String of Hearts

Sweet 'n Sassy stamps is having a big release on the first! Clear sets as well as some adorable digis, perfect for Valentines or just for the ones you love. Here is one of them, her name is Melanie Mouse, isn't she sweet? I put tiny pearls in the middle of her string of hearts, sewed on some ribbon and buttons and did some dry embossing. How are you re-adjusting to getting back into the normal routine after the holidays? I am still trying to find my routine! Tomorrow night we are hosting a New Year's Eve party so I have lots to do to get ready for that....hugs.

Pretty Poinsettas

Don't you just love it when you find a new way to use your supplies?! I figured out that I love using this Spellbinders label as a mat and will have to remember to do it again, isn't it pretty? I used the December birth flower, Poinsetta from Sweet 'n Sassy stamps for my focal image, colored with Copics and trimmed out. The top flower is popped up with foam tape. I finally got my sewing machine back out too and did some stitching around the edges. My labels were embossed with the Damask cuttlebug folder. I hope you like it! Hugs...

Snowflake Joy Card

I love making non-traditional Christmas cards and this is one of them for this year. I used the beautiful Winter Lace cartridge and the Joys of the Season cartridge to create my card. Here's how I did it:

Using the Winter Lace cartridge I cut Accent 1 at 3 1/2". * TIP* Since the snowflakes on this cartridge are so detailed and intricate, cutting them at a bit larger size makes for less tearing and having a clean cut. Also, be sure your mat is clean, sticky (but not too sticky!) and you have good sharp blades in. Also, remove cuts with the Cricut spatula, you'll thank me:)*******

I then cut 3 Jacks lyr snowflakes which are solid so a smaller cut is fine, at 1 1/2".

Using the Joys of the Season cartridge I selected the Joy sentiment and cut it at 1 1/2".

I then embossed my solid snowflakes with my Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots folder and used Stardust Stickles to give them some shine.

Thanks for visiting us and don't forget to visit Scrapbook Pal and order some goodies:)

TT#29- Criss Cross

This week's Tuesday Throwdown challenge is a fun one; make a criss cross card! For my card I decided to make it a gift as well with a tag that pulls out and holds a gift card. I did a bit of stamping, trimming and glittering and like how it came out. I used a Kim Hughes Christmas stamp set for my images. Be sure to hop on over the BLOG and join us this week...there is always a great prize up for grabs. Hugs....

Special Friend

Hi! It feels like forever since I've posted something new:) I'm all moved into our lovely home and am so thankful to be getting all settled right before Christmas. I have my craft area up and running and it sure does feel good to be creating again! For my share today I created this card that will go with a gift package I am making for a friend. It coordinates with the mini pizza box I made for the Handmade Christmas blog hop. My friend loves tea (as do I) and I thought this paper and Prima goodies made it perfect. The paper is from SEI, the pretty ribbon and lace trim and rose is from Prima and of course I had to use a few Dew Drops. I also used a Cuttlebug embossing folder to one of my mats that I cut using my Cricut. Be sure to go visit the Your Memories Here store to pick up some last minute gifts! I hope you are enjoying all the things that go along with the holiday season...remember the true reason for the season! Hugs....

Handmade Christmas Blog Hop!

BLOG HOP PRIZE PACKAGE!

Here's a list of all the goodies you could win:

Snow Fun kit from Pebbles
Set of Pebbles Chalks
Pebbles Chalk Eraser tool
Cuttlebug Embossing folder
Prima Glistening Vines
Prima Poinsettia
Prima Jenuine Collection tissue/crochet flowers
Prima Say it in Studs and Pearls embellishments
Imaginsice Snowy Jo Stocking stamp set
Imaginsice Snowy Jo Happy Holiday stamp set
Imaginisce Snowy Jo Believe stamp set
Webster's Pages Petite Papers Waiting for Santa/ Sweet Season combo pad
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glaze in Champagne

Welcome to the Your Memories Here Handmade Christmas blog hop! You have all weekend to hop along, Sunday evening the winner of the prize package will be drawn. If you came from Kristina's blog you are on the right track....to be entered to win the yummy blog hop candy you need to visit each of the DT's blogs and leave a comment.

For my handmade gift I chose to make a mini pizza box that is filled with a dozen Hershey's Dark Chocolate Almond nuggets. Yum! (sorry for the glare, those nuggets are shiny!) This was a really fun and easy project and just the perfect thing to give as a quick but thoughtful gift this season. I used some gorgeous SEI paper for my box and then embellished it with the Prima Wings stamp set, Prima trim, Dew Drops and some Pebbles chalk. Be sure to visit all the DT's blogs to be entered to win the prize package! Your next stop is the Your Memories Here Blog. Thanks so much for dropping by!

Precious Gifts Abound

Babies are of course a precious gift, but so is a new home that is filled with the pattering of my two little ones and is now all settled in and waiting for baby #3. I am so thankful to have my internet back on and to be back out in blog land! Here is a little card I did a few weeks ago for a friend that had her first baby, a little girl, not to long ago. I used the Precious Baby stamp set , also available as a digi set, from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.

Our family has been celebrating Advent this year with a special time set aside for it each night before I tuck my kiddos into bed. What a blessed time that has been! So many precious things to be thankful for...a new home, waiting for my new baby and more than any of those the amazing gift of Jesus Christ, humbling Himself for our sakes and coming as a baby just like each of us do to enter this world. We are each year establishing more and more traditions and meaning into the crazy holiday season and it is such a rewarding endevor to see my children light up when they remember something that we've done before. Adding to this year's annual gingerbread cookie making we are going to celebrate baby Jesus' birth with a cake and sing to Him on Christmas day, Zach is already very much looking forward to it.

I hope you will all take time to look around for the gifts that abound in your life and embrace them. Hugs....

3D Snowflake Ornaments

I love the Winter Lace cartridge available at Scrapbook Pal for a fabulous price, and there are lots of 3D snowflakes that you can make very easily. In fact, I was quite surprised at how easy they were! These would make lovely ornaments for your Christmas tree, as packaging embellishments and for gifts! Here's how I made mine.

Using the Winter Lace cartridge cut 3D2 image at 4". I cut mine twice so that none of the white back of the paper would show and adhered them together. You could also use heavy double sided cardstock.

Cut3D5 at 3" following the above and cut 3D8 at 3 1/2".

Once they adhered together (I used Scotch quick dry liquid adhesive as it doesn't run and does dry quickly) I punched a small hole in the tops of 3D2 and 3D5 and set an eyelet to reienforce the hanging hole, but on the 3D8 snowflake there isn't room, so I used a 1/16" hole punch and it is still pretty sturdy since I layered each snowflake.

*TIP*

It's best to cut these snowflakes at larger sizes so your cuts don't rip and are able to cut cleanly. I had absolutely no trouble at the above sizes.

When your snowflakes are assembled thread a piece of twine, ribbon or wire through your hole to hang them by and then you can embellish them or leave them just the way they are. I used Stardust Stickles on one of my snowflakes to give it more shine, but left the other two showing off the shimmery cardstock I used. Hope you get a chance to make some of your very own snowflakes...keep warm.

I'm Alive!! I really am:)

Hi everyone:) Well, I feel like it's been FOREVER since I've been able to blog, leave comments on all of your fabulous blogs and well, just be here. The move went great...it was crazy busy but I managed (with the help of my best friend and family) to get the house in order and totally out of boxes in about 5 days! So now we are settling into our new home and LOVE it. It really is such a huge blessing to be in our own home once again. The last thing we are waiting for is internet. It's driving me nuts not having it available whenever I want...oh the things we get dependent on:) But, it is suppose to be back on sometime tomorrow...so I hope to be back sharing things and coming to visit you all very soon! I'll share some pics of our new home too, including my wonderful scrap closet...HUGS.

Scrapbook Pal Holiday Blog HOP!

Welcome to the holiday Scrapbook Pal blog hop!! One lucky hopper will win a Cricut cartridge of their choosing from Scrapbook Pal just by commenting on each DT members blog and finishing up by commenting on the Scrapbook Pal blog. Did you know Scrapbook Pal offers free shipping on orders just $25 or more! Plus they have great customer service and quick shipping times:)

I love working with all the different Cricut cartridges out there and for my holiday project I decided to make a votive candle box, stamped candles and a matching card. I got to play with the brand new Winter Lace cartridge which is chalk full of gorgeous snowflakes! Here's instructions on how I made my gift ensamble.

CANDLE BOX:

*To make box you'll need two sheet of heavy cardstock. Cut one at 4 1/8" X 8 1/2" (LID) and the other at 5 1/2" X 10" (BOTTOM) For the LID score on all sides at 3/4" and snip each of the four corners up to the score lines. For the BOTTOM scor on all sides at 1 1/2" and snip each of the four corners.

*If desired die cut a window in the LID using a Spellbinders die.

*Assemble box LID and BOTTOM, set aside.

BOX EMBELLISHMENTS

*Using Winter Lace Cricut cartridge cut accent 3 at 2 1/4" and at 3" and again two times at 1 3/4".

*Layer the two bigger snowflakes together and adhere with foam tape. Adhere to box top.

*Arrange smaller snowflakes on opposite side of box lid and adhere.

*Using Joys of the Season cartridge cut the bird from page 35 at 2 1/2". Emboss bird with Damask embossing folder. Adhere.

CARD

*Using Winter Lace cut accent 6 at 3 1/2". Cut accent 3 at 2 1/2" and layer the two snowflakes together.

* Cut bird from Joys of the Season on page 35 at 2 1/2". Emboss with Damask folder.

*Emboss card base with Swiss Dots embossing folder.

*Finish all embellishments with rhinestones and Frosted Lace Stickles.

Here are the rest of the DT's blogs to hop onto to! Thanks for joining us:)

Crystal

Jamie

Amy

Tomi Ann

Rowena

Cheryl

Tammy