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Friday, February 11, 2011

Cricky Across the 50 Blog Hop!


Welcome to the Cricky Across the 50 Blog Hop hosted by K Andrew of Getting Cricky! I am so excited about this. This is my very first participation in a blog hop! Whoo Hoo!! If you are here from Scrapality than you are in the right place. If you just arrived here and would like to start from the beginning, please go to Getting Cricky! For this blog hop, K. is celebrating her big move across the country with a big road trip, and of course this hop across the 50 states! She has asked us all to post a little bit about the state we are representing, and then to post our favorite craft project. I am representing the state of Minnesota!


I'm originally from Phoenix, Arizona but we moved her 5 years ago. I know what you all are thinking...ARE YOU CRAZY? Well, the answer to that question is no, I'm not crazy, but....MY HUSBAND IS!!!! This was all his idea. :)

Let me introduce you to my family first before I tell ya how we ended up moving from the hottest place on the earth to the coldest place on earth!

This is my family. Me, my husband, Mark, and our 4 children in order. Alissa, 15, Brandon, 10, Catelynn, 7 and Dylon, 5. (Did ya notice their names are A, B, C, D??? Spiffy, huh?? LOL).

My husband had a good friend who moved his family here 2 years before we did. He called everyday telling my hubby how great this place was to raise a family, it was a small town and beautiful. He was right. It's absolutely gorgeous up here and you can't beat the summers. We sold our house, packed up our life in Phoenix (which both my husband and I were born and raised, never been anywhere else) and moved here to northern Minnesota. Well, 5 months later, my husband's friend packed his family up and moved back home!!! (Now that was a dirty trick! It's a conspiracy I tell ya!)

Anyway, it's right on Lake Of The Woods!!! You know that teeny tiny little spot at the very tippy top of Minnesota? Yep, that's us. We are 6 miles south of Canada.


Living in Minnesota and especially small-town Minnesota has been an experience. There have been good and bad times. It was definitely a shock moving from the hot Arizona desert to the sub-zero temps of Minnesota but I'm glad we did it! My kids actually like it here and I really do believe the small town life is a great way to raise a family. I really, REALLY miss Wal-Mart though, the closest one is 80 miles away from us! But, a trip to Minneapolis and we have the Mall of America and of course, the Minnesota Vikings!! (Now I'm not much of a sports fan, but purple is my very favorite color so I'll take the Vikings! *snickers*)

For my project, I decided since we are celebrating K. Andrews move across the country, I'd do a scrap page about my most recent trip. This past summer, one of my closest friends and I went on a girl's weekend together. Her and I are both huge fans of New Kids On The Block and they did a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay to be exact, which is the island owned by Carnival Cruise Lines. It was the most fun I've ever had in my life! If I ever had the opportunity to do it again, I would absolutely do it! Janelle was so much fun to have a girl's weekend with (and it didn't hurt having all the random encounters with the New Kids. *giggle*) So, here's what I did:


I started this project as a card but it turned into a scrap page instead. I used my Summer Vacation Cricut cartridge to make the lettering and the sun. I added some design stamps and some bright flowers with glittery centers to give it a little extra "pop." I tried to keep it fun without overdoing it. I hope you enjoy it, I really had fun making this one! It made me smile thinking about my friends, not only back home, but the new ones I've made in the recent years. (The New Kids On The Block brought friends into my life from all over the country. Janelle (my cruise roommate) from Texas, Vanessa (who has been my best friends since the 7th grade) from Arizona, Stacey from North Dakota, Kris from Minneapolis and Gerri from IRELAND!) Meeting these girls is the best part of NKOTB reuniting! *awe...tear*

Here's a picture of all of us. (Top L-R Kris, Janelle, Krystal. Bottom L-R Vanessa and Stacey)

So there ya have it...a little peek into my personal life. (I hope I didn't bore you to sleep).

Of course no Blog Hop is complete without Blog Candy. So for mine, I'm giving away a set of 12 clear stamps from Fiskars.


Here's how to win:
1. I do not require you to become a follower unless you want to (but it would really be nice if you did. *insert puppy dog eyes*)
2. I do request that you please leave a comment on this post about your favorite place to travel. Be sure you leave your contact information (email) so I can get ahold of you when you win.
3. As an added bonus, if you do become a follower *whoo hoo* (or if you already are a follower), leave a separate comment stating this for a second entry.
4. And if you want a 3rd entry, please refer a friend to my blog, have her/him become a follower and leave a comment stating that she/he was referred by *name of referring person* and then also, the referring person should leave a comment stating the *name of the person referred.* (Clear as mud?)

I will be drawing the winner randomly on Monday, February 14. The winner will be posted sometime Monday afternoon.

Please make sure to leave comments on all of the blogs for a chance to win a ton of different Grand Prizes on Getting Cricky's Blog, from these great companies: Scrap N Tote, Scrap N Easel, Cri-Kits, Creative Charms, Memory Miser, Scrappy Chic Cafe, Loralie Designs, My Pink Stamper, Peachy Keen Stamps, Cricut Town, The Scrappin' Table, Piktails, and Pink by Design

Please make sure to visit ALL the blogs, as EVERY single blog will have fabulous giveaways (cricut cartridges, paper packs, copic markers, yourstory bundle, clear stamp sets, and tons more). Each blogger was extremely generous with their own personal giveaways!

Next stop on the hop is Jenny of Paper Crafting Crazy Me.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending a few moments getting to know me. I hope to see you back here again soon!!!

Just in case you want it, here is a list of all the blogs on the hop in order. Please feel free to refer back to my blog if you need to!

START HERE:
Getting Cricky With K Andrew.

ALABAMA:
Tanya of Scrappy Scavenger.

ARIZONA:
Renee Kowalchik of KoolChik Crafts.

ARKANSAS:
Teela Young of Coffee24Tea.

CALIFORNIA:
Jess Marin of My Scrap Diary.
Nicolette Simpson of Beyond Scrapin.

COLORADO:
Jennifer Anderson of Scrappin Lil Turtle.
Amy Courchaine of Scrapbooking, Cardmaking and Living with Fibro.

DELEWARE:
Meagan Jarjabka of Beyond Paper Designs.
Peggy Brustman of Celtik Girl Creations.

FLORIDA:
Stephanie Hedderick of Always Crafting.

GEORGIA:
Brenda Haskin of Simply Bren is Having Too Much Fun.

ILLINOIS:
Lori Brown of Saving My....

INDIANA:
Angela Urell of Creative Crafting.

LOUISIANA:
Darlene Saucier of Simple Southern Blessings.

MAINE:
Karen Madden of Lilac and Lupines.

MARYLAND:
Karen Turner of Midlife Mysteries & Masterpieces.

MASSACHUSETTS:
Andrea Fogleman of Scrapality.

MINNESOTA:
Krystal Gibson of Krystal's KreativityYOU ARE HERE!!
Jenny Johnson of Paper Crafting Crazy Me.

MISSOURI:
Kathy Northup of I Love My Crazy Life.

MONTANA:
Kathy Floen of The Beautiful Life.

NEBRASKA:
Gloria Sleeper of Oma's Crafts.

NEW HAMPSHIRE:
Kristal of Getting Cricky.

NEW MEXICO:
Brynn Thornburgh of Flair and Frills.

NEW YORK:
Erin Span of I Am SpantastiKreations.

NORTH CAROLINA:
Amy Westray of Red Wolf Scraps

OHIO:
Patricia Logan of MDN Creates.
Joe, Carol, Joe, and Betty of Create N Craft.

OREGON:
Rebecca Maddux of Crafting with Becka.

PENNSYLVANIA:
Midori Vasquez of Scraps For Me.

RHODE ISLAND:
Karel Jennings of One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity.

SOUTH DAKOTA:
Brenda Burffrau of Creativity Is A State Of Mind.

TENNESSEE:
Shannon Lefew of My Scrappy Creations.

TEXAS:
Kista Orr of Scrapaleupagus.

UTAH:
Kathy of Creative Cutter.

VIRGINIA:
Chris Hanselmaan of Chris' Crafty Creations From The Corner.

WASHINGTON:
Mariam Satchell of Purple Lily Studio.

WISCONSIN:
Janice Wilson of Stamping With Janice.

WYOMING:
Jamie Larsen of Baby Jayden's Mommy.
Lindsay Loo of Lindsay Loo Designs.

END:
Getting Cricky With K. Andrew.

Happy Hopping!!!!!

Photobucket

236 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 236 of 236
Christy: said...

I enjoyed reading about how you ended up in your new location.
My favorite place to visit is Washington State. I love the Seattle ara. Gorgeous scenery and WHALES.
vidalia68@yahoo.com

Christy: said...

I am a new follower.
vidalia68@yahoo.com

LesleyfromWI said...

Being from WI we have traveled to Minnesota plenty of times. The scenery is gorgeous and lets not forget Mall of America :0) I am a new follower. My favorite place is Colorado. We went there last year for vacation and the hiking was amazing!!
lfuchs1 at wi. rr. com

ScrappyScavenger said...

Yay! Sooo cute, and thank you so much for your sweeet blog candy! My fav place to visit is Bauld Rock in Al. It soothes my soul and is close to home! Yellow is one of my fav colors! ScrappyScavenger/yahoo

Sheryl L said...

Hey From SUNNY florida!! Good grief you are NORTH!! I enjoyed the page project and loved meeting your family and how you ended up living where you are! drgnfly_s@yahoo.com

Sheryl L said...

And NOW...Drumroll!!
I'm a follower!! Thanks! drgnfly_s@yahoo.com

Love to scrap Lyndra said...

Wow, the way you end up in MInnesota but it sounds like it has been a great experience for you and your family. I love your layout from the New Kid's Cruise. Thanks for sharing.
dbjb1519 at yahoo dot com

lalaland said...

super cute!! love your pages.

Joe M said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joe M said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joe M said...

Great blog! I love your cruise page.It looks great! My favorite vacation destination so far has been Boston. There was so much to do there! Thanks so much.

jlm26@aol.com
www.createncraft.com

Joe M said...

I have also become a follower! Thanks again.

jlm26@aol.com
www.createncraft.com

Beth W. said...

It looks like you had a lot of fun, on your trip! I love the snow but could do without the FREEZING temps. here in Ohio!
eastunders@embarqmail.com
eastunders.blogspot.com

Becky Dunham said...

Minnesota sounds fabulous Krystal - in the summer :) I think small town is a fabulous way to raise your kids although we are raising our in Salt Lake City :) Some day I would like to visit Minnesota - your area of the state sounds so beautiful but I can barely breathe when Utah gets down to 15 degrees, I would probably die (literally, I have asthma) in a Minnesota winter! Thanks for the virtual tour! I love your LO!

rebeccadunham at hotmail dot com

Becky Dunham said...

I am a new follower - love to read about your and your cute family and I love your blog so far! Good think I get a second comment cuz I forgot to tell you my favorite place to travel - I am from Utah and I love southern Utah - the red rocks of the desert is my home (born in Moab). I am trying to be an oil painter artist and I just love to drive around down there in God's country and paint it :) Thanks for sharing your sweet self with us!

rebeccadunham @hotmail dot com

msmillcreek said...

my favorite place to visit is Cades cove in the smoky mountains. i love your layout. sounds like a fun girls trip!millcreekroofing@aol.com

msmillcreek said...

new follower. wahoo!

Amyscats said...

That's a great story - I'd really like to visit Minnesota, but maybe not in the deep winter months :). I think I'd like to also visit Alaska.
Amyscats
amylfahnestock@gmail.com

Deanne said...

my favorite vacation spot is Ocen City New Jersey....

Amyscats said...

I'd already signed up as a follower before I saw the instructions for a second chance - really!
Amyscats
amylfahnestock@gmail.com

Deanne said...

I am a follower(the puppy dog eyes worked :)

LaLa said...

Love your project!

~Lauren
queen_lade at yahoo.com

scrapperbecka said...

Love your layout. TFS

scrapperbecka at yahoo dot com

Carrie's Corner said...

I'm a new follower!
Carrie
cau0617 at yahoo dot com

ShersL84bed said...

I'm a new follower to your blog!

ShersL84bed@aol.com

Carrie's Corner said...

I've never gotten quite that far north in MN but I have a co-worker who raves about Lake of the Woods and how beautiful it is. I'm sure your cruise was blast. TFS!
Carrie
cau0617 at yahoo dot com

ShersL84bed said...

My favorite place to travel is Florida. We live in Michigan so each year we try to go to Florida. We love the Keys, Orlando, Sanibel Island, Cocoa Beach. I love the laid back life of the keys, and the warm breeze at 6 in the morning with the sun rising over the ocean, its so beautiful.

ShersL84bed@aol.com

DarlaMae said...

I'm a new follower...love your blog! I will be back soon :) hopping on...my favorite place to visit is Lake Tahoe Ca/Nv

Darla
http://craftingdarlamaestyle.blogspot.com

Darlene said...

Wow! AZ to MN! what a switch. TFS I'm a new follower and almost your birthday buddy! I'm March 29!

Darlene
desaucier at bellsouth dot net

scraphappysue said...

So far, my favorite place to travel has been Hawaii. Love your blog.
Suzy Northwest OH
scraphappysue@yahoo.com

pennykitz said...

I am a new follower.
pennykitz@charter.net
http://pennykitz.blogspot.com/

pennykitz said...

I love your work and I will be back. pennykitz@charter.net
http://pennykitz.blogspot.com/

FMonty said...

TFS your fabulous blog w/ everyone! And yes I'm now a new follower :)

Unknown said...

only been to the airport in MN - need to find the time to do some exploring - Love your project!!!
--Robin

SherriC. said...

there is a change for ya..... thanks for all the info, I have never been to Minnesota, I guess my favourite place to travel to is......lets see I have only really been a few places so I guess it would be Florida, I just love it there, and I have been to North Carolina, on the coast and absolutly LOVED it,so I guess I have 2 favs....
TFS!!!!
brodiec88 at hotmail dot com

My Scrap Diary said...

super cute lo!
Thanks for all the fun facts and info.
Jess M :)

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