Just wishing I could craft!

My family and I are going away for Thanksgiving and we are leaving tomorrow. I still have to pack and I just really wish I could craft right now! It's not that I don't want to go on our vacation but I have that urge to fiddle around up in my crafting area. :)

I will be missing all of you crafters while I am gone. I am hoping to get on the net once in a while to see what's going on. When I come back I will need to get some serious Christmas cards and handmade gifts done. I also have some grand ideas for making something "scrapbook-like" when I come back, too.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!

Joy

This week has been so busy largely due to parent teacher conferences at my boys' school. I had this penguin card in mind when I saw the sketch for Card Patterns Challenge. Getting the time to sit down this week and make the card was another matter entirely! :)

I wanted to keep the card simple. I used a Sizzix (Basic Grey) embossing folder on the tag that I cut using my Preserves Cart. I cut the penguin out with Create-A-Critter. I sewed a simple border around the card and used a snowflake stamp on the pattern paper in a silver Dew Drop ink. I used clear buttons, some fun baker's twine (MS), and a clear rhinestone from SU. Ribbon and cardstock are from my stash. Pattern paper is DCWV Christmas.

Thanks for looking!

Challenge(s):

Card Patterns Challenge. sketch #90

Homemade Jams

Something new that I decided to try this year was to make some homemade jams. I made only two varieties since I was just starting out: peach and strawberry. I loved the way that they came out. Plus it gave me a chance to decorate the jar as well. And boy, did I have the perfect cricut cart in mind! I used my Preserves cart to make the tag, lid and flower on the tag. I tied it up all pretty like with a satin bow; I also added some hemp twine to the tag as well at a mini pumpkin color safety pin.

These are my Thanksgiving gifts for some my friends. I am also entering it in the following contest(s).

Challenges:

Paper Cutz - #67 Thanksgiving

Christmas Memories

Christmas is filled with so many fun memories. Sometimes it is the smell of so many goodies baking in the kitchen. Sometimes it is the things we get to do around the holidays. Or even the things that we don't have to do around the holidays, like sitting at home and playing a new board game.

I liked the challenge over at Cricut Cardz Challenge. I have been wanting to use a card feature on my Joy of the Seasons cart for a while. I got the cart back in the summer and I haven't really explored much of it. I also want to play with some Heat and Stick powder I got from Stampin' Up. I love glittery cards but don't like it when the glitter ends up all over you (hence, the heat and stick powder).

The stamp that I used says "Christmas Memories". It is a little hard to tell in the picture but looks nice in person. I am not sure if I like using glitter on any sentiments, though. Next time I think I will use embossing powder instead. The paper is from DCWV. I added some stickles (frosted lace) to the pine cone and branch to resemble snow. I used versamark dazzle to add the snowflakes in the background. It has a hint of shimmer. :)

I can't wait to give this card to my cousin. She and her family came over for Christmas a couple of years ago and we went up to the mountains. We sledded and played in the snow with our kids for hours and hours. We were so tired by the time we went home but the memory is one of my most treasured Christmas gifts. I think she will enjoy this Christmas card.

Thanks for looking!

Challenges:

Cricut Cardz Challenge
Saturday Challenge

Turkey Time!

Thanksgiving is not that far away!

I always get so swept up at this time of year trying to make things for Christmas (gifts, cards, decorations) that I have to crunch in Thanksgiving cards. I made some homemade jams this year (first time for me) earlier this fall and so I had my gifts ready to go. The fun part was decorating the cards that I was to give away with them.

This card I made with the Jitterbuggin' Challenge in mind. I used Create-a-Critter cart to make the turkey.


Challenges:
Jitterbuggin' Challenge
Paper Cutz Challenge

Hello There

Can you tell that I just love making fall cards? I made this card with a sketch idea over at Jitterbuggin. I didn't enter it in any contest, I just wanted to make it. I love the fall colors and so I made this card with some browns and some rust, olive and sky blue. The pattern paper is from Imaginisce "Apple Cider".

I also used some tracing paper (i didn't have any vellum left) to make a frame in the center so I wouldn't have to cover up the pretty fall trees in the background. To adhere the tracing paper and to make a nice border I zig-zagged around the frame with my sewing machine. I don't like seeing any adhesive behind the vellum so if anyone has suggestions how to do it without seeing glue gunk I would appreciate the advice. The stitching idea came to me since I didn't want to see the tape gun glue showing through. :)

The raccoon was really fun to make from the Create - A-Critter cart. The layers on that cart are so easy to make and I have to say that the critters are off the chart fluffy and cute!I inked the raccoon a little and added some white gel pen highlights to his eyes. I stamped a greeting "Hello there" in Chocolate Chip ink (SU).

Now, I've got to wrangle up some grimy little boys and corral them into the shower! Have a great night, everyone.

A Bunch of Blessings

Time to count your blessings? The fall always reminds me to be thankful for the many blessings that I have. I can count YOU as one of my blessings because your creative blogs help me to grow in my hobby!

Here is a cheery card that I made using a sketch over at Jitterbuggin's Challenge #18 - An apple a day.

Cartridge used: Doodlecharms (basket and apples)

Paper: Bazzill cardstock, DCWV Autumn, Imaginisce Apple Cider

I stitched a zig-zag border around the edge of the card. I added an Offray ribbon, some twine, a couple of buttons and some inking. I used a mini tag punch (Martha) for the sentiment "splendor" and a heart punch (Fiskars) on the apple.

I guess when fall finally shows up I'll be ready for it! Thanks for looking.