I'm stamping again!

Not sure how long I'll be able to keep at it, but I'm loving that I'm finally taking some time to stamp for me, just for fun again!! I saw this fabulous video on Facebook this week by an SU! demo in Germany (Sina Mueller) and she linked to THIS YouTube video by Stampin' Sacha for even more instructions on how to make the cool new Pop-Up Fold card. I just had to try it!

Sitting in my stamp room (AKA the guest room!) I realized I wanted to use the Santa's Sleigh stamps and thinlet dies on the inside, and thought the detailed Santa thinly along with the Greetings from Santa stamp set would tie it all together nicely.

My family all indulged me as I worked over the weekend to make this card come together, first making samples of the mechanism (after watching the videos a few times and adjusting to US measurements) and then finally making this. Of course, after I got it together I realized the reindeer and sleigh should be against a Night of Navy background, so I pulled out my ink pads and watercolor brush to make it so. I think I like the watercolor background better than I would have a navy blue CS background anyway. :-)

Hope you all enjoy this card (and I'll try to get the good camera out this week, I just realized how bad these photos really are!) I'll try to start posting more of the ones I've been working on the last few weeks as time permits. Thanks for stopping by!!

MFT WSC - Christmas PI's

Good morning everyone! I have my MFT WSC challenge card for you today, a Christmas card featuring the wonderful Pure Innocence line. I chose Wyatt Just Chillin'. I had another tag ready to add an image to, and thought I could use that to make a card. It was pretty fast and easy once I colored Wyatt in and cut him out.

I went very simple, added a button and sentiment flag to the tag, and a big fat bow to the card. This one has already been mailed to my younger cousin from my folks. WOOHOO!! Have a great day!

Merry Christmas from Tuffy!

I have to admit, I've got another Tuffy card for you today because I needed to create a card in less than 45 minutes after getting Jackson to sleep and picking Julia up from school...and the smaller the image the faster the coloring! But...now that he's done...I LOVE it! This sketch (from Our Creative Corner's challenge this week!) was perfect for our little guy, and even though I didn't alter his image by adding a hat or holly or anything, the little red color adds enough holiday to make it all work!

I used some new BG Jovial paper (LOVE this, and can't believe I waited this long to get it!!!) and kept the whole thing pretty simple. And don't you just love that giant bow?? I know I do!

Ok...I know we're all WAY busy this time of year...so I'm going to leave it at that tonight. Have a wonderful Thursday everyone!

PWC130: Its sketch time!

I love the first Wednesday of the month - it always means another awesome Frances sketch!!! And this month's sketch is FABULOUS!!!

I didn't want to color an image for this one (no sleep = unsteady hands!) so I used the fabulous new O Christmas Tree set and some fabulous dp I picked up at a LSS. I added some bling to the wonderful snowflakes that come with the set, and some silver brads to the side (is it just me or do they look crooked? I used my totally cool new Tim Holtz ruler sot hey should be perfectly straight. Think I need more than 4 hours of sleep a night!!)

We'd love to have you play along too. Visit the Paper Pretties blog to get more details on how to enter, and get busy stampin'!!

Happy Thanksgiving, now on to Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you're all sitting down and taking a rest after wrangling that bird into the oven. Goodness...I hope I'm doing that!! Since I'm sure we're all super busy today, here's a quick card featuring the adorable Santa Marci!

I used this week's sketch challenge from Mercy along with some Candy Cane Lane DSP from SU! to create this large 5" by 7" card. I colored Marci with my copics, then added some texture to her outfit with my polar white flower soft. (I need me some white sparkly fluff!)

Now go baste your bird, and have a FABULOUS Thanksgiving day. And if you're not here in the U.S.? Eat some turkey anyway! :-)

Bellarific Friday - a holiday sketch card!

It's Bellarific Friday again, and I got a chance to stamp today during naptime. WOOHOO! This week's challenge was a sketch again, which I love!!

I used the fabulous Cutesy Ornament stamp from several years ago and colored it with my copics (I used W00, 1, 3, 5 and 7 and R00, 22, 27, 29 and 39 and N3 and 6 for the silver holders). After cutting it out with my long rectangle nesties, I also embossed it, then sponged on some sahara sand ink to match my papers. I used some Christmas dsp from SU! last year, and liked the muted tones of these snowflake papers. After adding the ribbon and getting the card all put together, I covered the red parts of the ornaments with my sakura glaze pen to give it a little shine!

I finished off the inside too, using some more dsp, the faux crocheted edge dienamic die from MFT, and a sentiment from a new SU! set.

Have a wonderful Friday everyone!!

TCP Challenge with a NEW TCP Stamp!

On Sunday last week, I had the pleasure of stamping with Alma herself at the trunk show she was hosting at my LSS (Memories Live On in Cupertino, CA!) She had created this adorable make and take with the Ski Bunny set...and she had some of the BRAND NEW UNRELEASED sets there for sale! Well...I snatched up this adorable little bear...because I love one of the sentiments with it. Of course...I'm waiting until later this weekend to see if I can do the card I originally came up with when I saw this set (GO BEARS!!)

For this card, I used the inspiration piece for this week's TCP Tuesday 135 Challenge, this cool chair with a neat pattern to it. When I saw the chair, I immediately thought of this paper from Nana's Nursery Boy collection by DCWV. I built my card from there using this week's Mercy sketch MTSC100.

I paper pieced this adorable bear's ears and foot pads, but otherwise just added a tiny bit of shading with my C1 copic marker. I added some pleated white satin ribbon from MFT with a bit of white narrow grosgrain from SU! over the stitching. I then finished him off with a sparkly snowflake and felt snowflake along with the sentiment stamped on a little banner. Super fun card!! And now another company to add to my obsessions list...YIKES!

Merry Christmas Marci!

I love versatile stamps!!! This adorable Birthday Marci works great for Christmas too...just using Christmas colors!!!

For my card today I used the Sweet Sunday sketch from Karen Giron. I really loved her sample and wanted to come up with some interested way to make the scalloped square. My order from MFT had just arrived with this fabulous new Faux Crocheted border die namics die, so I thought that might work. I cut out 4 of them, then linged them up on a cutting mat to make the size square I wanted, then I just cut the corners (mitered them you could say) to line them up. Worked pretty well!!

I colored Marci with my copics, and then paper pieced her present with the opposite side of the dp I used for the center square (adding the ribbon on top which had been stamped and cut from more white cs. I added some seam binding ribbon and an antique brad to finish off the sketch!!

Don't forget to share your LaLa Land Crafts projects with us! Link up your projects using any LLLC stamps here on the blog and YOU could be our customer of the month, and win ANY stamp from our store!!!

PWC126: another AWESOME sketch!

Frances has done it again - come up with an amazing sketch challenge for us this week, and I LOVE it!! I have to be honest...I made this card in less than 30 minutes, and I LOVE when I can do that! Because I didn't have an image to color, it was all picking papers, cutting, and lots of sponging!!

I used more of my Basic Grey Fruitcake paper (can you believe I bought that in the Netherlands and never opened it until I was back here in California and could have gotten it for half the price?? Figures!) along with some Cherry Cobbler, Sage Shadow, and Very Vanilla. I stamped the greeting from O Christmas Tree and after sponging on some Cherry Cobbler ink, I added teh snowflakes. Each is centered with a rhinestone for some extra sparkle. I added the Cherry Cobbler seam binding to finish off the card, and am quite happy with the end result!

Be sure to head on over to the Paper Pretties blog to see all the great creations today, and to link up your OWN entry for this week's challenge - you could win a Paper Pretties stamp set. You don't have to use a Prettie stamp to play (although we love it when you do!) just have fun with the great sketch!

PWC125: Gotta be Square!

It's that time again...for our weekly Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge! This week, we're challenging you all to make it square! A square card. This was an easy one for me...since more than half my cards these days are square. but, since I knew it was the last Monday of the month, I figured I'd wait to do my card for this weeks Mojo Monday Circle or square sketch...and I'm glad I did!

I used our adorable new Tis the Season Sophia from our October stamp release - isn't she just darling just peeking through all those packages?? LOVE it!! I colored her with copics and cut her out with Nesties. Then, I pulled out my beloved Eskimos Kisses paper and got to work with the sketch! I don't usually mix this many patterns...but I think it works!

I added some liquid applique to her boots and the cuffs of her coat to give her a little added dimension, and slipped some clear tinsel from SU! behind her. Cute, no??

Of course, I finished the inside too. Now, head on over to the paper pretties blog to see all of this week's square creations from our amazing DT, and be sure to link up your OWN square cards to WIN a FREE Paper Pretties stamp set. Also while you're there...check out our new Digi Design team call - I mean, who can't use more stamps?!?

Monday Whatnots...

Happy Monday everyone! I'm back this morning with a Monday Whatnot from Paper Pretties and ARTish - our newest line of images that's all digital! And what's not to love about these adorable new images? For today's card I used an image that was released last Monday, Baloo.  I totally fell in love with this image the first time I saw it since I have been stringing popcorn and cranberries for my Christmas tree since I was about 12!

So sweet and easy to work with, Baloo can be printed at any size you want...for a nice big image like I've got, or you can print it out much smaller to fit a little notecard. For my card I wanted a nice big, eye-catching image. I colored it with my copics, ten cut it out with my circle nestabilities.For the layout, I used this weekend's Sketch for You to Try by Jen del Muro - with just a few minor tweeks and my Basic Grey Eskimo Kisses paper.

I finished off the card with some bling, and I used some plain, clear rhinestones that I colored with my copic marker to match the cranberries - perfect huh?? Be sure to go check out the two adorable new images available today from ARTish and Paper Pretties over at the Paper Pretties blog, and have a wonderful Monday!

New Caroling Luka is out!

I've got two release hops today, so be sure to scroll around to see BOTH of the projects I have to share today!!

Here's Caroling Luka! Isn't he a doll? If you've arrived from Karen's blog you're in the right spot, but if you've just arrived, then head on back to Irina's blog so you don't miss out on any of the gorgeous creations of our DT!

This new Luka is SOOO sweet! I had so much fun coloring him to match this fabulous American Crafts paper! I thought he was perfect with the lines of holiday houses behind him. Look...his face is all pink from the frosty weather as he's out singing Carols to the neighbors!

I also finished off the inside of the card...cute no? The sentiments I used for this card both came from Paper Pretties...don't they work perfectly? Now...before you head along to the next stop on the hop, be sure to leave a comment so you can be entered to win the fabulous blog candy Irina is giving to one lucky winner, with Basic Grey paper and embellies, nestabilities, primas and of course a fabulous LaLa land Stamp, you can't go wrong! Be sure to leave a comment on every stop along the way to be entered to win, and for more chances, like LaLa Land on Facebook, and post about this blog candy to YOUR blog, or on your favorite crafting site to let others in on the fun! Leave us a message on THIS POST to let us know you've done that for your extra chances!! We'll choose a winner on Tuesday morning so as to give you time to spread the word!

Now keep on hoping to see what amazing creation Cheryl has to share with you all today...I know I will!

SU! Friday - More Christmas Cards!

A few weeks back Michelle and I finally got to play with the double embossing technique everyone has been so excited about. This is where you use a template to leave an open space inside your embossed paper...and it looks REALLY cool!! The first place I saw this was on Patty Bennet's blog (she's amazing, isn't she?) And since then it's been everywhere!My white layer is shimmery white cardstock run through the big shot with the petals aplenty embossing folder. I then stamped the holy wreath in the center (leaves inked with old olive, berries with real red) then stamped Merry Christmas inside that. This is layered on Old Olive and a Real Red card with some old olive taffeta ribbon.

So, how are YOUR Christmas cards coming along??

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm hoping to have a few new projects to show you over the next week, but for now here's a quick Merry Christmas from my beautiful kids! I hope your day was wonderful!!

Forgotten Card...

I thought I'd post this card I made before Jack was born for a swap I did. I never had a chance to post it...so you all get to see it now (since I still haven't gotten any more stamping done yet!)

I used my Winter Post set (which I LOVE) along with some Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla cardstocks. I sponged all the layers, used my scallope edge punch for the top and some new SU! ribbon along with the awesome felt snowflakes from the Winter SU! mini.

It's been a busy weekend here getting everything decorated for Christmas, but I finally managed to finish decorating our tree and the interior of the house. Our annual cookie swap is next weekend so I have to make sure the house is ready. :-)

I'm also getting some Blog Bon-Bon's ready soon. I have a few duplicate stamp sets here so once I sort through and figure out which ones, I'll post it here!

I hope you all have a wonderful week - and I'll try to be back again soon!

Supplies: (all supplies from SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Winter Post
CS: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
Acc: scallop edge punch, felt snowflakes, SU! ribbon

TFL!

SFYTT with Festive Favorites

German Phrase of the Day: Warum lachst du? = Why are you laughing? Possibly because I just love this snowman stamp...I think they are hilarious all standing around chatting to each other.

This card was made for Jen's Sketch for You to Try from LAST week, but I turned it on it's side. Yeah, I know, I'm a little behind! But, it is a Christmas card, so that part is ahead! I used my soon to retire Festive Favorites set (which I LOVE and will SOOO miss!) and since I don't have my tag punches anymore, I hand cut the tags for the top. Everything was colored with SU! markers, and I even used some retired SU! DSP. The trickiest part of the whole thing was stamping just the tag outline and then filling it in with the snowflakes for the middle tag...but I think it turned out pretty well!

Ok...back to work now. But...I did manage to finish up the stationary set for Julia's teacher's wedding gift this morning...only 3.5 hours...not bad! I'll post photos of that soon. Have a great day!

Supplies: (all supplies from SU! unless noted)
Stamps: Festive Favorites
CS: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Retired Seasons DSP
Ink: Basic Black, various markers
Acc: Ticket corner punch, word window punch, sponge, silver brads

TFL!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

Frohe Weinachten

Feliz Navidad

Happy Christmas

Joyeux Noel

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas this year. We just finished opening presents and now dh is taking his parents to the airport while Julia and I relax. Here are a few photos of Julia this morning enjoying her presents from Santa and everyone else!

Christmas Tree ornament

German Phrase of the Day: Bitte versteh' mich nicht falsch. = Please don't get me wrong. Let me tell you, this phrase is one of my pet peeves. My feeling is, if someone has to preface a statement with this or "Please don't take this the wrong way" then maybe they shouldn't be saying it. I can take constructive criticism, so long as it is that. Oh well..just one of my pet peeves. :-)

Here's an ornament I made as a sample for my ornament class I had last week. I used the holiday chipboard from SU! and covered it with real red craft ink, them embossed with Glassy Glaze embossing powder twice to get good coverage. I then sandwiched the photo between this piece and a solid square piece covered with some Dashing DSP. On the back I have Julia's name and the year. Now I've decided I have to go back and make one for every year out of her picture with Santa. Michelle...got any extra chipboard?? ;-)

I used some Red gingham to cover the seam, and I used my new crop-a-dial to set the jumbo eyelets (they are double set so it looks good no matter which side you are looking at! I finished it off with some silver cord and the wide celery grosgrain bow. Ok, can I say it again? Isn't she adorable? A total devil tonight, but still adorable!! :-)

Not sure if I'll post again until we get back from Nurnberg on Sunday, so everyone have a great weekend, and stay sane!! Christmas will be over soon. :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: none
CS: Dashing (on back)
Ink: real red craft ink
Acc: chipboard, red gingham ribbon, wide celery ribbon, silver cord, pewter large eyelets, crop-a-dial, glassy glaze ep

TFL!
-Jana

Holiday Baking

German Phrase of the Day: Der Braten schmeckt ausgezeichnet. = The roast tastes excellent. I thought this was somewhat suitable, even though I haven't been making any roasts yet - that will be on the 24th when we have our Pork Tenderloin roast. Yum!!

So, I haven't been totally neglecting my stamping. I've just been stamping containers for all this fudge I've made!! I made 4 different flavors of fudge to give away this year: peanut butter, toblerone, chocolate mint, and dark chocolate (counter clockwise starting at the bottom) My favorite is the peanut butter, so I made that one last so I wouldn't eat too much of it. Oh well...I still did! I just LOVE peanut butter fudge. I found some boxes to cover at one of the local stores, and so I wrapped them with the celebrations wrapping paper. I just love the bright colors! I put fudge, and a few kinds of cookies that Julia and I made together in these boxes.

But, I had SOOO much fudge leftover (I probably made close to 15 pounds of fudge total!) that I pulled out my coffee bags from Papertrey Ink and stamped on them with my Holiday Treats stamp set. Didn't they turn out cute? The boxes are going to close friends over here and 2 neighbors that we interact with a lot, as well as Julia's teachers as kindergarten. The bags will go to other moms at Julia's school who have been very helpful to me, and some other neighbors who are passing acquaintances. I just love holiday baking and sharing of treats. I hope our German neighbors and friends will enjoy the fudge!

For those who are interested, here is the fudge recipe I use:

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

2 cups Sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 T corn starch (although, I don't usually use this one)

Mix all ingredients in a large sauce pan and bring to boil stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat. Beat in:
3 heaping tablespoons Marshmallow fluff
3 heaping tablespoons peanut butter or 12 oz chocolate.
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Pour mixture into a buttered 9 by 9 pan and let set.

Over here I can't get Nestle's chips, so I use good European chocolate bars (Lindt was the maker of choice this year!) and it tastes SOOOO good! I think I will continue that tradition when I move back...I mean, we shouldn't have to settle for Nestle chocolate, right?

Have a wonderful day everyone! And enjoy some special holiday treats. :-)

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Holiday Treats by PaperTrey Ink
CS: Handsome Hunter, Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Kraft
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter, Brocade Blue
Acc: mini self-adhesive rhinestones from Pipoos, circle punches, scallop punch, silver cord, coffee bags

TFL!
-Jana

My Final Christmas Card

German Phrase of the Day: Wahrsheinlich shon. - Yes, probably. That really long word is pronounced vahr-SHINE-lihkh and means probably. This is a new word for me, and I like it! Will have to remember it.

So, here is the final version of my Christmas card this year. I ended up not having time to tie all the ribbons (I was under a deadline, needed to finish before I left the states!) But, isn't my little angel just adorable?? And she's getting SOOO big! Most everyone who received this commented on that.

Anyhow...I still have a few more projects saved up to show you, and I hope to get some time in between cleaning tomorrow to create some more but my in-laws arrive Thursday morning, and we head to Nurnberg on Friday, so it will be a little hectic around here. Have a great day!

Supplies: (all supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)
Stamps: Big on Christmas
CS: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, certainly celery, real red, summer sun
Acc: stickles

TFL!
-Jana