Final Friday of 2013

Hiya!
Did you all have a great Holiday?? Ours was great, besides my DD and I being struck by the blasted 'bug'...we have been sick since Christmas Eve, and it's finally let up on me a bit. It has felt like a 2-tonne elephant sitting on my chest. But it's better now. I can actually breathe normally. DD still has a running nose, but it's more like a jog now.lol

Anyways. Enough of the icky. On with the goodies. Fridays are fun, it's Unity's Friends with Flair. Yippee!
I decided to use some of those fantastic stamps on a project for my MIL...it's actually part of her Christmas gift...which is NOT finished yet...eek! But it's gong to be done hopefully by this weekend as we are seeing her on Sunday, and hat is when we'll exchange gifts. Phew!

This is her calendar. She REALLY needs a calendar. (I know where my hubby gets his 'forgetfulness' from!!) She's too funny...she will actually call me up and ask me who's birthday is coming up...and I can't get too far ahead of her, because she will forget..lol So. I decided to make her a calendar with all her kids, grandkids, and now great-grandkids birthdays in it (There's many, MANY birthdays in there!). I have been making them for about 4-5 years now. She loves them! 

So, it is not completed yet, but almost.

The calendar is from BoBunny, and I used a variety of papers from Pink Paislee, Echo Park, October Afternoon. Various elements from Echo Park, Jillibean Soup, Cosmo Cricket, DCWV, Tim Holtz.

That's it for me. Have to go do Mom duties now.

Thanks for stopping by!

Be safe. Get crafty.

Merry Christmas!

Well, the BIG day has finally arrived, and I just wanted to take the few moments to wish everyone out there a safe and Happy Holiday!

Flair Friday

Hiya folks!
How have you all been?? Probably busy, busy, busy, like myself!  I can see myself running around like a chicken with no head...it's super crazy! Shopping is almost done, about 99% completed. Let me say, buying for teenage boys is no easy task!!  Then the wrapping...of course I would forget to buy tape. grr!! lol

Anyhow.

I carved out a little time to make my Christmas cards, which I am so far behind. And I made 2(woohoo!) for Unity's Friends with Flair. I have been bummed that I haven't been able to participate in their challenges. Yeesh!

 I love that tree stamp...one of my first purchases from  Unity. I heat embossed it with AC ZING! embossing powder, on green Bazzill cardstock, and that fun background is from Doodlebug 'Home for the Holidays' collection...such a fun collection! The enamel dots and candy cane are also from the same collection.

This card is using the most adorable girl stamp...of course it's a Phyllis Harris stamp. She just reminds me of my own little girl...adorable! (I know, I know, bias...but hey! Don't all moms/parents think of their own like that?? lol) I colored her with my Prismacolor pencils, and all the papers are from October Afternoon 'Make it Merry' collection (another one of my faves). The word die is from Michael's, and the dots are from Doodlebug.

 Also linking thee cards to the following challenges;
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge--Stamp out 2013

That's it for me for today. Have tons of stuff to do still.
I hope to post again before Christmas, but if I don't get a chance I hope you all have a great safe Holiday!! Enjoy!

Be safe. Get crafty.

Thursday with some cards

Happy Thursday, folks!

The countdown has officially started---Christmas is just around the corner!

And I am officially freaking out!!! Shopping is not finished, Christmas cards are not signed, sealed and delivered, and I won't even gripe on my holiday baking, or lack of it....yeesh!

Anyways, I managed to make some Christmas cards last night. It seems that I am just not into my crafting mood these days. But some cards are done. I made a card following a challenge over at Shopping Our Stash#130: Tic Tac Toe

Here is my card for that challenge:

Brads, ribbon, tag! Simple as pie. The papers are from DCWV, as is the tag, the ribbon is from my stash, and the brad is a snowflake brad from Creative Imaginations.

Here are a few more cards:

Pretty simple. Basic, even. Papers are from a variety: Doodlebug, DCWV, MME, Teresa Collins Designs.

I am also entering these cards into the challenge over at One Crazy Stamper: winter/holiday challenge

That's it for me for today.

Be safe. Get crafty. I'm definitely going to try!

Friday with a card

Happy Friday! Hope all my American friends had a great Thanksgiving yesterday! And I hope you are all going to be safe today if you are venturing out to take advantage of some awesome Black Fridays. I have to work today, so I won't be shopping...maybe some online shopping later on today!

Today marks a momentous milestone for my younger brother. He is 2 years sober today. It's an everyday battle for an addict, but everyday not using is  an accomplishment. Something he  needs to be reminded of because he gets really low at times. So my family and I try to be there for him, and encourage him. I made this card for him to congratulate him.

I used Unity's dragonfly stamp and the sentiment. I used Distress Inks Broken China and Shabby Shutters. The sentiment is stamped in Colorbox platinum ink. Very simple, yet effective!So I am popping this card into the mail, and hopefully he'll get it early next week...although my faith in Canada Post had dwindled dramatically (I have orders missing!) and he might get it in 2 weeks, when he only lives 2 hours away! grrr..

I am linking this card up to
Unity's Friends with Flair challenge
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge---Anything goes

So, that's it for me.
Have a great day.

Be safe. Get crafty.

December Daily 2013 cover

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American peeps out there! Hope you are all safe and sound, and happy!

I finally did it! I finally started my cover for my December Daily album. I had a inclination to start one, but have been putting it off for some time now. Last night was the night that I just started my cover.

I covered my album, a Simple Stories 6x8 (I believe) mix n' match album, with white cardstock stamped with a stamp that I got on liquidation at Michael's last Christmas. The price tag was $4.99!!!!!! For a Tim Holtz retro Santa stamp! Wood mounted! And it's huge!! Never used it until now. Stamped the image with Hero Arts Shadow Ink, grey, and colored the image with my Distress markers, and used my water brush. I heat embossed the white (American Crafts ZING!) on my Santa, to add a little texture...that was a little trial and error! The '2013' is American Crafts Thickers. The border is Doodlebug washi tape, and on the spine are two border strips from Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage collection, held down with lots of Mod Podge! I then wanted a little 'vintage' look, so I took my foam pad and Distress Ink Walnut Stain, and just touched here and there.

I am pretty excited to start my December Daily album...my first one. Still not sure of how I am going to proceed, but I think I'm just going to go with the flow! :)

I am entering this project into the following challenge:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

Thanks for looking!

Be safe. Get crafty.

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Christmas tags...1 & 2

Happy Saturday y'all! How are you doing this weekend?? For us, it's been off to a rough start....car won't start, could be because of the battery or the started, according to my hubby. All I know is that it is being a nuisance to many, and many are not happy in my household right now. :Z

Oh well!

I decided to make some tags. I am not really a tag person, I can count on one hand how many tags I have made.I have admired all those that have been made, especially for TH's 12 tags. And never really dove in! BUT! I think that is going to change, people!

Over on Scrapbooker's Paradise, Sandy started a 'twelve tags of Christmas' feature, and after seeing her tag, and then Linda's tag, I wanted to try.

So, without further adieu, here are my tags.
Tag #1:

This tag (which is crooked--sorry!) is made with a manila tag (from stash), inked with Distress Stain (Mowed Lawn), stamped a Tim Holtz stamp with Momento Tuxedo Black ink. The bunny is cute with my Cricut, Winter Wonderland cartridge, inked with Distress Stain (walnut stain), the holly leaf chipboard is from Cosmo Cricket, with the 'berries' being enamel dots (Doodlebug Design). The lace and ribbon are from stash.

Tag #2:

Another tag made from manila tag, covered with white paper, dry embossed. The poinsettia is from Bazzill Papers, leafs are from Prima, the swirl is from TH Grungeboard swirl set, covered in Walnut Stain paint. Twine is from MME, the glitter thread is from WRMK, and the 'Happy Holidays' tag is from Making memories.

These tags were uber fun to make. I am now almost caught up to Sandy. There's 3 in total so far.

I am linking up these tags over onto the Scrapbooker's Paradise 12 tags of Christmas and over at Flying Unicorn , my first tag is being uploaded into their gallery for a very special cause , as they are giving back to charity. They have all sorts of things on the go to help raise money for Best Friends Animal Society.  For every project that is uploaded to the gallery there, a $1 is donated to a maximum of $1,000, and if your project has some kind of animal on it, $2 is donated, hence the bunny!  I personally am a animal lover, and this one touched home.

So, if you can, give it a try. It is so fun!

Be safe. Get crafty.

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Christmas cards

TGIF!! ALREADY! I don't know if it's just me, and I know it's been said over and over recently, but, wow! Time is sure flying by! I can't believe it we are almost at the end of November, and Santa will be coming soon!

So, I have been trying to make Christmas cards to distribute among our friends and family. tying is the operative word here. Among all the everyday hustle and bustle, it's been harder and harder to squeeze some crafty time for me. Anyhow. I was able to get some crafty time done very early in the morning, when all the kids were still sleeping and the hubs was off to work.

I looked among my Unity stamps to try to figure something out for Christmas cards (hey, I wanted  to multi-task!), and I realized that I did not have a great variety of Christmas stamps. Unfortunately, I am on a spending freeze, so I have to make do with what I have.(which is very, VERY hard when there re awesome sales, and awesome holiday stamps on Unity's site!) I then realized I had this little itty bitty stamp, from a grab bag, and an idea popped into my head. So, I just went with it.

Here's my first attempt. Not too crazy about it, I think it's the ribbon that ruined it for me.

I *think* that little stamp is supposed to be like a dandelion seed, you know, like a fluffer in the air? Well, I made it into a Christmas tree with various green inks (Distress inks--mowed lawn and shabby shutters, and Hampton Art green ink), and the trunk is with my Distress markers. Once it was dried, I added a couple of jewels into the centers of some. The ribbon is something from my stash, from many years ago. Now, please, I would appreciate any tips on how to hold ribbon down onto a card, because hot diggity, that little scrap gave me the most problems! lol.The starburst is from Freckled Fawn, and the papers are from Basic Grey Nordic Holiday. I had also glittered the edges with Martha Stewart glitter.

Here's my second attempt. I think it is 'better' than the first. Same style as the first, but the papers are from GCD studio (OMG--if you have never 'tried' GCD Studio papers, you shold defintiely give them a try! WOW!)

So, that's it for me.

I am entering these cards in the following:
Unity Friends with Flair--
One Crazy Stamper November challenge
Ribbon Carousel Blog--Holidays and Celebrations challenge 

Thanks for stopping by!
Be safe. Get crafty.

Some Christmas cards

Happy Wednesday! Is it?? For me, kind of! I am not working today, so I'm spending the day with my DD, and tackling her room. It is bitterly cold outside, and I am not in the cold weather mood right now. ;)

This past Saturday, I gathered some of my Christmas craft supplies and convinced my gang at home to make some Christmas cards. Lots of groans and moans (I mean, really?? Make Christmas cards on a Saturday?? Their only day off?? What was I thinking??) Until I told them why I wanted to make Christmas cards as a family project. For the 2013 Caring Hearts Card drive, to make cards for the elderly people in the nursing homes. I really, REALLY wanted to do this when I first read about it on Jennifer McGuire's blog. I mean, really, what a great cause! Crafting for a cause cannot get any better! Once the cause was mentioned, no more groans. :)

I had gathered some of my 6x6 paper pads, the Christmas themed ones, that is. (believe it or not, I do not have many...huh! go figure!) Also, my 8x8 October Afternoon Make it Merry (that has got to be my FAVE!) I also got various Christmas themed stamps, inks, washi tapes, die cuts, little doo jiggers, and what-nots. I needed to inspire my boys!!!

I was very, VERY happy to realize they were having fun!!! Yippee!! And the best part? We got over 25 cards done!  Here are some we did:

Obviously these are just a sampling of some of them (I had trouble loading them onto my laptop for some reason..grr!) But I am proud of my guys!

I had made a few too:

So, there you have it folks! I am planning on making more cards this week, and then ship them off to the Canadian address available for this Drive. It's a great cause!

I am also linking up to the ONECRAZYSTAMPER.com November Christmas Challenge

Be safe. Get crafty.

Patchwork Sunday

Happy Sunday! Sunday already---the weekend has zoomed by me for sure!! So busy! I hope you all had a great weekend.

I made a card tonight...actually made quite a few cards this weekend, but more on that later...I made a card for Simon Monday Challenge Blog-Patchwork. Looked very interesting, and had an idea of how to make my card. Couldn't do it beforehand until tonight.

I used scraps from my stash, my Zig glue pen, and my trusty American Crafts Cut-Up Trimmer, with the scalloped blade. I cute up various pieces of paper, and put them together like a quilt puzzle on my base card. This was actually quite fun.

The snowflake is from Maya Arts, and is acrylic. I thought it needed something to make it pop, and since I did not have the color Stickles I wanted, I used ....Puffy Paint! Sprinkled some Martha Stewart glitter over it and glued it onto my card. The sentiment is taken from MME's 'Winterland' 6x6 paper pad.

That's it for me.

Ba safe. Get crafty.

Thank you...

Good morning!

Can you believe that it is Friday already?? One week into November...already...! Yeesh---time is sure flying by!

A quick post today to share a card I made very quickly this morning. We were invited to a dear friend's house last night for supper (which was delicious!!) and I just wanted to make a 'Thank you' card for his hospitality. (I am also making him a loaf of bread, Rosemary and Olive---which he adores!)

So, without further adieu, here it is.

I used Doodlebug card base, inked up some Unity stamps with Andirondack Snow Cap ink, heat embossed. Very simple. As you can see, I smudged a bit (this was with only 2 cups of coffee in me! please forgive me) so, I might just spritz with glimmer spray to 'hide' the smudge.

Anyways, that is it for me today. I am trying to finish up some layouts today.

I am linking this card up to the following:
Unity Stamp Company: Friends with Flair
Shopping Our Stash Weekly Challenge #126--Thanks

Be safe. Get crafty.

Authentique Mini album

Happy Tuesday friends!
How have you all been?? Great weekend?

Ours....yeesh! BUSY ! We had a freakish storm on Friday afternoon, which took out our power for the whole weekend. Fun! Thankfully, trees did not fall on our property....but one huge tree fell across our road, so not only were we without power, we were also stranded. Lovely! But it's all fixed now. The tree was removed on Sunday morning, so we were able to go to Montreal for my niece's baby shower. The power was restored by that evening...amen to that! First thing my teens did?? Jumped into the shower...! lol
So, my niece's baby shower was Sunday past. I had made her a baby book, which you can read about HERE. When I bought the chipboard book at Michael's, it had also came with a smaller board book. So, since I was finished with her book, I decided to make her a Mommy brag book. Now what papers? Nothing too baby-ish or too 'hard-core'. Looked through my papers, and then the choice was so obvious, it should have just smacked me! :) Authentique Genuine. LOVE, LOVE! Perfect for what I wanted to do.
I used various elements to embellish the book, but not too much. Some products were from My Mind's Eye (journal tags), Basic Grey (snippets), UmWow Studio (chipboard), Teresa Collins(journal spots), Deja Views (quote tags), Tim Holtz (grungeboard elements and inks), Technique Tuesday (tedd stamp), Dylusions Sprays, Webster's Pages (journal tags), Echo Park (washi tape), ribbon, colored pencils.

I really enjoyed making this mini. Not that I would make them all the time, but it is fun to get out of your element every once in awhile.

I am entering this in the Authentique Throwback Thursday challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

Be safe. Get crafty.