Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy New Year!

It isn't quite the New Year hour here yet but I won't make it this year to the witching hour. So I wanted to wish you all the best in 2017. May this year be the best ever. Wishing you good health, happiness and everything that your heart desires.
I spent the last two days babysitting and we have to be over to pick up the twins at 6:30 AM and take our daughter to work by 7AM. We'll have the twins until 5PM tomorrow so I won't get much done tomorrow. I did manage to get a quick thank you card in this week. I think I need one more to finish off my thank you's for Christmas gifts.


I used the Stella Sketch at Catch the Bug blog as inspiration. I used a scrap background that I had already put together. I printed the computer-generated sentiment and inked the paper with Peacock Feathers distress ink. The image is from Bugaboo called Snow Friends Window colored with Copic and Bic markers. I added the punched snowflakes and a few multi-colored self-adhesive gems. To embellish a bit I added Diamond Stickles to the image and the snowflakes.


I am entering these challenges:
Thanks for stopping by today. I hope your holidays were wonderful and again wishing you all the best in 2017. Happy New Year! Here's to many crafty moments in 2017. 

Donna

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Anything Goes at CAS

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are sharing your day with family and friends and remembering the Baby born to save us all. May your Christmas be blessed with peace, love, happiness and health.
This is a scheduled post and sadly my last post as a design team member for The Outlawz CAS team. I've so enjoyed my 2 years with this wonderful team. If you ever get a chance to be part of The Outlawz design team go for it. It's a wonderful team to work with. This week the CAS challenge is anything goes.  My card today is for an anniversary. My brother and SIL's wedding anniversary is December 28th so I have to have their card ready to go before Christmas.


This is a pre-colored image from Beccy's Place called Wedded Bliss Set. I printed the image and sentiment from the set. The only other thing I did was add Glossy Accents to the bow. It looks really nice in real life.
I am entering these challenges:

I hope you will join us this week for our last challenge of the year. How easy can it be for anything goes at The Outlawz CAS. Thanks for stopping by. Again, Merry Christmas and have a wonderful day with family and friends.

Donna

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Chill

Where has the week gone. I haven't had much time to craft but I managed to get a card done for The Outlawz Progressive challenge. The image this month is from Sandi's Samples.


The background is made from scrap pieces of snowy paper. The ticket was laying around on my desk from another project. I colored the image with Copic markers and die cut it with MFT Pierced Ovals. A pretty easy peasy card!
I am entering these challenges:

Thanks for stoppin by today. I have a ton of stuff to do before the big day Sunday. I finally started shopping today. Yikes! Why do I do this every year. LOL! It will all get done. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2017.

Donna

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Sunday CAS at The Outlawz

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for the last week. Where did the week go? I've been cleaning and getting ready for the big day. No not Christmas. I still haven't started my Christmas shopping yet. Today the twins are going to be baptized. So it's been a big week of preparing the after celebration, getting my house clean and finding my kids' baptismal outfits and getting them cleaned. So family are arriving and the weather isn't good here so I am praying for a safe trip to friends and family who are coming in for the event.
But my card today is for the newest Outlawz challenge.


The image is from Bugaboo Stamps. It's one of Tropical Santas at Bugaboo. The sentiment is from Create With TLC. I used a Spellbinder's Frame die to make it a shaped card. Otherwise pretty simple. I am going to post the challenges later as I have to get moving this morning and get my last minute things accomplished. I hope you'll play along with the CAS challenge this week. I know it's a busy time for everyone. Have an awesome Sunday.

Donna

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Checking Santa's List

I had the good fortune to win a $15 gift certificate to Gerda Steiner Designs. So as part of my prize I picked up the progressive image to play along with their challenge. I think the images are so adorable! So here's this month's progressive image from Gerda Steiner Designs.


This card is using up a bunch of scraps that I had laying on my desk from Holiday Chaos and design team cards that I've done lately. I used the Tuesday Morning Sketch challenge as inspiration also.


The image is Wishlist Santa. I colored him with Copic markers. He's die cut with MFT Stitched Circles and I added a Spellbinder's star die cut from silver paper. The banner tag is from Lawn Fawn and I added some festive twine. The sentiment is computer generated and die cut with MFT Fishtail Flags and inked with fire brick distress ink. The snowflake designer paper is by Lisa Decosse of Decosse Dynamite Doodles.
I am entering these challenges:
Now I have to go babysit the twins. My goal was to get my Christmas cards written out this weekend but I don't think that's going to happen. Drat! But hopefully really soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Donna



Musical Challenge

Happy Sunday! A new challenge at the Outlawz CAS challenge. This week we are celebrating Violin Day so your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to create a project with music or a musical instrument.

I got a new AlteNew stamp set in the mail this week so I had to try out the set. The set is the Halftone Thanks Stamp set. The sentiment is from that set. The musical scale is a sticker from my stash. The thanks is stamped with Peacock Feathers distress ink. Very easy! Another thank you note for Christmas gifts ready to go. I just may make more of these. Quick and fun. I hope you'll play along with this easy musical challenge this week. Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome Sunday!

Donna

Friday, December 9, 2016

Cozy Winter Wishes

As I look outside this morning we have fluffy white snowflakes falling. Nothing heavy and certainly not accumulating, but it just brings me a peaceful feeling inside. I love to watch it snow as long as I don;t have to drive in it.
Today is the last day of Holiday Chaos over at Catch the Bug. And I have to say I am definitely Christmas carded out for now. That's not to say that you won't see anymore Christmas cards on my blog this year. I have a couple progressive challenges to work on yet but beyond those I don't think I'm going to make to many more Christmas card this year. This is the first year in all the years I've been making cards that I have more Christmas cards then I will send. I'll have some ready for next year! The last day of Holiday Chaos is Bingo.
The odd thing about this card is that I changed my row/column several times as I was making this card. I just couldn't make up my mind. So I didn't quite get a coverall but I think I'm close. LOL!


I started out doing the first column and then realized I was going to have more than three layers. So I switched to the middle row across (embossing/mittens/snowflakes). My embossed background is the snowflake embossing folder. The Bugaboo image is Marshmallow Snowman - candy cane. Minimal coloring on this image with Copic markers. The sentiment is from Desert Divas. The mittens are from a Simon Says Stamp Set called Big Holiday Wishes (no longer available). I connected them with some Doodlebug twine. and anchored it with a punched snowflake. And because I can't make a holiday card without Stickles I added Crystal Stickles in several places. My favorite is the snow caps on the "winter" sentiment. Looks really great with the glitter.
I am entering these challenges:
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Our weekend will be busy watching the twins. I think we have them for 7 hours both Saturday and Sunday. So lots of snuggling and cuddling going on. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Donna


Thursday, December 8, 2016

Oh Baby!

I took a little break from Christmas cards today to make a couple baby girl cards. My niece had a little girl this week and I had a card in stock but wasn't crazy about it. So I thought I work on a new one. And since I was making one I thought I should go ahead and make two. LOL!


I found a number of Onesie tutorials on the Internet. They are easy to Google. I followed the directions. To add the scallops around the edges I used a 1 3/8 inch die cut and then used a scallop punch to create those areas. The sentiment are from a retired Gina K stamp set called Wee Tees and the bottles are from a Doodle Pantry stamp set called Oh Baby. I always think these are so cute but they do take a little bit of time.
I am entering these challenges:
Just a quick one tonight. Have a wonderful Friday and thanks for stopping by!

Donna

Holiday Twist

Wow! Seriously, where did this week go? Since I retired the time goes much faster or do I have that much more to do. Day 6 over at Catch the Bug for Holiday Chaos. It's flash back day: use an old image and old paper from your stash. My card today has a little twist to it.


This is Christmas Bear - Bear Candy Cane from Bugaboo. I colored him with Copic markers. Both the image and the sentiment were die cut with Gina Marie Cross Stitch Rectangles. The sentiment is from Create with TLC. I inked the edge of the sentiment with MFT pigment ink. All layers are backed with black card stock. The poinsettia paper was in my stash for several years. I added a star with a sequin star glued to it.
I am entering these challenges:

My DH had his Christmas party at work today at lunch time. So I am just about in a food coma. Way too much sugar. I need to go exercise some of this off. Hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Donna

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Raymond's Reindeer Friend

As promised, here's the second of my new release cards for Imagine That! Digis by Kris. This new set is called Raymond's Reindeer Friend. I think the images are just so cute in this set!


I made this treat container with a tag that features Raymond's Reindeer Friend. I used the pre-colored image and then created the sky around it for the tag. The sentiment is from a retired Gina K stamp set. The octagon basket is from Waltzing Mouse. I used the Merry & Bright Digital Paper from Imagine That! Digis by Kris to cover the basket template. I added a star brad to attach the tag to the basket handle. I filled the basket with a special holiday treat. Here's a closer picture of the tag.





Check out the new designs from all the design team over at Imagine That! Creative Playground.
I am entering these challenges:

Thanks for stopping by to check out the new release. Don't forget that all new release stamps sets are 50% off until December 9th. Talk to you tomorrow!






Holiday Chaos Day 5

Just a quick post this afternoon as I am on my way over to watch Valerie and Arthur this afternoon. I wanted to post my Day 5 card for the Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug. I love humorous cards and today there is a photo inspiration and it's all about the humor. So here's the photo I had to work with.


I took my inspiration from Santa and from his wine glass and this is my card.


The image is Tropical Santa - drink, colored with Copic markers and embellished with Crystal Stickles (which has been used on almost everything lately!). I die cut him with MFT Pierced Ovals. The red and white check paper reminds me of a tablecloth in an Italian cafe which would serve wine. I added the "Cheers" randomly on the background paper. That stamp is from a retired Gina K stamp set. The sentiment is a hybrid that I put together in Photoshop. "Love the wine your with" is from Create with TLC and the Ho! Ho! Ho! is from Crafty Nomad. This is perfect for the couple that we play bridge with. I love how it turned out. I die cut the sentiment with Spellbinder's Conversation Bubbles 2. I added black card stock to make the red pop.
I am entering these challenges:

That's my quick one for this afternoon. I'm off to cuddle the twins! My favorite pastime. Have a wonderful day!

Donna


Dachshund Party

Over at Imagine That! Digis by Kris we have several new releases. They will be showcasing them over at the Imagine That! Creative Playground blog. Two sets were previewed yesterday: Llama Love and Dachshund Christmas. Today I have two posts for two more new digi stamp sets. They are so cute, you just have to check them out. My first stamp set this morning is Dachshund Party. It's just a darling set for birthdays. And I love the sentiments. My favorite is the one I used on my card.


I used the pre-colored image of the dachshund on this card and the background designer paper is from a digi paper pack called My Dog is Paw-some. If you've been around my blog for a while you know how much I love plaid and I just couldn't resist those adorable paw prints. I made the sentiment the centerpiece of the card because I thought it was so cute and clever. I colored the sentiment with Bic markers and inked the edges with Orange Marmalade distress ink. I added a little ribbon to divide the two designer papers. The little dachshund is fussy cut and popped up over the top edge of the sentiment.



Don't forget to check out all the new sets being introduced. They are all on sale for 50% off until Friday December 9th.
I am entering these challenges:

I hope you'll come back this evening when I'll have another new release sample. That one will feature Raymond's Reindeer Friend. Talk to you soon. Have an awesome day! I almost forgot I promised an update on the twins. December 6th (yesterday) they turned 2 months old and for being 5 weeks premature they are making up for lost time. They did get their 2 month shots at the doctor so I hope they aren't too fussy for Mom and Dad. Arthur is now 8 lbs 4 oz (he hasn't quite doubled his birth weight yet) and Valerie is 7lbs 15 oz (and she has more than doubled her birth weight). And I'll leave you with a picture of our precious grandbabies on their 2 month birthday.




Tuesday, December 6, 2016

More Holiday Chaos

You know I do think that's an apt phrase for my house this time of year: Holiday Chaos. I've been fighting a double ear infection for the past few weeks. The doctor just gave me another new antibiotic yesterday. This one is making me sick. There seem to be lots of side effects to this one.
So Day 4 of Holiday Chaos is Clean as Snow (keep it simple - no patterned paper). I can do that!


This is Bugaboo's Scene It Christmas Sheep colored with Bic and Copic markers. The sentiment comes with the image so this one was easy peasy. I added Crystal Stickles for some sparkle in several places but that's the only embellishment. The image and sentiment are backed with red card stock on a green card base.
I am entering these challenges:

I am off to help take the twins to the doctor's office today. They won;t be happy campers to get their first shots. It's hard to believe they are two month olds already. Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day!

Donna

Monday, December 5, 2016

Santa Meets Snowmen

Time is just rolling by and before you know it Christmas will be here. I'm finishing up my cards this week (or I hope to) so I have two cards today. I am working on challenges for the Holiday Chaos at Catch the Bug. This card is for day 2 which was a sketch challenge:



The Bugaboo image that I used is Snow Friends Window. I colored the majority with Bic markers but I used some Copic markers also. The snowflake designer paper is Merry & Bright digital paper from Imagine That! Designs by Kris. The border is Magnolia Berry Lace and I backed it with scraps of colored card stock to give it some color. The sentiment is from a retired Stampin' Up! stamp set/\.
I am entering these challenges:
My second project is for Day 3 of Catch the Bug Holiday Chaos. The challenge was to make a tag with red and white stripes/


The image is Stocking Santa HoHoHo and is currently free at Bugaboo Stamps. Go pick that one up while you can. I colored the image with Copics and used Diamond Stickles to make him sparkle. The red and white striped background is washi tape. I die cut the image with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitch Rectangles and popped it up with foam tape. The tag is die cut from MFT Pierced Fishtail Flags. I added some red ribbon (recycled from one of my Christmas packages last year). I thought it turned out adorable. By the way the ceramic tree behind the tag was another crafty project that I made years ago. It's always one of the first Christmas decorations that I put up each year.
I am entering these challenges:
I started with post with time rolling by and believe it or not tomorrow the twins will be 2 months old. I am going to the doctor with them tomorrow and they get their first shots (sad face). But I'll share some updated pictures of them tomorrow. It's amazing how fast they are growing. So stayed tuned for that. Thanks for dropping by today. 
Hugs,
Donna




Sunday, December 4, 2016

Jingle Bells

Happy Sunday and a new challenge over at The Outlawz CAS challenge. You've heard the song Silver Bells. "Silver Bells, silver bells. It's Christmas time in the city." This week we want you to use silver and/or bells.

This card didn't photograph very well. The silver background paper made it difficult. Even my hands reflected in the paper. The image and sentiment are from Create with TLC. I colored the image with Bic markers and die cut the image with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitched Rectangles.  I inked the edges with Mermaid Lagoon distress ink. The card base is red card stock.
I hope you'll join us at The Outlawz CAS challenge this week. Show us your silver and/or bells. It doesn't have to be Christmas.
I am entering these challenges:

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Saturday, December 3, 2016

All that Sparkles

For the next week Catch the Bug is having Holiday Chaos! I love doing challenges at Catch the Bug. I love Bugaboo images too.

Today's challenge was All That Sparkles. So I went looking for my sparkle paper. And here's what I came up with.


My image is Bugaboo Kidz Reindeer. I colored the image with Copic markers and die cut the image with MFT Inside and Out Stitched Rounded Squares. I dyed the edge with MFT Cherry Crisp ink. I added Crystal Stickles as the snow on the image. The ticket sentiment is from GTC Crafty Corner. I dyed the edge of the ticket with MFT Elf Green ink. I added a mesh ribbon. Of course my background is sparkle paper. I really like this card. 
I am entering these challenges:
I'm hoping to participate all week for Bugaboo but I guess the twins will determine whether that happens or not. LOL! They've been lots of fun lately. They have their 2 month doctor check up this week. Thanks for stopping by.

Donna

Joys of the Season

Welcome to the Imagine That! Creative Playground monthly challenge. This month is so easy! Are you making Christmas cards to send? Here's your chance to win a prize and you don't need to use an Imagine That! digital image to win. Come join us. Here's some inspiration to use for your card.


For my card I chose the color scheme of the picture.


This is one of the Christmas thank yous I will send for Christmas presents received this year. The sweet Jars of Cheer from Imagine That! Digis by Kris is so cute. I colored it with Copic markers. I paper pieced the bow on the jar and used the same paper to die cut the "thanks" from MFT Many Thanks dies. I used black card stock for the backing so the colors would pop. The designer paper in the background is from Lorie's Peppermint Mocha stamp set. Perfect for the candy jar. I die cut the jar with Gina Marie Designs Cross Stitch Rectangles. The base is kraft card stock.
I am entering these challenges:

I hope you'll join us this month over at Imagine That! Creative Playground and share your joy of the season with us. Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, December 1, 2016

December Fun

I can hardly believe that it's December already. At this point any other year I wouldn't have much done for Christmas. But this year since I have retired, I have a few Christmas presents bought, some decorating done and Christmas cards mostly created. I need to finish off the notes inside and send them out. How are your Christmas cards coming? If you are one of those people who are already started on next year's cards I think that's great but I am never that far along. LOL!
Today begins the new challenge over at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up. Our theme is North Pole this month. Your don't have to use the theme to link up. Any Christmas card will give you a chance to win some of Decosse's Dynamite Doodles Digi Papers, but if you do use the them we have a special prize from Limited Runs this month. Here's the details:
Welcome to the North Pole. On the left is the road that will take you to Santa's Workshop. Follow to the right and you'll find the Penguin Pavilion. Unfortunately, its Santa's busy season and with just 24 days until the big event, the elves are just too busy to take you on a tour. However, you are more than welcome to take a look around by yourself. Just be sure not to touch anything or you will end up on Santa's naughty list. Oh, and be sure to grab a cup of cocoa and a candy cane from Mrs. Claus before you head back home.
In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month,be sure to include an element that might be found in the North Pole (fantasy version of course)Examples include: elf type images, Santa, Mrs Claus, presents, toys, images that have a sign for the North Pole in them, penguins, reindeer, polar bears, etc. If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.
Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month, and have your name thrown into the year end draw for some extra digital goodies. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $10.00 gift certificate from Limited Runs.

Lisa whipped up and awesome set of digital papers this month and it was such a hard decision as to which paper to use.



So after all the preliminaries, how about a card!


The Limited Runs image is Penguin Cupcake (love the North Pole sign!). I colored it with Copics and tried to make the icing look like a frozen lake that the penguin could skate on amid all those lovely snowflakes from DDD North Pole paper. I added Crystal Stickles to the image for the snow. The Merry Christmas banner is from Create with TLC. I fussy cut that and popped it and the image up with foam tape. The card base is white and I used a black mat background. I do hope you will join the challenge this month at 12 Months of Christmas Link Up as you finish off your Christmas cards. 
I am entering these challenges:


Before I go, 12 Months of Christmas Link Up is looking for some new design team members. If you might be interested check out the details.


Thanks for stopping by today. Good luck with getting all things ready for the holidays. I have a babysitting marathon with the twins tonight from 4-10pm so I'll be busy, busy busy!



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