Frosty Stares

Hi Everyone,

Are you ready for winter?  Where I live, we had an awesome month weather wise.

  I can't even remember a November this nice...EVER!  I didn't wear a coat on Thanksgiving, and we usually have snow by then.

However, I know it's coming!  So to get you in the spirit of the wet winter months, we have a challenge at the Hambo Hoedown to stay dry with DRY EMBOSSING.

If you played along last week and emailed your photo of your card, you should have received your Snowball Fight digi. I'm imagining they are brother and sister in for the fight of their life. I mean, if looks could kill, right? LOL!  I had this epoxy sticker with the "frosty" word on it, and I just thought it described the stares they were giving each other perfectly.  All I did to finish it off, was add dimension by using pop dots on the snow and images.

So emboss away and join us at the Hambo Hoedown :)

Thanks for dropping by!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ribbon: Offray, Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug, Markers: Copic, Wavy Cutter: Creative Memories, Glitter: Stampendous, Punches: EK Success.

It's Your Birthday!

Hi Everyone,

I have to say I love my card share today. Not only is this newly released Penguin Snowball Blast super cute, but it's a card I made with little ole me in mind. Why? Well, because I'm one of "those" people with a Christmas birthday. The 23rd to be exact. Let's just say, I don't love that. As a kid my presents all came at once, they were always wrapped in Christmas paper, and my cake many times had poinsettias on it. Sigh. However, one year someone sent me a card that said something about, "Your Christmas Birthday" and that made me feel special. Like not many other people were going to receive a card like that, and that's what this card with the Snow Doubt Birthday greeting reminded me of...

For my papers, I used the Easy Dot Background in red and green ink, and the Interlocking Snow Background stamped in black.

 

Here is a closer photo of the Glossy Effects I added to the igloo and the sparkle on the snowballs :)

Thanks for visiting today...I know I haven't been around to your blogs lately, but if you want to catch up with me and find out why, click here or scroll down for yesterday's post. 

And don't forget, DRS Designs has many more stamps now available in the new releases section in the store!

 

Happy Stampin'!

Challenges for this card:
Birthday Sundaes-Birthday
Gingerloft-Winter or Christmas
2 Sisters Challenge-Holiday
Paper Sundaes-Winter Wonderland
Crazy 4 Challenges-Snow
Paper Works-Animal, Texture and 2 Embellishments

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up, Punches: Fiskars, Martha Stewart, Nesties, ribbon from my supplies.

There's a Card at the End of the Post :)

Hi Everyone,

I feel like I've been away from blogland forever.  I had my posts scheduled to go live last week done in advance, so it truly has been a couple of weeks since I've sat down to write you something.  And I'm not even going to get into how long it's been since I've stamped.  Ack!  Thank goodness design team commitments force me to "work" ahead, or I'd really be in the weeds this week. I'm just behind for next week ;)

We had a lot of family drama the week leading up to Thanksgiving with four of my family members in the hospital for various reasons.  I volunteered to do the meal if needed, but in the end my cousin Cathy was able to host it as planned.  It was great to visit with family we hadn't seen in a while, and we didn't get home until after 8:30 that night.

The day after Thanksgiving my cousins Cathy, (far left), Jenn and I took our Aunt Inge out to celebrate her 80th birthday.  It was earlier in the month, but due to work schedules and the aforementioned hospital going ons, this was when we could work it in.  We had a nice tea at Clemintine's...

with a lovely little cream puff in the shape of a swan for dessert! (Sorry. Took the photos with my phone, so not the greatest!)

I also decorated my home for the Christmas holidays.  I won't show you any photos, because my trees are the same every year.  

I also joined in the pop culture craze that is Twilight and saw the movie with my friend this morning.

 So girly.  So cheesy.  Still liked it and had a good time with my best friend from high school. 

One of my hubby's goals this year, was to do one cultural thing every month.  I think we missed a couple, but earlier in November we went to hear Billy Collins read his poetry.  I cannot say enough good things about him.  His is really poetry for the masses.  Even if you think you hate poetry, I dare you not to love this one.  It starts at about 50 seconds in.

I've also been reading a lot lately. 

Finished Girl in Translation for my book club.  It reads like a young adult novel to me, but I enjoyed it.

Turn of Mind was a little on the dark side.  Don't read it if you want a laugh, but a decent literary whodunnit.

I was so excited about When She Woke, and I was loving it at the beginning.  However, about 2/3-3/4 of the way through it takes a REALLY weird turn.  Like the character does something that doesn't ring true...AT. ALL.  And the ending?  Dumb. Lame.  Left me completely bummed.  So if you choose to read, consider yourself warned.

The Marriage Plot is my newest pick.  Only in the early stages of this one so far.

Ok, if you made it this far, thanks.  Your reward will be this crafty little card I made using my stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle that I have yet to show off on the blog. 

It's made using the following stamps sets (Thoughtful Frames #436 , My Rose Garden #402) and some Waterscape Glitter #G1108. The rose in the corner just called out to be layered and popped up and Thoughtful Frames is one of the sets included in the sale this month as well :)  Full step by step instructions can be found in my gallery.

Now you are all caught up on my happenings.  I'm dying to know what you've been up to as well, so I will be around to you very soon. Hand on heart.  I promise :)

Have a great rest of the day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Everyone,

If you live in the USA, I hope you are having a wonderful time sharing the holiday with family or friends...Or if not, I hope you are taking some time to indulge in your favorite paper crafting hobby!

If you need a reason to shop, there is a sale and everything is 50% off.  So to inspire you to pop on by, here is my last card made with a digi from the Halloween Doodles from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.

Enjoy the rest of your day and as always, I'm thankful for you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Me & My Big Ideas, Markers: Copic, Stamp: Studio G, Stickers: & Square Punches: EK Success, Border Punch: Martha Stewart, Twine from my supplies.

Another Birthday?

Hi Everyone!

Since tomorrow is the big turkey holiday here in the good ole US of A, it's going to be a quick no chit chat post for me :)  I do want to encourage you to play along with us this week at the Hambo Hoedown though!

If you played along last week and you received your free computer digi, use it to play along this week where the challenge is Soft-Wares!  Get it?  Use something soft along with a stamp from Hambo Stamps!

I used some felt flowers to match those flowers in the vase and ribbon that matched my papers.  The punny sentiment is one I made up myself and layered behind the image.  I used my craft knife and cut out the computer screen and placed a piece of acetate under it, and the sentiment behind that.

Thanks for peeking in to check out my card this week and I hope you get a chance to play along! 

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, K&Company, Markers: Copic, Punch: EK Success, Flowers: Inique Boutique, and ribbon from my supplies.

Snowmen

Hi Everyone,

I have my usual DRS Designs card share for you today.  It uses the new Snowmen Smiles greeting stamp, along with a few others.  You can't really tell in the photo, but everything is layered on a base of embossed white snowflakes, and I made the plaid paper by stamping the Large Original Plaid in red.  Since the greeting mentioned snowmen, I chose to use this totally cute Stretch the Round Button Snowman stamp along side.

I finished off the card by using my snowflake punch, ribbon and buttons.  I hope you think it's as cute as I do :)  You can see all the rest of the new stamps that were released by DRS Designs right here!

Are you ready for the big meal on Thursday?  I will be doing my part by making the cranberries and sweet potatoes. 

Then let the Christmas frenzy begin...lol!  Have a great day!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Markers: Copic, Punches: Martha Stewart, Stickers: EK Success, ribbon and buttons from my supplies.

Music Saves My Soul Saturday

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would post a song before too much time passes again.  Since I've been listening to the new Indigo Girls ever since the day it came out, they are my choice this week.  

If you want to post a song of your own, link up at Marcea's blog for Music Save My Soul Saturday.



Two Tags for the Price of One :)

Hi Everyone,

It's Hambo Hoedown time again, and this week the challenge is to use a tag on your creation.  As the title of my post suggests, I'm giving you two tags on my card today.  Little Wee Henry is on a tag and so is the sentiment which comes along with this adorable Thanksgiving digi!

I used some more of this fall themed paper from my giant paper pad.  I really have to start not buying 12" x 12" paper pads...They last FOREVER!  Oh, and let me share another obvious tip with you...If you cut yourself during the card making process, stop and take care of it.  Like with a real band aid and don' t bleed on your card.  I think I managed to hide my paper cut smear in the end, but can I be a bigger loser? lol! 

And the pumpkins are Jolee stickers. No, I'm not that good. 

I hope you can join us for the tag challenge at the Hambo Hoedown and if you live in the U.S., I would love to hear your Thanksgiving plans.

Have a great day!

Challenges for this card:

Celebrate the Occasion-Thanksgiving w/ a Punch

Creative Card Crew-Thankful for you

Top Tip Tuesday-Tag

Daisy Doodles-Anything Goes w/digi

Kaboodle Doodle-Thanksgiving

Pink Elephant-Embossing

Paper Sundaes-Digi image

2 Sisters-Anything Goes

Paper Issues-Thankful for Fall

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Me & My Big Ideas, Punches: Stampin' Up, Fiskars, EK Success, McGill, Markers: Copic, Embossing Folder: Cuttlebug, Stickers: EK Success, Jolee's, Ribbon and brad from my supplies.

Peace On Earth

Hi Everyone,

How are you doing on your holiday card making?  Do you need some inspiration?  Well, DRS Designs has just rolled out some more new stamps for Christmas!  Woo Hoo!  Nothing like new crafty stuff to get the mojo flowing :)

  I used this new Snowflake Circle Cut Out stamp and layered it up with with a doiley and Spellbinders die cut for my Christmas card.  I created the background by using the Silent Night Sheet Music stamp and for the center sentiment I used the words only from the Three Wisemen Peace stamp.  I also covered it in my favorite embellishment...Glitter! I have to say that I love how this turned out and it doesn't even have any lumpy embellishments, which makes it perfect for mailing :)

  Stop by DRS Designs and check out all of the newly released stamps today!

Details not listed above- Paper: The Paper Company, Ink: Stampin' Up!, Punches: EK Success, Doily: Darice, Glitter: Stampendous.

It's a Cultural Thing

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Sparkle N Sprinkle's blog hop named "It's a Cultural Thing"  This title encompasses numerous different types of stamps, so you will see many diverse cards and projects along the way.  I hope that you can join us!

If you arrived here from Elenore's blog, you are right on track.  If not, start at the Sparkle N Sprinkle blog for all the details.  You won't want to miss anything and make sure you comment along the way for your chance at winning one of the many prizes!

Both of my cards use stamps from the sets Asian Carp (181) and Thoughtful Frames (436). My first card is 5 1/2" square and uses the large plate stamp from  Asian Carp (181) and some glitter paper made using Sticker Paper (99558) and Royalty (G1057) glitter. This is one of the prettiest blends of glitter colors that I have ever seen! So lovely in real life :) The plate was stamped 3 times and popped up for a layerd look.  The sentiment is from Thoughtful Frames (436).

For this next card, I used a piece of patterned paper that had a subtle two toned look, and customized it by stamping right on top with these Asian themed stamps.  The Flourish Oval Frame (3541-436K) was embossed with Clear Detail (EP280) embossing powder and matted for a finished look.  I ruffled the ribbon using 1/2" Tear-iffic Tape (SAT04) and embellished some store bought flowers with Midnight Gold (G1080).

Full details on my card with all the specific product numbers can be found in my gallery right here.

Your next stop is Gerlinde's Blog.  Don't forget to leave a comment so that you are eligible for one of the prizes! 

Thanks for visiting and here is the entire list in case you need it :)

Linda Loew

 http://www.lindamloew.blogspot.com/

Amanda Reed

 http://cardscatsandcopics.blogspot.com/

Shona Erlenborn

http://shonasstampingstage.blogspot.com/

Angie Blasingame

http://hopemorestudio.blogspot.com/

Barbara Bruder

 http://www.artandsoulcreations.blogspot.com/

April Williams

http://stampwillydesigns.blogspot.com/

Julie Zippel

 http://backtobasicsandbeyond.blogspot.com/

Eleanor Jenkins

 http://stampinginva.blogspot.com/

Karin Martin

 http://karin-withaniforpaper.blogspot.com/

Gerlinde Townsley

 http://mycreativecorner-gerlinde.blogspot.com/

Marie Berquist

 http://craftemarie.blogspot.com/

Patti White

 http://iliveforsnsglitter.blogspot.com/

Sandy Meier

http://simplysandylee.blogspot.com/

Dawn Thomas

http://belladonnasgarden.blogspot.com/

Donna Ellis

http://creativesmiles2.blogspot.com/

Sparkle N Sprinkle

Frame It

Hi Everyone!

I love Wednesday, because that means it's time for another challenge at the Hambo Hoedown :)  If you played along last week and emailed a copy of your card, you received this fun Camera Guy digi!  Print him out and play along with today's challenge which is to use a frame on your card.  Don't have any Hambo Stamps?  Click here for a freebie.

I was excited to receive this cute little dude myself because it gave me the chance to use this film embellishment in my stash.  It's from Tim Holtz's line of crafty stuff and I bought it because I thought it looked really cool.  Then when I got it home, I realized I had no bright ideas how or when I would use it!  Then Camera Guy came to my rescue.

I hope you take the challenge and play along this week.  If you need more inspiration, just stop by the Hambo Hoedown and see what the rest of the Bacon Bits created for you.

Have a great day :)

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, DCWV, Nesties, Punches: Martha Stewart, EK Success, Ribbon: American Crafts

Happy Birthday Mr. Hambo

*This is my second post today...Please scroll down for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.*


Happy Birthday to Timbo, the man behind the pen (or is that Pig Pen?) at Hambo Stamps!

The Bacon Bits are surprising Tim with a little birthday fun today and we would love to have you join us in celebrating. If you arrived here first, you are in the right place. I'm the first stop, so this is the place to start for the whole story and to have a chance at winning the birthday prize!

See, the animal friends from the Hambo Farm were so excited that Tim, (their master and creator...Ha!) was having a birthday, that they wanted to throw him a party.  However, they were sad because their friend, Pig Inmate was wrongly accused of a "stinkin' " crime, and was locked up in the PENitentiary.  So they got word to him that today was the big day, and he broke out Shawshank Redemption style (Yes, he was able to escape through a giant hole kept hidden behind his Miss Piggy poster) and is now on his way to surprise Tim and the animals at the Hambo Farm.  He even had time to stop at the party supply store and grab some balloons :)

Thanks for stopping by to help celebrate Tim's birthday. Don't forget to leave some "hogwash" in the comments section! Hoppers must comment on every blog in the hop to have a chance at the prize. Comments should be made by Friday, November 11, at 10 PM to be in the random drawing for the birthday prize!

Now off to Stephanie's blog, where you can see what happens next at Timbo's Birthday Bash! If you get lost, here is the order of birthday fun:

Karin (You are here!)

Stephanie
Jessica

Michele

Libby

Melissa

Andrea

Judy

Talk to the Ham

 Happy Birthday Tim!

Challenges for this card:
Crafty Catz-Anything Goes
The Poodles Parlour-Let's Hear it for the Boys
Papercrafting Journey-Use a Digi

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Comapany, and Unknown source, Markers: Copic, Brads and Metal clip: Making Memories, Nesties, Punch: Martha Stewart, Twine from my supplies.

November Sale!

Hi Everyone,

Good News!  Today begins the sale at Lindsay's Stamp Stuff, which is just in time to get a jump start on all those Christmas projects or last minute Thanksgiving ones :)

My card today uses JPG flies from the Classic Fall Clip Art & Cut Files.  I used both of the pumpkins from this set and printed them out in a little row.  While the photo does have a highlight on the one side, I did add few more with my Copic markers, just to give the pumpkins a bit more depth.  Otherwise, using clip art in the crafting process is much quicker if you have a need to mass produce.

This is what the set in it's entirety looks like:

Thanks for dropping by...It's a busy week for me here on the homefront.  I have 2 birthdays to celebrate, a poetry reading that I'm attending, dinner with friends on two nights, a date with the hubby and a yard full of leaves...Stop falling already. (I can't take it!) 

Hope things are well in your corner of the world :)

Challenges for this card:

Come & Get It-Autumn Blessings

Dream Valley Challenge-Anything Goes

Lollipop Crafts-Thanksgiving

Sparkles Forum-Autumn

Designed to Delight-Pumpkins

Crafty Catz-Anything Goes

Prarie Fun Fridays-No Black Lines

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Georgia Pacific White, Me & My Big Ideas, Punch: Martha Stewart, Stamp: Stampin' Up!, Button and lace from my supplies.

Autumn

Hi Everyone,

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is little more than 2 weeks away!  It's always crazy how fast the time goes at the end of the year.  With all the holiday prep, baking, decorating and shopping, time sure does fly.  So before I completely gloss over the fabulous turkey holiday, let me share my card made with the Autumn Wording Square from DRS Designs. 

I used a traditonal fall color combo of orange and brown for my card today. I made the paper on the left side of my card using the Lines O Plenty stamp and randomly stamping it in orange and brown multiple times.  I layered everything on an embossed pumpkin background.

The wording square was stamped an extra time on orange cardstock, so that I could paper piece the the word Autumn on the square.

Thanks for dropping by!

Challenges for this card:

Annabelle Stamps-Say it with Sentiments

Simply Create-Pumpkins

Crafting for All Seasons-Texture

Scrapalicious-Autumn

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink and Punch: Stampin' Up, Ribbon: Darice, Embossing Folder:Cuttlebug

Black and White

Hi Everyone,

This first card is one that I made for someone who is recovering from surgery. I wanted it to be more than just "Get Well", so I chose a sentiment to match the pocket watch image from the Steampunk set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.  Keeping with the vintage look, I went ahead and aged the watch with markers and inks...Also added ribbon and a doily since it will be sent to a female :)  And the yo-yo was made by me.

Here is the entire set:

I also needed a quick thank you note, so I used a bit of paper from the set Bold Black and White and paired it with a couple of traditional stamps. Super simple, but it has an elegant look.

Here is that set :

Thanks for stopping in today...And check out Lindsay at her Frugal Crafter blog for lots of fresh ideas and you can read about her podcasts on this post here!

Have a great day :)

Challenges for these cards:

Crazy Amigo-Time

Ribbon Carousel-Anything goes w/spooled item

Tuesday Throwdown-Thanks

Come and Get It-Anything Goes

Dream Valley-Anything Goes

Lollipop Crafts-Anything Goes

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, DCWV, Stamps: PTI, Stampin' Up!, Dies: Spellbinders, PTI, Ink: Memento, Punches: EK Success, Ribbon from my supplies and Yo-Yo made by me.

Technique Challenge

Hi Everyone,

This week the challenge at the Hambo Hoedown is so inclusive, you don't have a reason not to play along.  All you have to do is use a technique from the technique section at Splitcoast Stampers.  If you've never seen the technique section over there, you don't know what you are missing.  It's an  awesome resource that pretty much covers everything.  So grab a Hambo stamp, digi or freebie and play along this week!

Here is my card using the snail and the Spotlighting Technique.

If you play along, remember to email a photo of your card to hambodesignteam@gmail.com and you will receive a free digi to use in the challenge the following week.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you can play along!

Challenges for this card:
Creative Stamp Friends-Brown and Orange
Cupcake Craft-Leaves
Make My Monday-Autumn Leaves
Pollycraft-Anything goes

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Me & My Big Ideas, Markers: Copic, Punches: Stampin' Up, EK Success, Nesties, Brads from my supplies.



Christmas Memories

Hi Everyone,

I'm sharing another Christmas card today and it was made using the new stamps from DRS Designs.  I started off by die cutting the edge of my cardbase and making the backing paper by using the Large Original Plaid stamp.  I tried something a little different and made diagonal stripes and I really like the way it turned out.  I colored the new I Scene a Stocking stamp with Copics, fussy cut it out and added Stickles to the top fluff.

The sentiment named Lingering Christmas was stamped in matching green ink and die cut, with a bit of chalk shading to mask the stark white.  Both pieces were then attached with pop dots.  A bit of twine and gems finished off the card. 

You can find all of these stamps and more at DRS Designs.  Have a great day!

Details not listed above-Paper: The Paper Company, Ink and Chalk: Stampin' Up!, Dies: Spellbinders, PTI,  Twine: Martha Stewart,Gems from my supplies