LOVE

I'm bacccccck! It has been quite a while with the renovations and Christmas. Glad to be here.

I'm glad to get back to stamping so I can honor Sabrina aka Cook22 as Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers. I am on a DT with Sabrina and I see her awesome creations every week. She has over 2000 cards in her gallery so I had no trouble finding something to case. I chose her Baroque Christmas and loved it. I decided it is time to make a few Valentine cards so this is what I came up with.

I embossed my image with silver powder and punched out a heart to hang.

I'm entering my card into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge-Anything Goes

 Hope everyone is looking forward to a special New Year's Eve. My hubby went out of town today and I'm hoping he returns in time to celebrate with a dinner out. Have a fabulous 2013.

Recipe:
Stamps-BasicGrey Insignia Stamps, Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Love Remains (sentiment)
Paper-Stampin'Up! cherry cobbler and Kraft cardstock, black cs from Hobby Lobby, DP is Bo-Bunny back to back basics/Love Letters Air Mail
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Martha Stewart lace scallop heart punch, VersaMark Dazzle, Zing opaque finish silver embossing powder, Mark Richards silver metal brad

A Tree and a Card

I thought I would give you a glimpse of my Christmas tree. I am surprised I have one with all the renovations that have been going on. I have a few packages under the tree and more to wrap. I really didn't wrap my packages very pretty this year...no time. Everyone is just fortunate to get a gift. LOL  One more day is all I have left to get that and several other things done.
Yes, I cut the top of the tree off. There is an angel and a star at the top. Oh no..cut off the most important part..sorry.

I hope no one made my recipe I left on my blog when I did my last post. I made it twice and it flopped both times. I don't have a clue why unless it is because I used reduced fat peanut butter or what. Hope yours didn't flop if you made it. I threw mine down the garbage disposal. I promise I have made it several times and it is good.

I do have a card. I wanted to make a card for Stephanie aka SmilynStef as she is the latest QFTD on Splitcoaststampers. Her card is sooooo pretty but I got off track with mine and hope it resembles it a bit. I'm sure this will be my last Christmas card of the season. I don't really need one but I can save it for next Christmas.

I'll probably be missing after this post for about another week. My family will be coming in and stay for several days.

I want to wish everyone a Christmas filled with many blessings and wonderful times.

 Recipe:
Stamps- Stampin'Up! Christmas Punch set (snowflakes on banner), Hot off the Press/Christmas Words
Paper-Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke, PTI white cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Martha Stewart snowflake punch, clear rhinestones, hand cut pennants, Liquid Applique for snow on the flakes

Birthday Snowman

I can't believe I've found time to make a card. I've really missed it. What has it been? Three or four weeks, I'm thinking. An update on the renovations...It's mostly finished but I don't have the backsplash tiles installed yet and that is not a pretty sight. You can imagine how it looks after the cabinets were
removed. It just won't get finished before Christmas. I have worked very hard this week getting everything back into bathroom and kitchen cabinets so I thought I would treat myself to making a card.

I need a birthday card for January and thought this snowman would be good for that very cold month.
Hopefully, with fingers crossed, we'll have some snow in my southern state. Not likely, but it does happen. You can imagine how excited we get when that happens. :-) This card is going to my sister
and she also lives in AL.  I'm sure she would like some snow, too.

I have a recipe to share, also. I think my blogging pal, Emily, at My Little Slice of Bliss really wants it. Emily had a wonderful recipe for peanut clusters on her blog last year...so yummy and also an easy recipe.  Some of you may have my recipe. If not, it is good and easy peasy to make. Don't worry about the calories until after Christmas. LOL

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

 

1 bag Zachary’s Old Fashioned Chocolate

Covered Crème Drops

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tbsp butter or margarine

 

Combine all ingredients in a microwave safe

bowl.  Microwave on high for 2 minutes.  Stir until

all ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Pour into an 8x8 pan.  Let set 5 minutes and

cut into squares.

 

Use less peanut butter if it isn’t chocolate-y

enough for you.

 

Use a different bowl to put in

microwave than the one you let it ‘set’ in.
You may want to add pecans after removing from microwave..or not.

Back to edit:

I made some peanut butter fudge this morning and it turned out grainy, kind of hard and crumbly.

I think it was my new microwave. When I took it out after 2 minutes, it was bubbling and was

setting up before I could put it in my pan. Yikes! Hope your microwave doesn't do that. Maybe

I shouldn't have done it on high this time.  It has never done that before.

Thanks for being patient with me during this time. I'll be around to visit all of you very soon.

Recipe:
Stamps-Flourishes/Warm Winter Wishes, Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Fabulous Dogs (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-VersaMagic Aegean Blue and Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Post It Note for masking, Copics, Martha Stewart glue pen, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds

CCEE Stampers/CCEE50-one post down-12/13/12
To All My Blogging Pals:

I am going to have to disappear from my my blog for a couple of weeks...maybe more. I have so much going on at my house with the remodeling right now. Bathrooms and kitchen cabinets are now being removed and replaced. Granite will begin coming tomorrow for  some of the cabinets . I thought I started this project so it would be finished in October, but you know how that goes. I'm down to the wire for Christmas. Ugh! I'm trying not to complain and just be thankful we're getting to the end of this ordeal. What a year!!! I don't know if I mentioned but this has been a year of tear down and re-do. This has surely aged me 20 years. LOL

The house is a total wreck. Upon completion, I will have to put everything back in the cabinets. What a chore!  Then, I'll have to scrub the house from top to bottom. Dust is everywhere, as you can imagine. All this as I try to get ready for Christmas....shopping, baking, decorating, on and on. Now, you can understand why I put my Christmas tree up about 3 days before Halloween. I know that sounded a bit overboard but if I hadn't it just wouldn't have gotten up this year.

I've tried to keep up..now I can't. I'll miss visiting your blogs (maybe I can peek in) but won't be able to leave comments for a while.
The only posting I will do is for my CCEE Stampers DT blog and I have those cards already made.

So long for a short time. I'll miss you.

Enjoy the Christmas season.

Benzi

Santa is Here!

CCEE50
This will be the last challenge for the year at CCEE Stampers. We will return Jan. 3, 2013. Yikes, another year gone by. How fast they go! Don't you agree?

The hostess this week is Frances Byrne and she wants to see a Santa on your card or project. I got out a retired Santa from Stampin'Up! I ordered it a long time ago from Ebay and there was no name on the set. If anyone knows the name, I would love to have it.

I wanted to make my card look vintage so I colored his robe with a Y28 Lionet Gold Copic and did some distressing/tearing on my papers. The designer papers all coordinate and are from My Mind's Eye/Lost and Found Christmas pad. The base and ink are Stampin'Up! Night of Navy. I didn't need a sentiment as it is already on the paper. Oh, and the holly is a Martha Stewart punch called Holly.

Hope you'll join us for the challenge this week and hope to see you return after the new year. Have a
joyful Christmas season.

Holly and Berries

CCEE1249
Cindy Haffner is hostess for the first challenge of December at CCEE Stampers. Her challenge is a fun one and that is to use a favorite NEW die. I just happen to have one and have been anxious to use it.
My die is by Sizzix and is called Holly Branch. It includes the branch, holly leaves, and berries. I covered all of it with Inkssentials Crackle accents.

This was a really easy card, just adding a ribbon and sentiment with some glitter glue around it and another card is ready to mail.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot off the Press/Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cardstock, SU Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip, and Old Olive
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Sizzix Holly Branch die, Ribbon FX red/white stripe, Crystal glitter glue/Gary M. Burlin and Co., Inkssentials Crackle accents

Peppermint Sticks

CCEE1248
Vicky is giving her last challenge for this month at CCEE Stampers and it is to lace your ribbon (i.e. through a bracket, a piece of lattice work, or cardstock). The metallic holiday ribbon is some I bought last year and don't think I've ever used. I used a ribbon threader punch on my cardstock and wove the ribbon through. Thanks, Vicky, for your month of wonderful challenges.

The image is one I've had from the time I started stamping and don't think I've ever used, but really like it.  It is colored with Copics. I have a piece of Rowe pottery that reminds me of this so I guess I could use mine for this purpose, too. It would really smell good with pretty fir in it.

I love this tiny dot stamp and just added it around the corners for interest. I glittered the stars, used an embossing folder, added a sentiment. It's finished!

I'm entering my card into the challenge at Simon Say Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps-Inky Antics P5-4543-3K (no name) bought about 4 yrs. ago, Stamps by Judith (dots), Hot off the Press/Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Ink-Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Accessories-Cuttlebug herringbone embossing folder, Martha Stewart glue pen, Copics, Celebrate It! Holiday metallic ribbon, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Martha Stewart ribbon threader punch

Christmas Thank You

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I received a Christmas gift from someone I won't see again for several months. I knew she wanted me to open it and I did, so now I need a thank you card to send her for the sweet gift.

I've been wanting to make a folded Christmas tree for a while. I'm using the tutorial on Splitcoaststampers shown here. They're really fun to make. I hand cut the trunk of the tree with some
brown cardstock and used stickles on the tree.  The banner for the sentiment was also hand cut.

I started out using the SCS sketch shown here but I kind of didn't stick with it, but maybe resembles it somewhat.

Recipe:
Stamps-Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Dogwood Blossoms for sentiment
Paper-PTI white cs, MME paper pad/Christmas (double sided and matching papers), gold mirror paper, Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip and Cherry Cobbler cs
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories- EK Success Starry Night corner punch (used the negatives for the star), Xmas Red Stickles, Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder, red rhinestones

Hanging Ornament

I've been away for several days as I travelled out of state for Thanksgiving. I've missed checking out all of your cards and am trying to catch up on commenting. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Now, I guess it is time to get those Christmas cards made.

My card is made for the Queen for the Day 140 on Splitcoaststampers. I cased this beautiful card of Mrs Noofy aka Sue. I love the ice skates. I didn't have her pretty embossing folders so I got out another one, Sizzix Birds & Wreath set embossing folder. I chalked the leaves.

I don't normally make card without stamping but I have had this gorgeous ornament for a long time and wanted to use it. I am sorry to say I don't know the company that made it. The ornament is a 3D sticker.

I added a snowflake to finish it. Oh, and I ended up tearing the bottom because I stamped a sentiment...CROOKED. I rather like the torn bottom, though.

My card was also made for the November Central Theme on Splitcoaststampers-Hang it All
Totally Stampalicious wants to see snow on your card or project. I do have a snowflake...snowing dark blue, at that. :-)

Paper-SU Night of Navy, PTI white cs
K&CO rhinestone
Flower Soft peel off sticker for gold chain
Martha Stewart snowflake punch

Ending the Season With a Pumpkin

CCEE1247
Happy Thanksgiving!! For those of us in the U.S.A., we are celebrating our day of thanks on Thursday.
I know I have so much for which to be thankful and could never list it all here. I hope everyone
enjoys their day with family and friends.

When I saw this adorable pumpkin belonging to Marisa at Rosemary Reflections, I knew I wanted to try to make one. So, when I learned the CCEE Stampers challenge given by Vicky this week was to make a card using brown, yellow, and orange and also include some patterned paper, this was my chance. Mine is different but the same idea.

My hair stylist got this card and she loved it. That makes me happy.

I cut my card shape with a Spellbinders circle nestabilitie, using my largest one. I ran it through the Cuttlebug with a distressed stripes embossing folder. The curly cues were made by wrapping my creamy cocoa cardstock around a piercing tool, the sharp end. I think the smaller item you can use for tightly wrapping, the better the curl. My leaves were made with a EK Tools layering punch/Fall leaf. The banner and pumpkin stem are hand cut and the sentiment is from Stampabilities and is called Happy Thanksgiving.

Paper is Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Orangie Sunset, SU Chocolate Chip, yellow scraps, Creamy Cocoa/unknown, My Mind's Eye/Tiny Dots dp
Rust Raffia

A Case Gone Bad

I was late getting into the craft room today after going out to lunch, then buying groceries but wanted to do a card for the Featured Stamper on Splitcoaststampers. I almost never get to do this challenge. Well, it all went wrong. I had the card made and started to photograph when I noticed a boo boo. I didn't have time to do another just like it so I did a much simper version. As you can see if you click on the link below, I  just did a CAS and did only the middle part of her card.

Here is the card I was trying to case.

I made the ring with the snowmen by cutting two of the Spellbinders Blossom Three dies placed together for cutting and it left this section. I stamped the snowmen and colored them. Added my sentiment and snowflakes (not following the rules...as three snowflakes just didn't work).

I see the embossing on my ribbon banner is not showing. Ugh! I think I had too much light on it.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot off the Press/Christmas Words, Snowman peg stamp
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler, gray cs/Hobby Lobby
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics, Spellbinders Blossom Three die cuts, Spellbinder Shapeabilities ribbon banners, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, Martha Stewart Polar Stamp and Punch (snowflake punch)

Bringing Home the Tree

I think this was the hardest card to photograph I've ever worked with. Gee Whiz...I just couldn't get it to look clear.

I am doing a case of this card for the new Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers, Gabby aka gabalot.  I need more Christmas cards so that is the route I took. This sweet image was given to me by a friend on SCS, Sue aka coffeestamper. Aren't friends great?

I did my embossing folder on a slant as I was doing a single layer and this made it much easier to use the folder. Plus, I like this look.

Hope you all have a wonderful Fall weekend. Hope you don't have to rake leaves. :-)

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot Off the Press/Christmas Words, I have no name for mouse image
Paper-PTI white cardstock, SU cherry cobbler, MME paper pad
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Cuttlebug embossing folder/Snowflakes

Pumpkins, Vines, and More

CCEE1246
Vicky, at CCEE Stampers, gave us the challenge this week to do a Fall/Thanksgiving card. I got out an image I haven't used this season and just added just a tinge of color for contrast and let it be. I rather like it. I stamped a few dots and the sentiment, added a ribbon and it's finished.  Oh, and I do love this  designer paper.

We would love for you to join us this week. Just add your card with our inlinkz tool.

I'm entering my card into the Simon Says Stamp Challenge which is Thanksgiving or Thank You.

Recipe:
Stamps-Great Impressions #1-134, Stamps by Judith (dots), Stampabilities/Happy Thanksgiving
Paper-PTI vintage cream, Stampin'Up! Soft Suede, DCWV-The Four Seasons Stack (Prints for each month of the year)
Ink-Stampin'Up! Soft Suede
Accessories-Stampin'Up! Soft Suede grosgrain ribbon, Copics

A Simple Thank You

I didn't get to play the CASology challenge last week and I missed it. So, I'm jumping right in this week with challenge #19 and the cue word is THANKS.  We all need thank you cards, don't we?
I decided to make mine a bit on the elegant side. I love this 'thank you' image and it is the first time I've used it. It will probably get a good bit of use.

Shopping our Stash wants to see a Thanksgiving or Thank You card this week. I don't think I need another one for the holiday but I do need thank you cards.


Recipe:
Stamps-Stampendous Cling Thank You Swirl
Paper-PTI white cardstock, black cardstock from Hobby Lobby
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-clear rhinestones

For the Queen

You know I always have to crown a new Queen from Splitcoaststampers every Friday. This week's queen is Angella Crockett. If you know her, you know she makes the most awesome cards. I cased this card.
I stamped, cut out, and popped on the cage so that it would hang and then I stamped some of the images on the designer paper.

Recipe:
Stamps-Studio 112, Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/Fabulous Dogs (sentiment)
Paper-PTI vintage cream, Stampin'Up! chocolate chip, and rose red, unknown dp
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-K & CO die cut tags, Cheery Lynn Designs Victorian Romance Flourish, Cuttlebug textile embossing folder, Mark Richards gold metal brads, Flower Soft peel off stickers for chain, Martha Stewart bird punch

I think this is it for me this week. Hope you all have a great weekend. I love when you visit my blog.

Poinsettia

I bought a poinsettia die last year and never used it so I'm trying to get some cards made using it this year. I love red poinsettias and just seeing them really puts me in a Christmas mood.

When I uploaded my card, I thought it looked dark and I was very unhappy because I didn't think I had uploaded a card that way. I knew it had a bit of shadowing from photographing but that was o.k. It hit me that I needed to brighten my computer screen. What a difference something so simple makes.  If you don't know how or have forgotten and need to brighten your screen, here is how it works on my computer: Press the Fn key on the keyboard and simultaneously press the F11 key. Press the F11 key as many times as needed for the amount of brightness you need. If you need to darken the screen, press the Fn key and F10 at the same time. O.K., that's my computer lesson for today. LOL

This week, Vicky, at CCEE Stampers  gave us a challenge (#1245) to use only a portion of an embossing folder on our cards. I guess I used two portions but they are separated by a blank space. I just turned my embossing folder sideways at the top and ran it through the Cuttlebug and then did the same at the bottom, just a smaller section. This left a nice, clean space for my sentiment.

I colored the poinsettia with Copics after die cutting them using white cardstock. The poinsettia was layered and I punched out other leaves. A gemstone and sentiment finished it. We hope you'll come play with us this week. Add your card to our inlinkz tool so we can see what you did.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot off the Press/Christmas Words
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Old Olive cardstock, green scraps
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Cuttlebug embossing folder/snowflakes, clear rhinestone, Martha Stewart fir punch, Spellbinders Shapeabilities layered poinsettia, Punch Bunch/lily mega punch, Copics

Thanksgiving Wishes

I spent a Saturday doing something I've never done this early. I put up my Christmas tree. I know, it is really, really early but I have so much going on I thought I may never get it up by the time I want it finished if I didn't go ahead and do it. I know a lot of people don't decorate until after Thanksgiving but I  do, just never this early. Believe me, I have good reason for it. Anyway, my house is not the one where we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving Day so no one will know unless I tell them or someone comes for a visit. :-)

I'm still making a few Thanksgiving cards. I wanted to do the Dirty Dozen Fan Club challenge on Splitcoaststampers so I got busy and came up with this card. I'm doing the central theme which is Fall to Pieces....things pertaining to Fall.  I first had ribbon in a yellow/gold matching the leaves but when I made the picture, it was too, too much. So, I changed it and it may look faded out. It is what it is.

I have been meaning to show my pretty Sasanqua Camellia but have waited too long. They bloom in October and November. Mine has been loaded with beautiful white blooms but I discovered when I went to get a photo, they had begun to brown. So, I snapped one bloom with a  bee enjoying himself.
Seeing white blooms is quite a change from the Fall colors all around me. But, I have really enjoyed it.

Recipe for my card:
Stamp-Stampabilities Happy Thanksgiving 05-CR1138 (sentiment)
Paper-PTI vintage cream, dp is Damask on Kraft (dbl sided) The Paper Studio
Ink-Memento Bamboo Leaves, Cantaloupe, Potter's Clay, and Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Spellbinders Shapeabilities Foliage die, Cheery Lynn Designs Frame 114, Spare Part-The Paper Studio chocolate colored flower, Prima Flowers/Parchment Petals Scroll, Lush rhinestones, The Paper Studio/natural burlap/jute, hand cut banner

Living in Nature

I was so happy to get to case a card from the new Queen from the Day #137, none other than the very talented Audrey aka AudreyAnn. Her gallery is so fabulous and I could case a zillion of her cards. When I saw this card, I fell in love with it. I really need that beautiful eagle she used.

You really should go over to her gallery and take a look. You cannot be disappointed.

She used dp for her bg and I used an embossing folder which I inked (using white cardstock) with Memento Rich Cocoa and TPC Graphite. I like how it turned out.

I did my leaves as she did. I die cut them and cut them again. I glued them together so they would be sturdy. The leaves are sponged with Memento Bamboo Leaves, Cantaloupe, Pear Tart, Tangelo, Potter's Clay and Versa Magic Aloe Vera. Whew! Quite a lot. I really didn't sponge but just swiped my pads over them.  That made it very easy and I like it.

The die cut the owl is placed on is Spellbinders deckled rectangle. My embossing folders are Tim Holtz Alteration Fades woodgrain (Sizzix) and the other that is behind the owl is Cuttlebug herringbone.

I used an owl punch from Stampin'Up! The leaves are Spellbinders Shapeabilities Foliage die cut and a Memory Box woodland branch die for the owl to stand on. The clip is by The Paper Studio.

My sentiment is by Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps/North American Woods.

Cardstock is Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, PTI Vintage Cream, and PTI white, black, green, and white scraps.



O.K., that's it! Aren't you glad? :-)

Sweet as Sugar

The CASology challenge this week uses the cue word 'sugar'. I must say I was really challenged with this one and almost didn't upload my card. I had some peppermint sticks and some gingerbread but they just didn't want to work. I found this digi image I have had for a long time. Being a lover of snowmen, I just decided to use it. So, this is my sugary, snow cone. I do think he is a cutie. With this sentiment, I can just send it to my 2 yr. old granddaughter as those words fit her perfectly. :-)

I colored only the cone and buttons on my snow cone, leaving the snowman white.

Recipe:
Stamps-Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More-Snow Cone, Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps-Tweet That (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Copics, twine from The Twinery/Blossom

Faux Pressed Poinsettia

Another night of treat or tricking is over. We had at least three hundred. Hubby and I just sit outside and hand out the candy. What fun to see all the costumes. I think the best costume I saw was on a tall teenager that was a bat. His wing span must have been 5-6 ft. He could flap those things, too. Kind of creeped me out. LOL

Thanks to Vicky Gould, our hostess this week at CCEE Stampers, we got to use a technique called faux pressed flowers. It is really fun and the technique can be found here. Although, the first card I made (below) didn't press so well. I started with a silk-like flower and forgot to glue it down and that could be the reason it didn't embed. So, I used my poinsettia die and cut a paper flower and it worked like a charm.

I love the image that I used for the first time. I also really like the color combo of red, black, and white. Plus, the card was really quick and easy.

Below is my first card that didn't work so well. I did like it because I stamped my sentiment up a bit higher and it seemed to be more in balance. I didn't add the silver cording that I used on the first one.
Edit: One of my commenters, Marianne, said she thinks the first one looks out of balance to me because my flower is larger on the second card and I think she is correct. Good eye, Marianne.

We would love for you to join us in this challenge. Just make a card using this technique and go to CCEE Stampers and link it. The challenge is CCEE1244.


Recipe:
Stamps-Inkadinkado/Ornate Christmas clear stamp set
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Hobby Lobby black cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders Shapeabilities layered poinsettia, Kaiser pearls/black, clear rhinestones, paper poinsettia (2nd card), Flower Soft adhesive silver stickers

A Season of Celebration

I want to get my card posted for the new Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers. It is Chris aka glowbug. I'm sure many of you know that Chris is an amazing stamper. This is Chris' card I chose to case. I mostly kept her layout but wanted mine to be Christmas.

Recipe:
Stamps-Stamps by Hobby Lobby/Christmas 2008, Hot off the Press/Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cs, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler and Pretty in Pink
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories- white satin ribbon, Copics, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Spellbinders Shapeabilities Holly Motifs die cut, Spellbinders circle and scallop circle nestabilitie, white pearls, Martha Stewart Polar and Stamp punch, stick pin from Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps, Cheery Lynn Designs Fanciful Flourish

A Christmas Greeting

The CCEE Stampers challenge this week is to use a tag/tags on your card. I found this tag I bought a while ago and ran it through my crimper. The Christmas tree is a punch (see recipe below) and I added some Liquid Applique and a star remnant from another punch. I did a good bit of distressing on this card and added a ribbon and large sentiment.

We hope you will join us this week for the CCEE1243 challenge. Be sure to go over and check out the super cards from the rest of the CCEE Stampers Design Team.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hot off the Press/Christmas Words (sentiment only)
Paper-Stampin'Up! Crumb Cake and Old Olive, PTI vintage cream, double sided dp (no name)
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Liquid Applique, EK Success lg Christmas tree punch, EK Success edger punch/Starry Night, crimper, Natural Burlap ribbon from The Paper Studio

Go Wild

 

 

The CASology challenge #16 this week is using the cue word, WILD.

 

 

I went on  a search through my stamps and found this piggy. Then, the sentiment came to mind. Now, that I'm uploading and went to CASology's site, I noticed  DT member, Rosemary, used a pig and a similar sentiment. Oh no...well, I guess it's o.k to use mine, too. Oink!  :-)

 

My piggy is paper pieced and the banner is hand cut. Added a few tiny brads and it is finished.

 

Recipe:

Stamps-Inky Antics/Piggy, sentiment is computer generated

Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, PTI Bitty Dot Basics

Ink_ Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories-Mark Richards gold metal brads

 

 

Santa is Coming to Town

I'm doing a bit better with my allergies but some of my meds make me sick. So, while I could hardly stand up without being nauseated, I thought I would color this image I have had for a few years and never used.  When I first started making cards, I didn't think I would be able to color it. Now, I find it rather easy...just a little time consuming.

I want to enter my card into the challenge at Splitcoaststampers for the Queen for the Day challenge.
The queen is Claudia aka cjzim and this is the card I cased. I really just kept the sketch she used thinking there wasn't much else I could do with this large image.

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge- Make a card using a Santa
Jingle Belles-Create a card with a living creature on it
Christmas Cards All Year Round-I'm doing a card with a traditional Christmas image with non traditional colors

Recipe:
Stamps-Stamps Happen, Inc./Father Christmas, Warm Holiday Wishes for sentiment (Bought at Wal-Mart)-clear stamp set
Paper-PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Soft Suede
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Copics, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, glue pen

Favorite Snowman

I'm using my favorite snowman in all the world. I just LOVE him. I've made this card for the CCEE Stampers challenge---CCEE1242. This week's challenge is to do a winter or Christmas card  and be sure to use a snowman.

My stamp took up the complete card so the only thing I added after coloring with Copics was the sentiment and some glitter which isn't showing very well in my photo.

We hope you'll join us this week. What's cuter than a snowman?

Recipe:
Rubber Cottage-Let it Snow, Hot off the Press/Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories- Copics, Martha Stewart fine glitter, glue pen

CAS Christmas

I have a misery report today:  I'm sure my blogging pals have all been wondering where I've been. I am so sick with allergies and haven't felt like making a card or anything else. It is the time for my seasonal allergies and I have been on the sofa most of the week. I have heard that the Tennessee Valley is one of the worst areas for allergies and I believe it. I can't wait for Friday because I have a doctor's appt. Maybe he can at least help me with my cough.

This week the CASology cue word is Night. I am sure there are many ways to make a night card. I am needing a few more Christmas cards so that is the direction I took.

I used a star punch from EK Success/Paper Shapers and layered gold mirror paper underneath. The sentiment is Inkadinkado/Adore Him. The paper is Stampin'Up! Night of Navy and PTI white cardstock.

Have Heart

Time permitted me this week to get to  play some challenges I've wanted to do and this time it is CAS-ual Fridays CFC74. The challenge is to create a clean and simple card with a heart.

I colored my heart with Copics and left it alone. I could not imagine that it needed one more thing.

I love this stamp and have used it three times, one being when our city had our W.C. Handy Festival (jazz)
in July. It was just perfect then and it is also great for the community choir where my hubby and I are members or the church choir. I think I know just the person that needs this card.

Recipe:
Stamp-Stamps Happen, Inc./The Magic of Music
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Accessories-Copics

Jing, jing-a-ling

Are you singing yet? I sure am. If you aren't familiar with this song, you can find it here.  My card is for the usual Friday challenge I play on Splitcoaststampers, Queen for the Day.  The new queen is Shirley aka wannabcre8tive. This card is the one I cased from her wonderful gallery.

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/Jingle All the Way
Paper-PTI white cardstock
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Cuttlebug Baubles and Bows embossing folder, Copics, clear gem, Martha Stewart fir punch, Spellbinders Labels 4 die, Martha Stewart hydrangea punch

Set of Fall Leaves

As hostess again this week at CCEE Stampers, I have asked that we do Fall colors with leaves and a punched border. I have been on a Fall card making binge this week. I think this is my fourth one. But, I do love the colors and it was fun to make. This, after a failed first attempt. Do you ever make a card you just don't like at all and can't stand to upload it? I did, and finally I made another (this one) which I like much better. The other one will probably go to the trash.

I hope you'll check out the rest of the awesome cards the DT did this week at CCEE Stampers. There is a lot of pretty Fall color over there.

I want to enter this card into these challenges:

 Little Red Wagon where the challenge is Fallin' for You..they want a Fall themed card (leaves, fall colors, etc.).

Papercraft Star challenge 116-Fall Leaves


Recipe:
Stamps-Hero Arts/Real Leaves (set of 4), Sentiment stamp/Stamps by Judith
Paper-PTI white cs, Stampin'Up! Kiwi Kiss and Cherry Cobbler
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa, Tangelo, Potter's Clay, Bamboo Leaves, Pear Tart, Rhubarb Stalk,  Stampin'Up! Soft Suede
Accessories-Martha Stewart Fall Leaves edge punch, Button and raffia

Fall Wreath

I wanted to use my leaf stamp to make a wreath. It is a Stampabilities stamp called Fall Leaf.
The sentiment is Stamps by Judith. I had to do some masking to make it work. Added a button and raffia to the center. That is a cardstock strip going across the card behind my focal image, not ribbon.

I'm entering this card, my second entry, into the CASology challenge #14 where the cue word is 'leaf'.

Little Red Wagon has a challenge #154 - Fallin' for You---They want to see Fall leaves, colors, etc.

Recipe:
Stamps-Stampabilities/Fall Leaf, Sentiment is Stamps by Judith
Paper-PTI white cardstock, green is unknown
Ink-Memento Potter's Clay, Rhubarb Stalk, Rich Cocoa, Pear Tart, Dandelion, Tangelo
Accessories-button and raffia

Fall Greetings

 No, the sentiment was not stamped crooked, just the way it is supposed to be..a little wonky. :-)

The CASology challenge #14 uses the cue word 'leaf'. Nothing better than that to have the opportunity to make an autumn creation.

 



I used a woodland branch die from Memory Box and punched a few leaves with a Martha Stewart fall leaves edge punch (remnants).

Stamp-Inkadinkado/Autumn Foliage set
Paper-PTI white cs, Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, scraps for leaves
Ink-Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip

Fall Birthday Card and A Winner





I have a friend having a birthday this month and I wanted to  make a card similar to what I thought she would make. Well, that is quite impossible. If you know Carol at Chocolate Crafts and Bears, Oh My, then you know that is quite a big job. Wow! Can she ever make a super card and so many other crafty things. Take a look. I took my idea from this card of Carol's because I had an image a bit like hers, also a punch like hers.

 

Carol likes a lot of sparkle and gemstones on her cards so I tried to do that, too. I colored my image with Copics and sponged around it. My recipe is below.

 

NOW, it is time to announce the winner of my blog candy. Thanks to everyone who joined in  and the winner is ..............................
 

 Deepti Stephens

Congrats, Deepti!  Please email me at the email address under my profile so I can have your address. Remember you only have two days per my original post or I will have to choose another winner. 

 

 

Recipe:

Stamps-Great Impressions (wagon scene)-no name, Stamps by Judith/Dots, Sweet 'n Sassy/Poppies and Greetings (sentiment)

Paper-DP is Final Edition by Imaginations, Bazzill/Palo Verde, Rust color cs is unknown, PTI white and vintage cream cardstock

Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa, Versa Magic Sea Breeze

Accessories-Lush orange gemstones, Gold Stickles, Laurel Leaf Punch Around the Page by Martha Stewart, Woodland Branch PATP with Bird and Branch Corner/Martha Stewart, stick pin by Dritz, EK Tools Pumpkin Patch large edger punch (used one pumpkin only), Spellbinders Shapeabilites Foliage, Offray Yellow/Gold grosgrain ribbon

 

 

Feeling Crafty

I thought I had lost my mojo but I got up today wanting to make a card. I took a look at the inspiration challenge on Splitcoaststampers and away to the craft room I headed. The inspiration came from a web site/online store called Magpie. This is my inspiration.


I love the birch tree images but didn't have one of those stamps so I just decided to make my own.
I cut white cardstock for the trees and did some markings on the tree with my Copic. My friend, Davi at Alstroemeria's Artistry uses modeling paste on some of her cards and I always love what she does with it so I smeared some on my trees for texture. I really do like it and will use it more. I found mine at Hobby Lobby.

The branches were cut from a Memory Box woodland branch die. I only used small bits of it.  As you can see, the snow in the woods has been travelled quite well by the deer and animals. Plus, some snow fell off the trees onto my deer. The deer was a partial stamp that had two more deer but it was too large and I colored, cut out, and attached only one. Of course, there had to be a little bird in the tree.

Recipe:
Stamps-Penny Black/Gathering, Hero Arts (barrel of stamps-think it is Birds and Branches), Hot off the Press/Christmas Words
Paper-Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobber, Crumb Cake, and Chocolate Chip cardstock, white cardstock
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories- Liquitex modeling paste, Copics

Decked Out

My card is for the new Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers. It is Denise aka resqbarbie. I chose this card to case and honor her. Of course, I made several changes but mostly kept her layout.

Recipe:
Stamps-Rubber Stamp Tapestry (peg stamps)/Cardinal in Holly, Hot off the Press/Christmas Words
Paper-Stampin'Up! cherry cobbler and old olive, white cs
Ink-Stampin'Up! cherry cobbler, Memento bamboo leaves
Accessories-Copics, Flower Soft braid, gold metal brad

Chipboard Challenge-CCEE Stampers

Yours truly is the hostess for the month of October at CCEE Stampers. For the first week, I chose to use chipboard as the challenge. The chipboard I'm using is Chipboard Pennant from Paper Accents. It is the container to hold my pumpkins. I had to cut the pennants down a bit as they were 4" x 6". I covered the chipboard with a patterned paper.

The pumpkins were punched with a Martha Stewart Jack-O-Lanterns border punch and each one cut out and I layered yellow cardstock on the back for the eyes and mouth. They were then attached to the toothpicks with pop dots. I really wish my pumpkins were smiling, not scary.

Below the pumpkins, I used an adhesive border from Martha Stewart called Elegant Witch. I cut out my banner for the sentiment and die cut some ivy to place in the container. That finished it!

Hope you'll join us this week for this fun challenge. Just make your card or project and upload to CCEE Stampers using the inlinkz tool.

My card fits the Splitcoaststampers Ways to Use It challenge which is odd numbers. I have 5 pumpkins for my odd numbers.

I'm entering my card into the fun challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More-Halloween

Recipe:
Stamps-Studiog clear stamps (sentiment)
Paper: Stampin'Up! Dusty Durango, Black cs from Hobby Lobby,  scrap yellow cs, The Paper Studio Halloween Chevron, Cosmo Cricket/Love Notes-Tenderly
Ink-Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories-Martha Stewart Jack-O-Lanterns border punch, Marianne Design Creatables bird, ivy, vine, birdhouse die set, Martha Stewart adhesive borders/Elegant Witch, toothpicks, chipboard pennants

Let's Go to the Zoo

 

 

When I saw the CASology challenge #13 this week had the cue word zoo,  I was so happy because I knew I would get to use one of my favorite stamps. I just love this whimsical lion and he gives me such a chuckle. The last time I used him, some thought he was a kitty....nope, a ferocious lion.

 

 

My recipe:

Stamps-Stamps by Judith-Whimsical Lion F-265-HK, Hero Arts 'Take Good Care Greetings'

Paper-PTI white cardstock

Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa

Accessories-Cappuccino twine from The Twinery, Copics E70 & E71

 



It's All About the Colors

Another Monday...who likes Monday? Raise your hand. I didn't see many hands. Maybe we should have a vote and cancel it. :-) Plus, it is an ugly, rainy day here AND worst of all, I have a dental appointment. I cringe every visit...not my favorite thing.

The CAS190 challenge on Splitcoaststampers is a color challenge today. As it turned out, I really like the colors we are to work with: Aqua, Coral (one of my favorite colors), yellow, and white. I got as close to those colors as my inks allowed.

Recipe:
Stamps-Hero Arts Real Leaves-- (a set of four and I used only three) Small Liquid Amber, Sweet Redbud, Small Gingko, -- Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps/Poppies and Greetings (sentiment)
Paper-PTI White cardstock, Stampin'Up! Bermuda Bay
Ink-Stampin'Up! Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry, Memento Lady Bug and Tuxedo Black
Accessories-yellow button and 3/4' circle punch

CASology Wants a Shoe

Squeaking a card in again for the CASology challenge #12. It's been a busy week of blog hops for me. This week's challenge has the cue word as shoe.

 

I got out my 'girly all the way' cowgirl boots and whipped up a card this morning. These CAS cards just don't take too long. I did this while hubby while still in the bed snoozing. Of course, I've been up since about 3:00 a.m. Is it a full moon or what? LOL I was up at around 2:00 the night before. Ugh!

Also entering: Inspiration Challenge IC356 on Splitcoaststampers.
Simon Says Stamp Challenge -Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps-Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps, A Heinrich Co.-Cowgirls Rule (boots and sentiment) and for the barbed wire Hey Cowboy
Paper-PTI white
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Copics

MFP -Blog Hop/Day 4 and a Farewell

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

   September Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Buried Treasure Featured September 25

Going Batty Featured September 26

Autumn Splendor Featured September 27

Tweet That Featured September 28

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on September 29, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday September 28, 2012.

 

Today is the final day of the blog hop. Hope you've enjoyed hopping along with us and good luck on winning some of the wonderful stamp sets.

This will be my final post as a SR. DT member of Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps and as a team member for FOSTV. It has been awesome working with all these wonderful ladies. What a great team and company! Sometimes you just have to give up something you enjoy when life pulls you away. And, it is that time for me. I'm sure I'll be checking in on these girls at Home of Speedy TV.

My card is also to honor the Queen for the Day #132 on SCS, Polly aka peeps321.

Recipe for my card:
Stamps-MFP Tweet That
Paper-MFP-Tawny Cat cardstock, MME Lost and Found paper pad
Ink-Memento Rich Cocoa
Accessories-Martha Stewart glitter/crystal fine, glue pen, Cheery Lynn Designs/Fanciful Flourish die, Fiskars Border and Corner punch-Lattice Entertain You

It's time to head over to Toni's blog and see what wonderful creation she has today.

 

Lois

Vicky

Pat G.

Patty P.

Marilynn

Pam

Debbie

Bonnie

Kathy

Brenda  (you are here)

Toni

Tangii

Thrifty Stamper

Sue

Kelli

Janine

Janis L.

Cathy C.

Jane C.

Mark's Finest 

Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps- September Blog Hop/Day 3

My CCEE Stampers card can be found one post down.

Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's 

   September Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Buried Treasure Featured September 25
Going Batty Featured September 26
Autumn Splendor Featured September 27
Tweet That Featured September 28

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on September 29, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday September 28, 2012.

I love this stamp set called Autumn Splendor. It has the cutest images and they're great for Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just for a fun card to put a smile on someone's face.

 

My card is very simple. I used the Spellbinders classic large oval nestabilitie and stamped the image inside after embossing. I colored with Copics and added a little shading with my C1 Copic marker. The sentiment and three rhinestones finished it off.

 

It's time to hop over to Toni's blog now and see what delightful creation she has today. 

Lois

Vicky
Pat G.

Patty P.

Marilynn

Pam

Debbie

Bonnie

Kathy

Brenda (you are here)

Toni

Tangii

Thrifty Stamper

Sue

Kelli

Janine

Janis L.

Cathy C.

Jane C.

Mark's Finest