Pause Dream Enjoy: December 2017

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Always Happy Birthday NEW Challenge Blog!

Hi, everyone!

Coming January 1st

Amy, Mary, and I (Janis) are excited about our brand new Birthday challenge blog! Our first challenge will begin on January 1st. Come play with us! While you are waiting, click the FOLLOW button! You can also SUBSCRIBE to our blog via email. We post three times a month, and you will receive an email when a new post goes live. This is a GREAT way not to miss if you are our Winner or Top Pick from the previous challenge!

Here are a few simple rules and information about how our challenge blog will run:

Posting Schedule:

New Birthday Challenges will post on the 1st
Reminders with more design team inspiration will post on the 15th
Challenges will end the day BEFORE the last day of the month
Winner and Top Picks will post on the last day of the month

Project types:

All projects must be BIRTHDAY themed
You can create any type of project (cards, scrapbook layouts, party decorations, pocket letters, invitations, etc)
You can use any company's product to create your projects

Entries:

You may enter our challenges a maximum of 4 times (averages once per week)
Please include a link back to our challenge in your blog post
You can enter unlimited number of other challenges in combination with our's

Prizes:

We may have prizes some months
Winners MUST have a USA address
You must be a Follower of our blog to be eligible to win when prizes are offered
You must contact Janis via email (pausedreamenjoy@gmail.com) by the 5th of the month to claim your prize or it will be added back to the pot to giveaway another time

Top Picks:

Winners and Top Picks will be posted on the last day of the month

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

2018 Book Challenge

Hi, everyone!

Be sure to click on the 2018 Book Challenge tab at the top of my blog.
Link up what you are reading or browse the list to see what other's are reading.
Need ideas?
Need a challenge?
Check out the list of 100 Book Ideas to read in 2018.
Do one, two, three of them, or do them all.
Enjoy!

See what the Design Team Created and Link Up HERE

Pause Dream Enjoy Ch #205 Anything Goes

Pause Dream Enjoy Linky Party

#205 Anything Goes

My Design Team Project

This card was created using the Simon Says Stamp August Card Kit and following the Sample Page to re-create this design. It's so not me, but it also so fun to try different things.

Simon Says Stamp, You + Me stamp set

Stampin' Up inks

Pinkfresh Studio, Live More 6x6 papers

Craftaholics R Us Ch# 51 Birthday

Craftaholics R Us

Ch# 51 Birthday

My Design Team Project

Stampin' Up products used:
Simply Stars

Gorgeous Grunge

Perfect Pennants

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise
Punches: Scallop Label, Triple Punch

Be sure to link up your creation at Craftaholics R Us .

Sunny Day Crafting Ch# 67 Z is for Zebra

Ch# 67 Z is for Zebra

My Design Team Project

Cricut Create a Critter

Black ribbon

Link up your project here

The Merry Christmas Ch# 49 Anything Goes + Christmas

Join us each Wednesday at

The Merry Christmas Challenge!

Ch# 49 Anything Goes + Christmas

My Design Team Project

Cricut cartridge, Create a Critter (reindeer)

Martha Stewart punch (snowflakes)

crystal gems

Cardz TV Stamps

Link up your Christmas project here.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Moving Along With The Times Ch# 61 Anything but a Card

Moving Along with the Times has a new challenge starting today!

The theme for the new challenge is

"anything but a card"

My Design Team project...

I used a Silhouette file for this project.
I love all the cute boxes they have for all kinds of occasions.

Click HERE to come play with us!

Thanks for visiting me today.

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Pause Dream Enjoy Ch #204 Simple Gifts (or Anything Goes 3D)

Pause Dream Enjoy Challenges

#204 Simple Gifts (or Anything Goes 3D)

See what the Design Team Created and Link Up HERE

My Design Team Project

I used an easy Silhouette file for this little gift.

Craftaholics R Us Ch# 50 Anything Goes

Craftaholics R Us

Ch# 50 Anything Goes

My Design Team Project

Silhouette files were used for these adorable Mr. & Mrs. Santa boxes.
Santa box
Mrs. Santa box

Be sure to link up your creation at Craftaholics R Us .

Sunny Day Crafting Ch# 66 Y is for Yellow

Ch# 66 Y is for Yellow

My Design Team Project

Simon Says Stamp set, You + Me

Pinkfresh Studio, "Live More" 6x6 papers

Doodlebug Design Enamel Dots

Stampin' Up, Smoky Slate ink

Link up your project here

The Merry Christmas Ch# 48 Anything Goes + Christmas

Join us each Wednesday at

The Merry Christmas Challenge!

Ch# 48 Anything Goes + Christmas

My Design Team Project

Link up your Christmas project here.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

2018 Reading Challenge

Hi, everyone!

Each year, I set up a reading challenge for myself through Goodreads. I just pick a number I think I can read, and go from there. Sometimes I'll pull book titles from a challenge list, sometimes I go through the alphabet for the title, author, or setting, and sometimes who knows what I'll read next. I always enjoy this. I don't always meet my challenge, but I always enjoy reading no matter how many I get through.

I'll be setting up a Page Tab at the top of my blog of the books I read in 2018. Just in case you ever want to read something and don't know what, maybe you'll find your next book in the list.

There are a ton of reading challenge book lists out there already for 2018 if you want to be more organized and know exactly what you will read. I'm just going to go with the flow. I'm the kind of person if I'm not into the book, I drop it and pick up another. I'm not so OCD that I feel like I have to waste my time finishing something I'm not enjoying.

You can always see 3 things about my reading on my blog in the left column.

I always have my Goodreads goal and a progress bar of where I'm at so far in the year.
I always have what I'm currently reading there with a link to the book at Goodreads.
I always have what I just finished reading with a link as well.

I also have my favorite book of all time shown. Currently it is A Man Called Ove that I read in 2016.

What will you be reading in 2018?

Are you up to a Reading Challenge?

Leave a message in the comments about what your favorite book is, and what you'll be reading in 2018. I'm always looking for a great book suggestion.

The Christmas Diary by Elyse Douglas

Cardz 4 Guyz Ch# 185 Christmas

Cardz 4 Guyz
Ch# 185 Christmas
My Design Team Project

Lori Whitlock Santa Shadowbox Card
This folds flat to fit in a regular A2 size envelope.

Be sure to visit Cardz 4 Guyz and play along this week!

Monday, December 18, 2017

Bitten by the Bug 2 Challenge (Santa)

Hi, Crafters!

It's time for a new challenge over at Bitten By the Bug 2!

Remember to always include a

Cricut cartridge cut or Cricut digital library cut

on your project plus the current theme.

This Week's Challenge Theme

Santa

My Design Team Project

Cricut cartridge - Teddy Bear Parade

Pink & Main, Beach Babe 6x6 paper pad

Stampin' Up cardstock & ribbon

Scrappy Moms, Merry & Bright stamp set

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Don't forget to link up your Cricut project over at Bitten By the Bug 2!

Always Fun Ch# 37 A Christmas Carol

Hi, crafters! It's time for our weekly challenge over at Always Fun Challenges!

You can create any type of paper project as long as it follows the weekly theme.

Ch# 37 A Christmas Carol

(I chose "Away in a Manger")

My Design Team Project

Nativity Flip Card by Lori Whitlock
Lori Whitlock, The Story of Christmas 6x6 paper pad
Cardz TV Stamps, Christmas Joy
Stampin' Up, Old Olive ink

Hope to see your project linked up at Always Fun Challenges.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Sparkles Monthly Challenges #99 Quickie Christmas Card or Happy New Year

Sparkles Monthly Challenges

Ch #99 Quickie Christmas Card or Happy New Year

My Design Team Project

My Besties image

MFT Die-namics stitched rectangle dies

Carta Bella, A Very Merry Christmas 6x6 paper pad

Cardz TV Stamps, Home for Christmas

Stampin' Up cardstock, Marina Mist and Blushing Bride

Stampin' Up Pool Party ink and ribbon

Thanks for visiting with me today. I'd love you to leave me a comment.

Be sure to visit Sparkles Monthly Challenges and play along with us this month.

Color It, Create It, Show It Off - December Challenge Reminder

Hi, everyone.

You still have time to play in this month's challenge.

Color It, Create It, Show It Off.

This month's Theme: Christmas

My Design Team Project

Image Used: Colored Printable DEC BK 7 Download

MFT Die-namics Stitched Circle Dies

Stampin' Up cardstock and ribbon

Echo Park, Dots & Stripes 6x6 paper pad

Paper Play Sketches #22

Thursday, December 14, 2017

Miss Kate Cuttables December Challenge - Holiday

Hi, everyone!

It's time for the next challenge over at Miss Kate Cuttables.

There is a new MKC challenge each month over in the Facebook group.

The challenge will run from the 2nd Tuesday through the 4th Tuesday of each month. Winners will be announce, in the group, Friday of challenge end week.

This month's Challenge is:

Holiday

The only requirements for the challenge is to follow the theme of the month and use a Miss Kate Cuttables' file in your creation, including any / all freebies you have.

Miss Kate Cuttables File Used

Girl Reindeer

My Project

Fun pattern papers
ribbon
Stampin Up Tags 4 You stamp set and matching punch

Head on over to the Facebook Group to join in on the challenge!!

Enjoy the rest of your day.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

The Christmas Diary (spoilers)

Hi, everyone!
This post may contain more information about the book
than you'd like to know if you are going to read it yourself.

I love to read. Seems like since the Spring of this year I haven't read as much as I normally do. Several books I started and didn't finish because they just weren't that good, and I didn't feel like wasting my time. But this time of year I do love reading Christmas stories. Stories about Angels. Stories about miracles. Stories that make you feel all is right with the world again. Kindle Unlimited has a lot of Christmas books. I filled up my cart with those that sounded interesting, and just finished a really good book I want to tell you about.

This book had everything I love about a good book.
Normal people (not billionaires)
Real life struggles
Mystery
Unexplained forces/encounters/visitors/you know... the spiritual world
Fabulous converstaions
And best of all, what I liked the most, is that there were no cuss words, no sex, and no long descriptions that go on and on and on and on.

This book started and continued moving until the very end. I mean, how could I put it down unless I was finished? (or the dogs needed to go outside, or the clothes needed to be washed, or the family needed to be fed...) In other words, the only uninterrupted time I had to read, was when I went to bed at night. The first night I only stopped reading because my eyelids were getting too heavy. And last night there was no way I was sleepy. I had to finish this before going to sleep. It was that good.

Maybe I liked it so much because it's been too long since I found an interesting book that I read to the end. Maybe I liked it so much because I haven't been able to read as much lately, and I just missed the escape. Whatever the reason, this book was enjoyable and ranked right up there at the top of my favorite books of all time.