DP2 Challenge #190 --- Bright Colors

It's been quite awhile since I posted a card for the DP2 Challenge so I'm happy to be back with this cheerful image of Mummu's Roses.  I had made this a couple of weeks ago with no specific purpose in mind, except just to get my mojo back.  It would make a nice birthday or Mother's Day card.

My usual practice of taking photos with natural light doesn't work well when it's late in the day and the light coming in through the window is so low my shadow is cast on the lower right corner.  But the large flower is a bright pink and the assorted roses are shades of pink to rich red.  The paper is from the Prima Madeline Collection with has lovely old-fashioned patterns in cheerful colors. 

Mummu is colored with Copics and surrounded by swirls of rhinestones.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  There is still time to post in this week's challenge, so color up one of your favorite Mo Manning images and join in with all the other talented paper crafters.

Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Hop and DP2 Challenge

Lately I've been really busy with photo shoots so cardmaking has taken a back seat.  However, I needed a card for a friend who turned 90 years young last week, and it just happened to fit in with the D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies blog hop and the challenge over at Mo Manning's DP2 Challenge.

So, first to the OBD Blog Hop.

On the third Wednesday of each month the Facebook chapter of the Design D.I.V.A.S. has our Oldies But Goodies (OBD) blog hop.  This is when we use neglected and forgotten items from our stashes.  The Design D.I.V.A.S. is a private Facebook group which is a branch of the Original Design D.I.V.A.S. on the Splitcoaststampers website.  The acronym for the D.I.V.A.S. is Divine Inspirational Virtuous Artistic (or anointed) Sistahs.  This is a very talented and supportive group, which I'm blessed to be a part of.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope you enjoy the hop. If you came here from the lovely Vicki's blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning hop on over to Maria's awesome blog.  

For my card I used a Mo Manning digi "The Engineer" which I haven't used for over a year.  The dp is from a neglected stack and the brads are the last of a package I've had since Washington crossed the Potomac!  

I colored this fun image with Copics.  As I mentioned, the card is for a 90-year old friend, so the sentiment on the inside read "Growing older is mandatory.  Growing up is optional."  Talk about and oldie but goodie! Happy Birthday, Harold!

Now, I am also entering this in the DP2 challenge #134 "Tickle My Funny Bone".  The only requirement is to use one of Mo's images, and she has plenty that will make you chuckle!  Hop on over to see the fun the DT had with this challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Be sure to move on to Mary's blog for her inspiring project.  We appreciate the time you spend on our Design D.I.V.A.S. blog hop. 

Mo's DP2 Challenge #133 --- Anything Goes

Mo's challenge this week is "Anything Goes", with a Mo image of course.  That works perfectly for me since I have this wedding card that I made in March for a very special young couple, but hadn't posted it yet.  

The sketch is my own design, but is a close match for the optional sketch over at the challenge blog.  Check it out here.  All is very simple using red cardstock, white satin gloss report cover stock, and silk flowers from the bridal department at Hobby Lobby.  I used the Nesties die to create a frame for the image, rather than a mounting shape. 

This image is colored with Copics.  What really made this fun was that when I got to the reception the topper on the cake was very similar to this image!  Both reflect the joy of Lindsey and Josh on their special day. 

I also did the photography for their wedding.  This is one of the shots.  Poor Josh; he is so light sensitive and the photos were done at noon on a very sunny day.  

Thanks for stopping by today.  I'm hoping that my neck pain will subside soon and that I can get off the meds which make me a bit out of sorts.  (Neck pain from accident that I wrote about here.)  I have so many new images I want to color up and make cards! 

Design D.I.V.A.S. Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop

It's the third Wednesday of April already which means it's time for the Facebook chapter of the Design D.I.V.A.S. to have our Oldies But Goodies (OBD) Blog Hop.  This is when we use neglected and forgotten items from out stashes.  The Design D.I.V.A.S. is a private Facebook group which is a branch of the Original Desing D.I.V.A.S.  on the Splitcoaststampers website.  The acronym for the D.I.V.A.S. is Divine Inspirational Virtous Artistic (or annointed) Sistahs.  This is a very talented and supportive group, which I'm blessed to be a part of.  Thank you for stopping by and we hope you enjoy the hop!  

If you came here from our lovely and awesome Sue's blog you are on the right track.  To start at the beginning hop on back to see the clever creativity of  Vicki.  

For my project I used a couple of neglected items. First, the ladder was made with the smallest rectangle Nestibility.  I don't think I have ever used the smaller dies, but repeatedly running it through the Cuttlebug on Kraft paper worked really well for this little ladder.  

This image is Mo Manning's "Playing Firefighter".  He is really intent on getting the fire out in his little high-rise made of blocks.  The neglected item here is the Inksentials Glossy Accent on his hat and coat.  It gave it that nice shiny/wet look.

As hard as it is for me to keep the cards simple (for me white space just begs for filler) this was really an easy peasy card.  Black background topped with bands of the primary colors and a black rhinestone swirl to look like smoke make for a fun background to the colored image.  Afterall, it is the image that I want to showcase.  

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you have been enjoying the Oldies But Goodies Blog Hop and there is more!  Your next stop is at our uber-talented Heather's.  

Adele In a Straw Hat -- And DP2 Challenge, Too!

No, not that Adele with the awesome voice and the hauntingly beautiful songs.  Meet Mo Manning's Adele with the curly hair and giant straw hat.  She makes a wonderful card for birthdays, Easter, Mother's Day and  simply Thinking of You.  

I wish I could remember the dp designer, but it is a coordinated single sheet collection and I wish I could find more!  As luck would have it, I had the pink checked ribbon which works perfectly with the papers.  The card base and trims are Kraft paper.  This card is fairly flat layers, too, for easier mailing.

Here is Adele's close up shot.  I colored her with Copics.  Hey, I just noticed the belt, socks, and hat ribbon are POLKA DOTS!! That means she is eligible for this week's DP2 Challenge "I See Spots"!!  Whoo hoo!  I've been trying to catch up and now, as my mother would say, "I'm so far behind I'm ahead."  Think on that for awhile!  ;-)

Thanks for stopping by and while you're at it, hop on over to Mo's DP2 Challenge.  The DT is amazing!

DP2 Challenge #127 --- Bling It On!

Mo Manning's DP2 Challenge this week calls for one of my favorite things --- BLING! I can't pass the rhinestone swirls at Michaels and Hobby Lobby --- especially when they are on sale!For my card I used Mo's Strawberry Girl.  With the coming of spring my tastebuds begin craving strawberries so this image is so scrumptious!

I used dp from the DCWV Farmer's Market stack.  I hope I never run out of these rich papers! The image and frame are cut with Nesties, the doily is the Italian Flourish by Cherry Lynn Designs.  I think I will be using this doily quite a bit, but making sure I show more of it on the cards!  The flowers are from my stash, mostly Primas and the flourish is by Recollections.  The image is colored with Copics.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are having a wonderful week.  Be sure to hop over to Mo's DP2 Challenge to see the fabulous projects by the design team.

DP2 Challenge #125 --- Something New

Mo's challenge this week is to use something new or a new technique.  I had just finished making a wedding card for a friend I met through blogging, so I am going to use that.  But first, I have to wax nostalgic for a minute.  

I have found our blogging community to be a very friendly place.  How about you?  Comments lead to emails and on to phone calls and even meeting in person.  I have had the privilege of meeting several blogging buddies and building life-long friendships.  One of those is my friend Nancy.  Our in-person meeting resulted from a "dare".  Silly me, I facebooked about new ziplines going up here in Branson and she said how much she loved ziplining.  I'm more of a 'fraidy-cat but when she suggested that she and her daughter Shelbie stop by on their road trip and we can take a zip-ride I just couldn't say no.  So, that's how we met and we had so much fun they stayed with us for a couple of days!  We have since hosted Shelbie and her fiance, Ryan, too, and absolutely love them all.  This Saturday is their wedding and it is for them I made this card.

The card base is ivory card stock covered with scrapbook paper I've had for ages.  It is a field of white roses.  Keeping with a touch of vintage elegance, I used this gorgeous swirl of rhinestones and antique-colored pearls along with pearl-like flowers and brads.  So what is new about this card?  The swirl was new and the Nesties label the image is mounted on is new.  Not to mention that we are congratulating newlyweds as they start a new phase of their life together.

The image is Mo's "Bride and Groom", one of my favorites and so perfect for wedding cards.  It is colored with Copics, keeping with the pearl theme.

Here is a close-up of the swirl and the rose paper.  

Nancy, Shelbie, and Ryan --- we love you and look forward to meeting Tyler someday!  Shelbie and Ryan, best wishes for a happy life together!

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit DP2 challenge for more inspiration from the design team.

DP2 Challenge #124 --- Anything Goes!

This week Mo's amazing design team gave us a super simple challenge --- anything goes!  Actually, I was very relieved because I didn't get the entry in for last week's challenge, which was to include lace, so I can now post it.  I'm focusing on Easter cards right now so I used Mo's new image Easter Carly.

The dp is coordinated sheets from the Watercolor Bouquet stack by K & Co.  The dark purple is Bazzill card stock and the flowers are a combination of silk stems and Prima ivory roses.  The leaves are Spellbinders Shapeabilities and the lace is from my stash.  The sentiment is a rubber stamp.

Lovely Carly is colored with Copics.  I tried for a taffeta-like sheen on the dress and I think I came pretty close.  What do you think?

I just want to say that my heart goes out to all the areas devastated by tornadoes and severe weather this past week.  Here in Branson clean up efforts are moving along quickly due in large part to private citizens jumping in and helping their neighbors; even folks from Joplin who sustained unimaginable damage last May, jumped in their cars and came down to help.  This same scenario can be seen throughout the midwest and south.  If only we could recover those who were lost, but we can keep the prayers going Heavenward for healing and hope in the wake of these terrible storms.

Thanks for stopping by.  Keep safe, keep your eyes to the sky, and keep the faith.

Mo's DP2 Challenge -- Sentiments

It's been so long since I entered Mo's DP2 Challenge, but I have several new images so I'm ready to go!  The challenge this week is "My Sentiments Exactly" which is, basically, anything goes as long as there is a sentiment.  Since I often don't put sentiments on a card until I know who I'm sending it to, this was a bit of a challenge .... well, not really once I got the card made.

I just had to use this little cutie "Winter Fairy Halla" before spring officially arrives.  The sentiment I came up with was "Sending you winter kisses" --- easy peasy!  The dp is from my stash of single sheets.  The background looks like snow falling and the middle one looks like frost on a window.  Both had a touch of lavender in them, so that became my choice for the accent color.  The lavender glitter paper coordinates with the glitter ribbon and the Stickles in the image.  I love this net flower, soft and delicate like a snowflake.

The image is colored with Copics and accented with Stickles.  Oh, this image is so cute!

Thanks for stopping by today!  I appreciate the time you spend here.  Be sure to take a few more minutes and hop over to Mo's DP2 challenge to see the fantastic projects by the design team. 

Mo's DP2 Challenge #111 --- Great Outdoors

This week Mo's DP2 Challenge is sending us outdoors!  This time of year there are lots of things to do outdoors:  building snowmen, caroling, searching for the perfect Christmas tree, sledding, and all sorts of winter activities.  (Can you tell I'm in the winter/Christmas frame of mind?)

I am actually getting in on the challenge pretty early this week because I had just made this card but hadn't gotten it posted yet.  I used Mo's new image "Shall I Play for You".  When I think hear the song "Little Drummer Boy", which I love, I think of the little lad standing near the manger, softly drumming, his only gift to give the child.  

When I made this card I had imposed my own challenge --- sepia with one color.  I always think of little toy drums as red in color, so that became my theme. The card base, border bunch and corner punches are made from Kraft paper; the punches are Martha Stewart.  The dp are scraps and worked really well with the Kraft.  The card is simple, no bling or flowers.  I know a couple of little boys who will like this and they are young enough that I wouldn't want to put on little pieces that could end up in little mouths, noses or ears!

The image is colored with Copics.  Those corner punches, as I mentioned, are Martha Stewart.  I really like the way these punch out and fold over, giving it a clean photo corner look.

Well, as I said, Mo has lots of images to meet the challenge of the "Great Outdoors", so if it is cold and wintry where you are, you can warm up your work space if you build a card with a beach scene or a backyard barbeque.  However you do it, there is plenty of time to get in on the fun at DP2 Challenge!  You really have to see what the DT came up with, too!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a terrific weekend!

DP2 Challenge #110 --- Elves, Fairies, Santa, or Snowmen

Happy Monday, everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and much success with your shopping trips!  The countdown is on to Christmas!

This week's challenge at DP2 is much more challenging than it would appear.  Why?  Because Mo has recently created the.most.amazing digis of Elves, Fairies, Santa, and Snowmen!  The challenging part was choosing which one to use!  I finally decided on the craziest Santa I have ever seen --- Ragged Santa!  

He is just soooo jolly and cool, even in his ragamuffin clothes.  I stayed with the traditional colors here, but I have seen him colored so beautifully in a variety of hues.  True to my attempt to use up old papers and scraps before buying more, I used, well, old stuff!  Even the buttons have been in my button drawer for a couple of years. Evergreen punches (Martha Stewart) and red rhinestones finish off the cluster of buttons and twine.

The image is colored with Copics, my favorite rich reds!  A bit of gold metallic gel pen on the bell and silver on the belt and shoe buckles.  Pretty easy layout, all in all.

There are so many more gorgeous elves, fairies, Santa, and snowmen over at DP2 Challenge.  Be sure to hop on over for a look-see.  Thanks for stopping by! 

In the Manger

Today I am posting the third card I made on Sunday.  This is "In the Manger" by Mo Manning.  Adorable, yes?  The image comes in both Caucasian and African American.  

The card stock is Virtual Pearl by Curious Iridescents, a report cover weight paper that I bought years ago at Paper Plus in Phoenix.  When I was living there I found so many gorgeous papers like this, though the store was primarily like a super store for business papers and forms.  I really miss that place and haven't found one locally yet.  Fortunately, I stocked up before I moved, but now I find myself hoarding them!  Why do we do that?  Well, I am so glad I gave up a couple of sheets because the beautiful pearl-like finish is so perfect for the sparkle of the Stickles on the image and the gold glitter paper accent. 

I colored the image with Copics and added crystal Stickles to the angels wings and blue Stickles to the swaddling clothes. The embossing is from a new folder by The Paper Studio.

I often make up the sketch as I go along and I knew I wanted this one to be simple and symmetrical.  The Nesties label at the bottom gives this the look of a glass globe.  Imagine my surprise later when I was browsing my favorite blogs and found the very same sketch at Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge!  I didn't use a Waltzing Mouse image so I'm not entering it in their challenge, but I do want to share the sketch.  I guess great minds.... and all that.  

Thank you for stopping by again today!  I appreciate it, knowing everyone is so busy preparing for Thanksgiving this week.  

DP2 Challenge #109 --- Winter

The best way to ignore the computer problems of the weekend is to get back to creating in the studio.  So yesterday I was able to get three cards made.  Tonight I am posting the second one which is for Mo's DP2 Challenge --- Winter!  It is feeling very wintry here with heavy fog up here on the ridge and more heavy rain on the way.  But the warm fire going in the fireplace keeps me toasty.

Mo has really outdone herself with her latest images. This is "Urchin with Bird" and makes me think of Charles Dickens characters. I love the muted earth colors for her and for other images you will see like her, such as Ragamuffin Angel, Drummer Boy and Carolers.  But those will come later.  Though if you explore the Digital Pencil blog and link to the store you will see these cherubs.

I used the beautiful new Christmas "Glad Tidings" die mat set by Susan Wright for K & Co.  The colors and lovely art work are perfect for the colors I like so much for this season.  I love cardinals but when I colored the Urchin I was thinking of the lovely bluebirds we have on our feeders, so I let one perch on her hand.  This pretty paper stands alone, but I added embellies of red rhinestones and Martha Stewart evergreen bough punch,  The red paper trim is translucent, a bit heavier than vellum. The tag is a Nestie and the sentiment is my own handwriting, a bit of a risk!

She is colored with Copics and I love working to add depth to the folds and getting the look of warm woolen clothing.  I added crystal Stickles to the background for snow.

With another rainy day ahead I hope to get even more cards made before Thanksgiving!  Thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your visit and encourage you to check out the gorgeous DT projects at DP2. 

Mo's DP2 Challenge -- Give Thanks!

Mo's DP2 Challenge this week is "Give Thanks" and since Friday is Veteran's Day I chose to make a card thanking the veterans.  Here in Branson, Veteran's week started last Friday, kicked off with a show by Tony Orlando and the display of the traveling Viet Nam Wall.  Branson is the most appreciative town I know when it comes to the veterans.  All shows include patriotic numbers and salute the veterans as well as the active military.  I'm very proud of the programs here and those who make this a memorable experience for the tens of thousands of veterans who visit during Veteran's Week each year.

Two of the first images I fell in love with at Mo's are these adorable kids in the Support the Troops set.  I have a couple of scrapbooking boxes full of military, especially Navy, papers and embellies for when I get around to catching up with my son's career.  In the meantime, those papers are great for this card.

The images just make me tear up, reminding me of all the kids I see sending their dad or mom off to a foreign country fighting for freedom.  Then more tears when they come home.  I'm a sucker for homecomings and will cry buckets every time!

Inside this card is a photo of my son in Kuwait.  It was June 2006 and he was waiting for transportation to Baghdad, Iraq, where he spent the next year. 

I will give him this card Friday when he and his wife come to visit for the weekend, but I can hear him now, "Oh, Mommmmm!"  He gets real embarrassed when I gush over how proud I am of him.  But, gush over him I will, and any other veteran and active military person I see this week!

Thank a vet, shake their hand, smile and pat your hand on your heart.... they will know what that means.  

Mo's DP2 Challenge 106 - Any Holiday or Celebration

This time of year brings many holidays and celebrations and since Christmas is just around the corner I am really focusing on getting cards made to sell or send.  Mo is always one of my "go to" sites for new and precious images.  The image I used for this week's DP2 challenge is one such image. This is Ragged Angel.  She is so beautiful and just right for vintage-style cards.

I used vintage dp of Christmas scenes (which I have nearly covered over) and sheet music (which I love for Christmas cards) and distressed the edges.  I piled on the antique lace, poinsettias, bling and extra little goodies.  

She is colored with Copics and sprinkled with Stickles for snowflakes.  I really enjoyed coloring this image and will likely do another one, or two. 

I found this lovely sketch at Sasya's Sketches (not sure of the name of the blog -- it is in Russian).  This is an amazing design team and I love looking at their work.  I used one of their sketches for this card, I just turned it on its side.  This week they are doing Christmas cards for children in support of children in orphanages. I wish I could send dozens of angels like Ragged Angel to help those kids.  But for now, I will enter this card in their challenge, too.  

I actually made three cards today, but posting two of them is all I have time for.  The third one will come later and is an image from a fantastic artist who is quickly becoming very popular --- and you will see why tomorrow.  In the meantime, be sure to visit Mo's DP2 and Sasya's Sketches for loads of inspiration. 

Have a great week and take care of yourself.

Bah! Humbug! #42 --- With Men In Mind

Cards for men are always a challenge for us, it seems.  So the ladies at Humbug Hall have us tackling this challenge this week.  I am sliding in under the wire this week, so I'll just get right to the card.

Mo Manning's image Little Present  came to mind to put on a card for a gal to give a guy.  In this case I added the sentiment "Got Mistletoe?" as an innocent, ahem, invitation.  The papers I used are from the Basic Grey "Mistletoe and Pears" stack that I have been using for a couple of years.  The borders are two of Martha Stewart's and layered with strips of ribbon.  I used The Deconstructed Sketch for this card, so I'm also entering it in this week's challenge over there.  

I used Copics to color the image and added a few Stickle dots to the background area. 

This was a pretty easy card to put together..... once I got to it!  It seems I am back in "catch-up mode".  But I am ever so grateful you stopped by to have a look!  Please take a moment to hop over to Bah! Humbug! to see the wonderful projects by the DT and the participants.  

Come Hither

That look...... you know the one I mean.  It makes you swoon. You go weak in the knees, your hands get all clammy and you lose all sense of reality.  It's that look..... come hither...............

Come Hither

That's the name of this haunting image by Mo Manning.  This isn't for any particular challenge, I just LOVE the new images by Mo.  Another one I did recently was "Dare". They are sexy, sultry and just a bit naughty! For this card I used a silver textured metallic card stock for the card base and a layer of the medallion by Nestabilities.  The black is not metallic, but more like patent leather, very shiny.  The red of the medallion is a very shiny metallic.  The swirly ribbon is actually from the new Christmas collection at Michael's and works perfectly here. Swirls of red and crystal rhinestones add to the dizzying effect.  The butterfly is from a vintage download I had laying out for another project, but it just magically flew onto this card!  Spooooooky!

Close up details of the Copic coloring and more of Mo's rich depth in the cape. 

Whew! This is getting too hot to handle --- I can't wait to color up another one!!

Thanks for stopping by today! 

Mo's DP2 Challenge #102 -- Our Furry Friends

My three little furry friends really like Mo's challenge this week.  Especially Mattie who loves going to Grandma's house, just like Little Red Riding Hood.  

Red and her furry friend are merrily on their way to grandmother's house.  I kept the card simple because there is so much going on in the image with her beautiful red cape, the basket full of goodies, and her little dog grabbing at the gingham napkin on the basket.  The red background is embossed with one of the embossing folders in the "Once Upon A Princess" Cricut Complements set by Cuttlebug.  The other paper accents are from scraps. I found the red checkered rickrack in a box that had been packed away.  It's a great find, except that it is a very large skein of the stuff! My guess is at least 10 yards!! I see lots of red checkered rickrack accents in my future --- ugh!

I forgot to mention that the sketch came from Deconstructed Sketch so I am entering their challenge, too.

Well, I love the image and she was so much fun to color! It did take awhile but one of my favorite things about coloring Mo's images is the luscious folds and draping in the clothing.  Of course I used Copics and what would I do without the colorless blender? 

For more inspiration and magnificent coloring with all sorts of media be sure to hop over to Mo's DP2 challenge.  Lots of furry friends, too.  And by the way, here is my little Mattie -- always ready to go to Grandma's house!

Thanks for stopping by!

Mo's DP2 Challenge #100 -- Let's Celebrate!

Congratulations to Mo Manning's DP2 100th Challenge!  Time for a celebration and that is the theme this week.

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The March Hare found this to be a great time for a party so he got out his best party clothes and gold tea set  to celebrate this 100th challenge.  This was a pretty easy card to put together, using the Nestibilities die for the image and background. The buckle accents a piece of silver and black glitter ribbon, or more accurately the other way around.  The ribbon is really pretty but doesn't show much here.  Don't worry, it will show up on another card for sure!  The square stickons in the corners look like zebra skin but blend well with the other patterns.

Close up you might see the glitter on the tea set and everything else is colored with Copics. 

  The inside of the card has more of the dp and a blank white space for a personal note.  

There is a big party going on over at Mo's challenge!  Wait till you see what the DT put together!! Wowza!  Better get on over there and take a look! 

Bah! Humbug! Challenge --- Flourishes and Swirls

Flourishes and swirls and dizzyingly creative projects.... that is the theme at Bah! Humbug! this week.  Who doesn't love beautiful soft swirls and flourishes?  They add motion to a project and, in the card I made, lots of motion! 

I started with patterned paper from a stack I've had on hand for years! It is Slab XI by Provocraft and has a variety of swirling patterns in several color combos.  This piece was perfect for the image, which I had already colored.  This adorable image is Teen Fairy Pia, new at Mo's Digital Pencil.  She is colored with Copics (yep, I actually remembered to write down the numbers!):

Hair -- W00, W1, W3

Skin -- E00 and E000

Dress and wings: -- R20, R22, R27, R29, R11, R00, YG61, YG67

The card base is pink Bazzill card stock, which I also used for the pink and green swirls. These were cut on the Cricut using the Home Decor cartridge.  More green Bazzill die cut with my Nesties backs up the image also cut with the Nesties. The poinsettias are Recollections by Michael's.  A fairy this magical deserves some sparkly pixie dust so I added the rhinestones to the swirls.

Here us a close up of Pia.  She has a sister named Mia, too!

Now it's your turn to put your creativity in motion with swirls and flourishes!  Remember, you don't have to make a card.  Any Christmas project will do!  And the more the merrier!

  

The deadline for this challenge is 

12 noon (UK time)

Thursday 22th September 2011

If you like my project (and even if you don't -- heehee) hop over to Bah! Humbug! for inspiration from the DT and the participants.  You'll be swirling with excitement!  Ok, now I'm getting dizzy.