Happy Thanksgiving

I’ve been writing on Facebook for the last several days about what I’m thankful for.  I thought I’d share them here.  These aren’t in any particular order, just what came to  me that day.

1. I'm thankful for my brother and sil, Ron and Gayle, for having Thanksgiving dinner at there house.

2. I'm thankful for all the friends that I've met through UofU transplant group and other online transplant forums. Especially for meeting Jim and Kitty who I hope come home to Boise soon!

3. I'm thankful for my family for all the help that they give me when I'm unable!

4. I’m thankful for the doctors and nurses at the University of Utah!

5. I'm thankful for my card making hobby and all of the blogging friends that I've met!

6. I am thankful that a beautiful young lady and her family found it in there heart to donate her organs so others could live and see.

7. I'm thankful for my sister, Alice, who comes over every week to change Tuxie's litter box and always helps me with anything I ask!

8. I'm thankful for my sister, Rose, and her family for letting me live there and for taking care of me while I was getting my transplant!

9. I'm thankful for my fur babies! Chloe, my puppy and Tuxie, my kitty!

10. I'm Thankful for my warm comfortable home!

Well that ended up to be an even 10!  I know I said it above, but I’m thankful for all my blogging and cardmaking friends over the last year!!!  I will show you just how thankful with a couple of giveaways on my blogoversary in just 45 days.  Stay tuned!!!

Blessings on this Thanksgiving Day,

Christine

Fairy Moon

It’s Wednesday, so that means it’s another Flutter By Wednesday. Yay!!! Our challenge this week is to use a circle or circles on your card.

I just couldn’t resist this set from Clear Art Stamps. There are all kinds of cute fairies to believe!!!

Isn’t she just adorable? I watercolored her to match this beautiful Basic Grey Two Scoops DP. I also added a little glitter glue to the moon and stars to give them the added sparkle that a fairy always needs! The sentiment on the base card reads “Thank You.”

I’m addicted to these easel cards, can you tell? I need to get off this kick a bit! Try some different things.

If you would like to play along with the Flutter By Wednesday challenge, you can go check out all of the other lovely DT blogs by clicking on their links on the right sidebar and then going to Danni’s Dreams to link up your card. Danni has also mentioned that since the holidays are right around the corner, angels "flutter by" too so feel free to add angels to your creations for the holidays.

Challenges:
Card Patterns -- sketch
Flourishes -- thank you
Creative Card Crew -- favorite things (fairy)
Stamp Something -- thank you
2 Red Bananas -- I am thankful

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Today is also a new challenge at Just Buggin’. The challenge this week is Sew It. Use some kind of stitching (machine, hand, faux) as well as a Cricut cut. You can make anything you'd like as long as it fits with the current challenge. The creations by the design team are being posted each day of the week so check every day to be inspired. My day is Tuesday so I’ll be posting my creation on Tuesday.

Blessings,

Christine

Elizabeth Bell Santa’s Sleigh Full of Candy

This is my THIRD post today. Please scroll down to see more. My Just Buggin’ challenge post is below! Don’t forget to look for my Baby Christmas card!

The one and only Elizabeth Bell is giving away a sleigh full of candy. I’m not sure I want to tell anyone about this, but here goes anyway.

This giveaway includes 31 (yes I said thirty-one) stamps!!! They are stamps that were recently released to the four shops that she draws for (SCACD, Belles ‘n Whistles, Whiff of Joy and Lady Bug and Friends). See, the reason why I’m telling you about this is, that when I win, I will hold my own blog candy to give away some of the stamps to some of my lucky readers.

Okay, okay, you said you want all 31? Well, that means you need to go to Elizabeth Bell’s blog and enter for yourself!

I promise, if I win, I will share!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Just Buggin’ a Bird

This is my first challenge as a member of the Just Buggin’ design team and I tell you what! There are some very talented ladies on our team. They amaze me with each and every creation.

Our challenge this week was Triple Whammy! You need to use at least three die cuts on your project. I have nine and they are all from the Winter Woodland cartridge.

I love making a kind of scene when I use the Cricut cuts. I think overlapping images gives the card some cohesion.

I used all S.E.I. Winter Song patterned and solid paper. I cut out the window using the blackout feature in the dark red a little larger than the light blue cut. I then cut the three trees in the darker blue to layer under the window.

The cardinal is two cuts: one in the red floral print on the tummy and one in the light red. I hand cut a little off the tummy so the red floral would show through. To bring the cut to life, I scored, using a stylus and ruler, the lines that would make up the feathers on the birds wings. I cut the sentiment twice (once a little larger and in blackout) and added glitter to the top cut. I didn’t have gems to match so I colored some white pearls with my Copics.

I have found that the easiest way to add fine glitter to small areas is to use a glue pen. I have two sizes of tips so it is very simple to choose the right size for the job.

Thanks for stopping by to see my creation today. You still have today to join in the challenge so what are you waiting for? Go create!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Baby Christmas

Another Christmas card! I seem to really be in the groove with these Christmas cards. I think I’ll have most of my cards done without having to mass produce! Yay!!!

I think I love this image so much because she reminds me of me!!!! She reminds me of the snow suits that my mother would bundle us up in to go outside to play. We were six kids in a two bedroom trailer house so if she could get us out of the house, she did!!! Besides, there were always tons of kids to play with in the trailer park!

The little Christmas baby is from a wonderful set of vintage Christmas images from Clear Art Stamps. I cut and matted her with my nesties and cut the corner with my Cuttlebug. The DP is Basic Grey Eskimo kisses and the buttons are also Basic Grey.

You can kinda’ see the glitter on her fur in this picture.

I think I’ll be doing a non-Christmas card for Flutterby Wednesday tomorrow. I don’t remember when I last did a non-Christmas card.

That’s it for tonight. I’ve got a couple of DT cards to do so I’ll be working on that tomorrow!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
2 Sketches 4 U -- sketch
Whimsy Stamps -- Christmas
Stamping Vacation Pick 3 -- bows, buttons, glitter
Spoon Full of Sugar -- baby’s first Christmas preschooler
One Stop Crafts -- snowflakes
Bizzy Becs Creatilicious Challenge -- Christmas with snowflakes and sparkle

Joyful Wishes

I’m really a fan of the clean and simple style of card making but it doesn’t come simple for me so I’ve been practicing it a bit.

I was trying to go with the collage aspect from this post on the Cards blog. I used a Hero Arts wood stamp and heat embossed it then cut it into the shape of an ornament adding a small piece of velvet ribbon to replicate the ornament hanger. I cut a tag with the George cartridge at 2 inches and added an eyelet and some ribbon. I glued a piece of tiny pom-pom trim to a piece of lace. I added that as well as a small piece of DP. (All the DP is Basic Grey Eskimo kisses.)

I laid it out and moved it around and around again and around. Then I finally decided on this layout. It took several pictures of it and as I was editing the picture, I realized it wasn’t balanced. I then added the the pink rhinestones in the upper left corner. I like it! What do you think?

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Saturday Spotlight -- ornament or card with ornament

Gypsy Giveaway

The new Gypsy Spot Challenge blog is giving away a brand new Gypsy to one lucky follower.  If you have a Cricut, this is a great tool to add to your arsenal.  Go check it out!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Peace on Earth

I’m, once again, guest designer on the Winter Wonderland challenge blog. This weeks challenge is no Christmas stamps or Christmas paper on your creation.

I bought this Sizzix die last year to use on my Christmas cards but didn’t get around to making Christmas cards last year. That’s really changed this year, huh?

I chose to go simple with my card since I wasn’t using Christmas paper. I mounted the die cut on a circle and mat cut with my nesties. I embossed the backing paper with a CB snowflake folder and tied a bow around it. I thought about adding some jewels to the embossed snowflakes but I think that would have just detracted from the cute image! But I did add a little doodling to the cut.

You can’t see it in the picture but I rubbed Versa Mark ink on the snowflake and embossed it with iridescent embossing powder.

The Bee Crafty challenge is today and I’ve scheduled a post to go up later so be lookin’ for that!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Corrosive Challenge -- embossing
Colour Create -- red green white

We’re Gonna’ Bee Wrappin’

Our challenge this week at Bee Crafty is to use sparkle on your card! When I heard about this challenge I new that I would have to use one of her adorable fairies. I put Shimmerz on EVERY fairy wing that I color.

These cute little fairies are the Wish Fairies – Christmas. Aren’t they adorable trying to wrap their presents. I watercolored them and then added Shimmerz to their wings. I then cut out the little boy so I could have him flying above.

The DP is all DCWV and I did another easel card. These are so easy and fun to make I think I will be making more and more of them. I punched the borders with the MS doily lace punch, added a few jewels and then tied it all up with a ribbon. The sentiment is Studio G.

If you would like to play along with the Bee Crafty challenge, follow the link to see all of the other ladies beautiful cards and then make one of your own. You just need to follow the theme and use a digi image on your card.

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Sophisticat Challenge -- sketch
Tuesday Taggers -- red gold and green

Snowman Rolling By

One more Christmas card done! This stamp is from a cute set at Clear Dollar Stamps. The wagon comes with a number of accessories so you can make cards for different occasions – hearts, fireworks, birthday present/balloon, etc. Plus, when I went to find the link on their website, I found another fun accessories set that I will be ordering soon!

I watercolored the image and matted and cut it out with nesties. I added two black buttons for the tires. The DP is Cosmic Cricket Jolly By Golly. The “Rolling By with Some Holiday Cheer” sentiment is from the Clear Dollar Stamps set. The “Merry Christmas is from Studio G.” I added some buttons to hold up the easel card and a pretty bow to top it all off.

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I found out today that my sister, Rose, will be going to the hospital at the beginning of December for heart surgery. She has rheumatic valve disease and this is her 3rd valve replacement surgery. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t, each time, a very serious surgery. That being said, I will be spending most of the month of December in Utah. Rose and her family took care of me after my transplant so I’m honored to be able to return the favor.

But never fear, I will be bringing my Cricut and a good part of my crafty room with me!!! I’m going to try to get as many DT assignments done as I can before I leave, so that I won’t have to worry about bringing some specific things with me.

That means I get to spend Christmas with Rose’s family again this year. I’m really looking forward to that!

Now, off to make my card for the Bee Crafty Challenge this weekend. I’ll be sharing that with you on Saturday!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Clearly Inspired Challenge-- 5 (I chose 5 buttons)
StampARTic -- pink Christmas card

Thursday Thunks

I forgot to post my Thursday Thunks last week.  I really missed it so I’m not doing that again!!!

Welcome to the November 19th version of Thursday Thunks!

This week we will answer some crazy questions brought to you by Kimber, the color of a clown fish and the number 10595.

 

1. If you won a brand new house in a Dream House Giveaway would you move into it, sell it to pay the taxes and make a profit, rent it out or give it to a family member/friend who might need it? If it was in my town, I’d move in and borrow the  money for the taxes.  If not, I’d sell it.  Come to think of it, I’d probably sell it and buy a new house bigger than mine but not as big as this one!!!

 

2. Are you good at billiards?  No, despite growing up with a pool table in our home.  My Dad used to say, “What the heck are you shooting at, girl?”  I was playing with a guy a few years ago and he actually said the same thing!

3. Does anyone on the planet really want to see Levi Johnston naked in Playgirl (other than when Bristol Palin did)?  Definitely not!!!  I hope his 15 minutes of fame runs out SOON!!!

 

4. Is your phone ringing right now?  Huh, I can’t hear ya’ over the persistent ringing my ears!

 

 

5. Do you think man has eaten or tried to eat every type of animal on the face of the earth at one point or another? If not, what don't you think man has tried? I think if they could catch it or shoot it, they would.

6. The new movie Avatar has been showing sneak peeks and been hyped to the max. Will you see it? I haven’t heard of it but based on the name, no.  I must be living under a rock!

7. If a slightly bigger fish eats a small fish, then a bigger fish immediately eats that one, then an even bigger fish immediately eats that fish and then finally a huge fish eats the one that just ate that fish and it gets caught by you... how many meals will you have from that one fish?  Who cares, I don’t like fish!

8. If you had an appointment with the doctor and all the plants in the office were dead, would you still see the doctor?  Since I can’t grow plants either, I don’t think it I’d care.

9. Have you ever seen the number 666 in a dream? Oooo – spooky.  I have not that I remember

10. "At 20 years of age the will reigns, at 30 the wit, at 40 the judgment."~ Benjamin Franklin

So what happens at 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100?  At 50 the sore body!  I don’t want to know after that!!!

 

11. Would you want your phone number to be (area code) 123-4567?  There goes that phone again!!!  I don’t think so.  I grew up with my phone number the same as my street address so I’ve tried to do the same when I can.

That’s it for this Thursday.  I couldn’t think of very many clever things to say.  Not many laughs this week I guess. 

Blessings,

Christine

Fluttering for Santa

I think this little fairy is about the cutest that I’ve seen!

She just couldn’t stay awake any longer. She’s my kind of fairy though; leaving cupcakes for Santa!!! She even left some carrots for the reindeer.

The challenge at Flutterby Wednesday this week is open. You must have a butterfly or fairy on your creation or, if your making a holiday card, you can have an angel.

This adorable fairy is from Charmed Cards and Crafts and I watercolored her. I cut the card base with the Winter Woodland cartridge and the weld feature in Design Studio. I then cut a red scallop circle to the same size and a circle out of the green. I cut and matted the fairy with my nesties. The DP is Debbie Mumm and the ribbon is Bazzil Basics.

If you would like to play along with the Flutter By Wednesday challenge, you can go check out all of the other lovely DT blogs by clicking on their links on the right sidebar and then going to Danni’s Dreams to link up your card. Danni has also mentioned that since the holidays are right around the corner, angels "flutter by" too so feel free to add angels to your creations for the holidays.

Challenges:
The Pink Elephant -- sketch
Cupcake Craft -- digi image

Today is also a new challenge at Just Buggin’. The challenge this week is to have at least three Cricut die cuts on your project. You can make anything you'd like as long as it fits with the current challenge. The creations by the design team are being posted each day of the week so check every day to be inspired. My day is Tuesday so I’ll be posting my creation on Tuesday.

Blessings,

Christine

Cozy Christmas Home

I got this beautiful stamp a couple of months ago from Auntie Amy.  I love these type of images because they are so great to watercolor but the first time out of the gate can sometimes be a little hard to paint.  This was no exception but I think it worked out ok anyway.  I love how this beautiful old Victorian home is framed with the greenery and cardinals, don’t you?  Since the image itself is intricate, I decided to put the card together very simply.  I double matted the image in green and then red and then mounted it on a green card base and added a trio of rubies.

That’s it for tonight!  I finished my card for Winter Wonderland (I’m GT on Sunday again), I’m almost finished with my FBW card and this week is another Bee Crafty week.  I’ve yet to make that card.

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Secret Crafter -- four seasons
Gingersnap Creations -- cozy home

Snowy Snow Globe

Isn’t this little guy just the cutest! He is a small Hero Arts stamp that I got at Archivers. I watercolored a little blue on his body and colored his hat blue with red stripes on the band.

I got these little acetate bubble circles at Archivers as well thinking that they would be great for snow globes. They work out great, don’t they. This is the first time I’ve used them and the first time I’ve made an easel card. I would do both of them a little differently next time but, all in all, It worked out okay. I added some sugary glitter to the bubble as well as a few seed beads in colors to match the DP.

The DP is Cosmic Cricket Jolly By Golly (love this paper). I cut some snowflakes with the Doodlebug cartridge on my Cricut and then glued some sugary glitter on them and a rhinestone in the middle.

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Cupcake Craft Challenges -- snow much fun
Crafty Creations -- snow
Creative Belli -- Christmas embellishments
Cute Card Thursday -- glitter
Crazy 4 Challenges -- acetate
Sunday Sketch and Stamp -- sketch

Winter Wonderland with St. Nicholas

A long time ago, I was chosen to be guest designer for the Winter Wonderland challenge blog. The challenge this week is St. Nicholas. You can interpret it however you would like!

I decided to go with a vintage shabby feel. The St. Nic and sentiment are both Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz stamps. I watercolored St. Nic and then cut and matted him with my nesties. I got the DP at Hobby Lobby and added some vintage buttons from my stash. I strung some ribbon through some lace (from my stash) and attached that to the card. I love these vintage images, don’t you?

Come back next week because they’ve asked me to be GDT for two weeks! Yay!!!

Blessings,

Christine

If you’ld like to play along with the Winter Wonderland challenge, go to their blog and check out all the lovely DT projects!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Everybody Art -- distressing
Charisma Cardz -- Christmas
Paperplay -- 2 papers 1 ribbon 3 buttons
Stamp Something -- sketch
Gingersnap Creations -- buttons

Linens and Laurels Giveaway

I’m sure you remember me telling you about my friend, Nancy at La Chambre Rose. She’s the one who sent me a package of beautiful trims from her shop, Linens and Laurels, to use in my cardmaking and other crafts. You can get some of her beautiful trims (like the rose trim above) for yourself with the $25 gift certificate that she is giving away. Yes, you heard that right. She is giving away a $25 gift certificate so you can get lots of beautiful trims to use on your own creations!!! She has some beautiful new Christmas items in stock as well.

Just head to her blog and leave a comment on her 11-14 Pink Saturday post!!!

Blessings,

Christine

I’ve Kind of Been MIA

Sorry I haven’t been around much lately!  I’ve had a migraine on and off for 2 weeks now and haven’t been creating or blogging much.  I think the headache is gone now so I’m trying to get around to visit everyone. 

Tomorrow, I’ll be watching Boise State football and creating in the afternoon.  This is our big in-state rivalry with Idaho State University so I’ll be watching for sure.  Unless things get to crazy in the game, I’ll be painting and creating too.  I have some DT cards to get out of the way but I hope to get some things created just for fun!!!

Hopefully, I’ll be back later today to bring some new creations your way!!!

Blessings,

Christine

So Thankful on Veterans Day

Our challenge at Flutterby Wednesday is “Thankful” and since Flutterby Wednesday just happens to be on Veterans Day, I decided to make a thank you card for all the Veterans out there.

I couldn’t get a good photo of this card tonight so I decided to just scan it instead. I’ll try to get a better photo tomorrow in the daylight. Scans just don’t do justice to the cards either.

I love this beautiful stamp from Tim Holtz. I chose the beautiful Indian Summer DP from Basic Grey and then watercolored the image in colors to match. I added the buttons from the same line and then added the ribbon. Bada-bing, done! The sentiment is Autum Leaves.

If you would like to play along with the Flutter By Wednesday challenge, you can go check out all of the other lovely DT blogs by clicking on their links on the right sidebar and then going to Danni’s Dreams to link up your card. Danni has also mentioned that since the holidays are right around the corner, angels "flutter by" too so feel free to add angels to your creations for the holidays.

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There’s a challenge at Just Buggin’ today but since I only found out that I was on the DT yesterday, I didn’t have time to participate. For those out there that there with Cricuts, the challenge this week is Animal die cuts! Use an animal die cut on your project (If you don't have an animal die cut shape, make one out of another shape! Think google eyes!!)

That’s it for now! See ya later!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Pile It On -- leaf or leaves
SophistiCat -- wings
The Pink Elephant -- thankful
Whimsy Stamps -- watercolor

Just Buggin’ You with Some Good News

I made the Just Buggin’ Challenge Blog design team!!! Yay!

Blessings,

Christine

Copic Practice

I played around with my Copics yesterday and yes, they do take some getting used to. However, I think that blending and mixing colors with my watercolor paints has been very helpful in learning how to use the Copics. Here’s the result of my first practice session.

I didn’t buy the recommended stamp because I already had this digi from Digital Ink Co. I should have numbered them so you could see the progression. I did bottom right, bottom left and then top right. Now, if I could just learn to color like they taught in kindergarten (between the lines) I’d be set. But since I didn’t go to kindergarten, I don’t know that I’ll ever learn to color between the lines.

Just thought I’d share.

Blessings,

Christine

Noah Update

I have a second, very important post below.

Remember Noah – the little boy with terminal cancer that I made the Christmas card for.  He has a Carepage that I’ve been reading since I heard about him on Friday morning.  His mother has been updating it each day.  I too have a Carepage about my medical issues so I had easy access to Noah’s Carepage.  I thought I would share her entry for today with you.

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Hello Everyone!

What a week! Scott and I have had a hard time wrapping our brain around how much support and compassion we have received from people all around the world!!! Noah was the 17th most googled topic on Thursday and 12th on Friday!! Unbelievable!!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone for the support! Thank you to everyone that listened to my requests for peace. Thank you to Mindy for setting up security for my front door today!! Thank you to the South Lyon Police, Fire, and Post Office for the help and support over the past week. Today was the first day that I could relax. We had a person sitting out front guarding the door. My family and I didn't have to worry about whether the person walking up was going to knock or ring the doorbell. Yes, I do have a sign on the door.

I just wanted to note something interesting. Last Saturday, I posted a little note on this carepage -- it said that we were celebrating Christmas this week. If you would like to send Noah a card, send me an email and I will give you my address!! Our friends and family have repeatedly asked us for something to do to help. Asking for a Christmas card was something simple that many people could do. They posted it on Facebook and BAMMMMM!!!!!!! Next thing I know, we are receiving thousands of cards and packages. Tuesday -- 64, Wednesday -- 416, Thursday -- 2,600, Friday -- 5,100 and Saturday -- ??????? At least 10,000. Yes, you read that right -- at least 10,000.

We are opening and reading each and every card. This is taking some time. It is just humbling, shocking, incredible, astounding... the outpouring of love for one sick little boy.

Friday night, Noah loved meeting Santa. He wasn't so sure about the fire truck or Santa coming on the fire truck. We waved from the balcony. Noah feels safe in my bedroom. That's where he spends most of his time. He wouldn't come out of the bedroom so Santa went in. He sat on the floor and opened presents with Noah, Scott, and I. Then I went out to make sure everyone was doing well and Santa sat right next to Noah. Noah wrapped his arms around Santa's neck and wouldn't let go.

The smile on his face was worth it. He smiled from ear to ear.

Saturday, Noah loved opening presents and let me tell you -- there isn't a shortage of them!! We had a crew at the house and he would pick which person he wanted to play with and that person went into the bedroom and played. When he had enough, he would sleep. We decided to have Santa come on Friday for two reasons. 1.) Santa needed to have time to get back to the North Pole. 2.) Noah needed a day of rest between the big events.

Today was a very merry Christmas! Noah, my mom, and I woke to a Christmas tree in our front yard, fully decorated with wrapped presents underneath. Noah thought that was the coolest thing. Again -- the smile said it all. He spent most of the day in my bedroom. No shocker there! He was stingy with his happy face today. He slept quite a bit and he seems to be hurting again.

Noah is having pain in the left elbow and upper body. This is all new pain. However, he's stubborn as a mule and won't let me give him any IV pain meds. We keep increasing his Methadone which we did on Friday. That hasn't seemed to help much. You can see the difference in him. You can see him slowing down. You can see him in pain and just plain getting tired. He's just at that point.

No matter how hard this is or how painful it is, Scott, my family, and I can say one thing -- Noah had Christmas today. And for that, I am grateful.

Merry Christmas Everyone! The world helped make it special for Noah, my family, Scott, and myself. I can guarantee one thing -- This week was a week that none of us will ever forget.

Thanks

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This is such a caring and wonderful story in the midst of the world as some see it today!  People really do care.

Blessings,

Christine

Simply, Thank You

Bee Snowy

I totally forgot to post my Bee Crafty card yesterday. It must have been the excitement over my new Copics. Oops!

The challenge this week is an inspirational photo challenge.

I decided to use the colors in the photo and make a non-traditional colored Christmas card.

I used the Whimsical Girl with Snowman image to create my card for this challenge. Isn’t she adorable!!! I love Bee Crafty’s new Christmas images.

If you would like to play along, just go to the Bee Crafty blog and take a look at all the other wonderful projects by my fellow DT and then create something that fits the inspiration using a digi image.

I watercolored her and cut and matted her with my nesties. The DP is K&Co. and I used the MS doily lace punch (which you can’t see much of). I added some Blingz to the snow and some homemade flower soft to her coat and hat. I then added some pink pearls to the corners and to the lacy edge.

Now, about the homemade flower soft. This is so easy and so cheap you won’t believe it. I saw it on another blog but can’t remember where. If anyone knows, please leave a message so I can give her credit.

I bought some Styrofoam balls at the dollar store. They sell in a pack of different sizes. I took two of the same size and placed them in a zip lock bag and sealed it with no air inside. (This is to keep the mess at a minimum.) The lady on the tutorial didn’t make a mess at all but I seem to make a mess do everything.

Anyway, by rubbing them together you create styrofoam powder. Then you just glue that on your image. I then placed the leftover in an old makeup container. The tutorial also said that you can color your fake flower soft with re-inkers or watercolor paints. I haven’t tried that yet though. The white ‘flower soft’ worked great and is soft and sparkly on Whimsical Girls coat and hat.

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Mojo Monday -- sketch
Creative Card Crew -- ribbons and gems
LaLa Land -- pink

My Mystery Order

If you read my FBW post, I mentioned that I ordered something that I’d wanted to for a long time.

Copics!!! I’ve wanted these since I first saw them on the blogs in February. I found a Copic Kit Club at the Paper Maniacs online store. They send you a workshop sheet along with the required Copics each month. You can order a corresponding stamp if you would like. I ordered the October kit (it was the 1st kit) and the November kit. I also bought stamps to go with November. Each month I will get the workshop sheet and 8 (I think) Copics. As I go through all the kits, the colors won’t be repeated. For those that might be interested, they also offer a Copic Ciao kit at a lower cost. I think this will be a great way to get my Copics with colors that I will be able to blend and shade with but spread the cost over time.

Okay, now I have to go and play!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Repeat Three Times

I don't need more Christmas paper
I don't need more Christmas paper
I don't need more Christmas paper

I don't need more Christmas stamps
I don't need more Christmas stamps
I don't need more Christmas stamps

I don't need more Christmas ribbon
I don't need more Christmas ribbon
I don't need more Christmas ribbon


Blessings,

P.S. I was just looking at my post and realized I had written "I don't need" and not "I won't buy". he-he-he (sinister laugh)

Snowman Soup

I got a facebook message this morning from Danni of FBW, about a 5-1/2 year old boy, Noah, who is in the last stages of cancer. Is parents are planning on having Christmas this weekend and one of his wishes is to get as many Christmas cards as he can. I think that’s the least I can do for this brave child.

I don’t think he will get it before their weekend Christmas celebration but I’ll be mailing it tomorrow.

This little snowman soaking in a hot tub full of cocoa is about the cutest image I’ve seen. It’s from Dustin Pike. I watercolored in blues and browns (adding Shimmerz to the snowflakes) and then cut and matted him with nesties. I then chose some paper from the DCWV Christmas paper stack. I chalked all the edges and then stamped the Studio G sentiment with S.E.I. Ink Blue chalk ink and added some pearly dew drops to the corners. I added a ribbon charm that says ‘hope’ on it. His parents are diligently working to find a cure for the Neuroblastoma cancer that Noah has.

If you would like to send Noah a card as well, his address is: Noah Biorkman, 1141 Fountain View Circle, South Lyon MI 48178.

Blessings,

Christine

Challenges:
Stamping Vacation Pick 3 Challenge -- snowman, scarf, hat
Cute Daisy May -- blue Christmas
http://squigglefly.blogspot.com/-- blue, silver with a handing embellishment
Lili of the Valley -- 3 papers, 2 stamps, 1 type of embellishment
Spoon Full of Sugar – sketch
Color Create --

Hope for Jaimie Hop

I have a sad story to tell you.

“On October 4^th, 4 teenagers armed with knives broke into a home in a small town in New Hampshire. Alone and sleeping inside were a mother and her 11 year old daughter. These 4 boys broke into this home with the intent to rob and kill anyone inside. They stabbed the mom, Kimberly Cates, to death and left her daughter, Jaimie, for dead in their driveway. It was a completely random act, their home was chosen only due to its secluded surroundings."

We, as individuals, can’t do much to stop this kind of selfish violence but we can do something for the victims.  The papercrafting community is asking us all to take a minute to remember Jaimie and her father and to, if you can, make a card for her and send it  to the address above.

I made this card for Jaimie.  Sorry about the crooked picture. I made it simple so that I can mail it to her without having to take it to the post office.

The blog hop starts at Kathrina’s, from Wiff of Joy, blog.  I’ve seen it on a few other blogs this week as well.  There are several blogs participating and several giveaways as well.  Although, I don’t think anyone is participating because of the giveaways. 

Blessings,

Christine

Thinking of Flutterbys

It’s Wednesday once again so that means it’s Flutterby Wednesday! 

A simple card for this weeks challenge.  I used some S.E.I. checkerboard DP and punched the MS butterflies with coordinating S.E.I paper. I then stamped the sentiment (Hero Arts I think) with S.E.I. chalk ink.  I guess It was an S.E.I. kinda’ night.

There’s a reason why I took the easy way out tonight.  As I was leaving my craft room carrying my dinner tray tonight, I tripped on my cable cord and went down.  The good news was that I didn’t spill any of the leftover food on my plate!  You should see the plethora of cords at my feet.  I’m a little bit sore in a few spots but especially my ring and little finger on my right hand.  I didn’t really feel like creating at that point but talked myself into doing something simple since I LOVE Flutterby Wednesday. 

The challenge is open again this week because we have a guest designer.  I don’t know who it is so we’ll all be surprised when we look at Danni’s blog.  If you would like to play along with the Flutter By Wednesday challenge, you can go check out all of the other lovely DT blogs by clicking on their links on the right sidebar and then going to Danni’s Dreams to link up your card.  Danni has also mentioned that since the holidays are right around the corner, angels "flutter by" too so feel free to add angels to your creations for the holidays.

I did something today that I’ve wanted to do for a really long time (no it wasn’t the fall, silly) .  I’m so excited I have to say something but all I’m going to say is that I ordered something.  You have to wait and see what it is.  I want to take a picture just to show you how excited I really am!

Blessings,

Christine

Thanksgiving Table

I love this image I got from Auntie Amy’s online shop. Hopefully I will get a chance to color it again before fall is over. The weather is beautiful here this week so I think we’ll have at least a couple more weeks of fall.

The DP is Debbie Mumm and I water colored, of course. I tied on some ribbon and some raffia, added a few buttons and we’ve got a card!!! I love water coloring these more detailed images. I kind of feel like I’m actually making a painting!

I used the sketch from Card Patterns; the challenge at Crafty Creations is thanksgiving; Creative Belli is raffia; 2 Red Bananas is red, yellow, orange and brown; and Gingersnaps Creations Random Redhead challenge is thankfulness.

I’m off to make my card for FBW and I’m going to try to get my Bee Crafty card made early for this Saturday. Plus I really want to participate in this blog hop for a little girl whose mother was tragically and randomly killed. They are doing a card drive for her to show her that people really do care!

That’s what I’ll be doing tonight, how ‘bout you?

Blessings,

Christine

Wisteria and Butterflies

A couple of months ago I ordered some Tim Holtz stamps from Stampers Anonymous and hadn’t had a chance to ink any up yet. I love the vintage feel of the Tim Holtz images.

I watercolored in purples and blues with just washes and broad strokes. All of the DP, as well as the brads, are Basic Grey Wisteria. I added some flowers, gems (on the butterfly) and ribbon from my stash.

I even decorated the inside to match!

I used the sketch and challenge at Truly Scrumptious. Their additional challenge is three flowers, three gems and three brads. This card also matches the colors in Color Throwdown, Paper Play challenge is foreign words, and the One Stop Craft challenge is some kind of text or writing. The Spicy Supplies challenge at Gingersnap Creations is brads.

That’s it for tonight but I’ve got another image painted and ready to finish tomorrow! Yay!!!

Blessings,

Christine

Joy to the World

I have another simple card that I may be able to duplicate several times for bulk Christmas cards.  I’m kind of trying to decide what I’m going to make.  Maybe I’ll make so many that will be easy to duplicate that I’ll have all my cards done!!!

I stamped the Hero Arts image/sentiment with Versa Mark ink and embossed with Zing red embossing powder and then cut it out with nesties.  All the paper (except the white) is from the S.E.I. Winter Song stack.  This paper is one of my favorite S.E.I. papers.  I was trying to not spend much money when I was there last week but ended up picking this up at the last minute.  I just couldn’t go home without it!!!

Anyway, back to my card.  I used the MS doily lace punch and added rubies to it.  I also added a few rubies to the stamped image and here and there on the DP.  I tied a bow around it all and bada-bing – all done!!!

It turned out to be a fun yet elegant card, I think!

The challenge at Flourishes is border punches, Tuesday Taggers is bursts of color, La-La Land Crafts is ribbon, and Daring Cardmakers is to use a punch.

That’s it for now.  I’ll probably be back in a bit with something new.  Who know?

Blessings,

Christine

News Bulletin: Giant Tilda’s Attack Snowy Village

I bet I got your attention with that one, huh?

This is my first try making a stair step card. Planning is a huge issue with this type of card. I had it all planned out but then didn’t follow through with them all. The most apparent being that the middle Tilda should be closer to the edge of the card. You can’t quite see the cute “Merry Christmas” that Tilda in the back is holding. All in all, I think this turned out quite cute.

In this photo, the colors lose a lot of intensity with each step up. The front and the back Tilda’s are actually very close to the same shade. That’s one reason I arranged them that way. I’m definitely going to try a stair step card again.

I watercolored the Tilda’s in shades of blue and made a brunette, a blonde and a redhead (that sounds like the start of a joke). I used the directions on the Project Tuesday blog for the stair step card. All the DP is from DCWV Holiday Collection – the Christmas stack. I cut the trees with the Cricut Joys of the Season cartridge.

The challenges at Project Tuesday is a stair step card, Spoon Full of Sugar is cooking (one of the Tilda’s is holding a spoon) and the Creative Card Crew is snowflakes. I originally started this card for the Just Magnolia challenge which is monochromatic. I hope this OK even though there’s a little green in the DP.

Thanks a lot for coming by. I hope every one had a great Halloween!

Blessings,

Christine