Hello Winter

This week we had about 6 inches of snow so we didn't have a white Christmas, but we had it right afterwards.  I don't mind snow, but don't like it when we get it all at once since it makes traveling and doing home care difficult.  I had nurses get stuck in the snow since the side streets weren't plowed so it was a frustrating few days with the weather.  Now we are to have it in the single digits this weekend.  For my card, I used an image from Imagine That called Miceskate and sentiment from TLC.  The patterned paper is from Imagine That called Christmas Flakes.

Patterned Paper:  Christmas Flakes

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Imagine That (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Snowflake Button:  Dress it Up

Bling:  Mark Richards

Challenges

Sketch Saturday - Sketch 392

CHNC - Ch. 261 Christmas

12 month of Christmas link up - Ch. 12

CHNC Extra - December

A snowflake promise - Ch. 13

Brown Sugar - Ch. 178 Christmas

Eureka - Ch. 173 Snowman/Snowflakes

QKR - Ch. 171 Snowman/Snowflakes

Robyn's Fetish - Ch. 216 Winter

Stacked Christmas Gifts

I don't know about you, but I had a wonderful Christmas spread out over four days, AND I'm still not done.  My brother and nephew had the flu so I need to exchange gifts with his family.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family to spend the holidays with and great co-workers to cover the shifts. I just love the sentiment on this card which is from TLC.  The beautiful image is the stamp of the month Gift Stacks Teddy Bear From the Heart.  Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Patterned Paper:  Recollection

Cardstock;  Paper Studio; Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  From the Heart (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create

Spellbinder:  Grand Circle

Challenges

From the Heart - December stamp of the month

From the Heart - Sketch 132

CHNC - Ch. 261 Christmas

12 month of Christmas link up - Ch. 12

CHNC Extra - December

A snowflake promise - Ch. 13

Brown Sugar - Ch. 178 Christmas

Dream Valley - Ch. 122 Christmas

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 216 Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 406 Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner - Ch. 52

Peace

I just love this image for the progressive challenge at Gerda Steiner.  We so need peace in this world.  I tried to keep it simple and traditional colors which are both difficult for me, hehe.

Patterned Paper:  Doodlebug

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Gerda Steiner - Santa peace

Snowflake pin:  Recollection

Challenge

Try Stampin' on Tuesday - Ch. 250

Gerda Steiner - December Challenge

CHNC - Ch. 261 Christmas

12 month of Christmas link up - Ch. 12

CHNC Extra - December

A snowflake promise - Ch. 13

Brown Sugar - Ch. 178 Christmas

Eureka - Ch. 173 Snowman/Snowflakes

QKR - Ch. 171 Snowman/Snowflakes

Melonheadz - Christmas

Dream Valley - Ch. 122 Christmas

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 216 Anything Goes

Mistletoe kisses

I had the honor of being a Guest Designer for Inky Impressions for their Someone Special at Christmas Challenge.  For this card, I used the Merry Kiss-Mas Penguins.  I used a sentiment from TLC.  I wanted to get this posted earlier; however, I was too busy get presents wrapped and food prepped for the holidays.  I like my new job, but sometimes it does interfere with my crafting life, hehe.

Patterned Paper:  Imagine That - Winter Chill Papers
Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollection
Stamp:  Inky Impressions (see above for direct link)
Sentiment:  TLC, Create
Circle Punches:  EK Success
Snowflakes:  Sizzix
Divine Twine
Brads:  Jolee
Spellbinder:  Lacey Circle

Challenges
A Gem of a Challenge - Ch. 159 Christmas
CHNC - Ch261 Christmas
12 months of Christmas link up - Ch. 12
CHNC Extra - December
ABC Christmas Challenge - Z Zoo Animal
Melonheadz - Christmas
Dream Valley - Ch. 122 Christmas
Eureka - Ch. 173 Snowman/Snowflake
QKR - Ch. 171 Snowman/Snowflake
Brown Sugar - Ch. 178 Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of year

Here in WI it has been colder temperatures; however, we do not have any snow.  There is only about a 15% chance that we will have any on Christmas.  So this will be one of the few that will not be a white Christmas for us.  However, they are saying not to fear, we will have plenty in the rest of the winter months.  For my card, I colored an image from the Imagine That Eskimo Friends Kit and the sentiment is from TLC.  The patterned paper is also from Imagine That Winter Flakes.

Patterned Paper:  Imagine That (see above for direct link)

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollections

Stamp:  Image That (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Circle & Snowflake Punches:  EK Success

Pearls:  Recollection

Challenges

CHNC - Ch. 260 Christmas

Sketch Saturday - Ch. 392

CHNC Extra - December

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

A snowflake promise - Ch. 12

ABC Christmas Challenge - Y is for Youngsters

Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge - Ch. 111 Pearls

Robyn's Fetish - Ch. 295 Snowflakes

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 214 Anything Goes

Inky Impressions - Ch. 279 Non-Traditional Christmas Colors

Teacher thank you

This past semester my daughter did student teaching for a 2nd grade class which she really enjoyed.  She came home last weekend with cards from the students and had to show them all to me, and she even had a box of chocolates from one and some homemade camels from another.  The teacher gave her a bag of new books which she was so excited about as well.  Next semester she will be in a 5th grade class and she said, "They are so big."  We will see if she finds them as cute in a few weeks, hehe.  This is a card that I made for her to give as a thank you.  The image and sentiment are from TLC.

Paper:  American Crafts

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dinations; Recollections

Stamp:  TLC, Create Back to School

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Thank you

Spellbinder:  Pennant

Challenges

CRAFT - Ch.342 Thank you

TTCRD - Anything Goes

CHNC Patterned - December

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 214 Anything Goes

Happy Gregory Day

The other day it was my best friend's husband's birthday.  He was 69 years old.  He had surgery the week before on his face for basal cell carcinoma so he didn't want to go out to eat so instead they cooked a meal at their home that was just wonderful.  Unfortunately, his face is swollen and his eye is black and blue.  It looks more painful than it is he says since he is only taking Tylenol.  This is the card that I made him using a personalized sentiment from TLC.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  TLC, Create - Happy Gregory Day

Spellbinder:  Small Circle, Eyelet Circle

Bling:  Mark Richards

Stars:  Favorite Things

Hemp: Hemptique

Challenges

CHNC Patterned - December

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 90 Anything Goes

Craft Your Passion - Ch. 292 Anything Goes

TTCRD - Anything Goes

Papertake - Winter Birthdays

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 404 Stars

tis the season to sparkle

I just had to get this image because I have lots of cats, dogs, bears and animals; however, I did not have a Christmas skunk.  Then a dressy, stuffy looking one at that so I thought it was too funny.  I just love the sentiment from TLC which I thought was perfect with a little glittery washi tape and brads.  So I hope your sparkles rather than stinks.

\

Patterned Paper:  American Crafts

Cardstock:  Recollection

Stamp:  A Day for Daisies - Christmas Sweater

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Small Circle

Brads:  Recollection

Washi tape: Sandy Lion

Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black

Challenges

Try Stampin' on Tuesday - Ch. 249

12 months of Christmas link up - Ch. 12

CHNC - Ch. 259 Anything Christmas

CHNC Extra - December

A Day for Daisies - Ch. 136 Modern Christmas

A snowflake promise - Ch. 12

The Glory of Christmas - Ch.74 Anything Goes

OSAAT - Ch. 252 The color red

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Ch. 116 Make it Sparkle

Party till you melt

I have one last card for the Catch the Bug Challenge.  I just love this image and thought it went perfectly with the sentiment from TLC.  For this card I chose to use pink and teal colors, which I love non-Traditional Christmas colors.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection; Core-dination

Stamp:  Bugaboo - BUGSC01

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Circle & Snowflake Punches:  EK Success

Divine Twine

Spellbinder:  Teardrop Circle

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Bling:  Mark Richards

Challenges

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Freebie Bingo  (pink & teal, snowman, 3 layers)

CHNC Extra - December

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

4 CC - Ch. 276 Non-traditional Christmas colors

CRAFT - Ch. 341 Christmas

Cardz 4 Galz - Ch. 11 Cute Christmas

Creative Corner - Winter

Crafty Catz - Ch. 305 Sparkle and Shine

Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 285 Snowflakes

QKR - Ch. 169 Snow Scene

Papertake - Fun Fun Fun

Dream Valley - Ch. 121 Die cuts and punches

Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 273 Snowflakes

Melonheadz - Winter holiday

Dragonfly Journeys - Ch. 34 Do you want to build a snowman?

CI - Ch. 339 Let it Snow

CHNC - Ch. 259 Anything goes

He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice

I made another tag using a Bugaboo image along with TLC sentiment.  I think this will be perfect for my 5 year old nephew.  I added some buttons.

Tag:  Wish in the Wind

Ribbon:  Michael's 

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Ink:  Versa Mark:  Red Magic

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Side bear ornament

Buttons:  Stash

Challenges

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Day 6 Wrap it up

CHNC Extra - December

12 months Christmas link up - Ch. 12

ABC Christmas Challenge - Y for Youngster

Brown Sugar - Ch. 176 Buttons

Suzy Bee's - Ch. 110 Add some buttons

CRAFT - Ch. 341 Christmas

Cardz 4 Guyz - Ch. 100 Traditional Christmas Colors

Eureka - Ch. 170 Christmas is coming

Happy Now?

Here is a card that is so true in WI we complain about how hot and humid it is in the summer and then how cold it is in the winter.....except this year.  We have been having unusually warm weather.  Yesterday it was 56 and we are going to have it 59 on Sunday which is unheard of in December.  It is usually in the 30's.  It is questionable if we will have snow for Christmas.  I did add Sakura jelly glitter pen to to the snowflakes.

Patterned Paper:  Recollection

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Stella Happy Now

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Bling: Mark Richards

Sakura jelly glitter pen

Challenges

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Day 5 Pick a treat & make it funny (Spiked Egg Nog)

Stella Says Sketch - Sketch 319

CHNC Extra - December

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

Creative Knockout - Ch. 119 Winter Wonderland

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 403 Add some glitter

QKR - Ch. 169 Snow Scene

4 CC - Ch. 276 Non-traditional Christmas colors

Faith, love and Family Merry Christmas

I have had these cards done, but just need to get them posted for the Catch the Bug Christmas Chaos Challenge.  I just love this new image that came out.  For the Day 4 Challenge there is a Recipe of 1 word sentiment, 2 embellishments and 3 layers.  The sentiment is from TLC.

Patterned Paper:  Webster

Carstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Christmas Moose Ornaments

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Label Ten; Pennant

Gems:  Recollectioin

Challenges

CHNC Extra - December

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 213 Anything Goes

Polkadoodles - Wk 50 Traditional Christmas Colors

CRAFT - Ch. 341 Christmas

Crafty Catz - Ch. 305 Sparkle and Shine

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Day 4

A Gem of a Challenge - Ch. 159 Anything Christmas

Bah humbug!

I made this card for someone who needs a little reminding to be a little more cheerful during the holiday season.  The sentiment is from a great set at TLC.  Hope you are having a cheerful day!

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Crabby cat xmas

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Embossing Folder:  Cuttlebug

Ink:  Distress - Fired Brick

Ribbon:  Unknown, stash

Gems:  Recollection

Spellbinder:  Small and large petite ovals

Challenges

CHNC - Ch. 258 Time to decorate

CHNC Extra - Decorate

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

Show us your pussies - Ch. 1 Christmas

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos day 3 Color challenge

Crafty Creation - Ch. 304 Happy Holiday

Come and Get It - Merry Christmas

Eureka - Ch. 170 Christmas is coming

Snow much winter

I can't complain about the weather we have had it rather warm here in WI.  We actually hit 50, and don't have any snow at this time.  We are having fog in the am which is a problem when trying to get to work, but I haven't had any problems.  For my card, I am using an image from Bugaboo that I colored some time (actually last year) and a sentiment from TLC.

Patterned Paper:  TLC, Create - Snow Dance Papers 6

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - lil Snowman star

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Small and large circles

Snowflake:  Dress it up
Gems:  Mark Richards

Challenges

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Day 2 Sketch

CHNC - Ch. 258 Time to decorate

CHNC Extra - December

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

Dragonfly Journeys - Ch. 34 Do you want to build a snowman?

Sweet Stampin' - Snow time

Crafty Catz - Ch. 304 Let it snow

CI - Ch. 339 Let it snow

Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 273 Snowflakes

Melonheadz - Winter holiday

To someone who is good at being naughty

I made a tag for the Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Here Comes Santa Challenge.  I have been making a lot of cards so I wanted to make something different.

Tag:  Wish in the Wind

Stamp:  Bugaboo - Santa with presents

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Merry Christmas to someone who is good at being naughty

Twine:  Divine Twine

Presents - Dress it Up

Challenges

Catch the Bug - Christmas Chaos Here Comes Santa

CHNC Extra - December

12 months of Christmas link up - Ch. 12 Santa Claus is coming to town

613 Ave Create - Ch. 153 Anything Goes, optional bags, tags and boxes

Cardz 4 Guyz - Ch. 100 Traditional Christmas colors

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Ch. 115 On the day of Christmas

Papertake - Fun Fun Fun

Eureka - Ch. 170 Christmas is coming

Crafty Boots - Christmas

Have a paw-some Christmas

This is the DOTM for Imagine That.  For my card, I used the pre-colored image, and the the sentiment that comes with the set, called Happy Howlidays.  I made another Decorative Corner card.

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp & sentiment:  Imagine That (see above for direct link)

Pinecone:  Target

Circle Punch:  EK Success

Challenges

CHNC Extra - December

12 month of Christmas link up - Ch. 12

The Glory of Christmas - Ch. 73 Outdoor Scene

Robyn's Fetish - Ch. 293 Christmas

Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 272 Cute and Cuddly

4 CC - Ch. 275 Winter

Suzy's Bee Bloomin' - Ch.109

Come and Get It - Merry Christmas

Run as One - A BIG thank you

I was asked by a group of dog owners to create some cards that they could use to give to their judges when they have their dogs in competitions.  They sent me a sheet of stickers.  So this is a card that I am sending out to them for a competition for this upcoming weekend.  The sentiment and patterned paper are from TLC.  And this is becoming one of my favorite layouts which is so simple a Decorative Corner Card.

Patterned Paper: TLC, Create - Puppy Love Paper 2

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Sticker:  from "Run as One" group

Stamp:  Close to my Heart - Pawprints

Ink:  Memento - London Fog

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - A big thank you

Spellbinder:  Big and small circles

Challenges

Brown Sugar - Ch. 175 Anything Goes

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

613 Ave Create - Ch. 153 Anything Goes

Little Miss Muffet - Ch. 126 Anything Goes

O Holy Night

I just love Mo Manning's images.  Her digitals were the first ones I ever downloaded and now I have a hard drive full.  The sentiment is from a gorgeous set at TLC.  I really enjoy making non-Traditional colored Christmas cards.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye

Cardstock;  Core-dination; Recollection

Stamp:  Mo Manning - Herald Harry

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Flowers:  Prima

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Lace: Stash

Spellbinder:  Pennant

Challenges

Cheerful Sketches - December

Mo Manning - Ch. 258 Non-traditional Christmas card with Mo image

A snowflake promise - Ch. 11

CHNC Extra - December

12 month of Christmas link up - Ch. 12

Lacy Sunshine - Ch. 73 Angels Sing

Cardz 4 Galz - Ch. 10 Vintage Christmas

Naughty or Nice - Ch. 22 Show us some Wing

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 212

A newborn King to see

I just love this image From the Heart Snowman Drummer, I guess it reminds me of my kids being in the Nutcracker.  It would drive me crazy getting them to the rehearsals and then it would all be done in over in a few short hours - except my Dad thought it went on forever!  Now I miss it....and my Dad says he will NEVER see another Nutcracker show as long as he lives, hehe.  I have to give him credit, he was a farmer and growing up he worked LONG hours and didn't make it to my performances because he was always working.  However, he never missed any of my kids so he made up for it and they were in a lot and he had to drive 2 hours first and then sit through it and he is not a guy that just "sits" he rather be doing.
For my card, the sentiment is from TLC.  I had to add some pearls and gems since I just have such a difficult time with CAS cards.

Dec 2005....now he marches in the Army

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp: From the Heart - (see link above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - (see above fidirect link)

Pearls:  Recollection

Gems:  Mark Richards

Chalk:  Unknown

Challenges
From the Heart - Sketch 129
CHNC Extra - December
12 month of Christmas link up - Ch. 12
A snowflake promise -Ch. 11
The Glory of Christmas - Ch. 73 Outdoor scene
Dragonfly Journeys - Ch. 34 Do you want to build a snowman?
Cardz 4 Guyz - Ch. 99 Christmas CAS
Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 272 Cute and Cuddly
4 Crafty Chicks - Ch. 275 Winter

Vintage Gingerbread boy

Paulette at TLC had this great image in her Winter Club.  I distress the edges and the paper.  I added decorative straws to look like lollipop sticks.  This is one of the few times that I didn't add a sentiment to my card.  I wanted to keep a vintage look.  Gingerbread is one of my favorite Christmas cookies.

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine
Cardstock:  Bazzil
Ribbon:  Really reasonable ribbon
Gems:  Recollection
Tim Holtz Distress Tool
Straws:  American crafts; Target

Challenges
CHNC - Ch. 258 Time to decorate
CHNC Extra - December
CHNC Patterned - December
12 months Christmas link up - Ch. 12
Cardz 4 Galz - Ch. 10 Vintage Christmas
Polkadoodles - Week 49 Traditional Christmas

I believe in Christmas magic

I usually like to have my Miss Rach Challenge posted by midnight; however, I fell asleep early last night after working my 5 days in a row, hehe.  So sorry I'm later than usual on this.  This week is Christmas in the Sand for the Challenge at Miss Rach.  She has this adorable FREEBIE Santa Starfish.  For my card, I used a sentiment from TLC.  I also sprayed the bottom of my star circle with Plasti-kote stone spray to look like sand.  This will be the last challenge for Miss Rach for December!!!

Patterned Paper:  SEI

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection; DCWV

Stamp:  Miss Rach (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Star Circle

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Gems:  Recollection

Flowers:  REcollection

Plasti-kote stone spray

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch 329

CHNC Extra - December

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 12

A snowflake promise - Ch. 11

A Gem of challenge - Ch. 159 Anything Christmas

That's Crafty - Seasons Greetings

Card Mania - Ch. 75 Christmas

Creative Knockout - Ch. 118 Tis the season

You are a force to be reckoned with

I was trying to get this posted for the  Viva la Verve Challenge, but didn't get posted in time....you know there was a Packer game on tonight!!!!!  I was a little side tracked.  After the way WI is about it's football I hate to say it, but there will probably be a birth increase in 9 months with babies named Aaron or Erin.  Win or lose we support them, and they are notorious for pulling it out in the last few seconds of the game!  This card I made for son who needs a little encouragement right now.  I sent him a card that he received today, and tomorrow he should receive a box of Godiva chocolates.  He sent me a text "Christmas shopping is hard when your Mom deserves an island and you can afford a candle."  It just warms my heart.

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey
Cardstock:  Bazzil
Tag:  Jolee
Stamp:  Verve - Just Breathe
Memento - Tuxedo Black
Hemp - Hemptique
Washi - Sandy lion
Sequins - stash

Challenges
Papertake - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 212 Anything Goes
613 Ave Create - Ch. 152 Anything Goes
Come and Get It - Anything Goes with a sentiment

Let's party

It's Thursday night - so I survived almost a week of work - whew - just one more day this week!  I'm on system overload!  I needed to stimulate the "other" side of my brain the creative side since my analytical brain is in overdrive.  I have made so many Christmas cards I also needed a break from them.  I made a birthday card using this week's colors from Colour Q.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp: Verve - Deco Borders

Ink: Memento - Rich Cocoa

Pearls:  Recollection; Wild Orchid Crafts

Spellbinder:  Pennant

Challenges

Mojo - Sketch 426

Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 88

Craft your Passion - Ch. 290

Colour Q - Ch. 319