Thankful For You

With it being Thanksgiving weekend, we at The Outlawz Sunday CAS challenge are so thankful for those who play along in our challenge each week. I know clean and simple can be a bit of a challenge, but it can also be oh so striking (and quite the time saver!!). So this week we're making thank you cards. I wanted to do a background technique so I heat embossed the stars then blended with three different distress inks. I flicked water as well as a watered down white ink from a Hero Arts dauber bottle over the background for some fun splotches. My sentiment (as well as the stars) came from a Hero Arts stamp set called Shoot for the Moon. I die cut the two vellum stars, not certain which one I wanted to place behind my sentiment...then it hit me, why not use both!!! This panel was then mounted onto a white card and my thankful for you card is complete. Sure hope you can join us at The Outlawz and remember, we are so very, very thankful for you!
 

Christmas Wishes

It's always fun to make a card just for fun!!! I've had the new Gina K. Stamp TV kit, Winter Cheer, on my desk for awhile now, so it was a perfect night to crack it open. I love turquoise, red and white together. Here's that embossing folder again...I sure do love it.

Now off I must go to get to work on some DT requirements.

Warm & Cozy Christmas

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was wonderfully busy and dinner was absolutely yummy!! Today I'm here to share with you a card I made using a sweetie of a Fresh Brewed Designs image and sentiment - Let it Snow Snowman and Warm and Cozy Christmas Sentiment. I adore snowmen (I think I've told you that already!!!) and this one is a must have. I kept it simple so I could show off the embossed layer -- yes, I got another new embossing folder. I just couldn't help myself!!

Today is my youngest son's birthday...he's turning 16!!! And tonight we pick up our oldest who's been studying abroad in Sydney, Australia! It will be so nice having him home!! Next to a home cooked meal, he said he's so looking forward to seeing some football! A typical guy!!!

Challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Snowpeople
Crafting for all Seasons - Tis the Season
Crafty Creations - Embossing
Just Inspirational - Winter
Try It On Tuesday - Christmas is Coming

Happy Thanksgiving

I know, I'm a day early but I do want to wish you all who celebrate a Happy Thanksgiving. I was inspired by the photo of a yummy Thanksgiving feast for this week's Catch the Bug challenge. My image is from Bugaboo Stamps, Bobblehead Thanksgiving Indian Boy. Of course I kept it on the simple side, but still had to use some of the pattern papers (Indian Summer by Basic Grey) that I so love to add to my cards.

Other challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Going Grey With Scrap-Creations - Give Thanks
My Craft Spot - Thanksgiving and Fall

Owl Be Here for You

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!! And yes, we have a sketch for you from Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. Actually it's a blast from the past along with a twist...buttons and/or bows. The twist is not a must on your creation, but to be eligible for the prize, you need to use it. 

And what is the prize you ask. Why it's a $10 coupon to our sponsor, Daydream Designs. Be sure and check out Diane's fabulous store, she has so many sweet and wonderful sets to choose from!! 

I used one of the owls from the Owl Always Love You set. After all, she has a bow in her hair so my portion of the twist is taken care of!!! I actually added some buttons too, just because! A fun sketch for sure so I hope you can join us this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

Nativity Inspiration

Doodle Pantry is sponsoring {PIN}spirational Challenges over the next two weeks and the photo above is our inspiration. The carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem" came to mind immediately. 

I used the color version of Mini Bethlehem along with some scraps of paper found on my never ending scrap pile. I wanted the image to be front and center of the card, so very few embellishments were necessary. I'm not much of an over-embellisher anyway so this isn't anything out of the norm! I hope you can join in the challenge over at {PIN}spirational this next two weeks for your chance at some Doodle Pantry goodies.

Merry Christmas to You

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Thursday morning we're participating in a turkey chase 5k run/1 mile walk. Hubby will represent us as a runner while my youngest and I will be walking. Please Mr. Weatherman, don't let it be cold and snowy!!!

My other question is are you ready for Christmas? I can answer that with a big NOPE!!! I have been working on some holiday cards though, and here's one more to add to the mix. It's for our latest challenge over at Holly Jolly Christmas -- Christmas Elves. I used a sponsor image, Deacon Christmas Candy Cane from Bugaboo Stamps. Thought I would go with a non-traditional color combo too, black/red/teal. Sure hope you can join us over the next two weeks at Holly Jolly Christmas.
 

Holiday Cheer

Brrrrrr, it's been cold here in Pittsburgh. But this weekend we've warmed up a bit so I hope the Christmas lights will go up! Welcome to another CAS challenge over at The Outlawz. This week we want you to bling it up! Now let me tell you, bling is not my thing...but rhyming apparently is!!!!! Hahaha!! Anyway, I struggled with this one so I'm stretching my interpretation of bling just a bit! I've created a scene (no pun intended!), using all Hero Arts products. First I heat embossed the snowflake background. Then I stamped and die cut the trees and reindeer (Holiday Cheer). I used copic markers on the reindeer plus stamped and cut out the sweater in red. What's the bling you ask. Well I'm going with the Stickles on the snow bank, the stickers on the trees, Rudolph's rhinestone nose and wink of Stella on the large tree and sweater. Told you I was pushing the envelope! Join us and show off your blinged out card, clean and simple of course, at The Outlawz.

Challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Completely Christmas - anything goes with embossing
Fairy Tale Challenge - Christmas with animals
Polkadoodles - Clean and simple
Winter Wonderland - Let's get sentimental
Aud Sentiments - a sentiment for any December holiday
 
 

Only God

My card today is for the Mix It Up Monday challenge over at Stamp TV -- All Things Great and Small. We're to incorporate both late and very small images onto our card. I used the large sentiment Only God from Gina K Designs, and Fabulous Holiday Fillers for my small images. The color palette is inspired by the designer paper Ang & Me (sweet mango, ocean mist and dark chocolate). I actually made this card for me, something I know we don't always do. I absolutely love the sentiment so it will be put right on my desk as a constant reminder.

  

Sweet Angel Joy

Check out the adorable stamp of the month at From the Heart. Her name is Angel Joy and she can be found HERE. She is part of the progressive challenge going on at the From the Heart Blog. She sure does make me smile!! I've been into the softer, not quite pastel colors lately so why not on a Christmas card too. Quick and easy, a must this time of year!
  

A Frosty Hello

Ever since the Christmas release over at Fresh Brewed Designs last month, I've been wanting to create with this cutie After all, I do love snowmen! And don't get me started about me and cupcakes!!! Say hello to Snowman Cupcake. Isn't he adorable?!!! Of course I made the cupcake chocolate!!! I used Copic markers to color him up and created the plaid on his scarf with the colorless blender. Green and red, classic Christmas colors, but black? Why not I say!! The sentiment is also from Fresh Brewed Designs and can be found HERE. I might save this for a holiday thank you card. Stay warm.

Just an update on my son Phillip who's studying abroad in Sydney, Australia...he'll be home next Friday!!! I can't believe he's almost done with the semester. What an experience he has been having. I simply can't wait to see him.
  

Friends to the End

You're gonna love the new sketch we have at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 this week! It's quick to create with...and you get to use designer papers if you want!!!!! 

Our sponsor is the ever generous Sally Ann at Digi Stamp Boutique. I highly recommend checking out her store, there are so many adorable images you'll want to have 'em all!!! 

Do these guys simply make you say "awwwwww?!" This stack of friends comes from the Arctic Fun set. I can't get over the cuteness of these three!!!!! Good thing I printed off the sentiment too. I was close to being completely done with my card when I smeared an inky finger onto the image! Lucky enough for me I was able to cover it up with the sentiment. Tragedy avoided! Sure hope you can join us for some fun this week at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

I'd like to submit my card to the November Digi Stamp Boutique Customer Competition.
 

You're So Sweet

Look Mom, no embellishments!!!!! I'm finding myself putting less and less on my cards...and that's okay with me! This image is from Imagine That and is called Jars of Cheer. It's the featured set for their monthly progressive challenge (read about it HERE). I love the color version of all of these sweet jars, but decided to use this one for a Christmas thank you. Unfortunately you can't see the wink of Stella shimmer I applied on the bow (see, there is an embellishment!!). Just the perfect sparkly touch. Now off to work I must go...so I can afford all the yummy stampin' goodies I've been buying on line!!!!

YUM to the Popcorn!

This week at The Outlawz, we're going to the movies!! Whether you make a card inspired by your favorite movie or, like what I did, by your most memorable movie experience. I'm all about the popcorn when it comes to watching a movie. Doesn't matter if it's at the theater or at home, I love it with butter and salt. These mischievous ants seem to have the same idea!! This is a digital image from Doodle Pantry called Movie Ants. Of course I used the color version, then played off the colors from there with my paper and washi tapes. Fun and quick to make, just what clean and simple should be.
  

HELLO

What, this isn't a Christmas card?? Something's going on!!!! Actually, Doodle Pantry is sponsoring the Anything Goes challenge at Send A Smile 4 Kids. And what kid doesn't love animals!! I used the fun new set Zoo Critters 1 because I totally adore this panda bear!! I love it in the color version with the bamboo behind him. So sweet! The black, white and green color palette also inspired me. Just a quick and easy layout to highlight the designer papers. I hope you can join them at Send a Smile 4 Kids for an anything goes challenge.
 

Christmas Kisses

I finally cleared off a bit of space on my desk and got coloring today!! I had to start with a new Christmas digi from Fresh Brewed Designs called Candy Cane Latte. It was part of the 5 Days of Christmas release we had the end of October. I love these holiday themed latte cup images!! I brushed my clear wink of Stella over the candy cane itself for just a hint of sparkle. I stamped a border along the left side of the card base, too plain without it. And what a difference just tipping the image askew makes! I was inspired by the wonderful color challenge we have going on over at Holly Jolly Christmas - from the list of 6 color combos to pick from, I went with red, green and white. Classic Christmas!

Challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
Crafty Catz - Christmas is coming 
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Winter holiday with ribbon or trim
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Christmas
Cute Card Thursday - Red & green

Sweet Howdy for a Friend

 Happy Hump Day!!! Time to check out the latest sketch at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. You might want to also check out what the rest of the design team created because it's pretty awesome!!

 Our sponsor this week is Doodle Pantry. The winner will receive a $10 coupon to go shopping -- and you want to be the winner because Doodle Pantry is a super fun place to shop!!! I know from experience!!

Here's my card using the newly released Mini Rooster image and digital papers. I of course used the color image because never in a million years could I color this good!!! This is a great sketch to use up those paper scraps we all pledge to put to use...not sure that I'm reaching that goal though!!! I will be giving this another try for something Christmasy! Join us at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 and get your craft on!

Sending Christmas Joy & Cheer

Welcome back to a new challenge at Holly Jolly Christmas. It's a color challenge and YOU get to pick from the list what combo you want to use! How fun!!! I may challenge myself to go back thru the list and make something with each combination because they are simply that good! With this card, I used a non-holiday image (1920's Kit by Paper Trey Ink). By heat embossing it in gold and including a holiday sentiment (Stylish Sentiments: Holiday), a Christmas card has been born! I used the same gold embossing powder to emboss the edges of the layer underneath the main image...that way the golds match!! A linen thread bow and red sticker are the only embellishments. Now I hope you can join us at Holly Jolly Christmas for some color fun!

Merry & Bright

I can't believe it, I actually started making my cookies for Christmas!! Well, let me clarify that, I have a double batch of chocolate chip cookie dough done, just not baked yet!! I've been working on my Christmas cards as well. Here's one for a challenge over at Stamp TV - use an old Gina K Designs set. I went with an older Stamp TV kit, Season's Greetings. The stamp set I used is called Snow Frame. I embossed it in white then used a copic marker to color in the snowflake. Clean and simple...and perfect for mailing.

Challenges I'd like to submit my card to include:
CAS on Sunday - Ribbon or twine 
Stamping Sensations - Christmas
Crafty Calender - Christmas
Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - Clean & Simple
Creative Corner - Christmas

Thanks

This past week got away from me!! I did some stamping with a friend, we made some clean and simple Christmas cards. Speaking of CAS, our challenge this week at The Outlawz is to make a thank you card. I thought I would pull out some stamps and supplies that I haven't used yet (YIKES!!). I started with a Hero Arts stencil, Tweed Pattern, and some Hero Arts inks. I had a much bigger piece stenciled but ended up cutting it down to this piece. The stamp set (Friend Flags) and die (Flag on a Line) is from Simon Says Stamp. I almost left it at that but decided to drop in a few sequins...I think I NEED more colors and sizes!!!!! Sure hope you can join us for some CAS fun over at The Outlawz.

Sweet Snowman Wishes

Welcome back for a new challenge at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2. I know I am always inspired by the cards created by so many talented stampers. We have a fun new sketch for you to try this week so let's get inky!! 

Our lovely sponsor this week is A Day for Daisies. Looks like the shop is getting a makeover and will be closed for the next two weeks. You can check out their wonderful images at the etsy shop HERE.  

You know how I adore snowmen...they really do warm my heart. So I couldn't resist using Snowball Sam for my card. I love his hat and scarf, perfect for the cold winter ahead. My scalloped strip behind Sam is actually snowflake vellum. Don't worry, you can't tell there's snowflakes on it in real life either!! A great sketch and a wonderful sponsor -- sure hope you can join us for both at Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2.

Challenges I'm submitting my card to include:
A Random Fan Challenge - red, green, & white
Crafty Card Makers - die cutting and/or punching
Dream Valley Challenges - getting ready for Christmas

Peace & Joy

The Online Card Classes Holiday Workshop started yesterday and talk about fun. Day 1 was all about easy to duplicate cards, so clean and simple it is!!! I wanted to add a technique as well for a hint of pizzazz. I just bought the Hero Arts Leaf and Floral Background stamp so why not put it to use. I inked it up with Hero Arts white dye ink and stamped my piece of Christmas Pine cardstock by Gina K Designs. I then cut that piece of cardstock in half and each on a diagonal. It was mounted onto a piece of white cardstock then a piece of kraft. This was then popped up on a Christmas pine card base.  The "peace" die cut is from Paper Trey Ink and can be found HERE. The words were cut our of white, covered with versamark ink, then heat embossed in silver. I repeated the versamark and heat embossing again for more of a metallic look.     

Here is the "Joy" version. I've already added a sentiment on the inside and I now have two more cards to add to my Christmas collection. Clean and simple, the way to go this Christmas!!!

Peek-a-boo!!

We had a ton of fun sharing the 5 days of Christmas digi release last week at Fresh Brewed Designs! And, as if that wasn't exciting enough, we have another digi release for November...it's all about pumpkins!! I had so much fun using Pumpkin Peekers, so adorable. I found some awesome fall papers and sequins and went to work on this clean and simple card. Just how I like it!!!

Winter Birthday

It's only November and already I'm complaining about the cold!!! When will spring arrive?!! Over at The Outlawz, we're celebrating winter birthdays...clean and simple style. I used from Lil' Inker Designs both the square stitched die and one of their stitched snowflakes. The bright pink layer underneath the  popped up white die cut square is glitter paper -- looks very festive in real life. Love the font for the sentiment, So Much to Say from Lawn Fawn. One rhinestone is my only embellishment. Talk about quick and easy. Join us this week over at The Outlawz for some winter birthday fun, CAS style.

Doodle Pantry November Release

It's November 1st and time for a new release at Doodle Pantry. First up is Charlie Sledding. How cute is he sledding down the hill with a friend?!! The two designer papers you see here are also from this set.   

 My next card uses the set White Owl, now in a color version. Yes, I used papers from the set as well. I found this piece of burlap on my desk so I put it to use. The instant I saw this set I knew I wanted to create with it. A news story came about last winter of a rare snowy owl that kept showing up at the Pittsburgh International Airport. Below are some pictures of him in all his glory. 

Look at those eyes!!! Little does this guy know but he became quite the talk of the town for a while, a feathered celebrity you might say!!

Check out all the newly released sets this month at Doodle Pantry. For a limited time, the set Fancy Pie is free with purchase. Play along with our Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge (starts at 12noon) on the blog for a chance to win some Doodle Pantry fun. If you use a Doodle Pantry image, you will receive via email free the featured set, Gingerbread House Ants. And, as if all of that wasn't enough, the newly released November sets are 20% off for the next 3 days, no coupon needed. So hurry over to Doodle Pantry and get your cart filled with some fun and fabulous images!!