Get Well Soon, Samantha!

A sister demonstrator of mine (my sideline) just found out that her daughter, Samantha, needs to have her thyroid removed. I know from experience that when one of your children is facing surgery it is a very scary thing! Thankfully, her prognosis is good. I made this simple card earlier today to cheer Samantha up and will pop it in the mail tomorrow. Gotta love that Fun & Fast Notes....makes card projects a breeze!

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes

Inks: Jet Black StazOn

CS: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Watercolor Paper

Misc: Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Brush, Flat Watercolor Brush, 1/8" Punch, Blue Crystal Brad, 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Prints Designer Series Paper in Certainly Celery, Giga Square Scallop Punch*, Window Punch

*Non SU

Weekly Challenge--Color Combo

You know what? I've never done a color challenge before! This was not really as easy as it looks....at least not for me! And as usual, I'm running behind! Busy, busy week as always. But here it is. I really wanted to put together a Thanksgiving-themed card to wish you all a wonderful and blessed day. Hopefully, you will spend it surrounded by those you love.

The challenge was to use Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue and any neutral. I used the Pumpkin Pie only on inking the leaves and shading with Chocolate Chip and Old Olive....an "interesting combo," but I did it!

As always, thanks for stopping by. Hope you will take some time to visit the other bloggers challenges.

Stamps: Sanded, Wanted, Linen, Autumn Fest, Hugs & Wishes

Inks: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip

CS: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Brocade Blue, Whisper White

Misc: Corner Punch, Oval Coluzzel, Corner Rounder, Chocolate Chip Marker, Grosgrain Ribbon*, Paper Piercer & Template (from Tool Kit), Old Olive Mini Brads, Natural Hemp, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

*Brocade Blue now available only in 5/8" width, the 1/4" shown is now retired.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Fall is FINALLY Here!

In fact, I think we're about to head into winter-like weather any day! It's kind of a shame, really, because true Fall weather can be just delightful. The Fall season is so spectacular....the array of colors in the trees is just breathtaking. AND that is the inspiration for this card....just a very simple, basic layout. This is a thank you for a good friend of mine.

Anyway, hope this gives you an idea of how beautiful the trees in my area really can be.....I think they are just passed their peak, but, oh, they were just so beautiful!

Stamps: Take Three, Autumn Fest, Weathered, Sanded
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red
CS: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Ruby Red
Misc: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Corner Punch, Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), Mini Brads (Vintage Collection); Old Olive, More Mustard, Ruby Red, & Chocolate Chip Markers

Weekly Challenge -- Add a Photo

Do any of you have teenage daughters? If you do, then you know how stressful they can make our lives! As for me, I have twin 19 year old daughters. They are attending the local community college....and the fact that they aren't away at school is something they remind me of daily! Suffice it to say that for now, going to school locally and living home is best for them at this time. But, OH, they do make my life stressful! I can actually FEEL the gray popping out on my head every day! And for those of you who have dealt with this species, KNOW what drama queens they can be...and my daughters are NO exception!!

So, why am I mentioning all this? Well, they are my excuse for being so late with my Challenge this week. In fact, I really didn't have a chance to work on the Challenge at all! BUT, I do occasionally scrapbook, and I'm going to show off one of the last pages I put together. The photos on this scrap page are of my hubby when he was just a toddler and then there is also a family photo. Unfortunately, I don't have dates, so I don't know the ages of anyone in the pictures, and these are the only pictures I have of Dennis growing up. His mom moved a LOT (we often said that her furniture all came with wheels!), so many things must have been lost along the way. And she now has advanced Alzheimers, so I cannot even check to see if I can get anymore info!

This showcases a simple layout. There is a lot of paper piercing on this page, and the "stitching" is done with a marker. The photo corners were created by using the small 1/4" square and the 1 1/4" square. Now I own the corner punch, so it would be so much easier to create this look. The only stamping on this page is actually on the photo corners and the retired Wonderful Weaves was used. As usual, the photo really doesn't do the page justice. It IS a great scrap page! (If I may say so myself!!)

Stamps: Wonderful Weaves

Inks: Basic Black

CS: Natural Ivory, Mellow Moss, Basic Black

Misc: Moss Grosgrain, White Gel Pen, 1/4" & 1 1/4" Square Punches.

NOTE: Title is a rub on. Source unknown.

Thanks for stopping by. Now, I'm off to check the other Bloggers' submissions....won't you join me?

Embellish It! Challenge

Ok, so this week's Challenge was to add some "bling." To me, this was like working in reverse, since I typically design a card or scrap page and then add in the embellishments. BUT, for this Challenge, we had to design something around buttons, eyelets, brads, or hardware. This Challenge took me awhile! (Guess that is what is so great about these Challenges....they push me out of my "comfort zone" and force me to create things I wouldn't ordinarily think of!)

Last night I attempted to achieve an entry for the Challenge and came up with this card. While I like the card well enough, it really isn't my style because I think it is just a bit too busy for my taste. Perhaps if I took out the background paper element, it might work a bit better. But the background paper was the inspiration for the color scheme on this....I colored the trees using the "thumping" technique in coordinating markers: Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Close to Cocoa, and the trunks are done in Chocolate Chip. This stamp just cries out for this technique! And since I seem to hoard my Hodgepodge Hardware and Twill Tape, I gave it a go.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree

Inks: Creamy Carmel

Markers: Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

CS: Chocolate Chip, Natural Ivory, Really Rust

Misc: Twill Tape, Hodgepodge Hardware (Aged Copper), Template & Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), Mini Glue Dots, Outlaw Designer Paper

Well, since I wasn't entirely happy with that card, I tried again....but, this time, I'm truly happy with it, although it isn't the Fall-themed card as I had hoped it would be! This card features So Much, the set that I received for FREE when I attended the SU Regional in Philadelphia in September. Note that the Rhinestone Brads are placed inside of the Jumbo Eyelets, and the Black Gingham Ribbon has been colored using the Brocade Blue Marker.

Stamps: So Much, Weathered

Inks: Brocade Blue, Jet Black StazOn, Whisper White Craft

CS: Brocade Blue, Kraft, Watercolor Paper
Misc: Jumbo Eyelets (Antique Brass), Rhinestone Brads (Circles: Light Blue from the Ice Collection), Coluzzel, Black Gingham Ribbon, Brocade Blue Marker, Mini Library Clips (Antique Brass) from the Holiday Mini, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Aqua Brush, Watercolor Crayons (Summer Sun & More Mustard), Cropadile

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Now I invite you to visit the ultra-talented ladies that participate in this weekly Challenge! Can't wait to see all the fantabulous ideas they have all come up with!! Oh, and our list has expanded.....Gerrie Johnnic has just joined. Now there is even more to visit and more to see!

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!