There's Magic in the Air

Here's my sketch for the challenge over at http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/ Nothing like getting in under the wire >< Happy (belated) Thanksgiving! This week's image by Nina is in anticipation of Christmas. For the challenge we were to incorporate something fuzzy. I lurked over at Curt's blog and decided to try following his very thorough instructions for using colored pencils and odorless mineral spirits. Not nearly as fabulous at Curt - but I tried. For something fuzzy I used some faux flower soft on the Santa hat. I used my new bulb stamp as corner accents. Thanks for looking!

MMSC 28

This card is for the challenge over at http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/2009/11/midnight-madness-week-28-mmsc28.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email
I used the MMSC 28 sketch and gave Frosty a home. The snowflakes in the corners were cut with the Cricut and painted with Shimmerz for extra effect. Thanks for looking!

There's Magic in the Air

Nina came up with the cutest digi this week over at: http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/ You can just imagine him flying by on the ice. Kim's challenge this week was to use something reflective. So after looking at everyone's card - I loved Nina's with the foil, and planned to scrap lift it. Plus I happen to have foil, so my husband was happy I did not go buy something. I colored the penguin with Prismacolors. I used flower soft on the brim and ball of the hat. The foil was cut out with a scalloped oval Nestie, and embossed with a Cuttlebug Divine Swirls Embossing Folder. This card is extra special because Maddox helped make it. He woke up at 5 AM this morning (does not bode well for our full day, but...) he wanted to craft and he sponged ink all over the background and he did a wonderful job of setting the scene for a cold, blustery, wintery ice skating experience.

More Blog Candy

Check out Claire's blog candy over at: http://clairebsd.blogspot.com/ She has some great stuff in there, so check it out

Blogging is addictive

When I first started this blog - I thought it would be a once in a while thing, to share LO's I made. That quickly turned into the cards I make, and the new challenges I find (btw - thank you for all the new techniques I have picked up from these blog-hopping visits, and all the inspiration you all provide, and how welcoming you have all been!) Blogging creeps into my thoughts, and is pretty time consuming. I check my blog all the time to see how many hits I have and if there are any new comments (thank you so much for all the kind words, they make me so happy!) I check out the blogs I follow and the blogs those people follow. I even wake up a few minutes earlier to see if "anything" excited happened in my blog & extended blog world.
So, a big thank you to all the people who stop by, and a big *hug* to all who leave a comment, I see blog candy in someone's future.

Blog Candy

Patti at http://cherisheachpreciousday.blogspot.com/2009/11/celebrating-with-candy.html has a huge load of blog candy she is giving away. She left me a great compliment on my TMITA card for this week, and gave me the hit - so paying it forward. Check it out!

MMSC # 27

I used the sketch from http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/ for this card. I used blue cs that I sponged with white and silver ink, the picture doesn't really show it though. I painted the lily with frosted lace stickles, and the angel wings with shimmerz and then pop dotted them on a darker piece of blue cs. I cut the swirls from SCAL with my Cricut. A little ribbon and the MS loop punch to finish it off. I made this card for the Anderson Family - Sarah is a fellow scrapper and her 3-year son recently passed away. I do not know Sarah, but learned of her loss on another blog, and wanted to pass along my sympathies. I cannot imagine what she must be going through.
Someone on SCS is accepting cards for her:
The Anderson Family
1130 Oak Street
Martinez, CA 94553

Blog candy give away

Check out http://www.craftangeldanielle.blogspot.com/ for some blog candy. Danielle is celebrating her birthday with a gift for visitors/followers of her blog. Happy Birthday Danielle, and thanks for the opportunity

There's Magic in the Air

Nina over at http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/ once again generously donated a digi "Elegant Pumpkins" for this challenge. The image can be multi-colored, but the card should be monochromatic, and white, black or grey can be added. I went with shades of brown. I colored the image with prismacolors and then used my leaf nestie to cut out the shape. Mounted it on an embossed circle in a dark brown. The background paper is from Debbie Mumm. I added some brown & white polka dot ribbon adorned with 2 tan leaves punched from an EK Success punch. Thanks for looking.

MMSC # 26

I am just getting in under the wire for MMSC # 26 over at http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/
Paper is from Debbie Mumm, leaves are from a Fiskars squeeze punch and an EK Success punch, I ran the red paper through my Cuttlebug, and the squirrel is from a blog I visited (http://dustinpike.blogspot.com/). His site often offer free digis, and they are very cool. I tried to incorporate lots of fall colors and themes - and the nuts are very cute. I love his chubby cheeks!

Thanksgiving Pot

Sorry I haven't posted lately, I have been crafting just running out of time to take pix and upload. Here is one of my Fall pots. There is a scarecrow, a nut Maddox picked out, some red leaves (my favorite) that Rileigh picked out, and a turkey I made. I painted a large styrofoam ball brown, the feathers are large popsicle sticks, eyes are black beads, gold wire for beak, and pipe cleaners for legs. In the background you can see part of the Cinderella pumpkin the kids picked out. It's hard to believe it is November as it is in the high 60's today.

There's Magic in the Air Challenge

Check out http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/ Nina has another great free digi. The cornucopia is great for Thanksgiving cards. Nilla came up with this week's challenge to use buttons with the image. As I was uploading I realized I only used one button. But I did decorate the button. I curled copper colored wire through the button holes. I love the curly ques - I just wish they didn't get smooshed in the mail.
This time of year reminds me to be thankful for all the great things in my life, and to let go of the little things. BTW Jeff thank you for cleaning up the yard this weekend - it looks great!

Halloween treats

These are the spiders I made for us to hand out to trick or treaters. The circles are made with a 2" scallop circle punch. The legs are punchd from a photo corner punch (2 colors layered). Googly eyes were glue dotted to the top circle. A York Peppermint Patty is sandwiched between another scalloped circle. (You can use any kind of circular candy)

Midnight Madness #25

Another Christmas Card - using Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge # 25 (check it out at: http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/) Colored with Prismacolor markers. I inked the edges of the aqua circle with white ink and added a little Shimmerz to give it a little something special. I really love Shimmerz (my favorite color is Angel Wings). The product comes in a little jar and paints on to give a little sparkle. Snowflake brads and a slim silver ribbon complete the look.

Midnight Madness #24

Here is my submission for Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge #24. I am making Christmas cards for my Mom, so Mom here's one you will see again in a few weeks. I used lots of sparkly background papers (DCWV Glitteres Christmas Mat Stack). The holly leaves were cut from the Cricut "Christmas Cheer" cartridge. I cut and embossed a Nesties scalloped circle. This design was hard for me, I've struggled with it for a week, but I really like how it turned out.

Cuttlebug #54 Challenge

http://thecuttlebugspot.blogspot.com/ Color Challenge: use Purple, Green, and Black

I used the same digi stamp I used the other day from: http://lostinpaperscraps.blogspot.com/
I just love this Frankenstein image. Colored with Prismacolor markers. I cut him out using Scallopped Circle Nesties, embossing the purple layer. A little purple and black ribbon to top it off (or bottom it off in this case- haha)

There's Magic in the Air Challenge

Another challenge from: http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/

Nina gave us another great digi - and it is very Fall inspired. I used my square scalloped nesties mounted on some sparkle paper I got for free at Archivers last year. (sorry the picture is not very straight)

Halloween Costumes

Rileigh is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz and Maddox is Storm Shadow from GI Joe. We had a kids Halloween party and everyone had so much fun!

Maddox's Halloween card

Maddox made this card - he used the Cuttlebug Spiderweb embossing folder. We made the spider with a large scallop circle punch and photo corner punch (complete with gold fangs). I used the MS spiderweb border punch - at Maddox's direction, and he put some bug stickers on the web for the spider to eat.

Two more Halloween cards

I found this free digi over at: http://lostinpaperscraps.blogspot.com/ Isn't he the cutest! Colored with Prismacolor markers, cut out with a scallopped circle Nestie. The background paper is Debbie Mum Harvest & Holiday. I picked up the ribbon at Hobby Lobby, and the stamp is from a set Rileigh received last year from Christmas. Rileigh actually picked out the ribbon and stamped the settlement. She does love the Cuttlebug, so she cut out Frankenstein too.

Another free digi - this adorable witch was found at: http://pixieduststudio.blogspot.com/2009/10/free-digi-stamp.html

Methods and materials are the ame as above.

Amazing Blog Candy Opportunity

Check out http://going-buggy.blogspot.com/ she has an awesome blog candy giveaway - two offerings: one for US people and 1 for UK people. She has unique items offered for the US you could win items only available in the UK and vice versa - very cool.

A quick thank you card

I threw together this quick thank you card to send to the US Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown (Thank you MKCS Tim Owens). We worked on a project with him at work, and I asked if he had anything he could send to me for my Grandpa (retired USCG). I was sent a hat, mug, and commermorative coin. I really think my Grandpa will like them, I plan on seeing Grandpa tonight. I wanted to pass on my gratitude for the items, and thought I could write a letter, but I have all this really fun Fall paper, so the Coast Guard gets a nice card. The paper is from a $1 pack picked up at Target. The pumpkin, punched with a Fiskars squeeze punch, is embossed with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, the center leaf is a left over from yesterday's project, but perfectly recycled to adorn this card. I stamped "thank you" on a tag and affixed it atop a strip of brown satin ribbon. Funny thing - this post seems to be taking longer than making the card itself.

There's Magic in the Air Challenge

Another free digi offered by Nina at http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/
This week's challenge involves using the digi "Harvest Geese" (perfect for the season) and using pop dots to make an element 3-D to "pop" I colored the image twice and I opted to pop dot the whole fence, the 2 pumpkins in the forefront, and as Nina mentioned in her blog ;) the goose on the right. I used my newly purchased Nestabilities to cut out the image, used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on the background, and as finishing touches a strip of ribbon (purchased last year at Target in the dollar bins) and 2 leaves (punched using a Fiskars squeeze punch).

Midnight Madness Challenge

I am participating in another challenge over at http://priscillastyles.blogspot.com/
MMSC23. I made a card for Cooper for Boss's Day (Friday October 16th) He likes John Deere tractors, so I thought putting an image of one on his card would personalize it for him.

There's Magic in the Air Challenge

Another fun challenge over at http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/
Nina offered a fabulous digi stamp - isn't he cute!
Besides using the digi stamp the challenge also required using a 3-D coloring element.

I opted for Stickles on the pumpkin in the Ghost's hand and on the grass at his feet. I tried something a little different and put some raffia behind it (like hay). Enjoy!

Cutlebug Spot Monochromatic Challenge #52

This challenge was hard for me - I am not used to only using one color - but it was fun to try. I picked green because I have been waiting to try out this monster file I got, and I am sure Maddox will enjoy it. I used both Prisma color markers and colored pencils - the colored pencils aren't as dark as I would like, but it is all green.

Carving Pumpkins

We carved the pumpkins we selected today.

Rileigh wanted a ghost that says "Boo" and Maddox picked a Bugaboo. We all worked together to carve the pumpkins. They turned out great!

Pumpkin Patch

Today we went to Didier Farms to pick pumpkins. First we went on a hay ride (and ate Apple Donuts), then through the corn maze, enjoyed the petting zoo, and then picked pumpkins. It was pretty cold out - but thankfully we had hats and gloves.

Here are some pictures, we just finished carving the pumpkins - so I'll share those later tonight.

$250 Shopping Spree Opportunity

I just found this great offer at: http://scrappingcottage.blogspot.com/2009/08/win-250-shopping-spree-at-scrapping.html
Who doesn't love to shop - especially with free money - check it out (and the blog, lots of people post their creations there - lots of inspiration)

Cartridge Giveawy at mypinkstamper.com

Check out http://www.mypinkstamper.com/
Robyn is giving away an opportunity to win the Pink Journey cart. Thanks Robyn (& Provocraft)

There's Magic in the Air Card Challenge

To further join the internet world, I am participating in my first card challenge. I found it at: http://theresmagicintheair.blogspot.com/ Nilla created the challenge "Mouse Candy" and gave a free digi stamp. The challenge was to use the digi stamp and the colors orange, black, and one additional color. I diverted from the challenge a little in that I use more colors (yellow, greens, and brown) than I was supposed to, but the mouse if very cute - and I did include some candy

Recent LO

This LO includes pictures taken at Foley's Pond. We went there so Maddox could catch frogs, and in the end we all had the most fun blowing bubble so the kids & Lila could chase and pop them. Lila would actually jump into the air trying to "get" them - she would jump really high, but unfortunately I could not snap pictures fast enough while she was in the air. A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

and more Halloween Cards

Spider is from Doodlecharms. Used the MS Spiderweb border & corner punch - bat & spider are pop-dotted on



Spider is from Doodlecharms - Maddox helped me to Stickle the eyes red. The web is a Cuttlebug embossing folder


Three spiders - Doodlecharms (using the border feature) MS drippy goo punch, also some spider ribbon




Dog is from Paper Pups, MS spiderweb corner punch, paper is Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday




Paper is Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday, cauldron is Doodlecharms, the witch legs are an SCAL download - I think I got them off the Craft Edge forum - but I am not positive on that one

More Halloween Cards

Pumpkin is from Stretch Your Imagination - pop dotted on Cuttlebug Embossing Pumpkin Harvest Embossing Folder

















MS Star border punch on the top & bottom, a flying with clip art, on Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday paper, with a little sheer yellow ribbon

My first use of a digi stamp! This was a free download (I am sorry I don't remember from where, I will try to find the site though). Layers on green cardstock on top of Debbi Mumm Harvest & Holiday, with green sating ribbon, finished off with 2 star brads

4 pumpkins punched with a Fiskars Squeeze punch (I really like these, they make conserving paper so easy), paper pieced to give some dimension, the "vine" was made with a wavy paper cutter. The paper is Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday

Some Halloween Cards

Ghosts made with Fiskars Squeeze Punch - covered with Shimmerz, and used MS Drippy Goo punch at the bottom.







3 Pumpkins sitting on a gate: 3 pumpkins made with a Fiskars Squeeze Punch - hand drawn expressions, little googly eyes, the gate was created with DS (using George) the moon & stars are from Paper Pups.


3 more little pumpkins sitting on a gate: also punched using a Fiskars Squeeze Punch, hand drawn smiles and googly eyes, stars from Paper Pups, Stickled the full moon, added a strip of ribbon.

Bats punched with an EK Success punch. Paper is Debbie Mumm Harvest & Holiday. Bottom strip made with MS Star border punch.

Fall Cards

Some Fall cards I made - I used lots of paper scraps. I bought I cute leaf punch over the weekend (Punch Bunch) and used it quite a bit on these cards. I have been trying out some new techniques, most scrap lifted from other blogs I have visited. I have also picked up some tips from mypinkstamper.com

Leaves are from the Punch Bunch paper punch. I scraplifted this card idea from a card I saw at Stamp Scrap & More in Libertyville - very nice LSS, paper is a scrap left over from last year - purchased at Archivers





Paper is from the Dollar bins at Target, used MS loop border punch. Cornucopias digi stamp colored with Prismacolor markers














More leaves from the Punch Bunch punch, paper is again from the Target dollar bins









Leaf is from a Fiskars squeeze punch - all the rest is from scraps (pattern paper bought last year at Archivers) ribbon purchased last year at Target (in the dollar bins)

Paper is from the Dollar bins at Target, scarecrow is digi stamp colored with Prismacolors, leaves are from a Fiskars Squeeze Punch (used glitter paper from a DCWV mat stack)