CSAYL #33

Before I get into my CSAYL post I must recognize this day and what this country lost 8 yrs ago. Not a day goes by that I dont think about all those who were lost,how much my heart broke driving through NYC a few weeks after the attack and seeing how much a city I loved had changed, and how our country had changed. I will never forget.

This weeks challenge on CSAYL was hosted by Debbie of The Paper Garden and she said:

**Debbie here: I can remember making paper dolls and outfits for them as a child with my grandma. We would get wall paper sample books to make the outfits with. Paper piecing seems to be "in" again and I would love to challenge you to make a card using this technique. I look forward to seeing what you design**

To be honest I was not familiar with paper piecing so I went and did a bit of googling on the subject :) This is what I came up with. The Eskimos outfit is from the SU DSP set Merry Moments. I used Fun Flock on the parka. I made 5 of them to put towards the CCC-09 challenge on Splitcoast.

Supplies used(all supplies Stampin'Up unless otherwise stated):

Stamps-Polar Pals

Paper-Old Olive,Chocolate Chip,Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP

Ink-Black StazOn, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories-Fun Flock, Brads, Chocolate Chip ribbon

CSAYL Catch-Up

With the kids in school and the hrs at work going down I figured I would have more time for my stamping and other crafts. Boy was I wrong! We are short people at work so I've actually been working a day or 2 more than usual, then when I get home its all about the kids and the husband, as thats the only time of the day when we're all together! On top of that we've been having beautiful weather here in the Mat-Su Valley. How can I sit inside and stamp when I can go hiking and be surrounded by this:

You can see more of Alaska over at my photo website.

I know, excuses excuses :0) Well today, none of that...I sat down and got some stamping done!

Last week was challenge #32 on the CSAYL blog and it was hosted by Vicki of Summerthyme Studio. Her challenge to us was:

Create a card using Traditional Christmas Colours-Green, Red and a dash of Silver or Gold!!!!! Let's see your finest creations.

I love to use traditional colors so I had fun with this challenge. I dont go for the bright red and greens though, I prefer the more muted shades of each color. Here is my card....the touch of silver can be seen in the star on the tree and silver cardstock used for layering.

I also made 5 of these to use towards the Christmas Card Challenge over at Splitcoast.



Supplies used(all supplies Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted):
Stamps:Holiday Wishes
Paper: Always Artichoke, Cranberry Crisp,Very Vanilla, Brushed Silver, PP by Basic Grey
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter, Encore Metallic Silver
Accessories: Bravo Burgundy ribbon, ticket corner punch,sponge,CB D'Vine Swirl folder

CSAYL-Challenge 18

A great new blog started up this yr. Its called Christmas Stampin All Year Long and I love it! Those who know me know that I absolutely adore Christmas and have things related to Christmas going on all year. I especially love making Christmas cards, which is actually kind of funny because most people that I know dont even bother sending Christmas cards! Oh well, I stil adore Christmas cards! For this card I ended up with 2 versions. The first version I made specifically for CSAYL and we were to follow this sketch:

This is the card I came up with:

I also play along with a challenge at Splitcoaststampers called Christmas Card Challenge(CCC-09), where you are supposed to make a certain amount of Christmas cards every month. I have set my limit at 10 cards per month. The only thing I changed was the stitching along the side. I used 2 strands on the above card and while I like the look, I think it also looks a bit heavy. I switched it up by using just 1 strand of floss and making the holes less straight. That gave it more of a carefree look:

Supplies used(all supplies StampinUp unless otherwise noted):Paper:Whisper White,Real Red,Chocolate Chip,Kiwi Kiss and Holiday Treasures DSP; Stamps:'Yule Bits and Borders' and 'Perfect Presentation'; Ink: Riding Hood Red,Real Red and Glorious Green; Circle punch 1 3/8" and circle punch 1 1/4"; Cuttlebug and 'Distressed' folder, DMC floss #989