PIXIE COTTAGE CHALLENGE

Good Morning Our Challenge this week at The Pixie Cottage is Party/ Celebrations....lots of possibilities for this one. Michelle has another great new stamp set here. It has two sentiments and 3 images found here. It was perfect for the gift I needed. Christmas Eve is my BIL's Birthday. He like others who have a birthday so close to Christmas seems to get overlooked. Soooo about 30 years ago we had a Mexican Potluck on Christmas Eve and then went caroling to celebrate his birthday. Every year for 30 years we have done it so I guess you would say it is one of our family traditions :) So all that to say this is part of my gift to him this year. So it doesn't look like a Christmas gift I used Kraft, creme and royal blue and just a dot of red. I used all the images in the stamp set.

No the basket is not turned sideways. I made it in a diamond shape sewing together and distressing all four sides then attaching to a reinforced base I made. The handle was torn on both sides. The watercolored images were cut out and mounted on a embossed base on all four sides. I used dimensional paint for all the dots around the circles and down all the sides. Since he likes coffee and hot chocolate I made him some syrups and put in pretty bottles that my sis will be able to use when they are emptied. I made a caramel syrup and a cinnamon vanilla syrup. Can you believe I found the perfect canned whip cream with a blue lid that totally matches my paper. Is that cool?? I will tuck in a few snack goodies that I will make Thurday night.

I made a small card and tags for the syrups and marshmallows to go along with the basket. Have you ever made cinnamon vanilla syrup? You mustTry this yummy recipe....you can use it for coffee, tea, ice cream or???

Recipe: 2 c. firmly packed brown sugar 1 c. water 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 3 cinnamon sticks 1/2 tsp. pure cinnamon extract Heat the water and sugar on low...open vanilla bean and scrape it in the sugar mix ( be sure to save the pod to flavor some sugar) add the sticks and bring to a quick boil. Remove and let steep for about 30 min. Then put back on heat and simmer for about 6 or 7 mins. Remove sticks add the cin extract cool a little and strain. Easy Peasy

The simple little card uses three of the mini versions of the large cup of latte. The large tag uses one of the images in the set that I cut out and attached to the tag.
Have a Merry Christmas!

For Challenges:
Creative Card Crew: Christmas Birthdays
Papertake Weekly: Anything goes
Allsorts: Free & Easy Anything goes
Bee Crafty: Rough around the edges
Paper Sundaes: Cut it Out
Aly's Sunday: Anything goes
Stamps R Us: Anything Goes

PIXIE COTTAGE CHALLENGE

Its Wednesday and that means a new Challenge at Pixie Cottage. We have a great sketch for you and the theme is Family/Friends. Christmas is always a very special time in my family so I chose this sweet image Hannah hanging the Stocking found at Michelles Scrapbooking and More. I watercolored her and then used a pile of glitter on her hat and the bears, the bow and candles. A little stitching, punched edge and a bow does it. The team really has some very beautiful card you will want to stop by and see. The theme leaves a lots of room for interpretation so come join us.


For Challenges:
Tuesday Taggers: The stockings were hung
All Sorts: Last Minute Christmas
Lets Ink it Up: Christmas & Sparkle or Bling
S2G: Holiday with lots of Bling
Crafty Ho's: Red & Green
Fresh Brewed: Christmas
Penny's Paper: Christmas
Stamp Fairy:Glam it up with glitter or Stickles

Passionately Artistic

Did you enjoy all the fabulous creations and ideas at our 12 Days of Christmas?? Well today It's Party Ideas at Passionately Artistic. My New Years Party Invitation has lots of crazy elements which each represent something and hopefully will provoke some reflection of old and thoughts of new.

The silver stitching meandering around the card represents all the paths of others you have crossed this past year, the mirror... to reflect upon this past year, the silver ball... the Times Square New Years Eve Ball, the key... to open the opportunities of a New Year, the clock... time to start a New Year and the leaves... to turn over a new leaf for the New Year. Lots of glitz everywhere from the dots, thread, clock to the embossed key. How about you??? Be sure to come join our Linky Party .Stop by read the rules and toot your own horn...show us your creations.

Supplies: SU paper and silver foil, Tons of silver stickles, mirror and ribbon.
For Challenge:
Your Next Stamp: Lets Party

TUESDAY THROWDOWN CHALLENGE

Our Tuesday Throwdown Challenge is to make a criss cross card. Our sponsor this week is Digis With an Attitude. They will be giving a great prize so be sure to join us. I used Mona's beautiful color challenge from at Cupcake's Creation Color Challenge. It is our Pastor's wifes Birthday today and this card is for her. I had a little party last night after Womens Ministry and we all signed the card and gave it to her.

My lighting wasn't the best and the color looks more orange than coral but it really is coral. I used a coral base and then stitched on the pretty Graphic 45 floral print I've been saving. I made the fan fold medallion to attach the angel print to, added the punched edge and the jewels. I did stamp a flourish on the tan sides and added the Birthday poem to the inside.
Supplies: Momento Ink, SU and Graphic 45 papers, MS arch punch and jewels.

Entering Challenges:
Creative Card Crew: Anything goes
Papertake Weekly: Christmas Birthdays
There She Goes Clear Stamps: Something from stash at least 6mo old...My Graphic 45 paper

Stampin' Sisters in Christ

Patti from Stampin' Sisters in Christ chose the scripture Ephesians 4:29. The challenge is to make a card to encourage, compliment or cheer someone. I used the Waltzingmouse Sketch for my lo. Pretty simple card. Used the cuttlebug swirl embossing folder on the top tan and on the bottom blue. I sanded the blue to scuff it a bit. I put my dots on the chipboard flourish and made a flower just by tearing pieces to form petals. Looped the hand dyed ribbon and tied up a bow with a vintage button.
Supplies: SU and My Minds Eye papers, Maya Rd chipboard and the good ole button box.
For Challenges:
Quixotic Inspirations: Thank You
Cute Card: Floral Frenzy
Delightful Sketches: Embossing
Sew Many: Flower Power

Thanks for the fun awards....

I want to thank Benzi for her sweet support and for this fun award. You will want to stop by her blog Benzi Stampz and check out her wonderful creations.
I'm honored that Kelly was so sweet to give this award to me. I want to thank her for her support and you will want to check out her beautiful vintage creations at Craft Until Your Art's Content!

I am supposed to share 3 & 8 things about myself....I'll lump them together

1. I am a night owl and love Fridays cuz I dont have to go to bed
2. I love to garden and have a big green thumb which isn't always easy when you live on the backside of the desert
3. I have a crazy passion for flowers of any kind and love polka dots!!
4. I love riding a motorcyle..the wind flying by is sooo freeing, as my husband says blows the bad stuff off :)
5.I am the Womens Ministry leader at our Church and love helping & seeing womens lives changed.
6. I am Very Passionate about supporting our Troops and families...I have 2 SIL in the military
7.My grandbabies live across the country and I seldom get to see them in person that rips my heart strings daily. :(
8. I have only taken one international trip. It was an amazing month in Japan.

I have been absolutely blessed this past year of blogging. I have met so many fabulous Ladies!!
Thanks to ALL of you for your encouraging support. You are the BEST!

So many to pass this on to....heres just a few
Amy At Papertrails by a paper lover
Annika at Another Messy Crafter
Kimberly at Fairie Tales With Paper
Lorraine at Coldwaters 2
Martha at The Heart Within
Mona at Cupcake's Creations
Monique at For the Love of Paper
Tammy at My Craft Central
Tanya at Random Acts of Krafting

VERVE Triple Play Challenge

Verve has shown us 14 Days of Inspiration by their Divas. You have until Thursday at midnight to enter. The Challenge is to create a trio of your choosing. Be sure to check out all the Divas beautiful creations.



For my project I made a gift tin, tag and card that will go to my co worker My card has three layered panels using gold, burgandy and the beautiful Attic Heirloom stitched together. Hand dyed ribbon and a fan fold glittered flower with a button center. The inside of the card is burgandy to help show the punched edge. The tag is also layered and stitched using several nesties. After removing the original papers on the tin I spray painted it to go with my paper. Decorated it with the fan fold glittered flower medallions and the flowers. The flowers are cut out,edges shaded, centers stickled and then layered. The top layered fan fold glittered medallion is a removable ornament with a ribbon hanger.
Supplies: SU & Daisy D's papers, recycled tin, spray paint, stickles, MS deep floral and loop punch, Spellbinders scalloped oval and looped square. hand dyed ribbon, verve love flower and buttons from the good ole button box.

Challenges:
Creative Belli: Christmas embellishments
Fresh Brewed: Sparkle & Shine
Little Red Wagon: Die cuts
Penny's Paper Crafty: Merry Christmas
Three Muses: Flowers
Charisma Cardz: A Christmas Gift

PIXIE COTTAGE CHALLENGE

Our Challenge is perfect for this time of year....SPARKLE & SHINE~We also have a great sketch if you chose to use it. This fun image and sentiment set is called Dashing Through the Sky by ARTish. You can find it and lots of others here.
This is a few of the crazy houses I made for a little village set. It is going to be a gift for my sister. I thought it would be fun to have Santa flying in so I attached him on a piece of acetate. It barely shows so really looks as if he is suspended in the air. I watercolored the image and used some stickles on the clouds and sleigh runners. Added a little dimensional paint to the beard, mustache, cap and cuffs. Then cut him and the sentiments out and attached to the acetate.

MY village started as wooden blocks painted and covered with dps. Sure doesn't show here but decorated with layered snowflakes and Lots of SPARKLE with blue, irridecent and silver stickles, jewels, beads and silver foil.

Supplies: SU, BoBunny & DC designs paper, Stickles, acetate, memento ink, assorted stickles, dimensional paint, MS snowflake and loop punches, hand dyed ribbon, foam dots, beads, jewels and bells from my stash.

For Challenges:
Lexi's Creations: Blue & Silver
My Sheri Crafts: Blue & Silver
Really Reasonable Ribbon: Anything but a card
Paper Cutz: 2 Patterned dps
Paper Issues: Christmas project
City Crafter: Let it snow Let it snow
Creative Card Crew: Anything goes
Flourishes Timeless Tuesday: 3D Gift
My Time to Craft: Reindeer Craft
There She Goes: Bring on the Bling

TUESDAY THROWDOWN CHALLENGE

Clean and Simple is the theme this week at Tuesday Throwdown. I don't know about you but for me it is a real Challenge!! I always want to put more!! Our sponsor this week is DeeDee's Digis. This one is from the Endless Beginnings set. The bottom is embossed although it doesn't show. Some hand dyed ribbon and the image just slightly colored.

Supplies: SU and Memories paper, hand dyed seam binding, SU embossing folder and Spellbinder nesties #13 & the scalloped oval

For Challenges:
Sugar Sweet Paper Treats: Anything goes
Bugaboo Catch the Bug: Anything goes
Card Makin Mamas: Anything goes
Delicious Doodle: Use a digi
Creative Cowgirls: Anything goes
The Crafty Pad: Anything goes
Anita Be Stampin: Greens & Pinks
Tip Top Tuesday: Ribbons

Gingerloft Challenge is Bows

A rather simple card Christmas card I'm entering into the Gingerloft Challenge. No image and just a tad of decorating. The fan folds are fun and versatile so I made one with a little lace flower center. I like the brown and green, such a pretty combo. A little embossing, a bow, lace and little tag and Voila~~




Supplies: SU and Basic Grey paper, Swirly Cuttlebug folder, hand dyed seam binding, lace from the stash and a MS arch punch.


Dutch Dare: Christmas
The Paper Variety: Tic Tac Toe..card, die cute & holiday
Crafty Ann's: Christmas
Paper Players: Christmas
Whoopsi Daisy: Ribbons and bows
ECP: Christmas
Craft Your Days Away: Texture
The Artistic Stamper:Christmas Time

PIXIE COTTAGE CHALLENGE # 47

Do you like to do paper piecing?? Then hop on over to Pixie Cottage and join us. We also have a great sketch you can use.With the whole reason we celebrate Christmas being the birth of Christ this is the perfect image. It is Christ Child with Animals . Since the image speaks for itself I didn't think it needed any embelllies. As you can see from the pic below I cut a second head for each image and pop dotted them up. The stable, star and sentiment were cut out and also popped up.
Supplies: SU,Bazzill and scrap dp, foam dots, Spellbinders scalloped oval and watercolors.


For Challenges:
Top Tip Tuesday: Anything goes
A Crafty Little Place: Anything goes
The Paper Variety: Tic Tac Toe~~Holiday-Card-Spellbinder die
Paper Playtime: Christmas Carol Inspired...Away in a Manger