Even more exciting shtuff!!

Before I get to my news, let me say that I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  I did even with the blizzard conditions we experienced here in the midwest.  I was able to make it to be with family, then home again even though it was a day and a half later than anticipated!  You know how it is... good to go... good to get home again.  : )

Now for the fun news.  {drumroll please)  I am now a Design Team member for TWO more challenge sites!!!  YeeHAW!!  I still really can't believe it!!  I am just so pleased and proud to have been invited to participate on these teams.  Thank you so much gals!  I promise... I'll work very, very hard.

Simply alphabetically, I'll first chat about my association with the Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge.  This is a brand new challenge site and its kick-off challenge will be this Friday, 1.1.10.  How fun is that!?!?!?!  To start in on the ground floor!  : )  Fussy & Fancy challenges will run every other Friday and can be any type of papercraft... 'fussy & fancy' or 'clean and simple'.  I certainly hope you'll come join us.  It'll be tons of fun!!

I'm also so very excited to have been chosen to be on the Stamp Something team.  We post a new challenge every Friday for motivation, inspiration and FUN!  A random prize winner is chosen each week as well as a top 5 list.  If you've never tried us out, or if you participate every now and then, come and join us Friday, 1.1.10.  They really do have great challenges and we'll get the new year off to a great start!!

Thanks for popping in today.  Come back Friday and I'll share my very first DT projects.  {smiling}

Have a very safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Denise

A Season for Giving

Hi all!  How are you doing with all your Christmas chores??  I suppose you're all done!!  Hmphf!!  Oh well... I'm getting much closer.  I'll get there soon... at least I'd better!  haha

Tonight I'm going to share a couple of the gifts I'm giving.  I have a couple of girlfriends that, you know, you just put a little extra effort into.  These gals are great and I really hope they enjoy these gifts.

This first one is for Kathy.  She is one sweet seamstress.  She has a lot of talents, but her sewing is just fabulous.  And she makes quilts... wonderful quilts!  I thought this adorable Whipper Snapper set called Winter Quilt by Anna Wight would be just perfect for her.  Instead of making a card, I thought I'd work it into something she can display (if she wants), maybe in her sewing room.  I know the frame looks like it's gold, but it's really a wonderful soft green.  Goes with the greens in the quilt just perfectly!  I sewed the little BG buttons to the corner of each quilt 'seam' and sponged all pieces with Distress Ink antique linen.

Stamps:  Whipper Snapper Winter Quilt

Paper:  K&Co, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black, Tim Holtz Distress Ink antique linen

Supplies:  Nesties, BG buttons, linen-colored thread

Techniques:  Copic markers, sponging

Next... this second gift is for my friend Mary Ann.  This is a woman who is genius at knowing just the right thing to say.  Always!!!  I remembered being at her home a couple years ago to work on Christmas cards and she mentioned she loves to decorate for the fall.  So, I'm giving her something else to decorate with.  Hope you like it Mary Ann!  Thanks for all you've done for me.

The paper crafting part of this gift is not new.  I created it back in the fall and it's been posted on my SCS gallery.  I thought of Mary Ann the whole time I was making this.  I was soooo pleased when I found these frames.  This one is exactly like the winter quilt frame, except it's an amazing copper color.  Very luxurious looking.  I'll go ahead and list the specifics of this card for you as it never has been posted on my blog.

Stamps:  Michael's $1 stamp (pumpkin), Inkadinkado (sentiment and swirls below pumpkin) 

Paper:   My Mind's Eye Night Light, Gina K. pure luxury 

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  Nesties, BG ribbon, BG Buttons, SU ribbon slide 
Techniques:  Copic markers, sponging 

Thanks for stopping in today!  Hope you enjoy your visit and will come back again soon.  In case this is my last post before the holidays... Merry, Merry Christmas!

Denise

Unto us a child is born

 

Yep... still finishing up Christmas cards!!  Isn't that awful!!  Oh well... it's not really my fault.  The last few days of Christmas shopping and cooking have really gotten in my way!!.  hahahaha!

Here's a sweet little image, isn't it?  This was another of my stamp choices when I won the prize from janlynn.com.  That little face peeking over the straw in the manager just tickles my soul!!  The one thing I don't especially like is that there isn't a ton of creativity we can opt for in the way of coloring.  Straw is straw and wood is wood.  I did change the  dirt circle thingie into more of a rug, just to add another color.  But still, the image is cute and can be turned into a great card.

 

I started this card a week or so ago when Pals Paper Arts when they had a color challenge to use soft suede, crushed curry and old olive (SU colors).  Well... I missed that challenge, but went ahead and used the colors on this card as they really were quite perfect for it.  I glittered up the image star, then tried to create a 'glitter beam' shining down on little Jesus.  Hmmmmm... I don't really think I achieved the intended results.  {sigh}  That's OK though.  I'm learning to let that stuff go.  You know... that stuff that doesn't go quite as expected.  Happens to me wayyyy too often!!  : )  I also used gold glimmer Blingz on the paper star, both the yellow dotted and brown layers.

 

Thanks for stopping in today!  If I don't have time to post the rest of my Christmas cards/gifts, I'll get them put up as soon as I can.  Have a wonderful, WONDERFUL Holiday Season!!

Denise

Stamps:  Stamps Happen A Child is Born!

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black

Supplies:  Nesties, BG button, brown thread, silk ribbon, white glitter

I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it!

I'm about to lose control and I think I like it!  {disco dancing to the Pointer Sisters}

I am soooo thrilled to announce I am now officially a Whimsie Doodles Design Team member!!  YIPEE!  This is my first ever time being a DT member.  Yep... a real, full-time gig for six months!!  Thank you so much ladies.  I will totally do my bestest.

Four other lucky and talented gals were also selected to be on this DT.  If you have a spare minute, take the time to go visit, say hello and leave 'em some love.  I'm looking forward to working with all of you ladies.

Paula Bloom - Love Blooms in Me

Alicia Ekermans - Call Me Crafty Al

Dawn Burnworth - My Stamping Thyme

Sheri Gilson - PaperCrafty's Creations

ME!

If you're not yet familiar with Whimsie Doodles, please go check out their store and take a look around.  They carry a great selection of digital images I think you'll fall in love with.  Plus they have Whimsie Cuts which will help you make such cute, cute projects.

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  Come back soon.  My Whimsie Doodles creations will be starting in January!
Denise

I'm a Copic Colour Challenge GDT today!!

I'm sooooo excited!!  I love this challenge and all their color combinations.  I try to join in whenever I can, then have a great old time enjoying everyone's creations.  Here's the color combo for this week's challenge...

Pretty, huh?!?!  Now... what did I create for my first GD opportunity?  Drum roll please...

It's Stamping Bella's Ella Lollipop!  She is so much fun to work up!  She's just the cutest all on her own, then you get her colored up and holy moly!!  I love her!!  This image was perfect for the three colors of this challenge.

If you've never tried the Copic Color Challenge before, take the leap.  It's a great group of gals and I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do.  The sponsor this week is In Style Stamps so it's well worth the try.

 

As a final word, I'd like to thank the Copic Colour Challenge gals for affording me this honor.  I've just enjoyed it soooo much!!  Thank you gals!!

And thank YOU for stopping in.  Come again, 'K?

Denise

Stamps:  Stamping Bella Ella Lollipop and sentiment

Paper:  My Minds Eye, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black, VersaMagic sea breeze chalk ink

Supplies:  Nesties, flowers, small brads... yep, that's it!

Techniques:  Copic markers, sponging

Warm and Cozy Greetings!

Hi and welcome!  How's your week going?  Mine's going pretty darned well.  Good things are happening and I'm very tickled about them.  One I'll share with you  today is that my son, Ryan, is engaged!!!  Happened about a week ago... he finally did it!!!  He sounds sooo happy and I couldn't be more pleased.  His fiancee (first time I've written that word!) is a great gal and they really get along so well.  Way to go honey!!

Now... on to stamping!  I'm still working on my Christmas cards, but am getting closer.  YAY!  This is Lizzie, one of Whiff of Joy's sweet stamps.  Isn't she so sweet?  Not much to explain that you can't see for yourself.  Now, one thing different for me is I left all the white areas plain white.  I usually try to shade with some cool or warm gray.  I just wanted pure, pure white on Lizzie's litte 'fluffies'.  What do you think?

Once I got going on this card, I found it fits several challenges so please bear with me.

1.  Mojo Monday - the sketch.  Love this one as it fit my image sooooo well.

2.  Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Let it Snow.  There's a great group of DT cards.  If you have some time, go check 'em out.

3.  The Corrosive Challenge - Walking in a Winter Wonderland.  Again, some wonderful sample cards.

4.  Stampin' for the Weekend - Blue and Brown.  This is a fun challenge with two of my favorite colors!

5.  Creative Inspirations - Non-traditional Colors.  My blue and brown totally fits in.

6.  Creatalicious Challenges - something new, something old, something torn, something blue.  Isn't that a cute challenge?  Well... I've got 'em all in there except the 'torn' part.  I tried putting little torn polka dot paper corners on the top, but it just didn't improve the card at all so I didn't include them.  I'm sure I'm not 'legit' for this challenge, but wanted to share it with you anyway in case you wanted to join in.  : )

7.  The Pink Elephant - Winter and/or Christmas.  LOVE it!!

8.  Crazy 4 Challenges - Snow, Snowmen or Snowflakes.  I've got snowflakes on my paper, right?  : )

9. Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge - Snow  : )

That's it for this post.  Hope you've enjoyed your visit.  I'm so glad you've stopped by.  Come again!

Denise 

Stamps:  Whiff of Joy Lizzie, Whipper Snappers Winter Quilt (sentiment)

Paper:  Paper Studio (blue), MME (brown polka dot), Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black, VersaMagic gingerbread chalk ink

Supplies:  Nesties, Bella's string of pearls baubles, edge punch, satin ribbon

Techniques:  Copic markers, sponging

Be Merry when Stuck in a Stocking

Good Sunday morning stamping friends!  I hope you're having a wonderfully relaxing day.  If not, I hope you love whatever it is your day holds for you!!  This card is the third in the series of six Whiff of Joy 'family' of Christmas gnomes.  I just adore them so!!  Now on this little lady, I'm not sure if she's annoyed or simply resigned to being hung in that stocking.  heehee.  Whatever she's feeling, she's adorable.

This card is pretty straightforward.  Not much to explain today.  I very softly sponged with VersaMagic wheat around the image as I wanted to tone down the white a bit.  There's no glitter, no gems, nothing fru-fru (is that how you spell that?).  But I like it!  I hope you do too.

Believe it or not, there are no challenges!!!  How about that?!?!?!  I was going to use Friday Sketchers sketch, but my image's rectangle ended up being too big to make that work quite right.  I'll try another card with that layout as it's a good one.

Thanks for stopping by today folks!  Enjoy your day... tomorrow's Monday again!

Denise

P.S.  My KU Jayhawks won yesterday!!!  Yahoo!!!  : )

Stamps:  Whiff of Joy Wee in Stocking, SU Warm Words 

Papers:  Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black, VersaMagic wheat chalk ink

Supplies:  Nesties (as a template), BG buttons, linen thread

Techniques:  Copic markers, sponging

Wee and a Christmas Tree

Now, how can you not love these little Whiff of Joy characters???  I read somewhere they are Christmas gnomes... not elves.  Don't know if that's right or not, but I'm going with it.  As I said in my last post (another gnome), I bought all six of this 'family'.  I'm currently coloring up the third, so you'll end up seeing them all!  I sure hope you enjoy them as much as I do!!

As I write this up, my Kansas University Jayhawks are doing great on ESPN.  That just makes me happy!!!  : )  Heeheehee... I just had to get a KU plug in here!  : )

 

I kept this card pretty simple as far as embellies go.  I wanted the dp and image to stand out this time.  I did use itty-bitty pearls as the tree's ornaments, used glitter at the bottom of each tree layer, on and around the star topper and for her collar, used the wonderful button bow and a little pompom on Wee's little conehead cap.  I was going to add a sentiment, maybe some other buttons or gems, but decided to leave it just like this.

The challenges:

1.  Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  I used their sketch last week... and I won!!!  That makes me happy too!!!.  They have another great sketch this week so I thought "what the heck... give it another shot!".  Hope you can join in too.  My image is a tad long for this sketch, but I tried to go with it the best I could.

2.  Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Christmas stars.  I was going to add a star charm, but as I said above, wanted to keep embellies to a minimum.

3. Our Creative Corner - Holiday theme, Christmas or Hannukah.  I've missed doing OCC for several weeks.  Nice to be back again.  I love their challenge blog!!

Thanks for coming to see me.  Have a great Saturday.

Denise
 

Stamps:  Whiff of Joy Wee and Christmas Tree

Paper:  BG Lemonade, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black, VersaMagic sea breeze chalk ink

Supplies:  Nesties, BG ribbon, BG button, teeny pearls, white doodlebug glitter, pompom

Techniques:  Copic markers, sponging

Wonderful WOJ Character

 Hi all.  I'm finally getting back to the computer to get this card posted.  I finished it up a little while ago.  Felt very good to do so as I haven't felt well the last couple of days.  I haven't been out of the house for 2 1/2 days!!  My poor pooch is very tired of the back yard as we go out to walk and play every day!!!  I'll make it up to him this weekend.

When this new line of WOJ images came out, I was just so taken with them, I got 'em all.  That's something I almost never do, but I just couldn't decide between them.  They are ALL sooooo cute!!!  This one is Uru with Candy Cane.  Isn't she wonderful?  I used Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly mini deck.  When I first got it, I thought I would never find a project to use the yellow-gold with bells.  But lookie here... it's one of the first I've used off of the pad.  Ya just never know, do ya?

This card fits several challenges so here we go...

1.  Whiff of Joy Challenge - Sparkle!!!  Sparkle!!! Sparkle!!!  You got it!  They wanna see some sparkle.  I glittered up the candy cane red stripes a little bit, added a gem design in the corner and used a pearl for the flower center.

2.  Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge.  Go check out Karen's card... it is just adorable.

3.  Everybody-Art-Challenge - Red and Green theme.  I'm never quite sure on these color challenges.  Are those the ONLY colors you can use... or you have to use AT LEAST those?  I hope I'm interpreting correctly.

4.  Stampin' for the Weekend - Red, Green and Gold (golden yellow : ).

 I guess that's it for tonight.  Thanks for coming by!  Hope to see you again soon!

Denise

 

Stamps:  Whiff of Joy Uru with Candy Cane

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Golly by Jolly, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black

Supplies:  Nesties, flower, pearl brad, stocking charm, gems, red glitter, satin ribbon, MS punch

Techniques:  Copic markers

Merry Christmas Birdies

I thought I'd go ahead and get my entry for Bellarific Friday posted a couple days early.  YAY!  I'm so often scurrying around at the last minute.  This is a really nice change!!

I have chosen this cute little birdies on a limb image, Merry Christmas Birdies on a Branch.  I stamped this two or three weeks ago, but hadn't gotten back to coloring it up until last night.  It's really quick and easy to color, but still packs a big punch (I think).  I didn't feel well today, but finally felt like doing something, so I pulled everything together to finish it.

Emily's requirement for this challenge is to use glitter/glitz.  Got that handled.  I glittered up the birdies' wings, part of the branch and the berries (not my favorite part of the glitz).  I also used Bella's ruby red bonbons which I got with my last order.  I paper pieced the Merry Christmas banner and sponged some VersaMagic wheat chalk ink.  Oh... and I embossed the white background sheet with Cuttlebug's snowflakes.

For the layout, I used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge.  Mercy always has great sketches... I just don't always find the time to work them up.  I'm glad I was able to use this one!

I'll also enter this in the Cuttlebug Challenge.  This challenge was also for glitter!  Love glitter... love challenges that call for glitter!!  : )

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  Come back soon!!
Denise

Stamps:  Stamping Bella Merry Christmas Birdies on a Branch

Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly, Gina K. pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black, VersaMagic wheat chalk ink

Supplies:  Nesties, Bella ruby red bonbons, red, blue and brown glitter

Techniques:  Copic markers, paper piecing, sponging

But Grandma... what a big BOW you have!!

I know... I KNOW!!!  I got a little carried away with the bow!!!  Heehee... I can't look at this picture without giggling!  I've been fighting myself on this one.  I had a little white felt Christmas  tree I worked up, embellished and added to the card.  It was OK, but I just wasn't feeling it.  So I carefully peeled it off and replaced it with this bow as nothing else was really working for me.  Hmmmmm... still not sure.  I might end up changing it out as well, but I'm going to live with it a little while to see if it grows on me.  {I'm still giggling... aren't you?!}

Isn't this image just one of the cutest?  It's from Stampavie and is called Mistletoe & Mice.  Awwwwwwww.  The sentiment is actually a silver cutout I received in my surprise prize from janlynn.com.  I've also got a gold one just waiting for me to use it... and I will.  And I do know that mistletoe berries are white, but I just wanted some red/pink berries!

The challenges:

1.  Sketch Saturday - Grrrrreat sketch!

 

 2.  Copic Colour Challenge.  Love this color combo!

 

3.  Stampavie Challenge - Kittie's Bows.  Include a bow with your Stampavie image.  OK... OK... they didn't say a big HONKIN' bow!!  I read that into it!  haha

4.  Pals Paper Arts - Holiday Photo Inspiration Challenge.  Isn't it lovely?  Obviously I went with the mistletoe.

5.  Creative Card Crew - Christmas.  I always love this theme!!

6.  A Spoonful of Sugar - Non-traditional Christmas colors.  I am entering for my deep pink and dark brown.

7.  My Time to Craft Challenge - Winter Pals.

8.  The Pink Elephant Challenge - Your Favorite Christmas Color Combo.  I'm really getting into the pink/green combo!

9.  Cupcake Inspiration Challenge.  I hope my mistletoe will be an OK substitute for holly!  Aren't these cupcakes awesome?!?! 

Thanks for stopping in today.  For those who hopped by during the Bella Birthday Bash Hop last Saturday, thanks for all your wonderful comments!  This was the first 'HOP' I've been associated with besides being a 'hopper' and I'm hooked.  Soooooo fun!!  And finally, to those who took the extra time to leave a comment on Madeline's card, bless you all.  It will just MAKE her day the next time she comes and I show them to her!  You're all so great!!!

Have a lovely evening!

Denise 

Stamps:  Stampavie Mistletoe & Mice

Paper:  BG Eskimo Kisses, Gina K pure luxury

Ink:  Memento tuxedo black

Supplies:  Nesties, sentiment cutout, bow-easy, MS ribbon for a BIG BOW

Techniques:  Copic markers

By Jove... some potential!

No... no... no!  Not me!!  My granddaughter, Madeline!  As I was frantically attempting to get my Bella Birthday Bash completed yesterday, she wanted to make her own card for her friend Tyler whose birthday party is today.  So I stamped little Ella Lollipop for her and let her go for it.  I'm pretty sure Madeline (who turned 11 just last Thursday) has a bright future as a stamper/colorer!!   I think she did a great job!!  Way to go honey!

Isn't she so clever to combine a birthday card and a thank you into one card?  Great ecologically too.  Saves paper!  : )  She colored this up with my prismacolor premier art markers (12 in the pack).  Isn't little Ella so cute??  She also used the oval spellbinders... Madeline thought those were great!!  She wrote tons of stuff inside, but I didn't read it. Private to the girls.

Thanks for stopping by.  Hope you enjoy Madeline's card.  I may pop back in later with one of my own, but I have quite a few other things to do today too, so no promises!

Have a great Sunday!
Denise

OMG... the Bella Birthday Bash Blog HOP!!!

I've been sooooo excited about this and here I am... LATE!!!  Soooo sorry all.  But here ya go.  My card for the Bella Birthday Bash Blog Hop!!

I've use Pookie Lollipop.  Isn't she just the sweetest danged thing???  I used my new stash of Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper.  LOVE it!!  Hope you do too!  I sugared up her petals just a little bit as well as the centers of the image's flowers.  And I used my new Blossom nesties!  I've wanted these for AGES!!!  : )  Oh... and I also paper pieced the flower pot as well as the little flowers at its base.

NOW... do NOT forget to LEAVE a COMMENT as there are big Bella bucks to win along the way!  I mean major BIG!!!  Three are hidden, and one is random!

Good luck to all and thanks for stopping by!  HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY BELLA!  We love ya!!!

OK now... head on over to  My Little Life to see what Bella has in store for you.  I think you'll love it.  Or, start at the beginning with Emily's blog.  Or, if the chain is broken, the master list is here!

The layout for my card came from Sweet Sketch Wednesday.  They actually have two great sketches to choose from!  Go take a look.  There are a lot of great DT cards to enjoy!  Thanks gals!!

Stamps:  Stamping Bella Pookie Lollipop
Paper:  Cosmo Cricket Early Bird, Gina K. pure luxury
Ink:  Memento tuxedo black
Supplies:  Nesties, gingham ribbon, flowers, pearls, gems, white glitter, bow-easy
Techniques:  Copic markers, paper piecing