CAS-ual Fridays #29 & Get Inspired by Fashion Challenge in the Moxie Fab World

 Hi there!  My friend, Karen Baker, has a wonderful sketch over at the CAS-ual Fridays challenge blog this week, and this is one of the many challenges I've been missing lately.  I paired it up with this fashion inspiration in the Moxie Fab World, part of a week of challenges to celebrate their new special issue, Card Creations:  Get Inspired.

I wanted to capture the look of the houndstooth fabric in the photo, so I stamped PTI's Background Basics:  Houndstooth onto Vintage Cream cardstock, cut around it with pinking shears, and debossed it with the Linen & Canvas impression plate.  I added a stitched border to reinforce the fabric theme.

The jeweled brooch on the jacket inspired me to make a rolled flower with cream colored seam binding and a brad that had been gathering dust in my stash.  The leaves were cut with a Sizzix die from SU's Pear Pizzazz cardstock.

I stamped an elegant sentiment from WPlus9's Very Vintage Greetings on the cream card base, then debossed it with the other side of the L&C impression plate.  I popped the houndstooth panel up on foam dots and stitched a simple frame around it.

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink (Vintage Cream), Stampin' Up! (Pear Pizzazz)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Background Basics:  Houndstooth), WPlus9 Design Studio (Very Vintage Greetings)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Pear Pizzazz)

Tools:  Sizzix (leaf die), Papertrey Ink (Linen & Canvas impression plate), Fiskars (pinking shears)

Accessories:  seam binding, brad, thread

I'm noticing that my photos once again look darker on Blogger than they did when I edited them, so just imagine them a little brighter.  *smile*

I'm home today with a sore throat, laryngitis, and two kids with pink eye, so it sounds like the perfect excuse to do some stamping.  Hope you find some time for yourself today, too!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Week of Thanks and Giving Winners

Hi friends!  It's time to announce the winners from my week of giveaways, but first I wanted to share a card I made for all of you, my wonderful readers.  I used PTI's Gracious Vases stamped in Early Espresso and highlighted with Copic markers.  A strip of Early Espresso cardstock was debossed with the Woodgrain impression plate to make a shelf, which is popped up with foam adhesive.  Glossy Accents on the red vase add a bit of shine.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler), Papertrey Ink (white)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Gracious Vases)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Early Espresso), Copic markers

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Woodgrain impression plate), corner rounder

Accessories:  Ranger (Glossy Accents)

I made a set of these simple cards so that I could include one with each of the prizes.  Just another way to say "thank you" and let you know how much I appreciate the visits and comments here on my blog!

Now for the winners, chosen by Random.org:

Day 1--Holiday Cards & More magazine
                  Alanna

Day 2--PTI Botanical Silhouettes Anniversary stamp set
                  LeAnne

Day 3--PTI Forest Friends and Forest Friends Sentiments stamp sets
                  Mandy LaCroix

Day 4--Smash Journal and decorative tape
                  Jessica Wekenman

Day 5--WPlus9 Winter Wishes stamp set
                  WinterBerry Glen

Day 6--365 Cards magazine
                  {kelly jo}

Day 7--My Mind's Eye paper, Kraft Outlet packet, and embellishments
                  Jinny Newlin

Winners, please email me at christinamaclaren at yahoo dot com to claim your prize and give me your shipping info.  Congrats!

Thanks to everyone for playing along this week!  Have a wonderful weekend!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 7

Hey there, friends!  It's the day before Thanksgiving here in the U.S., and today I am definitely thankful that the inch or two of rain expected today is not going to be a foot of snow!

It's the last day of my Week of Thanks and Giving here on the blog, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your comments and visits.  I will be counting all of you, my dear readers, among my blessings this Thanksgiving!

Don't forget that today is the last day to leave comments for your chance to win on days 1-6, as well!

Now on to today's prize:

This prize package includes lots of goodies for your holiday cards and projects.  There is a wonderful packet of assorted tags, twine, envelopes, kraft paper, and dictionary pages from The Kraft Outlet; rolls of pearls, clear rhinestones, and glittered tape (in silver and white) from Recollections; two 6X6 designer paper pads from My Mind's Eye (Holly Jolly and The Merry Days of Christmas); and a package of Christmas washi tape from Martha Stewart Crafts.

For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post telling me one thing that you are thankful for, whether it be serious or silly.  All comments must be received by Wednesday, November 23 at 11:59 PM EST (that's tonight!).

Again, friends, thank YOU for stopping by and leaving me lots of love and encouragement every day of the year.  I appreciate you more than you know!

For those of you celebrating with family and friends this week, I wish you safe travels, good company, and a full belly!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 6

Hi again!  You didn't think I'd forgotten about today's giveaway, did you?  *smile*

I finally found a copy of the latest Paper Crafts special issue, 365 Cards, and I have an extra to share with one of you!  I love all of the fun and quirky holidays celebrated in this issue.  Every year I make calendars for family members that include obscure holidays, along with silly pictures of my kids.  It's always a big hit, and I'm glad I have some new ideas for this year's edition from perusing the pages of 365 Cards.

For your chance to win this issue, just leave a comment on this post telling me what holiday you would celebrate if you could invent one of your own.  I really look forward to your ideas on this one!  Comments must be received by Wednesday, November 23 at 11:59 PM EST.  Don't forget you still have time to comment on Days 1-5, too.

Thanks for visiting yet again, my friends.  See you back here tomorrow for the last giveaway!

ColourQ #112

Happy ColourQ day, friends!  Are you ready for a new challenge?  Check out these rich autumn tones:

I saw a kiosk in the mall last week that was selling triptych artwork, which inspired me to stamp an image onto three panels.  I chose Hero Arts' Tall Wheat rubber stamp, which I stamped in white using my Stamp-a-ma-jig to get it lined up just right.  I popped the panels up on foam adhesive on an Espresso card base, added a sentiment from WPlus9's Season of Thanks on a white cardstock strip, and embellished it with a chocolate button.  Quick and simple, but it packs a punch because of the wonderful color palette.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight), Papertrey Ink (white)

Stamps:  Hero Arts (Tall Wheat), WPlus9 Design Studio (Season of Thanks)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Early Espresso), Clearsnap (Frost White)

Accessories:  Papertrey Ink (button), DMC floss

I hope you'll play along with the challenge this week!  Don't forget to leave some love for the rest of the Royal Court DT while you're at it.

Thanks for visiting!  Have a great Tuesday!

Peace Tag for Christmas

Hi again!  Just popping in tonight with a tag I made a while back that I happen to love.  *smile*

I stamped snowflakes from PTI's Peace Be Still in white onto a kraft tag, then added some accents with a white pen.  Once the ink was completely dry, I stamped the word "peace" and heat embossed it in white.

The ornament was die cut from Aqua Mist cardstock and stamped with a coordinating solid image from Vintage Ornaments using Versamark Dazzle ink, which has a hint of shimmer.  I stamped one of the decorative bands onto Sweet Blush cardstock, cut it out, and adhered it to the ornament.  I dotted silver Stickles in the center of each starburst, used the white pen to add a "string" to hang the ornament, and tied some white satin ribbon onto the tag with jute twine.

All supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted

Cardstock:  Kraft, Aqua Mist, Sweet Blush

Stamps:  Vintage Ornaments, Peace Be Still

Ink:  Versamark Dazzle, Frost White (Clearsnap), Pretty in Pink (Stampin' Up!)

Tools:  ornament die, Tag Sale 1 die

Accessories:  Stickles, white embossing powder (Stampendous), white pen (Inkssentials), jute twine

I hope your week is off to a great start!  I have lots of blog-hopping to catch up on, so sorry to keep it short tonight.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for a new ColourQ challenge and Day 6 of my week of giveaways!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 5

Hello again!  It's just a few days until Thanksgiving here in the U.S.  Can you believe it?  I'm not sure what happened to fall, but I'm definitely ready for a long weekend of relaxing with family and friends.

It's Day 5 of my week-long expression of gratitude here on the blog--my chance to say thank you to all of my cherished readers and friends who stop by to visit.  I hope you're enjoying it so far!  Feel free to scroll down if you missed the first 4 days, and don't forget to comment for your chance to win some crafty goodies.

Have I mentioned recently how much I love WPlus9 Design Studio stamps?  I have quite the collection, including a few new sets I have yet to ink up.  I just happen to have an extra of one of the newest sets to share with one of you today.

This darling set is called Winter Wishes.  I just love those cute mittens!  Would you like to win this set?  Just leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite season.  Comments must be received by Wednesday, November 23 at 11:59 PM EST.  One comment will be chosen at random and announced here on my blog on Friday, November 25. 

I'll be back with something crafty to share tonight, friends!  Thanks for stopping by!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 4

Hello!  So glad you stopped by today, friends.  It's time for Day 4 of my week of giveaways in honor of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S.  If you've missed the first three days, you can scroll down to check out the prizes being offered each day and leave comments for your chance to win.

Today's prize is a particularly fun one, in my opinion.  Have you seen the Smash Journals from K & Company?  I love the concept of having a place to collect random notes, quotes, ticket stubs, magazine clippings, etc.  So I couldn't resist picking up one of these journals (in the Mod style) and some decorative tape for one reader to start their own Smash journal.

SMASH Journal-Mod style

Decorative tape--Black with white dots

I've included links to these items at Scrapbook.com, so you can check them out for yourself.  Just click on the captions above!

Would you like to win your own Smash journal?  Just leave a comment on this post telling me how you collect memories.  Do you make traditional scrapbook pages?  Paste random bits and pieces in a notebook?  Keep photos in traditional albums?  Write in a journal?

For a chance to win, leave your comment by Wednesday, November 23 at 11:59 PM EST.  This contest is open to everyone, regardless of location.  Winners will be posted here on my blog on Friday, November 25.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a good one!

Embellish Leaves Color Challenge

Good morning!  I finally have a card to share!  It's been a long time since I played along with an Embellish Color Challenge, but I couldn't resist this one.  

These rich fall colors are so fantastic together.  I pulled out PTI's Harvest Berries to use the beautiful ginkgo leaves.  I stamped the larger images in Ripe Avocado onto a kraft card base.  Then I added some texture with the Linen & Canvas impression plate to the entire card front and selectively debossed a strip at the bottom with the Woodgrain plate.

Two strips of Enchanted Evening cardstock ground the design and a sentiment from PTI's 2009 Autumn Tags.

I die cut the small ginkgo leaves from Rustic Cream cardstock and stamped them with Ripe Avocado, then popped them up with foam tape and tucked them behind a Scarlet Jewel button.  A few randomly stamped red berries are the finishing touch.

All supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted

Cardstock:  Kraft, Enchanted Evening, Rustic Cream

Stamps:  Harvest Berries, 2009 Autumn Tags

Ink:  Ripe Avocado, Enchanted Evening, Chianti (Clearsnap)

Tools:  leaf dies, Linen & Canvas, Woodgrain impression plates

Accessories:  Scarlet Jewel button, rustic jute twine

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I'm hoping to get around to your blogs this weekend to see what I've been missing.  Have a great one!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 3

Hello there!  I know I promised you a card last night, but I lost track of time and didn't get to it.  But it's coming up in my very next post today, so stay tuned!

It's time for Day 3 of my week of giveaways to show gratitude to all of you, my wonderful readers.  If you missed the first 2 days, be sure to scroll down to enter.

From all of your comments so far, Papertrey Ink products definitely seem to be at the top of many wish lists, so I thought I'd offer up 2 more PTI stamp sets today.  I was one of the lucky gals who attended the PTI Stamp-a-faire event in Cincinnati last summer, and our goodie bags included two fun and whimsical stamp sets, Forest Friends and Forest Friends Sentiments.

Cute, huh?  Now, I love cute stamps and punny sentiments on other people's cards, but I don't tend to use them much myself, so why not share these sets with someone who can make them shine!

For your chance to win, just leave a comment on this post telling me what is your go-to card making style.  Fun and cute?  Shabby and vintage?  Clean and simple?  Whatever strikes your fancy at the moment?  To be in the running for these stamps, all comments must be received by Wednesday, November 23 at 11:59 PM EST.  The randomly selected winner will be announced on my blog on Friday, November 25.

Thanks for all of your visits and comments!  Keep them coming!

Have a great start to your weekend!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 2

Hello again!  It's Day 2 of my week-long celebration of Thanksgiving here on the blog.  If you missed Day 1, be sure to scroll down to check it out the first day's prize!

I've enjoyed reading all of your plans for your holiday cards this year, handmade or not.  As for myself, I have done photo cards of my kids every year, but I'm hoping to add some small embellishment to them this year to personalize them.  We'll see if it gets done!

Are you ready for today's giveaway?  One lucky commenter on this post will win Papertrey Ink's 2010 Anniversary Stamp Set, Botanical Silhouettes.  Here's a peek:

This set is not available for purchase but was only shipped to PTI customers as part of their reward program.  I just happen to have an extra set to give to one of you.  For your chance to win, just leave a comment telling me what stamps or other crafty goodies are at the top of your holiday wish list.  Comments must be received by Wednesday, November 23 at 11:59 PM EST.  The randomly selected winner will be announced on my blog on Friday, November 25.

Thanks again for your wonderful comments, and for sharing a bit of your day with me.  I'll be back tonight with a card, so I hope you'll come back for another visit!  Have a great day!

A Week of Thanks and Giving--Day 1

Hi friends!

You've picked a great day to visit, as I'm kicking off the first day of a week-long celebration that I'm calling A Week of Thanks and Giving.  This is my chance to say "thank you" to all of my loyal readers, followers, and friends who make blogging so rewarding.  I appreciate each and every one of your visits, comments, emails, and votes of confidence! 

As you might have guessed, it wouldn't be a Week of Thanks and Giving without the giving, so I'm offering up a little prize today.  I have an extra copy of Paper Crafts' Holiday Cards & More, which just happens to include one of my cards on page 41.

What do you need to do to win?  Just leave me a comment telling me whether you plan to send handmade holiday greetings this year.  The contest will end on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 11:59 pm EST.  The randomly selected winner will be announced here on my blog Friday, November 25.  This contest is open to everyone, including my international readers!

Thanks again for stopping by today!  And don't forget to come back tomorrow for another giveaway, as the party continues up until Thanksgiving!

Have a great day, friends!

ColourQ #111

Hello!  It's time for a new ColourQ challenge, and this week's palette was just what I needed to get another card whipped up for Thanksgiving.  Check it out:

I wound up adding just a touch of dark brown for the frame and sentiment, too.

I first tried stamping PTI's Houndstooth pattern directly onto the white card base, but it was looking a little too busy for what I had in mind, so I stamped the pattern in Versamark onto Pear Pizzazz and Rich Razzleberry cardstock strips and adhered them to the card.

I had a scrap piece of kraft cardstock that was embossed with woodgrain, so I used it to die cut a frame with PTI's Mat Stack 4 and Fillable Frames #10.  I cut a piece of white cardstock with the same Mat Stack and stamped the frame and a sentiment from 2009 Autumn Tags.

To embellish the frame, I simply inked up the two pumpkins from WPlus9's Season of Thanks using Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink and a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker, then cut them out by hand.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz), Papertrey Ink (Kraft, white)

Stamps:  Papertrey Ink (Fillable Frames #10, 2009 Autumn Tags, Background Basics:  Houndstooth), WPlus9 (Season of Thanks)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Chocolate Chip), Ranger (Spiced Marmalade), Versamark

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 4, Fillable Frames #10 dies, Woodgrain impression plate)

I need to finish up my Thanksgiving cards to get them in the mail by the end of the week, so I'll definitely be looking to your creations using this week's challenge colors for inspiration!

I'm planning a special week-long event to celebrate Thanksgiving here on my blog starting this Thursday, so I hope you'll stop by.

Have a great day, friends!

Celebrating Hobbies Challenge in the Moxie Fab World--National Sewing Month

Hi friends!  I hope you're having a great weekend so far.  Hubby and I got some Christmas shopping done yesterday, and by the time we were done I was exhausted!  But it feels good to have gotten a good chunk of it done.

Over in the Moxie Fab World, Cath spent a week celebrating the release of the new Paper Crafts special issue, 365 Cards.  Although I can't find it locally just yet, I thought I'd play along with one of the challenges issued during last week's festivities.  For the Celebrating Hobbies Challenge, you can make a card to give to someone during National Sewing Month.  While my card isn't specifically for that occasion, it definitely has a sewing theme!

I wanted to use a fall-ish color palette, so I chose Papertrey Ink's Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate, and Aqua Mist.  I used PTI's Quilter's Sampler to stamp a quilt on a square of Rustic Cream cardstock and colored it with Copic markers.  I used the Linen & Canvas impression plate to give the panel the look of fabric, then stitched it to a Dark Chocolate mat.

A get well sentiment from the set was stamped on a double ended banner and embellished with a pair of scissors, also from Quilter's Sampler, that I cut out by hand.

All supplies from Papertrey Ink unless noted

Cardstock:  Summer Sunrise, Dark Chocolate, Rustic Cream

Stamps:  Quilter's Sampler

Ink:  Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!), Copic markers

Tools:  Double ended banner die, Linen & Canvas impression plate

Accessories:  thread

I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!  Thanks for stopping by!

Make it Monday #40

Hey, friends!  Just a quick post to share a card for this week's Make it Monday with Papertrey Ink.  The challenge is to use reverse applique, and I couldn't resist giving it a try.

This card started with a Dark Chocolate card base, in which I die cut a window with Mat Stack 5.  Behind that is a piece of Rustic Cream cardstock debossed with woodgrain and die cut with a maple leaf to create another "window".  I added a piece of Terracotta Tile felt as the bottom layer to give the leaf a soft texture.

For the reverse applique, I stitched around the leaf with brown thread and around the Mat Stack with cream thread.

To finish the design, I stamped a sentiment from WPlus9's Season of Thanks onto a double ended banner and added some Terracotta button accents.

Cardstock:  Papertrey Ink:  Dark Chocolate, Rustic Cream

Stamps:  WPlus9 Design Studio (Season of Thanks)

Ink:  Stampin' Up! (Chocolate Chip)

Tools:  Papertrey Ink (Mat Stack 5, Double Ended Banner die, Leaf die, Woodgrain impression plate)

Accessories:  Papertrey Ink (felt, buttons), DMC floss, thread

Thanks for stopping by tonight!  Have a great one!

ColourQ #110 & Card Patterns #140

Hello, strangers!  It's so good to be back with a card to share, even if I did struggle to get back in the swing of things.  Since our power outage last week, I hadn't even walked into my craft space until last night.  Thank goodness the ColourQ has some wonderful fall colors to work with this week!  I love the look of traditional fall colors with a bit of cool blue thrown in, so this palette is just perfect.  I hope you'll play along this week!

To jump-start my mojo, I turned to the current sketch at Card Patterns.  It's been far too long since I played along with one of their challenges.

This was the first chance I've had to ink up a new-to-me set from WPlus9, Season of Thanks.  I used Spellbinders' Labels 8 with PTI's Terracotta Tile cardstock, then stamped and heat embossed one of the large images from Season of Thanks.  I added the Peach Parfait circle behind it and a double-ended banner tucked in next to the sentiment.  The little stamped leaves are included in the Season of Thanks set, and the line borders are from PTI's Faux Ribbon.

The Pool Party panel is debossed with PTI's Woodgrain impression plate and stitched to the Soft Suede borders.  Some Cappuccino twine from The Twinery "ties" it all together.  Hee.

Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! (Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Soft Suede), Papertrey Ink (Terracotta Tile, white)

Stamps:  WPlus9 Design Studio (Season of Thanks), Papertrey Ink (Faux Ribbon)

Ink:  Versamark, Clearsnap (Terracotta)

Tools:  Spellbinders (circle die, Labels 8 die), Papertrey Ink (Woodgrain impression plate, double ended banner die), Fiskars (border punch)

Accessories:  The Twinery (Cappuccino twine), Filigree embossing powder, thread

I'm hoping to get back on track this week with stamping, as I have plans to send out a pile of Thanksgiving cards this year.  I told my hubby that I think Thanksgiving is like the middle child of holidays.  First comes Halloween, the fun and slightly rebellious one, and last is Christmas, which is secretly (or maybe not so secretly) everyone's favorite.  Poor Thanksgiving, living in the shadow of all those holiday store displays.  I can say all of this because I'm a middle child myself, of course.  *wink*  Anyway, you'll probably be seeing several more cards expressing thanks and gratitude over the next couple of weeks.

Thank you all for your patience during my absence from blog-land!  I hope you'll take some time to play along with the ColourQ palette this week, friends.  Have a great day!