Little Christmas Cardinal

Today is "Featured Stamper" on Splitcoast Stampers and Kris, SCS name: Krischir, was the chosen stamper! I adored her gallery, and decided to CASE one of her cards for today's submission.
A friend of mine sent me this stamp set as blog candy, and I had yet to ink it up until I saw it on another friend's blog!! What would we do without our friends?
Thanks for popping in...this is a busy week for so many and I appreciate your taking a peek here.
Have a blessed day!

Less is More and Becoming Unglued

Good Saturday afternoon!
I am in need of a few sympathy cards, and wanted to include this in this week's Sisters In Christ challenge: Less is More
here. My apologies for the darkness of these photos. I had a couple of mishaps with my camera and as of now, am surprised it is even working, as I dumped an entire glass of water on the camera and dock just prior to taking these.
Grace Nywening chose the scripture and has a really good and thought-provoking devotional this week. The scripture is John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease." I would ask that you would visit the link and read it, rather than my comments as I could not add anything to what she has alreay said so wonderfully!!
Anyway, the first card is showing the less, the second, with just the addition of the ribbon around the center panel, pearls on the main image and the added border along the bottom, is my more version. This card is one of my favorite color combinations, so soothing and peaceful. Please, since the photo is not well-lit, click on the picture for a larger view. The background is a paper that I love with aqua tones called "Soft Stone" by Papertrey Ink. I have not found any other color that works as well, in my opinion.
So what to do when you want to become unglued?! Every once in awhile, I need to take a card apart, even if it is just a panel that I forgot to add a ribbon to (as is the case with my second card...) do you risk ripping it apart and ruining the entire card? Heavens, no!! I use this product, Un-Du, and have for many years, it removes adhesive without damaging your inks in any way. I took a picture to share, it has saved many a card and scrapbook page for me! I have had a difficult time finding this in stores, but I know it is also available online. I hope this tidbit of information is helpful for someone reading this.
The stamps used for these cards is Waltzingmouse "Victorian Frippery" and SU!"Thoughts adn Prayers" for the sentiment. The center panel is SU!'s paper, "Presto Patterns;" you just add ink and have an immediate relief pattern.
Thanks for stopping by today and enjoy your weekend!

Snowman Love

I had been waiting in happy expectancy for a stamp order to arrive this week...this precious image is Precious Innocence...isn't she sweet? Admittedly I had a bit of difficulty finding the right shade of paper to go with my copics to go with my designer paper...but I think the contrast looks pretty good. The pink background was stamped in versamark and white craft ink with random snowflakes to blend the colors a little more. I clipped off two pom poms from some pom pom lace to add to the little girl's hat and added some Flower Soft "Polar White" to the hat bands and more Polar White and Martha Stewart Holiday glitter to the base for "snow." We actually have the real stuff outside, but it's not this sparkly today!
Wishing you a very blessed Sunday and thanks for dropping by. Oh, this is for a "Musical Challenge" from Dani Dell on SCS...the first time I have participated. The song was "Chain of Love."

Teapot Tuesday and my Stamp a Stack Christmas Cards

Is it Tuesday yet? I am late, as always, to the Teapot Tuesday party...but this week the destination is a hospice organization in Austin, Texas, and I couldn't miss sending a card to such a wonderful organization! You can view Cindy (Mothermark's) teapot Tuesday story by clicking on the black and white polka dotted teapot on my sidebar to read and laugh!!

The rest of the cards are from a Christmas card stamp-a-stack I attended over the weekend, at my demo, Carn's house. This was only 3 of the cards we made, I still have one more to make up! I don't have any of these stamps, so it is really nice to have a variety of cards to add to my small stash, and of course, I got home and had to add a silver pearl here, or some glitter there. The snowman was made of punches, and I am so punched challenged, I tell you, I had glue stuck everywhere. So if it were not for this class, I am sure my punches would be underused!
Tell me, which is your favorite of the Christmas designs? I'd really like to know!
We had snow last night, and this morning, a blanket of gentle peace covered the ground. So pretty!!
Thanks for stopping in, I've got French Roast on the menu, would you like a cup?

Hugs for a Friend

This card is not for a challenge or a cause...just me stamping because I want to! I love this Mo's Digital image...the dog reminds me so much of my Corgi...who by the way, is lame in one leg today. I am hoping it will go away, as he has had it before and it does.
Anyway, I have several friends who are going through some tough times right now...so this hug is for them...you know who you are!
This image was copic colored and white fine tulle was added as the bow at the top. The flowers were "borrowed" off a card I received over a year ago from another friend...they were the perfect touch. Does anyone else remake cards? I do it all the time.
Wishing you a day of sunshine and a hug from someone close!
Thanks for stopping by today!

My little "Hope Tote"

As many of you already know, I was just recently visiting my parents in Grand Junction as my Dad underwent knee replacement surgery and mom was transferred to a care center. Dad's surgery went well, and he was transferred to the care center a few days later to join mom. Although on different wings they are "together" and each can encourage the other while there. The plan is for Dad to finish up rehab to the point of being able to go back into the home and not only care for himself, but also do the wheelchair transfers needed for mom to return. That is the challenge ahead of him!
I am going to include the address where you may mail a card if you're moved to do so at the end of this post!
Thanks to my friend, Cindy, (Mothermark,) this week's Teapot Tuesday destination was none other than my home town to Grand Junction, Colorado!! My parents will be deluged with cards from all over the country encouraging them, lifting their spirits, brightening their days and I am sure the staff's and anyone who crosses their paths!! Thank you to all the "Tea Potters" who are sending cheery cards their way!!
My sample for this week did not follow Mothermark's story or sample, but I wanted to make this little tote and a set of cards to include. I saw this tote on Stacy (Twinshappy) blog found here. I loved the size of the cards this was intended to hold (4x4) and used my favorite SU! paper to make a set of cards. This tote is made from a clear acrylic box cut in half!! What a fun concept, then I used nestabilities four to cover the front and back.
Here's a silly thing I did though, after attaching the handle in brads and scor-tape, I wasn't able to take any of the note cards out!! So I had to remove the handle and make a new one, and this time I left it really long so the cards could be removed!
You can see this week's Teapot Tuesday challenge by my wonderful friend, Cindy here!
If you scroll down to the bottom of her post, you will be able to view the one-of-a-kind personalized card that Cindy is so good at making: it has a "picture" of me and our two daughters with our names on it!! How special is that!! The story and the cards can also be viewed on SCS's home page by looking under Tuesday's heading. I'll include a post later on my next visit to see my parents of all the cards!!

Ok, here is the address:

Joyce and Roy Cotton
C/O Mantey Heights Care Center
2825 Patterson Road
Grand Junction, CO 81506