A Christmas Story: JOY!

It's the 15th of December and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  Our team leaders for this month, Kelly for the Divas and Jeanette for the Dazzlers, choice the theme A Christmas Story.  Each team leader set their team members a kit including stamped images, designer papers and lots of embellishments with the challenge to create a card celebrating the December theme.  

I'm part of team Diva and received this awesome, beautiful, colorful kit including the following supplies:
-Stamps: inky antics
-Paper: designer paper from Carta Bella's "Winter Fun" and Bazzill opulent glitter cardstock
-Embellishments: Martha Stewart pearls; Bead Landing cord rope; ribbons from Simplicity, Stampin' Up, Offray, American Crafts; Co'ordination tags and twine; K&Co. brads; glitter buttons "frost" by Favorite Findings; snowflakes "Snow Storm" by f f; dewdrops by Robins Nest, clear

Here's my interpretation:

Outside

 

I embossed the Bazzill opulent glitter cardstock with a Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder and attached this panel to SU kraft cardstock panel which was mounted on SU Cherry Cobbler cardstock base.  Kelly gave us two different images to use and chose to use the angel Gabriel image that I die cut with a circle Nestability, colored with Twinkling H20s, highlighted with stickles, and other glitter and then mounted on a Cherry Cobbler die cut circle.  I cut a 2 inch strip from one of the Carta Bella "Winter Fun" dsp, and layered it on Cherry Cobbler and Kraft cardstock panels.  I used 3 of the ribbons in the kit to create those vertical banners.  To finish the front of the card I used the blingy snowflakes fro the kit.  The layout was based on this sketch from " Freshly Made Sketches 116":

 



Here's the inside of the card:

 

   On the inside I added a panel of white cardstock topped with a strip of the dsp used on the front of the card. The sentiment included in the kit was cut with circle Nestability and mounted on Cherry Cobbler cardstock panel. 

 

Kelly asked us to share a Christmas memory.  I couldn't choose just one. Christmas has always been a special time for me and is an important part of my earliest memories.  First Christmas memories bring to mind time spent with my mother's family: mom and dad, sisters, grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins.  My mother was one of nine siblings so it was always a BIG gathering on Christmas eve.  When I was very young it was at my grandmother's home and in later years most often in my parents home.  I remember wonderful Christmas programs at our church and, in particular, one year with an outstanding youth minister who directed a group of young girls choir I was part of to sing a number of Christmas carols, each in a different language.  I met my husband when he was home for Christmas and by the next Christmas we were married and spending Christmas with his family in Hawaii and again with his family when our sons were seven and two.  Almost every year we made the 50 mile trip from our home south of Seattle to spend Christmas Eve with my family in my hometown of Everett and the following day we traveled another 60 miles to spend Christmas day with my husband's family in Bellingham.  I have wonderful memories of celebrating Christ's birth with my church family in Christmas Eve candlelight services.  Sweet, sweet memories!

 

I hope all your Christmas memories are sweet and filled with Hope, Love, Joy and Peace!!!!

 

Check out the rest of the Diva's creations here:

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/.
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/





November Dueling Darlings Theme: "Masculine...Yep, the manly man!"

It's November 15th and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers! This month Tami from team Diva (my team!) and Darlene from team Dazzlers chose the theme "Masculine" and sent each of their team members a kit with images, paper and embellishments to create a card around this theme.  Here is mine:

In the kit Tami sent us were the following items:
Image: Stampendous Small Tag M265 (stamped in four different colors)
Paper: Pinkpaislee - Old School School Days, Hocus Pocus Good Fortune, Old School Curriculum, Hometown Summer Sunnyside Lane, Fascinating. We R Memory Keepers - Autumn Splendor
Many embellishments including 4 different ribbons, eyelets, brads, black circle die cut, brown square scallop die cuts, flower die cuts, buttons, clip, star and flag chipboard pieces, and adhesive rhinestones.

I chose to use the Pinkpaislee Old School Curriculum burgundy diagonal plaid and the Fascinating green strip designer papers along with Stampin' Up Bashful Blue cardstock and black cardstock.  I used the yellow-green eyelets on three corners of the striped panel. On the Potter's Clay tag panel I stamped an image from my a.muse studio "swingin' day" set and also the sentiment from this set was stamped on the circle panel. I punched a hole on the tag, slipped the green sheer ribbon through and topped the hole off with a brad from my collection.  I used the black die cut from the kit as the base for my circle panel.  And I use this sketch for Splitcoaststampers for my layout:

The theme and kit Tami chose for this month was perfect for me.  My brother-in-law's birthday is today and the card was mailed to him!

Tami also asked us to share a funny holiday story involving someone masculine in our life.  Although I have a lot a men in my family; husband, 2 sons, 7 uncles, 17 male cousins, 4 brothers-in-law, 7 nephews, I was having a difficult time remembering a funny holiday story.  Then one came to mind from many years ago.  My mother was one of nine siblings and all the men in her family were very involved in many sports. For many years my aunts, uncles and cousins would gather at our home on Christmas eve.  On one occasion my 2 year cousin Dave who had just received a ball for Christmas came in took one look at our Christmas tree and decided it looked like a basketball hoop and , yes! he shot that ball right to the top of the tree! It swayed dangerously but did not fall and no ornaments were lost!

Please check out the rest of team Diva starting here:
Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/.
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/



Trick or Treat for the Dueling Darlings!

"Trick or Treat

Smell my feet,

OR

Give me something

Sweet to eat!"
 

It's the October 15th and time for another duel between the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  This month I'm hosting for the Divas along with my partner Paola for the Dazzlers.  We asked our team members to create a card celebrating Halloween using the elements in the kit we provided.



Included in my kit were the following items:

Stamped images: Recollections

Designer Paper: My Mind's Eye, "Wicked Mechant Malvado"

Ribbon: Recollections

Twine:  My Mind's Eye, Lime Twist

Embellishments: pewter brads, Skull and Crossbone brad, Spider and Ghost adhesive embellishments, clear buttons

 

 

 

Here is my card:



I also used the sketch from this week's MOJO Monday here:

 

In addition to creating a card we asked everyone to share their views on Halloween:  "Do you celebrate it?  If so what's your favorite part?  (Eating candy is NOT an optional answer...LOL).  Please share one or more for the following suggestions: a trick, a treat, a recipe, favorite costume, favorite decoration, fun times, etc....Pictures are always a welcome visual too!"

 

I do like to do a little decorating but so far haven't taken out my Halloween decorations.  I've been too busy cleaning and organizing my house for overnight guests coming on Sunday.  I'll be sure to have the decorations up before they arrive.  I just might make some Caramel Corn as an early Halloween treat for them!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO YOU ALL!

HOPE IT'S FULL OF TREATS!!

 

Please check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/.
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/
Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

 

 

 



 

 

 











 

 

Another Duel Times Two

On the 15 of the month the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers have a fun duel.  Each team's hostess for the month confer and choose a theme and based on that theme they each create a card kit that is sent to their respective team members.  Last month I was vacationing in Washington state and unable to create a card and post to this blog in time for August's duel so I'm dueling with 2 cards this month.

Hostesses for the month of August were Laura Jean for the Divas (my team) and Terry for the Dazzlers.  The theme was "FALL KICKOFF". and it was no surprise to me that LJ choice to use football as the dominant "fall kickoff" theme.  Her kit included the following items:

Image:  Football Player - MFT Pure Innocence
Sentiments:  Hampton Arts Studio
Paper:  Red Polkadot - Down By the Shore/Fancy Pants Design
            Yellow Polkadot - Chevron - SN@P! Color Vibe
            Green Chevron - Urban Traveler/Simple Stories
            Kraft Colored Sports - themed (both) Game Day Chili/JilliBean Soup
Other:  Star borders (MFT dienamics), ribbon, twine, assorted buttons and brads, tear-out ticket (Little Yellow Bicycle)

Here's my card:

 

Loved all the items but I really had to use the blue and green elements to represent my favorite football team, the Seattle Seahawks, along with some of the kraft paper and sentiments.  I did add one embellishment, the football brad, that was not in the kit.  I also had to add the number 3 to my football player as a special addition for our hostess. ;-) I wrapped the green chenille ribbon around the blue die cut. at the bottom of the card.  Here is the inside of the card:

 

I used this My Favortie Things sketch MFTWSC140 as my layout for this card:

 

 

 

"GLOBETROTTING AND GETTING DOWN TO YOUR ROOTS" is the theme chosen by Kadie, a Diva, and April, a Dazzler, our hostesses for the month of September.  "For September, we decided that since there are so many cute stamps out right now with different country themes, that we would travel the globe and celebrate culture!"  Here is what Kadie sent in her kit:

 

Stamp: Kraftin Kimmie - Moonlight Whispers, Melanie of Canada and Felina of Mexico

Paper:  Basic Grey - Carte Postale

Buttons:  Basic Grey

Ribbon:  Stampin Up and Impress

Brads:  The Paper Studio

 

Here's my card: 

 



 

What an awesome kit!  Those papers were just perfect for a traveling theme and I just had to choose Melanie of Canada for my focal image as part of the theme was "Getting Down To Your Roots" and my roots do have a toe hold in Canada where my father was born and also the birthplace of my mother-in-law.  I colored Melanie with Copic markers and die cut her "out-of-the-box".  I used one of  the buttons in the kit and filled the four holes with four of the tiny brads in the kit.  I also used a silver brad on Melanie's purse.

 

Here's the inside of the card:

 

 

I used Splitcoaststamper's Sketch 453 for my layout

 

 



We were asked to share what our heritage is and any traditions we might have in our family that celebrates our origins.  Although I do have Canadian roots all my ancestors originated from Norway.  So I am a second generation American.  Even as a child I found being all of one nationality was very unusual for a child born in America.  I guess the only Norwegian tradition I continue to do is to make Fattigmand at Christmas.  It is a very rich cookie that I learned to make from my Norwegian born grandmother and the only time I make it is at Christmas.

 

Please check out the rest of my Diva teams creations starting here: 

 

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/
Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by.  I love to hear your comments!

 

 



Cool and Creamy, A Dreamy Duel!

Oh, it's that time of the month again! Yeah! Another duel between the Dueling Darling team Divas and team Dazzlers on the 15th.  For this month our hostesses Barb for the Divas (my team) and Debbie for the Dazzlers chose the theme "Cool Creations"!  Barb sent this absolutely awesome kit super early for the July duel and it was chock full of yummy patterned papers by My Mind's Eye Collectable, delicious ribbons and twine, mouthwatering brads and buttons and the coolest Whipper Snapper image called Haagen-Daz Bear.  There was so much goodness I had a difficult time deciding what to use and after much deliberation here is what I came up with:

 

Of the 6 sheets of patterned paper I used 3 with and the reverse side of one of the three.  This cute little bear image was colored with Copic markers.  I used the Doodle bug Sugar coated white brads and the pink and green mini brads as accents on the scalloped matt border.  Two of the sugar coated brads I colored with my Copic markers to imitate the colors I used in coloring the ice cream.  It's a little difficult to see but those scoops of ice cream are shiny with Glossy Accents as well as the bear's snout!  I used the two ice cream cone brads to accent the striped panel.  The horizontal banner was wrapped with the baker's twine and accented with a bow made from the yellow ribbon.

I use this sketch by Jen Shults for Viva La Verve:

 

 

Our team leaders also requested us to share our favorite Summer Cooler.  I'm not sure if I have a favorite.  Lately I've had a real craving for chilled watermelon.  One of my favorite drinks on a warm summer evening is a Mojito.  I haven't had one in a long, long time so I'm thinking when we go on vacation next week I just might indulge!

 

Please check out the rest of my Diva teams creations starting here

 

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/
Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by!  I would love to hear from you!!



Dueling Darling Times Two

It's the 15th of the month and time for another duel between the Dueling Darling Divas (my team) and the Dazzlers.  I was a very naughty girl last month and didn't get my May challenge card uploaded and posted here on my blog so I'm doing dual (heehee) duel duty today! So first up is my card for May here:

 

For May our hostesses Kelly, for the Divas, and Jeanette, for the Dazzlers, chose the theme to celebrate special moments.  Here is what they had to say: Since May is traditionally the month of celebrating Mother's Day, many anniversaries, upcoming June weddings, Holy Communions and Confirmations, graduations and so much more, we thought we'd take this time to celebrate the moments that mean so much! Our theme this month is: Making Memories, Celebrating Moments!

Kelly provided us with the terrific kit that included this darling Kraftin' Kimmie stamp called Tessa Tassel.  The kit included these fantastic papers from Carta Bella plus gorgeous embellishments from ribbons, a little mortar board had, heart clip, buttons, glitter clothes pin, brads, pearl adhesives and a heart clip. I colored my Tessa Tassel with Copic Markers in colors to coordinate with the papers.

We were also asked to share a past memory or current moment that means much to us.  One of the highlights of May 2013 was attending my BFF's church on Mother's Day to witness the baptism of her three newest grandchildren: twins Jason and Natalie and their cousin Liam.  Couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Mother's Day!

 

For the month of June our hostesses Carol, for the Divas, and Melina, for the Dazzlers, came up with the theme "Flip Flops and Sunshine"!  Here's my card:

 

 

Carol send the Divas this wonderful kit so full of gorgeous designer papers that I had a hard time deciding which papers to use.  In her words here is what was in the kit:

"DSP:  Pebbles - "Let freedom ring" (red & white) American Craft - "heat wave" SU orange and white polka dots - Carta Bella- "Cool Summer ice creamborder", Paradise Beach "flip flps", Jillibean "parsnip" Down by the Shore "Sunshine" and one by Imaginice that didn't have a name.

Embellies: K& Co borders...flip flops and sun glasses from Jolies Boutique, Me and My Big Ideas and Imaginice -- die cut yellow suns, misc. ribbon, ribbon paper clips (she made from misc. ribbon) red rhinestones and SU brads...

Images:  (Young)----The Greeting Farm Miss Anya and  (Old) - Rubbernecker Ethel in a swimsuit."

I chose to use Ethel, the old one, just because I can relate. ; )   It's June and here in the AZ desert the temps are sizzling so I chose to go with the sun  themed paper and orange, yellow and white striped paper because they so appropriately mirror are weather here.  I colored Ethel in coordinating colors with my Copic markers.

Hope you like my contributions and please visit the rest of the Diva's here:

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/
Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Dueling Darling's "It's All About Flowers"

It's April 15th and time for another duel between the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  This month April Diva Tami and Dazzler Darlene chose the theme "It's All About Flowers"!  Tami sent the Divas this terrific kit chock full of paper yumminess! (hmmm..is yumminess a word?)  Well it certainly feels yummy to look at all the gorgeous papers, stamped images, ribbon, twine, eyelets, bling and buttons punched/die cut flowers and shapes and a darling die cut wood piece. And that doesn't include the special little packet with the Riley image she included just for fun. Here's what I came up with:

Even with all the wonderful paper crafting goodies at my disposal I chose to go a little clean and simple so I only used the Doodlebug Design Bon Bon designer paper which was one of four d.s.p Tami sent. I colored two of the Delta Creative SunflowerII images with my Copic markers and fussy cut the whole image out and then fussy cut only the large sunflower on the second image.  Mounted both with dimensionals on the layered die Nestability die cuts.The picture really doesn't display the dimensional look that well but I love the way it looks IRL. LOL!  I sponged the edges of all the panels with Tim Holtz Distress Ink "Vintage Photo".  On the lower panel I used 3 of the eyelets from Tami's kit and die cut the "Bloom" sentiment with another nestability die, sponged it with 2 Stampin' Up inks in Barely Banana and Daffodil Delight and T.H. Vintage Photo.  The layout is based on this sketch from Freshly Made Sketches:

 

 

Tami also asked us to share what a favorite flower is.  I don't have one favorite...I love most flowers...but my favorites are sweet peas, tulips, lilacs, daffodils and roses! Now that I live in the AZ desert I can't really grow most of my favorites that were in my WA yard although we do have roses blooming right now and a Persian Lilac that does well here in the desert. Here are pix of roses blooming now in my yard:

Please check out my Diva teammate's creations here:

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/
Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear from you!

Irish blessings on St. Paddy's Day!

It's the 15th of March and in just two more days we'll be wearing green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day and that's the theme for this month's duel chosen by Dueling Darling Diva, Kadie, and Dazzler, April. If you don't know about the Dueling Darlings we're a group a card making friends who met on Splitcoaststampers and share a love of papercrafting.  Our Dueling Darling leaders Kelly for the Divas and Jeanette for the Dazzlers came up with the idea to once a month have a "duel" between these two groups.  One Diva and one Dazzler would get together and determine the theme for their month and then each would send a card kit to every one in their team with information about the kit, the theme and also an extra challenge. 

I'm a Diva and just blown away by the kit I received from Kadie!  There was so much in the kit I had a difficult time deciding what to use for my card.  Here's the result:

 

From Kadie's kit items I used:



Stamp: MFT ala mode "Wishing You Luck"

Paper: Recollections Portobello Road (text background), Graphic 45 Place In Time (purple check) and Stamp image which were cut apart.

Embellishments: the Green "ribbon" is a Petaloo trim, I believe, that I cut apart and used as a frame for the image panel; Kaisercraft Rhinestones

 

In addition to the kit I used Stampin' Up cardstock in Lucky Limeade and Elegant Eggplant.  I added Glossy Accents to the four leaf clover in the image panel and stamped the text dsp with small shamrock stamps in Lucky Limeade.  The image was colored with Copic markers and mounted on the purple check pattern with dimensionals.  I wish  my camera caught a more accurate purple tone to the dsp.  It really is more too the red tone of purple than the blue as shows in this picture.

 

There was so much more in the kit I was hoping I'd get some time to make another card to present today but just couldn't get my act together in time.  Maybe another day I'll post another card made from all the luscious papers and embellishments Kadie sent!  But you will probably get more of an idea if you check out all the Diva's creations on their blogs listed below.

 

We were asked to share a recent RAK blessing.  I love tulips and a friend came for a visit and brought me a lovely bunch of yellow and purple tulips.  What a treat! I'm looking forward to St. Paddy's day as we've been invited to a friend's for an Irish themed dinner...what else but Corned Beef and Cabbage!

 

Please check out the Diva's creations here:

 

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/

Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/

Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/

Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Thanks for stopping by and I would love to hear from you!

 



It's All About Love!

 

It’s February and your Dueling Darling hostess’s Paola for the Dazzlers and me for the Divas have chosen this theme of love based on the Bible verses from Corinthians 13: 4,7, 13
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud….It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (New International Version)

There is so much about love to celebrate in February besides the forever traditional day of love, Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14th, and chose to name a few more celebrations that take place this month as inspiration for the cards for this months duel:

• American Heart Month
• International Friend Month
• Random Acts of Kindness Week (10^th – 16^th in 2013)
• Brotherhood/Sisterhood Week (17^th – 23^rd in 2013)
• Send a Card to a Friend Day (Feb. 7^th)
• Love Your Pet Day (Feb. 21^st)
• Family Day (Feb 18, 2013 in Canada)

The kits included the following items:
Designer Papers from My Mind’s Eye, "Love Me"; Pinecone Press Papers, "Be Mine"
Ribbon from Recollections: red glitter; pink glitter; red and white satin;
Divine Twine: pink,white, red twine
Heart clothes pin
Pink bling hearts
Prima flowers
Various heart brads
Stamped images: Stampin’ Up "Summer by the Sea" and sentiment "Joy is not in things, it is in us" and circle sentiment from S.U. Circle of Friendship "Sending You My Love"

Here's my card:

I chose to use papers from the Pinecone Press "Be Mine" collection.  The pink and vanilla cardstock are from Stampin' Up.  My image is stamped on SU Vanilla cardstock with a little bit of paper piecing on the image's shirts.

With our theme in mind we added an extra challenge to our teammates to sow the seeds of love and kindness they have received in their lives by paying it forward in performing a kind gesture and doing it anonymously!  For my "random act of kindness" I chose to make valentine sugar cookies, packaged them in heart boxes added a little handmade valentine note and left it on neighbors doorsteps yesterday. Here's a few pix of their treats:

I hope you'll visit the rest of the Dueling Darlings' blogs and check out their creations

Please check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/
Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/

Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/

Paola and I have a big surprise for our teammates with this month's kit.  Can you tell what it is?

Thanks for stopping by!  I love to hear from you!!

Read A Book!

Hi everyone! It's January 15th and time for another duel with the Dueling Darling Divas and Dazzlers.  The the DDDs are two groups of gals on Splitcoaststampers who on the 15th of each month create a card from a kit supplied by one of our teammates.  This month LauraJean (LJ), a diva, and Terry, a Dazzler, chose this theme and challenge:
"January is "Book Blitz Month".....use a stamp with books and/or reading as a theme We would also like to then add in your post who your favorite author is, or your favorite book and why."

Here's my card using fantastic elements from LJ's Kit:

exterior

Interior

In LJ's own words a description of the kit:
"Here are the contents of the kit (I've listed the companies as best I can remember)
Stamps: ABC Primer Collection // Graphic 45. Images are stamped with either Memento Tuxedo black or Memento Rich Cocoa ink on PTI White. It's copic/prisma friendly.
All DP & smaller tag piece :This & That Charming Collection // Echo Park
Accessories:
Ribbon: Green Polka Dot Ribbon (PTI), Wide Brown Ribbon (SU), brown Gingham Ribbon (American Crafts). Silver hodgepodge & spiral clip (SU) Brads - Basic Grey, Buttons (PTI and Amuse). Chipboard Square (unknown)."

In additon to using some of those fabulous Echo Park designer papers I chose to use the Little girl reading stamped in Momento Rich Cocoa that I then die cut with a Nestability circle, colored with Copic markers and mounted on another nestie die cut with inverted scallops which was then attached with dimensionals.   From the kit I also used the metal circle frame mounted with several brads and centered with the green button from the kit and tied with some twine (My Mind's Eye lime twist) from my stash.  I used a scallop die on some Bazzill bling cardstock to create the inverted scallop panel and the tied a dotted brown satin ribbon (saved from a previous DDD kit) around the panel before attaching to the right side panel.  I stamped the sentiment from an old Hanna Stamp set to put on this panel.   Cardstock stock used from my own stock: Stampin' Up Very Vanilla, Gumball Green and Early Espresso and Bazzill Bling.  The green panel was embossed on four sides with a scallop border Cuddlebug embossing folder.

On the inside of the card I used the tag from Echo Park, the wide Brown ribbon, and a panel die cut from the Bazzill bling and layered with another Echo Park dsp.

For my layout I used this week's MOJO Monday Sketch here:


The other challenge was to share our favorite author or book and tell why.  My first thought was a book I  read every day, the Holy Bible.  It is a source of inspiration, guidance, encouragement, love, hope and a blessing.  My day always starts with reading from the Bible and a meditation based on the scripture of the day.  I love to read!  My love of reading started early.   We had a branch library about a half mile from our home and I was known to get 3 or 4 books go home read them all and go back to the library all in the same day!! Rarely does a day go by that I haven't been losing myself in story or reading for knowledge or inspiration or just plain fun.  Some of my fun reads are stories created by favorite authors Nora Roberts and Debbie Macomber.  I love the characters they create and once I start on a new book by one of these authors I find it hard to put down.

Please check out the rest of team Diva starting here:

Please check out the Diva's creations here:

Kelly: http://www.sandcastlestamper.blogspot.com/
Barb: http://inkingintoretirement.blogspot.com/
Carol: http://lostinmycraftroom.blogspot.com/
LJ: http://buckygirl.blogspot.com/
Tami: http://blueinksdesign.blogspot.com/
Kadie: http://mymindseyecreations.blogspot.com/

And the Dazzlers here:

Jeanette http://creativeplayischeaperthantherapy.blogspot.com/

April: http://aprilsalley.blogspot.com/
Darlene: http://accordingtobijou.blogspot.com/
Debbie: http://theinkigloo.blogspot.com/
Melina: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Michelle: http://me-craftyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Paola: http://paola-sama.blogspot.com/
Terry: http://itstotallyterry.blogspot.com

 

Thanks for stopping by! I love to read your comments.