Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hi everybody! Just a quick note to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

God Bless!
Chris ☺

My Foxy Guy...

Good morning and happy Wednesday to you! It's been awhile since I posted anything. I've been experiencing the holiday blues, add to that the tragedy that happened in Newtown, CT, and well, I just haven't felt like playing in my craft room. But last night I told myself to stop channel surfing, get off the couch and just go create something. So I did. And I feel better. My mojo is coming back. Here's what I made:

The inside:

My hubby's birthday is Christmas Eve, so I made this for him. I apologize for the crappy pictures. My camera batteries died out on me, so I used my cell phone camera to take the pics. It's hard to see, but I also scored a design in the white parts of the card. I stamped the fox three times: on white card stock, beige card stock, and the rust colored patterned paper. Then I fussy cut, pieced him together, and added him using 3D foam squares.

I'm entering this for three challenges: Cas-ual Fridays challenge 82: use scoring in your design; Retro Sketches # 42; and for Drunken Stampers # 110: to use stripes.

Andy came in last night while I was making this card. I already had the card made and was piecing the fox together. But I had turned the card over so all he saw was a blank white card. He'll be surprised to find out that the fox I was working on was part of his birthday card! I'm sly that way...like a fox! LOL! Sorry, sorry! Had to go there!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope that you have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections (white); DCWV (beige)
DP: Echo Park - This & That (yellow); Basic Grey(?) (rust)
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - April KOM (fox & Foxy Guy); March KOM (Happy B-day)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik; 3D foam squares); Elmer's extra strength glue stick
Accessories: Twine - Doodlebug; Grass - Jolee's By You; Score board - Martha Stewart; Tan marker - Marvy Uchida; Corner Rounder - Fiskars

Naughty or Nice?...

Good Sunday morning! I have another card to share with you! This is for My Favorite Things Guest DT for December:

The inside:

Here is the sketch provided:

The stamp set I used is called ALM - Candy Cane Kisses. Love this sassy sentiment! LOL! I embossed and colored her with Marvy Uchida markers then added some glitter glue to the candy cane, the snowflakes and pom pom on her hat. The snowflakes are from the Seasonal Sentiments set. I really need to color stamped images more often on my cards. I find it very therapeutic!

So, that's it for now. Time to go Christmas shopping now! Have yourself a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill Basics; Strathmore water color paper
DP: Deja Views - Fair Isle Christmas collection
Stamps: MFT - ALM Candy Cane Kisses set; Seasonal Sentiments set (snowflake)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Versa Mark
Markers: Marvy Uchida
Adhesive: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D foam squares
Accessories: DecoArt Craft Twinkles Writer; Fiskars corner rounder

CTD#221 & MM270...

Hello and happy Sunday to you all! Well, it's a brand new week and according to the Mayan calendar, only 12 more day till the end of the world. (If you believe all that...which I don't) Here is what I think of it:

I definitely take the optimist's view! Love that the Oreo cookie looks like the Mayan calendar! Coincidence? I think not! LOL!

Anyhooooo, on to a card that I like to share with you. I am entering this for both The Color Throwdown #221 and for Mojo Monday #270.

The inside:

Here are the challenges:

Love that vintage Santa picture, especially that cute little mouse peeking out of his pocket! I didn't do much stamping on this card other than the inside sentiment. (Very rare of me to do that!) But with the Christmas Emporium collection by Graphic 45, you get a couple of pages of tags, so why wouldn't I use them?! Used both my die cutting machines on this card: my Slice Elite and my Grand Calibur. I used the Noel cartridge and cut the poinsettia 3 times: once in the green paper and twice in the red, but using two different sizes. I then used the layering effect and cut the outlines in black card stock and adhered them to the flowers. I cut some individual leaves from the green paper and glued those on the back of the larger flower, then used foam squares to attach the smaller one on top. My leaves represent the smaller hearts in the sketch. I added a brad and some twine to the tag I cut out and attached that with foam squares as well.

Well, I have one more card to blog about then it's off to do some Christmas shopping! Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: DCWV (green card base); Recollections (kraft); Bazzill Basics (black)
DP: Graphic 45 - Christmas Emporium collection
Stamp: Inkadinkado - Snowflakes set
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Scotch (Scrapbooker's glue); Recollections (red tape)
Accessories: Grand Calibur by Spellbinders; MFT - Jumbo Squiggle border Die-Namics; Slice Elite & Noel cartridge by Making Memories; Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder; JoAnne's (red ribbon); Smooch in Sundance; twine and brad from my stash

Got Cake?....

Hello and Happy Friday! I thought I was done posting today, but hey! I got another one! I'd like to share a card I made for the My Favorite Things Guest DT for December.

And the inside:

Here is the sketch provided:

I used an older collection from WRMK that had a "down home" feel to it. The cake was stamped a few times on different paper, fussy cut, and reassembled. I also added a candle sticker on both cakes. The ribbon is also from MFT (I think) I won it from Barbara Anders blog a while back.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope that you all have a great weekend!

Chris ☺

Supplies: 
Card stock: Recollections
DP: WRMK - Family Keepsake collection
Stamps: MFT - Lovin' From the Oven set
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesives: SA by 3L (MyStik); American Crafts (foam dots)
Accessories: Ribbon (winnings from Barbara Anders blog); Candle stickers (Mrs. Grossman's); Fiskars corner rounder; Marvy Uchida black marker

Oh Snap!....

Hi everyone and TGIF! I want to share with you a card I made for the current Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge: Trend Watch, and while I'm at it, I'm going to enter this card for the Drunken Stampers challenge #108: Fire and Ice.

The inside:

Here are the challenges/inspiration pictures:

Just imagine, it's Christmas morning, and sweet little Fido wakes up to find Santa has left a bunch of presents under the tree for him: a new bone, a fire hydrant, and what could be in the wrapped gift? A chew toy? A ball? A stuffed animal? He's going to have to open it to find out! LOL! And the moment is captured forever in a poloroid picture!

Lots of paper piecing and fussy cutting going on here. That present is actually part of the cake from Hullabaloo. I stamped and cut it out, cutting the icing apart from the cake part, flipping it over, and glued it back on. Now it looks like a present with a fancy lid! Woo hoo!

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope that you have a very crafty weekend! Stamp on my friends, stamp on!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Recollections (white, kraft); Core'Dinations (green); David Tutera card base; scrap
DP: scrap from DCWV, Recollections, Basic Grey; ??
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Christmas Sampler, Woofers & Tweeters, All Yule Need, Hullabaloo
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Lady Bug, Versa Mark
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik); Therm-o-web (dots); Elmer's glue stick
Rhinestones from my stash

O Holy Night....

Hi there and a happy Wednesday to you! Today I'd like to share a card with you that I made for two challenges: the Deconstructed Sketch #79 and the Drunken Stampers #108: Fire and Ice.

the inside:

Here are the challenges:

I used the Nativity stamp I have from Inkadinkado for the main panel. That gold "star" is actually a snowflake applique, but for my scene, I'm using it as a star! I wrapped some gold floss on an angle (like star light) after I inked the edges and distressed all the paper panels. I was going to trim off the ends of the floss that are poking out under the star, but I kinda dig how it looks, so I left them! The inside sentiment is from the same set. I stamped it in Rich Cocoa then colored the letters in with a marker. And that, my friends, is my winter theme!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful rest of your day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Kraft: Recollections
DP: Creative Imaginations - Winter Woodland collection
Stamps: Inkadinkado
Ink: Tsukineko - Rich Cocoa; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Therm-o-web (dots)
Accessories: Floss - DMC; Gold snowflake applique - Hirschberg Schultz & Co.; Distressing tool - Tim Holtz; Marvy Uchida marker in English Red; rhinestones from stash; corner rounder - Fiskars

CTS#7

Good Morning everyone! I just came back from a nice long walk with my fur baby, Colby, and I am so loving how warm it is outside! It must be nearing 60 degrees already! Woo hoo! As much as I'm hoping for a couple of inches of snow on Christmas morning, I wouldn't mind the rest of the winter season to be in the 50's and 60's. Just sayin.

Anyhooooo, here is a card I made for the CAS(E) This Sketch #7 challenge:

Here is the inside:

and the sketch:

I adore this sketch! It helped me create one of my favorite cards so far! Yep, so much more comfortable with the clean, graphic style.

Well, that's all I have for now. The bathrooms beckon to be cleaned, and they are not gonna clean themselves! (but wouldn't THAT be AWESOME! LOL!)

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock Recollections
DP: Echo Park - Metropolitan Dots & Stripes
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Christmas Sampler
Chipboard ornament: MAMBI
Ink: Tsukineko Tuxedo Black
Floss: DMC
EF: Cuttlebug
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D foam squares); Therm-o-web (dots)
Other: decorative scissors - Provo Craft; rhinestones - Colorbok

Victorian frames...

Hey there and good Sunday evening to you all! I'm getting this card entered under the wire...as usual! This is for Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger: Frame by Frame.

and the inside:

Here is the inspiration photo:

I die cut paper into an oval and adhered lace around it. Added some flowers and stamped the sentiment on the inside. I know that sounds like I put this card together in 5 minutes, but, in reality, it probably took me 2 hours to finish! (Always agonizing over what paper to use! It take me forever to decide!) This was definitely not my usual type of card. I guess I'm more of a clean and graphic type card maker. So of course, I don't like this card at all! LOL! But hey, that's what all these challenges are all about: to step outside your comfort zone and try different things.

Anyways, that's all I have for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great evening!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: card base by David Tutera; Recollections (black)
DP: Webster's Pages - Hollywood Vogue
Flowers: Petaloo
Lace: Simplicity
Stamp: Hero Arts
Ink: Tsukineko Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik); Recollections (red tape); Therm-o-web (dots)
Other: Grand Calibur, Classic Ovals Lg Nesties, Fleur De Lis border; brad

Holiday cheer...and a ribbon wreath!

Hi all! I'm back with the second card I made. I used the sketch from The Paper Players, but didn't finish my card in time to submit my entry. Oh well!

and the inside:

Ok, so you may have noticed that ribbon wreath on the card. ☺ I made this using the tutorial I saw here. Seriously, it's so easy to make! As a friend of mine always said, "It looks pretty slappin' good!" LOL! Added a few embellies and it came out better than I expected. And just for kicks and giggles, I'm going to enter this one also for the Simon Says Stamp Challenge: Anything goes.

Well, I'm going to go and maybe do some more crafting now. Thanks again for stopping by! I hope that your evening is fabulous!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card Stock: Recollections (kraft); DCWV (green)
DP: Graphic 45 - Christmas Emporium
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Christmas Sampler
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Ribbon: Michael's
Holly punch - Martha Stewart
Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D Foam Squares); Helmar 450 glue
Other: Offray (bow); Making Memories (ampersand sticker); rhinestones from stash

A glimpse inside....

Hi all! It's been a while since I posted anything. I got caught up in reading the Sweethaven trilogy by Courtney Walsh. Did I enjoy them? Well, I started the first book on Tuesday and finished the third book last night. Yes, I can say that I DEFINITELY loved the books! If you scrapbook, this is a book series made for you, since it revolves around a group of women who scrapbook.

But, even with all that reading, I did still manage to crank out a couple cards. Here is the first one:

and the inside:

Last Saturday, I drove the 40 minutes to my nearest LSS, (not your Michael's/Jo-Anne's/AC Moore, but a real honest to goodness scrapbook store!) I did this especially for Small Business Saturday. (Gotta do our part for those fabulous small businesses!) This window die is one of the goodies I snagged while there. I knew I wanted to try and make a card that gives the appearance of looking into the window to the scene inside. I found the perfect paper from Graphic 45's Christmas Emporium for my scene: three little darlings with Santa Claus! I wanted the card base to look like a brick wall, so I used some brick colored Core'dinations card stock and scored the bricks using my score board by Martha Stewart. I sanded the lines a bit to make them show up more. It still was missing a little something, so I fussy cut the wreath and holly leaves and adhered them to the card. Done and done. Gotta say, I LOVE how this came out!

I'm going to enter this in the current Simon Says Stamp challenge: Anything goes. I don't think I've ever tried this challenge before. I can see why: there are already over 500 entries!!! Holy Toledo Batman!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Core'Dinations
DP: Graphic 45 - Christmas Emporium
Die: Poppystamps - Grand Madison Arched Window die
Stamp: Unity Stamps - August 2012 KOM
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black
Adhesive: SA by 3L - MyStik, Crafty Power Tape, 3D Foam Squares
Other: Spellbinders Grand Calibur & Labels 16 Nesties; Martha Stewart Score board

hearts home holidays...

Happy Black Friday! LOL! I'm one of those rare birds that do NOT go out for this. Way too many crazy people out there!

So, after enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal, the tryptophan started to kick in. (The wine I had with my meal probably made it kick in even faster! LOL!) So, after changing into my sweatpants (with the elastic waist band...hey, you KNOW you did the same thing too!) I went to my craft cave and worked on another card. This I am entering for the CTD#219, Retro Sketch #38, and Unity Stamp's Friends with Flair.

And the inside:

Here are the colors and sketch I based my card off of.

I did alot of stamping with this card. On the soft sky panel I stamped snowflakes using Versa Mark ink. I did the same with the limeade panel but using the holly stamp, and repeated that on the inside panel as well. Nothing like making your own designer paper! ☺ I like the understated look it gives. I colored the heart with a marker then used some glitter glue over it for a hint of sparkle. There is also a bit of glitter glue on the snowflake between the reindeer.

Thanks for stopping by. If you are one of the many who brave Black Friday, I wish you good hunting! Have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: DCWV (grey); Bazzill (limeade); Recollections (white, soft sky)
DP: Echo Park - Happy Days (Bermuda bay)
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co. - October 2012 KOTM
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Versa Mark
Adhesive: SA by 3L - Crafty Power Tape, 3D Foam Squares
Other: DecoArt Twinkles Writer; Marvy Uchida marker - Peacock blue

Winter blues...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I'm posting a quick card before I get down to the nitty gritty of preparing the bird and fixings. I'm going to enter this for both CAS-ual Fridays and CAS(E) this Sketch challenges:

and the inside:

Here are the challenges:

A very simple card, this came together in no time. Again, I used stash that I've been hording (the glittery foam snowflakes!) I even used the center dots from some of the snowflakes.

Well, that's all I've got for now. From my family to yours, we hope that you have a Happy Thanksgiving and have a tryptophantastic day! LOL!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (white); DCWV (metallic blue)
DP: Deja Views - Fair Isle Christmas collection
Stamps: Paper Smooches - Christmas Sampler
Marker: Marvy Uchida - blue
Snowflakes - Michael's
Embossing folder - Cuttlebug
Adhesive: SA by 3L - MyStik and 3D foam squares

Thinking of you...

Hello everyone and happy day-before-Thanksgiving to you! I have a card I'd like to share with you. Usually I make cards for a challenge, but not this one. There is no sketch, no color challenge. Just a card I made to give to a good friend.

the inside:

I have a friend who used to live next door to me, before they bought another house and moved last year. We still keep in touch, but not nearly as often as we'd like. They have quite the full plate: a new house that they are renovating/remodeling; both have full time jobs; two busy kids; a dog; her Father-in-Law living with them now (he's has Dementia and can't live on his own.), hosting Thanksgiving this year. See? Alot on their plate. To add to that, Mark had what he thought was a bad virus which was causing his throat to swell. Since the medication he was taking wasn't working, he went in for an MRI. That's when they found he had a tumor in his throat. He's in the hospital now and they are going over with the doctor's what can be done. I am waiting for more information from them. I wanted to make Mark and Kelly a card to let them know that Andy and I are thinking of them and that they are in our prayers. Any additional prayers from you would be welcome!

Thanks for listening and for sending out your good thoughts and prayers to a great family!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock & vellum: Recollections
DP: DCWV - Mariposa Stack
Stamps: Papertrey Ink - Botanical Silhouettes
Ink: Tsukineko- Rich Cocoa; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan
Marker: Marvy Uchida - Plum
Adhesive: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D foam squares
Other: Grand Calibur & Classic Lg Ovals Nesties; Cuttlebug embossing folder; rhinestones by Colorbok

Good Cheer

Hi again! This is my second post for today. I'll get right to it as my fur baby is not so subtly letting me know he wants some attention! For this card, I used the sketch from the current Sparks challenge from Paper Smooches:

the inside:

And the sketch:

I stamped the penguin and seal, paper pieced the bow, scarf, beak and feet, then did a little shading. For the most part, I followed the sketch...except for that scalloped element under the main panel. I've amassed quite a bit of Christmas embellishments over the past few years and very rarely use them. (Anybody else have that problem?) So as a challenge to myself, I've been trying to use some on my projects. This teeny tiny string of lights were just begging to be used on this card. I know, it looks kind of strange, but I like it! What says good cheer better than a cute penguin and seal standing in glitter 'snow' and Christmas lights?! LOL! (Well, maybe a pomegranate martini, but that's another story entirely!) 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed and thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:

Card stock: DCWV (card base); Bazzill (black); Recollections (white)

DP: MME - Colorful Christmas

Stamps: Paper Smooches - Chilly Chums; Christmas Sampler

Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black

Markers: Marvy Uchida

Adhesive: SA by 3L (MyStik, 3D Foam Sqs.); Scotch glue; Therm-o-web (Dots)

Other: Glitter - Stampendous; Lights - Jolee's Boutique

Mojo Monday 267

Happy Sunday all! Did anyone else go see Breaking Dawn 2? OMG! Sooooo good! If you follow the books and movies, do yourself a favor and go see it! Ok, that's all I'll say on that subject! (grin!)

So here's a card I made using the Mojo Monday #267 sketch:

and the inside:

Here is the sketch:

I like the tilted panel on this card sketch. This card came together using old and new tools. For the round element, I used my new toy: the Shape Studio by Epiphany Crafts! Fun fun fun! I also broke out a couple decorative scissors (pinking, postage stamp). It totally boggles the mind just how far paper crafting tools have advanced over the past few years. But I enjoy mixing it up with old and new tools! For the inside panel, I stamped on some scrap paper before stamping the holly border around the panel edge.

I have another card to post so stay tuned and I hope you have a great day!

Chris ☺

Supplies:
Card stock: Bazzill (black, beige); Core'dinations ( green)
DP: Graphic 45 - Christmas Emporium
Stamps: Unity Stamp Co.: August 2012 KOTM (sentiments); A Simple Christmas set (holly border)
Ink: Tsukineko - Tuxedo Black, Bamboo Leaves; Clear Snap - Chestnut Roan
Decorative scissors: Fiskars (pinking); Provo Craft (postage stamp)
Adhesive: SA by 3L - MyStik, 3D Foam Squares
Other: Epiphany Crafts - Shape Studio, Round 25 Bubble Caps & Charm settings; twine