MaryJo's Challenge --- It's #150!!!

I LOVE this sketch....it came together so easily and quickly this week. AND I truly didn't want to be late (like I usually am!) because this is a special week.....this is MaryJo's 150th Challenge! WOW! Way to go, MJ! (Have to admit that I missed a LOT of them....but couldn't miss this one!!)

Well, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it's full speed ahead to Christmas time! So, Dasher is the focal point on this card.....he looks right at home here, don't you think?!! Of course, he needed a nose, so a Real Red Mini Brad was added in.....what you cannot see, and is just so dang pretty, is the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch that was sprayed over the stamped Whisper White layer, giving it a lovely, soft glow. The Soft Suede and Crumb Cake layers were stamped with Serene Snowflakes in White Craft....and a bit of Soft Suede added in on the Crumb Cake layer. All the edges on these two colors were softened by sponging with White Craft as well.

As you can see, I stayed very true to the original sketch, which you can see here. Even if these are not really traditional Christmas Card colors, I am thrilled with the overall look of this card.

Thanks for stopping by today! Don't forget to stop by MaryJo's and see who is participating this week.

Stamps: Dasher, Four the Holidays, Serene Snowflakes
Inks: Soft Suede, White Craft, Real Red*
CS: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Misc: Paper Piercer, Real Red Mini Brad, Square Punch**, Mini Glue Dots, Scallop Edge Punch, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

*Real Red ink when stamped on Crumb Cake matches. When Cherry Cobbler ink is stamped onto Crumb Cake CS, it is way too dark!

**Any Square Punch can be used to create the "flag" edges of the greeting. Just use the corner!

With Sympathy

Just last week, the husband of an acquaintance passed away. In some ways, I know it was a blessing because he was suffering so much, BUT, to loose someone so close as we enter the holidays has to be the absolute worst time!

So, I needed to create a card....and I have to say, that these cards are definitely the most difficult to create. Of course, they should bring a small measure of comfort, but (IMHO) should not be full of bling or over the top. Well, this began as a much simpler card, but somehow evolved (don't they usually?!!) into what you see here. Still, I believe it's subdued enough for the theme.....and once her grief begins to subside just a bit, hopefully, she will appreciate the care and time it took to create. Not to mention, the beauty.....I have to say, I'm in LOVE with this color combo!!

I'm so excited because I finally used my new Bow Easy (a tool to make bows....not from SU!) to create that cute little bow....it took me quite a few tries to get the bow right....the mechanics kind of confused me and it's supposed to be so simple!! Guess I'm not very "mechanical!"

Thanks for stopping by today and making your visit a part of your busy day! Feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you think (I LOVE comments).

Stamps: Just Believe, In My Thoughts
Inks: Basic Black, Crumb Cake
CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Misc: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Basic Pearls, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Big Shot, Bow Easy (non SU! item), Mini Glue Dots

Double Duty Challenge

Here I am....finally! How was your Thanksgiving? Mine was busy and hectic....I hosted dinner for 20. I just love having my family around....my son and his new bride traveled up from Virginia; my one daughter was home from college; and 3 of my siblings came for the day along with their spouses and children and 1 grandchild (not mine)...oh, and my Mom, of course! It was mass confusion.....very noisy......but oh, so fun! BUT, along with that came lots of preparation....took me all week to clean the house, shop and prepare. Although, I really have to admit that I did no cooking the day of.....everyone brought something along and my son and new daughter in law cooked whatever needed to be prepared on Thursday and my daughters set up everything. I'm feeling so much better (finally....YAY!), but my stamina isn't back yet, which is kind of frustrating, because the mind is going at full speed, but the body just isn't.....yet!

So, with everything going on this past week, I just wasn't able to get into my stamp room, much less stamp! But, I actually caught a little quiet time earlier this evening and was able to sneak away and make a few cards....it felt so good to touch rubber again!

Without even realizing it, I accidentally combined two Challenges....which, yes, are both late! MaryJo's Sketch Challenge from last Monday has been rolling around in this old brain of mine and I finally decided to use buttons down the side. When I was deciding on colors, I wasn't thinking and just went with those from this past Friday's Bloggers' Challenge. So....we have two in one.....and I really wanted to make a card for each! Oh, well....whatever works, right?!!

You can see MaryJo's sketch here. And the challenge this week to the Bloggers' group was a color challenge: Rust, Blue, Mustard.....I used Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze, More Mustard. These colors are really lovely together! For this card, I stamped the image a few times onto Whisper White in Versamark and embossed with Clear EP and sponged over top to get the colors I wanted/needed......not altogher happy with my sponging....something seems to be a off. But, still, it's OK, and to be honest, I didn't want to start all over again.....so, please be kind!

So, I hope you enjoyed your visit to my little blog today....thanks so much for stopping by. Please take a few minutes to stop by MaryJo's place to see who participated and what wonderful creations were contributed.....AND, of course, you can't miss the Bloggers'.....they are always so creative!

Stamps: Just Believe, Day of Gratitude
Inks: Versamark, Not Quite of Navy, More Mustard, Baja Breeze
CS: Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Misc: Sponges, Clear EP, Small & Large Oval Punches, Dotted Scallop Border Punch, Linen Thread, Dimensionals, Not Quite Navy Buttons(retired), Mini Glue Dots

Beautiful Fall

These two cards have been sitting on my shelf.....and since Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I thought that I really needed to share them with you! Neither was made by me.....aren't they both lovely?

This first one is one I received in exchange for my Fall Challenge card. I'm in love with this card! Look at those colors.....aren't they breathtaking?!! Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rich Razzelberry set against Very Vanilla....just stunning! It's a fairly simple card....but the layout just sets off these images so well. I LOVE this, don't you?!! This set is so beautiful, but not one that I own, so I'm really happy to have it in my collection.

Stamps: Occasional Notes, French Foliage
Inks: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzelberry
CS: Rich Razzelberry, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Misc: Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch

This second fall card is stunning in its simplicity.....it's from my upline. I lent her a few stamp sets and when she returned the sets, this was in the bag as well. Maybe I should lend her stamps more often, huh?!!

These leaves are just so gorgeous! Here they are stamped randomly on two sides of the card in Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, and Cajun Craze. So simple, but so pretty! Nicole set it all off with the Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon and layered it against Old Olive and Cajun Craze CS. Can you say G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S?!!

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Sincere Salutations
Inks: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie
CS: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Misc: Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon

Aren't I lucky to have received them both? And aren't you glad I decided to share?

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving....hope you get to spend it with those you love! Be safe and enjoy.

Easy Peasy Bookmark

A few weeks back I met with my stamp club....we hadn't seen each other in a long, long time. Between my son's wedding in May and my knee surgery in July and then recovery, I just haven't been as available as I wanted to be. BUT, it was fun to see them all again and spend some time stamping together....they are a great group!

So, when we met, they wanted holiday projects. This was one of our projects. This bookmark has been floating around on the net for a long time, but it's the first I had tried it.....and it's just so stinkin' easy! A couple folds, a little layering and it was complete. For those that aren't familiar with this type of bookmark, there's a little flap in the back to fit over a page corner. Since my ladies all have school-age children, I thought this might be a fun little gift for a teacher....just add in a gift certificate to a local book store, and it's done! (They loved this idea!)

Stamps: Just Believe
Inks: Cherry Cobbler
CS: Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler
Misc: Garden Green & Cherry Cobbler Markers, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Scallop Trim Border, Chantilly Lace

Thanks so much for stopping by today...catch you again soon!

Thanksgiving is Almost Here!

This week's challenge was to create a Thanksgiving themed card or project. I have to admit to "cheating" a bit. This card was made a few weeks back for a one-on-one challenge with a Fall theme. Rose, an online friend, who received this card, loved it.....and I have to admit that I was pretty happy with it myself. Since I had not yet shared this with all of you, and with the theme this week being so close to the Fall theme of that Challenge, I thought it was time!

This one was fun to make and has a lot of texture......I can't seem to stop using a combination of embossing folders! In this case, I used the lovely Vintage Wallpaper and, of course, my very "favoritist" of all.....Square Lattice. The focal point was stamped with the wonderful leaf images from Autumn Splendor....don't you just love the richness of the detail in those images?!! Can you tell that the Old Olive layer was also stamped? That same image that you can see in Old Olive on the focal point was also stamped in Old Olive on the matching CS and then put through the embossing folder, and then sponged around the edges for extra depth. Those cute little tags were stamped with images from Teeny Tiny Tags and punched out using the Medium Jewelry Punch. An easy card, really, but has a lot going on without being over the top!

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today! Please take a bit of time to see what the other Bloggers have been up to....you can see the list here. Oh, and I want to wish each of you and your families a wonderful Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have the opportunity to spend it with those you love.

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Teeny Tiny Tags
Inks: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
CS: Natural Ivory, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Cajun Craze
Misc: Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Designer Button (Neutral), Big Shot, Square Lattice & Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folders, Medium Jewelry Tag, Dimensionals

Bloggers' Challenge -- It's a Sketch!

As you may have guessed, this week's Challenge was based on a sketch. Our list Mom, Lisa, (Hi, Lisa....loved this one!) gave us a sketch and we were to interpret it. Honestly, sometimes, I find the sketches difficult...which is probably a good thing because it stretches my creativity....and sometimes, I find them so easy. Like this one...as soon as I saw it I knew what to do! It was just finding the time to create it, take a photo and then post to share with you! You'll probably notice that I turned it on its side.

Well, in an effort to make something different than all the Christmas/Holiday cards I've been making lately, I wanted something completely different.....and this beautiful hydrangea just has not seen enough ink...AND it's perfect for the oval, don't you think?! AND, did you notice something missing? I almost used it, but chose the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder instead.....I figured you were all going to tell me to "step away from the Square Lattice Embossing Folder!" I use it so often, I'm sure I'll wear it out!! LOL

Anyway, the flower image was colored in using my brand-new pastels (Rich Razzelberry, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Wild Wasabi) and then shadowed using the Sahara Sand Marker. And look at that cute "scallop" around the edge of the oval....that was created by using the flower punch from the Punch Pack and a scrap of Perfect Plum CS. Everything on this card is current, with the exception of the way I created the oval. I used the Coluzzel (now retired) because it gave me the perfect size....and I just couldn't get what I wanted with the Big Shot dies.

Thanks for stopping by today and making your visit a part of your busy day....hope you enjoyed your stay! Please check out what the others have created with this fabulous sketch....it's always fun to see the different directions we can go with the same basic idea! You can view the list of participants here....just click on each name and it will take you to their posts.

Stamps: Because I Care (Hostess Level 1)
Inks: Basic Black
CS: Whisper White, Perfect Plum, Bashful Blue
Misc: Pastels, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad, Mini Glue Dots (to hold bow on), Sahara Sand Marker, Punch Pack (Flower Punch)

Lunchtime Challenge #147

First, I want to take a quick minute to thank all those who stopped by over the past few days to visit during the Royal Blog Tour....and especially to thank those who left me a comment. One of the settings was off, so leaving a comment during the first part of the tour was not possible, but some took the time to e-mail me and let me know. THANK YOU! Although the links will be down shortly, you can still view all the blogs that participated for a bit more time by clicking here. (Be sure to scroll down.)

So, today, we have MaryJo's Monday Lunchtime Challenge. You can see the sketch here....it's a bit out of my comfort zone, but as you can see, I did it! The toughest part of the sketch that I found was making everything fit, but as you can see, I stayed pretty true to the original.

I seem to have Christmas on the brain lately (maybe it's from all the shopping I did this past week...the stores are already decked out!), so I grabbed this fun set, Season of Joy. That word background just seemed perfect for that squarish focal point. Check out the little additions....lots of paper piercing. Since there are poinsettias at the top of that stamp, the Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder seemed the natural choice for the band across the card. Everything on this card is currently available from Stampin'Up, with the exception of the ribbon, which has been on my shelf for some time...it's by Martha Stewart.

Stamps: Season of Joy

Inks: Real Red, Garden Green

CS: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green

Misc: Big Shot, Petals A Plenty Embossing Folder, 3/4" Round Punch, Dimensionals, Itty Bitty Shape Punch, Bitty Buttons, Mini Glue Dots, White Gel Pen, Martha Stewart Ribbon

Thanks so much for stopping by today! Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Royal Blog Tour -- Day of Gratitude

Welcome to my little corner of the kingdom! Hopefully, you have enjoyed your travels so far today and have seen some wonderfully amazing and inspiring ideas!! At this stop, I will showcase Day of Gratitude....this set can be found in the current Holiday Mini (so the set is available for only a limited time!). Such a beautiful set!

My first inspiration piece is very simple, but shows off those lovely leaves...they've been embossed in gold and cut out. I just love this look....don't you?!! The medallion was stamped down the side of the Chocolate Chip background in the same color ink for a bit of interest. A strip (a scrap really!) of Autumn Spice DSP was slightly distressed (top) and layered behind the leaves and saying. The finishing touches are the charming button, tied with Linen Thread of course, and the torn/distressed edge.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Inks: Versamark, Chocolate Chip
CS: Natural Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Misc: Gold Embossing Powder, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, Decorative Label Punch

Next up is another simple one....but I just adore these colors together.....I'm such a Crumb Cake fan! Look how fabulous it looks with Early Espresso

and Cajun Craze! The Crumb Cake base was simply stamped with the floral image in matching ink....no need to be precise about where to end because the layers over top cover up any imperfections. The same image was also stamped across the Natural Ivory layer and then layered onto Cajun Craze and Early Espresso....see the distressed edges? To add a bit of interest and texture and a bit of the shabby chic look, I added some gathered Chantilly lace. To really adhere it down, Linen Thread is wrapped around....and it's also tied through the button. Can you tell I'm a real fan of the thread through the buttons? LOL...gotta love that look! That cute little tag was created with the Jewelry Tag Punch and the saying is from Tiny Tags. Simple, really...with just a few extra touches!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Tiny Tags
Inks: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze
CS: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Natural Ivory
Misc: Jewelry Tag Punch, Cutter Kit, Linen Thread, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Chantilly Lace, Mini Glue Dots

Then I have a 3-D item for you.....saw this idea last Saturday at a Shoebox Swap. It was just the cutest idea, so I adapted it to this set! So sweet and simple, too!

The photo shows the top and the bottom, but the bottom portion actually just slips into the top. The base of the box with the tea lights is simply a piece of folded Early Espresso cardstock. The top of each tea light has a small piece of stamped white tissue paper that was melted onto the candle. The sleeve, or box top, uses Autumn Spice DSP which is layered with Cajun Craze and Natural Ivory that was stamped all around. What a pretty little hostess gift for Thanksgiving!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Inks: Old Olive, So Saffron, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
CS: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Natural Ivory
Misc: 1 3/8" Round Punch, Crop-a-dile, Heat Gun (for tissues/candles); Decorative Label Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Paper Piercer, Gold Mini Brads, Linen Thread
You can see a tutorial here to learn how to make these cute little decorated candles and the matching box.

This will take us to my 4th idea (you are almost done!)......this one really showcases that fabulously textured Autumn Spice DSP. Card base is Early Espresso; the medallion was "inked" with markers to give it that multi-colored look. The So Saffron layer was put through the Big Shot (You didn't think I wouldn't use it at all for this post, did you?!!), and then sponged in matching ink, which adds so much depth.....the center circle (with the saying) also was sponged with the same ink. The bow was actually an extra I had on my desktop and it worked perfectly on this card....the "ribbon" across the card is none other than some Cajun Craze that was punched with that wonderful new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude

Inks: So Saffron

CS: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze

Markers: Cajun Craze, So Saffron, Early Espresso

Misc: Wide Very Vanilla Grosgrain, Antique Brad, Circle Cutter, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Mini Glue Dots

Whew! Still with me? Inspired yet? For my last share, I wanted a different color pallet this time around. Another simple layout that has been dressed up for your royal visit! The base is Whisper White with a layer of So Saffron and then topped with the Night of Navy layer that was impressed in the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder....how rich! The ovals were made by first punching the Whisper White layer with the Wide Oval Punch and then they were each layered onto a So Saffron layer created by die, cutting the smallest of the Ovals Die. Then those fantabulous leaves were again embossed and cut out and layered onto the ovals.....aren't they elegant on this backdrop?

Stamps: Day of Gratitude
Inks: Night of Navy, Versamark
CS: Whisper White, So Saffron, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Misc: Wide Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread, Big Shot, Ovals Die, Vintage Wallpaper EF, Gold Embossing Powder, Wide Oval Punch

So....are you in love with this set now? I for one, am madly in love with it...can't you tell?!! Now it's time for you to continue on your journey around the kingdom....but before you go, please take a few seconds and leave me a comment to let me know if you enjoyed your stay (I love comments!). Thanks for stopping by and have a safe trip....you are in for lots more treats as you continue on the Royal Blog Tour!

Bloggers' Challenge #176 -- Patriotic

I'm here! I'm here! Yes, I'm late again, but really wanted to participate.....went away for a few days and just didn't have the time to get this together before I left. This was the first (and only) "vacation" I was able to take this year....and it was just so nice to get away! Just a few days down in Myrtle Beach....a fun couple of days with my hubby, sister and BIL. The guys golfed; we ladies went shopping!

Anyway, here's my submission for this week's Challenge. I have to admit that I did a double take when I saw the theme....Patriotic? It's Fall....it's getting cold.....and the holidays are coming! Oh, well....whatever! (Wonder what Lisa, our group Mom was thinking....timing is a bit unusual, don't you think?)

There's a "new" technique floating around in cyberland and I so wanted to try it. Soooo easy....soooo fun! (And actually, one I've done before!) I think it's called Inlaid Embossing....but not positive about that. The stars were punched with the now-retired Small Star Punch, the Extra Large Star Punch, and the Big Shot and the Movers & Shaker Die. Except for the layered stars, all were adhered to the Natural White background and then put through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. If you click on the photo, you can bring it up a bit larger and see more of the detail. Oh, and the Natural White background was created with the Top Note Die....put the piece of CS through once and then turn and give it a go once again. The "HB" is also retired, but so perfect for the solid star...and popped up on a Dimensional.

So, there you have it...my out of season Patriotic rendition of a birthday card....but, I guess birthdays are NEVER out of season, are they?! Thanks so much for stopping by.....and don't forget to see what the others have been up to. You can see who is participating, and then visiting their blogs, by clicking here.

Stamps: All Holidays, It's Your Birthday*, Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel

Inks: Pacific Point, Crumb Cake

CS: Crumb Cake, Natural White, Cherry Cobbler, Pacific Point

Misc: Small Star Punch*, Extra Large Star Punch, Movers & Shakers, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon*, Dimensionals, Linen Thread, Designer Buttons (Neutrals)

*Retired

Edited to add: DUH! Forgot about Veteran's Day! How unAmerican of me. We owe our vets so much....guess I just lost track of time. Guess I still have flakey brain syndrome!

My Go Diva Holiday Swap

About a month or so ago, I participated in a swap. This group of swappers (we're calling ourselves the Go Divas.) is amazing and I actually find myself just a wee little bit intimidated by the thought of participating because the cards I receive back are always so awesome! BUT, that doesn't mean I don't participate!.....I LOVE what I get back and I'm always so inspired!

OK, so now I'm thinking it was longer than a month ago, because I remember thinking that maybe I wouldn't be up to it....remember, in August I was still just barely getting around! And making 28 cards can take a bit of time!

But, naturally, I managed....although I have to admit that I didn't stamp a single thing on this card....it was totally created with the Big Shot! Well, I did sponge White Craft ink onto the embossed snowflakes and add the little rhinestones....and tie the bow. Does that count?

Stamps: None

Inks: White Craft

CS: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bashful Blue

Misc: Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Join in the Cheer Sizzlit Strip, Big Shot, Rhinestones, White Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Dimensionals, Sponge

Thanks for stopping by! Don't miss the Royal Blog Tour (November 3 thru 8)....you'll be so glad you visited!!

MaryJo's Lunchtime Challenge -- #146

It feels so good to join in a Challenge again! It's been so long since I've had the time to participate in MaryJo's Lunchtime Challenges, but here I am....finally! Although, I'm a bit behind and this should have been posted yesterday...hopefully you won't mind! Fun sketch and it gave me a chance to use some brand-new rubber!....I just received Aviary. So cute!! Actually, there's a few new things on this card......

One of the really wonderful things about having our stamp sets unmounted, is that not only do we save a ton of storage space, but we can save time as well. Let me explain....you see, I added both bird cages to the clear block and stamped at the same time! Cool, right?!! The birds were added in individually.

So, new things.....I used Poppy Parade CS, one of this year's luscious, new In Colors. It's paired with Old Olive, Whisper White, and Basic Black.....I love the POP of color it gives! The "Thanks" is from that lovely, new Hostess Level 1 set, Afterthoughts. I just "inked" the one word with my Basic Black Marker. And, of course, there's that fabulous, new punch from the Holiday Mini, the Designer Label Punch. (It's so popular that it's currently on backorder...sorry!)

What do you think?...isn't this just so much fun?!! Thanks for stopping by today....hope you enjoyed your visit. Please don't forget to come back soon.....and don't miss the Royal Blog Tour beginning this Thursday, November 4 thru Monday, November 8 . You can begin here and hop around to different blogs....we'll all be linked together. You are going to really enjoy the trip!

Stamps: Aviary, Afterthoughts

Inks: Basic Black, Old Olive, Poppy Parade

CS: Whisper White, Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Old Olive

Misc: Basic Black Mini Brads (Neutrals Collection), Wide Oval Punch, Designer Label Punch, Paper Piercer, Dimensionals, Wide Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Basic Black Marker