.....come enjoy some handmade creations and heartfelt experiences. I'm glad you're here & hope you'll come back often.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Blog Hop Winners & Another Project

World Animal Day Blog Hop Winners have been announced.  I wanted to share those with you just in case you haven't seen them yet.  And whenever I can, I also like to post another related project for you; so scroll down after the winner list to see that (I have something really fun for all you parents, grandparents, or anyone close to some younger children!)

First the Blog Hop winners!  Congratulations to:
     Grand Prize #1 – Stamp Set of her Choice – Frann (papergardener)
     Grand Prize #2 – Stampette Set of her Choice – Anita Braddock
And the winners of the extra prizes on the "Mystery Blogs"
Prize One from Patti White's Blog2 tinsel glitter colors of her choice – Janet LoBianco
Prize Two from  Shona Erlenborn's Blog – 3 embossing powders of her choice – Connie Chapman
Prize Three from Karin Martin's Blog - 3 glitters of her choice – Dee in N.H.

Thank you to all of our hoppers!  We so enjoy sharing our creations with you and really enjoy all your comments!  Hope you'll join us again for the next Sparkle N Sprinkle hop Nov. 10th & 11th - "It's a Cultural Thing".  We have some really interesting & diverse things to share with you for that hop; so be sure to mark that one on your calendar!

On to the project.  When I thought about what Critter themed project I wanted to share with you for my "post hop" creation - I knew exactly what project would be perfect for this!  It's a project that a typical small picture just doesn't do it justice and posting it here is the perfect place to show you a much bigger view as well as give a little more background on what I did.  This project is simple, but a little time consuming - unique but really useful - and definitely full of Critters.  It's a Growth Chart for the favorite child(ren) in your life!

I was working with Set 325 Rodney - Sea Critters from Sparkle N Sprinkle & I just loved every one of the critters on the set.  So I wanted to do something the used ALL of them.  Plus, I have young children - so it just came to me....make a Sea Themed growth chart!
How adorable is this??  Like I said, it doesn't show up too well in small pics; so I can post a really big pic here where you can see it much better.  (Don't forget, you can click on any pic to get an even better view - click your back arrow when you're done looking to come back to this post.)

To make this really cute chart, I used 12 x 12 designer paper, cut it in half & backed it with black cardstock for a border & a little stiffness.  Black cardstock "marks" were placed every 2" and the numbers were cut out with a Sizzix die.  Each critter was stamped (some multiple times) onto Neenah Solar White paper using Memento Ink and then colored with Copic markers.  The fish were extra fun because I colored them in lots of different color combinations!  After coloring, each critter was cut out by hand and then arranged on the chart.  All pieces were attached using Tearific Tape.

The main image at the very bottom is the very adorable Little Darien.  She is one of Sparkle N Sprinkle's single stamps (doesn't come on a set) and she matches the Sea Critters so well.  I did put a few more images at the bottom (than at the top) since most of your measuring won't start down that low.

After all the critters were in place, I laminated the whole chart for durability & to be resistant to little fingerprints :-)!  I made two moveable markers to show the childs current height.  You can also make multiple fish & put a new fish on each time you have a new measurement - put the date right on the fish with a Sharpie for a great keepsake!  If you'd like to see the full instructions for this project; they can be found in the SNS Art Gallery Here.

This would make a great gift for a new parent or a child.  I absolutely adore these critters, but there's also several other SNS sets that would work great for a chart like this - dogs, cats, fairies - bears, bunnies, or butterflies - or perhaps Becca & Mandy or Rusty.  There's so many great sets that would work well for this - think of all the possibilities!

I hope you really enjoyed this project - something really different this time!  I'd love it if you left a little comment before you hopped on by - I read & appreciate every one!

"While we try to teach our children all about life, Our children teach us what life is all about." ~Angela Schwindt
Until next time,
***Julie***

4 comments:

Sandy (Cheesy) said...

That is such an adorable growth chart. It would make a great gift, especially for someone living near the water. But how easy to change the stamps to whatever you choose. Great idea.
Cheesy

Amanda R said...

Very cute Julie! Such a great idea! I bet your kids love it!

Donna Ellis said...

I remember this darling grow chart! Or one like it, you made as a baby gift - It's soooo cute and a wonderful gift idea. What family does not enjoy the growth chart? And this allows people to take it with them wherever they move. Julie, you always come up with such creative ideas.

Linda Loew said...

Julie very clever. The sea critter grow chart has been keeping you octopied.