Warehouse SALE and Weekend

It seems like we were planning the Q4 Warehouse SALE just last week. Now it's here... right on the tail of another successful The Chocolate Binge!. Here's a little information you might find interesting.

1. We had over 7,000 items checked out over the past three days.
2. We just sold and shipped our 1 millionth item last week.
3. Almost every The Chocolate Binge! order is boxed up, ready to ship.
4. We've talked a lot about it and here we go again, Classifieds and CropChocolate.com 2.0 is really close to being done. You're gonna <3 it!
5. Huck can say Daee, Mama and heeeeeey and Neysa can walk.

Interesting...

A few more matters. The Turkey Daze Design Cards are on back-order. We were supposed to get a large order from Making Memories last Wednesday however it didn't arrive until this morning. The Turkey Daze DC was marked back-ordered so we have a call to see when they will be available to ship. We will follow up and let you know.

Because of the busy weekend, we will feature re-runs throughout the weekend. We have lots of great new stuff coming in and we will start featuring it on Monday.

If you live close, here's the information for the CropChocolate.com Warehouse SALE:

Tuesday, DECEMBER 6th, 2011 - one day only!
10am-10pm
1168 West 500 North Unit B
Centerville, Utah 84014

Lastly, if you paid with PayPal and had your account overcharged and it hasn't been refunded--we think we got them all--please contact us at cs [at] cropchocolate [dot] com so we can refund the error.

Thank you for making Cyber Monday such a great success!

Best,

The CropChocolate.com Team

Liquid Pearl LO - by Moon - Jenn

Last day of November - where did this month go???  Tomorrow is December and as a Design Team, we have some fun things in store for you!  Until then, here's a layout done by Moon using a "new to us" product - Liquid Pearls.  Enjoy!

Supplies Used:

-       MME paper (So Sophie - Charming),

-       MME Charming brads, Fiber

-       Imaginese Geek is Chic stamp

-       Ranger liquid pearls

-       Martha Stewart edge punch

-       Ranger ink

I started the project with the MME base paper, and inked the edges.  

I inked the title (from the set) and trimmed the blue dotted paper (also MME Charming) down to size, and inked it.  

Then I trimmed the paper I matted the picture with down, and inked that as well.

I stamped "Geek is Chic" onto a piece of the paper I used to mat the photo.  

I glued to matted phot to the blue paper, and then put 3 brads down the side of it.  

I glued this to the base, and glues the Geek is Chic over it.  

I wrapped fiber around the title for some dimension, and glued that to the project.  

I then used Ranger Liquid pearls to accent the work.  I added 3 drops to the title, 7 on each corner to make it look like a corner, and 3 more after Geek is chic.  Make sure to tap the paper after applying the liquid pearls, so they round out nicely, and lose the little pointy piece.  You can see why tapping is important by watching the video I made on this technique.

Quick and Easy Embellishments - by Michele McKay

You will need:

1 6x6 wooden picture frame

3+ pieces of patterned paper

6” ribbon

3 decorative brads

1 unfinished decorative chipboard piece

Ink pad

Embossing powder

Embossing ink pad or pen

Heating tool

Mod Podge 

To begin, take your pieces of patterned paper and tear 4 pieces to be 3”x6”.  Adhere pieces of paper to frame one at a time with mod podge. It’s okay to have them overlap the edges.

With the paper scraps, tear 1”x2” rectangles (approx 10-12). Split them and arrange them into two hearts. (The “torn hearts”). Glue the edges together.

Pierce a hole into the center of the heart and attach brad.

Adhere to corners of the frame.

Put a light coating of mod podge over the hearts and paper layers. Let dry 10-15 minutes.

Wrap ribbon around the back side of the frame. Cross the ribbon over the front. Pierce a hole through the ribbon and attach brad. (You may need to use a glue dot or other adhesive to secure the ribbon and keep it from slipping.)

To make decorative embellishment: 

Take a plain decorative chipboard piece and color the top only by inking it with the ink pad. Color it as much as you want….there’s no such thing as too little or too much!

Once the ink is dry, use an embossing ink pad or pen and ink the chipboard where you want to emboss it.

Pour a little bit of embossing powder over the inked spots, making sure the ink is covered.

Shake off excess powder.

Heat up the powder until it’s shiny and has sort of a bubbly look.

Once the embellishment has cooled, use some glue dots or pop-up dots and place it on one of the corners of the frame.

And you are done!

I'm Thankful For...

Today instead of a project, the Design Team would like to share their thoughts on what they're thankful for.  We all have {SO} much to be grateful for!


Amber - I'm thankful for coffee, my cell phone, Yhatzee, and flip flops. :)  In all seriousness, I'm so blessed to have an amazing family - both my own and the one I was raised in.  My parents have been so amazing and I don't think you truly realize how great they really are until you have your own kids.  My husband who works so hard for us and loves me unconditionally.  My little girl who makes me laugh all day long, and my Son who teaches me patience on a daily basis. :)  I'm so blessed to have this amazing job and work for the best people that you will ever meet.  I'm also grateful for this Scrapbooking hobby that allows us to be creative and brings women all over the world together.  


JeepMama (Paula M) - I am thankful for a husband that cherishes me.  I am thankful for strong, healthy, smart and independent boys.  I am thankful for an overabundance of parents.  I am thankful for in-laws that truly treat me like their daughter.  I am thankful for friends that I can be silly with, complain to or just sit & watch a movie with.  I am thankful I work from home most days.  I am thankful I have a vehicle that has never stranded me and I enjoy driving.  I am thankful for food... all kinds... Mexican, Oriental, Thai, Italian, and good old American.  I am thankful there is chocolate.


D2 (DeeDee) - I'm thankful for the sweet tender moments that are presented to me and beg for preservation.


BethD488 (Beth) - I am thankful for my husband who loves me for who I am, even with all my quirks and oddities.  I am thankful for my children who make me laugh, cry and yell, but fill my life with joy and love.  I am thankful that my sister (who I am very close to) and her family live so close to us that the cousins will be close also.  I am thankful that I have my health.  I am thankful that I have a job that allows me flexibility (and that I actually enjoy what I do).  I am thankful for all my friends - those that I watch football with, those that I scrap with, those that I have Happy Hours with, and those that allow me to cry on their shoulders.  I am thankful that I have so many opportunities to express my creative side (thank you Crop Chocolate) and reduce that stress and worries in my life.


LMissCrafter (Jamie) - I am thankful for the health and happiness of my family. I am truly a fortunate person!


Moon (Jenn) - I am thankful for my family and friends!


Cricutica (Paula I) - I am most thankful for the men and women who fight for our freedom. Thank you to all those who serve in our military, especially my amazing husband Ian!


Scrappy Canuck (Karen) - I am thankful for two healthy little girls who remind me daily what it feels like to experience pure joy. I am thankful for a husband who is my confidant and works with me everyday to pursue a marriage grounded in true partnership. I am thankful for the opportunity to pursue so many different things that make my heart sing. Oh, and I am grateful for chocolate (both real and "crop"), and a birthday that sometimes falls on US Thanksgiving! It's just nice to be celebrated by all those people! ;)


Corrie W - I am thanksul for my faith, family, and friends. I am so blessed to have them all in my life. I know that each one brings joy and happiness and makes me who I am. I thank God for bringing my wonderful husband and me together and blessing us with two mostly wonderful children (I would be lying if I said they were always wonderful).


Michele McKay - I am thankful for my two beautiful daughters who bless my life with laughter, happiness and blackmail videos or pictures if ever I need them. ;) I'm thankful for a husband who loves me even when I come home from work in a horrid mood. I'm so thankful for my beliefs and being able to live my life the way I believe is good and wholesome. I'm thankful for my job and for an amazing boss who allows me to be me and express my feelings without thinking any less of me. I'm so thankful for my WONDERFUL sister, Jonelle, who is my light when I feel like I'm wandering in darkness. She's always been here for me and I'm truly blessed to have her in my life! I'm so thankful for AMAZING friends! Wow...ladies, I have to say, my life has been truly blessed to have you all in my life. I'm thankful for the talents and opportunities I have been blessed with. I'm thankful for paper and the knowledge that I can do just about anything with it and make it look beautiful. ♥♥


What are {YOU} thankful for??

Thanksgiving Weekend and Cyber Monday Schedule

First we want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving--and a belated Happy Thanksgiving to our friends up north.With all that goes on this weekend we want to give you all a preview of the coming schedule.

Wednesday, November 23 - normal schedule

Thursday, November 24 - Closed

Friday, November 25 - Black Friday - repeat items only

Saturday, November 26 - Two new deals at 10am and 6pm Mountain.

Sunday, November 27 - Closed

Monday, November 28 - Cyber Monday and The Chocolate Binge! day. All items will have a 2 day expiration.

Tuesday, November 29 - FREE SHIPPING day--get all your Binge deals shipped free on orders over $60 in the US, $100 in Canada and $400 internationally. (Oversize items and heavy weighted items will still add extra cost to shipping.)

We want to give you the best shot at the SWEETEST deals before our warehouse sale on December 1. We also don't want to mix Binge deals and warehouse sale deals thus the 2 day, free shipping offer.

Let the HOLIDAYS begin!

Sweetly,

The CropChocolate.com Team

Acrylic Album - Guest Designer - Wildflower - Jasmine

We have a Guest Designer for you today!  Wildflower - Jasmine has created this great album using the BoBunny All Mixed Up Acrylic Album and her Slice.  Enjoy!!

 Instructions: 

1) Cut papers to fit album pieces. Adhere with double sided tape, sand edges and ink all edges with walnut stain Distress Ink.

2) Using the Slice Machine, Hands Free and the Seasons Card, cut out a 4" pumpkin from chipboard, repeating the cut several times without lifting the machine. Cut another pumpkin from pattern paper, mirror the image, and then cut another pumpkin image. Adhere papers to chipboard diecut, sand edges and ink with walnut stain Distress Ink.

3) Adhere pictures, journialing spots, then add all embellishments. let all glue dry before assembling book back together. Add ribbon to book rings to finish it off.

Materials Used:

MM Sienne Brads and Gems

MM Vintage Findings Mini Fall Kit

MM Charmed Alphas

MM Passport Chipboard Alphas

MM Just Chillin Boy Trims

MM Slice Machine

MM Slice Hands Free Kit

MM Slice Basics/Seasons Card

Bo Bunny Clearly Mixed Up Album

American Crafts Medium I Do Brads

Distress Ink in Walnut Ink

Echo Park Times & Seasons 6x6 Paper Pad (green paper)

Echo Park Life is Good paper (brown w/brown polka dots)

Echo Park Little Boy paper (orange checkered)

My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Mabel papers (orange w/cream polka dots diecut, orange and cream chevron)

Cappucino Twine (not from CC)

Cream Cardstock (not from CC)

May Arts Brown Satin Ribbon (not from CC)

3D Butterfly - by JeepMama Paula

 Crop Chocolate Products Used:

My Mind’s Eye Stella & Rose Kit

Tim Holtz Distress Ink Walnut Stain

Making Memories Piercing Tool

Making Memories Scissors

Making Memories Brads

Stickles Orange Peel (Halloween Pack)

Stickles Crystal

Other Products Used:

3d Foam Squares

Stickles Golden Rod

Precious Alphabet from CloseToMyHeart

Realeather Craft Lace

Butterfly Assembly Instructions:

Using any die cut machine, cut main image 3” wide, cut a shadow at 3.2” wide, and another shadow at 3.4” wide.

Layer together butterflies how you will want them to lay when it is finished, pierce three holes in body, separate pieces.

Place 2 3d foam square on each side of body, then on top of wings stack 2 3d foam square on each other and place on each side, remove backings.

Using piercing tool, place in middle hold of medium butterfly, line up on bottom butterfly & press onto 3d foam squares, remove piercing tool.

On top decorative piece fold wings up next to body, cut 3d foam squares in half & place 4 half pieces on back of decorative butterfly in areas that won’t show, do not remove backing, add a small glue dot to middle of body between two of the holes on back side.

Again place butterfly on piercing tool thru middle hole, line up on the base, press together, remove backing of 3d foam squares and press lightly together.

Go back thru holes with piercing tool to enlarge holes & add brads. 

Add stickles as desired, wait to dry & add to finished project.

Criss Cross Card by Corrie

Supplies:

1-8.5 x 11 piece of CS

1-5.25 x 4 piece of paper

1- 5.25 x 4 piece of double sided CS (or two single sided)

Other Embellishments as desired

I used the MME Market Street 6x6 pad and the tie the knot gems.

Directions:

Cut the 8.5 x 11 card stock in half at the 4.25 mark. 

Take each of your pieces and score them half along the long edge at 5.5

Line up the corners of the inside score mark and the outside corner (this should make a triangle) and cut along the diagonal.  Do this for both pieces

Add adhesive to the rectangle portion of one piece and then place the second piece (rectangular portion) on top.  Make sure  that the long ends of the triangle pieces are on the same side (top or bottom)

Cut the double sided paper in half along the diagonal.  

Adhere one side to one triangle and turn over and do the same for the other triangle but you will need to turn it over.  Note:  If you used single sided CS you will need to cut two rectangles and cut each on the opposite diagonal for the paper to match the triangles of the card.

Add adhesive to the bottom of one triangle portion and glue down, do the same for the other

Cut and embelish a piece of 5.25 x 4 card stock to use for the insert and decorate as desired.

Decorate the rest of the card as desired, I tied a ribbon on the front and used die cuts on the top for a tab pull.

Never Ending Card - By D2 - DeeDee

"Hello again Chocolate lovers!! I have been eye-ing this card type for quite a while.. and I had so much fun putting it together I thought for sure you'd enjoy it, also!

Here is a quick tutorial (remade by me.. originally found via YouTube) on how to put together a NEVER ENDING CARD!! dun dun dunnnnnnn. 

Supplies used: Walnut Distress Ink, My Mind's Eye Life Stories - GREEN, diamond glaze, random stamps, twine, a butterfly punch, decorative die cuts from the embellishment pack and metal embellishments.

1) You will need FOUR 3 inch by 6 inch pieces of your base cardstock. I used one of the grid patterns from the Life Stories collection.. this cardstock ended up being the PERFECT weight! the card folds so easily and is nice and sturdy. 

2) Score all four pieces at the 1.5 inch mark and the 4.5 inch mark down the 6 inch side (or 1.5inches in from each edge). Then score TWO of the four pieces at the 1.5 mark on the 3 inch side.. from both edges up to the other score(this is just a glue line)... leaving a large 3 inch by 3 inch square in the middle with no scores.

3) Optional --- distress!

4) Fold and crease flaps nicely (Don't worry about the miniature score that marks our gluing area.. leave it be =D)

5) Lay down your two pieces with scores AND glue lines next to each other vertically --- so that the flaps are on the TOP and BOTTOM.

6) Lay down on top of the first two pieces your last two with scores and withOUT glue lines horizontally --- so that the flaps are on the LEFT and RIGHT.

7) Glue JUST the corners (this is where our miniature score line comes in.. keep it in that square but make sure you get it right to the edge!) 

8) Experiment all the ways it folds! Crease where needed.. and it may need a little work to fold smoothly -- also be sure to snip any "hang out" edges -- they will hinder folding!

9) Embellish away!!

Hope these become a regular part of your card crafting! -DeeDee (D²)"

Thanksgiving Day Decor - by JeepMama - Paula

We have something special for you to kick off the weekend.  

The US holiday Thanksgiving is approaching, and if you're hosting a big family dinner (like Paula!) or just want to add some festive decorations to your own house, here's some great inspiration for you.  

Dessert table with Indian corn. 

Flower bouquet as the centerpiece on the dinner table. 

Tea lights wrapped in paper. 

Thanks for sharing your holiday decor with us, JeepMama!!  I think it looks {amazing}. :)

Custom Coloring Clear Rhinestones - by LMissCrafter - Jamie

Materials:

Paper & Embellishments - Victoria Garden by Echo Park

Ribbon & Rhinestones - Michael's

Sharpie Marker

 

Instructions to create custom rhinestone colors:

1. Start with a set of clear adhesive rhinestones.

2. Color on the top and edges of the rhinestone in the permanent marker color and brand of choice.  I have personally used Bic and Sharpie Markers.

3. Adhere to your project as desired.

Thanksgiving Table Decor - Cricutica - Paula I

Recipe Challenge - Thanksgiving Table Decor - Paula Irvine

Products Used:

Stella Rose Hazel Papers

Lime Twist Out of the Blue Paper

Echo Park for the Record Paper

Lush Rhinestones in Orange

Making Memories Sienne Glitter Tape

Making Memories Packaging Paper Autumn Splendor

Making Memories Blossoms Mix Fall

So Sophie Clever accessories pack

Making Memories glitter saying "thankful"

So Sophie Frame

Stampin Up! mini brads

Written Instructions:

Using 2 pieces of paper one each size 6x5 and 6x4, attach (using adhesive tape) smaller piece on top of larger piece so that only 6x4 is showing of each.  This is your base.

Using 5x5 piece of paper attach frame on top using dimensional stickers.

At top of frame attach ribbon and tie into knots, repeating until no excess ribbon is left.

In center top attach glitter saying "thankful".

Attach entire piece to base.

Attach mini brads to  selected decorative edge by making small holes.

Attach decorative edge to bottom of frame using dimensional stickers.

Layer blossoms underneath "thankful" saying.

Place glitter tape on sides of each frame base.

Stacked Slider Card - by Scrappy Canuck - Karen

Stacked Slider Card

Supplies:

Patterned Paper- Making Memories Whimsy Embellishment paper

Fibers - Celebrate It Basic Narrows

Ink - Distress Ink (Broken China)

Instructions:

Card Base:

1. Cut three strips of paper to the following lengths:

·  4"X12 (Mark as "A")

·  4"X10 1/2" (Mark as "B")

·  4"X 9" (Mark as "C")

A 12X12 double sided sheet of paper will work great for this project, just make sure that the paper is not too thick as there are quite a number of layers in this card. One sheet will make all three strips, forming the tiers of your card (3 tiers in total).

2. Take tier C and score at the 4" and 8" marks.  Fold.

3. Take tier B and score it at the 3 1/2" and 7" points.  

4. Take tier A and score it at the 3" and 6" points. 

5. Cut a coordinating piece of paper approximately 2" by 3".  Fold in half and adhere to the top center of tier A.  This will be the pull tab that the recipient of your card uses to pull out each tier of the card so make sure to use a good amount of adhesive.  

To create the first sliding mechanism (use tiers C and B)

6. Using tier C - On the one of the panels created by the fold, place your ruler at the top edge of the tier and measure/mark 1" from the fold and 1" from the edge of the paper.  

7. Place your ruler parallel to the edge of the paper at one of your 1" marks and draw a line downward that starts 1/4" down from the top and continues for 3 1/2". You should now have a line that starts and ends 1/4" from the top and bottom edges of your paper.

8. Repeat step 6 with the second mark.  

9. Use a paper cuter or utility knife to cut along the lines you have drawn.

10.  Repeat steps 5-8 for tier B.

11. Using a scrap piece of thick cardstock, cut 2 pieces of paper that is about 3/4" wide and 3" long.  This piece of paper will be the piece that slides up and down on your card.  

12. Take tier B and place it down so that the wrong side of the paper is facing up. Take one piece of your cut cardstock and slide it in between the two cuts you have made (the two ends of the cardstock should be hidden, and you should see an exposed section in between the two cuts you made on the tier).

13. Apply adhesive to the section of the cardstock that you can see.  

14. Take tier A, line it up with the bottom of tier B and press down to adhere it to the cardstock slider. 

15. Apply adhesive to the top and bottom edges of tier B and close up the folds ensuring that the slider is hidden inside the folded sections.   

16. Repeat steps 10-12 with tier C.  

17. Take tier B (which now has tier A tucked away inside of it), line it up with the bottom of tier C and press down to adhere it to the cardstock slider. 

18. Close up the folds of tier C ensuring that the slider is inside the folds and apply adhesive to the bottom and top edges to keep it together as you did in step 15.  

19. Decorate as desired!

Flower:

Check out the tutorial at http://scrappycanuck.wordpress.com/2011/10/17/paper-flower-tutorial-part-1/ to make your own paper rose!