Merry Monday Sketch

Only had time for a quick card today and this Merry Monday sketch was perfect to work with.

The Christmas theme surfaced when I saw the star on the sketch and the outside weather, which has robbed us of our sunshine, made me think of warm fireplace to sit by as I drink my tea and read a book.  Can you tell what I want to be doing right about now LOL!

I swapped the star out for a snowflake, dug around for my bells, and used them as my accent piece along with some gold cording.

A quick and easy card.  Well....sort of....as the the process of getting to the final version was not as quick and easy as I would have liked LOL!



What's In It?
Stamps: Short and Sweet (Stampin' Up) 
Paper:  Kraft, Real Red, Sahara Sand and Old Olive (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen, I Believe (MME) 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Snowflake Die (Cuttlebug), Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up), Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up), Button, Bells, Gold Cording, Red Bling, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Retro Giraffe

Gave this week's Retro Sketch a go and not overly pleased with the results.  Not sure if it's the lack of white space that's throwing me off or what, but posting it anyway.  Sometimes you just gotta go with the good, the bad and the ugly ;)

I never tire of this cute giraffe from Stampin' Up's Wild About You set.  I don't think I will ever part with it as it always makes me smile :)  The DP is from retired paper I won on Christine's blog so it is very close to a Stampin' Up only card.

Thanks for popping by today.  I'm going to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts as the rain is a comin'....no!!!!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Wild About You and Shot and Sweet (Stampin' Up)
Paper: Kraft, So Saffron and Stampin' Up DSP
Ink:  Close to Cocoa, Black
Accessories:  Corner Rounder, Twine, Button, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Autumn Splendor

** This is my second post of the day.   I had to do a re-draw for the $15 Freckled Fawn washi tape gift certificate. See below for the new winner ** 

After a very busy Thanksgiving Day weekend, it is good to have a little down time!  My son's team won the soccer tournament they were in and the final game was an amazing game to watch!  We scored early for the lead, they tied and went ahead, we tied and then went ahead. There was a yellow card, a red card and with just one minute to go, they tied the score!  That lead to a shoot out to determine the winner and we won 3-2 in the shoot out.  Bonus:  they were a silver team playing in a gold team tournament.  Apparently, I provided some great side line entertainment as I watched, yelled, cheered and sideline coached during the game LOL!  

Sorry, I digressed...on to the card.  This week's Verve sketch is brought to us by Diva Moe.  I tried various options (snowflakes, buttons, flowers) and wasn't happy so I ended up with my recent go to image - my beloved maple leaf.

In my need for a smaller second image as per the sketch, I actually discovered the smaller versions of each leaf type in this wonderful PTI set - duh!!  I've only had it for three years plus, and in my haste to always use the large leaf images that have the matching dies, I never really took a close look at what else the set contained.  Yes....I'm hanging my head in shame!  The down side is they don't have matching dies, but a little fussy cutting solves that issue and they can be used to create some fabulous backgrounds too.  Note to self:  check out your sets a bit more closely.

I arranged the maple leaves the way they appear on our Canadian penny (just flipped them to a vertical orientation) and inked this fabulous sentiment from Autumn Splendor up for the very first time!  A touch of faux stitching down the side, and I called it a card.

Many thanks for continuing to put up with my maple leaf addiction.  Take heart...the snow flakes will begin to appear once I have to start raking all of our maple leaves off the lawn and they lose their appeal LOL!

 

What's In It?
Stamps: Autumn Splendor (Verve), Leaf Prints (PTI)
Paper: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Really Rust, So Saffron, Stampin' Up DSP, Cream Linen
Ink: Early Espresso, Really Rust, Black
Accessories:  Leaf Dies (PTI), Banner Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Freckled Fawn Washi Gift Certificate Redraw

The first winner did not contact me within the given time frame, so I have re-drawn a winner for the $15 washi gift certificate to Freckled Fawn.

The new winner is number 14:  KAT

Kat, you have until Wednesday morning to contact me at mritzen (at) shaw (dot) ca with your e-mail address so your  gift certificate can be forwarded to you.

If the current winner does not contact me within the given time period, I will continue to re-draw a winner until the winner contacts me.

Mojo Monday #261

First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians out there!  We survived my son's soccer tournament, and continue to enjoy some of the most amazing Fall weather ever!  Beautiful yellows, oranges, reds and rusts are emerging in full force and that just makes my heart sing :)

In keeping with the Thanksgiving theme, I want to thank each and every one of you who visit my little corner of blog land.  You bless me with your comments, the extension of your friendship and continually amaze me with your graciousness, giving and generosity.  Crafters are truly some of the most wonderful people I know :)  A  big cyber ((hug)) to you all!!

Now on to the card!  When I first saw the sketch, I went "hmmmm......" and then drew a blank.  Yikes!  Think the long, vertical banner was causing me issues.  Thankfully this wonderful leaf print paper by Making Memories got my mojo going and I chipped away at it from there.  Stamped and fussy cut the skeleton leaves from Autumn Splendor as they fit well with the background paper and the big brown button wrapped things up nicely.

All the challenge details are over on the  Mojo Monday blog and you also get a chance to view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples!   Should you wish more details on their cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

Carole Burrage

Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Thanks for visiting and I'll be sure to eat some turkey and trimmings for you, wink, wink!    



What's In It? 
Stamps: Lean on Me and Abundant Blessings (Verve)
Paper: Autumn Splendor (Making Memories), Really Rust, Old Olive and Sahara Sand (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink: Black and Really Rust 
Aaccessories: Circle Nesties, Pennant Trim Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Crimper, 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Freckled Fawn Gift Certificatd Winner

 

My hubby drew the winning number and the lucky winner of  the $15 Freckled Fawn Washi Tape gift certificate is number 9:   Kathy Johnson.

Congratulations Kathy!  You have two days to contact me at mritzen at shaw dot ca with your e-mail address so the gift certificate can be delivered accordingly.

Should Kathy not contact me within the specified time, an alternate winner will be drawn.

Thanks to everyone who participated and to Freckled Fawn for the opportunity to showcase some of their washi tape.

Off to the soccer pitch again today.  We won both our games yesterday and that gives us two more games today.  It's another fabulous sunny day here, perfect weather for a few more wins - if all goes well :)  

Just Us Girls #157

This week's Just Us Girls sketch challenge is brought to us by Andrea.  Lots of options with that nice big panel :)   In the essence of time and a busy weekend ahead, I opted to use designer paper for the large panel and focus on highlighting the sentiment. 

Love this Making Memories paper I found in my stash.  Lots of wonderful fall colours on it that just make me swoon :)  Better yet, you get a fall card with no leaves on it - yes, miracles still happen LOL! 

The rest of the Just Us Girls design team have some great samples to get your inspiration going.  Simply pop over to the JUGS blog and check them out.  Then simply create a card using the sketch and add it to the link at the bottom of the post and you could be selected as Chic of the Week!

To all my Canadian friends, Happy Thanksgiving!! May you enjoy good food and great times with family and friends this weekend.

We have a busy weekend ahead of us with my son's soccer tournament tossed into the mix.  Thankfully the weather will be fabulous so no having to watch soccer in the rain - yeah!!

Amidst the busyness of the weekend, I am looking forward to taking time apart to reflect on all I have to be thankful for.  I recently came across Ann Voskamp's blog, A Holy Experience.   She is the author of One Thousand Gifts, and her book has been on the New York Times best sellers list for 50 weeks!  I have been deeply moved and blessed by her writing and blog posts.  In addition, each month she provides a daily list of three types of things to be thankful for every day so you can keep a journal and accumulate your list of one thousand gifts.  It's a powerful exercise and a great way to slow yourself down and truly "see", "feel" and "be touched" by all you have to be thankful for, regardless of the circumstances life has brought your way.  And so....I rejoice.  With thankfulness.  For all my gifts.



What's In It?
Stamps: Happy Everything, French Script (Stampin' Up) 
Paper: Autumn Splendor (Making Memories), Kraft 
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Washi Tape is in Da House and A Giveaway!!

Freckled Fawn recently contacted me to see if I would be willing to create some cards showcasing some of their washi tape.  They have also graciously provided a $15 washi tape gift certificate to their store!  Hello! 

Having never used washi tape before (yes...once again I'm behind on the trends)  I jumped at the chance to create with it and now fully appreciate why people love it so much :)   It is so fun and easy to use!  Add that to the fact that it comes in a myriad of patterns and colours and there is no end to how you can use it on a card, scrapbook layout or project! 

My first card uses this fabulous black and white washi!  Love the pattern on this tape!  It's so elegant and perfect for a black and white card.  I flipped a recent Paper Players sketch, and added pops of colour with the rose and butterfly. 

My second card uses this fabulous CAS Fall To Layout and some orange, chevron, washi tape.  Loving these chevrons!   Freckled Fawn has them in a variety of colours too!  I paired the washi tape with some kraft and used Twinkling H2O's to colour this wonderful Verve pumpkin image.   A fun, Fall, thank you card which I can easily use for our Canadian Thanksgiving this coming weekend.



Now for the Freckled Fawn giveaway!  All you need to do is leave me a comment by Saturday, October 6th at midnight, letting me know if you've ever used washi tape before, and if you have, what types of projects you have used it on.  A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Sunday, October 7th.  The winner will have 48 hours to contact me.  Should they not contact me within the specified time frame, I'll select an alternate winner until the prize is claimed.  Good luck!

In closing, a very special thank you to the ladies at Freckled Fawn for this wonderful opportunity.  I may have found a new addiction...!

Have a blessed day everyone and thanks for stopping by!



What's In It (Thank You Rose Card)
Stamps: Dream Big (Verve) 
Paper: Black, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Rolled Rose Die (My Favorite Things), Dreamy Leaves Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Butterfly Punch (Martha Stewart), Washi Tape (Freckled Fawn), Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

What's In It (Thank You Pumpkin Card)
Stamps: Friendly Phrases and Bountiful Harvest (Verve) 
Paper: Kraft, Early Espresso
 Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Chevron Washi Tape (Freckled Fawn), Twinkling H2Os, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensinoals

Pumpkin Thank You

This week's Retro Sketch proved quite the challenge and I would have given up if it weren't for these cute pumpkins.  They are so easy to make and you can vary how "fat" or "thin" you want them to be.  I had to go with the skinny version so they would all fit on the panel.  Unfortunately, in my frustrated state, I forgot to sponge the edges a bit so they are a bit "flat", but I still love them :)

Soon enough the kids and I will be heading out to a local farmer's you-pick pumpkin patch.  Now that the kids are older, trips to the big pumpkin patch with the hay ride etc. isn't high on their list.  They grow up sooo quickly....    Though I must admit, going on class field trips to the pumpkin patch when it's pouring rain out is not something I miss a whole lot!  Digging pumpkins out of the mud for the four or five kids in your car pool was not my idea of a good time.  Thankfully, that aspect of the trip was always overshadowed by the big smiles and excitement on the faces of the kids as they thanked you for helping them find their perfect pumpkin :)   Oh, and I almost forgot, my daughter would always want to get a small pumpkin for our cat so he wouldn't feel left out.  Good memories...rain and all :)

Thanks for visiting and hope your pumpkin picking day is a dry one!



What's In It?
Stamps: Celebration of Thanks (Verve) 
Paper:  Only Orange, Mellow Moss, Early Espresso, Kraft 
Ink:  Black 
Accessories:  Small Oval Punch (Stampin' Up), Scalloped Border Punch (Stampin' Up) Twine, Button, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Mashed Up Play Date

The vertical orientation of this sketch wasn't working for me so I flipped it.  Figured if Diva Moe can do it so can I {grin}.

I combined it with this week's Play Date Cafe colour challenge and The Friday Mash Up challenge to use leaves and twine on your card.  Hello!!  Did anyone say leaves, wink, wink.

Hang in there!  Fall will soon be over and I'll be moving on to Christmas cards and you can get sick of those for a change of pace LOL!

Having fun playing with my burlap and went with the cream colour this time round.   Love the texture it gives a card!! Added some embossed wood grain in the background and "Look, Ma!! No maple leaf!!"  Used some different leaves this time.  A few buttons with a bit of green twine and I was good to go :)

Have a fabulous day and thanks for visiting today.




What's In It?
Stamps:   Wonderfully Made (Verve), Leaf Prints (PTI)
 Paper: Kraft, Burgundy, Mellow Moss, More Mustard, Cream Linen 
Ink: Black, VersaMark 
Accessories:  Wood Grain Embossing Folder (Tim Holtz), Leaf Dies (PTI), Scalloped  Circle and Circle Nesties, Tagged Rectangle Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Burlap Ribbon, Buttons, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals