Christmas Card Blog Hop

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!

Welcome to our Christmas Card Blog hop! We hope you will join us to see how talented these crafters are and to get inspiration and ideas for your own holiday cards. Here's the entire line up in case you get lost:

1. Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com
2. http://pinkpolkadotscrapping.blogspot.com
3. Shelly Lynn -  http://kccroppers.blogspot.com
4. Sandra Merritt  http://merritt-vergaray-connection.blogspot.com/  ~you are here~

1. Dena Jones :  http://missdjones.blogspot.com/
2. Shawnee ~http://quiverofangels.blogspot.com
3. Beth ~ http://motherdaughterdesigns.blogspot.com
4. Tonya http://www.creativeaddictiontopaper.blogspot.com/
5. Ashley W ~ http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
6. Dana T : http://danascraftycorner.blogspot.com

Please begin your hopping at Lorby's World; she has a drawing with some special holiday bling and string to give one lucky winner. All the details on how to get qualified are on her blog.

Now on with the cards and holiday cheer...

mine is really fast and simple; great for a large quantity of cards all at once.

Thank you for hopping today and please continue on to Dena Jones

Christmas pom pom earrings and a table runner

Step 1

Supplies:
1)  needle and thread
2)  red, green, gold or silver mini pom poms
3) 6 brass head pins 2" nickel plated; bend the pin head up to make a ring.
4) wire cutters
5) pliers
6) earrings






Step 1: thread a pom pom onto your thread but leave a long tail to tie a knot with.

Step 2: thread your head pin onto the same yarn and tie a knot twice and trim.  if you like you can add tacky glue or something to keep the knot tied permanently.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 3: line up the pom poms to the height you wish and cut the pins to line up.

Step 4: adding one pin at a time and using your pliers twist the top of the pin into a second loop and secure with flat pliers so that it hangs on the earring

I saw some beautiful earrings like this at Wal-mart but I really didn't want to pay $5.00 for a pair.  these cost me a lot less and they're just as awesome!

I made this holly and poinsettia table runner for a mantle decoration but we don't have a mantle so it's going on a box we're using as a coffee table.  Or in my case a Hot cocoa table!  I got the pattern for the holly leaves from: crochetgeek.com and the poinsettia pattern from: planetjune.com 

this will be entered into the decorate to celebrate challenge: http://decoratetocelebrate.blogspot.com/

Happy Crafting everyone!

p.s. I didn't make any cards this week since I've been focusing on getting Christmas presents made and wrapped.  I'll have some soon

Mojo Monday, CardzTV, Thanksgiving a busy bee & announcement!

Today I have a layout and a card for you.  The card is for Mojo Monday and uses their sketch for this week.  I used my we r memory keepers reindeer stamp and  colored him in with colored pencils.  I then used "falala" and "no peeking" from studio G and colored those in as well.  the noel sentiment is from some stamps from Joann.  I have no clue what their  called (sorry).                                         Challenge:                                                     Mojo Monday~ Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

Here is the layout.  its a scene of a pilgrim and Native American girl eating turkey... i know the turkey is huge compared to them. :)  the flowers in a mason Jar is from my MIL's craft room and the harvest fall subway art can be found on silhouette.

 Challenges:
Cardz Tv~Scene it: http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2012/11/scene-it-ctv-stamps-dt-challenge-19.html
A Busy Bee~thanksgiving & turkey: http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/2012/11/gobble-gobble-turkey-page-for-my.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Doubleclick-AkaAbusybee+%28DoubleClick+++-+AKA+Abusybee%29&utm_content=Yahoo%21+Mail

this is just going to be quick because i'm supposed to be studying my nutrition and Exercise therapy books to get my elite trainer I certification.  I did pass everything else and am now a certified personal trainer! :D so exciting!  so like I said before i'll be having a party here soon to celebrate that.  I'll let you know more details as I go.

Don't forget on December 15th, I'll be taking part in a blog hop all about Christmas Cards!  Keep an eye out for that also.

in the meantime...
Happy Crafting Everyone!

TCM nov. sketch, ISSC#42, SOUS L.O. sketch.

I made this page for my 4 year old who lost her first baby tooth earlier this month.  I used the Dear toothfairy file from Lettering delights and paper from DCWV Nana's nursery.  isn't she just the cutest?   

Challenge:  Stuck on You L.O. sketch: http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-9-sketch-challenge.html

   I found this stamp from studio G and knew I wanted to use it on a christmas card.  I paper pieced each piece so that it wasn't all just one color and used the sketch on I Spy Sketches.  the paper is from a 6x6 pack from Stampin' Up!  hope you like it...
Challenge: ISSC#42: http://ispysketches.blogspot.com/

This Christmas card uses some of my scraps and some beautiful snowflake yarn by studio G.  I dry embossed snowflakes onto white cardstock and inked green along the right side.  I love Christmas colors and so I knew I wanted to use blue, green & red as my main colors.  the sentiment is by studio G and says, "My true love gave to me".  the clock is by the Crafts Meow from their Vintage Clocks stamps.  I stamped it in brown but my ink pad is old so i went over it all with a tombo pen in brown, blue & gold.  then I used red and green colored pencils for the background of the clock and added Studio G rhinestones and white dots using a ZIG marker.

Challenges: The Crafts Meow November sketch: http://thecraftsmeowshop.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-sketch-challenge_17.html

I have less then an hour till my CPR/ AED certification so I'll show the rest of my creations tomorrow.  Happy Crafting everyone!

2 cards and some socks

based off of Stuck on You card sketch

Based off the Retro sketches weekly sketch

I have a couple Christmas cards for you today and a pair of knit socks!    I made the green ribbon on both card at home with my sewing machine and using some of the streamers from my daughter's birthday party last weekend.  the rhinestones are from porters as are the cute little ginger bread people buttons.  In order to get them to lay flat I cut the circle from the button off with a pair of wire cutters.  I used my scraps of course and the snowflake embossing folder with my cuttlebug.  On the red card i used The Crafts Meow background stamp from Lovely ovals and some white ink from studio G.

Challenges:

Retro sketches:  http://retrosketches.blogspot.com/

Cut it up Challenges:  http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/

SOUS November 7th card card sketch: http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-7th-card-sketch.html?showComment=1353265168800#c2203788500064343007

Here are the socks I knit for my husband.  I finished yesterday.  I'd promised him a pair of socks to match the glommits and scarf I made for him 4 years ago.  Since he doesn't wear scarves I frogged it and knit up a pair of socks for him.  the cuffs were a little loose on him so I took my elastic thread and thread it through.  it looks funny since I added the elastic afterward but it works and he likes them.  hopefully i'll have some more projects for you all later or tomorrow.

Happy Crafting Everyone!

Quick update as to why i've been missing lately...

As most of you know I've been working on my finals to become a certified personal trainer.  Thanks to all those who helped me and encouraged me along the way. It meant the world to me that you cared enough to leave me some encouragement. I just received my confirmation email and i'm now allowed to use their logo. I'll be adding it to my blog as soon as i revamp the health and fitness section of it. Thats right i'm a certified personal trainer! Yipee!

So as soon as i get my certificate i think i'll host a little party here at the Merritt Vergaray connection! I'll let you know when that'll be.

Happy crafting everyone

more challenges: JSL, HIMCR, ISSC41, CYP, RCS

Today I've been focusing on my finals and oh boy I can't wait till i'm done with them.  Monday I have CPR/AED training and then if I have passed all portions of the test and satisfactorily completed the six essays I'll be certified!  So I can relate to this cute little bear, I feel like I can sleep on a bonsai tree right about now and be just as comfortable.  I used some scrap papers, and green tissue paper from my daughter's birthday party.  The sentiments are from The Craft's Meow, the ink is paintbox by Colorbox, the picture is from Just Some Lines, and the sketch is from ISpy Sketches this week.

This cute little card is for my nephew, Wulf, for his birthday... even though it doesn't say anything birthday related.  I wanted it to be more boy oriented; hope you like it.  And as you've probably guessed i'm entering it into some challenges.  I wrote down all the challenges I like to enter into and what the special guidelines are all in one notebook.  Then I separate the ones that will work together in a separate internet screen and knock them out one at a time.  It makes it rally easy to keep track of giving credit where credit is due.  

so here are the challenges:

Just Some Lines: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle~ http://justsomelinesblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/reduce-reuse-recycle.html
Hiding In My Craft Room: Scraps~ http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/
I Spy Sketches #41~ http://www.ispysketches.blogspot.co.uk/
Craft Your Passion: CAS card~ http://craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/
Red Carpet Studio: Masculine Cards~ http://redcarpetstudiochallenge.blogspot.com/

I'll have another Card either tonight or tomorrow.  Happy Crafting Everyone!

Birthday party and sewing saturday

Allison's 2nd birthday party went well.  Like her sisters it was all family.  we had spaghetti, ice cream cake, fruit and played.  She loved it! My house is small so everything looks like a mess but here is the place all decorated (the night before).

My older daughter caught me sewing and wanted a pillow and blanket for her baby.  This is a repurposed camisol :)  she loves it as you can see.

It wouldn't be sewing Saturday without some newer projects.  Here is the cat benie I made for my new niece  Sunna, for Christmas   we'll finally get to meet her next month.

I finally finished as much as I can on Gwenna's dress.  It looks odd to me and unfinished but I couldn't find black lace anywhere.  I guess it was out of stock at Walmart because the sewing section looked barren during Halloween and I haven't found exactly what i'm looking for since before then.

Here is a dragon hat for my nephew, Braxton, for Christmas.  We're having a reunion during Christmas and i'm so excited.  Hopefully I get to try some of the newer patterns I have for my other nephews.

They have the choice between a dragon, a cat, viking, bear, bunny, a pumpkin or an apple.  these patterns can be found at fleecefun.com and these patterns are free.










Things I used:
http://www.fleecefun.com/
polar fleece
fiber fill
Brother LS-1520
McCall's pattern 3737

My other news:  I took my girls to get their yearly checkup and I brought up the bump that has been gracing my daughter's belly for over a year now.  the Dr. took it seriously this time (note: different Dr. same office) and she's scheduled to see a surgeon later this month.  I've noticed that she's a picky eater but just thought it was her age.  she hasn't outgrown it in the last 3 years and now she tells me she doesn't like to eat cause it hurts her tummy (right where the bump is);  her growth has slowed a little but not dangerously.  we're thinking it's a hernia which isn't that big a deal but please keep her in your prayers that she continues to grow healthy and that that is all that it is.

Thanks & happy Crafting everyone!

fall card for SOUS Nov. 2

Here's a little fall card for stuck on you sketches: http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/  I used a crayon stamp from my set, some ink from Stampin' Up! in orange, forest, and brown.  I got the pilgrim from the silhouette online store and the "Happy Fall!" sentiment is from The Craft's Meow.  thanks for stopping by.  

Happy Crafting everyone!

projects

Yesterday my husband and I were cleaning out our shed and cleaning it up a bit; I also needed to work through the boxes and find clothes for our youngest, my college diploma and I found some more old journals.  I found this sweater I crochet for my youngest daughter when she was about a month old.  I never added buttons or a zipper although I have a zipper for it.  This second picture is of the first scarf I crochet for my husband; I made him a hat on a knifty knitter that matched and had a heart on it, which was stole at his work, oh well.  I also crochet myself a matching scarf.  Mine was red and gold and both made from some soft, sparkly yarn I found at a dollar store near Granite Falls, WA.

Next I have a bookmark that I cross stitched from a kit from Joann.  I found it in this old journal.

I have a simple layout for you also, Here is my first day of Christmas page with an ornament partridge.  I'll post pics of what I give to Jared when I get prints and actually do it.  This is going to be entered in at Red Carpet Studios. http://redcarpetstudiochallenge.blogspot.com/ 

So for the silhouette's letter to Santa contest I printed off the letter and stamped "Define 'Good'" from studio G.  I wrote: "I have been very good this year.  I've made sure to always tell my kids I love them and to listen to the things my husband says whether or not it's the billionth time I've heard it.  I also decided to course correct and am getting help.  And I never ever follow through on the bad punishments my 'Wonderful' kids may demand through their actions. (that is to say I haven't destroyed them)  I have included a complete wish list on the back of this letter, but the silhouette product I would most like to have is a monthly subscription.  If i found that under my tree on Christmas morning, I would be very happy because I could use it to save money on the awesome files in the store (that are now on my extensive wishlist).    Thank you Santa, Sandra M."  and below is my silhouette wish list

And here is a cute little Christmas card using scraps and using my studio G stamp "falala", a Joann stamp (tree), and my new Pink by Design stamps from the set "Black Friday".  I used the Mojo Monday sketch and that is the challenge I made this for.
Mojo266: http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/

Happy Crafting everyone!

Good Morning!

Good morning all my crafting friends :) as you probably can tell, right now, i'm a total morning person.  I love it! I feel like I have a whole new day ahead of me and tons of energy, usually, to accomplish anything.  anyway.  i'm not posting to tell you about the sunrise, I have 2 new cards to share & some information.

First the cards:

for my first one I used the sketch over at Peachy Keen Stamps.  I paper pieced this cute little kitty (fibi or lilly) holding a pumpkin from The Crafts Meow fall blessings stamp set. The sentiment is from the same set just FYI.  I used scrap pieces of paper, as they're overflowing my storage system, and used orange and black polka dot as well as yellow studio G ribbon.  It does look a little Halloween-ish but to me Gold, Orange & Black say autumn.

Challenges:

CASology~orange: http://casology.blogspot.com/

Paper playtime~ Autumn colors:http://paperplaytime.blogspot.com/

Peachy Keen Stamps~ November sketch:http://peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2012/11/peachy-keen-challenge-42-sketch.html

Cardz TV~ Thankful:http://cardztv.blogspot.com/2012/11/im-so-thankful-ctv-stamps-dt-challenge.html

Cut It Up~Thankful:http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/2012/11/give-thanks-with-twist-challenge-5.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FviBXK+%28Cut+It+Up%29

Hiding in my craft room~Color challenge~ your choice:http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/

My second card for today is a christmas card using the ISSC40 sketch and will be for that challenge (http://ispysketches.blogspot.com/).  I used an oval from The Craft's Meow lovely ovals set and cut out the center,  ColorBox red ink pad, kind of difficult because my 2 year old tried to eat it and totally destroyed it but it still had some ink in it so I used it,  Studio G ribbon, green & gold paper scraps, and a blue ink pad from Marvy Matchables with a snowflake stamp from Joann.  I didn't add a sentiment to the front because I thought it looked complete.  I also used foam adhesive mini circles to pop up the oval and the snowflake.  

Hope you like my cards so far today.  Hopefully I'll be able to create some more for you all; My finals are on Friday though and I think i'll pass but I want to study some more just in case.  I also have my first group meeting tonight and I need to hit the gym some time today.  I also have a gazillion Christmas projects to sew &/or knit and my daughter's birthday party on Saturday so I might not be able to post till things calm down a little.  

Now for my big news!

If all goes well between today and Dec. 15th, I'll be taking part in another blog hop!  This time about Christmas Cards.  You're welcome to come hop with us and I may have some blog candy for someone. :) stay tuned on that.

Now, i'm off to take the kids to their Dr. Appt.

Happy Crafting everyone!

some cute things for the kids :)

I wanted to share some treat bags I made for my daughters birthday party this weekend.  I used the once upon a time and happily ever after graphic files from lettering delights to make the toppers and printed them out on my kodak printer.  the items are all from the dollar store so it was easy and fun to assemble with my older daughter, Gwenna.  I have more decorations to come soon.  

 This is a birthday card I made the other day and I wasn't sure if I shared it yet or not but I really thought all the balloons were cute.

Also my daughters wanted to get in on the Christmas cards I was making so they chose the image they wanted colored and glued it to a card base I had prepared for them.  

Challenge:
Decorate to Celebrate~birthday: http://decoratetocelebrate.blogspot.com/

first post in a while...& probably 1st today

Good morning... noon all my crafty friends.  today i'll probably post throughout the day with different projects in stead of posting them all at the same time. My nephew is visiting from Utah and we don't have a ton of time with him or his parents.  and we'll be going to church at 1pm our time so I'll have to take a break to get ready and enjoy.  so today I have 3 projects done so far...

 This first pic. is of some decorations I used for my Alice in Wonderland party.  They had feet but were easier to store without them.  aren't they cute?  It's not the best picture but  I had to share.  

Challenge: 
Surprise Birthday Party http://decoratetocelebrate.blogspot.com/















This next pic. is of a birthday card I made using  the crafts meow stamps and their challenge layout. 

Challenges this one is entering:

The Crafts Meow Nov. sketch http://thecraftsmeowshop.blogspot.com/

Little Scrap pieces anything goes http://littlescrappieces.blogspot.com/

And my favorite so far, just because I love Christmas, is my dry embossed card using the snowflake and Swiss dots embossing folders for cuttlebug, some paper that I loved and took a sample of  5 years ago from my MIL's stash, I knew i'd make a cute Christmas card with it & she said it was okay to take some.  the ribbon is from Walmart in their sewing section; I just loved the sparkly gold.  and the wreath is from a set of stamps my mom bought from Joann to give me for Christmas a few years ago.  I sanded the gold banners to make the white core pop and tie into the background and i added a snowflake brad to tie in the snowflakes on the back.  the happy holidays metal sentiment I got years ago from my SIL, Karena, and couldn't figure out how to hold it on (it wouldn't attach at all) so I hot glued it on.  My 3 colors for this was RED, GREEN & GOLD & I used this weeks Retro sketch #36.  

Challenges this is entering:

Retro sketches #36 http://retrosketches.blogspot.com/

Hiding in my craft room #70 http://www.hidinginmycraftroom.com/

Docerela Creations #25 Christmas http://blog.docerelashop.com/

I have to go get ready now so Happy Crafting & hopefully I'll have more for you later today!

Some lovely cards for Christmas!

I love the holidays and I can't help but make things to give to people.  Usually we do a holiday letter and card to friends and family but this year I wanted to make some hand made cards and then just mail a pic. with the card.  Each one unique (& documented here) and no leftovers that we can't use next year.  I don't send out too many because of twitter and facebook so it's usually nothing new to those people I stay in touch with but I do have a number of friends that prefer their cards by snail mail instead of internet.  Understandable.  So here are my cards... oh and i used scraps because my scrap stash is now bigger than my paper stash... so I don't know exactly where all of the individual pieces come from.  I also used Stampin' Up! pens, colored pencils, Stampin' Up! ink pads and wooden block stamps as well as a 1 1/2" hexagon punch from creative memories, "Give thanks" stamp from the crafts meow, and die cuts from silhouette.  and the tutorial for the easle box is on Scor-pal.blogspot.com. okay... here are my cards and a layout:

This one is probably my favorite card today.  it's so simple and fun.  I based it off the sketch of the week from retrosketches.  I'm entering this in there: http://retrosketches.blogspot.com/

This one I stamped and colored with colored pencils. the hedgehogs add a bit of whimsy to an otherwise very serious wreath, i think.  this one is based off of the stuck on U sketch: http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/2012/10/2nd-card-sketch-for-october.html

I used a swirl embossing folder and my cuttlebug for this.  the ribbon is from studio G; the sketch is from ispy sketches~ ISSC39: http://ispysketches.blogspot.com/

My little easle box here is found on the scor-pal blog found Here and is for the Stuck on U sketches die cut challenge~pumpkin or vegetable: http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/2012/10/die-cut-challenge-oct-19-2012.html

And to go along with my 12 days of Christmas pages I made the 4th day to go along with the stuck on U sketch: http://stuckonusketches.blogspot.com/.  I used birds and mistletoe circle from silhouette, Hexagon journaling pattern from Patterns 'N Pens (creative memories), and the tags are dry embossed with branches and  birds with my cuttlebug.

I'll have more for everyone as I go.  I'm a stay at home mom, & in classes right now & knitting Christmas gifts so my time is a little short.  Please forgive me.  Love you all & hope you have a spook-tacular Halloween on Wednesday!  Happy Crafting Everyone!