Merry Christmas and a Special Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

Merry Christmas, one and all! and God Bless Us, Everyone! :)

I pray for all of you, peace, good tidings, and blessings in abundance!

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. grab a cup of yummy coffee while I tell  you about a most lovely lady by the name of Alyce that some of us are recognizing with a special little blog hop.

if you are following the trail left by Santa and his reindeer, then you should have come here by way of Jamie Peters. if you have a moment, please stop by our esteemed Santa, Mari, who worked hard to put all of this together and tell her thank you! :)

a full list of the hop can be found here, at Carol's blog. :)

if you don't know Alyce and her AMAZING class group called Kit and Clowder, then I suggest you head straight on over just as soon as you can! not only is she one of the nicest people you will ever meet on this big blue marble, but she is super dee duper talented with Copic markers. I haven't even started my classes full throttle yet, and I have learned so much from her. I could sit and watch her color for hours, if given the chance. she has a Facebook group that is such fun, filled with kind and encouraging people. as the new year begins, I am jumping in with both feet to Copic markers, so be on the lookout! :)

we were encouraged to create either a regular Christmas card for Alyce or an ugly card. I chose to go the 'ugly sweater' route, using the adorable image from Saturated Canary, 'Ugly Christmas Sweater.'  papers are from the Basic Grey Nordic Holiday collection, flower is Petaloo, and mini flourish dies are Cheery Lynn. a paper straw tied with baker's twine and some sequins complete the card. I did add some sparkly touches with  stickles and a clear spica glitter gel pen.  her glasses are coated in crystal effects.

I think my card works for both the 'ugly' and 'ugly sweater' portion of the challenge, don't you?! ;)

your next stop on the hop is Carline Samedy. be sure to wish her a Merry Christmas when you get there! :)

A Frosty, Snowy Penguin Tag

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread

Well today is going to be a busy one for me with lots of baking going on. how about you? how are your preparations for Christmas going? I still need to wrap gifts, too, but that can wait another day or so. ;) we always have someone wrapping a few on Christmas morning..... grins!

I have a fun little tag to show you this morning using a happy little penguin image from Scrapper's Delights. They have a challenge in their Facebook group to use this image on either a tag or an ornament. I love to make tags, so it was an easy choice for me.

I created the bg on the tag using a mix of gelatos (this really shines and sparkles irl!!) and white Mr. Huey's spray mist. the drifts were hand cut from glittered tissue paper. pom pom trim, baker's twine, button, sequins, and a mini white sisal tree complete it all. :)  oh yes, I added stickles to our penguin friend's hat and some polka dots with a white gel pen.

be on the lookout for some fun and new things happening here on my blog in the new year. not only am I trying something completely new for me, but I am getting my toes wet again in the DT arena after my hurtful experiences this year. can't let a few unfortunate people keep me from doing what I enjoy, that is for certain! life is way to short for grudges and bitterness, folks. gotta keep it in the rearview mirror! ;)

enjoy these last few days getting ready for Christmas! don't forget to stop every once in a while and enjoy the beauty of all this season stands for. :)

Challenges:
Scrapper's Delights - anything goes
Animal Friends - anything goes w/an animal
Crafting Musketeers - bling (bg, sequins, stickles, glittered tissue)
Ladybug Crafts - It's Cold Outside
Inky Impressions - Winter Wonderland
Milk Coffee - Make it Sparkle (bg, sequins, stickles, glittered tissue)
Add A Little Dazzle - anything goes or photo inspiration (a bit of both - tree & sparkle from photo)
Hambo Hoedown - Winter Fun
Simon Says Stamp Wed - Winter Inspiration
Mema's Crafts - Cold Winter Days
Cosmic Colors - color inspiration (see above - cookies)
Crafty Ribbons - Penguin Pals
DRS Designs - color inspiration (see above - skates)
Crafter's Cafe - Animal Friends
House That Stamps Built - Think Snow
Crafty Sentiments - Winter
Inky Chicks - Winter Wonderland
Robyn's Fetish - Christmas tags

'A' You're Adorable

Coffee of the Day - Marzipan

Hello to all of you! hope you are doing well!  I have a card to share with you today that is for a special little someone. Through a Facebook group for Simply Betty Stamps fans, we were told that one of the ladies' niece had a baby born with some very serious problems in her heart. one surgery has already been done and more are scheduled. Cards for the family were requested. of course I wanted to help!

I used the precious image 'Baby Doll Betty' and a sentiment from Create with TLC. papers are from the Basic Grey Knee Highs collection. a little doily piece peeks out from behind the sentiment while surrounded by pretty pink paper flowers. sorry, they were a lovely gifty so I don't know the mfg. ribbon and button are from my stash. polka dot accents were made with my white gel  pen.

enjoy your weekend! all of my love to you! :)

Challenges:
QKR - lots of layers
Stempelsonne - anything goes
A Little Bit Crafty - anything goes but not Christmas
Lia Stampz - choose your style: patterned paper, sentiment, flowers, die cut
Cards Galore Encore - anything goes
Divas by Design - anything goes
Paper Shelter - anything goes
WAW - anything encouraging goes
TTCRD - anything goes
Sister Act - any card goes

Dear Santa...

Coffee of the Day - Eggnog

One of my most important card commissions came along a few weeks ago - one from my youngest son for 'someone'.....no details other than it had to be cute and explosive. okay, suuuuuuuure..... I can do that. ??? no pressure on Mom to create fabulous for you. ;)

I sent him links to multiple images and then sentiments to be sure it was all as he wanted. then came time to put it all together. I was sweating bullets! worst part of all was that in the midst of this his phone died, so that we ended up doing all of our communication through Facebook chats.

card was finally finished and then express mailed to him. given to recipient, and a few days later he had a relationship status change on FB. whew....... I think she liked the card! :)

and now I can safely post it here.....

image is a cutey by Saturated Canary, called Molly the Elf,  sentiment is from a set by Create with TLC. red bg paper is Evergreen by Basic Grey, gold polka dot is actually part of a note card I picked up from Target, as are the fun matching paper tags along the side. red satin ribbon is May Arts, poinsettias are from Hobby Lobby, main image die is Spellbinders, clear flourish die is Sizzix (cut from re-purposed clear packaging), and other items are from my stash. stickles was used on main image for some added bling and sparkle.

hope you have a great week as you get ready for Christmas! remember to take some time for yourself a midst the hustle and bustle......

Challenges:
613 Avenue Create - anything goes
Crafts 4 Eternity - Christmas
Chocolate, Coffee, & Cards - Christmas
Crafter's Cafe - Christmas/Holiday Season
Glitter 'n Sparkle - Glittery and Sparkly Christmas (stickles, sequins, and gold)
Lacy Sunshine - Holiday Joy
Pile it On - anything goes Holiday/Christmas
OSAAT - anything goes with a glitter (stickles)
Red Carpet Studio - Elf (she looks a bit like Jovie, doesn't she?)
Sentimental Sundays - anything goes w/a sentiment
That Craft Place - Christmas
We Do Doobadoo - Festive Spirits
A Creative Romance - anything goes
Brown Sugar - red, white, and green
Crafty Catz - last minute Christmas (I had 2 days to get details ironed out and create.)
Jo's Scrap Shack - Happy Holidays
Pattie's Creations - Christmas cards
Sister Act - any card goes
Wags 'n Whiskers - Merry Christmas
As You Like It - fave Christmas film: Elf, because it not only heartwarming, but it has so many classically funny lines. we watch it all year 'round!
Aud Sentiments - bingo: die cut or punches (both), digi or rubber stamp (digis), bling (sequins & stickles)
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
Loves Rubberstamps - Winter or Christmas
Paperminutes - upcycling (clear packaging used for die cut flourish)
TTCRD - anything goes
{PIN}spirational - photo inspiration (Santa hats and colors)

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop!

Coffee of the Day - Gingerbread 

 Welcome to the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! Look at this amazing list of sponsors! :)

17Turtles	Veronica Zalis	Chris Franco
Add a Little Dazzle	Butterfly Reflections Ink	Color Cast Designs
Create a Smile	Hero Arts	Kraftin' Kimmie
Kreative Kymona	Latina Crafter	Neat & Tangled
Newton's Nook	Pickled Potpourri Designs	Poppystamps
Reverse Confetti	Stamp Academy	Stamp Simply Ribbon Store
STAMPlorations	SugarPea Designs	Sweet 'n Sassy
The Alley Way Stamps	Two Paper Divas	Verve Stamps
Whole Wild World	Your Next Stamp	Paper Smooches

I know there are a lot of stops on this blog hop, but good golly, Miss Molly, you won't lack inspiration for your Christmas gifties, that is for certain! :)

I've been feeling fairly puny lately, but really really really wanted to play along in this hop if I could. lo and behold, The Cutting Cafe came to my rescue with this FABULOUS coffee cup template!!! isn't it wonderful?!?! inside is a little pocket to hold either a gift card or some Starbuck's Via coffees - I haven't decided yet which I am going to give my friend. who knows, maybe BOTH!

papers are from my beloved Basic Grey, this time the Evergreen collection. 'Fa La La' is from a Sizzix die, gold & ivory twine is Maya Road, and poinsettia comes from Hobby Lobby. I cut down a coffee cozy that I had saved from Starbuck's so that it fit perfectly around the card front. it actually slips right over the front and was then adhered. gives a bit more dimension that way. a few sequins were then sprinkled on for that last bit of holiday bling! :)

thanks so much for stopping by! Merry Christmas to you and those you hold dear! :)

Challenges:
Crafty Sentiments - Christmas
Going Gray with Scrap Creations - Holiday/Christmas
Loves Rubber Stamps - Winter or Christmas
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Jellypark - ribbons or bows
Crafty Boots - Christmas
Get Creative - Christmas
My Craft Spot - Shaped Christmas Card
Pile it On - Anything Goes Christmas or Holidays
Craft-Dee BowZ - anything goes with a handmade bow
Stamp and Create - Christmas
Ooh La La - Christmas
Crazy Ch - Christmas
Come and Get It - Merry Christmas
Red Carpet Studio - "Elf" (here goes, this is one of our fave movies! Fa La La - "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." " I'm singing. I'm in a store, and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing! I'm in a store, and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!" coffee - "You did it! Congratulations! World's best cup of coffee! Great job, everybody!" )
Robyn's Fetish - Christmas Cards
That Craft Place - Christmas
Christmas Cards All Year Round - any Christmas card goes not square or rectangle
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Ch Extra - anything Christmas goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper - anything goes w/patterned paper
Lia Stampz - add metallic or sparkle (sequins, poinsettia w/gold bead center, and twine is also gold metallic)
Seemacrafts - Christmas
The Craft Garden - Christmas
Hiding in My Craft Room - Christmas Colors
A Crafty Mess - Anything Goes/Traditional Holiday Colors
CRAFT - Christmas
Delightful Ch - twinkle, twinkle: add something sparkly (sequins, poinsettia w/gold bead center, and twine is also gold metallic)
Crafters Cafe - Christmas
Simon Says Wed Ch - Bling it On (sequins, poinsettia w/gold bead center, and twine is also gold metallic)