CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #33 –Two Week Challenge!!

Happy Happy, crafty friends!!

Only a few more days until Christmas – YAY!!  This year at our house will be special as it’s the first year that our grandson will truly be aware of gifts, and Santa, and all the fun that goes along with the holidays.  Can’t wait to see his big eyes when he gets up Christmas morning . . . .

Enough babbling – let’s get down to business, shall we?!  This week’s CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is a doozy!!  We’re playing with Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String – create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE project using kraft and twine.  Perfect for the holidays, right?!  AND this week’s challenge is a TWO WEEK challenge, so you’ll have plenty of time to play along with us!!

This week’s fantabulous sponsor is Market Street Stamps, who very GENEROUSLY provided us Girl Fridays with some of the newest stamp releases – how lucky are we?!  Market Street Stamps has some amazing stamp designs that I know you’re going to love, and I believe that the prize package this week will be a goody, too!!  Hop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge blog to see what it is.  Thank you, Market Street Stamps!!  While you’re there, be sure and peruse the delicious inspiration that the other Girl Fridays have prepared for your perusal.

Here’s my answer to the challenge.  I got to work with the brand spankin’ new Faith In You.  Gorgeous images and sentiments!!  I simply stamped the flower bouquet image with pigment ink, masked it, and then stamped the vase.  Added a bit of bling, and then popped up the window die cut – fresh flowers through the window . . . who’s ready for spring?!  LOL  The sentiment (which I wish I had centered instead of placing it to the right of the card – it looks funky there!  Ugh!) is from another Market Street Stamps set called Slow Movin’.

STAMPS:  Faith In You and Slow Movin’ (Market Street Stamps)
INK: Sage (A Muse Studio), Onyx Black VersaFine Ink (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Kraft CS (PTI), Snow CS (Bazzill Basics Paper)
ACCESSORIES:  Honeydew Twine (The Twinery), Small Window Die (Memory Box), Self-Adhesive Rhinestones (Doodlebug)

Before I sign off for the week, I’d like to thank you all for being such amazing visitors to my blog – I adore you all and so appreciate the time you take each day to stop by and leave me some love.  You’re one of the reasons I love what I do so very much.  Wishing you all the happiest of holiday seasons.

Another Moxie Fab Get Inspired Potpourri Challenge Card!!

Hi Again!

 

Can you believe it – posting two days in a row?!!  In my heart and mind, I’d post something every single day.  But somehow my life gets in the way of my intentions.  Anyway, I have another card that I created for the Moxie Fab Get Inspired Potpourri Challenge.  But before I do that, I wanted to mention that if you haven’t picked this issue up at your local craft or bookstore (or HERE), then you MUST!!  The projects in this magazine are AH-MAZING!!

I really love the inspiration photo.  The clean classic lines, the cool old-world monogram on the mug, and the dainty contrast of the elegant silver chairs and the doily.  Every bit is delicious to me, don’t you think?  I stamped the J and the Y in black ink using a fun Theresa Collins alphabet set.  Then I punched that dainty snowflake ornament out of some textured silver cardstock (American Crafts), layering it with a black circle behind it so that the silver doesn’t get lost in that Razzleberry card base.  The holly is a PTI die – had to add the fuschia bling for the holly berries – just couldn’t help myself.  The “white space” of the card represents the white space of the monogrammed mug.  Thanks, Cath, for keeping my creative juices flowing with your inspirational challenges!!

 

I know this is a busy time of year for everyone, but you really should stop by the Moxie Fab World Blog and check out all the challenges that Cath has going on – they can be found on the right side bar of her blog.

 

When you read this, I’ll be snuggling with my little Brecken bug and enjoying the holidays with my kids.  I’ll be back on Friday with the next CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, so I hope you’ll stop by again soon!

Moxie Fab Get Inspired By Fashion Challenge!!

 

Hello Crafty Chicas!!

 

Wow – I can’t believe Christmas is only 8 days away!!  Eeekk!!  I’m pretty well ready, although I have a few smaller gifts to buy, and of course the stocking stuffers – gotta have stocking stuffers, right?!  The person who invented online buying and free shipping is a hero in my eyes – no doubt it was a woman!  LOL

I wanted to pop in really quick to share a card that I created for the Moxie Fab Get Inspired By Fashion Challenge.  Houndstooth – it’s EVERYWHERE!!  When I was in San Francisco in November, it was on all the window mannequins, and I’ve noticed it in all the stores while doing my Christmas shopping.  Houndstooth literally rocks my world these days.  *sigh*  It just makes me happy.  So I was thrilled to little bits when Cath posed this fashion challenge.  How freakin’ cute is that little jacket?  I was inspired by the pattern, the texture of the jacket, the clean classic lines, as well as the color palette.

 

I used a new LifeStyle Crafts Houndstooth Border die to create the houndstooth pattern at the bottom.  I love the texture and dimension that it added when I popped it off the cardbase.  The Pear Pizzazz and Vintage Cream color combo is so soft and feminine, and the satin lining inspired the Vintage Cream satin bow on the card.  The little scalloped tag was inspired by the rounded collar on the jacket.  See what I mean?  Every aspect of that jacket just oozes inspiration for me!!  Thanks, Cath, for another fabulous challenge!!

 

I have another card for the Moxie Fab Get Inspired Potpourri Challenge that I’ll share with you tomorrow.  I’m actually in the midst of packing my suitcase for a quick trip to Seattle for the holidays.  Can’t wait to love on my kids and my grandson – deLISH!!

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I hope you’ll come by tomorrow, too.  Until then, have a great day!!

CAS-ual Fridays #32–Signed, Sealed & Delivered!!

Hola Peeps!

Can you believe it’s time for another CAS-ual Fridays Challenge again/!!  Sheesh!!  I swear the days just seem to be one big blur lately – I’ve been busier than a one-armed paper hanger, and my list just keeps growing and growing!!  LOL  But I ALWAYS have time for CAS-ual Fridays Challenges – I heart them!  This week’s challenge is no exception – create a CLEAN & SIMPLE card design and include a coordinating envelope.  Super fun, right?!

 

Our fantabulous sponsor AND super talented Guest Designer this week is Sherri Thompson, who is a Unity Stamp Ippity Chick!!  Thanks so much for sponsoring and playing along with us, Sherri!!  I believe that Sherri has very kindly provided a fabulous prize for this week’s TGIF Club Winner – check it out on the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog.  Oh and while you’re there, be sure and check out the deliciousness that Sherri and the other Girl Fridays have provided for your inspiration!

I had a blast with this challenge!  I’m still trying to fill my stash of Christmas cards, so I saw this as the perfect opportunity.  I die cut the word “holiday” and stamped the remainder of the sentiment.  In place of the “o”, I punched a jingle bell out of some yummy silver American Crafts cardstock and tied it with some delish baker’s twine.  Perfect, right?!

To make the coordinating envelope (in the lower left corner of the above photo), I stamped the jingle bell from Calendar Fun (A Muse Studio) and the sentiment is from another PTI set, listed below.

STAMPS:  Wonderful Words (PTI), Calendar Fun (A Muse Studio), Holiday Lights (PTI)
INK:  VersaMark (Tsukineko), Fuschia (Fresh Ink), Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Razzleberry and Black Licorice CS (French Poptone), Snow CS (Bazzill Basics Paper), Silver CS (American Crafts)
ACCESSORIES:  Jingle Bell Punch (Martha Stewart), Fuschia Baker’s Twine (The Twinery), Black Self-Adhesive Rhinestone (KaiserCraft), Black Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), word die (PTI)

 

I’m off to enjoy a fun holiday ornament exchange party with some girlies, and the next day will be a SCRUMPTIOUS holiday lunch with one of my BFF’s!!  Hoping you have some fun holiday plans coming up to make your holidays merry!  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I’ll be back tomorrow with some challenge cards that I’ve been meaning to share with you.  Hope you’ll pop in again real soon!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #31–In the Mist!

Hello Friends!!

It’s time for a brand spankin’ new CAS-ual Fridays Challenge!!  This week’s challenge is to create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE card design and include some kind of spray mist on your project.

This week’s fabulous sponsor is the Sweet Stamp Shop, an online stamp company that has some pretty cute stuff!  Nicole Rixon (the owner) was kind enough to provide each of the Girl Fridays with some stamps to play with, and play with them we did.  I got to work with the set called Hello Beautiful.  Sweet Stamp Shop has also offered up a fabulous prize for this week’s TGIF Club Winner, but you’ll have to head on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog to find out what it is!!

Yeah, I straight up struggled with this one because my linear and symmetrical brain tells me that mists are “messy” . . . it was PAINFUL to spray that mist on my project!!  LOL  But I did it, and I have to say, I was pretty darned happy with the end result.  It’s probably not something I’ll do too often, but I love to try anything at least once!!  Be sure and pop over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge blog to see what the other Girl Fridays have cooked up for your inspiration.

STAMPS:  Hello Beautiful (Sweet Stamp Shop)
INK:  Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Snow CS (Bazzill), Blu Raspberry CS (French Poptone), Polka Dots (PTI)
ACCESSORIES:  Yellow Rhinestones (Doodlebug), Ranger Spray Mist (can’t remember the color – I borrowed it from a friend), Stardream Pen (Sakura)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  We’ve got a busy social weekend planned, so that’ll be fun!  Hope you have a fun weekend, too!

Moxie Fab Get Inspired Potpourri Challenge!!

Hey!

I’m back today with another card in answer to one of the MANY Moxie Fab World Challenges going on right now – the Card Creations Get Inspired Potpourri Challenge.  Oh, how I love the Moxie Fab World Challenges . . . they get my creative juices a flowin’ like CRAZY!!  And this one was no exception.  I was inspired by several things in this photo – the yummy old world monogram lettering, the doily under those amazing pewter chairs, as well as the classic black and white color scheme.  I adore that monogram, and originally thought I’d do something with letterpress -I may still try that.  For now, I created the above card, translating the old world monogram into the sentiment of the card.  Of course, the black and white color scheme as well as the doily are also represented.  What do you think?  If this photo inspires YOU, you really should play along with this and/or the other Moxie Fab Challenges that are going on – you can find them all on the right side bar HERE.  Thanks, Cath, for another Moxie Fabulous Challenge!!

I had an amazing day with one of my most adorable crafty friends yesterday.  We laughed and stamped, and talked shoes, and laughed some more.  Ahhhhh . . . I love days like that, don’t you?  Anyway, I hope you have a great day, too.  Thanks so much for stopping by – I’ve got a few more challenge cards up my sleeve, so I’ll be back soon!!

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #30–Tic Tac Toe!!

Hello Again!!

Did you all have an amazing Thanksgiving?!  Ours was really quiet, but kind of nice, too.  Just the two of us . . . no mess!  LOL  Anyway, I’m back today to share the latest CAS-ual Fridays Challenge, which is to create a CLEAN AND SIMPLE design and choose the elements of your card from the above Tic Tac Toe grid.  I just LOVE these Tic Tac Toe challenges because there are so many fun combos and possibilities.

 

Our fabulous sponsor this week is The Paper Temptress.  They provided the Girl Fridays with some awesome cardstock to try out, as well as an amazing prize for this week’s TGIF Club Winner.  But, I’m sure you know you’ll have to drop in at the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog in order to find out what it is.  Thanks, Paper Temptress!!

 

I chose the line for Scallops, Green and Stripes, but really had a hard time choosing which direction to go – they’re all super fun, right?!

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Winter Wishes (A Muse Studio), Holiday Greetings (Flourishes), Background Basics: Retro (PTI)
INK:  VersaMark and VersaFine Onyx Black (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Simply Chartreuse (PTI), White (Neenah), Black Licorice (French Poptone)
ACCESSORIES:  White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Honey Dew Baker’s Twine (The Twinery), Embossed Scallop Border Punch (EK Success), Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

 

That’s it for me today, kids.  I’m so happy that you dropped by today, and I hope that you’ll play along with us this week.  This girl will be getting inky all weekend long – how about you?  Any fun plans for the weekend?  Either way, have a great one!

The Championing Award Medallion Challenge!!

Hi Peeps!

I’m going to make this a quick visit today, as I’m on my way out to my mother in law’s to clean her house before she arrives on Saturday.  Her winter home has been closed up since last spring, and I’m sure it could use a good cleaning before she comes back for the winter.  Enough blah, blah, blah from me . . . I’ll come back later to fill in the product details.

I had a BLAST participating in one of the latest Moxie Fab World Challenges – the Championing Award Medallion Challenge.  I’ve worked with these medallions before, but kind of struggle with how to utilize them in unique ways.  It occurred to me that it would make a super cute snowman face.  Cute, right?!  I cut the eyes, hat, nose and hat band with my Silhouette.

PRODUCTS USED:

STAMPS:  Polka Dot Basics (PTI), Winter Wonderland (Taylored Expressions)
INK:  Fresh Snow (PTI), Onyx Black VersaFine (Tsukineko)
PAPER:  Sno Cone CS (French Poptone), Linen Vellum (PTI), Black, Orange and Turquoise CS (Bazzill Basics)
ACCESSORIES:  Green Felt (Impress Rubber Stamps), Glittery Dots (Doodlebug), Buttons (PTI), Charcoal Baker's Twine (The Twinery), Blooming Rosette Die (Memory Box), Hot Glue Gun, Silhoutte Electronic Die Cut Machine, Snowman Treat Bag (Silhouette Studio)

I'd like to add a few tips as to how to create these fun little medallions.  My experience has been that when you fold them and adhere the ends together, it's difficult to get the adhesive to actually stick because of the tension of the accordion fold.  I stapled mine together.  I also adhered the medallion to a circle backer with a hot glue gun, because I just couldn't get it to stick and stay otherwise.

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  Have a great day!