50 STATES BLOG HOP - ***COLORADO***

Welcome to the 50 States Blog Hop!!

Welcome to the 50 States Blog Hop! Most of us would love to travel but are having staycations this year. What better way to travel but through a blog hop. This hop was inspired by our host Shawnee's journey across the United States as she traveled with her family to their new home. The United States is truly beautiful with many wonderful places to visit and see.

If you've hopped along from *Nebraska*, then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard or happened along from somewhere else, please be sure to CLICK HERE to start with the first state in the union, Delaware, because you won't want to miss out on any of the fun (or any of the blog candy!!)...

There is an AMAZING Grand Prize Package for one LUCKY hopper (winner chosen by Rafflecopter)!!  To be entered to win, please do the following:

• Visit each state and leave a comment on each project (simply follow the links provided below)
• Like Blessed on the Bright Side and Handmade By Lisa FB Pages.

So what's the Grand Prize???
Cricut Cartridge - Destinations, beautiful handmade flowers from Shannon at Creative Chaos Flowers, and a $20 Gift Certificate to Scraptastical Kreations.
Now on to my state and my project....
I have created a book. I think that I will give the book to my in-laws, for Christmas,who live in Colorado. I hope you enjoy it. I had fun making it.

Colorado is the 38th state to be entered into the Union. I used paper from K&Company from the 4th of July pack for this page. The trim in the middle is also K&Company. The letters are from a pack of die cut letters that I have in my stash and then I added stickles for the sparkle.

Colorado is known as the Centennial State, because it was admitted to the Union on August 1, 1876.I added the new quarter for Colorado. Although I had to search awhile for one. The paper and trim are from the same packs as the last page.

The state tree is the Blue Spruce. Oops, what happened to my P in Spruce LOL I will have to fix that tonight. I used paper in my stash and distressed the yellow for more of a dirt look. The trees were cut with a Sizzix die and then I used an embossing folder for the texture. The letters were from a pack that I found in my stash.

The state bird is the Lark Bunting. I found this paper in my stash and cut it to leave the bird house on it. Then cut out another birdhouse and added it on pop ups and distressed it to take the green out. The bird and branch are from another piece of paper, also doubled and popped up. The bird was colored with copics and a white pen. The letters are stamped on with black ink and then embossed.

The state insect is a Hairstreak Butterfly. I used more paper from my stash and the letters were stamped on with black in and embossed. The butterflies were hand drawn and cut out. I used copics to color them, popped them up and used wire for the antennas. I found a little inch worm brad in my stuff and put it in the corner.

The state flower is the Columbine. I struggled with this page. I had a different one and threw it away. My flowers didn't have the right number of petals for a columbine flower. Actually the petals on the inside should be rounded, but I used my SU flower punches for the inside and outside pedal and left them pointed. Paper out of my stash, some dragonflies for bling, and the letters were stickers in my drawer (ancient ones).

The state animal is a Bighorn Sheep. I have seen these on my visits, in the hills, by my in-laws. The mountains were made with a Sizzix die cut, the sheep were made from the Cricut Animal Kingdom cart, paper and stickers out of my stash. I ran the sheep bodies through an embossing folder and used Peachy Keen stamps for the faces. The rocks are popped up, as well as the sheep.

The state fish is a Cutthroat Trout. I used paper our of my stash. Rocks from the same paper used on the sheep page. The boy/fish/dog is all one stamp. I used copics to color it. I added a fish basket and fish buttons in the water. The lettering was done with letter punches.

I wanted to put a skiing page in the book, because of CO being known as a ski destination. CO has 22 ski resorts today. I used paper in my stash. Stamped and embossed the words with black ink. The boy and girl were die cut with a sizzix die. This is the original body and clothes, which has been retired. I used Peachy Keen stamps for the faces. The ski poles are made from skewer sticks, but down, wrapped with red electrical tape and then red and white twine added for the straps. The snow flakes on the bottom of the poles are made from a punch out of plastic and then I did a shrinky dink by heating them so they would shrink and curl up.

The capital of CO is Denver. The Rocky Mountains divide the state with the west being called the Western Slope. I70 runs East and West through the middle of the state. The Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel is noted as the longest mountain tunnel and highest point on the highway system. It was opened to the public March 8, 1973. Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the US. Co has 11 National Parks.

Colorado has State Gaming towns in Blackhawk and Central City, which are both right next to each other. They are north of I70 and west of boulder. Cripple Creek is west of Colorado Springs, at an elevation of 9,494 feet. Drinking at that altitude and gambling is a dangerous situation. LOL I took my husband there for his 40th birthday. Neither of us had ever gambled before that time. It was like going back in time though. A great small town with the fronts of the buildings being facades and the backs have all been rebuilt. Gaming was legalized in 1991.

Colorado has many train rides to enjoy. I have only been on the Silverton Durango train during the winter. It starts in Durango, goes half way to Silverton and then turns around. It is a beautiful trip. My advice is that if you get the chance to go and do not have children with you, buy a ticket for the parlor car. They serve alcohol in it and only the people who hold a ticket for that car may go out on the back platform. It is a great view of the whole train. You pack a lunch or buy something on the train for a short rest at the half way point before returning.

Aspen, a popular ski resort town, was named for the abundance of Aspen trees.






Now you can hop to the NEXT STATE IN THE UNION, North Dakota!!  Remember to leave a comment on each state to be eligible for the GRAND PRIZE!! 



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