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Friday 30 November 2012

November Blog Hop - Just a Note!


   November Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Big City Featured November 27 
Amaryllis Definition Featured November 28
Mountain Selections Featured November 29
Just a Note Featured November 30

Please hop along with us! You have a chance 
 to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on December 1, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday November 30, 2012.

I am sharing 4 note cards today plus a single card that was inspired by the bit of paper left on the desk.  I tried again with my Cricut and this time using some scrapbook paper I got shapes fully cut.



As you all know November is the time to gear up for Christmas shopping. So many sales and crowds, well stick with us we have some great deals for you.


 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Winter Scenes" - this one is not to be missed!


Thanks for joining our blog hop this month - see you again soon.
 

Thursday 29 November 2012

November Blog Hop - Mountain Selections!




   November Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Big City Featured November 27 
Amaryllis Definition Featured November 28
Mountain Selections Featured November 29
Just a Note Featured November 30

Please hop along with us! You have a chance 
 to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on December 1, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday November 30, 2012.


As you all know November is the time to gear up for Christmas shopping. So many sales and crowds, well stick with us we have some great deals for you.


My cards for today are all scenes created with today's selections set.  The first one is also up on the MFP blog but the other two are made using ornament shapes cut with my new Cricut.  I did not get the right cut settings so please excuse any rough bits.

My first card uses the sketch from VLVNov2012 Week2



This next one uses the Spellbinders lattice and the ornament is tied to it with Bakers Twine. Blue card is mounted inside the card.


This last one is actually far prettier in real life as it actually has a soft sheen to the ornament - I took at least 4 photos to try and get the colours looking right.





 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Winter Scenes" - this one is not to be missed!


Please come back for our last day of hopping tomorrow.

 


Wednesday 28 November 2012

Santa is in Town

When I saw this VLV sketch (week3) I was stumped - all I could think of was a chimney - no idea why but that is how it is!  The song about Santa getting stuck in the chimney that my niece, now 21, used to sing kept coming into my head.  I ended up leaving Santa off but here is my card with all the stockings neatly hung!

I have used MFP Big City launched this week plus a brick background from another MFP set (sorry name escapes me!).


Thanks for checking this out.

November Blog Hop - Amaryllis Definition!



   November Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Big City Featured November 27 
Amaryllis Definition Featured November 28
Mountain Selections Featured November 29
Just a Note Featured November 30


Today's cards:-
This first one uses SFF sketch

SFF111612


This one just happened!

This ones uses the sketch from Waltzingmouse WMSC125
 
Please hop along with us! You have a chance 
 to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on December 1, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday November 30, 2012.


As you all know November is the time to gear up for Christmas shopping. So many sales and crowds, well stick with us we have some great deals for you.


 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Winter Scenes" 


Thanks for stopping by

 


Tuesday 27 November 2012

November Blog Hop - Big City!


   November Blog Hop! 

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are
Big City Featured November 27 
Amaryllis Definition Featured November 28
Mountain Selections Featured November 29
Just a Note Featured November 30

Please hop along with us! You have a chance 
 to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day for more chances to win! (You do NOT have to comment on all the blogs each day! The names are drawn randomly!) All four winners will be announced on December 1, 2012 on the Mark's Finest Papers blog. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. (HINT: The more you comment, the more chances you have to win and comments on the MFP blog count twice!) The deadline for commenting is 11PM EST on Friday November 30, 2012.

My cards made using today's set are quite simple.  The first has a feminine feel, using SC353 rotated, and I think would work for a new job card.  I just stamped in black Versafine on pink card. 


The second was stamped onto watercolour paper and then the background painted with watercolour pencils.  Don't forget to check out the rest of the team's posts for today and please come back tomorrow.



As you all know November is the time to gear up for Christmas shopping. So many sales and crowds, well stick with us we have some great deals for you.


 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Winter Scenes"



 

Monday 26 November 2012

FOSTV48 - Snowman and Snowlady

This week's challenge at FOSTV is to make a snowman card, but as last week's challenge did not get posted due to technology issues there are actually two challenges right now - check it out here. I actually made a Snowman and a Snowlady card.

My snowlady uses the stamp from Holly Jolly Greetings.  It is decorated with snowflakes made with mainly Spellbinders dies.


My snowman uses the image from Snow Gifts Mini.


If you find a few spare moments then please play along with us.  Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the blog hop.

November Blog Hop starts tomorrow!


As you all know November is the time to gear up for Christmas shopping. Our new sets are released tomorrow and we start this month's blog hop so don't forget to come back then.


 The special stamp set we have for you this month is:

"Winter Scenes" 
This one is not to be missed and we are showcasing it today along with this month's mini set - "Oh Deer"!



I will start by showing you the simple cards I have made with Oh Deer The first one is for my Brother - I think I am allowed to be rude to him!


The second thing I have to show you also uses Oh Deer and it holds a gift card for my nephew.  I stamped onto a small design Christmas paper with clear ink and then used gold embossing powder - just decided to do something different!

The next two cards use the new Winter Scenes set which I love and I think you will too.  The first card is a simple layout but it shows the stamp off.  I coloured with Prismacolor pencils, added white pen and Stickles on the snow falling and then punched snowflakes and tied them on with embroidery thread before attaching the ribbon bow.


My last card for today is made using the Winter Scenes set and a sketch from VLVNov2012 Week4.  I used the snowflakes, embossed them and then sponged shades of blue distress inks on the panel.  The image was coloured with Prismacolor pencils and Copics.
 

Saturday 24 November 2012

Sneak Peek Tags

Marks Finest Papers are releasing new stamps this coming week and there are some fun ones to play with.  Whilst wrapping some gifts that had to be sent across to USA I took some of the new stamps and added them to my tags which were cut using my new Cricut machine.  The weather has been so bad in terms of grey days and rain this week the photos are poor - sorry. 






Bradley's Christmas

I combined two challenges for this card which I have made for our niece's little lad Bradley.  I think this year he might be interested in more than the wrapping as he will be two and a half - how time flies!  

The High Hopes challenge 156 was to make a Christmas card with very little red or green so despite the fact that his Dad supports Liverpool I used blue!  Stampin Sisters in Christ challenge 166 was to make a card for a child so what better than a cute mouse waiting for Santa.

Thanks for taking the time to pop by my blog and thank you to those that leave comments - I appreciate them all.  Hope you are having a good weekend.




Thursday 22 November 2012

Get Well Soon

This card based roughly on SC409 is for Carol who I used to work with to give to her Brother in Law who is undergoing hip surgery.

The image s from Clear Dollar Stamps and the bedding colours are for Brighton & Hove Albion football club who he is a passionate supporter of.  The image is digital so it was layered up - lots of fiddly cutting!
I am entering the card in the Sentimental Sundays challenge from last Sunday.

Get well wishes to anyone out there in blog land who is feeling poorly right now.

Monday 19 November 2012

FOSTV 47 - Happy Thanksgiving

For those of you reading this blog in the USA - Happy Thanksgiving week.  This is my card for FOSTV47, a Thanksgiving card

I took the SFF sketch and turned it round and use one of Beate Johns ideas for using up scraps - you will see more of this idea - I have loads of scraps!


Well it is your turn now to make one more Thanksgiving card - you might have to hand deliver it or save it for next year - but we would love to see your creation.  Please join in our challenge at FOSTV - it will go up as number 47..

If you pray please pray for Mum who has to have 4 teeth removed at the hospital today.

Thanks for dropping in.

Janine

Monday 12 November 2012

FOSTV46 - Scrapbook Page

Despite the good intentions when taking photos I have not done a scrapbook in ages, in fact I have only ever done two and they took me months to do. I have never been to any classes and I know I put too many photos on a page but take it or leave it this is me!

FOSTV challenge 46 to make a scrapbook page was a tough one as life has been crazy here.  Both Mums are unwell and I am busy trying to document my job before I leave on Friday.  They gave me redundancy but did not appreciate what my team did!  Obviously my next task is finding another job!

Anyway back to the scrapbook.  We visited friends in Minnesota in late August and early September and they made something happen for me that I have wanted to do for ages.  I wanted to see how the Amish live and meet some of the people if I could.  We went to the Lanesboro / Harmony area in MN - the Amish life is hard, very simple and they seem very happy.

This is the double page spread 


This is the close up of the left page showing snippets from all the lovely quilts in the cottage.






















This is a close up of the right page






















For those of you without x-ray vision this is what it says on my page
"Cozy Quilt Cottage was the wonderful, peaceful place Chris and Jules booked for our visit to see how the Amish live.  Ann who owns the cottage made us so welcome, along with Charley of course.  Every nook and cranny of the cottage held quilts of some sort. 

The first night there was a lively one with the most amazing storm hitting the area and watching it come across the corn fields was spectacular.  The humming birds, butterflies and restful nature of the place made it a special time.  3 large deer even paid us a visit!"

In terms of stamps sets used on my pages here are the details - they are all from Marks Finest Papers
The sunflowers are from  "Bring on the Sun"
The butterflies are from "Daffodil Greetings" and "Cracked Hello"
The Amish carriage is from "A Trip to Lancaster"
The word Silence is from "Christmas in the Country"
The sentiment about nature is from "Words of Nature Mini"

The "corn" die is one of the new D-Lites from Spellbinders and all colouring is done with Copics.

We would love to see your scrapbook pages this week for FOSTV46 and there will be a MFP set (Christmas Cardinals as shown below) as a prize for one lucky participant.  If you cannot cope with a 12" page why not do an 8" one or even  6" one.



Have a great week.

Sunday 11 November 2012

High Hopes Buttons & Snowflakes

I played this afternoon with this High Hopes image and added another card to my Christmas pile.  The challenge from High Hopes was to use buttons and snowflakes so I pulled out these fancy buttons and used them with this cute snowman.  I managed to find 3 small ones to fit on his front and then added the 3 large ones in amongst the snowflakes.


Week where life takes over?

Have you ever had a week, I am sure you have, where life takes over?  The last few weeks have been very odd but the last 10 days even more so.  Both my Mum and my Mother in law have been unwell and dealing with 2 other people's issues on top of your own just blows any plans out of the water.  I did, in a quite spell on Monday, manage to get this card made but it didn't make it to my blog.
I planned to enter the card for 3 challenges - Daring Cardmakers Colour challenge which closed on Friday, VLV November Week 1 (the first time in months I have made the card in week 1!) and this months Penny Black challenge for Cute Christmas.  At least it can still go into 2 challenges.

There is glitter on the stars and moons but it does not show on the card photo.  The image is from Penny Black and the sentiment from Verve. Paper is from My Minds Eye.

Friday 9 November 2012

Mojo 266

I used the Mojo 266 sketch to make this card for Carol at work to give to a colleague embarking on a new venture.  Carol is a regular requester of personalised cards and I have three more to make for her in the coming days.
This one is quite large as she wanted to get others in the office to sign it. The inspiration for the card came from the website of the new store - Trudi Elizabeth Interiors that opens tomorrow




I have used dies, embossing folders, punches, flowers, metal gloss paint, Perfect Pearls mist, brads, Distress inks, Versafine inks and a stamp from Elusive Images.

Sorry I have been so quiet this week - been busy with family stuff and work. Have a good weekend.

Janine

Monday 5 November 2012

FOSTV 45 - Anything Goes

Hello - it's Monday again and it is time for another Friends of Speedy TV challenge.  This week you can all play along as the challenge is anything goes - so what are you waiting for - we would love to see what you create.  
There is a prize on offer to one lucky participant of one of the MFP sets ad this week the set is called Christmas Bridge.

As this was an anything goes this week I used the opportunity to make a card using one of the new releases, On The Fly, for my Brother-in-Laws Birthday later this month.  I used white embossing powder, lots of inks for sponging and then some H2Os on the fish to give them some shimmer.


I then decided to make another card in a completely different style, a further card to add to my Christmas collection.  I made this one as a twisted easel card.  I used the trees and sentiment from the All is Calm set, and the snowflakes from the Ice and Snow stamp set.  I added glitter to the snowflakes and the flowers on the base.


Sunday 4 November 2012

Mojo265 Inspired

Tried out my new Cheery Lynn die and a new Spellbinders die on this card along with the free stamps from Chocolate Baroque that came with this months Craft Stamper magazine.  A simple card but threading the embroidery silk round the die was fiddly.  Thanks for looking.

Santa Fur Baby


I seem to be going through a red patch with my cards right now but I think the red suits this guy no end so please forgive me if you don't like bright red.   The image is from High Hopes and the sentiment is from Marks Finest Papers.  I am entering this for CCC12, this weeks Jugs sketch challenge and also for this last week's High Hopes challenge "Fur or Feathers".
The image was stamped with Memento black and coloured with Copics.  The sentiment is stamped with the darkest red in my Kaleidacolor Desert Heat set.  The border punch is from Martha Stewart but mine has one of the tiny pins missing - what a pain! 

God bless
Janine

Saturday 3 November 2012

Waltzing Silhouette

I made this card using the Waltzingmouse Sketch and the OCC challenge to use a silhouette.  I have used a combination of Tim Holtz stamps and Waltzingmouse ones.  An EK success border punch was used on the red paper behind the pearlescent white strip.The snowman was stamped on black and then embossed with white embossing powder.

Another Christmas card towards my November set.







 Thank you for dropping in - enjoy the rest of the weekend, if you can.









Thursday 1 November 2012

Daring Cardmakers - Let There Be Light

This is another last minute card made for the Daring Cardmakers challenge - Let There Be Light.  I have used the lamp from the recently released set by Marks Finest Papers called Poinsettia Blooms.  I chose to emboss the lamp with pewter powder, but would not do it again!  The yellow was sponged with distress ink and the rest was coloured with Copics - although the paper surface wasn't too great with them!  I used a Spellbinders die along the bottom and wove the ribbon through it for TLC401.  The sentiment is die cut with a Cheery Lynn die.  The background paper is MME.

Thanks for looking and hope your Friday goes smoothly.

VLV Oct 2012

Week 1 - MFT Stamps

Week 2 - Verve Stamps

Week 3 - MFT Stamps & MFP Stamps

Week 4 - Verve Stamps plus unknown

Week 5 - MFP Stamps
The 5 cards above are all for this month's VLV challenge, they are in order - weeks 1 to 5.  I struggled with week 1 sketch, got all the cards eventually made at the weekend and then forgot to post them up!  So sorry I would normally do 5 posts but time is of the essence as it is deadline day!
Thanks for looking.