April's Mystery Swap for Forest Friends

This is the second Mystery Swap that was first organized by Jeanette.  All of the participants of this swap are ladies who are in her Forest Swaps.  This time, April sent the images to Jeanette, who in turn sent them to us in our return package with the last forest swap.  We all use the same image and this time an added item--some printed tape that April included.  The cards are then swapped by April and we get to see how others used the same image.  It has been a great time and I hope will continue for a long time..................................

Image—Anya in the Spotlight from the Greeting Farm, SU Perfect Punches

Cardstock—SU Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink

Ink—Palette Black, SU Rose Red

Accessories—Copics, Cuttlebug Daisies, Printed Tape, Chocolate Chip Button, Oval Punch

Dueling Darling Divas December Card--My Favorite Things

Here is card #4 for our Battle!

What are the Dueling Darlings?  We are a group of friends that met on SCS, travel in each other's swaps and have taken a new twist on crafting to "duel"!

We, the Dueling Darling Divas, have one image/card kit to work with and the other half, the Dueling Darling Dazzlers, have a different image/card kit with the same theme! The object is to see what we came up with using this theme, what stamp was picked and how the divas/dazzlers created with it!

The theme this month is My Favorite Things.  The hostess this month is Laura Jean, who sent us these great supplies!   Isn't this a cute image?!  Thanks LJ for making it easy to make such a cute card.  She also asked us to write in our post some of our favorite things--so here goes:  my hazelnut latte made at home every morning, snowshoeing in fluffy new snow, the Christmas Season, making my friends laugh, my flower gardens--especially lupins and lilies, a glass of wine with a great meal, and of course my family, roomie and SCS friends! That's enough for my list.....................


Image—Inky Antics Sliding Sweetie, Warm and Cozy

Cardstock—GKD White, Lipstick Red, Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black and Red

Accessories—Sizzix Basic Grey Frost, Copics,White Ribbon, Rhinestones, Silver Snowflake Brad

Now make sure to stop by to see the other Divas ladies and then your final stop will be a link to take you to see what the Dazzlers created!  We are a big group of 14, so this might take awhile ~ and this is just a friendly joust ~ no winners, certainly no losers! Just a craftin', loveable group of friends taking on a monthly joust at card making!

Kelly:

Joan:

Carol:

Barb:  You are Here!

Laura Jean:

Judy:

 Jamie:

AND--now for the DUEL! Please start here, at Jeanette's blog which will bring you to the 7 Dazzlers' creations.

I hope you enjoy looking at our cards this month!  Thanks for joining us!!!!!!!

Birthday Blues

This card is not for someone who has the blues because it is their birthday--it is a swap card to use hues of all one color..................... 
So, I am on a roll in getting swaps out this week and even have the December SOTC swap card done.  This month’s hostess is Donna and the theme was to use any color and various hues of that color.  I love blues and wanted to do another card that was more masculine.  I think the Cuttlebug Tartan Plaid helps to make it manlier.

Image—SU Block Party

Cardstock—Gina K White, In the Navy and Baby Blue Blue

Ink—SU Night of Navy

Accessories—Cuttlebug Tartan Plaid, Navy Ribbon and Navy Brads

Yet Another Snowman Card

Another Snowman Card?  Why yes, I have many snowmen stamps and November’s SOTC swap theme on SCS was Snowmen, hosted by Debbie on SCS.  This guy is too darn cute;  I love his rosy cheeks and his round top hat.  I placed the image over the Quickutz Christmas Phrases background and many of the words can be read around the image.

Image—Heartfelt Creations Snowmen Melt Your Heart

Cardstock—SU Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Gina K White,

Ink—Palette Black

Accessories—Copics, Quickutz Christmas Phrases, Red/White Ribbon

Another Snowman Card for a Swap

This is another snowman card that I made for Blusky-Viv's Snowman swap on SCS. I really like the Stampin Up color Brilliant Blue for snowman cards---too bad it is retired!

Image— Northwoods Rubber Stamps-Frosty Nights, Penny Black Hooray Snow

Cardstock— SU Brilliant Blue, GKD White

Ink—Brilliant Blue

Accessories—Sizzix Snowflakes 6, Silver Snowflake Brad, Blue & White Ribbon, Punches

Forest Friends Swap--Noble Deer Birthday

This is a card that I made for Jeanette’s Forest Friends swap on SCS.  Forest Ranger has some of the best swaps and her threads are the chattiest in the swap forum.  Each of her swap threads typically go to the limits and a new thread is started—this swap is on thread #3.  Love her swaps and love her too!

Image—SU Noble Deer, Sincere Salutations

Cardstock—Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, SU-DSP Welcome

Ink—Cajun Craze

Accessories—Cuttlebug Diamond Plate, Oval Punch, Black Brads, Black Ribbon

What have I been doing since my last post?

Many of you know that I have spent the past week putting up the Christmas decorations, known in our house as "The Transformation!" I started a week ago, on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  The main tree is a 10 foot tree that comes in four sections and that is the first thing that I do every year.  I also spent part of last Sunday at the local garden center with the third section getting the fuses replaced as none of the lights came on--thank goodness they were able to fix it that day and within an hour.   It has hundreds of ornaments on it--handmade ones, those we have gotten on trips, family pictures in ornaments, many I received as gifts from students while I was a teacher, and some that are more than a hundred years old from Germany.  I also put up an additional 20 more trees--all except three have lights and/or ornaments.  Most are themed and there is one in every room in the house, including all three bathrooms and one on the front porch.

Here is the main tree in the living room:

These are some of the themed smaller trees on the main floor of our house--a Wisconsin Badger one--complete with roses this year, a Green Bay Packer one and a silver tree filled with sports ornaments

 (I am a retired coach and high school Athletic Director)

Next, is a vintage tree with antique ornaments and bubble lights, the purple/silver one in the bedroom and a metal tree with Boyd's Bear ornaments.

Here is a picture of the garland with lights, Santas and our stockings on the mantle

Here are two of the very old ornaments on the main tree that were my mom and dad's and came from Germany

Onto the family room in the basement.  Here is the red/white/blue tree, the farm tree and the Germany tree:

So, as you can see, Christmas has arrived.  It takes about 3-4 days to complete the decorating and always happens the week after Thanksgiving, as we have a holiday party the first Saturday in December.  So, last night we had 15 people enjoy some good food, good beverages and good times.  Tomorrow, I get back to crafting and will have some cards to post this week.  I hope you have enjoyed looking at these photos and a stroll through the house............................................