My Top Ten Favorites of 2011 (maybe)

Over at Give A Girl A Blog, Kellie wants to see our top 10 favorites we've created for 2011. Well, that was very hard to decide and I had to leave some out. Boo Hoo... You know what, most of mine turned out to be CAS (clean and simple) cards.
Maybe that is telling me something for 2012. Oh, I can't give up the patterned papers, embellishments, and sparkles, though.

Here goes:



8/31/2011-Poppies





10/05/2011 Enjoying Nature


02/22/2011-Bird Among the Ferns









3/11/2011-Fuchsia and Pearls



3/20/2011-Vines and Flowers


06/03/2011-Want to Make a Hydrangea

06/01/2011-Mustang    (My favorite masculine card)







10/03/2011-Black-Eyed Susans



07/10/2011-Farm Fresh at Flourishes



09/13/2011-The Raggedies (gatefold)

A Case for Miss Boo-QFTD93

Jen aka Miss Boo is QFTD93 on Splitcoaststampers and I cased this card of Jen's. I think it is so cute and fun. I didn't go with Christmas and even thought this could be used as a Valentine for my hubby if I don't decide to go with hearts.

I'm using one of my new Christmas crafting gifts, Arboscello Tree from Memory Box (die cut) and stamped a sentiment from Stampin'Up!'s Well Scripted stamp set..a favorite set of mine. The embossing folder is Cuttlebug Victoria and I'm using Stampin'Up Rich Razzleberry ink. That's about it, folks. Hope you like it.

A Promise of Spring

Are you ready for Spring?? I certainly am and can hardly wait. I know it is far away but I can smell the fresh mowing of grass, hear the birds singing, and see butterflies fluttering all around. What a picture!!! Guess that will be a while. :-(

I made my card today for the QFTD92, barbaradwyer82, on Splitcoaststampers. I usually do this on Friday but no time last week. I'm playing catch up today before I finishing taking down my Christmas decorations.

Here is Barbara's lovely card I cased. I added a fanciful flourish, different trellis (window), and used a punch on the sentiment piece instead of ribbon. I'm using a stamp set called Pussy Willows from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company.

Challenges entered:
Simon Says Stamp challenge blog-Anything Goes
Tip Top Tuesday #66-Anything Goes
4 Crafty Chicks #70-Something New  I am using new butterfly die cuts and window frame die from Cheery Lynn Designs
Dutch Dare Card Challenge #145-Your Favorite Things - Die cuts and punches are some of my favorite things to use when crafting. They are all listed below in my recipe.

Recipe:
Stamps-Mark's Finest Papers-Pussy Willows stamp set (sentiment only)
Paper: white cardstock and unknown dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cheery Lynn A2 Frame die-small window, Cheery Lynn exotic butterfly-small #2, Cheery Lynn fanciful flourish, Martha Stewart classic butterfly punch, ribbon bow punch, and eyelet lace edge punch, Cuttlebug textile embossing folder

Winter Card----FOSTV challenge #13

Christmas day will be over by the time this post shows up. We have our sons and their families visiting and still enjoying the holidays. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and got plenty of new crafting supplies. I did.....even as I post this before Christmas I can tell you I ordered myself some goodies for hubby to give me. Can't wait to start using them.

This week's challenge at Friends of Speedy TV found here, week 13, is to make a winter card or use the color blue. I love doing wintry cards in blue. It always seems pretty and icy. Hope you'll go over to Home of Speedy TV and join us.

My image is from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company and is called Ice and Snow. I masked the trees at the bottom, used some white ink and a clear, deep impression embossing powder from Stamp 'n' Stuff to make my snow on the ground and really like the way it turned out. After adding the Star Dust Stickles to the trees, I see they don't show very much. The punch around the page is Martha Stewart Woodland Branch edge punch and MS Bird and Branch corner punch. Added some silver cording and it's complete.

Christmas Cards I Have Received From Stamper Friends

Quickly posting some beautiful Christmas cards I have received from wonderful stamper friends on Splitcoaststampers and some blogging friends. There is also a card from my talented sister in here. Of course, this picture does them no justice.  I love each one and will post them individually on Splitcoaststampers to my albums when time permits. Then, you can really see how gorgeous they are. Thanks to everyone and hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

BTW, some stampers know how much I love sheep so I tied a bow around mine on their necks and got them in the photo. :-)

A Christmas CAS card

Hope you all had a fun weekend getting ready for Christmas. The time is really winding down. I think I'm through shopping for all those gifts and that is always a relief. Hopefully, I'll be able to enjoy the rest of the week.

My card is for the Friends of Speedy TV challenge, week 12. We are asking for CAS cards this time and mine turned out to be a Christmas card. I think I'm finished with all my Christmas cards for this year. Of course, one may pop up here and there...just don't know.

I'm using an image from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company called Greetings of the Season, mini stamp set.
I love those pine cones and branches for Christmas or on a winter card. I stamped, colored, and then embossed with the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder. I think it looks a bit like snow coming down.
See the rest of my recipe below:

Recipe:
Stamps-Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Greetings of the Season mini stamp set
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copics, Cuttlebug embossing folders-Swiss Dots and Snowflakes, Bead Party elastic sparkle stretch cord, Craft Ribbon from Big Lots Stores

For the Queen

I made a CAS card today for the QFTD challenge #91. It was this past Friday and I'm finally getting one together and uploaded. I've been busy, busy...haven't we all?

The Queen this week is Christine aka whim6915 and I cased this card of hers. I am using an image from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company called Buffalo Spring and the sentiment is from the same company and is from the Happy Pansies set.

The card was so easy. I just stamped the image, punched an eyelet lace punch around the page from Martha Stewart and add a few pearls and that finished it.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Buffalo Spring and Happy Pansies (sentiment)
Paper: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, PTI vintage cream, The Paper Studio Solid Pearl/Gold dp
Ink: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Martha Stewart patp eyelet lace, pearls

Once Again..Snowy, Icy Scene

A quick post...just wanted to add this card I made a bit ago. It was made with a digital image I won from Gingerloft Digi Stamps and is called Winter Trees. I love it! I made this card earlier using it:
http://benzistampz.blogspot.com/2011/11/icy-snowy-winter.html  It is so easy, just colored some of the tree in  green and added Star Dust Stickles and a ribbon.

Challenges:
DYSU Challenge Blog-#50- Winter Projects
Dolce Stamps and Cards DSAC07- Get Your Shine On (My stickles)
Cupcake Craft Challenges-Don't Look at the Light/shines, gleams, glints, or glitters

Off to make peanut clusters with Emily's (My Little Slice of Bliss) recipe. Yum!

Recipe:
Stamps: Gingerloft Digi Stamps-Winter Trees
Paper: PTI white and aqua Mist cardstock
Accessories: Copics, Offray aqua ribbon, Star Dust Stickles, Cuttlebug embossing folder-Swiss Dots

A CAS Thank You

I had not made a card in about 4 days, just uploaded some made earlier. I was having withdrawals and had to get in the craft room. I'm making this card to enter into Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #85.
The challenge is to make a 'thank you' card. It is nice to make something other than Christmas, at least, this once.

I went rather CAS with my card. The image is from the Pussy Willow stamp set found at Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company.  I'm using a retired sentiment as I don't have one of the MFP's thank you stamps. My recipe is found below.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Pussy Willow
Paper: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, PTI vintage cream and white, DP is from a scrapbook store and unknown name
Ink: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Martha Stewart Punch Around the Page -corner is Bird and Branch and edge is Woodland

Tuesday Throwdown-My Grafico

I'm here to share one of my last Christmas cards for this year. I may upload one or two more..not sure.
I'll miss making them as they are my favorite kind, although I will enjoy making some Valentines, florals, and such.

The team of Tuesday Throwdown is having their last challenge this week until the first of the new year. We are going to spend time with family and friends. So, we'll see you back on January 3rd.

This card is for the challenge on Tuesday Throwdown #78 and the theme is 'someone special'. I made mine for a friend. My Grafico is furnishing the DT with a set called Nature's Christmas Digital Stamp Set designed by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. There are several very pretty images to use. As you can see, I chose the poinsettia.

I colored the image with Copics after stamping onto the Spellbinders peony die and behind that is the silver doily. I'm using some negative snowflakes from the Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake border punch.  The rest of my recipe is listed below. I know, I know...used that same ribbon and button as yesterday's card. I really love it but I'll give it a break. :-)

Hope you'll join us. Just click on the Tuesday Throwdown list above.

Recipe:
Stamps: My Grafico-Nature's Christmas Digital Stamp Set-Designed by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
Paper: PTI white cardstock, K&CO Brenda Walton peppermint twist candy stripes-dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black for sentiment
Accessories: Stampin'Up! Cherry cobbler seam binding ribbon, button from Jo Ann Stores, silver doily, Martha Stewart Aspen snowflake border punch,  Stampin'Up! Perfect Punches stamp set
(sentiment)

Nesting in the Pines

It's been a weekend of decorating for me. I don't usually wait this long to get it finished, but decided to put up a slim tree in the breakfast nook and do several more things. I have my mantel and a few more things left to do. Hurry, hurry...it'll soon be time for it all to come down.

I got to use one of my new toys on this card and that is the Holly Background Set-Hero Arts Stamp Sizzix Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I stamped the holly in Stampin'Up! ink (Always Artichoke) and then ran it through the matching holly embossing folder that came with the set. I really like the look.

My image is from Mark's Finest Papers and the stamp set is Peaceful Nuthatch. My card was made for the challenge on Friends of Speedy TV, week #11 to make a Christmas card. The challenge can be found here at Home of Speedy TV. We would love for you to join us.

Recipe:
Stamps-Mark's Finest Papers-Peaceful Nuthatch
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, Copics, button from Jo Ann Stores, Sizzix Hero Arts Stamp & Emboss textured impressions-Holly Background set, Spellbinders circle nestabilities

Lattice Hearts

I hope my card is fit for a Queen because the new QFTD on SCS is Nancy Littrell. To honor her, I chose this card of hers to case. I just don't need any more Christmas cards so today I thought I would do a Valentine card. Nancy had made a card for the CAS141 challenge on SCS using a sketch from PH in VA so I guess I'm casing both of them.
My card is also for the Free for All on SCS. The challenge is 'All Girlie'. Pink colors and hearts are surely girlie.

My card is one of those CAS easy peasy cards. I had this heart punch that I bought last year and never used. I punched a pink heart and a white heart and placed one in an uneven fashion over the other. I thought it gave it a pretty look. I stamped my sentiment and that is all there was to finish it.

I'm entering the challenge #78 at Wee Memories

Papertake Weekly-Anything Goes
Divas by Design -challenge #16-Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampin'Up! Well Scripted
Paper: PTI white and sweet blush cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart Lace Scallop Heart Punch

Twas the Night

It's time for another Tuesday Throwdown challenge and the theme is Celebrate the Season. I'm using an image from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More...one I just love. It reminds me of Christmas Eve when I was little and expecting Santa to come down the chimney. The image is called Twas the Night Before Christmas.
I used Flower Soft Polar White for the snow, negatives from punches for the snowflakes (Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflakes) and holly (MS holly edge punch), and the embossing folder is Basic Grey Sizzix Textured Impressions-Christmas and Thin Ice (2 pk. set).  I colored with Copics and the paper is PTI white cardstock and Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler. I also used SU Cherry Cobbler ribbon.

Challenges entered:
The Ribbon Reel-#16-Anything Goes-Be sure to use ribbon
Addicted to Stamps Challenge #18-Christmas card
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog #42-Any Winter Holiday Sentiment
Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog-It's all About Snow..snowflakes, snow people, snow,.....you get the idea...snow something
Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes

You're on My Mind

This image makes me wish for summer and a hot day. Yes, I love HOT weather. Anyway, I needed to do something besides Christmas. My card is for the week 10 FOSTVspeedytv (Friends of Speedy TV) challenge found at the Home of Speedy TV and the images are Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company  Garden Wishes mini stamp set and the sentiment is from the Happy Pansies stamp set.

Hope you'll join us this week for our  #10 challenge which is silhouettes.

Entering this challenge:
Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #84-Use your favorite embellishment  (Fanciful Flourish is mine)

Recipe:
Stamp: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Garden Wishes Mini Stamp Set and Happy Pansies Stamp Set
Paper: PTI vintage cream, Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip, and unknown dp
Ink: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Cheery Lynn Designs fanciful flourish, Martha Stewart eyelet lace punch around the page

Crowning a New Queen

It's Friday (again already) and, of course, I'm here to crown the new Queen on Splitcoaststampers. Her name is Wendy aka Wendy2512. I'm honoring her by case-ing this card. I really enjoy trying to case other people's cards although I rarely do...usually, just this challenge.

If you know me, you know I love ornaments so when I saw Wendy's ornament card, I knew immediately that was the one I would choose. The only stamping on this card is the sentiment  from a Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company set called Christmas in the Country. I used an ornament punch from EK Success called Ornaments. I picked it up during the Christmas holidays last year at  Jo Ann Stores. The chain hanging my ornaments is a Flower Soft adhesive sticker. The other punches I used are from Martha Stewart-MS fir punch and a MS ribbon bow punch.

Challenges entered:
Cropstop Challenge Blog-#48 Punch Your Way Around the Holidays
The Paper Variety-Show Us Your Ornaments
Simon Says Stamp Challenge Blog-Anything Goes
Divas by Design #16-Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Christmas in the Country
Paper: PTI white cardstock, unknown dp (blue layer is double side of ornament paper), silver cardstock
Ink: Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Accessories: Martha Stewart fir punch and ribbon bow punch, EK Success Ornament punch, Flower Soft adhesive stickers (chain)

Days Gone By

I wanted to join the Splitcoaststampers November Fan Club Gallery challenge by making a card with this month's theme which is Child's Play. You can be inspired by childhood memories, toy or games, snowballing,  etc. I found this stamp over the Thanksgiving holidays at a Michael's Arts & Craft Store. I really loved it and was anxious to use it. Don't you think it looks like a tricyle from many years ago?

My card is clean and simple. I didn't even have to color. I added a few layers of dp and cardstock, punched a snowflake and rick rack and it's all finished.

I am entering these challenges:
Sparkles Forum #25-Vintage Christmas
Stamptacular Sunday #140-Anything Christmas-must use a stamp
2 Sisters Challenge Blog  #67-Holiday
Simon Says Stamp Challenge-Anything Goes

Recipe:
Stamps-Inkadinkado-Yuletide Greetings (according to Michaels website) No name on stamp
Paper-PTI vintage cream cs, My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Christmas, Red paper is Greetings of the Season Paper Pack (made for Hobby Lobby Stores)
Ink: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: EK Success zig zag chain punch, Martha Stewart snowflake punch

Masculine Holiday-Tuesday Throwdown

After an extended 2 week challenge because of the Thanksgiving holidays, Tuesday Throwdown is ready for a new challenge and it is to make a masculine holiday card. The DT is furnished digital images by Dude Time Doodles and I'm using their image called O' Christmas Tree.

I colored my image with Copics and went on a search for paper that I thought would be appropriate for a masculine card. At the same time, I wanted it to be 'not so drab' and a bit cheerful for the holidays.
I have some punched deer on each side of my sentiment thinking that will make it a bit more manly.

Hope you'll join us this week for Tuesday Throwdown's challenge #76. Just click the link here.

Challenges entered:
Lexi's Creations-#54-One For the Lads-man/boy card or project
Incy Wincy Designs-Create a project with a tree
Here Come the Boys-#16-For the Man/Men in Your Life

Recipe:
Stamps: Dude Time Doodles-O' Christmas Tree
Paper: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip cardstock, PTI New Leaf cs, PTI Spring Moss cs, unknown dp, PTI white cs
Ink: SU Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Spellbinders deckle nestabilitie, Mark Richards gold metal brads, EK Success reindeer chain edger punch (cut into for seperate deer), Stampin'Up! ticket corner punch, Copics

Favorite Sketch-FOSTV

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. My hubby and I returned home Sunday night from south Georgia and we were certainly glad to arrive safe and sound. The interstate was horrible with traffic and it was raining buckets for the last 5 or so hours of our trip. We saw 6 car accidents and we were tied up in traffic for about 2 1/2 hours at different places. I guess we should STAY HOME on holidays. Nay!

Not posting a card for a  week was very odd and I feel as if I am lost posting this one. I have to get back in the groove. My card is for challenge 9 with FOSTV (Friends of Speedy TV) at Home of Speedy TV and the challenge is to use your favorite sketch. I'm not sure I have a favorite but I sure like this one. It is from the sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers and is #349. I'm using the stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps, A Heinrich Company called Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement. I stamped the flower twice, colored and cut off the stems, just using the blooms.

You'll find the recipe below. Hope you'll join us for the challenge this week.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers and Stamps-Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement
Paper: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip cardstock, Bazzill Basics Yukon Gold cardstock, Tim Coffey Blossomwood (reddish) dp, and an unknown dp
Ink: Stampin'Up! Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Mark Richards gold metal brads, Deco metal stickers, pop dots

Happy Thanksgiving

I suppose this will be my last Thanksgiving card made this season. Appropriately, the challenge for FOSTV (Friends of Speedy TV) is to make a Thanksgiving card. Mine turned out to be a clean and simple card. I'm using the leaf from the Autumn Glory stamp set and just sponged a bit inside each leaf. Then, I add some raffia and a brad and it is finished.

I wish all my blogging pals and everyone out there where Thanksgiving is being celebrated, a very Happy Thanksgiving. This will probably be my last post for a bit as I'll be away for Thanksgiving.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Autumn Glory
Paper: Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler, PTI white cardstock, Bazzill Basics Yukon Gold
Accessories: raffia, Happy Thanksgiving brad

Oh My...Frills and Glitter Abound

I'm trying to wake everyone up as I post this early Friday morning. I think the glitter should do it. I'm doing my usual Friday Queen for the Day challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The new Queen is Carol aka BobbiesGirl. I found this card in her gallery and thought the stamp she used was absolutely gorgeous. I didn't have it so I tried to use die cuts to make a loose case of her card.

My card is made with a Cheery Lynn die, an embossing folder, and a Spellbinders die. Recipe is below.
I ran my embossing folder through the Cuttlebug twice and cut out the center flower, sponged it, and popped in on top of the holly motif die cut.

Hope everyone has a super weekend. I'll be off to a college football game Saturday. Go Bama!

Recipe:
Stamps: Hot off the Press-Christmas Words
Paper: PTI Razzberry Fizz and white cardstock, Best Occasions glitter paper pack for flourish
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Lady Bug (sponging flower)
Accessories: Spellbinders Shapeabilites Holly Motif, Sizzix Textured Impressions Winter Botanicals embossing folder, Cheery Lynn fanciful flourish, Star Dust Stickles, Gold Stickles

Going in Circles

It's time for another challenge at Tuesday Throwdown. Challenge #75 is to do circles so I'm using my Spellbinders circle and scallop circle nestabilites. My Grafico furnished the Design Team digi images with all kinds of circles  this week. They are from the Doodle Flowers Digital Stamp Set found here.  I chose this pretty flower and the circle sentiment to work with. I really like houndstooth and I thought it looked good with the kraft and olive green. I made some pennants (hand cut) for the side using the dbl sided paper and added a gemstone to each. My ribbon finished it off.

We hope you'll come along and join the fun this week. Show us what you like to do with circles.

Recipe:
Stamps: My Grafico
Paper: Stampin'Up Kraft and Old Olive, My Mind's Eye-So Sophie Heavenly Houndstooth Paper (dbl sided), PTI white cardstock
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder-Victoria, Spellbinders circle and scallop circle nestabilities, Copics, gemstones, Stampin'Up! Old Olive grosgrain ribbon

Nuthatch in the Pines

Happy Monday Morning! I'm uploading this card on Saturday so it'll be here early Monday. I had a 'not so good' day. I was going to put up my Christmas tree today and it turned into something I didn't plan on. Hubby said we really should just get a new tree. What??? I was all set with the ornaments and wanted to have the tree finished before bedtime. No, we spent the day looking for a tree. I put about 10 ornaments or less on the tree and remembered I had not put on the silver garland that I always wrap around the trunk....a Christopher Radko tip. It really makes everything sparkle when the lights shine on it...so back shopping for that and some hangers. Would you believe Wal-Mart said their hangers aren't in yet? They have had trees and the Christmas dept. filled for ages.
I had no time to go anywhere else. I'll have to start anew tomorrow. Ugh!  Plus, I had to get back
to the football game on tv.

We did a live tree for many years and finally gave up on it, but it really smelled yummy. I know it is a bit early to have the tree up but I always decorate early. It's just too much work to have it up for 2-3 wks. Anyway, I have so much to do between now and Christmas. Plus, we go out of town for Thanksgiving and I won't open the shutters until after that holiday.

Whew! Now to my card. This card is made for the Friends of Speedy TV challenge #7( a birthday card) at MFP Speedy TV. I'm using these beautiful soon-to-be released stamp sets, Peaceful Nuthatch and  What a Fox (sentiment) from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company. I colored and masked so I could sponge some blue around it and pop it out. I cut my Cheery Lynn fanciful flourish from gold mirror paper and framed with a Spellbinders Frameabilities die cut. Hand cut a pennant back for my sentiment. The rest of my recipe is below.

Challenge:
The Hybrid Chick-Card Caravan Challenge #6-Birthday theme

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Peaceful Nuthatch and What a Fox (soon-to-be-released)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, gold mirror paper, dp is unknown, rust colored paper is Recollections Capturing Special Memories
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Cheery Lynn Designs fanciful flourish, Spellbinders Frameabilities, Recollection floral embellishment, Copics

Icy, Snowy Winter

Had to get up, get my card made, and get off to the lab this morning. That is no fun but one of those necessities of life. It really didn't take long so I'm back to crafting.

Today is the Queen for the Day challenge #86 on Splitcoaststampers. I did a case of a fabulous stamper, Karen B Barber. This is her card. She always makes fabulous bows. I didn't try to compete. LOL

I'm using a Gingerloft Digi Stamps image called Winter Trees. I won this digi a while back and have been really wanting to use it. I think it is just beautiful. I made it a Christmas card and stamped a sentiment at the bottom. Use a lot of Star Dust Stickles. Colored the tree green with Copics.

Challenges entered:
Inky Impressions IIC#32-Glitter It Up!!
Party Time Tuesdays Challenge Blog PTTI#41-Bling It On
Papertake Weekly Challenge-Make a Christmas Card for their first Christmas card challenge
Crafty Catz Weekly Challenge #108- use a digital image

Hope it was o.k. to enter this particular Flourishes challenge with other challenges. I did not see where it said we shouldn't. Hope I didn't overlook it.

Flourishes-The Snowy Delight Challenge -FLLCNOV11-Use glitter, Flower Soft, something to make your card sparkle

Recipe:
Stamps-Gingerloft Digi Stamps-Winter Trees, Hot off the Press-Christmas Words
Paper: PTI white and aqua mist cardstock, silver unknown, dp Christmas Magic by Fancy Pants Designs, Inc.
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Star Dust Stickles, Offray ribbon-Aqua

Fabric card

I think this is only the second fabric card I've made. On Splitcoaststampers yesterday, the ' Try a New Technique' challenge was 'No Stamping Allowed'. What??????? Sounded a bit scary and then I remembered my sis gave me this fabric piece- Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage Collection/Cotton Scraps. I think it is just a beautiful piece of fabric...maybe because I'm a bird lover. I added a chipboard frame at the top. I placed it on my ink pad to get a speckled look. I hand cut the pennant and used the Stampin'Up! Modern Label punch for my computer generated sentiment. Add the flower and found out I could make a card without stamping....although, I really wanted to. :-)

I'm entering these challenges:
The Crazy Challenge-#92 Something with wings (of course, my wings are birds)
My Partner in Crafting Crime  #35-use something that is a freebie (My sis gave me the fabric I used)
Allsorts- #128-Anything But a Square


Recipe:
Stamps-None
Paper: Stampin'Up! Baja Breeze and Soft Suede, PTI white cs
Ink: Memento Soft Suede (for sponging around sentiment)
Accessories: Crafty Secrets Heartwarming Vintage/Cotton Scraps, Stampin'Up Modern Label punch,
chipboard frame, Recollection floral embellishment

Pot of Christmas Lights

I'm really getting in the Christmas mood and it won't be too long before my Christmas tree goes up. This image from Stitchy Bear, Lite Brite really gets me in the mood for decorating. This week Tuesday Throwdown is giving the challenge to do your favorite color combo. Well, I have a few...black, red, and white....pink and brown. Really, I just don't know. But, I do know I love red and green for Christmas.

My sister gave me a magazine called Make Christmas Cards (Christmas 2011 Special Issue). My green dotted and red panels were cut from one of their designs. I liked the shape and cut my papers that way.  No Spellbinders nestabilities this time.The dotted paper also came from that magazine. You know, some magazines include sheets of paper for you to use.

 I glittered my star with Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds and put glossy accents on my pot. The image is colored with Copics. I used a couple of punches for the snowflakes and a Cuttlebug embossing folder for the background.

Recipe:
Stamps: Stitchy Bear Digital Stamps-Lite Brite
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Real Red, dp from Make Christmas Cards magazine
Accessories: Martha Stewart Polar Stamp & Punch (large snowflake), Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflake (remnants for small snowflakes), Cuttlebug embossing folder-Snowflakes, Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds, Glossy Accents (on pot)

Hope Your Holidays Are Happy

This week at MFPSPEEDYTV, the Friends of Speedy TV Challenge 6 is to use ribbon.  I'm making a CAS (clean and simple) card, the kind you can create quickly and still love it. The sentiment is from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company set called Christmas in the Country.  The embossing folder is a Sizzix's Thank You Set #5. The rest of my recipe is below.

Hope you'll get out your ribbon and join us this week.

Recipe:
Stamp: Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company-Christmas in the Country (sentiment only)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Stampin'Up Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, Sizzix Thank You Set #5, button from Jo Ann Stores

Holly Wheel

Friday again...already??????? My life is flying past me. I am once again doing the QFTD challenge on Splitcoaststamper-#85. The Queen for the Day is Vicky Gould. I chose this card to case, mostly keeping her sketch.  Vicky inspired me to get out my Stampin'Up! Soft Holly wheel. I really don't think I've ever used it. I used a couple punches and added a sentiment...done!

Recipe:
Stamps: Stampin'Up! Holiday Happiness set (sentiment)
Paper: PTI white and vintage cream cardstock, SU cherry cobbler cs
Ink: Stampin'Up! Always Artichoke
Accessories: Stampin'Up! Soft Holly wheel, Martha Stewart Polar Stamp and Punch (snowflakes), Martha Stewart Frosty Village edge punch, Cuttlebug lg snowflakes embossing folder, clear gemstones

A Big Thanks

At Tuesday Throwdown #73, the challenge is 'Thanks'. Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More is supplying the DT with the images we are using this week. I made my card with Carl the Snowman.
Once again, I'm using my Martha Stewart Punch all over the Page-snowflakes, punching three along the bottom.  I'll give it a rest after this card. :-). The silver mirror paper was run through the machine with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, also called snowflakes. Carl was cut out and popped on, as are the sentiments. The recipe is listed below.

There are prizes to be won so we hope you'll come along and join us this week. Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps And More is offering the winner of this challenge 5 digital stamps or 4 digital stamps and 1 digital paper set of their choice.

Entering this challenge:
Card Makin' Mamas #32-Cut It Out

Recipe: Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More-Carl the Snowman, computer generated sentiment for thanks, Hot off the Press-Christmas words (Merry & Bright)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! night of navy,dp is Paper Adventure-Bubble Wash
Accessories: Cuttlebug embossing folder-snowflakes, Martha Stewart Punch All Over the Page-Snowflakes, RibbonFX-navy grosgrain

A Scrappy Christmas

Challenge #5 for  FOSTV   (Fiends of Speedy TV)is now underway. I am making a card using scraps. Pulling out my scrap drawer, I found several Christmas papers to use for the pennants. I ran my embossing folder through the Grand Calibur. Why not the Cuttlebug????? Because I BROKE it. Ugh! I've had it about three years and assumed that day would come and it did...all my fault.

My image is from Mark's Finest Papers and is a stamp set called Cardinals in Winter.

I'm entering my card into Speedy the Cat's Friend's Challenge #79 and they are wanting us to use our scraps this week.

Recipe:
Stamps-Cardinals in Winter
Paper: PTI white cardstock, SU cherry cobbler
Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black
Accessories: Copics, Spellbinders Nested Pennants,  Spellbinders circle and scallop circle nestabilitie,  Flower Soft (adhesive gold stickers for hanging pennants), Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder

Snowflake City

Here I am again with a card casing the Queen for the Day on Splitcoaststampers. It's every Friday and it seems the week flies by...rather scary. The Queen this week is an awesome, awesome stamper. It is Julie Warner aka justwritedesigns. Here is her card. I know, I know......it's gorgeous, as all of her cards are. I gave it a try and this is what you get.

My large pile of snowflakes came from the remnants of a border punch called Aspen Snowflakes by Martha Stewart and a MS Polar Stamp and Punch. What would we do without Martha? In my case, have a lot more money in my wallet.
For my glitter (you can't see, although that is a lot) on the snowflakes, I'm using my Jelly Roll pen by Sakura. I love that thing.  The pretty pine cones/needles are Mark's Finest Papers called Greetings of the Season. I've torn the layers and sponged each one. I forgot my ribbon and sentiment piece until it was too late so I stamped my sentiment at the top.

O.K., I had a heavy week of card making and this will be it for me until Monday. Have a super weekend.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers-Greetings of the Season
Paper: PTI white cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and Summer Sky, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy
Accessories: Copics, Martha Stewart Aspen Snowflakes border punch, Martha Stewart Polar Stamp and Punch

Christmas Gatefold Card

The challenge for the Stampin' B's Design Team blog challenge is to make a gatefold card and use items with the letter 'P' and tell what they are. Mine, of course, would be pine cones and pine needles. Don't you love that image? It is so beautiful for winter and Christmas and is a stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers called Greetings of the Season.

My punched snowflakes are from one of my new toys. It is a Punch All Over the Page from Martha Stewart. It has a guide at the bottom so you can line up if you're punching a lot.

Hope you'll join up this week. A gatefold is very easy to make. If you need instructions, here is a good place to find them on Splitcoaststampers. Of course, you can make changes in size and however you like.

Recipe:
Stamps-Mark's Finest Papers-Greetings of the Season
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler
Accessories-Stampin'Up Cherry Cobbler ribbon, Copics, Martha Stewart Punch All Over the Page-Snowflakes

Altered Tin

Can't you just imagine this tin full of yummy goodies? Fudge, bon bons, gingerbread....hmmmmm
I got in the mood to alter something after seeing all the pretty altered items from Mark's Finest Papers
12 days of Christmas Blog Hop. I am using a Mark's Finest Papers stamp set called Christmas in the Country.  I have layered a doily and a couple of nestabilities. The designer paper was already covered with white spots which  look like snow. I stamped directly onto the designer paper and stamped a couple more times, cutting out the church and shrubs so I could pop them on.

The border is a Martha Stewart Frosty Village edge punch. The sentiments going around the tin are Love, Hope, and Peace and they are from MFP Seasonal Poinsettias.

Recipe:
Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers- Christmas in the Country and Seasonal Poinsettias
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Night of Navy, Designer Paper is Me and My Big Ideas (no name)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart Frosty Village edge punch, Spellbinders circle and circle scallop die cuts, doily, Stickles Silver Ice glitter glue

Challenges:
Simon Says Stamp-Anything Goes
Shelly's Images Blog -Anything Goes

Sympathy

This week the #38  Less is More challenge is polka dots. Well, I love polk dots and wanted to do their challenge. I am using the Stampin'Up! ornament punch trimmed at the bottom to make a flower pot. I added a Stampendous vine/sentiment, and did some scoring and the card is all finished. The vine was left uncolored so as to be more delicate. The burnt orange pot is what I chose because of the Fall season.   Anyway, my card was very quick to make and may be the quickest  I've ever made.

Edited: Sentiment was looking blue so I tweaked the photo until it looked like the brown it is

Let's Go to the Circus-Tuesday Throwdown

The challenge this week at Tuesday Throwdown is 'primary colors'. The digital images are being furnished to the design team by My Grafico. I tried to make my card cheerful and fun. I'm using Spellbinders nested pennants to match the colors on my image.   Hope you stop by and check out the rest of the DT cards and join us here on challenge #72. The recipe is below.

Recipe:
Stamps: Digital images by My Grafico, computer generated sentiment
Paper: Stampin'Up! Night of Navy and Real Red cardstock, unknown yellow cardstock, unknown blue and white designer paper
Accessories: Martha Stewart doily, Copics, Spellbinders nested pennants, Stampin'Up! modern label punch, blue gemstones

MFP Speedy TV - Halloween/Harvest challenge and an Award

I hope you had a great weekend. Friday, my hubby and I went  on business to a military base after first stopping at a scrapbook store. Then, some more shopping and dining out which made for a fun day. Saturday,  we were off to see the University of Alabama football game...we won! Yay!! As of now, we're #2 in the nation. Brag, brag.....

I made this as a Halloween/Harvest card...love the pumpkins which are from Mark's Finest Papers stamp set called Thankful Mums and Pumpkins. I colored with Copics, then stamped the sentiment onto the pumpkin, also Mark's Finest Papers Daffodil and Anise. Added a ribbon, some raffia, and a button..all finished. The card is for challenge #4 on MFP Speedy TV. Hope you'll join us.

Challenges entered:
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog- #90- Halloween/Fall
Paper Playtime #58-Say it With Sentiments and use buttons and bows
2 Sisters Challenge Blog - #62-Pumpkin Patch - create anything you wish but must use a pumpkin

Recipe:
Mark's Finest Papers-Thankful Mums and Pumpkins and Daffodil and Anise (sentiment)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait, and Chocolate Chip, DCWV The Four Seasons Stack
Accessories: raffia, Offray grosgrain ribbon-Oatmeal, button

AWARD 
I received this wonderful butterfly award from Carol at Our Little Inspirations. It has been a while so she will probably not remember giving it to me. LOL Sorry, Carol, to be so long posting it. I really appreciate you thinking of me.

When receiving this award, I am to answer the questions below:

Name your favorite color - coral

Name your favorite song - Don't listen to much music except  my choir music...I love Amazing Grace in many versions...bagpipes, for one.

Name your favorite dessert - Lemon pie

What annoys you at the moment - Occupy Wall Street demonstrations

Your favorite pet -dogs

Black or white - Can't really say. For elegance, I like black. White for clean and crisp.

Your biggest fear - being in a  space with no windows..I'm very claustrophobic

Best feature - kindness..I hope people see me that way.

Everyday attitude - easy-going

What is perfection? - the beach/ocean or the forest

Guilty Pleasure -Doughnuts

When you're upset you - Take on different moods..according to what I'm upset about. .. quiet, eat, don't eat..blow my stack, pout,  slam things so as to make noise so SOMEONE will notice (that's not very kind, is it? Well, that is rare. :-)

I am supposed to pass this on to several more wonderful bloggers. I told Carol I don't like to choose so I'll just say to my blogger friends, take this award if you would like and say it is from me. You all deserve it. Thanks again, Carol!!!

How About Some Snowflakes

I am late getting this card uploaded. I went out of town today and got to visit a super duper scrapbook store. Yes, I had fun, fun. I found some new toys to play with. One was a Punch All Over the Page...not like the original ones which  I found hard to use. This one has a plate with the design underneath to  guide which makes it easier to punch correctly.  This is different than Punch Around the Page which I love. I'll be using my new toy soon. I got the scallop snowflake pattern. Also, I saw a new gadget for threading ribbons of different designs on your card...didn't get it yet. Maybe later. You my have seen these already but I hadn't. They look like fun.

Anyway, I made my card for the QFTD83 on Splitcoaststampers. Her name is Holly aka hollerinastamps. This is her pretty  card I cased to honor her.  She did daisies on the curve but because I am needing to make Christmas cards, I went with snowflakes.

I punched the snowflakes in white and glittered (which doesn't show because I was in a hurry) and punched again in green to put behind the white...all because the white was not showing up very well with the designer paper. I think it helped to do that.  The rest of my recipe is below.

Challenge:
Christmas Inspirations-Make a Christmas card or project using die cuts or punches
Recipe:
Stamps: Hot off the Press-Christmas Words (sentiment)
Paper: PTI white cardstock, Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler cardstock and Jolly Holiday designer series paper, Stampin'Up! Old Olive cardstock
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart Polar Punch and Stamp (snowflake), Stampin'Up! Cherry Cobbler 1/2" ribbon seam binding, Sentiment piece is Carol Wilson Scrapbooking Kit called Snow Days (purchased a couple years ago), Cuttlebug large snowflakes embossing folder