Happy New Year's Eve!

I don't have a card for you today, but I would be remiss if I didn't enable your shopping just a bit!

Doodle Pantry is having a 50% off sale TODAY ONLY - and Laurie has put the new January sets in the store early so that you can get them at 50% off, too.  How cool is that?!  

GO SHOP NOW!

Happy Birthday, Kaylie | Kids' Cards for OWH

Today is my dear, sweet daughter Kaylie's birthday!  She is officially one decade old today.  She loves dragons so, in honor of her birthday, here is another kids' card for Operation Write Home in my goal to make 20 for the 20 angels in heaven from Newtown, CT.  Don't forget to hug your child today - and every day!

image - The Paper Shelter (pre-colored)
sentiment - Create with TLC
ribbon - Really Reasonable Ribbon

Hearts & Ribbon

What else do you need for a great Love/Valentine's card but red hearts and scrumptious ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon?!  If you mail your cards today via Priority Mail, you may still make the December 31 deadline for Love/Valentine's cards with Operation Write Home.

Although you will see a few more Love/Valentine's posted here - mostly because the rest of the blogger world is only about a month ahead of holidays - I'm moving on to Spring/Easter cards!  Rest assured that my Love/Valentine's cards were mailed to Operation Write Home in December.  The St. Patrick's Day deadline is January 31, but I have NEVER sent anyone a St. Patrick's Day card.  One year I made a few, but usually I just skip over it and do lots of Spring/Easter cards.  I try to stick with more general Spring-themed cards so they can be used for other occasions as well, but Easter cards (both religious and bunny-inspired) are welcomed.  The deadline for Spring/Easter is February 7.  I love thinking of flowers and warm weather in the dead of winter, don't you?!

CASE'd Love Card

It's not too late to mail your Love/Valentine's cards to Operation Write Home - the deadline to ARRIVE at your shipper is December 31!

This card turned out to be my favorite of all the ones I made for my Operation Write Home box this month (more will be revealed in January and February!).  I CASE'd (CASE=copy and steal everything) this card from Bonnie at Really Reasonable Ribbon.  She made a holiday card, but when I saw the design of the card, I knew I could easily make lots of these and they would look REALLY good!  Above all, we want to send quality cards to our deployed troops overseas.  Of course, I used ribbon from the Really Reasonable Ribbon monthly club on my cards along with leftover scraps of Valentine's paper and a sentiment from Shannon's Sentiments (Sorry, there is no link.  She closed in June 2011.)

I'm an entering this card in the Really Reasonable Ribbon Anything Goes + Ribbon Challenge and WOW Wednesday at the Cat's Creations Scrapbooks blog.

MY CARD:

BONNIE'S CARD THAT I CASE'D:

Merry Christmas!

Here is the "main" Christmas card I made to send to family and friends this year.  My crafty friend Pam C. helped me design it, stamped the blue ornaments, and even tied the silver elastic cord on all 60 cards for me - what a great friend!  I say it's the "main" card because I made other designs throughout the fall, but I like to have at least 60 on hand to get me started.

Card Supplies:
Stampin' Up! - Bashful Blue card stock and ink, Riding Hood Red ink, Delightful Decorations stamp set, XL ornament punch, 3/4" circle punch, sentiment stamp (borrowed from Pam C. so I don't know what set it is from), silver elastic cord
Cuttlebug - snowflakes embossing folder
Georgia-Pacific - white card stock
The Paper Studio - self-adhesive gemstones 3 mm

Stampin' Up! Stamp Club

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone!  Christmas Eve is a big day in our family, almost bigger than Christmas morning.  Every year we gather in the evening at my brother's house and continue a tradition that was begun by my grandmother long ago.  We have heavy hors d'oeuvres as our meal!  This began because my great-uncle would receive many gifts of food from business colleagues so they opened them up and made a meal of them one year.  Continuing this tradition over the years, my grandmother would make us a great feast of things I would never have had the opportunity to try otherwise, like caviar pie!  My mother loves the tradition because she would rather eat hors d'oeuvres than a meal any day of the year.  Every year we ask each person what their favorite dish we make is and then go to town and cook all day: sliced beef tenderloin with tapenade served on french bread, Heidelhouse meatballs, pizza dip (the kids love this one), peel n' eat shrimp (already peeled thanks to my step-dad), shrimp dip, boursin, crabbies (a cheese and crab mixture spread on an English muffin and toasted).  This year my daughter has requested that I also make hidden treasure dip (sour cream, cream cheese, bean dip, a taco packet and LOTS of cheese on top - that's what "hides" the dip) so we'll add that to the list.  After our tummies are full, we sit down and open gifts with the cousins (we save immediate family gifts for Christmas morning).  When I was a child, we opened one gift every Christmas Eve.  It was always new pajamas that we would wear that night!  What are your Christmas Eve traditions?

Now that your mouth is watering - on to the card!  LOL

This is the card we made during our November Stamp Club workshop.  If you know me at all, then you know the only time I wet emboss is at Stamp Club!  However, I made 3 of these cards and must say that I may finally be getting the hang of wet embossing.

We also used a technique that I rarely remember to use - stamping off without re-inking to achieve a different shade of the same color ink.  The tree on the right is the first stamp and the tree on the left is the second stamp without re-inking.  The tree in the middle is the one we wet embossed.  This can give the look of depth or distance to your card with the lighter images appearing to be farther away.

I just love this red because it's so rich - it's Cherry Cobbler.  I use Cherry Cobbler and Riding Hood Red a lot!

Stampin' Up December Cards

December was supposed to be an "off" month for my Stampin' Up Stamp Club, but I was lucky - Christi started another Stamp Club and they met in December so I got to go and make cards with them!

The first card is being entered in the Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge on the Operation Write Home Stars & Stamps Blog.  This month we were asked to make cards with flowers.  For every 25 cards entered (up to 50), ODBD donates the postage to send a box of cards overseas each month to our deployed heroes.  We love ODBD for their continued support each month!  Thank you!

Please note that this snowflake card did NOT go into my Operation Write Home box because of the Stampin' Up glitter paper.  Glitter is an extreme hazard to our deployed troops because it makes them visible with night goggles.  Because of this, my neighbors will receive this beautiful card this year!

Kids' Cards for Operation Write Home

We all want to do something to honor and remember those who lost their lives in Newtown, CT last week.  Operation Write Home is calling us to action:

In light of the tragedy in Newtown, CT a week ago, we’d like to encourage everyone to make cards appropriate to send to children. Our heroes are far from their little people and can’t hug them to reassure them that they’re safe. I’m sure the lines at the USO’s computers are long with those wanting to Skype with their families – but let’s give them plenty of cards they can write home on, and that the children can tuck under their pillows at night.

All themes are great…just use images, colors, and designs that will make kids smile. Include both boys and girls, and think about wee little ones as well as teenagers. (And be extra sure things are glued down well so little kiddos don’t pull things off and eat them – don’t ask how I know!)

To see the entire post, click HERE.

I am committing to make 20 kids' cards to send in my next box to Operation Write Home - won't you join me?

Here is my first card - I used a pre-colored image from Melonheadz Illustrating along with scrap wrangled patterned paper and ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon (solid black) and from my stash (black and white polka dots).  Melonheadz Illustrating has some cute kids storybook sets - I plan to use the fairy tale set to make more kids' cards to reach my goal of 20.

Love/Valentine's with Jolee's Stickers

I'm not a big fan of stickers, but somehow I've had these in my stash for quite a long time and decided it was time to use them for some Love/Valentine's cards for Operation Write Home.  I made 7 cards with 3 sets of stickers and still had stickers leftover!

The deadline for shipper's to receive Love/Valentine's cards is December 31, so if you are finished with your winter holiday cards, why not make a few Love cards for our deployed troops to use to keep in touch with those they love!

Links to other supplies: Really Reasonable Ribbon and Create with TLC.

This is a sticker on a black mat. I ruffled ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

The stickers are on the black strip on the left.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC.

I've had this embossing folder for a long time! The crochet lace is from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

This sticker was so large that it took up the entire card!

This sticker was a little smaller, so I just made the card a bit smaller.

I like to mat stickers on circles or squares and use in 3's.  Ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon.

Once again, stickers on black mats and a group of 3.  With the tiny stickers I put two on each mat.

Final SFYTT Post for 2012...and forever?!

I have really enjoyed playing along with all of the Something For You To Try sketch challenges at iheart2stamp.com this year.  I was so sad when Jen announced that she will not be continuing the challenges in 2013!  So, here is my final SFYTT submission (boo hoo!) - a birthday card in honor of my daughter Kaylie's 10th birthday (We're at Great Wolf Lodge today celebrating - her birthday is December 30).  Below you will find the links to every entry in 2012 which makes me eligible to win the grand prize - gift certificates from every sponsor this year.  There are super sponsors on the list so I hope I win - WOOHOO!

I love Jen's sketches and have looked forward to the first Saturday of every month this year.  I will be sad in 2013 but will keep my fingers crossed that she may revive the SFYTT challenges in 2014!

December 2012

November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012

Doodle Pantry | Jar of Seashells

When I saw fellow Doodle Pantry Design Team member Pat's card with a jar full of peppermints, I thought it was a fantastic use of the Bottles and Jars set and began thinking of what I could fill my jar with.  I filled my jar with Seashells from another Doodle Pantry set.  If you like the combination of these sets, then now is the time to shop for them plus much more.  Doodle Pantry is having a 35% off sale on everything except gift certificates through January 3.  Have fun shopping!

I'm also entering this card in this week's WOW Wednesday Challenge at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks.  You are eligible to win a prize by linking to anything you've created OR by commenting on the submissions - easy peasy, right?!

Two Hearts That Beat As One

Do you remember the 80s song Two of Hearts by Stacey Q?  Need a reminder?  Click HERE for the YouTube video to jog your memory!  Yes, I'm a child of the 80s (graduated high school in '83 - 30th reunion is this summer - oh my!) and the lyric "two hearts that beat as one" is what this card reminds me of.  I remembered the lyrics, but my amazing husband Kyle who we call the King of Minutiae remembered the artist's name!

So, now with that little bit of flashback out of the way - here's my card!  Everything on the card is from Stampin' Up! except the sentiment which is from the Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments set - a fundraiser stamp set for Operation Write Home.  This card was made back on Thanksgiving Day and will go in my box to Operation Write Home.  The deadline for Valentine's/Love cards is December 31, so play a little Two of Hearts or other favorites from the 80s to get you in the mood to make some cards for a worthy cause!  If you don't think you can make the December 31 deadline, you can still make Love cards like mine - they can use those anytime of the year.

Butterfly Love

Today I've got another Stampin' Up! Love card for my Operation Write Home box.  Don't forget - the deadline for Valentine's/Love cards is December 31!  I know you are probably busy getting ready for the Christmas holiday (only 11 days away), but won't you take a moment to sit down and make a card for our troops to send their love home?

Everything on the card is from Stampin' Up! except the sentiment which is from the Hero Arts Year Round Sentiments set - a fundraiser stamp set for Operation Write Home - and the pearls that are from my stash.

Doodle Pantry | Oh My Birthday Ant

Here's a card in honor of my nephew's birthday today!  The images and sentiments are all from Doodle Pantry.  I combined the Oh My Ant with the balloons and birthday sentiment from Birthday Accessories.  Want to get your hands on some of these sets?  Now's the time!  All sets are 35% off through January 3 so stock up now!

The paper is from Echo Park, Stampin' Up (Midnight Muse) and my stash (red).  I used my Copic markers to color the image.  The sketch is Operation Write Home's Stars & Stamps Sketch #146.

I'm also entering this in the WOW Wednesday challenge at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks!

Hugs & Kisses for Our Troops

Are you tired of my Love/Valentine's cards yet?!  I still have a few more to share with you that I made back on Thanksgiving Day to fill my Operation Write Home box.  Don't forget - the deadline for Valentine's/Love cards is December 31!  Get them in the mail TODAY via Priority Mail so they arrive to OWH by December 12 and you are eligible for a drawing to win a box of goodies.  Details are HERE!

Everything on these two similar cards is from Stampin' Up!  The DSP is pretty old - maybe two years old, but I still have plenty left!  Which one do you like better?  The one with the pleated ribbon or with the strips of paper?

Challenge:
Operation Write Home Midweek Throwdown - Love and Hugs

The Love for OWH Continues

The posts of Love cards for Operation Write Home continues.  Why not jump on the bandwagon?  The deadline for Love/Valentine's cards is December 31.  (If you send them to arrive by December 12, you are eligible for a drawing to win a box of goodies.  Details are HERE!)  If you've finished your personal Christmas cards, why not make some Love cards for the troops?!

Everything on this card is Stampin' Up! except the sentiment which comes from the Year Round Sentiment stamp set from Hero Arts - a fundraiser set for Operation Write Home.

Mmmm, Hot Cocoa | Doodle Pantry

Well, the weather here in Texas is finally starting to feel a bit like Christmas, although every once in a while we get a 70 degree day thrown into the mix - I'm certainly not complaining though!  I just love these mischievous ants from Doodle Pantry.  This is one of my favorite winter sets - Cocoa Cup Ants.  I've used the pre-colored image, sentiment and digi papers from this set.

Even though there is no Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge this month, there *IS* a 35% off sale through January 3, so go to the store and check out all the reasonably priced goodies there!

Today is also WOW Wednesday at Cat's Creations Scrapbooks blog - the best little local scrapbook store in North Texas!  You are eligible to win a prize at the blog if you post a creation (of any sort!) or if you comment on other people's blogs who have entered - there are many chances to win so head there, too!

My design is based on one by Pam T., a fellow OWH'er.  She makes beautiful crisp and clean cards - just my style!  Go become a follower - you won't regret it!

More Love Cards for OWH

I warned you about one week ago that I would have more Love/Valentine's cards to post since I worked on a bunch for Operation Write Home on Thanksgiving Day.  Well, here's another version, still using Stampin' Up! products from a while back (plus some ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon's monthly club).  This image was on the bottom of a sheet of 12 x 12 paper.  I decided to try it two different ways since I had two sheets of paper.  Which do you like better - the Close to Cocoa background or the Riding Hood Red background?  My daughter definitely likes the red background better - it pops!

If you want to be eligible to win a box of goodies from OWH, send your Love/Valentine's cards to your shipper to arrive no later than December 12.  Details can be found HERE!

Doodle Pantry December New Release Day

Today is the new release day over at Doodle Pantry - WOOHOO!  We are all very busy with holiday preparations, even our own Doodle Pantry owner and illustrator Laurie.  This month she has a limited release, BUT to make up for it there is a BIG sale going on through January 3!!!  You can save 35% on everything in the store (except gift certificates) using the discount code HERE.  All of the Doodle Pantry sets are chock full of goodies for the same price you would pay for just one image at other online digi stamp stores.  The color sets include pre-colored images, outline images, a variety of sentiments and usually 1-4 different digi papers that perfectly coordinate with the pre-colored images for only $2.25 - $4.00.  With 35% off, they are only $1.46 - $2.60.  That's an incredible bargain!  But wait...don't go shopping until you've seen my card!  LOL

Hmmm, my photo color didn't turn out so well.  The large rectangle behind the image and sentiment is really a dark purple that coordinates well (in real life) with the inside part of the Morning Glory image that I colored with my Copic markers. The mats are Calypso Coral that match a stripe in the digi paper that came from the Crescent Moon Ants set.  The sentiment came from the Lively Leaves set.  The crochet lace is from my Really Reasonable Ribbon monthly ribbon club.

MORE NEWS FROM DOODLE PANTRY: There will not be a Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge this month, BUT there is a lovely set that is free with purchase from December 1-8 called Vintage Ornament (pictured below).  It's just gorgeous and perfect for those of you still working on Christmas cards.  It comes with pre-colored images and matching digi papers which would make those last few Christmas cards you need just fly together in no time at all!