Happy Holidays!

The last Friday of 2012!  Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope to play along with Friends with Flair every Friday that I can in 2013.  Maybe that should be my new year's resolution?!?  Sounds like a fun one to me!

I have two very similar cards to share with you today.  I used them for Christmas thank you cards.  I used non traditional Christmas papers on them, and my new favorite Unity stamp -- Bernie.  He is soooo adorable.  He makes me smile!

The papers are by Fancy Pants, but were from a Grab Bag so I don't know the specific line. I cut the Neenah Solar White cardstock square with a Spellbinders die, and the scalloped square behind it is also a Spellbinders die.  Bernie was colored with Copic markers, then blinged up with Viva Decor Glitter pens.  The snow on the log was enhanced with a Viva Decor pearl pen (white).  I wrapped some baker's twine from the Ribbon Carousel around the striped paper.

This card is very similar, except I used some ribbon from 3 Girl Jam, found here: http://www.3girljam.com/product/seasons-bundle.  I also used a different Spellbinder die (Label 26) to cut the shape behind the square.  It's difficult to see on the two cards, but I sponged around the owl with Tim Holtz spun sugar ink.

I hope you enjoyed today's cards, and the many other awesome Friends With Flair entries.  There's another great sale at Unity, so check it out!

I'm entering these cards in the Really Reasonable Ribbon's challenge #62 -- anything goes and ribbon, and Ribbon Carousel's Holiday Spirit challenge (#75), 3 Girl Jam's Anything Goes Challenge, Unity's Sketch of the Month challenge, and Unity's non-traditional Christmas colors challenge.

More gift boxes!

My husband had to work on Christmas Eve Day, and I had to work part of Christmas Day.  As I was waiting for him to get home from work, I whipped up these treat boxes to give to his family.  I filled each box with some of their favorite chocolates.  Christmas and chocolate go hand-in-hand, don't you think?  

I used papers from Echo Park Dots and Stripes Christmas, Making Memories, and Basic Grey.  Ribbons are from 3 Girl Jam, Really Reasonable ribbon, and Ribbon Carousel.  I am entering these boxes in the RRR challenge #62 -- Anything Goes and ribbon, and the Ribbon Carousel Challenge 75 - The Holidays.

I wish you joy!

Merry Christmas, Unity peeps!  It's Friday, so time for Friends With Flair.  It's been another busy week for most of us, I'm guessing, so I'm keeping this short.  I have two cards to share this week.  Both are Christmas cards, using non-traditional colors.

The top card uses Ippity stamp set "naughty. nice. not sure."  The bottom card uses Ippity Itty Bitty "most Wonderful time".  Papers are all Fancy Pants Christmas papers, but they were from a grab bag, so I don't know what collection(s).  I used twine and silver shimmer trim from CTMH on the top card, ribbon from Reasonable Ribbon on the bottom one.  Both cards are colored with Copic markers.  The bottom card is sponged with Tim Holtz antique linen ink. The top card has some Stickles on it, while the bottom was has some Liquid Pearls.

I'm entering these cards in Unity's non-traditional Christmas challenge, Oozak's Anything Goes Plus Red challenge, Reasonable Ribbon's Anything Goes and Ribbon challenge, 3 girl JAM Christmas inspiration challenge and Ribbon Carousel's Holiday Spirit challenge.  You may want to check out the sale at Ribbon Carousel and the great cause they are supporting!

That's it for me.  Have a blessed Christmas, and may you find joy.

Christmas Cheer

I made some boxes over the weekend for my staff.  We are having a get-together after work on Friday.  Each staff is getting a little different box filled with chocolates as part of their gift from me.  Here's a couple of them to share with you.

I used Echo Park's Dots & Stripes Christmas 12x12 papers.  The box on the left was cut on the Silhouette Cameo.  The box on the right was cut on the Cricut Expression 2 using the Fall & Winter Tablescapes cartridge.  The boxes are decorated with Unity stamps (Snowflake Kisses), ribbons from Reasonable Ribbon, 3 Girl Jam, and Ribbon Carousel, a stocking charm, and clear bling from CTMH.

I am entering these boxes in cropchocolate.com's weekly challenge.  This week's theme is ribbon plus. I'm also entering it in the Ribbon Carousel's Holiday Spirit challenge, Reasonable Ribbon's Anything Goes plus Ribbon challenge (#62), and 3 Girl Jam's Christmas Inspiration Challenge #8.

Go Pack! Fun with Friends with Flair

Happy, happy, happy, happy Friday!  I can't tell you how badly I need for this to be Friday.  My schedule in December is always insane, and by about the middle of the month, I start wearing down physically and mentally.  TGIF!  I NEED the weekend! 

I have a mix of cards to share with you, my Unity FWF peeps.  I hope you like them.  Creating them was a definite stress relief for me. 

The first card, I created last weekend for my husband.  Our 29th anniversary was Dec. 10th.  I wanted a card that let him know how much I loved him without being overly gushy.  I thought this non-traditional card worked out just fine.

He's a no-nonsense kind of guy, so I left off any glitter, bling, or ribbon.  Inside, I stamped a sentiment that said, "you + me = (heart) -- and it's an actual heart shape but I don't know how to do that on my computer.  Then I wrote a mushy message just 'cause!  I used American Crafts white cardstock for the base, Neenah solar white cardstock for the image, stamped with Memento black and colored with Copic markers.  I'd never used grays to tone down colors before, so it was a new technique for me.  There's also some CTMH Kraft cardstock there.  The crayon image is from Unity's August, 2012 Kit of the Month.  The 'so happy' arrows are from Unity's November Kit of the month.

I'm thinking they'll be lots of Christmas cards this week on FWF.  Tis the season, after all.  I do have one to share.  It's not strictly Christmas, but I used it as a thank you for an early Christmas present I received and it uses Christmas paper.

I used this card for a challenge on Cropchocolate.com.  Three hearts out of designer paper was the challenge.  I'm also entering it in this month's Unity kit of the month sketch challenge, ribbon carousel's Holiday spirit challenge, and 3 girl Jam's Christmas challenge.  I used  a Unity stamp of the week, Mug of Hugs (WIB-425), and Echo Park's Season's Greetings 6x6 paper on this card.  The base is CTMH cardstock.  I used Copic markers on the mug, a Creative Memories heart punch, and reasonable ribbon baker's twine. The circle was cut with a Lifestyle Crafts circle die.

The last card comes with stories.  First, a disclaimer.  I am NOT a football fan.  That being said, I enjoy a good rivalry and can smack talk with the best of them.  My life is also easier when the Packers win on Sunday because my co-workers are happier on Monday.  Well, in this wonderful online scrapping community, I have gotten involved in some football rivalries.  One is with Sharondoesbaskets, from Chicago.  So, I made her this card and dropped it in the mail hoping she gets it in time for kick off.

The bird was cut on my Cricut, using the 3 Birds on Parade cartridge.  Papers are from LYB Acorn Hollow 6x6 paper pad.  I got to ink up some of the new Susan K. Weckesser stamps I recently won, using the "a little bit washi" set on this card.  And, I got to play with some of the new crinkle ribbon I won from 3 Girl Jam, found HERE.  It is GREAT ribbon to work with!  The speech bubble was again cut on my Cricut Expression 2, using the CTMH Artiste cartridge, and a CTMH chipboard speech bubble.  I'm going to enter this in the Unity Sketch challenge, also.  Sharon will love it, don't you think?

Winners, winners, I've got TWO winners!

First, I want to say how much fun I had being Unity's Growing in Unity girl last week.  Reading all your great comments warmed my heart.  I put all your comments for the 5 days together and chose one winner.  This person will get TWO free Itty Bitty's from Unity.  That person is:

are you ready?

yes, I chose...

Ava Gavloski!

Congratulations, Ava!  I know you are a Unity lover, so start shopping!  Let me know your two choices and I'll pass the info on to Unity.

Then, I chose one winner from my 100th post to win the Susan K Weckesser stamps and other goodies I put together.  It's quite a package, if I do say so myself.  You'll be happy with this bundly of scrappy goodness.  I used random.org to choose the winner for this, and #36 was chosen.  That is:

again,


are you ready?

un hunh...


#36 is SHartl

Please contact me with your mailing address so I can get your package out to you.  Again, congratulations winners!

GIU day 5, FWF and 100th post giveaway!

I'm celebrating!  And I want to share the joy with you.  I have so much to be thankful for -- 130 followers since I began my blog in March, 2011.  Today is my 100th blog post, so it seems like the perfect time for a giveaway.  And, I'm celebrating the prize package I got in the mail today.  I won the Unity/Susan K. Weckesser bloghop prize package last Thursday.  It arrived today.  In a BIG box.  Well, I was expecting a stampset or two, but it ended up being 18 (eighteen)*****18---EIGHTEEN Susan K. Weckesser/Unity Brand stamp sets.  Wow!  I was blown away by the generosity of these 2 companies.  So, I'm going to share the joy with you, my loyal blog followers.  First, though, my 5th day Growing In Unity project:

I used my Silhouette to cut out the 3D letters, then glued them together (very putzy, I didn't like this part of the project at all -- I almost gave up).  Then, I used various Unity images to embellish the letters.  Designer papers are Echo Park Very Merry Christmas 12x12. Stamp sets used were:  Kit of the month (Aug. '12), and 3 Itty Bitty's:  Sweet Christmas Wishes (IB-203), Stuffed with Joy Stocking (IB-423), and, in honor of my big win, One of a Kind Winter by Susan Weckesser (IB-SB-326). I used ribbon and twine from Ribbon Carousel and am going to enter it in their Holiday Spirit challenge. I'm also entering this in 3 girl JAM's Christmas inspiration challenge.

Here's a little different angle so you can see the 3D a little better.

I took a picture of the stamps I won:

Isn't that incredible?  I can hardly wait until I have some time to get them inky! 

Now, here's your chance to win some scrappy goodness.  I am going to put a prize package together for a lucky winner.  It will include some Susan Weckesser stamps that I have duplicates of, some Christmas 6x6 paper and 12x12 paper, various embellishments, and some ribbon. There'll be some other stamps in it, too.  You'll like it, I promise! Please follow my blog if you don't already, leave a comment, and I'll pick a winner on Monday.  And remember, someone will win 2 Unity Itty Bitty's for commenting on my Growing In Unity posts this week, so go back and comment on each day to increase your chance to win.  Leave me a way to contact you, please.

Growing in Unity -- day 4

I have another Phyllis Harris stamp set to feature today (made by Unity, of course).  This is one of my favorites.

My own Golden Retrievers HAVE to have something in their mouths.  Sammy runs around with hats and gloves every chance he gets.  I'm sure this stamp was fashioned with Sammy in mind.

The papers are Fancy Pants Designs Hot Chocolate.  The stamp set (Cold Outside) was colored with Copic markers.  The shape was cut with a Spellbinders diecut.

Make sure to comment on today's post so you have a chance to win two Itty Bitty's by Unity.  They are giving them away to one lucky winner that I will choose on the weekend.  If you haven't already, go back through the rest of the week and comment on those posts to increase your chances to win.

Day 3 -- Growing in Unity

I'm so pleased to have you stop by and visit my blog today!  If you've missed the past two days, please go back and comment.  Unity is giving away to Itty Bitty stamps to one luck commenter at the end of the week (I'll pick the winner on the weekend) so make sure you comment each day.  Also, if you have time, look back to the card I made and entered in Mojo Monday's card sketch on Sunday.  I love those adorable penguins -- Unity stamps, of course.

Today's card was inspired by a wish to show some women I craft with the many uses for washi tape.  I'm in love with the stuff and they hadn't realized the potential of it yet.  I made a few cards using it in various ways to show them.  This is one of the cards.

The stamp is an Itty Bitty -- Sweet Christmas Wishes.  It has an adorable penguin sitting on a candy cane that goes with it. I glittered up a piece of packaging (I used a punch to get the star shape) by running it through a Xyron sticker maker and then sprinkling gold glitter on it.  Then, I ran it through again to adhere it to the card.  I hope you like today's card.

Growing in Unity - Day 2

My second day of being featured by Unity Stamp Company.  Make sure to leave me a comment so you can be eligible to win two Itty Bitty stamps of your choice.  How fun is that?

I love Unity stamps, and some of my favorites are those that are co-branded for Phyllis Harris.  I recently got into Copic markers, and her images are perfect for me to learn with.  Plus, there are 3 Golden Retrievers in my house so she and I think alike, LOL.  I love how her sweet images take me right back to childhood. 

I recently made 21 Phyllis Harris cards for a friend of mine.  It was the first time anyone had ever ordered cards from me and had me design them.  She told me which images she wanted, and that she wanted old fashioned papers and no bling or ribbons.  This is one of the cards I made for her.

The designer papers are October Afternoon.  The cardstock base is Carta Bella Kraft.  The image is colored with Copic markers. The stamp set is Unity's Make a Wish (Phyllis Harris).  I hope you like today's card.

Growing In Unity - Day 1

I am so excited to be this week's Growing in Unity girl!  I have an excuse to make cards and get inky!  What could be more fun?  I have so many wonderful Unity stamps that it'll be tough figuring out which ones to use, but I'll figure it out somehow ;)   Make sure you comment each day because this generous company, Unity, is giving away to Itty Bitty stamps at the end of the week for one lucky commenter.  The more often you comment, the better your chance of winning.

Here's my card for today.  There's not much stamping, but I wanted to get in the Christmas spirit since it's December now.  I saw this idea on the cover of a card magazine at the grocery store (sorry, I don't remember which one).   I'm not even sure how closely I remembered it, but this is my take on it.

 

The sentiment is from Unity's Christmas Eve Chowder (Jillibean Soup).  The washi tape is from Target.  The white and kraft cardstock are both from Close To My Heart. The ribbon is from my stash.  I hope you enjoy my card.

Mojo Monday - first time for this one!

My good online friend, Lucy, introduced me to Mojo Monday last week.  I made this card planning to use it for my Growing In Unity week coming up but realized today that the challenge closes before my week begins, so I'll post this today and hope to find time to make another card during the week.  First, my card:

Aren't those penguins the cutest? The stamp set is Unity's Christmas Eve Chowder (Jillibean Soup).  Designer papers are all October Afternoon. The card base is kraft cardstock by Close To My Heart.  I colored the penguins with Copic markers, and although you can't see it in this picture, their bellies and hats have some Stickles glitter glue on them to add some sparkle.

And, here's the sketch I used for the card.

I hope you enjoyed my card.  And thanks to Lucy for telling me about Mojo Monday!