Joyful Season

 

Busy weekend ahead!  I plan to binge Christmas card making and started with a few of these using the sketch from the Paper Players.  The Big Guy and I had a quiet Thanksgiving Day which was a change but actually quite nice.  I have a lot more energy today than I usually do the day after Thanksgiving so I am tackling Christmas cards and on line shopping - no mall trips this year!  Tomorrow a photographer friend is coming to take holiday photos of Emma and Will on my back porch.  That way we can all social distance and be outside.  Local businesses here are being very creative and accommodating to help keep everyone safe.  So now I am off to search for another sketch and make a new batch of cards!

Stamp Sets: Cherish the Season, Peace and Joy

Paper: Whisper White, Silver Foil, Tis the Season DSP

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Fusion: Merry, Joy, Cheer

The Christmas season has officially started here in the US with today being Thanksgiving Day.  I have always been a firm believer in not rushing the season but this year we do seem to need a bit more cheer.  So our lights went up early as did many of our neighbors'.  I have to admit I enjoy seeing them when I walk the dog at night!  We will keep them shining until we welcome 2021 - hoping that will be a much brighter year in so many ways!

I love the cute gnomes in the photo so I had to put one on my card!  Use the sketch or the the photo or both like I did and join us at Fusion!

                                     

Stamp Sets: Gnome for the Holidays, Merry Moose, Joyful Holly

Ink: Poppy Parade, Memento Black, Old Olive, Shaded Spruce, Misty Moonlight, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Trimming the Town DSP

Oh Let It Snow! FMS462

 

We are ready!  The heavier quilts are on the bed.  The boots are by the back door and all of the winter coats, scarves and gloves have been brought downstairs from the cedar closet in the attic. The screen door has been replaced by a storm door and the storm windows are all in place.  The furnace has been cleaned and the snow tires will go on the cars this week.  The lawnnmower has been shifted to the back of the garage and the snowblower now sits closest to the door......next to the generator.  And my back porch is empty since the porch furniture has gone south (to the basement) for the winter.  All of that hard work getting ready for winter must have inspired my card this week....it's time....let it snow!

They say good things come in threes - like the three shapes in Narelle's sweet sketch!  Have fun with the grouping and join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamps: Snowman Season

Ink: Memento Black, Merry Merlot, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Merry Merlot

Stamp Review Crew: Coming Home

 

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Coming Home today.  It is a wonderful set with endless possibilities to create festive wintry scenes.  

I love the new slimline cards but their size is a bit of a problem for me because I rarely buy 12 x 12 paper and most of my DSP is cut into 6 x 6 squares.  So when I saw some people making mini slimline cards I thought - wow great idea!  This card measures 3 1/4 by 5 1/2.  It is a sweet size that makes you think a bit differently about your design!  I used the die cut from In the Pines to create the hills and added some texture with a die from Lots of Leaves.  The sentiment is from Festive Post.  I am putting this sentiment on a lot of my cards this year.  This holiday season will be very different for sure but there is still a lot to enjoy.  I am shopping on line, watching holiday movies, making Christmas cards and baking lots of sweet treats to share....and some not to share!

My friend Ann Schach does beautiful work.  If you missed her blog head back there!

Otherwise head onward to see Cindy Elam's fabulous work!

The Paper Players is having a Holiday Theme this week.

Stamp Set: Coming Home, Festive Post 

Paper: Whisper White, Trimming the Town DSP

Ink: Memento Black, Misty Moonlight, SU Blends, Copics

Fusion: Thankful

After a beautiful week of unseasonably warm weather the rain arrived today - a perfect day for a good book and a latte!  Or in my case - a perfect day for tea and crafting!

I combined the sketch and the photo this week at Fusion - hope you join us!

                                

It is also time for the Fall/Winter 2020 Coffee Lovers' Blog Hop!

Stamp Sets: Press On, Forever Fern, Holiday Home, Pumpkin Latte (Newton's Nook)

Ink: Pretty Peacock, Memento Black, Early Espresso, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Copper Foil, In Good Taste DSP

Dainty Diamonds Embossing Folder

A Note for Fall....FMS461

 

Because of you know what Stampin' Up! has not been able to hold any of its usual On Stage events.  I miss gathering with other demos and seeing new products in person.  But the three day on line event that was held this past week was very well done and we got an early look at the upcoming Mini and Sale-A-Bration catalogs.  Lots of good stuff!  The images I used today are from an upcoming set called Enjoy the Moment - part of our "swag" for registering for the event.  I was glad I had some of last year's fall DSP because it worked perfectly with the late autumn feel of this new set.  I usually don't send Thanksgiving cards but I will be sending a few this year since we won't be seeing family as we normally do Thanksgiving weekend.  Guess I will just have to eat all that leftover pie myself!

So many possibilities with Karren's wonderful sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!                                        

                                                 

Stamp Set: Enjoy the Moment

Ink: Pretty Peacock, Sahara Sand, Soft Suede

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty Peacock, Come to Gather DSP

A Walk in the Woods.....FMS460

 

And just like that pumpkin season is over and flurries are in the air!  Time to start seriously thinking about adding to my meager Christmas card stash!  That moose is one of my favorite images and was a natural addition to the pine trees.  The little cardinals were just lounging in my snippets dish so I decided it was time for them to get out and earn their keep. A simple sentiment, a sprinkle of snowflakes and just like that my scene was complete! 

Judy has a great sketch for us this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you play along!

Stamp Sets: In The Pines, Merry Moose, Snow Front

Ink: Real Red, Shaded Spruce, Memento Black, Garden Green, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Tis the Season DSP

Stamp Review Crew: Love of Leaves

 

The Stamp Review Crew is featuring Love of Leaves today.  The possibilities with this stamp set and coordinating dies are endless.  Our leaves here are no longer bright and colorful on the trees,  They are mottled and crumpled on the ground - ready to be raked on the next sunny day!  To get that look I stamped a clear block on an ink pad, spritzed it with water then used that as an ink source for my stamp.  I love the finished look!  I also love the die cuts that emboss so I used the small one with my sentiment.

It was a very cold Halloween yesterday but we had fun.  The Big Guy's gizmo worked perfectly to send the candy out to a basket on the sidewalk.  Emma had a great time sliding the candy!  Here we are during set up time....

Ready for trick or treaters!

I hope you came here from my friend Heidi Baks' blog - she rocks!  If not check her out!

Next in line is the wonderful Cindy Elam!

Stamp Set: Love of Leaves

Ink: Cajun Craze, Shaded Spruce, Bumblebee, Cinnamon Cider

Paper: Whisper White, Plaid Tidings DSP, Watercolor, Shaded Spruce, Cinnamon Cider