Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!  Hope you aren't too busy and get to spend lots of quality time with the ones you love!!  I have the winners of my Blog Candy Giveaway below, but I thought I'd take this opportunity to write some of the things/people I'm most thankful for as well.  I really enjoyed reading your entries, some made me laugh and some made me cry--but I'm glad you all are around to celebrate the holidays with your families!

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Quick NewsBitz Sale Mention for ya! 

-Christmas Eve is the twelfth Day of Christmas over at 7 Kids College Fund and here is what it is:
Save an EXTRA 8% off of all COPICS-- It is not huge, but considering 7 KIDS regular price on these items is already at least 25% below retail, this is pretty special. With this code (XMASDAY12) you will save over 30% off retail!!!  Go HERE to see all the pretty Copics you can order, HERE for refills, HERE for Spica Pens and go HERE for the Airbrush System!!   :o)  Hurry--sale ends at midnite on the 24th!!

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I'm Thankful For:

-My Hubby!!  I have the BEST hubby that ever did live I tell ya (don't tell him--his head's already big, LOL) but he really is.  He is so patient (puts up with my Type A/ADD stuff), loving, kind and always thinking of me in so many ways (brings me a Cherry Coke in bed when I'm up late reading kinda nice)!  I wouldn't want to ever be without him!

-My Kids!  They both drive me crazy on any given day, but they also make me proud, make me laugh, make me happy and make me glad that they're in my lives!

-My Mom!!  For never judging, listening to me complain, whine or holler on occasion, loving me and supporting me each step of the way!

-My Furbabies!  My constant companions, loyal friends and givers of unconditional love everyday.  Yes, they puke, pee & literally drive me outta my mind some days--but I can't imagine life w/o their cute lil faces!

-Cherry Coke and Chocolate!  No lie!  Keeps me going most days, allows me to run around like a crazy person everyday and HEY, it just tastes good!

-My Friends!  For supporting me, being there for me, loving me and cracking me up regularly of course!  You gotta have good friends in your life I tell ya--there is nothin' bettah!

-My Cyber Friends/Blog Friends--for visiting me everyday, supporting me, lifting my spirits up and cheering me on!  I am blessed to have so many friends and great people in my life!

-My Health!  It allows me to be able to take care of my family, myself, craft, cook, read, work-out, drive, play games, take pictures, do laundry & other fun chores (ugh, hee hee) and all those other things that are a part of my life.  I never take it for granted and I live my life how I choose, how I want and doing the things I love most!

-My Motto!  "You Only Get One Life--So Live It Fabulously"!!  (yes, this is my quote by Suzanne J Dean herself and my daily mantra)  You only get one life, one chance to live that life so do what pleases you, make it fabulous & most of all live it fully & completely in every way!

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Winners of My Blog Candy:

(ladies, please email me at sjdean@smartneighborhood.net and I will arrange your goodies for ya!  Congrats to you all & Merry Christmas Too!)

-Sheri of "Fun With Paper" WINS the Tonic Guillotine Cutter!!

-Sharron of "Sharrahug's Sweet Blessings" WINS the $20 Gift Cert and Bow Easy to Susana's Store!!

-Kym of "Kym Kreates" WINS the Gina K paper packs & 2 Magnolia stamps of her choice!!

-Bessie of "Bittersweet Journey" WINS (4) Digi Stamps from Mo's Digital Pencil and (4) Digi Stamps from Pink Cat Studio of her choice!!

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A Very Merry Christmas From My House to Yours

and

A Brilliant New Year Too!

stamp by Lockhart Stamp Co.; papers by Graphic 45; gold paint pen; nestabilities; bow easy; Copics; stickles; liquid pearls; SU border punch

Have a wonderful holiday surrounded by the ones you love!  I'll see ya back here in 2010!!

Win $400 worth of products!

Your chance to give a gift to women in need this Christmas!!!

Want to win over $400 in prizes?!? From 7 Kids College Fund!

In exchange for your donation to an organization that helps single moms who are fighting cancer by providing meals, housekeeping, bill-paying assistance and general help during their treatment, I will enter you into the drawing for this awesome prize package below!!! Check out this video below for information on Singleton Moms. Click here to visit their site or click here to make your donation. A donation in any amount will qualify you for the drawing. After you make your donation, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from Singleton Moms. Just forward that e-mail to Tab at 7 Kids College Fund as your entry at 7kidscollegefund@cox.net.
All entries must be received by midnight Christmas day. I will announce the winner on Saturday, Dec. 26. There are just 4 days to make your donation. It can be as little or as much as you like. This is an truly beautiful way to make the season even brighter by helping those who are certainly struggling at time when many of us are celebrating and enjoying life. Plus, you could win a SUPER PRIZE!!!

This treasure trove of prizes includes multiple stamps (Sarah Kay, Crafty Secrets, C.C. Designs, Whiff of Joy, Stampendous, Sassafras Lass, Rachelle Anne Miller and Basic Grey), stickers from Crafty Secrets and Stampendous, Spellbinders dies, Cuttlebug Folders, Sugar Rush paper pad from Basic Grey, Robin's Nest Dew Drops, All-Purpose Ink, Ink Potion No. 9, Distress Stickles, Distress Ink, Glitz Stickles, the complete Kaiser Craft Pina Colada 12x12 paper colllection and the COPIC BASIC MARKER COLLECTION!!!

THIS IS OVER $400 WORTH OF PRODUCT!!!

Thanks bunches---from Tab at 7 Kids and me!!

A Bubbly New Year!!

Hiya Friends & A Happy (not) Snowy Blizzard Sunday to you all!  I'm NOT in NYC due to the nasty 25 inches of snow we got yesterday---BLECH!  We're so disappointed but may try & head up after Christmas for a few days before New Years--we'll see.  Right now all I can dream about is laying on a very warm beach under the sun, LOL!  So hubby is trying to dig us out so we can go to the grocery store since I didn't get much food before cuz I knew we wouldn't be here! Looks like we'll have a white Christmas after all!  This will be the kids first Christmas and hopefully the last one (I prefer no snow of course) LOL!  But we'll make the best of it and we've been watching Christmas movies and making cookies & I've been reading a bunch--so it's all good!  Hope you'll all staying warm & safe this week!  Me I'll be in my pjs as much as I can :o)

Make sure & scroll to the bottom to see both slideshows--one is a few pics of the blizzard and the second is pics of the "ICE" show!

NewsBitz:

-Today is the 9th Day of Christmas at 7 Kids College Fund--and you can SAVE 15% off of all Zva Creative products--go HERE (offer good 12/21 only)!!   And while you're there they also have the BRAND NEW Basic Grey Papers for sale HERE!

-Also 7 Kids College Fund has a HUGE amount of CLEARANCE items that you might want to load up on---you can see it all HERE!

-If you haven't entered for my HUGE-4 Winners "Merry Christmas BLOG CANDY"--you have until Dec. 22nd at midnite (EST) to do so right HERE!!

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Happy New Years!!

Since I'm done with making Christmas Cards this year, I thought I'd make a Happy New Year's set instead for ya!  This cutie pie image is by Stampavie's Penny Johnson & called "Bubbly Bears"--this fun image is perfect for any celebratory occasion ya know (you can see the entire cute collection right HERE--I love them all)!  Of course if you changed the inside sentiment of this card it would be perfect for an anniversary, birthday or wedding card!  I kept the colors simple--just gold & creams and created an aperture card for the Cute Card Thursday Challenge. (aperture means a cut-out on the front of the card with the image or scene on the inside showing thru).

I embossed the cream cs with one of my favorite CB embossing folders called "Textile Texture"--so elegant and paired it with PTI's shimmery gold cs.  The center was cut out using my Nestabilities Labels 1 set--my favorite shape next to the circles and ovals I tell ya---if you get any of them I recommend those 3!!  The flowers are a mix of Primas with gold glitter dot centers, and I tied my ribbon (I used both gold & cream ribbons together) with my Bow Easy.

The image was colored with Copics and the inside dp is by Graphic 4--sentiment is from PTI's "Signature Christmas" set.

Aren't they just the cutest couple?  I colored the champagne in with my gold Spica pen and then added a layer of diamond glaze on top of the glasses, bubbles and their lil' pink noses :o)

Aren't these the cutest lil' candles?  I got a set of 8 of these at my AC Moore store for like $6--they're so fun!  Perfect for party favors or fun little hostess gifts (mine are linen scented but they had a few other scents & colors as well).  I just dressed them up simply with some gold ribbon bows. 

Blizzard 09' Pictures--click to make larger!


ICE show at the Gaylord Pics:


Have a good one & Happy New Year to you all!!

O Holy Night!!

Hi friends & a Happy Thursday to ya!!  I'm off today to National Harbor to see "ICE" at the Gaylord Resort and come snow or high water, we will be on our way to NYC Saturday morning!  Thank goodness for 4-wheel drive, hee hee!  It's supposed to snow in NYC on Christmas Day--my kids are sooo jealous--they've never had a white Christmas before but ya never know.  The weather has been really wacky lately I tell ya!

BTW, I stayed up the night before last to finish an AWESOME book--it was just fabulous.  It's called "Julia's Chocolates" by Cathy Lamb--you have to get thru the first chapter and then it just sucks you in, LOL!  It's a laugh out loud, shocking at times and wonderful story about an odd group of women and what connects them.  A great story about the power of women, friendship, family and love--it is a wonderful read.  If you read it (or have read it already) let me know what you think and which lady you identify with--I'm totally Lydia in a lot of ways, LMBO!  And the breakfast-sausage scene--made me laugh out loud for sure--too funny!!   I'm hoping that Santa really does bring me that Kindle I'm so wishing for cuz' I will be getting her other books downloaded for sure :o)

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NewsBitz:

-I'm having a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year BLOG CANDY for you all to celebrate the year & to thank you for visiting!!  You have until next Tuesday, Dec. 22nd at midnite (EST) to leave a comment on this post ONLY!  THERE WILL BE 4 Winners!!

To enter all you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me ""  What are you most thankful for this year?"

What Can You Win--There Will Be 4 Winners (Each winner will win 1 prize)!!

Prize #1 is a NEW TONIC 12x12 Guillotine cutter (the best in the biz I think--it is fabulous, self-sharpening and accepts 12x12 papers with borders)

Prize #2 is a NEW Bow Easy & $20 Gift Certificate to Susana's Custom Art & Card Design

Prize #3 is (4) digi stamps of your choice from Mo's Digital Pencil, (4) digi stamps of your choice from Pink Cat Studio Digi Store

Prize #4 is a pack of Gina K Luxury cs (120 lb weight), a pack of Gina K colored cs and (2) Magnolia stamps of your choice from Magnolia-licious

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O Holy Night

So this is my last Christmas card of the year (sadly)--and I chose this beautiful image from Magnolia-licious called "Christmas Morning Tilda".  I actually had a dream about this card, hee hee--no lie I tell ya & it turned out exactly like I wanted it to!  I kept the colors all cream with just touches of navy blue.  I embossed 2 layers of cs with my 2 CB folders (holiday ones)--I added stickles in between the stripes of the one embossed layer for sparkle and traced around the larger layer with my Gold Paint Pen.  The sentiment is from PTI's "Silent Night" set and cut out with my Nestabilities Fancy Tags--I added some Gold Bella Baubles, stickles and more gold outlining.  The large bow was made with my Bow Easy of course :o)!!

This gorgeous Tilda (don't ya love her curly, long hair) was colored with Copics and accented with stardust Stickles.  I used these Copic colors:  B39,B37,B26,B21 on her nightgown.  Hope you love her as much as me!

Alrighty I'm off for a few days but will have a post up for you Monday morning (so you won't miss me too much, LOL)!!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Blog Hop--Star, Starry Night!!

Hello everyone & Happy December 17th!!  Christmas spirit is in the air, can you see it, can you smell it--is it putting a smile on your face today!?  I sit every evening and enjoy the glow from the Christmas trees, the smell of potpurri on the stove, have a cup of cocoa (with lots of whipped cream on top) and just breathe a little---helps me calm down from the craziness that can appear in the season ya know.  So I hope you take a small 'breather' to enjoy the season as well--it only comes once a year and it goes by so very fast!

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Mo's Dream Team Blog Hop

Today I have a special New Year's project to share with you as part of Mo's Digital Pencil Dream Team Blog Hop!  This month I'm the hostess and I chose pop-up cards as our theme and Mo so kindly made us a special image to use called "Reach for the Stars".  It's a little New Years baby but the image is so very versatile--for celebrations, new babies, Christmas, etc.!!  So I'm the start of the Blog Hop & at the bottom of this post you'll find the Blog Hop List and who to go visit next!

I decided instead of just a pop-up card that I would create an Explosion or Magic Box that has pop-ups inside for a special New Years treat!  You can find instructions for this HERE (mine is different as I cut out the corner triangles & made it a 9" square)--really easy to make and the inside is up to you, so many beautiful ways you can decorate it!

And this is what happens when you pull the lid off!! SURPRISE!! hee hee  The beautiful "Reach for the Stars" image takes center stage and stars pop-out all around him!  The stars spring with lil' acetate springs-- I used  (overhead) transparencies as my acetate & die-cut a circle out of it, cut it in a spiral and then attached each end to a side of the box.  Then I attached punched-out stars (with stickles on top of course) and lil gem stars--the springing stars use acetate as well but hang freely like shooting stars!

I added a star to his hand as well and glittered it up (the image includes stars but I had cut them off)--I cut a slit thru the dp to attach the main image so it looks nice and clean.  All the dp is from K&Co's "Blue Awning" paired with SU cs and the image was colored with Copics!

My kids just loved this lil' box when I showed it to them---not much wows them nowadays, so that was kind of a cool response from them :o)  I think anyone getting this would just love it and they're not hard to do at all (I will definitely be making more)!

This is the top of the box---I added some more stickled stars and some swirls with my Swirl punch (buy here).  The entire project got a nice spritzing of Smooch Spritz in Gold--a nice & soft shimmer, perfect for a starry night!

I created the sentiment on my computer (yes, I came up with it myself, hee hee)--stamped around it with my "Vintage Labels" set from PTI and then cut out with my Labels 1 Nestabilities.  You can see the soft shimmer of the Gold Smooch Spritz on this realy well.  I hope you liked my project today & hope it inspires you to try out one of these fun boxes for yourself!  And don't forget to stop by the store to check out all of Mo's fabulous digi images HERE!!   Now next on the HOP is LORI!!

Blog Hop Order:

-Suzanne (me, duh, hee hee)
-Lori
-Shell
-Elaine
-Cheryl
-Mina
-Mel
-Kerttu

Enjoy the hop!  And if you have time make sure and stop by Mo's Challenge Team blog to see their Challenge projects for the month and join in on the fun HERE!
See ya back here tomorrow!!

Shake It Up!!

Hiya Friends & Happy Wednesday to ya!!  Is your week going by fast like mine or are you just aching for the weekend to get here, hee hee?  I'm working in my craft room all day today to get my projects finished up for the week and to finish my Christmas cards---eek, gotta get them out in the mail tomorrow!  I swear December 1st comes and all of sudden, you blink and December 24th is here & you're STILL NOT finished with everything, LOL--at least it's that way for me every year!  Last night I had a lil' wine & cocktail party for a few of my best buddies and it was nice to just take a break from everything, eat some yummy food and chat for a bit!  And now the crazies set in today---my to do list before Friday: laundry, packing, mailing, wrapping, driving, working, cooking & possibly some sleep thrown in there somewhere, LOL!  So I'll get on with my post for today so you can go get your crazies out too :o)

NewsBitz:

-Starting in January/February I will be offering Copic Classes online---yes, you heard me correctly, hee hee!  It will be done by a very hightech videocam I got for my laptop & I can have 6 people at a time---you will see and hear me and everything I do & I can see & hear you!  It should be fun!  Once I have it set up & tried out, I will put a schedule up but I will probably do 2 classes a month by computer & 1 "LIVE" in my home class a month  :o)

-Today is the 4th Day of Christmas over at 7 Kids College Fund and today's special is 15% OFF ALL CUTTLEBUG ITEMS!!  Go HERE to see the fabulous selection!!  Use Coupon Code XMASDAY4--only good for today though!!

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Lockhart Notecards & Shaker Tags

Today I've got a fun project for you today using some of my fave Lockhart Stamp Co. Itty Bitty stamps!  I created a fun set of 3 notecards and 3 matching tags that are shaker tags! The tags could be re-used or put on the tree for Christmas--fun to give & recieve.  All of the patterned paper is by SU and my images are colored with Copics.  I kept the layout simple, simple embossing on the white (different with each card) and a fun touch like stickles or snow added.  Quick & easy to make up and a fun set to give!  The tags are made with my Nestabilities shapes (the circles fit the sweet cups perfectly) and SU's "sweet treat cups"(order them HERE for only $2.95 for 12)--I've been wanting to use these for awhile now!

Frosty mitten notecard set---isn't it fun & so wintry, perfect for the holidays or just a hello/birthday card in the winter!  This set uses the Lockhart Stamp "IB Mittens" and inside the shaker box I added MS snow glitter & some blue tinsel glitter as well.  I used my nestability shapes to create the circles and a cuttlebug embossing folder for the background.  The SU sweet treat cups come in packs of 12 & already have adhesive on them--just peel the paper layer off & adhere!

This set uses the Lockhart Stamp "Daisy Cupcake" and I added yellow & pink Doodlebug glitter to the shaker tag!  Some stickles on the cupcake and my Swiss Dots CB embossing folder (on sale here)!  I purposefully left off sentiments from these cards so they could be used for many occasions.

This set uses the Lockhart Stamp "IB Cape Cod House"--perfect for a new neighbor, new home or just a hello card. I added some fun green MS microbeads to the shaker tag and used my Textile Texture CB folder (on sale here) for the background.  I love that lil' mini house and I added some stickles to the house & around the circle!!  These Itty Bitty stamps are so fun to use & quick and easy to color up!

On the back of each shaker tag I stamped the To/From sentiment using my PTI "Holiday Tags" set!  You could whip up a batch of these in a flash I tell ya!

Hope you enjoyed my projects today!  I'll be back tomorrow with a fun Mo's Digital Pencil Blog Hop for ya--we're featuring Pop-Up Cards!!

Tick Tock, The Countdown Clock!!

Happy Tuesday & Happy 10 days until Christmas!!  ACK!!  Are you ready for Christmas yet?  LOL--Thankfully my shopping is all done, decorating has been done, and cookies still need to be made!  Now just to get everything wrapped & we're done!  Friday we're meeting up with my family at National Harbor's Gaylord National Resort to see "ICE"--indoor ice sculptures & slides carved out of ice by Chinese artisans--can't wait--it will be a brrrrrr 9 degrees in there though!!!  Then we're having dinner at "Ketchup"--yes, they have many kinds of ketchup but lots of good food too (fun trivia fact--I love to use ketchup on everything, hee hee)!

Then on Saturday we leave for NYC for a 4 day trip--so excited!  Hopefully this year it won't be as cold as it was last year so we can do the carriage ride around Central Park--last year it was too cold for the horses (and me too).  Riley picked FAO Schwarz for his must-see, mine is "Dylan's Candy Bar" (candy in every brand, shape & color--YUM), Alexa wants to see the Library and James, well he'll just go along with whatever we say, hee hee!  We want to see either "The Nutcracker Ballet" at Lincoln Center or "Wintuk-Cirque Du Soleil"--we're trying to have a family vote to pick, but so far it's a tie, LOL :o) Lucky for us we have "someone" who gets us great tickets last minute & for great prices too!  And of course Rockefeller Center to see the tree, ice skating in Central Park & all the fun holiday windows at the stores!

So this Saturday will probably be my last post before Christmas and I will probably only post 2-3 times after Xmas to enjoy that time with my family.  Then I'll be back on the 4th of January 2010!

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NewsBitz:

-The winner of my Blog Candy is Donna of Indiana Inking---Congrats Donna!  Please email me with your address so I can get your goodies out to you before the holidays!  Thank you to everyone for playing along--I absolutely LOVED reading all of your holiday traditions--made me smile each time :o)

-Susana's Custom Art & Card Design has some awesome NEW products in stock now--NEW Kasiercraft 6x6 paper pads, Metallic Markers and Glitter Papers!

-7 Kids College Fund is running a 12 Days of Christmas Special!  Today is Day #3 and it's 15% OFF SALE on all Pink Cat Studio Stamps and Anything to Mount Stamps With (see all products HERE) on Use Coupon Code XMASDAY3 (THIS SALE IS ONLY GOOD TODAY)!  There are also 52 NEW Tim Holtz stamps in stock HERE & they are all 10% off until December 18th!!!

-On Thursday, Mo's Digital Pencil's Dream Team is having a fun "Pop-Up New Year's" Blog Hop!!  You won't want to miss it!  To view the Dream Team Gallery you can go HERE!

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Try It Out Tuesday #48--A Teen Fashionista Holiday

So today is a Tuesday which means it's another "Try It Out Tuesday #48" for Susana's Custom Art & Card Design store and it's the last challenge of the year!  I challenged the DT to BLING IT OUT--all sparkles, shimmers & shines apply!  This is easy peasy for me since I'm like a magpie and love anything sparkly, hee hee!  I chose to make a gift & card for my daughter--she's a shopaholic like me so this Elisabeth Bell for SCACD image "Fashionista" works perfectly!  I had to make this "teen appropriate" so I used my DCWV/Trimcraft papers which have such fun holiday colors and patterns.  I created a fun card for her and altered a lil' tin to hold a gift card to one of her favorite stores.

I colored her with my Copics and then added lots of stickles to her outfit, bags & shoes and some to the dp!  The swirls are rub-ons from Trimcraft, I added some sparkly glitter dots and then layered punched-out snowflakes with these cool lilac sparkle flowers (picked up in Michael's Wedding aisle).  The fabulous layout is from last week's Friday Sketchers Challenge HERE.  The sentiment is from PTI's "Stocking Prints" set.  (COPICS USED: V08,V06,V12,V00/YR24,Y21,YR20/C5,C3,C2)

I get packs of these lil' hinged tins HERE--they're easy to alter and make fun gift holders for gift cards, candy, jewelry & lots of other things!  I just covered it with papers to match--attached with my Scor-Tape and added another layered snowflake.  Inside it holds a Gift Card to Target (my daughter's card will be to Aeropostale and Borders though--but she was around so I had to use a different gift card, hee hee)!  A perfect gift set for a teen!  I love to alter images to make them fit different occasions--stretches your dollars and makes your stamps super versatile!

Make sure and hop over to the store blog HERE to see the rest of the DT's Blinged Out projects!!

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Copic Creations Challenge Blog--Coloring Pine

© House-Mouse Designs. All Rights Reserved

House-Mouse Designs Inc., P.O. Box 48, Williston, VT 05495

Since it's the 15th of the month that means it's also another Copic Creations Challenge--this time we're coloring pine and our sponsor is House-Mouse Designs!  I used this cute "Peppermint Pals" stamp for my card---these mice are just so cute cuddled up in their pine branch with lotsa yummy candies!  The patterned papers are from Imaginisce and SU--cs by SU & Coredinations.  This fun layout is this week's Mojo Monday Challenge #117---the holly border was done with my MS border punch.

I used these Copic Colors on my pine needles: YG25, G67, G20, G82, YG95!  After coloring the pine I added some stardust stickles to some of the needles for sparkle and the candies got a coat of diamond glaze on them!  And of course I used my favorite Nestabilities to cut out my circles---great deals on them all right HERE!

Now make sure and hop over to the Copic Creations Challenge Blog HERE to see the rest of the DT's projects--they're beautiful!  And if you join in on the fun, you could win a $25 Gift Certificate to House Mouse Designs store!

I'll see ya back here tomorrow!

Gina K "Card Club Kit" Blog Hop!!

Good evening my friends!  I usually post in the mornings but tonight is a special Gina K Card Club Blog Hop put on by the DT!  So lots of fun stuff for you this Sunday evening!  I was so lucky & super thrilled to be asked to be on this DT--what an honor since I admire Gina so much.  She's so kind, talented and I admire her a lot both as a person & a business woman!!

Now you're asking what is the Card Club Kit right?  Well Gina K & Jessica Fick will have special card kits available for purchase that go along with the new stamp sets for each release.  These kits (see HERE) have pre-cut cardstock, card base and ribbons included along with step-by-step directions on how to make the card featured for the kit!  So kinda a one-stop shop--you can buy the stamp set and then buy the card kit and VOILA you've got all the makings for 4 beautiful cards!  Fabulous huh!!  And there is alot of fun coming with these card kits so stay tuned!!

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This message is by our DT leader Jessica Fick:

Welcome to our very first GinaK Card Kit Club blog hop!

We have assembled an amazingly talented group of designers who will be sharing some cards on their blogs tonight, based on December's Card Kits. For this month's hop, I've challenged each artist to design their projects using the same basic sketch and measurements of my class card, but to put their own personal touches on them adding whatever embellishments, patterned papers, etc. that they would like to use!

We know you're going to be thrilled with what each of them came up with for us!

Bev Gerard {Warm and Wonderful}

Colleen Schaan {Life is Good}

Sankari Wegman {Tech Talk}

Suzanne Dean {Warm and Wonderful}

Valerie Stangle {Lovely Shelf}

So let's get started!!

I absolutely adore this new stamp set called "Warm & Wonderful" by Rupa Shevde for Gina K--it has awesome winter images but also some very sweet sentiments that can be used for a lot of special occasions. (See the matching Card Club Kit for this stamp set HERE and see Inspiration Samples HERE)  For this first card I followed the original sketch by Jessica except I flipped it.  I love the sled image (I'm searching endlessly for a real antique sled that I can put on my porch but no luck yet) so I just had to use this one!

I colored with Copics (R29,R89,R24,R22,R20/C5,C3,C2) and then added stickles to the rails on the sled for sparkle.  The patterned paper is from Basic Grey's "Eskimo Kisses" which pairs up beautifully with Gina K's cs "Cranberry Tart" & "Green Apple" colors.  The striped embossing was done with my CB "Candy Cane" embossing folder and the shapes were all done with my Oval Nestabilities.  I colored the mittens from the set and cut them out---I cut off the string part of the image so I could attach some matching embroidery thread to them instead.  Then I just popped 'em up with dimensionals, added some stickles and finished off the card with a bow made with my Bow Easy.  A perfect winter card for a loved one or friend!!

My second card I just used the hot cocoa mug image---I LOVE hot cocoa in the winter, my favorite for sure!  I buy the bulk boxes of the gourmet mixes by Land O Lakes--so yummy & of course I have to have marshmallows AND whipped cream on top, LOL!  This time I followed the sketch a bit, but changed up my main image shape!  I stamped the cup image twice on my white cs in aqua and then stamped another image separately, colored it in with copics and then cut it out.  (copics used R89,R85,R83/E25,E31)  I traced the aqua mugs with stardust stickles for some sparkle, and then on the cut-out cup I added liquid applique to the marshmallows and heated it to puff them up & then smooshed them a little w/ my finger to make them more marshmallow looking, hee hee (make sure you do this first before adding diamond glaze or stickles to the image--trust me when I say it will melt them when you're heating it up--don't ask how I know this, LOL)!

Then I added a healthy coat of diamond glaze or you could use the Crystal Laquer that Gina sells HERE (does the same thing), to the cup for shine and added it w/ more dimensionals! I used a CB "Snowflakes" embossing folder on the white background and then added some stickles to the snowflakes for more sparkle, layered some more Gina K cs in "Ocean Mist" and wrapped it with a ribbon & bow.  I purposely left off a sentiment, so that this can be used for a get well, birthday or thank you card--perfect for many occasions!

Now if you're hopping along in order, up next is the very talented Valerie Stangle!  But if you're starting with me the hop list is above for you to follow!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday evening!!

Santa's Lil' Helper!!

Hello & a Happy Friday to ya!!  Are you excited it's the weekend already?  I sure am--this week has totally worn me out emotionally, mentally & physically I tell ya!  Thankfully we don't have much going on this week, but I DID talk hubby into taking us all to New York City for a few days (well, we're trying to plan it anywho) and stopping in Pennsylvania so I can meet Pioneer Woman---wahooo!  An early Christmas present for me for sure---isn't he the best hubby in the whole world :o)  I love New York City at Christmastime even if you do freeze your buns off, hee hee!  It will be a nice getaway for us before the holiday--we all need a lil' mental health break right now I think!  And I LOVE reading everyone's holiday traditions---how wonderful to read all the different & special ways you celebrate with loved ones--it really picked up my spirit yesterday!!  Hubby has off today so we'll probably go to lunch & finish up those last minute stocking stuffer gifts today while the kids are in school & then I will be all done--yay!

NewsBitz:

-You have until tonight at 11 pm (EST) to enter my Fun "Traditions" Blog Candy Giveaway---just leave a comment on yesterday's post HERE telling me what your favorite holiday tradition is!  One lucky commenter will win a few of my fave products for commenting.  And next week I'll have another larger Blog Candy giveaway as my Xmas gift to you!!

-On Sunday, December 12th there will be a fun Blog Hop for the NEW Gina K Designs Card Club DT--so don't forget to stop by to hop along!!

-Tomorrow I will have a NON-Christmas-y post for ya for those that are tired of all the Christmas projects--hee hee!

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Happy Holidays!

Oh how I adore these My Mind's Eye holiday papers from their "Colorful Christmas" collection--love the whimsical feel & colors of them all!  And paired with this lil' cutie "Santa's Lil' Helper" from Magnolia-licious--isn't she just a doll? (looks like she may be out of stock at the moment at Magnolia-licious, but a few others that would be super cute for this are "Wrapped Tilda" & "Jolly Tilda" or "Edwin Santa's Helper")!!   I created a fun lil' treat holder to go along with this as well--easy to make & a link to the directions are below!

The layout is for this card is this week's Mojo Monday Challenge #116--it's a real fun one!  Tilda is colored with Copics (will get back to you on the colors but the blues are B02,B01,B00).  The sentiment from PTI's "Signature Christmas" was embossed in white.  I had some cs cut-out snowflakes from the paper collection so I added a few with dimensionals & added some stickles for sparkle (stickles on her stockings & apron trim too)!  The bow was made with my Bow-Easy tool of course :o)  Her fur trim has a nice coating of Sparkly Fluff--love that stuff!

The treat holder was made with my Nestabilities Labels 8 die--my friend Tosh has a quick tutorial on making these right HERE.  I made mine one size smaller because I just wanted to fit money inside but this would hold small candies or jewelry as well.  Really easy to make & I love the shape!

She's a real cutie isn't she?  Love her!! 

I'll be back tomorrow with a non-Christmasy gift set for ya!!  Have a fabulous Friday!

Vintage Stocking Stuffers!!

Happy Thursday friends!!  How are you all doing this winter's day?  Are you finished all of your holiday shopping?  I'm THRILLED to say that I am FINISHED with all of my shopping---YAY!!!  The only things left to get are some candy & stocking stuffers--now for the wrapping.  My hubby and I wrap all the presents in one night before Christmas---it's like a wrapping extravaganza, LOL!  We have snacks, watch movies & wrap until we're all done--it's a tradition for us & then we get up off of the floor and we're sore as heck!! But we always have fun :o)

I love having traditions--something to look forward every year ya know.  Like on Christmas Eve, we always go out to dinner--just the 4 of us.  It's a bit of a relaxation present for me since I always fix a huge Christmas dinner for the whole family.  Then we come home and the kids open 2 presents--1 is always new pajamas and the other is a small toy or game--then we get our jammies on, sack out on the couch & watch some Christmas movies and read a new Christmas story before bed!  Then hopefully the kids don't get us up until 7 am, they have to wait upstairs until I've turned on all the Xmas tree lights (all 10, hee hee), turned the Xmas music on and James sets up the video camera.  Then an unwrapping frenzy occurs, James is the lucky "plastic toy getter-outter" (they package stuff like it's gonna go thru a tsunami) and I get breakfast ready which always includes some gigantic, yummy sticky rolls! YUM!  Just a peek into our world during the holidays for ya, hee hee!

What is your favorite holiday tradition?  (If you leave a comment with an answer---some lucky commenter will win a few & new yummy goodies from me that I like to use all the time)!!

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NewsBitz:

-I am happy & so thrilled to announce that I accepted a fabulous position on Gina K's new Card Club Kit's DT!  It will be a fun & creative dt full of inspiring ideas for you, and I can't wait to get started alongside all those talented ladies!!


-You are not seeing spots on my blog, LOL!  That is snow falling (the only kind I like to have around me is the fake kind, hee hee) on my blog :o)  If you too want snow on your blog it's super easy to do--go HERE to get instructions on how to do it (these instructions are for blogger blogs only)

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Vintage Stocking Stuffers!!

So today I've created a fun little gift set for the holidays using a fabulously cute new Holiday Magnolia stamp called "Christmas Eve Tilda" from Magnolia-licious.  There are so many wonderful, new holiday stamps from Magnolia--that it's hard for me to figure out which one's I want to use first, hee hee!  I really like this Tilda though because she can be used for so many other occasions other than the holidays (birthdays, weddings, showers, etc) which makes her uber-versatile!  To go with the card I also made this fun stocking-gift-card holder (you can find the instructions & printable template right HERE)--they're so much fun to make & easy too!  My papers are from Little Yellow Bicycle (red/cream dp), Melissa Frances (brocade ornaments) and SU cs.

For the card I used alot of distressing on this card to go along with the vintage feel---when distressing I use my Tonic Distress Tool (it makes the job very quick & easy) and then I add Ranger Distress Ink (in old paper) to the edges.  Tilda was colored with copics and I added Stickles to her shirt & hairbands.  The music background behind her is a CB embossing folder as is the embossing on the red cs.  I used one of my brand new Fancy Tag Nestabilities for the swirls (I just cut it in half & added it to the edges of my image).  I added some pearls and the sentiment is from PTI's "Stocking Prints" set.

(COPICS USED: Dress-B97,B95,B93,B91/Sash & Cuffs R24,E08,R22,R20/SleevesE41,E42/Hair-E27,E33,E53)  Tip for making NEW Copic Colors--I needed a brick red which copic doesn't make, so to create it I colored with R24 and then added E08 on top to create the red I needed--don't be afraid to layer colors & try color combos out!!  You can add W2/3 to reds also to make them deeper in tone.

This side view shows the paper piecing of the present & then I double stamped her arm/hand to create a raised effect!

This cute lil stocking is actually a gift card holder (see open below) but it also makes a great Christmas ornament.  I like to hand lil gift card holders on the tree for Christmas morning for my kids & hubby and these will look fabulous this year.  So quick & easy to make--just print the template out on your cs (get template HERE), decorate and put together.  I just added all the same elements that I used on my card to the stocking, only change I made to the template was to punch a hole in the corner & thread some cording thru so I can hang it on the tree.

View of it open with the gift card nestled inside---isn't it cute?  The sentiment on the inside is from PTI's "Stocking Prints" set.  So if you're looking for some fun ways to pack up your gift cards--I would highly recommend making these :o) Easy, quick & fun!!

Today is James' grandmother's funeral so I will be out most of the day--thank you again for all your sweet comments & support over the past few days.  I'll see you back here tomorrow!