Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's been a crazy year for me, but I have been incredibly blessed. I'm so thankful for all that God has given me. I really felt like this Christmas was meant for me to focus on the greatest gift the world has ever known. The gift God gave us of his son Jesus. I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones and that you are blessed beyond measure in 2011. Especially the blessing of knowing God and receiving all that He has planned for you.

Not a card!!

I am finally posting a project that isn't a card! I don't remember how long it's been since I've done that. (Well, yes I do....Halloween). Still. That's a while. :)

This week's StampInsanity challenge was to make a "happy holiday" themed project. I started off with a card, but quickly found myself making an ornament.

I used my SU Top Note Die to cut the shape/window into my red cardstock. The back of the frame is Chocolate Chip CS (SU). The sentiment is from the beautiful "Holiday Princesses" set (StampInsanity). The flower is punches and a little crystal bling. I drew the squiggles with my white gel pen. The hanger is a string of plastic pearls.

Here's a couple more pictures of my project in action:

Easy. Now jingle all the way over to the challenge blog and submit your stuff! :)

In case I get swept up in all the hoopla of the season I just want to take a sec and wish everyone a wonderful Christmas season. I hope you all get to spend time with the ones you love and you are blessed by the one who loves you most! God bless and Merry Christmas!!!

A little late, of course....

I am a little late posting this week's StampInsanity challenge, but what else is new? :)

The image is from the Holiday Princesses set which is just too cute!The challenge this week was to use ribbon or fabric. I don't typically use either in my projects so this was a fun challenge for me. All I had on hand was some stark white lace that just didn't go with anything. So I used some black craft ink and "dyed" my lace. I distressed the edges of the blue cardstock w/ black ink as well. The patterened paper is from DCWV. The embellishments I've had for years

Check out the StampInsanity blog. They are giving away the Holiday Princesses set if you submit a card. Easy work for an awesome prize!! :)

What I am thankful for...

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser

It would take all of the world-wide interwebs and then some to list all that I am thankful for. :) But here is a short list of the things I'm "super" thankful for:

My wonderful husband, my beautiful son, my amazing family and most of all the peace of salvation that comes from Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord from whom ALL blessings flow!!

Black Friday at StampInsanity

Stampinsanity Stamps is having a black Friday sale. (Sorry I am a little slow in posting this).

Black Friday-Cyber Monday starts today, ends 11/29.

All Day
StampInsanity Stamps will have a 30% off coupon code of: CyberBlack2010

Now is a GREAT time to stock up on those StampInsanity images you've been eye-ballin'. ;)

New Release and Thursday Challenge at StampInsanity!

That's a long title. :)

I was so excited when I saw these super cute new images from StampInsanity. I love the Renaissance look and to tie it in with Christmas was almost too much! Almost...:)

The challenge this week was a sketch. I like sketch challenges. For me, they are just enough freedom and just enough structure. Here is my project:

The image of course is from StampInsanity. Holiday Princess Maddie 2010. It's a set of two images and some really pretty sentiments. It's beautiful!!

I colored Maddie with my PrismaColor pencils and used Stickles on the flowers in her hair. I used floss to "sew" the holly and more stickles for the berries. I made the border on the left with my Fiskars scallop punch. The border around the image is also floss. I think that covers most of it.

Swing on over to StampInsanity and see what all the fuss is about! ;)

StampInsanity Thursday Challenge - Oh Scrap!

Oh Scrap!

That's the name of the challenge over at StampInsanity this week. I love this challenge because it gave me an excuse to go through all my tiny little strips of scrap paper and put them to use.

I didn't intend for this project to work out so well for Veterans day, it was a happy accident. I wanted to use more masculine colors this time around and I LOVE the star image from StampInsanity and the outcome seems to fit perfectly for the holiday today.

I used black floss and "stitched" it across the bottom of the card over my scraps. I also made little floss X's to hold my corner scraps in place. I colored the image with Bic markers and then cut and scored along the lines of the star to make it pop a little.

I am so grateful to all the men and women who have fought and died for our country and our freedom. Words just don't seem enough. Thank you all and God bless you!

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis

I forgot!!

This has been such a busy week that I totally forgot to post Thursday's StampInsanity challenge. I'm so embarassed! Here it is, better late than never I guess...:)

Check out the challenge details here: http://stampinsanity.com/2010/10/sisc33its-a-spookilicious-halloween/

The base of the broom/bag is just a brown paper lunch bag. I took a ruler and cut long slits into it with my exacto knife. Then I put a small piece of cardboard in bottom to give it some support. I tied it off with a ribbon and large twig I found in my yard. :)

The image is from StampInsanity (of course). I colored it with my PrismaColor pencils and adhered it to a piece of black cardstock and patterened paper I got a few years ago at Walmart.

Easy enough, but I don't think I'll be using this as a template for my Halloween favors. The slits were pretty time consuming. I think I will use this to put the best halloween costume prize in. It's almost a prize in itself with that image!! ;)

Worry Dolls

Many years ago while on a school field trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum I had the chance to get a little something from the gift shop. At my age that was the biggest thrill of the trip. :) So as I looked around I saw the cutest little fabric bag. It had a label that read "Trouble Dolls". Inside the little bag were about 8 tiny little dolls dressed in floss and fabric. I loved them! It was so interesting to me to learn about the Guatemalan tradition of taking a doll and telling it one of your worries and then placing it under your pillow when you lay down for bed. Then in the night the little doll would carry your troubles away. I thought it was just the neatest thing. I kept that little bag of dolls for years. As a matter of fact I think I may still have it packed away somewhere.

So, this year I decided to research and find out if I could make some of my own to give out at our Halloween party as favors. Luckily there was no shortage of sites with instructions and background stories. Here is the blog I found most helpful:

http://craftyteacher.blogspot.com/2007/10/make-your-own-worry-dolls-or-toothpick.html

It was surprisingly easy to make. After making one I think that it would be just as easy to personalize or embellish them even. So, for the next few weeks that is what I will be doing. Wrapping floss around toothpicks. :)

What I also discovered was a great way to link these dolls back to an awesome lesson in the bible.

1 Peter 5:7 says:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

What a wonderful hope to have! No matter what we are facing, God cares for us and He wants to carry our burdens!

I know these dolls aren't intended to teach biblical principles but I think that this verse fits them perfectly. So hopefully this Halloween I can share with my friends and family a little hope and a lot of love! :)

StampInsanity Thursday Challenge

This week's challenge is "Life Free/Die-Cut". :)

I've been crazy busy this week so I didn't get the opportunity to really experiment with my embossing as the challenge suggests, but I did do a little something unusual to this card. I put a "bite" on it. :) My husband said a buck-toothed vampire must have bit it because the teeth are too close together. I told him that I did not care what he thought and the next time he meets a vampire he can measure his fangs and get back to me.

Image: Halloween Henry - StampInsanity
Coloring: PrismaColor Pencils
Embossing Folder: SU
Ribbon: SU
Paper: Cherry Cobbler & Basic Black - SU


You can find the challenge information here:

http://stampinsanity.com/blog/

Or you can purchase this great little vampire here:

http://stampinsanity.com/store/


Thanks for looking and don't forget to give this week's challenge a try for yourself!

Prayer Request

I don't know this family but I wanted to share their story all the same.

I follow the blog of a wonderful artist named Dustin Pike. Tonight on his blog he posted a link that literally broke my heart. Here is a link to his post:

http://dustinpike.blogspot.com/2010/10/freebie-and-sincere-request.html

This is the link Dustin mentions in his blog about the Payne family:

http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/10/easton-kit.html

Here is a link to a newspaper report about the accident. I am only posting it to reassure everyone that this is a genuine story.

http://www.santanvalley.com/news/local/47-three-year-old-jaxon-payne-drowns-in-backyard-pool

The Payne family could use any help you could give. If you can't make a donation you could keep them in your prayers. I absolutely cannot imagine what they are going through right now. To be honest I don't even think I could try. PLEASE say a prayer for this precious family and consider helping them if you can. Dustin is taking donations from a digi stamp set he is offering.

I wouldn't normally post things like this but I couldn't read their story and not do something. Even if it's just spreading the word of their struggle and asking you to join me in lifting them up in prayer.

Thank you.

New Release from StampInsanity...Devil Dolls!!

For this card I drew/cut the flames by hand and then glittered the edges. The bat is a digital image from StampInsanity and I just wrote out "Wicked" with a white gel pen. I colored the image with my PrismaColor pencils. The border on top is a rub-on and the white lines I drew with my gel pen. The Devil Doll image is from StampInsanity.

I really loved working with this image! You could really use her all year round. But, in my case I used her for this week's StampInsanity challenge. You can get all the details, and join in the fun here.

http://stampinsanity.com/blog/

And even better, you can order the Devil Dolls set here:

http://stampinsanity.com/store/

Check them out:

Too cool.

Speaking of "too cool" here are my fellow asylum girls. They have some amazing blogs you are going to want to see!

Margie (DTC)- http://ohbumbleismemargie.blogspot.com/

Jacquie - http://javablustamper.blogspot.com/

Juanita - http://stampintwilghtmom.blogspot.com/

Alison - http://alisonsrandomthoughts.blogspot.com/

Erica - http://www.inkedupandreadytoplay.com/

Jules - http://goodkardma.blogspot.com/

Sugar - http://sugscardsnmore.blogspot.com/

Jane - http://jcocraft.blogspot.com/

Lynx (Blackdragon) - http://lynsblogger.blogspot.com/

Kapree - http://kc-consultant.blogspot.com/

Dawn - http://dawnsrubberroom.blogspot.com/

Susan - http://susanscraftychaos.blogspot.com/

Rosalien - http://rosalien-cardfun.blogspot.com/

Chelsea - http://www.scraptasticvoyage.blogspot.com/

You can also support a great cause and get some super cute images by purchasing "Katie for a Cure" from StampInsanity. You can get all the info here:

http://stampinsanity.com/katie/

So, if you've got a few minutes check out all the great links above. You are definitely going to find some things you like!

Coffee Cup Flower

Remember how I was off making a card to post for world card making day? Well, I finished it that day and I finally got the picture uploaded today. So, at least I tried. :) Here is the card I made:

Stamps: Morning Cup, Birthday Banter & Just My Style (for the border along the bottom) - SU

Paper: Chocolate Chip & Bashful Blue - SU

Ribbon: Walmart

Coloring: SU ink and Aqua Painter

World Card Making Day

I've been seeing people post about this day for a while now but I completely forgot about it! It's funny how there is a holiday for everything now! This one I can appreciate though! So, while I go work on a card to post :), here's a list of other "interesting days you can celebrate in October!

October 2
Change a light day
Phileas Fogg's wager day
Techie's day
World farm animals day

October 6
Mad Hatter day

October 8
Lee's national denim day
National Pierogy day

October 9
National Pro-Life cupcake day
World post day

October 10
National cake decorating day
Clergy appreciation day

October 11
National kick butt day

October 12
International moment of frustration scream day
Free thought day
National face your fears day

October 13
International top spinning day
National bring your teddy bear to work/school day

October 14
Be bald and free day

October 15
Mammography day ** Let's all honor this one!
National grouch day

October 16
Dictionary day

October 18
National chocolate cupcake day

October 19
Evaluate your life day
Pro-Life day of silent solidarity

October 21
Get to know your customers day

October 22
Caps Locks day - I think some people celebrate this every day!!

October 23
Make a difference day

October 24
Mother-in-law day

October 26
Howl at the moon night
Mule day

October 27
Cranky co-workers day

October 28
National chocolates day

October 29
Frankenstein Friday
Internet day

October 30
Checklist day
Create a great funeral day
Haunted refrigerator night
National forgiveness day
International bandanna day
National candy corn day

October 31
Books for treats day
National caramel apple day
National knock-knock jokes day
National magic day
...and of course....
Halloween :)

Now, how many of these are actually celebrated or real, I don't know. I found them on this website: http://www.brownielocks.com/october.html. I just thought it was funny. I guess someone, somewhere is always celebrating something! :)

Guess what??!!

I made the StampInsanity DT!!

http://stampinsanity.com/store/

Click the link above to see all the amazing stuff you can purchase or click below to see some great things on the blog!! :)



Stay tuned for some "crazy" stuff!! :)

My dad's birthday card

I made two cards using one of my new SU stamp sets. One will be for my dad's upcoming birthday and the other is for an older gentleman who goes to my church. I love how great this set if for masculine cards!

Stamps: To a Classic - SU

Ink: StazOn Black

Coloring: PrismaColor Pencils

Paper: Chocolate Chip & Pear Pizazz - SU

Ink: Chocolate Chip - SU & VersaMark

Christmas card auditions

I've been trying out a few ideas for this year's Christmas card. I just got the "Greeting Card Kids" stamp set from Stampin' Up and I am loving it. So I'm leaning heavily toward this card. I would have to modify the flower though. It sits pretty high. It would be a pain to mail. :)

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids and Fundamental Phrases - SU

Ink: StazOn Black and Distressing ink - Tea Stain

Ribbon: Unknown

Coloring: PrismaColor Pencils

Embossing: Textile Texture - Cuttlebug

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip & Pear Pizzaz - SU

I made the rose by punching a strip of Cherry Cordial CS with the scallop border punch. I then used my distressing ink to age it a bit. Then I crinkled the paper strip, wrapped it around itself and roughed it up a bit. ;) Then I adhered it with aqua glue.

Not too hard. I might have to tweak a few thing for mass production, but other than that I think it might work well as this year's Christmas card!

Blog candy alert!

Check out this great blog candy giveaway!! ;)

Click on the picture below to go to the blog:

Change of address....again...

I should become a professional change of address card maker! I always use "Loads of Love" from Stampin' Up! to make them too. Here is my latest installment:



Stamps: SU - Loads of Love
Paper: SU - solid cardstock, Unknown patterned
Buttons: SU
Embossing: Cuttlebug - Distressed Stripes
Coloring: PrismaColor Pencils on water color paper

I've got some great new stuff coming from SU so I can't wait! I am really looking forward to making Halloween crafts. I'll be posting things as I finish them.

Back in the saddle...or on the broomstick, whichever the case may be!

I finally got to do some card making!! Yaaa!

We have pretty well settled in the new house and every once in a while I get the chance to actually look at my crafting stuff! Then a miracle of miracles. I got the chance to work on Halloween party invites:

I got the inspiration for this card from this blog: Fantastical World of Holidays

The poem reads:

She weaved a web of silver thread,

a doily for her date.

A little fly with big brown eyes,

quickly approaching fate.

--------------------------

Stamps: Inkadinkadoo
Paper: Stampin' Up
Ink: Brilliance
Spider webs: Hand drawn with silver glitter pen
Embossing: Clear embossing powder for spider and webs

I was so happy to get to craft. My next project will be favors and things for the party. So, here's hoping I will have another post very soon with more to come!!

You'll never believe it!!

I am going to be working on my scrapbook area today. Amid all the boxes and general "moving" debris I am going to carve out a little work area. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to craft something in the near future. Oh wouldn't that be wonderful!! Hope against hope....;)

It's about time!!

Ok, so I am back and up running! Finally. We still haven't moved, but I've got my computer up and internet too! I miss working on my blogs so I can't wait to get started again. I need to flex my crafting muscles!! Thanks for your patience!!

Happy Easter!

Death has no power over Him, the grave could not hold Him!! Praise the Lord, He is risen!!

I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter. God bless!!

Here's hopin' (and praying!)...

We are praying that we'll be moving soon. I cannot wait to get back to crafting! I hate not being able to do anything at all! Keep me in your prayers that everything will work out and we'll be moving in the coming weeks!

Thanks!