Hey there, everyone!!  So- are you ready for Christmas yet?  I have been pretty much done for awhile now, but did have a couple things to pick up this week and get wrapped.  It has been nice to not be rushing at the last minute....that is for sure!  Now- my brother's birthday is the day after Christmas...and I haven't finished shopping for that yet.  Not sure when that is going to happen...tee hee!  I'll get it done though...I always do!

I was given some stamps from Penny Black from this year's Christmas release, and today I am going to share those cards with you!!  I don't typically share more than one card in a blog post, and today there is going to be FOUR!  So, bare with me....because this post might be just a little long.  I hope you will enjoy it!  Also- I have created each card for some challenges...and those will be linked after each card, rather than how I normally add them at the end of the post.

This first card is a winter card, and I just love the beautiful landscape of this stamp.  I wanted to keep the colors of this card fairly muted, so I went with neutrals...and a more monochromatic feel.  Here is the first one:

Hey there, everyone!! Welcome to the Taylored Expressions December Key Ingredients blog hop!!  This kit is full of bright and cheerful papers from the Christmas Wishes collection by Bella Blvd, matching cardstock, ribbon, and snowflake brads & buttons!  You are going to love this fun kit!!

I have created a clean & simple card, which can be used for either Christmas or New Year's!  And really....who doesn't need a merry little cocktail at some point during the season (even if it is a mocktail for those that don't drink....)!  :)  Here is what I created:

Taylor VanBruggen
Corinna McGregor
Jessica Diedrich
Monika Davis
Rachel Sztonyk
Stephanie Kraft

Have a great rest of your Sunday!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-Just Us Girls #115- color (red, olive, white/kraft)
-Dutch Dare Card challenge #143- bingo card (pearls, stamped image/sentiment, ribbon/twine)
-Really Reasonable Ribbon #38- anything goes + ribbon
-Totally PaperCrafts #97- time to party
-Secret Crafter Saturday #165- new year's/celebration
-Charisma Cardz #49- Christmas
-Papertake Weekly- Christmas
-Top Tip Tuesday #65- Christmas

Hey there, everyone!  I can't believe that this is my third week as the monthly guest designer for The Shabby Tea Room!  Goodness...I really can't believe that Christmas is in one week!!  I am ready for it....but time has really flown!  TSTR #93- A Krafty Christmas has a great inspiration photo, and the challenge is to create a project using red, kraft, newsprint, silver and a star.

I loved the silver, glittery stars in the inspiration photo....so that was the jumping off point for my card.  The details just kept getting added from that point on!!  Tee hee!  Here is what I craeted:
Instructions:  Make card from kraft cardstock.  Cut newsprint paper slightly smaller and adhere to the front.  Cut a block of red dot paper and adhere to the lower left corner.  Cut a reverse scalloped border to a star paper strip, and adhere to the upper right.  Tie rope around the middle of the card, then accent the reverse scallop with an epoxy button & jewels.  Accent a snowflake ornament with a bow, glittered chipboard star and twine tied button.  Add a rope hanger and accent underneath it with bells.  Adhere the entire snowflake ornament to the left side of the card to finish.

• Charlene Cundy
• Cindy Holshouser
• Fran Westmoreland
• Melissa Bove
• Sheri Holt

I hope that you have a great day!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-Really Reasonable Ribbon #38- anything goes + ribbon
-One Stop Craft challenge #162- Christmas Sparkle
-Frosted Designs Fabulous Friday- ribbon
-Crazy 4 Challenges #117- Santa
-Annabelle Say It With- Christmas
-Sisterhood of Crafters- Christmas
-The Pixie Cottage #100- Christmas
-Little Red Wagon- Christmas
-Ribbon Carousel #33- use twine

Hey there, everyone!!  Lawn Fawn and Glue Arts have combined forces this week, bringing you inspiration using our products together, and of course, some giveaways!!  Be sure to check out the Lawn Fawn blog and the Glue Arts blog for your chance to win some fabulous prizes!!

For my card today, I used a few different adhesives from Glue Arts.  For adhering down all the papers, I chose the GlueGlider Pro with Permatac adhesive.  I can admit...the tool was a bit intimidating to me when I looked at it....but once I grabbed it and started applying adhesive to my papers, it was easy as pie to use!!  You will love it!  I used the 1/2-inch ExtremeTac adhesive squares to adhere the snowflake, and the 3D Combo Pack (U Cut It foam sheets) to add the sentiment banner.  Here is what I created (all challenges are linked at the bottom):

Hey there, everyone!  Welcome to my second week of being the December guest designer at The Shabby Tea Room!  TSTR #92- The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care has a lovely inspiration photo, and the challenge this time around is to create a project inspired by the photo and must include a STOCKING. 

I just LOVED the colors in this photo, and the beautiful bits & baubles on the mantle...and that is what inspired my card.  And of course, it has the lovely stocking....who wouldn't want a houndstooth embossed stocking?  I am loving it!  I created this for some other challenges as well, and those will all be linked at the bottom of the post.  Here is what I created!

• Charlene Cundy
• Cindy Holshouser
• Fran Westmoreland
• Melissa Bove
• Sheri Holt

I hope that you have a great day!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-CardPatterns #145- sketch
-Drunken Stampers #80- glittery holiday
-Clearly Inspired #41- Christmas
-Simon Say Stamp challenge- Christmas photo montage inspiration
-Inky Impressions #36- use ribbon
-For Fun challenge- Christmas sparkle
-Creative Belli #132- winter & Christmas
-Crafty Creations #147- Christmas sentiments
-Tuesday Throwdown #77- celebrate the season
-Creative Card Crew- tis the season

Hey there, everyone!!  I hit a couple of glitches yesterday, and wasn't able to get my "Love 'n Breakfast" post up, but never fear, because it is going up today instead!!  It is also my card for CPS sketch 247, where Lawn Fawn is sponsoring the prize this week!  Be sure to play along it you would like to win!

Love 'n Breakfast is a super cute and whimsical stamp set that Lawn Fawn typically puts out.  But what people might not realize is that often the sentiments can be used for something less cutesy.  That is what I chose to share with you today.....you don't have to love the cutesy theme to love this stamp set, because the sentiments are fabulous and in a beautiful handwritten script!  Here is what I created:

Hey there, everyone!!  This week is Lawn Fawn release week for December, and though it is a smaller release week with just one set.....that will probably be a little easier on your pocketbook during the holidays, and something small to put on your Christmas wish list!!  It's a win-win situation for everyone!  Tee hee!

This week we are showcasing the new set called "Love 'n Breakfast", which is full of smiley faced breakfast food & untensils, and punny sentiments!  If you love everything Lawn Fawn, then you will love this stamp set!!  It is the epitome of cuteness!!

I kept my first card for the week super clean & simple....it is actually a 5 minute card.  You can bust this card out in just minutes, and then tuck it into a lunch, jacket pocket, or add it to a little gift for a friend.  While this would definitely work for the love of your life....I actually think it would work great for your best friends too!  I know that I love my best friend, and we are definitely a good fit.  {Otherwise, we wouldn't be best friends...duh! Tee hee!}  Here is what I created (all challenges are linked at the bottom):

**This is my second post of the evening.  Please scroll down to see my WPlus9 Group Post.**

Hey there, everyone!!  For the month of December, I will be the guest designer at The Shabby Tea Room!  I love playing along with that fun challenge whenever I get the chance, so I am super excited to be on board for this month!  My first challenge for the month is called "The Magic of Christmas", and is inspired by a beautiful photo that you will see on The Shabby Tea Room's #91 blog post....so be sure to check it out!  The challenge is to create a project inspired by the photo using pink, gold, neutrals, flowers & snowflakes.

This card probably seems a little bit bulky.  But, the fun part about it is the snowflake is only slightly adhered.  This way it can be pulled off the card front, and made a Christmas ornament once the receiver is done showcasing the card as is.  I think that is a fun idea, and a great way to add a little gift!  I created this card for some other challenges as well, and those are all linked at the bottom of the post.  Here is what I created!

• Charlene Cundy
• Cindy Holshouser
• Fran Westmoreland
• Melissa Bove
• Sheri Holt

I hope that you have a great day!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-Papercraft Star #73- sketch
-Sugar Creek Hollow- non traditional Christmas
-Really Reasonable Ribbon #37- silver & gold w/ ribbon
-One Stop Craft Challenge #160- let it snow
-Totally PaperCrafts #95- let it snow
-Raise the Bar #86- Christmas
-Clearly Inspired #41- Christmas
-For Fun Challenge- Christmas

Hey there, everyone!  Tonight marks my favorite part of WPlus9 release week....the group post night!  I love seeing all the projects together on Dawn's blog, and seeing how different we all create using the same stamps!!  Tonight also means these new stamp sets are available to purchase, and I can't wait to see what YOU create with them once you receive them!!

For tonight's card I wanted to use the other larger sentiment from "Love You More", as I haven't had a chance to use it yet.  The sentiment has a special meaning to Dawn, which she wrote about on her blog this week.  It is so nice that she shared that with us, and gave us a fabulous sentiment stamp for it!  I did create my card for some challenges, and those will all be listed at the bottom.  Here is what I created!

• Dawn Woleslagle
• Elise Durenberger
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jinny Newlin
• Kerrianne Gwin
• Lea Lawson
• Savitri Wilder
• Jean Martin

I hope that you have enjoyed WPlus9's December/January release....we can't wait to see what you create with these new stamp sets!  Have a great rest of your day! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-Just Us Girls #113- sketch
-CR84FN #44- color (coral, light pink, aqua)
-Wee Memories #78- free for all
-Simon Says Stamp challenge- anything goes

Hey there everyone!  Well, day 4 of the WPlus9 December/January release marks the full reveal of the new stamp sets and dies!  Be sure to check out the WPlus9 blog to see the sets in their entirety.  I think you are really going to love all three of the sets and matching dies, and they can easily be added to your Christmas wish list!!

For today's card I used all three of the new stamp sets together, plus the Love Notes die set.  I once again went with a super clean & simple design....almost one layer, except for the diecut love letters.  All challenges I created this for are linked at the bottom of the post.  Here is what I created!

Hey there, everyone!  Welcome to day 2 of the WPlus9 December/January release!  Today we have a fun stamp set called "Heartfelt Mix" to share with you, along with the matching dies for it and for a previously released stamp set, "Love Birds".  And guess what?  Heartfelt Mix works PERFECTLY with Love Birds....you are going to love it!  Here is a little bit of info about each new item:

Heartfelt Mix

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• contains 24 stamps; 12 images and 12 sentiments
• will be available for purchase December 5th for just $19

Hearts & Clouds Die

• coordinates with Heartfelt Mix stamp set
• comes on a single die that can be easily snipped and separated
• will be available for purchase December 5th for just $7

And we have a coordinating die for one of our very first releases. This die, takes Love Birds to a whole new level of fun!
Love Birds Die

• coordinates with Love Birds stamp set
• comes on a single die that can be easily snipped and separated
• will be available for purchase December 5th for just $9

 My card yesterday was pretty layered and gussied up, so I decided to channel my CAS side for the card today.  I think it turned out really cute, and I hope you think so too!  I have created it for some challenges, which will be linked at the bottom of the post.  Here is what I created:

Hey there, everyone!  Welcome to the December/January release for WPlus9!  We are going to be featuring some really fabulous love themed projects this week, which will give you plenty of time to get inspired for Valentine's day....while still being able to put them on your Christmas wish list!!

Tonight we are featuring the stamp set called "Love You More".  Here is a little bit of information about the set:

Love You More

• is a 6x8 clear photopolymer stamp set
• contains 19 stamps; 2 word art images and 17 mix-and-match sentiments and images
• will be available for purchase December 5th for just $19

 I went with a non-traditional color scheme for my card, and chose different tones of aqua, plus some neutrals.  While these happen to be my favorite colors, they are also perfect for that special guy in your life....I am sure he will appreciate not getting something in pink & red! :)  I have created this for some challenges as well, which will be linked at the bottom of the post.  Here is what I came up with!

• Dawn Woleslagle
• Elise Durenberger
• Cristina Kowalczyk
• Jinny Newlin
• Kerrianne Gwin
• Lea Lawson
• Savitri Wilder
• Jean Martin

Be sure to join us again tomorrow night when we introduce another new stamp set....that can be mixed beautifully with a previously released set.  Gotta love when you can freshen up the older product in your stash!! Have a great rest of your day! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-CPS Sketch #246
-Moxie Fab World Card Creations Challenge- Get Inspired by Fashion
-There She Goes #132- Photo Inspiration
-Flourishes Timeless Tuesday #146- flower, ribbon & a tag
-ColourQ #113- night of navy, marina mist, bashful blue, sahara sand, white
-Drunken Stampers #79- monochromatic
-Totally Gorjuss #108- sparkle
-Oh La La Creations #94- lots of sparkle
-The Sisterhood of Crafters- polka dots
-The Ribbon Reel #16- anything goes
-Fab 'n' Funky #101- anything goes
-Simon Says Stamp challenge- anything goes

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I hope that your week has been going well so far.  It is the last day of the month, and I realized that I still had one post left to do for the November Key Ingredients kit!  This month has completely gotten away from me, if that isn't completely evident in the lack of blog posts all month long!

So, I whipped up this CAS card with a little bit of vintage flair for this Key Ingredients inspiration post.  I just love the papers in this month's kit....and they were perfect for this Christmas thank you note!  I created this for some challenges as well, and those will be linked at the bottom of the post!  Here is what I created:

 Hey there, everyone!  This week Lawn Fawn has paired up with May Arts to bring you a week of eye candy and prizes!! 

Be sure to check out the Lawn Fawn blog, and the May Arts blog for their giveaway posts!!  There will be lots of yummy ribbon and stamps to be won...so head on over (after checking out my post...tee hee!).Plus- they have a super cute pom-pom tutorial on the May Arts blog today...I can't wait to try it out!

I created a Christmas card for my project today....and it is a Christmas card meant for someone special!!  I love that by mixing Lawn Fawn stamps you can create the perfect, custom Christmas sentiment for everyone on your list!!  Here is what I created (all challenges are listed at the end of the post):

Happy Sunday, everyone!  The snow has arrived in Missoula, Montana and I woke up to a beautiful white covering outside.  Too bad it is so dang cold outside....brrrr!

Today is the November Key Ingredients blog hop, and you will be able to see what all the KI design team members have come up with for this gorgeous card kit!  My card also fits some challenges, which will be linked below.  Here is what I created!

• Taylor VanBruggen
• Corinna McGregor
• Jessica Diedrich
• Monika Davis
• Rachel Sztonyk
• Stephanie Kraft

Have a great rest of your Sunday!! ♥♥♥

Until later,
~Lea L.

Lovely Challenges I Used Today:
-ColourQ challenge #111- colors (crumb cake, pear pizzazz, pumpkin pie, rich razzleberry, white)
-Creative Card Crew- thankful
-Papercraft Star challenge #71- a special thank you
-Simon Says Stamp challenge- thanksgiving/thanks
-The Pixie Cottage challenge #96- family thankfulness
-The Sisterhood of Crafters- giving thanks
-Our Craft Lounge #92- thank you

Hey there, everyone!!  Welcome to day 4 of A Very Fawny Holiday!!  I goofed up a bit, and wrote down the wrong date for my post....so Kelly graciously moved me, and you are getting an extra dose of "Ornate Ornaments"!  Part of my sentiment is from "Cozy Christmas", which is on the docket for tonight's inspiration as well...so at least I {kind-of} fit in.  Tee hee!

Alright...so a couple of quick notes about this week.  First off, we are doing giveaways on each inspiration post this week, so be sure to check out all the posts on the Lawn Fawn blog and read the commenting instructions!  You could win the coordinating stamps from each post!  Two Peas in a Bucket is also doing a Holiday Card Making event all month long, and this week is Lawn Fawn week!  They are doing a giveaway as well...so be sure to hop on over to the event blog and check it out!  Lots of chances to win some Lawn Fawn this week!!  Yay!

With all of that being said, I guess it is time to share the card I created for tonight!  I have created it with quite a few challenges in mind, which will be linked at the bottom of this post.  So, I pretty much love how the upper crest border makes this accordion folded medallion look like a wreath!  Nothing revolutionary by any means, but I am loving it!  Here is what I created: