It's a Holly Jolly Christmas...

 Hi there!
I have something exciting to share with you today!
I've been asked to join the wonderful design team at Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges!
You know me...I love, love, love making Christmas projects!

Our theme this week is one of your favorites...

"Anything Goes"

Couldn't get much more easy than that!

I decided that I wanted to create a more fun and brightly colored card for this challenge.

Here's how it all came out...


Here's a close up of the colored image!
(I hadn't colored with my Spectrum Noir markers for quite some time and watched a few videos to try to improve on my technique!)


The adorable digi image comes from Bugaboo stamps who is one of our wonderful sponsors this challenge!  I had some fun designer patterned paper with a sentiment on the bottom which I figured would be perfect to use as the base on my card.  I cut out some strips of different patterned paper and fussy cut some tails into the bottom of them, and adhered them to the side of the card.  I decided to fussy cut a few smaller presents from another sheet of patterned paper and popped them up with 3D squares in the corner on top of the gift on the paper.  I then popped up the digi image with the 3D squares as well.

Now, let me share our sponsor details with you for this new challenge.
We would like to welcome back once again...




...who will award one lucky winner 7 digi stamps of their choice...

and...



...who will award one lucky winner a $12 gift certificate to the store.

So, break out your holiday stamps and get creating a Christmas card today!
It may seem early, but you'll be glad you have one extra done when that busy holiday time begins!
Then link up with us at Holly Jolly Christmas!
I can't wait to see what you create!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
 {Pin}spirational Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Christmas Card Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Card Challenges..."Make it Colorful"
Hiding in My Craft Room..."Any Holiday"
Completely Christmas..."Anything Goes"
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra..."September Challenge"

"Jingle all the Way"...

Hello again for the second time today!
It's not often that I have two blog posts in one day anymore!
If you're looking for my Scrapbooks by Designs post, please scroll down. 

Friday means a new challenge over at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long!
Our last challenge of "Lots of Layers" must have been a bit harder than I thought as we didn't have many entries last week.  
I hope you'll find our new challenge a bit easier...

"Use Non Traditional Colors"

I opted to create a scene card for this weeks challenge.
I decided to use a teal color as the base...and I'm hoping you don't find teal to be a traditional Christmas color.  I know it's not usually the color I would opt for when designing a Christmas card.
I got my Silhouette Cameo humming and did some die cutting with some images I thought would suit the sponsor image I had received to use.

I'll keep you waiting no longer...


I cut out the jingle bell die cut with my Cameo as well as the sleigh scene. I cut out the sleigh scene a second time in a brown colored paper and then fussy cut the horse apart from the sleigh and popped it up over the black scene with 3D pop up dots to give the card some dimension.  I popped up the jingle bell close to the sentiment as well. 
The cabin background is a metal Memory Box die which I cut out with my BigShot.  I also cut out the pine leaves with my BigShot as well.
I added some Glitter Ritz to portions of the white background on the card to give it some shimmer and sparkle to represent freshly fallen snow. 

The "Jingle All the Way" sentiment is an image from our sponsor this week...


...and they are offering one lucky prize winner a $10 gift certificate.

So, dig through your stash of holiday papers and try to think outside of the box and find a non traditional holiday color normally used for a card!
Then link up with us at CSAYL!
You may be our next lucky winner!

Until next time...

Clean & Simple Stamping Fun!

Happy Friday!
C'mon...I know you're doin' the happy dance (or at least want to) 
because the weekend is almost here!
Glad you were able to squeeze in some time to come visit with me!

Now, I have a confession to make!
Those of you who have been followers here for awhile may already know this about me...
Ready?

I am not a clean and simple kinda card making girl!
LOL
There, I've admitted it!

However, that being said, I could not resist trying another CAS card when I saw the cute "Into the Woods" stamp and die set from Lawn Fawn at Scrapbooks by Designs!

Into the Woods Into the Woods Dies

I decided that I wanted to just do a simple fall scene with cute little fox
 in the center of the card.  
I began by inking and stamping the fox image in black and setting it aside to be colored and die cut later on when dry.  
While waiting for the animal image to dry, I inked up the tree stump stamp and stamped it onto my white 4.25"x5.5" pre made card base, basically in the centre.  I then chose the sentiment I wished to use, stamped it directly under the tree stump keeping in mind to position it so the fox would still have room to be applied to the card and things would still look centered.  
I then chose several colors of autumn colored inks and stamped a few different colored leaves falling around the scene.  
Going back to the fox image which is now dry, I chose to color him with my Spectrum Noir Markers.
Did you know you can find those at Scrapbooks by Designs as well?
They are a great marker to work with and I love mine!
I then die cut the image with the matching die and my BigShot machine and popped him up off the page with 3D pop up squares just in front of the tree stump.

Are you ready by now to see how this little creation turned out?

I'll keep you in suspense no longer!  LOL


This adorable set has so many different options!
I chose to create an autumn themed card because the leaves are turning colors in our area already and I am always in awe of the beauty!  And, I do love fall!
However, just think...you could create a "Get Well Soon" card with the fawn and the "Oh Deer" sentiment...a "Hello/Thinking of You" card with the adorable racoon and the "hello" sentiment...an "Any Occasion" card with the fun little acorn and the "smile" sentiment.  Mix and match anyway you want and come up with an adorable set of cards!

I hope you feel I've pulled off this CAS creation and have been inspired to create one of your own.
Don't forget to check out the Scrapbooks by Design store for any additional supplies you may be needing!

Metallic Beauty

Hello again!
I'm glad you're here!
I have something super fun to share with you today!

We have a new challenge beginning today over at Pile it On!
This week we are looking for projects that are...

"Shiny"

Oh what fun!

We have a wonderful sponsor this week...


and they are offering one lucky prize winner a $25 gift certificate.

The design team members were sent thin metal sheets from the sponsor for this challenge.  When I received them I knew that they would be so much fun to emboss.  I chose a silver colored sheet to work with.

Here's how the project came out...


I embossed the metal sheet with a snowflake embossing folder and my BigShot.
I then inked the metal with a brown ink and again a black ink, wiping off the excess and just leaving the ink in the cracks in and around the snowflakes to give the card and aged and more vintage feel.


The die cuts are from Kaisercraft and came in a premade package.
I wanted to make sure the shine and the metal were the wow factor on this card so I chose just to use a few of the die cuts and keep it simple. 
I inked all of the edges brown and matted the metal sheet on a dark red card stock.
Quick and simple...but totally different and stunning.

Now it's up to you to look around and find something shiny that you can use in your creation.
Remember that you have one week to link up with us Pile it On before we begin a new challenge.

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Add a Little Dazzle..."Home for the Holidays" 
Christmas at Sweet Stampin'..."Christmas Critters" 
ABC Christmas Challenges..."Something Festive" 
Hobbybook Designer Challenge Blog..."Embossing"
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog..."Embossing"
Ruby's Rainbow..."Anything Goes"
Word Art Wednesday..."Anything Goes" 
Crafty Girls Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes" 
A Creative Romance..."Anything Goes" 
Sister Act Card Challenges..."Anything Goes" 
Inky Chicks..."Anything Goes" 
Through the Craft Room Door..."Anything Goes"
Crafts Galore Encore..."Make a Card"
Ladybug Crafts..."Anything Goes"
Natalie and Amy Challenge Blog..."Things with Wings"
Sparkles Monthly Challenges..."Things with Wings"
Sisters of Craft..."Anything Goes"


Lots of Layers...



Welcome back!
The weather has certainly cooled off and we are needing to start layering our clothes as you never know when the weather will be cool, or when the sun will come out and heat things up here in Manitoba, Canada.  

It just so happens that our new challenge at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long has ideas about layering this week as well.  

This week we want to see...

"Lots of Layers"

on your card creation.  

We do not have a sponsor this week, however we are offering a prize of papers and ribbons.
Please see the CSAYL blog for more details!

I rummaged around in my stash of pretty papers and decided to go with a color scheme that is not traditionally Christmas colors.  I decided to go teal because I had so many pretty teal papers that would work well together for a vintage style card.  Of course I inked everything brown...edges and for some of the elements even the entire paper.  

Here's how it turned out...


I decided to use reddish colored poinsettia die cuts & a pine die cut to tie in with the small piece of pine and poinsettia you see under the main sentiment panel on the bottom corner.  I added a hint of gold glitter to the center of the flowers to give the card just a bit of holiday shimmer.  

Here's a closer look at the floral grouping...

 
I also added some Kaisercraft premade ornamental die cuts to the top and bottom of the card to give it an extra touch of elegance.  

Well, that's all for me today.  
I hope you've been inspired and feel led to participate with us at CSAYL.
We'd love to have you join us!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

The Weather is Getting Colder...

...So sit back, grab yourself a cup of something warm and visit for awhile!

Happy Friday!
The weather has certainly changed in our area of the world.  It's become downright chilly and the frost warnings have begun. 
The chilliness certainly has Christmas gifts on my mind lately.  
Well these "gifty" thoughts fit in perfectly with our new challenge at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long!

"A Non Card Project"

I've been busy trying to come up with neat little inexpensive gifts for my craft sale table and warm beverages popped into my mind!
How about a tea bag dispenser!  I knew I had a cute cut file from SVG Cuts that I'd been wanting to test out.  

I broke out the Christmas paper, got the Cameo humming and quickly did a print and cut with the sponsor image after the tea dispenser template was cut.  I colored the image with my distress markers and cut out a large snowflake using my BigShot and Memory Box die.  I adhered the image to the centre of the snowflake and popped it up off the dispenser.  

Here's how it turned out...


I think they'd make very cute gifts for a office grab bag, for a teacher gift, etc.  

But before I go...let me fill you in about our sponsor for the week!

We would love to welcome back again



They are offering one lucky winner 7 digis of their choice.
And...they have the most awesome digis...you'll have a hard time selecting if you're the lucky winner!

So dig deep into your creativity and maybe get a few Christmas gifts made and out of the way before the busy holiday season hits!
Don't forget to link up with us at CSAYL!

Until next time...

This project has been shared in the following challenges...
Dragons Lair Design Challenges..."Anything but a Card"
C.R.A.F.T. Challenges..."Christmas"

Pick up Your Pencil...

The kids have done a bit of pencil pushing already in their first few days of school.  I'm happy to report that they have been enjoying themselves and their new teachers.  
Now that they are back into routine, it's time for me to jump back into routine as well...which means I have stepped back into my design team position with Pile it On once again!
And our theme for this weeks challenge couldn't be more fitting for the kiddos going back to hitting the books.

This week we are challenging you to...

"Use a Pencil"

The possibilities are endless...color with pencils, incorporate a pencil die cut into your creation, feel free to even sketch with a pencil.  

We are welcoming back one of our wonderful sponsors...

 

...who are offering one lucky winner a prize of 2 digis.

I decided to go a different direction than a card for this challenge.  I fell in love with a pencil shaped box I found in the Silhouette online store and knew I wanted to work with it. I got the Cameo humming and began assembling the box.  I decided I would use the sponsor image to create a tag to attach to the gift box.  I used pencil crayons to color it...trying to stay true to our challenge theme.

Are you ready to see how it turned out?


and here's another view from a different angle...

 
...and a view of how the eraser slips off the box for you to add your special gift...


...and lastly a close up view of the tag and sponsor digi I used...


I know my daughter's teacher mentioned to them that she loves diet Coke, and I'm hoping one will slip into here perfectly.  I think it would be adorable presented in this pencil box.  I'm actually thinking I may make some of these to put on my craft table when I'm at my show in November.  I think these would make awesome teacher gifts...throw in a few erasers, pens, pencils, small sticky notes and some chocolate and you're done!

The rest is up to you my friend.  I hope after seeing this those crafty gears are churning and you're ready to do some creating.  Be sure to check out the Pile It On blog for more inspirational ideas from my fellow design team members!  You have one week to play along!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...


Using the Neglected...

Welcome!
Grab a cup of coffee, tea or beverage of your choice and stay awhile!

It's Friday, so it's time to relax and get ready to get into weekend mode!
Sadly, this weekend will not be a relaxing one for us as a family.  We will be moving out of our seasonal campsite and bringing the camper back home. *Insert a tear and sniffle here*
  The summer was so much fun...heading out to the lake, boating, swimming, hiking and biking...it's just so sad that it has ended so quickly!
School has begun, cooler sweater weather and changing colors in the leaves have started and routine must once again set in.

Friday also bring a new challenge with us at Christmas Stampin' All Year Long.
Last week was a popular theme as I predicted and it was awesome to visit all of your blogs and see such beautiful creations.  

This week we are challenging you to...

"Use Only One Stamp"

I was excited about this one!
I've had a stash of Wild Rose Studio holiday rubber stamps that I've been neglecting and decided this was the perfect time to dig one out.  Their images are absolutely adorable.  
So I stamped, broke out the distress markers and decided to do some water coloring!

Allow me to share...

 
I love how this little deer turned out!  

I've mounted the image with 3D dots so that the card has some dimension and pops off the page.  The background paper is a gorgeous craft color and has white pine branches and pine cones with red berries.  Perfect for a woodland creature I thought! I've used a Spellbinders oval decorative shape to add color and interest behind the image trying to make sure that it didn't draw the eye away from the precious fawn.  To one corner I've added a single snowflake with a pearl centre and opposite that corner on the bottom I've added a snowflake flurry die cut.  I've added tiny pearls there as well to give the die cut more dimension and interest.  As I contemplated a sentiment I realized that I would have to get creative as I had already used my one stamp!  LOL
A Memory Box die of the simple word "Joy" seemed to fit the look on the reindeers face so I went with it!
As the last touch, I added some white embossing enamel to the image so that it appears to be snowing lightly.  
I think this card would be great to give to a loved one, a friend or even to enclose a gift card for a child.  (And just so you know...this is available in my Etsy store).

One quick note before I go...
We are being sponsored by Di's Stamps this week over at CSAYL.

 

 One lucky prize winner will be receiving a $12 gift certificate to spend in the shop!
Fantastic!

Now it's your turn!  Dig out those neglected stamps and choose just one...will you accept our challenge?

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

Thanks for visiting!

Thanks for visiting!