Anniversary Wishes with a Score!!

There were two challenge that I wanted to play along with this week...

• Less Is More: Anniversary.  I have this fun Doodle Frame that I thought would be perfect for a truly CAS card.  I was thinking of my own husband when I kept this card to a little platinum embossing and one red gem - but I'm guessing he will think I went overboard.
• CASual Fridays: Even the Score.  I don't know why I don't think of using simple score lines more often.  I'm always looking for a stamp or a die cut to highlight an image or sentiment, but often a set of scored lines would do it better.  On this card, I thought the scored lines would support the frame so it wasn't left hanging.

Most importantly today, I just wanted to let all of my blog friends know that I've not made it around to comment much and probably won't until after the holidays.  I'm so sorry - but I bet you all understand.  I am still reading your blogs every day, but I often find myself scrolling through blogs in those few minutes between shopping, baking, wrapping, decorating and, quite honestly, a lot of wonderful coffee time with friends!!  Thank you for all of your inspiration!

• Stamps: The Alley Way Stamps Doodle Frames
• Paper: black and white
• Ink: black and Versamark
• Accessories: misc red gem, PSX Detail Platinum Embossing Powder

"Merry Time" Hot Chocolate

I bookmarked Jessica's post as soon as I saw her cute little gift of hot chocolate knowing that this would be my teacher/friend gift for this year!  I used the same free digi from The Alley Way Stamps but made a slightly different tag.


I printed the mug on kraft paper and on white paper.  I cut the kraft using a Papertrey Ink die with the mug slightly off the edge.  I colored the mugs and cut them out.  I also added a bit of sparkle to the steam. I found the hot chocolate recipe here.  I have to admit that I did not try it - but how bad could it be???
I am adding this to the Catered Crop: Tag You're It challenge.

• Stamps: The Alley Way Stamps (TAWS) free digi stamp, sentiment from TAWS Christmas Magic clear stamp
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake
• Ink: Memento Black and Copics
• Accessories: Stickles, Papertrey Ink Tag Sale #3 die

Seize the Birthday!

About a week ago, on this post, I showed you this card...

In a number of your comments, I was complimented on my double embossing technique - OR I was asked exactly how I did it.  I actually did it by buying WAY too many supplies.  This fun "technique" is actually a Sizzix embossing folder and a coordinating die.  (FYI: The die is actually a nested die with multiple sizes.)
ETA: I knew that if I didn't look up the names of these products someone would ask, and sure enough I have gotten two emails!!  I looked through the Sizzix website and the folder is in a two-packed called Ornate Frames Set #2.  The die is called Framelits Labels Ornate #3.  (The second embossing folder has a matching set also.  It's called Framelits Ornate Labels.)
You really could get by with just the embossing folder.  When you emboss it - you get the plain space in the middle to stamp on.  I like cutting the die and placing it on top of that space simply because it allows me to wrap ribbon around it or to place a banner behind it as in the next card.
Since I had the folder and die out for a photo - I decided to use it again.  In this card, I used one of the smaller dies and nested it inside the embossed frame. Cards are so easy when you have the right toys!!  (At least, that's what I keep telling myself!) I did a birthday card today for the linky party for a challenge that is going to begin in January - Seize the Birthday.  It's going to be great!  It's created by a very experienced challenge lady - Lesley, the creator of The Paper Players, Freshly Made Sketches, Dynamic Duos, Merry Monday - and now, Seize the Birthday!!

I also used the sketch from another quite new challenge - CAS - Colours & Sketches.

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Birthday Bakery
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake dsp
• Ink: Memento Black and Copics
• Accessories: Sizzix embossing folder and die set, pink bling and misc. ribbon

CAS(E) This Sketch: Neon Tree Trio

It's time for another sketch at CAS(E) This Sketch!  That's the happy news!  The sad news is that CAS(E) This Sketch is taking a break over the holidays - so the next sketch isn't until January 10th.  BE SURE to play along with this sketch!

I flipped it - mostly because I had these uninked tree stamps and neon inks (WHAT was I thinking?) out on my desk and really wanted to use them before I stored them away!

This sketch is the perfect example of how creative you can be with a sketch.  You could have things hanging down - Christmas ornaments, stars - or you could flip and having things growing up - flowers or trees!  I'm sure we will also see people using it sideways!  Have fun!

• Stamps: Hero Arts (Archivers exclusive) Christmas trees (packaged with the die)
• Paper: white
• Ink: Hero Arts Neon Blue, Neon Purple, Neon Green
• Accessories: Hobby Lobby brand embossing folder, misc gems and cord

Merry Penguins in a Row!

I was wandering through Archivers this weekend - and this penguin just jumped into my cart!  I had just seen the challenge at Less Is More: One Layer All in a Row and knew that a parade of these penguins would be cute.

The drinks are frosty good!
{I like the little guy with snowballs!!}
When it came time to color, I figured green drinks would be appropriate for the season, so I used this week's colors at CAS - Colours and Sketches.

I definitely cannot say that this ended up being my my favorite card that I have done - but if I buy a stamp just to play a challenge - you darn well get to see the results!!!

• Stamps: Savvy Stamps Penguin (includes the present and the drink), Rubber Stampede sentiment
• Paper: white
• Ink: Memento black, Stampin' Up markers in Real Red, Garden Green and Lucky Limeade
• Accessories: Mark Richards Crystal Dome Stickers, Ranger Glossy Accents, misc glitter

Love Knots, Hugs and St. Nicholas

It's my day to share over at The Alley Way Stamps and I thought it would be fun to use the new stamp Love Knots for the challenge over at CASual Fridays: Knotty or Nice!  I love this "knotty" heart!

I had envisioned the look of an aspen tree - a white bark - and when I saw the colors at The Paper Players - I knew it would be really sweet to keep it subtle with pops of color.  I also used the sketch from Unscripted Sketches.

This week's challenge at Crazy 4 Challenges inspired me to create another Christmas card.  The challenge was to use our favorite holiday stamp.  I'm not going to say for sure that the stamp on this next card is my very favorite stamp...but I liked it so much that when it was released last month by The Alley Way Stamps - even though I am on the design team, I couldn't bring myself to use it because I was afraid I wouldn't do it justice.  I spent yesterday at a Christmas parade, then at a Christmas concert with a full orchestra and 300 choir members.  I woke up this morning to snow.  If I can't do this stamp justice right now in my joyful Christmas mood, I'll never do it justice...

I used the sketch from The Sweet Stop and I am also going to add this for the current challenge at Christmas Cards All Year Round: Santa.

Love Knots and Huts

• Stamps: The Alley Way Stamps Love Knots, Jibber Jabber ("hugs"), Trees Company (bird)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand, Pool Party
• Ink: Stampin' Up Sahara Sand, Versmark, Memento Espresso Truffle, copics
• Accessories: Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler twine, EK Success border punch, white embossing powder

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

• Stamps: The Alley Way Stamps Jolly Holiday
• Paper: Stampin' Up Real Red, Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate, Simple Stories Handmade Holiday Winter Wonderland (the brown with snowflakes), MME Winter Wonderland (the stripes)
• Ink: Memento Espresso Truffle, copics
• Accessories: ribbon from Joann, Echo Park Christmas This & That brads, white felt (on cuffs), Gold Spica (on candles)

Cloud9 WPlus9 Blog Hop

I love the photos at this month's Cloud9 challenge...wonderful Nordic and homespun images.  The challenge requires the use of WPlus9 stamps which really isn't a problem for me!

I pulled the red snowflakes on white from the sofa, the warmth of the wood chairs and a pop of yellow with the little bird.

I haven't quite decided how to use this card.  The red and white makes it Christmasy, but I went with a different sentiment so my little bird could perch on the words!  
I used the current layout at Freshly Made Sketches.

• Stamps: WPlus9 Fairisle Backgrounds, Sweet Nothings (sentiment)
• Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Real Red, Daffodil Delight
• Ink: Stampin' Up Real Red, Papertrey Ink Dark Chocolate
• Accessories: WPlus9 Folk Art Florals die, Martha Stewart Fine Crystal Glitter (on snowflake panel), Spellbinders narrow ovals, misc twine