Goodbye November

That's right! 

It's the last day of November and tomorrow begins the official countdown to Christmas. I thought I'd quickly share my final Fall / Thanksgiving Pocket Letter this year with you. As a member of Pocket Letter Pals I belong to several Groups in which monthly themes are established. In the Anything and Everything Group the theme was Turkey Day and this letter went to a fellow Tennessee gal.

Some closeups...

I used the Hello Journal Card from The Cutting Cafe's Pocket Letter Pals Printable Set. The top row features a leaf print resist paper by HOTP, cardstock word stickers and amber colored bling. The second row outer pockets are green corrugated paper from the Neutrals corrugated 6x6 paper pad by DCWV. I added cardstock and clear stickers, a stamped sentiment (TE) and trio of pumpkins (Verve) -which I colored with Copic's and highlighted with orange peel Stickles- and spelled out a message to my pal with Tim's chit chat alpha stickers.

On the bottom row I used a turkey stamp (Verve) for the middle pocket, colored him with Copic's and highlighted with copper Stickles. A clear "Gobble Gobble" sticker was placed on top of the pocket for fun. The far right pocket has a band of corrugated paper with twine and a stamped sentiment (TE). The far left pocket has a cardstock sticker, two feathers and a hand cut fish tail from scrap corrugated paper. If you look close enough you'll see the renegade exclamation point (which went after pal on the above middle pocket) that somehow ended up there. Luckily I caught it before it was mailed.

I added washi tape to the spine, three brown satin bows and 3 bronze leaf brads.

I filled the back of the pocket letter with goodies (ribbon, washi tape, ephemera, burlap bows, fall buttons, clothes pins, family recipe, a note from me and printed leaves) my pal can use for future Fall / Thanksgiving pocket letters. Also you can see on the middle pockets (1st and 2nd row) more journal cards from the Pocket Letter Pals Printable Set. They are actually from the Hello My Name Is Journal Cards Printable Set and as you can see there are several designs in this set. Perfect for a Pocket Letter Pal to use. :)

I'd be remiss if I didn't share my pal's pocket letter as well. I love it!!!

Thanks Leesa! :)

I adore the vintage images she used and the way she rounded the corners off each ATC as well. Such a lovely Thanksgiving pocket letter and the goodies were wonderful too. As it turns out she doesn't live that far from where I live (in Tennessee) and she's also visited the lake I live by so that was kinda cool. Love meeting a fellow Tennessean through Pocket Letter Pals. I know we'll be swap partners again!

Tomorrow I'll be back (that's right, in fact I'll have a blog post every day this week) with a Christmas pocket letter to officially kick off the most wonderful time of the year.

Have an awesome day, wherever you are.

Lisa xx

X - 4x4 inch Square Card or Box

Our new challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge is 

X - 4x4 inch square card or box

and for my design team inspiration I have created one of each. Both projects feature paper from Graphic 45's Night Before Christmas collection. The 4x4 inch box was a cinch to make using the We R Memory Keepers Gift Box Punch Board. The only troublesome thing is trying to wrap my brain around the fact that Christmas is one month from today. Hard to believe it, isn't it!

The inside of my card...

I stamped a Waltzingmouse Stamps-Compliments of the Season-greeting in Archival's Vermillion ink and die cut the white cardstock with a My Favorite Thing's Zig Zag Stitched Square die. The striped dp is from G45's Night Before Christmas collection as well as the chipboard holly piece. A band of Christmas gingham ribbon finishes it. 

This is my 4x4 inch square box.

I created it using the Gift Box Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers. There's a guide on the board which tells you what size paper to use and the score marks to use. It is a breeze to put a box together and it's one tool I know I'll use alot. :) Fussy cut images, a Petaloo poinsettia, a band of White Opal Liquid Pearls around the edge and a wide peppermint ribbon are the finishing touches. 

Back View

I did the same to the sides, the clock image was fussy cut from the paper collection and I added Christmas Red Stickles to the outer edge. The band of red paper is also from the collection and I finished the sides with White Opal Liquid Pearls. 

A big thank you to our current sponsor.

Wild Rose Studio

They are offering our lucky winner a 

Merry Christmas die.

To see all of the inspiration by the DT visit the challenge blog or click their links in my right sidebar. Hope you'll play along with us. 

I'd like to wish all of my fellow Americans a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow! I'm preparing a small lunch and then we're off to Louisville, Kentucky for the weekend. We decided to start a new tradition this year and I think I'm gonna like it. 

Safe travels everyone!

Lisa xx

With Gratitude

Yes! That's the answer to your question...you know the one you were thinking...that bow is big. I was trying to make one of those pretty multi looped bows that I've been seeing on Pinterest and let's just say I need more practice. Or perhaps I'd better buy the bow contraption by Zutter. :) My Thanksgiving card was made for a close friend and she'll love it so I'm gonna let it pass as this has been one busy, busy week. It's only going to get busier with Thanksgiving, travel plans, crafty plans and oh right....Christmas literally around the corner. 

If I even stop to think about that I'll totally freak right now so let's move on to my card for The Cutting Cafe. It features the With Gratitude Printable Set which you can see on the background of my sandstorm cardstock and I used a sentiment from the set as well. Have I mentioned that there are 75 images in this set? That's a bargain! The acorn is an Ingrid Bolme resin design by Prima and I altered it with Twinkling H20's. I printed my sentiment then die cut it with a Spellbinders flag and backed it with a coordinating piece of cardstock. Paper fall leaves were glued in place and I inked all of the edges on my card with gathered twigs Distress Ink. That's it!

Here are a few other templates...cutting files...printable sets that are perfect for Thanksgiving:

Turkey Treat Cup Set

Happy Thanksgiving Word Shaped Set

Turkey Shaped Card

Thanksgiving Day Printable Stamp Set

{and many more, just search Thanksgiving}

If you visit The Cafe's blog on the 21st you can see all of the DT inspiration featuring this set and if you leave a comment you'll be entered into a drawing to win 3 FREE SETS. Regina will announce the winner on the 7th of December.  

I want to wish my Cutting Cafe friends a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are and stay safe.

Lisa xx 

Fashion Pocket Letter

Fashion PL Swap

I totally meant to blog earlier in the day but it has been a busy one. So I'm here now with a super fun pocket letter that I created for the Smaller Pocket Letter Fashion Swap which I'm a member of over at Pocket Letter Pals. We were challenged to make a pocket letter using 3 pockets only, front and back. I was paired up with a swap partner from Belgium and after messaging each other we agreed we liked both modern and vintage fashion. 

I was unsure of what colors she preferred and when I started thinking about it (and looking in my closet for inspiration) I settled on the classic black and white combo. Every gal has/needs a fabulous black dress in her fashion wardrobe and this ad in Vogue was perfect. Then in another Vogue I saw an ad featuring actress Rachel Weisz and the images were smaller so I cut them out and collaged them to the front of my pocket. 

 

I guess I should stop here and say that I cut my pockets vertically while most did theirs horizontally. The reason, hopefully is obvious, the lady in the dress demanded to be vertical. :)

I added stickers, silver sequins and a camera brad to the front. Washi tape on both side and as you can see ribbons, brads and a tag to the spine. 

Now for the back side...

 The back is a collection of all things black and white. I added stickers which say "Friends are the best accessories" and that's so true...I think. I added black lace (which doesn't show up very well) and a string of pearl trim to the right side of my pocket (left in photo). The tag documents what the pocket letter is for and when it was created. I'm only sharing it now because my swap partner in Belgium just received it....25 days it took...guess I'm gonna have to give the US postal service a bit of a break. :( She kept reassuring me it would arrive and I'm just glad it did. Here's a quick photo of her goodies.

I sent lots of goodies and I'm so happy she loved everything. :)

This was a fun swap but I'd be remiss if I didn't share her fabulous pocket letter which arrived in record time.

My incoming PL from my pal, Shanon, in Belgium.

Front Side

Back Side

I just love the vintage style pattern and fashion sketch...the fab shoes are stickers and they're awesome too. I love my pocket letter so much and it was chock full of goodies not to mention that it smelled divine. Love, love, love it Shanon! Thank you again!!!

Thanks for taking a peek at my PL and my pal's.

Take care,

Lisa xx

Fall / Thanksgiving PL

Praying for Paris

Before I begin my post today I want to express my deepest sympathy to everyone who was affected by the tragedy in Paris last Friday night. I pray that the survivors will heal physically and emotionally and that the loved ones of those lost will feel our love and support worldwide. 

********

Today I'm celebrating the beautiful fall season with this pocket letter I made for a Pocket Letter Pal in Missouri. If you don't know what a pocket letter is or if you're not familiar with PLP's click here to learn where it all started and how you can join in the fun. 

Here are a few close ups.

I used corrugated paper and a fall leaf resist dp by Hot Off the Press for my pockets. On the resist paper I rubbed various fall shades of Distress Ink to make the leaves pop. A print out from the Hello My Name Is Journal Cards Set by The Cutting Cafe is the perfect way to dress up the note to your pal pocket. I printed the sheet on white cardstock so I could customize each print out. Stickers, an acorn button and 3D animal stickers decorate the top row.

For the middle row I used more stickers plus 3D animal stickers as well. I die cut two corn stalks (by My Favorite Things) and rubbed scattered straw Distress Ink over them. Next I stamped a scarecrow by Just Rite Stampers on cardstock and colored him with various Distress Markers. The wheelbarrow is a die cut (by Taylored Expressions) and I added copper Stickles to enhance it. Raking the Leaves is from a fall sticker sheet and the stamped sentiment (from a retired TE set) was stamped in Sepia Archival ink.

The third row features that cute little raccoon which seems to be very popular over on the PLP's Facebook group. You'll also see a cut out from the Hello My Name Is Journal Cards Set on the 3rd pocket. On the back of that pocket I included a note about myself for my pal. Metal leaf brads were added to the spine so my pal can use them for future fall pl's and I included a To / From tag as well.

I love the fall season and this was definitely one of my favorite pl's to create. I'm delighted to share that my pal loves her pocket letter and that makes me a happy girl.

Like any good PLP I also included a few goodies for her to enjoy.

Ribbon and washi tape samples, fall die cuts and stickers, a note from me and about me, a leaf acrylic stamp, a bag of tea (of course) and stamped fall images from some of my favorite sets. Note: top row - far right pocket is another ATC size journal card from the Hello My Name Is Journal Cards Set by The Cutting Cafe. 

I'm entering this pocket letter in the following challenge:

613 Avenue Create Challenge #150 -Anything Goes with Opt. Twist-Hello

That's all for me today, during this time of Thanksgiving let's remember to be grateful for the little things as well as the big things in life. Let's hold the French people, and all who've been targeted by terrorism, in our hearts and prayers. 

God Bless,

Lisa xx

Birthday Pocket Letter

Happy Friday everyone! 

I have a birthday pocket letter to share today. As a member of Pocket Letter Pals, which Janette Lane created, I belong to several Groups that sponsor themed swaps. I signed up for the Birthday Group Swap where we create a PL for a pal and send it to them on their birthday. This letter went to Fallon in Texas and she recently celebrated her 19th birthday on the 7th. 

As always I have a few close ups to share of my pocket letter.

I used Glitz's Color Me Happy paper collection to create this one. A puffy felt butterfly was added to the far right pocket and two dimensional stickers were added to the other two. A little stamping a some liquid pearls finish this row. 

This paper collection has a lot of fun ephemera which I used on the far left and middle pocket, the far right pocket features a birthday cake which I cut out from a recycled birthday card. More dimensional stickers (camera and pinwheel) were added along with a frame which I had in my stash. A sticker, stamped sentiment and liquid pearls finish this row.

I added some Glitz crepe paper to the bottom just for fun and two rows of black glitter stickers. More stamping on the far left pocket and on the far right pocket. An ephemera Journal Here was added to the middle pocket and it's held in place with a memo pin, a magnetic book page marker was added so she can use it as well as a Pink Paislee Sweetness metal badge. A wood #7 bingo was added to mark Fallon's birthday and I filled in the details on this pocket using a fun piece of ephemera from the collection.

I always like to dress the spine of my pocket and include things which my pal can use like ribbons, brads, buttons, pins etc.. The washi tape is permanent and dresses it up a bit.

A birthday girl deserves presents and I've included several for Fallon...washi tape samples (two of them actually because she loves washi tape), printed leaves, tags, clothespins, paper flowers, a key chain, stickers, ephemera and a packet of tea. I added a row of present stickers to the back of the crepe paper to make it more festive. 

I really hope she liked her pocket letter!

That's it for me today. I'm off to create more pocket letters, do a little house cleaning and hubby and I will take our annual fall cruise on the lake with our fur baby and put the boat up for the winter. How about you, what are your plans? 

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are.

Lisa xx

W - Wild Thing

That's our new challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge. 

My - Wild Thing - is a glittery reindeer with a jingle bell around his neck. After all, it won't be long until Santa saddles up the reindeer for their annual Christmas Eve flight. ;) 

The only stamping on the front of my card is on the layered die cut Spellbinders 2011 Heirloom Ornament. The bottom layer is a blue dp and I stamped a snowflake by Taylored Expressions randomly in Memento's Paris Dusk ink . I die cut another heirloom ornament in pale blue vellum and adhered it on top. Clear rhinestones were added to the snowflake centers and I outlined it with silver Stickles. 

For the reindeer I die cut a Prancing Deer by Tim Holtz from grungeboard and gave it a coat of gesso. After it dried I brushed on a coat of matte gel and gave it a generous sprinkling of Twinklets Diamond Dust glitter. Silver twine and a small jingle bell are the finishing details which you can see below.  

Silver Liquid Pearls and pretty lace trim finish the front. Now for the inside...yes I know I rarely share the inside of my cards but Christmas is literally around the corner and I want to be prepared. Plus I just love the sentiment which is also by Taylored Expressions. 

Sentiment says:

Let the Reindeer fly

and the snowflakes fall,

'Tis the season again

That brings joy us us all.

The die cut trees are by Verve Stamps and I traced my snowy fields on white cardstock and fussy cut them, then I layered the two together and added a band of Silver Liquid Pearls and a snowflake brad. The dp's are by Hot Off the Press and they've been in my stash awhile. Normally blue is not my color of choice at Christmas since I'm a traditional gal but I really like this combo. I might have to do a blue, white and silver tree someday, it's a possibility. :)

Our sponsor for this challenge is  

Prize is 3 Wags 'n Whiskers Digital Stamps

Also we have a brand new teamie to welcome aboard and that's Lorraine of Rainey's Craft Room. She's very talented and I adore her style! Be sure to visit the challenge blog to see her debut and be inspired by all of the fab inspiration by the design team. 

I'm entering this card in the following challenges:

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - Ribbon and Pearls

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #59 - Christmas Decorations

The Glory of Christmas Challenge #71 - Glitter / Shine (glitter/rhinestones)

613 Avenue Create Challenge #149 - Anything Goes

Paper Take Weekly Challenge - Christmas Critters

Thanks for the visit today and a big thank you to those who take the time to leave a comment. 

I appreciate you!

Have a great day everyone, wherever you are.

Lisa xx 

A Woodland Themed Christmas Pocket Letter

Hello everyone! 

Hope your week is off to a great start. I've been busy cranking out Christmas projects since the holiday is literally 6 weeks away from this Friday. I know I am freaking some of you out but I am as well. Hard to believe this year is nearly over! 

This was my first Christmas pocket letter and it went to my pal in Washington. It was so much fun to create and it will always be one of my favorites. 

A few close ups.

{click to enlarge any photo}

I used a mix of Christmas dp's that have been in my stash for awhile. Mostly because I love them and tend to hoard paper, but no more. I'm going to put them to good use creating pocket letters and for my DT projects for ABC Christmas Challenge. The 3D stickers by Jo-lee Boutique make this woodland themed pocket letter work. My pal also likes bling so when I saw the pretty red rhinestones on them...well..it was a no brainer. :) Finishing touches on the top row are the satin red flower, resin moose and the 3D Merry and Bright ornament sticker. 

More 3D stickers on the outside but this time it's a snowman family playing in the snow. Yes, that's snow you're seeing. To the pockets I added resin silver snowflakes, die cut trees and a layer of Deco Art's Snow-Tex to create my snowy scene. I spread some on the roof of the cozy cottage as well and stamped Merry Christmas at the top. I loved the ease of using DA's Snow-Tex snow. No mixing or mess just spread with a palette knife and it's done. Can't say how much I love this stuff!!! 

The third row has a 3D moose, a JOY sticker and a holly branch. The middle pocket features another 3D ornament sticker that has a winter wonderland scene. On the spine of the pocket I added washi tape, two holly brads, and Christmas ribbon. 

I filled the back pockets with crafty Christmas goodies. I am remiss for not taking photos of two of the pockets minus the goodies. My friend, Regina Easter, is the owner/designer of The Cutting Cafe and she created a Pocket Letter Pals file at my request. It's for sale here and includes a PDF file (see below) for use in creating PL's. I used two on the back of my letter (top row-3rd pocket and bottom row-middle pocket). Sorry Regina I forgot to remove the goodies/note before snapping a photo. However I mailed a letter off yesterday and the file is featured on the front so I'll have that up on my blog as soon as my pal receives it. 

I used the black / white sheet and there's a colored one as well. 

This is an awesome file for PLP's so spread the word.

So happy my pal Tina loves her PL!

I love it too. :)

To learn more about Pocket Letter Pals click here.

I'll be back tomorrow with a woodland themed project with a glittery twist for ABC Christmas Challenge.

See you then!

Lisa xx

Countdown to Christmas

That's right, 7 weeks from today we'll be celebrating Christmas!

{it's okay, take a deep breath}

I can hardly believe it either but instead of panicking I'm working feverishly to get my holiday gifts / projects finished before Thanksgiving. It's a good feeling to be able to actually enjoy the season without hyperventilating lol. I've always wanted an advent calendar and now I have one. I used numbers from The Cutting Cafe's 

December - Christmas Daily...Printable Set

to create it and I'll enjoy it forever. It was a bit difficult to photograph so I apologize in advance for the photos but hopefully you can see things a bit better with my close ups below.

{click to enlarge any photo}

I used a 17 x 11 cookie sheet to create my advent calendar. 

Two coordinating dp's and a snowflake border paper strip 

provide a festive background. I cropped the corners with a 1/2" 

rounded corner punch by We R Memory Keepers. The tags were 

made with a die and a Basic Grey magnetic snap holds them in 

place. I should note that I added double stick tape to the back of

the dp's and adhered them to the cookie sheet. The decorative

chip pieces are by K and Co. and they've been in my stash forever. 

I also used washi tape, ribbon, twine and brads to decorate my tags. 

The bottom is decorated with 2 border strips from a 12 x 12 dp

and a black snowflake ribbon divides the two. If you look closely

you'll see I left #22 off, my DD wanted me to leave something

for her to add when she gets home for the holidays. ;) 

I added a wire ribbon bow and called it good.

To focus on the reason for the season I wrote a different Scripture verse on the back of my tags and we'll read one daily counting down to Christmas. :)

Normally when we think December Daily we are in planner mode but these files can be used for so much more. Check out all of the fab files here-

December - Christmas Daily...Printable Set

December Daily 2...Printable Set

December Daily Numbers...Printable Set

December Daily Christmas Tree Book...Template...Cutting File

December Daily Word Book...Template...Cutting File 

December Daily 1-25 Photo Journaling Frames...Template...Cutting File

If you are in planner mode then there's a fab Christmas file you can purchase here-

25 Days of Christmas Activities-Planner Add On Printable Set

Speaking of planners, don't forget Regina offers a fab one and the 2016 Planner Printable Set was released earlier in the spring. You can find it here and they make a great Christmas gift.

Don't forget that you do NOT have to own an electronic cutting machine to use Regina's cutting files as each one contains a PDF file which you can print using your home printer. 

Tomorrow (Nov. 7th) on The Cutting Cafe's blog you can see all of the inspiration by the design team and this time it's anything goes which means the DT were free to create anything they wanted. You'll see a lot of variety and I know you'll be inspired to get your craft on. 

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are!

Lisa xx