Christmas Card Challenge - Month #1

Tracy of Tracy's Happy Place is hosting a Christmas Card Challenge and I have elected to participate. I love making Christmas cards and this will really help alleviate some of the stress that comes in mid-December when I suddenly realize I don't have any cards made to send out to friends and family. If you want all the details on this monthly challenge, check out this post on Tracy's blog.

Here's my card for this month:


I made a couple of these this past Christmas and I really liked the clean look of them, so I made some more!

Thanks for visiting. I'll be back tomorrow with the cards I made for the twins birthday and a report on our adventures at the aquarium!

~chris

A Proud member of The Lime Light
Come visit us and see what we've been up to.

I'm it! I got tagged by Juanita in the photo game!

I got tagged by Juanita (Rubber Side Down) to play the photo tag game. I played this once before on my work computer, so I thought I'd give my home computer a try this time.

Here's the photo:

We set up a makeshift beach on the porch one summer when the twins were about a year and half old. Julian (never one for modesty) really enjoyed himself. Isabella (much more prim and proper) took her time deciding if she wanted to get wet. Our front porch is very sunny until about 2 in the afternoon during the summer and it was perfect for a little swim time.

I also need to show off some wonderful things that the postman brought me this week. Here's what Juanita (of the photo tag game fame above) sent me. It was blog candy that I won on her blog. Isn't it spectacular?


For the past couple of months I have been participating in Tracy's Aloha RAK. Here is what I received from my RAK partner Jacquie. I will post one of the items I sent her once I'm sure she's received it. Unlike Jacquie, I was really late getting mine off to her, but I hope she likes it in spite of its lateness (is that a word?).



Thanks so much for visiting. The twins turn 3 tomorrow and we are taking them (and their parents and new baby brother too) to the aquarium and then out for lunch. Should be a fun day!

I hope to post my Christmas cards for Tracy's challenge tomorrow morning too, so come back and take a look!

~chris


A Proud member of The Lime Light.
Come visit us and see what we've been up to.

Color Throwdown #27

This is my card for this week's Color Throwdown. Colors are Brocade Blue, Real Red and Basic Black. I got to use my new lace edge punch and my full heart punch! I love punches!


Recipe:
Stamps: A Little Something, misc clear sentiment and heart
Paper: Basic Black, Brocade Blue, Real Red
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: black ep, red ep, brads, punches, ribbon

I'll have another post later today to show you what the mailman brought me! Goodies, goodies and more goodies from my bloggy buddies north of the border!

Thanks for visiting.

~chris



A Proud member of The Lime Light.
Come visit us and see what we've been up to.

Sketch Challenge #213

This is the card I made for this week's sketch challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. I struggled a bit more with it than I thought I would when I first saw the sketch. I had these colors stuck in my head and was bound and determined to figure out how to use them. I had another stamp set in mind but the image was just too big for this layout. I'll save it for another card.


Recipe:
Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, misc clear sentiment
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Urban Garden dp
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: punches, brad, ribbon

Thanks for visiting!

~chris


A Proud member of The Lime Light.
Come visit us and see what we've been up to.

Mercy's Tuesday sketch challenge and CC203

Here's my card for two of Tuesday's challenges. Mercy hosts a sketch challenge on her wonderful blog Lord Have Mercy and Tuesday is also color challenge day on Splitcoast Stampers.


Recipe:
Stamps: Petal Pizzazz, Sincere Salutations
Paper: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Garden Green, Real Red, SEI Blach Orchid dp
Ink: Baja Breeze, versamark
Accessories: brads, punches, black ep

Thanks so much for visiting.

~chris



A Proud member of The Lime Light.
Come visit us and see what we've been up to.

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge

I love Julee's Mojo Monday challenges! Here's my card for this week's challenge:


Recipe:
Stamps: Thank You Kindly, Petal Pizzazz, mini flourish from PTI Sympathy
Paper: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Basic Grey Urban Prairie dp
Ink: Baja Breeze, versamark
Accessories: black ep, punches, cb dotted swiss folder, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon

Thanks for visiting! I promise this week I will have a post about my first Lime Light project for you.

~chris

A card and I've been tagged - not once but twice!

Here's another card in my obsession with black/red/white these days. I have one more thing to show you in this vein, but I am waiting till it reaches it's intended victim before posting it here. I sure hope she likes it!


As you can see, I've been playing with my Big Shot and the Spellbinders heart dies and the cuttlebug embossing folders. Oh my how I love my Big Shot! Thank you SU for listening to your demos and adopting it!

My blogging buddy Tracy (TracysHappyPlace) tagged me to share 6 things about myself and my new (woot woot) Lime Light design team buddy Lori (LiveLaughScrap) tagged me to share 7 things. I think I'll share 7 and cover both! I don't know that I have 13 interesting things I could share about myself.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person who tagged you (as I did above).
2. Mention the rules.
3. Tell 6 things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.
5. Go to each person's blog and leave them a comment to let them know they've been tagged.

Well anyway, here goes:

1. I am a wife (to just one), mom to 5 (all boys), grandma to 5 (3 boys and 2 girls).
2. I have been a potter for over 20 years and clay will always be my first love even though I don't have as much time for it now as I used to.
3. I'm learning very late in life the importance of being organized. Always struggled with that one and am only now starting to feel like I'm learning the basics.
4. My favorite sound in all the world is the quiet sound of the wind in the sails when you finally turn the smelly engine off on the boat.
5. I love the color purple.
6. I hate spiders even though my husband keeps telling me that they are our friends.
7. I love to eat artichokes.

Now I am supposed to tag 6(7) more folks and I am totally terrible at this so any of you gals out there who feel like playing along - consider yourself tagged!

Well, I've been feeling a bit under the weather and so am going to try to get to bed early tonight. I haven't kept up on my blurfing this weekend and am taking the laptop to bed to do a little light blog surfing!

Great news on the Avery front - she's home safe and sound with her family. Check out Allison's blog entry here for all the deets.

Thanks for hanging in there through this long-winded post and thanks so much for visiting and for all the wonderfully kind words of encouragement! You guys are the BEST!

~chris

Limited Supplies Challenge - Paint it Black

Here's my card for this week's Limited Supplies Challenge on Splitcoast. I've had this card running around in my head for days and today I got my PTI order with the Black & White Basics dp so I had to use it!


Recipe:
Stamps: Always, Love is a Great Thing
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red PTI dp
Ink: versamark
Accessories: black ep, white ep

Thanks for visiting. Today is the big birthday bash so this might be it for today. Tomorrow will be better - hopefully!

~chris

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by Barb to play a fun game involving my photos. Here's the scoop - you go to the folder where you store your pictures, go to the 6th folder and select the 6th picture and post it on your blog along with the story that goes along with it. Here's my picture:


This is my granddaughter Isabella at about 14 months playing with her favorite chair in grandma's living room. I'm really bad with red-eye removal so she looks slightly possessed. She is going to be 3 at the end of the month, but still likes playing with that chair. She also has a little bit more hair now. She is a twin and her brother has lots of straight hair and she has a little bit of very curly hair.

I am supposed to tag six more folks to play along, so gals play if you want to and if you do leave me a comment so I can come and see what your picture is:

Nicky
Cheryl
Megan
Autumn
Allison
LeAnne

I'm really hoping to get some creative time this weekend. The kids and grand kids are coming to celebrate grandpa's birthday tomorrow, but Sunday holds some promise! Also, watch for some details about the project I am working on with the Limelight design team.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Avery slideshow!

I know that a lot of you have been following Avery's progress right along with me and sending your prayers and good thoughts in the direction of Avery and her family. Here's a slideshow that Allison put up yesterday of some pix from Avery's first month.

Keep those prayers and good thoughts headed to Canada!

~chris

Okay - it's official - I'm basking in the Lime Light!

I know you can't see me, but I'm dancing and jumping with glee and basking in the lime light as one of the new DESIGN TEAM MEMBERS of The Lime Light! Yes, little old me - on a design team and what a design team it is. Check out the post here to see the announcement and links to all the other wonderful team members. This is such a great opportunity for me! It combines two of my favorite things in life - creating and giving! This is truly the best of everything for me and I am so grateful to be part of it.

Please come back later for some details about the first project I will be participating in and how you can get in on the action too!

Thanks for visiting and for all your wonderful encouragement over the past year - you make all this possible you know!

~chris

Wednesday Sketch Challenge

I made this card for Wednesday's sketch challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. I love this Basic Grey Euphoria paper and I didn't want to cover it up with the middle panel, so I used vellum and embossed it with an embossing folder. The pink is some Bazzill cardstock that I got on my last trip to Alaska.


This has been a short week. Tomorrow is my dh's birthday and I have a pottery class that I cannot miss. Yikes. Luckily he is very understanding and I'm taking him to lunch on Friday and the kids and grandkids are all coming for dinner on Saturday. It's one of those "big" birthdays - hint - he'll be retiring next year and so we want to celebrate!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

My nominees ...

You cannot imagine how hard it is to figure out which of the wonderful bloggers out there I should send this award to. I just feel like almost all of my faves are deserving of it, but here's a short list of gals who have blogs you really need to visit and check out (if you haven't already that is)...

Corinne
Stamping with Roxy

Juanita
Rubberside Down

Nicky
Ohh...Nicky!

Lisa
Splendiferous Creations


Jessica
There She Goes


Cheryl
God and I on the Railroad Tracks


Joanne
Sleepy in Seattle


Wanda
My Creative Corner

I also wanted to share a card I made using a graphic from pcCrafters (thanks Cheryl!) These folks have some wonderful images and with the right papers and layout they make really nice cards.


The image for this card came from a set of images called May Flowers and I printed the image, cut it out and then printed another one and just cut out the flower and popped it up on a dimensional. I added some stickles to the center of the flower for a little bling as well. The card base is Regal Rose and the image and sentiment are mounted on Purely Pomegranate. I added some dewdrops and there you have it!

Thanks so much for visiting! My young partner did not come over last night as mommy didn't end up having to work after all. Hopefully he can join me again soon!

~chris

Wowza - Jackie is the sweetest!

OMG another award this time from the wonderful Jackie! Thanks so much! Here's the scoop:

"This award is given to a blog that invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships! These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind of bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!"

The rule of the award is to now pass it on to another 8 people who demonstrate this spirit. I am still working on my list and I'll be back later to post it.

Thanks again Jackie - you are a gem!

~chris

Tuesday's challenges

Tuesday is a good day for challenges! Mercy has a wonderful sketch challenge on Tuesdays and it's color challenge day on Splitcoast Stampers. Here's my card. I am feeling cheery today! It's supposed to hit 70 here - hey folks it's January in Colorado - gotta love it! Snow by the end of the week though. My assistant will be back to work tonight and we'll see what kind of inspiration he can give me! He's having some separation anxiety issues and we're hoping to ease him into it without the added confusion of two very active almost 3 year olds to complicate things. I'll let you know how that works out on Thursday!

Recipe:
Stamps: Thank You Kindly, Petal Pizzazz
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Regal Rose, Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White. DCWV Color Block Mat Stack dp
Ink: Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: punches, brads

Thanks for visiting and hopefully I'll be back later with a slideshow of Sabrina's wonderful cards for the Cards for Kids project.

~chris

Mojo Monday #70 & my new assistant!

Sabrina and Vickie came over to make Valentines for the Meals on Wheels folks and I also had another visitor spending time in the studio with us tonight. Here's my new assistant - Justice! Tonight was mommy's first night back to work and we decided that daddy had his hands full enough with the twins (Isabella and Julian will be 3 in two weeks). He didn't have a lot to say, but was inspirational all the same.


Here's my card for Julee's Mojo Monday sketch challenge this week. I love her sketch challenges and am so glad I had a chance to do this one.


Recipe:
Stamps: Always
Paper: Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie, Cream Caramel, copper metallic, naturals white
Ink: versamark
Accessories: brads, nesties, punches, clear ep

Sabrina has been working on the cards for kids for the last 3 Monday nights and I'm going to put a little slide show together of all her wonderful creations!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Busy day!

Well it was another busy day! We had brunch with our fellow sailors from the sail club way up north and then a visit from the grandkids later in the day. I downloaded these pictures from my camera, but this is the first chance I've had to get them uploaded to the blog so you can see how much fun we all had yesterday!

We were stampin' in the kitchen and stampin' in the dining room and stampin' in the living room! We had some first time stampers and some well heeled experienced stampers and we all had a wonderful time. This group wanted to be the first to order from the new catalog and there was much oohing and aahing over it. New wish lists were born and old ones were added to! Great fun with a great bunch of gals. Breakfast was prepared and served by our hostess' wonderful dh and everyone had a nice full stomach to start stamping with!

Thanks so much Sally for a wonderful day!

Haven't had much time for blurfing the last few days so if I usually leave you some love and haven't - I'll be there reall soon as I have two whole days off with nothing serious to do - just fun stuff!

Thanks for visiting and for all the wonderful comments that you leave for me - I really appreciate each and every one of you (even all you lurkers - you know who you are!) Thanks, thanks, thanks and come back tomorrow and I'll have some goodies to share with you!

~chris

Old dogs can learn new tricks!

I attended a workshop conducted by my fabulous upline Pat yesterday. What a great bunch of gals she has in her stamp club and it was wonderful to meet them all and spend a creative afternoon with everyone. Thanks for letting me come and be part of your fun group!

Here's what we made and check out the reflection technique card! I have always wanted to try this but was very intimidated. Pat showed us how and WOW was it easy! Thanks again Pat.



Well, I've got a workshop this morning and maybe I'll get some pix of the girls in action. My hostess is serving up breakfast for all of us! Way to go Sally! Here's my little hostess gift for her and my favors for all of the party goers today. You've already seen the cards we'll be making, but I'll get some photos of what these gals do with my designs - they are all really creative and I'm sure we'll have some great cards when all is said and done!



Thanks for visiting. I've got a busy weekend, but I'm hoping things will slow down after Sunday morning!

~chris

Some great candy up for grabs!

Three Clovers Designs is celebrating a blogoversary! Click here to check out the wonderful candy up for grabs.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Combining Challenges

I needed a thank you card for a co-worker who went above and beyond last week helping me out during a power outage. I really liked today's sketch challenge and this weeks Color Throwdown Challenge so I decided to combine them.

Recipe:
Stamps: Thank You Kindly, Petal Pizzazz
Paper: Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Scenic Route dp
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: brads, punches, cuttlebug folder

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Today's Color Challenge

Here's my card for today's color challenge on Splitcoast Stampers - Kraft, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy. This stamp is from a set called Petal Pizzazz which will be available in the new catalog (mine are scheduled for delivery tomorrow -YAY) and I think it's going to be a really fun set to work with.


There's really good news about Avery today too! She was transported from the hospital in Edmonton back home to the hospital in Calgary. A good sign I'm sure that she is well on her way to recovery and a trip home to be with Allison and the rest of her family. Keep those prayers and good wishes going their way that all will be well soon.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Another workshop card and a Project for Nicky!

Here's the last of my designs for my workshop this Saturday. I sure hope you like it Sally! If not, just let me know and I'll work up something else. This card uses the wonderful SU set Inspired by Nature. The grass was stamped with Mellow Moss and the flowers were colored with water color crayons, spritzed with a mist of water and then stamped onto Naturals White cardstock. The card base is So Saffron and the mat is Not Quite Navy. Corner brads and a sentiment will finish it off.


The next thing I want to show you is (finally) the monogram project that will go in the blogoversary goodie box for Nicky! I wrestled with this, but I think it came out okay and I sure hope she likes it! The box is packed and ready to ship in the morning! The box is from a template from PTI by Lauren Meader and is made with Perfect Plum. Card base is so saffron with a Mellow Moss mat and some of that wonderful paper from Flair Design. I used my Big Shot and square nesties for the medallion base and embossed her initial on some Really Rust in gold and punched it out with a scalloped square punch. There are six note cards and six envelopes and they fit perfectly in this wonderful desktop box. Lauren has some wonderful templates for sale on the PTI website, you should check them out.


Click here for the latest news from Patty about some of the new Big Shot items in the new catalog. I am so stoked. I am so hoping my new catalog comes this week!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Whoaa! I've been cased and blessed!

Didn't get much done today except recover from having two of the grandkids here for a sleepover last night! Was really fun (Nattie and I got to play with my new Barbie stuff), but really exhausting too! Got some cleaning up done in my craft studio but didn't get anything made (not that I'd want to show anyone anyway).

As I was blurfing today, I came to Wanda's blog My Creative Corner and check it out, she cased my January swap card! What an honor! Wanda features some of the most incredible technique sheets on her blog. You really should check it out (and be sure to leave her some love while you're there).

Then, what do I find when I get to my aloha rak buddy Nicky's page, but totally way cool, she's given me a couple more bloggy award thingys! I am totally freakin here! This has been a wonderful blogging week (except for the mess with the counter which doesn't seem able to be resolved so I just went and got a different one). Thank you, thank you Nicky for these awards. And thanks again to LeAnne for the other two earlier this week! I'll be back tomorrow with my picks for these two new ones.


Right now, gotta get some sleep! Don't have to go to Alaska (very good thing) and am planning a nice 4 day weekend next weekend. I will definitely have at least one project to show you tomorrow! Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Another Avery Update!

Avery Judith is so pink and perky. You have to go and check out Allison's blog entry here and see how wonderful she looks! Way to go Avery!

Be back later with some creative stuff!

~chris

Avery News!

Allison reports that Avery is through surgery and recovering! Read her post here. Please keep the prayers and good thoughts coming though!

~chris

Am I a lucky blogger or what ...

The wonderful LeAnne of Wee Inklings fame has given me not one but two awards.





Isn't she just the nicest blogger, and mucho talented too. You really should take some time and take a look at her wonderful blog and all her fantastic creations.

Here are the details…
1. Post the award logo(s) on your blog.
2. Add the link to the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate 10 other blogs and add post their links as well.
4. Let those people know that they received the award.

I wish I could list all the wonderful bloggers that I read every time they post, but ... here's just a few of my faves!

Allison of Stampin' When I Can
Cat of Cat's Creations
Chat of Me, My Stamps and I
Joanne of Sleepy in Seattle
Juanita of Rubber Side Down
Diane of ddnjoys2stamp
Cheryl of God and I on the Railroad Tracks
Michelle of Stamper's Dream
Dannie of Dannie's Designs
Nicky of Ohh .... Nicky!

I truly am totally thrilled to get these awards! Thanks LeAnne - you are a doll!

~chris

Some leadership highlights

Even though I did not go to leadership this year (maybe next year), I have been keeping an eye on the blogs of the gals I read who did get to go and here's some links to some of the excitement that's coming out! All you gals from the downline meeting need to read these ... YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!

Digital Scrapbooking (from Patty)

Some general news items (from Patty)

Some general news items (from Angie)

I have to tell you that from all that I am reading about the new catalog - I'm stalking the man in brown till he brings mine! I'm really excited about all the new items for the Big Shot and all the reports of the new designer papers - two of my absolute FAVORITE things!

Thanks! - WOW three posts in one day - might be a record, I'll have to look and see.

~chris

January Downline Swaps

As always, the ever gracious Roselyn had us all to her home for this month's downline meeting. Attendance was sparce - wild fires and holidays took their toll, but a grand time was had by all who were able to make it. Here's a slideshow of all of our swaps and our make and takes.

I had hoped to have a pdf link to the slider card instructions to post here tonight too, but I just haven't had a chance to do it the way I want to, so look for it on the sidebar in a day or two. If anyone can give me any hints on better ways to put together slideshows I would appreciate it. Even being able to make my captions larger would be a big help. Can't quite figure it out yet.

Thanks for visiting and please keep baby Avery and her family in your prayers. Surgery was today.

~chris

January Downline Swap

Am dashing as I post this to get to my downline meeting. There is a wildfire burning between here and there and I hope I'm not stopped before I get there. Here's my swap card for this month.



Recipe:
Stamps: Sprinkles, Love You Much, Best Wishes and More
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Choc. Chip, Candy Lane dp, Very Vanilla
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Choc. Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: punches, Big Kick, Choc. Chip satin ribbon, Crystal Effects, glitter, markers, clear embossing powder

I will be back later with the slideshow of our swaps and the make & takes. Thanks for visiting.

~chris

A New and a Re-do

Got some suggestions to lighten up the card I posted yesterday, so here's another try. I'm waiting for my SU order to get a better Valentine sentiment, but for now I'm hoping this can give Sally a better idea. What do you think Sally?

Recipe:
Stamps: Simply Said
Paper: Going Gray, Regal Rose, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Regal Rose, So Saffron, Mellow Moss
Accessories: punches, Regal Rose ribbon

I had a request from a co-worker for a sympathy card and this is what I made.


Recipe:
Stamps: Comfort & Peace from Gina K
Paper: Mellow Moss, Old World Mat Stack from DCWV, Basic Gray, Sahara Sand
Ink: versamark
Accessories: silver ep, nesties, mike's $1 ribbon and Mellow Moss ribbon from SU

Downline meeting is tomorrow, so look for my swap card in the morning and a slideshow of all the wonderful swaps later in the day. I'm demonstrating a double slider card and am really, really nervous! I'll let you know how I do!

Thanks for visiting - please keep Avery and Allison and their family in your prayers please!

~chris

Mercy Inspired Valentine

I just love Mercy's blog - Lord Have Mercy! - she showcases her wonderful cards and hosts a great sketch challenge on Tuesdays. I was really inspired by this card on her blog and made this card (Sally - do you want to make this at your party?) I'm thinking of trying it with Baja Breeze in place of the Choc. Chip - what do you think?


Recipe:
Stamps: Simply Said
Paper: Pacific Point, Regal Rose, Choc. Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point, Regal Rose, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Regal Rose grossgrain ribbon, scallop edge punch

Thanks for visiting and please remember Allison and Avery in your prayers!

~chris

A couple more birthday cards

My BFF Sabrina has a birthday this week and I made this card for her with some paper I got on our latest lss foray - it's called Autumn Harvest and it's from Flair Designs Inc.. I just love it and after giving her this card I hit the store again and bought up all they had (5 sheets) as I don't know of anyone else in our area that carries it and the gal at the counter said she wasn't sure they would be ordering more. It has so many wonderful colors in it and I know I'm going to want to make it last forever. The card base and ribbon is Ripe Avocado from PTI and the two layers (made with my new Spellbinders dies) are Really Rust and Perfect Plum from SU. The stamps sets I used were Kind Thoughts (retiring this month - so sad) and a sentiment from my box of miscellaneous birthday stamps.


The second card uses the same dp but a different set of dies from Spellbinders. The card base on this one is Perfect Plum and the layers are So Saffron and Ripe Avocado with a little bit of Elegant Eggplant ribbon as a garnish.

This will be a busy week for me. On Thursday I'm doing a demonstration of a slider card at our downline meeting for which I also am making swaps. I have a workshop on the 17th and I only have one project picked out so far so I need to get busy with that too. Then of course there's my day job ... luckily I like it so that's not bad. I've also started working on my Valentine cards for the 1000 card challenge for the Detroit Children's Hospital. You can get more details on this wonderful project by clicking here or here or here. Put your creativity to work for a good cause and jump in on this challenge.

Please also keep Avery and Allison and her whole family in your prayers this week. Hopefully the will be able to do her surgery and everything will go fine and all will be home in short order.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Blog Candy Alert!

The always entertaining and often educational Kath has some great candy on her blog, so click on the pix and go check it out:

~chris

Viva la Verve Challenge

I love Julee's Mojo Monday challenges, so when this challenge came up in Verve's Splitcoast forum, I had to try. Card base is Baja Breeze and I hit up the scrap bin for the dp. The map is scraps left over from the xmas card I made for my dh (you can see it here). I wanted to find some nautical hardware, but this will do, I think.


Stamp is from the Set Sail set by Stampin' Up!

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

This week's color challenge

I needed some masculine birthday cards and this week's color challenge looked like it might be a good one for that - Handsome Hunter, So Saffron and Bravo Burgundy. Here are the cards I made for this challenge.


The birthday greeting stamps are just misc stamps that I have picked up over the years. I used the Weathered bg stamp and some paper that was hanging around in my scrap bin. I think some of it is Basic Grey, but don't hold me to that. These are pretty basic and straightforward, but I like them.

Thanks for visiting! Congrats again to Nicky for winning the blog candy!

~chris

No more calls (comments) WE HAVE A WINNER!

I kept a log of all the comments that I received and printed it out and numbered each comment and Random.org selected a number for me.

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

68 

Timestamp: 2009-01-02 19:49:28 UTC

I checked the number against my log and the lucky winner is:

Blogger nicky w. said...
Another lovely card...I especially like the colors. It matches that stamp set perfectly!!! Happy New Year Chris!
January 1, 2009 8:23 PM

Congratulations Nicky! I'm sending you an email to let you know!

Thanks so much to everyone who left comments. As I have said before, this blog has brought so much that is good into my life and I want you all to know how very much I appreciate all of you.

Thanks for visiting!

~chris

Thursday's Ways to Use It Challenge

I pulled out some paper and started putting things together for today's Ways to Use It challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. I liked the paper combinations, but it just wasn't going to work with silver, so I made it gold. Then I pawed around in my paper scraps and found another piect that I think worked better with silver. The stamps I used were from Always and Short & Sweet. The gold card has all SU papers with the card base of Bashful Blue, then So Saffron and I think it's Afternoon Tea or Le Jardin, not sure which with the heart embossed in gold on Always Artichoke. The silver card has a card base of Baja Breeze with Always Artichoke and Kiwi Kiss for accent colors. The dp is a scrap and I have no idea where it's from, but I really like it.



Today's blog candy addition will be several handmade items that will be a surprise to the winner, but will involve a monogram! I will be back between noon and three to announce the winner. Thanks so much to everyone who left comments for my blogoversary celebration! Hugs, hugs, hugs to everyone!

Allison's new little one Avery is scheduled for surgery this week (got postponed last week) and so I would ask again for your prayers and good thoughts for Avery and Allison and the whole family. You can read about Avery here and see some wonderful pictures here and here. Allison is a wonderful person and right now she needs our good thoughts and prayers. Thanks!

See you all a little later!

~chris

MTTSC3 and today's candy addition!

This is a new sketch challenge for me. Jessica (The Whimsical Butterfly) hosts a sketch challenge every Tuesday featuring a sketch from her daughter Madelynn. Jessica's blog is wonderful and you really need to check it out! Here's this week's sketch and my card from the sketch.



Today's celebration candy addition is a brand spanking new pad of DCWV Far East paper. I've seen some really wonderful creations out there in blogland using this paper and I would love to see what the winner creates with it!


I hope everyone had a happy, safe and warm New Year's Eve. We had a great time hunkering down in front of the fire eating crab legs (our tradition for about 10 years now) and talking about what we want to do in the coming year. DH is preparing to retire and move the boat east to live on during the summer months and I want to try to push myself in my stamping by getting on a design team, getting published and learning how to use the stamp making kit I got for Christmas last year! We'll have to see how that all works out over the next year.

Thanks again for all your wonderful words and encouragement over the last year. I appreciate each and every one of you and really feel like I have made some wonderful new friends!

~chris