A Recipe for You...

Welcome!  Grab a beverage, take a seat and get yourself comfortable.  

Today I'd like to share a recipe with you!
Don't get too excited...I mean a card recipe, not a cooking recipe!  LOL

Our current challenge at The Crafter's Cafe is a recipe challenge...
2 designer papers
ribbon
3 die cuts
4 pearls or rhinestones
Think you can do it?  Need a little encouragement?  How about the chance to win some awesome prizes from our sponsors for this challenge...



and

Treasured Times.

Now I must confess that I usually don't use card recipes as I find them absolutely challenging. However, I was kind of excited to be pushed out of my comfort zone this time.  I was so happy to be using the Squigglefly image "Cardinal Birdhouse".  I know... you're thinking why would you choose a Christmas image?  I have good reason, I need to keep preparing for the annual craft show I'm in and Christmas cards are my greatest sellers.

Here's a peek...and we'll go through the details in the next few photos...

As you can see, I managed to find two fantastic designer papers to use on this card!  I married them together with the ribbon to make nice joint where the two styles meet. 

I've colored up this gorgeous digi with my Tim Holtz Distress markers.  I added some glitter ritz around the birdhouse to give the illusion of shimmering snow...wish you could see it better.  Then I've added some liquid pearls for some dimension...and put 3 pearls on the background and one pearl for the cardinals eye.  That takes care of the 4 pearls or rhinestones portion of the recipe.  

Lastly, there were the 3 die cuts to take care of.  They are the cardinal, the pine leaves and in the very bottom corner you will see the snowflake swirl corner which I stickled in diamond Stickles to give it some shimmer.  

This came together quite quickly and I quite like the end result.  

Now, I hope I've encouraged you to tackle this recipe.  It was so much fun when I got down to it!  Don't forget to check out the projects the other DT members have created at The Crafter's Cafe.  We can hardly wait to see what you cook up!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...

My Perfect Life..."Softly Fell the Silent Snow..."

Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra..."Christmas"

Sparkles Christmas Challenges..."Anything Goes"

Brown Sugar..."Feathers"

Delicious Doodles..."Diecuts/Punches"

Jingle Belles..."Text Me"

Winter Wonderland..."Digi Days"

Fan-Tastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes" 

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'..."Festive Foliage"

Crafting By Designs..."Anything Goes"

Crafty Creations Challenges..."For the Birds"

Divas By Design..."Die Cuts"

 Inklings and Yarns..."Anything Goes"

How's The Weather?

How's the weather out in your neck of the neighbourhood today?
Here in Manitoba, Canada we have been having a mixed bag of strange weather.  The other day we had a storm watch, a thunderstorm warning, a blowing snow warning and a wind warning all in effect at once....and it really did do all of the above.  A friend in the neighbouring town did say she actually heard thunder.  I know it rained quite hard for a period of time during the night and we had some nasty winds and snowfall as well.  I've never seen or experienced weather like this.  And for the last few days, we have been having unseasonably warm weather.  We bounce from +3 degrees  Celsius and thawing ice and snow to the next day being -25 degrees Celsius with a windchill of -42.  It's just crazy!

Well, enough chit chat about the weather...and on with our new challenge over at {Pin}spirational Challenges.  Wait until you see the cute pic we have for your {pin}spiration this week...



Aren't they adorable!
I loved their decor...and I have used their picture on the wall and their couch for my inspiration.  I knew I would have paper to match the sofa, and I just loved the snowy scene in the framed picture on their wall.  I found a cute design over at TLC Creations and decided to turn this into a card.  The penguin was in a frame which was perfect to mimic the portrait on the wall.  I colored up the image with my Spectrum Noir markers (still practicing!), and then decided to add some sequins for some sparkle.  I thought it turned out pretty cute!
Take a look see...

Now, take another look at that cute little picture again and create a card with what elements pop into your sight first. It's such fun...and I so enjoy visiting your entries to see what has inspired you!
And don't forget, we have some awesome prizes from some awesome sponsors this week...

 Scribbles

offering 3 digis to one lucky winner...

...and

Aurora Wings

offering one lucky winner $10 worth of digis!
 
Lastly, be sure to check out the other fantastic creations the {Pin}spirational DT has created to jump start your creative juices!  Enjoy creating!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Lia Stampz..."Color Scheme/Picture Challenge"
613 Avenue Create..."Anything Goes/Winter Blues"
One Stitch at a Time..."Use a Digi"
Robyn's Fetish..."Winter Card"
Created with Love..."Winged Things"
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog..."Use Blue"
Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Challenges..."Snowflakes"
MilkCoffee Challenges..."Monochromatic"
The Cutie Pie Challenge Blog..."January Blues"
Melonheadz Friends..."Winter Fun"
Stamp and Create..."Winter Wonderland"