Magic Card

No, I did not get a chance to work on Layla's birthday card today. 

 It is the first thing on my To Do... List for tomorrow.  

I thought you might like to see the card I made for my Mother for Christmas this year.

 At first glimpse, this looks like a normal top fold card.  

It was called a 'magic card' in the tutorial I followed. 

When you open it there are side extensions that fold out.

(I added a personal note to the bottom center section.)

 

 

Then when you fold the top back down it stands nicely for display.

The stamped image, sentiment, and scripture are Close to My Heart Stamps.

I am entering this in the following challenges:

The Glory of Christmas Challenge #23 - Jesus

Just Add Ink Challenge #196 - Just Add Your Christmas Project

Aud Sentiments Challenge #96 - Christmas

Milk Coffee Challenge - Any Christmas Creation

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #112 - Merry Christmas

Inky Chicks Challenge #19 - Christmas

Twist of Faith Challenge #19 - Favorite Theme (#47-Borders and Fancy Edges)

Hap-bee New Year

Blue Moon Creations sponsored a challenge not too long ago and I was fortunate enough to win one of their digis.  Since I have no New Year's stamps, I picked this little bee.  He's been colored with pencils; his hat with markers; and his wings covered in glitter glue.

The fun celebration paper was a freebie in my December Quick Cards magazine.  I ran it through a honeycomb embossing folder by Darice.  And finally I added some washi tapes both on the front and inside. 

I'll be submitting this to the following challenges:
Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge #192 - Happy New Year
Inkspirational Challenge #46 - Anything Goes
Splendiferous Creations Bloggers Challenge - Celebrations
Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe Challenge # R156 - Something New (digi,embossing folder,paper,and pink+aqua washi tape)
Delicious Doodles Challenge #68 - Let's Party
C.R.A.F.T Challenge #239 - New Year/New Beginnings/New Baby 
Sassy Studio Designs Challenge # 209 - Ring in the New Year 
Crafters Cafe Challenge #43 - Happy New Year
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge # 290 - Ring in the New Year
Whimsie Inspirations Challenge #66 - Party Time
Oozak Challenge #28 - Anything Goes - Something Old/Something New 
Twisted Tuesday Challenge 2TC66 - New Beginnings
Bunny Zoe's Craft Challenge - Wings 
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #203 - Christmas and the Upcoming New Year
Perfectly Rustics Challenge #13 - Washi Tape
The Crazy Challenge #161 - Celebrate the New Year
Use Your Stuff Challenge #115 - Celebrate
Pile It On Challenge #48 - "p" is for Paper

Tomorrow I must get busy making Layla's Birthday Card! 

I think today's Freebie at Bugaboo might be very timely.

 

Time is running out....

to enter this month's CAS Challenge #14 at A Creative Need.  I wasn't quite sure what to do with the red deer freebie for this month.  I decided to go real simple (to enter it in the current challenge) and a bit masculine.

Before I run off to the store to pick up some things for my mother, I am submitting this to these other challenges:

Digi Haven Challenge - 'tis the colors of the season - Red and Green
Keep It Simple Challenge #30 - Anything Goes
Victorine Originals Challenge #74 - Red, Green + Embossing
Christmas Card Challenges #4 - Make It Masculine



I'll be back later with a fun New Year's Card.

Simple Cards

These stamps from Close to My Heart made beautiful Christmas cards.  I wanted the image and sentiments to be the focal point so I kept the cards very simple.  DP  are scraps from previous cards.
I've decided to enter the bottom card in these challenges:
Quick Quotes Challenge #34 - Holiday Card
Dream It Up Challenge - Holidays in a Hurry
The House That Stamps Built Designers Choice Challenge #1218  - Last minute Christmas card or tag
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #112 - Merry Christmas
City Crafter Challenge #191 - Child
Cuttin and Stampin Challenge #51 - Anything Goes using Leftovers (hope my DH agrees with because he's getting leftovers for dinner tonight!)
Inky Chicks Challenge #19 - Christmas
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #176 - What Christmas Means to You
Twist of Faith Challenge #69 - Your Favorite  (CTMH stamps are my favorite stamps to use when card making.)
The Glory of Christmas Challenge #23 - Jesus

Birthday Card

I mentioned the other day that I had several birthdays on the calendar.  This card is for my sister-in-law.

I used an Annabelle digital stamp and sentiment and followed the color scheme for Challenge #174 at Annabelle Stamp Blog so I could enter it in the challenge.
I'm also going to enter this birthday card in these challenges too:
Digi Makeover Challenge #120 - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Birthdays
Charisma Cardz Challenge #49 - Anything Goes
Digitally Sweet Challenge #68 - Anything Goes
Sister Act Card Challenge #38 - Anything Goes

CAS Christmas Card

My one grandson fell in love with my cuttlebug machine a few years ago when I helped him make a school project.  He had to build some kind of Mesopotamian temple and we used a small block patterned EF on beige paper and added some distressing in a bit darker ink to make it look like blocks of sand.  Yesterday, in the midst of the Christmas mayhem, he asked me if I ever needed help cuttlebugging things.  Because he would be happy to come over and help.  

I must admit, I'm a bit in love with the machine myself.  And I have a difficult time resisting when I come across an EF I don't have.  The folder I used for this card is just fantastic for a CAS card.

I am entering this in these great challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge # 176 - Last minute card or one never shown
Drunken Stampers Challenge #155 - Embossing
Less is More Challenge #151 - Use a previous challenge theme (I used Challenge #111 - Frame It)
613 Avenue Create Challenge #51 - Anything Goes w/ no twist this week
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #72 - Lovely Wishes
Amusing Challenge - Anything Goes
Scribble and Scrap Challenge #8 - Always Anything Goes
Sentimental Sundays Challenge #186- Anything Xmas Goes
Creative Corner Challenge - Clean and Simple

A bit zany?

This Christmas card, another tunnel card, was made for a special friend.  I made the flower with some CTMH discontinued sassy strands.  The little stickon embellies were from a MS pack.  Holiday Edna is an Ala Art rubber stamp and the inside sentiment is by CTMH.  The DP in pinks and lime green were in my stash.  Hope this is zany enough for the current ABC Christmas challenge and these other challenges as well:
Little Red Wagon Challenge #217 - Merry Christmas! Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter Christmas Challenge - Anything Goes
Stamp n Doodle Dec 18th Challenge - Anything Goes
The Stamping Chef Challenge #13 - Anything Goes
Stampotique Designers December Challenge #128 - Anything Goes
A Little Bit Crafty Challenge - Christmas Cheer

Peace on Earth - Vintage

Merry Christmas!!!!

There is a bit of a quiet, uneventful, lull in my day today.  

My daughter & her family just left and my son and his family have yet to arrive. 

I would really like to go play with the gift bag full of stamps, inks and accessories my daughter gave me for Christmas.   And not one duplicated what I already have! 

Instead I wanted to wish all my followers a wonderful day!

I asked Santa for 100 followers for Christmas, but I really wasn't specific as to the year. 

 Maybe I'll be wishing Merry Christmas to 100 followers in 2014.

Of course this card is destined to enter a few challenges:

365 Card Challenge Day 358 - Old Favorite  (Day #290 Vintage with a die cut was my choice.)

Deep Ocean Challenge #67 - Something Old (The lace is ancient.)

LEJ Designs Challenge #84 - Anything Goes

Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge #83 - Holiday Blitz Anything Goes

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge #152 - Anything Goes

Ribbon Carousel Challenge #88 - Anything Goes Week 4

Craft-dee Bowz December Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #3 - Anything Goes

Well, my son and his family should be arriving soon.  Then it's off to my mother's for dinner.  

I hope you all enjoy a day full of love, as Christmas is meant to be.

Maybe I'll break out some of those new stamps tomorrow. 

 I need 2 birthday cards for little girls, 3 and 6.  They will be fun to make.

It took a year, but I got it finished in time for Christmas.

From the Heart Stamps December Challenge features 2 cute digital images - a snowman image, For the Birds, and  adorable Candy Cane Anneke, which is the one I chose to use for my entry this month into their challenge:

This is a great challenge because if you use their image and enter the challenge this month, they will send you another digi image to use next month.  

Here is one more challenge for this card:

Digitally Sweet Challenge # 67 - Photo Inspiration

 

Now, if you read the title of my blog today you might be wondering why this card took a year to make.    It wasn't this card that took a year.  It was a gift for my DIL. 

A little background info.... the silverware pattern my DIL chose when she and my son married 10 years ago has been discontinued.  And when entertaining, she often has to use both her good and her everyday silverware because she doesn't have enough place settings.  Wonderful MIL that I am, I routinely watch ebay for opportunities to purchase more place settings for her.  Before last Christmas I found and bought 4 more place settings in her pattern.  Then I spotted a flyer at Joann's with directions for silverware holders.  I picked up the flyer, purchased the special material to keep silver in, and pretty fabric for the outside.  But I didn't get a chance to make it before last Christmas.  I told myself that I was going to get this project finished so I could give her the silver this Christmas.

I actually finished it today! and am pleased with the results!

(A view of the 5 utensil holders open)

(The top flaps over to protect the silver)

(A drawstring bag I made in which to keep all 5 holders, also lined with the special silver fabric.)

I sure do hope she likes it!

I am entering this in a few non-card challenges:

Alphabet Challenge - W for Whatever You Wish

Bloggers Challenge - Holiday Gifts

Craft My Life All Crafts Dec/Jan Challenge - Anything Goes

Miriam's Crafting Blog 7th Monthly Challenge - Homemade Gifts

Tomorrow I must bake some Christmas cookies!

Tunnel Card

I recently came across a tutorial for a tunnel card.  They are so easy to make, I made several.  

The papers and stickers are by Moxie, the stamps are CTMH.

I'll be entering this card in the following challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Week 238/239 - Brown,Blue,Aqua
Pumpkin Spice Challenge #51 - Anything Holiday
Inkspirational Challenge #46 - Anything Inkspirational Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge #73 - Anything Goes
Cut It Up Challenge #34 - Christmas
Sister Act Card Challenge # 38- Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge #96 - Christmas
ABC Challenge - B for blue, bows, and bling
Word Art Wednesday Challenge #111 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #176 - What Christmas Means to You

I didn't know!

Not long ago, while at one of my favorite discount stores, I purchased an Opalite stamp pad in Glacier Blue at a relatively cheap price.  Upon getting home, I quickly popped it out of it's plastic wrapping, opened it.  The pad wasn't blue, glacier or otherwise.  It was simply white.  I thought I'd wasted my money.  I was really looking for a nice light blue.  Perhaps it had been mislabeled or was very old.  I had bought it at a discount store, after all.  I tried stamping something on a sheet of white paper.  Nope, that didn't work.  Then I looked at the stamp pad closer.  What I had purchased was a reflective interference pigment ink that was meant to be used on dark paper.  So I got out a sheet of black paper and tried stamping with it again.  Lo and behold, this time I could see ink and it did look glacier blue on the black!  And I liked it!!!  That's what I used to stamped this beautiful image of the Holy Family by Stampers Best.  

I'll be entering this Christmas card in the following challenges:

Aud Sentiments Challenge #96 - Christmas

Charisma Cardz Challenge #49 - Anything Goes

Crafter's Cafe Challenge #42 - Make it Sparkle

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #111 - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #176 - What Christmas Means to You

Twist of Faith Card Challenge #68 - Nativity

Snowman

While going through my Christmas/Winter stash, I came across this image already stamped and fussy cut.  I added a little color and he was ready for this card:

I'll be submitting this card to these challenges:

Cards in Envy Challenge - Icy or Hot
Creative Knockouts Challenge - Winter Wonderland
Shelly's Images December Challenge - Winter Theme + snowflake
Mema's Crafts December Challenge - Winter/Christmas/Holiday
Whimsie Doodles December Challenge - Photo Inspiration

Birthday, Christmas, Anniversary, Valentine's - whatever suits

This is an anniversary card for one of my brother's, but could also be used for Christmas or Valentine's, even a Birthday.  The gorgeous flower arrangement paper is part of a magazine advertisement.  One look and I knew it would be great for a card!  I hope you can tell that the white strip across the card is glitter paper.  Glitter is so hard to photograph.  The sentiment is a CTMH stamp.   What a quick and easy card!

I am entering this in the following challenges:
Crafty Sentiments Design Blog - Birthdays
Sweet Stamps Challenge #148 - Glitter
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge #202 - Christmas Colors

Inkspirational Challenge #45 - Photo Challenge

Vintage Skate

Skating is a good theme for today.  That's because everything was covered with ice when we got up this morning.  And under the ice was more snow.  The sun was out and the noise from the ice melting off the trees and dripping on the ice covered ground made it sound like it was raining.   I had shoveled about half of the drive when a neighbor pulled up with a plow on his truck and finished the rest for me.  Thank you, Big Mike!!

This card is for my niece's birthday and features a vintage ice skate digi image by Pattie Gomez.  You can find her wonderful images here on etsy.  The background stamping on the scalloped oval and the sentiment are CTMH stamps.  DP was a freebie in a recent magazine and embossed with a snowflake EF.  I laced the skate with some baker's twine and added a few sparkles. 

And now I'm entering it in these challenges:
Allsorts Challenge Week 237 - Snowflakes
One Stitch at a Time Challenge #194 - Anything Goes
Crafty Hands Challenge #4 - Seasons Greetings/Winter Theme
Polka Doodles and Studio 12 Challenge Week #50 - Anything Goes
4 Crafty Girlz Challenge - Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #237 - Favorite film, Inspired by a movie, TV or Song  (Ice Castles)
DRS Designs Challenge #100 - Anything Goes

So much for my 'To Do' List

It's that time of year when there is so much to be done that my 'To Do' list seems endless.  Today was a perfect day to work on it.  The forecast was for more snow and I ran my errands yesterday.   I had great plans.  And what did I do????  Not a thing on my list!!  I started out trying to make room on my craft/dining room table so I could address Christmas cards.  And I instead of putting away the scraps, I made more cards. 
Here's one that is perfect for the current challenge at Cards in Envy - Tag You're It!.

Here are the other challenges to which I'll be submitting this card:
Pumpkin Spice Challenge #50 - Ribbons or Bows
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Last Minute Christmas
Time 4 Scrap Challenge #28 - Holly
Sister Act Card Challenge #37 - Anything Goes

Maybe tomorrow I can get to that list,

after I shovel all this snow!

Warm Wishes on a Cold Day

Oh no!  We're gonna get more snow!!!

Looks like tomorrow may be a good day to work on addressing all these Christmas cards I've been making.  The forecast is not the best.  

I used mostly Close to My Heart products to make the card above.  I started with plain cardstocks, stamped the snowflakes and added some extra blue with a stipple brush to make my own BG.   

I cut the front of the card shorter than the back and used a punch on the bottom of both.  A strip of  CTMH silver glitter ribbon was added to the front and also the bottom of the inside of the card so it shows through the blue punched edge on the front.  

Isn't the penguin adorable? 

He's part of a special stamp set available to CTMH party hostesses only.

This little fella is headed for the following cold weather challenges:

Crafty Hands Challenge #4 - Seasons Greetings/Winter Theme

Jo's Scrap Shack Fun Friday Challenge #30 - Winter

Sweet Pea Stampers Challenge - It's Cold Outside

Crafty Little Fairies Challenge - Let It Snow

Moving Along with the Times Challenge - Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Sarah Hurley Challenge #87 - Create Your Own Background

Shelly's Images December Challenge - Welcome Winter

Sweet Stampin Christmas Challenge - Let It Snow

Creative Moments Challenge #32 - Anything Goes/Winter Wonderland

Fab N Funky Challenge #197 - Snowflakes

Imagine That!

This adorable gingerbread pair are digi images by Kris at Imagine That!  I used a negative from one of my spellbinders die cuts for the aperture which I raised 1/8" with foam.  Top and bottom borders are washi tape and embellishments are Martha Stewart stick-ons.

I'll be submitting this card to these fun challenges:
Imagine That December Challenge - Gingerbread Kids
DigiStamps4Joy Challenge #82 - Anything Goes
Divas by Design Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrappers Delight Challenge #13 - Christmas Time
Stamp N Doodle Dec 11th Challenge - For the Holiday Spirit
Just Inspirational Challenges, Team B - Washi Tape
Sweet Stamps Challenge #147 - A Simple Christmas
Connie Can Crop Monthly Challenge #17 - We Washi You a Merry Christmas
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #172 - Food & Drink

Saturday Leftovers

My grandsons were here Saturday evening while their parents had an evening out.  Matthew always prefers to come here rather than us going there because I have all the 'good craft stuff'.  We started out making a cake, always one of Matt's favorite activities.  Next he wanted to make an ornament for his mother.   He wanted to make it round and paint it blue, no red (last minute change).  I dug out a styrofoam ball and the paints.  Ahhh.... Nick's curiosity got the better of him and I was soon digging out another ball and both boys painted as I made dinner.   The balls were painted and propped up on toothpicks to dry.  After dinner Matt finished his project by adding a ribbon to hang the ornament and a little Merry Christmas banner.  He insisted on finding a box and wrapping it.  After adding a bow he pronounced finished.  Time to ice the cake and have a piece.  Then Matt remembered the origami wreath he saw in my stash.  Next project.  So I cut paper to make wreaths.  Unfortunately, his energy had run out; he asked if I could just make it for him; then he collected an afghan and curled up on the chair with his stuffed monkey to wait for his parents' return.
Moral of the story:  Don't cut paper for projects after 8pm or you wind up with leftover cut paper.

This is what I did with some of the leftovers and a  free digi image from Beccy Muir.  She has a great blog and some wonderful images, so if you have a moment check out Beccy's Place.

This last card will be my submission to Beccy's December Challenge.
And also:
Creative Card Crew Challenge #51 - Holly or Poinsettia
Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - Anything Goes Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge  and blog hop
Paperminutes Challenge #299 - Christmas cards with Christmas symbols (holly)


What about the origami wreath I mentioned?  
Since Matt went home Saturday night clutching his in his hand, I made another one today just to show you (and to use up some of the precut paper).

(All papers and stamps are Close to My Heart)

I dressed it up a bit so I could hang it on the tree.  I inserted a piece of glitter paper in the center, made the little banner, stamped and cut out 3 small ornaments which I tied to the bottom with gold floss, then added red gems all the way around, and red sparkle ribbon for hanging purposes.  I used 3" square paper pieces for a finished wreath 3" across.  The center hole is 1 1/4".  If you use 12" paper, your wreath would be 12".

I'm entering this wreath ornament in these challenges:
LEJ Designs Challenge #83 - Festive Fun
Loves Rubber Stamps Challenge #82 - Anything Goes Christmas
Ribbon Carousel Challenge #88 - Anything Goes
All Crafts Challenge - Dec./Jan. - Anything Goes but No Cards
Anonymous Stamps December Challenge - no theme
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #2 - Anything Goes
Created with Love Challenge #70 - Anything Goes
Parade Your Crafts Challenge #10 - Christmas Projects
Stamp and Create December Challenge - Anything Goes
Scribble and Scrap Challenge #7 - Always Anything Goes
That Craft Place Challenge - Christmas Creations
The Ribbon Girls - Ho Ho Ho Christmas Challenge
A Gem of a Challenge #109 - Anything Goes
Stampin with the Dragon Challenge - Gifts or Decorations
Totally Papercrafts Friday Challenge #196 - Anything Christmassy but a card
Pile It On Challenge #48 - P is for ..... PAPER

There are some really nice projects on Joyce's 

Joyful Stars Blog Hop 

which started yesterday.

Why not check it out?  

I love the easy hershey kiss snowflake place card Joyce made.  

And the card on Betty's blog is beautiful.  Plus she includes a tutorial.

Not a Christmas Card

Some people just insist upon having birthdays and anniversaries in December.  I needed 3 birthday cards for this week alone and both my brothers have December anniversaries.

This birthday card features a CTMH sentiment and a digi from A Day For Daisies and I will be entering it in their current Challenge #84 - Pink Polka Dots.
It is also my entry for these additional challenges:
Great Impressions December Challenge - Glitter or Sequins
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #181 - Must have a bow
Allsorts Challenge #236 - Anything But Christmas
Sweet Stampin Challenge - Ribbons
Card Crafters Circle Challenge #104 - Celebrations
Wags N Whiskers Challenge #118 - Things with Wings
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #73 - Spots or Stripes
Flutterby Wednesday Challenge #264 - Any Winged Creature
My Heart Pieces Digital Stamp Challenge - Sparkle

Messy Mojo Monday

Yesterday's snow plus overnight ice and rain has made for a messy morning in SE Pennsylvania.  Philadelphia got 8" of snow which made for an interesting Eagles football game yesterday.  We only got maybe 3" before it changed, so I didn't even have to shovel.  And I certainly don't want to wake up on a Monday and shovel snow.  I want to wake up on a Monday and head right to my craft/dining room table to make my Mojo Monday Card!

I colored the ornament on the card, embossed it multiple times and then cracked the embossing.  It looks much better in person. 

Today I specifically combined 3 challenges....
1.  Mojo Monday # 323 Sketch Challenge
 
2.  Dynamic Duos #82 - 2 Color Challenge
 
3.  Doodle Pantry December Challenge #41 - "Any Digi Goes"  Although I always use one of Doodle Pantry's Images (this one is called Vintage Ornament), because if you do you receive the Featured Product of the month.  This month's set of images is called Goose Me and it's super cute.


There are a few other challenges that I'd like to enter with this card:
Pile It On Challenge #48 - "P" is for PINK
Robyn's Fetish Challenge #189 - Must Have a Bow
Scribble and Scrap Challenge #7 - Always Anything Goes
Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Christmas with Non-Traditional Colors
Digi Haven Merry Christmas Challenge
Digitally Sweet Challenge #65 - Vintage Christmas
Creative Moments Challenge #31 - Anything Goes/Vintage 

Gotta run.  Eye Dr. appt. 

A Little Sunday Snow

Yep, it's getting a little white outside.  My poor grandson is probably frantic that his mom will postpone his birthday party this afternoon because of road conditions.  I'm afraid the forecast is not in his favor.
Just got the call and the party is off for today.   Matt's not too upset.  He and his brother are outside playing.  Apparently, having snow to play in for your birthday is pretty awesome too.    Everyone has parties, not everyone gets snow!

And in the spirit of today's snow, I am posting this card:

This cute digi image is from Spyder's Corner, one of their wonderful Wednesday freebies offered 2 weeks ago.

I am entering it into a some snowy challenges (plus a few more):
Crafty Calendar Challenge - Cold and Frosty
Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Winter Fun 4 Kids
Happy Campers Challenge #24 - Glitter It
Little Miss Muffett Challenge #75 - You've Been Framed
DRS Designs Challenge #99 - Glitter It Up
My Heart Pieces Challenge - Sparkle
Shelly's Images Challenge - Welcome Winter
Dazzling Divas Challenge #3 - Embossing
Inky Impressions Challenge #123 - Winter or Snow
The Pink Elephant Challenge #228 - Winter

Oh, no!  I just realized that since the birthday party has been snowed out - I have to make dinner!!!

Holiday Chaos Celebration at Catch the Bug - Dec. 7th + Thanksgiving Bingo Story

This is my last card for the Holiday Chaos Celebration at Catch the Bug Challenge Blog.  Today's challenge is Anything Goes For Christmas.  I'm using a Bugaboo Image called AKV Santa - Presents found here.  It's been a fun Celebration at Catch the Bug.  Hope you've enjoyed my week of posts as much as I've enjoyed the challenge of making all the different projects.  Their Christmas in July Challenge is soooo far away.

I've also made this card with Penny's Paper Crafty Bingo/Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge #156 in mind because I have a cute Thanksgiving story to tell you.

 
I used the diagonal line : Bow, Glitter, Card Candi.
I am also entering the card in some of my favorite challenges:
Cards in Envy Challenge - Tag You're It  (There's even a tag on my tag.)
My Heart Pieces Challenge - Sparkle
DRS Designs Challenge #99 - Glitter It Up
As You Like It Challenge #16 - Favorite Digi and Why (I totally love every Bugaboo Digi because of the boldness of the designs and ease in coloring.  I especially love their freebies, like this one.)


And here's my Thanksgiving Bingo Story:

After Thanksgiving dinner, while the adults were still sitting around the table and my grandsons (ages 7,9,12,&14, give or take a few days/months) were having a somewhat rowdy time downstairs unsupervised, I asked the boys if they'd like to come upstairs to play a game of Thanksgiving Bingo. 

I had picked up a cute set of Bingo cards with Thanksgiving themed items on the cards instead of the usual numbers.  With a pile of pennies in the middle of the table (the instructions suggested using candy corn-makes my teeth hurt and my mouth water at the same time), the boys all wanted to play.

Matthew, the youngest, won the first game.  I pulled a half-dollar out of my pocket and gave it to him for his prize.  He took one look and said very enthusiastically, "Goodie! Chocolate!"  He was rather disappointed to learn it was only money.  

Matthew won the second game, too.  His prize was a hug from his great-grammy.  The older boys hooted and hollered over this one.  But Matthew graciously accepted the hug, and my mother was very happy to give it. 

AJ, the oldest won the third game.  He was awarded a bottle of mustard from the refrigerator, which was met with howls of laughter.  When his mother told me he didn't like mustard, I traded him for a kit-kat bar. 

Nick won the next game, jumped up and and eagerly asked for the mayonnaise as his prize.  He  had definitely joined the spirit of the game.  I gave him a Sacajawea $1 coin.  How fitting for Thanksgiving?  The significance was lost on him, I'm afraid.  He gave it to his dad.

It took 7 games until Daeton won and was awarded with anything he wanted from the snack drawer.  When his eyes got big, I quickly specified "ONE" of anything in the drawer.  But had he wanted one whole package of Oreos, this Nana would certainly have given it to him anyway.

What a fun way to save my family room from certain destruction while the adults had some time for their dinners to settle before heading for the dessert table.  Next year, I think the adults will be playing, too.  I already have some interesting ideas for prizes.

So in the spirit of Bingo, I decided to make a card to enter in the  Bingo Challenge at Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge.

Holiday Chaos Celebration at Catch the Bug - Dec 6th

Today Catch the Bug supplied participants with a free digital image and some photo inspiration.  Actually, they always have a Friday Freebie available through the Bugaboo Digital Stamp Store..  I try not to miss it!  Christmas Girl 2 is the name of this digi on my entry for Day #6 of the Holiday Chaos Celebration.

Here's the photo inspiration:


The sentiment is a digi from The Alley Way.

I am also entering this in these wonderful challenges:
Delicious Doodles Challenge # 65- Christmas/ New Year's
Digi Haven Card Challenge - Merry Christmas
Kitty Bee Designs Aloha Friday Challenge #14 - Christmas
Stampin For The Weekend Challenge - Use Some Red
Winter Wonderland Challenge - Embossing
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #73 - Spots or Stripes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #236 - Christmas

It is raining so hard outside and my grandson plays his first basketball game tonight.  I love to watch the games but I'm not looking forward to being out and about tonight!  First I need to finish folding some wash (I did 5 loads today.) and make dinner.   BTW our Christmas tree is progressing.  It is assembled; has lights and beads; the tree skirt is in place and the cat happily spent the day sleeping underneath it.  I'm hoping the grandsons will help put on the ornaments tomorrow night.
Gotta get moving.....

Holiday Chaos Celebration at Catch the Bug - Dec 5th

PICK A TREAT - 

Gingerbread Cookies

Sugar Cookies with sprinkles

Homemade Holiday Chocolates

Spiked Egg Nog

Candy Canes

Fruit Cake

That's the theme of today's challenge at Catch the Bug.   After you pick your treat, you need to follow the recipe to create your card.  I'm kind of partial to sugar cookies with sprinkles (except those little tiny colored balls that roll off the cookies and cookie sheet all over the floor).  

This is the recipe for a Holiday Chaos Sugar Cookie Card: 

Make your card a shape other than Square or Rectangle, 3 pieces of Bling & Ribbon

I decided to make a tee-pee card and use a Bugaboo digi called Make It Snappy Ssnowman, colored with markers and sparkle gel pens and spritzed with Frost Shimmer Mist.

Here are views of the other 2 sides and also the card when it is open.  The 2 little white dots are velcro fasteners (from CTMH) to hold the card together.

(Papers are CTMH, Snowflakes are table confetti I got on clearance last year, the gorgeous ribbon is from ArtFire)

And that is my entry in today's Catch the Bug Holiday Chaos Celebration 

and also these challenges:

ABC Christmas Challenge - X is for Out of the Box (no squares allowed)

Fab n Finky Challenge #196 - A Touch of Frost

Inky Impression Challenge # 137- Winter/Snow

Scrappers Delights Challenge #12 - Make it Sparkle

Oldie but a Goodie Challenge - Ribbon and or Lace (snowflakes are my old item bought on clearance last year)

Ribbon Carousel Challenge #88 - Anything Goes

Shopping Our Stash Challenge #129 - Holiday or Winter

Created with Love Challenge #69 - Christmas

Come and Get It Christmas Challenge and Blog Hop

Have a great day!

I'm going to clean bathrooms, mop the kitchen floor and work on assembling my Christmas Tree.

No more cards for today.  Tomorrow I must make a birthday card for my grandson's birthday on Monday.  He's made a special request.

 

 

Polar Bear Digi by Pattie

   This adorable polar bear in a snow globe is a digi image by Pattie Gomez of Pattie's Creations and my entry for Challenge #81(Christmas Card) at Pattie's Creations Design Blog. 

   

    I printed the image on white CS and also on blue.  I removed the globe section from the blue CS with an exacto knife creating the aperture and stamped a few small snowflakes.  Then I secured a piece of clear acetate on the back over the opening. The base was easily paper-pieced with silver glitter paper. 

    After coloring the polar bear image on the white CS, I circled it with 1/8" foam tape.  Next I added some glitter.  Then I secured the blue piece over top creating a real snow globe for on my card.

    I added the sentiment and a few extra snowflakes to a piece of CTMH DP.

    To make the embossed snowflake background, I inked the raised portion of my embossing folder before running the CS through the Cuttlebug.  The ink goes into the debossed part of the snowflakes and gives it great dimension.  

    Then I finished off the card with a five loop bow of silver floss, since I couldn't find my skinny silver ribbon. 

I'll also enter this card in the following challenges:

Inky Impressions Challenge #137 - Winter/Snow

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge #287 - It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge & Blog Hop

Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT Challenge - Blue & White

LEJ Designs Challenge #82 - Christmas is Coming

Well, I better get this posted.  Pattie's Challenge ends shortly.