Santa Claus is coming to town

Hi friends.  I saw the sketch over at Retro sketches this week and just had to play along.  I am in love with these houses from PTI.  So fun! 

I am also going to enter this at Merry Monday.  They want us to use Santa on our project and I realized this is the only Santa I have.  I think I need to remedy that by next Christmas. 

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

CASology Guest Designer!

 

Hi friends!  I am honored to be guest designer this week at CASology.  My card was chosen in last week's challenge.  

This week the cue word is - Black.  I am on a Christmas card making roll lately so I went with a black Christmas card.

I used the inlaid die cutting technique on my card.  Love this technique.  The sentiment is embossed with white embossing powder.

How are you inspired by Black?  Hope you join in on the fun.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Whisper white
Ink:  Versamark, Versafine black
Stamps:  Starry Christmas (MFT), Greetings of the Season (SU!)
Accessories:  Starry Christmas dies, Lil' Inker stitched rectangles, rhinestone, white embossing powder

StampNation Design Team Call & Winners

Happy Monday friends.  I joined StampNation the first day it opened.  I have watched the site grow by leaps and bounds and started on the Design Team in Sept. 2012.  I am also Trends Editor for StampNation, bringing the latest trends in papercrafting to the site.  I love StampNation and know you would too!

Read on to see if this is the Design Team for you.

StampNation Design Team Call - (Term December 1st - February 28th)

StampNation is a premier paper crafting community, a place to share inspiration and knowledge with members from around the world.

For the first time ever, we are looking outside of the community for 2 new Design Team Members. DT responsibilities include: Weekly Challenges, Weekly Blog Posts & commenting and participating in conversations around StampNation as well as welcoming our new Sistahs.

New DT members will receive free membership for the length of their term.

Applicants must have an active blog (4 or more posts per week) and be passionate about papercrafting!!!

If you’d like to join the StampNation Design Team, please send us 3 samples of your best work, as well as a little bit about yourself and why you think you’d be a great fit for our team. Also include current/past design team work and recognitions or publications (these are not requirements to be on the DT).

Please send applications to maureenlmerritt@mac.com with the Subject line “SN Design Team Applicant” by Monday, November 11th. Chosen applicants will be contacted by November 15th.

We are constantly looking at ways to improve StampNation to make it the very best site on the internet for education, fun and sisterhood. We are looking forward to bringing fresh and fun ideas and designs to StampNation and we are looking forward to hearing from you!

*Before applying please click here to learn more about StampNation and to see if this is the place for you!

 Please let me know if you have any questions!

I want to thank everyone who left comments for a chance to win a spot in A Very Trendy Holiday online class.

The two winners are:

Congratulations ladies!  You can email Catherine with your details and she will get you set up.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Happy Birthday - Orange

 

Happy snowy Saturday friends!  Yes, it is snowing this morning here in Northern, NH.  I am so not ready for it just yet, but it sure does make me want to curl up in front of our pellet stove.  :)  Anyone else getting snow?

I am sharing my card for this week's challenge at StampNation.  The challenge was ORANGE.  I went with a birthday theme rather than Halloween since we don't celebrate Halloween.

I am also entering this over at Seize the Birthday and Simon Says Wednesday Challenge.

**I have also added more stamps to my stamps for sale page.**
**Make sure you don't miss out on your chance to win a spot in A Very Trendy Holiday Card Class.  Click to view yesterday's post.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Cardstock:  Pumpkin Pie, Whisper white
Ink:  Versamark, Versafine black
Stamps:  Papillion Potpourri
Accessories:  Butterfly punch, banner trio die (WP9)

A Very Trendy Holiday Card Class

Happy Friday friends.  I have some exciting news to share with you all.  My good friends Catherine Pooler, founder of StampNation and Maureen Merritt have teamed up to bring you a fun, trendy online card & tag idea class.

Here is a sneak peek of some of the projects...

This is what Catherine has to say about this brand new class!

"Earlier this year, I started working on a new website where I could hold Online Classes. Over the course of this year, well...first of all, I've been a busy with lots of different, fun projects.  Second of all, I wasn't exactly sure what my classes would be like!

I wanted them to be DIFFERENT from anything else I offer.  Different from StampNation, Definitely Sketches and Simply WOW!

What I have created, quite frankly, I'm thrilled with!

With a little help from my friends (namely Maureen!), I have put together a great class for you...it's the first of what I plan to be a regular offering for you!

Each class will have a theme.  All the projects and videos and tutorials inside the classroom will, obviously, go with the theme.  Think of it like a neat little package all tied up with a bow.  

This first class, A Very Trendy Holiday, is fun, it's eye catching and you will learn a TON of great stuff from it!"

Click here to read more details on this class. 


Sounds like fun, right?!

**I have TWO FREE class registrations to give away to two of my blog readers.  Leave me a comment here by Sunday, October 27th at noon and let me know what your favorite paper crafting trend is right now.   (If you've already purchased the class, you will get a refund.)**

Make sure you visit Catherine's blog  for a second chance to win.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!!!

What does that mean?  Once you pay, you will then set up your user account.  Within the hour, you will get an email with a link to complete your registration.

If you have ants in your pants (like I would!!), and don’t want to wait to get in the classroom, EMAIL ME YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD.  I can manually activate your account.

- See more at: http://catherinepooler.com/2013/10/ready-trendy-holiday/#sthash.NUAjw01H.dpuf

What does that mean?  Once you pay, you will then set up your user account.  Within the hour, you will get an email with a link to complete your registration.

If you have ants in your pants (like I would!!), and don’t want to wait to get in the classroom, EMAIL ME YOUR USERNAME AND PASSWORD.  I can manually activate your account.

- See more at: http://catherinepooler.com/2013/10/ready-trendy-holiday/#sthash.NUAjw01H.dpuf

White Christmas

 

Hi friends.  I am sharing my card for this weeks Merry Monday challenge.  The challenge is to use music or a Carol inspired theme on your card.  I was thinking of "White Christmas".   I just recently purchased this cute die from Memory box, some embossing paste and stencils from Simon Says.  I finally put them to use on this card.  The "snow" is embossing paste. 

*ETA-I am also sharing this card over at CASology challenge blog.  Thanks Melissa.  :)

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Crafty weekend

Hi friends.  I wanted to pop in real quick to show you some of the cards I made this weekend when I met up with some friends near Boston.  I left Friday morning to meet Maureen at our hotel and on Sat. our friends Elsa and Michelle joined us.  

On Friday night Maureen and I had the pleasure of meeting Suzanne from Freshly Noted for dinner and while we were chatting at dinner she invited us to her house.  We were able to see where she creates her masterpieces and browse all her stampin' goodies.  She is the sweetest and I had so much fun meeting her and visiting with her.  Here we are:

Maureen, Michelle, Elsa and I spent the whole day Sat. stamping.  It was so fun using each others stamps and dies.  I think I used more of Mo's stamps and she used more of my stamps.  There were some of Mo's stamp sets that I didn't have a chance to use that I wanted to.  :(  Next time!   I made 16 cards on Sat.  The above photo is a sample of some.  Some of the easier ones I made 2 of the same design.  It was an amazing weekend and there are plans for the next get together in the works.

I did take a photo of Maureen, Elsa, Michelle and I but it was on Sunday morning and poor Elsa had just rolled out of bed and has sleepy eyes and she is still in her PJ's,  so I won't post that picture here.  :)  I really wish I had taken more pictures on Sat. but we were all too busy stamping.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Merry & Bright

Hi friends.  I am back sharing another Christmas card I made for Merry Monday.  This week's challenge is to use snowflakes, blue, white, silver/gray.  It is hard to see in the photo but I used Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the snowflake piece after I die cut it using the Deco labels.  I also used the thumping technique on the snowflake, can you see it?

I was also inspired by my friend, Catherine's KISS card she made the other day.  She has done quite a few KISS (Keep It Simple Stamper) cards and I just love them especially for mass producing Christmas cards.  I whipped up 4 of these cards in no time.  It would have been even quicker had I skipped the Iridescent ice embossing powder step.  Thank you for the inspiration, Catherine.

I am also entering this over at 52 {Christmas} card throwdown ~ they are asking for Christmas cards using anything but red and green & Simon Says Wednesday challenge ~ they are asking for Christmas/Holiday.

 Here is the first design I tried.  I like this one but don't love it.  :)

 

 
Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Cardstock:  Whisper White, silver glimmer paper
Ink:  Island Indigo, Versamark, Pool Party
Stamps:  Snowflake Soiree, Grand Ampersand
Accessories:   Iridescent Ice Embossing powder, Rhinestone, deco labels, Winter Frost DSP

Cardstock:  Smoky slate
Ink:  Island Indigo, Versamark
Stamps:  Snowflake Splendor (MFT), Petite Pairs
Accessories:  white embossing powder, Rhinestone, Winter Frost DSP

May your blessings be plenty,

Hi friends.  I am popping in quickly with a card for CASology and Curtain Call.

I absolutely LOVE white pumpkins and those blue ones in the above photo are gorgeous.  I embossed the pumpkin on my card with white embossing powder on white cardstock.  Love that look.  This is my first time playing along with Curtain call Inspiration challenge and I am sure it won't be my last.  I love making cards from photos. 

Thanks for visiting and have a great day!

StampNation Design Team Blog Hop WINNER

Hi friends.  I wanted to extend a big  thank you to everyone that hopped along with the StampNation Design Team over the past week.   I loved reading all of your comments.

Many of you guessed correctly on the country this photo represented!

GERMANY - May Day celebration

The fun continues at StampNation as members continue to be inspired and share their projects from the WCMD celebration.  I hope YOU have been inspired as you visited the DT blogs and got a peek at some of the projects from the event.

As you know, StampNation 3 Month Memberships are up for grabs....drum roll please...the winner from my blog is: 

Congratulations Maddie!  Maddie you can contact Catherine and let her know you were the winner on my blog.

 

Please visit Catherine's blog to find out if you are the Grand Prize winner of the 3 Month membership and all of Catherine's cards (and some of the DT cards!).

Be sure to visit the other DT blogs to see who the winners were…was it you?

Maureen Merritt
Kristie Goulet...you are here!

Heather North

Shea Marshall

Monica Weaver

I also wanted to share with you another card I made for StampNation's WCMD celebration.  My card for USA. 

Inspired by this photo:

I used the rock & technique on the leaf and then the brick wall technique.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

White on White Joy

Hi friends.  Popping in quickly with a card for Less is More.  The challenge this week is white on white with a Christmas theme.  Of course, I had to join in.  I CASEd one of Maureen's cards that she showcased in the CAS classroom on StampNation.  I have learned so much from her.

Don't forget about the StampNation Design Team Blog Hop!   SEVEN 3 month memberships are up for grabs and also all of Catherine's & some of the DT members cards for WCMD.  Comment to win.  

Comments will close on Thursday, October 10th at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Design Team will announce winners on StampNation and their personal blogs on Friday, October 11th.

SEVEN 3 month memberships are up for grabs plus my cards and some of the DT cards from WCMD.  Comment to win. - See more at: http://catherinepooler.com/blog/#sthash.iMawnzMe.dpuf

SEVEN 3 month memberships are up for grabs plus my cards and some of the DT cards from WCMD.  Comment to win. - See more at: http://catherinepooler.com/blog/#sthash.iMawnzMe.dpuf

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Merry Christmas for Merry Monday and CAS(E) this Sketch!

Hi friends!  How was your weekend?  I was feeling a bit under the weather this weekend so I didn't amount to much.  I am feeling a bit better today though.  I have been wanting to CASE a card my sweet friend Maureen made and thought the sketch over at CAS(E) this Sketch was the perfect opportunity to do so.  Then, I also saw the Merry Monday challenge which is to use a bird on your Christmas card, any bird will do.  Love when I can combine a couple of challenges on one card.  I think these penguins are adorable with their little hats.

Here is the sketch & Merry Monday photo:

Don't forget about the StampNation Design Team Blog Hop!   SEVEN 3 month memberships are up for grabs and also all of Catherine's & some of the DT members cards for WCMD.  Comment to win.

SEVEN 3 month memberships are up for grabs plus my cards and some of the DT cards from WCMD.  Comment to win. - See more at: http://catherinepooler.com/blog/#sthash.iMawnzMe.dpuf

SEVEN 3 month memberships are up for grabs plus my cards and some of the DT cards from WCMD.  Comment to win. - See more at: http://catherinepooler.com/blog/#sthash.iMawnzMe.dpuf

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

World Card Making Day 2013

This is my second post for today.

Please scroll down or click here to view my StampNation Blog Hop post.

Hi friends.  Have you had a chance to make a few cards for WCMD?

I was able to make one Christmas card to add to my stash.  I guess one is better than none, right?

I have had a blast celebrating on StampNation though.  I made 16 cards ahead of time for the different countries represented.  It was a ton of fun.

I CASEd this design from my good friend Catherine.  Thanks for the inspiration Catherine.

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Celebrate World Card Making Day with the StampNation Design Team

Hi friends.  I am excited to welcome you all to the StampNation Design Team Blog Hop where we are busy stamping around the world!!  We are traveling to each of the 16 countries we have represented in our StampNation and learning a bit about each culture and how they celebrate holidays.  Then we are inspired by a photo inspiration that represents each culture.

 Fun, right?!

That is where the Blog Hop comes in. We want to share this journey with YOU too!

Each DT member picked their favorite photo inspiration and card to post on their blog.

Here's mine...

Here is my card...

I was inspired to recreate the rainbow effect on the circle shown in the photo.  I did that by using my circle framelits and then wrapping the twine around in a rainbow of colors.

The fun continues...see we are asking you to guess the country the photo comes from, then to leave a comment telling what country you think I've chosen.

One lucky commenter from each blog will win a 3 month subscription to StampNation.

Then, one Grand Prize Winner will win a 3 month subscription as well as all of the cards Catherine made for the event and some of the DT's cards!

Remember to hop along to each DT member leaving comments along the way to increase your chance of winning!!!

Catherine Pooler

Maureen Merritt

Kristie Goulet...You are here!

Heather North

Shea Marshall

Monica Weaver (Guest Designer)

Have fun!

 *Please Note: To be eligible to win the Grand Prize, you must comment on all Design Team blogs. You do not have to answer the question correctly to be eligible to win. Comments will close on Thursday, October 10th at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Design Team will announce winners on StampNation and their personal blogs on Friday, October 11th.

Stamps: Expressions for you (Simon Says)
Ink: Versafine black
Paper: Whisper white
Accessories: Twine, circle dies, banner trio die (Wplus9), Tiny attacher (Tim Holtz)

Kind thanks & WCMD

 

Hi friends!  Today's card was for this week's challenge at StampNation.  The challenge was to make a card that makes you think of fall.  As you can see I used the colors of fall for my card.  I love this time of year with the leaves changing and the cooler temps.

I am also very excited to share and participate in WCMD, which kicks off in 5 hours on the East Coast!  The team at StampNation has been working hard on this event.  I am so excited!  Be sure to stop by my blog tomorrow.  If you haven't checked out StampNation, now is definitely the time.  There are over 350 Video Tutorials, 20+ CAS lessons, Bimonthly Trends Articles written by yours truely :) and SO much more.  Click HERE to learn more.

Thank you for visiting and see you tomorrow!

 

Merry Christmas

 

Hi friends.  I am back today with another Christmas card to add to my growing stash.  I used the sketch from Retro Sketches and the color challenge from Merry Monday.  I LOVE the sketch and have been wanting to try it out.

***I have also added a couple more SU! stamp sets to my "Stamps for Sale" page.***

Thank you for visiting and have a great day!

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pistachio pudding, Basic black
Ink:  Pistachio pudding, real red, old olive, Pink pirouette, Memento black
Stamps:  Snowflake Flurries, Holiday Cheer (PTI)
Accessories:  Rhinestones