MFP Blog Hop - Peaceful Nuthatch

Hello! Welcome to Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company's November Blog Hop!

This month's New Stamp Set Releases are

Peaceful Nuthatch

A Trip to Lancaster

What a Fox

Please hop along with us! You have a chance to win one of the above stamp sets! Just comment on the following blogs (don't forget this one), each day! We will announce all three winners on Thanksgiving Day. You can go back and comment if you missed a day. The winners will be chosen at 11PM EST on Wednesday November 23, 2011.

Here are samples of this wonderful set:

HEre's the DT to check out:

Lois

Vicky
Anne
Connie
Linda
Karen H.
Patty P.
Geri
Dawn M.
Marilynn
Chrissy
Karen K.
Pam
Debbie
Brenda T
Bonnie
Harriet
Mark's Finest Papers

Hurry Santa!

Our FS today is Tenia Sanders-Nelson.  Congratulations, t.-, you are so deserving of being honored this week.  Your CAS gallery is fabulous, and your colors are so smart!!

I cased a CAS card in my favorite colors, making one that will easily go to little ones only a year old.  Nothing to hurt fingers or mouths, which everything goes into at this age!!!

Have a great day, everyone! And enjoy, t.!!

Snowflake on lime and blue

The Inspiration Challenge today used a site called Singing Cat Studio, where there was a beautiful selection of one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.  I chose a pendant in these colors, that had a large white flower in the center.  I layered a number of different snowflakes to replace that flower...still working on my Christmas cards.  I hope you like it.  Have a nice day!

RED Barn

Today's challenge at SCS was to use pixels.....hence all the squares on which I stamped the barn from A Trip To Lancaster.  This is a new set from MFP - A Heinrich Co.  It's part of Amish-looking images and sayings...fun!

Nice sunny day today.  DH is gone to meetings, so Mom and I will make our favorite lunch, macaroni and tomatoes, with scads of BUTTER.  So delish.  Hope you're having something today that is comfort food too! See you tomorrow!

Snow in the Forest

The challenge today was to make a card based on "Baby, it's COLD outside!"  I think this looks cold....even though I'm not ready to think of winter.  We are having a bit of Indian Summer, with short sleeve weather!  It will be cold soon enough, and surely for LONG enough!  Have a great day.

Have Yourself......

For the sketch challenge this morning.  I'm getting pretty close to having all my Christmas cards done! YAY!

Have a great day, hugs to you all.

For Nate and Will

There are twins named Nate and Will who will be celebrating their 6th birthday on the 19th.  Their mom just died of breast cancer.  They are the Teapot Tuesday little people who will be receiving cards from the group.  Please contact me if  you would like to send them cards too.
I combined their cards with the Color Challenge on SCS today......green, blue, cameo.

Have a great day.  Hugs to you all!

CAS Party!

A clean and simple card should take only a few minutes, and this one did.  The cupcake frosting is paper pieced, and the rest.....punched, markered, and beribboned.  Easy peasy!

Off to the Dentist, grocery, then no plans for the rest of the day.  Make it a good one!

Back from the dentist.......I got a new RED toothbrush, and even two RED rubber bracelets...........a tooth and a toothbrush.  I have the "funnest" dentist (and the cutest!) in New England!!

FS249, Anne Harada!! YAY!

My sweet friend in Ft. Worth TX, Anne Harada, is the the Featured Stamper today at SCS.  Finally!!  She is a fabulous and creative paper crafter, and an all-around wonderful friend!!  She has a beautiful collection of cards and projects in her gallery, and always says the nicest things.  She is the very first person I "met" as a cyber pal!  Congratulations, Anne.

I changed the theme and only used punches, except for a little sentiment, for this Christmas card case.  I hope she likes it, and you do too.  Have a great day.

Inspired by Color

Surprise..........inspired by Vanilla and Peach!  I hope you can see the difference in colors...hard to photograph.  This card has no stamping, but uses my two favorite techniques, dry embossing, and punching.  It also involves my favorite embellishment, ribbon.  This birthday card will go to my cousin in Texas, who is seven months younger than I am.  Thanks for looking, have a great weekend.

Roly Poly for Karen

Don't you just love making Christmas cards........you can use RED all the time!!  This card is for the Free 4 All Challenge (use your fav embellishment - mine is ribbon!), and for the QFTD, Karen Barber.

I kept Karen's layout and signature ribbon, but changed the colors and theme.

Today, if Mom feels well enough, we'll go for a short ride in the car to Michael's.......she would like to have a scrapbook of the Get Well cards she has received from you wonderful gals!!!

The leaves are really falling now.  We have lots of Fall birthdays, so those will go out today, and in a few days, those for Thanksgiving as well.  Time flies!  Have a great day.

Layered Santa

The challenge today is to use the blank space to add a 3-D embellishment.  I made a many layered Santa with my new Martha Stewart Santa Face Punch.  There are 4 white layers, each separated by teeny tiny dimensionals, then a pink layer, a RED layer, then white again.  The sentiment is a really old SU one, but since I separate the words from the images, I have no idea which set it comes from.  The border is an EKSuccess punch.  The only face I added was a markered smiling set of eyes, and a RED nose.  I hope  you can see how layered this is. 

We are having a really dark and rainy day, and the leaves are falling FAST.  Can't believe the year is flying by so quickly.  I had a conversation with 3 of my grands this morning regarding a big gift for each of them for Christmas.  Wow!!

Have a great day.  Hugs to you all.

Jolly Santa (Thanks to Joanne - jojot)

The sketch challenge at SCS today used one by my sweet friend Joanne (jojot).......how clever of Roxie to use it!!  How amazing Joanne's layouts always are.  Hugs to you, GF!!

I never share stories of Grands, but DD told me this morning:

DGS John lost another tooth, this one with a filling in it.  He asked if the Tooth Fairy gave more money for fillings. After a brief discussion, he told my DD that the Tooth Fairy's house was made of TEETH!  Silly Boy!!

Have a great day.  I started out with a headache, but Mom is better..........so I guess it's a YAY day! 

A Two-for Tuesday

 I din't plan this, but I guess this ended up an animal day!  Above is the Teapot Challenge, to use cats and bling.  I think you could call the heart pin bling, and the ribbon has a metallic thread in it.

Below is the Color Challenge....kraft, orange, turquoise.  A tough combination!  I used a new set that will be released later this month by MFP called What A Fox.  The orange just called for this set.

Nice sunny day.......we'll be kicking back and enjoying the Fall, that finally seems to be here.  Have a good one too!

Snow, Snow, Snowman

What an easy way to combine challenges today!  The CAS was a sketch, and the TLC was to use NO stamps.  I spent five minutes with my cb, and here's another card for my holiday stash!

Off to the grocery store and drug store.  Have a nice day!

FS - Wacky Woman

Karen, our Featured Stamper at SCS is known as "1 Wacky Woman".  What a gal after my own heart!!  I consider myself a wacky woman too!  I was delighted to browse her gallery.  There are lots of really fun and funny cards, and  I felt it only proper that I make a fun card too.  I hope you like it.

We spent the day in front of the TV watching football, and we'll be doing that again today.  I have plans for Buffalo chicken wings, tacos, and other snacky type foods for dinner, since we'll be watching the Patriots.  Cross your fingers.  The defense hasn't been all that good this year, and a win after last week's fiasco would be welcome.  Enjoy your weekend!

Golden Deer

The Inspiration Challenge had wonderful RED wallpaper with golden deer heads on it.  In a room, I think it would be AWFUL!, but translated to a Christmas card done in a CAS style, I think it works.  Hope you like it.

Lazy day today, after a busy afternoon and evening.  DS and family brought steak for the grill, and we played cards for an hour after dinner.  Wonderful to have them come, wonderful to have them go home.  Today we will camp out in front of the TV to watch college football and snack.  Hope you're having an easy day too.

Tiny Treat box and Queen Vicky!

Above is the treat box I made for the Free4All challenge........it's only 2" square, just enough room for a Hershey's Kiss! 

Below is the card I made for Vicky Gould, our Queen For The Day.  I cased a masculine birthday card she made, making it a Christmas card instead.  The tall thin trees stamp is from Just In Fun, and the little does are Stampscapes.  Another addition to my Holiday stash.

Have a wonderful day.  Thanks for visiting.

Happy Day

Our challenge at SCS today was to use newspaper.  I folded a little paper airplane to use with the mouse from Eat Cake Graphics, and also stamped my favorite SU set, Lovely As A Tree.  I was lucky to have a piece of newspaper, as DH LOVES to take trips to our dump....er.....Sanitary Landfill.
Mom sat with me while I made this CAS card.  She's still not ready to try her hand at crafting.  I think her Shingles are gradually going away........if only the PAIN would.

To those of you who have sent her cards, a big HUG and THANKS from both of us.  They have really lifted her spirits.  Have a great day.

RED and white for Christmas

What a simple sketch today!  I wish I could tell you this took ten minutes, but I think it took maybe an hour!  I kept changing my mind about layers, colors, embossing folders, etc.  The ribbon isn't even a perfect match, and you'd think with all the ribbon I have, something would be just right, but NO! 

I woke early with a migraine this morning.  Coffee and fiorinial with codeine have taken the edge off, but I'm gonna have it for the day.  I hate days like this when I function at 70 %!

Mom had a bad night, lots of pain.  The Visiting Nurse comes today.  We'll be so glad when Mom is herself again.

Have a good day yourself.  See you tomorrow with, I hope, better news.

Combining Challenges

This card was made for both the color challenge and for Teapot Tuesday.  The colors are artichoke, mustard and burgundy, and the dessert is birds.  The teapot challenge was to use mosaic, and I could even find the mosaic I made from scraps of rubber (eons ago!).  This will go to someone who needs some cheering up.  I think this will work.

Have a great day!!

Two for Monday

 Above is the card I made for the TLC......Telescoping image.  It might have been easier to make if I had read the directions.........that really shows you what I am like.  Full speed ahead.  Duh!

Below is my CAS in Brown, Ivory and RED.  Guess how happy that made me!!!!  I am slowly building up my stash of Christmas cards.  Started late, but I'm gathering steam as I go!  Have a great day!!

Pink for Michelle

Our Featured Stamper at SCS today is Michelle, who has a beautiful and varied gallery from which to choose.  This is the card I made in her honor.
We got snow last night and this morning, but not the many inches we expected. YAY!  We have a number of large branches down, and one barely missed my car, but all in all, things are fine.  Mom is better today, the Patriots are playing, and I think I'll make a beef stew to have in this sudden snap of cold weather.

Have a great Sunday, hugs to you all, and ssee you tomorrow.

Tall Santa

Don't you think it's about time I made a card in a real, true RED? This fun Santa is one I will make again......isn't he merry with his RED nose???

This card is for the Inspiration Challenge which comes from the Blue Carrot Shop.  For the info, please go to my gallery at SCS......the link is on my sidebar.

Snow coming today.  We are SO NOT READY!!  What an awful year.......the seasons have been short, and totally out  of sync (or maybe it's just us!!)

Mom is gradually getting better.  Thanks to those of you who have been sending cards.  Have a great weekend.

Triangle Flap Fold

Here's the card I made this morning for two challenges, the Free For All and the QFTD, Julie.  this fold is really easy, and I was glad to make another one.

I used a marker to take just a bit of the bg of this wonderful image from Mark's Finest Papers.  The set is Christmas In The Country.

StampinB's Challenge and a 12 Days of Christmas reminder

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

This week Brenda gave us the challenge:  to make a GATEFOLD card using the letter "P".

Here is my card, using a Polar Bear cub.

This view shows the card open with the message inside
saying :

"Wishing you a Merry Christmas"



Below is the way the card will look
when it's taken out of the envelope.

The only way I could keep it together and
take a photo, was to hold it in my hand.
Please ignore those awful nails, and the 'age'
spots.  After all, I am old.  My Mom says
we are VINTAGE.

I hope you can see the cute little face on the Polar bear, and the snowflake on the tip of his nose.  I think he is really cute.  He comes from the set called "A Time To Chill" from Mark's Finest Papers.  The bg is torn paper, sponged in blue.  Please join us next Thursday for another challenge from the StampinB's!!!

Creative Belli Challenge - 1-2-3-4! and a SC Christmas card

Welcome to another in the bi-weekly Creative Belli Challenges.  This week our theme is 1-2-3-4.  I used one bird, two brads, 3 layers, and 4 images of leaves.  Remember, our motto is to use what we already have in our stash, not go out and get something new to participate!

Please add your card or project HERE so we can enjoy it too.  See  you in two weeks with another fun idea!

For the SC today, here is my card:

A Monkey Teapot and Falling RED Maple Leaves

For the MMTPT169 challenge today, we were to make a teapot with a King Kong theme.  I swear, these challenges get wilder all the time! Isn't it fun???  I posted a pic within a pic so you could see the top lifts up, and the card itself opens as well.  This will go to one of the teapotters as a "Tickle".

Below is my CC card.  The dessert feature today was dry embossing.  I used Mark's Finest Papers new little set, It's Fall Mini.  the embossing is Tim Holtz.  Hope you like these.

CAS and TLC, Plus a Reminder of the 12 Days of Christmas Hop

Here's my entry for the combined TLC and CAS today.  I hope you like it.

I used a new set from MFP called "It's Fall Mini".  I has some realaly cute images and words.

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers

Speedy's Friends Challenge #78, IC307, and a 12 Days of Christmas reminder!

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Today is Speedy's Friends Challenge #78, and the theme suggested by Linda, is to make a card or project based on your favorite holiday. I combined it with the IC challenge at SCS! My fav holiday is Christmas, and here's my card:

I'm sure it's no surprise that I chose RED as the main color!! The rest of the card uses Snowman Country from MFP, embossing, punched branches, and a nestie tag.  I hope you like it, and that you will want to take part in the challenge this week (and every week as well!).

Holly (QFTD83), F4A87, and a reminder of 12 Days of Christmas

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Today the QFTD is Holly (hollerina) at SCS.  Holly is a very compassionate person!! And what a card maker!!  I cased one of her cards as a tribute to her, and here it is:

I kept her wonderful layout but changed the theme to Christmas.  I used MFP sets, Snowman Country and Holly Greetings.

Now for the F4A87, a Triangle Flap card!  I used MFP's new set Snowball?

Mom has SHINGLES.......now we know why she was in such pain last week.  She is on meds, but it will take some time for her to get some relief.  We are NOT having fun.  I hope you are.  Hugs.

StampinB's and a reminder ....the 12 Days of Christmas

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

The StampinB's challenge today is to use SCORING.  I made a CAS card using the moose silhouette from Christmas in the Country by MFP.



Please join us in the scoring challenge, and be sure to link your card or project HERE.  Check us out again next week on Thursday!

Cardinals in Winter....and 12 Days of Christmas reminder

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Here's my card for the Sketch Challenge at SCS today.  I used the new set from MFP called Cardinals iin Wiinter.  The snowflakes are from A Time To Chill, also at MFP.

Thanks for looking, and please go see the ideas for Christmas!

Two Challenges for Tuesday.....and the 12 Days of Christmas reminder!

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Today, for the Color Challenge:

and for the Teapot Tuesday Challenge:

Thanks for looking!!

12 Days of Christmas at MFP and Monday Challenges

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting today, October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers Blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

For the challenges today at SCS, these are the entries:

For CAS - Cupcakes, I love this combination.  I think it's really funny!

And for the TLC, here is the candy holder for a door handle:

This project was easy, and I know the grands would each love one.  The only problem is.......when you eat the candy, is it still fun???!  Mom says yes.  Have a great day, thanks for looking, and please check out the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop.

Christmas Owl

How could I resist adding to the gallery for the FS this AM.  I am in love with this wonderful owl from MFP's new set, Holly Greetings!  Of course the RED bow HAD to be part of this Christmas card.  Have a great day!

Scarecrow Combo

Today I'm showing you a card I made for both the Inspiration challenge and for Speedy's Friends.  I used a brand new set from Mark's Finest Papers, called Country Thanksgiving. 
The theme for Speedy's Friends is to use a stamp more than once.  I stamped the tiny crow a second time, and put him on the Bosscut fence. Please feel free to join us, today and every Saturday on the MFP blog.

MFP Blog Hop - Day 4 Ginger Cookies

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Ginger Cookies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Ginger Cookies. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Here is my sample:

Here's the DT:

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie

Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

MFP Blog Hop Day 3 - Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter and StampinB's as well!

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!
This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.
So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)
For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Here are my samples:

Here's the DT:

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

The theme for this week's StampinB's was chosen by Joanne (jojot)...Birds, Birds, Birds. I used an older MFP set, Little Birds with Big Mouths. Please join us there too!