Just Couple For Today

It's a snow covered Saturday here in SE Wisconsin. But we're probably going have bare ground again by this evening. Warm weather (well..."warm" is a relative term...) has descended and soon the last vestiges of the Fall snows will be gone. If one believes the Almanacs, however, we'll have plenty more all too soon. In between laundry loads and other chores, I thought I'd write a post and share a couple of cards.

First up is a card heading off to Freshly Made Sketches, and also into SSS Wednesday Challenge.

Here's the first one:

Every year, I try to have a new image for the grandkids to color and adhere to the place cards they make for our Thanksgiving tables. I'll stamp them, die cut them, and let them color the image to their hearts' content. They'll write the names and what comes next is a hoot. Once the place cards are finished, all those kids gather around the tables and debate who goes where. "Well, I want Jessica to sit by me this year," or "Uncle Pickle Juice should sit by Great Grandpa." I let them have at it, and just listening to their debate cracks me me up as I'm working in the kitchen. This pumpkin, from a C9 set is one of the images the kids will be working with. It also comes with an oak leaf, which we'll use too. I colored this one, and the little fronds with Copics. The sentiment is from HA, and the polkie dotted paper is from a gorgeous 6x6 pad of papers by Photoplay. In real life the whole thing looks rather pretty.

Next up, I'm squeaking in by the skin of my teeth to the Double D Challenge. Fell in love with their mood board, and had to play.

I took inspiration from the frame, the colors, the greenery, and the plaids. My card looks like this:

I stamped a C9 striped base into my plaid look and added a woodgrain frame in white. I cut some fronds with a PS die from a patterned paper scrap, cut another woodgrain frame in brown, and added a Verve sentiment. A gray base completes this card. And since I've taken up so much of your time, I'll stop now and wish you...

Twofer Challenge #22 ~ With A Twist!

Ok....How did we get to November already???! Since I feel like I missed pretty much all of summer, I think we should go back to say, July, right about now. Except that I love Thanksgiving and here in the States, we'll be celebrating together with family pretty soon. My little grandchildren love coming to Grandma's house for this holiday. It's all about the pie. We usually have at least seven different kinds, (this year it'll be pumpkin, butterscotch, lemon meringue, key lime, chocolate cream, apple, and vanilla cream) and trust me, they don't last! So I guess that since we're here in November, and family will descend soon, it's all good! And speaking of "good," it's time for the Twofer Card Challenge, where it's time to get all festive and such!

And as a quick reminder, here is a synopsis of the rules:

 

But wait!!!! We have a twist for you this time around...

Normally our rules state that you must use the same stamp, die, or stencil and make two different designs for two different occasions. Because so many of us are madly working on Christmas cards, for this month only, we are forgoing the "for two different occasions" element of Twofer, so you may enter two Christmas or other holiday occasion cards! 

So it's up to you! 

You can make two different designs using the same prompt element for two different occasions; OR you can make two different designs using the same prompt element for the same occasion!!

All the other rules of the challenge apply. If you have any questions about specifics of the challenge, please take a few minutes to review the updated Definitions/Examples on the Twofer blog, so you'll be eligible to win. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support and want to see you stretch your stamps, stencils, dies, and design skills!

Also, a reminder that there will be no Twofer Card Challenge in December. Happy Holidays to all of you from all of us!

Holiday greenery...EZPZ for my first card, but for a few minutes, I'll admit I was stumped as to what to make for my second card. Should I do the 'twist,' or stick with two different designs? I did a little hemming and hawing, and then....voila! Decided to go with two different designs/occasions. My baby turns the big 4-0 next month! Perfect! He'll get a kick out of the skinny version of me handing him a new number! I can't wait to see how you'll inspire everyone with your creations. You will be playing along, right?! Good!

My duo looks like this:

And individually:

So for my Christmas card, I used a couple of NBUS goodies to start things off. After trimming some strips at 3/4" for my siding, I grabbed the EH Winter Window and die cut the window and the snow. It needed a little snowy glittery goodness, so I used SSS Unicorn Dust. I cut a panel for the "inside" of the house, and added a hardwood floor which is one stamp of a set by The Ink Blot Shop. The holly is from the Baker Lady set by Ellen, and I stamped and colored several and made a wreath. The bows I cut just looked cluttery, so I left it off. The sentiment is also EH. 

My son's birthday card also uses the EH Baker Lady (the skinny me...hahahaha), and the holly. The apron was stamped and I added holly to give her a festive look, and then I fussy cut the apron and adhered it to the image. The numbers are from N&T, and cut in gold with more holly behind them. The sentiment is a C9, and the birthday boy will probably agree with it! The panel was cut with The Greetery's Crimped Frame Die, and adhered to a deep green panel. 

I love that that little tiny holly sprig became the focal point. And I can't wait to see what 'holiday greenery' cards you make. Come and join the fun! Oh!...be sure to stop by and see what the rest of the Twofer Design Team, and our lovely Guest Designer, Nancy has created. You'll be amazed! And as always...

Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

Had a lovely, relaxing long weekend with one of my dearest friends who'd driven all the way from Pensacola, Florida. She made the rounds of many of her Wisconsinite friends and is now on her way back home. And just so I wouldn't dwell on her leaving, I sat down and made a card for the Fall/Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop! So far, the distraction of cardmaking has worked -- I just might have to make cards all day so I don't feel lonely without her, lol!!

Here's my card:

I'd saved the large scrap of that winter coffee cup paper, which I purchased from who knows where or when. Believe it or not, the darkest cups and the largest mat are navy blue, but they show as black today in the photograph. Rain/snow cloud cover (that's my story and I'm sticking to it, lol!).The white mat was cut The Greetery's Crimped Frame die. The coffee cup and the hand are both from EH sets, and the sentiment is an Avery Elle. Hope your upcoming week is craft-filled and as always...