A Year in Review Blog Hop & Whimsy & Stars Studio Blog Candy

My crafty friend Karin is hosting a Year in Review blog hop so that we can show off our favorite creations of 2011. I jumped at the chance to stroll down memory lane and share a few projects from the year with you. If you just came across the blog hop on my blog, you might want to start at Karin’s blog so that you can see all the crafty goodness and qualify for all the blog candy. SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST TO SEE HOW TO QUALIFY FOR $6.00 GC FOR DIGI STAMPS AT WHIMSY & STARS STUDIO!

To make it even more exciting, Mabelle of Whimsy & Stars Studio graciously agreed to sponsor some most yummy blog candy. You can read how to win $6.00 in digital images of your choice from the Whimsy & Stars Studio store at the bottom of my post.

So here we go! These are some of my favorite projects from 2011. ( You can click on the photo of my project to go to my original post.)

January - Stamps: Happy Things Pennants digi stamp set by Raindrop Echo Designs on Whimsy Stamps

February – Stamps: Cutie Pie: Little Things by AmberInk

March - Benny & Joon Have Cake by Crissy Armstrong available on Whimsy Stamps

April - Bunny Pail digital stamp by Wax Fruit Company

May - Stitched Lotus and Round Leaf by Meljen’s Designs, Flowers in Bloom Sentiments by Raindrop Echo Designs

June - Majestic Eagle Head by StampArt Designs available on Whimsy Stamps, Freebie Sentiment from Raindrop Echo Designs

July - Birthday Bumps from Lili of the Valley, Party Mini Letter Seals by Raindrop Echo Designs on Whimsy Stamps

August - Hen by Shelly’s Images

September - Halloween Girl (digital stamp) from Whimsy and Stars Studio, Halloween Ticket Sentiments (digital stamp) from Raindrop Echo Designs on Whimsy Stamps

October - Farmer Crow (digital stamp) by Meljen’s Designs

November - Winter Friends (digital stamp) by Whimsy and Stars Studio, Holiday Treats by Papertrey

December - Santa (digital stamp) from Whimsy & Stars Studio, Signature Christmas & Just the Ticket from Papertrey

Now for the blog candy! Mabelle gave me a gift certificate for $6.00 which you can use to purchase the digi images of your choice from the Whimsy & Stars Studio store. Wouldn’t some new Whimsy & Stars Studio digis be a great start to the New Year?

To qualify for the drawing, all you need to do is go to the Whimsy & Stars Studio store (HERE) and pick out the image that is your favorite. Scroll down to the linky tool below and type in your info as usual but when you enter your name ADD THE NAME OF YOUR FAVORITE WHIMSY & STARS STUDIO image. [For example: Cheryl (Coffee Girl)] You do not need to participate in the hop to join the blog candy draw. Entries close at midnight CST on 12-31-11. I will use random.org to pick the lucky winner and will post the name on my blog on New Years day. (In the event that the winner does not claim their prize with in 10 days, I will pick a new winner.)

I would also love it if you left me a comment so I can come visit you and become a follower of my blog but it is not necessary to qualify for the blog candy.

**Edited to add - Melissa of Meljen’s Designs is jumping in on the fun. Be sure to stop by the Meljen’s Designs blog to get the details on a 25% sale for New Years!

I am also linking up my post to the Tatertots & Jello Weekend Wrap Up Party – Link up your favorite projects from 2011.

Happy New Year to you! I wish you a year of health, wealth and creativity for 2012.

Now I’m off to check out all the blogs on the hop!

If the linky tool is not working, please leave your information in comments.

My Favorite Five Christmas Cards of 2011

Although I planned on taking a little blogging break this week, when I saw this post on my crafty friend Anita’s blog, I had to join in the fun. Debby is hosting a little linky party with some blog candy where we can share our favorite Christmas cards of 2011.

1. I love the snowflakes and the sweet little chickadees on this card. You can see my original post here.

Image: Cozy Little Chickadees (digital image) by Meljen’s Designs

2. I love this jolly Santa image from Whimsy & Stars Studio. I had fun using paint and a recycled Starbucks coffee sleeve to add some texture. My original post is here.

Image: Santa (digital stamp) from Whimsy & Stars Studio

3. I think it is well documented that I am a sucker for snowmen. This one in particular makes me smile and had to be included on my list. You can see my original post here.

Stamps: Stampendous Woody Snowman, Papertrey Holiday Treats

4. I have to admit, I love the colors on this one and had to include it on my list. My original post is here.

Image: Winter Friends (digital stamp) by Whimsy and Stars Studio

5. Okay, this little guy is just plan cute. (Again, my weakness for snowmen is showing.) I love his paper pieced hat. My original post is here.

Image: Cup of Cocoa (digital stamp) by Whimsie Doodles

Before I go, another crafty friend is hosting a Year in Review Blog Hop (with a prize)! Doesn’t that sound fun? I think I might have to scrape together another post. You can click on the picture below to go to Karin’s blog and get all the details. I hope you will join in the fun.

Thank you for stopping by! Happy New Year!

Sentimental Sundays New Years Party

 

Mark your calendars!  The Sentimental Sundays team is going to kick off the New Year with a party!  They are going to announce some new changes, faces and of course a new year filled with amazing challenges and sponsors!

To celebrate this exciting moment, they are having a NEW YEAR's PARTY blog hop style with fantastic giveaways.  For all the details, stop by the Sentimental Sundays blog  on January 1st, 2012. 

The Sentimental Sundays team is asking that you help them spread the news about our
New Year's Day Party.  Here’s how you can help:

1) Create a post, include the picture above and invite all your friends

and

2) Link back to your blog post

That's it!!  Easy right?

The winner will get a $20 Gift Certificate to their favorite online store!  For every 100, entries there will be another $20 Gift Certificate added!!

So what are you waiting for....Let's start sharing the LOVE!!  You can see all the details on the Sentimental Sundays blog.

 

 

 

S

Quick Christmas projects

If you need to make some quick, last minute Christmas tags or cards, don’t forget Meljen’s Designs offers colored digis. I printed off these cute, colored snowmen and using scraps I already had on my desk, made this cute tag in about 15 minutes. You can see Meljen’s entire collection of colored images HERE.

I also need a few quick, little gifts for a few people so I made some Hot Cocoa Customization Kits. I got my idea from this post. (Be sure to check out the post on Kirtsy – Megan’s kits are much cuter.)

I used a pre-colored Meljen’s Designs image to make a little tag. Included in my kit are some mini-chocolate chips to make the cocoa richer, crushed candy canes, malted milk powder, and mini marshmallows.

Just a reminder that the challenge last week, No Rectangle Cards, is still going on this week so you have plenty of time to link up your creations on the Meljen’s Designs blog.

Also, I wanted to share a picture of an early gift that Santa dropped off for me. He knows of my love of snowman and bird watching so he “gave” this to my hubby to give to me. That’s right, it’s a snowman bird feeder. It looks like it was an early gift for the finches too.

Since I am not sure I will have another post before the weekend, I’ll take this chance to wish each of you Happy & Safe Holidays.

Supplies for tag:

• Images: Caroling Snowman – COLOR (digital image) by Meljen’s Designs
• Inks: Distress Inks Antique Linen
• Papers: Papertrey kraft & dark chocolate CS, Echo Park Holly Jolly DP pad, Georgia Pacific white CS
• Tools: Color printer, Big Shot, Papertrey Journal Tabs die and Doily Details die, Cropodile, Stampin’ Up small circle punch, Sizzix tag die, Creative Memories corner punch
• Embellishments: Paperstudios metals, Clear Spica marker, misc. rick rack, twine, & bells

Supplies for Cocoa Kit:

• Stamps: Christmas Cocoa – COLOR digital image) by Meljen’s Designs
• Inks: None
• Papers: All scraps
• Tools: Big Shot, Sizzix oval tags die
• Embellishments: Misc. ribbon, twine, button
• Other: Food quality test tubes, misc. fillings

Challenges:

• ABC Challenge – Frosty
• Anything Goes Challenge – Anything but a card w/option of Christmas tag
• Bee-Crafty – Christmas
• Card Mad Fairy's Digi Day challenge – tags
• Catch The Bug – Baby Its Cold Outside
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards – tag you’re it
• Craft Your Days Away – Snowmen
• Crafting for all Seasons – Christmas
• Crafty Calendar – Cold & frosty
• Creative Friday – Christmas gift
• Di's Digi Designs challenge – Christmas
• Digi Doodle Shop's Best – anything goes
• Divas By Design – Christmas
• Dream Valley – Christmas
• Hooked On Crafts – Christmas
• Inky Impressions – Christmas Cheer
• My Mum's Craft Shop – Anything goes
• My Time to Craft – Winter pals
• One Crazy Stamper – Christmas
• One Stitch At A Time – Christmas
• Ooh-La-La creations – Anything but a card
• Paper Take Weekly – Christmas
• Paper Issues – Holiday madness
• Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog – Christmas gifts
• Phindy's Place challenge – Scraps
• Really Reasonable Ribbon- Anything goes + ribbon
• Sassy Cheryl’s Challenge – Snowman & diecut
• Sisterhood of the Crafters – Christmas
• Stamp N Doodle – Christmas
• Stampin’ Royalty – Christmas
• Top Tip Tuesday – Christmas
• Use It Tuesday – Christmas

Medallion Christmas Card

This is another Christmas card that I made for easy mailing. It is my attempt at a single layer card. (Check out all the beautiful single layer cards by my blogging friend Kathy at The Lucky Stamper.)

I kind of think these medallions look like fancy snowflakes. Kind of… My DH said that this is his favorite out of all my Christmas cards.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Mehndi Medallion and Signature Christmas stamp sets
• Inks: Stampin’ Up Real Red, River Rock, Old Olive
• Papers: Papertrey white CS, Stampin’ Up Real Red
• Tools: Big Shot, Papertrey Edgers Collection #1 die
• Embellishments: Misc. gemstones

Challenges:

• Annabelle’s Stamps challenge – Christmas card
• Bling it On – Christmas
• Creative Belli – Christmas (Gemstones are all from my stash)
• One Stop Craft Challenge – Christmas Sparkle
• Stampin’ With the Dragon – Christmas Bling
• Sweet Stampin’ Challenge – Sparkle & bling
• Totally Stampalicious – Sparkle

Girl with Kitty

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This week I have another birthday card to share. This adorable image is “Girl with Kitty” from Whimsy and Stars Studio.

I hope your holiday preparations are going smooth. I am pretty much on schedule (for a change). I usually am not so prepared so I am sure I am forgetting something big. Oh well, I’m sure it will all turn out just fine.

Have a great week! Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Girl with Kitty (digital stamp) from Whimsy & Stars Studio
• Inks: None
• Papers: Papertrey kraft & dark chocolate CS, My Mind’s Eye Six by Six Vanity Fair paper pad, Neenah Crest solar white
• Tools: Sewing machine, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Papertrey Journal tabs collection die, Copic markers
• Embellishments: Paper Studio pearls, Pink Aster Hug Snug seam binding, The Twinery Honeydew baker’s twine, misc button, epoxy flower and rick rack
• Techniques: Paper piecing, computer generated sentiment

Challenges :

• Clearly Inspired – Birthday
• Corrosive Challenge – Anything except Christmas
• Crafty Pad – Anything except Christmas
• Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge – Buttons, Bows, Birthday
• Delightful Challenges – Anything goes
• Frosted Design – Ribbon
• Moving Along with the Times – Cats / dogs
• One Stitch At A Time – Anything Goes
• Paper Play Time – Anything goes with a sentiment
• Paper Variety – Anything goes
• Really Reasonable Ribbon – Anything goes + ribbon
• Ribbon Carousel Challenge – Tangled twine
• Sarah Hurley – Coloring
• Scrappy Frogs – Stitching
• Sketch for you to try (SFYTT) – December sketch

Christmas Card & Blog Candy Winner

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I have another Christmas card to share today. This is another card that I made to be easily mailed. The white snow flake is made from a coffee filter spritzed with glimmer mist.

Thank you to every one that entered my blog candy drawing.

The winner of the 2 My Mind’s Eye Six by Six pads (Darling Dear & All Spice) is….

Lucky number 13 – Annette A. of My Clever Creations!

Annette, please email me at shestamps11-blogs(at)yahoo(dot)com with your snail mail address and I will get these in the mail to you.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you have a fabulous week end!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Tree Trimming Trio from Papertrey
• Inks: Stampin’ Up Real Red & Whisper White
• Papers: Papertrey kraft CS, Stampin’ Up Real Red
• Tools: Sewing machine, Big Shot, Provocraft embossing folder, Papertrey Damask snowflakes & edgers collection die
• Embellishments: Tattered Angels Glimmer mist, misc button & twine, coffee filters

Challenges:

• Addicted to Stamps – Snowflake
• Crafty Calendar – Cold & frosty
• Creative Crafts – Stitching
• Deep Ocean Challenge – Let it snow
• Delightful Challenges – Anything goes
• Do You Stack Up – Winter
• Dutch Dare – tic tac toe ( Embossing, stamped, diecuts)
• Going Grey w/ Scrap Creations – snow
• Made Especially for You – Snow or snowflakes
• Pixie Dust Studio Pixie Challenge – Add stitching
• Quirky Crafts – Snow
• Squigglefly – CAS Christmas
• The Kraft Journal – Let it snow

Merry Christmas–Hawaiian Style

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I love the new images that Melissa from Meljen’s Designs is release this week. Check out this guy! He is so ready to catch a wave. I love his swim shorts.

New new Meljen’s Designs challenge is “No RECTANGLE Cards”. So that the DT can take some time off to celebrate the holiday season with their families, the challenge is going to run for 2 weeks. You can link up your project and get some more inspiration from the DT at the Meljen’s Designs blog.

I used the “no rectangle cards” challenge as an opportunity to make this reindeer into a fun gift tag. Here is a look at the back.

I know you want to want to take a peek at all the digis being released to the Meljen’s Designs store today. Aren’t they fun?

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulous day and week end. We are heading to Chicago for a day for another fencing tournament. Since we will be in the city, we’re planning to take the opportunity to check out all the Christmas lights and decorations on Michigan Ave. I’m looking forward to it.

Supplies:

• Stamps: Summer Time Reindeer (digital stamps) available in the Meljen’s Designs Store
• Inks: None
• Papers: Papertrey kraft CS, Neenah crest solar white CS, Crate Paper Snow Day paper pad
• Tools: Big Shot, Papertrey Damask Snowflake die, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Copic markers, Cropadile
• Embellishments: The Twinery bakers twine, Gloss Accents

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge – Christmas
• Anything Goes Challenge - Anything but a Card" with the optional of tags for Christmas
• AUD Sentiments – Any winter holiday sentiment ( Mele Kalikimaka is Merry Christmas in Hawaiian)
• Bee-Crafty – Christmas
• Card Mad Fairy's Digi Day challenge – Tags
• Celebrate the Occasion – Christmas no red
• Craft Your Passion – Tag, You’re it
• Crafting for All Seasons – Christmas
• Crop Stop – Unique & Nontraditional colors
• Divas By Design – Merry Christmas
• Hooked on Crafts – Christmas
• I Did It Creations – Santa, Reindeer, penguins, or elf
• Lexi’s Creations – Untraditional Christmas (no red or green)
• Mad for Markers – Christmas
• My Mum’s Craft Shop – Cute & Funky Christmas
• One Stitch At A Time – use a digi
• Ooh-la-la Creations – anything but a card
• Paper Issues – Holiday Madness
• Paper Variety – Anything goes
• Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge – Merry Christmas
• Ribbon Carousel Challenge – Twine
• The Stamping Boutique (TSB) – No traditional colors
• Tiffany Doodles – use a digi
• Paper Play Time – Christmas

He’s Makin’ A List

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I have another Christmas card using a Whimsy & Stars Studio digital image to share with you. I love this jolly looking Santa. He looks like he is pretty happy with all the names on the “Nice” list this year.

I only used part of the image for my card, so here is a look at the full image. (Of course when you purchase this image you will receive a high resolution image with out the watermark.)

If you are looking a head to Valentine’s Day, Mabelle will be putting Valentine themed digis into the store later this week. I got to take an early look at them and I warn you, they are cute!

Before I go, I thought I would share a picture of one of the glitter ornaments my daughter and I made. They were so easy and look gorgeous. It was fun making these and my daughter wants to make some more.

If you would like to give these a try, HERE is the tutorial from Greenbean’s Craftrole that we used.

I hope all your holiday preparations are progressing smoothly. I’m happy to say that my checklist of “Things To Do” is getting shorter. (Although I think I will still have the last minute rush to finish things up before Christmas.)

Thank you for stopping by! Have a great day!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Santa (digital stamp) from Whimsy & Stars Studio, Signature Christmas & Just the Ticket from Papertrey
• Inks: Close To My Heart Cranberry & Olive, Distress Inks Antique Linen
• Papers: Papertrey kraft and poppy CS, Neenah Crest solar white CS, Authentique Wonder paper pad, misc green scrap CS
• Tools: Sewing machine, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Papertrey Edgers collection #4 die, Just the Ticket die & pine boughs die, Copic markers
• Embellishments: Jenni Bowlin Ranger Malted Milk paint dabber, Inkssentials Glossy Accents, Hug Snug ivory seam binding, misc. bakers twine & button, Stampendous Fun Flock, Starbucks coffee sleeve

Challenges for Card:

• 2 Sisters Challenge – Christmas
• AUD Sentiments – Winter Holiday sentiments
• Bee-Crafty – Christmas
• Card Makin' Mamas – Christmas
• Catch The Bug – Santa Baby
• CES Challenge – Traditional Christmas
• Crafts 4 Eternity – Red, Green & Cream
• Crafty Creations Challenge – sentiment
• Crazy 4 Challenges – Santa
• Creative Belli Challenge – Winter & Christmas (used old button & twine, green scrap paper, & old starbucks coffee sleeve)
• Creative Card Crew – Tis the Season
• Creative Crafts – Stitching
• Creative Craft Friends - Christmas
• Cupcake Inspirations – Photo Insp
• DigiStamps 4 Joy – Christmas no animals
• Divas By Design – Anything goes
• Dream Valley – Christmas
• Hooked on Crafts – Christmas
• I Brake for Challenges – Vintage
• I Did It Creations - Santa, Elf, Penguin or Reindeer
• iCopic Challenge – Holidays
• Inky Impressions – Use Ribbon
• Little Miss Muffet – Button & Ribbons
• Lollipop Crafts – Happy Holidays
• Mad for Markers – Christmas
• My Mum’s Craft Shop – Traditional Christmas
• My Time To Craft – Vintage Christmas
• One Crazy Stamper – Christmas
• One Stitch at a Time – use a digi
• One Stop Craft Challenge – Traditional colors
• Paper Crafting Journey – Christmas
• Paper Variety – inspired by song (Santa Claus is comin’ to town)
• Party Time Tuesdays – Red & Green Christmas
• Pattie’s Creations – Christmas
• Penny’s Paper Crafty Challenge – Merry Christmas
• Raise the Bar – It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas
• Ribbon Carousel Challenge – Tangled Twine
• Scrappy Frogs – Stitching
• Stampin’ for the Weekend – Christmas
• Sunday’s W/Chrissy – Anything goes
• Victorine Stamps – Christmas

Challenges for Ornament:

• Creatalicious challenge – Christmas with sparkle
• Cupcake Craft Challenge – anything sparkley
• Fun Fun Challenge – Christmas sparkle
• Frosted Designs – glitter
• Mami Doodles – Glitter
• Rainbow Lady – Trees & baubles
• Use It Tuesday - Christmas (MS Glitter, I bought on clearance about 2 yrs ago and it was never used!)

Christmas Cardinal

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Oh my goodness! 12 more days until Christmas! Thankfully my checklist of things to get done before Christmas is getting shorter.

This is one of the Christmas cards that I made especially for easy mailing. I am having issues with the colors in my photos again. The bakers twine in the photo looks pink but IRL it is red. The cardinal is embossed on a shimmery background.

I am trying to use up this old Stampin’ Up DP. I used up all the papers that I really loved out the collection and now want to use up the next. I think this I the 4th year using it. The stamp set is also pretty old and had never been used. I am so glad I finally inked it up.

I was inspired by 2 gorgeous cards by Lucy’s Cards. I CASE’d the design from this card and, although it doesn’t show up well in this photo, I CASE’d the shimmer background from this card.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Inkadinkado Winter Trails, Papertrey Tree Trimming Trio
• Inks: Versa Mark, Stampin’ Up Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Papers: Papertrey kraft CS, Stampin’ Up Real Red CS, Stampin’ Up….. DP
• Tools: Sewing machine, Heat tool,
• Embellishments: xxx Shimmer Mist, Embossing powder, The Twinery baker’s twine, misc. vintage button

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge - Christmas
• ABC Challenge – embossing
• AUD Sentiments – Winter sentiment
• Card Makin' Mamas - Christmas
• Crafty Creations – Sentiment
• Creative Crafts – Stitching
• Do You Stack Up? – Something old (red CS, DP, stamp)
• Dream Valley – Christmas
• Forever Friends – (monthly) Christmas
• Hooked on Crafts – Christmas
• Lollipop Crafts – Christmas
• Moving Along with the Times – Last Minute Christmas
• One Crazy Stamper – Christmas
• Paper Crafting Journey – Christmas
• Phindy’s Place – Clean and Simple
• Raise the Bar – Christmas
• Saturday Challenge (Secret crafter) – All creatures great & small
• Scrappy Frogs – Stitching
• Simply Create Too – embossing
• Squigglefly challenge – CAS Christmas
• Sweet Stampin' Challenge – Things with wings
• Tuesday Throwdown – Celebrate the season

They Say It’s Your Bee-Day!

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Today I am still on a break from Christmas and have another birthday card to show to you using Meljen’s Designs Birthday Bee. As I mentioned before I have sooooo many December birthdays so I am trying to get some cards ready to mail.

Are you ready for some serious cuteness? Check out the new digis Melissa is releasing to the store. I love them so!

The new Meljen’s Designs challenge is Use Green! You can use any shade and as much as you want as long as you use green on your project. You can see the challenge rules, the DT projects, and the linky tool on the Meljen’s Designs blog.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Birthday Bee (digital stamp) from Meljen’s Designs
• Inks: None
• Papers: Papertrey white CS, misc. gray CS, October Afternoon Farmhouse paper pad
• Tools: Sewing machine, Copic markers, Big Shot, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Stampin’ Up edge punch
• Embellishments: Twinery Bakers twine, misc. ribbon & button, tag template from Alenka’s printables
• Techniques: Paper piecing, computer generated sentiment using Cutie Pop free font

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge – Punches and/or dies
• Card Makin' Mamas – Sentiment on the front
• Catch the Bug – Anything Goes
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards – Celebrate
• Craft Your Days Away – buttons or bows
• Crazy Challenge – Anything goes
• Creative Crafts – Stitching
• Going Grey w/ Scrap Creations – make it a present
• Scrappy Frogs – stitching

We Interrupt Our Christmas Programming….

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To bring you a birthday card. I went to my card stash and found that I am almost out of birthday cards. How did that happen? So I will be popping in some birthday cards as much as I can over the next few weeks because my have lots of friends and family members with December birthdays.

For this card I used Balloon Girl from Whimsy & Stars Studio. The colors in the photo are off a bit. In real life her dress closely matches the pink sheet music paper on the card. I tried messing around in Photoshop but I don’t know what I am doing. Why does this happen with some photos?

I’m going to keep this short. I had meeting in Chicago today (Monday) and I am tired. I’m going to go prop up my foot and chill out.

Thank you for stopping by!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Balloon Girl (digital stamp) from Whimsy & Stars Studio
• Inks: Copic ink refill
• Papers: Papertrey white CS, Neenah Crest solar white, misc. prawn CS, My Mind’s Eye Lost & Found Market Street paper pad
• Tools: Sewing machine, Copic markers
• Embellishments: Ivory Hug Snug seam binding, The Twinery bakers twine, misc. lace & button, tag template from Alenka’s printables, Close To My Heart Stardust glitz, Marvy Twinklette gold glitter pen, white Sakura Gellyroll pen, Paperstudio pearls, Epoxy flower from Pick Your Plum
• Sentiment computer generated

Challenges:

• 4 Crafty Chicks – Birthday
• Catch The Bug – Anything goes
• Chocolate, Coffee & Cards – Celebrate
• Craft your days away – Buttons & bows
• Craft Your Passion – Anything goes with glitter
• Crazy Challenge – anything goes
• Paper Crafting Journey – Anything goes
• Paper Shelter – Anything goes
• Simon Says Stamp – Anything goes
• Squigglefly Challenge – Based on a song (Happy Birthday)
• Sunday's W/Chrissy - Anything goes

Hand Warmers for the Amber Ink Pinny Party

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I’m coming in just under the wire for this week’s Amber Ink Pinny party. Every week, Amber is hosting a Pinny Party (you could also call it a challenge) to make something inspired by a photo you saw on Pinterest. Since I am a Pinterest addict and see lots of things I would like to try, this weekly party is perfect to give me the kick that I need to actually make some of the stuff I pin.

I decided to try my hand at making these cute pocket hand warmers. The photo shows 2 ivory hand warmers and how I packaged them up.

With my fleece hand warmers, I include these instructions. You can just see the corner under the hearts. I think I might print the rest on kraft.

Pocket Hand Warmers

Microwave for up to 25 seconds.

Slip into pockets, gloves or socks

for gentle warmth for up to an hour.

Reusable

This was a stretch for me. I can sew on card stock but NEVER on fabric of any kind. It took me a few trials to get a new needle install properly and work out the correct stitch length and tension.

Based on some internet research that I did, I read that brown rice retains the heat longer than white rice. Since all I had had my house was brown rice, it worked out perfectly. If you would like them to be scented, I read that you could add a few drops of an essential oil to the rice too. Since I didn’t have any on hand, mine have the plain ol’ rice scent.

I was inspired by this pin.

Once again, I am keeping this post short so that I can get it posted before the end of the party and get started putting up the Christmas tree.

If you are still looking for a Christmas gift for some one, check out Purse Bling. For a discount click on the icon in my right hand tool bar.

Have a great week!

P.S. Don’t forget to stop back tomorrow for the Amber Ink 2nd Annual Holiday blog hop. There are LOTS of prizes to win.

Supplies:

Hand Warmers

• Fleece, heart template (used at 80%), card board (to make template), brown rice (supposed to keep the heat longer), Sewing machine

Gift Tags:

• Stamps: None (printed using MS Word)
• Inks: None
• Tools: Big Shot, Papertrey Doily Details die & Holly Jolly die, Spellbinders Nestabilties
• Papers: Papertrey kraft CS all the rest is misc. from my scrap bin
• Embellishments: Misc bakers twine & button & Tuskineko Psst Shimmer spray

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge – Punches &/or dies
• Annabelle Stamps Challenge – Handmade Christmas gifts
• C.R.A.F.T. Challenge – Christmas present
• Catch The Bug – Anything goes
• Come & Get It Challenge – Anything Christmas
• Craft your passion – anything Christmas related
• Creative Friday – Christmas gifts
• Cupcake Inspirations – photo
• For Fun Challenge- Christmas
• Hand stamped Sentiments – Christmas anything but a card
• Just Some Lines – handmade gift
• My Partner in Crafting Crime – create a tag for a Christmas pressie
• Paper Crafting Journey – Anything goes
• Paper Play Challenge – Tags & Packaging
• Raise the bar – Christmas
• Simon Says Stamp – Anything goes
• Speedy the Cat challenge – favorite embellishment (bakers twine)
• Stampin’ Royalty – anything but a card
• That’s Krafty Thursday – kraft (doily die cut is kraft but looks slightly green in photo. Maybe because the of shimmer spray.)
• The Kraft Journal – Christmas
• Whimsy Inspirations Challenge – Anything but a card
• Paper Issues – Holiday Madness

Woodsy Snowman & Music Saves My Soul

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Chalk up another card to my weakness for snowmen. I saw this image on sale last summer and had to buy it. Not only was it cute but it was on sale. How could a girl walk away from that? I am finally getting the chance to ink him up.

I haven’t had a chance to play along with Marcea’s Music Saves My Soul Saturday for a few weeks. Here is a song that I have been listing to in my Christmas playlist over the past week. If you like the song, there is a link below the video on YouTube to download it for free.

If you would like to play along and share a song, stop by Marcea’s blog to link up!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Supplies:

• Stamps: Stampendous Woody Snowman, Papertrey Holiday Treats
• Inks: Stampin’ Up Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
• Papers: Papertrey kraft CS, Stampin’ Up Real Red CS, Neenah Crest solar white, Echo Park Season’s Greetings paper pad, misc. green scrap CS
• Tools: Big Shot, Papertrey Holly Jolly die set,Papertrey edgers collection #1, Provocraft Swiss Dots embossing folder, Copic markers
• Embellishments: Papertrey bakers twine, misc button, lace & pearls, Frosted Lace & Crystal Stickles

Challenges:

• 2 Sisters Challenge – Holiday
• Addicted to Stamps – Christmas
• AUD Sentiments – Any winter holiday sentiment
• By the Cute & Girly – Let it snow
• Card Mad Fairy's Digi Day challenge – Winter wonderland
• Clearly Inspired – Christmas
• Cooking It Up With Katie – Anything goes
• Craft Your Days Away – Buttons & Bows
• Craft Your Passion – Tis the season
• Crafty Ann’s Challenge – Christmas bingo (Red, Snow, Glitter (all the snow is covered with stickles)
• Crafty Catz – Christmas colors & sparkle
• Creatalicious – Christmas + sparkles
• Dare to Be Sassy Thursday Challenge – Christmas with sparkle
• Deep Ocean Challenge – C as in Christmas, Cute, Critters
• Delightful Challenges – Snow
• Digi Doodle Shop's Best – Sparkle
• Divas By Design – Anything goes
• Do You Stack Up – Ribbon or something you can tie (bakers twine)
• Dream Valley – Sparkles
• For Fun Challenge – Christmas
• Fun with Shapes – Cold as ice
• Gingerloft Challenge – Winter Christmas
• Hooked on Crafts – Winter Wonderland
• Mad for Markers – Christmas
• Mami Doodles – make is shine/glitter
• One Crazy Stamper – Christmas
• Ooh-La-La creations – Lots of sparkle
• Paper Crafting Journey – Anything goes
• Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge Blog – Tie one on
• The Pink Elephant – Photo insp
• Raise the Bar – Christmas
• Sarah Hurley – Christmas
• Sassy Cheryl’s Challenge – Winter
• Scrapbook Sisters – Anything goes
• Simon Says Stamp – Anything goes
• Simply Create too – Christmas
• Squigglefly Challenge – Winter Wonderland
• Stampin' with the Dragon – Christmas
• Stamptacular Sunday Challenge – Christmas