The Outlawz Greeting Card "It Was a Very Good Year" Challenge

This week we are asking you to create a vintage project to meet our theme, "It Was a Very Good Year".

Our special sponsors this month are:

 Di's Digi Designs

And

I know some of you have not enjoyed 2012. For some, it has been a very difficult year. To you, I say wash it right out of your hair. And memory. And look forward to 2013, a year full of possibilities for each and every one of us. May it be the best year we have ever had. Happy New Year!

I must admit, 2012 was a very good year for me. I have a wonderful husband, a kooky, but lovable, family, and terrific friends; I got to travel; I certainly got to eat well; I have my health, (outside of those pesky cold sores I mentioned yesterday, and I am down to one now--yay!); I have a beautiful home that I love; and I have Donovan.

Wait, I am not sure about that last one being a blessing. Ding-Dong Dog has been a bit of a nuisance this year. With his peg leg luxating patella and his emergency visit for a swallowed cow rawhide chew, he has cost us some angst and a good deal of money. And then there was the recent episode of humiliation in front of strangers--as I ran to catch Don when he zipped down the driveway. And I was missing a shoe, carrying a madly-buzzing electric toothbrush, and cackling like a patient missing from "that" floor of a nearby hospital. (To see more details, check out this recent post.)   Hmmm....I have to "mull" that one over for a bit. (Yes, that was a play on my last name. For those of you who don't know it, I married a Dull Mull. Oh, just kidding. He's not dull at all, just ask my kooky family.)

And yes, dear family members, I know I am the kookiest one of all. But that also makes me the most lovable. So there.

Now, I must away with myself. Oh, but first, I have to tell you about my DT card for this week's challenge. I almost forgot. Forgot what? I have no idea; I lost my train of thought. When it comes chugging back around the track, I'll let you know.

Below is my photo. It shows an image. Which is by Rick St. Dennis. And is called "The Snow Queen". And she was printed on Make It Colour Blending Card. And then she was colored with Copics by a very strange person, who shall remain nameless. And the list of Copics, in no particular order, is: RV91, RV93, RV95, R20, E000, E00, E11, E81, E84, BG11, BG72, BG75, BV23, BV25, BV29.

But wait, there's more! Apparently, Liquid Applique was added to the snow queen, so she would appear more "snow-like". I am not sure it worked. Blame it on that strange person. A feather was stuck to her head hat, presumably because it made her look more regal. Personally, I think it makes her look like a daft bird. But that's just me.

The DP chosen is from the Basic Grey Plumeria collection. And the card stock is from Stampin' Up. The sentiment comes from Create with TLC and was die-cut and framed using Spellbinders Labels 10 and 20. A La-La Land Crafts Corner die was used to created two corner pieces. Really? You don't say.

But wait, there's even more! But not much. Some lace trim was placed behind the queen. I have no idea why, nor do I care. Ladies and Germs, that concludes the description of this piece. Lucky you.

Please do check out the rest of the DT creations! You won't be sorry! And, if you get the chance this week, please play along. Would love to see your "vintage" pieces.

Before I really away with myself, I must have a serious moment with you. Today is my last day as a DT member on the Create with TLC DT team. I have to pare down my DT's as I am just too busy for my own good. I need a little "me" time. And, since I had been on this team the longest--6 months--and the term was ending, I relinquished my spot with Paulette. She is fabulous to work for and with! Her creations are wonderful--I have used many, many of her sentiments, which I absolutely love! I will continue to use her digis. I highly recommend following her--you will get the most amazing freebies every single day. And I have purchased many of her sets to use as well, and will continue to do so. I wish Paulette and her DT all the success possible. Good people, People!

On that note, I take your leave. Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve and a fantastic New Year!

Stamptacular Sunday "DOILIES Galore!" Challenge

This week’s challenge is going to be so much fun!  We can’t wait to see what you create!

This week's challenge is a…

“DOILIES Galore!”

For this week's challenge you will create a card or project that includes at least one doily.  You are also free to use a die that creates doily looking shapes!  Oh…and don’t forget to STAMP!  After all…we don’t call this the STAMPtacular Sunday Challenge for nothing!      

You will have from now until midnight (EST) January 5^th, 2013 to complete this challenge and post a DIRECT LINK to your submission into our InLinkz in order to be entered into the drawing for this week's fabulous prize donated by:

MELJENS DESIGNS

PRIZE:  WINNER’s Choice of 4 DIGIS!

Well, this one was really tough for me. It means that I had to use some dies. Whaaaat??? Heaven forbid. Me use dies? To cut doilies? Etc.? Nearly had a conniption fit over this. And you don't want to see me having a conniption fit--it isn't pretty, believe me.

Before I go there, to describe this, I want to mention Christmas. As in, had a wonderful one, if you don't count the cold I caught the week before, and the three, count them, three, cold sores I was gifted as well. l don't believe I have ever had three at once. So there's that. I do have a little tube left of Denavir, so am able to treat the three kings with it, and they are subsiding nicely. One is gone, one is mostly gone, and one I may carry around with me just for good luck.

Will you still be my friend, knowing that I get cold sores? I promise I am really good and don't touch my mouth unless I have to, and then I wash thoroughly afterwards so as to not spread the word, so to speak. I have dealt with this since I was a teenager, so basically for a half-century. I am not sure if you can pass the propensity for them to your children. All I know is that my mother had them, I get them, and so does my daughter. Lucky ladies, huh? Well, there are many worse things that could happen so I really can't complain. Except when I get three of them. At the same time. At Christmas. Sigh....

Actually, we had a lovely holiday. Gary and I opened our presents on Christmas Eve, which we haven't done since our first year of marriage--43 years ago. He talked me into it then, and it absolutely ruined my Christmas. I had nothing to look forward to on Christmas Day. Of course, that was when he was in the Army, and we lived in Georgia all by ourselves. No family to celebrate with. So it was a long, and lonely, first Christmas Day as a wife. Needless to say, (so why am I saying it?), we never did that again. We always opened our gifts on Christmas morning. Until this year. And I suggested it. Not sure why. But it certainly made Gary happy. So it was worth it.

We went to Angela's on Christmas afternoon, to share gifts with our daughter, SIL, and two grandgirls, which was great fun! And to have our annual spaghetti feed--ohhhhh, look out, don't get between me and my plate of spaghetti. It's that old family recipe, coming down from an Italian friend of my mother. Soooo gooood. Except I don't eat the meatballs when Angela makes it, because she adds veal. And I don't. eat. veal. 'Nuf said. But the spaghetti was fabulous this year, as was the salad and garlic bread. Yummmmm! And Gary made eggnog pie, which was quite tasty. (The recipe is in our old Betty Crocker cookbook from 1970. You know the one--with the broken down spine and burner imprint on the back cover. Yeah, that one.)

Anyway, we had a great time over there, except Angela forgot to take our annual Christmas kiss photo. Which was just as well, because I wouldn't have kissed Gary with the three cold sores I had anyway. See how things work out?

It was a great holiday, and I even made a card that day. It could have been this one, though I can't remember. I am making one a day right now, which is lightening speed for me. Don't look now, she's got another one done! What? Already? She's a speed demon, isn't she? (I love talking about myself in the third person.)

Oh, before I describe this card, I have to say that I received a fabulous gift from Gary: acoustic noise-cancelling headphones for air travel. Now I can look just like him, (except for the bald part--I am not shaving my head), and no longer have to feel ignored while flying. I can do the ignoring instead. What? Did you say something to me? I can't hear you.

So I had to try out another Saturated Canary image, Lift Like a Girl, along with one of the sentiments that comes with this image. I printed them, and two Create with TLC sentiments, on Make It Colour Blending Card. I die-cut both the image and the TLC sentiments. The other sentiment I just cut apart, because I could. I chose DP from the Authentique Uncommon collection and paired it with Bazzill CS.

I colored this cutie with my Copics: R00, R20, R21, R22, W00, W0, W2, W4, W6, B02, Y21, YR23, E000, E00, E11, E33, E35. (Someday I am going to list my colors for each part of the image. Just don't hold your breath until I do. You will turn an unpleasant shade of blue.) I accented the image with a white gel pen, used Copic Spica on her lips, and added Glossy Accents to the barbells and her eyes. (She didn't mind--honest!)

Now to the doilies and dies. I used the following: Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles and Labels 10; Cheery Lynn Nautical Wheeler Doily; Marianne Designs Pointy Circle Frame and Doily Round; and SCACD Alice's Clock Statement Corner.

To finish the card I added some Queen & Co. Rhinestones, which I colored with my Copics. And that's that.

So let's see what you come up with when you add your doilies--looking forward to that. And be sure to check out the other DT creations!

I hope you had a peaceful and beautiful Christmas. And I wish for you a safe and Happy New Year's Eve and wonderful 2013 ahead!

Through The Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge

Our sponsor this week is our own lovely Anne Fenton with Anne's Cards 4 U. She will be providing 3 digis to our lucky winner!

I hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas Day with family and/or friends. May your meals be tasty, your presents be perfect, and your travels be safe.

I am going to make this brief today. I know! How weird! But I know you have things to do, people to see, and you may not even look at blogs or challenges today. So no sense in dragging it out, right?

I chose Anne's image "Christmas Wreath" for this week and paired it with a Create with TLC sentiment. I colored it with Copics: C0, C2, YR000, YR00, R24, R27, R29, R50, YG13, YG17. I added a bit of white gel pen to the image, and some Glossy Accents to the jingle bells, and Stickles all over the place. I also chose several dies to use: Spellbinders Classic Circles, Scalloped Ovals, and Grand Ovals; Cheery Lynn Ornamental Wreath & Bow, and Bow and Bell; Memory Box Grapevine Wreath and Frostyville Wreath. I added some WOC flowers and a bow from my stash. My embossing was done with EF's: Cuttlebug Holly Ribbons and Sizzix Stampin' Up Holiday Frame.

And so concludes my last Christmas card of the year. I am hoping to get started much earlier on my cards next year, so that I get them out to everyone. I want to again wish you a Merry Christmas, and a very Happy New Year for 2013!

Looking forward to your entries if you find some time to create this week!

Stamptacular Sunday "Emboss Me!" Challenge

This week’s challenge is going to be so much fun!  We can’t wait to see what you create!

This week's challenge is a…

“EMBOSS Me!”

For this week's challenge you will create a card or project that uses some sort of embossing...your choice, can be heat embossing or dry embossing.  Oh…and don’t forget to STAMP!  After all…we don’t call this the STAMPtacular Sunday Challenge for nothing!      

You will have from now until midnight  (EST) , December 29, 2012 to complete this challenge and post a DIRECT LINK to your submission into our InLinkz in order to be entered into the drawing for this week's fabulous prize donated by:

DIGI DOODLE SHOP

PRIZE:  $10 Gift Certificate!

Embossing is something I sometimes forget about, and I don't know why. I think I get distracted easily. Do you? Or are you clear-headed and purposeful? If so, how? Inquiring minds need to know. Now where was I.....?

I have no idea where I was going with that. So, I'll just mention a couple of things before getting to my embossed card, which, oddly enough, is NOT a Christmas card. That brings me to the first thing: my apology. I did not get my Christmas cards done this year. I not only ran out of time, but I got sick to boot. (To boot what? Why do people use that expression?) I came down with a cold, when time was running down to the wire--oh good grief, there's another expression that means just what exactly? Anyway, I apologize to those of you who either didn't get a card from us at all, or didn't get one I personally made. I will try to do much better next year--like maybe start on them in January.

My second thought is that I am going to have to lessen my load of DT's somehow. I thought I could handle all of the ones I am in; come to find out I can't. I am so busy making DT cards (which take me a long time), and commenting on challenge entries, that I have no time to do anything else. Like work on my CMC classes. Or read a book. Or watch a TV show. Or clean my house. Or walk the dog. (No, that last one is just an excuse!) Or go on vacation. Which we are going to do next month. I am still trying to figure out how I am going to manage making my cards for January, since I got behind this month when I was going to get ahead. Does that make sense?

Anyway, for the foreseeable future, I am going to attempt some CAS cards, so that I can stay caught up until my DT commitments are finished. And then I am going to re-evaluate my DT situation. And that actually makes me feel sad. Because I love the teams I am on--there are such fabulous people on them, and we get to make some really fun cards. Sigh.....

OK, enough of the doldrums already. I do have a slightly funny story to tell you. Last night, when I started brushing my teeth with my Sonic toothbrush, I opened the front door to plug in the outdoor lights. As I was bending down I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, (my right eye, to be exact), darling Donovan shoot out the door. And here is the back-story to that:

Several years ago, at our last house, Donovan ran out the front door like he was shot out of a cannon. And down the driveway he went, me running after him like a madwoman. Then he took an immediate left and ran down the block, with me screaming behind him & losing the footrace. At the corner he made another left turn and raced down to the end of the block, where he ran out into the street after making another left turn. He was now running in the main street of our gated community with no automobile traffic coming, thank heavens! I was very far behind him by now, totally out of breath, and almost sobbing. A lovely lady on a bicycle was riding toward us. Having never seen a bicycle, Donovan headed straight for her. She stopped, he stopped, and I was able to catch up to him and nab his naughty little self. I was extremely careful after that when opening the front door.

OK, back to the future. I have been careful to make sure Don stays inside the door when I plug in the outside lights. Until last night. Why I thought I needed to multi-task and brush my teeth at that point in time, I have no idea--I guess it was a brain-fart. I sometimes have those. Oh, alright, I oftentimes have those. Anyway, I saw Donovan shoot out the door, and the run we had years ago flashed through my mind. Somehow, in trying to catch up to him, I scraped my knuckles and lost one shoe, but had the presence of mind to remove the toothbrush from my mouth. Though I didn't turn it off. So I am shuffling unevenly down the driveway to get my dratted dog with my Sonic buzzing madly away, shooting toothpaste everywhere, including on my face.

Now, the reason Doodlehopper Don ran out the door is because two young men were walking their enormous dog past our house. And Donovan is a Maltese--they believe that they are 5 feet tall and 150 pounds. Not 1 foot and 7-1/2 pounds soaking wet. They are not afraid of big dogs. So they chase after them. But the one young man was afraid his big dog might hurt Don. So he pulled back on the leash, while his friend bent over and picked Don up. All I had to do was reach out for my dog--no running, thank goodness. I am laughing about this still. Picture those young men: a tiny dog comes streaking down the driveway at them, with an old lady in mildly hot pursuit. Her hair is sticking out at all odd angles, she has toothpaste smeared on her face, her toothbrush is merrily buzzing along in one hand, she is missing a shoe, bleeding from two knuckles, and giggling like a madwoman. What 's wrong with this picture? How about everything.

When I told Gary about the episode, he said, "That dog is going to be the death of you yet." I sincerely hope not. I have to mention that I laughed so hard as I was typing this that I was crying. Which made my nose run. Perfect.

Back to the purpose of this post: this card is not only not Christmas, but it is definitely not CAS. It is a birthday card I made for our granddaughter, Brynn, and had to be a "fancy" card for her. She is a "fancy" kid. :^) And a blonde. And she loves to draw and color. So I bought this image for her birthday months ago. Her birthday was the 20th and she turned 9, can you tell? Duh. It is Saturated Canary Sketchie. And that perfect sentiment is from Create with TLC.

I printed Sketchie and the sentiment on Cryogen CS. I die-cut both of them with Spellbinders Labels 20 dies, and then sponged some VersaMagic chalk ink around the edges. I colored her with Copics: E000, E00, E11, E33, E35, R00, R02, R05, R08, R11, R14, R20, YR21, YR23, YR24, YR27, C0, C1, C2, C4, Y21, B02. I accented her with a white gel pen, added Stickles to her wings and ribbon poms, Copic Spica to her eyes & mouth, and Glossy Accents to the marker. BTW, I will not add Spica to eyes again. It gives them an eerie shine, quite unsettling. I will only use a gloss in the future--if I remember. (Note to self: use only Glossy Accents on eyes.)

My other die cuts were from Spellbinders Grand Labels 11 and Magnolia Doohickey Lovely Tag dies. My CS is from Stampin' Up and the DP is from the Basic Grey Konnichiwa collection. I added some lace, ribbon, cheesecloth, and charms from my stash. I also added a Maya Road Mini Hanger, some Queen & Co. pearls, and some MS pearl stickers. Ooops, I almost forgot: my embossing was done with the Sizzix Stampin' Up Chevron EF.

I am entering this card into the following:

Basic Grey Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's Celebration Challenge
CMC Metallic Gleam Challenge
Digital Tuesday Layers Challenge
Divas by Design Anything Goes Challenge
Eclectic Ellapu Anything Goes Challenge
Inky Impressions Sparkle Challenge
Jellypark Friends Tag It Challenge
Oozak Anything Goes + Red Challenge
Papertake Weekly POTY "Anything Goes" Challenge
Saturated Canary Photo Inspiration Challenge
The Paper Shelter Anything Goes Challenge

I don't know how many of you will be creating this week, but if you get the chance, we would love to see what you have for us. And be sure to check out all the DT creations--we have such a great group of creators!

Before I close, I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! If you do not celebrate Christmas, I wish you a Happy Holiday season. Thank you for checking in with me this year, and thanks so very, very much for all your wonderful comments: they are so deeply appreciated! I am sending you big virtual hugs with much love.

The Outlawz Greeting Card "Thank you Beary Much!" Challenge

Howdy, again! This week we are looking for you to create a thank-you card that features a bear somewhere on the card. As you will see below, I took this quite literally. Imagine that.

Our special sponsors this month are:

 Di's Digi Designs

And

I mentioned that we had quite a weekend planned. But, of course, not everything went according to plan or schedule. I wouldn't know how to handle life if it was neatly packaged, you know what I mean?

I had a lovely lunch with my sister, Merrilyn, on Friday. She suggested a new place, which was supposed to be a second location of a restaurant we really liked. But when we got there, it was a different establishment entirely. I have to say, I was not surprised, Merrilyn. (Clearing throat and running away now.) However, it was a delightful little cafe, which serves up healthy salads and sandwiches for the spa people in the same building. The spa people. Kind of like the pod people, only different. Never mind. Anyway, we had tuna salad sandwiches, which were the best I have ever eaten. Scrumptious! Mixed with cottage cheese, instead of mayo, and loaded with avocado and grapes. It was a lovely mix and served on toasted bread. Mmmm, mmmm, good. And it came with a delicious tabbouleh salad. How lucky can you get to stumble into such healthy goodness? I requested a Chai tea latte, iced, which was a mistake. It tasted delicious, but I should have had it served hot, as it was a chilly, rainy day, and I was freezing from eating & drinking cold items.

Anyway, I then went back home to pack up and get ready for the Christmas party & big weekend at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort. I did pack, but forgot some things--nothing major, but irritating when I discovered later that they were still at home. However, Gary did forget major things, like his jeans for Saturday and his medications, which meant that we would have to hightail it back home on Saturday morning. That was not in the original plans. He did manage to cancel the Saturday night reservations, which was good, so we only stayed the one night.

The party was really fun; I enjoy seeing his co-workers & the spouses once a year. Gary is the old man of the group, so most of these people are young, and quite agile on the dance floor. They are great fun to watch. Yes, we did dance a few times, and Gary insisted upon doing some swing. Which he regretted the next morning, because his repaired shoulder was really aching. I tried to tell him Friday night that it was too soon to swing dance, but he would not listen. So pardon me, if I felt no sympathy for him the next day. (Stubborn old goat.)

That was the best banquet buffet I have ever had. They put fabulous food out, so many different dishes, and each one was wonderful. The hot foods were hot and the cold foods were cold. How about that--and there was enough for everyone--even our table, which was served last. (Every year I sit at the table which gets to go for food at the end. Why, I have no idea. But it has become a standing joke.) I had flank steak, salmon, root veggies, whipped sweet potatoes (heaven), delicious salad, some unusual, but best-ever croutons, creamy grits, and great mushroom ravioli. Yes, I had almost too much to eat, although I took small portions of everything. And then I ended my meal with a chocolate-covered-whipped-peanut butter-candy. Oh, my. And the meal included a free glass of very good Cabernet Sauvignon. And coffee or tea to drink with dessert.

Then they had a drawing for prizes, and Gary won a wireless Sony Blue-Ray Disc/DVD Player! That was rather exciting! He hadn't won anything for several years, so I think that really made his evening!

At 10:00 the party ended; those people who wanted to went to the casino. We old folks just went to bed, since we were tuckered out. But we didn't get very good rest. We were next to the room with the ice machine, (lovely rumbling all night long), which was next to the elevators. People were coming off those elevators at all hours of the night from the casino--and they were unbelievable loud. Lucky us.

So I was awake every hour from 11 to 6 and finally got up at 6:30 a.m. We got ready and met friends, Catherine & Jose, for breakfast in the Ko'sin restaurant. This also had great food, and a breakfast bar, which I took advantage of. I got smoked salmon, a danish, fruit compote, some scrambled eggs & roasted potatoes. Soooo good. Since I don't usually eat breakfast, this was a really nice treat.

Then we checked out, came home, Gary took his meds, and I got a little blog commenting done. He ran some errands, and when he came back, we went to Mesa, as we had Brynn's birthday party at 2:00 p.m. She received some wonderful gifts, there were some lovely bits to nibble on, and it was a really relaxing party. We left there and headed up to Scottsdale for dinner at the Westin Kierland Deseo Restaurant with friends, Jon and Carol. Deseo serves Latin American cuisine. We had fantastic lobster ceviche; a great side dish of quinoa, spinach, golden raisins, pine nuts & pears--yummy; and I had jumbo shrimp in an enchildo sauce, which I can only describe as spicy, tomatoey, and quite heavenly. Gary had grilled skirt steak, which I sampled, and it was also delicious. I had Earl Grey tea for dessert, as I was full--I had eaten more in two days than I did almost all week! I rolled myself into bed exhausted that night, and slept like the dead. Gary said I was snoring like mad, too.

Yesterday he finally awakened me at 10:30. Yes, a.m., but that was bad enough! I had a card to make and photograph, as I hadn't managed to get around to it on Thursday night. So I chose a very nice, but simple, sketch to do from Friday Sketch Challenge. I needed something I could create quickly. (For me, anyway.)

Then I needed the bear image, and I remembered the new one from Jellypark Friends, called Bear with Star. I figured I could color him up quickly, and paper-piece his star to use for the sketch. It all came together in one afternoon, which is simply amazing for me!

I printed the image on Cryogen CS and colored it with Copcs: E07, E41, E42, E43, E44. Then I die cut it with a Spellbinders Grand Labels 11 die, and used a larger GL 11 die to create a mat. I used Stampin' Up CS paired with DP from the Basic Grey Life of the Party collection. I edged my papers with a bit of SU ink. My sentiment is from Create with TLC and is die cut with a Spellbinders Classic Rectangles die. To finish the card I added some lace trim and a button from my stash. Easy peasy.

I am trying to work my way through everyone's blogs, so be patient with me as I catch up. Have you got your holiday shopping done? I have no idea how I am going to finish mine on time, as I still have more Christmas cards to make. Sigh.....

Hoping you find a few minutes to create a card and play with us this week.

Before I go, I just want to mention that Gary and I were deeply affected by the Newtown tragedy, as I am sure you were; we are parents and grandparents and just cannot imagine the pain of losing a child to violence--we don't want to imagine it. But we so wish we could ease that pain for the families. We send our heartfelt wishes that the anguish will eventually lessen. Sending everyone involved giant virtual hugs.

Stamptacular Sunday "Christmas Time" Challenge

This week’s challenge is going to be so much fun!  We can’t wait to see what you create!

This week's challenge is a…

“Christmas Time!”

For this week's challenge you will create a Christmas Card!  Simple as that!  No TWISTS, No special DEMANDS and No other REQUIREMENTS…just has to be Christmas!  Oh…and don’t forget to STAMP!  After all…we don’t call this the STAMPtacular Sunday Challenge for nothing!      

You will have from now until midnight (EST) December 22nd, 2012 to complete this challenge and post a DIRECT LINK to your submission into our InLinkz in order to be entered into the drawing for this week's fabulous prize donated by:

MARKER PRO

PRIZE:  $15 Gift Certificate!

AND

BUGABOO

 PRIZE:  Winner’s Choice of 7 Digi Images!

What a great prize--wish I was playing! Good luck! So, I am writing this on Thursday night, and you are seeing it on Sunday. Why, you ask? Well, I am about to tell you, (whether you really wanted to know or not). Because I am spending at least one night at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort this weekend. Gary's Christmas party is on Friday night at the Resort, and we decided to just stay the night. That way we don't have to worry about driving home after imbibing. We are supposed to be able to dance, but I am a bit worried about Gary's shoulder for dancing. Certainly won't be doing any of our fun East Coast Swing moves. Drat! I do so love those.

We might stay a second night. We had planned to at first, then I told Gary I had too much to do for Christmas cards and needed to get home after our granddaughter's birthday party on Saturday afternoon. So he called the Resort to cancel, but they never confirmed the cancellation. So we will go with the thought in mind that we may stay two nights. Then I have to rush home to get busy. That is the reason I am writing this on Thursday--I will not have time Friday, and may not on Saturday. Aren't you thrilled that I, ever so briefly, explained that to you? Yeah, I thought so.

Guess what? I am NOT going to the Cardinals game on Sunday. Boooo, Fair-weather Fan, booooo, hiss! OK, I'll admit it! If they were playing well, I would find a way to go to the game. But they are not. They are playing like a high school team--on a bad day. So it's just not worth the time away from card-making right now. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. Pffffffffffffffffft!

I have my cards ready for long-distance mailing, at least. And those that I will give out at my granddaughter's birthday party on Saturday. Which is yesterday to you. But I realized today (Thursday) that I am about 5 cards short now, instead of 3. Moan. Groan. Etc. Get over it, Penny. Get your butt in gear, and get the cards done! Who said that? And why are you in my computer?

I am taking a deep breath right now. Because I must finish this post so I can get back to starting my card for Monday's DT, which can't be a Christmas card. Gasp! Oh, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy? Who would do such a thing to me right now? I need every card to be a Christmas card. Fiddle faddle.

On to today's offering:  I chose another Rick St. Dennis image--love that guy--called Deck the Halls--love that image! I printed it on Make It Colour Blending Card and colored it with my Copics:  W0, W1, W2, W4, W6, G82, G85, E000, E00, E07, E09, E11, E17, E18, E40, E41, E42, E44, E47, E81, E84. I added Copic Spica to his jingle bells and teeth, (talk about teeth whitening!), then added Glossy Accents to the jingle bells and his eyes, (he didn't notice--he was too busy looking out the window). The image was accented with a white gel pen and was fussy-cut.

I attempted to mimic the image with a Poppystamps Grand Gothic Stained Glass die-cut, lace, and Wild Orchid Crafts roses. Perhaps I should have left well enough alone, but, as the saying goes, it is what it is. Oh, btw, it is raining here tonight, which is an oddity. Can't say as I really appreciate the downpour, as I had to run out and pick up Donovan's poop before the rain hit. Normally that is Gary's territory, but he did just have surgery. Heaven only knows how long it's been since he policed the yard, because I was out there for a flippin' hour! And I had to finish the job with a flashlight as it got dark out there. (We have monsters in our backyard. They're known as Black Widows, and they come out in the dark. I actually forgot about the spiders while I was working. If I had remembered, I would have been more careful where I was putting my hand. BTW, I use plastic gloves on my hands, in case you were wondering. I'm not that gross.) My back has been screaming at me ever since--due to bending over for an hour and the rain. Yeah, sometimes getting old isn't all it's cracked up to be. Now where was I, before I so rudely interrupted myself? Oh, yes, I finished with the window-tag-like-whatever that I stuck behind some DP.

And that DP is from the Carta Bella Christmas Day collection, which was distressed, like me right now. I used both my Zutter Distrezz-It-All and SU ink for distressing. I paired it with Stampin' Up CS--you know, SUCS. (I still feel guilty every time I type that, but it's a giggly guilt.) And then I really went berserk. Like totally, man, totally. (Do they say that anymore? And who are "they" anyway? Don't you sometimes wonder? I do. Well, that explains that, doesn't it!) Yup, I went over-and-above-the-top. It was a bumpy ride, too. You should try it sometime. I threw so many things on this poor card, like: more WOC roses & crown stick pins; Stickled die-cuts from the Memory Box Crystalline Border die and the Frostyville die; a couple of Create with TLC sentiments, (one printed on another die-cut from Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two and the other fancy-cut after printing); laces; a bow; cheesecloth; jingle bells; and key charms.

And, if that isn't enough stuff for you, too bad. I refuse to add any more. This card would cost me a flippin' fortune to send, so I will probably give it to someone here in town.

Enough writing. I have much to do yet tonight. And I must take Donovan, the little poop-sie-doopster, to my sister's home for weekend dog-sitting tomorrow morning--remember, this is Thursday for me. And Merrilyn and I are going out to lunch before I race back home (we live 30 miles apart), and get packed for the weekend. Plus, I have to actually put on make-up for Gary's party--don't want to scare anybody there. And my make-up artist is sooo slow--so that'll take over an hour. Oh, just kidding. It takes me 15 minutes at the most. And then there's the matter of what to wear to this year's Christmas party. Oh, rats, I just remembered: the jacket I bought on sale at Chico's has to be ironed. Oh, yeah, I've got time. Surely I do. And don't call me Shirley.

I'm off. I will tell you tomorrow (Monday) about the party tomorrow (Friday). Did I confuse you yet? Good, that's my main mission in life.

Hey, Peeps, have a great week! And have fun creating another Christmas card for our challenge--anything you want. And then mail it to me, unsigned, so I can send it to someone on my card list, OK? Thanks. I really appreciate that.

Through The Craft Room Door Anything Goes Challenge

The November/December issue of Through The Craft Room Door online magazine has 90+ pages of fun tutorials with loads of inspiration and with more FREE digis that are located in the "Subscribers Only Area"! You will also have access to all the previous issues. The video to the right was created by Jo and gives you a glimpse of what the magazine has to offer.

This week we have two sponsors: our own Sandi Huggett of SandiSamples with 4 digis:

 and Oozak with a $10.00 GC:

Well, hello, and welcome back to civility. I am no longer as bah humbug as I was yesterday. A little sleep goes a long way toward mellowing the savage beast within. I have to say that I am not entirely happy with my coloring for today, either, but I decided to just go with what I had. Besides, I was just thrilled to have made a card in one day--I was afraid I was going to miss the deadline. So the fact that I finished the card on time more than made up for the coloring.

Here's an update that I know you are all dying to hear: the fantasy football leagues I am in are through for the season--they now go into playoffs. I am 11-3 in one league, with the best record, but the only female to make it into the playoffs. Not so good in the other league, where I am 5-8-1, which is totally wrong. Wrong, I tell you--I had the first pick in the draft and I got Aaron Rodgers. And some other really good players. And I thought I had a decent team. But, as in all fantasy football, luck came in and bit me on the butt. Which hurt, btw. So I missed the playoffs in that league, which just means I have more time to devote to making cards. Christmas cards. As in, I still don't have enough made yet.

Yeah, if I get 3 more made, I will have enough to cover those people we give cards to each year. If I get one in the mail from anyone else, I am in trouble. And I am waiting for those spare cards you have made for me to use. (Tapping foot--where are they? I need them like yesterday. C'mon, People, get your rears in gear. I thank you. My recipients thank you.)

So last night, which was actually Sunday--but you are reading this on Tuesday, sorry to confuse you--last night Gary was making us dinner as I was finishing some comments on blog posts. And I heard this horrendous yell come from the kitchen. I have been married to Gary long enough to know that meant that he burnt himself on something. He has done this twice before, once in each of the last  two houses we lived in. He ends up with his hand in icy water for most of the night, before the pain subsides.

Yup, that's what he did again. He thought he had set the timer on the microwave for 3 minutes. Instead, he had placed a plate in there and turned the microwave on high for 3 minutes. When the buzzer went off he opened up the door and grabbed the plate. Not his best idea ever. Not even his second-best idea ever. Anyway, when he screamed like a baby hollered, I went running out there, got him some ice-water in a bowl, and finished plating up our dinner. And I hate to say it, because he really is a good cook, but this meal was just meh! Not worth getting burned over. Perhaps I shall have to take over the cooking duties from here on. Oh, bite your tongue, Penny Eileen! You will not, I repeat, not start cooking again. Are you crazy? Just when you do have the time? Certainly not at the moment.

And why am I talking to myself like this? I may be losing what little mind I have left. Sigh......

Alrighty, this card, that I worked on until 4:30 a.m. in order to apply Stickles & Glossy Accents, was made using one of Sandi Huggett's images, "Madi Tries". I think she is a cute little stinker, (ah, Madi, not Sandi, though she is cute, too, just not much of a stinker). I colored Madi once, tore her up & tossed her in the garbage, reprinted her, and colored her again. Now you know why I was up until 4:30 a.m.--which was OK, because Gary was still treating his burnt fingers. So we kept each other company, if you can call it that, with him in one room and me in another. Where was I? Hmmm...oh yeah, the image.

Well, I printed Madi on Make It Colour Blending Card and colored her with my Copics:  W00, W0, W1, W2, W3, W5, W7, W9, R20, E11, E13, E21, E25. Almost all neutrals, can you believe it? Neither can I!!!! I added gold Stickles to her crown & halo, and Glossy Accents to her eyes. Which then looked a little bugged out, so I figured she might have a bit of a thyroid problem. I die cut her with a Spellbinders Grand Labels 4 die, matted that with another Grand Labels die, and dotted the background with various W Copics.

My DP came from the Basic Grey Aspen Frost collection, which I mounted on Stampin' Up CS. I printed my sentiment from Create with TLC on MICBC also. I die cut it with a Spellbinders Classic Circle die and matted it with a die cut using a Spellbinders Decorative Labels 1 die. Then I mounted those on some wings, which were cut using the La-La Land Wings die. I got this last idea from Alyce from Kit and Clowder. Thanks, Alyce! BTW, Peeps, if you have not been to this website, run, do not walk, to do so. Metaphorically speaking, of course. You will LOVE her creations! :^)

I added a few embellies--some Queen & Co. pearls; Wild Orchid Crafts flowers & crown stick pin; and laces, tulle, and cheesecloth from my stash.

I am going to enter the following with this card:

Basic Grey It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Challenge
CMC Copic Metallic Gleam
Hooked on Craft Christmas Challenge
Love to Create Anything Goes
The Paper Shelter Two of Anything Challenge

Before I close, I want to apologize for not getting to your individual blogs today. I hope to catch up tomorrow--I just follow so many wonderful people that it makes it a challenge to get to all of you! And most of you post much more often than I do! So, I ask, in the name of all that I cherish, would you please slow down! It is Christmas time for cryin' out loud. Give an old woman a break, will ya? (Oh, shoot, my evil twin is back and in fine form, I see. Sorry about that.)

'K. 'Nuf said. Go, create, and show us what you've got!

The Outlawz Greeting Card "It's A Jungle Out There" Challenge

Howdy, Outlawz! It's a Monday again, funny how that happens, and time for another Greetings Card Challenge. You ready? Well, we are--Chana, Brenda, anaRy, Sheree, Alex, Edie and I are tickled that the talented Kathi Silvia is joining us as our guest designer this month. And we all welcome you to this week's challenge. But first, we want to let you know how much we appreciated your participation in last week's The Eyes Have It Challenge. We loved seeing what you created and are looking forward to you playing again this week with our new challenge:

It's A Jungle Out There!

Use animal prints or make an animal the focal point of your design.

Our special sponsors this month are:

 Di's Digi Designs

And

I really shouldn't be blogging right now. I am just too crabby. You know that Maxine? She's got nothin' on me. Absolutely nothing. I could bury her with a single glare.

So you see, it really isn't a good time to be blogging. Gary did just bring me a glass of wine--to tame the wild beast, I suppose--but so far, it is not having a positive effect. And here's why I am growly-owly at the moment: this card gave me absolute fits. But not until after I had it put together, and was taking photos. Then, I saw this flaw & that flaw & the other flaw with my coloring. Which I couldn't tolerate. So I spent an additional four, (count them with me, 1, 2, 3, 4), hours correcting the coloring and re-taking the photos, and correcting the coloring and re-taking the photos, and, well, you get the idea. Oh, me. And you know what? I finally gave up, because my light was going, so I couldn't take any more pictures. Aaaaaargh! What you see is not what I really wanted you to get. Pffffffffffft.

But that's not the only reason I am crabby. My Arizona Cardinals are playing in Seattle right now and are behind 48 to NOTHING!!!!! In the third quarter. How is that possible? I mean, how badly can a team play? And we still have tickets for two more games at home, dadgumit. After a nine-game losing streak, who cares? Gary suggested that we go to the next game with paper bags on our heads, like the Saints fans did years ago. Not such a bad idea, as long as I can put terrible graffiti on my paper bag. Grrrrrrr. I am open to suggestions for exactly what my paper bag should say.

And this is my weekend to post the challenge. Good thing I had it mostly done before this afternoon, isn't it? (Oh, yes, this is Sunday, not Monday, as I write this.) Well, I'd best get to it and let you know the details of this *&^%^* card of mine.

I do love the image, even if I don't care for my coloring of it. The image is QKR Stampede Santa's Helper , which I think is a really cute rendition of a turtle Santa. Or Santa's helper. Does that mean he delivers his gifts late? You know, 'cuz turtles are so slow. Yeah, he'll probably show up around New Year's. Better late than never, right? (Turtles are slow, but they always finish the race. Or at least that's the rumor I heard.)  Hmmmm, the wine seems to be mellowing me a bit, doesn't it?

I looked through my collection of DP, and I decided that the North Country collection by Prima would be good for the turtle. Don't ask me why; I couldn't explain that one if I tried. I combined this DP with some Stampin' Up CS. Oh, and I printed the image on Cryogen CS. So that takes care of the paper issues.

My image was colored with Copics, over and over and over again. The list of the offending instruments: BG70, BG72, BG75, BG78, E02, E08, E09, E53, E55, E57, YG91, YG93, YG95, YG97. I added white gel pen for accents, Stickles to the candy cane, Glossy Accents to his eyes, (and he didn't care, trust me), and Sparkly Fluff to his hat trim.

My sentiment is from Create with TLC, printed on Cryogen CS, sponged with SU ink, die cut with a Spellbinders Classic Circle die, and framed with a die cut from the Cheery Lynn Nautical Wheeler die.

I die cut the image with a Spellbinders Labels 22 die, sponged it with SU ink, and mounted it on a doily cut from the Cheery Lynn Nautical Wheeler die. The other dies that I used were:  Cheery Lynn Christmas Sleigh Border and Memory Box Santa's Hat. I also added lace, twine, and a mitten button from my stash.

OK, Peeps, please jump on over to the Greeting Card Challenge at The Outlawz and show us your stuff! Looking forward to seeing your creations! And have a great week.

P.S. I apologize for being so grumpy. I'll be nicer tomorrow. At least I'll try.

I decided to enter this little monster into:
Dilly Beans Traditional Christmas Colors Challenge

Stamptacular Sunday Anything BUT A CARD Challenge

This week’s challenge is going to be so much fun!  We can’t wait to see what you create!

This week's challenge is a…

“Anything BUT A CARD!”

For this week's challenge you will create something you’d make to give as a gift!  The possibilities are endless…whatever your mind can create and your heart desires!  Have fun with this one!  Oh…and don’t forget to STAMP!  After all…we don’t call this the STAMPtacular Sunday Challenge for nothing!      

You will have from now until midnight (EST) December 14^th, 2012 to complete this challenge and post a DIRECT LINK to your submission into our InLinkz in order to be entered into the drawing for this week's fabulous prize donated by:

MARIANNE DESIGN

PRIZE:  It’s a SURPRISE!

I am so pleased. By changing my comment enabling to block "Anonymous", I have gotten rid of the spammers! Yaaaaaaaaaaaay! So, if any of you are being inundated with spammers like I was, just change that feature, and Presto, Chango! Your problems will be over! At least I hope they will. And, if for some quirky reason they are not, please don't blame the messenger. I tried. 

We had our annual family dinner last night at Logan's Steakhouse. Now, for those of you who are foodies and wouldn't set foot in a Logan's, just hold on a minute! I love really good steaks, too, and have been known to pay a pretty price for them. But you get a really decent $16+ filet (6 oz.) with two tasty sides at Logan's and it just doesn't break the bank. KWIM? They cook it to order every time we go there, and they season it quite well. So what's not to like? Besides Gary and I had the baked sweet potato, which is quite yummy, due to all the butter & cinnamon they add, which we shouldn't eat, but we do, once in a blue moon. And we also had a dinner salad of fresh crispy veggies & lettuce with good bleu cheese dressing. Then there are the dinner rolls, which they bring out by the wagonloads, which just melt in your mouth--probably because they are really sweet and brushed with plenty of butter. So there's no need to add more, (although I believe some family members did). 

All in all, quite a yummy meal, and priced right. With my sisters, Barbara & Merrilyn; their men, Jim and Ron; Jim's mom, Berniece; my brother, Larry; his daughter, Abby; her son, cutie pie (2-year old) Tristan; her boyfriend, Mike; her mom, Kay--it was quite an interesting group of lovely peeps. And a great time was had by all. At least I think it was. We decided to just share cards this year, (and, Barbara, the card you gave us is absolutely gorgeous--thank you!), which made the evening more enjoyable. No pressure to come up with the perfect gift--just the gift of each other's company. So, six of my Christmas card stash disappeared, and I am starting to panic. 

Not an all-out panic mode. Not yet. Give me another week, and I will probably be there. Just a pre-boil, sizzling kind of panic. And, if any of you want to alleviate that for me, just send me all your gorgeous cards now--so I can use them for the rest of my card list, OK? Thank you. You have no idea how much this will help Gary. He thanks you, too. Of course, he keeps telling me to just go out and buy cards to send. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT? Telling a card-maker that just. is. not. done. It causes all sorts of contortions and unintelligible spluttering. And by the way, I have a very sore neck. Not sure if it is from sleeping wrong, whiplash, or coloring with my Copics. (I just put in the whiplash bit, for fill. I haven't been in an accident.)

On to my project. Which I know looks like a card. But, it isn't. It's a small Christmas scrapbook for my dog groomer. Who is pregnant with her first child, a little girl she is naming Ellie. And I finished the book and gave it to her yesterday, all wrapped up. So I have no idea if she likes it or not. But I wasn't happy with the finished product--because once I glued in all the DP the book took on a life of its own. It morphed into an awkward-looking stuffed monster. Which didn't even come close to shutting. So I had to put a rubber band around it to wrap it. Geeesh! I was actually not going to give it to her, and then I decided, what the he**. What else was I going to do with it? Throw it away? Um, no, not with a whole 6x6 paper pad inside it. And hours spent making it. (Insert heavy sigh here.)

I have been wanting to use this Saturated Canary image, Butterfly Baby, for quite a while now. Thought this was the perfect time. The baby is so cute--like all of Krista's images. I printed her on Cryogen CS and colored her with my Copics: E000, E00, E11, E33, E35, R20, R81, R83, R85, BG70, BG72, BG75, YG61, YG63, YG67, Y21, YR23. I accented her with a bit of white gel pen and Glossy Accents for her eyes, which I hope doesn't affect her vision as she grows up. And now I wish I had used a little sparkle on her wings, but it's a bit late for that. Use your imagination, OK? I added some stamping around the image, using the SU Vintage Vogue set and SU ink. Then I die cut the image with a Spellbinders Labels 1 die, and framed this using a Spellbinders Decorative Labels 1 die on SU card stock. My card base was also from SU CS and my DP is from the Carta Bella Merry & Bright collection. 

My Create with TLC sentiment was die cut with a Spellbinders Marvelous Squares die, and framed with a die cut made with a Spellbinders Classic Squares die. The other dies I used were Cheery Lynn Lacey Christmas Ornaments, and Memory Box Snowflake Corner. 

I did distress my DP with my scissors, as it was late at night when I needed to do this, and my Zutter tool is too noisy to use then. Well, it's either scissors or I can kiss my marriage goodbye. And we all know what I'll choose, don't we?

I added lace, pom-pom trim, ribbon dyed with Copic ink, a button, and some baker's twine all from my stash to complete the cover. So, there it is, in all its glory--before I turned it into a behemoth.

And I am entering this into the following:

Cheery Lynn Happy Holidays Challenge
Love to Create Holiday Cheer Challenge

What will you create that is not a card? I am really looking forward to finding out. Have a great week!

Too Quiet

Hey, Peeps, hope you are having a wonderful Friday! I just wanted to say "hello", as I have been really quiet the last few days. (Well, quiet on my blog, anyway!) I am busy creating chaos, wreaking havoc, and generally having a wonderful manic episode. I will be back on Sunday with a real post and a card, so don't go anywhere. Well, unless it's a fun anywhere, and then you have my permission--nay, my blessing--to do whatev!

Just a note: I am being spammed to death right now. OK, that's really a slight exaggeration. But I have been receiving a ton of spams from various "Anonymous" sources. So I have changed my "comment enabling" to block the Anonymous users. I hope it works. (Keeping my fingers, toes, and other appendages crossed--and that's very uncomfortable!)Just FYI, okey dokey? I knew you would understand.

Have a great weekend, Everydobby. (Yes, I know there is no such word. And your point?)

The Outlawz Greeting Card "The Eyes Have It" Challenge

We are looking for you to incorporate eyelets in your design, or to use an image in which the eyes are the focal point. Another easy-peasy challenge, don't you think? This week's challenge is being sponsored by:

I tell you I am cracking the whip around here! Gary is making dinner as I start this post. Didn't I tell you he just had shoulder surgery? Well, that's no excuse for him to be sitting down on the job and not fixing my meals! Dagnabbit!

Actually, he wanted to fix dinner. He is really feeling exceptionally well for someone who went under the knife on Thursday. He and our daughter, Angela, (hey, Kiddo), went out to lunch Saturday and then to a movie. After he came home he decided we needed to go to the store and get some food so he could cook. So I drove him to Fry's last night and we shopped.

Today he drove over to Target by himself to buy a new razor, which he happily got on sale. Fifty percent off. Kewl! So I guess he is good to go now, and can take himself to physical therapy tomorrow. Again, kewl--saves me a trip early in the a.m.! (You know how well I do "early". Kind of like you, when your air supply is cut off.)

Gary got to shower this morning, and boy, howdy, did that ever make him happy! He is not much for sponge-bathing, but that's what he had to do until he could remove his bandages today. Imagine my surprise when I saw not one, not two, but three surgical openings--one in front of his shoulder, one on the side, and one in the back. They are all small, as he had arthroscopic surgery, but still. Three holes? Did they really have to use three? Couldn't they have gotten by with two? Good thing this was his left shoulder--otherwise they would have destroyed that expensive tattoo he got in Maui last spring. Yeah, there's always a silver lining to find if you look hard enough.

Insert a half hour or so here. Aw, come on, humor me. (Please?)

Well, I just had dinner, which was quite tasty, even if it was spaghetti sauce out of a jar. We added turkey pepperoni, rather he did, and it was fairly good. They claim it is 70% less fat than the regular pepperoni; so would you please explain to me why there is more cholesterol? What did they do, concentrate it? I don't get it.

Another thing I don't get is why our Arizona Cardinals suck so badly this year. You know, I've an urge to give them a piece of my mind! (It has to be a very small piece, though, as I can't afford to lose much.) Honestly. Right now they really stink up the football field. PU! Well, perhaps the saving grace is, with a terrible record, they can draft high next spring. See, what did I tell you--always a silver lining in that dark cloud.

I am getting my hair cut on Tuesday and Don gets his trim on Friday. We are going to be so stylin'. Perhaps I should start taking him for a walk so everyone could admire us.....Naw, that would mean exercise. And I shake in my booties when I say that word. It's like "work"--I am retired so I no longer need to work. And I'm old, so I no longer need to exercise. That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

I imagine you are ready for my card, huh? (Or in Canada, eh?) Alrighty then, here goes:  my image is QKR Stampede Lg. Santa's List, printed on Make It Colour Blending Card. My sentiment is from Create with TLC, printed onto a die cut of Stampin' Up CS. My other CS is from DCWV, and my DP is from the Crate Paper Sleigh Ride collection. I distressed my DP and inked my tags, (including the one received from Jennifer Scull this fall--hey, Jen, howdy do), and added my eyelets to the tags. I added a bit of twine to the tags, too, because I could. And then I added some ribbon and a fancy clip from my stash, as well as two little bulbs from Mayberry Street. (I thought I was buying little strings of lights from Hobby Lobby. Imagine my surprise when I received a bazillion individual ones. I have enough lights to last two lifetimes. Yes, Elizabeth, you will be getting some of these lights in your package.) Oh, and my die-cut tags were made with the Magnolia Doohicky Vintage Tag die.

Santa was colored with my Copics: E000, E00, E11, E40, E41, E42, C3, C5, C7, C9, R02, R05, R08, R20, R59. I accented him with a bit of white gel pen, then added Glossy Accents to his belt and boots and Sparkly Fluff to his body hair (really?) and suit trim.

And I am astonished! It is 7:30 p.m. and I have my blog post done for tomorrow, (well, today for you), and I can even go to bed at a decent hour tonight. Or not. Depends on how long my iced tea keeps me wired, doesn't it.

Looking forward to your creations this week, Peeps. Let's see what you can do with the "eyes", OK? I'm off to catch up on blog post comments. I hope. Oh, and Kathi R, I would not take your nice self with us. Only your evil twin. I have my standards, and, besides, I need to look like the nice one. So there. You really do make me laugh. Out loud even.

Stamptacular Sunday "Christmas Photo Inspiration" Challenge

This week’s challenge is going to be so much fun!  We can’t wait to see what you create!

This week's challenge is a…

“CHRISTMAS PHOTO Inspiration!”

For this week's challenge you will create a CHRISTMAS card using the above photo as your inspiration.  Your possibilities are endless!  Oh…and don’t forget to STAMP!  After all…we don’t call this the STAMPtacular Sunday Challenge for nothing!      

You will have from now until midnight (EST) December 8^th, 2012 to complete this challenge and post a DIRECT LINK to your submission into our InLinkz in order to be entered into the drawing for this week's fabulous prize donated by:

PAPER TEMPTRESS

PRIZE:  

OMGoodness. It is 2:00 a.m. What? I had just gone to bed, after working late on a card, and realized that I forgot to write up this post! Good grief! How am I supposed to be witty at this hour of the morning? Sorry, I just can't do it. I want to go back to bed. Waaaaaah.

I promise to write something with more substance, with more meat to it, for my Monday blog post. Well, at least I promise to try!

But tonight, or this morning, I am simply going to list my card details.

I chose "Sugar Plum" by Rick St. Dennis. I think his images are very eccentric, which I find enormously appealing. Although I am not really into his Creepmas images at the moment. Perhaps they'll grow on me in time. I do love this image, though, as well as many others that I bought when he ran his great holiday sale.

I have to say, I really went berserk on this card. I didn't mean to, and wanted to start over when I was done. But I had too many DT commitments to finish, so I just went with it. I had thought Sugar Plum needed extra flash, due to her appearance, but I know I overdid it. Oh, well...such is life. Hopefully, I will show more restraint with the next R. St. Dennis image I use.

I started with DP from the Echo Park Very Merry Christmas collection. I paired it with CS from Stampin' Up and DCWV. Sugar Plum was printed on Make it Colour Blending Card, as was my sentiment from Create with TLC. I then cut out my sentiment with a Whimsy Ticket die.

I colored S.P. with my Copics: G82, G85, R20, C00, C1, C3, C4, E000, E00, E04, E07, E11, E21, E23, E25, E29. I accented her with a white gel pen, and then added Glossy Accents to her eyes and the ornaments, and Copic Spica to her earrings, necklace, jingle bells, and belt.

I used several dies, (as you can probably tell): Whimsy's Winter Jewel 1; Cheery Lynn Lacey Christmas Ornaments, Cheery Lynn Merry Christmas, Cheery Lynn Snowflakes 2, 3, and 6; Memory Box Snowflake Corner, Memory Box Bianca Snowflake, Memory Box Tivoli Snowflake, and Memory Box Star of Wonder. I added some Stickles to the Cheery Lynn ornaments, although who could tell?

I finished the card with a Stampin' Up stick pin; some ribbon, lace, tulle, and mini pom cording from my stash; Me and My Big Ideas Icons; a Maya Road mini hanger; and a key and jewelry findings from my stash. Like I said: I really overdid this one. So sorry. I can't say it won't happen again, but I can say I will try to show more restraint in the future.

Okey dokey, Peeps, the rest of the DT always has fabulous creations, so be sure to check them out. And we always get wonderful entries into our challenges, so I am really looking forward to what you have for us this week! (After I get some sleep.)

Blog Candy Winner!

Well, I drew the name for my blog candy winner! The lucky lady is Elizabeth Hart! Hey, Elizabeth, congratulations! :^) Please email me at: pengar70@cox.net to give me your shipping address.

I want to thank all of you who entered, and all of you who comment on my posts. I really enjoy writing these up and sending them out into Blogland. And I so appreciate all the wonderful comments I get on my cards. I know I do not individually send thank-yous to each of you. That's only because I want to comment on all the blogs I follow, as well as my DT assignments. And there is only just so much time in the day. I wish there was more! Especially when I have DT cards due! ;^) Just know that I really appreciate you taking the time to leave a bit of love for me, too!

Have a great weekend, Peeps! Will be posting again tomorrow. Yikes! I'd best get busy! Elizabeth, be sure to contact me.