A series of Thinking of You cards

I am making several Thinking of You cards.  Most of the details are in my gallery at SCS.
The last card uses this sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.uk/
I used misc. papers and an image (SU)  that were gifted to me. The flowers are frpm Petaloo, and the crystals from JoAnn's,  I added a bit of silvery ribbon and a computer generated sentiment.

For MaryLou

It has been a while - we have just had a week of travel and visiting family - what a great Christmas, to share with family and friends.  I hope you have also had a blessed Christmas.
This is for a friend with many health problems.  The latest issue for her was back surgery - so she spent Christmas in a rehab facility.  It is a very pleasant place, but still lonely.  We had a chance to visit briefly a few days ago, and now I want to continue to do what I can to cheer her.
I used some Spellbinder dies I have had for a long time.  The blue and paisley as well as the ribbon are also from my stash.  I added the gold strips to cover an error in cutting - I suspect a few of you can relate!  The sentiment is Our Daily Bread (Faith).
Sketch, and neglected stash:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/:
Any:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Embellishments:  http://www.pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/12/pile-it-on-49-pile-on-embellishments.html
Dry embossing:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Focus on a sentiment:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Faith:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Christmas tag

I need a number of tag/gift card holders for grandkids.  Since time is short, I am going for a simple design - though the letter cutting does take some time.  I have more to post later.
Embossed tree -  QuicKutz; snowflake - Recollections puinch;  letters - CB Olivia; glitter, ribbon, tiny punch.  Thanks to a couple of Design Team members for ideas and inspiration.
Tags:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
           http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas::  http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/
snowflakes:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

Merry Christmas, every one - my favorite holiday.

I should soon be finished with Christmas cards for 2012!  This stamp is Kolette Hall - I think from the $ bin at Michael's.  The dp is from Paper Studio's Faith pad, and I used a favorite tool - the Cuttlebug embossing folder (snowflakes).  More favorites are the nesties and the Spica pen (gold).
 But the favorite I wish to highlight is the celebration of Christmas, and the message on this card.  This year we are looking forward to celebrating the birth of the Savior, but with heavy hearts, as we try to understand the tragedy in Connecticut.  We keep all those families in our prayers.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Favorites:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Glittery White for Christmas

I discovered more names on my Christmas card list!  This was fairly quick, and still meets some challenges, I think.  I added glitter to the snowflake bg, and used shimmery white cs for that layer.  The stars are punched from shimmery off white cs with a Recollections punch.
For this ODB challenge:  N= New punch, Nativity;  O= old lace (that was a hard one);  E= embossing;  L= lace, layers.
NOEL -  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch:  http://thecraftsmeowshop.blogspot.com.au/
White:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Sparkle and shine (more IRL than you can see here!):  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-18-sparkle-and-shine.html
Snow: http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
      http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/ 

Tag - Gift card holder

This is dual purpose - a tag and gift card holder - the ribbon means in can hang on the tree also.  Is anyone else like me - pressed for time?  So, I admit, I took a fairly easy way out.  The challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show is to use a Tim Holtz tag for inspiration.  They are gorgeous, but right now is not the time for me to try one of his techniques.  I chose this tag:  http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-christmastag-9/  Then I found some double sided DP (Costco) that I thought resembled the tag.  My "sentiment" is our grandson's name, and I used a QuicKutz folder to emboss a tree (well, it is actually debossed!!).  I left the gift card in the holder, so this is designed to hold that size.  Letters are cut with the CB Olivia dies.
Directions:  I cut the cs 12x5.5.  I folded it across, leaving the top layer about 6 inches.  That way, the back is a little shorter than the front.  I made a fold of about 1/3 inch along the entire side.  I trimmed that portion off the back, and adhered this strip along the back.  Easy peasy! 

Tag:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/
Gift card holder:   http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Christmas #21

I used Paper Studio DP for the body of the card.  I bought a package of misc. paper items at a yard sale (#1!!) and discovered a sheet of stickers.  IRL they are quite shiny and nice, with gold edges.  I thought these two complimented the DP - and worked for the sketch!  I bought the DP a year ago, and have hardly made a dent in the stack.
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Christmas: http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/
                  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://christmasatsweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

White, snowy Christmas

I sometimes think improvise is my middle name!  Nothing I had seemed to work for the embellishments beside the main image of this sketch - so I made snowflakes from a bit of an EKSuccess border punch.  I used glittery cs for these punches and die cuts.  The image and sentiment are from an unnamed cube.  The BG is the CB snowflake  folder, and the stamped snowflakes is Your Next Stamp.  I added a bit of lacy ribbon and some Doodles die cuts (Spellbinders).
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Snow/snowflakes:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
                       /http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/
White, with black and ribbon:  http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca/search/label/challenges
White:  http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Uplifting  - the greatest gift of Christmas: http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Christmas #20

This is the same image I have been using - with a JustRite sentiment.  I used two different papers from the Paper Studio Faith stack, and added ribbon as well as dark green mats.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:

Christmas #19

I actually have more than 19 cards, but this is a way to change titles here LOL!  I tried  for a vintage look with the sepia/brown image and slightly distressed edges.  I also have vintage lace - purchased at an estate sale, and I am sure it must be over 50 years old (come to think of it, I am a lot older....!!!).  The snowflakes are embossed on shimmery cs, and that reminds me of the ceilings in some old buildings.  I added shimmer to the star with my new gold Spica pen.  Otherwise, everything here is at least 6 months old and some much older - the sentiment says SU 1995, though I have owned it for just a few years.
Sketch & vintage:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Snow:  http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Light (star):  http://twistoffaithcards.blogspot.com.au/

Blue and White Christmas

Here is another Christmas card in blue and white.  I used my brand new LifeStyleCrafts ef - Woven, and some new rhinestones from Joann.com.
Sketch - rotated:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/
Blue and white, ovals, ribbon, dry embossing:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2012/12/this-weeks-challenge.html
Blue and white:   http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Christmas 17

I used my new Christmas tree embossing folder (QuicKutz) for this, as well as Nesties circles and ovals.  The trees are from an unidentified cube stamp I have had for a long time.  I added some glitter.  The sentiment is Hampton Art.  In addition to blue and white CS, I used a bit of DCWV glitter cs, and embossed snowflakes on it.  The ribbon is light blue.
Sketch:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Blues and "snowflake": http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/
Blue, with ribbon, ovals, and embossing:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2012/12/this-weeks-challenge.html
Blue and white:  http://www.vostamps.blogspot.com/http://www.vostamps.blogspot.com/
Winter scene:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-17-winter-wonderland.htmlhttp://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-17-winter-wonderland.html
Die cut:  http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/p/weekly-challenge_14.html

Fall card with circles

I should have completed this challenge a few weeks ago - but I did manage to do a fall card, and one that expresses thanks, using a stamp by Unity (Faith).  I used Nesties to cut circles for layering the flowers.  The DP is DCWV, and the flowers are Petaloo, with half pearls added.  some gold ric rac, and an edge by Martha Steward complete the look.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Circles:  http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/
Fall:  http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

An angel has charge over you

This Madison Window die vanished for a while, and I am glad it is back in the fold.  I thought I would try it with the angel (SU On Angel Wings).  I will use one of the verses from the set on the inside - For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways )Ps. 41:11).
The red is embossed with my brand new QuicKutz Woven folder, and I used one of Spellbinder's Doodles around the window.  The gold is a piece of a roll of gold mesh, with a gold ribbon added down the center.
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Red and white inspiration photo - with a window:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
And:  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com /
View from the inside of a house:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

Christmas Cards 15, 16

I have added several Christmas cards to my SCS gallery, but I am still behind LOL!  I am using the Paper Studio Faith stack (dp), my unknown rubber stamp, and the Snowflake EF.  The sentiment at the bottom is JustRite.
TOP card:
Sketch - http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
BOTTOM card:
Sketch:  http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.com/
Non traditional Christmas colors:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
And:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Thank You in B&W & Maroon

After a series of green cards, it is time for something different.  This is a thank you - I think you can see bits of the TY embossing folder (CB).  The image is Hampton Art, and I hope the color is close to maroon!  The black strip is cut and embossed with a Spellbinders border die.
The sketch:  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/fbc-121-november-prize-challenge.html
Black, white and maroon:  http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/
The thank you challenge is also a thank you to this blog for sponsoring 100 challenges - they will be closing at the end of the month, and I want to say thank you to them for so many challenges - you will be missed! - http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Simple tag

In reality, I seldom make tags - and most definitely not fancy ones, except for special situations.  So this is a pretty simple one.  I adhered the Basic Grey cs to the base - cut with dies #3 and 4 from Labels4.  After I embossed the snowflakes I realized I had placed the tag upside down in the folder.  So it is debossed - but the back is nicely embossed LOL!!!  The tag section is computer generated and cut with edging scissors.
Tag:  http://skippingstonesdesign.com/
Tag, with Basic Grey cs:  http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
Tag, using a Snowflake (Cuttlebug) EF available here:   http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

Get Well, son-in-law

If you read my previous post, you know about our granddaughter.  Well, her dad had minor surgery the day before her injury - he will need some rest and recovery time.   I thought Riley depicts the rest he should be getting.  These are some old DCWV papers used with an Argyle embossed piece.  The trim is a Spellbinders doodle, with a few tiny punches - I have trouble with embellishments for a guy!  Oh, yes, I used a scrap of the negative from a border punch as a mat for the sentiment.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Broken nose

Yes, that is a bit of a real bandage.  We just heard that our granddaughter's bad luck has continued.  She injured her shoulder twice during volley ball season.  She just made HS varsity basketball (as a sophomore) - and was accidentally hit on the face during a game - resulting in a broken nose.  We are waiting to hear if she needs surgery.  I just got this image from iclassygirl (my winnings) - I did not expect to need it this soon.  I colored with Prismas.  I used some Recollections papers, a Martha Stewart punch, a couple of ribbon scraps, glitter,  a rhinestone bauble - and, of course, a bit of a bandage.  (Read my next post for more...)
BTW, I used her school colors.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Ribbon:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
Two ribbons:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Across the miles (they live 750 miles away):  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/fbc-124-across-miles.html

Christmas #10,11

Here are two more!  I am finding that I am able to make this image work for any number of sketches LOL!!!

The top card: 
Sketch #74 (we had our choice of sketches):   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Christmas: http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
The second card:
Sketch:  http://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/search/label/challengeshttp://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
CAS - the image is stamped on cs cut slightly smaller than the base.  The sentiment is from an older SU angel set.  I wove narrow ribbon through the Martha Stewart trellis punched piece.  For the sketch, I used a corner embossing folder from Cuttlebug. -  for:  http://www.clearlyistamp.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Clearly%20Inspired%20Challenge

Christmas #9

I finished one more Christmas card!  This is in gold (from a gift bag) and blue - the dark blue cs has white flecks that remind me of a starry sky.
Sketch: http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Christmas with no red or green:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/