The Stamp Doctor

Good morning!  I hope you're having a wonderful holiday season.

So I was supposed to create something for The Stamp Doctor that pertained to holiday or winter and to tell you the truth, I just couldn't bring myself to make one more Christmas card and I don't have the snowman stamps from TSD in my collection just yet, so it really presented a dilemma for me.  What to make?

Unfortunately, a friend of mine just recently lost his father and I realized that I do not have any sympathy cards in my stash.  So I created this card using the Rose Bouquet and the Dove & Peace die.  The background lattice is very similar to Spellbinders Grateful Lattice (S5-164) but was cut using a cut file by Echo Park available in the Silhouette online store.

Now, this particular card isn't appropriate to give to my friend since I chose to use pink, but I still think it turned out lovely.

Have a fantastic day and Happy New Year!!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #230 and 12 Days of Christmas - Day 12

Good Morning!  As I promised for the 12th day of Christmas I'd show you super easy last minute gift giving project.  It's also Tuesday so there's a new challenge up on Tuesday Morning Sketches - Anything Goes.  Yes, that's me coughing, sputtering and gasping for air.  Me of all people said it's an Anything Goes challenge, but it's our one and only annual challenge that is a free for all!

So here's my project that ends this 12 Days of Christmas series.

With this project you have the card, the gift wrapping and the gift all in one.  I used my Silhouette to create the 3D bow, but you know that there are many companies out there with dies available, too.  MFT is one of them.  This bow is so darn cute!

Look at the 3D coolness!  Then using my very old small and large tag punches from Stampin' Up! I made a little gift tag and added a sentiment that's from CC Designs.

Stick a gift card inside and there you go - instant present!

I hope you've enjoyed my 12 Days of Christmas series, I have certainly enjoyed making these projects and sharing them with you.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11

Good Morning!  Can you believe it?  Christmas is 2 days away.  Are you ready?  I think I am, a trip to the bank will wrap things up for me.  My kids' dad took care of the "big" gifts this year, so I bought the boring clothes, the ornaments I give them every year and I'm handing them some cash.  I think they'll be pretty happy with that.  But I needed something for presentation.

I was looking at the Silhouette Online Store and saw this really cute money card.  It's on sale for 75 cents but I got to looking at it and figured I could make it without needing to buy the cut file.  So I thank the artist for the idea, but I did it with minimal use of the Silhouette.  I did get a border file that I'll be able to use more than I could the money envelope and it, too, was on sale for 75 cents.

So I started with a piece of red card stock and cut it down to 7" x 10 3/4" - then on my Scor-Pal I scored at 4" and at 8".  On the section that measures 2 3/4", put Scor-Tape along the two sides, don't adhere just yet, but this will create your pocket.  Fold along the scored lines and with a bone folder sharpen those folds.  Position an oval punch about half way in the center of the pocket part (refer to picture below) and punch.  This creates a notch so it's easy to see there is money in there and to take it out.  Now you can adhere to create the pocket.

I cut the white border that creates the white fur of the coat using the Silhouette.  Glue that onto the front of your card and trim as needed.  Using the Labels One die from Spellbinders, cut out using glitter paper (or metallic paper).  I used a craft knife to cut out the center, but if you have a punch, that would work to.  This will create Santa's belt buckle.  Cut a piece of black card stock 1 5/8" x 11".  My glitter paper has an adhesive back so I scored the protective backing with a craft knife at the top and bottom of the opening on the buckle to expose the sticky part that will be on the black band and adhered to the back piece of card stock.

Punch out 3 circles (5/8" used here) for buttons.  Then you can decorate the inside if you'd like.

I got a set of Christmas phrases for 35 cents at Miss Kate's Cuttables.  In hindsight, the words would've looked better in black, but I was trying to be festive.  Tuck your monetary gift inside.  Close and wrap the belt around the card to create a belly band.

The measurements provided will work for a check, too.  Have fun!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 10

Hello.  I hope your weekend is going well.  I am so excited that I don't have to go to work tomorrow!  I cannot believe that my 12 Days of Christmas series is about done either.  I have a super easy idea to share with you.

We've all altered something, right?  Whether it be a notebook, a frame or paint bucket - we've all done it.  Well how about doing the same to an ornament that cost under $2 (and you'll score even better with the after Christmas clearance sales).  I found this ornament and dressed it up a bit....

So here's what a I did:  I cut the "Peace" out of white glitter paper (I wanted to use the silver that I have, but that wasn't happening.  Note to self: NEVER buy self-adhesive glitter paper.  Nothing cuts it!).  I used a die from The Stamp Doctor.  Then I created the bow by following a great how to video on You Tube and attached it to the ornament with a glue dot.  I then added the ribbon for the hanger part and viola!  An inexpensive ornament that's a little festive.

Enjoy your Sunday.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 9

Hello - Happy Saturday and Happy Christmas vacation!! Whoo-hoo!!  I am basically off the next 2 weeks, I do have work on Tuesday in the upcoming week and Thursday the following week.  I like it!

So I'm busy putting the finishing touches on Christmas and that will include getting the tree decorated this evening.  It's been out of the box for about 2 weeks now - we should probably decorate it and get gifts wrapped and put them under the tree.  So, every year I give the kids a new ornament and found these super cute, set of 3, ornaments on Amazon and they arrived in just bubble wrap.  THAT is no presentation at all but this is....

So I recently bought this box for 75 cents in the Silhouette Online store and this really beats what I was going to do.  I have realized that my 12 days of Christmas was going to be sort of lame without this handy dandy machine. This is super cute and is going to be a great way to give the ornaments.

Have a super Saturday, I am off to bake cookies.  Can't wait to show you that presentation.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 8

Hello!  We're half way thru my take on the 12 Days of Christmas and today I created a card that I am so excited about, I almost peed my pants!  So, I think everyone in the free world knows that my sister spoiled me this year and sent me a Silhouette Portrait.  Because it arrived when it did, it made me change the direction of how I thought this series would go.

I have absolutely loved getting know this machine and getting cut files for it.  I liked that I was able to buy some cuts before I got the machine and take advantage of Silhouette Online store sale.  I can't wait to see what the sale is going to be on subscriptions. That starts on 12/26 - they let the cat out of the bag, not me.  Anyway, what I've not loved about the online store is that they don't {yet} tell you which files are not compatible with the Portrait.  I bought a file and then wished I hadn't because it's sized for the Cameo.  I'll continue this story in a minute.

Here's the front of the card, featuring an adorable digi from Deedee's Digi's.  This is from the set called Christmas Cutie.

And now to continue my story.  So I decided to play with the file anyway.  I re-sized to fit the mat and cut it out.  Well, I took one look at it and "YES!  I can use this!!"  I went back to the Silhouette software and un-grouped the file and deleted the piece that is meant to the the base of the card or the outside.  Then it sort of re-grouped itself because I didn't have to do it, and moved it over and re-sized again.  The result is an inside that just needed to be trimmed 1/8" on each right and left side.  Ta-da......

Now do see why such excitement.  The easiest, the coolest, the funnest pop-up ever!  Happy happy happy!!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

** Please scroll down for the Delightful Challenges post **

Hello - this is the 2nd post for today.  So I'm sharing a little packaging fun.  I can't show you what's inside because it'll give a present away, but I had to show off this gorgeous poinsettia I made the first night I got the Silhouette Portrait.  It's adorning the package of one of my sister's Christmas gift.

So here's the present.  Now I admit, the paper is a bit more whimsical for the flower, but I think it's pretty.  I just wanted to share an idea with you on how easily you can dress up a package.  It sure beats them nasty bows that come in a bag that so many of us tend to lean on each year.

Here's the flower up close.

The flower is an SVG cut created by Penny Duncan.  I am so thrilled that I can use her cut files once again.  She's created some pretty things and she's showcased a few of my projects on her blog.  So it's a happy thing to have "joined" her again.

Have a wonderful day and be sure to scroll down for the Delightful Challenge post.

Delightful Challenges Thursday

Good Morning!  Happy Thursday.  This is the last week of Delightful Challenges for the year.  We are going on a much needed vacation and getting ready to come back in the new year with better than ever pretty things to share.  I'm looking forward to it!

This week's challenge is...

CELEBRATE

So I set out to do something I never did before.  I designed my own digital cut.  It's not very good and it's cut out on the eCraft (bleh!) - but not bad for my first attempt.  My card features Tommy Trumpeter and he's blowing in the New Year.

Let me take this moment to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I hope your holiday is filled with love, family and the warmth that this season brings.  Much Merry & Bright to you and your loved ones.

Hugs,
Melissa

12 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Good Morning!  I have another card to share with you as part of my 12 Days of Christmas series.  This time I brought the Doctor in to play.  No, not playing doctor.... The Stamp Doctor.

I made this card several weeks ago, I'm excited that I finally have an opportunity to share it with you.  This is called a Flap Fold card, I found a video on You Tube by Dawn Griffith and it's fabulous.

So here's the front of the card and it does measure from bottom edge to top of circle 5 1/2" so it will fit in a normal size envelope.  The punched snowflake is the closure to the top.

Isn't this a fabulous fold on a card!  I just love it.  You can check out Dawn's video here.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #229 and 12 Days of Christmas - Day 5

Good Morning TMS friends,

So glad you could join me today.  This is a double duty post for Tuesday Morning Sketches, sponsored by Sweet n Sassy Stamps and it's the 5th day of my 12 Days of Christmas.

Today, I have a delightful card featuring my favorite mouse ever - Cocoa Mouse....

Merry & Bright, indeed!  I went with bright, festive colors for this clean and simple card.  I created the sentiment on my computer using Santa's Sleigh font that I found on dafont dot com.

Please head on over to the TMS blog to see my team's amazing designs they created to share with you.  Please leave them lots of love and encouragement.  They work very hard to inspire you.  Have an awesome day!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4

Good Morning!  Happy Monday.  I hope you had a great weekend.  I had tons of fun yesterday creating all kinds of awesome projects to share with you.

Today's project is a super easy stocking stuffer idea.  I know it's probably not new, however, it was new to me.  This is a tic-tac cover....

So here's how I made it.  I measured the container from top to bottom and then subtracted about 1/8" from that.  I kept the length at 6" from the paper pad I used and wrapped it around the container firmly to get creases for the sides.  Then I placed it on the Scor-Pal and scored at that crease marks.  I then punched out of scrap paper a 1 1/4" circle and placed that on the front center panel of the cover and lightly drew around it.  This provided the guide I needed to put it in the punch.  Then I punched out of glitter paper a circle and then a larger circle to create a ring and free-hand cut a cap.  Wrap the cover around the container securing it with Scor-Tape.  Add a little ribbon bow and there you have it.  Super cute stocking stuffer.

I hope you have a fabulous day and we'll see you tomorrow when my TMS posts joins in the 12 Days of Christmas fun.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Good Morning Friends,

Thanks for stopping by to see me.  I hope you're enjoying my Christmas projects as much as I'm enjoying sharing them with you.  I think I told you yesterday about rhinestoning costumes, that's how I spent my morning and then yesterday evening we had the Sanford Christmas Parade.  It was awesome!

Hollyanne is an Officer in club at school called Dance Diabetes Away Project (DDA) - it's a dance club formed by a student who has diabetes so she shares her knowledge of how to care for your body and promoting good health and exercise through dance.  It's a fantastic club and I am thrilled that my daughter is a part of it.

So I created this page with a new digital kit that I just got from MyMemories Suite - love it!  Then when I got home, all I had to do was drop in the photos.  So easy.

Enjoy your Sunday, I'm going to be busy cranking our even more Christmas ideas today to share with you.

12 Days of Christmas - Day 2

Good Morning friends,

As you're sipping your morning coffee or tea I am busy bedazzling costumes for the Dazzlers dance team.  They're getting ready for Nationals!

I have a super quick project for you that sort of unexpected.  I had thought I was going to share a crocheted project, but it's not quite finished.  I'll have it in a few days.  So I needed something quick and easy to do and with my handy dandy new friend, the Silhouette Portrait, I was able to put a fast and fun project together in minutes.  Seriously, it took longer to cut it out than it did to put it together!

This is a 3D Pine Tree available in the Silhouette Online Store for just $0.99.  It was really easy to put together, the machine cut perforated lines so I really didn't need to think about it.  My apologies to the artist who created the box, but honestly I felt my inner Mary Rudakas from SVG Cuts while putting this together.  I've watched so many of her videos I heard her talking me through it.

This is the box part of it.  In the Silhouette Online store, they have it pictured with m&m's, but really you could hide chocolate kisses, mints, wadded up dollar bills.  It's a little container with lots of possibilities.  And if you have a Cameo, you could cut it bigger.  I had to go a tad smaller than how the cut comes, but still it was super easy.

Thanks for stopping by today!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 1

Hello!  Welcome to my version of 12 Days of Christmas.  I'm not even going to try to be creative and re-do the song.  I'm here to share with you some of the Christmas projects I've been playing with and maybe I'll help you with some of  your gift giving, sharing greetings or just helping you have a great time.  And at the very least, I hope I put a smile on your face.

To start off with, I knew we'd be visited by another frosty friend.  I've been planning on this guy for a couple of weeks now.  I found a You Tube video where the crafter made a reindeer treat box from punches, the Top Note die by Stampin' Up! and thought it was pretty cute.  So taking from her inspiration, I created my own version of a treat box using my new Silhouette Portrait.  I'm so glad it came!

Isn't he fun?  I used a label cut file that I purchased from Silhouette Online store to create the snowman body and hat and then used my punches for the rest.  I did freehand the holly leaves.  First I punched out an oval and then cut notches in the sides.  I tried using a punch... yeah, that didn't go so well.

So what's on the inside?  I made Peppermint Bark.  Which is supposed to be really easy and it is.  Really.  But let me give you a tip before I tell you how to make it.  Don't use cheap ingredients.  I bought chocolate and white chocolate chips from Aldi.  If you don't have an Aldi, the store is all their store brands.  So often, as with other store brands or generic, the quality is sometimes lacking.  The chocolate didn't harden back up like it should.  The white chocolate melted enough to be the consistency of decorator icing and then starting clumping up.  It was bad!  Use GOOD chocolate.

OK - recipe: 1 bag dark chocolate chips.  Melt half the bag in the microwave (30 seconds, stir, 30 seconds, etc) and then temper the chocolate by then just stirring in the remaining bag of chips until completely melted and smooth.  Pour onto a lined with wax paper cookie sheet and let get cold in the fridge. About 30 minutes.  Repeat this process (don't chill just yet) with the white chocolate chips and pour over the dark chocolate.  Then sprinkle with crushed candy canes over the melted white layer and then chill til hard and set.  Then break into pieces.

This would be great to give as teacher's gifts, treats to co-workers or neighbors.

Enjoy!

Delightful Challenges Thursday and Snowman Week - Day 5

Hi there!  Happy Thursday.  So glad we're on the downhill side to this week.  Only 13 shopping days to Christmas.  This is the last official day of my Snowman week but I think we might be visited by a frosty friend tomorrow which does kick off my 12 Days of Christmas and it's Thursday, so a brand new challenge at Delightful Challenges.

This week's theme....

Red and Green

So I started out using one image from one set, but then I went a different route with the Snowie set.  I just had to play with my new Silhouette Portrait... again.  What do you think?

I realize a snowman sitting with his skates on near a wreath doesn't really go... but I love it!  It's so woodsy and nature-y and he's just too cute!  I colored a little and paper pieced a little, then added some washi tape - super easy.  I will be putting a greeting between the two strips of washi, but I haven't decided on which one.

This view you can see all the sparkle on those berries.  Of course, you can also see my little boo-boo with his nose, but that's OK, too.

Come on and join us at Delightful Challenges!  And I do hope you've enjoyed the parade of Snowmen.

Snowman Week - Day 4

Hello everyone.  Thank you so much for all the kind comments that have been left on my blog.  I surely appreciate your visit.

Today's Snowman day is a gift card holder and a little whatever you want to make it.  First the gift card holder.  MY SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT arrived!!!  Whoo-hoo!!!  I've been having a fun time playing with this.  This little gift card holder could use a little punching up but not bad for the first try with this awesome little machine.

I found this cut file in the Silhouette Online Store.  It took some figuring out and ungrouping and grouping and figuring out the mat.  I would have to say that I am not a fan of the clear cutting mat and that there are no grid numbers in the software on the virtual cutting mat.  That would've been helpful, but I eventually got it.  This is not the original face it comes with.  The tip on the cut file says to use the sketch pens to draw the face on first.  I don't have those so I deleted them from the file and used my punches to create the eyes and mouth.  But this is pretty darn cute.  As I said, I could've spruced it up a bit more, but it's all to come as I learn more and more about this machine.

Next up is the whatever you want it to be.  I found these on You Tube and thought they'd be really fun to make.

Let me give you a tip - listen to "them" when they say color the beads with a Sharpie.  Coloring with a Copic lead to a huge mess!  See the smudge - yeah well, we're pretending it's coal dust.    Now what do I mean it could be what you want?  Well, add some ribbon or string to the top and it's an ornament.  Glue on a pin back and it's a fun broach.  Glue on a magnet and you can decorate your refrigerator.

These are some super quick gift ideas that I hope you'll try out.  By the way, you don't have to own a Silhouette to create a cute gift card holder - but it sure made it easy!  Have a great day.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #228 and Snowman Week - Day 3

Good Morning!  Happy Tuesday - thanks for stopping by for my TMS post as well as Day 3 of my Snowman Week.  I am certainly having tons of fun playing with my frosty friends.

It's also Judged Challenge week at TMS which means there's an added twist...

Jingle Bells and/or Snowman

What a lovely combination and then add it to Laura's (former DT member) sketch, it's sure to bring you pleasing results.  I am pretty pleased with my card.  I wanted tinier jingle bells, but they were all out at the craft stores so I went with the next size up and I am really happy that did.

I used a stamp set from CTMH that my sister sent me last year.  I used decorative paper from the Festivus paper pad by Recollections.  I moved up one of the elements on the sketch to accommodate the button, twine and jingle bells.

Now head on over to the TMS blog to see the rest of the design team awe inspiring creations.  Have a great Tuesday!

Snowman Week - Day 2

Good Morning!  Happy Monday - I hope your day is off to a great start.  Mine is going well, so far.  I've got a cup of coffee by my side and I'm working from home today which means I'm at work in my pj's.  This is the way to work on a Monday.

So thanks for coming by for Day 2 of my Snowman Week.  Today's card features one of my favorite stamp sets from The Greeting Farm.  It's called Keep Kozy.  I love the snowmen in this set and the sentiments are really fun.  I used the sketch on Sunday Sketch & Stamp where this week my friend Joni hosting.  She made a beautiful to inspire all those who see it and it sure inspired me.

My card is fairly simple and it will mail with one postage stamp.  That's a plus!  I also used dies by Spellbinders and MFT, the snowflake punch is Martha Stewart.

Thank you for stopping by.  For all my friends/family in the North & Mid-West - I'm sending you warm wishes.  Bundle up.

Snowman Week - Day 1

Hi everyone!  Hope you're enjoying your weekend.  Mine has been busy but pretty enjoyable.  I finished one of two crochet projects that will be for my sisters in Colorado.  It's so cold there right now it sort of makes me feel guilty for living in Florida where today's high will be 82* and their high will be 22* - brrrr.

Anyway, thanks my dropping by today.  I am doing a special feature for the next 5 days called Snowman Week.  This will lead me into my other special feature of 12 days Christmas.  But more on that as the week progresses.  For the next 5 days I will be sharing with you one of my favorite things - the Snowman.  They have to be one of the best things about winter.  So I'm kicking it off with a scrapbook page that I made featuring Christmas Cuties by Deedee's Digis and loosely followed the sketch on Just Us Girls.  I don't even know if they allow scrapbook pages, let alone digital ones.

 You may recall that I posted a page a few days ago of all 3 of my children in a Christmas layout.  I need to create pages of their single photos, too, so I am starting out with my daughter.  Is she not the most precious little girl?  Even what she is wearing is perfect for Snowman Week.  I made that little dress for her.  The little strip of green/red paper comes in the Christmas Cutie set as well as the adorable snowman.  The rest is from the My Memories Suite software.  Remember that Version 5 is now available and by using my code, you can get $10 off.

I do hope you enjoy my page and will come back tomorrow for another fun Snowman project.

Delightful Challenges Thursday

** DOING THE HAPPY DANCE **  I am so excited that Thursday is finally here!!

Oh, wait.... Good Morning.  I hope you're doing well today.  I am so happy that you're here and now back to happy dancing.  You know that moment that you make a card that you're so darn pleased with you just can't wait to share it?  Yeah, well, this is that moment.

This week's challenge at Delightful Challenges is called...

You're a Gem

(add gems to your card)

And it's also the new release and this Christmas release I think is Wendy's best one yet!  I got to use Snowflake Shelly.  I also used Gifts & Garlands and Christmas Hugs Sentiments to create this card.  Let me show you...

So here's the front of the card where Snowflake Shelly is prominently featured.  Isn't she cute in her silvery, wintry outfit?  I also used the Holly Jolly digi paper pack - I just loved the Silver Trees paper.  It worked perfectly with my card scheme.  And now of the inside....

Wait for it....

Ta da!!....

It's a pop up!!

OK - so pop up cards have been around for forrrr-evverrrr but it's the first one that I actually made successfully.  I watched Gina K's video on pop up cards over and over and then I went for it.

Here's a closer look the top part and all it's pretty, shiny bling.

And the bottom view of the sentiment.

I do hope you'll join us over at the Delightful Challenges blog to play along.  It'll be fun!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #227

Good Morning!  It's Tuesday and that means a new sketch and a whole lotta fun at TMS.  This week we're sponsored by Stamp Fairy (yay!) and I cannot wait to show you my card.  I love how this turned out.  And what is funny... this is not how it started.

This is from another one of Angela's card kits that I got a long time ago in a swap.  That girl knows how to create an awesome kit!  I want that embossing folder.

My card does feature probably one of the first Stamp Fairy images I received as a DT Member when Gerda first opened her virtual store.  It makes me smile every time I see it.  I do hope you'll head on over to the TMS blog to see the other wonderful cards by the team and maybe play along with us.

Have a super Tuesday.

Digi-scrapbooking with Deedee's Digis

Good Morning everyone!  I hope you all had a nice holiday.  I've had a fabulous 5 days off, I've enjoyed some time to myself and just feel a little recharged.

I've been working on some great ideas to share with you for my version of 12 Days of Christmas.  I'll be featuring cards, layouts, gift giving and maybe even a recipe or two.  I'll be starting on Dec 13th and end on Dec 24th with that last minute gift idea.

Alright, I made a scrapbook page to share with you today.  If you're a MyMemories Suite user then you've probably heard that version 5 is available.  If you already own v4, you can upgrade for about $20!  What a deal.  If you don't own the software at all, grab my code and get $10 off the software.

My page features Deedee's Digis images from Country Christmas (the snowman and stockings).

OK - I have to say this.... are these not the cutest kids ever?!  I know, I'm biased.  But look at Brendan, so handsome and my daughter is precious and then LOOK AT LEVI!!  Oh my goodness, no one can feel "bah-hum-bug" looking at that smile!

Alright, I'll let you go now.  Have a great Monday, thanks for stopping by.

Delightful Challenges

Good Morning!  Happy Thanksgiving.  I have to say that I am actually looking forward to today.  My kids will be back tonight around 10pm so that still gives me almost an entire day to myself.  My friend will be over around 2pm for Thanksgiving dinner.  The turkey will already be in the oven roasting to a happy golden brown.

Yesterday was awesome.  So I didn't accomplish a lot but I got a lot started and that makes me very happy.  I've been working on some ideas for my 12 days of Christmas on my blog that I hope to start on Dec 13th and have it end Dec 24th.  I am planning Christmas cards and 3D projects, gifts and maybe some ornaments.  It should be a lot of fun, I hope you come back to see.

This week's challenge is up at Delightful Challenges - yep!  We're still playing this week.  And this week makes me feel like singing.  Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens... bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens......

FAVORITE THINGS

(technique, embellishments, etc)

My choice was pretty simple.  I have a favorite tool.  My Scor-Pal.  It never leaves my crafting table.  I use it as a work surface, too.  It is definitely my pal.  And I also used one of my favorite types of images from Digital Delights my Louby Loo.  I love love love the characters that Wendy creates.  This one is Forgetful Fran.

So I created a gatefold card which is super easy to do.  And then I kept it bright, cheerful and very simple.  Open up the gates and you'll find the message.

My oldest son is always getting on my for not doing anything on the inside.  So here is where I placed the message.  The sentiment comes with the Forgetful Fran image.  Easy peasy.

Well, enjoy your turkey and all the fixin's or whatever you eat on Thanksgiving.  And we'll see you over at Delightful Challenges.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #226

Good Morning!  Happy Tuesday.  I am so excited that this is my "friday" at work.  I am off for the next few days and I get to have a day to myself.  Can you say RECHARGE!  Whoo-hoo.

This week's sketch is posted and I think it's a fun one.  We're sponsored by Bugaboo and my card features Brat - Thanksgiving.  Appropriate, don't you think?

I think the Brat line is one of favorites, I tend to choose them a lot!  I really like the simplicity of my card and the Fall colors.  I really hope to see you over at the TMS blog playing along.  C'mon let the guys have their turkey coma and football games.  Come stamp with us!

Here Comes Santa Claus

Good Morning.  Happy Friday!!  I am so happy that Friday is finally here, I'm sure you are, too.  Before I show you the card I made, the Stamp Doctor herself just celebrated a birthday.  If you'd like to see the cards that RN Lizzie and the EMTs made to celebrate her special day, just visit Lizzie's blog and do the little hop.  You will surely be inspired along the way.

And now for today's card.  I always aspire to look at "old" things in a "new" way.  So I set off to try something fun with some Spellbinders dies in a different way.

I made this using Spellbinders dies:  Scalloped Circles, Oval dies, Blossoms Tags & Accents dies.  TSD stamps are from Santa Circles set.  Paper is by Teresa Collins.

How to make this card:

• 1.  Cut 2 scalloped circles from white card stock.  Emboss these with any texture plate (M-Bossibilities have lots of choices) or use white puff paint.  Ink the smaller circle with a touch of gray so that it stands out a little.  Adhere to larger circle.
• 2.  Cut out oval from flesh colored card stock and ink it just a little with dark pink ink for cheeks.
• 3.  Punch out little white circles and little black circles and little flesh colored circle for eyes and nose.  I did punch out 1/4" circle from red for his lower lip.  I also used an old flower punch to make the mustache.  Adhere as I did.
• 4.  Now cut a 2 x 4 inch rectangle from red card stock and cut in half from bottom left point to top right point.  Score the short straight edge about 1/2 - 3/4" inch and fold over.  Adhere as I did.
• 5.  Using one of the dies from the Blossoms Tags & Accents dies, cut white card stock for the puff ball accent on his hat.  Add buttons to create cuff on hat.
• 6.  Add your sentiments to the base of the card.

Have a great Friday!

Delightful Challenge Thursday

Hello!  How are you?  I am so happy that it's Thursday - because we're one day closer to the Thanksgiving holiday and I have some vacation time coming.  Whoo-hoo!

But I am also happy because it's Delightful Challenges day and I love love love when we do ANYTHING BUT A CARD because I get to play with all sorts of fun things.  Not that cards... techniques... and such aren't fun - this challenge is just extra fun for me.

My project features the sweet little snowchild from Christmas Toppers #6 and a sentiment from Caroler's Sentiments set.  Before I show you, let me share, I made these adorable little mummy jar candles for Halloween.  At work, in my old department, they had a Halloween baking contest so I created the award.  Jar mummies.  Anyway, so I have the lids leftover.  Well, now it was time to figure out what to do with these.  Here's what I came up with....

Is this not cute?  What a super easy project, too.  I printed her twice because the base image is behind the ring.  Then I needed the hands/scarf to place over top in front of the ring.  I punched out a few snowflakes, blinged them up just a little and created a banner with my sentiment.  I had it together in 15 minutes and that includes coloring!

We'll see you over at the Delightful Challenges blog - I can't wait to see what you make!

Happy Birthday Dr. Mechele!! Blog Hop

Good Morning!  So there is a special Dr (of stamps) that thought she could slip by her birthday going unnoticed.  Well, her right hand RN and faithful EMTs are here to not let that happen.

Welcome to our version of a birthday party for our Doctor Mechele!  Insert confetti and horns blowing.

Here is a card I created to wish Mechele a very happy birthday.  My card features the beautiful TSD stamp Poppy Corner (G029), Labels One Spellbinders Dies (S4-161) and Blossoms & Accents  Spellbinders Dies.  Please note:  the sentiment is not available at TSD, it's all I had at the moment.  But let me suggest A018 Candle & Make a Wish (it's $3.00!!).

I am really pleased with how my card turned out.  The paper is from My Mind's Eye (Dolled Up).  The ribbon, twine and button are from my stash of embellishments.

Happy Birthday Mechele.  I hope your day is filled with fun, laughter, wishes that have come true and lots of chocolate cake!  Your next stop on this birthday blog hop is EMT Luisa's blog.  Enjoy!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #225

Good Morning!  It's Tuesday and that means a great sketch is up at Tuesday Morning Sketches and an awesome sponsor is joining us this week.  We have Paper Pretties joining us and I couldn't be more excited.  This week's card features one of my favorite images drawn by ARTish called Esspress Delivery.

This is certainly how I feel I need to function some mornings.... just give me a caffeine drip!  I know Jessi is going to love this card because she's got a deep and meaningful relationship with coffee - like me.  I am also thrilled to get to play along with Just Us Girls' challenge (color)!  I haven't joined one of their challenges in so long.  Have you all missed me?  LOL  Don't answer that.

Now head on over to TMS to play along, leave some love for my team and just enjoy yourself!

Delightful Challenges Thursday

Hello my friends!  I hope you're week is going well.  Mine is going quite nicely, I think the OT is finally winding down and I can assume a somewhat normal life again.  As I write this blog entry, I am eating a small dish of ice cream (not something I can have very often) and Publix has their holiday flavors available.  I'm enjoying Egg Nog ice cream and it is too die for!  Yummy!!

Speaking of holidays, here in the US we have Thanksgiving quickly approaching.  Not one of my favorite holidays, but it'll be nice to be off for a couple of days.  That's something to be thankful for.  I've noticed that many of my friends are posting on Facebook what they're thankful for and although I'm not doing that I am truly thankful for my health, my children, my job, my family & friends, my hobbies and my Kindle.  What are you thankful for?  Who do you need to say "thank you" to?

This week's challenge at Delightful Challenges is all about being thankful.  However you wish to interpret that.  Thank you, Thanksgiving, Veterans....

So I started out making a suspension card with these images, but I messed up, so it became a window card!  I love sunflowers and fall colors so this card was really fun to put together.  Easy, too.  It really did become a happy mistake.  My card features Fall Sunflower and Thank You sentiment.

I can't wait to see what you create!

Tuesday Morning Sketches #224

Good Morning!  Happy Tuesday.  We've got a brand new sketch up on the TMS blog and it's the Judged Challenge week, so the added twist is THANK YOU cards.

This week is sponsored by There She Goes Stamps, my card features Fabulous and You're a Hoot, two of my favorite sets....

Please head on over to TMS to see some really fabulous creations by the design team!  Have a great day.

The Stamp Doctor

Hello friends,

Today is my day to post on The Stamp Doctor blog - this month the Dr. Mechele, RN Lizzie and the EMTs are sharing holiday cards.  I really meant to something for Thanksgiving, but I have been enjoying playing with Christmas cards.

You know, every now and then, I enjoy making CAS cards and playing along with some challenges.  This is a perfect opportunity for me to spread the word about The Stamp Doctor's wonderful stamps and join in challenges that I rarely get to.  Let me show you my card....

I think this is a great clean and simple card and packs a lot of punch.  I would enjoy receiving this card during the Christmas season.  My card features Santa Claus Circles, Beaded Circles Spellbinders dies and this great Christmas paper called Santa's List by Teresa Collins.

The challenges I'm playing along with are:

The Kraft Journal - Any Sketch
Creative Knockouts - Get Punchy
Freshly Made Sketches - Sketch (missed the deadline and I played with too many challenges)
Sister Act - Card Challenge
CAS-ual Fridays - Embossing

Delightful Challenge Thursday

Good Morning!  I hope everyone is enjoying their week so far.  Mine is going pretty well, still working tons of extra hours but yay, I'll have Christmas money.

This week's challenge is up and this time it's....

ALL THAT GLITTERS

We're also using some super duper cute images that have just be released.  I'm featuring Festive Monkey.

I am also featuring Christmas Hugs sentiment set.  The card layout is from this week's Tuesday Morning Sketches sketch.

This angle was supposed to show the glittered hat brim and snowflake.  Maybe it's the lighting I am typing by, but for the life of me, I cannot see that pretty glitter.  It's there I promise.  Also the flower is pretty shimmery which reminds me of glitter.

At any rate, come on over to the Delightful Challenge blog and play with us!  Then head on over to the shop to score some great digis at 20% off a purchase of $10 or more.  Just use the code THANKFUL.