I Was "Spied"! ISSC33

Kim Teasdale, the admin for iSpy Sketches contacted me about a month ago and asked if I minded if she used one of my convention swap cards for a sketch challenge today. Um, let me think about that for a nanosecond......heck, NO, I don't mind - what an honor! This was the swap card that caught her eye, so today I decided to make another using that sketch, and stick with the holiday theme.

It's amazing what a completely different "feel" this card has, compared to the original. Cute versus elegant, I guess (kinda like me, haha).

I just had to add that strip of Champagne Glimmer - seems I've been on a Glimmer binge lately.  Can't help it! Adding a bit of bling just takes a card to a whole new level, don't you agree?

I hope you'll play along with the sketch challenge this week at iSpy Sketches. I can't wait to see all the various interpretations of the sketch from other crafty folks!

Thanks, Kim, for choosing my card for your inspiration sketch this week (and inspiring the card for my next Christmas Club)!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Shimmery White, Gumball Green DSP, Champagne Glimmer
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Real Red, Gumball Green, Baja Breeze, and Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pads, plus Blush Blossom and Pink Pirouette Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan folder, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Square Punch (banner ends), Gold Lame Smooch Accent Ink (retired), Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Month of Gratitude

November is traditionally the month where our thoughts turn to the many blessings and riches we have in our daily lives.  While I am thankful every single day for the people, experiences, and love that enrich my life, this is the month that I try to express it. So, please bear with me as I attempt to post daily  throughout the month of November with something for which I am thankful.

Day 1 - So VERY thankful that my Christmas cards are finished, wooohooo! Less stress later this month!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Petite Pairs
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze DSP, Shimmery White
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, and Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pads, Blush Blossom Stampin' Write Marker, Gold Lame Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink
Accessories: Big Shote, Snow Burst embossing Folder, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Christmas in February

Just a quick post to show the Christmas cards I made for February. Off to a good start for the year - I have 12 (six each of 2 designs) done!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper, Jolly Holiday DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, and Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pads
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Blender Pens, Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies

Greeting Card Kids

Aaand, a couple more cards from Jill's Demonstrator Day. (Really, you should sign up just so you can participate in this!  I'm not kidding!!!)

 Aren't these just the cutest darn images?  So sweet, and old-fashioned looking!  These were colored with Aqua Painters and Watercolor Wonder Crayons (which, I'm told, are finally going to be available soon).  The manufacturer had some problems, but they've since been resolved, so the new colors in these fabulous watercolor crayons are right around the corner!!!

Mom had her first appointment today and it's not looking too good.  They did an ultrasound and immediately referred her to a GYN oncologist.  Also, the doctor actually referred to the mass in her kidney as "carcinoma" without even having done a biopsy yet, so they must be pretty certain it is malignant. My heart is so heavy.

Busy TOO SHORT Week!

I've been preparing for tomorrow's Operation Write Home Birthday Bash Card Party all week.  Here are a couple of cards that I made kits for, so people with no stamping experience can put them together.  Since this is not an official Stampin' Up! function, I am trying to use up a bunch of the non-SU things I got before I realized what I was doing.  I have a ton of stuff to use up, and that's all I'm going to say about that. ;-)

Does anyone know how I can add about 12 more hours to today?  The party is tomorrow and I'm nowhere NEAR ready - eeeek!  More kits to cut, house to clean, refreshments to make (and not enough room in the fridge for them), and somewhere in there I need to bathe!