Making Up for Missed Posts

I promised yesterday I would make up for the posts I missed last week and this past Monday.
So here you go! I also figured there is really only one more day until Christmas, and I know a lot of people want to see Christmas cards before Christmas! I have so many that I haven't had a chance to post yet, so I thought I would just go ahead and post as many as I can in the next few days!

Ok, Here you go! More tomorrow!

Here Comes Santa Claus!

I thought I would post this one as a last minute entry for the Pals Paper Arts Winter Themed Challenge!


I will have more posts later to make up for the ones I've missed yesterday and last Friday!

Bejeweled Wonderland

Today's card is made for the Pals Paper Arts Theme Challenge of Winter Wonderland.
I used lots of different textures, such as the felt snowflakes, the pearls, and the rhinestones in different sizes. I also stamped the cardbase with the Linen BG stamp for a little extra.

I'd love to write more today, but I have a billion things I have to do! Ok, see you again here tomorrow!

In the Meadow We Can Build Snowman...

What a happy little snowman! He has his Christmas stocking all ready to go!

My daughter and son made a super cute snowman in the front yard the other day. So I thought I would post this card as a tribute!

Beautiful Snowy Sunrises

This card kind of reminds me of the scene I saw out my upstairs window yesterday morning. The sun was just coming up, and there was a beautiful dusting of snow across the valley. The trees especially were just gorgeous. the light was hitting them ever so perfectly as to highlight the snow, and with the blanket of snow over everything, it was just an amazing sight!

I kept the colors soft on this one, kind of monochromatic. It has glitter on it too, and I just love it!

I should start cleaning the house today in preparation for the party we are having at our house this Friday, but I really just don't feel well today still. It must be pretty bad if I can't decide whether I should stamp or go back to bed! Usually there would be no second option, stamping would win every time!

Simple Monday

I didn't have the 'Super' portion of my title today, because even though this card is pretty easy, there are are enough steps that I think I can call it one notch up from Super Simple.

I inked the hat stamp in red, then used a black marker to color the brim and little thing at the top. After stamping it, I used a gray marker to give it a shadow. I stamped the snowflakes from the Christmas Punch set, and used the Boho Blossoms punch. I added an old scrap of patterned paper with a white border on the cardbase, I also stamped little snowflakes on the cardbase, put glitter on the hat, added a felt snowflake and the 'merry' sentiment in black. Not difficult, but takes a few extra steps.

This weekends Christmas Program went really well! I have to say we have the best musicians in our church! We are so blessed! If you want to see one of the songs they did from last years program, take a listen. What you hear is what they played. That video was 100% live! My hubby is one of the keyboard players (there were 2 keyboard players.) They are all such wonderful people and have true hearts for the Lord! When the video for this year gets done, I might have a link to a couple of the songs.

I did end up with a cold (I was not the least bit surprised by this!) but I was able to make it through all 3 services without too much trouble. Luckily, the worst part of the cold waited to hit me until Sunday afternoon. I have to say I'm pretty miserable today, but I will finally have a chance to rest.

Santa Better Get Back To Work!

Well, I figured I would just go ahead and end out the week with YMCA santa again! Here he is, dancing in the snowfall, wishing you a Merry Christmas! He doesn't have long until Christmas Eve, so he better get back to work!
You can see here where I cut out the sentiment again like I did a while back. What a difference it makes! Of course, it doesn't work with all sentiments, some are harder to cut out than others, but this one is pretty easy. And of course, I used the Christmas Punch set with the Boho Blossoms punch to make the snowflakes. They make great visual fillers!

The big Christmas program starts tomrrrow....I'm nervous because I will be singing one of the songs, and I have a tendency to get catch a cold almost every time. And just like clockwork, my son came home from his friends house this past weekend with a cold.......you know what that usually leads to....So I have been taking the Airborne like crazy, and trying to quarantine myself, but I still feel like the bug is trying to take over, but with the Airborne it isn't letting it....We shall see...I just have to make it through one more night without letting it go full blown! Wish me good health!

Cold Temps and Good News!

It's the YMCA Santa again!
He's still dancing!

Well, it's been quite a week so far!
We have had very, very low temperatures here in the Boise area the last few days, with the lowest being -6 degrees. The highs have been about 16 degrees. Of course, Saturday night, our heat stopped working. Thank goodness for fireplaces and space heaters! We weren't able to get someone to come look at it until Monday at 5pm. Fun times. But it got fixed! Tuesday, my son went to take a shower in the upstairs bathroom, but no water was coming out.....frozen pipe! yay! As soon as the temperature goes up a bit, we are going to have to check for leaks.

So what's the good news, you ask? Well, besides the fact we have heat again, I am finally able to use my My Digital Studio! The problem has been fixed, and it works beautifully now! I've been able to make a photo book for a customer of mine, and I can't wait to see how it turns out when it's printed! I'm also working on a picture CD for her as well. So that is something I will be working on this week, then this weekend is our big Christmas Program at church, and we have both Saturday and 2 Sunday services, so my weekend will be spent doing that. Then Sunday evening I am going to my parents house for my Grandpa's birthday party. Next week I get to clean the house and get ready for a company Christmas Party at our house! Busy, busy! For now, I need to go get my daughter up for school. Ok, I'll 'see' you tomorrow!

Simply a Day Late

I know, I missed another Super Simple Monday Post! Sorry about that! Gosh, I feel like I'm moving at the speed of sound! I was up at 5:45 yesterday morning, and didn't get to bed until almost midnight, was up again this morning by 7 (I know, not that early, but it was for me!) and I have a full, full schedule for the rest of this week! Just lots of stuff going on, but its all good so far! After I get done with my post, I have to head to the grocery store! I am sure my family would appreciate having something to eat for dinner tonight!

This card is pretty self explanatory... I stamped the image on white and colored only the tree and 'holidays', and then I used a light gray to give the letters a shadow.

Yesterdays bazaar was a complete success! I didn't have a whole lot of stuff, but I sold out of most everything! I only had a few cards left when we packed up, so I'm very happy with the outcome! And I got to meet some very nice new people!

It's Fun To Stay At The...

This little Santa is just so cute! Every time I see him, I picture him doing the YMCA dance!

I'm gonna have a busy, busy weekend!
There is a craft bazaar I am participating in on Monday, so I have to spend all my 'extra' time preparing for that this weekend, plus I have a major rehearsal I have to be at Saturday evening, church service, then on Sunday in the afternoon I am meeting up with my mom to go to the bazaar location and set up. I also have to squeeze in some time to work on a project for a customer.
Doesn't sound like a lot, but throw in the mix a 6 year old who loves to be in the middle of everything and a husband who I need to spend more time with and it can make for a full plate!

I will let you know how the bazaar goes next week! Wish me luck, lots sales, and happy customers!!

Love the Inspiration

Here is a card I made using this photo as inspiration.
I incorporated all the colors: Vanilla,Red, Soft Green, and Gold embossing. I also gave it a feel of the era of the inspiration image. The cardbase with it's stamped background and striped patterned paper reminds me of turn of the century wallpaper. The letters and stamped flourish kind of mimic the delicate leaves of the mistletoe and frothy look of the ribbon. Then of course I picked up the texture of the sleigh in the gold embossed ornaments.

Gosh, my post sounds like I am trying to sell my card! LOL! I know I'm silly, but I hope you still like the card!

I'm Always So Behind!

I know, it doesn't have the same effect as it would if I had posted it maybe two weeks ago! But maybe it will give someone some inspiration for next year!

This is one I made quite a while ago and only recently got a pic of, so here it is!

Tomorrow it's back to the Christmas!

Post #3 !

Ok, so since I didn't post for about a week, I am making it up by posting several!

Since I am really not an artist, I used the picture on the packages as a guide to color in these stamps.

Post #2 !

This is my second card for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA18 "K.I.S.S." (Keep It Simple, Sweetie)
It's not quite as 'simple' as the first one, but really, it's not complicated. I do have to say, though, that as simplistic as it is, it was difficult to get the placement just right. I had to keep moving around the elements to get it to look balanced. So hopefully, if you wanted to make a card like this one, I will have done all the guess work for you!

I used Glorious Green, Real Red, and Gold Shimmer papers for this one.
Ok, off I go to post my other cards!

One Whole Week!

I can't believe it's been a week since I posted last! Yikes! So today, I will be posting a few times! There will be two individual posts, and one with 3 cards, and that should catch me up!
This was one I made for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA18 "K.I.S.S." (Keep It Simple, Sweetie)

I was able to use some circle punch scraps I had to put this one together. That always makes me happy! This is kind of an unusual color combo, it's Purely Pomagranate, Chocolate Chip, and a piece of peach textured cardstock I had lying around. It kind of looks like Groovy Guava, but it isn't. However, you could easily substitute with Groovy Guava! Isn't creating FUN!!


Ok, I have another card to post now, so check that one out too!

Stamp Stampin'

this one was really easy to make, and I was able to use scrap pieces for the background paper!
I stamped the images on Creamy Caramel with Chocolate chip ink, then colored in his hat and coat with a blender pen in Real Red. I then used my trusty old white gel pen to highlight his hat and beard.

I had actually made this one prior, but I was thrilled to find out it fit the Pals Paper Arts Simple Sketch challenge PPA17 perfectly!!
You should check it out! lots of beautiful creations there!

Super Simple Monday

A strip of patterned paper along the top with a border along the edge, a matted panel, a sentiment, and a main image with glitter! This card is one that you could have done in less than 5! It would be great for mass producing as well!

Gotta Make Time for Fun!

I'm going to be so busy today, I thought I would post this card so that in my mind I could have as much fun as this little snowman and hedgehog! Aren't they cute??

Have a great day! See you next week!

Frosty Needed a Hat

I might post twice today, seeing as I didn't get around to posting yesterday! I've been working on a project that is taking me longer than I anticipated. But I am having fun doing it!

I thought that little Frosty looked cold (teehee) so I decided to give him a hat to go with his scarf. I used the little hat from Cold & Cuddly and colored it with markers. Now Frosty looks a lot more content!
He has glitter around his edges, but it's a little hard to see in the photo. He sparkles!

Thankful

Well, I figure sing Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I had better post a card for it!

I know, I know, the background on this card really is screaming for something. If I were to remake this card, I would probably use the Polka Dot background stamp and maybe some versamark ink just to give a subtle pattern. In person it's not quite so glaringly sparse, probably because the purple is very intense. It's amazing what a human eye can see in comparison to a camera!

My event on Saturday went very well! I tried a new format, and I think I got some good feedback on what worked well and as to how I can continue to improve next time! I am still working on getting the hang of this! But I had a good time, and I got to meet some lovely new people!
Ok, Until tomorrow!

Super Simple Monday

This is a card I made quite a while back. It fits today's theme though, of Super Simple.
For my card, I had added 2 strips of colored cardstock, one that I had stamped with white craft ink, but you can use a patterned paper instead. I stamped the image and the sentiment in the same color, then gave a light wash of color to the wings, and added glitter to them. All done! Super fast, super simple!

Let it Snow! (Any Time But Tonight!)

Gosh, the day is almost 'over' and I realized I haven't posted a picture yet today! I have been frantically preparing for my big event tomorrow, because I have more people coming that I initially thought, so I am rearranging my stamp room to accommodate them all! But it's a good thing!

Today's card is timely, because I hear we are expecting snow tonight! I normally LOVE snow, but I kind of wish it would hold off one more night! I want everyone to have a safe drive over here for the event! Fingers crossed!

Next week I should have one or two Thanksgiving cards to post, so you don't get sick of seeing my Christmas cards!
Have beautiful weekends, and I hope to 'see' you here again on Monday!

Bits'n'Pieces

I think today's card is a happy one! I decided on this one 'cause it's been kind of gloomy here the last few days, and I wanted to see something bright and cheerful!

My dear blogging buddy Julie asked me how many Christmas cards I had done so far.....well, I think I have around 250 give or take a few...
Let me explain why so many!
I have a lot of people who buy cards from me, and I also participate in a craft bazaar where my main item is Christmas cards. So I will usually just offer what I have, and whatever is left over I will use for my personal use. I have been thinking about possibly trying my hand at Etsy too....still on the fence about that one.

I would like to take a few minutes to give a great big SHOUT OUT to another blogging buddy of mine that I had the privilege of "meeting" (via internet!) last week, Brandi Wiggins-Côté!!! You simply MUST go visit her blog, she is just FAB-OOO!

It's Three, Three, Three Cards In One!!!

I figured since I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, I would make it up by posting not 2, but 3 cards today!
Well, ok, that's kinda true. I'm also posting these 3 because they are so similar, I figure I might as well show you all at once. It is a good way again to see how you can take a basic layout, add your imagination, and come up with 3 similar but unique cards!

Good news! (for me anyway!) We have been in practically constant contact with the wonderful people over at Stampin Up regarding my Digital Studio dilemma, and it seems that they have recently had a breakthrough as far as possibly fixing the problem! Apparently, I was not the only one who had this particular issue with it, and so they said they should have a resolution sometime this week! I hope so, cause I was about to jump out of my skin because I've been wanting to use it so bad! I will let you know when we are up and running!!!!!

I have to tell you that the customer/demonstrator service at Stampin Up is so consistently stellar! Even through all of this and all my frustration, they have been completely helpful, pleasant, and all around wonderful! A round of applause for Stampin Up customer service!

Super Simple Monday

Ok! So this card was really easy. Not the quickest card, but there really isn't anything tricky to it. The hardest part is getting the stamps straight! But if you have a Stampamajig, It should make for easy stamping!


There is a bow on the front that is kind of hard to see, cause the picture is a little washed out.
I apologize for my experimental photographs.......This one was done in direct sunlght (note the lovely shadow on the card from the ornament!)
I will eventually make time to go search my garage for a nice box to make a lightbox out of. I'll put it on my list!

Every card deserves a chance!

I was contemplating on not posting this card today, but I told myself even not so great cards need love too!

So.........um.......here it is. I do like the way the tree turned out!

I actually stamped and colored the tree on Going Gray paper, then highlighted it with white gel pen and glitter. Notice how I put darker green on one side for the shadow....just a little coloring tip.

I also used the dotted circle from the delightful decorations set for the background. It really makes a great background stamp! its a happy and fun shape!

Weird Wednesday

Today is a weird day. Maybe cause it's Wednesday. Weird Wednesday. Hmmm.

My post will be short, but will have several cards! I'm sure you don't want to read through a unch of ramblings anyway :)

Today's cards are just a couple random cards that have been waiting to be posted.

Snowy Landscape

Ok, it's card time again!
This one was done with a gold panel stamped in black, then highlighted with a white gel pen.
The colors are very non traditional, but still very rich.
this one takes a couple of minutes only because of the coloring of the snow, but beyond that, it is really pretty easy! So if you have a lot of cards you want to get done, this is a good design for that.

Stamp Room and Fall Class

You may have noticed a few changes on my blog....I was playing around a little bit last night with it. It is by no means awe-inspiring, but I thought it was kinda cute...for my first attempt at it! Of course the super cute background came from The Cutest Blog on the Block, (Thank you!) but I made the banner all by my little self! I also added a new picture of myself.

Well, I don't have a super simple card for today, but I do have pictures! We did end up going to the pumpkin patch Friday, but I have to upload the pictures from that. So I thought I would show you pictures of my stamp room and a couple from the class I had a few weeks ago! This was my first class in the room, and it sure was great to have all that space for everything!

The ones of the room itself were taken while it was still in the stages of being set up for the class. There are still a LOT of things I would like to do with the room, but I can only do so much at a time. I took a picture of the snack table, cause the class was Fall themed, and I had fall themed snacks....carmel and apples, and mini pumpkin cheesecakes! And sandwiches too, but that is an any time of year thing!

All the drawers and things are what I keep my stuff in...papers, tools, things like that. My stamps are actually on the opposite wall, in some misc. shelves and such. That is also where I have my display area. I have improved the display area since this picture was taken. I now use a tablecloth to cover the shelves underneath so it looks a lot cleaner and the mess is less distracting! I'm also now making it up for my next event, which is Christmas themed! Woohoo! My favorite time of year!
You can even see where my computer desk is in the niche, where I do all my computery stuff, and where I happen to be sitting this very moment!

Anyway, I thought I would post some pics, if you wanna see them a little better, I think you can click on them for a bigger picture.
I should be back with another card tomorrow!

Busy As I Am?

Ok, I know this card looks very 'busy' but it really is because the way the light was hitting it! It really made the embossing stand out big time!

Everything on this card was basically a punch or Die cut!
Made for a fairly easy card to make!
If you're wondering where that large snowflake came from, it was from the set that came with the Holiday Collection Kit that was only available through Country Living magazine last winter.

Well, we are going to attempt to go to the pumpkin patch today, even though the weather really isn't ideal.... Maybe I will have a couple good photos....I hope so! If I do, I will share them maybe next week!
Have a lovely weekend, see you in November!

Happy Little Pumpkins!

Once again, I have somehow lost the info on where I got the inspiration for this card! I even spent the last half an hour looking for the original! I saw a card that I absolutely fell in love with, and ran to make a card that second, so I guess I forgot to make note of the link, and now I am linkless!
Again, if this looks like your card, PLEASE let me know so I can direct people to your adorable creation!

I did make mine just a little different. They had a pumpkin stamp they cut out, I used punches and the face from Autumn Harvest. I used wire for the handles, I think they used punches. There are a few slightly different things, but again, I can't remember cause I lost the pic!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy today's card, and a great big THANK YOU to whomever I got the inspiration from!

Still Got Your Gold Gel Pen?

I was able to add a 'subscribe' button on my blog over the weekend! It's over there on the right side and down a bit--------->
Give it a click!

Today's card is one I made back in August but just got to posting it.
For this one, I stamped the images in Close to Cocoa, and then colored the edges of the little flowers with gold gel pen. It has the gold shimmer in person. It's very pretty! I was again able to use scrap strips for the background. (Yay for scraps!)

I'm a Little Batty!

I cannot take an ounce of credit for today's card except the fact I put it together! I got the layout from a card I had seen on someones blog, and I am embarrassed to say, I can't find the blog now and can't give credit where it's due! But if this is your card, please let me know, and I will immediately make sure to fix it!

I am posting it though to show you how I was able to get the look of patterned paper when I actually didn't have any to match.
The Pumpkin Pie piece for the background is just cardstock, stamped with the spiral from the Trendy Trees set in White Craft ink! So if you are inspired by a card you see but don't have a patterned paper that matches, try making your own! Start looking at your stamps 'outside of the box' !

Super Simple Monday

Well, hello everyone! Did you all have nice weekends? Mine was very full!
My poor little girl is home sick today, so it is fitting that I post about a simple and quick card, cause I get the feeling I won't have much stamping time today! My little girl needs me!

I used the Cold & Cuddly set for this one. I started with shimmery white cardstock, then just cut a wavy pattern along a piece of patterned paper and adhered it to the cardbase. I then stamped the bear and iceberg in Bashful blue and cut them out, which really isn't that difficult, and put them on the card. I stamped the sentiment in black, put on a snowflake, and added glitter along the edge of the patterned paper.

I think it looks like he is trying to catch snowflakes! I LOVE polar bears! They are my favorite animal after dogs. Did you know dogs and bears are like cousins? I find that fascinating! I have seen some of the funniest and some of the sweetest pictures of polar bears! They are full of personality!

Ok, go find a few minutes to stamp something!

A Very Merry Birdie

Sorry about the quality of the photo again!
I really like the Season of Friendship set! I like the versatility of it, and the images are really cute! Have you seen some of the ADORABLE valentines cards people have made with this set?? Oh my! If not, be sure to stick with me, I will get there eventually!
But since Valentines is still quite a ways off, here is a winter card. The backgrounds papers are actually scrap strips left over from other cards! That is a good scrapping tip. If you have papers that work together (in this case, they all came from a pad of coordinating papers) layer them in different size strips!

I stamped then cut out the bird so I could put it on dimensionals, then I added glitter to the tree and snowflakes.
Its way cuter in person, and very bright and cheery! I really need to learn to take good pictures! anyone got any photography tips for me?