New Year's Party with Sentimental Sundays

Want a fun way to spend the first day of the 2012?

Why not Join Sentimental Sundays 

for a fun "Blog Hop" Style Celebration!

Sentimental Sundays will be back January 1st, with some new changes, faces and of course a new year filled with amazing challenges and sponsors!!!  

 

There will be fantastic giveaways and so much to look forward to, but you will just have to head over to Sentimental Sundays on January 1st, 2012 to see exactly what fun is planned!!

If you want to help spread the word and try for a chance to win a fun prize...

 

Head over to the New Year's Party Post at Sentimental Sundays

 

 

The winner will get a $20 Gift Certificate to their favorite online store!!!

For every 100, entries there will be another $20 Gift Certificate added!!

Winner(s) will be announced on 12/31 before midnight!

So what are you waiting for....Let's start sharing the LOVE!!

:O) Jessica

Winter Blues and a Visit from Cupid

Well, this morning started super early.  Not sure if I will make it to the Ball Drop, but I sure will try my hardest.  Two cups of java down and one card finished at 6:30 a.m.  I guess my crafty self wanted to get an early start today.  That means my sleepy self didn't win today.  I have been struggling with bouts of fatigue and hope this is a sign that my depression is slipping away.  Depression?  Yeah, just a case of the Winter Blues, I suppose.   So, I started looking over my lists of challenges to get inspired.  I decided to work on the challenge at Stamptacular Sunday - Winter Photo Inspiration.  I really loved both pictures, but decided, since I am struggling with the Winter Blues, I would work with this one:

This is the true essence of what I love about Winter.  Untouched Beauty!  Not the slushy, soupy mess that is the epitome of an Ugly Winter.  Rather the soft snow that gently touches the tree tops and covers the ground in which footsteps can't reach.

I started with Recollections CS - Spice Market (brown).  I used some diecut scallop edge squares from my die cut collection box in blues and creams.  I stamped the snowflake/swirl from the Aug. 2009 Unity KOM - following my heart in blue Studio G chalk ink.  Then I stamped the heart from the incentive set that came with the Dec 2011 Unity KOM - WE Treasure YOU in brown Studio G ink.  I used white Studio G ink for the sentiment from the December KOM - {...filled with love}.
The small vine at the bottom is from the Unity Grab Bag I purchased this month, also inked with white Studio G ink.  I added some bakers twine from the Twinery and a button from my stash, and the card was complete.  I think it may be a trend for me this week to be working on a lot of LOVE themed cards.  Guess Cupid is visiting my craft room early. LOL!

I also will enter this card into the
Tie A Bow Challenge at The Paper Shelter
Creative Inspirations - #143 AG

Off to craft some more, and hope you have  a safe and fun New Year's Eve!!!
Keep Crafting
 :O)
Jessica

Quick Tag with an Inspiring Quote

What a better way to bring in the new year than with some words of wisdom from Ralph Waldo Emerson.  This tag was created rather quickly, but it is almost divine that it means so much to me.  I love this sentiment and am sure you will see many creations using this Unity Stamp in the future.  The tree, stamp, sentiment, and birds stamp are all from the TIME is NOW set by Unity.   The colors of the the tag were inspired by Allsorts Challenge Blog - #134 Blue and Brown.  The tag is a tp roll that I squeezed closed and then glued together and covered with dp from my stash.  I cut the corners to shape it like a tag, used a hole punch and a blue eyelet, and then threaded twine to tie it off with a finishing bow.  The ink I used is TH Distress Ink - Vintage Photo and then I used a slight layer of embossing powder in the same tone.  The sentiment is printed on Kraft card stock and then fussy cut.  I added a bit more twine (Cappuccino from the Twinery) and a metal moon with a girl charm by the tree.  I will also enter this tag into the Paper Shelter Challenge to Tie A Bow and into the Unity Stamp Co. Challenge - Gift Wrapping .  I can already see this tag hanging from a Just Because Gift for my hubby.  We were talking yesterday about how he wishes he got "scrappy mail" like me (chuckle).  I told him I would do a card drive for his Birthday in February.  He said he just wanted some Just Because goodies (chuckle again).  So this tag was made with him in mind and with the fact that I need to get him something Just Because.  Thanks for stopping and be sure to scroll down for more posts because I have been "crazy" with posts recently....LOL

Keep on Crafting
:O)
Jessica

Ellen made me Dance already at 9:00 a.m. with a SONG and a GIVEAWAY!!

Ellen aka CardMonkey is having a celebration at her blog.  If you need to wake up....stop by her blog....I guarantee you will be dancing in less than 2 minutes!!!  LOL.  Depending on which song is playing, you may also get goosebumps and feel overwhelmed with pride to be American!  Ellen is extremely talented and is always giving from her heart.  I am pleased to be joining her in January for a Love Bug Banners Blog Hop.  The completed banners will be donated to the kids at Pediatric Specialty Care, for Valentine's Day!

Ellen is so very close to reaching 1,000 followers and has set a goal to reach this by the time the Ball Drops in Time Square.

Can you help her out?  What's in it for you?  Well, you help out a crafty friend and get entered to win an awesome prize.....a pink ATG gun!!!

So what are you waiting for?   Head over to Ellen's Blog, Become a Follower, Dance a Little, and enter her Giveaway.  Please let her know that Jessica's Craft Shaque sent you, too!!!

:O) Jessica

Making a mess in my craft room - it's a GOOD THING!!!

* * * * * I will be sharing this Post for DT Friday at The Creative Scrapbooking Divas * * * *

I have loved playing with the new Unity Kits I purchased.  They have so many wonderful stamps and the creative ideas are rapidly coursing through my being.    I have loved all of the fab projects I have seen people create using some of the stamps and wanted to put my own little twist on them.

First things, first....Here are the list of Challenges I am entering:

1. Unity Dec KOM Sketch Challenge
2. Paper Playtime - #63 AG
3. Anything Goes - #57 Blue + one other color
4. Bearly Mine - #26 AG
5. Flutter by Wednesdays - #183 Open
6. Simon Says - AG
7. Crafts and Me - #66 AG
8. Outlawz - PAM 122411
9. Creative Inspirations - #143 AG
10. Little Scrap Pieces - AG

Now, onto the fun stuff....The jar stamp from the December KOM~ Filled with Love (see picture below)  is so versatile, I have seen it filled with hearts, buttons, and even a city landscape on others' creations.  I thought to myself, "How am I to do something a bit different?"  I quickly thought about when I was younger.  Even now as a mother, I have saved old jars for the kids to catch fireflies and grasshoppers in the summer months.  Well, one of the stamps in the August 2009 KOM~Following My Heart (see picture below) was a dragonfly.  PERFECT!

So I started with my Pearl c'oredinations card stock as my base.  I stamped the dragonfly spontaneously onto the cs and then sanded the front.  I masked some flower dp, that I embossed with a flower embossing folder, onto black card stock.  Then I did the same with my sentiment you make my heart flutter  (also from the  August 2009 KOM~Following My Heart).   I stamped the jar onto a cream cs,  stamped the dragonfly to appear like he was inside the jar, and then painted him in with some Alcohol Inks.  I mounted an empty stamped jar behind the top layer for for extra dimension.  I added glitter to the lid, glossy accents to the jar, and a bit of MME Stella Rose Doiley Lace Ribbon underneath the jar.  I affixed a few roses and a lace paper heart (that I inked up a bit with some TH Antique Linen and misted with my handmade glimmer mist in blue).


I am quite pleased with how it turned out and I can't wait to use this adorable KOM again.  If you are not already a fan of Unity, you may want to check out their fabulous stamps.  They are constantly having sales and their FB page is always buzzing with activity!!!


Here is just one of the current sales HAPPENING NOW:
(copied from the Unity Stamp Company FB page) 

SHIPPING IS EXPENSIVE and the RATES just keep GOING UP, but we are trying VERY HARD to keep our rates down. TYPICALLY they are $6.95 no matter WHAT SIZE of order {USA & Canada} THIS WEEK is the last week you will get shipping for as low as $2.12. - PLUS Check out these ADORABLE Kit of the Month PAST KITS for only....yep, you guessed it! $20.12. There are THREE OF THEM just for this SPECIAL Welcome into the NEW YEAR! Get em' FAST! ♥ CLICK HERE: http://www.unitystampco.com/shop/103-past-kit-of-the-month-only-2012-no-added-discounts-please.aspx

If you like the August 2009 Kit, you may want to head over to the Unity Stamp Co. to order yours today!  It will no longer be available after it is retired on Saturday!!!

 If you like the December 2011 Kit, you still have time to get it at $26 + $5 shipping until Saturday by signing up as a KOM member.  After that, it goes back to full price of $45.  

I hope you are enjoying some crafty time and thanks so much for stopping by!!!
Keep on Crafting
:O)
Jessica

Happy Holidays for a few challenges

I just completed a card that I am wishing I had finished before this Christmas passed.  But, I am ecstatic that I will have an ample supply for next year since I am starting a bit early this go around...LOL!

The Candle Image was provided by Anne Fenton for the Outlawz CFC1218 Challenge.  I colored it using my Whisper Strokes - Vintage Watercolor Markers.  The ribbon fibers were an awesome find at Goodwill a short while back.  All card stock is by Recollections.  I inked my embossing folders before running the card stock through my Big Shot.  This embossing technique that I used was from Cindy at cre8ivecindy and you can find her Fabulous Friday Fun tutorial ~HERE~.   The color theme was inspired by Touch Twin Markers and Challenges TTC08.  I added some red and gold glitter to the candle and base then applied Glossy Accents to the  Holly leaves and Berries.  I created the circle sentiment tag on my computer, printed it on vellum, cut it with a 2" circle punch then applied it to a red circle background.  The flowers and pearls are from my stash.  The sketch I used is from Craft Your Passion Challenge #90. 

I plan to enter the challenges listed here:
Outlawz CFC1218 Challenge
 Cindy's FFF challenge @ cre8ivecindy
Creative Cutter Room - AG must sparkle
Divas by Design - #17 Merry Christmas
Crafts and Me - #66 AG
Craft Your Passion Challenge #90

Touch Twin Markers and Challenges TTC08

I hope your reading this during a short break in between crafting.
:O)
Jessica

Crafting Bliss using some more Unity and {Ippity}

Well I have a few straight days where I have been able to play in my craft room.  I received a lot of new Unity and Ippity Stamps and have been ever so eager to starting inking away.

The first card was made with inspiration from the Unity KOM Sketch Challenge and from The Outlawz - Color Challenge CC1227 + polka dots

White, pink and red card stock

Tire tread stamp, Heart stamp, and sentiment are all from Unity Dec KOM 

Ranger Arvhival Ink and Studio G red and white ink 

Twine by The Twinery via Sweet 'n' Sassy

 

 Here is the color palette/photo inspiration ~

 Here is the sketch I used ~

The next card was made with inspiration from the Chick Challenges {with Ippity} #11 Sketch.

 Pearl, white, and red card stock

Family Heart stamp from Here and Now {Ippity}

Sentiment stamp from Music of My Heart {Ippity}

Distress Ink and Embossing Powder - Vintage Photo

Brad and Fibers from stash 

Here is the sketch I used ~

Keep on Crafting
:o) 
Jessica

LOVE card ~~~ inking up some Unity

I got to play with my new KOM by Unity.  This is the first chance I am getting to play along with the Unity KOM Sketch Challenge. 

I started with red card stock by Recollections Soda Pop Collection.  I inked the backdrop with the tire tread stamp in the Dec KOM by Unity using my Ranger Archival Black ink pad.  Then I stamped the heart and LOVE from the same KOM onto white card stock.  I masked the white rectangle with black card stock and distressed all the edges using my Tim Holtz distressing tool.  I colored the sentiment and heart in using my Whisper Strokes Permanent Red marker.  I added a bit of red Studio G glitter glue, bakers' twine by the Twinery, and a few buttons from my stash.

I am also entering a few other challenges with this card:
Paper Playtime - #63 AG + sentiment
The Outlawz - GC122611 AG
Bearly Mine - #26 Anything Goes
Crafts and Me - #66 AG
Less Is More - #47 Just One Word

This post is going to be rather short because I want to go play with some more Unity Stamps!!!

Keep Crafting
:O)
Jessica

Handmade Stocking Bags and Giftwrap

Just wanted to share a quick post that highlights some of the last creations I was able to finish right before Santa came to visit.  Because things were so hectic and crazy, at the last minute, I decided to make some handmade stocking bags for the kids.  This was easier than trying to find where the dh put them from last year .
Real simple, I just stamped the bags edges with red ink, added a HoHoHo stamp from TPS Studio using green ink, and cut a stocking from my Gingerbread Cart at 4 1/2".  I hand drew some stitching and added some cotton and glitter.  After that, I chose some alpha stickers for each of the kids' names, and Voila, the stockings were finished.  I did however, forget to take the last picture before Santa filled the bags, so it isn't the greatest pic, but it will do.

I am entering this into the Scrappy Moms Stamps, Terrific Tuesday Challenge "It's in the Bag"

I also decided to give my Grandma-In-Law the shadowbox I made a few weeks ago.  But, I also knew that I wanted to give the little extra flair to the wrapping aspect.  So, I decided to stamp up some brown paper wrap using my Unity Stamps (that I just received in the mail....YIPPEE) that were in my "goody bag"  and from the set I ordered "Dutch Mustard Soup" by jillibean (see picture below).  I was able to use the sentiment that is on the giftwrap (so fitting for dear sweet Grandma Fisher) and one of the circular stamps to make a homemade tag.  I just stamped the tag and cut it with my 2" circle punch.  Grandma praised me for the gift and it made it all worth while.  Silly me, again, I forgot to snap a picture of the finished wrapping with the tags affixed and the bakers' twine around it.  That just goes to show how mindless I was the last few days before Christmas arrived...he he he!

I plan to enter this into the Unity Stamp Co. - Unity Challenge - Gift Giving

Here is the stamp set I used for the tag (because the sentiment came in my grab bag, I am unsure of which set it came from)

I hope everyone had a splendid and joyous Christmas and are awaiting a prosperous New Year!
Keep On Crafting
:O)
Jessica

Fun Favorite - Robin's Creative Cottage Link Up Party

Well, I am still in a crafty mood, but quickly wanted to share a personal favorite with all of my wonderful Blends.  I had so much fun creating this holiday shadowbox and want to link up with Robin's Creative Cottage - Link Up Party.  Feel free to stop by Robin's Blog to join in on the fun!!!

Here is the finished project and the link to the Original Post  for all the details and list of supplies used to create this home decor!

Keep Crafting
:O)
Jessica

Just playing with some {Ippity}

I was able to gather a small portion of time to ink up some fabulous Ippity Stamps.   I have been wanting to play with them for about a week now.  It seems like a lot of my creations were made using just one stamp and I felt like I was neglecting all the others. . . . he he he.  I am also happy because I was able to create this card from ALL SCRAPS!!!  I used my paper distresser, 2" circle punch, black sketch marker, and Ranger Archival Ink.  Pearls are from my stash.

I am playing along with these challenges:
Unity Opportunity Challenge - Ippity Challenge Thank You
I Did It Creations - #86  Thank You cards
Chick Challenge #10 Sketch

and
The Outlawz Color Challenge CC1220

Here are the Ippity Stamps by Unity that I used for my creation.  You can click on any of the links I provided up top to purchase these sets for yourself!!!

Now & Always 

and 

Music of My Heart

Keep Crafting
:O)
Jessica

Come Wish Cathie a Happy Birthday

Cathie of Creative Cutter Room is celebrating her upcoming birthday!  Won't you join in wishing her Best Wishes???

She is celebrating with an awesome giveaway, too!

You have to head over to the CCR blog to see what the prizes are . . . 

So head on over to CCR and get your wishes in soon!!!

:O) Jessica

My Snowman Tag for ***Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas**

Oh my, Tim Holtz is one amazing crafter.  But I didn't need to even say that out loud....LOL!  The time he must spend creating the masterpieces that bestow our eyes!!!!  I started early in the day, but am just now finishing up with my first tag to join the fun at Tim's 12 Tags of Christmas.  I chose to start with Day 4 because I had been wanting to make some tags with snowmen on them.  I had most of the supplies already out, and when I saw this tutorial, I got really excited. 

To save you some time and for sake of not boring you horribly, I will show the picture, then all the challenges I am entering, then at the very end, I will post the techniques and supplies I used.

Challenges

1. Tim Holtz 12 Tags of Christmas - Tag 4
2. Simon Says Stamp and Show - Make a Tim Holtz themed tag
3. My Craft Spot - #38 Tag You're It
4. Die Cutting Divas - #44 Tags, Tags, and More Tags
5. Anything Goes - Anything but a Card (tags OK)
6. Cooking With Cricut - #64 Cards, Tags, and Gifts
7. ABC Christmas - Y is for Yippee (Christmas is almost here)
8. Quick Quotes - Tags
9. Little Scrap Pieces - Winter Holiday
10. Unity Stamp Co. - Gift Wrapping

Link Up Parties (may or may/not be for a prize)

1. CRE8IVECINDY - FFF challenge (use one of her tutorials and link up)
2. Whimsical Designs - Link Up a Tim Holtz or any other kind of Tag
3. Ippity Linky Mondays - Dec. 19th Linky Party

Techniques and Tools:
Tag Base - old tp roll covered with blue dp on front and white cs on back.  I made my own Glimmery Mist using a Ranger mini mister, 3/4 water, 2 small drops perfect pearls, and blue re-inker.  I misted my tag with my "concoction" and let it dry.  While it was drying, I went ahead and distressed my snowman,  cut from the Gingerbread cart (white and top layer black) at 3 1/4".  I used a navy blue and light aqua with hints of white.  I also misted my snowman.  I stamped a swirly image onto the tag using  an Ippity Stamp set titled - Now and Always and white ink.  The swirl pattern was larger than the tag, but I wanted to mimic the technique Tim showed on his blog, so I allowed it to hang over the edge and pressed down.  I decided to stamp a second time just moving to the left a little this time.  I cut snowflakes out using Graphically Speaking,  2 small and 2 large.  I inked up the 2 small snowflakes with the same navy blue and hints of aqua.  I misted the 2 larger ones with the same blue mist concoction then once they were dry, I used foam squares to piece them together.  Since my snowman was dry, I moved onto piecing him together and inking the edges with a mixture of the same three inks.  I added Ranger Crackle Paint, allowed it to dry for a short while, then used my heat tool to speed up the process.  Once it was dry, I was able to add a bit of white tulle (scraps) and Antique White crinkle ribbon from 3GirlJam.  I threaded a bit more of the same tulle through a few buttons I chose out of my button drawer.  Then I cut a '2' and '5' from my Jasmine cartridge at 1 1/2" and embossed them using my musical notes folder.  I distressed them using my Tim Holtz - Vintage Photo distress ink.  After the first coat of Crackle Paint dried, I applied a 2nd coat...I guess practice makes perfect...LOL!    Then I repeated a few steps before piecing the entire project together.  I finished off by adding some glossy accents to the numbers, adding a charm to the tie, pearls and fibers to the snowman's hat, and crackle paint to the snowflake.

I am pleased with how well it turned out and am thankful to have had a chance to play with some of my new goodies. 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit and am always happy to read your lovely comments!!!

Makin' It To The Mailbox Monday {MITTMM} #8

Welcome to the 8th week of  

Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays!

I started this installment series to showcase the generosity that floods our Crafty Blogging Community.  So many times we receive a very generous prize from a dear friend and this is where we can shout out "THANK YOU" to those who really deserved it.

You are the people behind the Magic of Making My Day!!!

I want to take this opportunity to shout a huge

to all of you who have shown me your kindness and  your generosity.

Every week (if time is available), on Monday I will be posting a new installment of Makin' it to the Mailbox Mondays, where I will give a proper shout out to the generosity I have experienced first hand each and every week!  I hope you will take the opportunity to visit all of the wonderful and talented bloggers that I mention each week, to see their beautiful creations.  Those of you who know me, know I wouldn't steer you in the wrong direction.  There is so much to see and all of these fine ARTISTS are just a click away!!!

First up, I would like to offer a sincere THANK YOU to  the entire Team at The Chick Callenges {with Ippity} Blog for wonderful inspiration and regular challenges using your {Ippity} by Unity Stamps.  If you haven't noticed yet . . . .I LOVE {IPPITY}!!!!  Thanks also goes to {Ippity Chick} Noelle of Noelle Scraps A Lot! for being such a generous sponsor for  Chick Challenge #8 for which I had the honor of being chosen as the winner.  She was so sweet to offer an awesome set of stamps that I had been wanting for a little while now and she was SO SUPER FAST on shipping them to me.  

THANK YOU SO MUCH Noelle and ALL of {Ippity} Chicks!!!

****************************************** 
{ippity} Here and Now

My camera is being stubborn, so I decided to use this picture to show the stamps

  ******************************************

I also want to invite you to look at the wonderful stamps Unity has to offer at exceptional pricing.  Another option to purchase your {Ippity} by Unity is to chose an {Ippity} Chick Near You as your own personal sales chick. 

The current Chick Challenge starts today, too.  So hurry over, order a few new stamps, and  join in on the challenges . . .

I hope that if I have inadvertently left anyone out of this gracious THANK YOU, that you all know you are all included in my thoughts, past and present.  Please, if you wish for me to do a shout out to you in a future Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday, don't hesitate to remind me of a prize you sent my way, and I will do my best to give you the credit you so rightfully deserve!!!

Also, if you would like to show off your own winnings, just title your post Makin' it to the Mailbox Monday and if I am your follower, I will gladly stop by to read it once I see it at my dashboard.  Or, if you'd like, you can leave a link with your comment below.  I would love to see the happiness that greets others in their Monday Mailboxes :O)

DON'T FORGET TO:

Happy Crafting and Until Next Time
:O)
Jessica

I am putting my Camera on the Naughty List

I struggled today to try to complete a project using Anne's wonderful image.  The CFC challenge at The Outlawz is due today and I knew I was limited with time.  I printed the image onto vellum to show the blue contrast once I placed it on the tag (made from an old tp roll by the way LOL).  Then I colored it using my Whisper Strokes markers and my black and white gel pens.  I fussy cut it a bit, added some fibers and a bling brad, then inked the edges with my Distress Ink - Vintage Photo.

So, it is really pretty (in my opinion), but my camera failed to take a decent picture before it needed to charge.  And, my camera is quite finicky when the battery loses its charge.  It dies immediately!  So this is truly the best picture I have to offer right now, and hopefully my camera will be in a better mood tomorrow.

This picture truly does no justice for Anne's talent as an artist.

Entries into other challenges:
Craft Your Passion #88 Tag You're It
The Scrapbooking Queen - #3 Christmas/Winter
Anything Goes - Anything But a Card
Whimsical Design - Tag Link Up Party
Divas by Design - #17 Merry Christmas
Quick Quotes - #10 Tags

:O) Jessica

D.L ART wants to see a pic of WHAT (not who) you are Thankful For . . .

Diana is always having fun giveaways and posts about being Thankful so often.  It really is contagious to try to take a brief moment out of your day to think about all the things and people you are thankful for in your life.  I could give so many answers to this question.  But she has asked us to link a picture of something, not someone that we are thankful for right now.  Because I am trying to narrow it down, as I sit in my Craft Room/Computer Room/Laundry Room . . . I am thankful to have even this narrow amount of space.  I know a lot of people who don't even have a separate place to craft and may have to improvise by using a kitchen table or floor even.

Laundry to the Left, Crafts up front and Center, Office to the Right

I am fortunate enough to be able to create, while I work on the budget and do a little laundry all in one place.  Where some may see this as an obstacle, I embrace the fact that it is multi-functional and quite convenient.

So Diana, thank you for getting the fire lit under my Thankful Mind!

If you would like to link up a picture and join the party, just go to
Diana's Blog Post HERE and find out how you can get a chance at winning a $15 gift card as a prize.

Keep on Crafting
:O)
Jessica

***WINNERS***

The day is finally arrived . . . The winners from the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop have officially been announced . . . Head on over the Creative Scrapbooking Divas Mansion to find out who the lucky winners are . . .

* * * *WINNERS * * * *

:O) Jessica

My funny bone has been tickled once again

This is probably my favorite of all time from Crazy Target Lady!!!

:O) Jessica

Quick and Simple

Today I am reluctantly sharing a card I created late last night.  Reluctantly?  Yes.  This is one time that I am not thoroughly pleased with a card I have created.  As simple as it seemed to create, the idea looked better amongst the confines of my own mind than it did when I snapped the picture.   I can't quite pinpoint the reason for my personal dissatisfaction, but it is what it is.  Here is the card:

I started with a vanilla cream card stock by Recollections.  I then stamped my wreath using Sweet Stamps Wreath 132E and Cherry Red Studio G ink.  I colored in the Bow using a gold Whisper Strokes marker.  I placed the gold foil vellum border sticker over the wreath image and added the pine cone corners.  The tag sentiment was created on my computer and printed on vellum.  Then I inked the edges and adhered a chipboard heart to the center.  The chipboard heart was a brilliant white sparkly piece that I inked up to tone it down.  I added a few red pearls to finish it off. 

I created this card with inspiration from the following challenges:
Paper Players - #76 CAS + Colour Challenge - Cherry, Gold, Vanilla
Sweet Stamps - #45 Chipboard
Paper Cutz Challenge - #119 All Hearts Come Home for Christmas

Keep Crafting
:O)
Jessica

CSDivas Blog Hop Winners will be Announced Soon

The CSDivas Mansion is hopping 

with excitement.  

 We want to offer a huge and sincere THANK YOU 

to all of those who support our blog 

and to all of those who participated in our

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.

We were ecstatic about the amount 

of projects that were linked up 

and hope that you were able to 

check a few "to do" items off of your Holiday lists.

We are all collaborating our efforts to gather 

all the details to choose our lucky winners.  

Please stay tuned as this will be announced soon!  

Thank you for your patience !!!

Sincerely,

CSDivas Admin and DT team!

Visions of Sugar Plums

Good Afternoon Bloggers and Friends!!!

I was so inspired by Robyn at My Pink Stamper that I had to start creating IMMEDIATELY.  If you hadn't heard yet, today is DAY 1 of the fabulous 12 Days of Christmas.  Each day their will be a Video (with awesome tutorials and fun ideas), a Giveaway, and a Challenge to inspire you.

Today's challenge (copied from MPS blog)

CHALLENGE:  Make a Christmas or Winter project from a Cricut Cartridge that is NOT for the Holidays!  Think outside the box.  

I looked quickly at my few cartridges and was flooded with ideas.  I thought about cutting a globe from Graphically Speaking to mark Santa's travels in one night.  I also thought about cutting out the pouting and praying characters from the Playtime cartridge and adding a sentiment "better not pout, better not cry" .   But ultimately, I chose to use my Preserves cartridge and pay tribute to Twas' the Night Before Christmas and to the sugar plum fairies from the Nutcracker. 

The layout of my card was created using the sketch for this week at The Outlawz - SC1214

The colors of my card were created using the color challenge at SPCC- #130

 Other challenges that I wish to enter:
Craft Your Passion - #88 TAG You're It
**Cooking with Cricut** - #64 Cards, Gifts, and Tags
The Paper Variety - AG
Crafts and Me - #66 Christmas

 RECIPE FOR MY CARD:

Papers: Pearls core'dinations  card stock for my base

Green Recollections card stock

Other papers from my stash

Twine from the Twinery

Stamped sentiment Merry Christmas ($1 stamp)

Plums cut at 2 1/2", covered with glitter for 'candied" affect and raised up with 3D foam

Tag Visions of Sugar Plums created by ME and printed on Vellum

Other tools used: Tim Holtz paper Distresser, and paper crimper

Ink by Studio G (burgundy and antique brown)

Pearls from stash

I hope this post this finds you doing well and crafting away!!!
:O)
Jessica

Vintage Santa from a Photomontage

Well, it is now the 13th of December and all is well here.  I hope that all of my lovely followers can say the same.  Christmas is just around the corner and the kiddos are getting super excited.  They even attempted to decorate the tree with their stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows this morning.  What a sight.  I am enjoying their excitement as they watch the abundance of Holiday specials that are crowding the channels as of late.  I am a blessed mother to have such a wonderful family!  I am also so blessed to have found time to craft again today.  I finished a card that was in my mind for a few days now, just not put together yet.  I was directly inspired by the current Simon Says - Christmas Photomontage Inspiration challenge. 

 Isn't this inspiration delightful???

I really loved the vintage Santa, the musical notes, and the poinsettia.  These elements inspired me to create this card:

I started with a blue card stock by Recollections and embossed it with an argyle embossing folder.  Then I stamped the musical notes using my Music of My Heart stamps by Unity Stamp Co.  My image in the center is a rub on that I transferred to white card stock, fussy cut, then inked the edges with an antique brown.  I placed a small rectangle (also inked the edges) behind this image.  I got my hot glue gun out and added the poinsettia, stars, and green pine garland (that I hand twirled and fed behind the raised Santa image rub on).  I added a few pearls, some glitter glue, and the chipboard bird to finish it off.  I hope you like it.


I would also like to enter the following challenges with this card:
Celebrate the Occasion - #43 Christmas (NO RED)
Dutch Dare Card Challenges - #142 Winged Things
I Did It Creations - #85 Santa's Getting Ready
Linky Party - Unity Opportunity Blog - Dec. 12th Ippity Link Up
Unity Opportunity Challenge - Dec 4th Free For All


Happy Holidays
Hugz

:O)
Jessica