Christmas Card Challenges #4

Welcome to another week at Christmas Card Challenges. The theme this week is:

Anything Goes

Now I realize Christmas is over, but remember how you scrambled this year to get all your cards completed on time? Yes, you know you did . . . so, why not start now on those 2015 Christmas cards while you still remember the craziness of this year !

I've been waiting to share this card with you. The stamp is Sarah from the Wee Stamp Collection designed by Sylvia Zet for Whimsy Stamps. I won it from Jacque ~ thank you, thank you, thank you (check out her awesome blog here).  As soon as I received it, I inked it up . . . but had to wait until today to share it with you.

I added fake snow and glitter to the "snow" area, clear glitter Sakura Gel pen to the "fuzzy" areas of Sarah's hat, scarf and coat and a bit of glitter to Teddy's hat also.

UPDATE:  I guess I forgot to mention that I actually colored this one all by myself, using Copics. As you know, I usually use a pre-colored digi if I have one.  But since this was an actual stamp, I had to do ALL the coloring.

Glittery, silver snowflakes mixed with green evergreen branches and red pearl "berries" and a sentiment from Whimsy Stamps was added to the top portion of the card.

Since the sentiment was on the front, I carried the basic sketch and DSP to the inside, keeping it simple.

Stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other DT members made this week. And while you're still in the Holiday spirit . . . get out your papercrafting supplies and start making your Christmas Cards for 2015.

Click on any of the names below to go to their individual blogs.

Alanna    Carol    Donna     Gail    Heather     Jessica     JoAnn 

Margo     Marsha     Monica    Tenia

Deedee's Digis December Challenge

This has to be a short post . . . kids are going to be here in about 15 minutes. But I wanted to share a card I made for the December Challenge at Deedee's Digis.

I merged the cake and balloons together. Then cut around the cake, fussy cut the balloons out, added pink, blue and yellow glitter to them and popped them up.  I also added a bit of clear glitter to the frosting. The sentiment is also from the digi set.

I kept the inside simple, but tried to tie it to the front sketch.

There's still time to play along. Check out the challenge here or her shop here

And here's the digi set you must use to play in the December challenge. But, hint . . . it's only 31 cents, so who couldn't play along this month ? !

Crafty Creations Challenge #279

The Theme for the next two weeks at Crafty Creations Challenges is:

Who Wants to Build a Snowman?

How fun is this Challenge? Even though I no longer live where there is snow, I still remember all the fun I had building a snowman with my family (although I also remember my fingers and toes freezing).

My snowman is a bit different ~ must be all these years away from snow, right?

I used Doodle Pantry Charlie Snowhorse.  I printed 3 identical images. Cut one as the base (circle), fussy cut the second one to pop it up a bit, then cut the snout, the scarf and both ornaments to add dimension to those items.

Now, truth be told, I finished this card, took pictures, watermarked it . . . then realized that I left off the fence and the sentiment. Duh!!

Still not bad, but I really like the fence and sentiment.  I added Glossy Accents to the ornaments and a lot of sparkle glitter glue to his snout and snow (although now the fence and sentiment cover most of the "snow").

Stop by the Crafty Creations Blog to see how the other DT members "built their snowman."  Then grab your crafting supplies and join along.  This week we're sponsored by Jaime (our coordinator). She's offering a fabulous stamp set to three winners.

Visit the Doodle Pantry store to snatch up Charlie Snowhorse or any other digi set.  Then pop over to the Doodle Pantry Blog to enter to win an awesome Blog Candy package (ends Dec 30).

Christmas Card Challenge #3

I think you'll have fun with the Inspirational Photo for this week's Christmas Card Challenge . . . 

Penguin

This card just "fell together."  Sometimes I get lucky like that.

I used a pre-colored digi from Doodle Pantry (Winter Critters) and enhanced the colors a bit with my Copics~you don't have to do this step, but I like to feel I'm contributing to the image {smile}.  Using the .png digi files, I merged the Christmas Tree and the Penguin together, matching up the snowbank in the back so it looked like they were meant to be together. I also flipped the Penguin image so he was facing to the right.

I added some shading to the "snow" with a grey Copic, then added a bit of Crystal glitter glue above the shading. I also added a few "clouds" to the sky to complete the overall look. Oh, and I had to make the star shine with a bit of Glossy Accents.

Please stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other DT member's created this week (or you can click on any of their names below to go directly to their blog). 

Love, love, love the penguin cards.

  Carol    Gail     JoAnn   

Margo     Marsha     Monica     Shirley Anne     Tenia

And, swing by the Doodle Pantry store to pick up this (click on the picture below) or any other digi set. Remember, if your one of my EU followers, Doodle Pantry images will not be available to you for purchase after December 31, 2014 (due to new EU VAT laws). You may want to shop now !

Thinking of You

First, I'd like to send out a big hello to Frances, Theresa and Christine . . . my newest blog followers.  Welcome !

Now onto today's info . . . do you like a sale?  How about a 40% off sale?  Well,  . . .

It's Doodle Pantry's BIG END of the year 2014 SALE!!!

Since the last week of the year is always so busy, Doodle Pantry decided to have an end of the year sale a little bit earlier . . . from now

Until DECEMBER 19 ONLY!!!

40% OFF YOUR Entire CART (EXCLUDing GIFT CERTIFICATES)*

*Minimum $2.50 must be in your cart before coupon can apply.

COUPON CODE:   END2014SALE

Now would be a great time to stock up on all those Doodle Pantry digital images and sentiments and papers you've been drooling over ~ especially if you're a follower living in the European Union since Doodle Pantry will no longer be able to sell digital items to you after Jan 1, 2015 due to the new EU VAT laws. 

The Snow Crocus is a new set just released this month. It works for so many different occasions.

I used the pre-colored image in lilac (you have several to choose from in this set). It's gorgeous !  I paired it with shimmer lime green and shimmer lilac cardstock.  I used the Darice "Crackle" Embossing Folder and added a bit of white satin ribbon.  I cheated and didn't even do a bit of coloring on this digi; I loved the way it came out and didn't want to mess with it.

The sentiment is also from the Snow Crocus set.  I guess I'm tired of making Christmas cards and decided that a nice 'Thinking of You' card was in order.

This is just one of the many sets you could chose from (did I mention there was a sale?  Oh how I love sales LOL). Click here for more information on this terrific sale and to begin shopping. 

And if you buy ANY Doodle Pantry item, you'll get Milk & Cookies for FREE . . . a sale AND a freebie ~ now you're talking my language {smile}

Christmas Card Challenges #2: CAS Design

Before I begin, I just want to say that this is my 100th post for 2014. I'm not sure I'll surpass what I did last year, but then this year hubby was in the hospital twice and we moved  . . . so life got a little in the way of me crafting like I would have liked. While this may not be exciting to many of you, I'm just thrilled that I've kept with it and I'm still enjoying sharing my creativity with you. Thank you for all your comments and encouragement during the past 2 years.

~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~  *  ~

Another Sunday means another challenge at Christmas Card Challenges.  The theme this week is:

CAS Design

I took it literally. So I used digital images and sentiments and made a very clean and simple card...although I spruced it up a bit by adding a few layers.

I used My Digital Studio (available through Stampin' Up!) to create the single layer which was placed on a burgundy mat.

It's printed in a very pretty light burgundy, although it really looks washed out in my photos. One day I'll learn how to take better pictures . . . although I probably need a better camera first.

The inside is a stamped sentiment from Stampin' Up! and I used the same graphic I had created, only a tad bit smaller.

I hope you'll join along this week. We'd love to see your creations. If you need a bit of inspiration, check out what the DT made this week at Christmas Card Challenges.

Crafty Creations: Something to "Die" For

We have a new challenge at 

Crafty Creations ~ Something to "Die" For.  

No, we're not being morbid . . . we want to see your beautiful creations using Dies !  

We're sponsored by Robyn's Fetish.  I had a beautiful snowman digi image from Robyn's Fetish that I was in the process of coloring . . . and then coffee decided it wanted to play along and help color the digi.  I know "drinks and crafting don't mix" but I needed my coffee and I had to craft. 

 Needless to say, I ran out of time to print and color another one, so I'm sharing a "back-up" card. I used several dies and this card was somewhat quick and easy to put together ~ I'd already glittered the sentiment die-cut piece.

Note:  I'll try to do another card with the snowman before this challenge is over.  Robyn's Fetish has beautiful images; check it out here.

The large snowflake is a Whimsy Stamps die and the smaller snowflakes are from a Martha Stewart punch. The die I used for the sentiment is from Stampin' Up! and the sentiment is ??? . . . well, it's wood mount but there's no name on the stamp/wood. I've had it for years and still love it.

Stop by the Crafty Creations blog to see what the other DT members created for your inspiration. Then dig through your Dies, find one you haven't used in awhile and create !

Christmas Cactus

Are your Christmas cards all done and mailed? If not, perhaps this card will inspire you to get them finished. I used paper, a sentiment and a pre-colored digi  from the Christmas Cactus set by Doodle Pantry. I lightened the image and it printed a beautiful bright purple-pink-ish color. I added a bit of Copics to the image just to make it a bit more full-color (sometimes when I lighten a digi, they tend to "fade" out a bit; so using my Copic pens fills in the gaps).

I love this flower set. Several colors to choose from or use the black & white line art to color your own.

I carried the sketch to the inside and left plenty of room to write a short note. 

A bit of green organza ribbon and bow and some matching sequins (thank you Betty . . . they went perfect with the colors in this card) complete the card.

If your cards are all done for this year, then why not get started on a few cards for next year? If you're like me, your "Christmas cardmaking supplies" are probably still out {smile}

Stop by the Doodle Pantry store to see all the wonderful Digital Stamp sets (click on any picture below).  If you create a card (or craft item) using any digital image (not just a DP digi), you can enter it in the Doodle Pantry Digital Challenge #53~click here. Two lucky winners will each receive a coupon to the Doodle Pantry store.

A freebie with any purchase (until Dec 24)

Christmas Card Challenges #1: Color Challenge

It's the beginning of another year at Christmas Card Challenges. Yes, our Christmas cards for this year should be completed by now and we're going to begin working on our cards for 2015. {smile}

The challenge this week is a Color Challenge using Christmas Tones. 

I had so much fun creating this card, that I might just do a few extra to send out this year.  I squiggled a bit of lime green glitter glue onto watercolor cardstock in the shape of a tree. I punched a star out of silver glittered cardstock and added that to the top of the tree design. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!

Very simple, very quick ~ except for the drying time ~ and it can be mailed without extra postage, which is a plus.  Here are the colors for this week's challenge . . . I love the greys and greens together.

Just think ~ if you get started now on your 2015 Christmas cards, you won't be in the same situation next year that you're in this year . . . scrambling to get your cards completed . . . so you can get them in the mail . . . in time for Christmas. {smile}  Or, is that just me that's scrambling?

Please be sure to stop by the Christmas Card Challenges blog to see what the other Design Team members created this week for your inspiration.  Or better yet, check out each DT member's blog. I've listed the direct link to their blog below. We have several new members and I do believe this week is by far one of the best ever . . . you'll love all the wonderful ideas.  Then grab your crafting supplies and begin crafting !

Alanna

Carol ~ new member

Donna

Gail ~ new member

Jessica ~ new member

JoAnn

Lisa

Margo

Marsha

Monica

Shirley Anne ~ new member

Tenia ~ new member

I'm linking this to Bugaboo's Second Annual Holiday Chaos Challenge. This card is for Saturday's Challenge: Sparkle & Shine

December at Doodle Pantry

Laurie at Doodle Pantry has done it again . . . she created so many wonderful sets this month that I had a hard time deciding which one to feature today.

I chose Cinnamon & Berries.

I used the pre-colored digi (I went over it with Copics) and printed two copies. I fussy cut the first digi and cut several berries and one of the leaves from the second digi.

I used my big ball stylus on the "wrong side" to round over the edges a bit. Then added a wee bit of dimensional to add depth.

I used one of the digital papers that comes with this set. I cut an oval out of the paper rather than place an oval burgandy piece over the digi paper. I'm not sure why I've been doing this lately, other than I just like the way it looks in person. Hard to tell the difference in the pictures.  Then I die cut an oval band from green cardstock to add as an accent piece.

I colored a few white pearls with a green Sharpie before I realized that I had green pearls. Oh well...these came out a deeper green than the pre-colored pearls and look a bit better.  

The sentiment is also from this set. The image below shows everything you get with this set, plus you also get black and white line art that you can color yourself. Stop by the Doodle Pantry store to see all the new December releases. Pick up a few while they're on sale. Then stop by the Doodle Pantry blog after 12 noon EST today to join in on the monthly challenge.

I'm entering this card in the following Challenge:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges: Holiday Cards