Just saying hello

Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Christmas!
I had lots of fun making food, wrapping presents, surprising people, and just being with my family. :)
Ooo, and I got some new things too (like twinkling H2O's) that I'm figuring out right now - I'm kinda stepping out of my patterned paper comfort zone, and messing around more with stamps. It's actually really fun, experimenting with this and that - it makes me really feel creative. :)

So, speaking of creative, thought from now until the first of January, I'd share with you a card that uses/utilizes something (a product, technique, etc.) that at the beginning of 2010, I never thought I'd do/try.

First off, a card I made for my Hero Arts WAD...

I hadn't done anything aside from plain stamping or paper piecing on my projects until I got this beautiful stamp, so this watercolor stamping was really new.

Well, just a quick post as I have a lot of catching up to do - thing to organize, rooms to clean, blogs to visit, etc. ;)

Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful day!


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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS, Hero Arts, SU!
Image: Hero Arts "Wild Bouquet"
Ink: Distress Inks
Colored pencils: Prisma
Trim: Websters Pages bloomers

Tools: trimmer, scissors, watercolor paper, adhesive, paintbrush, water

Notice...

Hi all!
Just wanted to let you know that I will be taking this week off from blogging to spend time with my family and to celebrate Christmas. :)
Hope you have a blessed and very merry Christmas!!
Hugs!
Clare

Happy wishes

Hey all!

Thanks so much for the super sweet comments on my layout - makin' me wanna try another one. ;)

I made this card for this weeks Waltzingmouse sketch, and I was totally inspired by Savitri Wilders card. :)

I actually took the blue rose off of the ribbon after pictures...I can't decide if I like the card better with it, without it, or with the yellow rose....oh, all the agonizing decisions we papercrafters must make!

And then the butterflies...also notice that beautiful blue pearl? Hero Arts yummy-liciouness! Mmmm!

So, I've been thinking, should/do I need to write down instructions for the cards? Shabby cards like this kinda take awhile to explain, and just wondering if it's helpful to anybody.


Now I want to share some of my latest finds;
Why haven't I seen THIS before?!
THIS is a super cool idea - already sent some people that list! 
THIS song is the current most popular Christmas song around the house - we seriously listen to it, finish it, listen to it, finish it, on and on and on....getting a little old now. ;)
Yum! THIS is making my mouth water - gotta try the challenge and recipe!
Want WANT THIS!


Well, now that you've made it through this link-bogged post, congrats! ;)
Thanks for leaving the super sweet comments, and have an awesome day!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: Crate "Restoration", Cosmo Cricket "Honey Pie"
Stamps: Hero Arts "Thinking of You messages"
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain"
Ribbon: Seam binding available HERE
Pearls: Hero Arts, Basic Grey
Flower: Remembrance
Other: Doily available HERE

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, sewing machine, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities

the twins

I don't scrap. Ever.

....hardly.

This is my second attempt at scrapbooking, and I think I like the 8 1/2 x 11 format better than 12x12. 8 1/2 x 11 seems more cardy-ish, so I relate. But I can't really relate to taking pictures of layouts...I guess I'll always stink at that. ;)

Anyways, I used the Embellish challenge, and surprisingly had a fun time. I even made a card to match the layout!

I think the one part I really don't like about scrapbooking is the writing part. I just don't like the idea of my hand-writing mussing up the page. Or that someone won't like what I wrote. Or I'll hate what I wrote. Not very conducive to creative writing.
But moving on...

I cut out all twenty-one circles with my Fiskars punch, stamped the butterflies, and then sewed 'em down.
Ooo, and those chipboard letters? Making Memories, but they were pink, so I covered 'em up with green cardstock, and sanded them down.

Here's that matching card...

So two projects in one post - hope that makes up for the lack of posting the past few days. ;)

Thanks for stopping in, and have great Sunday!

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Layout recipe
Cardstock: LSS, Bazzil
Patterned paper: K&Company
Stamps: Martha Stewart
Ink: Tim Holtz "Distress Ink"
Chipboard letters: Making Memories

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, sewing machine, printer, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Fiskars circle punch

Card recipe:
Cardstock: LSS
Patterned paper: K&Company
Stamps: Martha Stewart, Hero Arts "Tree, Birds and Messages"
Ink: Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain" and "Peeled Paint"
Pearls: Hero Arts


Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, sewing machine, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, Fiskars circle punch

Hero Arts blog hop!

Hello there!
No, I'm not participating in another blog hop; I just wanted to let you know of one that's going to be happening this Friday!
Check out the Hero Arts blog hop on December 10th for previews of the new stamps from the 2011 catalog!

 Click the image for more information!

And, as promised, I have a new project to share with you, and what could be more fitting than a Hero Arts project? ;)

Instructions: Cut and score base, rounding corners. Cut patterned paper, and adhere to base. Stamp sewing pattern onto edge of patterned paper. Cut and emboss die, and stamp images and sentiment on it. Stamp butterfly, and adhere to stamped die cut. Adhere die cut to base. Distress edges of card base with ink.

Sorry for the crummy photo - it's been snowing the past two weeks, so now I can't really go outside and take pictures. :(

Anyways, I also promised to post the master winner list for the SSC Blog Hop - if you just go back one post, you can find the winner. :)

Thanks so much for stopping in, and have a wonderful day!

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Card recipe
Cardstock: Unknown
Patterned paper: Cosmo Cricket "Honey Pie"
Stamps: Hero Arts "Music Background", "Dolls", "Sew Artsy", Martha Stewart butterfly
Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Martha Stewart pink ink

Tools: trimmer, adhesive, scissors, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug

Blog hop winner announced!

Hi!
Sorry for the late posting - we had SO many participants in the hop, some of the ladies still have to get back with their winners! ;)

But, I couldn't leave ya hanging, so I thought I'd post my winner, with the master list coming soon.
I used Random.Org, and out of 94 (adding the extra chances for those who became followers, but forgot to add the extra comment), it picked #47, which is....(drum roll).....Trina!

Congrats Trina! If you will just e-mail me your address (you can find my e-mail near the top, with the tabs), I'll send your package out ASAP! :)

Thanks again ladies for making this hop SO much fun and such a success!! I was honestly astounded with the number participants and than the ladies projects that were inspired by the hop! 

Oh, and one little hint - I will be hosting another giveaway in the near future, so keep a watch out for that. ;)

I will be back again soon with the promised master winner list, and a new project!

EDIT:
Master list of winners


Nikki's Blog - Simply AJ

Tammy's Blog - AnnFran

Rona's Blog - Jennifer Scull

Amy's Blog - Amy picked a winner and contacted them personally

Pryn's Blog - Evie

Clare's Blog - Trina

Theresa's Blog - Marilyn Nimmo

Simply Scrapping Crafts First Annual Holiday Hop

Welcome to Simply Scrapping Crafts First Annual Holiday Hop! We have quite a line-up for you today filled with lots holiday inspired goodies! Our DT has been busy at work in Santa’s workshop creating a sled full of gorgeous holiday projects to help you decorate, scrapbook or use for gifts! Be sure to comment all of the blogs along the way because we have "hidden" some extra special treats along the way. There is no way to tell where we have them stashed, so be sure not to miss out! Some of our hop hosts are giving an extra entry for becoming a follower. Who doesn't appreciate more chances to win right? All winners will be announced on Tuesday, December 7th, 2010 via the DT blogs and also in the hop room at SSC, which can easily be accessed HERE You have until 11:59PM EST tonight, December 4th, 2010 to comment for your chance to win. All you need to do is click on each link and leave a comment as you hop along to the end of the list. 
Are you ready for a Holly Jolly Holiday Hop? Let's get hoppin'!

Maureen  http://stampandscrapwithmaureen.blogspot.com/
Theresa  http://procrastinatingscrapper.blogspot.com/
Nikki http://gracie33.blogspot.com/
Rona  http://scraprona.blogspot.com/
Colleen  http://cardsdelight.blogspot.com/
Amy  http://amybeansblog.blogspot.com/
------> Clare  http://bearydocardsinc.blogspot.com/ <-------
Pryn  http://mochavation.blogspot.com

Tammy http://tmaynard.blogspot.com/

 Lots'o super fabulous, super talented girls there, so make sure you don't miss a blog! ;) You should've come here from Amy's blog - make 110% sure you didn't miss this papercrafting-extraordinaire's blog!

Now on to my project....

I decided to go out of the box (excuse the pun) and make an ornament, and than a box to complete it.

 Inside the box....

 I didn't have any "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" stamp sentiments, so I had to leave the rest of the sampler blank

Recognize that house? I used it on the last hop - gotta love Hero Arts! :)

 The cross-stitched house was only my second attempt at cross-stitching, so the back looks pretty terrible - but I won't show you that! ;)

So, I tried making a video tutorial of the box, but that didn't work out - I was unhappy with how the ribbon came out the first time, so I took it out and messed around with it for about five more minutes....looked kinda dumb on video! ;) Than I actually DID make a video showing the box IRL, and the giveaway, but as I uploaded it to You-tube, it came out all weird and fuzzy. :( If you want to try to 'decode' the fuzzy video and maybe catch a glimpse of the giveaway, than it is HERE.

If you don't have the patience to sit/skip through the funky video, I'll tell what is in the giveaway package; stamps, LOTS of Christmas paper, and pretty embellishments. :)

To be entered in this giveaway;

1. Leave a comment telling me the nicest thing a crafty buddy has done for you this year

2. Become a follower of my blog (if you already are, leave an additional comment)

That's it!

Thanks SO much for stopping in - I hope you're enjoying the hop! Now onto the uber sweet and funny Pryn!

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Supply list:

Cardstock: Unknown

Patterned paper: Basic Grey 'Blush'

Stamps: Hero Arts 'Mi Casa', and 'Musical Background'

Ink: Staz-on, Tim Holtz "Walnut Stain", Martha Stewart

Ribbon: Seam binding

Other: holly and ivy, tissue paper

Another something coming your way soon...

Hello there!
Well, things are chilling a little bit down here, so my plan is to get around to everyone's blogs soon - I've been sorely neglecting them, I'm afraid! :(
But anyways, wanted to pop in and share a little something with you....

That's right! SSC is hosting another fun/giveaway filled blog hop! Make sure you don't miss out on this one, because the girls have pulled off some AMAZE-ing stuff!
And for my Hero Arts friends, I will be giving you a special sneak peek regarding the giveaway on Saturday via the Flickr group, so keep your eyes open! :)

Hugs!
Clare