Plaid tree Christmas - SCC #175

Hello!  It is August 1 and time for a new challenge at Sparkles Christmas Challenge!  I got to choose our theme this month and chose "include a tree" which is pretty easy for a Christmas card! :). 

Here is my card...

I inked the Kraft panel through Echo Park Star Bright stencil.  My trees are MFT Cool Christmas cut from random plaid paper from my Christmas paper stash.  The sentiment is from Concord & 9th Yuletide Ornament.  

Challenges:

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #760 - Christmas

ABC Christmas N or O - Non-Christmas stash or One layer card (I used a non-Christmas stencil) 

The Holly and the Ivy #188 - AG Christmas 

This year is flying by, so come play along at Sparkles Christmas Challenge and work on your Christmas card stash! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day! 

Buffalo Plaid Christmas

Most of my cards are for my design teams, but sometimes I just play around and make a card for fun.  Such as this white Buffalo check card...

This is pretty basic, too, other than my BG.  I found some stencils at Tuesday Morning that were intended for cookies, but they are in my craft room and will probably never ever make it to the kitchen!!  :D
I used the Buffalo plaid (AKA gingham) stencil and used my blending brush and added black ink to white cardstock.   I used 2 different sized snowflake punches and embossed them with CB Swiss Dots.  My sentiment is Pink & Main's Merry Christmas stamp and die set.

Challenges...
Christmas 24 #002 - anything goes
Christmas Crafts All Year Round Jan - anything Christmas or Holiday goes
Merry Little Christmas #18 - January anything Christmas goes
ABC Christmas A or B - A is for anything goes or B for bingo (I did A)
Little Red Wagon #532 - Christmas
Scrapy Land #130 - anything goes w/ brand SL sells (Pink & Main)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - use a stencil
Happy Little Stampers - January anything goes w/ dies


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Christmas carolers

The beginning of this week was FRIGID, so I stayed home unless I absolutely had to go anywhere and spent some extra time in my craft room. :)  I colored up a few images and had time to make a card with one of them afternoon.   It's a Christmas card...  I know Christmas was just a month ago, but I did not get enough cards made to send in 2018, and I want to change that for 2019!

The image is ChristmasCarols from the Paper Shelter.  These cute carolers are colored with my Spectrum Noir markers and cut out with CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles.  My DP is Paper Studio Pine St Square.  The musical die is Find It Trading Holly Jolly Music. My sentiment is from an old Momenta clear sentiment set, and I think this is the first time I've used this one!  It's stamped in Versafine Black Onyx and heat embossed.  It's cut out with a stitched banner die from Cheapo Dies.  The snowflake is a MS punch, and the twine, button, and rick rack are from my stash.


Challenges...
ABC Christmas - A for anything Christmas goes
Sweet Stampin Christmas - January anything goes
Cute N' Crafty Christmas #5 - Christmas/winter
Fab n Funky #424 - creating for Christmas
Watercooler Wednesdays WWC205 - all about holidays
52 Christmas Card Throwdown January Technique - heat embossing (my sentiment is heat embossed)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Cute carolers

Wow!  Two "extra" cards 2 days in a row!  (I told you I needed to get working on my Christmas cards!!)

Aren't they cute??!??  My carolers are Christmas Carols Color from the Paper Shelter.  They're cut out with CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles.  My DP is from the Paper Studio Old World Winter.  My clear sentiment is Momenta.  I chalked the edges.  The notes are from Raisin Boat Symphony for the Soul.


Challenges...
Dies R Us #108 - stitched dies (CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles and Double Stitched Ovals)
Christmas with the Cuties #21 - wrap up warm (they're wearing winter coats and hats)
The Holly and the Ivy #40 - anything Christmas goes
Die Cuttin' Divas #394 - November sketch (Spellbinder and CottageCutz dies)

ABC Christmas - W for wishes/X for Xmas (I did W for wishes)
The Paper Shelter #361 - for a child
Die Cut Divas - anything goes  (Spellbinders and CottageCutz dies)
The Paper Nest Dolls - November challenge


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Joy to the World

It's been such a busy summer that it's been awhile since I've posted anything other than my design team commitment, but I had some extra time in my craft room, so I decided to make a Christmas card.  I searched for some challenges for inspiration and came up with this...

Here's a closeup of the front...

Supplies...
~Di's Digis "Merry Snowmen"
~Spectrum Noir markers
~Unbranded Stitched Nesting Banners
~the Paper Studio "Pine St Square" DP
~ribbon from my stash
~Clear sentiment from Sunny Studio "Christmas Chapel"


Challenges...
Di's Digis - fancy folds (I made an easel card)
Winter Wonderland - Christmas Joy (snowmen and singing carols both bring me joy!)
ABC Christmas Challenge - S for snow or T for teal (I went with S for snow)
Christmas with the Cuties #19 - the cutest snowmen
The Holly and Ivy Christmas #35 - anything Christmas goes
Merry Little Christmas Sept - anything goes Christmas
The Merry Christmas Challenge Aug 15 - Sept 14 - anything goes Christmas
Crimbo Crackers #166 - anything goes Christmas


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Snow, snow, and more snow!

We've had 3 nor'easters come through in the last 2 weeks, and according to the forecast, another is coming on Tuesday!  I love snow, so it's fine with me, but I do know and am so sorry that in many places, this has caused great damage and hardship.  I am praying for those affected.

Can you believe that with all this snow we have not made a snowman??!!??  So I went into my warm, dry craft room and made one. :)

Supplies...
SSS Build A Snowman stamps
SSS Snowman Parts dies
Spectrum Noir markers
Darice Snowflake Swirl EF
Spellbinders  A2 Matting Basics
Spellbinders Classic Squares
Cheapo Dies Cross Stitch Rectangles


Challenges...
ABC Christmas - E for emboss, F for frill, & G for glitter (I did E for embossing)
Sweet Stampin' Christmas March - anything goes
The Merry Christmas Challenge #11 - anything goes + Christmas
Christmas with the Cuties #13 - anything goes
Use Your Stuff #303 - die cuts (my "stuff" I used is the snowman die set I bought way back in 2015!  Why I didn't get the stamps then, too, I'll never know, but thankfully, they still carried them and I recently purchased them) (((this is my second entry, but if that's not allowed, just delete me)))
52 Christmas Christmas Card Throwdown - March color challenge

Addicted to Stamps and More #283 - holiday
Freshly Made Sketches #328 - sketch

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!!

Shiny ornament - CCC #23

Happy Sunday to you!  It's time for Christmas Card Challenges!!

This card is very unusual for me... it's purple.  This is my least favorite color, so I don't use it often and have basically none in my stash, so this was a real challenge for me.  The ornament is a dark purple, though it looks almost black in the pic.  

Supplies...

Slice papers

Cuttlebug Holly Ribbons EF

Die-namics Small Ornaments die (ornament hanger)

Momenta Moroccan die

Spellbinders Standard Circles

Sentiment die - freebie that came with a Dies R Us order


This week's optional photo inspiration is purple & silver ornaments...

Challenges...
12 Months of Christmas Oct - anything goes Christmas
jingle belles JB:17:20 - Embossing (I dry embossed)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge #354 - anything goes and/or purple
The Ribbon Girls October card challenge - must be a card
ABC Christmas - U for Unlimited or V for Vibrant (I did unlimited/anything goes)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Shiny Christmas - TMS #422

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  Here's my card for this week...

  
It's sad... this paper is Recollections Winter Frost and my 6x6 pad is almost gone.  I love this paper!!  So shiny!  The snowflakes are a MS punch.  The sentiment is Raisin Boat Merry Nature stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with white EP then cut with Spellbinders Nested Lacey Pennants. 

Here's our sketch...  My angles are a little off, but it's still recognizable.

Challenges...
ABC Christmas - S for Sketch, T for Trio (I used a sketch)
Hiding In My Craft Room #319 - any holiday


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Carol
Janice
Jenée
Melissa
Patti

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas - CCC #17

Happy Sunday to you!  It's time for Christmas Card Challenges!!

My card is pretty simple, but still has character.  IMHO, anyway. ;)

I stamped my Momenta clear sentiment in Versafine Onyx Black, then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Rather than cut it out, I cut my DP (a scrap) with Spellbinders Celebra'tions Pierced Squares so that the sentiment showed through.  I wrapped it with some twine, cut some branches with my MS punch, and added Making Memories paper flowers and a We R Memory Keepers brad.


Our challenge is always anything goes Christmas/holiday, but we also always have an optional challenge.  Here is this week's photo... (I was inspired by the words.)

Challenges...

A snowflake promise #42 - anything goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - N for new & O for old (Old--my branch punch and stamp are very old) 

Christmas Cards All Year Round July - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Vintage wreath - CCC #15

Happy Sunday to you!   Happy Father's Day, too! 

It's time for Christmas Card Challenges!  I've got a vintage-ish card for you today...

Supplies...
~First Edition "A Christmas Story"
~Momenta clear sentiment
~Raisin Boat "Thankful" wreath stamp
~Memento Bamboo Leaves ink
~Memento Rhubarb ink
~MS branch punch
~Spellbinders Standard Circles
~Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Circles
~Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics
~Poppystamps Stitched Buttons
~Hemp twine


Here's our inspirational photo for you...  wreath.   (Remember this is optional... all you need to do is create a Christmas/holiday card.)

 Challenges...
A snowflake promise #41 - anything goes Christmas
ABC Christmas - L and M *I did M is for more than one (3 embellishments... button, twine, branches)
jingle belles JB:17:12 - all bundled up (3 or more layers)
The Merry Christmas Challenge June - anything goes



Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Swinging Snowman

Yay!!  Our forecast is for SNOW tomorrow!!!  :)   Maybe we'll be able to make a big snowman!  :)

I've got a swinging snowman for you tonight...

He looks like he's having fun!  This little guy and the sentiment are From the Heart Stamps "Swinging Snowman."  He's colored with my Spectrum Noir markers.  They're cut out with Spellbinders Standard Circles and A2 Matting Basics.  My DP is Recollections "O Christmas Tree."

I made this guy just for fun and for a few challenges...
Sweet Stampin' Christmas February - anything goes
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas #319 - anything goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - cute
ABC Christmas C & D - C for  creature/D for dimension (I popped up the layers)
jingle belles JB:17:03 - "Let the flakes fall where they may"
i {heart} sketches #161 - sketch and/or twist: birthday cake (I just did the sketch)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed week!!

Joy to the World

I've been making Christmas cards all year long, but still need to get moving and make more.  I have high aspirations... I'd like to be able to send a handmade card to everyone on my list this year.  We'll see!  I'm trying to make most of them flat(ish) so they're good for mailing...  this one might need to be hand delivered. ;)

I used a Hampton Arts rubber stamp, and embossed it with gold embossing powder.  It's cut out with CottageCutz Stitched Rectangles.  My paper is Dovecraft Winter Blooms.  It's a Prima flower, Recollections doily, and the brad, ribbon, and hemp twine are from my stash.
A closer look at the embossing...

Challenges...
Word Art Wednesday #254-255 - anything goes/family friendly
A Snowflake Promise #32 - seasons - it's the Christmas season! ;)
ABC Christmas - v for vertical
Holly Jolly #84 - trees or Christmas tree

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Christmas Carolers - CCC #46

Hello!  I've got some old-fashioned Christmas Carolers for you today...

The carolers die is a recent acquisition... one that I LOVE, I might add!!  It's Die-Versions Sweet Petites Carolers.  My DP is DCWV Performance matstack. My sentiment is from Sweet n Sassy Stamps "Christmas Joy" set.  It was stamped with Versafine and embossed with Stampabilities black embossing powder.  The ribbon is Paper Studio.

Today's challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is Anything Goes!  {This challenge will last for 2 weeks, so lots of opportunity to play along!!}

We've got some new DT members, so please go give them a warm welcome!! 

Challenges...
The 12 Months of Christmas Challenge #22 - anything goes
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown technique challenge - embossing wet or dry (I wet/heat embossed my sentiment)
ABC Christmas Challenge - U is for under the pile (I've been hoarding this ribbon for a loooong time!)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Joy - CCC #41

Today, I've got a card full of joy!! :)

This sweet image from From The Heart Stamps.  {{Pray for Faith, the owner and illustrator of FTHS.  She is recovering from surgery for a brain tumor and is undergoing treatment.}}  "Angel Joy" is colored with my Spectrum Noir markers and fussy cut.  The frame behind her is cut using Spellbinders Celebra'tion Squares.  The "hills" are Memory Box Stitched Landscapes.  The BG paper is from my scrap box.

This week's challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is an optional color challenge... very pretty colors!

 

Challenges...
Glitter 'n' Sparkle #206 - anything goes
Come and Get It - lots of layers
ABC Christmas - s is for "sew" (I used stitched dies)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas #299 - cute or anything goes Christmas
Winter Wonderland - use at least 2 dies and add sparkle    *the BG paper is sparkly though you can't see it in the above pic.  Here's a close-up...

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Penguin wishes - CCC #40

Let me start off by saying that my thoughts and prayers are still with the families of the victims of the terrible terrorist acts committed on this day 15 yrs ago!!

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My card for Christmas Card Challenges follows our optional challenge... this week it's a word prompt  "Christmas lights."

My image is Sweet 'n' Sassy Stamps Pippin's Christmas Lights Digital Stamp and colored with Spectrum Noir markers.  My paper is AC Let It Snow.  (The torn piece was from my scrap box.)  The ribbon is AC.  My sentiment is Momenta Stamps and embossed with white embossing powder.  My image is cut out using Spellbinders Standard Circles and Petite Scalloped Circles.  Some hemp twine and a snowflake brad finished it off.

Here's a close-up of the lights that I added Glossy Accents to.  I also used my Versamark pen and embossed the hat since I don't have a snow marker.  (It's on my wishlist!) *I could not get my Glossy Accents to work last week, but I persevered and voilá!  Success! :)  But now I see I missed a couple! :/ 

As I said, our optional word prompt is Christmas Lights...

Please come play along!!   After all, it's only 105 days until Christmas!!!!!  :)

Challenges...

ABC Christmas - R for rip it

A Snowflake Promise #28 - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Musical Merry Christmas - CCC #39

I love Christmas!  The special time set aside to celebrate Christ's birth... our Saviour was born to die so that I might live!   One of the blessings of Christmas time is Christmas Carols!!  {It is also true that at our house, you just might hear Christmas Carols throughout the whole year. :)  And we all are singing along!}   A few weeks ago, I got a new die... music notes!!  :)  I love it and will be using it a lot on my Christmas cards!

My wonderful new die is Memory Box Music Virtuoso.  The other bits are from a Memory Box Snowflake Tree that I ripped apart.  My image and sentiment are French Horn Color Plus from Doodle Pantry.  They are cut with Spellbinders Standard Circles, Spellbinders Labels 35, and Spellbinders Petite Ovals.  My DP is Graphic 45 A Christmas Carol.  I made a double bow with a scrap of ribbon.  The edges are chalked.

You might have guessed that our challenge today at Christmas Card Challenges has the optional photo inspiration... music notes!! 

Challenges...
ABC Christmas - R is for rip it (I ripped apart my die cut-hope that counts)
12 Months of Christmas #21 - anything goes or optional theme (I did AG)
jingle belles  JB:16:18 - "Hark the Herals Angels Sing" (music)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Purple Christmas

I've got a Christmas card... a purple Christmas card.  If you know me personally, you know that purple is NOT my favorite color!!!  In fact, I've been know to say bad things about purple. :O  If you love it, that's great.  No need to hate me.

Why am I rambling about purple?  Doodle Pantry is sponsoring CraftyHazelnut's Christmas Challenge today and the theme is "purple."  So here's my purple Christmas card...

I know my DP doesn't scream "Christmas," but since I hate don't really care for purple, I don't have much of it in my stash.  My image is Doodle Pantry's Mini Bethlehem.  I used Spellbinders Petite Ovals and Labels 18 to cut the image and frames.  The sketch of this card is one I use often!  It's quick and easy but still looks classy.  (Even using purple! LOL)


Challenges...
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round July - anything goes
ABC Christmas Challenge - N is for No Rules (anything goes)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Merriest wishes - CCC #29

Happy Father's Day!  {That is if any fathers happen to ever read my blog!}

It's time for another Christmas card for the challenge at Christmas Card Challenges!  This week, we've got a color challenge for you!   That's why this card is a little different from my "usual" cards.  I tend to be very traditional red/green for Christmas, but it's fun to mix it up a little now and then...

My cardstock and polka dot DP are from my scraps.  I used a MS border punch on the DP and the striped vellum.  The wavy bit and the large image are stickers from a Paper Studio pack.  The clear sentiment is Momenta.  It is cut out with a Tiny Tags die from Simon Says Stamp. 

Here's our color inspiration for you...

*But remember the only rule is that you need to make a Christmas/holiday card*  These are definitely not your traditional Christmas colors, but they are beautiful and we can't wait to see what you do with them!! 

Challenges...
ABC Christmas Challenge - L is for... Layers, Light pink ;)
Holly Jolly Christmas #74 - tag it (the top is tucked behind the image, but my sentiment is on a tag)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas #286 - cute or anything Christmas

Thanks for stopping and have a blessed day!!

Merry Christmas - TMS #351

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  I've got a Christmas card for you today.   I tried a new (to me) technique for this... on the edge die cutting.  

To do this, when you place your die on the paper, part of the die is off the cutting plate so that it doesn't cut through.  Not sure if that makes sense, but you can find tutorials on YouTube.  
My die is CC Designs Winter Wonderland.  **See? I'm already wishing for next winter's snow!! LOL**  I used CB Swiss Dots to emboss.  The DP is Recollections "Winter Frost," and my sentiment is from My Craft Spot "Joy To the World" stamped with Versafine.  


Here's our great sketch from Patti...

She is also sponsoring this week with this great prize package...

  

Challenges...
Addicted to Stamps #126 - only sentiment, no image
Christmas Card Challenge #23 - Christmas card (I didn't do optional colors)
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas #280 - vintage or anything goes Christmas
ABC Christmas Challenge - I for Ink (I used Versafine Onyx Black to stamp my sentiment)


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...


Jenée
Jessi
Kris
Lee
Melissa
Patti
Wanda

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!

Merry Christmas - TMS #346

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!   Since I started making cards, I've been trying to make Christmas cards throughout the year.  Some years I do well.  Some years I don't!  2016 is the latter! :/  But I do have a cute one for you today!!! :)

My DP is  AC Let It Snow.  I love that I could use the sentiment on it as my sentiment!!  It is embossed with Darice Dot EF.  My ribbon is Ribbon Boutique, and the snowflake brad is from stash.   My sentiment is Christmas Pixy Two from A Day For Daisies... our sponsor for this week!!! The prize is a $12 shopping voucher - that's 3 digis of your choice!

 Here's our wonderful sketch by Melissa...

Challenges...
12 Months of Christmas Linkup April - anything goes w/ optional twist (I went AG)
ABC Christmas Challenge - G is for green or gold (I went with green)
Christmas Card Challenge #18 - anything goes
Sweet Stampin' Christmas - cute Christmas
Winter Wonderland - embossing wet or dry (I dry embossed)


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go check out the creations from the TMS DT...

Jenée
Jessi
Kris
Lee
Melissa
Patti
Wanda

We'd love to have you play along with us this week at Tuesday Morning Sketches!