A Bittersweet Announcement

Hi, everyone! It's the second Wednesday of a new month.... which means it's time for a new Words 2 Craft By Challenge. But, before we get to that, we have...

A Bittersweet Announcement

This month's challenge is our last Words 2 Craft By challenge... at least for now. As one of our I-Teamers said, all good things must come to an end.

Six years ago, Sybrina and I, along with a few crafty pals, decided to start the word-inspired challenge blog Words 2 Scrap By. Along the way we have been blessed to work with so many wonderfully talented and incredible generous crafters. Heartfelt thanks go to:

• Sybrina, W2CB co-founder and my partner-in-craft these past six years.
• Past and present team members who never failed to awe and inspire with their incredible interpretations: Annie, Bernadette, Celeste, Greta, Jennifer, Mary Anne, Marty, Penny, and Tina. 
• Peggy, who designed our banner and badges.
• All of our guest designers. Unfortunately, this senior brain of mine is incapable of remembering the names of all you wonderful designers. Fortunately, you know who you are.  :)
• Kim Hughes of Paper Smooches, who kindly sponsored several challenges.  
• Each and every one of you wonderful fellow crafters. Thank you all so very much for your support these six years!!!

Since this is the last challenge, we've decided to change up the awarding of prizes this time around. Instead of awarding a prize to a single challenge winner, we are going to randomly select three challenge entrants and three W2CB followers to receive $10 gift certificates to Paper Smooches.
This month's words come to us from Saint Francis of Assisi.

For it is in giving that we receive.

Thank you, everyone, for all of you encouragement and support!  You have given me so much!  Here is a gift that I am giving this holiday season.  I like to give something to my co-workers, but there are a lot of them, and I don't want to make anyone feel like they have to reciprocate.  

I used a tutorial I found HERE, and eos lip balm I found at Costco (9 for $10.99 - a steal!!!).  The plaid paper is from Lawn Fawn, accented with ribbon and jewels.  I am in love with this super simple paper purse.  I think it is a great way to present an inexpensive gift.  

Color Throw Down

I have been pretty absent lately, making that push to finish Christmas card.  I play along with the Jingle Belles most weeks, but I am still short.  This week's Color Throwdown is perfect for Christmas.

I find that clean and simple cards are more difficult to create than lots of layers:

Words 2 Craft By will have a new challenge starting of December 9 - come play along!

Words 2 Craft By Mid Challenge Reminder

This month's words of gratitude come to us from Sam Lefkowitz.

When asked if my cup is half-empty or half-full 
my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.

I found a 12 x 12 sheet from American Crafts with small blocks with sayings.  I love these for mass producing cards.  Bonus - it coordinated nicely an Echo Park paper pad I already owned!  

You have until December 4 to join Words 2 Craft By for this gratitude challenge!!!

Autumn Blessings

Try Stampin' On Tuesday has a sketch challenge:

Woodgrain embossing folder, Sizzix die cuts, older Fiskars sentiment. 

Come play along with us for the Words 2 Craft By glass half full challenge!!!

Ombre Teal

The challenge form Just U Girls this week is Shade of Teal:

I need a few more cards for my sister's birthday gift.  She likes cards that are encouraging and CAS.

I used Iced Spruce Distress Oxide to create the ombre effect on the heat embossed strip.  Since I didn't have the exact paper to match, I inked a piece of white paper before I die cut "Prayers".  I really like this layout with the inking for added interest.  Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By where ur glass is half full!!

Thinking of You

The Color Throwdown has this pretty inspiration:

Purple flowers are my favorite:

Older SU! Paper Pumpkin sentiment, Swirly Bird images and die.  The Mauve Mist ink looks pink in the pic but i really light purple.  Eggplant Envy paper and ink.  Leaves in Old Olive.  Come play along with us at Words 2 Craft By for our Cup Half Full challenge!!!

Sketch Challenge

I needed a birthday card for my dear sister in law, and Tuesday Morning Sketches had the perfect layout!

I used some old K & Co papers, and my favorite Painter Poppy stamp:

Happy Birthday, Tammy!!!