[Mami Doodles] Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner...

Hello everyone & happy belated Halloween! We had a snow storm along the East Coast. I witness a bunch of wrecks with totaled cars on my very slow, slow drive home on Saturday; and am just overly grateful that my friend Kat and I arrived home so safely. Along my road I saw two separate cars end up in ditches and had to be hauled out by tow trucks and snow plows. 

The weather channel didn't predict this much snow (or chaos) for our area, but I think the fact that we're having a snow storm in October and being "caught by surprise," didn't allow for enough preparation. Let's pray for the many families that still don't have power... I hear they might have to wait was long as Thursday!

Anyways, I am finally back online! We still have an internet outage at home and Comcast is trying to figure things out, but in the meantime I am currently on another business trip and the hotel has a fabulous connection. So here I am to give you a quick wave and check in to let you know who won the Mami Doodles prize from my previous post. My Random.org draw is #2 Carol.

Carol said...
Great card, love the button treatment. Traditionally at Christmas we have home made stuffing and bread sauce (use packets rest of year!). Carol x

@Carol - shoot me an email (<-- see left bar below my profile pic for my email addy) and I will fwd you instructions on how to claim your prize :)

Thank you all for participating in our fun blog hop. You still have until this Thursday, Nov 3 to enter a card in our Black & Orange challenge for a chance to win a pack of 4 fun Christmas/Winter digi.

[Scrap Our Stash] October Challenge - Favorite Quote

This month at our Scrap Our Stash's October Challenge we are creating something with our favorite Quote.

This quote is from one of my beloved and first Waltzingmouse Stamp sets called "Afternoon Tea Sentiments."


Stamps: (Afternoon Tea Sentiments) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Fine Linen, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Portrait Collection) Crate Paper; (Wisteria) Basic Grey
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin - No. 11 Brown Sugar; Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Antique Linen) Ranger
Embellishments: (Sewing Thread - White) Gütermann; (Designer Brads - Claire) SEI; (Artists' Color Acrylic Series 1 - Titanium White) Utrecht; (1" Circle Punch) EK Success

Here an closer look at the sentiment. The quote is framed with a scored frame and a cute little brad as an accent. In addition the vintage cream card stock has been distressed with my favorite ink Antique Linen.



This is my first time using acrylic paints. I picked some up when I was last in New York City at an Utrecht. I did not like how stark the white is, so I dabbed some Antique Linen onto the dried paint to bring down the white. But I do like this look quite a lot and will be repeating this technique...



Check out the Scrap Our Stash's October Challenge. You have until the end of the month to finish up something with your favorite quote, so don't forget to enter!

[Paperplay Challenges] Week 43 - Halloween and Witches

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Those are the famous opening lines of Shakespeare's "MacBeth," but they remind me most of Halloween. 'Tis also the season for lots of Halloween challenges, so I thought to change it up and create a cute candy wrapper. I just returned from my trip from Germany and brought a few yummies along. These make great treats for two special, fun boys that I know. I hope they like 'em...


Stamps: (Midnight Feast, Halloween Party) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - True Black, Kraft) Papertrey Ink; (Printer Paper - Persimmon) Paper Source
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black; Versamark) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Stamp 'n Stuff Embossing Powder - White) Stampendous!; (Drippy Goo Border Punch) Martha Stewart; (Baker's Twine - Red) Stash

I love love love the drippy goo edge punch. I can't get enough of it for Halloween...and red is somehow the perfect colors. I decided to add some fun ties with some Baker's Twine. Alison sent each of us DYSU gals a little extra surprise in our last physical product, and I finally put it to good use! Thanks Alison!

Here an up close look on the witch wrapper. I thought the baker's twine makes a great focal line towards the label. Not sure if you can tell in the picture, but the red paper is watermarked with "Trick or Treat" in a very cool font.



My second wrapper has skulls. Which boy doesn't like cool skulls? ;) Decided to give the twine some fraying, cause it just looked to prim and proper. Not sure If i like it, maybe I should have tied a bow after all.



Go check out the rest of the Paperplay Challenge Design Team to see what kinds of be-witching projects they have up their sleeves and come play. We come around and leave love on your blogs.

Our sponsors this week:

• Make It Crafty

For good measure I would like to throw this card into this week's Wee's Memories Challenge...It's been ages since I have had a chance to play along...

[DYSU] Challenge #43 - Halloween

I am in my catch-up modus this week. The whole business trip to Germany causes two things: me to work all my cards ahead, me to catch up on all my other obligations and forgetting that a week has whisked by. Anyways, it's a beautiful October, and every kid's favorite month of the year, because they get to dress up and trick & treat for candy. It's only natural that DYSU is celebrating with our theme of Halloween. What was your favorite Halloween and what did you dress up as?

This week I have free-reign in picking whatever I wanted to play with. *grin* So you know which favorite stamps I'm going to whip out, right? And you know Claire makes great stamps for Halloween and Christmas!


Stamps: (Midnight Feast; Halloween Party) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Preppie Pack) Bazzill Basics Paper; (Paper Basics Card Stock - True Black) Papertrey Ink; (Gift card) Recycled
Ink: (Versamark; Memento - Tuxedo Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Zing! - White) American Crafts; (Nestabilities - Small Classic Circles) Spellbinders; (Drippy Goo Edge Punch) Martha Stewart

I even snuck in a recycling component. The paper quality of this gift card holder that I received is amazing, and I knew I would have a chance to incorporate it. One trim and one "drippy goo edge punch" session later... I have a nice panel for my card.



Here an unclose look on the fun bats and the great white stripe from the gift card. I like how it anchors the "Boo" embossed label down so well.



So here is hoping that you already have your Halloween plans set. I guess this is an appropriate place to confess that I have no favorite Halloween story or dress-up to share with you. When I moved to the US I never dressed up to trick or treat; instead I was the good older sis that stayed home to hand out candy, while my brother went to beg for loot. But he always split his spoils with me :) I have been trying to catch up on my neglected Halloween festivities by carving up some pumpkins...I have two carving sessions under my belt. If I get around I'll post them up on Oct 31 to share :)

Anyways, enough with the pumpkins. Go hop along and see what the other girls on the DYSU blog have whipped up to "scare" you. Play along and who knows, you might be in the lucky Top 3.

Our sponsors this week:

Prairie Fairy $15 Gift Certificate

Sassy Cheryl $5 Gift Certificate

Sitchy Bear $10 Gift Voucher for Stitchy Stamps, Gingerloft, or Reeces

[Mami Doodles] Challenge #36 - Black & Orange Blog Hop

Hello everyone & happy Friday. It is a very exciting day here at Mami Doodles. We want to welcome the three *newbie* additions to our theme. They are ::drum roll:: Frances, Jenn & Pam. I have been spying up on their work and you will be in for a treat!

In honor of their joining we're doing a blog hop today, to make sure you will say hi to the NEWBIE Kids on the Block. If you hopped from newbie Pam's blog, then you're right on track. And to give you a little more incentive, Elisa is in a very generous mood. We have freebies & prizes to give away. Are you ready?

Freebie 1 

• "Scary Mummy", but you need a password. Hint: it's scattered amongst all the DT blog. If you twist my arm, I might tell you *coughnewbiecough*

Freebie 2

• "Boo!", which I have showcased in my current card, is available on the Mami Doodles Facebook page

Prizes

• Want to win 4 Christmas digis of your choice? We are drawing winners on *each* DT blog. That gives you TEN chances to win! All you have to do is tell me what kind of Christmas or other holiday must-have traditions you have.

Shall we get on with the challenge? The theme this week is Black & Orange, in honor of our upcoming Halloween. As mentioned above, I am showcasing Boo! Can you believe I didn't pull the Party Animals again? Don't worry, I was already thinking of ways to make the Black & Orange ;)


Stamps: (Boo!) Mami Doodles
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, True Black; Pattern Paper - Damask Designs, Distress Dots) Papertrey Ink; (To Love & Cherish - Juliet) Imaginesce; (Black Orchid Dorota Vista) SEI
Ink: (Jenni Bowlin No. 5 - Chicken Feed) Ranger
Embellishments: (House of Three Soiree Twine) Pink Paislee; (Vintage Buttons - Spring Collection) Papertrey Ink; (Multicolored Tiny Twinkles) Taylored Expressions; (Black Tulle) The Craft's Meow Kit; (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (newspaper print from Mixed Media workshop class) Recycled; (Point 88) Stabilo; (Corner Chomper - 1/2") W R Keeper Memories

I paper-pieced the pumpkins by picking orange and black pattern papers to fulfill the theme. The digi lines were a little weak, so I took my Black Stabilo and re-traced the lines. Messy, messy, and I must admit I was in a hurry...



The newspaper print actually was a little paper cone that Nathalie Kalbach had put our cute little supplies in for the Mixed Media class that I had attended. I thought I would rip it apart, blot some Chicken Feed color on it and give it some orange. The tulle, buttons and twine are from my stash just itching to be used...



Anyways, thanks for stopping by and making it all the way through my long post. Your next stop is the very talented and sweet Stephanie. Tell her she rocks for me :)

And in case you got lost, here's the entire blog hop list...
Elisa
Frances
Jackie
Jenn
Lisa
Manuela
Pam
Ren-Yi (<-- you are here)
Stephanie
Wendy

[DYSU] Challenge #42 - Trees

I'm currently sitting in a hotel room and realized that I forgot to pre-schedule this post for tomorrow. Thankfully being in Europe is getting a six hour head-start, if you're used to your US schedule... ;) This week we're playing with  Trees. Perfect way of honoring the fall weather that is quickly fading off...it's super cold here, and I am convinced that I didn't pack enough warm clothes for this trip.

This week I'm showcasing a Hope Jocare digi. It's my first time working with Claire Phillips work, and I am thoroughly enjoying them. The were easy to color in and are so cute and whimsy.


Stamps: (Treetop Houses) Hope Jocare; (Out of the Limbs Sentiments) Papertrey Ink
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - Cream) Recollection; (Wisteria) Basic Grey
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Simply Chartreuse, Vintage Cream) Papertrey Ink
Embellishments: (Soft-core Colorpencils) Prismacolor; (Point 88) Stabilo

I pretty much tried to take a watercolor, artsy-like method to the tree... Not sure if it looks too well-blended but I had fun coloring. It was my zen moment of the day...



This card deserves a nice quote on the bottom, and decided to stamp on a friendship sentiment. We don't send enough "just for fun" cards to tell our friends how much we appreciate them, right? Here an up close look on what it says...



Anyways, I'm off to go sleep now... Go hop along and see what the other creative girls on the DYSU blog have been up to. And make sure to play along...i am sure you have something in your stash that can resembles a tree!

Our sponsors this week:

Bugaboo Winner’s Choice of 7 Digis

Hope Jacare Winner’s Choice of 3 Images

Stamping Boutique Winner's Choice of 5 Digis

[Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz] Giving Thanks

Hello there - i'm late, late, late...! I hope you will forgive me, but when I realized that I had to miss last month's blog hop (Halloween theme too!) due to so many other things, I really wanted to make a card for this month's theme. This Waltzingmouse Waltz is one of my favorite activities, since I get to see so many inspiring designs all in one place! If you're new to the Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz, you can read all about it here. Come check the amazing creations out and put on your dancing shoes for next month's waltz, won't ya? It's a waltz of endless fun, inspiration and super friendly and talented ladies!

This waltz's theme is Gratitude or Giving Thanks! With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is a great way to get us thinking what we're grateful for. I shared on the Waltzingmouse Forum my items of thanks. They include my grandmothers who are still alive, and one is currently visiting, my job that it offers many opportunities and is still challenging in a fun way, the new friendships that I have made in real world or online through paper crafting, and of course for my family & friends. What are you grateful for?


Stamps: (Join Us, Holiday Labels No. 14) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Kraft, Royal Velvet) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Versamark) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Stickles - Golden Rod; Embossing Powder - Gold) Ranger; (Mabel - "Little Lady" Trim) My Mind's Eye

My inspiration was to use purple and gold as fall colors and tried to stick to elegant colors. I love these Holiday Labels, aren't they just decadent in design? I also used the little damask-like stamp from Join Us, to create a nice background. My first thought was to center the Thank-You label in the middle of the card, but the beautiful background was blocked. So I decided on off-centered sentiment and the crochet trim lying in my stash was just perfect for this sort...



Pretty quick and simple card. I'm off to Germany on business. It seems that my last waltz I was off to the same country as well...maybe it's becoming a trend ;) Anyways - I'm itching to hear what Thanksgiving plans you may have...mine aren't completely sorted out yet, but I am sure there will be a food component!

[Music Saves My Soul] Robyn - Hang With Me

Yay, Marcea put up the link to her Music Saves the Soul list. So glad she's back in full swing, cause I really missed her!

I had a fantastic Saturday, but don't have enough time to justly report on why it was so a.m.a.z.i.n.g. More later when I settled into my "work-hotel-more work-catch up on blog" routine. In the meantime...


This inspiration is something I stumbled across while watching (dare I admit?) Gossip Girl. I watch all kinds of shows while crafting, ironing or laundry, and I guess that's why I tend to pay more attention to the music, rather than the crazy plots. When I heard this, my ears perked up. I do like the acoustic version better, but who knows, maybe I will share the other one later. Maybe it just needs to grow on me :)

Well - I need to get my packing list going, and work off my (chores & crafting) to-do list. I'm back on a plane on Monday night...this time it's Germany.

[Paperplay Challenge] Week 41 - Cupcakes

Note: If you are looking for DYSU challenge - please keep scrolling :)

Who can resist a good Cupcake? I think of a moist piece of cake, some cute frosting, and sprinkles! Yum...! Actually, I could go for a Red Velvet Cupcake...mmmm! But before I leave you for my Red Velvet Cupcake mission, I'll share a little inspiration with you...


Stamps: (Frame-It, Vintage Circles - Small) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - White, Raspberry Fizz) Papertrey Ink
Ink: (Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog, Staz-On - Black) Tsukineko
Embellishments: (Glossy Accents) Ranger; (Luxe Satin Ribbon - Raspberry Fizz) Papertrey Ink; (1 1/2" Circle Punch) Marvy Uchida

I really wanted to add a sentiment to the card, and the only good place was the ribbon. Since it is fabric, I thought Staz-On was the way to go, except I didn't get a perfect imprint on it. But I was too scared to stamp it on again, but I suppose a little imperfection makes the card home-made, eh?



Come hang out at the Paperplay Challenge Design Team and join us with the cupcake challenge. Let the "Cupcake Wars" begin! Here's hoping that there are some Food Networks fans who know what I am talking about ...

Our sponsors this week:

• Little Darlings {Angie}

[DYSU] Challenge #41 - Scraps

[2011.10.14 Edit] I wanted to point out that our new DYSU members have started officially this week. So make sure to say hello and welcome to Jan & Mary. Since we share our projects upfront, I have had all the time to drool over their work already and I can already confirm that I'm a big fan of their work. We are so lucky to have their talent on-board the team and I'm looking forward to working with these gals :)

It's fall and I've been feeling the baking itch. I love fall cooking - it's a time for stews, soups, and lots of baking. So this past weekend I whipped up four loaves of banana bread and an chocolate ameretti cake for a special someone's birthday. My grandma, who is in town, also got her culinary on, and made her signature chicken curry, which is also the perfect fall food!

Before I drool over my keyboard, how about I tell you more about our DYSU challenge? We're trying to make use of our Scraps.

This week I got to play with a whimsical digi from Pink Cat Studios. I love this little tree. I also used our current Princess Dianne Papertrey Challenge as a color inspiration. She challenged us to use Red, her favorite color.


Stamps: (Dots & Delights Series: Pretty Birds in Trees) Pink Cat Studio
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Pure Poppy, True Black) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollection; (Summer Days) Echo Park
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Glossy Accents) Rangers; (Baker's Twine - Pure Poppy) Papertrey Ink; (Summer Days - Element Stickers, Alpha Stickers) Echo Park

A bunch of fun layers that are fresh - perhaps too fresh for this fall weather. But I thought the black & white on the digi made the bird stand out. I do like this Dots & Delights series - cute stuff, isn't it?



The Echo Park Alpha Stickers and Element Stickers are from my stash. I like the alpha stickers - they are just the right size for cards. Also, the black card stock is a scrap and I decided a post card is just as good as a card card :)



So how about hopping over to the DYSU blog to go see what the other girls are u to. I'm sure it's pretty easy to come play along on this challenge, since every has stash, right?!

Our sponsors this week:

Pink Cat Studio Winner's Choice of 5 Digis

A Day For Daisies $16 gift certificate

Just Some Lines Just Some Lines $15 Gift Certificate for Digis

[Mami Doodles] Challenge #35 - Mother Nature

Hello everyone & happy Friday. I actually got off work at a decent hour and am looking forward to the weekend. I get to meet up with a friend who I haven't seen in ages and I'm making pizza with my mom and grandmother this weekend. Do you have big plans? Well, in case you need a creative inspiration we have our next Mami Doodle challenge: Mother Nature.

Many of the girls interpreted this challenge differently. I am still very much in love with these cute, little Party Animals. And since I haven't had a chance to showcase Edgar the Elephant (or so I named her), here she is :)


Stamps: (Party Animals) Mami Doodles; (Botanical Silhouette) Papertrey Ink
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - True Black) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - White) Recollections
Ink: (Perfect Match Pigment Ink - Fresh Snow) Papertrey Ink
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Gel Pen - White) Sakura; (Point 88) Stabilo; (Corner Chomper - 1/2") W R Keeper Memories

This is a fast little CSA card with white gel ink and stamped sentiment. I love how white on black can also be as clean as black on white.



The sentiment actually goes across but I decided to stamp each word once and aligning it right. I think it gives it a little interesting alignment. Here Edgar in his full whimsical glory and his cartoon-liked shaded baloon.



Anyways, please go check out the rest of the DT's inspiration and feel free to leave a little love. Next time we'll get to introduce the new girls that made the DT cut! Super excited...Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Friday!

[DYSU] Challenge #40 - Brown

This week at work has been super busy. I've been pulling the midnight oil and reminds me a little bit of the good old college days. I use to be in the computer cluster up until 3am or 4am, trying to finish some programming assignment. The only difference is that I was so much younger back then and was not phased by the many long night in a row and the little sleep. Forget the coffee, I was doing it with just sheer, stubborn will. Now I am just looking forward to the weekend and barely hanging on. What is your secret weapon to stay up?

So this week at DYSU, we have a fun challenge for you: Brown. I love the color Brown and the inspiration picture is just to die for!

This week I decided to push my comfort zone with this cute Copic Marker Scrapbooking digi. I don't usually do Shabby very well, but here is a go at it.


Stamps: (Shabby Tea n Cookies Beary Wishes) Copic Marker Scrapbooking; (Flourishes - Scallops & Dots) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Paper: (Paper Basics Card Stock - Dark Chocolate) Papertrey Ink; (Basic Card Stock - Cream) Recollection; (Porcelain) Basic Grey; (Papertrey Packaging pattern paper) Recycled
Ink: (Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo) Ranger
Embellishments: (Soft-core Color Pencils) Prismacolor; (Life's Journey Ephemera Die Cut Cardstock) K&Company; (1/8" Ribbon - Pink) Spool 'o Ribbon; (Border Punch - Scalloped Sentiment) Fiskars; (Point 88) Stabilo

I managed to recycle the wrapper of the Papertrey Ink stamps packaging ;) I thought it had a nice brown border trim and added some brown faux stitching.



Anyways, this is a short post. Time to return to work...

Go see what the girls have up their sleeves on the DYSU blog. And look out for new team members on our next challenge - just one more week from now.

Our sponsors this week:

Delicious Doodles Winner's Choice of Four Digis

Copic Marker Scrapbooking 6 Copic Ciao Markers (North/South America) Martha Stewart punch (rest of the world)

Crafty Emma £10 voucher (excluding postage)

[Music Saves My Soul] Katie Herzig - Lost & Found

It's been such a long while since I have played along with Marcea and her Music Saves the Soul friends, but I don't see the linked list up. I'm still going to share a fun music video with you this weekend. I heard this on one of the recent Grey's Anatomy episodes and think Katie Herzig is absolutely brilliant musician...What do you think?


So how is your weekend going thus far? I ended ironing a batch of laundry (but am far from finished) and ran a bunch of errands to put a gift basket together for a couple whose birthdays we are celebrating tomorrow!