Top 12 for 2012

It's my yearly review.  I'm going to add what I feel are my "highlights" from each month of 2012.  So, bear with me!  This post will probably be quite long!!! ;)  I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who is a follower or who is just now finding me.  YOU are the reason that I keep creating and blogging.  That is one of the best gifts I've ever been given.  THANK YOU.

Here are my Top 12 Highlights of 2012~

January: The highlight of January was starting 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown with my dear friend, Jacqueline.  It has helped me to make a personalized holiday card for EVERYONE on my list and has also been a means of meeting some amazing crafters!

February: My favorite part of February 2012 was THIS CARD.  It was such a PAIN in the butt to make, but it is still one of the cards I am most proud of!  It didn't win any awards, it just taught me that I could do hard things and succeed!  I was also awarded the Liebster award for the first time in February 2012--thanks, Katy!

March: Winning at Gingersnap Creations (challenge now closed) not once, not twice, but three times.  This seriously helped me to realize that I could branch out into all sorts of different stamping and crafting styles.  Even though this challenge is closed, the site is still up and available for you to read all the amazing articles about crafting!

April: Yeah. You KNEW this was coming.  Bragging about all the FABULOUS deals I got at the consignment sale!!!  That was the biggest highlight of April!  Also, starting Technique Tuesday. ;)

May: Finally getting to enter a challenge at A Day For Daisies with this card and starting to use digis more in general.  Even though my first card is NOT the best I've done, I feel so blessed to finally have been able to participate!  Also, winning with this card as a Dynamic Dynamo at Dynamic Duos!  That was a super duper fabulous surprise!

June: Creating this card for Fashionable Stamping Challenges and winning with it and a family visit from my sister, her fiance, my other sister, and her two girls!  It was SO nice having family here in the middle of the summer!!!

July: Making my first easel card and joining the talented DT at Try Stampin' On Tuesday!!!  That seems really quick, but those are my July highlights!!!

August: My sister's wedding to her daring husband and a "not so" highlight that turned into one--going back to work.  It was a REALLY rough going back, but it has calmed down and I am so incredibly grateful for the amazing children I work with on a daily basis!  Nothing terribly crafty related, but there you have it!

September: Being asked to participate in my FIRST EVER blog hop with the great DT at Great Impressions Stamps!  It was SO fun to get to work with new stamps and meet some amazing people along the way!

October: Joining the amazing team at Digi Haven!!!  Here's my first card for this fabulous digi challenge--these are some amazing people and I feel so blessed to work with them!

November: My 8th wedding anniversary to my amazingly kind and wonderful husband.  I am so grateful to have him in my life--his support and love are the most important things in this world to me!  Also, starting the search for my DT at Inkspirational!!!  I do hope you'll join us in the coming New Year--we've got amazing prizes and DT work for you!!!

December: Last month of 2012 and the highlight was being asked to be on the DT at For Your Inspiration!  You'll see my very first DT card for this team on Thursday, January 3, 2013!

And there you have it, friends!  Thanks for taking the time to read this post!  Like I stated above, none of my successes could have been possible without YOU--your support, comments, and love mean the world to me!  Here's to a fabulous 2013!  God bless and Happy New Year, friends!  And, as always, happy stamping!!!

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Well, I finally got done with 90% of my DT work for January so I decided to take a break and create something just because I could! ;)  This card is very special to me and will be going to a very special person...I'm just not sure who that person will be.  I like to make cards that are "just because" to keep on hand because I never know when I will be inspired to send one to some special person needing a pick me up.  This is one of those cards.

Here it is~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

CAS - Colours & Sketches: Sketch Inspiration

Inspired By: Photo Inspiration

Word Art Wednesday: Faith/Uplifting Sentiment

I've used glitter paper by DCWV, a dry embossing folder by Sizzix, and all other supplies are by Stampin' Up!.

Sometimes I think that a lot of times what people need faith in is themselves.  It is SO important to have faith in our Savior, but if we have faith in Him and in His Atonement, then faith in ourselves is the next logical step.  Because He suffered and died for us, we can repent and live with God again.  We can have the strength to overcome all obstacles and to do anything that we are called to do by God.  On a scale of one to ten, we can ALL be elevens--because Christ makes up all the differences when we allow Him to.  He love you.  He loves me.  He wants ALL to come unto Him and become elevens.  I hope to come closer to being an eleven in 2013.  I hope you will try to as well.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog and check out my card.  I hope that my card and words have inspired you to do something today--whether it's to craft or to tell someone how awesome they are.  Or perhaps to pray to know of YOUR importance in the world.  I hope you come and join in the fun at these fabulous challenges as well!  Happy DOING, friends! :)

No card...

Sorry, friends.  I don't have a card to share with you today.  I'm recovering from....THE FLU.  It hit me early yesterday morning.  Luckily it didn't last that long, just a few hours, and now I'm recovering.  Just the aches, but I have actually been hungry and eating broth & noodles today so that's something! 

Anyway, I just wanted to stop in and show you my Christmas goodies!!!  Santa knew exactly what I wanted (lol--that's ME) and I wanted to show you what I'll be working with for the next little while until new things come along...and they always do! ;)

Here's what I got~

Individual items~

I think that's a pretty good haul if I do say so myself!  We had  wonderful few days with family and so I hope to get to make some cards again soon...well, I have made some for DTs but you'll have to wait for them. ;)

Also, a shout out to two challenges that have given me extra Christmas presents--Sweet Sketch Wednesday and The House That Stamps Built!!!  THANK YOU--it was so nice getting online after being sick to see that I received even more presents!  It made having the flu *kinda* worth it!

I hope that you all feel up to making something fun and crafty today!  I also hope you join in the FOLLOWERS AND FACEBOOK FRIENDS GIVEAWAY going on now at Inkspirational!  Happy stamping, friends! :)

Merry Christmas!!!

TSOT: I Love You

Well, Merry Christmas!  I hope you're okay with me posting a Valentine.  It is what it is! ;)  It's for this week's TSOT challenge and I am really happy about my card!  It's glittery!!!  I just feel that lots of holidays are glittery...I LOVE it! :)

Here's this week's sketch~

My card~

Details~

I used glitter paper by Recollections, patterned papers by Authentique, cardstock, ribbon, and punches by Stampin' Up!, and dies by Spellbinders.

Thanks for taking the time to come and visit today!  I hope that you get a chance to play along with us and I also wish you and yours a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a prosperous New Year!  Merry stamping, friends! :)

Merry Christmas Eve!

Well, I've made it. ;)  Presents all wrapped, gifts delivered to friends in the area, plans made, prayers said for a safe and peaceful holiday.  And now just one more thing to do--wish all of YOU a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!  Thank you for all of the support you give me, all the comments you've made, all the advice, all the amazing and wonderful things that have happened this year!  All the good that has come from my blogging has made all the not-so-good bearable and worth it.  THANK YOU!!!

A quick card made for ALL of you~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

CAS-ual Fridays: Dashing Through The Holidays

(This card took me 9:47 to make...whew!)

Pretty Little Ribbon: It's Christmas!

There She Goes: Last Minute Christmas

I've used stamps by Close to My Heart and a sentiment by an unknown company, all other supplies by Stampin' Up!

The hardest part of getting this card done in time was all those pearls...but I did it!  I used my fingers instead of tweezers and it did take a lot less time.  I really like the way this ended up!  It was definitely NOT what I had in my head when I began, but my cards usually aren't...they just kind of happen and evolve, you know?

Thanks for stopping by on this wintry Christmas Eve!  I pray that the Lord will bless you and your family with peace and love this holiday season and that His blessings will be poured out upon you in the coming year!  Christ is born!  Rejoice!  And, as always, happy stamping! :)

A Valentine's Tin

Hi, friends!  I'm here with another project showcasing a fabulous sponsor for the soon to be up and running Inkspirational Challenge Blog!!!  This one is using a gorgeous vintage image from Eclectic Anthology--our sponsor for February and August!

I've used a freebie sheet of antique floral cigar box labels that they offer--it can be found HERE.  There are some absolutely gorgeous vintage images and elements available from this company so pop on over and take in all the gorgeous vintage goodness right now! ;)

Here's the tin I altered~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Creative Moments: Anything But a Card

Divas By Design: Anything Goes

Fab 'n' Funky: Ribbon &/or Lace

Sugar Creek Hollow: For a Gift

This tin was so fun to make!  I don't usually go very vintage, but I LOVE the way this turned out!  The rich colors and the fabulous glitter and metal accents really make me thing of romance.  I'm not sure what gift will be put in this tin, but I do think that this tin in and of itself is a fabulous gift, don't you?!

On a completely personal note, I wanted to show you the darling mug I received in a mug swap at work today!!!

Isn't it darling?!

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek!  Please join us at Inkspirational and follow us because we've got some exciting news coming SOON!  I also hope you join in the other fabulous challenges listed above.  Happy crafting, friends!!!

A Day For Daisies Winter Bird

Like I told you yesterday, I'm highlighting products from our FABULOUS sponsors over at Inkspirational--a new challenge coming January 2013!  Tonight I've got a card made with an image from the wonderful A Day For Daisies!  I've used part of an image called Freehand Bird 1.  It's a fabulous buy because you get two beautiful bird images in one purchase!

Here's the card I've made with this image~

Details~

Inside of card.

For these fabulous challenges~

Can You Digi It?: Not a Creature Was Stirring

colourQ: Color Inspiration

Digital Tuesday: Layers

Papertake Weekly: Pick of the Year--Get Krafty

Ribbon Carousel: Holiday Spirit

I used Diamond Details from Stampin' Up! and Liquid Pearls by Ranger to liven up my colored digi image.  The snowflake punch is by Martha Stewart.  All other supplies by Stampin' Up!

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a peek!!!  Please pop on over to Inkspirational and become a follower.  Like us on Facebook as well--we're going to announce some special gifts we'll be giving away soon!  I hope you take the time to play along with these other fabulous challenges as well!  Merry stamping, friends! :)

Rubber Stamp Tapestry Christmas Roses

Hi, friends!  You should all know by now that I am starting a new challenge in January called Inkspirational!!!  If you don't know, now you do! ;)  We're going to be doing a follower give away soon, so pop over and follow our challenge!  Also, feel free to LIKE our Facebook Page as this will also play a part in our give away!  We've also got some super amazing sponsors lined up and I'm going to be showcasing some of their products over the next few weeks to encourage you to play along with us!

First up is a card made using beautiful stamps by Rubber Stamp Tapestry.  These stamps are SO fun to play with!  I've used the Rose Trio set and the Pine Branch Border set.  It was so fun to collage stamp with these amazing products!

Here's my card~

Details~

For these fabulous challenges~

Anything Goes Challenge Blog: Traditional Christmas Colours

Loves Rubberstamps: Merry Christmas!

Top Tip Tuesday: Anything Christmas Goes

Try it on Tuesday: Lucky Dip

(I chose to use Die Cuts, Sentiment, Stamped Image, and Pearls.)

Like I said above, it was so fun to get to collage stamp with these images!  I've got more that I cannot WAIT to play along with!

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek!  I hope you join me at Inkspirational, that you take a look at the amazing products at Rubber Stamp Tapestry, and that you play along with the above challenges as well!  Merry stamping, friends! :)

TSOT: Back on the Wagon!

It's with great pleasure that I inform each of my readers that I am currently rejoining the team at Try Stampin' On Tuesday at least part time!  Life has settled down, I've become verbose in my posts apparently, and I am now more able to contribute to this wonderful sketch challenge blog!  I am unsure as to why I am being so formal about this, but I guess that's how the chips have fallen! ;)

Let's take a look at this week's sketch~

My card~

Details~

I've used paper, punches, and inks by Stampin' Up!, dry embossing folders by Sizzix, a sentiment from Kaiser Kraft, and rhinestones from my stash!  My placement is a little off, but the other gals have gotten it way better!

A giant thanks to CherylAnn and all the gals at TSOT for allowing me to come back to the team after a somewhat extended absence!  Please do join us for a fun challenge as we love to see your creations!  There's that formal wording again...peace out, y'all!  Happy stamping! :)