Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! FROM THE PYLANT HOUSE TO YOURS!


our tree






a few of the decorations (can you tell I collect Santas?) :)


and a new addition this year....we are finally in our new home and have room for another little tree. We love college football around here and the Alabama Crimson Tide is our team! ROLL TIDE!!! They have had a very good year. They're in the National Championship game next month! Woo Who!

Here's wishing you a very Merry Christmas! I hope and pray you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Saturday, December 24, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 25

DAY 25! FA LA LA LA LA....LA LA...LA LA!
Yeah! I did it! 25 day of Christmas Creations.....I did it, I did it!!!! Thank you so much for visiting my blog during this event. Oh yeah, and here's a little surprise.....
I will have a little something for the lady that visited the most days!
(Nov. 30th post is first in the "series")
Yay!
Today I'm sharing another ornament I made. This one is big and "romantic" *giggle*

I made this ornament using the build a stocking punch from SU! to make the reindeer. Here's Rudolf and his girly friend :)
He has his Christmas sweater on (made with the It's a Wrap Holidays set from SU!). She also has a sparkly sweater on (made from a scrap piece ?? the maker)
Maybe they're getting ready to go to an "After Christmas" Party. You know he works so hard leading the team and everything, he needs some R & R afterwards. hahahaha

I pray your Christmas Eve is wonderful. Spend time with family and friends and thank the Lord for this time of year. That's what it's all about.
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Friday, December 23, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 24

Day 24! Thank you so much for visiting my blog during my 25 Days of Christmas Creations! I hope you were inspired by a couple of my crafty goodies.
Today, I'm sharing with you a goody bag I made for my niece. She LOVES!!!! chocolate :)

For the top I used the SU! large scallop die on some sparkly felt. I used a Tim Holtz tag die on the white sparkly felt. I finished it off with some c/s circles, a stamped sentiment and baker's twine.
Merry Christmas!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Thursday, December 22, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 23

Day 23! No cards today....no tags....no ornaments....
Today is all about baking! We do all sorts of baked goodies for Christmas. I change it up each year but one recipe is a constant.
We always make peanut butter blossom cookies.

We make our favorite peanut butter cookie recipe. Form them into balls, roll them in sugar and press a Hershey kiss in the middle...and bake.

I wish you could smell these things.....WOW!

So, what's your traditional baked goodies each year? Leave a comment and let me know.

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 22

Wow! Wow! Wow! Here we are, Day 22! Believe it or not it has not been hard to keep up with daily posts for my 25 Days of Christmas Creations here on my blog. It has been wonderful sharing my craftiness!
Today I'm sharing with you a little something I've made this year to give to friends and neighbors. I've decided that I would like to start making ornaments each year to give to neighbors/friends. I really don't like trying to think of monetary things to give to people outside my family. I don't want to sound like a "Scrooge"....not at all. I just think, there are so many people in need around the world that me thinking what I could buy for friends and neighbors just takes away from what's really important. If they are a true friend and caring neighbor, just the fact that we think of them at this time of year is enough. That's the way I think anyway....just my 2 cents. When I get something from someone unexpectedly, it just warms my heart that I was in their thoughts during this wonderful season!
This year, I went with a snowflake theme.....

What do you think?

These could also be used as tags on gifts.
I cut the snowflake with my Cricut. Then punched out another snowflake with the SU! punch, added a circle and sentiment.
I hand wrote on the back of each "God bless! From: The Pylant's 2011"
God Bless you too! Have a great day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 21

Day 21! Almost there!
Well, has there been anyone at your door? Holiday guests? Family coming in? Here's a card that goes right along with all my questions today!

I've seen lots of door cards on SCS and I wanted to try my hand at one. I used my woodgrain stamp on the white c/s and a white gel pen on the knob. The inside circle on the wreath is cut with the Cricut then I punched the circle out with my scallop circle punch. The square windows are punched with a CM punch (discontinued). The ribbon is real red. The sentiment is from the Curly Cute set. I loved making this card. This is also one we made in card class 2 weeks ago.
Thanks for visiting my blog during my daily posts this month. I really appreciate it!
Have a great day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Monday, December 19, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 20

We're at Day 20! Oh My! 20th day of my 25 Days of Christmas Creations that is! hahaha I can't believe Christmas it is only 6 days away! Wow! (my Nov. 30th post will let you know what all the hoop la is about)
Today's creation is a card I went circle crazy with!

The circle has to be my favorite shape when paper crafting. I gravitate toward that shape more than any other. I used my nesties, punches, Jolly Holiday dsp and SU! Tree Trimming and Petite Pairs stamp sets with this CAS card. I'm hoarding that retired pack of dsp by the way :)
I thought the ribbons sticking out of the top made this look like a hanging ornament.

Thanks so much for stopping by
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday Challenge and 25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 19

Hello! Can you believe it is only 1 week until Christmas?! Are you ready?! :0
Today is the 19th day of my 25 days of Christmas Event. It is also a Sunday Challenge over on SCS with my blog group, The Paper Princesses. AnnMarie challenged us to make a center step card. Now, I'm no good at different fold cards. I mess them up every time. I messed this one up too, but I just covered it up. Maybe you won't see!............

I used the Jolly Holiday dsp on the River Rock base. I made the wreath with the delicate doily's stamp set stamped in Garden Green ink then I layered a couple circles on top with the sentiment from Petite Pairs.
I added a white scallop border and more garden green c/s on bottom. Then, I used some beautiful ribbon I got at Hobby Lobby a couple weeks ago. It was 50% off! I also got a roll of white just like it. The glittery accents are so pretty in real life. The pic doesn't do it justice.

Here's what a done to the inside.

...and here's the wreath up close and a little closer on the ribbon too. Be sure and check out the other Paper Princesses Blogs'. They are listed in my left side bar.
I do hope you have blessed Sunday!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Saturday, December 17, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 18

Howdy! Welcome to Day 18 of my 25 Days of Christmas Creations event. (Nov. 30th post will let you know what all the hoop la is about) I'm so glad you stopped by. Have you got all your shopping done? How about about your baking? To tell you the truth, I've been baking since the 5th....trying new things and seeing what I want to give to neighbors, teachers and church folks.
Maybe some of these tags will be part of the packaging for my baked goods this year.

Now, I must say, this reindeer is tooooo cute! I got the layout for him from AnnMarie! Hiya! Thanks girl! She had a small oval for his muzzle and that looked a lot better but I don't have a small oval punch.
I also added his little tongue and mouth.

Supplies: Owl punch, 3/4" circle punch, circle punch from Itty Bitty punch pack, snowflake punch and white gel pen (oh an tag cut with Cricut)

...and here's my goofy looking Santa! He reminds me of the "Charlie" in the box on the Rudolf special "Island of Misfit Toys".

His "go tee" is made with the bits off the stocking punch. His hat and long part of his beard is made with the oval punch. The brim of his hat is also made with the stocking top (cut in half) off the stocking punch. The pom pom is the end of a q-tip.

Have a great day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Friday, December 16, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 17

Day 17?! Already?! Wow, time is flying by with my daily posts. I hope you're enjoying my 25 Days of Christmas Creations. (check out my Nov. 30th post to see what all the hoop la is about)
This card is not CAS. It took me a while but it was so worth it. I wanted to use Bravo Burgundy b/c at my house, that ink/card stock does not get enough attention. It is a beautiful shade for Christmas though...

First I stamped on a piece of white card stock. I then found the center line cut it then cut it into thirds. I inked around all the edges and mounted it on basic black. Then! I stamped versamark ink all over the image and clear embossed it! Yes, it is so pretty in person. You can't see it good in the pic. Like I said, this was a very involved card but it was well worth it. Needless to say, I will be sending this to someone I know will cherish it and not just look at it and throw it away! :)
I hope you try this technique!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Thursday, December 15, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 16

Welcome to Day 16 of my 25 Days of Christmas Creations here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thanks so much for visiting, I appreciate it! (check out my post from Nov. 30th to see what all the hoop la is all about)
Okay, there is a warning for this card before you see it up close. You will be chilled. *giggle*

This card was made for a challenge over on SCS. The theme was "Baby, it's cold outside". The tree is by Verve. The sky is bashful blue with some craft white clouds (made with a q-tip) and some white gel pen winds. The snow drifts are glistened with dazzling details.
I love all the white space on this card and the middle panel having all the pizzazz. :)
Have a good one!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 15

It's Day 15 of my 25 Days of Christmas Creations. (check out my post of Nov. 30th to see what all the hoop la is about).........and today I am showing you that even if you haven't finished your Christmas cards and think it's too late............think again!

This has to be one of the easiest Holiday cards I've made this year. One piece of Cherry cobbler c/s for the background and then a scrap of dsp.....then some circle punches with old olive and very vanilla scraps after I stamped the vv with a poinsettia stamp (SU! Jolly Bingo Bits)....add a sentiment at the bottom and you're done! I made this card in less than 5 minutes! Easy peasy!
You CAN do it! Don't go buy a box of cards, make em, make em! :~)
Have a wonderful day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 14

How are you enjoying my 25 Days of Christmas Creations event? I hope you gain a little, tiny bit of inspiration from something you see. (Nov. 30th post will let you know what all the hoop la is about if you haven't been following along)
Welcome to Day 14...

I absolutely love basic gray and bashful blue together! With the white and stamped snowflakes....you get a little chill with this card :) This is similar to another card I posted but I left off the embossing folder and stocking and set up my sentiment a little differently.
Have a great Tuesday and be sure and come back tomorrow for another Christmas Creation!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Monday, December 12, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 13

Hello! Thanks for visiting on Day 13 of my 25 Days of Christmas Creations event! (see Nov. 30th post to see what all the hoop la is about)

Today's post is all about TAGS!


I cut these with my Cricut and the Pennant punch by SU!

Here it is up close

These were made with the SU! stocking punch and woodgrain stamp. I had some scraps of c/s from a card class that were 3" x 2". I cut a little 1/2" choc. chip strip and stamped it with the woodgrain stamp in basic black ink to make it look a little like a mantle.

I finished them with a rhinestone to look like the nail that hangs them. :)
I hope you like my gift tags. I'll have a couple more to show in a few days.
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sunday Challenge and 25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 12

Hello! Happy Sunday and welcome to Day 12 of my 25 Days of Christmas Creations here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. Also, you can go to my post dated November 30th to see what all the hoop la is about :)
This is also a Sunday Challenge creation with my Blog group the Paper Princesses!
AnnMarie is our Sunday Challenge hostess. I missed last week's challenge, to make a box card. I finally got it made and went ahead and combined it with this week's challenge to use this picture:

as inspiration for our creation. In making my box card I realized....I'm out of lime green paper! EKKKKKKKKKK! I've gotta get more! So, I had to compromise just a little with the green.

I used a piece of paper from a My Mind's Eye Stack for the tree and sleeve. The black polka dot paper is from a retired SU! pack. The scalloped pink is Melon Mambo. I had fun with my nesties and embossing folders for the circles. The tree image is studio g.

Here's the box card without the sleeve wrapped around. The melon mambo c/s came in handy where I placed it b/c the card was a little uneven at the opening. LOL! Nothing like covering up a boo boo with some pretty scallops :)

...and here's the card open. Hey AnnMarie, does the little goody inside look familiar? :D
I had a great time making this box card. Here's a link to the tutorial: BOX CARD

Have a great day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Saturday, December 10, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 11

Day 11 is here! Are you enjoying my 25 days of Christmas Creations? I hope so. (see my November 30th post to see what all the hoop la is about)

Today I'm sharing a card we made in class Tuesday night. I had this idea while using the SU! stocking punch one day. What if you put something "in" the stocking? So, this card was born...

So, very simple, but so darling! :)
I used the Jolly Bingo Bits stamp set for the peppermint candy and gingerbread man. Just stamp them and cut them out. Then, put the stocking on with dimensionals after you adhere the "stocking stuffers" to the back.
The last few weeks I'm all about making my sentiment it's own show piece. I've been layering my sentiments all different ways. This card was no exception. :)
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Friday, December 9, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 10

Hello! Thanks so much for stopping by on Day 10 of my 25 Days of Christmas chin dig! :) I appreciate you and your comments! (See my post from November 30th to see what all the hoop la is about!)

This card is so very CAS. I know, "No, you're not serious Melina, you making a CAS card?!" hahaha
I have some 5.5" square envelopes that were given to me. I wanted to try and use them for Christmas cards so, here is the first one...it measures 5.25" square....

I love this size. I love square cards anyway. So, I think I'll go get more of these envelopes (I think they carry them at Hobby Lobby).
I used the medallion from Day of Gratitude (SU!). I have made so many Christmas cards lately, I wanted to use a different stamp set. I've used all my Christmas ones and decided to try Day of Gratitude on a Christmas card.
I paper pierced the corners and added a piece of black offray sheer ribbon.
For the inside, I used a scrap piece of white c/s and added basic black to the ends punched with the eyelet border punch.
Have a great day!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Thursday, December 8, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 9

Welcome, welcome, welcome to the 9th day of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)
This card started out as a very simple "red on white stamp a little" card. It just looked too plain so I dolled it up a bit :)

I added the black strips punched with the dotted scallop ribbon punch and then added the 3 black brads. I love the new Sounding Joy stamp set from SU!. Joy to the World is one of my favorite Christmas songs.
Have a good one!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 8

Happy Day 8 of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)
Here' my first attempt at a pennant punch tree...

I know what you're thinking..."Where is she when all these things are posted and created by the professionals and tutorial are made". I know! I'm so behind with the trends. (If you follow my blog, you'll know that last month I made my first Lollie (scored piece of dsp laid flat to look like a flower/pinwheel). But, why am I telling you the description of those pretty little circles? I'm the one that's behind.
Anywho, I'm rambling. So, I used old olive dsp and my pennant punch to make my Christmas tree. The gifts are from the Party Hearty set and the sentiment is from the Petite Pairs set.
Thanks for stopping by!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 7

Happy Day 7 of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)
Here is the last card we made at October's Christmas card class.

I love the look of kraft/crumb cake with the white gel pen accents. It almost looks like you're looking into a snow globe at the lodge. I also like how she demonstrated the sentiment on the banner. Before we made our card she showed us to use the square punch to make the banner ends. I would always use my scissors and mess it up! Good Grief! Why didn't I know this?! I feel like a doe doe sometimes! :)
Happy Sunday to ya! Be sure to check back tomorrow for another "installment" of my 25 days of Christmas event!!!!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Monday, December 5, 2011

Crafty Gals December Challenge AND 25 Days of Christmas Creations Day 6!

Hiya!
Welcome to Day 6 of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)
Also, today is the day to post my Crafty Gals project!
I am a part of a new blog group over on SCS. We are the Crafty Gals Blog Group. We have 11 super sweet ladies.
This is our first challenge. We'll be having one each month.
This month was just a "kick off" challenge. I asked the ladies to make a Holiday project keeping the number 3 in mind. "The Power of Three" challenge required them to use 3 layers (card base doesn't count as a layer), 3 images (or an image with 3 things on it), 3 embellishments and only 3 different colors. Not 1, not 2, not 4....3 and no more! :)
Oh yes, and your sentiment could NOT be on the outside of the card.
Now that I think about it, this challenge had lots of "no, no's" hahahaha
So, this challenge required a good bit of thinking. What was I thinking?!!! LOL Oh well, I tried my best to stay within the "guidelines"....here's what I made....
I made my card base 5"x4.25" That way I'd have room for my 3 ribbons at the top (they are sticking 1/2" out at the top). My ribbons are real red and early espresso. My card stock colors are crumb cake, real red and early espresso (and white on image). I have to admit I used a little ice blue on the background of all the reindeer so my coloring is red, brown, green and a hint of ice blue. Once I distressed my layers and inked around the edges, I still felt like it needed something so I added the white gel pen dots.
As for the image, I HAVE NO CLUE WHO MAKES IT! If any of you know, please tell me! I love this image, I want this stamp! But alas, I received this image in a swap and do not know the vendor. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA!

Thank you so much for stopping by! Please take a minute to see what the other Crafty Gals made for this challenge. Their blogs are listed in my sidebar, over there -------->
:~)
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Sunday, December 4, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 5

Happy Sunday! Welcome to Day 5 of my 25 Days of Christmas event. (See my post of November 30th to see what all the hoop la is about! :)

Today there are no cards (sorry AnnMarie, I couldn't get your FAB box card challenge done, I will try for next Sunday). Today I am sharing with you a couple of handmade decorations my daughter and I've put on the tree.

This is our tree topper. Our daughter made it. The star is cut with the Cricut. She glittered around the edges and my mom helped her with forming the "P" with glitter glue. I believe she did an outstanding job! :)

I made this ornament with felt and fabric. I sewed around the edges of the pieces of glittered green felt then stuffed it like a pillow. Then I hot glued the Santa fabric to the front.
Can you see me in this pic? My reflection is in the gold ball. GIGGLE!
I hope you enjoyed seeing a couple of decorations from our Christmas tree today. Come back tomorrow for more card creations!
Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Saturday, December 3, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 4

Happy Day 4 of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)
This card has to be my favorite of all the cards I made at the Christmas card class I went to in October. I love the addition of the scored dsp...

Also, I love that Snow Burst embossing folder. I think I've already sang my praises for that ef before on my blog. Sorry, I just love that thing! :)
As you can tell from all these card I made at the class, it centered around the Christmas Lodge stamps set and matching dsp. I don't have that set. Usually when I go to a class, I wind up buying the stamp set. It's a lovely set but I thought of other in the catalog I wanted more! hahaha
I hope you enjoy visiting my blog! Have a great day

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Friday, December 2, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 3

Happy Day 3 of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)

This card has to be one of my favorite ones I made this Season.

I used the new Snow Burst embossing folder on the white snowflake panel (Snow Swirled set). I love that ef. Then, I also got to use my build a stocking punch. Yay! I finished it off with some sheer white ribbon and white baker's twine. Oh and I also decorated the inside. That's a rarity for me. :)
I hope you are enjoying my Christmas creations! Have a great day.

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Note: I will not be listing supplies for these Christmas posts. But, if you have questions, feel free to email me and I will get you a list.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 2

Happy Day 2 of my 25 Days of Christmas event here at the Crafty Scrapper! And of course, happy 1st day of December! Thank you so much for visiting. I appreciate your comments :) (check out my post from November 30 to see what all the hoop la is about!)

Here's another card I made at the Christmas card class in October.


This is also another "out of my league" card. I was super intimidated by this card when my demonstrator showed it to us. 1st off all the layers, then stamping on velum and then tying a perfect little bow! Yikes! I made it through though. :) The little parentheses on the velum are made with the curly label punch. Who knew?! I wish I could think up all these creative way to use punches! I have a ton and always get my ideas from other bloggers! giggle. I guess that's what we're here for right?!
I hope you're enjoying my Christmas creations! See you tomorrow for another one :)

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Note: I will not be listing supplies on these Christmas posts. If you have questions, please feel free to email me for the list :)

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

25 Days of Christmas Creations! Day 1

Hello! Happy last day of November!
I have decided to do my own 25 days of Christmas event here on my blog. I'll be posting Christmas creations from now until Dec. 24th. I'll try to have a little something different posted on the 25th.
I really don't like posting to my blog every day. I like trying for every other day. That way you ladies have a chance to get around to them. Every day is a hard task. Anyway, I thought if I tried posting all my Christmas creations every other day, you'd still be seeing Christmas stuff into February! LOL! So, I'll be posting my Christmas Cheer everyday. Some days there may be more than one pic in a post. Some days I have Challenge obligations so those cards will also be in the post. But, all post from now til Christmas Eve will be Christmas themed.
You might say, that's not a new concept....why wouldn't you post Christmas creations during December? I know this, but I think this will keep me blogging throughout the month, so maybe I won't be absent for weeks without posting something b/c I got too busy with life! :)
So, I'll stop rambling now and let you see my first Christmas card of my "25 days of Christmas event"....


So, not my usual CAS creation huh? This is an easel card I created at a SU! card class in October. We used the new jingle bells and pewter embossing powder and the Frostwood Lodge dsp.
I love the layering on this card and will definetly be sending this card to someone that will appreciate it! :)

Thanks for visiting today! I hope you can make it back for all 25 days!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Note: There won't be supplies lists on these Christmas posts. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me and I'll get you the list :)

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday Challenge

Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did, we traveled most of the day as usual, but, we love spending time with our family....it was all worth it.

Over on SCS, I'm in a blog group called the Paper Princesses. We decided recently to try some fun weekly challenges. AnnMarie is our challenge Princess! :) She wanted us to think about whom we are thankful for in our lives and make them something.
Well, I'm of course thankful for my hubby and our kiddos and all our family, but for this challenge I wanted to thank someone who didn't even know they were a blessing in my life. Those that follow my blog, know we moved February of this year. Where we did live was at times scary. Now, it wasn't a drug ring part of town or anything, but we had some neighbors that were sketchy and there was another that raised big, crazy dogs for other purposes than just man's best friend. We would get knocks on the door at all hours of the night and when we would check there would be shaving cream on our car or poop on the doorstep, stuff all over the walkway, laughing and cursing in the bushes. It was never ending teenage pranks that we called the cops for on more than one occasion. Not to mention the goats in our yard everyday from the neighbors crude, broken fence. I was DONE! I wanted a neighborhood that was quiet, but that had good neighbors that would be there when you needed them. Okay, now I know that is a large order, and we thought we'd never find it. BUT WE DID! I know we've only been here 9 months, but our neighbors are wonderful! Brandon got his truck stuck in the ditch one day and 2 of our neighbors saw it and got chains and got to work! I've had 2 yard sales (yes 2 we had lots of stuff!) with one of my neighbors. The ones across the street moved a couple months ago because of her hubbys job and we all about cried because we knew we were loosing great neighbors.
So, anyway, I thought about all this when I saw AnnMarie's challenge and knew what I wanted to do.

It's not much but my daughter and I made cookies for our neighbors and delivered them before we left Thursday morning for our family get-togethers.
Each one of them were surprised and happy to see us and took a few minutes out of their busy mornings to say thanks. I am so thankful for good neighbors. I sleep so much better at night now.

Here's a close up of the little turkey I made. He is made with the leaf from Day of Gratitude stamp set, the small oval punch, one of the Itty Bitty punches from the punch pack and circles from the Owl punch. I used the rock and roll technique on the leaves (also on the 3x3 card I attached to the cookie package) with cherry cobbler, pumpkin pie, daffodil delight and choc. chip ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Monday, November 21, 2011

Mystery Time Again!

We have finished another round of Mystery swapping! (a group of us ladies over on SCS take turns hostessing rounds, send the images out to all the participating ladies, no one can say what the image is or what they are doing on their cards. The due date to have these to the hostess is the 18th of every other month. We then can post them on our blogs after the due date.) I can't wait to see what the other ladies did with this adorable Whipper Snapper image Barb sent us!
You that know me, know I rarely color images. I just don't feel I'm that good at it. So, I stick to simple, solid images most of the time. I have to say though, I enjoyed coloring this adorable snowman and his blue bird pal. Well, mine's a blue bird, everyone else's may not be! giggle

I used watercolor pencils and a blender pen to color the image. I also outlined the image with a Copic (BV23). You can't see it well in the picture but I used dazzling diamonds on the snowman's face and belly. I had to give him some sparkle to cheer him up :) The glittery paper came from my scrap pile (love when I can use those pieces) and I added a purple rhinestone to the sentiment along with pearls and purple satin ribbon to the side of the image.
Do you know someone that could use some cheering up? Maybe winter time gives them the blues or they've lost someone close to them recently. Or maybe it's someone that feels lonely around the holidays. I think this would be a good card to give, a good image to use for one such card. The snowman just looks like he's had it and the bird is there for him. :) That's why I chose this sentiment (SU! petite pairs).
Happy, happy Thanksgiving week! Have a wonderful holiday!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

Friday, November 18, 2011

My First Attempt at a Lollie!

Goodness, goodness, I know what you're thinking. How can this be the first time I've ever attempted a Lollie (the pleated circle on the card). Well, I tend to stay behind on trends. I'm too busy trying to catch up. Usually I get to the "it" thing about 3 months after it's become popular! LOL
Anyway, this is the card I made for Monday's CAS challenge over on SCS. Jen challenged us to make our projects centering around the word "Party". That was our inspirational word to use as we wished.

I had just gotten the Party Hearty SU! set about 1 month before the new catalog came out. Wouldn't you know it would be on the retired list, just after I got the money to buy it? Well, the bright side is, I got it before it was gone!
My Lollie flower/pinwheel whatever you call them, is 3/4" wide by 6" long. I scored the dsp (numbers paper from Celebrations pack) at every 1/4" Then after I pleated and laid it flat, I adhered it to some pacific point c/s that I punched with the small scallop circle punch. Then for the top I used a 3/4" circle punch on some more pacific point c/s and on top of that used a punch from the Itty Bitty Punch pack on some old olive dsp.
I found that ribbon at the back of my drawer. It's real red taffeta that I bought a long time ago.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend! :)

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

supplies: white c/s, Celebrations dsp, pacific point c/s and old olive dsp, real red and pacific point ink, real red taffeta ribbon, scor tool, circle punch, scallop circle punch, Itty Bitty punch pack
stamps: Party Hearty

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Welcome Baby!

My Sis is Preggo!
This will be she and her hubby's 2nd child.
Congrats Elisha! Love you! :)

I don't make a lot of baby cards. I needed a little help so I used the Mini VSN challenge #2 (SCS). To make a mostly white card with a little sparkle.

My sparkle is dazzling details on the polka dot embossing.
Love, love using the SU! stocking punch as baby booties :)

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina

supplies: stocking punch, top note die, big shot, white, bashful blue and pretty in pink c/s, bashful blue ink, circle punch pretty in pink ink and blender pen (for doodles), white baker's twine
stamps: petite pairs SU!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Dueling Darlings ~ What Not to Wear Challenge

Okay, before you look at this card, I was so totally stumped by Jeanette and Kelly's challenge. They sent us clothing images (an image having something to do with clothing) and then sent lots of mismatched papers and embellishments. We had to sort through using what was in the kit to make a card. I will be the first to admit I was so lost and I don't like what I created.


There is so much stuff covered up on this card it's not even funny! Jeanette I did use all but 2 of the papers you sent...most might be covered over though.
It seems I don't have much fashion sense. LOL! The people on that TV show might be knocking on my door any minute telling me how bad I am!
For the sentiment (not the one on the American Arts, Body By stamp) I punched a piece from one of the papers and then the 100% is from a sticker sheet Jeanette sent. I love the floss she sent and thought with me making lots of circles on my card that the floss would look best left like it came to mimic the circle shapes. The doodle dots I made, I thought, brought a little unity to this very fussy card.

Now, there was 1 more challenge this month. J and K asked us to post a picture of ourselves or someone else depicting WHAT NOT TO WEAR.
Have you ever played a game at a Christmas party and thought "how embarrassing" only to find out that it made it's way online?!
This is my mother in law playing a game at a BIG family get together.

The object (or I think this was the object) of the game was to get as many balloons as you could into the stockings and then place the stocking over your head while singing your favorite Christmas song. The one to finish first, won. They were so goofing looking! I just had to get pics. I can't wait to make scrapbook pages of these! hahahaha

Be sure and check out all the other Darlings cards. Links to their blogs can be found in my left sidebar (toward the bottom). Thanks!
We also have a guest designer this month! Please check out Janet's blog found here!

Until next time...
Blessings...

Melina