Decorating Rudolph

Happy Thursday, everyone! Yesterday I had a chance to play in this week's Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenge -- did you know it's Sketch #300? Several companies have donated prizes, so you'll want to play along! :)

I used Decorating Rudolph from Stampavie for my focal image. I did a LOT of coloring with my Copics, and I pulled the colors from this fun Crate Paper Snow Day paper. I topped the bow with a Red Button and some Natural Burlap String. The background paper was embossed with the Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder. I finished the card with a trio of punched snowflakes, adhesive rhinestones, and some Diamond Stickles.

That's it for today! I'm so glad you stopped by!

Have a great day!

Christina

It's Digital Designs Day at MFT!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today My Favorite Things is releasing a new digi paper pack and several new templates, so we're celebrating with a Digital Designs Day! If you haven't tried anything digital, now's the time!

Here's what's new:
Halloween Dotty Papers
Bird House Template
Full Circle Treat Box Template
All-Season Wagon Template
Pumpkin Box Template

I used the Pumpkin Box Template and the Halloween Dotty Papers to make my first project. I made the box and tag out of Fossil cardstock. I also printed the orange dotty pattern onto Fossil cardstock and cut strips for the box and tag. I inked all the edges with Tea Dye Distress Ink. On the pumpkin top, instead of using the scalloped circle in the template, I used My Favorite Felt and one of the flowers from the Die-namics Perfect Petal Trio.

The image and sentiment on the tag are from Tiny Town Halloween. The scallop was cut with the Die-namics Small Scallop Border. I finished the tag with a couple of Neutral Baby Braddies.

I again used the Fossil Cardstock, Halloween Dotty Papers and Tiny Town Halloween to make this clean and simple Halloween card. 

The MFT DT has more digital fun to share with you! Head over to Kim's Blog after 11 am for a list of all the designers participating in Digital Designs Day! :) 

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great day!

Christina

Give Thanks

Hello there! Happy Tuesday to you! The weather around here is finally feeling like autumn. After weeks and weeks of 90+ degree heat, I am SO ready! Crafting for autumn is one of my favorite things to do. I made this Thanksgiving card using the Give Thanks Nested Frames by JustRite Stampers. The paper is from the Halloween in Wonderland pad by Graphic 45. Although the paper has a Halloween theme, I thought this pumpkin patch pattern would be perfect for a Thanksgiving card!

The Really Rust panel was stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with black embossing powder. The sentiment panel is raised on dimensionals. I tied some Natural Burlap String onto the bow to add to the autumn feel. 

That's all for today! I have a busy blog week ahead for you -- a little more Stamper's Dream plus the start of MFTeasers! Thanks so much for visiting today -- I'm always so glad when you do! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

JustRite Friday Challenge

This week, Stamper's Dream is sponsoring the Friday challenge on the JustRite Inspiration Blog . The challenge is a sketch, and the prize is a $50 shopping spree at Stamper's Dream . Trust me when I tell you that you won't have any trouble spending it there when you see all the latest and greatest products Michelle has in stock, including the complete JustRite Christmas stamp collection!

Just use the sketch challenge #037 to make your card, then post it on the JustRite Inspiration Blog using Mr. Linky. You have until Thursday, September 30 at 9 am.

For my sample I used Whimsical Christmas and Christmas Nested Sentiments. I inked the edges of the circles with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The paper is from the Holly Jolly 12 x 12 Kit by My Mind's Eye. I gave the design lots of bling with some adhesive rhinestones. After all, what are the holidays without a little sparkle? ;) 

Please visit these members of The Dream Team to see what fabulous challenge card samples they have made for you:

Michelle
Tosh
Cammie
Laurie
Amy
Christina (You're here!)
Karen

Thanks so much for the visit today!

Have a Fantastic Friday!
Christina

VIP Blog Hop!

Hi there! It's time for the MFT VIP Blog Hop! If you haven't seen all of the projects so far, go back to Kim's Blog and start from the beginning! This month's Winter in the City WTG set will definitely get you in the mood for Christmas, so you'll want to get your hands on it TWO weeks early! :)

You can see all the goodness in the VIP Package right HERE!

This card was SO much fun to make! I used the NEW Die-namics Let it Snowflakes die, which is included in the VIP Package -- it has a trio of beautiful snowflakes in different sizes! I also used the Perfect Bracket Edge die along the bottom. The paper is from the Very Merry collection by October Afternoon. I applied some Liquid applique to her coat trim and puffed it up with a heat tool. I also added some Icicle Stickles to the snow.

I finished the inside with a sentiment from Noel Sentiments and some more snowflakes!

Next stop on the hop is the sweet and mega-talented Lisa Henke -- I'm sure she has something gorgeous to show you! Happy Shopping, everyone!

Thanks for hopping by!
Christina

à la modes - Miss You a Latte

Hi, everyone! It's Day Two of à la modes previews! Today's set is Miss You a Latte. If you're a coffee lover like me, you NEED this set!

So, I was working on this card the other night, and my sweet hubby brought me a Starbucks latte. Totally appropriate, huh? I decided to pull the sleeve off the cup and use it as a panel in my design! The paper is from the Hometown collection by October Afternoon. I colored the image with Copics, then I cut it out and mounted it on the embossed oval.

I did a simple finish on the inside with one of  the sentiments from the set. A gift card would be the perfect addition -- just pretend it's there, okay?  ;)

Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am to see who has previews to share with you today! We'll be back tonight at 10:00 pm for the MFT VIP Blog Hop! Hope to see you then!

Have a great day!
Christina

à la modes - Candy Cane Kisses

Happy Monday, everyone! I am SO excited to be previewing the NEW à la modes from My Favorite Things! They have totally stolen my heart! We'll have teasers today and tomorrow, so you'll want to stay tuned! Today's preview is of Candy Cane Kisses.

Paper is from the Holly Jolly 12 x 12 pack by My Mind's Eye. I embossed the background panel with the Cuttlebug Snowflakes folder. I stamped the image on a Perfect Paper Panel in Memento Rich Cocoa ink and colored with Copics. There are Frosted Lace Stickles on her boot trim and pom pom and Icicle Stickles on the snow.

I used the Die-namics Fresh Cut Grass die to make icicles! I cut them from My Favorite Felt and applied more Icicle Stickles. I love the result -- you'll definitely be seeing more of it!  :)

Stop by Kim's Blog today after 11 am for a complete list of designers who are previewing this sweet set! I'll have another à la modes teaser for you tomorrow -- you'll love her, too!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Have a great day!

Christina

Trying to Stay Afloat

Okay, it's been one of those weeks. You know, the kind where you feel like you're drowning in your to-do list and your everyday life. Seriously, I'm trying to catch some air and just stay afloat.

My 3 1/2-year-old nephew had open heart surgery Wednesday, so he has been on my mind and heart all week. The surgery was a success, but it's been a "two steps forward, one step back" kind of recovery so far. Please keep him (and my brother and sister-in-law) in your prayers. I'm taking a graduate course to renew my teaching certificate, and I have spent hours doing homework this week. Plus, I have a paper due Monday which I haven't started yet. I have four kids playing sports, so every night brings a practice or game. Oh, and did I mention that I am tutoring two afternoons a week? Yep, I'm insane.

SO, what did I do yesterday afternoon? I stamped. I just needed a little therapy time. This image and sentiment from The Cat's Pajamas set Ship Happens were just calling to me, so I made this card for my brother and SIL. The layout is this week's SCS Sketch Challenge 298. Since I inked up a TCP set, I played along in the TCP Tuesday Challenge, which is "Mad for Plaid." Admittedly, this paper is more of a check than a plaid, but it's the best I could do! :)

I stamped the image in Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copics. I paper pieced the hats with the "plaid" paper and the spoon with TCP's wood veneer sheets. Of course, I machine stitched the panels and added a bow!

That's all for now! I hope you are having a good weekend so far! Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today!

Have a great day!
Christina

JustRite Christmas Blog Hop!

Hello, everyone! Happy Wednesday to you! Today The Dream Team from Stamper's Dream is joining JustRite Stampers for their newest Wednesday feature, 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hops! Every Wednesday until Thanksgiving some of your favorite designers will be joining some of the JustRite design team for a series of Christmas blog hops, showcasing the JustRite Christmas Collection of stamps! So mark your calendars for Wednesdays at 9am Central for great Christmas gift, card and project ideas, starting at the JustRite Inspiration blog!

For my project today I used the Whimsical Christmas set to make this fun tag! There's no better way to spread some Christmas Cheer than by giving away a bag of tasty treats, don't you agree? :)

I stamped the image in Memento Rich Cocoa ink, and I colored with Copic markers. I applied some Icicle Stickles to the snowflakes for some extra shimmer. I inked the edges of the image circles with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The paper is from the Holly Jolly 12 x 12 Kit by My Mind's Eye. I created a pleated paper "ribbon" and machine stitched the pleats in place. I love the contrast of the sparkly rhinestone flourish and the earthy brown button. You might not think they go together, but it works here!

I had the idea to emboss this lined coffee bag, and I'm thrilled with how it turned out! I ran it through my Big Shot on the Multipurpose Platform with both extra tabs removed. The bag is long, so I embossed in three sections. Since the Snowflakes pattern is random, everything blended together perfectly!

Even the side flaps were embossed! I lightly applied Vanilla craft ink onto the embossing to make it pop. Then I filled the bag, rolled the top, and clipped on the tag!

Please visit these designers' blogs (after 9 am Central) to see what fabulous Christmas projects they have for you on the hop today!

JustRite Inspiration Blog
Michelle Rodgers
Amy Sheffer
Heidi Blankenship
Christina Fischer (you're here!)
Kazan Clark
Tosha Leyendekker
Laurie Schmidlin
Sankari Wegman
Cindy Lawrence
Kellie Fortin
Denise Marzec
Stephanie Kraft
Karen Giron
Kathy Jones
Leslie Miller
Carolyn King
Angela Barkhouse
Michelle Kovak

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Christina

Better Get Better

Happy Saturday, all! We have another busy day ahead -- Saturdays are just crazy around here! I did have some time yesterday to make this card for the Ways to Use It Challenge at Splitcoaststampers. The theme was Twine -- so I had to play along! You all know by now that I seldom make anything without twine anymore! :)

I inked up this sweet Pure Innocence Better Get Better set (which, sadly, had not seen ink before now!). I colored with Copics and did some fun machine stitching on the top and sides. The paper is Quite Contrary by My Mind's Eye. I wrapped the twine around the card three times and tied it through the button. The bottom panel was cut with the new Die-namics Perfect Bracket Edge die.

That's all for today!  We're off to game #1!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a great day!

Christina

MFT's Greatest Hits: Jolinne

Happy Thursday! Today the My Favorite Things DT is back with MFT's Greatest Hits! We're inking up some of our favorite previously-released sets -- and this month it's all about Jolinne! I chose Birthday Balloon Jolinne to share with you today, but I gave her a little twist! Since this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club has a "Back to School Blues" theme, I gave her a little school spirit!

I was thrilled that these Bo Bunny Learning Curve papers had some blue in them! I used two new Die-namics: Notebook Edge Die and Perfect Bracket Edge. I stamped and colored the balloons on a separate scrap of cardstock, and I used the Wendy Alpha to stamp the school letters on them. Then I cut out the balloons and adhered them over the corner of the image. I added a little more blue with an Earth Girl Button.

Would you like to share in the Jolinne fun? Kim's offering a shopping code for today: JOLINNE. It's good for $5 off any Jolinne set (your Jolinne set must be in your cart)! Happy Shopping! :)

Be sure to stop by Kim's Blog today after 11 am to see which designers are playing some Greatest Hits! :)

Thanks for the visit today -- I'm always so glad when you stop by!

Have a great day!
Christina

A Pile of Penguins

Happy Wednesday, friends! A few days ago I received a package from Stamper's Dream -- it was definitely happy mail! I used today's Sketch Challenge 297 at Splitcoaststampers as a good reason to use some of my new stuff!

I couldn't wait to ink up A Pile of Penguins from Stampavie -- this image just makes me smile! I colored with Copics and applied some Icicle Stickles to the snow. I am loving this My Mind's Eye Holly Jolly paper, so you will be seeing it again!  Of course, no card of mine would be complete without some machine stitching and a strategically-placed button! :)

I need to get a few things done around the house before the kids get home, then I'll be tutoring and heading to Kyle's school for mini-schedule night! There just aren't ever enough hours, are there? Anyway, thanks so much for stopping by today!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Christina

Bowl of Cherries

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I have made a vow to myself that I WILL ink up the sets I purchased at CHA.  I started with this fun set from Taylored Expressions called Berries & Cherries. Actually, I spent quite a bit of time at Taylor's booth -- I'm quickly becoming a big fan! :) I used Taylor's Sketch #126 as well. I made use of another CHA purchase, this American Crafts paper (love it!). 

I definitely had some fun making this card. I colored, cut out and popped up the images, then I gave them a coat of Crystal Lacquer for lots of shine. I embossed the blue background layer with my Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder.

I do have more new stamps I plan to ink up -- you all have to hold me to my vow! ;)  Thanks for stopping by today!

Have a great day!

Christina

Black and White Wedding

Hello, everyone! Happy Monday, and Happy Labor Day to my American friends! I hope you all had a great weekend! Ours was busy with soccer and cross country, plus some time with family and friends. Now I'm ready to get back to some stamping!

Here's a card I made for some young friends who were married during the weekend. I kept it clean and simple with a black and white theme.

The stamps are from the Verve set Fairy Tales. The background was embossed with my Cuttlebug and Victoria embossing folder. I picked up the fun American Crafts ribbon during a trip to Archiver's a couple weeks ago -- I'm sure you'll be seeing more of it!

That's all for today! I think I'll be spending some time stamping today -- I need to get something inky! Thank you for stopping by today -- I always appreciate it! :)

Have a great day!

Christina

Winter Wonder

Happy Thursday, everyone! I know it's just September, but I am slowly working on more winter and holiday cards to add to my stash. I created this card with the JustRite sets Backyard Birds and Nature's Nested Sentiments, available at Stamper's Dream.

The paper is from the Wassail 6x6 pad by Basic Grey. I used Nestabilities to cut and mat the image, and I colored with Copic markers. The edges of the image and sentiment were sponged with Antique Linen Distress Ink. I added some Icicle Stickles to the snow on the branch. The fibers were a happy find from my stash -- I love it when that happens! I tied them up with a Big Red Button.

That's all for today! Thank you for your visits -- they mean so much!

Have a fantastic day!

Christina

MFT Release Blog Hop!

Hi there! It's time for the My Favorite Things Shop and Hop! If you just happened upon my post but haven't seen all the goodness so far, you'll want to go back to the beginning at Kim's Blog! This release has been filled with amazing sets, don't you think? I have a fun one to share with you tonight... it's Wyatt the Conductor! He's just too cute!  The layout is the Sketch Challenge for this week's MFT Wednesday Stamp Club. You can find all the details HERE!

I combined patterns of October Afternoon Night Light paper to create this boyish card. I colored with Copics and paper pieced his bandana. The black star border on the left was created with the NEW Die-namics Star Border die! I used black Baby Braddies in the centers of the Fossil stars. ETA: The Fossil stars were cut and embossed with Stars Five Nestabilities.

 

I finished the inside of the card with the train images and another sentiment from the set.

All of the Brand Spankin' New products are available right HERE, right now! Next you'll be visiting the amazingly talented Melody Rupple! I know she has something sweet and spectacular to share with you! :)

Happy shopping, everyone! Thanks for hopping by!

Christina

MFTeasers - Day 5

Well, here it is -- the final day of MFTeasers before tonight's Release! Today the DT is previewing these sets: Well Read WTG, Clearly Sentimental about Books, and Flopsey Flies a Kite. I'm sure you know by now that I do love Flopsey, so I just had to ink up that set!

To create this little scene, I first cut the tree with the Die-namics Sheltering Tree die and inked the edges. I stamped and colored the Flopsey and rock image, then I cut it out and layered it over the tree. I added some felt grass which I cut with the Die-namics Fresh Cut Grass die. I paper pieced the kite and added some Bakery Blend Ribbon twine. I finished the card with some Die-namics Jumbo Scallops, an Earth Girl Button, and more twine.

Stop by Kim's Blog after 11 am today for the list of designers who have previews! Don't forget to leave a comment on each designer's post for a chance to win a prize! Tonight's the night -- the Release Party will be HERE from 8-10 pm, and then it's time to Shop and Hop at 10:00! 

I'll see you back here tonight! Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Christina