Christmas Wisdom Tree

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

 

I am sitting here typing this post and it's a sunny and warm day here in Pittsburgh. Seems so unusual for the 10th day of October to have 80° temps. Our zinnias and some other flowers are still blooming profusely.

 

My hubby thought he lost the zinnias last month when we had 10" of rain over a weekend. But they came back and are as healthy as ever. They make great cut flowers and looks so pretty in my house.

 

We still have butterflies and bees flitting around the garden. The butterflies are usually gone by this time of year. I love these temps and soon (this weekend) they will be more seasonal like.

 

Now for my card for today. This one I created for the DTGD challenges on Splitcoaststampers. They are a series of week long challenges for the members of the fan club on Splitcoaststampers.

 

We aren't supposed to reveal the details of the challenge. But, if you are a fan club member click here and you will see how this fits the challenge that Linda hosted.

 

For my card, I used the CottageCutz "wisdom tree" die. I cut it in lost lagoon cardstock 2x for a little more dimension.

The background designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "all is calm" collection. I added some mesh ribbon and sequins to finish off my card.

 

That's it for me for this post. I am off to the Farm Market to pick up some things for tonight's dinner. So until next time...…..God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: lost lagoon, white, all is calm dsp (Stampin'-Up)

Paper Size: A2

Accessories: Wisdom Tree, Rectangle dies (CottageCutz), sequins (Darice). white mesh ribbon (May Arts) 

 

dies I used to create card: 

 

 

I am also entering:

1.  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge is anything goes.

2.  Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge has an anything goes w/optional of ribbon.

3.  The Merry Christmas Challenge is anything goes.

4.  Winter Wonderland has an anything goes Christmas.  

 

Ahoy Matey

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog. 

 

It's Sunday and another beautiful warm, sunny day here in Pittsburgh. We started our day off at church and our service was a wonderful one today. Then after service we had a chili cook-off at church. It was a fund raiser for a team we have going to New York later in October to work with an organization that feeds and clothes the homeless.

 

There were so many delicious varieties of chili and I enjoyed everyone that I tried. And, its a great time just chatting with people you don't usually get to talk to or spend time with.

 

Now my hubby and I are just relaxing and enjoying the afternoon. I have a loaf of banana bread in the oven and the delicious smell is wafting into the living room as I type this post. Guess what I will be enjoying in about 30 minutes (LOL)!!!

 

Now let's move onto my post for today. This card I made for the color challenge #707 on Splitcoaststampers. Barbara was our hostess and she chose fresh fig, old olive and pumpkin pie as her color trio. Optional this week was to make a Halloween card.

My neighbor asked me to make a card for her daughter for Halloween and she loves owls. So, the optional this week was a win-win for me. I cased myself on this card. Here is another Halloween card I created using the same layout.

My cute little owl all dressed like a pirate for Halloween is a new die from CottageCutz. It's the Spooky Night Owl die. For his hat and eye patch I used fresh fig cardstock. Although it looks black in this photo.

I used dimensional adhesive to attach my owl and sponged a bit of brown sugar ink to give him something to stand on.

The Happy Phrase and corner pumpkin are also dies from CottageCutz. It's from the Halloween Phrase & More die set.  I stamped the Halloween word from an MFT stamp set.

The background paper is from Stampin'-. It's their "spooky night" + regals designer series collections.

I finished off my card with several enamel dots. I already gave this one to my neighbor and she loved it. I was happy how it turned out so I am glad she was as well.

 

Well that's it for me for this post. So until next time...…..God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: PI Pretty Pumpkin (MFT)  

Paper: pumpkin pie, fresh fig, old olive, baked brown sugar, whisper white, basic black, spooky night + regals designer series papers (Stampin'-Up)  

Paper Size: A2

Ink: pumpkin pie, baked brown sugar  

Accessories: Spooky Night owls, Halloween Phrase & more dies (CottageCutz), Halloween Night enamel dots (Stampin'-Up), Blueprints 15 (MFT)

 

dies I used to create card:

 

I am also entering:

1.  A Gem of a Challenge has a Halloween/Halloween colors challenge.

2.  HIMCR has a Halloween colors challenge.

3.  Brown Sugar has a fall or Halloween challenge.

4.  Cut It Up has a Halloween challenge.

5.  Craft Rocket Challenges has an Autumn/Halloween challenge.

 

 

 

Harvest Vegetables

Hello Blogger Friends. Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. The first Saturday in October is such a beautiful, warm day here in Pittsburgh. I have my windows open and a gentle breeze is coming in the house. I love days like this.

 

I have the last of my tomatoes to roast and cut the last of my basil to make pesto. I picked banana peppers yesterday but I won't do anything with them until I can get some good pork sausage. I mix a combo of sweet and hot Italian sausage. I have been buying it at the farmers market because all of the junk isn't added to it.

 

So that's the setup for my day but I wanted to get my Blog post in before I start my cooking extravaganza. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.

 

The dies I used today are from the soon to be released Autumn 2018 collection. I am featuring the Basket of Vegetables and Fall Phrases dies.

 

I started off my card this week with the layout. I used the Splitcoaststampers Sketch #717 for my card. I thought the layout would show off this basket of vegetables die well.

My designer paper is from the Stampin'-Up "painted harvest" collection. I paired it with matching mossy meadow and daffodil delight cardstocks. The tangelo twist bakers twine is also from Stampin'-Up.

I layered my images on white cardstock that was embossed with the Stampin'-Up Hardwood Planks embossing folder. I thought the fence look would be good for a background.

Finished the assembly of the card. To cover the angled panel (element #4) of the sketch, I used the fig and radish. Well that' it for me for this post. So until next time...….God bless.

 

Dies I used to create card:

 

I am also entering:

1.  Crafty Calendar has an Autumn challenge.

2.  Crazy4Challenges has an any card challenge for World Card Making Day.

3.  Alphabet Challenge has a "N" for nature challenge.

4.  Craft Rocket Challenge is Autumn/Halloween.

5.  Creative Knockouts has a lots of layers challenge.

 

 

 

Mum Magic

Hello Blogger Friend! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today. It is a beautiful fall day here in Pittsburgh - sunny and pleasantly warm.

 

We started our day off at church then went out to a nice brunch afterwards. Someone gave us a gift card to the Bonefish Grille. It's a chain but we like their food and they have a nice order from the menu brunch. Both my hubby and I ordered their California omelet. It was delicious.

 

Normally we don't order an appetizer but we also had a coupon for a free bang-bang shrimp appetizer. It was really good with just enough kick to it.  My hubby got it as part of a golf outing this summer. We had a nice time together and now we are home enjoying the day.  

 

I mentioned on yesterday's post that we were going to my grandson's football game. That was a great family day and even more exciting because his team won.

 

Now onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #651 on Splitcoaststampers.  Karen was our hostess and she chose pool party, peek-a-boo peach and black. Optional was to use any green.

Black, peek-a-boo peach, pool party

 For my card, I decided to try the black magic technique. This was my first try at using a technique that’s been around for awhile. Here is a link to the Splitcoaststampers tutorial.

I used the chrysanthemum flower stamp. It is a stamp and die combo from CottageCutz.  I stamped in white craft ink on basic black cardstock. Once that dried, I used Prismacolor pencils in the coordinating challenge colors to color the image.

My birthday phrase is a die from PaperTrey Ink and I cut in pool party cardstock. To complete my card, I added some pool party seam binding and a bow, scattered some peek-a-boo peach enamel dots. To accent my image, I used a Stampin’-Up chalk marker. This accenting is part of the black magic technique.

 

Well that's it for me for this post. So until next time...…...God bless.

 

card details:

Stamps: chrysanthemum flower – November (CottageCutz)

Paper: basic black, pool party, white  

Paper Size: A2

Ink: white craft (Stampin’-Up)  

Accessories: : Prismacolor Pencils: #939 peach, 1033 mineral orange, 909 grass green, 912 apple green, 992 light aqua, pool party seam binding, in-color enamel dots, stampin’ chalk marker (Stampin’-Up), birthday die (PTI)  

Techniques: black magic  

 

I am also entering:

1.  The Paper Players has a tic-tac-toe challenge. I chose leaves, ribbon and die-cut.

2.  HIMCR #372 is a freestyle challenge.

3.  Sweet Stampin' has a spotty challenge.

4.  Colour Crazy Challenge has an anything goes w/coloring.

5.  Polkadoodles has an anything goes challenge.

Halloween Ice Cream Treat

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

 

Another weekend is upon us. Hope you have some plans for something crafty. Shortly after this blog post is finished we will be leaving for my youngest grandson's football game. It's a beautiful day here in Pittsburgh for a football game. Sunny and a bit cooler is the forecast for today.

 

I pulled a muscle in my back at the gym last weekend. I have been going to the Chiropractor for visits. It's helped a lot. I am more mobile than I was last weekend. Although it was a bit difficult at Preschool this week. I couldn't bend down very well or sit on the floor during our circle times. Icing my back and doing some limited stretches is helping along with the adjustments.

 

Now onto my post for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I used a new die from the 2018 Halloween release - "Halloween Ice Cream Cone". The hello phrase is a peek from the soon to be released Autumn collection.  

 

Used some Stampin'-Up designer paper from their "Spooky Night" collection. I liked the lab flasks and beakers along with the stripes. It is a perfect background for my ice cream cone.

My main card colors are pumpkin pie and cajun craze. The ice cream cone is gorgeous grape, gumball green and pumpkin pie. I took the colors right from the die packaging.

 

Well that's it for me for this post. So until next time...….God bless.

 

Dies used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  Moo-Mania has a food, sweets & treats challenge.

2.  Simon Says Stamp has an anything goes challenge.

3.  Addicted to Stamps and More has an anything goes challenge.

4.  Creative Moments has an anything goes w/option of fall colors.

5.  Crafty Creations has an anything goes challenge.

 

 

Nativity Card

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

 

Well it's official- the Fall season starts this weekend. We have been having some really hot and humid days. A little unusual for the Pittsburgh area this late in September. It's supposed to cool off this weekend though.

 

Today we are having our annual block picnic. My next door neighbor is the host home and we will have about 40 or so neighbors show up. It's always such a good time. Everyone brings a side dish to share and then we grill hamburgers and hot dogs. There will be some games for the kids and adults. It's nice to catch up on people's lives that you don't get to talk to often.

 

I wanted to get my Blog post done early because I have to get my side dish prepared and a few other things to help out. This card I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog.

 

I used a sketch that I found on the PageMaps site for my card layout. It's a 5 1/2" square card. I wanted a layout that would show off my background paper and a more simple layout that could easily be produced.

The designer paper is from Stampin'-Up's "twinkle twinkle collection. I thought the pattern would be perfect for this Believe Nativity die. The paper is such a rich shade of navy blue. So I decided to go with those colors for my card.  

 

My sentiment is from a PaperTrey set Christmas set. I stamped part of the silent night sentiment. It was on one line but with the help of my MISTI and masking tape, I converted it to a 2 line sentiment.

I finished off my card by adding a few royal blue sequins for a little bling.

 

This one will be easily to make more of to send at Christmas. Well that's it for me for this post. So until next time ……..God bless.

 

Dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge is anything goes.

2.  The Merry Christmas Challenge is anything goes

3.  CraftyCatz has an anything goes w/optional of Christmas.

 

 

Country Christmas Wreath

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

 

First, I would like to extend my prayers to the people that have been affected by Hurricane Florence. Watching all the television coverage of the storm is so incredible of what's happening in the Carolina's. Until physical help can come and assist, I believe that prayer is the best option right now.

 

My card today is one that I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. I used the new Grapevine Wreath w/Bird die on my card.

 

Used a sketch that I found on Pinterest for the card layout.  This sketch gave all the measurements so it was easy to do all the cutting. I subbed the wreath image for the oval on the sketch.

 

The background gingham paper is a pattern from BoBunny. I thought it just added to the country look of my card. For the small center rectangle on the card, I used wide white ribbon (1.5") and then layered red ribbon (5/8") over that.

 The corner flourishes are part of the Country Merry Christmas Phrase.

 

When I attached the wreath, I used Ranger multi matte medium sparingly. I didn't want it to be completely attached. I like the look of it being slightly lifted off the ribbon.

That's my card for today. Hope you have a great weekend and until next time...…..God bless.

 

dies I used to create card:

I am also entering:

1.  CHNC #403 challenge is anything Christmas with option of using gingham.

2.  Winter Wonderland has a Christmas challenge using ribbon or twine.

3.  Merry Little Christmas Challenge #2 is anything goes Christmas.

4.  Twelve Months of Christmas has a "tweet Christmas" challenge.

5.  The Merry Christmas Challenge has an anything goes challenge.  

 

Vintage Roses

Hello Blogger friends and thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with the Charmed Life Blog today.

 

First off, I would like to extend prayers to those residents of North and South Carolina as the latest hurricane (Florence) is getting ready to make landfall on the eastern seaboard of the U.S.

 

The news is reporting a very well prepared response from both the federal and state governments. Great coordination between all the agencies. So that's good to hear.

 

Now for my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #692 on Splitcoaststampers. This was the 2nd sample I created for this challenge. See sample 1 here.

very vanilla, mint macaron, blushing bride

Karen was the hostess and she chose very vanilla, mint macaron and blushing bride for her color trio. Optional was to make your card in the vintage style.

Vintage is so out of my comfort zone but Karen put forth the challenge, so I had to give it another try. This time I used some of the elements from the Stampin’-Up March 2018 Paper Pumpkin kit. The envelope in this kit has such a vintage look to it so I cut it apart and used it for my background paper and image.

I added some lace ribbon, and as extra trim blushing bride enamel dots. For the bow, I used crinkled seam binding and tiny ribbon roses from my stash for the center.

 

Well, that's it for me for this post. So until next time...…..God bless.

 

card details:

Paper: blushing bride   

Paper Size: A2  

Accessories: March 2018 Paper Pumpkin Kit, blushing bride enamel dots (Stampin’-Up), scalloped lace ribbon, seam binding (Hobby Lobby)  

 

I am also entering:

1.  Craft-Dee Bowz is anything goes with a handmade bow.

2.  Creations in Pink has an anything goes in pink.

3.  Creative Craft Challenge has a ribbon and/or lace challenge. I used both.

4.  Crafters Café has a 3 of something challenge. I used 3 enamel dots on my lace.

 

Birthday Tulips

Hello Blogger Friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog today.

 

Hope your weekend was a great one and you were able to do some crafting or something else fun. I put out all my fall decorations. Sunflowers, pumpkins, fall leaves and scarecrows are adorning the living room, dining room and kitchen. I have several Thanksgiving themed decorations that I will put out at the end of October.

 

We are having a massive rainfall here in Pittsburgh and yesterday the police sent a community wide call and asked people to stay off the roads. There were power failures and flooding so it was a day for indoor activities.

 

Our home is fine but there is a creek that runs behind our house that is really swollen with all the rain. We have had 10" of rain so far. It is supposed to stop around 4:00 this afternoon.  It has been raining since late Friday night. I am more than ready for it to be finished.

 

Now let's move onto my card for today. This one I created for the color challenge #692 on Splitcoaststampers. Karen was our hostess and she chose very vanilla, mint macaron and blushing bride for her color trio. Optional was to create a vintage card.

very vanilla, mint macaron, blushing bride

Vintage is so out of my comfort zone but Karen put forth the challenge, so I had to give it a go. I had this card pinned on my Pinterest board so I used the layout but changed the colors. I needed all the help I could get (LOL).

I used the tranquil tulips set from Stampin'-Up on my card. Love how this set stamps to give the image a somewhat watercolor look.

My background mint macaron designer paper is from the color me irresistible collection. The angled layer has designer paper from the Stampin'-Up "bundle of love" collection. Distressed all the edges for the vintage look with the Tim Holtz distressing tool.

The doily is cut in blushing bride cardstock with a die from Cheery Lynn Designs.

Added some linen thread, ribbon and pearls to finish off this card. Birthday sentiment stamped in soft suede ink.

 

Well, that's it for me for this post. Have lots to do around my home today. Tomorrow it's my first day of Pre-School. Summer vacation is officially over!!!

 

card details:

Stamps: tranquil tulips (Stampin'-Up), silly shells (MFP)  

Paper: mint macaron, blushing bride, very vanilla, bundle of love, color me irresistible dsp 

Paper Size: A2  

Ink: soft suede

Accessories: blushing bride ribbon, linen thread, pearls (Stampin'-Up), Polynesian sails die (Cheery Lynn Designs)  

 

I am also entering:

1.  Crafting from the Heart has an anything goes challenge.

2.  heARTful Stamping has an anything goes + use a stamp challenge.

3.  Stamping Sensations has a "B" challenge. I have blushing bride cardstock and ink, bow and birthday sentiment.

4.  A Vintage Journey has a back to nature challenge.

 

Joyful Christmas Mice

Hello Blogger friends! Thanks for taking the time to stop and visit with The Charmed Life Blog.

 

It's a rainy Saturday here in Pittsburgh. In fact we are supposed to get 5" of rain this weekend. The remnants of the tropical depression Gordon. It will be a good time to stay inside and spend some time in my craft room. That way I can watch the rain from the window.

 

First up today will be to process our garden tomatoes. My hubby picked about 20 lbs. of tomatoes and I will be canning them. But first, I do have a card for today. This one I created for my weekly DT post on the CottageCutz Blog. So let's get started with some details.

Step 1: I started off by die cutting all the pieces that are part of this die set. I use various colors of cardstock. But you could cut them in white cardstock and then color the pieces with pencils, alcohol markers or water color. 

I simply followed the package coloring and used similar cardstocks. Our artist does such a great job of coloring the images, and I always love the colors she uses.

My Joy word is cut from the new die Love, Peace & Joy. I cut it 2x in red cardstock to give it a bit more dimension on my card.

Wanted just a bit of snow in my outdoor scene so I cut a snowbank in white glitter cardstock from the Snowman Lane die. Click here to see another card I made using this die.

The last item for my card prep is the background clouds. I wanted this to be a daytime scene. Although with the lamp pole you could certainly make a nighttime sky and have a great night scene. 

I used a mini-cloud stencil and distress ink to sponge in some clouds. I stenciled right on the white card base, making this more of a one layer card.

Step 2: Now that all the pieces of the card are ready, it's time for card assembly. I started with the snowbank.

Then I attached the Christmas Mice die cut pieces with a combination of glue dots and double sided adhesive.

The Joy sentiment was attached with Ranger multi matte medium to complete my card. I don't often do one layer cards because I like the addition of designer paper and layers but I like how this one turned out. I plan on making several more of these for Christmas. 

Card Base: 4 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Well, that's my card for today. So until next time...…..God bless.

 

dies I used to create card:

 

I am also entering:

1.  Brown Sugar has an all creatures great and small challenge.

2.  Winter Wonderland has a Christmas Joy challenge.

3.  2 Crafty Critter Crazies has an anything goes with a critter.

4.  Crafty Animals has an anything goes challenge.

5.  The Merry Christmas Challenge has an anything goes.

6.  Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge is anything goes + include word Joy.