2016 in Review

I started a new tradition in 2012... so this is the 5th year I've done this. I look back over my blog and choose my personal favorite card that I made each month. Some months are easier to choose than others. Some months, I have 2-3 favorites and have a difficult time narrowing it down to one. Other months, there really isn't a favorite, but I have to choose one. But this post will reflect what I chose as my favorite cards that I made in 2016 (at least in the moment of perusing my blog).

My Favorites from 2016

- Cards from My Blog -

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

If you're interested in seeing my favorites from previous years, please click HERE.

Now that we've reviewed... let's prepare to move into 2017, another year of creativity! Oh, and come back tomorrow, when I'll reveal my word for 2017 and a few goals that I've made for the year.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

I Miss Yo_

We have FIVE Fridays this month.... so the new challenge at PDE Linky Party is ANYTHING GOES!

December 30 - January 5

I hope you'll participate!

I made a card (of course):

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Stamping Bella "Nice to See You" stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic and Spectrum Noir Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Groovy Guava
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Brads from an unknown vendor

Brrrrrr It's Cold

Shhh! Don't tell anyone, but I bought myself a little something. See, I heard that Two Paper Divas was going out of business (insert sad face) so I just had to take a peek in their online store... and I bought this adorable snowman stamp.

Isn't he just about the sweetest snowman you've ever seen? And look... he's sending you warm winter wishes. (Ok, confession... I have owned the sentiment stamp forever... and I love using it on cards with snowmen, so it gets used a lot.)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: Two Paper Divas Snowman stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Recollections 110# White Cardstock and colored with Copic Markers
Sentiment: Imaginations stamped with Gina K Black Onyx ink on Recollections 110# White Cardstock
Papers: Recollections Black and Stampin' UP! Pale Plum Cardstock and scraps of DP from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Taking a Selfie

One of my favorite stamp companies is Sugar Pea Designs. They have some amazing stamp sets. And their customer service is fantastic, too.

Believe in your #selfie

Sugar Pea Designs "Picture Perfect"

As you can see, I didn't use an designer paper on this card - which is really VERY rare for me. It's kind of hard to believe that when I first started making cards, I rarely used DP.... not because I didn't have any. I did. I loved BUYING designer paper... but I hoarded it because if I used it, I wouldn't have it anymore. I'm so glad I jumped that hurdle.

But this card didn't need any designer paper. I wanted the image to be the focus. However........ what does one do with the inside of a card when no designer paper is used. UGH!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Sugar Pea Designs Picture Perfect stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic and Zig Wink of Stella markers
Cardstock: Recollections 110# White and Stampin' UP! Buckaroo Blue
Embellishment: Michael's Pearl (it's difficult to see it - but it's on her necklace)

Snowbird & Frosty

Good Friends.... yes, they DO warm the heart. So does this sweet image...

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Stampalicious Winter Snowbird stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic markers
Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White cardstock and scraps of DP from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and Glitter Brads from an unknown vendor

Santa's Gone Fishing

Sweet Stampin' has a new challenge starting today...

December 24 - 30

Theme: Santa Claus

Sponsor: Funky Kits

I hope you'll participate!

I would tell you that I used a stamp that had never seen ink before, but that would not be exactly the truth. I can say though that this is the first time I've used this stamp. (I got it from my friend Pansy at a GREAT price - THANKS Pansy!)....

Isn't he fun!?!!?

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: High Hopes stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Designer Paper: Colorbok Nature Lover Paper Pad
Embellishment: Stickles Glitter Glue and fish brad from unknown vendor

God With Us

We have so much to celebrate this time of year - JOY to the World!

Here's a peek of what I made for the PDE Linky Party "ABAC" Challenge that starts today...

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (Luke 2:1-7)

December 23 - 29

I hope you'll participate!

My Bible Journaling Page:

Supply List

Stamps: My Sentiments Exactly Joy to the World, PSX Come Let us Adore Him, and Stampendous Blessed Babe Window
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black and colored with Copic, Spectrum Noir Sparkle and Zig Wink of Stella markers
Papers: Recollections cardstock and scraps of DP from my scrap file
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones

Merry & Bright

In case you haven't noticed, I love the Flourishes Poinsettia and Pine stamp set. I think - no promises though - that this will be my last card made with it this year.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Flourishes Poinsettia and Pine stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy Ink and colored with Copic, Spectrum Noir Sparkle, and Zig Wink of Stella Markers
Cardstock: Recollections 110# White and Stampin' UP! Garden Green
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Stampin' UP! Ribbon

Mid Week Peek at My Week

I think I'm not alone... my week has been consumed with getting ready for Christmas. I've shopped. I've wrapped. I've planned menus for Christmas dinners. I've checked to make sure everything is in order. And... I've enjoyed all of this. Why? Because the reason I've done all this preparation is because my young adult children are coming home for the holidays - along with their significant others. YAY! We are going to have so much fun while they are here. I can hardly wait.

I've also worked on blog posts - getting them ready and scheduled to go live when they are supposed to - so that I won't have to worry about that while the family is together.

I've made just a few cards this week - 6 to be exact.

This is one of them:

I was envious. My friend Barb (who lives near the Whipper Snapper store!!!) has the Christmas Moose stamp and I love him! So she sent me a few images. THANK YOU, Barb!

SCORE TIME: Would I give this week a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down”?

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Here's wishing all of you a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Image: Whipper Snapper Christmas Moose colored with Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections Black and Red
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and a Merry Christmas Brad from an unknown vendor

Christmas Joy

Today's post is my 138th one as a member of the {PIN}Spirational Challenges design team. Deanne graciously invited me to join the team to my great delight. It's truly been a wonderful experience! THANK YOU Deanne!

Sadly, I've made the decision that's it's time for me to step down from the team... so today's post will be my last one as a {PIN}Spirational Challenges design team member.

I hope you will continue to support Deanne and her challenges... and participate OFTEN!

Challenge #181

A Huge THANKS to our Sponsor - Robyn's Fetish

Here is our {PIN}Spirational Photo for this challenge:

Here's my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image/Sentiment: Flourishes Poinsettia and Pine stamped with Memento Cottage Ivy Ink and colored with Copic, Spectrum Noir Sparkle, and Zig Wink of Stella Markers
Cardstock: Recollections 110# White and Stampin' UP! Garden Green
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishment: Cloud 9 Rain Drops

MelonHeadz Elf

I'm in love... with MelonHeadz Bubbleheadz images! Isn't this little elf darling...

MelonHeadz Illustrating Christmas Bobbleheadz Bundle

And she's perfect for the new MelonHeadz Friends Challenge...

December 19 - January 1 (2017)

*gasp! It's almost 2017

Theme: Time for Christmas

I hope you'll participate!

Here's the inside of my card:

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Image: MelonHeadz Illustrating Christmas Bobbleheadz Bundle colored with Copic Markers
Cardstock: Recollections
Designer Paper: from my scrap file
Embellishments: Stickles Glitter Glue and Ribbon from an unknown vendor

More Nativity Cards

As I mentioned  yesterday, I needed to make several CAS cards that would ship without additional cost. The final design was on yesterday's blog post.

Here are my first two attempts...

Number 1:

I tried using metallic silver ink and the Stampin' UP! Work of Art stamp set to give a brushed look. It just didn't look like I wanted it to. The silver was inked first, but it seemed to come to the front when I stamped the nativity stamp on top, even though I thought I'd allowed it enough time to dry thoroughly.

So I rejected that plan.

Number 2:

This design was a wee bit better - but I thought the top and middle brush image inks were too much alike... and I was afraid the Post Office would find the bumps those brads created and would charge us extra postage. So I rejected this plan, too.

If you somehow missed the final design, keep scrolling... it's the next blog post.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Supply List

Image: Taylored Expressions "A Winter View" 
Sentiment: Stampabilites "Reason for the Season"
Inks: A Muse Studio, Encore, and Gina K
Cardstock: Recollections
Embellishments: Michael's Rhinestones and Paper Studio Brads