H is for Hat

There's a brand new challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge

~ H is for Hat ~

and we'd love for you to play along with us. All you need to do is include a hat in your Christmas themed project. That's easy to do! 

As for my card I used a Pure Innocence image which has been in my stamp stash for a while. I paper pieced her hat, dress, collar and shoes and since she's an elf I drew in striped stockings with Copic markers. Its going to the grand daughter of a friend of mine who happens to love all things that sparkle. The glittery tree stickers and candy canes will make her smile and I had some sequins lying nearby so I added those to the bottom zig zag just for fun.

I stamped a sentiment from the stamp set using the shadow effect technique. I stamped it once then overlapped it and stamped it again. It was a clear acrylic set which made it easy and I thought it would be cute for this sweet little girl's card.

Our sponsor for this challenge is 

Digi Stamp Boutique

 

The winner will receive a $10.00 voucher to the online store.

To see more inspiration visit the challenge blog (link above) to see what my design team mates created. Hope you'll join us and get a head start on your Christmas cards for the 2016 holiday season. 

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa xx

Assorted Card Folds Set 2

Before I start my post I have to apologize for neglecting my poor blog lately and my blog buddies. Life has been busy and spring fever hit me so I added cleaning out closets as well as my craft room. to my list of things to do. Good grief! It felt good to stop all of that, grab my Silhouette Cameo and start cutting these adorable cards out from The Cutting Cafe.    

This is the inside of the above card. I added another dp on the inside then used the negative from the oval to place my sentiment on. To finish I added a band of Flamingo Liquid Pearls around the edge. 

To create the 3 cards I'm sharing today I used Regina's Assorted Card Folds Set 2 - Template and Cutting File and a cutting machine. If you don't own a cutting machine that's fine because Regina always offers a PDF (print and cut) file with each set. There are 7 different styles in this set and they fit in an A2 size envelope which is great for mailing. 

I really love this particular style of flip card, it's a tri-panel and you'll see how I used the rectangle negatives on the next card. I added a dp to the front panel, pink cardstock on the next flap and my base is white cardstock. I'll be hand delivering this one to my hair stylist next week, she's expecting her first baby in late August which is only a few weeks away from my grandbaby's due date in September. Seems there will be a lot of babies born this year. :)

Here's a view of the inside, I added a striped dp to the base and right flap then stamped my sentiment and added a pocket punched with a MS Lace border punch to hold my gift card. 

   

Now you know what I did with those rectangle negatives-I corner punched them then layered together and stamped a sentiment in Archival's Aquamarine ink to match my papers. Opal White and Ocean Blue Liquid pearls add some visual interest and a simple bow finishes it. Oh, I did add a strip of the polka dot dp to the inside on the right side. Easy peasy!

I hope you'll give this set a try and you might be interested in the Assorted Card Folds Templates and Cutting File as well. All of the inspiration by the design team will be on TCC's blog tomorrow so be sure and check that out. If you leave a comment you'll automatically be entered to win 3 Free Sets from The Cutting Cafe. Winners will be announced on the April 21st DT post. 

Guess I better get back to cleaning, have a great day!

Lisa xx

Easter Treat Cups

Easter fun at The Cutting Cafe!

One of the things I miss about having young children in our home during Easter is that the Easter bunny doesn't visit. We've all outgrown him so if we want candy we have to make our own baskets. What is really sad is when your kids say "you don't have to make me a basket anymore." Now I wish they'd ask me IF I'd like a basket because this chocaholic is not going to turn down candy, ever. Thankfully, Regina created Easter Treat Cup cards which are perfect for older kids / people with a sweet tooth, like me and the hubster. 

I created this card for him and I'm going to fill it with "bunny droppings" for a little humor. He's always teasing me and I know he'll get a chuckle out of it. Of course I'll have a stash of Reese's Pieces for him to munch on and I plan to cook a wonderful Easter meal for us to enjoy after church to balance out all the candy. :-) 

The sentiment is from the Bunny Treat Cup Card set, one of 3 sets offered, in the Easter Treat Cup Cards file. I chose to have the bunny face forward on my card but you have the option to have him face backward as well. The "clouds" I used are actually the bunny's fluffy tail which you'd add to the front of the treat cup if using the backward view. I used a MS grass border punch but there's also grass included in the file. You can see below the different options and a Bunny Treat Cup card designed by Regina Easter with the front and side view.

Designed by Regina Easter

Designed by Regina Easter 

A slide inserted (included) allows the recipient quick and easy access to the candy by pulling the tab. These are a lot of fun to make and every time I give someone a treat cup card it puts a smile on their face which makes me a happy girl. :) 

Don't forget that Regina has opened up a sister site - The Cutting Cafe Shop - where she sells paper pads, ribbon, embellishments. clear acrylic stamps, kits and more. You can find more Easter inspiration by TCCS design team here using Regina's stamps and for cutting files...templates...printable stamp inspiration visit here tomorrow, the 21st, to see what The Cutting Cafe design team created. 

Happy Palm Sunday and don't forget that Easter is next Sunday!

Lisa xx

F is for Frills or No Frills

Our new challenge at ABC Christmas Challenge is 

~ F for Frills or no Frills ~ 

which is basically a ruffled ribbon / trim. Helen added a pretty rosette to her DT card and that works as well. One more thing, be sure to tell us in your blog post whether you chose frill or no frill. 

For my card I used ruffled gingham trim and layered two pieces for a very frilly look. A fun designer paper by Recollections creates a nice background for my stamped gingerbread house and the sentiment was also part of the stamp set. A large button with pink twine and a band of Flamingo liquid pearls complete the embellishments.

SPONSOR

Sweet Stamps

Prize is a $10.00 gift certificate to the online store.

We'd love to have you join our challenge!

Hugs,

Lisa

Incoming Christmas Pocket Letters

 

Yes you read my blog title post correctly. 

I'm a bit late with sharing the pocket letters I received from my Pocket Letter Pals last December. There was a lot going on in my personal life and even though I dropped the ball I wanted to share them now because each pl I receive is special to me. 

The letter above is from my Merry Christmas Group swap partner from Utah. I love all of the stamping and coloring she did on the pockets. :) Thank You caffeinemah!

 The letter below is from my pal in Missouri.

She reached out to me at PLP's and asked if I'd like to swap. I'm so glad we did because I love her pl and the delicious candy she sent as well. :) Thanks Charli!

 This letter is from my pal in Connecticut.

It was our second swap with the first being a Halloween themed pl. From the handmade knit tassle to the cupcake wreath I love it all. It didn't hurt that she also sent some peppermint bark for me to munch on as well. :) Thanks Kristine!

Last but not least is the pocket letter that I received from my pal in Illinois.

Monica reached out to me to see if I'd like to do a recycled Christmas card swap in January. I agreed and this is the one I received from her. I love the dachshund in the top right pocket, he's just too cute. Thanks artgirl4040 (aka Monica)!

With this post I am officially caught up with Christmas, Valentine's, January and February incoming pocket letters. I'm sorry it has taken so long to get these posted on my blog. I learned in late December that my younger sister was dying of terminal cancer and everything became a bit of a blur. Reality can set in hard sometimes and it makes us take a step back. To be totally honest I couldn't appreciate these fully when they were received because they were reminders of what she would never have again, another Christmas-Valentine's, January....

It has been good for me to go back, look through each and every one of these incredible pocket letters and take in the the time, love and creative effort these wonderful pals put into them. There is a lot wrong in this world....a lot of pain...and suffering...but there is good as well. One of the places I find good is in this community of pocket letter pals. I guess it's why I didn't let go of it when everything turned upside down. Through this group I've forged friendships which I know will carry on, with people from all over the world. It's a good thing and it's even better when times are tough! My friends have faithfully prayed for me and my family, sent encouragement our way and blessed us beyond measure. 

So to all of my Pocket Letter Pals and my Facebook pal, Aparna, thank you!

You make my world brighter!!

As for my sister, she's in heaven now with her Lord. There's no more suffering, only joy and for that I am grateful.

Lisa

xoxo 

Incoming January and February Pocket Letters

I'm back to share the remaining incoming pl's I received from my Pocket Letter Pals in January and February. The letter above is from my pal, Katrin, in Germany and I'm so glad she reached out to me and wanted to swap. She knows I love rabbits, and white ones in particular, so she created this adorable rabbit for me and placed him in this whimsical mixed media scene. I can't tell you how much I love it Katrin, thank you!

This pocket letter is from my pal, Bonnie, and we were swap partners for the Fun with Snowman Group Swap. I love the variety of snowmen, thank you Bonnie!

This pocket letter is from my first Australian pal, Sonia, and we were swap partners for the Winter Fun-Snowflake Group Swap. I love it Sonia!

My friend, Mary, and I were partnered for the Baking Group Swap and this is the adorable pocket letter she sent me. I love it, thank you Mary!

This winter themed pocket letter is from my Facebook pal, Aparna, in India. This was our second swap and I'm currently working on her third pocket letter. I love having friends all over the world. It makes me realize that we're basically all the same. Thanks Aparna for my fabulous pocket letter!

This beautiful pocket letter is from my group swap partner, Jennifer, for the What's in a Name? swap. We were to share the etymology of our partner's name and characteristics associated with it. I love the design of her letter and she really went above and beyond when creating this one for me. Thank you Jennifer!

Now you can see why I am enjoying being part of the Pocket Letter Pals community. On a separate note, this past Christmas was a difficult one for me and during the chaos I totally forgot to share my Christmas incoming pocket letters...so I will be sharing those tomorrow. Even though I'm terribly late I feel it's important to share every pl I receive. I hope my pals will forgive me for dropping the ball and will enjoy seeing them on my blog now. :)

Happy Friday everyone!

Lisa xx

Incoming Valentine Pocket Letters for February

I'm a bit late today but I'm gonna go with better late than never. In fact I should have shared these last month but February wasn't the best month for me personally. Real life took it's toll and I totally spaced on sharing the Valentine pocket letters that my pals from Pocket Letter Pals sent me. So today is the day and as you can see I have some really awesome pals. There's no favorite because I absolutely love the creativity behind each and every one. The pocket letter above is from my pal, Natasha, from England and I love her style. It was filled with goodies and she also gave me a beautiful floral hair pin plus a wire rose she made by hand. It's a lovely pocket letter and I can't thank you enough Tasha (her name at PLP's in case you want to swap with her as well). 

The next pocket letter is from my pal, Glenda, in Florida. We've swapped several times and I love the detail she added to each pocket. 

The adorable ladybug banner is so cute. Thanks Glenda!

This pocket letter is from my new pal, Nori, and it included fabric and mixed media. Am I a lucky girl or what to receive this awesome pocket letter. I'm excited that we arranged another swap for Easter! Thanks Nori!

This pocket letter is from my pal, Mary, in Florida and it's our 3rd swap. Not only did she send me this fabulous pl she also made a handmade book for recording my personal and group pl swaps. She always adds a little something extra and although she doesn't have to do that I appreciate her kindness. Mary is a sweetheart and I adore this pl! Thanks Mare :)

Last but certainly not least is a pl from my new pal, Cherise, in Michigan. I love the fun papers she used and the sweet little banner she added. She also included a metal heart ornament as a keepsake. I love this pl Cherise, thank you so much!

That updates my Valentine incoming pocket letters from my pals at Pocket Letter Pals. Tomorrow I'll be sharing more incoming pl's from January and February. 

Hugs,

Lisa