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:

Crafty Friends Challenge #74 - Anything Goes

Di's Digi Designs Challenge - Celebrations

Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #333 - Freestyle 

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

Cute Card Thursday Challenge # 510- Anything Goes 

Stay safe and warm this New Year's Eve. 

 

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:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Gift It!

Mix It Up Challenge #8 - Fancy Fold 

Crafty Hazelnut's December Patterned Paper Challenge - Anything Goes

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - Anything Goes

Connie Can Crop Challenge #65 - I'm So Fancy 

Brown Sugar Challenge #273- Anything But a Card 

Bitten By The Bug Challenge - Boxes, Bags, Treat Embellishments 

Through the Craft Room Door Week of 12/11 - Anything Goes

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.

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

Connie Can Crop Challenge #65 - I'm So Fancy

Inspire.Create.Challenge #6 - Fancy Folds 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of Dec 5th to 11th - Anything Goes 

 

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:

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #271 - Anything Goes 

Crafty Creations Challenge #356 - Anything Goes 

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #152 - Anything Goes 

Creative Moments Challenge #132 - Anything Goes

The Paper Shelter Challenge - Birthdays/Celebrations 

City Crafter Challenge Week 391 - Where'd you get that hat? 

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #371 with My Graphico

This week we're "Making A Christmas Scene" for 

Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #371.

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:

 2 Crafty Critter Crazies Challenge #9 - Anything  Goes

Classic Design Team Challenge #20 - Open Challenge

World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #28 - Anything Goes 
Digi Choosday Challenge Week #49 - Anything Goes 
Cuttlebug Mania Challenge - Let It Snow
Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes

 

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 

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #186 - Anything Goes

Crafting with Friends Challenge #56 - Anything Goes

Polkadoodles Challenge Week 48 - Anything Goes

Cardz 4 Galz Challenge #61- Cupcakes

Lil Red Wagon Challenge - Foodie

 

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

 

Monochrome Magic Challenge #7 - Monochrome, twist: blue 

   

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #379 - Anything Goes

Addicted to Stamps Challenge #158 - Monochrome

 

 

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

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge for week of 11/28 - Anything Goes

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #20 - Anything Christmas Goes 

The Merry Christmas Challenge #45 - Anything Christmas Goes 

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes 

Fab n Funky Challenge #373 - Christmas 

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #151 - Anything Goes 

Crafting By Designs December Challenge - Anything Goes 

Craftaholics R Us Challenge #47 - Anything Goes 

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

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #29 - "Z" 
Crafting From the Heart Challenge #185 - Anything Goes 
Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Anything Goes 
Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of 11/28 - Anything Goes
The Holly and the Ivy Christmas Challenge #20 - Anything Goes 
Digi Choosday Challenge Week #48 - Anything Goes 
 

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #28 "Y"

QKR Stampede Challenge #271 - Anything Goes 

Di's Digi Challenge - Things with wings, tails, and or feathers 

Come and Get It Challenge - Animals

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #361 - Anything Goes, Doily optional 

Crafting From The Heart Challenge #185 - Anything Goes 

Always Fun Challenge #34 - Anything Goes 

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge - Animal Magic 

Pile It On Challenge #136 - Large Sentiment and/or Things with Wings 

Crafting with Dragonflies Challenge - Non-traditional Christmas Colors

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

We are coming to the end of the month and alphabet at 

Beccy's Place November Challenge.

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #27 - "X" 

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 Creations Challenge #355 - Anything Goes

A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #56 - Anything Goes

Crafty Girlz November Challenge - Anything Goes option Christmas 

Crafty Hazelnut's November Patterned Paper  Challenge - Anything Goes 

 

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

The letter for Day #26 of 

Beccy's Place Month of Holiday Cards Challenge  is "W". 

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

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 

Just Add Ink Challenge #387 - Colour 

 

Winter Wonderland Challenge - Traditional Christmas Colours, Red & Green 

 

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: 

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day # 24 "V"

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

 Tied Up with String Digital Stamp Set.

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.

 

 

 

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: 

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #22 "T" 

A Snowflakes Promise Challenge #46 - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday Challenge Week 47 - Anything Goes

Dream Valley Challenge #168 - Add Texture (flocking, baker's twine and embossing) 

Winter Wonderland Challenge - Tag You're It 

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #442 - Christmas 

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #21 S

Aud Sentiments Challenge #193 - Anything Goes + a Sentiment

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #377 - recipe: 1 bow, 2 colors, 3 snowflakes 

Polkadoodles Challenge Week 46 - Anything Goes 

The Ribbon Girl Challenge - Any Image

Allsorts Challenge Week 442 - Glitter

Dream Valley Challenge #168 - Add Texture

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #184 - Anything Goes

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.)

 

 

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

 Dasher and Dancer digital set.

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #20 "R" 

Craft Rocket Challenge #43 - Christmas is Coming 

Just Add Ink Challenge #386 - Just Add "R"

Allsorts Challenge #442 - Glitter

Catch the Bug Challenge - Bingo (I chose the diagonal line of Sentiment, Embossing and Sparkle)

 

 

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

Considering the fact that the letter of the day at

 Beccy's Place Holiday Card Challenge is "Q", 

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #19 "Q" 

Sweet Stampers Challenge #14 - Christmas 

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

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge # 442 - Christmas 

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge #82 - More than one fold 

Sweet Stampin November Christmas Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes 

 

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:

Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day #18 Sketch 

The Three Muses Challenge - Fruit and/or vegetables 

Star Stampz Challenge - Use a Digi

Moving Along with the Times Challenge #58 - Trees 

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #442 - Christmas 

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 

Crafting with Friends Challenge #55 -  AG

Crafty Catz Challenge #393 - AG

Hiding in My Craft Room Challenge #397 - Use 3 different Designer Papers 

Crafty Friends Challenge #71 - Add a sentiment