Warm Wishes

Hi guys,
     I can't believe that it is already the Monday before Christmas.  This year and this month have gone by so fast it is truly amazing to me.  When I started to write up today's post I got to thinking about how many  packages I still need to take to the post office and how many cards I still need to finish and mail as well.  I am one of those people that likes to get where we need to be early and for the most part I like to have everything done way before it is time.  However this Christmas is not even coming close to that.  I have yet to even purchase one Christmas gift for the M&Ms, and like I mentioned yesterday we just now got our tree put up.  I am not going to panic however as I know it will all come together. : O)  The best part is I will be off this year for the first week of the kids' holiday vacation and for me that is the BEST gift I will ever get.
     Ok enough about that, let's get to today's card.  I am going to share my little horror story with you all so that maybe I can safe someone from the trauma that I had last Monday.  lol.... I had colored up this adorable Winter Wryn and Snowman digi that I had purchased from Tiddly Ink stamps.  I had even tried out a new hair color that my wonderful friend Amy Young had done a YouTube video on. You can check our her awesome video here.   It is a lighter blond colored hair and I always end up making it darker than she does, but this time I felt like I had nailed it. You all know how that goes.  So anyway, I didn't want to rush into how I wanted to arrange the card as I wanted it perfect so I left everything on my desktop (like I have done a million times before) so that I could come back to it when the inspiration hit me. 
     Every morning part of my routine is to sit at my desk and do my makeup.  Monday was no exception, except that I wanted a can of ice cold diet coke.  It was to be my coffee for the morning. lol..  (I am sure you know where this is headed.)  Anyway, Jerry gave me the pop and I took a drink,  sat it down and finished up my makeup.  After blow drying my hair I went back to my desk to check  my emails and some of my favorite blogs. I looked down and OMG, the condensation from the pop can had touched my colored image.  Now I know that this is not in anyway a true tragedy what with everything that is going on in the world, but at the time I was so  bummed that I could be so stupid and let this happen.  lol... Needless to say it took me a whole week before I even considered recoloring my masterpiece.  :O)  I have to say that the second time around is not in my opinion as good as the original, but I do love how my card came out and I love how the gem swirl looks to me like it is snow blowing in the wind.  I hope you all enjoy my little tale of woe.  I know it is not for the faint of heart. lol.  If you have all your shopping done, I am jelly and it not I feel for you and I am sure I will be out there soon trying to get it all done.  Until then have a great day and I will talk at you tomorrow. 
Hugs, Lisa G

Supplies:

stamps-Winter Wryn & Snowman-Tiddly Winks, Keep Cozy-TGF & Winter Fox, Ornate Ornaments-LF

cs-Neenah & Scarlet Jewel-PTI

dp-Wonder-Authentique-I Love this paper pad!

gems-Zva Creative.com

Spellbinders-Labels Twenty eight-altered & Ribbon banners

Inks-Chestnut roan-Colorbox & Tuxedo Black-Memento

Copic Markers:

skin-E50-E51-E53-R20

hair-Y11-Y23-YR02-E33-E50

hat & dress-R37-E25

tights & scarf-YG97-YG95

shoes-E79-E77-W4-W1

Snowman's hat-110-T9-T7

nose-YR07

Snowman & snow-B0000-B000-0

                                  WARNING!!!

This next picture is not for the faint of heart. Look at your own risk.  lol

Yes, this is the original image that as you can see was terribly disfigured from my need for an ice cold out of the freezer Diet Coke...

Ho Ho Ho Santa's on his way...

Hi guys,
     I hope that so far you are all having a great weekend.  We have actually gotten a little of the white stuff today and so far  it is still coming down very lightly.  We were also able to get our tree up today mostly thanks to Madison.  She has really been very much a part of putting our tree together now for the last couple of years.  :O) 
     When I was a kid it was my Dad's job to put up the tree (real or fake) and then string the lights.  After that us kids would hang the ornaments and then get to put a little tinsel on it.  After we were done and had gone to bed Mom would redo the tinsel to make it look good as she has always been a tinsel fiend.  lol
     I only mention that as since Jerry and I have been married I got away with the (5 boxes) of tinsel the first year only if I would agree to try it without the stuff the following year.  Needless to say we haven't bought a box of tinsel in over 20 years and I am sorry Mom, but I don't miss it at all.  I love being able to see our lights and all the special ornaments that we have collected as a family.  I also mentioned the lights as after that first year when I made Jerry string them that too was the last time that happened.  lol.... Jerry just likes to look at the finish project and has never really been a part of helping us to put it together.   Even when the kids were one and two they would help me put the whole thing together.  Only at that time they would watch Mickey's Magical Christmas while I did most of it.  That's ok as the three of us  have our routine and we listen to Christmas songs now while we do it.  I think that now I am finally in the mood for Christmas thanks to the snow and the pretty little tree. 
     So in honor of the big guy ( Santa, not Jerry) I felt that today would be a great time to share my Santa Claus card that I made last weekend completely out of Spellbinders and Cherry Lynn designs dies.  I was watching some Youtube last weekend when I was making my cards and I ran across this really cute idea.  You can see the video here and see that once again I tried it and put a few of my own twists on it. 
     Sorry to say it is a hard card to photograph, but I am sure you'll get the idea of it.  I for one an very happy with how Old St. Nick turned out and I know exactly who I am going to be sending him to. 
     So have a wonderful Sunday everyone.  I hope that no matter where you are that you are all having a great time with your friend or families. 
Talk at you all tomorrow. 
Hugs, Lisa G

Supplies:
stamps-Ornate ornament-LF
cs-Neenah, AC Cardstock, Sweet Blush & Pure Poppy-PTI
pearls-black-Basics by Kaisercraft
gems-12 days of Christmas-MME 2011
frosted lace-Stickles-Ranger
Glossy Accents
liquid applique-Marvy Uchida
Inks-angel pink & northern pine-Memento
dies-Spellbinders-Circle small, 2012 Heirloom Ornament & B184 Holly Corner-Cherry Lynn Designs
Copics-G28-G29

Wishing you JOY...

Hi guys,
     I have typed this up three times now, but I think that all I am going to say is "What a week!  I am so so happy that it is finally Friday."  and leave it go at that.
    Instead I am going to just share an uber quick card I made last weekend with some of the 'Dazzles' from hot off the press.  When I first bought this pack  I just thought it was perfect for a fun Christmas card as I just love palm trees and one day when I am super rich I will have me a little one that I can decorate with lights.  lol,,, :O) 
     Ok moving on, I was kind of following the design on the package and I thought I really like it, but now I'm not so sure I like it that much.   I think that the word 'JOY' kind of look too gawdy.  Other than that it really was a quick card and fun to play around with.  As you can see I had to use some of my shiny cream card stock from Recollections and I think that is what I don't like about it.  lol...
     Anyway, I hope you are all are having a great start to your weekend.  If you didn't know or didn't see it, my daughter has decided to share a couple of her drawings on the kids'  blog  'Kids create two'.  We would love it if  you would stop by and see what she has been up to. 
    So,  it's getting  late and I am super tired as I have been up since 4:45 this morning,  so I shall wish you all a goodnight and talk at you tomorrow. 
Hugs, Lisa G

supplies:
Dazzles-Tropical Christmas-HOTP
cs-recollections
dp-White Christmas-WRMK
Copics

Warm Winter Wishes...

Hi guys,
     I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend.  We started to get a few snow flurries today, and I am sure that is what put my in the mood for today's card.  lol.. We actually made some hot chocolate and had a great time watching  'Stuart Little'  together before I sat down to work on some cards for the week.   I remember when Mitchell was little and he just loved both the first and the second 'Stuart Little' movies.  It always puts me in a great mood when we do things as a family.
     So I have a couple of things that I want to share on my blog this morning before I get into my card.  The first would be that my daughter Maddie has agreed to start sharing some of her drawing that she is always doing.  You can find her first one over on the 'Kids Create Two' blog that I put up a very long time ago just for the M&Ms to share with others things to share with other if  they felt like it.  It would be terrific if you could take a moment to check our Maddie's drawing and leave her a little love.  :O)  After all she might be a future blogger. 
     Anyhow let' get to today's card.  I used this adorable stamp from LawnFawn called 'Winter Fox' along with the 'Let it Snow' stamp from them as well.  I took out this awesome snowflake from the older, but new to me set called 'Keep Cozy' stamp set from The Greeting Farm in order to make a background for my card.  I had so much fun making my own paper as I wanted to keep it simple but pretty for this very delicate fox.  :O) 
     As you all know I don't normally color up animal stamps, but I really want to purchase the latest 'Sweet November' stamp called 'Lovebirds' after the holidays so I figure I should practice more on getting better at coloring animal stamps.  lol...
     I then cut my stamp apart for the inside sentiment.  I don't usually do that as I am overly nervous that I will ruin my stamps, but I always see them do this on the YouTube videos from LawnFawn and decided that if I really messed it up I can always purchase this one again as it is one of their little sets and usually is under $4.00 to replace.  I am happy to say however that I did NOT ruin it and I can still use it how it was made to be used.  Hugh smile here!
     Ok guys,  I hope you have a great start to your week.  Madison is still itching to get our Christmas tree up,  so it looks like her and I will be tackling that come Thursday after work and school.  Wish me luck!
     Thanks for stopping by and I will talk at you tomorrow.
Hugs, Lisa G

Supplies:
stamps-Winter Fox, Let it Snow-LF & Keep Cozy-TGF
cs-Neenah & Spring Rain-PTI
ribbon-sheer-details & Accessories
inks-Summer Sky & Tuxedo Black-Memento
Copic Markers:
fox - E30-E50-E51-E53-E33
scarf - E93-17mint & 00clear-at youSpica
mug-B93-E71-E74

Desperately in need of your Opinions!

Hi guys. 
     I sure hope everyone had a great week.  Mine was way too busy and as I am sure you have all noticed that meant no blog posts/cards for the week.  I am however already on my third card today, so I should have plenty to share with you this coming week.  :O)  Always makes me very happy. 
     Anyway, I so so need you guys to let me know your opinions on Cardstock.  I can not believe that I would ever have this problem but it seems that I am in danger of running out of colored cardstock.  When I first started making my cards I had some of the Stampin-Up cardstock, but found it took too long and really too much trouble to get any.  Then I purchased some of PTI's combo set.  I do love their colors, but I'm not sure if I like that it is not have any kind of texture.  As you've seen from past posts I do use AC Cardstock as that is the only cs that our bookstore/craft store stocks.   My problem with the AC Cardstock is that their colors really don't look that rich to me.  lol... I know I'm complicated.   I have seen on YouTube that alot of people like MFT's cardstock.  I have never used it and it seems a little spendy without knowing if I'll like it. :O( 
     So this is were you guys come in.  What cardstock do you like the best?  Do you like the flat or the textured kind?  And of course were do you get it from?  Is it available online?  I really really would love to know as I am going to get me something come Monday and I would be so open to trying anything. 
     Thanks so much for all you help.  You guys mean the world to me.  Have a super weekend, and I will talk at you later.

This isn't one of our babies, this is just how I am feeling about me Cardstock dilemma at the moment.  heheehe

Hugs, Lisa G

Merry Christmas...

Good morning everyone.
     I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.  We had a very nice one and even though I really didn't get as much crafting done as I wanted to I did manage to clean my desk from top to bottom.   So even though I don't have a lot of things to share with you for the week I do have a very clean desk to work on.  lol... Yes, that makes me smile big time.
     We also had the prettiest December 1st that I can remember.  It was so sunny out for a moment it felt pretty comfortable weather wize as well.   The only problem was the wind.  I swear we went out to clean the cars and let the kids goof around for a little bit.   It took me about 10 minutes to get over that need.  lol... I did get  my Minnie and Mickey Mouse decals put on the back window of my car though.
      Have I ever boared you guys with the story of when the M&Ms were little and could recognize their names, but didn't know how to read yet?  Well when Christmas came around we would write to: Mickey or to: Minnie so that we knew whose gift it was, but they didn't know what it said at that time.  baahaa ha!  It saved us a lot of begging to play with the gifts or Mitchell asking if he could just hold it for a moment or two.   I think we only got away with that for maybe one Christmas. 
     So, anyway  I did manage to  make a couple of cards and a little bit of a Christmas project as well.   I know that today is going to be a busy day for me, so I think that I will start with the card that has taken me over two weeks to finish. :O)
     I colored this wonderful Holiday Anya2 over two weeks ago and I will tell you that I love how she came out.  I remember that  when I colored I was trying out someone else's hair color combo.  What I can't tell you is who I got the combo from.  If you recognize her hair let me know please... I know I wrote it down, but with the drastic state my desk has been in I am sure that I must have thrown it away.  So, moving on with the rest of this card.  I even knew what paper I was going to use and how I wanted to put it all together.  What took me so long to come up with was what I wanted to use along with Anya on the front of this card. 
     As you can see I finally decided to use my 'Cherry Lynn Designs' snowflake die.  I cut a couple of them out and then I used some of my Hero Arts embossing powder to make them look like they were indeed clean white snowflakes.  I am very very happy with how this card came out.  I still haven't decided who is going to get her, as I just really love it. 
     I hope that you all have a great start to your week.  As for my friend that has already started her week while I was cleaning my desk yesterday,  I sure hope you had a wonderful Monday.  You know who you are. 
Talk at you all tomorrow. 
Hugs,  Lisa G

Because the cardstock of the base card is a copper color I used my Bronze Sharpie to outline the frame that is backing
Anya.

 

Supplies;
stamps-Holiday Anya 2-TGF & Ornate Ornaments-LF
cs-Neenah & Recollections
dp-Yuletide-Memory box
dies-snowflake-Cherry Lynn Designs & Labels 28-Spellbinders
boarder punch-MS-decorative scallops
ribbon-Offray
bronze metallic-Sharpie
Inks-VersaMark, Moonlight-Brilliance & Memento-Tuxedo Black
pearls-mini pearls-doodlebug design, Inc.
embossing powder-white-Hero Arts
Copic-list lost

Don't judge...

Good morning all.
     I am working on Christmas cards this weekend and yesterday I pulled out my Christmas paper pads to see what I have. 
     I store all my 6x6 pads in plastic bags so that when I cut into them I can store all the little pieces along with the pad.  Sometime when I color up an image and it isn't going right I will just put the image in with the papers for later so that when it does start to gel for me I can go back to it.  No image, no paper left behind policy.  lol.... Anyway all the pads are then put into plastic boxes so that they can be neatly stored on my shelves under my desk. 
      So I am telling you all this as when I began to pull out my Christmas papers I kind of had a little shock as to how many of them I actually own.  I really can't believe that I have accumulated this many Christmas pads.  Yes, I know I have a ton of 6x6 pads as they are just too pretty and too fun and oh too easy to throw into  the online shopping carts when they are on sell, but STILL... OMG!!!  I think I have a problem.  :O)
     Of course I am not going to share the pictures of my desk from this morning.  It is totally trashed from all the pads and the couple of projects/cards that I worked on yesterday.  I am going to have to stop and clean this morning before I can even find my scissors. 
     Anyway, just wanted to wish you all a happy weekend and share my pile of paper with you all.  Have a great day and I'll talk at you tomorrow. 
Hugs, Lisa G

I am starting to  think it is a good thing that I don't have a local scrapbook or hobby store. What do you think? lol