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.