Create Blog Challenge

The Create blog has started a fun monthly challenge.  Winners will be posted on their blog and the overall winner gets a prize.  This month, you have to use the sketch provided to make a card.

I jumped at the chance to use my poinsettia die one more time before it has to be tucked away until next year's Christmas cards.  I'm not sure about the brown leaves, but I needed a bit of contrast as there was already a lot of green on the card.  A red ribbon and some gold bells finished things off.

Hard to believe there is only one more week of school left.  My son is starting to bounce around like the Energizer Bunny and may not make it until Christmas LOL!

 

What's In It?
Stamps:  Joyous Noel (Verve)
Paper: I Believe (SEI), Old Olive, Early Espresso, Real Red
Ink: Black
Accessories:  Poinsettia Die (Spellbinders), Crimper, 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Medium Scallop Die (PTI), Gold Bells, Gold Cording, Gold Half Pearls, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Richly Blessed

Had this sketch tucked away in my sketch file and decided to pull it out and play with it today.  Think it is more of a scrap booking sketch, but I thought it would translate into a fun layout for a card.  I don't recall the site I got it from, so if anyone knows what the letters MDSM stand for, let me know so I can create a link.

This Kris Kringle SEI paper pack is getting a work out LOL!  Mind you, today I am using up some scraps I had as they were perfect for the banners on the sketch.  I kept things nice and simple and added a pop of colour with the burgundy snowflake.  Was great fun using the Verve snowflake too! Hope Julee creates matching dies for these!

Love this sentiment!  It captures the depth of  how richly blessed I feel when I reflect upon and celebrate Christmas.  The impact of the blessing received and prophecies fulfilled bring great joy to my heart and fill it to overflowing in such a way that nothing on my "wish/want list" compares.  It is indeed a joy I carry and am blessed with throughout the year.

Hoping you feel richly blessed too!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Merry and Bright, Richly Blessed (Verve)
Paper: Kris Kringle (SEI), Early Espresso, Silver, Burgundy
Ink: Black, Bordering Blue
Accessories: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, 5/8" Brown Satin Ribbon, Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Button, Silver Twine, Brown Half Pearls, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Silver Trees and Blue Snowflakes

It's back to Christmas cards for just a bit longer as I need a few more for hand delivery to school teachers, a piano teacher, a soccer coach, and some neighbours.  Wasn't a hard sell as I was delighted to pull out this fabulous Verve tree die again :)

The red background paper with the swirls  is another "funky" paper from the Kris Kringle SEI pack I used on yesterday's card.  Guess I enjoyed walking on the wild side a bit more than I thought I would wink, wink!

I crimped the trees so they would stand out a bit more and embossed the white background panel for a bit of "snow" texture.  The sentiment tag finished things off.

Sorry about the frayed ribbon edge - hate when that happens.  Rest assured, the issue has been resolved!

Had a great lunch with my in-laws yesterday as we met for a gift exchange since they are heading to Alberta for Christmas this year.  I am so blessed to have them in my life and love them to bits!



What's In It?
Stamps: Joy to the World, Glad Tidings (Verve)
Paper: Kris Kringle (SEI), Cool Caribbean, Silver
Ink: Black
Accessories: Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Winter Fun Die (A Cut Above by Verve), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, 5/8" Blue Satin Ribbon, Crimper, Buttons, Silver Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

A Bold, Dramatic Christmas Card

I went way out on a limb with this card.  So not my normal type of Christmas card, but it was fun to "walk on the wild side" with this colour combo :)

The papers are from SEI's Kris Kringle paper pack.  I loved the metallic touches on the paper (hard to see them in the picture).  The glitch in the process was the fact that the only paper in the pack that worked with it was this polka dotted black one.  That being said, I decided to go with a bold, dramatic Christmas card (at least in my mind it is).   Don't think I have ever used this much black on a Christmas card, but I think it works.  A big red bow and yet another red snowflake helped tone the black down a bit.

The card is actually growing on me now that I am over the shock factor of all that black on the card LOL!  Better yet, I have just the person I can give it to :)

Off to meet my in-laws at the ferry terminal so we can go for lunch and do a gift exchange since they won't be with us at Christmas this year as they are heading to Alberta to to celebrate with my hubby's siblings.  They are the best in-laws anyone could ask for, and their presence will be missed.

Wishing you a fabulous day!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Joy to the World Plain Jane (Verve)
Paper:  Kris Kringle (SEI), Real Red, Gold, Black
Ink: Black
Accessories: Seeing Spots Embossing Folder, Jumbo Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), 5/8" Red Satin Ribbon, Gold Half Pearls, Button, Gold Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #271

This week's sketch is brought to us by Teresa and has a lot of panels you can play with so if you like to layer your cards, here is your chance to shine.  If this isn't your normal style, it's a great opportunity to give it a try.

Since I had such fun making a Valentine's Day card on Saturday, I just had to make another one.  Might squeeze in one or two more Christmas cards, but overall, I think we have arrived at: exit snowflakes - enter hearts and "U" die :)

Pulled out some Yours Truly Echo Park papers and created my own patterns on the other panels with some background stamps.  If memory serves me correctly, this is the first time I have ever used Mauve Mist!

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and 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 (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

Hard to believe it is just two weeks until Christmas!!  Hope all your preparations are going well.  Have a fabulous day 

  

What's In It?
Stamps:   Love Notes (Verve), French Script and Beyond the Basics (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  Yours Truly (Echo Park)  Rose Romance, Pretty in Pink, Going Grey
Ink:  Black, Going Grey, Mauve Mist, VersaMark  
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle and Circle Nesties, Border Punch (Stampin' Up), I Heart "U" Die and Wavy Heart Die Sets (A Cut Above by Verve), Medium Scallop Die (PTI), 5/8" Sheer Burgundy Ribbon, Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Just Us Girls #166

 

Today's Just us Girl's challenge is brought to us by Lynn and she chose a technique I use all the time: embossing.  A nice easy challenge for this busy time of year - thank you Lynn!!  I tossed in the added bonus of no snowflakes wink, wink.

Loved my first card, but after I had it all glued together, the stark realization that I had totally forgotten to add any embossing hit me- ugh!  Ever do that?!  So...you got to see that card on Thursday, and I had to go back to the drawing board LOL!  Needless to say, I had a big sticky note sitting right in front of me so I wouldn't forget a second time!

My original plan was to emboss the large, white, background panel.  However, it just wasn't working with the card (from my perspective anyway) so I embossed the circle and promptly proceeded to flip it over and use the debossed side.  There was just something working against me on this challenge I tell you LOL!

At least this wonderful Waltzing Mouse sketch didn't give me any grief!  I combined it with this week's Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge to make a monochromatic card.  Had great fun pulling out my beloved Verve "U" die out again.  Love that die!  A little foreshadowing here...wink, wink!

For some inspiration to get you going, just hop on over to the Just Us Girls blog, and check out what the Design Team have created.  Then put your creative genes to work and add your card/project to the challenge post on the JUGS blog for the chance to be selected as Chick of the Week.

Hope your Christmas preparations are well under way.  Off to my son's soccer game today (fingers crossed for no rain), doing some baking with my daughter, and then trying to figure out how to replace a string of lights that burned out on my Christmas tree without having to totally remove all the decorations in order to do it!!  Wish  me luck!!   

  

What's In It? 
Stamps: Text Notes, You and I (Verve) 
Paper: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, SU DSP  
Ink: Black 
Accessories:  Lacy Circle and Circle Nesties, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, "U" Die (A Cut Above By Verve) 5/8" White Satin Ribbon,  Red Button, Twine, Glue Dots, Dimensionals 

Joy to the World The Lord Is Come

I loved Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch this week as the large circle provided endless opportunities.  Of course, I jumped at the chance to take the sketch literally and used a snowflake.

Dug into my I Believe MME papers again and used this fun paper.   Just love this Verve Plain Jane sentiment.  Yes, you guessed right - that big, bold "joy" is what I love about it.  I over stamped the cross as Christmas and Easter go hand in hand.  Though Easter is not as "pleasant" a celebration, it brings me great joy through the proclamation of prophecies and promises fulfilled.  The joy keeps pouring in :)  

Rest of the card is self expalanatory.  Hang in there with the snowflakes...soon enoguh it will be hearts, hearts and more hearts wink, wink!


Wishing you great joy today!  

  

What's In It?
Stamps:  Joy to the World Plain Jane (Verve), French Script Background (Stampin' Up)
Paper:  I Believe (MME), Old Olive, Early Espresso, Burgundy 
Ink: Black, Old Olive
Accessories:  Lacy Circle Nesties, Script Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Square Punch, Buttons, 5/8" Sheer Burgundy Ribbon (Michael's), Buttons, Gold Twine, Glue Dots, Bling, Dimensionals

Christmas Joy

A great sketch by Amber this week over on the Verve forum at SCS.  I combined it with the current CR84FN challenge of burgundy, Grey and cream. Such a classy colour combo!  I think I need to register with Snowflakes Anonymous...just can't help myself!  Maybe it is a subconscious wish to have some snow here this year as we didn't get any last year.


Nice and simple card really.  Must see if I can find some cream papers next time I'm at my LSS.  Don't have any in my stash.  Thankfully the cream colour I have is linen paper so there is a bit of texture to it, though that is all but done in by the embossing!

I used a heart shape for the sentiment tag as it reflects where my favorite Christmas word "JOY" flows from - the  very depths of my heart and soul.  A deep an abiding joy for God's gift given to mankind, and a joy that transcends my life throughout the year.  Joy.  Deep, deep, joy.  My heart is full :)

Have a fabulous day!



What's In It?
Stamps: Glad Tidings (Verve), Lots of Flakes (Amuse)
Paper: Burgundy, Cream, Going Grey
Ink: Black, Going Grey
Accessories:  Scalloped Circle Nesties, Jumbo Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Wavy Hearts Die (A Cut Above By Verve), Crimper, 5/8" Sheer Burgundy Ribbon (Michael's), Button, Twine, Black Half Pearls, Dimensionals

December SFYTT and a Fond Farwell

This is the final Sketch for You To Try for this year - yeah, got them all done :)  The sad part is Jen just announced she will non longer be doing the sketch challenge.  A huge thank you to her for years of sketch inspiration!  Though I did have to laugh at the fact her last sketch has multiple skewed panels!

This sketch was a real stretch for me, and I'm not in love with the outcome, but I persevered and got her done!  A mix of SU papers, a few red snowflakes (not sure why I am on a red snowflake binge) and some embossing folders helped put this one together.

As per Jen's instructions, noted below is a list of links for each of my SFYTT cards for this year.  Was a fun trip down memory lane.

January

February 

March

April

May 

June

July 

August
 September

October

November

Now, just have to sit here with my fingers crossed for the grand prize draw later this month!  Thanks again, Jen, for all your wonderful sketches!  They will be missed!



What's In It?
Stamps:  Hero Arts
Paper: Stampin' Up DSP, Kraft, Cream Linen, Real Red, Old Olive
Ink: Black
Accessories: Lattice Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up), Jumbo Snowflake and Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Crimper, Buttons, Gold Twine, Brown Half Pearls, Dimensionals

Mojo Monday #270

It's the first Monday of the month so that means contest week over on the Mojo Monday Blog.  Carol has provided this week's sketch and it's a fun one to work with.

Still on a Christmas card roll here and thoroughly enjoying my I Believe MME Christmas paper pack.  Had to be a bit selective on cutting this pattern to ensure you got to see the cute cardinal in the wreath :)  The paper lead to a mix of some non-traditional colours and some more red snowflakes for your viewing pleasure LOL!  

Sorry about the skewed tag...I forgot to glue it down and it slipped during the photo shoot and I didn't catch it in time to retake a photo with good lighting.  Needless to say, it is now glued down.

You can check out all the challenge details over on the  Mojo Monday blog and 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 (you are here)

Mary Fish

Sarah Biglow

Teresa Kline

Stephanie Kraft

Wanda Cullen

The Christmas tree went up this weekend along with the house decorations. Much to my surprise, I also have my Christmas cards done as well as all my shopping (don't hate me!).  Not quite sure how it all happened or how my prep was any different than last year, but it sure is nice being that far ahead of the game so early in December :)  Just have to do some baking to finish things off.  Thrilled to be able to fully focus on the birth of Christ and all the joy it brings me.  Have a fabulous day and good luck in the contest!  

  

What's In It?
Stamps:   Merry and Bright (Verve)
Paper:  I Believe (MME), Old Olive, Real Red, Kraft
Ink:  Black  
Accessories:  Jumbo Snowflake and Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Snowflake Punch (Marvy), Medium Scallop Die (PTI), 5/8" White Satin Ribbon, Buttons, twine, Brad, Glue Dots, Dimensionals