Clean and Bright Birthday Card

It's good to be home!  Before Christmas, I gave myself a little gift.  As we prepared to travel, I left the fridge, pantry, my craft desk, and my make-up drawer nice and clean.  Those clutter-free zones inspired me to get the after-travel laundry done.  From there, it was easy to move the Christmas decorations into storage.

What a blessing to have had a wonderful Christmas celebration with my family!  Now, there's a little time to rest and relax---not to mention craft----in a tidy home.

To me, this card has a fresh, clean look, too.  The color inspiration came from the Verve December Inspiration Photo.  The big bloom is part of Verve's Kindness Matters, and the sentiment is a retired (sniffle, sniffle) Plain Jane also from Verve.  The doily, foliage, and stitched circle are  My Favorite Things Dies.  The fun "Happy Birthday" paper collection was created by Dancing Shadows Designs.

Linking to
Verve's December Inspiration Challenge
Word Art Wednesday
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
4 Crafty Chicks (Anything Goes)

Best wishes to all for a blessed 2017!
Christine

Edited to Add:  This card won the Crazy Egg Award at Four Crafty Chicks.  Thanks so much!

Ham it up!

It is so much fun to make a birthday card specifically personalized to the recipient!  This card is for a deligtful friend who may never live down "hamming up" a formal occasion with a pair of hot pink argyle socks worn under his dress pants.

I treated myself to MFT's Hog Heaven for my birthday a few weeks ago, and the set promises lots of fun in the future.    I gave the cute little porker a dusting of glitter using Wink of Stella, and was so very thankful to find an argyle printable at the Cottage Market

I am linking to:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge:  Make it Sparkle (glitter)

Word Art Wednesday (A/G if family friendly or includes scripture)

May you find joy in the little things,

Christine

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Wishing you a Beautiful Day

A couple weeks ago, I treated myself to Rose Garden by Reverse Confetti. It's been on my wish list for quite a while, and it was fun to get these new stamps inked up.  Edgers Confetti Cuts helped provide a very literal interpretation of the versatile
sketch provided at Sunday Stamps.

Linking to:
Sunday Stamps
Word Art Wednesday

Hope you have a beautiful day,
Christine
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Christ the Savior is Born

 What? We ran out of Christmas cards?  I mailed a batch a couple weeks ago and had what I thought was an ample supply to include with gifts, when we my son announced a need for just one more.


The paper is called "Magical", the sentiment is from Verve's Peace on Earth collection, and the star is punched from some paper backed tape I picked up at the hardware store. You can imagine the conversation with DH when purchased it, right??   However, it embosses, die cuts, and punches beautifully.

Linking to:

Verve Inspiration Challenge ( Inspired by the aqua, pink, and sparkle)

Paper Sweeties Inspiration Challenge (aqua, pink, and red)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (Gift It---will be enclosed with a very special gift)

Word Art Wednesday (A/G Scripture or Family Friendly)

Have a blessed Sunday,

Christine

It's "Anything Goes" at Jo's Scrap Shack

For the final challenge of 2016, it's "anything goes" at Jo's Scrap Shack.  Right now, I need a card for a special family birthday.

The Verve December Inspiration Photo made the color choices so much fun.  I was inspired by the striped panel on the stockings and the pops of pink, yellow, and turquoise.  The wreath mocks some of the texture, and there's just a touch of sparkle.  Kindness Matters is the source of the flower and matching die-cut leaves, while Poppy Birthday provided the script-y sentiment.

Linking to:

Verve December Inspiration Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Happy Fun Friday, everyone! Wishing you much Christmas joy!
Christine
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Happy Holidays

I had so much fun using this sketch yesterday, but had a mishap in that I glued the patterned paper upside down, so it was time for a 'do-over".  Aren't you thankful for second chances and grace?

This card features Lawn Fawn stamps and a holly die from Little Inker Designs.

Linking to The Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop , to Word Art Wednesday and to Paper Sweeties

Thanks for visiting!

Christine

Decaf and Laughs!

I absolutely adore this sentiment that is included in the digital set offered at Verve.  It's called My Cup to Yours and is available at no charge in the Verve Store in honor of the Coffee Lover's Blog Hop.


I saw my crafting error through the camera lens.  I turned the square panel upside down before adding the sentiment and little cup.  The trees are standing on their heads!  This is probably more than I can blame on decaf!

Thanks, Julee, for this amazing digital stamp set and the fun sketch.

Laughter is great medicine.
Christine

Linking to the Coffee Lovers Winter Hop

Thanks for Being So Kind

The Verve December Inspiration photo is full of bright colors and whimsy!  What could be more FUN than hanging stockings from a chandelier....unless it is splashing around in water colors to make a set of cards.

The photo inspired me to include some clean white space along with the pink and turquoise and to include a little stitching.  Lots more fun elements for future crafting!

Stamps are Verve's Kindness Matters and Joyful Blooms.

Linking to:
Verve Inspiration Challenge
Word Art Wednesday

Thanks for taking a look.  Hope your day is touched by kindness,
Christine

Warm Wishes---Thanks Waffle Flower

The Sweetheart papers are by Paige and Brooke, and I printed swatches in hopes of making a cute Valentine card some time during the holidays.  Just couldn't wait to use them, so I paired them with the adorable Waffle Flower set I won in the Fall Coffee Lovers Blog hop.  Thanks so much Waffle Flower for the great prize.  Amy is deserving of a big thank-you, as well, for her efforts in creating such a fun event for crafters.

Thanks for visiting.  Hope you are blessed with a warm cup of coffee, a little crafting time, and all the joys of the Good News of Christmas.

Linking to:
Mojo Monday
Word Art Wednesday
Coffee Lovers Blog Hop
Paper Sweeties


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Santa, I can explain.....

There's a wonderful treat in the Verve Store:  Julee's offering an adorable digital set called From My Cup to Yours in celebration of the Winter Coffee Lovers Bog Hop.

While out shopping yesterday, I treated myself to a new stack of Christmas Papers by Paper Studio called "A Very Merry Christmas"  and set a goal that I would craft only when all the gifts were wrapped.  I made it!

I "adjusted" the Mojo sketch just a bit so the printed trees would show.  Love the sentiment...don't forget to stop by Verve for yours!

Thanks for stopping by,

Christine

Linking to Mojo Monday 477 (Sketch)

Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Red, Gold, and Silver at Jo's Scrap Shack

This image from Bugaboo Designs is such a cutie!  It was fun to color Little Penguin and to place him center stage with some fun red Christmas papers and some glittery accents.  Hope you will find some time to visit Jo's Scrap Shack this week to and play along.  The challenge is Red, Gold, and Silver with the option of adding stars!

Wishing you all the blessings of the Christmas season!

Christine

Mojo 477---So Kind

Although it's been a week since I last created a card, it does feel good to know that my Christmas cards are all in the mail.

Love this week's Mojo sketch, and there's always a need for thank you cards.  Verve's Kindness Matters has wonderful sentiments for thank you cards, and the flowers are gorgeous.  The papers were created by Heather Roselli.

Linking to
Mojo Monday 477
Word Art Wednesday

May you day be brightened by kindness,
Christine
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Congrats!

I was thrilled when DH mentioned that he regretted not stopping at the drugstore to pick up a card for a co-worker's celebratory luncheon.  One of the guys has reached a significant milestone in terms of years with the company, and I was only too happy to spend a little while in my craft room.

The papers are from Tim Holtz and the sentiment is from Verve's Love Everlasting.  Hubs wanted the card to read "congrats" and not a syllable more; I also complied with his edict of "no flowers or ribbons".  Below are the inspiration sketch from the Card Concept and the Verve Sketch that helped make this card come together.

Linking to:
Card Concept 63  (Inspired by the clock, clean prints, and neutrals to create this clean, layered card)
Verve Sketch Challenge
Word Art Wednesday A/G (Scripture or Family Friendly)
Jo's Scrap Shack (Cut it up!  Used MFT Stitched shapes and MFT Banners)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (A/G)

So thankful for a friend's blessings at work, for a little time to create a celebratory card,  and for your visit.
Blessings,
Christine

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Every Heart

Just a quick post to share a card that was so much fun to make.  Here's the "recipe" for this holiday card:
1.  Cut some pretty papers from Dashing Shadows Design using stitched dies from Little Inker Designs, My Favorite Things, and Verve.
2.  Stamp the sentiment (my one of my favorites from Verve) in Memento Rich Cocoa.
3.  Embellish with a heart cut from a Simon Says Stamp die and three Verve sequins.
4.  Arrange according to the MOJO sketch....and then move around to cover the spot where the banner was cut  to lengthen it.  :J


Linking to Mojo Monday (Sketch)
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge (Trio of Something)
Word Art Wednesday
Jo's Scrap Shack (Cut it Up)


Time's running out on the Monday challenges, but there's still time to play along with the Fun Friday Challenge at Jo's.  Here's what you need to know to join in the fun:

1. Please post a direct link to your card/project post that includes your challenge, 

using the linky tool.

2. Be sure to include a link back to our challenge

3. THREE entries per person and you must post a separate blog post for each entry.

4. All entries must be NEW and created for the current challenge.

5. You may combine with other challenges as long as you link back to us in your post.

 * All entries that do not meet the challenge requirements

Will not be eligible for top 3 or random wins (optional from sponsors prizes)

Wishing I had more Christmas cards, but grateful for your visit,

Christine

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Cut-It-Up Challenge at Jo's Scrap Shack

Hello everyone!  I hope you will join the latest challenge at Jo's Scrap Shack----Cut-It-Up.  Miss Lily and the Snowman, a darling image from Little Blue Button Stamps takes center stage.  After coloring the digital stamp with Prisma pencils, I trimmed it up with Stitched Rectangles from Little Inker Designs and adorned it with layered snowflakes cut with a Martha Stewart punch.

Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving and lots of special family times.  Thanks for stopping by!

Mojo 475--I Wait for the Lord

It's always fun to play along with Mojo Monday, and this week's sketch is another winner.  I combined it with the fun inspiration colors from Joy Clair,  using digital papers from Far, Far Hill.  The stamps are from Verve:  New Mercies and Brighter Days.  A trio of leaves cut from Beautiful Things and three shiny pink gems finish of the card.

Linking to:

Mojo Monday 475 (Sketch)

Joy Clair  (Inspiration Photo)

Word Art Wednesday (A/G Scripture)

                                     Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge  (Trios---leaves and gems)

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The Lord is a Sun and a Shield

I am so thankful for all that is going on this week. Family will begin to arrive tomorrow evening, and the house is ready for the holiday.  I am excited about a time to give thanks together, but in the meantime, I have been blessed with some time to craft and to relax.

This card is based on the first November sketch from Verve and features a beautifully lettered scripture, Psalm 84:11.  The colors brown, yellow and green are all that's needed to play along at Jo's Scrap Shack, and the trio of Joyful Blooms fits the theme at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

Verve Sketch Challenge

Jo's Scrap Shack (Yellow, Green, Brown)

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge

Word Art Wednesday

Wishing You a Happy Birthday

Summer crafting created a sufficient stash of birthday cards, but it was a special pleasure to have some time to make an new card for an upcoming celebration.  The sketch and sentiment are from Verve, and the color scheme is from this month's challenge at Joy Clair.  The digital papers are created by Sheila Reed.

Linking to Verve's November Challenge
Joy Clair
Word Art Wednesday
Crop Stop

Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room

From the moment I saw the gorgeous inspiration photo for the November challenge on the Verve Blog, I wanted to use the Mini Sunburst Die dies from Your Next Stamp as an element.  It was fun to choose colorful scraps based on the photo, but I struggled to make the Let Every Heart stamp fit.  By removing a few elements from the Verve Sketch and by using a 5 x7 seven card base, a balanced look was achieved.

God spoke to me through the process, reminding me that it is a deliberate, intentional choice to make room for Him in our hearts.  As Christmas approaches, I want to slow down in order  to honor and to enjoy my Lord.

Thanks for stopping by to look,
Christine

Verve November Inspiration Challenge
Verve Sketch Challenge
Word Art Wednesday
Crop Stop

Mojo Monday--Thanks for Being So Kind

The photo really doesn't do justice to the gorgeous turquoise color in the Inner Beauty paper collection from the Sweet Shoppe.  Verve's Kindness Matters is the source of the gorgeous bloom and   the sentiment.

Linking to Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge and to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge where the theme is thanks/Thanksgiving.

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Give Thanks

Just a quick post to share a Thanksgiving card made with one of Verve's new sets of stamps and dies, Autumn Blessings.  I like the bright pink and turquoise mixed in with there rich reds and browns in the digital papers created by Harper Finch.

In addition to the November sketch challenge, I am linking to Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge (Thanks/Thanksgiving).

Thanks for looking,
Christine
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Mojo 473 -- Wishing You a Happy Birthday

What  a relaxing day!  The students and teachers in our district are enjoying a holiday in celebration of Veterans Day.  What a blessing to have a day to do just as I wish....plenty of coffee, a great library book, stamping along with my favorite radio station.....

This gorgeous digital paper set from Misty Cato has been resting on my computer desktop and the Birthday Poppies stamps and dies have graced my work desk recently.   Both the Mojo sketch and the Joy Clair color challenge photo contributed to the design for this birthday card that will soon be shared.

Linking to:
Mojo Monday
Joy Clair
Word Art Wednesday
Crop Stop 

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a fabulous day!
Christine