Round 3-CSAYL Catch-Up

Its back to work tomorrow so today is another catch-up day of stamping. This time I am working on challenges from the Christmas Stampin' All Year Long blog. This card is for challenge # 35, hosted by Sankari, of Sankari's Sunshine Corner. Her challenge was to use non-traditonal colors on your Christmas card.


This was definitely a challenge for me, because when it comes to Christmas I am about as traditional as it comes. Think Norman Rockwell type of Christmas... I love reds and greens, especially the deep, rich hues. I really had to think about what I wanted to do for this card, and so I finally went with subdued pinks and browns. Nothing too crazy that would cause me to hyperventilate,but at the same time colors that those on my Christmas card list wouldnt traditionally see from me(especially the pink..I am SO not a pink type of gal!).


Here is what I came up with, and as always thanks for dropping by and taking a peek:

Supplies(all supplies Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Sleigh Full of Toys

Paper: Whisper White, Close To Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Candy Lane DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Close To Cocoa

Accessories: CB Swiss Dots folder, Pink Pirouette 5/8" ribbon, various SU watercolor pencils and crayons,blender pen,dimensionals

Catching Up...card #2

This is my 2nd catch-up card for Holly's Sunday Stamps challenge. This time its the letter 'C' and she said to make something using car stamps, or use a set that begins with 'C'. Once again I went ahead with a stamp set and used one from the current SU Holiday Mini Catalog. Its called Cold and Cuddly and the minute I saw the penguin in the set I knew I had to have it. However, hes not the image I used today :) The layout is from this weeks challenge over at Mojo Monday. The only thing from the layout I changed was the 2nd square image, which I made a small rectangle for my setiment.

The polar bear was embossed in white and I brushed Soft Sky across him to bring out the details a bit more. I then put some stickles along the edges of the ice, to make it sparkle a bit like the edges of ice tend to do. I also heat embossed snowflakes around the polar bear.

Supplies(all supplies Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Cold and Cuddly, Snowflake Spot

Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke, Soft Sky, Wintergreen DSP

Ink: Soft Sky, Always Artichoke,Certainly Celery

Accessories: Certainly Celery ribbon, Dimensionals, Versamark, White embossing powder,Iridescent embossing powder, sponge,Stickles, Round corner punch,Double circle punch

Catching Up....again

Big shocker, I'm behind on stamping again! I dont know why I thought I would have more time once fall rolled around. Seems like I'm even busier now than I was during the summer, ugh!


My friend Holly, over at Inka Dinka Doodle, has Sunday Stamps going on again and so these 2 cards are to catch me up on her challenges!


The first card is for the letter 'B'. The challenge was to either make a card geared toward 'b'oys, or to just use a stamp set that began with the letter B. I decided to go with a stamp set and used 'Basket Full of Fun'. Thats a perfect set to use right now as southcentral Alaska is in the peak of its fall season, with yellows and golds on the trees surrounding us. For the layout I used this weeks sketch challenge on Splitcoast .

More photos of Alaska can be found on my photo website.


Supplies(all supplies Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps: Basket Full of Fun

Paper: More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Autumn Tradtions DSP

Ink: Black StazOn, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Elegant Eggplant ribbon, Versamark, Blender Pen, Dimensionals, Heat Gun, Copper color embossing powder

CSAYL #34

We are now in the double digit countdown for Christmas, wooohooo! I'm planning my decorations, meals, gifts....everything! Thanks to CSAYL I've got a great stash of Christmas cards going on and since I'm the type to get them ready and addressed in October I feel like I'm practically done already :) If anyone out there loves to get Christmas cards feel free to drop me a line and we can exchange cards this year! I think its so much fun to get cards from across the country(and the world!).

Ok, enough babbling :) We are on week 34 over at CSAYL and Maria has provided a sketch as this weeks challenge:

I've had some new items sitting here, waiting for use, so I brought those out. I just got 2 new stamp sets and they are clear stamps, which is something I've never used before. I've always preferred wood-mounted and I'm not the type that likes change :) However, I saw the release of this penguin set by Sweet and Sassy Stamps and I had to give the clear stamps a try. I ADORE penguins! With this card I also used some colors that arent really traditional Christmas colors but I'm really pleased with how the card came out! As always, thanks for taking a moment to check my card out!

Supplies Used(all supplies Stampin'Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamps- Waddle I do by Sweet and Sassy Stamps

Paper-Basic Black,Garden Green,Whisper White, PP by S.E.I.

Ink- Black StazOn,Garden Green

Accessories-SU Markers, SU watercolor pencils, CB D'Vine folder, Basic Black and Whisper White ribbon,small tag punch,dimensionals,scalloped circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, ticket corner punch

Sunday Stamps starts again!

My friend Holly, over at Inka Dinka Doodle, has started her Sunday Stamps challenge again! She is using the alphabet this time around also but is throwing a twist into it this time....like for 'A' she wants us to either use a set that begins with the letter A or create a card with apples on it somewhere! I have one set that has apples, and since she used that set for her card I didnt want to be a copycat :) LOL Instead I chose to use the set 'Autumn Days'. Although the calendar says summer we have definitely entered autumn here in my neck of the woods! These are some of the colors that surround me right now, and I tried to bring a bit of that into my card.....

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

Stamps: Autumn Days, sentiment from Small Sayings

Paper: Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Whisper White, Autumn Traditions DSP

Ink: Versamark, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede, Ruby Red, More Mustard,Glorious Green,Close To Cocoa

Accessories: Oval punch, sponge, brads

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

A call for help

Very recently there was a devastating fire in the Alaskan village of Kotzebue.Kotzebue lies on the western coast of Alaska,33 miles north of the Arctic Circle. Like small towns and villages all over, when something tragic happens people pull together, and this is no different. Under my links section I list 2 particular blogs related to Kotzebue. I love the way these ladies share what life is like in their Village and now they are asking for help. Here is a re-post of their blogs, and you can also go to Cathy's blog or Maija's blog. For every $10.00 donation not only do you help these folks out, but you also get the chance to win some REALLY cool Alaska items!

One good thing about living in a village, is the astounding help you get in the wake of a tragedy.Early Saturday morning, the residents in Kotzebue (those who were awake, or awakened by the sirens) witnessed a sight so awful, words can not describe

A house fire ravaged four homes in the middle of town. Three of those homes were completely destroyed along with the memories within them. One home was partially burned, but will survive this with a nasty scar on one side.

Those homes belonged to a father and mother, Homer and Margaret Russell, elders in our community, grandparents taking care of grandchildren, parents who raised children. Homer suffered a fractured leg and Margaret scrapes and bruises. Their daughters, Eva and her husband Henry Booth also lost their home, as did their other daughter Barbara and her husband Chuck Janitscheck, but all escaped without harm.These families lost everything.

The home that was damaged belonged to another elder, Dolly Sours, who escaped unharmed with a friend who happened to be visiting.

So...we need YOUR help!Starting today, we will be hosting an online contest for locally made products.For every $10 you donate to the family, (I'll tell you how in a bit) your name will be put into a random name generator, for a chance to win some pretty AWESOME items.So far, we have the following: (I'll post photos tomorrow, as well as other prizes as we still have them coming in from local people)

Deluxe handmade Knife By Siksu's Knives

Eskimo Kuspuk (atikluk) made by a local sewer, custom to fit YOU!

Birch Bark Basket made by a resident of the Upper Kobuk

Mukluk Keychain handsewn

Mitten Keychain Handsewn
2 jars of homemade Aqpik Jelly (made by Red Seeberger)
2 jars of homemade Blueberry Jelly

2 jars of homemade Fireweed Jelly

A beaded Barrette with Mukluks and Flowers sewn into it

Ivory Ulu Earrings

An Ivory Zipper Pull

Three Fillets of Kenai Red Salmon (Vacuum Packed, frozen)

Three Packages Alaskan Halibut (Vacuum Packed, Frozen

Matted Photos by Aqvaluq Photography

Swan Antler CarvingAnd a multitude of other fun,

and SUPER ESKIMO things!P.S. if you want to donate something, please let me know, and I'll add it to the list.Here's two ways to win:1. A SAVINGS account has been set up at WELLS FARGO Bank under the name:Rick Janitscheck (the custodian for the account)ACCOUNT: 9790207832Visit your local Wells Fargo Bank and donate in increments of $10 (ten dollars) to that account. For every $10 you donate, your name will be placed in the database. Email me the confirmation of donation to: finnskimo@hotmail.com2. Write a check to: KOTZEBUE HOUSE FIRES, and send it to me, "C/O Maija Lukin PO BOX 1350, Kotzebue, AK 99752" and email me the amount and I'll put your name into the database.The drawing will be held Friday, September 25th.

Witnessing the fire only gives you an awareness of your vulnerability on this earth. A year and ten months ago, my aunt and cousin died in a house fire. Several months ago, a Selawik family with young children lost their home to a fire. Fire's rattle my nightmares, and shake me to the bone.What else can I do? I don't know, but what I can do is help.Thank you for your support and help. The residents of Kotzebue really appreciate it!