SOTW - Twelve Days of Christmas

Yikes!  One week till Christmas Eve. We all know its coming.  We all know what date its on, yet every year, we all (or at least most of us) seem to be shocked when it gets here "so fast!!!"  That's kind of the point I'm at right now.  I put off sending out my Christmas Cards.   I LOVE making cards ---- sending them, not so much.  I finally sat down and got those written out and ready to go.  I just need a few more stamps. I've got some cookies made - not as many as I'd like, but that's fine too.  I'm probably better off not having all those sweets around. 

I'm not sure I have all my Christmas gifts bought but I'm off work at the end of this week.   Before then, I'll have to sort through what I've got bought, get things wrapped up and make a list of what I still need. We'll be fine. Christmas will come whether I'm ready for it or not.  There's no little kids at our house, just my husband, our adult son and me, so we don't have that frantic Christmas frenzy that many families have.  Maybe that's why I've procrastinated too long. 

One thing I haven't procrastinated on is this weeks SOTW - The Twelve days of Christmas - Stamper's style.  Another super cute stamp from Repeat Impressions.......and it's on special this week for 50% off - be sure to go here for all the details. 
 
I thought last week's What If? Wednesday's sketch was so great, I decided to give it another try using the SOTW.

Here's the close up.........gotta have a close up.

Now, don't forget, this stamp is at a super price this week - 50% off, so pick it up while this offer is still available.  Go here to see all the details.

Remember, Repeat Impressions has some fun challenges going on right now, so go here to see the full details on that.  If you play along and link your card you could win an awesome prize - a $25 gift certificate to the Repeat Impressions store.  Now that would be a great early Christmas present!!

Thanks so much for stopping.
Joyce

Bellarific Friday 24 - Make a Tag!!!

One of my favorite projects to make is gift tags.  They always make a fun, quick project that is a great change of pace.  When I saw this challenge over on the Stamping Bella Blog, I just had to play along.  Tags........Bella's..........I'm in.......

Here's my Bella tag.

Here's a close up

Have a super day.

Joyce

Supplies:

Stamp - Bella - Snowbunnybella

Ink - Momento - Tuxedo black

Paper - Printed paper - Recollections 'The Ballet' paper pack, Purple glitter paper - DCWV, Card stock - Kraft paper, white, green

Tools & Accessories - copic markers, Glitter gem, Snowflake punch - McGill, Twine - True Hemp, Satin ribbon.  Die-namics die - Notebook Edge

What If? Wednesday - Sketch Challenge D1212

It's What If? Wednesday and as usual, Repeat Impressions has a great sketch for us. 

This adorable Repeat Impessions image - Chickadee at Rest - 211-P worked perfectly for this sketch. 

What about you?  Do you want to play along with this weeks awesome sketch??   Create your own version of this sketch, post it here, on the Repeat Impressions blog and you will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to with a $25 gift certificate to the Repeat Impressions store.  

Sassy Cheryl - White Christmas!!!

I'm lovin' all the white on white Christmas cards that I've been seeing this holiday season.  I've already made a few myself but I couldn't resist playing along with the Sassy Cheryl "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" challenge #144.   A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to win the random drawing for the Sassy Cheryl so I have several new 'Sassy' images to play with. 

This is one of my new images - gift bearing snowman - and he's perfect for this white on white challenge. 

Here's my close up....

I finally used my pointsettia die.  I purchased this a few months ago after we used it on a project at card club - I just had to have it.  I'm so glad I got it, I love these beautiful flowers.  It reminds me of my Mom who loved pointsettias.

Have a great week!!
Joyce

Supplies:
Stamps - Sassy Cheryl digi image - gift bearing snowman
Paper - misc white card stock
Tools & Accessories - Copic markers, embossing folder - Cuttlebug, Pointsettia die - Marianne Design, glitter dot - Recollections, nesties - scalloped rectangles. 

MFT's - Round 2

This month, I had a chance to participate in the MFT monthly challenge and now I am even able to sneak a card in for the weekly challenge as well.  How fun!!

Our son just accepted a engineering co-op but its in a city almost 3 hours away from us.  It's a beautiful city - a place he was hoping to get the opportunity to live at some point, so he is totally psyched about  moving there and we're psyched for him.  He has never rented an apartment before and we certainly are no experts, having lived in homes for the last 25 years, but between the 3 of us, we hoped to figure things out.  Being the weekend, no one was available to show us around (we knew that going there), but we did accomplish a lot and we have a long list we are waiting for call backs on. 

Our son had to get back to school to finish some projects and study for semester exams and we headed back toward home.   We were exhausted!!  We had done a LOT in less than 24 hours.  When we got home, there was tons I could have done around the house but we both just crashed on the sofa to watch a movie.   That gave me the chance to get this MFT done. 

This is the sketch for MFT's this week..... They always have such good ones.

And here is my take on the sketch.   I love these A' La Mode stamps.   So cute and super simple to color.

Here's a close up.

So glad I got the chance to play along!
Joyce

Supplies:
Stamps - MFT - a' la mode - miss you a latte'. 
Ink - Momento - Tuxedo black
Paper - Authentique - stripe & paisley papers, Heidi Grace - Argylle, basic card stock - white, burgandy
Tools & Accessories - Cutter bee - piercer to achieve the "stitching", rhinestones, copic markers, paper flowers with brad in the middle.

My Favorite Things - Guest Designer Challenge MFTGUESTDT1212

I love to play along with the MFT's challenges - especially the monthly guest design team challenges.  It gives me a chance to use my MFT stamps - love them.  Especially the Pure Innocence line and the A La Mode line.  This is my entry in the MFT's Guest Designer Challenge - MFTGUESTDT1212.

With all the Christmas crafts I've been doing recently, I just wanted to create something completely different, so this baby image seemed like the perfect change of pace.  This is the A' La Mode image called 'Oh, Baby!!'  The 'Welcome Little One' verse comes from that same stamp set.

Here's a close up....

This is a 'simple is more' kind of card which is a great way to make this adorable image the focal point.  Each layer of paper is matted with this shimmery blue paper from DCWV and the plaid print paper is from the DCWV - Linen paper pack.  The velvet brads make a great soft, fuzzy touch. 

Thanks so much for stopping by

Joyce

Supplies:

Stamps - Image & verse - MFT - Oh Baby! for the A' La Mode stamp line.

Ink - Momento - Tuxedo black

Paper - blue flocked polka dot - Cloud 9 Design, Glitter print plaid - DCWV - Linen paper pack, Blue shimmer paper - DCWV

Tools & Accessories - Copic markers, flocked brads, piercer, Tim Holtz ruler for piercing

Its the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I am a member of best card club!!!

We meet once a month and each time we get together, I am just amazed by my fellow club members.  Wow!! What a talented  group of ladies.   The first thing we do is have 'show 'n tell' of the cards we completed for that months challenges.  Its always interesting to see everyones 'take' on our monthly assignments.   As the cards get passed around the table, you can hear all the oooooohs and aaaaaahs and "how'd you do that?"s. We all want to know each others techniques, what product was used, and our big giggle is if a card has a different texture we all have to 'touch' it see how it feels.  (Yes, Sara, we still are 'touching' the cards - we still miss you).    If a non-crafter were to hear our conversations, they would be baffled as we rattle off techniques, product manufacturers, and crafting lingo.  Think a card makers version of a "Trekky" convention - without costumes.  If someone says "what is that?" several in the group can rattle off the manufacturer, where you can pick it up, or who has the best price - don't forget to use your coupon!!!! 

We all have very different personalities, and we are in different phases in life, but when it comes to card making, we all have tons in common.  It's to the point that as the card goes around the table, we can tell who made it just by looking at it.  Whether its a color choice, a style or a technique, we all kind of have our own trademark.   Due to space limitations, there are only 10 of us in club (soon to be 8) but that's the way we like it - a nice small cozy group. 

Most nights we do 2 shoe box (make 'n take) projects - we each take turns leading the projects.  We have a demo where one person shows a new technique that they have seen recently.  Another person will assign the challenges for the upcoming month.  Oh, and of course there is always food - one person brings a dessert or snack of some sort.

Last night, we had our Christmas swap and pot luck.  OH MY GOSH!!! The cards everyone made were gorgeous.   I'll share them with you...

First we had Barb's.   Each of hers were a little different but used the same technique to create so we got to choose the card we wanted.  This is the one I chose.  So cute. 

Marie makes each card different so again we got to choose.  I had admired this one earlier, so I made it my pick.

Phyllis designed this gorgeous card.  Love it!!!

This is Tammy's card.  She added Crystal Affects to Santa's glasses - such a cute touch. 

This is Peggy's - love the pink.  The inking has a very cool, almost a water color affect to it. 

Here is Heidi's - gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!!

And Ann's.   Love the white embossing on the rich, dark blue.  A very cool affect!

Here's Janes.  Lots of work involved in this one since she stamped the inside of the card and the flap on the envelope.  Breathtaking!

Here's Karen's.   I love the red showing through the crisp white.   Beautiful!

And here is mine. 

I'm still amazed by all these cards.  Aren't they gorgeous?!

DCC - Tags and/or Bags

Yeay, it's Designers Choice Challenge (DCC) Wednesday at Repeat Impressions.   That means one of the Repeat Impressions Rock Stars selects our challenge and this week it was Patti's pick.   I love the challenge Patti chose for us - tags and/ bags.  A) I love gift wrapping projects and B) with Christmas coming, this helps me get a gift bag and tag ready for a special gift for a special someone in my life.  You can't beat that. 

Here is my gift bag with a matching tag....

I used this cute Repeat Impressions stamp - 2112-D Sleigh Ride Silhouette to create this set. 

Here's a closer view.

Now its your chance to play along.  Create a gift bag and/or tag of some sort, link it here on the Repeat Impressions Blog and you will be entered in a random drawing to win a gift certificate to the Repeat Impressions store.  Go here to see the full set of rules and the deadline. 

Come play along with us and get some gift wrapping done in the process.
Joyce

Stamp Of the Week Monday at Repeat Impressions.

It's Stamp of the Week (SOTW) Monday at Repeat Impressions and I really love the stamp they are featuring this week - 8805-K Snowflakes. This stamp can be used as a back ground, as an accent on a card, or as the main focal feature. 

Here's how I used it on my card.  You may not be able to see it in this photo, but I've stamped this amazing image on acetate. 

I hope you can see that a little more clearly with this photo.   You know its a good quality stamp when it creates a clean, crisp image even using Stazon on acetate. 

This beautiful verse is also from Repeat Impressions - 8810-H Snow Much Fun, and it coordinates with this snowflake stamp perfectly.  The card base is made from Worldwin double sided paper.  It's a lighter blue (seen behind the acetate strip) on the inside. and the outside is that rich dark blue that you see peaking out along side the acetate strip.  The printed snowflake paper on the front of the card is from Cloud 9. 

Now here's the best part - since this snowflake stamp is Repeat Impressions SOTW - that means it is at the unbelievable 50% off this week.  I'm not kidding - this stamp is half price.  Check out the details here.  Be sure to grab one of these before this special price is gone. 

Have a super week!!

Joyce



A Very Special Announcement!!!

I couldn't be more pleased and honored to announce that I am now on the design team for Send a Smile 4 Kids. 

If you haven't heard about S.A.S. 4 Kids, you must check it out.  Their mission is collect greeting cards to be given to kids that are patients at children's hospitals.  What an awesome cause - what a wonderful way to brighten the day of sick children.  Go here to check out the details and see how you can contribute cards for this special cause.  

Not only is Send a Smile 4 Kids a great cause, it is also a fun challenge blog.  They have a challenge twice a month.   If you participate and link your creation here, you will be entered into a drawing to win a great prize from some amazing sponsors.     

Today we start a new challenge - Winter Fun 4 Kids.  There are 3 great sponsors for this challenge

Cuddly Buddly is offering a  prize of a 5 pound gift certificate

The Cutting Cafe' is giving out 3 sets of digi image or cutting files

Crackerbox Palace is awarding a $15 gift certificate

Here is my design for this challenge.......

This adorable image is from Cuddly Buddly.   Oh My Gosh!! This little guy is sooooooo cute and he certainly looks like he's having some winter fun. 

Now its your chance to play along.  Create your own 'Winter Fun 4 Kids' card, link it here and you will be entered for a chance to win these great prizes.  See the full rules here. 

Please note:  I am also entering this card in the Paper Crafts Stars Blog Challenge - Greenery
I can't wait to see what you create. 
Joyce

What If? Wednesday Sketch Challenge at Repeat Impressions

We are officially in the Christmas rush but I'm still taking time out for What If? Wednesday at Repeat Impressions.  It's sketch week and wow, do I love this sketch. 

So happy with how this card turned out.  I think this is the card I'll be sending to our families this year but, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, don't tell them.  Let it be a surprise.  

Heres's a close up.  I stamped the Repeat Impressions stamp 3805-J Winters Eve with versa mark then heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  Matted on silver glitter paper, the image just pops.  

More silver paper to create the banner and embossing the white background makes a huge statement.  I was totally impressed by this Sizzix embossing folder.  I get very nervous when the folders have such sharp lines. I've had some (not sure of the brand) that just seem to cut or tear the paper but this one gave me crisps scores every time.  I was very pleased with the effect it gave to the card. 

Now its your chance to take a break from the Christmas rush to play along with the What If? Wednesday sketch.  Just design your own card using this awesome sketch found above, post it to the link here on the Repeat Impressions blog and you have a chance at a $25 gift certificate to the Repeat Impressions store. Now that's a great early Christmas present. Their stamps are the good stuff - great quality and they give a perfect image every time. 

I hope you'll play along!

Joyce

Please note - I am entering this card in the

 Creative Craft Challenge 2 blog Challenge - White on White

and the Flourishes - Timeless Tuesday blog challenge - Gold or silver

As always, I hope I've followed the rules appropriately.

Supplies:

Stamps - Repeat Impressions - 3805-J Winter'sEve

Ink - Versa Mark - clear

Paper - Glitter paper used to mat the image - DCWV, White paper w/Silver Gitter Swirls - Recollections (not sure if this is available any more - I found it on the clearance rack about a year ago), Silver shimmer/glitter paper used to mat the banner - DCWV (the Dazzle Stack). 

Tools & Accessories - Silver embossing powder, Scalloped square nesties, embossing folder - Sizzix (link above)