12 Days of Christmas

12 Days Of Christmas Blog Hop

Speedy the Cat at Mark's Finest Papers likes to get a head start on special Christmas gifts and memories for friends and family. He gathered the design team at Mark's Finest Papers to bring you 12 days of exciting paper crafting gift ideas to get that holiday mojo flowing. The hop runs for 12 consecutive days, starting October 17th! Begin your holiday hop at Speedy's home base, the Mark's Finest Papers blog and relax with a cup of eggnog (or sprig of catnip, your choice) as Speedy leads you though a short, daily hop. You'll find your holiday paper crafting ideas and supplies at Mark's Finest Papers.

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop! We have four samples each day for our hop! Please visit each of the following blogs for holiday inspiration! Start off tomorrow on the MFP Blog for more inspiration!

Day 6 Altered Frame Oct 22:

Harriet
Vicky
Debbie
Liz (that's me!)

My frame is one of those $1 wooden frames from Michael's that I spray painted with gold metallic paint. I stamped the French horns onto cardstock, colored them, and cut them out. I glued them to the side of the frame. I added a bow and some sparkling holly Jollee's stickers to add to the holly on the French horn. I created this little poem and stamped some additional holly to it to put inside the frame.
This is a quick and easy project that you could even do with kids. Makes a great gift idea for them to give grandparents, adding their favorite photo of themselves. What grandparent does not cherish those?? Hope you will merrily hop through the other remaining 6 days for other holiday and  gift ideas.

Double the challenge Double the fun

I did this for this week's Speedy the Cat's Friends' challenge to stamp a double image. I also am using it for the challenge on Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge to use 2 stamps, 2 design papers, and 2 of what ever other embellishments you use. I used a set from Mark's Finest Papers called Bold and Free. The design papers are from Basic Grey's Pyrus pad. Kraft paper is used for the card base and I used two large eyelets from Stampin' Up.

New Stamps from MFP

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 I sponged over the punched piece for the background panel of the card. Then I flipped over the punched piece and used it as the white trim on the left side of the card. The image panel and the frame are Spellbinder pieces. I used some red ribbon to weave through the frame. I added some punched pine needles to the frame. The image is colored with copic markers. This set is the newly released set called Cardinals in Winter from Mark's Finest Papers.

Final Day of Mark's Finest Papers' October Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Ginger Cookies? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Ginger Cookies. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Markie
Carol
Mark’s Finest Papers

Mark's Finest Papers' October Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the October 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This month's new releases are: Holly Greetings, Christmas in the Country, Snowball?, Country Thanksgiving, Cardinals in Winter, and Ginger Cookies.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Holly Greetings? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Holly Greetings. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Claudine
Debbie
Mark’s Finest Papers                                                     

Week 75 Speedy the Cat's Friends' challenge

Saturday is not quite over yet, so thought I'd get busy on today's Speedy the Cat's Friends' challenge to use polka dots. I love this piece of Basic Grey design paper and that color of green is my favorite green. I decided to keep the circle thing going with my layout as well. I haven't used this stamp in a while and it fit the space I needed to fill. I just added a few punched leaves for my embellishment.
The stamps are of course, from Mark's Finest Papers. I used rich cocoa and tuxedo black Memento inks. The white dots were added with a white map color pencil.

Final day of Mark's Finest Papers' September Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory, Boo To You, Covered Bridges, Get Your Broom On .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Get Your Broom On? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Get Your Broom On. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Faith
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia                                                                                       
Chrissy
Karen

Pam

Joanne

Markie

Carol

Mark’s Finest Paper

Day 2 of Mark's Finest Papers' September Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the September 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Autumn Glory. Boo To You, Covered Bridges, and Get Your Broom On.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Boo To You? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Boo To You. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois
Vicky
Dawn
Anne

Peggysue

Connie

Linda

Karen

Patty

Liz                                                                                           

Geri

Lynn

Debbie

Mark’s Finest Papers                                   

My last sneek peak

Joan Ervin had a great challenge over on Splitcoaststampers today to fill in the hole. So I diecut this shape out with my spellbinder and then filled it with beautiful fall leaves from a soon to be released set from Mark's Finest Papers. In fact, tomorrow is the beginning of the Blog Hop over at MFP, so you won't want to miss it. I colored some of my leaves with copics and some I just stamped onto colored cardstock. I used some primas and dew drops along with a Martha Stewart pine punch for my embellishments. I just love the rich wonderful colors of autumn and I know you will love coloring the fabulous stamps that are included with this new set. Follow the blog hop and leave some comments and you just might be the lucky one to win this fabulous set. Check back tomorrow for the fun!

Speedy the Cat's Friends' challenge

I have a busy Saturday ahead of me so wanted to get this loaded tonight for Speedy the Cat's Friends' challenge. We were to use a paper punch. This one is from Martha Stewart and it's one of my favorites.
The count is from a soon to be released from Mark's Finest Papers. In fact, you won't want to miss Mark's Finest Papers' September Blog HOp beginning on Tuesday.

Fall, I'm ready for you!

We are still experiencing triple digit heat in my part of Texas, but I am thinking fall and longing for some cooler weather. Maybe it will at least be in the high 80s by first of October. I got busy making some fall cards for my card booth in Brenham. I hope if any of my friends are going to Canton this weekend, they will look up my cards being featured at Rafters Seven Gifts. It is located on the hill in the section that stays open later, so check it out!!  This card also qualifies for the CCEE challenge this week to make a fall card using a diecut. I tried out my new Ranger inks on this card for my background. And how about that Speedy car flying the skies on his broom?? Think cool for me, will you???

It's Saturday and it's time for the Speedy the Cat's Friends' Challenge over on Mark's Finest Papers.

This week we were to use embossing. This is a new woodgrain folder from Paper Studios that I found yesterday. I inked the raised embossed parts after embossing the kraft paper. The stamps are from Mark's Finest Papers and I added the grass with a copic marker. Make sure you check over on Mark's Finest Papers Blog to see the terrific cards made by the challege design team.

Last day of Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Fun On The Farm? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Fun On The Farm. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily
Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

3rd Day of Mark's Finest Papers' Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set:Forest Gifts? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Forest Gifts. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Emily

Nancyruth
Neva
Silvia
Faith
Claudine
Dawn
Marilynn
Patricia
Chrissy
Karen
Pam
Joanne
Kittie
Markie
Mark’s Finest Papers

2nd day of Mark's Finest Papers' August Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the August 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are:Black Eyed Susans for Encouragement, Butterflies and Wisteria, Forest Gifts, Fun on the Farm .For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Butterflies and Wisteria? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Butterflies and Wisteria. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's MFP blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Linda
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki
Liz
Geri
Lynn
Mark’s Finest Papers

Speedy the Cat's weekly challenge

This week's Speedy the Cat's challenge is to use 3 hearts on your card. I love this camellia and added the embossing for the background and the diecuts along with the lace, hearts, and rhinestones. I used pretty in pink and the lighter pink is from Mark's Finest Papers.

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge this week

The challenge was to use pink, yellow, and green. I stamped the butterfly from the Lilacs in summer set.
The pink cardstock is from Mark's Finest Papers, as is the stamp I might add. The design paper is from Basic Grey!

Day 2 of Mark's Finest Paper's July Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the July 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are: Little Birds With Big Mouths, Planted with Love, Lilacs in the Summer, and Adirondack Summer.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Planted With Love? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Planted With Love. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Lois

Vicky                                                                   
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Emily
Karen
Patty

Roxie

Vicki

Liz

Geri

Lynn

Mark’s Finest Papers

First Day of Speedy's July Blog Hop

Hello! Welcome to the July 2011 MFP New Releases Blog Hop!

This week's new releases are: Little Birds With Big Mouths, Planted with Love, Lilacs in the Summer, and Adirondack Summer.For your convenience, all these sets are available TODAY at Mark's Finest Papers.

So, do you want to WIN today's Featured Stamp Set: Little Birds With Big Mouths? (If you don't want to wait to win, you can always purchase the sets right away! We'll substitute a set from NEXT month's release if today's winner has already purchased this set!)

For your chance to win: Comment on the following Design Team members' blogs TODAY before midnight EDT. There will be ONE random winner chosen from the comments on today's Blog Hop blogs. That winner will win Little Birds With Big Mouths. We will announce the winner's name on tomorrow's blog post.

Lois

Vicky
Dawn
Anne
Peggysue
Connie
Emily
Karen
Patty
Roxie
Vicki

Liz

Geri

Lynn

Mark’s Finest Papers

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #61

Today's challenge was to use sparkle on your card. I had some glittered design paper scraps left from a previous project so I used them as my sparkles. I also added some red sparkly brads. I love MFP's Poppies, Poppies, Poppies stamp. I used my copic markers for coloring and Tuxedo Black for the stamping.