Paper Sweeties Sketch Inspiration #3

Happy New Year, y'all!  I hope your day is filled with fun and relaxation!  We'll just be hanging out, trying to stay warm, and enjoying another day of my hubby being off work; but over at Paper Sweeties, we're starting things off right with a Sketch Inspiration Challenge #3.  Here's how it inspired me.

I started this card by anchoring a piece of yellow, plaid, patterned paper, in the center of the ink distressed, Kraft, cardstock, card face, with aqua-threaded, zig-zag, machine stitches and a trio of Pure Poppy buttons, in the bottom right corner, with Baker's Twine.

I then trimmed the top of the patterned paper piece with a punch strip of red, polka dot, patterned paper and stamped the "2013 Happy New Year" sentiment, in Jet Black ink, just below it.

A length of white, scalloped lace dresses up the horizontal center of the prepped piece.  I then framed a 3" square of aqua, hexagon, patterned paper with Lake House cardstock; machine stitched, with aqua-threaded, straight stitches, around its edges; and adhered it, in the center of the prepped piece, over the lace, with foam tape.  A length of gingham ribbon was then wrapped around the entire thing; tied, in a bow, near the left edge of the card face; and embellished with a Baker's Twine bow and a lone pearl.  Finally, I die cut two stars from White cardstock and vellum; anchored them together like a pocket, with punched circles of Lake House, Ruby Red, & Daffodil Delight cardstocks tucked in their center, with aqua-threaded, straight, machine stitches; adhered it, with foam tape, in the center of the framed, patterned, paper square, just to the right of the embellished bow; and topped it with another die cut from Daffodil Delight cardstock and glittered star.

Further inspiration for this card came from the color palette and scrumptious mix of patterns in the Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger: Sweet Dreams.

Now, here's this month's sketch to get you started.  You have until the close of the month EST to get your takes linked up, over at the challenge link above, in order to be in the running to win two Paper Sweeties stamp sets.  Yea!  Then, the girls will have a brand new sketch, for you all, beginning February 1, 2013.

Last month marked my final month as a member of the Paper Sweeties Design Team.  However, Debbie has so sweetly asked me to continue designing as my schedule will allow, which I'm beyond honored to do :).  Thanks so much for stopping by, and be sure to stop by the Paper Sweeties Blog to see how the rest of the team, with the addition of two, uber talented designers, too, have interpreted the sketch.  Hugs!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Occasions - sentiment & Alphas Lower - numbers (Paper Sweeties) Paper: Kraft, White, & Lake House (Wplus9); Daffodil Delight & Ruby Red (SU); red polka dot (BoBunny); yellow plaid (Fancy Pants); aqua hexagon (Basic Grey); vellum (Paper Studio) Ink: Tea Dye, Antique Linen, & Jet Black (Ranger) Other: aqua thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Clear Cut Stackers: Stars die (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); Upper Crest Border punch (Fiskars); lace & gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); pearl (Recollections); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies); Dazzling Diamonds & 1/16" Circle punch (SU); Pure Poppy buttons (PTI); hole punch (office supply store)

MME Dec. Challenge #2

Happy Monday, y'all!  I trust you all had wonderful weekends!  Ours was uneventful other than running errands, making returns, putting away the Christmas decorations (That crispy tree just had to go!), attending church, and getting things organized in general.  Actually, when I put it like that, we had a pretty busy weekend.  It's just that most of the things we did weren't picture worthy ;).  Anyway, I've got a sweet layout of me and my baby girl, on her first birthday, to share with you all, today.  Enjoy!

I started this layout by stamping the floral, woodgrain, base page, in Jet Black ink, with the text.  I then framed my photos with Whisper White cardstock and adhered them in their respective locations.  A vintage, prescription sheet was tucked under the right side of the far right photo and topped with a black framed journaling card, which was anchored with a couple of staples and reads, Happy 1st birthday, baby girl!  I am so proud to be your Mommy.  You'll always be my beautiful, brown-eyed girl...

as well as a couple of hand cut, from patterned paper doilies.  The top of which was lifted with foam tape and topped with a crystal button, laced with white string.

The title was created by stamping "YOU & ME against the world.", in Jet Black ink, on a cardstock, sticker label and placing the "Love" with blue alphas. 

Another hand-cut doily, along with a 11.01.09, file folder tab, tops the left photograph; and a couple scraps of text, patterned paper, which had circles punched from them that were filled in with hand cut, from patterned paper, butterflies, whose centers were anchored with black-threaded, machine stitches, fill the space between the two photographs.  A trio of cardstock sticker and mini buttons, anchored with white string, draw our attention to the top of the page.

There you'll find a couple strips of patterned paper, along with a blue, grid, spiral, sticker strip; a butterfly, prepared in the same way as above; and a final, hand-cut doily, anchored by black-threaded, machine stitches.

Inspiration for this layout came from My Mind's Eye's December Challenge #2.

I'll be back, late tonight, with an all-new, Paper Sweeties Sketch Inspiration Challenge #3 to start the new year off right.  Until then, I've got a massive stack of laundry to tackle.  Thanks so much for stopping by, and have a safe, happy, and creative New Year!

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Defining Words - text & Quite Like You - "YOU & ME against the world." (Wplus9) Paper: Whisper White & text (SU); floral woodgrain, yellow chevron, butterfly, & doily (My Mind's Eye) Ink: Basic Black (SU); Jet Black (StazOn) Other: black thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); 1-3/8" Circle punch, crystal buttons, & green button blossom (SU); blue spiral border (Basic Grey); white string (Hobby Lobby); pink cardstock sticker button, grey file folder tab, & vintage prescription sheet (Jenni Bowlin); staples & stapler (office supply store); yellow cardstock sticker frame (Studio Calico); blue "Love" cardstock alphas (Pebbles, Inc.)

Friday Faves

I cannot believe that we're already three days past Christmas!  Where does the time go?!  I still have pics to share, just as soon as I find a spare moment to get them off my camera; but until then, welcome to my 12th and final Friday Faves of 2012!  It all begins with these fabulous Lacey Lou Natural Legwarmer Boot Socks from Grace and Lace Co.  Aren't those cute, little buttons perfect finishing touches to a fabulous wardrobe must-have?  And they come in seven different color choices!  Swoon!

I've also had my eye on this gorgeous Vera Bradley Mailbag in Dogwood.  LOVE the hands-free, cross-body design!

Last month, I was still on the lookout for a Christmas, papercraft collection that I just couldn't live without; but now, I've found two, and they're both from My Mind's Eye.  The petite, little patterns of their Winter Wonderland Paper Kit are ultra playful and would bring life to any number of papercraft projects.

And All Is Bright's vintage appeal and trendy designs, not to mention its scrumptious color palette, have me running for my billfold.

These Vintage Edge Kraft Envelopes, from Maya Road, are uber versatile, full of texture, and the perfect addition to just about any creation.

It's no secret that I adore wood veneer embellishments, but I literally gasped out loud when I discovered Freckled Fawn's Arrow Wood Chips.  LOVE!

And finally, I can already imagine Elle's Studio's Monthly Tidbits layered on many of my layout designs...

and their Red Pennants would make those Valentine's Day projects just sing!

That's all for this month, folks!  Thanks for stopping by to see a little of what makes my heart pitter-pat, and have a truly remarkable weekend!

MSS: Joy to the World

Hey, y'all!  I've got a super, sweet, little tag, featured on the Market Street Stamps Blog today, to share with you all.  Enjoy!

I started this tag by ink distressing the edges of a die cut, from Kraft cardstock, tag; stamping its top half, in White ink, with the Flurries background and its bottom half, in Riding Hood Red ink, with the slanted stripes; and die cutting its center with the little snowflake.  I then stamped a die cut from Bashful Blue cardstock and ink distressed banner, in Riding Hood Red ink, with the "Joy to the World" sentiment and adhered it, with foam tape, just above the die cut snowflake.  The holly leaves were stamped, in Garden Green ink, on Oatmeal cardstock; hand cut out; adhered in their respective locations; embellished with a single, red gemstone; and glittered.

A length of Baker's Twine, as well as a gingham ribbon, tied in a bow, gives me something to attach it; and a stamped, on the back, in Riding Hood Red ink, "from" completes the look.

I actually made 30 of them and am kicking myself for not taking a picture of how darling they looked all piled up.  So sorry :(!  They were then used to dress up jars of our homemade Apple Butter for friends and neighbors, as well as our trash men and mail person.

We even paired a few more yet with jars of our homemade Amish Garlic Sweet Pickles, topped with Fluffy Flower Pins, for family members.

And just because it was another fun, Christmas gift and you took the time to stop by and check out my little tags, I thought that I'd share what I put together for all my nieces and nephews, too.

We picked out mugs, from Pier 1, that we thought best fit each kiddo's personality.  The mug pictured above was given to my niece, Jenna.  Then, we paired it with different flavor packages of hot cocoa, which I just stapled together and dressed up with a ribbon bow, as well as little bags of marshmallows; those sweet, little, candy cane reindeer from back here; and homemade, white chocolate, butterscotch, and chocolate, dipping spoons.

Well, y'all, I don't know if you've already read Market Street Stamp's Moving into 2013... post or not, but this project officially concludes my Design Team service for Market Street Stamps.  It's been a short but fun ride, which I so wasn't ready to end.  But no matter how off-guard the announcement took us all, I couldn't possibly end it without sending out a HUGE thank you to Angelica and Jorge Suarez for taking a chance on me and allowing me to design with their AMAZING, quality images or Stephanie Washburn for always being a quick email away, having all the right answers, and being full of encouragement and praise.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  And I wish you all the best of luck as Market Street Stamps moves forward into 2013.

And thank you, to each and every one of you MSS fans, too, for all your comments and support of my creative work!  You make blogland such a beautiful place to be, and I hope that you'll continue to join me, in my creative endeavors, into 2013.  Big hugs! 

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Reason for the Season - sentiment, Country Christmas - holly leaves & "from", Flurries background, & Great Big Greetings - slanted stripe Paper: Kraft & Oatmeal (Wplus9); Bashful Blue (SU) Ink: Riding Hood Red & White (SU); Tea Dye & Antique Linen (Ranger) Other: Seasonal Sentiments - snowflake, Timeless Tags, & Banner Trio dies (Wplus9); Big Shot (Sizzix); gingham ribbon (Hobby Lobby); Baker's Twine (Clean Country Paper Supplies); red gemstone (Paper Studio); Dazzling Diamonds (SU)

Wplus9 Giveaway: A Star Is Born

So glad to have you all visiting on this chilly morning after Christmas!  I trust your holiday was extra blessed!  Ours was relaxed and memorable to be for sure.  Unfortunately, my hubby is back to work this am, but my kiddos and I are snuggled in enjoying a Christmas movie and playing with our presents.  I'll have plenty of pics to share later, but until then, I've got a layout, to share with you all, for Wplus9 Design's A Very Merry Christmas Giveaway, using one of my all-time favorite stamp set and die combos, Kisses & Cuddles and Clear Cut Stackers: Stars, and a few others, too ;).

I started this layout by using one of my newest templates to cut the burst pattern from color-coordinating patterned papers and machine stitching it, with pink-threaded, zig-zag stitches in the center of a piece of ivory, text, patterned paper.  I then used those fabulous star dies to cut out my photograph and its Pink Pirouette, cardstock frame, both of which were positioned, in the center of the burst, with foam tape.  A stamped in Jet Black ink, paper-pieced, and glittered mobile flanks the photograph's right side...

and a trio of sweet buttons rounds out the top left corner.

I then stamped the striped frame, which I used as a journaling card, in Pretty in Pink ink, on an ink distressed, Oatmeal, cardstock die cut.  The stars were stamped, in Barely Banana ink, overlapping its top right corner and trickling out; and the "A star is born" title was stamped, in Jet Black ink, in its bottom center.  I then used the space above the title to journal, Welcome to the world, sweet girl of mine.  Love you bunches.  A "Best Day Ever", cardstock, sticker banner, as well as a stamped, in Coral Calypso ink, on White cardstock and hand cut banner, turn our attention to the flower cluster...

which consists of a stamped in Jet Black ink and paper-pieced buggy, which also had its wheels dressed up with a couple of aqua pearls; pink crochet flower, topped with an aqua, paper blossom and trimmed with a hemp twine bow; mini clothespin; and a lamb button, laced with hemp twine.  I also tucked in a "HAPPY", cardstock sticker and a die cut from newspaper print, patterned paper and ink distressed banner.  The latter was used to etch in that final 11.1.08 date.

So, there you have it!  I hope you can see, for yourself, why I love Kisses & Cuddles...

and Clear Cut Stackers: Stars so very much!  Just imagine the possibilities!

Please don't forget that Lea Lawson has a little something to share, with you all, today, too.  And just in case you missed them, a few of our Designers have already begun sharing some of their favorites...

• Monday 12/24 -­ Cristina Kowalczyk & Elise Durenberger
• Tuesday 12/25 -­ Jean Martin & Kerrianne Bowen

Then, you'll round out the rest of the week here...

• Thursday 12/27 -­ Sarah Martina Parker & Savitri Wilder
• Friday 12/28 - Dawn Woleslagle 

And just as a reminder, this is what's up for grabs!

Don't forget to leave a little love below for your chance to be entered in this more than $275 in value giveaway.  Good luck!  And thank you ever so much for taking the time to stop by!  Hugs! 

{Supplies & Tools}
Stamps: Kisses & Cuddles - buggy, mobile, stars, & title, Bitty Buddy Valentines - journaling frame, & Banner Love - banner (Wplus9) Paper: Pink Pirouette & ivory text (SU); Oatmeal & White (Wplus9); pink gingham, aqua floral, yellow plaid, & newspaper (Fancy Pants); aqua octagon, multicolored fancy circles, & doily (Basic Grey) Ink: Coral Calypso, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, & Basic Black (SU); Tea Dye, Antique Linen, & Jet Black (Ranger) Other: pink thread (Coats & Clark); sewing machine (Janome); Clear Cut Stackers: Stars, Clear Cut Stackers: Rounded Rectangles, & Banner Trio (Wplus9); Dazzling Diamonds, pink crochet flower, & crystal, pink, & aqua buttons (SU); foam tape (Scrapbook Adhesives); "Best Day Ever" banner (Jillibean Soup); aqua pearls (The Hobby House); aqua paper blossom (Recollections); lamb button (Dill); mini clothespin (Canvas Corp.); "HAPPY" cardstock sticker (My Mind's Eye); burst template (Studio Calico); hemp twine (Creative Impressions)

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!  And may you always remember the true meaning of the season.  Blessings!

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 

Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.  So it was, that while they were there the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you:  You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" 

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."  And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.  Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning the Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. - Luke 2:1-20

Fluffy Flower Tutorial

Merry Christmas Eve!  We're off to visit family in just a bit, but first, I think that it's close enough to Christmas that I won't be giving anything away by sharing a fun, little, fluffy flower, pin tutorial with you all.  This isn't by any stretch of the imagination thought up by me, myself, and I but rather is a mix of lots of different designs I've seen all over the world wide web.  Enjoy!

I used a sweet, plaid flannel I found, but this kind of fabric flower works great with stiffer fabrics like wool and even felt.  If you're hunting for that stiffer look, you could also use whatever you have on hand and spray starch or fabric stiffener, or I've even heard a glue and water mix does the trick.  So, here's the goodies you'll need to get started...

• 1 extra large flower
• 4 large flowers
• 4 medium flowers
• 4 small flowers
• felt 1" to 2" circle
• pin

I used my Big Scallop Circles LG dies, from Spellbinders, for the flowers themselves and Wplus9 Design's Circle Stackers 1 die for the felt backer.

Start by marking the center of the extra large flower and folding one of the large flowers first in half...

and then in quarters, being sure not to line up the scallops for a little added fullness.  Anchor, in the center of the extra large flower, with three or four hand stitches at its center point.

Do that for all four of the large flowers.

Do the same for all four of the medium flowers, but match their centers up with the connections of and on top of the previously stitched large flowers.

Once again, anchor the four small flowers in the same way as the previous sizes, being sure to stitch their centers at the same place where the folds of the medium flowers meet.  This prevents your eye from being drawn directly to that fold line but rather keeps it focused on the overall design.

Continue to use that same length of thread as you attach each and every layer of the flower itself.  Another length will be used to anchor the pin to the center of your felt circle, or you can leave the pin off and attach to another project, but the first length itself can carry on to anchor the felt backer to the back of the extra large fabric flower and cover up any messy stitching.

And there you have it!  I used these cuties to dress up jars of our homemade, using cucumbers from our vegetable garden, Amish Garlic Sweet Pickles.

We gave a few other yummy treats as gifts this Christmas, but I'll wait and share them another time.  Thanks so much for peeking in, and have a safe and blessed holiday season!  Hugs!

A Very Merry Wplus9 Christmas Giveaway

Hey, y'all!  I've been a busy, little bee, slaving away in the kitchen today and need to run get a shower for our Christmas Eve eve service, at church, tonight.  But before that, I just had to pop in to share a fabulous giveaway!

Each member of the Wplus9 Design Team has hand picked a stamp set and die to include in a huge, Wplus9 Christmas giveaway!  We will be showing you which ones each of us picked and why, on our blogs, in the following order:

• Monday 12/24 -­ Cristina Kowalczyk & Elise Durenberger
• Tuesday 12/25 -­ Jean Martin & Kerrianne Bowen
• Wednesday 12/26 ­- Jinny Newlin & Lea Lawson
• Thursday 12/27 -­ Sarah Martina Parker & Savitri Wilder
• Friday 12/28 - Dawn Woleslagle

That's more than $275 in value! 

How to enter... The giveaway starts tomorrow, Monday, December 24, 2012.  Entering is as easy as leaving a comment.  Hop around to the Design Team members' blogs all week long, and don't forget to leave a comment, on each blog, each day... That's up to 9 entries!  If you miss a day, don't worry.  Comments will be open until 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, December 30, 2012, so you can catch up.  ONE random winner will be selected, from all comments combined, on January 1, 2013, at the Wplus9 Design Blog.

Also, don't forget to...

• Like us on FACEBOOK.
• Follow us on TWITTER.
• Subscribe to us on YOUTUBE.

Bonus entries... Help us spread the word on Facebook and/or Twitter, and you can leave a comment on the A Very Merry Christmas Giveaway post, on the Wplus9 Design Blog, for up to two extra entries.

Merry Christmas!  Good luck!  And I'll see you all right back here on Wednesday, if not before ;).  Hugs!

Family Update

Happy Saturday, folks!  Just popping in, as promised, to share a few pics of the happenings, around our place, over the last couple of weeks.  Ezekiel had another homeschool program at the Kansas City Zoo.  This one was about polar bears.  I think it was strategically planned to get the kids excited about the new polar bear that just arrived.  She's in quarantine but will, hopefully, soon be buddying up to her male counterpart.  The zoo staff is crossing their fingers for a love match ;).  Anyway, here's a few pics of us enjoying a chilly morning, while the big kids attended their class.

BJ also had his company Christmas party last week.  I didn't get to go, but even though it looks a little smooshed, he brought me home an absolutely scrumptious tiramisu.  Yummy!  Thanks, Baby!

My kiddos have been getting Christmas presents in the mail, which they just couldn't love any more!

Adina looks a little glazed over in that last photo.  She's come down with some of my ickies.  Poor thing!  I'm not surprised, though.  She just doesn't understand personal space ;).  I also, officially, have all the gifts wrapped.  We even found a little time to make these cute, little, candy cane reindeer for the cousins and neighborhood kids.  Of course, my kiddos each wanted one, too, and Adina just had to have a pink nose instead.  LOVE that she's not afraid to be different!

And we got our first snow!  Sigh.  Isn't it beautiful?!  I wish I had felt good enough to get out in the thick of it and take more photos, but now that I'm finally feeling up to it, it's just mush.

That about covers it.  We've got a little grocery shopping and baking to get done today and are super excited to get to spend Christmas Eve, in just a couple of days, with my side of the family.  My Mom's got her hands full with taking care of my Dad, who I'm super anxious to see again ;).  So, she happily handed over lunch and dinner to my sisters, my brother, and myself.  My hubby's brining a turkey, and I've got homemade dinner roll duty, along with a few other yummies, including a dinner salad, Mediterranean Cheesecake, and pumpkin roll.  I've also got to decide what birthday cake I'm making for Jesus for our own family celebrations.  I usually pick a new recipe from Paula Deen's latest Christmas magazine, but I just couldn't find a copy, for my very own, this year.  I have found a nook edition, but it seems to not be available online anywhere else; and the usual vendors, right here in town, never had any in stock.  Sigh.  I'm not giving up yet, though ;).

Okay, y'all, I'd better stop rambling and go get something done.  Have a wonderfully blessed last weekend before Christmas!  And I hope to see you all back here again next week.  Big hugs!