We're Back.

We had an amazing weekend! Really it was just incredible. Although it is a ton of work, and I'm exhausted it is still worth every ounce of effort to be able to invest in those kids lives. And not only that, but I learn so much as well from them.
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I started a card for the Tuesday Trigger this week, and just like last week I'm probably past the deadline. O-well. I added 1 to my Christmas card stash, and that is always a plus.

Here's this week's image:

I really wanted to play off the negative space on the napkins and the icons. So, I pulled out an old Stampin' Up set Lots of Thoughts and Merry and Bright, and here's what I came up with:

Okay, I'll just say it. Not my favorite card ever. I think I'd like it a lot more with copics, but I don't have browns yet. The colored pencils actually look better in person.

Stamps: Merry and Bright, Lots to Say (Stampin' Up)

Cardstock: Bashful Blue (Stampin Up)

Pattern Paper: Bo Bunny

Ribbon: Offray

I also got a fun package in the mail today from my friend Carly's new etsy shop. The ribbon she sells is right up my alley:

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Tomorrow is the last day to submit your cards for the Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge! And if you haven't checked out the participates you really should. There is some amazing inspiration there! Also, we'll have another challenge on the 30th with an item to use from around the house!

Big Bows!

I have been following the CARDs blog for awhile now, and I think one other time I made a card for one of their challenges. However, I never got around to actually sending it in! Well this time around, I knew that I could make a Christmas card for this challenge: big ol’ ribbon bows!

So here's what I came up with:

  OccasionallyI have to pull out neglected stamps like Guide Lines. I used Liquid Pearls to add some interest to the pattern. And, after adding the ribbon and the scallop to the tag, I realized I need one more red (you know that whole thirds thing). So I colored in the air plane - just the thing I needed to be satisfied.

Stamps: GuideLines - Papertrey Ink

Ink: VersaMark

Accessories: Liquid Pearls, Scallop Punch

Tag: Jolly by Golly - Cosmo Cricket

AND A BIG OL' BOW

By the time you read this, this challenge will be over! But I'm sure they will have a new challenge on the blog ... so go check it out.

December Daily - the Second Half

Wow - that was way more response that I was anticipating. I'm thinking I'm going to be doing a tutorial really soon! :) Thanks for all the comments. It's a lot easier to spend time on a video when you know people want to watch it!

Now back to December Daily. I'm not sure if I like the first or the second half better. Well there is one thing in the second half I just love... but you'll have to wait for that (but not too long because I don't have a ton of pictures from the second half).

Day 17 and 18

Do you realize why the below is my favorite? It's 100% because I was able to work in one of my vintage flash cards from PaperTales in SanDiego. I just love it.

Day 19 and 20

Day 25

Not a lot of chit chat tonight. I'm off to pack!

Embellish Brads Color Challenge

I'm so tired, and I have a lot more to get done this week. We have community group at our house tomorrow (and Chase will be gone)... did I mention we eat at community group? Thankfully I've already started the prep work for the food. Then Friday we are off to the Middle School retreat! Oh, and did I mention I'm teaching crafts, but I have no idea what I'm doing yet! Start praying girls. I need it. :) I will say that's mainly because I won't know how many have signed up until tomorrow. I'm sure it will work out.

I did manage to make a card today for the Embellish Challenge. Plus I had a new flower technique I wanted to try and a PTI package at my door. What more do you need to be creative? Here is the color/item challenge:

I just love the pictures Ashley uses for these challenges. They are always terrific. And here's my card:

Stamps: Big and Bold Wishes (PTI)

Card Stock: Lemon Tart, Stampers Select White (PTI)

Pattern Paper: Cherry Hill (October Afternoon)

Ribbon: Pure Poppy (PTI)

Button: Pure Poppy (PTI)

Did I mention that flower is just folded paper? I watched a little 1 minute video on YouTube to learn how to make the petals. Unfortunately the video isn't that great. It's just visual so it took me forever to learn the last step. Maybe I'll do my own video. Let me know if you're interested.

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I've been SUPER impressed with all of the EBTKS challenge cards! You ladies are rocking that sketch. If you haven't played along you still have until the 24th.

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I'll be posting the rest of my December Daily tomorrow!

December Daily - the First Half

I think I forgot how messy scrapbooking can be. I'm really a clean work surface kind of girl, and that went totally out the window. It was a total mess, and I realized that I worked on this entire album standing up! Totally weird.

So here is the base for the first half of the album:

1 & 2

 

3 & 4

 

I'm going to have to redo 6. I tried using some spray ink to show just one number on the bingo card. Well. I really don't like it at all. So I'll have to rework that page. 

5 (with a little glossy accents)

Seven is a baseball card holder cut to fit. 

6, 7 & 8

9 & 10

11 & 12

 

I think page 12 is my favorite. I sewing on a little pocket from one of my sheets of baseball card holders. I had no idea if my sewing machine could sew onto acrylic - but it can!

Are you doing a December Daily? What holiday crafts are you planning? I had a ton of things I made last year. I can't wait to get started!

Tuesday Trigger.

Apparently I'm becoming a last minute challenge participate. I've really wanted to do this challenge since Cath posted it, but with EBTKS launching and finishing up my December Daily (check back tomorrow night to see) I'm just not getting to it. However, with an inspiration photo like this ... how could I not jump in the fun!

Check out this image from Laura O'Donnel's inspiration. Isn't it fantastic? That Martha... she really knows what she's doing:

And here's my card:

I'm just loving these blues mixed. I would have never put these together without this inspiration! That's why I love challenges ... cards like this.

Plus, I only have one gold thing in my craft room - embossing powder. So I broke it out in a big way. I love how the embossed chipboard letters turned out.

Stamps: Grainy Background - Unity Stamp Co. 

Card Stock: Not Quite Navy - Stampin' Up!, Ocean Tides - Papertrey Ink

Ink: VersaMark

Embossing Powder: Detail Gold  - Stampendous!

Die Cut: Birds & Blooms Bird - Sizzix, Ephemera - 7 Gypsies

Ribbon: Ecru Crochet Trim - Maya Road 

Pearls: Denim Kaiser Pears

Punch: Scallop

Paper Clip: Tim Holtz

 

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Thank you all for your super sweet comments about EBTKS Challenge! We are super excited about the blog, and about the fantastic creations we know you are all going to make! THANK YOU!

EBTKS Makes A Move!

Yep, you read that right. Everything But The Kitchen Sink Challenge has moved to its very own blog. You can find it here. And that's not the only exciting news! We have also decided to do TWO challenges each month. Here's the run down on both:

15th - EBTKS Sketch Challenge, this sketch will be based off something around the house (fridge, couch, etc.)

30th - EBTKS Household Item Challenge, this challenge is based on using an item we all have around the house.

And since today's the 15th... we have a sketch challenge for you all. Here was the inspiration for the challenge, my fireplace mantel:

And here's the sketch I based off of it!

I can't tell you how excited I am about this new side of EBTKS. I hope you like the sketch and that you'll play along.

Here is my card I made from the sketch ... I like to call it BLING BLING CHRISTMAS:

Card Stock: White (Papertrey Ink)

Pattern Paper: Eskimo Kisses (Basic Gray)

Stamps: So Many Scallops (Stampin Up!)

Ink: Old Olive (Stampin' Up!)

Die Cut: Snowflake #2 (Sizzix)

You'll certainly want to check out what the other girls made... so head on over to the Everything but the Kitchen Sink Challenge blog to see their fantastic work.

P.S. There is also a $25 Two Peas gift card up for grabs for the winner!