Bright Baubles Christmas Tree CASE

The free CASEing Christmas class at StampNation earlier this month had me inspired beyond belief!  Not only were the original CASES and lessons inspiring, but the cards that members showed had me wanting to run to my stamp table.  This card was CASEd from Maureen Merritt's card on day 2.

Maureen used deep purple and blue to make a gorgeous night sky for her snowy village.   I went for a daytime sky by using brighter shades of the same colors.  Instead of a village die cut I did an emboss resist technique with a bare  Christmas tree.

Before I go I wanted to remind you about the Cyber Monday Sale going on at Ellen Hutson.  Click on the picture below and use coupon code cyber 2015 at checkout for 20% off!

Happy Shopping!

Stamps: Bright Baubles (Neat & Tangled)
Ink: Peacock Feathers, Wilted Violet (Distress) Versamark
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Little Bits (Neat & Tangled) Stitched Border 1 (Pretty Pink Posh) White Embossing Powder, Pewter Embossing Powder (SU)

Sew Sunday ~ ALYOF November ~ Meeka's quilt

If you saw my post last week, then you know I finished my niece's quilt in time to take pictures of her on it.  <3  Clicky if you missed it and want to see lots of cute baby pictures.   As promised though, I will show you pictures of the quilt itself along with all the deets.

This quilt started as part of a quilt along with Angie Juda.  We did the quilt along on Facebook, but she has also posted the videos on her blog.  Clicky All I knew when it started was that we would be using a layer cake, and I had the a layer cake to use for my niece's quilt.  :)  It is called a double slice layer cake quilt.

I ran into a bit of a problem after I finished all the squares.  The quilt was too overpowering for a newborn.  I really wanted a softer look.  The first thing I tried was removing all the squares with the navy background in them.  This helped tremendously.  Then I tried removing some of the blocks and doing a full panel of pink fabric.   I also tried putting in a couple of blocks in the center.

 I thought having 2 stripes of pink surrounded by white might work.  The design wall really helped tremendously on this project!  I could not have created this quilt without it.

In the end I decided on 2 blocks in the center, framed by a narrow border of white, and then 2 larger borders of pink and white.

For some reason I also decided to use mitered borders.  This video CLICKY by the fat quarter shop made it almost easy.

The back side has a strip of some of the leftover blocks from the double slice quilt along and a whole lot of minky pink fabric for added softness.

Thank you, Angie, for creating such a fast, easy quilt.  It would have been even easier if I had stuck to your original design.  I love that I was able to make something from my heart in a short time period that will be used for years to come.  I'm also super excited that I got my finish for November done.

November Finish

Yesterday my sister in law sent me a 1 month old picture of my niece laying on her quilt from Auntie.  You can see my crazy string of butterfly flowers quilting in this one, if you can look past the adorableness that is Meeka.

The Giving Tree + Black Friday Deals

For Steals & Deals scroll to the bottom.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!  Hope you are enjoying the day with ones you love.  On this day I am grateful for so many things, but especially you!  Did you know you are a blessing to me, dear blog reader?  If not for you I wouldn't have a reason to create cards every week and post them online or do videos.  It's been such a fun ride sharing my creativity with you.  Thank you!

Did you know I am the challenge creator for StampNation?  Yep, those weekly challenges that go up are my responsibility to create.  Hopefully you enjoy them as much I enjoy creating them for you.  Anywho, the challenge this week was one I made for September.  I thought it would be a fabulous "back to school" theme, but it got pushed back to November because of the awesome impromptu coloring class that Allison Cope offered us.  It's still a great challenge to inspire you in a completely unique way.

It was hard to narrow this down to one book, so I picked the book that has a particularly fond childhood memory.  My mom was a preschool teacher when I was little.  When it was her turn to watch the kids at nap time she would read often read us "The Giving Tree" by .  She would cry everytime.  It still gets me now.  

You can read more about this book here.  It may seem like an odd challenge for Thanksgiving week in the USA, but we have members from around the world, and it worked out to be the perfect week for the book I chose.  ;)  

I'm so inspired by this challenge that I have several more cards in mind for books like Goodnight Moon, I Know Where the Wild Things Are, Little House on the Prarie and so many more!  I think I do a card a day for a year with all the inspiration this challenge brings.  If you are a StampNation member be sure and clicky to see what everyone has created so far!

Speaking of StampNation, the creator of this awesome site, Catherine Pooler, is having an extra special ANTI-Black Friday special for her newsletter subscribers.  You do not want to miss this FREEBIE to help you out, plus she might throw in an extra somethin' somethin'.  You never know.  :)  Clicky to learn more.

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More Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!
I love to shop from home so everyone gets a day off, except the computers.  ;)
In alphabetical order.  I may add more as I find them, so check back in.
Ellen Huston - Coupon codes above

Ellen Hutson

EARLY BIRD SAVINGS Shop early for best selection - the early bird does get the worm! For nine (9) hours beginning at 12:00am Friday, November 27th Pacific Standard Time (3:00am Eastern Standard Time), running through 9:00am PST, save 20% on every item currently in stock.  At checkout please enter the following one time use coupon code to redeem your discount: early2015            ANNIVERSARY SAVINGS If you are not an early bird, you can enjoy savings of 15% on all in stock items any time over the weekend - Friday, November 27th through Monday December 1st at midnight PST.  At checkout please enter the following coupon code to redeem your discount: anniv2015   CYBER MONDAY SAVINGS Didn't finish your shopping? You have one more chance to get great deals on remaining inventory while shopping in your pj's. Enjoy savings of 20% on any remaining in stock items on Monday, November 30th beginning at 12:00am running through 9:00am PST. At checkout please enter the following one time use coupon code to redeem your discount: cyber2015  *These offers are not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with any other coupon code. Valid on in-stock merchandise only. ----------------------------------------- Lil' Inker Designs ------------------------------------ Winnie & Walter Stampin' Up! In alphabetical order.  I may add more as I find them, so check back in. Altenew- Daily deals all week + free stamp set included with every purchase Avery Elle-  Free Shipping + Free stamp set for orders over $40 CAS-ual Fridays Stamps - Free hope die with every oder Ellen Huston - Coupon codes above Impress - 40% off on one item Friday Nov 26 or Sat Nov 27th.  Use code blackfriday2015 (some exclusions apply) Lil Inker Designs - No code needed Nov 27th and Nov 28th My Favorite Things - use code THANKS for 30% off Neat & Tangled - use code SOTHANKFUL for 25% off Pretty Pink Posh - Clicky for Free Shipping and 15% off codes Simon Says Stamp - 30% off SSS brand Stampin' Up! - No code needed. Up to 50% off plus flash sales Sugar Pea Designs - No code needed 30% off Verve - No code needed 30% off through Nov 30th  Winnie & Walter - use code wwBLACKFRIDAY2015 for 15% off

Merry Tuesday ~ Let It Snow

It was supposed to snow a little bit today.  Our first real snow of the season.  Sadly, it warmed up to 36 degrees and is bringing us rain instead.  I do love the snow, especially when I can warm up by the fire and watch it fall out my windows.  It may not be snowing outside, but it was in my craft room.  :)

To make this card I used some glitter gel that I got at Buffalo Stamp Store in Buffalo, NY while I was there shopping with some StampNation friends.  So much fun!  It was my first time using it and I like the end results I got.

I'm linking up my card with the Merry Monday challenge this week.  Isn't it a fabulous one?  I've already created a second card to share with you later in the week.  

Before I go I want to let you know about the Anti Black Friday special that Catherine Pooler is offering for free to all her newsletter subscribers.  I got to check it out early and I love it!  Check it out here.

Stamps: Sparkle & Shine (Whimsy)
Ink: Versamark
Paper: Night of Navy, Shimmery White, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Snowflake Centerpiece Die (Memory Box) Snowfall Stencil (My Favorite Things) Silver Glitter Paste (BoBunny)

Snowflake Centerpiece Die

Snowfall Stencil

Sew Saturday ~ A Quilt For Meeka

Auntie Heather and Meeka

Most of you know my precious niece, Meeka Genevieve Anastasia Jobe was born in late October.  I worked right up until my last day down in CA visiting them to finish her quilt, but I was able to get it done and take a few pictures with her on it.  I hope this quilt snuggles her in auntie's love for years to come.

Have you ever seen anything so precious?  Her daddy sleeps like this too.  I used to think those big flowers on babies looked ridiculous, but they have been growing on me.  I had to pick one up for Meeka and I'm glad I did.  She's adorable!  (and I am not ashamed of being biased)

Slightly better picture of the finished quilt.  She was too tired to wake up for pictures, and auntie had too many tears running down her face to try.  I did take some pictures with my regular camera and will show them next week when I link up to ALYOF.

My husbands sisters have had kids and made me an auntie over 10 years ago.  I love it, but there is something truly unique that happens when your own sibling has a child. I cannot explain it, but I am so connected to her and loved her before she was even born.  Watching my brother become a dad and hold his little girl was an amazing experience.   Please indulge this proud auntie with a couple more pictures of Meeka trying on some of the gifts I got her.

Auntie Heather got the princess another hair bow.  :)  This one is a bit smaller

She was just looking at me and smiling as I was talking to her.  :)  My heart melted into a puddle of happy. 

Auntie got her some ballet socks too

You know what thrills me?  My sister in law posted a picture this week of my niece sleeping on the quilt I made her.  <3  Melts my heart.

I already want to make her another one, but instead I am starting a quilt for another special little lady in my life, my grandma.  I didn't get a great picture of us, but we sure were having fun laughing at ourselves while I tried.  Grandma is in an assisted living home just a block from my brother's house.  I walked down the street from seeing the new baby to visit my grandma.  She is a tiny little thing and always cold.  I don't know why I haven't made her a quilt sooner.  I would love to have hers done before my next trip to California.  It makes the waiting a little easier if I can focus on making something for her. 

Make Some Noise

It's Friday!!!!  Do we really need more reason than that to celebrate? How about a birthday card that could be sent to a guy or a gal?

The thing I love most about this card is the little blue heart I die cut using leftovers from sentiment tag.  I made a similar card for a candy challenge last month over at StampNation.  Here is a sneak peek of that card.

To make the watercolor background for these sentiments I scribbled a few colors with my Zig markers and then spritzed with water.  After it is dry I stamp my sentiment.  Super easy, right?  Love those Zig markers!!!

Stamps: Woot Woot (CFS)
Ink: 41, 31, 80, 22, 70, 50 (Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers) Black (Staz-On)
Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzill) Black (SU)
Accessories: Treble Clef Fri-Die (CFS)

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 022, Carmine Red

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 050, Yellow

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 041, Light Green

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 031, Cobalt Blue

ZIG Clean Color Real Brush Marker 080, Violet

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk

CAS-ual Friday Clear Stamps Woot Woot

Think Happy Thoughts ~ Calling All Sistahs ~ Video

It's the 17th of the month and that means it is time for Calling All Sistahs, your monthly reminder to do your breast self exam.  I'm joining Michele Gross from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps in her campaign to spread awareness and remind our friends (sistahs) to do our monthly self exams.  If you would like to read more about this and Michele's personally story please click on the Calling All Sistahs button.

Here is my card this month that you can send to your sistahs to remind them to check themselves, or to encourage a sistah who is battling breast cancer right now.  I made a video so you can easily copy my card.

http://youtu.be/lA7SarvmrA8

Michele is having a very special blog hop and NEW RELEASE.  I'm not part of the blog hop, but I believe in her message and want to support her efforts to raise money for breast cancer treatments.  CLICKY to see the blog hop and goodies.  She will also be giving away a little "hope" with each order today.  Mine is already on its way.  Be sure to place yours before it sells out and tell them Heather North sent you.  ;)

Stamps: Calm & Gentle, Loving Thoughts (CAS-ual Fridays Stamps)
Ink: Bubble Gum (Hero Arts); Doll Pink (Simon Says Stamp)
Paper: Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Craft Scissors (Stampin' Up!) Light Pink Ruffle Ribbon (Pretty Pink Posh) Scallop Tag Fri Dies (CFS)

Loving Thoughts

Calm & Gentle

Scallop Tag Fri-Dies

Craft Scissors

My Favorite Things Die-namics, Blueprints 24

Bazzill Card Shoppe Cardstock, Marshmallow, 10 pk

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

Hero Arts Shadow Ink, Mid-Tone Bubble Gum