Happy Birthday....Uniko Studio Challenges #15~Texture, Stempelküche-Challenge #7: Strukturpaste, Just Add Ink #240~Texture

Hello!

A three-day work week,  yet I'm cheering exuberantly that the weekend is upon us!  Oh, how I wish I could replay the fabulous, awesome, and all around delightful past weekend with my family, however, 'tis not the case. Rather, I'll be up to my eyeballs in Christmas card and tag making, working fervently to get a stash for my mom.  I have so many ideas, and given the plethora of NBUS I've accumulated over the past very short while (Mr. Visa has been exercising far, far too hard!), I'd best get crackin' so everything makes at least one debut.

My card today, however, is a deviation from my Christmas card only diet (one does need to 'cheat' now and again), for the current Uniko Studio Challenge #15~Texture, plus

a selection of colours from this gorgeous palette

Just Add Ink #240~Texture is also one of my destinations, as is a 'first time' visit to this challenge - 

Stempelküche-Challenge #7: Strukturpaste, where my amazing uber-talented friend, Julia is a DT member.

As you'll see, one of my 'textures' is obvious: embossing paste. What's also obvious is that I need a whole lot more practice using it! The TH stencil I chose was tricky to work with...so I'll blame 'him' for a bit of 'messy.' 

My second 'texture' technique comes from none other than our creative Jennifer, McGuire, who showed us, in her video here, how to wield a white Prismacolour pencil and a white eraser to add highlights, dimension and texture to stamped images.  While the 'blending' of the white onto my Uniko Beautiful Bloom is difficult to see in the photo, the real life version is quite pretty. An easy 'to do' that certainly adds a 'special touch'.

Here's my card...

Before you go, a photo my sweet  niece, Ms. T! Yes, I'm biased Aunty C, but I think she's adorable! You can see why visiting her, and her brother, Mr. C (photo of him down the road), brings sparkle to my life. Love you, Ms. T!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Merry Christmas Snowflake Frame....Addicted to Stamps and More #121~Anything Goes

Hello...I'm writing this post just before we head back from visiting my family. You can imagine I am not a happy camper, as I've had only toooooo much fabulous, awesome, amazing and delightful time with my parents and especially my niece and nephew. They are a frolicking, rollicking duo, filled with shenanigans galore.  I'm not sure when next we'll visit, as we'll be spending Christmas with my husband's family, but...perhaps I can squeeze in a visit once we return, provided frosty, winter wonderlands aren't in the forecast.  Anyway...enough talking about 'leaving', and turning to events far more happy.

I'm joining my amazing team mates for this week's new Addicted To Stamps and More #121~Anything Goes challenge.  As I've mentioned before, I'm on a Christmas card quest to make an 'abundance' of cards for my mom to sell at craft/bake sale held at the neighbourhood seniors' residence where she volunteers (any proceeds are going to her volunteer group).  Abundance, of course, means designing in multiples, but because I'm dreadful with full-fledged repeats, some variations *must* occur (if possible...).

The set I'm sharing are precisely of this ilk; same, yet different.  The frame die from Simon Says is pure delight; I'll be making a set of cards for my mom to mail to relatives. Any guesses whose photos will be inside those frames?

This one is rather busy, but that paper is such fun...

Nothing particularly 'refined' here, but hope you find these simple cards easy on the eyes (and easy on the time, too!).

I hope you'll share your Anything Goes gem in the gallery. This week's winner will receive 3 digis of their choice from

http://stitchybearstamps.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index

By the way, check out my new blog signature, created by my amazing DT leader, Kylie!  To say I LOVE it would be an understatement.  THANK YOU, Kylie!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Holly Ornament Merry Christmas...Inkspirational Challenges #69~Shine, Happy Little Stampers~November Sketch Challenge, Virginia's View Challenge #9~All Things Metallic

Hello everyone...

It's time for Inspirational Challenges #69 and the DT is inviting you to dress up your cards with glitter, sparkle and shimmer.  Yes, the theme is "Shine"...

Use whatever you choose - embossing, sparkles, stickles, Wink of Stella, sequins. the list is as varied as is your creativity -  to bring the shazzam and pizzazz of glitz and glamour to your cards.

This week, we're joined by the incredibly talented Rocky, who is sharing a gorgeous card as well as a tutorial over at her blog.  Her card, alongside the shine-themed cards created by the Inkspirational Team: dazzle guaranteed!

Marina

Sandie

Shauna

Yvonne

Nonni

Kim

Pia

Here are my cards: an inlaid ornament die, using various shimmery papers, as well as an embossed sentiment.  One in gold and bronze...

One in silver and teal...

The duo...

I hope to see your card/s in the gallery; a top pick/s will be invited to guest design for a future challenge.  I'd love if it were YOU...

I followed the sketch from Happy Little Stampers~November Sketch Challenge - but totally forgot to include it in my original write-up. I'll blame that entirely on the excitement of getting ready to visit my family!

ETA: I'm also joining Virginia's View Challenge #9~All Things Metallic

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Reindeer and Trees...CAS(E) this Sketch #98, City Crafter Challenge Blog Week #236~My Deer

Hello...

This week is zipping by and before I know it, Friday afternoon will arrive to see us heading off to visit my family for FOUR days (we have Monday and Tuesday off - a wee 'fall break' from school added on to Remembrance Day)! Call me excited!

My husband will be racing the last two cyclo-cross events of the season on Saturday and Sunday, so hopefully, a bundled up niece and nephew will join their mega-bundled up Aunty C (should have seen me last weekend. I was a fashion statement indeed...of what not to wear, but I was much warmed than the cyclists sporting their racing kit. Snow and spandex...yeah, no) to cheer him on.  I'm hoping to get a bit of shopping in (sweaters...I need sweaters!), and then spend most of Sunday helping my mom with a family supper preparations to celebrate by brother's birthday (from October) and my husband's (on Sunday).  Of course, having Ms. T and Mr. C joining us is a 'must'!

I've been crafting mightily, any minute I can, to get cards ready for the Christmas Bazaar at the seniors' residence where my mom volunteers. A few are ready to go, then once back home, I'll be working frantically to get them ready for shipping (my husband will be the delivery man, as he has a meeting in Edmonton) on  Dec. 2, in time for the Dec. 6 event.  Cards, and the Advent Countdown for my niece and nephew, will be my focus, soooooo...hope I don't bore you to tears with the abundance of Christmas you'll see for the next bit.

Today, three cards to share. The first two are heading to CAS(E) this Sketch #98

and this one, as well as the one below, are off to City Crafter Challenge Blog Week #236~My Deer

Although I didn't get my reindeer cards done in time, I was inspired by MUSE #91, where the talented, creative Michele, invited us to use designer paper to make a set of three cards; same theme, different formats. I do have a third, but it's a 'little secret' for now.  I'll be following her suggestion as I continue with my Christmas-only diet (and maybe three will become fours, or fives...).

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Guest Designer for Day 1 of 25 Days of Christmas Tags, Addicted to Cas #51~Tag, Tag, You're It #9

Happy Monday!

Today is incredibly special for two reasons.

First, it’s the launch of the amazing, talented, designer extraordinaire Tracey McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags inspiration, for 2014 (if you want to be WOWed, check out her Pinterest boards here: 2011, 2012, 2013).  

For the next 25 days, Tracey will be posting a new Christmas tag she’s created AND her tag will be joined by one (or two…) created by a Guest Designer. 

I’m beyond excited to announce that I’m joining Tracey as her Day 1 GD, having won the oh-so-fabulous prize she offered last year. To say I’m honoured to have my tags standing next to Tracey’s is an understatement!  

I’m sharing two tags today (of course I would…)

Technically, this little number is a tag card, featuring NUBS by way of the paper, the wee bell and the Christmas sentiment (thanks to Geri Freeman for setting me in that direction *grin*)

My second is a tag, featuring my peace die you've seen before, joined by NBUS paper and wee ornament, cut from foil paper.

Be sure to check by Tracey's blog every day for the next 25 days.  If you thought previous editions of her tag series were amazing, this year will be a show-stopping knock-out!  She has an incredible line up of guests ready to 'tantalize your tag-making' mojo, as well as a selection of prizes from some wildly popular sponsors:

Reverse Confetti

Clearly Besotted

CAS-ual Fridays

Neat and Tangled

Paper Smooches

See…I told you this would be fabulous!!

How do you win?  Easy peasy!  Simply comment on my blog, Tracey's blog and the blogs of her other GDs, by November 27th.  I'll be selecting a random commenter to Tracey, who will be making the prize draw over at her site on the 28th.  Ready...set...comment

I’m also sharing my tags at Addicted to Cas #51~Tags

and Tag, You're It #9, where Leigh's tag is our inspiration (only my first tag).

I'm super excited to see what Tracey has in store for the next 24 days.  Thank you for inviting me to join you!

As for the second incredibly special feature of this day? It's our lovely

 Tracey’s birthday!!

Happy Birthday, my friend!  May your day be filled with celebrations, joy and love - and wishes for more of the same in the year to come!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Snowflake Peace and Snowflake Merry Christmas #2...CAS(E) this Sketch #97, Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Hello...

Just a quick post today because I *have* to run at break-neck speed to read about the epic adventure of six card-making gals who I absolutely adore and love.  This amazing group of BABES (Benevolent Association of Beloved and Esteemed Stampers) spent a glorious week together; the result of a year of planning and traveling a grand total of 20,350 miles (32,558 km) to and from Minnesota.  Crafting, companionship, shenanigans...these gals made their dream of meeting one another come true.  And I'm soooooo excited to find out all the details.  Come and join me on a visit to the blogs of the amazing and awesome Kim , Darnell,, Bev , Ardyth, Geri, Anita 

Guess I'd better share my card before I dash:

Two for today...
The first one is heading off to CAS(E) this Sketch #97

My second card is version #2 of the one in my previous post; the sentiment is embossed in a lovely sparkly bronze and that snowflake that looks kind of green is NOT! It's gold. Really!  Lighting issues, especially with daylight slipping away earlier and earlier (daylight saving for us starts Sunday...an extra hour of sleep, but it will be dark here by 4:00....). Anyway

Both are also off to Simon Says Wednesday Challenge~Anything Goes

Now, I'm off to check out the BABES!!

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!

Snowflake Merry Christmas...Addicted to Stamps & More #119~Clean and Simple

Hello! I'm back to invite you to join in at the new Addicted to Stamps and More #119~Clean and Simple challenge.  The DT have a fabulous gallery of cards to inspire you; if you haven't been, please head over to see the dazzling delights. If you've already been, thank you immensely for coming my way.

My card definitely leans more to the "and More" part of the challenge, as the only stamping is the embossed sentiment, which I've had in my stash for a couple years and have used maybe twice! *palm smack on the forehead* All this time...and only yesterday I discover it?  Oh well, it will receive plenty of love in the days to come. My snowflakes are a combination of WPlus9, Memory Box and Poppy Stamps, die cut in foil paper.  A simple card (perhaps too simple...does it need to splatters? Maybe some embossing?  I'm only asking because I think I'll make a couple more for my mom's sale at the senior's residence. Improving the 'pretty' suggestions more than welcome!). I did a second one (too dark to photograph) using a lovely bronze embossing powder, and copper, gold and red snowflakes.  I'll share later...

I hope you'll join us in the gallery.  The winner of this challenge will receive 3 free digis from

http://www.qkrstampede.com

I'm excited to see what you'll create!

Speaking of AH-MAZING creations:  my new watermark, designed by the oh-so-talent Kylie.  More info to have her design a gorgeous watermark for you can be found here:

Thanks so much for dropping by; your visit and comments add sparkle to my day!