Papercraft Star Challenge #23

     It's challenge #23 here at Papercraft Star and this marks the last week of projects made with products from our November sponsor, Babette Switzer of Kraft Outlet.  I have really enjoyed working with her fabby "krafty" goodies.

     For my project this week I created a Christmas tag.  The base is made of Kraft Outlet chipboard.  A layer of kraft cardstock cut the same dimensions was run through a Cuttlebug embossing folder and glued on top of the chipboard.  I used a sponge and some gold Rub-n-Buff to add a little shimmer to the embossed image and added a little Glossy Accents to hold some gold microbeads onto the leaves.

The edges of the tag were inked with Versamark and embossed with Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder and then I brushed a light coat of Picket Fence Distress crackle paint over that.  Next came a little Diamond Dust for a pretty border all around.

     The image is a digi stamp from Fred, She Said Designs.  I watercolored it with watercolor pencils and distress inks, covered it in Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint and covered the berries with Glossy Accents.

     I punched out a few small flowers, edged them with Versafine white ink, and added some red adhesive pearls.

     The bottom border was punched out of designer paper and I backed it with some more of the Kraft cardstock edged in the Picket Fence paint.  A few white pearls and some twill tape, fibers, and some of Babette's yummy Baker's Twine finish off the tag.

     This week's sponsor is Luckygirlgoods.  This little etsy shop owned by cari Bruno has some gorgeous goodies so check it out.

She also has a gift shop with some beautiful jewelry and her blog.  Cari is generously offering our Papercraft Star followers a discount this week too.  Check out the details at the Papercraft Star blog.

     The deadline for entering your project for this week's challenge is Saturday, December 4th at 12:00 noon EST.  Make sure you come back and vote for your top two favorites!
Blessings!


Supplies

Papers:  Kraft Outlet Chipboard and Brown Kraft cardstock, Gina K Designs Pure Luxury cardstock, Basic Grey
Stamp:  Fred, She Said Designs "Christmas Cardinal"
Inks+:  Derwent Watercolour pencils, Fired Brick and Aged Mahogany Distress inks, Versafine white ink, Picket Fence and Rock Candy Distress Crackle paint, Vintage Photo Distress embossing powder, Diamond Dust, Martha Stewart florentine gold Luster Glass Microbeads, Glossy Accents, Rub'nBuff antique gold
Miscellaneous:  Kraft Outlet Baker's Twine, Martha Stewart Twill Tape, white fiber yarn, Recollections adhesive pearls

New Tutorial up on YouTube

Hey Ya'll!

     This is one nasty stormy day here.  A twister hit up in Yazoo yesterday, something I'm sure they didn't want after the one that hit back in April.  Besides nasty weather, I've come down with a nasty cold.  I was up half the night with my jaws and teeth killing me from the sinus pressure. 
     Managed to scrounge up enough energy to put together a little tutorial for YouTube.  If any of you are fans of Webster's pages you've probably seen the little flower bouquet sprays they recently came out with.  I did a little tute on how to make the nylon flowers in the bouquet.  You can check it out here on my channel if you're interested.

     Don't forget tomorrow starts a new challenge at Papercraft Star.  Things will be a little different on the blog as we start our new term with our new Design Team.  Keep a look out for the new stuff.
Blessings!

It's time to draw a winner!

     A huge thanks to everyone who participated in the very first Thanksgiving week Papercraft Star Blog Hop.  I appreciate all my old followers and my new ones.
     Hope you all found some inspiration along the way.  I know we all enjoyed making our projects to share with you.

     I know you all want me to stop blabbing and announce the winner.  I used Random.org to find my winner and that person is:

jennyplace2

jennyplace2 said...
OMG! This box is amazing, so beautiful and stunning, I wish I was your Mom. I am now a follower and know I will not be disappointed, I plan on doing some major scraplifting! LOL Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Congratulations Jenny!  Please contact me before midnight EST Saturday, December 4th to claim your prize.
Blessings!

Papercraft Star and Kraft Outlet News

     Okay guys, you have until midnight tonight to make your rounds on the Papercraft Star Blog Hop.  There's a #25.00 gift certificate from My Favorite Things up for grabs from Papercraft Star and a $10.00 gc from me.
     I'll do this again when I announce my winner, but I wanted to tell everyone of you who left a comment how much I appreciate your words of encouragement. Ya'll are the bestest!
     Papercraft Star starts a new challenge, #23, this week so get that crafty energy flowing and join us this week
     Most of you know that Kraft Outlet has been sponsoring our Design Team for the month of November.  Well, besides the store, Babette also has a blog called The Kraft Journal that spotlights her wonderful crafting supplies, and guess what!!! There's a challenge going on there right now!  You can click on the button to go there.

     You'll find a couple of my Papercraft Star projects on the post along with all the information on several ways you can win a $20.00 voucher from Kraft Outlet.  The challenge itself is to make a project using kraft paper.  We all have some of that in our stash.  So go check out the post and join in with the fun!
     Hope you all had as good a holiday as I did, but ate less.  LOL
Blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

"A friend is a gift you give yourself."

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

     I searched the net trying to find a Thanksgiving poem that covered what I wanted to say to all my bloggie friends and after reading countless poems and quotes I hit on this one that says how I feel about you all perfectly.
     I only started blogging in February and I can now count myself blessed to have received so many wonderful "gifts"  in you.  Friendship, encouragement, teamship, understanding and confidence are just a few of the things you've given me.  Thank you, thank you for being a part of my life.  I never imagined what joy I would find in this crazy internet world.
     So today as we sit around stuffing ourselves with yummy food and spending time with those we love, know that I have thought of you today on this day of being thankful and gave God thanks for you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge #35

     This week it's a red and green challenge at Digi Doodle Shop's Best!    
     This card marks my very first Copic creation.  I made it a while back and scheduled its posting for this challenge, so you've seen some of my other Copic stuff, but this is the first "official" card I made with them. 

     I've used the Christmas Door image you can find in the Digi Doodle Store.  Everything except the ornaments in the garland and the bells on the door, which are colored with gold Perfect Pearls and Glossy Accents, is colored with Copics.  I used a little Puffy pain on the railings and in front of the door for a little snow effect.  The edge of the image was then inked with distress inks and outlined with Stickles like the sentiment.

     I used my sewing machine to add the decorative stitching around the edge of the green mat.  I thought it added a cute touch and kept the mat from looking so plain.  I also scored the green mat in a diamond pattern on my Scor-pal.

Have a great day!

Supplies


Papers:  Making Memories, Bazzill, Strathmore Bristol paper
Stamp:  Digi Doodle Shop "Christmas Door", Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages
Inks+:  Stazon Timber Brown, Aged Mahogany and Tea Dye Distress Inks, Diamond Stickles, Gold Perfect Pearls, Glossy Accents, Tulip Puffy Dimensional Fabric paint, Copics:  E39, E41, E57, G29, R39, R59, Y00, YG41, YG67
Tools:  Nestabilities Classic Ovals Large (S4-111), sewing machine, Scor-pal
Miscellaneous:  Prima poinsettias and leaves, Offray ribbon, jeweled brad

A Christmas Wreath

For this card I've used a Fred, She Said pre-colored digital image.  It came out so wonderfully bright from my printer (I don't have the best printer either).  I made the little poinsettia with another FSS digi set and colored the flowers and the leaves with distress inks.  I used the same Fired Brick Distress ink to color some white seam binding.  Theres a little punch work and a lot of stitching. :)  Hope you like it!

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Lexi's Creations #27--traditional Christmas colors
Mark's Finest #30--use a circle on your project
Die Cut DreamsChristmas Club #44--Christmas Anything Goes
One Stitch at a Time #40--choose a season or event

Happy Monday!


Supplies

Papers:    Basic Grey, Making Memories, Gina K Designs Pure Luxury, Georgia Pacific
Stamp:  Fred, She Said Designs pre-colored "Christmas Wreath" and "Dahlias" digi set
Inks+:  Fired Brick, Peeled Pain, and Forest Moss Distress inks, Diamond Stickles, Copic R59
Tools:  Martha Stewart Layered Arches edge punch, sewing machine, Nestabilities labels Eight (S5-019)
Miscellaneous:  Recollections adhesive pearls, Hug Snug seam binding

It's a Papercraft Star Blog Hop!

     WOOHOO!  It's the First Annual Papercraft Star Thanksgiving Blog Hop Week!  I know I have tons of things in my life to be thankful for, and one of them is those of you who'll be traveling along on this hop.  We hope you enjoy all the projects we've created to share with you.

     We have a great sponsor for the hop to be thankful for too, My Favorite Things!

     All of our Designers (the execs have even joined in too!!) have created some wonderful projects to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for. 

     We're so glad you hopping with us!  If you reached my blog from my awesome pal Jan, then you're right on track.  If you didn't arrive here from her blog, then you need to start at the beginning at the Papercraft Star blog so you don't miss anything.  You also need to do a couple of things to be eligible for the Grand prize from My Favorite Things.

1. You must be a follower of Papercraft Star
2. You must visit and comment on all of the Designers blogs

     Follow these two simple rules and you'll have a shot at winning the Grand Prize $25.00 gift certificate from My Favorite Things.  Some of our designers just might have a few little goodies of their own to give away too!

     We hope that you can find lots of crafting inspiration as you hop along!  Our designers represent lots of different styles, so I'm sure you'll find a something along the way to tickle your fancy.

     You have until midnight (Eastern Time) on Saturday November 27, 2010 to leave all your comments and be entered to win the Grand Prize. We'll draw the winners of the prizes and announce them beginning Sunday November 28, 2010.

     Here's the project that I created.  I believe this will be going to my mother with a little special something in it.  Hmmm . . . I don't think a cream puff would fit, but some chocolate sure will.  I'll have to make her the cream puffs some other time.

     I love to surf the web looking for new ideas and I ran across some absolutely gorgeous little paper boxes.  I'm telling you, I don't know what it is about those Norwegian crafters but they can come up with some fabuous stuff.  Here's a link to one of several of these boxes I've seen.  I used her template as a jumping off point.  I can use metric, but I'm more comfortable with standard measure so I tweaked and re-proportioned the box to fit what I wanted.  The inside dimensions of the box are 5 1/4" x 3 1/2"

     The entire body of the box is made with lightweight chipboard.  My chipboard came from our November Design Team sponsor, Kraft Outlet, and it was a dream to work with.  It's sturdy, but light enough to take scoring well.

     I've used g.c.d. studios Ella Blue papers.  GORGEOUS!  I've been eyeballing them at Hobby Lobby for a while now and I just couldn't pass them up any more when they went on sale 50% off.  g.c.d. papers are textured like linen.  They make for a beautiful project.

     It's been a long time since I have made any paper flowers, so I broke out all my punches and inks and went to town.  You can find my tutorial on YouTube for making these here if you're interested.  You can also find the tutorial I made for the construction of this box here.

Candy, candy, who doesn't love blog candy!  I'm offering a $10.00 gift certificate from Simon Says Stamp.  Yippee!  All you have to do for a chance to win is:

1. Fulfill the blog hop requirements I mentioned above
2. Become a follower

(Please only become a follower if you really want to)

     Well that's all the fine print so I'll finish this up by wishing you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Thanks for spending a little bit of your time with us this holiday week for our very first Papercraft Star Thanksgiving Blog Hop Week!

  Your next stop on the hop is the incredibly talented

 Regan.

Have fun hopping!

P.S.  I'm entering this project in the following challenges.
The Shabby Tea Room--what are you thankful for
Crafty Emmas--lovely lace
Sentimental Sundays--thoroughly thankful
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge--a time for giving
Stamp Something--something with thanks

 Supplies

Papers:  Kraft Outlet chipboard, g.c.d. studios "Ella Blue", Bazzill, Georgia Pacific white cardstock
Stamps:  Inkadinkado "Garden Flower"
Inks+:  Frayed Burlap, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, and Dusty Concord Distress inks, We Are Memory Keepers light purple ink, VersaMagic Purple Hydrangea Chalk ink, Versafine Vintage Sepia
Tools:  Nestabilities Labels Eight (S5-019); Martha Stewart Scoring Board and Rose Leaf punch, EK Success corner rounder, and small, medium and large Retro Flower punches;Heidi Swapp Edge Distressor

Miscellaneous:  Recollections adhesive pearls, lace and magnets from my stash

A Sparkly Christmas Ornament

     Boy the creative juices were just flowing today.  Two card in one day and three posts!  This card is based on the Midnight Madness sketch for this week and uses a Fred, She said Designs image called Christmas Ornament 1.

     I was kind of worried when I started coloring the ornament, and yes, I used Copics.  The blue and red are both so bright, but they matched the papers perfectly.  I couldn't believe what a difference it made when I added the glitter.  I wish you could see it IRL it looks really cool.

     I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Midnight Madness #80--sketch

Pollycraft #70--glittery Christmas

Simon Says Stamp--sparkle

Play Date Cafe #56--red, olive, and turquoise

Tuesday Taggers--use the word peace, joy, or love

Blessings!


Supplies

Papers:  Basic Grey "Jovial", Recollections black and cream cardstock, Gina Kay Designs Pure Luxury cardstock
Stamp:  Fred, She Said Designs "Christmas Ornament 1"
Inks+:  Copic C0, E43, G29, G85, BG49, YG11, R29, R59, Signo white gel pen, Sakura Gelly Roll Metallic gold pen and Pigma Micron 01 pen, Frayed Burlap Distress ink
Tools:  Nestabilites Standard Circles Large (S4-114)

Miscellaneous:  Recollections brads, gold superfine glitter, Glossy Accents, Celebrate It ribbon

Some Christmas Cuties for City Crafters

     I wonder if any you are thinking "she sure is earning that versatile blogger award!"  I don't know about versatile, but I definitely qualify for eclectic!  LOL  You just never know what kind of project you're going to see here do you?  :)  I'd have to say this card is in the vintage/shabby chic category.  Haven't made anything like that in quite a while.

     Most of you probably know that City Crafter is my most favorite place to play card challenges.  Well, this week's challenge is to make something with little children.  That one had me scratching my head for a minute.  Then I checked my Google Reader, (trying to keep up with what everybody's doing) and there--lo and behold--was a post from Magic Moonlight with this adorable freebie Christmas image of these three little girls.  Just what I needed for the challenge.  So here they are all cute and sweet on my card.

     I pulled out my fabulous Basic Grey Jovial paper pad, added a little Bo Bunny scrap to make a pretty snowflake punched strip, inked and inked and inked (you get the picture) and rolled and rolled and rolled (ummhmm), Stickled and Glimmer Misted and distressed like crazy and this was the end result--this card, multicolored fingers, and a VERY messy kitchen table.  :)  The circle has stitching around it although you can't see it very well in the photo.  I used one of those plastic canvas pieces as a template to mark the holes evenly around the circle and then stitched by hand.  It worked great!  I used a quilling tool to make my rolled roses.  It made it so easy.  Hope you like it.

Happy Thursday!

Supplies

Papers:  Basic Grey "Jovial",  Bo Bunny, Georgia Pacific
Image:  Magic Moonlight Studios Free Images
Inks+:  Frayed Burlap, Antique Linen, and Tumbled Glass Distress inks, Frayed Burlap Distress Stickles, Copic E31
Tools:  Martha Stewart Branch punch and Snowflake Trim deep edge punch, EK Success Scalloped Scallop punch, Provo Craft decorative scissors, quilling tool, sewing machine, Quick Count plastic canvas circle

Miscellaneous:  Hug Snug seam binding, button, Recollections adhesive pearls

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge #34

     It's an "Anything Goes" challenge at Digi Doodle Shop's Best this week.  For my card I've chosen to use this cute little image with Cecil the Mouse.  He's all nice and cozy in his tea cup.  You can find him at the Digi Doodle Store here. 
     I've used some beautiful Basic Grey papers and added some machine stitching to the edge of my card for a little interest.  I added the pearls to the vine by hand.  The flowers were sprayed with Glimmer Mist then I glued the big pearl in the middle, added some Glossy Accents and sprinkled Diamond Dust over that for the flower center.  My sentiment was generated on the computer.
     Anything Goes is w-i-d-e open so come on over and play this week's challenge with us!
Blessings!


Supplies

Papers:  Bazzill, Basic Grey Capella, Recollections, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamp:  Digi Doodle Shop's "Mouse In Tea Cup"
Inks+:  Derwent Watercolour pencils, Pumice Stone Distress ink, Vintage Pink Glimmer mist, Diamond Dust
Tools:  Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Ovals Large (S4-111), Martha Stewart Daisy Edge punch, sewing machine
Miscellaneous:  Prima e-line flowers, pearl beads, Recollections adhesive pearls

Papercraft Star Challenge #22

     This weeks challenge at Papercraft Star is a recipe.  Once again I'm using some of the great Kraft products from our November Design Team sponsor, Kraft Outlet.

     The card base is made fom Kraft Outlet cardstock.  The designer papers are from Making Memories.  I've used a Nestabilities Fleur de Lis pendant die to cut two Kraft cardstock shapes for the mat of my Christmas tree.  The tree is made with origami folds and decorated with some sparkly bling and a little Distress ink on the edges.

     This week's challenge sponsor is Sweet Liberty Farmhouse.  Here's a little snippet about their products from their etsy website:

"Sweet Liberty Farmhouse collection of primitive cottage decor, recycled, upcycled, altered art, for your rustic, country, shabby, or vintage style home."

     Don't forget our Grand Prize Sponsor for November too.

     You get your name in the hat for that drawing everytime you play with us.  So get those entries linked up by noon EST Saturday!

Happy Crafting!

Supplies

Papers:  Kraft Outlet cardstock, Making Memories
Inks+:  Vintage Photo Distress ink
Tools:  Nestabilities Labels One (S4-161) and Shapeabilities Fleur De Lis pendant (S4-204) , EK Success corner punch
Miscellaneous:  rhinestone bling, Celebrate It ribbon

Baby Bud Designs Challenge #2

     This is Snowdrop and she is a Baby Bud Design.  There's a challenge going on over at the Baby Bud Designs blog and they want you to use a BB digi, scallops, buttons, and bling.

     I used three different paper collections on this card, but the Christmas colors just went together so well.

     The image is colored with Copics.  Yep!  This is the one I mentioned yesterday.  I only used five markers, but hey . . . you've got to start somewhere.  :)  All that beautiful blending and shading requires more markers than I have at the moment.

     This was a fun card to make.  Hope you like it.

Blessings!

Supplies

Papers:  Making Memories, The Paper Studio, K and Company Tim Coffey Blossomwood, unknown White Cardstock, Gina K. Designs pure luxury cardstock, Recollections black cardstock
Stamp:  Baby Bud Designs "Snowdrop"
Inks+:  Copics  E00, E02, R20, R24, R29; Black Diamond and Diamond Stickles; Olive Vine Glimmer Mist
Tools:  Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Ovals Large (S4-111) and Classic ovals Large (S4-110), EK Success Dotted Scallop Edger punch, sewing machine
Miscellaneous:  Snug Hug seam binding, DMC embroidery thread, buttons and beads from my stash, Recollections adhesive gemstones

A Christmas Mini Album and a great discount from Kraft Outlet

I love LOVE to make mini scrapbook albums.  The only problem is that I am as slow as Christmas (which will be here before you know it!).  I'm a perfectionist and want everything so so and that translates to--I take a long time to put a project together!  I'm the same way with cards.  That's why you don't see me posting constantly like some of those VERY gifted cardmakers out there.  Soooo---when our execs at Papercraft Star asked if I would be willing to do a tutorial for the blog using supplies from our November sponsor, I jumped on the chance.  (1) Kraft Outlet products are PERFECT for mini album crafting and (2)  I got the supplies far ahead enough to have the time to make a mini.  LOL  This mini was probably turned out in record time for me and I'm really happy with it.  I hope you like it too.
     For the tutorial, I made two videos and they went live on YouTube today.  The first one is detailed instructions on exactly how to construct the base of the album.  The second video is a page by page run through of the entire completed album.  You can find both videos on my YouTube channel, Tracylovestoscrap.  Just click on the links below if you'd like to view the vids.

Construction Tutorial

Completed Album

     In conjunction with the release of the videos, our sponsor, Kraft Outlet is offering for this week an exclusive discount for our readers at Papercraft Star.... shop now and receive 15 percent off your total order at the Kraft Outlet! To claim your discount all you need to do is use the voucher code STAR15 at check out! This savings won't last long, so hurry and get your shopping on!
     Here are a few more photos from the album.

     Kraft cardstock, tags, coin envelope and sleeves, envelopes, notecards, vellum, bakers twine  . . . those are just some of the things you'll find at Kraft Outlet.  Take advantage of the great discount being offered and stock up on your crafting supply needs.
     Back tomorrow with another card and guess what!  I colored the image with my Copics!  Don't get excited.  I used a whole 5 markers and three were for skin.  LOL  My paper came in the mail today and I couldn't believe the difference.  I still have a loonnnggg way to go though. :)
     If you haven't made your project yet for this week's challenge at Papercraft Star, you can find the details on my left hand sidebar.  Don't forget when you enter, you not only get a chance to win that weeks prize, but your name goes in the hat for the monthly Grand Prize too!
Blessings!

A Friendly Thank You

     Yesterday inbetween church I laid out the beginnings of two cards and had a third already to go also.  It's pouring rain here today, so it's a perfect day to get them all finished (hopefully LOL).
Here's the first card.  I went round and round with the embellishments on this and still am not 100% happy but it's finished.
     The image is my newest Sarah Kay stamp purchase.  I've watercolored it and yes, I know those of you who know I recently purchased a set of Copic marker are wondering when I'm going to use the darned things.  Well . . . I have been using them, but I'm not comfortable with them yet, not pleased with what I've done so far, and frankly don't have the right kind of paper to color on (that's on it's way as I type).  All the tutorials make it look so easy, but I'm a little intimidated with them.  I'm more comfortable with the watercolor so I keep going back to it.
     Here are the challenges I'm going to enter this card into:

City Crafter--thank you

Creative Card Crew--give thanks

7 Kids College Fund--give thanks

Aud Sentiments--thanks

Stamptacular Sundays--sketch

Thanks for dropping by!  and P.S.  This card is dedicated to all my bloggie friends.  :)



Supplies

Papers:  American Crafts City Park, Georgia Pacific, Strathmore watercolor paper
Stamp:  Sarah Kay "Eloise and Mimi Saying Hello"
Inks+:  Derwent Watercolour pencils, Prismacolor marker #72, Crystal Stickles
Tools:  Nestabilities Labels Eight (S5-019), Martha Stewart Eyelet Lace edge punch, Cricut, Home Decor cartridge
Miscellaneous:  button and ribbon from my stash, DMC embroidery thread, The Paper Studio Self-Adhesive Gemstones

Papercraft Star Update and some blog awards

     Today marks the beginning of a brand new term at Papercraft Star Challenge Blog.  Our Design team has undergone a makeover, and we have some new team members and a few new titles.  Regan, Liz, and I are back for round two and we have been given Senior Designer monikers.  Pretty cool title huh!  But . . . I'm just one of the cogs in the wheel.  We're a team and we have some new cogs. :)
     Our new DT members are :

Angi Barrs - Cokie Pop Paper Boutique

and

Kim Duran - Paper Loves Glue 

     We also have two new Auxiliary DT members:

Cecilia Stephens - Trade Fish Designs

and

Jen Cuthbertson - I'm Crafty

     I'm sure they'd love it if you'd check out their official announcement post at Papercraft Star here, and leave them some love and a warm welcome.
   
     Now on to some bloggie awards!

I'm soooooooo very behind on dealing with this award from my sweet friend Kirsty.  She gave it to me at the end of September.  YIKES!  I do appreciate both awards you sent me so very much Kirsty!

DISCLAIMER
I know that not everyone likes to mess with these blog awards so I want you to know from the get go that you won't hurt my feelings if you don't want to fool with this.  I just want to pass along the encouragement. :)

To accept this award I have to:
*reveal 7 truths about myself
*select 7 blogs that I would like to share the award with

Here are my truths:
1.  I spend way too much money on crafting supplies.
2.  I'm my toughest critic on my work, but I do see some improvement and growth over the past year. (Thank goodness!)
3.  Between crafting and reading, I tend to neglect my poor house shamefully.
4.  I need to be challenged.
5.  I've learned not to be such a follower.  I've got tons of crafty stuff that I bought just because "everybody" else was and I don't even really like it.  Although I often feel that I'm out of the loop because I don't jump on the fad of the moment, I've found I'm happier sticking to products, techniques, etc. that really interest ME.
6.  I don't make internet friends for personal gain.  I've seen others do this and I can't stand it.  If I've become a fairly regular commenter on someones blog or have started a friendship, it's because I like your work, you, or both.  I'm not looking for anything from you.
7.  I LOVE to encourage others!  I try my best to be honest and truthful in all my commenting.  Sometimes that's hard when I'm dragging and the old mind isn't wanting to concentrate so I can really look at your work.  If I'm really tired, I'll wait til the next day or so to comment so it can really be from my heart.

Picking just 7 people to pass this along to is really hard.  Kirsty already passed this along to my friends Steph and Ira, and they would definitely be on my list too.  Here are 7 more Versatile Bloggers!

Jan - chai tea 'n me

Dana - Dana's Inspirations

Annika - Another Messy Crafter

Suzanne - Suzz's Stamping Spot

Robyn - Injoy Stampin' with Robyn

Maria - ...Joyful Stamper

Regan - Emora Designs

Kirsty also sent me this bloggie award (more recently LOL).  I get to choose 6 people to share this one with.

Nancy - The Nickel Nook

Kristina - Kristina's World

Steph - Sweet Craf-Tea Chick Bloggie Blog

Linda - My Happy Place

Silvia - CraftySil

Jan - chai tea 'n me

     I've got some truly awesome bloggie friends.  Not just the ones on these lists either.  Every comment made on my posts is treasured and appreciated.  You guys are the best!

     It's the beginning of a new week and I hope it's a great one for you!

Blessings!

It's a Fred, She Said Designs Blog Hop!

     Welcome to the Fred, She Said Designs Blog Hop!  If you've come here from Darsie's blog you're right on track.  If not, you need to start at Tracey's blog so you can join in all the fun.
     Tracey Lynn Miller (that's Fred) has really been cranking out some super images for Christmas.  If you pay a visit to the FSS store, you'll find ornaments, wreaths, and an incredible trio of beautiful Christmas birds.  You can choose black line images or pre-colored ones.
     The blog hop will run through midnight EST on Friday, November 19th and Tracey is offering two great prizes.

(1) $25 Gift Certificate to the Fred, She Said Designs store

(1) $25 Gift Certificate to the CropStop

     The winners will be announced Saturday morning, November 20th.
     All our team members have created a project using the new Christmas digis.  Besides getting to see what we've come up with, each DT member has a secret word on their blog hop post.  Collect all the words in order and on the last stop of the hop, you'll be given instructions on how to e-mail the secret phrase to Tracey so you can be entered into the drawing for the prizes.  Make sure to leave some love along the way too.  :-)  We'd love to hear what you think about the new images.

     I've decided to use the Winter Chickadee image for my card.  There's also a pair of robins and a cardinal in the store.  This is my very first joy fold card.  It was very easy to make even considering that I had to change the measurements from the tutorial I used.  I've watercolored the image and did a good bit of sewing on my mats.  Nothing too fancy on the inside.  I just stamped a little image in the corner.

     Thanks so much for joining in with us for the hop.  Make sure you pop into the store and check out all of the great digi stamps there.

My secret word is

frightful

and your next stop on the blog hop is

Sonya

Happy Hopping!

Supplies

Papers:  K and Company Tim Coffey's Blossomwood, Making Memories, Recollections, Strathmore Watercolor paper
Stamp:  Fred, She Said Designs "Winter Chickadee"
Inks+:  Derwent Watercolour pencils, Frayed Burlap Distress ink, Ancient Page Pine ink, Copic R39, Signo White gel pen
Tools:  Nestabilities Classic Scalloped Circles Large (S4-124)and Standard Circles Large (S4-114), Martha Stewart Layered Arches edge punch, Fiskars Circle cutter, sewing machine
Miscellaneous:  Celebrate It ribbon

Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge #33

     Our challenge this week at Digi Doodle Shop's Best is to create a manly card.  How's this guy for a manly man. LOL  The image is from the Boddy Tot collection at the Digi Doodle Store.  This is Uncle Jesse.  Anybody remember the Dukes of Hazard (I mean the original, not the Jessica Simpson version). hee hee
     Uncle J is colored with watercolor pencils and a few touches of Copics.  This is my first use of my Cosmo Cricket Wanted 6 x 6 pad.  Love these colors!  I roughed up the image mat and added some rawhide or latigo lace and a little piece of stitched edge grosgrain ribbon.

Happy Thursday!


Supplies
Papers:  Recollections, Cosmo Cricket Wanted, Strathmore watercolor paper
Stamps:  Digi Doodle Shop Uncle Jessie Body Tot, sign from Lily's Creations
Inks+:  Derwent Watercolour pencils, Copics E00, E02, E04, E11, R20, Vintage Photo Distress Ink
Tools:  Nestabilities Classic Ovals large (S4-110)
Miscellaneous:  Recollections brads, ribbon and leather from my stash

Papercraft Star Challenge #21

     At first glance this weeks photo inspiration doesn't seen very Christmasy but the colors actually make for some beautiful Christmas projects as you'll see in our Papercraft Star DT projects for this week.

Our sponsor for this month is the Kraft Outlet. 

For this project I've used several of Babette's awesome products.  The tag base is made with some of her Kraft chipboard.  I cut the tag shape out with my Cricut and then painted the edges with Picket Fence Distress Crackle Paint.  I inked over that after it dried with some Vintage Photo Distress ink.  I cut another of the tag shape out using a piece of the Kraft cardstock and glued the two together for an extra sturdy tag.  I inked the back edges and stamped the label.

     That takes care of the construction part of the tag, now on to the front.  I cut a third tag shape out of regular white cardstock.  I stamped some Tunbled Glass Distress ink onto my craft mat and spritzed it with water.  Then I laid the shape down in the  ink/water.  Most of the tag was covered but I repeated the process one more time to get all the edges covered well.  I trimmed an 1/8" or so all around the shape and used my distresser to rough it up.

     Next I stamped some snowflakes on the colored paper with Versamark and then embossed them.  The snowman was stamped onto some glittered paper and then cut out.

     To finish off the tag I cut out a smaller tag from some of the Kraft cardstock, stamped the Christmas sentiment and added some faux stitiching.  My Crop-a-dile was used to add an eyelet through which I threaded some of Babette's Twill tape ribbon.

Our sponsor for this weeks challenge is Butterfly Fly.

     This company specializes in personalized stamps, but they also sell papers and inks.
     Remember, noon EST on Saturday is the deadline to get your projects linked up for this weeks challenge.  After that its time to vote!  Show us what you've got!

Blessings!


Supplies

Paper:  Kraft Outlet chipboard, Kraft Outlet Kraft cardstock, Georgia Pacific white cardstock, Colorbok Glitter paper
Stamps:  Inkadinkado Ornate Christmas, Inkadinkado Christmas Tag Wishes, Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages
Inks+:  Picket Fence Crackle Paint, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Versafine Vintage Sepia, Versamark, Ranger Embossing Tinsel Bridal, Stazon Jet Black, Signo White Gel pen
Tools:  Cricut, Storybook cartridge, Heidi Swapp edge distressor, Marvy Uchida heat gun, Crop-a-dile
Miscellaneous:  Kraft Outlet Twill Tape