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Saturday, November 29, 2014

HIMCR #176 - "Freestyle"

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

I hope everyone had a VERY Happy (and safe) Thanksgiving (for those who live in the U.S.) and was able to spend time with their families.  I know I did . . . my whole family (parents, siblings, spouses and kids) were here, well except for my brother's boys, who ended up spending Thanksgiving with their mom since my brother gets them for Christmas.  But all-in-all, it was a GREAT day of food, family and FUN!!!
Well, here it is the last Saturday of the month
and you know what that means, right???

That's right . . . not only is it time for a new challenge over at 
Hiding In My Craft Room, but it's time for a "Freestyle" challenge.  

The sponsor this week is Die Cuts with a View!
The giveaway is $100 in DCWV goodies!!!

And there will be 3 winners! YEAH!!!  
(That makes me wish I could be eligible.)

Triple the winners, triple the FUN!!!

You can check out the latest DCWV products HERE.

For this week's challenge, I did a card DCWV's Corrugate Mat Stack and Cork Solids Mat Stack along with a new stamp set I got from Verve called "Pink Power", .  I made this card so I can send it to a friend who is dealing with breast cancer.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
Corrugate Mat Stack (kraft paper) from DCWV 
Cork Solid Mat Stack (dark pink) from DCWV 
Cryogen White paper from PaperTemptress
Black Glossy paper from PaperTemptress
"Pink Power" stamp set from Verve Stamps
flowers from Prima
misc. black washi tape
sequins from Doodlebug
Raindrops from PaperTrey Ink
Black Momento ink

When I went thru chemo, I had a shirt made with the saying "With a head like this, who needs hair" along with the silhouette of a bald head.  Simple, fun, and!!

Remember you have one week (till Saturday December 6th at 2am PST) to get your "Freestyle" projects posted to Hiding In My Craft Room in order to be eligible for the DCWV prizes.  Can't what to see what you come up with this week!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Challenges I would like to enter:
(will add later today)




Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Winter Wishes

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right . . .

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Once again, time for a new challenge over at Clear It Out Challenge
It is time to put away the duster
 (don't need those dust "bunnies" since there'll be turkey in 2 days on Thanksgiving - lol),
turn off the phone (it's only telemarketers, right?, 
and time to get your crafty on!!! And, as usual, our fearless 
leader, Laura, has come up with another AMAZING challenge 
for us.   So easy, peasy, lemon squeesy . . .

 Are you ready???

I didn't hear you . . . 

Are you ready???

Okay, it's challenge time!!!

Theme:  Winter Wishes
Stash: snowflakes (embellishments or paper)

And you have one (1) week to play (till December 1st)

This week our sponsor is:

For this week's challenge, I chose a cute little image called "Snowy Days with Rory" from Lacy Sunshine. I chose her . . . well, mainly because the Rory images are so darn cute!!!  I just love Lacy Sunshine's digi images. And since the theme this week is "Winter Wishes", I thought "Snowy Days" Rory would be perfect.  So combining it with a new snowflake border die and some of my favorite PaperTemptress papers, I went to work.  Here's how it turned out: 


Supplies:
Jupiter Red mica/metallic paper from PaperTemptress
Cryogen Iridescent paper from PaperTemptress
"Frostyville Frame" die (#98718) by Memory Box, Inc.
paper flowers from Bazzil Paper Basics
Frosty Lace Stickles
Copics

 One thing I was disappointed about was the die . . . I had to run it thru twice to get all the cuts.  And then have to be really careful taking it out . . . the little designs get "stuck" while getting it loose from the paper.  But all-in-all, I am really happy with the way it turned out . . . and I love learning something new or a new trick.  With this one, I now know with such an intricate designed die, to run it thru twice, use an extra shim if necessary and to go slow when taking it out. 

Remember, you have one week till December 1st to get your "Winter Wishes" projects in to Clear It Out Challenge in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.  What will your "Winter Wishes" be?


Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenges I would like to enter:
Addicted to Stamps - Make your mark (using my favorite PT papers, again)
Christmas Cards All Year Round - No patterned paper
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes
Decosse's Dynamite Doodles - 12 Days of Christmas Cards Link-up
D.L.Art - Anything Goes
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes


Saturday, November 22, 2014

HIMCR #175 - Any Holiday

Hi,  all my crafty friends and family!!!

Here it is Saturday once again
and you know what that means, don't you?

That's right . . . not only is it time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room, but it is time for an "Any Holiday" theme.  It can be ANY holiday, as long as it's a holiday.  So take time to get caught up on past holidays or get to working on your Christmas cards!!!

The sponsor is Serri Baldy's My Besties!
The giveaway is all 4 Digital images used by our HICMR Design Team!!

For this week's challenge, I chose the girl with an ornament form Sherri Baldy's My Besties . . . I think it's 029?  Since I still had out my gold embossing powder, some of my all-time favorite paper from PaperTemptress and other craftin' supplies, I decided to try something different on the ornament.  I used a glue pen to adhere the embossing powder and then heat embossed it.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
My Besties digi's image from Sherri Baldy
White Crepe (ruche) paper from PaperTemptress
White Leather paper from PaperTemptress
Red Small Column paper from PaperTemptress
"Festive" 6x6 paper pad by Authentique (red/cream stripe)
Metallic Gold Sparkle Embossing Powder
"Frosty Lace" Stickles
flowers from BBP (BazzillBasicsPaper)
misc. gems
Squeeze & Roll glue pen by Zig
Copics

When I was doing the ornament, I practiced a few times to see if it would work and what worked best.  Here's a few things I leaned and preferred.  One was using a glue pen (actually looks like a ball point pen and is called "Quickie Glue") so I could get those curves of the "snow" just right . . . and while it did do a good job with the curves, I found the glue dried too quick to do the whole ornament at once.  So I got a bigger glue pen - Zig's "Squeeze & Roll".  This pen is a bit bigger and the more you squeeze it, the more glue comes out . . . so by the time I got done putting glue on the whole ornament, the part around the curves was just starting to dry, but not that much because my embossing powder still held.  After figuring what glue pen worked best for me, I then heat embossed it . . . and it left a wonderful texture, just like glittered ornaments at the store.  I then used "Frosty Lace" Stickles for the "snow" . . . and due to the embossing, it was easy to put the Stickles in the curves.  So all-in-all, I was happy with my little "experiment". :)

Remember, you have one week to get your project in to Hiding In My Craft Room in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.  I wonder what holiday you will be working on?  I can't wait to see!!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenges I would like to enter:
Addicted to Stamps - #122 Make Your Mark
(I tried something different as I usually do - 
used glue instead of ink & embossing powder instead of glitter)
Christmas Cards All Year Round - No patterned paper
Christmas Stampin All Year Long - Anything Goes with a Twist
Crafty Sentiments - 2 or more papers
Crazy Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - Anything Goes as long as it's Christmas
Crafting by Designs - Get ready for Chrisitmas
Decosse's Dynamite Doodles - 12 Days of Christmas Cards Link-up
D.L.Art - Anything Christmas
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Sparkle n Sparkle -Anything Goes using glitter, embossing powder and/or flocking)
STAMPlorations - Stamps & Layers
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Clear It Out - Anything Goes

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right!

It's CHALLENGE Time!

And over at Clear It Out Challenge, it's time for a new challenge.  And, as usual, our fearless leader, Laura, has come up with another GREAT challenge for us.  So get out your paper, scissors, and glue . . .
Are ;you ready?

I didn't hear you . . .

Are you ready?

IT'S CHALLENGE TIME!!!

Theme:  Anything Goes
Stash:  Anything Goes

You have one week (till Nov. 24th) to get your projects in.

This week's sponsor is:
and the 3 Stitchy Bear's artists Clear It Out Challenge
is showcasing this week are:

For this week's challenge, I picked a digi image called "New Baby" by Ike's Art for Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet.  When I first saw this image, I knew it would be PERFECT for Christmas card . . . to show the "real reason for the season" (Jesus' birthday).  So wanting to keep it simple but meaningful, I got out my vellum paper from PaperTemptress and Metallic Gold Sparkle WOW! Embossing Powder and went to work . . . okay, I went to play.  Here's how my card turned out:

Supplies:
"Metallic Vintage Gold Sparkle" WOW! Embossing Powder
Vintage Gold Glitter
Raindrops from PaperTrey Ink
misc. gold ribbon
gold glitter
sealer (for the glitter on mat)
sentiment from Close To My Heart

For this digi, I did what is called "digital" embossing.  This is where you print your image on a slick paper, a paper that the ink doesn't dry instantly, so you can put embossing powder on it RIGHT after it gets done printing and then use a heat embossing gun to emboss it.  Since I was using vellum and I always have a hard time with my vellum curling as I use my heat gun, I decided to try something a bit different . . . I attached my image to my Heavenly White 120# paper from PaperTemptress before heat embossing instead of waiting to do so afterwards. And guess what?  It worked!!!  NO curls! YAY! 

Since I didn't have any glitter paper, I took some Cryogen paper from Paper Temptress, trimmed down to the size I needed and put glitter on outer 1/4" of the paper . . . then used a sealer so I didn't get glitter everywhere. After adding the ribbon and a few Raindrops, I put all my layers together . . . VOILA!  I was done . . . and I am VERY happy with the way it turned out.  So simple, but elegant!

Here's some closeups to show how "sparkly" the embossing powder is:


 
Here's a closeup of the sentiment:
 "For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour
which is Christ the Lord."
LUKE 2:11

Remember, you have one week (till Nov. 24th) to get your projects in over at Clear It Out Challenge in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.  We can't wait to see what you come up with next . . . and can't wait to be inspired as usual!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenges I would like to enter:
Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge - "T" for Traditional Christmas
Becca's Place - A Month of Holiday Cards
Christmas Cards All Year Round - NO patterned paper
Craft for Craic - Birthday (Christmas is Jesus' birthday)
Crafty Sentiments - 2 or more papers
The Crazy Challenge - Favorite Technique (digital embossing)
Crimbo Crackers - Clean and Simple
D.L.Art #144 - Anything Christmas
Decosse's Dynamite Doodles - 12 Days of Christmas Cards Link-up
Inspiration Destination - Anything Goes
Melonheadz Friends - Add a sentiment
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Our Daily Bread Designs - BLESSINGS Word Challenge (use at least 4 letters)
(B - Bling; E - Embossing powder; I - Ink; G - Gold Sparkle 
embossing powder & Glitter; S - Stamp/Sentiment) 
Pile It On - Vintage (my embossing powder is vintage gold)
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Sparkle n Sparkle -Anything Goes using glitter, embossing powder and/or flocking)
Stamp and Create - Ribbons or bows
STAMPlorations - Stamps & Layers
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes




Sunday, November 16, 2014

An Ombre Christmas

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

A few days ago, I posted a CAS Merry Christmas card and mentioned that I had wanted to do in in an "ombre" tone or technique.  Well, I played around with my stamps (that matched my dies) and decided to do something a little different.  Instead of stamping each layer of my tree in a different shade of green ink, I inked a separate sheet of Heavenly White 120# paper from PaperTemptress in different inks, THEN cut out with my dies.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
Heavenly White 120# paper from PaperTemptress
White Leather paper from PaperTemptress
White Crepe (ruche) paper from PaperTemptress
die from PaperTrey Ink
Ripe Avocado dye ink by PaperTrey Ink
Simply Chartreuse dye ink by PaperTrey Ink
Limeade Ice dye ink by PaperTrey ink
Raindrops from PaperTrey ink
Mega Messages stamp set from PaperTrey Ink

All in all, I am really happy with the way this one turned out.  Now it's time to go play around with another project I have in mind . . .and if I am at least somewhat happy with it, I'll share it with you. lol  I know, I am MY own worse critic . . . but aren't we all???

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
Make It on Monday - Stamping Ombre

Saturday, November 15, 2014

HIMCR #174 - Think Fall!

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Here it is Saturday once again . . .
and you know what that means, don't you???

That's right . . . it's time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room.  This week's theme is "Think Fall!" . . . and this week's sponsor is 2 Cute Ink!

Here's the link: http://www.2cuteink.com/
The giveaway is 2 digital images from 2 Cute Ink!

For this week's project, I chose a digi image of a pumpkin with a scarf from 2 Cute Ink and combined it with one of my favorite "fall" like paper lines "A Walk in the Park" by Echo Park.  It's one of my favorite fall-like paper collections because it has such deep rich colors like the burgundy or turquoise or even the orange is a deep, rich color, not bright . . . just like how our tree is in the early fall with its leaves turning to their brilliant colors.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
pumpkin digi image by 2 Cute Ink
Iridescent Cryogen paper from PaperTemptress
"A Walk in the Park" 6x6 paper pad by Echo Park
Mat Stack 3 die by PaperTrey Ink
Layerz Mat Stack 3 die by PaperTrey Ink
Copic markers
burgundy gems by MME

Remember, you have one week (till 2am PST Saturday Nov. 22nd) to get your "Think Fall" projects in at Hiding In My Craft Room in order to be eligible for the weekly prize.  I can't wait to see even more of the glorious, warm Fall colors, especially since it seems like winter is making its way here in the MidWest with 2-3" of snow today . . . seems like just yesterday, I was wishing for the warmth of Summer due to the coolness of Fall days. lol

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenges I would like to enter:
Addicted to Stamps - Anything Goes
Crafting by Designs - Give Thanks
Dragon's Lair - Autumn Color
Wags 'n Whiskers - Using leaves


Friday, November 14, 2014

A CAS Merry Christmas

HI, all my crafty friends and family!!

I am here today to share with you a quick and simple CAS Chrismas card I came up with for my post over at PaperTemptress.  It started out to be an ombre tree, but then I realized I liked the look of just two (2) colors - green and white. So using my green & white crepe (ruche) paper along with white leather paper (ALL from PaperTemptress), here's how my card turned out:


Here's a closeup of the white leather and green crepe papers:

and here's one of the white crepe and white leather papers:

I also used some brown crepe (ruche) paper and gold mica/metallic paper from PaperTemptress for the trunk and start.  I am sorry I don't have direct links to the papers, but I am having issues trying to get them right now.  Nothing to do with PaperTemptress, but everything to do with me and my laptop or browser.. Yuck!!! 

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
Addicted to Stamps - photo challenge
Alphabet Challenge - "T" for Traditional Christmas
DLArt #144 - Anything Christmas
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Squigglefly Challenge #SFC4514 - Make a Christmas Card
S.W.A.T. Scrap Warriors - Fall Mood Board
(not a "Fall" card, but used the cream of the squash,
the green of the sedums and the brown of the pinecones)

Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes
V's Sweet Ideas #28 - Anything Goes

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge - Number Challenge

Does anyone know what time it it?

That's right . . .

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Time to put away the summer clothes (it's getting too cold for shorts now anyway), put away the duster (because you know the dust bunnies will just come back - lol) and get comfy with a hot drink (nothing like craftin' with a hot drink on a cold, snowy day - yes, I said "snowy" . . . it's only going to be in the low 30s all week with chances of snow today and tomorrow. Yuck!!!  But a GREAT excuse for a Salted Caramel Latte from Starbucks) because it's time for a new challenge over at Clear It Out Challenge,  And once again, our fearless leader, Laura, has come up with another GREAT challenge for us this week.  So let's get out our paper, scissors, and glue . . .

Are you ready?

I didn't hear  you . . .

Are  you ready?

Okay, IT'S CHALLENGE TIME!!!

Theme: Number Challenge
Stash: 3 of same thing (bling, image, etc.)

And you have 1 week to play (till Nov. 17th)

This week our sponsor is:

For this week's challenge, I chose an adorable digi image called "Snow Day" by StampArt by Kathryne. This digi image came with the word "Celebrate" at the side along with a "bonus" image with the left and middle snowmen on my card. And since this was a "Number" Challenge and the stash was using items in 3s, I decided to crop the bonus image to give me two and then did a mirror-image of one of them to give the a total of three (3) images . . . and since it's a friend's birthday is on Christmas Day and loves snowmen, I stamped "Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas" on the inside so I can give this card to her - doesn't it look like my snowmen are celebrating? :)  ). Here's how it turned out:


To stick with "3s", I used the 3 snowmen with 3 snowflakes each, 3 colored papers from "Winter Park" paper collection by EP, used 3 sizes & colors of sequins, and used 3 different twines . . . is that enough 3s?  lol

Remember, you have one week (till Nov. 17th) to get your "Number" challenge projects in.  How many different sets of 3s can you do?  I can't wait to see!!!

Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenge(s) I would like to enter:
Craft for Craic - Birthday
Crafting by Designs - Christmas
D.L.Art - Anything Goes
Dragon's Lair - Autumn Colors (the red & gray - the colors my tree is right now)
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Squigglefly Challenge SFC4514 - Make a Christmas card (I did combo bday/christmas)
Stamp and Create - ribbons or bows (I used twine)
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes (limit 2 entries)
V's Sweet Ideas - Anything Goes

Saturday, November 8, 2014

HIMCR #173 - Super Scraps Saturday

Hi, all my crafty friends and family!!!

Here it is the 2nd Saturday of the month (already)
and you know what that means, don't you???

That's right . . . not only is it time for a new challenge over at Hiding In My Craft Room, but it's time for Super Scraps Saturday!!!  All you need to do for your project is use scraps . . . and we all know we have some of those.  At least, I know I do . . . which is why this is one of my favorite challenges of the month.

The sponsor is Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps!
The giveaway is 3 digital images from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! Winner's Choice!!!


For this week's challenge, I chose to use a cute snowman digi from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  So using Mojo Monday's sketch #370 this week (sketch is provided below), I paired it up with some scarps from my "Holly Jolly" 6x6 paper by Echo Park and some of my PaperTemptress paper scraps for some extra texture along with color.  Here's how it turned out:


Supplies:
Iridescent Cryogen 89# paper from PaperTemptress (base & for snowman)
bright pink pop tunes from PaperTempress
"Holly Jolly" 6x6 paper pad by EP
misc. sequins (came in 12 little bottles, a different color in each bottle)
White Opal Liquid Pearls
"Clear" Wink of Stella Brush pen

I did try to get some close-ups to show the "glittery" effect of the Wink of Stella Brush Pen, but the sun was NOT cooperating with me today . . . at least it wasn't freezing out or windy as it's been the past few days.  But I used the Wink of Stella Brush Pen on the "white" of the snowman to make him look more "snowy". :)

Remember, you have one week till November 15th at 2am PST to get your Super Scraps Saturday project in to be eligible for the weekly prize.  I can't wait to see what's in everyone's scrap supplies this time.
Till the next time I'm up in the night.
Challenges I would like to enter:
Addicted to Stamps - photo challenge

Alphabet Challenge - "T" for Traditional Christmas
Crafting by Designs - Anything Goes
D.L.Art - Anything Goes
My Craft Creations - Anything Goes
Mojo Monday - Sketch #370
Sister Act - Anything Goes
Squigglefly Challenge #44 - Use Patterned Paper
V's Sweet Ideas - Anything Goes



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Clear It Out Challenge -"Gearing Up For Winter"

Does anyone know what time it is?

That's right . . .

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Time to more corn to the corn burner (it actually got down to 19 degrees Fahrenheit over the weekend and only up to the high 30s - BRRR!!!), turn of the daytime dramas & crank up the radio (who am I kidding? I don't watch any daytime dramas anymore . . . have too many FUN things to do, plus with my new "music" program for my Cochlear Implant, I am now able to have some upbeat rhythms when I craft...even when I'm cleaning. Oops, sorry for the "dirty" word again. - lol) . . . and get out your paper, scissors, and glue because it's time for a new challenge at Clear It Out Challenge. And Laura, our fearless leader, has come up with another GREAT challenge for us this week . . . so easy, peasy . . .

Are you ready???   

I didn't hear you . . .

Are you ready???

It's CHALLENGE time!!!

Theme: Gearing up for winter
Stash:  Use a metal embellishment

You have one week (November 10th) to get your projects posted.

Our sponsor this week is:

This week I used a digi stamp called "Winter Trio" from Bugaboo Stamps. and decided to take the plunge and make my "1st time ever" shaker card using my new "Snow Globe" die set made by Die-namics I got from My Favorite Things.  Here's how it turned out:

Supplies:
"Winter Trio" digi image from Bugaboo
"Good Cheer" 8x8 paper pad by October Afternoon (music & red patterns)
"Haunted Hallow" by American Crafts (wood grain for snow globe base)
White Crepe (Ruche) paper from PaperTemptress
clear cardstock from Papertrey Ink
White Opal Liquid Pearls
Glitter Studs by Queen & Co (they like eyelets with adhesive on back)
metal wind-up knob (?Not sure what it's actual name is)
"Snow Globe" die by Die-namics from My Favorite Things
misc. sequins
Copics

For this being my 1st shaker card, I was pretty happy with the way it turned out.  The one thing I would do different the next time is use my Helmar Scrap Dots adhesive instead of foam tape in between my "shaker" layers in order to give it a bit more depth . . . either that or use two (2) layers of foam tape since it seemed to be a bit thin for my sequins to "shake" completely free. :)

Remember, you have one week to get your "Gearing up for winter" projects in.  I wonder what type of projects I will get to see . . . and be inspired by this week?

Till the next time I'm up in the night.

Challenges I would like to enter:
Card and Scrap - Layering
Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes
Squigglefly Challenge - Use patterned paper
Susy Bee's Bloomin Challenge - ATG w/ layers
Through the Craft Room Door - Anything Goes