Friday, November 28, 2014

The Card Concept #24: Snowman

Hello, friends!  I'm back again to play along with the current challenge at The Card Concept to make a snowman card/tag.  The Card Concept Design Team also paired up with Tracey McNeely's "25 Days of Christmas Tags" and shared a TON of amazing snowman cards and tags.  Wow!


This time around I decided to just go with a snowman card using a free digi by Jane's Doodles and a sentiment and background stamp by Hero Arts.  Love this DCWV glitter paper...isn't the lilac color pretty? I think this fits the "Clean and Layered" style.


That's it for me today...thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Thursday, November 27, 2014

The Card Concept #24 - Snowman (Tag)

Hello, friends!  Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating today!

Today I'm playing along with the current challenge at The Card Concept to make a snowman card/tag.  The Card Concept Design Team paired up with Tracey McNeely's "25 Days of Christmas Tags" and shared a TON of amazing inspirational tags...be sure to check them out!


I don't have any tag dies (gasp!) so I attempted to make my own using a Spellbinders die.  After I made it, I decided to make it a "tag card."  Isn't this snowman digi image by Birdie Brown (Torico) adorable?  It was colored with Copic markers and paired with an old Hero Arts sentiment.  I believe this follows the "Clean and Simple" style.


I have a feeling there will be plenty of entries in this challenge...snowmen are very popular this item of year!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Judy

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Caring Hearts Card Drive & SSS Wednesday Challenge

Hello, friends!  I sent in my set of cards for the Caring Hearts Card Drive and figured I share some pictures before I forget.  You might be interested in reading Vera's post HERE so you can find out how wonderfully it is all going!  This is the last week to be able to send in cards...and remember, there are lots of prizes up for grabs!

In my mind, the biggest reward is knowing your cards bring happiness to those in need of a smile.  :)


I'm going to enter these two cards in the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge "Anything Goes."



And...



It is raining/sleeting/snowing here and we are all now home from school and work as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday and long weekend.  Ahhh...I love being home with my family!

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you know how much I appreciate your visits!
Judy

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

CASology #123: EAT

Hello, friends!  I hope you're hungry, because it's time for our next cue card at CASology!

Our sponsor this week is Add A Little Dazzle, so be sure to check out all the details at the CASology blog.

When I think of the word EAT, I can't help but think of this awesome stamp I have in my stash for Thanksgiving cards (by Inkadinkado).  This funny image makes me smile every time I see it!  I'll be giving this card to my husband's aunt and uncle who are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this coming Thursday.  I know we'll be having turkey, but this poor fella has to make one last plea!  I can't blame him, after all.


What does EAT bring to mind for you?  Be sure to link up your card by noon on Monday (Central time). You will also be inspired by the many ways our Design Team and Guest Designer interpreted the cue this week...but beware, you might get hungry!

Guest Designer: Conil

I am linking this card to the final "Say Yes" Recipe Swap at Catered Crop.  I'm sad to see it end, but I appreciate all of Linda's hard work...it was fun while it lasted!

I'm also linking this card to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge blog where the theme is "Thanks/Thanksgiving."  (I did stamp a "Happy Thanksgiving" sentiment on the inside of the card!)

To all my friends in the U.S., I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday!
Thanks for visiting,
Judy

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

CASology #122: FLAG

Hello, friends!  Wow, what a fun, festive week we had at CASology last week!  Now it's time for our next cue card!


I took a break from making holiday cards in order to make a CAS "Any Hero" thank you card to send in with my donation of cards to Operation Write Home.  With Thanksgiving quickly approaching here in the U.S., I thought it would be fitting.


The heart flag and sentiment are from a retired Sweet Stamp Shop set.  I fussy cut the heart flag and popped it up for some dimension, adding ultra fine glitter to the stars and stripes.  After doing so, I remembered that glitter is a NO-NO at OWH...oops!  I'll likely make another one with no glitter and save this card for a family friend who is currently serving overseas but will be home in a few months.



I'm sure you will all take this cue in many different directions...I can't wait to see where it takes you!  Be sure to link up your FLAG card by noon on Monday (Central time).  Check out the inspiring cards at our Design Team and Guest Designer blogs, too!

Guest Designer: Anita

As always, thanks for visiting!
Judy


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge #6

Hello, friends!

I'm stopping by today with a card I made while playing with my "early-Christmas-present-to-myself" stamp and die set from Simon Says Stamp called Reason for the Season.  I am so thrilled to have a nice stamp set that depicts the true meaning of Christmas.  Just beautiful!

I'm also thrilled to be able to play along in the Simon Says Stamp Flickr Challenge #6 in which the theme is die cutting.  So glad that my stamp and die set arrived when it did!  I have been meaning to play along with this challenge for some time now...and Barb does such a wonderful job moderating them each week!  Be sure to check it out HERE for all the rules.


I stamped a heavy piece of kraft-colored cardboard with a Hero Arts woodgrain background stamp, then die cut the manger.  I popped up the outline section so it would add some depth to the scene, although it is hard to tell in my photos.  I also added some raffia as hay/straw.  Even with all that, the card is still relatively flat for mailing purposes.


I adore this stamp and die set.  It reminds me of the Willow Tree figurines like this one:


Thanks for stopping by today, I do appreciate your visits!
Judy

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Word Art Wednesday #158 & Catered Crop Gratitude Attitude

Hello, friends!  This is my second post for the day.  I'm happy to be able to play along once again with both the Catered Crop "Gratitude Attitude" Recipe Swap and the new Word Art Wednesday #158 "Anything Goes." 






I used the current word art file provided by Word Art Wednesday because it is such a beautiful verse and expresses a beautiful attitude of gratitude.  

That's it for me tonight...have to post before the Link-Up closes!
Thanks, as always, for stopping by!
Judy

The Card Concept: Two Krafty Santas

Hello, friends!  I'm stopping by today with two cards I made for the current The Card Concept Challenge #23: A Krafty Christmas.  Who could resist after seeing THIS?


I made a decision this year regarding my Christmas crafty wish list.  Usually I made a long wish list and order items for my husband to give me for Christmas.  Then, it happens every year...I am overwhelmed with the new haul of goodies I receive on Christmas and I can't do anything with them!  Ugh!  I definitely do better in small increments.  SO...I ordered a few Christmas stamp sets that I want for Christmas, but I already got them and have used them.  (I will give them back to my DH to wrap up for me if he must, but honestly this worked out so much better for me!)

Some people might like to be surprised, but not this Capricorn.  I have control issues, I admit it.  Surprises are not for me. :)

One of the sets I HAD to have before Christmas was this cute set (by Torico/Birdie Brown) at My Favorite Things called Jingle All the Way.  Those Santas are so FUN!  I made two "Clean and Layered" cards using the kraft theme and my fun new stamps:


I love using ultra fine glitter on Santa's furry hat:


I also used a glitter gel pen but it isn't as sparkly:


I hope to make many cards with this fun stamp set.
I appreciate your visit...thanks for stopping by!
Judy  

Friday, November 14, 2014

Two Tags...into Two Cards!

Hello, friends!  In my last post I shared two tags I made for the current CASology challenge where the cue card is "FESTIVE."  Well, I mentioned that I don't have any tag-shaped dies, mainly because I don't really use tags that often. So, I decided to take my two tags and make them into cards!

I must admit, I adore this Santa image from Jane's Doodles.




Here they are together...they went from this:


to this:

Just figured I'd share...I'll likely be sending these off in my package of cards for the Caring Hearts Card Drive.  Cards are due soon!


Thanks for stopping by!
Judy

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

CASology #121: FESTIVE

Hello, friends!  Welcome back to another cue card at CASology!  This week we are sponsored by STAMPlorations, so be sure to check out the details at the CASology blog.

But, wait!  There's more!  This week we are also participating in Tracey's "25 Days of Christmas Tags!"  You can find all the details -- including details about the prizes to be won -- at Tracey's blog HERE.  Get this: you have an additional chance at winning one of her prizes by leaving me a comment on this post!


The CASology Design Team members were all invited to make a tag for this week's challenge.  I have to admit I don't own a single tag die, so I got creative with the dies I do have and made two tags for the occasion.  Both tags use a digital image I bought a few years ago from Jane's Doodles ("Santa Peace") and I made it a little smaller so it would fit on my tags.  Note that, in case you don't like digital stamps, there is now a clear stamp set at Jane's Doodles featuring this image along with other adorable images (called "Mr. & Mrs. Claus").  I also used ultra fine glitter on Santa's fur and Glossy Accents on the glasses and the mug for some extra shine.

Here is my first tag using Lil' Inker's stitched rectangle dies:



Here is my second tag, using an ornament die by Spellbinders:



Here they are together:


I also plan to enter my tags into the current Addicted to CAS Challenge #51: Tag.

Note that you don't have to make a tag for our CASology challenge, but maybe you want to give it a try?  Maybe make a CAS tag and put it on a card?  There are so many possibilities!

Now it's your turn to get FESTIVE!  Be sure to enter by noon on Monday (Central time).  Come see what the Design Team and Guest Designer shared this week, too!

Guest Designer: Laura
Thanks for visiting,
Judy

Monday, November 10, 2014

Catered Crop & Virginia's View: Thank You

Hello, friends!  Just sharing a quick card I made today using some new stamps and a plain store-bought thank you note from Michael's...I love buying these 8-packs for $1.50 and then stamping on them!  The gold metallic embossed sentiment is so pretty!

I'm entering my card into two challenges:


and



I used a new (to me) stamp set from Precious Remembrance Shop ("Fall Colors" found HERE) and spritzed various distress inks to get a watercolored effect.


 See the metallic gold sentiment? Shiny and pretty!


Here are the supplies I used:


Thank you so much for stopping by.  Have a great day!
Judy

Friday, November 7, 2014

Word Art Wednesday & Catered Crop: Give Thanks

Hello, friends!  I found some time to play along at two challenges today.  Both challenges involve thankfulness and gratitude...perfect with the Thanksgiving holiday quickly approaching here in the U.S.  I am entering my cards in both the Word Art Wednesday Challenge #157 - Anything Goes challenge and the Catered Crop "Gratitude Attitude" Recipe Swap.



I used the free Scripture word art file provided this week at Word Art Wednesday; it is the perfect Scripture passage regarding an "attitude of gratitude."

Version one of my card used a larger (3") print-out of the word art.  I used two of the same DCWV patterned cards from my stash -- perfect for this time of year.  



Version two used a smaller (2") print out.


I used a glitter pen to highlight the edges of the dies as well as around the flower centers on the first card.  It just adds a little extra fun, especially when the light catches it!


I do hope you will check out both challenges this week...they both have some beautiful entries for your inspiration.

Thank you for stopping by...I am grateful for your visits! :)
Judy

Thursday, November 6, 2014

The Paper Players #220: Vintage Thank You

Hello, friends!  I'm stopping in on a rainy, dreary day here in New Jersey to share a card I made for the current Paper Players Theme Challenge #220: "Vintage."


Those of you who know me realize this is not my usual style.  However, I immediately thought of a pretty patterned paper I have in my stash that fit the challenge perfectly, and I do love to use up goodies in my stash!

The paper I used for my card is from the My Mind's Eye "Lost & Found - Blush" 6x6 paper pad.  The pattern and colors of the paper (along with the butterflies, pearls, and lace border punch) all say  "vintage" or "antique" to me!


This is my first time playing along with The Paper Players...and I have a feeling it won't be my last.  It's fun to reach outside your comfort zone every once in a while!

Thanks for visiting...have a great day!
Judy

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

CASology #120: SEA

Hello, friends!  I had such a great time visiting your blogs to see all the GHOST creations last week at CASology...you made it very hard to pick a winner!  I was amazed at how creative you get even when you don't have stamps that fit the cue card.  Well done to all who played along...and thank you!

This week at CASology we take the cue card in a different direction.  We are once again sponsored by the wonderful Cindy B Designs.  
      

I decided to make a masculine birthday card...can never have enough of those in my stash!

Stamps by Inkadinkado (Patterned Sailboats) and Papertrey Ink (Signature Greetings)

I can't wait to see what this week's cue card means to you!  Be sure to link up your card by noon on Monday (Central time). We hope you'll check out the Design Team blogs as well as our Guest Designer's blog and play along!!


Guest Designer: Kate

Thanks for visiting,
Judy