TESC85 Season's Greetings

Wow - it's hard to believe that October is here already. Yesterday I celebrated my 3rd Blogaversary and I have some blog candy to share with you. But before we get to that, I want to share my project for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge this week.

Using this fun sketch from Taylor, I created another Christmas card to add to those I've already finished in an attempt to be ready for the card-sending-season BEFORE it actually gets here.

Using some great papers from Basic Grey and wonderful images and sentiment from Waltzingmouse Stamps, I was able to pull this card together by adding a few stamped and cut out holly leaves nestled along with some branch punched greenery as an embellishment for my sentiment. The sentiment was stamped into the wonderful vintage tag that I stamped onto white cardstock using Vivid Brick ink.

For the circle portion of Taylor's sketch, I cut a flower in half and placed it behind a chipboard snowflake that I had painted and then added chunky glitter. A button and a bow of cream colored linen thread finished off the embellishment.

It's always fun to check out the interpretation of the sketch from the other members of the Cupcake Crew because they each have their own style that they bring every week to their creations. I hope you will take a moment and stop by and see what they have posted to inspire you:

Donna Baker

Jackie Pedro

Jami Sibley

Monika Davis

Sherrie Siemens

and of course, Taylor

Now - about that blog candy...

On October 1, 2006, I had been stamping for less than a year. My skill were very basic, but I had a huge desire to learn more. I began blogging, mainly to have a central location for me to post my projects and my processes. I didn't know if I would like blogging, but at that time everyone seemed to be jumping on the bandwagon, so I thought I would give it a try.

The blogging process has shown me what progress I have personally made in my papercrafting ability. Much of my knowledge was gained by reading the blogs of others and trying new things that stretched my abilities and pushed me in directions I may not have attempted before. The blogging process kept me motivated and actually keep me creating because once I started my blog, I felt a responsibility to keep posting to it.

I'm sorry for the poor picture, but even with the poor layout of this blog candy, I'm sure you can get a general idea. A big thank you goes out to Gina K Designs and i {heart} papers for their generous donations to this blog candy with stamps and supplies.

I hope that you will join me in the celebration of my blogaversary by posting a comment and tell me if you blog, and WHY (or why you don't) blog. By posting your reply, I'll put your name (be sure to include a way for me to contact you) into a hat to win the blog candy that I have amassed for the occasion. These items include:

1. Retro Boutique - Donated by Gina K Designs
2. Stickles-Rock Candy & Xmas Red
3. Polar White Flower Soft
4. Fired Brick Ranger Distress Ink Pad
5. Versafine - Onyx Black
6. Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad
7. Scor-Tape
8. Memento Angel Pink Ink Pad
9. Mint-Spica Glitter Pen
10. Christmas Clear Stamps by Studio G
11. Sparkle Clear Mini Messages Stamps from Hero Arts
12. Lucas the Lion & Gordie the Giraffe Stamps from the Paper Works Co.
13. I {stick} Papers, Red Line Tape - Donated by i {heart} papers
14. 4 Rolls Assorted Ribbon by Creative Impressions - Donated by i {heart} papers
15. Misc. Sports Brads - Donated by i {heart} papers
16. Lavender Square Brads by Creative Impressions - Donated by i {heart} papers
17. Old Fashioned Teddy Bear Wood Mount Stamp from Comotion Rubber Stamps

This blog candy opportunity will only be available until Sunday, October 4th at 8:00 PM central time, when I'll select a winner at random, so don't delay if you want to be entered in the drawing.

I want to thank those of you who faithfully read my humble posts and who graciously leave little comments. They really do mean a lot to me. Knowing that you visit motivate me to do my best for you. Thanks so much for another year of fun!

{Supplies used}

Stamps: Very Vintage Christmas (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Paper: Watercolor Paper (base) Wassail (Basic Grey) Pure Luxury White 80#

Ink: Brick (Vivid), True Thyme

Accessories: Scallop Embossed Scallop Border Punch and Branch Punch (Martha Stewart), Grograin Ribbon, Chunky Glitter, Chipboard Snowflake (Maya Road), Pop Dots, Flower from Stash, Cream Linen Thread, Button from stash,