Better to give or receive?

Is it better to give than receive? That is the question. That is a tough one as I LOVE getting presents, but at the same time I love seeing the excitement and joy of someone opening a gift. My lovely lady above could either be bring presents or getting this awesome stash of presents.

Today's card is a reminder that there is still time left in the year to play along with our splashy color challenge at Inky Paws. For that matter you have time in the new year to play along also. Isn't this awesome, a challenge that spans the years!! For that reason alone you have to play along!! Just use lime green, teal, blue and silver in your creation, that features a Newton's Nook product.

My card today features "Christmas Haul",  Holiday Greetings Dies, and "Sentiments of the Seasons". All from Newton's Nook.

You have one more week to play along with our awesome color challenge at Inky Paws! We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. Our favorite entries from each challenge will be highlighted the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is this Friday, January 3, 2020 at MN CST. The winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

Believe

Happy last weekend in 2019! It's hard to believe 2020!! Where do the years go?

I have had some time off over Christmas  and that means time in my studio. I usually end up with with a stamping block by the time the holidays are over, but I have been going strong and am sharing cards that I can save for next year.

This adorable Rudolph is from Essentials by Ellen over at Ellen Hutson. I just love the images. The wreath is from Clearly Besotted. Unfortunately, it is no longer available. the sentiment is Paper Smooches.

As I wrote yesterday CAS on Friday is having a DT call. I am throwing another card into the pool for their consideration.

Check out CAS on Friday and see the CAS cards by the DT. And wish me luck!

It's Christmas!

Wishing all of you a very blessed Christmas holiday!

Falalalala!! It's almost Christmas!!

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!! Today is the day for George and I. I make a fancy dinner and we open our gifts. 

I felt so behind the eightball with Thanksgiving coming so late, but somehow as I sat watching Hallmark Christmas movies last night, I said to George, that I actually had a handle on evrything and I can enjoy Christmas eve without all the last minute running around and cooking I am, usually doing.

It's something to sing about.

Something else to sing about is CAS on Friday is having a DT call! You know me I am all about CAS, so I am throwing my hat in the ring for a 2020 position on their awesome team! Wish me luck!!

Wishing you a festive and fun filled day before!!

Spreading holiday cheer

Hi everyone!! It won't be long until the big day- Christmas day! Yay!! Are any of you feeling a little behind the eight ball this year? Thanksgiving came so late, it has totally thrown my crafting schedule off.  I spent this weekend hunkered down in my studio, making 80 cards. 

I did take the time though to have some fun with the new challenge at Inky Paws. We are challenging you to use lime green, teal, blue and silver. Come on, isn't that an awesome combination of colors?!!? No excuse not to play along, If I can manage my time, I know you all can too.

For my card today, I used the following products from Newton's Nook: Holiday foliage stencil,  Ornamental wishes, and Winter Memories. Using a silver Stickles, I added bling to the berries for this striking holiday card.

You have the next three weeks to play along with our awesome color challenge at Inky Paws! We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. Our favorite entries from each challenge will be highlighted the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is this Friday, January 3, 2020 at MN CST. The winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

Believe

 Hey everyone!! There is still time to play along at  Inky Paws for our "snow Day" theme challenge.

I decided to go with a red theme to my card today. I used "Newton's Curious Christmas", the snowfall stencil and the snow flakes are from "Winter Memories". All are from Newton's Nook.

You have the next two weeks to play along with our snow theme challenge at Inky Paws! We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. Our favorite entries from each challenge will be highlighted the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is this Friday, December 13, 2019 at MN CST. The winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

I know him! I know Santa!!

While shopping at our local Trader Joe's my husband said- "you have to come around back". I kinda wanted to just get going, we had a lot to do. But I humored him and went to the back parking lot and there is the most gorgeous white draft horse being hooked to a festive white buggy.

A few moments later after petting this big guys nose and wishing I had an apple or a carrot, my husband whispers "look up". I look up and what to my wondering eyes should appear- Santa Claus!!!

I don't know about you, but there is something magical about being around Santa. You immediately become a kid again. 

I am sure my dear husband is telling Santa all about the Martin Dreadnaught D-45 guitar he wants for Christmas.

But behind every great guy there is an even better woman. Santa is no different. Mrs. Claus who is usually behind the scenes baking cookies to keep the big guy-well big, got to get out to visit today.

Like any good wife, she isn't letting her man out in public until he is perfectly put together.

After getting my time with Santa- whispering that I really don't want a lot this year, just the new Altenew inks, he drove off to see all the good little boys and girls.

My cards today are in honor of the big guy himself!! I am entering them in the following challenges.

Just Us Girls, they are having "an anything goes" challenge.

Time out Challenges is having a "merry and Cheerful" challenge.

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge- "quick and easy cards".

Cardz 4 Galz- is looking for a "cute Christmas"

Winter Wonderland Challenge- "anything goes"

Lastly Inkspirational is having a theme challenge and the theme is "naughty". 

I want to end this Santa driven blog post with a scene from "Elf". This very funny scene is how I feel now."I know him! I know Santa and I know his wife!!"

Be sure to check out what all the designers for these various challenges have posted and be inspired to join in!!

Snow days!

Good morning everyone! Who doesn't love a snow day? Unfortunately as a nurse, there are no snow days- it is get your butt into work, no matter how much snow. Lucky for me. Southeastern Pennsylvania doesn't get to many crazy snow storms.

Who knew that the first day of the "Snow Day" theme challenge at Inky Paws, we are expecting our first measurable snow for the year. LOL!!

I took this challenge literally! I loved the snow man standing on his head. It cracked me up!! I used the following products from Newton's Nook. "Frozen friends", "petite snow" stencil and the sea borders dies.

You have the next two weeks to play along with our snow theme challenge at Inky Paws! We will chose a RANDOM entry to win a $20.00 Newton's Nook store gift certificate. Our favorite entries from each challenge will be highlighted the following Monday, so all entries have a chance to be featured on the blog.

The deadline to enter today's challenge is this Friday, December 13, 2019 at MN CST. The winners will be announced on the following Monday at Inky Paws.

Rainbow Christmas

Happy December everyone! November and Thanksgiving are behind us, it's now time to turn our creative juices to the Christmas holiday. I have been steadily working on card ideas. The problem is I bought way too many Christmas stamps. I cannot possibly use them all. I remember Sandy Allnock once saying she buys so many holiday stamps and then ends up using the ones she bought the year before. That seems to be the way it goes for me also. How about you?

This is  the last challenge at The Rainbow Card Challenge for 2019. We are challenging you to make a card using a regal rainbow of colors. I used Hero Arts Stacking snowflakes to create a rainbow of snowflakes.

I was torn about your music inspiration. There are not any rainbow snow songs that I know of. I decided on a classic to get you in the holiday spirit.

So get your regal rainbow hat on and join in the fun.

You have all month to play along at The Rainbow Card Challenge. I am wishing all of you a very blessed Christmas and I will see you for a new challenge at  The Rainbow Card Challenge  in January.