Just Take it Slow

Happy Friday to you! I'm hoping I can talk hubby into helping me put up the Christmas tree tonight. His belief is as soon as the outside lights are up, his job is done with getting ready for the holidays. I really must change his way of thinking!!!

A quick card to go along with my quick post, using a darling Doodle Pantry image called Too Sweet Turtle. Quick because I used the color version of the turtle as well as the two digital papers included in this set. This card is actually filled with get well wishes for one of our own, Doodle Pantry Design Team member Marsha Drain. She had open heart surgery and needs a sweet little turtle to tell her I'm thinking of her and hope she "just takes it slow." 

If you like this Doodle Pantry image, you're in luck. From now till January 3rd, receive 35% off your image products by entering coupon code  35BLOWOUT where prompted at bottom of cart. Read all the details HERE. Well I guess my post didn't end up as quick as I first thought, but I wanted to be sure you knew about this chance to save! 

Let us Adore Him

A very busy week...confusing too with the boys having been off on Monday. It's weeks like this that makes me so happy when I can get some fun stamping done. I found a fun sketch at Chocolate, Coffee and Cards Challenge and decided to play along. I used a set from Clearly Digi Stamps called Season of Wonder. Of course I used the color version as well as one of the digital papers. I can hear some gasps coming from some of you..."WHAT??? She used purple??!!!" Yeah, crazy, I know. Other challenges I would like to submit this card to are:

Polka Doodles - Any die will do
Christmas Stampin' All Year Long - To die 4
Hiding in my Craft Room - Christmas   

Sweet New Sketch and Sponsor

I promised you a new sketch, and here it is! Every Wednesday at Sweet Sketch Wednesday Arlana creates the funnest sketches around!! I promised you a new sponsor too...

We are thrilled to be sponsored this week by Broken Box Stock. 

"Broken Box Stock is a fun, imaginative and unique clipart shop featuring hand-drawn illustrations and digital stamps by Wendy Sefcik. Crafters, digital stampers, scrapbookers, business owners, teachers, bloggers, website owners, etc. adore the collection of clipart and find endless ways to spruce up their look with Broken Box Stock graphics." 

The prize for our winner this week is this Holiday Toodle Set Printable Page!

Speaking of Toodles, that's exactly what I used here. Her name is Christmas Toodles and can be found HERE. Don't you just love her hair?!! I had to make it pink, well, just because. She certainly didn't look like the kind of gal who would go for brown or blonde hair!!! Keeping with the quirky theme, I thought a blue poinsettia would be perfect too. Sure hope you can join us this week for another fabulous challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 

Across the Miles

It's Wednesday, and time to share our latest and greatest fun challenge at the Fresh Brewed Blog...Across the Miles. It's always at the holidays that we think of those we haven't seen in a long time. Usually it's distance that keeps us from visiting more often so a card is the perfect way to stay in touch and catch up. I used a Fresh Brewed Designs digital image called Santa Snow Buddy - Snow Buddy Rudolph just makes me laugh! The sentiment is computer generated. I pulled together some paper scraps and this card is done. Flat and easily mailable - into my Christmas card pile it goes! You have one more week to play along with our November month long challenge - it's a sketch and you can read all about it HERE.  

Winter Wishes

It's Tuesday and the boys are back to school today...HOORAY!! I've got lots of running around to do, tomorrow is my little Kevin's birthday. Not so little anymore, he's taller than me and is turning 14. YIKES!! But I've always called him my little Kevin and that is what he will always be.

My card today shows off a favorite image of mine...snowmen! And this particulate cutie of a snowman comes from Fresh Brewed Designs and is called Hearts and Stars Snowman. He took me no time at all to color up - used my Copics. Added some fun on his hat with liquid applique. Love to watch it puff up when you heat set it. Kept it pretty simple so Mr. Snowman is the main focus. Enjoy your day and I'll see you back here tomorrow for a two post Wednesday!!

Peace on Earth

You have to check out Love to Create, a fun challenge blog that I am guest designer at this week!! They always have such fun challenges, and I try to play along as time allows. This week's challenge is right up my alley - Non-traditional Christmas Colors.

 Their sponsor this week is Meljen's Designs. You really must check out their store, talk about adorable images.

Imagine how pleased I was when I was able to play along with this sweet snowman image, Christmas Star Snowman. And browns for Christmas??? Of course, after all, this is a non-traditional Christmas challenge!! I used Copics for color, Stickles for sparkle and Glossy Accents for shine. Thanks for stopping by and I sure hope you can join along with the challenge at Love to Create.  

Merry Christmas to You

It's Monday and back to work for some. The boys have one more day off school then it's back to the daily grind tomorrow. We have a new sketch to share at Seems a Little Sketchy. Love the layers so I can use some scraps. Our sponsor is My Grafico.

And here's my card using Santa from the Traditional Christmas Stamps set found HERE. I used copics on Santa and some paper scraps. As you can see, I goofed and put my snowflake embellishment in the upper left corner instead of the bottom. Oh well, maybe you can do a better job than I did at following the sketch!!! Come join us at Seems a Little Sketchy.
   

Pumpkin Pie...YUM!

I do love pumpkin pie...heck, I like most treats made with pumpkin. The only problem is, no one else in my family does. My next door neighbor found this out years ago and every Thanksgiving would send over a piece of pie for me. She has now gone to giving me a whole pie!!! Hard to eat a whole pie so I share with my friends. Looks like these mischievous ants are enjoying theirs, whipped cream and all! This is an image from Doodle Pantry called Pumpkin Pie Ants. I used the color version and some scrap dp. This card is for our Clean and Simple challenge over at The Outlawz...can you guess what the theme is?! Yep, create a CAS card of your favorite holiday dessert. I happened to go with Thanksgiving as my holiday, but any holiday will do. Join us and unleash your inner CAS goddess!!   

Enjoy the Season

Talk about a bitter cold day!! That wind made me simply Brrrrr!! I made vegetable soup for dinner and boy was it yummy. It's done in the slow cooker and the recipe can be found HERE. It doesn't call for it but I add a can of diced tomatoes too.

Staying inside out of the cold gave me time to get some cards made. This one used a Clearly Digi Stamps set called Holiday Nutcrackers. I used the color version as well as one of the digital papers. I followed the challenge over at CAS(E) This Sketch. Check it out cause it's one I will use over and over again. I used the png versions of my image and sentiment so I could merge them onto one panel. It looked empty on the bottom left so I punched a hole and added some ribbon.

I also wanted to remind you of our Clearly Inspired Challenge - Clean and Simple. You still have time to play!

Christmas Cheer

Just wanted to post some cards I've made for challenges over at Stamp TV. It was fun pulling out some of my Gina K Designs stamps. The tree is from Holiday Cheer while the sentiment and papers are from the Merry Little Christmas Stamp TV kit. The challenge was red, green and white.

Again I used the Merry Little Christmas kit for the stamp and paper. The challenge here was to use kraft. Both were a lot of fun to create and are now heading into my pile of cards to mail out this year. I really should get started on addressing my cards, but no, I'll wait till the last possible moment and stress myself out even more!!!! Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that!!

Holiday Hugs

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in the US. Dinner is over, and boy was it yummy. Now it's time to create some cards to share. Here's one using an image from Doodle Pantry called Holiday Cactus. If you're interested in getting this set for free, play along in our Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge by making a card using a Doodle Pantry image, and you will!! AND, you have a chance at winning even more Doodle Pantry images!! Sounds good, right?! Well you have until the 24th to play along, so get craftin'!!

Challenges I'm submitting this to:
Crafty Creations - Christmas is Coming
Divas By Design - Use 2 or more pattern papers
The Paper Girls - Christmas or Winter

So Thankful

Happy Wednesday. This is my third post for today so be sure and check 'em all out!! Today at the Fresh Brewed Blog, the theme for our challenge is "So Thankful." I used from Fresh Brewed Designs the adorable digi so appropriately named, So Thankful. I want to let you in on a little secret...I've had this image colored for a very long time waiting for the perfect time to use it. Well, I must say, this is it!! Show us your "thankful" creations for our fun weekly challenge at the Fresh Brewed Blog.

Some challenges I'd like to play along with are:
Love to Create - Give Thanks
Lollipop Crafts - We are Thankful 
Lexi's Creations - Thanks/Thanksgiving
The Pink Elephant - Giving Thanks
Operation Write Home - Sketch #147
   

Sweet Snowman

Yes, it's Wednesday, and time for a new challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Another fabulous sketch, thanks Arlana (I'm waving and sending hugs to you. Speedy recovery please!). And speaking of fabulous, check out our wonderful sponsor...

Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique sponsors us once a month - thank you, thank you, thank you!!! She is offering up to the winner 6 free digital images of their choosing.

 All images/designs are created and copyright owned by Sally-Ann Hancock. My work means the world to me - it allows my passion to draw and create, to fit with my family life too - often the inspiration for my designs. Hope you enjoy as much as I enjoy creating.

And because I simply adore snowmen, it was an easy choice for me to use this darling image, Snow People. Yep, I hear ya right now saying "awwwww, how cute!!" Thought I would go a little non-traditional with the colors too - pink, green and blue. The snowflakes are die cuts using felt. The card measures 4.24 inches square, my fave size for a card. Can't wait to see what you come up with this week for our challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Wishing you all who are celebrating Thanksgiving this week a wonderful and safe holiday.

I will be submitting this card to the following challenges:
Digi Stamp Boutique - use a DSB image
Papertake Weekly - Ribbon and pearls

Many Thanks

Wanted to show you my latest card for The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog "Thank You" themed challenge for this month. We are being sponsored by The Stamping Boutique, and that's exactly where this adorable image came from. It is called Sammi Autumn and can be found HERE. I wanted to go a little non-traditional with the autumn colors and papers, using more blues, yellows and greens. Such a sweet image. Sure hope you can play along.

I wanted to submit this to The Stamping Boutique challenge going on right now, Giving Thanks. 

Hannah Belle Cooks

Just a quick note about the quick card I made last night. This is Hannah Belle Cooks, a new and adorable rubber stamp just released this weekend at Fresh Brewed Designs. I found this paper in my stash sent to me a long time ago (thanks Heather!!). How perfect to use it with dear Miss Hannah Belle. I should get started cooking myself, actually baking. By now I usually have several different varieties of cookies in the freezer for Christmas. I package them up to give as gifts (the staff at Starbucks treat me REAL good after I give them a tray!!!)). As you've probably guessed, I don't have one single batch made...how sad. I'd better get going because Christmas will be here in no time!!! 

Guess Who?

I have two blog hops going on, so be sure and check 'em out - Fresh Brewed Designs and Clearly Digi Stamps.

I really need to get on the ball and get a box together to send to OWH. I have a feeling though that it won't be until after the holidays, with the post office being crazy this time of year. Anyway, I love this Doodle Pantry set called Funny Disguises. I thought how fun for a soldier to send this home to a loved one with the "Guess Who?" sentiment! I made use of a sketch from OWH's Stars and Stamps blog. I liked this sketch so much, I did all three cards the same, just changed up the papers. Here are the other two...

My pile is growing, very slowly. Will have to get a move on!! I'm going to raid some of the cards in my stash, just need to get some insides to them. If you decide to participate by sending cards to Operation Write Home, be sure there is no glitter on them. Read all about this wonderful organization HERE.  

Tanks a Lot

Good morning, and welcome to my second post for today. If you're looking for the Fresh Brewed Designs blog hop, please go HERE. But stick around here a little longer and read about the Clearly Digi Stamps blog hop that starts today.

You should have arrived here from Cassie's blog, A Day in the Life of a Homeschooling Mom. If not, please be sure and start at the beginning at Clearly iStamp, you don't want to miss out on any of the inspiration. You also want to be sure and comment on all the blogs to increase your chances of winning our prize, $25 gift certificate for digital stamps at Clearly Digi Stamps.
  
Our theme for this month was to make a thank you card. I know it's fall and Thanksgiving is this week, but I was in the mood for some bright fun colors, so I went with this adorable pre-colored image from the set Hanging Out. After all, I couldn't resist the punny sentiment!! Yes, it's Saturday night (or is it Sunday morning, not sure cause I'm really tired) when I started this card, so of course I had to use the color version from the set.

I am the last stop on the hop. Thanks for spending your time with us and be sure to check out the Clearly iStamp blog on Thursday to see if you are a winner. Why not become a follower too for all the latest happenings at Clearly Digi Stamps.  

For the Birds

If you're looking for the Fresh Brewed Designs blog hop, please go HERE.

Good day to you and welcome to our CAS challenge at The Outlawz. This week's theme is "For the Birds." Use any feathered friend on your clean and simple card. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I decided to go with a turkey. We have a family of 7 turkeys in our neighborhood and twice some have been up on our deck! They are HUGE!! The turkey on my card is a die cut and stamp set from PaperTrey Ink called Gobble, Gobble. Ever have a card that every step of the way, something went wrong? Well that was this card for me!! Talk about frustrating!! But it's done and I like how it finally turned out. Hope you can join us for our clean and simple "for the birds" challenge at The Outlawz.   

Fresh Brewed Designs November Rubber Release and Blog Hop

Good Morning!

Welcome to Fresh Brewed Designs LAST rubber stamp release and blog hop for 2012!

We are so excited to have you sharing in this fun event with us!

If you are just arriving here, please go to the start of the hop at Freshly Brewed Challenges. 

If you are coming from Cheryl's blog, She Stamps, then you are right on track! 

There is just something about this time of year that makes me happy. 

All of the worries and stresses seem to fade away as we spend time with those we love.

We get to bake and fill our homes with wonderful smells, make lasting memories, share

love and smiles with others, some of whom we may never even meet. It is a very loving and selfless time of year.

 This release reflects some of those things. Hannah Belle brings in the

joy of baking, cooking, sharing times with our kids, laughing, making messes, and lots of smiling.

Our Love Bird Owls draw us closer together. Keeping warm together on a cool night. Sharing our hearts with those around us.

For my project I chose to create using the new stamp Love Bird Owls. Aren't they adorable?!! And I also used a FBD sentiment rubber stamp found HERE.

For the duration of this hop ONLY, you can get both cling mounted stamps for just $10.50!!!
Stop by the shop to get yours!

Thank you for stopping by today!

Your next hop stop is the lovely, talented, and my good friend, Heather. 

Don't forget to hop in full to see all of the fabulous cards and to have a chance to win

some yummy Blog Candy!!! 

See you in 2013!

Here is the hop order in case you need it: 

Fresh Brewed Blog 

Vanessa

Yolanda 

Sheryl 

Sarah 

Celeste 

Cheryl 

Linda - you are here

Heather 

Blog Candy Hop Stop

From One Cat Person to Another

It's Friday!!! Since it's the third Friday of the month, that means it's time for a new Clearly Inspired Challenge. This time we're looking for Clean and Simple (CAS). I've been embracing my CAS side lately, but still can't seem to get away from those layers!!! My cat and mouse come from the adorable Meows set by Lisa Lara. I used the color version (of course!), keeping with the quick and easy side of CAS. I did not pop up the image layer, and the only "embellishment" is some Crystal Effects to Miss Kitty's nose. CAS, Q&E, and ready to be dropped in the mail to a friend...who also loves cats!! Be sure and join us for our Clearly Inspired Challenge, the more players we have, the more prizes are up for grabs!

New Release at Clearly Digi Stamps

It's time to reveal the newly released digital sets from Clearly Digi Stamps. So have yourself a cup of caffeine and get ready to enjoy the show. First up is a clean and simple holiday card, using the stamp set Christmas Card Sentiments. Keepin' it simple so the sentiment shines. Plus I wanted to play with my new snowflake die!!

Here's a card showing off the adorable set by Lisa Lara, Dangles. So many possibilities with this set, that's for sure. I used the color version of these birdies as well as the digital paper. Now I have to let you in on a little secret...I had a devil of a time with these birds, I kept mounting them on the card right side up!!!!! Them hanging upside down simply threw my old brain for a loop!!! Hehehe!

On my next two cards I used sets by Laurie Wilson. This one is called Holly Wreath. Did she use the color version you ask? Why yes I did!!! Keeping it quick and easy. It reminds me of the extra large pre-lit wreath we hang above our garage at Christmas time. I decorate it up with a huge red velvet bow. I used to add ornaments too, but the wind would always blow them off.

Last but not least is Watermill. Love these pre-colored digis!! I used an older sketch from Operation Write Home - I love their sketches, they include the measurements!! Guess I'll add this to my growing pile of OWH cards that need sent in. Better do it soon before the mad holiday rush at the post office.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. If you want to see all the sets included in this release, check 'em out at the CDS Blog. That's also where you'll see the rest of the wonderful creations by the extremely talented CDS design team.    

Sweet Snowmen Warm my Heart

Today is a two post Wednesday. Scroll down for the Fresh Brewed Designs challenge. Be sure and read about this fabulous sketch we've got going on this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday before you leave. It's always fun to play with a new sketch, especially one with so many yummy layers. And of course we have an awesome sponsor.

This week it's Sassy Cheryl's who is so graciously offering our winner a $5 gift certificate to their store. And you really must check out Sassy Cheryl's, so many adorable images can be found everywhere here!!!

 "Hi everyone! Sassy Cheryl here and I’m so happy to be sponsoring the Sweet Sketch Wednesday challenge this week.

I have been creating graphics and have licensed my work to companies such as Kohl's, Hobby Lobby and Shopko, among others, for over eight years. I started creating digital images about twelve years ago. I absolutely LOVE to draw and always carry a small sketchbook for those times when a bit of inspiration hits. It's been a lifelong dream to become a working artist, and besides deadlines, I LOVE everything about what I do! It really helps that I have a very supportive husband and son (they also can be my biggest critics!)

Through the digis I create, I’ve met so many wonderful, talented ladies. The projects they make using my images makes it all worth it. ‘Can’t wait to see what you will create with my Sassy images.

Thanks for playing along this week… happy coloring!"

 

Here's my card, using Arlana's wonderful sketch and the adorable Sassy Cheryl's image Snowey & His Blue Bird. Okay, I feel like I have to explain myself yet again - I know, he's supposed to be a BLUE bird. I got busy coloring this image one evening and totally forgot and used red! That's my simple story, and I'm stickin' with it!! I pulled some papers out of my scrap bin and paired them up with Snowey. The lace is from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the snowflakes are a die from Taylored Expressions. Be sure and join us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. We always love seeing what you create.  

Lots of Dots...and Coffee of Course!

It's Wednesday...time for a new fun challenge over at the Fresh Brewed Blog. This week we are challenging you to show us lots of dots...and coffee of course!!! I went through images I already had printed off and knew I hit the jackpot with this one, Coffee Cake from Fresh Brewed Designs. I mean, after all, dots AND coffee are on this cake!! I added even more dots with the paper and embossing folder, and drank my coffee (actually it was a latte) while making this card! I thought the brads and pom poms added more to the dot frenzy!!  Stickles was added to the frosting edges of the cake for a bit of sparkle. I think this will now be my niece's birthday card...and I'm sure she'll love the Starbucks gift card I plan to include inside! Sure hope you can play along with our challenge this week at the Fresh Brewed Blog.

Just wanted to shout out a reminder of our blog hop and rubber release going on this weekend. You're not going to want to miss it!!!   

Be Jolly

What a beautiful weekend weather wise we had. But last evening it dropped almost 30 degrees with wind and rain...YUCK!! Perfect hot chocolate weather though. This card I used a fun Fresh Brewed Designs image called Cookies and Cocoa. Exactly what I'm sure Santa is wishing for at some of the stops he makes Christmas Eve!!! I added some Stickles to the marshmallows and pulled out an older Basic Grey Christmas line. The ribbon is from my monthly club at Really Reasonable Ribbon. And the sketch...does it look familiar?

It's our monthly prize challenge sketch at the Fresh Brewed Blog. It really is a fabulous sketch, after all, I've used it twice already!!! Don't forget too about our Rubber Release and Blog Hop coming up this weekend. It's the last one for 2012.    

Blue Jay

The past three days have been crazy!! The weather has been awesome so lots of outdoor work got done as well as some house cleaning inside. Come evening, we're watching movies, leaving me little or no time to stamp. I had a few minutes this afternoon to hide in my room and this is what I made, using a Doodle Pantry image, Blue Jay. Since time was tight, I used the color version along with some scrap designer paper. I followed a sketch over at the OWH blog, Stars and Stripes. There are some other challenges I would like to play along with:

Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations - Winter bird
Corrosive Challenge - Flutter By 
Glitter N Sparkle Challenge - Things with Wings

Getting take-out for dinner. After all, the Steelers play Monday night football, so I can't be distracted with dishes and such!! Go black and gold!

Frosty the Snowman

Welcome to our newest challenge at Seems a Little Sketchy. It's a fun and fabulous sketch, so I hope you can play along. We have a fun sponsor too, Delicious Doodles. Be sure and check out their site.

Here's my card, using Frosty the Snowman. I so love snowmen, now I have another one to add to my collection. Join us for a wonderful sketch to try at Seems a Little Sketchy.    

Thanks

Can you say "Clean and Simple?!" If you can, then you can play in our CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. Our theme this week is to make a thank you card. I just bought this washi tape and couldn't wait to play! The trim along the bottom is a die cut from PaperTrey Ink, Filigree Border. The stamp is a freebie I received when I received my order from Lawn Fawn (what a fun surprise!). A five minute card, literally. Couldn't be much quicker or easier!   

Challenge Time

What a chilly morning! Lots of frost on the ground too. Got my youngest on the bus this morning at 7am and didn't crawl back to bed. Instead, I hit my stamp room to make a card for a couple challenges. I recently got this autumn leaves die from Spellbinders and simply had to use it. While they were still in the die, I sponged color onto the leaves and pine cones. I should have used several colors on the more solid leaves, but I wasn't thinking so early!! The swirls are a punch and the sentiment in from A Muse. The challenges I want to submit this to are:

The Outlawz Challenges - Sketch
Stampin' Royalty - Color challenge (chocolate chip, pumpkin pie, gumball green (I don't have, used old olive instead), so saffron)
Love to Create - Shades of Autumn

Merry Tree

I turned the computer off too early last night, forgot to post this for today!! I enjoy watching the videos Gina K puts together on StampTV. I took some time yesterday to check out the challenges they also post there. Don't ask me why I haven't played in their challenges before, I mean, it's not like I don't have any Gina K stamps!!!! This week's Mix it up Monday challenge is all about trees - perfect for the holiday season. I pulled out this stamp duo set called Merry Tree. Super cute and fun to create with. I decided to switch things up a little bit from my usual and instead of cutting the circle out of the dsp, I cut it out of the embossed layer and placed it on top of a strip of scrap dsp!! Yes, I thought outside of my proverbial box! Have a wonderful Thursday.

Feel Better

I know you'll feel better when you see the great challenge we have for you at the Fresh Brewed Blog!!! Yes, you guessed it, it's a sketch challenge...my favorite!!! And what an awesome sketch it is! Being the first Wednesday of the month, that also makes it a prize challenge...HOORAY!! AND, there's more - it's also a new digi release today too. Wow, can you take all this excitement?!!! Check out the Hot Off the Press Digis HERE.

Since I used to be a nurse myself, I thought Nurse Piggie and I were a perfect match! I wanted to make her fun and colorful, all the way down to her red heels!!! Sure to put a smile on anyone's face who is not feeling well. Sure hope you can join us this month for our prize challenge cause it's one fantastic sketch!