Santa

 My cardmaking groups Christmas challenge for this month was Santa, I just so happen to have papers with Santa's on them so I found them and made them into cards.

• Graphic 45 - Christmas past (image and papers)
• Spellbinders - Holiday Sentiments die (layered twice)
• Sequins

Graphic 45 - Christmas past ( image and papers)

Spellbinders - Holly & Poinsettia frame die

DieVersions - Sweet Petites, Holly die

Sequins for berries

Graphic 45 - Christmas past (image and papers)

Tim Holtz - Christmas Ribbon die (sentiment and bow)

Sequins

Bo Bunny - Father Christmas paper

Tim Holtz - Funky Festive dies (flower and greenery)

Nuvo drops - pale gold

I am sharing today's post with the Peace on Earth Christmas challenge 

Now it is time to figure out if I need more cards and get the insides done and get these all addressed, thank goodness I make cards throughout the year now because I would be in very sad shape right now.

I did not get my washing machine yesterday, when they took it out of the box it had a big dent in the side of the machine, so they had to take it back and then we were told they couldn't deliver another one until Thursday. So hoping there is nothing wrong with the next one they send out.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Watercolor Christmas

 My stamp groups Christmas challenge for this Month is to do watercolor.  Here are 3 I managed to get done, I can't believe how long watercoloring takes me and I still am not sure they turn out all that well. When I used the Aqua pens, I scribbled them on my glass mat and then picked up the color with my water brush.

• Woodware - Fluffy Robin stamp, watercolor w/ Daniel Smith and Spectrum Aqua pens, used the Haze Blue Zig marker for around the image
• PPD - Distressed Edge Rectangle die inked around edges with fossilized Amber
• K&co. - Blue Awning paper
• Starform - Merry Christmas sticker

• Northwoods Rubber stamp, used versafine black ink on watercolor paper
• Spectrum Aqua markers
• Delicata - Golden Glitz ink around the edges
• Starform - Merry Christmas silver sticker

I tried no line coloring with this last one, first stamping with Antique Linen Distress ink. Then used Spectrum water color pencils to color it.

• Stampendous - Pinecone decoration, stamped with Distress Antique linen, used Spectrum Aqua pencils to color
• PPD - Curvy Coved Rectangle die
• Sizzix - Embossing folder
• Country tags Chipboard 3D 
• Nuvo Crystal drops - Pale Gold, applied to embossing and stamped image

We were blessed with having my sister and brother in law come down and visit for Thanksgiving, then we had to do some shopping to find a new washing machine that died on me the day before Thanksgiving, so I am a bit behind on posting to the blog and visiting your blogs but hope to get to it soon :)

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Happy Thanksgiving

 I made this little turkey but cutting a couple scalloped circles out and cutting them in half, then taking my regular circle dies to form his body. Hand cut a triangle for his beak and added pearls for his eyes.  Used a little foliage dies to ground him and I did break into my 49 and market washi tape for a sentiment.

• Spellbinders - Standard circles (body) Lacey circles (feathers) dies
• Fussy cut beak and Pearls for eyes
• Tim Holtz - Funky Foliage dies
• 49 and Market - in the leaves - Washi tape sentiment

I hope you all in the states enjoy a lovely Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for each and everyone of you that give me such encouragement all year long with your sweet comments and friendships I have made here.  My prayer is that each and everyone of you have so much to be Thankful for this day and throughout the coming year!

Connie

Alien Birthday

 When trying to think of what to do for my great nephews birthday I remembered these Diamond Dotz characters I had and thought he might like one.  Did the background with stars to make it look more outer space. Stamped some sentiments on the stars I die cut and it was done.  I enjoy doing these diamond dotz, I don't know if I would ever tackle one of those large ones you can buy but these small ones are fun to do, I found this set at JoAnns. I thought the silver washi tape on the sides might make it more space like too.

• Diamond Dotz - Space Dotzies
• Spellbinders - Lg. Classic Inverted Scallop Circles
• Paper Pizazz - Great backgrounds Paper
• Tim Holtz - Idea-ology design tape
• DieVersions - Stitched Nesting stars
• Simon Says stamps- Tiny words Birthday

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today, I know how busy everyone in the States are with Thanksgiving coming up.

Connie

Bountiful Harvest

 Sadly I have made my last card for Thanksgiving using my 49 and market goodies, and have put the  Autumn collection to bed. This sentiment came torn like this and I just did a bit of inking around it, the butterfly is from the same ephemera pack. The acorn and small leaf are rubons.

• 49 and Market - In the leaves collection- 6x8 Papers, Ephemera bits and Rub on Transfers

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today and letting me know you have,

Connie

Paper Hug

 I love this sentiment, it really describes what homemade cards are :)

I colored the stamp with markers, didn't get the blending I wanted on the bird, I often wonder if I don't try to blend enough but sometimes it ends up ruining it even more when I try harder, guess it just takes practice. I stamped the inner portions of the stamp with brown ink and the area with the text in black. I added a few gems to the flower centers.

• Hero Arts - Birds in a Circle stamp, stamped in brown and black inks, colored w/markers
• Teresa Collins - He said she said paper
• Spellbinders - Labels 22 and Labels trio dies
• Ribbon
• Gems
• Simon says stamps - Tiny words birthday sentiment stamp

Wishing all those well who are dealing with all this snow, if you are a crafter it is a great chance to just hang out inside and do some creating ;)

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Hubby Anniversary

 I was talking with a friend about the 49 and Market stuff and making cards from it and I realized I never shared the card I made for my hubby with them.  The card is a 5x7 size to accommodate that big piece of ephemera, I think it is really supposed to have a picture inside for a scrapbook page but need to be adapted for a card :) 

The background paper was so pretty that I didn't need to add anything inside really, but I did like that spiced up sentiment banner and the always and forever reached across perfectly, the leaf and helicopter was added in too. To finish it off some Liquid pearls.

• 49 and Market - In the leaves collection, 12x12 paper collection, Ephemera bits
• Liquid Pearls - Chestnut 

I am sharing today's card with the Sisterhood of Crafters Aperture challenge.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Flowers and Vines

 When I saw this background die I just loved it and I got it and then it sat in my basket of new goodies for a very long time, when I wasn't sure what to do for this birthday card I decided it was time to get it out and use it.  I cut it from watercolor paper and used my distressed inks to watercolor it. 

 When I went to adhere it to my card base I realized it was bigger than an A2 card, I googled the die and found This Post from Stacy that mentioned she sewed her piece on and it made a curve in her card.  So I added some foam tape to the center of the die cut, and then glue to the sides and added it to my card front. Hopefully it made it through the mail ok :)

I used some ephemera the tag had an open space just perfect to stamp a sentiment.

• Tim Holtz - Organic die, on watercolor, colored with Forest Moss, Pealed Paint, fossilized amber and carved pumpkin distress inks watered down
• Tim Holtz - Botanical Layers #TH93554
• Simon Says stamps - Tiny words Birthday sentiment

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Football Jersey

 Was having a hard time thinking about what to do for my great nephews card when I remembered a recent post form my Nephew showing him in his football uniform so I decided that I would put his numbers on this jersey.

• My Favorite Things - Jersey die
• Taylored Expressions - Whimsy#s die
• Crate Paper - DIY shop paper
• Gina Marie - Birthday Words sentiment stamp
• Spellbinders - A2 Distressed Edges die (inked)

I haven't really kept up on how his team did this year.

Hope you are enjoying a restful Sunday, thanks for stopping by and letting me know you did!

Connie

Pumpkin time

 Just now trying to figure out what to name the title of this card I made I realized I forgot to add a pumpkin to the card, well it is already off to my brother, we will say if he makes a comment about that or not, LOL!

• 49 and Market - In the Leaves, 6x8 paper pack, Ephemera bits and wishing bubbles and trinkets

Happy Veterans day to all our Veterans including my hubby :)

Praying for those in Florida and in the path of Nicole on the east coast.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by,

Connie

Daisy

 Two days before we went home to Michigan my sister in law adopted a puppy.  Oh my goodness it is the cutest little puff ball, I totally fell in love. While we were there, she was having to really watch her and take her out for potty training and then I realized, that she is a little cutie but more work than I would want right now, my cats keep me hopping enough :)

I remembered this stamp I had and reminded me of Daisy and it just so happens that is the name of this stamp set, like it was made for this occasion :) I stamped the grass and then sponged some ink over the stamping. I just sponged on some blue ink for the sky, no stencil this time.

• DoCrafts - Daisy and Dandelion stamp
• D.R.S. Designs - Easy grass background
• Stampendous - Meadow edge (stamped birds)
• Fiskars - Cloud punch
• ODBD - mini tag sentiment (congrats)
• Simon says stamps - Tiny words Birthday (happy for you)

Hubby took this picture of me holding Daisy.

What did I tell you, adorable, right!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Appreciation

 Our Church celebrated Pastor Appreciation the last Sunday in October.  In the service we prayed around her and presented her with a basket of cards that everyone gave to her along with a hand prayer we wanted her to have that we prayed for her.  This is the card I made for that. I used a coloring card that had a verse that I thought was perfect.

• Christian Art Gifts - Psalms in Color, colored w/pencils and markers
• Recollections - Mixed Media paper
• Sunny Studio - Frilly Frames Eyelet lace die

Hope you are having a great start to your week, we have nice fall temps until the weekend when we go into Winter temperatures, I am not sure I am ready for that, LOL!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and let me know you have,

Connie

Thanksgiving

 Esther sent me this library tag a few years back and I am finally remembering to use it for this Thanksgiving card, that was my starter point.  I decided to use my pumpkin & flower dies I had one from the Penny Black blog with it.  Adding a little burlap for some texture.

• Library tag from fellow cardmaker
• Penny Black - Pumpkin Parade die
• Burlap
• Craftwork cards - Candi minis, colored w/marker

I would like to share my card today with The Sisterhood of Crafters Fall colors challenge.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Dress up

 My great niece is turning 5 and when going through my stamps I found this one that I thought would be perfect for her.  I remember my daughter loving to play dress up when she was her age. You know it being fall I had to get some orange in there ;)

• Stampabilities - Fancy pants stamp, colored w/markers
• Teresa Collins - Tell your story paper
• PPD - A2 Stitched Banner set die
• Gemini - Torn edge Circle die
• Spellbinders - Standard circle lg die
• Simon Says stamps - Tiny words Birthday stamp
• Nuvo Crystal Glaze

I had to add some crystal glaze to the pearl necklace, you can see it better in the photo below.

I am sharing today's card with the House-Mouse & Friends Monday Challenge which is anything goes with an option of birds.  I went with the anything part.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today,

Connie

Plaid Christmas

 I forgot to post my last of my October Christmas challenge cards.  In my stamp group our challenge was to use plaid, just so happens I bought a pack of plaid papers last year.  I just recently bought these botanical images and so I decided to pair them up with my plaids.

• Tim Holtz - Christmas Botanicals Layers ephemera
• Recollections - Christmas plaids paper
• Spellbinders - Swirl Lattice Panel die
• Tim Holtz - Metallic cardstock
• ODBD - Mini tag dies
• Jute
• Brad

My next card I used a different paper pack and added a doily behind the image and used a sentiment from the paper pack.

Tim Holtz - Christmas Botanicals Layers ephemera

Paper Studio - Have a cozy Christmas paper

Prima - 8 point doily die

Sequins

The set of ephemera has some pretty panels in it also, I love the vintage feel of them. I added a gold border sticker to the left side, and I punched little circles from the sticker sheet to use as sequins on my card.

• Tim Holtz - Christmas Botanicals Layers ephemera
• Recollections - Christmas plaids paper
• Corner sticker, unknown
• Starform- Glitter Silver/Gold stickers (border along image)
• Hobby Lobby - country tags chippboard 3D
• EK Success - small circle punch for gold dots

Well there is Octobers Christmas cards, now to go look and see what the challenges will be for November, then I need to check and see if I will have all the cards I need for this year, crossing my fingers :)

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today and I hope you have a great start to this week,

Connie