Winter Wonderland

This is for Speedy the Cat's Friend Challenge # 88 - Use a snowflake! It was easier to use a snowflake than look for snowflakes in Wisconsin! Do NOT think we are going to have a White Christmas!!! That ground is green!! (here is the website)

I used the MFP new Ice and Snow stamps on MFP Aqua Light cs with BoBunny dp. The corners were punched with Martha Stewart snowflake punch. The icicles were stamped with tuxedo black Memento ink and then colored with Stardust chalk from Chalk-Ah-Lot and mixed with 3D Crystal lacquer by Sakura. After it dried, I added a little crystal stickles to make them glisten. The snowflakes were stamped with tuxedo black Memento and colored with Stardusk chalk...added a little BoBunny pearl and stamped the sentiment on the bottom with Vivid Aqua ink.

The inside was stamped with the snowflakes and the sentiment (from Ice and Snow) was stamped with Vivid Aqua and die cut with big scalloped ovals large by Spellbinders. Added some pearls....some ribbon to the front and A Winter Wonderland  it is! Hope you join us for the Snowflake challenge this week. The challenge runs from Dec. 31 thru Friday, January 6, 2012.

With Sympathy - part 2

This is for Speedy the Cat's Friend Challenge #87 --Anything Goes! I tell you it was PERFECT for me this week as I had a friend who had asked me to make her a set of Sympathy cards for a Christmas gift...and this fit the bill perfectly!  (here is the website)



I used the Playful Garden embossing folder by Crafts Concepts and then colored with Chalk-Ah-Lot chalk and mixing it with the creative gloss medium by Ranger. WHAT fun it was!! Perfect way to mix chalk and it gets like paint and you simply paint it on and NO chalk mess at all. I also used Sakura glitter pens. It was Key Lime cs and the inside was Authentique dp. I used Mark's Finest Stamps...black eyed susans and the sentiment was from Walk in the Woods. The sentiment on the inside was computer generated.

Front with embossed folder and flowers popped up

Inside

This one I used Autumn Rose cs with Authentique dp and the Winter Crocus stamp from Mark's. The sentiment is from A Walk in the Woods. Also used scalloped squares large, scalloped tags and big scalloped ovals large and Edgeabilities classic brackets to do the die cutting.
This time I colored with Chalk-Ah-Lot chalk and Buzz N Magic Paint from Stamp N Plus Scrap N. Really makes for a lovely medium to use and gives a rather shiny finish. I added some sakura glitter pens too. Added a little bling and 2 of the 6 cards were done!

Sympathy Cards - part 1

Here are 3 of those sympathy cards. These were using GKD stamps. These 2 are using the Branching Out Stamp Set.

The first one is on Autumn rose cs or Key Lime cs, with Cosmo Cricket dp. Used some spellbinders die cuts. Also used the gardens embossing folder by Craft Concepts and GKD All Occasion Tags. Added some bling and highlighted with Sakura Glitter pens. The ink was Lilac posies by Memento.

This next one also used GKD Branching Out and All Occasion Tags. It was done on Key Lime GKD and Bo Bunny dp. I embossed half of the front with the garden folder and then colored in with Chalk-Ah-Lot and Matte finish. Added a little highlights with Sakura glitter pens.The inside sentiment was direct chalk-ah-lot application of blue. Added some bling.

This one was done on Autumn Rose cs, Bo Bunny dp and used GKD Heartfelt stamps with Lilac Posies Memento and Tuxedo Black Memento ink. I colored with Copics and sakura glitter pens and used spellbinders to cut out with big scalloped ovals large  and Lattice rectangles. The inside I used the Holly Vine Memory Box diecut. Again...a little bling...a little ribbon....and 5 done!

And Number 6 will appear in January....can't be put on yet as it is for a challenge in January.

But they are all nicely put in a box....ready to be given away for Christmas! YES one more gift done! :)

Chalk-Ah-Lot & Stamp N Plus Scrap N

Did you see that there is 

 free shipping through the holidays?
Chalk-Ah-Lot & Stamp N Plus Scrap N

Check it out HERE

Go get some stamps and chalk

and get ready to play. 

We are now just a few weeks away

from the first challenge Jan 8th

Don't forget to say you saw it on the chalk blog!

Thanks for stopping

Barb

Pine candles

Another Christmas project completed today! YEA!!! I decided to give 4 sets of 3 flameless candles out as Christmas gifts and 1 set of 2.....turned out to be an OK and fast moving project! I used Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company New Pines stamp with green, bamboo, Rich Cocoa Memento ink and stamped the image onto tissue paper. Then cut it out leaving just a small edge of tissue paper around the image. Then lay the image with the ink side up on the candle and carefully wrap the candle with wax paper. Then take your heat gun and heat the wax until the tissue paper melts into the candle. I had trouble with the first couple as the heat got too hot....I truly do believe you get what you pay for when buying flameless candles!!! The first couple were NOT high quality wax and it got rather melty looking...but did cool ok. So now to get them wrapped! :-)

Tis the Season to Rejoice

This is for Speedy the Cat's Challenge ... Week 86 ... Make a Christmas card! Well this is certainly that time of the year! :-) I sure hope you can enter the challenge this week..December 17-23...you probably have a Christmas card you created this year! You can win the new Ice and Snow stamp set from Mark's Finest Papers, A Heinrich Company. Good luck!  (Here is the website)

I used the MFP, Festive Wreath mini set and Greetings of the Season sentiments. I decided to do this wreath with Sakura glitter pens, colored pencils and Stickles. I used the Holly Cuttlebug folder to emboss the dk. green cs from MFP and a little gold Recollections dp. The wreath was cut out with Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Circles large and Nesting circles. I added the finishing dots of Stickles after it was cut out.

The ribbon tag trio 3 by Spellbinders was used for the sentiment with some ribbon added and stamped in Memento Cottage Ivy and sponged with Ladybug Red Memento. I added some pearls, jingle bell brad, Happy Holidays tag and gold bow. The inside is just a sentiment with some pearls added on. Unfortunately the glare of the camera is NOT good on this one! Hopefully next time....will be MUCH better!

Merry Christmas to you!

Front

Inside..just a sentiment

Warm Winter Wishes

YEA!!!! Finished the last of the Christmas cards..FINALLY!!!! I had 12 left and got them done this afternoon!!! NOW they are all addressed and ready to be mailed!!!

This one was mass produced...and it is easier to cut out all the pieces, etc. at one time! You tend to remember what you did! I used red hot cs, green grass cs from GKD, and Paper Studio dp. The front was embossed with a Sizzix snowflakes folder and then highlighted with white pen. The snowflakes were stamped with white brilliance ink.

I used stamps from Prickley Pear, Holiday Clear Stamps snowflake Walmart and Craft Lounge. The die cuts were Prickley Pear scalloped circle and Quick Kutz ornament.

Stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento and Cottage Ivy Memento, added some ribbon and a bow and some cord on the inside ornament. Also a couple of stickers. I was trying to keep the level flatter so didn't have to add extra postage! LOL!!

AND To one and all.....ENJOY the Holidays!!!

Front

Inside

With Thanks

This is a Thank You card for the Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge Week 85 -- make a thank you card. The challenge runs from December 10-16. Give it a try and you might be the winner of a stamp set!(here is their website)

A Christmas thank you card seems appropriate since I know I'll need at least one! :-)  I chose to use the A Walk in the Woods with Thanks sentiment and the Red Breasted Nuthatch from MFP, A Heinrich company as my stamps. I stamped with Cottage Ivy Memento ink and then colored with Copics. I then added Stickles for sparkles on the tree and snow on the fence. I used Tumbled Glass distress ink in the sky and added some Stickles and Stickles for the snow by the fence.

The sentiments were embossed with red embossing and then sponged with Pine Needles and Tumbled Glass Distress Inks. The inside sentiment on the back of the front is from Red Breasted Nuthatch and stamped with Cottage Ivy Memento and sponged with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink and some Stickle "bling". Added some Stickles for "bling" on some other parts. It was put on green cs by MFP, the dp is part of my stash so I'm not sure the name of the company. Added some ribbon, brads and satin ribbon trees. The image was cut out with Spellbinders Classic scalloped rectangles and the curved rectangles cut out the sentiment on the front. The inside sentiment was scalloped ovals and curved rectangles.

So all is set and ready for me to write a thank you note.

Front

Inside left and right
With blank space to write on

Cookies and Spice and Everything Nice

This is trying to finish up making those Christmas cards. I made 3 the same and will enter this in the For Fun Challenge -- make a Christmas card! (Here is the website)

I wanted to try the Judith stamps with the Tree For All Seasons and used the Judith stamps to put the decos on the tree. I then colored them with Sakura glitter pens. Added a Spellbinders gold glitter star at the top.  Added some background with some gold star stamps and sponging. The tree was cut out of nesting rectangles and it was MFP ivory cs, Wassail and Recollections dp. The saying on the inside is A Muse stamp, House Mouse and Penny Black Sentiments. Added a little bling, decos, stickers and Merry Christmas to all!!

Front

Inside

Front

Inside

Front

  

Inside

Warm Winter Wishes

This is for the Speedy the Cat's Challenge Week 84 -- using your favorite embellishments! One of my favorite things to use!(here is the website)

I used the MFP Snowball Mini set. I stamped him with Tuxedo Black Memento ink, colored him with Smooch, added some Polar Fleece FlowerSoft for his hat and cuffs,his beard and eyebrows. I also used some Copic markers for his skin. It was stamped on white cs from MFP and I also used Paper Studio I Believe dp. I cut the oval with Spellbinders Big Scalloped Ovals and after cutting out Mr. Snowball Santa I popped him on the inside of the card and he comes up through the front! Added some bling -- my favorite embellishments...some holly brads from Spare Parts, some ribbon, some reindeer buttons, green and red bling. I then punched a hole for a red/white cord and fastened it with a Candi dot to keep it secure. That way the card will stay shut.

And he is sending you Warm Winter Wishes for a Merry Christmas!

Front

Inside 

Christmas ornament

This is for the Outlines Challenge...Challenge 28 Hang it Up -make an ornament or wall hanging. (Here is the website)

This was my first attempt at making an ornament toper. I used Outlines I-792 Sparkle Topper. It was really fun to do and a great challenge. I decided to try vellum and stamped it 3 different times. One layer was embossed with gold, another with red and another with green. Then I colored the in between parts with Smooch which worked really well on the vellum and gave it a nice look. After it dried, I cut it out and then attached it to the ornament in layers, rotating the design. I added some pearls to finish it off and a ribbon hanger.

There are some changes I would do to make again...but the basic concept does work! That was exciting!

Friends of SpeedyTV Challenge Week 9

 There have been lots of changes and new things happening here at the site and new stamps and products are coming out to play with. As you've heard,  Mark's Finest Papers has changed hands and is now under new ownership A Heinrich Company. 

Please feel free to check out their store ( Here is the website) 

Also check out the Friends of Speedy TV challenges (Here is the website)

And of course, the every week, Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge (Here is the website)

•     
• 
  
• 
  
• Welcome to week 9 of the Friends of SpeedyTV challenge. 
• This weeks challenge is to use your favorite sketch or layout. 
• The challenge is to show which sketch you love the most. 
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• It could be one you have designed yourself.
• 
  
•  
• It could be one you have done in the past from other sketch challenges. 
• What ever you want surprise us.                                                                                                                                                                     If you go their website, 
• you will see samples of what the Design Team has put together!

•  

THANKS for joining in the fun and see you at Speedy TV!

Thank You

This is a thank you card for  For Fun Challenges make a thank you card. I needed to make thank you cards for my birthday gifts and this fit the challenge perfectly. (here is the website)

I used MFP Country Thanksgiving and used Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Brown cs by GKD, some stash dp and colored with Copics and sakura glitter pens. Cut it out with Spellbinders Label 1. The sentiment is stamped on Hero Arts Sunshine Designs cs and die cut with Spellbinders Ribbon Banners. Added some ribbon, brads and bows.

The inside sentiment from Stampendous is stamped on Hero Arts Sunshine Designs cs and a sticker added.

And many thanks I will write on the inside!

Front

Inside

WHOA! Yer How Old?

This is for the Speedy the Cat's Challenge Week  #83 -- make a masculine card.  A good challenge and a good idea to have a masculine card on hand! I find I can ALWAYS use a masculine birthday card! This challenge runs from Sat., Nov. 26 - Friday, Dec. 2.  (here is the website)

First I had to decide what kind of masculine card to make..hmmm? birthday! Then decided on which stamp set...hmmm? The new Trip to Lancaster by MFP seemed to fit the bill. So...I started!

I used that stamp set and created a "scene" with the barn, the tree and the horse and buggy....stamped it all with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and then colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. The background was Kraft paper from GKD, Karen Foster dp, white cs from MFP. After I had the images all colored I decided Distress inks were the way to go...so used Stormy Sky and Tumbled glass for the sky and Pumice stone and Tea Dye for the road....did some sponging and some blending and the front was done!

The inside I embossed with a Cuttlebug birthday folder and then the sentiment (which was MFP Birthday mini stamp set) was cut out with Labels 7 and sponged with the Distress Ink Pumice Stone and Tea Dye. Had to add a LITTLE bling..masculine or not! :-)

Happy Birthday!

Front

Inside

Gift Card for A Merry Christmas

This is for the Outlines Challenge Week 27 -- make a gift card. (here is the website)

I absolutely LOVE their gift card stamps...they work so well and are easy to do and have a nice finished look! This is the first one I have made this year for Christmas gifts...they have several different designs and will fit any occasion! This one is I-927 Holiday Gift Card Holder. I also used Outlines C-1126 To a Healthy.. as the sentiment stamped on the outside.

I used green MFP cs  and Paper Studio I Believe dp. I was able to use the  corner of the dp paper on the inside as decorative background and just had to do a quick stamp of a sentiment and added a few bling...and it was done!

On the front I colored with Sakura glitter pens and Copics, added some Candi bling, 2 present brads and finished it off with Liquid Pearls and Viva Pen dots and added a bow! NOW I just need to go get the gift card to put in it!

Front

Inside

Have a Peaceful Day! in black, white, purple

This is for the Speedy the Cat's Challenge  Week # 82 Color Challenge -- use black, white and one other color.  The challenge runs from  Saturday, Nov. 19 - Friday, Nov. 25.  (here is the website)

I LOVE making black and white cards and this time I chose to accent it with purple. It seemed to be a great combination for Christmas! The black cs from MFP, Paper Studio black and white dp.  I used the Mark's Finest Paper stamp set Brick Wall for the background and  Red Breasted Nuthatch ( even though it is PURPLE!) set for both the outside and the inside. I also used Spellbinders Big scalloped ovals large  for the bird, Labels 6 for the sentiments.

I decided to do embossing and that seemed to work very nicely on the black. AND of course it made a WONDERFUL glittery mess on the table too! I used white detail embossing for the brick wall, Wizard's Wand purple embossing for the bird and then sponged with Brilliance Victorian Violet ink. I colored the pinecones with Sakura glitter pens, added some white, purple snowflakes, buttons with purple and white cord and some ribbon, Added a few pearls too! The sentiment on the inside was stamped with Brilliance white ink and some bling added!

And Merry Christmas! One more Christmas card is finished!

Front

Inside

Happy Turkey Day

Today I made a Thanksgiving card that will be used for 2 challenges. The first challenge is for the Outlines Challenge 26 (here is their website) -- Thanksgiving and the other challenge is for For Fun Challenges (here is their website)- Can you smell What's Cookin? For this challenge the recipe was:  1)food ( I did vegetables) 2) 2 decorated papers (I did 2 different dp on the front and one on the inside) 3) 3 brads, buttons or eyelets (I used 3 leaf brads).

I used GKD pumpkin spice cs and the dp paper is from TPC Studio and SEI. I used the Outlines Stamps AA085- Tiny Happy Turkey Day, E-770 Thanks for All and I-793 Split Layering Collage Autumn. I stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento and then colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. I only used 2 of the collage images and cut them out and then put them on a different dp for background. Added some brown twine ribbon and brads on the front.

The inside I used some stickers and one of the collage images. And I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

front

inside

Merry & Bright

This is for the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.. Week 177....Christmas challenge of GOLD and PRESENTS! Here is their website

I used Ivory CS from GKD and the Recollections gold dp and Basic Grey presents dp on the inside.
The gold dp was cut out with Spellbinders lattice Rectangles. The image from Penny Black Holly-Jolly was embossed with Zing gold glitter and then colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens was diecut with the classic scalloped rectangles and then sponged with Encore gold ink. The sentiment from Penny Black Let It Snow was also embossed with gold and sponged with Ladybug Red Memento and Cottage Ivy Memento ink and die cut with Spellbinders Ribbon Tags Trio. Added some present brads, some gold ribbon and some gold pearls.

The inside is an image from Penny Black Holly-Jolly diecut with scalloped retangle and the sentiments from both Holly-Jolly and Let It Snow and both embossed with gold and sponged with Memento. Added some gold pearls and a ribbon and A Gift for You card is done and wishing you a holly-jolly Christmas!

Front

Inside

Coffee, Tea and Chalk-Ah-Lot!

HERE IS THE WEBSITE!

Oh this is exciting news for me! I have been chosen to be on a brand new Design Team that is going to be starting up January 8! It sounds like such fun...and a challenge too! The products sound like such a fun challenge too...using powdered chalk! We are anxiously awaiting our goodies and then we can PLAY and get some samples going and then the Challenges will start. The first Challenge will be January 8. YOU will be invited to play along...be sure to stop at the website and become a follower so you receive all of the information! I think you will enjoy playing along and hint hint..YOU won't have to use just chalk!

These are products that are available from this company ...

   Here is the Website 

They have some great looking stamps, with great prices and an excellent variety too. If any of you are also Iris folders, she has those kind of stamps too! The powdered chalk is from here also. 

This is a company owned by LuAnn Hale from Wisconsin.

If you look along the right side of my blog, you will find a list of all of the team members. Click on their names and you can check out their blogs. You will want to be their followers too cuz they have some awesome looking projects on their pages!

I'll keep you posted with the "what's happenings" and when things are getting closer to the first challenge. 

In the meantime, remember 

Coffee, Tea and Chalk-Ah-Lot!

We Wish You a Happy New Year

This is for the Speedy the Cat's  Challenge .. Week #81 -- using your favorite technique. I chose to do embossing. Embossing is such fun...unfortunately I also make a MESS when I do it...but wipes clean it up! :-) Here is the website

I chose the stamps from Mark's Finest Products . . . A Walk in the Woods for the embossed trees and Red Breasted Nuthatch for the sentiment and Tweet Blessings bird which I diecut with the Spellbinders lacey circles  and put pop ups on them to make them stand out from the trees. The birds were embossed with black detail and then sponged with Tumbled Glass Distress and Versa Lime ink.

 I embossed with evergreen and spring mint glittery to give that shiny look of fresh sparkling snow and added some flower soft Polar Fleece for snow. Then used some Tim Holtz Distress Inks -- Bundled Sage, Pine Needles to add some background to the trees and  a little Danube Blue Memento for the sky. Cut it out with Spellbinders curved rectangles and added the ribbon banners by Spellbinders with the sentiment stamped in Tuxedo Black Memento. The inside sentiment was cut with Labels 23 and stamped in Cottage Ivy Memento. I used Martha Stewart corner snowflake punch and then added some embellishments -- the tree hat pin and charm from Mark's, some gold ribbon and plastic snowflakes. The card is done on Fresh Spearmint from Mark's and Paper Studio dp.

And I hope you enjoy the beauty of Winter's crisp cool silence as you walk through the forest! Be sure to enter Mark's challenge this week and show us your favorite technique.

Front

Inside

The Gladness of Christmas!

This is for the Outlines Challenge 25  -- Inspiration Photo.  (here is the website)

 This is the photo for Inspiration.

 I decided to do this very colorful Christmas card! I used GKD white cs, Recollections Jingle Bells dp. I colored this Outlines stamp, H-995 Snowman Tower with Copics and Sakura glitter pens and added some buttons, and white polar fleece Flower Soft for snowy look. Also added some bling, ribbon and Candi dots. The Spellbinders Curved Rectangles was used to diecut the snowmen.

The inside sentiments is Outlines D-308 May You and the Snowflakes are B-821 Flurry Sm and C-820 Flurry Large. They were colored with Copics and Sakura glitter pens. Again added some Candi dots. It was stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink.

And hopefully your Christmas will be filled with gladness, hope, peace and love!

Front

Inside