We're stacking the deck on you this week at Fab Friday #181!
I of course had to go looking for a fun shape to put into this sketch!  Pens?  Paintbrushes?  Branches?  Feathers?  OooOOoo!  What about LIPSTICK??  Lol, just the thing.  I hand-cut a nice bold banner from my Best Dressed DSP pack, and quickly cranked out five lipsticks in the coordinating colors - love these dies!  I couldn't fit the sentiment I wanted to use onto one of the lipsticks - but I like it floated off to the side like this, too.  I even still have a few Lovely Lipstick Glimmer Enamel Dots to finish it with!
So, what will YOU come up with?  I can't wait to see your projects, over at the challenge!
Dressed To Impress Stamp Set; Best Dressed DSP; Whisper White CS; Memento Tuxedo Black, Lovely Lipstick, Pretty Peacock, Mint Macaron, Blackberry Bliss, Daffodil Delight & Purple Posy Inks; All Dressed Up Dies; Wide Oval Punch; Lovely Lipstick Glitter Enamel Dots; #FabFri181.

Ah, and the cycle starts again!  It's never too soon!  Here we are at Sparkles Christmas Challenge #108 - with our January "for a child" challenge!  Hope you can join us!
I don't know about you, but our all-time fave activity when I was a kid was sledding - like, giant slogging expeditions that earned you soaking wet jeans and feet, lol.  We used to dare each other to sit on the woodstove for longer and longer and watch the steam rise when we got home, lol - I may have scorched a few pairs that way, lol.  Anyway, this pretty sled brought back those fun days, and I knew I had to use it!  Good times!
So, what will YOU create?  I can't wait to see your creations, over at the challenge!
Alpine Adventure Stamp Set; Wrapped in Plaid DSP; Whisper White, Crumb Cake & Cherry Cobbler CS; Versamark Ink; Shimmer White EP; Alpine Sports Dies; Silver Sequins; Silver Cording; #SparklesForAChild.

Birthday Cards 2020 Class Jan 9 & 11!
OK, gang, time to stock up on our birthday cards for 2020 and get ready for biz!  Class will feature 6 cards with envelopes, all from the new Spring Occasions Catty and Sale-A-Bration brochure, just in time for another circle around the sun!  Are you ready??
Class includes all supplies needed (bring your fave snips and adhesive!) snacks, drinks and a special gift from me, all for $25.  Class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is on for Thursday, January 9 at 630 pm, or Saturday, January 11 at 3 pm.  RSVP today to save your spot!

Very cool layout - and so glad I can sneak in and play at this week's Just Add Ink #487 sketch!
When I wrapped my mind around this sketch, I knew immediately I wanted to play with shapes, as usual, lol.  How about some sweet bees instead of circles??  Done!  I floated a center panel of the gorgeous Golden Honey DSP from Sale--Bration, and added my bees around a fun sentiment in the middle.  So cute and simple.  I think this might be the last outing for my gold Wink of Stella, sigh, but I loved it while it lasted!
Honey Bee Stamp Set; Golden Honey DSP; Whisper White, Basic Black & Crushed Curry CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Gold Wink of Stella; Dark Daffodil Delight Blend Marker; Detailed Bees & Rectangle Stitched Dies; #JAI487.

Here's a fun one!  The Male Room #126 is doing a box or bag challenge!  Just in time for gift-giving!
I have to admit, I kinda took an easy way out, and went and browsed all my dies for something cute and not used recently.  And I came across the Cutie Pie dies, which, {GASP} I seriously can't remember EVER using!  How sad is that?  I'm pretty sure I had visions of building fun paper cakes and all kinds of triangle designs, but I think it passed me by, lol.  I don't even have the stamp set that goes with this anymore - I think it might have been from 2015?  Anyway, I looked at the dies, and thought, you know, you could do a funny Christmas tree with this and fill it with a gift card and Hershey kisses for the neighbor kid who watches the dogs sometimes - so I did just that!  He'll love it!
Cutie Pie Dies (2015?); Old Olive, Whisper White & Real Red CS; Real Red Stitched Edge Ribbon; Red Metallic Baker's Twine; Red Sequins; #TMR126.

Hm, today I'm going to take a stab at marrying up two themes:  Inspire Create Challenge #057's "fancy folds" and The Sisterhood of Crafters' "trees trees and more trees" theme.  Let's see what happens!
I knew right away I wanted to do an easel card for my fancy fold - I love these!  So fun to have a card that stands up on its own, and this time I wanted to try doing an extended scene with it, strategically playing with elements from Snow Front.  I love how it came out!  The outside shows a winter landscape under a snowy and starry sky, then the easel shows all teh foreground in front of the cabin.  It came out just how I pictured!  Hope I have enough trees, lol!
Snow Front & Frosted Foliage Stamp Sets; Night of Navy & Whisper White CS; Versamark. Night of Navy, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Balmy Blue, Sahara Sand & Cherry Cobbler Inks; Shimmer White EP; Snowflake Sequins; #ICC057; #TSOCTrees.

Thank You Cards Class Dec 12 & 14!
With the gift giving (and receiving!) season upon us, it seemed like a great time to have a Thank You Card class - just in time!  Class will feature 6 cards ready for sending out your appreciation after the holidays - we could all use thank you's, right??  And as an extra surprise, all our projects will be designed using all new sets from our upcoming Spring Occasions Catalog (and Sale-a-Bration!)
Class will be $25, and will include all supplies needed (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), drinks and snacks, plus a special gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is on for Thursday, December 12 at 630 pm, or Saturday, December 14 at 3 pm - RSVP to save your spot today!

Oooo!  This week's Library Challenge #46 is the wonderful The Sewing Machine by Natalie Fergie - what a great read!
So this one ended up being a tough one for me, since I apparently don't have my Sew Suite set anymore - bummer!  Fortunately, I could still bring in my Needle & Thread set to save the day!  I kept things fairly simple and chose a lovely background sheet from the Needlepoint Nook DSP, then made a pretty stitched medallion for a quiet but cheery get well.  I finished with a few needlepoint details and tiny rhinestones.  I love all these blues together!
Needle & Thread Stamp Set (retired 2019); Needlepoint Nook DSP (retired); Whisper White & Balmy Blue CS; Night of Navy, Balmy Blue & Pretty Peacock Inks; Stitched Shapes & Needlepoint Elements Dies; Basic Jewel Rhinestones; #TLC046.

I'm very excited to have a long enough lead time to play at this week's Just Add Ink #482 - such a fun sketch!
Lately I've been a little obsessed with pairing the gorgeous Nature's Beauty set with the stunning Feels Like Frost DSP - it's like a set a backgrounds made for all these sweet winter critters, lol.  Today our shy doe came out for a quick pose against her snowy trees, gorgeous!  I added a quick sentiment with Itty Bitty Christmas - I'm loving this set, too - there's something there for everyone, lol.  Hm, I might need to take a ride up to the rim as soon as it snows up there - it DOES actually snow in some parts of Arizona, lol...
Nature's Beauty & Itty Bitty Christmas Stamp Sets; Feels Like Frost DSP; Whisper White & Seaside Spray CS; Memento Tuxedo Black & Crumb Cake Inks; Softly Falling EF; Scalloped Tag Topper & 1 3/8" Circle Punches; Seaside Spray Metallic Ribbon; Linen Thread; Silver Pearls; #JAI482.

Mountainview Presbyterian Holiday Boutique Nov 22 & 23!
Come see the best Scottsdale Craft Show of the year, and get your cinnamon roll orders in early!  I'll be here both days, and would love for you to come visit!  Lots of new vendors and treats!
Swing by Friday, Nov 22 from 9 am - 4 pm, or Saturday Nov 23 from 9 am - 3 pm!  Mountainview Presbyterian Church, 8050 E Mountainview Rd, Scottsdale, AZ.  See you there!

OK, super cute - check out the mermaid cupcake over at this week's Fusion Mermaid Challenge!  Eek!
Lucky for me, I OF COURSE still have my beloved Magical Day set, which has this super cutie mermaid in it.  I did some coloring to go along with the beautiful inspiration pic Fusion shared, but I mixed up the sentiment using one from Silhouette Scenes - I think this mermaid looks like she's dreaming anyway, lol.  I was also able to give her some waves to float over with our wonderful High Seas EF - which works a real treat now with our new blue plate just for our current 3D folders - $10 is completely worth it to take the guesswork out of how much to shim this beauty, sigh...  This came out super simple, but I'm loving the quiet details - so sweet!
Magical Day (retired 2018) & Silhouette Scenes Stamp Sets; Whisper White, Pool Party & Purple Posy CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Pool Party, Purple Posy, Nude & Cajun Craze Blends Markers; Magical Mates (retired) & Stitched Shapes Dies; High Seas EF; Clear Epoxy Droplets; #FusionMermaid.

Holiday Gifts & Packaging 2019 Class Nov 14 & 16!
It's time once again to celebrate all things Christmas-giving with my annual Holiday Gifts and Packaging Class!  You KNOW I love to spoil you, and this class is all about the giving (and anything left in the Holiday catty we haven't played with yet, lol!)  We'll feature all new packaging projects for all your treat and gift giving, along with the awesome cookie buffet (Saturday only!) - make sure you RSVP early!
Class is only $25, and includes all supplies needed (briung your fave snips and adhesive) drinks and snacks, plus an extra gift from me!  This class can also be FREE with your order of $30 or more!  Class is on for Thursday, Nov 14 at 630 pm, or Saturday, Nov 16 at 3 pm - I can't wait to see you!

It's time again for our monthly Sparkles Christmas Challenge #106 - let's see those Santas!
I went browsing through my retired sets for a good Santa for today - I actually didn't get this year's Santa (I don't like his feet, shhh...)  I spotted 2013's Santa's List, and can't remember when I used it last - winner winner!  I matched him up with some pretty sheets from this year's Night Before Christmas DSP - how perfect is that cookies and cocoa sheet??  Fun AND I got to color, a perfect Christmas gift, lol.
So, what will YOU create for us?  I can't wait to see your Santas, over at the challenge!
Santa's List Stamp Set (retired 2014); Night Before Christmas DSP; Very Vanilla & Crumb Cake CS; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Real Red, Nude & Smoky Slate Blends Markers; Basic Jewel Rhinestones; #SparklesSanta.

Christmas Countdown Kit Bonus Class Nov 9 at 3 pm!
Woo hoo!  There's just enough time for ONE Christmas Bonus Class - and the new Advent Calendar Kit wins it by popular acclaim!  Come to class for a relaxing time for crafting and chatting, plus some yummy drinks and cookies, and we'll put our kits together in record time!  RSVP to make sure I have enough kits on hand, or bring your own and enjoy the company!
Class is $35, all supplies provided (bring your own snips and fave adhesive), or $10 if you are bringing your own kit!
See you soon!

Hm, The Sisterhood of Crafters is having a "wood" theme this week, and there are some seriously cute offerings in the DT samples!  I gotta try this...
I remembered that there is a woodgrain sheet in our gorgeous Come to Gather pack - love these planks!  With that as my starting point, I decided to just keep going with the Gather Together suite.  I also wanted to give this "invisible" coloring style a stab, too.  I tried with both Blends Markers, on the pumpkins, and Watercolor Pencils, on the leaf.  My method wasn't very scientific, lol.  I just stamped my images in stamped off Sahara Sand, and then just tried to make sure I covered up those lines in my coloring.  An interesting idea that I need to look into more!  It made for some fun experimenting today!
Gather Together Stamp Set; Come to Gather DSP; Whisper White & Early Espresso CS; Early Espresso & Sahara Sand Inks; Watercolor Pencils Pack 2; Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede & Color Lifter Blends Markers; Gathered Leaves & Stitched Shapes Dies; Leaves Trinkets; Copper Sequin; #TSOCWoodRelated.