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So I got some Buckle Boutique Dazzling Diamond rhinestone sheets and it is a lot of fun to play with. I admit I was a little skeptical about cutting it out on my Cricut, but it really does work and they have the instructions for the settings on your machine to use.

This is my first project using my Cricut, Paper Dolls p.41 cut at 1". 

 I did clean up a few edges using my scissors but overall was very pleased at how it cut through the sheet.

Added a small trim from the sheet at the bottom of the bookmark.

Now normally I would have covered the backside to conceal the cereal box that I used to create the bookmark with but seriously, I had to leave it alone because I had another quote (one of my favorites) to add. I think it goes along with the theme of the First Frost quote very well. :)

I made this whimsical bookmark for the author Sarah Addison Allen and the quote is from her newest book "First Frost". I was first introduced to her books by my friend Jamie on our 9 hour road trip to Florida with an audio book Garden Spells, which I liked so much that I immediately, upon returning home, went to the library and read all 4 of her books. I am looking forward to the latest book. So anyway, we had the opportunity to go see her and we came bearing small gifts. 

Here is a short video clip of the most darling story she told us about her Aunt Charlotte!

And a few pictures of Jamie and myself enjoying all the fun at the book signing. 

Sarah Addison Allen is a doll, sweet and charming and I hope you check out not only her newest book First Frost but her other books as well. She will enchant you with every page!

very CAS

Now I am beginning to experiment with how ink sprays do on my handmade paper. I think it accepted the ink very well, not sure why I was worried about it since I have been stamping on it, lol I like my very CAS card using the sketch prompt from Sketch Saturday. It even went through the printer with no problems...whew!!

handmade paper - Arnold Grummer's Papermill kit
Ranger's spray ink
Micron pen
Paper Smooches -  Autumn Groves
font - Traveling Typewriter

Sketch Saturday week #343 challenge

SKS -Why Do You Create?

Over on the {my sweet earth} blog you can see

1. the reasons why I create

2. pictures of my craft spaces ( 3 of them to be exact! )

3. find out what my favorite color is

4. find out what the name is to Susan's latest stamp release!

5. see my art journal page!

Now that you have plenty of reasons to visit me over there, I sure hope you can leave me a little love!

♥

effort: this card

 Paper Smooches Picture Perfect Picture challenge to be sparked by this:


I choose the  Autumn Groves stamp set for the birch trees and used an old stamp set for the pine cone. (If you are friends with me on Face Book then you saw the effort it took to find that old stamp set too, lol ) I used the papers to play up the gold metallic and the rhinestone for the silver.

I also had the devil of a time masking the tree, the pine cone and the snow bank. It took 3 attempts to get it right...or at least as close to right as I could. Which is more effort than I like to put into a card. The sentiment was printed off using my computer. 

And yes, for all wondering, I know that birch trees don't have pine cones so please imagine a huge pine tree growing next to the birch tree and it's pine cone dropped off and rolled over there, thank you! lol

color challenges galore!

MFT Color challenge


I decided on a different twist to the color challenge. My card is mainly a black and white cards with little pops of the colors used from the MFT board.

I first dotted the paper with molding paste and after the dots dried I used Ranger's stickles on top. The bunny was cut out from Cricut ( Winter Wonder cartridge p. 58 1" ) The  sentiment stamp is old  ( Fiskars ) and the cute birch trees are Paper Smooches Autumn Groves.

Unity{be inspired} challenge 


Although this color challenge screamed snowmen at me I decided to go a different route since I've made so many of them lately.

I used some old glittery embossed paper from DCWV and a new stamp from Unity called 3 Stick Chicks. Now a part of my inking didn't come out solid so I got out a Micron pen to fill in the area and made a boo boo. But when this happens, just go with it. I loosely outlined the entire stamp to make the scribbly outlines look intentional.

So, OK, maybe it's not a galore of color challenges, but what the heck, I just like using the word galore. So sue me. lol

completed mission!

I have just blatantly stolen a card idea from I'm in Haven, so I am linking my card back to her and am not entering it in any challenges, but it was just too perfect to not try and duplicate. Now I didn't have any of her die cuts or stamps but I made the best with what I could do. I love it!

I was going to link up Sue T.'s blog because her card gave me the inspiration to make my snowflake card but I cannot access her blog. :( Although I have seen this in many cards lately, so either it's a new trend or I am just lagging behind!

I resorted to casing my own cards last night as my deadline was approaching fast. lol At least I don't have to credit anyone.....oh wait....I guess I did credit myself, lmao

I also got REAL clean and simple....also known as fast and easy on this card.

And I took apart a sympathy card that didn't sell and used the feather on this card along with scraps of paper. Yeah, I'm not above remaking my own cards if they don't move!

So there you have it, 14 cards in 6 days ( aka my completed mission )....plus during the week I made a journal page and lots of paper molded charms but you will see those at a later date. Now to head off to the Art MoB and refill my inventory for the New Year. I've also added a basket of 40 "love" cards for a reduced price and switched out the "hello" cards for Valentine Day cards. whew....lots to do!

sending bear hugs

Paper Smooches - Anything Goes (wk1) Anything Goes

I could use this darling little bear from the Happy Camper stamp set...
all. day. long.
This is a simple little card, but the flocked background keeps it from being boring, I just love tactile cards! I hardly have any left of this paper, if anyone knows of a flocked sky background paper, please let me know!

I used my new Stabilos that I found at our local yART sale to color in the bear. 

(It was a great find, 60 barely used pencils for 15.00, I'm happy anyway, lol)

I didn't realize that there were 60 pencils in the set until I accidentally dropped them and they scattered all over the floor. That's when I saw it had a second tray...score!!