It's officially Christmas time!

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We did and have finally settled down. Jeff got out all our Christmas decorations today so, my week is laid out for me.

I had a few minutes the other evening and made my traditional Santa card! I Love, Love, Love this simple card! It shouts Santa is on his way.

 Real Red, Shiny Black and Gold card stock and White Glimmer paper. How simple is that! But it tells the whole story that Santa is coming to town! The count down has begun.

Here is a look at the inside;

I hope you have a great week and find some time to create something fun!

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 11/28/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!
So Sorry I am late! We got in late last night and went straight to bed when we got home oops!

Hey did you have a good Thanksgiving? We sure did!  I'm stuffed like a turkey!!! Thank goodness for leftovers. I love a juicy Turkey sandwich with cranberry jelly on them. So Good!

This weeks sketch was designed by my friend Carol Reed. I think she did one heck of a job on this sketch! Good going Carol! Look at all the interesting shapes and images on in this sketch.

This is what I came up with.

I love the little hint of yellow on this card it make me so happy! Maybe I will go back and put a brown mat on the two green banners now that I see it in print? I am always thinking of different things to do after the card has been submitted lol lol. I love all the colors really, They make ite feel like it is Christmas.

Here is a look at the inside;

Well that's all there is for me today, we have been invited to yet another friends home for lunch so I have to get ready to go!

Please play along with us this week we would love to see what you come up with. Here is our blog address so you can upload your card to our blog.
http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving weekend and have lot's of left overs to munch on.

Chat soon,
Patrice

Happy Thanksgiving to All

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!!

                       I am Grateful for all my Friends and Family!


I can't believe it we got our first snow yesterday! Big Smile! This starts our third winter in West Virginia. We have really found a new home. We are invited to two friends houses today so this post will be a short one. But, I just wanted you all to know how grateful I am to all of you who follow my blog, leave me comments and like my work. I am so filled with Joy that you stop by and visit when ever I post. Thank You so much for making it all worthwhile!

I have learned so many new things since moving here. Crafting and Gardening and now Baking. I just started to learn how to cook pies and make my own crust. I even grew the pumpkin and rhubarb to make them with. Who would have thought a city girl like me would love country living soooo much!

Here is a look at the two apple pies I made;

 

 I saw on line different crust edges and fancy things you can do with them so I gave it a try, with the circle of leaves and the fancy edge.

Here is a look a my two pumpkin, one split? I'll have to ask my mom what that is all about? My friend told me that it might have (she's so kind) been cooked too long. It was on the top shelf so I may have to re-think switching them mid stream or cook one at a time.

I love going on line and getting ideas don't you. I saw another lady made sugared cranberries and leaves and put them around her pie, I thought they might be pretty on one of my pumpkins so I gave it a try too.

I hope you find some time to create something fun today! If you are traveling be safe and don't skimp on he PIE~

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sunday Stamps Color Challenge #SSC89

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

We had a really relaxing weekend, one we haven't had in quite a while.
I woke up with a bit of a sore throat this morning and opted to not go out today.
So, we camped out in the craft room and just relaxed. I came across a really fun color challenge over at Sunday Stamps. I usually don't do color challenges but this summer I stocked up on card stock so I am getting braver doing these types of challenges http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/2014/11/ssc89-its-all-plum.html

Here is their challenge- Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum and Very Vanilla.

This is what I came up with;

 I wasn't so sure I was going to like it but,I really like how it turned out. What do you think?

I love the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set. The images make  great backgrounds. The stripes, dots and splotches are really fun to work with.

Here is a look at the inside;

I used both inks and card stock in Wisteria Wonder and Perfect Plum. Plus a little Garden Green on the stem and leaves and Very Vanilla for the card base. I chose a floral image from the Hostess set called Bloom with Hope for my focal image and the sentiment. The inside sentiment is from the Really Good Greetings stamp set. The Plum Butterfly was made from the Bitty Butterfly Punch. I tied a bow with some Wisteria Wonder Bakers Twine and wrapped it around the focal image a few times. Pretty Basic Pearls added some additional softness and interest to the card.

That's it from me today. I hope you give this challenge a try  it took a bit of thought and preparation but, the result is a very pretty.

Chat soon,
Patrice

The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #224

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I just ran across this new (to me) Sketch challenge blog by Karen Giron and found she created a really interesting sketch. My friend Debbie Peterson sent me a bunch of neat stamped items this summer and I decided to put one of them to use on this week on this sketch. Thanks Debbie!
http://kgiron.blogspot.com/2014/11/sweet-sunday-sketch-challenge-244.html

The Butterfly Scalloped Circle image in yellow and white stole my heart. So I decided to make a two color card with yellow tones and Basic White. I really had to reign myself in, so not to add an additional color lol. that was my challenge.

Here is my card.

Items used to make this card

Embellishments- Honeycomb Impression Folder, Crushed Curry Bakers Twine, Rhinestones, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Elegant and Bitty Butterfly Punches, Tea Lace Paper Doilies.
Ink- Crushed Curry, Hello Honey, Craft and Soft Suede.
DSP- Flashback
Card Stock- Whisper White.
Stamp Sets- Hostess Bloom with Hope and Petite Pairs.

Now for a look at the inside;

Well, looks like that's all there is for me today. I hope you liked my card and really do try to use Karen's sketch it is sure is a fun one.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.
Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Fremzy Friday 11/21/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I tell you I have not been this busy in a long time. We are finally meeting new friends and getting settled into our little community. With that come extra events and lots of fun things to do. It is a joyous thing, trust me!  We have a lot to be grateful for this year that's for sure.

This weeks sketch was designed by Stacy T.  It sure is pretty and offers quite a bit of freedom to create with! Great job. Here is Stacy's sketch;

This is what I came up with;

I like how the the little Linen Thread loops and the row of Basic Pearls on the side of the focal piece turned out. The DSP is from the Trim the Tree Paper stack. I LOVE the En Frances stamp set,  by the time I finally bought it last year, it went on the retired list So every once in a while I pull it out and use it.  I think the fancy scrip is perfect for Christmas cards. I used Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip Card Stock and Chocolate Chip and So Saffron Inks.

Here is a look at the inside;

The Wondrous Wreath stamp set has two very nice sentiments in it one of which I used here.

Well, that looks like that's all there is for me today. I hope you enjoy this sketch and give it a try, we would love to see what you come up with. Download it onto our blog here http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Chat soon,
Patrice

The Paper Players #222

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I have been dieing to get into my craft room and get my fingers inky! I saw a really cool Theme Challenge over at The Paper Players blog the other day http://www.thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/  and had to give it a try.

Here is their great Theme Challenge

and this is what I came up with;

This sketch was a lot of fun for me. I got to use all of my favorite Autumn colors on this card. This is our third Autumn in West Virginia and I just love Autumn. Being from CA we just don't get the changing of the seasons like we do here. The leaves on the trees really do come in a rainbow of color. I have to watch out when I drive because I am always oohing and awing at all the lovely trees. Autumn is such a beautiful time of year. I give thanks every day for our home our new friends and the really wonderful community that we live in.

Here is a look at the inside;

We are going to a friends house for Thanksgiving so I think I will give her this card and maybe make her a little hostess gift to go along with it! What do you think?

I used Mingle All The Way, Fall Fest and For All Things stamp sets. Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Mellow Moss, Crumb Cake, Wisteria Wonder and Blackberry Bliss Inks. I also used Blackberry Bliss, Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso and Mellow Moss Card Stock. The tag was made with the Chalk Talk Die, the two little pennants were made from a scrap of Color Me Autumn DSP. The Bows were made with Linen Thread and Burlap Ribbon. I added a few Autumn Wooden Accent Leaves and three Polka Dot s from the Regals Collection oh, and I used the Woodgrain Textured Impression Folder on the background piece.

I think that just about does it for this card. I hope you have a great day and find some time to create a card from this sketch. I know The Players would love to see it and so would I!

Chat soon,
Patrice

Happy Birthday to my Honey Jeff!

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

It's my Honeys Birthday today! I just love this man xoxoxox!

My friend Ria Blackwell made a fancy fold card for a swap I hosted this summer! I made one for Jeff's B-Day card from her example. Thanks Ria for the cool CASE! I did re-purpose her some of her card piece.  He loves fancy folds and interesting looking cards. He is always saying "that card has too many straight lines... "So when I saw this card I knew I had to make a card for him and I know he will love it!

Here is Jeff's card;

He loves all the extra do dads and hardware on cards so I gussied it up and here you have it.

Thank goodness for the Grunge stamp set and Washi Tape. I still had some Paper Pumpkin hardware left over so I added a bit of that and some Large Bakers Twine a few stars and extra Rhinestones for glam.

Here is a look at the inside;

I just love fancy fold cards, don't you? I felt the polka dots added a festive look and another star because it is his special day!

Have a great day and I hope you find time to create something fun too!

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 11/14/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Today we have a really fun sketch! It's an old technique that we haven't seen in a while. Jennifer Kay surprised us with it! I have to admit I had to look up how to create the images since it had been awhile.

The sketch is self explanatory. Three rectangles and three mat pieces. This is what I came up with;

I used Lovely as a tree and Thoughts and Prayers stamp sets to make this card.
Baked Brown Sugar and Whisper White card stock. Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry and Garden Green SU Markers to color in the leaves. Add  a few Autumn Wooden Elements and some Crushed Curry Bakers Twine and that's all there is to it.

Cut out three pieces of card stock each smaller than the next. Lightly tape card stock together so they paper doesn't move. Then stamp your images all over. Remove the stamped pieces and mount them on the mat solid color card stock. Don't worry  that there will be white lines around the stamped images the solid color card stock matting covers them like magic.

I have had a really long and tiring week. So this is the worlds shortest blog post I think I have ever done.

Give the sketch image a try we would love to see what you come up with.
http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Chat soon.
Patrice

Paper Players 221 Color Challenge

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I seems like it has been forever since I made a card just for fun! I'm a little busier than usual? But, I did work on a card from a color sketch over at The Paper Players, here is their challenge; http://www.thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/

Beside loving the outfit I liked the colors too!

This is what I came up with

I thought a warm pair of mittens would be perfect for this outfit. It is getting to be the bundle up kind of weather. Here are my mittens hanging up ready to go!

I used a few sheets from the DSP Trim the Tree Paper Pack.  The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs Stamp set. A Star Punch from the Itty Bitty Accents Pack. A little piece of Pistaschio Pudding Large Bakers Twine to hold the mittens up, a Burlap Ribbon wall mount and some Rhinestones to add some bling. The card base is Mellow Moss, the second layer is Very Vanilla.

Thats all there is from me today. I'm off to take a friend to a Dr's appointment. I should be back in a few hours I'm going to try to find another challenge as I am going through Stamping Withdrawals!!!!

Chat soon,
Patrice

Sketch Frenzy Friday 11/7/14

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

Well I made it, and Finals are over! My presentation on Rain Gutter Gardening was a hit! I am so relieved. Monday night I was in bed at 6:30pm! I was so brain dead lolol. I'm getting to old for college classes! But, it was fun and I learned a lot! Gardening, like Stamping there is always something new to learn. I am glad to be a perpetual  student of both!

This weeks sketch was designed by our fearless leader Kim Innis. It really is a pretty sketch and made for some very pretty cards check out our SFF blog.

Here is Kim's sketch;

This is was I came up with;

I received a card from a friend this summer who had another type of  candle on her card. I thought it was a great idea so, I came up with this rendition for this weeks sketch. Great idea Janice! I thought the Tempting Turquoise was a nice touch too! It added a bit of color pop to the Black and White DSP. I love adding a bright color to Black and White. It looks so dramatic.

The inside is very simple but carries the theme through as well.

Supplies

Black, White and Temping Turquoise Card Stock.
Brushed Silver card Stock.
DSP- Back to Black.
Tempting Turquoise Embossing Powder.
1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

I used a little retired SU Cup Cake Die for the birthday candle flames. I could have free handed them but I wanted them all the same size. That's what's so cool about dies I love the uniformity and clean cut lines made with them.

That's all there is for me today. I'm still kind of recovering mentally. But ,I saw a bunch of new sketches out there in blog land that are calling my name.

I sure hope you join us this week and create a card from this pretty sketch. We would love to see what you create so, post it on our blog here
http://www.sketchfrenzyfriday.blogspot.com/

Chat soon,
Patrice

It Is MOVEMBER!!!!!

Hello to all my blogging friends, I hope this post finds you all well and happy!

I can't believe it is Nov. 1st already! That means Jeff shaved off his beard to support mens health!!!! http://us.movember.com/about

The Movember Foundation is the leading global organization committed to changing the face of men’s health.

 

The Movember community has raised $559 million to date and funded over 800 programs in 21 countries. This work is saving and improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health problems.

 

The Movember Foundation challenges men to grow moustaches during Movember (formerly known as November), to spark conversation and raise vital funds for its men’s health programs. To date, 4 million moustaches have been grown worldwide, but we won't stop growing as long as serious men’s health issues exist.

This is the picture of the Mustache I made for the guys at Jeff work They place this in a prominent position in the office. To show their support men who have facial hair shaves it off a starts to grow a new mustache only. Those who have no facial have to grow a mustache. All this is done for the month of November.

 Here is a photo of Jeff on the lawn mower with his beard!

This is what he looks like with out a beard and glasses.

I love my honey and I am so proud of him for supporting this great cause and going to work in the cold morning air with no facial hair to keep him warm.
Can I say scarf!

Chat soon,
patrice