Ho Ho Ho - FMS466

 

Not gonna lie.....this card makes me smile....

Hope your holiday season is full of smiles......in spite of you know what!

Jen Timko has a sweet sketch to finish off our year at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us!

Stamp Sets: Holiday Home,  Furry Christmas (SSS)

Ink: Versafine Clair Nocturne, Seaside Spray, Lovely Lipstick

Paper: Whisper White, Seaside Spray

Die: Our Town (MFT)

A Holly Jolly Tag - FMS

 

It is go time around here!  The tree is up, on line shopping is finished, packages are wrapped, and pies are in the freezer.  Please notice there is no mention of Christmas cards being finished or mailed....sigh...I won't even pledge to start earlier next year because it never happens!  So quick and easy tag cards work perfectly right now!  I am sending a few more cards than usual this year since our regular holiday gatherings will not be happening this year.....because of you know what....

In the meantime find yourself a nice furry four legged friend to hang out with! 

Emma and Joy

Jacquie has a wide open sketch for you this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Have fun making a tag of any design!

The Paper Players is hosting a Christmas challenge this week.

Stamp Sets: Peace and Joy, Joyful Holly

Ink: Poppy Parade, Shade Spruce, Old Olive

Paper: Whisper White, Plush Poinsettia Specialty DSP, Garden Green

Coming Home With The Tree! FMS464

 

Bringing home the Christmas tree never gets old - even though I do!  The Big Guy and I will head out this week to find just the right one.  In the meantime we had our annual Christmas photo shoot.  Luckily the photographer got some great shots but the not so great shots are the ones that make me smile the most.......

                                      

Yes they are fighting over the candy canes......

Nope he is not happy about this pose at all..........

But he is very happy making a run for it on this sled with wheels!

Judy's sketch is super sweet this week at Freshly Made Sketches!  Hope you join us!

Stamp Set: Festive Post, Gift Wrapped

Paper: Whisper White, Trimming the Town DSP

Ink: Misty Moonlight, Shaded Spruce, Copics

Snow Much Fun

 

Being a total fan of snow AND Colorado meant that this sweet stamp set found its way to the Callahan house from the Colorado Craft Company.  Last year on this date we had 21 inches of the fluffy stuff - this year just rain today.  But there is not a doubt that the white stuff will arrive soon!

In the meantime the only sledding happening is inside.  Will is loving his new roller coaster!  Yes it is a Christmas gift but I couldn't wait until the 25th and had to open it up as soon as it arrived!   It is back in the box now and I will let him open it again next week....lol.....and then the next until Christmas when he can take it home!  You can do those fun things when a little one is not quite 2!

The Paper Players have a Tic Tac Toe challenge this week - I went down the left side!

Stamp Set: Have A Snow Happy Day (Colorado Craft Company)

Ink: Memento Black, Cherry Cobbler, Copics

Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, 'Tis the Season DSP

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

Fusion: Autumn

Pumpkins and plaid just go together perfectly for fall!  I am still a novice at coloring with Copic markers so I usually make 2  or 3 of an image I am going to color.  That way I can practice color combos and have a spare or two for when things go awry.  A slight miracle occurred in the old craft room this week.  I only made two of these delightful coffee sippers and they both turned out just fine!  I couldn't possibly waste that extra lady!  So I switched up the plaids and made another fall card!

I used both the picture and the sketch this week at Fusion - use either or both and join us!

                           

                                       

Stamp Set: Pumpkin Latte (Newton's Nook)

Ink: Memento Black, Cajun Craze, Copics

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Plaid Tidings DSP

Thankful....FMS459

 

I am thankful for the beautiful October we have had - even though it may end with our first snowfall in a couple of days!  November is always dark and dreary but I am fortunate to have these two characters hanging around to keep me smiling.  Here they are ready to parade by a local nursing home this week.

Will wanted no part of that fireman's hat.....he dropped it and ran!

But when we got home he thought it was great fun to wear a pumpkin bucket on his head!

Almost two year olds have definite opinions in life!

Have fun with angles on Jen Brum's sketch this week at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Set: Autumn Goodness

Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Come to Gather DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Memento Black, Copics

Christmas Bells.......FMS458

 

Who says jingle bells are just for Christmas?!? Jingle bells always make me smile.  I used to have them on my back door year round because I love the sound.  But the Big Guy couldn't take it any more so I took them off and made a smaller cluster to hang on a kitchen cupboard.  It was the cupboard where I keep my teacups so usually I was the only one hearing the bells!  But then we got new cabinets and the bells just wouldn't work with the new doors and handles.  A dilemma!  So now the bells hang off the doorknob of my downstairs half bath.  It is much more polite to jingle the bells than yell  "Hey anyone in there?"

And the grandkids can reach them to make noise just for the fun of it.......Big Guy may be getting tired of this soon as well.....

So many possibilities  with Kim's wonderful sketch today!  Join us at Freshly Made Sketches!

Stamp Sets: Cherish the Season,  Festive Post

Ink: Highland Heather

Paper: Whisper White, Highland Heather, Snowflake Splendor DSP, Silver Foil

Fusion: Purple Night

                               

There is a fabulous picture to inspire you this week at Fusion!  I embraced the purple and black and continued my Halloween card making.  This card started with the sentiment because it makes me laugh.  And I do believe it is true!  I have never owned a cat because I find them scarier than any Halloween witch.....not that I have ever met a Halloween witch.....



I love to combine the sketch and photo at Fusion!  You decide what works best for you!  Hope you join us!

                                 

Stamp Sets: Wicked Together (Picket Fence), Snapes Alive (Cat's Pajamas), Festive Post (SU)

Paper: Whisper White, Magic Is The Night DSP, Basic Black, Classic Garage DSP, Gorgeous Grape

Ink: Versa Fine Clair Nocturne, Distress Oxide, Gorgeous Grape, Copics

Stencil: Ghosts (Newton's Nook)