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............................................

Another Snowman Card

Another Tim Holtz Snowman card!

And another card that I made for one of Blusky--Viv's swaps on SCS.  I really like this image and have also bought the matching embossing folder and hope to use that soon.......................

Image— Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection-Snowman

Cardstock— SU Real Red, Marina Mist, PTI White

Ink--Marina Mist

Accessories—Quickutz Snowflake, Red Brads, Red & White Ribbon

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing and Hoping Everyone has a Blessed Thanksgiving!

This is one of the two Thanksgiving cards that I made for Blusky--Viv's swap on SCS a few weeks ago.  I wanted to post a Thanksgiving card today and I just adore this sentiment.  I also really like Indian Summer Basic Grey Paper.


Image— Paper Inspirations Thanksgiving Calligraphy

Cardstock— SU Bravo Burgundy, Crumb Cake, Basic Grey Indian Summer

Ink--Bravo Burgundy

Accessories--Burgundy Ribbon and brads

Addison, the Shoveling Snowman Card

This is a card that I made for Karly’s Snowman swap on SCS.  I really like this cute guy.  I used white Flower Soft on the tassel of his hat and White Liquid Pearls as snow on the shovel and his boots.  I lined up the image over the Cuttlebug Season's Greetings background so the words Merry Christmas can be read on the top and Season’s Greetings are visible above the ribbon.

Image—Whipper Snapper Addison

Cardstock—Gina K White,  Fresh Asparagus, Chocolate Kiss

Ink—Palette Black

Accessories—Copics, Cuttlebug Season’s Greetings, Liquid Pearls-White, Flower Soft-White

Christmas card for November stamp club swap



This is the card that I made for our monthly stamp club swap—the theme for November was Christmas cards. I wanted to use some of the SU DSP paper that I have and am pretty happy with the layers and colors. I used a clear Spica Pen on the Ornament in the middle--it then turned kind of pink!

Image—Tidings of Comfort and Joy-Word Play by Stampin Up

Cardstock— SU Real Red, Very Vanilla, DSP

Ink—Real Red

Accessories—Punches, Vanilla Ribbon, Spica Pen-Clear

Dueling Darling Divas November Card------Thanksgiving and Gratitude-Plan A & B

This month I am the hostess for the Divas of the Dueling Darlings.  So, if you do not know, after 4 months, here is the scoop of who we are.  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!


So, as this months hostess, along with Michells for the Dazzlers, we decided on a theme of Thanksgiving and Gratitude. There was a twist again this month—you are to tell in your post who or what you are grateful this year.  I will add that part at the end.

You may have thought the twist was doing two cards--no!  That is just me.  As I completed the first card this weekend (while at a Retreat in Green Lake), I admired it, showed it to my friend Deb who was on the computer making a CM Storybook on her great-niece Kennedy and then realized I forgot the sentiment.  So, I created another card as I had additional supplies.  And, the Divas will state they probably also had lots of extra supplies--I sent them many choices.........................................

Plan A

Image—Horn of Plenty by Whipper Snapper

Cardstock—PTI Summer Sun, Gina K Ivory, Wine with Everything, Chocolate Kiss, Basic Grey Indian Summer

Ink—Palette Sienna

Accessories—Felt Leaves, Brown and Wine Brads, Copics, Orange fiber, Corner Rounder

Plan B

Image added--Stampabilities Bountiful Blessings
Accessories--Brown Ribbon

The November Twist--I am grateful for my health.  I have been trying this year to be better in getting in more exercise--I have joined a gym and even have become a part of a weekly Boot Camp.  I plan to keep my pledge going and continue to improve!

Now make sure to stop by to see what the other Divas have created with the kit that I sent.  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!   And,  be sure to read what everyone is grateful in this time of Thanksgiving!

which will bring you to the 7 Dazzlers Creations.   I hope you enjoy looking at our creations and the stories of our blessings......................

Kelly:

Joan:

Carol:

Barb:  You are Here!

Laura Jean:

Judy:

 Jamie:

And now for the November Duel! Please start here, at Jeanette's blog

Snowman for Karly's Swap

This is one of the swap cards that I made at a Creative Memories Scrapbook Retreat that was held at the Green Lake Conference Center. It was a great time, even though I did little scrapping.  I did work on a digital storybook for my brother and sister-in-law for Christmas.  The weather this weekend was pretty crappy, so it was fun to be inside playing..................................

This card is one I made for Karly's swap on SCS. I love her swaps as I get the best cards back.  This is the first time this guy got inky and I really like him!

Image—Printworks 2006 Special Edition Santa

Cardstock—Gina K White, SU Real Red,

Ink—Palette Black

Accessories—Gold snowflake brad, red  and white dotted ribbon, Copics and Cuttlebug Winter Wonderland Set-Snowflake

M & M Treat Bags

These are some of the M&M treat bags that I made last week for a craft fair.  These have been the rage on SCS recently and here is the thread--Click Here.  

The bags are from here G.T. Bag and the one I used is 1x8.  Here is a link to Angela's blog, which has a good tutorial on how to make them--Stix. 

I made 38 Thanksgiving ones with an older Hero Arts turkey stamp.  There are only 7 Christmas ones as that is all of the red and green M&M's I had on hand.  The blue ones have a snowflake tag.  I will start to look for the Christmas bags in the stores to hopefully make more of the Christmas ones.  There are three craft fairs this weekend that they are being sold at--the best news on Monday would be that they are all gone.

They are fun to make, but kind of tricky in getting the first one to lie flat in the bag--be sure to use the funnel that Angela shows for filling.  For the topper, use any type of tags.  I used large pop dots to hold the tags to the flap.  Some people have said the adhesive of the flap does not stay, so be sure to staple it and cover the staple with the tag.  I did not staple, but used a few pop dots to hold the tag, making sure one is one was on the fold of the flap.  The dots that I used are 3/4 or an inch and work great.  You will need 25 of the treats to fill each bag. 

I hope you try these and let me know what you think!

SOTC October 2010 Card--Nautical



This is for the October Sisterhood of the Traveling Card—SOTC—swap on SCS.  It is hosted this month by razzbearies—Twila.  The theme was nautical and I struggled a bit with it as I did not have any stamps to fit with the theme.  So, a shopping I will go—I found this at a LSS in Marshfield, WI when I was at a wedding a few weeks ago. It is a very small store, but I have always found unique stamps that I have not seen in other places.

Image—Stampscapes Light, Rocks & Water

Cardstock—Gina K Ivory, SU River Rock, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist

Ink—River Rock

Accessories—Red, Blue & Clear Rhinestone Brads, Red Ribbon

Forest's Mystery Image Challenge Swap Card

This card is for a Mystery Swap on SCS.  A group of us are doing a bi-monthly swap where we all use the same mystery image, sent to us by the hostess.  This swap was created by Forest Ranger—Jeanette and she is the first hostess.   The image she sent was from My Favorite Things  ~ Fred Bear Goes Camping.

This card was a lot of fun to create and I can't wait to get the swap cards back to see how everyone else used the same image.  And this week the new image is being sent our way and we get to do it all again! 



Image--My Favorite Things --Fred Bear Goes Camping



Cardstock--Gina K White, Chocolate Kiss, Fresh Asparagus, Bo Bunny Roughing It Road Signs DSP



Ink--Memento Black



Accessories--Nesties, Copics, Brown Brads, Illuminate Smooch (on marshmallow), The Great Outdoors Ribbon

May The Bounty Thanksgiving Card

This is one of the cards that I made for another swap on SCS.  Viv—Blusky hosts the best swaps and this one was for a Thanksgiving theme. I really, really like the Indian Summer Basic Grey Paper.


Image--Hero Arts May the Bounty


Cardstock--SU Cranberry Crisp, Early Espresso, Gina K Ivory, Basic Grey Indian Summer


Ink--Cranberry Crisp


Accessories--Brown Ribbon, Leaf Brads



Wings, Wings, Anything with Wings, Swap Card



This is one of the cards that I made for karly1020’s swap on SCS.  I have not used my SU markers in such a long time—had to get them out and start huffing……………..

Image--Stampin' Up Touch of Nature

Cardstock---Gina K White, SU Handsome Hunter, Brilliant Blue, SU DSP

Ink--Handsome Hunter, SU Markers—Handsome Hunter, Brilliant Blue, Basic Black 

Accessories--Blue Brads, Dimensionals

Witch Card for Ghoulfriends Swap



Kate--celestial_stamper on SCS, has an annual Ghoulfriends Swap and just love being a part of it.  I found these great Halloween paper clips at Hobby Lobby and thought it was perfect for this swap.  It is a bit hard to see as it is black with a black witch, but it is on the right side of the image.  The package had two others—a black cat and an orange pumpkin.  They only had three packs—wish there were more as they were half price!  I also used one of the newer Tim Holtz embossing folders—checkerboard.

Image--Stampabilities Flying Witch

Cardstock--Gina K Black, White and Violet

Ink--Palette Black  

Accessories--Sizzix Tim Holtz Checkerboard folder, Purple Ribbon, Halloween Witch Paper Clip

Halloween Card

This is one of the two cards that I made for mepylant--Melina's Fall/Autumn swap. I have used this image for a couple of swaps this fall and I think it will be one I will use for a bunch of Halloween cards.  I had better get going on them………  I saw a card similar to this in a LSS and love the pumpkin Smooch on the spiders.

Image--Memory box Halloween collage

Cardstock--Gina K Black, White, Orange, Basic Grey DSP

Ink-- Palette Black 

Accessories--Orange Brads, Pumpkin Smooch



Dueling Darling Divas October--Treasured Friend

Here is card #3 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 Treasured Friends.  The hostess this month is Carol, who sent us these great supplies!   There was a twist this month—you had to use a treasured recycled item on the card.  So, my mystery item is the blue binder clip that the ribbon is tied around. (just so you know--this clip is not a treasured item-I missed that part when I got the info-I read recycled and obviously skippd the treasured part--oh well)

Image— Whipper Snapper Ike & Mike go Fishin'

Cardstock—SU Night of Navy, Shimmery White, DSP that Carol sent

Ink—Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories—Nesties, Copics, Smooch Iridscent--on noses, White-Lt Blue-Navy Silver Edged Ribbon, Rhinestones-large & small, Scalloped edge punch, Snowflake/Brad, Blue Binder Clip.

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!!!!!!!

October Stamp Club Card--Fall Theme

This is the swap card that I made for our monthly stamp club.  The theme was Fall-Halloween-Thanksgiving.  I used my favorite SU set of all time--Lovely as a Tree!

Image— SU Lovely as a Tree, Thank You Kindly

Cardstock-- SU Early Espresso, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Sweet Pea DSP

Ink-- Kaledacolor Autumn Leaves, SU Early Espresso    

Accessories-- Nesties Labels 12, Orange Brads, SU Chocolate Chip ribbon, SU Modern Lable Punch, SU textured plate-diamonds



PTI Four of a Kind Swap Card



Today's post is a swap card for Banu's PTI-Papertrey Ink swap on SCS. I used the free PTI set that I got at CHA in Chicago this summer.  You got it free with a $100 purchase at their booth--not too hard to do with their awesome paper, stamp sets, ribbons and now die.  It was fun to shop there!

Image—PTI Four of a Kind

Cardstock-- PTI Spring Moss, Cream, SU Marigold Morning

Ink--SU Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron

Accessories-- Green Brads, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots, PTI Spring Moss Ribbon

Thanks so much to all of you who have commented on my blog--I appreciate all of your encouraging and positive thoughts!  I am sure having fun!!!!!



Winter Wonderland Card

Since this is my first post to my blog, it would be appropriate to have a card made for my favorite holiday--Christmas. Or maybe it is more of a season card for winter! This is a card that I made for Jen's Baby It's Cold Outside swap on SCS.

I love this stamp--it is one of the new Tim Holtz stamps. I really like the design on the body.

Image--Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz Collection-Snowman

Cardstock--SU Marina Mist, PTI White

Ink--Marina Mist

Accessories--Cuttlebug Snowflake, Let it Snow ribbon, Silver Snowflake brad

I hope you like this card and my blog that finally has something on it. I promise to post regular and there are some special posts coming the end of this week--hope you check back!