Join the Fun at The Crafter's Cafe December Open House

Finally found some crafting time!! I decided I would play along with the gals at The Crafter's Cafe December Open House.  They are offering door prizes every day, games and lots of fun challenges. Here are my entries 

Birthday Card - Sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps

Image - Bugaboo

All other Supplies - Taylored Expressions Dec 2011 Key Ingredients Kit

Thank You Card - Sponsored by Jelly Park Friends

Image - Jellypark Friends (a freebie at the challenge)

All other supplies - Taylored Expressions Apr 2011 Key Ingredients Kit

Inspired by - Sponsored by Make It Crafty

   afor this one we had to pick someone else's card to be inspired by and I picked the wonderfully talented Kristina Deyette

Image - My Favorite Things

All Other Supplies - Taylored Expressions April 2011 Key Ingredients Kit

Thanks so much for coming by!! I hope you'll try and join the fun at The Crafter's Cafe.

Many Blessings and Hugs,

More Christmas Projects to share!

I can't believe how quickly this week is going by and I still haven't had much crafty time. Honestly, it's not been so much a lack of time but rather a lack of mojo!! I am really hoping to spend the next couple of days getting that mojo back!! :-) 

I wanted to share a few more Christmas gifts I made this year. All 3 were created from the templates from My Time Made Easy. 

As you can tell, I LOVE creating 3D projects. Well this turned out to be a bit more of a problem this year. 2 weeks before Christmas our PC crashed and with it died my SCAL software.  Of course, I hadn't backed it up.  Many of you know about the whole Provocraft issue - suing Craft Edge and now they can't sell it anymore.

Since, I never used my cricut with cartridges (I only have about 5 of them),  but only used it to cut SVG files I was pretty much out of luck!! Well I decided to buy myself an early Christmas gift and bought the new Silhoutte Cameo. I also bought the upgraded Designer Edition software but couldn't make it cut the templates to the right size. Then I bought SCAL3 and while the files still aren't importing at the right size, I am able to resize them to work! It's an extra step or so but at least I'll be back in business with making my projects!! Oh yeah - this time I already backed up my SCAL software!! :-) I am seriously considering selling my Cricut Expression since I won't use it with cartridges. I have to admit I basically don't even know how to use the dumb things!!

OK on with the projects!!  This one is called the Flapper. We filled it with candy and candles!!

The is Fresh Popped also filled with candy and candles!

Take Time

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Many Blessings and Hugs,

PS - Don't forget about The Stamping Boutique blog candy here. 

Blog Candy Alert

Just wanted to share the chance to win some awesome blog candy at The Stamping Boutique's blog!! Look at this --

Now get over there and enter to win!!

Sharing some homemade gifts

Happy Day After Christmas!! I hope everyone had the most fabulous day ever!!

This was a wonderful Christmas in our house. Last week my 10 yr. old announced that kids at school were telling her there was no Santa but she didn't believe them. She just knows there has to be a Santa. Her reasoning went like this - "Mom, there is NO WAY you could stay up that late or get up that early to put out presents and not be crabby on Christmas day. And you are NEVER crabby on Christmas!!" I will treasure that thinking forever!!

Ours was great even if it did start at 2:15am!! Yes my 10 year old couldn't sleep any longer since Santa had come and she was dying to open presents. She would come into my room every 15 minutes and announce she couldn't sleep.  My 7 yr old woke at 4:15am and we opened presents. Needless to say we were all in bed at 8PM!! I have to say even though I was exhausted, I really enjoyed the excitement my 10 yr old showed for Santa!! It made this a very special Christmas!!

I figured I would share a few of my Christmas gifts I made for my girls teachers. Since Natalie had a list of 7 people to make gifts for, I'll just share a few at a time!! 

These gifts all used the same template from My Time Made Easy - Keep It. There's whole other story about my creating these gifts that I'll share later this week. On with the gifts -

I made this one for the secretary at Natalie's school. She is a card maker so I set it up as a card organizer and address card organizer. I also threw in a notepad!!

This is the one I made for Kendra's homeroom teacher.  I filled it with a notepads, note cards, and other general teacher supplies.

 Cards and notepads included above.

This is the organizer I made for Kendra's second teacher. She has a team of 2 teacher this year.

The cards and note pads I included in her box.

Supplies:

   Template - My Time Made Easy - Keep It

    Stamps from the following companies - Unity, Just Rite, Papertrey, {ippity}

Thanks so much for coming by!! 

Blessings and Hugs,

Just stopping by to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a NEW YEAR filled with many blessings!!

I hope today and every day is filled with joy, happiness and love!!!

Blessings and Hugs!!

Another Basket

Can you tell I'm on Christmas break? :-)  I actually have time to post! 

My girls still have school today and tomorrow but my DH and I are off. So we are planning to try and finish our Christmas shopping today! I'll still have to get him something but I have no idea what to get him. Suggestions?? 

I am really working to remember the importance of slowing down and listening and following the Lord. Today he spoke to me about just that in today's devotional in "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. She states  "DO NOT BE WEIGHED DOWN by the clutter in your life; lots of little chores to do sometimes in no particular order." and then goes on to remind me - "Remember the ultimate goal is living close to Me, being responsive to My initiatives."   I often get caught up in creating and completing my to do list rather than pausing and asking God what he would have me do. So today that is what I will do my best to do. Keeping in mind -  Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." 

On with the craftiness.  Here is another basket I made for my friend's fundraiser.  

I made the coffee shop from the Shop Around template at My Time Made Easy and the stamps are from there as well!! I filled with coffee shop with Kcups.  I thought I had more pics but nope I don't.

Hope you are having a blessed and not stressed day!! 

Blessings and Hugs!!

Christmas Basket

I can't believe next Sunday is Christmas!! I still have SO much to get made, bought, and wrapped.  I have been so busy running the girls here, there and everywhere and making lots of gifts, I haven't had much time for blogging. I did want to share a few of the projects I made for a fundraiser at the beginning of the month.

The good news is that I'm on Christmas break from school. Let me tell you it didn't come soon enough!! 

 I am ready for some time to slow down, reflect and prepare for a new year. I am also ready to focus on the coming of our Lord and Savior - the real reason for celebrating Christmas.  I have so much to learn and am so grateful that our Lord is always there to show the way - my life is truly blessed!

The first one is a Christmas themed basket of cards and wrapping goodies -

Sorry this next picture is so out of focus! I should have checked before I gave it away! I thought it would be fun to have a place to keep all your Christmas card addresses.  I used the Card Catch All Template from My Time Made Easy. 

I included a set of 12 cards - 4 of each design below. I used Gingham Christmas and Kissmass and Mistletoe from{ippity}.  Remember my dear friend Aletha sells {ippity} here.

I also put a note pad in there - everybody needs to keep lots of lists during the Holiday season right? I used notepads and the cover template from Papertrey Ink.  The images are from My Time Made Easy.

I finished off the bag with a few gift card holders, hand made tags, gift bags, ribbon and bows. 

I really had a great time putting this together! I'm sure many of you feel this way as well - how wonderful it would be to be able to create as my job. :-)

Hope you have a wonderful day! Blessings and Hugs!!

Don't miss the Get Hippity with Ippity Challenge #11

Yep it's time for another sketch challenge at Get Hippity With Ippity!! I don't know about y'all but I just love Aletha's sketches and the {ippity} images are just perfect for them!! This will be our last challenge for 2011 so be sure to play along!! Remember the winner gets to pick a free set from Aletha's sales blog and let me tell you there are some awesome sets!!! :-)

Here's the sketch:

Here's my card:

I used the butterfly from the Devoted set and the sentiments are from Unity's Kit of the Month.

But I have to tell you I wish I owned (and will be buying this week) the Cuppy Cakes set which would have been just perfect!!

I'd like to enter this card in the following challenges as well:

Cooking It Up With Katie - Anything Goes

Divas by Designs - Anything Goes

Paper Shelter - It's a Celebration

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes

I am so grateful for each of you that stops by to see my cards and projects!! I really enjoy sharing them!!

Blessings and Hugs!!

Amber Ink Blog Hop Winner!!

I'm a little late on announcing this but the winner of "Praying Elf on the Shelf" is Erika Owens!!! Since the gals at Amber Ink are so quick in getting out the downloads Erika should have her elf already!!

Thanks to all of you who stopped by and left a kind comment!! 

Amber Ink's 2nd Annual Holiday Hop

I am so excited to be part of this annual event with Amber Ink!!! This year's theme as you may know is Elf of the Shelf.  If you aren't familiar with him then you can go here to find out more.  

Our family has been doing this tradition for about 5 years now.  My girls named our elf "Elfie" and each year he returns to our house on December 1st.  This year my 7 year old is the one who is most excited about his visits. She comes running  down stairs each day to find out where Elfie landed!! Here he is on our family room window treatment -

Now on to the wonderful Amber Ink images. I was blessed to be given Praying Elf on the Shelf!! I just love this little guy!! 

One lucky winner from those of you leaving comments on my blog will be chosen to win this wonderful image.  You will also then be entered in the grand prize drawing to win and Elf on the Shelf gift package from Amazon.com!!! You have from today (December 5th) through tomorrow (December 6th) to leave comments for your chance to win!!!

Here's the list of all my Amber Ink Alumni Torchbearers who are participating this year -

Many blessings to each of you and your families during this Holiday Season!!

Get Hippity With Ippity Challenge #10 Reminder

Happy Sunday!! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and weekend. I didn't head out for any Black Friday sales but I did do a bit of online shopping!! I have been so stressed and busy that I haven't done much crafty shopping so I figured it would be OK. :-)  I also know there's one more place to stop tomorrow for a Cyber Monday Sale -

I was able to get some crafting time this weekend. A friend of mine is doing a chinese auction next weekend for her daughter's band/orchestra booster group.  So I spent the whole weekend creating a couple of baskets to use. I'll be back later this week to share them. I still have one to finish between now and next Sunday so wish me luck!!

Here's another card I made for the Get Hippity with Ippity Challenge #10 - embossing.  I hope you'll come by and enter for the chance to win a set from Aletha's wonderful Ippity sales blog!!

I combined the Gingham Christmas Greetings

and the Kissmas and Mistletoe set

As always thanks so much for coming by!! Hope you have a wonderful week!!

Blessings and Hugs,

Get Hippity with Ippity Challenge #10

Welcome to another Get Hippity with Ippity Challenge Post!! I don't know about you but {ippity} stamps are truly some of my favorites and Aletha is my favorite {ippity} chick!! 

The challenge this time is to use embossing on your project.  It can be heat embossing or dry embossing whatever you choose.  You can find all the details on the Get Hippity With Ippity blog! 

Here's my inspiration for you -

I used the snowflakes embossing folder from cuttlebug for the background. The images are all from the {ippity} set Gingham Christmas Greetings which of course Aletha has available here.

I hope you'll join the fun!!! So get on over there and share your creativity!!

Thanks as always for coming by! Blessings and Hugs!!

Hello again...

Sorry I've been absent for so long!! Our family has been going through a little rough time. It's been difficult but the Lord has blessed us in many ways through our experiences. Our situation has been neither life threatening nor life changing but just rather stressful and has caused me to be busy with life rather than crafting.

I thought we were finally done this weekend but nope it's not to be. I'm ok with that though because I just know that the Lord is watching over us and will be there to see us through. I find my favorite scriptures right now are

"Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,present your request to the God." Phil 4:6

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I was able to squeeze a bit of crafting in earlier today and created the following card.

The sets are - {ippity} - Now and Always 
                      {ippity} - Friends + Flowers = Priceless

I used the sketch from the current Get Hippity With Ippity Challenge #9.

 Remember this challenge is open until this Saturday November 19th!!  You have a chance to win an {Ippity}set from Aletha's sales blog.  I sure hope you'll join the fun!


Thanks for stopping by!! Have a blessed week!!
Blessings and Hugs,

Volunteer Thank You Gifts

Every year our school has a Scholastic Book Fair run by our wonderful librarian!! I always offer to make the thank you gifts for the volunteers because I just enjoy doing it.  This year she had ordered these nice pens in gift boxes so I decided to decorate the boxes and make matching Post It Note Holders.  

You can find the "life" sentiment in the {ippity} set What Matters Most

The flower image is from the {ippity} set Friends+Flowers = Priceless

You can get all this {ippity} goodness at Aletha's {ippity} sales blog. 

Thanks so much for coming by!!

Blessings and Hugs,