Christmas Traditions

Defining the Word; 

Traditions

The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation,

or the fact of being passed on in this way

A long-established custom or belief that has been passed on in this way

At Christmas time I always think back to the Traditons

that my parents passed on to me... Favorite Traditions!

Christmas Tree, Presents, Shopping

Our Church Singing Christmas Tree 

and the Tradition I remember the most...

My Mom's Christmas Cookies!

She baked so many cookies they filled

several aluminum turkey bakers!

This year I am going to bake a few of 

my favorite cookies from the recipes that 

I kept from my Mom!

There are so many words that sum up traditions

 that I hope I am passing down to my family...

Tree, Ornaments, Lights and of course Santa!

A new tradition I hope to start is placing Holly

 in our wreath welcoming family and friends.

Love the Red sparkle of this jewel!

Now is the time to begin researching what 

varietal of Holly I will plant next Spring.

Any Suggestions?

The next few weeks I will share 

Traditions 

that have been passed down from my parents.

Also, new Traditions that I can share with our 

children and grandchildren!

Nourish - Word for 2015!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Kraft - Paper Source,  Christmas Red - Bazilla

Patterned Paper: BasicGrey - Jovial Paper Pad, Teresa Collins - Christmas Cottage

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso, Distress Ink - Barn Door, Color Box - Olive

Stamps: Technique Tuesday - Celebrate the Season by Ali, Hero Arts - Holly Branch, Hero Arts - Clearly Kelly 

Coloring: Distress Markers - Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Barn Door

Die Cutting: Spellbinders - Small Standard Circles, Cuttlebug

Embellishments: Tri - Mar Ribbon in Red,  Queen & Co. Twinkle Goosebumps in Red, Wink of Stella Glitter Brush

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, Therm-o-Web 3D Foam Squares, We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile   Corner Chomper

Grateful!

This time of year I believe that we all

start thinking about what we are Grateful for...

It could be simply...

pumpkins, flowers and a chair to sit on.

I love the matte finish on the Frosties Beads from Queen & Co.

Of course I am grateful for my family and friends!

For our beautiful home, red barn and the land to be 

able to grow my Floral Cutting Garden!

To spend every day with Ed!

To be able to go up the stairs each day to my

Craft Coloring Loft!

To have the paper, markers, inks, embellishments and tools!

Also, to work with a amazing team at the Oregon State Fair each summer!

One of my Stamp Companies I am So Grateful for...
Power Poppy!

What I am most Grateful for are those 

Moments

in life that you can feel the warmth, love and compassion!

As we begin to prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving

please take the time to think about what you are Grateful for!

Nourish! Word for 2015!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft- Paper Source, Black and Olive Green - Bazzill

Printed Cardstock: Graphic 45 - French Country Collection,Creative Imaginations - Rooster Diamond

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso

Stamps: So Grateful - Power Poppy

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers: Y17, Y38, YR68, BV02, BV04, BV13, W1, W3, W5, W8, Y11, Y18, E19,E43, E55, E59, R22, R29,YG61, YG63, YG95, YG97, G85, G94

Die Cutting: Spellbinders Labels Eight, Cuttlebug

Heat Embossing: Stampendous Embossing Powder - Detail White, Martha Stewart Embossing Stamp Pad

Embellishments: Queen & Co - Frosties

Tools: Fiskare Paper Trimmer, Tomboy Adhesive

Special Stamps

Simply...Branches

Autumn is when all the leaves are

turning shades of gold, orange and rich red colors!

Once the leaves are gone there is the 

beauty of the branches... some with berries nestled on the branch.

New Ink Color from Distress Ink - Ground Espresso

Do you ever have the experience when you are

in a store or on-line shopping and 

a stamp just calls out to you?

This happened to me while I was in the 

Seattle area at a wonderful retail store

Impress!

The Wildberry Branch Stamp from Memory Box 

and the sentiment made for Impress...

I had to purchase and start coloring.

Hint of Zig Wink of Stella Brush on the Purple Berries

A few days ago I was blogging and thought I 
would check a few Card Challenges.

Then I saw the Sketch Challenge from Mojo Monday
and thought it would be perfect for my special stamps!
(Which I had to post twice due to excitement - typed in the wrong link)

You have a few days left to join the challenge!
So... look for those special stamps and start crafting!

Nourish - Word for 2015!

-Elaine

PS -  In my email this morning I read the Splitcoast Stampers newsletter and the 
         Color Challenge was exactly the colors I choose for this card!

Making this card much more Special!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Chocolate Brown and Pale Yellow- Bazzill

Printed Cardstock: GCD Studios - Lotus Zen Garden Collection

Ink: Adirondack -Espresso, Distress Inks - Ground Espresso

Stamps: Wildberry Branch - Memory Box, Sentiment - Impress

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers- V15, V17, V09, YG91, YG93, YG97, YG95, E43, E47
Die Cutting: Spellbinders Small Standard Circles, Cuttlebug

Embellishment: Ribbon - American Crafts, Beads - Queen & Co. - Frosties Yellow

Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Tomboy Adhesive, Therm-o-web - 3D Foam Squares

Top Ten - Floral #10

Botanical Name - Hydrangea or Hortensia

Common Name - Hydrangea

Hydrangea Macrophylla

What flower is the perfect backdrop for my

Floral Cutting Garden?

Simply...Hydrangeas!

From shades of blue, purple, pink, white and green!

From mopheads, lace cap or cone shape!

I cannot pick a favorite color or shape!

Love the texture of Dots dry embossed

on the background pumpkin paper!

Flower color can be determined by the soil acidity.

Blue Shades add - Aluminum Sulfate (pH below 7)

Pink Shades -  Garden Lime (pH above 7)

I enjoy mixing Hydrangeas with other flowers

such as roses and lavender!

Let's Review where the 
Top Ten Florals will be planted



The mound of dirt where my Floral Cutting Garden is going to be!

My Husband Ed on Clyde our tractor clearing Mt. Eli!
(Yes, we named the tractor and the big pile of dirt)

Green Pumpkins are growing in the right corner -
Only got one orange pumpkin!

Just 5 to 6 months from now I will be planting...

Roses, Daffodils, Iris, Sweet Peas
Ranunculus, Hollyhocks, Zinnias, Dahlia, Gladiolus
and of course Hydrangea!

My Top Ten Florals!
Please comment if you have a favorite flower?

Nourish! Word for 2015

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Pumpkin, Chocolate and Sky Blue - Bazzill

Printed Cardstock: Basic Grey - Indie Bloom Señora

Ink: Adirondack Espresso

Stamps: Trio of Flowers - Lockhart Stamp

Coloring: Copic Sketch Markers: B12, B14, V15, YR15, YR18, YR21,G43, G46, YG93, E43, E44, E47

Embossing: Cricut Cuttlebug Ben-Day Dots, Cuttlebug

Embellishment: Ribbon - Paper Studio Orange Linen, Pebbles Jewel Candy Dots

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive, Therm-o-web Foam Squares

Top Ten - Floral #9

Botanical Name - Gladiolus

Common Name - Gladioli

Glads sometimes called Sword Lily!

When I think of Glad's I envision the photo above -

rows of tall stems of color!

From pastel to bold colors!

Usually I play with new coloring markers, brushes and inks

for awhile then I post on bouquestnw blog!

However I had to share!

I choose to color with my new

Zig Clean Clear Brushes!

What fun!

The colors of Zig Clean Clear

are exactly what they say:

Clean, Clear - Colors!

Perfect for Glads!

When a Glad opens up the ruffled edges

reminded me of the texture on

the printed paper!

In Portland Oregon there is a Italian Restaurant

that serves the best pizza!

What I looked for each time entering the restaurant was the

Glads they had in a tall vase.

I always wondered what color the Glads would be!

In my Floral Cutting Garden

I want a rainbow of colors!

Nourish - Word for 2015!

-Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Cranberry and Olive - Bazzill, Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor

Printed Paper: Little Yellow Bicycle - Sharon Ann Christmas Magic Collection Red Floral,

                        Authentique - Abroad Worldwide 

Ink: Archival Ink - Coffee

Stamps: Power Poppy - Glads and Gerberas

Coloring: Zig Clean Color Brushes - Wine Red, Geranium Red, Mid Green, Olive Green, Yellow, Bright Yellow

Embossing: Cricut Cuttlebug - Oxford, Cricut Cuttlebug

Embellishments: Ribbon - Offray, Pebbles Jewel Candy Dots

Tools: Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive

Top Ten - Floral #8

Botanical Name - Dahlia

Common Name - Dahlia

What is there not to love about Dahlias?

The variety of Dahlias are amazing!

42 Different Species!

Size - from 2 inches to 1 foot - a dinner plate!

Colors range from soft to bold colors!

Multi- color blends!

 Before I show you the Dahlia Card that I crafted

I want to share a coloring tip:

I had mentioned the Copic Color Hex Chart -

The chart had me stretch out of my comfort zone

and choose new colors combinations!

Be sure to look at the supply list for Copic Colors!

Two of my favorite colors for Dahlias are 

Yellow - the color of Sunshine!

Coral - gives me Happiness!

Re-purposed the Printed Paper!

The printed paper was on my blog in June 2012 - 

Summer! Spark your Creative Spirit!

Don't the small cup Dahlias remind you of Ric-Rac?

The photos were taken at the

Swan Island Dahlia Garden!

Located in Canby Oregon!

In the Willamette Valley of Oregon

Dahlias can bloom from June to October!

I can only hope my Dahlia Cutting Garden

looks as beautiful as Swan Island Gardens!  

Nourish!

 Word for 2015! -Elaine

Supplies:

Cardstock: Kraft - Paper Source, Black, Goldenrod and Coral - Bazzill

Printed Paper: Authentique Collection -Blissful "Happiness"

Ink: Adirondack - Espresso

Stamps: Flourishes - Dahlias

Colors: Copic Sketch Markers - 

Y11,Y19,Y23,Y32,Y35,R00,R83,R85,RV11,RV34,RV55,RV66,WO,W1,W3,W5,

G20,G21,G82,G94

Die Cut: Spellbinders Scalloped Ovals Large, Cuttlebug

Embellishments: American Craft Coral Ric-Rac, Doodlebug Spring Sprinkles, Uni-Ball Signo Pen - White

Tools- Fiskars Paper Cutter, Tomboy Adhesive

Now, it is Craft Coloring Time!

WOW!

Those three letters sum up the 2015 Oregon State Fair!

It took 8 months of dedicated planning for this years OSF!

Lots of long (15 hour days) hard work.

When the gates opened on the first day my magic moments began happening!

What are magic moments?

 A moment in time when you see

a Fair Guest and Volunteers - Laugh, Smile and having Crazy Fun!

Worth all the hours the team at the Fair put in!

Now what should I do with me free time?

Simple answer..

craft coloring

I have missed Coloring!

So... next week I begin a On-Line Card Class

As a treat to myself I bought a few supplies!

I am ready to Watercolor!

Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils

Gansai 36 Piece Watercolor Set

Zig Clean Color Real Brush

In the retail world the Zig Brush would be called a "hot item or best seller".

Please know that I still LOVE my Copic Markers and Distress Inks/Markers!

However, I am very excited to stretch my coloring skills with Watercolors!

In fact check back in a few days as I will blog Top Ten - Floral #8!

Nourish! Word for 2015!

-Elaine

Get Crafty at the Oregon State Fair

Just 20 days away!

August 28 - September 8

Crazy Fun Since Day One!

It is time for Paper Crafters to enter...

Cards, Scrapbook pages, Quilling and Paper Art Projects!

Online Entry Deadline: Tuesday, August 18

The Oregon State Fair is having "crazy fun" working with the

 following retail stores for you to drop - off your Paper Arts.

www.runawayart.com

www.peddlerspack.com

www.mainstreetstamp.com

www.paperparachute.com

www.seasidecreativebeginnings.com

The Retail store will mail the entry for you to the

Oregon State Fair!

Remember to enter online prior to dropping off your entry

www.oregonstatefair.org

Once you are on the OSF website:

link to Competitions 

then to Creative Living

then Paper Arts!

As a fellow Paper Crafter I am very excited to see your entires!

Also, several of the Paper Arts Retailers that are

participating as a drop-off site are providing Gift Cards

 for the crafters that are awarded a Blue Ribbon!

Thank you to all the Paper Art Crafters, Store Owners and Staff!

Now start entering!

PS - Check back for the last 3 Top-Ten Florals in September!

It is State Fair time!