12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop-Glass Votive Holders

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 4 Glass Votive Holders Oct 20
Vicky
Carol
Lynn
Peggysue

My glass votives are made with three of the Mark's Finest Papers stamp sets that you can find here. I used Snowball? Country Thanksgiving, and Ginger Cookies. These were so much fun to make. You can get these jar votive candles by either visiting the "Dollar Store" or you can also get them at "Micheal's Arts and Crafts" for $1 as well.
I used Spellbinders Fancy Tags for the labels and mounted that onto the jar after removing all the labels. I then attached a fussy colored image on top with some dimensional stickers. I tied a ribbon around the jar top and attached a tag around the bow. For the Country Thanksgiving votive I made Chrysanthemums for a tutorial I did here and glued them to the top. I used various Spellbinder snowflakes for the tops of the other votives. This was very easy and fun to do. It makes a really great gift idea. Hope you enjoyed today's 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop project for today. Be sure to stayed tuned for tomorrows project!

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge-Seeing Double Challenge

Hey everybody. Today at Mark's Finest Papers the Speedy the Cat's Friends challenge is "Seeing Double. The image is from the new release at Mark's Finest Papers called Snowball?

The following products were use on my card:
Spellbinders: Ironworks Accent
Martha Stewart Punched: Penguin Border Punch, Medium Snowflakes
Ribbon, Glitter, Stickles, Rhinestones.

Hope you can join us this week in the challenge. I look forward to visiting you and seeing what you have created.

Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop-Ginger Cookies

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

Umm Umm Gingerbread Cookies. Isn't this darling. You just have to love the jar filled with Gingerbread Cookies. I love Gingerbread images and decorate my kitchen with Gingerbread for Christmas. I even have a fabulous Gingerbread tree. There are so darn cute and fun! Here is a list of the Products I used:

Spellbinders: Parisian Accents, Parisian Motif
Martha Stewart: Peppermint Candy Punch, Gingerbread Border Punch
Ribbon, Stickles, Martha Stewart Glitter, Puff Paint, Ribbon

Thanks for stopping by. Stayed tuned for Saturday when our new Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge begins and next week we will bring to you the "12 Days of Christmas" projects. It is sure to be fun and inspirational and in time for you to get your Christmas crafting done for the gift giving season!

Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop-Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals In Winter

Cardinals in Winter

Country Thanksgiving

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 Sets: Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter? (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 Country Thanksgiving and Cardinals in Winter. 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


Wow, I love Cardinals on Christmas Cards. This one is going to my Brother-In-Law-my husband's brother and my kids favorite Uncle. He is a "Cardinals" fan and collects Cardinals. He will love and appreciate this one for sure-It has lots of Cardinals on it...lol The products used on this card is as follow:

Spellbinders: Lace Doily Motif and Lace Doily Accents
Paper- K & Company
Rhinestones, Ribbon, Stickles, and a Prima Poinsettia with brad

Here are some cute baskets I made to give away during Thanksgiving. I have always loved to give away little things like this to people I work with, the tellers at the bank, the man at the post office, my favorite grocery store clerk-people I want to touch that I see almost everyday and want to thank them. God has blessed me recently with the ability to do these little things again. After losing my job three years ago, I had to stop doing what I love. But recently things have changed for me with my new job and I am able to pass my blessings on to others.
I just made these up on my own from memory from when I did my Easter Baskets. This is made with the following items.

Spellbinders: Pumpkin Nestabilities, Fancy Tags 3, Oval Nestabilities
Punch- Marvey Medium Daisy (This was for my sunflowers)
Sizzix: Leaf die
Ribbon, stickles, Martha Stewart Micro Beads, Ranger tea dye distress ink, Cell bags, ribbon, and candy to fill the baskets.

Thanks for stopping by. We have one more day, so I will see you tomorrow with my last creation. Stayed tuned for Saturday when our new Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge begins and next week we will bring to you the "12 Days of Christmas" projects. It is sure to be fun and inspirational and in time for you to get your Christmas crafting done in time for the gift giving season!
Challenges Entered
ABC Christmas Challenge - "U" is for unused stash. I used some of last years K& Company Paper in my card and the Poinsettia flower is older than that!
The House that Stamps Built - Fall/Halloween
For Fun Challenges - Pumpkins No Faces
More Than Favors - Wacky Wednesday Bags or Treat Boxes
Whimsical Wednesday - Treat Bags or Boxes

Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop-Christmas in the Country & Snowball?

Christmas in the Country

Snowball?

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 Sets: Christmas in the Country and Snowball? (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 Christmas in the Country and Snowball?. 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

Mark's Finest Papers goes Shabby Chic again today at Chocolate Crafts and Bears, Oh My! Well what do you think? This card is mostly white and silver. The roses have a pink tinge in the picture because they were sprayed with "Frost" Glimmer mist. The following products were used on this card:

Spellbinders: Rose Creations dies, Labels 20 Nestiblities
Martha Stewart: Snowflake Large and Small Punch
Crimper, Silver Stickles, Glitter, Bridal Lace, Dollar Store Snowflakes, Snow-writer, antique brads, rhinestones flourishes, Starlight Silver Dew Drop Brilliance, White and Silver card stock

This is the inside of my card. I repeated the images, die cuts, and punches.

This is the second card for the Blog Hop today from the Snowball? rubber stamp set. Isn't he cute. I did this one in the traditional colors of Christmas. The following products were used in this card:

Spellbinders: Large Scalloped and Round Nestabilities, Parisian Motifs, Fancy Tags 1
Martha Stewart: Large & Medium Snowflake Punch, Branch Punch, Frond Punch
Roses, Pearls, Glitter, Stickles, brad

Challenges Entered:
iCopic - Masking
Karen's Doodles - Distress It
Cutie Pie Challenge - Bingo Board (Flowers, Border Punch/Punch Out/Ribbon or Lace)

Mark's Finest Papers Blog Hop-Holly Greetings

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

Mark's Finest Papers goes Shabby Chic at Chocolate Crafts and Bears, Oh My! This card was from some awesome inspiration at "Pinterest". I love shabby chic and this was my attempt at this beautiful style. When I saw this image I knew it would be perfect for what I had in mind. To determine how I was going to color my image, I researched owls and came up with the beautiful barn owl. The following products were used in the card:

Spellbinders- Holly Motif and Accent Dies, Large Round and Large Scalloped Nestabilities
Martha Stewart- Holly Punch Around the Page for the inside of the Card, Holly Punch
Cuddlebug- Holly Embossing Folder
Sheer Ribbon, Rhinestones, Glitter, Stickles, Tim Holtz distressing tool, Tea Dye and Sage Green distressing ink, Bridal Lace
This is the inside of my card. I just repeated images and punches and die cuts to accent the front of the card. Thank you so much for stopping by today. We have an exciting week at Mark's Finest Papers with our beautiful projects for the new release. I hope you will join me here again tomorrow for what I have to show you. You don't want to miss it. Challenges Entered
Christmas Card Challenges - Photo Inspiration
Christmas Inspirations - Birds or Flowers
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - So Distressing
CMC Copic Challenge - Vintage and Distress Coloring
Little Claire's - Christmas
Bah! Humbug! - Glitter and Glitz
Totally Paper Crafts - Animals
Digi Doodle Shop's Best - Distressing

Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge-No Designer Paper

Did I take the "no designer" paper challenge for Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge at the Mark's Finest Papers Blog to far??? lol There is no designer paper on this! It's a Halloween Candy Tree. Come join us at Mark's Finest Papers in our latest challenge!

So let me tell you a little about this project. First, I used Mark's Finest Papers "Boo to You" stamp set. Wouldn't you agree that the "Eat, Drink, and Be Scary" Sentiment was perfect for this tree. You're right it's perfect! I just couldn't resist making it the top of the tree.... The purple ribbon is from Mark's Finest Papers.

Here you can see the candy in layers. I purchased a tree shaped cone at the dollar tree and attached it to a dowel rod and placed it in more foam that I had secured with hot glue in a clay pot. The Candy is held on the tree with plastic head common pins. I used some die cuts that were in a package from K & Company to decorate the candy. And again, I found another use for that Haunted Tree Die that I am just head over heels in love with. It is my branches on this tree. I got the idea while driving in my car on the way to work one morning this week.
You know me and my die cuts and punches. I am always thinking of different ways to use them! Those tree die cuts were also pinned into the foam upside down randomly to create the twigs. I think it really adds to the "Haunted" feeling of the tree. The bats are punched from a Martha Stewart medium punch.
This is the tag I created to hang on the bottom of my tree. I cut three Spellbinders Nestabilities and layered them. The Flowers are from Mark's Finest Papers and I sponged Spiced marmalade on them. The purple ruffled fabric around the base of the tree is from Mark's Finest Papers. I ran a gathering thread and ruffled it at the base. I used some twine from Mark's Finest Papers to tie my tag onto the tree base.

Are you wondering what I plan to do with this. Well actually I am making three of these. I am using the Ghost and Count Dracula from the "Boo to You" Set for the other two trees. This particular one is going to a wonderful young man I work with who is repairing my old computer. I made this for him and his family to enjoy. His wife and two girls will have fun picking the candy off the tree and enjoying the chocolate. The other two I am making for my sons to give to their girlfriends for Halloween. They will have fun with them for sure. They love my stuff. I went back to the Dollar Tree and purchased some more supplies for a Christmas Tree idea like this that has been rattling around in my head so stayed tuned!

Challenges Entered:
Delicious Doodles - Tales of the Unexpected-Bet you didn't expect a candy tree...lol
Forever Night - Trick or Treat Challenge
Fussy and Fancy Friday - Fall or Halloween
Inspire Me Friday - Linky Party Anything Goes
Just Add Ink - Just Add a Die Cut
Our Craft Lounge - Trick or Treat Smell My Feet
Stuck on You Challenge - Die Cut Trees
Wags 'n Whiskers - Create Something Handmade
Crafty Ribbons - "BOO-tiful Halloween Projects--Pretty Spooky"
Meljen's Designs - Halloween
Paper Crafting Journey - Die Cuts or Punches
Pixie Dust Studio - Anything but a Card
Shelly's Images - Something Sweet
StampInsanity - Anything But a Card
Crafty Creations Challenges - Create a Crafty Decoration
Little Darlings Challenges - Fall or Halloween
The Paper Shelter - We're Having a Halloween Party
City Crafters - We are going 3D
Tuesday Throwdown - Halloween