Christmas Gift Card Boxes

It is "anything goes" time over at The Digi Doodle Shop and the timing is perfect for me.  I needed some unique gift card holders.  I wanted something  a little bit special.  I always feel like I cheated when I give someone a gift card because I didn't put personal selection and thought into it.  BUT I have teenagers for Grandchildren and that is what they like.  So I decided to make them special little wrappings to personalize them.  I headed off to the Digi Doodle Shop and shopped for something cute for the boxes.  I narrowed my selection down to two and couldn't make up my mind which I liked the best so I bought both!  :)

They were so much fun to make.  I made the boxes out of card stock.  I decided what size I wanted the finished product to be and added 1 1/2 " extra to the length and width.  I scored all the edges at 3/4" and made a cut at each corner to create flaps.  The I folded them, glued them and they were ready to decorate.  The penguin was decorated with some white paper run through the Cuttlebug using a brick embossing folder.  I cut it into assorted waves to build the snow bank.  I punched a few snowflakes and glued them on.  Then I dotted the sky with Lace Stickles for twinkling stars.  I glued lace around the edge of the box making a pretty ruffle on the box.  The penguin's hat is made with white Flower Soft.  I colored my cute little penguin with my Copics, cut him out and popped him right in the middle of the box.  I glittered the highlights of the ornament and was all done!  I think I now have a favorite and this little guy is it.

The Candy Cane box was made with the Christmas Heart digi.  I colored it with my Copics, cut it out and popped it on top of the box.  It is matted on a large scalloped circle  in white and glued to the DP is a glittery piece from My Mind's Eye.  To accent it I added a embossed white stocking attached with a silver brad and MS Snowflake.  I put a JOY sticker on the center scalloped circle that comes with the stamp.  Finished it off by glued some bright green satin polka dot ribbon along the side for effect.

Well that's it for me this week.  Now it is your turn to hop over to The Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenges here and see what the rest of the design team has come up with to inspire you..  I already took a peek and it is pretty awesome, I must say.  Every week I get new ideas from these ladies that I can't wait to try on my own cards.  While you are there, enter one of your own designs.  You may get lucky and win the $10.00 shopping trip to the shop.

Only 3 more days until the Big Ole' guy comes down the chimney and fills my house with lots of joy, eats my cookies and then heads out for your house.  I simply cannot wait to share these special times with my family.  Here's hoping you too will have a wonderful blessed Christmas  too.  Enjoy your family and friends, presents, and yummy food  this Christmas but don't forget that  "Jesus Is The  Real Reason For The Season".  

Thanks for all your visits this past year and oh so kind, comments.  I have enjoyed this blogging year and all the new friends I have met, more than you know.  Take Care, Stay Safe and I'll be back in 2012!

 Blessings from my home to yours, Linda

It's Party Time

Those fun-lovin' gals over at TPC want to party today!  It is our last post for 2011.  We are going to take a couple of weeks off to enjoy the holidays with our families, but we will be back on January 7, 2012.  Our sponsor this week is Karen's Doodles and this is one of her digis.  It was love at first sight when I saw the twinkle in this elephant's eye.  She is called "Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe" and you can get her here.  Wouldn't she be a funny card for my DGS who will be 18 in March?

I wanted to make this a real party card, so I used the side step card to allow room for the party hat and party balloons and give me room to print my precious elephant a little larger.  I colored her with Copics and added a little Diamond Stickles to her hem and neckline.  That fun shaw reminds me of these ruffly scarves that are the rage right now.  The DP's are from the DCWV Nana's Kids pad.  They have bright fun colors and lots of glitter already on them.   The card base is SU paper and the balloons and hat were cut on my Sizzix .  The Happy Birthday stamp is from Artful Legacy a local scrapbook store that is now on line.  The cupcake button is from my stash.  The oval shapes are from Nestabilities Labels 10.

So that is it for this one.  Quick and Simple to do since I worked with  beautiful elements and they can all stand on their own.  All I had to do was combine and glue!

So click here and see the other wonderful creations the rest of my teamies created over at Totally PaperCrafts.  Make a party card, tag etc. and post it. Karen's Doodles is offering a fabby gift to the lucky winner.

Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it.  Happy Holiday to everyone who celebrate another holiday this time of year.  No matter what you call your holiday, I wish you peace, happiness with your family and friends.  Lot's of good food without any calories!  See you next year!

Love ya, Linda

She Brought Him Forth and Laid Him in a Manger

It is Paper Piercing time over at Digi Doodle Shop Best Challenge Blog.  This is my contribution and I believe this Nativity Digi is absolutely stunning..   It is called simply, The Nativity  and it is on sale for $1.50.  I teamed it up with a Christmas sentiment from the Dig Doodle Shop's Christmas Scriptures   and it is one of the many sentiments that is totally FREE!  Whoo Hoo!

I started this card using the heat embossing technique  on a  piece of SU craft paper.  I  stamped the trees using the SU  "Lovely As A Tree"set with Versa Mark. I then sprinkled them with SU Iridescent Ice embossing powder on top and set it with my heat gun.  I printed my digi on Cryogen White paper from The Paper Temptress, colored with Copics and cut it out.  I applied it to the craft paper with foam tape for some dimension.  I printed the sentiment on craft paper applied it to a piece of DP cut out with a scalloped  rectangle Spellbinder popped up with foam tape.  The white scalloped circle was punched with a Marvy punch and cut in half.  I tucked one on the bottom left corner and the other half on the top center border.  The snowflake border is a Martha Stewart punch.  I first applied glitter to the snowflake border, but it just looked to gaudy for a baby born in a manger so I punched another one and left it plain white.  The blue dotted paper is from my stash and that is where I chose to paper pierce a border around it.

Now it's your turn.  Grab a sharp instrument and go punch some holes and join in the fun at The Digi Doodle Shop.   Link up your project here and you just might win a $10.00 gift certificate to their wonderful shop.  Meantime, check out all the awesome inspiration my other teamies have created for you.

Sassy Cheryl Challenge #93 - It's Santa

My buddy Sassy Jeni wants us to show Santa creations this week over at Sassy Cheryl's.  Since I know her quite well and have for many years, I am not surprised at her choice.  You see Santa is always very good to Jeni, because she is always very good.  So she is honoring one of the favorite men in her life.  And since I am no dummy, I think I will honor the old guy myself.  Never know what may or may not show up under my tree on the 25th.  Santa I LOVE You Babe!  You  De Man!

I have used this image so many times this year.  Cheryl Alger is the creator of this cute guy and I love him.  He is my absolute favorite this year.  You can get him here for yourself.  Remember it is only  16 days til Christmas, and he knows what you've been doing.  I'm only saying here.

Tag Recipe:

Copics for coloring
White Poster Paint Sharpie for back of tag and highlights on cheeks
Recollections Snowflake Punch
Cricut "Stretch Your Imagination" Cartridge
Jingle Bells and ribbons from my stash

Tweet, Tweet, Happy Birthday Momma

The gals over at Totally PaperCrafts have issued  a different challenge this week.  They don't want to see any Christmas cards.  Do we still remember how to made a card that is not for Christmas?  LOL, well it made me really clear my muddled brain.

Our challenge this week is sponsored by Mel Jens and I just think their images are too cute.  I chose this Victorian Birdcage which you can get here.  I loved the curving lines and that cute little singing bird.  I had this paper in my stash from a couple of years ago.  I bought it at Artful Legacy and it was a "have to have".  Well I guess it must have been real special, because I wouldn't even use it.  LOL.  I did a tiny amount of coloring using Copics  RV0000; R00 and R20.  Then I outlined the die cut and the lines in the image with a Sakura Clear Star Jelly roll pen.  My flowers are Recollections and the popped up birdcage at the right is cut out of the same paper with a white satin ribbon as a hanger.  The lattice punch and leaf puch are MS and the ribbon border punch is from SU.

So wipe the Christmas mojo out of your mind and whip up a non-Christmas creation for us.  There may be a wonderful prize from MelJens for you. Melissa is generously giving 4 stamps of the winner's choice for the lucky winner.  Now hop on over to our blog and see all the lovely creations our oh so talented DT has to inspire you today.

For Challenge Post

Meljen's Designs is a lovely stamp company owned and illustrated by Melissa Jenkins. She illustrates whimsical digital images inspired by her kids and family. The Meljen's Designs store officially launched on April 1 and is steadily growing! Meljen's Designs has new releases along with a new challenge every Thursday, freebies every Monday and a Guest Designer each month at the Meljen's Designs Blog. Please visit the Meljen's Designs line of stamps at the Meljen's Designs Store to browse and enjoy Melissa's wonderful images!

  

It's A Poinsettia Time of Year

It's "Nature Week" over the Digi Doodle Shop Challenge Blog.  I think the Poinsettia is one of G.od's most beautiful flowers.  It stands strong with vibrant colors and just makes a room come to life.  That's why I chose this beautiful Poinsettia and Poinsettia Merry Christmas Banner to make my card with.  You can get yours here I colored the digi twice and separated the two layers with foam tape.  It was really easy  to do because I used The Paper Temptress' Cryogen White cardstock.  It does not run when using red like some other papers I have used.  I stickled the poinsettias on the banner and used a Gold Metallic Sakura Gel Pen to color the Merry Christmas and edge the banner.  The gems are really red and green, but the red photographed amber.  The paper is from Aww Shucks a local scrap book store.  They are flipsides of the same paper from Echo Park Paper Co.  The elements in this card sort of stand on their own, so I didn't do much at all.  Easy and quick which I certainly need this time of year.  How about you?

Treat yourself to a second cup of coffee and pop on over to the Digi Doodle Shop Challenge Blog and see what the rest of the Design Team have made.  Then grab a little bit of nature for yourself and enter a creation.  There is a $10.00 gift card going to the lucky person who's number is chosen.

SMT at Sassy Cheryl's

 I wanted to share this picture of my kitchen table.  If you are a long-time follower of my blog, you will remember this was my craft table.  Now look at it.  We actually eat dinner and breakfast there everyday.  (When we are not eating in front of the TV, LOL).  My DH made this centerpiece for me.  He cut some magnolia leaves and ivy from the backyard and arranged fresh fruit around the lantern.  The lantern looks so pretty when it is lit too.  The tablecloth is one I made years ago.  I stenciled the border around it.  Doesn't this pattern look like Sassy Cheryl's snowmen?  Cheryl any chance you are the artist  for this fabric?


I have been finishing up my Christmas decorations this week.  I can proudly say all the boxes are stored back in the attic until January.  I mean to tell you that is a job.  I decorated my yard, screened in porch, living room, dining room and kitchen.  When I finally got to the staircase decorations I got pooped and said enough is enough! LOL  Seriously I have a new motto - NO STRESS.  My DH, The Kahuna, has been telling me for years to stop doing so much.  Well please don't tell him, but he was right and I am finally listening to him.

My Mom is still disappointed that I didn't do the staircase because it was her favorite part.  Who knows, maybe I will find another burst of energy and do the staircase.  The decorations are in the front of the attic just in case.  Imagine that, I still can't tell Momma no after all these years. 

I also wanted to share this Nativity Set.  My Mother made it for us.  It is Mother-of-Pearl and absolutely beautiful.  Even more so now because my Mom is losing her eyesight and her rheumatoid arthritis has crippled her poor fingers.  She was always a crafter and I get that from her.

Well that is what is going on in my world this week.  I am going to post this over at Sassy Cheryls SMT blog and snoop in the windows of the other girls.  Click here if you want to see what all the nosie Sassettes are up to.  Come to think of it.  Snap a pic of your own and post.  I am a nosey rosey and want to see what you are doing.  Hugs,Linda

In A Stable In Bethlehem

I had a major AWE moment when I saw this image from Mo's Digital Pencil Too.  It was definitely a have to have.  I teamed it up with some gorgeous papers from DCWV Linen Closet Pad.  It is colored with Copics, stickled a bit with Frosted Lace, cut out and popped up on a circle punched with SU punch and a lacy doily cut with a Spellbinder die.The computer generated sentiment says "In A Stable In Bethlehem"  I think that about says it all doesn't it?

I am going to enter this in Mo's Digital Pencil Too Challenge.  This week's theme is the Outdoors.  Stables are outside, so I hope this counts.

Digi Doodle Shop Special

Extra Chances for winning $5.00 gift certificate for doing nothing, but following a blog!  Whoo Hoo!  You all know I am on the Design Team for Digi Doodle Shop and have been having so much fun with their images.  Now is a chance for you to win even more and you don't even have to make a card, tag or project.  Pop on over to the Blog and join today.  While you are there have a snoop around.  Be sure to check out all the freebie sentiments they are offering.  There are some really great Christmas ones too.

 WIN A $5.00 GIFT CERTIFICATE
Until 12/1/2012, for every 50 new followers, DDS will pick a follower to win a gift certificate to our shop. We'll have our first draw upon reaching 600.

HO HO HO

 Cathy over at Totally PaperCrafts is the hostess with the mostest this week and she wanted to see some snow.  I live on the south eastern coast of the US we hardly ever see snow.  The only time we had a white Christmas was 1989 and that was the year we also had Hurricane Hugo come to visit.  That was quite a year around here.  

My bright little snowmen are the fun kind to have around - there's  no shoveling required.  The image was drawn by Cheryl Alger at Sassy Cheryl's and you can get one here.  I just love these letter sitters. 

I planned on coloring them in traditional red & and green so I could use this  plaid DP I was dying to use. But, I am seeing so many beautiful ornaments in these bright colors that I decided to use this pretty, but nontraditional color palette.  Then to my delight I found they matched this ribbon I had picked up at Hobby Lobby awhile back.  Yeah for me, it had never been used either.  

The border punch is a Martha Stewart and the circles were punched with a SU circle punch and embossed with a Cuttlebug Snowflake folder.  Popped a little glitter Stickles and I was finished.  Here's a closeup of these cuties.

Totally PaperCrafts theme is snow this week.  Check us out here to see the snow my, oh so talented DT Sisters have for you this week! Then grab some snow and make a creation and join in the fun. There is a great prize at stake from our very talented :

I would also like to enter this card in the Sassy Cheryl Winter Challenge too.  Check out their cards too.  My goodness Cheryl has some very talented crafters in her team also!

Hugs to everyone in this oh so busy time of the year.  My wish for you is that you don't get too caught up in the hustle and bustle and spend more time in the joy and merriment of the season. HO HO HO!!!!!  **Linda

Dear Santa

It's time for the Digi Doodle Shop Best challenge unveiling.  This week my very talented DT mates are going to use Lot's of  Sparkle.  What better time of year, than Christmas, to use sparkle?  I chose to use Sir Oliver.  He is from the Ragga Mutts series and you can get him at the Digi Doodle Shop.  Don't you just love his expression?

My sparkly paper is from My Mind's Eye the Dear Santa pad.  I sparkled up Sir Oliver's pillow for the Christmas season with some red and gold Flower Soft.  Sir Oliver has visions of tasty chewy bones dancing in his head this time of year.  I added some additional sparkle on the snowflake and the Christmas bird.

The Digi Doodle Shop has a special sale going on for the month of December.  You get 25% off of everything in the store.  If you haven't taken a snoop over there, it is time you did.  My goodness, there is so much to choose from and the new December digis are just too cute!  So go ahead and treat yourself to a snoop .  Whoo Hoo 25% off!!!!