Deck The Halls!

 

.....with boughs of holly!
Today is Tuesday and that means another tag! The theme this week at Tag Tuesday is "Deck The Halls" and they are making gorgeous tags using holly, berries, ivy, or any type of decoration for a Christmas tree, etc.
I made this tag for The Father Christmas Tag Swap at The Altered Paper and thought it would be perfect for today!

The image is from Joanna Sheen's Victorian Christmas CD and the background paper is from The Paper Studio. I made the hat pin and everything else was stash. Oh, the tag svg was a freebie from Bird's Cards.

Make sure you pop over to Tag Tuesday to look at all the marvelous tags they'll be showing this week!

Unique Crafters Challenge #10 ~ Christmas

 

Oh goody,goody, goody! I'm really getting into the Christmas spirit! I finished my shopping in August, which is my yearly deadline. I've done this every year for over 30 years. I'd much rather be enjoying the season instead of worrying over last minute gitfs. Most of my gifts are wrapped and my Christmas cards are made. Now I can just sit back, watch Christmas movies and drink hot chocolate!
This month we're celebrating Christmas at Unique Crafters Challenge. You can make any craft you like (and there are so many ideas for Christmas)! The winner will receive a $10.00 gift certificate from Cedar Chest Designs! Yay! Go check out all the lovelies they have. There are several freebie images and oodles of fun Christmas images. AND, if you use one of their images, you will be entered into an additional random drawing for a $35.00 gift certificate!

I made this Christmas ensemble for a Christmas tag swap. We always add little goodies to our package to send, so I made a cracker box and filled it full of fun crafting things for her to use on future projects. Click here for the free downloadable cracker box from Crafting Cachet. She has oodles of fun freebie downloads!

Supplies used:

Unique Crafters: Simple Stories printed Christmas cardstock, matching stickers

Birds cards: free tag template

Michaels: twine, beige cardstock, buttons, stickles

MTC cutting program

fiskars paper cutter

Scotch ATG 700 tape gun

Zig 2 way glue

You have until the end of the month to enter your Christmas project. Good luck!

The Altered Paper ATC Christmas Swap

 

I can't tell you how much fun I'm having with the swaps at The Altered Paper! I'm creating things I never done before....like altering matchboxes and making ATCs.

This is the first ATC I've ever made and it went to Donna at Red Apple Junction. The theme was "The Night Before Christmas" so I created the paper using MTC print functions. I think this program is probably one of the best purchases I've ever made. It cuts, prints, bezier curves (which is what I did with the "Twas" using an old english font). I changed colors and typed the rest of the sentence using a MS font. I added the holly and colored with Copics after I printed. I'm becoming addicted to burlap, so I covered the red ATC base, then cut the merry christmas cardstock with Spellbinders Labels Seventeen and embossed with Tim Holtz holly embossing folder. I went arond the edge with gold stamp ink and added some tiny christmas cookie cutters, ribbon, silver snowflake, red bow and silver Liquid Pearls.

Keeping Warm

 

I recently joined a tag swap at The Altered Paper. Oh, my goodness! I have such fun there! So far I've made 3 tags, a large altered matchbox, and my first ATC!!!
When I receive my matchbox from my partner, I'll post both of them.
I am enjoying making tags so much that I went searching for more swaps! I found another great blog, Tag Tuesday. Sadly, the group is full but I am on the waiting list. Yay! You can, however, play along, making a tag for the weekly theme and post it on your blog. Carolyn will add your name to her blog list so all of her followers and swappers can check out your tag.

The theme for this week's tag is "Keeping Warm". There's a section of the blog titled "themes and prompts" where you can find future themes and ideas.
Even though the swap is full right now, it will be time well spent to check out this blog. And, if you're hooked on tags, it will be one of your fav places!

Supplies used:

K&Co.: Que Sera Sera designer cardstock

Michael's: white cardstock, pearls, ribbon, silver rick-rack, lock and key, pop-up-dots, Recollections stamp pad in Chestnut

Eclectica Memphis: hat pin

Brilliance pearlescent sky blue stamp pad

Image: TeddyBo #191 digi stamp

Copic Sketch Markers

Bird's Cards: svg tag

MTC cutting program

Zig 2 way glue

Scor-Tape

My warm and snuggly tag will be entered in the following challenges:

Forever Friends Challenge #50 ~ "Glitter and Sparkle"

Joanna Sheen Challenge ~ "Anything Goes Except Christmas"

Handmade Gifts Are Best!

 

Every year I make the Christmas presents for my mother-in-law to give to her bridge club players. Last year it was personalized note cards in a matching bag. This year I wanted to try something different. I made homemade soap! Yeah, is that cool or what! I ordered this so sah-weet silicone mold from Ebay and used a melt and pour method. I added just a touch of pink coloring and lavender essentail oil. Ohhh, they smell divine.

I always make a Christmas card to go with the gift. This took a while as each one had to be colored. Now, it wouldn't be complete without a matching box!
I think they turned out really well and I'm having so much fun making soap that I don't think we'll ever have to buy another bar!

Supplies used:

Image: Mo Manning Winter Fairy Halla

Memory Box: Pink candy cane cardstock

Michael's: white cardstock, green ribbon, silver ribbon

Cottage Cutz: Christmas tree

Stickles: Cotton Candy

Paper Glaze

Martha Stewart: white glitter, white flocking powder, scoring board, doily punch

Marvy scallop punch

Fiskars paper trimmer

Zig 2 way glue

Scotch ATG 700 tape gun

Copic Sketch Markers

The Merry Christmas Matchbox Swap

 

Oh my! What a fun swap this was. I've never before altered a matchbox, but I just love all the swaps at The Altered Paper, so I had to join!
There was a lot of fun involved in making this box for Donna, my swap partner. I really wanted it to be personalized just for her, so I placed a "D" clip on the bow.
I waited until she received it (25 NOV) to do this post. Yeah, I waited!
Here it is....

This time we were suppose to go "all out" on the goodies we sent, so I made a special trip to Memphis to pick up some really nice goodies for Donna. My favorite is the chandelier ornament.

I can't wait to see what she sends. I've been to her blog, My Cup Of Tea and it's marvelous!

Have a fun and crafty day!

GIve Thanks

 

Today is Thanksgiving. A day when we gather with family and friends and give thanks for all our many blessings. Everyday should be a day of thanks.
I have so much for which to be thankful. I have the best family in the world, the best friends ever,
and my Make The Cut is working again! LOL!

This is the last of my Thanksgiving cards ~ going out a little late. Oh, well.

Supplies used:
Fresh Brewed Designs - Give Thanks Pumpkin image
Hobby Lobby - white cardstock, burlap, twine, buttons, pop-up dots
The Paper Studio - green background, light brown shadow cardstock
Copic sketch markers
Marvy - leaf punch
2 Way Glue


I'm entering my card in the following challenges:

Fresh Brewed Designs FBC 123 ~ So Thankful
Tiddly Inks Challenge #98 ~ Gratitude
Digi Stamps 4 Joy #55 ~ Give Thanks
Love To Create #42 ~ Give Thanks

It's Tag Tuesday!

It's time for another tag! I recently made a tag that was size #8. All the previous tags I made were #5.
This made me wonder just how many tag sizes there were and exactly what were the measurements. I went to an online store, U-Line, that sells all kinds of shipping merchandise and I found a list for all the different sizes! I thought I'd share them with you in case you need them for future reference.
#1 - 2 3/4" x 1 3/8"
#2 - 3 1/4" x 1 5/8"
#3 - 3 3/4" x 1 7/8"
#4 - 4 1/4" x 2 1/8"
#5 - 4 3/4" x 2 3/8"
#6 - 5 1/4" x 2 5/8"
#7 - 5 3/4" x 2 7/8"
#8 - 6 1/4" x 3 1/8"
After the 2nd tag, I noticed a trend. For every 2/4" increase in length, there's a 2/8" increase in width.
There you go! All tag numbers with their sizes!
Okay, lesson over! Let's move onto Tag Tuesday. The theme for this week is "Winterscape".

I created my tag as though I were gazing out onto a snowy night through an open window. I hope I had a coat on!

Supplies used:

CTI Paper USA - pearl cardstock

Spellbinders - window die cut

Birds Cage - svg tag

Michael's - ribbon, pearls, gold button, ribbon flower, pop-up-dots

Image - Google search

MTC - cutting program

Zig 2 way glue

Martha Stewart scoring board

Don't forget to stop by Tag Tuesday and check out all of the gorgeous tags they will be sharing this week. I'm sure you'll get plenty of wonderful inspiration if you're in the mood to whip out a few tags!

It's Time to Decorate to Celebrate!

 

I'm so honored to get to be a guest designer this week for Decorate To Celebrate! The theme is "Over The Hill Party"! Make any decoration or party supply for any type of Over 40/50/60 Party and enter Challenge #38. You have 2 weeks to come up with something really fun!
And, if you win, OMG!!!! It's a mini album made just for you by Rhonda at Scrap Happens!
She made the most beautiful carousel mini album when I won several challenges ago. I asked if she could put my grandson's name on it as we were about to have a second grandson and I wanted something for him so he wouldn't feel left out. It is so beautiful. Rhonda really puts her heart in the mini albums she makes, and it shows!

Here's the birthday party favor bag I made. You know, this COULD be me!!!

Supplies used:

Georgia Pacific: white cardstock

Mels Stampz purse template

Copic Sketch Markers

EK Success: circle edge punch

Michael's: ribbon and rhinestone

Font: Curlz MT

Scotch ATG 700 Tape Gun

It's All About Girls!

 

This month at Unique Crafters Challenge Blog, it's all about little girls! Our sponsor, Cedar Chest Designs has some adorable digis and I used "Ruby with Bow" to make this cute little purse! The winner of this month's challenge will win a $25.00 gift certificate to Cedar Chest Dsigns!

Sugar and spice and everything nice.

That's what little girls are made of!

You can enter any creative craft. Card, layout, tag, box, purse....just as long as it has something to do with little girls!

Supplies used:

Floral cardstock ~ old stash

Marvy ~ large scalloped oval punch

Copic Sketch markers

EK success ~ Chinese Knot Chain edger punch

Zig 2 way glue

Michael's pop up dots

Cedar Chest Designs ~ Ruby with Bow digi stamp

A Beautiful Romance

 

Last night Fran sent me an e-mail to tell me that The Shabby Tea Room has a challenge, "Beautiful Romance", using pink, green, white, and lace. She knows these are my fav colors and I would want to enter. This is the photo inspiration.

Is this not so beautiful? I think all of my meals should start this way! Just gorgeous!

You still have 3 days to get your "shabby chic" on and enter the challenge.

Here's my take.

Supplies used:

Georgia Pacific: white cardstock

Colorbok: green cardstock

Echo Park: light pink damask cardstock

Michael's: white lace doily, green ribbon, Liquid Pearls

Wild Orchid: small pink roses

Saturated Canary: "Fancy" image

Copic Markers

Prima Marketing: corners, key, and lamp post resins

Bird's Cards: frame and background border

Joy Crafts: butterfly die cut
MTC cutting program
Cricut Expressions cutting machine
Zig 2 Way Glue
Fiskars paper trimmer

This beautifully romantic card will be entered in the follwing challenges:

The Shabby Tea Room: Challenge 135~"Beatiful Romance"

Tuesday Alchemy: Challenge 35~"Anything Goes"

Paper Crafting Journey: Challenge~ "Add Some Bling"

Top Tip Tuesday: Challenge 87~"Things With Wings"

Crafts And Me Challenges: 105~ "Anything Goes"
Divas By Design: Challenge 56~"Anything Goes"
Simon Says Stamps Challenge: "Use Dies and/or Punches"
Let's Craft and Create: Challenge 55~"Borders"
Crafting For All Seasons: Challenge 37~Costumes/Dress Up

November Tag a Month Swap

 

I recently joined The Tag a Month Swap at The Altered Paper. This is so much fun! You create a tag, size 5 (2 3/8" x 4 3/4") each month and swap with an assigned partner. This month my partner was Amy Jo at Art From The Heart. She made me this beautiful tag! I just love the colors, the style, everything about it is so me! How did she know?

AND.... not only did I get this gorgeous tag, she sent me a mountain of goodies!

Look at all these little lovlies! Beautiful butterflies, lace, flowers, tags~all of my favorite things! My, this lady has great taste! The only thing that exceeds her taste is her talent. Check out her blog linked above to see her creative brilliance.

Thank you Amy Jo!

Here's the tag I made for Amy Jo:

( I forgot to take a picture of the goodies I sent her! )

A Halloween "Boo!" To You!

 

What is it about Halloween? Just can't make enough cards and fun treats! I made this one specifically for my friend, Chriss America Real, at Scrappin with Chriss and Lou. Go to her blog and check out the Halloween Blog Candy she's giving away. Make sure you congratulate her on becoming a designer for Just Some Lines Challenge Blog! Way to go, Chriss!
I recently found this image, "A Crowded Mash" at The Stamping Boutique and just HAD to have it! It kind of reminds me of the "My Three Sons" logo. I bought several Halloween images and some great ones for Christmas, too. If you've never been shopping there, you're in for a treat (little Halloween pun!!!!)

The bat, witches hat, rick rack border, and pumpkin came from the MTC gallery. I used "scary" font in orange, created a shadow background in black and printed using MTC. After fussy cutting, I coated it with Glossy Accents. And, with my new addiction to Sparkles, I used Lime Green, Orange Peel, Xmas Red, Diamond, and Black diamond. Copic markers are the bomb! Will I ever have all the ones I want? (Don't EVEN ask how many I already have!!!)

I'm entering my too cute to spook card in the following challenges:

Just Some Lines Challenge: "Too Cute To Spook"

The Poodles Parlour Challenge: "Halloween"

Crafty Calendar Challenge: "All Things Spooky"

Crazy 4 Challenges: C4C157 "Halloween"

Hooked On Craft Challenges: #25 "Halloween"

Fight Like a Girl!

 

It's October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, and time for another card. This may be THE designated month for breast cancer awareness, but we should all be aware every month.

I spent all day making this card! It took a while to figure out how I wanted to cut the sentiment and where to put the boxer's gloves. I think it turned out really well. I had to put the letters over the shadow background after I covered each in Paper Glaze and glitter. I made the shadow so the sentiment would go on the card easier! And, it gives it more depth. After I colored the gloves, I covered the ribbons with Stickles. The little roses at the bottom just seemed to bring it all together.

Supplies used:

Georgia Pacific: white cardstock

Colorbok: green cardstock, pearl pink cardstock

Link Up for Pink: patterned digi paper (freebie)

Copic sketch markers

Michael's: Liquid Pearls (Petal Pink,White Opal) small pink roses,

Paper Glaze, Stickles in Cotton Candy, pop-up dots

Martha Stewart: glitter

Fiskars paper trimmer

Make The Cut cutting program (sentiment using Penshurst font)

Cricut Expression cutting machine

Zig 2 Way Glue

Image by Oak Pond Creations

My little boxer gloves card will be entered in the following challenges:

Celebrate The Occasion Challenge 82: "Breast Cancer Awareness"

Craft Your Passion Challenge 130: "Save The Hooters" or "Owls with Pink"

Dream Valley Challenge 42: "Go Pink"

Link Up For Pink Challenge 6: "Breast Cancer Awareness"

Cupcake Craft Challenge 212: "Think Pink"

Brown Sugar Challenge: "Use A Freebie"

Art Impressions Challenge 83: "Pink! for Breast Cancer Awareness"

The Stamping Boutique Challenge: "Pink, Pink, Pink!"

InThe Pink Challenge: Pink Plus One

Lexi's Creations Challenge 75: "Pink"

An Autumn Birthday!

 

It's that time of year again! I have so many family and friends celebrating birthdays this month. Fran's birthday was yesterday! She already received her card and presents. I didn't post her card because I didn't want her to see it before her big day!

I had so much fun making this card. I've become a Stickles addict. Just add it to the growing list of my craft addictions!

Supplies used:

Geogia Pacific: white cardstock

Colorbok: brown cardstock

Tonic: ticket punch

golden gems and twine are from old stash

Scrapbook Unique: pop-up dots

Oozak: Copic Sketch Markers

Stickles: Orange Peel, True Blue, Lime Green

Memento ink pad: Tuxedo Black

Zig 2 Way Glue

Fiskars paper trimmer

Images: Northwoods rubber stamp (bicycle in garden), Stitchy Bear digi (Pumpkin Swirls)

This bright autumn birthday card will be entered in the following challenges:

Whoopsi Daisy Challenge: "Sparkle and Shine"

CMC Copic Challenge: "Bright Fun Colors"

Crafty Catz Challenge: "Autumn"

Sassy Cheryl's Challenge: "Let's Think About Fall"

Joanna Sheen Challenge: "Down In The Garden"

Paper Pretties Monday Challenge: PPMC59: "Fall Inspiration"

Loves Rubberstamps Challenge: "All About Autumn"

Simon Says Stamp Challenge: "Glimmer and Sparkle"

MarkerPop Coloring Challenge: #8 Oldies, but Goodies (B00, Y38 are older markers)

The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop:Challenge15: Autumn Colors

Unique Crafters Challenge #8 ~ Halloween

 

Happy Halloween! This month's challenge is all about spooky witches, jack-o-lanterns, scarry pumpkins, and anything Halloween! Grab a ghost and go for it! I'm sure you'll come up with something "Boo-tiful"!

Bewitched Carly is a Di Digi download colored with Copic markers. For a witch, I thinks she's absolutely "boo-tiful"!

We have 2 prizes for our challenge this month!

The best scrapbook page will receive a $25.00 prize package of craft supplies from Crafty Crops.

Start a party and craft with friends! This is a new portable scrapbook store for craft parties and fundraisers. Check it out. I think this is a GREAT idea!

The best card or altered project will receive a $10.00 gift certificate from Cedar Chest Designs,

a new company featuring digi stamps and patterned paper for the craft world! Be sure to peruse all the goodies!

Now it's time for us to see what great ideas you have to share with us at Unique Crafters Challenge!

Supplies used:

Scrapbook Unique: black tulle, pop-up dots

Michael's: purple, yellow gemstones

Colorbok: orange cardstock, white cardstock

Fancy Pants: striped cardstock "Magic"

Zig 2 Way Glue

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Thermogrip hot glue and gun

Copic Markers: E00, Y15, Y21, YR02, YR04, G05, V12, V17, C5, R11, R27, 100

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

Last year there were more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.
Thanks to research and medical advancements, foundations such as The Susan G Komen "For The Cure" and many others too numerous to mention, the rate of death is decreasing about 2% per year.
We can all continue to make a difference by monthly breast checks and reminding our friends to do the same.
My dear friend, Heather at Fresh Brewed Designs is sponsoring the Link Up for Pink Challenge No. 6. Just make a BCA card using a product from LUFP (they have great freebies you can use!) and join the fun!
I made this card to "support" all my friends and help spread the word about breast cancer awareness.

Supplies used:

Link Up for Pink: patterned digi paper

Colorbok: white card stock

Michael's: pink cardstock, liquid pearls, rose, ribbon, pop-up dots

Spellbinders Die: Labels Seventeen

Cuttlebug die cut and embossing machine

Martha Stewart: lace edge punch

Sentiment font: Garton

Bra: ( I couldn't find one I liked, so I made an SVG)*

Fiskars: paper trimmer

Zig 2 Way Glue

*If you would like this SVG, just leave me a comment with you e-mail and I'll be happy to send it to you!

I'll be entering my "delicate lingerie" card in LUFP Challenge #6

How Important Friends Are

 

We are all so blessed to have special people in our lives. It seems in this crazy busy world, we need to slow down, spend more time with our friends, and let them know how much they mean to us! This week at "House Mouse Challenge Blog" they are celebrating friends! One can not create too many cards for friends and I had so much fun making this one!

Supplies used:

Colorbok: blue cardstock

K&Co.: Life's Journey pattered cardstock

Cricut machine and Plantin School cartridge: tag cut 4", shadowed with blue

Michael's Crafts: roses and leaf, tiny clothes pins, lock and key, buttons, twine, pop-up dots

Cuttlebug Embossing and Die Cut Machine

Cheery Lynn Die: Swedish Spring Oval Frame

House Mouse stamp: Relaxing Bubbles

Memento ink pad: Tuxedo Black

Thermogrip hot glue and gun

Martha Stewart Scoring Board

Fiskars paper trimmer

Zig 2 Way Glue

Sentiment typed in brown using Garton font

Copic Markers: E0000, E21, E35, E40, R00

This precious bubbling bunny will be entered in the following challenges:

House Mouse Challenge #HMFMC128: Friendship Challenge

Brown Sugar Challenge #8: Anything Goes

The Crazy Challenge #129: Spots or Stripes

Paper Crafting Journey Challenge: "My Sentiment Exactly"

Crafty Catz Challenge #151: Buttons

Color Throwdown Challenge #210

The Poodles Parlour Challenge: "Tag - You're It!"

Joanna Sheen Challenge: "So Sweet"

A Carriage Fit For A Princess!

 

Fran has a habit of finding cute little things on the internet for me to make. She's done this several times and really keeps me busy! She saw a carriage similar to this and wanted me to create an svg template so we could cut them using our Cricuts. She uses SCAL and I have MTC. I spent most of the day drawing and cutting, then scanning and scaling to get what she wanted. All in all, I think I did pretty good! If you would like it, go to 4shared.com . If you have trouble downloading, just leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I will send it to you. The pattern I drew is just for one side, so cut two. I did not include the "box" part as all you have to do is make the bottom part of a box and glue to the sides. This forms the outward sides of the box. I cut it 4"x9" and scored at 1/2".

Supplies used:

Colorbok: pink, green cardstock

Michael's: ribbon, jewels, Liquid Pearls, flowers

HP Deskjet Printer/Scanner

Cricut Expression

MTC cutting program

Aleene's Tacky Glue

Scotch ATG 700 tape gun

This will be entered in the following challenges:

Creative Cutting Challenge #1~ Anything Goes

Heck of a Challenge #1 ~ Anything Goes

Let's Craft and Create Challenge #53 ~ Anything but a card

Come and Get it Challenge ~ Tic Tac Toe (pearls, free, ribbon)

Divas By Design Challenge #52 ~ For a Child

Whimsy Inspirations Challenge # 51 ~ Anything Goes

Happy Birthday Chriss America Real!

 

It's a very special day! One of my dear blends is celebrating her birthday by having a Birthday Blog Hop! Please go to her blog, Scrappin with Chriss and Lou to wish her a happy birthday and participate in her blog hop. She has several wonderful prizes that she will be giving away. How sweet! It's HER birthday and you could win a prize!
Chriss is truly a precious person. We met in blogworld and she has always been so supportive and helpful with all of my blog endeavors. I feel very honored to be a friend of hers. She is one of my besties! Happy birthday, Chriss!

Oh, BTW, this is her birthday card and she will be seeing it here first as I was late getting it to the post office!

I'll Take Care of You!

 

Can you tell how much fun I'm having with Copics?!! If "practice makes perfect", I'm going to keep on practicing. I've always loved the House Mouse series of stamps by Stampabilities, but didn't buy them since I wasn't into coloring. My, how times have changed! Being a nurse and loving all things related to healing I was so excited to get this stamp and pull out the Copics!

Supplies used:

Copic Sketch Markers: C1, E51, E53, R00, R27

Memento Ink Pad: Tuxedo Black

Stampabilities House Mouse Series, Dr. Amanda

Colorbok: white cardstock

Bazzill cardstock: Ruby Slipper

Silhouette: oval frame die cut

Zig 2 way glue

Aleene's Fabric Fusion glue

Michael's Crafts: small dot punch, red gingham ribbon

Fiskars paper trimmer

These cute mice will be entered in the following challenges:

Cut It Up Challenge #1: Anything Goes

Tuesday Alchemy Challenge #30: Anything Goes

Ribbon Carousel Challenge #69: Beautiful Bows with Katie Shiff