Christmas Cards for OWH

It's been a bit busy lately as I was determined to get these cards done and sent out for Operation Write Home. The deadline for Christmas cards is October 31st. I have had 'good intentions' all year long but I wasn't going to let the year end without getting a box sent.

The first card wasn't for OWH, it was just the warm up...something that had been rattling around in my head for a while that had to get done. I took two stamps and combined them, using the wonderful stamp aligning tool! and got them centered into the small oval of the first layer.

Kraft base, paper from "Over the Moon Press" EK Sucess;
layers with Spellbinders dies;
stamps: "ours to yours"  and  "Holiday Hideaway" both by Stampendous
RibbonFX for Hobby Lobby

This close up is to see the crystal on the star of the "i" in Christmas.

paper from "Over the Moon Press" EK Sucess
Kraft base, red cardstock-Hollos red gingham check
Swarovski crystal, white rick rack trim.

on gray cardstock base red and white cardstock for punched snowflakes (EKSucess)  red brads

A simple tag card using the punches for the snowflakes and tags

Yet another variation of a card I showcased in July this one with a red white and blue color theme.

stamp Natures Blessing
blue with white flecks card base-Hollos
white tag, white embossing powder on Greeting
stamp " Merry Christmas Always" by Stampabilities

This was meant to be a quick and easy card, but had so many steps that kept me up late finishing it!

Joy Stencil with red button holly berry punched holly leaves (EK sucess) and Heart stencil cut. tags made with Coluzzle template, metal brad attached (anchored with tape) green cardstock base embossing folder image, torn edge chalked with Colorbox Creamy Brown cat's eye.

Well, now that I have acomplished this goal, it's back to the list of things to do! This Saturday is Adventures in Stamping. So a day off the routine seeing what's new from some quality stamp companies...especially Our Daily Bread Designs. 

The next holiday deadline for OWH is January 7,  for Valentine's Day cards...if anyone is interested let me know. My goal is to have 100 cards to send.

thanks for stopping by...

andrea

October Blog Hop

Welcome to the DeNami Design Fall Blog Hop!

You have probably arrived from Lani Misner's blog  where she treated you to some fab fall inspiration.

The weather here has been cool and crisp and leaves are turning glorious shades of red and orange.

Perfect inspiration for today's hop with a Fall theme.

My background mat began with a marigold cardstock and lightly brushed on some colors. Then I used DeNami Design's stamp A89 Mini Starlet and five different inks to stamp rows of the image then embossed each with a clear embossing powder. I used die cut leaves as masks to brush on layers of seven different color inks.  I then used the leaves I used as masks to decorate the left side of the card.

List of Ingredients:

stamps: DeNami Designs- Sending You God's Blesssing and Mini Starlet

Leaf dies- Maple Leaf die and embossing folder by Cuttlebug, and Spellbinders assorted leaves (S4-076)

Embossing powder- Ranger clear

card stocks- Hollo's red rust base, marigold mat and red, yellow, green for leaves.

pop dots and foam mounting squares

Inks:

Stampin' Up!- YoYo Yellow, Only Orange, Baroque Burgundy

Ink It Up!- Terra Cotta, Khaki, Copper

Tim Holt- Wild Honey

I hope you find lots of inspiration on today's blog hop and enjoy hopping from blog to blog. Be sure to encourage the designers as you go...we love to know what you liked about what you saw! Did you know you could win a prize?

You have until October 10, 2011, 11:59 pm PST, to leave comments on all the blogs (to be eligible for a prize). Be inspired by cards featuring DeNami Design Fall themed stamps and also the chance to win mini shopping sprees on the DeNami Design website!

Prizes: We are giving away THREE $20 gift certificates to our website! We'll be giving away one gift certificate to a random participant (DT members not eligible) and then we'll also be giving away TWO gift certificates to TWO people who comment along the hop!

Maybe you've managed to get turned around and need to headback to Denami Design's blog to start at the beginning.

If not, your next stop is Amber Daigre's blog for what is sure to be something fantastic and colorful!

Thanks for stopping by...

                        andrea

A change of pace...

In 2005 a visit from my cousin and her husband began a family tradition. It was their first trip to the States from Scotland. It really was the first time that I had a chance to get to know her...and her husband.  Bill and Jess have been almost every year since then and we (Mum and I) often take a short trip to show them the US. This year they came in the spring instead of the fall and we took a trip to The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the end I took many photos and put together a scrapbook for Mum of the things we all did together. Thought I'd post a few of the pages.

I used Mosaic Moments papers for many of my layouts. I really looked forward to this format for some of the flower photos I'd taken. I love the color block look and the paper lends it's self to working so well with that style as well.

In addition to my photos this layout utilizes bookmarks and post cards I picked up in the National Park stores...my photos may not always turn out and they always have such fantastic shots on the cards. Sometimes with views you'll never get on your own! Always nice to mix them together. It only required a little adjusting by matting with cardstock to match the Mosaics Moments paper and fit into the space.

These flowers were from the garden at The Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky, one of our favorite day trip destinations. It is a fabulous Museum to visit and the gardens are wonderful...a perfect family trip.

Well, stop back tomorrow for the DeNami Design Fall Blog Hop...hop along for inspiration and take a chance for some prizes, too!

see you then...

...andrea



Gratitude

My kids will tell you one of my pet peeves has always been sending thank you notes for gifts received and doing so promptly. We were not always successful, but it did eventually get done. I do think it's important to show respect and gratitude to those blessing your life by acknowledging their gift.

They will also tell you that I frowned on thank yous that mearly said "thanks for my gifts" or were a grocery list of items with a thank you at the end. Heaven forbid a cash gift receive a "thanks for the money" without an explanation of 'what I'm buying with it' or 'saving for with it'.   I always encouraged a more full description, " I really have enjoyed the new book as it's long been on my wish list. During the rain storm last week it made the perfect companion to curl up with and get away from it all while still staying dry and warm at home...."  as opposed to "thanks for the book". 

These cooler fall days have really been giving me many ideas for cards with all the warm colors of the season. I know there aren't a lot of people who may send out Thanksgiving cards, especially as it's so close to Christmas card making time, but what better way to reach out to friends and family with a small token of your love and gratitude for what they have been in your life? Too many people forget Thanksgiving Day was not established to sanctify football, or to thank the Indians...historically accurate... it was established as a day of Thanksgiving to God for all his mercies and blessings and benefits.

I know we all have had difficult times in our lives, and we get busy and distracted by everything that seems "urgent" vying for our attention, but I urge you to sit down take some time this fall and reflect on those individuals who have made a difference in your life this year, make them a card, write them a  note, and as you count your blessings, say a prayer and thank God for His Blesssing to you.

here's an idea or two:

This only requires a little bit of stamping, so anyone can do this...card stock in two colors that compliment the patterned paper, a piece of ribbon and embossing powder. I did use Tattered Angels Gold Glimmer mist, although I will admit it is not showing well in this photo, but it really did brighten up that paper.

This one required a bit more stamping, aging the paper, tearing and edging the sentiment section, but still not too hard or too time consuming. It is still something you can do! But more important is to to actually write the note, it means more to the person receiving it to get the message, than the "package" it arrives in...don't delay!

I heard the other day that October is Pastor Appreciation Month...why not start with him!

Thanks so very much for stopping by... check in for the Fall Card Hop on Sunday!

andrea

World Card Making Day

Welcome to Five Pines Designs!
It's World Card Making Day and we are joining Operation Write Home in Celebrating with a Blog Hop. Follow the arrow to start at the beginning....but wait till you've looked us over!

Christmas Cards are my favorite cards to make...I have quite a collection of stamps to choose from so this has been a difficult choice to make. It is the most important time of the year to share the true message of Christmas so I want to make the most of the opportunity to Rejoice! This is my selection for today's hop:

Stamps:
Stampendous-String of Stars and Blessed Babe Window.
Printworks Collection-Glad Tidings
Stampendous Embossing powder-Pirates Gold
Hollos cardstock-Marigold, navy and cream
Twinkling H2O's- Ice Blue, Amber Bronze, Honey Amber, Sapphire on Ice, Irridescent Gold

detail view...irridescent gold H2O's in halo shines!

be sure to keep hopping and be inspired...thanks for stopping by....

andrea