Nov 15 - Nov 22

I don't have a list to share from last week. I apologize.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

November 8 - 14

Good morning everyone! I hope your Monday is off to a Marvelous start! It's the first day of a new beginning here in our home! I actually have two Top 10 lists for you this week - one from my general blog perusing and one from the Friends of Faith blog hop - scroll down to see that list!

So -- here are my favorite 10 from the past week! Click the link to visit each creator's blog/gallery and view their creation in it's Full Glory!! And since you're there, please leave them a little note letting them know what you think!

Linda created a perfect CAS card for the Thanksgiving holiday. It's such a perfect example of how you can make one layer of white cardstock into something special. When you visit, be sure to click the card to make it bigger - it's well worth the extra seconds!

Christi Thorsen always creates gorgeous cards and this one is no exception. It's a sweet little scrapling in one of my favorite color combos. There's some gingham in there (swoon!) and of course one of her big floppy bows!

Kim Costello has created gorgeous Anya cards in her new gig on the Club Anya team -- this is oh.so.gorgeous! I actually have a card that Kim sent me months and months ago as part of some blog candy --- so I know that as stunning as this card is on my computer screen - it's Breath-Taking in person. I can just imagine!

Bev Rousch has always been a favorite of mine. She used one of my favorite Stampin' Up sets of all time on this card. I love the panel of decorative paper that stretches across the center of the card and the slight distressing on it. I also love way she left the stamped panel un-mounted.

Cindy Beach has been one of my favorite stampers ever since I started my blog 2 years ago. She has a clean uncluttered style that always makes me go 'ooohhh'. This card shows her meticulous attention to detail and neatness. The color combo is great, her fussy cutting is flawless and the sweet touches of ribbon and beads and all finish it off beautifully!

Anita Hovey blew me away with her butterfly card this week. The grid layout creates simplicity and structure while the shape of the butterfly and the print of the paper gives it a whimsical and fresh feel! Her post is also a treat as you can see how color really changes the look of the same elements. The white base was my favorite - go see which one was Anita's!

Rebecca Ednie is the artist behind this lovely and vintage pocket and tag ensemble. I love work in brown and the cream that she paired it with along with all the feminine touches from flowers to lace to charms is just enchanting. She is so talented and this is one of my favorite pieces she's ever done --- in the top 10 of her works anyway! LOL!! to date. because I know she'll be creating more gorgeousness that will blow me away!

Jana Mays also created a white base card that is just GOR-geous! It's a perfect card for a new mother (you know how I feel about baby cards, right?). The ribbon and charm are just the right touch of a little embellishment. Of course, her coloring is soft and understated which really makes the card come to life!

Claire Daly blew me away with this card! The layout, the papers, the colors, the technique - all superb! I really want to know if that paper is available in the US or if it's only for sale in Australia (i know that's baja breeze --- so it's probably not). Lots of details to enjoy on this one as well!

And my favorite card this week: it's actually a tie b/c I could NOT decide!

          

Snow Globe by Heather Schlatter AND Baby's First Christmas by Deb Felts

I've seen lots of snowglobe shaped cards in the last few weeks -- but this is hands down, the best one I've seen. I love the dimension she achieved with the embossing and the sweet polar bear scene she created is so cute. I will warn you - when you read her post, she's going to go on and on about the homemade chocolate covered cherries she made for a craft fair. She's been torturing me with mention of them all week! LOL!!!!

And the little baby onesie card is certainly not a "new" idea --- but again, hands-down, this is my favorite one I've seen in the last few years. It's baby so of course, I'm gonna love it! But I love that all that white --- embossing it just kicked it up ten notches!! And the sweet red collar with tartan bow - just screams Christmas baby wear!! Deb did an excellent job with the finishing touches on this one - wait till you see the way she decorated the collar!

Here is a button that you can display on your blog if you like. Link it here. Link it to the post where you were featured. Don't link it. Whatever makes ya happy! Just know that YOUR creations added a touch of happiness to me this week!

That's it for this week. Be sure to let these talented ladies know what you think if you haven't already! There are so many words in our society that seek to destroy and cut people down. Take a moment to counter that by leaving some words that seek instead to lift up and encourage.

Friends of Faith Blog Hop

This past weekend was the Friends of Faith Blog Hop. I hope you took the time to hop to each blog --- there were 87 blogs in the hop!!! I split it into several sessions and am so glad that I visited each and every blog. I was so blessed by EVERY SINGLE ONE of the posts! The creations were beautiful --- but the love of God that was shared was the most beautiful of all. I want to say thank you to every single one of you for ministering to me with your post.

I have my favorites from the blog hop to share with you - out of 87 --- I'm sure you can imagine HOW HARD it was to narrow it down to 10!

Maria Matter put together a beautiful card that is has lots of layers and interest, yet remains simple so that the focus is on the verse. I love that! Great color combo and overstamping is one of my favorite looks so this was a winner in my book! Another little touch that I really liked was the button in one corner and the sheer ribbon bow opposite that - a great design!

Pamela created a gorgeous frame for her project. This was my first visit to her blog. I really enjoyed taking a moment to scroll through several of her past posts as well. When I first saw this, I thought it was pretty, but the more I examined it, the more the little touches and details that she included come to the forefront. I think that is what makes a home decor item so wonderful - the first glance grabs you and then all the rest just pulls you in! I have to tell you that I want to make one of these myself!

Penny Smith posted 3 layouts on her blog hop post. I loved it (the post) because she talked about how to scrapbook your faith. I'm not a scrapbooker really - I've tried but I love making cards so much more. However, I *wish* I was a scrapbooker. And I do want to take her suggestions and make some pages. Be sure to visit her post - this is my favorite of the layouts that she posted --- I just love "text" incorporated into a design --- but they could all easily be tied since they are all terrific!

Angela Fehr is the creator behind the next card on my list. This was another new blog for me and of course, it's now in my reader and I explored it further (I love how that happens in a blog hop - do you?) Her card is so bright and colorful. I love color --- but I don't use bright colors like this very often at all. But I'm always drawn to them. The stitching, ric rac and buttons really make this card pop!

Patter Cross' card for the blog hop was full of beauty. Her color scheme is much softer than the previous card and are the colors that I am really drawn to! I love the way she used the floral pattern on the paper to create a subtle frame -- and of course those butterflies are just awesome!

Danielle Holsapple's post really captured the theme of the hop - Friends of Faith. She created a beautiful and thoughtful card for a friend of hers that is going through a trial right now. I can't remember which blog it was on at the moment, but one of the bloggers talked about how we should be encouragers to each other and that we don't do that enough. It was a sentiment that I really identified with. So the fact that Danielle used her creativity to create something special for her friend.......that's just wonderful. Sometimes saying "I'm praying for you" is the perfect thing to say when we don't know what to say. Anyway - now that I've gone waaaay off track --- what I really loved was the way she finished the inside of her card --- putting the message on all those little strips -- such a cool look!

Laura from Layers of Color created this next card - piece of art - tabletop display. It's amazing!!  You'll know why I love it when you see it. But the sentiment she put: "Wishing you a beautiful day filled with wonder" --- I can just hear God saying that to me every day. Saying it to you too! He's filled our world with wonder --- I hope that I recognize it every day!

LeAnne Pugliese was another new blog for me - and is another new one in my Reader! It's a very "scrappy" styled card - but I love the retro feel of it with the decorative paper she used, a very yummy gingham bow (gingham makes me swoon ya know!) and the verse featured so beautifully!

Tenia Nelson's CAS card took my breath away. CAS is my favorite style. And her card is full of lots of other favorites: lots of white space, polka dots (big ones!), bling and a color combo that is seriously, wicked cool! {i want to case this one too}

Grace Nywening was another new blog for me - and yes, you guessed it, into my reader (which grew by like 113 over the weekend)! Her double pocket card is beautiful and elegant. I've always said that my favorite color is pink/red....but I really think it might be green. I'm just drawn to green. I've seen lots of these style cards - but this one really captures my because the design is such that the tag is "hidden" and thus becomes this awesome surprise when you pull on the ribbon! Very cool!

And my favorite card from the Friends of Faith Blog Hop:

Friend by Tenia Nelson

Her CAS card took my breath away. CAS is my favorite style. And her card is full of lots of other favorites: lots of white space, polka dots (big ones!), bling and a color combo that is seriously, wicked cool! {i want to case this one too}

Feel free to display this button on your blog. You can link it to the blog or you can link it to the actual post where you were featured. Or you can not link it. Whatever makes ya happy!

That's it for this week. Be sure to let these talented ladies know what you think if you haven't already! There are so many words in our society that seek to destroy and cut people down. Take a moment to counter that by leaving some words that seek instead to lift up and encourage!

Have a beautiful week!
~Cassie

Wanna see me other blog?

November 1 - November 7

Hello everyone! I hope you have had a terrific week! As always, there were amazing creations this week, ranging from lovely to cute! I actually didn't have a super full folder to look through - not due to the lack of talent but due to MY lack of energy this week. I *know* I've just missed awesome, beautiful, wonderful, cute, adorable, etc... stuff from this past week! Feel free to share YOUR creations or those that you think are just spectacular - a direct link please to insure that I see exactly what you wanted me to see! I'd hate to miss something Fabulous!

But, here are my favorite 10 from the little that I did see!  Click the link to visit each creator's blog/gallery and view their creation in it's Full Glory!! And since you're there, might as well leave them a little note letting them know what you think!

Tosha Leyendekker is the creator of this gorgeous card. The big medallion captured my attention right away and I.Could.Not.Look.Away. Could.Not. I think this is such a neat way to really use a stamp that may be a little smaller but really make it a BIG focal point. Star of wonder also happens to be one of my favorite Christmas songs and every time I look at this beauty, I start singing it in my head.

Susan Liles created a "purely adorable" card using one of the new images from MFT. I was drawn by the bright and cheerful colors of this card. The little details really put this over the top. Be sure to swing by for a visit: you'll see the adorable card in full AND you'll see "Susie's Q-Tip" for a neat idea to dress up your buttons.

Mona L. designed a lovely and elegant card that captures the essence of fall! What I really loved about this card (besides the text paper in the background) is the non-traditional color scheme she used. The greens, creams and browns in this card invoke a calm and serene feeling - one that I get on those quiet fall days that have just a hint of cool in the air. You don't want to miss seeing this card!!

Mercy Kerin's Christmas card is wonderful for several reasons. From the non-traditional colors to the non-traditional size, it's a feast for the eyes. I can just imagine a tree with an elegant, tiered ornament sparkling among the branches. I am really amazed by her use of 3 different patterned papers yet the ornament remains as the focal point!

Mellisa Phillips created a delightful pocket card and tag in her usual shabby, vintage, soft style. I've been a fan of her work in the magazines for a long time and was excited to stumble across her blog! The paper on the tag is wonderful and leaving it unadorned lets it shine! Of course the ribbon, lace and all those buttons make this creation something really special!

Amy Sheffer is the artist behind the next card. Her card is shabby-chic as well and features lots of that kraft color that I adore so much. I love how she interpreted the sketch for this card. But what really amazes me --- is the stitching on that circle -- it's perfect!! When you visit this card, be sure to hang out for a little bit, taking in each detail so you don't miss anything!

Danni Reid has a knack for pulling elements together and creating something truly breath-taking! This card seems so simple, but all the details make it oh-so-spectacular! The sheet music had me at hello but then the candy cane paper edged with the green drew my eyes next. Then finally that amazing Santa image - and what - a bell? What a terrific touch! *You'll also be treated to some other fabulous creations when you visit this post!

Dawn Lusk shared this creation during the ODBD blog hop - it's the first blog hop of theirs that I think I've ever done. And her project took my breath away. And I literally thought about it all day long! She makes it sound so simple. You need to go see it - that's all I can say!! LOL!!!

Angela posted an elegant card this week that is worthy of being sold in the finest of stationary stores. The black, white and cream color scheme is tres chic! But then she adds some layers and some ribbon, a gorgeous button and pleats. Yes, PLEATS! Oh. It's absolutely exquisite!!

And my favorite card this week: Good Will Toward Men by Becca Feeken

It features one of my favorite colors - brown. And of course is super elegant with it's chic square shape, gorgeous patterned paper and touches of ribbon and pearls. But what really steals the show is the center panel. The frame that she created is beautiful *sigh*.

I love how it's popped up higher than the sentiment in the center.

I created a button that you can display on your blog if you would like. I'd like to thank Shabby Princess for letting me use one of her free digital kits to make the button!

That's it for this week. Be sure to let these talented ladies know what you think if you haven't already! There are so many words in our society that seek to destroy and cut people down. Take a moment to counter that by leaving some words that seek instead to lift up and encourage!

October 25 - October 31

My goal is to post my favorites on Sunday, but I only got it about half ready. It's not earth-shattering that it's late, but I do hate to disappoint. (Gee, that sounds totally conceited --- I don't mean it like that. But maybe some of you sweet followers are anxious to see my list....)

Time "fell back" this weekend. I'd love for it to just stay put - for everyone else while I get to move forward at triple speed!

Lots of lovely creations this week - this is just a small snippet of it. Every week I think "I'll just include one more" --- but you know, then it'd be 2 more and before too long it would be my top 100! So I'm forcing myself to limit the list to 10.

Feel free to share YOUR creations or those that you think are just spectacular - a direct link please to insure that I see exactly what you wanted me to see! Anyway, here's my list for this past week. Click the link to visit each creator's blog/gallery and view their creation in it's Full Glory!! And since you're there, might as well leave them a little note letting them know what you think! I can't figure out how to link the actual photo using the new editor in Blogger.

Randi Wall posted this really cute Halloween card. I enjoy Halloween but I'm not super into it. What really caught my eye was the cute and clever way she used the bats and the pom pom fringe.

This may be my favorite card Heather Schlatter has ever done - at least until the next one! It's a super cute image but her bright color choices really capture the eye. I'm a touchy-feel kinda girl and all the texture and interest on this card just has me itching  to actually run my fingers over it. (Ya'll are probably totally laughing right now --- but surely I'm not the ONLY  person who does this?) I also love the slightly tilted layout she used.

Silke Ledlow is one of those 'can't miss' blogs in my reader. I love her use of lots of white space. This card uses brown and orange and has the prettiest butterfly on it! A simple layout but the layers really work to frame the butterfly so perfectly!

Jessica G. is the artist behind this card. I linked to her blog from someplace else (not the blog hop it's a part of but thoroughly enjoyed discovering) this week. It's a new find for me and I really loved this card she created - it's magical! (pun totally intended) I love bright colors. I don't decorate with them and rarely use them in my own cardmaking, but I love, LOve, LOVE cards made with bright colors. This one has a crisp look to balance all the colors!

Next is a lovely card created by Sandra McLean. She used one of the new Tots from The Greeting Farm that I am just loving. She really brought this image to life and gave her some terrific personality. I know Sandra had nothing to do with her flower on the cap --- but isn't it terrific! Is it okay to wear one of those if you are 36? That's what I want to know! Sandra always pays such close attention to detail and this is no exception. Plus, when you visit, you'll get to see 2 other pretty cards in the same post!

Dawn Burnworth is incapable of making a card that is anything less than fantastic. Her creations always elicit oohs and aahs from me. This one in shades of brown and white had me a first glimpse. There is so much to see on this card - be sure to notice the embossing and the bits of glitter along the edges!

This card by Deb Felts has so many things that I love. Sheet music, a shabby-chic feel, ribbon, pearls and a bird. Totally into birds lately and wishing I was like my mom who can hear a bird and know exactly what it is!

I have not been keeping up with Patter Cross' His Holy Name challenge but I did see this creation and thought it was so lovely. Lots of things to love in this --- but especially the message and the verses that inspired it! Mainly I love that it shows a way to use those wonderful Websters Pages sheets. I wouldn't want to cut up such a pretty piece of art and what better way than to use lovely art than to glorify our Lord?

Silke Ledlow also created this card. It's not her usual style and oh.my.wow. You are in for such a treat of gorgeousness when you go see it! I think she totally rocked the vintage challenge on this creation! I especially love the big pearls, the cracked glass (oh what a wonderful techinque) and the lacing along the edge.

And this is my favorite card this week.

A tall and narrow card from Sherrie Siemens that shows amazing creativity! I love the chichiboulie flower girl in a flower. Such a brilliant idea! What else did I love? The kraft base, the decorative felt as the flower stem, the poppy girl in RED/PINK (such a great color combo on this entire card), her gorgeous coloring - but mostly I love that she was able to make a really creative card but still keep the focus on the image. It's absolutely beautiful!

As always, if you find something that you think is worthy of making the list, then please email me with a direct link --- you can find some info over there in the sidebar. And of course, if you don't want to be mentioned here or have a problem that I cropped your photo to share here, then please let me know and it will be removed. My intention is to lift you up!

Thanks so much to ALL stampers and papercrafters out there that share their lovely talents with us. Thanks to those of you that read this blog and share it with others!

May you have a beautiful week!