Tea Time

Hello Everyone! I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas and that Santa was good to you and your loved ones. Through the hustle and bustle of wrapping presents, putting things together, dealing with the noise of 8 grandkids plus the extra audio of the adults and preparing for the traditional Christmas dinner, I can proudly say that I survived and enjoyed every nerve wrecking moment I had with my family.

Now as the holidays wind down I retreat to the peace and quiet of my craftroom. Even the dog is still in the kennel so even the pitter patter of little feet are not here to interrupt the quietness of my safe haven. But this will not last long for tomorrow my four-legged friend returns and the ingredients for our New Year dinner must be purchased.

Ahhhh....before I slip into blissful peace let me say

"THANK YOU!!!"

to everyone that participated in my challenge and

entered their name in the eCard Giveaway. 

 

You ladies never cease to amaze me with your talent! Well I can only have one winner per challenge and here they are as selected using Random.org generator.

 

The winner of 4 Bugaboo images and 5 Kenny K images is .....

entry #68 ..Congratulations to Pauline

 

The winner of the Gift Card Giveaway valued at $50 is .....

entry #18...Congratulations to Jen Leeflang

 

As promised, to show my appreciation to all of you that follow my blog

I am offering a bonus gift card ($5) to one member

 and that member as selected by random.org is

Tammy Ortiz of Tammy's Scrappin Corner 

 

To determine the winner for the bonus gift card, I exported my followers list to excel where each follower was assigned a random number by Excel 2010.  I then used Random.org to select a random number between 0 and 347 and that listed individual was the winner.

 

To all the winners of this month please grab my winners badge and display it on your blog with a link back to my blog so others will know about me.  I appreciate you doing this for me.

Remember!!! you must claim your prize before

 Friday, January 4th by contacting me at lesia1707@att.net
and include December Winner in the subject line

*******************************************************************

Outside the skies are cloudy with a gray haze and the wind is blowing, keeping the temperature low enough to be cold, so I thought what a great time for a cup of tea. Then I decided that creating a card that would hold a couple of tea bags for a friend would be perfect for an evening such as the one I am experiencing and here is what I came up with.

Disclaimer:  This card was created using a tutorial by Beate Johns on SplitCoast Stampers which you can find by clicking here. This is a rather small card, in fact I think it is only a 3x3 which is perfect for small treats and it's real easy to make, so you can mass produce.


Although I refer to it as a tea bag holder, I have since discovered that it will hold the small square chocolate bars like the Giraldago (forgive the spelling) candy bars and the Hershey Bars as well. 

Come to think of it you could even add a tag with a sentiment in one pocket and a gift card or money in the other pocket.

 

There are a lot of ways to use these little cards if you thought about it.

 

I didn't do very much as far as decoration goes because the card was just to small to add very much so I think the more CAS you keep it the better it is for getting your message across.

Once I got focused on tea bags I think I found at least 4 different types/ways to create a tea bag holder so you most likely already know that this isn't the only tea bag holder I've made, however it has indeed been the smallest one. 

 

The others I will share with you on a later post.  Hope you can wait that long. In the meantime, why not try out the tutorial referenced above or click the link below and follow the tutorial on video.

 

 

 SNEAK PEEK:  January's challenge will be all about the pockets...win the challenge and you could leave with a pocket full of goodies.

 

Favorites of Year 2012

This month is a very busy month for me and I am sure everyone is recovering from the holidays and some are preparing for that dreadful day when we must return to work feeling like we need a vacation just to recooperate from the vacation (smiles).

This month let's make it an easy one...

"Anything Goes" Favorites of 2012!

WHaaaaaaaaaaat! You Ask!!

The challenge is to revisit your creations of 2012 and enter your favorite project in this challenge and link back to that post.  So you see there is no creating, just a lot of decisions to be made.

 

Knowing our past helps us identify our present and points us to our future

Easy as pie, right? Speaking of pie, I think I'll go eat a piece with my coffee. Okay here are the rules for this month's challenge.

1. Your project must have been posted during the year 2012
2. You must link back to the post with your entry
3. You can up to two project but each must have been on separate post
4. You MUST be a follower to claim a prize

Here are a few of our favorites from Year 2012

Is there anything easier than this? You get to play and still have time for other

things! That's a big Texan Yahoo!

Now let me tell you about a small change in winner selection.  First of all this challenge will have two winners chosen bi-weekly.

The first winner will be chosen at the end of two weeks on January 18th. My girls (DT) will look at the entries up to that date and select an entry they want me to CASE (hope they select one I can actually mimic).  The owner of that entry will be announced as the winner (provided I am given permission to case the card for personal use only)

A second winner will be selected via random.org and announced at the end of the month (January 30th). So if you enter prior to January 18th you have a chance of winning both prizes.

If you have a blog, then locate the post for your favorite project, copy the URL for that post and use that URL when linking with Mr Linky.  You can also link to your favorite projects if you have them stored in Picassa or any online photo storage application.

If you do not have a blog and wish to enter a project send it to me at lesia1707@att.net

Just remember to put in the subject line "January Entry" and then make sure you add your name as you would like for it to appear on my my blog.

SNEAK PEEK AT UPCOMING CHALLENGES

February Theme - Hello Doily

March Theme - Pockets Inside 'N' Out

So my lovelies, review your creations from 2012, select up to two of your favorites and add them to this challenge using Mr Linky below.

Graphic 45 Bird Song

To Enter Current Challenge Click Here
To Enter The $50 Giveaway Click Here
 

Hello my lovelies.  It has been a whirlwind week and I am finally ending it with a bang! Yep, I am officially on vacation until January and I am celebrating my new found freedom by trying new things and even a few challenging ones.

So moving right along...I am really pleased to see so many entries in my "Anything Goes" challenge but rather surprised that I don't have as many in my gift card "Giveaway"...strange...don't you think since an entry in the challenge automatically qualifies you for the gift card.  Oh well for those of you that did enter the giveaway and the challenge I wish you luck in both.

Now for my card.  At first it appeared to be very complicated and then after looking at it more closely, I thought perhaps it wasn't as bad as it seemed so I thought give it a try.  Well that didn't turn out to well...but I always seek ways to succeed and with this card I got lucky and found a lady that had a wonderful tutorial. 

After reading the tutorial and viewing a template she had created, I noticed that something wasn't adding up, so I pondered and counted on my fingers and frowned and groaned until finally I found the problem...and it wasn't me!  Turns out there was a typo in the instructions as far as numbers go and that is why it wasn't adding up.  But with a little logic and re-reading at a much slower pace I was ready to give it another try.  This is how it turned out.

This is the front of my card.  Rather simple and nothing spectacular really but the colors seem to blend nicely together.

The paper is all from Graphic 45 new paper pack "Bird Song" and it is filled with lots of reds, blacks and blues.  A really lovely paper pack.

The flowers I ordered from Wild Orchid and the leaves were created using both a Martha Stewart punch and a Marianne Die.
 

Now for the inside which was at first very intimidating but turned out to be quite easy once you got the folds correctly.

As you can see I continued to used paper from the same paper pack which meant it would all coordinate properly.

I fuzzy cut the panels on the side and the words from one sheet of the paper pack.  This was a really cool card to make.

This photo I took so you could see how it looks when looking down on it from above.  You can better see the where the score lines and folds are with a top-view.




Well that's what I have to share for this week and it may be a while before I get to post again since I will be leaving to visit with my grans and I'm not real sure how much time I will have for crafting.



This template is courtesy of Selma Stevenson and if you would like her tutorial on how to create this same card you can click here. 

 

 

 

Thanks Selma for the tutorial and the paper pack.  It turned out wonderfully and now I am working on my second one using Graphic 45 "Little Darlings" paper pack and it is so cute!

Another challenge I am taking on is by Kathy Orta of Paper Phenomenon who creates the most fabulous mini albums, folio's and very unique 3D artwork.  I am taking the plunge and stretching my skills by attending one of her upstream classes and creating a mini album.

 

I'll keep you guys updated as I travel this new adventure.  If we don't visit again before I announce my blog winners I would like to say

 

"Merry Christmas"

 "Happy Hanukkah" and "Happy Holidays"

to everyone and may you have a 

"Safe, Happy and Successful" New Year.

Timeless Beauty

To Enter Current Challenge Click Here 
 To Enter The $50 Giveaway Click Here

 

Hey everyone, sorry for the little vacation I've been on but it has been a whirlwind of excitement going on. Let me get to it because I am simply bubbling on the inside. I went to a beauty spa and got my very first introduction to dermabrasion and laser genisis rejuvenation, and I tell you I had to fight to keep from snoring (I kid you not)! It was so theraputic and relaxing...wow was all I could say as I relaxed and enjoyed.

 

Now the facial detoxication wasn't much fun but then the gentle massage started and I was in heaven.  Later, the mist followed and it was so soothing...but the winner was the laser rejuventation.  It felt like warm rain-drops falling gently all over my face. Oh it was simply the best ever! In fact I am going back real soon.  That was my birthday and Christmas gift combination from my family and it was worth every penny.

 

Did I mention that when it was over, my skin was smoother and felt softer.  There was less wrinkles and my jaw line was just a bit more taught..not extreme but a subtle difference...enough for me to schedule another appointment.  I might just be hooked on this beauty business.

 

My visit was with Timeless Beauty By Renee of Plano, Texas. Her techniques are not only designed to relax they also create timeless beauty over time...might be too late for me but I will just have to test it and see...if nothing else I'll have the best massge ever!

 

Anyway afterwards my friend and I left feeling like a million dollars and proceeded home where I had a small cocktail and created the card I am now going to share with you.

 

To create this card I used regular cardstock and Spellbinders Decorative Label 8.  I stamped the image using Tim Holtz Weathered Wood distress ink.

Next I used Decorative Labels 8 to add the embossing behind the image.  I positioned the die so that most of the embossing showed up in the corners and then I rounded the corners.

Lastly I mounted the layers using mini brads to keep everything in place.  To add a bit of snowy shimmer I added shimmering glitter (could have used glitter glue as well but I couldn't find what I wanted). The techniques and design used to create this card came from a lady by the name "Deneen"...thanks to her.

 

I hope you enjoy this card and if you get a chance go get a professional and beauty facial.  You won't regret it...but don't go for the cheapest...go for the best! 

 

Thanks for stopping by.....

Hugz ~ Lesia



Embossing Technique

Hello my lovely followers.  This is a quick post to apologize for the troubles you may have had while attempting to enter my challenge or giveaway.  I upgraded to the new blogger interface and it doesn't seem to like it when you include comments on a posted page and I can't get it to stop embedding the comments (would like a pop-up) therefore when you go to enter your link the comments will cover the email section.

Just below the word comments there are some really tiny words that say "try here" and if you click there it will open up a clean screen where you can enter your information. I do apologize for the inconvenience and hope it will not deter you from entering. I will continue to try and find a way to make it work properly but in the meantime please be patient with me.

One of my participants wanted to know the value of the gift cards, so for those of you that want to know the gift cards range in value from $10 to $20 depending on the increments allowed at each site.  The total value is $50.  The lucky follower bonus card is $10.

These two cards are based on a technique I saw on the University Youtube (smiles).

 

I thought it was really cool and thought I would share with everyone.  I am quite surprised that blogger is allowing me to upload images again because it wasn't for a while there.

 

I know this is a quick post but I need to get back to trying to sync my Gypsy and the Craftroom to work with my E2.  This just hasn't been a good week for me with technology.  But who can live without it.  I'll check back in real soon. 

 

If you haven't entered the challenge please do so and then add your name to the giveaway list.  Have fun.

 

 

Monthly Challenge 'N' Giveaway

First I have some exciting news to share. I cannot tell you how excited I was to be invited as a Guest Designer for Lady Anne's Sentimental Friday Anything Goes Challenge.  I was honored and thrilled that I literally jumped at the opportunity.  Stop by and visit and while you're there join in the fun.  Below I am sharing with you the card I created as my debut for this extraordinary honor.



Another exciting announcement is my entry was selected as one of the "Perfect Three" in the Perfect Sentiment "Piece it Together Challenge." Yahooooo! Check out my badge in the left sidebar.  The excitement of being recognized and invited to be a guest designer is followed with the excitement of it being December.

There is a special hustle and bustle in the air, where everyone seems to be in a shopping frenzy.  The decorations are going up just as gorgeous as the years past.  This is the time of year when strangers speak and smile more than any other time and a sense of joy and hope is in every town and every home.

Before I announce this month's challenge let me say thanks to everyone who entered November's challenge. I tried my best to look at each and every entry and I must admit that all of them were fabulous. I think everyone is a winner but of course there is only one drawn to be the winner.

We used random.org to select the November "Anything Goes" Challenge winner and that winner is..................................(drum roll)

Entry #54!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS Rebecca. 

You have won 5 Robert Jackson's digital images.  Please contact 

Pamela Harris [cmalkah@yahoo.com] to claim your prize.
Please grab my winner's badge from the left sidebar
and display it on your site.

 

Next was our November's "Scrap A Page" Challenge.  Unfortunately, although the entries were nicely done we did not meet the minimum requirement of 10 entries to award a prize, so the Make It Crafty gift card that was up for grabs will be up for grabs again in next month's challenge. 

Additionally, anyone that entered the "Scrap A Page" Challenge can re-enter their entries in December's "Anything Goes" Challenge and if desired, they can create and enter two additional entries for a total of 3 entries although the rules will indicate only two entries will be allowed.  

 

This month's challenge is everyone's favorite 
"Anything Goes"

That's right we are celebrating by having the challenge everyone loves.  Click the Current Challenge tab above for more information.

The winner will receive:

4 Bugaboo digital images and 5 Kenny K digital images
Winner will be drawn via random.org

As a holiday bonus one of my followers will receive a gift card!

I also have a giveaway.  Each entry in the giveaway will have a chance to win 3 gift cards of their choice from a list of selected online shops.

To enter the challenge click the "Current Challenge" tab above.  

To enter the Giveaway click on the Giveaway Tab or click here 

 

Both the challenge and the giveaway opens on December 3rd and will remain open until 30th December.  I am hoping to giveaway lots of prizes.  Can't wait to see what you create...come play with me!

 

 





December Challenge

After entering your project here don't forget to enter the eGift Card Giveaway

by clicking the eGift Card Giveaway Tab above or simply click here.

To enter this challenge all you need to do is create a project (cards, altered art, tags, pages or anything else). You can use any image but using a KennyK or Bugaboo image will give you extra credit.

Please remember to follow the standard rules located in the rules tab above

The additional rules shown below apply to December challenges:

1. Please make sure that you link to the URL of your project, not your blog;
(it takes to long to search for your entry and we might miss it)

2. You may Enter TWO (2) Projects and you can combine your entry with as
many other challenges as allowed.

3. Don't forget to add a link back to our challenge on your blog.

4. Remember anyone can enter my challenges but you must be a follower
to claim a prize

Note: A minimum of 10 entries is required for a prize to be awarded

My girls and I decided to share with you a couple of cards that we hope will inspire you. Don't forget to let us know what you think. We look forward to your comments and appreciate them so much.

These cards were previously posted in and were selected for your inspiration!

Bugaboo Image and Sentiment

KennyK Image - Precolored

KennyK Image - Colored with Copics

Well we hope this jump starts your mojo and you join in on the fun. Don't forget to join us for your chance to win a few online eGift cards. Just click here to jump over there now!

We can't wait to see what you create, so go create and enter your creations using Mr Linky below.

Don't forget by entering this challenge you qualify for the e-Gift Cards Giveaway so make sure you go there to add your name and leave a comment. That's all there is to it!