Little Red Wagon #270

We are celebrating another Happy New Year at Little Red Wagon this week!  Tracy has issued the challenge to help ring in 2015.

I decided to create a very bright and glitzy card for this challenge.

Most of my card was created using glitter paper and my Silhouette.

I embossed the background for a bit of texture.

Now we would like you to help us ring in the New Year!  Pull out your stash of goodies and start creating.  Then link it up at Little Red Wagon and we will be sure to visit your blog.

Little Red Wagon #269

It is hard to believe that today is Christmas Eve! I hope that everyone is ready to enjoy this special holiday.  As Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ, I find it most fitting that our challenge this week at Little Red Wagon is Happy Birthday.

I decided to go with a masculine card this week.

I kept it clean and as about as simple as you can get! (I blame all the baking, wrapping and cleaning that I still need to do before my family arrives tomorrow.)

This was all cut out using my Silhouette and some scraps of paper from my wagon.

I hope you are able to take some time during this next week to join in this challenge.  Just link up your creation over at Little Red Wagon and we will be sure to visit your blog.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!  May your holidays be bright!

Little Red Wagon #268

Our challenge this week at Little Red Wagon is anything Christmas!  Carolyn is really in the Christmas spirit and anything Christmas themed can be linked up!

I decided to give a shaker card a try for this challenge.

I started with an ornament shape I cut using my Silhouette and then I created the shaker element.

I have not made a shaker card in ages, so it was a bit challenging to put this one together.  But it worked and it was actually a lot of fun to make! You might be seeing lots more shaker cards in my future :)

I am sure that you have been busy with your Christmas crafting, so why not link up your latest project at Little Red Wagon?  We would love to see what you have been making.

Little Red Wagon #267

It is 'Snow Flaky' over at the Little Red Wagon challenge blog this week - at least according to Jan!  She wants to see snowflakes on our project or card.

As we are well into December and the weather has been frosty in this part of the world, this is a perfect challenge.  I created this sweet card that is topped off with some gorgeous, glittery snowflakes.

The image is from All Dressed Up (I just love their stamps!) and colored with my Copic markers.
 

I paired it with some Doodlebug papers and some snowflakes and swirls that I cut from silver glitter paper. I also added some glitter under her feet, Pearlescents on her hat, and some Zing Embossing Powder that was randomly added to the background.

Last, but not least, I added a yummy bow and some sequins.

Now it is your turn!  Create something with snowflakes on it and link it up at Little Red Wagon.  I can't wait to see what you create :)

Little Red Wagon #266

It is my turn to host the challenge at Little Red Wagon this week and I decided on 'Things with Wings'; I would like to see something with wings on your card or project.  Lots of things come to mind with this challenge, but given the season that we are in, I decided to create a card featuring a sweet little Christmas fairy.

The digi image is from All Dressed Up Stamps and is called Happy Christmas Little Star. Isn't she just darling?

I decided to use blue and red on my card for a non-traditional Christmas color scheme. And I was sure to add glitter to her wings - because all fairies need a bit of sparkle!

I colored both the image and the flowers using my Copic markers and I cut the scalloped borders with my Silhouette.

Now I would love to see what you create for this challenge!  Design something awesome and link it up at Little Red Wagon.  See you there :)

So Grateful!

I am one of those very fortunate people that are able to celebrate two Thanksgivings each year!  As an American living in Canada, I celebrate the Canadian Thanksgiving in October and the American Thanksgiving in November.  That gives me the opportunity to be twice grateful!

I enjoyed the Canadian Thanksgiving as it included a visit from my sisters and nieces.  The weather was warmer and we were able to walk the town of St. Jacobs and do a bit of shopping.  We had lots of silly moments and then it was home for dinner.  My own little family is precious indeed, but to share this special dinner with my sisters made it even more wonderful!

This past weekend I was equally blessed to make the trip with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving in Michigan with my siblings and their families.

Little Miss Makenzie, my nephew's little girl, stole my heart. 

 The best apple pie ever - my paternal Grandmother's recipe.

 Spencer and Hailey always put a smile on my face.  I just love these two ♥

Visiting with Santa :)

There is such a sense of love and fellowship when our entire family is gathered together.  Blessings abound and I am filled with gratitude that I am part of this wonderful family.

May God be praised!

Little Red Wagon #265

This week's challenge at Little Red Wagon is brought to us by Heather and she wants to see some washi tape on our project.  I was really happy to see this challenge because I love washi tape and I have lots and lots of it but I don't always have the opportunity to use it.

So here is a card that I made using washi tape.

I started by placing strips of washi tape on a piece of paper.  Then from another piece of paper, I cut out a bird on a branch using my Silhouette. 

I placed the negative of the die-cut on top of the washi tape paper and that created the main element for my card.  Then I simply matted the bird piece on some pattern paper and cardstock, added some sequins and a sentiment, and there you have it!

So, do you have a washi tape stash that you haven't touched for a while?  If you do, start digging and create something fabulous and then link it up at Little Red Wagon.  We would love to see what you make!

ALSO, we have a DT Call at Little Red Wagon!  So if you love to make cards and would like to be a part of our friendly team, check out the details HERE.  

Little Red Wagon #264

Our Little Red Wagon challenge this week comes from Tracy.  She wants us to Layer it Up!  I am not sure what she had in mind when she chose this challenge.  Maybe she was thinking Fall and layers of clothing, or maybe she was thinking about Donkey in Shrek and his thoughts on onions and layers, or maybe she was thinking of layer cake - my favorite!  Regardless, she wants to see layers so I created this Christmas wreath with lots of layers of pine sprigs.

This project really came about by accident.  We were cleaning out some cupboards at work and we had these acrylic circles, about 8-inches in diameter, that have been around for so long that we couldn't even remember what we had them for!  For some reason when I looked at them, all I could think of was a wreath.  So at my first opportunity, out came my trusty Silhouette and I started cutting pine sprigs in varying shades of green. I placed then around the edge of the circle and my wreath started to take shape!

It is probably hard to tell, but there are 3 layers of sprigs and the top two are raised up with pop dots so there is lots of dimension.  The best part of using the acrylic circle, is that my sentiment, NOEL, looks like it is floating in the middle! I love that!

I then added a hand-made bow and some buttons and it is now ready for a place in my home over the Christmas holidays. 

We would love to see your "Layer it Up" creation.  Just pop over to Little Red Wagon and show us what you have!

Little Red Wagon #263

Happy Wednesday to everyone! I have some good news and some bad news.  The good news is that it is Jayne's turn to host the challenge over at Little Red Wagon this week and the bad news is that it will be her last challenge with us :(  Jayne has decided to step down from our DT and we will all miss her gorgeous creations.  But she has promised to visit from time to time so we do hope to still see her around.

The challenge this week is to create something monochromatic.  You would think to make something using one color would be easy, but I find it incredibly challenging!  So after a couple of attempts, I created this card.

I cut the tree using my Silhouette and I created the background using an embossing folder.

I am quite happy with how it turned out and I decided not to add a sentiment.  I quite liked how it looks without one.  But I did play around with some sequins and they ended up adorning my tree.

So there you go!  Now you can link up your own monochromatic creation at Little Red Wagon, but only after you stop by each of the Girlfriend's blogs to see their fabulous cards.  I am sure you will find lots of inspiration :)

Little Red Wagon #262

We have a really fun challenge this week at Little Red Wagon thanks to Carolyn!  She wants to see a "Home Is Where Your Heart Is" card :)

I have always adored the cute little travel trailer images that are available as a stamp or digi so I seized the opportunity and bought this digi from Cuddly Buddly to work with.

I colored it with my Copic markers (of course!) and then I created a step card to put it on.

I decided to create a little scene with some die-cut trees, clouds, stars and a crescent moon.  I had some trailer paper from Doodlebug Design, so I cut a strip and added it to the front panel of the card.  The orange dot ribbon was the perfect finishing touch!

I think this card will be perfect as a retirement card or new home card.  I will hold on to it until the right occasion presents itself.

So, what do you think of when you see "Home Is Where The Heart Is"?  Why not get creative and show us what you make?  Just link it up over at Little Red Wagon.  I will see you there =)

Little Red Wagon #261

Happy Wednesday everyone!  We have a great challenge from Jan this week over at Little Red Wagon.  She wants us to get Krafty!  Kraft cardstock is such an awesome product to use on cards or layouts.  It is a great neutral that you can do so many different things with.

Here is my card.

I started by stamping the flowers with Versamark onto the Kraft cardstock and then embossing with Zing white embossing powder.  Zing is amazing! It is so bright and I love the contrast between the white and the Kraft background.

Then I stamped and embossed the sentiment.  From there I decided to do lots of layering using Kraft, white and teal patterned cardstock. I also distressed the edges and as a finishing touch, I added a wooden heart.

Now it is your turn!  Create something using Kraft and link it up over at Little Red Wagon.  For more inspiration and ideas, stop by each of the DT member's blogs to see what they created.  I am sure you will love their designs :)

Little Red Wagon #260

It is my turn to issue the challenge at Little Red Wagon this week and I would like to see a baby-themed card.

I decided to create a cascade card for a baby girl.

I have not created a cascade card before and it was interesting working with all the different folds and areas to decorate.  I went easy on myself by using a sticker sheet I had, but I did use pop dots for dimension and some gems to give it some sparkle! (After all, it is for a girl.)

I even added a banner to the back panel of the card!  

Well, that was fun! Now I would love if you join in the challenge this week.  First, stop by Little Red Wagon and check out the designs that the DT Girlfriends created.  Then create something fabulous of your own and link it up!  I will be sure to visit your blog and leave a comment :)

Little Red Wagon #259

It is that really spooky time of year with Halloween creeping up on us!  YIKES!!  So Heather, our new DT Girlfriend, wants to see a spooky, spooky Halloween card for our Little Red Wagon challenge this week.

I decided to use this little guy from Tiddly Inks (even though he is more 'cute' than 'spooky') and I colored him up with my Copic markers.

I cut a spider web using my Silhouette and added a creepy spider button I had in my wagon.

A couple of sequins added just the right amount of sparkle and a sheer bow finished it off.

Will you join us this week?  Stop by all of the DT Girlfriends blogs for inspiration and then link up your spooky design at Little Red Wagon.  We will be sure to visit your blog :)

Shopping, Scrabble and Pumpkin Cake

This past weekend, we celebrated Thanksgiving in Canada.  It is one of my absolute favorite times of the whole year.  I love the change of seasons that seem to usher in this special holiday.  The cooler air, the beautiful colors on the trees, the pretty potted mums, sweaters, the first fire in the fireplace.  And when you add all of that to a delicious meal shared with family and friends - pure love!

One of the things that made this weekend extra special is that my two lovely sisters and my niece and her friend joined us for the weekend.  They drove in from Michigan and we had a little over 24 hours to fit in some girl time in addition to enjoying our Thanksgiving dinner.

So on Saturday afternoon after they arrived, we went to St. Jacobs for a bit of shopping.  The weather was perfect with the exception of a little wind.  The sun was shining and really only a sweater was needed to keep us warm.  The fall decorations and the delightful little shops made for a perfect afternoon.

We started out with the best of intentions to act mature, but that quickly went by the wayside.  Especially when we saw these great blingy, cat-eye sunglasses!  And I don't even want to talk about the variety of hats we had to try on!

Then it was home for dinner, some food prep for our Thanksgiving meal the next day and a quiet evening.  Sunday morning came early and began with Mass, a most appropriate way to pause and reflect on the many blessings in our lives.  When we returned home, the delicious smell of turkey greeted us but we still had a few hours before dinner.  So out came the Scrabble board. We are huge Scrabble fans (with some taking the game more seriously than others!) and we were happy to squeeze in a game.   

We couldn't convince the guys to join in, so it was just the five girls.

Can you believe these tiles I had?  I refused to throw them back in for new ones and I actually ended up winning the game :)

Then came the dinner.  The highlight of our day.  There is something about breaking bread together that brings such a sense of intimacy.  A gathering of loved ones, sharing a meal, giving thanks... it makes my heart overflow.

Little candles and shortbread pumpkin-shaped cookies greeted each family member.

 And everything was delicious!

For dessert, my son's girlfriend made Pavlova - an incredible dessert consisting of melt-in-your-mouth meringue, fresh whipped cream and berries.  Oh.my.goodness! 

And I made Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Icing!  Can you say, "Died and gone to heaven?"

My sweet friend, Janice, shared her recipe with me and it was incredibly good.  She made hers with Maple Frosting, which I would like to try sometime, but I will say the Cinnamon Cream Cheese icing was amazing!

Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try~

Pumpkin Cake

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt

In a large bowl mix both sugars, oil, eggs, and pumpkin well.  Add remaining ingredients and stir well.  Pour into 2 round cake pans and bake at 350º for 25 - 30 minutes.  (I did not have cloves, so I substituted 1/2 teaspoon allspice and it was perfect.)  Let cool and then remove cake from pans and frost.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
4-1/2 to 5 cups powdered sugar

In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth.  Add vanilla and cinnamon and beat until combined.  Add powdered sugar and beat until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Place one cake layer, upside down onto cake plate.  Add a generous layer of frosting.  Place second cake layer on top, right side up.  Spread remaining frosting on top and sides of cake.  Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired.  Chill until ready to serve.  Take out of refrigerator about 1 hour before serving to let frosting soften slightly.

This cake can also be baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan.  Half of the frosting recipe would be plenty for a 9 x 13 cake.  Enjoy!