Warmest wishes

 I have made a lot of design team cards lately, but haven't just played in awhile, so this morning, I perused Paper Playful's list of challenges and found lots of inspiration for a card...

I created the background by smooshing ink on my glass plate, adding water, and dragging the white cardstock through it.  Once it was dry, I randomly rubbed VersaMark and heat embossed with clear EP.  I like the texture and shine it added! (see closeup below) My sentiment is from Simon Says Stamp Build Me a Snowman.  My cup of cocoa is Honey Bee Stamps Love You S'More.  Branches from a MS punch and green cardstock and a PaperTrey Button (cut from extra background) finished it off.  

Here are the challenges I'm entering...

A Cut Above Sept - AG with a die cut
Addicted to Stamps and More #500 - die cuts and/or stencils (I used die cuts)
As You Like It - layered or flat **I chose layers because I just love layers!  I also love CAS/one layer cards, but I am never satisfied with how mine turn out.  I always end up adding layers. :) 
Caffeinated Christmas Card Challenge #45 - coffee, tea, or cocoa
Creative Knockouts #554 - lots of layers 
jingle belles - cardstock Christmas (no patterned paper) 
Just Us Girls #791 - die week
Merry Little Christmas #64 - AG Christmas and family friendly 
Simon Says Stamp Monday - Stamp It
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday - Stamp It
Word Art Wednesday #714-715 - AG family friendly

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

Christmas Blessings - SCC #102

Good morning and Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian family and friends!!

Today is Sparkles Christmas Challenge #102 - include a tree.  Here's my card...

I was so happy with the way this card turned out!!  I can't take credit for the idea... I was inspired by this card and video by Gina K.   My plan is to make several more like this before Christmas.
My trees are from Raisin Boat Nature's Reflections.  The sentiment is from Sunny Studio Christmas Chapel.  My DP is Graphic 45 Christmas Carol and embossed with Darice Snowflake Swirl.

In case you live in a place without snow and don't believe in "trees white with snow" here is a picture taken in my yard after a snowstorm...  I love snow!!!!!

Challenges...
Aud Sentiments #230 - anything goes w/ sentiment
Crimbo Crackers #187 - anything Christmas goes
The Holly and the Ivy #52 - anything Christmas goes
Cute N' Crafty Christmas #15 - anything Christmas goes
jingle belles JB:19:13 - snow much fun



We're less than 6 months away from Christmas, so come join us and get a card or two made early. :)

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!!

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!!

Pretty poinsettia - CCC #48

Happy Sunday!

Here's my card for today...

Christmas Card Challenges has a word prompt of "glitter" today.

I have to admit that there are 2 things in crafting that you won't see much of on my blog because they are just not me... purple and glitter.  I searched and searched my craft room and only came up with 2 papers with glitter on them.   And I actually do like the one I used!  It's MME Lost & Found.  My flower is Darice Poinsettia die.  I cut it twice to have a fuller flower. The sentiment is Sweet n Sassy Christmas Tags and it's cut out with Spellbinders Ribbon Banners. .

See? It really is glittery!

Challenges...
Winter Wonderland - ribbon/lace and/or Christmas flowers (I obviously chose Christmas flower)
jingle belles JB:16:23 - Mele Kalikimaka (flowers)
Sweet Stampin' Christmas - anything goes
Happy Little Stampers Nov Die Challenge - anything goes with dies


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

A shimmery tree - CCC #45

Happy Sunday to you!!

I tend to be a traditional red/green Christmas person, but I do like this card.  The shimmer of the silver paper is very pretty!  My tree is Memory Box Snowflake Tree.  The Happy Christmas is a freebie I got with an order.   Cardstock from my scrap box and a bit of Offray ribbon complete it.

I used these colors because this week's optional challenge at Christmas Card Challenges is a color challenge...

Challenges I'm entering...
CraftyHazelnut's Christmas #303 - cute or anything goes (I did anything goes)
A snowflake promise #30 - anything goes or twist of seasons (I did anything goes)
jingle belles JB:16:21 - (gah!) Pink
    **this is honor of Breast Cancer Awareness
        and they are donating $2 for every pink card entered!! 
 

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!!

Love, peace, & joy - CCC #35

Do you realize it is exactly 20 weeks until Christmas??  That's only 140 days!  I am doing my best to have my cards made early, so that in the crazy rush of December, at least I won't have to stress about that!  Christmas Card Challenges #35 begins today... play along and that will help you get your cards done on time, too!

Many of my cards are mailed, so I'm really trying to keep them at least somewhat flat, but I still want them to be pretty.  I think this card fits the bill...

The DP really did most of my work.  My Cuttlebug did the rest! ;)   I used Recollections Winter Frost DP.  The sentiment is a page from that pad, too, and cut out using Spellbinders Scalloped Labels 1 and framed with Spellbinders Labels 1.   The snowflakes are Sweet n Sassy Small Snowflakes dies, and the flourish is CC Designs Winter Wonderland.   The silver paper is so shiny and pretty!!

This week's optional challenge is a photo inspiration... (Remember the only real rule is that you create a Christmas/holiday card.)  The snowflakes inspired me.  I love snow!!!!! ♥

So please play along!  When you do, be sure to check out the DT's creations and the other players, as well.  Talk about inspiration!!!  It will really get you ready to create!


Challenges...
Craftyhazelnut's Christmas #293 - vintage or anything goes (I did anything goes)
jingle belles JB:16:16 - We Three Kings (use 3 of anything -- I used 3 papers...hope that counts!)
Sweet Stampin' Christmas July - anything goes
Winter Wonderland - gold/silver or embossed BG (I used silver)


Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

French horn Christmas

*** Click HERE to go to my Blogiversary post + Giveaway!! ***

Am I making Christmas cards again already?  Yep!  I sent every one I made in 2015 so have started on those for 2016.

I love music!  My family loves music.  There is almost always music playing at our home, we love to sing, I play the piano, and my kids all play an instrument.  My oldest daughter plays the French horn - which is my favorite instrument aside from the piano.   [I realize that their horns are not exactly like a regular French horn, but if you love horns, you need to listen to Vienna Horns.]

All that chatter because my card has a French horn...

My image and sentiment are Doodle Pantry's COLOR French Horn.  Beautiful set!!  My DP is Recollections Cozy Lodge.  I used Spellbinders Petite Ovals and Labels 18.

Doodle Pantry is sponsoring today's challenge over at Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge with a theme of Christmas, obviously, but also "use red."   Please play along!  Remember that if you use a digi, you can also enter Doodle Pantry's Ants In My Pants Digital Challenge 13 HERE.


Challenges...
jingle belles JB:16:01 - something old, something new (Image is "old" and had been printed waiting to be used for well over a year!  Paper is new.)
Word Art Wednesday #217 - anything goes family friendly
Creative Knockouts #123 - anything goes
Simon Says Wednesday - something new (paper is new)

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

Christmas Blessings - TMS #331

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!! 


This is probably my last Christmas card that I'll make this year.  My cards are all sent already (that's unusual for me!!), so I'll start keeping them for next year.  :)

My image is Berry Wreath and sentiment is 1 Line Christmas Blessings from DRS Designs... our sponsor for this week!

Here's our wonderful sketch by Nina...

Challenges...
Jingle Belles Rock December Linkfest Kickoff - Happy Holidays
Creative Moments #83 - anything goes w/ optional twist Christmas


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

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

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

Glory to God - TMS #318

Happy Tuesday to you!  It's time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  We've got a great sketch and great sponsor and I got another Christmas card made! :) 

My DP is Recollections "O Christmas Tree."  My images and sentiment are CTMH "Glory to God" acrylix stamps that were stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black.  The ovals are Spellbinders Petite Ovals.  The flower is Recollections as are the few adhesive pearls.  I used a glitter pen on the stars and flower though it's hard to see in the above pic.

Our sponsor this week is Patti Rowe- Close To My Heart consultant.  Check out her website HERE. 

Here's our wonderful sketch...

Challenges...
Merry  Monday #171 - Sentiment in the Spotlight
jingle belles JB:15:19 - Shopping Our (jingly) Stash ( I've had this stamp set for almost 3 yrs and my DP is over 4 yrs old!!)
Shopping Our Stash bonus challenge - w/ jingle belles, must use stash (as above... 3yr old stamp and 4 yr old DP!)
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #55 - anything goes
Christmas Card Challenges #41 - anything goes


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

Jenee
Jessi
Kris
Melissa
Nina

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

Christmas... in May??!!??

When I first started my blog, I played along with some Christmas challenges and made cards all year long.  The last couple of years, I have been TERRIBLE and not made Christmas cards until the last minute.  But... I've got a Christmas card to show you today!!  I've turned over a new leaf!! :) Haha, no!  Actually, our printer is giving me trouble so I cannot print any images.  (That's really bad!!!)  So I was trying to do a bit of tidying up in my craft room and came across this image all printed and cut so I checked out a couple of challenge requirements and made a card with it.

The colored image and sentiment are from Doodle Pantry Mini Bethlehem.  My DP is scraps of Basic Grey "Wassail."   I used Spellbinders Standard Circles and Petite Scalloped Circles.  Some adhesive bling finished it off... I even used a few to put some "stars" in the sky.  :)


Word Art Wednesday #132 - anything goes (Scripture or uplifting sentiment)
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #11 - anything goes
jingle belles JB:14:10 - "'Tis the Season to Jingle" (sketch + bling)
'Tis the Season TTS16 - sketch + bling (JB and TTS are working together this challenge)


Thanks for stopping by and have  blessed day!! 

Gingerbread Wishes - McMahon Five Designs New Release!

Happy Friday to you!!   Today, there are some new sets to see at McMahon Five Designs!  Be sure to visit the M5D BLOG to see all the wonderful and fun creations of the DT!!  Today's post is full of inspiration for you!!

My card was fun to make and it's fun to play with, too! :)

 

Aren't these ginger bread cute???  And, like I said, they are fun!!  I added them with an Action Wobble!

These cuties are from Gingerbread Scene from Imagine That! digis by Kris. 

I used the outline images and colored them with  my Spectrum Noir markers, but as you see, they come colored, too!   My DP is Recollections "O Christmas Tree."  I used Darice Dots and Sizzix Snowflakes embossing folders, Spellbinders Labels Eight, and a scrap of polka dot ribbon.

Challenges...
jingle belles JB:13:23 - holiday traditions (We made gingerbread cookies when I was a kid.  Our decorating wasn't fancy... we just used those little silver balls.  You know, the kind that were supposed to be edible, but were as hard as ball bearings and nearly broke our teeth!!!)

Thanks for stopping by and have a blessed day!!

Flashback Friday at M5D!!

Happy Friday!!  Today is exactly 2 months until Christmas!!  :)  I don't have a lot of Christmas cards made yet, so that is the theme I chose for this one...

This little cutie is Penguin Cocoa from Imagine That! digis by Kris and is available at McMahon Five Designs.

Supplies...
~colored Penguin Cocoa
~Paper Studio "Holly Jolly" DP
~Spellbinders Postage Stamp die
~snowflake brad and baker's twine

Challenges...
jingle belles JB:13:22 - "Not a creature was stirring"
Paper Pretties PWC 281 - "eat, drink, and be merry"

Be sure to visit the M5D BLOG to see more flashback creations from the DT!!

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

Christmas Greetings!

I know many challenges had "Christmas in July," but since I missed most of them, I'm making my own "Christmas in August"!  LOL

On our trip to England last fall, I loved seeing the phone boxes and the postboxes!  When I saw this image at Delicious Doodles, I had to have it!! 

Supplies...
~Delicious Doodles Snowy Postbox
~Spectrum Noir markers
~My Craft Spot "Joy to the World" sentiment
~Spellbinders Circles and Scalloped Circles
~sparkle gel pen

I added a bit of sparkle to the snow

Challenges...
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Air mail
My Craft Spot Monday Challenge #107 - clean & simple
jingle belles JB:13:16 - "Home for the Holidays"
Twisted Tuesday 2TC56 - Christmas + CAS

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

Tuesday Morning Sketches #190

It's Tuesday and time for Tuesday Morning Sketches!!  We've got a great sketch this week and a great sponsor!!  Our sponsor is Stamping Scrapping!!  Play along and you could win this beautiful stamp!!

Here's the awesome sketch by Melissa...

Here is my take on it...

Supplies...
~Bugaboo "Teddy Present"
~Spectrum Noir markers
~DCWV Metallic gold cardstock
~Slice Shimmer Pearl Vine paper
~Spellbinders Fleur de Lis squares
~sentiment -My Craft Spot "Joy to the World' set
~Studio 112 swirly border stamp (embossing on present)
~Stampendous Kalaidescope and Gold embossing powder

Challenges...
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown March Theme - animals
jingle bellesJB:13:06 - Neutral Noel
My Craft Spot Monday Challenge #91 - embossing or glossy accents
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #7 - Sparkle and shine
365 Cards: Day 74 - color combo

Close up to see the sparkle and shine :) 

Please go visit my talented teamies to see their wonderful creations with this week's sketch...

Angela

Bonnie  

Dawn
Jenee

Jessi

Laura
Theresa

Melissa

Thanks for stopping by!!  Be sure to come and play along with us this week Tuesday Morning Sketches!!

Candy Cane Heart

When we think of hearts and especially at this time of year, we tend to think Valentine's Day.  That's normal.  But I have a Christmas card for you!  We won't discuss what that says about me! LOL

 

My image is the pre-colored candy cane heart from the Sweet Warm Ups Set.
DP is  MME Vintage Christmas.
'Roman Bath' embossing folder.

glittery snowflake brads

decorated inside

I'm submitting this card to these challenges....
jingle belles JB13-2 - Scandinavian Christmas (photo inspiration)
Sweet Sketch Wednesday 189 - sketch 
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown: Jan Theme/Recipe Challenge - patterned paper, glitter, decorate inside
Just a Scrappin' - snowflakes and bling 

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Tuesday Morning Sketch #177

One week until Christmas!!  I'm so excited that I'm "going home" for Christmas!!   We're going to be with my parents, and I'm really hoping New Brunswick has snow for Christmas!!  (Just don't want it falling next Monday when we are traveling!!)

I'm sorry I haven't posted since last Tuesday and haven't visited many blogs and commented!  Many things happened to keep me away, and then my laptop fell on its head and had to see the doctor.  :(  Thankfully, I got it back yesterday, so I will feel 'with it' again.  I hope to get some crafting done and do some visiting with you this week before we head north!  Can you believe that I still need to make more Christmas cards??!!  :0

But now it is time for another Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge!!  For this challenge, we are using Angela's awesome sketch...

Our sponsor is Bugaboo!  So many fun digis, so little time!!  A big "thank you" to the folks at Bugaboo who generously provided the team with images!!

Is there anything cuter than a sock monkey??  I have made them for gifts, embroidered them, and now I colored one! 

Isn't he just the cutest little guy??  I put Glossy Accents on the snow but the shine isn't visible in the pic.  I need a snow pen!!

~Bugaboo's Winter Sock Monkey - ski
~Paper Studio "Jolly holiday" DP
~Spectrum Noir markers

Challenge...
Paper Playtime #91 - winter fun 
Paper Pretties PPMC70 - create a Christmas creation
jingle belles JB:12:25 - a December to remember


Thanks for stopping by!!  Be sure to play along with us at Tuesday Morning Sketches this week for a chance to win!!

Christmas in the heart

*Click here for my Tuesday Morning Sketch post or scroll down*

Second post today.  This will be a quick post with just my card and not a lot of chatter.   I'm a little out of it and ready for Christmas break!   I printed this beautiful digi from Daydream Designs awhile ago but just finished my card this morning...

~Daydream Designs Deck the Halls Digi Set-Color
~sentiment from My Craft Spot's "Joy to the World" set
   (I won it at their latest release blog hop!)
~MS branch punch
~Swiss Dots embossing folder
~Spellbinders Circles

Deck the Halls Digi Set-Color

Challenges...
~Paper Playtime #90 - Christmas colors
~Simon Says Stamp-anything goes (MS punch used)
~jingle belles JB:12:25 - Anything (Holiday) Goes
~Shopping Our Stash #80 - winter holiday or winter/snow
~Clear It Out - Happy holiday
~Die Cuttin Divas #94 - Holiday Spirit (used Spellbinders)
~My Craft Spot #78 - Merry Christmas


Thanks for stopping by!!!