Bright and Happy New Year

I can't believe that this year is quickly coming to an end.  This is the last day for 2011.  The super talented Anna Marie @ Our Creative Corner wants you to make a card celebrating an event.  Here is her inspiration board. 

 And here is what she has said:  It's time to ring in 2012! Create a card for a celebration using this color combo. There are so many occasions that call for a celebration ...New Year's, birthdays, congratulations. Have some fun with these bright and happy colors!

Here is my non-card:

To be eligible to win this challenge, please make a card. 

Well, I was soo focused on the color combo, that I didn't notice that I was to make a card.  Usually, I'm very careful to pay attention to those little details.  I made instead, a pin cushion picture frame.  The fabric that I used celebrates the Day of the Dead.  And that, in itself is a celebration!  The frame is distressed metal.  I added a few buttons from my stash, and a few push pins.  I had a coursage pin in my stash, and so I added some crystals and jazzed it up a bit.

Thank you for stopping by.  I have some blog candy that I am giving away tomorrow.  Just answer the question posted on the 'Candy' post.  Good Luck!  and have a safe and happy New Year!

My Sketch

I can't believe that it is already Friday.  Wow, this month is screaming by.  I hope this post finds you all well, and happy.  I created the sketch this week over @ Sketch Frenzy Friday.  Yeah, it's mine.  I hope you all can play along with us.  We would love to see what you create with this sketch and your Stampin' Up! materials.

Here's the sketch:

I wanted to use some new designer series paper, so I selected a new paper that is being featured in the Occasions Mini catalog; Attic Boutique DSP. 
Here is what I came up with:

I don't think that anyone is surprised that I have used a favorite stamp set of mine:  Established Elegance.  I just love the graphics on these images.  Very pretty, lovely vintage, and clean, crisp lines.  I stamped the maniquin in soft suede classic ink.  The flourish is a second generation stamp of baja breeze classic ink.  The crown is stamped in daffodil delight classic ink.  The 'label' is sahara sand classic ink.  I selected those colors based on the colors used in the pattern paper.  I just loved the pool party color, so that is why I selected the pool and white pattern paper, too.  I stamped the circle in very vanilla craft and heat embossed with clear powder.  I just love the new buttons, so I tied some white bakers twine through it, and then used a glue dot to hold it to the cardstock circle.  I added foam tape to the back to lift the circle off the card.  The 'congratulations' stamp is from a wedding set.  The inside of the card is blank, so you can say congrats on any new news!

Stop by Tammy B.'s blog and see what she has created.  Then continue the blog hop to see what all these fabulous ladies have created with my sketch!

I hope to see your creations!

CAS and Candy

For those who have seen my cards and crafts, you know that I don't do CAS (clean and simple).  In fact, it is a difficult challenge for me.  I love embellishments and layers and extras.  So, I saw this challenge, Just One Word , over @ simply less is more and thought that i could do this.  Well, after fighting with it, this is what I came up with.  

This is a stamp from Hero Arts Penny Black.  I stamped the image in Ripe Avacado and used clear embosing powder.  The sentiment is stamped in basic black classic ink.  I used a light green rhinestone to add a bit of sparkle at the top of the tree.   

Now for Candy! Blog candy, that is.  It's pretty simple.  Post a comment to this blog entry.  Just let me know one goal you hope to accomplish this new year.  Easy peasy.  The winner will be announced on Sunday morning.  Start the new year right with a new, un-opened roll of vanilla seam binding and an brand new, un-mounted Create A Cupcake clear mount stamp set.

Banner Thank You

It's Wednesday, and that means that the super talented ladies over @ Stampin' Queens Sketch Challenge have a clever sketch for us to work with.   If you have some crafting time, I encourage you to play along.

Here is the sketch:

I wanted to work with some new Stampin' Up! products, so here is a sneak peak at some new pattern paper, a new stamp set, and some new ribbon.  

The sketch is pretty user friendly.  Don't just see circles, but rather objects.  You could easily replace the circles for butterflies, flowers, hot air balloons.  The objects are virtually endless.  And since its not a color challenge, you have no limits.  Easy peasy.  Right?  Well, I loved how the circles were strung across the card, so I punched 1" circles out of this new beautiful pattern paper.  And strung them on some white bakers twine.  I didn't want a bow to take up some real estate on my card, so I grabbed the new machine stitched satin ribbon.  It's pretty, huh?  (but remember, you can create this look with your own sewing machine.)  I just LOVE the silver glitter paper, so I added a strip of scallop trim and a straight piece above and below the stitched ribbon.  The 'Thanks' is a new stamp, too.  I love how it looks all flow-y.  

Join us won't you?

Tomorrow, I will be posting a CAS card for another challenge, and announce a blog candy give-a-way.  

Home for the Holidays

Oh my!  It's Christmas eve!  I hope everyone has their gifts done, and wrapped.  Me?  Well, there are a few things left to pick up, so I'll be one of those folks out on the road today, kinda in a hurry.  

But, today is also SATURDAY! and that means that it is time for a new challenge over @ Our Creative Corner!  And guess what?  I'm the hostess this week!  Can you believe it?  So, this challenge theme is pretty simple:  Home for the Holidays!  That's right!  Use the scenery around your home for your inspiration!  Use the ornaments (or theme) on your Christmas tree.  The winter weather outside your home.  The Christmas wreath on your front door.  Whatever tickles your fancy, so to speak.  Oh, and you need to add a little sparkle/glimmer, too.  But that's pretty simple.  Just add some glitter, or a piece of shimmer paper, a few rhinestones.  Whatever you have on hand that will shine.