Challenge #120. I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Electra here - I love snow.  When it's all white and fluffy.  In a big city that lasts about, oh, 10 minutes.
But where I live now, when we have a big snowstorm, it becomes magical and stays that way for some time.
I go out into the woods and take photos and that's what prompted this challenge-some photos I've taken of the pretty fluffy stuff we've had lately.
But who wants to look at photos?

I made a PEACE banner for my mantle, using some of my photos for the backgrounds of the letters.
Here's the "P"

Lace around some silver paper, embossed white cardstock on that. A sparkly foil rosette on the bottom with a snowflake and pearl on top of that.  And at the top, one of my photos, edged with Liquid Pearls and a glittery letter.  Oh yeah, it's all hanging from some silver and white twine/ribbon.

To see the E-A-C- and other E, please come on over to my blog.

And Merry Merry Christmas!

Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.


Rosemary here - and I would love a white Christmas, lots of beautiful, fluffy white snow on the ground making everything look like a Christmas card.  BUT, I don't want people to have to drive in bad weather and so I'll merely dream of my white Christmas while living vicariously through my projects. 

Deena here - this is one of the first years, in as many as I can remember, that we may not have a white Christmas...WHAT??? Usually it is soooo cold and intolerable here in the winter, and there has never been a shortage of the white stuff...but this year, you can actually drive down our street and go from store to store without having to scrape off your vehicle and curse out old man winter...I say again....WHAT???  If this is global warming, then bring it on, baby, cuz winter like this is fabulous!  We have just enough of the white stuff to make you realize Christmas is around the corner, but there are no 16 foot snowbanks in my neck of the woods this year! But alas, it will come to an end too soon and the bone chilling, window frosting, eyelash sticking together weather will be upon us...

  

Gini here -  Well I thought I would experiment.

Now as you well know, those are really dangerous words for any crafter, because it could all end up in the bin and me in a huff.

Now I could have ducked out of this challenge but this isn't Hollywood this is real life and that includes a day with spinach on your teeth.

So last night at bed time I was in a huff and this project would have ended up in the bin had I had enough time to make something else but alas time is not on my side right now so here is my not quite white or quite right Christmas Scene. So sorry Electra!

Ooops, I was hoping to rescue it with my shiny Cosmic Shimmer watercolours and truly they did help but they cannot perform miracles.

Look through your fingers or out the corner of your eye at this poor poor card and don't click on it, nobody wants to see it bigger. 
But you dear greenhorn reader can make something far better I'm sure!

You have until the end of Saturday 31 December to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating a white Christmas. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 

We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #119. Gingerbread.

"Run, run, run, as fast as you can...."

It's December and for a lot of people it means running around like crazy to get all of your errands run, presents purchased, wrapped and sent/given. It also means a lot of fun foods that we don't usually have around. Like

GINGERBREAD

men and women. (We are an equal opportunity challenge blog.) So share with us YOUR GINGERBREAD creations. Be they tasty to the mouth or the eyes. We want to see them all.

Jana here - I never developed the taste buds for the food, I DO adore Starbuck's Gingerbread Latte's and I LOVE the little houses. Making them has been a tradition in my family forever. We gather the candies. (I buy the premade houses because I am so not a baker.) For a few years we even bought the frosting pre-made from a local bakery. Now we just get the little boxed kits from the store and mix the frosting ourselves. Crazy, I know. Anyway, these little houses are what inspired this challenge. And I do love those little houses. I wanted to make a little house that wouldn't get eaten throughout the season. (My girls will pick the candy off as they walk by. Also part of the tradition.) I was going to make this little doll house. I did start it, but life got in the way. SO, I made this digi card front instead. 

The Ninjabread Man is from Urban Threads. He is supposed to be an embroidery pattern, and he will be. Soon. I just thought this would make a great card.


Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.

Rosemary here - I think I am the odd Poobah out (along with Deena - more for us!)  because I absolutely LOVE gingerbread - either as crispy cookies or as a delicious spicy cake.  Must be my German ancestry showing, but I'm not a gingerbread snob, I'll eat it homemade or from the local bakery (psstt - Panera has them for the Christmas season) YUMMY!!!

So, with that in mind - I loved this challenge and created two items - a card AND an ornament using the delightful image of GINGERBREAD - and without further ado.

  
Gini here -   I don't like gingerbread to eat either, not in any form as a sweet or pudding but I also love looking at the little gingerbread houses, so I made this one out of card, paper and a little bit of shiny. 
How to make it details are on my blog. 
For a visual treat do try an google image search using the term "gingerbread houses" it took my eyeballs a minute or two to stop swirling at all the lovely little houses I saw...

 

Electra here -  I don't like gingerbread.  I know, I know,
Bah Humbug and all that.  I like pink.  So I've made a pink ginger-Victoria-Secret-Model.

Note the wings?  If you want to know the whole story, I've explained it at my blog.

 Deena here - well...it appears that the other (except Rosemary...no wonder we get along!!)poohbahs are gingerbreadman humbugs, but not me....they are one of my favorite all time treats...love the spicy-ness about it or something cuz once I start, I can't stop...there is not a gingerbread person who is safe around me...but unlike the other evil gingerbread eaters in my house (who all start with the head for a quick and painless death), I like to start with the extremities and torture those poor little cookies...then I can see their smiling faces when I take the last bite!  I must warn those faint of heart that the inside of this card says "Oh Bite Me...another Christmas Card"...

You have until the end of Saturday 17 December to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating gingerbread. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #118. Thanks for being YOU

I hope you will see this challenge as fun and freeform - interpret this theme

THANKS FOR BEING YOU

as it strikes you. 

Perhaps you want to focus on Thanks and make something with that in mind, or Thanksgiving
 or make a project that is so you, just your style as it were...it is all good!

Celebrate what makes you and your work special and oh, so you!

Here at Opus Gluei we are thankful you like our challenges enough to play with us

and we love love love to see your creativity shine through!

Rosemary here - the inspiration for this challenge came from a sweet Thanksgiving card I received last year from Jana that said just that - Thanks for being you.  I thought it was so kind of her (she's so sweet like that!)

I made a Thanksgiving banner last year that I liked but didn't LOVE, wasn't feeling it for the item. 

So, I decided it was time for a DO-OVER!

I like it even better this time.  This was created with my Cricut, Plantin and Celebrations cartridges, and the most wonderful, colorful, fun paper pad from DCWV - Harvest Gathering

You might say - oh my, that's a craptacular amount of pattern and stuff, Rosemary. 

Yep, and that's okay - because you have to make something YOU like

This is the kind of fun project that lets you pull out your buttons, bling, just about anything your heart desires

Let's see what all the poobahs have come up with for this challenge!

 Deena here - we have finished all of our Thanksgiving stuff here in my neck of the woods (I like that we do it early and space out the turkey and visits a little)...but there is always a need for a thank you card somewhere, so I whipped this one up just in case...I love these little felt trees, I think they are just darling (and I waited ever so patiently to be able to pick them up on clearance...the best part of all)...the picture is a little dark, but winter has arrived as of this weekend (big time)...something I really am not thankful for...and it just seems that it finally gets light out and an hour later it is dark and cold and snowy...probably a bit of an exaggeration, but brrr...and it is not even close to the shortest day of the year...

Electra here -  Tis the season to be thankful.  If I had to make a list, it would go on forever.  (My fellow Poobahs would be at the top, but don't tell them.)
I made a simple card.  Simple because my mojo seems to have gone out for Thanksgiving dinner and not returned, and simple because, well,  that's how it turned out.

I live in the same neck of the woods as Deena, so I too have eaten my turkey and put all the good china away. Having said that, any day is a good day for gratitutde, don't you agree?

  
Gini here -  
Flowers are so often given as a thank you gift so I made a card using the fabulous Paper Artsy stamps Hot Picks 1004 and their set of steampunk moth stamps.
I used the wrinkle free technique using Inkadinks from the bright range and over-sprayed with a silver shimmer spray for the flower, stem and leaves, and Cosmic Shimmer watercolour paints for the moth.

Jana here: There is so very much in my life for which I am grateful. Mostly I am thankful that the people I know and love are who they are. To honor that feeling I present this little card:

Here's hoping you enjoy our little challenge and decide to play

along - Thanks for being YOU!

You have until the end of Saturday 3 December to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating showing gratitude. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #117. What's on your head?

Gini here -


Helloooooo this fortnight's challenge is mine, all mine mwha-ha-ha.

So tell us then, what's on your head?

It can be any kind of project you like as long as it's got someone or an animal with something on it's head, or even a shelf or a display of hats, something along those lines.

You might fancy going the traditional route and use a hat of some kind, a headress, a crown, or exotic feathers on a glamorous lady.
You might feel inclined to go a bit wackier and put a fried egg on a dog's head, or a Santa's hat on a chicken, your imagination is your only limitation, anything goes.
Marie Antoinette had a galleon sailing in her wig once I believe.
If you feel like writing a little story to go with your creation I would love that too.
Just a few lines of nonsense, I am easily pleased  (no don't listen to my husband laughing at that, he knows nothing).

I myself have a bit of a passion for making headresses.


So this is Stampotique's Clover ready for an evening out.
She is planning on dazzling her beau, her hope is that the candle light glinting off her head dress will hypnotise him and make him amenable to her every wish and whim.
Now if you click on her to make her bigger and look at her dear little face, you will see a lady who is prepared to suffer for her ART and her cutting edge fashionability.
Bless her.
Where would we be without style icons like Clover eh?

C'mon get your thinking cap on!


Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.

Rosemary here - Well, I had to go literal for this challenge theme, it simply had to be.  About 5 years ago I discovered those wonderful knitting looms and went a wee bit crazy with them, made everyone I knew and loved a hat (and sometimes a scarf).  I'm including a photo of my latest one, a baby sized pink hat to show what I am talking about.  Sure, some may call it cheating knitting, but not me!  Until I can learn how to knit on knitting needles, I'm going to rely on my knitting looms.

This is me modeling a hat (switch them around enough and the static electricity starts making your hair look like fright night)

Emma posing with part of the stash (it is wrong how elegant she looks compared to me)

and the pile from that first go-round. 

So, I've been doing it again on a grand scale, trying to once again make one for everyone in the family and select friends. 

This is the sad little pile I have right now (only 7 completed) - But these are amazing quick (even the adult sizes) to start and finish in an evening.  Makes watch television fun and productive!  I will make my goal, I always do!  (I highly recommend trying these looms out)

Deena here - my little guy is not as fancy or elaborate as Gini's is, but he is a bit of a cutie in my opinon...I used liquid applique on his hat...that stuff is soooo much fun...I have had it in my craft area for about 10 years now and never used it...but why, I will never know cuz that stuff is amazing!

Electra here -  Trust Gini to come up with something so creative!  I did a "doorway" into, oh, I don't know, let's say a popular nightclub. Has this ever happened to you?

Jana here - I am a bit late to the party, but here none the less. I have a lot on my mind lately (don't we all) and the thought of hosting Thanksgiving Dinner here in America has almost sent me to the bottle. (And it may just happen...) Thus the inspiration for this ATC.

Nothing like a little bit of liquid courage to get you through.....

You have until the end of Saturday 19 November to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating things you could wear on your head. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #116. Something wicked this way comes.

Kristen here -  Here are 3 free digi stamps from my store.  The link is off my blog.  I LOVE Halloween.  I hope you make something fun with these.  *You are NOT required to use these images for the challenges, you just need to make something that fits the title of the challenge.  Please direct people here to get their image, and not just share them directly.  Enjoy your Halloween and go do some spooky creating.  Don't forget to link back here so we can see what you made!

PS... I am glad I don't live next door to Electra... ; )  The people are dying to get in there though!!!
Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.

Deena here - Halloween is on it's way and I am running to get costume material today...my girls have decided that they want to be garden gnomes this year...thought it was going to be a totally simple costume. but it is turning into a much bigger challenge than I had anticipated getting myself into...why can't they just be a cute little costume off of the rack like everyone else? They can be so wicked (and so will their costumes...they even convinced the hubby and grandpa to dress up with them so they can be a gaggle of garden gnomes).  Oh well, at least my card for this challenge was an easy one to make:

   

Electra here -  I live next door to a graveyard.  This is new, I only moved here two weeks ago.  My neighbours are quiet anyways.

At any rate, for this theme, I created something a bit macabre, but not very.  I tried to ease it up with a bit of whimsey too.  No sense scaring myself TOO badly with the folks next door and Halloween closing in on us, right?

You can find more deets on my blog.

Rosemary here and I have to start off by apologizing - my projects are not complete.  Oh, they've been stitched until the last row has been crossed, but they aren't "finished" - you know, made into the final product but I was afraid I'd be so late for our deadline.  I've been stitching a lot lately, it's been a portable craft for me and that works for what life's been dishing out.

This is my cluttered mantel that is intended to look Halloween-y. 

The jack-o-lantern of patterned panels is from years ago and in front are my latest pieces.  The four panel is from The Prairie Schooler booklet entitled - Cats, Bats, and Witches.  Just three colors but loads of impact and the finished piece is approximately 5"x5".  It's going to need a custom frame (sigh)...

The vintage looking jack-o-lantern is from The Prairie Schooler booklet - Boo to You, full of wonderful retro images that are very quick to stitch!  This is going to be finished as as ornament!

Both of these were done within a two week timeframe - they're that quick to stitch! I hope all you GHOULS come out to play with us on this challenge (big thanks to Kristen for a spookily fun theme and for sharing digis with everyone - she's very sweet and generous like that!)


Gini here - 

Mwah-ha-ha.............. Your carriage awaits you and it's ready to whisk you away; past the howling wolf and up, up, up to the creepy castle where your destiny awaits you...

OR if that doesn't tickle your fancy then a huge bar of your favourite chocolate, a foot massage, a large glass of wine, a roaring open fire and the person(s) of your choice :-)
(Feel free to change or tweak any of the above aspects to make your perfect evening entertainment - 'cos I'm helpful like that.)


 

 

You have until the end of Saturday 5 November to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating Halloween. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #115. Back into the swing of things.

Deena here - so now that school is back into full swing and all of the activities have started back up, let's get into the swing of things with the Poohbahs!  Pull out all the stops and show us your swinging creation...what ever and how ever that may be....I chose to use a monkey swinging on vines (I do like monkeys - unlike birds, I think these creatures are cute and cuddly looking - from a distance, of course)...but that doesn't need to be your only kind of swing...there is the swing in your step as the kids head off to school...a swing at the park on a warm fall day...the swing of a bat when your husband tries to use your scrapbook tools to do a construction project....what ever tickles your fancy...

by the way....this honeycomb paper is super cool!  total 3-d effect...have sooo many ideas for it....

Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.

  
Gini here -   LOL at Deena's bat swinging, so what else could a bat be used for hmm? 
I know how about a moustache... For me getting back into the swing of things is making comedy papercrafts, at least I find it funny, you may think otherwise as it takes all sorts to make a world. Click on the image to make it bigger.

 


Electra here -  I made something digital cus I'm in the midst of a move and can't find anything.  Here it is:

 Jana here - I have been on a paper hiatus. For some unknown reason, I have avoided it. I have been on a fabric binge. I LOVE paper, and just in the past week or so I have gotten back to it. I am getting BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS. The way I used to be into things. I grabbed a few Halloween papers, some different types of GLUE, some stamps and ink and went to town. Here are a couple of the 10 cards I made in one afternoon. See, I really am BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS.

Models: Mr Bones and Fluffy

This is Mr Bones favorite card!

You have until the end of Saturday 22 October to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating getting back into the swing of things. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!

Challenge #114. Owl always love you.

Electra here -  Are you exhausted from all that Dancing With The Poobahs?  I know I am.
This week, we'll be a little more sedate and visit the world of OWLS.
For some reason Autumn always makes me think of owls, I don't know why.
But thinking of Owls, I made a few ATC's:

Why the "Always Love You" part?  I have no idea.  I think the reason is when I see the leaves starting to change colour, I think of school buses, and I think of when my girl was little and went to elementary school and I think of how adorable she was and I think of how much I love her....

And no, I don't have ADHD.

So Whoo do you love in your Owl world?

Let's see what all the other wonderful poobahs have come up with for this challenge.

Rosemary  - here and I love the idea of an Owl challenge - WHO wouldn't?  (heh heh, sorry, couldn't resist).  There's all sorts of owl embellishments, die cuts, stickers, etc.  I decided I was going to do something with floss and fabric...soooo.....

I found this adorable spooky owl pattern from The Prairie Schooler and easy peasy - a cross-stitch ornament perfect for decorating a doorknob, wreath, or bare tree branch (oooh, the possibilities).  Wonderfully fun to do and I hope you enjoy looking at it!

  


 Jana here -  Owls. Are you kidding me?!?!?! I LOVE owls. I always have. I always will. My oldest is contemplating colleges. She's a junior and is starting to put serious thought into what she wants to be and where she'll go to learn about it. I really want her to major in something practical. But not matter what she chooses, OWL ALWAYS LOVE HER. So I made a little set of ATC's titled:

"OWL DO WHAT I WANT"

Kristen here -  I used some Quickutz owls for this project and some really fun paper that I just got at the local craft store with the owls on it!  It is called You're a Hoot from the finally fall collection from Bella BLVD.  I love owls... I used to have one that landed on the roof above my bedroom window and talk until I fell asleep.  Possibly he talked after, but how would I know that?  Have a great week!

Deena here - I am not a bird lover at all...in fact they kind of creep me out...they fly above you threatening poop so you have to duck and cover (pardon the pun), but I bought this owl punch on a whim and decided I had better use it at least a couple of times to get my money's worth...my hubby got a kick out of the lets' flock together phrase...typical male...so here is my attempt at owl love this week:

You have until the end of Saturday 8 October to join in with your fabulous creation celebrating owls. Add your blog post address to Mr Linky below.
If you would like to join in with a previous challenge we've set (life happens and lateness is absolutely fine, we don't mind a bit) just add your blog post address to Mr Linky below. Please make sure your blog post refers to the previous challenge you are entering so we don't get confused. 
We look forward to visiting you!