I need a calendar!

     My post today is for "Anything But a Card Friday" at There She Goes.  As this week's trendsetter I get to share a project that's both inexpensive and NOT a card.  There are tons of ideas out there for crafty desk calendars and I believe I first saw the idea for using a plastic picture frame on Lena Katrine's blog quite a while back.  I found my frame at Wal-mart for a couple of dollars, but you probably can find them at the dollar store also.
     My hubby helped me with this project by drilling some holes through the frame for the binder rings that hold the pages.

I created two pages, one for January which of course is over, and one for February, using stamps from two of the last new releases from TSG, Sparkly and Bright and Be My Valentine.

     The pages are super simply constructed with just some layering, the calendar, and a coordinating image.  This will come in really handy when I'm trying to figure out project due dates and when challenge results will be posted.
     Hope you'll take this super simple idea and make it your own.

Soft kitty, warm kitty

     Just like our fearless leader, Pat, at Mo's Digital Pencil, I LOVE to use soft peaches on my cards.  My normal creative process is to lay out the card and then color the image to match the papers.  Well I picked out these beautiful MME papers and then realized what a limited coloring palette I had given myself--gray, peachy pink, and soft yellow--YIKES!  So where little Ragged Maggie would normally be a bit more multicolored in her raggedy clothes, she's a bit more coordinated on my card.  I used the black pastel pencil again for the shading, something I still need more practice with.
     That pretty little corner bow die cut is another of my new goodies (thanks Sue-bearhouse you enabler you! LOL).  I made some rolled roses and added leaves and those sweet little glittery butterflies.
     Our challenge this week is from our lovely and VERY talented Franz who wants to see lace and/or ribbon.  I happened to have some lace with ribbon already threaded through it and used a bit under the bottom roses.  There's also some ribbon stretched just above the sentiment.  Little Maggie was really the kick off or warm up for that super fun Uptown Girl I posted Monday.  The rolled roses lit the fire and away I went to the goodie bins.  LOL
     I hope you like Maggie and I hope you'll pop over to the DP2 blog to see what my uber-talented teamies have to share for Franz's challenge.  There's a $5.00 GC to Mo's store up for grabs for one person in every twenty-five entries.  It might be you!
     (Just a little note here to let you know that my buddy with THE most wicked sense of humor, Lisa Minckler, has posted a Valentine card today that should not be missed.  If you want a good chuckle pop over to her blog and check it out.)
     I'd like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Copic Marker Europe--anything goes
Crafty Ribbons--anything goes with ribbon
Moving Along with the Times--punch it out
Paper Crafting Journey--for a girl
Flutterby Wednesday--open challenge with butterfly or fairy
Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge--square cards
Simon Says Stamp--anything goes
The Perfect Sentiment--die cut and a sentiment
Creative Card Crew--girly
Creative Craft Challenge--bling it up
Deep Ocean--love and lace
Die Cuttin' Divas--anything goes
Inky Chicks--Bingo (everything but pins)
Party Time Tuesday--anything goes
Twisted Tuesday--anything goes
Love to Create--anything goes and a sentiment
Make It Monday--anything goes
Creative Inspirations Paint--anything goes
Dream Valley--girls, girls, girls

     Have a fabulous Thursday!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "In Bloom", MFT cardstock, Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--Mo's Digital Pencil "Ragged Maggie"; Ink:  Copics, Conti black pastel pencil; Tools--Memory Box Corner Bow and Tender Leaves dies, Martha Stewart Butterfly and Vintage Lace punches, EK Success butterfly; Miscellaneous--Recollections pearls, Diamond Stickles, lace from my stash, Hobby Lobby ribbon

Don't rock the boat

     It's Trendsetter Wednesday at There She Goes so that means it's my turn to share a tip concerning one of the trends out in crafty land.  If you read my post Monday you'll know that I picked woodgrain for my trend this week.  You still have lots of time to play in our Monday Challenge with a woodgrain project.

     I'm sharing a little tutorial on how to create "wood planks".  This is the same technique I used on the doghouse mini I shared a while back.  So here we go with a technique on how to get a great woodgrain look.  Woodgrain papers are really hot right now, but you can create your own.  All you need is some strips of kraft paper and sepia or brown ink.  I cut my strips at 5/8".

    I staggered the strips so my stamping wouldn't be uniform, then just stamped from left to right leaving a small blank space in between stampings.  Excuse my dirty craft sheet.  It's WELL loved.

     Once all my strips were stamped I started to glue them down in a random pattern on a circle of card stock.

     When finished I trimmed the edges.

 I used the stamped woodgrain panel to create a background for the porthole through which you can view the two cuties in the boat from the Float My Boat set from Torico.

     I dug back in to my brad stash for the nails and found some jute also.  the stars were cut from chipboard and covered with red embossing powder with fine gold glitter in it.  I added the decorative panel to a easel card base to finish off the nautical theme card.

     Like I said, I used this same technique on the Doggie Mini Album I made using the Puppy Love set and it can be used with lots of other great There She Goes sets.  Hope you'll give it a try.

     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Party Time Tuesday--anything goes

Cards for Men--transport

Lexi's Creations--fancy folds

Love to Create--anything goes with a sentiment

Make It Monday--anything goes

Paper Playtime--use some brown

The Paper Girls--wood elements

PanPastelUK--seeing stars

Allsorts--masculine

Fussy and Fancy--circles

     Have a fabulous day!

Mine, all mine

     Yep, another Valentine.  This time it's using a Whimsy and Stars Studio digi called Lucy's Valentine.  Isn't she sweet.  I got to use another one of my fun new purchases, the cute little heart banner from Simon Says.  I added some Martha Stewart glue for glitter and covered it with fine red glitter.  Nice and shiny.
     Be on the look out for another fun hop the first week of February for the Whimsy and Stars DT.  Mabelle will be releasing some more new images.
     A big thanks to all of you who prayed for my daughter's fiance.  He did very well through the surgery and if he'll behave himself should have a good recovery.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Loves Rubber Stamps--have a heart
Shopping Our Stash--valentines, hearts, red, love
Sweet Stamps--valentines or love
ABC Challenge--Valentine's Day
Artistic Inspirations--love/anything goes
The Pink Elephant--hearts
C.R.A.F.T.--Valentine's Day/love

     I'll be back tomorrow with something for There She Goes so please come back.

Supplies:  Paper--Recollections, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--Whimsy and Stars Studio "Lucy's Valentine"; Ink--Copics; Tools--Nestabilities Standard Circles and Scalloped Circles, Simon Says Heart Banner, MFT Die-namics Fishtail Banner, sewing machine; Miscellaneous:  Diamond Stickles, Scribbles paint, fine glitter

Armful of hearts

(If you missed my TSG post for today, please click here.  I'm the Trendsetter of the Week!)

     Oh yeah!  I found some play time!  I found some play time!  LOL  No, I haven't gone over the edge---yet, but I did have a blast for the last two days creating this card, JUST FOR FUN!  My friend Dawn was commenting on her post yesterday about how fun it is to just create with no pressure, no deadline, just whenever and whatever.  That's how this card was born.  I may have gone a bit crazy with the embellies, but I think my crafty self was calling for all the bells and whistle after all the cleaner style cards I've been making.  It was nice to find out I hadn't forgotten how to do something more elaborate. LOL
     I've been on a bit of a spending streak lately--OUCH!--and have a huge new stash of Uptown Girls to play with.  This one is Lucille.  She's colored with Copics and lives on the most blinged out card I've made in a long time.  Photo corners, butterflies, V-day flowers, lots of pearls, and do you see those deco corners?  Aren't they fabulous!
     This is going to be my daughter Valentine's Day card.  For all my praying friends please keep her fiance on your hearts.  As I type this he's in surgery to repair an injury on his leg that he got in a motorcycle accident several months ago.
     I want to thank all of you who have sent me happy wishes to feel better.  I am feeling a lot more like my old self and after taking a week off of heavy computer time (I didn't enter any challenges for a whole week!  GASP!  LOL) I managed to find a ton of challenges this card will fit in.  A special HELLO to the City Crafter girls since I haven't gotten to play there in FOREVER!

Incy Wincy--pearls and lace
Love to Create--anything goes with a sentiment
Make It Monday--anything goes
Stamp and Create--love
Tammy's Scrapin' Corner--buttons
The Pink Elephant--hearts
Creative Inspirations Paint--anything goes
Come and Get It--tic tac toe (glitter, free, ribbon) and (embossing, free, red)
Dream Valley--girls, girls, girls
Fashionable Stamping--show some love
The Squirrel and the Fox--something new (corner die, flowers, ribbon, stamp)
One Stop Craft--sparkle and bling
Sketch Saturday--sketch
Sweet Stampin'--ribbon
Totally Gorjuss--flowers
Brown Sugar--Valentines
Crafty Catz--buttons
Delicious Doodles--all you need is love
Fairy Tale--my newest stamp
Fat Pages and Cards with Attitude--love
Jellypark--buttons
Stampin' for the Weekend--something girlie
Aud Sentiments--tic tac toe (die cut, "Happy", flowers)
4 Crafty Chicks--buttons
C.R.A.F.T.--Valentine's Day/love
Crafty Ribbons--love, romance, anniversary
Little Miss Muffett--hearts and flowers
Moving Along with the Times--bling it on
Paper Crafting Journey--for a girl
Southern Girls--get krafty
Paper Shelter--anything goes
7 Kids College Fund--something new and something old
Sisterhood of Crafters--hearts
Bearly Mine--tic tac toe (flowers, sentiment, lots of embellies, fancy corners)
City Crafters--forever mine (use hearts)
Creative Card Crew--girly
Inky Chicks--tic tac toe (ribbon, sentiment, flowers) and (flowers, lace, pearls)
Oldie But a Goodie--glitz and glam (heart punch, pearl trim are old)
Top Tip Tuesday--lavishly luscious layers
Oozak--anything goes with pink and bling

     Whew!  That's a list!  LOL  Hope you have a fabulous week everyone!
Hugs!

Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye "In Bloom", MFT Pink Lemonade cardstock, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--Stamping Bella "Lucille sends her love", Stampabilities "Ornate Textured Background;  Ink--Copics, Sakura white gel pen, Versamark; Tools--Susana's Custom Art and Card Design Garden Corners die, Martha Stewart Lace Scallop Heart, Butterfly, and Photo Corner punches, Nestabilities Standard Circles and Scalloped Circles, Memory Box Tender Leaves die, Cuttlebug Swiss Dot embossing folder; Miscellaneous--Recollections pearls, Michaels flowers, Wright's Pearl trim, Diamond Stickles, lace from my stash, Celebrate It  and Offray ribbon, Stampendous Opaque White Embossing powder, Hant Tag String, buttons from my stash

TSG 192 Woodgrain Challenge

     WOOHOO!  This week I am the Trendsetter of the Week at There She Goes.  That means you'll be seeing lots of TSG projects from me over the next few days.
     Today starts our new weekly challenge and as the T of the Week I got to pick the challenge and I've gone with the trendy theme of woodgrain.  So all you need to do to enter the challenge is use something woodgrain--stamps, paper, whatever!
     I've used some stamps from the Oh Crop set which you can find right here in the TSG shop.  I uses Karen Giron's awesome Sweet Sketch Sunday sketch and added some "barn" panels for my little farmer and his friend.  Dug out my sadly used brad collection too, and put a pretty good dent in it.
     We'd love to have you come join in the fun.  Hop over to the TSG blog for all the challenge details and don't forget to check out all the inspiration from my team mates.  You won't be disappointed.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Sweet Sunday Sketch--sketch
Dilly Beans--metal accents

     Happy new week!


Supplies:  Paper--My Mind's Eye, Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps--There She Goes Clear Stamps "Oh Crop"; Ink--Copics;Tools--Nestabilities Standard Circles, Lacey Circles and Double End Tags, MFT Die-namics Fishtail Banners; Miscellaneous:  Recollections brads, Glossy Accents

TSG January Sneak Peeks--Day 4

Our final set for this month was designed by our AMAZING owner, Jessica Knutsen. This gorgeous tree with heart shaped leaves is perfect for not only telling someone you love them, but for saying thanks from the bottom of your heart. It could be used for so much more, too!!

Heartfelt Thanks is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Isn't this little tree fun!  I dug around and found a little V-day bling too.

Would you like to win the new Heartfelt Thanks Stamp Set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, January 26^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Supplies:  Paper--Recollections "With Love", Bazzill, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamp:  There She Goes Clear Stamps "Heartfelt Thanks"; Ink--Copics; Tools--EK Success Corner Rounder, MFT Sentiment Strips and Small Open Scallop dies; Miscellaneous--bling from my stash

TSG January Sneak Peek--Day 3

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we have a SUPER cute set from Torico this month called Be My Valentine. This cute little cherub, and all it’s adorable sayings and arrows will be PERFECT for any Valentine card, treat, or project you can think of.

Be My Valentine is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

I picked up this fun pad of Valentine papers at Michaels so I could put Mr. Cupid in the proper Valentine setting.  

Would you like to win the new Be My Valentine Stamp Set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, January 26^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Supplies:  Paper--Recollections "With Love", MFT, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card
Stamp:  There She Goes Clear Stamps "Be My Valentine"; Ink--Copics; Tools--Nestabilities Labels, MFT Die-namics Fishtail Banners, Martha Stewart Lace Hearts border punch, Bow Easy; Miscellaneous--Pretty Little Ribbon Shop satin ribbon, Recollections pearls, Diamond Stickles, bling from my stash

TSG January Sneak Peeks--Day 2

Whether you are sending your son, daughter, or loved one off, Torico’s new Boot Camp stamp set is perfect for you! With the cutest boot image EVER, and several catchy phrases you are sure to find exactly what you need for this very occasion.

Boot Camp is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00

Steampunk is one of our FAVORITE styles here at There She Goes, so when we saw the new Get In Gear set from Torico, we all squealed with delight. She is so sassy, funky, and FABULOUS. Also, the gears included in this set could TOTALLY be used for a CAS boys card, or building a background. SO versatile!

Get in Gear is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $9.00

I created a very CAS card using those amazing boots from the Boot Camp set and one of the sentiments.  I cut the stars from chipboard and inked them with Distress inks to match the stars in the designer paper.

Would you like to win the new Boot Camp and Get in Gear sets? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, January 26^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.


Supplies:  Paper--The Paper Studio, Bazzill, Kraft Outlet Chipboard, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamp--There She Goes Clear Stamps "Boot Camp"; Ink--Copics, Prismacolor pencils and OMS, Faded Jeans and Rusty Hinge Distress inks; Tools--Sizzix Stars #2 die; Miscellaneous--Kraft Outlet Twill Tape, Recollections brads

TSG January Sneak Peeks--Day 1

It’s no secret, we are DEFINITELY in love with everything Torico does here are There She Goes, and we know you are, too. This month she has honored us by creating a set that we have been begging for…meet The Doxie with Moxie!! SUPER cute dachshunds, along with several sentiments, outfits, and even a city scene for our more “elegant” pups, this set is just TOO much fun.

The Doxie with Moxie is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 32 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

When brainstorming The Doxie with Moxie set, there was a lot of chatter about sentiments…and some of them took a turn for the funny, but…risqué, lol! We couldn’t live without them, so we decided to create the Size Matters set. It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely funny!!

Size Matters is a 3x4 set that includes 7 stamps for $9.00.

For my card I've used two of the cute little weiner dogs, the lamp post, some hearts, and one of the sentiments.  I do believe these two are in Paris and probably will be sharing one of those plates of spaghetti like Lady and the Tramp before too long.  ☺

Would you like to win the new The Doxie with Moxie and Size Matters stamp sets? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, January 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Supplies:  Paper--Recollections, Bazzill, Copic XPress-it Blending card; Stamps--There She Goes Clear Stamps "The Doxie with Moxie"; Ink--Copics, Sakura white gel pen and Micron black pen; Tools--MFT Die-namics Fishtail Banners; Miscellaneous--Michaels button, Pretty Little Ribbon Shop red twine, K & Company and Chickydoddle Washi tapes

On the scale of love

     Hope you're still in the mood for Valentine colors cause they're here in spades today.  It's time for New Trendsetter cards at There She Goes.  This is where we showcase some of the older sets.  These images are from the "Lovebots" set and they can be found along with the other sets in the TSG shop.  Aren't they fun!  I practiced a little more with my teamie Tobi's pastel pencil technique for the shading on the robots.
     I don't do much with digital papers, but GASP! I don't have a single Valentine paper collection in my stash.  I have had these digi papers for a while though so they came in mighty handy.
     If you've hung around here very often you know that from time to time I dedicate my cards to my followers.  I really want to dedicate this one to all of you who have left me love and those BIG sqooshy hugs that I so needed the last couple of days.  Each and every one has left an imprint on my heart.  I'm so thankful to call you friends.  ☺
     Don't want to wear you out on the mushy stuff that's going to be abundant for the next month so I'll close by encouraging you to pop over to the TSG blog and see what my team mates have come up with for the sets being spotlighted this week AND there's still time to join in our "Love is in the air" challenge too.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Craft Us Crazy--Valentines, love, or red
Crafty Ribbons--love, romance, anniversary
Craft Room Challenge--Valentines
Loves Rubber Stamps--cute as a button
Stamp and Create--love
Pink Elephant--pink, red, and white

     Big hugs to you all!!!

Supplies

• Paper:  Jazzy Patterns Digital Papers "Romantic Adventure", Bazzill, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card
• Stamps:  There She Goes Clear Stamps "Lovebots"
• Ink:  Copics, Conti black pastel pencil
• Tools:  MFT Die-namics Mini Tab
• Miscellaneous:  Doodlebug Twine, Glossy Accents, button from my stash

Birdie on the window sill

     Oh this card just absolutely gave me fits!  And I picked this challenge for this week at Mo's Digital Pencil!  LOL  Actually it wasn't the challenge part that gave me trouble.  I picked embossing, wet or dry.  I went with dry on my card and embossed the fishtail banners with a Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The image is what got me.
     I colored it first with Copics, but the colors seemed to dark for the card so I went to my Prismas and now I think it looks washed out.  I tried and tried to get an angle picture that would show the embossing that I did on the image itself, but I just couldn't get it to show well.  I used my embossing tool to emboss the girl and bird from the back.  IRL she seems to really be leaning out of the window and the bird is fat.  hee hee
     So, I'm not really happy with this one.  I started to start over from scratch and I just couldn't.  As I said in my post yesterday I've been down in the dumps a bit.  Not really sure why, although I'm suspecting it's harmones.  horror!!!!  I'm normally very upbeat, but not the last few weeks.  So I apologize for not having a better inspiration piece for you for my own challenge.  However, I'd love to see what you can do with it.  Come play along at Mo's and take your chance at winning a $5.00 gift certificate from the Mo store.
     Have a blessed Thursday!

Supplies

• Paper:  My Mind's Eye "Lavender", Recollections, Kraft Outlet Brown Kraft
• Stamp:  Mo's Digital Pencil "A Little Birdie Told Me", sentiment from Create with TLC
• Ink:  Prismacolor pencils, Iced Spruce Distress ink
• Tools:  MFT Die-namics Fishtail Banners, Notched Border, and Mini Tabs; Swiss Dots embossing folder
• Miscellaneous:Recollections pearls and brads, Offray ribbon

The heart of an angel

     And I do!  ☺  I could use a few of those myself if you have any leftovers hanging around.  I've just been in a bit of a slump the last few weeks.  Not much crafting mojo or drive to do much of anything.  But enough about that.
     This card was created using the "Angel Heart" image from Whimsy and Stars Studio.  You can find it along with some other Valentine style images in the W&SS store.  I used some beautiful papers that I won a while back from my friend Jennifer Dunn as part of a blog candy she gave away.
     While I'm thinking about it W&SS has a Facebook page and we'd love for you to join the group and feel free to post any cards you make with W&SS images.
     Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Supplies

• Paper:  Momenta, Bazzill, Copic Xpress-it Blending card
• Stamp:  Whimsy and Stars Studio "Angel Heart", sentiment from Create with TLC
• Ink:  Copics
• Tools:  Nestabilities Standard Circles and Scalloped Circles, Martha Stewart heart border punch, MFT Die-namics Solid Bracket Border and Sentiment Strips, sewing machine
• Miscellaneous:  Diamond  and Vintage Photo Stickles, Recollections pearls

...is worth two in the tree

     Love is in the air. Can you feel it?  ☺  Valentines Day is creeping up on us and the TSG Trendsetters are challenging you to create a card with a "love is in the air" theme.  Hop on over to the There She Goes blog to check out the other inspiration creations from my team mates and then link up a card to play along.  There are lots of cutie patootie Valentine and love themed stamps in the TSG shop so pop in there for a look see.  You're not required to use a TSG stamp for the challenge, but you just might find something you can't do without in the store.  hee hee
     I've used some images and a sentiment from the Love Birds set and colored them up with Copics.
     Hope you have a fantastic week!

Supplies

• Paper:  My Mind's Eye, Recollections, Kraft Outlet Light Kraft, Copic XPress-it Blending card
• Stamps:  There She Goes Clear Stamps "Love Birds"
• Ink:  Copics
• Tools:  Nestabilities Standard Circles,Classic Ovals, and Scalloped Circles,  MFT Die-namics Little Open Scallop and Fishtail Banner dies, sewing machine
• Miscellaneous:  Hang Tag String, buttons from my stash, Inkadinkadoo Bending Chalks  

We all need somebody to lean on

     Okay peeps, I'm back with a new card for the challenge at Mo's Digital Pencil and a new song to get stuck in your head.  hee hee  Actually some of you may be a bit too young to remember this one.  It was released in the early 70's when I was just a kid, but if you haven't noticed already, I'm a music fanatic.  I LOVE the music questions on Jeopardy.  ☺
     Anyway, back to my card....I've used "Skating" which features Bella and Bronte.  I sympathize with Bronte.  The few times I've been ice skating I was lovin' me some rail.  Bet you didn't know we have a professional hockey team down here in the sun soaked deep south.  They're not doing so hot this year and I haven't been to a game in forever, but I have been ice skating when they have the ice open.  Those skates kill my ankles and feet!
     Sorry for the second detour.  Our challenge this week at Mo's is brought to you by the lovely and talented Iulia.  She's such an amazing card maker and she has asked for cards that include "something new".  For mine I've used two new dies, the border and the snowflake and the image is one I've never used before.  I'm sure you got some new Christmas goodies you can use to create a card along with something from Mo's store for this weeks challenge.
     I colored my image with Copics and then tried out a technique from my TSG team mate Tobi Crawford that you can find here.  She illustrates how to use a black pastel pencil for shading.  I tried it out on Bronte and Bella's hat and coat and liked the effects.  I still need a little practice so you'll probably see it some more.
     Hope you can find time to play along at Mo's this week.  That $5.00 gift certificate to Mo's store is up for grabs for one lucky person out of every 25 entries.
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Crafting For All Seasons--something new (dies and image)
Crafts and Me--winter wonderland
Crafty Creations--something new (dies and image)
Divas by Design--anything goes
Sisterhood of Crafters--winter
The Perfect Sentiment--winter wonderland
Creative Card Crew--snow and ice
Party Time Tuesday--sparkle, glitter, and shine
Tuesday Throwdown--use your new stuff (dies and image)
Card Mania--winter wonderland
Incy Wincy--something new (dies and image)
Lexi's Creations--anything goes
Love to Create--winter wonderland
Make It Monday--anything goes
My Crafty Spot--frosty days
613 Avenue Create--anything goes
Dream Valley--anything goes
Eclectic Ellapu--snow much fun

     Happy Thursday!

Supplies

• Paper:  We R Memory Keepers, Bazzill, Georgia Pacific, Copic XPress-it Blending card
• Stamp:  Mo's Digital Pencil "Skating", sentiment from Create with TLC
• Ink:  Copics, Tumbled Glass Distress ink, Conti Black Pastel pencil, Versamark
• Tools:  MFT Die-namics Solid Bracket Border, Quikcutz snowflake, Nestabilities Standard Circles and Scalloped Circles
• Miscellaneous:  Recollections pearls, Glossy Accents, Diamond Stickles, Stampendous Opaque white embossing powder, Ranger Bridal Tinsel embossing powder, brad from my stash

TSG #189 Color Challenge

     Using a color palette is not my strongest suit but that's what my TSG team mate Theresa has picked for this weeks challenge at There She Goes.

     I pulled out my Ninja Skillz stamp set to create this card.  I used a brick embossing folder for the background and inked it a bit.  Don't Ninja's usually end up fighting in dark alley ways?  LOL
     We'd love to have you play along with this week's challenge.  You just might nab a $5.00 gift certificate to the TSG store or you might find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight on our Thursday post.
     Listen to the Master Grasshopper and come play along.  ☺
     Happy Monday!


Supplies

• Paper:  My Mind's Eye, Kraft Outlet Brown Kraft, Recollections, Copic XPress-it Blending card
• Stamp:  There She Goes "Ninja Skillz"
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Vintage Photo Distress ink
• Tools:  MFT  Chevron  and Fish Tail Banners dies, Nestabilities Classic Ovals, sewing machine, Sizzix embossing folder
• Miscellaneous:  Michaels button, Hang Tag String, Kaisercraft rhinestones

An Uptown Birthday

  If you missed my earlier post for today, please click here.

     I have to say that RARELY am I as happy with a card as I am with this one.  Funny enough, the ones I like the most don't seem to be the ones you guys do.  (shrug)  My daughter seems to think I have wacky taste so maybe she's right.  ☺
     This is another white space card for the Stamping Bella challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.  I thought the doodling around the edges added some fun interest, but the image itself is what I like so much.  I didn't bother to count those little white dots as I put them on, but there sure are a lot and I love the way they make her dress look.  I even pulled out my Prismas for a little shading on this one.  She just makes me smile and I hope she makes you too.
     P.S.  And don't be eyeing that cake---IT'S MINE!!  bwahahahahaha
     I'd like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Make It Monday--anything goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge--anything goes
PanPastelUK--anything goes
The Outlawz CAS--use something new (stamp)
The Squirrel and the Fox--party time
Allsorts--CAS
Crafty Catz--anything goes
Hotshot Crafts--CAS
Paper Play--celebration
Divas by Design--Anything goes
Simon Says Stamp--something new (stamp)
A & T Emerald Faeries--celebration
Going Grey with Scrap-Creations--something new (stamp)
Loves Rubber Stamps--anything goes
Party Time Tuesdays--celebrate
By the Cute and Girly--cute and girly

     Hugs!

Supplies

• Paper:  Georgia Pacific, Bazzill, Copic XPress-it Blending card
• Stamp:  Stamping Bella "Ava Loves to Celebrate
• Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics, Prismacolor pencils and OMS, Sakura white gel pen, Micron black pen
• Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Tim Holtz ruler
• Miscellaneous:  Cotton Candy Stickles