Saturday, December 31, 2011

Top Ten Cards

What an assignment - to choose 10 favorite cards that I sent to OWH.  I sent 471 cards this year and did not keep photos of all of them so I am choosing 10 HERO cards that I do have photos for.  Hope you enjoy and maybe get some ideas for next year.  Before you scroll down, let me wish you all a Very Happy New Year.









Thursday, December 29, 2011

Happy Polar Bear-thday to You

Just love this digital set by CDS and designed by Trudy Sjolander. Really like how I can put the image right on the digital BG.
ABC http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/abc-challenge-f-for.html
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-121-punch-it-sheena.html
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-141-winter-wonderland.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-anything-goes.html
Meljen Designs http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-90.html#en
Mark's Finest http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/12/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_24.html

A Gift Tag For You

It was so fun making Christmas gift tags.  It spurred me on to make tags for the rest of the year - birthday, etc. This tag was made with Unity/Ippity stamps: Thoughts from the Past, Totally Happy, Life is the Journey, Good Morning.
Red heart is a SU punch.
Unity Stamp Co http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/gift-wrapping-challenge.html
Pollycraft  http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-121-punch-it-sheena.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-38-anyhthing-goes-ribbon.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-anything-goes.html
Mark's Finest http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/12/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_24.html

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Monday, December 26, 2011

Four Hundred Sixty Nine

This is the 469th card that I will be sending or have already sent to OWH http://www.owhhomefrontblog.org/.  My goal was 400 for this year so I made it !  Now I will up it to 500 for 2012 .  OWH celebrated the one millionth card this past year.  That is one million happy recipients of cards from our deployed troops.  How cool is that?  Such a pleasure to be a part of this.  Check out OWH and hopefully you will decide to support this great operation.  It costs a lot to send these cards to our heros.  Would you consider donating?
This card is the last Valentine I will be sending to OWH.  They have to be at our shipping centers by Dec.31.

The sketch is Chick Challenge sketch:  http://chickchallengeswithippity.blogspot.com/2011/12/chick-challenge-11.html
And there is a texture challenge at http://lawnscaping.blogspot.com/2011/12/lawnscaping-challenge-24-texture.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-38-anyhthing-goes-ribbon.html
Mark's Finest http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/12/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_24.html
Stamps are Unity , stamping the heart image onto digital DP by Daisy Doodles.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

My Christmas Wish for You

I know I said in my last post that would be my last Christmas Card for the year, but I just had to make another card to wish all of you, my wonderful followers, a Very Merry Christmas.
As the song says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year."  but it is wonderful because we celebrate the birth of a Savior.  Jesus came to bring us hope.  He is the only way to bring us back to God.  He is our Bridge between sinful man and a holy God.  He came to die for us, taking upon Himself the punishment for our sin.  Through His death, He offers us Salvation and eternal life.  My Christmas wish for you is that you will truly understand and know that Jesus really is the reason for this season.  Merry Christmas !

 Sentiment  is by Sweet n Sassy stamped onto DP and I added a pine branch (Gina K Design), distressed a piece of DP, stitched another piece.  The star is chipboard painted with gold paint.
 
Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-120-luke-214.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
Mark's Finest http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/12/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_17.html
Sweet Stop http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/2011/12/sss139-december-17.html

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Last Christmas Card for the Season

I actually made this card several weeks ago but it got lost under the mess on my desk.  So it may be too late to send out - guess I have an early start on next year's cards.
Delightful Challenge - http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/12/weekly-challenge-anything-goes.html
Mark's Finest - http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/2011/12/speedy-cats-friends-challenge-week_17.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon - http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-38-anyhthing-goes-ribbon.html
Our Daily Bread - No embossing, Old DP, gold Edged ribbon, Layers - http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-38-anyhthing-goes-ribbon.html

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Music and Christmas Just Go Together

Here is a bookmark that I made with digital paper.   It had a bit of antiquing , smeared ink but I added a little more distressing on the edges.  The berries are a stamp by Unity that I embossed with gold.  The three words are Our Daily Bread Design and I embossed them with red.  Red grosgrain ribbon, silver and gold cording, and a new to me but old button.
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/reminder-challenge-120-christmas-fun.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-37-silver-gold-with-ribbon.html
Our Daily Bread http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/odbdslc87-book-mark-it.html
Craft Away the Day http://craftyourdaysaway.blogspot.com/2011/11/cyda-challenge-34-buttons-or-bows.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/simon-says-christmas-photomontage.html
Unity Opportunity http://unityopportunity-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/12/dec-4th-ippity-challenge.html

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Baby in Burlap

Each year as we read the story of the birth of Jesus, as we sing the Christmas carols, as we hear the pastors' messages about that incredible event, I try to imagine what it must have been like to be Mary, or Joseph, or any of the people around which the story evolves.  We tend to think that maybe it was just a little inconvenient when in reality, it must have been a terrible, frightening experience for Mary to give birth in some dirty cave used for animals.  There was dirt, filth, and they used a feeding trough to lay the baby in, probably to keep Him from being trampled on by some animal. I was thinking of that when I made this card, trying to get a little of that feel with the burlap and twine.  I found this angel charm that I forgot I had in my stash, tied it to the twine.
The digital image is by Doodle Pantry.
The BG is stamped with Linen BG stamps by Stampin Up and then distressed with Tim Holtz Tea ink.
Stampin Sisters in Christ
http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/12/challenge-118-matthew-120-22.html
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-120-christmas-fun-4-week-long.html
Clearly i Stamp http://clearlyistamp.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/12/clearly-inspired-challenge-41-cic41.html
Card Patterns http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/12/sketch-144.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/simon-says-anything-goes.html

Friday, December 2, 2011

Long TIme No Post

What a week !!  One of those crazy weeks where so many things seemed to break down, including two of my daughters' cars, my car, my computer. Then there was extra babysitting of grandchildren (which I love to do), extra ESL teaching. But one of the most time consuming was trying to get my computer up and running.  I did, but it still will not connect to the internet through our wireless system.  So after nine hours of trying to re-program things, I gave up and loaded Picasa into our other computer so now I can upload and download with that one.    I am surprised at how much these disruptions affect my emotions so I have been trying to chill and realize it is not the end of the world. 
I am sure you did not come to my blog to read about my troubles so here are two tags I made - fairly quick ones.  I hope to have time this weekend to get back to making some cards.
This digital snowman with  his bucket of noses makes me smile.
Challenges: Pollycraft  http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-120-christmas-fun-4-week-long.html
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-139-go-green.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/simon-says-anything-goes.html
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/11/weekly-challenge-new-release-let-it.html
And the second tag:
Challenges:
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/11/weekly-challenge-new-release-let-it.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/simon-says-anything-goes.html
Pollycraft  http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-120-christmas-fun-4-week-long.html

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Simple But Fun Tags

These tags were quick to make but so fun because they were made with the digital images offered at Sentimental Sundays http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-82-masculine-gift-tags.html  and how great to have a masculine feel to a tag.It might be a little hard to see in the photo, but I used a Christmas tree brad in the sports tag and some wire on the fishing tag.
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-36-cas-christmas-ribbon-theme.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/11/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-20.html
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-120-christmas-fun-4-week-long.html

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Time to Say Thanks

Along with Thanksgiving cards as we express thanks to the Lord, I am also making cards to express thanks to people in my life and/or Heros in the military.
For this card, I used the leaves from a GKD set, Signs of Autumn and a digital sentiment by Raindrop Echo Designs http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-81-thanksgivingthank-you.html
and the sketch 244 at CPS http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/

other challenges:  Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/11/simon-says-thanksgivingthanks.html
Meljen Designs http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-84-and-new-release.html

Monday, November 14, 2011

Eighteen and Counting

I've been making Christmas cards, many of them very simple, for Cards that Care card drive.  These cards will be given to the elderly in nursing homes.  Here is a pic of 18 that I have made.
And here is one in particular:
This used the pre-colored digital by Clear Dollar.  I love blue and brown so along with the pastels, I also added a deep chocolate brown for contrast. 
Challenges: Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/11/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-20.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-35-christmas-theme.html
Sweet Stop - sketch - http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/2011/11/sss134-november-12.html
Delightful Challenge http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/11/snowflakes-at-delightful-challenges.html
Meljen Designs http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-84-and-new-release.html

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Wishing You Peace This Christmas

Doesn't this stamp by Stampendous just speak of peace?  I keep coming back to it each Christmas.  I never start the Christmas shopping thing early enough so feel pressured the last week before Christmas and I probably will not change because I hate shopping and therefore put it off until the last minute.  We keep the gifts and expense to a minimum (which makes it harder) and try to center on what is important.  This stamp is a reminder that it is not the gifts, the decorations, the hoopla; it is Jesus.
I stamped the image with Versamark and then blue, embossed with Iridescent Ice EP so it has some iridescent sparkle to it.  The colors change as the light hits it at different angles.  Very hard to photo.
Challenges:
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/11/challenge-35-christmas-theme.html
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-117-anything-goes-marit.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/11/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-20.html
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

So Thankful For DP

I have had some DPs for years, never knowing what to do with them.  I took one of these pieces, cut around some of the leaves, added some color to the leaves and distressing on the edges. Sentiment is Our Daily Bread Design.
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-anything-goes.html
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-117-anything-goes-marit.html
ODBD http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Stamping%20in%20Time

Thursday, October 27, 2011

There is Hope

To continue on with the theme this month of Cancer Awareness.  Lace, pearls, flowers, pink - all feminine.  I would image it would be hard to feel feminine while going through cancer treatments.  I hope that this will be an uplifting card for the recipient.

I used the ODBD Sweet William flowers and dies, using Versamark and clear embossing to give it some shine.  Sentiment is also ODBD. Leaves are Kitchen Sink stamps - so fun to try to match them to the DP
The challenge at ODBD is to use at least three different shapes.  This card incorporates rectangles, circles, ovals, and the flower is an octagon. http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/odbdslc81-geometric-shapes.html
Clear it Out - trims http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/trims.html
Simon Says - anything http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-anything-goes.html
CPS sketch http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Little Snowgirl in Pink Snowsuit

How cute is this image?  It is a new stamp in the GKD stamp set "Warm and Cozy" and her snowsuit just had to be pink ! Even though I am not ready for snow, Lee at Stamp TV is and gave us a challenge to use at least one snowflake.
Pollycraft challenge is girls - http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-115-girls-girls-girls-cazza.html
CPS  sketch - http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/
Lothian - http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

How About Another Autumn Card

A little different design here.  I used the sketch at Sweet Shop http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/2011/10/sss130-sketch-with-spin-and-prize.html using some recyled items: flower, buttons, bow. The digital sentiment is by Digital Delights http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/10/colours-of-fall.html 
The DP is GKD digital paper.
Other challenges:  Meljen http://meljensdesignsdt.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-80-and-new-release.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-34-fun-4-fall-theme.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

So Thankful

I used the sketch at SCS .  Great when I have papers that go together.  Digital image is by Designed2Delight which I colored with Kohinoor pencils and the sentiment is Our Daily Bread Designs.
Challenges: SCS 355
Meljen http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4135869169224740923
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/10/colours-of-fall.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-34-fun-4-fall-theme.html
Clear it Out http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/trims.html
ODBD http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/odbdslc80-holiday-with-twist.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Monday, October 17, 2011

Chosen for October's Top Notch Artist

I was very excited and honored when Doodle Pantry asked me to be their Top Notch Artist for October.  I was given a choice of some of their new digital sets.  I chose Quirky Owl.  So cute.  And I love working with the pre-colored images and papers.  Please visit http://doodlepantryblog.com/ to see some of my cards they chose to highlight. Also check out their home page and products http://doodlepantry.com/  Here is another card I made with the un-colored version of the Quirky Owl.  I colored him with Kohinoor pencils. 
Might as well enter some challenges while I'm here:
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-34-fun-4-fall-theme.html
Digital Tuesday http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/digital-tuesday-challenge-132-fall.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Get Well This Fall

I made this card for my son-in-laws mother who fell and broke her knee cap.  Not a nice "fall" but maybe the "Fall" card will be nice to receive.
Leaves are GKD, sentiment is SU.  The CS is really a pale yellow but shoes up as white in the photo.
I used the Fiesta spectrum pad for stamping and I love this new (to me)  Cuttlebug embossing folder.
challenges:  Stampin Sisters in Christhttp://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-110-mark-1027.html
Sentimental Sundays http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-76-anything-goes.html
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/10/colours-of-fall.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Monday, October 10, 2011

Hope !

Thinking today of a friend, Katie Renz,  who has cancer.  Hoping a little sparkle on the card will brighten her day.  Here is a site which tells her story and a blog hop fundraiser http://www.iheartpapers.com/content.php?content_id=1019
For this card I used ODBD Sweet William and die, Butterfly corner, and exclamation mark from Large Scrapbook Words. Stickles on the petals and punched butterflies. 
ABC http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/abc-challenge-anything-goes-were-back.html
Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-110-mark-1027.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/simon-says-sparkle-and-bling.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Friday, October 7, 2011

It's Scary TIme

I don't do Halloween but I do Fall and Harvest.  So my scary thing is a scare crow.  Love this digi by Designed2Delight. Used my usual coloring method - Kohinoor pencils. Leaf and corn stamps are by Inkadinkado and stamped with a Kaleidacolor pad.
Sew Many Cards challenge; http://sewmanychallenges.com/
Designed2Delight http://designed2delight.com/blog/2011/10/saturdays-designers-challenge-colored-pencils/
Card Patterns http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/10/sketch-135.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html
SSCC http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-109-gal-522-23a.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-33-halloween-theme.html
ABC http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/abc-challenge-anything-goes-were-back.html

Aged to Perfection

What a cute sentiment for a birthday. Such a good way to look at a birthday if you are as old as I am!  This image and sentiment are both Doodle Pantry.   Laurie has so many cute digis.
Sketch is Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-113-sketch-lou.html
Doodle Pantry http://doodlepantryblog.com/
Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-109-gal-522-23a.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

ABC challenges -http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/abc-challenge-anything-goes-were-back.html

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Pumpkins and Old Lace

Used a piece of corded lace that was in a stash of lace my mom gave me - now that she has stopped sewing.  I thought of it when I was using the sketch at Card Patterns  http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2011/10/sketch-135.html
The BG paper is GKD digital and the pumpkins which are layered is a stamp by GKD.  I stamped some grain behind the pumpkins and then added some rafia. 
Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/10/challenge-109-gal-522-23a.html
ABC http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com/2011/10/abc-challenge-anything-goes-were-back.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/09/simon-saysanything-goes.html
Lothian http://lothiancrafts.blogspot.com/2011/10/lothian-crafts-online-challenge-19.html

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Another Autumn CASE

It is always fun when I have time to stamp out more than one card in the same day.  Because these cards on the last two posts are easy, quick cards, I was able to do both this afternoon.   For my card I used sentiment words by ODBD and the leaf image is ? (Didn't save the manufacturer info on many of my stamps and now that I have them sorted according to theme, I don't always know who to give credit to).
Here is Deb Felt's card that I cased:
Challenges:  Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-108-john-1633.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-32-autumn-theme.html
Stamp Boutique http://thestampingboutiquechallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-16changing-of-season-and.html
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/09/weekly-challenge-happy-fall-yall.html

XOXO Autumn

I CASED Amy Stuffers card using punched leaves and the XOXO is by ODBD.  Here is her beautiful card that I cased:
Challenges: Verve http://vervestamps.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-diva-dare-day-1.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-32-autumn-theme.html
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/2011/09/weekly-challenge-happy-fall-yall.html
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/09/simon-says-dies-to-die-for.html
Pollycraft http://pollycraftchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-112-tags-bookmarks-arabella.html

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Glory of God is Seen in Autumn

I am always in awe of the artistry of God in Autumn.  The leaves and colors are so incredible.  Love it.
The DP has gold embossing so I stamped and embossed the butterfly (Our Daily Bread Design) with gold.  Scripture is digital by Doodle Pantry. Card is a CASE of Carlsie S card at OWH http://www.owhstarsandstamps.org/2011/09/birthday-bash-case-charlsie-s-napa-ca.html
Challenges:  Stampin Sisters in Christ http://stampinsistersinchrist.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-107-isaiah-4031.html
Delightful Challenges http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
Simon Says http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2011/09/simon-says-dies-to-die-for.html
Really Reasonable Ribbon http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.com/2011/09/challenge-32-autumn-theme.html