Christmas Greetings!!

It has been a crazy few weeks around here, Busy with work and the holidays!! Wish I could say my Christmas shopping was done....

Did get a chance to play with another one of the Viva la Verve sketches... using some older sets....

 Stamped the ornaments from Verve's Holly Jolly... when I was in the "moment" I was thinking of the Jingle Bell song {yes, I'm spending some time these days with a 2 year old). So the music cuttlebug embossing folder was perfect.

The sketch...

Hoping you had a great WE.... me, it's been interesting! My DH is the "bomb"!!! He decorated the tree- yes, that means hanging the ornaments and oh, so perfectly!! Then he hung the garland with lights on the stair railing...

Tomorrow off to do some Christmas shopping...I want it done!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Color Throwdown #320- Elf!!

Good Morning!! It's time for another set of colors..... brought to us by Barbara!! Tis' the Season!!

Aren't those fabulous colors!!!!

 I'm still struggling with the change in daylight and taking pics... BUT.... isn't that the sweetest image ever!! This sweet elf is from a recently release Waltzingmouse set called Jolly Old Elf. There are several variations of the elf and you could also created a Santa or a gnome.


Our Guest Designer this month is...Petra Stewart and you can find her blog here. So glad you played with us this month!! All of your cards have been fantastic!!

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD320  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

I use this week's CAS(E) this sketch... the circle became a rectangle :)

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Bless us everyone!!

Feeling "blessed" today... time to stamp... DH spent a day doing his thing {he rarely takes time for himself}...

... a new Keurig {loving this thing, for a coffee lover there is nothing worse than waking up getting ready for work and expecting the coffee to be there- had to stop by Starbucks on the way to work Friday, long line- Saturday morning in PJs is not exactly the right attire!} I can have my java boost and DH can make a milder version {so he doesn't shake!}

Anywho... here's one of the cards I made...

Played in the Viva la Verve sketch week 1 and the Diva Dare to use vellum. That sweet bird from Verve's Christmas Joy was stamped in Early Espresso onto XPressIt Blending cardstock and colored with copics. Die cut with Verve Sweet Scallop die... die cut another scallop tag in blue and offset. Sentiment is from the same Verve set... Christmas Joy. Added some snowflakes diecut with Verve's Snowflake Tidings dies, stamped onto vellum with versamark and heat embossed with white using the snowflake images from Verve's Glad Tidings.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

CTD #319- comfort & joy!!

Good Morning! Welcome to this week's Color Throwdown challenge! This week Wanda picked the colors and inspiration pic-

Isn't that the sweetest hat!! LOVE IT!! I'm thinking Grandma has been searching the web and thinking of the little one!!

 I played with some new Reverse Confetti and made a Christmas card with non-traditional colors. Went a little scrappy too!! Love these new RC dies-Confetti Cuts- Branch Out, Circle Garland, and Class Act. The sentiment is from Seasonal Sentiments by RC.

For the layout I used this month's SFYTT.

Our Guest Designer this month is...Petra Stewart and you can find her blog here. So glad you are playing with us this month!!

And Welcome to Chet Wszelaki our Guest Star Stamper this week!! You can find Chet's blog here.

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD318  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Serendipity Stamps Challenge!!

Yikes it is November and I have to say we are shivering in the south- I know, I know- there are many that are dealing with snow but, dang I moved to the south to get out of the cold!!! Thanksgiving (US) will be here before you know it- I have my Thanksgiving food "wish list" from the family and working on my grocery list-it's a long one!!!

Here's my card....

Once a month (on the first Wednesday) a new challenge is posted at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog using a central theme. The design team provides samples for inspiration at the beginning, and then again at the half way point of the challenge (on the third Wednesday), but you have the whole month to join us!!

This month the challenge theme is Thankful/Grateful. Mary also gives the DT an extra challenge- this round we were asked to reuse/repurpose something.

I wanted to play with Serendipity's leaves and dies some more so I die cut the leaves with the Leaf Pops dies and then sponged with distress inks in various colors. Next, I stamped the outlines using the Leaf Pops images. For the sentiment, from the Every Days Words Small Vertical cling set, I cut out a piece of cardboard from a box and stamped the sentiment on the non-corrugated side.

Need a little inspiration to get you started?  

We have a special guest joining us this month - Lisa Minckler  From You Made Me Ink!  

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and the theme of Thankful/Grateful. You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

For more inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

Karen Amidon
Jeanne Jachna

Marybeth Lopez

Jenny Gropp 

Julie Warner 

 Miriam Napier

This week’s special is Free Shipping on any US order $15 or more.  Good through Nov 26th.

 

I used the Retrosketch for the layout.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Happy Happy Birthday!! CAS(e) this Sketch!

Happy Sunday!! Went away this WE for a highschool cheerleading competition.... my sweet Maddie's team placed 6th out of 22 and it was only the second time they have ever competed!!

So, I'm back and had a chance to make this card for the CAS(e) this sketch challenge

Thinking this could work for a guy card...?!? Played with some new Reverse Confetti Chevron dies-- all three widths cut at the same time. Sentiment is from Simon Says Stamps. I soooo flounder when it comes to CAS sketches...

Pleased I even came up with something ;)

The sketch....

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop!!!!

Yeah!! It's time for another Serendipity Stamps Blog Hop!!! Today the DT are featuring some of the recently released Christmas stamps and dies. Can you say Whoo Hoo!!!!!

You should have arrived here from the fantastic Miriam Napier, if not I will have the link list below so you can start at the beginning!!

I made several cards today and I hope you enjoy them!! Just wanted to play with all the new goodies!!

My first card.....

I used the Ornaments Negative Cling Set and the Joy Die. The gold ornament was stamped in versamark and heat embossed with gold. The fabulous Joy die was die cut three times with gold paper and layered for a little dimension.... isn't it fabulous- love the font/curly ques (that's a professional word, right!?)

For my next card I used both the Ornaments Cling set and Ornaments Negative cling set in color but, on the soft/subtle side.... the sentiment is Serendipity's Happy Christmas.     

For this card, I stamped the Ornament Background Cling Set (actual size is 5.75 square) with versamark and heat embossed with white. Next I sponged the panel with two shades of blue. After that I didn't want to cover it up- so, I added the Happy Holidays sentiment on a blue panel, added a panel of silver shiny paper, silver twine, and sequins. Honestly, I tried to get a better picture- this doesn't do it justice- IRL those ornaments stand out with the blue and the silver adds a little sumthin' sumthin'

Here's my last card....

I started by stamping the Poinsettia Background (actual size 5.75") in black, but, I only used a portion of the image for the background. Stamped it again and fussy cut some of the poinsettias to "pop up" for a little dimension. The Serendipity Peace die was cut three times from gold paper and layered. Added some black seam binding and gold curly ribbon.

There are prizes as always.... leave comments on all the posts along the hop and you have a chance to win a $20 gift certificate which will be chosen randomly from one of the blogs. 

For another chance to win you can LIKE Serendipity Stamps and SHARE on Facebook.   A $20 gift certificate will be awarded.  Here's a link to our Facebook Page- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Serendipity-Stamps/177833132296051

You have until Monday 11-17 to leave a comment.  The winner will be posted on Mary's blog on 11-18.  

Your next stop on the hop is the fabulous Jeanne Jachna.

Here's the blog hop list if you need to start from the beginning. 

Mary's Blog

Karen Amidon
Marybeth Lopez
Miriam Napier
Vickie Zimmer- that's me!!
Jeanne Jachna
Jenny Gropp
Julie Warner

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

CTD 318- Happy Birthday!!

Good Morning!! Time for this week's colors and I am the hostest this week! Yep, I like orange---with blues- hope you do to!!

Here's my card....

I have had this Saturated Canary image for a while and was too nervous to color her but, I decided it was time to try. Need some pleat and hair practice :) But, she's adorable isn't she!!

I used last week's FMS for the layout.

Our Guest Designer this month is the wonderful...Petra Stewart and you can find her blog here. So glad you are playing with us this month!!

And Welcome to Doni High our Guest Star Stamper this week!! You can find Doni's blog here.

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD318  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

CTD317- Thank my Lucky Stars....

Good Morning and Happy Wednesday!! Sweet Joan picked the colors this week.....  absolutely fun (well, I was a little skeered at first- probably the purple- but, honestly the one thing I have learned is that the inspiration pics and colors my teamies pick always work, always!!)

Yes, this image reminded me of "space" sooo...

The white panel was die cut with Simon Says Stamp Confetti circle and the outside was sponged with SU inks. This was layered over another white panel that was sponged with the same colors. Finished it off with stars both wooden and die cut with a Reverse Confetti die, a sentiment from WPlus9 and twine.

Our Guest Designer this month is the wonderful...Petra Stewart and you can find her blog here. Welcome and glad to have you joining us!!

Don't forget to visit the other CTD DT blogs for more inspiration.

Barbara Anders - Paper Pursuits

Broni Holcombe - Splashes of Watercolor

Joan Ervin - Stamping With Passion

Lori Tecler - Inking Aloud
 Wanda Cullen - Cullen-ary Creations

Monika Davis- MAD Stamper

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy

 Jodi Collins- Stampin a Latte

Remember, if you don't have the exact colors, use whatever you have that's close...this is all about having fun!  AND... remember "neutrals" are free! If you upload to a public gallery, please use the key words CTD317  Also, when linking up your card using the linky tool at the bottom of the post, please link to your specific post, not a generic link to your blog.  

When you are finished with your creation, head over to the Color Throwdown blog to add your entry to the Inlinkz tool.

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

Serendipity Stamps Blog Challenge---Thanks!!

Yikes can you believe it is November already!! Thanksgiving will be here before you know it (in the US) and I know my Canadian friends have already celebrated!!

Once a month (on the first Wednesday) a new challenge is posted at Serendipity Stamps Challenge Blog using a central theme. The design team provides samples for inspiration at the beginning, and then again at the half way point of the challenge (on the third Wednesday), but you have the whole month to join us!!

This month the challenge theme is Thankful/Grateful.

I stamped the Serendipity wreath from the Harvest Cling Set onto XPress It blending cardstock and colored with copics. Next, I embossed the panel with SU's textile embossing folder- gives a little homey, warm feeling to this image. The Thanks is a Serendipity die that I cut three times and layered for dimension.

So Mary always gives the DT a "little" extra challenge and this week it was to explain why we chose the stamps/dies we used. Well, obviously it is the time of year for reflection and to give thanks for what we have.... sometimes it's easy to be in the "wanting mode"- not exactly like wanting what the "Jone's" have but, wanting more and not really appreciating we've been given. I do that, I'm sure we all do [although I'd still love that beach house :)] Anywho, when you read the news and really, really think about how lucky you are and what is important...it's the basic things like food, family, love, friends, faith, health......that was what was on my mind.

Need a little inspiration to get you started?  We have a special guest joining us this month - Lisa Minckler  From You Made Me Ink!  

The rules are simple... play along using at least one Serendipity Stamps image on your submission and the theme of Thankful/Grateful. You don't have to have a blog to play along - you can link your designs to any on line gallery.

Click Here for all the details

For more inspiration there are samples from the design team on the challenge blog or you can visit them directly and get all the details by clicking on their names below.

Karen Amidon
Jeanne Jachna

Marybeth Lopez

Jenny Gropp 

Julie Warner 

 Miriam Napier

This week’s sale is 20% off both the Thanksgiving and the Autumn Categories.  

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!

BOO!

Quick post... planned to post this on Friday for Halloween and then, my girls hijacked me to go out to dinner!! We did have fun!! Left the candy on the front porch... a first for me, Yes, that BIG bowl was empty when we got home (didn't expect less) but, I had some in reserve for the last of the trick or treaters!!

Played with my Waltzingmouse Stamps..... Cicely At Halloween and Halloween Party. The background paper was embossed with a woodgrain embossing folder and added some copic coloring to highlight.

Played in the Fusion Card Challenge using both the inspiration pic and sketch.

Thanks for stopping by!! Appreciate all the kind words!!

Joy

Started working on some Christmas cards... this is the first for this year!

Played with a bunch of dies.... Verve Banner Bundle, Sweet Scallop Tag, Snowflake Tidings and MFT Flag Stax die-namics. The snowflakes are an image from Verve's Glad Tidings. They were stamped with versamark and heat embossed with white. The sentiment is from the same Verve set.

Played along in several challenges.....

Verve's Week 4 sketch by Charmaine

The Cutting Edge Challenge.... went with a seasonal theme and the general layout

My colors were inspired by the inspiration pic from Festive Friday

Hope you're having a great Sunday- we're laying low hanging in the house- it's cold and windy today!!

Thanks for stopping by!! Love when you do and appreciate all the kind words!!