MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say 

Merry Christmas to everyone and wishing you all a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!! 

Sending with Love Sketch

My days are apparently running into one another! Today is Thursday which means it's sketch time on Sketches! {by Tamara} blog.  Check it out and play if you can.  

I know with the holidays, it is hard to keep doing what we like to do on a daily basis.  In any event, here is my card I made with an image and sentiment from American Art Stamps.  I colored in the image using my Copics and some dp from Scenic Route which you can find at Paper Addiction.  All the panels are one dimensional while the sentiment is popped up.  The card is long and narrow which is always a fun size to do.  

Thanks for taking a peek and if you are wanting to send a card of inspiration and support for a family with a very sick newborn, check out Cammie's blog here for deets!  

Peace

Whew! The holidays are approaching us fast and I still have more to do!! Family is coming in this weekend... But I was able to squeeze this card out on Sunday and finally get to load it up now!  

I stamped the main image from Penny Black on shimmer white cs and added some Swarovski crystals in some spots, stickles, and white Applique for a snowy look.  I sponged in the bg while masking the bottom.  I used my CB for the embossed back panel and some dp from Imaginisce which you can find at Paper Addiction.  I added a quick sentiment from Flourishes Peace set and was done!  This card has some really nice sparkle irl!  Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!! 

Materials Used:  Shimmer white cs, Pink Pirouette, Blue Bayou, Bashful blue, Soft Sky, Cuttlebug, brads, Flourishes-Peace, corner punch, Stickles, White applique, ribbon, circle punch, Swarovski Crystals

A Half Baked Grey Challenge

Half baked?  Interesting name isn't it?  Well, that was the title of the SCS challenge for Thursday's Ways to Use it.  It was to take an image and only use half of it for your card.  I decided that I wanted to use this tree from MSC and stickle the heck out of it!! I don't recommend this as it did take some time, but I do like the look that it gave.  You can't really see the sparkle in this picture, but it really is sparkly irl!!  This is a one layer card which I love doing.  The only embellishment on it is the bow above the sentiment and of course the stickles!! I also added some liquid pearls to some spots for an extra touch.  

Materials Used: PTI-White CS, Stickles in Platinum and silver, Liquid Pearls, Momento Black

 

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This is a challenge on Michelles Blog from A Stampers Dream. It was to use grey on the card with just a hint of color.  I may have used more color than it was asked on the challenge, but I still think it is ok!  I stamped the main image with Bella Toile and colored in some of the flowers using my Koh-I-Noor pencils and Gina K Mineral Spirits.  I used my MSC lace border punch for the bottom and some sheer silver/grey ribbon which I tied knots across it for a different look.   The sentiment is part of Pocket Silhouettes and I used my oval punch for that.  Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and comment!! 

Materials Used: Going Grey, basic Grey, Linen CS in Ivory, Oval Punch, pocket silhouette, MSC lace punch, Bella Toile, SHeer ribbon, Koh-I-noor pencils, odorless mineral spirits.

American Art Stamps-Your heart can hold

Isn't this just the cutest image?  I love it!  It is from American Art Stamps which you can find here.  

It was nice to take a little break from making Christmas cards and do a valentine or even wedding card.  Speaking of Christmas, how are you all fairing on your shopping or cards?  For me, it is about the essence of time, thus, I have done store bought cards (GASP!!!)  and still trying to catch up on the shopping part.  It is my boys that DH and are having a heck of a time 

figuring out what to get them.   They are so into Transformers, but we are transformed out! On top of them having most of the characters anyway.  I will have to do some hard thinking this weekend... OK! Back to the card..  it is a 5.25"x5.25" with a VV base and an unknown dp that was given to me.  I just love it though!  It was double sided which made it even harder to choose which side to use, but this one went the best.  The corner curve piece is from PTI in Sweet Blush.  The main image was cutout with my petite oval Nestibilites, popped up,  and distressed with some creamy caramel for color.  I colored the image in with Copics and added Crystal Effects to the balloons, Stickles to the stars, and cut out and popped up the mini hearts about the city line.  I hand drew in the 'XO' along the curve and added a self adhesive pearl to the corner and some ribbon.  

Thanks for taking a peek! Hope you all have a great weekend!

Materials Used: PTI-Sweet blush, VV, unknown dp, Crystal effects. stickles, pearl accent , ribbon, diamensionals, creamy caramel, Copics

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Baby it's cold outside!! It has been cold here, so I found this set to be appropriate! 

This is a card I made using MFT's Baby its cold outside set. I can't believe it has been a year since I have used it! (I know, winter comes once a year...) but it is the fact of, where did the year go???  The sketch was from Stamping Inspirations by Maria Bell which you can find here.  The dp is from SEI and it is a shimmer paper which you can't see very well, but it is really pretty.  I colored in the main image with Copics and hand drew the doodles with a white gel pen on the side.  I added some fun felt flowers which you can also find at MFT's.  I punched out a snowflake with my MSC punch and added a crystal brad.  The bottom border was punch using another MSC punch and I highlighted the circles with Close to Cocoa.  I added a sheer vanilla ribbon for the final touch and it was done!  I found this to be a quick winter card which, at this time of the year, quick is about all the time we all have I am sure!! Thanks for stopping by!

Materials Used: Close to Cocoa, SEI Dp, Blue bayou, MFT-baby its cold outside, felt flowers, crystal brad, sheer ribbon, MSC punches, white gel pen, slit punch

Sketch- Holiday Madness and a Little Bling

It's time for Thursday's sketch on Sketches! {by Tamara}  Below is the sketch.

I had fun making this card as it is colorful and non-traditional to the holidays.  I mixed and match different elements- The bg dp is fun Imaginisce which you can find at Paper Addiction. It has some glitter accents which makes for fun holiday paper.  The strips are from some K&Co dp which was a collage of holiday strips and worked out well for this sketch to cut out and use.  The "medallion" is a rub on I have had since last Christmas and I used it on some scrap paper and cut it out.  I then covered it in some clear ep for shine and sturdiness.   I punched out a scalloped circle for the sentiment and used some forgotten fringe ribbon for the final touch.

Materials used: Imaginisce dp, K&Co dp, Blue bayou, VV, fringe ribbon, Daisy D rub ons, Fancy Flexible Phrases, scallop punch, white gel pen, diamensionals

I mentioned some bling... I still keep busy "beadn" so I made a project that a friend requested.  She wanted a necklace that is a hot trend at the moment of stamped metal of your child's inital (or hubby, boyfriend, etc.) with a birthstone color.  Here, I stamped on sterling silver discs and oxidized the letters;  I punched a hole and added a jumpring.  The birthstones are Swarovski crystals wrapped in sterling silver wire and all were placed on a popcorn style sterling silver necklace.  This is such a fun project-stamping on metal!  I will be using more hopefully on some cards soon!  

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!!

Broken and Under the weather....

What a great ending to a weekend... Not really!   I have finally caught the cold bug from DH, as I survived before and during our trip to Holland without it! Ugh!  It's the worst... I feel pretty tired, but still have a drive to create.  My twins decided to play in my office yesterday and push each other around in my chair that one of them crashed into my paper cutter and completely broke the handle off!! That had to be pretty hard!  I had left it on the floor as I did some cutting earlier and was going to come back to it; I didn't ever expect it to get broken.  DH knew how much I depend on it to complete my projects that he drilled into it and secured it with a screw. For good measure, he then taped it around for extra holding power! LOL!! I didn't have to ask him, he just did it!  He brought it to me and said, "I did what I could until you can get a new one.."  Very sweet!  It's funny looking at it, but it really does work well!! I will have to take a picture for you to see.  Until then, I am going to rest up a bit and be back tomorrow!  Thanks for stopping by!

Holland Pictures

I promised some pictures from my recent trip to the Netherlands.  I do not have too many of the country side since I was busy helping with the wedding, but I hope you enjoy them anyway! 

This is my brother-in-law's parents house- It is an old farm house built in the 1400's.  It was gorgeous and full of character!

This is many views you see throughout Holland.  There are beautiful churches everywhere that you can always see the steeple peeking through the trees.

This windmill is in the backyard of farmhouse.  It was so cool to see this everyday when you took a walk or left the house.  It is really working windmill with someone who runs it every Saturday.

This is my boys walking my sister down the isle...

Sisters

The Bride and Groom

My boys

I have many more to share, but I thought I would start with these.... Thanks for peeking!!

Time to reflect

I just love this angel!!  It is from American Art Stamps and part of a set called Angels. I love it all!!  When I received this, I couldn't wait to ink it up!  I decided to create a card that opens from the side secured by velcro.  I stamped to image using Momento ink and colored in with Copics.  I then outlined the gown with my yellow Spica pen and colored in the wings with Shimmerz, ironically called Angel Wings.  It adds so much sparkle!! I even then outlined the wings with my clear Spica pen for extra sparkle.  I used Basic Grey's Mellow DP for the bg and some yummy velvet ribbon I have had and was waiting for some use again.   I popped up the sentiment over the ribbon and added some metal bling on the sides of the oval cutout.  You can find this image and more on the American Art Stamps website here.   Thanks so much for stopping by!

Materials used: American Art Stamps-Angels, More mustard, Basic Grey-mellow, Velvet ribbon, Momento ink, Creamy caramel, velcro, metal embellishments, Shimmerz, Spica pens, Copics

Announcement and Sketch!

Hi!! I am back from Holland and what a great time we had! The wedding was beautiful and everything went smoothly.  I am so happy for my sister!  I will post up some pictures tomorrow.  In the meantime, I mentioned in my last post that I am a guest designer this month for a company.... that company is American Art Stamps!!! I am so excited to be part of them this month!! They have such fun stamp images and many to choose from.  I do hope you stop by often to see what I create for them in December.

Today is Thursday and you know what that is!! Sketch time!  Head on over to Sketches! {by Tamara} to see this and other sketches and play along.  

This card was fun and easy card to make!  I used a set called Polar Holiday from The Cat's Pajamas and yummy double sided paper by Imaginisce that you can find at Paper Addiction.  I colored in the polar image with Copics and popped it up on the four squares.  I added some fun "bead" ribbon and a metal tag that says Happy Holidays and I was done!  Thanks for stopping by to share in my announcement and sketch creation!

News and a sketch

Last week I made a little mistake that luckily not too many of you did not notice. I put up a card that was made for this weeks sketch! So, I am not posting another card for this sketch which you can find at Sketches! {by Tamara} I hope you are all having a great Thanksgiving!!



Materials used: Inkadinkado, ruby red, vv, Copics, sanded, scrap dp and olive green cs, diamensionals

I am very excited to share that I am guest designer in December for a very cool company! I am thrilled to make some creations for them and cannot wait to get started... I will share who when I return. In addition to that, take a look at Sketches!{by Tamara} designer spotlight next month... you might see someone you know! ; )

Thanksgiving Greetings from the Netherlands

Hi everyone! Just a quick hello from Holland amongst the wedding runaround. The country is beautiful and the windmills are so awesome! When I return, I will have picures to post that I hope all enjoy. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a fabulous Thanksgiving and eat some turkey for me!!

Sketch time!!

Hello everyone!! Well... it has been a hectic week.  I will be leaving for my sister's wedding next week in Holland and I have been running around getting things finished up here that she is needing for the wedding.  I have been making her programs, table pictures, guest book, favor tags, place cards, etc. that I was happy to take a break to do this weeks sketch #72 for Sketches! {by Tamara}.   Below is this weeks sketch and we hope you can play along! 

This was such a fun sketch being able to use scraps that you may have lying around to create the bg.  Did I do that??!! Well, of course not!! LOL!! I have so many scraps but ended up cutting into a new sheet of dp by Scenic Route and I am glad I did!! You can find this fun double sided paper at Paper Addiction along with some coordinating stamps.  For the sentiment panel, I used my Nesti's in two sizes to cut out and emboss.  I added ribbon, some dots around the edges and popped them up.  The sentiment is from a set that has sat uninked since it came out in the SU! catty, but it was a perfect size for this panel.  I then used my Martha Stewart snowflake punch for the embellishment and used my Copics to color in the brown one to match.  I then touched up the ends in Platinum Stickles for some sparkly.  

Thanks for stopping by and I may begin to bombard you all with some projects I have yet to post but have been done! I am apologizing ahead of time, but I promise not to do it all at once! 

Materials Used: Ruby Red, Scenic Route, Martha Stewart punch, Slit punch, Stickles, VV, Nestibilities, SU! Best Yet, ribbon

Blog Candy Winner!

We have a winner!!!  This was not too hard since unfortunately, not many people played this easy peasy game to win some free money!! (Who doesn't want free money??!!) 

DH.com was not home to randomly pick a name, so I used a randomly automated sequence based on who commented in order and here is our number and winner:

3 

Timestamp: 2008-11-16 14:24:36 UTC

Janet@swofford.com!!!

Congratulations Janet!  Please email me the email you would like your links sent to for your gift certificates!! Have fun with them because both Gina K and My Favorite Things have some awesome items out!  

My Nephew

I just wanted to do a quick post to ask you all to keep my little 7 year old nephew in your prayers.  He is hospitalized with Pneumonia and now has had trouble swallowing.  I have not gotten an update as of this AM, but last night they were to do a CT to find out what is causing the troubled swallowing.  He had a fever of 105.5 when my brother and sister-in-law took him in and it is my understanding that the fever is down and he is having lots of IV antibiotics that are helping.  This is my brother and sister-in-law's only child so I know they could use lots of prayers!! Thanks so much!!

You asked for it!

Hi everyone!  Well, you have asked for the template to the Ornament Wish Box and you shall receive!  : )    For this project, I used my Score-Pal which made this very simple to do.  This is my first "tutorial" so please bear with me!

To start, cut your paper to 3" x 6".  Using your score tool, score on the short side at 1" and 2".  Turn the paper around and score on the long side at 1", 2", 3.5", and 4.4".  In the picture above, I have outlined in red the areas that your should cut with your scissors.  For the area that looks like an ' I ' , I just found the center and cut it in half.   The finished cut template should look like the picture below.

You can see that I have marked with an x where you use your hole punch to make room for the ribbon to hang.  Make it as small or large as you feel you need it.  You might even find something else clever to use as a hanging tool for this!  

Fold along your score lines to begin the box making.  Tape the outside of the short flaps to adhere to the inside of the box.  Then tape the remaining large flap on the inside to adhere to the rest of the box.   The finished box is below.  You can used some good heavy DP to make the box or use plain CS and decorate it with dp and embellishments when you are finished.  You can also use whatever you like for closure of this box (I used Velcro) as well as decorating the top flap.  For this sample, I used my Threading Water punch to make the edge, but in my previous post I used a circle punch cut out for the front.  

I do hope this helps you all, but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me and I will answer whatever questions you may have.  I also realized as I was typing this post that I should have taken more pictures of where to tape and such, so I hope my explanation sufficed!   Thanks so much for stopping by and don't forget to enter for your chance to win some free money here!!!

Veteran's Sketch

It's Sketch time!! This is for Sketches! {by Tamara} weekly sketch which you can find on her blog.  I had made a card for Veterans Day in which I will send to my dh's grandfather.  I wish I could send one to every veteran, but I do hope they all know how appreciative I am for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make.  They are the reason I can sit here now and "blog" my creations and thoughts.  Thank you!!

For this card I used a lot of things I have had collecting dust.  LOL!  I used some dp and stamps from CTMH that I have had for some time.   It was nice to break them in and put a little ink to the stamps.  I added some Stickles in Platinum to the stars on the flag although you can really see them.  The ripped panel was made using the sentiments from the stamp sets.  Just a simple card that means a lot!!  

Thanks for stopping by!!

Materials Used: NON, Momento Black, NQN, Ruby Red, CTMH Independence dp, CTMH, K&CO Brads, Stickles, corner rounder, ribbon, self adhesive metal embellishments, Going Grey

Ornament Wish Box

With the holidays approaching, my children have lots of wishes and wants for the season.  As a jewelry designer, I was inspired to take an idea of a jewelry component and the wishes of my children to make an ornament wish box.  This can also be used to be a prayer box or even a little trinket box that can hold a pair of earrings or two hershey kisses.  With this box, I will make two for my kids to have them hang on the tree with a wish or prayer and on Christmas morning open the box to see if either the wish was granted or the prayer answered.  This is just another way I thought would help my children appreciate the holiday and understand the meaning. If making this box is of interest to you, let me know and I will be happy to post the template for making this.  

The top of the box is held using a half circle of velcro for easy opening and closing.  I used Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding in Fruitcake for the paper and a circle punch for adding a little to the front flap.  You can also use a border punch to make for a cute design.  As always, thanks for stopping by!!

***Don't forget to post your comment on what the song may be that is playing for $20 in gift certificates to My Favorite Things and Gina K!!  I am extending this until Saturday, November 15 at midnight!! Play along!!***

Happy Veterans Day!

I hope you all have a great Veteran's Holiday.  Please stop and remember those who have sacrificed their lives to give us our great freedom.  If you see a Veteran on this day, please remember to say thank you; they serve and have served to protect you and your loved ones as well as for the love of our country.  Veterans are not only those who are wearing a camouflaged uniform, but who are wearing firefighting gear or blues as well- Our local fire fighters and police men/women.  For all our Veterans- THANK YOU!!!

I do have a Veterans card, but it can be seen on Thursday for Sketches! {by Tamara} weekly sketch.  I hope to have another one tomorrow, but in the mean time, here is an invitation I made for a friends son's birthday.  They are having a bowling party and I thought an invitation the shape of a pin would be catchy!  The bowling ball is popped up and I used a white gel pen to draw in the holes.  The stripes are pieces of red ribbon and the sentiment is written in.  The inside finishes the sentiment- " Roll on over, there's no time to spare- We're going bowling and we want you there!"  A poet I am NOT!!! LOL!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

**Don't forget, there is still time to play Name that Tune!! It's free money!!***