Happy New Year Eve 2010!

I have been busy sorting my craft items to try to be better organized plus making 25 of the teabag holder folders. I am planning to announce a surprise tomorrow so check it out. Thank you so much for visiting me over the past months. I appreciate the comments and encouragement from other papercrafters whenever they visit the blog. Blessings to all and Happy Crafting!

Teabag folder

We have a Lady's Tea at church in early February and I saw this idea on SCS by Beate Johns (http:www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/teabagholder) . I thought this would be so nice for the table settings at the tea. The inside compartment holds a teabag nicely. The image on the front is from SU(2004)After being stamped on a white CS scrap with Memento Tuxedo Black, it was chalk colored. The circle I used was cut from another older tool from CM Custom Cutting System. The CS is Bazzill Ivory, and the DP is from GCD Studio-Tinted Rose Stripe.The sheer brown ribbon is unknown and from my stash.

Happy Crafting!

"Cookie Pouch"

I was reading my emails the other day and ran across the cutest directions for this pouch using a paper lunch bag. Jackie on Inky Antics (19 December-Snowy's Treats Paperbag Card-inkyanticsrubberstamps.blogspot.com)gave all of the instructions for it and I made it up for an upcoming activity I have. I am doing a cardmaking activity with a Brownie group in a few weeks and I thought this would be a great treat for them. I could just slip a bagged cookie inside for each of the girls.The papers used were from my scrapbox except for a scrap from BG Max and Whiskers Patches.The Gretel stamp is from CC Designs and the sentiment is from Firecracker Designs"Got Chocolate".They are stamped in Memories Sepia and then watercolored. The image paper was edged with Distress Ink Brushed Corduroy.The heart was punched with CM Dual Hear punch. It was fastened together with 2 staples.I will be also making more using some of my Inky Antics stamps later .
Happy Crafting!

Thinking of you card

I needed to get a quick thinking of you card ready to send to a friend. This SU Loads of Fun works up so quickly. The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black, and the sentiment from SU Best Yet is perfect for the card. The background was chalked with Shimmer Pearlescent chalks,while the truck and hearts were watercolored. The bow is made with Wraphia.
Happy Crafting!

Christmas treats

Great gift alert!
One of my gifts was Crafter's Companion Make Christmas Cards from England.This package was expensive at $14.99 US but included so many extras.I noticed it while shopping at Barnes and Noble bookstore and put it on my wish list. The stamp set was of Popcorn the Bear and the stamps are full sized. There is a 2 sided embossing board, and 40 sheets of holiday papers included along with a 84 page magazine. I'm going to start on next year's cards with the Popcorn stamps. They also include a link to their website with still more extras. If you are looking for a special gift for a friend even if Christmas has passed ... check this out at the bookstore.

Oh Holey Night (family fun)

Christmas Day was nice. The family time was special of course. We shared gifts and we ate many cookies of course.Our oldest Son and DIL were with her family near Akron,Ohio but they called to say hi too. My brother was with us too plus some extra guests-2 bunnies, a guinea pig and a hermit crab all in their cages. As the pets are rooming in our dining room, it kind of gave you the mini- impression of what Noah and his family might have experienced on the ark. (We are pet sitting for the preschool friends since my friend Pam is on a trip. ) They are great guests and only need a bit of attention.I also included photos in my post today.
I have been busy with my thank you cards for the preschool families.Some people created homemade ornaments for me . With all the animal inspiration around the house,I felt drawn to the cute nutcracker mouse stamp from Firecracker Designs to use, I think they will like him.
Card Details:
Bazzill Green Pear CS,vintage card scraps to layer card.
Ink: Mementos-Tuxedo Black
Markers: Zig
Happy Crafting to all!

Merry Christmas to

all and to all a good night! Wishing everyone a special time over the next few days. This is one of my favorite vintage Christmas stamps by Sandi Gore Evans, from Uptown Stamps. Tidings of Great Joy.So sweet and great for cards for families. Christmas Blessings to all!

Got the last few cards

into the mail... and starting to feel better. I pulled out a old favorite of mine ,Stampavie's Rachelle Anne Miller -Cuddling to make a card for my someone special. Bob doesn't usually read my blog so I'm safe. Just used Memento London Fog to stamp the image on Bazzill Ivory and then it was watercolored. The background was added with a tiny Sweet n Sassy Snowflake(from #1060 Snowflakes set by Chris Dickinson)with Versamark on the tan Bazzill folder.The corner was folded and punched with a Crop a Dile as was the plastic snowflake. A silver brad fastened it all together.He doesn't care for ribbons and fancy touches so CAS it is for him.
Happy Crafting and a Merry Christmas to all!

Sorry... not feeling great!

I have bad allergies and accidentally got perfumed sample sprayed at Macy's on Friday...while picking up a gift. Now my migraines have kicked in...so all I want to do is sleep. I did get a recipe for some yummy treats my son might make for neighbor gifts for me. It's on http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/holiday/peppermint-popcorn/
I have tags already made so I'll switch out the cookie idea for that, since I'm under the weather. We are due for more snow which doesn't help my headaches either.
Happy Crafting!

Early Christmas

time with our Son and DIL. It was fun and they bought me 2 MFT dies for a gift plus the Martha Stewart Shredding scissors. Wow... now I can make my own buttons to avoid complaints about card lumps at the Post Office. The other die was a flower maker one.I will try them out in the morning. Christmas is Christmas no matter the date.
Happy Crafting!

Finally...

Today is my last day of my nanny job until January, and helping out at my friend's preschool program is done also until January. I can finally focus on getting those cookies done for our family and cards in the mail. My husband was the Santa Claus for the program at preschool yesterday. Each child received a brand new book as a gift and Bob in his role distributed them to them and any siblings there. We also adopted 4 ladies from the Senior Center nearby who do not have any family and the families from the Preschool program bought them gifts. The "Grannies" attended and were thrilled with their gifts. They really enjoyed our version of Rudolph with bells and the 3 other songs we sang to them. It really lifts your spirits when kindness is shared with others.
During these busy days , don't forget to take some time for yourself too.
Happy Crafting!

Joy Tags

While picking up a few last minute items at Michael's, I noticed a new set from the Recollections stamp line. It was Christmas Flourishes, and it was on sale at 40% off(of course it hopped into my basket(ha). There was the prettiest poinsettia included that I have seen in a small set. I went home, stamped and water colored it and made some more tags for the gifts I still have to wrap. The tags are sponged with Distress Inks and then stamped with Brilliance Red Ink. The tags are so much fun to make and I have been on a tag making binge recently.
Happy Crafting!

Been Busy..

between working on Christmas gifts, finishing card orders, and practicing the Christmas Pageant at church, it has been hectic. The pageant went well. I do the Away in the Manger choir with the youngest group. Our big show was today and our small part went well. No one ran down the pews or burst into tears. The children wear white costumes with garland on their heads and angel wings. They did a great job and we really enjoyed the special cookies and candy cane treats after the service. Thanks to the parents who practiced our song with the little ones at home too.I'll be back with a new project tomorrow.
Happy Crafting!

Revisiting ...

another one of my favorite stamp sets. CTMH Snow Friends... I used it so often for the holidays in the past... so I put it on hiatis but brought it back to try something new. A touch of Glimmer Mist Jazz blue for a snowy background changed the card along with the softer water colored snowmen. Wishing you snowflake dreams!
Happy Crafting!

Another Oldie...

stamp that is... a CTMH sweetie. This is a quick enclosure card leaving in a present tomorrow. I stamped her in Memories Sepia and then watercolored the image. Just a bit of sheer vanilla ribbon from the scrap box and it was done.The corners were rounded and she was applied with foam dots to give a floaty effect.
Happy Crafting!

I will honor Christmas

I love this sentiment from Charles Dickens. I thought of another CAS card using Tracy Schultz/ The Petal Press set. I have a bit of this lovely vintage Vel-Vette Ribbon from Holiday Sales left. I bought it at the rummage sale at church. Just a simple card and an idea for one of the cards I am sending out this year. The embossed panels are from Cuttlebug Winter Jelly.It's one of my favorites. The papers are from the scrap box. The sentiment is inked with Distress Ink Stormy Sky.I wish the photo came out more clearly but it was taken this evening.
Happy Crafting!

Old Friend

I just love this set of Gina K's because it is so versatile. I put the pine trees and the verse together and thought it would be great for a thinking of you card. It is a CAS(clean and simple)version with just a trace of marker on the pines and the lovely verse really sets the mood. I added the ribbon and I was done. (Now if only Blogger would let me publish. I had my card all set but it wouldn't let me add a photo for hours until early this morning. I was blaming it on my poor camera).
Happy Crafting!

Camera acting up

I have a new card but the camera wouldn't take a charge so maybe it will be posted tomorrow.
Happy crafting!

Nature gives..

us so much. As usual, I have been excited by all of the lovely scents of the season. Although we have an artificial Christmas tree for the home, I do yearly buy some fresh boughs to decorate certain rooms. We have a wrought iron handrail and I love tying some fresh pine to it to bring nature inside. Tomorrow, I hope to start adding some small things here and there in the family room. I like to work on it slowly and enjoy seeing the special family treasures once again as they return from the storage boxes .
The card verse for today, is one of the Plain Jane's from Verve Stamps. The die set from Nellies cut the pink cardstock while MS branch punches and glued around the edge, created the touch of nature. Using the Scor Pal, I created a border around the card. Finally, Star Dust Stickles were added to create a snowy accent, and some pink twine for a bow.
Happy Crafting!