Spreading Christmas Joy

I saw these cute little lunch box tins at Dollar Tree the other day and I knew they would make perfect teacher gifts. Each tin has 4 3x3 Note Cards, Nugget Box and 30 gift tags. The colors on the tin were kinda hard to match with current SU designer papers, but I found a retired Scrappin' kit "Winter Bright" that worked perfect. I'm always excited about this, as I can use up some stuff I have on hand instead of always needing something new. I did purchase the new Ornament Punch and coordinating Delightful Decorations Stamp set for these tins, which I love. The stamp set and punch can still be purchased through January 4th out of the Holiday Mini Catalog, if you are interested. Now, I just wish I purchased more tins....

Stamp Sets: Delightful Decorations (Holiday Mini), Perfect Presentation (Retired Hostess) Scrappin' Kit: Winter Bright Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi (Retired) and Pretty in Pink. Ink: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Basic Black and Wild Wasabi (Retired) Accessories: SU Silver Ribbon (Retired), Ornament, Snowflake and Small Circle Punch, Rhinestone & Bold Brights Brads, Nugget Box Sizzix Template, Wide Red Ribbon, Cello Bags, Non SU Cuttlebug Snowflake Emboss Die and Lunch Box Tin.

Support our Troops

This time of year it is more important then ever to support our troops and their families as they are separated this holiday season. My three little elves made up a care package for my Uncle, Col. R Fode who is stationed in Kosovo. They had fun making hand made cards, ornaments and goodies....we included a small Christmas tree, candy canes and a snowman photo frame. For an added touch I covered peppermint patties with one of my favorite, now retired Hostess stamp set "Deer Friends." If you know me, I have to stamp something!!! I hope it adds a little Christmas cheer to his deployment!

I have many fun Holiday projects I'll be posting in the days to come that I have been working on. Things have been crazy here so things are not getting posted as fast as I would like. Happy Holidays!

2 of my 3 elves posing by the package, before we mailed it off...(Aiden and Adison)

Cricut Pilgrims

I thought my flower arrangement needed a little more of a thanksgiving touch so I decided to cut out a boy/girl Pilgrim with my cricut, Paper Doll Cartridge. They turned out pretty cute, I just had to share them with you. I hope to have time tomorrow to make a little boy/girl Indian to go with them. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Craziness

Today was such a crazy day, I felt like Turkey with my head cut off. (LOL) I had to get all the ingredients for my Thanksgiving Blessing Mix (Didn't realize how hard candy corns were to find after Halloween...grrr), attend Ashton's school play and conferences, assemble 40 treat bags, finish up the rest of turkey nuggets and flower arrangements and had to get the kids packed for an overnight at grandma's tomorrow. I'm finally able to rest a moment, ugh! Here is the recipe and directions for the Thanksgiving Blessing Snack Mix....enjoy!

Thanksgiving Blessing Snack Mix Recipe
2 cups Bugles brand corn snacks
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup candy corn
1 cup dried fruit bits or raisins
1 cup peanuts or sunflower seeds
1 cup M&Ms-brand chocolate candy
16 Hershey's-brand chocolate kisses

Directions:

In a large bowl, gently mix all ingredients except Hershey's Kisses.

Place 1/3 to 1/2 cup Thanksgiving Blessing Mix in small cellophane treat bags. Add one Hershey's Kiss to each bag. Close bag with chenille stem or twist-tie.

Print 4 copies of the Thanksgiving Blessings Mix printable gift tag or or bag toppers, or hand-write your own tags with the wording below.

Cut out tags, and attach one to each bag.

Makes 16 Blessing Mix gift bags

Tag:

Thanksgiving Blessing Mix

Bugles: Shaped like a cornucopia or Horn of Plenty, a symbol of our nation's abundance.

Pretzels: Arms folded in prayer, a freedom sought by those who founded our country.

Candy corn: Sacrifices of the Pilgrims' first winter. Food was so scarce that settlers survived on just a few kernels of corn a day.

Nuts or seeds: Promise of a a future harvest, one we will reap only if seeds are planted and tended with diligence.

Dried fruits: Harvest gifts of our bountiful land.

M&Ms: Memories of those who came before us to guide us to a blessed future.

Thanksgiving Blessing Snack Mix

Tag: I used oval punch to make the pumpkin, retired SU Punch for the stem, sponge dobber to accent the pumpkin with Chocolate chip ink, attached with SU Ribbon.

Back of Tag: I printed the Thanksgiving Blessing

Turkey Mum

"Fun Turkey Flower"

Thanksgiving Treats

As promised yesterday I am posting two projects I made last night. The first one is a "nugget" turkey. They are so much fun!! The second is a Pilgrim box I saw on splitcoast awhile ago and I knew I had to make a couple for teacher "Thanksgiving" gifts. Here is the link to the tutorial, it is awesome. http://dreamcreateandshare.blogspot.com/2009/09/last-one-pilgrim.html. This gal has made some awesome treat bags for all the seasons, great web site to check out!

Turkey Treats

1 3/4 Circle in Chocolate Chip Cardstock, 3/4 Square in Crushed Curry Cardstock, cut into 4ths and folded (beak), 1 1/4 Square Basic Black (hat), Scrap Paper cut for base of hat, 1/4 square black cut for buckle, Flower Punch (Retired) Ruby Red (Waddle), Scallop Punch Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry and Tangerine Tango Cardstock, Cut free hand white strip for on hat, Googlie Eyes and Chocolate Chip Ribbon (Retired) to wrap around candy.

This and That

Today I'm posting a couple quick projects I've been working on. The first one is a Hello Kitty cup. I found these cool cups that you can add inserts into at the Dollar Tree so I thought they would make fun stocking stuffers for the kids. I plan on making several different themes....I'll be posting them soon, I hope! Then I finished up making some quick thank you's for Ashton. Yes, her party was over a month ago and we are just getting them out....a little late is better then never, right? I'm looking forward to the day I can get back on track and not feel like I'm 10 steps behind. I'm having a hard time adjusting to Thanksgiving being next week, ugh! I had great plans for getting goodie bags ready for the kids' classes, I better get moving on them.

Hello Kitty Cup

Project Details: Hello Kitty Cut out with Circut Hello Kitty Cartridge, Non SU Paper

Love Bug Thank You's

Stamps: Love Bug (Hostess), Just So Sayings (Retired) Cardstock: Whisper White Ink: Basic Black Accessories: SU Markers

Desperate Search

This was the most difficult card I've ever had to make, not that it was complicated by many layers or embellishments. It was difficult as I was making it for someone special, a family friend....someone who is desperately searching for her missing husband who vanished November 7th in Pierre South Dakota campground. Tonight as I write this, I checked for web updates on his status....I'm sorry to say his body has been recovered this afternoon from the Missouri River north of Pierre. They believe he had a seizure and fell into the water. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Wham family this evening!

Stamp Set: SU Very Versatile Stamp Set Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Brocade Blue Accessories: SU Sponge and Retired Chocolate Ribbon.

Witch's Hat

I saw these the other day and I knew I had to make some. I used scraps of Retired Designer Halloween Paper I had on hand. These hats were quick and easy to make and they are just too darn cute not to share. Here is a great tutorial I found...I did make my circles a tad bit bigger as I didn't want to see the Peanut Butter Cups sticking out of the bottom of the hat. Yes, my OCD was kicking in...Enjoy!

(http://tamarrastamps.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/which-witch-are-you-a-good-witch-or-a-bad-witch----tuesday-tutorial.html)

Paper: Halloween Night, Creepy Crawly and Rockibily Specialty (All SU Retired) Basic Black Cardstock Misc: SU Scallop Punch, Sticky Strip and Peanut Butter Cups

Trick or Treat

More Trick or Treat Goodies are in the works for the kids to take to their Halloween Parties on Friday. I bought Mini Play Doh for Aiden and Adison's preschool class, used my favorite Halloween Stamp Set "Batty for You" to decorate them. I just matched up my SU ink to coordinate the color with the lids. This was very quick and easy....I even got the kids involved with layering and punching out the circles. I did have to use Sticky Strip to adhere them to the plastic lid, though. I also made a 2, 4, 6, 8 Acetate Box, which I filled with chocolate eye balls. I only ended up making one of these as I ran out of acetate....never fails! Then Ashton wanted to give out pencils to her class and I found these spider rings at Wal-mart that I thought would work great to hold the three pencils together. As I am sitting her right now I just remembered I have a cute spider stamp I could use to add a tag to each of the pencils sets...fun! I'll have to get right on that! I have lots more projects I have to get done before Friday....so, I better get busy!

Halloween Treats

Freaky Frankenstein Treats

I am finally starting to work on Halloween treats....we recovered from Ashton's bowling party last weekend and went right into the H1N1 flu. The twins got it Monday and took me down with them, I spent 3 days laying with them on the couch. I can honestly say we didn't move much! Ashton never got it and continued going to school, amazing! So, far no one in her class has come down with it....all the washing and hand sanitizer must be paying off. Way to go Mrs. Palczewski! The treats I made today are inspired by my chipboard Frankenstein treat boxes from last year. I decided to make goodie bags instead. These chocolate candy "body parts" are super hard to find this year, I used three candies per bag which works great. (Boxes took a whole bag) Plus these goodie bags are much quicker and as the Halloween Parties are fast approaching, I must move fast. Enjoy!

Cardstock: Pixie Pink, Lovely Lilac, Old Olive, Whisper White and Basic Black Ink: Old Olive, Pixie Pink Punches: 1", 1/2" & 3/4" Misc: SU Sponge Dobbers, Black Marker, White Gel Pen, Small Cello Bags, Top Note Sizzix Die.

Last Years Treat Boxes

Bowling T-Shirts

Bowling Shirts are complete and I LOVE them!!! My husband was so pleased he thought we needed to each wear one to the party. I can't wait to see my oldest daughter's face tomorrow morning, as I was having problems today getting the iron on's to print correctly and I was about to give up. I had today to get everything ready as I work tomorrow, I was really feeling the pressure. After I found the right software to download, which I was happy to discover was free, the process was simple. Yeah!! We decided to split the girls into teams and each girl will get a Green or White shirt depending on what team she'll be on. Each team will get awards and prizes, which I'm still in the process of working on. The goodie bags are finally together and I added a special laminated book mark for each of the girls with their name on it, with a cute little saying on the back thanking them for coming. It should be a fun day....I just hope Mom and Dad survive!

T-Shirts

Bookmarks

Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzaz Stamp Set, Non SU Clear Stamp Lettering Ink: Kiwi Kiss (retired), Pixi Pink, Brilliant Blue Cardstock: Whisper White and Brilliant Blue Misc. Supplies: SU Gitter, 2-Way Glue Pen, Small Circle Punch and Glue Dots. These Bookmarks are Laminated and tied with non SU Ribbon.

Bowling Party

Party planning is underway for Ashton's 8th Birthday Party. We decided after weeks of deliberating on a Bowling themed party, after last year I was determined to have a party away from the house! We don't any more accidents or incidents in 2009! I made the invites last night with my Circut and SU's circle 3/4 circle punch. I printed the details on the back and used my SU corner rounder...couldn't have been easier! I was happy with how they turned out. I just hope the T-shirts we are making for all the girls work out that nicely.

Scrapbooking Memories

Things have been a little shaky in our lives this year....we seem to go from one major event to another. I didn't post the last major event as I didn't want to really talk about it until we recovered, I'm happy to say on Friday our house is finally back together after yet another water incident. (If you didn't' know we flooded March 22nd) On August 22nd, our 12th anniversary I was making a special breakfast for the family. I asked our youngest daughter to bring up some milk, she came running upstairs yelling...."it's leaking downstairs?" My husband and I run downstairs to find water pouring through the ceiling...our dishwasher was dumping water!!! Needless to say our house has been riped apart once again, the worst part is I did loose a lot of scrapbooking stuff along with piles of pictures that were stacked on the bar to save them from the first flood. (Some that will never be replaced) I was sick! Many tears were once again shed! I haven't been able to focus on my Stamping as I once was, which I have been very sad about. So, when my girlfriend asked me to go to Medora, ND to scrapbook last weekend I had to say yes! I'm proud to say I finished my 6x6 scrapbook for my kids of our journey with raising chickens, it has been such a positive experience through a very difficult year and I wanted them to have something special to remember them by, years down the road. The kids were thrilled and I was ecstatic to enjoy some R&R with some wonderful people, doing what I love. Enjoy!

My Studio Digital Scrapbooking

Two words to describe "My Studio Digital Scrapbooking" by Stampin' Up.....LOVE IT! If you would like more information about how to order it, please let me know. I'm offering an incentive for all orders in October because I want everyone to appreciate how awesome this program is. Not just for scrapbookers, also card making and lots of projects at the tip of your fingers. (Even access Stampin' Up exclusive stamp sets, punches and embeleshments digitally.) Here is a project I threw together in 5 minutes...I saw these pictures today of Ashton (my daughter) with Grandma Judy, brought tears to my eyes as grandma will be forever missed. My goal is to make a scrapbook for each of the kids with pictures of them with Grandma....this would be something I would talk about, but never have time to complete. With "My Studio Digital Scrapbooking" this goal is going to become reality!!

Apple of My Eye

Teachers have a big job and I love showing them just how special they are! So, today I started working on my first day of school "teacher" gifts. I made some quick note cards with my cricut today, using Doodlecharms & Base Camp Cartridges. I even embossed the leaf with my cuttlebug using a swirl emboss folder. For an added touch I sponged around the apple to show off a little more dimension, hard to see in photo. I plan on putting these in an small apple basket with some school supplies and maybe some fresh apples. It is hard to believe school starts next week....I don't think I'm ready!

Stamp Sets: NONE Ink: NONE Paper: SU Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Yo Yo Yellow Cardstock Accessories: Cricut Doodlecharms & Base Camp Cartridges, Cuttlebug Swirl Emboss Folder, SU Sticky Strip and 2 way glue.

Something Sweet

I'm finally feeling like my self again, I've been sick for over a month and I think the doctor's finally have a handle of what is going on! Yeah! I'm excited that I don't have to have surgery right now, I'll know more in 4 weeks, but right now I'm enjoying getting back to being me!!

I've been wanting to make this milk carton tote for some time. I finally broke down and ordered the tutorial from Inking Idaho today http://www.inkingidaho.blogspot.com/ If you haven't done so already, I recommend it! These are so much fun...I plan on making a couple more of these to have on hand for quick easy gifts. I cased this design from Love to Stamp and Scrap, you can find it here @ http://lovetostampandscrap.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!

Stamp Sets: Best Yet Ink: Rich Razzelberry Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry Cardstock & Razzelberry Lemonade Designer Paper Accessories: Scallop, Key Tag, Ticket Punch, Horizontal Slot, 1 3/4 Circle & 1 1/4 Circle Punches, White Gel Pen, Small Hand Held Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Melon Mambo Polka Dotted & White Ribbon, Paper Cutter with Scoring Blade.

Lots of Bots

I kind of feel like a robot these days, just going through the emotions of life. This has been a very hard year for us and it doesn't seem to end.....to cheer myself up, I headed down to my craft room with a glass of wine and decided to try out my new Lots of Bots Stamp Set. I soon had a smile across my face....these robots are fun!

Stamp Sets: Lots of Bots and Riviting (Retired) Paper: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Brilliant Blue, Whisper White Cardstock Ink: Black Stazon and Brilliant Blue Accessories: Dusty Durango Polka-Dotted Ribbon, In Line Color & Brilliant Blue Markers, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen, Scallop and Circle Punches, Non SU Cuttlebug Rugged Lines and Birthday Numbers Emboss Folder and Cricut Base Camp Stamp (In Blue)

Stamp Sets: Lots of Bots Paper: Rockabilly Specialty Designer Paper, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Basic Black and Basic Gray Cardstock Ink: Basic Black and Rich Razzleberry. Accessories: Spiral & Curly Label Punch, Dimensionals, Rich Razzleberry, Burmuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry & Basic Gray Markers, Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dotted Ribbon.

So In Love

Two cards I made today with my all time favorite In Line Color....Rich Razzleberry. What I love even more is the ribbon that coordinates, yummy! The new In Line Color Markers are fabulous...I've used them so much already, I could go on and on. Stampin' Up has really out done themselves this time. I just wish I had less going on this summer and more time to stamp!!!

Stamp Sets: Kind & Caring Thoughts Stamp Set Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand and Whisper White. Accessories: Rich Razzleberry & Always Artichoke Markers, Mat Pack, Eyelet Border & Horizontal Slot Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dotted Ribbon.

*This card was cased by Brenda Keenan (http://www.keenankreations.blogspot.com/)

I just switched up the colors.

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts Ink: Rich Razzleberry & Basic Black Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White and Basic Black Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch

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Crazy Day

Today our babies turned 5, I can hardly believe it! Today has been filled with all kinds of fun stuff...we put up an above ground pool (Insert frustrated face), had big early morning breakfast with presents, spent the afternoon at McDonald's playland (due to rain) and now we are onto dinner and cake with family. Oh, I can't forget swimming in the new pool after dinner.....Brrrr!!! I'm sure it will be short lived be bring lots of smiles.

Due to the craziness of the day, the cards I made are cased from two splitcoast stampers, tomorrow when I have more time I will give credit. (Sorry) I just switched out either colors or stamp sets. The first one I plan on making with each of the new In Line Colors tomorrow, great way to show off our new colors and ribbon! Plus they were simple to make! Off to get the dinner out of the oven......

Happy Birthday Aiden and Adison!

New In Color Rich Razzleberry