Woohoo! I'm almost done....

  ....with my Christmas cards and very excited that I should have them done in another day of so and then can get to work on the mailing process.

    I have three new cards to share today and two of the three were inspired by the new "Christmas in a Flurry" class that I'm taking this week from Julie Ebersole.  If you don't know Julie, you are missing out on following a fabulous designer and a gal that is always full of energy and very happy.  She's also a brand new Grammy, after her daughter delivered a happy and healthy sweet little girl, earlier this month.   I was so happy for her and hope some day that Brian and Meghan will give me the wonderful gift of my very own Grandchild!   I'm not in a rush, but I do hope for that day and know it will be one of the the best days of my life.  Having my own children has been the best gift I could ever have and I can't imagine my life without my boys--they mean the world to me and I love them more than anything!!

   I was especially excited to see that today's class focused on Christmas Cards and that the very first card Julie shared was a wonderful one-layer card.  She's such a fabulous designer and her wonderful clean and simple style makes her cards some of my favorites.  I watched only the first video and was very excited to head to my desk where I put together three fun cards, all of which were inspired by Julie.

  For anyone who is taking the class, you may recognize that this first card was my take on the first video and Julie's card.  Although, my colors and stamps are all very different than what Julie used.  I did "Case" here design, but used item I had on hand and did not have the same stamps or inks that Julie used!!   This is my card and I started with one of my favorite colored paper, which is Tide from Hero Arts.  I then picked out a cute "Snowflake" themed stamp, from Inkadinkado and used the Tide Pool Ink to stamp it in each corner.  Next I took a some Ranger Liquid Pearls and added little bits of teal and white to each of my stamped sections.  My little ornament was created with an Impression Obsession Die and cut from cardstock that I colored with  the Evergreen Bough Distress Ink.  I then added a layer of Glitter and a sweet little Sentiment from this Set by Hero Arts - CL343  - Holiday Sayings.

  My next card is also a very clean and simple style and this one was created basically using one die that I loved from Simon Says Stamp.  It's one of their new exclusive dies and I believe it was designed by Kristina Werner, who I also adore.   I just love the simple classic style of these trees and thought they would make fun cards.  This is one I put together very fast today.  I simply cut the 3 trees from some scraps I had left over from yesterday and then used a snowflake themed embossing folder to create a fun background  I added on the three trees and then cut a small strip of paper and added that along with some matching Washi tape!   This is the end result and I now have even MORE ideas to work on with this wonderful die set!  Thanks Kristina!!

 And speaking of Kristina, I'm also taking a new class from her and Jennifer, that is very unique and different for all the others I have taken.   I signed up as soon as I read the email on Friday without even taking to the time to see what the class was about!!   As it turns out, it probably was not a great choice for me, as the projects they are working on in this class are things I really have no use for.  I'm sure many others will LOVE it, but without young children and the need for teacher's gifts and photo type projects....it's simply not my style or things I would create.     Even so, I'm sure I'll pick up a few tips and did think each of the projects were very creatives...but again --- just not suited for me or my family!!   

   After I watched some of the videos I was happy to find some cute ideas and little tips that I know I can use with my cardmaking, so I'm still pleased with everything that I looked at and I'm sure, I'll find eveyr more, when I watch more vidoes!!  

     I am very happy that  Julie's workshop includes making cards, which is my first LOVE and the one type of paper-crafting I totally adore!!  I went back over to that class and watched another video and feel in LOVE with the card!  It's gorgeous and that is the one that inspired this next card, which also uses some of my favorite Hero Arts goodies.  Starting with some Pink Layering Papers and a wonderful new snowflake cling that I ordered from the Class Supply List.  The stamp is called Dotted Snowflake and it's a large wonderful stamp, full of details.   I loved the card that Julie had created using it and basically used her idea on my card, but changed colors and other elements to make it a bit more of my own.   

  If you look close, you notice that my image was actually double stamped and embossed, which was actually an "oops" moment.  But, in the end I like how it showed more details, especially when I heat embossed it in Silver.   I also added on a matching pink die cut snowflake, cut with another of the wonderful SSS exclusive dies, which was layered on top of a white paper snowflake from a set by Bazzill, that I had actually bought at my LSS.  The bling in the center worked out perfect and I dug that out of my stash and have no clue where I bought it, but I really like it!    I also used another Hero Arts Sentiment set (CL648 Sparkle with Happiness), which is one of my favorite new sets!   I Stamped it with White Pigment ink and then also embossed it with White Embossing Powder.  This is a very easy card and one I'll make over again using a variety of colors.   I had used my new "Embossing Dabber" for this stamp and it worked great..so well that I didn't  realize I had  it covered and that's why I repeated the stamping!  OOPS!!

  Oh, and did I mention that for each of these classes, each student is given some fabulous promo codes to save you money on Shopping.  Ellen gave us a 15% off promo code, which was wonderful and in The Holiday Project class, we were gifted 10% off codes from Simon Says Stamp, Ellen Hutson and the Inspiration Emporium.   My thanks to each of these stores for always been so generous and kind in offering discounts to the students -- it really helps out, especially during the Holiday season!! 

   That's it for today!  I did a little Cyber Monday Shopping and hope they will be more deals to come.  I really expected there would be a lot more, so I was bummed when I didn't find any marvelous deals to help me get my Christmas shopping done!!   

Brrrr.....!! I'm chilly! How 'bout you??

   Today is one of those days that I'm chilly and cold and it started as soon as I took Scout out for his first walk this morning.  It quickly turned into a very short walk -- and we were quickly back inside the house.   By the time we went out again, the winds had died down a bit and I wore my down jacket.   One of the hardest parts of living with Fibro, is the cold and how much worse it seems to make me feel.  It also seems to be harder to adjust and I can only HOPE we have a winter that was as mild as it was last year.  If it's an overly cold winter, I'll be heading out to San Diego sooner than later, so I can escape, even if only for a week or two!  The idea of a long cold winter...is just awful and almost can seem unbearable, at times.!!  I totally dread it!!
  Our house will be extra warm today, as we are roasting our turkey and that always has the house very warm.   We went to Hubby's Brother's house for Thanksgiving dinner and decided to cook our turkey today, before Hubby goes back to work.  He was off all last week and got up on the yard work and house 'stuff'.   He put up our Christmas lights on one of the warmer days and that's a nice task to do, before the cold really hits.  I love the sparkle of lights and love seeing them around our neighborhood.  It's pretty and makes the dark and cold seem a bit prettier!
    Finding time to create with Christmas fast approaching has been quite a challenge and between shopping and trying to think of gifts to buy, has been it's own new challenge this year.  I loved it when my boys were young and I could find all kinds of things, so easily.  Now, it's harder than ever, plus they always buy what they want or need.   I did brave the crowds on Friday and had a great time hitting the stores for some fabulous deals.  Unfortunately, most of the shopping I did that day was at the Craft Stores, so guess who is the recipient of those new things --- Me!!   Merry Christmas to me from me.  I also did pick up things I'll use to make some gifts, but I could not pass up some deals I found!     I'm one of those people WHO loves a great deal and if it's something I know I'll use, then I buy it.  I love sales and deals and try very hard to alway shop around for the best prices.  If it's NOT on sale or a deal, I can always wait until it is.    I am hoping to find more great deals online tomorrow - for Cyber Monday.   I would LOVE to get my shopping done in the next week or two, but I have a feeling it's going to take a lot longer.   I used to be a very early shopper and often done by Thanksgiving, which was awesome.   Unfortunately, those days are long over and I just don't have the stamina to shop for hours and hours like I did at that time.

    Today is all about crafting and I'm here now to share some of the cards I have created over the past two days.  My first two cards were both inspired by the new color combo challenge that Lori Boyd is hosting over at By Lori Designs.  I adore her wonderful digi images and own many, so I thought it would be fun to color up a couple for the challenge as well as having more completed cards so that I can finish them all up soon and mail them out early this year!   I also tend to enjoy Color Inspiration challenges and that's exactly what Lori has this week, as shown in the image below, which I'm sharing from her Challenge Blog.

  Challenge # 34 - Color Inspiration

Card #1

Card # 2

This card is also being submitted to the "Snow, Frost and Glitter" challenge being hosted over in the Twisted Thursday Group at The Outlawz!!

  I absolutely LOVE coloring with my Copics and that how I colored both is this sweet images.  I also using some Stickles for the look of sparkling fresh snow...!!  My papers were from LilyBee Design and Echo Park and the colors seemed to work out really well with the color inspiration!  Hope you like them!!

   My next couple of cards were inspired by the newest Sketch Challenge posted today over at Operation Write Home's -- Star and Stamps Blog.  This is a challenge I play in every Sunday and is always a favorite.  I loved the sketches and find them really fun!   This is a copy of the Sketch for this week and I welcome everyone to come on over and play along!!

Sketch # 148

My Cards

    This was the first card I created, and it was created primarily using scraps that were in my Scrap bin, leftovers from previous cards.   The tag is from Kaisercraft and was one of many that came on a full 12" sheet!  Each one of perforated and has a hole pre-punched, making them perfect for gifts too!  I loved the set and bought some of the matching papers for cardmaking !   These are part of the Twig & Berry Collection and I bought mine at my LSS- Absolutely Everything!   My all time favorite place to shop and take classes!!

    I also made this card based off of the same sketch and used a variety of elements that were left over from other projects.  The little felt tag was a gift sent to me by a craft friend in a swap.  I've had it a couple of years, but loved it so much, I never wanted to use it, which is kind of silly.  I can't begin to tell you how many things I "cherish" and never seem to want to use on my projects.  I think it's time to use them, so other people and see and enjoy them!! 

  My next card was created using the wonderful "Wire Star" stamp that I bought from Hero Arts.  I fell in love with this star stamp after I saw a gorgeous card that Shari Carroll shared in the Holiday Card Workshop.   I have now used it a few times and try a new color every time.  Today I used the "Picked Raspberry Distress Ink" and then used Distress Stain to color the star in "Worn Lipstick" after it has been stamped.  I then used a glue pen to draw the lines and added a layer of ultra fine glitter.    I found this very cool "pre-embossed" paper in my stash and layered it onto a piece of contrast cardstock.   The ornament bow and top were cut using my new die from Impression Obsession, which is a brand I'm loving more and more lately.

     And speaking of fun classes....I'm going to be one very busy gal this week as I have enrolled in two brand new workshops, both of which start tomorrow.  The first one I found out about from Julie Ebersole, who I is a designer I just love and I adore her style and wonderful sense of humor.   She will be hosting a fun little workshop over at Ellen Hutson's classroom, called - Christmas in A Flurry!   I thought it would  help to inspire me to come up with fun ideas for wrapping and tags.  For more info or to join me, you can go HERE and sign up.

     On top of that, I found out on Friday that Jennifer McGuire and Kristina Werner are hosting a new little workshop that also starts tomorrow.  It will be hosted in their Online Card Classroom and their class is called - Holiday Gifts - Project Bundle.  It's something brand new and I signed up as soon as my email arrived and know it'll be FUN!    I LOVE all their classes and there was NO way I was about to miss one. I thought it would be perfect and maybe also help me come up with even more fun gift ideas!   If you would like to join this workshop -- Please go HERE and sign up.,  I'm actually very excited about both and can't wait to start.  I also have a free week, (no appointments for me), making it timing is perfect for me.  Yippee!!

   Now, it's time to head downstairs to my kitchen and start peeling veggies.   One of my favorite parts of a turkey dinner is all the veggies and I'm lucky to have a hubby who is very good about helping me out.  Thank goodness, otherwise, I'd never be able to put together such a big meal and still have any energy to eat.  He even made us a dessert and it's a family favorite!  Yummy!   Tomorrow, I'm going back to my healthy eating and all the treats will then be banished for me, until Christmas when I'll have a few days, where I treat myself to something special!   Hope you are enjoying a nice Sunday and hope to see you in the new workshops tomorrow!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

   Just a little note to wish everyone who is celebrating Thanksgiving 
a very Happy and Thankful Day! 

I hope you all have a wonderful time 

with your family and friends.

   Enjoy every moment 
and 
cherish those Memories!!

Gobble!!  Gobble!!

Creativity....

  As most of you know, my best days are when I spend most of my day in my craft room.  Unfortunately, this week has been crazy and today is the first day, I've had to spend the full day pretty much being creative!!

  Today, I have a fun variety of cards that I've put together after finding lots of fun inspiration in variety of fun challenges.   I find online challenges are one of my favorite ways to not only practice my card making, but also are a great way to come up with new ideas.

    My first couple of cards were actually started on Sunday and the first two were inspired by the newest sketch over at the Stars and Stamps Blog.   This week we are working on Sketch # 147 - which I'm sharing below.   Also for anyone who may be new to Operation Write Home, we are now well past the deadline for Christmas/Holiday cards and the current theme and need is for Valentine and Love cards!!  

   I actually created one of each, as I personally still needs LOTS of Christmas Cards for my personal mailing, which I am behind on this year!   My "Let it Snow" card was also created for this week's Embossing Challenge in the Paper a la Mode group over at The Outlawz. 

   I also created a second "Valentine Card" to add to my next OWH Package and this card was pretty much created with the scraps left over from some of my Christmas Cards.   I LOVE using unique colors and papers, not always meant for just one specific season!  :)

   My next card was created for another challenge at The Outlawz and it's one of my favorites the weekly CAS challenge, which is hosted very Sunday!  This week the theme was birds and instead of sticking to a turkey, I thought I would try something different and cut this sweet bird on my Cameo.    I totally LOVE my Cameo and try to use it more and more in my cardmaking.   I was sad to read the challenges over at The Cameo Spotlight ended, due to limited participation.  What a BUMMER!!  Maybe in time, Jackie will open it again, as I'm already missing out.

   And next I have a brand new card, I started today and this one is for this week's Cas(E) This Sketch Challenge, which was also created by Jackie Rockwell.  I am also loving this new challenge and really hope very much that everyone joins and plays in this one, so that Jackie can keep it open.  

    It was really fun to make something other than a Christmas or Winter card and I really love the soft pink in this card.  I started with a fun little Dandelion Stamp by Hero Arts, but decided to make it a pretty pink shade and did that using my Copics and some pretty pink glitter.  My sweet little Sentiment is from a set from My Favorite Things and my background paper is from Memory Box.  Everything I used on this card I bought at my LSS (Absolutely Everything), which I "absolutely" love!!   I had a fabulous time there on Saturday for their huge "Pre-Thanksgiving Sale".   It was well worth the long wait to checkout and I had a blast!   WOOHOO!

  My next card is another class "Clean and Simple" style, which is still a challenge for me, but also a style of cardmaking that I'm finding I LOVE more and more.  Today's card was created for the newest challenge over at Casology, where the Cue Card this week is "Gobble".  Right away I knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use and it's this adorable turkey from Alley Way Stamps.  I ordered this sweet set as soon as it came out and I think ALL the images are so fun!  My favorite style -- whimsical and fun!

  I stamped my cute little turkey with Black Memento Ink, directly onto white cardstock and then colored him up with my Copics.  I then printed out my little sentiment, which is from Pink Cat Studio and one that works perfect for this week's cue.   

  And I have one last card and this one was created for fun and to share one of my newest digi images from Lori Boyd.  This little guy is quite cute, but also looks like he could be up for a little trouble?  His name is Simon Stockingheimer and he is from Lori's most recent released, which you can find over at her store HERE!!!    I have a feeling he could be a bit mischievous ..just look at those eyes....Hum?  Is he naughty or nice?  

    And that's it for now!!  I am heading right back to my desk to keep on coloring and boy do I have lots of fun new adorable images to color!  There have been so many great sales and deals lately and I have had fun adding some new things to my stash!!  

     Please excuse my somewhat 'dark' photos too -- I knocked over my OTT light this morning and it blew out the bulb.  I'm so bummed because I loved that wonderful Pink light, but I can't seem to find replacement bulbs for it?    I bought the light a couple of years ago on clearance at JoAnn.com and now they don't make it, so I think I'm out of luck!  Guess it's time for a new one and I need one pretty quickly.  It was perfect for my photo area and I'm already missing it!

What a difference a day makes!

...and I am one happy camper today to be feeling soooo much better!!   I try so hard to not let Fibro win me  over but then every once in a while, I really have a flare that simply refuses to let me win!!   Unfortunately, that was what it was like this time and happily it did not last too long!    But, it did ruin my plans for yesterday and that meant I had to miss out on Card Club, something I really love.  I did call the store and I know my packet will be there the next time I go in, but it's not the same as being there for the class and I know Kate had planned to teach some new techniques...which is a bummer, since I love learning new things.  Hopefully, I'll be able to figure out most things once I see the instructional sheet -- wish me luck!

   I started to feel a bit back to normal sometime in the afternoon and as soon as I did, I was right back at my craft desk making more Christmas cards.   These are my favorite cards to make and I sent a handmade card to everyone on my list, so it takes quite awhile to get them done.  I also make cards for Operation Write Home and those need to be done and shipped extra early, so I start on my cards pretty much in late August to get a head start.

    Today, because I am still not 100% I'm sharing lots of pictures, but a ton of details on each card.  If you have any questions or want to know more about any of the products and stamps I've used, please let me know and I'll be happy to share.  Most the my new products are from Hero Arts, of course and much of the inspiration for these cards came from the Holiday Card Workshop, as well as the Hero Blog, Kristina Werner's Blog and Jennifer McGuire's blog too.  I also find fabulous ideas over at the Hero Arts Flick Group and from all the gals who love Hero as much as I do!!

   This first card started with a cute little tree tag that I cut with Cameo using a file I bought at the Silhouette store and then added my own colors and patterns.  It was was inspired and created for the current "Bring on the Bling" contest being hosted this month over at the Hero Arts Blog.

   And next I have another card that was one I created in fun and whimsical theme for Thanksgiving.  I colored up this cute little turkey (a digi from Bugaboo Stamps), and simply picked out some matching papers from my Scrap pile to create a simple little card.  Now, I just need to get it in the mail soon and send it off to Brian & Meghan, who will be celebrating their first Thanksgiving in San Diego!   How I wish I was going to be there, but I'm planning to make my getaway later in the winter, and after the Holidays, when I'll have even more fun!!

   The next two cards were both inspired by the Workshop and also by a fantastic card that Shari Carroll created for the class.  I feel in love with the fabulous "Wire Star" Stamp and had to have it for my Hero Collection.   I colored mine with the Brand New Seasonal Distress Stains and added on some Ultra-fine glitter for extra sparkle.  I really see me using this stamp over and over in all kinds of fun cards.  I also submitted this card to the November Contest, both for the Bling theme and also for the dry embossing theme.

  I've come to realize the teal and Hero's Pool shade are fast becoming a favorite color for me.  Of course, Purple will always be first, but I really loves these shades and also love how well they go with Purple and Lavender too.   The wreath stamp is also from Hero and this was done with a variety of Distress Inks, which I inked directly to the stamps an then to my white card.  I added white Liquid Pearls and then was not sure what else I wanted.  I ended up simply making a simply bow from dyed Seam Binding and my card was done.  Very much a CAS card!

   My next card is another cute little snow person, also from Bugaboo Stamps that was also colored up with my Copics and more of that wonderful sparkling Glitter.   It's another very simply card and a style that I love...fun and happy!!

  Once I had those cards finished up, I went back to work on my Wall Art Piece, which I have now finished.  I only WISH I had pictures that truly show just how pretty this is.  I really LOVED taking this class and think this type of crafting is something I will continue to do.  I think this type of project could be a wonderful gift, and I had thought about giving this to my Mom.   But, since it's my very first piece and looks nice hanging in my Family Room - I don't think I'm ready to give it away!

  I do hope in time, I can learn how to make more of these wonderful pieces in a variety of themes, sizes and colors and I know with all the I learned from Lynette Carroll, I should be able to do something again!

  

  I have two more cards to share and both of these were cards I colored up this morning.  They also both feature brand new adorable digi images that were released by Lori Boyd in her online store yesterday.  I always LOVE Lori's wonderful designs and try to buy some from each of her releases.  This is a new bundle and if you do buy all four, you'll save money too!   You can find the set HERE over at By Lori Designs. 

  This first card featured "Candy Cane Jane" who I colored up in a variety of Pink and Pink Violet Copic Colors.  I then matted her onto a black mat, punched some black snowflakes to make a card all in Black, White and Pink -- One of my favorite color combos!!    

  And then there is this cutie, who is "Candy Gram Sam", but who in this particular I ended up coloring to look more like "Samantha" than Sam.   I actually think this image could be a boy or girl and looks great in whatever way you choose!!   It really wasn't until after I finished coloring that I looked up the name, only to realize I had turned Sam into Samantha -- Ooops!!  Either way, it's all about a fun card and for me, I went with some of my favorite colors!!  I sure hope Lori doesn't mind seeing "Sam" transformed on my card!

  And that is it for this post, I'm heading back to my desk to try a wonderful new idea that  Sandy Allnock (from Operation Write Home), shared today on Hero's Blog!   It's a very cool way you can color with Copics and create an awesome "Resist" look!!   Sandy's video is fabulous and I'm sharing it below, so you can take a peek and try it too!   If you love to color with Copics, this is a great tip and idea!!

Please bare with me....

.... Fibromyalgia has decided to take over my life these past couple of days.....!   Needless to say, I had to miss out on Card Club today and lots of other fun things I love.......

     But, I NEVER let it totally win !! -- I'm simply taking a little break -- catching up on some much needed rest and praying tomorrow will be a much better day.....

 

See you soon...............

Wonderful Workshops!!!

  I have had so much fun the the past couple of week and most of my time was spent creating.  I also took two fantastic workshops and had such a great time in both.   I am very happy to have completed another wonderful Holiday Card Workshop over at Jennifer and Kristina's awesome online card classroom.   I really LOVED this year's workshop--even more than last year, if you can imagine that.   I have to admit that I did fall behind, so I still will be spending lots of time in the classroom while I'm finishing up my cards for the season.  That's another great part of the workshop --- having lifetime access!!

  And on top of those two fun-filled weeks, I took an amazing "Wall Art" workshop yesterday at "Absolutely Everything" my LSS.   This was my first time taking a this type of workshop and it was taught by the very well-known Lynette Carroll, who's work you can see on her blog HERE!    Lynette has been a designer for the last several years and has an extensive and amazing resume'.  She has designed for a wonderful variety of companies including Graphic 45 and K and Company.  She has also visited and taught at AE, and many other store and venues worldwide.  Yesterday, she taught a morning session of fabulous cardmaking with multiple layers of gorgeous embellishments and in the afternoon she taught an amazing "Wall Art" project that she named.  It's a gorgeous Winter Scene and was created with and one that I'll have for a long time.   You can see a lovely of Lynette's wonderful piece on her blog.

   We spent 3 hours with her and learned so much about these amazing wall art creations that she loves to create.  We also all worked on our own project which is a 12" X 12" piece.   She provided us with every little piece, all pre-cut and ready to go, as well as all the detailed instructions on CD and a printable PDF file.  No to mention that each "panel" had it's own photo and was packaged separately with all the needed elements  making this really a joy to work on.  It's very clear that a lot of time and effort went into preparing the kits for each of the students and they are well-worth it.  If you have have a chance to take one of Lynette's workshops -- please do !  I'm sure you'll LOVE it and be equally impressed!  , along with lovely colored photos for each section of our piece.   We worked very hard on our projects and completed a lot of the major element, but also have lots of homework to do to finish our pieces.  I spend another couple of hours on mine today and have a couple of pictures to share!!   As you can see, I still have lots of do, but I found I LOVE this and this could be at type of crafting that I may really enjoy.  It's actually very relaxing and fun and the outcome is gorgeous.  I'm very excited about doing more of these types of projects and always enjoy trying and learning new things!!

      The photo does not show how pretty this really is and I hope when I have it all done, I can share some much better pictures!!  In person, you can see the layers and dimension so much better!   I'm so excited at how much I loved the workshop and look forward to working on this more again tomorrow.

     Once I had that to a place where I need to allow things to dry, I went right back to work on more Christmas Cards and my first card was one I created based on the newest Sketch over at OWH's Stars and Stamps Blog.  I am also including a copy of this week's sketch, for anyone who wants to play alone.  If you are done with you Holiday cards, (unlike me), then you may want to work on LOVE or Valentine cards, as that is the current need and theme for Operation Write Home.

Sketch #146

My Card

   As you might be able to tell, my little snow person is a Digi Image from Bugaboo Stamps and he was colored with my Copics.  I then matted him onto some black cardstock and found matching colors to cut for the rest of my card.   I love this fun style of images and have many snow people in my collection of stamps and digi images.

    My next card is another card in progress and at this point, it's a start of a card where I stamped on a wreath cling stamp (from Hero Arts) that I had inked up with multiple colors of green/teal distress inks.  Once it was dry I used some white Liquid Pearls (from Ranger) and added little white pearl accents to my wreath.  This is now drying and I'll likely finish it off with a simply bow and a sentiment - making it a nice little CAS style card.

  Next, is another fun Christmas Card that features another fun and whimsical digi image from Bugaboo Stamps.   Jodie has drawn these adorable monkeys in a variety of ways and I loved this cute little "skiing" monkey who has just wiped out.  Reminds me the the last time I went skiing, which ironically was when I sprained my neck.....way back in 1988.  And to think I had a slight little fall on the Bunny Slope.  Who would have thought that the injury from the day would end up coming back to haunt me and be a major course of my neck pain !  Bummer!!  Even so, this cute little guy, has a big smile on his face, pretty much like I did that day!   He also reminds me of a sweet little sock monkey that Brian had when he was little, and that makes this image and a very sweet and fond memory for me!!

   It was about this point, when I thankfully remembered that Kathy was hosting a Scrambe over at the HeroArts Flickr Blog and I headed on over to wait for the start -- at 3:30.   She had created two gorgeous cards and had a really fun, yet easy challenge.  ALL we needed to do was to create projects using a Hero Arts Background stamp, along with a border punch.

  I quickly hit my stamp area and picked out one of my large Wooden Stamps - Very Merry, which I inked up with Peacock Feathers and Evergreen Bough Distress Inks.  Then just before stamping, I lightly misted the inked area with a very find layer of Perfect Pearls Mist.  I stamped directly onto white cardstock and later realized, it would have look better, if I had used Watercolor Paper.  (One of those things you forget about, when you are "scrambling").   I then used my heat gun to dry my background and adhered it directly to a white card base.  Next, I grabbed another new WPlus9 - Stamp and Die set and stamped out the cut little Tree and Sentiment in the same inks colors.   

  I quickly uploaded that card to the Gallery and headed back to my desk with time to spare, to work on a second card.  I started that card with a new Hero Arts small background stamp -- Winter Trees that I had inked up with Lilac and Seedless Preserves Distress Inks.   I stamped that directly to White Cardstock, and then used a Square Nestie Die to cut it down to fit a window I had cut into the front of my cardbase.  (A fun new idea from the Workshop).  I layered my stamped image behind the window and added a simple sentiment from the new HeroArts "Greetings for the Holidays" set.  To add more sparkle I used more Liquid Pearls to add little hints of lavender sparkles in the trees.     I quickly took my picture and uploaded it to the site, when I then remembered that I had forgotten about using the Border punch!   Oops!!!  I did add the card to my Flickr Gallery, but did not add tag it for the Scramble since I had forgotten the border!   Even so, I had fun making it and love how the colors worked out, making it a card idea I know I'll sure again!!  This stamp was one used often in the Holiday Card Workshop and I'm very happy I now have it as part of my collection.

   And that my friends is it for today!  I'm now exhausted and ready to go to bed very early tonight.  I am also looking forward to another busy week on crafting and will be sure to add new posts, as I slowly complete new projects.  I'll be at Card Club at AE on Tuesday and that too, will be another fun and creative day.   I also need to get moving on my Christmas Shopping, but don't have any Wish Lists yet from my family?  Sure wish they would hurry up and make it easier for me!

Roasty Toasty....

  ...After being so cold all morning, I am very thankful that I now have a nice fire going in our wood stove and I'm finally feeling roasty toasty and warm.   Brrrrr!!  Was it ever cold her this morning with all the nasty wind and rain.  It was not any fun to take Scout out earlier and we both were very wet and cold after our morning outings....!  YUK!!

   Now that we are both comfy and warm, I'm very happy to be up in my craft room working on some more Christmas cards.  I am still having so much fun in the Holiday Card Workshop and so thrilled that I'm a part of the class.   Unfortunately, like all good things...the "Interactive" portion of class will soon be ending -- BooHoo!    The good news is that I have lifetime access to the classroom, videos and the PDF files, so I can go back to class at anytime, which makes it so wonderful!

  And on top of that I am super excited to have learned that Julie Ebersole, one of my favorite designers is going to be hosting another super fun Christmas related workshop over at The Classroom, on Ellen Hutson's website.  It's called "Christmas In a Flurry" and I have already signed up.  I was going to hold off, as I really need to focus on shopping for Christmas, but knowing this class has some gift ideas, that was enough to have me quickly enroll.  Plus, it's only $15 for early enrollment, making it so affordable   I just could not pass it up!!  For more details -- please head over to Ellen's site here!!   Julie is so much fun that there is not doubt this class will having me smiling and that's another awesome plus!!   WooHoo!!

    Once I signed up, I went right back to my computer and started my day by printing out some super cute digi images that I colored up with my Copics to use on some of my cards.  This first card is one I colored this morning and this cute Snowman is one of my favorites from Bugaboo Stamps.  

  This card was created and inspired by the new challenge over at Oozak, where the theme this month is "Winter Vibes" !!  And if you happen to LOVE sales, you'll want to head over to Oozak's store as there is a fantastic sale going on!!   Happy Shopping!!  Additionally, it is also being submitted to the current "Anything Goes" Challenge over at Bugaboo's Challenge blog!!

   My next card was also inspired for a new challenge and it's the newest "CAS(e) This Sketch Challenge", which started today at the new site!!   I am also including a copy of the current sketch and hope you will join me!!

  As you can see this is a very CAS style card and I started by picked up my patterned paper, with is from Echo Park.  I cut a strip to go across the front of my card and the flipped the same paper over and used a 1" circle punch to punch out the 3 white/blue circles to create my little "scalloped" look border.  I then picked out this blue card (from Hero Arts) and ran it through my Cuttlebug in this cool Polka Dotted Embossing folder by Lifestyle Crafts!   

   And next I have two card that were both created with a really fun die cut Tree that I cut using a file I purchased at the Silhouette Store.   Although this file in the store can be used to make it's own card, as it I wanted to add more color and did that in two different color themes.  The first was the color combo that is part of this current challenge over at "The Cameo Spotlight".   

Color Theme

Silhouette Store File

My Challenge Card

  After putting together that cute little card, I decided to make another one to submit to the Gallery over at the Holiday Card Workshop.  I again used my Cameo and the same fun file, but went with totally different colors and created this fun "Blue Christmas" card!!

    That's it for now...time for me to put another log on the pile and get ready to take Scout out for a little afternoon walk.   Now that the rain has pretty much stopped and the winds are winding down, I'm hoping we won't be soaking wet and cold, like we both were this morning!   Hoping this is our last storm for awhile and not a sign of a hard winter....UGH!!