To ALL entrants, I want to let you know that I DO comment on all entries (with the exception of Splitcoast and Flickr) so if you don't see a comment from me, please check to see if there are any comments awaiting moderation or in SPAM. A lot of comments are in SPAM and bloggers don't realize it.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

ONE MORE DAY!!!

...to upload your cards on your blog or into a gallery.In order to be eligible for the prize you must do at least 5 cards using the NOVEMBER challenge as inspiration. Post your link to your cards in the challenge post.Thanks!!! Hope to see YOURS there!!!

Tamara has a brand new challenge for December 1st!!! Get your paper ready and your card mojo in gear!!!We're heading into the holidays!!!

Wow!!! I just noticed that the first of Novemeber we had almost 7000 visitors.This is the end of November and we've more than doubled that in ONE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow!!! Over 14 000 visitors! That's an amazing number!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Handmade Embellishment Challenge

Today I'd like to see you make your own embellishment.

Cut it, Punch it, Paint it.

Cut out a tree and decorate it, make your own little ornaments, hand cut snowflakes, the ideas are endless. :)

Here is a card I did, I made the Spirelli Medallion in the center of the card with my Spirelli punches and then twisted the floss around them, stacking them together.



Don't forget to show us what you've created.

Happy Carding!
Tamara :)

Monday, November 24, 2008

Don't forget the DT Call!!!

Check out the link HERE!!!

Also, I made a booboo. The Origami tree was supposed to be posted tomorrow as "Stocking Stuffer"! I guess I got a little too excited and wanted to post it early!!! hehe!

Well, next month this time it will be CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!! Wow!!! Are you gonna be ready??

Origami Christmas Tree

A BIG thanks again to my sister CARLA for doing up this tutorial.

One of my friends showed me how to make these origami Christmas trees and I thought they just looked the cutest! They might look difficult, but once you make one, you'll be hooked

Start with 4 small squares cut from double-sided patterned paper.
3x3, 2.5x2.5, 2x2, and 1.5x1.5
Working with one square at a time, fold in half diagonally. Unfold and do the other diagonal as well. You should end up with something like this: Now comes the tricky part With your fingers on 4 of the corners, squish the edges in to form a triangle Here is the bottom view:Now, take one flap of the triangle and fold it down lining up at the center, kinda like making a paper airplane. Repeat for the other flap. This is what it should look like: Repeat this for the other 3 squares:Add a glue dot to the tip of each piece and join the 4 pieces together.
The finished product:
Add this to a card or a layout. You can make this as big or small as you want. Embellish as desired.

Here's a card Carla made... ...and one that I did.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Winner for Quick Fire #2....

I'd like to thank all the ladies that played along. What great cards you made.

now on to the draw for a card kit I've put together to make a couple of Christmas cards.

Random Generator as picked #3.......

first to post her card was SUE


Congratulations, send me an email with your mailing address and I'll pop it in the mail.


Thank you all again, and watch for more Quick Fire Challenges :)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Quick Fire Challenge #2

Here is another Quick Fire challenge for you BUT....you only have until Friday night, November 21st to get it done to be in the running for an RAK card kit (to be drawn using Random Generator)

Rules for this challenge are:

use this simple sketch I've done as a guide line :)




Here is a card that I did :)




Happy Carding, and don't forget to post!

Tamara:)

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Christmas Planner

*Thanks to my sister CARLA for doing up this tutorial. I took the pics, she wrote it up!! That's what sisters are for!!!

I started with a manilla file folder that was 15 inches long. Cut 4 inches off the bottom of the folder. If you use a shorter folder,
just make sure the length is 11 inches. Trim off the tabs.

Once the tabs are cut off, you will notice the edges of the folder don't match up. Unfold and then fold BACK in the center.
Use your bone folder to get a good crease. Next, fold the front and back pieces towards the center fold. You should end up
with a fold shaped like a "W". Mark and fold the bottom edge UP 3 inches, like this:
Now it's time to decorate For the inside, cut 4 pieces of pp 4" x 7.5" and 4 pieces of pp 4" x 2.75". You can round the edges
and ink if desired. Open up the bottom fold and adhere the larger pp first, then the smaller pieces. On the two outside edges
of the "pocket", use sticky tape to adhere.
You can add some stamped images or other embellishments at this point.
For the front cover, I used a 4"x7.5" piece of pp with a strip across the center. I added ribbon, title and rubon BEFORE I
adhered it to the cover. For the back, cut and adhere another 4"x7.5" piece of patterned paper. Next is a receipt holder. I used a business sized envelope (9.5in long). Seal the envelope and cut 3 inches off one end. Cut
another piece of pp, 3.75" x 6.25" (or, I used 2 pieces of pp scraps). Use a circle punch on the front of the envelope (open it up first!)
Cut a small piece of scrap to tuck inside the envelope.
NOTE: If you use a regular sized envelope, seal and trim a small bit off one end. Your top piece of pp will be 3.5"x 6.25"
Tuck receipt holder inside one of the "pockets". I added a tag with "receipts" on it.
You can find print-outs to use in your planner HERE, at Organized Christmas LOTS of forms to choose from. Print them on
cardstock and cut to fit your folder. Mine were cut 7.25" x 3". And there you have it! Your own folder to help with all your holiday planning! I used a bulldog clip to hold mine together,
although you could add an eyelet to the front and back page and thread ribbon to hold it closed OR used elastic ribbon
around the whole thing.
We'd LOVE to see your creations!!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Winner for Quick Fire #1 is....

First, I'd like to thank all the ladies that played along. What great cards you made.

now on to the draw for a card kit I've put together to make a couple of Christmas cards.

Random Generator as picked #1.......

first to post her card was CHERYL


Congratulations, send me an email with your mailing address and I'll pop it in the mail.


Thank you all again, and watch for more Quick Fire Challenges :)


Happy Carding!
Tamara :)

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Quick Fire Challenge #1

Today I have a challenge for you BUT....you only have until Friday night, November 14th to get it done to be in the running for an RAK card kit (to be drawn using Random Generator)

Rules for this challenge are:

you must use the following items...

Colour: Pink and Green
Pattern: PolkaDots (somewhere on your card)
Embellishment: 2 blossoms


Here is a card that I did :)




Happy Carding!

Tamara :)

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

DT CALL for JAN-MAR (closes DEC 13th)

If you'd like to be considered for our Christmas Card Design Team, please create a Christmas card (No!!!!! Really!!!!!!!!!!!) taking inspiration from the blog header and colors! Easy as that!

I'll choose 4-5 people and they will be our Design Team for a 3 month term. (starting in JANUARY) There are no kits for you to play with, there are no discounts at a store (because I HAVE no store,sorry! hehe!), there are no other obligations other than create a CHRISTMAS card based on the challenge that Tamara or I send you. There'll only be one card challenge a month(unless we decide to have a special celebration for some reason, but you will NOT be obgligated to participate). So, that's 3 cards a TERM to create for the monthly card reveals. Oh, but if you'd like to be entered into the monthly draws that I will be having, you will have to complete 5, yep 5 cards each month to qualify. If you prefer NOT to enter the monthly contest, then its ONE card a month for 3 months!

Email me your newly created Christmas card (done especially for this challenge) if you'd like to try for the DT. Please have your card in by DECEMBER 13th SATURDAY and I will announce the new members on DECEMBER 15th MONDAY.

Pocket Card

Pocket Card
1.Cut an 8 inch diameter circle template. I find that starting with a template and playing with that helps me as I don't end up "ruining" a sheet of patterned paper. Mark the template as shown. To get the middle line (that is not quite the center of the circle, fold as shown below.
To form the pocket, fold over each edge as shown below.

2.Once you're familiar with the template, then go ahead and cut it out on your patterned paper.
3.Use the template to help you mark the back of your patterned paper.
4.Here's the patterned paper folded and inked along the edges.

5. After you have it folded, mark the places where you will punch the holes to tie it together. Then punch the holes as shown below.

6.Tie the ribbon through the holes and make a bow. Then decorate the front of the card.
7. Now you can create a bookmark for the inside of the card. Cut a piece of matching cardstock
2 1/2 in. X 5 1/2 in. Decorate as desired.8. Place the bookmark inside the card. If you like ,you can tape a gift card on the back of the bookmark :o)
...and there you have it, a pocket card! Enjoy!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Spa Simplicity - Body Lotion


Today I thought I'd share some other little gifts I make each year for Christmas.

This one is for Body Lotion, and it is very easy to make, and fun to 'alter' the little bottles with all your little scraps :)


Also, keep watching for more little gifts for the 'Spa' :)



Body Lotion
(makes 16 ounces)

Ingredients:


1 bottle unscented white body lotion, such as shea butter
Cosmetic- grade soap fragrance
Cosmetic-grade soap colorant
3 small plastic squeeze bottles (4 ounces each)


Directions:

Carefully squeeze unscented lotion into each small bottle, filling halfway. Add 1 drop of fragrance, and 1 drop of colorant. Carefully fill bottles almost to the top. Seal with cap, and shake well to blend in scent.


You can use different scents and colours with the same unscented lotion to make a rainbow of lotions for little gifts.


Tamara...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

OCTOBER WINNER IS....

...

First, I want to say a HUGE thanks to ALL the participants in our first monthly Christmas Card Challenge!!! There are so many beautiful Christmas cards out there now because of your participation!! And they are going to be such a blessing to anyone who receives them this Christmas! Don't forget to check out NOVEMBER'S challenge. There'll be just one challenge this month, but again, if you do 5 cards using that challenge (they can be 5 of the same cards, or 5 different ones, as long as they all qualify for the challenge specifics) your name will go in for a draw for a prize. So,keep us updated on your creations , or you can wait until toward the end of the month to let us know where we can see all of your 5 cards. But don't wait til it's too late! We need to know by the end of the month so your name can go into the draw...

...and without further ado... the winner for OCTOBER is...















KITTYKATZ JACKIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Congrats,Jackie email me with your address and I'll get something out in the mail for you!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Congratulations BETH

I'd like to thank everyone that tried my Technique Challenge in October for the 'Gift Card Holder' and as stated I drew a name using Random Generator to pick the winner of an RAK I offered with the challenge


Beth if you could send me a note with your mailing address, my email is linked on my blog Tamara, I'll pop the RAK in the mail for you :)


Happy Carding!

NOVEMBER Christmas Card Challenge

Your challenge this month is to create a card with:
2 buttons
2 ribbons
2 snowflakes


Please post in the comments so we can see your lovely creations!! Your card can be on your blog or in a gallery.
*Remember, if you do 5 cards this month using this challenge, your name will go in for a draw for a prize at the end of November! (this challenge CAN be combined with any other blog or forum challenges that you do this month.)

Here are the Design Team's cards-
ANN
TEZA
TAMARA
LAURIE DEANNE
~based on a sketch by Angel Wilde

Happy Card-making and have a great weekend! Get started with those cards!!! I'll be announcing the OCT winner tomorrow!!


*Wow! I just noticed we've had almost 7000 visitors since we started the blog in October, that's just ONE MONTH!!!! Amazing number, thanks ladies!!! And...there are currently 23 blog followers. 126 feedblitz subscribers.And I'm getting loads of new subbers EVERY single day!!