It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

I know... it's supposed to be "It's beginning to LOOK at a lot like Christmas" but here in my home, it's finally starting to FEEL like Christmas is coming. I spent yesterday looking for the perfect little tree to put by the fireplace. It took a half hour or so to actually decorate the tree but the process of looking for the darn ornaments and lights took about an hour. I am still missing a least a dozen ornaments.

But the children came home from school and were so excited to see the tree! Here's a picture of my youngest looking at his first baby ornament.

The Christmas cookies have been baked and decorated (thanks to Mima)!

I have started shopping for the small stuff and will probably finish the rest between tomorrow and Friday. Christmas cards might go out this year... or not. I have already received quite a few cards online. LOL! I might go digital this year. It's not the same but I'm quickly running out of time. Where did this year go?!

I am planning on taking the boys to see Santa on the 18th. I usually go the day after Thanksgiving but of course, that didn't happen this year. Hopefully I will be posting my annual pictures of the reindeer antlers up on the rooftop and Santa with the boys. Wish me luck!

Have you been naughty or nice? What's on your wishlist for Santa?

PWC131 - Punchy Love Birds

Hi everyone!

It’s Wednesday so that means it’s time for another Pretties Wednesday Challenge over on the Paper Pretties Blog! This week the challenge is to get punchy. To be more specific, it's time to pull out your punches. I don't know about you but I have a relatively large collection of punches. :)

Today the Paper Pretties Design Team are featuring the new Love Birds stamp set that will be released along with 6 other stamp sets this coming Friday 10th December.

For this card, I wanted to try coloring the image in Sepia tones so that I have a pretty sample for my Black/Sepia Copics class this Saturday. I decided to keep it CAS by using the heart punch from Stampin' Up! to decorate the cardbase. I also used the Scalloped Oval punch (Stampin' Up!) to punch out the image.

Come play along with us!

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC131.
Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

Join us for our release Blog Hop this Friday 5AM EST 10th December, starting on the Paper Pretties Blog.

New Release Stamps available in the Paper Pretties Boutique from 7AM EST Friday 10th December.

Don’t forget to check out the Paper Pretties Blog to see who else is previewing the new stamps today.

On the First Day of Prettie Peeks....

Today is the first day of Prettie Peeks for the Paper Pretties December release! There are 7 fabulous new sets for you this month! They will be available for purchase on Friday, the 10th.

Today, Jana and I are peeking Elegant Sentiments. This elegant set comes with 5 sentiments and 3 fabulous frames to put them in. And with our clear stamps, it's super easy to line it up perfectly!

I made a sleeve for the cup to match the card I am making.

It was really easy to do...

Just find a sleeve at any of the coffee places.

Here's the card that I made for my friend.  

  

Time to hop over to Jana Weaver's awesome blog to see what she has created with this gorgeous set!

Oh! Please be sure to head to the Paper Pretties blog to see all of today's peeks because one random lucky commenter each preview day will win the set being previewed!!  The winners from each preview day will be posted on the Paper Pretties Blog on Friday.

Be sure to leave that comment.

Good luck!

PWC130 - Prettie Sketch Challenge!

Hey Prettie peeps!! I hope that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!

It’s time for another Pretties Wednesday Challenge over on the Paper Pretties Blog! It's the first Wednesday of the month so that means it's time for another fabulous sketch from Frances! Take a look...

Surprise Sophia

Here's what it looked like on the back...

Wondering why the Black and White?

Well... I'm teaching a Black & White / Sepia Copics class tonight!

This is just a sample that I made to show how easy it is!

Come play along with us!

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC130.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

Pink Cat Studio *NEW* Digi Release AND Black Friday Giveaway!!

 I hope that all of my American friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Melissa has 5 new Christmas and Winter theme digi stamps to share with you today and a great gift with purchase! If you spend a minimum of $5.00 in the PCS rubber or digi stores, you will get a free gift pack of 6 adorable Christmas digital stamps! Check out the gift pack below:

So after you spend $5 in the store Melissa will email this gift set to you personally within 12 hours of your purchase.

 

This offer is only valid on Friday November 26th.

 

You can also use your new stamps to create a project for our challenge!

Here are the details:

Pink Cat Studio Holiday Challenge

We're having a Holiday Challenge!

All you need to do is create a project that includes at least one Pink Cat Studio stamp (sentiments excluded). Examples of projects include cards, gift boxes and bags, tags, scrapbook layouts, etc.

For ALL of the rules, please click HERE.

 

I used Gingerbread Girl Baked Cookies for my sample.

I decided to paper piece my digi together using coloured cardstock.

I enlarged the image to be 6" tall and printed them several times on different cardstock.

Then I cut out the different pieces and glued them onto my brown gingerbread girl.

The only coloring I did with my Copics are on the baked Christmas trees and the green polka dots on her apron. Hope you like the sample!

To see the lovely projects created by the rest of the awesome Design Team, please visit Pink Cat Studio's blog. Don't forget to check out all of the deets for the Pink Cat Studio Holiday Challenge!

PWC129 - CAS

Hey Prettie peeps!!

It’s Wednesday and this means it’s time for another Pretties Wednesday Challenge over on the Paper Pretties Blog! This week's PWC129 is one of my faves... Clean And Simple (CAS). It's perfect for the holidays because I know it's really hard to find the time to get crafty. My craft room is a disaster right now. I have bits of cut up cardstock and designer paper all over the floor and my craft table is littered with punches, ribbons, ink pads, scissors, and Copic markers. I was able to use everything I already had out to put this pretty little card together in minutes. Usually, I have to put everything away first and get organized. Not this time!

O Christmas Tree - clear stamp set

I tried something different with my Memento teardrop ink pads. I used Bamboo Leaves first since it is the lightest green that I have. Instead of pouncing the ink on, I swiped it on. Then I used Cottage Ivy and lightly pounced all around the edge of the tree. The effect is pretty awesome... at least I think so. It almost looks like a painting.

Come play along with us!

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC129.

Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!

All *NEW* Gingerbread Digis from Pink Cat Studio!

Hi everyone!

I hope that you are all having a good week!

I'm hanging out in San Diego today and tomorrow. I'm taking my boys to LegoLand as a surprise. Then I head up to Los Angeles for a family gathering before flying back home on Sunday.

Today, Melissa has the CUTEST gingerbread digis being released over at Pink Cat Studio.

Take a look!!

Today, November 18th, when you purchase anything from the digital or rubber stamp stores you will receive the digi that I worked with on my card FOR FREE!. It will be emailed to you separately and within 12 hours after you make your purchase.

Oh! Melissa is sponsoring The Pink Elephant Challenge blog and if you participate you could win 5 digi stamps from Pink Cat Studio! I used the sketch created by Arielle Gordon as inspiration for this card. Please join in on the fun!

Gingerbread Children

by I. Orleans

Gingerbread children
Stand in a row--
Very good children
Always, you know.
The never will jump
Or kick or leap.
Or start to cry when
It's time to sleep
They never run off
Or look around
And no one has heard
Them make a sound.
Gingerbread children
Are fine to meet;
But, much better stiff;
They're good to eat.

Ready to see more samples from the talented Pink Cat Studio Design Team?

Hop on over to the Pink Cat Studio Blog and let them know what you think!

PWC128 - Thank You!

Hey Prettie peeps!!
It’s Wednesday and this means it’s time for another Pretties Wednesday Challenge over on the Paper Pretties Blog! This week's PWC128 is a themed challenge... "THANK YOU".

I have a special Thank You card to share with you today.

One of my regular customers who orders handstamped cards from me fell in love with a card I made for France's last sketch challenge. She loves fairies and so Holiday Fairy - Meg was an easy choice for her. Usually it takes a few tries to get the right image for her holiday cards. I revised it according to her preference for burgundy and olive green. I am making 25 Christmas cards and 25 thank you cards for her with this layout and color scheme. Hope she likes them! Hope you do too!!

Come play along with us!

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC128.
Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

Have a wonderful day!

Paper Pretties November Release Blog Hop!

Hey Prettie Peeps!

I hope that you have been enjoying the November Release Blog Hop!

What a HUGE lineup we have for you!

If you are getting here from Jessica's blog, then you are on the right track.

If not, please head on over to the Paper Pretties Blog and start at the very beginning.

There's a lot for you to see and I don't want you to miss out on the fun!

Today, I'm featuring SURPRISE SOPHIA.
She is SO stinkin' cute and looks prettier than ever, if that's even possible.
I would venture to say that this is probably one of my faves from this release.

Next stop is with the fabulous Shannon Teubner.

Just in case you get lost along the way...

Paper Pretties Blog

Cindy Haffner

AJ Otto

Frances Byrne

Delia Vieira-Cruz

Jackie Rakoski

Shemaine Smith

Jana Weaver

Carolyn King

Jessica George

Jane Matsumoto (me)

Shannon Teubner

Jennifer Greco

Beate Johns

Pam Varnell

Wendy Hoff

Jen Shults  

Heather Lee-Reppen

Hope you have a great time hopping!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Final Preview Day for Pretties November Release!

Hey Prettie Peeps!

Wow... the BIG day is tomorrow, making today DAY 6 of the November Release Previews.

We hope you have enjoyed all of the preview thus far! All 7 new releases will be available in the Paper Pretties store tommorrow, Nov. 12th.   We have been previewing one set each day until the big day.  One random lucky commenter each preview day will win the set being previewed.  The winners from each preview day will be posted here on Friday.  As in previous months, we will still have a inspiration filled blog hop on release day (this month we have 7 AWESOME guest blog hoppers joining us!). I can tell you right now that you will NOT want to miss out!

Today's preview set is called "Sledding Cooper" and is illustrated by Joni Stringfield.  I LOVE this set and I hope you do too! Cooper looks like he is having SO much fun! The set comes with 1 main image stamp, and 4 coordinating sentiments.

Join us for our release Blog Hop this Friday 5AM EST 12th November, starting on the Paper Pretties Blog.

New Release Stamps available in the Paper Pretties Boutique from 7AM EST Friday 12th November.

Don’t forget to check out the Paper Pretties Blog to see who else is previewing the new stamps today.

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!

Hi everyone!

Today we have a birthday to celebrate! 

It’s Jennifer Greco’s birthday and all of the Prettie girls want to wish her a very happy day with a Birthday Blog Hop since we can't all get together in person. Are you ready?

Ready, steady....

Happy Birthday Jennifer!

The hop starts on the Paper Pretties Blog, so if you didn’t start from there, hop on over to the Pretties blog and start from the very beginning! Don't want you to miss out on a thing!

Oh! It’s also Wednesday which means it’s time for another Pretties Wednesday Challenge! This week, the challenge is embossing. Fun!! The Paper Pretties Design Team are featuring the new Everyday Sentiments stamp set that will be released along with 6 other stamp sets this coming Friday, 12th November. That's right! It's gonna be a FABULOUS release!!

I decided to feature a couple of sentiments from the set on the front of a gift card holder. This gift card holder is called a "Slit Latch Gift Card Holder". The tutorial for it went up on Splitcoaststampers last week during the 3rd Annual Holiday Tutorial Blitz!! Go take a look and see just how easy it is to make! I even have a video tutorial on there at the very bottom for the visual learner. :)

Come play along with us!!

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC127.

Don’t forget to include link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set! Please see all of the rules over on the Paper Pretties Blog!

Join us for our Release Blog Hop this Friday, November 12th ~ 5am EST, starting on the Paper Pretties Blog.

New Release Stamps available in the Paper Pretties Boutique from Friday, 12th November ~ 7am.

Don’t forget to check out the Paper Pretties Blog to see who else is previewing the new stamps today.

Here is the order of the hop in case you get lost along the way:

• Paper Pretties Blog
• ARTish
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jackie Rakoski
• Jana Weaver
• Jane Matsumoto (me)
• Jessica George
• Pam Varnell
• Wendy Hoff
• Heather Lee-Reppen
• Jennifer Greco (the birthday girl!!!!!!!!!!!!)

So glad you stopped by!

 I hope you have enjoyed this virtual birthday party thus far.

Now it is time to continue on our birthday blog hop and visit Jessica!  

Don’t forget to wish Jennifer a Happy Birthday when you reach her blog!

*NEW* Pink Cat Studio ~ Introducing Rex and Bronty

Hi everyone!

Rex and Bronty are making their debut over at Pink Cat Studio today!

These two are DINO-mite!

Super cute and SO much fun to color!

Check out Baby Rex in the center...

is he not the cutest baby dino ever?!

FREE with purchase just for today (Nov. 4th).

I saw this sketch over on Mojo Monday...

Swing on over to Pink Cat Studio and see what the rest of the fabulous Design Team has come up with for this Dino Release!

PWC126 - Prettie Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Hey Prettie peeps!

It’s time for another Pretties Wednesday Challenge over on the Paper Pretties Blog!

This week is the beginning of November (can you believe it?!) and this means it is time for another Pretties Wednesday Sketch Challenge.

Frances has come up with a very pretty layout for you!

I love this sketch!

I colored up Holiday Fairy - Meg with my Copics.

Someone asked me to post a picture of the back of my image.

Here you go!

Come play along with us!

How to Enter: If you would like to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project using the above challenge and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword PWC126.
Don’t forget to include a link to your card on the Paper Pretties Blog, so everyone can see it too. You don’t have to use Paper Pretties stamps to play, but of course if you have them we would love to see you use them. One random participant will receive a Paper Pretties Stamps set … see the Paper Pretties Blog for more details.

Do You Want To Be A Prettie Girl?

Paper Pretties is looking for Design Team members.

 If you would like to join the team, check this post on the Paper Pretties blog for details.

Have a wonderful day!