Stamp Review Crew: Love What You Do

Happy New Year! The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Love What You Do to start off 2019.  Such a pretty set!  I kept my design simple because that's what I do................

If you have already enjoyed Lou's wonderful designs......

                                                        

........head onward to see Cindy's delightful work...

I used the sketch from Cas(e) this Sketch for my design.

Stamp Set:  Love What You Do

Paper:  Whisper White, Share What You Love Specialty DSP

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, Petal Pink, Mint Macaron, Versafine Clair Nocturne

Celebrate the Season.....FMS368

Last week I was here hanging out on my craft room with this sweet snowman.....and looking out the window at some real snowmen.....Miss E was hanging out in the tropics with this guy......

So however and wherever you celebrate this holiday season I hope it is a good one!  Merry Christmas my stamping friends - looking forward to more adventures in 2019!

Congrats to this week's sketch designer Narelle Faruggia......she has been chosen to be on Stampin' Up's Artisan Design Team for the upcoming year!  We look forward to more of her fabulous creations!  Her sketch is delightful this week - join us at Freshly Made Sketches.

 

Festive Friday has a sparkle challenge this week!

Stamp Sets: Snowflake (Purple Onion), Mistletoe Season

Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Glimmer DSP, Santa's Workshop DSP

Tree...Done Simply.......FMS367

Every year I vow to have a sweet simple holiday season.....just like this tree.  And somehow it just always morphs into craziness like this.......

Since Miss E and her parents were returning from a week in Aruba I was in charge of picking up their pups from the kennel. With a leash in each hand and a large utility tote full of toys and blankets over my shoulder I headed out the door.  But as soon as I got to the car an elf tapped me on the shoulder, waved an envelope and said "You can't go yet!  Your daughter paid for a photo session with Santa!'  Of course she did......  

Before I knew it I was in a room full of employees dressed like elves, clutching two leashes as Cooper and Benny lunged at dogs coming and going.  Christmas music was playing and all sorts of treats were being handed out.  We finally got in line and only then did I notice the person in front of us had a small horse......for real - not a big dog - a horse.......of course we would be in line behind someone with a miniature pony!  Cooper and Benny just about had heart attacks!  They were beside themselves trying to get up close and personal with that horse.  Thankfully a very helpful elf came to my assistance.  The pony trotted out and we handed the pups to Santa.  The picture says it all.....Cooper is panting from the exertion of trying to get to the pony and Benny looks a bit stunned as if he is trying to figure out what he has just seen.  Me?  I'm off to the side panting from the exertion looking a bit stunned......

Karren's sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches is a classic!  Hope you join us!  The DT call continues another week.

                                                

CAS Christmas has a star challenge this week.

                                                  

Stamp Sets: O'Tannenbaum (Purple Onion Designs), Winter Fox (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:  Whisper White, Festive Farmhouse DSP

Ink:  Mossy Meadow, Blendabilities

Fusion: Christmas Eve Ride

I have never ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie......I know that's hard to believe!  I am a diehard fan of the old Classic Christmas movies and also a total Diehard fan - yes I consider that a Christmas movie!  But once in a while I try something new.  I watched The Christmas Chronicles on Netflix this week.  Kurt Russell made me laugh out loud playing a sassy Santa! I made this card after the movie and must have been inspired by the beautiful scenes of Santa and his reindeer flying over big cities. So grab the remote, light the fire, make the cocoa and enjoy!

I love the traditional holiday photo at Fusion this week!  That was definitely my inspiration!  Use the photo or the sketch or both and join us at Fusion!

Festive Friday Has A Christmas/Snowflake Challenge this week.

Stamp, Ink, Paper also has a holiday challenge this week.

Stamp Sets:  Calling All Heroes, Holiday Home, Hero Arts Sentiment

Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne, Distress Oxide

Paper:  Whisper White, Bristol Smooth, Twinkle Twinkle DSP

Hot Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Hot Tea

This delightful stack of cups reminds me of MacKenzie-Childs tableware so I used my Zig markers to create brightly colored cups.  If you ever get a chance to visit one of their stores or their headquarters in the Finger Lakes here in NY do it!  It is an amazing feast for the eyes and is truly a magical place to visit!  I love their stuff!!!  Ok maybe the Big Guy doesn't quite share my enthusiasm.......

The Coffee Lovers Blog Hops are always amazing too!  Inspiration......fun......and prizes!  So pour a cuppa of whatever you like and enjoy the gallery!

I used the sketch from Fab Friday for my design.

Stamp:  Cups of Joy (Purple Onion Designs), Winter Scripty Sentiments (Lawn Fawn)

Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne, Zig Markers

Paper:  Bristol Smooth, Whisper White, Under the Mistletoe DSP

That Time of Year.....FMS366

I love the stripes of brightly colored ornaments on this paper!  Definitely puts me in the mood to trim our tree!  Someone I know decorated herself before marching in our local holiday parade this week.  Here's Miss E with her favorite policeman at the end of the parade.  An exciting time of year for sure!

It's an exciting time here at Freshly Made Sketches as well.  We've put out a DT call. If you are interested in joining our team check out information found here before you add your card to the gallery!  

Cecile's delightful sketch is perfect for holiday cards!  Join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Global Design Project has a Christmas theme happening this week.

Stamps:  Ornamental Wishes (Newton's Nook) Tree from Hero Arts Nov. 2017 Monthly Kit, 

Paper:  Whisper White, Highland Heather, Really Rainbow Christmas Paper (Lawn Fawn)

Ink: Versafine Black, Granny Apple Green

Stamp Review Crew: Alpine Adventure

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Alpine Adventure this week.  It's the perfect set for Callahan Christmas cards!  The Big Guy has already been skiing.  Back in the day when we ran a small ski center this is how you you left your skis when you went in the lodge for lunch - just planted in the snow somewhere!  It was a much simpler time back then.  And I admit I may have planted myself in a snowbank more than once.......

If you missed my friend Dawn Tidd's delightful work head back there.......

Otherwise go forward and see what treats Charlet Mallett has in store.....

The Paper Players has a Christmas Challenge this week......

Stamp Set:  Alpine Adventure

Ink:  Soft Suede, Gray Granite, Cherry Cobbler, Versafine Black

Paper:  Whisper White, Farmhouse Greetings DSP, Mellow Moss

Snoooo Early For Snow! FMS365

All I had to do was look out the window for inspiration to create this card.  Such an early winter this year!  When it comes to snow around here there is usually no middle ground.......you either love it...........

                              .......or you hate it........

Jen Brum designed a wide open sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Adjust those panels however you like to fit your design!  Hope you join us!

Stamp Set:  Winter Memories(Newton's Nook)

Paper:  Frosted Floral DSP, Bristol Smooth, Whisper White

Ink:  Distress, Versa Fine Black, Tranquil Tide

Embossing Folder:  Subtle (SU)

Stitched Hillside Dies (Lawn  Fawn)

Fusion: Christmas Chair

It is Thanksgiving Day here in New York - the "official" start of the Christmas season - once the Macy's Day Parade is over of course! It is crazy cold here today with Arctic wind chill temperatures of well below freezing.  Glad we can watch that parade sitting by the fireplace!   

This sweet scene was inspired by a card designed by Jenn Shurkus at our retreat last month.  The images from the set Nativity Play are adorable.  I used both the sketch and the photo this week for my Fusion card!  Hope you join us!


                                   

Stamp Sets:  Greetings of the Season (SU)  Nativity Play (Neat & Tangled)
Ink: Smoky Slate, Black, Copics
Paper: Neenah White, Santa's Workshop DSP

Mmmmm Pie.....FMS364

I will be having pie for sure tomorrow.......two pieces in fact.....a piece of apple after dinner and a piece of chocolate as a bedtime snack.  It is important to pace yourself on Thanksgiving!  I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I am thankful for many things in my life.....including all of you!  It means a lot that so many of you share your thoughts and your art in this blogging world.  And wouldn't it be terrific if we could all share some pie together?!?!?

I love all the parts of Kim's sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Have fun with it!

The Paper Players is having a sweet treat challenge this week!

Stamp Set:  Cutie Pie (Lawn Fawn), Gather Together (FSJ)

Ink:  Fresh Fig, Copics

Paper:  Fresh Fig, Whisper White, Tranquil Tide

Any Way You Say It.......FMS363

When I attached this sentiment I thought of a college friend who used to tease me about my upstate accent. And of course I thought she had a downstate accent!  It drove her crazy that I pronounce Mary-merry-marry exactly the same way.  I tried and tried to say it three different ways like she did but never managed it.  How do you say this sentence?

          Mary is merry because she will soon marry.

I say "Mair-y is mair-y because she will soon mair-y."

She says "Mair-y is meh-ry because she will soon mar-y".

And in her family "ahnts wear pa-jah-mas"......but my "ants wear pa-jam-as"!  

Jen Timko has a delightful sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Put your own accent on it!

Stamp Sets: Alpine Adventure, Merry Christmas to All

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Festive Farmhouse DSP

Ink" Gray Granite, Cherry Cobbler, Mossy Meadow

Fusion: Wine O'Clock

True confessions:  I don't like to drink any kind of wine - gives me an immediate headache!  I don't like to listen to any kind of whine - gives me an immediate headache!

But I do love to play along at Fusion - hope you do too!  I used the picture and the sketch as inspiration this week!

Stamp Sets:  Half Full (SU), Coffee Cozy (Lil' Inker)

Paper:  Whisper White, Joyous Noel DSP, Copper Foil, Merry Merlot

Ink: Merry Merlot, Copics, Versa Fine Clair

Celebrate Craftiness....and the Season.....FMS362

I am hosting this week at Freshly Made Sketches and designed a simple sketch that easily transformed into this Christmas card!  It has been a very crafty time around here since I returned from the Rockies.

Heidi Baks hosted a terrific shoebox swap at her wonderful farm.  Great company, great food and oh so many great cards......here's a sample........

This past weekend I traveled to Cape Cod for a Creative Art Journey experience with Jenn Shurkus.  It was a gorgeous day in Hyannis and Jenn designed 14 different cards for us to complete using all sorts of techniques. Jenn is delightful......and oh so talented!  And I was lucky enough to hang out with Jen Mitchell from our FMS team all day!  We had a great time!

And here is my desk loaded with freebies, purchases and cards still to assemble from our day of crafting!

I hope all this crafty news from me today has inspired you to join us at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  I love to check out your galleries!

                                   

                                                


Stamp Sets:  Wishing You Well, Mistletoe Season
Paper:  Whisper White, Joyous Noel DSP, Soft Suede
Ink:  Merry Merlot, Tranquil TIDE