It's a scrappy Blog Party .....

.... Good evening - I'm late today with my post, but that's because we went shopping this morning for new winter coats.  Ones that will be just right for winters in Michigan where temperatures can get really low; averages of between 2° to -5°C in December to 0° to -7°C in January and February.  However, there have been record lows of -30°C in January!!!!! And that's COLD.

When I got home I realised that I hadn't made anything for this month's Blog Party over at Waltzingmouse Stamps.  The theme for this month's Blog Party is GRATITUDE.  I opted to do something COMPLETELY different to my usual - I've done a scrapbook layout!!!  I used the layout from the new scrapbook challenge at My Favourite Things.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Pic Nic Patterns, North Shore, My Island, Yonder Star Background, Playful Pinwheels, Blessed by You; My Favourite Things - Document Days & Dates
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Primrose Petals; Memento - Grey Flannel; Stazon - Jet Black
Dies: Die-namics - Jumbo Fishtail Banner STAX
Accessories:  SU Card - Basic Grey, Primrose Petals, Whisper White; Bo Bunn7 - Vicki B Fabuloso; SU Ribbon - Raspberry Ripple; Stickers from stash; Image from Internet

I must apologise for the quality of the photos - it's dark now and I've had to take photos under my daylight bulb - I'll try to replace them tomorrow!  Why is this layout suitable for a theme of Gratitude?  Well, I'm thankful for my family, for the time we get to spend together, for the wonderful holiday we had in California this year, for the love and support of my wonderful husband Jonathan.  The photos show Jonathan and Kathryn having a fabulous time in the sun and at play, and I had lots of fun putting together this layout.  The purple border is not part of the layout - it's simply my foam stamping pad!!

I've taken a few close up shots of the photos and the tag which comes out from behind the photo!   I stamped the panel behind the photos with Yonder Star - seemed appropriate for a California layout

That's all for now - I'm off to get dinner for us all.  I'll be back later to join in the Blog Party.  It's the last one this year and it's a super theme to finish on.  Thanks to all the team at Waltzingmouse for hosting the Blog Party and to Claire for designing such super stamps!  See you soon.

St Luke's Charity Card Challenge ......

...  It's time for the November challenge at St Luke's Charity Card Challenge, and it is a sad one for us all.  This will be our last challenge, played entirely for fun, we are no longer accepting any new cards to sell for the hospice.  Tara explains the reasons here.

Our theme for this month is Traditional Christmas - I know I still have lots of cards to make, so the theme has helped me get a move on!!  I have two cards to share with you.

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - 2011 Hoiliday Ornaments
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Fired Brick
Spellbinders: Fleur de Lis Squares (S4-126) #4, Squares Lg (S4-126) #6, Lacey Squares (S4-295) #3, 2011 Heirloom Ornaments (S4-334) #3
Accessories: Design Paper - Papermania Classic Christmas Red; Gold embossing powder, Card from stash

I used this week's Mojo Monday - MOJO265 sketch for the layout, obviously going with the square!!!  There is very little stamping on this card - lots of layers with the different papers and vellum using my Spellbinder dies.  I finished off with a gorgeous gold bauble and simple red sentiment.  A traditional red and gold card!!

Stamps: My Favourite Things - Christmas set
Inks: Versamark; Distress - Black Soot
Spellbinders: Circles Sm (S4-116) #3
Accessories: Design Paper - Papermania Classic Black Christmas; Silver embossing powder, Card from stash

My second card is a little more contemporary with a black and silver colour theme.  I used this month's My Favourite Things - Guest Designer challenge - MFTGD1112 for the layout.  Once again there is very little stamping on the card, lots of papers though.  I stamped this fabulous text Christmas tree in Versamark, heat embossed in silver and then cut it out.  I added some distress ink to define the edges.

For more inspirational Christmas cards click on the links below:

Tara Cardwell, Jenny Mullens, Anne Forrest, Sylvie Colledge, and Lynne Atkinson.

We have a bumper prize for you this month - check out the photos!!  We look forward to seeing your cards for Christmas.

Before I sign off - I'd like to thank Tara for inviting me to join the team.  I've had a great time working with all the girls - it's been fun!!  See you soon.

Luv U ....

.... I've used a couple of challenges to make this card:

• My Favourite Things - MFTGUESTDT1012  for the layout
• The Ribbon Reel - RR38 - Damask Delight - a fabulous inspiration photo

Stamps:  Die-namics - Pretty Pocket, Vanity License
Inks:  Stampin' Up! - Soft Suede; Versamark
Dies: Die-namics - Vanity License Die; Spellbinders - Scalloped Circles Sm (S4-125) # 4, Circles Sm (S4-116) # 5
Accessories:  Martha Stewart Punch; SU - Soft Suede Card, Very Vanilla Card,  Bridesmaid Paper (Very Vanilla) (discontinued); Perfect Pearls, Ribbon from stash

I really like the inspiration photo for this week's Ribbon Reel challenge - it's so feminine, so elegant.  Just like my Mum and this is her birthday card.  I think the soft neutral palette with just a hint of teal and pink is gorgeous.  I made the card base from some SU card.  For the damask finish, I used SU Bridesmaid paper (sadly now discontinued).  I cut a panel of soft suede card, punched a lace border and stamped some flowers and leaves in Versamark and added Perfect Pearls to give subtle colour.  Next I made an arch from Very Vanilla card, adding a subtle edge with my SU pen.  I cut a couple of circles using my Spellbinders and layered vines, flowers and a star from the Pretty Pocket set.  They had been stamped and embossed on Very Vanilla card and coloured with Perfect Pearls.  I finished off with this fabulous license plate die and a sentiment "Luv U".

It took me ages to get a decent photo of the card - it was so grey earlier this morning, but the sun is out now and view from my window is fab!  But goodness me, it was cold this morning!  We woke to temperatures of -4°C (25°F) this morning and a heavy frost.  The cold has come early - perhaps this is a sign of things to come!  That's all for now - see you tomorrow.