Happy Holidays

I wanted to share with you one last Holiday card for the season. I just put the finishing touches on my Christmas thanks you's and I'm gearing up for the next card giving occasion. I'll post my Christmas thank you's after I send them so not to spoil the surprise, but I can tell you they are cute! I hope you all are ready for Christmas because it's right around the corner. I think I'm done and now all I have left to do is sit back and enjoy the next week. May you and your families have a wonder Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

YUMMY!

Can I just say my in-laws are the best! Every year we look forward to getting this box of goodies all the way from Minnesota. There are 3 bags of the best homemade caramel corn you will ever taste, one box of individually pressed and cooked meticulously hand crafted Belgium cookies, a container of yummy bars, a huge bag of monster cookies, and the cutest Christmas card I have ever received. How lucky are we?! I have to ration and hide the Belgium cookies or my husband will have them all eaten within 3 days. ( Hi Honey! hope you're not reading this. If you are I have a new hiding spot this year) The monster cookies (my son's favorite) get put in the freezer to be eaten one at a time every day after school until they are gone. If I stash the yummy bars in the back of fridge they last longer ;) And the caramel corn, well that's a free for all. These things are all so special to us because they are all hand made with love and only come once a year. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!! You guys are the best!!

Snow Days

Are you guys tired of seeing Christmas cards yet? I think I'm done. I just need to address the cards and get them mailed out. I've been thinking about Valentines Day cards the last couple of days, so you will probably start seeing some of those in the coming weeks. Are you finished with your shopping yet? I'm just about done. Got the out of state box mailed this morning and it's such a good feeling to know I'm on track!

I hope you are all having a great week and thanks for looking.

Holiday Wishes

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm still pluggin' away at Christmas cards on my days off. It's helped a lot to have pre-colored a bunch of images over the last several weeks. It's all about the layouts now.

This little tree is from a TAC set called Santa Claus is Coming. The whole set reminds me of those chunky Fisher Price figurines that come with the school bus or airplane. I tried to make the ornaments look like traditional Christmas balls. Or is it bulbs? Anyway, I used a bit of crystal lacquer and it worked out pretty well. I have a few more tress I did in different colors so I have a few more images to play with. And who doesn't love a good ornament shaped nestie!

Thanks for looking today!

Dog gone cute!

Here's another layout with that same Christmas dog. I think he is so dog gone cute! I have to say I'm kinda lovin' how much I've done for Christmas so far. The tree is up and mostly decorated, I've made a dent in my shopping and even finished a batch of Chex Mix. Though I may have done that a little too soon. I think it will all be eaten before the festivities begin. I only make it during this time of year and I like to give some away to the mail man and paperboy. I still need to make some beer bread for the black Friday pot luck at work and finish my shopping for the out of state-ers so I can get that box shipped out. I even wrapped some gifts this morning! Yeah for me. Now that's progress! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and have much to be thankful for. I know I do!

Progress

I'm managing to make due with the broken Cuttlebug plate today. I colored a few of the trees a few weeks ago and knew I wanted to use them for some of my Christmas cards. Now I wish I had done a few more. I try not to do all the same cards, but I really like the way these turned out. That little nesty there in the back of the tree really makes it look complete. Three down and several more to go! I hope you are all having a wonderful day and thanks for looking.

Is it really November 17th??

I can't believe how quickly the Holidays are approaching, and how far behind I am on my Christmas cards. I was on a roll this morning until my Cuttlebug C plate snapped in half! UGH! Much to my surprise I could not buy one at Michaels or Joann. Grrr. So I came home and ordered one online. Thank goodness for online shopping. I hate to pay shipping, but what else can you do? I'm so lost without my Cuttlebug. So, for the next 7 to 10 days I'll have to use the broken pieces.

This little cutie was put together with My Minds Eye paper Angi gave me (Angi you're the BEST!) and the layout I got from PattiJ's blog. The image is one I picked up at the Scrapbook expo a couple of weeks ago. Isn't he cute?

Thanks for looking and I hope you are all caught up on your Holiday cards!

Rudoss the Red Nosed Reindeer

When my son was little he had a hard time pronouncing his F's. We have him on video tape singing Rudoss the Red Nosed Reindeer in the tub. We still call him Rudoss. I love this time of year and can't wait to put up the Christmas decorations. In between being super busy I'm working on Christmas cards. What have you been up to lately?

Merry Christmas

Another quickie today. Between school activities, work, car troubles, and life in general I've had very little time to stamp. Just like every year I get a head start then life happens and all of a sudden I'm behind. I was able to color a few Christmas images over the last couple of weeks, now I just have to put the cards together. I really love this time of the year and I'm going to try and slow down enough to enjoy it. I say that every year. We'll see if I actually do it.

Thanks for looking today and have a wonderful week!

Happy Harvest

Do I really need to write anything about this card? I think the image speaks for itself. It screams fall. I love fall! Finally the weather has cooled to the mid 80's! Yippy!

I hope you all are having a wonderful fall and thanks so much for looking.

Snowy Penguin

Here's another little cutie from the Cuddly Christmas set. Boy do I love this set! I've colored a bunch of images and am just starting to put some layouts together.

If you like to Copic and you like cute this is a must have set. Also, the October SOTM is another little jewel you just might want to add to your collection. Remember, just because these are "labeled" Christmas sets, you can use them for other seasons, or reasons, or whatever you'd like!

Thanks for looking and let me know what you think!

Christmas Bear

I thought I'd post something new while my internet connection is working. You know these things only break when your techno geek husband is unavailable. This little guy is part of an adorable set from TAC called Cuddly Christmas which is in the new Fall Supplement. It took me a couple of tries to get the coloring the way I wanted and then I messed with the layout for a couple of days. I think it turned out OK. I hope you are having a great start to your week and thanks for looking!

Thanks

Just a quickie post today. It's been a tough week, but I wanted to put something new up. I hope you are having a great week and I hope to have some stamping time next week.

Simple Christmas

Stamping feels kind of forced today, but I managed to squeeze out another Christmas card. This layout is loosely based on one of the cards from the latest issue of Holiday Cards. I love that magazine and look forward to getting it every year. Thanks for looking today!

Happy Holidays

Here's another little goody to go with yesterday's Christmas inspiration. Boy, I really need to take a photography class!

This is more like it!

So I Googled when the next issue of the Holiday Cards magazine would be out. (on news stands 9/14 btw) That led me to the Paper Crafts connections blog. There I saw a really nice card that inspired me to make this Christmas card. I used the Sizzix holly embossing folder and chalked the leaves and berries. Then I used my handy dandy holly die cut and decided it needed some texture. Can you guess which embossing folder I used for the leaves? Excuse me while I pat myself on the back for this one. I'm sure I'm not the first to do this, but I did think of it all on my own. Hopefully this will kick-start my Christmas mojo!

Jolly Jack-O-Lanterns

I'm not really feelin' the stamping love lately. I was in the mood to stamp and this was the best I could do. It's not even a very good picture, but I figured my blog needed an update. I think I have a pretty good stash of Halloween cards and I need to move on to Christmas, but I'm inspiration-less lately. What I need is a new magazine. I'm patiently waiting for the Holiday Cards mag to come out. That always jump starts my stamping juices.

I hope you all have a great day and thanks for looking.

Just Ducky

Here's another fabulous image from TAC's Just Ducky set. Sometimes I just can't handle the cuteness of it all! The paper is from DCWV's Nana's Kitchen. If I was going to re-do this card I would have removed the yellow piece and just stamp the sentiment in it's place.

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend and thanks for looking.

More Halloween

Just a couple of Halloween cards for you to enjoy over the Labor Day weekend!

A Trio of Love

I've been working on this little set for a couple of days now and I think I've finally finished. I am so enjoying this stamp set from TAC called From the Heart. I think it would be perfect for Valentines Day cards or I love you of cards. There is one other little girl in the set I haven't used yet and I still have some pieces of the patterned paper left so I might just add her. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Fa La La La La

When I started these over the weekend I intended for them to be Christmas list holders. I went to Michaels and got a couple of those dollar list pads and some recipe cards. Unfortunately neither of them work. I guess since the clipboards are 6X9 they are a bit too small. I haven't given up yet, but if anybody has any suggestions on what I can use for a list pad I'd love to hear from you. I'm also not that thrilled with the ribbon at the top, but it needed something, so if you have any thoughts on that please feel free to share. Thanks for looking and remember, it's never to early to start those Christmas projects.

Here chicky chicky chicky

So a little birdie told me they liked the layout of my owl card (see below) but not the image. What!? I love those little owls. Anyway, it got me thinking about beauty being in the eye of the beholder. You know, one man's trash is another man's treasure. I could go on, but you get it. I guess I shouldn't expect for you to comment on all my cards. Right? We all have different tastes and that's what makes the world interesting. It does occur to me that there are people who look at my blog but never comment. So, I challenge you. If you are reading this blog, leave a comment. Good, bad, or otherwise. I'd love to hear from you. Oh and I'm working on a couple of Christmas projects I can't wait to show you. I just need to add a few finishing touches. Hope you all are having a great weekend and thanks for commenting.

Whoo Knew

I've been a stampin' fool the last few days and it feels great! I figure since I have to work tomorrow I'd make the most of today and stamp as much as I can. And even though it's a hundred million degrees out lately I can still feel fall coming. I really enjoy being creative in the fall and I've even had Christmas cards on my mind. So we shall see what today brings.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week and are finding some time to enjoy your creativity!

Tulle

I know, two back to back posts. This will make up for my lack of updates later on in the week since I have to work. I wanted to show you guys this little witch card because I think I'm closer to achieving that tulle look. I don't know if you can see it, but I used one of those clear jelly roll glitter pens on her skirt and her hat.I just dotted it all over and sort of blended it with my finger before it dried. You have to be fast because it dries fast, but I like the way it turned out. If any of you have any tricks to share about the tulle look feel free to share. :)

Frankenkids

I love fall. I love that the kids are back to school! I love my routine during the school year and I love Halloween! I was going to submit the little frankenboy cartd to TAC for catalog consideration, but I was too late in getting it sent. That's ok, I can always sell/donate my cards. The little frankengirl is from a set called Spooky Girls that is in the Serendipity supplement from last fall. I just got the set and am loving all the cute images in it. If the upcoming Serendipity is as good as the last, you guys are in for a real treat. HA HA no pun intended. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Just Bee cause

How do I not have a just bee-cause stamp? This really wasn't supposed to be a Halloween card, but I didn't have the sentiment that I really wanted to put on it. It is beyond me how I don't have a stamp that says just bee-cause. Or bee anything thing for that matter. Oh well. She still turned out great and I love her little flower barrettes! Hope you are all having a great start to your week.

Cased Card

When I was on my friend Angi's blog I saw one of her cutest cards ever. I loved what she did with the spiderweb embossing folder, so I decided to case it. I'm not all that impressed with my layout or my choice of color combo, but I love the way my witch turned out, and was in a big ole hurry to finish the card. The more I use Copic's on my cards the more I see the value in having all the colors. Since that's not possible I made due with what I have, and I have to say I really, really like the end result of my little witch!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and thanks for looking!

Just Clowning Around

I knew when I saw this stamp set in the catalog I had to have it. It's from a new set called Delightfully Spooky. It has the cutest Halloween stamps in it, but this particular image was just screaming to be used as a Birthday clown. This is my first pass at the ideas I have in my head. I tried to make the neck piece look like tulle. I went back at the last minute and added the extra colored polka dots. Not sure if it's really what I was going for, but it works for this card. I was going to use some red flock on the wig, but I think that will be my next go round with this image.

I hope you enjoy today's card! School started today, so hopefully I'll have more time to stamp then I did over the summer break.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Cowboy Up

Since I haven't posted in a while I thought I'd share a little goody I made a couple of weeks ago. This little guy is from a retired TAC set called Wild West. I think he is the cutest! I used a regular ole brad covered with crystal lacquer and glitter for the star. I used my Kohinoor pencils and oms to color him. Today my plan is to stamp, stamp, stamp! I hope you all have a great weekend and thanks for looking!

Catching Up

After working the last six days in a row, I'm behind on everything. So, my plan for today? Stamp of course. Who needs clean clothes right?

After seeing all the uses for Martha Stewart's punches on HSN last week it's all I can think about. I'm putting the few I have to good use. And I have this new love for a TAC set I've had for a couple of years now called Aged Ornaments. It's still in the catalog which makes me very happy! Seems like the sets I like the most always get retired. I think I'm just now learning how to use this set and maybe that's why. I don't know, I just know I love the set and am trying to think of lots of ways to use it.

I hope you enjoy today's post and thanks for looking!

Paper Bag Special

Here's the project I submitted for a TAC contest. I finally found the photos on my computer. They aren't very good quality, but you get the idea. This is a really easy project. It's basically just a paper lunch sack folded in half. It was really fun to put together especially since I don't do these kind of projects very often. I really am a card maker at heart. The truth is, I'm really bummed it didn't win. I've submitted before, but so far have yet to win. My biggest bummer is that you don't get your project back once you send it to them. I'm not sure where they end up and can't imagine anybody but me wants a photo of my son and our trip the the Winchester Mystery house. Anyway, you should give this little project a try. I did one a few years ago for my sons second grade teacher and slipped a gift card inside instead of a journaling tag. It turned out great!

Thanks for looking and have a great day! Oh yeah, all paper, stamps and embellishments are from TAC.

Cute Boots

I've been wanting to post this card for the longest time now. It's very similar to a layout I did for a TAC contest with a paper bag. I didn't win, so I figured it was ok to finally post the card. The paper bag project I submitted is much cuter and when I find the pictures I took I'll post it.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Many Thanks

I love it when a card comes together. What started out to be a standard nestie, nestie, image card ended up being a little more exciting. I just kept adding elements until I was happy with the outcome. All the paper is from the DCWV linen stack. I love the soft colors in this stack. And all the stamps are from TAC.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Miss You

Yes cool weather I miss you!! Eeesh, it's hot here. It was 111 in my backyard yesterday. We are supposed to break records this week. Oh goody. Nothing like living on the surface of the sun...

So, it's all about simple stampin' today. No heat tool and nothing too complicated. I thought this would be a good card to add to my Operation Write Home stash.

I hope where ever you are, you are staying cool and enjoying some creative time.

More Cherries

Here's a little goody I put together from a layout in one of my magazines. If you pull the little tab there is a message inside. It's not really a set because the paper doesn't match, but I had a little scrap of that cherry paper left so I decided to use it on one of those giant wooden paper clips from Michael's to make a photo holder. Don't you just love the dollar section at Michaels?!

Label Lingo

I just love this set! It's a TAC called Label Lingo and it's retired, but I sure do love it. And I have the best stamping friend ever! You know who you are!! I am thoroughly enjoying this new to me stamp set.

I hope you are all enjoying your day and thanks for looking!

Birthday Wishes

Don't you just love Basic Grey paper? It's all so pretty and hard to come by where I live, so I use it very sparingly. I copied this layout from a square card my sister made. I think she said it was one of Mojo Monday's sketches. I love their sketch's! Not very 4th of July looking, but I'm not feeling the stampin' love lately. Maybe after I place my TAC order next week the inspiration will come flooding in! Until then, I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th!

It's Here, It's Here!!

Finally after weeks of anticipation, the new Angel Company catalog is finally here!! I waited impatiently until 7:30 last night for the UPS guy to come. I went through the catty a few times last night and found there is something for everybody in this issue!

If you pre-ordered your catalog, I am shipping yours out today. If you still need a catty, pm me and I'll get one to your right away.

Through the month of July you can recieve one pwp stamp on page 3 FREE for every $30 you spend. And don't forget if you place an order of $100 you get a level A hostess, one half price item and 3 gift with purchases. It doesn't get any better than that! Oh wait, yes it does! There are 11 Copic Caio marker sets in this catty AND coordinating card stock. How about a Copic marker set for your half price item??

A Cherry Hello

Two posts in one day! Wooo Whooo! Maybe I'm feeling a little guilty for not posting for a couple of weeks and I know how upset some of my loyal followers gets when I don't put new cards up regularly. you know who you are Anyway, how cute is this little stamp set from TAC? I love it because all the elements are separate. I was very pleased with the way this card turned out right up until I realized my oopsie. Can you find the mistake? I'll be waiting to hear from you...

Felt Heart Thanks

It feels like I haven't stamped in weeks. Oh wait! I haven't. It's hard to believe we are already two weeks into summer vacation. When does school start again? Just kidding ok maybe only a little. The weather has been tolerable the last few weeks so that's a good thing. I've finally found some time to spend in the craft room and update my blog. It feels great!

I hope where ever you are, you are having a wonderful start to your summer. Thanks for looking!

Days filled with good things

Boy have things been insanely busy around here lately. Today is the last day of school and I have been busier the last several weeks than I think I've been all year! So much so that I committed a mortal sin yesterday...I had to BUY a card. I know, I know, but sometimes we all slip off the wagon. It killed me to do it, but I waited until the last minute (SO unlike me) to get a teacher card for my sons teacher who also happens to be retiring this year. (and let's not get started on the last minute surprise party the kids wanted to throw him TODAY! If I had a dime for every phone call I got about this last night, I'd be rich!)

I really do enjoy the routine of the school year. Summer is always so up in the air. I'm a planner and a list maker so summer is always a bit of a challenge for me, but I know there will be several days filled with good things!

Hello

Hello fellow stampers! So, this started out to be a guy card. I thought maybe the colors were a little more manly. Yeah, notsomuch. Between the felt flowers and flourishy hello it just evolved into this. Not too shabby. I'm just no good at guy cards so I'm not even going to try today.

I hope you are all having a good week and thanks for looking.

Bright and Cheery

I thought today would be a good day to post a bright and cheery card. Super simple layout (that seems to be my theme lately) and great colors. Our weather is overcast and muggy and yucky. Just perfect for stamping!

Hope you are all having a great day and thanks for looking!!