Fall Greetings

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

I have another fall card to share today. I have never sent out fall cards in previous years, but I have been having a lot of fun creating these fall-themed cards, so it may become a new tradition. The background paper is from Cloud 9 Design (Seasonal Paper Pad). The two corners are from I Scrap Designs (Big Frilly Corner). I added pen stitching and stamped a sentiment using K Andrew Designs' Art Stamps. A few gems were added using my i-rock. The maple leaf is from Sam & Hailey Designs (Itty Bitty Autumn Leaves) and has pen stitching and a Peachy Keen face stamp (Everyday Characters).




Challenges:

* VDBC Forum (Newsletter Challenge)
* Peachy Keen Stamps (Let's Face It Friday - Leaves)
* Whimsical Wednesday (Challenge: Fall Colors)


Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Scarecrow

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

Today I want to share a fall card I made to enter into a few challenges. The background paper is Bazzill cardstock. The sun is made from a file by Carrie's Creations, which I tweaked a bit to get the look I wanted. I gave the sun a face using a Peachy Keen face stamp (Wide Eyed Kids). I also added a bit of pen stitching. The fence is from a file by Butterfly Designs. I used the Distressed Stripes embossing folder and went over the embossed areas with walnut distress ink. I used small brown buttons to accent the fence posts. The scarecrow is from a file by Shirley Clark Designs. Isn't he adorable? I attached the pumpkin with foam circles for added dimension. I added the Happy Fall sentiment using my new mix-and-match stamp set from K Andrew Designs (Fall-O-Ween). Finally, I added a few more buttons under the sentiment.

Challenges:

* Peachy Keen Stamps (Let's Face It Friday - Sunshine)
* Paper Cutz Challenge (Challenge #110: Button Up For Fall)


Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Card - Peace

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

Christmas is less than 3 months away and, for those of us that send out handmade cards, that means it is time to get started on the Christmas cards (if you haven't already begun). Today I am sharing a quick and easy card I made. The background paper is from a DCWV Christmas Stack that I bought a few years ago. The paper already had the trees printed on it and I just added some colorful gems with my i-rock to look like ornaments. At the top I made the tag using a file from Jen Adkins Designs (Peace Bracket Tag). The word Peace was written with my pen tool. I used plain white cardstock and then combined red and walnut ink with a stipple brush to color the tag. Then I adhered the tag with maroon ribbon. This card came together really quickly and I am very happy with how it tuned out.





Challenges:

* Scrapalicious USA (Challenge: Peace)
* Sparkles Forum Challenges (Challenge #21: Something that Sparkles)



Thanks for stopping by!

Autumn Glass Block

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

Today I want to share a fun project I made a couple of years ago. This was before I had a blog where I could share my creations with the rest of the world. And since it is a fall-themed project, I figured I would share it with you now. I picked up a glass block at Hobby Lobby, one of the ones that already has a hole in it. I used cocoa brown Gallery Glass paint to give the block some background color. Using 2 files from Sam & Hailey Designs (Itty Bitty Autumn Leaves & Itty Bitty Trees), I cut the tree and title from vinyl and applied it to the glass block. Then I wrapped some lovely ribbon around the outside, tied into a large bow on top.






You can also put Christmas lights inside. Here is a photo of it lit up.




Decorating these glass blocks is a lot of fun. I have also made a couple of Christmas ones. I will share those when it gets a little closer to the Christmas season.


Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Balloon

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

I have a birthday card to share today. It is based on the current sketch challenge at Peachy Keen Stamps (Sketch 61). The background paper is from KI Memories. I used my Sew Easy for the two lines of embroidery floss on the left edge. The color is Twilight glitter floss. It is hard to tell from the photo, but it is really sparkly. The balloon is a sticker from EK Success. I drew in the balloon string and the pen stitching with my white Sakura Gelly Roll pen. The Happy Birthday sentiment is a stamp from Katie & Co. (I think it came from the $1 bin at one of the chain craft stores). I stamped it with white pigment ink and then embossed it with clear glitter embossing powder. Finally, I added some blue gems with my i-rock. And I didn't use my cutter at all! Can you believe it?






Challenges:

* Peachy Keen Stamps (Sketch Challenge 61)
* Celebrate the Occasion (Challenge #31: Birthday - Must Use Balloons)
* Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #34: Monochromatic)
* Sparkles Forum Challenges (Challenge #21: Something that Sparkles)


Thanks for stopping by!

Filekutz September Challenge

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

As you may know, I am on the Creative Design Team for Filekutz by LisaJane. She is currently hosting a challenge at her blog. You get a free file and all you have to do is make a project that uses any/all of the file. Great deal, right? Plus, the winner of the challenge will receive a wonderful prize (see photo below).

Here is a picture of the free Cut File offered for this month's challenge:

And here is a look at the prize package.

With all of that being said, here is my take on this month's challenge. The background paper is from KI Memories. I used the gorgeous frame that was part of the free file and cut it from two shades of blue mica/metallic paper. I also used another Filekutz file (Just Bee-Cause) for the cute bee and the sentiment. The sentiment is cut from vinyl. I added light orange rhinestones to the centers of the flowers in the frame and also created little rhinestone flowers using two shades of blue rhinestones.





I think it turned out pretty cute. What do you think? I am pretty good about remembering people's birthdays, but I may have to send someone a late birthday card just so I can use this card. LOL


You still have time to head over to the Challenge Blog, download your free file and enter the challenge. The deadline is Wednesday, September 28th.


I am also entering this card into this week's Birthday Sundaes challenge (Challenge #27: Belated Birthday Card).


Thanks for stopping by!

Halloween Ghost Card

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

I have a Halloween card to share with you today. It is based on a sketch over at Card Patterns. The patterned papers are all from a new stack I got at Joann's the other day (Cloud 9 Design Seasonal Paper Pad). Not that I need any more paper, but who can resist? LOL

The cute little ghost is from Sam & Hailey Designs (Halloween Collection). I added ribbon from Michael's along the bottom edge, just above the scalloped border. The black round gems and silver teardrop gems were all adhered with my i-rock. Have I mentioned how much I love this tool? I also added some pen stitching around both the black and orange ovals. The mailman brought me a great package today with my new K Andrew Stamps. One of the sets I received is the new Fall-O-Ween stamp set, which is where the Boo sentiment and the little bat and moon came from. Kristal's stamps are wonderful and she donates at least $1 of each set she sells to a worthy charity. How great is that? You get a fabulous stamp set and give to charity at the same time. Woohoo!






Challenges:

* Card Patterns (Sketch Challenge #133)
* Getting Cricky (Simply Sunday Challenge: Halloween)


Thanks for stopping by!

Wedding Shower Card

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

One of my mother's sisters has lived in Germany for over 30 years, and we don't get to see her and her beautiful family very often. My aunt, uncle, cousin and his fiance are currently visiting for 3 weeks. My cousin is getting married in the spring and wanted to introduce his bride-to-be to all of the family that won't be able to make it to Germany for the wedding. It has been wonderful to visit with them and this Saturday the family is throwing them a wedding shower. I wanted to create a special card for the happy couple and this is what I came up with.

It is based on a sketch by Aussie Caz for the September Sketch Challenge at Paperthreads. I made another card using the same sketch earlier this month, which you can see HERE if you missed it. The red background is embossed with the Hearts & Doves folder. To decorate the card, I used some great heart embellishments from Shelly's Art (Valentine Set). On the top border, I adhered heart gems with my i-rock. I used sheer ribbon along the left and bottom of the card and tied a little bow in the corner. I embossed part of the tag using a border from Just My Type. The Love sentiment on the tag is also from Shelly's Art (True Love Kit). I used more sheer ribbon on the tag. Finally, I added pen stitching using my white Sakura Gelly Roll pen and a red marker.






Challenges:
*Paperthreads (September Sketch Challenge)
*Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #34: Monochromatic)
*Anything Goes Challenge Blog (Challenge #50: Anything Goes)
*You Had Me at Craft (Made It Myself Mondays)





Thanks for stopping by!

Link Up Love Party with K Andrew

For my Big Blog Candy Giveaway, click HERE.

It is time for another Link Up Love Party with K Andrew. I just love participating in this link up party! It is a fabulous way to find new blog inspiration and get to know some of our fellow craft bloggers. It is amazing how many wonderful blogs are out there. Playing along with Kristal's Link Up Party for the last few times has allowed me to find so many great blogs that I follow and visit on a regular basis. If you have never joined one of these, give it a try. You will not be disappointed. And be sure to stop by Kristal's blog (Getting Cricky). She always has amazing posts with heartwarming stories, great craft projects and super giveaways.

One of the rules of the Link Up Party this time is to post our favorite project that has to do with Fall or Halloween. I couldn't decide on 1 favorite, so I will post 2 (a card and a layout). The first one is a card I made just last week. You can see the original post HERE. I am so pleased with how it turned out.




This next project is a layout I made of my son's first Halloween. You can see the details in the original post HERE. I haven't made very many scrapbook layouts (I am more of a card maker), but I love how this one turned out. And, of course, I love the photos of my son. Hard to believe those photos are from almost a year ago. Where does the time go?





I hope you can play along with the Link Up Love Party as well. Stop over at Getting Cricky for all of the details.









Thanks for stopping by!

Big Blog Candy Giveaway

I have finally gotten everything together so I can post my Big Blog Candy Giveaway. This is to celebrate my 1 Year Blogoversary (which was earlier this month). When I first started my blog, it was so I could have a place to keep a record of my craft projects. I wasn't sure if anyone else would ever read it. Here we are a year later and I have been having so much fun and I have reached over 100 followers. So I want to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than to give back to my wonderful followers, who always leave me such sweet comments and make my day a little brighter.


Here is what you could win. There are over 50 sheets of 12x12 Christmas patterned paper, stickers, rub-ons, distress crackle paint, brag books, chipboard letters and albums, Cricut markers, and more!




RULES:

* You must be a follower.
* Leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you.
* For an additional entry, spread the word. Post about my giveaway on your blog or in your sidebar with a link back to my blog. Leave another comment letting me know that you did this with a link to your blog.
* To earn even more entries, browse through my past posts and tell me what your favorite project is and why. I will give you 3 additional entries for doing this because I appreciate and value your time.


The giveaway will remain open until 11:59PM EST October 20th. I will draw a winner using random.org on Friday, October 21st. Due to the cost of postage, this giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. I truly appreciate the wonderful comments from my international readers, and regret that I cannot open this up to you as well.

***NOTE: If I hit 150 followers before the giveaway ends, I will throw in something extra as well. There is still a little room in the box. :-)



Thanks for stopping by!

Trick or Treat Halloween Card

Fall is here and that means Halloween is just around the corner. Today I have my first Halloween card to share with you. It is based on a sketch provided by Scrapalicious USA for this week's challenge. The challenge that ends in 40 minutes. I really need to start getting my cards done before the last minute of the deadline. :-)

Anyway, this is a 6x6 card made from orange cardstock. All of the patterned papers are from K & Company (Tim Coffey Halloween Paper Pad). The Trick or Treat title is from a file by Sam & Hailey Designs (Halloween Collection). The two pumpkins were cut out from one of the patterned papers in the paper pad and adhered with foam circles for dimension. Then I added some pen stitching with a black marker around the outside of the card.






Challenges:

*Scrapalicious USA (Challenge: Sketch)
*Getting Cricky (Simply Sunday Challenge - Halloween)
*Anything Goes Challenge Blog (Challenge #50: Anything Goes)


Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Tree & Leaves Card

Good morning! It is wet and rainy here this morning, but at least the temperatures are warmer than they have been the last few days. I have another fall card to share with you today. I don't generally make fall cards, but I own some wonderful cutter files and there have been some incredible fall-themed challenges. For this card, I layered Hot Off the Press patterned paper over dark brown cardstock for the background. Then I matted dark red cardstock (embossed with Forest Branches) on another piece of dark brown cardstock. Using a cutter file from Beloved Keepsakes (Colors of Fall), I added the tree and leaves. Finally, I used a gold gel pen to add some faux stitching.






Challenges:
*Love to Crop (Challenge: Fall Colors)
*My Craft Spot (Challenge #26: Fall Leaves)
*VDBC Forum (September Challenge - Fall)
*Paper This & That (September Challenge: Welcome Autumn)
*Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog (Challenge #62: Fall)


Thanks for stopping by!

Tall (or Long) Birthday Card

I have a birthday card to share today. Celebrate the Occasion's challenge for this week (Challenge #30) is to create a tall birthday card (or in this case, since I rotated it, a long card) that includes a present. The background paper is from my stash (I picked it up in a variety package at Big Lots and have no idea who it is from). It has a great glittery polka dot pattern (I have a feeling it is DCWV). I added a ribbon from Michael's. This is actually the backside of the ribbon. The front has some sparkly rhinestones on it, which I don't care for. On the dark orange squares, I used the Swiss Dots embossing folder. On the lighter orange squares, I used the Spots & Dots embossing folder. The birthday presents are all from a file by Sam & Hailey Designs (Itty Bitty Presents). They received some pen stitching, Stickles and various gems adhered with my i-rock. I attached all three gifts with foam squares for added dimension.









Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Fall Card

Hi, everyone! I am back with another fall-themed card today. The weather here today was cool (about 60 degrees), but nice and sunny. I guess I won't complain. :)

The background paper is from Recollections (Indian Summer - Seasons End). I used some ribbon from Michael's to create a lopsided frame. At the corners I added some orange rhinestones (self-adhesive ones - no i-rock today). The fall title and embellishments are from a file by Beloved Keepsakes and I created the Happy using the font Amelie. A bit of pen stitching on the leaves and around the letters was the finishing touch.




Challenges:

*VDBC Forum (September Challenge - Fall)
*Love to Crop (Challenge: Fall Colors)
*Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #33: Ribbon, Trim & Fibers... Oh My!)
*Paper This & That (September Challenge: Welcome Autumn)
*Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog (Challenge #62: Fall)


Thanks for stopping by!

Fall Pumpkin Card

The weather here has quickly turned cold, putting me in the mood to create some fall-themed projects. I have a card to share today that I am entering into a few challenges. It is based on a sketch by Peachy Keen Stamps. The background paper is something I picked up in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby (The Paper Studio - Fallen Leaves). I added a strip of DCWV paper from the Fall Cardstock Stack which I embossed with the Forest Branches embossing folder. I layered two ribbons (the brown is from Colorbok and the red is from Stampin' Up) to cover the seam. Some square gems were added with my i-rock. I cut out a few leaves using a file from Jen Adkins (Fallen Leaves). I used a postage stamp frame that I bought from Accents by Eddita. I used that to frame my pumpkin (a freebie I picked up from Ducky's Designs quite some time ago). The pumpkin received a cute face from the Wide Eyed Kids Assortment (PKS). Finally I used my white Sakura Gelly Roll pen and a black marker to create some pen stitching around the frame and on the leaves.







Challenges:

*Peachy Keen Stamps (Challenge #60: Sketch Challenge)
*Love to Crop (Challenge: Fall Colors)
*My Craft Spot (Challenge #25: Happy Harvest!)
*Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #33: Ribbon, Trim & Fibers... Oh My!)
*Paper This & That (September Challenge: Welcome Autumn)
*Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge Blog (Challenge #62: Fall)



Thanks for stopping by!

Celebrating 104 Years. Wow!

My husband's grandmother is turning 104 next weekend. She is a remarkable woman, living on her own up until she was in her 90s, then living with my in-laws until going into an assisted living facility a couple of years ago. Her health has been declining steadily and her mind is starting to fail her, but she still has some amazing stories to tell. A truly incredible woman - one of God's treasures. So today I want to share the birthday card I created for her.

The challenge over at Birthday Sundaes this week is to create a criss-cross card. I have been wanting to make one of these for awhile, and I thought this would be the perfect occasion to try it out. I used a cut file from Sam & Hailey Designs for the card. (I had the cutter file in my stash already and just hadn't gotten to it yet. I am trying to start using all of the wonderful cutter files I have accumulated over the years, instead of just collecting them to use sometime "later".) The patterned papers are all from K & Company (Classic K McKenna). I used a ribbon from my stash and added some pink gems with my i-rock. A couple of flowers from my stash were adhered with a brad from Creative Charms. I then stamped a Happy Birthday sentiment from Stampin' Up with my Cranberry ink pad and applied clear glitter embossing powder. It was punched out with an EK Success scallop punch and adhered to the card with foam circles.





Here you can see the tag pulled out from the card.





Challenges:
*Birthday Sundaes (Challenge #26: Criss Cross Birthday Card)
*Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #33: Ribbon, Trim & Fibers... Oh My!)


Thanks for stopping by!

Post It Note Box

Today I have a quick and easy Post-It Note box to share with you. I used a file from Christy's Cuts over at VDBC. The box is cut from blue cardstock and I added pen stitching with my white Sakura Gelly Roll pen. Around the perimeter of the box I added letter stickers from KI Memories (Yellow Alphablox Cardstock Stickers) and a red circular gel sticker (no idea where this came from). On the top of the box I added a cute pencil cut file from My Scrap Chick. I used a Peachy Keen face stamp (Everyday Characters) on him and used my Scor-Pal to add lines to the metal part of the pencil. Finally I added a few pencil stickers from Provo Craft (Simply School Bitty Stickers). This can hold up to 3 Post-It Note pads.




Here is a side view. I adhered the pencil guy with foam circles.



Challenges:
*Peachy Keen Stamps (Let's Face It Friday - Back to School)
*Crafting Misfit (Show and Tell)
*You Had Me at Craft (Made It Myself Mondays)






Thanks for stopping by!

Die Cuttin' Divas Sketch Challenge

I have a card to share today that I made for the sketch challenge over at Die Cuttin' Divas. I didn't use my cutter at all for this card. My husband is watching a movie and asked that I not disturb him with my cutting. Being the loving wife that I am, I obliged. :)





The background patterned paper is from K & Company and the plain red/pink paper is something I picked up at Staples years ago. I love the glimmer it has. I used my corner rounder punch on all the corners, including the card base. The swirls are Bazzill Chips Chipboard Flourishes. I inked them with True Red pigment ink and then embossed them with Candy Apple Red embossing powder. The ribbon is from my stash (from Joann's, I think) and I used some brads (also from my stash) to attach it. The sentiment is from K Andrew's Food for Thought stamp set. I used my Creative Memories oval template to cut the oval and I used my white Sakura Gelly Roll pen to add the pen stitching. Finally I added some white glitter gems to the flourishes and some rhinestones to the corners (all using my i-rock).


Sorry I haven't posted the details on my Big Blog Candy Giveaway yet. My weekend was super busy and I haven't had a chance to get everything together. I promise to post the details before the week is over.


Thanks for stopping by!

Anniversary Card for the In-Laws

My husband's parents are celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary later this week. Here is the anniversary card I made for them. It is based on a sketch by The Pink Elephant for Challenge #115. The background paper is from K & Company. The rest of the paper is from my stash. I used my Plum Blossoms embossing folder on the red rectangle. The birds, birdhouse and hearts are from Sam & Hailey Designs (Itty Bitty Love Birds). I added some pen stitching around the birdhouse and the hearts. The smaller heart is adhered with a foam square for dimension. The heart gems and other rhinestones are adhered with my i-rock (my new favorite tool!).





Thanks for stopping by!

Another Grandparents Day Card

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day and I wanted to make a card for my son to give to his grandparents. I started with a little paper doll that I found for free at Quilling Patch. I gave him a cute Peachy Keen face stamp (Everyday Character set). I used a white-core blue cardstock for his pants and sanded it a bit to give the look of denim. The background paper is from My Mind's Eye. I added some colored gems to the circles on the background paper with my i-rock. The sentiment is made from the font Baby Kruffy and I added some pen stitching around the letters. Finally, I made a picture for the boy to hold. I cut out a frame from brown cardstock and then used my Scor-Pal to make lines in the corners and went over the lines with a black marker. Then I drew some artwork to mimic what my son might draw (I even used his crayons). I would have had him draw it himself, but at 20-months he can't draw on that small of a scale. :) I put foam squares behind the boy's hands and adhered the picture with foam squares as well so it looks more like he is holding it out from his body. The inside just says Happy Grandparents Day, which was made with the same font as the front of the card. It turned out cute and I am sure the grandparents will love it.






Challenges:
Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #22 - Grandparents Day)



Thanks for stopping by!

Grandparents Day Card & A Winner

Sunday is Grandparents Day and today I would like to share the card I made for my grandmother. The card is based on an incredible sketch by Aussie Caz, which she was kind enough to share for the September Card Sketch Challenge over at Paperthreads. The papers I used are all from K & Company. I used my i-rock to attach the green, blue and silver gems (the border is made using a template that came with my i-rock). The tag has a large silver eyelet at the top and I added some blue and green ribbon to it. The sentiment at the bottom of the tag is from K Andrew's Positive Thoughts stamp set. The poem is something I found online.





Here you can see the card with the tag pulled out.




And here is a closeup of the tag.





Challenges:
Paperthreads (September Sketch Challenge)
Celebrate the Occasion (Challenge #29 - Grandparents Day)
Party Time Tuesdays (Challenge #22 - Grandparents Day)
Crafting Misfit (Show & Tell)


And now for the winner of last week's Blog Candy . . . Pam (craftycards4u2). Congratulations, Pam! Send me an email with your mailing address and I will get your prize right out to you. I will be posting details on my Big Blog Candy Giveaway (to celebrate my 1-Year Blogoversary) sometime this weekend so be sure to check back.


Thanks for stopping by!