Christmas Nativity Scene

 

Merry Christmas Blogger Friends! After all the hustle and bustle of decorating, shopping, wrapping presents and sending cards the day has finally arrived. I am up early while the house is still quiet.

 

I have plenty of cooking to do today for our celebration with our son and his family. Then on Sunday my youngest son and his family arrive and we will have another celebration with them.

 

I wanted to get a blog post done before the busyness of my day takes over. Plus I feel as though I finally have a chance to sit and enjoy the fruits of all my hard work. So I am relaxing in front of the Christmas tree just taking everything in and sipping on my morning coffee.

 

Let's get to the details of this card. this one I made for the color challenge #560 on Splitcoaststampers. Maura was our hostess and she chosebaja breeze and night of navy. Optional is something gold (bling, embossing, foil etc).

 For my card I created a nativity scene with some dies from Impression Obsession. The silhouettes are cut in night of navy cardstock.
I wanted to create a soft glow look for the inside of the manger so I used some metallic gold cardstock and also for the Christmas star.

My background paper is from my stash that reminded me of a night sky. I only had one piece and I wanted to make a couple of these cards. Oh well!!

For the ground I used a Lawn Fawn die and cut in crumb cake cardstock. I stamped with a Sea Side Stampin' beach set that has sand and sand dunes.

My stars are cut in a sapphire metallic card stock with a die from Verve. And that's my sample for this Christmas Day 2015. Whatever your day holds my friends, I send you a blessing of peace and comfort. So until next time.......God bless and Merry Christmas.

 

card details:

Stamps: just beachy (Sea Side Stampin') 

Paper: baja breeze, night of navy, crumb cake, metallic gold & sapphire (The Paper Company), blue dp from stash 

Paper Size: A2 

Ink: crumb cake 

Accessories: small nativity & shepherds dies (Impression Obsession), starry die (Verve), stitched hillside die (Lawn Fawn), matting basics dies (Spellbinders)   

~Deer in Forest~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Sunday to you all. I made some definite progress in my Christmas preparations this weekend.

I worked feverishly on Friday and Saturday and finished the inside of the house. Today after church I want to get my card made for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I am the hostess this week. Then I plan on getting my Christmas cards in the mail.

Tonight, we want to go to Kennywood Park, our local amusement park, for a Christmas light show. Friends of ours that have gone said it is really spectacular and definitely worth the visit. I put a link above so you can jump over and see what it's all about. It will be something different for Christmas that we have never done.

Now onto my card for today. This is one I made for the color challenge #558 on Splitcoaststampers. Peggy is our hostess and she chose tip top taupe, choc chip and watermelon wonder for her color trio. Optional is to use die cuts or punches.

tip top taupe, watermelon wonder, choc chip

 

My background is the new snowfall stencil from MFT. I used some 3-D molding paste with a bit of glitter for a raised design effect. I like how this turned out. I made a variation of this card and will post it another day.

The birch trees are cut in tip top taupe with a Memory Box die. My deer are stamped in choc chip and then die cut. They are from the PTI "in the meadow" set. This is the first time that I have used this stamps set for the deer. Usually I just die cut the deer. I like the look so much better by stamping first.

The snow bank is cut with the Lawn Fawn "stitched hillsides" die from glitter paper. I added a few birds cut in watermelon wonder. And, to finish off the card my "merry" word is cut in watermelon and then offset with choc chip.  

Well Blogger friends that's it for me for today. Time to get ready for church. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: : in the meadow (Paper Trey Ink) 
Paper: whispering white, tip top taupe, choc chip, watermelon wonder 
Ink: choc chip 
Accessories: snowfall stencil (MFT), 3-D molding paste (American Traditional Designs), warm diamond glitter (Elizabeth Crafts) in the meadow & wonderful words dies (Paper Trey Ink), stitched hillside die (Lawn Fawn), birch trees trio (Memory Box) 
Techniques: mixed media, stencil

~Christmas Poinsettia~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Friday to all of you. Is all the busyness of this season getting to anyone yet besides me? Seems like I have more things to do than days to get them done.

 

Although, I made quite a big dent in my Christmas shopping the other day. As I was decorating I had QVC on the television and managed to zip through my list. That was a relief. I just have a few things more to buy and then  I will be done.

 

Haven't thought about my Christmas dinner yet. that usually requires some quiet time and a clear head to get my meal plans in order. I have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners to think about.

 

Next week I have a day set aside for making my chocolate covered pretzels, oreos and cashew clusters. It's an all day event. Then I have my pizzelles and lady locks to make on another day.

 

Today, I will be decorating. I am still not finished with that yet. So let's move onto my card so I can get my day underway.

 

This is the 2nd card I made for color challenge #557. Karen was our hostess and she chose wild wasabi, cherry cobbler and soft sky for her color palette. Optional was to make 2 cards and fuss with one and not fuss with the other. Here is the first card  I made that was not so fussy.

wild wasabi, cherry cobbler, soft sky

 

This is my fussy card and a style that I gravitate to a lot. I just like adding layers, designer paper, die cuts etc.

For my background panel on this card, I used designer paper from the Stampin'-Up "under the tree" collection. Layered that onto a kraft card stock base.

The poinsettia is a die from MFT. I added some soft sky flourishes cut with a die from Memory Box.

Card center panel is embossed with the seasons greetings folder from Cuttlebug.

 

Finished my card with the die cut word "merry". This was cut in wild wasabi cardstock. The die is one from PaperTrey ink. I have made a couple of variations of this card and I will post those later.

 

That's it for me for today Blogger friends. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: cherry cobbler, soft sky, wild wasabi, kraft, under the tree dsp (Stampin'-Up) Paper Size: A2 Accessories: wonderful wods (Papertrey Ink), whimsical flourish (Memory Box), poinsettia die (MFT),seasons greetings ef (Cuttlebug)  

~Merry & Bright

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Thursday to you all. Well here we are with 15 days before Christmas. I have been busy as a bee trying to get tasks accomplished.

I did finish my Christmas cards and now to get them in the mail. Hopefully, I will get that done by Friday night. That is my goal anyway. I have been decorating and I am about 75% complete there. The trees aren't up yet but I hope to get one possibly 2 done today.

I also have preschool this morning and our lead teacher is away at Disney World so I am in charge this week. I have 2 assistants and they have been great. This time of year the kids get so excited and energetic. It's close to Christmas and getting colder so they don't get outside as often.

Although today and for the next several days the weather is supposed to be mild so hopefully we can get outdoors for 15-20 minutes. It helps them to unwind and burn off some energy.

We also have a visit today from our librarian. They love it when she comes to class. Her story reading and song singing keeps their interest for the 30 minutes she is here.

If you think about her please pray, she has breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. So we may not have her for the entire school year depending on how her treatment goes. Her name is Dolores.

Now onto my card for today. This is a card I made for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Karen was our hostess and she chose the color palette #557 of wild wasabi, cherry cobbler an soft sky. Optional is to make a fussy and not so fussy card.

wild wasabi, cherry cobbler, soft sky

 So for my not so fussy card, I used my November Paper Pumpkin Kit from Stampin'-Up. It just so happens that the colors are cherry cobbler and a green. I changed things up a bit on the card by adding snowflakes punched in soft sky and cherry cobbler bakers twine.

I know I have mentioned it before, but the monthly Paper Pumpkin kits from Stampin'-Up are awesome. This kit had enough supplies to make 10 Christmas cards in 2 different designs.. You can make them exactly as the kits shows or add to them as you like. On this card I added my own bakers twine and snowflakes.

The sentiment is part of the stamp set that came in the kit. And the stamp sets that comes in each kit are exclusive to the Paper Pumpkin kits. So you don't have to worry that you already have that set and it will be a repeat.

And this kit helped me get 10 Christmas cards done in a flash. I will post the other cards I made because I changed up the design somewhat on them.

With that Blogger friends, it's time for me to close this post and get ready for pre-school. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: mistletoe & holly (Stampin'-Up November Paper Pumpkin) 
Paper: cherry cobbler, soft sky, whisper white  
Paper Size: A2 
Ink: cherry cobbler 
Accessories: Paper Pumpkin Kit, snowflake punch (Marvy Uchida)

~Joy~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Monday to you. The weekend seemed to roll in and out so quickly. Although I did get the rest of my Christmas cards made.

I had my stamping group here on Saturday and everyone was working on their cards. Linda, one of our group members, had already finished her cards so she was working on other projects. It's always fun to stamp with other people and chat as well. We try to get together every other month and it's always such an enjoyable time.

I completed 8 cards and then yesterday squeezed in 4 more. So I think I have enough now. Once I start making Christmas cards I don't want to stop. So I have to ask myself why I don't work on them year round so there isn't this frantic rush at Christmas. Maybe I will attempt this next year.

I was thinking last night as I was finishing up that I would like to color more. I avoid it because I am not that good at it. But, with anything practice helps. So that is something else I would like to do more of next year.

Now, onto my card for today. This card is one of those ones that was a one of a kind. I made it as a sample card for the color challenge #556. Vicki was the hostess and she chose tempting turquoise, real red and primrose petals as her color combo. Optional was to use a tag on your card.

 

I decided to do an emboss resist on this card. My snowflakes are stamped in versamark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder. I sponged the background with tempting turquoise ink. The embossed images resist the ink and only what's not heat embossed picks up color. This is a fun technique and here is a link for a tutorial. Just in case you have never done this before. Tutorial link.

Cut my joy word in primrose petals and tempting turquoise for the offset. To complete my card, I framed it with a die from Impression Obsession. Well, that;s it for me for this Monday. Time to get the Christmas decorating started. Lots to do there.

So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: winter post (Stampin'-Up), winter wonder (Verve) 
Paper: real red, white, tempting turquoise, primrose petals 
Paper Size: A2 
Ink: tempting turquoise 
Accessories: matting basics A & B (Spellbiners), rectangle die (Impression Obsession), Joy die (Paper Trey Ink), white emobssing powder (Stampendous) 
Techniques: emboss resist

I am also entering:
1.  Crafty Calendar has a let is snow challenge.
2.  Inkspirational has a flake challenge.
3.  Crafters Cafe wants us to use either die cuts or punches.
4.  Natalie and Amy's challenge is Christmas.
5.  Crafty Catz has a let it snow challenge.

~Trumpeting Angel~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Friday to you all. Another weekend is upon us. And with Christmas just around the corner it will be a busy one.

I have not started decorating as yet and that is part of my weekend plan as well as finishing up my Christmas cards. Each year I way I am going to make Christmas cards all year and then I will have a selection at Christmas. But, somehow that never happens. Can you relate (lol)???

I have some stamping friends coming over tomorrow to work on our Christmas cards. It will be a fun day so I hope it's also a productive one as well. I really need to do some clean and simple cards but that style is a bit challenging for me. Probably need to peruse Pinterest a bit and see what I can find for some ideas.

Now onto my card for today. This is one I made for the color challenge #549 on Splitcoaststampers. I was the hostess and the color trio I chose was lost lagoon, silver and white.

My background die is from Cheery Lynn Designs - the Arabian Nights cutting plate, and I cut it in lost lagoon. My trumpeting angel is a die from Impression Obsession. I cut her once in silver and then in lost lagoon. I offset ever so slightly.

She is framed in a Spellbinders labels 28 die. The "peace" word is a die from Paper Trey Ink. I finished by adding a small bow and some stars scattered over the background die cut. 

Well, that's it for me for today Blogger friends. Have to get started with my day. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Paper: whisper white, lost lagoon, silver (Stampin'-Up) 
Paper Size: A2 
Accessories: Arabian Nights die (Cherry Lynn Designs), Labels 28 (Spellbinders), holiday words die (PaperTreyInk), starry die (Verve), Angel (impression Obsession), lost lagoon ribbon (Stampin'-Up) 

I am also entering: 
1.  Creative Knockouts has a tis the season challenge.
2.  DL.Art thankful Thursday challenge is Christmas.
3.  Scrap & Craft has an anything Christmas challenge.
4.  Addicted to Stamps and more has a holiday challenge.
5.  Double Click Skittles has a Christmas or blue & white challenge. My card fits both.
6.  Fresh Brewed Designs has a Christmas challenge. 

HYCCT1526 ~wishes have wings~

 

Hello Blogger friends and thanks for taking the time to visit the Charmed Life Blog. The Christmas countdown is beginning on so many sites and with retailers.
I am trying not to think about it but how can you help it? I am making progress on my Christmas cards at least. I have not started decorating yet and then there is still the shopping and baking to be done.

I have to be super organized with my time and take advantage of the time I do have. Sometimes that's easier said than done. Today my plan is to get a bit of decorating done and then get back to my Christmas cards.

 

The one I will be working on today will be relatively easy to mass produce. At least I think so (lol). I am going to start posting them on my blog beginning tomorrow. With that being said let's move onto today's card.

 

This is another of the one's I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this 26th challenge, Kelli Jo was our hostess and she wanted us to make a card with a fairy on it.

 

I also used the colors from the color challenge #554. Maura was the hostess there and she chose crumb cake, baja breeze and mossy meadow for her color palette. Option was to use designer paper.

 

So my card started with the colors and the image. I just needed my layout and I decided to use this week's MOJO421 sketch. It's a tall and skinny card - 3 ½ x 5 ½.

 My fairy image is a stamp from Great Impressions - "fairy silhouette". I stamped with crumb cake ink and cut with a Spellbinders circle die. Before taking it out of the die I sponged with baja breeze and mossy meadow inks.

My designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "ski slope" collection. With the background swirls, I thought it looked like the wishes flying. I stamped my sentiment also from Great Impressions - "wishes have wings" in mossy meadow ink and added a few die cut sequins.

To complete my card and this sketch I used some crumb cake ribbon and mossy meadow twine. And that my friends is my card for today. Have to get busy with my day- so until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: fairy silhouette, wishes have wings (Great Impressions Stamps) 
Paper: ww, baja breeze, mossy meadow, ski slope dsp (Stampin'-Up) 
Paper Size: 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 
Ink: crumb cake, baja breeze, mossy meadow 
Accessories: circle dies (Spellbinder), sequin die (MFT), crumb cake ribbon, mossy meadow thick twine (Stampin'-Up), corner rounder (Marvy Uchida)  

I am also entering:
1.  Lemon Shortbread has an anything goes challenge.
2.  PaperTake Weekly has an anything goes challenge.
3.  Retro Rubber has an anything goes challenge. This stamp is at least 2 years old.
4.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.
5.  Not Just Cards has an anything goes challenge.

 

HYCCT1518 ~my paper masterpiece~

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Sunday to you all. Well Thanksgiving has come and gone and now the mad rush to Christmas begins. I did go out to one store on Black Friday to pick up a gift. It wasn't on sale but I had a coupon and wanted to get it for my daughter-in-law.

Yesterday I went to lunch with my son and daughter-in-law at a restaurant on their side of town. The food was really good as was the company. I then had a chance to stop at our local craft store that happens to be located on their side of town.

Last night I managed to get 11 Christmas cards done. In the process of cleaning out my craft room, I found an old Stampin'-Up Christmas card kit. I almost got rid of it and then decided to put a card together to see what they looked like.

I really liked how they turned out and this mass production will allow me to make the one of a kind single cards that I usually do. The mass produced cards go to people who don't really care about my handmade cards. So I have an A and a B list for Christmas cards (lol)!

So that was my weekend. I hope yours allowed for some great family time as well s crafty time. Now onto my card for today.

This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this 18th challenge, Emily was our hostess and she had an unusual challenge. She wanted us to pick a famous painting and use it as an inspiration to make a card.

Here is the painting I chose. It's titled Rosa Kosmeen by Heidi Reil. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had the perfect designer paper to create my masterpiece.

I used the "painted blooms" collection from Stampin'-Up. I let the designer paper do the work and I just stamped my sentiment.

My card colors are blackberry bliss and rose red. And, that's my card for today. Time to bring this post to a close. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: painted petals (Stampin'-Up)
Paper: blackberry bliss, rose red, painted blooms dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2 Ink: blackberry bliss, old olive, rose red
Accessories: Matting Basics A & B, circle dies (Stampin'-Up), stamp-a-ma-jig 

I am also entering: 
1.  AAA Cards has an anything goes challenge. 
2.  Come and Get It has an anything goes with a sentiment.  
3.  Crafting With Friends has an anything goes.

HYCCT1529 Stargazer Thanks

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog. It's a rainy Saturday here in Pittsburgh, but we are still having somewhat mild weather for this time of year. The past 3-4 days it has been 60+°.

My hubby and grandson are going to some high football championship games today. It's a tradition with them in November since Ethan has been in 3rd grade. They went the past 2 weekends for various stages of the playoffs. 

The games today are held at the football stadium where the Pittsburgh Steelers play. They both choose their winners, scores, biggest upset and several other things that I don't remember right now.

They make silly little bets like the winner choosing the seats for today. And another one with the loser not being able to eat lime tortilla chips. A big fave at our house.

It's a fun day for the both of them. Just touches my heart that at 14 years old, Ethan still loves coming to spend the night and doing things with his grandparents. 

I am going out to lunch today with my son and daughter-in-law. Since I will be on their side of town, I may make a stop at a local stamp store.

 

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Mary aka softangelkisses was our hostess for this 29th challenge.  She wants us to create a thank you card using pink as your color.

For my card, I used pink and green. The layout is the week 1 Viva la Verve sketch.

My background designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "cheerful treat" collection. The stargazer lily is a stamp from the Rubber Café and I colored with prismacolor pencils and gamsol. I fussy cut and trimmed off some of the leaves to allow the image to fit my card.

On the middle panel I stamped with a distressed background stamp from Great Impressions and added my sentiment. Completed my card by adding some ribbon and a bow.

 

Well, Blogger friends it's time to put the wraps on this post. Ethan just got up and I need to get him so breakfast. So until next time........God bless.

 

card details:
Stamps: large tiger lily (Rubber Cafe). distressed background (Great Impressions Stamps), dogwood blossoms (MFP)
Paper: melon mambo, lucky limeade, ww, cheerful treat dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: melon mambo
Accessories: matting basics dies (Spellbinders), pink ribbon (Offray), pearl (Stampin'-Up), prismacolor pencils and gamsol
Techniques: fussy cutting

I am also entering: 
1.  Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge is anything goes with option of a die cut. I used Spellbinders Matting Basic dies to cut all my panels.
2.  Kitty Bee Designs has a thanks challenge. 
3.  Simply PaperCraft has an anything goes challenge. 
4.  Fussy and Fancy has a words challenge.

HYCCT1527Kids ~Hello~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy day after Thanksgiving to you all. Hope your celebration was a great one. We had a great day here at my home. The turkey was perfectly cooked and all the sides turned out so delicious.

I really liked my stuffing and my brother-in-law couldn't stop raving about it. That made me feel so good. I bought some seasoning from Trader Joe's and I like the flavor it gave the stuffing. It is poultry seasoning with a few different ingredients. I didn't use this solely but this in combo with my other ingredients was a plus.

The desserts were delicious as well. My mother-in-law made an apple pie and I did the pumpkin. My neighbor sent over a pumpkin roll. We all enjoyed dessert even though we were so full from dinner.

Today, I am going to go out to one of the stores for a little black Friday shopping. No one has given me any suggestions yet but I did have a gift in mind for one of my daughters-in-law.

Now onto my card for today. this is another  I made for the Hope You Can Cling to Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. For this 27th challenge, Andi was our hostess. This challenge is meant to get the kids involved. The challenge is to make a card representing something your mom loves.

I took one of the optional ideas since my granddaughter is 3000 miles away from me. I made a card representing things my Mother-in-law loves and that would be flowers and butterflies.

For my card, I used items from the August 2015 Paper Pumpkin kit from Stampin-Up. My background paper is actually one of the card bases that I cut in half and layered on pink pirouette card stock. I then layered that onto a black base.

The flower and fringe are kit elements. I punched a tag, stamped hello and added a butterfly. I won't give this one to my Mother-in-law but rather send it to the MD Andersen Center.

Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to get on with my day. After shopping I am going to pick up Ethan (youngest grandson) and bring him here to spend the night.

So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: sending happy thoughts (MFP)
Paper: basic black, pink pirouette, dsp (paper pumpkin)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: whisper white craft
Accessories: August 2015 Paper Pumpkin Kit (Stampin'-Up), black rhinestone, Marvy-Uchida tag punch, MS butterfly punch

I am also entering:
1.  PDE Linky Party has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Aud Sentiments Challenge is an anything goes.
3.  Crafty Girls Challenge #9 is anything goes.
 
 

HYCCT1514 ~thinking of you today~

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Wednesday to you all. I am taking a quick break from my Thanksgiving preparations for my blog post.

So far I have cubed my bread for stuffing. I usually triple my basic recipe so I cubed 27 cups of cubes. Tomorrow morning I will put them in the oven for 15 minutes to firm them up some. I like fresh so much better than the store bought ones.

I chopped the onions and celery for stuffing. I don't actually mix this until tomorrow morning. But I like having everything ready to do. The pumpkin pie is made and is now in the oven baking. My neighbor dropped off a homemade pumpkin roll for me so that will be part of the desserts for tomorrow as well.

My next thing will be to set my table. I like having that done so I don't have to fuss with it tomorrow. There is plenty to do just getting the turkey into the oven and some other sides I will be making.

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Kerry was our hostess for this 14th challenge.

She wanted us to do something with mosaics. We were to search for an image that speaks to you. Recreate or use the image as inspiration for an element on your card.

I love this mosaic madness stamp set from Stampin'-Up and have hardly ever used it. It was the first thing I thought of when I saw Kerry's challenge.

I did my search on Pinterest and I found this card and used it as my inspiration for my card.

I loved the bright colors she used and her layout. So I kept that the same. I just changed my sentiment and that completed my card.

Well time to get back into my kitchen. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: mosaic madness (Stampin'-Up), butterfly thinking of you (Great Impressions Stamps) Paper: whisper white, night of navy
Paper Size: A2
Ink: gumball green, summer starfruit, night of navy, raspberry ripple
Accessories: mosaic punch (Stampin'-Up), matting basics A & B (Spellbinders), silver pearls (Recollections)

I am also entering:
1.   Addicted to Stamps and more has a make your mark challenge.
2.   Crafty Gals Corner has an anything challenge.
3.   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is anything goes.
4.   Word Art Wednesday has an anything goes challenge.

HYCCT1521 ~Friends~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Tuesday to you all. Today was my day at pre-school and we had our Thanksgiving feast. The kids loved it.

We served them chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, applesauce, green beans, carrots and cupcakes for dessert. It was a fun day for them as well as us as teachers.

We have a brief break over the holiday and then back to school next Tuesday. It will be December. Yikes I am so not ready for that.

I am set for Thanksgiving though. Finished my cleaning today and my food shopping is all done. Tomorrow I will do all my prep work for our big meal. I bake my pumpkin pie, chop my onions and celery for the bread stuffing, cube the bread and make my special mashed potato dish.

The mashed potatoes are prepared with sour cream, butter and cream cheese. Then refrigerated overnight. I bake them on Thursday. It has the flavor of twice baked potatoes. We really like them and so do my guests.

I also make a sweet potato casserole and fresh cranberry sauce. All this food talk is making me hungry. So I better get on with the details of my card.

This is another that I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Gail was our hostess for this relationships matter challenge. She wants us to use an image depicting a friend or family relationship or a sentiment focused on relationship (mom, sister, friend, etc). I focused on the sentiment with my "friends" word.

She also mentioned making an extra card today and mail it to someone you care about. I went a bit of a different route with this suggestion.

I made this card today and will send it to my friend. She is also battling breast cancer. I made this card recently for another HYCCT challenge and will mail it to the MD Andersen center. They are similar in that I used similar colors and same stamp set, but I changed this one around a bit.

For my background on this one, I used the Memory Box honeycomb stencil and sponged in pear pizzazz ink. On the other I used bermuda bay ink. My leaves are stamped in old olive and I changed the placement of them.

I stamped the sun but didn't add the extra circle like I did in the other card. I spritzed elegant eggplant ink on the background with a toothbrush for some added interest.

To finish off this card, I used 2 die cuts. My butterfly is cut in calypso coral on this card. I used elegant eggplant for the body and antenna and added some pearls.
I die cut my friends word from bermuda bay cardstock. And, I layered all of this on a calypso coral base instead of bermuda bay.

Used the same mesh ribbon and floss on this card. Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to dim the lights in Charmed Life Land for another day. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: kinda eclectic (Stampin'-Up) 
Paper: calypso coral, bermuda bay, whisper white, calypso coral dsp (Stampin'-Up) 
Paper Size: A2 
Ink: calypso coral, old olive, pear pizzazz, bermuda bay, elegant eggplant 
Accessories: friends & small butterfly dies (Elizabeth Crafts), May Arts mesh ribbon, coral floss (DMC), pearls 
Techniques: stencil 

I am also entering:
1.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.
2.  Artistic Inspirations has an anything goes with a twist of pearls.
3.  Craft Your Passion has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Incy Wincy Designs has a tic tac toe-I used: die-free space- pearls
 

HYCCT1528 ~sunshine 'n rainbows~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Monday to you all. Hope your weekend was relaxing and that you had some creative time.

Saturday was our youngest grandson Ethan's confirmation. It was such a meaningful ceremony. My son and his family attend a catholic church so the Bishop of Pittsburgh performs the ceremony. He is very charismatic and holds your interest as he explained all that would take place.

He said to the ones being confirmed that when they were baptized their parents made the decision for them. With this confirmation, they were making their own decision to about their beliefs.

Yesterday, I did get some crafty time in and finished up my thanksgiving cards. I also made my DT sample for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. Drop over to the site tonight around 10:45 EST if you want to see the colors.

Today, I just have a bunch of chores to do as I get ready for our Thanksgiving celebration at our house. I am looking forward to the family time.

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To challenge on Splitcoaststampers. For the 28th challenge, Rebecca was our hostess and she wanted us to make a card with a rainbow, or use a rainbow of color.

For my card I used the sun ray stencil from MFT and sponged the colors of the rainbow. I stamped my sentiment in a die cut circle using the "ray of sunshine" set from Stampin'-Up.

My card looked a bit bare with just the sun and rainbow, so I created a little scene. I die cut a rolling hill with a Lawn Fawn die, a house with a Paper Trey Ink die and a pine tree with an Impression Obsession die.

This is another card I saved to send to my bff who is battling breast cancer. I did send a box of 22 cards to the MD Andersen Center in Houston, TX last week.

Well, Blogger friends this is my card for today. Time to get started with my household stuff. So until next time........God bless.

card details:
Stamps: ray of sunshine (Stampin'-Up), holiday home (PaperTrey Ink)
Paper: real red, whisper white, old olive, choc chip
Paper Size: A2
Ink: poppy red, pistachio pudding midnight muse, wisteria wonder (Stampin'-Up), spiced marmalade, squeezed lemonade, broken china distress inks (Ranger)
Accessories: Sun Ray Stencil (MFT), pine trees die (Impression Obsession), holiday home die (PaperTrey Ink), circle die (Spellbinders). stitched hills (Lawn Fawn)
Techniques: stencil

I am also entering:
1.  613 Avenue Create has an anything goes with twist of make your own challenge. I made an A2 card of encouragement using colors red and green.
2.  Scrappers Delights Challenge is anything goes.
3.  Bloggers Challenge is to use circles.
4.  Dragons Lair Designs has a rainbows challenge.
5.  Simply Papercraft has an anything goes challenge.

HYCCT1530Survivor ~A cup of cheer~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Saturday to you all. Hope your day went well and that you had some relaxing time before the big holiday rush next week.

I went to the market today to  pick up my turkey. I get such a big one that it needs several days to thaw. Don't know why I didn't make a list with me so I could get everything I need for my meal.

I was on my way home from my son's home and thought I should get the turkey. I tried to remember off the top of my head what I need for all the dishes I make. But, of course I didn't remember everything so another trip to the market is necessary. That will have to be done early in the week because traffic will get crazy after Tuesday.

Today, I finally addressed the Thanksgiving cards I will be mailing. They are all local so the cards will get there by Tuesday. A few of them I hand deliver along with a little gift. Now it's onto my Christmas cards. I am so far behind on those so some serious mass producing is in order.

Now onto my card for today. This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. Ceal was our hostess for this 30th challenge and she  wants us to make a card of encouragement letting them know it's going to be okay.

I used the teacup stack die from Poppy Stamps and backed the cups with pink pirouette, rose red, mint macaron card stocks from Stampin'-Up.

The sending word is a die from Simon Says Stamp, and I cut it in rose red card stock. My sentiment is from the happy thoughts stamp set- an exclusive set from the Paper Pumpkin Kit June 2015.

The background paper is from the Stampin'-Up - "pretty petals" collection. And I used the layout from the week 5 Viva la Verve sketch.

 

This card is going off to my bff in Virginia who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I have been sending her a card weekly with a note of encouragement. Her name is Elaine if you want to pray for her.

And with that, my post for today is coming to an end. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: Happy Thoughts (Paper Pumpkin Stampin'-Up)
Paper: mint macaron, whisper white, rose red, pink pirouette, pretty petals dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: rose red
Accessories: sending die (Simon Says Stamp), teacup stack die (Poppy Stamps), circle die (Spellbinders), blueprints 15 die (MFT) 

I am also entering: 
1.  Allsorts wants us to use at least 3 die cuts.  
2.  Crafty Friends has a one for the girls challenge.
3.  Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge is anything goes with a twist: beverages
4.  Brown Sugar has an anything goes challenge.
5.  PDE Linky Party has an anything goes challenge. 
 

`thanks - thanks- thanks~

 

 

Hello Blogger Friends and a happy Friday to you all. I can't believe another weekend is here so quickly. And it's also the weekend before Thanksgiving.

I will buy my turkey on Saturday and start my shopping for the big meal. This is my favorite holiday and I just love to fuss over all the details. Whether it's a small crowd or a bigger one, I still make it special for everyone.

It's funny how you have memories of holidays from your childhood. This was always such a special one at our house. We had lots of extended family over for the celebration and my Mom always prepared such a fabulous meal. I still use her stuffing recipe for my turkey.

We also have our youngest grandson Ethan here for a sleepover. He and my hubby go to the high school football playoffs each year. They have been going since Ethan was in 3rd grade and now he is in 9th grade. 

He still loves going and looks forward to it each year. It's a 3 weekend playoff and the Saturday after Thanksgiving are the final games. They discuss the games beforehand and each picks a winner. They also make little wagers- like last weekend it involved lime tortilla chips. They both like eating them so the loser doesn't get to eat any at our house. Just some fun little things between them and it's a memory that will last for Ethan.

 So I will have a free night to do what I want. And the free time will be spent in my craft room. The organization is still a work in progress.

Now onto my card for today. This is one I made for the color challenge #556. Vicki is our hostess and she chose tempting turquoise, primrose petals, real red for her color palette. Optional is to use a tag.

I started my card by stenciling the background with the challenge colors. I used a stencil from Stampin'-Up and sponge daubers. Layered that onto tempting turquoise panel.

My tag is cut with a die from the MFT tag builders 4 set. I really like this new tag set. Added a button, turquoise trim and white twine. The thanks words are cut in primrose petals, tempting turquoise and real red. I used a die from Taylored Expressions.

My layout for this card is an older MojoMonday 420 sketch for my layout. Well, Blogger friends that's my card for today. Time to get started with my day. I have a teacher's meeting at Preschool and then off to the gym.

So until next time......God bless.

 

card details:
Paper: white, tempting turquoise, real red, primrose petals
Paper Size: A2
Ink: tempting turquoise, primrose petals, real red
Accessories: tag builders blueprints 4 & star die (MFT), thanks die (Taylored Expressions), stripes ef, white twine, dots stencil (Stampin'-Up), turquoise button (Dill buttons), turquoise decorative trim (Hobby Lobby)
Techniques: Stencil 

I am also entering: 
1.  Crafting with an Attitude has an anything goes challenge.
2.  DL Art has  thank you/Thanksgiving challenge.
3.  Addicted to Stamps and more has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Double Click Skittles has a thank you /thanksgiving challenge.
5.  Cuttlebug Mania has a thanks challenge. 

HYCCT1531B ~Sheltering Tree~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Wednesday to you all. Hope this day finds you all in good spirits and health.

I am doing great. I spent yesterday with my daughter-in-law and grandsons. Picked Ethan up at school and then we all went out to dinner. My son is away on a business trip so he missed our family time. Oh well, next time for him.

Arrived back home around 8:30 really tired from a long day. Yesterday was my day at pre-school and the kids were certainly in high energy. We did get to take them outside to the play area since the weather has been so unusually mild.

We also worked on a couple of Thanksgiving projects with them. So it was a successful day. And today I get to rest up before I go back with them tomorrow. But, I have plenty to do here, including working on my craft room. I am also going to the gym so let's get on with my card for today.

This is another I made for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenges on Splitcoaststampers. This is my card for Dini's HYCCT1531B challenge. She has an inspiration challenge for us.

When I saw her color board, I was inspired by the top left photo. I immediately thought of my newest stamp set "Sheltering tree' from Stampin'-Up.

This set is 2 step stamping. Stamped the tree trunk and then the tree leaves with spiced marmalade and crushed curry inks. I added leaves and the rake to the tree base and some die cut clouds with a bit of blue sponging.

The card didn't look quite finished at this point so I decided t0 die cut rolling hills and added a few pumpkins to complete my card. The sentiment is also from this same Stampin'-Up set.

I will use this as a Thanksgiving card . I have a good friend who has been such a support for our family over the last 1 1/2 years.
I did send a box full of cards to the MD Andersen cancer center in Houston the other day. So I didn't feel bad about keeping a couple of the cards I made for my use.

Well, Blogger friends it's time to get on with my day. So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: Sheltering Tree (Stampin'-Up)
Paper: pumpkin pie, whisper white, old olive, polka dot parade dsp (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: spiced marmalade, crushed curry, choc chip, bashful blue
Accessories: stitched hillside dies (Lawn Fawn), pumpkin die (Impression Obsession), cloud bank (Memory Box)

I am also entering:
1.  Cards and More has a recipe challenge-2 colors-3 papers, 4 embellishments
2.  Die Cuttin' Divas has a Thanksgiving challenge.
3.  Lemon Shortbread has an anything goes challenge.
4.  Shopping Our Stash has a thanks challenge.
5.  Try it on Tuesday wants us to create a scene.  

HYCCT1530Team ~Leaf Thanks~

 

Hello Blogger friends and a happy Monday to you all. Hope you all had a relaxing weekend or a productive one if you had work projects to get done.

 

For me it was work projects. I am in the process of organizing the closet in my craft room to bring up my card stock and patterned paper from the basement. That also includes purging what I am not using. I don't want to hold onto stuff that I have been storing for years. So if you are in need of cardstock or patterned paper, let me know. I have lots to give away.

 

I made a lot of progress yesterday but I still have a lot to do. When this is finally finished I will be sooo happy. The next thing I am tackling is my ribbon collection.

 

My friend gave me a new idea for storage and it will take up less space. She gave me a die that looks like a spool of thread. I am going to take my ribbon off the roll it is on and use the die cut to wrap the ribbon around. I was amazed at how organized and less spacing consuming her collection is. And she has a lot more ribbon than I do.

 

So now onto my card for today. This is one I created for color challenge #555 on Splitcoaststampers.  I was the hostess  and my color trio is rich razzzleberry, old olive and soft suede. Option is to create a Thanksgiving or a thank you card.

 I went Thanksgiving on this card. And I also used a color blocking with card stock technique. Something that I haven't tried before and is also the challenge from the Host Team for HYCCT1530TEAM

Here are the rules for the Hope You Can Cling To Challenge:
·You must choose a technique from our tutorials section here on Splitcoast
·IT MUST BE A TUTORIAL YOU HAVE NEVER TRIED BEFORE
·You must link to the tutorial you are using in your card description
·You must have fun and learn something new

This is the link to the technique I used. I like how the card turned out. It's a more clean and simple card but one that I can definitely use as a Thanksgiving card. I am behind on those cards. I need quite a few to send out to family and friends.

I cut my cardstock in the color challenge colors in various widths. My leaf image is a stamp and die from Dare 2 B Artsy.
I cut the leaf in Kraft cardstock and stamped in rich razzleberry ink. Die cut a few acorns, added some twine and a button to finish off my card.

That's my card for today. Time to get started with my day. Monday's are always busy for me. I have my DT sample to create for the new color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I also have to get a package in the mail for my daughter-in-law. Her birthday is this week- yikes nothing like waiting until the last minute.

So until next time.......God bless.

card details:
Stamps: Many Thanks (Dare 2 B Artzy)
Paper: Kraft, rich razzleberry, old olive, soft suede (Stampin'-Up)
Paper Size: A2
Ink: rich razzleberry Accessories: leaf dies (Dare 2 B Artzy), twine (Stampin'-Up)
Techniques: Color Blocking with Card Stock

I am also entering:
1. AAA Cards challenge is thanks/thanksgiving.
2.  Crafting From The Heart has an anything goes challenge.
3.  Craft Your Passion has an anything goes challenge.