The Outlawz: Happy New Year Fireworks!

No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam. ~Charles Lamb

Good morning!

Christmas is over. I am sad.

I will miss the carols and the bright lights and the pretty ornaments.

But the New year is right around the corner and brings with it the anticipation of new beginnings.

Nothing wrong with that. We all need that start point at some time in our lives.

2015 is going to be another busy year for us, but I guess I would not want it any other way.

Our kids are grown and they are embarking on their own life adventures, leaving us to plan our future days as empty nesters, which include talk of downsizing our home and general lifestyle.

On personal levels, My husband is finishing up classes he needs to start nursing school and I have plans for Through The Craft Room Door that I hope takes the Challenge Blog and the Magazine to the next level.

What about you? Are your resolutions lined up for the kick off on January 1st, 2015? 

This is the last week of 2014 and the last CAS of the year as well. Cheri wants to send it off in style with fireworks on our CAS cards and projects this week over at the Outlawz!

So here is mine.

I created the background by tapping my ink ad all over the EF before running through my Big Kick. This is not the results I was looking for, but I was using a new ink and for some reason, even with the whole EF covered, not all the ink came off. (Since I do this with other inks and never have a issue, I have to assume it was the ink and not my machine).
Either way, I dolike the way it came out and went with it.

Size is 5 x 7

SUPPLIES

Card stock: The Paper Studio & Stampin Up!

Embossing folder: "Fireworks" by Darice

Ink; Pallet

Sentiment: "Let's Toast" from The Angel Company

Rhinestones: Recollections

Edge punch: Martha Stewart

Glitter: My Stash

Glittery DP: My Scrap Bin

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Sailor Moon Inspired Gloves

“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.”

Ann Landers

Good Morning

Today I am postings pictures of fingerless gloves I made for my daughter who, as I stated before is a HUGE Sailor Moon fan.

Earlier this year I made her a scarf - see post HERE - and I thought gloves to go with it would be nice. These cover almost the whole hand and forearm.

So here they are ...

This is the first time I ever tried making these and is just a basic double crochet in the round.

Gloves

my hands modeling the gloves

Close up of cute little bow

Thanks for Stopping by!

Cara

Christmas for the Parent in Laws

From Home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other.-Emily Matthews

Good morning my crafty peeps!

It's Christmas Eve! Plans are to attend Christmas Eve Services and come home to hot cocoa and maybe a midnight chat with the daughter in Japan.

We'll see how that works out!

Here is the card I made for my Parent in laws this year.

The card is 5 x 7

I roughed up the edges a bit on this one.

SUPPLIES: Card stock from Stampin Up! / DP and flower center from my stash / Dies "Silhouette Nativity" from Papertrey Ink, "Layered Poinsettia" from Spellbinders, "Believe" from Little Yellow Bicycle, "Classic Circles" & "Scallop Circles"from Sizzix / Scrappers Floss from Karen Foster.

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Christmas for Mom

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. - Oren Arnold

Good Heavens People

Christmas is only a couple of days away!

I still have much to do! How about you?

At least my cards are all done and mailed!

Every year, I try to make special, one of a kind cards for the parents.

This is the card I made for my Mom.

Card size is 5 x 7

Supplies: Card stock from Stampin Up! / DP and flower center from my stash / Embossing folders "Christmas Holly Damask" & Swiss dots" from Cuttlebug / Dies "Silhouette Nativity" from Papertrey Ink, "Layered Poinsettias" from Spellbinders and "Believe" from Little Yellow Bicycle

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Believe

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.

George Mathhew Adams 

Ok ... I admit, this is another one of those cards that I had stuck somewhere because I didn't finish it. 

Which was a good thing really because the original images just weren't working for me ... which is probably why they were never finished ... 

Anyway, All done now and off to good homes!

Card size is A2

The blue card stock was put through my big kick in an embossing folder then I lightly ran my ink pad over the raised surface to highlight the snowflakes.

SUPPLIES

Card stock: Stampin Up!

Embossing Folders: "Swiss dots" & "Snowflakes" from Cuttlebig

Ink: Pallet Hybrid ink

Dies: "Nativity Silhouette" by Paper Trey Ink and "Believe" from Little Yellow Bicycle

Star Punch: Martha Stewart

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Pay attention to your dreams ...

Pay attention to your dreams — God's angels often speak directly to our hearts when we are asleep.

~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994

Hi there!

Today is the start of a new CAS challenge at The Outlawz and it is my day to post.

December is my favorite time of year ... I love the lights and the music and all the fun decorations for the Holiday Season!

It's also my birthday this month and as long as I can remember, my mother has given me an Angel for my birthday.

They are a sweet reminder that I was born during a very special time and they truly fascinate me on every level. I just love them and they are all over my house, even when it is not Christmastime.

This week your challenge is to create a CAS card or project with an Angel or Angel Wings.

Can't wait to see what you create for us!

Here's is my card!

SUPPLIES:

Size 4.25 x 5.50

Card stock used for card base and wings from The Paper Studio

The gold vellum is from my scrap bin

"Layered Wings" die from Sizzix (Tim Holtz Alterations)

"Wings: Embossing folder from Sizzix (Tim Holtz Alterations)

Sentiment from "All Year Cheer II" by Stampin Up!

Sequins from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!
(Hugs) Cara

Birthday Glow!

A man's age is something impressive, it sums up his life: maturity reached slowly and against many obstacles, illnesses cured, griefs and despairs overcome, and unconscious risks taken; maturity formed through so many desires, hopes, regrets, forgotten things, loves. A man's age represents a fine cargo of experiences and memories.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Wartime Writings 1939-1944, translated from French by Norah Purcell

A shout out to our wonderful retired Reverend, Uncle Russ, who is celebrating 83 years of living, breathing and being human like the rest of us! 

I won this adorable image some time ago and just finally got around to using it. It's called Birthday Candle Birdbrain by From the Heart Stamps.

Uncle Russ has such a great sense of humor, I thought he would enjoy the whimsy!

I printed him on card stock from Georgia Pacific and colored him with my Prisma Color Pencils.

Still working on my shading but I think I'm getting better.

The card size is 5 x 7

SUPPLIES

Image: Birthday Candle Birdbrain by From the Heart Stamps

Image is printed on card stock from Georgia Pacific

Card stock: The Paper Studio & Stampin Up!

"Labels Collection" die from Stampin Up!/Sizzix

Embossing Folder "Chicken Wire: from Cuttlebug

Prisma Color Pencils

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara

Angel Kisses

Friends are kisses blown to us by angels. ~Author Unknown

Good morning

Today is the birthday of a unlikely friend.

Our husbands worked together for several years as firefighters, but our contact with each was minimal until mutual friends were married and the two us of spent lots of time together ... ummm .... drinking and ... well drinking LOL

The Husbands were in the bridal party and as it happened, the wedding coordinator (who was very unapologetic) did not make any arrangements for a place that the grooms party could meet and get ready, so I was banished from our hotel room the day of the wedding so they had a place to gather and bump chests.

That left me with nowhere to go but the hotel bar ... lucky for me Sabrina was kind enough to let me come hang out with her and get ready for the wedding ...

     And so begins an interesting friendship ....

As we talked, we learned our birthdays are within days of each other and we share many of same interests.

Although we live on opposites sides of town and don't see each other as often as we used to since my blindness in one eye has restricted my driving, we do keep in touch and get together when possible.

So here is to my friend Sabrina

I hope your birthday is as lively as you are!

HUGS Cara

SUPPLIES

Card stock from The Paper Studios

DP from my scrap pile

Embossing folder "Swiss Dots" from Cuttlebug

Image from "Time to Party" by Stampin Up!

Ink from Stampin Up!

India Ink from Memories

Lace and Ribbon from my stash

The Value of Doing Nothing!

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.

~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne

Good morning!

Made this card and matching envelope for my Step-Mother-in-Law, who is retiring this month from a career in Nursing.

SUPPLIES

Card stock from The Paper Studio & Stampin Up!

DP "Attic Boutique" from Stampin Up!

Sentiment from "All Year Cheer I" by Stampin Up!

Ink from Stampin Up!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara

Birthday Boy

Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.

~Gail Lumet Buckley

Good morning!
Here I have a birthday card that I made for one of my nephews.
I can't tell you the last time I saw him as he lives in California and since his father (my oldest brother) passed away, contact has been limited ... not by my choice.

Anyway - I always send him and his older brother birthday cards, if for no other reason that to let them know they have other family out in the in the big wide world and we love them.

The card is 4.25 x 5.50

SUPPLIES

Card stock from The Paper Studio and Stampin Up!

DP from my scrap bin

Embossing Folder" Charles" from Cuttlebug

Sentiment from Inkahootz!

Tag punch from Stampin Up!

Border punch from Martha Stewart

Thank for stopping by!

Cara

The Outlawz: Doodle Time!

Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos. ~Charles M. Schulz

Good morning my friends!

Welcome to a great day!

The challenge at the Outlawz today is all about doodling ...

Which I think is hilarious! Something my friends and I used to do all over our notebooks is now an art form called Zentangles!

Who would have guess - Right?!

Anyway, Charlene has challenged us to doodle on our cards or create a doodled focal point.

So here is mine! 

I doodled a large flower and just kept adding to it - just like I did when I was a kid! LOL

Come doodle along with us at The Outlawz!

Card size is A2

Supplies

Card stock from The Paper Studio & Bazzill

Sentiment from "Lot's of Thoughts" by Stampin Up!

Button is from my stash

Image is by Yours Truly :O) ... me me me 

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.

Calvin Coolidge

Good morning! 

I hope you are experiencing a lovely Holiday Season!

I have another card done and mailed! Yay me!

A simple card made with scraps. 

The Santa charm is metal and I colored with my Copics

Card size is A2

SUPPLIES

Card stock: Bazzill and Stampin Up!

DP, Santa Charm & Ribbon from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

Season's Greetings with the Outllawz!

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.”

Tom Bodett

There is a new challenge in the mix over at The Outlawz and I decided I would play along for fun!

It's called a Freebie/Progressive Challenge and each month they will send you a free digital image to use in the challenge. There are rules around getting these images, like you have to complete and upload your card or project to qualify for the next months digital image but since the challenge lasts the whole, you should have plenty of time to play along!

To register, you can send your name and email address to outlawzprogressivechallenge@gmx.com.

This month the sponsor is Simply Betty Stamps

and

here is my 5 x 7 card

Supplies

Card stock from The Paper Studio

Digital Image "Tangled Wednesday" from Simply Betty Stamps

Digi image is printed on card stock from Georgia Pacific

DP is unknown

Sentiment from Hampton Arts

Lights from Halo Rubber Stamps

Embossing Folder "Christmas Ornaments" from Cuttlebug

India ink from Memories

Prisma Color Pencils

"Framed Tag One" die from Spellbinders

Thanks for stopping by!

Cara

The Outlawz: Dreaming of a White Christmas

At Christmas, all roads lead home.  ~Marjorie Holmes

Good morning ...

We are only a few weeks away from the Christmas. I'm so excited! 

I just love the Holiday Season!!!

This week our challenge is to create white on white cards or projects... can only use black or brown for the sentiment.

Sounds easy right?

Not for me - LOL - I kept wanting to add color somewhere - anywhere - on the card!

But I managed to control myself and here is my card!

Size is A2

Supplies:

Card stock; The Paper Studio

Sentiment: Hampton Arts

Embossing Folder: "Country Flourish" Sizzix

Ribbon & Snowflake - My Stash

Black India Ink: Memories

Santa Claus time!

Somehow, not only for Christmas, But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others, Is the joy that comes back to you.

And the more you spend in blessing, The poor and lonely and sad, The more of your heart's possessing, Returns to you glad. 

John Greenleaf Whittier 

Good morning!

I imagine most of us are still working on our Christmas cards. I know I have been scrambling this year.

I am usually so much better at having enough cards done by the end of November with extras left for the unexpected.

No so this year... sigh

Here is a card I actually did make a while ago and just got around to finishing and photographing!

The card size is A2 and is one of four I made... actually, truth be told I STARTED this card set last year, but never finished them for some reason. I had placed all the pieces in a binder where I keep unfinished cards and projects. Worked out well though because with little effort, I have four cards to add to my pile for mailing!

SUPPLIES: 

Card stock: Paper Temptress & Stampin Up!

Image: "Santa Collage" from Rubber Stampede

Embossing folder is unknown because I can;t find what I did with it :O(

Rhinestones: The Paper Studio

Ink: Stampin Up! & Memories

Ribbon from my stash

Thanks for stopping by!

(Hugs) Cara

TTCRD Anything goes with Little Claire - Penguin Hugs!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

Burton Hillis

Good morning my Crafty Peeps!

I trust, for my fellow Patriots, that your Thanksgivings were blessed with good food, family and friends and, if you ventured forth, you survived your adventures out there into Black Friday Land.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am not fond of crowds to begin with, so the increased pushing, shoving and general rudeness of the population on Black Friday is a great reason for me grab a cup of hot coffee and park my pajama clad butt in front of my laptop to do any shopping I deem necessary.

Either way, for the Malmrose Clan - the Christmas Holiday has officially begun with a tradition started when my kids were little. On Thanksgiving evening, after everyone is properly fooded and leftovers are stored for later foraging runs. We gather in front of the TV to watch "A Muppet Christmas Carol". 

A wonderful rendition of the Charles Dickens Classic - only the Muppets play most of the characters. Gonzo the Great, narrating the movie as Mr. Dickens takes Rizzo the Rat and us, through the wondrous journey of Ebenzer Scrooge, played by the awesome Michael Caine, as he is guided by three ghosts sent to show him he needs to change his horrid, selfish ways or face dire consequences in the afterlife.

A fun movie with lots of laughter and, of course, a value lesson at the end about treating people (and Muppets) with dignity and respect.

This year, it was just my son and I sitting there to watch the movie. as my husband was working and my daughter is set to spend another Christmas in Japan. It was heartwarming to me that my son was willing to sit and watch the movie with me. Especially when he mentioned that, for him, it was part of our Thanksgiving tradition and marked the beginning of the Christmas season for our family.

So from my family to yours Happy Holidays and quoting Tiny Tim - "God Bless us Everyone!"

Now onto my card.

This week our Sponsor at Through the Craft Room Door is Little Clair

While I used a Digi, you can also purchase this image as a clear stamp.

Here's my card.

It is 5 x 7 and the layout is from a scrapbook page I found on Pinterest. Click HERE to see the page and website where it came from.

I colored the image with my Prisma color pencils (still learning how to shade and stuff).

Then I die cut the image out and attached it to my card front after lightly drawing a circle that I could use as a guide for the snowflakes.

All my snowflakes were from scrap papers.

SUPPLIES

Card stock from The Paper Studio & Stampin Up!

Prisma Color Pencils

Big Scalloped Ovals from Spellbinders

Ink from Stampin Up! (to shade around the image) & Copics (To color the sentiment)

Rhinestones from The Paper Studio

Pretty much everything else was from my box of Christmas Stash: The little poinsettias, the puff snowflakes, the cold beads and the red buttons.

Click HERE to come join in the fun!

Hope to see ya soon!

(Hugs) Cara