Christmas Stampin All Year Long

Happy Monday to all of my fab readers!
Today brings a brand new challenge from the CSAYL blog.
Today's challenge is to:

CREATE A CARD USING TRADITIONAL COLORS -
GREEN, RED AND A DASH OF SILVER OR GOLD

Here's what I came up with...

I made the base a 5" square out of red textured paper and paired it up with some fun green polka dot paper from Scenic Route. The polka dot ribbon is by Stampin Up and I'm just in love with it! It's so nice to work with. It ties nicely, cuts like a dream and is just too cute!

The reindeer image is from SU's "Winter Post". I punched it out with the new 1 3/4" circle punch and layered it on top of a red frame cut out with my Nestabilities. For my "dash of gold", I added some brads to the main panel and heat embossed the reindeer and sentiment.

Hope you like it!
Be sure to hop on over to the CSAYL blog and check out what the rest of the Christmas Divas came up with. Hopefully they will inspire you to come up with a fabulous creation of your own to link to the challenge post!

Did you play along in our "Shaped Card" challenge last week? Lots of creative entries, but this snowglobe card by Lisa was my favorite.

HOGS & SKETCHES

Want to win FREE Hambo stamps?
Want to play along with the first ever Hambo sketch challenge?

Click here to find out the details and play along with us!

Friday Faves!

Hey everyone. I'm back with my favorite finds from the web this week!

Cowgirl Cookies

This tri-shutter album by Andrea is amazing!

Check out this fruit basket makeover by Clairabelle - pretty clever.

Ummm.....honey? Can you make me one of these?!

This back to school gift set by Cat is super cute. Thanks for playing along in our challenge this week!

This pirate card by Libby is full of great details.

Wow! Someone had their thinking cap on when they designed these punches!

Antoinette used the reflection technique on this beauty and it's stunning.

Hope you enjoyed my picks. With the start of the school year, Lauren and the "My Time to Create" team will be taking a break tomorrow. I'll be back on Monday with a new challenge from the CSAYL blog!

Class Project Sneak Peek

I have lots of dog lovers in my life and I thought this card would be perfect for my next workshop!My friend Lauren posted a mini gift box a couple of weeks ago that was just sooooo cute! Where do you come up with this stuff girl?! I modified the size a bit and paired it up with SU's "Mans Best Friend" to create a card that any dog lover would be happy to get.

Thanks for stopping by today. If you've left me a comment this week or are a "follower" of my blog, I'll be visiting YOUR blog today and you may see one of your projects featured in my Friday Faves tomorrow!

Hambo Hump Day

Did you know that Hambo has a bunch of their Halloween images ON SALE right now?!

Today I decided to use two of the images from their Halloween collection and make a lollipop holder. Talk about a super fast project! I've never made one of these before, but it didn't take too long to figure out what measurements I should use. Here's how I did it...

I started out with a 3 x 6 1/2 inch piece of black cardstock and scored at:
3 5/16 and
3 5/8

Then I punched a hole in the center, between the two score marks.
This is where you'll push the lollipop stick through.

Next, I folded on the score lines. You'll notice that one side of the cardstock is a little longer than the other. Use the "slit" punch by Stampin Up on the longer piece.
You'll see what I mean on the next step.

Then just tuck the shorter edge under the slit.

Easy Peasy!
Then just decorate to your hearts content. I used some Elegant Eggplant cardstock and a pattern by Reminisce.

These would be so simple to mass produce for Halloween. I may even just make the base and let the kids decorate them on their own to pass out to their friends at school!

Thanks for stopping by today. I'll be back tomorrow with another peek at one of my class projects.

Class Project Sneak Peek

As I'm sitting here typing this, I'm previewing Beverly Hills Chihuahua. My daughter has been begging to see this movie since she first saw a preview months and months ago. My husband and I preview every movie before my kids watch it - it's amazing how much garbage is out there you know?! Surprisingly, it's not as horrible as I thought it would be - so far so good. I'm thinking a six year old girl is going to LOVE this movie.

And now on to the crafty stuff...

My next Stampin Up class is quickly approaching and I spent the weekend coming up with three cards for my guests. I've seen so many beautiful samples using the set "Great Friend", so I finally broke down and got it.

As soon as I received it, I had to ink it up right away and this is what I came up with...I used Bermuda Bay for the base and paired it with Pink Passion and Whisper White. I'm not a big fan of Pink Passion, but I really like this combo. I used images from the set to create a pattern on both colors of cardstock and then added some butterflies and a sentiment with dimensionals. I'm hoping the gals like this one!

Thanks for stopping by,

Christmas Stampin' All Year Long

Hey there stampers!
Today's Monday and that means a new challenge from the gals over at CSAYL! The challenge for this week is to:
CREATE A SHAPED CARD - ANYTHING OTHER THAN A2 (4 1/4 x 5 1/2).

Soooo.....here's what I came up with... Ever wonder what Santa's pants look like?
I thought this would be a fun card to send to a munchkin this Christmas.

For a little extra detail, I added some jumbo gold eyelets and hand stitched a single thread around the border.
The image on the pocket is from SU's "Deer Friends" hostess set from last year. This is the first time that I've used this image and I just love the sentiment on it. I also added a little glitter to the hat, beard and mustache for some sparkle. All of the little toy images inside the pocket are from Pink Cat Studio.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the CSAYL design team came up with!
I'll be back tomorrow with a sneak peek at one of the projects from my next class.
Until then...

My Timeless Templates

The Bruckler family survived the first week of school! My kids have AMAZING teachers this year and I can't wait to spoil them rotten!

Since were all in "Back to School Mode", Lauren and the rest of the DT have the perfect challenge for you...

Choose a My Timeless Template (designed by the uber-fabulous Lauren herself) to play with and make a Back to School themed project.

While I was up in my workshop contemplating what to make, my daughter looked up at me with her big beautiful brown eyes and asked if I'd make something special for her and her brother. Seriously, how could I say no? Besides, I've got the whole rest of the school year to spoil the teachers :-)

Here's what I came up with using Filled with Flair...

We have a homework station set up in our kitchen where the kids can keep all of their school assignments, supplies and endless paperwork organized. I printed up three Filled with Flair templates on Real Red and Wild Wasabi cardstock and attached them together creating sections for some of their homework supplies. All three templates fit into the cute tray, which is INCLUDED in the $5 template price. What a steal!I used my SU punches and computer generated text to create labels for each section.

Then I wrapped the tray with this adorable alphabet ribbon that I stock up on everytime I'm able to find it.

As you can see, I stamped a Hambo apple image to the sides of the template and clear embossed to add a little interest. I also added a 1/2" to the tray template so I could fit some erasers on the side.

My kids absolutely LOVE this and it totally made my day to give it to them.
I can't wait to see what YOU do with the challenge!

Be sure to stop by my sidebar and check out what the rest of the design team came up with.
--------------------------------------------------->
(Blogger won't let me copy and paste links to my posts anymore - any ideas or tips?)

Thanks SO much for stopping by today!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Friday Faves

Hey Kids!
Hope you had a fab week. Now go grab your favorite drink and have a seat, because here are my favorite finds from the web this week!

Check out this homemade Halloween decor by Kim.

This bookworm set by Amy is too adorable for words!

Pumpkin Pie-sicles. (I buy canned pureed butternut squash at Trader Joe's)

This "school" of whales card by Carole - so cute!

Check out what Alyssa did with "My Timeless Templates".

If I bring these to school on Halloween will I be the cool mom or the psycho mom? Oh.....it's such a fine line!

This cat made with punches by Dawn - OMG!

This poochie postcard by Amy is too adorable!

This top note tutorial for the Sizzix Big Shot by Kimberly. I really need one of these! Can you tell my husband that EVERYONE has one but me?

I hope you enjoyed my Friday Faves this week!
If you leave me a comment sometime this week, I'll be checking out YOUR blog and may feature you here next Friday.

I'll be back tomorrow with a template challenge from Lauren.
Hugs,

A little bath time stamping

Last night I gave myself 30 minutes to play while munchkin #2 was enjoying a bubble gum scented bubble bath. I didn't have a plan or a specific project in mind, but here's what I came up with... Just a simple, cheery card for an old friend. I layered some October Afternoon patterned paper on a So Saffron base and used "Garden Hanna" for the main image. I love this set, but unfortunately it doesn't come with any sentiments, so I paired it up with one from SU's "Knobbly Gnomes".

To add a little extra detail, I paper pieced Hanna's bandanna, pocket and shoes. Thanks for stopping by!
I'll be back tomorrow with my favorite finds from the web this week. If you've left me a comment this week, I'll be checking out YOUR blog. Who knows....maybe you'll see one of your projects featured here tomorrow!
Hugs,

Hambo Hump Day

Yay! Schools back in!
My son wanted to start off the year with a brand spankin new tag for his backpack. This should definitely help him weed out his black backpack in the sea of 15 other black backpacks in the classroom. The text and adorable image are by Hambo.
I used some Doodlebug Sugar Coating for a little sparkle and then tied some ribbon on the sides. The plastic case is a name badge holder. I picked up a pack of 10 at the Dollar Tree and just punched a couple of extra holes with my Crop-A-Dile for my ribbon.

Easy-Peasy!
Thanks for stopping by.

Not your typical anniversary card

A little disturbing? Perhaps.
But, if you knew the person that I made this card for, you'd think it was PERFECT!

A good friend of mine just celebrated her 13th wedding anniversary. She collects funky masks and likes "day of the dead" stuff. When it came time to make a special card for her, I knew it had to be unique. She's not really a Hallmark kind of girl if you know what I mean - and that's why I love her!

I used two different circles for the skull and stitched them together. For the sentiment, I printed up "Til death do you part" on my computer and stamped some flourishes around it.Have no fear, I'll be back to my "normal" projects tomorrow!
Thanks for stopping by,

Christmas Stampin All Year Long

Wow! The weekend went by so fast!
Monday morning already and that means a new challenge from the CSAYL blog! This week we have a sketch challenge for you courtesy of Maria Bell. I can never resist one of Maria's sketches but this was a tough one for me! I can't wait to see what you all do with it!Every time I looked at the sketch, I kept envisioning a cookie on the bottom right. I decided to go with it and create another cookie swap invitation for my party this December.

Here's what I came up with... I used Hanna for the main image and paper pieced her apron. The baking themed patterned paper is by Flair designs and I picked it up last year for my cookie swap invites, but never used it. I was a very happy stamper when I stumbled upon it in my stash! I cut out a cookie shape using Creamy Caramel cardstock, inked the edges and stamped some chocolate chips on it
Be sure to hop on over to the CSAYL blog to see what the rest of the design team came up with and to upload your card.

There were lots of great entries last week for our "spotlight challenge", but this one by Philippa was my fave!
Hugs,

"My Time" to color...

Well, it's officially the last weekend of Summer vacation in our house. School starts on Tuesday, and even though the summer went by quickly, it will be nice to get back into our daily routine.

Today, Lauren has a color challenge for you...Now to be totally honest, this was a tough color combo for me.
I can't wait to see what you guys do with it!
Luckily I just got my new Bermuda Bay cardstock in the mail earlier this week, so the blue was taken care of. As for the other colors, I had to dig in my scrap bin, and dig....and dig.....and dig....because those are not colors that I use or keep on hand.

Thank goodness I keep EVERY scrap!
Here's what I came up with...
I thought todays challenge would be the perfect opportunity to give you all a sneak peek at some of the new product that will be available in the SU mini catalog available on September 1st!

The stamp set is called "Sweet Centers" and has images for Halloween, Christmas and Valentine's Day in addition to a flower and a hot air balloon. The hot air balloon is what sold me on the set. As soon as I saw it, I had to have it! All of the images coordinate with a 1 3/4" circle punch and little plastic containers that fit perfectly into the punched area! You can fill them with jelly beans, glitter, buttons, anything you can think of! Love love love it! There are even special padded envelopes available in the mini catalog so you can pop these beauties in the mail to a very lucky person!

I used an image from "Circle Circus" on the background and a sentiment from "Embrace Life" to finish off this card. The coral patterned paper is by Bo Bunny and the sugar coated brads are by Doodlebug.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team came up with:
------------------------------------------------------->>>>>

And don't forget to upload your creation to Lauren's blog before next weekend so you have an opportunity to be part of her "My Time to Shine" feature!

I'll be back on Monday,

Friday Faves

Happy Friday!
Here are my top picks from the web this week...

This gorgeous creation by Amy Sheffer - beautiful colors and embellishments.

Check out this ADORABLE baby card by Daneille.

This perfectly detailed Peter Pan card by Kim.

Oh my....this owl gift bag made my heart flutter.

Jennifer's cloud tutorial - I can't wait to try this!

OMG! This Harry Potter card by Kim is bloody brilliant!
(Said in my best Ron Weasly voice)

So what do you think? Great stuff right? It's amazing how much talent is out there.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for a new challenge from Lauren!
See you then,

My new favorite color combo!

Thursday already?
Today I've got another fab sketch from Karen...I paired the new Bermuda Bay along with Riding Hood Red, black and white.
Don't these colors look great together?!I just love love love how this card came out!
Am I allowed to say that?I versamarked an image from SU's "Circle Circus" on the base of the card and then paper pieced the robe with a pattern from October Afternoon. The image and sentiment are from "Bunny Slippers" by My Favorite Things.

For those of you who are new to my blog, I made a deal with myself back in March that I would create a Christmas card IN ADDITION to any card that I made for a sketch challenge. I'm always so stressed out in December and thought I'd plan ahead a little this year so I might actually enjoy the holidays!

Here's my Christmas version using todays sketch...
Cute right?
I changed the main image to the gingerbread man from SU's "Deer Friend" hostess set from the last catalog.

I punched out the gingerbread men with my 1" circle and popped them up with dimensionals.And you all know how I love my bling right? What Christmas card would be complete without a little sparkle?!

Now, I PROMISE that I've made a Christmas card for EVERY SINGLE sketch challenge that I've participated in since March. I got an e-mail a few weeks ago from a gal who was asking me if I really was doing this.

Yes.....I am. 57 Christmas cards completed as of today and it feels SO good!

Thanks for stopping by today!
I'll be back tomorrow with my favorite finds from the web this week.

Hugs,