Great Weekend

What a great weekend!  Debbie, my downline, and myself drove to Kernersville Friday afternoon.  We stopped along the way at Enchanted Cottage, a huge stamp/scrapbook store in Lewisville.  I did pretty good .... only spending about $10!!  Friday night we had dinner at Macaroni Grill with a few of the gals who were taking my MDS class the next day.   We discovered a delicious wine that I hope to be able to find around here called Seven Sisters Moscato wine.  Delish!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful snow falling fast and furious.  It snowed all morning, not stopping until around 2 pm.  But luckily, none of it stuck.  The place where we held our class was a beautiful old house on several acres with a pond in front.  The room we were in upstairs had windows on all three sides so it was really nice to watch the snow falling.  I really enjoyed sharing my knowlede of MDS with the gals who were there.  It was most fulfilling to hear the ahh's and ohhh's going around the room when I showed them different things they could do with the program.  I really think everyone who was there left with the knowledge that they could open the program at home and play with it, trying different things, with not blowing up the program.  My favorite tool in the program is the "undo" and delete button and I use them regularly.

At the end of the day, Debbie and I started the ride back home. I was at ease since the snow had stopped and the roads were only wet and not icy. But the closer we got to home - driving mostly south - the more snow we saw. We both felt like we were in the Twilight Zone! Starting about in Statesville, with is about 30 miles from Mooresville, it was like a winter wonderland! The snow was in the trees and looked beautiful. After I dropped Debbie off at her house, I pulled over several times to take pictures. I even took pictures as I was driving from the front windshield. Enjoy the pictures!




Pagoda at our local library



Feeling Sentimental!

When I first saw this set in the Sale-a-bration catalog, I wasn't sold on it.  But as time as gone on, I have seen so many great cards using it.  So, since it was free ..... I decided to give it a try.  Most of these cards are CASE'd and I've added my own little touches.

This first one with the bicycle is made with the Naturals Ivory and Early Espresso card stock.  I used the retired Weathered background stamp for the background and stamped it in Soft Suede - stamping it off first.  The stamped tickets are from the set, That's the Ticket held in place with a Glimmer Brad and Baker's Twine. 

The next image is of the English postal box.  I remember seeing those on our trip across the ocean.   I tried to make this card real vintage'y.  I stamped all the images in Early Espresso and sponged all the edges.  The bottom of the card stock is torn with a piece of Espresso card stock torn and sandwiched in.  I stamped some images from French Foilage (the script and the droplets)  all over the card stock.  The twill tape is frayed on one end and sponged with brown ink and anchored with a Designer Brad.

The final card uses all the stamps in the set!  I stamped them on panels of Naturals card stock and adhered the panels to Early Espresso card stock and then to the Crumb Cake card.  Easy!!

Yesterday was Download Digital Tuesday!!  And SU gave us another FREEBIE!!  So make sure you hurry over and download your free Label This template.
There is also a Planner Template for sale also that looks pretty neat.  Check out all the downloads for this week.

Paper Craft Crew Challenge #28

I'm a little late in posting my Paper Craft Crew Challenge card today.  So sorry!  I ended up not doing the color challenge part and only the sketch challenge this month.  But after seeing the great cards made with the color challenge (Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron), maybe I should have given it a go.  The main reason I didn't do the color challenge was that I wanted to make a Valentine so that is what I did.

So - how do you like it?

Do you Like the Blog?

I'm still working on improving the look of my blog.  How do you like these colors?  I keep tweaking it to make sure it is easy for you to read so let me know if it is not.

We had a pretty cold weekend but that was ok.  Marianne came over Saturday and we worked on our swap cards to take to Kernersville this weekend.  I am doing a beginners class for the NC demonstrators on My Digital Studio and after lunch, we are going to do a card swap using products from the new mini catalog and the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  I will be sharing those cards with you next week.  Here is a sneak peek of mine -

 I actually used the whole spool of this ribbon so now I need to order more.  

On Sunday I spent all day on the computer working on my projects and presentation for next week's class.  There is so much I want to share and teach but only so much time to do it!  I hope the ladies come away with a better understanding of everything My Digital Studio2 can do!

I also spent the day Sunday watching football.  I was quite happy with the results although, truth be told, I didn't really care if Atlanta or San Francisco won except for the fact that I had chosen San Fran. in our Football Pool.  Since I chose both games correctly, I really moved up in the standings!!  Don't think it will put me in the money, but Sonny might have a chance - he's in 3rd place right now.  I've done pretty good and I'm only about 5 games back.

 Here is a card I made last week using some retired items - the DSP and the ribbon.  But I like the simplicity of the card.  It could be used for Valentine or any occasion actually.  

Have a good day.  We are heading to the Y in just a bit.  And this afternoon, we are going to the movies with the Golden Boys movie group to see Dark Thirty (I think that's the name).

It's that busy time of year!

It's that time of year .... soooo busy!  I have been working on projects for my Stamp Clubs to make this month.  I had several requests - tags, gifts, table gifts.  I tried to have several things on display for them to choose from which resulted in me having to bring most of the supplies from my craft room downstairs - most of the punches, Christmas stamps, paper, etc!  My Tuesday group was here today and they made a lot of different things even though they all grinched and groaned about how they were all sooo hard but they did fine.  I'll be sharing them with you soon.

I have been trying to also do some projects to send to my grandson for Christmas using My Digital Studio.  Here are a few games I made.  I just need to print them out with the game pieces that I made.  They can be played as is OR I could put some magnets on the back and they could be travel games played on a cookie tin!

Here is my card for the Paper Challenge this week.

Last Day for Sale! Paper Craft Challenge

 Today is the LAST DAY for Stampin' Up's Extravaganza Sale!!  Today's 24 hour specials are:

 Wednesday, November 28, midnight - 11:50 PM (MT)

Page	Item	Description	Retail Price	24-Hour Sale Price
7	118941	Clear Block Bundle (A-I)	$66.95	$53.56
7	120279	Clear Block Storage Caddy	$16.95	$13.56
175	109127	Stack & Store Caddy	$34.95	$27.96

				Today is also the Paper Craft Crew's Sketch Challenge.  Here is the card I made using MDS.  The little birds are embellishments from a Christmas kit (don't remember which one!)
				Keep in mind - BLOG CANDY…   We will be offering SOME type of BLOG CANDY at least ONCE a month!  BUT you will never know which week the Blog Candy will show up.   We have to keep you on your toes and coming back for more!  NOTE: shipping of blog candy within the United States is free, unfortunately, we must ask our international winners to pay for shipping on any blog candy they may win.

Free download!

Well, I guess you can see what I did yesterday .... my blog header and background.  I love creating these using My Digital Studio but I won't tell you how long it took me - not because it was hard, but because I kept changing my mind!!  

Sonny finally went to the doctor yesterday and got a Z-Pack.  So, hopefully between that and the decongestant, he will be on the mend real quick.  He did go shooting this morning but wasn't sure if he would shoot with the guys or just sit in the clubhouse.  At least he is getting out!!

I have a few things to share today.  First is this Thanksgiving scrap page I created for a challenge SU is doing.  

Next is another card that my guest designer (Ashley) created while she was here.  I just love her use of buttons!

So simple but so great!  She used the cupcake punch for the clouds.  This is one idea I may be borrowing - a great way to use all those buttons you have stuck away in your button jar!

Finally today is Stampin' Up's Digital Download Day and they are offering a FREE download Christmas tag.  So make sure you go to my store and download it FREE and check out the other great items available to buy.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! 

It's time for another Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  This week I decided to stay away from holiday cards this week and go with a fun colorful birthday card.  What do you think?

I downloaded a lot of kits a few weeks ago when Stampin' Up had their big MDS sale and I just have not had time to play with them.  So when I was searching for an idea, I saw this Topsy Turvy kit in my downloads and couldn't resist!  It's so bright and cheery.

To check out the other sketches, click HERE.

Have a great day!

Paper Craft Challenge 15

It's time for my sketch for the Paper Craft Crew.  We are trying something a little different.  We now have teams who are responsible for each week.  I am the leader for this week's team and we have some great cards for you.

Here is the sketch we were to work with:

And here is my card using My Digital Studio (of course!).

I will be drawing for the BLOG CANDY tonight .  So if you haven't left a comment HERE (for my give away) or HERE (for the grand prize), you better hurry!

How do you like my November blog header?  The turkey is made using flowers!  Love it!

Final Halloween Projects

Kinda glad Halloween is over.  I'm tired of seeing all the Halloween stuff!  Now, to clean up the decorations in my house and get ready for Thanksgiving.

Here are my final projects I made for Halloween.

These are the Tic Tac Holders that I made this weekend for a few friends.  Such fun!  Think I will do some for Christmas too.

I made this for my Monday Mailer.  I stamped the images from Wicked Cool and cut the little skirts free-handed after using paper punches.  Pretty cute, huh?

This is my final Monday Mailer .... and I really mean the final one.  Participation was getting bad and I was tired of begging each month and sending out emails to get the gals to show up.  So we put it to a vote and decided to try Weekly Challenges instead of Monday Mailers.  We'll see how that works.  I'm not starting that program until after the holidays though.

I've got good news to share!  Remember the neon page I did (HERE) that I did for a challenge for SU.  Well, I got an honorable mention!!  You can see the other pages HERE.  I was just glad to get a shout out for my project!

Don't Miss - Blog Candy by All Paper Craft Crew!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

This is the Grand Opening of the Paper Craft Crew Challenges. Please check out the blog and leave us a take on the sketch for this week. If you do the sketch and leave us a link to your sketch you will be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Prize Basket full of goodies! The Grand Prize drawing winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 7 and posted at 9pm EST the same day.  Mention that you read this on my blog, Inkie Fingers please!

Wait - there's more opportunities for you to win BLOG CANDY!  Make sure you visit each of the Crew's blogs, make a comment and you may be the winner of stamps, watercolor crayons, embossing folders, etc. from their blogs!!  There are several opportunities so go check out the other blogs after reading mine.  You will find a link  to the blogs in my side bar.

 Look for the Paper Craft Crew on Facebook!  You can like us by clicking HERE!  You can also find the Paper Craft Crew on Pinterest.

And, yes, I have some blog candy for you too but you have to leave me a comment below!!  Just like Trick or Treat!!  Tell me what your favorite Halloween costume was when you were growing up.  I think mine was dressing up like a hobo.  I loved Halloween growing up, didn't you?  There was always one house in the neighborhood that gave away caramel apples and we would make sure we went there before she ran out.  Too bad you can't do that in this day and age.  I feel sorry for all the kids in the northeast today that won't be able to go Trick or Treating.

My blog candy is a jar of Melon Mambo Embossing Powder, a spool of Raspberry Ripple Ribbon, a chip-board clipboard and this card below made with the Ornaments Bundle that was on sale this month.  We will be drawing for the prizes next week so stay tuned!

Our sketch for the week is:

And my take on the sketch using MDS2 is:

My Supply List:

Background     Color = Real Red

Embellishments
    Satin Ribbon\Satin Ribbon - Basic Black
    _Designer Kits\Eventful Year - embellishments\Eventful Year - pennant banner (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Brads\Basic Black - brad
    Brads\Basic Black - brad
    Brads\Basic Black - brad
    Satin Ribbon\Satin Ribbon - Basic Black bow

Stamps
    Hip and Handsome Overlays\Hip and Handsome Overlays
    _Designer Kits\Twitterpated\Twitterpated - flower outline, Color = WHISPER WHITE
    _Designer Kits\Twitterpated\Twitterpated - flower outline, Color = WHISPER WHITE
    _Designer Kits\Twitterpated\Twitterpated - flower outline, Color = WHISPER WHITE
    _Designer Kits\Spring Fever\Spring Fever - enjoy life, Color = BASIC BLACK
    _Designer Kits\Spring Fever\Spring Fever - enjoy life, Color = CHERRY COBBLER

Punches
    Labels & Tags\Top Note shape,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Love Letter - designer series paper\Love Letter - pattern 3
    Basics\Storytime - triangle, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\Storytime - triangle, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\Storytime - triangle, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK 

I don't know about you but I have been watching the news coverage about "Sandy" non-stop.  My heart goes out to the people in New York and New Jersey.  We got a call today from the Red Cross to see if we are available to deploy.  Unfortunately, I have a lot going on in the next couple of weeks so I can't go at this time.  I imagine they will be needing people for a while and maybe we'll be needed later.

OK - now leave a comment and go visit the other blogs!

Look What I've Made!

If you haven't downloaded the 3 FREE MDS downloads yet, what are you waiting for?  They are great! 

I had fun with them today.  

This first project is for an Advent Calendar I am going to make.  Sonny and I went to the Y and to lunch today and afterwards, he needed to go to Lowe's.  Well .... a new Hobby Lobby just opened right next door to Lowe's so he dropped me off there.  All their Christmas craft items were on sale for 50% off.  I found this cute Advent Calendar that I bought for about $5.  And that was before I saw the free download!  So I made little 2" squares with the "Day In December download and decorated each square.  The squares and the numbers are all from the free download.  Some of the elements used to decorate the squares are from it also; others are from various Christmas downloads that I have.  All I will have to do is just print these out onto card stock and cut out each square and adhere to the front of the little box!!  I'll share the finished product when I am done.

1-12 from A Day In December free download.

13-24 from A Day in December download

This next picture is a page I created using the free Enjoying Everything download featuring sweet little Jack IV, my great nephew.  I did a little recoloring, added the polka dot overlay and voila, a darling scrapbook page!

Enjoying Everything free download

 Next we have 2 pages I created with the final free download, A Split Second.  I used the pictures I took on our recent trip to the mountains for this two page spread.

Page 1 using A Split Second free download



Page 2 of A Split Second free download - pictures from Lake Lure

But that's not all .... More great deals!!
What: FREE downloads. 50% off ALL digital kits. Mega blogging on MyDigitalStudio.net all week!

When: October 29-November 5, 2012
Where:

Get your FREE downloads here (US/CAN).
Get your digital kits-ALL 50% off-here (US/CAN).

See project ideas and tips all week on MyDigitalStudio.net.  Share the digital love, and get even more in return! Tell your friends (and even your enemies) because if we get all the free items downloaded 18,000 times, we'll give a fourth one to everybody for FREE.

Post this button on your blogs and online pages to spread the word!

Neon Challenge

I am trying another Stampin' Up MDS challenge this week - wish me luck!  This week we are supposed to create something using bright, bright colors .... think Neon.  I found something similar to the page below doing a Google search and decided to create something similar using MDS.  I found the envelopes in the Limited Edition Kit but they didn't have a flap.  So, I created a flap using punches (square punch and Photo Corner) and filled them with color.

Here is the other one I did using a Pie Box Template from Unknown Blessings Kit.  I got leaves from a lot of different stamp sets - Autumn Days, French Foilage and Grateful Heart Thanksgiving.

Actually this is the original Thank You card looked like when I made it in September.  I just added some brighter colors to the one above so that it would meet the Neon challenge. It was pretty easy just to go in and recolor some of the elements.  That is one of the great changes to MDS2 that I love. 

Truthfully, I like the one below better!  What about you?

SU Scrap Map Challenge

We are notorious in our family for keeping our house pretty cold in the winter.  But, it works for us and we don't tend to be sick very much.  When I am in a place that is too hot, my nose and throat get so dried out so in the winter, we keep our thermostat around 70 and just put an extra layer.  So far we have not turned on our heater even though the nights have been dipping down in the 40s and the days are hovering around 70ish.  Actually, our house is so well insulated that it is colder inside than outside!  Last night we had our first fire.  Sammie did not know what to make of the flames in the fireplace and kept her distance curled up on my lap.  Since it has been colder, she has been sleeping in our bed but makes sure she stays on my side!  Yesterday morning she even snuggled down under the covers with me and Sonny captured our picture.

So with the cooler weather, I can get more in the mood for making Christmas cards!  They have all the decorations out in the stores so I guess we better get ready!!  I am going to have a Stamp a Stack for Christmas cards in November and I am trying out different cards for it.   I really got on a roll yesterday and made 4-5 cards.

Stampin' Up also has been having a contest on the MDS site each week with different challenges.  I have entered it a couple of times with no luck but I will keep trying.  This week it is to design a card or scrapbook page using their scrap map featured below.

Here is the page I created using some of my pictures from our London trip.  I used a lot of overlays from Hip and Handsome to make the background paper look grungy.  I used the new Ripped Pages technique for the background papers.  On most of the elements on the page, I used the Color Picker technique where I matched papers and elements to my pictures.  You can just hover over a color in a picture and match to a color.  I tried to do that with the purple paper to the purple in the flowers.  The text around the page was matched to the cream color in the paper also.  I used the new Freeform tool to "square" my text.  The word "london" is an alphabet punch filled with bits of the photos!  Such fun to create this while watching tv last night.

Christmas MDS Card and Paper Crew Challenge #11

It's Wednesday!  Time for my Paper Craft Crew Challenge MDS Style.  There are a lot of layers on this card.  I love to use the Overlays to make my own backgrounds and I used two on this one - the Hip and Handsome Overlays and Textured (which is listed as a stamp.)

Background:  Color = POOL PARTY 

Embellishments: 

_Designer Kits\Joyful Times - embellishments\Joyful Times - blue ornament 1
_Designer Kits\Joyful Times - embellishments\Joyful Times - green ornament 1
_Designer Kits\Joyful Times - embellishments\Joyful Times - red ornament 1
Taffeta Ribbon\Real Red
Taffeta Ribbon\Real Red - bow
_Designer Kits\Home for the Holidays - embellishments\Home for the Holidays - flag gifts (re-colored)Designer Kits\Holly & Jolly Embellishments\Holly & Jolly Embellishments - believe_Designer Kits\Joyful Times - embellishments\Joyful Times - red flower
Blossom Builders Rhinestones\Blossom Builders Rhinestones - 7mm Poppy Parade

Stamps:
Hip and Handsome Overlays\Hip and Handsome Overlays - 12, Color = VERY VANILLA Textured\Basic Black Texture, Color = VERY VANILLA
Textured\Basic Black Texture, Color = VERY VANILLA
Textured\Basic Black Texture, Color = VERY VANILLA
Textured\Basic Black Texture, Color = VERY VANILLA
Creatively Yours\Creatively Yours - created by, Color = WHISPER WHITE

Punches:
Labels & Tags\Labels Collection 1, Filled with: Designer Series Paper\First Edition - designer series paper\First Edition - 4


I actually created two cards for the challenge while I was at it.  Here is the second one:

Here are the supplies for it:

Background:  Color = 85,85,50

Embellishments
_Designer Kits\Very Merry Twenty-Five - embellishments\Very Merry Twenty-Five - top note label
_Designer Kits\Very Merry Twenty-Five - embellishments\Very Merry Twenty-Five - very merry 25 label
Designer Rosettes\Designer Rosettes - pointed old olive
Vintage Faceted Buttons\Vintage Faceted Buttons - small 1
_Designer Kits\Home for the Holidays - embellishments\Home for the Holidays - flag trees

Stamps
Vintage Overlays\Vintage Overlays - texture 1
Natural Composition Overlays\Natural Composition Overlays - 9, Color = VERY VANILLA
_Designer Kits\Eventful Year\Eventful Year - joy, Color = 165,29,45

I worked the Soup Kitchen yesterday and we made an old family favorite casserole that my mom used to make when I was growing up.  My mom was not much of a cook but a neighbor gave her this recipe and it was a good one for her to make.  I can't tell you how many times I've made it. I love to makeand take it to new neighbors or when you need to take a dish to a shut in, etc.  You can freeze it too and have it anytime. The people at the Soup Kitchen really enjoyed it.  If you want to make it, here is the recipe:   6 LAYER CASSEROLE 1 lb. hamburger meat (raw) layer of onion layer of green peppers layer of thin sliced potatoes 1 cup rice canned tomatoes on top   Cook 350 degrees for 1 hour.   I played Bunco and Left,Right,Center last night in my neighborhood.  I haven't joined the ladies for bunco in almost 2 years.  I don't know why.  I enjoy it whenever I go.  But it is always held on the 2nd Tuesday which is when Soup Kitchen is and I usually just don't feel up for it.  Tonight I was hungry though and knew Sonny would not want much for dinner since it is his shooting day and I was tired of soup!  I ended up winning one of the prizes for the most binkos so it was a productive evening as well as fun and I got to visit with some neighborhood friends that I hadn't seen in a while.

Paper Craft Challenge 10

It's time for another Paper Craft Crew Challenge .... #10 already!  I made this cute Christmas card using My Mittens stamp set in MDS2.   I also used the new feature that was just released yesterday to rip the edges of the paper.  This is done using the Freeform Tool.  I gave the sides of the DSP ripped edges and matted the DSP with red.  This really enhanced the torn edges.  I love this feature and will be playing with it a lot more.

Make sure to check out the other cards made by the design crew HERE.

What do you think of my new blog design?  I won't tell you how many hours it took me!  Not because it was hard, but I just kept adding different layers and overlays and recoloring the DSP to get just the right color.  In the end, I love it!  I was so in love with my previous blog design that I was worried I wouldn't come up with anything quite as good.  But I'm patting myself on the back because I like this one too!

I won't be posting tomorrow.  I am going to Forest City and Rutherfordton after my Newcomer's Coffee to visit with two of my ECU girlfriends.  Jackie still lives in Rutherfordton and Brenda's family is there although she lives on Baden Lake (west of me I think).  Brenda is going through some health issues which is hard for me to believe.  Of the three of us, she has the healthiest lifestyle.  She runs, plays golf, eats naturally, takes all kinds of vitamin supplements, etc.  Jackie and I ..... not so much!!  So it will be good to visit and find out what all is going on with both of them.  We usually always visit over a glass bottle of wine or a pitcher of frozen strawberry daiquiries and reminiscence about our college antics!  We've known each other for 46 years!  Wow - hard to believe.

Baby Cards Plus Lots of Stampin' Up Specials!

• Baby time!  I made two cards last week and then just waited for the babies to made their grand entrance.  Last Thursday Elliott Pierce Frazier was welcomed by his parents, Brittany and Travis and their daughter, Ryan.  Travis and Brittany are good friends of Ashley's and are both Army docs in Washington.   Ashley is excited to be able to meet Elliott this week since she is at Madigan in Washington teaching a class this week.  This is the card I made for them using a retired SU set:

Next was the arrival of Reed Alan Coskey on Friday.  Jeff and Heidi were super excited to welcome their first child!  I can't wait to meet him when we go to Texas in December!  Here is their card:

I used a non-SU stamp set on this one.  Their nursery is done in yellow and gray with giraffes so this card should work!

Several big announcements today from Stampin' Up to kick off October:

#1  -  Do you ever see a stamp set and wish you could purchase JUST ONE STAMP out of it?  Stampin' Up is trying something new and selling some stamps from a set INDIVIDUALLY!


Promotion Details:
These stamps are available on any order type-customer, workshop, or online.
To find the item numbers, click on the flyers. You have to use these item numbers.  The stamps won't be sent to you in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).

This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.  The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyers.

There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy.

Remember that this is a pilot program and currently available until January 2, so take advantage of it while you can!

The stamp sets they are trying this out on are as follows:  Word Play  / Perfectly Penned  / Seasonal Sayings
So click on the stamp sets and check it out!

#2  - Here's a big MDS announcement that will save you money!  Stampin' Up has lowered all of their My Digital Studio print products permanently! Now you can print your photobooks, cards, calendars, and other projects for less. Some have even been lowered up to 50 percent!  If you have MDS, a new update was added today so make sure you run an update when you use MDS next to reflect the new prices as well as the new features that have been added.
#3  - Christmas is just around the corner and Stampin' Up! would like to give you a gift- You can read more below or check it out HERE

You can order on line here.

Whew - a lot of news to share!