Fa-la-la-llama!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

A friend mentioned to me that I hadn't posted in some time, so here I am! While I have been creating, sometimes getting things photographed and posted is another matter!

We don't wrap a lot of gifts during the holidays, but we DO write checks and share gift cards. This gift card holder is made with a cute "Prickly Pear" set from Close to My Heart. I colored the silly guy and his cactus pal with Copic markers and used a Santa hat and candy cane from the "Bear Ware 2" set from  Essentials by Ellen (designed by the incredible Julie Ebersol). The scale works perfectly and they add such a jaunty holiday touch, don't cha think?

The sentiment is die cut from an old Sizzix set, probably long retired (like me- ha!). I used my "We R Memory Keepers" Envelope Punch Board to create the holder.

Unfortunately, our beautiful state of California is still burning - such a sad loss.

Take good care and thanks for the visit,

Party in a Card!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I have been so excited about the new designs by Julie Ebersole in the latest Essentials by Ellen release. I received my order and have been itching to play, so earlier this week I decided to play along with Ellen's Mix It Up Challenge featuring Penny Black products.

I broke out my We R Memory Keepers Fuse Tool for this totally fun shaker card. I am trying to remember to think about the color wheel when deciding on colors and I think it really helped with this card.

I love the results! The sentiments (outside and inside of the card) are from Penny Black's "Kind Words" set. My Essentials by Ellen products are the sweet envelopes, "Bitty Envelope" die set (so many possibilities!!!), and the tiny hearts on the envelopes, "Home and Hearth" dies."

I used Distress Inks (Cracked Pistachio and Squeezed Lemonade) on my back panel and drizzled it with some Perfect Pearls solution. I heat embossed the sentiment, loaded the shaker up with the heart-studded envelopes, sequins and tiny beads from my stash and there was plenty of shakin' goin' on!

It isn't easy to still photograph shaker cards!

Thanks for the visit and keep shakin' it!!!!

Winner, Winner; Chicken Dinner!

With some simple celebratory cupcakes (We R Memory Keepers) for dessert!

First, thanks to all of you who took the time to come by and visit and leave a comment! I am just tickled to see you all. Thanks to all my "old" pals and a joyous welcome to some new ones. I will be checking in on each of your blogs/flickr streams to get to know you even better. This has been such great fun!

Without further hesitation, let's see who will be going to France - in their cardmaking, anyway!

I had 21 lovely comments and the random number generator selected #16! 
That would be the fantastic Helen! I am just delighted to share the French-inspired stamp set with you. Congratulations! We look forward to the masterpieces "merveilleux" you'll create. Enjoy!

I hope you all had a great weekend. We went over to the coast, where it was breezy but sunny and clear. I feel guilty enjoying this rare January sunshine when we so desperately need rain, but I have learned to enjoy whatever I am given. Anyway, it is high season for Dungeness crabs here and are they ever yummy! I took this picture of a crab boat filled with the delightful crustaceans with my new camera and I hadn't yet learned how to use the zoom so it is difficult to see the precious cargo. But you can sure see the glorious sunshine!

Thanks again so very much to everyone for your continued friendship and support - Happy New Year!