Another Case

Hello friends! Here's a Christmas card that I'd like to share with you! (just disregard the fact that it's totally like Spring outside today and I've been enjoying our hot tub -- think Christmas!)

I've talked to the doctor and I have another "case" of "CASE Patti-itis" -- only, this time it's Patti Nelson! Here is Patti's gorgeous card and this is the link to her blog post.

I used the color combo of red and kraft for my card which is the challenge that Suzanne Dean has set before us at StampTV for the Free For All Friday Challenge.

Back in the challenge world again is ABC Challenges; this week is A is for Anything Goes.

The challenge at Truly Scrumptious Challenges is Distressing (the snowflake and mat on the inside of my card is distressed).

And I would also like to enter this at Dutch Dare Card Challenges #133 for a Special Fold Card. And since I need to show my "special fold", here it is:

Thanks for stopping by; I enjoyed your visit!
Betty

A Fall Card For Y'all

The layout for my card today comes from a card that I have CASEd by Patti J. at Cherish Each Precious Day.

Case Patti J.

Cupcake Inspirations #130

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #132

I have used inspiration photos from the following challenges:

Cupcake Inspirations #130

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #132

And here's my card:

I will also be entering this card in the following challenges:

Mix It Up Monday challenge at stampTV to make a card and a matching decorative envelope.

Challenge at Speedy the Cat's Friends to use polka dots on a card.

Challenge at Friends of SpeedyTV to make a masculine card.

I made my leaves by using a video that has been posted at SpeedyTV by MariLynn DeGroot that shows a tutorial for Burned Paper Bag Leaves. Thanks to MariLynn, I can also enter the followoing challenges:

For Fun Challenges to use leaves on your project.
Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge to use a new technique.

Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up, Autumn Vine 12x12
Cardstock SU More Mustard and Really Rust
Sentiment is from AnnaBelle Stamps, Sentimental Bluebells

I'm not sure where the image of the pears came from. I found it, already matted in a shoebox full of things that I had punched out, cut out and never used. I've got to wittle down all the stuff in that box!

One more picture this morning, if you're up to it -- Sunrise Over Lake Chapala (taken this morning).

Betty

P.S. I have no idea why my post looks so different from the "compose" feature on Blogger. Everything is in strange locations! (the ghosts and goblins may be up and around getting ready for Halloween!)

Christmas Spirit Challenge at Flourishes

First off, I have some more good news to share -- I was one of the winners of a Paperwhites stamp set from Flourishes for their September Christmas Spirit challenge! That set of lovliness should be traveling its way to me this very minute!!

The Flourishes Christmas Spirit challenge for October is make your card (or something on your card) shiny like a piece of candy.

I've got lots of shiny goodnes on this card. The darker blue behind my image is from a DCWV Shimmer Matstack, the tree branch and sentiment are emobssed in white, and the ribbon (especially the edges) are shiny too! A little bit about the ornament -- the stamp is from the Flourishes set, All That Glitters. I embossed it in white on the shiny blue paper in and then took a metallic silver marker  to give the embossing and the paper more of a silver tint. Next, I embossed the whole thing in Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel so it has a very shiny, candy-like surface. I cut a little slit in the branch to thread the shiny metallic gold thread through to hang the ornament.

Hope you enjoyed all the "shiny-ness" and can join me by posting your shiny card in Flourishes' thread on Splitcoast Stampers.

Betty

Digi Image Birthday

I have a birthday card today -- after all, Mark's Finest Papers is having a second birthday! And the challenge from Speedy the Cat's Friends this week is to use polka dots. They did specify that it was okay to use a Swiss Dots embossing folder for your polka dots and that's just what I did -- my favorite folder ever!

The sketch that I used comes from Eat Sleep Stamp (repeat as needed)! Isn't that a great name???Another terrific sketch this week;

My patterned paper is from Basic Grey, Origins. Paper with swiss dots is from K and Company. Other card stock is from Stampin' Up. The digital image is by Lilyboo.

Had a wonderful morning at church and then a group of us went out for lunch at a restaurant called Tango -- my sister will know the restaurant I'm talking about and she'll be wishing she could have gone too! Oh, some others of you may remember too -- I posted a photo on my blog once about a painting that was done on the bathroom door that depicts two goofy looking guys looking over a fence at you (me) sitting there!!

Now, I think it's siesta time!!
Betty

AnnaBelle Bling Sketch Challenge

Here's the sketch this month from AnnaBelle Stamps. A $15 gift voucher is the prize for this challenge and there are great stamps and other goodies at AnnaBelle Stamps. Get your card entered for your chance to win!

You've seen the sketch; now, here's my card.

 The stamps sets from AnnaBelle that I've used are All Things Grow and Sentimental Bluebells. Spellbinders circle and scalloped circle dies were used to cut out and mat the images and sentiment,  with a little sponging added to the sentiment. Background was embossed with a Cuttlebug folder and a smaller ribbon was placed on top of the wider one. Shiny dimensional stickers offer the finishing touch.

Did you enjoy World Cardmaking Day? I spent the morning with our church cardmaking group -- it's sure good to have friends to share this wonderful hobby with!!

Betty

Inspiration Challenge

Made this card for the Mix It Up Monday challenge over at stampTV. Tami posted a picture as an inspiration challenge and I took the colors to make my card. The stamps are from Stampin' Up but the designer paper is from Gina K. Designs. Seems like I had to work, work, work to get this card in shape! Had to restamp and then changed my layout several times, but I'm finally fairly pleased with it. The medallion, leaf and sentiment are popped up but it's hard to tell that in the photo. The center of the medallion was stamped on the dp, then cut out and popped up. I also cut out the thin mat around the medallion in GKD Pure Luxury Ocean Mist (which I also used for the card base) and sponged around the edges with brown ink.

Thank you all for coming by this past week and commenting on my dragonfly card. I was pleased that Tracy chose it to highlight on her blog today. I'd love for you all to stop by at Eat, Sleep, Stamp and take another peek at my card and see the new sketch.  I really enjoyed working with her sketch last week and plan to play again this week. Hope you can join me!

Betty





Melisa Waldorf  has hit a home run with another terrific tutorial! This time it is for a Christmas Stocking Gift Card Holder. She has a link on her blog for the free template which comes from Waltzing Mouse; she made a modification to the template which makes it much easier to cut out. So, pop on over there and check out her project, decorated beautifully with one of  Layers of Color's  new Christmas releases.

My stocking was decorated with Layers of Color's set, Reindeer Waltz;  just love these guys -- they are so artistic! "Merry Christmas" came from Michael's and "Something for You" is from Stampin' Up.

I was lucky enough to meet Melisa when she moved to the Houston area from Florida. We were able to get together several times to stamp and craft and  chat and I enjoyed her friendship tremendously; it was hard to leave her when I moved away -- if she hadn't been in the process of buying her new house, I would have tucked her into my suitcase! But thanks to the internet, I can still enjoy her friendship and her generosity as she shares so much of what she learns on her blog.

Hope all of my "internet buds" out there have a great day (looks like it may rain here!),
Betty