Stache-ing Through The Snow - FMS164

When I asked my niece what her 8 year old daughter would like for Christmas she responded "Anything with mustaches!" I had no trouble finding shirts, mittens, wrapping paper and party props - mustaches are everywhere!  Of course I had to make a card especially for her as well.  We will see them Thursday at our annual Thanksmas celebration. We gather with my husband's side of our family on Thanksgiving and celebrate both holidays so everyone can be home with their kids on Christmas Day.  It is a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season!

Even though I make a variety of Christmas cards I try to keep the same color theme on my cards each year. This year (as you have probably noticed) it is silver, white and those wonderful shades of blue - Lost Lagoon, Pool Party, Soft Sky - along with All is Calm designer paper.  I also made a few "easier to mail" versions of this card.

But in the meantime Emma must-ache you a question......she likes the red nose card best.......what do you think?

Jen Brum's terrific sketch is wide open for lots of creativity this week!  Hope you join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Winter Joy..... PPA228

Hope to spread some joy today to those of you who may have struggled to remove words or intricate pieces from thin dies.  I came across this video on Facebook and thought I would share the news. Karen Burniston demonstrates how to use dryer sheets to make those tiny pieces slide right out!  It really is amazing and definitely brought me joy as I added a few of these cards to my holiday stash!

The snowflakes from Endless Wishes embossed in white on the middle panel aren't the kind that need shoveling. I live about three hours from the Great Lakes where communites have been buried in 5 feet of snow - with another foot or two expected.  Convoys of snowplows left our area to help out. We have escaped with just frigid temps, wind and flurries.  In the meantime I have received many comments and emails from many of you about my Hip Hip Hooray stamp that has escaped from my craft room........there have been "sightings" as far south as Georgia and as far west as Arizona..........oh will he ever return??????

  

Pals Paper Arts has a sketch challenge this week - hope you play along with this very versatile sketch!  Put your own stamp on it! 

Birthday Break - FMS163

Just because it's the holiday season doesn't mean my friends stop having birthdays!  It was time to take a break from those Christmas cards and and make a birthday card or two.  This card was supposed to have "hip hip hooray" on the sentiment panel and "it's your birthday" on the inside.  But just as I was taking "hip hip hooray" out of the case Emma woke up from her nap, followed by a phone call and then it was time for dinner. Oh and that Polar Vortex paid us a visit  - wind, snow, ice, and a power outage! When I returned to my desk a few hours later that sentiment stamp was nowhere in sight.  I looked everywhere but no luck so the inside sentiment earned a spot on the cover!  In the meantime "hip hip hooray" is still on the loose.......probably enjoying his freedom and heading south for for warmer weather.........

Cindy has a fun sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us!

High Flying - CAS(E) this Sketch

Making cards that will easily mail is like trying to pack everything you need on vacation in your carryon bag.  You want to look nice when you get there.......and you really need those wedge heels.......and just a few accessories.....and a sweater or two...and maybe some cool boots....... In the end you bring the little black dress, a bright scarf and a casual outfit for the plane.  

I have relatives in England and every year I try for a simple but classic card to make that trek across the ocean.  So here's my version of the "classic black dress with just a pop of color".  The tops of the houses from Holiday Home have a definite European feel and the simple twine will hardly make a bump in the envelope - perfect!

The 100th sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch was my inspiration. Congrats to all of the wonderful designers there who have provided inspiration 100 times!

                                                 

Yesterday and Today......CTS99, PPA18

Today I was visiting CAS(E) This Sketch and decided to play along using their wonderful sketch.

                                                              


My friend Lesley Croghan is on their DT so I stopped by her blog and there I learned about a fun link up going on at Amy Tsurata's blog.  Amy is celebrating 7 years of blogging by revisiting a post from her first year and has challenged us to upload a card from our first year of blogging. 

I started blogging five years ago in August 2009 and posted this card that November for a Pals Paper Arts Challenge. Hope you enjoy "yesterday's" card!


                                     

Winter Snows - FMS162

I love how this print from All is Calm DSP looks like a swirling snowstorm!  I'm also thinking that a banner change would make this card work for December birthdays and Valentine's Day so I may be making a couple more!  That Alaskan snowstorm is barreling across the US this week and we will probably see our first flakes of the season soon.  Looks like Miss Emma Lin inherited a new winter coat from her cousin just in time!

The fabulous Kim Singdahlsen has a very cool sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Join us and put your own stamp on her design!

Giving Thanks - PPA226, CTS98

November is the month of Thanksgiving.  But why wait until Thanksgiving?  Thought you might like to know what I was thankful for today.........

1- Forgot my umbrella for my morning walk but the sprinkles that started when I was a mile from home cleared up in two minutes.....who needs umbrellas?

2- The dog has an infection and needs people antibiotics - yikes - but they were only $14.57!

3-  After 30 years of living with a garage door that only my husband could open (I know hard to believe) we ordered a new one today with an automatic opener!  I am delighted but then again there obviously isn't much in the garage I need............

4- My husband just remembered he needs to bring chocolate chip cookies to a meeting tomorrow so guess who had to get busy in the kitchen?  Oh but now there are warm chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen and the CMA awards on TV.........definitely thankful!



And I am thankful to be part of this wonderful online stamping community!  We have a great fall color challenge at Pals Paper Arts this week.  Hope you play along!


                                           



                   I was also inspired by the cool sketch from CAS(E) this Sketch.


                                        

Soft and Sweet - FMS161

Hmmm the title of this post might remind you of the Pillsbury Dough Boy but I am actually talking color here today.  At a recent Stampin' Up! gathering we were asked to name our favorite SU! color. The moaning and groaning that followed was incredible but our leaders -  Brian and Pam -  held firm. We had to name one color and boy was that hard to do! Strong colors like Real Red, Blackberry Bliss and Cherry Cobbler were very popular - and those colors crossed my mind for sure - but when it was my turn the words Soft Sky just popped out.  I have used it here in my Christmas card - softened even more with a piece of vellum layered over it.  It is one of those colors that always seems to add a sweet fresh look to a design. Exactly the look I was going for today since I created this for Freshly Made Sketches!


  I am hosting this week and would love to have you join us at Freshly Made Sketches and play along using my sketch!  I'll by dropping by to see your wonderful creations!