The Music of Christmas

Well, let's try this again!   I had a post ready to go, made a slight change and lost it in cyperspace....one of those days.   I have another Christmas card today, and this one tries to reflect the original theme of Christmas.

 A nice easy card, with something a little different.  

The angel image, 

coloured with water colours and accented with stickles,

comes from Mo Manning's digi selection.  

The sentiment and the music score are from Darcie's Stamps.

The Nativity scene is a GSD file, cut out on my Silhouette 

and then painted with perfect pearls for a nice shimmer.

The DP is from my stash, 

and while the snowflake/star pattern works great for the sky,

a little DI, sponged at the bottom, provides background for the scene.

Thanks so much for visiting, and hopefully you and yours are doing well.   Until next time......take care and think crafty!

Some fun challenges for my card:

 

Little Red Wagon - #108 Christmas Theme

My Mums Craft Shop - #33 Things with wings

C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #130 Unusual Christmas

Totally Papercrafts - #94 Christmas

2 Sisters Challenge - #67 Holiday

Totally Stampalicious - Non Traditional Holiday Colors

Karen's Doodles - Non Traditional Christmas Colors

The Crazy Challenge - #95 Stars and/or Snowflakes

Challenge up Your Life - #57 Music

Card Makin' Mamas - #34 Sentiments

Wags 'n Whiskers Rubber Stamps - #68 Snow Angels

Winter Wonderland - Nativity

Reach for the Stars

Are you ready?  Did you know there are only 31 days left until Christmas?  Now, in my part of the world that means the 'waiting game'.......for snow!   Not that I'm a big fan of the white stuff or the cold temperatures that go with it, but this week's challenge at Charisma Cardz is sure to give you that nice warm fuzzy feeling.  How about a project using SNOWFLAKES!  There are lots of snowy images to be found, or lovely snowflake embellies.....let your creative juices flow, while you stay warm and cozy in your craft space!

Our wonderful sponsors this week are:

(3 packs of die cuts of winners choice!)

 (£10 voucher!)

and

(6 individual Digis of winner's choice!)

I've chosen this Mo Manning image (Hangin' the Star), which I've had for a while.  It's cut and matted with my Nestie die (labels twelve), with a layer of glitter paper and another of white cardstock, inked to match.

The white card blank is embossed with a polka dot folder.  Working with white on white, I've added a  glittery ribbon and bow, plus a nice sparkly snowflake from Michaels.  Keeping it simple, just a few stars, sprigs and pearls finish it off.  I don't think I've every worked with this much white before (lol)!

Before you leave, head on over to see the rest of the DT projects (here), where you are sure to be inspired, and maybe even amazed! 

We're all hoping to see your snowflake creations this week, too!

Some challenges for my card:
 

CES Challenges - #62 Snowflakes

Stamps R Us Challenges - Bling It On

Southern Girls Challenge - #32 Embellishment Bingo (glitter, ribbon, embossing)

Creatalicious Challenges - #28 Christmas and make sure it sparkles

Paper Sundaes - #96 Beautiful Bows

Bunny Zoes Crafts - #18 Anything Christmas with Pearls

By the Cute and Girly - Christmas Girls Moving Along with the Times - Ribbons and Bows Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - #47 Winter Blues Bearly Mine Challenges - #24 All My Favourite Things

A Little Gift Bag

Good morning all!  Instead of a card, I thought I'd make a little gift bag.  As you can see, I started out with a small brown paper lunch bag, which I cut down and covered with different papers and embellishments.   Now that I've got it figured out, I'll be making a few more.....the size is perfect for those little tiny gifts that could otherwise get lost under the tree!

This image is one of my favourites from last year's collection at Just Inklined, and you can find here.   After colouring, I've applied both liquid applique and glamour dust for all of the snow.......so lots of sparkle!  Next, both the DP and the image received liberal amounts of DI, and then for more sparkle....some bright turquoise stickles.  (after all, it is for Christmas!)

Supplies used:

Flourish Edges stamp - Basic Grey

Merry Christmas stamp - Stämpelkällan

Be Merry paper - My Mind's Eye

Lacey Circles & Labels Eight dies - Nestibilities

Border punch - Martha Stewart

Thanks so much for visiting, and if you have any questions just leave me a note in the comments.  Now, go have yourself a wonderful day!

A few challenges I will be entering:

Fussy and Fancy - #50 Make a Gift/Anything But a Card

Crafty Ribbons - #6 Anything But A Card

Papertake Weekly - Christmas Crackers

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #138 Sparkle and Shine

Kaboodle Doodles - #94 Baby It's Cold Outside

Crafts and Me Challenges - #62 Shabby Chic / Vintage

It's Thank You Time...

Sometimes we really need a special thank you card!  My husband has not been well this summer, and thanks to a kindly neighbour down the road (whom we hadn't met before), we didn't have to worry about cutting our grass.  Considering our property is one and a half acres, this was no small chore.  Now, his lawn tractor was a little smaller (lol), but as he's always been an active member of the farming community....

.....I really think this Tractor image from Just Inklined is perfect!  I've coloured it up with copics, adding a little chalk for the clouds.   It is cut and matted using the Nestibilities Labels Two die.  The papers and ribbon are all from my stash, with some additional stamping added to the background layer.....some leaves to add to the fall theme.

Although the grass has now stopped growing for the season, it won't be long and we'll be having issues with snow.  Thankfully, one of our farming neighbours has volunteered to help us out there, as my DH has just found out that he must have another three months of treatments.  We are so very thankful for all the kindness of friends and family!

Thanks for visiting, again, and your lovely comments.  Take the time to count your blessings...and say thanks!

A few challenges for this card:

Fussy and Fancy - Be Thankful & Feature a Sentiment

Creative Card Crew - Thankful

Digital Tuesday Challenge - #136 Anything Goes

Aud Sentiments - #41 Thank You or Thanksgiving

The Queen's Royal Digi Challenge - #2 Fall and Thanksgiving

Card Makin' Mamas - #33 Be Thankful

Lollipop Crafts - #56 Thanksgiving/Fall

Don't Ya Just Love It!

In days gone by, I can't say I was much into sports...and truthfully, that hasn't changed.  Having three daughters myself, I signed them up for dance lessons..and even gave it a try a few times myself. (lol)  But never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined my grandkids, both boys and girls, in this type of sport....and no, I am not going to give it a try!!  I can remember them kicking and screaming when they were little, but.....

This little guy is from Karen's Doodles (Karate Kid), and I've followed along with their challenge this week (I think).

In addition, I've gone with this week's nice and easy sketch from Sweet Stop.  I tend to just start a card with whatever comes to mind, forgetting to go with a challenge sketch, but not this time.

As this is a boy's card, no flowers or ribbon.....I've just played with papers and shapes, some glitter peel-offs and some sentiments.

Thanks so much for visiting, and here are a few fun challenges...be sure to check them out.

Karen's Doodles - Black and White plus one other colour

Sweet Stop Sketches -  #133 Sketch

One Stitch at a Time - #87 Use a Digi

Stamps R Us Challenges - Masculine Theme

Bearly Mine Challenges - #23 One for the Boyz

Bizzy Bec's - Circles Inky Impressions - #32 Glitter it Up Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes Crafts and Me Challenges - #60 Birthdays

Gift Card Holder

Hi there!  I thought I would make a CAS card, but something happened......  I always seem to get carried away!  My card looks relatively simple, it just took much more time to finish than I had counted on! (lol)

I used a NorthWoods rubber stamp, with minimal colouring....I simply inked the stamp using two colours of DI, and a wee bit of shading.  After cutting it out, I sponged the outer frame with more DI, adding a black backing and then some stickles.  I then decided the die cuts could use some stickles too.  (These vine dies are from Whimsy Stamps and came in some 'fabulous sweet stuff' I won from Jacque.  Thanks so much Jacque!)

To make the card shape, I folded the card front in half to the inside....and this became the gift card holder.  The DP is a 12x12 sheet from my stash, which I cut and distressed with the same DI used on the image.  But the time consuming part......was cutting the shaped piece for the inside of the card, and building up the half oval where the image overhangs.

Maybe next time I'll really make a CAS card....

Thanks so much for visiting, and here are a few challenges for you to check out:

Creative Card Crew - Thankful

Creatalicious Challenges - #27 "Distress Your Edges"

Little Darlings - #10 Not Square

Totally Stampalicious - Anything Goes Inky Impressions - Picture Inspirations Stampartic - Monochromatic Raise the Bar Challenge - #82 No Embellishments Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge - #107 Anything Goes Allsorts Challenge - #128 Anything but Square The Crazy Challenge - #92 Something with Wings My Mums Craft Shop - #30 With Thanks Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - Love & Marriage or Anything Goes + Blog Hop Penny Black and More - All Creatures Great and Small

And the Stockings were hung.....

It's the first Monday of the month...sooooo it's that time again...for another fun blog hop at Just Inklined!  So get yourselves comfy, and Ho-ho-ho....check out this month's ideas for Christmas giving.

If you've arrived here from the talented Heidy's blog, that is the beginning of the hop, as Heidy is our host this time around.  When you are finished here, you'll need to hop over to see Jeni, who always has something wonderful to share.  Don't forget to leave your comments along the way, as we have a couple of hidden spot prizes to give away!

I've gone with a Christmas card, and this adorable image....Hanging the Stockings.  Coloured with copics and then cut out with a fancy die, it really becomes the centre of attraction.

Supplies used:
Papers:   Basic Grey (Nordic Holiday)
Tools:  Nestibilities die (Fleur De Lis Squares), Edgebilities die (Classic Triple Scallop)
Other:  Darcie stamps for sentiment and background paper; white paint and silver glitter pen.

Thanks for visiting, and all your lovely comments!  Keep on hopping and have yourselves a wonderful day!

A few fun challenges:

Basic Grey Challenges - #56 Anything Goes

Card Makin' Mamas - #32 Cut It Out

Lothian Crafts - #20 Christmas

Dream Valley - #19 Anything Goes

Paper Sundaes - #94 Rectangle

Cutesy!

Good morning everyone!  Are you ready for the next challenge at Charisma Cardz?  This week the theme is Cutesy....nice and easy, no?  Just looking for something cute!

My card today uses a cute little image from one of our lovely sponsors, Pink Cat Studio.  She's been coloured with Copics and lots of glitter, with some liquid applique for added dimension and texture.

The DP is from Bo Bunny's Winter Joy line, to which I've added some pearls and sparkly accents.  And did you notice my stitching?  I actually found my way to my sewing machine....and it still works!  It just seems to get buried among all the other things that don't get used much.

Finally, a bit of ribbon and some little rose buds from Wild Orchid Crafts, along with a bit of punched greenery to finish it off.  The sentiment is a stamp (part of a set) from Darcie's Stamps.

Now, we hope to see your entry this week, and remember we have some wonderful sponsors and prizes.  This week we have:

with a $20 voucher to their online store

and

with 5 digis for the lucky winner

Be sure to head on over to the challenge, and check out all the lovely projects from the talented DT this week....and then, get crafty!

Some fun challenges for my card:

Totally Papercrafts - #90 Glitter It

Polka Doodles - #43 Mystical and Magical

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Crafting For All Seasons - #13 Texture

Sparkles Forum Christmas Challenge - #10 Angels

Sundays with Crissy - Christmas Card - Non-Traditional Colours

Creative Inspirations Wednesday Challenge - Lashings of Sparkle

The Paper Shelter - #38 Christmas Fun Delightful Challenges - A VERY Sparkly Christmas Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - #44 Non-Traditional and/or Distressed

Let's Decorate....

The goblins have all gone home and soon we will be getting out the Christmas decorations....and of course, sending out Christmas cards!  I could also mention Christmas shopping, baking, etc...but I won't go there just yet!

My card today uses a very aptly named image, Festive Antlers....one of this year's new Christmas releases from Just Inklined.  Something a wee bit different, and sure to bring a smile or chuckle.  There are no reindeer in my neighbourhood, but I can think of another 4 legged creature that would surely love to help decorate this year!

Once again, I've coloured with copics and used my nestie die...then I've added a bit of stamping and DI to the edges.  The DP is a new acquisition from My Mind's Eye (Lost and Found Christmas), and if you look closely you will see the snowflakes have been punched from the leftovers.  I've added glossy accents and glamour dust to all of the ornaments, but it doesn't show well in the photo, and you may notice that I added gold metallic to the scroll die cut for some added interest.

Last but not least, is a bow and a bit of lace.  I think this is the first time I have actually managed to incorporate lace on a card.  Its always good to try something new....especially when you purchased it months ago! (lol)

Thanks again for visiting, and hopefully you are getting some Christmas cards ready too!

Some fun challenges for my card.....be sure to check them out!

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

Lollipop Crafts - #55 Anything Goes

Dream Valley - #19 Anything Goes

Card Makin' Mamas - #32 Cut It Out

The Ribbon Girl - Jingle all the way to Christmas

Christmas Inspirations - #35 Bows/Bows Totally Papercrafts - #90 Glitter It