Christmas Card Challenges - #13 A Photo Challenge

This is my second post of the day. To see my post for Addicted to Stamps, please check here.

Good morning!

I'm back with another inspiring challenge over at Christmas Card Challenges! Each week, we're adding another card to our 2016 Christmas card stockpile and I'm loving it. I'm really going to enjoy having all this by the end of the year. NERD. ALERT. And I don't care. It's going to be fabulous! :D

Here's our inspiration this week:

And I used a fun Silhouette cut file that I've had for a while now...

 

It's a little word tree that I die cut and layered over a dark purple cardstock scrap that I cut using MFT Stitched Jumbo Fishtail Flag STAX Dienamics. (Yikes - that's a mouthful.) I love this die set! I did cut the star from the file separately using silver glitter cardstock from CTMH. It's popped up on foam tape to stay even with the large flag that is also foamed "up". I used a Swiss Dot embossing folder to give a little more interest to my card base and finished it all off with a fun bow with long tails (I so love the long tails right now) using Lawn Fawn's Green Sparkle Lawn Trimmings.  Super easy and fast!

 

I'm also playing along with the Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Add A Sentiment and Winter Wonderland's challenge - Must Use a Sentiment.
 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Please come back again soon and please pop on over to Christmas Card Challenges.

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

Phillipians 2:3   NKJV  (New King James Version)

    "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."

 



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Addicted To Stamps Challenge - #121 Glitter

 

Hello!

I'm popping in to share another post for the fun challenge over at Addicted To Stamps! This challenge period is all about Glitter. Come over to play along and show us some sparkle! :D You just can't go wrong there.


I pulled out some Glitter cardstock -- in PINK. Gasp! That's almost too much. :D  The cardstock is from CTMH and has been in my stash for longer than I care to even know. I die cut it using MFT's Jumbo Polka Dot Cover Up for a fabulous background. What-what?!

I used the MFT Mini Scallop Circle die to show off my little focal point of a piggy (from MFT BB Whole Herd set) standing outside on a sunny day. The sun streaks are stencil using Tim Holtz sunburst stencil and MFT Pineapple Dye ink. (I also sponged this same ink on my card base to show just a wee bit behind my pink die cut piece.) I used the Grass die from MFT and cut a piece of scrap green cardstock.

The sentiment is from MFT's LLD Tickled Pink stamp set. I stamped it on a piece of white cardstock die cut using Blueprints 13. I also used the Stitched Fishtail Flag STAX and Kraft cardstock and patterned paper from MFT 6x6 pack Lucky Prints.     Whew. I did some layering that I don't usually do! But I actually like it. :)



I am also playing along with the As You See It Challenge, Crazy 4 Challenges - Spring cards, and Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes.

      


Don't forget to check out the fun over at Addicted To Stamps!

Thanks for stopping by to visit! Please come back again!

God Bless,
Mandy


Phillipians 2:10,11   NKJV (New King James Version)
    "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."


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Hello!

I can't believe it's already time for another Christmas Card Challenge. What a busy week! Let's take a little break and play along with a fun "Anything Goes" Christmas challenge to add to this year's stockpile of Christmas cards. :)

 

I played with some of my MFT goodies again (surprise, surprise) and my previously discussed favorite, Hug In A Mug stamp and die set. 

 

 

 

My patterned paper strip on the left is from the Basic Grey Juniper Berry 6x6 pad. I used the Large Circle Burst stencil to add some background to my card base. Super easy and fun. I still love cutting out these mugs and the accessories that are so adorable.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! Please come back again soon and please check out the fun over at Christmas Card Challenges.

 

God Bless!

Mandy

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ABC Christmas Challenge - D for "Don't Overdo It"

Hello!

I'm back with another great challenge over at the ABC Christmas Challenge blog. It's just the most fun. I think, anyway. I love Christmas cards and the challenges presented every two weeks going systematically through the alphabet just speaks to the organized, A-type personality, nerd in me. I love it. Please do check it out and play along if you haven't already. I'm sure you will get into the spirit of things rather quickly. :D

 

This challenges is the letter "D" ---- Don't Overdo It. :)  AND we have a sponsor!

 

 

Sponsor

All Dressed Up.

Winner will receive two free digis of their choice

from Wendy’s Etsy shop

Hi I am Wendy Burns I live in Nottingham UK with my husband and two children who have been the inspiration behind the characters, in particular my daughter who has kept me up-to-date with blogging and trends. I work predominantly within the textile children’s wear market, fashion and interiors.

I trained as a textile designer and although my work is digital based, I love to retain that hand drawn /sewn feel which I hope comes across in my artwork.

Digital stamps is a new challenge for me and the opportunity to work with the All Dressed Up Team and has been very exciting, in particular the creative way my characters have been given individual personalities by the designers .

All Dressed Up is a newly launched blog with an enthusiastic team who are passionate about stamping.  The coordinators Marilyn and Tracy along with an amazing design team are also known as The Dressy Girls.

We have a friendly Facebook page, regular blog posts, tutorials, challenges and freebies. The stamps can be purchased from the Etsy shop which is updated on a monthly basis. We really are friendly bunch and would love to see your creations so please feel free to contact us and visit the All Dressed Up Challenge Blog.

 

 

 

I went back to my MFT Winter Warmth set. I can't seem to get enough. Maybe because there are so many different images and they can be used so many different ways. The practical side of me likes the ones that can be stretched and are quite versatile. There are so many CUTE sets out right now (new ones I've salivated over, especially) but I don't let myself buy them because I know I won't have much use for the cards once I've crafted them. :)

 

 

If you missed my prior announcement in another post, I now have the dies that go with this set. Thank you, thank you very much.

 

I know, I know. Rookie mistake! Thought I wouldn't want them and, surprise, surprise, I was incorrect. You know what they say, "I thought I made a mistake once....but I was wrong." That's kinda how I felt about this little Def Con 5 situation. But, it was rectified easily enough with a Christmas gift card from BD. I'm trying to move past my mistake, now that the dies are here and make up for lost time by using them frequently.  :-D

 

 

 

My sentiment is stamped from LJD Grand Holiday Greetings using Ripe Raspberry ink. The mittens are stamped in Limelight and After Midnight. (The lighting doesn't show these all that green - so you'll have to trust me that it's a cool color combination. One to note for future use, I assure you.) :D

 

The panel is die cut with the Double Stitched Rectangle STAX and I added a few navy blue enamel dots. Poof. Card done!

 

I hope you enjoyed your visit! Please stop by again to check things out. Read a few more posts, peruse some projects, and stay awhile. Followers and subscribers are welcome, too. ;)

 

And, pretty please, check out the fun over at ABC Christmas Challenges. You won't be disappointed.

 

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

John 3:16     KJV (King James Version) ---- ( the version I did my memory verses from as a kiddo!) :D

   "For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, and whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

 



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Addicted To Stamps & More - Challenge #181 - Anything Goes

Hello!
It's already time for another fun challenge over at Addicted To Stamps & More. This week it's "Anything Goes" so plenty of options and chances to play along!

 

And we have a sponsor:

 

 

Prize is a $15 gift certificate

Happy Little Stampers was created in 2015 by Kylie (owner of ATSM and ATCAS). Kylie wanted to bring out a line of stamps that were useful for every day crafters. From cute to whimsical images, from everyday to funky sentiments there is something for everyone!

I pulled out some images I colored for The 30 Day Color Challenge over at The Daily Marker blog and used these on my card.

 

 

This stamp and die set is called Wash.Dry.Repeat. from Taylored Expressions. I colored it up with my Zig markers and a waterbrush before die-cutting. The bottom strips are some I had in my stash! Always great to use those up. :)

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! Please come back again soon!

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

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Christmas Card Challenges - #11

Hello!

 It's time for another weekly challenge at Christmas Card Challenges. We are slowly making our way to a stockpile of Christmas cards - ready to go when the season gets here. :D This week is another color challenge - great inspiration for non-traditional colors, which I always find fun.

 

 

I used some of my favorite MFT goodies, in particular the Winter Warmth stamp & die set. I had ordered the stamp set months ago and loved it, but originally thought I wouldn't want the dies that much. Incorrect. I should have known better. So, I ordered them with a Christmas gift card and they arrived, literally, as I was putting this card together. Don't think I didn't switch gears and redo my image with the die. Hee hee.

 

 

 

 

I die cut a piece of PTI Soft Stone cardstock with the Jumbo Polka Dot cover up plate and layered it over a piece of Neenah white cardstock in the same size. I used a scrap of pink Bazzil cardstock with the Tag Builders 4 die and popped it up with foam tape. The sentiment is stamped in PTI Smokey Shadow from Paper Smooches Christmas Sampler stamp set.

 

 

I used the sketch over at the MFT Card Challenges blog for my layout. I love this sketch and really want to make another one using it. :)

 

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit! I hope you will do so again soon. :) And, don't forget to check out the fun over at Christmas Card Challenges. 

 

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

I John 4:20   NKJV (New King James Version)

     "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"

 

 





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Paper Smooches - Spectacles Shaker

Hello!

I'm popping in to share a card I made over the weekend (?). Honestly, I'm not sure! It feels like I haven't had time for any crafting this week. Yeeks. I hope to rectify that over the weekend. I need to let my creative juices flow - hey! Maybe that's why I've had headaches this week? :D All clogged up in there.

I made this with more Paper Smooches goodies, mostly dies - so fun to play around with and see what you can create.

 

 

I created little shaker windows with each pair of glasses using the Glasses die. Each pair are inlaid into my cardstock panel. I used the Tiny Hearts die with the same cardstocks to create my shaker material and embellies on the card. The sentiment is from the Incognito stamp set. So fun to make!

 

 

I wanted to play along with the current Paper Smooches challenge, Fun & Cute.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm also playing along with Cards In Envy - From the Heart challenge, CASology - Valentine challenge, and Simply Create Too - "Love or Valentine's" challenge, and Cute Card Thursday - Sweet Valentine's challenge.

 

 

 

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! I hope you will come again soon and feel free to look around some more. :)

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

Luke 2:14    NKJV    (New King James Version)

      "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

 

 

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2 Creative Chicks - Showcase #7

Hello!

It's time to share another inspiration  project for the monthly showcase over at 2 Creative Chicks. It's always "Anything Goes" so this is a great chance to link up and show off any project you have made. Please come check it out!

 

 

 

This month I'm sharing some Valentine themed bookmarks I made for my kiddos. You may have seen the Halloween themed ones I made back in the fall and shared with their classmates. They have reading requirements (tracked by number of words read) throughout the school year, so I know they will actually use them. :) If I had made these last year, there is no telling where they would be!

 

 

 

I used patterned paper packs I had on hand (Echo Park on the left, My Mind's Eye on the right) and die cut the tags and elements using MFT Blueprints 13. I added their names using Lawn Fawn's Milo's ABC's. A little red twine finished it off. ....And, I don't think a person reading this would be surprised to know that The Princess has already "lost" her twine and is now down to just the paper. :) ha! I think it hung on her backpack and ripped off as she tugged on it. The only reason The Sultan's is still in good shape is because it doesn't leave the house!

 

 

I am also playing along with the current Curtain Call Inspiration challenge, Just Us Girls "Valentine" Word Week challenge, and Color Throwdown (For my "JACE" Bookmark).

 

     

 

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! Please come again soon. And Please don't forget to check out the "Anything Goes" fun over at 2 Creative Chicks! It's so fun to see the wealth of projects in the gallery and gain inspiration.

 

 

 



 

Challenge#7

Starts Feb. 1, 2016

Ends Feb. 29, 2016

Click HERE to link up!

 

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

I John 4:11   NKJV (New King James Version)

    "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 

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Christmas Card Challenges - #10

Hello!

I can't believe it's already time for another Christmas Card Challenge. Where does the time go? Yikes. (For me the week was a blur thanks to a head cold that just really put a kink in my hose. I'm still not happy about it, if you can't tell.)

We have a Photo Inspiration challenge to give us a jump start this time.

I broke out my trusty Silhouette to cut a cute black Santa silhouette I had used for a project last year and I still just love it.

 

 

My background panel is covered (mostly) in Salty Ocean Distress Ink. I flicked a few water droplets on it just because I could, but not really very many. I matted it with After Midnight MFT cardstock and stamped the sentiment from MFT's Jingle All The Way stamp set. Since my Santa came down over my sentiment (oops.) and I wasn't in the mood to cut another one, I layered him in place and stamped with Versa Mark so I could white emboss the partial sentiment. Then it was just a matter of lining it all back up when I glued him down. A few clear sequins are the only embellies I used for this one.

 

 

I'm also playing along with Holly Jolly Christmas Challenges - "Frame It" challenge, Merry Monday Christmas Challenges - "Santa" challenge, and Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge - "Vintage or Anything Goes" challenge.

 

    

 

 

 

Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! I hope you will come back soon and I hope you will check out the fun over at Christmas Card Challenges. Work on your Christmas Card stash for the new year!

 

 

 

God Bless,

Mandy

 

 

 

I John 4:7-8  NKJV  (New King James Version)

    "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

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Paper Smooches Fun & Cute

Hello!

I'm posting some cards I made just for fun this week. I've been battling a cold all week (Ugh) and taking it easy in The Fortress has been quite therapeutic. I planned to spend the whole day in there today, but more rest was needed. Dang it. So I had to stop to take a nap! (I felt like a kid trying to fight that one. I wanted to play more.) :D

I spent more time playing around with some Paper Smooches goodies that haven't seen enough love lately.

This card is the last one I made and my favorite. The Hubs even loved it. I don't know why I sent him a picture, but I got more feedback than I ever get. (Maybe he feels sorry for me still feeling crummy?) :)

 

 

 

Is this not "the most fun"? ( Old movie quote). I stamped the birds from My Peeps and colored them with Copic markers. I performed some inlaid die-cutting (only one step less tedious than surgery) using the Wreath Builder dies and some scrap papers. I then sponged Broken China Distress Ink over the card base and did more inlaid die cutting with the clouds (that set was much less tedious) ;-). The centers of the clouds are colored with Clear Wink of Stella, but you really can't see it from the photo. And, finally, I added the sweet little music notes (also from My Peeps) and the sentiment from Sentiment Sampler. Such a fun little creative time! :)

 

 

I wanted to play along with this month's Paper Smooches "Fun & Cute" challenge.

 

 

 

I'm also playing along with the Alphabet Challenge - "Y for You Choose", Moving Along with the Times "Things With Wings", and Through the Purple Haze "Things With Wings" challenges.

 

 



Next up, I played around with some ink smooshing and my Green Thumb stamp set (such a classic).

 

 

I "smooshed" Distress Inks Rusty Hinge and Broken China on watercolor paper for my background and added the die cut veggies which were colored with Prismacolor Pencils (and have been hanging out on my desk needing a home for quite some time). I added smiley faces from Lawn Fawn's Love You A Latte set - I didn't have any Paper Smooches smiley's in my stash that were small enough. Gasp! I die cut the heart using PS Tiny Hearts die and adhered it using foam tape like the veggie die cuts. The little trowel is from the same set and hand trimmed after coloring. SO fun! 8-)  Nerd alert!

 

I'm submitting this one to the monthly PS Challenge, too, "Fun & Cute".

 

 

 

 

 

 



I'm also playing along with Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - "Have A Heart", Cards In Envy "From The Heart", and Aud Sentiments Challenge - "Love Sentiment".

   


Thanks SO much for stopping by to visit! Please come back again soon - even better, become a new follower or subscribe by email so you don't miss a thang! ;-)

God Bless,
Mandy

I John 4:1   NKJV  (New King James Version)
    "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whethere they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

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