November Downline Make and Take

I'm doing a make and take for one of my downline meetings in November. A couple of my fellow demonstrators requested these scalloped envelope boxes. This is one I'm working on as a sample (I will use only SU products for the actual meeting). Just playing around with scraps today. The box itself is Tangerine Tango and here is more of that Scenic Route paper I used on a card the other day. I also dug into my really old, very narrow satin ribbon stash to make the lilttle ribbon bundle on this. I used one of my Cuttlebug edge embossing folders to emboss the flowers on the scalloped edge. I love these little boxes. They are perfect for love notes (another of my favorite things to make) and they are also perfect for storing post-it notes! I have 3-4 on my desk right now holding the small Cuttlebug embossing folders and dies, some post it notes and a bunch of sponges. Such fun! What do you all think - will this be a good project for the downline gals?


Thanks for visiting. The counter is rapidly approaching the big 10k mark - there may be blog candy before the weekend is out. I have to travel to Southern Colorado tomorrow, but if it goes over tomorrow I will be posting the celebration candy on Sunday!

~chris

Mystery Snowflakes

Edited to add: Thanks to Tracy for identifying this set as one from Gel-a-tins!

In my ongoing effort to get more organized, I have been taking all my unmounted rubber and clear stamps and putting them on transparent sheets organized by company. I have this set in my collection and absolutely no idea where I got it, who made it, what it's called, nothing, nada, zip. I've poked around on eBay and the stamp companies that I usually buy from and cannot find it. Can any of you wonderful folks out there in blogland help me identify this set:


It's a beautiful set of stamps and I am going to use it this holiday season and want to be able to give credit where credit is due!

Thanks so much!
~chris

Button Up!

I love Sharon Johnson's blog - No Time to Stamp. Every week she features a stamp simply challenge and it's always a good one. This week it's Button Up For Winter! Here's my interpretation of her challenge. You need to check out her blog and also check out the gallery of entries on Splitcoast Stampers to see some really fantastic cards.

Recipe:
Stamps: Season by Season
Paper: Always Artichoke, Really Rust, More Mustard, Bo Bunny dsp
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: gold cord, SU buttons, gold ep

Thanks for visiting! I'm hoping the grandkids are coming over tomorrow to show grandma their costumes and I'll try to get some pix to show off!

~chris

Twisted Chick Creations Flaxychick: Chocolate Covered Snowflakes

Head on over to Michelle's blog and check out her card today and the great blog candy she has up for grabs.

Twisted Chick Creations Flaxychick: Chocolate Covered Snowflakes

Sketch Challenge #200

This sketch was harder than I thought it would be. There were so many terrific submissions and I just had to give it a try too. This card was about my third try!

Recipe:
Stamps: Christmas Classics
Paper: PTI Ripe Avocado, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, Basic Grey DP
Ink: Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, More Mustard
Accessories: gold cord, punches, sponges

Thanks for visiting. Hope to get some stamping time in this weekend. Headed to Phoenix next week for computer training and so might not get much stamping done! I'm keeping my eye on my counter and getting some great candy put together and that will go up even if I'm on the road.

~chris

Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge 190

This card did not turn out anything like I planned. Maybe it will grow on me, we'll have to see how it looks in the light of day.

Recipe:
Stamps: Say it With Scallops
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, DCWV Floral Print dp
Ink: Pixie Pink
Accessories: brads, punches, ribbon from Joann's

Thanks for visiting. I am totally beat and headed for bed. Had to learn how to be a network security expert this week and work and it kicked me in the you-know-what! I hate mail bots and packet sniffing!

~chris

RAK from Ginger

Just take a look at this wonderful RAK I received from Ginger in Tracy's great Aloha RAK for last month. Thanks so much Ginger and I really hope that you liked what I sent you. Aren't these just the cutest?



Thanks so much for visiting!

~chris

Shimmery Blog Candy!

If you are like me, you really love adding some glitz and glitter to your cards. I have tried Shimmerz and really love them and they are getting ready to launch 5 new colors for the holidays. They have some blog candy available and you should really go over to the Shimmerz Blog and check it out! I can't wait for Nov. 1!

Thanks!
~chris

Mojo 58 Challenge

It's been a long time since I've had a chance to do one of Julee's Mojo Monday challenges. I got my new PTI paper on Friday and thought I'd try it out! You can't see it really well, but the tree decorations are very sparkly!


Recipe:
Stamps: All Decked Out
Paper: PTI Ripe Avocado, SU Taken with Teal, Very Vanilla, Scenic Route dsp
Ink: Basic Brown, markers, glitter gel pens
Accessories: punches

Fun fun fun. Nothing fancy, but fun just the same. I got a wonderful RAK today, but want to take a pix in daylight to do it justice - thanks Ginger, it's wonderful! Counter is still creeping towards that big 10K mark! Keep coming back and I'll get that blog candy out and ready to give away!

Thanks for visiting.

~chris

Aloha RAK

I participated in a really fun RAK recently courtesy of Tracy (who hosts one on her blog every month!) and this was what I made to send. I got the idea for this project from Denise Lynn (see her blog here) who is a really wonderful stamper and she currently has some great blog candy up for grabs!





Recipe
Stamps: You Warm My Heart, With Gratitude, So Many Scallops
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Creamy Caramel, Haiku dsp, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla
Ink: versamark
Accessories: copper ep, ribbon, punches, brads, buttons, hemp twine, silk flowers

The counter is climbing - BLOG CANDY coming any time now. Thanks to all of you for your continuing support and encouraging words! When I first started blogging, I never realized how gratifying it would be. As I approach my 1 year blogoversary and 10K in hits, I am still amazed! Thanks, thanks, thanks!

~chris

It's a blogoversary party!

Denise Lynn over at Stampin with Denise is celebrating her blogoversary in style! Go on over and check out her celebration candy and check out her wonderful blog while you're there visiting. I get so much wonderful inspiration from Denise. Check out my post tomorrow where I'll feature a wonderful gift idea that I got from a pif that she sent me.

Check this out!

I received this card in the mail from a fellow demonstrator in my "sideline" who lives in New Mexico. This is one truly talented lady and I cannot wait to get the instructions for making this card! My mind is swirling with the possibilities!


Thanks Janet!

~chris

Thanks Sabrina!

My bff Sabrina gave me this gorgeous designer paper last night and, of course, I had to make a card with it right away! Here it is:

I just love this paper - I hope you can see the distressed paint background - it's so pretty. She gave me another pattern as well and hopefully I'll get a card made with it tonight (I've already picked out the coordinating cardstock).

Recipe:
Stamps: Snow Swirled
Paper: Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, gorgeous dp!
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: punches, SU taffeta ribbon

Thanks for visiting! I'm keeping a close eye on my counter as the ticks up to 10k which means some great blog candy!

~chris

Dual Challenges

I made this card for Color Challenge 189 and Sketch Challenge 199 on Splitcoast Stampers.

Recipe:
Stamps: SU sentiments
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, more of that Gifted Line - Ivory Floral dp, Bella Rose dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: mini clip, gold cord, oval punch

Dashing about and caring for a sick dh, but hope to be back with another card later. Counter is creeping, creeping towards that 10k mark - celebration BLOG CANDY coming soon.

Thanks for visiting.

~chris

Allison's flap card challenge - AFSS40

I finally actually made a completed card for Allison's challenges! This was fun and I got to use some of my velcro closures!

Recipe:
Stamps: Hero Arts sentiment
Paper: old olive, basic black, purely pomegranate, scrap dp
Ink: versamark
Accessories: punch, Big Shot and scallop circle die, coluzzle, velcro

This was fun and I am so glad to finally get one of Allison's great challenges done! Thanks for visiting.

~chris

EDITED TO ADD: Much as I would love to, I can't take credit for the stitching on this card - it's printed on the dp! I picked this dp up a long time ago at one of those 6 for $1 sales at either Joann's or Hobby Lobby and I really wish I'd picked up more as it is wonderful paper.

More October Birthdays

My baby brother (he's 31 and not really a baby I guess) and my sister-in-law share a birthday. As usual, I'm a little late getting their cards off to them, but here they are:


Recipe Baby Brother's card:
Stamps: SU sentiment
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, SU Muirfield dsp
Ink: versamark
Accessories: black ep, brads, ticket corner punch

Recipe Sister-in-Law's card:
Stamps: SU sentiment
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Going Gray, The Gifted Line - Ivory Floral dp
Ink: versamark, gold metallic
Accessories: punches, scrap ribbon, gold ep

Didn't get as much stamping done this weekend as I had hoped - pulling out the docks and slips at the lake and meeting with our fellow sailors in prep for our BVI adventure in December took up the entire day on Saturday. Got home just in time to see Ms. Palin on SNL, but not much else. Hopefully, I'll get more stamping time this week!

Thanks for visiting - the counter is slowly but surely clicking it's way towards that wonderful 10K mark. Celebration blog candy looms on the horizon!

~chris

WT188 - Playing with Plaids

I've had this plaid paper in my stash forever and it was so nice to pull it out and have a reason to play with it! The ways to use it challenge on SCS today was to make something with plaids. Here's my entry. The photo doesn't do it justice, but it's late and there's no sun. I might try again tomorrow and see if I can get a better shot. I really like how this card turned out. EDITED - new photo, think it's better than the other one.


Recipe:
Stamps: Christmas Classics
Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Really Rust, Stash dp
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Copper ep, copper brads, Mellow Moss tafeta ribbon, Martha Stewart branch punch, Ticket Corner punch, SU oval punches

Thanks for visiting and don't forget to check out Chat's blog candy (see post below).

~chris

Nitestamper is celebrating!

Nitestamper is getting ready to celebrate her blogoversary! She's got some wonderful blog candy up for grabs - check it out and while you're there browse around and see all her wonderful creations!

Click here to visit her wonderful blog.

I hope to be back later with a card to share.

~chris

Color Challenge CC188, Sketch Challenge SC198

I decided to try combining the two challenges into one card. I broke out my coluzzle and I think it's going to stay out. I could get used to using it that's for sure - easy peasy!

Recipe:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy
Paper: basic black, pink pirouette, very vanilla, kraft, The Gifted Line - Ivory Floral dp
Ink: Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: punches, ribbon from mikes, brads, coluzzle

Thanks for visiting. I really appreciate all the wonderful comments and words of encouragement! You all make the whole blogging experience wonderful!

~chris

Never too young!

Two of my grandchildren came to visit for the day yesterday and while grandpa was out entertaining Kael (4), grandma had some one-on-one quality time with Natalie (2) in my craft studio. I firmly believe you can't start early enough encouraging kids to express themselves creatively. Here she is hard at play at my desk.

Thanks so much for visiting!

~chris

Scalloped Envelope Die Love Note Box

Yesterday I saw this post from Dannie Graves and just had to give it a try. She always has the most marvelous ideas on her blog with wonderful how-to instructions to boot! Here's my box - perfect size for love notes and envelopes!



Busy day yesterday - had grandchildren visiting for the day and got to do some stamping with my 2 year old granddaughter. Can't start them too early! I'll be back later with some cute pix of her sitting at my desk.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Baby Shower Invitations

Here is the shower invitation I did for my ddl who is due next month. I might have overdone the cuttlebugging just a bit, but I like it. The inside of the card and envelopes are both stamped in Bashful Blue with some stamps from Cuddles and Tickles, Baby Firsts and Bundle of Joy. These were really fun to make!


Recipe:
Stamps: Cute Converse, Cause for Celebration
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pacific Point, PTI White
Ink: Pacific Point
Accessories: punches, cb embossing folders, Big Shot

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Makin my own Designer Paper

I've seen some wonderful cards over the last week or so featuring hand made designer paper so I thought I'd give it a try. Here's the results:




Recipe:
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Say it With Scallops, Cute & Curly, So Many Scallops, Punches Three, Tropical Blossoms (leaf)
Paper: Riding Hood Red/Cameo Coral, Regal Rose/Pink Pirouette, Elegant Eggplant/Almost Amethyst, Pacific Point/Bali Breeze, Really Rust/More Mustard/ Tangerine Tango/Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Really Rust, Pacific Point, Elegant Eggplant, Regal Rose, Riding Hood Red, Mello Moss, Garden Green, Gable Green, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: punches, brads, hodge podge hardware, ribbon, Stickles

Everything is Stampin' Up! except the stickles, the red flower brad and some of the scallop punches. The leaf is from a retired set.

I realize this post is kinda long and image intensive so thanks for hanging in there with me! I'm on the downside of 9k and headed for 10k on my hit counter, so you know what that means ... blog candy! I'm putting together something really special this time around to celebrate! I'm going to work on the shower invitations for ddl's baby shower today, so come back tomorrow and take a look!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

October Downline Meeting Swaps and Make & Takes

Even though I had to miss October's downline meeting, thanks to my wonderful upline Pat who picked them up for me I still got in on the swaps. The ever thoughtful Roberta made the make and takes for me and Carol once again came to the rescue and brought them all back to me! I am blessed to be part of such a wonderful group. Here is a slideshow of the swaps of these wonderfully talented ladies:

Thanks for visiting. I'll be back tomorrow with some cards I made using designer paper I made myself!

~chris

Happy Birthday!

Tomorrow is my sister's birthday. I think this will get to her a little late, but better late than never? She doesn't read my blog so I'm not worried that this won't be a surprise for her. Hope she likes it.

Recipe:
Stamps: SU sentiment
Paper: Gable Green, Soft Sky, Scenic Route dp, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Sky
Accessories: ticket corner punch, dotted swiss cb folder, brads, hodge podge hw, soft sky ribbon

Thanks for visiting! Hoping to catch up a little on my cards this weekend. Pulling the boat out of the water today. Yikes!

~chris

Feedback request

I have a downline meeting on Thursday and have been playing around trying to figure out what to do for my swap. Here's the two versions:


Version 1 has Always Artichoke, Really Rust with Always Artichoke brads and Version 2 has Kiwi Kiss and Tangerine Tango with gold brads. Both have Chocolate Chip ink and the paper is Naturals White. Stamps used are from Fall Flair the level 2 hostess set.

I don't know which one is better - help! Thanks for visiting. I passed the 9000 hits mark over the weekend and when I get to 10k there will be some major celebrating (especially if I can manage to do it before my 1 year blogoversary!). When I started out with this blogging thing, I never imagined it would grow to mean so much to me. So many wonderful friends I have met through this blog. So much great encouragement and support from everyone. Thanks so much!

Let me know which card you like best!

~chris

World Card Making Day Event

Well, it's over and we all survived, but I forgot to take my camera! I am so blessed to work with the demonstrators in my downline, upline and sidelines! What a great bunch of gals. Everyone had a good time and we have decided to try it again in the spring. There were 5 of us and each attendee made 2 of each demonstrator's project. Mine used the Big Shot and I think everyone had fun playing with it and were amazed at how easy it is to use.

Well, I'm exhausted and I think I'm headed for a nap! Hey - I'm old I can do that if I want to! Many thanks need to go out to my fellow demonstrators and all the wonderful volunteers who helped and of course too all of our great customers who came, saw and conquered! THANKS THANKS THANKS!

Thank you for visiting, sorry about the camera thing - I'll do better next time!

~chris

WCMD Project

I've messed around long enough and now I have to settle in on a project. This is what I have come up with. Feedback would be very much appreciated!


Recipe:
Paper: Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Naturals Ivory, SU dsp
Stamps: Best Yet and Todo lo mejor
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop circle dies, punches, Mellow Moss tafeta ribbon and gold cord

I just realized that I somehow cut off the tip of one of my dsp scallops - need to be more careful with cutting!

Thanks for visiting! Things are going to get crazy getting ready for Saturday, but hopefully I'll have some great pix of our WCMD event to post on Sunday! This is also going to be our last weekend on the boat - we pull it out for the winter next weekend! Yikes, where did the summer go?

~chris

The cat that was lost in the camera

Check out this really cute kitty container! I had a picture of it to be included in the swaps slideshow and it got trapped on my camera. Isn't it wonderful?


I also made a couple of cards last night. I really love the SU scallop border punch! I am a bit rushed tonight, but one card is Pacific Point and Snow Swirled and the other is Cameo Coral and Together Forever, Bella Toile and Sincere Salutations sentiment. Thanks for visiting!


~chris

Swaps from 9/11 Downline Meeting

I missed our September downline meeting because I had to head up to Alaska. Carol so very kindly took my swaps and my make & take to the meeting for me. She also brought me my swaps and MADE ME Make & Takes too! Isn't she just the greatest! Thank you Carol - you are a real gem! Here's the slideshow of the all the swaps (except one that I will add later as I'm late taking it's picture).

Thanks so much for visiting. I will have some more cards to show tonight. I forgot my camera cable or I would have them now - too much to do and too little time!

World Card Making Day event is coming up on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the First Congregational Church in Longmont, Colorado. Anyone who wants information on this wonderful event, just email me using the link on the sidebar. It's going to be lots of fun!

~chris