Christmas Spirit Birdbrain

OK...waiting till the last minute to get this in the fun From the Heart December Challenge....the weekly challenge and the monthly challenge.  Christmas Spirit Birdbrain is the adorable monthly image set I received for participating in the November challenge and I'm to use it in the December Challenge.  I'm also entering this card in their weekly challenge No. 91 with a twist.

I may be very late getting it entered into the challenge, but I have one less Christmas card to make for 2015...haha

A2, that is red foil on the top, but it looks black, colored with copics, faux stitching, homemade beads

A2, another angle

sketch to follow

Crazy Little Charlie Horse

Charlie Horse is at it again! He loves to play in the snow as much as any child.  We always hope for, at least, one little snow each year here in South Carolina.  The Snow Globe Gala, Charlie Snowhorse and Winter Wishes scene are all from Doodle Pantry.  I was inspired by several gals from the Doodle Pantry team...not quite casing them but pretty darn close.  Theirs were wonderful! Still a little time to join in on our Doodle Pantry #53 challenge.

Meantime, it's in the wee hours of the morning and I have 2 Boston Butts on my smoker grill while the men are still fast asleep in the house.  Okay...the doggies are up with me!  We will pick and eat one as soon as it comes off the smoker. The other will be packaged and divvy up for friends.  I'll try to post a pic later as the butts starts turning a rich, dark brown.

A2 size, glitter on the puffy snow, merged Charlie Horse into the winter scene and cut out an extra of him and the top to give it lots of dimension.  Cut globe and Charlie Horse using my Silhouette.

side view, cut out plain white paper to fit inside to write my letter and sentiment.  I can't decide it I will add sentiment on the outside.

Tags for pies and goodies

2nd post today!

I finally bought a new freezer.  When I moved, I really thought I could live without one.  I was in denial....for I love baking, freezing and giving gifts of food to my college son and friends.  With the smoked turkey leftover from Thanksgiving, I made many smoked turkey pot pies.  My freezer is full of Shepard's Pie, Chicken Pot Pies, Coconut Pies, Pumpkin Rolls, spaghetti, lots of different soups and the list goes on and on.

Anyhooo, my family and friends don't swap Christmas presents, but what is allowed anywhere from Dec. 1 - Jan.31, homemade goodies for the giving.  Yum Yum  And, that's where Charliene Baking from Doodle Pantry comes in to play.  Laurie does a wonderful job with her images and coloring so this image was perfect for quick little tags for some of the food.  I chose NOT to use traditional Christmas colors since some of the goodies might not be given till after Christmas.

Be sure to join in on our fun December Challenge #53 for a change to win a GC.

3x4 tags, copics for some shadow coloring stitched dies from Lil Inker

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Congratulations Bryan

Bryan, our oldest son, graduated from the Citadel some years past.  Since then, he has married a wonderful young lady, has a 14 month old little girl, and is now graduating  tomorrow from Clemson Univsersity with another degree...this time in nursing, a BSN.  He will work in Critical Care (some type of ICU) for one year and then enter Anesthesiology School. (Well, he's hoping to be accepted.) He wants to become a Nurse Anesthetist.  Shannon, his wife, is a nurse anesthetist.  I hope that means I get good care in my old age....haha

So...here is my card.  I think he will like this fun card over a more serious one I first had in mine. I left the images "just as they are"....no coloring.  The rest of the card is pretty much self explanatory.  All the images are AKV Male Nurses from Bugaboo Stamps...precious!

A2, stitching, Clemson colors

Happy Birthday Chicks

I'm in desperate need of birthday cards, so I have a goal of making 10 birthday cards by Sunday.  It's cold outside so what better time to make cards and sip on a cup of hot butterscotch cider!

The image is from From the Heart Stamps called Birthday Chicks.  I wish my legs were that skinny!  I'm entering the card in their Challenge #90  with a twist: follow the sketch and/or use scraps...I did both...love using scraps!

A2, all scraps except for base, added beads I melted and some stitching, copics coloring

sketch and twist to follow

  

Charlie Horse and Friends

I LOVE Charlie Horse!

I've been away this past week.  A friend rode back with me from the beach and I had a "senior moment" during the ride....I didn't check the gauge on the gas !  YUP...we ran out of gas.  I was lucky enough to coast over 4 lanes of traffic to the side of the very busy highway.  In all fairness to me, I was driving my friend's car so I'll only take 1/2 the blame...haha  Anyhooo .... after all was said and done and we got home safely but late, we still remain friends and had a laugh.  I'm sending this card to her.  It reminded me of our adventure.

My sweet image is from Doodle Pantry called Charlie Sledding.  Join our challenge #53 for a chance to win a great GC and find loads of inspiration.

A2, dies from Lawn Fawn, cut images with border using Cameo. pop-ups for dimension

straight view of card

just another angle

Bethlehem - December Release Day at Doodle Pantry

I always enjoy making Christmas cards but each year I always choose one to make 8 of the same for family members.  This year I chose one of Doodle Pantry's December Releases called Bethlehem Cut File.  Even though I used two layers of pop-ups for dimension, I can still mail each card with just one stamp.

I'm horrible about getting cards mailed so these cards were mailed the day after Thanksgiving !!!

Doodle Pantry's December Challenge will begin today at noon.  Join in and have the chance to win a GC to the store.

A2, made background paper by sponging, distressing and using white pen

did a few with purple background

side angle

more extreme side angle

Believe in the magic of Christmas

I'll repeat myself once more... I fell in love with card making when I discovered a House Mouse stamp at Hobby Lobby years ago.

Winter's Nap is what I'm using for my card.  Yup...using the large circle burst this time around.  The challenge #183 at House Mouse is: Add a little sparkle  I add diamond sickles to the flame.

A2, copics for coloring, MB bow die, gold foil card stock, glitter

inside....the blank area is for my little note

Other Challenges:

Inspiration Emporium November Challenge

Happy Holidays

more .... Winter Wishes

I think I'm skipping right over Christmas and going to straight snow and warm, cozy cards.  Even in the South, the cold weather has come in wayyyy to early!

I'm using the image WINTER FRIENDS from From the Heart Stamps.  I'm participating in their weekly sketch challenge with a twist #87.  I don't know what constitutes decorating the inside but I always try to add a "little something".   Not much color in snow so I used pearl snowflakes, diamond sickles and a green/blue plaid scarf to give added interest and texture.

A2, papers from Jack Frost by American Craft

side view...use copics for all coloring

inside...MB snow border

Gobble Gobble at Doodle Pantry

I'm revisiting the darling, little Quirky Turkey from Doodle Pantry.  I'm sending this to my grand daughter. It was quick and easy, especially using the great pre-colored image.

The card is also headed to several challenges: Cut It Up  "Let's Talk Turkey" #58 and Die Cuttin Divas.."Thanksgiving". And... PDE Linky Party - Indians, pilgrims, scarecrows and turkeys

Join in our Doodle Pantry November Challenge #52 for a chance at a GC and you will receive the set, Gingerbread House Ants, free for using a Doodle Pantry image (not just sentiment) in the challenge.

Brrrrr...it's 17 degrees!!!

A2, not quite that yellow, Circle Burst die, stitching, Fanciful Florish by Cheery Lynn, EK flower punches

cut turkey face with Cameo, pop-ups for dimension, old Thanksgiving clear stamp $1 in AC Moore bin

Grass die, EK leave punch border die

JOY

This sweet image called Angel Joy is the November Stamp of the Month at From the Heart Stamps .  I received her free for participating in their October Challenge.  So, now I will use her for their November Challenge,  They are also having their "weekly challenge #86 with a twist" so I'm participating in that too.

A very CAS card letting Angel Joy be the center of attention.

A2, stitching, copics coloring, and lots of sickles on her wings and halo

just another angle of the card, used Lili Inker banner die

Warm Winter Wishes

This is a new House Mouse cling stamp I bought after seeing my friend Stephanie's card.  A House Mouse was the wood stamp that got me longing to make cards...the rest is history.  I have already made one card for the challenge...here is my second.

I added glitter, MB pine branch, a snow flake, stitching and some twine.  I consider it CAS for me and will mail easily.

Challenge:  challenge theme is "Brrrr....It's cold outside" .  They have House Mouse Hop going on through tomorrow.

A2 vertical, copics for all coloring

another angle

commissioned Happy Birthday card

Yup, my friend commissioned me to do a 3-d box card for her mother.  She told me all the things her mother loves...to the flowers, planting, and the Denver Broncos!

On the belly band, I used the beautiful Doodle Pantry set called Rubber Boots. For the inside I used a public domain Bronco and made into an svg.  The tools are from the Silhouette store and the images I bought many years ago from Trina Clark on-line.

A2, Fiskar punches, writing using Cameo, faux stitching, copics

close up

Mom's garden made using my Cameo, all images using Print & Cut feature on Cameo, box from Silhouette Store.

different angle, bow was gift from fellow crafter

Birdbrain leaf raking time

Here I go again waiting till the last minute to finish my card...but it REALLY was a busy week for me.

Now to the card... I got too involved with the card...haha  I have the window open, a cat ready to pounce on the birds or leaves and a cat playing with a leaf in its mouth from leaves falling into the house because "someone" left the window open on this nice fall day!

The image is found at From The Heart Stamps called Raking Leaves Birdbrain.  For the challenge #85, it was to follow the sketch and/or twist...which was use a gate fold or make a window.  Yup, if you know me, I must make one card a month using my window...lol

A2, vertical fold, my window svg, leaf punch, MB cat dies, pop-ups for dimension on windows and embossing on window for more dimension

another view of front

Inside, used copics for all coloring, shading on birds and some leaves, and a Fiskars cloud punch with foam dot for dimension  I didn't want to do anymore to the puc since it is wonderful the way it is

Charlie Autumn (wheat) Doodle Pantry

Charlie Horse was the first stamp I bought on-line and now it is making a come back at Doodle Pantry in digital form.  This girl is happy!!!This one is called Charlie Autumn.  I also used Fall Patterns set.

I totally cased my friend Lola at Little Card Maker.  Yup, instant love for her card and interacting card design.  Find the tutorial HERE.  I love using Print & Cut on my Cameo while also making extra cuts so these were leftovers that came together quickly for a card I can't wait to send to a friend who loves horses.

A2, grass die cut, vellum punched clouds with white wet embossing

raffeta, pop-ups for dimension, FALL cut with Cameo

old maple leaf punch

Still plenty of time to join our Doodle Pantry Challenge 51 for a chance to win a GC and receive the Smore's set free if you use a Doodle Pantry image.

Jingle all the way

It's a House Mouse Hop the next few days.  I would love the chance to win some goodies and it's a great excuse to make a card with one of my House Mouse stamps.  My love for card making began when I purchased my first rubber stamp at Hobby Lobby 8 years ago.....a House Mouse stamp....and the rest is history!

The challenge theme is "Brrrr....It's cold outside" or anything goes as long as you use a House Mouse or one in that family of stamps.

The stamp itself is rather large, so I put the main stamp on the inside of the card, and teased you with a circle burst die window to get your interest.  The bells are from the Silhouette Store.

A2, copics, Memory Box bow and small circle burst dies

another angle of front, pop-ups on bells for dimension

copics and Lil Inker rectangle stitched die

Other Challenges:

Jingle Bells :  Creature Feature

Crafty Calendar November Challenger - All About Christmas

The Ribbon Girls November Card Challenge - Christmas Card

CHNC Challenge Extra for November - Anything Christmas Goes

Gruffies & Guests Challenge 11 - Anything Goes with the option of Christmas

Thanksgiving Wishes

I'm headed back to the mountains for some more apples and sweet potatoes....just the trip is a lot of fun...seeing the beautiful trees with their Fall colors is breath taking!

It's November release day at Doodle Pantry.  I chose the Pumpkin Cut File set along with several images from Doodle Pantry sets...Pumpkin Peeps, Let Us Be Thankful, Pumpkin Monkey and Pilgrim Sheep.  I used scraps, except for kraft base, to bring this sweet card frame together.

Our November Challenge #54 will start at noon.  Great chance for a GC and receive free Gingerbread House Ants set for using a Doodle Pantry image (not sentiment) on your challenge card.

4.8x4.8, Lil Inker Flag Banner Die, rafetta, yellow brad

front view

Flying by.....Happy Birthday!

I've made birthday cards, yet didn't get them sent out on time.  How do I manage to make cards and then not send them?  Bad habit!

The card is pretty self-explanatory.  The Art Impression airplane stamp is sold at Michaels.  I hope they start selling more...with a coupon it's a great price and instant gratification rather than waiting for the mail.

5x5, Lawn Fawn stitched cloud dies, Lil Inker stitched banner, cut out using my Cameo and colored with copics

Go Gamecocks

Ok...not a great start for the football season, but we love them.  Actually, we are a "house divided".  My youngest son lives and breathes Carolina....USC!

I have less than one hour to meet deadline for From The Hearts Challenge...use any past sketch.  I love the Birdbrain Football Fanatics.  See the sketch below that I used.

A2, Lil Inker Stitched Rectangles, my own stitching, copics, homemade enamel dots

another view

FTHS sketch I chose