Blessings to you during this Christmas Season

Good morning girls!
It's Wednesday!!! I don't have any projects today for you BUT did want to remind you of what's up with the challenges that I usually post on Wednesday! I decided yesterday morning to take a break for a few weeks....more on that later in case you are just insanely curious! LOL!

Cuttlebug Challenge - no challenge today. I do hope you got to see the 12 Days of Christmas inspired projects that we all did. You can see mine HERE in case you missed it.

The Diedrich Dare - on holiday break as well. But there will be a challenge next week AND really great
news coming in January!!!

FlutterBy Wednesday - there is a challenge this week. Use a butterfly, fairy or angel to create a card or project. Be sure to upload your creation over on Danni's site. You can also see what the rest of the girls are up to as well.

Please visit the rest of the Flutter By team to see what beautiful creations they have for you this week!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni

Harriet ♥ Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Karen

Kris ♥ Kristie ♥ Lelia ♥ Michelle

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Pam

I want to leave you with a wish for a Merry Christmas. I hope that as you go through the hustle and bustle of the season, that you have time to reflect on the true spirit of Christmas. So long ago, we received the greatest gift of all time. God sent His son, to be with us here on earth, to love us and ultimately to die for us, paying the price for our sins. I hope that you have unwrapped that gift. That you know how loved you are by Our Heavenly Father.
Perhaps you haven't invited Jesus into your heart and have a relationship with Him. Or maybe you've just been bogged down in the worldly trappings of Christmas. Either way, The Purpose of Christmas is a wonderful book. We read it in one of my bible studies and whether you are lost or just need to be uplifted, this book will do the trick. Pick it up. Read it. Even if you don't get to it till December 26th.

So Merry Christmas dear readers and friends.

Some Q & A

I'm so glad you visited this week and enjoyed my card for The Diedrach Dare. I had a few questions -- but no way to answer you directly -- so I'll post them here!

One reader asked how I got the text to be different colors on my stamp - she wondered if it was done digitally. I know that you can do that with digital images...but this is a rubber stamp. So I just used 2 markers to color each section. Then I huffed to re-moisten the ink and stamped. It's a VERY easy way to get color in your images and get a WOW effect.

Another reader wanted to know where to buy the gems in the corners. I pick those up at 2 places consistently: Michaels and Hobby Lobby. The ones I used on this card were found at Michaels in their dollar bin. And then I also buy gems at Hobby Lobby when they run them on sale. Hobby Lobby doesn't tend to have too many colored gems but you can color a clear gem with a copic marker (or any other alcohol ink) and get a custom match.

Hope that helps! Thanks SO MUCH for stopping by and leaving a comment. It's a sweet spot in my day! Have a beautiful day girls!!

Have you been checking out the 12 Days of Christmas over at the Cuttlebug Challenge blog? Lots of good stuff over there!!

Flutter By Wednesday: A Mercy Sketch

Post 2 - please scroll down for my Diedrach Dare blog. It's the 12 Days of Christmas at Cuttlebug Challenge so head there to see what is up over there.
This week we are sooo lucky to get to create with a sketch designed just for us by Mercy!! As always, we are to use a butterfly or fairy or even an angel during the holidays. Every week when I am writing up my post I think "Next week I'm going to use an angel". And then I forget.

Until today!

And here's my take on the sketch:

I still think Baja Breeze is one of the prettiest blues ever! I have about 6 full sheets left. I paired it with some paper from my scrap drawer. The angel was embossed and I painted her wings with (appropriately) Angel Wings Shimmerz. The blue flower is one of my favorite things that you can find in the 2RedBananas store. The embellishments on this card seem over the top to me - definitely outside of what I normally do. But I see sooo many other gals doing it that I thought I'd give it a whirl. Let me know what you think.....

Please visit the rest of the Flutter By team to see what beautiful creations they have for you this week!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni

Harriet ♥ Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Karen

Kris ♥ Kristie ♥ Lelia ♥ Michelle

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Pam ♥ Stef

And then be sure to upload your creation using the sketch and either a butterfly, fairy or angel over at Danni's blog!

The Diedrach Dare: Hope

Post 1 - please see my Flutter By card above too!

Good morning girls! Wednesday again already - the days just fly by! I'm so thrilled to get to share today's Diedrach Dare challenge with you today. This week Jack gave us a terrific sketch to work with.

And my take on it

I created my card as a personal message to one of my fellow DareDevils, Sandra. It's a message for you too if there is uncertainty of confusion or discouragement in your life. I hope you know how amazingly precious to God you are. His plans are not to harm us, but to uplift us.

This is the final Dare of the year - so you'll have 2 weeks to work on this challenge. Pretty neat since one of the DareDevils, Randi Wall, is giving away a single unmounted image from the Sweet Pea Fantasy Art Collection by Ching-Chou-Kuik plus one of my cards. Now, I have a piece of artwork from Randi and so owning a card from her is some serious stamping treasure! Be sure to leave a link to your card at the blog for your chance to win! And good luck!! I also hear that a little something might be up for grabs over at Jessica's blog too!

Take a spin over to the Diedrich Dare blog to see the featured team member this week. And check out the rest of the team members too!

Darla Wilson  ♥ Debbie Lee ♥ Heather Schlatter

Jacquie Nordaune ♥ Jacquie Peifer ♥ Jessica Diedrich

Kim Ross ♥ Kris ♥ Randi Wall ♥ Rebecca Ednie

Valerie Urtiaga

Banana Split Sunday: Tree Inspiration

Good morning girls! It's Sunday and time for another Banana Split Sunday challenge. This week it's an inspiration challenge.....What can you create with a tree?

I had so many ideas on what to create for this challenge. And as usually happens, what I ended up with is drastically different from what I first sat down to create. I was going to use ribbons ... and then I thought maybe eyelets or gems. Then I decided to use words since text fascinates me so much. I couldn't get quite the look I wanted so I thought and thought some more.

And then I had an idea. And asked my little man to come help me.

This is what we created together. It's so simple it's almost amateurish --- but it's personal and a little piece of him that is now frozen in time. LOVE THAT!!

I sketched out a simple triangle for my tree shape and then used Olive Pastel chalk ink and his thumb, pointer and pinky fingers to create the tree. The trunk is stamped in Memories Chestnut Roan. The sentiment is from the Winter Wishes set at 2RedBananas. I really wanted to keep the focus on my little guy's fingerprints so I matted it and used dimensionals to attach it to a white card base.

Join in the fun this week and show us what you can create with a tree! We've loved all the participation!! Spend some time visiting the rest of The Banana Bunch and see their take on this challenge!

Jeanette Fincher

Deb Felts

Teresa Grau

Wendy Kastner

Dawn Burnworth

Lynette Neus-Guest Designer

And I'll leave you with a picture of the proud artist - he's in front of our tree that we decorated this morning. You might see lots of open space at the top. I let him put up most of the ornaments and so they are all at the bottom. And I'm leaving them ---- it's not very many years that you get to have a lopsided-ly decorated tree and I intend to enjoy every one of them!

Have a blessed Sunday!
p.s. I'm pre-posting this and my little guy just came in and said "I have to tell you Good Night and about my life". And then he proceeded to jabber on about all sorts of things. I'm off to tuck this little guy in for the night.

Flutter By Wednesday: Winter Theme

Good afternoon girls! I have my Flutter By card for you today. This week we were challenged to create a winter theme project, being sure to use a butterfly, fairy or angel (during the holidays angels are fluttering too!) on our cards.

I created a snowglobe first yesterday morning. It's pretty cute ---- except for the fact that there is so much glitter constantly in the water --- you can't really see the picture. My little man discovered it this morning though and was so excited. He couldn't care less if the picture was visible or not!

So after the day full of activities and getting the little guy down (we slept fever free for the first time in I forget how many days - thank you Lord!) I set out to create a second project - this time a card.

I stamped the tree in some Olive Colorbox Chalk ink and then added some Tulip Dimensional paint in all the "open" spots for snow. It is white in the tube and came out white. It took forever to dry which is why I'm just now posting it. As you can see - it dried clear. Hmph. Not the effect I wanted. I did scatter more glitter over it when it was wet so it's pretty sparkly like snow. Then I just decorated my tree with butterflies. My little man declared it beautiful this morning. I have to confess that I agree - I am really liking the simplicity of it. And the idea of it. Imagine lots of pretty butterflies adorning a tree in nature, in celebration of the birth of our King.

I hope that with the busyness of the season, you get to reflect and enjoy the whole reason for it: Jesus' birth.

If you haven't already, take a moment to visit the rest of the Flutter By girls and see their creations. I'm off to do the same myself!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni

Harriet ♥ Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Karen

Kris ♥ Kristie ♥ Lelia ♥ Michelle

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Pam ♥ Stef

The Diedrach Dare: Out of my Comfort Zone

Good Wednesday morning girls! I hope you are having a terrific day! We are in the middle of the third straight week of a cold snap. Very unusual for here; I'll be happy when we return to our normal winter temps in the 60s.

Since it's Wednesday, there is a lot going on here at the blog.... first up is my post for Whimsical Wednesday: The Diedrich Dare. Madelynn brought us an inspiration challenge this week. These are the hardest challenges for me and I'm really steppin' out with the BRIGHT color scheme.  Here's what she chose:

She loves the fun, funky style of the Alex, the main gal on Wizards of Waverly Place. I can see why she does. I love how cheerful bright colors are even though I don't wear them, decorate with them or create with them very often. I chose to use the colors and the white blossoms on the plate as my inspiration.

I am not even sure what colors these papers are. I got them in a color family stack from Stampin Up and I'm pretty sure that I have every sheet still! But I do love that blue color - it might be Taken with Teal? I stamped the snowflakes in Craft White and then embossed in white as well. The pink panel is popped up on dimensionals but you can't really see the dimension in this photo.

The layout is pretty simple. I was originally going to have a sentiment, but every one I tried just didn't look right. So I finally said: "okay - no sentiment. just ribbon and gems". And now the card and I are both happy!!

Please take a moment to check out The Diedrich Dare blog --- and upload your creation using the inspiration piece as well. Then see what the rest of the DareDevils have done. Debbie isn't participating this week; she's been swamped at work. (bummer.) BUT -- we do get to welcome 2 new DareDevils to the team: Jacquie and Valerie. I'm so excited to get to design with Val again and really can't wait to get to know Jacquie well too!

Darla Wilson  ♥ Debbie Lee ♥ Heather Schlatter

Jacquie Nordaune ♥ Jacquie Peifer ♥ Jessica Diedrich

Kim Ross ♥ Kris ♥ Randi Wall ♥ Rebecca Ednie

Sandra MacLean ♥ Valerie Urtiaga

Come back later* as I have a FlutterBy Wednesday post coming up too! The Cuttlebug Challenge team is on hiatus this week as we prepare for our next Big Event coming up in just a few days!

*MUCH later as I've just realized it's Wednesday and I forgot to create that card earlier today!

Turn the Ordinary into the Special

I have a project posted over at the Cuttlebug Challenge today - take a spin over there to see it!

And scroll down to see my card for Banana Split Sunday today!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Banana Split Sunday: Warmth

Good morning everyone! Or at least Good Afternoon! I'm sorry this post is up late today: my little one woke up crying as I was working on my post at Cuttlebug Challenge. He had a fever over 104 so needless to say he took up most of my time and evening last night. I did get that post finished but was just too tired to work on one here. And knowing that I'd be up throughout the night checking on him, I figured any sleep I could snag was more important! I know all you moms totally get that!

The challenge this week at the 2RedBananas blog is to create a card that reflects WARMTH.  I used Penny PJs for my card today - she's one of the new releases coming up for 2RedBananas - this release is one of the Best Yet!! Seriously. Anyway, back to my card - I know my paper is more of the cool tones, but what is more warm and cozy feeling than putting on those soft fuzzy footed pajamas, and baking fresh cookies. Maybe Penny is just having a snack before bed. Maybe she's putting out a plate of cookies for Santa. I colored her pjs in pink and then covered them in blue flock; I just love the colors in the paper and wanted to use both of them - what can I say? I'm not good at making a decision.

I hope you'll play along this week too! Be sure to link up your creation over at the 2RedBananas blog. This week one lucky participant will win a House Mouse stamp!

Flutter By Wednesday: Blessings

This is my 2nd post today - please scroll down for my Cuttlebug Challenge and Diedrich Dare post!

This week the challenge is an open one for FlutterBy Wednesday - you can do anything you want as long as you use a butterfly, fairy or angel (for the holiday season) on your creation. We also have a terrific guest designer this week - Mercy! Can't wait to see what she has for us!

I created an ATC this week using pink - I was wearing pink when I created it so it seemed fitting somehow. LOL!! I hope that you are having a wonderful day and that you feel the blessings of God around you! Be sure to link up your creation over at Danni's blog!

Be sure to visit the rest of the Flutter By team - Taylor has stepped down - she's getting closer to welcoming a new bundle into their home - I wish her all the best!!! Leave her a little love this week, K?

Please visit the rest of the Flutter By team to see what beautiful creations they have for you this week!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni

Harriet ♥ Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Karen

Kris ♥ Kristie ♥ Lelia ♥ Michelle

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Pam ♥ Stef ♥ Taylor

The Diedrich Dare: It's December Already?!?

Happy Wednesday girls! Can you believe it is December already? It seems like it was just summer!

This week for Whimsical Wednesday: The Diedrich Dare, we are being challenged with a great sketch by Nicky! Take a look at this layout - imagine all the possibilities!

He wants you to know that the circles in the corners are buttons!!

Here is my take on the sketch - a little simplified!

I had scraps out on my desk and really wanted to get them used up instead of stashing them in a drawer. This card has some of my favorite things on it: velvet ribbon, gems, distressing, embossing. I hope you'll play along with us this week - be sure to visit the rest of the girls too and see how they rocked this sketch! We are so excited to welcome a new DareDevil this week to the group! Please say hello to Kris and check out her blog HERE!

You do see those snowflakes embossed on the main panel, yes? Oh My Crafts is the sponsor at Cuttlebug Challenge - last week's challenge is running through this week too --- they are giving away 15 prizes this week so be sure to head over there and complete the challenge for your chance to win!

Take a spin over to the Diedrich Dare blog to see the featured team member (it's me!) this week. And check out the rest of the team members too!

Darla Wilson  ♥ Debbie Lee ♥ Heather Schlatter

Jacquie Peifer ♥ Jessica Diedrich ♥ Kim Ross ♥ Kris

Lisa Slusser ♥ Randi Wall ♥ Rebecca Ednie ♥ Sandra MacLean

Have a beautiful day!!

Wednesday Posts

Hi everyone!

I normally have 3 challenges that I post on Wednesdays. With the holiday this week and going out of town, I don't have anything to share with you.

However, I do encourage you to check out the following challenges and see what my teammates were able to create.

Cuttlebug Challenge - Something Christmas Themed.

The Diedrich Dare - a great sketch this week! Be sure to visit Lisa - this is her last week to create with us. Also, Club Anya is giving away a prize this week if you participate!! An Anya or Ian of your choice (in stock please!) so be sure to play along!

Flutter By Wednesdays - this week we are using circles in addition to a Butterfly, a Fairy or an Angel (for the holidays). And a belated welcome to our 3 newest designers: Karen, Pam and Kris. Be sure to visit Harriet and wish her a Happy Birthday this week!

Have a beautiful, restful, blessed Thanksgiving holiday. I am so thankful for a multitude of things - you my readers are definitely on the list! Thanks for visiting and thanks for the sweet words of encouragement that you leave! ~C

Festival of Lights - Updated Download Link

Here is a new link for the blog hop map. The other one reached it's maximum number of downloads. We apologize for that but are so happy that so many of you are taking this walk with us!

Here is the new link!

Please scroll down for my Banana Split Sunday challenge and my Gingerbread House for the Festival of Lights.

Banana Split Sunday: Sew Thankful

Good morning!

Please scroll down to see my Festival of Lights projects: Gingerbread House, Blog Hop Lighted Tree and Clear Ornaments video.

Today's Banana Split Sunday challenge was to create with the theme "thankful" in mind.

I used one of the House Mouse images Jeanette sent me and colored them with my prismascolors and baby oil. The needle was colored with a silver gel pen. Since they are sewing, I added some faux sewing to my card as well.

Please visit the 2RedBananas blog to see the rest of the teams thankful cards this week!

Festival of Lights - Gingerbread House

Good Morning!!
If you are looking for my Festival of Lights Blog Hop post and Video Blog Hop post - please scroll down!

Today I have my featured post from the Cuttlebug Challenge blog!

Cassie here this morning to kick off the projects for today. Several of the Senior Design Team will be sharing projects centered around the theme of

Santa's Sweet Shoppe.

One of the traditional symbols surrounding the Christmas season is the Gingerbread House. I love the smell of gingerbread - in cookie or cake form! I don't remember ever decorating gingerbread houses as a child but my mother-in-law has done it with her grandkids for as long as I can remember. My little man (not quite 2 last year) got to "help" last Christmas --- which was eating more than anything! One thing I've always been amazed at is the willingness of people to put so much effort into something that is just thrown away after the holiday. But a gingerbread house out of paper would last from year to year!

Supplies:

house form/box/template

decorative papers

Cuttlebug & embossing folders (Victoria, Snowflake)

craft knife

strong adhesive

liquid adhesive (Crystal Effects)

glitter (Perfect fX in Sparkling Champagne)

ink

trims - lace, buttons, pearls

I started with a box I found in the shape of a gingerbread house. It contained cookie cutters but I bought it for the form!

After opening the box at the top, I peeled off the slick printed layer of the house. I wanted a good surface for my adhesive to adhere to and also didn't want any of the printing to potentially show. After that, I used an inkpad to add color to all the edges that matched my base paper.

I cut my paper into strips and embossed them using my Cuttlebug and embossing folders. The roof paper was sanded to reveal the white core of the paper. The siding was lightly rubbed with the ink pad to bring out the embossing. The edges were also inked on the side pieces.

Then came the fun part - adding in all the details! I used a third patterned paper for the door and windows, using a pen to add some detail. Instead of traditional "candy", I used "candy" that crafters find "yummy"! Buttons along the base, pearls on the roof.

I used Crystal Effects along the edges of the sides and the windows/doors and then sprinkled it with glitter - some Perfect fX flakes I have from when I first started stamping.

And a final closeup shot - can you see the embossing on the sides? This was really easy to make since I already had a form to use. It was just a matter of cutting, embossing, adhering and decorating! One thing I wish I'd done was go over *all* my edges on the room instead of just the two ends. But I'll just remember that for the next one!

I hope you enjoyed my project today!

Have a beautiful day!! ~Cassie

Festival of Lights - Video Blog Hop

Good morning everyone! I hope you are enjoying the Festival of Lights? It has certainly been an event full of inspiration!

I am excited to be part of the first video blog hop by Cuttlebug Challenge! If you arrived here after seeing Betty's video at Cutting Above - you are on the right track! If not, start at Christmas with the Cricut.

Last year I mentioned to my mom that I wanted to change the color scheme on my Christmas tree to whites and clears. Maybe creams too but I haven't completely decided on that inclusion yet. As much as I would love to just go on an ornament free-for-all and buy to my heart's content, that's not really practical. There has been a lot of talk this year about handmade being the perfect gift --- well I think handmade is also the perfect decoration!

With just a few simple supplies, my faithful green Cuttlebug and embossing folders I can have a tree full of ornaments this year.

I am so excited to be participating in the video blog hop today! My neice helped me film and edit my video - any glitches are my fault - everything that looks great is all due to her!! Thanks J!

Those are some close-up shots of the ornaments I've created so far! I can't decide if I like the cardinal or the tapestry one the best so far! I'd love to know which one you like the best!
I did a snowflake one as well - looked really great. I added some stickles and some glitter to it because I figured glitter made everything better. But I did not care for the look at all ---- I prefer just the crisp white on the clear.

Before I send you on your way, we were asked to share our favorite tutorial at the Cuttlebug Challenge.  ACK!! If you know me well at all you know that picking just one favorite is so hard! Ten favorites - a little more doable. So I've been thinking about the ones that I really enjoyed and narrowed it down to two. Terrie's Purse Set is PHEnomenal! She's got serious talent!! And I also really loved Meda's Birthday Organizer. Her work is always so polished and very, very elegant looking. Be sure to scroll down to see it - you'll see how professional her projects always are!!

Now, there are TWO prizes being given away today!! Yea!!
Prize 1 is at Christmas with the Cricut - it said {dinosaur} in parantheses --- I bet that means something to you Cricut fans!!
Prize 2 is at Cuttlebug Challenge - this one is {winter wonderland} --- which sounds divine -- and I'm thinking I heard chatter that it's a very new release? yes? maybe?

Now I want to send you over to one of the newest designers at Cuttlebug Challenge - Tammy Skinner!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a beautiful day!!

Cuttlebug Be Inspired 58: Festival of Lights Premier

Welcome to our First ever Festival of Lights from the fabulous team at the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog!

The party kicked off over on the Cuttlebug Challenge Blog with a map of the participating Design Team , if you get lost on the way no worries, just check the DT off the map.

In addition to the fabulous projects, we have decided to make this party the most fun ever, by hiding 2 treasures along the hop!

Two selected designers will draw a random winner from the comments left on her blog in the hop. But of course, it wouldn’t be a treasure hunt if you knew which blog is hiding the treasure, right?

The winner will receive a $30 gift certificate to Peachy Keen Stamps!

You will also get a free year subscription to Technique Junkie Sponsored by Pat Huntoon.

So as you hop, make sure you leave comments on every post so you have a chance to win, and add the Cuttlebug blinkie to your blog!!

Ps the more comments you leave the better chances you have at winning!

Above is a map of the park. This is not your traditional blog hop --- instead of going in a specific order, just make sure that you visit everyone on the hop.

To help you find your way, I have a list of the team and their blog links at the end of my post. Also, visit this link for a download that you can use to help you along the way as well! It has all the names of the team.

Cuttlebug Challenge Design Team List maximum downloads reached. Use this link instead!

And now I'd like to share my project with you. We were asked to incorporate the concept of light into our project.

I found this wooden tree on sale at Hobby Lobby and some battery operated lights at JoAnns. I embossed some green Coredinations paper with the new Winter Trees embossing folder and painted it lightly with some Metallic Celadon paint. 

Then I drilled some holes through the tree and traced out the paper to add to the front, creating "layers" for each level. The Crop-A-Dile helped punch holes in the cardstock for the lights to go through. Here's a close-up shot:

I added some jewels to match my decor in pinks and green and clear. Here is a shot with the lights on.

Thanks so much for visiting! I hope you enjoyed my project today - be sure to let me know what you think - you never know, I might be hiding some presents behind that tree!! Here is the links to the rest of the team!

Cassie Larson - You Are Here!

http://fortheartofit.blogspot.com/

Cindy Royal
http://royalthings.blogspot.com/

Karen Maldonado
http://reallifeinpictures.blogspot.com/

Mel McCarthy
http://melstampz.blogspot.com/

Maggie Lamarre
http://mphoinix.blogspot.com/

Nathalia Castellon
http://funkyphreshpapierkreations.blogspot.com/

Shantaie Fowler
http://inkingpink.blogspot.com/

Terrie Bailey
http://terriebaileys.blogspot.com/

Beth Ullman
http://beth714.blogspot.com/

Betty Brett
http://bettybrett.blogspot.com/

Meda Halmaciu
http://handmadebymeda.blogspot.com/

Danielle Wycough
http://lifeonelayoutatatime.blogspot.com/

Ingrid Danvers
http://scrapbookmaniaandmore.blogspot.com/

Jackie Gallagher
http://luv2scrappp.blogspot.com/

Jenn Koss
http://scrappinforlife.blogspot.com/

June Houck
http://simplyelegantpapercrafts.blogspot.com/

Ellen Sonoski
http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/

The Diedrach Dare: Easels Everywhere

My Flutter By Wednesday card is below -- I hope you'll scroll down to see it as well!

This week Madelynn issued a dare to the team to create an easel card. Jessica is loving them and has created them left and right --- so ---- that's the challenge - create an easel card!

I used one of the new Penny images from 2RedBananas for this card. I loved the colors in the patterned paper - they are the colors of fall! The tree is also part of the Nov/Dec Journaling set. I colored with my prismacolor pencils and blended with them as well. Penny's clothes are paper pieced.

I can see why Jess loves making these so much - they are pretty cool! We'd love to see your creation! Be sure to link it up at the Diedrich Dare blog!

Take a spin over to the Diedrich Dare blog to see the featured team member this week. And check out the rest of the team members too!

Darla Wilson  ♥ Debbie Lee ♥ Heather Schlatter

Jacquie Peifer ♥ Jessica Diedrich ♥ Kim Ross ♥ Lisa Hjulberg

Lisa Slusser ♥ Randi Wall ♥ Rebecca Ednie ♥ Sandra MacLean

Flutter By Wednesday: White on White

Good morning girls! I hope that you are having a terrific Wednesday. I have several posts for today so I hope you are settled in for a nice chat!

This is an open week at Flutter By Wednesday and I hope you'll take a moment to play along. You can do anything you want just make sure that your card includes either a Butterfly, a Fairy or an Angel on it somewhere!

My butterfly is just a sweet little sticker that I bought awhile back to use. I sketched this card out with a verse on the front and then embossed --- but I got ahead of myself and embossed first. So I stamped it on the inside instead.

Please visit the rest of the Flutter By team to see what beautiful creations they have for you this week!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni ♥ Harriet

Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Kristie ♥ Lelia ♥ Michelle

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Stef ♥ Taylor

Then be sure to leave a link to your card on Danni's blog!

Christmas Daily Offer from Cutting Cafe

Hi everyone!
I wanted to share this sweet deal with you from the Cutting Cafe! It's a set of images to create a "christmas daily" project --- it's free until Thursday!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!

Cuttlebug Challenge Festival of Lights

I hope that you'll make note of this wonderful event and make plans to attend! We've been working on this for over a month and I can't wait to see how everyone's projects turn out for this!

A Faith Perspective Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop

Welcome to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine's

A Faith Perspective Thankful for Friends Faith Blog Hop.

Today, we're out in force on the internet -- showing our faith and giving the glory to God. United, we stand as Christian paper crafters and blog owners to make a presence on the internet for all to see. We're celebrating the theme of friends and we're happy to share our projects with you based on the verse:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. " Ecc4:9-10a

If you're just joining in on the fun, you can find the start of the train HERE: . First, we would like to take a moment to thank our generous co-sponsors: Layers of Color Stamps, Gina K Designs Stamps and Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps. Together with Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, these companies have donated some wonderful prizes for today's blog hop.

Prizes? Oh, yeah! There will be three lucky grand prize winners for today's event.

To enter, simply hop to the blogs of all of the participating staff members of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine, take note of the staff member's name, and leave a comment on their posts. Then send us an email at games@scrapbooknewsandreview.com listing each of the staff members who participated in today's hop. It's that easy. All entries must be received by Monday, November 16, 2009 at 12 noon, EST and three winners will be randomly chosen to win.

What are the prizes?

1. One $100 gift certificate from Layers of Color Stamps AND a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

2. One basket of goodies -- four stamp sets from Gina K Designs and a 6 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

3. One set of digital stamps from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps and a 3 month subscription to Scrapbook News and Review Magazine.

In addition, every participating staff member of Scrapbook News and Review Magazine will offer a free one-month subscription to the magazine to one of their lucky visitors by simply leaving a comment on their blog. That's a lot of chances to win, so let's get to the Hop!

I am sharing a card that I taught last month to some friends. I think it's a perfect representation of the friendships that have personally blessed me over the past many years as a stamper.
**First, the process of learning and sharing with others is what friendship is all about. This card uses the Velvet Glitter technique that I learned from on online friend at Cuttlebug Challenge.
**Second, the bird reminds me of that saying "Birds of a Feather Flock Together" and this calls to mind the wonderful local and online stamping friends that I have made. An artistic outlet is the common thread that binds us together ---- and as we grow closer, we discover more common threads.
**The glitter is also representative of friendship to me. My friends bring so much "sparkle" - laughter, joy, love - to my life.

I hope you enjoyed the card and are being blessed by the blog hop! Part of our discussion last night at bible study centered on the spiritual battles that we face as Christians. How wonderful that we can bond together, each of us raising our shields of faith, so to encourage each other and to fight the battles against Satan together. I am so thankful for my sweet Sisters in Christ.

The next stop on this blog hop is:

Linda Lucas at Lovely Linda's Craft Central.

Thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you'll come back again! Please leave a comment so I can come and visit you too! Have a beautiful day!

Wanna see my other blog?

Cuttlebug Be Inspired 57: Operation Write Home

This is my 3rd post today - please scroll down for my Diedrach Dare and FlutterBy cards.

This week the Cuttlebug Challenge team has a sketch created by Cindy - on of our awesome teammates. We are creating cards for Operation Write Home and would like to invite you to join in as well. Here's my card that I created using the new Snowflakes embossing folder from Provo Craft. They weren't showing up at HSN the other day but I hear that you can search now and find them. There are 2 folders in the bundle that will only be offered at HSN.

Provo Craft is also our sponsor this week at Cuttlebug Challenge - 3 folders will be given away!
My image is Jack with Snowball from 2RedBananas. It's colored with a combination of copics and my prismascolor pencils then trimmed out. This is one of my favorite stamps that Mindy Baxter has designed.

Have a beautiful day girls!

The Diedrach Dare: A Cup of Cafe Au Lait

This is my 2nd post today - - scroll down for my FlutterBy Card!

This week the Diedrach Dare is an inspiration challenge. Check out these mugs:

Isn't that one that says Rise and Whine funny?

I love these cups. Would completely enjoy a cup of coffee out of one. The colors are right up my alley. I love the flourishes, the swirly handles and their big size!

I knew right away I wanted to use a new stamp I got a few weeks ago - Cocoa Girl from Gurlee Girl stamps. Have you seen them? They are A-DOR-ABLE!! Such sweet faces and the cards and scrapbook pages posted on the blog are out of this world. Those yummy, layered, detailed, full of stuff cards that I love to admire but never seem to be able to accomplish.

I used the sketch for CLP9 to layout my card - you can see it at the Crafting Lifes Pieces blog - there's a sketch a week and at the end, if you do all four, you have a chance at a prize! Pretty nifty! I colored my image with my prismacolor pencils mostly - and my skin colored copic. Here's a close-up shot:

Take a spin over to the Diedrich Dare blog to see the featured team member this week. And check out the rest of the team members too!

Darla Wilson  ♥ Debbie Lee ♥ Heather Schlatter

Jacquie Peifer ♥ Jessica Diedrich ♥ Kim Ross ♥ Lisa Hjulberg

Lisa Slusser ♥ Randi Wall ♥ Rebecca Ednie ♥ Sandra MacLean

FlutterBy Wednesday

I have this to share with you today for FlutterBy Wednesday.

I recently found the Stampin Sisters in Christ Challenge. This challenge was based on Deut 31:8 and we were asked to create something about when God is unseen ---something to remind us that God is always there. Butterflies to me are magical - they are able to completely change who they are - much like God's love and salvation can do for us. Whenever I see a butterfly I am reminded of the miracle of butterflies - and only God is capable of producing miracles.

Please visit the rest of the Flutter By team to see what beautiful creations they have for you this week!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni ♥ Harriet

Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Kristie ♥ Lelia ♥ Michelle

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Stef ♥ Taylor

Icy Snowflake Card

Hi everyone! I have a card up over at Cuttlebug Challenge today. It's Quick, Clean and Simple. Three things that are perfect as the holiday season is winding up! I'd love for you to swing by and have a look at it!!

Thanks so much!! Have a beautiful day!!

Banana Split Sunday: A Hello Recipe

Good morning! I have a little card to share today for 2RedBananas Banana Split Sunday challenge. This week it'sa recipe challenge: 3 eyelets, 2 ribbons/fibers and 1 or more ovals.

I used the tree image from the October/November Journaling Spot and have it so it's hanging off the edge of my card. Look close and you can see my eyelets - the ribbon is tied through them. The sentiment oval was punched from an old dictionary page, then I stippled it with some Walnut Ink distress ink before applying the letters and stippling some ink lightly over them as well, just to tone them down.

Please take a moment to visit the 2RedBananas blog to see the rest of the teams creation. Upload your card using our "recipe" as well this week!

I want to say a heartfelt thank you to each of you who have sent me well-wishes this week. I did end up with an ear infection and strep. The doctor laughed when I asked for a shot instead of pills; but after the pain in my ears and my throat, I just wanted to be better - AND QUICK!!! I'm not 100% yet, but I do feel much better. I so appreciate each one of you that visit and those that leave a little comment. It's a lot of fun sharing with you!

Just a few little things

Hello everyone!
We've been battling the sickies around here. I thought I was feeling better yesterday when I woke up but as the day progressed my throat got sore again. I am hoping that my guys don't get it as well; hopefully my little man is protected from the shot he got at the doctor on Wednesday. Things have been a little neglected around here the past several days so lots of catching up to do! I do however want to share a few things with you:

1. This post is such a wonderful reminder of all that we have to be thankful for. Take a moment to list all your blessings!

2. Scrapbook News and Review A Faith Perspective is hosting the Thankful for Friends of Faith blog hop on November 14th. If you'd like to participate, today is the final day to sign up -- see all the info HERE.

3. Cuttlebug Challenge is working on our next big event - the Festival of Lights!! It will take place from November 18 - 22 and will be full of ideas to get you prepped for the upcoming Holiday! Make sure you are a follower or subscriber to the blog so you don't miss a moment of the fun!

Flutter By Wednesday: Waste not by using Scraps

Hmmm - not sure why this is showing up now and showing Wed's date. Oh well! Enjoy!!

Good morning girls!! I am so happy that it is Wednesday!! It's the biggest day of the week here on my blog! First up I have my Flutter By post for you. I actually created this last week at the same time I was working on last week's card. I had this little bit of kraft cardstock sitting there and wanted to use it - I just love kraft! And figured I might as well make next week's card too!
My flutterby this week is just a plain kraft one. Butterflies are beautiful no matter what their color scheme. I'm pretty wacky and think that even moths are beautiful! A few weeks ago a pretty brown moth was resting on a brick near my front door - just a pretty piece of nature to greet me as I went into my house. So I kept this butterfly plain and brown --- but oh so pretty in his own way!

I hope you have a little bit of beauty in your life today!

Be sure to visit the rest of the Flutter By girls. Link up your creation using a butterfly, a fairy (or even an angel during the holidays) over at Danni's blog! We love it when you play along with us!

Ann ♥ Chris ♥ Christine ♥ Danni
Harriet ♥ Heather ♥ Jodi ♥ Kristie

Lelia ♥ Michelle- Team Leader

Nancy ♥ Nicola ♥ Stef ♥ Taylor