Pie Anyone?

Good Evening!

It's been a busy last couple of weeks...but I've still been creating...I've just been a little slow in posting!

I wanted to share with you today some pie boxes that I decorated for an upcoming church event we're hosting on Valentine's Day.  

Let me show you...

I apologize for the photo quality.  I landed up having to take the photo with my cell phone.  

Our church is holding a fundraiser for our local chapter of Cancer Care and we decided it would be fun to include a "pie walk".  I know traditionally it's a "cake walk", but our area is big into pies.  I had a few pie boxes left in my stash that  had purchased new at our local bakery, and offered to dress them up for the homemade pies to be sold off in the walk.  I just thought it would be cute to house those home made pies in a special custom made box.  Just one of those little extras to encourage donations.  As a friend of mine always says..."love is in the details".  LOL

The background paper I used has been printed through my Silhouette Cameo.  The adorable owls and the love puppy scene are also cutting files purchased in the Silhouette Online Store. 

I'm excited to see how this idea will go over with the people who will be attending the fundraiser.  This is the first time we have tried something like this and I'm hoping it will be a great success.  

Well thanks for popping in to see what I've had going on lately.  

The next few days will be crazy as I've been the main organizer getting everything ready and scheduled for the event.  We've painted the church basement, steam cleaned the carpet and are now getting ready to get the meal prep underway.  It's a spaghetti supper with Caeser salad and garlic toast...with cheese cake and a pineapple fluff dessert.  And of course Valentine cupcakes for the kids.  It's a little daunting not knowing how many people will attend.  Thank goodness I have a friend who was a caterer and has been willing to help me out with all the silly questions I've had.  Hopefully I can give you all a great report after the event.  

Until next time...

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

Going Grey with Scrap Creations..."Valentines"

LEJ Designs..."Valentine/Love"

Oldie but a Goodie..."Valentine"  (pie boxes have been in the stash for several years)

All Crafts Challenge..."Anything But a Card"

Artistic Inspirations..."Valentine"

Make My Monday..."Love is in the Air"

Melonheadz Friends..."Valentine's/Love"

Scrapping Everyday Miracles..."Love is in the Air"

Silhouette Challenges..."Box of any Type"
Pile it On..."Stripes and/or Dots" 
Decorate to Celebrate..."Valentine's/Birthday Box" 

Update:  This creation placed in the following challenges..

 

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"

Like to Read?

Hi!  Welcome Back!

I'm curious about something...do you like to read?  I love to read...just wish I had more time to do it!  My problem is that when I start a good book I accomplish nothing else until that book is finished cover to cover.  So you see why I reserve my reading for when we go camping...nothing but leisure time and housework and laundry don't suffer!  LOL
And, I must confess that I simply love books & the library!  New books, vintage books...it doesn't matter.  I love the textures, the smells...needless to say I would rather read a hand held book than read on one of my "i" devices or electronic reader. 

You may be wondering why I am talking to you about books and reading today.  Well, it ties in with our new challenge over at {Pin}spirational Challenges this week.

Are you ready for your {pin}spiring photo?
Take a look at this...

Isn't that just fantastic!  A few of the great classics!
We have some great sponsors again this week...

Bugaboo 
offering one lucky winner 7 digis of their choice!

...as well as...
A Day for Daisies 

 offering one lucky winner a $12 gift certificate!

and lastly...



Digital Delights
offering another lucky winner a $5 gift voucher!

A big shout out to our sponsors for being so generous and awarding such awesome prizes!

Now, let me explain to you where I drew my {pin}spiration from this week.  Of course it's the books...and of course...I had to go with a vintage styling 'cause you know that's my fave!  But I got to thinking about who taught me to read.  My mom always read to us and has always read to my children as well.  She always knew it was important for us to be good readers!  Thanks mom!  It's a tradition I've carried on with our children as well...and has helped them to become among the top in their classes.  Being a good reader just makes life better....any teacher will tell you that is why it's so important.  That led me to think about all the hard work teachers put into teaching kids to read.  I found an awesome digi stamp at TLC Creations and decided to couple that with my "bookshelf" mega stamp background.  I took the gold coloring from the {pin}spirational photo and decided to accent the card background, the matting for the digi image and color the globe hardware in gold as well.  I added some coloring to the globe with my Tim Holtz Distress Markers and then aged the images with brown ink, a touch of brown smooch spray and a touch of gold smooch spray over that!  The last finishing touch were the 3 black gem stones in the top and bottom corners.

Here's how it came out...

...and here's a close up of the digi stamp...

Now isn't that sentiment so true!

I hope that I've been able to get your creative juices flowing for this current challenge.  We would love to see your creation that this awesome photo has {pin}spired.  Don't forget to share with us over at the {Pin}spirational Challenges blog...you'll find more {pin}spiring creations there from the other design team members as well!

And hey, while you're at it, maybe there's a teacher you'd like to thank or write a little encouragement message to.  That's what my card will be used for!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Cards Galore Challenge Blog..."Add a Gem, Glitter or Candi"
One Crazy Stamper..."Anything Goes"
Dream Valley Challenges..."No Designer Paper" 
Digi Darla's Challenges..."Your Personal Style" (Vintage)
Paper Makeup Stamps Digi Makeover Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Without Words..."Occupations"

Let's Make a Mess!

It's been a little quiet around here lately!  I've been busy in the craft room, but have had little time to post lately!  Thanks for sticking by me and coming for a visit today!

Today marks the beginning of a new monthly challenge over at the Unstampabelles.  Our challenge is "Dare to Get Dirty"...and our twist was to document the mess along the way with pictures.

We have a wonderful sponsor for this challenge...

http://www.stickerstore.com.au/

Be sure to check out the Unstampabelles blog for the prize being awarded!

I will confess that I struggled with this one and wasn't sure which direction to go in.  It had been on my mind that my son needed Valentine's for his class party, and the store was not stocking anything that I felt was worthy of giving.  So, to get some inspiration I read over the "Ideas for Creations" which you can find on the tabs on the Unstampabelles challenge blog.  Well, the word "box" just jumped out at me.  I had a cutting file for my Silhouette from My Scrap Chick that I had been wanting to use which was a box treat card all in one! Now cutting with that machine can sure get messy with all the tiny pieces, and all the pieces need to be inked, glued, etc...but my version of "dirty" may be a little cleaner than others...I hope this works for you! 

Let me walk you through this "messy/dirty" process with a few pics...

As you can see, it all starts out in little pieces in a somewhat organized mess...

The next step is to ink each piece individually...my fingers never stay clean in this process...

...and neither does my Splat Mat...

...and the glue...what can I say about this glue other than I despise it!  This glue is so sticky, my fingers are a complete mess by the time I'm done.  As you can see the glue bottle itself is is a complete mess...just from me handling it with the crazy stuff on my fingers.  And, it's almost impossible to wash off your hands when you're done...it sorta rubs off a while later.  But, I bought it...so I must use it!  LOL

We're getting closer to the finished creation...the shape is taking place...





Just let me get my fingers unstuck...I'll add some features and the remaining parts to this little guy....and...

 ...here's the finished project!

I'm happy to report our son loved this and is excited to be handing these one of a kind Valentine cards out in school at his party!  I guess I better get working because I have 16 more to make!

So, dig out those inks, paints, whatever you think you can make a creative mess with and get creating.  Don't forget to link up with us at the Unstampabelles so we can see your mess.  Remember our only rules are that your project needs to be a paper craft and you are not allowed to use any stamps on your creation.  Don't worry, it's not as hard as it sounds!

Until next time...

This creation has been shared in the following challenges...
Ladybug Crafts..."Be Mine"
Seemacrafts..."Valentine/Love"
A Gem of A Challenge..."All You Need is Love"
My Sheri Crafts..."Valentine - Use a Heart"
Open Minded Crafting Fun Challenges..."Show Some Love"
Delightful Challenges..."Anything but a Card...Love Theme"
Decorate to Celebrate..."Valentine Treat Bag"
Little Red Wagon..."Child's Play"
Challenges 4 Everybody..."Anything Goes"
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog..."Valentine Cards"

Love Is In the Details...

A second post today...that doesn't happen often anymore here does it?  LOL

If you are looking for my Crafter's Cafe card, please scroll down.  

Love is in the details...there's so much truth in that saying isn't there!  As crafters we go the extra mile putting lots of love and energy into every creation we make.  You will always find love in all those details.
 If you will recall, this is also the name of the local craft store I teach with. Today I'd like to share with you a few creations I have come up with for them to show case a new product line! 

I was so excited to try out this new product line.  It is made and sold exclusively at Love is in the Details....it's the Lasered Edge Chipboard line.  It includes words, snowflakes, hearts, stars and the line is ever expanding!
Here's a few pics of the hearts and the words I had the pleasure of working with...

And now let's take a look at how I was able to use these awesome chipboard pieces...
In these first two cards, I've used some hearts.  They have been cut so that you are able to layer them as I have done in the second card.  In both of these creations, the hearts have been colored with Inka Gold.  I've created a pinkish hue on the first card by using a reddish ink along with the Inka Gold. 

  

For my next examples, I used several of the chipboard words.  On the first card I've inked the chipboard with a touch of brown.  The "love" in the second card has been inked with the reddish ink and Inka Gold as well. 

I'm so glad these chipboard pieces were released when they were, because I've had a great time creating some Valentine's cards with them.  But, never fear...these words and shapes can be used any time of the year!  If you're interested in any of the chipboard items you see, remember that they are also available for online ordering here as well.
Images have been purchased from TLC Creations.

Until next time...

This card collection has been shared in the following challenges...
Handmade Harbour..."Smile" (sentiments on cherub cards)
Crafting with Dragonflies..."Card Anything Goes"
Divas By Design..."Anything Goes"
Fab'n'Funky Challenges..."Words"
Inklings & Yarn..."Anything Goes"
Paper Pretties..."Anything Goes"
The Paper Shelter Challenge Blog..."Digi and Sentiment"
Ruby's Rainbow..."Use a Doily"
Cuttin and Stampin Challenges..."Anything Goes with Arrow"
Created with Love..."Winged Things"
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenges..."A is for..."  (Amour)
Victorine Originals..."Valentines/Love"
My Time to Craft..."All About the Love"
Creative Fingers..."Anything Goes"
Jo's Scrap Shack..."It's a Love Thing"
Polkadoodles..."Anything Goes/Girl Talk"
Simply Create Too..."Valentines Day/Use Hearts"

Update:  This card collection has placed in the following challenges...

 

"Workin' 9 to 5...."

...What a way to make a livin'"

Welcome!  

Remember that song?  If you do, I'm pretty sure you're singing it in your head now!  LOL
I'm so happy that I no longer work out of the house 9-5!  I have really been enjoying my time at home, and being at home has allowed me to visit and create with you!

I have one more exciting announcement that I want to share with you.  Today is my first DT post with The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog!  I am so excited to be joining up with this crafty team and adding them to my current DT positions!

Our challenge for this week is..."Ha, ha, ha...Very Funny".
 We wanna see your sense of humor shine this week!

And, we have some sponsors with a great sense of humor for this challenge...




as well as ...




I had so much fun working with the Bugaboo image "Escape Key".  

Here's the card I created...

I colored up the image with my Spectrum Noir markers and mounted it on a dark beige colored mat.  I was rummaging through my stash of papers and found some with numbers, addition and subtraction equations and thought this was perfect to represent an office worker.  I rummaged a little further in my stash and found some sticker fonts that I have owned for a really long time.  Now, sticker fonts are not usually something I use on my creations.  However, I had the 9-5 song running through my head as I was creating so I decided to do a little spoof of it on the card, as the lettering sorta looked like type setting/inputting style to me.  My kids think the joke on the digi is just too funny!

So, rummage through your stamps, and find a little "funny" you could share with us this week.  Remember...laughter is the best medicine.  To get you started, make sure you check out the other DT creations over at The Crafter's Cafe...they'll have you in stitches as well!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
LEJ Designs..."Anything Goes"
Craft Your Passion..."Music Inspired Card"...(song Workin' Nine to Five)
Order of the Opus Gluei..."Need a Lift" (a dose of humor)
The Corrosive Challenge Blog..."All Work and No Play"
The Craft Place Challenge Blog..."Color Challenge"

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"

"New Beginnings"...

So glad you could stop by today!

I want to share some exciting news with you...and it fits into the theme of this post perfectly which is "New Beginnings"...

I have a new beginning with a new design team...are you ready?  I'm one of the newest Belles at the UnstampaBelles!  This challenge blog is so unique...the twist is that you cannot stamp on your card in any form...a stretch for sure.  (A small, computer generated sentiment is allowed).  I'm sure I will be challenged and have to think outside the box as these challenges are really designed to get you to use your imagination in a new way and to encourage you to stretch and grow in your crafting talents!

So, our current challenge at The Unstampabelles is "New Beginnings".  We are offering a wonderful prize package to one lucky winner!   Our sponsor this week is Craft Mad!

The prize includes paper tole sheets, foam pads, paper twist, feathers, 2 x packs of stitching card fronts and envelopes, 3d Sticker sets - weddings and babies.  Many of these things are new items to use i.e feather are very trendy at the moment!

Many thanks to Mandy!

Here's a peek...

  I must admit that I've had Valentine's Day on the brain lately, and got to thinking about "new love".  Remember that first Valentine's Day you spent with your "new love"?  You wanted everything to be perfect!  I knew that I had several new toys in my stash that I wanted to play with and they would fit the Valentine theme perfectly.  I was able to use a new print and cut file (the teddy cupid) for my Silhouette Cameo, as well as two new Memory Box dies...the hanging hearts as well as the "love" script.

I've kept the card quite simple...hopefully you'll like it!

Here it is...

I just love that cute little teddy cupid...and I'm sure he will be delivered to someone special.  That envelope looks like it's just packed full of love.

I hope I've encouraged you to play along with our current challenge at The UnstampaBelles.  Challenge yourself to not use any stamps on your creation this time.   I promise...it's not so bad!  LOL

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Great Impressions..."Something New"
My Time to Craft..."All About the Love"
Jo's Scrap Shack..."It's a Love Thing"
Simply Create Too..."Valentine's Day"
D.L. Art..."Hearts/Valentines"
Card a Day Blog..."Love is in the Air"
Heck of a Challenge..."New" (I used new cut files and new metal dies)
Oozak..."Love/Anything Goes"

Update:  This card placed in the following challenges...


 

I'm Bursting with Excitement....

Good Evening!  

I'm popping by tonight with a little post because I am bursting with excitement!
I am so excited to say that I have joined up with our local craft store  Love is in the Details and am their newest instructor!  I will be teaching card classes!
We have scheduled our first classes and I have completed the card designs, and wanted to give you a little sneak peek!

The most requested card class has been...are you ready...sympathy cards.  I always struggle with sympathy cards, so I was a little worried about this one.  I usually make a sympathy card when I'm in need of one, and the mood isn't always most creative at that time.  It was much easier to create with no funeral looming in the near future.

I made 3 different cards and want to share one of them with you tonight!

I think this design is simple and yet soothing.
I look forward to sharing the other two designs with you in the near future.
While you're here, remember to take a peek at the Love is in the Details blog...they have two amazing designers with fantastic projects.  And, don't forget you can also do a little shopping online at the store here!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
4 Crafty Girls..."Anything Goes"
Aud Sentiments Challenge Blog..."Any Sentiment"
Inklings & Yarns..."Anything Goes"
Word Art Wednesday..."Anything Goes"
Craft Dee Bowz..."Anything Goes with a handmade bow"

Update...this card was featured at

January 2014

Guest Designing with Crafting By Designs

Hello, and welcome back!  

I have such exciting news today once again...I've been asked to be a Guest Designer with Crafting by Designs for this week!

The twist on this challenge was to create a 3D flower.  The wonderful sponsor is Fred She Said...check out the Crafting by Designs blog for the prize being offered!

I found a fantastic digi at TLC Creations that I thought would work perfectly for what I had in mind.  I fell in love with the sentiment on this image!
I sized and printed out the image with my Silhouette Cameo.  I chalked a few of the flowers and greenery, and then set out to find the 3D flower set I knew I'd had in my stash for the last year or so.  I used a few of the flat flower die cuts, added some of the 3D flowers and then proceeded to make a few rolled flowers with a new die I hadn't used yet.  I can tell that practice will make perfect on those rolled flowers eventually!  LOL

I inked up the card with some brown ink and also used a stencil to add some faint dots on the paper to give it an aged look.  The beautiful bird charm is from a set I found at my local Walmart.  It just completed the card!  I tied a thin gold twine through it, and secured the bow.

Let's take a look...

Here's a close up of that wonderful sentiment...

  

And a closer look at the 3D flowers...

I was very pleased with how this turned out!

I would like to thank Crafting by Designs once again for the chance to play along as a guest designer.  I had so much fun creating this with your 3D flower challenge in mind.

And, I hope I have been able to inspire my blog readers to play along with this challenge.  There are so many different types of 3D flowers to create...you can use metal dies, your cutting machine, etc. Before you know it, those flowers will have you thinking of spring!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
 Crafting for All Seasons..."All Things Bright and Beautiful" 
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog..."Embellishments"
Rhedd and Rosie's Challenge Blog..."No White"
Word Art Wednesday..."Anything Goes"
Crafty Sentiments Designs..."Anything Goes"
Inky Chicks..."Anything Goes"
LEJ Designs..."Anything Goes"
Make My Monday..."Birds"
Paper Nest Dolls..."Anything Goes"
Perfectly Rustics Challenge Blog..."Color Challenge"
Dragonfly Dreams..."Thoughts of Summer"
Brown Sugar Challenge Blog..."Use chalk"
Delicious Doodles..."Flowers"
Create with TLC..."Show it Off Linky Sunday" 
Crafty Boots..."Anything Goes"
Digi Sketch Challenge..."Say it with Flowers"
Love to Scrap..."Anything Goes"
Challenges and Candies..."Favorite Season"  (spring)
Digitally Sweet..."Anything Goes"
DL Art Linky Party..."Anything Goes"

Twist of Faith Announcement

Hello Again!

Should you be looking for my {Pin}spirational Challenges post, please scroll down.

Today I am writing this post with a touch of sadness...but with hope in my heart.  I'm here to let you know that Twist of Faith Card Challenges will be going on on indefinite break for now.  Today will be our last post...to say "good bye for now and hope to see you again shortly".  We are unsure as to how long the blog will be on break, but would like to thank you for playing along with us and supporting us in the time we have been here.  We have loved your comments, your sharing and are looking forward to seeing you around Blogland!

And with that, here is one last parting card I've created for all you Twist of Faith Card Challenges followers...

I found this awesome digital print out at the TLC Creations store at Artfire. I printed it out onto some patterned paper through my Silhouette Cameo and used a Walmart pad of paper as background layering.  I did chalk a tiny bit of color to the digi just to give it a little pop and also popped up the oval cut out with 3D dots. A knotted ribbon was the final touch to the project.

Quick and simple...but I love how it turned out!

And isn't that sentiment so true!  Under His wings we will find refuge...whatever you are facing in this life, please know that God's got it.  He doesn't want you struggling in your own strength, but rather coming to Him to find that quiet place and rest. 

I have enjoyed getting to know many of you followers and visiting your blogs to see your stunning creations!  I have also been blessed to work with the wonderful women of this design team...they are Godly women who encourage, pray for one another and are filled with an abundance of talent and creativity!  I will continue to design with some of these talented ladies on some of my other design teams...and to the others I say that I hope we will be back here shortly together again!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Bunny Zoe's Crafts..."Wings"
Crafty Boots Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Creative Creations Challenges..."Anything Goes"
Lexi's Creations..."Anything Goes"
Make it Monday..."Anything Goes"
Chalk Ah Lot Cafe..."Anything Goes with Chalk"
Challenges 4 Everybody..."Anything Goes"
Dragonfly Dreams Challenge..."Thoughts of Summer"
Hobbycutz Challenge Blog..."Anything Goes"
Pile It On..."Just Because"
Crafts 4 Eternity..."Very Vintage"
Word Art Wednesday..."Anything Goes"
Papertake Weekly..."Anything Goes" 
Create with TLC..."Show it off Sunday"

A Cup of Cocoa

Brrr...it's cold outside today!

As I sit here scheduling  this post to go live for Tuesday,  it is -47 degrees Celsius with the wind chill factor...school has been cancelled and the kids are happy for the extra day of holiday time.  We've been having such a trend of extreme cold weather lately, I'm looking forward to later in the week when they say this will let up and become warmer.

Today I'm back with our current {Pin}spirational Challenge...and wait until you see this beautiful photo we have for your inspiration...it fits in with the weather we've been having!  LOL

Here it is...

 

Isn't it stunning?  There's texture to play with, different color schemes, different themes such as cocoa or mittens!  The possibilities are endless!

Our sponsors for this challenge are as follows...


...offering one lucky winner 7 digis of their choice!


...offering another lucky winner 4 digis of their choice!


...offering yet another lucky winner a $12 Gift Certificate

Wow! We're offering 3 prizes this week...so you have a great chance of being a prize winner!
 Fantastic!

Now...onto some crafty {pin}spiration!
I had so much fun working with an awesome digi and sentiments from Sami Stamps!

Here's a look at where my imagination took me...

I decided to go with the various colors that stood out to me...the brown of the hot chocolate, the gorgeous teal color and of course the white.  I colored up the picture with my Spectrum Noir markers which I had previously printed out along with with the sentiment thru my Silhouette Cameo.  I began layering my card with brown card stock, some teal card stock which I embossed with a snowflake embossing folder using my Bigshot, as well as a patterned paper from a Vintage Recollections collection.  I also matted the image onto a piece of brown card stock so it would pop off the page.  I cut the heart and cup of cocoa with my Cameo from some Silhouette cutting files I had in my library.  I used my Martha Stewart punch to create the snowflakes on the bottom...which I covered with Patina Stickles and added a rhinestone to the centre.  I thought the card came out looking quite cozy...and I just loved the sentiment.  I think it would be a great card to add a coffee shop gift card to and pass along to a friend!

I hope I've given you some ideas and gotten your creativity swirling!  I encourage you to link up with us at {Pin}spirational Challenges this week!  Also, check out the great projects the other DT members have created!  It's amazing what we can all come up with using the same photo for inspiration...and we'd sure like to see your take on the photo as well!

Until next time...

This card has been shared in the following challenges...
Sami Stamps..."Anything Goes" 
Craftin Desert Diva's..."Winter"
Craft Boots..."Anything Goes"
Creative Creations..."Anything Goes"
Kaboodle Doodles Challenge Blog..."Let it Snow"
Lexi's Creations..."Anything Goes"
Love to Create..."Blue with Bling/Winter"
Love to Scrap..."Anything Goes"
Make it Monday..."Anything Goes"
Make My Monday..."Embossing"
FanTastic Tuesday..."Anything Goes"
LEJ Designs..."Anything Goes"