CAS(E) this Altenew...

Yes YOU! Thank you so much for being part of this journey so far, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know you a little better in 2015! I have a post planned for tomorrow where you will be able to link up your 2014 highlight posts, because I'd love to drop by and say hello in person ;)

As you may decipher from the title of this post, today's card was inspired by the colours, graphic patterns and watercolour butterflies in the Altenew December mood board, combined with the current CAS(E) this Sketch. Created by scribbling two gelato colours (Melon and Peach) onto the Altenew Painted Butterflies solid butterfly stamp then spritzing with water before stamping. A second layer of colour was applied in Momento Luxe Dandelion, before the top outline layer was stamped in Momento Luxe Rich Cocoa. Altenew Super Script sentiment stamped in Momento Luxe Dandelion and overstamped in Momento Luxe Rich Cocoa. The scalloped edge was a scrap from a 12x12 sheet of Sassafraslass paper.

My Favourite 5 Christmas Cards of 2014...

I thought I'd join in the fun and add my five favourite Christmas cards to play along 

on Debby's Blog with 

In no particular order, and all linked back to their original posts for details.

My original version of this card started out as layered diecuts, then I decided CASE my own card as a one layer version, using Distress Inks and Wink of Stella to create the night sky. 

Adding the black drop line for depth, I like it even better than the original! 

This clean and simple card was inspired by playing along with the 2014 Online Holidays Cards, 

with Jennifer McGuire's stamping inspiring me to try and stamp my tree using the letters of Christmas, with lots of added glitter!

 

Created for the FUSION DT, I had such fun making this window card with cord, bells and star wreath combined with this sparkly seasonal sentiment.

Created as guest DT for CAS(E) this Sketch, I love the combination of die cuts from different manufacturers, and Heidi Swapps fabulous background paper, but best of all was the opportunity to use some NBUS felt leaves and berries which had been languishing in my stash for years!

Love this shaker card - with all the little hearts falling below the snowline and "coming home for Christmas" when the card is held upright.

 I have included all my favourites for 2014 in this post HERE, and you can join in the fun

HERE if you would like to join in my linky party!

Reverse Confetti SFYTT...

Ever since my Reverse Confetti goodies arrived (Thank you Jen and Stacey!!), I've been wanting to play along with Reverse Confetti Sketch-For-You-To-Try, and finally did - just in the nick of time!

This months sketch was perfect for a flamboyance of Fabulous Flamingos! Created from scrap papers from my stash, stamped in Momento Luxe Toffee Crunch and Rich Cocoa with Reverse Confetti Fabulous Flamingos. I probably should have had a better look at the sketch before I stamped the flamingos legs - but as they say, what makes you different, makes you beautiful!

Papertrey December Blog Hop Challenge...

Hope you all had a FABULOUS Christmas!

I was so excited to discover I had time to spend a day with my kiddies enjoying the Boxing Day sales (except for the parking which was diabolical LOL!), AND a chance to play along with Papertrey December Blog Hop Challenge (not the least bit diabolical!), thanks to the time difference!

The December theme is Silver and Gold - so on trend! With all my Christmas cards out of the way, I was inspired by this gorgeous celebration cake, with all its layered circles. Created using a base of white cardstock splattered with Heidi Swapp Gold, diecut with silver glitter paper Papertrey Ink circle heart die cut (tree top) and Stitched Circles, added a touch of gold thread, and Papertrey Ink Wet Paint sentiment in superfine silver embossing powder.

Also playing along with Crazy for CAS Anything Goes,

Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, and Dies R Us Anything Goes.

Merry Christmas to You...

I think I managed to miss the deadlines for most of the Challenges I had in mind for this LOL! But I'd love to take this opportunity to wish one and all a FABULOUS holiday season and an AMAZING year ahead!

Memory Box Trio of Deer die cut from Simple Stories paper, paired with these gorgeous Winnie and Walter sentiments embossed in gold.

Simon Says Stamp Christmas Inspiration, 
Winnie and Walter Join in to Win,

CAS on Sunday Christmas,

Addicted to CAS Family,

Less is More Family.

These are a few of my faVERVErite things...

December Diva Dare at Verve stamps is to showcase a few of your faVERVErite things (it's actually your favorite VERVE projects for the year, but these are my faVERVErite!) 

This new card is totally inspired by Miriam's fabulous post here, 

Just had to get out a faVERVErite Verve Poppy Birthday and play along!

Stayed very close to the Mojo Monday sketch for this card, using a variety of patterned papers from MME and Kaisercraft, paired with this fabulous set of Verve Poppy Birthday flowers and sentiment. With distressed wood and distressed ink edges, playing along with Virginia's View All Things Distressed, and the birthday theme is perfect for Seize the Birthday! The colour palette was inspired by this weeks City Crafter - but unfortunately as it's not a Christmas card too, can't play along there!

I had 4 faVERVErites, but you can only enter a maximum of three previous 2014 cards, and as many new ones as you do posts for until December 21, so I thought I'd revisit my 4 faVERVEites here too...

Original post here 

Original post here

Original post here

Original post here

Winner Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop...

So happy to see so many more smiley faces following my blog - thank you so much for joining in the journey - much appreciated :)

By cut off time for commenting there were 215 super sweet comments on my three Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop posts (85, 55 and 75 respectively). Mr Random (aka DS) kindly chose #157, so without further ado, the winner of the gorgeous Winnie and Walter The Big, The Bold and the Merry stamp set is...

1. 
   thestampingbugSunday, 14 December, 2014

   Yummy, Yummy...I KNOW it smells just as good as it looks. LOVE it. Love the script on the Winnie and Walter set. Thanks for introducing me to this company- through hopping to you, I have now found a new company to contribute my hard earned money to.

I couldn't let the opportunity pass to make another card featuring the gorgeous Winnie and Walter script...

Created using Winnie and Walter This Awesome House, stamped and embossed in white on Kaisercraft wooden paper, cut with a craft knife on three sides (and sections of the doors and windows removed) to create an opening for the peek-a-boo heart shaker inside, Winnie and Walter The Big, the Bold and the Merry Cutaways sentiment also diecut from Kaisercraft papers, with Happy Holidays sentiment stamped and embossed in white.

 

Created to play along with 
Cure For the Monday Blues Not a Creature was Stirring,

The Pink Elephant Inspiration Photo, Jingle Belles,
and Loves Rubberstamps Holidays Anything Goes (thanks Holly!).

REMINDER for the Mixed Media Card Challenge Home.

Coffee Bean Shaker Card - Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop...

Playing along with the fabulous Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop.

As a special Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop treat, I have created the ultimate coffee and card lover's indulgence - a Coffee Bean Shaker card, with Gloria Jeans Mocha Java blend! It smells divine!

Created using these Christmas papers from Glitz and gorgeous Paper Smooches stamps stamped in Rich Cocoa (what else!), all inked with Distress Ink Vintage Photo. Because of the depth of the beans I cut three layers of foam and sandwiched them together for the walls of the shaker. Paper Smooches are joining in the fun as one of the fabulous hop sponsors.

How YOU can play along...

• There are also random 5 prizes for people that comment on ALL of the linked blogs before 11:55 pm Pacific Time on Sunday, December 14th.

Hop over to Amy's blog for the InLinkz list.

EXTRA BONUS GIVEAWAY if you comment on this post, this post or this post (my Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop posts), you will also be in the running to win a FABULOUS Winnie and Walter The Big, the Bold and the Merry stamp set. Much appreciated if you are / become a follower too :)

A BIG THANK YOU to our fabulous sponsors:

17 Turtles, Add A Little Dazzle, a●muse studio/Chris Franco

Butterfly Reflections Ink, Color Cast Designs, Create a Smile

Hero Arts, Kraftin' Kimmie, Kreative Kymona

Latina Crafter, Neat and Tangled, Newton's Nook

Paper Smooches, Pickled Potpourri, Poppystamps

Reverse Confetti, Stamp Academy, Stampin' Up/Veronica Zalis 

STAMPlorations, SugarPea Designs, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 

The Alley Way Stamps, The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, Two Paper Divas

Verve Stamps, Whole Wild World, Your Next Stamp

Joining in the fun @ Paper Smooches Sparkes Anything Goes and

Virginia's View All Things Distressed 

 

Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop (Thanks a Latte)...

Just wanted to say...

for playing along with the fabulous Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop.

As a special Coffee Lovers Holiday treat, I have included the recipe for a special coffee flavoured eggnog cocktail - as we celebrate Christmas in the midst of Summer here!

Mocha Nog Punch

10 parts Kahlúa Mocha

5 parts Absolut Vanilla

20 parts eggnog

Combine ingredients and serve in a punchbowl with a floating ice block.

Hint: Freeze ice with coffee beans for decoration.

Card created using Kaisercraft papers, and this gorgeous Verve sentiment stamped in Rich Cocoa (what else!) on a Mama Elephant cup diecut. Inked with Distress Ink Vintage Photo and layered on two MFT Dienamics heart diecuts. Verve are joining in the fun as one of the fabulous hop sponsors, check out the links below and on Amy's blog.

How YOU can play along...

• Everyone that links up with newly created holiday coffee/hot holiday drink project is eligible for one of the fabulous prizes from the sponsors below (No back linking). The Inlinkz will be available on Amy's blog until 11:55 pm Pacific Time on Friday, December 12th to link up.
• There are also random 5 prizes for people that comment on ALL of the linked blogs (see list on Amy's blog) before 11:55 pm Pacific Time on Sunday, December 14th.

EXTRA BONUS GIVEAWAY if you comment on this post, this post or this post (my Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop posts), you will also be in the running to win a FABULOUS Winnie and Walter The Big, the Bold and the Merry stamp set.

A BIG THANK YOU to our fabulous sponsors:

17 Turtles, Add A Little Dazzle, a●muse studio/Chris Franco

Butterfly Reflections Ink, Color Cast Designs, Create a Smile

Hero Arts, Kraftin' Kimmie, Kreative Kymona

Latina Crafter, Neat and Tangled, Newton's Nook

Paper Smooches, Pickled Potpourri, Poppystamps

Reverse Confetti, Stamp Academy, Stampin' Up/Veronica Zalis 

STAMPlorations, SugarPea Designs, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 

The Alley Way Stamps, The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, Two Paper Divas

Verve Stamps, Whole Wild World, Your Next Stamp

Also playing along with Mojo Monday, Color Throwdown and
Virginia's View All Things Distressed (I even distressed the edges!)
and Verve Favorite Things Dare.

 

Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop (Peace, Joy & Coffee)...

All I want for Christmas is...

to play along with the fabulous Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop.

As a special Coffee Lovers Holiday treat, I have included the recipe for a coffee cocktail - as we celebrate Christmas in the midst of Summer here! Did you know it is rumored that Theodore Roosevelt (Teddy) drank a gallon of coffee a day! This cocktail was created by Mad46, a Manhattan rooftop lounge at the Roosevelt Hotel, as a salute to the hotel's namesake...

Teddy Tini

2 oz. chilled espresso

3 oz. vanilla vodka

1/2 oz. Kahlúa

Fill shaker with ice, add ingredients, and shake well.

Strain into chilled martini glass and garnish with 2 chocolate coffee beans.

Card created using Winnie and Walter The Big, The Bold and the Merry die-cut in pearl gold cardstock, MFT alphabet die-cut in pearl bronze cardstock and a La La Land fir tree, with background patterned paper from Simple Stories Cozy Christmas, and added silver star sequins.

How YOU can play along...

• There are also random 5 prizes for people that comment on ALL of the linked blogs see on Amy's blog for the list before 11:55 pm Pacific Time on Sunday, December 14th.

EXTRA BONUS GIVEAWAY if you comment on this post, this post or this post (my Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop posts), you will also be in the running to win a FABULOUS Winnie and Walter The Big, the Bold and the Merry stamp set.

A BIG THANK YOU to our fabulous sponsors:

17 Turtles, Add A Little Dazzle, a●muse studio/Chris Franco

Butterfly Reflections Ink, Color Cast Designs, Create a Smile

Hero Arts, Kraftin' Kimmie, Kreative Kymona

Latina Crafter, Neat and Tangled, Newton's Nook

Paper Smooches, Pickled Potpourri, Poppystamps

Reverse Confetti, Stamp Academy, Stampin' Up/Veronica Zalis 

STAMPlorations, SugarPea Designs, Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps 

The Alley Way Stamps, The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store, Two Paper Divas

Verve Stamps, Whole Wild World, Your Next Stamp

Also playing along with Merry Monday Gold, Silver, White and Bronze,
Cure for the Monday Blues

Jingle Belles Rock Anything Christmas,
Inkspirational Colour Challenge, Dies R Us Winter
 and Card Concept Silent Night Neutrals, Clean and Layered

  

FUSION - Gingham Christmas

I do hope you can squeeze in a little pre-Christmas crafting time to play along with the final FUSION for 2014, and it's a fabulous one! Inspired by the natural elements, and gingham bows, this card was created using MFT Wreath die cuts, including the cute gingham bow die cut from Kaisercraft paper, and a die cut Papertrey Ink Peace sentiment, against a Simple Stories distressed wooden background.

The Design Team have some FABULOUS creations to inspire you!

Amy Tsura - Betty J - Deepti 

Jeanne Jachna - Julia Aston - Katie Brooks

Kelly Griglione - Kimberly Wiener - Lynn Mangan

Michelle Folland - Michelle Lupton - Stephanie Severin

Please check the linky for the days left to play with us.

Hope to see you playing along, can't wait to see what you create!

Remember you can play along by being inspired by the photo, the sketch or BOTH 

Using CAS(E) this Sketch, Winter Wonderland Dies and Punches and
Kylie's Christmas Card Challenge, Virginia's View All Things Distressed!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Special Blog Hop

In the words of Dr. Seuss:

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

Hopefully you are following the Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine Special Blog Hop, arriving here from fellow Aussie and all-round fabulous crafter Michelle Williams' blog, and celebrating the inspiration and dedication of the Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine team.

A heartfelt THANKS to the Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking family. Thank you for being such an integral part of the crafting community! Suffice to say, we will miss "discovering" fabulous talent, product and all that amazing inspiration!!!

Card details:

Card 1 created using Memory Box Butterfly Heart die cut (with the butterflies removed), backed with a Gelato watercolour rainbow, and Papertrey Ink Wet Paint stamped sentiment. Also playing along with CAS(E) this Sketch, Little Red Wagon Things with Wings, Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes, A Little Bit Crafty Anything Goes but not Christmas, and Feeling Sketchy Free Scrap Card.

Card 2 created using Simon Says Stamp die cut leaves, in vellum and Heidi Swapp Gold Shine sprayed cardstock, gorgeous Winnie and Walter's The Big, The Bold and the Blessings die cut sentiment in gold glitter paper, metallic golden thread and holographic gold sequins. Also playing along with Freshly Made Sketches, Crafting Musketeers Bling, Make My Monday Sprays and Mists.

Next stop on the Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine Special Blog Hop is stop #60 the always gorgeous Elena Roussakis.

All these people want to thank you, Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine!

1.	Jennifer McGuire	72.	Laura Sterckx	143.	Ashley Harris
2.	Taheerah Atchia	73.	Donna Bowman	144.	Susan Liles
3.	Veronica Zalis	74.	Rachel Kleinman	145.	Darnell Knauss
4.	Laura O'Donnell	75.	Ellen Hutson	146.	Donna Hitz
5.	Julia Stainton	76.	Tanis Giesbrecht	147.	Miriam Prantner
6.	Lorena Cantó	77.	Marcie Sharp	148.	P. Kelly Smith
7.	Amy Tsuruta	78.	Danielle Walls (Neat and Tangled)	149.	Yana Smakula
8.	Piali Biswas	79.	Beverley Brown (Uniko Studio)	150.	Nichole Heady
9.	Rae Barthel	80.	Tracey McNeely	151.	Altenew
10.	Jessica Witty	81.	Laurie Willison	152.	Lisa Henke
11.	Annette Witherspoon	82.	Bev Gerard	153.	Alice Golden
12.	Gayatri Murali	83.	Nina Yang	154.	Cath Edvalson
13.	Laura Williams	84.	Barb Housner	155.	Cindy Lawrence
14.	Maria Fischer	85.	Clare Prezzia	156.	Karen Dedman
15.	Lisa Arana	86.	Tasnim Ahmed	157.	Sandy Allnock
16.	Wendy McGaffey	87.	Joyce Mehrberg	158.	Operation Write Home
17.	Heather Hoffman	88.	Sabrina Alery	159.	Jennifer Ingle
18.	Cristina Kowalczyk	89.	Waltzingmouse Stamps	160.	A Creative Journey with Melissa
19.	Lynn Mercurio	90.	Leigh Penner	161.	Yvonne Yam
20.	Jamie Greene	91.	Jenn Shurkus	162.	MFT
21.	Lori Tecler	92.	Kimberly Wiener	163.	Shemaine Smith
22.	Susie Wittwer	93.	Amber Hight	164.	Spectrum Noir
23.	Jocelyn Olson	94.	Lindsay Amrhein	165.	Nicki Scheck
24.	Chaitali Narla	95.	Mayuri	166.	Asty Purbasari
25.	Hero Arts	96.	Vera W. Yates	167.	Danielle Pandeline
26.	Nadine Perez	97.	Connie Mercer	168.	Isha Gupta
27.	Sarah Martina Parker	98.	Audrey Tokach	169.	Jen Carter
28.	Laura Bassen	99.	Paulina Nakamura	170.	Mendi Yoshikawa
29.	Lori Barnett	100.	Reverse Confetti	171.	Keren Baker
30.	Deepti Malik	101.	Libby Hickson	172.	Trinh Arrieta
31.	Tessa Wise	102.	Shelly Kurth	173.	Tenia Nelson
32.	Karen Baker	103.	Yoonsun Hur	174.	Angie Tieman
33.	Tifany DeGough	104.	Maureen Plut	175.	Lawn Fawn
34.	Virginia Lu	105.	Jessica Pascarella	176.	Lydia Evans
35.	Ruza Rebel	106.	Lynn Mangan	177.	Samantha Mann
36.	Emily Leiphart	107.	Mariana Grigsby	178.	Kymona Tracey
37.	Ashley N Newell	108.	Shery Russ	179.	Jess Moyer
38.	Jennifer Rzasa	109.	SRM Press	180.	Kathy Martin
39.	Dana Warren	110.	Sarah Jay	181.	Joni Andaya
40.	Amy Kolling	111.	Anabelle O'Malley	182.	Debbie Marcinkiewicz
41.	Wanda Guess	112.	Michele Boyer	183.	Lisa Johnson
42.	Kalyn Kepner	113.	Clare Buswell	184.	Laine Webb
43.	LauraJane:)	114.	Angel Rivera	185.	Bethany Stellpflug
44.	Tammy Jackson	115.	Laura Pryor/Lil' Inker Designs	186.	Melania Deasy
45.	Karolyn Loncon	116.	Beth Pingry	187.	Ivanka Lentle
46.	Heather Campbell	117.	A Jillian Vance Design	188.	Sweet Stamp Shop
47.	Niki Garcia	118.	Jillian Vance	189.	Jeanne Jachna
48.	Erin Schreiner	119.	Bunny Vance	190.	Emily Branch
49.	Vanessa Menhorn	120.	Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L	191.	Anja Bytyqi
50.	Simon Says Stamp	121.	Kristie Larsen	192.	Chameleon Pens
51.	Donna Mikasa	122.	Maureen Merritt	193.	Francine Vuillème
52.	Lin Brandyberry	123.	Heather North	194.	Newton's Nook Designs
53.	Giovana Smith	124.	Nina Brackett	195.	Alicia Thelin
54.	Brenda Weaver	125.	Clearsnap, Inc	196.	Sarah Moerman
55.	Glenda J. Wyatt	126.	CAS-ual Fridays Stamps	197.	Winter Sims
56.	Kelly Griglione	127.	Lori Craig	198.	Amber Kroening
57.	Michelle Lupton	128.	Lydia Fiedler	199.	STAMPlorations
58.	Michelle Williams	129.	Julie Campbell	200.	Avery Elle
59.	Lyndal Higgins	130.	Lea Lawson	201.	Caryn Davies
60.	Elena Roussakis	131.	Taylor Usry	202.	N@ Ali
61.	Kara Vrabel	132.	Jill Dewey Hawkins	203.	Amy Sheffer
62.	Michelle Woerner	133.	Chunyuan Wu	204.	Nance Salkeld
63.	Amanda Coleman	134.	Melissa Cash	205.	Meredith MacRitchie
64.	Winnie & Walter	135.	Annette Allen	206.	Jill Norwood
65.	Cheiron Brandon	136.	Carisa Zglobicki	207.	Kelly Latevola
66.	Kristie Goulet	137.	Crafter's Companion US	208.	Lesley Croghan
67.	Kimberly Crawford	138.	Stephanie Muzzulin	209.	Penny Ward
68.	Lalo IK	139.	Alice Wertz	210.	Karin Åkesdotter
69.	Katie Gehring	140.	Kim Hughes	211.	Yainea Nuñez
70.	Jennifer Cuthbertson	141.	Becky Olsen	212.	Lucy Abrams
71.	Cecilia Hsieh	142.	Kim Heggins	213.	Mama Elephant

 

This made me smile...