More candy plus picking your past favorite...

There is a Happy New Year candy that's a MYSTERY GIFT PACK over at Quixotic Challenges and you can join in before January 5! Go check out the details and get posting!

My favorite of my own cards for this past year is probably the one I made for my daughter-in-law for her birthday. I like flowers, a lot, and so does she. And although my techniques have improved I think, this came from the heart. So it's special.


Anyway, go check out the requirements and sign up for the candy!

Hop, Hop, Hop - not the Easter Bunny (yet) but the other kind...

A New Blog in town!
The ABC Christmas Challenge blog. And their Grand Opening Hop!
It is a sister site to the ABC Challenge that I have been following. They are having a blog hop to celebrate their "opening" so between tracking Santa and getting everything ready, I've been hopping! They have prizes too!! Check them out. Ends on December 29th. Get Hopping!

SSS36 Challenge

Here is my card for the Sweet Stop Sketch #36 Challenge!

This is a very good sketch to follow, and I loved this image, but I cannot remember where I got it. But it's so appropriate for New Years Celebrations!

And... Happy New Year everyone! Have fun and enjoy yourselves, but Be Safe!

Shhh... I'll let you in on a secret...

I can hardly believe it, but you have a FANTASTIC chance at winning the weekly prize over at
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday cause no one has completed the challenge yet! Head over today and get your project posted!
And the prize, it's a Christmas Package of papers from Paper Temptress!

Remember, you just need to follow the sketch (see my post below) using whatever papers and images you'd like!

Christmas is coming tomorrow, no matter what and by the way - MERRY CHRISTMAS!, so take a few minutes to get your project linked up for a chance to win!

House of Ippity

has a New Year Giveaway! I just found out about this site, and Sarabeth is giving candy away on Jan 1st ! That's my favorite way to find new sites!!

For January, Sarabeth is using a new set called: Straight from the Heart! and it's a cutie. You can order it on January 2nd, but she's giving away a set (or more...) before.
Go check it out Here!

Could use some help with making 3rd column...

Hey, I'm not so good with all this setup stuff in blogger, and was wondering can someone help me to get my blog into 3 columns relatively easily - or at least explained how in VERY basic terms.
I've seen lots of blogs with 3 columns out there, and would love to have mine separated a little better, and haven't a clue how to do it. I'd be very appreciate of the help.

Karen's Doodles Needs more Followers

And if she gets them, we all benefit!!

Picture removed by request of Karen's Doodles

300 Followers by January 1???
Is it possible?

Karen's Doodles is hoping to get to this #.
Can you help out and reward yourself by following?
She has promised to post 3 freebies if she reaches that number by January 1, and if she reaches 200 she'll post 2 freebies. What more could you ask for?

And they are cute images! She posted this freebie when she hit 100 followers.

Digital Tues Challenge - SNOW!

Here's my entry into the Digital Tuesday Challenge . This time it's "Let it snow" and must have LOTS of snowflakes on it somehow. I think this qualifies since they are on the paper as well as embossed images added!

The image is a digital freebie from Verve (check it out quick before it expires).

Dustin Pike images will be the prize, and I'm always up for those!

Go check it out.

Stamp With Us Challenge -

The Stamp With Us Challenge this time around is the theme: Christmas (what else)!

And I decided I had a little extra time today,
so I made up these two cards.

I'm positive my hubby will come along in the next day or two, and inform me that he needs some cards for someone at work - so I'm prepared. Well, until he needs more than just a couple anyway!
I think these are basic Christmas cards. Could work well for most anyone. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need in your stash. I know I will probably keep making a few more cards for hold for next year. I felt really pushed getting all my individual cards made this year, and having a few on hand would be quite helpful. I know there will be tons of new stamps I'll want to use, but you can always use the basic tree, santa, and snowman ones.

Over the next few days I'll try and post a few of the cards I've made, but I need to allow time for them to arrive at their destination before I do that! And I got them mailed a little late.

Happy Saturday before Christmas!

Hi everyone! Well, the challenge this week at Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday will be up for two weeks, due to the holiday!

So let's get to it! Here is the sketch to follow.

The prize for this challenge is Paper Pack from Paper Temptress!

As you can tell, I used the same little monkey for this card. I think he's adorable. I had forgotten about the previous card when I made this though, as I make some of my challenge cards ahead a little bit. Sorry about that. Otherwise I would have used a different little image.

I've been so busy making cards for family and friends ( over 70 completed and in the mail - and I make each one different) that I'm way behind on other things. Luckily, we are having a simple family dinner here on Christmas night. I think I have that covered.

I hope to spend a little time during the holidays just going around and checking some blogs that I've neglected!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Years too!

Remember, you have 2 whole weeks to complete this challenge! Come join in.

A challenge card - Simon Says

Here's my entry into the Simon Says Challenge for "Let it Snow".

I love this little image, and this paper already had some snowflakes on it, so I just added to it!
This is one of the many cards for friends that I'm desperately trying to finish up and get mailed!
Can you say, "YIKES"?!

A shaped card is the Challenge!

Happy Saturday!

This is my "shaped" card for the Stamp, Scrap and Doodle Saturday Challenge today!
This image lends itself to making a cute shaped card, and it was easy-peasy!

I hope you gather your courage to give this challenge a try. There are just so many different ideas out there. I was thinking of making an ornament shape, then I thought about a snowball!, then I considered a stocking shape, but then remembered that my neighbor is getting married in less than two weeks and I'd need to have a card done for that and frankly, I'm tired of Christmas things at the moment -- so I thought this was the perfect card for Sarah/Richard. She's a young school teacher, and her fiance is a sweetie too. I'll get back into Christmas cards later this weekend, as I still have quite a few to make. I make them all different, and I only have about 18 made so far and still need a fair amount. I'll be singing along with Dean Martin's Rudolph later and get back into the mood.

Click on the link on the right, and come join in the challenge. This week's sponsor is Victoria Case and there will be some images available to the winner!

Now this is a PRIZE!!

How about a NEW QuicKutz Epic Six Die Cutting System and a grab bag of QuicKutz dies to get you started!!!! No, you are not seeing things and this is no trick! In the spirit of the season, we want to give one lucky blog follower this fabulous prize! So, what needs to happen for us to hand this prize pack over?? Well, we need to hit 500 followers by New Year's Day!!! We know you can help us do this! Spread the word of this giveaway on your blog, forums, facebook., twitter, EVERYWHERE YOU CAN! If we can reach the 500, someone in that 500 gets the New Epic Six & the dies!!! The more people you tell, the better chance we have of reaching 500 and you will be in the pot to win! So, help spread the word, make sure you are signed up on the right as a follower, and comment on this post telling us you want to win!
Go to: Die Cuts R Us Epic Giveaway and check it out! Add your name to the followers list.

Could win a personalized stamp!

Some fab candy to be found at Magnolia Down Under Blog by Kellie Winnell and it runs through Dec. 19th. There are a few rules you have to comply with or your name will be removed, but I believe it's more than worth it. So go check it out, and then sign up at the Mr. Linky thingy! I like the 100% oval one the best, but really they are all lovely. Now I want one!

Whimsy Stamps card

This is my entry into the Whimsy Stamps Holiday Stamp Contest. I love this little frog, and he does seem to be daydreaming, doesn't he?

This contest continues until December 12 at Whimsy Stamps. Your card must be Holiday Themed and it must include the main focus of a Whimsy Stamp, and the card must be created for this specific contest. There are a few other rules and things, so go to their website and check it out.

There will be 3 finalists chosen, and then voting begins. The final contest winner will be chosen and announced on December 20.

I'd love to win, as the prizes are stamps from Whimsy Stamps, and I have a few of those on my wish list!

So if you don't enter yourself, and if I get chosen as one of the finalists, please come vote for me!

* Edited - wasn't good enough for the finalists, but it was a fun card to do anyway!

#18 Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge

First, I want to say Thank You to all of the people who joined us in our challenge last week. It was great to see all the names being added to the Mr. Linky. We had over 43 people join in the challenge. You can still stop by and check out those designs, but a winner was chosen, and it's
Erin of Scrap, Stamp & Be Merry! Congrats Erin!

On to the new challenge! This challenge was a little difficult for me, it's a color challenge and I don't do so well with those!
I don't have many of those supplies readily available, and also they just didn't seem to go together for me. But... I finally came up with something. I love this freebie image I got and couldn't wait to use it.

This week's color challenge is being sponsored by a first-timer company to us: Whimsy Stamps , and do they ever have some wonderful images! (They have this adorable little snowman holding up a bird and that's on my wish list!)

So.... please join us this week and click on the link on the right. We always enjoy seeing the projects and I admit I often don't get to visit everyone and I don't always leave a comment, but I'm trying to improve on that! I really do enjoy visiting all of them - and you always amaze me with the creativity!! I can't wait to see what YOU come up with for this color challenge!!

Card for Men challenge

Here's my entry into the Cards for Men 1st Challenge .

Basic, simple and appropriate! Fits the challenge I think.

I'm planning to make these up assembly style for the nephews and neices. I think they'll enjoy getting their own card!

Blog Candy

Isn't this lovely? To be in for a chance to win it, go to A Gathering Place and see what you need to do! This is a lovely site, with some wonderful Christmas images and music and makes a nice little visit!

And you could win this in time to give it to someone else if you wanted! Moms like things like this you know!
If nothing else, go and listen to the music she's chosen. This Candy is available for signup until December 6 at 5 pm.

Sketchy Thursday - for Copics

Here's a card for Sketchy Thursday. I'll come back and post more, but the deadline nears.

And I keep being bumped off the web sites for some strange reason. Comcast or Blogger, something just isn't right tonight.

So go check out what others have done for this challenge
Here . And I'll just close this computer for the night! Maybe tomorrow will be better!

Kinda long....but very good!

My friend Margaret sent this to me today, and I thought it was good enough to put on here for everyone to enjoy! I hope you do enjoy it, and pass it along.

RE: My Birthday!
A letter from Jesus:
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that, let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that -- there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.
And stop worrying about the fact that people are calling The Tree a Holiday Tree, instead of a Christmas Tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree.
Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My Birth here is my wish list: Choose something from it:
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.
2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.
3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.
4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.
5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.
7. Instead of nitpicking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families. (by the way, Hobby Lobby is a great example of this!)
8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short.
I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember: I LOVE YOU,
JESUS

Candy anyone?

Samantha at Scrapmaster's Paradise has some fab candy up until Christmas Day! Go check it out. For each increment of followers there is an addition to the candy: If she reaches 100 THOUSAND VISITORS by the time the blog candy closes she will add 90 more things; each 500 followers by the time the blog candy closes will add a brand new stamp set from the Stampin Up Mini coming out in January; and every 100 followers after 300 (so at 400, 500, etc), will add on an additional mini blog candy. Now go check her out at here .

Stamp Scrap & Doodle Saturday is here

and boy, was I late in posting! Sorry everyone, especially those who check blogs early in the day! I get messed up on Holiday weeks, and I thought this was Friday and I had plenty of time left to get it posted! Go figure.

Anyway, here is my Christmas Themed card for this week. This is actually a card I've made for my doctor, as I've mentioned making cards and have meant to take him one before so he knows what I mean. Anyway, I gave it to him and he was thrilled. That always makes me feel so good when someone really, really likes what I've made, and that I've thought of them.

This week's challenge is so easy, come on and join us (links are on the right).

We have a fabulous returning sponsor, The Cutting Cafe! Be sure to stop by The Cutting Cafe and check out all the new and fabulous cut files that Regina has been adding! The winner this week with receive 3 cut files of their choice! And you know you are busy making Christmas cards anyway, so join us! Let's see how high we can get Mr. Linky this week.

Seasonal Greetings to all visitors & fellow bloggers...

I hope you all enjoyed a Wonderful Thanksgiving, and I am wishing you an early Christmas filled with Joy!

I visits lots and lots (nearly a thousand now) of blogs, and I often forget to leave comments, and only as I am waiting on the next page/blog to load up do I remember that I didn't write anything. Sometimes I go back and do so, but a lot of times I do not.
So please be assured that I do enjoy them all and re-visit many times (maybe you have noticed that I do return, even when I'm bad and don't comment!) I have only ever quit following about 3 blogs, and those were mostly I just didn't like the genre of the cards I was seeing.
So I tend to hang around and come back and see what you are up to! And almost every single one has something new to catch my eye! Seeing all the wonderful talent and new ideas is something I really do enjoy a lot.

This past year has been good to me, and I hope to you also! I hope to find a job this year (please, economy, RAISE UP!!) and to continue with this hobby that brings me joy and hopefully does the same to the people who receive my cards. I've been able to work with an amazing group of ladies on the Design Team for Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Challenge (and they do enjoy challenging me!) and in our emails back and forth they provide a lot of laughs and fun too!

My advice to everyone this season is to enjoy the season. You never know how many more you'll have and you can never recapture it once it's gone. Celebrate every chance you get. No matter how slight a reason. Make new friends (like blogging friends!) and definitely cherish the old ones you have!
Merry Christmas!

Happy Saturday, and another SSDS Challenge

I am so proud of this card! I can hardly stand it!

You see, I do basic simple cards mostly, and to the people I send them to - that's fine. But now and then I get pushed (or pulled) into trying something different by the DT and their choices of challenges!

And that's the case with this Flower Pot card Challenge today. I had never tried this before, and was a little anxious. But boy, do I like it!

I didn't want to do flowers specifically because of the season, and I thought the leaves and such would work out OK. The pot itself is covered with wallpaper - turned out really nice and it's textured and I love it!

When you pull out the card it says Happy Thanksgiving!
The sponsor for this week at SSDS is Dustin Pike. The winner will get their choice of I believe it's 3 images! Now that's a cool prize!

So come on and join us. You have a whole week (and you know you don't really want to go shopping on Black Friday with all the crowds and such! - and that's assuming you don't get it done today!)
This was such fun I think I'll make another to get in the mail on Monday!

And when my husband saw it tonight, he asked who I was sending it to, as it was Extra Nice! How's that for a compliment!

I have some Surprise Blog Candy for someone

I made my 300th post earlier tonight,
and on the spur of the moment decided that I would give a little surprise blog candy to the first person who left a comment on my blog after this.

So.... a little while ago, my friend Anita left me a comment (and after reading again about my cousin Don and his health issue, she left a promise to send a card too!)!
So I'll get a some small goodies sent off to her on Monday!
Congrats Anita. Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, and for the card too! I've sent you an email.


You never know when I will do something like this. I'd been thinking I needed to do something for some time, and this just occurred to me when I realized I had made that 300th post.
Who knows when the next one will happen, or for what reason I'll do it, but I have a few other goodies in my stash that I think might be loved by someone! They may be small at this time as I'm still not working, but I hope it will be some little things that someone will like.
Keep checking back to see what I'll do. It just may be something for followers next time, you never know!

Have your heard about the Gypsy?

WOW. It's awesome. . . and you could win a one!! A new challenge blog called The Gypsy Spot is GIVING ONE AWAY!!!!! Check it out by clicking here . Til December 1!

Squigglefly - part 2

Here's another card for the Squigglefly challenge #28! I forgot I had this image, it was a blog candy win and I just love it. And I thought this was something I could really see someone doing - if they didn't have to prepare all the food for the upcoming feast!!

Squigglefly Challenge #28

Now this may seem strange, but I personally don't like pumpkin pie, and hate the smell too, so I'm grateful/thankful to whomever makes it so that my husband and the boys can enjoy it without me being involved. So this time, I'm sending this card to my Mom who will do the honors!

This gives me a Bonus count in the Squigglefly Challenge #28, as I'll be sending this card tomorrow so it arrives early!

I also believe this works for the Simon Says Challenge this week, animal antics! I think that aptly describes what this little mouse is getting ready to do!

I think this also works for La-La Land's Challenge LLWWC13.

All these challenges have some lovely candy available, so I hope I get chosen!

Just sharing some news

One of the ladies sites I love to visit is Angie Kennedy Juda/Chick'N Scratch . Love her videos (see the top of her site). Anyway, she's excited as she is NOT moving (I think she was dreading that a lot!) and she wants to get the word out. Also, she's updated her email and wants people to know that too!

SSDS Challenge

Here's my image for the sketch challenge this week, and I've used a cute image from Heather's Fresh Brewed Designs.

I'm not into coffee, but doesn't this look like a great idea to sit back after the HUGE Thanksgiving dinner we all have, to have a nice warm drink and some simple dessert? Love it!

My family are all on a kick to lose some weight, and make an attempt at getting a little healthier this year, so I don't think this will be on our list this Thanksgiving. I do intend to cut WAAY back on items on the menu! And we also have an annual Christmas party in early December, and usually I have a fully loaded table, counter, and stovetop covered with food items, but this time there will be much leaner party fare! I think I need to forwarn people in my invite. What do you think? Should I tell them, or just wait and see? It's an open house thing, so that's partly why so much food usually, but I absolutely am cutting out some of the food items I don't or cannot eat any more.

Well, enough chatting. You need to head over to the blog and check the sketch out, and then get busy and get a card made! We have wonderful prizes and it's not so crowded, so the chances of winning is much higher than at some other challenges! Come join in!

Annabelle's Candy

YUM! Here is a picture of some of the candy

that can be won at Annabelle Stamps through Nov. 22!

They are very releasing their Christmas sets and new Sprinkles. And to celebrate both they are asking for help spreading the word, and offering this candy as an incentive! So yea, I'll let you all know they are out there with some cute designs!
Love these Christmas images. Cute camels!

A SPECIAL REQUEST - and the address is provided

My cousin's husband is a veteran, who is going to be in desperate need of cards this coming week and for the next several months. He has been in treatments for a long time at the Veterans Center, and it's not been good. In fact, he's recently been transferred to another hospital in the area because of the failed treatments at the VA hospital.
Don is being admitted to the hospital again on Monday to remove his foot.
He has diabetes, and has some complications from it and he's been resisting them taking his foot for some time, but the infections has now pretty much taken half of it anyway, and now the physicians have decided there is no choice, it's either his foot or his life.

So.... now to the special request part:
I am asking each and every one of you who come to my blog (and all others if you'd care to share this on your blog too!!) to send a card to him to help cheer him up and wish him a good recovery from this surgery.

MAILING INFO:
Don Wilson
130 East Northfield Drive PMB 285
Brownsburg IN 46112

It's just the cost of a stamp, and whatever card you might be making for a challenge or even just one that didn't quite turn out exactly as you wanted, but I'm sure it could make all the difference to him! Please help this vet to stay encouraged and heal!

This is an ongoing request as well, as they have advised my cousin that it will take many many months to recover from this -- so if you could mark your calendar in some way, and send an additional card in a few months, that would be Fantastic. I asked my cousin how she would feel about me making this request to all my cardmaking and blogger friends, and she's up for anything that might help Don in his recovery!

So please think about how you would feel if Don were related to you, and especially with him being a veteran (Veteran's Day is coming soon!) and having to recover from something like this. Please send him a card of any type and then also mark your calendar to do it again in a few months.

Doesn't have to be a get well card; can be a thinking of you card, Thank you for your service as a Vet card, Holiday card, whatever. You don't have to sign it even.

Just please do send a card. (I'd love it to hear back when you have mailed one!)

And thanks for doing this! I'm positive it will make a difference to Don.

Happy Saturday!

Well, it's time again for another SSDS Challenge card.

This time it's a special fold card. And I made this Sympathy card. I've been needing too many of these recently, so maybe if I have a few in my stash I won't need as many? Well, it's worth a try.

I'm not a good photographer, but I wish I were. I just love this plaid paper with a tiny shot of glimmer in it. And I don't have much of it left either.

Come on over to the SSDS site and check out all the other cards by the DT, you'll find they are very good at doing these challenges, and there's a chance for a prize. Click on the link on the right and join in.

Passionately Pink for a Cure...

If you've read my blog before, you know I support this type of event:

Pink mini's blog candy
Laura Denison is hosting a silent auction to benefit the cure of breast cancer reseach starting this October 31 to November 7th she is posting 16 mini albums created for talented woman and everyone can bid on them , High bidders will be notified. They will go to the event web page set up at the Susan G. Komen Foundation "Passionately Pink for a Cure" site to make a donation in the amount of their bid. High bidders will receive the mini from the creator as a thank you for their donation!
If you want to make a donation you can also do that at the website.
The website address is: http://www.info-komen.org/goto/pink-minis

SweetNSassy Challenge today

Here's a card I made for the Sweet N Sassy Challenge SNSDD1 today at SNR Card Universe. It was to use HOLLY in a card, and I used the new stamp snowman I just won from Peachy Keen! The ornament with holly image was just a coloring page I found. All were colored with pencils only.

Because I completed this card today, I am supposed to get two new freebie images from Sweet N Sassy!
My husband works with a lady named Holly, so guess which card she'll get this holiday season!

More Candy, YUMMMMMM!

ABC Toys & Crafts Blog has some blog candy, and boy does it look YUMMY! It's Martha's cupcake stamp and punch and it runs through November 13th. Now I'm only telling 'cause I had to, in order to enter, otherwise I'd keep this info to myself!

ODBD Challenge entry

This is my entry into the November ODBD challenge to "shimmer". Both of the papers used are shimmery and I hope the pictures show that a little. Of course, I'm not a photographer, and so that's a challenge in itself!

I love the simple theme of the sentiment, which is just off my computer.

I punched the lower edge of the card and the sentiment both and added the gemstones.

This second photo hopefully shows the shimmery paper a little better.
I'd love to win the funds to go shopping at this site!

One more Halloween post...

OK, I just found out about the "Just Us Girls" challenge JUGS5 this week and wanted to make a card for it. Now, they said this was to create a holiday card designed to present a photo!
I'm making my Holiday - Halloween!

This is an old picture of my family at Halloween. I mean, old. No one can remember the date, but around 1957, maybe 1958 but definitely before 1959 as my Mom would have been pregnant then.
And that tall person with the white purse - that's my dad! No one guessed who he was! See, my dad wasn't into doing things like this, and I'm still not quite sure how he was convinced to participate. But this does bring back fond memories for me!
As I said, I know this probably wasn't the intent of the challenge (I assume they meant winter Holiday) but the challenge is supposed to be fun too, and did I ever have fun with this! Go check them out at Jugs .

SSDS Challenge!

Happy Halloween!

This is my week to shine at SSDS and it was also the most challenging week for me as we were to make
"anything but a card".

I only do cards. I have no interest in things other than cards.

So, whew, I decided to decorate my pumpkin!
And since my sometimes everyday dress and also Halloween costume is a witchy outfit, well it just seemed to fit. And if spiders were as jewel toned and pretty as these I might not have to squish them as quickly.



I also made a very simple card using the images from the Cutting Cafe. Love this sucker image and sentiment too. I often don't use sentiments that come with sets as I like doing my own on the computer, but this is a cute one. My card doesn't have this much white around it, really, but is tucked into it's envelope. I forgot I had done that already when I took the picture.

Have you ever joined in the SSDS challenge? Come on, give it a try.
Although I have to admit this isn't the week I would begin (remember, I only do cards), the other DT members have come up with some absolutely wonderful projects. I am constantly amazed at the talented ladies I work with in this regard!!

Click on the link to the right and check them out! Then go ahead, give it a try. You could win some wonderful images from Cutting Cafe this week! And how special could that be!!

Another challenge at Peachy Keen

There is a really quick challenge over at Peachy Keen and it's a Halloween card - BUT.... it must contain a haunted house, a bat, a ghost and some Halloween greeting!

The challenge runs through Midnight on Halloween with a winner chosen on Nov 1. The more who play, the bigger the prize. So come on, join in and let's see what everyone can accomplish over these couple days. Remember, after the 31st you can't do another Halloween card. It will be over for the season. So join in one last time!

**ADDED: CONGRATULATIONS, Terriavidreader, lucky #5 was picked by pickrandom.com as our Halloween Challenge WINNER ... You have won the $20.00 gift certificate to www.peachykeenstamps.com!

Pansies

Voting begins tomorrow at Crafts U Print and I have an entry.

I hope you go there and vote for my version of the pansies! It's a CAS card, colored pencils and a little ribbon to show off the lovely drawn pansies. As many of you know, I love flowers. And these are so pretty.

Please go to: http://www.craftsuprint.com/default.cfm?comppic&id=27546. My card is located in Digital Stamping - Floral if you are going to vote for me. And thanks!

Pixie Cottage Candy

Yummy candy over at The Pixie Cottage! This candy includes six Pixie Cottage stamps, and a new mystery stamp from a new illustrator. To qualify, all you have to do is post this Pixie Cottage Candy on your blog and tell us which stamp is your favorite from the five showing and why. You must use a direct link back to the blog. This candy will end November 22, and winner will be announced on November 23.

Well, my favorite is the reindeer or the penguins - kinda like Lays chips - hard to choose just one!

NEW DT callout and cute image

Would you like to be a part of new DT? Well, would you?

Lexi is on the lookout for some talented crafters to showcase her images, so if your interested in a DT position then she has a little competition for you.

This little cutie image is Santa Scruffles, isn't he just adorable. He is your inspiration for your DT card. There is more but you will need to visit Lexi to find out all about it and of course download Scruffles.

Here is my submission.

PPA#14

I love making cards that draw attention to Breast Cancer Awareness.

I started making cards for a cousin of mine who was dying of breast cancer a couple years ago. That was some of the motivation of making cards for me because I wasn't finding anything in the marketplace that seemed to fit. I wanted to mail a card every couple weeks to let her know she was in my thoughts since I didn't live near her and couldn't visit. I think (hope) my cards helped to keep her spirits up a little bit. I heard she enjoyed when a new one arrived in the mail!
When a challenge like this comes up, it reminds me of Carolyn and that's a good thing!

So go check out the Pals Paper Arts blog and see what others have come up with using their challenge, "In the Pink".

Nov 7 Inking Spot Candy

NOV 7 is the deadline for this YUMMY Candy at Inking Spot . Check it out!

CAS card for KL Stampin N Scrappin challenge

Here's a very simple card I made for the challenge (KLSNS09) over at KL Stampin N Scrappin . Fall colors and no white (the paper in the background is definitely not white, it's a cream!) and a very simple sentiment.

Could be used for any reason or any time really. Always good to have an extra like this in your stash!!

100 followers or Nov 22....

OK, that all the info you are getting from me, other than where to go to check this out: Here


You don't want to miss this one!

Fourth Friday Challenge and SSDS today

Here is a cute little Halloween card I made for the Fourth Friday Challenge over at Paper Garden Projects blog. The challenge was to use BLING. Well how easy is that? Actually, I try to basically do CAS cards mostly, and this little ghost is covered wtih Glossy Accents but it doesn't show well in the pic, but is so cute and fitting for a ghost! A fun little card and I hope it wins me some bling!

And today is also the SSDS challenge and my card for this is using an adorable dock image from Michelle's Scrapbooking and More . Here is the sketch for this challenge. I took some liberties with the flowers and replaced them with some items found near a dock! And the image really is MUCH bigger, honest.

Witchy

Here's a card I made, using an adorable image for Nutty Nutshell's Wednesday Challenge. Isn't this little witch cute?

This is a freebie image that can be found at http://nutcrafters-nutshells.blogspot.com/ You need this in your stash, so go get it while it's still available.

My Mom's Party

Here are a few of the photos from my Mom's 80th Birthday Party. A couple of the photoboards are shown here and also one of her with her cake. There is also a photo of my two boys with their Grandma and the group shot is of a couple of my classmates (and a spouse!) and my Mom and me. The lady in the red top is my best friend Laura - basically my sister! No blood relation, but maybe all the better for that! Through thick and thin, she's there. The other couple came to our hometown for the Homecoming weekend from North Dakota and stayed for this party! Jeanne and Terry, so glad you got to stay and catch up with us a bit! It was great to get to visit for a short while.

My sister-in-law who has done scrapbooking helped us set up 3 of the boards (we ended up having 8 total) including the two shown above. That was a lot of help, as I had no experience with it at all. I'm glad I had all the supplies and punches to use! I used my card experience to do the Happy Birthday with the black background off the edge of the board so it would Pop! But no one would let me actually put 80 small balloons on this posterboard (I think we had about 35)!

We took photos of the boards, and printed them as 8X10s so my Mom could have them at home with her. She wanted the actual boards, but it would have been difficult and costly to ship them and no way were they going on the plane like this! Especially not all of them.

I may show a few more pictures later on, but for now, I'm glad the whole thing is over! It took forever to scan the photos in, sort through them all, and get these made up. But it was worth it. And the stress of the week was horrendous, but that's a whole other story.