Let's Hear it for the Boy!

Last week my mom asked me if I wanted her scraps of BasicGrey Hang 10 collection. I traded her with a collection of equally old K&Co. papers and coordinating 3D stickers, acetate, and chipboard pieces. Last month my BF, Kaye, gave me the MFT stamp set Let's Hear it for the Boy for my birthday. I like these BG Hang 10 papers because they are great for masculine or autumn cards. I used my MFT set! First I colored with copic markers, but no matter how much I layered colors, I could not coordinate with the BG paper. I ended up paper piecing over my coloring for his jacket, chair, and area rug. It also bothers me that there is no distinction between the wall and the floor. I'll work on that the next time I use this set, but I am happy to hear your suggestions :)

I added some SU chocolate chip felt ribbon and dimensionals. Done is good enough today.
Here is our Thanksgiving meal. We had planned to go to see my parents and grandparents for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast, but Wednesday night our dd, Julia, was sick all night. My cute little bug could not even keep down water. Wegmans grocery store to the rescue! I drove over to Wegmans and purchased mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, cranberry relish (quite good; like my own recipe!), honey brine roasted turkey breast and apple pie. We still enjoyed a very nice Thanksgiving, even though we were not able to see my parents and grandparents. We will see them next weekend :)

I hope you all have had a wonderful weekend!

Be Inspired # 59 - Add Glitter or Bling Challenge

Cuttlebug Challenge blog is giving away four, (yes, 4) Oh My Crafts! Christmas embossing folders this week. Want a chance to win? Link your sparkly card here...and you have TWO weeks to do so! I love the look of embossing, and I especially love Core'dinations card stock when it is embossed. The white wash collection reminds me of shining snow. I used the Candy Cane embossing folder and lightly sanded. I punched 6 squares @ 1 1/4" of white wash and 6 squares of BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses (I really only needed 5, since my image covers one up; oh well!) I also used SU pink pirouette and old olive card stock, copic markers, BasicGrey buttons, Nesties, and ribbon from my stash. I purchased that adorable snowman (Inkadinkado) at JoAnn online.

Thank you, Grandma!

When I purchased my 6x6 pad of BasicGrey Nook & Pantry, I knew I wanted to use it to make cards for my grandmothers. Last Friday two twin size quilts arrived in the mail for Julia and Kathryn. My grandma has made each of her grandchildren (12 total) a quilt when we each married and then a baby quilt for each of her great-grandchildren (10), then a quilt for each great-grandchild. Here are J&Ks second quilts! I still have my twin size quilt her mother made for me ("Mamaw") out of squares from old draperies and clothing. It is one of my most prized possessions.

I needed to make a thank you note for Grandma, and out came the BG paper :) I am still battling this cold or whatever, so I needed some serious mojo. I found it here at dougnat diaries.

I'll be back tomorrow with a new card for Cuttlebug Challenges!

Festival of Lights - Spotlight on Shimmerz

Here is a sneak peak at my Christmas Memories mini book I made for the Festival of Lights blog hop celebration at Cuttlebug Challenge blog. I used Core'dinations card stock and Shimmerz paints. I am lovin' the Shimmerz! I have tried other similar products over the years, but the sparkle from Shimmerz is exquisite. See the entire tutorial here, but leave a comment here too :)

Festival of Lights - Gifts From the Kitchen

My tutorial for today is to continue our Festival of Lights celebration at Cuttlebug Challenge blog and to spotlight Core'dinations papers. Fun for me! I am quickly becoming a Core'dinations addict; it works perfectly with Cuttlebug embossing folders like chocolate and peanut butter...yummy results. For a couple of more pictures and a detailed supply list, click here. I used Core'dinations papers, punches, and dies to create the caroling reindeer and the two Vixens. I used my new Candy Cane Cuttlebug embossing folder to create the caroler's song book.

Notice that I carried the Festival of Lights theme into these projects by adding tiny light bulb ribbon to the top of the tin canister and the jar...aren't I clever? I found the paint can tin on clearance at JoAnn. I wrapped with paper I found at Michael's in the open stock section of 12x12 (the manufacturer is Carol Wilson Fine Arts, Inc.) I love that it had purples, browns, reds and greens. The paint can holds tea biscuits, the tin has mint tea, and the jar is a chocolate chip bar recipe I found online.

For more details, you can find my tutorial here. Later in the day, my DT sisters, Amber and Ellen, will be posting their gifts from the kitchen using Core'dinations. Don't forget to leave comments on all links to increase your chances of winning the $30 gift card to Peachy Keen stamps!

Be Inspired #58- Festival of Lights Premier

Our Cuttlebug Challenge this week is to create something with lights. My favorite part of the holidays are the lights: hanging from eaves, candles lit in windows, or bushes and trees strung with lights. I also like lighting candles in my home all year long; occasionally at dinner or when I have a chance to soak in the bath tub...I light candles and turn out the lights. The lantern I made for today's post will be displayed in my craft room. My lantern has a wood base and a small light bulb in the center. First I stamped a dragonfly and floral image in various inks on mulberry paper. Then I covered 4 chipboard frames with the stamped mulberry paper. I used my crop-a-dile and jump rings to join the four sides.

Come back tomorrow for my tutorial on Gifts From the Kitchen. I have a few quick and easy gifts to showcase tomorrow :)

Welcome to our first ever Festival of Lights from the fabulous team at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog!

The party kicked off over on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog with a map of the participating Design Team , if you get lost on the way no worries, just check the DT off the map.

In addition to the fabulous projects, we have decided to make this party the most fun ever, by hiding 2 treasures along the hop!

Two selected Designers will draw a random winner from the comments left on her blog in the hop, but it wouldn’t be a treasure hunt if you knew which blog is hiding the treasure, right?

The winner will receive a $30 gift certificate to Peachy Keen Stamps!

You will also get a free year subscription to Technique Junkie Sponsored by Pat Huntoon.

So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win, and add the Cuttlebug blinkie to your blog!! (Click here to download a list of all 16 DT.
P.S. the more comments you leave the better chances you have at winning Leave me comment before you hop away :)

Festival of Lights- Don't miss this!

This is going to be a very exciting 5 day celebration. You don't want to miss one single day of the Festival of Lights Celebration over at Cuttlebug Challenge.

Tomorrow, beginning at 7am east coast time, we will begin our own Festival of Lights and bring 16 wonderful ideas for celebrating with lights. You start with this map, and take a walk in the park, among the twinkling, lighted trees, and see all of the amazing and wonderful things. Leave comments all along the way, and you could win awesome prizes! You don't have to go in any particular order, just download your map, so you can circle the places that you've been, and you have until Sunday night to get everywhere. Please include our Festival of Lights blinkie (top of my right-hand side bar) and leave a comment over at Cuttlebug Challenge blog and on all 16 DT member posts to be eligible for a $30 gift certificate to Peachy Keen stamps.

Please come back tomorrow morning to see my bright idea :) For today, please go over to Cuttlebug Challenge blog for Betty's video tutorials on using copic markers (Cuttlebug University - Copic Intermediate Classes 7am, noon and 6pm today.) There are some great prizes over there...free digital images for five winners, and one winner will receive a set of 12 Sketch Copics from Hallmark Scrapbooks. WAHOO!!!!

Cuttlebug Challenge Christmas Planner Tutorial

I created this envelope book for Cuttlebug Challenge blog. You can see all the inside pages here.

Supplies:
4 envelopes @ 7 3/16" x 5 1/16"
BasicGrey Blitzen papers cut 6 @ 7" x 4 7/8"
Inserts (inside envelopes): 4 @ 4 1/2" x 6 7/8"
4 tabs glued to insert pages (I used a Stampin' Up! punch)
2 (or 3) binder rings
scraps of ribbon
decorate as desired (I used a QuicKutz font for "2009", a CTMH sticker, some wire, and an A Muse sentiment stamp)

Step 1: Glue the envelope flaps inside each envelope to create a pocket.
Step 2: Be careful to apply adhesive to the outside of the envelope and not to the original envelope flap (your "pockets" would be sealed shut!)
Step 3: Decorate all pages/insert pages.
Step 4: Computer generate calendars and check lists.
Step 5: Document your holiday fun!

I'd love to hear YOUR ideas for a holiday planner.

Be Inspired #57 - Sketch Challenge

Cuttlebug Challenges has a sketch challenge this week by the oh-so-fab Cindy Royal. Cuttlebug Challenges is also teaming up this week with:


The prize this week is 3 Provo Craft folders! We encourage you to donate your cards to this great cause. Click here for information on where to send your card(s).

I used the Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles embossing folder on Core'dinations card stock. I also used BasicGrey Indian Summer papers, Nesties, SU punch (sentiment: Never trust anyone without cat hair on their clothes), and May Arts ribbon. My image (by Magenta) is colored with copics. Did you see the most recent tutorial on coloring with copics? Cindy Royal has Copics and Digital Images, the Basics Part III posted here. Did I mention that she's fab?!

This one's for you, Vicky Yager :)

My seet friend, Vic, brought this SU stamp to me and asked me to come up with some card ideas. This is a large stamp! I stamped and embossed on CTMH pink card stock, then fussy cut it out and added an SEI button and some DMC floss. The background paper (Making Memories) is from LFL (lovely friend Lauren). The brads and base card are DCWV. The sentiment,ink and ovals are all SU!

I'm going out-of-town for the weekend. "See" you Tuesday (I hope)!

Spa Sophie /Riley Moose: Give Me the Simple Life

I am so happy with how my shading came out! I started with my darkest copic, then shaded with a medium shade, then a lighter shade. I made an identical card shading light to dark. It turned out well, but more solid looking. I think it is a personal preference. The fabulous sketch is by my idol, Julee: Mojo Monday sketch #111.

Are you interested in winning a set of 12 copic markers? Hallmark Scrapbook has generously donated the set of copics to Cuttlebug Challenge blog. Leave a comment on all 4 copic tutorials for a chance to win.
Class 1: Copics and digital images
Class 2: Copics and digital images, the basics, part 2
Class 3: coming soon!

Be Inspired # 56 - Teresa Collins

This week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge blog is sponsored by Teresa Collins! My, sweet friend, Tracy, has been a Teresa Collins fan for years. Now I am too. Teresa's kits are so easy to follow. Her paper choices and embellishments are wonderful. This kit is an envelope book; all the panels you see (two quotes and journaling rectangles) are glued as flaps on the envelopes. What a perfect way to store extra pictures, tags, or inspirational bits. Some of the pages are half pages...love that!
On my cover I embossed Core'dinations black magic card stock with Cuttlebug's Fleur de Lis embossing folder. Then I fussy cut around the pattern and glued it on the base of the envelope. I made my kit into a gratitude journal.
I am grateful for so many things. As we are approaching Thanksgiving, which is my favorite holiday, I reflect on happy childhood memories. I always spend Thanksgiving with my grandma and grandpa and the menu is always the same: carrots, celery (some stuffed with Spanish olives and cream cheese), black olives, mixed nuts (in little nut cups at each place setting), turkey (cooked all day), dressing, cranberry sauce, sauerkraut seasoned with pork, and pumpkin pie. Yumm-o.
What are you grateful for? Why not create a Thanksgiving/gratitude project of your choosing for this week's challenge at Cuttlebug Challenge blog? I hope to see your creation linked there...a Teresa Collins kit is the prize!

I've been published! & Cuttlebug University is now open

I've been published in ScrapStreet.com magazine! Click here, bottom of page 30. The Cuttlebug design team members were asked to submit 2-3 layouts using Cuttlebug products and Core'dinations card stock. My Eggciting Easter layout (pictured above) was not chosen, but my Golden Dreams layout is online. To see all the creations published by both me and my Cuttlebug sisters, click here. **Hey, Steph, can I get a what,what?**

Speaking of Cuttlebug Challenge blog, Cuttlebug Challenge University is Open!

What is Cuttlebug Challenge University?

Cuttlebug Challenge University is a set of in-depth, unique, step-by-step classes. In each class you will learn easy to follow techniques. Once you complete your 4 classes for the month of November and have linked your projects, you will receive a Graduation Certificate from Cuttlebug Challenge University.

Click on over to Cuttlebug Challenge blog and check out the first class - coloring with copics!
Then I received this lovely award from the sweet Christi of Blessings on Paper. This is how it works:
1. You can only use ONE word.
2. Pass this along to five of your favorite bloggers.
3. Alert them that you have given them this award.
4. Have FUN!!!

Here are the questions with my responses:

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? shoulders
3. Your mother? pollyanna
4. Your father? wise
5. Your favorite food? Indian
6. Your dream last night? delightful
7. Your favorite drink? coke
8. Your dream/goal? heaven
9. What room are you in? craft
10. Your hobby? papercrafting
11. Your fear? murder
12. Where do you want to be in six years? craftroom
13. Where were you last night? tap
14. Something that you're not? tall
15. Muffins? zucchini
16. Wish list item? BasicGrey
17. Where did you grow up? Maryland
18. Last thing you did? dishes
19. What are you wearing? jeans
20. Your t.v.? off
21. Your pets? cat
22. Friends? generous
23: Your life? blessed
24. Your mood? content
25. Missing someone? dh
26. Vehicle? SUV
27. Something you're not wearing? makeup
28. Your favorite store? Stamper's Alley (oops, that's two words)
29. Your favorite color? red
30. Last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? Oct. 27
32. Your best friend? Kaye
33. One place you go over and over again? Stamper's Alley
34. One who emails you regularly? girlfriends
35. Favorite place to eat? Minerva
36. Facebook? rarely

Here are my 5 people:
Lauren, Kay, Steph, Silke, and Chrissie

Some bunny is thinking warm thoughts of you

My Favorite Things (MFT stamps) has a challenge to use white as the primary color. I used Snow Bunny Flopsey and colored with my copic markers RV10, E09, R59, E29 and E33. I practiced shading him; I had lots of fun. My papers are BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses and Bazzill card stock. I embossed with Cuttlebug embossing folders Harlequin and Swiss Dots. The buttons are Making Memories and I used dimensionals to pop up the Flopsey panel.

My wise friend

I enjoyed coloring with my copics on kraft card stock the other day, so I decided to give it another go :) This time my inspiration came from BasicGrey Challenges blog. The challenge this fortnight is a photo inspiration. I loved the autumn red and dark brown in the sofa; it reminded my of Basic Grey Indian Summer papers.

Happy November!