Tuesday is the last day to leave a comment to win!

Just a reminder that Tuesday is the last day to leave a comment on my Sunday post for a chance to win the prize from the generous sponsor of my blog (Designs by Sarah) for the Craftin Desert Divas Holly Jolly Blog Hop! (Whew! That was a long sentence!)

Good luck!!

Craftin Desert Divas Holly Jolly Blog Hop!!!

Welcome to Craftin Desert Diva's Holly Jolly Christmas Blog Hop!!

I'm so happy that you could join us today! If this is the first time that you have hopped with us, you won't be disappointed. This is the Craftin Desert Divas design team's first hop and I have to say that I am lucky to be a part of such amazing, creative and talented bunch of ladies!

This is Day 2 Holly Jolly Christmas Blog Hop! You will not only get some inspiration, but you could win GREAT prizes, too!! You must FOLLOW and COMMENT on all of the stops both days to have chance to win.

Here are the wonderful sponsors for this hop...

For this two day hop each blog will be offering a prize from one of the sponsors listed above!!! You must visit each stop both days to be eligible to win.  Winners will be announced on Dec 18. The entire winning list will be posted on  Craftin Desert Diva's website.

  

My sponsor for today is..

Sarah is one fantastic designer who does custom blinkie designs, blog makeovers and other cool graphic needs (click here for her list of extra graphic designs).  Designs by Sarah is providing a two column blog makeover!  That is a $50 service!  Woo-who!!  What a great way to start 2014 with a blog make over!  Thanks so much, Sarah!

Here is my project that I've created for today's hop.  

It is getting close to Christmas so I am working on cards that I can easily make several in a night.  This card is not very time consuming, has some fun texture with the corrugated base and is not too CAS.  :)

The paper (Lily Bee Design's Jingle paper pad) and twine (Holly Berry) are from Trendy Twine (another wonderful sponsor on our hop).  Also used were Spellbinders Labels Thirty One and Decorative Labels Twenty Eight, and  JustRite Christmas Antique Labels One stamp set.

Thanks for stopping by!  Here is today's lineup in case you get lost along the way.  Your next stop in line is the creative and lovely Donna K.

 1. Tara                      

 2. Lori                      

 3. Janis              

 4. Michelle P                     

 5. Migdalia            

 6. Kathy Jo <<>>              

 7. Donna K    

 8. Robin C         

 9. Mayra 

10. Jessica

Have a great Sunday!  Good luck on the hop and thank you for your sweet comments!

Hugs,

Kathy Jo

Thank you card

Hello Crafteteers!

Just sharing a card I made for a friend at work.  Her furry family member, Dexter, was recently at the vet for a week with a serious health issue.  After a week of tests, blood transfusions and a whole lot of love, Dexter made it back home and is doing so well!  She asked if I could make a thank you card from Dexter to the vets.

Dexter is a dog full of sweetness and sass so I wanted to make sure that his card had happy patterns and colors.  The cute puppy image on the outside is Imaginisce's Scooter's Vacation stamp.  Basic Grey's Max and Whiskers provided the patterned paper.  The white paper was dry embossed in a dog paw and bone pattern.

The inside used my new stamp set from Inspired by Stamping (thank you, Joanna!) called Small Fancy Labels 18.  (One versatile little set!  I received it this week and it definitely came in at a perfect time.  There are four sentiments with the set that will make this set a "go to set" for many cards!)  

Also used: Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circles and Standard Circles large, Tim Holtz Barn Door Distress Stain applied to seam binding, black gems and one metal dog brad for the bow.  The dog prints stamp set and dog print/bones embossing folder are from unknown suppliers.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a great Saturday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo 

Butterfly Box

Hello Crafteteers!

A quick blog entry for a gift box I finished today.  Thank goodness I am entering contests for crafty packaging and not for "Who has the tidiest craft room?" because if there were 500 entrants showing pics of their craft room and I was one of them, I believe I would place 500th.  It is a disaster in my crafty area!  Tsk tsk!

On to the gift box...

It is a busy time of year so in lieu of listing my steps, I think I will just list products used:

• Just Rite- Filigree Leaves Background Stamp, Lace Medallion Labels, Samantha Walker Lace Hearts Dies, Enjoy The Day Vintage Labels Four
• Kraft Journal- Kraft paper
• Graphic 45- Birdsong paper, butterflies
• Tim Holtz- Distress Stain in Antique Linen, Broken China Distress Marker
• Gold Pearl pen, black card stock, ribbon, Stickles, yellow mini pearls

So there you have it!  My first decorated gift box.  Hope you liked it.  :)

Have a great evening!
Hugs,

Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:

JustRite, It's in the Bag!

Kraft Journal, Holiday Gift

Craft room designer, Worst Organized Craft Room (just kidding)

Kraft Journal Ladies: if there is not enough Kraft paper on the box for the challenge, just tell me and I will delete it from the challenge.  :)

Craftin' Desert Divas Challenge...Christmas!

Happy Monday!

It is a festive challenge the next two weeks at Craftin Desert Divas: Christmas!  The sponsors this challenge are KaDoodle Bug Designs and Cardz TV!

For the DT Christmas card I used the new paper from Graphic 45: 12 Days of Christmas.  Gorgeous papers in that collection!  I really loved the roses on the Christmas Rose sheet so I used it as my background and I also fussy cut around the roses and added them with foam tape on the bottom left corner.  Spellbinders 5x7 Elegant Labels Four provided the die cut frame (ivory card stock stained with Tim Holtz Victorian Velvet).  The stunning green doily was die cut from Cheery Lynn's Lilith Doily.  The bow was stained using Tim Holtz's Barn Door.

Thanks so much for stopping by and I look forward to seeing all the amazing creations at Craftin' Desert Divas!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Red and Green
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
TTCRD, AG
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge, AG Christmas

Crafting Musketeers Challenge #8- Layer it up!

Happy Monday!

It is a new challenge at Crafting Musketeers: Layer it up!  The challenge lasts for the entire month of December and it is one entry per crafter.  I hope to see your layered project at Crafting Musketeers!

For my design team project I decided to do a classic design using just red and ivory card stock.  The sentiment is from JustRite stamp set Christmas Inner Thoughts- heat embossed using Pealescent Poppy.  The gorgeous red doily is probably my new favorite doily die: Cheery Lynn's Lilith Doily DL263.  Two embossing folders were used on the ivory card stock: Couture Creations' Trellis and a freebie (unsure of the maker) from a card magazine.  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
K-Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Cheery Lynn, Tis the Season
Inspired by Stamping, ribbon or crochet
Crafty Hazelnut Challenge, AG Christmas
613 Avenue, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Addicted to Stamps, Challenge #70
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act Card Challenge, AG
2 Creative Chicks, Christmas
Cards Galore, Christmas
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
ALBC: Christmas Cheer
Crafting By Designs, Winter
Crafty Ribbons, AG with Ribbon
Divas by Design, Use some red
Ladybug Crafts, Christmas
One Crazy Stamper, Christmas
Paper Playtime, AG
Papirdokkene, December
Simon Says Stamp, AG
Corrosive Challenge, Happy Holidays
Ribbon Girl, Christmas

Guest Design projects and products list

Hello!

The holiday weekend is winding down for my American peeps.  I hope everyone had a great weekend and will have a restful Sunday.  Today my hubby and I are celebrating Thanksgiving with a couple of friends.  It will be a day filled with football and food!  Yay turkey!  Go Bears!  :)

Thanks to everyone who left the sweet comments on the guest design posts Friday and Saturday.  The kind remarks made me smile!  As promised, today I am listing all products used.  If it looks like I am missing something that you need to know, just drop me a line.

Day 1

Cardinal Seasons Greetings: Trendy Twine in Holly Berry, Kaisercraft 6x6 paper pad "Turtle Dove", Cheery Lynn Doily "French Pastry", Season's Greetings from JustRite set "Christmas Vintage Labels One"

Thanks: Trendy Twine in Orange Truffle, Spellbinders Labels Twenty, JustRite stamp set "Kindness", JustRite stamp set "Grateful Heart Vintage Labels Two", Cuttlebug folder A2 Script, Tim Holtz distress pads in antique linen, aged mahogany, spiced marmalade

Merry Christmas mittens: Trendy Twine in Chocolate Truffle, Spellbinders Vintage Lace Motifs, Spellbinders Small Circles, Spellbinders Nested Mittens, Sizzix Tim Holtz embossing folder "Burlap" (on mittens), Bo Bunny paper pad in "Snowfall", JustRite stamp set "Noel Christmas Ornaments"

Day 2

Thanks gift set: Trendy Twine in Orangsicle, My Mind's Eye mini pad in Tangerine, Cuttlebug embossing folder "Snow Dots", Lawn Fawn stamp set "Summertime Charm" and matching die set, jam jar.  Note: if you decide to add a hole to the top of the car for the twine to spool out, discard the flat metal circle on the lid and replace with a piece of cardboard (I used the hard board on the bottom of a paper pad).  Doing this is much easier to make a hole and it will not fray your twine like the metal lid would do.

You Amaze Me: Trendy Twine in Totally Kraft, Quickutz Nesting Doily Ovals dies, Spellbinders Tear Drop Circles, JustRite stamp set "For All You Do Vintage Labels Three", Webster's Pages 6x6 paper "Modern Romance", pink velvet ribbon

Happy Birthday: Trendy Twine in Berries Jubilee, silver paper embossed using Spellbinders Industrial M-Bossabilites

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
K-Jo

Day Two Guest Designer at Trendy Twine

Hello Crafteteers!

It is day two as a  Guest Designer at Trendy Twine.  Here are some teasers for the three projects shared today.  Hop on over to Trendy Twine to see full photos.  Tomorrow I will have all 6 project photos with lists of materials used.

Day One Guest Designer at Trendy Twine!

Hello Crafteteers!

I hope all my American peeps had a fabulous Thanksgiving and you are having a great Black Friday.  :)

Exciting news: I am a Guest Designer at Trendy Twine the next two days.  Here are some teasers for the three projects shared today.  Hop on over to Trendy Twine to see full photos.  On Sunday I will have all 6 project photos with lists of materials used.

Magic Of Christmas Card- bleach stamping technique

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at my bright and festive Christmas card!  Don't you just enjoy making Christmas cards?  I do hope your Christmas card stash is quickly building or is complete.

close up of bleached snowflake

This card involved a new technique for me: stamping with bleach.  The bleach technique is the challenge this week at JustRite.  At first I was apprehensive- I don't even keep bleach in the house so stamping with it was a huge leap.  I decided to go with a light background (baby blue) and it was bleach stamped using a snowflake from JustRite stamp set Christmas Vintage Labels One.  On top of that I used JR background stamp Moroccan Lattice with Archival Brilliance pad in Pearlescent Poppy and clear heat embossed.  Next I placed a white doily die cut from Cheery Lynn (French Pastry) . Baby blue card stock was die cut from Spellbinders Lacey Circles and then white from Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles.  The sentiment is from JustRite stamp set Christmas Inner Thoughts.  The red velvet ribbon I purchased last year and the bling...oh the bling...they are all my pretties I have saved for a long time (like the faux diamond broach) and finally decided to use.  I was hesitant at first to use all of the pretties but they really do look happy together.  :)

Thanks again for stopping by!
Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
JustRite, Stamp with bleach
Inspired by Stamping, Crochet trim or ribbon
613 Avenue, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Sister Act, AG
Cheery Lynn, NonTraditional Christmas Colors
Crafts4Eternity, Glitter and Sparkle
Paper Crafting Journey, Bling it Up
Love to Create, 3 of favorite embellishments (button, metal bling, flower)
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
Addicted to Stamps, Embossing
CHNC, November Challenge
ABC Winter Challenge Blog, Winter Wishes
Use It Tuesday, AG
Sweet Stamps, Holidays
Shopping Our Stash, Holiday or Winter
TTCRD, AG

IPA Bottle Tags

Happy Tuesday!

I do hope you all are having a fantastic day!

A little about my project:  my sweet husband brews his own beer and he just started entering his beer into competitions.  His second beer went into competition on Saturday.  It was an American IPA.  For the competition he had to submit 5 bottles of his beer and had to add a tag to the neck with information such as his name, phone number, etc.  He told me he wanted a cool tag for the bottles and asked if I had any ideas.   I was not sure what to do because I do not drink any alcohol and the only things I know about alcohol is what he has told me about his homemade brews (such as his hops used, yeasts used, etc)...and that it smells funny.  LOL.  I asked him to show me the color of the beer and asked about the history of American IPA.  This tag idea just popped into my head and he loved it!

The tag base was made using the cardboard from the base of a paper pad.  It was die cut from Sizzix' Tags, Scallops Combo #2.  Tim Holtz' Scattered Straw and Spiced Marmalade stains were used on white card stock (those colors were chosen to match the color of the beer).  I used brown pigment ink to heat emboss Stampabilities Woodgrain Background stamp on the stained card stock.  It was cut to size and applied onto white card stock that had Spiced Marmalade applied.  The edges were distressed and Walnut Stain was applied on the distressed edges.  I then heat embossed I, P and A in navy blue as shown.  Two red stars were also heat embossed.  The back had my husband's information applied.  Twine rope was assembled.

Thanks for stopping by to see my first beer project. Perhaps one of these days he will be able to make a tea flavored beer that I may actually try to sip.  ;)

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This tag is entered into the following challenge:
Craftin Desert Divas: Tag You're It!

Craftin Desert Diva Challenge- Tag You're It!

Hello Crafteteers!

It is time to introduce the new challenge at Craftin Desert Divas: Tag You're It!

I made a simple shabby tag for the design team post.  The reason for simplicity was so that I could create several of them if I wanted.  I also wanted to make it multi-functional so I chose a size that can also holster a gift card on the back.  

The medium die from Spellbinders' Radiant Rectangles was a perfect size for a tag and a gift card.  The tag base was made from Kraft card stock, white card stock on next and then white card stock stamped using JustRite's Snowfall background stamp in Tim Holtz's Broken China.  The lovely sentiment is from JustRite's Christmas Inner Thoughts.  The snow flake is Sizzix' Snowflake (657048).  Stickles was added to the snowflake as were pearls.  The base edges were distressed and then inked using TH Antique Linen.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I look forward to seeing your tag projects at Craftin Desert Divas!
If you have a chance, pop in tomorrow.  I will show another tag project that I completed for my husband.  :)
Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG
Sister Act Challenges, AG
Craftyhazelnut Extra, Christmas
Ribbon Carousel, Holidays or Celebrations
Paper Crafting Journey, Bling it up
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
Divas By Design, Make it Pretty
Die Cut Divas, Celebrate

Merry Christmas card

Happy Sunday to you all!

Just a short blog entry to share another Christmas card.  This card was too easy to make and I totally love the colors.  The colors were decided by the IBSIC #67 color challenge: use white, green and baby blue.

The JustRite Lace Oval Frame background stamp was stamped and heat embossed in white.  Tim Holtz distress markers in Shabby Shutters and Tumbled Glass were applied in the areas shown.  Spellbinders Opulent Ovals die cut the lovely oval in the center.  JustRite Christmas Vintage Labels One supplied the sentiment.  The green ribbon (my favorite!) was wrapped around the card and then was used for the bow.  Sad to say, this was the last of the ribbon on the spool.  I used this ribbon a lot and I must go back to get another spool or two!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Don't forget to check in tomorrow to see the new challenge for Craftin Desert Divas!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
IBSIC #67, Colors
IBSIC, ribbon or lace
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
613 Avenue, AG
Sister Act Challenges, AG
Craftyhazelnut Extra, Christmas
Ribbon Carousel, Holidays or Celebrations
Paper Crafting Journey, Bling it up
Challenges 4 Everybody, AG
Divas By Design, Make it Pretty
Die Cut Divas, Celebrate

Faux Silk True Friendship Card

Hello Crafteteers!

I would like to share a card I finished last night.  It was too fun making a faux silk background card, playing with my new paper (Zephyr from Prima) and one of my favorite Spellbinders (Opulent Ovals).  Time just flew by in my little crafty room!  Don't you just love creating?

I can't even guess what layout number this was for me.  First I had it vertical, then a larger size, smaller size, rotated it, smaller size, different dies, different inks, etc.  It was one of those nights that to try out new techniques, dies and stamps.  This ended up being my favorite layout so I secured every bit down and reluctantly went to bed.  Ah...if only our winning lotto numbers could hit so that I could go into work later...or have more days off!  :)

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Inspired by Stamping, WHW #123
Totally Gorjuss, Use Three Papers
Addicted to Stamps, Use Favorite Dies
HIMCR, Die Cuts
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act Card Challenge, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
613 Avenue, AG

List of materials/tools used: Prima Zephyr paper, Spellbinders Opulent Ovals, Spellbinders Les Papillions Two, Spellbinders Twisted Metal Tags and Accents, Brilliance Archival ink pad in Pearlescent Poppy, Tim Holtz Distress Strain in Scattered Straw, Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Scattered Straw, JustRite Good Friends Labels Twenty Nine stamp set, tissue paper, gold edging marker, pearls and a whole bunch of tea (consumed by me).

Merry Christmas card

Happy Sunday, Crafteteers!

How is your weekend?  I hope great!  We have had a friend in town for the past week+ and it has been so nice catching up.  It looks like he and his beautiful wife are moving back to Nova Scotia (yay!) and I cannot wait to hang out with them again.  Fingers crossed that interviews go well and they will be back here soon!

'Tis the Season to make Christmas cards.  Actually, I make Christmas cards starting in January using the new post Christmas sales goodies that I buy.  For example, The Merry Christmas image shown on my card was a post Christmas buy from last year.  The image is Creative Scraps' Heartwarming Vintage paper.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I mounted it on Kraft card stock inked in Versafine's Lady Bug and then on black card stock.  Kraft paper was stamped using JustRite's Floral Flourishes in Lady Bug. Spellbinders' 5x7 Detailed Scallops was used along the edge and also on the card front as shown.  Martha Stewarts' twig punch supplied the green twigs on either side of the image.

The inside was made using Kraft card stock and the Floral Flourishes again.  The smaller Detailed Scallops die cut black card stock and Kraft card stock with red inked edges was applied.  

The card front followed a sketch from Mojo Monday on February 27, 2012.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a sweet Sunday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Sketch
Craftyhazelnuts Christmas Challenge Extra, AG
Sister Act, AG
Die Cutting Divas, Celebrate
Hiding in My Craftroom, Die Cuts
TTCRD, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG

Craftin Desert Divas Challenge #19: Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Monday!

Today starts a new fun challenge at Craftin' Desert Divas: Happy Thanksgiving.  The prizes are a $15 credit at KaDoodle Bug Designs and a Royal Prize Pack from The Scrapbooking Queen!  Woo-who!

For my card I used an image from Graphic 45's A Place in Time Paper.  Spellbinders A2 Locking Loops was used to die cut paper from G45's French Country paper.  A banner was also made from French Country and layered under the image.  Be Thankful (Inkadinkado) was stamped and fussy cut then applied in the upper corner.  Burlap paper was placed in between the large Locking Loops die cut and the medium Locking Loops die cut.  Burlap Twine (what a find!) was applied as shown.

I look forward to seeing your creation at Craftin Desert Divas!
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

Thinking of You

Hello Crafteteers!

FINALLY...the weekend has arrived!  Not sure of your plans but I hope whatever you do will be filled with friends, family and fun.  :)

I finished a card last night that was supposed to be CAS.  It is not complicated but I am not sure if I would call it the "poster card" of CAS cards.  Crafting evolution can be wonderful!

The chickadee digital image I won recently at Stamp n Doodle.  Isn't that chickadee just the cutest?  The image was colored with distress inks, the blue sky with chalk and Stickles glitter was applied to the tree's needles.  Die cuts in white (Spellbinders' Marvelous Squares), baby blue (Captivating Squares) and white (Cheery Lynn French Pastry doily) were stacked as shown.

The card base is Recollections' corrugated base with TH white distress paint applied.  I really like the look of the base and will definitely use this technique on future cards.

The double bow (my first using this technique from Inspired by Stamping!) has Recollections' bling adhered to the top. The sentiment is from JustRite set Enjoy The Day stamp set and die cut using JR die set Vintage Labels and Banners.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Inspired by Stamping, WHW122
Stamp n Doodle, Remembrance
Craftin Desert Divas, AG
Totally Paper Crafts, Use Glitter
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Sister Act Challenges, AG
613 Avenue Create, AG

Kraft Squirrel Harvest

Happy Thursday!

Is it just me or is this week flying by?  

The Kraft Journal has a new challenge this week: Harvest.  Silly as it sounds, I often think of squirrels during the fall.  My parents used to own a small lot in a campground.  The campground was full of acorn loaded trees and I used to fill a garbage bag (no kidding) with acorn nuts for the squirrels in my neighborhood in town.  Everyday I would put nuts out and just enjoy seeing the happy squirrels snatch up the nuts and scamper off to bury them.  The squirrels soon realized that I was not a threat and would walk right up to me.  One was really brave and actually sat in one of my hands and took nuts from my other hand.  I felt like the "Squirrel Whisperer".  Those were wonderful memories!

Knowing all of that, it is no surprise that I purchased the Small Squirrel Stamp by Joanna Sheen at Giordano Studio Stamps.  He is absolutely adorable and I love how he almost looks like he is rolling the berry or nut in his hands.  The image was colored in with Tim Holtz markers, chalk and Stickles.  The image was die cut using Spellbinders Grand Big Scalloped Ovals.  The beautiful lace die cut is Couture Creations' Irish Dreams doily.  The ribbon is from Michaels.

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a great Thursday!
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card is entered into the following challenges:
Kraft Journal, Harvest
Word Art Wednesday, AG
TTCRD, AG
Craftin Desert Divas, AG
Cuttlebugmania, Autumn
613 Avenue, AG

Crafting Musketeers November Challenge: Use Pastels

Hello Crafting Musketeers!

It is a new monthly challenge at Crafting Musketeers: use pastels.  The prize this month is from Little Claire Cardmaking.  What a great store and I love their stamps!  You will want to submit your best pastel card to get a chance to win from Little Claire!

Usually I do not make pastel cards unless a challenge calls for it or I am using Graphic 45's Secret Garden paper.  I already posted a pastel card this week using Secret Garden so I decided to challenge myself and make a pastel card not using Secret Garden.  Several iterations, paper, stamped images and die cuts later resulted in this card.  This must have been the fourth or fifth card I made.  Goodness...talk about creative block!  But, I think this was the best one and I am happy with it.

The shiny paper is my much loved and never cut (gasp!) pink metal paper.  It was "measure thrice and cut once" for this paper!  White card stock was die cut using Spellbinder Filigree Delight.  More shiny metal paper was die cut using Spellbinders Opulent Ovals.  JustRite sentiment from Good Friends Labels Twenty Nine was heat embossed and die cut using Opulent Ovals.  TH Spun Sugar was applied along the edges before it was removed from the die. The butterflies were punched with a Martha Stewart butterfly punch.  White liquid pearl was used on the butterflies.

The sentiment on the card rings true for me this week. "Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget."  On my recent vacation I returned home to see family and friends.  My best friend since we were both in strollers is my cousin, Kim.  I think of her every day and cherish our short time together every year.  This year we took a day and went to Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry.  Time just flew by that day!  We tried  taking photos together throughout the day but it is so tricky: arms and shoulders get in the way, someone is out of frame, or eyes are closed or something.  This is the least worst one.  She looks fabulous (she is the dark haired beauty on the left) and I look like I need a hair cut (I so need my bangs again) and a chin tuck.  LOL.  Next year I will hit the salon before we go...and try not to get my shoulder and arm so far into the photo frame.  Self photos are not my forte!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!  
Hugs,
Kathy Jo

PS- Miss you, Kim!

Totally Gorjuss Challenge- AG with Snow

Hellllllooooo Crafters!

Another challenge is starting at Totally Gorjuss: Anything goes with snow!  

For my DT card I did something I usually do not do: color an image.  I don't consider myself a good colorer and I when I see other people's fab coloring it blows me away.  I can't even stay inside the lines usually ...which is one reason why I don't wear lipstick either.  :)

The image is my new stamp set by Mulberry Wood: Christmas Wishes.  The raccoons are so cute!

The background paper is from MME's Merry.  I think I bought this last year after Christmas (can I get a high five for a post Christmas bargain?).  The paper was die cut using Spellbinders A-2 Fancy Ribbon Threader.

All of the paper was adhered to baby blue card stock.

The ribbon and twine were from my stash.

The button I have had for 2 or 3 years now...finally found a card for it!

The snow had Stickles applied.

Hope to see your AG with snow card at Totally Gorjuss this week.  

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,
Kathy Jo

This card was made for:
Totally Gorjuss, AG with snow

Craftin Desert Divas, AG
Word Art Wednesday, AG
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas, November Challenge
613Avenue, AG
TTCRD, AG
Crafty Ribbons Challenge, AG with Ribbon
Hiding in my Craftroom, Use a Critter
Die Cuttin' Divas, AG