Brrr. . . Snowman Card

Hi All, one more day and it will be 25 days til Christmas. YEAH! My favorite time of the year. I have been making my Christmas cards a little at a time this year, so that I don't get tired of making them and have the pleasure of enjoying what I'm doing. This year instead of sending out a ton of cards, I decided to send my mom and my mother-in-law cards every few days, just letting them know how much I love them and how thankful I am for them in my life. I started doing this a couple weeks before Thanksgiving and I'm hoping to have their house filled with cards by Christmas. A few were fancy, but most were just made to hopefully bring a smile to their faces. The one I'm going to show you today is going to my mother-in-law. This is the first time I did paper piecing and I'm real happy with how it turned out.

The snowman is from Stamp-in Up and the sentiment is from K. Andrew Designs. She has an awesome mix and match set for Christmas called Winter Wishes and the possibilities just seem endless. Click here and check out all the cool stamps Kristal has available. I've already got my next sentiment picked out for a card I'm making for my aunt Vicki. Don't tell the rest of my family but she is the only other one getting a card from me this year and that's because she'll get a kick out of this card. It's not my typical Christmas card. Kerry Duff gave me the stamp in a RAK that I'll be using tomorrow, so please be sure to stop back tomorrow to see it.

Now back to today's card.

 I paper pieced the scarf, hat and patch on the snowman. The Brrr... sentiment is from K. Andrew Designs and was stamped in Jenni Bowlin Chili Powder Ink. The snowman was colored using Stamp-in Up watercolor pencils and blending pens. The white card stock is from Papertrey Ink and all the other layers are from the DCWV Christmas mat stack from last year. After I finished cutting all the pieces out, I used a black sharpie and just ran the edge of my pieces around the black tip, to hide any white paper lines and make sure that the black line was just as intense as it was before I started cutting. Because I'm not the best cutter in the world and this seemed like a great way to cover up any boo boos I made.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

Punch Art Frog / Ho Ho Ho Hoppy Holidays

This is another fun punch art project. It doesn't take to many punches to make and looks absolutely adorable on a card. Before I make this card again, I will be purchasing some new brads. I hadn't realized how long it had been since I used brads until I tried to match my colors. Definitely gotta restock on those. Of course, I used my favorite stamps and they are K. Andrew Designs, Winter Wishes Stamp set. They are a mix and match set, so you can make up your own sentiments. I had a limited amount of space in which to stamp, so I had to try out different saying to see which words would fit. Ultimately I ended up arching the word HOLIDAYS to make it fit perfect on my frogs body. If you would like to purchase some really amazing stamp sets, click here and it will take you directly to Kristal's page and you can see all the cool designs she has for you.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.
God Bless
Sherry

Snow Kid Tag from Punch Art

I have been having a blast doing punch art. It feels like once you start, you just can't quit. If you have watched some of my previous videos, you'll notice that I've done so much punch art that I actually started a punch art book. I don't want to forget what punches I used, so that I can recreate these pieces in the future. So for today's snow kid tag:  you'll see it in my book, a picture of it alone and a video of it encase you would like to make some too. Showing you step by step. After I finished it, I added a piece of green ribbon for a scarf and realized that you could even use it as a place holder for your table on Christmas day. One small tag with a lot of potential. So lets get started.

For this tag I used K. Andrew Designs Winter Wishes stamp set. Her stamps are amazing and you don't have to worry about stamping directly onto your projects, because they stamp perfect every time. If you'd like to purchase some of these awesome stamps, just click here and it will take you directly to the page where you can see all the awesome stamps K. Andrew has designed.

I also used Peachy Keen stamps, PK-531 Simple Sallies Face Assortment. These stamps are really cool too. They have a variety of different faces to pick from and you're sure to find several that you love.

Last but not least I used Stamp-in Up punches. (Large Tag Punch, Ornament Punch, small scalloped circle from Itty Bitty Punches Set, and medium flower from the Boho Blossom's Punch)

I hope that these punch art and Button Buddy's punch art post inspire you to pull out your punches and start creating.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry



Monogram Paperclip Bookmarks

These were so much fun to make. I used my computer and printed out the monograms of the ladies I was on a design team with. Then I punched them out with a Stamp-in Up punch and then used a larger punch to put a matching color behind it. Each piece was laminated and then cut out my hand. I then used the dimensional glue dots and adhered the two pieces together. So either direction you saw the bookmark from, you could see the monogram. I also made one for my daughter and she uses hers all the time. These would make a great gift for a teacher or a friend who is a book reader. Give them a try and I think you will like them as much as my daughter and I do.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry



Mariah ~ Mommy Card Extravaganza - That might be a bit of an exaggeration

 My little girl burnt her little finger really bad yesterday on the stove. I'm not sure which one of us felt worse. So since she was having a rough time sleeping because her finger was really hurting, we decided to make a video together. Mariah is 12, she has down syndrome, and functions at about the age of a 3 year old. She lights up my life and I am so happy to have her. I can't imagine our family without her. It's really an amazing story, how Mariah came to be a part of our family. We adopted Jesse right before he turned 3 and he also has Down Syndrome. He fit into our family like he was made for it. He had several health problems, ~ leukemia, a hole in his heart, vision and hearing problems. But we new if God had given him the strength to fight this all by himself, that we could definitely make it as a family. We had been foster parents to 2 children that we had had for many many years and thought that we would get to adopt them too. But after 6 years, they were returned to their mother. Which was just heart breaking. After about a year, our worker called and wanted to know if we would consider adopting again. I immediately said Yes. My husband was a little more specific. He said that we would like to adopt a little girl this time, with down syndrome. That is was okay if she had her heart surgery or still needed one (Needing heart surgery is very common for children with down syndrome.) and he'd like her to be 2 to 3 years of age. Well, needless to say the chances of their being a child out there with downs and available for adoption was slim. The very next day our worker received a call from another worker in another county. Which is odd, because most adoptions are done locally and not between different counties. The 2 ladies had never met, but seen each others names in a flyer sent to all the offices. She went to work and said that she just felt like God was telling her to call. When they spoke the first time, she said I know this is a long shot, but would you have any parents approved for adoption that you think would consider taking a special needs child with down syndrome. She's 2 and will be 3 in august. She had open heart surgery when she was born, but needs to have it again next month. Our worker couldn't believe what she was hearing and neither could we when she called. They said it would take 10 days for all of the paper work to go through, but the home Mariah was in was closing and she'd have to be placed in another home before we could get her. Well, needless to say, we prayed and we prayed hard. We didn't want her with another group of strangers, but 10 days was the fastest they have ever been able to get all the papers together. I know God had his hand in this and in 3 days we were going to pick up our beautiful little girl. She was almost 3 years old and wore size 6 month clothes. This year was the first year that I had to shop outside of the baby department for school clothes for her. She is really growing up and I love her with all my heart.
Thanks for listening to the story of how I received one of the loves of my life.
Thanks for visiting and happy crafting.
God Bless
Sherry

Gingerbread Punch Art Tag

Another very simple punch art project for all of us. I enjoy doing these so much, that I filled my very first punch art book in this past week. Some are very similar to ones that I saw on YouTube and others are complete originals. But none of them are exact replica's. That's the fun part. Using the punches that you have to make it work.

This gingerbread man was made from soft suede and the punches are 1 inch circle, 2 word window punches and 1 small label punch - all from Stamp-in Up. The green and white card stock are from my stash. The sentiment is from K. Andrew Designs - Winter Wishes stamp set. Kristal's stamps are awesome and I know that you will be very happy with them. Click here to go to Kristal's blog and look at all of her amazing stamp sets.

Click here to see the video, showing you all how to make them. It looks really cute stuck to the wrapped Pumpkin Roll I made for my neighbors and for the guys where my husband works.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

Sherry



Reindeer Punch Art Tag w/ K. Andrew Designs Positive Thoughts Stamps

Another super fun piece of punch art. This was made with 2 large ovals, 3 1/2 inch punches, 5 word window punches, 1 small oval and 1 sizzlet swirl design, all from Stamp-in Up. Then, of course, the sentiment on the song book just seems to make the tag stand out. A super K. Andrew Design from Positive Thoughts. If you are interested in purchasing this awesome set just click here and it will take you directly to Kristals blog and the page where you can purchase all of her stamps. This is another one of my Christmas tags. I have been having so much fun making these. I did 2 other pieces of punch art today and I'll show them to you at a later time. This is so fun and such a relaxing thing to do. I really think if you get your punches out that you will enjoy this as much as I do.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry



November Haul Video

I am enjoying all of these products today and having a good ole time.

Stamp-in Up is having an online sale for the next 3 days so you might want to go and check it out.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

Welcome to the "Holiday Wishes" Getting Cricky Blog Hop

Welcome to the "Holiday Wishes" Getting Cricky Blog Hop!!
We're so happy you could join us for this month's Getting Cricky Design Team Blog Hop!! In addition to Kristal and the Senior Design Team, we look forward to introducing you to TEN members of our NEW Junior Design Team (be sure to visit Kristal's Blog to see ALL of our "new additions"!!)... Each of us, along with our http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/ , Special Guest - Ellen from "a little bit of this..." are so pleased to have you here with us!!; Throughout the hop, you'll see NEW ideas for creating cards and projects with Kristal's stamps sets!!

If you've hopped along from Patti then you are in the right place!! If you are just joining me from your dashboard, or reading this via email, please be sure to start here http://www.gettingcricky.com/  to start at the beginning with Kristal's blog (you'll want to catch up on all the FUN!!)...

Each of Kristal's stamp sets benefit charity. At least $1 per stamp set goes to benefit the charity noted on the stamp set package. Kristal is donating to the following charities: Cancer Angels, Storefront Shelter for Homeless Children, Intrepid & Fallen Heroes, E. Glaser Pediatric AIDS  Foundation, Doorways Shelter for Women & Children (Domestic Violence), Wayside House for Women, Camp Good Days & Special Times, Adopt a Classroom, and Autism Research Institute. Kristal will donate $1 for every stamp set sold, retail or wholesale to the charity noted; and over time believes this will add up to some wonderful miracles for these special people. So you can feel good that each time you purchase a K Andrew Designs art stamp set, someone around the country is receiving some good help!

K Andrew's stamps are all made and assembled here in the USA, which is very important to Kristal. This ensures all product materials are safe and that jobs are being provided and maintained here in America.  You can learn even more about Kristal's stamps (and pick some up for yourself) by visiting her online store: http://kandrewdesigns.com/ K Andrew Designs.

Kristal's stamp sets are perfect for cards, layouts, and so much more...

For my project, I'm featuring the Winter Wishes Stamp Set:

Button Buddy
This was a fun tag to make and super easy. I punched a 3 inch circle, 1 3/4 inch circle, 1/4 inch circles for eyes, nose and buttons and 1/8th inch circles for mouth, 1 round tab punch and 1 snowflake punch.
I inked the 2 largest circles with Tim Holtz Tumbled Glass and Milled Lavender distress ink. I then used K. Andrew's Winter Wishes for my sentiment, with Jennie Bowlin Chili Powder ink and some ribbon from my stash. Then I added a snowflake button and viola, it was done. See how easy!

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.
God Bless
Sherry

Rudolph Reindeer Tag w/ K. Andrew Design Stamps

Hey everyone! This is another simple project. They seem to be my favorite kind lately. I think it's the instant gratification thing. LOL

I used soft suede and chocolate chip card stock and the wide oval punch, boho blossom, 1/2 inch circle and snowflake punches from Stamp-in Up. Pure Poppy and Black from Papertrey ink. Everything was inked with Tim Holtz Tea Dye Distress ink. Then for the best part - I used K. Andrew Designs Winter Wishes Stamp set for all of the little snowflakes on the tag portion and for the sentiment "Deer Friend" which was inked with Jennie Bowlin Chili Powder Ink.  I hope you can see how quick and easy these are to make and break out your punches and whip out some cute tags for your Christmas presents.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry



Link up the Love Party with K. Andrew

Link Up Love Party: How it Works
I am a little slow on posting this. It took me a bit to figure it out :)
*Link Up Party runs from Tuesday 11/15 to Tuesday 11/22. Winners announced 12/20 at next Link Up Love party.
*Grab the K. Andrew Blinkie here and post on your blog's sidebar
*Be a follower of the Getting Cricky blog and hopefully mine too :)
*Create a new blog post that is titled Link Up Love Party with K Andrew. In your post, you must mention that the link up love party is a way to get to know each other and find new blog inspiration, mention the Getting Cricky blog, with a link back to it.
*Post your favorite project that you've done in your blog post THAT HAS TO DO WITH THANKS/BLESSINGS!! That could be a card, layout, treat holder or decoration.
*Copy and paste the link up code into your blog post so the Inlinkz will show up on your blog
*Spread the word so everyone can join in!
*You must visit, follow, and comment on the 5 people before you AND the 5 people after you in the Inlinkz. It would be fantastic if you would visit as many as you can--maybe everyone? If you are one of the first 5 then you will need to blog the ones before you and a few more after--as long as it's a minimum of 10 near you in the link up tool/gadget)
If you do not do the above your link will be deleted, because it's just not fair to those who work so hard linking up and showing love to the ones on the list. I have two moderators who will be checking this out to keep it awesome and fun!

Link Up Party: Giveaway! A FULL year subscription to the best scrappy magazine out there: Creating Keepsakes for TWO lucky followers who Link up and play correctly. Winner will be announced December 20th at next Link Up the Love Party so make sure you come back to see if you won!!!! Remember, if you don't claim your prize within ONE week, it goes back in to the pot!

Here is the code for the link up party:

http://www.gettingcricky.com/2011/11/link-up-love-party-thanks-blessings.html
So go forth and link up!

This is my favorite give thanks card that I've made recently and I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did making it.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

K. Andrew Scripture Saying Card

This was a super simple 6 X 6 card. The card base is Bazzill cream colored card stock and the top two layers are Colorbok and the ribbon is from Wal-Mart. The rose is handmade from oven-bake clay and then painted. The entire card was all inked with Tim Holtz worn lipstick. I used a Stamp-in Up punch with a K. Andrew Scripture Saying stamp. Her stamps are the bomb! They stamp perfect the first time and every time there after. Click here to go to the page where you can see all of Kristal's awesome stamps and purchase some great stamps that you will be happy to add to your collection. A dollar from each stamp set goes to different charities, depending on which set you purchase. So not only do you get a great deal but you are also helping someone out.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

Christmas Cards for the "I Feel the Love Program"

This months recipients for the "I Feel the Love Program" are children in a cancer unit who will not be able to go to their own homes for Christmas because they are so ill.  The cards will be hand delivered to each of the patients on Christmas day. If you are interested in learning more about this program and how you can be a part of it just click here and it will take you directly to Funky Cards and Madison's program.

Here is the card that I made along with two others that were made by the kids in my Sunday school class.

We hope that whoever gets these cards know how much they are loved and that prayers are going out for them. We would also like to thank Madison for starting this program and allowing us to be a part of it.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

Lollipop Flowers with a Pinch and a Tag to Go Along with It.

Today's project was so much fun. I love making my lollipop flowers and did a video to show you how I do mine. Then we made a tag to put each of the flowers on. I'm turning my flowers into pins and I'll be giving my Mom, Aunts, Sister and Cousins each one for thanksgiving. I used bazzill cream colored card stock, Tim Holtz scattered straw ink and K. Andrew Designs Fall-o-ween Stamps. I hope that my family likes the flowers as much as I enjoyed making them for each one.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

Turkey Button Buddy

Hey everyone, I'm back with another button buddy and this one is a turkey. Just like all of the other button buddy's I made, he is super cute and super fun to do. So let me start by telling you all of the things I used to make my card.

My card is a 4.75 X 4.75 square card base made out of Stamp-in Up Peach Parfait card stock.

The top two layers are from DCWV Harvest Gatherings Mat Stack. The bottom layer is cut at 4.5 X 4.5 inches and the top layer is 4.25 X 4.25.

I then embossed the top layer with my big shot and the cuttlebug embossing folder - pumpkin harvest. I love this folder and think it goes great with Cinderalla cards as well.

Then I inked the embossed layer of the card with Tim Holtz Dried Marigold Distress Ink. The bottom layer and card base were also inked with Tim Holtz Vintage Photo.

The sentiment is from K. Andrew Design - Scripture Sayings Stamp set  and if you'd like to see more of Kristals great stamps, just click on the link and it will take you directly to Kristals stamp page.

The ribbon is from Papertrey Ink - Orange Zest.

The punch art is made using Stamp-in Up medium ovals,  1 1/4, 3/4, 1/4 and 1/8th inch circles and the scalloped oval for the sentiment.

The button came from Wal-Mart.

Here is a picture of my card, please excuse the picture quality. For some reason, no matter what I did it seemed to come out very washed out. I really love how running the ink over the embossed paper turned out though and I hope you can see it.
Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.
God Bless
Sherry

Happy Fall Ya'll

Starting with a square card at 4.5 X 4.5 inches. The top layer of the card is from DCWV Harvest Gathering Mat Stack. The sentiment is from K. Andrew Designs / Fall-o-ween stamp set. This set is a mix and match so you can come up with lots of different sayings. The edges of the paper was inked with Tim Holtz Broken China Distress Ink. The turkey started out with the body made from four circle punches, 1 1/4, 1, 1/4 and 1/8 inch. The beak and feet are from a flower punch I purchased at Joann's. For the feathers of the turkey, I took some flower petals that I had taken apart. I attached them in the center with atg tape and after 3 or 4 layers I cut them in half between the tape. I then attached half of the flower to the turkeys body and voila, I funky turkey was born.

If you are interested in purchasing some of Kristals awesome stamps just click here and it will take you right to the page.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry

Super Fun Build A Bear Card w. K. Andrew Design Stamps

Encase you can't tell from the majority of the cards I've made, but I am a major bear fan. I have the dies for Build A Bear and I wanted to make a Christmas card. So I started with a cream bazzill base (6 X 12). Once I scored it in half I had a 6 X 6 square card. I then chose my base layer for the Kaisercraft 6 X 6 Belle Collection Pad. I inked around the edges of my bear and my base layer with Color Box Chestnut Ink. The clothes for the bear were cut from the same paper collection and the paper for the bear are from Stamp-in Up. Then I stamped my sentiment from K. Andrew Designs (Scripture Sayings) using Jennie Bowlin Chili Powder ink. I made faux stitching around the dress with my white gelly roll pen and used silk ribbon from Wal-Mart for the bow on her head. The paper is so beautiful that it didn't require adding anything else to make a beautiful card.

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry



What I Am Thankful For Blog Hop

I could give you a long list of things that I have to be thankful for. Yesterday my card focused on my family. With this card I want to focus on my personal relationship with Jesus Christ and that I can worship Him without fear of persecution.

God is Good - All the Time - All the Time God is Good

For this card I used Bazzill Cream 6 X 12 card stock, scored and folded in the center for a 6 X 6 square.

I made all my button buddy's using Stamp-in Up punches, a Build a Bear Sizzlet die for the tie and pearls.

Peachy Keen Face Stamps - Wide Eyed and Bushy Tailed Stamp Set.

Red mini buttons and orange, yellow and red card stock from Wal-Mart.

Joann's - Martha Stewart med. oak leaf punch, white jelly roll pen, Pigma Micron Pen 01 for stitch lines, Color Box Chestnut Ink, and Jennie Bowlin Ink #12 (fountain pen).

Two Peas in a Bucket - My Minds Eye Breeze Paper Pad.

Sentiment is from K. Andrew Designs Scripture Sayings.

Kristals Stamps are so AMAZING and with that said; for this blog hop

I get to give away one set of her stamps.

All you have to do to win is

1. Follow my blog.

2. Leave a comment.

If you love Kristals stamps as much as I do and you can't wait to find out if you are the winner, then just click here and it will take you directly to Kristals Stamps.

I will be posting the winner on or before November 7, 2011.
Here is the next person on the hop, be sure to give her lots of blog love.
Christina

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

Sherry

What I'm Thankful For Blog Hop

I have so many things to be thankful for. With this card I wanted to express how thankful I am for the family that God has given me. Whether they came to my husband and I by birth or through adoption, we feel blessed to have each and everyone of our children.

I started with a 12 X 12 DCWV sheet of card stock and I cut it in half.

I scored that piece in half giving me a 6 X 6 card base.

The bottom layer is 6 X 6 and is from Prima North Country Collection.

The top layer is cut at 5.75 X 5.75 and if from Bo Bunny Barefoot and Bliss.

The bears and the turkey are punch art using Stamp-in Up punches. They are so much fun to make. All of the pieces and layers were inked with Color Box Chestnut Ink.

The sentiment is computer generated.

I used Stamp-in Up soft suede and very vanilla card stock.

Including card stock from Wal-Mart red, orange and yellow card stock.

Glossy Accents of eye's and nose.

One lucky winner will receive a set of K. Andrew Stamps and all you have to do to be eligible is

1. Follow my blog

2. Leave a comment.

That's it . . . and someone will get the opportunity to get to play with a great set of stamps.

If you don't have any of Kristal's stamps and you can't wait any longer to see if you win, you can click

here and it will take you directly to where you can purchase them yourself.

I will announce the winner on or before November 7, 2011

Here is the next person on the hop. Be sure to leave her all kinds of blog love.

Christina

Thanks for visiting me today and happy crafting.

God Bless

Sherry