thank you

Today's card is going into a challenge I've not participated in, before...
Color Q (Color Q Color Challenge) - CQC #65
I really like the combination of colors in the inspiration photo...take a look!

Pretty, huh???  You can click on the link (above) to read all of the challenge details.

Here is my card ~

Bringing together these colors proved to be a little more difficult than I thought.  I guess that's why they call it a "challenge"!  I used a dry embossing technique for the hydrangea, that I had not used before.  I saw a video tutorial by Dawn O. that showed how easy this technique is...and it was easy.  The image is stamped onto vellum, then embossed with a stylus from the back of the sheet.  Fun and easy!
I wish you could reach into the pics and feel the raised areas of the flower.  Here is the link to Dawn's video...
Dry Embossing Vellum Hydrangea by dostamping

Thanks so much for stopping in to take a look at my blog.  I hope you leave a comment...I love reading them!

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The recipe:

CS: kraft, basic gray, whisper white (SU), white vellum (The Paper Studio)

DSP: walk in the park (SU) I used a piece of the olive green leaf paper.

Ink: basic black (SU), jet black (Staz-On)

Stamps: because I care (SU)

Other: basic gray ribbon (SU), build-a-brad (SU) I used a piece of the same green leaf paper in the brad., 2 black brads (Recollections)

Sympathy...

Since I've depleted my stash of sympathy cards, I'm working on getting a few put away for future use.  This is a type of card that I always want to have on hand.  When one is needed, I  like to be able to drop it in the mail right away.
So, this card will go into my stash.

I'm playing along with two challenges today:
Mojo Monday, week 171 - Julee provided two sketches for us (round or square).

 Stacey's Stamping Stage - Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 62

This is what I came up with -

Since this is a sympathy, I went light on the embellishments.  I chose a button from SU's "button latte" and added a piece of baker's twine from RRR.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder for the 4 pieces of early espresso card stock...and matted the sentiment panel on a piece of pear pizzaz card stock.  I'm really pleased with the way this card turned out.  Thanks so much for stopping in, and please leave comment...I enjoy reading them!
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Recipe:

CS: pear pizzazz, early espresso, whisper white, baja breeze (SU)

Ink: early espresso (SU)

Stamps: forever in our hearts (Verve)

Embossing folder: Sizzix

Other: button (button latte from SU), green/white baker's twine (Really Reasonable Ribbon)

Someone so special

My card today is going into the Just Us Girls color challenge - JUGS #64.
A few weeks ago I sent out the only sympathy card that I had in my stash.  I told my husband this morning, that I need to make some sympathy cards today.  Usually, when I need one, I want to send it out right away.  Well, sadly...I found out this afternoon, that I need one.
So this card is going into the mail immediately.  I had already planned to use the JUGS color challenge, and I love these colors for a sympathy card.

Here is the beautiful inspiration photo that the talented ladies at JUGS provided.  Aren't these colors soothing?

Here is my card.  I tried to keep it fairly clean and simple, considering the occasion.  I added 3 green pearls to the tree.  I embossed my layer of blue cardstock and tied on a piece of green ribbon.

The recipe:

Stamps: forever in our hearts (Verve)

CS: old olive, bashful blue, whisper white (SU)

Ink: basic black (SU)

Other: embossing folder (Cuttlebug), ribbon and pearls from my stash

I have proof!!!

I FINALLY made Christmas cookies today.  And...I have the pictures to prove it...lol...

I'm one of those people that start my Christmas shopping in the summer.  I know...no one wants to hear that, huh?  I like to get it completed so that I can enjoy the holiday season.  I DON'T enjoy fighting the crowds (and the northern Illinois weather) as Christmas draws near.
Each year, I think that I'll have all of this spare time to do all of the other "Christmas-y" stuff.  But, somehow...I'm still very busy.  For a number of years now, I haven't even found the time to make Christmas cookies.  And my DH loves Christmas cookies!  I decided that instead of stamping today {gasp!}...it was time to make cookies for him.  He's so good to me...and I love him so much!  Just as much today, as 33 years ago, when we married!
It was a perfect day for cookie making today...bright sunshine, single digit temps outside (all the more reason to stay inside and bake) oh...and I started the day relaxing with a hot cup of green tea with mint.....mmm....{insert big smile here}.
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The holidays are not a happy time for everyone, I know.  We lost our nephew, Matthew,  to leukemia in May of this year.  His photo is in the left hand column of this blog.  He was a wonderful and courageous young man. We miss him so much...even more as the holidays approach. 
But, I still have to appreciate and find joy in all that I can.  I SO appreciate my and my husband's families.  And our friends of many years.  We are truly blessed to have all of these wonderful people in our lives.

May you have a blessed Christmas and a peaceful new year.

Susie

thanks {so much}

Whoo - my second post today!  I usually don't have the time to do that, but, I'm spending the day stamping  :o)
This card is going to a former co-worker and friend.  Each year, my friend Pam and I co-host a Christmas party for a bunch (the attendance varies each year) of former co-workers/friends.  Our workplace closed down in 1999 but, thankfully, we continue to stay in touch.  This annual party is SO much fun!  Each year, one particular friend brings gifts for me and Pam.  She is just so sweet.  Even though she has dealt with the loss of loved ones, 2 years in a row - in November...she still is so thoughtful and giving to others.  What a blessing she is to those around her.
This card is going out to her, in thanks for the sweet gift...and her friendship.

I'm participating in the following challenges, with this card ~

The Play Date Cafe - Color Splash Challenge (PDCC60 ~ black & white with a splash of yellow)

Paper Pals Arts Challenge - CAS Elements of Style - Get your lace in place!!

In fact, this is my 2nd entry in the Paper Pals Arts challenge today.  I had so much fun working with lace earlier today...that I decided to use lace on another card.  This beautiful lace is one that I bought recently, and I've been looking for an excuse to use it...yea...like I need an excuse.
On to the card ~

Maybe I got a little carried away with the number of photos.  I was trying to capture all of the details.  It was difficult to show the dry embossed black panel, so I included an angled photo (closeup).  In the bottom photo you can see some of the border punched yellow cs that I added to the inside.  I thought this MS punch mimicked the V shapes in the lace, on the front of the card.  The black brad, in the center of the bow, is covered in corduroy...it has such a soft look, in real life.  I attached my tiny thank you sentiment with a piece of bakers twine.  The black and white swirled pattern is actually a piece of vellum, that I found in a mixed media pack that I've had for a while.
Well, I've chattered enough!  If you've read all the way to the end of this post..thank you for your patience!!!

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My recipe:

Card stock: whisper white, basic black, so saffron (SU)

Stamp: tiny tags (SU)

Patterned paper: printed vellum from mixed media pack (Best Occasions)

Other: swirl embossing folder (Cuttlebug), brides mother trim white (Offray), white satin ribbon (Celebrate It), corduroy brad (from my stash), baker's twine (Really Reasonable Ribbons)

A warm hello...

This card was SO much fun to make!  I rarely make a card that isn't rectangular or square.  But...when I saw a card in PaperCrafts magazine that used this template, I knew I had to make one.  This was very easy to make.  Sometimes templates can be so time consuming, so I've not done many of them.
Once I printed and cut out the template, this cute designer series paper from SU (Bella Birds) did most of the work for me.  I sponged a little Pretty In Pink around the edges of the lamp, which really softened the look of the card.
This card will go into the mail to one of my aunts.  She wears pink quite often (and it's a great color on her). And I remember, over the years, that many of her blouses have a lace trim on the collar.  I know that this card will make her smile  :)
This card is going into the Paper Pals Arts Challenge:
PPA73-CAS Elements of Style - Get Your Lace in Place!!

Here is the inspiration photo that the Paper Pals have provided ~ love it! 

And, here is my card:

As always....you can click on a photo to see a larger version.

 Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog.  I hope you'll stop in again!
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My recipe ~

Lamp template: PaperCrafts magazine website

Stamps: petite messages (Hero Arts), fine flourish [inside the card] (SU)

Designer Series Paper: bella birds (SU)

Card Stock: whisper white (SU)

Ink: chocolate chip, pretty in pink (SU)

Other: lace (Offray), pink pearls (Recollections), oval punches (SU)

Pals Paper Arts challenge 72

While browsing the blogs this morning, I came across a blog challenge that I had not yet participated in.  It's Pals Paper Arts.  I'm familiar with their challenges, but for whatever reason, had never participated.  WELL...what drew me in was the group of inspiration photos....gorgeous!  Winter whites and neutrals.  Take a look!

I just had to participate ; )
Here is my take on the challenge ~

I apologize for the quality of the photos.  It looks like I was holding my camera sorta crooked, doesn't it?  Ugh...
Anyway, this is a card I really enjoyed creating.  I love the layers of vanilla cardstock, the border punch (MS), lace and a little gold metallic marker (for edging).  Of course, I had to use a little lace, too.  I am loving using lace lately.  It adds such softness to a card or project.  I also added some flat back gold pearls between the points of the lace border.  Along the right edge of the card base I added a few score lines, using my Scor-Buddy.
This sentiment is one I picked up at a local craft store.  It's by Paper Inspirations.  The card stock is all from SU!
Please let me know what you think!  Thanks for stopping by :)