Hostess with the Mostest!!

Hello everyone!

First off, I want to say SORRY for not posting hardly at all this last month. It has been one CRAZY holiday season. Ever since I started at my new store, I feel like I haven't been able to catch up on anything. Especially since the week I take off every year to make all my Christmas cards and gifts was the week before we opened the store. So I appoligize, and I hope to be posting more regularly after the holiday.

Now, onto this week's Farm Fresh Friday challenge!!

DO YOU have an idea for a hostess gift with the MOSTEST???

..mostest WHAT? You ask?

Mostest MOJO, we say! That's right! Today it is all about DOMESTIC DIVA-ism on the Farm and we have a SPECIAL, TWO-week long contest for you starting TODAY on the TGF Blog!
With all of the hustle and bustle this time of year, we want to make sure that you all have PLENTY of time to play, and with the season of holiday parties upon us, what BETTER challenge to issue than to create a HOSTESS GIFT w/ the MOSTEST :)

Here's what I made:

My good friend Josie is a chef, and she's always hosting some sort of dinner party at her house. (great friend to have, let me tell ya! YUM!) But everytime somebody arrives, she has to stop and explain every dish all over again. I thought she would have lots of fun using this dry-erase menu board I created! Hopefully she doesn't see this post via FB before the 25th!

I simply made this 12 x 12 base page, complete with an area for the menu and adorable Harold who is ready to EAT, and popped it into a shadow box.

Here's a close up of Harold and his spot in the display....

And then here's the menu space...

And here's what it looks like once it's in the shadow box (Ott light reflection not included! Lol!). I covered the marker in matching paper, and wrote up my own sample menu. I think I might've mispelled some things, but you get the gist.

The challenge begins TODAY and will go through DECEMBER 30th, 2011 at 8pm CST. Just upload your Hostess Gift idea using TGF Stamps to the TGF Galleria>Contests/Challenges>Hostess Mostest Challenge.

The WINNER of this challenge wins ONE sweet slice! That's right! We have a CHEEKY CHERRY PIE stamp up for grabs....but there's MORE....hmmm, like how about the ENTIRE JANUARY RELEASE?!? That's right! This is HUGE prize and there is plenty of time to play!

The TGF Design Teams will be back with MORE examples next week just to re-spark your Mojo during this busy holiday season....but for now, get down w/ your inner Domestic Diva and HAVE FUN!

Materials
Stamps: TGF Harold with Jam digi stamp, CTMH Key to My Heart and Small Chocolate Alpha sets
Paper: CTMH Veranda L2pp, PTI cs (Harold)
Other: CTMH ribbon, buttons, pearls, anchors, inks, hemp, and metal charm. Copics, Primas, Holtz Shimmer Spritz, staples

Getting "Sentimental"

It's another Farm Fresh Friday challenge! Today, we're getting "sentimental"! This time create a scrapbook page with a phrase, quote, or poem that reminds you of someone you love. Be sure to use a TGF image!

For my SB page, I decided to scrap pictures from Leavenworth, WA. It's this cute Bavarian town in the Cascade Mountains that plays host to a beautiful tree-lighting ceremony. The trees and all the buildings in town have lights EVERYWHERE!

My friends and I go every year on a chartered bus trip through my job at Safeway. That way we can shop (and drink German beers) til we drop, and have a safe ride home! In fact, We're going again this Sunday! Can't wait!

I thought pairing Toby and his snowboard with this was perfect. This Emerson quote was also the perfect one for the "friend" theme of this page. Emerson is my favorite.

So head on over to the TGF blog for all the challenge details and some great DT inspiration! The prize will be the *NEW* "Because of You" sentiment set from TGF!!

Materials: TGF Toby Snowboard digi image. CTMH Magic Moments L1 scrapbook kit, Cocoa and Indian Corn Blue inks, buttons, brad, hemp. Copics, quote stamp (from somewhere...)

Farm Fresh Friday--Let it Snow!

Hello everyone! Back again with another Farm Fresh Friday from The Greeting Farm! This week's challenge is to use some kind of snow or snow element (snowflakes, liquid applique, glitter, flowersoft, etc.) on your project this week!

This is an easy one for me! I've been sitting on this MS felt snowflake ribbon for awhile an keep meaning to use it.....and keep forgetting about it. This time I didn't though! I paired it with some nice and simple CTMH dp, ribbon, and a snowflake punch. Looks great with my little snowball-throwing bunny friends here. Maggie sure did get Ricky good! Haha! This image always makes me smile. That's what I'd totally do to my brother!

So head on over to the TGF blog for all the challenge details and some fabby inspiration. Prize is O/A Fuzzy Wuzzy-a FULL 4x6 set!

Materials
Stamps: TGF Ricky/Maggie digi, CTMH Thoughtful Seasons
Paper: CTMH Jingle L2pp, PTI kraft
Other: Copics, foam tape, MS snowflake punch and felt snowflake ribbon, Stickles, CTMH ribbon and ink, rhinestone

Hip-Hoppin' for the Holiday!

The Greeting Farm is HOPPIN' into the Holidays featuring our December release! Thank you for joining us today for an ALL-CUSTOMER and DT blog hop, featuring HOLIDAY cards that use TGF stamps! The DT is premiering some December releases, there are prizes, chit chat on our PCP page from 7pm CST to 8pm CST, and the winner of our Ugly Sweater Inspired contest will also be announced!

If you are just getting here, be sure to start on the TGF Blog where there will be ONE official list of hoppers due to the volume of tonight's hop. Be sure to pop in between 7 and 8 pm CST on our PCP page to chat w/ the DT, drink virtual egg-nog and be MERRY with TGF!

For my card today, I'm sharing this adorable Robbie image. I love how happy he looks, and who doesn't love a toasty mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day?! Make sure you snag your Robbie digi stamp tomorrow for sure! I also used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch.


If you are participating in one of our contests tonight (see below), the THREE categories will be live and posted in the TGF Galleria at 7pm CST tonight. Please place your card in the appropriate category in the galleria NO LATER than 11:00AM CST tomorrow, December 1st. Winners will be drawn tomorrow around NOON CST and posted on the TGF Blog.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
"Let it Snow" (use snow in creative ways on your card)
"Santa, Baby" (cute Santa-inspired cards)
"It's a Wrap" (creative ways to use gift wrap on a card)
You may enter one, two, or all 3 categories, but must create a separate entry for each category and you MUST USE TGF STAMPS!


What's more? There are even MORE ways to win! You do not have to create for one of the three challenges, unless you WANT TO, because in addition, ONE lucky hopper WHO PARTICIPATES in the Blog Hop will receive the ENTIRE DECEMBER RELEASE just for making it through the hop and commenting. In addition, another lucky NON-participant will also win this prize.

So HOP on over to the TGF blog for the complete list of Hoppers and have some holiday fun!!


Materials
Stamps: TGF Robbie Hotchocolate digi
Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, PTI kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Coluzzle, felt word, Stickles, CTMH ink, Colorbox chalk ink

A little challenge time

Hello everyone! I'm here with a late post to share this double challenge card. When I first saw this Willard image by Kraftin' Kimmie, I totally HAD to have him! He just looks so pitiful and adorable all at the same time! I colored him to look like he was wearing the scarf and mittens his grandma bought him last Christmas that she thought he'd really like. Does it look like he likes it? Haha! I think not!

I played along with this week's Christmas Card Challenge which was a sketch challenge, and Kraftin' Kimmie's "seeing spots" challenge. These fun EK apoxy stickers I thought fit that bill perfectly.

Enjoy your evening. I'm going over to my parents' for dinner. My brother's best friend, and Army comrade, Kevin, is here visiting on his R&R so Mom is making her famous porkchops! Yum!! So far we've had lots of fun since he arrived on Friday. Only a few more days until he leaves. :( But in April, he and my brother will BOTH be here! :D

Materials
Stamps: KK Willard, CTMH Captured Moments
Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, PTI kraft and cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, liquid applique, EK border punch and apoxy stickers, CTMH inks and hemp, Memento ink

More gift tag fun!

Good morning everyone! Did you all survive Black Friday? I usually hole myself up in my condo and watch movies all day in my PJs on Black Friday since I live on a well-used shortcut to the mall. But this year I had to work, and then had my Trunk Show down at the shop. It was amazing how many people were out shopping!

All the gift tags I made for the show were a huge hit! I'm definitely making more for my Etsy....and myself! Here are some close-up shots of each:

(sorry for my shadow!)

Did I put my MS snowflake punch to use, or what?! Haha! Makes them all individual, but similar. Enjoy your Sunday. I'm off to cheer on my Seahawks at the game today! After last week's loss to the Saints, they need a little encouragement. Bring on the 12th Man!

Materials

Stamps: CTMH Dec. Word Puzzle

Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH cs, misc. pearlized paper

Other: CTMH cocoa ink, EK border punch, MS snowflake punch and border punch, Robin's Nest skittles

Sketchy FFF with a sneak peek!

Has it already been another month?! And is Thanksgiving really over?! I can't believe how fast time is flying! But hey, that's the way it is. And that way leads to another Farm Fresh Friday and another TGF release sneak peek!

Today I'm sharing a new holiday image that Marina came up with. It's another edition of our two little monkey friends! Doesn't Marlene look like she's having fun in the sled?! And she's all dressed up for the occasion. I played off the plaid blanket in the image to use this Jovial paper. I also used my Multiliner to draw in some snow for a background. This image works really well for the FFF sketch challenge today too!

Head on over to the TGF blog for the FFF sketch and some more awesome DT creations!

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. I'd like to still be in my food coma, but I'm up early and off to work at 4am. No Black Friday for me! Thank goodness grocery stores are pretty quite the day after everyone ate enough for a whole week! Lol!

Materials
Stamps: TGF Monkey Sled digi, KK sentiment
Paper: BG Jovial dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, Stickles, EK punch, CTMH inks, misc. brads

Some Christmas tags

Good morning everyone! I'm back with some "little" projects I've been working on. I decided to make some cute Christmas tags after being inspired by these ones that Sparkle made. Totally case'd them! This is a great way to use up all those little scraps you just can't seem to part with! They were nice and simple, and this CTMH stamp set was perfect to whip them up fast!

Here are some close-ups:

Enjoy your Sunday! Day 6 of 11 work week for me. YUCK!! I'm going to try to leave work an hour early so I don't miss my Seahawks football!

Materials

Stamps: CTMH Just for the Holidays

Paper: A Muse kraft, BG Jovial and Eskimo Kisses dp, CTMH cs

Other: CTMH inks, Coluzzle, EK punches, crochet fiber

Another challenge combo

This was another creation I made yesterday during what was probably my last day off in awhile. My new Safeway store opens this Thursday, so it's massive panic and perfection and then straight into the Thanksgiving holiday. Nothing but 6-day work weeks for me for a while. More stamp money though!!

Can I just say that I *LOVE* the way this card turned out?! I made this for the TPS monthly sketch challenge #7, and this week's LLB challenge #22 which is a color challenge. Boy, PTI ribbon sure does make a pretty bow huh? I swapped Lilith's roses out for a snowflake brad. Now she's all set for the holidays!

Materials

Stamps: TPS Lilith, CTMH Jingle Borders

Paper: BG Jovial dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, misc. brad, PTI ribbon, CTMH ink, rhinestones

Lazy Sunday

Even with an extra hour today, I still didn't get this post up until now. Haha! But I did still wake up early at 7am. I thought I "slept in" until 8am, but forgot it was daylight savings. So I've been playing all this morning while watching football, and laundry. Wish my team wasn't getting smoked by the Giants though. :(

This card was originally made to play in the Christmas Card Challenge #48 of using candy canes, but since it's Sunday, the new Christmas challenge went up. Thankfully the colors I used still works in this week's inspiration challenge! I also used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch again to play with SCRSC #17.

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Candycane Emily, CTMH Snow Flurries
Paper: BG Jovial dp, A Muse kraft, PTI cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Nestie die, CTMH inks and button, misc. snowflake brad, EK punch, Stickles

TGF Release Day Blog Hop!

Hello everyone!

November is here and we are bringing you a cozy "Release Day" Blog Hop today with The Greeting Farm!

Whether you're snuggled up with your honey in your favorite sweater by a fireplace, set out for your favorite coffee shop to visit with Beanie Anya, or snowboarding with Toby Cub, the theme is COZY and RELAXED this month...or , perhaps you're preparing something 'cheeky" under the tree for your honey? It's never too early to start that shopping, right? ;)

Today, however, we want you to sit back, grab a cuppa tea or hot cocoa and enjoy our little DT hop! Let's get started, shall we?

Today I used the adorable Snowboard Toby. He's totally my favorite of the new release. I made my card layout simple to help the image stand out more. I added some Liquid Glass to his snowboarding goggles to make them look realistic.

Well, I hope you enjoyed it, as it's just one of THREE rubber releases and THREE new digis from the Critter Crew! Everything is available now in the TGF Store and we can't wait to see what YOU create with these comfy, cozy cuties!

Now it's time to visit the next stop on the hop! If you're just arriving now to my blog, be sure to start on the TGF Blog, and enjoy the rest of the order today:

FARMERS:
Melyssa Connolly
Mercy Kerin
Randi Wall
Tammy Maxvill
Emma Eads-November Guest Farmer

CRITTER CREW:
Heather Schlatter
Jacqueline Nordaune
Jennifer Royal
Kristine Reynolds
Margie Cortina
Sammi Betbeder
Shaela Odd
Tangii Crain

TEAM ANYA:
Anna Maria Nilsson
Carisa Zglobicki-Nov. Team Anya GD
Kristy Young
Jen Shults
Amber Hight
Jessica Diedrich
Club Anya & Friends

Enjoy each and every stop along the way and WAIT! There's more! After all, it wouldn't be a blog hop without PRIZES, right? ONE lucky winner will receive the ENTIRE NOVEMBER RELEASE, including the THREE digis, just for completing each stop along the blog hop and leaving a comment at the end-on the Club Anya & Friends blog! Winner will be announced Tuesday morning-so you have until 11:59pm CST to enter! GOOD LUCK!


See you soon, Farm Friends! Stay warm and cozy and enjoy the November release!

Materials

Stamps: TGF Snowboarding Toby digi, CTMH Thoughful Seasons

Paper: CTMH L2pp

Other: Copics, foam tape, Stickles, CTMH ink, Liquid Glass, paper piercer, edge distresser, and ribbon

Sneaky Peeky!

Hello everyone! The Critter Crew and I have some cool sneak peeks for you today! There will be 3 new Critters being released on Nov. 1st, and they are super cute!

As the holiday season draws near, Marina supplied us with some adorable wintry friends to help celebrate. Today I'm showcasing the Chipmunk Candy Cane digi. Doesn't he look so happy gnawing on his candy cane?! It's like that's the only Christmas present he needs! I paired him up with some of my new BG Jovial dp, and used the metal "happy holidays" charm to accent. Too bad the sentiment didn't show up in the photo. I also used this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch #90.
So check out the other fun creations from the Critter Crew, and be sure to come back on the first for TGF's November release blog hop where there are sure to be prizes!! Linda will be unable to join us the next couple weeks while she moves, but we're soooo glad Heather is back!

The Critter Crew:
Shaela Odd
Heather Schlatter *back from maternity leave!*
Jacquie Nordaune
Jenn Royal (you're here!)
Kristine Reynolds
Linda Muhr *out for the week*
Tangii Crain
Margie Cortina
Sammi Betbeder

Materials
Stamps: TGF Chipmunk Candy Cane digi
Paper: BG Jovial dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, CTMH brads, hemp, and paper piercer, EK punck, misc. ribbon and button

I'm still alive.....barely

Hi everyone. Sorry I only posted my DT work last week. Still have a cold. It has now migrated to my throat and has taken my voice. Should make for an interesting first day at my new store. (which I'll touch on more later since I gotta leave soon)

For today's card, I decided to show my Sept. Unity KOTM some love. I need to bulk up my winter cards for the shop, so this cute postage style stamp worked great. I just sponged in some color and used my Copic for some more detail. Nice and simple layout, and I was done!

Materials
Stamps: Unity Sept. KOTM
Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, CTMH cs, A Muse kraft
Other: Copics, CTMH inks, rhinestones, foam tape, misc. ribbon, EK punch

Clean & Simple Emily--SCRC #14

Happy Saturday everyone! This is an extra-special day. My good friends are getting married today!! They've been together for-eva and after him asking for like the 8th time, she finally said yes! Hee hee! She's totally the dude with commitment issues, and he's the chick that loves her sooo much and can't live with out her. I love them.

Anyways, on to the card. This was made for Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps challenge #14 which calls for "clean & simple". Sometimes that's a little hard for me. I like lots of paper and embellishments, but I was able to tone it down and let Emily be the star. Cute image right?!

Materials
Stamps: SCRS Holiday Emily, sentiment is A Muse
Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, PTI cs
Other: Copics, EK border punch, MS snowflake punch, Stickles, misc. button, CTMH inks

Release Day at Sparkle's!

It's release day over at Sparkle Creations Rubber Stamps! You can finally get your hands on all 6 of the adorable Christmas stamps! I love all of them, but my personal favorite is Rin here with her cute snowman. So fun to color! Just one thing though.....how does she not sink into the snow with those shoes?! ;)


Head on over to SCRS blog for some great DT inspiration and to snag all these cuties! They're showcasing the sixth stamp today, Sledding Chloe, which is my second fav of the release. AND...there's a release day blog hop with PRIZES!


Materials
Stamps: SCRS Rin with Snowman, Hampton Art Holiday Circles
Paper: BG Eskimo Kisses dp, A Muse kraft, CTMH Splendor dp, PTI cs
Other: Copics, Memento ink, CTMH ink, paper piercer and glitter brad, Colorbox chalk ink, Stickles

Another FFF with CCC Week #6

So I made this card using the same FFF sketch as yesterday's card. When I saw this dp in my stash, it reminded me of snowflakes and I thought "what the heck" make a Christmas card now. I also thought I could then enter it into Sparkle's Christmas Card Challenge this week only to find out that she has a red/blue color challenge this time. Oh well. It does fit into her challenge from CCC week #6 which is to dry emboss.

Materials
Stamps: Tangle fairy-Sweet November Stamps, sentiment-Savvy Stamps
Paper: Scrap dp, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, MS punch, CTMH inks, foam tape, CB folder, rhinestones

Merry Christmas!!!

....from me and my cat Simon! I made this card to showcase why I original bought Reeta: to color her and her cat like me and my cat. So fun and cute!

Materials

Stamps: Reeta-TGF, Say It In Style-CTMH

Paper: Eskimo Kisses-BG, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, CTMH ribbon and inks, foam tape

Hope you all have a truly joyful holiday full of love and fantastic memories with those that you love. I worked this morning, but now I'm off with the Fam down to Auburn to have Christmas at our friends house. They usually come to our holidays since they don't have family here, but they wanted to host Christmas this year. Can't wait for Grandma's sweet potato puffs! YUM!!

Using scrap 3

Here's the last of my cards using up my Evensong paper. This one is nice and simple, but I love it. Used up another MyStickease too with the sticker flower.

It's Survivor Finale tonight!! Can't believe it's here already! What am I going to do after ALL my shows are done for the season?! Guess I'll put that Netflix subscription to great use. ;)

Materials: All CTMH. Evensong L2pp and MyStickease, Evergreen ss, olive ink.

Other: Misc. ribbon, foam tape.

Using scrap 2

Using my favorite layout by Amy again while using up that Evensong paper. When I first finished this card, I loved the ribbon on the trees, but now I don't know......

Another house warming party tonight. This time it's Josie, and she has a very quaint place by herself--no men! ;) A house warming at a chef's home can't be bad right? Yum!

Materials: All CTMH. Evensong L2pp, Evergreen ss, Say It In Style ss, olive ink, white daisy grosgrain ribbon, corner rounder.

Other: Foam tape

Using scrap

I used the LAST of a paper pack this week making these cards for co-workers. This Evensong paper was fun, but I was really sick of it when I was all done. ;) I even used up the last of the matching MyStickease! Case in point: The red/green strip across is actually the negative space left behind from two border stickers that I put to good use. Go Green!

Materials: All CTMH. Evensong L2pp and MyStickease, Evergreen ss, Thoughtful Seasons ss, olive ink.