Holiday Penguins

I know that Christmas is over but it's never too early to start working on this year's cards, right? Besides, I won this cute little Penguin Agenda stamp and die set by Mama Elephant in a blog giveaway recently and loved stamping these festive little guys. I couldn't find the matching dies when it came time to cut them out so I resorted to old school fussy cutting (which I'm used to anyway). The tag dies are Gina K and Pretty Pink Posh, and the embossing folder is Sizzix. I added some fuzzy fiber from my stash and used a notecard set that a friend gave me for Christmas as my card base. Love that plaid! P/S; I just now noticed that the embossing folder pattern looks a lot like the embossed pattern on my roll of kitchen paper towels, haha!

Rudolph Days January challenge
CHNC challenge 474
ABC Christmas challenge, B is for Bingo. I used the elements of Patterned paper, layers and a die 
CHN Jan. PP challenge
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
Christmas Kickstart challenge 27, penguin parade
Craft Stamper January challenge 
Cardz TV challenge 106

Sweater Weather

I have had this adorable stamp set by Simon Says Stamp (Right Meow) for awhile now but I've haven't used it yet. Hard to believe, right..because these kitty images are so ridiculously adorable. However, I remedied that tonight by inking up this little kitty . I colored a pale blue background with alcohol markers and added some windy swirls to go with the sweater weather theme. I had to add a go-cup of hot coffee to warm him up of course (Currently Drinking, by Waffle Flower). Then I rummaged through my paper scraps until I found this wonderful patterned paper that reminds me of a sweater. Cut the tag with a die by Gina K, and the stitched flag by LDRS. Some stars, cut with a Paper Smooches die, and a bit of twine finished it up. The stitched scalloped rectangle is by Kat Scrappiness.

 Die Cut Divas jan. challenge, new things
Crafty Cardmakers jan. challenge, AG
CWS challenge 46, use a scarf
Crafty Calendar Jan. challenge, add a tag
Tuesday Throwdown 449, layerd die cuts
SSS Wednesday challenge, Pets
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
SUYP challenge 49, AG with a cat
Caffeine Fueled Coffee Lovers Jan. challenge. I used products by Waffle Flower and Kat Scrappiness
Meant to be Sent challenge, make a card and send it. Sent it out this week!

Wine Tag

I don't drink wine myself, but a number of my friends do, so it's always fun to make up a fancy tag when I give a gift of wine. This tag uses a new die set by Kat Scrappiness (Wine Not), along with script and ledger stamps by Prima. This die set is a great way to use up little snippets from your craft stash, as all the layers are separate dies.

Pixie's Snippets challenge 369. I used all snippets, including for the kraft tag
Kat Scrappiness Jan. challenge, no designer paper
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
Crafty Cardmakers, AG
Die Cut Divas Jan. challenge, something new with dies
Crafty Calendar Jan. challenge, add a tag
Color Dare challenge 377. I used the bottom row of colors for Ivy, Mink and Sangria
Tuesday Throwdown challenge 449, layered die cuts
The Creative Crafters Jan. challenge 24, AG
Pammie's Inky Pinkie challenge AG

Poochie Coffee Time

I made several of these calendars to give as stocking stuffers to a few dog lovers in my family. The image is by The Cats Pajamas (from Big Cups), and paper is from my scrap stash. These mini-calendars are by Taylored Expressions.  This lazy pooch always makes me giggle

Caffeine Fueled Paper Challenge. I used a stamp by The Cats Pajamas, a previous super sponsor

Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG

2Crafty Critter Crazies Jan. challenge, critters
Crafty Cardmakers Jan. challenge, AG
CHN Jan. PP challenge
Creative Inspirations Jan.. challenge. Something new (new year) or something old (TCP stamp set)
Craft Stamper Jan. challenge, AG with stamping

Techie Birthday for Son-In-Law (and more family photos)

With all the activity during the holidays, I had a mad dash to make my son-in-law's birthday card tonight, as his birthday was already past.  I inked up this Gina K. cling stamp set (an older set, but brand new to me) called Tech Talk to make him this fun card. As son-in-law uses a laptop for work, and likes his coffee every morning, I put this scene together..and then added balloons from Big Birthday by Simon Says Stamp, enamel shapes and Nuvo drops. It was very hard to leave this CAS and not add a bunch of extra "stuff" in that upper right hand corner, but I thought it looked more masculine with an uncluttered design. This CAS design is a great one for sending through the mail because it's only got a little bit of dimension.

MFT birthday project challenge, CAS card
A Place to Start Jan. challenge, AG optional CAS
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG with stamping

Crafty Cardmakers Jan. challenge, AG
Caffeine Fueled January Paper Play challenge . I used a stamp set by Gina K, one of the previous sponsors
Let's Craft and Create challenge 155, AG 
Craft Stamper January take it make it challenge, AG with stamps
Tuesday Throwdown 448, something new

Stamplorations Jan. CAS challenge

So, this son-in-law is married to my daughter Shannon (known online as by many of you as SHartl), and is the dad to my darling 2 crafty granddaughters, Remi and Blair. He is also dad to our youngest addition to the family, Briggs, who just turned 1. Here is a photo of daughter, son-in-law, and Remi and Blair on the way to see Cirque du Soleil in San Francisco this past weekend, while we babysat Briggs. Not only did I have a ball with Briggs, but I even played with Remi's WeRMemory Keepers emoji punch board, that she got from Santa. Win/win all the way!

and here is a link to a previous post where I got to show off Briggs playing in his toddler swing which we gave him for his birthday.
Yeti or Not

Be Jolly

I pulled out a very old Stampin' Up wood mounted stamp set to make this monochromatic blue card for my Christmas card stash. The paper is by DCWV, and the sentiment is by Momenta. The stitched square die is by Cottage Cutz and the stitched oval is Gina Marie.  I heat embossed the snowman image and added twine to finish it.

CWS #46, use a scarf
SSS Work it Wednesday, snowflakes
Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG

ABC Christmas challenge. B is for Bingo. I used Patterned paper, layers, and a die cut
CHN Jan. PP challenge
Double Trouble challenge 47. I did Thing 1, 2 and 3
StinkinInkers Jan. challenge, something to warm up. A cozy scarf anyone??

Creative Fingers 177, AG
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something old or new. I used something OLD!

Tropical Birthday Greetings

I colored up another new image by Bugaboo stamps (Summer Collage) to make this birthday card for my niece, who loves the sun and tropical designs. I used my Versamark pen to add clear embossing to a number of the images, but the photo doesn't really show this detail well, so I have a small close up of part of the card to show the shine. With the weather outside all gray and dreary, it was like a burst of sunshine to color up these fun summer icons. The tag die is by My Craft Spot and the sentiment is by Cardz TV, from Mini-Messages. I didn't have the right card-stock for the tag mat, so just colored it up with my alcohol markers to match my image. A little bakers twine and enamel dots by Vicki Bouton finishes it up.

Creative Fingers challenge 177 , AG

Crafty Calendar Jan. challenge, add a tag

Creative Craft Cottage 124, AG
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new

Let's Craft and Create AG or option Love
Dragonfly Dreams Jan. challenge AG
Double Trouble challenge 47. I did Thing 1 (heat embossing), Thing 2 (linked to Stinkin Inkers) and Thing 3 (something hot)
StinkinInkers Jan. challenge, something warm 
Meant to be Sent challenge, make a card and send it.

Lucky Dog

I colored up another sweet image by Bugaboo Stamps to make this Valentine's Day card for my husband.  The sentiment is by MFT from Canine Companions and the button die is also by MFT. The embossing folder is Cuttlebug. I almost never use digi stamps but the Bugaboo images are so adorable that I can't resist. The pup image and the sentiment are both new.

Word Art Wednesday 420-421
SSS Monday challenge, something new. The Bugaboo digi is new and is the MFT sentiment
Creative Craft Cottage Jan. challenge, AG
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
Southern Girls challenge January New Years challenge, AG
A Place to Start, AG with opt. CAS
Lets Craft and Create 155, AG or Love
Double Trouble challenge 47. I used thing 1 (embossing) and thing 3 (They say that happiness is a "warm" puppy, and love also keeps you warm)

2 Crafty Critter Crazies, AG with a critter

Stamplorations Jan. Theme and Photo Prompt challenge. I used the photo prompt of a heart

Birthday Shenanigans

I have had this fun digi stamp (Party Pig Trio) from Bugaboo stamps that I hadn't colored up yet so I pulled it out and had a blast making this silly birthday card. I even used a border punch by EK Success along the bottom, as well as a scalloped rectangle die set by Kat Scrappiness. The sentiment is by CAS-ual Friday stamps.

Catch the Bug January challenge, AG. I used the Party Pig Trio by Bugaboo

Double D January Challenge, use a punch. I used a border punch by EK Success
Kat Scrappiness Jan. challenge, no designer paper. I also used a Kat Scrappiness die
A Place to Start, AG with Optional CAS

SSS Monday challenge, something new. The Kat Scrappiness die and the stamp image are both new
Creative Craft Cottage challenge 125, AG
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
Tuesday Throwdown 448, something new. The die and image are both new
Dragonfly Dreams jan. challenge, AG
2Crafty Critter Crazies, AG with a critter
SugarPea Designs Meant to be Sent: make a card and send it. This one went to a crafter in a birthday card club

It's A Big Deal

I needed a congratulations card for a niece of mine, but wanted it to be whimsical and fun instead of serious. So I pulled out my Think Fast stamp set by Paper Smooches and used the sketch by MFT (MFT470) to make this silly card. The best part was that I used some scraps from my scrap stash that have been there forever! I think the colors in this card would work for a guy as well too, don't you? The french fry and ice cream images are new, as is the sentiment. The enamel dots and googly eyes are also new.

 MFT Sketch challenge 470

Paper Smooches Jan. challenge, anything cold with PS. I used a COLD drink and ice cream image!
SSS Wednesday challenge, something new. The PS stamp set images and the googly eyes are new
Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG with stamping

CHN Jan. PP challenge
Creative Craft Cottage 125, AG
Creative Inspirations January challenge, something new or something old.
The Creative Crafters challenge 23, AG
A Place to Start, AG with optional CAS
Cardz TV 105
SugarPea Designs, Meant to be Sent: make a card and send it. I sent this one to my niece

Teacher Calendar

I made several calendars for my granddaughters to give to their teachers and tutor at Christmas, and used a new-to-me stamp set by Gina K. Designs (Back to School) . This one was for the kindergarten teacher, so I used primary colors and fun images that I colored with alcohol markers. The stitched square die, and the plain square die  are by Cottage Cutz , with paper by DCWV.

SSS Wednesday challenge, something new. The stamp set is new.
Word Art 420-421
Cardz TV challenge 105
Lost Coast Challenge 90, AG with stamping

Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
Die Cut Divas January challenge, something new with a die. The stamp set is new and I used a stitched square die by Cottage Cutz
CHN January PP challenge 
The Creative Crafter 23, AG

Penguin Wishes

I recently saw the Christmas Kickstart challenge to use a penguin, so I pulled out a stamp set by Penny Black that I've never inked up and made this. The penguin and his scarf are all a solid color so I stamped it once in black and then again in blue. Fussy cut the blue scarf and earmuffs, then added a sentiment by Momenta. I also fussy cut some snowflakes from a different sheet of patterned paper from the same DCWV stack.
I am also patting myself on the back for actually using ribbon for a change! I broke out this spool of cute ribbon by Recollections and added a little bow. The scalloped border was made with a border punch by Stampin'Up.

Penny Black Saturday January challenge, something new with PB
SSS Monday challenge, something new. The penguin stamp set by Penny Black is new, as is the ribbon.
Christmas Kickstart challenge 27, penguin parade
CWS challenge 46, use a scarf

SSS work it Wednesday, snowflakes
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new

Yeti or Not

My little grandson, Briggs, turned 1 in December but we didn't celebrate his birthday then because of all the holiday activities. However, I did manage to make this adorable little Yeti card , using stamps (Yeti or Not) and a word die by Winnie and Walter. The stitched snow hills are by MFT, and stitched rectangle by Lawn Fawn. I was so sad to see Winnie and Walter close down but will continue to use their beautiful stamps for years ahead. This was the first time I inked up the Yeti set and used this word die.

Color Dare challenge 375, monochromatic blue

The Creative Crafter challenge 23, AG
MAWTT challenge 114, something new. The stamps and dies are all new
Die Cut Divas Jan. challenge, die with new things. The stamps and dies are all new
MFT Birthday Project, CAS birthday
Tales from the Craft Room challenge 1, something new
Creative Inspirations Jan. challenge, something new
SSS Work it Wednesday, snowflakes
Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG with stamping

And now, the birthday boy himself..all bundled up in the backyard swing.

Is it Friday yet, and meet my grandchildren

I also made this cat mini-calendar for my daughter-in-law who LOVES cats. The stamp is by The Cat's Pajamas, and the patterned paper is by DCWV. This one has a magnetic back.

SUYP challenge 49, AG with cats
Word Art Wednesday 420-421
CHN January PP challenge
Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG with stamping

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Jan. challenge, critters
MAWTT Jan. challenge, something new. This calendar represents a NEW YEAR
Double Trouble challenge 46. I did thing 1 (AG), thing 2 (linked up to 2 Crafty Critter Crazies) andthing 3( the DCWV paper is new)

I added this photo of my grandchildren to a previous post but, then Remi pointed out that I really should have added it to a post with a cat project on it. So...moving them on over to share the spotlight with a cat, haha!

We spent Christmas day with my two granddaughters, Remi and Blair, and their little brother, Briggs and had the best time!   Remi and Blair who participate in the Cat Lovers Challenge love to stamp and draw every chance they get. Many of you have left wonderful comments on both Blair and Remi's Cat Lovers hop projects, so thought you would enjoy seeing the faces behind the projects. In addition, they are also the proud owners of Loopy the Christmas Elf , who participates in Diana Larson's Annual Elf Antics. This first photo was taken in late August, which explains those summery clothes. Remi is carrying her little brother, Briggs, in this photo and she's a wonderful big sister to him.  I spend a lot of time with these three, and they often inspire my card-making.

Feline Blooms mini calendar

Here is another mini-calendar that I made as a stocking stuffer. I used the Laurel Burch, Feline Blooms stamp set by Stampendous for this one. I added an eyelet for hanging, and a couple of sparkly rhinestones, just because!

SUYP challenge 49, anything goes with cats
Lost Coast Designs challenge 90, AG with stamping

2 Crafty Critter Crazies Jan. challenge, critters
MAWTT Jan. challenge, something new. What could be newer than a new year?!
Double Trouble challenge 46. I did Thing 1 (AG), and Thing 2 (linked up to 2 Crafty Critter Crazies)