Christmas Thank You

A quick post to show you a fun card I made, thanks to the Christmas challenges over at Stamp TV. We were asked to make a thank you card using one of three sketches...imagine my excitement since I love sketch challenges!!! 

This was the sketch I went with, using a snowflake die cut and scraps of purples for an hombre effect. At first I was going to do some faux stitching when I decided to do the real thing instead! The sentiment is from a Gina K Designs stamp set called Assorted Greetings. Now off to work on the other three challenges they have posted.

Happy New Year & a Sale & a Freebie

The hardest part about the new year...remembering to write 2014!!!! Hahaha! I wanted to share with you a card I made using a freebie Doodle Pantry set called New Years Birdie. Did you notice I said a freebie?!!! That's right, this set is absolutely free, but only for a limited time (until Jan. 1st). Be sure and pick yours up today. And if you find yourself putting some other must haves into your cart, there's also a sale going on at Doodle Pantry. From now until Jan. 2nd you get 40% off digital products using the coupon code HAVEFUN2014. You will "have fun" browsing the store as well as saving 40% on your purchase!
  

Merry Christmas

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I last posted to my blog...or created anything for that matter. But I do want to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. May your time with family and friends fill you with the joyous spirit of the season.

The DT of Sweet Sketch Wednesday want to invite you to our last challenge for the year. In fact, this will be the last challenge for Sweet Sketch Wednesday. But I have good news, we will be continuing our fabulous sketch challenge every hump day at our new home, Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. Please join us starting on New Years Day at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. In the meantime, we're bringing back an oldie but goodie for our last challenge of 2013.  

And check out our sponsor...Bugaboo Stamps. Our winner will receive 7 free digis of their choice that value $21. 

I had to use a snowman image for my card...just because!!! This one is called Snowman Flakes and can be found HERE. I used some paper scraps for the circles and actually stamped with a Hero Arts background stamp Script Season's Greetings. Now please join us for a fun and fabulous challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

 

Sweet Santa

 One week from today is Christmas!!! YIKES, is it time to panic yet?!!! I haven't sent one single card, no decorations are up, a few presents are bought, and only two batches of cookies have been baked. But I will not panic or stress...yeah, right!!!!  Since it's Wednesday, it's time for our latest challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Another fun one if I may say!

And our sponsor is the one and only Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique. We are so thankful for her continued support of our challenge every month, offering our winner 6 free digi images.  

A monthly freebie is also offered, and this is the one from November - Chimney Santa. I simply couldn't resist using him, thought he was so cute! As I seem to do with all of my cards, this one leans towards the masculine side I think with the darker plaid papers. And that's okay!! I did add a bit of sparkle though with some Stickles on Santa's hat. Sure hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

I am submitting this card to the monthly Digi Stamp Boutique customer challenge. Read all the details HERE.
 

Season's Greetings

Seems that the flu bug decided to pay me a visit yesterday...YUCK!! I'm running way behind and apologize for dropping the ball on posting my card. We are having a blog hop and challenge over at Holly Jolly Christmas. You should have come here from the wonderful Bianca's blog. For my card, I used a Bugaboo image called Season's Greeting Feet. So fun and so simple. 

Now for this challenge, It will run for the month of Dec. It is a Challenge and a Blog Hop, In order to win the challenge you will have to follow these rules.

The Challenge part of it is simple make a Christmas Card or Project 
then do the following.

1. Link your card up to this blog, using a direct link to your project, not just 
your blog.

2. Comment on all the blogs through out the hop.

3. Find the letters  to spell out a couple of words related to the challenge, and send us an email to hollyjollychristmaschallenge@gmail.com

The winner of the challenge will receive 10 free digital images from Bugaboo as well as a $10.00 Gift Certificate from Fred She Said.

The other prizes up for grabs are

 

$20.00 Gift Certificate from Stamp and Create

$10.00 Gift Certificate from  Meljen's Designs.

$6.00 Gift Certificate from Floppy Latte Designs

5 Digital Images from Eureka stamps

5 Digital Images from QKR Stampede

3 Digital Images from The Stamping Boutique or 4 if you use one of their design

3 Digital Images from Oak Pond Creations

3 Digital Images from Fitztown

3 Digital Images from Digi Stamps 4 Joy

3 Digital Images from Limited Runs Stamps

2 Digital Images from 2 Cute Ink

 

Now off you go to the next stop on our hop, Judy's blog. 

 

Enjoy the Holiday

 

Instead of enjoying the holidays, I am once again playing catch up with everything. I printed off some of these Doodle Pantry sweeties, Holiday Ants. I got these two done so far, the rest will be with the same sketch and the use of scrap paper. Quick & easy and oh so flat for mailing. I got a batch of cookies done yesterday too. That only makes two kinds done...normally I have about 10 different recipes. Like I said, I'm running a bit behind. 

Some challenges I'd like to submit my cards to include:

CAS on Sunday - Christmas

Dream Valley Challenges - Christmas

Hiding in my Craft Room - Use your scraps

Sweet Stampin' - Last minute Christmas

  

Mr. Snowman

I know I've been missing for a few days, but now I'm back. I had knee surgery on Friday which went very well. It just slowed me down getting into my craft room to create. This card is for the latest Clean & Simple challenge over at The Outlawz. Our theme this week is snowmen. This guy is a die cut and stamped using Shape Up Snowman from PaperTrey Ink. The snow hills are also a PTI die & can be found HERE. The background navy layer was created with a Simon Says Stamp die, Falling Stars. Once everything was cut out and stamped, it went together like a puzzle. Had to add some Stickles, especially since I smeared some black ink from my fingers onto Mr. Snowman's hat! Now I sure hope you can join us this week for our Sunday CAS challenge at The Outlawz.

Some challenges I'm submitting this card to include:
CAS-ual Fridays - Let it Snow
Craftitude - Anything Goes/Christmas Sparkle
Craftyhands - Season's Greetings/Winter Theme
Sweet Pea Stampers - It's Cold Outside
Moving Along With the Times - Winter Wonderland

    

Cardinal Snow Globe

Welcome to another new Wednesday and the fabulous sketch for you to try at Sweet Sketch Wednesday. 

Our sponsor this week is Pattie's Creations. Be sure and check out her store, lots of super sweet images. Our winner this week gets to choose 3 digi images from Pattie's Creations for free!!!  

For my card I had the honor of working with the stunning Cardinal Snow Globe. I started out using my copic markers then covering the snow globe with glossy accents. I love this image!! I sure hope you can join us for some sweet sketchin' fun! We always enjoy seeing what you come up with!

Anything Goes Christmas

Okay, I'm officially done with all the fun and fabulous challenges over at Catch the Bug for their week of December chaos. Thanks Bugaboo for a week of very creative and super fun challenges!!! The last one was Anything Goes Christmas. I couldn't wait to use this image, Stocking Mouse. And I had this really fun sentiment from Paper Smooches too!! Keeping it clean & simple, that way it doesn't take quite as long to get a card done! So much fun...and a few more Christmas cards to add to my collection.

Photo Inspiration

 I'm almost done with my marathon postings!!! Here is Friday's challenge over at Catch the Bug - use the Bugaboo Stamps freebie from this Friday as well as the above photo for inspiration.

This is the sweet freebie, Christmas Kids Girl 2. As for my inspiration, I saw blues in the photo as well as some sparkle. I had to add the pop of red because the decorated and lit tree in the center of the photo pops with simply being different. So fun. Thanks Bugaboo for the this cute freebie!!!

Merry Christmas to Ewe

I love these sheep images from Bugaboo, don't ewe?!!! This one is called Merry Christmas to Ewe and can be found HERE. I knew right away I wanted to use this cutie when I saw the challenge at Catch the Bug on Thursday - Favorite Holiday Treat. We had to pick a treat and create a project based on the recipe for that treat. I went with Fruit Cake (even though I really dislike fruitcake!!) - make it funny and only use scraps. That's exactly what I did here, again using a play on words to create the humor. And yes, all my paper and cardstock came from scraps. I used glossy accents on this sheep's eyes and Stickles on the candy cane. Sparkly and fun!!!

Ugly Sweater Challenge

Another challenge at Catch the Bug - create a funny card using someone's sweater listed for that day's challenge. My choice was My Ugly Sweater - use red, silver & green + a snowman. Any time I get to create using a snowman, I'm in!! Here is the super sweet Lil Snowman Star. He's perfect all dressed up in red and green. The layer of paper matting my dear sweet snowman is actually silver. The snowflake paper is all glittery (and messy if I may add!!) and the two strips along the bottom of the card are narrow pieces of washi tape. I'm using the punny sentiment as the funny aspect to my card.

Cozy by the Fire

I have good news...I got ALL the challenges done for the December Chaos going on over at Catch the Bug!! So be prepared for a boat load of new cards being posted. This one is for day #3 called Cozy by the Fire. We got to pick our favorite way to unwind during the holidays and make a card using the coordinating recipe and this adorable Christmas Mouse image just released on Tuesday. My favorite way to unwind and relax is to take a nap, so that meant making a simple card with cardstock only. I pulled out an embossing folder since I couldn't use designer papers. Simple, yes, and oh so fun to create.

Poinsettias

Poinsettias is our theme this week at the CAS challenge at The Outlawz. I actually pulled out an old Stampin' Up stamp set and some inks!! I've been using digis so much that I almost forgot how fun it was to get inky! My initial plan for this card did not include the red layer, but I so severely smudge my sentiment stamping directly onto the card, I had to do something to save it. Now it's your turn to show us what you've got using poinsettias, clean and simple of course.

Holiday Hoopla at Fresh Brewed Designs

It's time for a...

Hello and welcome to the first ever Holiday Hoopla Treasure Hunt brought to you by the team of Fresh Brewed Designs.

It is time for the fourth clue.

If you missed the first three stops, please go HERE and start from the beginning to ensure that you understand how to play along and get all the clues you will need to participate. 

Clue #4

• Go to the Fresh Brewed Designs Store at http://www.freshbreweddesigns.com/
• Click on Digital Stamps (left), scroll down and click on Winter / Christmas / New Year from the choices provided.
• Click to enter the Snowpeople section.
• Click to go to page two.
• What is the name of the image in the first column, second row down?
• What is the second letter in this image's name?  Take that letter and write it down.  This is your fourth of nine letters.

_?_    _?_    _?_   _?_    ___    ___    ___    ___    ___ 

 

 

You now have the first four letters of your blanks filled in.

To help you find the correct image in the store, I have created a project to showcase it...

 

I think I've said on more than one occasion that I adore snowmen!!! This one sure is a sweetie. This holiday season I've been into using everyday papers instead of Christmas themed DPs. The pink layer is from my scrap pile and is all hearts...appropriate for the sentiment, don't you think?!!

 

 Get ready to find clue #5...

 

In order to get the fifth clue, you will need to go to KIM's Blog. 

If you happen to get lost along the way you can find the complete line up below...

The Treasure Hunt starts here at Fresh Brewed Designs (http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/)

Go to PATTI 's Blog, http://scrapclose2theheart.wordpress.com/, for clue #2.

Go to EDWINA's Blog, http://edwinascreations.blogspot.com/, for clue #3.

Go to LINDA's Blog, http://stamperstouch.blogspot.com/, for clue #4.

Go to KIM's Blog, http://agypsyangel.blogspot.com/, for clue #5.

 

Go to LISA's Blog, http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.com/, for clue #6. 

 

 Go to VICKY's Blog, http://crafting-vicky.blogspot.ca/, for clue #7.

 

Go to RHONDA's Blog, http://bumblcreate.blogspot.com/, for clue #8.   

 

Go to HEATHER's Blog, http://joemamainks.blogspot.com/, for clue #9. 

Now don't worry, if you aren't around for the day as you will have until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. EST, to complete the treasure hunt. We want to make sure that all of our readers have the chance to participate. You'll find all the details you need, including a list of prizes, over at Fresh Brewed Designs.

 

We look forward to seeing you participate!!! 

 

HAPPY HUNTING!!! 

 

Holiday Gift Wrap

Here's my yummy time for the second challenge for the week long Holiday Chaos fun over at Catch the Bug. I found this tin, who knows how long I've had it! And you can ALWAYS find M & M's at our house! I used some fun wide ribbon to hold the tin shut (wouldn't want to lose any of those yummy treats!!!). The little circle tag is from the Christmas Tags mini set. A fun quick project to make. Bet those candies taste better out of this fancy tin!!!

My Coolest Friend

Bugaboo stamps is having a week of fun challenges over at their blog, Catch the Bug. There are fun challenges everyday this week...and yes, this is the one for Sunday!!! It was a sketch we needed to follow along with making it a holiday card. Why oh why do I do this to myself, wait till the last minute to complete these challenges??!!! I think that's why I'm now drawn to the clean & simple style!! So much quicker & easier!!! I used the adorable Snowman Broom image. My sentiment is from Paper Smooches - seemed appropriate for this snowman! Off to work on more challenges.

Snow Ant-gels

Good morning! Heading out early this morning to meet a friend for coffee...yes, you guessed it, at Starbucks. Then it's off to work. I should have posted this card earlier this week but didn't have anything for today, so why not a reminder post. Our CAS challenge over at The Outlawz is a fun theme, ANGELS. I went a little outside the box and decided on going with snow angels! These cute "ant-gels" are from Doodle Pantry, a set called Snow Angel Ants. I dug my papers out of the scrap pile and decided to "embellish" them with a little bit of sewing. Don't these little guys just make ya smile?!! Fun and bright, quick and easy, clean and simple. Now join us at The Outlawz for some angelic creations.

Some challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Inky Impressions -Winter or Snow
Shopping Our Stash - Holiday/Winter
Artistic Inspirations - Winter Wonderland
Crafty Cardmakers - Clean & Simple
Paper Makeup Stamps - Snow Fun

 

Sweet Frosty the Snowman

 Check this out, a new and positively fabulous sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Talk about fun, wonderful and terrific!!!

 Something else that's pretty awesome is our sponsor...Elisabeth Bell Designs. What a fun store, you really should go check it out. 

Imagine how happy I was to have received this darling snowman image to use!!! It's called Frosty the Snowman and can be found HERE. I'm thrilled when I can use scraps on my cards, and that's exactly what happened here. Fun and fabulous. Now let's see what you can create using our newest sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.
 

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Blog Hop

I have some exciting news, I am a new DT member for the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge blog. How fun, to get to work on Christmas cards all year long! For the month of December, our challenge is a simple one - make a Christmas card or project. Now you have until December 31st to enter our challenge and the winners will be announced January 7th. Did I say winners? Yes, we have lots of prizes up for grabs. Be sure and read all the rules (they'll be at the end of this post) to be eligible for the prizes. 

Another fun portion includes a blog hop of all the design teams' wonderful creations. You should have arrived here from Bianca's blog, Handmade by Bianca. If not, be sure and start at the beginning of our hop at the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge blog. For my card, I used a sweet Meljen's Designs image called Christmas Cocoa Color. Meljen's Designs has graciously donated a $10 gift certificate for their store for our month long holiday celebration.  Now be sure and visit all the DT blogs AND comment to be in the running for the prizes.

One final part of our challenge this month, each DT member has a letter somewhere in their post that spells out a word or two related to the challenge. My letter is "U". Gather up all the letters and mail your response to hollyjollychristmaschallenge@gmail.com. This is the third and final part of our challenge this month. Listed below are all the prizes up for grabs:

 The winner of the challenge will receive 10 free digital images from Bugaboo as well as a $10.00 Gift Certificate from Fred She Said.

The other prizes up for grabs are

$20.00 Gift Certificate from Stamp and Create

$10.00 Gift Certificate from  Meljen's Designs.

$6.00 Gift Certificate from Floppy Latte Designs

5 Digital Images from Eureka stamps

5 Digital Images from QKR Stampede

3 Digital Images from The Stamping Boutique or 4 if you use one of their design

3 Digital Images from Oak Pond Creations

3 Digital Images from Fitztown

3 Digital Images from Digi Stamps 4 Joy

3 Digital Images from Limited Runs Stamps

2 Digital Images from 2 Cute Ink

JUDY

   

Let it Snow

Have I ever told you how much I love snowmen? Of course I have!!!!!! And this one from Fresh Brewed Designs is brand new, just released today! I think it is wonderful, sweet, darling, and oh so cute!!! I used an old kit I found in need of some love, putting the great papers to use as well as the snowflake brad. A little stitching on the sewing machine and my card is complete.

Just wanted to let you know about a fun scavenger hunt we have planned at the Fresh Brewed Blog on Saturday, December 7th. Share our badge for a chance to win 3 free digis...read about it HERE.
 

My Only One

This is a live post, not pre-scheduled!! We got home LATE last night (actually it was early this morning) from our wonderful way too short Disney trip. I'll have to post some pics. But right now, I wanted to tell you about the new release and sale at Doodle Pantry. For a quick peek at everything that's been released, check out the Doodle Pantry Blog. I created a very quick and simple card using this sweet kitty from Critter Friends. This set is FREE until Dec. 24th with any purchase. And as if that wasn't enough, now until Dec. 3rd, use the code TDAYSALE at checkout to receive 40% off your order!! All this savings and you don't even have to leave the comfort of your own home for it!! Enjoy and have a wonderful day. 

Joy

I've scheduled my post so hopefully it will!!! Meanwhile, I'm also hopeful to be in sunny Orlando visiting Mickey Mouse today. The weather report wasn't sounding so good for taking off on time at Pittsburgh, so as I'm writing this, fingers are crossed that we make it there safely.

Welcome to Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Every hump day we have a new sketch challenge for you to try, and this one is sure not to disappoint! 

We also have wonderful sponsors each week. This week it's Eureka Stamps. I want to shout out a big THANK YOU to Tina for so graciously sponsoring us. The winner will receive 5 digital images of their choice...how fabulous!!! 

Also fabulous is the darling image I got to use, Christmas Girl. I thought she was positively adorable! Her little muff brought back memories of a white furry one I had as a little girl. I felt so grown up going to church with it. Of course I kept this one white but added some sparkle thanks to Stickles. Again, I'm on a kick of using every day designer paper for my holiday themed cards. This Basic Grey paper was perfect with its pink and greens. Enjoy your Wednesday and I hope you can join us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Fall Photo Inspiration

This is the photo meant to inspire us at the Catch the Bug challenge this week. Because of the colors, my mind immediately went to fall.  

And here's my fall card, using the adorable AKV Fall Scarecrow image. A simple layout, using some scrap designer paper. In fact, this is the front and back side of the same piece of paper! Now if only we could have more in the way of fall weather. Here in Pittsburgh we're under a winter storm warning for tomorrow and Wednesday. And what happens on Wednesday? Yes, Phillip and I leave for Orlando!!! I have a feeling our flight will be delayed. As long as we take off on Wednesday, I'll be good. Cross your fingers with me!!!

Have a Mice Day

 Okay, now I don't know if you noticed, but I leave on Wednesday with my oldest son Phillip for Disney World!!!!! It is going to be so much fun, neither one of us can wait! Phillip has been working so hard his first year at Pitt, I'm so proud of him. This trip is a much needed break.

I wanted to follow up that little intro to fill you in on our CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. It is my turn to host and, with my trip in mind, our challenge involves creating a card, any theme, as long as it has a mouse on it. Oh, it must be clean and simple too! Being busy getting all my ducks in a row, I went with a pre-colored image from Doodle Pantry called Quirky Mouse. I went with a simply embossed background, adding a little interest by using two colors. Yes, this was quick, easy, clean AND simple. That adds up to a low stress, fun to make card!!!
 

Greetings of the Season

I have to get focused and get some cards done. My oldest son Phillip and I leave for Disney World on Wednesday!!! I really liked the sketch over at Catch the Bug so tonight I got a card done using it.

Of course it's a Christmas card!! I've printed off so many Bugaboo holiday images why not put them to use!! This cutie is Christmas Teddy Ornament. I added a little sparkle to his hat thanks to some Stickles. The papers are right off the scrap pile...hooray! And of course I had to add my new favorite accessory, the linen thread bow and button. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches. Fun and simple.

Other challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Crafts 4 Eternity - glitter & sparkle
Totally Paper Crafts - add a bow
Scrapbooker PhD - Christmas without red & green
Creative Moments - CAS/Anything Goes

Sparkle & Shine

Let me tell you, that extra shot of espresso in my Starbucks this morning hasn't kicked in yet, I'm still sooooo tired. Since a phone call woke me up way too early this morning, I decided to make an attempt at getting something done. So I hit my craft room and got to work on some Christmas cards! I made two of these Z-fold cards, loving the ease of creating something that looks harder than it is. I heat embossed the Season's Greetings background, a lovely stamp by Hero Arts. The snowflake and lavender square behind it are die cuts. Like I said, so easy, so simple, and so purple!!!!! Might have to make this in a few other colors as well.

A few challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Creative Knockouts - Snowflakes
ABC Christmas Challenge - Winter Wishes

Snowman Pile-Up

Doodle Pantry is sponsoring an Anything Goes challenge over at Fab 'n' Funky. Happy Birthday Fab 'n' Funky!!!! I used a newly released Doodle Pantry image called Snowman Pile-Up. Actually, if you were to play along on our Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge and use a Doodle Pantry image, you will get this set absolutely FREE!!! But hurry up, you only have until the 24th to play along. I used the color version of this image as well as the three patterned digital papers included in the set. I hope your day is as fun as what these snowmen are having!!!

Baby It's Cold Outside

 Hooray for Wednesday!!! Not only is it hump day, but it's also one day closer to when Phillip and I leave for Disney World! And, as if all of that isn't enough, it's also time for a new challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

Our wonderfully generous monthly sponsor Sally Ann from Digi Stamp Boutique is in the house this week. The prize is a £10 voucher from the Digi Stamp Boutique store. 

And here's my card using one of the sweet images from the Winter Dan set. I've been having fun using "regular" designer papers on my holiday cards. This paper is from a western themed pack that was sitting on my desk after other projects. Gotta say, this sure was a fun one!! And what a great sketch! I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday.

I'll be submitting this card to the following challenge:
Digi Stamp Boutique - Use a DSB image