Christmas Bears...Cupcake Inspiration Challenges #337~Bears

Hello,

Oh my goodness:  check out the adorable cupcakes that my wonderful DT and I are inviting you to draw inspiration from for Cupcake Inspiration Challenges #337.  Those *furry* faces..the light/dark chocolate noses and ears...the sweet little eyes!  I'd have a couple second thoughts about eating something with such a darling expression...but eventually, I'd cave!  If the 'real' creatures were this cutie-patootie, I'd happily go into in the woods and join in a teddy bear picnic! Click on "source" beneath the image, to be taken to the site that offers step by step instructions for decorating the cupcakes.  Maybe these would be a fun addition to your Thanksgiving dinner...

Source

Okay, back to the challenge: I have two bear-themed cards today, although, I think 'snowflakes-themed' might be more appropriate. Eek! Anyway, I'm in Christmas-mode, therefore my bears had to follow suit, so...

One bear shaker...

and one additional teddy and snowflakes.

This week, we thank Crafty Sentiments for being our sponsor; they're generously offering the winner three digis of her/his choice.

Please head over to Cupcake Inspiration Challenges #337, where you'll see beary wonderful inspiration from the rest of the team. Some have used sponsor images; others, like me, used their own bears.  Whatever the choices, I know you'll enjoy the visit.

Looking forward to see your bears in the gallery!

I'm taking my teddies to:

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Christmas

SugarPea Designs Sugar Sketch Challenge #32 (card 2)

Uniko Challnge #27~Christmas

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending part of your day with me!

Reindeer...Inspirational Challenge #96~Photo, Merry Monday #180~Use a Reindeer

Hello,

Is time passing as quickly for you as it is for me? US Thanksgiving literally just a few sleeps away and Christmas following soon behind.  Please tell me I'm not the only one behind in preparations. Please? Perhaps a delicious turkey dinner, with all the trimming, topped off with pumpkin pie would spur me on. Yes, we had our Canadian Thanksgiving back in October, but I could easily be persuaded to celebrate again...Leftovers? Gladly!

Today, my wonderful team - Sandie, Marina , Shauna, Pia, Nonni, Kim, Yvonne - and I, along with our amazing, sweet, crafting-talented, animal-loving guest designer, Asha from  Sunny Summer Crafts, invite you to Inkspirational Challenges #96. We have this lovely photo to spark inspiration..

Reindeer, mittens (aren't they gorgeous...so wooly and scrumptiously white), colours, textures...what catches your eye?

I went with literal for this challenge - minus the rustic - smitten as I am with my favourite reindeer die, who has taken the spotlight on a trio of cards today. 

A shimmery red deer and sentiment paired with a shimmery white forest; in real life, this card gleams!

NOTE: Thrilled to be selected for an Honourable Mention at Merry Monday Challenge #180. THANK YOU!

Second and third: red cardstock, silver shimmery reindeer and sentiments and a woodgrain textured circle in the background.  Simple...

Please visit the Inkspirational blog to see the pretty cards created by the team and Asha. You'll be dazzled, and that means you'll sooooo want to join  us in the gallery. I'm looking forward to seeing how you'll translate this photo!

Also sharing at: Merry Monday #180~Use a Reindeer

and CASology #173~Pretty (which happened only because my husband commented: "That first one is really pretty." Brownie points for him!

Wishing you a wonderful Saturday; I know many of you will be busy preparing for your Thanksgiving gatherings. Wish I could help (cleaning would be best, because I'm a klutz around the kitchen); I'm with you in spirit!

Thank you for sharing part of your day with me!

Hugs,

Tag You're It #35 & In My Creative Opinion~25 Days of Christmas Tags

Hello,

A special post today: my fabulous design team from Tag You're It Challenges are joining with our talented, wonderful, esteemed leader, Tracey, from In My Creative Opinion, to celebrate Day 19 of her amazing series:

Not only do we have opportunity to play alongside Tracey, but as an added perk: we're casing one of her incredibly sweet designs for Tag You're It Challenge #35

From the lovely Christmas light, to the festive polka-dot background, to the patterned holly to the wee silver bells...this tag sure packs an immense amount of 'joy'.  Who wouldn't be inspired by such a gem?  She's truly created magic with her Reverse Confetti goodies!

My card is a simple little number,

with highlights drawn from:

• Tracy's background polka-dot paper mirrored in my selection of patterned paper;
• her use of a Christmas light *ornament* = my very obvious Merry ornament;
• her silver bells reflected in my row of blingy bling bling for the ornament string;
• her holly receiving a nod with my choice of a die cut bow.

Head over to Tracey's blog where you'll see my team's creative genius and then, please join us in the gallery at Tag You're It Challenge #35, as well as in Tracey's main gallery.  The selection of prizes she has: astounding!

Looking forward to seeing how Tracey's tag inspires you!

Wishing you a wonderful Friday and thank you for spending part of your day with me!

Hugs,

Deck the Halls...Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #171~Anything goes, Happy Little Stampers November Sketch Challenge & Anything Goes, In My Creative Opinion~12 Days of Christmas Tags (Day 1)

Hello,

Time for Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge #171

which is an *Anything Goes* invitation.  Yayyyy for those, because we know you'll bring immense variety and creativity to the gallery!  It's also a Design Team call, so if you're interested (nudge, nudge) be sure to read the details on the blog, create a card and add DT after your name. 

I'm still carrying on with my Christmas themed cards/tags, and for this week's challenge, I drew inspiration from Happy Little Stampers November Sketch Challenge

 and, for the image, from In My Creative Opinion~12 Days of Christmas Tags, inspired by Tracey's tag for Day 1

A simple card, really, using a Holly and Berries die, which I sponged with green distress inks and pounced with perfect pearls for some shine. The berries are red stickles (hard to see in the photo. The sentiment: another from my much loved Happy Little Stampers Mixed Christmas Sentiments set.

A second Holly and Berries die cut and ta dahh...a matching little tag.

I'm plotting and scheming some other ways to showcase this die...maybe shimmer paper...

Over at ATSM #171, you'll see plenty of marvelous *Anything Goes* creations by my talented team-mates. Please take a look, leave them some love and join us!  Extra incentive:  the winner will receive a $15 gift coupon for   

 

and

5 digis from

http://rosey-hearts.blogspot.ca/

I'm also entering the gallery at  Happy Little Stampers~Anything Goes

Wishing you a wonderful day and thanking you for spending some of your precious time with me!
Hugs,

PS. To those of you who have noticed and signed up on my Google followers thingy on the right sidebar; THANK YOU!  I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy...

Merry Christmas Snowflakes...MUSE Challenge #141, HLS~Anything Goes, The Paper Players #271~CAS Christmas

Hello,

We ventured forth, finally, yesterday to visit my mother-in law. The drive started on 'compact snow with icy sections' (sketchy!) then transformed into traveling through pouring rain.  We made it (I'm such a white-knuckled backseat driver!) and spent a wonderful evening with his mom, as well as his sister, her husband and their daughter. His niece is a gem and I was delighted to learn that my car I gave her back in May is still being very much spoiled, pampered and loved!

Today, my mother-in-law and I weathered the rain and cool temperatures to watch my husband compete in a cyclo-cross race. A mud, muck and mess fest...perfect for those 'cross aficionados!  Right now, I'm sneaking in a bit of quiet time to post a card I made before we left, inspired by our wonderfully talented and sweet (and patient!) Michele, who delighted us with this gem over at Muse Challenge #141

So unique; so pretty!  Of course, being that water-colouring and I do not mesh well, and given that I have predominately Christmas stuff at the ready, I went off in a slightly 'different' direction.

See...

I translated Michele's pretty circles into snowflakes, used a pink 'frame' that came from another project to mirror her grey background, and placed the whole shebang atop a snowflake embossed green panel.  I added a sentiment from Happy Little Stampers Mixed Christmas Sentiments, some blingy bits and...ta dahhh. Michele...hope I did your lovely card justice with this little snowy entry.

I was going to enter into Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #179~Pink, Green and White but caught the linky closing on the wrong side!  Next time...

I'm joining the gallery at Happy Little Stampers~Anything Goes

The Paper Players Challenge #271~CAS Christmas

Back to visiting with my MIL...

Hope you're having a fabulous Sunday; thank you for spending some of your time with me!

Hugs,

Birthday Cupcake...Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #336 (Ballet, Butter, Coral)

Hello,

Today, my DT and I are delighted to welcome  you Cupcake Inspirations Challenge #336 sparked by these delicious fall-themed leaf and acorn cupcakes.  Want to try your hand at creating these yourself?  Just click on source below the image and you'll be taken to a step-by-step tutorial.  If you make them, there's one rule: share photos!

Source

We're sponsored by Deedee's Digis

and I went 'quite literal' in selecting Autumn Birth Flower Cupcakes as my image.  Serving up: one big yummy cupcake....

Please be sure to visit Cupcake Inspirations to see what the team has created with ballet, butter and coral, then take the recipe and whip up a card of your own to share in the gallery! The winner receives a $15 gift certificate to Deedee's Digis...and I'd love that prize to go to you!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and thank you for spending part of yours with me!

Trio of Tag Cards...The Challenge #50, CAS on Sunday #71~Tag It, Happy Little Stampers November Christmas Challenge~Tags

Hello,

A blustery, snowy Friday, paired with a long, long day at work for my husband, delayed our trip to visit his mom.  As long as the roads are driveable, we'll be going very soon.  Guess I should pack...

Of course, being inside yesterday meant crafting time, and I most certainly did!  My sweet, talented friend from down-the-road aways, Geri, is the guest designer over at The Challenge #50, where we invited to draw inspiration from this fabulous colour/image combination.

Geri's card, paired with those of the DT: inspiration galore. Playing? Yes, yes and yes...as it turns out.  I'm making cards in multiples these days to fill my mom and sister-in-law requests, so a trio to share,  (Cindy L: thank you for your amazing layout/design inspiration!) using the same elements: kraft background, shimmer silver paper for the tags' base (yes, I am currently tag-obsessed) with a white top layer, red 'something'..

Here they are...

I'm also joining the galleries at:

Happy Little Stampers November Christmas Challenge~Tags

CAS on Sunday Challenge #71~Tag It

Hope these bring a smile to the DT as well as my mom and sister-in-law.  Such fun to make...

Wishing you a wonderful Saturday and thank you for spending part of your day with me!

Hugs,