Traditional Vintage Christmas

Today I am back to Christmas cards! 
There is SO much to do - and now we are adding phone shopping to the list - apparently the battery has died as it will not keep a charge.  This is not the time to be without a phone - we only have one!
Back to the card - this is the Stampendous set used for most cards this year.  The DP is from the Paper Studio pad called Faith, and the faux stitched ribbon is by Ribbon Boutique.  I used chalk pencils for coloring, and distressed the edges.
Sketch:  http://christmaschallenges.blogspot.com/
Holiday:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.co.uk/
Any:http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/
Stitching:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Shabby chic: http://bunnyzoescrafts.blogspot.com/

For Margaret

Here is a little break from Christmas cards...  DH's sister is  having major back surgery so we are sending this a bit in advance.  The image is SU, from my WishRAK stash.  I cut the vase and adhered it over the flowers - I could have left the stems a bit longer...  The coloring is chalk pastel pencils, with a touch of gold gel pen..  I used chalk for a bit of sponging - once again the image looks too blotchy on the screen.  I also chalked the embossing on the circles - all cuttlebug mini folders.  The sentiment is a $ stamp, and the bg is DVine Swirls. 
Sketch: http://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/
Inspiration/color:   http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.com/
Chalk/circles:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://challenges4everybody.blogspot.com/

White on White Christmas

Another bad scan - I am wondering if there is a printer problem.  Sorry - this is really white and not nearly so distressed!  I did distress the edges, and dry embossed the main image for more texture.  I used the snowflake EF (glittered) for the bg and embossed the banner strips with Textile.  A bit of lace adds to the vintage feel.  The sentiment is computer generated.
Sketch:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Glitter: http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/
Any:  http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com/
          http://whimsiedoodles.blogspot.com/
White on white:  http://www.flonzcraft.com/vsc/?p=1179
           http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/           
           http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html

Non-Christmas Christmas card

Yes, I know this is not a cardinal.  As far as I know, I do not have any cardinals in my stash of stamps and images - so this works for a non-Christmas image used as a Christmas card, right?  It is an image from ODB (Sing to the Lord) - the sentiment is by computer.  I colored with Prismas, added a glittery snowflake and a Martha Steward border.  If you adjust your screen just so you can see that the DP (DCWV) is tone on tone green.
CHALLENGES:
Sketch: http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Non-Christmas image:  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/
Any (with comment):  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.com/

Glittery shadow

http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/

Once again, the glitter has caused a huge shadow - I just have a bit of it in that corner  The glitter on the path did not cast a shadow.  This is a new Nellie Snellen embossing folder (Snowy Stairs) - a prize from Joan's Garden.  It is a larger size, so the final card is 5.75x7.5.  (If any  one has card samples of this, please let me know!).  I made a frame from a Martha Stewart edging punch - did a little surgery on the corners.    The sentiment is by computer.
CHALLENGES:
 http://beccysplace.blogspot.com/ - #20 - punches
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html - B&W Christmas, with a frame
http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/ - sparkle
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ - any, with comments
http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/ - glitter

Glittery wreath/frame

As soon as I saw a challenge for a wreath I thought of creating one with the Cheery Lynn leafy die (from Joan's Gardens).  I think it works - and serves as a frame for the Stampabilities sentiment as well.  I hope the Lifestyle EF is not too busy as the bg.  I added glitter to the wreath and snowflakes - the sparkle does not appear to show here.
CHALLENGES:
Black and white Christmas, with frame: http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html
Glitter:  http://sparklensprinklecreativechallenges.blogspot.com.au/
Wreath: http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html
Sparkle:  http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/
Mystery - the mystery of Christ's birth (as well as the "mystery" glitter you cannot see on the screen!):  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/
Snowflake - using glitter and snowflake punch  I have had for a LONG time:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/

Thinking of a friend

A cyber friend (through SCS) is going through a rough time and I want to write her a note.  I thought I would use this Thanksgiving scene - but the greeting needs to be simple.  This EF is from Sizzix, and I colored with chalk.   My friend, be well and strong.
Fall:  http://cutedaisymay.blogspot.com/
Chalk:  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://createdwithlovechallenges.blogspot.com/
Any (with a comment for Pinky): http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/
By the way - something happened between the card and the computer screen - I lightly sponged the sky, but IRL it does not have a dark cloud LOL!!!

Praise God this Thanksgiving

We should of course be thankful at all times, but it is worthwhile having a special day to remind us - and to remember this holiday is more than a turkey dinner and shopping for bargains. This image is in my stash from Wish RAK - colored with Prismas.  The word strip is DCWV Thanksgiving Words and the lattice DP is DCWV Fall stack. 
http://ynschallenges.blogspot.ca/:  Inspired by the sketch, the food, and the lattice pie crust.
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/  Thanksgiving
http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/  Thanksgiving
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/  Thanksgiving
http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/  Giving thanks
http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/  Thanksgiving

Thankful

Time for a couple of Thanksgiving cards - it will be here soon.  We have SO MUCH to be thankful for - we have been richly blessed by God and want to show our thankfulness.  This is a set by SU, colored with Prismas.  The dp is a fall stack by DCWV, and I used a bit of mesh I have had for a long time, as well as some time.  The image is cut with a new Lifestyle Crafts die (Hello, Goodbye).  I improvised for the sentiment - it is a small Labels 4 die - it seemed too wide, so I turned the die the other direction and cut off about 1/8 inch on top and bottom - I am ok with the result.  All the cards I see seem to be made with just the right materials and tools - I often don't seem to have the right size or color - in spite of having tons of supplies.
http://www.mftstamps.com/blog/stamp-and-win-with-this-weeks-card-sketch-150/:  sketch
http://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/:  Giving thanks
http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/:  Thanksgiving
http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge/#comment-4305:  Thanksgiving
http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/:  With thanks
http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/ - Thanksgiving

I'm back!

Whew!  It has been a long time - a month, in fact...  I have almost forgotten how to do this.  I will not bore you with all the details - if I get ambitious I will do another travel blog or place photos somewhere.  DH and I just returned from a fabulous 28 day cruise.  We were on the beautiful Sapphire Princess, and cruised round trip out of San Pedro, CA.  We had 4 stops in Hawaii and 5 in the South Pacific, including Samoa and Tahiti - and we had about 18 sea days.   The ports were beautiful, and the sea days were wonderful - food, entertainment, and speakers were all great.  Now it is time to get back to somewhat of a routine - for a while, at least.
Needless to say - Christmas will be here soon and I have a lot to do!  This card features the Stampendous stamp, and misc. papers and ribbon.
Here are the challenges:
http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/:  Sketch
http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/11/this-weeks-challenge-card_13.html:  Black and white Christmas, with a frame; the Cuttlebug frame folder is available at her store.
http://littleclairesdesigns.blogspot.com/:  Christmas theme
http://blog.ribboncarousel.com/:  Holidays, with ribbon.
http://beccysplace.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/a-month-of-holiday-cards-challenge.html:  #7, non traditional colors

HB, Adrienne

This will be my last post for a while - lots of fun things going on!
Our granddaughter loves basketball - I have a bit of cs featuring her school, and some other items - including Hot Off the Press brad buddies - but cannot find my basketball images, so I had to use clip art!
Sketch:  http://digisketchchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any: http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/
Brads: http://justinspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
Support your team:  http://sassystudiodesigns.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://ladybugscraftsinkchallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday, Spencer

Our outdoorsy dog loving grandson is having another birthday!  I think this image is from a set by SU called Thoughts of Father.  The DP is DCWV, and I used Cheery Lynn Leaf dies.
Sketch:  http://adieforasketch.blogspot.de/
Shabby:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
A little shabby:  http://paulaholifieldcrafts.blogspot.com/2013/10/albc-little-bit-shabby.html
Any:  http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/stamp-challenge.html
Any:  http://www.inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/

cars for boys

These dies are from sets that are for kids - some one gave them to me, and I struggle to use them in my Cuttlebug - I added half a dozen pieces of cs for shims in order to get them to cut.  Do any of you use them?  Suggestions?  Another suggestion for Cuttebug - how about a different HB folder?  A horizontal one would be nice!  The DP is Paper Pizzazz.
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Toys:  http://cuttlebugmania.blogspot.co.uk/
Embossing:  http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.co.uk/

Christmas 2013 with dots

Stamps:  Stampendous; Dry embossing - Swiss dots; punched stars; Nesties circles, Misc. ribbon
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Circles:  http://qkrstampede.blogspot.co.uk/
Use a stamp:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/
Any:  http://www.ladyanneschallenges.com/stamp-challenge.html
Any ;  http://pennyblackatallsorts.blogspot.com/

Recycled shabby and shiny

(This may not have the same appearance on the screen as IRL.)  Actually, what I see on the screen may look better!  Well, not everything...  The stripes at the bottom are pieces from an old Christmas card - dark burgundy and gold.  The top is a bit from a metallic gold gift bag, with the Snowflake embossing.  IRL it is much too shiny for my taste, and I sponged with cream color chalk to tone it down - not really showing here.  I also sponged (chalk) the edges of the image - again, much smoother looking IRL.  I roughed the edges to add to the shabby look.  I colored the Stampendous image with Prismas.  As I have mentioned previously I am having difficulty coloring this - still waiting for suggestions!
Sketch (flipped):  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Chalk (sponged):  http://chalknstock.blogspot.com/
Recycle (old card, gift bag) with snowflakes:  http://digistamps4joy-sa.blogspot.com/2013/10/challenge-77-recycling-snowflake.html
Shabby:  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
Sparkle (gold):  http://inkyimpressionschallenges.blogspot.com/

Christmas 2013

Stamps by Stampendous, stamped on  a sort of hand made parchment paper.  The embossed bg (Swiss dots) is a very favorite technique.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Favorite technique:  http://jwscrapshack.blogspot.ca/
Christmas:  http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge2.blogspot.com/2013/10/chnc-challenge-extra-for-october.html?showComment=1381358679049#c2166906042903339106
Polka dots:  http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Neutral:  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/

Set #2 - Five Christmas cards

Here is another set of five cards for this challenge:  http://christmascardsallyearround.blogspot.com/
It is similar to my first entry, but all are different.  They have, however, been posted individually in the past few days and entered in different challenges.  I could use a few more sets of five - great challenge!

CAS Christmas

I really struggle with CAS, and then - NO embellishents!  I used the snowflake embossing folder on the green bg layer -it just does not show up!  The sentiment is from a cube - no maker listed.
Sketch:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
CAS:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.co.uk/
No embellishments:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/
Use a rubber stamp:  http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ 
Any:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Rustic Shepherds

Once again I am working to complete my collection of cards for this year - mostly using the same Stampendous image.  Other supplies:  burlap (from gift packaging); metallic ribbon, argyle EF, paper that seems to be hanmade parchment; Nesties circles.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
favorite color (Hunter):  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://creativecraftchallenges2.blogspot.com/

Snowy Scene

This came from Joan's Gardens shop - I won it as a prize a couple of weeks ago.  It is a lovely scene which I sponged with chalk - some powdered and some regular.  I added Stickles to the snow.  I tried something new - stamping on a piece of satin ribbon  (Hampton Art sentiment), which I attached with  Nesties corner die cut.
Sketch (rotated):  http://seizethesketch.blogspot.com/
Chalk on dry embossing:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/
Ribbon, corner treatment, Christmas item (lamps, sentiment, snowy scene), item from her shop:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2013/10/this-weeks-challenge-with-guest-designer.html
Scene:   http://c2cu.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/challenge-4-october-christmas.html