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HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Whether or not you've already celebrated or even if this isn't a holiday you celebrate where you live I think we all have things to be "Thankful" for in our lives so this wish goes out to everyone.  Thank you all so much for your faithfulness in visiting my blog, for you wonderful comments and for you friendship and continued support.  You all mean a lot to me and for that I am thankful.

So today it's actually Friday in Australia and time for the newest Annabelle Sketch challenge.  Here is the sketch:

As you can tell with my card I rotated the sketch to fit my image.  Isn't it great that we can do that!

I started off with a Card base of Old Olive layered with Cherry Cobbler and Designer Paper from Basic Grey.  I've been using up a lot of my old papers rather then buying new ones.  The stamps I used are from last year's Christmas release, (Wise Men).  I silver embossed the Baby Jesus and the Sentiment and then used Copic Markers to color in the image.  The star was done using an SU Crushed Curry Marker.  I added an embossed strip of Cool Caribbean and some Silver Sprinkles to complete the card.  The focal image was raised with foam mounting tape. - Now it's your turn to try this sketch out.  You have a month to try this challenge or any of our other weekly challenges.  You can even combine them.  One lucky participant will receive a $20 Gift Voucher to the Annabelle Store.

Take care and have a great day. - We've had an early winter here and it's very cold so I'm staying inside where it's nice and warm.

Time for some Christmas Cheer

Happy Monday! - Look what arrived here yesterday.  -  Oh I am so NOT a fan of winter but this little one sure loves it.

We even went out and built a snowman together. - Should have got those Christmas decorations up on Saturday as it looks like we're in for more of the "white stuff" this week.

So now I'm going to share some Christmas cards with you to help get you in the mood.

I recently participated in a Mystery Image swap and the Hostess sent everyone this awesome packet of pre-stamped images along with papers, embellishment's to create our card/s with.  We had to send one card to our partner and the rest of the supplies we could do whatever we wanted to with them.  Most of us decided to make 4 cards and share how we used the items we were sent.  So here are my 4 cards:

Supplies:  Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Certainly Celery and the Designer Paper is: Jolly Holiday

Stamp Set: Contempo Christmas

We were able to add any embellishments that Rose did not include in the packet and I did use some Old Olive brad and some Silver Cording on two of the cards.

Have a great day.  I need to go shovel snow.  UGH!

Also if you'd like more Cuteness check out this link on my other blog:

http://wishesdreamsandotherthings.blogspot.com/2010/11/sweet-coleen-and-little-bit-of-nature.html



CIC86 - Let's Talk Turkey and a Farewell

Hello!  Wow Fall  is in full force and winter is nipping right on it's heals. 
Welcome to CIC Challenge #86 and just look at these gorgeous Fall Cupcakes.  They look so yummy.

Today our Sponsor is Robyn's Fetish and the prize being offered is,  5 Robyn's Fetish digital products (5 imagies or 4 images/1 paper).

Now before I show my card for this challenge I want to say that it is with a heavy heart that I announce that this will be my last Sunday as a member of the CIC Sweeties Design Team.

I have so enjoyed working with Rachel and the rest of the Design Team these past three months.  However my home life needs some looking after and with health issues with family members I just feel that I need to focus on home life first and foremost.  This does not mean I won't be back.  I still plan to join in on the CIC fun but only when time allows and as a participant rather then a Design Team member.  I encourage you all to give this challenge a try as it is truly a lot of fun.  Thank you so much to Rachel for allowing me to be a part of the DT and to the other Sweeties for their inspiration and friendship.

Now on to my card.  Robyn offered us the use of several images and even some paper patterns.  I chose to use this adorable Turkey image but my own paper since our colored ink cartridge was very low on ink.

I colored my Turkey with Prisma Color pencils and cut it out. Then mounted it on a sponged circle die and layered that with a Pear Pizzaz circle.  The card base is : Chocolate Chip, layered with Peach Parfait, designer paper, Basic Grey and a punched piece of Pear Pizzaz.  I tied on some Chocolate Ribbon, added some faux gems and embossed the sentiment (SU) with Chocolate Chip Pigment ink and Clear Embossing Powder.  -  So now it's your turn to be inspired and don't forget to link back on the Cupcake Inspiration Blog.

BC178 - Giving Thanks

Welcome! - Today I am sharing my card for the Blogger Challenge Group.  Our theme this weeks is:
Give Thanks - Can you believe next week is Thanksgiving (unless you've already celebrated as our Canadian friends did last month.)

I wanted a CAS card this time as I am trying to work on Christmas cards (have you started yet) and need to get busy or they won't get finished on time.

I started by using this awesome background that I made following a technique I learned HERE:  Basically I tapped in on an acrylic block in 2-3 shades, spritzed with water and then stamped down on my card stock and smoothed out some of the colors with my finger.  Sarah included a link to a video tutorial on how this is done so be sure to check it out.

I then stamped the leaves with the same distress ink colors. I stamped one and cut it out, brushed on some Pearl-Ex Powder and stamped the speckled background over it.

Card Details:  Stamps:  Leaves:WeRMemoryKeepers(Maple Grove) and SU-Falling Leaves.
Card Base:  Really Rust
Next Layer, Chocolate Chip (it looks black in the photo but it's not).
Homemade Background:  Inks Used:  Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy and Dried Marigold. - Distress Inks-Tim Holtz (Ranger) - I also used a Really Rust ink pad for the far left leaf.
Border Punch: Martha Stewart
Embossing Powder - Opaque Vanilla (Annabelle Stamps)
Cream Grosgrain Ribbon (SU)
Green Gems - Zva

So that's it pretty much.  -  Be sure to check out the other BC members blogs.  You can find the link on my sidebar.  I'm sure they have created some awesome cards/projects.

Annabelle Sneak Peek - Borders By Design 1

Hello and welcome to the last of the November previews for Annabelle Stamps.  Today we are introducing you to a great border set, (Borders by Design 1) - Yes, there will be more to come in the coming months.

Now there will be a Blog Hop again for a chance to win this set.  You will start at the Annabelle Blog and proceed from there to the next stop on the Blog Hop.  Below is the order of the Hop so if you get lost along the way you can always click on the DT links to find your way back.

Annabelle Blog
Andrea

Kylie
Teresa
Sue
                                               Ida
                                               Rene'
                                               Jerusha
                                               Tiffany
                                               Iwona
                                              AnnaBelle Stamps Blog - Answer the Question in the comments section.

You should have arrived on my blog from Sue's Blog and your next stop will be,
Rene's Blog - Leave comments on ALL the DT members blogs and the Annabelle Blog for your chance to win this set.

So now here are my cards:

For my first card I used the Polka Dot border to create the pink dotted background.  I also paired this up with the set we just previewed (Christmas Wish).  Background paper, Basic Grey     Card Stock: Bravo Burgundy and Pink Pirouette, Whisper White.  Blue Gems, Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon and Encore Metallic Blue ink (on the star).  Nestabilitie Dies.

Card #2 - For this card I just used one of the borders on the bottom of my tag image but it looks really great and adds a fun touch to the tag.   Card Stock and Ink used: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and Designer Paper from http://www.thegirlspaperie.com/ .  Other: Photo Corner Punch (SU), paper piercing tool, circle punch, tag punch, Stamps from (Christmas Scene Baubles-Annabelle Stamps). Clear EP, Gold EP, Cream Grosgrain Ribbon.

Card #3 - I just couldn't seem to stop using this set!  For this card I started by stamping the "Awesome" border stamp with Cherry Cobbler ink on Whisper White cs.  Then I added the greeting (Christmas Wish) in Always Artichoke ink.  I stamped the trees from (Hooo Loves Christmas) with Versamark and Embossed them with Silver EP.  I just watercolored the baubles on the tree with (Cool Caribbean and Cherry Cobble ink. 

The Card Base is Always Artichoke layered with some old Basic Grey dp and tied with Artichoke Grosgrain ribbon.  As an added detail I used the Silver Sprinkles to highlight some of the border design.

So there you have it 3 very different and fun holiday cards all using this fantastic border set that you could design more then just holiday cards with. 

Now get hopping and enjoy the trip.

November Annabelle Release

Hello! - Wow has time flown by this past month. Today is the first day of the Previews for the November Release at Annabelle Stamps.



The DT will be showing cards/projects using, Christmas Wish - Isn't this an elgant looking stamp set.

As always we'll be doing a Blog Hop where you can win the stamp set being released. It's easy...just start at the Annabelle Blog and follow the links to the the next blog, leave a comment on EVERY DT members blog, head back to the Annabelle Blog and answer a simple question in the comment section. That's it, easy peasy.




You should have arrived on my blog from Sue's Blog
Your next stop on the hop will be Rene's Blog


So for today I have 2 cards to share using this set.

First up is one that uses the large frame image.  For this card I stamped the frame image with Melon Mambo ink and cut it out and mounted it onto Always Artichoke cs.  Then I stamped the sentiment with Artichoke ink and cut it out with a Nestabilitie Die brushed Melon Mambo ink around the edges, then stamped the snowflakes with Cool Caribbean ink and added a tiny jewel to the center of the middle snow flake.

Next I embossed a white panel with the Swiss Dot embossing folder, added designer paper (Basic Grey), some ribbon (May Arts) and 2 snowflake brads that I added glitter to.

My second card is really a different design for me but I like it.  A big shout out to Michelle Woerner for the wonderful layout idea.  She has a set of cards here using this layout.  I love how fun and easy this was to make (except for losing my circle die and taking an hour before I found it).

Card Base, Whisper White.  All Designer paper from Basic Grey (Figgy Pudding lines from 2 different years.)
I stamped the Scroll image with Bravo Burgundy ink and the sentiment and snowflakes with Cool Caribbean ink.  Other colors of card stock used: Pear Pizzaz, Basic Gray.  Other items used: Silver Sprinkles and Tiny jewels on the snowflakes and silver cording.

So if you like this set and want a chance to win it, start hopping!
See you back in a couple of days for another sneak peak.



CIC85 - London Christmas

It's time once again for this weeks CIC Inspiration Challenge.  Oh my goodness look at those gorgeous cupcakes.  Aren't they lovely.

This weeks sponsor is: Simply Betty Stamps.  We were graciously given some Digi Stamps to work with and I chose London to work with.  She's certainly "quirky" and quite different from my normal style of stamping.  I loved that she came with a kitty since I'm a cat lover.

For my card I colored both London and the kitty with Prisma color pencils.  I must admit to having some difficulty coloring digital images with my pencils.  They do tend to "bleed" a little.  Hopefully it's not to noticeable. I did a rather funky layout as well to match the image.  My papers are all from DCWV (Holiday stack 2009).  The card base is Chocolate Chip and I layered some Brushed Gold card stock over it.  It is really hard to get decent photographs of the shimmery type card stocks.  This was the best I could come up with after several attempts.  I added tiny pearls to cover up the (skulls) on the image.  See I'm just not that "goth" but I'm sure some would have left them showing.

Other items used: Punches - Tree (by Marvy)  Border Punch (Martha Stewart)
White Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Faux Gems, and the Pearls from Zva
I also used some homemade gold shimmer spray over the image.

Don't forget to check out what the other "Sweeties" have done and leave some comment lovin!

The PRIZE this week is: 6 Digi Images of the Winners Choice.

BC177 - Let The Merry Begin

Happy Friday! - If you are here for the Annabelle Challenge please scroll down one post.

Today we have a "Sketch" challenge for the BC Group.

You will notice that I rotated the sketch to fit my little Gingerbread Boy.  Isn't he adorable.  Would you believe this is a punch.  Yep, it's true.  I punched my Gingerbread Boy using Creamy Caramel  cs(why did SU retire this color).  I alos punched out the eyes (Basic Black), Mouth (Real Red), and the Buttons (Chocolate Chip).  The Tie was punched from a Designer Paper scrap.  I added frosting using white Liquid Applique.
He's mounted on Mint Melody (an old long retired SU Color) and Chocolate Chip cs.
The card base is Chocolate Chip, layered with Crumb Cake that I computer generated the sentiment on.  Then I added layers of Designer Paper (DCWV-Holiday 2009 Collection).  I also added some piercing, green faux gems, and Red Grosgrain ribbon.

Hope he makes you smile as much as he did when I finished making this card.  So fun!

Be sure to check out the other BC members blogs (click on the icon on my sidebar) to see how they used this sketch.

Say it in Gold

Hello!  It's challenge day at Annabelle Stamps and this weeks theme: 

Say It With Gold. - Before I go into the details of this card I must say this card was nearly impossible to get a decent photograph of.  I have a feeling it was the Brushed Gold cs coupled with the glittery gold paper.  Oh how I wish I had a light box right about now but I'm not even sure that would have helped.

Anyway for this card I used my favorite Christmas set (Holly Branch).  I stamped the sentiment with Versamark Ink and embossed it with Gold Detail Embossing Powder.  I did the same with the holly and berries.  This I cut out and omitted part of the swirls (just cut them off) so it would fit on my circle.  I water colored the leaves and berries.

Details:  Card Stock:  Whisper White, Brushed Gold, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Versa Mark, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler

Designer Paper: DCWV-Holiday Collection from 2009

Punch: Martha Stewart

Circle Nestabilitie Die

Foam Mounting Tape

Here is a close-up of the Glittery Card Stock:

See you again on Monday for the newest Annabelle Release. 

CIC84 - Through The Looking Glass

Welcome! - I'm Late, I'm Late...
Did you all remember to set your Clocks back an hour?

So for this weeks Cupcake Inspiration we have these fun, whimsical Alice in Wonderland cupcakes to inspire you. 

We also have a wonderful sponsor:  Tiddly Inks.  Christy generously allowed the DT members to use 2 of their newest images for this weeks challenge.

Isn't "Alice" adorable!  Now I'm not so sure I captured the inspiration photo all that well but I do like my card. 

I'll admit this is one I "struggled" with.  Couldn't seem to find any paper related to the inspiration photo.  I did however come up with this piece (Nancy Jane Collection from http://www.adornit.com/) For some reason the bright flowers just reminded me of something you would see in Wonderland so I went with it even though it doesn't have any rabbits, Cheshire cats, mad hatters, etc...I colored Alice with my "limited" supply of Copic Markers.  Which I must also add I've not used very much and really need practice on using them so hopefully it doesn't look to bad.
I added some fun ric-rac and some lime sprinkles to complete my card.  Another thing, I left off a sentiment because quite frankly I just had no clue what to use on this card. (Suggestions anyone?)

Do check out what the other "Sweeties" came up with.  I'm sure they've done a fabulous job. 

Don't forget you can win a $10 Gift Voucher from Tiddly Inks so why not join in on the fun and create your own "Alice" inspired card.

BC176 - Stars and Stripes Forever

Happy Friday! - Please scroll down one page for the Annabelle Challenge.                   Today the Blogger Challenge group will be showcasing "Patriotic" cards/projects.  Since Veteran's Day is just around the corner it seems appropriate to celebrate our great country and the brave men/women who serve in the Armed Forces to protect our Freedoms.                                                  For this card I used two different stamps from two different companies.  The bear image is from a long retired SU stamp set, Americana and the sentiment stamp is from, St. Louis Stamp design.  I think they go pretty well together.  The paper is a scrap I had and I added a punched border of stars, some punched stars and some white grosgrain ribbon to complete the card.  I'm sorry the photo isn't very good but I tried and tried but just couldn't get this to photograph any better.

Card stock used: Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White.  Ink:  Cranberry Crisp, Night of Navy. 

Punch EK Success.

Be sure to check out what the other BC Members have done and have a wonderful weekend.



Say it with...Hold A Candle

Hi!  Welcome to Annabelle's Say It With....Challenge.  This week we are showcasing the stamp set: (Hold A Candle).  I have 2 cards to share today so let's get started.

For my first card I chose the current MojoMonday sketch:
As you can see I rotated the sketch to fit my images.  Isn't it wonderful you can interpret the sketch in different ways.

My card base is: Chocolate Chip layered with Cherry Cobbler and some Plaid Designer Paper (Cosmo Cricket-Mr. Campy line).  I stamped the Balloons on Very Vanilla Card Stock and colored them with Prisma Color Pencils.  The balloons and the strings were highlighted with a Clear Spica Glitter pen (doesn't show in the photo :o( though.)  I added a Loopy Border at the bottom and double tied some Soft Green Satin Ribbon.  The sentiment was stamped with Chocolate Chip ink and I added 3 Chili Sprinkles underneath it.

My second card was actually the first card I made for this challenge but I wasn't sure it showed off the stamps from the set all that well so I made the other one as well using different stamps from the set.

For this card all the card stock & dp is exactly the same except I used Close to Cocoa for the card base.  It's hard to tell in the scan but the cobbler layered were embossed with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and I added a strip done using a Chain Punch across the layer.   

You can see how using the same papers but different stamps and layouts can really change up your cards.

Now remember you can participate in this challenge.  We'd love for you to use the set, (Hold a Candle) but if you don't own it "yet" then feel free to use another set as long as it uses a Candle somewhere on the card.  All challenge cards are eligible for the $20 voucher given away at the end of the month.

Be sure to check out the DT cards.  I've seen them and they are fabulous!

Saying "So Long" to Halloween

Gosh it's over already!
Would you believe that we saw a commercial on TV last night advertising something for Christmas.  GOOD GRIEF! -  I don't know about you but personally I think that's a bit much.

Anyway as a last tribute to Halloween here is a link to some fun Halloween kids.

Also check out what my dear friend Elena sent me:

Isn't that just adorable!  I loved it.  Her coloring is fantastic and she paired this sweet image with some awesome papers.  I really liked the folded edge she created with the designer paper and the use of buttons.  So cute and so fun.
To top it off she sent this sweet little Milk Carton Treat holder (with treats inside!)

The treats didn't last long but I'll be treasuring this little holder for years to come. 

 One of the parts of the dp was too cute not to photograph so I did a close-up of it.

If you know me you know that I am somewhat afraid of spiders but these were just so much fun I couldn't resist showing them off.

Hope you all had a great Halloween.  The weather was actually decent and it had rained the night before and is raining today.  We had about 40-50 kids show up which wasn't too bad.  Still "loads" of candy left over though. 

Now it's on to the next holiday although I hate to say "good-bye" so soon.