenges which leads to the yearly Sizzling Summer event. That means a extra 16 sketch reveals. That is a lot of inspiration, which I am currently working on. 

   That is not all, I will also be a guest on the SpiegelMom Scraps blog for the month. If you love sequins, cork or felt diecuts, colored textured paste be sure to check out her shop.

   Here is a peek at what I will be working with. These things are so pretty. If you want to get some of these too and save a little money be sure to use coupon code mandi15 for 15% off your purchase. 

Make sure you follow my blog to ensure that you don't miss any of the action. 

Loving - Food Edition

   I am sitting here at my desktop smelling barbecue sauce cooking, pickles marinating and bread rising. The house is smelling wonderful as you can imagine. As I was hobbling around the kitchen (injured big toe, I think it is out of joint, again), I thought I should share food post.

   If you know me, you know I hate summer because of the heat. However, I love all the yummy homegrown organic produce I get at the farmer's market twice a week. I always joke saying I am Cinzori Farm's best customer since I always get so much every week. I buy a ton since I freeze for the winter months, veggies, sauces, puree, etc. When I say I love to cook I take it to a whole another level.

Last week, I was in the mood for egg rolls, which has been years since I had one. To satisfy that hunger I went to the internet to find a egg roll wrapper recipe. I am happy to say I found one that I love. The dough is very easy to make and even easier to work with. The trick is to knead it well
 http://chinesefood.about.com/od/dimsumeggrolls/r/eggrollwraps.htm
I may or may not have made these things twice within a week. I blame my mom for that, she LOVES them.
For the filling,
Small head of cabbage, shredded
4 large carrots, julienne
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
salt to taste
oil, butter and ghee
Directions:
1. I first boiled the cabbage for 15 minutes. I do this because cooked cabbage is easier to digest.
2.  In a tablespoon of oil saute the carrots for about 5 minutes, they should be a bright orange. Add in garlic and cook until toasted but be careful not to burn it. Add in cabbage and lit that cook down and get a little crisp.
3. Add ginger and salt to taste.
4. In each wrapper place about 2 tablespoons of the filling and roll.
5. In a skillet add a tablespoon of oil and sear the egg roll on all sides. Place on cookie sheet when done. Once they are all seared.
6. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 or until filling is hot.

Hello Happy Baby - SBC #491

   I can't believe it is Monday already. I completed absolutely nothing yesterday. I woke up to a gloomy sky and called it pajama day. Everyone needs a break day every once in awhile. I am sure today will be a more productive day and I promise no pajamas. 

Bow, onto the weekly challenge and sketch from Scrapbook Challenges. This week's challenge is a pattern challenge and it features polka dots. We have to love that happy pattern. 

Here is sketch #491.

As you can see here I did both challenges. 

Supplies: cardstock (American Crafts), pattern paper (American Crafts, My Mind's Eye and Crate Paper), stickers (Big Picure Classes, My Mind's Eye, American Crafts and Prima), chipboard (Crate Paper), lace (Heidi Swapp), manual die (Heidi Swapp), die cutter (Spellbinders), doily (Doodlebug Designs), ink (Prima) and pen (Project Life)

   Here is a closer look at the title. I mixed up the fonts in "baby" because I didn't have the letters in either style. I think this way it gives it a fun look. Don't be afraid to mix those fonts up in the same word. 

   The chipboard pieces I used on this page were from something I won from Club CK years ago..

   Don't forget to link up your creations on the Mr. Linky at Scrapbook Challenges to have a chance at winning this month's prize.

Foiled Happy Birthday Card

I am trying to go more clean and simple when it comes to cards I am planning to mail and  list on my Etsy site but still stay try to my design style. This card I am about to share with you today was based off the #181 CAS(E) card sketch that was revealed last week. 

   I am absolutely in love with this card. When I created this I had in my mind that it will be sent to my grandma next month for her birthday. I am sure she will love it. Of , I even did a matching envelope seal. 

 Supplies cardstock (American Crafts), washi tape (The Paper Studio), embossing folder (Project Life), ink (Umbrella Crafts and Tsukineko), die (Heidi Swapp) manual die cutter (Spellbinders), stamp (Stampabilities), punches (EK Success), foil (Heidi Swapp) and foil adhesive (Deco Art)

   Here is a closer look. Since I don't have the Minc I just covered a piece of cardstock with the foil glue and let it dry before applying the foil. I then just man that foiled paper through my die cut machine. 

 I love all the embossed papers on here.

Currently This June - SBC #490

   Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend, while  was busy being juggling balls between business and home.

   This week's Scrapbook Challenges #490 sketch is a fun one that really focuses on the photo. Because i didn't have any photos that would work as a portrait turned the sketch into a landscape. 

   Don't forget we are also adding a fun challenge to the weekly sketches. 

   Here is my take on it. 

Supplies: cardstock (The Paper Studio), pattern paper (Crate Paper and Basic Grey), washi tape (My Mind's Eye, Big Picture Classes and Fancy Pants Designs), stickers (Studio Calico,My Mind's Eye and American Crafts), doily (Doodlebug Design) journaling card (Project Life) and pen (Project Life)

   Here is a close-up of the journaling. I like the first bullet point, no glasses. That is right the photo was taken as I was doing the computer with no visual correction. I am happy to say I am still glasses free. I sure gained a lot of vision back since the eye surgery in April. 

   For the title work I first added text in white to the photo before I printed it out. The main reason I did that was I just hooked up my photo printer to the computer for the summer.

   Don't forget to link up your creations on the Mr. Linky at Scrapbook Challenges to have a chance at winning this month's prize.

#MakeMe - SBC #489

   Sorry to the delay at posting Monday's weekly sketch #489 reveal from Scrapbook Challenges. You know the old saying better late than never. 

   This month there is a special twist on the Monday sketch reveals. Instead of just offering a sketch we will also be revealing a challenge. 

  

   He is my take on this sketch and challenge. I named this page #MakeMe since that is my dad's current favorite I am being goofy saying and I am sure that was something he would have always said when he was little. 

 Supplies: cardstock (Fancy Pants Designs), pattern paper (American Crafts and Crate Paper), die cuts (Kaiser Craft, Crate Paper, Simple Stories and My Mind's Eye), stickers (Studio Calcio, American Crafts and Big Picture Classes) rub-on (Doodlebug Designs), foil (Heidi Swapp), wood veneer (American Crafts), mask (Heidi Swapp),modeling paste (Liqutex) 

   Here is a closer look. I recently got some foil in the mail and I knew I wanted to try it as soon as possible and I only had some rub-ons that were adhesive so I knew this was my only option until I ran to the craft store for the foil glue pen. As you can tell it worked out great for the first 3 letters but the "E" was a hot mess but I embraced it since it looked perfect for the boy page. 

   I did a little paste work on this page also since I wanted to add some extra dimension to a flat page.

   Don't forget to link up your creations on the Mr. Linky at Scrapbook Challenges to have a chance at winning this month's prize.

Glitter....What?

   Hello everyone, can you believe it is July already? I sure can't but I am finding it less hectic this year than last year. You might remember the dyed daisies I showed a few years ago. I normally do it every year but last year I completely forgot, my parents chalk it up to me being nervous due to the fact I has going to Ohio a week later for the first eye surgery. 

   Anyways, this year I dyed them a little early so I won't forget but this year I did something extra. I glittered some mason jars for the vases. That is right I worked with glitter and I can say I didn't get covered in it. I know a glitter miracle. 

Directions:

1. Tape off a section of the jars. I used some washi tape because I have ton of that laying around that I sure I will never get used.

2. Using a foam brush apply your mod podge. 

3. Apply the glitter. Make sure you use a fine glitter. Let dry.

4. Apply a layer o mod podge over the glitter to seal it. This will make sure you won't get glitter transferring.

Tip wear some gloved so it doesn't get all over your hands. 

   Enjoy your Independence day. Have safe travels. 

Walking the Pier - SBC #FBF151

   Welcome to another month of challenges with Scrapbook Challenges. This month there will be a flashback Friday sketch every other week and a challenge on Wednesday on the week there is no #fbf sketch.

   This week's sketch is based on a super old sketch #151 

   Here is my take on it. 

 Supplies: cardstock (The Paper Studio and American Crafts), pattern paper (Die Cuts With a View and Crate Paper), chipboard stickers (Pink Paislee and Studio Calico), stickers (Studio Calico), electronic die cutter and cartridge (Cricut) , mist (Tattered Angels and Ranger( and pen (project Life)

   As you can see I kept this page on the simpler side.

 Don't forget to link up your creations on the Mr. Linky at Scrapbook Challenges to have a chance at winning this month's prize.

Turtle Page

   Last week, I did something I kept putting off because I didn't want to spend the entire day cleaning. That dreaded task was moving my studio down into the cool 70 degrees basement for the summer. I was finding myself dreading to go in my studio to create since it was 90 degrees in there at night and a fan was not an option unless I wanted to play chase that paper.

this is where I am calling my studio home for the next few months. 

   Since the move I have finding my creative side again so I wanted to play along with Let's Get Sketchy week 4 sketch. 

   Here is my take on it. The pics aren't up to my usual standards. I am trying some new settings on my camera. 

Supplies: cardstock ( The Paper Studio and American Crafts), pattern paper (Crate Paper, My Mind's Eye and Fancy Pants Designs), stickers: Lilly Bee Designs, Studio Calico, and American Crafts), journaling pocket card (pebbles Inc.) and frame (Simple Stories). 

   Here are a few close-ups. I love this embossed paper from American crafts I found at Tuesday Morning. I spent $6.99 on a stack of 50 sheets. 

   A little back story on this turtle. My family saw her in our yard one Sunday morning and I knew I had to get some pics because I love animals. I knew there had to be some turtle eggs around since that is the only time we see turtles around here, so with my zoom on my camera I was able to get a pic of the neighbors back porch with an egg laying on it. She stayed in out yard for a few hours in the same spot until the sun came out and then she moved and kept going in circles. Sad to say I don't think the eggs made it because of the fox that lives backyard.

Identinty Crisis

   While you might say I am having an identity crisis if you head over to my Etsy store "MJ's Kraze". I have over 50 listings but I am sure you won't expect to see dog apparel and toys in the same shop as paper crafts except at my crazy shop. I think the "Kraze" in my branding is a perfect description of my shop and my creative brain since I am always doing something different each day. Plus,I didn't want to run multiple online shops.I did that a few years ago and one of them always got neglected.

So far my shop has been steadily growing and I am at the most listings I ever had. My most recent category added were the planner clips.

• Cards37
• Memory Keeping2
• Notebooks2
• Wall Art3
• Pet Toys1
• Pet Apparel5
• Planner Accessories7

   This post my confirm your suspicions of my craziness but being normal is very boring. I am totally embracing the wandering brain that finds me creating totally out of my comfort zone crafts.

P.S. I might be going on a metal stamping jewelry binge soon. I just ordered some supplies.  

Annual Scrapbooking Event - SBC #488

   It is Monday and that means it is time to share my take on this week's #488 sketch from Scrapbook Challenges.

   Here is my take on it. I ended up documenting May 7th, 2016 which happened to be National Scrapbook Day and other things. However, this page is just showing me playing along with challenges. 

Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill Basics and The Paper Studio), pattern paper (Crate Paper and My mind's Eye), journaling cards (American Crafts and Project Life), die cuts (American Crafts), stickers (We R Memory Keepers, American Crafts and My Mind's Eye), paperclip (The Paper Studio),mirror (The Paper Studio)electronic die cutter, cartridge and software (Cricut), and pen (Project Life)

   Here is a closer look. Have you seen those mirror embellishments from Hobby Lobby? I am loving them and I have my eye on another package since I already used most of the gold triangle package. 

 Don't forget to link up your creations on the Mr. Linky at Scrapbook Challenges to have a chance at winning this month's prize.