First Twofer Challenge -- Friendship Card and Sympathy Card

Today is a good day because it is the first challenge for the Twofer Card Challenge.  You are to create two cards from the same stamp set and/or dies.  The cards are to be different and for different occasions.  You have to photograph your two cards in one photo.  Sound like something you would be interested in?  You can check it out here.

This is the first card I did and it has a friendship theme.  The stamp set I used was by Jillibean Soup and the feather die by Cuttlebug.  I'm also going to link this card up at Stamping Sensations for a Cold and Frosty Colors Challenge (blues, purples, silver and white).

My second card has a sympathy theme.  I used the same stamp set and feather die plus the same colors (I thought it would look better in the twofer photograph since they have to "share..")  ;)  This card is going to also join the challenge at Tuesday Throwdown of Layer It Up.

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps -- Jillibean Soup (jb1318)

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Cardstocks -- Recollections

Feather Die Cut -- Cuttlebug

Stitched Die Cuts -- Gina Marie Designs (Stitched Squares and Stitched Rectangles)

Label Maker & Tape -- Dymo

Baker's Twine -- The Twinery

Misc. -- Brads (Basic Grey), Sequins (The Paper Studio) and Foam Tape (Scotch/3M)

Java Merry Christmas Card

I have been wrapping presents today so it is definitely looking like Christmas at our house.  It has been fun using all the tags I've made the past few weeks to decorate the boxes.  I did manage to slip away to my craft room a few minutes though and make this card for the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.  I hope you are getting everything ready for the holidays and thanks for stopping by.

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

I'll also be linking up my Java Merry Christmas card at:

Muse: ChristmasVisions

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps -- Pink & Main (Sentiment and Cup) and Craft Emotion (Woman)

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Markers -- Staedtler

Embossing Folder -- Sizzix

Ribbon and Cardstock -- Recollections

Misc. -- Holly Sequins

For You Penguin Card

Today I have a photo tutorial for a card I did for day 12 at the 12 Days of Giveaways at MarkerPop.   I had an idea for a card with a scene using a penguin image I had by Pink and Main.  First I needed a tree and used my ScanNCut2 to cut a green cardstock die cut.  

After creating the green cardstock diecut, set it aside.  Next you need to make your white cardstock base.

I used a cloud stencil to make the background on the white cardstock.

I tore three pieces of white cardstock to put at the bottom of the card base to make it look like it had snowed.  I also cut a piece of brown cardstock so the tree would have a trunk.  :)

Next I stamped my images.  I thought I would be putting two penguins on my card but ended up only using one of them.  I colored the images using Copic markers.

Next I cut from red cardstock a word diecut using my Big Shot.

Then I assembled all the pieces of my card and used a white chalk marker to add details to the tree diecut.  Plus I used the white chalk marker to make it look like snow falling on the stenciled cloud background.

Next I applied Frosted Lace Stickles along the edges of the torn white edges and spread it with a Q-tip.  This gives the card some sparkle and looks like "ice."

I glued red, green and blue sequins to the tree.  I hope you enjoyed my little photo tutorial and thanks for stopping by during this busy but happy holiday season.  I am also linking my coffee penguin up at the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and Muse: ChristmasVisions.

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps -- Pink & Main(Penguin and Sentiment) and Stamplorations (Coffee Cups)

Ink Pads -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Markers -- Copic

Cardstock -- Recollections

Diecuts -- ScanNCut2 (Tree) and Lil' Inkers (Coffee Word)

White Chalk Marker -- Marvy/Uchida

Glitter Glue -- Stickles by Ranger

Misc. -- Sequins (Red, Green and Blue)

Reindeer Coffee Christmas Card

I got up extra early today to do a card for the Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop since I had to work.  I found the diecut sentiment at Miss Kate's Cuttables and used my ScanNCut2 to cut it out.  I lucked out since it was a freebie (I think today only).  I thought it would be cute to put the reindeer image sitting on a coffee cup.  I'm going to be linking my merry reindeer up also at:

Muse: ChristmasVisions (Festive Free For All)

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps -- Hampton Art (Mama Elephant/Reindeer) and The Paper Studio (Cup)

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Markers -- Staedtler

Sentiment Diecut -- Miss Kate's Cuttables

Cardstock and Twine -- Recollections

Sequins -- Hobby Lobby

Warm Wishes Coffee Tag

Winter Coffee Lovers Bloghop

12 Tags of Christmas With A Feminine Twist (Day 8)

The Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop started today.  What fun!  This will be my first "winter" one.   I used the sketch over at 12 Tags of Christmas With A Feminine Twist for the base of my tag. (I was inspired by all the pretty colors in both Lisa Adametz and Jill Foster's tags.)  I used a new stamp set by Pink & Main which is perfect for the winter theme of the Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.  Keeping this short as I have had a terribly busy day and find myself tired!!!!  Still don't have my tree up in the den but tomorrow is the day!  ;)  I'm anxious to get to wrapping presents too as I have all these pretty tags to use.  (The ones I did for 25 Days of Tags and now the 12 Days of Tags....there are going to be some pretty boxes under our tree!)  :)  I'm also in the mood to bake some Christmas cookies.....so many plans for the weekend!  Let's see how many things actually get accomplished.  ;)

TAG RECIPE:

Stamps -- Pink & Main

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Markers -- Staedtler

Patterned Papers -- October Afternoon (Gingham) and DCWV (Striped)

Die Cut -- Lawn Fawn

Twine -- Recollections

Misc. -- Holly Sequins and Red Round Sequins

Season's Greeting Tags

Instead of decorating my trees today, I headed to my craft room and made tags.  I did get the ornament boxes out of the attic so maybe tonight or in the morning....baby steps I guess.  :)    I'm having too much fun making tags for the 12 Tags of Christmas With A Feminine Twist over at Ellen Hutson's Classroom blog.  Today I was inspired by Julie Ebersole's tag.  I liked how she used a felt tree on kraft cardstock with baker's twine at the top of her tag.  I have always admired how white looks on kraft cardstock so I heat embossed my sentiments.  I cut small red felt trees with a Sizzix Framelit die.  Julie attached her felt tree on her tag by sewing. Since my felt trees were very small I decided to staple them on with Tim Holtz mini staples.  I topped each tree with a single green sequin.  I put a Christmas mix baker's twine in the top of my tags.  I cut too many trees and had a couple of white cardstock tags laying on my desk so made them up too with a green ink.  You can never have too many tags at Christmas. (My girls like to help themselves to my crafty works).  :)  These were simple to make but I really like how they turned out.  Thanks for stopping by this busy time of year and who knows I might have my trees decorated the next time you visit.  ;)

12 Tags of Christmas With A Feminine Twist (Day 3 -- Naturally Neutral)

Come and Get It Challenge (Christmas)

TAG RECIPE:

Stamp -- Jillibean Soup

Ink Pad -- Versafine and Clearsnap (Spearmint on the white tags.)

Embossing Powder -- Clearsnap (White)

Tag and Tree Die Cuts -- Sizzix

Felt -- The Stamps of Life

Sequins -- Crafts, Etc.

Baker's Twine and Cardstock -- Recollections

Mini Staples -- Tim Holtz

25 Days Of Christmas -- Merry Tree Tag

Today is day 24 of 25 Days of Christmas Tags (read all about it here).  For this tag I was inspired by Tracey McNeely's trees tag.  I used texture paste on a snowflake stencil and three torn paper strips at the bottom to add more "snow."  Thanks for stopping by on Black Friday.  Hope you have found some bargains!  :)

My merry tree tag is going to link up at:

25 Days of Christmas Tags (Day 24)

Muse: ChristmasVisions (89 Snow)

Craft Rocket Challenges (Christmas Is Coming)

Winter Wonderland (Traditional Colors/Red and Green)

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps and Snowflake Stencil-- Hampton Art

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Strawberry)

Texture Paste -- Ranger

Tag and Word Diecuts -- Sizzix

Tree -- Heidi Swap

Cardstock -- Recollections

Misc. -- Ric Rac, Baker's Twine and Sequins

25 Days Of Christmas Tags -- Tree Tag

Today is day 22 at 25 Days of Christmas Tags and it is filled with lots of fun tags for inspiration.  If you are a newbie like me, then read all about it here.  For my tree tag, I was inspired by two tags.  I loved how Vickie Dutcher used the corrugated cardboard with the texture paste.  I was also taken with the shape of the trees and bling on Lynne Mizera's tag.  So I combined  elements from both for my tree tag.  Keeping this short as I need to get back to cooking and cleaning.  Glad you could stop by for a visit....now you need to get back to your cooking and cleaning.  You know Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  Wink!

I'm linking my tree tag at:

25 Days of Christmas Tags (Day 22/Stamplorations Is Guest))

Muse: ChristmasVisions (89 Snow)

ABC Christmas Challenge (W for White -- The texture paste is "white snow.")

Crafting By Designs (Christmas)

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge (All About Christmas)

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps -- Hampton Art

Ink Pads -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black, Spearmint, and Cranberry)

Texture Paste -- Ranger

Glitter Glue -- Stickles (Icicle)

Cork -- DCWV

Cardstock -- Recollections

Jewels -- The Paper Studio

Sequins -- Pretty Pink Posh

Ribbon -- American Crafts

Misc. -- Corrugated Cardboard from a Box  :)

25 Days of Christmas Tags -- Four Ornaments Tag

Today is day 21 of 25 Days of Christmas Tags.  I cannot believe how fast this 21 days has gone by!  I guess it is true what they say about time flying when you are having fun.  :)  I was inspired by Carol Mayne's tags.  I liked how she stamped and colored her images.  I'll make this a short post as I need to be busy getting the house ready for Thanksgiving.  

CARD RECIPE:

Stamps -- Unity Stamp Company

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Markers -- Staedtler

Cardstock -- Recollections (Heavy Weight White)

Tag Diecut -- Sizzix

Ribbon -- American Crafts

Baker's Twine -- Recollections

Sequins -- MultiCraft Imports, Inc.

25 Days of Christmas Tags -- Stocking Tag

I didn't get to create yesterday for day 20 of 25 Days of Christmas Tags due to some unforeseen circumstances.  So I got up bright and early today and caught up on day 20.  I was inspired by Lindsey and Tracey's tags with stockings on them.  Instead of stamping a stocking like they did on their tags, I used a diecut stocking.  I decided to do it in classic red, white and black which always looks classic and clean.  I'm going to be looking for some red and white striped (or maybe polka dot) wrapping paper for this tag!!!!  Thanks for dropping by even though I know you are busy getting the turkey ready for Thanksgiving!  :)

CARD RECIPE:

Stamp -- Unity Stamp Company

Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black)

Diecuts -- Sizzix (Tag, Stocking and "merry")

Cardstock -- Recollections (White and Red)

Misc. -- Ribbon, Baker's Twine and Striped Sequin

25 Days of Christmas Tags -- Foxy Shaker Tag

I am participating in the 25 Days of Christmas Tags for the first time and I am SO excited!  If you are a newbie like me and want all the details, click here.  On day 6, I am inspired by Laura Pryor's happy holidays shaker tag.  I liked the shape of her tag.  It  reminded me of a tag die I have not used in a very long time.   I even had to get in my attic to find it which makes it seem like a new toy!   I also liked the shaker part of her tag and wanted to give that a try too.  I'm also linking this tag up at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge to make a Christmas gift tag. CARD RECIPE: Stamps -- Hampton Art (SCO717 Image) and Jillibean Soup (jb1127 Sentiment) Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black) Markers -- Staedtler Diecuts (Tag and Square) -- Sizzix Jewels -- The Paper Studio Twine -- The Twinery Sequins -- JoAnn's Stores, Inc. Misc. -- Foam Tape, Clear Acetate and  Hemp Cord

Sketch Saturday #488 Owl Card

It is time for another Sketch Saturday and today's sponsor is Lemon Shortbread.  This card is for Sketch #488 and my image is Owl On Branch (found here).  I loved working with today's sketch.  This is one that has unlimited potential.  The layout is perfect for a pretty image and sentiment plus the star element on the sketch could be a variety of things.  (I'm going to do this sketch with a snowman scene and put a snowflake where the star is too.  I'm full of ideas and not enough time!  Wink.)  This pretty and wise owl is going to be linking up to: Sketch Saturday

Dies R Us Challenge (#84 Anything Fall) Crafty Gals Corner (#147 Harvest Colors) Double D Challenge (Feeling Fallish) Little Red Wagon (Owl About Me) Cardz For Guyz (Remembrance/Sympathy/Thinking of You) The Fairytale Challenge (Not More Than 4 -- Sequins, Wood, Twine, Markers) CARD RECIPE: Stamp -- Lemon Shortbread (Owl On Branch) Markers -- Staedtler Triplus Color Cardstock -- Recollections (Kraft, Ivory and Rust) Rub-On Sentiment (Bazzill) Leaf Diecut -- Sizzix (659963) Round Wood Tag -- Hampton Art Sequins -- Hobby Lobby (Leaves) and Pretty Pink Posh (Navy) Glitter Glue -- Stickles by Ranger (Cinnamon) Twine --American Crafts Paper Crimper -- Fiskars Misc. -- Googley Eyes

Unicorn Sparkle Card

Little things make me happy like discovering a new (to ME) stamp company.   It is one of the companies at Lea's Crafty Comeback Party for Day 12 on her blog....Lea Lawson Creates.  The company is The Ink Road.  Where have I been?  Wink.  I am known by friends and family for my "snarky" wit (My daughter gave me a shirt for my birthday which reads...."If Only Sarcasm Burned Calories.")  So when I saw The Ink Road's designs I felt like they were designed for ME!  ;)  I have my eye on several of their sets!  When I actually read Lea's post for day twelve, I got even more excited because I have the chance to win some of their stamps.  A chance at winning is always a good thing because I am a "poor" college mom (here is where you feel sorry for me since my youngest is in college and gets most of our money....wink).    One of the ways to win is post a non-holiday card.  Using The Ink Road stamps is encouraged but if you don't have any then you can use another company's.  I don't have any YET so I created with what I have.  Lea's unicorn card  inspired me to get out a new unicorn set by Newton's Nook.  I also found out The Ink Road has a color challenge and I'm playing there.  It was definitely a challenge too!  I have NEVER used these five colors together on a card: navy, magenta, rust (this is the color which gave me the most trouble using with the other colors), gray and light aqua.  Here is where my unicorn will be sparkling: Lea Lawson Creates (Crafty Comeback Party Day 12/The Ink Road) The Ink Road Stamps November Color Challenge

Inky Paws Challenge (Sketch Below)

CARD RECIPE: Stamps -- Newton's Nook (Believe In Unicorns Set) Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Nautical) Cardstock -- Recollections Markers -- Staedtler Sparkle Pen -- Spectrum Noir Patterned Paper -- Echo Park Paper Company Border  Punch -- Martha Stewart Crafts Diecut -- Sizzix (660021) Hemp Cord -- Hemptique Sequins -- Pretty Pink Posh (Navy) Foam Tape -- Scotch/3M

Thanks and Giving Card

I have a fun shaker card to share  using Neat & Tangled stamps.  I love the big bold writing on the image.  With a stamp this size, I think it is nice to do clean lines and keep it simple.  I decided to do color blocking with cardstock plus create a small shaker rectangle at the bottom.  I filled my shaker with new seed beads by Jillibean Soup in a pretty orange.  When placed in the shaker box, they actually look like itsy bitsy pumpkins.  I also want to mention Lea Lawson"s Crafty Comeback Party going on at her blog Lea Lawson Creates.  I am happy Lea is sharing her crafty works again so go over and leave her some "love."   I made this card with her Neat & Tangled giveaway challenge in mind. This card will be "shaking" things up at the the following: Lea Lawson Creates (Crafty Comeback Party Day 8 -- Neat & Tangled Giveaway Challenge) The Paper Girls Challenge (Pumpkin Spice) Double D Challenges (Feeling Fallish) Cupcake Inspirations Challenge (#429 See Below)

CARD RECIPE: Stamps -- Neat & Tangled (Be Full Set) Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Mudslide) Markers -- Staedtler Triplus Color Cardstock -- Recollections Rectangle Die -- The Stamps of Life Seed Beads and Self Adhesive Sequins -- Jillibean Soup Hemp Cord -- Hemptique Foam Tape -- Scotch/3M

Home And A Cat Card

I wanted to stay home today and make cards for the Cat Lover's Hop.  You know a stay at home in pajamas day without leaving the craft room sort of day.....while the maid and the cook fetched and toted for me.  BUT I had a "real life" interruption to that daydream and had to work (and in case you are wondering about that daydream.....in real life I am the "maid and cook" at my house.  Wink.)  Oh well, I just got up an hour earlier and made a couple of cards.  This is my second card for the Cat Lover's Hop today.  When you are thinking about what you are going to wear to work plus all the things needing doing before you leave for work, etc....you opt for quick and easy cards.  I used a ephemera piece from a Graphic 45 package in their Raining Cats and Dogs collection and then stamped a sentiment and did some dry embossing.  I started to take a black marker and fill in an "s" after "cat" on the sentiment because you know no one is happy with just one cat!  Gasp....big wink!

I'm linking this card up to these challenges:

Cat Lover's Hop (Cat Themed)

Southern Girls (Crazy For Critters) Little Red Wagon (What's Red All Over?  Use red on you card.) Crafty Animals Challenge (Anything Goes) CARD RECIPE: Stamp -- Hampton Art (IC0315) Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Strawberry) Cardstock -- Recollectios Journaling and Ephemera -- Graphic 45 (Raining Cats and Dogs Collection) Embossing Folder -- Sizzix Diecuts -- Gina Marie (Stitched Square) and Sizzix Framelits (Heart) Wooden Heart Button -- Michael's Stores Inc. Hemp Cord -- Hemptique (Black) Sequins -- MultiCraft Imports, Inc.

Autumn Pile of Fun Card

I created another card this afternoon for the Cat Lover's Hop using a new Newton's Nook stamp set I got a few weeks ago.  The image I used was a relaxing one to color and I paired it with some patterned paper.  My leaf loving kitty is going to be stirring up fun at these challenges: Cat Lover's Hop (Cat Themed)

Tuesday Morning Sketches (see sketch below)

Sensations Challenge (Autumn Glory) The Rubber Buggy Challenge (Fall/Autumn and/or Halloween) CARD RECIPE: Stamps -- Newton's Nook (Autumn Newton Set) Ink Pad -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black) Markers -- Staedtler Patterned Paper -- Jillibean Soup Cardstock -- Recollections Diecuts -- Sizzix Border Punch -- Martha Stewart Crafts Sequins -- Jilllibean Soup (Round Orange) and Hobby Lobby (Leaves) Hemp Cord -- Hemptique

C Is For Cat Card

I am joining in on the fun again today at the Cat Lover's Hop.  After I watched Out of Africa last night, I was not sleepy and decided to make a card.  This cat image by Technique Junkies cracks me up with its funny cuteness.  The first time I saw it I knew it had to come to my house and "live."  This peeking kitty will be joining these awesome challenges: Cat Lover's Hop (Cat Themed)

Sunday Stamps (Sketch Fun) Just Us Girls (Color Week/Purple, Green and Black) Crafty Animals Challenge (Anything Goes) CARD RECIPE: Stamps -- Technique Junkies (Kitty Watching SD635) and Hampton Art (Sentiment) Ink Pads -- Clearsnap (Wicked Black and Grape) Cardstock -- Recollections Baker's Twine -- The Twinery Sequins -- The Paper Studio (Striped) and MultiCraft Imports, Inc. (Green)