Thursday, November 29, 2012

Snowbaby birthday


I love snow!!  We had a few flurries last week and I got a pretty picture of the snow on my greenery outside, but now it's all gone!  :(  Have I mentioned that I love snow?   When I was a kid, I was always excited when it snowed on my birthday which is near the end of October.   It didn't usually stay, but it was fun while it lasted!  I will have to admit that last year when it snowed on my birthday, I had to drive from Maryland to upstate NY in snowy weather on horrible roads, and that was not so fun!!  Though I was trying to get one of the ladies with me to be taking pictures as we drove along because it was so beautiful! :)

Why was I rambling?  I got to thinking about all that as I made this card. :)

I used a recent release from Daydream Designs... Snowbabies Color Digi Set, Snowbaby Sentiment Set, and Winter Chill Digi Paper Pack

My printer does not do justice to the beautiful bright colors that these really are!   These sets are so fun!!  And a great value!! Check them out at Daydream Designs!


Challenges...
Simon Says Stamp - anything goes
Paper Pretties Monday Challenge PPMC67 - anything goes

Thanks for stopping by!!

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Babies don't keep!


*Scroll down or CLICK HERE for my Tuesday Morning Sketches post*


Have you ever read or heard this poem?

Babies Don't Keep

I hope my children will look back on today
And see a mother who had time to play.
There will be years for cleaning and cooking
But children grow up while we're not looking.
Dusting and scrubbing can wail 'till tomorrow
For babies grow fast we learn to our sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.


I'm not advocating against cleaning your house... I'm just reminding us all to enjoy our children at every stage!!  My "baby" is eleven now!   Too big to rock but I am thankful that he has a tender heart and still love to hug and be hugged lots!!
But, he's growing up and getting new interests... Angry Birds!  I know I am probably one of the about 5 people on the planet who have never played Angry Birds!! :-O  Well, I did play a bit with this spinner card, so maybe there's hope for me!

He loved it!!!   He also liked the Angry Birds shirt and tie from his sisters!

He got cupcakes because the cake I made (tried to make!) overflowed and ended up burning on the bottom of the oven!  

For my card...
~paper is all scraps
~Angry Bird designed in Make the Cut and cut on my Cricut
~"Feast of Flesh" font -sentiment computer generated

Thanks for stopping by!!

Tuesday Morning Sketch #174

My "baby" is 11 yrs old today!!   I cannot believe it!  My children are all growing up too quickly!!   Be thankful for your children even on the days when they make you want to list them on eBay!!   :-)

Time for another sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches #174...

Our sponsor this week is DRS Designs.  They were wonderful and allowed the DT to choose stamps to use for this challenge!!  Thank you so much!! 

My husband is a pastor so I selected 2 stamps that I know will get much use... Calla Lily Sympathy Frame and  Counting the Years Greeting for weddings!!   I made 2 cards since I didn't think those 2 stamps would combine very well!

Here's my sympathy card...

My wedding or anniversary card...



Be sure to check out my amazing fellow designers' creations for inspiration then play along for your chance to win!!
Angela
Bonnie  
Silke -November guest designer

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Christmas Poinsettia

Today, Doodle Pantry is sponsoring the challenge over at Stampin' Sisters in Christ. This is one of my favorite challenges!!!   The SSIC DT is showcasing Christmas cards with Jesus as the main focus.  Awesome!!  After all, without Christ, there is no CHRISTmas!!!  

I'm trying to make more flat-ish cards so they will mail without costing me so much!  This one should be pretty good...  a little dimension but no big bows or buttons.   Just a simple red & green Christmas card!! 

I printed the poinsettia 3 times, cut the whole flower, then the middle for just a little dimension.

~Doodle Pantry Poinsettia image, sentiment, and digi paper
     *this is a November new release... go check them all out!
~Spellbinders Circles and Lacey Circles
~MS border punch
~ribbon and adhesive dots

Challenges...
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #167 - Christmas
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long CSAYL#37 - "To Die For"

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Christmas snow globe

Not a real snow globe... just a card with an adorable snow globe on it!    I was so excited this afternoon when we actually had some snow falling!!!  It didn't stick but at least it was coming down!  I can hear many of you groaning as I say this, but I LOVE SNOW!!  

Sentiment... who needs it?  I always say that when I forget one! :/
Isn't this guy adorable??   This snow globe is from Daydream Designs.    It is from the Let it Snow Color Digi Set.   It made me laugh as I checked my post... my computer does have spell check so I get a squiggly red line under misspellings, but since some are real words and it doesn't catch them, I need to.  I often spell "gut" instead of "guy" and did it here.  It struck me funny since the snowman does have quite a gut!!!

Challenges...
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - November Embellishment Challenge
Wags 'n Whiskers #93 - Christmas
The Sweet Stop: SS186 - sketch

Supplies...
~Daydream Designs Let It Snow Color Digi
~Recollections "O Christmas Tree" paper
~Bazzill cardstock
~Paper Studio snowflake brads
~Spellbinders Small Labels

Here you can see the sparkle in the paper and the snowflake brads.

Thanks for stopping by!!  If you are getting snow, send some to me, please!!!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Have a 'jingle holiday'!

Just a fun Christmas card for a boy.  I usually think of giving to whole families when I make cards, but my kids do like to give to their friends, so I hope to get several done for them.  I meant to post this last night so am doing it while the turkey cooks! :)

I love fancy folds, but when making most cards, I get it done and then wonder if I could have made it with a different fold... only it's a little late then! :/ But this time I made a step card.


Challenges...
Cards for men challenge 24 - Merry Christmas
Stampin' Sisters in Christ #166 - card for a child
Paper Playtime #89 - anything goes
Playing in Paradise PPC#93 - CASE yourself -I CASEd THIS CARD

I used Doodle Pantry's Little Deer, one of this month's new releases.  I got the card together and realized that I had printed the deer WITHOUT the bells!!! :-P  Just imagine there are bells, ok??



Thanks for stopping by!!!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tuesday Morning Sketches #173


For my Daydream Designs Blog Hop post, CLICK HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!!   Only two more days until many of us will eat waaaaaay too much!!!  I will have to say that a turkey dinner is right up there on my list of most enjoyed meals!!  The mashed potatoes and gravy are the best part of it all, IMHO! :)

All the talk of food aside, be sure to count your blessings this week!!!


This week at Tuesday Morning Sketches our sponsor is Digital Delights... they have digi stamps, digi papers, SVGs and more!  

Here is our fun sketch by Bonnie...
 Here is my card...

~Digital Delights Fall Pumpkin (colored) Digi Stamp
~DCWV "Rustic" DP
~Spellbinders Petite and Scalloped Petite Ovals
~banner cut in MTC
~stamp from ??

Challenges...
Celebrate the Occasion #89 - use pumpkin
Twisted Tuesday 2TC33 - thank you theme w/ 'food'

Be sure to check out my amazing fellow designers' creations for inspiration then play along for your chance to win!!
Angela
Bonnie  
Silke -November guest designer



Thanks for stopping by!!!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Daydream Designs Blog Hop



Welcome
to
Daydream Designs Blog Hop!!
 
We are thrilled to be hosting our second blog hop at Daydream Designs!  I was in England during the September hop, so I am really excited to participate in my first blog hop!!  

Our theme is polka dots...and other than that, anything goes!  So you will see lots of variety and the tremendous talents of our design team!

If you just arrived from Beth's blog, you are on track. 

If you didn't start at the beginning, you will want to go to Diane's blog to start. 
 

Our Sponsor:


 THREE PRIZES!
 Daydream Designs
ONE $15 Gift Certificate
ONE $10 Gift Certificate
ONE FREE Digi Set (excludes bundles)


Come hop along with us today and see the DT's creations with Daydream Designs images and polka dots!!



For my card, the image and sentiment are from the Let It Snow Color Digi Set...  this set is soooo fun!!! My polka dot papers are from the Hope Endures Paper Pack Pink...


To win:  Just leave a comment each Dream Team members blogs listed below.
We will randomly select one winner to receive the grand give away of a $15 gift certificate. 
PLUS we will also give one $10 gift certificate, and one FREE set of choice to a third winner.
And everyone is a winner…FREE DIGIS on Diane’s blog!

Thanks for stopping here!!  Now on to Helen's blog next!  

Here is the full list if you get lost...

Diane
Debbie- you're here

You will have until Noon CST, Friday, Nov 23 complete the hop.  
Winners will be announced on Diane's blog.

Happy Hopping!

Saturday, November 17, 2012

"For unto you is born this day..."

I cannot believe there are only 38 days until Christmas!!!  We're playing bits and pieces of Christmas music, no decorations yet, but I am starting to make plans for Christmas!

This card has a Doodle Pantry image of Bethlehem.  It has wonderful sentiments in this set, too, but I just won a clear stamp set from My Craft Spot's release blog hop this week that arrived in the mail today, so I went and played!! :)

I used...
~Doodle Pantry Mini Bethlehem colored digi
~My Craft Spot 'Joy to the World' sentiment
~Distressed Stripes embossing folder
~paper from my scrap pile :)
~hemp, button, and punches

Challenges...
Word Art Wednesday #54 - anything goes with Scripture or inspiring saying
Twist of Faith #11 - religious Christmas
Tuesday's Testimonial 11 - use Scripture in your project
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown Nov Theme #11 - Scripture
Card Crafter's Circle #49 - textures

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thanks so much!!

With American Thanksgiving next week, many challenges have Thanksgiving or thank you card as the theme.  I made a thank you card.   I love Thanksgiving and am very thankful for the many blessings I have in my life, but I've just never sent Thanksgiving cards.  I do use a lot of thank you cards, though! 


Challenges...
Sentimental Sundays #128 - Thanks/Thanksgiving
Simon Says Stamp - Thanksgiving/Thank you
Paper Pretties Monday PPMC65 - make a thank you card
Wags 'n Whiskers #92 - Be Thankful
CASology #19 - Thanks (not sure if distress ink eliminates it from being CAS)
Shopping Our Stash #77 - Thank You or Thanksgiving

I used a variety of my stash... Basic Grey DP and Paper Studio adhesive pearls that I've had for a long time, PTI stamp I got as blog candy, Darice Ivy embossing folder I recently purchased with birthday money, and Spellbinders.  I use some of them for almost EVERY project!!   

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Tuesday Morning Sketch - tear bear

Time for Tuesday Morning Sketch #172!!  It's such a fun challenge this week, too!!   Our sponsor is  The Beary Scrap...

This week is a judged challenge.  That means follow the sketch and the twist in order to win!  We also choose a Top 5 in our judge challenge!   

The sketch...

The twist...
Create an animal with punches or make a tear bear!!
(If you're not sure what to do, Google "punch animal" or 
"tear bear" and you'll find ideas.  You need mulberry paper for a 
tear bear,  but any paper will work for a punch animal.  It is amazing 
what  you can make with plain old circles from a punch!!)

Here's my card...
After my bear was together, I realized I had not inked my edges. :(
 I have always thought tear bears were so cute but all the mulberry paper I had was so thin that it would not work.  Soooooo... I  purchased some mulberry paper (from The Beary Scrap) in order to make a proper tear bear.   I did not use a Beary Scrap pattern... I eyeballed it and made my own circles and then fluffed the paper.  It is so fun!!!   The Beary Scrap has much more than just tear bear patterns and mulberry paper, so be sure to check them out!!

I've been using my supplies on hand and have not spent any money on crafting for awhile as we are trying to watch our pennies.   I was able to shop because the sweet ladies at my church gave me money for crafting for my birthday!!   I'm having great fun spending it!!   The other day, our family went out and I made everyone go through the line so I could use lots of coupons! :)

~MME Sweater Weather DP
~Recollections cardstock
~Beary Scrap mulberry paper
~Spellbinders Doodle Parts
~satin ribbon from J's
~Paper Studio snowflake brad (it sparkles but can't see it in the pic)
~MTC to cut the nose, eyes, and antlers
~black and white Gelly Roll pens, Copic for blue part of eye

Be sure to check out my amazing fellow designers' creations for inspiration then play along for your chance to win!!
Angela
Bonnie  
Theresa
Silke -November guest designer

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Monday, November 12, 2012

It's a boy!

Tonight, we are having a shower for 3 ladies in our church.  Two have already delivered and the third could go anytime!  [ I hope she waits until after the shower!! :) ]

I thought I had enough cards but when I looked yesterday, I realized I had to make one!  So I printed the digi paper from Daydream Designs Bitty Baby Boy Designer Digi Papers and the image from Daydream Designs Bitty Baby Boy Color Set.

I used the digi paper and image, a bit of MME Sweater Weather DP, Kraft, Inkadinkado sentiment, and ribbon from my stash.

I used the sketch from iSpy Sketches: ISSC41.

It's not the first child for any of them, so we are giving them a money gift so they can use it for whatever they may need, but I wanted them to have a little something to "open" so made them these bundles...
It had wipes, matching onesie and pants set, wash cloths, and burp cloths wrapped in a receiving blanket.

The stork and baby are cut from New Arrival at 5 1/2".  The name is Lyrical Letters welded.  I have another one in purple since we don't know if the soon-to-arrive baby is boy or girl.  I did not put any clothes in it so it looks much smaller than these.  I will give her an IOU! :)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Christmas Sweater

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, the UK, and Australia, and Veterans Day in the USA.  Thank you to all those who have served and those who are serving to keep us free!!


No, I'm not showing you any weird Christmas sweater!!  Just a quick post of a Christmas card that should have happened last night.   On Monday, I got MME's Christmas Sweater 6x6 pad and love it!!!
When I saw this week's sketch at Merry Monday (#40), I really liked it and thought I would use it this week to make several similar cards.  I have been making cards all along the year but most of them are not going to mail well and this sketch would look great with "flat" cards.  I only got one done! :/  Better than none, but I'll keep it and make more as I really like it!

I used MME Sweater Weather DP.  Love this 6x6 pad!!  I embossed the panels.  If you look close, some are "backwards" since it is 2 sided and I kept changing my mind on which side to use!  Maybe I'll use the other combos in others. Faded jeans distress ink on the edges and image, stamp from Michaels $1 bin, and Iridescent embossing powder.  You can see a bit of the shimmer on the stamp.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Friday, November 9, 2012

The better half's birthday

Tomorrow, my wonderful husband gets one year older!  Actually, he will only be one day older than he is today, but tomorrow is that official change-of-age day!  He'll be 46.  Yep, he's a year younger than I am, and he loves to remind me of it, too! 

We took him out for dinner this evening since our daughter has to work tomorrow.  We are saving his "birthday cake" for tomorrow... but it's not a cake!   My family doesn't usually ask for the normal birthday cake.  It might be Turtle or Oreo cheesecake or homemade cinnamon rolls or French Silk Pie!!!  My hubby loves coconut so he is getting a Coconut Cream Pie! 

Here's his card...
It says "You're mine... hook, line and sinker!"  I obviously pressed the stamp too much!  Hard to tell when stamping with Versamark. :/  The front is 'fun' but the inside is more romantic!

~MME Sweater Weather DP
~Mulberry Wood "Gone Fishing" image (I got this free from Crafter's Companion with my order a couple of weeks ago!!  Thank you, CC!!!)
~Stampendous embossing powder
~Stars embossing folder
~sentiment on tag from There She Goes "Bear Hugs"
~ribbon, brad, tag from stash

Challenges...
Cards for men #23 - anything goes
Crafter's Companion November challenge - favourite colour combo + must use CC product  (Hard to choose but I have always loved navy/white!  My stamp is from CC)
Twisted Tuesday 2TC31 - Guys week "Bring on the tools" use tool image, etc. or use tools (I used my heat gun and Cuttlebug)

Thanks for dropping by!!!


Thursday, November 8, 2012

Joy to the World!!

Christmas is coming!!  (Only 47 days!!)  My oldest has started listening to Christmas music already.  Not all of the rest of the family is ready for it yet, but I love it!  I could hear the carols a million times and never get tired of them!   

I love "Joy to the World"!!  Did you know that Isaac Watts wrote it with the second coming of Christ in mind and not His birth?  I think it works for both!!  (And that means we can sing it all year round, right?)

Challenges...
52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - November Sketch Challenge
Paper Pretties Monday PPMC64 - use 2 or more circles
Just Keep on Creating - Christmas is just around the corner

~Paper Pretties "The Nativity" digi
~Recollections "O Christmas Tree" DP
~Spellbinders Standard and Lacey Circles
~Scrappy Cat sentiment heat embossed
~Spots & Dots embossing folder
~punches, ribbon, and hemp from stash

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

My life's verse


Diane, the wonderful owner of Daydream Designs, created 3 Scripture sets with the favorite verses of all the design team.   They are wonderful!  You need to check them out!!

Dream Team Scripture Set 1, Dream Team Scripture Set 2, Dream Team Scripture Set 3, or the Dream Team Scripture Sets Bundle

My verse is in set 1 and is Psalm 32:8... "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."   This verse has been proven over and over to me and is such an encouragement and blessing to me!!   I first claimed it as a teenager when I wasn't sure which direction the Lord was leading me, and though I'm looooong past my teens, He has never failed to instruct me.    The second half... guide thee with mine eye... has always helped to realize that I need to stay close to Him, close enough to see His face, so that He can guide me. 


I used the sketch from and will join the challenge  Twist of Faith #10.
I'm also submitting it to Word Art Wednesday #53 - give thanks... this is not the word art they shared, but I truly am thankful for the Lord's leading in my life!!

~Daydream Designs image from Dream Team Scripture Set 1 
~Basic Grey Recess DP
~MS border punch
~Spellbinders Labels Four
~TH faded jeans distress ink
~ribbon, hemp, button from stash

Thanks for stopping by!!!  Have a blessed day!!!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Tuesday Morning Sketch #171

Happy Election Day to those in the USA!  I guess at the end of the day, some will be happy and some will be sad!  Have you voted yet?  You'd better get out and do it!!  I can't because I'm an 'alien' (though I assure you that I am LEGAL!!!), but if you are able, you NEED to!!!

Time for a Tuesday Morning Sketch!!  Here's our awesome sketch by Jessi!!  This one is so versatile!  You can be very CAS or fancy it up a bit!  Our sponsor is My Creative Classroom so play along for a chance to win a class of your choice!!
Here is my card...

sparkly embossed sentiment
~Authentique Journey DP
~Slice silver paper
~snowflakes from Christmas Noel cartridge
~MME sentiment
~Stampendous Iridescent embossing powder

Be sure to check out my amazing fellow designers' creations for inspiration then play along for your chance to win!!
Angela
Bonnie  
Theresa

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Christmas JOY

A friend posted a pic on FB that was from Nordstrom saying they won't "deck the halls" until after Thanksgiving because they like to celebrate one holiday at a time.   We don't have a Nordstrom nearby so I don't know if that is really true or not, but I know that even though we don't decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, if I didn't start preparing for Christmas sooner than that, we'd be in trouble!!  Actually, I've been making cards all year with some challenges and made another tonight.

The digi is from a new set of Daydream Designs called Deck the Halls Digi Set-Color.  This set is GORGEOUS!!!    There is also available this set in outline, matching "Boughs and Borders", and a Deck the Halls digi paper pack that is amazing!!

My card....
I printed 2 and cut the poinsettia and popped it up

Challenges...
jingle belles JB12-23 - "Do you sketch what I sketch?"
BasicGrey Challenge 80 - anything goes
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long #35 - anything goes
Joyful Stamper Inspire Me Fridays #83 - anything goes

~Daydream Designs Deck the Halls digi set
~BasicGrey Wassail DP
~Recollections sentiment stamp
~misc punches

Thanks for stopping by!!!

for my Friend

Today, Doodle Pantry is sponsoring Sentimental Sunday's Challenge #127 - add dimension to your card (and a sentiment, as always)

Here's my card "for my friend" using Doodle Pantry's Autumn Star pre-colored digi. My dimension is with popdots and the poofy bow...


~Doodle Pantry Autumn Star digi and sentiment
~Cuttlebug Stars embossing folder
~Nestabilities Petite Ovals
~adhesive pearls
~ribbon from stash

challenges...
Celebrate the Occasion #86 - fall
Wags 'n Whiskers #91 - fall colours

Thanks for stopping by!!! 


Friday, November 2, 2012

Black & White Anniversary

I wanted to make an anniversary card and went looking for inspiration.  I was able to combine several challenges for this card...


Closeup of the stamp
Challenges...
Mojo Monday 265 - sketch
Stampin Sisters in Christ #163 - time: clocks, etc. or black/white -- I obviously did the black/white but I think it's cool that it is an anniversary card... celebrating the time of a marriage! :)
Playing in Paradise #91 - Happy Anniversary
The Stamp Man November Challenge - emboss it
Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Get in shape -not square
Shopping Our Stash #75 - 3D or handmade flower -- this flower is actually an up-cycled silk flower
Card Crafter's Circle #47 - patterned paper
Twisted Tuesday 2TC30 - anything goes

My "recipe":
~card cut with MTC
~music DP I've had FOREVER
~Fiskars stamp
~Allegro embossing folder
~flower, ribbon, and brad from stash

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Christmas and baby

Can you believe it is November 1??!!???  This year is just flying by!!!
Today is new release day at Doodle Pantry!!  Again this month, Laurie has come up with some wonderful digis!!   

At noon today, the Doodle Pantry Challenge starts!  You must use a Doodle Pantry image to play along with DPDC29.  When you do, you will receive the featured set "Holiday Cactus" FREE! 

Plus, you also have the chance to win the challenge!  You have until 8 PM CST on Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced on the 25th.

I have 2 cards for you...  the first is using the Pre-colored Winter Star and sentiment...
 

This set is FREE w/ purchase Nov 1-24!!!  After that, it will be in the store.


Along with new products, Laurie has been coloring some previous releases and Sweet Giraffe Color is one of them...

I love this image!!

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to go to Doodle Pantry and the Doodle Pantry Challenge Blog to see the new releases, see the DT's creations, and be inspired to play along, too!!