Visions of Sugarplums

 

It's that time again - I have Visions of Sugarplums dancing in my head! The second annual Visions of Sugarplums event will begin Monday, Dec. 3rd! Mark your calendars! It was a lot of fun last year and this year it will be even MORE fun! We'll be sharing Christmas projects, recipes, traditions and be giving away lots of goodies - more than one a day!!

This year I have the wonderful honor of co-hosting with the genius founder of Visions of Sugarplums, Lori Hairston   She'll be posting every day as will I. 
Two challenge blogs are participating this year: Craft Us Crazy and Make It Monday.

The fantastic list of bloggers include: Regina, Linda, Ira, , Lauren, Lauren, Sandy, Debbie, Bonnie, Ignacio, Maria and Mitra. These are some of our favorite people...

Some of the most generous people who will be giving away goodies include: The Cutting Cafe, My Time Made Easy, Paper Sweeties, Iralamija, Digital Paper, Moonlighting by Mary, NiceCrane, Mitra, Lori, and me!

Winning is easy. The more comments you leave the more chances you have. You can leave a comment on each day's participating blog and you will be entered that many times in the drawing for that day's prize. We hope you'll join us!


Igloo Christmas Wishes

I'd just like to start by saying that I did not, absolutely didn't, use an air filter padding to make the snow igloo frame on this card, NOPE...but if you need something white, snowy and holds together well, you didn't hear it from me. ;)  My husband is still shaking his head on this one. Oh well...on to the card...

This is my card for the Dutch Dare Challenge happening right now of Winter Wonderland!  Using the images from our sponsor, Meljen's Designs here is Penguins Little Letter & Cozy Winter Mailbox. 

I really wanted to make an igloo wreath and this is the best I could come up with. I'm pretty happy with it.  What do you think? 

Please join us for some Winter Wonderland fun and make that extra Christmas card you've been itching to do.

Thank you so much for your visit. You are VERY appreciated!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx

 



Happy Day To You...

Welcome to the softer side of Dr. Digi's House of Stamps. 

 Here is Derek Dunderton, hat in hand and wishing you a very Happy Day! 

A clean and simple design to show off this dashing gent.

Trying to do a little catch up on some DT cards, so this is a combination post for Make It Monday as well as Dr. Digi's House of Stamps.  Make It Monday has a fantastic sponsor this week, Dr. Digi himself!  Please stop in and see the most wonderful and hysterical cards from my teammates as well and don't forget to share your creativity with us too.

Hope you've enjoyed the card.

Now for my...

#103 Julie

 

I completely dig these acetate boxes AND if you visit her blog, you will see what she has filled them up with! Absolutetly festive gift and YUMMY too!

Thank you so much Julie for sharing this with us at Make It Monday. I love it!

 

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx

 

OHHH, and here are a few extra links for Dr. Digi that you might enjoy. I know it would give the Doctor himself warm fuzzies if you visited.

Dr. Digi on Facebook

Dr. Digi's Blog

Dr. Digi's Store 

 

 



The Heart Of a Mother

Hello to you!

This is my project for the current challenge at Our Creative Corner, hosted by Irena and she has chosen the theme ABC; Angel, Button, and Chipboard.

I've taken several pictures so you can see the process I used to make this.

One page of sheet music was used to make the dress, cover the halo, her arms and the chipboard base.

 

A little stocking stuffer for someone special in my life.

Here is the actual song by Henry Burr, 1916 Mother

Please join us at Our Creative Corner for our ABC challenge and while you're there, check out the amazing creations from talented teammates!

Hugs to you all,

Lisa xx

 



Dare To Dream...

The crowd has gathered for the show of the year and on stage is our One and Only Tragic Magic Magician!  Dr. Digi must believe that he'll get it right one of these days, but I'm not so sure the rabbit and dove have that much faith yet. 

The motto of this card:

Never doubt your dreams, you can do it if you try!

Hope you've enjoyed this handmade stage with denim jeans dyed red in Adirondack Inks, a little stage and some magic show goer silhouettes.

Have a fantastic day!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa x

 



School's Cancelled!!!

Don't panic! I didn't mean school was REALLY cancelled, but by the looks of this young man in my card...I think that's the good word on the street!   Welcome again to another challenge at Top Tip Tuesday where our theme this time around is Kids/Teens.  There's a very special treat too.  One of our newest and loved members, Lisa S, has a superb tutorial on mixed media.  Some of you may be as confused as I am to what "qualifies" as mixed media, but have no fear, Lisa will put all your questions and fears to rest, so be sure to check it out and feast your eyes on her project as well. OHH, but there's more inspiration too as the wonderful TTT ladies also have their offerings for kids or teens.  Here is my card using News Kid, a freebie from Kenny K and I've tried my best to place him in a mixed media environment.  The sky is actually a gift from my dear blogger buddy Sue at Scrumplescrunch and it's dylusion inks dyed paper that I've torn and layered, brayed over with a lighter blue and then embossed snowflakes on. The trees are more recycled metal from an old tea can and decorated with metallic green acrylic paint, drops of Adirondack inks and red stickles.  The snowman is of course, built with buttons.  Hope you've enjoyed this card. :)

Do you like prizes? Well, yes! Who doesn't? There's also some mega cool sponsors such as Kenny K, Fred She Said and Crimson Cloud all ready to hand out prizes to our lucky winners!

 

Thank you so much for stopping and a very warm welcome to my newest and very appreciated followers too.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx



Snow Thankful For YOU...

We're giving thanks over at Squigglefly this week and we want you to share in the fun with us.  Holley has decided on the perfect theme, especially since Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Join us for SO THANKFUL. There are a few options you have to choose from and to see what they are please join us over at the Squigglefly blog to find out more and while you're there you'll see my teammates other offerings of thanks.  Here is my tag using the adorable image from Deena Perreault called Snow Globe With Snowman and it's available in the Squigglefly Shop.

So thankful you stopped in today. I'm always happy for your visits.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping to you,

Lisa xx



Tipsy on Monday Morning...

Go ahead, you can say it..."Awww, that's so cute!" Hahaha..isn't it though and guess what? The dadblasted thing won't stand up.  Nothing I did made it any better. Made a stand in the back and then it just teetered to the side and leaned worse. So, here's my tipsy Monday morning offering to you, complete with easel, for our latest Make It Monday Linky Party that's now open! Thanks so much to Meljen's Designs for sponsoring us this week.  Love the little Sewing Machine and I regret that my card can't stay sober for its debut, but still...awww...it's so cute!

Please join us and share your makes, old or new...we'd love to see them and while you're there, check out the beautiful cards from my teammates too and see if you are their pick of the week!

Have a wonderful day and big hugs to you...

Lisa xx

Psst...one more important thing

#223 Sarah's Little Snippets

WOW! Check this out....who else is jealous?? LOL...So adorable and wait until you see the original cabinet and the way she's decorated the outside too! Love all the amazing papers and accessories here. Such an adorable project.  Please check out Sarah's blog here to see more!!

 

 



Altered Altoid Cabin In the Woods...

Welcome to my little winter wonderland on a tin container.  I'm so excited to tell you about the inspiration of this ornament because it has to do with our current challenge over at Our Creative Corner, hosted by my blog buddy Susan.  This week she's asking us all to use Foil and Alcohol Inks!!  You can check out Susan's and the other team members incredible makes here.

I couldn't wait to get my hands on the foil and inks as I created the sky background to fit on my Altoids can.  This is regular cooking foil with drops of Stonewashed Adirondack Alcohol Ink.

The inspiration for this little corrugated cardboard log cabin comes from another challenge that I am combining with this one over at The Funkie Junkie for the 12 Tags of Christmas Challenge.  Using a metal tin and foil seemed like a perfect combination.  Below is Linda's 7th tag and I drew inspiration from the log cabin, corrugated cardboard, trees and the snowy scene.

The 12 Tags of Christmas challenge is also sponsored by the The Funkie Junkie Boutique and Linda would love for you to stop by and visit her. :)

I couldn't stop with just the foil sky so I drew more foil in by adding a foil roof on the log cabin with hints of Vintage Photo DI and drops of Pearl Mixative Adirondack Ink. The background trees are acrylic painted and then glossed with clear embossing powder, but one tree stands out with it's foil structure and inking of Meadow and Espresso Alcohol Inks. 

While still wanting to add even more foil, I've crumpled up bits of it at the bottom, gesso'd it up and then sprinkled with SU mica flakes while dripping bits of Lemonade and Pearl Mixative Alcohol Inks as well.  The finishing touches were Opaque powder embossed snowflakes, painted Gesso snow and Xmas Red Stickles and a burlap bow, OH and a little bitty wreath on the front door.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing my latest Christmas tree advent calendar ornament, and are inspired to join us over at Our Creative Corner for the Foil and Alcohol Inks Challenge!

Please note, Our Creative Corner has a max of 4 challenges total; ours and 3 others.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping....

Lisa xx

 

Challenges I would like to enter this into:

The Funkie Junkie - 12 Tags of Christmas (Tag 7)

 



She Who Paints The Forest

Even little fairies who paint the forest enjoy a little bling in their life and that's perfect for our challenge over at Dutch Dare where this week's them is...

Diamonds and Pearls!

Here is my mixed media card base designed with alcohol inks, Gesso, embossing folders, stamps, a few hand rolled flowers and of course, diamonds and pearls!

If you enjoy this image, you can find it over at our sponsor's store, The Stamping Boutique and this little cutie is called She Who Paints the Forest.

Thank you so much for your visit, I appreciate it. :)

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx

 



Bad Boy Bill Blushes...

After listening to his wife nag for 9 years about investing in a TALLER privacy fence, Bill finally decides today is the day.

Greetings from the backyard of BBQ Bill, aka Bad Boy Bill, who simply wants to grill, but has turned it into a total blunder and the neighbors are having a hay day with it!

 

Thank you to Dr. Digi's House of Stamps for creating this comical masculine card.  I took a few liberties with the image and added the I (heart) Mom tattoo, the bandanna on his head and the large flame shooting from his Char-Master 2000. 

Thank you so much for stopping in and I hope you've enjoyed your visit. 

Bill was supposed to have a little snack for you while you visit, but....

I've ordered pizza so please help yourself to some on the way out.

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx



Happy Thanksgiving Sweetie Pie...

Well, the results are in here in the US and the country has spoken and we can all rest peacefully knowing that we won't have ANY more badgering phone calls or political commercials to endure for 2 more years! WOO HOO!!  This in itself makes me very thankful and inspired me to make another Thanksgiving card.

Welcome back to another linky party at Make It Monday with the ever popular sponsor Bugaboo who has created this cute little Bobblehead Thanksgiving Scarecrow! 

Does this pie look scrumptious or what?  I can't take credit for this design, but when I saw it here on Brigit's blog, I knew it would be a perfect backdrop for this Thanksgiving image.  The crust edge was made by using the wing from SU's Bird Builder Punch. 

As always the DT are on their game and have created more wonderful inspiration you won't want to miss.  Speaking of not wanting to miss, here is my....

#153 Pia

Love this decorated Christmas bag!  The colors are beautiful with the textured trees and reindeer AND she's even decorated the back of this, but it's totally different. Take a peek here to see the entire project on Pia's blog!!

 

So glad you stopped by and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx



Let There Be Art on Earth...

Good day to you all!  I'm so happy you stopped in :)

If you smell smoke, I apologize. Lately I've been cranking out the more oddly humorous cards, but a new challenge over at Our Creative Corner had me slamming on the breaks from that genre. I'll admit, it was more difficult than I anticipated.  It felt sort of like wearing elastic waistband sweats for six months and then one day deciding you'll put them skinny jeans back on....

 

My dear bloggy friend Susan, whom I've affectionately nicknamed Onion, (it's a compliment...just ask her..LOL) is hosting this weeks challenge and she would like us to...

Make Your Own Backgrounds!

(NO patterned paper at ALL..NOT one itty bitty scrap)

 

So, here is my humble offering...

The base of the card is plain white cardstock that I've punched a window into.  A large piece of crinoline material, also with a matching window, has been gessoed to the cardstock.  A beautiful stamp (gifted to me by Susan as well; which I love) has been clear powder embossed and inked over. The trees are stamps that have been acrylic painted and then applied to the crinoline as well.  Some stitching, a little strip of fancy (whatever that stuff is that I found at a flea market) and some pearls to highlight what I think is a very poignant quote.  Daubers were applied to the background of Antique Linen DI and then a paint brushing of Pearl Ex Inference Gold powder to highlight the sky.

 

The objective for this challenge is to create the background and leave MOST of it exposed and not covered up by your focal point.  I hope I've done this here.

Thank you so much for kindly stopping in. We'd really love to see how you design your own backgrounds and for more inspiration you can check out Onion's guidelines and the rest of my teammates works of art!

Hugs n' Happy Stamping...

Lisa xx



I sense "fowl" play here...

 

I'm happy to report that no animals were harmed in the making of this card, but I'm not too certain of  Jasper's outcome.  Looks to me like Mr. Torqued Turkey is pondering if he would be tasty with some fava beans and a nice Chianti??

 (Whoever guesses that movie reference wins a NEW CAR!) 

 I'm kidding, no new car, but I promise not to send this blunderbuss swinging fowl to your house. :)

Hope you've enjoyed my offering of a Thanksgiving card and if you'd like to get your hands on this comical scene, you can find it here at Dr. Digi's House of Stamps called Howdy Pilgrim.

Thanks so much for your visit,

hugs n' happy stamping...

Lisa xx



"Don't Go Breaking My Heart..."

I distinctly remember dreading bedtime when I was little. One house in particular gave me the heebie jeebies. Well, not the house, but the bed; perhaps what "lurked" under it.  I had it down to a science. Stand at the entryway of my bedroom. One hand on the light switch, flick of the wrist and light turned off while simultaneously taking one giant leap right into the center of my bed! Never never never were my feet to touch the ground when it was dark.  What's that you say? What did I do if I had to use the restroom in the middle of the night? No problem! Bed became a diving board as I stood up on it and jumped allllllll the way back to the doorway, and of course, switched the light back on!  I don't remember ever seeing a monster, but now I'm starting to wonder if I'd repressed the memories of it popping out from under my bed or my closet to interrogate me; quite like poor Tommy here.  Maybe that was my fear too, not wanting to break "Mookie's" heart.  Yes, that was his name! Mookie has stayed with me for years and if my own kids heard a weird noise or something in the walls, I simply explained that my childhood monster and I became friends and he stayed with me ever since.  So whenever something strange went bump in the night, my little ones would just say, "Mookie, be quiet, it's bedtime!"

Yes, our family has grown fond of our big lug Mookie and he has a special place in our hearts.  Which is why I've designed this card for Top Tip Tuesday's challenge We're All Hearts!

The darling green monster in Tommy's room is from Stamp Fairy and called Monsters Under My Bed 1.  The background scene is from the artist Alessandro Piedemont whom I've introduced some of his artwork on my blog before. I thought the copic colored scenery was the perfect setting to depict this blossoming friendship.

So please join us at Top Tip Tuesday where our fantastic sponsors, Stampfairy, Simon Says Stamp and Ooh La La Creations will be offering up prizes for our winners! Just remember your project has to include a heart!

 

Thank you so much for your visit :)

Lisa xx



Not my gumdrop buttons!!!

Yes, I'm quoting Shrek..love that movie! 

Fear not little gingerbread man, all is safe and sound here in your decked out gingerbread house, complete with gumdrop candies, candy canes and lollipops.  We've even got a cozy fire in the fireplace all for you!

I've managed to make my fourth Christmas card now and it's all thanks to the wonderful artists at Squigglefly. This particular house was drawn by Jane Beljo and available here if you'd like to make yourself a nice little refuge for gingerbread people too.  There's also a new challenge over at Squigglefly and they'd love to see your Ribbon or Bows!

So stop on in and say hi and while you're there, enjoy a nice cup of milk and a gingerbread cookie on us!

Sshhhhhh.... ;)

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx

Lonely This Christmas?

I've officially made a total of three, yes count them, 1-2-3, Christmas cards so far this year. I mean to tell you, I'm on the ball!!  Ummm, speaking of that...here is the latest (blushes).

We're opening up another linky party over at Make It Monday and this is the card I'm subjecting everyone to over there..LOL! Oh those poor innocent bystanders.   This hysterical image is from our newest sponsor Dr. Digi's House of Stamps (check them out on Facebook too) and taking center stage is the one and only Lonely This Christmas.  I couldn't find an adequate sentiment fitting enough for this scene so I've typed up my own on the PC.

We'd love for you to join us over at Make It Monday and while you're there, please check out the other outrageously comical cards from my teammates. 

Now for my....

#93 Skye

I found this card very striking. It has a CAS feel to it, but there's really quite a challenge behind it all.  Skye completed this card using a square punch and I love the outcome. What a sensational Christmas card with a beautifully decorated tree!

Thank you so much for sharing this with us at Make It Monday Skye :)

 

Thank you so much for stopping in and all your terrific comments :)

Hugs n' Happy Stamping,

Lisa xx

 

 



Silhouette Sleigh Ride Ornament

Getting right to the chase because I'm so extremely thrilled with this challenge and I can't wait to give you the link to it, here is my DT creation for Our Creative Corner where the marvelous Marcy is hosting again this week and her challenge is to use Silhouettes! 

Originally I had a card all planned out, but then came across this free groovy template for a miniature suitcase at Mirkwood Designs and decided that a 3-dimensional setting would be more fun for a silhouette and then went one step further and turned it into an adorable little Christmas tree ornament.  I'm including all the links so that you can make one too. They are so super easy! 

The template, as is, will make this little box which measures 2.5"x 2", it's the perfect ornament size! I just used white cardstock and wood embossed the parts.  Coloring it in with Bordering Blue and Bliss Blue ink then aging it with distress inks in Antique Linen and Vintage Photo.  The pine cones are made from one TH Tattered Pine cones die and cut into three parts. The ivy, leaves and tree as well as pine cones were then painted with Gesso.  Three cotton balls pulled and glued to the bottom of the suitcase where I've mounted the cute little boy and girl silhouette having a wintry sleigh ride together. I've spritzed the cotton balls with a water and glue mixture and then topped with fine glitter.  All in all this took me about 30 minutes to make.  How cute to have these covering your tree?

This silhouette is a custom made stamp, but there are so many wonderful silhouette images for free at the Graphics Fairy and Free Vintage Digital Stamps.

 

Please stop in to Our Creative Corner

and feast your eyes on the other wonderful silhouette makes by my teammates.

 

I thank you with all my heart for the most wonderful comments and visits.

Your time, friendship, and encouragement is so very much appreciated.

Have a wonderful day!

Lisa xx



Autumn's Last Leaf

Welcome back friendly crafters! It's officially the first of November and kicking off another month at Heck Of a Challenge we have the theme 50 Shades of Autumn.  I encourage you drop in and see the most creative makes from my teammates...they've really done an incredible job again of capturing one of the most gorgeous seasons in the year!

As for me, welllllll, the jury is still out on this one.  I enlisted the help of my grandmother on this one.  It went something like this...Pick up the phone, dial her number, she answers and I yell..."HELLLLLLLP!" So being the sweetheart she is, she popped on Skype and helped me out with shading, fading, leaf placement and coming to terms with the negative VOID space.  She and my mother are the painters in the family, me...not so much. BUT, I did try my hand at it and the experience was, well...it was an experience.  So THANK YOU Grandma for all your advice and constructive tutoring.  I may not be thrilled with the outcome, but the experience and time spent with you was wonderful!

Anyhow, here is my offering for the 50 Shades of Autumn. I've tried to capture Autumn's Last Leaf.  As gorgeous as a multicolored tree looks in the fall, I'm equally as captivated by one last leaf hanging to a limb as well. 

If you choose to leave a comment, you don't have to "fluff" it. I'll GLADLY take constructive criticism and tips. Eventually I would like to be able to master the look and feel of real bark, so any help is welcome.

I thank you for your visit and your time.

Hugs,

Lisa xx

 

Recycled canvas that was artwork hanging in my daughter's room.

Gesso and acrylic paint base with twisted cardstock makeshift branch

Supplies used: Gesso, acrylic paints, versamark, gold, black and opaque embossing powder, clear crackle.

Have a wonderful day!



What was I thinking???

Well, after 17 years of marriage, my husband finally decided he would trust me enough to cut his hair! It's a simple cut, a buzz thingy, not a high and tight, but simple. It's skin to the almost the top and a patch of hair that barely sticks up on the top. How difficult could that be?  The price of haircuts keep going up and I thought it was ridiculous to pay $10 every two weeks for something I could do at home!  OH MY WORD! What was I thinking???  What took the hairdresser 5 minutes, took me over an hour.  It's not so simple at all. There's the setting you have to do at 1 all the way around the head and then change the setting to 2 on the top and then skin up to the 1 and then fade the skin to the 1 and then fade the 1 to the 2 and then angle the fade and........AHHHHH! 

By the first half hour I had him looking the rapper MC Hammer, just needed to put him in some parachute pants and he was ready to shoot a video.  At this point I really began to give more credit to the hairdresser who did this for a living, but by the last half hour, I was getting the hang of it and was pretty sure I could send him out into public looking fairly respectable. 

In the end, he was happy and thankful that I didn't completely botch is head up and I was thankful that he had enough faith in me to try!

So, after that I needed some "down time" to relax and thought this card would be perfect for a give thanks or a funny masculine birthday card...what's your thoughts?

 

Would you like to make a Thankful card? After all Thanksgiving is just around the corner. If you do, Dutch Dare is hosting that very challenge.  We'd love to see what you are thankful for or to (I'm thankful to hairdressers all around the world).  It could even be just a "thank you" card. 

 

I'd also like to thank Robyn's Fetish for this wonderful image, My First Haircut. Pretty sure this isn't the intention of the image; BUT..I think it totally works.  Secondly, I'd like to thank Tracy for the much needed mojo and allowing me to "case" her card layout here.  Lastly, I would love to give thanks to all of you who stop in so often to see what my weird and quirky brain has come up with this time.  You all are so very much appreciated.

Happy Stamping!!

Lisa xx