Merry Christmas

To all of my blogging friends and friends that span the world.

May you enjoy the blessing of the Christ Child and and embrace the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.

"Hugs" The West Family

The faster I go the behinder I get!

Oh My Oh My!!!! In a dither here with so much to do, no time to craft, all the bakings not done, no presents are wrapped but boxed, not enough gifts, I'm off shopping again before the ice and snow hit. 

The time to visit, hop, and comment are scarcer and scarcer. I'll be around again when I catch my next breath......... "Hugs" Carol

LOTV Sketch Challenge + 3 Other Challenges

Been a busy week what with trying to get some shopping done, baking, and finishing decorating the house.

Meeting myself coming and going just like everyone else. So, my cardmaking got put on the back burner this week.  I have been coloring a bunch of new images I received this week and now finding the time to make a card with them would be wonderful...lol

The challenge this week at LOTV is a sketch challenge by Dena and the closing date isn't until December 29th at 6pm. There is still lots of time to join in.

The image I used is by LOTV from the Merry Christmas Set 4.  Glitter DP is from my stash of last year and the other DPs are Cranberry and Evergreen by Creative Memories.  MS Lattic Punch was used for the two strips with the loops being doused in Xmas Red Stickles.  I did cut out some of the Christmas ornaments from the DP and used them as embellishmenets along with poinsettias and leaves with red center brads covered in the red Stickles.  The sentiment on the ornament is also from my stash and I have no idea where I got it.... Can't remember some things 5 minutes ago little lone a year ago.....lol

Forgot to let you all know that I stepped down from the For Fun team and last week was my last challenge card. I will definitely be missing my team mates and the "FUN" challenges every week but keeping in close touch with a bunch of awesome ladies. This is Amelia and Tracey's last week, Lisa will be staying on till the end of December and Pauline will be staying on for next year.  Helen is looking to create a new team so if you are interested please be sure to let her know.  You can find the information here.

I am also entering this card for the following challenges:
Stamp With Fun - Anything Christmas
A Spoonfull of Sugar - Christmas Cards
Tip Top Tuesday Challenge  - Christmas Inspired

I plan to get some more cards made before Christmas and get them posted.  Hope you are enjoying this wonderful time of the year as I know I'm lovin it.  Thanks so much for stopping by to visit and I hope you'll leave me a comment so I'll come by and visit to see your latest lovely creations.

"Hugs" Carol

Merry Christmas Snowman Challenge

This snowman with the "Have Yourself  A Merry Little Christmas" wish is just so fun and cute.  Well, you can get him at the challenge blog this week and if  you do, you could win 4 of Nina's images by playing along this week at Paper Cupcakes. Hop on over to the challenge blog and join in with us.  We have a fantastic challenge brought to you by our lovely DT member Due Cabral. You are to make a traditional Christmas card using red and green. Now it can't get any easier than that so come on over, grab the free image and let's see your red and green card.  The design team have some wonderful eye candy for you to get your mojo going.

I've made a Christmas oranament and attached to the front of this card for someone very special, far away, and always in my thoughts. Can't tell ya who cause every now and then she pops in to see what's going on with my blog......lol   This was really fun to make and I love this image.

Goodies used to make this card:

• Image - Merry Christmas Snowman by Nina of Paper Cupcakes and combined it with a digital wreath from Nana Vic - I joined the digital wreath with Nina's image then cut out around the inside of the snowman and the edges of the wreath - behind the snowman is a beautiful white glitzy paper so it looks like snow and is shiney.  It is Snowfall by Reminisce.
• DP is from my stash and I don't have a clue where I got it last year - love the glitz and shine to it though so I hope you can see the beauty of the paper
• Spellbinder's circle dies
• Ribbon from stash and Bow Easy to make bow
• Colored with Copics - Holly Berry Stickles added to his gloves, mittens and band on his hat.

Didn't do a lot of embellishments with this because I wanted the image and the paper to be the main focus of the card but after looking it does need more since I'm a more is never enough......lol

At this time I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the design team at Paper Cupcakes.  We will be taking a break through the holidays and this will be our last challenge until January 10, 2011.  The new year will bring new images and some wonderful new challenges with lots of goodies for you. I'll be back with a new challenge on January 10th.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you like what you see here and have the time to leave me a comment so I'll be sure to come visit and see what's new with you and your blog.

Happy Holidays from our house to your house.

"Hugs" Carol

One Card - 2 Challenges

Got in one of those moods were I just couldn't color or play enough in the craft room. Wish I had these spells more often.......lol  This is a card I created for a couple of challenges using another Elizabeth Bell image that I've had for a couple of years.  Isn't she gorgeous!  Chose the colors for this card as I was listening to Elvis sing "I'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You" so there came the inspiration to do a blue and white card.

I've used the sketch from The Beary Scrap Design Challenge Blog and the project isn't due till 12/14/10, so I think I'm gonna make it.....lol  The second challenge I'm entering this card for is Copic Creations and the challenge is "Light Source" also due 12/14/10. 

Image is Willow With Lantern by Elizabeth Bell and from Whiff of Joy - Colored with copics and highlighted with Stickles - The DP is from my stash of last year (clueless as to the manufacturer) - Poinsettias are from Wild Orchid Crafts with Stickles added and a blue gem for the center - The flourish is Mayan chipboard, sprayed with adhesive and then covered in crystal glitter.

That's it from me for today.  If you have the time to leave me a little comment it will be very much appreciated and then I'll pop on over to see what's new with you and your blog. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful weekend! "Hugs" Carol

Bells'n Whistles Ornament Challenge

I've loved playing in my craft room today with all the new toys and stuff.  Here is my Christmas ornament for the contest at Bells'n Whistles. I think it turned out really cute and I hope you like it.

The image is a digital image named "Edens 2nd Christmas" by Elizabeth Bell.  I've always been a big fan of EB as her stamps were the first ones I ever purchased and they were from Whiff of Joy a couple of years ago. Now I'm getting them from Bells'n Whistles. There is just something really special about these designs and I love working with them.  If you'd ask me what it is, I have to say that I have no idea. I know I was really excited though when I saw she was creating digi's. To see more please check out the Digi Bells Blog for daily updates.

Some how I stumbled around the internet and found Bells'n Whistles. This is a super blog and store that if you haven't visited you will definitely want to stop by.  Then, there is the EB World Challenge Blog and that is definitely a must check out.. Not only do they have some digi's they have wonderful clear stamps and oh such cuties they are.

I'm also entering this ornament in the following challenges:

EB World Challenge Blog  - Anything Christmas but a card - (Due 12/22/10)

The dp is from my stash, image colored with Copics, doily spritzed with Tattered Angels Pearl, lots of stickles, MS punch and WOC roses with a bell at the top of the ribbon, from stash.

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit. I'm going to be posting a lot more EB projects and I'd love to see you play along at Bells'n Whistles and the EB World Challenge Blog.  New stamps on the way at B & W and a new digi release tomorrow showcased by the Digi Bells..and... if you hurry you can get yours to finish the rest of your projects or cards for Christmas.

Please leave me a comment if you'd like for me to stop by and see what's new with you and your blog.

"Hugs" Carol

Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks and a big hug to Wendy at Creations by Louby Lou for this fantastic blog award.

The requirements for receiving the award are as follows:

1.  Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2.  Share 8 things about yourself.

3.  Forward it to 8 recently discovered bloggers.

4.  Contact those bloggers and tell them about their award.

Easy Peasy my friends.

8 things about me

1.  I thank God every day I'm still here and getting older

2.  Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year

3.  I have 2 dogs & hubby that I love dearly to fill my empty nest

4.  Caretaker for my hubby which I am thankful to be

5.  Love my papercrafts, blogging, and my blogging friends

6.  My 3 children are the highlight of my life, as are my grandchildren

7.  None of my Christmas goodies are made but the gift bags are almost done

8.  Keep in close touch and visit with several of my girlfriends from HS over the past 50+ years

8 recently discovered blogs that I think are fantastic:

1.  Beadz

2.  Sandee

3.  Jill

4.  Adriana

5.  Jeri

6.  Betty

7.  Vickie

8.  Lorraine

Merry Christmas and "Hugs" to All

Carol

For Fun Sketch Challenge

I'm so honored to have this sketch used as the challenge this week at For Fun. It was so long ago that I created this sketch I had a hard time putting this card together.  I'm sure at the time I had something exciting in mind but went blank this week.  I'm blaming it on having a week off......lol  The challenge at For Fun this week is to create a card or project using this sketch. It can be anything you want it to be as long as you can see the basis sketch.

I'm really excited about what the design team have come up with this week so be sure you hop on over to For Fun to see the awesome inspiration the team have to share with you.  Sure hope you can join us this week as I'd love to see your take on the sketch.

Project goodies:

• DP is Metallic Gold and Cranberry from CM
• Spellbinders Scalloped Circles
• Just Rite stamp embossed with Ranger Gold Embossing Powder
• Cuttlebug embossing folder
• Wild Orchid Craft Poinsettias with MS Snowflake Punch and red gem.
• Lots of Stickles

Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon.  If you  have the time to leave me a comment I'll be sure to stop to visit.

"Hugs" Carol

Magical Monday Ornament Challenge

Can you believe it's already December and Christmas is rapidly approaching? This year has gone by way too fast and they go faster each year. Yesterday I was 50 and today I'm rapidly approaching 70....lol 

I am honored to present the challenge at Paper Cupcakes this week, which is to create a Christmas ornament keepsake for someone special. It can be as simple as you like or you can fancy and bling it up as much as you want, any color, any size.  Do whatever your heart desires to make that someone feel extra special or to honor the birth of the Christ child, the reason for the season.  Be sure you hop on over to the Paper Cupcakes blog to see all the beautiful ornaments the design team have created for your inspiration.

I am so happy to see a lot of you participating in these challenges. This week we've had over 100 entries and there are some fabulous designs and cards.  Nina always has a free image on the blog for you to use or you can purchase one from the store. It is not required that you use a Paper Cupcakes image but we love it when you do. There are so many cute and wonderful images to choose from there. And, you get entered into the drawing for the prize twice using a PCC image.

Ornament Tidbits:
Image - Mary & Jesus by Nina of Paper Cupcakes
Sky Blue Shimmerz
Copics for coloring
Spellbinder's Fleur De Lis die
Barbara Twombley's Glitter and glue
Silver glitter ribbon from stash

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and I hope you'll leave me a comment so I can stop by your blog and see what wonderful creations you have published lately.  Have a wonderful week and keep crafting. "Hugs" Carol

I've Been Blessed!

A huge thank you to Olga at Craftieodamae for drawing my name for this wonderful set.  I've loved Heartfelt Creations stamps and dies every since I've seen such beautiful creations made with them. This set is one of my favorites and my first.  I've been blessed today with an early Christmas present and one I've wanted since it's release.

If you haven't visited Olga's blog you have really missed out on seeing some fabulous creations and designs, so please take the time to visit, leave her a little lovin, and get some awesome inspiration for your next project.  Olga is on the design team for Heartfelt Creations and if you peruse her blog you will definitely see some fabulous creations.

Thank you my friend and God's blessing to you.
"Hugs" Carol

See ya all tomorrow with my post for Paper Cupcakes so be sure to check back to see what the design team has in store for you this week. I promise you won't be disappointed.