The 2012 Christmas Card Challenge! Introduction

I want to take a moment to introduce to you a Christmas Card Challenge I'm sponsoring on my blog for 2012!!

Are you a crafter and want to make your own AWESOME Christmas cards but get so busy after Thanksgiving you don't have enough time to get them finished? Well - if you stick with me for ALL of 2012, you'll have cards to spare for the neighbors, your co-workers, and your entire Christmas Card list!

Here are the "Rules".

1. This 2012 Christmas Card Challenge will take place from January to November 2012.

2. DATES: The 2012 CCC will post here on Sue's Cricut and Crafts on the 5th of each month. You will have 15 days to get your cards prepared! The cards are due on the 20th, with voting (YES there will be voting) starting at midnight of the 21st. Voting will continue until midnight of the 24th of the month with the prize awarded on the 25th. **Prize(s) discussed later.

3. You will make 6 cards all duplicates. You will have 66 cards at the end of the 11 month challenge. IF you need more, please go ahead and add to your monthly total and post that on your blog when you submit your cards in the Linky at the bottom of the post.

4. You will submit one picture (or more) of your cards, with one in front, and the others behind it to show your 6 (or more) cards.

5. PRIZES!!!! One prize will be awarded each month based on the number of votes received on each card set submitted. (I am exempt, not able to win prizes for my own challenge.) The winner and the prize will be announced here on the blog on the 25th of each month.

6. You can use any company's products.

7. You can use any Christmas product! Die cuts, Cricut cuts, stamps, patterned paper, embossing (heat or dry), etc. Your imagination is your limitation.

8. To be eligible for the prize, you must have your submission in on deadline (or earlier) and it must follow the theme set for the month.

9. Use the Linky post at the bottom of the page and follow the directions to link here to be eligible for prizes! They'll be worth it!

Well, that's about it!! If there are anymore informational items I need to post, or questions that need answering, I'll do that when they come up!

I sincerely hope you will join me for this project in 2012!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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THANK YOU!

I just wanted to send out this BIG THANK YOU to all of my blog readers and people that have left wonderful comments on my blog this past year.

I have a new project coming in which I hope you will join, and we have Lime Light Design Team news coming tomorrow!!!!!

Lots of things planned in 2012!

Again, Thank you so much for your comments and stopping by the blog to take a look at my work. I appreciate it more than you can possibly imagine!

Your comments are always appreciated!
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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

These 3 months are among some of my favorites.

I don't know how October always ended up being the most elaborate in the past... it's not even my favorite holiday, but I have some awesome Cricut Carts with very cool Halloween things so that's how they got so busy. This year I wanted to keep it simpler... and it still turned out pretty cool! (IMHO) I found these adorable Cancer Ribbons at Michael's, and decided to include them on the October design. Did you notice that the spiderweb has black flecks on it?



I bought this Happy Thanksgiving stamp many years ago, and "lost" it! I searched everywhere for it, and finally remembered where I'd put it. Now I am always sure to keep it near, it's so SO pretty! I love the calligraphy type work on it.


This design took me over a week to complete. Mom and Dad had already left to go back home, and I needed to get these finished. I cut some striped Christmas paper I had for "wallpaper" behind the tree, and then made the fireplace. That's what took all the time! I then embossed and inked them and used the month for the fireplace grate. The stockings are Stampin' Up ink and punch in Brilliant Blue/Daffodil Delight, Riding Hood Red/Glorious Green, and Glorious Green, Riding Hood Red. Even with the fireplace design, I still had to include the Christmas tree! They were cut in half, and placed on the edge then the branches, lights, and stickles to finish.


I hope you've enjoyed the 4 posts including this year's 2012 calendars!

I'm already working on the designs for 2013!!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

Here are the next 3 months. Why am I posting them in 3 month increments? Experience. At the beginning, I would post all 12 months in one, and the labels section doesn't allow for as many characters as I needed, so I've broken them up into different sections, and don't have that problem any more.

I wanted to add some more flash to my July design this year, so I got out my Stand and Salute cart and found fireworks!!! We used the Cuttlebug and embossed the USA piece, and I added blue stickles to the country cut-out. It's only cut in white, and the red background shows through nicely for the red stripes. :)



I went crazy this summer over this color combination! I was playing one of my Facebook games, and came upon this color combo. LOVE it!!!
Turquoise, Yellow, Purple, Melon, and Peach. My dear friend Melissa LOVES the pineapple drink, so here it is!!! LOVE it in these colors!


Martha Stewart leaf punch makes up the border for September, and I found this stamp set from Stampin' Up on ebay. I watercolored them and inked the edges of the Decorator's Label punch. LOVE the falling leaves!


The last 3 months will post tomorrow morning! They are my favorites of all 12!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

Here are the next 3 months for the 2012 calendars.

I like to use the small Studio G stamps I got a few years ago to highlight the holidays in each month.

I also used the Ultimate Crafter's Companion to make the double bows on the April calendar, and Mom used it to tie the bows we put on the June calendar.



I really LOVE the Walk in My Garden cart. I use it so often and love the larger flowers as a single focus.


Here we used vellum to cut the flower pieces and stickles to highlight the flower center.


I am posting the next 3 months this afternoon!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

Here are the first 3 months of the CD case 2012 calendars.

This is the project Mom and I do together every year. When they come to visit after Thanksgiving, among all the other "stuff" we do the week they visit, we put together these calendars as gifts for family and friends. I like to think of it as a gift that "gives" all year 'round. I also have some very special people that I don't see as often as I'd like that receive these as special gifts because of my eternal gratitude for something they did, or their continuing friendship.

I use lots of Cricut Cartridges on these calendars every year as well as lots of my Martha Stewart punches and Stampin' Up ink, punches.



I use the vertical hearts cut from the Love Struck cartridge every year. I look at all the different designs, and always end up coming back to this one. It's a favorite!!!


I lent out one of my Cricut carts I wanted to use for this, so I found some stamps I'd bought on our travels, and used some very cute stickers I found. They shine and sparkle very nicely in the sunlight!


Stay tuned for the next 3 months tomorrow morning!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Christmas Cookies and Candy 2011

Here are some of the cookies I baked and decorated for Christmas this year. I have 2 recipes from Taste of Home I've used over the last few years quite successfully. The Sugar Cookie recipe is posted on the blog under the label Recipes. The gingerbread is a recipe called Butterscotch Gingerbread Men. They're delicious!

I also dipped pretzel rods, made 2 batches of fudge for the first time, made the haystack cookies, and dipped raisins, peanuts, and pecans in chocolate. At the bottom of the post you can see the gift boxes I put together for the neighbors.

Click on a picture to see it enlarged!












Here's Mamie Eisenhower's Million Dollar Fudge recipe which I added pecans. I also made a microwave fudge with walnuts.


These are the dipped pretzel rods, with a Stampin' Up punch and stamp decoration at the top.


Here's a picture of one of the gift boxes I put together. There were 4 in all for the neighbors.



I really LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas !!!!!!!!!


Your comments are always appreciated!
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Christmas Cards 2011

As LONG as the calendars took this year to make, I was thrilled that my Christmas cards, though VERY cute didn't take near as long to make! I made 29 (yes, a weird number) and they are all sent. Delivery should come soon!!

This one is a little more special for Mom and Dad... extra rhinestones, extra ribbon, etc.


Using variations of background reds/greens, and different patterned paper at the bottom, this is what the cards looked like.


Even my husband got in the act and helped me with address labels, stamps, and return address labels! What a shock! THANKS for the help, Bennie!!!


Your comments are always appreciated!
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Our House at Christmas

Christmas time is by far my most favorite time of the year - everything looks so beautiful lit up and sparkly with lights and icicles hanging from so many houses!

The last few years we haven't had a tree for so many reasons!!! I missed the sale at Hobby Lobby - there weren't any left!!! I had a baby kitty that would be too much trouble with a tree... We'd just barely moved into the house and weren't ready for a tree.... BUT this year, we have our tree!!!!! I blackmailed my husband into getting it early, and I'm so SO happy I did! It's a 9 ft. Montana Fir. I'm sad that the lights are all white, but he's enjoying it that way. I suppose I can let him have ONE concession! :)


Here's the mantle to the fireplace. I'm slowly adding little touches to this every year, so it's a little different than last.


Here's the dining area with the sugar plum lights and my Precious Moments tree on the table.


Here's a close-up of my Precious Moments tree. It's been with us a long time... and is the best of my Christmas Tree collection.


This is a view of the bar. Mom gave me the bear dragging the tree, and the jar with lights and potpourri in it... they're perfect next to my Scentsy pot!


Here's the table and lamps at our entry. I had the two candlesticks and candles first and then found the nativity scene, and Mom and I found the garland which I wrapped in lights and used a bow on that left side.


Of course, I had to add a picture of my 3 babies under the tree!!! I took about 20 of these, trying to get the best of all 3, but this is one of the better ones. I'm going to keep trying! You can see Hank's back farthest away, Sandy's back in the foreground, and of course Witchy Poo trying to see what's going on!


I hope you've enjoyed this view of our Christmas decorations - it's just a small glimpse and I had to share my favorite time of the year!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Absent Lately???

YES, it's absolutely true - I've been so busy working on my newest project, I have been neglecting the blog.

Will this last? NO NO NO!

1. New projects will be overwhelming Sue's Cricut and Crafts soon!

2. There is a new year-long project starting on this blog in January!! (Stay tuned for participation information!!)

3. Crafts are taking place - just not ready for their debut!


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Birthday Card for Dad!

Dad's birthday was back at the beginning of the month!!
I made and sent this card which he did receive ON his birthday.

I hope he liked it!


Lots of Stampin' Up products here... the embossing folder, the window die, the Birthday stamp set... Bashful Blue background paper, daffodil yellow for accent... and of course, I had to use some Stickles!


This is the inside view of the window piece on the front of the birthday card.


I had lots of fun with the layers and colors on this piece for the inside of the card. Same colors, and 3 punches!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Five Question Fridays! November 11, 2011

1. What's the last thing you spent too much money on?
Oh... I have a weakness for Williams Sonoma! I bought some AWESOME measuring cups and spoons. :) I'll probably go back and get some for Christmas gifts! I always spend way too much on crafting supplies, but I always use them!

2. What celeb chef would you want to make you dinner?
I get to pick only one?? I'd love to have Bobby Flay cook dinner for me - but then I'd love to cook WITH him! I'd really love to sit and talk with Alton Brown. He's really amazing! I'd also love to meet Ina Garten. I find her pretty amazing - I'd love to have a kitchen and butler's pantry just like hers! It's one of my dreams!

3. Where do you hide things when visitors pop over or do you let them see the real deal?
Thank goodness my husband is very neat... so people can pretty much pop over and the house is presentable. :)

4. Who is your oldest living family member?
My father is our oldest living family member right now. He just turned 74 and is doing very well - retired, working hard when he wants to, enjoying himself, traveling.... all the fun stuff you get to do when you're retired and have planned well.

5. What is your favorite DQ treat and/or Sonic drink combo (ie: cherry vanilla dr. pepper)?
OH! I so miss my medium twist DQ cone. Sonic? HAS to be a Strawberry Limeade! YUMMMMMM

Your comments are always appreciated!
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Housewarming Party Thank You's

We had our housewarming party a few weeks ago, and I made these cards to thank our guests for coming. We had a wonderful time, and were so happy our friends and neighbors could stop by.
I had a blast cooking... and my husband took care of the beer, water, and sodas.

We're ready to host/hostess another party soon!

I used lots of techniques on this card...
watercoloring, burnishing with inks, doodling, marker coloring, stamping... so much fun!



The trees in our area are just starting to turn their lovely fall colors so I had a good time with the leaves.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing.

Five Question Fridays! October 28, 2011

1. Do you prefer cotton, silk, or flannel sheets?
I prefer cotton sheets - high thread count. We were gifted with some very good quality sheets and have learned that 1. they are worth the cost (wear and tear) 2. they feel so SO good 3. they seem warmer in winter, and cooler in summer though I don't understand quite how that works. I tried silk sheets, and they were too slippery.... and flannel sheets... can we say STICK!? :)

2. What time zone are you in?
We are in the central time zone.

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
Baking! Decorating! Cooler Weather!!! There are so many things I love about the fall holidays... Halloween - love all the costumes and candy! Thanksgiving - so thankful for what we have, and I love to cook a full Thanksgiving luncheon even though it is just for the two of us. Christmas... Christmas Cookie baking, Christmas trees (I have a collection.) SNOW!!!

4. What is your favorite "wintry" drink? (It doesn't have to be an "alcoholic" drink!)
Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate with a small peppermint stick melted into it. YUMMM!

5. In your opinion, what is the worst job in the world?
Hmmm tough question! Garbage collector, mortician, medical examiner... those are a few in my opinion. They are definitely a calling.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Stampin' Up Club Cards October, 2011

Monday night - Stampin' Up Card Club!!!! My upline Kathy Douglas always does a FANTASTIC job with choosing cards and projects for us to make every month. We have a great time chatting and crafting! I always learn something from her!

This first card uses the Build a Blossom stamp set and coordinating punch. LOVE LOVE LOVE them so much!!! What great fall colors! What did I learn this month?? Embossing vellum looks like you used white embossing powder... without the mess! SO SO cool!



This is a door hanger! Unfortunately this one won't get hung because I can imagine kitties here trying to get it. SO it will go on my wall in the Cricut room.
Isn't this a lovely fall piece? It uses the scoring board so well!
Two pleated medallions, a large scalloped circle and the huge Stampin' Up buttons from the Holiday Mini. Each Card Club member was able to pick and choose colors for each part of the design.
LOVE that scrolly sentiment set!!


Here's the same piece showing the ribbon loop for hanging.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Wedding Card Variation

One of my husband's coworkers got married a week ago, so we sent some gifts and I made this card. The silver background paper came from the wrapping paper I used from Bed Bath & Beyond. It's so pretty! I added the bride and groom hearts and a new stamp set from Stampin' Up (Petite Pairs). It worked so well as you can see - piece on the front with a matching sentiment for the inside. Love this new set!!!



I used the debossed side of a cuttlebug folder and a silver pen to highlight the scallops.



Your comments are always appreciated!

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A Proud member of The Lime Light. Click on over to see what we are doing.