Gift Card Holder

I saw this Coffee Cup somewhere and knew I had to make one myself.  Great "Secret Santa" gift!  I made my own template and I have to admit it turned out pretty cute!  I kept it simple and just attached the Starbucks giftcard with the Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine.  The pretty Snowflake Punch can be found on Stampin' Up Clearance Rack right now, found here.  Enjoy~

Starbucks Gift Card Holder
Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Whisper White  Punches:  Snowflake*  Misc. Items:  Bakers Twine
*Items found in the Stampin' Up Clearanc Rack 

Got Merry?

I love this Hot Chocolate Gift Set.  I found a tutorial here on how to make this amazing coffee cup.  I put my "Christmas" spin on it....fantastic!  I want to remind everyone that Stampin' Up still has a big Clearance Rack Sale going on up to 80% off, for a limited time.  I am proud to say I used Good Morning Sunshine (Retired) Designer paper I found on the clearance rack $3.99 (Reg. $10.95) for the cup.  You can also find the small tag punch $9.59 (Reg. $16.95) and tag punch $9.59 (Reg. $16.95) plus tons of other items.  Check out  Stampin' Up Clearance Rack.....all items are limited to stock on hand, so don't delay!

Cardstock:  Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White  Designer Paper:  Good Morning Sunshine* (Retired)  Stamp Sets:  Got Treats and Christmas Punch (Retired)  Punches:  Small Tag*, Tag*, Wide Oval*  Misc SU Items:  Silver & Cherry Cobbler Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Scor-Pal, Cello Bags  Non SU Items:  Hot Chocolate Mix, Marshmallows and Candy Cane
*Items found on Clearance Rack

Snowman Ornament

Since it started snowing today and finally looks like December outside, in good Ole' North Dakota.  (Believe me, I am not complaining, I love this October weather we've been having.)  I decided it was time to dig out my Iridescent Snowflakes....out popped a snowman!  

Cardstock:  Pumpkin Pie (Nose), Basic Black (Hat, Eyes), Whisper White (Snowman Body), Chocolate Chip (arms) and Real Red (Hat accent)  Punches:  2 1/2 Circle, 1 3/4 Circle (For size up Treat cup and head), 1/4 Circle (eyes) and Itty Bitty Shapes.  Misc. SU Items:  Circle Treat Cups (12 for $2.95), Rhinestone, Black Marker, Stampin Pastels (Chalks/cheek color), Ribbon, and Glue Dots.  Non SU Items:  Iridescent Sprinkles Snow Flakes, Gypsy Wanderings Cartridge for snowman hat and arms. 

Advent Countdown

This Advent Countdown I have used for many years*....I thought maybe I would skip it this year and do something a little different.  Well after many "Pleas" from the kids, I hung it up.  Then the fun job was to come up with 25 fun things for them to do.  Since they are getting older, I wanted to incorporate some bible verses with a little more meaning.  Hope this will inspire you to make each day in December just a little extra special. 

Advent Count Down

December 1st:  (A Quarter) Equals 25 cents.  But 25 also stands for the number of days until Christmas, when God gave us his best present.  Jesus told about one woman's gift and the way she gave it.  (Mark 12:41-44)

December 2nd:  (Grape Gum)  Grapes make Jelly and Juice, Raisins and Wine.  Jesus didn't need grapes to perform his first miracle.  (John 2:1-10)

December 3rd:  Here's a smile!  (Smile Stickers)  A smile, usually expresses happiness.  Jesus gave us many instructions to keep happy.  (Matthew 5:1-10)

December 4th:  (Gummy Fish) Fish! Well, if you were surprised to find these fish, wait till you read the story today.  Others were surprised to find fish, too.  (Luke 5:4-7)

December 5th:  (Birthday Candle, make cupcakes) As you know we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday.  However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to this candle...light!  (Matthew 5:14-16)

December 6th:  (Noise Maker)  You can make some noise with this.  But it would not have bothered a certain man, until he met Jesus  (Mark 7:31-37)

December 7th:  (Small snack & Multiplication Game)  These would not go very far if you were really hungry, especially if you had to share them with your whole class.  Jesus could make so much out of so little.  Surely he knew how to multiply.  (Matthew 14:13-21)

December 8th:  (Cotton Balls)  These Cotton Balls would be helpful in a thunderstorm, wouldn't they?  We could use them to muffle the loud noises that thunder makes.  We know someone who doesn't need cotton.  Jesus can control the weather.  (Matthew 8:23-27)

December 9th:  (Map, Scavenger Hunt)  Without this map, you would not be able to find the treasure.  Don't get lost, loose the treasure!  (John 14:1-6)

December 10th:  (Soap)  It's Soap!  Do you like to wash?  Behind your ears?  Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus.  (John 9:1-7)

December 11th:  (Hearts, Make Cards with Hearts Stamped on Them)  Wordlessly, they speak of love, don't they?  Jesus spoke some commandments about love.  (Matthew 25:17-41)

December 12th:  (Crosses to Decorate)  We use the cross to symbol, represent Jesus.  Do you know why?  (Philippians 2:1-11)

December 13th:  (Ordinary Salt, project with Salt)  Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior.  He also gave us some advice .  (Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 4:6)  **Notice that he doesn't recommend pepper.

December 14th:  (Sand, sand art project)  Don't try to eat it!  It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture, about buildings....about building lives.  (Matthew7:24-29)

December 15th:  (Flowers, place on our loved ones graves)  Flowers are pretty!  Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson  (Matthew 6:28-34)

December 16th:  (Raisins)  Many Children are given raisins instead of candy for a snack.  That's because they are health-promoting and a delicious fruit.  Jesus told us how we can produce good fruit.  (John 15:1-5)

December 17th:  (Bag of different types of seeds we eat)  Jesus told a story about seeds that man planted.  Then explained it revealing it's deep meaning.  (Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23)

December 18th:  (sing songs & bake Christmas cookies) Christmas is just about a week away.  Sing songs to celebrate and sing loudly.  (Psalms 100)

December 19th:  (Stone, make bread)  Can you change this stone into a piece of bread?  Do you think Jesus could?  Jesus was asked to just that.  Do you know how he handled it?  (Matthew 4:1-4)

December 20th:  (Aluminum Foil)  Try to smooth out this aluminum foil and use it as a mirror.  It is hard to see your reflection plainly, isn't it?  Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear.  (1 Corinthians 13:12)

December 21st:  (Volunteer Bell Ringer)  Mustard seed is the smallest there is!  When it sprouts, it grows into the largest plant. Even the littlest acts of kindness can make a huge difference  (Matthew 3:13-17)

December 22nd:  (Bird, purchase a pet bird)  We've learned that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for?  (Matthew 3:13-17)

December 23rd:  (Make Stockings)  The treads that compose this fabric came from wool of a sheep.  Jesus called himself a good Shepherd.  Do you know who his sheep are?  (John 10:7-18)

December 24th:  (Marble, play Marble Game)  Do you know what is sometimes called the "Big Blue Marble"....The world.  God made the world for us.  What does he continue doing to the world?  Who is the world?  (John 3:16)

December 25th:  (Baby, we place baby Jesus in the manger)  Jesus was born a baby, just like each one of us.  He came to make the whole world happy!  (Luke 2:1-20)

*For more information and instructions on how to make this great Advent Calendar check out links under Project Templates.

Getting in the Christmas Spirit

Funny how the cold winds blow and the threat of snow, makes you start getting in the Christmas Spirit.  To make the best of the icky ND weather today, I snuggled up with a warm cup of coffee and started letting my creative juices flow. 

Stamp set: The Sounding Joy
Ink: Purely Pomegranate Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Gold  Tools/Accessories: Square Lattice Emboss Folder, Gold Glory Emboss Powder, Top Boss Emboss Pad, Pomegranate Ribbon, Heat Gun and Dimensionals

Stamp set: Warmest of Wishes, Stitched Stockings
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green
Paper: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green
Tools/Accessories: Stocking builder punch, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

Stamp Set: Pines & Poinsettias, Teeny Tiny Wishes (Retired)
Ink: Chocolate Chip 
Markers:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Garden Green
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Always Artichoke

Stamp set: Pines &Poinsettias, Bold & Basic Greetings (Retired) Ink: Real Red, Cherry Cobbler, Chocolate Chip Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Paper Tools/Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones & Markers

Petite Pennants + Pennant Parade= Endless Possibilities

Love, Love, Love my new Petite Pennant Punch Builder and stamp set Pennant Parade.  I had a blast making up these fun, simple, quick cards.  The possibilities are endless and I can't wait to use these ideas in my scrapbooks.

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade & Curvy Verses  Cardstock: Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Whisper White and Bashful Blue Designer Paper.  Ink: Calypso Coral, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade.  Misc. Items: 1 3/8 Cricle and Petite Pennants Builder Punch.

Stamp Set:  Pennant Parade  Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White and Big Top Birthday Designer Paper Ink:  Pacific Point, Real Red and Daffodil Delight.  Misc. Items: Dotted Emboss Folder, Dimensional, 1 3/4 Circle Punch and Itty Bitty Punch Pack

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White.  Ink:  Bashful Blue, Wisteria Wonder and Certainly Celery.  Misc Items:  Twine, Petite Pennant Punch Builder and Dimensionals

Stamp Set: Pennant Parade  Cardstock:  Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White.  Ink: Wild Wasabi, Real Red and Daffodil Delight  Misc Items:  Dotted Emboss Folder, Red Ribbon, Real Red & Chocolate Chip Marker.

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)