"I Ate An Ornament"

HUH? Yup...that is what my 3 year old said to us last week. So we have these cute GLASS ornaments that look like peppermint candy...my husband and I were sitting in the livingroom in the back of the house when we heard her scream and come running to us. She was holding her mouth open and crying so I asked her, "Did you bite your tongue." She responded with, "NO, I ate an ornament." That's right. She found one of the peppermint ornaments and thought she would have a snack. She bit piece of glass off that was the size of an adult's thumb nail. She is fine, she had cuts in her mouth and we were able to get a few pieces out of her mouth but I can't be sure if she swallowed any at all. I'm sure if she did, it has exited her body by now. It seems funny now, but at the time I was quite nervous. This child is different from the other two in so many ways...let me say, neither of them ever ate an ornament.

Now, to the photo, I made these Christmas ornaments for gifts last year and they were so fun to make. I can't recall where I bought the tins from but I know you can get some from Maya Road...here is their website...http://www.mayaroad.com/new/newsite/index.html

I wish I could remember the size, but I can't recall. The hardest thing about making these was cutting the image out to the correct size for the inside of the tin. I used the set City of David from Stampin' Up! (it is retiring at the end of this month, so if you need to order it feel free to e-mail me). I water colored the images, closed up the tins and then using Sticky Strip and the True Thyme stitched ribbon from last year, I wrapped the ribbon around the seam where the top and bottom of the tin met. It was a fun gift to make and I think they turned out really cute too!

Not This Time...

So, I didn't win the MFT contest and I'm ok with that. Clint told me today that Thomas Edison went through over 2,000 protypes of a filament for the light bulb before he finally got one to work. Made me feel better....(not really) I don't handle rejection well so I can't imagine submitting for 2000 design spots and still getting rejection! Anyway, check out this link to see who did win, they really deserved it! http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306316

I am so stuck on winter cards right now....could have something to do with the fact that it is freezing here in Michigan! I was so proud of this sample! I made it last night in about 20 minutes. This was my third submission for the MFT design team challenge. I used the skate stamp from Lizzie Anne Designs set Christmas in the City (I sure am getting ton of use of this set...I LOVE it!) I love when you sit down to make something, and it just seems to be flowing so well. When you are all done, you sit back....hold it out and take a look and just .....smile....that is how this card went. Remember I had to do an ATC first, the ATC is the 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 piece of Moss with the Soft Sky and the image on it. I used Rust to matt the ATC on to make it pop a bit on the whole card. As just an ATC it turned out cute. I used to LOVE making ATC's but I never really did anything with them...this challenge was a perfect way to use those ATC's I have piling up. It is also a great way to really make the main image pop out at you. The color combo came from the Fall Flowers paper that is used on this card. Perfect winter combo don't you think?

Supplies Used: Soft Sky ink, cs, Really Rust cs, Going Grey ink, Mellow Moss ink, cs, Grosgrain and Gingham ribbon, Always Artichoke ink, Aqua Painter, Watercolor Paper, SU Ice Circle Brads, SU Fall Flowers DSP, Christmas In The City stamp set (Lizzie Anne Designs)

Blog Candy Winner!

COME ON DOWN....Peggy Maier....your the next winner on my blog! HA! Peggy said she is most thankful for:

Lots of reasons to be thankful!Some of the top ones are:

1. God - & His gift of salvation through Jesus!

2. Husband - even though our marriage isn't perfect, he's a really good guy all in all

3. Family - I'm really blessed!

4. Friends - including all my on-line friends.

5. Church Family - so many great people, all encouraging each other as we grow in faith

Peggy, contact me via e-mail (caspen1973@yahoo.com) to give me your snail mail address and I'll get your suprise in the mail to you soon! Peggy is getting the retired Stampin Up! set called "Blooming With Happiness". The images still remain some of my favorites! I hope you enjoy it Peggy!

My Favorite Things and Stampin' Up!

I have been eyeing the stamps that My Favorite Things sells for awhile now. They have some really cute stuff but I have restrained myself. Over the last week or so several of my favorite stamping blogs have been giving "sneak peeks" of a new set called "Baby Its Cold Outside". The set hasn't been available to purchase until last night. I stayed up to be one of the first to purchase it because it is so, so cute! (They are even offering a coupon of 20% off till December 8th on ANYTHING the store carries). I can hardly wait to get my new set and make a card for my friend Marcy who LOVES snowmen. Anyway, during the release of three new stamp sets last night, they announced a contest for a guest designer spot. So, I am frantically trying to get the kids lunch and put them down for nap so I can play too. I did get this one done and thought I would share. The challenge is that you had to make an ATC first (Artist Trading Card). The size of which is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. After you make the ATC you are required to make a full size card incorporating the ATC. You can see the ATC on this sample, it's the rectangle that includes the focal point (the scallop circle). I made this ATC when the catty came out in July and I am glad to be putting it to use. I really loved the way this ATC turned out when I made it, I adored Caribbean, red and yellow together. So, even though these stamps aren't the style of MFT (most of their stamps are line art images), I thought I would have fun with this ATC anyway. I'm hoping to use an Elzybells image on the next one I submit (so come back to see another Elzy sample soon). Wish me luck on the contest!

Supplies Used: Cool Caribbean cs, ink, Real Red cs, ink, So Saffron cs, Stampin' Up! scallop circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Apricot Grosgrain Ribbon, White Grosgrain Ribbon, So Saffron brad

Last Couple Days for Blog Candy

Kinda a trick...on the 26th I posted a question, I wanted to know what you are most thankful for. I didn't tell you in the heading that it was Blog Candy because I wanted to see if people read posts that don't have photos...anyway, here I am letting you know to zip on down to the post on November 26th and leave a comment...I'll draw a name on Friday morning and the winner will receive a stamp set from my stash of Stampin' Up! sets!

Over the River and Through The Woods...

Isn't this little Elzy adorable?!?! While everyone else was ordering Winter Song by Elzybells, I was ordering Girl With Sleigh (now, this doesn't mean that I don't regret not getting Winter Song, as a matter a fact, that one is on my list of must haves!) Here is a sample I made recently using some designer paper that is left over from my favorite EVER Simply Scrappin Kit from Stampin Up. This kit was from last year and was available only during Sell-a-bration. I so adored this set that I collected them..yes, collected...I think I have about 4 of them. Unopened because I don't want to use them all up...I mean, what if I need them and I don't have enough of the pretty paper? PLEASE! Anyway, I love these colors for winter and thought this layout was a great way to incorporate the 2 different patterned papers while still showcasing this adorable little Elzy!

Please Don't Go - Sniff, Sniff

Can you believe it?!?! (Insert the Elaine smack here) Cold Play is being retired?!?! I hope I don't offend any Frosty lovers out there but COME ON! Frosty has been around for YEARS and it is just now being retired but we have only been able to enjoy Cold Play for about 3 years. Can you tell I am shocked and angered?!?! Anyway, here is one of the Christmas cards I am making this year. It is such a quickie! The original idea for this card is not my own. I found a card just like this on Splitcoast. The designer's screen name is LauriF. It was originally a square card but I am too cheap to spend the extra 17 cents the post office wants to deliver it so I adapted it to a standard sized card.

This card is SUPER easy to make. The easiest way to do the snowmen is to stamp a bunch out on your white cardstock just changing the place your nose is placed. Then punch the faces out using Stampin' Up!'s 1 1/4" circle punch. Next, adhere your face to a large sheet of Bashful Blue and then punch using the 1 1/4" square. This way you don't have to worry about lining up your snow guy into the blue and trimming the edge off. So...if you haven't started your cards yet, what is stopping you...get going!

Supplies Used: Whisper White cs, ink, Bashful Blue cs, Real Red cs, ink, Black ink, Pumpkin Pie ink, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Bold Snowflakes Wheel, Red Gingham ribbon, Cold Play stamp set.

Subscribe To My Blog

OOOH, I DID IT! It has only taken me a week but I finally figured out how to add the little box to the right that will allow you to subscribe to my blog! I know you are out there...lots of you right? You have just been waiting to subscribe so you can see all my projects right away...Well, what are you waiting for? Go subscribe!

Oh Christmas Tree

As a kid our family bought real trees at Christmas time, so did my husband's. I believe the first couple of years we bought real trees. I remember one time actually going out to the farm and cutting it down with a saw. Wonderful memories to make with your children right? Well, now we have a fake tree. I know-boo, hiss. But as we started having kids, we realized that all the falling needles were just going to become baby food. Not only that, but I have enough to do each day and didn't need to add "Clean up Tree Needles" to my list. I love our fake tree and now if I want to put it up the weekend of Thanksgiving I can. (Not that I did mind you, we haven't had time). Anyway, these stamps are part of the Christmas In The City set from Lizzie Anne Designs and this layout was what I submitted for this weeks Sketch Challenge over at the Lizzie Anne Designs forum on SCS :

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303239

Notice the design called for what was likely supposed to be a paper strip over there on the right, but I used twill tape instead. That is what I love about sketches, you end up getting ideas you never knew were in your little head!

Supplies Used: Blue Bayou cs, ink, Ruby Red cs, ink, brads, Old Olive cs, ink, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, Canvas Background Stamp, Christmas In The City set (LAD), Aquapainter.

Stained Glass Technique

Here is a sample that I cannot take all the credit for. I received a card VERY similar to this in a swap on Splitcoaststampers. The original was created by Annie Pie (screen name). What I did differently is that I used the Stained Glass Technique for the main image. This is the technique I have been demonstrating at my stamp club meetings this month. For this technique you need vellum CARD STOCK. Yes, there is such a thing...Stampin' Up! sells it and it is wonderful. You stamp your image with Staz On, watercolor your image like usual and then flip it over and mount it on white card stock. The soft vellum tones everything down and it looks like stained glass. Isn't it pretty?

Supplies Used: Really Rust cs, ink, Black cs, grosgrain ribbon, Staz On (Black), Brocade Blue ink, Olive ink, Fundamental Flexible Phrases set, Print Pattern background stamp, Sassy Stems set, Brocade Blue brads and grosgrain ribbon.

My Free Set Came!

Remember that Lizzie Anne Designs contest where I was a runner-up? Well, my free set came! I selected Christmas In the City and it is adorable! Here is my first project with that set. There is a lot of the direct to paper technique done with this card. It really needed that on all the layers so as to mimic the distressed look of the patterned paper. I have really had an aversion to using patterned paper...like I don't know how to do it and have it look nice, but I have noticed that the last several cards use patterned paper so I guess I am figuring it out....slowly!

Supplies Used: Frosty paper from Basic Grey, Blue Bayou cs, ink, Ruby Red cs, ink, Mellow Moss cs, ink, Confetti White cs, More Mustard ink, Creamy Carmel ink, Aquapainter, Moss Gingham Ribbon, Linen Thread, Word Window Punch, Pewter brads

What Were/Are You Most Thankful For?

I know this is AFTER Thanksgiving, but I didn't get to the computer on Thanksgiving like I had wanted to so this is after the fact.....But I am really curious as to the top 5 things you are thankful for....leave me your list and you may get something in the mail if I draw your name! (No need for random number selectors around here because there won't be more than 5 posts anyway!!!)

The Top 5 Things I am Thankful for...

1- Jesus, honestly His presence in the lives of my husband and I have changed us in remarkable ways over the last 6 1/2 years.

2- A healthy marriage. Sure, sometimes my dh says really insentive things and acts like a big oaf, but he is a man. We have a marriage that was on the rocks for awhile but the last year God has worked miracles in each of us and we are so blessed to have a healthy marriage.

3- My children. OH yes, they drive me crazy, they have brought to the surface things in my personality that I wish were not there, but they are the greatest blessing! There is nothing like the feel of my youngest's hand in mine as we walk together. I love the smile on my middle daughter's face...ooooh that dimple in her chin melts me everytime, and my oldest is so much fun to talk to and watch her grow into her own person.

4. Our home and my husband's job. 2 years ago he was laid off for a few months and it was the scariest thing ever. Living in Michigan, I am always aware how lucky we are that he is employed and I am able to stay home to raise the girls.

5- Friends---Christian friends, stamping friends, friends you love like family...some of them even fit into mulitple categories. I can't imagine my life without friends!

Snowfalling Deer

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was wonderful! We had 3 days of celebrations...on Thursday we celebrated with my husband's family, Friday we visited with some friends we only see a couple times a year and Saturday we celebrated with my family. The best part was that on Saturday my mother had two helpings of my Sweet Potatoes! My mom is pretty picky when it comes to her dining choices and doesn't usually enjoy trying new things. But she not only tried my sweet potato casserole thing that I threw together but she liked it enough to have seconds! I was thrilled! Hi mom!

I worked on two cards last night and here is the first. I love it! I used the Pepperberry paper from Basic Grey, I am loving this paper!!! The burgundy strip in the middle is the reverse of Pepperberry side. I also cracked open my pewter jumbo eyelets from Stampin' Up! They provide a great place to tie ribbon through. I used the deer from my growing collection of Elzybells. If you look at the card a few posts down using this stamp you will see a slight difference. I masked off the star and put the snowflake (from the falling snowflake stamp that Elzybells makes) there instead. I also used the "happy holidays" stamp from Amuse as the greeting. I hope you like it!

Build A Brads Are In!

I was glancing at my blog, being particulary proud that I have posted several projects in the last few days, and I realized that hardly any are made with SU products! Here is a project I have been sharing at my Stamp Club's this month. I was going to save it till next week because I still have one stamp club, but not everyone in that club reads my blog (I don't think). This was made with the Build A Brads. Build a Brads have been in the catalog since July but have only been available in the last month or so. I guess there was a quality control issue with the brads themselves. So, anyway, here they are! These are the pewter ones. This card is SO fast and SO cute! It uses a sheet of paper from one of my favorite packs of Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up! This comes from the Cutie Pie pack. The only stamping done on this is the "Friendship" sentiment. This stamp comes from Think Happy Thoughts.

Another Elzy Deer

Here is the other Elzybells stamp I purchased this weekend. Isn't it cute?? They have a robin just like it, which I had in my hand, but I resisted and chose to get the deer since it matched the deer in my previous post. This card also uses some printed paper by Basic Grey. This paper is from their Figgy Pudding line and I grabbed a piece or two of a few other Christmas designs from them. Maybe I will use them later this week.

Supplies used: Cool Caribbean cs, ink (retired), Bravo Burgundy cs, ink, Timber Brown Staz On, So Saffron SW Marker, Basic Grey Pepperberry paper, Sanded background stamp, Hodgepodge Hardware (pewter) brad, Mellow Moss cs, Reindeer Postage Stamp by Elzybells.

Snowy Christmas Deer

Most of you know that I pretty much stick with Stampin' Up! stamps and supplies..however, there are a few companies whose stuff I buy - those include Amuse Artstamps, Lizzie Anne Designs and now Elzybells (sold by Amuse). On Saturday my pals Claudia and Katy took me to a shop in Waterford called Jane's Craft Studio. I walked in and my jaw hit the floor...there were so many Amuse stamps and right next to the door sat just over a dozen Elzybells stamps looking at me, begging to be held! I left with this adorable image of a deer and bird gazing at a star, the Reindeer Postage stamp and "happy holidays". Let me tell you it was very hard to not take any of the Elzy girls home as well, but Christmas is just around the corner and I had to remain controlled. While on our expedition we also made it to Archiver's in Sterling Heights...my first time there and Claudia graciously shared a 30% coupon so I snagged a Mega Oval Scallop punch!!! So, here is what I made last night and I LOVE IT what about you?

Supplies Used: Bashful Blue cs, Stampin' Up! Christmas paper from last year's Holiday Mini, Chocolate Chip ink, Stampin Write Markers: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Lt. Blue Gingham Ribbon (SU), White Grosgrain ribbon (SU), Diamond Stickles, Mega Marvy Oval Scallop Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, Reindeer Star stamp (Elzybells), happy holidays (Amuse)

I Forgot How Good It Feels

To stamp that is...I haven't had time to sit and stamp at all! I didn't realize how much I had been missing it either till I actually sat down with some friends on Friday and got several cards done. We had a great time laughing and stampin! Here is a card done with Stampin' Up! supplies. I apologize for the lack of lighting. It is late fall here in Michigan and we won't see the sunshine again until late March so I am forced to take photos in the house again.

This one was made for a swap on Splitcoaststampers. We had to use the set True Friend, some printed paper and ribbon. This is what I came up with. I often have a hard time using printed papers in my projects and this was no exception but I LOVE the colors on this and really adore my new Paisley Background.

Supplies Used: Close to Cocoa ink, cs, Soft Sky ink, cs, Certainly Celery Stampin Write Marker, cs, Certainly Celery Designer Prints paper, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Paisley Background Stamp, Fancy Flexible Phrases (Spring Mini Catalog 2007).

I Know, "Post Something Will Ya!"

Lorien left me a comment telling me to post something...honestly I haven't really made much! I have been so busy the last 2 weeks in the evening that I haven't sat in my chair downstairs to create. BUT, as Lorien knows, tonight I have three friends coming over (including her) and we are going to stamp all night. SO, I will have several things to post soon. What is on my To Do List you ask? 1) Do my swaps for DKOS#15 and I think I am in 3 groups for that one... 2) Work on a birthday gift for a friend....

3) Start 3 Christmas gifts...

SO...I won't be able to show you the Christmas gifts till after the holidays because 2 of the gals who are getting them occasionally check my blog...I won't be able to show you the birthday gift because she is also a blog reader so you have to wait till December to see that...But really, with 3 cards to work on I'll have some things to share. The only problem is that since Lorien will be here tonight, she will have already seen the cards!

Happy Halloween and I'M A WINNER!

Happy Day After Halloween! Here is a picture of the girls getting ready for all the festivities! Every year I take their photo in front of the same tree in our front yard. It is so amazing how fast the kids grow! What a beautiful night in Michigan for trick or treating! It was mild enough that Megan only needed a jean jacket and Brooke and Kira were toasty in their costumes. We did get a bit wet, it started sprinkling but we walked through it. We were out a LONG time, just over 1 1/2 hours and Brooke walked nearly the entire way! We got so much candy...notice I say "we" because of course some of it is meant for me! Especially the Snickers and the couple York Peppermint Patties.

Guess what?!?!?! I WON THE LIZZIE ANNE DESIGNS CONTEST! See my post just below for the card I submitted. I can't believe I won! I obviously love people to tell me that they love my stuff otherwise I wouldn't have a blog! So, this is the ultimate encouragement, plus it doesn't hurt that I get a FREE stamp set! I am getting Christmas In the City. Run over to Lizzie Anne Designs (LAD) and check it out! http://www.lizzieannedesigns.com/