JB2617: Masculine Merriment

It's time for a brand new prompt at Jingle Belles and this time we're making holiday cards in one of the most challenging (imo!) genres: Guy Cards; aka Masculine Merriment! I don't struggle with them as much as I used to, but... yeah... leaving off the flowers, the glitter and the tendency to use PINK does slow me down a bit. I think I did ok this time, though.

I've had Doodlebug's Winter Wonderland stamps for several years, and I really don't use them enough because just LOOK how cute that yeti is! I found two inky embossed backgrounds in my "leftovers" box and they seemed perfect for this card. The paper with the trees is Pebbles I think (and ancient!); and the tiny 1/16" Round Brads are from Eyelet Outlet. 

Speaking of Yetis, I was given a second helping of this super-cute stamp set for my birthday, it's brand new and unopened, and it's looking for a good home, so I'm putting it up as a little prize for one lucky, randomly-selected cardmaker who links up with us at Jingle Belles this fortnight. JB2617: Masculine Merriment runs until the evening of Wednesday, August 26th, and you can link as many newly-made MASCULINE cards as you'd like to!

You're One in CHAMELEON!

If, like me, you can never resist a diabolical pun, the Eyelet Outlet Reptile Brads are an excellent choice. In addition to the gecko and chameleon hiding in the background foliage; the sentiment panel boasts another Chameleon, a Cactus Brad, our Sun and Cloud Brads and a Mini Butterfly.

One in Chameleon Shopping List:

Reptile Brads

Cactus Brads

Sun and Cloud Brads

Mini Butterfly Brads

Visit the Eyelet Outlet Store for lots more fun brads, bling, eyelets and more; and be sure to stock up on all your faves before the website retires at the end of the year! 

SOS580: Back to School

The new challenge at Shopping Our Stash is called Back to School and I bet you can guess what we'd like to see, right?! Well, just in case you can't guess, here's the official blurb: "Make a card that features something you would see at school: pencils, paper, alphabet, lockers, playground equipment; OR a card for a teacher or student." There are lots of choices here so let's get right to it:

I raided LOTS of seriously older stash for this one, so I'm patting myself on the back a tiny bit. I've got loads of Echo Park Stickers, a few seriously old (but beautiful) washi tapes, a bunch of Eyelet Outlet school-themed brads, and... wouldja believe... that background graph paper is Love, Elsie?!

Visit SOS to see what the rest of our very inspiring Crew have made, then start planning what you'll link up with us this time! SOS580: Back to School runs until the evening of Monday, August 24th.

Super Punchy Mandala Monday

I think I'm probably about two thirds through my Dina Wakley MEdia Ledger Journal; I've been working in it quite a bit, as it's such a nice size, shape and quality of paper. Being quite a big journal (7x12") it gives me a chance to try ideas that literally would not work in a smaller space, like this all-neutral mandala, made almost entirely from circle and heart punches! This is a fun style of mandala, literally ANYONE can do it, and it's a fab way to use up some of my (many, MANY!) patterned paper scraps!

Tic- Tac-TWO?

For the second week at Jingle Belles, we're playing Tree Skirt Tic-Tac-Toe, which is kind of a holiday cardmaking version of  "Beach Blanket Bingo"! You still have time to join us; all you have to do is choose a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) and create a holiday card featuring all three elements in that row. Please note that it's fine to use more than one snowman; more than one diecut; red AND green; or a single flower, even! If this sounds like fun, then let's get going:

Here's my card this week:

I chose the right-hand vertical column, which gave me: Dry or Heat Embossing + Ribbon + Stamping. I'll admit I did that partially because I unexpectedly rediscovered my Dina Wakley Soaring embossing folder and once I saw it, I HAD TO use it immediately. My ribbon is of the gorgeous, pink, semi-sheer May Arts variety (which I think you'll agree stages really well!) And finally, my stamping is just the sentiment (from Taylored Expressions' Flip the Snowflake set) but I chalked up a second type of embossing by using Ranger's lovely Pink e/p. I diecut Hero Arts' Snowflake Corner twice (from pale pink and also silver glitter cardstock) and added a single Eyelet Outlet 1.5" Snowflake Bling to give it even more sparkle.

JB2616: Tree Skirt Tic-Tac-Toe runs until 6pm (Eastern) next Wednesday, August 12th. Link your totally terrific Tic-Tac-Toe cards at Jingle Belles! 

Three Cheers

Make crafting time more efficient when you create a series of similar cards in a single session. Eyelet Outlet has loads of different drinks brads; this trio of "CHEERS" cards features Beer Brads, Cocktail Brads, Wine Brads and Grape Brads, as well as tiny 1/16" Round Brads and 1/8" Classic Eyelets.

Cheer-y Shopping List:

Beer Brads

Cocktail Brads

Wine Brads

Grape Brads

1/16" Round Brads

1/8" Classic Eyelets

If you're favorite drink isn't here, don't worry, there are LOTS more styles. Click the "Food, Drink and Cooking" tab so see the whole selection, which includes Wine, Sodas, Coffee, Liquor, Lemonade and more!

I'm a Christmas Kickstart Guest ELF!

My fellow Jingle Belle, Stephanie Severin and I are excited to be Guest Elves for the latest Christmas Kickstart Challenge with our friend and fellow enthusiastic holiday cardmaker, Jo. The theme this time is... Friendship, which seems especially appropriate!

I had a lot of different ideas for the theme, but when I saw this super-cute Doodlebug journal card, I knew it was The One:

I matted the journal card on glossy white, added some fun patterned paper flags, and mounted the whole thing on this fun gingerbread themed patterned paper, which is also (older) Doodlebug Design. I thought it needed one more thing, so I did a bit of machine stitching which always makes things feel "finished" to me!

We'd love for you to join in this month's Christmas Kickstart Challenge #113 A Friend is for Life and Not Just Christmas, so please hop over and see Jo's card and consider linking up one of your own!