Hi all :) I haven't fallen off the face of the earth just yet, just super, super busy!! Can't wait for a bit of down time over Christmas and hopefully some stamping time too!
Today is a bitter sweet day. Inkspirations is celebrating its 100th challenge, but is also closing its doors. Keesh has been running this challenge for approximately four years and with the huge host of challenges available in blog land and her having a very busy life right now, she felt it best to shut the door on this chapter of her life. A huge thank you to you Keesh for all the amazing challenges you have provided. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the DT for the past year and a half and wish to thank you for the fabulous opportunity (((hugs))).
But before Inkspirations signs off, we have one last challenge to enjoy :) This week's challenge is Christmas. Simply create any sort of Christmas goodie: a card, 3D item, altered item etc. I am the first to admit that straying beyond cards is not my forte, but it is always good to stretch the old wings and dive into something that is not your norm. After some pondering, I decided I would finally cover some wooden letters and make myself a little Christmas joy for my craft area.
Thankfully my local dollar store had all the letters I needed - though I was freaking out at there being no "O" when I happened to glance down and found one that had fallen to the shelf below - phew! A coat of white paint on each letter and then I covered them with various papers and added a little something to each one. It looks great up in my craft area and I can't think of a better word to describe what Christmas means to me :)
Kids are off school as of today and I'm looking forward to decorating a gingerbread house, baking and decorating cookies, wrapping gifts etc. with them. Having to do squeeze some work time in there too, but at least there are great "Christmas prep breaks" in between :) Have a great weekend and thanks for gifting me a bit of your time amidst the busyness of today :)
What's In It?
Paper: I Believe Christmas Pad (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Dollar Store Wooden Letters, Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, The Cat's Pajamas Snowflake DIe, Martha Stewart Snowflake and Fern Punch, Marvy Snowflake Punch, SU Flower Punch, Half Pearls, Gold Bell, Dimensionals
WOW What a smashing project to finish the challenges on!!! It's adorable Marisa and SO festive. You ARE clever!! Have a fabulous Christmas!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Viv xxx
Way to go out with a bang Marisa! Love the decorated letters!!
ReplyDeleteMarisa, this project turned out beautifully!! Enjoy the time off with the kids!
ReplyDeleteFabulous project Marisa! What a beautiful piece of art for your crafting space. Love the embellies you have added to each pretty letter. Hugs :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I just LOVE your JOYful letters, Marisa. Have fun and make lots of memories with your kiddos. :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww...bittersweet day indeed. You sure did rise to the occasion, though, Marisa! Love the idea and may have to do a little creative letterwork of my own =)
ReplyDeleteYour additions are lovely!
Have a fabulous day! Sounds to me like a perfect way to spend the day with the exception of the work ;)
Beautiful! Love those big letters!
ReplyDeleteCindy
What a fabulous "grand finale" project! Love your finished letters...a joy to behold! Enjoy your w/e!
ReplyDeleteAdorable!!! Love the colors and embellies!!! Enjoy your Christmas prepping and don't work too hard!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is stunning! You have done a great job going "outside the box" with your Christmas decoration! A true treasure!
ReplyDeleteAww, what a shame about Keesh having to close down her challenge. But I believe there is a time for everything (like the Bible says), so I wish her luck in whatever is to come.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your wooden letters! So glad you spied that "o"; it was meant for you. The poinsettia flower looks awesome!
Well, for being beyond your forte, you did a fabulous job! Love each letter. Just perfect. Have a great weekend! Hugs,
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Marisa! Just love how you decorated each letter so festively!
ReplyDeleteMarisa you did a beautiful job on these letters!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Shirley
Thre you are! And, what a super project with those letters. They are beautiful and so cheerful and bright. Good job! Glad that letter 'O' showed its face so you could make this wonderful creation.
ReplyDeleteMarisa - love this project. I feel so inspired to go do something with my craft room and bring some JOY to my DH who is still holding out some hope that I will move my project making into that room! Hugz!
ReplyDeletewhat a great 3D project!! Love all the punches and fun elements. Aren't the $ stores great? Hope the start of the holidays is going well. I'm loving the sleeping in already :) We found our tree yesterday and will decorate today. got a long shoppiing list for today as well :) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you found the "O"! What a beautiful home decor project! It's been wonderful being on the team with you, Marisa. I've so enjoyed your creations, my friend. I'll be back to blog stalk you. ;)
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Brandi
*Squeal*!!! Oh my goodness! You and I are SO soul sisters. I just posted a JOY project yesterday, too! I came over here this morning to look at your gorgeous work and see what I found?! You rock, my friend... you truly, truly do!! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteThis ROCKS Marisa!! what a perfect and stunning way to finish off your DT gig the inkspirations team!! Hope your chrissy preparations are on track and you are fitting in some 'you' time!! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that your feet are still planted on terra firma...would be a pity to have to view your projects in outer space...like this one....although, I have to say that this one is outta this world! Lovely, festive colors and beautiful accents...an example that you're not just a card maker! Gorgeous work, my dear! Here's to hoping that hubby loosens the reigns a bit and gets you a little sanity time, er, I mean STAMPING time. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, Marisa!! What a fabulous project! I absolutely love this!
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year.
xxxx
These are so super creative and just beautifully executed. The little embellishments are so sweet. You did an outstanding job with this project. I just love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful project. Great papers for the letters and very pretty. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMarisa, this is so fantastic and festive!! Awesome job :). Great way to go out. Merry Christmas to you and yours!! ((hugs)) for a wonderful New Year, too :)
ReplyDeleteAW so very JOYFUL Marisa! What an amazing job you have done altering these letters! I love the poinsettia flower you created with the pearl centre, just gorgeous! Fabulous job as always! keesh x
ReplyDeleteMarisa this is one awesome project! It's so pretty and polished. Something special to take out each Christmas.
ReplyDeleteSad to say to goodbye to the DT huh? There's something so fun and special about creating together with other stampers. Hopefully you'll have some more time to stamp whatever your heart desires.
"Sigh" Love this decor look and design, Marisa! I keep saying I am going to do something with some letters. This one is fabulous! LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully done! The Inkspirations DT is amazingly talented - I have loved seeing your creations every week! Joy to you this holiday season! Looking forward to what you will create in 2012 :)
ReplyDelete