We're doing "Sparkle & Shine" at Sassy Cheryl's . . .

Just when I thought I might be done with making Christmas cards and tags . . . my sweet hubby decided I should make just three more! hehe!!

Hey . . . hellooooooo! And Happy New Year!! That's right . . . today we officially close out 2013 so that tomorrow we can ring in 2014!! And to end and start things with a BANG, there's a new challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog where the theme is . . .

"Sparkle & Shine"

w/a Sassy Cheryl image, of course!

So . . . here's what I "whipped" together for my favorite guy to give to some of his fave co-workers . . . the nurses he works with!

OK . . . so here's the deal . . . I just discovered the coolest - and sparkliest - product!! 

Here's a brief and easy TUTORIAL . . .

I created and colored the tags, as always . . . but then applied some Versamark watermark clear ink all over the tag. I then immediately dusted the entire surface with Heat & Stick Powder (from Stampin' Up . . . I hear Judikins also makes a similar product). I heated the tag surface with my heating tool . . . then sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds (also from Stampin' Up . . . although I suspect any very fine glitter will work as well) . . . and applied heat again, just to set the glitter. And VOILA! Glittery gorgeousness!! I love this stuff . . . and plan to use it often! 

Here are some closer views . . . 

You may recognize this cutie! It's my sweet Maddie, of course! This image is called "Warm Winter Cocoa" and is available HERE at Sassy Cheryl's. Here's another tag . . . 

Say "hi" again to Lucy Lou! She's all dressed up like a Christmas Tree! This little darlin' is one of the images in the "It Takes One to Know One" digi set . . . and can be found HERE in the "Oldies but Goodies" section of Sassy Cheryl's online store. And, next up, a closer look at the last tag in today's collection . . . 

This sweetheart is Sassy Sally . . . and the image, titled "Tangled Up Christmas Caroler," is available HERE at Sassy Cheryl's! Such a fun addition to any gift!!

 

Ohhhh . . . wait . . . one more thing . . .

Sassy Cheryl's is having a 2 day New Year sale.

That's right . . . 50% off all orders over $15.

Have fun shopping HERE!

So, there ya have it . . . my last Christmas tags for 2013! Now, I hope you'll take a few moments to visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and see what my talented Design Teamies have created this week for inspiration! Then . . . please join us for this week's challenge! Who knows? You may just be the winner of 2 free Sassy Cheryl digis!! 

Thanks for stopping by to visit! And HAPPY NEW YEAR! Hugs . . . until next time . . .

My FAVE Mo Card of 2013!

Hey there, my lovelies! Welcome, once again, to my little corner of Blogland!! I'd like to take a moment to thank you all for visiting my blog this past year . . . and for sharing a little piece of yourself with me! I am delighted that I've had the opportunity to meet and get to know so many of you . . . "virtually" as well as in real life!!!

Guess what? There's another super fun challenge happening over at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog!! Sooooo . . . here's the deal . . . our challenge for the next TWO WEEKS is for each of us to take a look at all the projects we've created in 2013 using one (or more) of Mo Manning's images . . . and then select a FAVORITE!! Whoa . . . choose just ONE? What?!! I love each and every one of my Mo projects!! This card, though, is one of my faves! You may remember seeing it. This is the Valentine I gave my sweet hubby this year.

The following post first appeared here on my blog on 1/17/13. Enjoy!

Isn't this the cutest image EVER?! OK . . . so, here's the story . . . (after all, it's always about the story, right?) . . . this is (can ya guess?) a Valentine!! Yep! Good guessing!! I made it for my sweet husband for a couple of reasons . . . one, he's kinda almost blind without his glasses! And two, when we first met, he sent me a little stuffed Hedgehog (which I still cherish)!! So, how perfect for his Valentine card, right? This image is called "You're kinda cute" and is available HERE in Mo's online store. Here's an extreme close-up of this little darlin' . . .

It cracks me up that this nearsighted little hedgehog is so "smitten" with a pincushion! LOL!! Here's a side view of my card . . .

As I said . . . I used both wet and dry embossing. I used a little "heart" embossing folder from "Crafts-Too" . . . and then I embossed the metal filigree corner with black embossing powder and then heated it (I applied two coats). Here's a closer look at my embossing efforts . . .

My Card "Recipe" . . .

White & black cardstock

Digi DPs: "Love Dreams" by Bearly Mine (I think)

 Oval & Scalloped Oval dies: Spellbinders

Heart & Scalloped Heart dies: Spellbinders

"Cherish" heart border die: Memory Box

Front sentiment: Penny Black

Ribbon, rhinestones, doily, & pearls: My stash

Embossing folder: Crafts-Too

Metal filigree corner: Wild Orchid Crafts

Inside sentiment: Craft Smart

Copic Sketch markers & colored pencils

A peek at the inside . . .

And . . . last but not least . . .

So . . . now it's your turn. But first . . . please head on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog HERE to check out the fabulous 2013 cards made by my talented DT sistahs! Then, please join us! Just upload a fave Mo card or 3-D project that you created in 2013.

Oh, oh, oh . . . and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants! What an easy and fun way to get some new Mo images, right?!

Okey dokey . . . that's it for me! Sending much love and joy to you and yours this holiday season! And . . . here's to a very safe and prosperous New Year for us all!! Warm hugs . . . until next year!

My FAVE Sassy Cheryl Card of 2013 . . .

Hap-hap-happy Holidays to you all!! In case you're counting, Christmas Eve is one week from TODAY! Officially time to panic!! Hmmmm . . . let's see . . . my holiday baking is all done . . . and the Christmas tree is now up and decorated (as of last evening)! But . . . I still have cards to address and mail . . . and presents to buy and wrap and mail! Plenty of time, right? hehe!! Sooooo . . . before I tackle those unfinished holiday tasks, I wanted to let you all know about today's challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog!

OK . . . so, here's the deal . .  . our challenge for the next TWO WEEKS is for each of us to take a look at all the Sassy Cheryl cards and projects we've created in 2013 . . . and then select a FAVORITE!! What the what?! How do I choose just ONE? I love each and every one of my Sassy Cheryl projects!! This card, though, is one of my faves! It was originally posted here on 2/26/13.

I'd been playing a bit with Distress Inks and thought this adorable "Maddie" image would be perfect for that week's "Vintage" theme! I just love that adorable hat!! Here's a close-up . . .

This image is called "Beauty in the Making" and is available HERE in Sassy Cheryl's online store! Here's a side-ish view . . .

My card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on 90# Hot Pressed watercolor paper by Canson

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - reinkers and pads

All edges inked with Pumice Stone DIs

Whisper White cardstock: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Vintage Summer Basics" from Maja Designs

Rectangle dies: Spellbinders

Heart tag die: Magnolia

Doily die: Cheery Lynn Dies

Queen Blue Seam Binding: The Ribbon Girl

Tim Holtz filmstrip

Flowers & metal corners: Wild Orchid Crafts

Pearls and lace: My stash

 

And a peek at the inside . . .

And,of course . . .

Now, I hope you'll take a few moments to visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and see what my talented Design Teamies have selected as their favorite cards/projects of 2013! Then I hope you'll join us for this fun and super easy challenge! Who knows? You may just be the winner of 2 free Sassy Cheryl digis!!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you and yours joy and happiness throughout this holiday season!week! Hugs . . . until next time . . .

 

Ahem . . . I Dunno!

Hap-hap-happy Thursday! And welcome back to my little corner of "blogville" where it's time for another fun challenge over at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! My "bestie" and super talented DT sistah Debbie is our hostess!! And she'd like to see cards are projects featuring . . .

"Animals. birds, bees, insects, &/or fairies"

with at least one Mo Manning image, of course!

Well, well, well . . . that leaves the field pretty wide open, doesn't it? hehe! So . . . guess what? I have yet another fun little Christmas tag to show you!!

This little Mo Manning image totally cracks me up . . . especially when it's paired with this fun sentiment! Can you just picture it? Bella and Bronte busy playing with Christmas lights . . . and getting them all tangled?! LOL!! This image is called "I Dunno" (redux) . . . and you can find it right HERE in Mo's online store. Here's a close-up (sort of) . . .

This tag is the last of a commissioned order. I don't mean to toot my own horn here, but I think it turned out pretty dang adorably!! Here's a peek at the little tag sentiment . . .

My Tag Recipe:

Image printed on Cryogen metallic white cardstock

Cherry Cobbler &Old Olive cardstock: Stampin' Up
Digi DPs: "Christmas This & That" by Echo Park
Romantic Rectangles die: Spellbinder's Nestabilities
Tim Holtz Walnut Stain DIs to the edges
Jute, Christmas lights: My stash
Tag: Melissa Francis
Postmark stamp: Paper Inspirations
Sentiment stamp: Printworks

Copic & Shin Han markers, and Colored Pencils

And one last rather "ahhhtsy" view . . .

Kinda cute, huh? (I think so! hehe!) Now . . . I'd love it if you took a few minutes to pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous creations by my clever and talented Design Teamies! Then, please join us for this new challenge. It's simple, really, just pull out your craft supplies and at least one Mo Manning image . . . and let the crafting begin!

Oh . . . and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants!

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Have a great week . . . and keep warm! Hugs . . . 

"Ribbons and/or Bows" at Sassy Cheryl's

Hellooooooo! Welcome to my little corner of the world! Oh . . . in case you're counting . . . Christmas is just 15 days away!! hehe! Santa and his elves are undoubtedly in serious Christmas mode!! And so am I! But, I thought I'd take a little time off to create something "Christmassy" for this week's challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog where the theme is . . .

"Ribbon and/or Bows"

w/a Sassy Cheryl image, of course!

Guess what I have to show you? Another little Christmas "gift tag" . . . 

It's Lucy Lou once again! This time she's dressed up like a Christmas Tree! This cutie is one of the images in the "It Takes One to Know One" digi set . . . and can be found HERE in the "Oldies but Goodies" section of Sassy Cheryl's online store. Here's a close-up . . .

And a peek at the little tag insert . . .

     My "Tag" Card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen Metallic White cardstock

Real Red cardstock & ink: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Wonder" by Authentique

Christmas tree die: Distinctively Dee's

Ribbon, twine, brads, rhinestones, & sentiment: My stash

Glossy Accents

Colored with Copic & Shin Han markers and Colored Pencils

And . . . one more view . . .

Please take a few moments to visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and see what my talented Design Teamies have created this week for inspiration! Then I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge! Who knows? You may just be the winner of 2 free Sassy Cheryl digis!! 

Thanks for stopping by to visit! Have a great week! Hugs . . . until next time . . .

Glitter, Glitter Everywhere!

Hello again! Still listening to Christmas music and still making Christmas Cards! Another cold, wet, dreary day . . . perfect weather for staying indoors and being creative. And, here's a little something I came up with . . .

This card is also part of a commissioned order . . . the final item, as a matter of fact. Tomorrow it gets shipped out with the other card and 7 tags!! Phew! And just in the nick of time too!! Once again I used Krista Smith's "Tammy". . . which was created specifically for Sugar Nellie several years ago. This stamp is still available HERE at Funky Kits - along with the whole line of Sugar Nellie stamps and digi images.

I used Shin Han & Copic markers . . . as well as a little colored pencil here and there for added depth. DPs are from Heidi Grace . . . and those trees are from Distinctively Dee's Dies. Here's a side view . . . 

I added some Inkssentials "Liquid Applique" for the "puffy" poms on Tammy's hat & scarf . . . then added Stickles glitter glue EVERYWHERE!! The sentiment is from Lili of the Valley . . . and the bells and ribbon and "diamonds"are all from my stash. Here's one more pic . . .

I've decided to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sugar Bowl #110 - December

Deep Ocean Challenge #66 - Santa is Coming

Thank you so much for stopping by! Stay warm!! Hugs . . . until next time . . . .

White Christmas

Ho ho ho, sweet friends! I've been in my studio all day . . . listening to Christmas music and making Christmas Cards! The day is pretty dreary . . . and if the temperatures weren't in the 60's (F), I'd think snow might be on it's way!! Soooooo . . . here's one of the cards I created today . . .

This card is actually part of a commissioned order . . . and, I must tell you, I've always loved this darling Krista Smith stamp!! It's from one of my fave Sugar Nellie collections . . . called Simply Sassy!! This cutie is "Tammy". . .  and she's available HERE at Funky Kits - along with the whole line of Sugar Nellie stamps and digi images. Here's a close up . . . 

I used Shin Han & Copic markers . . . as well as a little colored pencil here and there for added depth. Cardstock is "Cranberry Crisp" . . . from Stampin' Up. DPs are from Basic Grey's "Eskimo Kisses" collection. Here's a side view . . . 

I added some Inkssentials "Liquid Applique" for the "puffy" snow and the little pom on Tammy's hat . . . then added Stickles glitter glue! Here's a peek at the inside . . . 

The sentiment if from Whimsy . . . and the little snowflakes were made with a Martha Stewart punch. Here's one more pic . . .

I've decided to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sugar Bowl #110 - December

Deep Ocean Challenge #66 - Santa is Coming

The Ribbon Girl - Christmas Challenge

Saturated Canary #58 - Non-Traditional Christmas Colors

Thank you so much for stopping by . . . and, as always, for your kind comments!! They always make me smile!! Sending warm winter hugs your way . . . until next time . . . .

"I is for..." at Mo's this week!

Hellooooo! Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner? Less than 3 weeks!! Wheet whoo! And . . .  it's time for another super cool challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! This week's challenge theme is . . .

"I is for . . . "
Fun, huh? And . . . I have another Christmas tag to show you!! I went with "I is for Individual Style"! Pink and green and pearls . . . for a Christmas tag!! A little different, wouldn't you say?

This adorable Mo Manning image is an impish little girl called "Fabulous" . . . and you can find her HERE in Mo's online store. I know this isn't necessarily a Christmas image, but I think she works perfectly! I just love her . . . and she definitely has a style that's completely her own! Don't you agree? Here's a close-up . . .

This tag is part of a commission order. (I'll have one more to show you next week!) I love how it turned out!! Here's a peek at the little tag sentiment . . .

My Tag Recipe:

Image printed on Cryogen metallic white cardstock

Sage Shadow cardstock: Stampin' Up
Digi DPs: "Holiday Bouquet Too" by Mary Fran for Nitwits
Pearls, rose trimmed ribbon, & sentiment: My stash
Tag die: Magnolia
Flower & holly leaves: Wild Orchid Crafts

Sentiment: My stash

Aged  Green & White Frantage
Copic & Shin Han markers, and Colored Pencils

And, one more sort of angled view . . .

And that's what I've been up to!! Won't you please pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous creations by my clever and talented Design Teamies?! Then, please join us for this new challenge. It's simple, really, just pull out your craft supplies and at least one Mo Manning image . . . and let the crafting begin!

Oh . . . and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants!

"Anything 'Sassy Cheryl's' Goes"

Happy December, all you sassy little elves! Welcome to another Tuesday . . . you made it just in time for another cool challenge over at Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog! Can you even believe that Christmas is just 3 weeks away? Aaacck!! I think it's officially time for me to start to panic!!

But . . . before I panic, let's talk about this week's challenge!! hehe! And since it's Sassy Cheryl's first challenge of the month, we're doing one of my all-time favorite themes . . .

"Anything Goes"

w/a Sassy Cheryl image, naturally!

Today I have another little Christmas "gift tag" to share . . . 

Surprise . . . it's Lucy Lou!! This sweet little lady is one of the images in the "It Takes One to Know One" digi set . . . and can be found HERE in the "Oldies but Goodies" section of Sassy Cheryl's online store. Here's a close-up . . .

And a peek at the little tag insert . . . 

    My "Tag" Card "recipe" . . .

Image printed on Cryogen Metallic White cardstock

Chocolate Chip cardstock & ink: Stampin' Up

DPs: "Snowfall" by Bo Bunny

Snowflake dies: Memory Box

Shabby White Frantage

Pearls & sentiment: My stash

Liquid Applique

Glossy Accents

Colored with Copic & Shin Han markers and Colored Pencils

And, before you go, here's a little "artsy" view . . .

Now . . . please take a few moments to visit Sassy Cheryl's Challenge Blog and see what my talented Design Teamies have created this week for inspiration! Then I hope you'll join us for this week's challenge! Who knows? You may just be the winner of 2 free Sassy Cheryl digis!! Lots of luck!

Thanks for stopping by to visit! Hugs . . . until next time . . .

Another Christmas Tag!

Hey hey hey . . . and a ho ho ho for good measure!! Welcome, once again, to my little corner of the world! It's time for another fun challenge at Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog! This week, my cleverly talented friend and Design Teamie Cathy is our hostess with the mostess!! And she's decided she wants to see . . .

"Anything BUT a Card"

Perfect! How about another Christmas TAG?! I'm really having fun making these!!

This fabulous Mo Manning image is called "Ragged Angel" . . . and you can find her HERE in Mo's online store. I just love her . . . and think she's perfect for a special Christmas tag! What do you think? Here's a close-up . . .

This tag is another in a pretty good-sized commission order. I love how it turned out!! Here's a peek at the little tag sentiment . . .

My Tag Recipe:

Image printed on Cryogen metallic white cardstock

Cherry Cobbler cardstock: Stampin' Up
DPs: "25 Days of Christmas" by Simple Stories
Lace, pearls, & twine: My stash
Tag: Melissa Francis
Flowers: Wild Orchid Crafts

Sentiment: My stash

Edges inked with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink pad
Aged Ivory Frantage
Copic & Shin Han markers, and Colored Pencils

And, one more rather "artsy" view . . .

And that's it for me. Please pop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge Blog to check out the fabulous creations by my clever and talented Design Teamies! Then, please join us for this new challenge. It's simple, really, just pull out your craft supplies and at least one Mo Manning image . . . and let the crafting begin!

Oh . . . and don't forget, Mo is awarding (selected at random) one $5.00 shopping spree at her online store for every 25 challenge participants!

See you in two weeks . . . and Happy Thanksgiving!