~~~

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Chilly Snowman Wishes...with a twist on colors..

Well, here it is...my last Christmas in July card this year.  This is another Cuddly Buddly image.  I do think that they are really cute for kid's cards.  This card is for one of my boys.  The twist for this is that his favorite color is orange, and it is hard to make a Christmas card look Christmas-y with Fall colors, but try as I might....orange, green and brown it was.  I was pleasantly surprised at how nicely it did turn out.  I added some holly and the wood paper behind the window of the snowman from McMahon Five Designs digital images and some punched snowflakes, and I think it passes for a Christmas card.  At least he will be happy that he has an orang-y Christmas card, right?


I am happy to have been able to post so much through July due to my quest to create Christmas cards.  I do think my posts will be just a bit more spaced out now though.  We have alot to accomplish in these last few weeks of summer to prepare for a new school year, and I really do want to savor every single second of summer left that I can.   Our garden is just growing in abundance, and as thrilled as I am about that, we have some work to do to care for before and during harvesting.  We have been lucky enough to enjoy many of the vegetables already, but there is much more growing, and I look forward to those sweet ears of corn and meaty tomatos ; )

Well, on that note, I hope you all enjoy the rest of this wonderful summer.  Thank you for spending some time with me this summer and leaving me such encouraging comments.  Hope to get around to visit many of you soon too. 





Challenges for this card:
2 sisters: Use punches
AiFactory: Christmas in July
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round: Christmas
Creative Inspirations: Anything goes
Digi Doodle Shop's Best: Punch or cut
Dutch Dare: Anything goes
Little Red Wagon: Christmas in July
Our Creative Corner: Christmas in July
PaperPlay Challenges: Anything goes
Polka Doodles: Generic for male or female...this is for my son, but would be just as suitable for a female
Stamp Something: Christmas in July
Tuesday Taggers: Christmas in July

Friday, July 30, 2010

Teddy Bear Kisses and Sweet Honey Wishes Christmas Card

Good evening all....Well, last night I showed you a card for my niece, and tonight I am showing you a card for my sweet, little great niece.  She is a little doll too, so for her, I made this Cuddly Buddly Christmas card.  I tried to make it girly and sweet for her.  She doesn't live near me, and I miss her like crazy, so I really hope she will like this and think of me when she sees it. 
More beautiful roses from McMahon Five Designs


I am nearing the end of my Christmas in July posts, so very soon we will be moving on to August and a combination of Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas cards....maybe even a few all occasion cards in the mix.  I am going to miss July!  Thanks for all your kind comments that you leave for me.  I am very grateful for your support. 

Blessings to you,



Challenges:
2 sisters: Christmas in July
Christmas Cards All Year 'Round: Christmas in July
AiFactory: Christmas in July
Create4fun: Use flowers
Creatalicious: 3D
Creative Inspirations: Anything goes
Cupcake Craft: Pastel Christmas
Cute Card Thursday: Texting
Digi Doodle Shop's Best: Punch or cut
Little Red Wagon: Christmas in July
Paper Play: Anything goes
Rosie D's:  All things great and small
Stamp Something: Christmas in July
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle: Digis
Tuesday Taggers: Christmas in July
Aud Sentiments: Add your own Christmas sentiment

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Eskimo Kisses Christmas Card

I hope that you are all enjoying my array of Christmas cards this week.  This card is for my niece.  Her favorite colors are Blue and Silver, so her wish is my command : )  I hope she really loves this cute image by Mo's Digital Pencil.  I think it is just adorable.   I have been experimenting more and more using my copic markers to color with, and this is one of my trials.  Luckily, this one didn't turn out too bad.  Some of mine.....well, I won't say.  I do hope that I can get better with more practice.   Those beautiful flowers on the card are from McMahon Five Designs.  Aren't they to die for?  I can't wait to order some more fab items from McMahon Five soon.  They are always stocking the store with the latest and greatest things.  Gotta love that : )


I do have a few challenges for this card.
2 Sisters Challenge: Christmas in July
DP2 Challenge: Christmas in July
AiFactory Challenges: Christmas in July
Dutch Dare: Anything goes
Pixie Dust Studio: Winter Wonderland colors..Navy/Silver/White
Create 4 Fun:  Use Flowers
Tuesday Taggers: Christmas in July


Please enjoy my last few entries for Christmas in July cards, and thank you for coming in for awhile to look.  I appreciate your comments and thank you for your time. 
Have a wonderful evening.

Hugs,

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Makin' A List And Checkin' it twice... House Mouse Christmas

Merry Christmas in July again everyone.  Today I am sharing a House Mouse Christmas card.  Isn't this just the sweetest image?  I am moving right along on these Christmas cards.  If I don't watch myself,  I just might want to start my Christmas shopping ; )

I am looking forward to getting a few new supplies to work with some of my Christmas cards this year, so I will probably be steadily making Christmas cards from now until December.  I hope I don't lose my mojo ; )


A few challenges for this one:
2 Sisters: Christmas in July
Creative Inspirations: Anything goes
Little Red Wagon: Christmas in July
Polka Doodles: Christmas in July
Rosie D's Challenge: All things great and small
Simon Says: Going dotty
Tuesday Taggers: Christmas in July


Have a lovely evening friends....


Monday, July 26, 2010

Easel Card....More Christmas Cardinals : )

Hi Again~  I know you didn't expect another post so soon ; )  I want to get my Christmas in July cards in before July is over, and I am really running out of time fast!  It is making me sad too, because summer is half way over already, and it is going too fast for me.  My youngest son's birthday is tomorrow, and I know that this is going to be a busy rest of the week for me, so I wanted to get this on here quick for you to see.  

I wanted a different shaped easel card, but this did not turn out like I had expected it would.  It's still ok though, but I am going to have to work on these easel cards to get it right.   I told you I would be using this image again, and here it is.  I do have another card to post in a couple of days that has a different Christmas image on it.  For now though, enjoy these beautiful birds. 








I hope you are all enjoying your summer days, and thank you for coming for a look today.  I hope you enjoy, and please let me know what you think.  I always go off of your comments to know where to go next with my crafting.  Thank you for your input.  It gives me what I need to continue and improve. 

Hugs and Blessings,


I only have a couple challenges for this one...My kids are pushing me off the computer:

2 sisters: Christmas
Christmas all year 'round: Christmas
Crafty Creations: Happy...What is happier than Christmas?
Creative Inspirations: Anything
Meljens: Easel card

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Shadow box card...Christmas Cardinals...

Hi Everyone~  We just got back from vacation.  I will try to get some pics together to show you in a later post, but I wanted to get another Christmas in July card or two in before July is over, and this is one that I had ready to go.  I did however misplace the pictures of the inside of this card, and I don't have time to take more right now, but I did make an inside to this regardless of the fact that the tutorial does not show that this should even have an inside.  I guess that shadow box cards are suppose to be fronts only, but I just did not like the idea of not having an inside to show a sentiment or write a note.  

This is another first for me.  I have never tried to make a shadow box card before, and as you all know, this is my month for trying new techniques, so here is my first shadow box.  I do like them, and I am really liking all of the new things that I have recently tried with my cards.  I think I will have to attempt these new things more often instead of always feeling so intimidated by them. 

I do like the look of this, and this is one of my favorite Christmas images that I own, so you will see this one again a few more times from me.   I was considering giving this one to my Dad for Christmas, but I am not sure that bow would be considered in any way ok on a masculine card.  I will have to think about this one before the holidays get here. 







I hope that you enjoyed your visit and a look at my first shadow box card.  I also hope that you are being inspired to try new things as you visit me and see that they really are not all that bad to give a try.   Thanks for coming in for a look today, and I hope you will drop me a line and let me know what you think of another one of my firsts. 

Have a wonderful summer day, because before you know it, the Christmas in July days will be gone, and Christmas, along with the cold weather will be quickly approaching us once again!!

I have entered this card into the following challenges:
ABC Christmas: Ornaments and glossy accents..I used both!
Aud Sentiments: Your own Christmas sentiment
Polka Doodles: Christmas in July
2 sisters: Christmas in July
ABC Challenge: Z..Zig Zag...if you look at my shadow box folds, it creates a zig zag effect.
Creative Inspirations: Anything goes


Hugs,

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Summer Strawberries Tri shutter card for M5D

I hope you are all enjoying your summer, and thanks for coming to visit today.  I would like to share something that I have been holding off on trying for awhile, and while I am in my brave crafting mode, I have been trying all the new things I can.  I am not sure how long this will last before I feel intimidated again ; )

This is a tri-shutter card made with a delicious strawberry image that can  be found at the McMahon Five Designs Store.  Doesn't it look juicy and delicious enough to make your mouth water?  The pearls and flourish can be found at the M5D store as well.  I had a little bit of trouble with the envelope on this one, because I don't have a template for this size of a card, so I had to improvise and hope for the best.  I used another of Sue's (M5D) images for the closure on the envelope with the cart full of strawberries.  I used my copics to color these images, so that I would get nice, bright, bold colors.  I am sure that I will try this style of card again sometime soon.  It was alot of fun to make and really easy too. 





















I hope you enjoy my card today, and please let me know what you think of my first attempt at a tri-shutter card.  Thank you as always for taking the time to drop by and most especially to those of you kind enough to leave me a comment.  You are what keeps me going. 

Have a wonderful and blessed day.

I can't pass up the chance to enter some challenges:
Allsorts-summer
Our Daily Bread-A colored image
Bunny Zoes- summer days
caardvarks-favorite things
Cuttlebug-in the garden
Flutterby Wednesday-butterfly and layers
digi doodle shop- use scraps
Frosted Design- border punch
Meljens-Long or tall
OSAAT-Digi image
Pollycraft-Bold and Bright
Simon Says-Fruity
The Crazy Challenge- Hip to be square
Whoopsi Daisy- Vibrant colors



Hugs,

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Finally making some time for us....My First Wedding Scrapbook Page : )

I know I can't be the only one who gets caught up in everything else in life and never makes time for us.  It has been years in the making in my mind, but I have FINALLY decided to take a slow start into making a wedding scrapbook for my own wedding.  I have made the first page, and wanted to see how well I liked it to see whether I wanted me to be the one to contintue on making the pages.   I have decided that for a first try, that I think I like it fine and hope that I will improve as time goes on.  I think at the very least, I have captured the style that I was hoping for.  I just hope that I can do the entire book justice, as this is one that I hope to treasure for many years to come.  I have 4 more books that I would like to create to treasure for many years.....one for each of my children.  My own treasures in this life!!  I hope that you all have found time to create some things like this for your families.  We deserve to enjoy the rewards of our crafting as much as anyone else does, right?

Thank you for sharing this with me, and I hope that you enjoy and are inspired to create something special for yourself and your family.   Have a beautiful day!










These beautiful flowers and crystals can be found at McMahon Five Designs Store.  I absolutely LOVE them!
I entered this into challenge: 
OSAAT~Lace, ribbon and bows
PIO~My Favorite Things..I have used all of my favorites on here.  The color pink, lacy ribbons, gems, flowers and sparkle : )
The ABC Challenge~You and Me...My layout is to be home to a wedding pic of me and hubby...Hope I will not be disqualified with it not showing online.  The picture really is in there, but not posted. 
Creative Cottage Challenge~No cards...Mine is a scrapbook page
The Townscrapper~Monochrome
Treehouse Stamps~Monochrome
The Wild Flower Patch~Distressing
Your Next Stamp~ Flower Power

Hugs,

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Birthday Wishes From A Sweet Blogging Friend...


In the short time that I have been blogging my crafts, I have come to meet so many very talented, yet more importantly very sweet and caring people that have become more than just fellow crafters, but friends.  I received this beautiful card for my birthday today from one of those sweet friends: Gunn~MsPlum.  I was so touched by her thoughtfulness in remembering and sending this to me all the way from Norway.  Is it not just gorgeous?   She is one of my favorite crafters.  I so admire her style and her work. 

THANK YOU, GUNN.  You are a very special person, and you have made my day extra special!

Thank you all for your support and encouragement in my crafting this year by following me, leaving me kind comments and even giving me the opportunity to win some challenges out there.  I have had so much fun and look forward to another year of the same.

Have a very fun and safe 4th of July my friends!

Hugs and Blessings to you all!

Friday, July 2, 2010

~~~~~ Some MYSTERY News ~~~~~

I will share my snipit of news first....Sue so graciously is accepting me onto her team as a permanent guest designer which I am THRILLED about!  I love designing with a team and appreciate the flexibility that Sue is enabling me at a time in my life that it is really needed.  I can't wait to dig back into some crafting and show you some M5D designs. 


Now, without further ado.....


We have exciting news to share!
We have added another Design Team member! She is getting new pictures taken of herself the middle of the month and wanted to wait to be 'seen' until then. So we put our thinking caps on how to announce her without a photo! This is what we came up with!
Find our Mystery Designer
for a chance to WIN
1 of 5 Prize Packages!
We've recruited some

Mystery Solving Friends
Full of Helpful Hints!






Shaggy says....Her name isChristine!






Velma says....She posted this card using 'The Ball'
on Paper Craft Planet







Fred says....


She posted this card using our new
The Lord Is My Shepherd Digital Stamp
on SNR





Daphne says....
She had a heart transplant almost 3 years ago!!!!!!!





I live in Boise, Idaho, with my doggie, Chloe, and my cat, Tuxie. I love all types of crafting but now my favorite is papercrafting. My style is quite eclectic from romantic, shabby chic to cute and simple.

I started making cards while I was away from home Christmas 2007 and wanted to do something special for my friends and family. I made a few cards here and there until I started blogging and saw all the beautiful inspiration in blogland and the rest his history. I now love playing with my paper and am completely hooked.
I love butterflies, lavender (actually, herbs in general), cupcakes, hearts, chocolate, and my garden (not necessarily in that order; it depends on the day), oh, and how could I forget, cookies.







Official Rules
  1. Once you FIND our Mystery Designer, send an email to sue@mcmahonfivedesign.com  with a LINK to where you found her.
  2. Also in your email, list your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices of Prize Packages (I will do my best, but no guarantees!)
  3. You have until July 15th, 2010 11:59pm EST to submit your entry.
  4. We will draw 5 enteries out of the hat and announce the winners in the July 21st Newsletter!
  5. Winners have to contact us at sue@mcmahonfivedesign.com  to claim your prize!



Prize Packages


D'Amour Allure Stamps Pkg#1
This prize was generously donated by
Jeni at D'Amour Allure Stamps!
You can visit her website
HERE
and her blog HERE!
Thank you so much, Jeni!
KaiserCraft Flower Pkg #2
200 flowers total - 50 pieces each color!







Zva Creative Pearls Pkg #3

3 pkgs beautiful self adhesive pearl designs


Real Wood Paper Pkg #4

8 species of Real Wood Paper
each is 6" x 6"



Digital Stamp Pkg #5




We hope you have fun finding our Mystery Designer!