Christmas gifts

DH came in and told me he needed cards for some gift cards he bought.....DH never goes shopping so I was in shock he took the time to get the kids movie & dinner gift cards. He always makes comments that since I have $80,000.00 worth of stamping supplies I should be able to whip something out SO I figured if I wanted to make it to 100,000.00 worth I probably should make him some...LOL. I found a tutorial I liked from a tutorial link on Allison's blog(I am sorry for not remembering who's blog it was I linked too, I tried to find it again with no luck). I added cardstock to the back of the card to fit better into a 5x5 envelope. The concept for the base is the same as this link.

I couldn't post this before Christmas cuz my SIL reads my blog and I didn't want her to see what I was doing. These are the Friendship Tea jars I made for my SIL's. The idea came from Anna Wight , who has a link on her blog to the recipe. I added red hots & lemon drops and because my tea came pre-sweetened I did not add more sugar. I did straighten all the ribbons on the lid before I gave them out. Thank goodness I saw it on the picture before giving them out.

Happy Mail

What a wonderful surprise to get this darling card from Allison Fillo . I visit Allison's blog daily for inspiration. I have no idea how she manages to post daily, work, run after two little adorable kids and one big kid(DH)...LOL keep her house up, stamp and send out cards. She truly amazes me. If you haven't visited her blog you really must take the time to go check her out. Thanks Allison!

The 1st gbboy card is from Sam. Really cute card Sam! Sam has several of us over every Wednesday to stamp which is always enjoyable. The next gbboy is from my SIL Debbie who just so happens to be a gingerbreadaholic too. We enable each other when it comes to the boys....that didn't sound right did it..LOL. I was talking about gingerbread boys....nothing else. The 3rd gbboy card isn't handmade but my other SIL Terri sent it and it is such a cute card I had to share it with you. I think it is the type of card i would definitely case. Thanks Terri, I love it!

Carolyn sent me the green card...this picture doesn't do it justice at all. It is a simple elegant card. I even got a non Christmas card from my friend Laura who went back to work so we do not get together to stamp like we did. (dag nab it anyway!)

Laura also sent the bird card. She used paper piecing to make her card, Love the colors and yes Laura the birds are darling. The green and red card is from another good friend Alyce. Alyce always comes up with cute cards every time we stamp together.

This cute gbboy was made by one of my sweetest friends Cathy. We done get together that much but she is the type of friend that no matter how long it has been it seems like yesterday. Thanks Cathy and everyone else for the wonderful cards & greetings. Merry Christmas to you all!

Snowman card

This is a card layout that Sam showed us the last time we stamped together. I made this one a little bigger. The printed card stock is 8x8 with the base being 4 1/4 x 4 1/4. You fold right sides together in half & then in half again. Open the paper up and fold diagonally one time. The fold one of the squares that hasn't been folded diagonally but only to the middle point. This half fold is where you place the snowman. Adhere the paper to you cardstock base, add layers and stamp your sentiment. Hope that made sense.

We are off to play in the snow today. Yes we have snow in Arizona.....we just have to drive for 2 hours to get there. Hope your holidays are everything you hope for. Merry Christmas to you all if I don't post until after.

Finally Done!!!

What started out to be a few cookie boxes for my friend ended up being a total of 40. I have already delivered 16 of them and I just finished the last 24 today. I will deliver them tomorrow. Now I can focus on some fun stuff and get my last minute Christmas shopping out of the way. I started a really cute card that my friend Sam made but I haven't finished it yet. I will post it as soon as I get it done.

Not sure if you have been looking for the rectangle tins with the windows but just4funcrafts has receives a whole new shipment in. Jenn also has some really cute book boxes in. Go check out what she has done here. She has such a unique creative mind.

Now I really must go clean my house since I have neglected it all week. The sooner I get it done the sooner I can play which is what it is all about....right? Happy Sunday!

Cookie Gifts

I made these for a friend to give to her friends. I baked homemade Snickerdoodles, Oatmeal Raisin and White Chocolate chip with walnuts cookies. I also included York peppermint patties in the boxes. The tissue paper I wrapped them all in had Night of Navy snowflakes on them from the SU! snowflake wheel. The snowflakes are from PaperTreyInk and TAC and the tags are from Papertreyink stamps. She loved them which made me feel good! I haven't baked cookies for some time now and had forgotten how much of a mess I make when baking. My next baking project is to make 4 gingerbread houses & decorate them with my grandsons. I will post pictures when that happens but for the rest of the day today I really need to get my rear in gear and get my Christmas cards done. Thanks for looking.

Wow, have you seen the candy being given away by Jenn at Just4funcrafts? Looks like some fun stuff to play with. Her cards are darling too....go check it out.

I thought I would share this little ornament with you. The backing is felt and the front of the GBkids is brown paper sack. The type groceries come in(heavier than lunch sacks). I bought these years ago at a boutique and every year they make me smile to unpack them. The buttons are real buttons just glued on. The rick rack is painted on along with the faces but I am sure they could be stamped. The ribbon on the neck is torn fabric and the bag was stitched to the felt & stuffed with something like crumpled newspaper (just a tiny amount). Pinking shears were used to cut the outline of the felt. Jute has been sewn in the top for the loop to hang them by.

I made this sign using my cricut. The frame was picked up at JoAnn's with a 40% coupon but I am sure there are some good deals out there on frames right now. The frame measures 9x31. I glued ribbon down for the borders and tied the same ribbon on some of the letters. The little gingerbread boys are buttons and I added little hearts cut from paper from a paper stack. All letters are matted on SU! Creamy Carmel CS.


I thought I would also share a couple pictures of my addiction. LOL

I will have 3 of my grandsons until Sunday so not sure how much I will play but I will try to get some time in I am sure. Our plan is to make some gingerbread houses. I will post them if it happens. Have a great Thursday!

Quick gift

Happy Black Friday to All. I do not go shopping on this weekend if I can help it. While all those crazy shoppers are out there fighting for parking spaces & deals I would rather stay home and decorate the tree or do something stamping related. Wednesday instead of preparing for Thanksgiving I gave into temptation and went to my friends house & we made these gifts and stamped a little. The jar is a Fuze drink jar. I used SU! Dashing DS paper and PaperTreyInk stamps. Speaking of SU! there is a fun promotion going on, click HERE to see what's up. These jars are so quick and easy and come in handy to have a few extra on hand for last minute gifts. They are fun for Teachers, bus drivers, neighbors.....you get the idea. Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday Putt

Yesterday was my youngest daughters 24th birthday. My DH & I went to the company holiday party in the morning and by chance my DH's name was called for a door prize. He happened to win a Flip Camcorder. This little thing is really great. The picture of DD's birthday was pulled from a video clip from her surprise party last night. My mind is racing now of all the fun things I can attempt to do now with this thing. I made her this card with a Stampendous Stamp. It is hard to see but I used crystal effects on the shoe , the ice cream and the flame. I used prisma pencils and gamsol(I think I am stuck on that stuff) to color and the whipped cream is puffed up with liquid applique. CS is SU! Real Red, Summer Sun, White and the DS paper is from a Cricut pack.

I don't know about you but I love Susan Branch. I subscribe to her newsletter and get updates every now & then. Today in my email was a wonderful surprise. She send the cutest Christmas bulb with the links to cookie recipes. Check it out for yourselves here. Hope your holiday weeks ahead are the best ever!

UPDATE: Oops....It is not a Christmas bulb, Susan's recipes are in a cookie jar. When I looked at it again, there is no hanger on the cookie jar so how could it be a bulb? LOL It is still darling no matter! Thanks again Susan for the wonderful cookie recipes!

Gingerbread Boy

I got the idea to cut a gingerbread boy out like the reindeer and this little guy is what I came up with. I know the buttons were put on with too much glue(Looks messy) but at least you get the concept. His hair is waxy flax, looped & then I just twisted the top & glued it. I just happened to have some small ric rac , I made his eyes with decending straight lines in the shape of a hershey kiss with the center line the longest. cheeks are pencil rubbed out with gamsol. He reminds me a little of the misfits on Rudolph.

I used coasters and hinged them together. You can't see it very well but the white background is dazzling diamonds. I ran my paper thru the xyron and then covered it with DD. It is hard to read the letters on the blue.I should have used a darker blue for the letters...Oh well hope you have a great weekend.

Lots of goodies!

Carolyn has been hanging onto a page she ripped out of a catalog for awhile and said she has wanted to make it but didn't have the slides used for Santa's head. Well she picked some up at the last show she went to. I think this Santa is darling. We copied him just like on the page but we added the hat. The red was missing. There really isn't any stamping on this, it is all done with punches.

I loved the cards Angela made using paint chip samples. I took some paint chips with me and the girls & I came up with this. Thanks for the idea Angela.

This pink card is one I made with one of my new Whipper Snapper stamps and took it to show & tell , well the girls wanted to make a card with this cute little guy so this is a version of what we came up with. The paper is from a glitter stack pack, we stamped the snowman on watercolor paper & used prisma pencils & gamsol to color him in.

OK....(insert blush), I went to a birthday gathering for Laura and I received three more gifts. So unexpected but much appreciated. Alyce made this wonderful clock for me(click on it to read all the stamping sayings). She has made these for other friends & I always secretly wanted one but I wasn't going to say anything....well good things do come to those who wait. I love it!!!!!

The little gingerbread guy full of kisses is from Laura and Cathy etched a cute snowman on the votive candle holder. Really adorable. I have wanted to try etching, even have the stuff to do it but I have been a chicken to try. Cathy said how easy it is so I am going to give it a try. Thanks everyone for the wonderful gifts! Love the overcast weather we are having today, makes me want to stamp so off I go.....

Friend's Birthday

I have a friend who has a birthday coming up so I made her a little box of candy and a card using one of my new Whipper Snapper stamps. Hope she has a wonderful day! Off to get ready for her little get together......

Box paper from a glitter stack, "For you" stamp from PaperTreyInk, small candle stamp is from StampsByJudith.

Colored with prisma pencils and gamsol. patterned paper from the $1 store.

Fun stuff

I love seeing ornaments with toppers so I decided to try using the scallop punches to make one. So easy as you can see. You could get more elaborate with the topper which I may try but I was just playing around & thought I would show you what I came up with. I used my SU! 3/4 inch punch for the inside circle & then the SU! scallop punch for the small scallop, the large scallop is the mega scallop. I used 1/2 x 6 inch strips of paper for the inside(rolled tight around a pencil and then put some snow glitter in.

My Friend, Rachele, gave me this darling gingerbread candle. I love how the top of the candle has all these itty bitty gingerbread candles & it smells yummy. Thanks Rachele!

This cute little guy is a pattern from Sam. Great Christmas card for the grand kids. I love the way he stands when opened. Happy stamping!

Gobble til you Wobble

My friend, Sam, got this stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms. Her card was so cute the girls and I wanted to case it naturally. The paper I chose was out of a stack pack but I am not sure who makes it. My turkey apparently has had too much to eat cuz he is leaning backwards as if he is bottom heavy...LOL. The inside says "Gobble til you Wobble" We used pencils and gamsol to color him in. Have a super Saturday!

Card & Great Idea

I received this stamp free from Whipper Snapper. Anna Wight posted recently about spending $60.00 and you get a free stamp of your choice. I have procrastinated for some time on buying stamps and when I saw free stamp.....well, I was sucked in. I love my new stamps. I used prisma & gamsol to color the card. I wasn't too creative on this one since I loved how they colored it on the stamp itself.




My SIL sent me this email about sending a card to the troops so I wanted to pass it along.

A Great Idea!!!

When you are making out your Christmas card list this year, please include the following:


A Recovering American soldier


c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center


6900 Georgia Avenue,NW


Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
If you approve of the idea, please pass it on to your e-mail list.

Have a Happy Friday!!

EDIT: My friend Rachele (http://www.theinkboutique.blogspot.com/) sent me this email....You could always do what I do and mail your cards to Dawn. Dawn forwards the cards to her DH in Iraq who gives them out to troops to send home to their loved ones...just a thought.

ME and my kids made about 20 cards last year and sent them and they were all returned with a note telling us that due to heightened security all mail notaddressed to a specific soldier was being returned. We were VERYdisappointed. Please take a moment and forward this to everyone you mighthave asked to do this as unfortunately it won't serve the soldiers we carefor. There is a charity called Cards for Soldiers and you can get themcards which they send to active military in foreign countries, so this mightbe a better use of your time. Thanks for reading!From My Heart,Rachele FunkPreserving and Creating Memories Close To Your Heart!

More Cards

Here is a card my friend Laura sent me. I love how clean & fresh it looks. Very cute card Laura....Thanks

The "Colonel"....Sue Ann Olsavicky sent me this cute card for my birthday. Sue Ann has more energy than the energizer bunny, I swear. I don't get to stamp with her much anymore because she is always having workshops and taking care of her mom plus now she has taken on the blogger role... see her blog here. Thank You both for the wonderful cards my friends.

I love the folder card that Sam made me for my birthday....very cute card. Sam is our stained glass girl. She has this huge pumpkin with beautiful leaves hanging in her window and just before I opened my gifts I mentioned she could give me her pumpkin stained glass......funny cuz when I opened my gift from her there was my pumpkin stained glass night light. No one was suppose to do anything for my birthday but them again no one listens to me. I have some pretty wonderful friends. Marie made me a lemon jello cake with this light lemon whipped frosting. It was yummy and we had pumpkin coffee too.

This cute card is from my friend Marie. She knows I like Gingerbread and guess what was in this cute bulb Cookie jar......gingerbread boys & girls.

Carolyn made me this darling card, it is hard to see in the picture but the flowers hace glitter on them and the dots are tootie dots made with acrylic paint & the end of a paint brush so they are raised. She tole painted this adorable gingerbread boyon the top of this candy dish. Such a talented friend I have.....heck all three of them are. Thanks girls, very nice surprise even if I did try to get out of it. LOL

It is Over

OK, the wedding is finally over & I am going to be able to breath & Play again with my stamps, ink, paper & friends who I have missed dearly! I thought I would share a few pics as proof that I am a free mother now! LOL

DD at top of stairs before her grand entrance. Then she is coming down the stairs with her proud Papa waiting below.

Here they are as man & wife.

Refreshments for the guests while pictures were being taken. My good friend Pam created this beauty. Next came the toasting with DSIL's father as the best man.

This is the cupcake cake she wanted. So there you are......I am pooped and off to bed. DH is off tomorrow and the kids are moving into their home so I will not post tomorrow but I am hoping Tuesday to be able to get back into the swing of things and post some fun stuff. (not that this wasn't fun, but it was exhausting and I can't remember when my feet have hurt so much...LOL) Good Night!