You Make Me Happy - ATSM#77 , PP177 and CFC125

Hello dear friends and followers - thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!

Sunday was a very cold day here so I spent 1/3 of my day with laundry & cleaning, 1/3 of my day trying new recipes (using my new Pioneer Woman Cookbook - oh such yumminess) and 1/3 of my day crafting and getting a bit ahead with my DT cards for this month.  All in all I'd say I had a pretty good weekend - especially the crafting part :o)  In case you're wondering, I did get out of my jammies but went right into my comfy sweats - lol!

This week marks the first challenge of 2014 at Addicted to Stamps and More! (ATSM).  ATSM Challenge #77 is "Make Your Mark".  This is the one where we like to see you "color" in whatever form is comfortable for you such as markers, colored pencils, chalks, watercolors, crayons, gelatos (I think that's what they are called - I've only used them once).

Our challenge sponsor this whole month is Deedee's Digis who is offering our Top Addict each week their choice of 3 digi sets (a terrific prize).

I'm using an image from one of the sets called "Make a Joyful Noise".  I love roosters and have several of them in my kitchen.  Not exactly sure why since I most definitely am not a morning person - therefore a rooster wouldn't last long around my homestead - might make good soup though - hahaha.  Anyway...please take a look at what I made:

I am entering this card in the first challenge of 2014 over at The Paper Players #177 where Nance has chosen a theme challenge to use the chalkboard technique.

I have attempted this once before but didn't get great results, so this time I followed the link to the tutorial and it made it oh so easy to achieve.  I stamped the sentiment (Note: Sneak Peek Alert from the new Stampin Up! Sale-A-Bration catalog coming soon!) with Versamark and then heat embossed using white embossing powder. After smudging some white craft ink around on the panel, I then used a white watercolor pencil to draw the border and doodles around the edge.  All of this was outlined in the tutorial.  I am so happy with how this turned out.  I think the smudges look very much like the markers left by the chalk erasers.

 I also hope this is considered CAS enough to qualify for CAS-ual Fridays (CFC125) In a Word - which asks us to choose a word which we hope for in the new year.  My word is "Happy".  I'd like to celebrate all the little things in my everyday life that make me feel happy. Just don't think you can ever have too much happy in your life!

I hope that you will decide to join us this week at ATS&M for Challenge #77 - Make your Mark. The other lovely ladies on the DT have made some wonderful creations to share with and inspire you. Won't you please go visit them too and take a look? 

We also have a fabulous Guest Designer for the next two weeks - Gemma - who has been a regular participant in our challenges.  We are delighted to have her with us!  I'm sure she would love it if you would stop by and say "Hey!". 

Til next time friends...hugs and HAPPY crafting! D