The Paper Players: Turkey Time

I was happily browsing blogs with a cup of coffee before getting ready for work and a turkey card popped out at me. It made me realize that I had ignored this week's challenge at The Paper Players: Turkey Time because I was thinking I was done with Thanksgiving. But I'm not. I have two sons, 20- and a 24-years old, who aren't leaving campus to come home for Thanksgiving so I need them to know we are thinking of them. I really do have to get to work (translate: convert my desk from a craft desk to a work area!) so this is a 10-minute card and a 5-minute picture (both unheard of for me).  And it's perfect for one of them!!!

I'll probably tuck in a gift card for the Waffle House!  (No joke - in 2018 we ended up at the Waffle House for Thanksgiving but it's a very long story!)  The gift card will actually be the highlight for them because it will bring back fun memories!

Thanks to the Paper Players for reminding me that Turkey Time is coming!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Technique Tuesday Think Beef (it's dated 2012 so probably long gone)

Dies: Pretty Pink Posh Storybook 1

Paper: Sunny Studio Colorful Autumn, Stampin' Up Pumpkin Pie

Other: Doodlebug Heart-Fetti

Freshly Made Sketches: Wise Men in Three Styles

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Judy and here’s what I did with it!

 

You might notice that I didn't get the sketch quite right.  When I see our sketches in advance, they bounce in my mind for awhile until I get a chance to make a card.  I remembered that there was a big banner.  I did not remember the sentiment strip across the top.  By the time I was making the card, I had decided to use the sentiment die - it just made sense on the big banner. To honor the sketch, I added a patterned strip and I hope Judy forgives me.  Of course, I loved her sketch so much with this sentiment, I just kept going!

The wintery card at the beginning of this was post uses a patterned paper which is unusual for me.  It's also unusual that I use an outdoor type pattern with a Christian sentiment.  But I thought they were both just lovely so I wanted them to be together.

I started with the idea of the elegant card.  Deep, rich colors and gold seemed very fitting for the sentiment.

I do love how this turned out, but I wasn't convinced it was my card for the challenge.   So then I decided to go with stars and a classic pattern.

I like this one too.  The words are actually in a pearlescent ivory and I like the rustic stars around the edge.  But I'm not a fan of ivories - even in this classic card.  I LOVE fresh white and that's how I came up with the card I showed you at the beginning!!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week at Freshly Made Sketches (and you do not have to make three cards!)

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Simon Says Stamp Wise Men Still Seek Him

Paper: Plaid is Memory Box Christmas Plaid, stars are an old Simple Stories pad - Claus & Co, the winter pattern is also an old Simple Stories - Winter Wonderland

Just Add Ink: Holiday Wishes

I've had my eye on the colors at Just Add Ink challenge this week. It includes the Stampin' Up Color Magenta Madness which I am not a huge fan of; however, that's why they call them challenges!

My original plan was to use regular stamped snowflakes - probably fairly dainty snowflakes to keep the magenta a bit more subtle, but these new stamps and dies by Catherine Pooler showed up in my mailbox.  The stamps are called Nordic Stars and I got them with the intent of classic Nordic red and white. I'm not quite sure how I made the leap to the dreaded magenta but I think it works with just a pop of it.  (FYI - I know that color is personal.  For instance, I really don't like plain yellow and others will pick as their favorite color.  I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the magenta but for me, it's kind of an in-your-face colors - it overwhelms other colors.)

I love that "wishes" die.  I don't think the picture they use on websites does it justice.  You just can't tell that it gives that look of ribbon. I had Nordic Stars in my shopping cart but before I hit the purchase button, I was browsing Pinterest or Instagram just to see if there was anything else I had to have. I saw it!  I loved it! And it jumped into my cart just in time for me to hit the purchase button!  Better yet, the coordinating stamps have add-ons for a wide variety of occasions.

---------

A quick update on our Colorado wildfires - hopefully the last. The situation is much improved thanks to a heavy mountain snow which is melting slowly - apparently the best case scenario for keeping the fires tamped down. Thank you God!!  The two big ones are not out but they have slowed enough that firefighters have increased the containment on one to 85% and the other to 37%.  

Colorado actually had three record-breaking fires this summer.  One of the fires topped the previous record in a single day - not the weeks and months it usually takes to burn that much acreage. The fire grew so fast that people were getting evacuated with 10 minutes notice. In fact, since the worst case scenarios didn't show the fire reaching them for weeks (if at all), many couldn't get their horses out so they spray painted their information on the horses and were letting them out of their corrals to find their own shelter. That fire took two lives and more than 300 homes.  

In an bizarre side note, the day this fire set all records, there was a giant smoke plume. It was visible from my home 125 miles away - I posted a picture here. The firefighters now think this smoke column suddenly collapsed sending air downwards and shooting flames in every direction. I guess like a giant microburst but with fire.  Nature is unimaginably powerful.

From The Colorado Sun 11/2/20

Evacuations in most areas are now lifted. Colorado being what it is - we are back up in the 70s again but as long as the wind doesn't kick up, things are looking good.  And there's more snow in the near forecast.  

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: Catherine Pooler Nordic Stars, All Around Wishes

Dies: Catherine Pooler Wishes Word, Nordic Stars

Paper: Stampin' Up Magenta Madness, Misty Moonlight; silver is unknown

Other: Trinity Stamps Rainbow Reflection Rhinestone Mix

Tic Tac Toe Challenge: Thankful

 I am honored to be a guest designer this week at the Tic Tac Toe Challenge!!  I was even more thrilled when I got the board and saw that it was a board full of autumn!  I used the right vertical column (Fall Colors, Thankful Sentiment, and Free).

I've always loved the little stitched heart in this woodgrain die but I always seem to cover it up.  (Sadly, this company is gone.)  I made a conscious effort this time to have the leaves swirl around the heart - see it right below the orange leaf.

I picked a layered leaf die so I could use a variety of fall colors with the two tones. I left the edges of the top layer unadhered for a dimensional look.  I like sparkle and I like white on my fall cards.  Fall is my favorite seasons - the beautiful colors just glow and almost seem to sparkle when the sun comes through them.  I also like the frost that adds to that sparkle.  So this card represents everything I love about fall!

Tic Tac Toe is a fun challenge.  It gives us inspiration, but it's open enough for us to be creative or go in a direction for cards that we need to be making.  I still need Thanksgiving cards so I wanted to start with either the "Thanksgiving" square or the "Thankful Sentiment" square - but I can see multiple directions that do not need to be fall or Thanksgiving!

Thank you to the entire group for letting me be a guest this week!

SUPPLY LIST

Dies: Concord & 9th Leafy Layers die, Simon Says Stamp Thankful 1, L'il Inkers Cover Up Die Stitched Woodgrain

Paper: Concord & 9th Neutrals Foil Paper Pack, Stampin' Up Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, Terracotta Tile, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake

Other: Studio Katia Pearls - Gold Foil and Arctic Breeze

Freshly Made Sketches: Just a Note

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches! Today we have a sketch by Jen Brum and here’s what I did with it!

 

I struggled with this challenge and I don't know why.  I got my mind set around a particular direction (snowdrifts and snowmen) and I tried and tried but it just was never right.  I do most of my crafting on the weekend but by Monday morning with a week of work looming in front of me, I had nothing for FMS. That's how long I struggled. Then I saw the sentiment in my not-yet-used stash - it's by The Stamp Market - as I explored what I had from them, the die popped out as a fun way to fill a corner (although it's actually a cover die).  I found paper with lots of colors in a more muted, autumn tone - and it all came together in no time!  I need to listen to that little crafting voice more often - the voice that says "this isn't right" or "go for it"!

I hope to see you playing along with us this week a Freshly Made Sketches.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: The Stamp Market

Dies: The Stamp Market Ready to Bloom Card Cover

Paper: Honey Bee stamps Harvest Festival, Stampin' Up Shaded Spruce and Just Jade, My Favorite Things Pineapple

Ink: Stampin' Up Just Jade

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Marigold Gems

Season's Greeting with Holiday Borders

 Two days ago I posted a Christmas sweater card using the Holiday Borders from The Ton.  It was a regular sized card, but these borders fit slimlines so I couldn't put them away until I'd given it a try.

I am sure it's a terrible thing to say but I am not a huge of classic Christmas colors - red, green and white.  I find it kind of "cold" . A little kraft does help but it's still not my go-to Christmas combo. However, it is traditional so I always try a few cards.  And I do think it works with these borders. 

I discovered The Ton due to their sentiments.  With this Modern Christmas Greetings set, I love the way the sentiments are designed to layer on top of each other.  I also love their Easy Expressions set - I used one of the sets here.  I guess I'm a bit odd - I don't love red and green for Christmas, and I find sentiments the most exciting type of stamps or dies!!

I've only used a couple of the borders on this card.  They have amazing detail!

Another sad note, the charming town of Grand Lake CO evacuated urgently last night - as in a knock on the door, pile in the car and go.  It's a different fire than the big one I've been talking about with the most recent updates here. My family and I spent a lovely weekend here just a few months ago. 

The winds are a huge problem.  This is wind and smoke.

And if you ever doubt the dedication of the firefighters, look at the conditions they are in.  Thank God for these heroes - they are in my prayers at all times.

News Release: State Fire Agency Urges Caution as Wildfire Danger Rises. Read the full release at https://t.co/KWMrRTEbhJ #cofire pic.twitter.com/tkiflXwsZs

— COFirePrev&Control (@COStateFire) October 20, 2020

BTW - personally my home is not in any danger. We sit about 30 miles from the mountains and the fire would have to rip through Denver and the suburbs.  But I love my mountains.  I have relaxed in the mountain air and played in our mountains in all seasons for decades.  Here's my view.  That big "cloud" on the horizon is smoke. Today it was blowing away from us.

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: The Ton Modern Christmas Greetings

Dies: The Ton Holiday Borders

Paper: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Real Red, Shaded Spruce

Ink: Stampin' Up Real Red, Shaded Spruce

Freshly Made Sketches: Merry Merry Christmas

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and I got to create it!!  I used the sketch to make a very MERRY Christmas card.

 

I already had the "MERRY" letters created.  The letters are a full size stamp from The Stamp Market and then there's a full grid die to cut them all out at once.  I've used them before here and here, then I kept all the extra letters in little baggies. It's very handy to pull them out. The Stamp Market just came out with those trees and I knew exactly what I wanted to do!!  The ground is a die also but it would be very easy to free hand cut a snowy base.

It is so much fun to see what the design team and all of our players do with a sketch especially when I created it.  The advantage to creating a sketch is that I have some idea of what I'm going to do - five squares were definitely put there for the word "MERRY"!!  Then I look at what the design team has done - and I'll browse every card in the gallery - and I am amazed what everybody else sees in the sketch. There is such variety and I love being part of that!

I hope to see you playing along!

SUPPLY LIST

Stamps: The Stamp Market Alpha Cuts (big letters), Winnie & Walter Happy Christmas (small sentiment)

Dies: The Stamp Market Alpha Cuts and Tall Tree die, Taylored Expressions Build a Scene Calendar 5x7 (the ground)

Paper: Doodlebug Designs polka dot, Stampin' Up Flirty Flamingo, Mango Melody, Coastal Cabana and Granny Apple Green, Papertrey Ink Aqua Mist

Ink: Stampin' Up Granny Apple Green

Other: Pretty Pink Posh Sparkling Clear Snowflakes