Passing Up Cake is a Big Mistake!

I will be making messes this year. I have decided to use my "God given tools" and really get my hands dirty! I am so excited to open myself up to digging in and staining my fingers with ink, paint, glue and whatever else inspires me.

This week, Tuesday Throwdown is challenging all participants to brighten up their New Year by using bright colors on their projects.

Here is my piece to inspire you...

I used an old glass plate and decoupage medium to coat it with paper and ink. The cakes are a digital stamp from Robyn's Fetish. They are also sponsoring this challenge, so you can actually win some of their adorable stamps!
The papers I used are from my stash. I took a day to organize my paper, and used some scraps in bright colors...lime green, lavender, pinks, blue, and turquoise. The lace was made with a Martha Stewart punch.

I edged the plate with ribbon from my ribbon basket. I have had this stuff for ages! Distress Ink in Broken China was used to deepen the shadows. The flowers were die cut with my Vagabond and Tim Holtz' Tattered Florals Die.

I am entering this plate in some spectacular challenges...wish me luck!
1. C.R.A.F.T. challenge - Not a Card
2. Happy Campers - Food and Drink
3. 2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Anything but a card
4. A Gem of a Challenge - Lavender and Lace
5.  Hiding in My Craft Room - Freestyle!
6.  Anything But A Card - Anything or Your Favorite from 2012
7.  Challenges 4 Everybody - Anything Goes
8.  Creative Inspirations Paint - Anything Goes
9.  Eclectic Ellapu - Anything Goes
10.  Paper Crafting Journey - anything goes
11.  Digital Tuesday - Layers

I hope you like the plate. I used it to hold my plastic forks for desserts at my New Year's Eve get-together.

"Passing up cake is a big mistake!"

Have the Happiest New Year Ever...

Artistic Anna

  I once had a daycare in my home. Before that, I was a Nanny for three adorable children. Walks to the library for books to grow with, homemade games to fill our afternoons with learning and using our memories, and lots of crafty messes.

These are the fond memories I have.

One of my BEST memories however, is Anna walking on the snow mountains in my neighborhood. Up and down, up and down, as I pushed her sister and another little one in a double stroller. I hope Anna has good memories as well.

She was four.

Now, at the ripe age of what is it...9? 10? She has already blossomed into an artist. Just look at this painting!

I am so proud. I am also honored to be one of her teachers.

Merry Christmas, Anna...I love your work. Keep up the art, as my art teacher in high school once told me.

Love you,
Miss Bev

C is for Cole

My Time Made Easy is having a challenge, giving you choices! Isn't is nice to have a choice? You get to choose from several sketches, to make a card. What fun!

I used this one:

I also used this stamp set:

I printed the images out on some "vintage" CTMH cardstock. The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.

I used a Darice embossing folder with my Vagabond to emboss the card itself. I sanded it a bit to distress it.

I also used some black glitter glue to made the "gems" on the frame.

This card came together really fast...the whole idea, right?

I am entering this card in these challenges:
My Heart Pieces - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes

Get over to the  My Time Made Easy blog and join in the fun...and check out the online store. Lauren had designed some awesome stuff.

Merry Christmas,

Bev

A Lovely Christmas

Digital Delights rocks! I have been thoroughly enjoying the artful images by Louby Loo (alias Wendy). This card was made with her Poinsettia Set. 

I used some paper from my stash...very old CTMH Background and Texture paper (B&T) as they used to call it. the colors are New England Ivy and Sunflower.

I also used some Washi Tape. I have not used this stuff much, and I know there is more that can be done with this. One use I saw on Pinterest was to tape kid's artwork on the wall with it. It doesn't stick too much as to ruin the paint finish on your walls...how cool is that?

Anyway, back to the card...

I decided to offset the flower ON the frame instead of IN it...sort of looks like an engagement ring for Mrs. Claus, but I like it.

I used Prismacolor markers and some Prismacolor Pencil as well. The heart was sponged with CTMH cranberry ink. I used Stickles on the heart and the berries. the Gems are from Hobby Lobby.

I used a Darice folder to emboss the card stock, which is from Michael's. I love this embossing folder. I think it has become my favorite out of the oh, so few I own.

Now Here's a Tip...
Notice the layers. I printed the flower several times and cut out smaller and smaller sections and layered them with dimensionals. I sponged the leaves with the cranberry ink, too.

Time is running out on Christmas card sending, so I am going to start making more thank-you cards...people have been so generous with gifts to me this year, for helping them do things they cannot do for themselves...how lovely and thoughtful of them!

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Seems a Little Sketchy - Sketch #28
2.  Anything Goes Challenge - Traditional Christmas colors
3.  A and T Emerald Faeries - Christmas
4.  Celebrate the Occasion - Christmas
5.  Clear It Out Challenge (add an F) - Christmas, used old CTMH paper
6. Digital Tuesday - Layers

7.  Each Card A Party- Anything Goes
8.  Loves Rubber Stamps - Merry Christmas
9.  Ladybug Crafts - Anything Goes at Christmas
10.  Papelitos - Anything Goes
11. Through the Craftroom Door - Anything Goes
12.  Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas +Tip
13.  Use it Tuesday - Christmas (used old CTMH paper)
14.  Vickie's First Challenge - Anything Goes
15.  Party Time Tuesdays - Color Photo Inspiration

Enjoy the stamps, papers, and paper piecing projects over at Digital Delights. Pretty packaging and cards will abound for your loved ones...especially made by you for them!

Merry Christmas,

Bev

Oh Christmas Tree Blog Hop!

So happy to see you here at the, "Oh Christmas Tree Blog Hop", brought to you by the design teams of Made Especially For You and Red Carpet Studio.
I am Beverly Cole, but you can call me Bev. Thanks for stopping by. I hope, while you are here, that you will take a peek at my cards from challenges past (I have been watching
 "A Christmas Carol"...can you tell?)

I am so excited to be able to share in this festive Hop. Let's continue with the fun!

Today the design teams of Made Especially For You and Red Carpet Studio have teamed up to share with you all sorts of Christmas tree projects to help you get ready for the Christmas season!

 If you're looking to start at the beginning of the hop, please visit Ashley's blog. If you've come from Kristy's blog, you're in the right place!

For today's hop, I made...three decorative Christmas Trees for my home. These are so easy to make, using Creations By AR templates. The card stock, which I printed myself, since it is digital, is from My Time Made Easy.  I used gold Stickles to dress them up. Then, I topped them with gold ribbon.

See another project I made with this template here.

We have some wonderful sponsors giving away prizes to those who comment on every stop of the hop!

Paper Piecings by Nikki
$15 Gift Certificate

SK Digis

$6 worth of digital stamps

Participants have through Sunday evening to hop. The winners of the blog candy will be announced on Made Especially For You on Tuesday December 18th. Please make sure to leave your contact information when commenting to be eligible to win!

Your next stop is Robin's blog.  Here's the complete lineup in case you get lost along the way:

Ashley - http://especiallymade.blogspot.com
Tonya - http://scrappingfunwithtonya.blogspot.com/
Cyndy - http://arcyscraps.blogspot.com
Tara - http://craftindesertdivas.blogspot.com/
Kristy - http://scraptasticalkreations.blogspot.com
Beverly - http://creationsofmykind.blogspot.com/
Robin - http://www.thecricutscrapper.blogspot.com
Candice - http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com/
Pam - http://scrappinfabpam.blogspot.com
Sandra - http://crea-sandra.blogspot.com/
Eileen - http://scrappingactuary.blogspot.com
Dawn - http://dawnsworldnz.blogspot.com/
Anneliese - http://queen-of-the-crop.blogspot.com/

Laura - http://scrappinaroundtheclock.blogspot.ca

Pam - http://scrappinfabpam.blogspot.com
Jessica - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

Have fun as you festively hop along...

I am entering this card in the following challenge:
Mark's Finest Papers Simple Salutations (by invitation by Melissa, alias Sunshine Honey Bee) - Christmas Trees
Bev

Trendy Tree

I am loving this little tree!  Digital Delights is so great. Not only cutie pies that you can create adorable projects with, but very artsy stamps as well. This is a digital image, which is what Wendy offers. She is amazing...coming up with new stamps all the time.

I used:

Garlands and Gifts Set

A Touch of Christmas Sentiments Set

Totally Tartan Digital Paper Pack

I have been on a "banner" kick, and love how they make the sentiment an awesome addition. It sort of makes it a focal point.

I used a snowflake die cut scrap as a stencil and used chalks to make the background. the gold is ribbon I picked up at Hobby Lobby. That's where I got the star brad as well.

I used Prismacolor Pencils with Minerals spirits to color the tree, Distress Ink to do the edges, the color is Broken China. Gold Stickles to dress up the tree, and black cardstock from Michael's.

The Out Of the Box technique is one of my favorites...just cut out part in a circle, and let the other sections overlap...easy peasy!

Challenges which I would like to enter with this card are...

1. Inky Impressions - Use something old

2.  Papercraft Star - Christmas Tree

3.  Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Something New

4.  Stampin' Royalty - Christmas/Winter

5.  Crafty Sentiments - Snowflakes

6.  Crafty Card Crew - Use a Star

7.  Holly Jolly Christmas  - Metallic

8.  Ladybug Crafts Ink TLT - Sparkliscious

9.  Loves Rubberstamp Challenge - Let It Snow

10.  Marks Finest Papers Simple Salutations - Christmas Trees

So visit Digital Delights for some fun to play with stuff...not just stamps and papers either!

Have fun with Christmastime...

Bev

5 Golden Rings

The Stamping Boutique  Group at Paper Craft Planet is having a "12 Days of Christmas" event, and over the next several weeks they will have challenges AND tutorials! 

We are up to 5 now...

My inspiration piece is this adorable image of the golden rings. I used some diecuts left over from the Card Club I attend in my community, and some scraps of "Totally Tartan" paper by Digital Delights.

The image is colored with Prismacolor Markers. I used Stickles to dress up my scene, and some really cool gold mesh ribbon from Hobby Lobby. The wire is simply wrapped around a chop stick, and secured with the tiny Christmas Bell brad in the center of the Pointsettia. The sentiment is a sticker I acquired at Card Club from Janice. The frame is a die cut (unknown brand).

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Enjoy the Season!

...Bev

Blue Christmas

Come and Get It's Challenge this week is Dark Blue, Light Blue and White, along with neutrals. This image is from Digital Delights. The paper is from Fred She Said. I ran the white cardstock through a Die Cut machine at the Card Club I attend, but I don't know where it's from...sorry.

I used a bit of fabric glue to adhere my ribbon here and there...allowing it to ripple. I used Distress Ink in Broken China to ink the edges of my ovals. Eyelets are from my stash.

OH! And I also used Stickles in Silver, and Gems from Hobby Lobby.

Please be sure to enter this challenge.It's a really fun one!

Merry Christmas, 

Bev

Gingerbread and Peppermint

Check out Digital Delight's Blog. The Design Team has created some amazing samples using Digital Delight's Digi Stamps, Papers, and Sentiments. The prices are terrific and the images are contagiously cute.

I am entering this card in some challenges:

1.  Crimbo Crackers - Anything festive/holiday

2.  Moving Along With The Times - 3 Elements with the same beginning letter (S - stitching, stamps, Stickles)

3.  Pixie Dust Studio Pixie  - Winter Holiday Creations

4.  Sarah Hurley Challenges - Christmas!

5.  Simply Create Linky Party - Anything Goes

6.  SJ Crafts  - Christmas

7.  C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - Inspirational Picture

8.  Lady Anne's Challenges - Anything Goes

9.  Crafts and Me - Ribbon or Trim

My card is there on the blog, and shows all the items I used...so make your way over there and have some fun!

Make some cute Christmas cards, and thank-you cards for all those gifts you are expecting...there is nothing like a handmade card...right?

Have Fun,
Bev

Lady Bug Layers

Here's my DT card for Tuesday Throwdown's Challenge this week: Lots of Layers.

I used an image from the sponsor, My Graffico.

My Graffico supplies the DT with beautiful images...

I just got a  new pack of paper from SU!'s Christmas Catalog. I used layer upon layer of papers, in the circles and the bug. The layered circle "flower" is from a tutorial here. Thanks Desire!

The background is also double layers of paper. Besides the paper I used Gems from Hobby Lobby, and ribbon from CTMH. 

The "cute as a bug" stamp is from "A Bug's Life" by Crafty Secrets. I chalked the background like I usually do...with chalks and a cloud stencil from CTMH.

So layer it up, and enter the Tuesday Throwdown Challenge...you could win!

Hugs,

...Bev

Good Ol' Black 'n White

Red Carpet Studio is having a CARD challenge this week. The theme is:

So, any black and white card you are working on will do!

I used a beautiful set of stamps from Flourishes. The background is an old CTMH stamp I had...still on wood. I used paper piecing to add depth. 

The ribboon is from Walmart. I love to use a bit of fabric glue to adhere the ribbon at spots, enabling the ribbon to ripple.

  Here is a closeuup so you can see how I stamped the pears and then the background. I could have stamped the background first, but either way works. I used my Prismacolor marker set in warm greys to shade the image. Just a little Stickles in the flower's centers.

Here is where I entered this card...

1.  A Gem of a Challenge - Paper piecing

2.  Crazy 4 Challenges - Put a Bow on It

3.  Ladybug Crafts - Monochome/Tonal

4.  Mema's Crafts - anything goes

5.  Moving Along with the Times -Let's go Dotty

I hope you enjoy the challenge. I love black and white!

Happy Birthday to me!

...Bev

Come and Get It Challenge for this week is "More than One Fold".  If you are working on a fancy fold card, why not enter it? 

You could win...

I used an image from our sponsor, Bugaboo. The frames are from the card club I attend...don't know what company makes them though...

Used Prisamcolor Pencils, chalk with a cloud stencil, Stickles by Ranger, and silver eyelets by SU!. The paper is by My Time Made Easy (digital). The silver ribbon is from Hobby Lobby.

Living in Florida, I thought this image was so fitting...except right now it's 42 degrees! Santa would need a sweater.

So be sure to join in Come and Get It's challenge.  Any card with more than one fold will do!

Hey! It's my birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!

...Bev