Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Candy Cane Reminder

Half way through our current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge, and I found some fabulous red and white striped paper which looks just like candy cane stripes - score!

The paper is quite bold, so I toned it down a bit by embossing this beautiful wreath from Avery Elle's Winter Wreath in white on some vellum and overlaying it on the striped paper.  The bow was embossed separately, fussy cut and mounted on the wreath.  Added some turquoise dew drops (remember these LOL) and a touch of turquoise twine for splashes of colour.  Quick and easy.

Would love to have you play along with us this week. Who knows, you may even be selected as one of our future guest designers!

Challenges:  Simon Says

What's In It?
Stamps:   Winter Wreath (Avery Elle)    

Paper:  I Believe (My Mind's Eye), Vellum 
Ink:  VersaMark
Accessories:  White Emobssing Powder, Turquoise Half Pearl, Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Snowflake Joy

Remember that tag I made for Tracey's Tag Challenge?  Well, I made another one and added to a card this time.  A really quick and easy card that packs a punch :)

Short and sweet today as lots to do to get ready for company over Christmas.

Have a great day!

What's In It?

Paper:  Real Red, Kraft (Stampin' Up)   
Accessories:   Snowflake Die (PTI), Joy Die (WPlus9), Tag Die (My Favorite Things), Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inkers), Silver Half Pearls, Silver Cording, Dimensionals 

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Candy Cane

We have a new sponsor, Avery Elle, for the Curtain Call Inspiration: Candy Cane!  A randomly selected participant in the Candy Cane challenge will receive a $20 Avery Elle gift certificate, while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

I love this paper by My Mind's Eye and it was a perfect match for this challenge making it a win/win.  I paired Avery Elle's Winter Wreath with the current CAS(E) This Sketch and added a touch of twine for a little something extra and to pull in the candy canes.

 

Below is a list of the design team's blogs for some added inspiration.

Candy Cane Designers

Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Thanks for the visit and I look forward to seeing your creations.

 

What's In It?
Stamps:   Winter Wreath (Avery Elle) 
Paper:  I Believe (My Mind's Eye) Real Red (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   VersaMark 
Accessories:   Baker's Twine, Button, White Embossing Powder, Glue Dot, Dimensionals 

Mojo Monday #376

Enjoyed working with this sketch and using the big circle for a snowflake.  After all, it is my favorite image to use on a card at this time of year, and soon I will have to wait eleven or so months before using them again so I am getting my quota in now ;) 

Love this tree paper by MME, and I paired it with a big old red snowflake to pull in the red from the stars above the trees.  A double gold bow and an added tag as my flower element on the sketch.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Hard to believe it is just a week and a half until Christmas! My son surprised me Friday when he came home from school with a shaved head! He had been collecting donations from friends all week as the school was putting on a Make A Wish Foundation donation drive, with the donation being hair.  They raised over $3,000 as a school and several girls donated over 24" of hair to the organization that makes wigs for kids who are going through chemo. A fabulous cause and so proud of my son for being a part of it!

Challenges:  The Pink Elephant

What's In It?
Stamps:  Tiny Tags (PTI), Background Basics (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  I Believe (My Mind's Eye), Sahara Sand, Real Red, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up)

 Ink:  Black
Accessories:  Snowflake and Tag Dies (PTI), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Gold Twine, Button, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #375

Still in Christmas card mode and this one will be added to my stash.  There is just something fulfilling about being able to make a personalized card for someone :)

Some Bazzil Basics papers and a stamped artichoke panel with the pinecone image from Pinecone Christmas made of a quick card.  My focal panel is a bit larger than the sketch, but couldn't resist using this poinsettia.  Bit of hemp to keep with the earthy colours and just a touch of gold in the button for a splash of sparkle.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

Busy weekend getting work done for hubby's office and trying to get some Christmas cards out the door.  Head down, butt up as they say LOL!

Thanks for popping in today!

What's In It?
Stamps:  Pinecone Christmas (Verve Stamps), Poinsettia Christmas (PTI)
Paper:  Blizzard and Silent Night (Bazzil Basics), Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy (Stampin' Up), Cream Linen
Ink:  VersaMark
Accessories:   Poinsettia Die (PTI), Hemp Twine, Button, Gold Twine, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Clearly Christmas Reminder

We are half way through the current Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge.  I am still giddy over this fabulous inspiration picture and colour combination!  Hmmm, hmmm good :)

Kept things CAS as I wanted this fabulous, big, bold "Christmas" sentiment to do all the talking.  Think it worked LOL!

A scatter of clear sequins for some sparkle and a bit of silver cording and a bow for a little something, something.

Love for you to come and play along with us!

What's In It?
Stamps:   The Big, The Bold and the Merry (Winnie&Walter)    
Ink:  Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Stitched Rectangles (Lil' Inkers), Silver Cording (Michael's), Sequins (Verve), Button, Glue Dots, Dimensionals  Twine, Button, Purple Half Pearl, Glue Dot, Dimensionals

Verve Holiday Release Retrospective Hop

Welcome to Verve's Holiday Release Retrospective Blog Hop! The Verve Divas and special guests are hopping today and serving up some more inspiration using our Holiday Release stamps & dies! Besides a look-see at some really lovely cards, there's also a comment prize up for grabs!

If you have come here from Chaitali's blog you are right on track.  If you just happened up on the hop, you can check the hop list below and get caught up.

I love Weary World.  So many fabulous snippets from wonderful Christmas carols that have me humming away all day long every time I use this set!

Couldn't resist using these 'Tis The Season papers from Echo Park - such a fun mix of colours!  The sentiment is over-stamped with this beautiful cross image from Richly Blessed, because you can't celebrate the birth of Christ without reflecting on His death on the cross.  It's a package deal which continues to have me standing in awe of the depth of His love as well as the depth of His amazing grace. 

1. Julee	7. Charmaine
2. Laurie	8. Teresa
3. Chaitali	9. Andrea
4. Marisa	10. Christyne
5. Amber	11. Maureen
6. Diana	12. Nancy

 
Want to win some shiny new Verve? We'll be picking a random commenter on one of the hop spots below to win a $50 gift voucher to Verve! So be sure to leave a little comment on all the blogs below to increase your chances! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the details.

Time to head on over to Amber's blog to see her wonderful creation!

What's In It?
Stamps:  Weary World, Richly Blessed (Verve Stamps)    
Paper:  'Tis The Season (Echo Park) 
Ink:  Black, Going Grey (Stampin' Up)
Accessories:  Poinsettia Die (Spellbinders), Black Seam Binding, Button, Silver Twine, Black Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Curtain Call Inspiration Challenge - Clearly Christmas

photo source: bhg.com

We have a new sponsor, Winnie&Walter, for the Curtain Call Inspiration: Clearly Christmas!  A randomly selected participant in the Clearly Christmas challenge will receive a $30 Winnie&Walter  shopping code, while the LEAD will be invited as a Guest Designer in a future challenge!

I just love this colour combination - perfect for a non-traditional Christmas card.  I added a vellum snowflake in the background to pick up the glass, and some sparkly sequins and silver cording for a splash of sparkle.  The sentiment is from Winnie&Walter's The Big, The Bold and the Merry set.  Adore the selection of large sentiments you can use as stand alones, or in combinations with the slew of smaller words to create a longer sentiment.

Below is the hop list of our wonderful design team as well as our Guest Designer, Amy!

Clearly Christmas Designers

Guest Designer: Amy White
Amy Kolling
Amy Sheffer
Amy Tsuruta
Gayatri Murali
Kim Singdahlsen
Laurie Willison
Lisa Henke
Marisa Ritzen
Maureen Plut
Monika Davis
Sarah Gough
Sheri Gilson
Stacey Schafer
Tenia Nelson
Tracey McNeely

Thanks for the visit and I look forward to seeing your creations.

Challenges:  Simon Says

What's In It?
Stamps:   The Big, The Bold, and the Merry (Winnie and Walter)
Paper:  Garden Green, Tempting Turquoise, Going Grey, Vellum (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:   Black
Accessories:   Snowflake Die (PTI), Snowflake Die (Cuttlebug), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Provo Craft), Button and Silver Cording (Michael's), Sequins (Verve), Glue Dots

Mojo Monday #374

It's contest week over at the Mojo Monday blog and today we have this fabulous sketch by Julee to work with.

Since I still had a scrap of my hoarded, glittery, snowflake paper out on my desk, I decided to use it.  Paired it with two other snowflake papers and this fabulous sentiment.  Two silver snowflakes, some silver twine and two silver bells added a bit of extra sparkle to go.

All the challenge details are over on the Mojo Monday blog and you can also view all the wonderful Mojo Makers samples.  Should you wish more details on the Mojo Maker's cards, you can also visit their individual blogs noted below.

  Debbie Carriere

Julee Tilman (Owner)

Marisa Ritzen (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Wanda Cullen

We were surprised by a bit of snow this weekend. Nothing much but it is lovely to have a bit of white on the ground :) Temps are below freezing so it will stick around for a day or so - at least where the sun doesn't shine on it.  Soccer got cancelled and the weather had me in the mood to decorate the house for Christmas and decorate we did :)   Love how festive the house looks and always enjoy turning on the tree at night with the lights off and just drink in the beauty of the lights.  For extra fun, I take of my glasses and the lights look like big dandelions on the tree LOL!

Thank for popping by, and wishing you a fabulous day :)

Challenges: Simon Says

What's In It?
Stamps:  Christmas In The Air (Verve Stamps)
Paper:  Snowfall Blizzard (Bo Bunny), Tis the Season (Echo Park), Winter Frost (We R Memory Keepers), Going Grey, Silver (Stampin' Up)
Ink:  Black
Accessories:   Snowflake Punch and Arched Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Silver Cording, Silver Bells, Bling, Glue Dots (Michael's), Dimensionals

Viva La Verve November 2014 Week 4 Sketch

It's time for another Viva La Verve sketch and I get to be your hostess this week!

Continuing on my Christmas card run, I had great fun making this card.  Loved the colour combination of the patterned paper, and just had to use this fabulous tree die from the Winter Fun Set as it is one of my favorites.  The star die from the Scalloped Trim Trio set added a nice trim across the top and a few sequins from the newly released Holiday Sequin Mix along with some gold twine and bells added some sparkle.  I did move things around a bit to make the card work - a little artistic license was a must LOL.

Remember, the more VLV sketches you complete each month, the greater your chance of winning the $100 Verve gift certificate!  A great way to do some Christmas shopping for yourself wink, wink!  You can check out all the challenge details over on the Viva La Verve blog.

Hope you enjoy the sketch!

What's In It?
Paper:  Cozy Christmas (Simple Stories), Baroque Burgundy, Creamy Caramel, Kraft, Real Red, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke (Stampin' Up)  
Ink:  VersaMark
Accessories:   Winter Fun Set and Scalloped Trim Trio Set (A Cut Above by Verve), Holiday Sequin Mix (Verve Stamps), Wet Pain Christmas Dies (PTI), Chicken Wire Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Scalloped Circle and Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Crimper (Fiskars), Gold Cording and Gold Bells (Michael's), Glue Dots, Dimensionals