Favourite Christmas Cards

Debby has posted her 5 favourite Christmas cards on her blog for fun, and is inviting everyone else to do the same, so here are mine (in no particular order):

If you post your fave 5, be sure to pop over to Debby's blog and leave her a comment and a link.

Merry Christmas!

Hugs,

Merry Christmas ... only 1 more sleep!

I just wanted to pop on here and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I have had the most wonderful crafty year ... discovering a brand new hobby, spending far too long blog-hopping and crafty-shopping, making fab friends, being accepted onto the most wonderful DTs - I've had a blast, and I appreciate it more than you know!!

And finally a huge thank you to everyone who visits me - you're all AWESOME!

Have a great one and ... see you in 2010 for some amazing blog hops and fab challenges!

Hugs,

Sunday Sketch & Stamp 18: New Squiggle Stamps!

Happy Sunday everyone!

Today marks the start of Challenge 18 over at Sunday Sketch & Stamp and we have a fab sketch for you by our very talented Barb:

Challenge #18 will be our last of 2009, and as the SS&S DT girls are going to have a well-earned break over the Christmas period, challenge #18 will run for 3 WEEKS.  Therefore, our first challenge of 2010 (challenge #19) will go live on 10th January 2010.

As this is our last challenge of 2009, we have a very special sponsor ... Squiggle Stamps!  Some of you will know that I am on the Squiggle Stamps DT, and so I just had to make a card with one of the brand new and 'not yet released' line of stamps (...which I think are due in the Squiggle Stamps store in January).  They are so new, I don't even know her name yet, LOL!

Sorry for the really poor quality of the photos.  I'm finding it almost impossible to get good lighting at the moment and still get the pics to represent the colours correctly.  Winter is actually my favourite season, as I love it getting dark early and being all warm and cozy in front of the fire, but it's my least favourite time for taking pics of my cards, LOL!

As I said, you have 3 WEEKS to enter this challenge, so the SS&S girls and I will see you on the 10th January for our first challenge of 2010 (...although this is not my last post of 2009!!).

TFL!

Hugs,

Ingredients

STAMP: Squiggle Stamps, Whimsy Circle Sentiment stamps

COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos (E29 E37 E35 E33 E51 E00 E02 R20 G00 YG03 Y17 R29 R59 R32)

PAPER: October Afternoon 12x12 Farm Fresh 'Farmhouse' (PP-077)

CARD: Bazzil

EMBELLISHMENTS: 5mm & 4mm pink pearls, 4mm yellow perals, Pink gingham ribbon, Versamagic Dew Drop 'Pink Petunia', Prima Sweet n Sassy flowers 'Princess' (#514068) and 'Clueness (#514075), 4mm turquoise gems

TOOLS: Paper Trimmer, Scissors, 3D foam pads, PVA glue, MS Scallop Dot border punch, Woodware Daisy punch, Woodware Grass punch, Woodware corner rounder punch, EK Success retro flower punch

Sketch Saturday #82: Silent Night Tilda

[pleae click on the image to enlarge it - opens new window]

Happy Saturday everyone!

Well, this is the last weekend before the big day - are you ready?  Have you bought all your presents, wrapped them, finished all your baking, decorated the house .... ? If you haven't, don't worry, as you still have 6 more days!  But today is our last challenge of 2009 at Sketch Saturday.  The SS DT girls are having a break next week, and so there will be no challenge on 26th December, but we'll see you again on 2nd January for our very first challenge of 2010, which will be a sketch by me *grin*!

This week we have another wonderful sketch by Jo, and we are being sponsored by Sandra Dry Digi Stamps.

I used the one and only Christmas Magnolia Tilda stamp that I own (...which was uninked until now!) called 'Silent Night Tilda'. I don't often like the cards that I make (I'm super critical of my own work), but I have to say that I love how this card has turned out.  It's just such a shame about the quality of the photo of this card - I really couldn't get the lighting right, the colours are nowhere near what they look like in real life (I don't know why Tilda's gloves and coat look 'peach'!!), and you can't see the gorgeous glittery paper and stickles accents at all, but I guess you get the idea!!

I'd like to enter this card into this week's Colour Create Challenge #34, which is to use the colours PINK, BURGUNDY and IVORY, with the optional extra of ROSES.

Make sure you hop on over to Sketch Saturday and have a gander at the girls' fab creations!

Have a great weekend, and I'll see you tomorrow with my Sunday Sketch & Stamp DT card!

Hugs,

Ingredients
to follow

Off to the hospital I go....

Hi everyone!

Well, by the time you read this, I will be at the hospital about to have my infected molar extracted!  Eek!  I was super organised last week, and got all my DT cards made and have scheduled my posts for Sketch Saturday and Sunday Sketch & Stamp, so I'm hoping Mr Blogger plays nice and posts them for me.  I won't be around now for the next few days, and depending on how much pain I'm in, and how quickly my 2 root canals settle down (all three teeth are on the same side of my mouth - ouch!), I may not be around now until after Christmas.

It's now been a year since I started card making and almost a year since I started blogging, so I will be offering up some special blog candy to celebrate my one-year blogaversary in the New Year.  So I'd like to take this opportunity to send a huge thank you to everyone who visits my blog, and especially to those of you who visit so regularly and leave me such warm comments.  Merry Christmas to you all, and I wish you a wonderful and happy New Year!

Hugs,

Whimsy December Advent Event: Day 17

Today is Day 17 of our Whimsy Stamps December Advent Event and it's the turn of myself and my fellow Whimsy DT sister Ann to post our special Advent Event creations.  It's Ann's turn to host today's prize giveaway, which is one of Crissy Armstrong's Whimsy stamps called Purr-fect Gift.  So after you've left a comment here, make sure you pop on over to Ann's blog to enter the draw to win this adorable stamp, which is purr-fect for any occasion:

So for my Whimsy card, of course I just had to use my 'Purr-fect Gift' stamp, and I followed this week's fab sketch #82 over at Friday Sketchers:

Also, just to remind you that Whimsy Stamps is holding a Guest DT call right now!  CLICK HERE to read all about the requirements and how to apply.  Denise is looking for 2 new guest designers for February and March of 2010, and you have until 15th January 2010 to apply, so what are you waiting for?  LOL!

Ooh, and finally, remember there are also weekly specials at Whimsy Stamps, so be sure to check out the Whimsy Store Home Page for details of this week's special.

Thanks for popping by!

Hugs,

Your Next Stamp Challenge #6: Sketch by Kerri

Hello everyone!

Today we have a brand new challenge for you at Your Next Stamp Challenges, which is a fab sketch by the very talented YNS Starlet, Kerri:

Remember, you can enter our challenges using ANY stamp, but if you do choose to use a YNS stamp, then you will be entered into the prize draw TWICE!  Challenge #6 will be our last challenge of 2009 (NB there will NOT be a challenge on 30th December), and our first challenge of 2010 (challege #7) will start on Wednesday 6th January.

I needed to make a birthday card to match the 'Fetch the Dog' box-in-a-bag and the giftcard holder that I made for our recent YNS Blog Hop, so I used the same stamp, paper and card to make this card!  The card, giftcard holder and bag have been made especially for my nephew, who will turn 11 years old on January 8th, and who is dog-mad!  It's very difficult to know what to get an 11-year-old boy, so I think a http://www.game.co.uk/ giftcard and some of his favourite chocs will be perfect!

Thanks for popping by!  Remember you have 3 weeks to enter this YNS Challenge, and you can use any stamp you like, so why not hop on over and join us!

Hugs,

Ingredients
STAMP: Your Next Stamp 'Fetch the Dog'
COLOURING MEDIA: Copic Ciaos
CARDSTOCK: Stampin' Up 'Not Quite Navy' and 'Chocolate Chip'
EMBELLISHMENTS: Versamagic Dew Drops 'Tea Leaves' and 'Jumbo Java'
TOOLS: Paper Trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, Woodware corner rounder punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder, Nesties small circles and small scallop circles

Whimsy Stamps: GUEST DESIGNER CALL

Guess what? ... Whimsy Stamps is in search of two new guest designers for February and March of 2010!

Do you fancy becoming part of our fabulous and friendly team for a couple of months next year, and working with the gorgeous Whimsy stamps?  You do?  Well, CLICK HERE to read all about what Whimsy will require from you, and how to apply (it's easy, so don't worry!).  Denise is accepting applications until 15th January 2010, so you have plenty of time to get your application to her.

I would encourage everyone to have go.  Whimsy are a fantastic company to work for (of course, it helps that their stamps are just amazing to work with!) and Denise is simply wonderful.  So what are you waiting for?  Hop on over to the Whimsy Stamps website right now and get your application in!

Hugs,

Sketch Saturday #81: Moonlight Whispers Francesca

Hello everyone!

Today at Sketch Saturday we have another of Jo's cracking sketches to inspire you, plus our sponsor is Simon Says Stamp who are offering a $25.00 gift voucher to spend on SSS goodies!

I rotated the sketch 90 degrees to the right so I could use one of my un-inked Kraftin' Kimmie stamps: Moonlight Whispers Francesca.  I did want to use my oval nesties, but Francesca wouldn't fit into the largest one, so I used the largest of my Nesties Labels 4 instead.

I have to confess that it has taken me a very long time to finish this card, as I'm experiencing a wonderful flare-up of my infected molar at the moment!  I also ended up having another root canal in a different tooth on Wednesday, and I have been experiencing referred pain in my sinuses since then, which has meant that I've found it also impossible to sit bent over my craft table for any longer than 5 minutes at a time!  But I was determined that I was going to finish, and finish it I did!! LOL!

Thanks for popping by everyone, and for any comments you may have - you know I LOVE to read them! {grin}

Hugs,


Ingredients
to follow

Whimsy December Advent Event : Winner of Day 10

Thank you to everyone who entered my draw!

The winner of the Whimsy Polar Bear stamp is ...

#12 which makes it Kerri Michaud from http://www.cardsbykerri.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Kerri!  I already have your details, so I'll pass them onto Denise at Whimsy HQ who will get your prize in the mail to you asap!

Today's draw (Day 11) is being hosted by Debbie, who has a Whimsy Bunny & Snowman stamp to give away, so hop on over there now!

Hugs,

Whimsy Stamps December Advent Event Day 10: Stamp Giveaway

As I'm sure you know by now, Whimsy Stamps is holding a December Advent Event and giving away a prize each day from 1st December through to Christmas!  Each day, selected Whimsy DT members (and guests) will be posting their special Whimsy December Advent Event posts, so make sure you keep checking the Whimsy Stamps home page every day for details of each day's prize and the URLs of where to enter. 

Today, it's the turn of both my fellow Whimsy DT sister Ann and myself to post our special Advent Event creations, and I also get to host today's Whimsy Stamps December Advent Event prize giveaway which is a cute brand new Whimsy Polar Bear stamp:

For today's Whimsy card, I decided to use my fab Whimsy Reindeer stamp again:

But this time I very lightly washed the sky with some pale blue ink.  I was really pleased with how the 'snow-sprinkled' ground came out. I wanted to achieve the effect of patchy snowfall (when it's only just started snowing, with bits of grass poking through), and I think I accomplished this quite well by colouring parts of the ground and surrounding them with Polar White Flowersoft:

Don't forget to pop over to Ann's blog and have a peek at her fabulous Whimsy card and leave her some love too!

To enter the random draw for these stamps, please leave your name and your blog URL in Mr Linky below.  If you don't have a blog, no problem, just leave a comment below with your email address and then add your name and my blog URL to Mr Linky. If you'd like to advertise this awesome event by popping the blinkie on your blog, that would be fab, but not necessary.  Please also LEAVE A COMMENT below, just in case Mr Linky has a wobbly and stops working (otherwise some entries may be lost, or they may end up in the wrong order, and I like to play fair!) - thanks!

You have 24 hours to enter this draw from the time of posting, so this draw will end at 10:00am (GMT) tomorrow (Friday 11th December 2009), and I will use Random.org to draw a winner later that day.

There will also be weekly specials at Whimsy Stamps, so be sure to check out the Whimsy Store Home Page for this week's weekly special.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

1. Cupcake Craft Challenge ... Challenge #69 Sing a Christmas Carol : I have chosen the Christmas song "Let it Snow" for my inspiration!
2. PollyCraft Monday Challenge ... Challenge #30 A Sketch by Paula : I have followed Paula's fab sketch, which worked perfectly for this image.

3. Whimsy Stamps Challenge ... Challenge 31 Die Cuts : Anything that is punched or cut out (die cut) - I have used my MS border punch.

Thanks for popping by!

Hugs,



Ingredients
STAMP: Whimsy Reindeer
COLOURING MEDIA: Whisper Brush Pens
PAPER: Basic Grey 6x6 paper pad
CARD: Core'dinations 12x12 ColorCore 'French Roast'
EMBELLISHMENTS: Blue grosgrain ribbon, SU twine, button, 5mm brown pearls, Versamagic Dew Drop 'Jumbo Java'
TOOLS: Paper Trimmer, Scissors, PVA glue, 3D foam pads, Martha Stewart border punch

** Entries to this draw are now closed. Click here to see entries for this draw**

Your Next Stamp Blog Hop

Hello everyone, and welcome to the Your Next Stamp 'New Release' Blog Hop! The YNS Starlets have some brand new Cute Little Buggies and Animals stamps from the Franfou line to show to you today, plus a new addition to the very popular Fhiona line - the 'Fitness Fhiona' stamp set.

If you'd like to participate in the hop, and you didn't arrive here from Jen D.'s blog, then click here to return to the start of the blog hop, as you don't want to miss all the fab new releases!

The hop starts today (Thursday 10th December) and ends on Monday 14th December at midnight EST (Tuesday 15th December at 05:00 am GMT).

We have a fab grand prize (randomly drawn) for one lucky winner, who will get to pick some of the new release stamps as their prize! To qualify, you must comment on EVERY blog along the hop and let us know which new release stamp is your favourite.

Also for the duration of the hop, Your Next Stamp will be giving away a free stamp or stamp set of your choice with each order of $55 or more!

For this hop, Karen challenged all the Starlets to create some form of gift wrap, gift box or bag using any of the new release stamps, so here are my creations:

FETCH THE DOG

"Fetch the Dog is buddies with Sammy Squirrl. He is always on the lookout for a new ball since he tends to bury his and he can never remember where he buried it!"

Box in a Bag

(using this SCS Tutorial)

Matching Gift Card Holder

using the sketch from Sketch and Stash Challenge 25

Inside of Holder

FLAMINGO FRED

"Flamingo Fred loves checking himself out in the mirror several times a day and has a larger than life collection of gel and hairspray!"

Greetings Card

following the sketch from Card Patterns Sketch 44

Matching Gift Card Holder

using the sketch from Sketch and Stash Challenge 25

Inside of Holder

So now you need to hop on over to my wonderfully talented fellow YNS Starlet Amy to see what wonderful delights she has to show you.... but don't forget to leave me a comment first!! ;o)

I would like to enter these projects into the following challenges:

1. Sketch and Stash Challenge ... Challenge 25 (sketch) : I have followed this fab sketch to make both my gift card holders.

2. Card Patterns ... Sketch 44 : I have followed this wonderful sketch for my 'Flamingo Greeting Card'.

3. Crazy 4 Challenges ... Week 14 Gift Card Holders : I would like to enter the 2 Gift Card Holders I have made.

4. Sweet Stampin Challenge ... Challenge #3 'Feathered Friends' : I would like to enter my Flamingo Greetings Card and Flamingo Gift Card Holder.  I have used the following SU products: Not Quite Navy cardstock, SU Scallop Edge Punch.

5. Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge ... Challenge #61 'Matching Set' : They want to see matching items, so I would like to enter both of my 'matching sets'!

Thanks for popping by - have fun on the hop!

Hugs,