The 12 Kits of Occasions: December with Jessica "Thank You"!!!

Welcome to the last 12 Kits of Occasions reveal of 2016! It's been another wonderful year of sharing our kit creations with you. Hope you have enjoyed visiting as much as we enjoy sharing! This month our sweet hostess is Jessica from The Paper Parade. I loved this kit! The papers were gorgeous and the adorable little critters were such a joy to use. I barely made a dent in the supplies that Jessica sent so am looking forward to many more creative times ahead. Below is a photo of some of the supplies.

PHOTO BY LINDSEY

ONE OF THE SHEETS OF PAPER WAS COVERED WITH GOLD CIRCLES AND I WANTED TO USE THEM TO CREATE BALLOONS. I CUT THEM OUT WITH A CIRCLE PUNCH AND USED SOME CORD THAT JESSICA INCLUDED IN THE KIT. I BORROWED AN IDEA FROM LINDSEY ABOUT USING HEARTS AT THE BASE OF CIRCLES TO CREATE BALLOONS. MINE ARE TINY DIE CUT CONFETTI USING A MAMA ELEPHANT DIE.

CAN YOU TELL THE LITTLE YETIS HAVE BLUE FACES AND EARS! I'VE BEEN USING MY PRISMACOLOR PENCILS A LOT LATELY. LOVED HOW THE SHARP POINTS HELPED TO CREATE THE LOOK OF FUR.

THE GLASSES ARE SHINY IN REAL LIFE!!

THIS IS THE COOLEST DIE CUT SENTIMENT. LOVE ALL THE SWIRLS! AND ISN'T THE PAPER GORGEOUS! I TRIED TO CAPTURE A LITTLE OF THE GOLD SHINE FOR YOU.

To see what all the other 12 Kits members have created, just click HERE to connect with the 12 Kits blog. 

Unfortunately, we do have some sad news this month as two of our forever members are needing to step down from our 12 Kits group. Joyce and Tracey will be posting their last post as members today. Both are going to be very greatly missed but you can continue to visit their blogs as they will be continuing with lots of awesome designs and inspiration. We have already added a new member who will be introduced next month. Don't miss our January post!!!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Wishing each of you and your loved ones a blessed 2017,

Hugs, Sharron

CAS(E) This Sketch #201

Like many of you I have been super busy with Christmas plans and activities! But I wanted to post a few cards, one before the CAS(E) This Sketch deadline as I missed the last one. After seeing THIS gorgeous card by 12 Kits buddy, Marybeth from Marybeth's Time for Paper, I had to try the technique. I stamped and watercolored this adorable fox from Purple Onion, then added holographic embossing powder over the entire image. The die cuts are from WPlus9 and the sentiment is from Season's Tweetings by Winnie & Walter. 

Of course I had to do one more. This time with stamps from Technique Tuesday and another sweet image from Winnie & Walter's Season's Tweetings. Paper is from Bo Bunny.

As I said, I missed last week's sketch challenge but I had made this card and then didn't get it posted. More W&W images, these are from Happy Owlidays. I am so in love with these new sets! The die cut is another favorite, a birch tree from Taylored Expressions. I debossed the snow with an embossing folder by Sizzix and used Nuvo White Blizzard Glitter Drops to fill in the holes. Coloring is Prismacolor pencils.   

           

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you're have having a wonderful winter holiday season.

Sharron

The 12 Kits of Occasions: November with Kim "Happy Howlidays"

Here we are at the last day of November and for those celebrating Christmas, it is less than a month away! Wow, are you ready! Our wonderful hostess this month for the 12 Kits is Kim, Cupcakes, Cards and Kim, and she sent us a super fun kit featuring adorable pups. Of course, there is Santa and some other fabulous Christmas images but I was sold the instant I saw the dogs. While I've had other pets, I must admit that dogs have been my favorite! And having these sweet ones to color definitely made me smile! Thanks Kim for such a fantastic month!!

PHOTO OF KIT CONTENTS BY LINDSEY

THESE FIRST LITTLE GUYS APPRECIATE SANTA'S GINGERBREAD COOKIE BUT HAD ANOTHER IDEA OF WHAT THEY WERE WISHING TO FIND IN THEIR BOWL!!

THE SNOWY HO, HO, HO IS A STAMP FROM CASUAL FRIDAYS.

To see everything created by our team, you can connect with the 12 Kits blog HERE. Kim has invited a special guest designer also so there will be lots to enjoy. You will also be able to leave a comment in a drawing for a guest designer spot in January. Sorry but due to shipping issues, we are limited to U.S. visitors only.

Hope you enjoy our hop!

Sharron

The 12 Kits of Occasions: October with Michele "Let's Be Thankful"

Another month has flown by and the year is getting way too close to being over! Due to all the ghosts and goblins festivities our 12 Kits of Occasions reveal is coming to you a day early! Our wonderful hostess this month is Michele, I Card Everyone! And look at all the awesome supplies she sent us!

COLLAGE AND PHOTO BY LINDSEY

There were gorgeous papers and stamped images plus super die cuts to help us say "thank you". The biggest thank you should go to Michele though for such an amazing kit!

I LOVED MAKING THIS CARD! MICHELE INCLUDED A TRIO OF WHITE DIE CUT LEAVES FROM CONCORD AND 9TH AND SINCE I HAVE THE DIES, I CUT SOME FROM GOLD PAPER TO ADD TO HERS. THE 'MY FRIEND' SENTIMENT IS FROM LIL' INKER.

ANOTHER COOL NEW PRODUCT FROM CONCORD AND 9TH! THE 'THANKS' LINKS TOGETHER AS A CLOSURE TO THIS CARD. BUT GUESS WHO MESSED UP AND TORE ONE SIDE! I DIDN'T WANT TO NOT USE THIS CARD SO I DID A LITTLE FIX-UP. I KIND OF LIKE THE LOOK! I USED TWO PIECES OF TWINE WITH DOUBLE KNOTS ON THE INSIDE SO IT WON'T COME LOOSE. THE TYPEWRITER IS FROM PATTERNED PAPER IN THE KIT.

DON'T YOU LOVE THE GORGEOUS DOILY!

WISH I HAD A WHOLE PAD OF THE GREAT PRINTED TEXT!

EASIEST CARD EVER! JUST CUT AND PASTE!!

Here is the LINK to the 12 Kits blog where you can find links to all the members' blogs. And we also have a guest designer this month so be sure to visit her blog as well! Hope you enjoy the hop!!

Thanks for visiting. Come back next month when our hostess with be Kim!

Sharron

Fall Coffee Lovers Bloghop

I have been wanting to do this Coffee Lovers Cardmakers challenge and, even though I am late, I had fun making this card. I know the main theme is coffee (which I love and drink perhaps too much) but I am using hot apple cider for my fall card. Hope this is okay!!

I did some embossing in gold and coloring with distress inks on patterned paper. The cup is done with Prismacolor pencils. Excuse the too red cinnamon stick! I'm still learning how best to use the pencils. The wonderful leave and the sentiment is from Concord and 9th. The cup is from Newton's Nook.

Thanks for dropping by,

Sharron

The 12 Kits of Occasions: September with Jeanne "This Is Halloween"

PHOTO BY LINDSEY

Well, it's the last day of the month so welcome to another 12 Kits of Occasions reveal! And look at the photo above. There are so MANY wonderful Halloween goodies! All sent to us by this month's super talented and very sweet hostess, Jeanne, A Kept Life. Jeanne always spoils us with kits absolutely stuffed with a huge variety of products. My six cards barely made a dent in my supplies! There were wonderful stamps; the coolest die cuts; and lots of great patterned papers, embellishments and ribbons! Thank you, Jeanne, for an amazing and fun kit!!

Click HERE to connect to the 12 Kits blog where you can find links to the blogs of all the members. We also have several guest designers this month so there will be lots of inspiration for you to enjoy!!

SINCE I LOVE TO COLOR, I BEGAN WITH SOME IMAGES TO COLOR!

Weren't we lucky to have all these fantastic products to play with! Thanks so much for letting me share. Hope I've put you in the mood to try some Halloween designs! 

Happy crafting and have a wonderful weekend,

Sharron

The Challenge: Week 4 (Corrected Post)

If you saw my earlier post for The Challenge and wonder why I am back, please let me explain. There was a slight confusion about the inspiration photos and this wonderful Christmas one is correct. So now I have a Christmas card for my stash! When I saw this little snowman, I knew of a stamp that would be perfect. Unfortunately it is from a set that is no longer available. It is from a designer who primarily does tole painting designs but for a time had also sold stamps. I always loved her whimsical images. Here is her website if you are interested. There are some freebie downloads that could be used as digitals

I colored this with a combination of Copics and Zig Clean Color Markers, then added some snowflake patterned paper and a few sparkles!

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! And thanks for dropping by,

Sharron

The Challenge: Week 4

I have had such fun with cards for The Challenge this month. This is Week 4, Challenge #79, and the inspiration is for a masculine design (see photo below). I have way too many stamp sets that haven't had any use so this was a perfect opportunity to get out two of the ones I recently ordered. 

I'm still focused on fall and felt a masculine card with a popular fall sport would work with my new bear. Of course, I didn't have any football stamps so I made my own, maybe not perfect but worked for my card. I fussy cut the bear but wanted to use the cuts for the arms so I laid the fussy cut version inside the die and ran it through that way. 

I did add some glossiness on the football and colored the image with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol, something I haven't done before. No sequins on this one, just little wood-cut leaves!

Thanks so much for dropping by. I always love when you come to visit, 

Sharron

Supplies

Stamps: All Inside (Ellen Hutson), Lace Leaf (Concord & 9th)

Dies: All Inside (Ellen Hutson), Banner Die (PTI)

Patterned Paper: Kate & Co. (My Mind's Eye), Woodgrain (LSS)

Cardstock: Rustic White (PTI), Nautical Navy (WPlus9)

Additional: Prismacolor Pencils, Gamsol, White Embossing Poweder (Ranger), Wood Cut-outs (Studio Calico), Ir-Resistable Clear

The Challenge: Week 3

Hi, I'm back again with another card for The Challenge, Week 3, #78! I wanted to try something different with a pineapple stamp and was able to give it a try today. I heat embossed the pineapple in green, Zing Metallic Green embossing powder. I then used two Zig Clean Color markers to color the inside, Yellow and Beige; leaves are Pale Green and Light Green. Except for the large bloom, everything else is heat embossed in gold and colored with Copics. The large flower was stamped in Hero Arts Butter Bar, then edged in Fresh Peach. I finished with some shading with Prismacolor pencils. For some sparkle I held my breath and sprayed with some Heidi Swapp gold spray, hoping I didn't mess everything up! A little extra shine is added to the small flowers with ir-Resistible Pico Embellisher, Clear.

A big thank again to everyone at The Challenge for featuring me during September. And thanks to everyone who has come by to visit!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sharron

Supplies

Stamps: BB Polynesian Paradise (My Favorite Things); Fanciful Florals (Newton's Nook); Sending Happy Thoughts (SSS)

Additional: Embossing Powders (Zing Green), Detail Gold (Stampendous); Copics, Zig Clean Color Markers; Prismacolor Pencils; Hero Arts Inks; ir-Resistible Pico Embellisher, Clear, Gold Spray (Heidi Swapp)

The Challenge, September--Week 2

Welcome to September's Week 2 at The Challenge! And this week the focus is on color. When I first started stamping and began participating in challenges, color themes were my very favorite. With cooler weather almost here, these inspiration colors made me think of fall, my favorite season. I was planning on something with leaves but then remembered these adorable mice from My Favorite Things. They always make me smile!!

These were colored with Copics and fussy cut. I coated all the fruit with ir-Resistible Pico Embellisher, Clear! 

Supplies

Stamps: Birdie Brown Harvest Mouse, My Favorite Things

Dies: Stitching Lines, Ellen Hutson

Cardstock: Lake House (WPlus9); Harvest Gold (PTI), Cantaloupe (Stampin' Up)

Now's your chance to show us how these colors inspire you. Thanks so much for visiting and letting me share!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend,

Sharron

The Challenge - September Challenge

I received the most wonderful email last spring. Kim from Cupcakes, Cards and Kim asked if I would like to be the featured guest designer for The Challenge this September. Wow, I was so thrilled, and honored. This week the inspiration is this fabulous sketch. I have been playing a lot lately, doing birthday cards, using Concord and 9th sets. I don't often post many of my cards so wanted to use the first die set I bought from them. I love their products and they have just been celebrating their first birthday. 

So here is my card! The paper pad from My Mind's Eye is so gorgeous. In addition to this lovely floral pattern, there is lots of shiny gold. The polka dots on my card are stunning in real life but just didn't photograph well.

Thanks so much to Kim and to Lesley at Always Playing with Paper for giving me the opportunity to share with you. Hope each of you in the States has a great Labor Day weekend! And hope you will find some time in the upcoming week to be inspired by this fun sketch. 

Looking forward to seeing what you created. And I'll be back next weekend with a new challenge!

See you then,

Sharron

Supplies:

Stamps: Uplifting Thoughts (SSS)

Dies: Floral and Flutter (Concord and 9th)
Patterned Paper: Fancy That (My Mind's Eye)
Additional: Vellum (PTI), cardstock from my stash

The 12 Kits of Occasions: August with Lisa "Sweet Pea"

Welcome to another reveal by the 12 Kits of Occasions!! What a fun month! The hostess is Lisa, My Paper Tales, and this is her very first kit created for 12 Kits. It is extra special as it is using images from her very own kit that she created and introduced earlier this year called "Sweet Pea". Not only is the kit absolutely precious but it so well reflects Lisa's charming style. One of the best parts of being one of the 12 Kits group is being able to play with supplies from so many different people with different styles.

COLLAGE BY LINDSEY

Lisa's kit also included several Pure Innocence images and the first thing I did was color and fussy cut each one out. I've always loved this sweet line! You might notice quite a few scallops on my cards too. I used one of my very favorite die sets from WPlus9 called Sunshine Layers.

I won't keep you as you'll want to visit all the other blogs shown on the 12 Kits of Occasions blog. There is a guest designer and two fabulous give-aways so don't miss out on anything! And a list of the supplies in Lisa's kit is posted at the top.

THIS FIRST CARD IS IN HONOR OF LISA'S WONDERFUL STAMP SET AND HER ADORABLE LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER!

LISA INCLUDED SEVERAL CUTE SENTIMENTS THAT CAN BE USED WITH THIS LITTLE GIRL. I DECIDED TO USE THE 'HELLO' ON THE FRONT AND PUT ONE OF THE SENTIMENTS ON THE INSIDE AFTER KNOWING WHO WOULD BE RECEIVING THIS CARD.

I OPTED FOR A SENTIMENT FROM SSS EMBOSSED IN GOLD. THEN THIS CARD CAN BE USED FOR A WEDDING, BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. WITH APPROPRIATE SENTIMENT ON THE INSIDE.

Thanks so much for coming by and a big thank you to Lisa for a wonderful kit!

Hugs to all,

Sharron

The 12 Kits of Occasions: July with Marybeth "Christmas in July"

The 12 Kits of Occasions are celebrating Christmas this month. What a great theme for hot, steamy July! It has been unusually hot in Kansas this summer but the worse part is the humidity which we don't normally have with high temperatures. Marybeth was our very talented hostess and sent an amazing collection of Christmas beauties. See the wonderful collage photo that Lindsey did for us below. There were beautiful papers, great die cuts and fun images. I still have several adorable little critters that I haven't used yet so it will be fun to see what everyone else made and do some CASing! To see all the great creations yourself, click HERE to connect to the 12 Kits blog.

PHOTO BY LINDSEY

Look at all this gorgeous gold! I had a little trouble with getting good photographs so hope you can at least get an idea of all the sparkle! 

ADDED SENTIMENT, EMBOSSED IN GOLD,  IS FROM WPLUS9 SILVER BELLS SET.

ADDED SENTIMENT IS FROM TECHNIQUE TUESDAY JINGLE ALL THE WAY, WITH A FEW
STAMPENDOUS SNOWFLAKES STAMPED IN GOLD.

ADDED SENTIMENT IS FROM MY FAVORITE THINGS HAND LETTERED HOLIDAY AND, IN HONOR OF MARYBETH, I ADDED LOTS OF GLOSSY ACCENTS ON THE BERRIES.

ADDED SENTIMENT, EMBOSSED IN GOLD, IS FROM HERO ARTS

It's not too early to start on Christmas so hope you got some inspiration from today's hop!

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend,

Sharron