I've Had a Really Blessed Week.

 This is my second post today.  Please scroll down for the PWCO creation.

WOW!  What a week I've had.  I've been really blessed to add a few new banner's to my sidebar.  I recently became Copic Certified.  What an amazing class that was.  I have been practicing what I learned.  The best bit of advice I have heard so far in regards to coloring is to do what works best for you.  Sure, you need the knowledge and there are many different techniques, but I think it's more important to take what you learn and kind of "make it your own" so to speak.  Anyways, I hope to be able to teach a few classes on this in my area in the fall.  I'm taking the summer to practice up.  So, a New Copic Certified Banner is now on my blog.

This week I had a really fabulous stroke of luck over at Moxie Fab World.  I WON the new Sketch issue....EEK!  And Cath gave me a "shout out" for the creation for the Tuesday Trigger.  That card also got me a spot in the Top 5 over at Hope Stamps Eternal Cupcake Challenge.  Woo hoo!

As if that wasn't enough....I got another shout out from Julee (VerveGirl) whom I adore for my Project Parade card using that little ribbon rose I did a tutorial on last week.  I am on Cloud Nine people.  Really!  That's almost better than winning $25 in Verve cash...well, almost;)

When you feel this blessed you have to pay it forward.  Today I'm making dinner for a family at our church who is having a bit of a rough time.  So, I'm doing a bit there.  I may have to come up with some other way here on the blog.  I need to think about that for a bit.  So stay tuned.

I do have another card to share today.

This was my really quick creation using some new crinkle ribbon and a CAS sketch.  A super easy, fun card.  I used so many different stamp companies on this.....Verve, PTI, Heidi Grace and MFT all played together to make this creation.  I also did something I haven't done before.  I stamped using SMOOCH.  Did you know you can apply that directly to your stamp as an ink.  I never knew....  It's fun!  My flowers and the Mother's Day greeting are all stamped in Taffy Smooch.  LOVE it~!  If you haven't tried this....Go...Do it....Now.  It gives such a pretty shimmer to your image.  I added tiny rhinestones to the center of each flower and used up my scrap of Origins paper.  I'm so proud of how much I am using my scraps.

Ok, off to finish my Beef and Noodles.  That is one thing I can actually cook.  I also have a great recipe that I found this week to share....later.  I've got a billion things to do now.

Thanks for popping in!




What's In It?
Stamps: Friendship HG, Turning a New Leaf PTI, Because Of You Verve, MFT retired set
Ink: New Leaf, Vintage Photo
Paper: Cream, BG Origins DP
Other: crinkle ribbon, taffy smooch, Tiny Twinkles, Nestie Labels, dimensionals, scor tape, sponge

Robotic Love

 

This is the card I made for PaperWorks Co.'s new release of The Tinheart Collection.  Make sure you check out all the cute little robots.  They are so adorable.  I made this to give to my daughter while I am away from her.  Inside it says, " I love you THIS much.  I love you to the moon and back!"

It's tough for me to prepost and have much to say.  So another short one today.

What's In It:

Stamps: Rocko (Tinheart Collection), Sweet and Simple

Ink: Memento Black, Fresh Snow

Paper: Scarlet Jewel, Smokey Shadow, Prism White

Other: Grey Taffeta ribbon, brad, rhinestones, EK success punch, bubbles EF, circle nesties

Wedding Invitations

I  wanted to share my sister's wedding invitations.  By now I would think my family has received theirs.  My sister is having a very small wedding and I was happy to help her by making her invitations.  You can't see the sparkly of these hearts very well in the photo.  They are embossed with iridescent ice embossing powder.  That has to be my favorite EP ever.  I used Lemon tart ink and satin ribbon by PTI.  Yep, I stamped, embossed and cut out 72 of those hearts.  I wouldn't do it again for anyone but my sister.  NO ONE...not even for money:)  Actually it wasn't that bad.  These just took me a while to make.  My PTI order ended up taking a REALLY long time to ship and then I had to get them done before I left for my dad's.  All that made it a bit stressful.  It all got done and turned out fine.  I hope she likes them.
 

Here is the inside:

I have smudged out the details.  We can't  have any extras coming...sorry:)  

What's In It?
Stamps: Ever After, Verve Anniversary Birds
Ink: Lemon Tart, memento black
Paper: vanilla, vellum cardstock, premade cards
Other: Lemon tart satin ribbon, dimensionals

IN With The OLD...Out With The New

Happy Stamptacular Sunday!  Wow!  I've been saying that for almost a year and today will be my last time saying it.  At least as a design team member.  It's a bit of a sad day for me.  I will miss being a part of this great group and all the fun challenges that Priscilla creates.  I'm still going to participate when I can though.

Today the challenge is to ...

Create a project that replicates"The Good Old Days". This could be something that looks vintage or includes something that just reminds you of something from many years ago when you see it.

 My project today is something that just kind of fell together.  I had these gorgeous Cosmo Cricket papers sitting on my desk looking very vintage ( gingham makes me think vintage?) and these crochet flowers that were in a MME kit that I bought on clearance.  I immediately wanted to use this shaker box template by PTI.  Shaker boxes make me think of the olden days too.

Voila!

 

Of course I had to grunge everything up with my new favorite ink...Antique Linen distress ink.
I also used a quote out of a friendship book that I got at Goodwill for my card. I did a bit of stitching and distressing to that as well.  My yellow flower was made using a scallop circle punch.  I wish I could find the tutorial on that.  It was NOT my idea, but if I can't find the tutorial I may do one myself.  It's so easy!  I layered a crochet flower on top of that and secured it with an old pearl earring that has lost it's mate:)

Here is a better shot of the box top:

 

I love the PTI templates.  For $5 you will get a template for 3 different sized boxes plus 5 different ideas.  My one recommendation when using these templates (especially this one) is to do a "dry run."  I always find out that things come together differently than I thought or I should have put my adhesive here...etc.  After cutting all this stuff out it's a bit disheartening to ruin it because you adhesive is in the wrong place or things didn't line up correctly.  But the result is so beautiful that I will definitely be making more of these.  My daughter has asked for one.  She and my son are my biggest fans.  LOVE THEM!

A few more details about this.  I used an image that I got from one of our sponsors:  Papirloftet.  I also cut out some of the text from that same friendship book and stamped and distressed  it as well.  Nothing says vintage like lace.  I'm really loving the look of lace lately.  Try to say THAT 10 times fast:)

Here is the inside of the box:

So are you ready to take a trip back in time?

You could win a stamp set offered up by our very own Sarah.

Make sure you check out the blog for lots of beautiful inspiration to get you started.  

Don't forget I have ebay things up for auction ending today HERE.

Have a great Sunday!

What's In It:
Stamps: papirloftet postcard stamp, Verve Wishful Elegance
Ink: Versafine Black, antique linen
Paper: Cosmos Cricket Material Girl, Early Bird, vanilla,
Other: lace, book pages, sponge, sewing machine, crochet flower MME, old earring, ribbon, dimensionals, scallop punch, scalloped edge punch, vintage brads

Thank You for the Difference

I know that I've been really quiet this week.  It's been very hectic in my life at the moment.  I have many things to share today.  It's actually a bit of an emotional week for me.

A few weeks ago I got a call from my dad.  Normally a conversation with my dad is full of fun and laughter.  However, this was not one of those calls.  My dad informed me that he has prostate cancer and will be undergoing surgery next week.  While I believe the prognosis is good I am asking that you all please pray for my dad.  While this is all very difficult,  it is compounded by the fact that his wife has Alzheimer's and he is the one that takes care of her.  Now he needs someone to take care of both of them for a few weeks.  I am so lucky to have a wonderful husband ( who has a wonderful boss) who is willing to take time off work to be a Stay at Home Dad for a few weeks.  I will be leaving next Wednesday to go stay with my dad for two weeks to take care of him, as well as, his wife.  You can say a prayer for me too please!  I'm not sure I will be that great of a nurse, but I'm all he's got at this point.  So, he'll just have to suck it  up...LOL.  My dad is a very positive, upbeat person.  He has a great attitude towards all of this.  My quote this week at the top of my blog is in his honor:)

  Also, this is the first time I have ever been away from my kids for so long.  I think we will all need quite a few prayers over the next few weeks.  I am the one constant in my kids' lives.  I'm ALWAYS here. (A curse as well as a blessing:)  My hubby will do a fabulous job I know, but it will still be hard on everyone.  So prayers all the way around, ok?  Thanks!

I have a lot on my plate at the moment.  Being on THREE design teams and trying to get my sister's wedding invitations done before I go has been a bit stressful.  I am so fortunate to work with amazing people who have given me permission to do what I can and not stress.  I hate not fulfilling commitments.  I had to make a difficult decision.  I have decided to step down as a Design Team member for Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.  This Sunday will be my last project with them.  I am so thankful to Priscilla for understanding and being so kind.  My card today is for her.

 I owe a lot to Priscilla.  She is the first person to ever take a chance on me as  a designer.  I have grown so much in my crafting skills in the last year and I attribute most of that to her challenge blog.  It is truly one of the greatest ones out there.  You never know from week to week what challenge she has thought up.  I have stepped outside of my comfort zone many times using her challenges.  Just knowing her has helped me grow as a person.  I think she is AMAZING!  When I'm having a bad day or week I think about her and her strength to push on and just get things done.  To look at the bright side.  If she can go through all the things that have come her way and still keep a positive attitude than how can I NOT do the same.  If you are reading my blog for the first time you can read about Priscilla HERE.  She is a wonderful, inspiring person.  How blessed I am to" know" her and even better, to be inspired by her.

I will have several posts over the next few days and then a few pre scheduled posts for Whimsy stamps while I am away.  I am actually contributing to one of the challenges on the NEW Whimsy Inspirations blog.  This is  a challenge that is dear to my heart.  Please stay tuned for that.

My card today uses the Mojo Monday Sketch 127 and I got my color inspirations from the Curtain Call Color Challenge.

I realized as I was putting this up that I forgot to add the Kraft card stock to the back of my image.  So let's just pretend that this is all adhered to a Kraft base, shall we?:D  I have to pretend quite a bit in my life.  I'd love to pretend that my sister's wedding invitations are done, but that's a reality that's SLAPPING me right in the face.  My supplies have STILL not arrived.  Wish me luck with that please!

Hope you have a great day!  We just got a blanket of beautiful WHITE snow.  It's so pretty out.






What's In It?
Stamps: Love's Flower, Because of You VERVE
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, antique linen TH, Spring Rain PTI, ballet blue
Paper: Cosmos Cricket's Material Girl and Girl Friday, Vanilla, watercolor, white dotted
Other: Labels Nestie, sponge, rhinestone brad, dimensionals, Enchanted Evening satin ribbon, Kaiser pearls, scalloped edge punch

Another Post for PTI

I have another quick post today for the PTI Color Challenge.   I keep missing the deadlines so I wanted to get this posted. I chose the favorite colors of Lisa Johnson.

 

I also chose to use the sketch provided by Card Patterns this week.

  I realized after making this that my flowers are WAY too far to the right.  I think I may have to try this card again because I love everything about it except how far those flowers are off to the right.  These are totally MY colors.  This is the color combo of my bathroom and I find them so soothing.  Ahhhh! 

  You may see this card again in a revised version.  Ok..off to make dinner.  Have a great night!






What's In It?
Stamps: Floral Frenzy
Ink: versafine black, colorbox spanish moss
Paper: Spring Moss, Cream, Black, Kraft
Other: circle nestie, May Art Ribbon, dew drops, paper piercer, velvet brads, filigree EF

I Lied

I didn't mean to....really.  I just didn't have time to post my card yesterday.  It was too much fun playing with my kids.  So I hope you forgive me.  I made a card for the CPS sketch this week.  PTI is the sponsor and can I just say, "Whoa!"  So much going on over at PTI.  Big, great changes.  Love it.  I would totally love to win some PTI money!  I also made this card with a slew of other challenges in mind.

It's all about love on the challenge blogs this week.  I'm STILL working on Valentines.  They will probably be late getting to my family.  Oh well, that's how my family is usually...LATE!  It's the thought, right?

So this card is for: CPS, The Pink Elelphant, Die Cuts R Us, Crazy 4 Challenges, Creative Card Crew, Pile It On,  Charizma Cards, and Paper Crafts February Gallery.

They all have something to do with LOVE...batting my eyelashes)

This card uses the glittered hearts my son and I made for his Valentines.  I had to steal one...don't tell.  It's made from a cereal box and my spellbinder heart dies.  I was sooo inspired by that EBTKS challenge  last week.  I don't think I shall ever buy a heart chipboard again.  You know the great thing about using cereal boxes...besides the recycling?  They are also less bulky and easier to mail!  Woohoo!

So did you get any snow yesterday?  We have about 11 inches now.  My son and I played out in the snow and then the whole family went sledding.  It was a blast!  The worse part of that hill we went on....GOING BACK UP!  Oai!  My thighs are hurting today:)

I put on my facebook page yesterday that I thought that snow days are God's way of saying, "Slow down and enjoy the view!"  We had a great time just being together on our snow day yesterday.  Here are a few pics of our "view."

 

  

  

 

You know it's bad when you have to shovel your truck:)

This last one is of my hottie hubby.  He's lost 20lbs in the last two months.  I'm so proud of him!

Enjoy the view today!

Nikki

What's In It?

Stamps: Hugs and Hearts (HA), Giga Guidelines PTI

Ink: real red, black memento

Paper: real red, white, black

Other: heart nesties, glitter red and diamonds, 2 way glue pen, dimensionals, PTI ribbon, scalloped edge punch, swiss dots EP

Winter Blues

Well, I'm not feeling the winter blues, but that is the challenge today over at Stamptacular.  We'd like to see your creations using a winter theme and only shades of blue.  I decided to use this cute image I got at Whimsy Stamps called, " N'ice Friends."  I think this is the cutest snowman.  I had so much fun coloring him.  I decided to use some leftover pieces of sparkly felt.  These are actually scraps from my Popcorn award.  It makes me so happy to use up scraps.  I also used the sketch over at Splitcoast this week.  I really love the sketch so you will see it again in the following week.  My card is finished off with some beautiful PTI ribbon.  I love their dotted satin ribbon! Because I used ribbon, I will also be entering this into the DCRU challenge which ends today.

  So are you ready to play?  Our sponsor this week is InStyle Stamps.  The winner of this challenge will recieve 4 FREE digi images of their choice.  As always, you can check out the design team for some great inspiration to get you started.  They are located on my left sidebar for your convenience.

  Hope you can play along and chase away any winter blues you may have.  If you've got snow send it my way, ok?
                                                                                                                  Copics Used

What's In It?
 Stamps: N'ice Friends (whimsy)
Ink: memento black, spring rain,
Paper: Spring Rain PTI, Prism White,
Other: Snowflake EF, Sparkly Felt, PTI button, snowflake button,  PTI ribbon, dimensionals, Copics, paper piercer

Friendship Is Black and White

 Oh, and Silver.  Happy Sunday Everyone!  Today it's time for another Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.  I hope you can all participate because our  sponsor this week is:

SIMON SAYS STAMP

They are giving away a $25 gift certificate that includes FREE SHIPPING!

Here's what you need to do:

Create a friendship themed card or project, BUT only use shades of black, white and silver. You must use all three but nothing more!  Then link your creation up on the BLOG for a chance to win.  

Here's my take on the challenge:

  

I decided to use one of Lauren's My Time Made Easy Templates called, "In a Pinch."  I paired this with a set by PTI called Giga Guidelines and Elegant Flourishes by Clear Dollar Stamps.  Both paired together make really beautiful backgrounds.  The white paper I used is actually Brochure paper I got at Office Max.  I paired it with Versafine Black and it dried very quickly.  I'm not sure how well the paper would take dye based ink.  I'll have to experiment with that.  Anyways, this project has lots of little details and was really fun to make.

I wanted to point out some of the fun details:

 (Sorry it's crooked...no photo editing:)

This is the edging and underneath the punched border I used some Scor Tape and then rubbed Doodlebug's Black glitter on to it for a bit of sparkle.  I added some leftover trim below that.

At the top I added Taylor's Tiny Twinkes in black to the little flowers.

Finally, I used some Crystal Effects and these tiny magnetic discs from Basic Grey to close the top.

  So, are you ready to play along?  Get your game hat on and go create.  I will be sewing pillows and curtains today to try and finish up the last details of my daughter's room.  I hope to be able to create something paper crafty too.  Have a great Sunday and we'll see you back here next week.

Thanks for stopping by!
( deleted my name signature AGAIN!  It's Nikki BTW:)

From the Bottom of My Heart......

........Thanks!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of you great people that have been following me or have recently decided to follow me.  It always puts a smile on my face to read some of the comments and to reflect on some of the friendships I have made with people I have never even met.  What an awesome thing!

 

My card today uses some new stamps that I splurged on with holiday sales:)  I also used my new, hand made photo tent.  I don't have the right light in it currently and I'm still pretty pleased with the results.

 Would you like to learn how you can make your own cheap light box?  Here's the link.  Mine only cost around $7 since I already had an old, white sheet and the box:)  That makes me VERY happy!

Heading up to get ready now.  We have to head into town for painting supplies.  My daughter's bedroom is of top priority today.  I'll be back tomorrow with a PWCO creation.  See you then!

What's In It?

Stamps: Nook and Pantry Crumpets (basic grey), Hearts and Hugs ( hero arts)

Ink: TH distress ink vintage photo, ruby red, mellow moss

Paper: Kraft, K&co Classic

Other: PTI cream satin ribbon, Offray cream ribbon, Webster's pages trim, Janome Sew mini, ruby red button, brown twine, dimensionals, sponge,

A Pleated Gift Card Holder

It's SUNDAY!  That means it's time for another Stamptacular Sunday Challenge.  This week the challenge is to make a card or project with multiple folds.  My card today has multiple folds in many different ways.

 First I created this pleated fan shape that I have seen Kelly Lunceford do many times  ( she actually called them an ACCORDIAN FLOWER).  Directions on her blog HERE  I think they are so stunning.  I wish now I had added some glitter to it.   The hardest part about making these is having PATIENCE as you score your strip every 1/4".  Then having the PATIENCE to redo the circle many times because it's hard to hold together and glue.  I kept letting go.  AHHH!  Kelly recommends using a glue dot in the center to hold the little spiral together, but I say grab your trusty glue gun.  I'm not a big fan of glue dots if you are looking for "STAYING POWER!"  Sure, you may get burned a bit, but that baby is not MOVING!

  I created 2 of these fans.  One I punched the edge and the other left plain.  It's fun to play around with different borders.

Next I created a side border by using a punch and then scoring to create a pleated look there as well.  I added some lace trim behind it.  The only real directions I can give you is to create a mountain and valley type of fold.  I just allowed my MS border punch to dictate where I scored.

 On the inside I created a pocket by altering the directions from Nichole's blog HERE.  Her directions are for cute little Valentine sized cards.  I needed something bigger to hold a gift card.

Here's the inside:

 Here is a (really bad) picture of my template that I used:

This is super simple.  Take a piece of card stock measuring 8 1/2" X 8 3/4".  Measure up 3 1/4" on the longer side ( 8 3/4") and score across.  Measure halfway across (4 1/4")  on the shorter side ( 8 1/2") and score down.  Then remove the bottom left section.  Fold up the bottom right section and glue the edges to create the pocket.   Capisci? (Kapeesh)

BTW, this card is not something I would mail.  It is very big and bulky.  This is something that should be hand delivered or attached to a gift.(Well, not attached to a gift if you have a GIFT CARD inside.  Unless you are, like, REALLY generous:)

Alright, are you ready to play along?

It's a busy week coming up, but I hope you get a chance to play.  At least take a few moments to check out some of the really neat projects the design team has to offer.

I hope you have time to stop by next week.  I have something really special to share.  Stay tuned for that.

 Hey, any other crazies headed out to battle the crowds today after church.  Raising my hand.  But, then I will be ALL DONE shopping and able to spend some time baking with my kids.

Toodles!




What's In It?
Stamps: Fancy Flourishes CDS, Vintage Ornaments PTI
Ink: RHR, colorbox brown, TH distress ink Vintage Photo
Paper: burgundy, Basic Grey Wassail
Other: MS floral lace border punch and ??? MS border punch, Build a brad, lace trim, Spellbinders Fancy Labels, Recollections brown pearl, sponge.

Christmas Totes A Plenty!

Today I woke up to SNOW!  Yeah, I am so happy.  It is just the thing I needed to add to my already happy mood.  Last  night we went to IKEA for the first time.  We had such fun.  My daughter wanted to "get lost" in there.  Well, we did.  We went to look for ideas for a new bedroom remodel for her.  She is entering the preteen years (sniff, sniff) and Tinkerbell just isn't her idea of her style anymore.  I was also happy to get some organizational stuff for my craft room.  I will show some pictures once I get things up and in place.  My husband has been so amazing at doing things to make my craft area better.  He also spent the entire day helping me pop and bag corn for our school just so he could spend the day with me.  He said he may even help me again.

Ok, enough babble.  Here is a picture of the totes I made using Lauren's My Timeless Templates called Around the Town Tote.  Lauren has recently branched out to start her own company.  You should go check out some of the free things you can download by signing up for her newsletter.  My Time Made Easy is the company and you can find it HERE.  Warning: Due to high volume traffic the site is quite slow right now.  They are working to amend this.

 

This tote is unbelievably BIG.  I was able to put a bag of the Buttered Toffee Popcorn from yesterday's post in here along with a trial sized trio of Mary Kay's Satin Hands and a full size MK lip balm.  The totes were really fun to make.  I did learn along the way though to READ THE DIRECTIONS on how to put them together.  I'm not much for doing that sometimes.  If you don't, I guarantee you will be a bit baffled as to why it doesn't fit together correctly. Hmm?

I used some pretty PTI spring rain ribbon and their set called Holiday Tree again.  Those rhinestones are just extra gems from my kids crafting area.  I also just used some leftover rub ons for the sentiment.  Each teacher's was different.  They really liked the totes.  I think more than the actual gift.

Here is a pick of all of them. 
However, you can only see the 2 in front.

I still have just a bit more holiday shopping to do.  Yeah for me! How about you?

Today is the best kind of day.  My kids are being kind to each other ( yes, it is still early, but I have hope), they are playing nicely and I am spending the entire day crafting with and without them.  We have no plans to go ANYWHERE.  It may be a PJ day!  Love that! I hope you have a relaxing day doing what you love.

Check back tomorrow for a Stamptacular Sunday!

What's In It?

Stamps: Holiday Tree PTI

Ink: Wild Wasabi

Paper: MME Penny Lane Pink Stripes, Wild Wasabi, Spring Rain, White

Other: Cuttlebug EF, Oval nesties, dimensionals, Holiday rub ons, Janome sew mini, PTI ribbon, oval punch

Joy Comes In A Bag of Buttered Toffee Popcorn

Good morning!  I am popcorn lady again this am so I have to make this quick:)

I'm passing out my teacher gifts today and wanted to share what I made for all the "extra" teachers.  You know who I mean....art teacher, gym teacher, music. ect....

I made my fabulous Buttered Toffee Popcorn ( you can find the recipe for it in THIS POST) and put it into some glassine bags by Papertrey.  I wanted to share the recipe for this fabulous stuff with the teachers and thought I could include it inside the tag.  They turned out really cute I think.

Here is a  just the tag:

You can see the recipe inside.  I used some new paper over at The Digichick.  It's called Snow Much Fun.

I really seem to like this teal color for Christmas.  Goodness!  I hope that doesn't mean I am reverting back to the 80's!  The BIG HAIR I've still got so I'm good there.  Leg warmers might be kind of nice right now too since it is sooooo cold.

I also used PTI aquamist and 2 of there stamp sets: Snowflake Serenade and Holiday Tree.  My die cut snowflakes were made using some Sizzlets, glitter, button and twine.

CLOSEUP:)

I wanted to mention that if you don't already subscribe to THE DIGICHICK newsletter you should.  Right now they are doing a countdown to the 12 Days of Christmas.  Each day there is a free download, as well as, a sale!  

Gotta go!  Please stop back tomorrow to see the cute totes I made for "other" teachers and the secretaries.  It was hard to give them away:)

Merry and Bright!

Good Morning to you all!  First I want to thank everyone for your kind words of encouragement and prayers since my last post.  They meant the world to me.  I was so touched by the fact that "strangers" would jump up with offers of help and advice.  You guys are so great!

 I am feeling so much better.  Today I really do feel "Merry and Bright."  I think there are several reasons for that.  My basement is almost completely reorganized.  We got rid of a lot of clutter.  A good purging always makes me feel better.  I don't live well in clutter and chaos. I love the way my stamp area looks now.  No, it still isn't pretty and all " matchy, matchy."  It's an unfinished basement.  However, it "feels" good.

  There are a few other things that helped cheer me up this week that I'll share in a bit.  First, I want to show my card.

I bought this stamp quite awhile ago to use for Christmas.  I finally got to ink it up....4 times.  I had to color this little guy FOUR times.  For some reason my Copics got sticky at the end when I would add just a bit more shading.  I'm not sure why.  So I would have to start all over again!  However, I think he looks adorable.  I needed practice coloring anyways.  I did decide at the very end to add shading with some Prismacolor pencils (the 4th time).  I really like that look of Copics used with Prismas.  I also added Icicle Stickles to the lights.  I just think this is the sweetest image ever!  My ribbon is recycled from a bouquet of flowers that I got years ago. I have another Christmas card to add to my stash.  Yeah!  I decided that this year I am not going to stress about Christmas cards.  I am only sending to my immediate family.  I think I may do New Year's Cards for all my extended family and friends this year.  I'm sure they only want the picture of my kids anyways.

  Let me share a story that I heard this week from my friend.  It was kind of an epiphany for me and raising me out of the funk I've been in.  It's a tiny Christmas miracle...sort of.

  My friend has a daughter who got into a lot of trouble with drugs and such when she was younger.  She has since really been trying to clean up her act.  It is not easy.  Things that she did back then still come around to "haunt" her and her family is slowly learning to trust her again.  She now has 2 small children.  My friend M was telling me that a church chose her daughter as their "Christmas project" this year.  They bought the family some of the things they needed.  All the stuff is being kept at my friends house since the entire family will be spending Christmas night together.  M realized that the diapers and wipes were something that her daughter might need beforehand so she had her husband drop them off to K...their daughter.  K wasn't home so he just left them inside by the front door.  In the meantime, K has been stressing because she has no money to buy diapers.  She didn't want to tell her mom because she felt like she had already asked so much of her financially and wanted to do it on her own.  She had been praying and praying so hard for diapers for her kids.  She didn't know what she was going to do.  When she came home that day and opened the door to find boxes of diapers and wipes she just started to cry/laugh. She didn't know her dad had dropped them off.  She had prayed and prayed and there they were.  She now knows her dad put them there, but they were definitely given to her through the wonderful little "angels" on Earth.  It's amazing how God works His wonders isn't it?

  I can't imagine ever being so desperate.  I have been fortunate enough to never know the worry of, "Where will I get  food, shelter, clothing and diapers?"  I felt like that story being told to me was a wake up call to get my butt out of slump because there is always someone else who has it so much harder. My "problems" are nothing but slight inconveniences that will all work out.  That story really reminded me of what Christmas is about. I really pray that K stays on the right track and that life will get that much better for her.  I think she is probably going to have the most wonderful holiday celebrating the real "Reason for the Season."  I know that I will too!

Many Blessings to all of you!




What's In It?
Stamps: Rachel Ann Miller Moose, PTI Holiday Tree
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Choc Chip,
Paper: Kraft, White, Spring Rain
Other: cuttlebug, embossing folder, sponge, Copics and prismacolor pencils, stickles, paper piercer, dimensionals, ribbon, trim, circle punches, circle nestabilities, button, twine

Give Me A Bit A BLING!

Happy Stamptacular Sunday to you!  Our challenge today is to make a card using some BLING!  I'm in a bit of denial that Christmas in only 3 weeks away.  Therefore I just couldn't make anything with a Christmas theme:)  I have been wanting to make a card using a technique I saw on Splitcoast a few weeks ago.  My flower is made using some glimmer mist and a paper towel.  Fun, huh?  I also used the Elegant Flourishes set from Clear Dollar Stamps.  I love flourishes!  Isn't this one beautiful?  I also used a sentiment from a new set by PTI called, "Giga Guidelines."  Please excuse my photo.  For some reason I feel like my pictures are being compressed when I load them onto my computer.  Still trying to figure that one out.  The top of the card uses a Fiskars border punch and some black satin ribbon.  I decided to add my bling using some Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, a rhinestone from my stash and dazzling diamonds.

  Please join us this week.  Everyone can use a little BLING in there lives.  Head on over to the blog so you can see all the DT's projects.

Our Sponsor this week is our own DT member, Paula.  She is giving away this.....

Also Emma Lockley is sponsoring this...

Well, that's all for me today!  We are finishing up our Christmas Village.  My kids can't wait!

Warm Wishes to you!

What's In It?
Stamps: Elegant Flourishes (CDS), Giga Guidelines (PTI)
Ink: Colorbox Maroon, Versafine Black
Paper: Black, white
Other:Taylor's Tiny Twinkles, rhinestone, black satin ribbon (HL), glimmer mist, paper towel, fiskar border punch,dazzling diamonds