TGF Presents...our DECEMBER Guest Designer and some info!

Hey, everyone!

We are kicking off December with some FUN FUN FUN stuff....today also marks the debut of our December guest designer, PEGGY TOOLE, who you guys voted in during our Facebook contest!  I'm SO excited to introduce her!

Before I do that, though- just a few reminders and announcements for December:

*There will be no December release and a FEW awesome sales so be on the lookout for more news!  We will resume releases in January with a few new faces and a new release format that we are SUPER pumped about!

*We have an exciting announcement (or two ;)  this weekend- you will definitely want to tune into the blog RIGHT HERE!


*The Greeting Farm is sponsoring the RIBBONCAROUSEL.com challenge this week- check it out for a FUN challenge and chance to win a TGF prize!

*Our next "TGF Customer Challenge and Chit-Chat night will be LIVE on SCS on Friday, December 16th at 7pm CST and it will be a BOOK theme this month!"  FUN stuff!  More info coming soon!  :)

....and now.... I bring you, PEGGY TOOLE, our December Guest Designer!

Hi everyone!  My name is Peggy and, I am married to my best friend and biggest supporter and we have 3 great boys ages 11, 12 and 16! They have all been my biggest fans and critics and always let me know what they really think of my cards!  I am beyond excited to be this month's guest designer and to work with such a talented group of ladies!  I have loved The Greeting Farm since I first saw the most adorable little guy, Skater Ian, almost 4 years ago now and with 3 boys to make cards for Ian has seen lots of ink!  Since then my collection has grown and so has my love for everything TGF!  

Here is an adorable creation Peggy has to share w/ us today using Fleur Anya:

This is just the first post from Peggy this month so please wish her a warm welcome!  In addition to visiting here today, be sure to stop by her blog and leave a comment there too- she'll be picking a winner of a matching "FLEUR ANYA" and I'll announce it here tomorrow!  (you have until 10pm CST to comment!)

Thanks everyone!  Enjoy the very last day of November!

Top Crop Tuesday - Holiday Style

It’s Farmer Denice here and I can’t believe that November is almost over and in just a couple of days it will be December...I think it’s official that we are in the midst of the holiday season! If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the galleries lately grab yourself a cuppa and sit back and relax, here are a couple of holiday cards that caught my eye while cruising both TGF and SCS galleries. Maybe you’ll find the inspiration you’re looking for to finish up on the last of your holiday cards...or maybe you're like me and still have a few to make?!!

RAPARYS used the Naughty or Nice set for this gorgeous card...I think Santa is definately going to say N-I-C-E!!!!


HAPPYCAPPY is right, this card is perfectly merry and bright!


What a sweet and delicate card by NRSGOODBODY, and look at Daisy's green eyes...they could melt any Grinch's heart!


If you haven't seen this card by BEATE at SCS, check out her tutorial for this telescoping card. Clearly, she has a little bit of ELF in her to make this kind of magic happen.


JASLUV2CREATE used non-traditional holiday colors and Sasha on this Christmas tag proving not everything has to be silver and gold...LOVE THIS!!!



I hope you can find a few minutes over the next couple of weeks to check out the TGF galleries, and maybe leave a comment or two to those who find the time to upload their cards during this busy holiday season!

:Dx
Denice

TGF Presents a real TREAT today: a SURPRISE December Guest Designer!

Hi everyone!

Hope you and your families had a wonderful weekend and to all of our US friends, a very happy Thanskgiving!  I for one, am stuffed!  It's amazing to me that my block literally "lit up like Christmas" just a day or two after the Thanksgiving holiday...but I'm ready and EXCITED For it!

Before we begin, thanks to all who took time out of their busy weekend schedule to participate in our "Thanksgiving Twilight" hop! Congrats to MARIA THERESE and SHARON G!  You are the two winners of the "I DO" set- be sure to email me (jess) and let me know your addresses!  How fun! 

We have quite a few surprises for you throughout the month of December, including some awesome posts from Peggy Toole, winner of our December Guest Designer contest and much more...however, today, I'm THRILLED to introduce you to Jammie Clark, our Holiday Treat Guest Designer and you'll be seeing a few other projects from her as well in the coming weeks :)

You might remember THIS post  showcasing the AMAZING COOKIES I received from Jammie as a gift back in May.  Seriously, if you haven't' seen that post, you have to go back and read it- they incredible!

We were SO impressed with her awesome baking skills, I thought what better a way to showcase some non-traditional ways to use TGF than with some delightful treats by Jammie?

Please give Jammie a warm welcome and check out her first post w/ us today!

  Happy Holidays to you all!

Gosh, it seems WAY to early to start saying that, but alas, here I am announcing it to anyone who casts a glance in my direction. To say I love this time of year, is a gross understatement. Which brings me to telling you a little bit about myself:

I moved to Idaho five years ago after a career as a 911 dispatcher and perpetual Administration of Justice student in northern California. My husband, who is also in law enforcement, and I were expecting, and decided that two parents working shift work was not the way to raise a child. So we re-located (along with some other family members as well, because who wants to raise a baby without grandparents around right? My parents and my husband’s mom also moved to Idaho around the same time frame).

After moving to Idaho, I became crafty. I opened a bakery, and got a few stamp sets from my cousin, Lena, who was selling SU! at the time. After she got me addicted (yeah, that’s the word) she opened me to a world that I had never imagined possible. Inks and stamps, markers and pencils, and every type of paper and scrap you could glue to another! I never looked at any item the same again. Then one day it happened, we were online together searching for something new, something fun, and I found TGF! Oh happy day!!!

I enjoy collecting TGF stamps. To me, they are sort of like adopting children. They look at me with their big eyes and just beg to be taken home and loved. So it do! he he he! I do EVERYTHING with my beloved stamps. So much so that my mother (yeah my mom!!!) suggested I get Cheeky Rockabilly tattooed on me (that’s just how much I use her!)!!! Perhaps… we’ll see…. maybe…..

It occurred to me that I was limiting myself too much by just using these adorable kids on paper… I mean… there’s got to be more! And being a baker… my natural instinct was…CAKE!!! After baking 3 different cakes, and frosting them, I would wake up to crumbs on the plate (my husband works graveyards mostly, so I either had a very big mouse, or a man with a very early morning sugar addiction, I’ll let you decide!) So, I needed to be even more creative…. hummm…… CHOCOLATE!!!!!

I present to you…..drum roll please… CHEEKY CHOCOLATES!

I made a double layered chocolate bark with milk and white chocolates, then I spread a very thin layer of milk chocolate (next time I’ll use Dark so that it shows up a bit better) on parchment paper and “inked” my stamp. I pressed the image, very carefully, onto the hardened bark (yeah, I broke a few in the process) and broke it into pieces. The other stamps you see here are a SU! set I purchased from my cousin. And there you have it, Cheekie chocolates! How fun is that?!?!?!? (Notice my fave girl is front and center, yet again!)

Check back often to see what else I come up with. Who knows…. I may even break down and make a card or two… hahahahha

Happy holidays Farmers and Friends! Enjoy your families and your selves this season!

And a HUGE thanks to Jess and Marie for honoring me with this GD spot on the Farm, to say I’m Elated could never express how very excited I am to be here! HUGS girls!!!!

(for more sweets or to place an order, visit www.think-cake.com)

Heart Journaling: Week 19

WEEK 19 - Chaos

Assignment: Create a spread or a page that is out of control! Neatness not allowed. LOL. Actually there is such a thing as 'controlled' chaos. :) Feel free to mess it up and mix it up. Not necessary to use any TGF stamps, this is YOUR journal, do what you want cuz you rule that journal!

Tip: Try using your non-dominant hand to create once in a while. Why should the other hand have all the fun?!

Due: Thursday Dec 1st no later than 12:00 pm noon cst. We start marking off assignments by 12:30 pm cst. Late uploads will not be accounted for. If you cannot make the deadline, please upload your assignments early. Please upload your photo into your folder http://www.tgfllc.com/galleria/showgallery.php?cat=1173.

Inspiration found on the web:

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How was everyone's Thanksgiving? I hope that you all enjoyed some time with the families and relatives. We went to my in-laws and had a wonderful time. I can't believe Dec is already around the corner. Christmas will be here soon and then Lily will be one and then it will already be a new year!!! The Greeting Farm is always ever so thankful for all your support! We love what we do and we love that we are able to be with you in a creative way!!! We are grateful that it's been 3 years plus and that all of you are still with us. Thank you all!!! :)

Here are some lovely samples from the 'Mom and Dad' assignment!

by Amy Y (Just beautiful!)

by Lani M (Awww so cute!)

by Rachel P (Little Angels)

by Sammi B (Look at this good lookin' group!)

by Sharon P (Yayyy for mums)

by Stacey Y (Lovely concept!)

Enjoy the last weekend of November!!!!

~marie :)

...a Twilight Thursday Thanksgiving!

Hi Friends,

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our U.S. friends and a happy day to the rest of y'all in TGF land today!

We are STILL celebrating our movie-themed November here on the Farm... from our awesome "challenge and chit chat" night we had on SCS to our Farm Fresh Challenge last week using Twilight colors, we have been enjoying our "Month at the movies" here at TGF...

So, while many of us are feasting with family today, FEAST your eyes on some Twilight-inspired cards today from our FABULOUS Farmers:

Tracey

Jessica

Carisa

Denice

Kris

How's that for some VAMPED up inspiration?

What's MORE?  Visit the above blogs today, leave some love, and come back here to let us know you did and we will give away a PRIZE...TWO prizes, actually!

To celebrate those long-awaited nuptials, we will give away the "I DO" stamp set to TWO LUCKY WINNERS!   You have all weekend to hop and comment- til 10pm Sunday!

Winner will be announced on Monday along with another fun 'Treat' coming your way that day!

Good luck....and hey- THANKS for being you.  All of you.

TGF is VERY, very grateful.

Today and EVERY day.

Lots of love...

xoxo,

Jess :)

Top Crop Tuesday with Guest Farmer Kris

Hiya Farm Friends!!

Time has surely flown by super fast!! Are you ready for the holidays?!? I will be honest and tell you that I CAN'T wait to get some yummy grub in my tummy. LOL!! Turkey and stuffing, mmmmm..... What is your FAVE holiday foods?

It's Tuesday and I am bringing you this week's edition of Top Crop Tuesday! Got to browse through the TGF Gallery and the Splitcoaststampers Gallery and found some eye candy that caught my eyes. Let's take a look at what I found...

Saw this wonderful card by Stamponme featuring WS Joseph (aka Jacob, before he became a wolf, hehehe). Love the fun bright colors and layout.

Tantalize created this gorgeous card (in my fave color, ok sorta) using WS Savannah. Color combo rocks and the mix of papers and embellies are fantastic! (hmm, I think she may have some resemblance to Esme ??)
Found these next set of cards on SCS.

Love, love, LOVE this creation by Amy Y. Absolutely adore her mix in papers and Holiday Anya is rockin' with all that holly!
Ahhh, and this (sigh) wonderful card by daiseyfreak! Hottie Edward (hehehe)! Simple layout and I love the border punch she used for the 'blood'.

Well, could you tell I'm in a "Twi" mood? Hehe!

Keep on sharing your wonderful creations and remember to upload to both TGF's gallery and to the SCS gallery. Thanks for spending the day with me here on the Farm!! Hope these creations inspire you to get creative today!

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT with FARMER TRACEY

Hi there all. As most of you probably already know, Monday means designer spotlight time at The Greeting Farm, and today it's my turn in the spotlight.

So, a little bit about me. I live in a large rural town(100,000 pop) called Ballarat in Victoria, Australia with our 4 gorgeous daughters and gender outnumbered husband. After retiring from work as a doctor, i set up my own scrapbooking store almost 4 years ago, and it probably goes without saying that i love my job very much.

My papercrafting journey started with scrapbooking some 6 years ago, but since discovering copic markers  a little over a year ago, my passion is now cardmaking. I could ramble on for hours, so instead i thought i would come up with a list of my top 10 cardmaking supplies/tools/techniques.

1. Greeting Farm stamps.
2. Copic markers.
3. Paper pads
4. Kraft cardstock.
5. Twine
6. Cloud paper.
7. Grass die
8. Tiny paper flowers
9. paper piecing
10. Making scenes.

Phew, what a list. When i color an image,one of my most favorite things to do is to create a background scene that i can put it on rather than just placing it on a plain piece of card. So, i've created a card to share with you today using this technique, and i think i have used nearly everything on my top 10 list.

I hope you like my card, and that i have inspired you to create something special today or sometime soon.

Happy crafting,

Tracey.

Heart Journaling: Week 18

WEEK 18 - Mother and/or Father

Assignment: Create a spread or a page based your parents, life as a parent, or a tribute to all parents! Not necessary to use any TGF stamps, this is YOUR journal, do what you want cuz you rule that journal!

Tip: try adding a conversational piece with your parents!

Due: Thursday Nov 17th no later than 12:00 pm noon cst. We start marking off assignments by 12:30 pm cst. Late uploads will not be accounted for. If you cannot make the deadline, please upload your assignments early. Please upload your photo into your folder http://www.tgfllc.com/galleria/showgallery.php?cat=1173.

Inspiration found on the web:

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Omigosh, is it almost Thanksgiving already??? It's all coming so fast! But it's sooo delicious! haha! We will be having it at Mom-in-Law's this year. Yayy Lily's first Thanksgiving. She is going to love mashed potatoes and yam. Luckily Ray's mom is a great cook. I, on the otherhand, need serious training. But I did make meatloaf and enchiladas for the first time last week. :) Lily, momma's learning for you! haha. All this talk about food is making my stomach grumble. Let's look at some delicious pieces of work now shall we?

Here are some lovely samples from the 'SOUL food' assignment!

Jess (ok... like yummmmm!)

by Eva U (now THIS is soul food)

by Tracy L (great dimensions!)

by Sheila D (moral of the story is...) 

byJamie L (great texture)

by Nina W (mmm cupcakes and dr pepper!)

by Sandra F (YEA!!!! My fave food!)

by Mari H (don't underestimate carrot cake!!! Mmmmm)

Have a fun weekend!

~marie :)

Thursday throwback with Fuzzy Wuzzy

Hi all!!!

It's me, Farmer Becca, here with this weeks Throwback Thursday. I just love Throwback Thursdays, as it is an excuse (like I need another one!!! LOL) to pull out some of my fave older Greeting Farm stamps and give them some inky love!

Well, this week I am getting into the holiday spirit a bit. The weather is getting colder, I have been wearing my favorite boots, I am looking forward to spending the holidays with my wonderful family, the stores are already decorating and playing Christmas music, and I have only one more day of teaching before a week off for the holiday break! Yipppppeeeee. All of those things put me in a great mood, and set my sights on much needed crafty time.

Ok, back to my inspiration for today. Due to this cold weather/holiday spirit I am in, I chose to showcase Amelia from the Fuzzy Wuzzy set. I just LOVE her!!!!

Isnt she adorable? I love this set as it is so versatile. You can use it for any occasion, and the sentiments that come with it are perfect for those winter season cards. LOVE them!!!
I hope I have inspired you today to ink up some of your older favorites. The colder weather really makes me want to lock myself in my warm craft room with a cup of hot chocolate, and just play all day! I hope we all get the opportunity! Thanks for joining me today. Now, let's get crafty!!!!!!!!

November Newsletter and December Guest Designer update!...

Hey, everyone!

Happy Wednesday!

It's a gloomy day here in Tennessee but I have to say we are all sunshine and smiles on the Farm!

The NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER is now available and there is a COUPON CODE for Friday so don't miss out!

Also, we are super excited to show you the THREE FINALISTS' cards for our DECEMBER GUEST DESIGNER contest:

Our next and final round of voting on our FACEBOOK page will be on November 20th, so don't miss out!

Sending you all sunshine and smiles,

xoxo,

Jess :)