Black Tie with Cherry Cobbler Formal for the Dynamic Duos

There is just something classy about Basic Black, Shimmer White and Cherry Cobbler, like the Dynamic Duos Black Tie Challenge this week.

It reminds me of one of my favourite cakes - Black Forest Cake.  Or one of my favourite sundaes - Chocolate Cherry.  And one of my favourite chocolates - Cherry Blossoms or Cherry Cordials.

Okay, now I'm hungry.  Be right back!!

So, you got the idea, I think.  I love Chocolate and Cherry, and while Chocolate isn't really black, this challenge was definitely scrumptious!  Here's what I did:

• I love cardinals at Christmas and while the Bird Builder Punch doesn't make cardinals, you can add the crest using one of the leaves from the little sprig that punches out with the birds.
• I used the Hearts Collection Framelits!  I say that with an exclamation point because I hardly ever use them except for Valentine cards.
• The white cardstock, though hard to see in the photo is the Shimmer White cardstock.  It adds the sparkle that's the dessert option with this challenge.

• The sentiment is from Warmth and Wonder, a hostess set from the Holiday Catalogue.  I love it and have used it a lot.  If you want it, you're going to have to book a private class with some of your friends before January 2.  After that it will be gone!
• I tried the Cherry Cobbler 1" Stitched Edge Grosgrain ribbon for this card but the Cherry Cobbler was a bit subdued with that ribbon.  I could have used seam binding ribbon, but I'm all out of Cherry Cobbler, so Chevron ribbon it was.
• The Shimmer White panel, the birds' wings and the birds themselves are all popped up on Dimensionals.  The birds' heads needed a double layer because they were adhered to the lower Basic Black layer, not the higher Shimmer White paper.

By the way, chocolate covered cherries are the best, but chocolate covered cranberries come a close second and it's what I had in the house when the chocolate craving overcame me!  And dark chocolate is so much better that milk chocolate!

For the next week, I will be taking some time off to spend with my family.  I will be posting some of my favourite cards from 2013, so I hope you enjoy that.  I will be back with some fresh material on Dec. 29, just in time to say good-bye to the Holiday Catalogue.  You can still visit my On-line Store 24/7, or give me a call if you need anything.  Merry Christmas to you and your family!  Leave me a comment and let me know your favourite flavours!

• Basic Black 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Shimmery White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Bird Punch
• Cherry Cobbler 3/4" Chevron Ribbon
• Warmth Wonder Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Warmth Wonder Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
• Hearts Collection Framelits Dies

Shrek the Musical and Dynamic Duos

We went to see Shrek the Musical at a local theatre yesterday and it was amazing!  Great characterization, sets, costuming, even a dragon puppet!  If you know me you know I love theatre and this was one of the most enjoyable and entertaining performances I've seen in a while.





My favourite was Lord Farquod, who played the entire show on his knees, with false legs in front, to make him look short.  He and the donkey, (above with Shrek) were hilarious!

There are just some combinations that click - like Fiona and Shrek, or Donkey and Dragon!  But I've discovered two colours that click, thanks to Dynamic Duos Challenge #83:

I haven't used Marina Mist in an age and I'm sure it was feeling abandoned and lonely, so imagine my delight when it was paired up with Crumb Cake in a subtle pair that looks soft and peaceful!  Really beautiful!  I used my newly discovered favourite stamp set, Warmth and Wonder, to create this card:

• I started by sponging the bottom of the Whisper White with Marina Mist ink on a sponge dauber, using torn Post-It Notes to mask the Whisper White panel, creating snow banks.
• I stamped the tree, deer and sentiment in Crumb Cake and added Marina Mist accents with the lights on the tree and on the snowflakes flying.  The images, except for Joy to the World, are from the Hostess stamp set, Warmth and Wonder.  If you would like this set, ask some friends to come and I can do a private class for you all!  As hostess, you would be able to order it.

• The Crumb Cake background panel is embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.
• I used the Marina Mist Chevron ribbon with linen thread and a Frosted Finish Embellishment for an      accent.

Thanks for dropping in!  Have a great Monday!  Remember, only 18 days left to shop from the Holiday Catalogue!  Don't miss out on something you wanted because you waited too long!

You can purchase any of the supplies you see below that were used on this card, simply by clicking on the product, which will take you to my On-Line Store - open 24/7. Shipping is normally only takes a week so, if that continues to be true through this busy season, you might still be able to have it here by Christmas!

• Warmth Wonder Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Warmth Wonder Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Joy To The World Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Joy To The World Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad
• Marina Mist 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad
• Crumb Cake 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Marina Mist 3/4" Chevron Ribbon
• Frosted Finishes Embellishments
• Linen Thread
• Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die
• Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

Customer Appreciation Day

Today I hosted a Customer Appreciation Christmas Party for my customers and it was great fun!  There was yummy food, some quick and easy make and takes (one featuring washi tape!!) and some games and tons of prizes!  I had lots attending and I wanted to share with you one of the games we played.  It was a card making relay.  I had two teams of about 6 people each.  I gave each team a box with similar supplies in it and each team had 10 minutes to create a card.  To do that they circulated the card around the table and each person on the team did one step only.  If everyone had a turn and there was still time and more to do on the card, it would circulate again until finished.

It was great fun and I couldn't believe how well the teams cooperated and came up with some amazing designs for 10 minutes of work.  One table was finished a good two minutes ahead of time while the other table wasn't quite done even though they thought of the amazing idea to emboss the ribbon, it put them behind.

At the end I had to choose the winner, and that was hard because they were both good designs.  I ended up picking the team done early because their card looked more finished than the other.  I wanted to show you both designs, but I only have one of the cards to photograph.  It's the winner:

This card uses the Hostess stamp set, Warmth and Wonder, and some Old Olive and Real Red ink along with some silver embossing powder for the stars.  They added a bit of burlap ribbon for the flag.  The DSP is from the Season of Style set.  Could you create something in a committee setting in 10 minutes?  Not such an easy task!  Well done!  Wish I had a photo of the other card as well.

Here's another look at the weekly specials!  These are available at the currant price until Monday night.  I'm putting in an order today, Sunday, Dec. 15 sometime, so let me know tomorrow if you want anything.

2013-2015 IN COLOR CORE'DINATIONS Price: $14.95 $11.21 BLUSHING BRIDE 3/4" CHEVRON RIBBON Price: $12.50 $9.38 CARD BASE POP' N CUTS Price: $48.95 $36.71 DESIGNER ROSETTE BIGZ XL DIE Price: $52.95 $39.71 DOTTED SCALLOP RIBBON BORDER PUNCH Price: $20.95 $15.71 HOLLY BERRY BOUQUET KIT - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $10.95 $6.57 NEUTRALS STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS Price: $29.95 $22.46 READY. SET. SEND. Price: $24.95 $18.71

As You See It Challenge #015 - Using Up Your Bits

Well, it's Friday again and that means another As You See It Challenge and this time the challenge was a tough one.  But it looked to me like a good opportunity to use up bits and pieces of my Christmas DSP before the season was over.  It was also a good opportunity to use some of the seasonal stamp sets I hadn't used yet.  Here's Amanda's great sketch:

And here's what I did with it:

• I used Season of Style scraps plus a little Champagne and Cherry Cobbler Glimmer Paper and some Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso cardstock for the colour scheme of this card.
• The two stamps sets I made use of were Warmth and Wonder, a hostess set from the Holiday Catalogue and A Banner Christmas.  Those small images were perfect for this project.
• I trimmed and arranged small pieces of Cherry Cobbler cardstock to figure out sizes and placement for all the little boxes on this card.  Then I measured and cut the DSP or other paper to fit them.

• I love the deer and cardinal images from the Warmth and Wonder set and even the small Noel that usually goes with the bird but I stamped it separately.
• The JOY letters come together like three banners strung together, but I separated each one by cutting around it and cutting off the banner end to make it fit on the small squares.  Each one is popped up with dimensionals.
• I used two different types of Designer Buttons -Regals Collection and Naturals.  The dark brown medium Naturals Designer Button has been threaded with Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine and a bow tied.
• The little fork bow above the Noel in the bottom right corner is just the right size for this square.

The Clearance Rack Blitz continues!  Don't wait too long or your desired items may sell out.  You can shop online for these or any other products 24/7 here.

Latest MDS Downloads:

LABEL LOVE STAMP BRUSH SET - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $4.95

LABEL SOMETHING STAMP BRUSH SET - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $4.95

WHEN THE CLOCK STRIKES TWELVE ENSEMBLE - DIGITAL DOWNLOAD Price: $19.95

• Warmth Wonder Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Warmth Wonder Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• A Banner Christmas Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• A Banner Christmas Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Champagne Glimmer Paper
• Red Glimmer Paper
• Season Of Style Designer Series Paper Stack
• Season Of Style Designer Series Paper
• Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Early Espresso 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad
• Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pad
• Cherry Cobbler Stampin Write Marker
• Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker
• Regals Designer Buttons
• Naturals Designer Buttons
• Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine
• Early Espresso 1/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon
• Large Oval Punch
• 1/2 Inch Circle Punch

Thanks for dropping by today!  Please try the sketch at As You See It Challenges.  I can hardly wait to see your take on this sketch!