Happy Dia de Los Muertos

I can't believe it is finally here - Halloween or the Day of the Dead.  Miss Rach will be starting a challenge with the theme of Day of the Dead.  I have been doing so many Nativity and Cat cards so here is a fish.  This image will be the FREEBIE that will be available later today.  This sentiment is from TLC.  For my background I used black paper and sprayed it with some Webbing Spray that I had from a few years ago.

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp: Miss Rach - Day of the Dead fish

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black

Spray - Krylon webbing spray

Spellbinder:  Small Petite Oval

Die:  Die-namic Stitched Oval

Flower:  Recollection

Challenges

Creative Knockout - Ch. 113 Halloween Time

Inky Impression - Ch. 276 Halloween or Color Combo

Crafty Sentiments - Black and White Challenge

Fan-Tastic Tuesday - Ch. 109 Halloween

Crafty Boots - Autumn  and Halloween

A Gem of a Challenge - Ch. 156 Too Cute to Spook

Tuesday Throwdown - Ch. 268 Too cute to Spook

Birthday wishes to my cousin

I have a few birthday cards that I have to get done, and I wanted to make one more cat card for the Cat Lover's Blog Hop.  Mo Manning has this adorable image, and this is what our Casio looked like as a kitten. All cute and innocent.  Now, he is a grumpy old cat that doesn't like to be messed with.  I tried to dress him in a few Halloween costumes tonight, and as you can see he wasn't happy.  The first was a collar, and he just woke up on the couch and he wasn't sure.  The second was a devil hat with horns and you just see his fangs.  The third was a pumpkin hat, and he wouldn't even look at me.

Patterned Paper:  Teresa Collins

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Mo Manning - Boo and tulips

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Birthday wishes to my cousin

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Pearls:  Michael's

Divine Twine

Challenges

Friday Sketch - Sketch 103

Cat Lover's Blog Hop - Anything Goes

Aud Sediments - Ch. 143 Birthday Sediment

4 Crafty Chicks - Ch. 270 Anything Goes

There's no BUTT about it...

Our male cat, Casio will stick his butt towards you when he wants to show his cattitude.  I've had this stamp from Melgens and have always found it funny along with the sentiment.  For this card I made yarn balls by punching a piece of cardstock and then wrapping it with twine or jute.

Patterned Paper:  DCWV

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp & Sentiment:  Melgens

Circle Punch:  EK Success

Divine Twine

Jute:  May Arts

Spellbinder:  Grand Label Four

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch 324

Cat Lover's Blog Hop - Anything Goes

CRAFT - Ch. 335 Shaped cards

TTCRD - Anything Goes

You make my heart flutter

I had this image for quite some time, and finally got it put together.  The sentiment is from TLC.  This just reminds me of my cats, because if there is something hanging or on a string it is fair game to be a toy and hit at.

Patterened paper:  DCWV

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Cuddly Buddy - Karen Middleton DS love kitty

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Spellbinder:  Small and large circle; heart circle

Ribbon:  Hobby Lobby

Corner Rounder:  Creative Memories

Challenges

Mojo - Sketch 421

Cat lover's blog hop - Anything Goes

CHNC Patterned - October

613 Ave Create - Ch147 Anything Goes

Boo! bring on the scarey

Here is a mummy cat that I have as a digital image from Gerda Steiner.  I put some gauze behind him.  The sentiment is naturally from TLC.  This is a sketch for Viva la Verve, and I usually like to use Verve stamps; however, I needed to get my Halloween and cat cards done.  So many cards to do, and not enough time - isn't it the whoa of all cardmakers.

Patterned Paper:  Echo Park

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Gerda Steiner - Mummie kitten

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Ribbon:  Offray

Spellbinders:  Small and large Circles

Gauze:  stash

Challenges

Viva la Verve - October wk 4

Cat Lover's Blog Hop - Anything Goes

Gerda Steiner - Share your designs

Creative Knockout - Ch. 113 Halloween Time

Every good and perfect gift is from above

One last nativity card - I just couldn't help myself.  This card is using an adorable image from Mo Manning.  She has such wonderful images, and one of her digital images was the first one that I ever purchased and I have been on a roll ever since.  I much prefer digital images since you can size them the way you want and there isn't a storage issue.  I still have lots of rubber/cling stamps, but I find it easier to print on my printer than to pull out inks and my heat gun.  The sentiment for this card is from TLC, and I think I have used all of them this week.

Sakura jelly glitter pen on the wings

Patterned paper:  Teresa Collins

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Mo Manning - In the Manger

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Gems:  Recollection

Sakura jelly glitter pen on wings

Challenges

Dream Valley - Ch. 118 Use the color blue

CHNC - Ch. 252 Nativity

CHNC Extra - October

ABC Christmas Challenge - V for Very Cute

Polkadoodles - Wk 44 Add sparkle, bling or glitter

12 months of Christmas link up - Ch. 10

Advice from the cat

Yesterday was National Cat Day - well in my house of 3 Siamese cats - that is everyday!  And they let me know it since they allow me to live with them.  My daughter's cat, Casio is our male alpha cat who really is in charge.  She is allergic to the cats and had built a tolerance; however, now that she went away to college it is gone so when she comes home she wants to be with them and medications just don't control her symptoms.  We have seen an allergist who has suggested she receive allergy shots, but she believes it is too time consuming at this time in her life. She thinks she doesn't have time now.....just wait until she has a family....can't tell them anything though, hehe.  For my card, I used an image from Bugaboo, and a cute sentiment from TLC.

Casio approving my new couch

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Bugaboo - SB Fireman cat tree

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Soft side show

Border Punch:  Fiskars

Dies:  Sizzix

Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon

Challenges

Stella Says Sketch - Sketch 316

Cat Lover's Blog Hop - Anything Goes

CRAFT - Ch. 335 Shaped cards, not square or rectangle

Eureka - Ch. 163 Pets/animals

His Star

Here is another Nativity card that I was able to come up with an adorable image from Saturated Canary.  My sentiment is from a great set at TLC.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe 

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Core-dination; Recollection

Stamp:  Saturated Canary - the King

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Sakura jelly glitter pen

Divine Twine & Hobby Lobby

Gems:  Recollection

Challenges

Incy Wincy - Sketch

CHNC - Ch. 252 Nativity 

CHNC Extra - October

ABC Christmas Challenge - V for Very Cute

12 months of Christmas link up - Ch. 10

Cupcake Inspiration - Ch 333 Stars

Jesus is the gift

I have been going to town with Nativity cards since that is the challenge at CHNC and I just think that is the reason for Christmas cards!  Like I said in a previous post, we just get caught up in all the other stuff in the running around, the hussle and bussle and people forget to be nice.  I know I am MORE than guilty of this myself.  Today, I got new quotes on car/home insurance and found a better price with an agent that is closer to my home.  I have been having problems with my current agent and his staff since my husband passed away (now over 18 months ago) and I have had to make changes to the policies.  Today, I was going to go into their office and tell them that I was dropping them with pleasure, but when I got there I had to fill out some forms and the receptionist confided in me that her husband was just diagnosed with cancer and has brain mets and has less than 6 months to live and that then she will be in a similar situation and they have been married for 45 years.  Being a nurse, I did my counseling and spent time talking with her and she thanked me for doing so, and I left without telling them that on November 6th I will be dropping them.  I just thought it was the wrong time to do so, but felt I was needed in a different way today, and it was better that I was there in person than on the phone.  We have to remember - it's not about me, there are others in this world who have problems/issues to.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe - Eskimo Kisses

Cardstock: Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Whimsy - Touched by Love

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Jesus is the gift

Spellbinder:  Label Number 1

Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts

Divine Twine

Challenges

Papertake Weekly - Pick One - Sketch

CHNC - Ch. 252 Nativity

CHNC Extra - October

Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 279 Christmas

Word Art Wednesday - Ch. 207 Anything Goes

ABC Christmas Challenge - V for Very Cute

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 10

Pink Gems Nativity Card

I don't remember why I bought this card back some time ago, but thought I should put it together.  It is layers so I have pop dots between the layers of the card that is pre- colored.

Card:  Pink Gems pre-colored set

Pop dots

Challenges

CHNC - Ch 252 Nativity

CHNC Extra - October

A Snowflake Promise - Ch. 9

ABC Christmas - V is for Very Cute

Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 279 Christmas

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 10

Ye shall find the Babe

I got this image from Mo Manning and couldn't wait to color it.  I used a sentiment from a great set at TLC.  I like using non-traditional colors.

Patterned Paper:  Paper Studio

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Stamp:  Mo Manning:  Nativity Play

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon & Hobby Lobby

Punches:  EK Success; Die-Naumics

Pearls:  Michael's

Spellbinder:  Small Petite Oval

Challenges

Sweet Sketch Wednesday 2 - Sketch 73

CHNC - Ch 252 Nativity

CHNC Extra - October

A Snowflake Promise - Ch. 9

ABC Christmas - V is for Very Cute

Fab 'n Funky - Ch. 279 Christmas

12 month Christmas link up - Ch. 10

Yay! Congratulations Graduate WooHoo

I know of someone who will be graduating from Technical College and then plans to go on to college this December so I made this card using an image from Miss Rach.  This image is available in the ETSY shop for $1.  The sentiment is from TLC.  I made the diploma by rolling up some paper and putting some twine around it.

Patterned Paper:  Sweet Shoppe, My Mind's Eye

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Miss Rach (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create - Yay! Congratulations Graduate WooHoo

Divine Twine

Border Punch:  Fiskars

Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon

Ink:  Mementon - London Fog

Challenges

Papertake Weekly - Take your Pick, Sketch

Cat Lover's Blog Hop - Day 3 Anything Goes

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 396 Anything Goes

Coffee a hug in a mug

Today it has been a rainy, gloomy day so a warm cup of coffee sounds good.  My image is from Miss Rach freebies and the sentiment is from TLC.  My cats have been sleeping.  I have bought them wonderful beds, pillows and blankets; however, they don't sleep on any of those instead they sleep in buckets.  When my husband was receiving cancer treatments and wanted a bucket next to the bed in case he would vomit, it was a problem since he would find a cat sleeping in it.  So we had to get extra buckets for them on the backside of the bed and they love it.

Patterned Paper:  

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Miss Rach (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Circle Punches;  EK Success

Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts

Ribbon:  Offray

Challenges

Tuesday Morning Sketches - Sketch 324

Cat Lover's Hop - Day 3 Anything Goes

Eureka - Ch. 163 Pets/ Animals

Crafty Creations - Ch.301 Colorful

Congratulations on your marriage

I have a cousin who is getting married next weekend so I had to make a card for her.  I used an image from Saturated Canary and I found a rubber stamp that I haven't used in quite some time.  Pulled out lots of pearls for this card.

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection
Stamp:  Saturated Canary - Bride
Sentiment:  Congratulations on your Marriage
Ink:  Memento - Tuxedo Black
Ribbon Pearls:  Hobby Lobby
Pearls:  Michael's
Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts

Challenges
Incy Wincy - Sketch
Craft your Passion - Ch. 285 Anything Goes
Crafting from the Heart - Ch. 83 Anything Goes
Brown Sugar - Ch. 169 Anything Goes

X marks the spot

I have another card that I made as a sample for the challenge at Miss Rach Halloween by the Sea.  This card is using the Halloween Octopus which can be purchased for $1.  The sentiment is available at TLC and the paper was also part of the fall club.

Patterned Paper:  TLC, Create - Fall Festival Paper 14 & 6

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollection

Stamp:  Miss Rach (see above for direct link)

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Circle Punches:  EK Success

Challenges

SSSC - Sketch 292

Crafty Boots - Autumn and Halloween

Melonheadz - Include a pumpkin

Sweet Stampin' - Halloween

QKR - Ch. 162 Halloween

Leaves with sympathy

For Christmas, I always make my Mom a stash of sympathy cards so this is one for her present.  For this card, I am using a sentiment from TLC that is part of a great set that includes 10 one-liners. I also made this card for the Card Concept Challenge as a Clean and Layered sample.  We did some cleaning up of the leaves today in my yard, but I took a couple of pictures at the end of my driveway.

Patterned Paper:  Teresa Collins

Cardstock:  Bazzil; Recollections

Sentiment:  TLC, Create (see above for direct link)

Die Cuts:  Spellbinder - Leaves, Quic Kutz

Ribbon:  Really Reasonable Ribbon

Pearls:  Prima

Challenges

Try Stampin' on Tuesday - Ch. 241

The Card Concept - Ch. 42 Clean & Layered

Glitter 'n Sparkle - Ch. 160 Fall/Autumn

Cute Card Thursday - Ch. 396 Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner - Ch. 42 Ribbon and/or flourishes

Susy Bee's Bloomin' - Ch. 103 Use some leaves