Nordic Christmas for 52CCT

Hello friends and followers!

I'm here with a bit of a red face as I 

realized that I forgot to write up 

this post for my reminder card

at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.

I made one card and then realized

that I have not completely followed 

the December challenge at 52CCT

which is to use ANY previous 2014 challenge.

Oops I had used 2012 and 2013.

I can't very well be a bad example now can I?

So I quickly made a new card 

and then forgot to post it here.

DUH-Nielle - LOL.

Anyway...here it is

This time I properly chose a theme challenge from 2014

"Nordic Christmas" and used another fabulous 

digital image from our sponsor Deedee's Digis

called Country Christmas (I used a pre-colored version of this).

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today!

Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

52CCT - December Pick ANY Previous - reminder

Hello lovelies...

a quick post tonight to remind

you there's still time to join the 

December PICK ANY PREVIOUS

Challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.

What a great opportunity to add one more

card to you Christmas stash -

 and we just couldn't make it any easier

as you can pick ANY previous challenge

that we've had at 52CCT.

Just let us know which one you are using please.

There are tabs at the top of the challenge blog

for the previous Themes, Sketches, and Color challenges.  

I made another card to share with you

using one of Deedee's Digis

who is sponsoring the 52CCT December challenge.

Take a look:

Digi from Deedee's Digis - Country Christmas

I used the theme from February 2012 - Angels,

and Color Combo #11 from November 2012.

Deedee's gave me this great idea with her 

darling gingerbread angel card last week. 

I am also entering this card in the following challenges:
The Crafter's Cafe Challenge #94 - Christmas/Holiday
Sister Act Card Challenge #87 - anything goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for December - AG

I hope that you will play along with us at 52CCT.

You have until the 19th of December to link up.

Some of my crafty DT pals have also made a 

second card to share with you this week so 

please go check them out and be inspired!

Oh and DON'T FORGET

there's a fabulous $15 gift certificate 

up for grabs to our TOP HONOUR of

this month's challenge from 

 

Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

52CCT - December Pick A Previous

Hello friends!

A little late with my DT post for this month's 

challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown.

I've been staying up late this whole

week working on a project for

a local craft store.  In my mind I had

done my card last week but realized last

night as I was getting ready to dash off to bed

that I had totally soooo forgotten to get it done.

Gulp!! 

We are usually at weekly challenge at 52CCT

but since December is such a busy month

we decided to do just one challenge 

and give you LOTS of room 

for creative choice by 

offering a Pick ANY Previous Challenge.

That means you have free range to 

use any theme, color or sketch challenge

in the archives to make a Christmas card creation!

(Please just tell us which one(s) you used).

Here's my DT card to share with you

using a Sketch Challenge from February 2014

and a digital image from our very

generous challenge sponsor - Deedee's Digis.

digital image by Deedee's image - Country Christmas

I did some distressing around all

the edges of my card.  I wonder why I don't do 

this technique more often as I love the look of it.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Virginia's View Challenges - December - All Things Distressed

Christmas Card Challenges #53 - Anything Goes

The Corrosive Challenges #213 - Happy Everything 

Divas by Design - Feeling Festive

Inkspirational challenge #71 - Anything Goes with Gold

The December challenge runs from the 6th to the 19th.

My lovely and talented 52CCT DT pals have also

made some gorgeous Christmas creations for your inspiration.

Go check them out and say "hi" while you are there.

Did I mention that our sponsor for this month's challenge

is offering a terrific prize to the TOP HONOR?

Check out the details on the 52CCT challenge site.

What are you waiting for - get crafting - you can 

always use another Christmas card for your stash :o)

Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

Celebrating Autumn and Thanksgiving

Hello friends - how are you today?
Are you enjoying the fall weather in the States?

I love fall - the cool evenings and warm nights with the

gorgeous colors of the leaves. 

I especially love the fall holiday of Thanksgiving

and all the yummy dishes that our family makes

when we get together to celebrate.

Speaking of fall, I have a card to share with you 

using one of Deedee's Digis 

fun NEW releases called  "Pilgrim Owls".

Take a look:

I managed to use up some of my stash from a season 

or two ago (still love that corn paper) - feeling 

pretty good about that, as well as some new 

enamel dots that I just had to have :o)

I love the rich warm color combo of this card.

Hope you like it too. 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Addicted to Stamps and More! Challenge #117 "Make Your Mark"

Crafty Catz Challenge #250 - Autumn

Crafting from the Heart - Challenge #40 - Anything Goes

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today - 

I'm sure glad that you did. 

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

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #228 - Buttons (Sponsored by Deedee's Digis)

Hello sweet crafty friends - thanks so much for stopping in to visit me.

I am on the DT for Deedee's Digis and am excited to share

a card I made for a challenge that Deedee's Digis is sponsoring.

The awesome challenge is Sentimental Sundays 

and the Sentimental Sundays Challenge #228 is...Buttons.

Here's what I made to inspire you to play along:

I took a bit a a different interpretation of this challenge and 

added lots and lots of digital buttons using one of the newest releases 

at Deedee's shop called "Goody Jars".

There is a fabulous tutorial on Deedee's blog about layering

digital images to create a look such as this where the buttons are

 placed inside the glass jar.  In addition to the

layering of the images, I also used the re-sizing and rotate tools

to make the buttons different sized and appear as if they 

are laying at different angles in the jar.  This was sooooo

much fun to do.  I could have sat and played for hours :o) 

I used the pre-colored digis for this card which made it very easy

to layer.  I printed the image twice so I could cut out the top

and the peppermint candy and then create a pop-up of those parts

for dimension.  Really love how this turned out - I hope you do too.

I hope that I've inspired you to play along this week at 

Sentimental Sundays Challenge #228 - Add a Button.

The wonderful DT at Sentimental Sundays have made some

terrific creations for your inspiration. Please go visit them and say "hi".

Don't forget...

Deedee's Digis is offering a wonderful prize for this week's challenge. 

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

52CCT October Color Challenge

Hello friends - happy weekend!!

This week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - 52CCT

we have a color challenge for you.

Take a look at this fun palette:

I used the pinks, the lighter blue and green for my card

The image and sentiment are from a new release digital set

at Deedee's Digis called "Ugly Sweaters". I hand-drew the wonky frame 

around the sentiment so that it would stand out a bit more.

I colored it up with my Stampin' Blendabilities markers

in Melon Mambo (light & medium), Old Olive (light & medium)

and Coastal Cabana (light & medium).  

This is a tall and skinny card measuring 3 1/2" x 7 ".

I kept it flat  (no embellishments) so that it will be easy to send out.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Crafting from the Heart #39 - Anything Goes

Jingle Belles  - Pink Christmas (noticeable amount of pink)

Paper Pretties PWC331 - CAS

Sister Act Card Challenge #78 - Anything Goes (sponsored by Deedee's Digis)

My lovely 52CCT DT pals have also made some wonderful

Christmas cards to share with you using this fun color combo.

Please go check them out and say "hi" while you're there.

I hope you will decide to join us this week.

I can't wait to see what you make!!

Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D 

World Card Making Day - Deedee's Digis - Yo Ho Ho

Hello everyone!

Are you as excited as I am that today is World Card Making Day??!!

In honor of this fun event Deedee's Digis is offering a freebie

and a special challenge for us. 

Take a look at this fun new set:

and here's my card to share with you today:

inside

Isn't this just the cutest!! I can see lots and lots of reasons to use this great 

digi set but for now with Halloween coming soon I decided to use

the fun Trick or Treat image.  I used one of the sentiments on the front

and one on the inside.  I've had these pirate papers in my stash 

for a very long time and finally got a chance to use them. 

LOVE when that happens!

So...this darling set is available for FREE to inspire you to create something this weekend
 - BUT only until Monday morning at 8:00 AM Pacific Time.
You can get it in the store.

As I  mentioned above, we also have a special challenge going on in honor
of World Card Making Day, you could win a $10 gift code to use in the store.
You have until Monday 9AM Pacific Time to link up your entry.
Check out the challenge blog  to see some fabulous inspiration
from Deedee's team and get more details.  

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

The Pink Elephant - TPE270 -Anything Goes

Divas by Design - Spooky Creations
Crafting from the Heart Challenge #38 - AG
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper Challenge October - AG

So that's it from me for now! Go get crafty and celebrate
World Card Making Day. It's your excuse to ignore laundry and
cleaning!! Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

52CCT - September Theme Challenge - Nordic Christmas

Ho Ho Ho - a happy Christmas hello to you my crafty friends.

Did you know that Christmas is closer than you think?

Do you have your Christmas cards started?

If the answer to both of those questions is "nope" then

we at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT) can help you out.

This week's challenge at 52CCT is Nordic Christmas

and if you play along you will be one (or more) cards closer to being

ready for Christmas in a couple months.

I wasn't sure exactly what Nordic Christmas meant so I asked our

lovely hostess Asha to help define it:

It's rustic, minimalist, cool and cozy at the same time.

Lots of Natural / Neutral Colours - wood, black and white, kraft, wheat.

Accent colour - Red tends to be most popular choice.  Green or Blue are alternative colours but avoid all using three unless you have lots of neutral colours / space to maintain the uncluttered feel.

Texture - natural fabric, wood / straw accessories, tree branches, pine cones.

The Look: simple homespun.

Minimalism is the motto but not necessarily extreme CAS. The designs tend to be simple and not overly embellished.

So, based on that information - here's what I came up with:

I think I got it.  I used red paper with a pattern of reindeer, hearts and holly,

the design is quite simple (no frills) and uses a natural element of 

linen ribbon and straw (in the image).  

The image and sentiment are from a darling digital stamp set
called "Away in a Manager"

by  our wonderful sponsor this week - Deedee's Digis.

It was fun learning about this style and I have lots of other ideas

to try now. Thanks Asha for a great idea!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
ABC Christmas Challenges - S for Something Festive
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for September  - AG.

To see what my lovely 52CCT DT pals have come up with this

week to inspire you just click HERE.

I hope to see your card in our gallery this week!

Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

52CCT - September 2014 Color Challenge {Warm Winter Wishes}

Hello dear friends and followers - happy weekend!

This 2nd week of September our hostess at 52CCT, Asha,

has chosen a terrific COLOR Challenge

To help you interpret this chart we want you to use

Red  OR  Blue  +  Black  AND  White  +  Silver  OR  Gold.

You may use various shades of Red (such as burgundy, poppy, crimson, scarlet, excluding pink) OR Blue (royal blue, sky blue, cornflower blue, navy excluding purple).

We have a fabulous sponsor this week again - Deedee's Digis - 
and some of the team will be using digi images on their cards.


I chose to use Red, Black and White and Gold
with one of Deedee's darling images called "Snowman Tags".
Take a look:

I did something that I seldom do...

hand wrote my sentiment. 

Hmmm...not too sure about that part, but it's done so I'll be okay with it.

Thankfully I'm happy with how the rest of the card turned out :o)

I'm entering the following challenges with my card:

MOJO Monday #362 (sketch)

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra - Sept. Anything Goes

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge Choose R or E or D

(My R is the color red, E for embossing and D for die (heart))

The rest of the lovely ladies on the 52CCT DT  have made some wonderful 

Christmas creations using Asha's color challenge.  I hope that you will go 

visit them to see what they've done and then decide

to link up your own beautiful creation. 

Thanks so much for visiting me today!
Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

My Time to Craft (MTTC) Challenge #257 - Teddy Bears Picnic - Here's to you Marie!

Hello and happy weekend!! 

Monday was a work holiday for me which somehow makes the rest of 

the week seem a bit harder.  Maybe it's because we then have to squish 

five days of work into four.  Anywhoo... I'm glad it's the weekend!

It's also time for another challenge at My Time to Craft!

This time MTTC Challenge #257 is Teddy Bears' Picnic.

We want to see a Teddy or Teddies on your crafty creations.

Please make sure you use an image of some sort - not just teddies 

on or within the patterned paper.  We really want "Teddy" to get center stage!

Here's my card to inspire you this time:

Digital image and sentiment by Deedee's Digis - "Hang in There"

My card is made especially for Marie, one of my former DT pals

on the Addicted to Stamps and More team. Marie has been going through

 a rough time of it lately and the loving and wonderful team at ATSM  

dedicate their Anything Goes Challenge to Marie this time.

Marie, no matter how tough things are sometimes

they will eventually change (nothing stays the same forever).
Please know that you have many wonderful and supporting

friends who love you and are pulling for you (including me).

Sending prayers and the biggest cyber hug I can dear lady!
Hang in there. Have Faith. 

So...I hope that you will decide to join us at MTTC this time and share

a wondeful "teddy" creation with us.  The other talented ladies on the DT

have also made some terrific creations to inspire you to play along.

Please go visit them and say "hi". 

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

ATSM Challenge #111: "Anything Goes w/optional twist of Get Well/Thinking of You"
Divas by Design - Tags
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge #193 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz Friday Coloring Challenge - Teddy Bears

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

52CCT September Sketch Challenge

Hello friends and followers - so happy you've decided to visit me today!

This week at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCCT), our 

hostess Asha has a sketch challenge for you 

take a lookie-see

We also have a wonderful sponsor for this week

I've used one of Deedee's fabulous digital stamp sets called "Away in a Manger"

Here's my card:

Such a sweet image and a wonderful way to remember
the true meaning of Christmas!

I'm really proud of myself lately as I've been making a true
effort to use up some of my stash of designer papers.
I love this combo of the light blue and dark - don't you?

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Christmas Card Challenges #40 - Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for September - Anything Goes
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Use R, E or D (I used D for dies)
Papertake Weekly - anything goes

I hope that you will decide to join us this week at 52CCT.
My lovely DT pals have made some gorgeous Christmas creations
to further inspire and awe you.  Please go check them out :o)
Til next time...hugs and merry crafting! D

Happy Holidays Deer Friend - 52CCT August Sketch Challenge

Oh my...here it is August already and time for a whole month of 

new challenges at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown (52CCT).

Before I get to that though, I'd like to thank you for all

the amazing entries we had for Christmas in July at 52CCT.

We had some prizes up for grabs for those of you who left us comments

and entered a challenge (or more).

Winners will be posted on Wednesday - so check the 52CCT Challenge

site then to see if maybe it's you!  Crossing my fingers for you :o)

Back to the first challenge for August at 52CCT.

It's a fabulous sketch - take a look:

Now for my DT card to inspire you to play along with us:

Digital image by Deedee's Digis - "Deer Friend"

I love using digital images to make cards. This is a great pre-colored image from the 

digital set called "Deer Friend" by Deedee's Digis.  Usually I like to color the image 

myself but thanks to a fractured thumb, I'm not able to do much of that right now.

What's really great about this though is I can print a wonderfully colored image,

use my Big Shot and die cuts and layer the parts to have a finished card 

in less than 1/2 the time it would usually take me.  I'm pretty happy with the results!

What a great way to quickly add to my stash of cards to send for the Christmas holiday.  

I'd highly encourage you to try it if you are finding that you want to get started - or ahead :o).

The rest of my lovely DT pals at 52CCT have made some amazing cards using the 

August sketch.  Please go visit them as well and say "hi".

I hope to see your Christmas card in our gallery this week!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenges #188 - Anything Goes
Crafting for All Seasons Challenge #82 Christmas in July
The Pink Elephant TPE261 - Anything Goes
The Crafter's Cafe - Challenge #74 - Use a Digi
Creative Card Crew - 67 Christmas
City Crafter Challenge Blog Week 222 - Animal Magic
Christmas Card Challenges #35 - Anything Goes

Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D 

A Freebie from Deedee's Digis - Get it by July 24th!

Hello friends and happy weekend! I hope you are all doing well.

I have a new "sidekick" in my life for the next few weeks.

Yep...it's a splint!
I slammed my thumb in my car door on Wednesday and fractured the tip of my thumb.

And OH MY GOSH did that ever hurt!! I can honestly say that there are few other times I have felt that kind of pain.  Sadly this has put a tremendous crimp on my crafting abilities (and a whole lot of other things). I'll be wearing this lovely accessory for about a month - big bummer!  But like every challenge, I'm already figuring out ways to adapt. Like wearing pull on clothes and slip on shoes (very humbling to ask someone to help you tie your shoes).  And using pre-colored digital images - like this awesome one that is part of a set that is being offered for FREE (limited time offer - see details below)
 by Deedee at Deedee's Digis. 

Deedee had a crazy week and was very glad it was Friday

Boy do I know how that goes :o)

So she decided to offer this great digital set for FREE - Just because!

How wonderful is that?

Here's the sweet set you can get for FREE:

 "Triple Scoop" will be available to download for free at Deedee'shop 

thru the end of the day Thursday, July 24.

Here's my card using the pre-colored images for my card today - take a look:

 and here's the inside

I know you're gonna want this awesome digital set, but remember it's a limited time offer so don't wait to go out and get it.  I'm going to have some ice cream tonight
to soothe my sore thumb :o)

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit me today. Til next time...hugs and happy crafting! D

Happy Birthday Kylie!

Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...Happy Birthday dearest Kylie...

Happy Birthday to YYYOOOOOUUUUU! 
And...Many More :o)

Wasn't that the best blog singin' you ever heard? LOL.

This week we are celebrating the birthday of a lovely lady

named Kylie Purtell - Whooot Whooot. 

Our sweet blogging pal Loll Thompson has organized a fun birthday hop 

in Kylie's honor. Be sure to pop over to Loll's blog to get the details 

and see the links to all the other blogs and cards.

For a while Kylie was addicted to butterflies.  But I see that she has 

dropped that from her blog now.  Hmmmm...wonder what she is addicted to now?
Well no matter for now since my card for her has a cute littlebutterfly on it.
Cheers to you Kylie: 

Kylie, dear friend, I hope that you have the most amazing birthday 

and that this next year of life is full of many blessings and great happiness.

So thankful to have met you and have the opportunity to celebrate you.

Big {{{HUGS}}}} D

P.S. For those of you who may be wondering, this cute image,
sentiments and papers are from Deedee's Digis.
The set is called "Bugs and Blooms"
You can purchase it here. 

Happiness is Handmade - Deedee's Digis

Hello friends! It's almost Friday and I'm doing the happy dance - yahoo! 

I joined a gym recently and decided to make the investment in a few sessions 

with a personal trainer to help me get on track 

(who am I kidding...someone to keep me accountable).  

I went the past two days and today I AM FEELING IT!  

I told him that he needed to take it easy on me 'cause I'm old - but he just laughed at me. 

It wasn't just any laugh...it was a very evil laugh. 

I'm tasked with going to do my program on my own tomorrow and report to him how I

did when we get together on Tuesday again. Good gracious...what WAS I thinking? 

Anyway...I flexed my creative muscles a few days back 

and made this card to share with you today.

I'm in a square card mode again (I seem to do that in spurts). This one is 5 1/2" square.

Take a look:

Digital image by Deedee's Digis - "Handmade Happiness"

Isn't this just about the cutest little mouse you ever saw?

I just love this because it so captures why I make cards. 

I do believe that handmade cards bring the recipient happiness.

Usually each card contains a little bit of love too - don't you agree?

I'm sending this card to a special lady who I know will appreciate it.

This is one of the Newest Releases in Deedee's Digital Shop.

It comes with a couple other cute sentiments and papers too.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Feeling Crafty Challenge #28 - One for the Girls/ladies

Ruby's Rainbow Challenge #82 "Stamping" (digital or rubber)

Simon Says Wednesday Challenges - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping in to visit me today.  I'm off to soak my sore muscles in a hot tub.

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

This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine

Hello dear friends!  Welcome to my newest follower Judith :o) 

So happy to have you along to share my crafty journey.  

I recently shared with you that I am now on the design team for Deedee's Digis.  

Today I have a card that I made using one of the Deedee's images called "Little Light".

You can find this awesome digital image and sentiments in the Deedee's Digital Store 

where it's currently a FREEBIE.  Yes, that's right I said FREEBIE - but only for awhile 

so don't delay in grabbing it. You will find it in the Newest Releases Section. 

My card today is made in memory of my beloved Grandma Hester 

who passed away recently (just a few days after she had her 98th birthday).  

Here's my card and my story about it is noted below:

Grandma Hester had a love for small children like no one else I've experienced in my life.  Even in her late 80's she could be seen crawling around on the floor with the toddlers.  She loved the Lord and was a faithful church goer.  Her very favorite song was "This Little Light of Mine".  She sang it to me and my sisters always when we were little (sometimes even after we were grown) and to our own children.  

Each and every week (at least once) she sang it to her Sunday school class. 

I nearly burst into tears when I saw this image and it's sentiments in Deedee's store because of the special meaning it has to me. It came out right after my Grandma passed away. As funny as this may seem it felt like a gift directly from the Lord to me.  I think the reality of losing her is just now hitting me and I miss her so very much more than words can express.  I was her very first Grand daughter and I believe that I held a very special place in her heart.  I know she did in mine.  

Thank you for letting me share my story and my card with you today! 

I am linking my card up atWord Art Wednesday - Challenge #137 (Scripture verse or uplifting sentiment) where Deedee's Digis is the sponsor of the challenge.

I am also entering my card in the following challenges:

Love to Create Challenge Blog Challenge #120 Anything Goes (my second entry)

Divas by Design - 3 or More Layers

Crafty Hazelnut's June Patterned Paper Challenge

We'd love for you to join us in Deedee's Digis Facebook group :o).

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today- I'm sure glad that you did! 

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