For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Merry Christmas! - To those of you who may not celebrate Christmas nor the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ I wish you Happy Holidays.  May your day be filled with love, joy and peace.

To me Christmas though is a celebration of the birth of my Savior so today I am sharing 2 cards that I made and mailed out for Christmas this year that reflect the birth of the Christ child.

Stamp set (AnnaBelle stamps)

Stamps from (Inkadinkado).

It's Beginning To Look a lot like Christmas

Hi, Remember me? - Yes it's been awhile since I've posted.  Oh I've been busy but just have not been able to spend much time blogging.  I apologize but life around this time of the year means shopping, decorating, shopping, card making, more shopping, mailing those cards etc...so the blog took a back seat.

Today I'm sharing a couple of the cards I made for Christmas this year.  I told myself I was going to only make a few cards and send out store bought cards instead.  Well the few turned into more then I had anticipated.  I did go a quicker route on some of them and used stickers but I like the way they turned out.

First up:

For this card the "focal" image is actually a piece of Designer paper.  The deer is part of the paper and was not stamped on the paper.

The Pine cone and Sentiment are from (Artful Inkables) Peaceful Wishes stamp set.

This next card was one of my "sticker" cards.  I had a bunch of dimensional (embossed type) stickers that I purchased 3 years ago and  I finally decided to use them!The sentiment is by,

Studio G.

I'm sorry I haven't been by a lot of your blogs lately to leave comments but I hope after the first of the year I'll get back to regular blog viewing and posting.

I'll be back tomorrow with a couple more Christmas cards to share.

Peace and Joy to you from me.

BC242-Frosty and Friends

Hi! - Well is everyone all ready for Christmas? - If you are, I "hate" you! - Just kidding but seriously I am always behind about this time of year and this year is no exception.

I've been MIA in action for a couple of weeks with the Bloggers Challenge so I thought I'd pop in today with a card so you won't forget about me.

Today Lisa gave us the theme,  Frosty and Friends.  - I am so not a "winter" person but I do love a cute snowman image.  For my card is chose to use a Dimensional Sticker instead of a stamped image.  I know that's "cheating" a little but these days I'm pressed for time and I think it works just as well.  I did stamp the sentiment though!

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzaz
Designer Paper:Basic Grey - Jovial line
Punch: SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Sentiment Stamp: Studio G
Sticker: K&Company

Come join in on the fun: 

I will try my best to pop by and leave comments on your cards.  No guarantee's though.
Have a great weekend.

It's Still Autumn

Hello - Yes, I've been absent from this blog for a few days.  Life has been busy and with the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US and getting prepared for Christmas I haven't had much time for Stamping.  Anyway I wanted to share a couple of cards that I made and never got posted (or sent for that matter).  Since it's still Autumn until Dec.22nd I'm not to late to share these cards.

I saw this design idea on someone's blog but I'm not sure who's blog it was.  I'm thinking Julie Ebersole's.
ETA: Yes here is her card
Stamps: Inkadinkado.
Card Stock-SU
Designer Paper-DCWV

At any rate I liked the layout and did a Fall version.

For this one I used a Stamp Set from There She Goes (Pumpkins on the Vine). Paper is from DCWV.

Lastly I thought I would share Coleen's version of how to prepare a Thanksgiving Turkey:

Just in case you can't figure it out:
First you kill a turkey. Then you put it in the Oven to bake. Next you take it out of the oven and flop it around in a pan. After that you eat it. Last there is no more.

BC239 - For the Boys

Happy Friday! - Hope you've all had a good week.  Not to bad here.  No (snow) here yet.  Shhhh don't tell anyone that I actually mentioned that 4-letter word!  So are you ready to be inspired by some great Masculine cards.  Then let's get started because that's what Lisa assigned as this weeks Bloggers Challenge theme.

It's good to be back after my break last week.
Here is what I came up with,

You can give this a try yourself by linking up using the Mr. Linky feature.



I also wanted to share Coleen's 1st Grade School picture before I go so here it is:

Details:  Card Stock: Basic Black, Basic Gray-SU, Flourishes-White cs., patterned paper by My Minds Eye.

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder-Diamond Plate

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

Copic Markers

Silver Spica Glitter Pen (for the Chrome areas)

Antique Brads-SU

Photo Corner Punch - EK Success

Crystal Effects (on windows)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Veteran's Day

Hello, It's Friday and normally I would be posting my card for the Blogger Challenge. However I am taking this week off from the challenge. Our theme this week though is, Veteran's Day so if you want to participate make sure you visit Lisa's blog and link up your card there.

I will leave you with this scripture verse: John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

I believe that is what our "Veteran's" often do so make sure you thank a Veteran today for their service to our country to help keep our Freedoms.

God Bless America!

Mojo Monday 214

It's been awhile since I've participated in a Mojo Monday sketch so I thought I'd give it a try this week. I really like the sketch and that's always a plus.

Here is what I came up with:

Details:
Card Stock - SU (Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichokes, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray
Designer Paper: Authentique - Wonder collection
Sentiment Stamp: Studio G, Itty Bitty BG-SU
Poinsettia-Hero Arts
Holly Leaves Bazzill
Ink: Memento Tuxedo London Fog and SU Cherry Cobbler
Star Brad - Making Memories
Swiss Dot Embossing Folder
Circle and Rectangle Nestability Dies

BC237 - Let's Get Sketchy

Hello and Welcome! - It's Friday and that means it's time for the Bloggers Challenge. Before I get started with that I want to share a couple of pictures of Coleen from Halloween.

Incase you are wondering why she's squatted down on the ground, "Grandma, I'm a ladybug!"
How cute is that! (I know I'm partial but she is just so doggone adorable at times.)

Now on to the BC Challenge. - It's a "Sketch" challenge which seems to be very popular. I know I like it because it gives me a starting point for my card. Here is the sketch Lisa (list mom) gave us.

Here is what I came up with using the sketch. I must say that I "flipped" the sketch to a vertical orientation without realizing it but it still fits the overall sketch idea.

It's also my very 1st Christmas card of the year. Yikes, I'd best get busy!

Here's a Close-Up of my flower embellishment.

It's a combination of a Felt Poinsettia (purchased at JoAnns), Paper Holly Leaves (LSBS), and Baker's Twine.

Now it's your turn: Use the Linky Code to add your creation.


All Card Stock - SU
Designer Paper - Combination of SU and another company which I don't recall where I purchased this from off hand. Sorry.
Sprinkles: AnnaBelle Stamps
Embossing Folder - Swiss Dot

Have a great weekend!

BC236 - Let's Go Haunting

Happy Friday! - Today is way better then how last Friday started out. - I want to thank everyone who sent well wishes and prayers for my mom. She is doing much better. Her BP at her doctor's visit on Wednesday was 124/80. Praise God! - Atleast we know the medication is working. The doctor even took her off some of the stuff they gave her at the hospital and that made her feel good as she has never been one to take a lot of medication.

I'm slowly catching up with e-mails, commenting etc...although our Internet was off most of 2 days this week when the Fiber Optic lines were cut at a Construction site 50 miles out of town. Twice! You'd think they would have been more careful after the first time. - Anyway it's time to get down to business, mainly the Bloggers Challenge. This week Lisa gave us the theme: Happy Haunting. - Since I love Halloween this one was easy for me.

I used a similar layout with this same stamp a few weeks ago so if this look familiar that is why. You can check the other card out here:

This time I made a standard sized card, used different DP, Added ribbon, drippy goo punch, Baker's Twine and move the orientation of the Stars a little. I also added gems to the Owls eyes.

So now it's your turn to give this challenge a try. You can link up your creation here:

Happy Halloween!

BC235 - Fall Blooms

Hello! - Yes, I am "late" for the Blogger Challenge this week but it was the least thing on my mind this past Friday. My mom ended up in the ER on Friday morning. We thought she might be having a Heart Attack. When she got to the ER her Blood Pressure was 201/97 which was not good at all. They gave her a Nytroglycerin tablet and some BP meds right away. Took an EKG, Blood Tests and a Chest X-Ray. A couple hours later her BP was down considerable and the tests all showed normal readings. They felt she should be admitted though and be monitored for her BP which started to rise again. She spent Friday and most of Saturday at the hospital. They sent her home late yesterday afternoon with a bunch of medication now for her BP and so far she is doing okay. It was pretty scary and I spent as much time as I could at the hospital both days while still trying to look after Coleen.

So here is the card I managed to finish on Thursday before all this happened. It's a card that uses a Sticker that I've had for a very long time. I like the Pumpkins/Flowers in the sticker and built my card around it.

I did stamp and emboss the sentiment with Copper EP, added a punched/distressed flower and a punched border as well.

Here is a close-up of the flower.

You can join in on the fun by linking below:

Have a great week.

BC234

Happy Friday! - It's time for this weeks, Blogger Challenge.
Lisa gave us the challenge to use "Cardboard" on our projects.
Now I must admit that I wanted to do something different then a card but I ended up taking the "easy" way out since most of this week has been spent getting the new computer hooked up and trying to learn the different programs. Let me tell you I am NOT happy with the new email program or Micro-Soft Office. I do however love having a bigger screen. I'm a slow learner so it may take me awhile to get use to things. So I quickly whipped up this card. It's not exactly the most exciting thing I've ever done but it is what it is.

I used a piece of cardboard that came off the back of a bunch of paper samples and embossed it with my leaf embossing folder. Then I distressed the leaves using More Mustard and Dusty Durango ink. I added a piece of Designer paper and mounted this onto Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Card Stock. I tied on some Chocolate ribbon and added the Epoxy sticker.

I thought I would leave you with some true Fall beauty

These are Flaming Maple leaves. The trees are around the corner on our block and they are just stunning in the fall.

So now why not give this challenge a try yourself and link back up so we can see what you've created.

Flourishes Heavy Metal Challenge

Today I am sharing a card I made for the Flourishes Heavy Metal Challenge.

I won the stamp set, Tokens of Affection and had yet to ink it up so I thought why not do so now. I've been doing a lot of fall related cards lately so it was a nice change of pace to do something different.

Here is my card:

I embossed the little "love machine" robot with VersaMark ink and Detail Silver Embossing Powder. She was colored with Copic Markers (Y21, YR24, R59 and BG23)I added some sparkle to the hearts with a Lipstick Spica Glitter pen.
I masked the image and sponged on some Cool Caribbean ink, added some Prima flowers and a heart gem then mounted it on Black card stock.

The sentiment was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.
I used Brushed Silver Card stock and Silver Cording along with some Pewter Heart to complete the look of Metal on my card.

The papers are from My Minds Eye - Stella & Rose pattern.
Card Base is Bermuda Bay.

I'll be saving this one back to give to hubby come next Valentine's Day. Nothing like being prepared huh!

BC 232 and 233

Happy Friday! Before I share my card for the Blogger's Challenge today I'd like to give a Birthday Shout Out to Anna Wight (Sweet Miss Daisy)who is celebrating her birthday today. Why not pop on over to her wonderful blog and leave her some Birthday Wishes. - Have a wonderful day Anna!

Okay so last week the BC challenge was a "Sketch" challenge and due to computer issues I wasn't able to get a card posted. Which by the way I'm still using the old one as the new one has not gotten in yet.
I hate missing the challenges so I decided to combine the two for this weeks challenge "Falling For You." Lisa
left the theme open to Interpretation. Fall is one of my two favorite seasons (Spring being the other)so it's no surprise that I created a Fall themed card for this weeks challenge.

Here is the sketch from last week:

I was a bit "intimidated" by this sketch at first. Then I remembered that I had a wonderful set of (Swirls/Flourishes) in my stash and from there this card was created.

I even finished it off on the inside:

Now it's your turn to give this challenge a try. You can do so by using the Mr. Linky feature.


So here is what I used for my card:
Stamps: Inkadinkado Fall Mini Asst. - Purchased at a JoAnn's
Swirls/Flourishes-Technique Tuesday.
Inside Sentiment: Serendipity Stamps
Card Stock: Bazzill Textured and SU Very Vanilla
Patterned Paper: WeRMemoryKeepers-Maple Grove line
Baker's Twine/The Paper Studio
Gems: Me and My Big Ideas
Ink:Soft Suede (SU) and VersaMark
Embossing Powder: Terra Cotta Tapestry-PSX (No longer in Business)

Have a great weekend. - Lately I've become interested in Photography and even though I don't own a Fancy Camera I'm still having fun with my Point/Shoot. If you'd like to check out some of my work. Head on over to my other blog. There is a link at the top of the page and also on my sidebar.

Easy Canvas Prints

Hello! - Today I am sharing a wonderful link/website with you called, Easy Canvas Prints. I recently had the opportunity to try out their services and am very pleased with the results. - If you've ever wanted to see your artwork on canvas this is the place to go. Their website is easy to use and the results are wonderful.

Here is a picture of the photo I chose to have made into a canvas print:

Here it is on the Canvas Print
The lighting for my photo's today was off as it's overcast, the actual canvas is much sharper and clearer then my photo.

I chose to have the "wrap around" feature on this 8x10 Canvas. Look how fabulous it looks:

This is my granddaughter, Coleen and her mommy just loved this picture so this is now going to be a Christmas Gift.
I would highly reccomend using Easy Canvas Prints.
The lighting for my photo's today was off as it's overcast, the actual canvas is much sharper and clearer then my photo.

BC231 - The Tale of the "Traveling" Mojo

Happy Friday...It's been a week. Started feeling a little odd last Friday, took a trip out of town on Saturday with hubby. Begin having problems breathing and started coughing. By Sunday the cough was horrible, deep, hacking and tiring. Monday wasn't any better. Called the doctor. Went in and had a breathing test for my Asthma. Results weren't good so they did a breathing treatment, sent me home with Antibiotics and Prednisone to clear my lungs. Not much sleep several days due to coughing and meds but am slowly recovering. Had a really bad night last night though so may be slow commenting today.

So why all the stuff about my health...certainly you didn't come here to read that. If you did I'm flattered. Seriously though it does lead up to the posting of my 1st card for this weeks, Blogger Challenge.

This week the theme Lisa assigned is: Travel and well I believe my "Mojo" took a bit of a trip this week due to my being so ill. I had an idea and started this card on Wednesday. I finished it but just wasn't thrilled with the outcome. Still I'm posting because hey, it's not hideous, it's just not what I was hoping for.

Card #1 -

I used this sketch:

from Lily Pad Cards. I'm not happy that my sentiment is crooked but my mom said since it's stamped on "waves" that the crookedness looks like it's rolling on the waves.

Anyway today I decided to give this challenge a second chance and I think my "Mojo" decided to return from it's little jaunt as I really like how this card turned out.

Again I used a sketch.

I discovered a piece of scrap card stock that I had brayered with a Kaleidacolor ink pad and spritz with bleach in my scrap box and just had to use it for this card.

Now it's your turn to get inspired and take us on your traveling journey by linking us up to your wonderful creation.

Card Details for Card 1
Stamp: TPC Studio - Transportation
Card Stock: Cajun Craze and Whisper White-SU
Designer Paper: 3Bugsinarug - Playtime Boats
Stampin Write Markers: Cajun Craze, Ruby Red, More Mustard and Brocade Blue
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Night of Navy-SU and Amuse Studio Pebble
Wavy Punch - EK Success
Nestabilitie Dies
Dew Drop-Water

Card2 -
Stamps: Inkadinkado-Great Outdoors
Card Stock: Tangerine Tango-SU
Designer Paper - DCWV-Harvest Gathering Collection
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Dusty Durango, Soft Suede
Leaf Punch-EK Success
Linen Thread-SU
Toffee Sprinkles-AnnaBelle Stamps

BC230 Who's Got The Button

Happy Friday! - Well this week has been a lot better. Coleen (my granddaughter)is over her hives. We still don't know what caused them. I started bowling league (126-151-143)not bad for not having bowled since early April. Our daughter, Greta celebrated her 27th birthday, and I started walking again in an effort to lose weight (wish me luck). Okay enough, "chit-chat" let's get on with the theme of today's
Blogger Challenge.

List mom, Lisa gave us the theme: Who's Got the Button? This was a "challenge" for me. I love seeing buttons on other people's cards but I have a difficult time trying to use them on my own cards. They never seem to look right to me.

I went shopping yesterday for a specific button (didn't find what I was looking for) and instead came away with a cute $1 stamp find that ended up on my card today.

Doesn't he look so friendly...not nearly scary enough to scare away those crows either! Originally I just had the 1 button under his scarf and then late last night before I went to bed I decided to add the 3 buttons next to the sentiment. I think it worked and helped to balance out the design.

Last week I forgot to add my card to Lisa's links until late in the week so few people have commented on it. Plus I haven't gotten around to all your blogs either so will be catching up on that this week.

Now it's your turn:

Card Details: Stamps: Studio112 Fall Mini Assortment,
Sentiment:Eureka Stamps
Card Stock: More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive-SU
White cs-Flourishes
Designer Paper - Basic Grey Pyrus Line
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Pumpkin Pie-SU, Copic Markers
Sewing Machine - Yes I stitched again (a little uneven and a few skips but it's there none the less)
Baker's Twine
Buttons-SU Earth Elements

Sparkle Creations - Caseing, Elena

Hello! Today as I was browsing my email and blog updates I discovered the Sparkle Creations was having a challenge where you could "case" one of the Design Team members. Since my good friend, Elena (The Red Haired Girl) is on the DT I went to her blog and decided to case her lovely card. You can find it here:
In order to win the prize you have to use Sparkle Creation stamps and since I don't own any that leaves me out of the running but I want to share my card any way.

Elena's card is so soft and dreamy and I wanted to try and keep my card with the same soft feel that she has. I did change colors and images but kept the same layout. I loved her Vellum layer under the focal image so I added one to my card as well. I also used White Embossing for my focal image and sponged on some soft color.

I used a punched border as well but did mine to match the "Autumn" feel of my card.

Now one of my favorite things about Elena's work is her fabulous stitching. So I dusted (and I mean dusted) off my Sew Mini sewing machine and did some stitching on my card as well. I'm not nearly as talented as she is with a sewing machine but at least I managed to get it done without the machine balling up the thread this time around so I'm happy with that even though my stitches are a little uneven in places.

I hope you like my take on Elena's fabulous card. Drop by her blog and leave her some comment lovin. She really does inspire me with her gorgeous work.

Card Details: Stamps: Trees from Gina K (Smile)
Card Stock: Cajun Craze and Whisper White-SU
Designer Paper: Basic Grey - Pyrus
Ink: Amuse Studio - Lichen
VersaMark Ink
Winter White EP (retired SU)
Punch - EK Success
Dotted ribbon (May Arts)
Toffee Sprinkles (AnnaBelle Stamps).

BC229 - It's written in the Stars

Hello everyone. Hope your week has gone well. I'm pretty much recovered from my fall of last week - Thanks for all the get well wishes. Still having some problems with my ankle (I pulled a tendon in it earlier this summer)flaring up.
The other news at our house is that poor Coleen came down with a sudden flare-up of HIVES:

You can read more about it here if you want.

So now on to today's Blogger Challenge. The theme this week is: Stars (open to interpretation). Okay I have to admit that I so wanted to use a stamp of some Movie "Star" to be different from an actual star but alas I have no such stamps and couldn't locate any "digi" Movie Star stamps either. That left me in a bit of a dilema as to what I was going to do. I happened to spot a piece of DP on my messy desk and saw that it had tiny little stars in it. So I looked through my stamps and came up with one that also had some small stars on the image (look closely and you'll see them) and then I found a sketch (Fetch-a-sketch)that showed stars as part of the sketch and from that this card was born:

Now I know what you're thinking...This is a Halloween card so how does that relate to "Stars"...Well you can clearly see I've used them as accents on the side of the card. They are present in the DP and on the Owls Hat (look closely)

and again on the inside of the card.

So there you have my interpretation of "Stars"
Now it's your turn. Just use the "Link Tool" and you'll be all set to go.

Card Details: Card Stock: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, Perfect Plum - SU
Flourishes Select White
Stamps - Owl Inkadinkado ($1 bin at JoAnn's) - Inside Sentiment is from Inkadinkado - Creepy Lane
DP-Basic Grey, Eerie Line
Ink: VersaMark and Detail Black EP
Copic Markers
Perfect Plum Chalk Pastels
Quickie Glue Pen
Clear Glitter - Art Institute
Star Punches-SU
Swiss Dot Embossing Folder
Tiny Button

SFYTT - Welcoming Autumn

Hello and Welcome to my blog. - I want to extend a huge, "Thank You" to everyone who sent emails asking how I was doing since my little fall last Thursday. I'm happy to say that everything is going very well. The swelling went down quickly thanks to keeping my knee iced and elevated. I was a bit "run-down" for the next day or so which was probably due to a bit of "shock" from the fall but other then that I'm doing quite well and thankful the fall wasn't worse then it was.

Now on to my card today. I loved this sketch: From I Heart To Stamp

So I decided to pair it up with my new stamp set, (Pumpkins on the Vine - There She Goes).

Here's what I came up with:

I even decorated the inside:

Card Details:
Stamps: Pumpkins on the Vine - There She Goes Clear Stamps
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Copic Markers - See Photo
Card Stock: Cajun Craze, Whisper White - SU
Designer Paper, DCWV - Harvest Gathering
Nestabilitie Circle Dies
Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon
Lagoon Sprinkles - AnnaBelle Stamps

BC228 - Get the "Blues"

Happy Friday everyone! - It was a good week here up until yesterday afternoon. I took a bit of a spill after catching the tip of my flip-flop on a ride in the concrete of our driveway and crashed down on top of my mom's concrete steps. OUCH!!! - Scared poor little Coleen who was outside playing and saw Grandma fall. I managed to scrap and bruise my left knee which hit the steps and reinjured my right wrist (I get tendonitis in that wrist all the time) because I threw my arm out and hit my mom's door. That was better then crashing all the way down. So today I'm rather stiff and sore but happy it wasn't a worse fall. But enough about me as I'm sure you'd rather hear what the Blogger's Challenge group is up to this week.

Lisa
gave us a wonderful challenge theme: Monochromatic Blue
I tried to find varying shades of Blue patterned paper because I wanted to make a specific card based off of this card that I saw while blog surfing but couldn't find any patterns that matched enough so I went and bought some shades of solid blue card stock to use instead.

I'm sorry I can't credit the designer because there is no watermark information on the card and alas I forgot to write down the website where I saw it. ETA: I've found the Designer (thanks Jennifer) It's none other then Cristina from My Paper Secret. You can find her card here:

If this is your card let me know & thanks for the inspiration.

Here is my version:

I started out by cutting strips of the blue paper and glued them on a piece of cardboard. Then I stamped the snowflakes with white craft ink and let it dry. I added the sentiment, some Baker's twine and a Snowflake brad colored with a Copic marker and added some glitter for sparkle.
I embossed the blue panel with a snowflake embossing folder and added some blue pearls. Here's another view so you can see the pearls better:

While I'm not quite ready for winter/snow I really like how this turned out and hope you do as well.

Now it's your turn to give this challenge a try. You can show us your Shades of Blue by linking below:


Card Details: Stamps: Snowflakes are from a Foam Stamp set I bought off the Internet years ago and had never used. I'm not sure who the manufacture was though. Sentiment stamp: Hero Arts
Card Stock: SU - Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue
Varying Shades of Textured cs - Coordinations
Pearls-Zva
Bakers Twine
Snowflake Brad-Making Memories