Sunday, December 31, 2017

Birthday Snail

With all the holiday preparations and festivities, I've been remiss in posting to my blog.  And, in this particular case, I used this cute digital image on a birthday card that I knew would be arriving late.
card front
 Can you see the glitter on the shell and flower from a good coating of clear Wink of Stella?
The frame and sentiment are CTMH stamps.
The little pink hearts are punched.
card inside with pocket for $$$
I have absolutely no clue where I got the cupcake and candle stamps.  This sentiment is a stamp from MFT.


Challenges:
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #448 - Anything Goes 


Stay safe and warm this New Year's Eve. 
 

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Christmas gift boxes

Last Tuesday our card making group had our Christmas party at Joyce's.  We each make little gifts to share with each other.  
But the friendship that we share is the best gift of all!
Oh, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the food.
That's pretty darn good, too!
Jean brought the best soup*!

I made a bunch of little Christmas boxes and filled them with truffles. Within seconds, one side of the table had already popped one in their mouths, while a few showed more restraint.  



Challenges:
Mix It Up Challenge #8 - Fancy Fold 
Brown Sugar Challenge #273- Anything But a Card 
Bitten By The Bug Challenge - Boxes, Bags, Treat Embellishments 
Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - It's Christmastime  (I used a cuttlebug to emboss the bow.)
Die Cuttin Divas Challenge #347 - Make a Box (I used CTMH cricut cartridges to cut the bow and tag)

*the recipe is on Joyce's blog on the recipe page.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Joyful Stars Close To My Heart December Blog Hop

Welcome to the December
Close to My Heart Joyful Stars Blog Hop.

Have some fun hopping between the blogs of this group of talented Close to My Heart consultants, and me, where we share creative projects using CTMH products.
 This month I've used the CTMH  Frosted Christmas Holiday Stamp Set, Silver and Gold Paper Pack, Silver and Rose Foil Tape, Glitter Paper, CTMH Cricut Cartridges and some Bling to make a few last minute Christmas Cards.


 

Now, since this is a blog hop, 

you might have arrived here from Andrea Sherman's blog.
Your next stop is Marie Flayer's blog.   The hop is circular.  So if you are just starting here, simply continue hopping until you find your way back, making the full circle.  If you get lost, the complete list of participants is on Joyce's blog.

Happy Birthday, Matt!

Today our grandson, Matthew, turns eleven.  
I am sure he will be fascinated by this neverending card.



 The shapes are all CTMH cricut cuts; stamps are also CTMH; 
and paper is Graphic 45.


Challenges:  
Mix It Up Challenge #8 - Anything Goes + Fancy Folds

 

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Whoo's birthday?

My lovely niece will be celebrating her birthday next week. 
This card is for her:

   Why dig out birthday stamps when I am surrounded by Christmas stamps?  The wreath and owl are from a CTMH Christmas set.  With a cricut cut birthday hat and sentiment, they easily worked on this birthday card.
Challenges:
The Paper Shelter Challenge - Birthdays/Celebrations 
City Crafter Challenge Week 391 - Where'd you get that hat? 
Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #371 with My Graphico

This week we're "Making A Christmas Scene" for 
Design Team B got to work with the adorable, digital Christmas Owls Stamp Set from My Graphico, our sponsor for this challenge.
There are seven owl images in the set and some additional accessories.  I decided to use the Owl with Ornament .
 I flipped the image in my Paint program and gave him a twin brother to help decorate this cricut cut evergeen.
The owl and ornament were hand colored with markers, watercolor pencils.  The glitter edges on their hats were paper pieced. The star is a button with the shank removed.  A little white sponging helps accentuate the embossed background.
I hope you'll stop in at the Tuesday Throwdown Blog to see which of the other owl images my teamies used,
then join the fun and "Make A Christmas Scene" of your own. 


Challenges:
 

Monday, December 4, 2017

Carousel Horse Birthday Card

Why do people insist on having birthdays in December?  Don't they realize we are busy making Christmas cards?
Fortunately, I had printed up a bunch of Christmas digis and decided that I could use this Christmas Carousel Horse from Beccy's Place for a birthday card, 
especially since this person loves horses.

 The inside stamps are from Our Daily Bread 
and Close to My Heart.
The cupcake is a cricut cut.
The holly is a Cheery Lynn Designs die.
The horse is colored with watercolor pencils and fussy cut.

Challenges:
Beccy's Place December Challenge -  Anything Goes with a Beccy's Place image 

 

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Birthday & CTMH Gift Card Class 11/28/17

Oh my!  I've been so busy making Christmas cards, and I just realized I needed to get a birthday card and an anniversary card in the mail TODAY!
The birthday card is for my sister-in-law who has a little wiener dog named Holly. 
*Challenges for this card are at the bottom of the post.

inside

The anniversary card is for my brother and his wife (different sister-in-law).
 And, I promised to post the gift card holders we made at Joyce's CTMH card class on Tuesday....



This is a cute little box for when you aren't mailing the gift card.

This view shows the unique shape.

Now I am going to quickly enter the birthday card in a few challenges and then go clean up the mess on my craft table.

Challenges:
Seize the Birthday Challenge -  Monochromatic

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Monochrome Magic Challenge #7 - Monochrome, twist: blue 

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Day #30 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

For the final day of Beccy's Place November Challenge 
the theme is Do What You Love.
I love playing with paper, especially if it is using up leftovers, Beccy's digital images, lots of layers, and cards with unique folds and styles.


 My goal for this month of daily challenges was to complete and post all 30 cards, and to use one of Beccy's fabulous digi images on each one.  
Mission complete.
Thanks so much, Beccy!

Challenges:
Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #30 - Do What You Love
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #20 - Anything Christmas Goes 
The Merry Christmas Challenge #45 - Anything Christmas Goes 

Yesterday was gift card day at the CTMH card class I attend.  We made 4 different ones.  Check back tomorrow to see them.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Day #29 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

By my calculations, we have reached the end of the alphabet at Beccy's Place November Challenge.
For this "Z" challenge, I have made a Zipper card.
I'm not sure if I've ever made one of these before.
 I used a zigzag patterned scissors to cut the tear or zipper strip.
The colored digi image is from Beccy's Nativity set.
 The sentiment under the strip is a CTMH stamp.
 The papers are from CTMH, also.
I used a 2 way glue (also available from CTMH) on the strip.  If you let the glue dry on the paper before putting it on your card, it becomes repositionable.  So even though I have unzipped the strip for the photo, I can place it back in position and it will stick.

Challenges:

Monday, November 27, 2017

Day #28 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

Yellow was the only thing that I could think of for "Y" day at Beccy's Holiday Card Challenge.
Well, there's yak, yule, yule log, yam, yarn, yacht.  But, so far, I've used one of Beccy's digital stamps every day and yellow definitely worked with this one.
That's Bea Bird from the Cool Chicks set.
Challenges:
QKR Stampede Challenge #271 - Anything Goes 
Di's Digi Challenge - Things with wings, tails, and or feathers 
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #361 - Anything Goes, Doily optional 
Always Fun Challenge #34 - Anything Goes 
Pile It On Challenge #136 - Large Sentiment and/or Things with Wings 
Crafting with Dragonflies Challenge - Non-traditional Christmas Colors

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Day #27 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

We are coming to the end of the month and alphabet at 
I decided to use some of CTMH's Silver and Gold paper today because it is perfect for an "X" theme.
The digi image, which I colored with markers, is from Beccy's Place.  I also colored some clear gems with a yellow Promarker for in the center of the flowers. The sentiment stamp and silver and gold foil tapes are also from CTMH.  And, finally, I added a green and gold edged bow, which looks like an "X".
Challenges:
Jingle Belles Challenge - Baby It's Gold Outside 
Star Stampz Challenge - Add Some Sparkle 
ABC Christmas Challenge - W for White or X for X marks the spot 
Crafty Girlz November Challenge - Anything Goes option Christmas 
 

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Day #26 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

The letter for Day #26 of 
Behind one of Beccy's digi images, Berry Wreath, is a White piece of cs embossed with Christmas and holiday Words.  At the bottom of the card is a piece of gold dotted Washi tape.



Challenges
Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day # 26 "W
Crafty Hazelnut's Charistmas Challenge #361 - Anything Goes 
Polkadoodles Challenge Week 47 - Anything Goes
ABC Christmas Challenge - W for White and X for X Marks the Spot
Crazy 4 Challenges C4C313 - Christmas or Winter
Jingle Belles Challenge - Baby It's Gold Outside

Friday, November 24, 2017

Day #25 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

Do you like Freebies?   
Click on the Freebie tab at the top of Beccy's Place blog and you'll find a whole list of free images.  For today's Beccy's Place November Challenge everyone must use one of her fabulous freebies.  
My card features Margie's Christmas Freebie,
washi tape, 3 stick on ornaments and a few brads.
Challenges:
Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day # 25 - Freebie 
 
Winter Wonderland Challenge - Traditional Christmas Colours, Red & Green 

 

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Day #24 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

I love the Violet Vase on my card for Day #24 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards Challenge.  It has a coating of CTMH Liquid Glass on it for a Very shiny look.  
You'll find both the digi image and sentiment in Beccy's Digital Stamp set Blessings of the Season



Challenges

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Day #23 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

My friend, Mickey, has been helping me brainstorm to come up with something beginning with a "U" for Day #23 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Card Challenge.  It's an unbelievably difficult letter.  Our list included Underwear, Unicorn, Ugly Christmas Sweater, Uneven, Under the Mistletoe, Up on the Rooftop.  Then, as I looked through the digital images I have from Beccy's Place, I came across the perfect "U".
Utensils,
a wooden spatula and spoon in the

I put a SU doily Under the image and used a wood stamp I purchased, maybe 10 years ago, at my very first stamp show for the sentiment.    The patterned paper is from CTMH and is the flip side of the tree paper I used on yesterday's card.  I picked up the paper glitter tape at My Favorite Things last winter.  It's kind of an Unusual shade, but I think it works fine here.
Thanks, Mickey, for all your help.

Challenges:
Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #23 "U" 
Allsorts Challenge Week #442 - Glitter
Cards in Envy Challenge - It's Only Paper 
Retro Rubber Challenge #76 - Anything Goes
The Merry Christmas Challenge #44 - Anything Christmas Goes 
The Paper Shelter Challenge #319 - A Christmas Card
The House That Stamps Built Challenge N2217 - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenge #355 - Anything Goes
Crafting by Designs November Challenge - Get Ready for Christmas

Time to get my kitchen utensils busy making some desserts for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.

 



 
 

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Day #22 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

It's Tuesday and time for another Alphabet Challenge at Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards, the letter "T".
Today I put a Tag with Twine on my card. 
This cute Beccy's Place snowman digital image is holding Two poinsettias.  The Tag is made from Tan Tree paper from CTMH.
I stamped a Tiny sentiment on a punched circle.  And everything is mounted on a piece of shiny green paper, embossed with Trees and snowflakes.
Challenges
Dream Valley Challenge #168 - Add Texture (flocking, baker's twine and embossing) 
Winter Wonderland Challenge - Tag You're It 

Monday, November 20, 2017

Day #21 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

After a night of much needed Slumber, my day started with one of my least favorite "S" words.  After breakfast I started Scrubbing the kitchen floor.  There are plenty of chores to take care of before my family descends on Thursday for Thanksgiving dinner.  But I am still going to sneak in the cards for Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards Challenge.  If you haven't figured it out, today's card must include something beginning with a "S".  
 Meet this fun family of Snowpeople.  It's one of Beccy's digital images.  Using markers I colored it in Shades of brown and red, then fussy cut with Scissors.
For Sparkle I added 3 cricut cut glitter paper Snowflakes,  clear Wink of Stella on the bodies, glitter around the girls' coats, and flocking on the Snowbanks.  The Sentiment is a CTMH Stamp from my Stash.
Challenges:
Aud Sentiments Challenge #193 - Anything Goes + a Sentiment
4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #377 - recipe: 1 bow, 2 colors, 3 snowflakes 
Simon Says Monday Challenge - Tear It Up  (I tore a piece of white cs in 2 pieces to make the snow banks, adding glitter and flocking to the torn edges for definition.)

 

 

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Day #20 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards


Dasher sure doesn't look like he's ready to dash anywhere.
He's a digi image from the Beccy's Place
He is also a Reindeer, which starts with "R",
the letter of the day for Beccy's November Challenge
The card also features a lot of Red, a Ribbon knot, and some tiny Round Red Gems.  And I almost forgot the Ribbing in the embossed knit pattern.
Challenges:
Craft Rocket Challenge #43 - Christmas is Coming 
Catch the Bug Challenge - Bingo (I chose the diagonal line of Sentiment, Embossing and Sparkle)

 
 

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Day #19 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

Considering the fact that the letter of the day at
I believe a Quick post is in order.
I've created a Quarter Fold Card 
and used a Quilted embossing folder. 
Digi sentiment and image are from Beccy's Place Tied Up With String Digital Set.

Here is the card when opened.  The sentiment is also a Beccy's Place digi.

This close up shows some of the details of the embossing folder.  The card front is also embossed.
All papers are from CTMH.
The tutorial for the Quarter Fold Card 
can be found on Beccy's blog. 

Challenges:
Christmas Cards All Year Round November Challenge -  Candies, Cookies or Gingerbread


 

Day #18 of Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards

Beccy switch things up and, instead of the progressive alphabet challenges, gave us a sketch challenge for Day #18.   Not a problem, Beccy.  I did a little turning, twisting, and shaking of the sketch and like the final result.  
The coordinating papers are from CTMH, but the sentiment and image are Beccy's Place digital stamps.
Here's the sketch:


Challenges:
The Three Muses Challenge - Fruit and/or vegetables 
Star Stampz Challenge - Use a Digi
Aud Sentiments Design Challenge - Anything Goes + a sentiment 
Scribbles Design Challenge #59 - A Tree-mendous Time of Year
Crafty Girls November Challenge - AG option of Christmas 
Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #397 - Use 3 different Designer Papers 
Crafty Friends Challenge #71 - Add a sentiment