Paper Trees

 Fall is almost over and winter is settling in
but I wanted to show my Fall/Halloween paper trees I made using
a Concord and 9th  Take A Bough die.

I made 4 Fall and 2 Halloween trees.

These are the Halloween trees.

The Fall tree.

Not all the trees are shown, each tree takes a lot of die cutting,
four of each size die, so if I remember correctly.
that is 32 die cuts per tree. (Yep 8 dies, cut 4 times each)

Entering the following challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday .... Not A Card

Thank You

 Another new challenge starting today with the 'OPTIONAL"
twist of THANK YOU/THANKS at
Can You Handle The Pressure
the challenge that is all about embossing!
An embossing folder MUST be used in the challenge
but you can add wet embossing too if you wish!!

I used an older embossing folder I have had in my stash for quite
some time and sadly I boke it in my Gemini by not using the 
correct stacking sequence!
It was unique that it came with sentiment inserts so you used the same basic 
pattern, but just a different insert.  I tossed it as it was unusable once I broke it...
live and learn as they say!!

Anyhow, I inked up the sentiment part and added a flower to give a bit more color
and called it DONE!!

Make sure to visit at Can You Handle The Pressure
and see all the pretty designs from the teams, a very talented group of designers!! 

Gift Card Money Holders

 Hello, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving,
we did and I am very grateful for all the leftovers today
giving me at least one day without cooking!

You might remember I made these gift card/money holders last year, 28 of them in fact for my own family.
Well, this year I made 20 more to put in a shop I have 
my cards and paper things in.
So, when I saw the Simon Says Wednesday challenge
was Anything But A Card
I figured this was a good time to post them!
I didn't take pictures of all 20 of them, but just one of each design!

First is the snowman design, the hat folds over to the back to close.

It will look like this when closed.

The back when closed, the die, cuts a slot to fit the top of the hat in.
(sorry about the blurry picture, I couldn't retake as I had already taken these to the shop)!

The Santa design.

The front when closed.

The back when closed.

After making all I made last year and the 20 more this year, I had to
reorder some paper, 6x8 pads as the 6x6 weren't long enough for the
envelope die they are made on and my 12x12 paper had too big of designs!.
not a hardship to order new paper, but if making these yourself
keep in mind you will need bigger then 6x6 papers.

If you are interested in these, Art Impressions has a black Friday sale today
and all their products are 40% off with the code BLACKFRIDAY,

keep in mind though that you have to also purchase the envelope die
for the base of the gift card/money holder, the Santa and snowman are sold separately.

Entering the following challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday ... Not A Card

Winter Scene

 Our challenge theme at The Sisterhood of Crafters
was chosen by our 'sistah' Darlene and it is
Christmas or Winter.

I think this card hits both the winter and Christmas theme!
I had this panel already embossed and in my stash for quite some time
so put it to good use.  I adhered it to a navy blue card stock
and stamped the sentiment  in navy blue ink.
I know it looks black in the picture but it is navy blue,
I find white (or black) cards so difficult to photograph!

Won't you join us at The Sisterhood?
Take a peek at what my 'sistahs' have created, LOTS of inspiration there!

Stenciled Happy Birthday

Hello Friends, today I have a stenciled card I created for the
challenge at Simon Says which is Stencil It!  They are using Tim Holtz stencils
but I chose Pink Fresh Studio's Folk Art Print stencil for my card!
I don't know about you, but I have to admit I have become a little bit addicted to stencils,
I rarely put an order in anywhere where I don't include a stencil,
I just can't help myself!!
Needless to say I am on my second binder of stencils!!

A pretty floral card to brighten up my day since we have over a foot and a half of snow (probably 3 feet now)!!

Snow off our bedroom deck!

Snow as it was coming down last night!

Our snowy visitors across the creek

Our view from our living room picture window!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Entering the following challenges:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge .... Stencil It

November Peace On Earth Challenge

 A new challenge and a new mood board at Peace On Earth!
LOTS to look at in this board to give YOU lots of inspiration!
But of course we are an anything goes as long as it is Christmas related!!

I focused on all things ginger related and let a paper from Mintay
take center stage on my card.
All I needed to add was a sentiment and my card was complete,
after all who can argue that Mintay doesn't have the bet 'scenic' paper around?

Need more inspiration?  Then head on over to see all the beautiful
creations by the Peace On Earth teams!!

Hot Beverages Challenge

Can you believe it is already halfway through November?
Christmas will be here before we know it, the weather here in
Michigan has turned colder and we will be facing a long
bitter winter, a good time to stay inside and get cozy
with a nice hot beverage which is our theme this month at 
Double D!!

We have a fun mood board with steaming hot drinks
to warm you up inside and out!

HOT BEVERAGES
(Coffee, Tea, Latte, Hot Chocolate, etc.)

I used a few dies to created my card and some fun designer papers.

Background paper I used was from Echo Park Celebrate Autumn,
paper to cut mug with was from My Favorite Petite Plaid,
mug die is from Cheery Lynn Designs and the 'cloth' underneath
the mug is from The Greetery Cozy Cup Coaster die.
The sentiment banner is from Honey Bee and the sentiment is 
Jillian Vance.

Make sure to visit Double D and see all the inspiring
creations from the teams, they are mazing as always!!

Entering the following challenges:
Coffee Lover's Blog Hop .... Coffee~Tea~Hot Chocolate

Two Old Bats November Halloween Challenge Mid Month Reminder

We are halfway through our challenge at Two Old Bats,
have you played along yet? 

We have a fun inspiration board but you can create anything as
long as it is Halloween!

As usual, I once again was inspired by the board
and created my card with the bottom right corner in mind.
I made an easy peasy CAS card using a spider MS punch,
Tutti Designs scalloped circle die (one inside the other to get my ring),
a BOO die cut that I cut 3 times and stacked for dimension, 
and a spider web ephemera piece.
I popped up the ring, the boo and the spider.

We would love to have you join our challenge at
Two Old Bats
and it gives you a break from those Holiday cards!!

Coffee Lover's Blog Hop Day 2

Today is day 2 of the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop and even though you seem
to be able to enter as  many as you want each day, I have chosen to just do one a day
for now anyhow!

For my card today I used a simple cut from my Cricut
which I embossed with a knit embossing folder and added a glittered
snowflake to, also part of the Cricut design!
The inside says 'Wishing you a season filled with warm memories'!

If you want to join along here is the link:
Coffee Lover's Blog Hop

Sharing A Smile

 It's time for our fun challenge again at
Can You Handle The Pressure.
Our 'OPTIONAL' theme is wreaths
but you can create anything as long as you have used an
embossing folder!

I had originally planned on using one of my
embossing wreath folders
but then this plan to make a real wreath snuck in!

I started by using two round circle dies,
one inside the other to give me a
round wreath  frame to add my flowers to.
The flowers were created with Pretty Pink Posh
Spring Foliage dies.  I tried to use as many  'fallish'
colors of the ones I had already created that I could.
I placed my wreath on an embossed Elizabeth Crafts
Spring Leaves embossing folder.
The paper I embossed on is a piece of Cord-inations
paper that I lightly sanded!
The sentiment is Pink Fresh Studio
stamped on a Cheery Lynn banner die.

Make sure to visit at Can You Handle The Pressure
and see all the beautiful creations by the teams!!

A Cup Of Cheer

 Today is the first day of the Coffee Lovers Cardmakers blog hop!

I usually am just a stalker there and never have time to enter,
but this  year I am participating ....  FINALLY!!

My first card is a very simple one but I love how it
turned out!!  I recently made a lot of gift card
holders using dies from Art Impression and since I don't
scrapbook anymore my 12 x 12 papers are depleting as I mostly 
have pads and pads of 6 x 6 and this die is just slightly bigger
and a 6 x 6 is just too small.  So, I bought a few new Christmas  6 x 8
Simple Stories paper pads and the graphic and the papers I have used
came from one of those pads called Mix & A-Mingle!
The frame was already cut and in my stash of white pre-cut goodies!
The little peppermints are from Paper Rose!

Make sure to visit the Coffee Lovers Cardmakers
blog hop, lots of beautiful cards and great sponsor prizes there!
I'll be back tomorrow with another card I have in the works!

Cheers To You

 Our new challenge theme at The Sisterhood
has been chosen by our 'sistah' Lia and it is 'Aperture'.
If you aren't sure what that is, here is a brief definition:

Aperture:  an opening or open space : hole entered the cave through a narrow aperture. 2a : the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light. b : the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument.

I obviously zeroed in on the  opening/open space.
I used an embossed white base that already had
an opening cut in it and white embossed my sentiment
behind it.
A spray of Cottage Cutz flowers were formed around the
opening and a few gems embellished  the embossed flowers.
(It is deeper embossed then it looks)
The sentiment is an oldie from SU.
My only regret is that I didn't 'pop up' the aperture panel
to define the opening more!

We would love to have you join us in our fun challenge at The Sisterhood
and check out all the beautiful inspiration from my 'sistahs' while there!

Entering the Following Challenges:
Die Cut Diva's .... ATG
The Flower Challenge .... Embellishments

Tangled Christmas

 Time for our new challenge at
Peace On Earth
and as always it is any anything goes challenge as long
as it is Christmas themed!

We have this fun inspiration board to give you plenty of ideas!

Lots to choose from here but I was partial to the Christmas kitty
in the top left corner knowing I had a fun stamp I could use!

The stamp is from Sparkle N Sprinkle (no longer in business)
and is Christmas Kitty.  I colored him in with Copics
and used glitter pens on the lights.  The background die is
Spellbinders Chantilly Paper Lace  Hemstitch Oval..
The sentiment is part of the stamp set.

Take a peek over at Peace On Earth and see all the beautiful designs
by the teams, always lots of fabulous inspiration there!!

Entering the Following challenges:
Send a Smile For Kids .... Holiday
Dragonfly Dreams .... Christmas (m)
Stamping Sensations .... Christmas Celebrations
We Love Stamping .... Christmas
Crazy For Cats .... Cats

Burgundy Color Challenge

This months color theme at Colorful Options is BURGUNDY!

I used an older die from Elizabeth Crafts that I have only used once before
Gatefold Elegant Roses.
The inside was stenciled with a stencil I received FREE from scrapbookdotcom.
It is a Lisa Horton two piece stencil Layered Floral Roses.
I stenciled with my never been used before Nuvo inks
Rich Rosewood and Pistachio.
The stencil colors show up way better IRL!

The inside.  Sentiment is from The Greetery.

Take a peek over at Colorful Options
and see all the fun designs from the team!!

 

Two Old Bats November Halloween Challenge

 October is over but at Two Old Bats we are a year round challenge blog
giving you plenty of time to use those Halloween supplies!

This is our inspiration board and it's just that
you can create anything as long as it's Halloween!

I used a cute stamp from the Darcie's Llama Halloween set.
My little cactus guy was colored in with Copics and  used various papers
and dies for the background.
The sentiment is part of the stamp set.

Won't you join in with us and start building up your Halloween stash for next year?
Take a peek at Two Old Bats and see all the fun from the design team!!

Entering the following challenges:
The Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers .... Halloween

Use Your Stuff #470 .... Halloween

Thankful~Blessings~Grateful Challenge

 Our new challenge theme begins today at
Double D and it is

 THANKFUL - BLESSINGS - GRATEFUL

We have the colorful mood board for inspiration
but you can create anything as long as your stay within
the theme!

I purchased this fun Stampendous Autumn Truck stamp
a year or so ago and this is the first time it has seen ink.
I try to stay away from block stamps anymore but this one was so cute
I had to give in and get it!!

I have kitty cats and my hubby has an old truck
so this could be us on any given day except his truck is red and I have 2 more cats then shown!!

I colored it in with Copics and a stardust pen in a few places.
The papers are Echo Park Celebrate Autumn.

The sentiment worked perfect for our theme and is from a 
Penny Black Golden Delight stamp set.

Make sure to visit our Double D challenge blog and see all the pretty
creations from the team, and we always have a fun prize up for grabs,
go and check it out!!

Entering the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday .... Thanks/Thanksgiving
The Card Concept .... Clean and Layered Style, inspired by the colors and the pumpkins

Crazy For Cats Challenge .... Cats

November Stencil Fun

 It's our second challenge at our Stencil Fun challenge and our
OPTIONAL theme is Fall Colors!
Of course it is an anything goes challenge as long as you use a stencil!

For my card I used a 6 x 6 Simon Says 2-part Leaves Wreath stencil.
I cut it in half and only used part of the 'wreath', a 6 x 6 size is just too
big for my liking!!

The sentiment is from Flourishes and the background paper is
from a mini P13 pad of paper that is all plaids

For my anything goes card I actually have two,
using the same stencil but just cutting it in half.
The stencil is from Picket Fence Slimline Reverse Leaf
which I have used in full before for a slimline card
and it is a beautiful stencil!

I added Stitched Spellbinders flowers to each card!

Card #1

Card #2

I hope to see YOU over at our Stencil Fun challenge
as it IS a lot of fun to stencil, give it a try!!

Entering the following challenges:
Crafting Happiness .... Thanksgiving or Anything Fall
Cupcake Inspirations .... ATG (colors)

Dreamers

 I am guest design this month at 
Once Upon A Time challenge blog where the inspiration is 
always a childs book, how fun is that?

This month the chosen book is:

You can create anything from the book, the story, the colors,
the front cover, anything that relates to the book!

A bit about the book as published by Amazon:

We are resilience. We are hope. We are dreamers.
 
Yuyi Morales brought her hopes, her passion, her strength, and her stories with her, when she came to the United States in 1994 with her infant son. She left behind nearly everything she owned, but she didn't come empty-handed.

Dreamers is a celebration of making your home with the things you always carry: your resilience, your dreams, your hopes and history. It's the story of finding your way in a new place, of navigating an unfamiliar world and finding the best parts of it. In dark times, it's a promise that you can make better tomorrows.  

This is the card I created.

I used a floral stamp from Cottage Cutz and a butterfly
stamp from Hero Arts Butterfly Pair set.
The sentiment is from Inkadinkadoo Scrapbook Phrases
which I stamped with Versamark then used a never 

before used embossing powder from Stampin Up Pool Party!

Make sure to visit the fun challenge at 
Once Upon A Time
I would love to see YOUR take on the book
Dreamers.

I want to thank Deanne for having me guest design!