Cookies for Santa

As I'm writing this (early for once) it's my youngest son's birthday.  He is 24 years old today!!!  I can hardly believe it.  I'm not even that old yet lol.  Well, my body begs to differ.  You know the 'old' folks who sit around talking about their health problems and surgeries?  I've been one of those 'old' folks : )  Growing old is not optional, but growing up IS :D  I'm sticking to the latter!!!  I'm having waaaaay too much fun to grow up now hee hee.

Just this evening, I must have burned 100 calories laughing.  Laughing really is such good medicine :D

10 Things I Have Learned
by Lori Aragon

1. I no longer need to take myself so seriously
2. It's OK to make a 'fool' of myself (as long as it's not against the law!)
3. One glass of White Zinfandel in the evening is just right : D
4. There's more than one way to do something/it doesn't have to be MY way!
5. I simply can not do it all or control anyone except myself
6. Building relationships are more important than having things
7. Having one close friend is better than having many superficial ones
8. If I don't have a relationship with Christ ♥ I am separated from God
9. If I seek God first, everything else will fall into place
10. The JOY of the LORD is my strength!!! :D  :D  :D

Just a few random thoughts lol!  I hope that my list gave you 'food for thought!'

...and now for today's challenge.  Hop on over to Fairy Fun Friday's 'No Black Lines' Challenge.  What???  This was a new one for me and quite a challenge!  After I decided on the image, Sweets for Santa, the real work began.  Here's the final product:

Since I couldn't print the digi in black, I decided that I would use white.  I also wanted to do a 'paper piecing' project, so I turned to one of my new fave digi paper stores, Pink Petticoat.  This is Doodle Dots - I LOVE how their paper prints out!  Are you wondering about the doily?  It's a die cut from Cheery Lynn Designs,  English Tea Party die.

I am in LOVE with this sweet image ♥  To get this look, I placed the transparent digi image over the red digi polka dot paper.  The lines were in black, so I recolored white.  After printing and cutting out, I gave the teacup more dimension by using W5 W3 for shading.  The cookies, of course, were colored with copics:  E59 E57 E55 E53 E51 E50.  Oh, almost forgot the candy cane!  R29 R27 R24 with Diamond Stickles : )

The sentiment is from Designs on Cloud Nine which I cut out with my Cricut.  I've used Diamond Stickles and White Liquid Applique for details.  'Santa' was puffed up with my heat gun, but the center of the heart on the teacup was left 'as is' - same product, different results :D

You know that I had to sneak in some beautiful pearls in the corners with my Opal Paper Pen!!!  Voila!  No Black Lines challenge complete... won't you join us?

Bunny Zoe's - Lace it Up (lace doily)

Craft Your Passion - Bingo (punch, sentiment, bling)

Die Cut Dreams - So Charming

Incy Wincy - Dots and Stripes

Lollipop Crafts - Anything Goes

One Crazy Stamper - Food/Drink
Creative Inspirations - Lashings of Sparkle
Divas by Design - Use Metal (bell)
The Paper Shelter - Christmas Fun

Have you entered my candy yet?  You can find it *HERE*

Have an awesome weekend, Sweeties ♥

May God bless you, keep you and comfort your soul~