Friday, December 31, 2010

Last Challenge Creation for 2010

It is so hard to believe that today is the 
LAST DAY OF 2010!
Boy this last year really flew by!  But it was a GOOD YEAR so I'm thankful for that and looking forward to 2011!

Today I'd like to share with you a creation I made for the City Crafter #37 Challenge - STAMP IT OUT!  I have gotten so involved with the digi world in past months that my rubber stamps have been a little neglected so I thought I'd play this challenge and 'get inky'.  There is also a challenge out there to use "BABY" as the theme but for the life of me, I can't locate it now ... but anyways, that was the purpose behind my stamp selection.  (ooops, figured it out ... Sentimental Sundays)


Here is the RECIPE for this creation:

Stamp:  Serendipity Stamps (dress), Stampin' Up (sentiment)
Papers:  DCWV Nursery dp, whisper white, 
scraps for paper piecing
Ink:  Versafine Black
Accessories:  Fiskars swivel craft knife, Nestabilities Labels 14, Kaiser pearls, Pop Dots
Technique:  Paper Piecing


A few other challenges this creation qualifies for are as follows:
Southern Girls #9 - Anything Goes
Alphabet Challenge Blog - I is for Infant
Sentimental Sundays - Baby
For Fun Challenges - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes
Prairie Fairy Fridays - New Beginnings
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crafts and Me Challenge - Anything Goes
Dutch Dare Card Challenges - New Beginnings
OSAAT - Anything Goes
Allsorts - Anything Goes
Crafty Sentiments - Anything Goes
Crafty Emmas - Anything Goes
Moving Along with the Times - Anything Goes ('cept Christmas!)
 Digi Doodle Shops Best - Anything Goes
Creative Crafts - Anything Goes
Craft your Days Away - Punches/Diecuts (diecuts)
Stamping Vacation - No! No! (Punches)
Sew Many Challenges -  Anything Goes
The Beary Scrap Challenge - Pearls or Gems

A quick thank you to Chris (Twinkles Glow with Stamps) for some of the challenge links my card qualifies for!  If you've never been to Chris's blog ... OH MY STARS, you really need to stop over and check out her work ... it is AMAZING!!

Okay then ... until NEXT YEAR ... Happy Crafting and God Bless You All!   If you are out partying tonight ... be careful, have fun and make sure you have a designated driver ... I want to see you ALL back here next year!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Making Time to 'PLAY'

Hello Everyone!  
Can you believe another year is nearly at it's end!  WOW!  
Hubby is back at work for a few days so I've been back in 
the 'crafting cave' playing with ink/paper/digis. 


The Crafty Secrets Challenge over on the CS Forum of SCS this week is hosted by Marcy and she has challenged us to "BLING IN THE NEW YEAR" ... how clever is that!!  Of course you need to create with your Crafty Secrets/Heartwarming Vintage products so I went right to my Seasonal Booklet.  You didn't have to make it New Year's but I saw this image and thought it was PERFECT for the occasion!  My BLING came in the use of DCWV glitter background paper, holiday ribbon from Michael's and beautiful glittery snowflakes which I had in my stash for a LONG time and finally put them to use!  To attach the glittery snowflakes, I used Doodlebug glitter brads.  The last touch of 'sparkle' came in the form of Diamond Stickles zig-zagged around my image.  It's so pretty IRL ... I hope you can see all the sparkle!  Now I'd better get it in the mail!  LOL!

(click on image to enlarge)
If you have any Crafty Secrets / Heartwarming Vintage products, PLEASE come join in the fun!  2011 promises to be another exciting year of inspiration in this group and if by chance you don't have any of these amazing stamps, stickers, booklets, creative scraps ... and more ... in your stash, now's a great time to check them out by clicking either on the link above ... or by clicking on their LOGO in my sidebar!  You won't be sorry!  Sandy Redburn is the owner/artist and her products are TOP NOTCH in every sense of the word!  Go see for yourself!!

* * * *

MORE NEW YEAR'S FUN was had when I attended an 'online End of the Year Party' over on CDAC (Crafter's Digital Art Center) in the "priscillastyles" Group.  Oh my gosh ... I never laughed so much ... hubby thought I had lost my mind as he was watching TV and I was on the computer in the other room laughing hysterically!  Priscilla even provides us with a free digi to create with for the party ... once we requested our invitation!  Here are a couple of cards I came up with ... isn't this digi image awesome?
What a fabulous idea Priscilla had here and we all had such a great time!  I'm so looking forward to the new images & ideas that Priscilla will come up with in 2011!  She's a VERY clever, talented lady!!  To see more of her amazing images & ideas, please visit her STORE as well as joining in on the fun over at CDAC!  There are a TON of digi artists displaying their awesome creations ... I'm sure you'll find MORE THAN ONE that will fit your style.  OH YEA, don't forget about Priscilla's other LOVE ... The Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge!  There's ALWAYS something amazing & fun going on over there too!!  See what you've been missing!!  PLEASE ... CHECK IT OUT!!

THANKS SO MUCH for stopping by today!  Sorry I was so long winded ... I just couldn't wait to share all the fun with you!!  Have a great day and if I don't make it back here in the next couple of days, HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!!

Thanks for the friendship ...
Darlene

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Excitment at MMSC and PSDT

It's a BIG day over at the Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge where Priscilla is announcing the 2011 Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge Design Team!  I can't wait to see what these ladies create to inspire us again this year!  It's so nice to see familiar faces in this group, but some new additions as well!  From the list below, you can click on their Blogs and see their gorgeous work. 


* Priscilla - Blog Owner * Charlotte - Senior DT * Darsie - Senior DT * Denise - Senior DT *
Gunn - Senior DT * Linda (me) - Senior DT * Phyllis - Voting Coordinator
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Bonnie * Dawn * Guro * Jen - Sponsorship Coordinator * Lorie *
Marsha * Rebecca * Renee *

NOW, for the announcement I'M EXCITED ABOUT!!!  Priscilla has announced her Design Team for 2011 and once again I AM ON THE TEAM!!  YIPPEE!!!   Again you can check on their Blogs below and be inspired by their work using the amazing images created by ''priscillastyles" Stores.

Team A
* Agnieszka * Diana * Linda  (me) * Marcy * Marsha * Peggy * Valerie *

Team B
* Aletha * Clare * Darlene (me) * Denise * Donna * Linda S *  Pat *
 

The new Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge starts on Tuesday, January 4th  and you can be sure I will be there!!  I sure would love to have you join me and be inspired by these ladies!!  WOWZSA! What fun!  You won't be sorry . . . 
It sure promises to be another fun ride this year!!
 
Now it's time to head on down to the Crafting Cave and get the ole' juices flowin'!  Happy Day to you all!
 
HUGS,
Darlene

Sunday, December 26, 2010

The Stockings were hung . . .

. . . by the chimney with care.  With hopes that St. Nicolas soon would be there!  ...  

 Yes, another Christmas Morning has come & gone and we were certainly blessed again this year.  My immediate family is small but I'm very proud of them and who they are! Would you like to meet them?

 Daughter, Carolyn and SIL, Frank are wonderful, caring people and great parents to our two beautiful grandchildren.  I may have only had one child but she is ALL the goodness of many children wrapped into one body & soul!


Granddaughter, Morgan holds a special place in my heart ... being my first grandchild.  She's growing up to be such a beautiful, good hearted young lady and will one day (many years from now!) make someone a wonderful wife & mother to his children!  
Sitting next to Morgan is C.J. ... Mo's boyfriend who had a very serious car accident back in March, 2010 and only by the grace of God is he able to be with us this holiday season.  Still having to wear a leg brace in order to walk, C.J. remains on the path to a full recovery and with a lot of work and faith in God, we pray one day he will be back to 100% health.

Grandson, Jonathan is 13 and filled with excitement & energy ALL the time.  His two biggest loves are racing his junior dragster and hunting with his dad!  He's had his license and been hunting since he was 9 years old and is very good at it.  He has the racing trophies & deer head mounted on his bedroom wall to prove it!  New cami cover alls & coat were certainly in order this year ... he is growing taller with each passing day!  (And yes, he's already taller than me ... who isn't! LOL)  Soon he'll be bending over to give me a hug ... but for now I'm enjoying being able to hug & kiss him ... face to face!

 Last but not least, my amazing husband, Mark.  Every day he is by my side is Christmas for me.  Many of you know that Mark battled cancer in the recent past and by God's graces he is now cancer-free and enjoying another Christmas morning with me & the kids.  


Yes, my family may be small but each one of them fills my heart with love & joy and I couldn't ask for more!  I hope you had as wonderful a Christmas Day as we did.  It's just so hard to believe that another year has nearly come & gone!  Blessings to you all in 2011 and thanks for stopping by to meet my loved ones!  


Darlene

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Challenges

Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!


Since I am ALL READY for Santa's arrival, I thought I'd play a few Christmas Challenges posted out there in Blogland.  This MIGHT be my last Christmas card for the year ... no promises however ... I LOVE making Christmas cards!

It's snowing here in N.E. Ohio, USA ... and we already have had snow on the ground for most of December so this year it has really felt like the Christmas' I recall from my childhood.  In fact, with today being Christmas Eve, I'm a bit melancholy with memories of those days oh so long ago.

 MAY I SHARE A LITTLE STORY WITH YOU??

 My Dad worked in the local Steel Mill and every Christmas they provided gifts for all the employee's children.  I can remember my parents, my sister's & I all dressed up and headed to the 'mill' to get our gifts . . . and it always seemed to be snowing when that 'special gift' day came. (One year we even got stuck on the hill coming up out of town and had to have my Uncle Tom tow us up the hill with his truck!)   There would be Christmas carols filing the air as you approached the hall and everyone greeted you with a very joyful "Merry Christmas!"  As we came into the huge hall there were tables all around set up by AGE and BOY/GIRL so we'd have to find 'our gift table' to see what we were blessed with that year.  (I can remember receiving a Tea Set two years in a row and since my older sister & I are only 13 months apart ... we both received a Tea Set two years in a row ... many, many tea parties went on at our house to say the least! LOL)  As we mingled around with our parents, as they greeted so many local folks they knew, THERE HE WAS AS BIG AS LIFE!!!    SANTA!! 
We always got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what we were wishing for that Christmas and upon leaving we were always given a box of hard tac candy and the biggest apple you've ever seen ... oh yea, and a huge orange too!   What wonderful memories ... I only wished I had a photo to share with you but my folks didn't take many photos back then (1950's) ... in fact, I don't even think we owned a camera!  Hopefully you can envision the sweet image that is in my head right now and have enjoyed sharing this childhood memory with me today.  It seems like this happened only yesterday ... yet those days are so long past!  Where does the time go?? 

I may not have a photo of my sister's and I at that precious time ... but I DO have a photo of my brothers-in-law back in 1948 visiting Santa at Gimbels Department Store in Pittsburgh, PA.  I just love the 'wonder' in brother-in-law Alan's face as he "checks out Santas" authenticity!!  Check out the wool snow pants too ... they certainly kept you warm ... though not very dry!!

Well, I guess you'd like to see that last Christmas card I told you about at the beginning of this post.  Here it is . . .
 The recipe for this creation:
Papers:  Very Vanilla, Gold Metallic, DCWV Glitter paper, K&Co. designer paper
Image:  Nicecrane Designs 'Old Merry Christmas' ATC/backgrounds
Accessories:  Wilton paper doilies, Wright ecru lace, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, Darice 'cross' charm, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Stampendous diamond dots, Recollection pearls, Ranger Vintage Photo distress ink, distresser

Challenges entered:
City Crafter Challenge - Vintage Christmas
Moxie Fab World - Glitter is Glam
Southern Girls Challenge - Vintage
Dutch Dare Card Challenge - Winter
Aud Sentiments Challenge - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz Challenge - Pearls & Lace
Digi Doodle Shops Best - Anything Goes

Well, that's all from me today!  Mark & I would like to wish you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & Happy 2011!!  Enjoy your family and I look forward to hearing all about the new memories you have made!  God Bless!


Hugs ... Darlene

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Crafty Creations challenge

I know, I know ... you ask WHY ARE YOU CRAFTING ... don't you know it Christmas and there's a million things to be done??!!   Well, I 'think' I have everything ready so I decided to play a challenge or two!
  

Today's challenge over on Crafty Creations is to use ANGELS and *Wink *Wink Ink is the sponsor!  So, of course, I just had to join in the fun!!  I just love this little Wink Wink Ink BLOSSOM BABY image so that was my choice of Angels for today.  Isn't she just precious?


(click on image to enlarge)
The recipe for my creation is as follows:
Image:  *Wink *Wink Ink BLOSSOM BABY digi
Papers:  Whisper White, Basic Black, K&Co. designer paper
Stamps:  Hero Arts
Accessories:  Spellbinder Nestabilities Lacey Squares (NEW), Nestabilities Scallop Squares, Offray satin ribbon, Darice brad, Hobby Lobby Dotted Swiss ribbon, Prismacolor markers, Deco Art Glamour Dust


I would also like to enter this creation into a few other challenges:
Doodle Pantry Digital Doodles - Use something NEW 
Sugar Sweet Paper Treats - Anything Goes
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
Aly's Sunday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Crafty Pad - Anything Goes
I Did it Creations - Anything Goes
Order of the Opus Gluei - Open Theme


DON'T FORGET the "Trim a Tree" voting is going on right now over on the *Wink *Wink Ink blog ... come vote for your favorites and help give the gift of free digis to some lucky ladies!

Guess I'd better go do SOMETHING constructive around the house (like cleaning or laundry ... oh yuck!)  and get off the computer for awhile!  Happy Day everyone and thanks for stopping by!!

Darlene

NEW to me . . .

Yesterday I told you all about CDAC (Crafter's Digital Art Center) and all the amazing digi artists who are popping up over there and creating groups that you can join and have tons of fun with.  WELL,  A new group I just became familiar with is NICECRANE DESIGNS and I was very impressed with his designs & products.  Not only digital images, but 3d, collage sheets ... well, you can CLICK HERE and check it out for yourself. 

Not only did I enjoy creating with the freebie he offered for the FREEBIE CHALLENGE, but I just had to make a few purchases of my own and here's what I've created with them.

First is an image from the above collage sheet called: A CHRISTMAS CAROL - ATC/Backgrounds

 (click image to enlarge)

 I just HAD to purchase a few other vintage Christmas ATC sheets ... they are gorgeous!  Even though my holiday creations are finished for this year ... I think I'll be creating more cards just so I can play with these beautiful images!! 

* * * *

Secondly is a really cool concept ... 3D.  My creation is made using one of the Pyramage sheets called LIFE AND COLORS Twisted Square Pyramid.  


Isn't this gorgeous??  And there are many more images available ... please be sure to check them out!!  OH, you say you'd like to see a closer view ... here ya go . . .

(click image to enlarge)
This is so easy and so impressive when completed!!  You really need to give this a try ... what fun!!  I'm sure I'll be sharing more creations using images from NICECRANE DESIGNS in the future ... these images are 'right up my alley!'

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hugs to you all!
Darlene

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

CDAC Challenge Creations

WOW ... Christmas is right around the corner now!!  Are you ready??  I think I am  ... so I've taken time to play the challenges posted over on CDAC (Crafters Digital Art Center).  Every two weeks NEW challenges are posted on the main page and the artists sponsoring those particular challenges offer up their amazing work for FREE ... if you've never been to CDAC, you really must do yourself the favor and jump over there and check it out! 

The next three creations were made for the FREEBIE CHALLENGE ... 
 (image by Nana Vic)

 (image by Nettie G)


 
For the current SKETCH CHALLENGE, we have a sketch & image from Simply Betty Stamps ... here's my creation . . .
 
For the current EMBELLISHMENT CHALLENGE we have this adorable digi image from Starry Nights Studio Digi Shop and we were to use GLITZ and BLING on our creations.  Here's what I came up with  . . .
 and here's a closer look at that SPARKLE . . .
 
For the OTHER CHALLENGE, we have been challenge to make a TAG or ORNAMENT using this adorable digi from Pattie's Creations.  I decided to make a TAG ...

 
 There is also a COLOR CHALLENGE being sponsored by Gurukitty Designs ... which I didn't get around to doing yet!  And of course there are several other FREE digis offered for the FREEBIE CHALLENGE ... I just didn't have the time to create with all of them.  
 
I realize it's a very busy time of the year but even after the holidays ... be sure to pop on over to CDAC and join us!  There are so many digi artists out there in blogland and a lot of them have already gathered in one place ... CRAFTER'S DIGITAL ART CENTER.  

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by today!  
Hugs to you all!
Darlene

Monday, December 20, 2010

Christmas Party 2010


Happy Monday before Christmas Everyone!!!


Well, even though Mark & I made a LAST MINUTE decision to have a Neighborhood Christmas Party ... it was a wonderful success!  The food was awesome and the fellowship was even better!!  Here's a peek at our food table and some of the fixins'
 I always love when our friends & family stop by ... especially during the holidays ... it just really gives me a warm feeling in my heart that we are doing something right to have such wonderful friends & family around us!!

We are truly blessed to not only have a wonderful loving family ... but a neighborhood network of friends who all appreciate each other and are ALWAYS there for us (and each other) when needed.  

During Mark's illness the past few years ... there isn't a one of my neighbors that I couldn't have called upon for help at any time of the day or night!  With our family being at least an hour away ... it's such a blessing to have friends/neighbors that we can consider our 'second family'!


Look at these two cuties ... this is Olivia & Emily Adkins ... our two little next door sweeties!  What would Christmas be without the smiling faces of children?!?  I bet Santa will be leaving some fun packages under their tree this year!!


I hope you are surrounded by family & friends this holiday season  and I pray that the Lord has blessed you as he has us!! 

Friday, December 17, 2010

A Challenge Card & A Recipe

WOW ... I'm not getting a whole lot of crafting done these days ... I'm sure you understand ... still trying to be sure I have all my Christmas cards in the mail ... shopping completed & wrapped and NOW ... we've decided to have a neighborhood Christmas Party THIS Sunday!  Yikes ... nothing like waiting until the last minute!  (I can thank hubby for that one!!) LOL

Anyways ... today I did make a card!  One that fits two challenges that popped out at me.  The STAMP SOMETHING challenge to make a tag or pocket card ... and ... PATTIE"S CREATIONS challenge to use your punches.
(click image to enlarge)
I'm so happy with how this creation turned out and I have to thank these two challenge blogs for their influences!  I have added Deco Art Glamour Dust to the tips of the wings on the doves as well as the inner lining of the punched hearts for a touch of sparkle.
My card contents:
Papers:  Whisper White cs, Cranberry Red cs, Melissa Frances dp
Stamps:  Pattie G's digi (Doves), American Crafts (sentiment)
Punches:  Martha Stewart Lacey Heart, All Night Media Corner 
Accessories:  Offray Red Satin ribbon, Deco Art Glamour Dust, Prismacolor markers

 * NOW FOR THE RECIPE I PROMISED YOU *
This is one of my favorite dip recipes and it's always a hit!

Dried Beef Dip
1 - 2 1/2  oz pkg. (jar) dried beef  (rinsed & chopped fine)
1 - 8 oz package Philadelphia Creme Cheese (softened)
2 Tblsp. milk
2 Tblsp. fine chopped green pepper (or red if you prefer)
2 Tblsp. fine chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients together ... place in a baking dish ... back 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.  Serve with your favorite crackers.  We prefer either Triscuits or Wheat Thins

I hope you will try this recipe.  And if it starts to cool ... that's fine too ... it's just as good that way or you can rewarm it!


Thanks so much for stopping by during this busy time of the year! 
Hugs to you all!
Darlene

Delicious Doodles Challenge #5

WOW ... can you say BUSY???

I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about!  So much to do and time is running out!  Just a quick posting this morning to share with you the challenge over on Delicious Doodles.  Today we have a sketch to play with and I must say this one made me think ... but was great fun!  I love a SKETCH challenge!
Here's what I've come up with ... what do you think?

I just adore the digi images Teri comes up with and you really must do your self a favor and pop on over to the Delicious Doodles Shop and check them out!!


Happy Day everyone and I hope you are closer to being ready for Christmas than I am!  LOL!!  Enjoy!

Darlene

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Gifts COMING and GOING . . .

Happy Wednesday Everyone!

Remember the other day when I posted about the awesome Cookie Exchange I participated in with my daughter & friends ... well, I forgot to show you the preparation it took on my end (with hubby's help) to get my TWELVE packages ready for the ladies. 


My husband, Mark, is amazing in the kitchen and is always willing to help me when I get involved in anything involving cooking!  So, making multiple batches of peanut butter fudge was no challenge for him.   And after making those multiple batches, he also helped me package them for the upcoming exchange.  This is the BEST peanut butter fudge ... would you like the recipe?  Here ya go ...

Peanut Butter Fudge
2 cups white sugar and 1/2 cup milk
Boil until soft ball stage ... 
Remove from heat and add:
1 Tblsp. margarine
2 cups peanut butter
7 oz. marshmallow creme
Mix well ... spread in greased 9 x 9 (or 8x8) pan

Half of the End Result:

 * * * * * * *
Now I have a real treat to share with you and I only wish you could see this beautiful product in real life ... it's GORGEOUS!!

This is HOMEMADE LACE!  That's right!  I met a lady last summer at a 'Ladies Tea' put on by the Historical Society (back home in PA).  Her name is Karen and she was demonstrating how you 'tatter' lace and she is AMAZING!  To make a long story short ... she is a friend of my cousin, Beverly's and when Bev & a few other cousins came for a 'card class' during the summer ... Karen came along.  She had such a good time and as a thank you she made me some beautiful lace pieces that I could use on my vintage creations.  Unfortunately, she didn't have them packaged well enough and they were destroyed in the mail ... all I received was the front of the envelope!  I was so saddened by this even and I just had to call to let her know that even though I didn't receive her wonderful works of art I appreciated her efforts!  WELL ... I received a package this week and this is what was inside.  You can click on the image to enlarge the photo and take a closer look ... and look at this one ... it is AMAZINGLY GORGEOUS!   She has certainly perfected this lost art and I can tell you that I was in total 'awe' of her when I saw how she made some of these beautiful pieces!  I think it's just wonderful that she shared her talents with us and spread the word about this amazing art.   

Isn't it  wonderful to meet new people and experience new crafts!  I'm so thrilled to have these beautiful pieces of lace that Karen made with her own hands and from the goodness of her heart!  I will treasure them always!    

Thanks for letting me share with you today!  I look forward to learning & being inspired by you as well!  Happy Day Everyone!

Darlene

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Since I'm "snowed in" . . .

. . . I thought I'd play a few challenges and create a few more Gift Card Holders!  Would you like to see them??  (Remember you can click on any of my image to enlarge the photo for a 'closer' look.)
 
First is the Crafty Secrets Challenge over on SCS that I happen to be hosting this week.  I've asked the girls to use the color RED in this week's creation.  Could be Christmas ... Valentine's Day ... whatever ... and here's what I've created using this adorable vintage freebie offered by Crafty Secrets.  Doesn't this cute image just 'take you back in time!'

Next is a creation made for the challenge over on Pattie's Creations Design Challenge #8 - Color Inspiration!  You really must check this out ... JenLee does ALL the sewing on the Belly Dancer's costumes that was used as the inspiration for this challenge ... they are amazing!!  I've used Pattie's PattiBoop Cowgirl image for my creation and have picked a few colors from the photo as my inspiration for her cowgirl outfit.  What fun!


Now for those Gift Card Holders I mentioned.  I'm still having fun putting Santa Hats on every *Wink *Wink Ink image in my collection.  Here I've used "Rosie" and "Snowbody" for my holders.  Arent' they just the cutest!!  I'm really enjoying the 'superimposing' of words & images onto other images through my MS Word 2010 software.  I have new Photoshop Elements 9 software but just can't take the time right now to FIGURE IT OUT!!  Anyone have any hints?  PLEASE pass them my way ... it's going to take me all of 2011 to figure it out I'm afraid!!

These next few creations are for the challenges over on CDAC.  You say you're not familiar with CDAC!!!  Well, click on THIS LINK and it will take you to the homepage ... you are missing a TON OF DIGI FUN and a lot of free digis too!

Here's a couple freebies offered in the Freebie Challenge CDAC12.  This cute gingerbread house was offered up by Gingerloft.  This too is a gift card holder and was colored using Prismacolor markers.  Chalk was used for the sky and a touch of glue & Deco Art Glamour Dust for sparkle on the snowy roof.

This country mailbox digi is a  freebie offered by Nettie G's Digital Gems.  I just LOVE the holiday bow around the post ... so reminds me of back home.

Next is this cute "Snowgirl" digi offered by Tiffany Doodles.  I decided to make the theme of this card 'candy canes' and think it turned out really cute!  Afterall, there's not a lot of coloring to be done on a 'snowgirl' so the use of DCWV dp, Michael's ribbon and a touch of sparkle ... dressed this cutie up just perfect for the CDAC Embellishment Challenge #12 being hosted by Tiffany Doodles.

Last ... but not least ... is a creation made for the "Vickie Quickie Challenge" over on the Nana Vic's Group of CDAC.  We were to use one of Nana Vic's images and create a card that would help make her feel better ... she's been under the weather lately.  I just LOVE this "Santa Bunny" and thought it would make her smile!  Plus I just bought the Spellbinder Nestabilities Lacey Circles and wanted to use them as a resting spot for Mr. Santa Bunny to sit in.  What do you think??  Isn't he cute!

OKAY ... I know what was a very long post ... blame it on the SNOW ... I was bored!!  But thanks so much for stopping by and sticking with me through all my fun sharing!  I hope I've inspired you in 'some way' or at least made you smile!

NOW, I really must get my Christmas Cards addressed and in the mail!  YIKES ... I've never been so far behind ... is that a sign or old age or just lazy??  LOL!!   Have a happy, fun-filled, safe day my friends ... see you later!

HUGS,
Darlene