Friday, November 30, 2012

Peek-a -boo Moose!

Here's another of my 15 minute holiday cards
from
DCWV!
The stack I used for this little card was
"The Winter Holiday"
 
The objective was to make a cute, easy card in less time than it takes to hard-boil an egg (Yes, I still make homemade egg salad on a regular basis!)
 
First, I determined I wanted a card that fit in a 6 x 6 envelope! I'm tired of trying to customize each and every envelope (not to mention the postage!)
 
So, this card base is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2,
which was easily cut from 8 1/2 x 11 heavy cardstock.
 
I then scored 1/2 inch from all four sides of the front to give a bit of texture to the white-on-white.
Next, deciding that my image needed at 2 1/2 inch square opening, I measured center and cut out my "window".
With the  moose paper, I chose to extend the image across the inside of the card. It just seemed more finished than putting a square in the middle of the card.
 
 
And I can always add an appropriate sentiment, depending on the recipient.
 
 
Simple, that's the ticket!


Thursday, November 29, 2012

Just "belt" it out!

Happy Everything!
 
Ever wish you had a card for an occasion that falls in December, like a birthday or Anniversary that reflects the season but not necesarily the Christmas holiday?
 
I love the limey green and the trendy chevron!
These papers are part of the
 "Heirloom Christmas"
stack from
DCWV.
 
 
How many occasions can you think of that you could combine this card for?
 
 


Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Just BELIEVE...

The new "Crafty Christmas" paper stack
from
DCWV
has so many cool papers!
 
Some of which are these wonderful clear and light blue embossed
snowflake craft pages!
 
And so many cute embossed images papers!
Like these little ornaments that I cut out and dangled on the card with the tiny gold chain from
Blue Moon Beads!
 
I simply couldn't RESIST inking up that craft paper!
 
 I also felt it needed a bit of "snow" to show off those beauties...
 
This stack has so many possibilities! You could make dozens of cards without switching stacks at all!
 
 
 
HAVE FUN!

Is it a card? Is it a bag?

No, It's "Gift Bag Card"!
 
When I started out looking for ways to symplify the holidays this year, I decided that with so many great paper stacks from
DCWV,
I would see how many individuals I could make in only 15 minutes time.
 
With the terrific images already printed on them, all I had to do was utilize each in its' own way.
 
"The Crafty Christmas" Stack
This is simply a top fold card with the "handles" attached with brads.
I added some little snowflakes and the darling tag that is also part of this paper stack.
 
 
The inside is a simple pocket for the gift card.
 
 
Just remember, your holiday cards don't have to take hours to make!
Sometimes the simpliest are the best recieved!
 

Monday, November 26, 2012

You are my true North....

Ever feel this way about someone?
Someone who can make you feel better when all else fails?
 
I love this stamp by
"A Map"
available at Crafter's Companion!
 
 
I heat embossed the stamped map image with Stampendous' Bark embossing powder.
 
The stick pin I hand made and inserted it through the center hole where I had placed a red metal eyelet. It really adds some pop and texture, along with the wrapped twine!
 
Simple, fast, but elegant at the same time.
 


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Skipping Stones Sketch Challenge

This challenge at SSD was particularly fun for me!
I love the "split" background.
 
And, additionally, since I have no holiday specific SSD stamps,
I had to use my imagination.
 I think this floral medallion from the
works perfectly.
 
I colored the image with my Copics and then clear heat embossed the entire thing to make the colors really pop!
(It is actually colored and cut out twice and layered, but you can't tell in the photo.)
The gold button and the bling on the sentiment added the elegant, holiday feel and serve as my three little embellies under the main focal point.
 
The pretty Christmas papers are from the new DCWV stacks.
The sentiment was embossed with Stampendous, Aged Green powder.
 
Thanks for looking!


Snickerdoodles Frame

 
 
 
This is the old recipe that my mother and grandmother used for my favorite Christmas cookies for many years.
I've been asked for it over and over again.
 
 
This project is being entered in the Gingerbread challenge at:


Monday, November 19, 2012

Doodle Dragon's Holiday Release!

 
 
Dustin Pike's done it again! He has released his Holiday images and are they ever cute!
 
Check out the store HERE!
 
 "Melted"
 
Just in case you're thinking something's missing, you're right!
The weather in Phoenix was just too warm for this guy!
 
 
I die cut both the matted, colored image and the acrylic layer out with Spellbinders,
and hinged both with rings.
 
They were then attached to the front of a square card.
 
 
 This image made me laugh so hard!
My husband thought it rather sad, but then he often doesn't get the humor here at Doodle Dragon!
 
There are also some terrific goodie toppers at the store!
 I can't wait to make some of those up for the holidays!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Crafter's Companion goes Hedgehog WILD!

The SWALK release this month "Pawfect Pals",
at Crafter's Companion is all about PETS!
 
I have always loved animals and owned quite a collection over the years.
My household is pretty tame at this time, with only 2 dogs, 2 parrots, and a fish tank.
 
I feel in love with this little image of the little "Prickly" guy and his freinds.
 
 
 
Colored with Spectrum Noir markers
 
Some gingham ribbon, and weathered wood pattern paper make this just country enough to fit into the hedgehog mode.
 
 
Check out all of the new pet-friendly images at Crafter's Companion!
They're adorable!


Friday, November 16, 2012

Santa's been framed!

 
These new vintage papers from
DCWV
are the prettiest ever!
I love the way they capture the feeling of an old Victorian holiday!
 
 
 
 
 
I took a repurposed frame and crackle painted it, highlighting the raised areas with gold.  I used the Spellbinders, "Poinsettia" die and cut the flowers, edging them with gold paint.
 
The gorgeous green and gold pendant is from Blue Moon, along with the gold chain that supports the little sentiment/date hangings.
 
This stack has quickly become my favorite Christmas paper!
 
See the video of all of the new release stacks at
Michael's here!
 
 
 
 


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Vintage Holiday House...

I don't know if anyone likes vintage as much as I do...
No, I'm sure some of you do!
 
So, I also know that you are going to love these new
DCWV
Christmas papers as much as I do!
Old vintage images on kraft paper, soft holiday colors...
I love everything about this stack!
 
  
 
 
The beautiful house image is printed directly onto the paper and surrounded by this gorgeous gold embossed frame. Along with swirls, snowflakes, and borders in gold, these papers make your holiday cards so easy to make!
 
I also had to grab some Blue Moon Beads for my bow embellishment!
Aren't those yummy?
 
 
Just wait until you see the other perfectly vintage images on these pages!
Santa, Christmas trees, gifts, the list goes on...
this is my favorite stack of the season...well, so far...  lol!
 
"The Traditional Holiday" is available at Michael's now!

Entered in the "Homeward Bound" challenge at
"Scrap It With A Song..."
 
 


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Hoppin' off to school!

I have been trying to be in several places at one time this past few weeks,
and my scrap time has been greatly reduced.
(Translates to "I have little time to color".)
 
So, this week I took out my Crafter's Companion,
 
How cool are these!
 
The Decoupage sheets contain several versions of the same image, with various sections seperate from the image so that you can fussy-cut and layer making an adorable 3-D project!
 
My bad for not having discovered these sooner!
 
 
Because so very often I need a card for an unplanned occasion, I leave them blank or don't add a sentiment on the front at all!
 
I can think of many ideas for this little card.
 
 
The details literally just POP off the card!
 
 
I have been a longtime Beatrix Potter fan, and these character stamps, CD's, and pre-colored images are perfect!
 
 
Check out all of the wonderful options that Crafter's Companion offers at their store here!


Friday, November 9, 2012

Halloween 2012

WOW! Time really flies!
 
I remember when this little guy was just a tiny baby,
and his sister wasn't even yet a glint in her Daddy's eye
(Hey, that's an old saying. I didn't make it up!)
 
 
 
If you're wondering what gorgeous paper I used for this layout,
it's the new DCWV "Bewitched" stack that's in stores right now!
It has so many cool patterns that you'll have a tough time deciding which to use first!
 
 
 
These two are just a huge source of happiness for anyone who spends any time with them.  It is such a thrill to be able to share such memories.
 
 


Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Anthony and Burt send a THANKS!

I am so thrilled to now be a part of the
combined USA and UK
 
As a "Thanks" to Marcea in the UK and to enter in the
November monthly challenge
of "Favorite Color Combo",
I have put together this little card:
 
 
These stamps are so full of expression and fun!
 
 
Papers are Echo Park, "This and That".
The green and yellow are so bright and sunny.
And I am so GREEN with envy that Anthony and Burt are getting rain... lol!

Check out all of the terrific stamps at the Crafter's Companion store!
Thank you to everyone for reading my blog today!
 
~Jan~


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

"Owl" be there!

Ever looking for a simple and easy way to make a little decoration for a party or family get-together?
 
DCWV
makes it as easy as 1-2-3!
 
I used the Fall paper stack
"Autumn Melody"
to throw together these cute little placecards
for a family dinner.
 
 
The "Give a Hoot" Cricut cartridge made it very easy to cut out these little owls, and the papers from DCWV added a sparkle to the project!
I only have a few minutes here and there these days to scrap, so I try and keep my projects as simple as possible.
 
 
Even though most of the dinner guests will be adults, I wanted to add a whimsical flair to the meal. We lost my father after a long illness this last week and it has been so difficult for the entire family.
His grandchildren (my grown kids) and his great-grandson will be here and this will give us a reason to smile and celebrate his life.
 
These took me a total of 30 minutes to whip up!
Not fancy, but sure to get a giggle!
 
Have a great day!
~Jan~


Monday, November 5, 2012

Contest on Crafter's Companion's FB Page

If you've been seeing these very cool storage units
for your achohol markers,
You'll want to win some!
See the FB post here:
 
 
Photo: We've reached 2000+ fans here on Facebook, and we're celebrating!

Click LIKE if you'd love to win this pack of six Ultimate Pen Storage Racks! Enough to hold a full set of Spectrum Noir pens, our versatile desktop storage system is the ultimate way to declutter your crafting space! 

For your chance to WIN, answer this question: How many pens will each storage rack hold? Get help with the answer here: http://bit.ly/SOCWQ2

Please read all of our terms & conditions at http://bit.ly/RM0hjy then email your answer to cccompetition@crafterscompanion.com

ONE winner will be chosen at random. Competition closes at 11:59 PM PST Thursday, 8 November 2012.
Just leave a comment answering an very easy question and you could win these fantastic racks!
 


I wish it WOULD snow!

has a beautiful new paper called
"Arctic Wishes"
 and all the components for making your holiday projects
are in there!
 
 
 
The tree graphics are terrific as a background for a modern tree (like this one by Stampendous) or a realistic Christmas tree stamp, which we all have in our stashes!
 
Here in Phoenix, we won't see snow except on our cards and televisions.
This makes this stack even more special!
Pick yours up at JoAnn's now!
 
And, since I love their stamps and Essentials, I entered this in the monthly challenge at STAMPENDOUS!
Check it out!


Friday, November 2, 2012

New DCWV Card Challenge!

Hard to believe we're looking at a new monthly challenge already!
The holidays will be here before you know it!
 
I used the new
" Heirloom Christmas Stack "
available now at Michael's.
 
 
For a gal who just a few years ago said she would never use bling,
 I sure like to pile it on occasionally!
 
 
I decided to make a card I could use for a birthday. There are so many friends and family having birthdays over the next few months!
 
 
I love the elegant and classy look of the houndstooth paper! I could use it over and over! And red and black?  My absolute favorites!
This stack can be used for so many occasions!
 
The red glitter cardstock mats are cut from the
DCWV, "Christmas & Winter Combo" matstack.
 
Enter your own card at the challenge at
You could win some terrific papers, too!


MFT November Sketch Challenge!

This week at MFT ,  the sketch challenge #462 is  a fairly simple one!.   Here's my take on a much needed Get Well card for my ...