OWH World Card Making Day Blog Hop

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It’s a fabulous day for a blog hop, especially when it is for a great cause like Operation Write Home (OWH). I am thrilled that you have found your way to my blog. If you just happened upon the blog hop and would like to start at the beginning, click on the “Start the hop” button above. If you are interested in finding out more about the OWH organization or how you can donate cards, you can find their blog HERE.

For my cards I used an image designed specially for this hop by Melissa Jenkins of Meljen’s Designs. I tried to keep them relatively flat so that they would be easy to mail. On the inside, I attached an additional flap of paper so that they will have additional room to write a letter. (I got that idea from some one on a previous OWH blog hop.)

I’m not going to make you read through a long blog post. I know you have a lot of blogs to stop at today. If you like the image I used on my cards, make sure you hop by the Meljen’s Designs blog hop post to download this digital freebie.

Thank you for hopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Roger the Army Reindeer (digital stamp) by Meljen’s Designs, Holiday Wishes by Papertrey
• Inks: Stampin’ Up Real Red
• Papers & CS: Neenah Crest solar white CS, Stampin’ Up Real Red CS, Stampin’ Up Dashing DP
• Tools: Sewing machine, Stampin’ Up edge punch, Copic markers
• Embellishments: Old Olive ribbon, white cotton crochet thread, misc. button

This & That

I have a quick post for you today. I have had a lot going on and have not had a chance to craft very much. I made these projects a couple of weeks ago and thought I would share them with you.

My mother in-law asked me if I could donate some cards or projects to our local senior center to use as a door prize for a party they were having. Since I didn’t want to give a pack of none coordinating card, threw together these projects with supplies I had on hand.

For the first door prize, I decorated a candle holder and made a coordinating tag paper piecing Little Layered Flowers Button Daisy by Meljen’s Designs.

For the second door prize I stamped some coasters. Although I forgot to take a photo, I packaged the coasters with burlap, baker’s twine and a button so that the looked nice.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies for Candle and Tag:

• Stamps: Little Layered Flowers Button Daisy by Meljen’s Designs, Flowers with Love by Annabelle Stamps
• Inks: Olive Pastel ColorBox chalk ink, Tea Dye Distress Inks
• Papers: Papertrey kraft & dark chocolate CS, Stampin’ Up Delicate Dots DP
• Tools: Stampin’ Up circle punch, Cropadile, Glue Arts Extreme Adhesive Squares, Copic makers
• Embellishments: Burlap, misc. flower from Hobby Lobby, The Twinery bakers twine, misc button
• Other: Candle and glass holder from the Dollar Store

Challenges: for Candle & Tag:

• All Sorts Challenge – anything but a card
• Cheerful Stamp Pad – Petals
• City Crafter – Scrap Happy (all paper & burlap on tag is scraps)
• Craft your passion – Anything but a card
• Crafting for all Seasons – tags
• Creative Crafts – anything but a card
• Kaboodle Challenge – bag it or tag it
• Lothian Crafts – Anything goes
• Mami Doodles – Flowers
• The Kraft Journal – Anything goes (with kraft)

Supplies for Coasters:

• Stamps: Take Flight by Gina K. Designs, Distressed Background by Stampabilities
• Inks: StazOn in black, olive, brown
• Papers: none
• Tools: Sharpie markers, Matte spray sealant
• Other: Stone coaster

Challenges for Coasters:

• AI Factory – Anything Goes
• AUD Sentiments – Anything Goes
• Challenge Up Your Life – No DP
• One Stitch At A Time – anything goes
• Pattie’s Creations – Animals or Insects
• Sir Stampsalot – Whatever you fancy

Sentimental Sundays–Anything Goes

It’s time for the new Sentimental Sundays challenge. These week’s challenge is an easy one – “Anything Goes (plus a sentiment)”. I really hope you will jump in and join us.

I am sharing a card that I made for a sick friend. I have to admit that I am really pleased with how it turned out. (That rarely happens!) This is one that I wanted to keep to look at, but I did mail it off.

Please stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to see the rest of the DT’s creations. While you are there, you can download the free sentiment set from Ann of Raindrop Echo Designs. I hope you will join our challenge too!

**Edited to add**

The Sentimental Sundays team is having a DT call through Monday, May 23rd. If you would like to join our fun team, check out this post on the Sentimental Sundays blog.

And there is even more exciting news! We are celebrating Sentimental Sunday’s one year anniversary this week. To celebrate the anniversary, you have several chance to win a digital sentiment of your choice from Raindrop Echo Designs Whimsy Stamps Digital Collection! All you have to do is visit the participating DT members' blogs and leave a comment on their Sentimental Sundays post for this week. That means that if you visit leave a comment for Amy, Ann E, Ceal, Cheryl, Chris, Joanna, Lisa, Melissa, Nicole, Shirley, Tameko, and Tracey, you will get a chance to win one digital sentiment set! Easy!

Thank you for dropping by! Have a great day!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Stitched Lotus and Round Leaf by Meljen’s Designs, Flowers in Bloom Sentiments by Raindrop Echo Designs (Both available on Whimsy Stamps)
• Inks: Stampin’ Up So Saffron, Distress Inks Antique Linen
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, Neenah Solar Crest CS, misc. kraft CS, Stampin’ Up Certainly Celery CS and Delicate Dots DP
• Tools: Sewing Machine, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Fiskars edge punch, Copic markers (for shading only)
• Embellishments: Glossy Accents, Czech seed beads, Hug Snug seam binding, Buttercup Liquid Pearls
• Techniques: Paper piecing, ruffled ribbon

Challenges:

• ABC Challenge – 2 or more images (Flowers, leaves, sentiment)
• ABC DT Challenge – April Showers bring May Flowers
• By The Cute & Girly – Anything Goes
• Card Makin’ Mamas – For a loved one (a very good friend)
• Catered Crop - Flourished paper, kraft cs, copic markers, flowers & leaves, ribbon, die cuts, all occasion card
• Clear It Out – Ribbon/trim (old seam binding/ribbon)
• Cooking It Up with Katie – Make Mine a Green Double Punch (double = 3 double sets of leaves. each is individual)
• Craft Us Crazy – Mother’s Day or Flowers
• Craft your Passion – Anything goes
• Crafty Catz – Sentiment or quote
• Crafty Sentiments – Flowers
• Delightful Challenges – Mother’s day or some one special (my friend is some one special)
• Dream Valley – Flowers
• Emerald Fairies Garden Challenge – anything goes
• Etsy Inspired Challenge - I was inspired by this creation by bearcreekdesigns
• Flourishes Bringing Beautiful Back – BBB10 Flowers
• For Fun Challenge – Spring/flowers
• Lexi’s Creations – Friends
• Paper Play Challenge – show your style
• Papertake Weekly – anything goes option of round
• Pear Tree Designs – Anything Goes
• Polly Craft Challenge – Anything Goes
• Scrappy Frogs – Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp – Paper Piecing or Piercing
• Stamp Something – digi day
• Stamp with Fun – Ribbon or lace
• Sundays with Crissy – FLowers
• Tiffany Doodles – Flower power
• TSG – 3d Flowers
• Top Tip Challenge – open challenge
• Tuesday Taggers – Card with something old and something new. (Old = beads are from before my DD was born. She’s 9 now. New = Sewing machine, perfect pearls)
• Wags N Whiskers – Die cut or punch

Happy Easter with Shelly’s Images

I am excited to have the chance to be a guest designer for Shelly’s Images. I loved this little sweet duckling the minute I saw it. The shading lines Shelly included on the image made it so easy to color.

Here is a look at how the image comes. For today only, it is on sale for $0.50 off the regular price. Isn’t he (or is it a “she”) perfect for your Easter and spring projects?

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Duckling from Shelly's Images
• Inks: None
• Papers & CS: Stampin' Up Bella Birds Dp & Bordering Blue CS, PaperTrey white CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS
• Tools: Sewing machine, Martha Stewart edge punch, Copic markers, Stampin' Up word window & 1-14" circle punches
• Embellishments: PaperTrey button twin, misc. buttons and ribbon

Challenges:

• ABC DT Challenge – Easter
• Bee-Crafty – Easter
• CRAFT Challenge – Easter
• Card Cupids – Pastel colors
• Card Makin’ Mamas – Spring Colors
• Card Making Fairy’s Digi Day –Recipe - Use 1 digital image, 2 patterned papers and 3 embellishments (buttons, ribbon, twine)
• Catch the Bug – Easter
• Cooking It Up With Katie - recipe:1 image, 2 dp, 3 embellies (buttons, ribbon, twine)
• Copic Creations – Favorite paper – Neenah Crest is mine
• Craft Your Days Away – Easter
• Craft your passion – You’ve been spotted
• Crafty Pad – Easter
• Creative Friday – Easter
• Delicious Doodles – All Stitched Up
• Die Cut Dreams – Easter
• Digi Doodle Shop Best – Easter
• Dream Valley – Easter
• Easy Craft Project Challenges – Easter
• Floweret Stamplar – Easter
• Hanna & Friends – Easter
• I Did It Creations – Easter
• Lil Red Wagon – Easter
• My Mum’s Craft Shop – Anything Goes
• My Time To Craft – On The Spot
• Paper Cutz – Buttons & Bows
• Paper Pretties – At least 2 DP
• Pattie’s Creations – Easter
• Pear Tree Designs – Easter
• Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog – Easter
• Saturday Challenge – stitching
• Scrappy Frogs – Easter
• Sisterhood of Crafters – Easter
• Stampin’ for the Weekend – Easter
• Stamp N Doodle – Easter
• Sugar Sweet Paper Treats – Easter
• Sundays with Crissy – Spring is in the Air
• Top Tip Challenge – Spring has Sprung
• Whoopsi Daisy – Free & easy
• Wild Orchid Challenge – Things with Wings

Meljen's Designs - Easter Inspired

It's Thursday so that means we have a new digital release and challenge for you from Meljen's Designs. The challenge this week is "Easter Inspired". If you would like to play along with us, you can link up your entry, view the challenge rules, and see the DT samples on the Meljen's Designs blog.

For my project today, I used one of the new digis, Peter Bunny. I love this sweet little bunny! Check out the pinwheel in the corner. I have my DH to thank for that. He thinks I use to many buttons so I was trying to do something a little different. What do you think?

Here is a peek at the entire new release available at Whimsy Stamps starting today.

If you haven't already entered my blog candy drawing for 4 Meljen's Designs digital stamps of your choice, you may want to check it out HERE. You also have a few more days to enter the drawing for 5 digital stamps of your choice from Whimsy Stamps and a chance to be a guest designer for the month of April HERE.

Thank you for stopping by! Supplies:

• Stamps: Peter Bunny by Meljen's Designs on Whimsy Stamps
  
• Papers & CS: Georgia Pacific CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Stampin' Up Delicate Dots DP, misc. brown CS
  
• Inks: None
  
• Tools: Sewing machine, Cropadile, Copic markers
  
• Embellishments: PaperTrey button twine, Making Memories white paint, Sakura white pen, trim from Michael's, misc. button & eyelets

Challenges:

ABC DT Challenges - Easter

AI Factory - Easter

Aly's Stamping Challenge - Bunnies

Bee Crafty - Easter + digi

Card Making Fairies Digi Day - Easter

Catch the Bug - Anything Goes

Catered Crop - paper stripes & dots, colors used all but red, sewing machine

CRAFT Challenge - animals/pets

Craft Us Crazy - Spring or Easter

Craft Your Days Away - Spots & Stripes

Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes

Creative Belli challenge - Sewing (used old brad and eyelets)

Creative Cowgirls - Spring or Easter

Cupcake Inspirations - photo challenge / inspired by theme and colors

Digital Tuesday - Easter + digi

Fashionista Friday - Sewing

For Fun - Bunny

Fun with Shapes - Easter

I Did It Creations - Anything Goes

iCopic - Fancy background with copic markers

Instyle - Color challenge

Little Claires - Spring

Little Miss Muffet - Stitching

Paper Issues - Spring or Easter

Paper Play - critters galore

Paper Playtime - Anything goes with a digi

Papertake Weekly - Anything goes

The Pink Elephant - Easter

Simon Says Stamp - Easter + spring colors

Stamp Something - Digi day

Stamp with Fun - Easter

Stamps R Us - Easter

Tuesday Throwdown - Spring

Whoopsi Daisy - Spring

Your Next Stamp - Stitching

Cute & Cuddly (Part 2)

Our Sentimental Sundays challenge this week is "Cute & Cuddly". I made 2 cards for the challenge this week. You saw the first one on Sunday and this is the 2nd one I made using up scraps and pieces on I had on my desk. ' ll

Using a pre-colored digi from Doodle Pantry made throwing this card together a snap. The best part is that I have another card for my OWH box. My box is almost full and will soon be mailed!

I also have some fun stuff coming up on my blog. On April 1st, there will be 2 blog hops. The first is to celebrate Meljen's Designs 1st birthday and the second is to show off the new digital releases at Whimsy Stamps. Make sure you stop to check out the hops. Like all hops, there will be prizes sprinkled along the way.

I will have a fun announcement in April for a GRAND OPENING on April 15th of something super cool. Stay tuned for this. I am dying to let the cat out of the bag but I have to wait. I can't wait to tell you all.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you will come back for some of the fun events coming up.

Supplies

• Stamps: Bunny Friends with Bunny (precolored digi) from the Doodle Pantry, Ticket Sentiments from Raindrop Echo Designs on Whimsy Stamps
  
• Inks: Close To My Heart chocolate ink
  
• Papers: PaperTrey white CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Stampin' Up Bashful Blue CS & Bella Bird CS
  
• Tools: Sewing Machine, Big Shot, PaperTrey Victorian Lace, Beautiful Blooms II #1 & Banner Basics die
  
• Embellishments: Starbucks coffee sleeve, Liquid Pearls Opal, Paper, Hug Snug seam binding

Challenges:

• Delightful Challenges - Pastels + ribbon


• Ginger Loft - Dies cuts or punches
  
• Totally Paper Crafts - Cute & Cuddly
  
• Wee Memories - Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays Cute & Cuddly

It's time for a new Sentimental Sundays challenge. This week our challenge is "Cute & Cuddly". Don't forget a sentiment! We also have a special guest designer joining our team this week. My 9-year old daughter has joined the fun. Please stop by her blog to check out her project (and leave a comment. She loves them!)




I made this flower using some old fabric and tulle that I found in the basement. The tulle is pink and was left over from a princess birthday party for my daughter from several years ago. I was inspired by this tutorial from Linda, the Funkie Junkie. The textured, brown piece was punched out of a Starbucks coffee sleeve. I love the texture of these things.

Thank you for stopping by! Don't forget to join in the Sentimental Sundays "Cute & Cuddly" challenge. The challenge is being sponsored by Heart Song Designs. Stop by the blog to see all the lovely creations from the DT and to get the challenge details.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Garden Bun Bun Fairy by Meljen's Designs & Garden Bun Bun Sentiments from Raindrop Echo Designs (Both available on Whimsy Stamps)
• Inks: None
• Papers: PaperTrey white CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Stampin' Up Bashful Blue CS & Bella Bird CS
• Tools: Sewing Machine, Big Shot, PaperTrey Victorian Lace, Beautiful Blooms II #1 & Banner Basics die, Copic Markers
• Embellishments: Starbucks coffee sleeve, pink tulle, white linen, LuminArte Icicles, Liquid Pearls Opal, Paper Studio brad, Prismacolor white pencil

Challenge:

• 2 Sisters Challenge - Make your own embellishments
• ABC Challenge - q=quilting or stitching
• By the Cute & Girlie - Spring
• Card Makin' Mamas - Animals
• Catered Crop - Striped DP, pearls, flowers, border punch, sewing, spring
• Crafty Creations - In Stitches
• Creative Card Crew - no rubber stamps
• Creative Cottage - Spring has sprung
• Creative Stamp Friends - Spring
• Dare to Be Sassy - Flowers
• Delicious Doodles - Floral Fantasy
• Etsy Inspired - Inspired by the flowers on this necklace by FreshMetal's shop
• Fairy Fun Friday - Spring
• Fresh Designs - reuse or repurpose items from around the house (fabric, tulle, starbucks sleeve)
• Scrap Creations - Spring
• Hanna & Friends - Spring
• One Stop Craft Challenge - Angels or Faires (used Garden Fairy Bun Bun image)
• Paper Crafting Journal - Up in the air
• Paper Cutz - 3 DP's
• Paper Pretties - Spring
• Pattie's Creations - Flowers & Pearls
• Phindy's Place Challenge - Animals
• Sew Many - Spring
• Stamp & Create - Spring
• Stamp Something - Spring
• Sugar Creek Hollow - Stitching

Circle of Friends Blog Hop for Annika

Welcome to the Circle of Friends Blog Hop. If you have arrived from Patricia Garcia's blog, you are in the right place, if not you may want to start at Crystal's blog so you don't miss anything along the way.

Our Circle of Friends hop is to show our dear friend Annika Ryan that her Whimsy Family is here for her during this difficult time. Everyone needs a circle of friends, and sometimes, during those hard moments, you need to be placed in the center of that circle and be given a big group hug. Though we may be miles away, our hearts are with her along with our support.

Today we all have made her a creation to show her how much we care. Please hop along with us to support our wonderful teammate and friend, Annika.

Here is the creation I made for my dear friend and dt sister.......





If you know Annika and would like to make a creation for her, please go to the end of the hop (Denise's Blog) and link a card, then email Crystal at crystalkbk30@gmail.com to privately give you her address.

This hop will end on February 5, noon Eastern time so you have enough time to create a card for friend!!

Thanks so much for hopping along with us today!!! Your next stop on the hop is Domi.



Here is the blog hop list in case you get lost along the way:

Crystal

Lisa

Donna

Vanja

Pattie
Vicki

Debbie

Jackie
Erin
Chris
Ann

Lori

Linda
Simonne

Patricia
Cheryl (you are here!)
Domi

Heike

Sandra

Crissy

Stephanne
Anneke
Denise (Last Stop with Mr. Linky to make a card for Annika )

Supplies:

• Stamps: Flowers In Bloom by Raindrop Echo Designs on Whimsy Stamps
• Inks: Stampin' Up Rose Red, Cameo Coral and Close To My Heart Garden Green
• Papers & CS: PaperTrey white & dark chocolate CS, Stampin' Up Rose Red CS & Raspberry Tart DP, Georgia Pacific CS
• Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Martha Stewart leaf punch & edge punch, ProvoCraft Swiss Dots embossing folder
• Embellishments: PaperStudios pearls

Challenges:

• Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge - SSSC101
• Craft Your Passion - 2 designer papers
• Crafty Card Makers - Flowers
• Crafty Catz - Flowers
• Do You Stack Up - Patterned Paper
• Fab N Funky - Delight in your Digi
• Fashionista Friday - Anything goes
• Fun at Fairy Knoll - flowers
• Inky Impressions - Emboss it
• My Time To Craft - Emboss
• One Stitch At A Time - As you like it
• Paper Minutes - Flowers
• Paper Play Challenges - layer it up
• Paper Variety - friendship
• Penny's Challenge - anything goes
• Pixie Cottage - flowers
• Southern Girls challenge - embossing (put INT after name)
• Latte Lounge - make your own embellishments
• Top Tip Tuesday - flowers
• Totally Gorjuss - as you like it
• Wee Memories - free your creativity
• Wild Orchid - Let's Get Sentimental

Meljen's Designs - Pink and Red color challenge

It's been a crazy couple of weeks and with this cold weather I feel like curling up and hibernating. Or eating some chocolate. Or both....

To help break myself out of the winter blues, I decided to make a funny card which I can use to cheer up a friend too. I followed the Meljen's Designs challenge for the week which is a color challenge of pink and red. I also used one of the newly released Meljen's Designs images and broke in to some DP that I have been hoarding. I love this pretty, glittery paper from Stampin' Up. I guess it doesn't make sense to buy it and not use it. Right? Right? (I need some positive re-inforcement here.)

All right, I know you are saying "get on with it already".... So here is my sassy card.

Ready to see the inside? Wait for it.....

Okay, what do you think? Did you at least crack a smile? If so, mission accomplished.

Here is a peek at the entire new release. Think of all the cute Valentine's day cards you could make with these.

Thank you for stopping by! Be sure to join the Meljen's Designs Pink & Red color challenge. We want to see what you can create with this color combo. Remember you don't have to use a Meljen's image, although we love it if you do.

Supplies:

• Images: Little Brassiere from Meljens Designs (on Whimsy Stamps)
• Papers & CS: PaperTrey white CS, Georgia Pacific CS, Stampin' Up Real Red CS & Sending Love DP
• Inks: None
• Tools: Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic Markers
• Embellishments: Paper Studio pearls, Studio G red glitter glue, misc. ribbon
• Other: Computer generated sentiment

Challenges:

• Tiffany Doodles Challenge - January Sketch
• The Crafty Pad - something new (New digi image)
• Creative Belli challenge - P (pearls)
• Digi Doodles Shops Best - anything goes
• Paper Cutz - It's your choice
• Paper Pretties - paper piecing
• Papertake Weekly - ribbons & pearls
• Pear Tree Designs - anything goes
• Penny's Challenge - anything goes
• Pile It On - anything goes
• Wee Memories - for the love of ribbon
• Woodware USA - pink, red, & white

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff Treat Jars

I have an extra Lindsay's Stamp Stuff project to share with you this week. You may remember the altered canning jar that I made for giving Sugared Cinnamon Almonds to my daughter's teachers, the mail man, and other people that I wanted to give a little something to. The jar I used for my initial idea ended up being a little big. This week end I altered 9 smaller jars to use instead. I followed my initial idea but made everything on a smaller scale.






I made 4 pounds of the Sugared Cinnamon Almonds using my Nesco on Sunday. The Nesco is large enough that I could do all of them at once. I am planning to make some treat bags to give out some of the rest of the nuts. (Or, at least that is the plan. I am running out of time and my nuts are some how disappearing!)


I didn't have a post for the Sentimental Sundays Challenge this week. The theme this week is "Inspired by Song". Join in the fun for your chance to win 4 digital sentiment sets & a custom signature and watermark from Raindrop Echo Designs. My project is inspired by song too - Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Doesn't it look like he is saying "You Better Not Pout" or "You Better Not Eat all the Nuts"?

Thank you for stopping by today!


Supplies:

• Stamps: Christmas Potpourri Bingo cards by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on shophomemade.com, Vintage Christmas Labels by Lindsay's Stamp Stuff on mygrafico.com
• Papers & CS: Stampin' Up Dashing DP & Chocolate Chip CS, PTI dark chocolate CS, Georgia Pacific CS
• Inks: Tim Holtz Distress Inks
• Tools: Big Shot, Nestabilities, Designer Label Dies from Clear Dollar Stamps, Creative Memories circle punch, Copic markers
• Embellishments: PaperTrey button twine, misc. ribbon & butons, small canning jars

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters challenge - Christmas
• ABC Christmas - Z=zero time left ( I chose U, under the tree/gift & X, Xmas)
• AI Factory - anything goes
• All Sorts - Anything goes
• Alys Sunday Challenge - Anything goes
• CES Challenge - Anything Goes
• Craft Your Days Away - Punch It Out
• Craft Your Passions - Christmas
• Crafty Ann's - Anything Goes
• The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes
• Crafty Purple Frog - Christmas
• Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
• Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
• Creative Friday - inspired by song (Santa Claus Is Coming To Town)
• Creative Stamp Friends - Traditional Christmas Colors
• Critter Challenge - Anything Goes
• Digi Stamps 4 Joy - anything but a card
• Drunken Stampers - Christmas
• EasyCraft Projects - Christmas
• For Fun Challenges - Christmas
• Fresh Brewed Designs - Christmas
• Fun at Fairy Knoll - Christmas
• Gingersnap Creations - Great gifts
• Hanna & Friends - Just a little christmas
• The Latte Lounge - Anything but a card
• Mygrafico - Christmas Give Away
• One Stitch at a Time - anything goes
• Opus Gluei - Anything Goes
• Paper Issues - Christmas
• Paper Play Challenge - anything but a card
• Paper Playtime - Anything Christmas
• Penny's Challenge - Christmas
• Stamp Insanity - Christmas your way
• Stampin' for the Weekend - Christmas
• There She Goes - Button It Up
• Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas inspired

Meljen's Designs- Challenge #37 Red, Green, & Gold

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
with a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer, and Vixen!
"On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donder and Blitzen!

.

(from the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas,

also know as Twas the Night Before Christmas)

Rudolph didn't join Santa's team until 1939 when he was devised for an ad campaign. (More HERE) Isn't it amazing that he has become such an important part of our Christmas folklore in less than 100 years?

So why am I spouting poetry and talking about Rudolph? Well, Melissa really out did herself with the newest Meljen's Designs release. I know I always rave about all her images but I LOVE these ones. Check them out:

I had some big, big plans with these images. I wanted to make an "ornament" out of each of the reindeer and Santa's sleigh to hang on the garland decorating my stairs. But after some mishaps (I spilled a cup of tea), I ran out of time to get them all completed before my post. I am still planning on completing my project, but it might be for Christmas 2011.

.

I did manage to complete one ornament with the most famous reindeer of all.....

While you are finishing up your Christmas cards and projects this week, don't forget to join in the Meljen's Designs "Red, Green, & Gold" challenge for your chance to win some Meljen's Designs digital stamps.
Thank you for looking!


Supplies:

• Images: Rudolph by Meljen's Designs (available on Whimsy Stamps), Tree Trimming Trio & Just the Ticket from PaperTrey
• Papers: Stampin' Up Real Red CS, Old Olive CS, River Rock CS, & Dashing DP, Neenah Crest solar white CS
• Inks: Stampin' Up River Rock, Real Red, Old Olive
• Tools: Stampin' Up edge punch, PaperTrey Ticket die, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestablities, Copic Markers, EK Sucess snowflake punch, Xyron
• Embellishments: misc. gold doily, red felt flower, button, bakers twine, glitter, gemstones, gold cord, ribbon, gold paint pen, & bell, Sakura gold & clear glitter pens

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge - Sparkly Christmas (Glittery snowflakes, gold doily, gemstones)
• ABC Christmas Challenge - y=yule tide (Red & Green)
• AI Factory - Holiday / Christmas
• Alota Rubber stamps challenge - Snowflakes
• Aly's Sunday Challenge - based on a fav. Christmas movie (Rudolph)
• Artistic Stamper - Christmas
• Bunny Zoe - Anything But a Card Christmas
• Catch the Bug - Anything Goes
• Challenge Up Your Life - Christmas or Advent
• City Crafter - Let it snow
• Cooking It Up with Katie - Red, Layers, Christmas
• Craft Your Passion - Anything Goes
• The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes
• Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
• Creative Friday - Inspired by fav. Christmas song (Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer)
• Cutie Sunday - Red & Green
• Digi Stamps 4 Joy - Anything But A Card
• Dutch Dare - Christmas themed ornaments
• Easy Craft Projects - Christmas
• Fresh Brewed Challenges - Sparkle & Shine (gold doily, glittery snowflakes, gemstones)
• Fussy & Fancy Fridays - Anything But A Card
• Gingerloft - Bows
• Lil Red Wagon - Use a die cut (Circles & ticket)
• My Time To Craft - Reindeer greetings
• One Stitch At A Time - Old Stash, New Stash (old paper & doily, new image & bell)
• Ooh La La - Inspired by Christmas song (Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer)
• Opus Gluei - Getting frosted
• Paper Issues - Christmas
• Paper Playtime - Snowflakes
• Paper Players - Christmas project
• Penny's Challenge - Merry Christmas
• Pixie Dust Studio - Let it snow
• Sarah Hurley challenge - Christmas decor
• Saturday Challenge - Christmas
• Scrapbook Sisters - Snowflakes
• Scrappy Frogs - Holiday/Christmas decor
• Stamp N Doodle - No Cards
• Stamp Simply - Christmas decor/ornament
• Stampavie - Christmas
• Stampin' with the Dragon - Sparkle
• Stampin' Royalty - Christmas
• Stampsmith - holiday creations
• Sugar Sweet Paper Treats - anything goes
• Sundays with Crissy - Christmas is coming
• TSG challenge - bling
• Tiffany Doodles - Christmas
• Top Tip Tuesday - Use Ribbon
• Tuesday Taggers - Deck the Halls
• Wee Memories - Christmas song inspired (Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer)
• Whoopsi Daisy - Ribbons & bows

Birthday Pinwheel

About 4 pm on Friday, I realized I did not have a birthday card on hand for the birthday party we were going to attend on Saturday. Since I have seen some really cute cards with pinwheels over the last few weeks, I decided to try one. This card was so quick to put together and I love the way it turned out.

I wasn't able to get a project for the new Sentimental Sundays challenge finished this week. The new theme is "Weddings" and I would love to see what you create. As always, Ann Vento from Raindrop Echo Designs has created some digi freebies that you can download on the Sentimental Sundays blog this week. I hope I see you over there.

Thank you for looking!

Challenges:

• 365 Cards - Day 196 - Sketchy Sunday
• 4 Crafty Chicks - Embossing
• Alphabet Challenge - U=unused stash (the DP is one of the first paper packs I bought from SU a long time ago)
• Crafty Cardmakers - CAS
• Creative Belli challenge - Anything that starts w/ "B" (old button from my stash)
• Fairy Fun Fridays - Embossing
• Sew Many - Embossing
• Simple Doodles - Color me with dots
• Stampin' Royalty - Stitching madness
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge - Stitching
• Town Scrapper - We're in stitches

Supplies:

• Stamps - Celebrate the Occasion from Close To My Heart
• Inks: Chocolate from Close to My Heart
• Papers: Cutie Pie DP from Stampin' Up, Kraft CS from PaperTrey
• Tools: Paper piercing tool, Big Shot, ProvoCraft Swiss Dots embossing folder
• Embellishments: Stampin' Up So Saffron ribbon , Bazzill Basics White Rick Rack, PaperTrey silk ribbon, Zig chocolate marker, misc. button
• Techniques: Faux Stitching

Sentimental Sundays: Christmas Cards for OWH

This week on the Sentimental Sundays blog, we would like you to make and send Christmas cards to Operation Write Home. If you are not familiar with Operation Write Home, they are an organization that sends blank handmade greeting cards for all occasions to deployed service members to write home on. They’ve mailed approximately 500,000 cards so far—and are still going strong! Our challenge to you is to make cards to send to them for our nation’s heroes.

I was able to get 10 cards in 4 different styles completed to send to OWH. I tried to keep them relatively flat so that they would be easy to mail.

OWH has a few important guidelines which you can read here; it’s important especially to remember that glitter is NOT allowed (it’s a safety hazard to our heroes), handmade cards only, and OWH needs A2 sized cards. “Operation Write Home” needs to be on the backs of your cards—it can be stamped, handwritten, or printed on labels. Please include a packing slip inside your box or envelope, and mail them to any of their shippers listed on the Mailroom page. In your package, you can also include notes written to a deployed service member. We are asking that you make and mail your Christmas card to OWH this week, but the dead line for all Christmas cards is a postmark date of October 30th.


I hope you will join the Sentimental Sundays challenge to make and send Christmas cards to OWH to support our troops. Stop by the blog to download your free sentiment set from Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

Winter's Butterfly card:

• Stamps: Winter's Butterfly by Hero Arts
• Papers & CS: SU Wintergreen DP, PTI dark chocolate & kraft CS, GP white CS
• Inks: SU Mellow Moss & Sage Shadow, CTMH Chocolate
• Tools: Fiskars edge punch, Creative Memories corner punch
• Embellishments: Misc. ribbon & gemstones
  

Red & Green Tree Cards:

• Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio by PTI
• Papers & CS: SU Dashing DP & Real Red CS, PTI white CS
• Inks: SU Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip
• Tools: Fiskars edge punch
• Embellishments: Clear stickers (mfg unknown)

Blue & White Tree Cards:

• Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio by PTI
• Papers & CS: SU Ballet Blue, PTI Kraft, GP white
• Inks: SU Ballet Blue, Craft Whisper White, Chocolate Chip
• Embellishments: Misc. white ribbon & clear stickers (mfg unknown)

Challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge - T=trees (for the blue & white tree card)
• Belli Challenge - Old Stamps ( I bought all these last year and then never used them)
• Crafty Card makers - CAS (Snowflake card)
• Fab N Funky - Wha' Eva'
• Fussy & Fancy - Christmas colors
• Gingerloft - Anything Goes
• Paper Romance - CAS (Snowflake card)
• Sarah Hurley - Snowflakes (Snowflake card)
• Simple Doodles - Color me with dots
• Your Next Stamp - Anything Goes

Sentimental Sundays Challenge 19 - A Recipe Challenge

This week we have a recipe challenge for you on the Sentimental Sundays blog. The recipe is as easy as 1-2-3 - 1 solid paper, 2 patterned papers, and 3 embellishments.

My 1 solid is a Real Red CS from SU. My 2 patterned are both from the Dashing paper pack from SU. My 3 embellishments are gemstones, ribbon, & gold cord.

Stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog to see the creations from the rest of the DT and to download your free sentiment set from Ann Vento of Raindrop Echo Designs. We would love it if you would join us by linking up your creation using this recipe and a sentiment.

Thank you for looking!

Challenges:

• Bee Crafty - Anything Goes with a digi
• Charisma Cardz - Inspired by song (Christmas Wrappings by the Waitresses)
• Cupcake Craft Challenge - Let's Get Digital
• Daisy Doodles - Anything Goes with a digi
• Just Inspirational - Use a digi
• Meljen's Designs - Stripes
  

Supplies:

• Stamps: Christmas Rose from Pink Petticoats, Holiday Wishes from PTI
• Papers & CS: SU Real Red & Whisper White CS, SU Dashing DP
• Inks: SU Real Red
• Tools: SU Oval punches, Copic markers, Fiskars edge punch
• Embellishments: Misc. green ribbon, SU gold cord, misc. gemstones