Sneak Peek

This layout was created for my first design team challenge over at Scrap Our Stash. Join us on December 1st to find out what that challenge is and to take that challenge yourself.

And while you are there, don't forget to play along with our Identify Our Stash contest. Become a follower so you don't miss a minute of the fun and games we have planned. I hope to see you there!

Annual Gingerbread Houses

Today is the official start of the holiday season for us. It all begins with the annual gingerbread house making afternoon; which is always the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Kelsey gets to invite her friends over for this yearly tradition. They spend about 2 hours working on their creations, getting all sugared up, then spend the rest of the day playing football and tag. Each year, the participants change a bit, but the fun always stays the same.

Here are a few photos of the progress of their houses. I am amazed that the older kids still participate in this activity. I am waiting for the dreadful, not this year, Mom.

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Don't forget check out the Scrap Our Stash blog for the "Identify Our Stash" contest and join me on December 1st for our first challenge. I hope to see you there!

Identify Our Stash

As I announced earlier this week, I was chosen to be a part of the Scrap Our Stash design team.

Today, Kathy posted an Identify Our Stash challenge to help you get to know each of us. All you have to do is read our reveals and/or visit our blogs for a clue as to what we have the most in our stash. You have until November 30th to get your answers in and don't forget to join us December 1st for our first design team challenge.

My clue is: Come by and let me show you the "ABC's" of scrapping your stash.

Good Luck!!!

Sketchy Thursday

This layout was created using the sketch challenge from here. I liked the sketch so much, that I decided to use it pretty much as is. I took one photo of the girls and cropped each one so that I could have three individual photos, then I put the photo back together following the sketch.



This layout came together very quickly and the colors just POP!!! It matches the fun that the girls' had that day.

Another Christmas Card

I was able to use many different techniques on this project, which resulted in a very textural card. I used the Cuttlebug embossing template to create the dots on my cardstock. I cut out my ornament using scraps and stamped it using clear embossing powder. I sprinkled it with gold em. powder and then heat set. I also used a photo hanger to serve as the finial where I tied my bow.

I stamped "NOEL" on paper strips and cut them down to size. I then distressed the edges of the pattern paper that is on the ornament.

Once the card was put together, I used a tracing wheel to faux sew along the edge of the card. I then pen stitched following the holes left by the tool. By holding the pen straight up and down, the tip falls into each hole creating the look of a stitch being pulled up from the back; kind of like the bobbin thread does when sewing. This tool gives the most authentic look that I have ever seen done without a sewing machine. Plus, it also has texture to it because you can feel the indentations left by the tool.

This card may seem complicated, but it really is not. Once the pieces were cut and embossed, it all came together really quickly.

Drum Roll, Please

I am excited to announce that I have been chosen to be on the design team for Scrap Our Stash. It is a monthly challenge blog designed to help people scrap with the supplies they already have on hand.

I had to submit 3 projects that showcased using things from my stash. The layout "This Girl" was created using leftover paper strips and and pieces from a previously used kit club.

Keep watching the blog for some fun and budget saving tips and tricks. And beginning December 1st, join us for the first Scrap Our Stash challenge, using supplies that you already have. Who knows, maybe you will be inspired to try something new, with something old.

Over a week ago, my dh dropped my laptop and I lost it all. He bought me a new one and for the past week I have been trying to get things back in working order. I need to retake some of the photos that I had ready for the blog, but here is one that I just completed.

This layout was created for the October Off the Page Challenge from here. I have finished most of my challenges from the weekend online crop. You can see some of them here. It was such fun. I can't wait to join another one. (Thanks, Shirley!)

PSA: I just want to remind you how important it is to back up your computer as often as possible. I never thought that it would happen to me, but it did. I didn't realize how much I actually had on it until it was gone.

Grateful Card

This was also a challenge from this weekend. It was to create a card with a fall feel. I used the leftover scraps that were on my desk and this is what I came up with. I punched additional flourishes so that I could extend the one that was printed on the pattern paper. This card was really simple to create and as a bonus I was able to use scraps that I normally would of threw away.

Littlest Pumpkin

This weekend, I am participating in an online crop sponsored by A Page In Time. One of the mini class tutorials (by Victoria) is this little pumpkin.

It was such a blast to make. I am planning on making them in different sizes to create a table centerpiece. If you would like to join in, just click on the link and sign up. http://www.apageintimescrapbook.com/index.html

Christmas Card

I wasn't sure that I was even going to make Christmas cards this year. I have so many other things to do, that I didn't know if I would have the time.

On Friday night, my dd and my sister decided to watch scary movies and scary is something that I just don't do. So, I decided to start working on my cards. I went with a very simple design, cut all of the pieces, then assembled. Quick and easy.

One thing to scratch off of my holiday to do list. Plus, I was able to play with some of my new goodies. A win-win situation.