Happy Thanksgiving!

Just a quick post to say Happy Thanksgiving to all my followers.  I am so thankful to have each and every one of you!  We spent the day with family and teasing each other over the local football game.  What did you all do today?

Kraftie Kreations Thankful Swatch Book

     With Thanksgiving right around the corner, the design team over at Kraftie Kre8ations was asked to create swatch books of thankfulness.  If you're like me you went..swatch book...what's that!  Think of a mini album designed like a fabric sample book.  

     The thought was to be able to write down what you are thankful for.  I couldn't just leave it there though because what's journalling without pictures! I did a combo of journalling spots and places for pictures.  

     I also made the pages pockets so that you could store extra photos or memories in there without adding a ton of pages.  The pockets would also be perfect for tickets or brochures if you travel around the holidays.

    Does your family write down anything at the holiday to keep memory of what you're thankful for each year?  Would something like this make you do so?

Get Inky Challenge 17: Thanks

     It's time for another Get Inky Stamps by Blue Moon Creations inspiration post.  This time their challenge is thanks.  There are so may ways you can go with this topic!   
     I choose to use the 2013 Holiday set and rather than make a thank you card, make a tag that could go on...well...pretty much anything.  My first thoughts were a bottle of wine or a glassine bag of cookies...yum!
    To make the sky of the tag I crumbled the tag and then used my ink applicator to rub ink around the tag.  I then ironed the tag (no steam!) to make it flat again.
   I also used a new to me product called muddles puddles to do the snow. I like the textured effect it gave, but it wasn't sparkling enough like fresh snow does.  Stickles to the rescue!  I put clear Stickles on top of the muddle puddles and it was perfect.
    The snow flakes are buttons that I cut off the thread holder part to be able to use on my cards and pages.
     I hope this inspires you to think outside the box and enter the Thanks challenge.

Get Inky 3-D Holiday

     It's my day to post inspiration over at Get Inky Stamps by Blue Moon Creations.  Their challenge right now is 3-D holiday.  
     I really have found being on a design team keep me motivated since the topics aren't always what I'd do or it makes me really think how to use their stamps/ideas to bring you a great idea. I love making holiday cards, and I can't tell you how pleased I am with how this one came out.
     I used my elegant edges cricut cartridge and cut out the red background.  I think it's just supposed to be decorative, but the border really reminded me of the old gigantic Christmas light bulbs!  The green is then embossed with the Cuttlebug.  The red is popped with 3-D foam dots and the green is adhered to that.
   I used the Get Inky 2013 Holiday set and embossed the gingerbread men and fussy cut them.  They are then popped up as well.
    Inside is a pop-up card with another gingerbread man popped off of there.  Can we say popped one more time!?  
    I hope this gives you a holiday idea and that you join us for the challenge.  Are you making your holiday cards this year or purchasing?

ScrapStuffz "Inspired By" November Challenge

     I love being on design teams when it really makes me think outside the box.  This ScrapStuffz one was a toughie for me, and I looked at it a very long time before something hit me.  Once it did though...I was off and running and my layouts came together very quickly!
    So what finally hit me? The Mayflower!  In my strange thinking pattern I kept thinking:

1. Mayflower = Pilgrims
2. Pilgrims came for independence/freedom
3. Independence/freedom = Fourth of July!

     So without further adeu...here is my M at eight months old.  I made the banner myself using the cricut.  I cut scallop circles in half inch increments and then cut them in half.  I stamped glitter stars in the circles to give it a bit of pop.
     The circles on both pages are made using the Epiphany Crafts round circle epoxy machine.  This is a new tool for me and I love it! 
     I created the title using wood veneer that I painted with some acrylic paint I had around.  Boy was it messy since the letters are so small, but I love the dimension is gives and the variety of colors available.

     What does the inspiration picture make you think of?  Come over and link up with us for a chance to win.  Don't forget that our winner is design team chosen so everyone has a great shot!

Challenges:
Craftin Desert Diva's
3 Girl Jam