Butterfly Wishes and Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all!!!
My new year is NOT starting off very well. I have a cold and have been in bed most of the day with all the nasty symptoms..sneezing, coughing, headache, sore throat, and it goes on. All that after not going to sleep until 3:00 a.m. I think I got it from my sweet 5 month old granddaughter over Christmas. No way to start a New Year and hope it isn't an omen for 2011! This will pass soon, I hope.

Kathy aka 101Airborne on Splitcoaststampers has been named Queen for the Day #41. I wanted to case this beautiful card to honor her.
I used some matching papers and there's not a lot to say about what I did. I made it an easy peasy..just what I needed today..no image, just a sentiment.



Recipe:
Stamps: Stampin'Up! Well Scripted
Paper: PTI cream cardstock, We R Memory Keepers-Explore-Meadow
Ink: Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Accessories: Spare Parts-The Paper Studio butterfly brad, the Ribbon Boutique

My Big Button!

I'm having so much fun catching up on my card making since Christmas. I made this card using the sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge and I really love it.

I'm entering my card into three other challenges:

Fab 'n' Funky #53-Quick and Easy Does It!
Sweet Stampin Challenge Blog-Celebrations (Mine is a birthday)
My Time to Craft Challenge #121-Brand, Spanking New They want something that depicts a new event, new crafting goodies or a technique new to you. Mine are my new goodies. I received the Cuttlebug Plus embossed tags for Christmas and during the holidays I bought these awesome buttons.

I think my card is simple and doesn't need much explanation except for the recipe below. I will say I love the Cuttlebug Plus folders. They emboss and die cut at the same time and also have the areas cut out for sponging while still in the die.

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampin'Up! Well Scripted
Paper: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, PTI cream cardstock, della Fantasia paper pack/matching papers
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Ribbon FX, Cuttlebug Plus-embossed tags, Big Bag Buttons-Damask-Blumenthal, gold metal brad

Stylish Blogger Award

I am almost ashamed to say I received this blog award on December 12 from Kathy Bradley/Entering Kathyville and am just now getting it posted.  Well, you know how crazy it gets at Christmas, Kathy. Forgive me? You should take a look at her pretty cats on her blog..here.

I am supposed to tell you 8 things about myself.

1. I love mysteries-books/movies/all kinds
2. Love organization
3. The ocean is one of my favorite places
4. This girl does not care for cooking.
5. My favorite flowers are tulips, especially yellow ones.
6. I fell on my patio and broke my right leg, left foot, and right wrist (about 6 years ago-maybe more..I've tried to forget). I'm sure you're wondering how that could possibly happen. LOL
7. I am afraid of the dark. (Yes, I am)
8. I love sunsets and sometimes photograph them.

I'm supposed to pass this on to 8 more bloggers but because everyone is so busy now and I would love to pass it to everyone I've met, I will leave it posted here and if anyone visiting me would like to have this award, please take it and tell everyone I gave it to you. Kathy, thank you so much and happy blogging.

Happy New Year! Five challenges

Another big holiday is almost upon us. I'll almost be glad when the holidays are over and I can quit eating.
Sure, like someone is forcing me to eat all these holiday feasts and goodies. LOL I do have an invitation for
some good New Year's food on New Year's night so I'll enjoy myself and try to get control after that.

My card was made for the Stampin B's Design Team challenge #91 hosted this week by Vicki Dutcher and she asked that we make 'celebration' cards. I am trying to add some fireworks and a few balloons and that is probably about as much celebrating as I'll do. Fun night, huh?

I stamped and embossed the fireworks with glitter embossing powder and used the same for the sentiment, adding some gold braid from Flower Soft under the sentiment. The balloons are a punch and more Flower Soft gold braid for the strings.

I'm entering my cards into these four challenges, also:
For Fun Challenges- New Year and what you think it is-I guess I think it is fireworks, balloons, and a lot of sparkle
CES Challenge Blog #17-Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenges-#19-Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp-Celebrate and Party

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampabilities Fireworks Burst, Sentiment is Christmas Words-Hot Off the Press (partial image)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, gold and silver mirror paper, black cardstock from Hobby Lobby
Accessories: Flower Soft gold peel off stickers, Martha Stewart balloon punch, silver and copper embossing powder

Featured Stamper and Three

My family left today and it is very quiet at my house. I need to be putting away my Christmas tree and
have stored some of the Christmas decorations already. But, for the moment it is time to upload a card
and maybe get another one made. I always miss it when I have been away for a few days.

I wanted to case a card of the Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper from this past Sunday. It is LeisaJane and she makes beautiful cards. I chose this card. Isn't her card gorgeous?

I am entering these three challenges

 ColourQ-my gray color is the ink on the flower
Craft Your Days Away-CYDA#10-Use punches and/or die cuts-My punch is the EK Success zig zag chain punch (Christmas present) (ric rak) and the die cut is my flower
Creative Craft Challenges-Anything Goes

I cut out my flower twice and layered for depth. Ran through again to get the Old Olive leaves. While it was still in the die, I sponged with dove gray ink. My ribbon is SU Old Olive with a black and white cording on the top layer. The base is SU Vanilla and the flower and image are on Whisper White layered over black. Of course, you can see the ric rac and larger layer are Kraft papers.

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampin'Up! Well Scripted
Paper: SU Old Olive, Kraft, Whisper White, and Vanilla-Black from Hobby Lobby
Ink: StazOn Dove Gray for flower, Memento Bamboo Leaves (sentiment)
Accessories: Spellbinders Daisy Patch die cut, EK Success punch called zig zag chain, Spare Parts butterfly brad, SU Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, black and white cording from Hobby Lobby

SNOW!!! Happy and Sad Day

                         Pictures taken on TVA Reservation

How about this???? A white Christmas in Alabama! I have never seen this much snow on Christmas day. If we have any snow (which we usually don't) on Christmas, it is usually just flurries. O.K., I know this isn't much for a lot of you but more came. LOL
This is the first time in my life I haven't been able to go out of town to visit with family on Christmas day so it
is really hard. The meteorologists were predicting a little snow but I didn't think it would be enough to keep us home. We decided to try our 2 1/2 hr. trip to my sister's house but the farther we went, the worse it was and we heard another band of snow is expected later today. Plus, we are expecting the roads to be bad tonight. I sure hope my sons and their families get here safely . One is coming from Georgia and the other two hours away in Huntsville but it is worse  there than here.

No Christmas feast for me today. I do have the dishes I prepared to take with me but that isn't like the real
Christmas day meal. Well, things could be much worse so I will try not to be too disappointed.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!!!!

I've Been Tagged!

My blogger friend, Marisa/Rosemary Reflections has tagged me with some fun about 'Four Things'.

Here is what I came up with:

Four shows you watch:
1. NCIS
2. Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel
3. Law & Order: SVU
4. Pawn Stars


Four things you are passionate about: 
1. Family
2. Singing in choir
3. Church
4. Telling the truth

Four words/phrases you say a lot:
1. Good grief
2. Bless your heart! (yes, some of these are southern talk)
3. For Heaven's Sake!
4. Just a minute, just a minute! Especially when I'm on the computer blogging, uploading, or        commenting and someone asks me to do something.

Four things you learned from the past:
1. Never give up on anyone
2. You're never too old to learn
3. How you live your life influences your children and everyone around you
4. Love conquers all

Four places you would like to go:
1. Alaska
2. New Zealand
3. Japan
4. New York City during Christmas holidays

Four things you did yesterday:
1. Slept until 9:00 a.m. (because I woke up in the night for about 2 hrs.)
2. Cleaned up the kitchen after dinner guests the night before (yes, I left it overnight) LOL
3. Went to Lowe's
4. Talked on the phone to my out of town sis

Four things you are looking forward to:
1. Hot summer
2. Seeing my children and other family during Christmas
3. Working in my yard again when Spring arrives
4. Starting choir rehearsals again in late January

Four things you love about winter:
1. Getting it over with (Did you guess I don't care for winter?)
2. Snow,  if we are fortunate enough to get any
3. Warm fireplace
4. Wearing boots and pretty scarves

Four people I've tagged to play along:  (It's o.k. if you have no time as I know everyone is busy, but it is fun.)
Carol-Our Little Inspirations
Julie-Julie Makes Cards
Lynne-Ruby-Dooby-Doo's Stampin Spot
Joanne- .The Inky Ocean Gazer
Please have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I Heart You...Forever

Oh, I'm hearing we may have snow on Christmas day here in my area of of North Alabama. Please don't let that happen as I need to get out of town and back the same day. When it snows here, we don't have all the equipment the Northern states have to clean our roads because we just don't need it very often.
I can't imagine not having Christmas with my family...plus, what would I eat? They would be having a  delicious Christmas meal and I would have to eat a peanut butter sandwich. Yuck!  After that yummy meal, I guess I could make cards all day.

This week at the Stampin B's Design Team blog challenge, Lois challenged us to use ribbon anyway except for a bow or knot. I went with a scrunchy ribbon. I love the ribbon and really didn't want to scrunch it but I will use it later and you can see how pretty it is.

I don't think I could give this to my hubby with the sweet ribbon on it.
I suppose I could make another one and give them to my boys to give their wives, although that wouldn't be the same as if they selected them. You know how they stand for hours in the card store searching for just the perfect card. ~Grin
I really shouldn't say that because my hubby does look for just the right card...I can tell.  They are always very sweet and meaningful

I stamped, embossed, and cut out my hearts and placed them point down inside the Punch All Over the Page. Scrunched my ribbon, added a sentiment and I think it is really easy to see the rest.

Sure hope everyone has a Merry and Blessed Christmas!!

I'm entering my card into five other challenges, all easy peasy. All of them are 'Anything Goes'.
Allsorts #83-Anything Goes
Aly's Sunday Sketch ASC32-Anything Goes
Sugar Sweet Paper Treats-Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly-Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps: Hearts and Stars "1" by Autumn Leaves, Stampabilities-'I Heart You' sentiment
Paper: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler and Pretty in Pink, black cardstock from Hobby Lobby
Ink: StazOn jet black
Accessories: Punch All Over the Page by Martha Stewart-Rose Window, VersaMark Dazzle-Frost, red glitter embossing powder, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, ribbon from Hobby Lobby

QFTD40, CES Challenges

It's ONE week until Christmas and I'm busy wrapping Christmas presents, hubby is out getting up leaves. Thought I would post a VALENTINE card...from one holiday to another. I sure don't need another Christmas card.

I made my card for three challenges:
QFTD40 on Splitcoaststampers: I cased a card made by Jo aka reddyisco. I love her style of cards. Here is her card I cased.
 I changed from her leaves to hearts.

CES Challenges #17 - Anything Goes
Totally Gorguss #61 Make something for someone special  (mine is a valentine)

My hearts are punched and falling into a pile showing a heap of love for that someone very special.
This was an easy card and I just went with stamping and punching.

Recipe:
Stamp:Stampin'Up! Yummy
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler and Pretty in Pink cs, black cs from Hobby Lobby
Ink: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
 Accessories: Stampin'Up! oval and oval scallops, Martha Stewart heart graffiti punch, Fiskars heart border punch, Mark Richards gold metal brads

Our Daily Bread Designs:SNTODBD24, Creative Card Crew, Stamps R Us

I have a tip that I learned the hard way. Don't wear nail polish while making cards. I haven't done that in a long time and thought my nails would look nice manicured. I used to keep them polished but when I started making cards I had no time for that. That is not a good thing, is it? I decided to polish them over the weekend and I can't tell you how many times I have run my finger over the card and it left a slight smudge of color. Ugh! Of course, you know the camera would magnify it a zillion ties So, I would have to start over. Now, the polish has to go.

I used a Sizzix frame for my card and I don't know the name of it. My sister gave it to me and I'll try to find what it is called and post it. It punches out in three sections. I used a gold leafing pen on one section and stamped the sentiment on one. The paper I used was a beautiful, already embossed sheet. I added a wide, light blue ribbon, a couple of flowers, and beading.
I made this card for three challenges:
Our Daily Bread DesignsSNTODBD24-Use a scripture and make it the focal point of your card
Creative Card Crew -Anything Goes
Stamps R Us-Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-Sing for Joy
Paper: Off white embossed sheet from a LSS and no name on it, PTI white cardstock
Ink: Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Accessories: Sizzix die cut frame, Say it With Studs self-adhesive embellishments, blue pearls, Prima spring mix (flowers), 18K Gold Leafing Pen 

Stampin B's Design Team

You sure won't have to read a bedtime story for me tonight. I am ready for the bed. I really didn't do that much today but Mr. Sandman is knocking. Maybe it is just the stress of getting everything finished before Christmas. Do you think we try to do too much and it kind of sometimes takes the wonderful spirit of the holidays away? I do and need to work on that. How??? Not sure. LOL

I am hostess this week for the Stampin B's Design Team challenge. I was thinking maybe everyone would have their Christmas cards made by now and ready to do another kind. I asked that we make a baby or toddler card. I never see to have those when needed.  My card is more for a toddler. I made a trifold pocket card and the tutorial can be found here in Splitcoaststampers resource section.

I love dots and had this wonderful pad of paper with rings and dots and it is all matching paper. I used the Spellbinders circle, scallop nestabilitie and plain circle to cut out the circles to attach to my arched piece of paper. You can pull up the arched piece and leave a sentiment on it or stamp another image...just whatever you want. Added a belly band and placed the train edge punch on it with the embossed sentiment and ribbon on top. Then, added the star and a button.


Recipe:
Stamps: The Paper Studio-Bedtime Baby for the sentiment and the ABC
Paper: Deja Views-The Sharon Ann Little Ones Collection/paper and punch-out tablet
Ink: Night of Navy, StazOn cherry red
Accessories: Martha Stewart edge punch-Train border, misc. button and star, piercing tool, heat embossing tool

Wreath, Our Daily Bread Designs- ODBDSLC41, Stampin' Sisters in Christ #69

I made a couple batches of cookies today and  some fudge, and because I was really wanting to do Our
Daily Bread Design's Shining the Light challenge, I hurried to the craft room. Besides the fun of making my card, the doorbell rang and guess who it was? The postman bringing my order from ODBD. Part of it was a Christmas present  and part of it  was for me. Yea! This made for a good day.

ODBD gave a choice of inspiration and I chose this wreath over the fireplace mantel (shown below). I used the small pine and cones from Sing For Joy and stamped in a circle to make my wreath. As, I was having a bit of a hard time getting my wreath  rounded, I got out a circle nestabilitie and stamped inside it. Worked great! After stamping, I cut it out with the nestie.  I stamped in green and then in brown so I could cut out some out the pine cones and have them brown and popped. You know how sometimes some have turned and some haven't. I put some glitter on the cones and tied a ribbon.
I really have enough Christmas cards and thought I can use this for a winter encouragement card if needed.

So, here are the two challenges I'm doing:
Our Daily Bread Designs ODBDSLC41-Inspiration Challenge
Stampin' Sisters in Christ-Based on this scripture EPH. 4:29, create a card or project that will compliment, encourage, or cheer someone in need of uplifting.---- I don't see how the verse I used could do anything but give encouragement: Ecc. 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Recipe:
Stamps: ODBD Sing for Joy, ODBD Scripture Collection 1
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Greetings of the Season paper pack made for Hobby Lobby-Christmas 2008
Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves
Accessories: Spellbinders circle nestabilities (2), Spellbinders long, classic rectangle set for sentiment, The Ribbon Boutique (Hobby Lobby), Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, glue stick

QFTD39, TLC303, Speedy the Cat's Friends #33

Let me tell you, it is cold down South. It snowed all day yesterday (small flakes) with a terrible wind. The high temp was 28....brrrrrrrrr. Snow didn't stick much at all because of the wind. We get really excited here when it snows because we don't have it that much, but after about 2 days, I don't like it anymore. Today is in the 20's for the high, also. This cold needs to go north and stay. Give me 85 degrees and that is perfect for me.

My card is for the QFTD challenge on Splitcoaststampers to honor Bridget aka bfinlay. This is her card that I cased. Beautiful, isn't it?

My card is also for the TLC303 challenge on Splitcoaststampers to do sponging.

I am entering this card into the challenge for Speedy the Cat's Friends #33 at Mark's Finest Papers to do paper piecing.

The flower is from a stamp set I won playing Speedy the Cat's Friends challenge a few weeks ago. I stamped my camellia 3 times, once on patterned paper  for paper piecing, stamped the leaves once, layered this on my circle nestie, added a ribbon and sentiment and it's finished. Easy!!! Just what I need so I can get to my Christmas baking.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers-Apples and Camellia, Stampabilites-Distressed Background, Studiog for leaves
Paper: PTI vintage cream cardstock and PTI white cardstock, Greetings of the Season dp by Hobby Lobby, Christmas 2008 paper pad
Ink: Memento desert sand, Memento rich cocoa
Accessories: Spellbinders circle nestabilitie, Offray ribbon-French Block Brown

ODBD-SNTODBD23, Flourishes Winter White, A Spoonfull of Sugar, Delightful Challenges

Used the same stamp set for the sentiment as the image above. Placed inside the card.

This may be the last Christmas card I make this season..or maybe not as I love making them so much. I am using a stamp from Our Daily Bread Designs. I love birds and thought this was a beauty.

 I will be sending this to my choir director that leads our community praise and worship choir. It consists of appx. 150-200 voices and sings heavenly music. I don't think he will even mind having the pretty, more feminine bow and brad as he knows what the card signifies.

I decided to do an 'out of the box' technique with this pretty bird as his tail feathers and the branch are so perfect for it. I did the watercoloring of my image with Tombow markers and a watercolor brush, added some glitter to the berries and a pretty ribbon and brad. The die cuts are Shapeabilities listed below in the recipe and I used a Cuttlebug Swiss dots embossing folder.

I am entering this card into four challenges:
Our Daily Bread Designs: SNTODBD23-Christmas Cards
Flourishes: The Winter White Challenge-Wash in white was a pop of color  This is my 2nd entry. With the first card, I used a beautiful Flourishes stamp.
A Spoonfull of Sugar: challenge #133-Christmas card
Delightful Challenges: embossing, wet or day

Recipe:
Stamps: Our Daily Bread Designs-You Will Find Refuge for image and sentiment
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler,Tim Coffey Designer Paper Pad, Canson watercolor paper
Ink: StazOn Saddlebrown
Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilities Fleur Di Lis and Fancy Tags, Spellbinders Labels Four, Tombow Markers and watercolor brush, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, glue stick, Ribbon Boutique sheer blue ribbon, Say It With Studs by Prima Marketing

Stampin B's Star Challenge and Blog Award

The Stampin B's Design Team challenge given by NancyRuth this week is to use a star or stars on your card.
I used a Sassy Cheryl's digi called 'Holding the Star Snowman'. I think he is just so cute. I love snowmen so much I am surprised all my winter and Christmas cards aren't made using snowmen.
My card was an easy one. I cut out the star and gloves, embossed, and glittered. Added a ribbon and misc.
blue button. I colored his scarf with Copics and dyed the ribbon with Copics to match.


Recipe:
Stamps: Digi by Sassy Cheryl's-Holding the Star Snowman, Hot Off the Press-Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: PTI and Georgia-Pacific white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Not Quite Navy, My Mind's Eye-Signature Christmas Holiday Glitter Book
Accessories: Cuttlebug cut and emboss for frame, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, EK Success edge punch-Starry Night (used to punch out small stars on sentiment piece, grosgrain ribbon dyed with Copics, Crystal stickles, VersaMark Dazzle-Frost, glitter embossing powder on large star, Copics for coloring

I am also very excited to receive a blog award from my friend Julie at Julie Makes Cards. Thanks so much!

I get to pass this award to three blogs that inspire me. First, I have to tell you three things about me that make the person I am.

I love to sing and sing in two choirs-church choir and a community praise and worship choir with appx. 150-200 voices
.
I like to needlepoint and that used to be my main hobby BEFORE card creating came along. I especially love pretty, needlepointed sofa pillows.

I really like going to college football games and was a cheerleader in my younger days. Go Team, Go!!!!

I am passing this blog award on to these three ladies who make beautiful cards and inspire me to do better.
Carol-Chocolate Crafts, and Bears, Oh My!
Carol-Our Little Inspirations
Davi-Alstromeria's Artistry

Pay these ladies a visit and enjoy their beautiful work.

Challenges-Flourishes:The Winter White Challenge, Frosted Designs, The Paper Players

I'm home from a trip to see my son and his family. I couldn't wait to make a Christmas card. Let's see, it's been four days since I've been in the craft room. Too long! It turned very cold while I was away and it puts me in even more of a Christmas mood. It was very cold down south the morning I left to come home (20's overnight). You know I had on my Cuddl Duds.

My son and his wife had built a new house and my hubby and I were very anxious to see it in person. Wow!
It was gorgeous. Plus, we got to see our  grandson. He's not quite two so you know that was a lot of fun. They were decorated for Christmas and it was a very special time.

I  made my card for three challenges:
Flourishes: The Winter White Challenge-Wash your card with white and use a little pop of color
Frosted Designs-Use glitter
The Paper Players-Christmas theme or project

I stamped, embossed, and cut out my ornament. Added a little bow and gemstones, then placed it to hang on
the embossing folder hanger with the other ornaments. Of course, you can see I added plenty of sparkle...wanted this ornament to stand out.

Recipe:
Stamps: Flourishes-All that Glitters
Paper: PTI white cardstock
Accessories: VersaMark Dazzle-Frost, Zing embossing powder -Aqua, Cuttlebug embossing folder-Baubles and Bows, aqua gemstones, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, glue stick, silver stretch cording for bow-Bead Party

Stampin B's Design Team challenge

It has stormed and turned cold this week. I will freeze until May. I'll be wearing my Cuddl Dud tops every day to stay warm. If my arms get cold, I'm a goner. It will be a long winter for me. I guess you wouldn't believe me if I told you I wear them in the summer, also (inside). Yes, it is true. LOL

This week's Stampin B's Design Team challenge is a color challenge, use purple and turquoise and something shiny or sparkly. This was truly a challenge for me. I wanted to make a Christmas card and things weren't working so well. But, I found this designer paper with purplish/lavendar trees on it and used  SU's Perfect Plum and a Tempting Turquoise layer. I promise the ornament on the left was Perfect Plum until I embossed it with VersaMark and glitter embossing powder. It turned more blue. My shiny part is the gold trees. They really have a pretty sheen to them. And, my gold Flower Soft braid has a nice, gold luster. Also, the gold ornament paper has some pretty beads on it. Looks like I got it covered.

My time is short and I don't even have time to enter into any more challenges. I'm going farther South this weekend and am really busy getting ready for the trip.

Recipe:
Stamps-None
Paper: Stampin'Up! Perfect Plum and Tempting Turquoise, PTI white cardstock, Martha Stewart Golden Woodland Paper Pad (dbl-sided), ANW Crestwood Golden Swirl
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Flower Soft gold braid stickers for hanging ornaments, giltter embossing powder, VersaMark Dazzle-Frost, EK Success Ornament punch for both sizes

QFTD37, Cute Card Thursday, Christmas Stampin', Ellephantastic Card and Crafts Challenge Blog

Rain, rain, go away....or not. Really, I am enjoying it. I think it rained heavy all night and will probably rain all  day. That makes for a good craft day. Eek! I really need to be doing other things. I'm sure you know how it is. LOL
I'm making my card for four challenges:

QFTD #37 on Splitcoaststampers- The Queen is Kathy aka CAKath and here is the card I cased.

Cute Card Thursday #140 Revisit a previous challenge What a fun challenge! I went far back to their first challenge of 2009, #42 (no title) but the challenge was to use something on your card you got for Christmas or something you bought for yourself over the holidays. I bought this embossing folder over the holidays last year.

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long- #72  Anything Goes

Ellephantastic Cards and Crafts Challenge Blog  #20-Red and Green and/or St. Andrew's Day

I love how the new Punch All Over the Page looks. I stamped the holly, cut out, embossed, and used stickles on the berries. Punched the bell and added stickles to the top and bottom  of the bell (which I don't think shows). Embossed the folder and that's it!
Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers-Snowman Country (sentiment), Stamps Happen-Swirl of Holly
Paper: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive, PTI white cardstock
Accessories: Martha Stewart-Punch All Over the Page, The Paper Studio bell punch, VersaMark Dazzle-Frost, Xmas red stickles for holly berries and part of bell, Cuttlebug embossing folder - Baubles and Bows

Featured Stamper 199, Challenges

I made this card to honor Krischir as Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers. Kris has a gallery of
the cutest cards and  projects ever. I cased this card. I stamped the skinny tree, one on the left was a die cut, and the smallest one was free-hand. I inked the embossing folder and punched the snowflakes, bird, and star.
The snow is torn, white cardstock sprinkled with dazzling diamonds.

I am also entering my card into these challenges:
Freshly Brewed Challenges FBC24- Winter Christmas Theme
The Corrosive Challenge Blog #92-Things That Move  My bird moves/flies, snowflakes move when falling, trees move in the wind
One Stitch At A Time Challenge 41-Celebrate in Style-Bling It Up (I used rhinestone, dazzling diamonds, stickles to bling)

Recipe:
Stamps: Hobby Lobby Christmas 2009 set call Happy Holidays
Paper: Stampin'Up! Kraft, Old Olive, PTI white cardstock, brown scrap, gold scrap
Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves, Rich Cocoa, and Summer Sky for inking embossing folder
Accessories: Martha Stewart Sand Dollar Punch (star), Martha Stewart bird punch, Cuttlebug herringbone embossing folder, The Paper Studio snowflake punch, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, glue stick, Spellbinder 2010 Holiday Tree die cut

Speedy's Friends challenge #31, EtsyInpsired Challenge #116

I am having so much fun making Christmas cards. My hubby is outside doing some Christmas decorating. I got  two trees up and have managed to do a few other arrangements. I need to do my mantle really soon so I can enjoy it for a few more weeks. Unfortunately, the dread of taking it all down and cleaning is with me as I decorate. I really need to get over that.

I have made my card for two challenges:
Speedy the Cat's Friends challenge #31 at Mark's Finest Papers -have a bow on your card (mine is fake (punched)) but a bow just the same)

EtsyInspired Challenge #116 We are to be inspired from paintings and creations  from Heartsong
I was inspired by the awesome blue colors and the bird from Evening Song shown below:

I decided to try a Folded Paper Frame which I really love to frame the dove. I thought the musical paper would be perfect for the dove as birds, even doves sing/coo.
I stamped the dove 3 times, cut out and popped each with dimensionals after stamping each one with VersaMark Dazzle and clear embossing glitter, heating.
The snowflake was punched 3 times, glittered,  and embossed.
I added glitter and chunky Twinklet Diamond Dust to the outer white part of the frame.
The cardstock under my patterned paper and the bow are blue, although it may look black. No matter what I did, the dark, All Night Navy showed up very dark in the photo.

Recipe:
Stamps: Hobby Lobby Christmas 2009 set called Peace & Joy (Made for Hobby Lobby)
Paper: Bo Bunny Snowy Serenade Serenity (glitter series), Stampin'Up! All Night Navy, PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Not Quite Navy for dove, Stampin'Up! Baja Breeze
Ink: Stampin'Up! All Night Navy
Accessories: VersaMark Dazzle-Frost, Martha Stewart Polar Stamp and Punch for snowflake, Twinklets Diamond Dust, Martha Stewart ribbon bow punch, blue gemstone, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds

IC260, QFTD36, Papertake Weekly Challenge, Crafty Creations Challenge

I am now in full swing with Christmas cards....think I have been for quite a while. I love this poinsettia and thought it would work for several challenges. I am so behind and trying to catch up. I watercolored the image and made my sentinent piece

I am entering this card into these challenges:
Splitcoaststampers QFTD36
Splitcoaststampers IC260
Papertake Weekly Challenge  Cut It Out-punches, die cuts, etc.
Crafty Creations Challenge #95 Christmas is Coming! Christmas Theme

Recipe:
Stamps: Recollections set-Christmas Flourish
Paper: Stampin'Up! Old Olive, Brenda Walton Peppermint Twist and Poinsettia Flourish, PTI white cardstock
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots and Snowflake embossing folders,  Spellbinders circle nestabilitie, yellow stickles for flower center, Stampin'Up Dazzling Diamonds, Quickie glue pen, green rhinestones, Tombow markers, watercolor brush, Martha Stewart holly edge punch

EtsyInspired Inspiration challenge #115, Stampin B's #86

I am really so glad to get my card uploaded this morning. Between leaving my cameras out of town last weekend (ugh), going away for Thanksgiving, leaving in about two hours for an out of town college football game, I managed to get a card made, get my cameras back, and get uploaded Whew! What a week.

I made my card for the EtsyInspired challenge #115: You are to be inspired by the Qeen of Tarts Cakes/Queen of Tarts Wafers Etsy Store and was I ever inspired. Yummy goodies galore! The team would also like for you to use squares/inchies, if possible.  I chose this wreath from the cakes as my inspiration.

I am using taglet squares from Flower Soft. I have Flower Soft scattered all over the floor of my craft room. I really thought I was keeping it really clean but the floor is looking a bit green and red in places. I guess that is what the vacuum is for. LOL I stamped  the letters in each square to spell out Joy. Then, I added added a yummy red velvet ribbon.

I'm adding this card also to the Stampin B's Design Team challenge #86. Faith challenged us to make a holiday card.

Recipe:
Stamp: American Crafts clear stamps-alphabet
Paper: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke, PTI white cardstock
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Flower Soft Holly and Ivy Taglets, Celebrate It red velvet ribbon, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder,  Flower Soft colors-Christmas Green, Shamrock Green, and Poppy Red

Stampin B's Holiday Card Challenge

Wishing everyone in the U.S. a happy Thanksgiving.

This week Faith is hostess for the Stampin B's Design Team challenge and she asked that we make a holiday card. I never tire of making Christmas cards and will be sad to see it pass.
I'm using an image I've had for a while and never inked. I really do like it and will try to use it more.

Let me tell you it has been a bad week. I went away last weekend and left both my cameras. I haven't been able to upload all week and it has been driving me crazy. I had to borrow a camera from my friend to get this
card photo. Ugh! I will get my cameras back tomorrow and be in business once again.
We hope you'll join us this week and let us see your holiday cards. The Stampin B's challenge is located here.

Recipe:
Stamp: Stampabilities - One of the Joys
Paper: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler, PTI white cardstock
Ink: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Martha Stewart ribbon bow punch, Spellbinders scalloped nestabilitie, clear embossing powder, clear rhinestones, Celebrate It ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder-Flurries

Stampin B's Design Team, Speedy's Friends

This week, Joanne/jojot  is hostess for the Stampin B's Design Team and her challenge is snowflakes, snowflakes, snowflakes. I think I have it covered.  My card has a variety of snowflakes but they are not stamped. My sister had sent me some rub-on snowflakes and I thought this was the perfect time to use them. I added some blue gemstones to the centers of some of them, made my sentiment tag, punched a snowflake for the top, added my cording and that's it. If you would like to join this challenge, it is located here.

Speedy' Friends challenge #29 at Mark's Finest Papers this week is to have a snowflake on your card so I am entering my card into that challenge, also.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot Off The Press-Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Baja Breeze
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Bo-Bunny Midnight Frost Rub-On, rhinestones by Queen & Co., Bead Party Elastic Sparkle Stretch Cord, Martha Stewart stamp and punch snowflake, Stampin/'Up! Dazzling Diamonds

Speedy's Friends -Mark's Finest Papers, EtsyInspired Challenge, Anything Goes Challenge Blog

I am using my favorite stamp of all time. I love snowmen and there is something about this one that sends me into a happy dance. Actually, I am just using part of the image. This time I wanted to cut out only the wind-blown snowman and pop him up. I also stamped the image again on Night of Navy and wet embossed  the scarf with white embossing powder and popped it on. I have dry embossed snowflakes on silver mirror paper and it really embosses so well.  I rather like my scrunchy ribbon, too. Added a sentiment that I thought was just perfect and that's it.

I am entering my card into these three challenges:
Speedy's Friends --Mark's Finest Papers Challenge #29-Use a snowflake on your card (I  think I got that covered).
Anything Goes Challenge Blog #24-Emboss It

EtsyInspired Challenge #114 -My inspiration was  this necklace. It reminded me of a scrunchy ribbon, which I added to my card.

Recipe:
Stamps: Rubber Cottage-Let it Snow
Recollections stamp for sentiment
Paper: Stampin'Up! Night of Navy, silver paper from Hobby Lobby, PTI white cardstock
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder-Snowflakes, RibbonFX in navy, white embossing powder, VersaMark Dazzle Frost

Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge, Crazy 4 Challenges, Just Add Ink

I'm  exhausted because I've put up two Christmas trees yesterday and today. I know it is early but I think I start a little sooner each year. All the decorating is hard work and I want to enjoy it before it is time to take it all down. I will be out of town for Thanksgiving so the two holidays will not be clashing at my house.
I am such a lover of pretty ornaments and have all kinds on my trees. I guess that is why I chose the paper I did for this card.

I have made a very simple card following the sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #23.

I am also entering my card into these challenges:
Just Add Ink JA143-Just Add Christmas
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C63 - A Christmas Card or Item

This card was so easy, just layering one sheet of this pretty, double-sided designer paper and the opposite side  for the corner. The paper came with a sheet of die cuts and I used a matching one for the sentiment but also used a punched piece on top of a section of it for the sentiment. I stamped the holly on watercolor paper, colored, cut out a small section of the image, and used stickles on the berries. I sometimes like to use 140 lb. watercolor paper for embellishments because it makes them stiffer, thicker,  and a bit bendable.



Recipe:
Stamps: Stamps Happen-Swirl of Holly, Hot Off the Press-Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler, Fancy Pants Design-Christmas Magic-On the Tree double-sided dp, Canson watercolor paper
Accessories: Tim Holtz distress powder (peeled paint), Tombow markers, watercolor brush, Xmas Red stickles, matching sticker from Fancy Pants Design, Stampin'Up! modern label punch for sentiment

Turning on the Twinkle-Challenges

I made my sparkly card toay from several challenges. Today on Splitcoaststampers is a Queen for the Day challenge. The newly crowned Queen is irishgreensue. I cased this card of hers. I tried to keep the sketch and changed the image and moved the sentiment.
I am also entering my card into these challenges:
Tip Top Tuesday #9-Use an image/sentiment
Crafts & Me Challenges #17-Glitter
Crafty Purple frog Challenge-Sparkle
Anything Goes Challenge Blog #23-the letter 'B' ( Mine is Bow and Ball/ornament)

Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and happy weekend!!!!

Recipe:
Stamps: Northwoods Rubber Stamp, Inc. - Michele's Ornament and Holly (F1918), Printworks Collection-Turn on the Twinkle
Paper: Stampin'Up! Perfect Plum, PTI white cardstock, Canson watercolor paper
Ink: SU Perfect Plum, StazOn jet black
Accessories: Tombow Markers, watercolor brush, Spellbinders Classic Scallop-square-lg, sheer sparkly ribbon, blue gemstones, stickles in Xmas Red, purple, and waterfall (blue)

A Wintry Cold Snap

Stampin B's Design Team hostess this week is Vicki Dutcher and she challenged us to make a 'Home' card.
I didn't have a stamp suitable for this challenge so I used a digital image from Stamp-n-doodle. I watercolored the barn, house, and moon. Then, for a wintry, icy look, I sprinkled Twinklets diamond dust and dazzling diamonds in the snow, trees, and on some of the rooftops. I thought this image called for a country ribbon and I placed a pretty brad in the center.
We would love for you to join us this week.

I'm entering my card into these challenges:
One Stitch At a Time challenge #38-Winter Wonderland
The One Stop Craft Challenge Blog #105-Embossing

Recipe:
Stamp-Digital image called Cold Snap from Stamp-n-doodle
Paper: Stampin'Up! Real Red, PTI white cardstock, Gray cardstock from Hobby Lobby, Canson watercolor paper
Accessories: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Twinklets Diamond Dust from FloraCraft, Holiday Inspiration ribbon from Jo-Ann Stores, Tombow markers and watercolor brush, Tim Coffey Studio18 epoxy stickers

Nightmare on Challenge Street

OMG, what a morning..all because I decided to do a challenge. Actually, I had planned to make no cards today and get some things done in my house...you know, cleaning, laundry, etc. I noticed this morning as I was commenting on some blogs, a couple of my friends had entered and won at colourQ Challenge Blog so I thought I would just take a peek at their challenge. Big mistake!!! I knew I didn't have time but I noticed Arielle was from Alabama. Geez, this must be a sign that I should do the challenge as I am from Alabama, too. LOL Any excuse. So, I take off for the craft room all smiles, get my card made, all the while thinking I didn't want to use Taken With Teal. But, it turned out that I liked it. Then, I took my photos and went to colourQ's challenge blog and thought my computer colors must be off because everyone's Teal was looking Artichoke.
Wham! That is when I noticed I had used the colors from last week's challenge. Just shoot me! I head back to the craft room (not smiling this time), made the card again still using the Very Vanilla from last week's challenge, even after printing out a picture of the colors I was supposed to use. Once more, I had to tear that apart and use Kraft and White.
But, the good thing is, I could still use my cut out images. What a plus!!! I now have my card finished...AGAIN. I am uploading and hoping it is correctly colored. For more aggravation, I didn't have Early Espresso and swapped for Chocolate Chip. Also, I subbed Cajun Craze for Peach Parfait. I stamped the leaves and sentiment in Chocolate Chip.  I slipped my pumpkins, gourds, and acorns inside the pocket I made and they are held by dimensionals.   Would you say I had a bad morning??????? O.K., I didn't cry but wanted to. BOO HOO!

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampin'Up! Autumn Harvest and Falling Leaves
Paper: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Kraft, Whisper White
Ink: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folder (brick wall), twine Martha Stewart pumpkin punch
for stem on my sentiment. I punched the sentiment with my pumpkin punch, then cut around the sentinent leaving only the stem as it didn't fit too well. I think it still looks pumpkin-ish.

Pine Needles and Cones- Challenges

I love this pine needle and cones stamp set. I used it a bit back for a masculine card and it was just perfect.
I wanted my needles and cones to have any icy look of winter so I added Dazzling Diamonds for the sparkle.
In my opinion, Christmas needs lots of glitter. I punched the bows and snowflake with a Martha Stewart punch. The snowflake is a punch and stamp. I stamped three times and layered for dimension, then added the glitter.
I used the sketch from Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge #22 for my card. This was a lot of fun deciding what to do and seeing what others do with this sketch.

I am also entering my card into these challenges:
Sir Stampalot Challenge for November-Christmas Traditions
Craft Your Passion #31 - Double Anything- I doubled my nesties (one on top of other)
Paper Sundaes #43-Let it Snow (snowflake)

Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts-Needles and Cones
Hot Off the Press-Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler, PTI white cardstock, dp is from Provo Craft & Novelty
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa and Bamboo Leaves, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Spellbinders circle nestabilitie, Martha Stewart polar stamp and punch, Martha Stewart bow punch, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, dimensionals
Technique: Out of the Box with the brown pinecone stem

Christmas Frame - 3 challenges

While rummaging through my Christmas scrapbook drawer this morning, I found this beautiful frame from a Carol Wilson Fine Arts, Inc. scrapbbook kit. I don't scrapbook since I started making cards and thought this would make a pretty Christmas card. I stamped a Christmas tree on a seperate sheet of cardstock and attached with tape to the back side of the frame. I really would like more of these.

I'm entering my cards into these challenges:
Speedy Friends at Mark's Finest Papers blog-Use piercing
CCEE1044-Winter Scene
Pattie's Creations Design Challenge, challenge #3- Make a Christmas card or creation

Recipe:
Stamps: A Muse Artstamps-Snowladen Tree (I see no snow??)
Stampabilities-Merry Little Christmas
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Deja View 4 Leaf Magic
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Carol Wilson Scrapbook Kit for frame, Darico self-stick gems, Offray ribbon, piercing template from Angel's Landing

QFTD34, Free for All F4A37, My Time to Craft, Creative Cottage Challenge Blog

Whew! I'm in such a rush today. Have family coming to visit tonight an for the weekend so I need to be doing other things. But, I just had to make a card today for the Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers, Michelle aka Shellapoo. What a very special person she is. She is stricken with MS but finds time to send lots of cards to chemo kids. What a wonderful mission in life. Since she has been unable to make cards for a while due to her disease, we are case-ing her gallery and making lots of cards to send her to mail to sick children and sympathy cards for family members who have lost their children. Michelle will be so delighted and appreciative.

My card is also for Splitcoaststampers Free for All, F4A37 'Tail Waggin' Greetings'...something with a tail. I made my little doggie with an Out of the Box technique. His little tail barely sticks out. LOL

Entering my card into these challenges:  My Time to Craft Challenge #113 - Quick and Cute
Creative Cottage Challenge Blog #26 - Use wet or dry embossing
Recipe:
Digi image called Pawprints from Victoria Case Art Designs
Paper: Stampin'Up! Daffodil Delight, PTI white cardstock, gray cs from Hobby Lobby
Accessories: Cuttlebug houndstooth embossing folder, Ribbon Boutique houndstooth ribbon from Hobby Lobby, Mark Richards crystal stickers, Spellbinders deckle nestabilitie, Tombow markers and brush for watercoloring

Santa's Helper - 4 challenges

It's the Stampin B's Design Team challenge #83 and Lois aka clownmom gave the challenge to use an animal in a die cut. Well, I found a way to make this into a Christmas card, naturally. I am trying to get my list narrowed down. I think this little popped up Santa's Helper is so cute and must be checking out the skies to make sure it is clear before take off...he is certainly looking skyward.

My card is also entered into these challenges:
Craft Your Passion Challenge #30 - Anything Goes
Wee Memories #29-Free For All, Anything Goes
Tip Top Tuesday #8-Christmas Inspired

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampabilities-Santa's Helper, Hot Off the Press-Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: SU Real Red  and Baja Breeze,  white cardstock
Accessories: Martha Stewart snowman scene edge punch, Cuttlebug herringbone embossing folder, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Spellbinders oval nestabilitie, Tombow markers and watercolor brush, American Crafts-Christmas Trees ribbon, dimensionals for popping up top nestie and reindeer.

Snowflakes - Challenges

It's been a few days since I have posted a card. I had to do some things beside crafting and I was anxious this morning to get in the craft room and get a Christmas card made. I am late for the Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper challenge, FS195 but want to honor CheryQuiltz with a case of her card here.
I used different punches, stamps, etc. but kept her sketch. I didn't have Cheryl's stamps but my sister had just given me this set that I love. I had to make larger circles but I like it just the same.

My card is also entered into these challenges: The Paper Players challenge #22 - Anything Goes
Speedy the Cat's Friends #27 - Make a Holiday Card
Creative Card Crew- Let's Punch It
Lexi's Creations #26-Anything Goes

Recipe: Stamps- Bo Bunny Midnight Frost Clear Stamps, Hot Off the Press Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: SU Night of Navy, PTI white cardstock
Ink: Stampin'Up! Night of Navy, Versa Mark Dazzle -frost
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder-Snowflakes, 3/4 " EK Success circle punch, 1 1/4" Stampin'Up! circle punch, 1 3/4" EK Success circle punch (Paper Shapers), white embossing powder, craft ribbon                                                                

Inspiration Challenge, Speedy's Friends, 4 Crafty Chicks

Happy Saturday! Here it is Halloween and I'm ready for all the goblins and ghosts that will come. But, today I'm in a Christmas mood. I love this tree by Impression Obsession and added a little snow and ice to it for a wintry look and then placed my little bird on the lower branches.

Challenges entered: Speedy's Friends  #27  Holiday Card
4 Crafty Chicks #9 Roll With the Punches-use punches or die cuts
Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers

Recipe:
Stamps: Impression Obsession-Small Twiggy Tree, Hot Off the Press-Christmas Words (sentiment), bird is an inchie stamp-unknown company
Paper: Stampin'Up Real Red, Bazzill white cardstock, Graphic 45 Christmas Past Collection dbl sided Letter to Santa
Accessories: Stampin'Up Dazzling Diamonds, Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page-Woodland Branch/ Bird and Branch, gingham ribbon, Liquid Applique

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge, Queen for the Day, Old Churches

I love old churches and I when I am on trips I always take my camera to get pictures of  the churches and their cemeteries. Maybe one day I can write a book about them and show my photos. LOL For anyone interested, I am going to show you just one. I am showing and telling  a bit of the history behind it...you know, 'show & tell.
My card today is for the Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers. This challenge is posted every Friday and this person will remain Queen for the rest of the week until another one is appointed. Today it is Hilda aka Broom. I cased one of her adorable 'mouse' cards. I am still into making Christmas cards so I changed my image from a mouse (Hilda's) to a house...church house, that is. I guess my love for old churches inspired me to buy this stamp. I really love it.

I am entering my card into the 4 Crafty Chicks challenge-Use die cuts or punches

Now to show my church and cemetery that I came upon as I was coming home from Orange Beach, AL
This church is located 8 miles east of Demopolis, AL. It is a Carpenter Gothic style built in 1873 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in Nov., 1973 and declared a National Landmark at the same time.

Recipe:
Stamps: A Muse Artstamps-Village Chapel,  Hot Off the Press-Christmas Words set (for sentiment), small trees are inchie stamps from Hobby Lobby
Paper: Stampin'Up! Real Red cardstock, white cardstock, Canson water color paper
Accessories: Cuttlebug herringbone embossing folder, liquid applique, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Tombow markers, Offray ribbon -Old/Gold, Star is by Christmas Crafts-Let it Snow