On the Second Day of Christmas Cards...

Cheryl brings to you.....not two, but five O Christmas Tree cards. Today's post features cards with Christmas trees...stamped trees, sticker trees, button trees, die cut trees...I just LOVE Christmas trees. I just love to sit by our Christmas tree when the rest of the family has gone to bed with all the lights in the house off except the Christmas tree lights on and just bask in the beautiful twinkling glow of the tree. There are not many things that are more peaceful I think. It is definitely a time of reflection and pondering for me. I also love setting up the tree and getting out the ornaments and the memories that are attached with each one. What is your favorite thing associated with Christmas trees? Do you have a favorite card today? To be a part of the drawing for the giveaway just leave a comment. To be a part of the drawing for the challenge prize, just create a card with a Christmas tree image and link it here in the comments section! Thanks for helping me celebrate this Christmas season! Hugs, Cheryl

On the First Day Of Christmas Cards....

Cheryl gives to you: not just one, but five Krafty Kards! All todays cards feature kraft cardstock. Each day of the 12 days of Christmas Cards will feature a new theme.
I will post every day, but Sunday and have a total of 12 posts. There will be a random drawing at the end for a nice prize package. It is a surprise. You will just have to trust me that it will be good! How do you get in on the drawing...simple...just leave a comment! Every day you leave a comment your name will go into the drawing again. So come celebrate the season with me! Now just to add a little more fun...if you would like to create something yourself...just link a new card that you have made that goes with the theme to the comments section. I would love to see your inspiration, too! At the end of the 12 posts there will be another winner drawn out of the names that have participated in the challenge. Every time you make a card with the theme your name will go into the drawing! I hope this provides you all a little Christmas cheer! If you like you can tell me your favorite card of the day, too!
Hugs,
Cheryl

*Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!!!

Hi all! I'm hostessing this week's City Crafter Challenge and the theme is Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! *well, at least on your projects. I adore the look of snow on projects, but am strictly a warm weather girl, myself...so the only snow I get is the kind I create. I am hoping you will join us too, with some really *cool* projects...yes, pun intended...I'm so cheesy! The challenge is to create any project (card, layout, altered item, decor) with some kind of image of snow on it, whether it be snow or a snowflake or a snowman or snowlady. Let the snow fall! I can't wait to see what you all come up with! Go check out the fantabulously cool projects made by the DT and our enormously talented Guest Designer, my sweet friend, Luzma! Here is a little inspiration more for you. I received this on my door on Sunday in a card. I thought it was pretty cute and want to share it with you:

All I Ever Needed to Know About Life I Learned From A Snowman
Each one of us is unique
You are nothing without a creator
We are all made of mostly water
Life is short...make memories today
It's OK to be a little bottom heavy
There is nothing better than a foul-weather friend
Smiles are contagious
The difference between a smile and a frown is a few lumps
The key to life is to be a jolly, happy soul
Wearing white is appropriate
Some of your best friends are flakes
It's how you pull yourself together that counts
We need to learn to roll with the punches
Accessorize! Accessorize! Accessorize
Give thanks for those sharing their mittens, scarves and hats
Its fun to hang out in your front yard
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!!

I hope you are feeling warm and wonderful today no matter what your weather is!
Hugs,
Cheryl
*The 12 days of Christmas Cards will start tomorrow on my blog! I didn't quite made 10 cards a day, but it was close! I'll hope you will join me...there will be a give away!

For Unto Us a Child is Born *CCCB*

Hi all!!! Did you all have a fabulous week last week?! I hope so. This week we have a great challenge for you over at City Crafter Challenge Blog. Linda is our hostess and with Christmas right around the corner, she thought it would be nice to do a Christmas card/project..... not just any kind of Christmas card/project, but one with a theme! So the theme is "BLUE CHRISTMAS"... like the Elvis song. Do you know the song I am talking about? Anyway, for this week's challenge, we want you to create a Christmas Card/Project with a blue theme. Go check out the lovely creations from the DT and our Guest Designer. Linda herself is generously sponsoring this week with some fab prizes! I hope to see you playing along. I can't wait to see your inspiring creations. I am going to need some inspiration, too...I am sooooooo behind on my Christmas cards. I have a plan in mind to make 10 cards a day for the next 10 days...wish me luck! Yikes! I'll start sharing them next week and have a fun little give away with a 12 days of Christmas cards event that I will put on....so look for that next week on my blog! Have a fab week all!! BIG HUGS! Cheryl

Pretty with Pleats *GCD Studios + Tutorial*

I'm pretty much convinced that pleats make everything just a little bit prettier! That is why I decided to decorate this jar of homemade jam with these pleats made from GCD Studios paper. I am once again using their oh sooooo fabulous Joyful Peace collection. Here is a tutorial on how I decorated the jar lid with these pleats:

1. I used the Deck the Halls paper from the Joyful Peace collection.


2. I cut out the striped portion of the paper making two 1"x12" strips.


3. Just fold your paper to create pleats (the striped paper really helps make even pleats.


4. Take the ring from a mason jar


5. Glue the pleated paper around the ring


6. Tie with twine and embellish as you wish (I used a snowflake here cut with the Cricut using more of the Joyful Peace GCD Studios collection)


I hope you are able to use this tutorial to create some pretty pleats! *To add a little more oomph to the jar...I glued it on top of a wood candlestick holder spray painted black and I also added a wooden topper that was also painted black to the top of the lid. I also made a little card to go with the jam using papers from the Joyful Peace collection from GCD Studios.

*by using autumn colored paper and say pumpkins instead of snowflakes you could easily make this for Thanksgiving, as well! Wouldn't some pumpkin butter be yummy?!
Happy crafting and Happy Holidays!

Hugs, Cheryl

Warm Wishes *CCCB

Hi all and warm wishes to you! I am here with this week's CCCB challenge! We are off to Seattle, home of Starbucks, with our hostess Kirsty. Your challenge is to create a project that includes an image of a coffee mug, or teacups, or any image that is related to coffee, tea, hot cocoa or hot chocolate! Now doesn't that make you feel all warm inside?! Hop on over to CCCB and be amazed by all the marvelous creations of the DT and our GD! You just might learn a couple of facts about Starbucks, too. Our sponsor this week is the incredibly generous Pixie Dust Paperie! I hope your Thanksgiving holiday is filled with warmth and love! Hugs, Cheryl

Thankful

I just wanted to share the thankful banner that I made. It normally hangs above the big picture window in my dining area, but I couldn't get a photo without a glare there so this photo is taken with it on the fireplace. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays...when I think about it I just think about warmth and love and family and definitely being thankful. I love the colors of the season...I love to cook and bake so I love that part too...I love the gathering of family...I love the tone it sets. What a lovely way to usher in the Christmas season when your heart is filled with gratitude. Tomorrow I have Christmas goodies to share. I'll have a new CCCB post as well as a GCD Studios post. I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to post on Wednesday or not...so I wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!! Hugs,Cheryl