...My Top 12 Faves Of 2009

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MY STAMP SALE HERE!!!

Happy Thursday, everyone! It's New Year's Eve, and this past year has gone by in a flash! I have doctors' appointments to keep, errands to run, and a party to attend today, but I wanted to share some of my favorite cards from this past year with you guys. Here we go:

January 2009

February 2009
March 2009

April 2009

May 2009

June 2009

July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009

November 2009

December 2009

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you all back here tomorrow! I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year, and a healthy and prosperous 2010! Until later...

...Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #54 (MTSC54)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Christmas is over, and the New Year is approaching swiftly...this last year has been a total blur! LOL! This past week was so hectic that I didn't even get a chance to comment on your creations for last week's sketch. I am such a slacker, and I sincerely apologize! I can't believe that we are already on sketch #54, but I have had such a great time seeing and commenting on your wonderful creations each week...excluding last week, of course! :) Are you ready for another one?

Now for this week's Tuesday Sketch #54:
My Sample:

Jessie Knight's Sample:

Now let's see what the amazing Muses have in store for your viewing pleasure this week:

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Crystal Birr
• Jessica Diedrich
• Shannan Teubner
• Jessie Knight (December Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation below in Mister Linky. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC54 when uploading to a public gallery!

Happy Stamping and Happy New Year!

...On The 9th Day of Sketches

This is my sample for the 12 Days of Sketches-Sketch 9 at The Greeting Farm Blog. I don't know about you, but I am exhausted after this holiday season! I didn't get alot of stamping completed due to all of the holiday hub-bub, but I hope to get back into the swing of this this week. For Jessica's sketch, I used "Teacher Anya" along with some of my Laundry Line patterned papers from My Mind's Eye. I watercolored the image, cut it out, then attached it to the focal panel with Dimensionals. I also sewed the striped patterned paper to the focal panel to make it look like the floor. The addition of Black Brads and simple Rose Organdy Ribbon completes the card.

Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to participate in this week's Tuesday Sketch Challenge! I will see you back here tomorrow with a card for the 12 Days Sketch 10! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Teacher Anya (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Rose Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Watercolor, Laundry Line (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Basic Gray, Old Olive, Ruby Red, So Saffron, Crushed Curry

Accessories: nesties, big shot, sewing machine, aquapainter, white gel pen, glaze pen, mat pack, paper piercer, brads, organdy ribbon

...Crazy 4 Joanne's Sketch

Happy Saturday, everyone! I don't know about you, but I am pooped after all of the holiday hub-bub! It feels great to take a deep breath and just relax. It's also time for another challenge from our Crazy Girls! Our team member, Joanne Grzelak, has created all of the challenges for this month...hasn't she done an amazing job for us?!? This week's submissions will be utilizing a sketch designed by Ms. Joanne...

Everyone knows that I love me some sketches, so this challenge was right up my alley! I combined several Verve Stamps to create my sample. The butterfly was from the "Enjoy" set, the large circular flourish was from the "Thankful Accents" set, and the sentiment was from the "Celebration of Thanks" set. I used a piece of Cameo Coral Cardstock to create a simple card base, then added some patterned papers from K & Company's Bailey pack. The edges of the triangle panel was pierced using a Mat Pack and a Paper Piercer. The butterfly was stamped, embossed, then watercolored with Cameo Coral and Riding Hood Red Classic Ink. I added some Stardust Stickles to the butterfly, then added some Pearl and Rhinestone accents to the rest of the card. A piece of Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon was added to complete the card.

Now let's see what the rest of the ladies have in store for you today:

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

That's it for today...thanks for stopping by! It's your turn to create a card or project using this same sketch, and share it with us. Be sure to add your creation to Mister Linky back at the Crazy 4 Challenges Blog post...we can't wait to see what you come up with! Until later...

Supplies

Stamps: Enjoy, Thankful Accents, Celebration of Thanks

Papers: Cameo Coral, Riding Hood Red, Watercolor, Bailey DP (K & Company)

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Cameo Coral, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, ribbon, pearls, rhinestones, nesties, big shot, scissors, stickles, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter

...Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone! During this holiday season, we are all busy trying to get everything together in order to celebrate with our friends and families. Often times, we forget that this special time was set aside to celebrate the birth of Christ. I don't ever want to get so caught up in spending, traveling, or fussing about that I forget to give thanks for my Lord and Savior. So as I wish you all a Merry and Joyous Christmas, I want to share this wonderful and thoughtful prayer:

Loving God,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus,
that we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds,
and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.
Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,
and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,
forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

Have a safe and wonderful day, and don't forget to share and show your love with those around you! Until tomorrow...

...On The 6th Day of Sketches

This is my sample for the 12 Days of Sketches-Sketch 6 at The Greeting Farm Blog. Since this week's Farm Fresh Friday falls on Christmas, we've decided to move the challenge to coincide with the sketches challenge. I used the newly released "Yoga Anya" along with some of my Amy Butler "Sola" patterned papers from K & Company. I matched up the image with a sentiment from TGF's set "Me Time Anya". I watercolored the image, cut it out, then attached it to the focal panel with Dimensionals. Instead of using a piece of patterned paper on the large panel on the right side of the card base, I decided to emboss it with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. I pierced the edges of the flowery panel with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, then added some Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon around it. The sentiment panel was punched out with the Word Window Punch before being attached to the ribbon.

That's it for me today...it's Christmas Eve, so that means getting to spend time with my mom and daddy! Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a special post! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Yoga Anya, Me Time Anya (The Greeting Farm)

Papers: Kiwi Kiss, Always Artichoke, Watercolor, Amy Butler "Sola" (K & Company)

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze

Accessories: swiss dots CB folder, mat pack, paper piercer, dimensionals, nesties, big shot, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, ribbon, word window punch, scissors

...Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #53 (MTSC53)

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I can't believe that Christmas is this week, and that the New Year is right around the corner...where has the time gone? I have had such a wonderful time creating sketches for you guys, and looking at all of your gorgeous creations. I couldn't ask for a better following...y'all are the BEST!

Now for this week's Tuesday Sketch #53: My Sample:
Jessie Knight's Sample:

Now let's see what the amazing Muses have in store for your viewing pleasure this week:

• Pam Speidel
• Cindy Haffner
• Pam Varnell
• Julie Lacey
• Crystal Birr
• Jessica Diedrich
• Shannan Teubner...taking a break this week
• Jessie Knight (December Guest Muse)

Now it's your turn! Create a card or scrapbook layout using the sketch above, and link your creation below in Mister Linky. Be sure to use the keyword MTSC53 when uploading to a public gallery!

Happy Stamping & Merry Christmas!

...On The 3rd Day of Sketches

This is my sample for the 12 Days of Sketches-Sketch 3 at The Greeting Farm Blog. I used "Flutter Anya" along with some of my Bloom & Grow patterned papers from My Mind's Eye. I matched up the image with a sentiment from Verve's set "Artful Elegance". I watercolored the image, cut it out, then attached it to the focal panel with Dimensionals. I pierced the flower patterned paper layer with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, then added a piece of Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon around the striped and flower panels. I used a Ghost Flower from Heidi Swapp to create the sentiment panel along with a Circle and Butterfly Punch. I gave her wings some *sparkle* by adding some Stickles to complete the card.

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a sample for Sketch Four and my Tuesday Sketch Challenge! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Flutter Anya (The Greeting Farm), Artful Elegance (Verve)

Papers: Tangerine Tango, Garden Green, Watercolor, Bloom & Grow DP (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, Dusty Durango, Certainly Celery, Garden Green

Accessories: aquapainter, clear ep, heat gun, mat pack, paper piercer, nesties, big shot, dimensionals, scissors, ribbon, ghost flower, circle punch, sponge dauber, butterfly punch, rhinestone, stickles

...On The 2nd Day of Sketches

This is my submission for the 12 Days of Sketches - Sketch Two at The Greeting Farm Blog. I used "HG-Laundry" along with some of my Penny Lane patterned papers from My Mind's Eye. I matched up the image with a sentiment from Verve's set "All About You". I watercolored the image, cut it out, then attached it to the focal panel with Dimensionals. I stitched the top and bottom edges of the patterned paper layer with mt sewing machine. I added some piercing above the panel with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, then added some Rhinestones below it to complete the card.

That's it for me today! Thanks for stopping by to see me, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a sample for Sketch Three! Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Laundry (The Greeting Farm), All About You (Verve)

Papers: Lavender Lace, Taken With Teal, Wild Wasabi, Watercolor, Penny Lane (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Lavender Lace, Perfect Plum, Not Quite Navy, Taken With Teal, Wild Wasabi, Yoyo Yellow

Accessories: aquapainter, scissors, dimensionals, nesties, big shot, sewing machine, mat pack, paper piercer, rhinestones

...Crazy 4 Treat Containers

Happy Saturday, everyone! It's time for another challenge from our Crazy Girls! We are simply loving the challenges that have been posted this month by our fellow team member, Joanne Grzelak...and this week's is no different! Our submissions today will be utilizing Treat Containers of all kinds...wanna see mine?

I created a sweet and simple treat bag for my Homemade Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies! I started with a Glassine Bag, then stamped the small snowflake from Verve's "Christmas in the Air" set in Bermuda Bay Ink. I folded the top of the bag over once, then used my Janome Sewing Machine to seal the fold. The sentiment (from the same Verve set) was stamped in Jet Black Staz-On Ink onto a piece of Bermuda Bay Cardstock.

I created the snowflake accent by cutting some Whisper White Cardstock with my Spellbinders' Create A Flake One Nestabilities Dies and my Big Shot. I left the papers in the dies after they were cut, then sponged some Bermuda Bay Ink onto the exposed surfaces using a Sponge Dauber. The pieces were removed from the dies, Mono Multi Liquid Glue was added to the sponged portions, then some Chunky Glitter was added for some sparkle.

I layered the snowflake using several Dimensionals, then added a Button and Silver Cording to the top using Mini Glue Dots. A piece of Bermuda Bay Dotted Ribbon was tied around the top of the bag, and the snowflake was attached to it using more Mini Glue Dots.

Now let's see what the rest of the ladies have in store for you today:

• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lori Boyd
• Lynda Benden
• Robin Willis
• Vicki Garrett

That's it for today...thanks for stopping by! It's your turn to create your very own treat container, and share it with us. Be sure to add your creation to Mister Linky back at the Crazy 4 Challenges Blog post...we can't wait to see what you come up with! Until later...

Supplies

Stamps: Christmas in the Air (Verve)

Papers: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Bermuda Bay

Accessories: homemade cookies, treat bags, create a flake one nesties, big shot, sponge dauber, multi liquid glue, glitter, silver cording, button, ribbon, sewing machine, mini glue dots, dimensionals, mono adhesive

...12 Days of Sketches

Happy Friday, everyone! Well, the countdown to the New Year has begun, and Christmas is DEFINITELY in the air. We couldn't think of a better way to ring it all in than having a HUGE TGF Contest, so we are pleased to bring you...."TGF's 12 Days of Sketches"!

We will be posting the "TGF 12 Days of Sketches" on the TGF BLOG starting with today's Farm Fresh Friday! With the exception of Sundays and Christmas Day, we'll be indulging your stamping addiction with TWELVE awesome sketches designed by our own Cindy Haffner, Jessica Diedrich, Marie Xiong, and ME! A different sketch will be posted each day, and you will find a place to upload your creations in the TGF GALLERY beginning today with Sketch 1.

Our 12th Sketch will be revealed on New Year's Day with a huge all-day celebration...stay tuned for more details! Our next two Farm Fresh Friday's will proceed as normal, and prizes will be given out to random winners. In addition, ANYONE who completes ALL TWELVE sketches (you will have until Sunday 1/3/10 at 8pm CST to complete them and upload them to the appropriate galleries) will be entered into a drawing to win the ENTIRE TGF JANUARY RELEASE!!!

Now let's take a few minutes to see what the rest of the design team members have created with today's sketch:

• Cindy
• Cheryl
• Gabby
• Jessica
• Kadie
• Kim
• Lisa
• Lynda
• Sandra

That's it for me today! We hope this challenge puts you in the partying mood, because we are excited about some HUGE changes taking place for 2010 on the Farm! Be sure to check out the TGF Blog today for all the Farm Fresh Friday deets, and the prize for this week's challenge! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you back here tomorrow with a project for the C4C challenge, so until then...

Supplies:

Stamps: Lolli (The Greeting Farm), Thankful Accents (Verve)

Papers: Regal Rose, Ruby Red, Watercolor, Wild Raspberry (K & Company)

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Bermuda Bay, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Ruby Red, Marigold Morning, Cameo Coral

Accessories: sewing machine, nesties, big shot, pink pearls, aquapainter, scissors, dimensionals, glaze pen, white gel pen

...Verve Day Thursday Mojo

This is my submission for this week's Mojo Monday Sketch #117. I used the sentiment from Verve's "Hundred Hearts" and the hearts from the "Sweet Valentine" set. I utilized some My Mind's Eye Out & About patterned papers, and a piece of 1" Red Stitched Ribbon. The Apron Lace Border Punch was used to create the scallops on the horizontal panel, then the edges of the large panel were pierced with a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer.

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by, and I will see you all back here tomorrow with another Farm Fresh Friday installment. Until then...

Supplies

Stamps: Hundred Hearts, Sweet Valentine (Verve)

Papers: Baja Breeze, Real Red, Whisper White, Watercolor, Out & About (My Mind's Eye)

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Real Red

Accessories: dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, apron lace border punch, ribbon, nesties, big shot, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, stickles, scissors, circle piercing guide

...Flutter By Wednesday #88 ~ Sketch

This is my submission for today's Flutter By Wednesday Challenge #88...a sketch designed by ME!!! Danni contacted me a while back to be one of her guest designers, and asked if I would be willing to design a layout for one of her challenges this month as well. I was more than happy to accept her invitation! I hope you enjoy the layout of this sketch...get out that patterned paper and have fun!

I decided to use my Heidi Swiss Pixie image from C.C. Designs along with some Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper. She was watercolor {of course}, then popped off of the sponged focal panel using Dimensionals. I created the sentiment panel by stamping one of the phrases from Verve's Fairy Tales set, then punching it out with a Circle Punch. I also punched a larger circle mat and a small heart to complete the panel. The edges of the large background panel and the focal panel were pierced using a Mat Pack and Paper Piercer. A piece of Ribbon and a few Rhinestones complete the card.

That's it for me today! I have a few projects that I have to complete for this weekend and next week, so I had best get started! LOL! Head on over to Danni's Blog, and participate in this week's Flutter By Challenge...remember to use a butterfly, fairy, or angel on your creation! Until later...

Supplies

Stamps: Heidi (C.C. Designs), Fairy Tales (Verve)

Papers: Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Cameo Coral, Whisper White, Watercolor, Raspberry Tart DSP

Inks: Basic Black Craft, Blush Blossom, Creamy Caramel, Coral Cameo, Summer Sun, Crushed Curry, Real Red, Kiwi Kiss, Old Olive

Accessories: dimensionals, mat pack, paper piercer, ribbon, circle punches (1-1/4", 1-3/8"), heart to heart punch, rhinestones, clear embossing powder, heat gun, aquapainter, stickles, scissors, sponge dauber, white gel pen