Click here for a Christmas video message from Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row.
A new video each day of the 12 Days of Christmas, through January 6!
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
HOOD CARAMEL EGG NOG REVIEW (VIDEO) - NATIONAL EGG NOG DAY!
Today's video will help you celebrate National Egg Nog Day!
It features a review of Hood's limited-edition Caramel Egg Nog.
A new video each day through January 6!
HECKUVARUSH - LAST DAY OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IN BETHESDA GUIDE (PHOTOS)
Caught at the last hour without Christmas gifts?
Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row to the rescue!
Here are gifts available right here in Bethesda that are sure to make recipients' hearts grow 3 times in size - even the Grinch!
FOR HIM:
Mr. Beer
What more do you need to know? This kit makes homemade beer in 14 days, and is available at Sears in Westfield Montgomery Mall.
FOR HER:
Starbucks Verissimo Coffee System
Get this money-saving home machine at - where else - Starbucks in Bethesda!
FOR KIDS:
North Pole Express train set
Available at Toys R Us, this nicely priced complete train set plays Christmas carols, and even hauls animated elves on 2 of its cars!
Check out these photos (Click to enlarge):
Sunday, December 23, 2012
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA CYLON ORNAMENT REVIEW (VIDEO)
Today's episode of the Christmas Countdown features a review of Hallmark's 2011 Battlestar Galactica Cylon Centurion Christmas ornament.
Come back every day for a new video through January 6!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
PRINGLES WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT POTATO CHIP REVIEW (VIDEO)
Can a peppermint chocolate potato chip really work? Watch my review on the Christmas Countdown today, and find out!
A new video each day through January 6!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Lights
The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 21
Going to view Christmas lights was one of my favorite activities as a child. It is a fun Christmas season activity for the whole family that only costs the price of a little gas and in some areas you can just walk your neighborhood. But many people are doing some, if not all, their viewing online; not only in the United States, but all over the world:
Video: The History of Christmas Tree Lights on the Internet
Video: World’s best Christmas light display to music
This house in Darboy,WI decorates each year to help support Make A Wish Foundation
Video: Beautiful! Medellin Colombia Christmas lights
And if your are going to do your light viewing from the computer verses driving around town to the actual homes and areas with displays then you might as well whip some goodies to enjoy while surfing the Internet for your Christmas light viewing, like:
Chocolate Covered Cherries
Let the whole family help make these taste tempters.
- 2 (10-ounce) jars maraschino cherries with stems
- 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips
- Drain cherries; discard juice or use for another purpose. Put cherries on paper towels to drain 100 percent.
- Put chocolate chips in a saucepan with a heavy bottom. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat.
- Dip cherries into chocolate; swirl to coat completely. Place on baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Refrigerate until set.
Note: If desired, dip some of the cherries in melted white chocolate chips instead of the semisweet chips.
Makes about 5 dozen
But especially if you have children, squeeze in at least one or two evenings for light viewing as a family, if you can.
Related:
Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!
The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness
Christmas for Pet People – Watch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor
Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!
NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…
Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music
Nativity – The Reason for the Season – ‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)
European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit
So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!
Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood
God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve
Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope
The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein
Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion Continues – Churches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica
Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas
What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?
“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods” – Animal Nativity
Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed
The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics
BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME
101 Creative House Decorating Ideas for the Christmas Season
No Christmas for Millions od American Families in 2011 - 2012 will be even worse
Thursday, December 20, 2012
The Best Christmas Gifts
“Christmas is the season when you buy this year’s gifts with next year’s money. Let us make this year different and fill it with gifts of meaning!” ~Author Unknown
The War on Christmas (and religion) verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – 20
The best physical Christmas gifts for children is getting them what they asked Santa for. It extends their belief in him and cements their joy for future Christmases as well as their memories. And then add some extras that will teach them or expose them to something positive. But the best long term gift(s) for children is establishing and maintaining traditions and making sure that at least part of your holiday is spent on discussing or participating in activities that revolve around the true meaning or reason for the Christmas season. But sometimes our budget just doesn’t meet our children’s wishes or our needs… So then what do you do? Checkout the following great story:
Running With Scissors: In the winter of 1986, life was good. I was a single mother with one adorable, healthy, blond-haired, blue-eyed boy; I had a good job; I had a not-so-good second job; I had a fixer-upper house; and I had one spoiled rotten Doxie dog. Norman Rockwell might not have been impressed with the broken-down white picket fence in the back yard, but I thought of my life as having “good bones.” A little sanding, some spackle, a new coat of paint and everything would be perfect.
Money being a bit on the short-side, Christmas was something I planned long-range. The clerks at the lay-away counters at WalMart and K-Mart knew me by name. Of course, the best-laid plans of Santa’s helpers can and do go awry from time to time. This year I was completely blind-sided by an animatronic, story-telling bear called Teddy Ruxpin. About three weeks before Christmas, my son, Derek, started talking incessantly about this Teddy Ruxpin toy, so I checked it out to see if it could be worked into The Grand Christmas Plan. I was horrified to discover this new must-have toy was a whopping $75 ( a lot of money in those days)! No way was this going to fit into the budget. Period. But this was all my precious baby could talk about, and I couldn’t afford it. I was crushed.
As I cruised the toy department hoping and praying I could come up with a suitable substitute, my eyes were drawn to a tiny stuffed bear, wearing a stocking cap and a Christmas sweater. I picked him up, adjusted his little sweater and stood there looking at him and, as I did, a New Plan suddenly came to me.
On Christmas Eve, after my son set out the requisite cookies and milk for Santa and finally went to sleep, I set my New Plan in motion. It was risky, but I thought it just might work. I retrieved the tiny bear from his hiding spot, and I sat down at the kitchen table and composed a note. A note from Santa to Derek. It went something like this:
Dear Derek,
Thank you for coming to visit me in the park and giving me your Christmas list. I know you asked for a Teddy Ruxpin toy, but I have been looking all over trying to find the perfect boy to take care of this little Christmas bear. He is very special and he needs a very special boy to take care of him. You have been such a good boy this year I know you are the only boy I can trust to give him the special care he needs. I hope you love him as much as I do. Merry Christmas!
Love, Santa 
I finished setting up the rest of the toy delivery from Santa, set Special Bear on top and tucked the note under one fuzzy little leg. And, yeah, there might have been a tear or two. I crossed my fingers, looked up at the ceiling, and went to bed.
The next morning, Derek bounded into the living room, and I stood back and watched. He picked up Special Bear, saw the note, and brought it to me to read to him. I read the note, took a deep breath and looked up at him. And this is what I saw.
Like magic, it was as if all thoughts of Teddy Ruxpin were gone. He was never mentioned again.
And, yes, Special Bear still lives. Every year since, he has occupied a place of honor in our home at Christmas and a special spot in our hearts. I always smile, give him a hug and adjust his sweater when I unpack him and remember that Very Special Bear Christmas. And, every year after Christmas, he is lovingly snuggled into his bubble wrap, placed in his special box and packed away. 
I always knew there would come a time when Special Bear would get passed to a grandchild and, after some discussion, it was decided the time has come for Special Bear to work his Christmas magic for my precious granddaughter. So, I gave Special Bear a booster-shot of love with one more hug, triple-bubble-wrapped him and placed him in a new box for his journey, along with two pictures I found of that special morning. Just so my son will know which box Special Bear is in, I did this. Think I overdid it?
And, when they ask me at the Post Office if I want insurance on this package, I’ll laugh, because you can’t put a price tag on what’s in that box. Christmas is not about the Teddy Ruxpins. It’s about the love and the Special Bear places in your heart.
Stuffed Bear – $4.99
Pictures & Frames – $24.95
Magical, twinkly, smiley, love-filled, makes-you-teary-eyed memories – PRICELESS
One word of advice though – take LOTS and LOTS of pictures, because you never know when a Special Bear moment will happen.
“Oh, would that Christmas lasted the whole year through, as it ought,” Charles Dickens lamented. “Would that the spirit of Christmas could live within our hearts every day of the year.” And this sentiment could be the best gift you give yourself as well as someone you know or know of that is in need! The Best Part of the Christmas Season is Love, Charity, and Kindness. Why not cut back on excess food and extravagant gifts and help a friend, a family (or family member) or a stranger in need? Whoever has two coats should share with someone with none. -Luke 3:11
Sometimes one of the toughest gifts is one for the parents or grandparents. It certainly depends on your budget, and you definitely want to show your gratitude, respect and love for them in an appropriate and special way. In case they are fond of pets, a pet is a great gift to help them cope with loneliness or boredom, whether you choose to buy a puppy or a senior dog or cat who needs a home for them, along with sufficient food for the pet. Or if your budget allows you can plan an exclusive romantic holiday for the two of them or a great evening out. Or you can go the other way and buy the latest technology like an inclusive LCD TV or laptop so that they can spend their time meaningfully. You can take them to the best (or their favorite) restaurant in the town to treat them with their favorite cuisine after watching a good movie together. It would be wonderful to order a personalized calendar containing the photographs of your parents in various moments of their lives or of your family or all the grandchildren. In case both of your parents or grandparents are bookworms you can gift them volumes of selected classics or the latest releases in the areas they enjoy. Or it would be really classy to find an antique clock or table lamp to enrich their décor.
And there are the gifts that come from the heart type that often take up more time than money to give. Or sometimes a lot of both, but in the end are the most meaningful… They include homemade gifts like baked goods, recipe jars, handmade ornaments, family cookbooks, scrapbooks, organized photo albums, digital photo frames filled with images or single reproduced and framed special photos, traditional Christmas Music CD’s like Johnny Mathis or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or movies like Miracle on 34th Street or any of the Best Holiday Movie Classics (hopefully to watch or listen to together), a book or family history written by you, a piece of art, a family heirloom handed down, a great home-cooked meal… and the list goes on since all our hearts are different.
But the greatest gift is togetherness and some true conversation including the subject of what Christmas is really all about!
How to Simplify Your Christmas Shopping
A friend of mine emailed me the following article: Achieved a lifetime ambition; finishing all my Christmas shopping, wrapping and mailing by December 1st
The author said that the trick is to use one of several (four) formulas or a combination thereof to do your shopping, rather than going crazy trying to be all things to all people as you devastate your bank account. I think that most of us can relate to the drained holiday bank account stretching from Halloween to New Years!!
The suggestions included a few of the following 10 categories:
- The easiest one, if time and lack of imagination are bigger factors than money, is to ask everyone what they want and just get it.
- Give everyone the same gift or at least split them into four or five types: one for the girls, one for the older gals, one for the boys, one the big boys and one for the pets.
- There is my least favorite which is giving everyone money or a gift card and unless you don’t mind being embarrassed, it ends up being the most impersonal while usually ending up costing you the most… or is right up there.
- Another is to give everyone a ‘what the heck is this’ gift or the white elephant method, good for a laugh and some conversation?!? But pretty much a total waste of money and only for those who really believe that it is the thought (or the lack of thought) that counts!
- Then there is the true budget conscious method suggesting you set a standard price per gift and don’t waiver or just re-gift in extra nice wrapping.
- There is the giving the gifts that matter method or ‘of need’, which includes bags of groceries, needed shoes and clothing items, pay someone’s utility bill or car payment or supplying some other needed help.
- There are the gifts of knowledge that are investments in someone, even when they don’t quite get it. It could be paying for a trip or camp, sending someone to a special class or program or tickets to the theatre, a copy of the Bible, the Constitution or an important book or books, or it could be a learning game, a transformational movie, a camera, movie camera or a computer. (Less electronic are better!! Give the gift of a real book not an online copy, board games not games on the Wii and gifts that will inspire and make people interact… talk and think.)
- Or how about the gift of love and sharing. Adopt a military family and make it family project. Volunteer to serve meals at the nearest mission or rescue. Take the family to the shelter and adopt a pet who needs a forever loving home, or volunteer to be a pet foster parent. Bake cookies for prisoners. Pick a tag from the tree at church or at work and give an angel gift or gifts. Invite a lonely neighbor over for Christmas dinner.
- And finally (again) there is the gift from the heart type of gifts that often take up more time than money to give. But from my experience, sometimes they take a lot of both, but in the end are the most meaningful… They include homemade gifts like baked goods, recipe jars, handmade ornaments, family cookbooks, scrapbooks, organized photo albums, digital photo frames filled with images or single reproduced and framed special photo, traditional Christmas Music CD’s like Johnny Mathis or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir or movies like Miracle on 34th Street or any of the Best Holiday Movie Classics (hopefully to watch or listen to together), a book or family history written by you, a piece of art, a family heirloom handed down, a great home-cooked meal… and the list goes on since all our hearts are different.
Some of these gifting methods require some real creativity; some take real guts, and others require an investment of the heart. But what we choose to give often says a lot about us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! God bless us all, every one!
Related:
Santa Photos… Often Yesterday’s Oooops Are Tomorrow’s Treasures!
The Best Part of the Christmas Season – Love, Charity, and Kindness
Christmas for Pet People – Watch Glenn Beck’s Emotional Tribute To His Dog, Victor
Adopt a Pet This Christmas… Or Give Someone a New Friend for Christmas (or Hanukah)!
NewsWeek and Jon Stewart Decree the War on Christmas is Over…
Carolling… or Caroling and Christmas Music
Nativity – The Reason for the Season – ‘Glory of Christmas’ begins final season at Crystal Cathedral (2008 to 2009)
European Markets or Christkindlmarkts Capture the Christmas Spirit
So Where Is the War on Christmas Coming From? – A Worthwhile Read!
Best Holiday Movie Classics – A Merry Christmas From Hollywood
God Rest Ye Merry Merchants – Christmas: An American Holiday and Tradition to Love and Preserve
Advent – The Season of Anticipation and Hope
The War on Christmas verses the Spirit of Christmas Series at AskMarion – with comments from Ben Stein
Atheists intimidate Santa Monica into eliminating Nativity… And So the War on Christmas and Freedom of Religion Continues – Churches Thwart Nativity Ban By Putting Up Living Displays In Santa Monica
Black Friday Holiday Shopping Kick-off Overshadows True Meaning of Christmas
What Movies in History Best Captures the Spirit of Thanksgiving?
“Holidays Are Great and Fun To Share With Our Pets, As Long As We Avoid the No-No Foods” – Animal Nativity
Christianity & Gun Owners in the Crosshairs: Chilling Tactic Exposed
The Need For A Christian Worldview of Freedom And Economics
BECK GOES GLOBAL, MEETS WITH CATHOLIC CLERGY & INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY LEADERS IN ROME
Great Stocking Stuffer Book for all Sports Fans: “Sarah Palin and the Wasilla Warriors”
Obama Administration’s War on Religion
A great read: Losing Our Religion: The Liberal Media’s Attack on Christianity
Merry Christmas and happy shopping!!
“When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” …G.K. Chesterton
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Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Merry & Bright
I have for you today yet another holiday card, combining two of this week's challenges. The layout is from the Viva La Verve December 2012 week 3 sketch and the colors are from the fabulous combo that The Play Date Cafe had this week (PDCC161).
The base is an A2 in Riding Hood Red followed by layers of white and DP from Teresa COllins - Christmas Cottage paper pad. The red and pink DP is from My Mind's Eye - Be Merry paper pad. The sentiment from Verve's Ornamental Christmas set was stamped on with with Olympia Green Versamark ink, cut out with Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, and sponged with Rose Romance ink. Rhinestones and some snowflakes cut out with Spellbinders Create-A-Flake 4 dies were used to accent the sentiment. Finally, brads, red Divine twine, and some jingle bells were added for bling and ring!!
Materials
Stamps: Verve Ornamental Christmas
Paper: White, Riding Hood Red, My Mind's Eye - Be Merry DP, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Olympia Green Versafine, Rose Romance
Accessories: red rhinestones, Red Divine Twine, jingle bells, brads, red glitter brad
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, Spellbinders Create-A-Flake 4 dies
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Best Fishes
Here's a quick gift I put together for a very dear college friend. She works for the state fisheries department, so I though that this stamp from The Cat's Pajamas was just perfect!! I'm running out of sketch and color challenges that would work for this card, so I had to do it all on my own. The companion gift is a loaf of Eggnog bread which I saw over on twelveOeight this week and thought that I just had to try it!!
About the Card
The base is an A2 in Mellow Moss followed by layers of DP from Fancy Pants Designs - Home for Christmas paper pad. The pennant banner was punched using the Verve Ribbon banner die and the horizontal piece was punched using the TCP Big Scallop Border die. The image was stamped on with with Onyx Versafine and colored with Prismacolor pencils and Goo Gone or paper pierced with DP. The panel was cut out, embossed, and sponged with Mellow Moss ink using Spellbinders Labels 22 dies. The edges were distressed with a little Antique Linen distress ink. The sentiment was printed on DP and cut out with the SU small oval punch. It was then mounted on a panel of Mellow Moss cut out with Spellbinders Fancy Tags 1 dies. Ribbon was added for some bling!! The snowflake accent was cut out with Spellbinders Create-a-flake 4 dies and 10lb. twine and bells were added for fun.
Materials
Stamps: TCP Best Fishes
Paper: white, Mellow Moss, Fancy Pants Design - Home for Christmas DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Mellow Moss, Antique Linen distress ink
Accessories: burgundy ribbon, jingle bells, 10lb. twine
Tools: Verve Ribbon Banner die, TCP Big Scallop Border die, Spellbinders Create-A-Flake Four, Labels 22, & Fancy Tags1 dies, SU Small oval punch,
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Christmas in the Heart
Another holiday card finished, combining another two weekly challenges. Today's challenges used were the colors from The Paper Players (PP125) and this week's sketch from Mojo Monday (MOJO271). These colors were just so fabulous, I just love the light pastel with the rich, bold red!! I seem to be addicted to Verve's Christmas in the Air set as it keeps finding it's way back onto my desk.
The base is an A2 in Pool Party followed by layers of kraft and DP from Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage and My Mind's Eye - Be Merry. The circular panels were cut using Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies and mounted over a doilie. The sentiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air was stamped on kraft in Onyx Versafine and cut out using Spellbinders Labels 1 dies. The snowflakes were stamped with Versamark ink and accented with rhinestones. The panel border was cut from Cherry Cobler using Spellbinders Labels 1 dies. The scalloped border was cut from Pool Party using Spellbinders lacy squares dies. Finally, ribbon, 10lb. twine, and aqua bells were added for bling!!
Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Kraft, Pool Party, Cherry Cobler, My Mind's Eye - Be Merry DP, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Versamark
Accessories: aqua rhinestones, ribbon, jingle bells, 10lb. twine, doilie
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle dies, Spellbinders Labels 1 dies, Spellbinders lacy squares dies
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Happy Holidays
Another holiday card finishing up two more challenges this week. This card satisfy the Color Throwdown challenge (CTD221) colors and uses the sketch from Viva La Verve December 2012 week 1. The sketch was designed for a square card, but I went with an A2 since I don't have any square envelopes. However, in the end I'm not quite sure those jingle bells will fit in the envelope!
The base is an A2 in kraft (didn't have Crumb Cake) followed by layers of black and DP from Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage paper pad. The circle panel was cut out with spellbinders nestabilities circle dies and the corners on the long panel were punched with the SU large corner rounder. The black filigre at the bottom was punched out of black using Spellbinders Fancy Tags 1 dies. The sentiment from Verve's Santa's Helper was printed on Kraft with Onyx Versafine ink and cut out with Verve Mini Vintage oval dies. The image was printed on white with Onyx Versafine, colored with Prismacolor pencils and Goo Gone and cut out. The image was embellished with a red rhinestone and Xmas Red Stickles before mounting on dimensionals. Finally, ribbon, 10lb. twine, and green jingle bells were added for bling!!
Materials
Stamps: Verve Santa's Helper
Paper: 110lb. white, Kraft, black, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine
Accessories: red rhinestone, Xmas Red Stickles, ribbon, 10lb. twine, jingle bells
Tools: Verve Mini Vintage Oval Dies, Spellbinder Nestabilities circles & Fancy Tags 1 dies, Prismacolor Pencils, SU large corner rounder punch
Joy
Here is another holiday card combining two different challenges, The Play Date Cafe's color challenge (#160) and the Viva La Verve December 2012 week 2 sketch. The colors from PDC(below) were really tricky for me and I had to combine prints from two different paper pads to get the cool holiday look. I also had some fun playing with felt and die cuts to accent that sentiment.
The base is an A2 in Cream followed by layers of Not Quite Navy and DP from Teresa Collins Christmas Cottage paper pad and My Mind's Eye - Indie Chic "Citron" paper pad. The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink and distressed. The main sentiment from Verve's Glad tidings was stamped on cream with Vintage Sepia Versafine and cut out, embossed and sponged with Bordering Blue inks using Spellbinders Labels 25 dies. The mount was cut out of Not Quite Navy using Spellbinder Ironwork accents dies before embellishing with rhinestones. The Snowflake was cut out of white felt using Verve's Snowflake Tidings dies before sponging with Antique linen distress ink. The Snowflake was stamped with Bordering blue on cream and also distressed. Buttons, 10lb. twine, seam binding and brads were added for bling!
Materials
Stamps: Verve Glad Tidings
Paper: Cream, Not Quite Navy, My Mind's Eye - Indie Chic "Citron" DP, Teresa COllins - Christmas Cottage DP
Ink: Vintage Sepia Versafine, Bordering Blue, Antique Linen distress ink
Accessories: rhinestones, seam binding, buttons, 10lb. twine, brads, felt
Tools: Verve Snowflake Tidings dies, Spellbinders Labels 25 dies, Spellbinders Ironwork accent dies
Thursday, December 6, 2012
With Feeling!
I've been thinking a lot lately about CAS card design as I see all the lovely CAS cards in online galleries. I have come to the conclusion that I would like to get better at crafting this style of card. Here is one of my first shots at this, with feeling!! I decided to use the CAS sketch FTL219 (below). I paired this sketch with an adorable image from The Cat's Pajamas and tried to keep the layers and embellishments to a minimum. I even chose a simple plain white glitter for the snowballs to tone down the bling!! After the project finally came together, I really enjoyed the challenge!!
About the Card
The base is an A2 in textured white followed by a layer of Pool Party. The main image and sentiment from, TCP's Snow Day was stamped on SU white with Onyx Versafine ink and colored with Prismacolor pencils and Goo Gone. The image was further embellished with MS crystal fine glitter. The corner was rounded with the SU large corner rounder punch and the scalloped border was cut out with Spellbinders lacy squares dies.
Materials
Stamps: TCP Snow Day
Paper: Pool Party, kraft, SU white
Ink: Onyx Versafine
Accessories: MS crystal fine glitter
Tools: Prismacolor Pencils, Spellbinders lacy squares die, SU large corner rounder punch
Stamps: TCP Snow Day
Paper: Pool Party, kraft, SU white
Ink: Onyx Versafine
Accessories: MS crystal fine glitter
Tools: Prismacolor Pencils, Spellbinders lacy squares die, SU large corner rounder punch
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Christmas
Here's another Christmas card featuring two last-minute challenges. The sketch for the card was taken from this week's Deconstructed Sketch (#79) and the colors were taken from the current CR84FN challenge (#68). I really enjoyed this layout as it was a big throwback for me not to use any die cuts, but choose punches to accent my sentiment. I forgot how tough it was to stamp straight! The colors were just fabulous to coordinate with a new MME paper pad that I picked up the other day.
The base is an A2 in Cream followed by layers of Gray and DP from My Mind's Eye Santa Claus paper pad. The edges were gently sponged with Tea Dye distress ink to even out the paper designs. The sentiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air was stamped on white with Onyx Versafine ink and sponged with Tea dye and Antique linen distress inks. The corner was rounded with the SU small corner rounder punch. Rhinestones were used to accent the quote. The snowflake was punched out of gray with the Spellbinders Creat-A-Flake Four dies and bells and twine were used to accent. Finally, ribbon and brads were added for more bling!!
Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Cream, Gray, My Mind's Eye - Santa Claus DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Antique Linen & Tea Dye distress inks
Accessories: rhinestones, burgundy ribbon, jingle bells, 10lb. twine, brads
Tools: Spellbinders Creat-A-Flake Four dies, SU Small corner rounder punch
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
It's the most...
Oh December...you're here!! After a busy weekend of baking, I think I have a good chunk of the cookies made, so now it's back to making more cards!! This card uses this week's Mojo Monday sketch (MOJO270) and Verve's Christmas in the Air stamp set. Add some snowflakes, jingle bells and glitter and presto...one more holiday card done!!
The base is an A2 in Lucky Limeade followed by layers of white and DP from My Mind's Eye - Be Merry paper pad. The edges were sponged with Antique Linen distress ink to help the colors blend with the DP. The scalloped border was cut with MFT medium scallop border die and ribbon with some divine twine and jingle bells were added for bling. The entiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air set was stamped on white with Vintage Sepia Versafine ink. The panel was then cut out with Spellbinders Labels 14 dies and sponged with Pink Pirouette ink. The snowflakes were cut out of Riding Hood Red and Lucklimeade paper with Spellbinders Create-A-Flake Four dies before sponging with Crystal Stickles and embellishment with crystal rhinestones.
Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Lucky Limeade, white, Riding Hood Red, My Mind's Eye - Be Merry DP
Ink: Vintage Sepia Versafine, Pink Pirouette, Antique Linen distress ink
Accessories: Crystal Stickles, crystal rhinestones, red ribbon, jingle bells, aqua Divine twine
Tools: Spellbinders Labels 14 and Creat-A-Flake Four dies, MFT medium scalloped border die
Thursday, November 29, 2012
ISSC44 - Cheers
Here's my card using this week's iSpy Sketch (ISSC44). This week's sketch is based on this super cute card from artist Christine Okken. I decided to use this adorable little penguin from The Cat's Pajamas. Their recent release is so adorable that I was planning on using one of the new images with this sketch. However, a lost mail key has the poor critters sitting out in the cold. Hopefully the key will turn up soon!!
Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents!
The base is an A2 in white followed by black and DP from My Mind's Eye - Christmas paper pad. The image from TCP's Make Merry was printed on white with Onyx Versafine ink and cut out with Spellbinders circle nestabilities. The images was colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Goo Gone and embellished with Silver Stickles and rhinestones. The edges were sponged with Black Soot distress ink. The horizontal border was cut using the TCP Big Scallop Border CutUps. Black ribbon, a button and some twine were added for bling!!
Materials
Stamps: TCP Make Merry
Paper: white, black, My Mind's Eye - Christmas DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine, Black Soot distress ink
Accessories: Silver Stickles, rhinestones, ribbon, button, red twine
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle, TCP Big Scallop Border CutUps, Prismacolor Pencils
Thursday, November 22, 2012
ISSC43 - Winter Wonderland
Here is my card using this week's iSpy Sketch challenge (ISSC43). This week's sketch is inspired by this fabulous card by artist Jean Martin. I thought his sketch was just perfect for the snowflakes in Verve's Christmas in the Air set. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday this week!!
Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents!
About the Card
The base is an A2 in Baja Breeze followed by layers of Kraft and DP from Carta Bella - Winter Fun papd pad. The layer of Soft Sky was stamped with a sentiment from Verve's Christmas in the Air set using Vintage Sepia ink. Snowflakes from the set were stamped in Baja Breeze or Creamy Caramel ink on Kraft or Baja Breeze papers. The snowflakes were cut out using Verve's Frosty Snowflakes dies, then embellished with Crystal Stickles and rhinestones. Seam binding and aqua bells were added as per the sketch. The trees were stamped on DP with Vintage Sepia Versafine ink and cut out using Verve's Winter Fun dies. They were embellished with Crystal Stickles and mounted with 3D dots.
Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: Kraft, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Carta Bella - Winter Fun DP
Ink: Vintage Sepia Versafine, Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Crystal Stickles, rhinestones, seam binding, aqua bells
Tools: Verve Winter Fun & Frosty Snowflakes Dies
Thursday, November 8, 2012
ISSC41 - Dashing
My card featuring this week's iSpy Sketch challenge (ISSC41) also combines the inspiration of the current Runway Inspired Challenge (#23). This week's iSpy sketch was inspired by this card by artist Chris Franco. These were both tough challenges between the sunburst sketch pattern and the modern elements of the fashion piece. From the fashion piece, I utilized the colors, stripes, and tried to use elements of the bag such as the pattern and the black round handles.
Please hop on over to iSpy Sketches for more info about this week's challenge and some other great inspiration pieces from the Secret Agents!
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The base is an A2 in white followed by layers of black and DP from My Mind's Eye - Christmas paper pad. The edges were distressed and some papers were embellished with Silver and Xmas Red Stickles. The main image from Verve's Christmas in he Air was stamped on white using Onyx Versafine and colored in with Stickles. The panel and mount were cut out using Spellbinder's Nestabilities circle dies and rhinestones were added for bling. White satin ribbon was used and adorned with silver bells. The sentiment, also from Verve's Christmas in he Air, was printed on Vellum with Onyx Versafine and the edge cut with Verve's ribbon banner die.
Materials
Stamps: Verve Christmas in the Air
Paper: white, black, vellum, My Mind's Eye - Christmas DP
Ink: Onyx Versafine
Accessories: Xmas Red and Silver Stickles, rhinestones, satin ribbon, silver bells
Tools: Spellbinders Nestabilities circle Verve Ribbon Banner Die
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