Foodie @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Brenda's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying, "Foodie" which just means that she wants to see projects with food or drinks on them.....well, with images of food or drinks anyways. She doesn't want to see your crafting-while-snacking mishaps.

This is what I did....

As you can see, I've got two types of food on there - Christmas pudding and gingerbread men, neither of which will be touching my lips this holiday season.  Blech.  I could eat the gingerbread man if I had to, say in a case of being polite....but I might just do the one-bite-mmmm-good-hide-it-somewhere-and-dispose-of-it-later thing....but only if it was homemade gingerbread.  I never feel the need to be polite with store bought baked goods.  The Christmas pudding - uh uh.  In my early 20s I briefly worked in a factory (hated it) and one of the things I had to make was suet cakes, you know, for birds.  The suet had to be heated so it would become liquid, then mixed with birdseed, then poured into packages, which you could never do neatly so then you'd have to try to wipe the greasy fat off the outside of the packages while it was fast getting cold (because there was very little heat in the part of the factory where you did this) and turning back into a slimy, sludgy mess.  And you smelled like beef fat for DAYS no matter how many times you showered.  Now, I know you can probably make Christmas pudding without the suet....but the only Christmas pudding I ever see is made by my very old fashioned mother-in-law (like pour the bacon grease on the dog's kibble, old fashioned) so I know there's definitely suet in her pudding.  And, if she knew my feelings about the stuff, she'd probably make it with extra suet....just in case I ever lost my mind and decided to have some.

Yes, so while you now know my intimate feelings about Christmas pudding - the irl stuff - I must say I do think this version is super adorable.  It's from DigiStamp Boutique.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Simon Says Stamp:  food and/or drink
The Holly & The Ivy:  anything Christmas goes
The Merry Christmas Challenge:  anything goes + Christmas
Fab n Funky:  Christmas
Crafty Friends:  add a sentiment

I CAME IN LIKE A WRECKING BAAAAAAALLLLL - Fab Friday @ Tiddly Inks

Where has November gone?  This month has flown by, well for me at least.  It's also Black Friday too, right?  If any of my American readers happen to be by, do tell me if you do the whole Black Friday thing.  As a Canadian it sounds, well not to be insulting, weird.  Getting up in the wee hours of the morning to stand outside (in the cold in some places!) in a line to wait for a store to open?  The crowds and the pushing/jostling must be unbearable.  And, how long do you have to stand in line to purchase your scored deals?  I'm picturing it as forever.

A lot of retailers on the north side of the border have gotten into the Black Friday spirit in the last few years and there are deals to be had here too.....but they are generally specials that last a whole week.  They are usually pretty good bargains, offering a good 20% to 30 % off everything in store (or online) with some stores doing decent door crasher deals, but, for the most part, hours are generally the same as any other day.  (Though, that might be different in some of the big cities.)   We tend to get a little crazier with our Boxing Day sales up here, though still nothing along the lines of Black Friday.  Would love to hear about your Black Friday experience if you're willing to share!

Trying to come up with a decent segue has failed me, so, here's my card.....

And here's my card again.....

Yep, when I saw this image that had to be done.  It's one of the three digis from the Cute and Clumsy Elves set.  As you can see it's an interactive card coz if you are going to come in like a wrecking ball you better a least look like you're capable of wrecking something.

Do make sure you go check out the other fabulous Fabby Friday makes the rest of the DT has come up with. You can see 'em all right here.

Also for:

Sunny Day Crafting:  U is for up in the air
The Merry Christmas Challenge:  anything Christmas goes
Christmas Card Challenge:  Christmas
The Holly & The Ivy:  Christmas
Fab n Funky:  inspired by a song, film or book - I think my inspiration is obvious.  ;-)
As You Like It:  fave Christmas colours - I'll admit, my fave is the traditional red & green.  While I do like to use non-traditional colours for holiday cards too, nothing says Christmas like red & green.  I usually avoid red & green together unless it's for Christmas.
Winter Wonderland:  traditional red & green Christmas colours
Your Next Stamp:  inspirational photo/colours
Aud Sentiments:  anything goes + sentiment

Let's Get Sketchy! @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's my turn to chose the challenge and I decided on a sketch. Here's it is....

Have to admit, this is my go-to sketch. I use it A LOT. Sometimes I wonder if I get lazy and use it too much but I LIKE it. There's something about it that works for me.  And, you can dress it up, or leave it clean & simple.

I decided to add just a smidge here and there.....

So, as you can see, I did go ahead and add a sentiment and embellishments wherever I wished.  I love this chubby Santa.  He's from Squigglefly which has been long closed.  :-(

My colouring looks a little rougher than normal....I use really cheap paper to colour on, mostly because I like the paper to have tooth and not be super smooth, but sometimes there's a sheet or two of especially rough paper in the pack....which you never know until you're colouring on it.  Still, I'd rather have rough looking highlights than no highlights at all so I didn't want to overcompensate.

I did a little trick I've done in the past when I can't find coordinating paper for the backing paper I've chosen.  I just cut the backing paper and then mat it with cardstock and then slap it back down.  Takes the card up a layer - literally!  :-)

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Merry Monday:  Santa Claus
Christmas Card Challenge:  Christmas
Crafty Friends:  add a sentiment
Fab n Funky:  inspired by a song - Santa Claus is Coming To Town  (The Bruce Springsteen version where one of the E Street Band is saying, "Ho Ho Ho" in the background.)
The Merry Christmas Challenge:  anything Christmas goes
Christmas At Sweet Stampin':  anything Christmas goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge:  Christmas
Craft Rocket:  Christmas is coming
Star Stampz:  use a digi
As You Like It:  favourite Christmas colour - I'll admit, my fave is the traditional red & green.  While I do like to use non-traditional colours for holiday cards too, nothing says Christmas like red & green.  I usually avoid red & green together unless it's for Christmas.
Aud Sentiments:  anything goes + sentiment
Crafty Gals Corner:  to die for - shape dies & word dies

Penguins and/or Polar Bears @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Heather's turn to choose the challenge and she wants to see either a penguin(s) or a polar bear(s) on your project - or both! A perfect challenge to help you get some of that holiday/winter crafting done.

This is what I did....

I love this lil penguin. Digi.....oh, wait. Guess what? It's not a digi stamp. Yep, you read that right.  It's actually a rubber stamp from Rubbernecker Stamps.  They had a sale on a bit ago and he was comparable in price to a digi so I snatched him up.

Please don't look too close at that Liquid Applique.  I do love the stuff but mine has obviously past it's expiry date as it's turned a fairly sickly yellowish colour.  (It is, yeeeaaars old, after all.)  Works okay in this case coz of the yellow beak and feet, but I've really got to get some new stuff before I use it again.  Used some Glossy Accents on the glasses, though it's not evident in the photo.  I do love that stuff too, especially for glasses.   

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Christmas Card Challenge:  Christmas
Crafty Friends:  Christmas
Craft Rocket:  Christmas is coming
The Merry Christmas Challenge:  anything Christmas
Watercooler Wednesday:  masculine
City Crafter:  for the boys
Crafty Sentiments:  winter
Deep Ocean:  things with wings
The Holly & Ivy:  Christmas
Merry Monday:  Christmas + winter activity
ABC Christmas:  X marks the spot (Bow looks like an X)
Christmas at Sweet Stampin':  anything Christmas goes
Craftaholics R Us:  masculine
Fab 'n' Funky:  masculine

Harvest Time @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Sandy's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying "Harvest Time" which means that she wants to see fall themed cards. Very fitting!

Now, when you see this you might think I went a little outside the box.....

...but I actually didn't, I followed the challenge more closely than normal coz....

....that's what my oldest was doing this weekend. Now, if he happened to come across a happy, dancing cob of corn on this combining travels....well....yeah, I'm betting he'd just suck that sucker up right into the bin with the rest of the non-sentient cobs. And if I expressed dismay about that he be all like, "What? Gotta get that 10ø." Sentimental, my oldest isn't.

I must say, I love this digi though.  With the freebies I have accumulated, I don't often purchase digis but I snatched this one up 'specially for this challenge.  It was too fun and too perfect not to!  It's from Drawn With Character.

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.

Also for:

Dream Valley:  add a sentiment
Star Stampz:  harvest
Aud Sentiments:  bingo + sentiment - patterned paper, digi, faux stitching
Tic Tac Toe Challenge:  tic tac toe - vibrant, circle, stripes
Addicted to Stamps:  make your mark
Crafty Calendar:  autumn colours

Friends & Family @ Tiddly Inks

This month at

the challenge is "Friends & Family" which is pretty open-ended really. You could use Tiddly image depicting friends or family or you could even make something for a special someone. Just use a Tiddly Inks image and you're all set.

This is what I did.....

I used Cocoa Wishes, a real favourite of mine. I just love these two.  They're both so adorable and I think the way Wren is looking at Wryn is so super sweet.

Now, I'm by no means a girly-girl (not that there's anything wrong with being a girly-girl....girly-girls are awesome).  I was a total tomboy growing up, and not much has changed.  Dresses and jewellery only if I absolutely have too, there's nothing pink in my closet, only manicure I've ever had was on my wedding day etc. etc. etc.  So, how come when I see papers with a colour combination like this I squeal inside like I've just been offered a total makeover by {insert some famous stylist/fashion guru here}?  I mean lOOk at it!  It's so pretty and is bright but soft at the same time, and that vintage vibe....*squeal*, so scrumptious!

Just so you know, I just downed the rest of my Diet Coke, thunked the glass down and wiped off my mouth with the back of my hand, you know, just to reset myself to the non-squealing version.  I will now avert my eyes from the card so not to relapse.

Why not grab a Tiddly Inks image, and join us for the challenge?  And be sure to  check out the fabulousness the DT has come up with.

Also for:

Deep Ocean:  inspired by a song - Holly Jolly Christmas
Dream Valley:  add a sentiment
Christmas Card Challenges:  Christmas
Come and Get It:  winter girls
Crafty Friends:  Christmas
As You Like It:  Christmas or non-Christmas - Definitely Christmas!  I give out a lot of Christmas card so I need to make a lot.  Plus I love Christmas papers, everything thing from vintage/shabby chic to cutesy-cute!  And Christmas images are so fun.
Aud Sentiments:  bingo + sentiment - die cuts, digi, pink

Owl About Me @ Little Red Wagon

This week at

it's Kate's turn to choose the challenge and she's saying it's "Owl About Me" which means, you guessed it, she wants to see an owl (or other bird) on your project.

This is what I did.....

Hahahaha, this digi cracks me up.  It's from Kinda Cute by Patricia.  Too funny.  I found some fuzzy felt at Dollarama and I thought it would be cool for die cutting....turns out I was right.  Cuts easy peasy too.  Just don't smell it.  I tell ya, dollar store products usually smell toxic.  It can't be good for you to take a big whiff of them.  But does that stop me from sniffing my purchases to see if it does indeed smell all chemically gross?   Nope, I do it every time.  I just chalk it up to yet-another-thing-wrong-with-me - ha!

Why not give our challenge a go this week and head on over to Little Red Wagon and link up?  And, while you're there, be sure to check out the wonderful projects the other Girlfriends have created.