Jolly Old Elf

As Clement Clarke Moore describes him in his poem, The Night Before Christmas, "...He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf..." He became a great focal point to my hand crafted holiday gift tags and ornament holder featured over on Jen Allyson's blog, The Project Girl.

The beautiful textures and patterns from the Lost & Found: Christmas line offer a nice vintage vibe, while the red glittered accents add a touch of sophistication and glam. Please stop over and check out the corresponding tags!

Peanut Butter & Bananas

We've had a tough go at work. Everyone has in the office. From the people that have been there fifty years (seriously!) to the two of us that have been there eight or less. They up and changed our normal routine with a updated system. I decided to cheer up a coworker with a little something extra added to her favorite treat of peanut butter and bananas.

Why peanut butter and banana tags? Because today is the day of the Denami Design Blog Hop: Anything but a Card! You should have arrived from Ayana's blog.

I searched through my Denami Stamps for inspiration and I found the cute little monkey and then the cute little elephant. Monkeys like bananas, elephants like peanut butter and the gal at work loves to eat peanut butter smothered bananas- a perfect fit!

Both the monkey and elephant were paper pieced and adhered to a punched embossed circle. I then attached that to a die cut shape, punched a hole and threaded some string through the tag. I completed the ensemble with a couple of plastic forks and a jar decorated with some words of encouragement.

Between the jar of peanut butter, bananas and supplies I already had in hand, I hardly spent any money at all. This inexpensive gift but really thoughtful gift made my coworker's day. That's, well, that's priceless as they say.


Your next stop on the hop is: Suzanne. 

Here's some details regarding the hop: You have until November 14th at 11:59 PST to leave comments for a chance to win a $20 Denami Design gift certificate. The complete hop order and additional information can be found on the Denami Design blog.

Sometimes

Sometimes I get wrapped up in what has to be done and when it needs to be done that I forget to enjoy the why. I need to enjoy the why. Why do I do this? And then the who. Who do I do this for? I do this for me. And for the people that might just smile once they receive a card that I made.

Took a bit of a break from the things that I had to get done to make a card for the latest Paper Smooches Sparks Challenge. The fabric is amazing, isn't it? Graphic, modern, cool. I used the apple theme, repeated elements, and took the orange, peach and blue colors from the design as well. I also really liked how the apples seemed to pop off the page so I decided to highlight the hearts in each of the apples on my card to acheive the same effect.

Off to have a wonderful brunch visit with my cousin. She's requested a few cards to package up for her friends but wanted to know if I had enough. Honey, I told her, I have plenty of cards to share! Hah! I hope you enjoy your day and get to have a bit of fun here and there.

Any Direction

**For my CAS-ual Fridays post, please click here**

Thank you to the veterans and current service persons out there... Thank you to the fabulous individuals serving all across the world, in every direction, who continue to make our fabulous country a free and safe place to live in. Thanks to my father, my grandfathers, my father-in-law... I appreciate you.

This card is represented as part of an amazing showcase of thank you cards over at the May Arts Blog for the Operation Write Home Thank You Blog Hop. A fitting day for this hop, no?

Today's card uses some lovely May Arts Ribbon and stamps from Market Street Stamps. I chose to work with their color palette from Market Street Stamps Paint the Town Color Challenge.

Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max, (Pale Plum) SU
Stamps: (Compass, Cane Background) Market Street Stamps, (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI
Ink: (White Craft, Pale Plum Pigment) SU, (Peeled Paint, Dusty Concord Distress) Ranger
Fibers: (White Silk in 1 inch and 1/4 inch, White Pleated Ribbon) May Arts
Tools: (Circle Cutting System) Creative Memories

Tag...You're It.

So my "baby" started school this past year and him and his friends must have just learned how to play tag. I should clarify that...they've learned how to play freeze tag. He's learned it so well that now when I ask him to complete a chore or help with something, he'll stand frozen. After a minute, I clue in that he hasn't done what I've asked and then give him the look. He'll most often respond with: I can't move unless It unfreezes me. And you're not It.
Nice.
He's a stubborn little one and I'm afraid this game will last for a while. Anybody care to volunteer to be It so he can get things done?

CAS-ual Fridays has another super fun challenge for this week: Tag, You're It! Create a clean and simple project that is a tag or features a tag. The fantastic sponsor this week is Purple Onion Designs!

You'll have to stop by the CAS-ual Fridays Blog to read more about the challenge and rules, find out what the prize is and see the beautiful and inspiring creations from the Girl Fridays.

 We were gifted some lovely holiday stamps from our sponsor. After embossing the card base, I stamped the sentiment onto a separate panel and glued it to the base. A secret: I stamped the card base directly, but fudged it up, so therefore a separate panel. Then the sled was stamped onto a separate piece of cardstock, selectively colored with pencils and markers then cut into a tag shape and adhered to the card.


Supplies:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI
Stamps: (Sled, Sentiment) Purple Onion Designs
Ink: (Rich Cocoa Memento) Tsukineko
Embellishment: (Brad) Creative Impressions
Fiber: (Natural Burlap String) May Arts
Tools: (Woodgrain Impression Plate) PTI, (Tag Corner Punch) SU
Other: (Markers) Copic, (Colored Pencils) Prismacolor

The Notebook

"I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough."
~Exert from The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Sigh, I adore Nicholas Sparks' books. The Notebook is one of my all time favorites.

It's a good day when I get to join a fabulous and talented designer in an installment of Carbon Copied-where we participate in the same challenge, use the same stamp set and post on the same day! Dana from Aspiring to Creativity and I have partnered up to present a creation for the Waltzingmouse Sketch Challenge using Teeny Trees.

Instead of a traditional tri-fold card, I went with a small gratitude journal to be given as a gift or perhaps even kept for myself to help remind me of things I'm thankful for. Something petite to tuck into a pocket or purse, pretty enough to keep on a desk or table. The following pictures represent how the journal opens after untying the string...

I've got to admit I struggled with the sketch, it was out of my comfort zone...however, I'm ever so grateful that Dana suggested this challenge. Dana is an amazing artist with a fine attention to detail and precision-every card of hers is outstanding...please go check out her take on Carbon Copied!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (So Saffron) SU
Stamp: (Teeny Trees) Walzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (So Saffron, Mellow Moss Pigment) SU, (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Fiber: (Natural Burlap String) May Arts
Dies: (Fillable Frames #4) PTI
Other: (Staples), (Copy Paper), (Doilies)

Birthdays Are Like Cats

My family has a cat. His name is Dash. He's so large and big it is really hard for him to creep up on you. I'm pretty sure he saves all his stealthy action during nighttime hunting, because during the day he just sleeps. Yep, sleeps. Doesn't even creep. But, alas, he's still a good cat.

Today there is another great sketch at Skipping Stones Designs for the Sketch Challenge, design by Chan Vuong. We welcome guest designers Jimmi Mayo, Betsy Veldman and Jessica Griffin. Skipping Stones Design is also teaming up with the really cool company, Creative Impressions for this month!

I pulled by turning the sketch on its side, and pulled out the really fabulous and totally punny Holiday Cats and paired it up with the dots from Garden Kiss. Some beautiful pleated ribbon and a small brad accent finishes the design. I was inspired by the colors from The Play Date Cafe.

Looking forward to seeing your take on the sketch!

And for some other news, have you read about this fantastic challenge opportunity with some AMAZING prizes here? My Mind's Eye is involved, just sayin'...

Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max
Stamps: (Holiday Cats, Garden Kiss) Skipping Stones Design
Ink: (Basic Gray, Barely Banana Pigment) SU, (Antique Linen Distress) Ranger
Fiber: (Grey Pleated Ribbon) May Arts
Embellishments: (Brad) Creative Impressions
Other: (Markers) Copic

A Rose

Feeling thankful today for the people I've met through sharing creations here on my blog. Feeling thankful for the encouragement that I receive. Taking a quick moment to recognize one of those friends today by wishing her a very happy birthday.

I pulled out the lovely Roses in Bloom set from Waltzingmouse Stamps to recreate a version of this card by Anya for the Walzingmouse SOAP CASE Competition. I decided that the color palette from CR84FN would be a great choice for a birthday card. The black panel has been embossed with tiny dots and the rose and leaf replace the ornament from the original card.
 

Pointer Finger

***For my CAS-ual Fridays post, please click here***

Masculine = Strong. Powerful. Bold.

Masculine =Clean. Simple. Striking.

Masculine = Monochromatic. To the point.

Slightly treasured by husbands.

That's my opinion anyway.

I'm happy to add to my masculine card stash with this card for the Young Crafters Unite Blog Hop! If you are following the hop, you should have arrived from Melissa Shea's blog. There are some fabulous sponsors for the hop: Simon Says Stamp and Paper Smooches !

I kept my card clean, simple and graphic. I started with some fabulous patterned paper as my base, scored the lines where the two patterns met and highlighted them with a black pen. I then added the sentiment, some simple stamped swirls and topped it off with a dimensional pointing hand that is so common in old style advertising.

I'm also entering this card in the Young Crafters Unite monthly challenge, to create a masculine card!

Your next stop on the hop is Kristy Smith!


Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max
Patterned Paper: (The Tradewinds Collection) DCWV
Stamps: (Breeze "Dream) My Minds Eye
Ink: (Antique Linen Distress) Ranger, (Onyx Black) Versamagic
Other: (Markers) Pilot, Copic

Why Orange?

Orange combines the energy of red and the happiness of yellow.

It is associated with joy, sunshine...

Orange represents enthusiasm, fascination, happiness, creativity, determination, attraction, success, encouragement, and stimulation.

Orange has very high visibility, so you can use it to catch attention

and highlight the most important elements of your design.

Orange is very effective for promoting food products and toys.

exerts from Color Wheel Pro

This week's CAS-ual Fridays Challenge will have you thinking outside the box.
Create a clean and simple project that has a panel or image extend beyond the edge.
This week's sponsor is Lil' Inker Designs!

So why the big hoopla on orange?
Well, it's my favorite color in real life but I hardly ever reach for it when crafting. Funny, huh?I started by selecting some patterned paper that reminded me of a sunset and then choose a slightly brighter orange patterned paper piece for use on the pinwheel.
I treated myself to the pinwheel and corresponding stamp from Lil' Inker Designs set for my birthday and boy, are they ever fun to work with!

Please stop on over to the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog
to see some amazing Girl Friday projects, find more about the sponsor and the fabulous prize
and read about the challenge and rules.
Can't wait to see what puts you over the edge!

Supplies:
Cardstock: (White) Office Max

Patterned Paper: GCD Studios

Stamps: (Pinwheel Sentiments) Lil' Inker Designs

Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger

Embellishments: (Pearl), (Copper Brad)

Tools: (Mini Pinwheel Die) Lil' Inker Designs, (Staple) Tim Holtz