Craftyhazelnut's New Challenge Blog!

Starting in January 2013 there will be a new Craftyhazelnut's Christmas challenge blog. Challenges will be held monthly, with a prize (from Bugaboo stamps) at the end of every month. To launch the new blog Hazel is giving away this awesome candy. You only have a fewdays left to enter (Nov.30th) so head on over & check it out! This will be a great way for me to get my Christmas cards started early so I am not in panic mode like I am right now!

 

Just look at all that yummy candy!

Beary Merry Christmas

Happy Monday everyone! When I was still working I hated Monday mornings but now that I'm retired they aren't so bad....just another day. Every day is a good day now.  I am getting on well with the Christmas card list & tomorrow I am heading into the city for 3 days to make a serious dent in the shopping (atleast I hope I'm going to make a dent in it!!)
This is probably my favorite card I have ever made! I love everything about it, from the adorable LOTV image to the beautiful Imaginisce DP. As always, the image is colored with prismacolor pencils. I used Spellbinders Lacy Squares to frame my little bear & the pine bough punch is from McGill, pearls are by Zva Creations, ribbon is Offray & I printed the sentiment out on my computer. The sketch is from Simon Says Stamp. Not sure if you can see from the picture or not but I have used the oh so wonderful stickles on the 2 decorations & also to make"berries" on the garland.  I wish I was as happy with all of my creations as I am with this one. Hope you all have a sonderful week & thanks for taking a look!

Challenges I am entering:
Simon Says Stamp...sketch
Crafty Creations #197
7 Kids College Fund
Delightful Challenges...red & green
Lili's Little Fairies...anything goes
Aud Sentiments...bingo(Merry, bling,die)
Crafty Ann's...birds or animals
Polka Doodles...any die
52 (Christmas) card throwdown...pearls
Little Claire's...Christmas
                                             

I Love Snowmen!

I love snowmen but I'm really not a big fan of snow....go figure! Our winters here in Manitoba can be brutally cold (-52C is the coldest temperature I have experienced) with tons of snow.  But, when the temperature is mild & the sun is shining there is nothing like getting out there & building a snowman.  When you're finished you get to come inside where it is toasty warm & have hot chocolate with mini marshmallows floating in it!! Fun! At Christmas my house is full of all shapes & sizes of snowmen decorations. So, you can understand why this cute little guy struck my fancy. He is from Penny Black, DP are Echo Park & Bo Bunny, CS is Bazzill, dies are Memory Box Frostyville Wreath (isn't it gorgeous?) & Spellbinder circles & scalloped circles, pearls are Recollections, button is from my stash & the thread is Prism, the sentiment is from FBD. The whole thing is put together with a sketch from Stamps & fun = creativity!

 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:                                                                                 

1. Crafty Cardmakers......2 dies/punches                                                                                                   

2. House of Gilli.....die cuts                                                                                                                       

3. Artistic Inspirations.....anything goes                                                                                                    

4. Bunny Zoe Crafts.....winter                                                                                                                   

5. Lady Anne's Challenges.....anything goes                                                                                            

6. Crafty Blogger Network.....Christmas...anything goes                                                                         

7. Incy Wincy Designs.....square cards                                                                                                     

8. Bearly Mine Challenges.....snowflakes                                                                                                9. Diva's By Design.....2 or more patterened papers                                                                                                                  10. SJCrafts.....Christmas                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  11. 11.Penny Black ...cute Christmas   

                                                                              

NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED HERE BUT IT MAKES ME DIZZY LOOKING AT IT!!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                     

                                                                                                 

"Falling For You!"

Hello crafty people! How is everyone doing with their Christmas cards? I've had a very productive week &  managed to put a serious dent in my list. Now, if I could only say the same about my shopping list! The snow has been flying here for atleast 6 weeks now so it seems a little odd to be posting a fall themed card. This sweet image reminds me of my youngest granddaughter Emily who loves to help with any yard work we are doing when she is here visiting. My plants are always well watered & she loves raking leaves with Grandpa! Getting off topic a bit here but I bought myself an early Christmas present the other day....an exercise bike....I know, that's more punishment than present but I really need to get more exercise. We don't have room for a treadmill so the bike was the next best thing. Poor Bill spent nearly 4 hrs. putting it together today...there were a few naughty words flying around at one point! Now I just need to find the energy to hop on & ride it. Wish me luck!

 

So, about my card. The adorable image is from Paper Pretties & is aptly named "falling for you". I have colored her with prismacolor pencils. The DP are from my stash & I'm sorry but I have no idea of the maker, CS is Prism, the embellies are the lovely Whimsical Flourish by Memory Box, leaves are from the good old dollar store & the sentiment is a Studio G clear stamp. I really wish I could get better pictures of my cards because the colors in this one are very washed out...they are actually very rich in real life.
Challenges I am entering:
1. ABC Challenges.....color challenge
2. Created With Love.....fall
3. Tammy's Scrappin Corner.....fall
4. Dream Valley.....anything goes
5. The Squirrel & the Fox.....anything goes
6. Oldie But Goodie.....something atleast 6mths old (leaves & DP)
7. Shopping Our Stash.....use a leaf  
8. Through the Craftroom Door.....anything goes          

WOYWW 181

I have been checking out WOYWW for awhile now & decided to share my messy space this week. I have to be one of the messiest crafters on the face of the earth! When I am "creating" I never put anything back where it belongs & the result is MESS! I have a little sign hanging up in my room that says "I'm not messy, I'm organizationally challenged!" That's me...organizationally challenged! So, I'm working on Christmas cards & this is just a little sample.

Underneath the cards is an assortment of paper scraps, full sheets of paper, dies, ribbons, bling etc, etc, etc. It's amazing what you can hide in a small space! Thanks for stopping by.

Snowy Day!

                                                                                                             

Can you believe it is November 19th already? I'm starting to get more than a little panicky as I am    nowhere near finished making Christmas cards & it will soon be time to get them in the mail.           I'm such a procrastinator! I've had plenty of time to make cards but instead I have been busy visiting everyones blogs to see what they are up to.....SO, it's your fault I'm behind! LOL I have managed to get lots of images colored the last few days & have put together about 15 cards so far. This first one is another image from Birdie Brown called  "Snowy Day"  Torico has 2  adorable images available   this month for the Freebie Challenge.                                                                                                   

 

 

 

For this little snowman's hat, scarf & nose I used LaPlume markers. The papers are left overs from    last year so I have no idea who they are by...same for the ribbon. The snowflakes are a Cuttlebug die & the sentiment was computer generated. The lovely sketch is from Sunday Sketch & Stamp.  Hope you are all further along in your card list than I  am.....if you finish early maybe you could come by & give me a hand!!                                                                                                                                       

                          

Challenges:
1. Sunday Sketch & Stamp #133
2. Birdie Brown.....November freebie
3. Addicted to CAS
4. Challenges 4 Everybody.....anything goes

Lest We Forget!

Last year I made this card for a challenge at The Crafter's Cafe....the first challenge I ever entered. The card has been sitting in a place of honor on my desk ever since then. When I feel a little put out I have a look at it & remind myself how lucky I am to live the life I do. I am able to live this life thanks to the many who gave their lives to preserve the freedom I value so strongly. To them I say "Thank you"&  to you I say....never forget those brave men & women!

 

The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month...Lest we forget!

Soccer Star!

Hello my crafty friends.  I hope you are all well today & finding so time to craft. I'm supposed to be heading off to the city again tomorrow but as I'm writing this it is raining & if it freezes overnight the roads will be a nightmare in the morning! Keeping y fingers crossed!                                                My card today is for my beautiful niece Caitlyn who is turning 12 yrs. old. Caitlyn is quite the soccer player...she plays on a district team & has been invited to try out for the provincial team as well. So, when I won some images from Jackson's Digital Expressions awhile ago this was a natural pick for me. I have colored her in Caitlyn's team colors using prismacolor pencils. The CS is Bazzill & the twill tape & soccer embellies are from my stash. The sketch is from Stamptacular Sunday.  Thanks for taking a look.

 

I am entering my card in the followingchallenges:
1. Crafts & Me.....reds
2. Crafty Creations.....no flowers
3. Inky Impressions.....birthday
4. Penny's Paper-Crafty.....lots of layers
5. Challenges 4 Everybody.....anything goes
6. Stamptacular Sunday.....sketch
7. The Crafty Pad.....anything goes

Relax!!

Happy Friday! I am off to the city for the weekend & it is going to be a busy trip! Supper with my family tonight (Mom, my kids & grandgirls). Tomorrow we will be watching Emily (5 yrs.) playing hockey in the morning & then a get together with friends we haven't seen in ages in the evening. Then, Jessica (9yrs.) plays hockey on Sunday afternoon. In between times we plan to get some Xmas shopping done. I will need to relax when I get home...just like this cute little House Mouse! Hubby will be in the city for the next 2 weeks working (he retired 4 yrs. ago but is covering for someone having surgery) so, I will have lots of time to myself to do as I please! Stay in my jammies & craft all day is high on the list of priorities!
Anyway, on to my card! I stamped my House Mouse....Autumn Cruise with Versafine ink, vintage sepia & colored it with my prismacolor pencils; I've used Spellbinder ovals & scalloped ovals; CS is Bazzill; DP is Fancy Pants; sentiment is Hero Arts; brads are Recollections & the ribbon is from my stash. Oh, & the "bling" in the corners is Stickles... orange & lime green (the green looks sort of washed out in the picture) My photography skills leave much to be desired!!

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
1. House Mouse.....color combo (I used orange & lime green)
2. Forever Friends.....anything goes
3. DYSU.....use some brads
4. Lady Anne Challenges.....anything goes
5. My Mum's Craft Shop.....bright & bold

Thanks for stopping by! Have an awesome weekend!