I'm Late....I'm Late....Even though I was EARLY

My title refers to the fact that I had this challenge card made wayyyyy ahead of time....HOWEVER....I forgot to create this post....so now it is LATE!!!!  Oh well, that's the way life goes sometimes.

Tosh is our CCEE Challenge hostess for November and she challenged us to a countdown challenge.  This week we had to use 4 different types of embellishments.  I used ribbon, brads, rhinestones, and a metal leaf.  I also used this set called Country Thanksgiving from Mark's Finest Papers.

Please be sure to stop in to the CCEE Blog to see the variety of embellishments AND some fabulous cards by my very dear stamping friends.

MFP 12 Days of Christmas -- Post It Pad

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th!

Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

We have four samples each day for our hop! Please visit each of the following blogs for holiday inspiration! Start off tomorrow on the MFP Blog for more inspiration!

Day 12 Post-It-Holder Oct 28

I created my post it note holder to fit the longer type of post it. The wonderful thing about 'doing it yourself' is that you can make the holder whatever size you can imagine, using only a bit of basic math/measurement.  I used the newly released set called CARDINALS IN WINTER for my image.

We have four samples each day for our hop! Please visit each of the following blogs for holiday inspiration! Start off tomorrow on the MFP Blog for more inspiration!

Joanne
Debbie M
Pam

MFP's 12 Days of Christmas -- Acetate Packaging

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting today! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop!

We have four samples each day for our hop! Please visit each of the following blogs for holiday inspiration! Start off tomorrow on the MFP Blog for more inspiration!
Lois
Joanne (ME!!!)
Patty
MariLynn

MFP New Release and Blog Hop

For my Thursday Challenge cards (Stampin B's and CCEE Stampers) please click HERE after checking out this MFP post.


Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

Country Thanksgiving Set Used

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

Cardinals in Winter Set Used

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP New Release and Blog Hope -- Day 2

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

Country Christmas Set Used

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Christmas in the Country and Snowball? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

Snowball? Set Used

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Christmas in the Country and Snowball?. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP New Release and Blog Hop -- Day 1

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Holly Greetings? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Holly Greetings. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Claudine
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

Crazies Go Leaf Crazy

Tammy, our Crazy4Challenges hostess for October, gave us a recipe challenge.  Here is the list of what we needed to use....

Only Leaf Images (yep)
Rust or Burnt Oragne Color (but can have other colors too) (yep)
2 fibers (yep....ribbon and copper cording)
3 embellishments (yep.....1 black flourish, 1 leaf brad, 1 die cut for sentiment)

I think I have them all covered.  PLUS....I have another Thanksgiving/Autumn card for my stash.  Thanks, Tammy.  My sentiment and leaf image are fromt he Autumn Glory set by Mark's Finest Papers.

Be sure to check out the other fabulous leaf creations by the Crazies by visiting our blog.

Going Sketchie with Roxie

Can you tell how much I am loving this leaf image from Mark's Finest Papers.  I keep grabbing for it.....love it in multiples, love it layered, love it cut out, love it in all color combos.  As a leaf lover from way back, this is one of my favs 'evah'!!!

This card was made for the sketch challenge at SCS.  Thanks to Rox for keeping us sketch inspired each week.  I just love sketches.

With all the craziness of my life lately, it is fun to pull out some fab dp, use my fav leaf image and PLAY for a bit between the 'cares of the world'.  Hopefully my 'real' life will quiet down soon and settle into a new normal and I'll have time to see all the wonderful creations I know everyone is making and sharing on their blogs.

Hugs to all.....

A Challenging Thursday

This card is done for the Stampin B's Challenge AND the CCEE Stampers Challenge.  Faith, the hostess for this week's B's Challenge asked us to make Halloween cards.  Cindy, the CCEE hostess for the month of September, asked us to use postage....either a postal image, postal edging, a postcard....or such.

The image and sentiment are from a set called Boo to You from Mark's Finest Papers.  The postage 'diamond' is an unmounted stamp I never marked.

Both teams would love for you to play with us.  Please visit the following blogs to see the talents of the team members.

Stampin B's Blog
CCEE Stampers Blog

Again.....an apology to my friends in blogland.  Time has not been available for much blog hopping to see what you have all been up to.  I promise I will try to get 'hopping' as soon as things quiet down on the medical front with my mother.

The Crazies Celebrate Halloween

Barbara challenged the Crazy4Challenges gals to celebrate Halloween for this week's challenge.  I just love this little ghost and sentiment from Mark's Finest Papers, so you are seeing it again, this time as a card rather than a decoration on a caddy for treats. 

I sincerely hope you have time to check out the Crazies Blog to see the fabulous and spooktacular creations by the rest of the team.  They are sure to delight you!!!!  We would love for you to play along with us, and you can get all the details at the blog too.

Thursday...Must Be Stampin B's and CCEE Time!!!!

This card was done for both of my Thursday challenges.  I used a set from Mark's Finest Papers.

Vicky Gould, our hostess this week for the Stampin B's, asked us to use two or more Spellbinders/dies.  I met that requirement as I actually used 5 different dies on this one.  (....always an overachiever....lol!!!)

Cindy is our September hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge, and she wanted us to use a bird on our card/project.

It would be fabulous for you to play along with the teams.  Have some fun....STAMP!!!  To get your mojo going, visit the team blogs to be inspired.

Stampin B's Blog
CCEE Stampers Blog


Now...let me share a card I made for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge. 

This card was made with a recently released set from Mark's Finest Papers called Autumn Glory.

Teapot Challenge and a Sneak Peek

This is a card I created for yesterday's Teapot Challenge on SCS. I used a sentiment from Mark's Finest Papers on this card.  Our Teapot Destination this week is a 20 year old who is suffering from relapsing MS.  She was once a competitive swimmer, but now deals with many issues related to her MS.  We are hoping that our cards will give her a boost.  Remember that you too can participate.

This card is your sneak peed for today.  Totally Stamplicious is releasing 5 sets starting Thursday night at 9 PM EST.  The Release Blog Hop will also start at that time.  The set shown here is called Yoga Dottie and is from the Bugaboo line of stamp sets.  Please join us tomorrow at the Blog Hop....you could be a winner!!!!

A Sneak and a Challenge Card

Let me introduce you to STORYBOOK ELIZABETH, a new TotallyStampalicious set by Sylvia Zet.  Isn't she just the sweetest????  This set and 4 others will be released by Totally Stampalicious during their New Release Blog Hop beginning on Thursday, the 22nd, at 9 PM EST.  Each set is a delight of its own!!!

This is a card I did for the Inspiration Challenge on SCS on Saturday.  The poppies are from a set by that name from Mark's Finest Papers.

3-D Templates can be FUN!!!!

Hi everyone!

It's Saturday which means the "Crazies" are back with another fun challenge for you all.

Before we get into today challenge, as this week is a sponsored challenge we need to introduce this month's sponsor which is Creations by AR. Adela has some awesome templates on her site which I know the "Crazies" have had fun playing with for our challenge this week. The templates come in all formats: PDF, SVG and DXF so that you can use them with your electronic die cutting machines or cut by hand if you don't have a machine. This week's winner will receive two templates of their choice from Creations by AR.

Adela has also offered our blog readers a 10% discount on all her templates during this challenge so that is from September 17th to September 23rd. All you need to do is use the code: challenge10 when you go through the check out.

Now it is time for our challenge, Barb is back with another fun fall themed challenge for us all! This week all you have to do is create a card or project with a pumpkin on it in some form. It can be a card or 3D project. 

Front View

This second picture shows you the side view.  I did not have any candy in the house to fill it with, but there are actually three pockets (front, back and middle) in which to place some treats.  The template I used is called 'The Three Pocket Caddy'.  I used the PDF version and I must say that it was easy to put together and decorate.  I will definitely play with more of Adele's templates. The stamp set I used is a newly released one from Mark's Finest Papers called Boo to You.  A really fun Halloween set it is. Now be sure to visit the Crazies Blog which is sure to have all sorts of 'treats' for you to see.



MFP Blog Hop and Release -- Final Day

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory, Boo To You, Covered Bridges, Get Your Broom On .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Get Your Broom On? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Get Your Broom On. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop and Release -- Day Three

To see my Stampin B's and CCEE Stampers Challenge cards for today, please click HERE.

NOW....here is the Blog Hop and Release NEWS

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory, Boo To You, Covered Bridges, Get Your Broom On .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Covered Bridges? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Covered Bridges. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop and Release -- Day Two

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory. Boo To You, Covered Bridges, and Get Your Broom On.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Boo To You? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Boo To You. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop and Release

Click here to see pictures from my visit with Charlene (LilLuvsStampin).

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory. Boo To You, Covered Bridges, and Get Your Broom On.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Autumn Glory? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Autumn Glory. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers

The Crazies go AUTUMNAL in color!

Barbara challenged the Crazy4Challenges team to a color challenge this week.  Olive, orange, yellow, and brown were the colors.  I used a Mark's Finest Papers set that will be released soon for my leaves.  The set is called Autumn Glory.  It will be available next week.  I also used some autumnal dp, a fancy autumn brad, and some twine, along with some rhinestones that match to rhinestones on the brad.

Now be sure to check out the Crazies blog.  I think you are sure to see some beauties in this fabulously warm and earthy color combo.

This card will also be entered into Speedy's Friends challenge which was to use a punch.  It is kind of subtle, but I did use a corner rounder punch on the main panel.

Thursday??? Must be CHALLENGE time!!!

Cindy is the hostess for the CCEE Stampers Challenge this week.  She challenged us to make a circle card with some stitching on it.  Anne is our hostess for the Stampin B's Challenge, and, since it will be her 48th anniversary soon, she asked us to make an anniversary card.  This is my card for BOTH challenges.

I used my Creative Memories cutting system to cut my circle.  I layered it with doilies made with dies from Cheery Lynn Designs and My Favorite Things.  I addedd a store-bought blooms with some stitching on them and some small rhinestones.  I colored my image (from My Favorite Things) with my Copics and then cut it out.  This is a skill I am working on.  With my weak peepers, it takes longer than it should and isn't always smooth.  I then stamped the sentiment (also from MFT) and punched it out with my SU mid oval punch.  I then added a gingham brad as a flower center and it was done!!!!!

Now be sure to visit the team blogs of these two fabulous teams.

Stampin B's Blog
CCEE Stampers Blog

This second card is the one I did for Wednesday's Sketch Challenge on SCS.  I used Mark's Finest Papers set called Poppies, Poppies, Poppies for both the image and the sentiment.

And....on a personal note.....Thanks so very much for all your kind words on the passing of my beloved Pepper.  Your words were very kind and comforting.