Pattie's Creations & Card Crafter's Circle

Yep - it's another "2 challenges for 1 post" today!  If you're looking for Card Crafter's Circle please head to the bottom half of the post.

Friday's bring challenges from Pattie's Creations Design Challenge and this challenge couldn't be more timely for me here in Ohio since we have snow...and are expecting a ton more tomorrow.  The theme this week is "Snowy Scene Within The Image".  You just have to check out Pattie's images because she has amazing winter scenes...and my favorite ones are the snow globes!  I chose to use Winter Cottage Snow Globe.  I colored the image but then just thought it had to have some sparkle so I added Stickles for the snow.  I'm usually not a glitter type person but when it comes to Christmas cards I love it.  And gee, I think overall I'm finding a fondness for that sparkling look.  Here's how it turned out:

 

Remember when joining us at Pattie's Creations Design Challenge you can enter two times for each challenge and your card must always have an image.  While you're not required to use one of Pattie's images, we do love seeing them used. :)

I'm also submitting this card for:

• Creative Moments - Winter Wonderland
• Simon Says Stamps - Let it Snow

Next up is is more glitter!  LOL!!  This week at Card Crafter's Circle the theme is "Golden Days - Use Gold".  One of the designers is actually the sponsor this week!  How neat is that??!!  Sara Sherlock has some very cute images....one of which I used was "Bells".  Of course after I colored them - and even used my gold metallic pencil - I thought it needed some sparkle.  LOL!!  So out came the gold Stickles and I went a little crazy with them.  This was the final result:

I'm also submitting this card for:

• Word Art Wednesdays - Anything Goes
• My Heart Pieces - Sparkle

So there it is - two great challenges to take part in - and both can be used for Christmas cards - because if you're like me - you haven't even started addressing them yet....gee, I sure hope I have enough.  LOL!!  Thanks for stopping by today and I pray that you have a very blessed day and Merry Christmas!!!!

Twist of Faith & {PIN}spirational - 2 for Tuesday!

It's "Two for Tuesday" time again!  If you're looking for the {PIN}spirational challenge, please head to the 2nd half of this post.  :)

Twist of Faith has a very timely theme this week:  Traditional Christmas!  What does that mean?  Well, it can mean anything you want it to mean!  Do you have a Christmas tradition that you do every year?  Or is there an ornament that you hang every year?  Or maybe it's traditional Christmas colors...or a trip you take every year.  I decided that I would interpret "Traditional Christmas" as the true meaning behind Christmas - Celebrating the birth of our Savior.  

Our sponsor this week is Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps & More who provided our Design Team with not only wonderful images, but even Guest Designers!  Be sure to not only visit Twist of Faith and participate in our challenge, but also to check out the wonderful Christmas images that Robyn's Fetish has....because they are having sale that is running through December 31st - 40% off ALL inventory!!!  WOW!!!!!!  It's a great time to pick up some new Christmas images....and any others that are on your wish list.

I used "Christmas Scene 1" for my card and colored it with Spectrum Noir markers.  I wanted to keep things a bit "rustic" so I used kraft color cardstock for the base of the card and found some brownish type dsp to go along with it.  Add a couple buttons and one of my favorite verses and this is what I ended up with:

I'm also submitting this card for the following challenges:

• Created with Love - Anything Goes
• Loves Rubberstamps - Anything Goes Christmas
• Tuesday Throwndown - What Christmas Means to You 
• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Use it Tuesday - Winter & Holidays

 Next is {PIN}spirational Challenge.  As you know, we have a picture that is our inspiration and this week the picture is one of my favorite embellishments - BUTTONS!  

 

 We have two great sponsors this week:  Bugaboo and Scribble & Scrap.  I used "Sewing SB Thread" from Bugaboo.  I love Bugaboo images and guess what?!  They are having a sale too!!!!  Check them out because all images are 50% off through December 31st!   I decided to use pencils to color the image and used some stash items to finish it up.

Be sure to stop by Twist of Faith and {PIN}spirational Challenge this week!   Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today - God bless you!  Merry Christmas!!!!
 

Eureka Stamps #69 - Step Card (Center or Side)

"OH NO" or "NO WAY"....that was screaming in my head when I saw what this weeks challenge was going to be at Eureka Stamps!  Don't get me wrong - I always love seeing step cards...they are so neat!  But I had NEVER attempted one myself.  And believe me when I say that I was in no hurry to try them because I'm such a basic person and new things scare me.  But alas, I figured I would have to come up with something.  So Saturday I sat down at my craft table and and had my laptop with me with the instructions on how to make one (I used the instructions on Split Coast Stampers) and gave it whirl.  

The image I used was digi17103 Three Candles.  I colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  I used a jade green color for the greens around the candles but the color didn't photo well.  Since the DSP I used had some yellow in it - I decided to use a light color base.  While I was happy with the end results on the front....you should see the back!  There are score marks on the back of the card too.  LOL!!  But I must say that I really enjoyed making it and will certainly make more step cards in the future!  So my lesson for the day:  don't be afraid to try something new.  Here's the end result:
 

Does the idea of making a step card scare you?  Or have you made so many of them that you're a pro?  Or do you fit somewhere in between?  Come on over to Eureka Stamps this week and play with us!!

Have a great week and blessed Christmas season!!  Thank you for stopping by and spending a few minutes of your day with me.

Crafty Gals - Christmas decor....and sad farewell

I'm late...I'm late...for a very important date!!!  The week slipped away from me and I missed the 5th of the month posting for Crafty Gals.  Maybe I was just forgetting on purpose because I didn't want to face the fact that this will be the last Crafty Gals post I'll do since the group will be disbanding at the end of the December.  I'm so sad....yet completely understand why the group is ending.  I've been able to get to know these AMAZING women who are not only wonderful paper crafters - but just great ladies who have a very special place in my heart.

Since this is December, Melina (our leader) asked us to post either our Christmas cards or Christmas decorations.  My cards aren't done yet...UGH....so can't post them.  But we did put out a tree last weekend.  About 5 years ago we gave away our tree and decorations because we just didn't have room to store them.  We decided since we didn't have kids at home we just wouldn't decorate.  That worked out well for the last few years.  But this year Christmas dinner is at our house - my mom is coming over.  I told her this year she is just sitting back and propping her feet up for Thanksgiving and Christmas - that I would do it all.  That meant we had to get a tree.  So off we went to buy a small tree and decorations.  Russ' favorite color is blue...so when I saw the blue and silver ornaments I knew our tree had to be blue and silver with white lights.  We still need to get a topper....but when we put it up the first time it looked great!  Yes, you read that right...the first time.  About a half hour after we put it up, our kitty decided to get in the window and when he did he got tangled in the tree & lights and jumped down taking the tree with him.  So yes, we had to put the tree up again.  It didn't look as good the second time because I didn't redo the lights and ornaments...just sort of set it back up and hoped for the best!!!   We will not only get a topper, but buy another set of ornaments so that there will be twice as many ornaments.  Here's the second time set up (without the extra ornaments or topper yet):

 And now - here in Ohio - it's snowing so it's really beginning to feel and look like Christmas!!  I wish you and your families a very Merry CHRISTmas!!!!  Presents are fun and decorations are beautiful....but don't forget to reflect what the real meaning of this beautiful season is all about.  Blessings to you!!!!

Card Crafter's Circle challenge #104 - Celebrations

It's the season to celebrate!  Celebrate family, friends, Christmas, the birth of our Savior.  I just love this time of year (although here in Ohio I could deal with different weather - it's snowing right now).  Ah, but along with the weather of snow comes snowmen!  So this week for the Card Crafter's Challenge of "Celebrations" I decided to embrace the snow and use "Snowman Wreath" from The Doodle Garden for my card.  I wish I would have added some glitter to the snowman to make him glisten, but then don't we always wish we had added one more thing.  LOL!  But overall I'm pleased with how the card turned out. 

 
Come on over to Card Crafter's Circle and play along this week. You can celebrate anything - a Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas, or just life itself.  Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!!  And Merry Christmas!!!!

Twist of Faith #66 - Baubles & Bells

Christmas is in full swing for me - making cards, decorating, buying gifts.  We have already received 2 cards too!  Gee, I need to get mine done and in the mail.  Since I'm in Christmas Card production, the theme at Twist of Faith this week - Baubles and Bells - helped me get a few done.  How about you?  Need to do a few more cards?  Why not join us this week?  Our sponsor is Digi Darla Designs - who has some AMAZING Christmas themed digis!!  I used "Christmas Bell" and "Because You Mean So Much".  Take a look:

I can't wait to see what you create!  Thanks for stopping by today.  Merry Christmas and God bless you!!!!!

Eureka Stamps #68 - Button It Up

What's your favorite embellishment to use?  Is it metal?  Maybe die cuts or chip board?  How about eyelets, flowers, or brads?  Mine is ribbon and BUTTONS!  This week at Eureka Stamps our challenge is "Button It Up".  LOVE IT!  

Since I need another 30 Christmas cards made in the next week or so, I went with a Christmas theme.  The images I used are Digi6901 The Night Before Christmas and Digi6803(122) Merry Christmas.  Don't forget that at the Eureka Stamps store you can get the images in digi form...but also in rubber form too!  And of course with some other goodies as well.  Oh, and speaking of the Eureka Stamps website.....there's a HUGE SALE going on just today (Monday, December 2nd).  All the digi's are $1!!  Can't beat that huh?  Now back to my card - I used some paper I had already on hand and then colored the image with Spectrum Noir markers.  Here's what I came up with:

Come on over and join us this week at Eureka Stamps.  Your theme can be anything - just make sure you get those buttons on it!

Thanks for stopping by today.  God bless you!!!