Paper Crafters Sampler December Blog Hop

Hi Everyone! Welcome to the Paper Crafters Sampler blop hop. This month's issue is entitled Adorned Holidays, and there are several templates available in this issue. Yay, templates! If you are following the hop, you have arrived from Vicki's blog. Weren't her samples fabulous? Here is my creative take on them.

Remember in Citizen Kane, Kane's boyhood sled was named Rosebud? Here's my version of the winter sleigh template, a Winter Rose sleigh... just reminded me of the movie reference.

I got the theme and color scheme from my backdrop items, created back in December 2010. I wanted a slightly smaller sleigh to coordinate, so I printed the template at 75%. They match up pretty well... maybe I'll have a whole village someday.

Of special note, especially to my mother, is the little cushion I sewed for the sleigh with Beau Chateau designer fabric, adorned with pink designer buttons. Can I say it is cute?!

Stamps: Elements of Style; Paper: Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, Brushed Silver; Ink: Blushing Bride, Versamark; Accessories: Clear embossing powder, Subtle Collection buttons, Pearl jewels, Silver Glimmer paper, Beau Chateau designer fabric, Doily Triple Layer punch, Little Leaves die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Needle, Thread, Batting.

Speaking of sleds, here is a sample with the cute sled template. I used traditional wood and red runner colors to created an antique sled that you would hang up for wall or door decor.

This template comes with a hidden box compartment, perfect for small gift giving, but I plan to use this for a tree ornament. How easy is it to put the perfect touch to a 3-D project with Winter Wishes stitched felt pieces? I submitted this project to Hand Stamped Sentiments Ornament Challenge #95.

Stamps: Woodgrain BG; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand; Ink: Crumb Cake; Accessories: Sponge, Mini brads, Cherry Cobbler baker's twine, Winter Wishes stitched felt.

The final project is a elegant limoge or small trinket box.

I was trying to duplicate a hand painted porcelain box. The paper from last year's Occasions mini, as well as some Pear Pizzazz seam binding, are perfect for a delicate, feminine look.

I added a nice dimensional paper rose on the top. A beautiful box needs a fancy lid, don't you think?

Paper: Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold, Springtime Vintage DSP; Ink: Rose Red; Accessories: Sponge, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Itty Bitty punch pack, Crimper, Gold brads, Pear Pizzazz seam binding, Island Floral die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Floral wire.

December's issue is going to be released in a few short days. If you would like your own copy of these templates, please visit Paper Crafters Sampler and sign up. Next along our little hop is our fearless leader, Melanie. OMGosh, you are going to love her interpretation! Enjoy the trip!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp-a-Stack Part 2

Here is the second installment of the cards from the recent Stamp-a-Stack class. I always like a nice tree / sparkly snow hill card, and I had yet to use the Pennant Parade tree option.

Inspired by a card by Linda Creech.

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Word Play; Paper: Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White; Ink: Pool Party, Wild Wasabi, Always Artichoke; Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Petite Pennant builder punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Stars #2 die, Circles #2 die, Scallop Square die, Big Shot.

I love the classic look of the Welcome Home set, and 'stamperjen0' on SCS made an excellent vintage-type card with it. Here's a CASE.

I switched up a few things, but the layout is the same. Everything is sponged lightly to age it. Here's a tip... using a larger ball stylus, rub the inside of the flower punch-out over a piercing mat. This will cause the flower to curl up nicely and add dimension.

Stamps: Welcome Home, Petite Pairs; Paper: Real Red, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP; Ink: Crumb Cake, Black Stazon; Accessories: Dotted Ribbon border punch, Circle punches, Itty Bitty punch pack, Sponge, Vanilla Velvet ribbon, Rhinestone jewels, Snow Burst embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

This is a reworking of an earlier reject card. The Frostwood Lodge suite is popular, so I wanted to share it with the ladies.

Here I embossed the background with the Northern Flurry embossing folder and used Dazzling Details on the snow. Here's a close up of the sparkle and subtle addition of color with a blender pen.

Stamps: Christmas Lodge, Christmas Greetings; Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Frostwood Lodge DSP; Ink: Always Artichoke, Stazon; Accessories: Blender pen, Dazzling Details, Cherry Cobbler quilted satin ribbon, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Top Note die, Petal Cone die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC33 Holiday Colors & Stamp-a-Stack Part 1

Hi Everyone! Today I doubled up on my stamping duties, combining a recent Stamp-a-Stack card with the SUO Challenge to use holiday colors.

Now that Black Friday is behind us, I guess I'd better switch gears into Christmas mode. In actuality, I had to force myself to work on these Stamp-a-Stack cards, since my classes were before Thanksgiving. The ladies probably wouldn't forgive me if I had said the dog ate my homework. *eyeroll*

I have a handful of stamp sets I hadn't used last year, or hadn't used enough, so I pulled out one, Contempo Christmas. This came as a bundle with Jolly Holiday DSP, which I couldn't resist, and then I didn't use it much. Perfect supplies for a Stamp-a-Stack!

You can see the bottom is scalloped, so you can see the DSP on the inside peeking through. More double duty... decorating inside and front... haha! Clean and simple (CAS) sketches are perfect for Stamp-a-Stack cards, and here I used Clean & Simple sketch #166.

Stamps: Contempo Christmas; Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP; Ink: Cherry Cobbler; Accessories: Early Espresso baker's twine, Ornament punch, Scallop Edge punch, Snow Burst embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Here's another quick card for the Stamp-a-Stack class using a set I got from Sale-a-bration, Holiday Happiness.

This simple and elegant card is a CASE of Joan Banman Cristo's Convention swap. I changed up the colors a little bit.

You can see I went a little crazy with my Two-Way glue pen and glitter.

Stamps: Holiday Happiness; Paper: Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla; Ink: Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy; Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestone jewel.

Thanks for stopping by!

Craft Project Central Projects This Week

Tooth Fairy Tin & Wand Set -

Today I'm sharing the final projects available this month at Craft Project Central. This adorable Tooth Fairy Tin & Wand Set was created by Heidi King. What a beautiful gift for any fairy lover to wake up to! The instructions for this project are available for download today.

Field Flowers Gift Set -

Eileen LeFevre created a beautiful gift set using the popular set Field Flowers for Craft Project Central. This set would make a gorgeous Christmas gift or anytime gift. I love the vintage feel!

This project will be posted for download on Wednesday. Stop by Craft Project Central to sign up for this and all of November's projects.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM34 Sugar and Spice Makes Everything Nice

I did it! I did it! I have been staring at the Eat Chocolate stamp set. Somehow whenever I use this set, the 2-D sideview of the chocolate is less than satisfying. Ha, I finally made something I'm happier with.

Today on the Friday Mashup, I'm using the inspirational photo as a jumping off point. I never miss an opportunity to pay homage to either chocolate or coffee! ;)

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project featuring "A Christmas Theme".
2. Or Make a project using the colors "Aqua, Chocolate and White".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Christmas themed project using the colors Aqua, Chocolate and White"

You might guess, I didn't make a Christmas project. Still not quite ready for it.

Here I stamped on the back of my cardstock with the chocolate image from Eat Chocolate, cut it out, and sponged it. I also added texture lines with the stamp from Sweet Scoops (stamped off). I then had some fun with embellishing.

Stamps: Eat Chocolate, Sweet Scoops, Like It a Latte; Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Island Oasis DSP; Ink: Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise, Early Espresso, White Craft, Tempting Turquoise marker, Early Espresso marker, Versamarker; Accessories: Sponges, White embossing powder, Crimper, Itty Bitty punch pack, Dotted Ribbon border punch, Pearl jewels, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Thanksgiving... and an Idea for a Christmas Countdown

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! We're off to Acadia National Park for a few days for some R&R, especially after the Christmas card stamping blitz here over the last couple days. I hope to have a few photos to share.

How wonderful that we have a day to turn our thoughts to the blessings of our families... a thankful heart is so much happier. Don't forget to thank your loved ones, and God, for all that you have today.

If you follow me on facebook, you might have seen my fall bouquet of flowers I was making, when I was suppose to be making Stamp-a-Stack Christmas cards. I really love Fall, crisp air and crunchy leaves... I have a hard time letting go and turning to Christmas. *sigh* Here's a series of photos of how I was trying to fill out my bouquet. It still could use more stuff.

And if you are a person who is already thinking about Christmas today, how about a countdown calendar idea? December's Paper Crafters Sampler will be releasing very soon, and it will include instructions to my countdown project. Little Missy can't wait until December 1 so she can start using it.

Just stop by Paper Crafters Sampler and sign up for the December issue. Remember to use code PCSHB so Mel knows I sent ya.

Thanks for stopping by!

Craft Project Central Projects This Week and Blog Candy Winner!

Gingerbread Bear Holiday Ensemble -

Today I'm sharing another project that is available at Craft Project Central by Carrie Rhoades. Carrie has created an adorable Christmas-themed Build-a-Bear banner and with a matching ornament and card. My daughter's going to love this!

Brooch & Earrings Gift Set -

Kris McIntosh created a beautiful matching brooch and earring set for Craft Project Central. This set would make a gorgeous Christmas gift. I love the addition of the beautiful packaging. The instructions for this project is available now.

Holiday Garland & Tree Decor -

And how about this beautiful holiday garland and coordinating tabletop tree decoration. Sandra Farrell created this project, and the colors and elements she used gives this project such an elegant look!

This project will be posted for download on Friday. Stop by Craft Project Central to sign up for this and all of November's projects.

And now for the winner of the blog candy, a free month's subscription to Craft Project Central, from my CPC project post is...

Loretta from Loretta's Stampin' Menagerie. Congratulations! Please contact me for your free month subscription to Craft Project Central.

Thanks for stopping by!

Technique Tuesday: Split Negative

At our recent technique class, we created a Split Negative project for the advanced technique. I've been wanting to create this card for a long time with my ladies. It's such a classic, masculine card.

The hardest part here is to get both sides of the image to line up. I used the oak tree from Lovely as a Tree set, which is more forgiving for this technique. The card was inspired by 'hgrohs' on Splitcoaststampers.

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Sincere Salutations; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark; Accessories: White embossing powder, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, White Baker's Twine.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM33 Everything's Coming Up Rosettes

Today's challenge on the Friday Mashup is to follow the card sketch and include a paper rosette. Some people also call these lollies or accordion flowers. These have recently become more popular in the Stampin' Up world with the introduction of the Simply Scored tool, but it is just as easy to make these with any paper trimmer that has a scoring blade.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using "Paper Rosettes".
2. Or Make a project using "the Sketch Above".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Project with the Sketch using Rosettes".

* Here are some tutorials on Paper Rosettes if you aren't sure how to make one.

*From a Border Punch

*From a strip of Pattern Paper

* PDF - instructions

I thought I would go with a bright, cheerful color palette from the Cheerful Treat DSP for a birthday card that says happy.

These accordion flowers are fun, but I really love sponging and curling the petals of the flowers from the Itty Bitty punch pack.

Stamps: Best Friends Forever, Under the Big Top; Paper: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade, Concord Crush, Whisper White, Cheerful Treat DSP; Ink: Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade; Accessories: Sponge, Pearl jewels, In Color printed designer brads, Concord Crush stitched poly ribbon, Paper piercer, Itty Bitty punch pack, 3/4" Circle punch, Word Window punch, Simply Scored tool, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

Santa's Sleigh & Card Ensemble & Blog Candy

Woohoo! Today's the day I can show you the bonus project I created for Craft Project Central. I wanted to create a petite little decor item, because I love to decorating with crafting items.

Santa's sleigh is stuffed full of mini presents. And of course Santa doesn't travel without his sack stuffed full of goodies, a mini drawstring bag created from Deck the Halls Designer Fabric. A standard size coordinating card gives you an idea of how petite and cute this ensemble is.

To get the instructions to this bonus project, and all the other wonderful projects, subscribe to November's issue at Craft Project Central, and meet one of the bonus project requirements (subscribe to two or more months in a row, put our badge/blinkie on your blog, or refer a friend and let us know when they subscribe).

But wouldn't you like to win a free issue? Leave a comment on this post by November 22, and I'll randomly draw one winner to receive a free subscription to November's issue of Craft Project Central. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you win.

Thanks for stopping by!

SUOC32 Thankful Pumpkins

What are you thankful for? I'm thankful to stay home and raise my little girl, while also having some "me" stamping time. After years of heavy thinking (and maybe a little working), it was a difficult transition. If I had to sit around watching "Sid the Science Kid" and "Cat in the Hat" all day, I would lose it, KWIM? So I've turned from microelectronics engineer to paper engineer.

On to today's Stampin' Up Only challenge. K, no stamping here. But I thought I would work off my to-do stamping list while getting my DT challenge duties done at the same time... today some fabric fun. I recently had the bravery to not only cut into my Spice Cake fat quarters, but to create a fabric cinch bag all on my own. And I did it!! It was an exciting moment. So while I am on my high of fabric success, I thought I would tackle another project that caught my eye.

Cheryl Garratt on Stampin' Connection inspired me to give these a try, and I followed the directions from Martha Stewart. I think Little Missy can't complain anymore about our lack of Thanksgiving decorations.

Project Supplies: Spice Cake designer fabric, Pool Party ribbon, More Mustard ribbon, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Hemp twine, Batting, Sewing machine, Needle, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!

Adorable Turkey Decor

November's issue of Paper Crafters Sampler was just published, and inside I found the cutest little 3-D turkey, perfect for little table place cards. My daughter and I have been discussing that we don't have any turkey stamps to mark Thanksgiving on the calendar. We were kinda lacking in the Thanksgiving decorating department, and she is totally into decorating... like she was looking for Thanksgiving decorations to put up two minutes after Halloween. This was a perfect project; we needed to make our own immediately.

We used the Elements of Style set for the background pattern, and Spice Cake DSP for the feathers.

Now Mr. Turkey has run off to whatever tabletop or window sill Little Missy has decided needs decorating today.

If you would like to get this template and instructions for yourself, head over to Paper Crafters Sampler, and sign up for the November issue. Please use code PCSHB so Melanie knows I sent ya. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Telescoping Pencil Newsprint & Holiday Fabric Coasters

There is Virtual Stamp Night (VSN) going on at Splitcoaststampers this weekend. I was browsing through the challenges, and they were all winter and Christmas-oriented. I'm just not ready for it. I'm digging in my heels like an ornery donkey. So off to the weekly challenge section I went, and ended up in one of my favorite areas, Try a New Technique.

This card incorporates three challenges:

• TLC349 Telescoping Images
• TLC345 Pencil Me In
• WT347 Extra! Extra! Read all about it! - from the Ways To Use It forum, another fav of mine

I cut ovals with my Big Shot dies, and as I was stamping, I drew oval outlines on my grid paper to help me center the next smaller oval. I also used a Stamp-a-ma-jig while stamping to help keep the images fairly centered.

I stamped the images with Basic Gray ink, stamped off, and then I used pencil and a blending stump on the top most image. I'm not a big artsy fartsy colorer, so hopefully it added enough shading for interest.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy; Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Newsprint DSP; Ink: Basic Gray; Accessories: Pencil, Blending stump, White baker's twine, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Button, Ovals die, Scallop Oval die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Although I'm not ready, are you starting to think about your holiday parties? Looking for the perfect coordinating decor? Over at Craft Project Central, Julie Edmonds shares with us how to create this adorable fabric coasters.

Stampin' Up offers such lovely coordinating Designer Fabric and Designer Series Paper, you can create party invitations, festive decor such as a holiday banner, table center and settings, and fabric coasters all from the same pattern.

All the instructions for this and all the projects from November are available at Craft Project Central.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo Birthday Ride

Here's a birthday card for my hubby to give to one of his biking buddies. Hubby does some hard core mountain biking, so this is sort of a joke. I imagine the two guys holding hands and leisurely picking flowers on their bikes. Makes me laugh!

A pretty straight forward card, with some masculine paper from the Spice Cake Suite. It was fun to add some punched flowers, curling the petals for dimension. I thought my flower centers could use something, but pearls or rhinestones would have been over the top for a guy's card.

It's been a while, but I'm actually on time to participate with this week's Mojo Monday sketch.

Stamps: Time for You; Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Spice Cake DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Basic Gray, Black Stazon; Accessories: Sponge, Aquapainter, Itty Bitty punch pack, Circle Scissors Plus, Texturz Plate Kit #4, 3" Circle die, Petal Cone die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread.

And another little tidbit, just for fun. Hubby and another buddy rode a tandem bike in the recent night race. It was a Halloween race (although delayed one week due to the snow), so many people dressed up. Here's their embarrassing picture.

Thanks for stopping by!

FM32 Let's Hear it for the Girls!

Today's challenge on the Friday Mashup is a real challenge for me. Someone says masculine to me, and I don't have a problem. But feminine... I have to think for a while.

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project featuring "A Girly Theme".
2. Or Make a project using "Your Favorite Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Girly project using your Favorite Technique".

Well, nothing says feminine to me like a doily. My mom can attest that I refused to wear any dresses that had what I called "doily collars". Blech! As I get older, I'm starting to appreciate doilies, table cloths, and what not, but I still won't wear them! ;)

So what's my favorite technique? I guess I don't have just one, but I threw a few that I am fond of towards this card... vintage sponging, spritzing, sewing, rolled flowers. This card also uses Mojo Monday sketch #213.

Stamps: Have a Seat, Hello, Doily BG; Paper: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP; Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Versamark, Soft Suede marker; Accessories: Sponge, White embossing powder, Very Vanilla satin ribbon, Circle punches, Pearl jewels, Color Spritzer Tool, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Little Leaves die, Ovals die, Big Shot, Sewing machine, Thread, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!