Background Paper Challenge

After posting so late last week, I really wanted to post on time this week........I actually created this card last Monday and couldn't wait to share!

I saw this wreath idea on a card swap at a recent stamping event and couldn't wait to try it out myself. Simple, basic layout.......so fast!.....so easy! This card has only the tiniest bit of stamping....the greeting, which is embossed and looks a bit more bold in real life. The fabulous patterns in the Designer Paper do all the work!

You know, I really love Fall, which seems to finally be here with the summertime weather finally behind us (I think!), but by far, the Christmas holidays are my very favorite of all!!!

Be sure to check out the other Bloggers' ideas! Have fun looking around.....and thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Many Merry Messages
Inks: Old Olive Craft
CS: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Old Olive
Misc: Scallop Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Real Red Grosgrain (1/4" & 5/8"), Dashing Background Paper, Clear Embossing Powder

It's Time for Blog Candy!

The counter at the bottom of my Blog tells me that I've had many visitors in the past few months since I began this journey into blogdom, and the counter is not very far away from 5,000 hits (or visits)! So, it's time to say Thank You in a big way and give away some Blog Candy!!! Leave a coment (please only one per person) at the base of this post and when the counter hits 5,000, I'll choose a winner at random. But don't delay, it's jumping quickly.....oh, and be sure to leave me your e-mail address so I can contact you when you win! Good luck!

Edited to add: I'll wait to 5,100 hits, as the counter is jumping very quickly!

We have a winner!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Joyce Traub! Thank you everyone for visiting! Looking forward to the next edition of my Blog Candy give-away...coming soon (at 10,000)!

Note: Winner was chosen using random.org.

I've Lost My Marbles!

Ok.....I'm offically very, very late with my weekly Challenge! My apologies to all of you who have popped in and out looking for my latest post. I haven't had a chance to stamp in almost a week and needed to carve out a bit of time tonight to do so....and to catch up on my Challenges. And for any of you who have followed the Challenges on this blog, know that the Inspiration Challenges have always been the most difficult for me....and this week was really no exception.

Well, the other day, I visited Michael's and picked up Paper Crafts Holiday Card issue. Lots of fabulous ideas in there! Then I spotted the holiday candle on Page 75, it kind of jumped out at me! This was something that I could reproduce, but using SU products and this is what I came up with......using the so very versatile Pick a Petal. This set is just so amazing.....so many ways to use it. Although each petal was stamped and cut out, it really doesn't take long at all. The only problem I had with this whole project is the coaster, or candle holder. I used a chipboard coaster and covered it with some fabulous background paper....but, when I looked for some marbles to glue onto the base as feet......well, as I said, "I lost my marbles!" Can't find them anywhere. So, imagine little marble legs on the bottom in each of the four corners.

Thanks for stopping by. Hopefully, you've had a chance to check out the others who particpate in the Weekly Challenges. They always come up with the most amazing ideas, don't you think!

Stamps: Pick a Petal

Inks: Basic Black, More Mustard

CS: Purely Pomegranate, Always Artichoke

Misc: 1" Round Punch, Quickie Glue Pen (Non SU), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Crystal Brad, Wintergreen Designer Series Paper, Coluzzel, Giga Scallop Punch (Non SU)

Bloggers' Challenge -- Christmas Ornament

I'm back from Cape May, NJ.....it is just so beautiful down there! There are loads of wonderful old houses, sometimes called "painted ladies." The weather was almost perfect....so un-October-like.....more like summertime than fall! The crowds that are usually associated with any of the Jersey Shore towns were gone. The B&B we stayed at was just perfect....we even had a wonderful claw-foot tub in our bathroom.....perfect for a long bubblebath! It was a fun and relaxing week.

So, anyway, I'm back! While there, I finished up a project that I had taken with me to trade or swap out tomorrow at a gathering of demonstrators at our group Fall Fest. In the middle of finishing them up, I suddenly realized that they work perfectly for this week's Challenge. So, this project ended up doing double duty!! (This explains why you don't need to wait till the end of the weekend as previously promised!!) To the left is the front view....or the back view, which is exactly the same. The photo to the right is a side view. If you have been visiting this Blog for awhile, you may think this stamping idea looks somewhat familiar!....and you would be right since I CASED my post from August 17, but used Old Olive instead of Wild Wasabi.

This fun little ornament was filled with some chocolate Kisses. It can be used on a gift, or as an ornament. Easy to make....and fun, too! The idea was taken from http://hemidemisemiquaver.wordpress.com/. She has some amazing ideas on her site. Oh, and as usual, I invite you to check out the other Bloggers who participate in this weekly Challenge......they are such a fabulously creative group....they are sure to have posted some really WOW ideas! Enjoy!

Stamps: So Swirly Jumbo Wheel, Season of Joy

Inks: Old Olive Jumbo Cartridge and Classic Ink; Real Red

CS: Very Vanilla, Real Red, Old Olive

Misc: Real Red Narrow Grosgrain, More Mustard Marker (for star at top of tree), Quickie Glue Pen (non-SU), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 1/8" Round Punch, Gold Cord*

*Stretch Gold Cord is now available in the Holiday Mini.

Orange & Black Challenge

Ok...technically, I guess I'm late with this post! It's been a very hectic day, with just not enough time to squeeze everything in. So, since I'm still up, isn't it really still today?!! Ok, maybe it's a stretch!

Anyway, here is my Challenge for this week.....we were to use orange and black. I know that there are tons of other ways to use these 2 colors, but to me, they just scream Halloween! And since I haven't posted a Halloween card yet, it's definitely time, don't you think?!! Problem is, I don't have any appropriate sets...my one set retired and I gave it away. Halloween has never been a big deal to me...at least not since I was a child. Of course, I made costumes for each of my kids every year, but we are long past that. To me, Halloween is just the holiday before Thanksgiving.....now that's something to look forward to!!

So, the card this week is super simple. I pulled out Letterpress Alphabet...always good in a pinch...and some of the great new Halloween Designer Paper. Cute patterns! Pretty straight forward, really quite simple. Just 2 things to note.....

Each letter was stamped 2 times: first in Pumpkin Pie and then again, just slightly off in Basic Black.

The "bow" at the top has a piece of Black Gingham threaded through....just colored it with my Pumpkin Pie marker.

Oh, and the background paper really IS black, but looks gray in the scan. Now it's time to go and check out the other Bloggers' submissions to see all the wonderful ideas they have all come up with. We have a terrific new member that just joined this week, MaryJo....a fantabulously creative stamper....be sure to visit!

Stamps: Letterpress Alphabet, Party Punch (Hostess, Level 1), Sanded
Inks: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
CS: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Misc: Pumpkin Pie Marker, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Basic Black Narrow Grosgrain and Black Gingham Ribbons, Round Tab Punch, Creepy Crawly Background Paper

Please note: I will not be participating in next week's Bloggers' Challenge.....at least not on time. (Ok, so that's not unusual!!) Hubby and I will be away next week celebrating our anniversary....it's a BIG one!