BC#77 -- Holiday Decorations....Sort of!

OK, I'm going to go out on a limb here and take a huge "creative" leap! This week's challenge was to submit an ornament or holiday decoration. Well, truthfully, I don't have anything on hand....nor the time to create something; BUT, I have been working on a gift basket for my Secret Santa gift at work. (I mentioned this a week or so ago....and promised to share!) So, that's my "challenge" this week!

You see, I had the "good luck" of drawing the youngster in our group....she's adorable, and sweet, single, a great worker.....and 27! Sigh!! (Can I even relate to a 27 year old anymore?!!) So, choosing a gift for her was....well, shall we say "difficult?" As I created things for the past month, I just add duplicates to her basket....since I decided to make a series of small things for her. The main gift is a bottle of perfume from Avon, called, Wishing you LOVE. (See the rectangular box in cream with red dots, bow on top?) She has a new beau that she is just crazy about, so it's appropriate, don't you think? It smells lovely AND it was on sale, leaving me lots of extra $$$s in the $20-$25 budget! I wrapped it in a retired piece of Designer Series Paper (from last year), so that it would match the overall color scheme. The round container is a candle in a can....in a gingerbread scent......altered, of course, to match. An adorable store-bought snowman ornament is in the Kraft box; decorated Peppermint Patties are in the home-made box tied with the Wild Wasabi Ribbon; an altered date book (from Target $ Spot); and a hard-covered journal and matching little pad and pen are from Michael's dollar bin.....just added a bit of ribbon and her initial for personalization.

Here's the basket, all assembled. I picked up this oval tin months ago from the Target dollar spot, although it was slightly more than a dollar. Added the snowflakes, which were simply punched out using the Snowflakes Sizzlets from my Big Shot. To add them to the tin, I simply used glue stick....and, yes, it worked!! Amazing, isn't it? I just love the way they kind of "pop" against the green tin. Guess I should have used Very Vanilla CS instead of the Whisper White, since it would be more in keeping with the whole color scheme....but, what is done, is done, and I like the look anyway!

So, all of the above were added in, along with that cute stuffed snowman decoration (from an outlet store), some chocolate pretzel sticks that I dipped and decorated myself. Then added in some shreddie, of course, and for a little added color....and for her infamous "sweet tooth"....sprinkled in a handful of Cherry Cordial Hershey's Kisses. They are so yummy!! Then everything was tied up with that scrumptious Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla Grosgrain (from the Holiday Mini) and that cute oversized tag from this post.

I stretched that money as far as I could! Hope she likes everything.....I know she has a sweet tooth. Of course, she's thin, thin, thin!! Can't wait to give it to her this Wednesday at our office party!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you'll stop in to see what the others have been up to.

NOTE: I am not going to list the stamps and accessories used since there are quite a few items in this basket. BUT almost everything used is from SU (except the gifts, themselves), much is retired. PLEASE feel free to contact me if you have any questions!!

MaryJo's Lunchtime Challenge #47

Are you running in 10 different directions like I am?!! Guess that's why my mojo seems to have disappeared!! I've been sick the past week and in bed all day Friday and trying to slowly catch up ever since.....have that yukky cold that seems to be going around. BUT, I simply do not have time to be sick!

So, for this challenge, I kind of copied a card I saw in the PaperCrafts Nov/Dec issue, Page 25. It's actually a page I had earmarked because I loved the snowflake card, but when MJ issued this week's challenge, I KNEW that was the card to make!!

So, here's my version.......

Instead of the traditional blue snowflake card, I used Real Red and Old Olive (LOVE that combo for Christmas!) and added those fabulous Felt Flurries with Crystal Brads in the center. 'Course, I didn't add the little accessories down at the bottom because this card was way too busy already, although I really am pleased with the finished effect!

Thanks for stopping by.

Stamps: Snowflake Spot, Punch Pals (small snowflakes)

Inks: Real Red, Old Olive

CS: Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive

Misc: Photo Corner Punch, Real Red DSP (Hostess, Level 1), Snow Flurries (small; from Mini), Green Crystal Brads (Ice Collection, Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

Hope you'll take some time to stop by and visit Mary Jo's Blog....it's terrific, AND you can see who else has participated in this week's sketch!

BC#76 -- Color Combination

This is an "interesting" color combination......but, I think it works! Must be because of that new theory, "brown is the new black!!" The brown...or in this case, Close to Cocoa.....seems to ground these colors. One more interesting fact: these are colors in the new SU DSP pack in the Holiday Mini, Frosty Day. However, I do not own any of this new paper....since I really need to use up some of what I already have on hand, I didn't purchase it! Some of the cards and projects I've seen with this paper have been spectacular, but, I'm still not comfortable with these as Christmas colors! So, when using these colors for our Challenge this week, I did not make a holiday card, but made a friendship, or thank you card instead. We still need those, right?...even at this time of the year!

This layout has been floating around lately since it was a challenge on SCS recently, and it works perfectly for this card, doesn't it?!! The base of the card is Close to Cocoa and each strip of color was stamped with a set I haven't really used in awhile, Seeing Spots. Once I decided on the layout and stamp set, this card really was fairly quick....only that faux stitching took a bit of time.

So, what do you think of this color combination: Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue, Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White?

Stamps: Seeing Spots, Best Yet

Inks: White Craft

CS: Close to Cocoa, Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue, Tangerine Tango

Misc: White Gel Pen, On Board Chipboard*, Wide White Grosgrain Ribbon**, White Mini Brads**

*Retired--from last catalog

**Non SU: Ribbon is from Offray; Brads are from American Craft

Thanks for stopping by....and hope you will visit the others who participate!! You KNOW it's always fun to stop by and see what they've been up to!!

Monday's Lunchtime Challenge.....Way Late!

This looks like a simple sketch, don't you think? So, naturally, it should be easy-peasy, right? WRONG! I had a bit of trouble with this one....every time I tried to put a card together, it just looked lopsided, or out of balance.....which explains why I'm so very late!!

BUT, I finally came up with a simple card that I'm happy enough with to share. By eliminating the scallop in the lower right corner and simply stamping the greeting directly on the card, it just feels right.

So, thanks for you patience....hope you will enjoy this simple sample! Wish you could see how glittery and sparkly it is in real life! The wind on the dove image was highlighted with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter as are all the tiny snowflakes.

Stamps: To You & Yours, Snowburst

Inks: Baja Breeze, White Craft

CS: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Silver Metallic

Misc: Ticket Punch, Paper Piercer & Template (Tool Kit), Dazzling Diamonds, Glue Pen (non-SU), Silver Mini Brads

NOTE: Sorry....my copyright seems to be missing! All items used to create this card are from SU, with the exception of the Glue Pen,which was used to add in the fine detail for the glitter.

NOTE: Although I did not intentionally copy or CASE this sample, it turns out that the amazing Mary Brown made a card somewhat similar to this. Although I think Mary's rendition is so much more lovely, I think it could be considered an inspiration for this sample. So, I need to give credit, where credit is due! Please visit Mary's fabulous blog and see her many awesome creations!