Top Dog Dies Tuesday - Heart Album

Top Dog Dies Tuesday

and 

Happy New Year's Eve everyone!!!  

2014 is just hours away, are you ready for a new year?  I am getting ready by creating a fun heart album, to celebrate a wedding anniversary!  We have three anniversaries in our family in the first two months of the year and one of them is mine!    My husband and I go out to a favorite restaurant and we bring a notebook with us.  We write out one sentence notes about the past year: favorite songs, movies, our hopes, how our children have changed, etc!   With that in mind I created this fun mini album but I don't think I created  enough pages to hold our memories of the past year so it will probably head north next month!!  

I used Top Dog Dies Heart Mini Album and Heart Mini Album Finishers Die Set.

My album pages were created with cereal boxes covered with CS to make them nice and sturdy.

I made a little pocket and included a min pad of paper so that the recipients can use it write something fun about the past year.

The Heart Finishers set includes the cute mini mustache and lips and I LOVE the arrow and entwined circles.  I threaded the arrow through through the hearts for a fun look and left a little memo to pen a memory!

Thanks so much for looking!  I hope you have a wonderful and SAFE New Year's Eve!

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Monday Inspiration

Hi! It's Monday just one day away from a new year, can you believe it???  Do you have any New Year's Eve traditions?  We usually celebrate at home with the kids.  Sometimes we watch "It's a Wonderful Life" and we all stay up to ring in the New Year.  In our house we are very good at moving days around so that we can celebrate when my husband is off BUT THIS is one day that just CAN'T be celebrated on a different day so  it will just be the kids and me this year.  Maybe we will come up with a new tradition!

If it's Monday, then it's PRICKLEY PEAR RUBBER STAMPS inspiration day!!!  I am sharing a card I created with Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps - hh0150 Snow Bunnies,  and ee0179 When Skies are Grey .

These girls are just so much fun, it's impossible not to smile even when skies are gray!!!!  For more Monday inspiration hop on over to PPRS blog!

Speedy Fox & Friends 192 - New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Ooops!  I am getting ahead of myself!  Happy Saturday!  Did you have a nice Christmas?   I hope you enjoyed some quiet moments in all the hubub.  Ours was different but it was nice.  Lots of good memories. 

 You might have guessed from my opening sentence that Speedy Fox and Friends Challenge this week is to create a NEW YEAR's project!

I stamped Pocket Watches and heat embossed.  I gave the tag some added color by stamping TH Distress Ink - Mustard Seed and Wild Honey on my craft mat and spritzed with water, then I dragged the tag through the wet ink.  I didn't care for the shiny blue watches so I decided to see what would happen if I added Gesso.  I liked the softened look the Gesso provided and added "glass beads" randomly to the tag and flowers.  My sentiment was computer generated.

I will be back again before the New Year but in case you can't stop by I would like to say, Thank You so much for stopping by my blog and leaving your kind comments this year!!!  You inspire me and I treasure the friendships that have developed over the year!  I can't wait to see what 2014 holds for us!

A little on the late side.....

Hello!  I have a little different post to share today.  It's a bit on the late side but I just couldn't get the post written before now.

I turned 50 earlier this month!  I have been preparing myself all year for this.  I don't handle the birthdays with "0" on the end very well and I was determined this year it was going to be NO BIG DEAL so all year I told myself, "I am 50".   I pondered throughout the year the weighty things so when my birthday came what remained was, "Gratitude"! 

My husband told me to clear my calendar the first weekend in December as he had a surprise trip planned.  My thoughts raced all over the place and quite honestly, I didn't feel like going on a trip!  I put on my happy face, packed my bag and got in the car.  When we passed the airport, I was a bit relieved.  When we stopped in the middle of the city I was certain that my friends had cooked up an outing, what I NEVER dreamed was that my BIL and Sister would step out of a hallway of the lobby of a hotel and shout SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  They drove 6 hours 20mph on icy roads plus another 5 hours just to surprise me.  My family kept this secret since August!!!!!  I have never been so surprised or felt so deeply loved!  It was a fabulous day.  

It wasn't just my family that placed a warm glow in my heart this month but also sweet friends!  

Isn't this a beautiful collection of cards!!!  

 Check out more beautiful creations from my talented friends (from left to right of the hand made beauties): tessaduck, Michelle, Janeen, Joyce, Janine, and rbkhandco. 

Top Dog Dies Tuesday - All About Round

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!!!!  I  hope this is a special day for you regardless of how you celebrate or don't celebrate, whether you are surrounded by friends and family or are  enjoying a party for one!  

It is also Tuesday and that means Top Dog Dies Tuesday so I have one last Christmas card to share.  I love creating Christmas projects so it is with a little sadness that I put my Christmas paper back on the shelf and turn my attention to other projects.  If you have followed my blog for awhile you know that I can't stay away from Christmas creations too long so when you least expect it a holiday project is sure to pop up! 

I love to stretch my stamps and dies by using them in different ways so today I used the Top Dog Dies Circle Mini Album Die to create a card instead of an album.

To create this shape card:

 Cut CS 5 1/2" x 11" and score at 5 1/2"

Place folded CS on wood die with fold just beneath and NOT overlapping the rectangular edge of die (note left edge of photo)

Card Base

I used my favorite paper stack from MME "Merry Little Christmas".  Next I die cut "MERRY" with Top Dog Dies Vintage Alphabet. The result is a fun nontraditional Christmas card
that qualifies for February CCC14 challenge to create with nontraditional colors!

Thanks for Looking!!!

I would like to add this to the following challenge:
Word Art Wednesday 
DL.Art - Anything goes

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps - Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday!!!  Today should certainly become a bit more happy for me after 3PM today when I get my crown reset.  Not the best timing to have a crown pop off, I must say.  Today was also our Christmas day and for the first time in the lives of our teen's they are opening gifts in the morning!  A new tradition?  Hmmmm, I kind of hope not.  :)

Moving on from dental appts and early celebrations,  today is Monday and that means I get to share Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Inspiration with you!!!

This angel was so much fun to color,using my favorite color combo!  

I used JJ0068 Vintage Angel and CLR027b Scalloped Oval Winter stamp sets.

Thanks so much for taking the time out of your busier than normal week to visit my blog! For more Monday Inspiration  please visit PPRS blog!

I am entering this into the following challenges:
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge: Bling (Bling on my sentiment!)
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes (angel)
DL. Art - Anything Goes

Speedy Fox & Friends 191 - Christmas Birthday

Hello!!!  Phew!  Has it been a whirlwind of activity at your house!!  Tensions have flared now and then as we have prepared for the end of term exams, band concerts, chorus programs, and science fair projects and Social studies projects.  Throw in the added flurry of shopping and wrapping so that all will be ready for an early Christmas celebration to accommodate Steve's work schedule and oh yeah, why not have a dental crown come loose to really top off the week?  I have had to remind myself to BREATHE and then Breathe again!

  How about you?  Are you all set for holiday celebrations or are you hurrying, scurrying?

In the midst of the busyness, nothing steadies my blood pressure like some stamping time.  If you have a little time this week we have a challenge for you at  Speedy Fox & Friends challenge.  We are creating a Christmas Birthday card this week.  If you are all done with your December birthdays why not get a head start next year!

I used this week's sketch at SCS:  SC467 for my design.  

I added the birthday sentiment on the inside with a partially stamped image from Lots of Words

To see the gorgeous art from my teammates and to find out all the challenge information please visit Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC blog.

I hope you will stop by next week but in case you are too busy, I'd like to take the time to wish you a PEACE filled Holiday!

Top Dog Dies Tuesday - FAN Art & WE HAVE WINNERS!

Did you have fun last week hopping along Top Dog Dies first blog hop? I thought it was a blast and can't thank everyone enough for leaving such warm comments!!!! 

The winners of $50.00 eGift Certificates are:

Kim Crain

Kate Burton

Congratulations!!!!!

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Now on to Top Dog Dies Tuesday!   I am a big fan (pun not intended) of winter/Christmas projects so here's my treat for you today!  I used Top Dog Dies Isabella Fan Die and created a Christmas Ornament.

I wanted my Fan to hang at an angle so I glued the ribbon hanger close the right end of the fan.

Here it is hanging on the tree!  I can just imagine making these in different colors and decorating the entire tree with them!  Side benefit.....Storm can't knock them down and play ball with them racing around the room making all sorts of racket at 3 am!

The fan die makes an elegant tag to decorate a gift box as well!  Check out the pretty piercing decoration on this intricate die!

To pick this die up for yourself head on over to Top Dog Dies Online Store here!

TFL and have a great week!

Projects entered in the following challenge:

Ribbon Carousel Challenge #88 - Anything Goes

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday everyone!!!  With all the fun birthday hoopla and various Christmas activities, I am a bit behind so here I am in the wee hours of Monday morning writing up this post!  My plan is not to go to bed until all my Christmas cards are addressed and I am very close to being done but then  I realized I still didn't have this post written, so here I am and welcome to Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp Monday Inspiration!!!  

I created this card with the lovely "Scalloped Oval Die" and "Scalloped Oval 3-Winter" clear stamp set

For this card I used the same papers and again used "Scalloped Oval Die" and Scalloped Oval 3-Winter" clear stamp set.  I just love the lamp post and I added the cardinal (included in stamp set) to the lamp post! 

I hope you have enjoyed a bit of PPRS Monday Inspiration with me today.  I hope you will hop on over to Prickley Pear Rubber Stamp blog to see some fabulous inspiration from the rest of the very talented design team!

Thanks for looking!  I am off to address a few more cards before my eyes fall shut and refuse to open!!!

Speedy Fox & Friends 190 - 3 Papers

Hi!!!  What a whirlwind December is!  We have packed the weeks, how about you?  Tomorrow I hope to share a birthday card post and a few photos of the surprise my family cooked up for me last week but today I am excited to share the new Speedy Fox & Friends challenge!

Our challenge this week is to use three Christmas papers.  For more fabulous inspiration from my team members and to find out how you can enter for a chance to win a cool prize, please visit Mark's Finest Papers a HC right HERE.

It's a little difficult to tell from the photo but my 3rd piece of designer paper is the light colored snowflakes along with the hat band and the scarf.

I had a lot of fun playing with this happy snowman and this week's sketch at SCS.

I used Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Snow Gifts.

Thanks for looking and enjoy your weekend!

Top Dog Dies Christmas Blog Hop

Hi and Welcome to Top Dog Dies Holiday Blog Hop!  If this is your first stop on the hop be sure to check out the end of this post for all the details on how you can enter to win a fabulous Top Dogs Dies eGift voucher!  Remember for extra entries don't forget to leave a comment on this blog and my teammate's blogs!

For the first card, I used the "Snowflake Trio"

The largest snowflake die was used to create the beautiful shape on the white layer so that when attached to the Paver Red CS it produced a gorgeous negative.  I then added the die cuts of the middle and smallest snowflake.  Sparkly Crystal glitter was added to the layers of the snowflake and as a final touch a large gem! 

For my second card I used "Sew Much Fun Die Set" and it truly was SO much fun to play with the dress form.  (note that I didn't use the pun this time)  I have a blast every time I play with the dress form and I think it is because it's a bit like playing paper dolls, only more fun because I am totally in charge of what goes on the dress!

The dress form was cut out in white and then in black CS.  I cut away the bottom and top of the form to leave a little black dress.  I added a tulle skirt, three festive fibers and rhinestone buttons!  Thanks for looking and now on to the fun PRIZE details:

 We’re giving away $50 Top Dog Dies eGift Cards to two lucky winners.

 Entering is easy: Just add your email address here and you’ll be included in the giveaway!

You can earn extra entries by commenting along the blog hop and by following us on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Even better news? You have until Friday Dec. 13 to enter and we'll announce the winners on Friday Dec. 16th.

 Michelle Neddo
                         Angela Bode   you are here!
Kendra Sand
Kathy Martin
Vicki Dutcher
Lisa Somerville
Nasayi Atkins
Maureen Cronin
Shellye McDaniel

Thanks for joining us for our first – but definitely not our last – blog hop. Happy hopping!

Top Dog Dies Tuesday

Hi!  It's Tuesday and that means it's time for some Top Dog Dies Fun!!  

It's been awhile since I used the Frame Front (A2) Die so I thought it would be fun to pair it with the Snowflake Trio die set.

I used Night Shift Blue CS for my base and then cut just the front frame out of white CS and adhered it to the blue front.

The snowflakes were cut with the middle and smallest dies. A hint of glitter and large blue gems provided the finishing touches!

I hope you will stop by tomorrow for a fun treat!   Top Dog Dies is showcasing their Christmas dies with a blog hop!  There will be a generous prize awarded to two lucky participants so I look forward to your visit!

Visit Top Dog Dies HERE!

I will be entering this into SCS January CCC14 challenge.

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday!  I am happy to share some Prickley Pear goodness today!  

I used d027 Scalloped Oval Die and clr027b Scalloped Oval 3 winter Stamp Set to create this traditional looking Christmas card.   I colored the sky gray for a snowy day look.  I added a bit of white on the trees with a gel pen a few highlights here and there and that completed the image!

Thanks for looking and  now I hope you will hop on over to PPRS blog for some more fabulous Monday Inspiration!

Speedy Fox & Friends 187 - Blue Christmas

Happy Saturday!!!  I hope you are enjoying a nice weekend.  Are you up for a fun stamp challenge?  At Speedy Fox & Friends this week we are creating with the color blue!  Our challenge is to create a Blue Christmas Card.  For all the details and to see gorgeous blue cards from my team mates, please visit Mark's Finest Papers blog right HERE.

I used the "masking tape" technique for my background.  So much fun, I can't wait to play with it again!  I stamped the branch from "Chill in the Air" twice and used the sentiment from "You are an Angel".  

I am going to get a jump on next year's cards and will be entering this into my January CCC14 cards to make a card "based on the idea of peace". 

Thanks for looking! 

Top Dog Dies - House Album

Hello, Hello!  Top Dog Dies Tuesday here!    With Top Dog Dies it's easy to create a quick project that has a big visual impact!

  Today I thought it would be fun to create a card with the Home Album and Home Album Finishers   One note, it is larger than A2 so a larger envie will need to be used!

I just love the way this turned out and the possibilities are endless with this set!  

The inside:

For the inside I added a sentiment from Mark's Finest Papers "Primitive Farm".

Thanks for looking!!!!

I played along with the Featured Stamper from Nov. 24th, FS355.  Julie creates the loveliest projects!  This inspired my idea to take the album and make it into a card.  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2450010?&cat=500&ppuser=7478.

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Inspiration Monday

Happy Monday!!!!  Can you believe it's the first Monday of December!  Yikes, where did the year go?  Today I get to share with you a bit of Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps Inspiration!

I used Stocking - Clear Stamp Set and Stocking - Die Set.  It's so fun to use the PPRS die for the stocking because it cuts out the center of the dainty loop on the stocking!  I hung the stocking with a brad and popped up the little bow for a bit of dimension!  I just love that sweet bow!  

I hope you will stop by  Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps blog for more fabulous Design Team Inspiration!

Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps invites you to a Design Team Holiday Home Visit

Hi and Welcome to Prickley Pear Rubbers Stamps Design Team Holiday homes!  This week we are sharing a peek into our homes, favorite recipes, etc for the holidays.

I am going to share some of my favorite things around our home during the Christmas Holidays.

I just love these little trees. They sit on the china cabinet in my dining area. I just love the bright funky colors of the ornaments.  It's such a pleasure to have the trees lit at night, they give such a warm glow to the back part of the house!

I have several nativities sitting around.  This one was given to me by a dear friend. It's not expensive or fancy but there is just something I love about it!

Due to allergy sufferers in our home a few years ago we decided to go with an artificial tree.  Our tree is full of memories we have collected through the years.  Our children's school photos in little ornament frames,  souvenir ornaments from places we love to visit, treasured ornaments relatives have given and a few artsy things that kids have made, all hang from the branches!

Because of our dear little Storm, our ornaments are all shatter proof.  Some of my special ceramic  ones have had to stay in the storage boxes the past couple of years.  

I painted the little village buildings about 30 years ago (yikes) and each year I pull them out and find a spot for them. 

We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve.  Both Steve's and my family celebrated with the opening of gifts on Christmas Eve and we have carried on the tradition.  There's something a bit magical about opening presents in just the glow of the Christmas lights!

Our Christmas Eve celebration begins a bit differently every year.  Many years we have gone to  Christmas Eve services or participated in an outreach with our church but when we arrive home it's time for our Christmas Eve Fondoue Feasting to begin!!!  This photo is well lit but our tradition is to eat by candle light.  It's a magical time of delicious food,  laughter and the building of anticipation of the grand finale of the evening:  gift giving!   

I hope you enjoyed a little peek into our holiday.  Wishing you a peace filled and joyous December!

Speedy Fox & Friends #186 - Purple Christmas

Happy Saturday everyone!  We enjoyed a nice break this week and enjoyed our Thanksgiving meal  on Wednesday.  We chatted about what we are thankful for and I would love to read what you are thankful for!!

One thing I am thankful for is the time I have spent as DT at Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC.  I am so grateful for the opportunity they have given me to play and explore!

This week's challenge at "Speedy Fox & Friends challenge" is to create with PURPLE!   I have had so much fun with the color challenges this month, have you?  To check out more royal purple goodness visit Speedy Fox & Friends Challenge HERE!

 The inside:

The stamp I used is Mark's Finest Papers & Stamps a HC - Wise Men

Paper: MFP 80lb White, Misc. Purple

Acces: A2 Quatrefoil EF by Paper Studio

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate!  We are enjoying a quiet day!  Psst!  I am going to let you in on a little secret.  I kind of like it when my husband works Thanksgiving day.  We celebrate it early on years when this happens.  This year we were able to celebrate on Wednesday so today is a lazy day plus leftovers!  Well, I guess it isn't a lazy day for my dear husband but for the rest of us it is!  We had fun watching the parades, which I never do when our feast day is actually on the day it's supposed to be!  I would love to hear how you celebrate the day or don't celebrate it!!!  :)

I have a couple of Fall Celebration cards using beautiful stamps and dies from Prickley Pear Rubber Stamps to share with you today.

I used Fall Leaves Clear Stamp Set for my focal point and sentiment.

For the inside I die cut the oak leaves with the "Leaf Set Die"

I kept it Clean and Simple for the next card using the same stamp set as the card above.  I stamped TH Distress inks onto Kraft mat, spritzed with water and then drug water color paper through the ink.  When the paper was dry I die cut the leaves using "Leaf Set Die ".

A little close up of the leaves:

Thanks for looking and enjoy your day!!!

Top Dog Dies Tutorial: Apron Card with DIY Chipboard Embellishments

Hi!  Today I am sharing a tutorial on creating a Top Dog Dies Apron Card.  I embellished the card with chipboard sewing notions using Sew Much Fun Die Set .  

Gathered supplies and die cuts:

First I cut the apron base placing 1) Apron Card (A2) Die 2) solid CS, 3) a Sizzix Impressions Pad 4)acrylic plate. I then cut designer paper to fit the fold over pocket.

Next, using my bone folder tool I creased the paper along fold lines and added score tape to the sides.

Apron Card with side flaps glued in place.

 To create my own chipboard embellishments I take cereal boxes or other food packaging boxes, cut it to the general size needed, and glue it to the designer paper.  I run dies and paper  through the die cutting machine, then gently free the individual pieces from surrounding CS/packaging.

A close up view of the "chipboard" pieces.  Aren't they the cutest???

Finished Set:

I am playing along with the following challenge

D.L. Art #120 - Anything Goes

November's Linky Part - Just Because

Sister Act Card Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes