SNOWFLAKES!

Welcome to...

The Creating Blog Hops Cafe'

Our group is here to inspire you every month with many different projects that have been made by some of the most amazing crafters that I know. We are dedicated to be here to inspire you every single month, on the last Saturday of the month, all year long. Whether it be a specific theme, season, or event.  So, grab yourself a Latte and hop along with us while we proudly show off our projects to you each and every month.

Your first stop along this hop will be with Robin Lane at Create-A-Latte . If you just happened upon my blog today be sure to start with Robin, you're not going to want to miss one single flake!

For my project I made a fun card. And well, some of my best friends are flakes, lol! 

I popped the flakes for a little added dimension.

I also whipped up a coordinating envelope.  

The papers, crystals and button are all from The Paper Studio, snowflakes are from Scraptastical Kreations (A Polarized Christmas), Peachy Keen faces are stamped on the flakes, Really Reasonable Ribbon is where I get the pretty satin ribbon, and white gel pen. The sentiment I created using print and cut with the Cameo.

This cuties' been listed in my Etsy shop: check it out here

I'm entering this card into the Red Carpet Studio Snow Buddies Challenge

Now, for some candy. This month we will be giving one lucky person a Becky Higgins Project Life Season's Mini Kit. For your chance to win this amazing blog candy you must hop through each one of our talented crafters blogs, be sure to leave everyone a little blog lovin', and if you are not already a follower please become one to each of ladies so that you do not miss a single project that they make.  

Your next stop will be with...

Lucy Kelleher with - http://love2createitall.com

  

If you get lost along the way here is the entire 

line-up of today's hop for you to get back on track and not miss a single project. And don't forget to leave everyone a little blog lovin' and become a follower for your chance to win some blog candy. 

1.  Robin Lane with - http://create-a-latte.blogspot.com

2.  Sharon with - http://piece-ofheart.blogspot.com

3.  Aisha Hall with - www.londonskyedesigns.net

4.  Alicia with - http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com

5.  Lori Apgar with - http://scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com/

6.  Janet Royer with- http://janetscreativeworld.blogspot.com/

7.  Ann Strecko Koeman with - http://annmakes.blogspot.com

8.  Cathy Derouche with - http://cathyplus5.blogspot.com/

9.  Candice Fields with - http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com

10.  Tami Smith with - http://scrappinmykids.blogspot.com/

11.  Nancy Kirkup with - http://alwaysastorycreationsbynancy.blogspot.com/ **you are here**

12.  Lucy Kelleher with - http://love2createitall.com **up next**

13.  Robin Scott with - www.scrapandchat.blogspot.com/

14.  Jessica Wilson with - http://craftinandstampin.blogspot.com

15.  Nanné Harry with - http://nannes-creations.blogspot.com

16.  Angela Chamness with - http://angelascraftyspot.blogspot.com/

17.  Jearise Havenga with - http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com

Thank you for hopping along with us today and helping us to start our hopping year with a bang!

Sealed With a Kiss

How about a cute little Valentine card? I made this shaped Valentine for someone special and I really think she will love it...even though his whiskers look a little funky to me. For some reason I never seem to draw whiskers very well, I should probably just leave them off or use something else, lol.

I used "Sealed With a Kiss" cutting file from Little Scrap of Heaven Designs. Once I had the pieces arranged on my screen I made an off set, mirrored that image above, then welded to make the card. Pretty cute little fella. Additional supplies used: Peachy Keen Stamps, various inks and chalks, The Paper Studio papers, and some twine.

I'm entering this into the following challenges:

Craftin Desert Diva's Linky Party - Shaped Cards

Creative Cutting Challenge - Valentine's Day

Thanks for stopping by!

Set of 4 Paper Flower Gift Tags

It's with a bit of sadness I post this next project. For the past 2 years I have been a member of Scraptastical Kreations Design Team and this will be my last project as a DT member.

One of my favorite files of Kristy's to work with is her flowers. Having been a floral designer for a better part of my life I find great pleasure in bringing paper flowers to life. I've created this set of flowers as gift tags which can be used for an array of occasions. I used my cameo to make a trace of the flower, duplicated it then welded it to make a shaped card which opens. The inside has been left blank for any sentiment to be written.

This set is for sale in my Etsy shop. I'd love for you to stop by and take a peek!

The cutting files are from Scraptastical Kreations, "Fancy Flowers" and "Flower Freebie", the stamens are McGill punch, and the center of each flower is a pearl from Miriam's Crafting Supplies.

I'm entering these cards into:

 Miriams Crafting Blog 8th Monthly Challenge

Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!

Valentine Door Decor

I had a few different ideas swirling around of what I wanted to make this year for my front door (thank you Pinterest!). Then I was browsing through AC Moore to see what I could find to bring my ideas to life. They had this frame set on sale for $5 and inspiration struck. I had a picture in my head of what I wanted it to look like, it's similar but not exact. Then again when do the things we make ever come out exactly how we pictured  or planned?

As I mentioned the frame is from AC Moore, the letters and corner flourishes are done in 651 vinyl (files from Silhouette), the metal decoration is from Miriams Craft Supplies, I used a piece of tulle to make the bow and various gems and buttons for embellishment.

Overall I'm pleased with how it came out, a little something different. Thanks for stopping by!

Gingerbread Sketch tag

I tried my hand at something a little different. I used an svg file and my Cameo to draw these cute little ginger's.

I set up the pieces on my page how I wanted them. Then went back and "erased" the parts I didn't want to draw, like where the arms overlapped, etc. Once I had them the way I liked I set the Cameo to draw them with a white gel pen. I'm not entirely happy with the eyes but I can try something different next time. Other than that I'm very pleased with the look. 

Materials: 

Craft paper, The Paper Studio "Christmas Basics" stack, Really Reasonable Ribbon, Scraptastical Kreations "Gingerly Love" file (dad and dog), Unity Stamps "Tags, Glorious Tags" (to, from), white, red and green Gelly Roll Pens, red Stickles. The writing tool I use is from Hot Paws Creations.

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I've given you some inspiration! :)

Snowman and Rudolph Cookie Pops

Just finished up some cookie pops for a cookie exchange. I thought these might be something fun and different.

First up are the snowman cookies. I used Double Stuf Holiday Oreos, covered in Ghirardelli white chocolate. The eyes are Wiltons candy eyes, red licorice shoelaces and m&m's for the earmuffs. An orange TicTac nose and licorice shoelace for the mouth.

The Rudolph pops are the same Oreos covered in milk chocolate with mini pretzels cut in half (a real pain in the butt to do!), Wilton candy eyes, a mini Rolo and mini red m&m for the muzzle and nose. My son is the official taste tester and said these were "Oh my God delicious", lol.

Thanks for stopping by, hope I've inspired you to make something fun out of your cookies. ;)

I'm having a Give-AWAY!

It's the holidays and we could all use a chance to win something pretty, right? In the hopes of gaining some new "likes" to my Facebook page: Always A Story ~ Creations by Nancy and some interest in my Etsy store by the same name, I'm giving away this pretty bracelet to one lucky lady (or fella).  

It's a 5 strand black waxed linen bracelet with red cat's eye beads, red Swarovski crystals and assorted pewter beads. Approx 7 1/2" long  with a lobster claw clasp.

Here it is on my wrist to give you an idea of how it may look on your wrist ;)

What do you need to do to win this baby? Just share the post from my Facebook page to your wall, or in any group you belong to, for everyone who comes and likes my page and says you sent them you get another entry. Pin the bracelet pic on Pinterest and let me know for another entry.

This giveaway will be open through Friday December 20, I'll post the lucky winner to my Facebook page on Sat. December 21.

As a thank you for helping me spread the word I'm having a 20% off sale on everything in my Etsy store through December 25 using code Christmas20.

Thank you!

Share, share away! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Earrings

Christmas is right around the corner and I've designed some really cute and fun Christmas earrings that you can find in my Etsy store: Always A Story ~ Creations by Nancy.

Thanks for stopping by today! Merry Christmas!