A Basket Full of Nuggets

Well, it's not quite full yet.  I'm still working on that part.  A week from today is the Groom's Dinner and the following week is the wedding!  I can't believe how quickly the time is going.  There's just a few minor detail things left to do so I guess I can say that I'm on track.  This basket of nuggets was one of them.  The nuggets have the bride and grooms names on them in a circle and the date in the middle.  Just like the one you see attached to the basket handle under all that black ribbon.  Their colors are black and blush.  In the center of that circle is the month, date and year in blush but it didn't show up well in the photo.  In real life you can read it though and that is what is important.  I made those name circles in a program called Print Artist.  It's a program I have been using since the early 90's.  I think it was version 2.5 when I started and the last one I got is 23. It's come a long way and it's gotten better with each version.   Though I do miss the one version that let you put photos into a grid for cross stitching.  I also used the same name in the circle thing for the candies.  I just printed them out at 60% the original size on a single label sheet and I cut them out on the paper cutter.  I wanted to do them on mailing labels (that program also does mailing labels) but I didn't have the time to play around with it to figure out if I could import that circle on the label.  How I did it was just easier for me at the time.  This program is also one I use when I purchase the Stampin' Up! downloads.  It doesn't do the scrapbooking stuff like the Stampin' Up! program does but I often pull in the background designer papers and scale them to size and print them out there.  I am not able to scale them to size in the Stampin' Up! program.  I'm hoping they come out with an upgrade for that. 

I finished the bracelet I am going to wear to the wedding and I still need to make the necklace and earrings.  They should be pretty simple.  I think I'm just going to go with a chain with some crystals for the necklace and I may make the earrings to match the bracelet.  I will get a start on that tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, be sure to stop back.  I have my annual New Year's Day blog candy!

Thank you for visiting today,

Wanda

Stocking Punch

You've probably been reading at other blogs that the stocking punch is not going to be in the next catalog.  That is sad because the punch is SO fun to play with.

I needed to make some thank you cards and since it was for Christmas gifts I wanted to make this card I had my eye on for well over a month.  I was "meaning" to make it but never got a round to it.  SO in light of the stocking punch not being available after the mini is done I thought I'd better make this card now before I forget about it. 

I don't know who originally made this card.  I had gotten it off a display board but I REALLY liked it.

The bottom of the card had a Christmas greeting but I changed it to "thank you" instead.  I thought it made and adorable thank you card.  I am two short so when I get done posting this I will be making two more.  I am hoping to get them written up, addressed and ready to go in the mail on Tuesday.  I'm not sure if there is mail service on Monday due to New Year's day being on Sunday.  But a goal of Tuesday is more doable for me anyway!!  

If you have that punch, make this card.  It's fun, easy and SO darn cute!!!  Oh, I forgot.  The original card had a little piece of ribbon on the back end of the stocking top.  It was like a loop for hanging.  I didn't add it and I don't remember why but I do like it just the way it is.

OK, that about covers it all.  Be sure to stop back on New Year's day for my annual Blog Candy!!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Now You're Cookin"

Isn't this paper adorable???  Can paper be adorable?  Well, I think it can and this paper is adorable!!!  It is from the "Domestic Goddess" pack.  And the fun part of it for me was I got to play with two of the new "In" colors that I have not paid much attention to.  And they are Pool Party and Calypso Coral.  They are SO pretty together.  It makes me think of spring.  Of course without snow and warmer temps it almost feels like spring out there.  I am temped to hang sheets outside tomorrow.  And I may just do that so I can say that I hung sheets outside the last week of December!!!  LOL

I have always loved this layout.  It lets you use those little images in sets that often get left out because they are too small.  This whole card is designed for those little images.  They are the focal point of the card!!  I know I've used this layout a lot but what can I say.  I'm just showing you what to do with those little images!!! LOL  

This little image is from the single stamp "Now You're Cookin".  It's got 2 of these cups on it, an oven mitt, a pancake turner and a fork, knife and spoon all on one rubber piece.  I just colored in the cup with a marker because that is what I wanted in the center of this card.

I thought I would send it to a friend with a recipe in it!  It also looks like a great card to use to invite people to coffee or just a pretty thinking of you card to send off to your friends.

The flash really bounced on this card because the coral color is not really that bright of an orange and you can see the coffee cup much better in real life too!  The cup had a little star mark on the image so I thought it would be pretty to add a rhinestone there.  I was going to add a tiny half pearl but the rhinestone sparkling looked prettier!

It's a very simple card to make and I always have fun making these.  And probably because they are quick to make too!

The layers go as follows beginning with the base of the card. 4-1/4" x 11" and fold it in half on the long side.

3-1/2" x 4-5/8" on the coral layer

3" x 4-1/8" for the Pool Party card stock layer

and 2-7/8" x 4" for the decorative paper layer.  And you need a 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" piece of scrap paper to stamp on.

When I punched the holes I taped the decorative paper to the card stock at about the spot where the circle will be punched from.  I lined them up as if I were permanently layering them.  Then I dropped the layers all the way inside the 1-1/4" circle punch, I lined up the sides so they were even and I punched out the circle.  Then I took the decorative paper (with the hole already punched in it) and set a piece of scrap copier paper behind it.  I took the 1-3/8" circle punch and punched out a ring.  You toss the ring and keep the decorative paper piece.  The hole is now bigger than the hole on the card stock and when it's set in place it is a circle with a nice layer behind it.  Simple as that.  You can decorate it as much or as little as you wish.  The first card I made with this sits out all of the time because I have the instructions on the inside and since I make so many of these I like to have it at hand!  Give it a try with one of those small (less than an inch) stamps and see what you think!  I gave you measurements, you have no excuse not to do it now!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Fabulous & Fun Valentine's Day Card

 WOW, I can't believe this is sketch #365.  A year's worth of sketches!!  This Sketch Challenge has been going on for over 7 years!!!  I started playing along about 5 years ago!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone and I have noticed how my stamping has changed too! 

I was hoping it wasn't too early for Valentine's Day cards.  I didn't want to even mention it during Christmas, even though I saw at Joann's they were filling the empty Christmas shelves with Valentine stuff.  I thought that was a bit too early.  Wait until the Christmas holiday is over and then start the next!  I didn't even bother looking at that stuff.  I was in the Christmas mood so Valentine's Day stuff didn't interest me in the least!

Ok, lets talk about my card!!!  I used some "Sending Love Specialty" DP that I had left over.  I don't have much of it left at all.  I would LOVE to use this stuff up so I can get some new Valentine's paper. I saw some cute stuff at Archivers and I just happened to have gotten a coupon in the mail today for there!  Hmmm, I may just have to go shopping!!! 

I used the "Fabulous & Fun" set for the focal piece.  It all didn't fit in the space provided so what I did was I stamped all but the "V" heart and that was stamped on a scrap piece of vanilla card stock.  I cut that heart out, colored it all in red and then added the dots using my gel pen.  I set it in place using Dimensionals.  

The little circle with the hearts in it were set in place with Dimensionals as well.  Two of the hearts are punched out using Pretty in Pink card stock and the other heart was punched out using Regal Rose card stock. The rose one I set in place using a Dimensional.  

I really liked making this card.  It's mostly because of all of the layers!! I LOVE layers!!! 

If you have time, play along with the Sketch Challenge.  It's a lot of fun and it's great to have new layouts to play with!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Tilas

You are probably asking yourself, "what on earth are Tilas?"  Well, Tilas are beads.  They are a flat glass bead that is double drilled.  If you click on the photo you will see there are two beads at the ends of the Tilas.  That is the end the holes are at.  These are very fun beads to play with.  They are actually bigger beads than I'm use to using and it's amazing how quickly you can get a bracelet done with larger beads!!  Though #15 seed beads (very tiny) are still my favorite beads to play with.  I figured I'd use them in my projects until I'm too old and can no longer see well enough to play with them anymore!!!  Most people that take my beading classes know I use 15's in my bracelets.  They will be shocked to see I made a bracelet without them!  I am kind of shocked myself!

I just thought I would take a break from stamping and show you one of my beaded projects.  I have a few more coming up and I will be also adding the pattern to my web store.

I hope you had a wonderful day.  Yesterday was hubby's birthday (I mentioned that in my last post) so we did the usual birthday stuff.  Presents, dinner and being extra nice to him!!  That was the hardest part!!! LOL  Today was more relaxed.   Beading and laundry.  Plus writing up my beading instructions for my next class.   I got Dragon for Christmas so now when I am creating I can just talk and the computer will type what I say and it will save me a lot of time in making my instructions.  I am SO looking forward to installing that program and giving it a try!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Faux Paint Chips Technique

This was a very simple and fun technique.  And it just so happened that I needed a masculine birthday card too.  Today is hubby's birthday.  Poor guy was born the day after Christmas.  As a kid he use to get a lot of Christmas and birthday gifts combined.  I don't do that to him.  I keep the day separate.  Well, except for putting his birthday gift(s) under the tree and making him wait!!!  We both have birthdays that are close to Christmas and we both know what it's like to have the gifts combined with Christmas gifts.  So we both keep them separate and celebrate them separately as well.  

For this Technique you just get at least three colors of card stock. It's great if you can find them in the same color but each one darker than the next.  I like the Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose but this card was for hubby so I went with blues instead!  When attaching the strips of color together you want to line the edges up so they are in a straight line.  You can also leave little spaces between them too.  It's all in how you want your paint chips to look.  If you are going to stamp directly onto the strips then you will want to line the edges together so you don't have any gaps between them.  This way you will get a solid image.  

This is a very fun technique and I like the looks of it.  Plus it's great for either a fun background or a wonderful focal piece.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Merry Christmas to You

I wish you a VERY Merry Christmas.  I hope your day was full of all the things your hearts desire.  It's a time of the year to visit with family and friends.  And not to mention the kiddies home from school for over a week!!!  Shhh, we are not to mention that!!! LOL

Today I am going to share with you the Christmas card I sent out this year.  This is of our pine tree in the backyard.  The adorable tree stands 2 feet tall.  All year long it's got white solar lights on it and during the holidays I add colored solar lights. 

I took this photo in March when we still had snow on the ground.  It took a while for the snow to go down so we could see the tree again but once it was down enough I took the camera on the tripod outside and took a few photos.  This is the one I liked the best and I pulled the picture into the GIMP program (it's a wonderful and free program on the Internet) and I added the words.  Then as the year went on companies such as Winkflash, Snapfish, Shutterfly and Walgreens had offers for free or penny photos so I got these all done for the low cost of shipping!  I couldn't pass up a deal like that.  I usually make a snowman and use his photo on the card but we didn't have enough snow to make a snowman and I already had these photos done.  I'm still waiting for that nice sticky snow.  Let's hope I get just one so I can make my snowman!!  I may have to ask Santa for a snow cone maker next year so I can make my own in the house and send them outside when I'm done!!! The sounds of a desperate snowman maker!!! LOL

Merry Christmas to you!
Wanda

Circle Christmas Tree

I found this card on the net a while back and wanted SO badly to make it but never found the time. 

Well, I got out the linen papers that I had and the glitter papers and gave it a try.  Well, it was obvious that I was using the wrong size circles because I couldn't get them all on the card the way that
Judy at Just Judy Designs did.

Her card is SO pretty and it was something I just had to make.  Have you ever seen a card and it was so wonderful that you checked to see if you had all the materials to make it because you just HAD to duplicate it???  Me either!!! LOL

Check out Judy's card here.  It's SO much prettier.  I like how she arranged ALL of the circles.  My card is ok but only if you don't compare it with hers!!! LOL  

It's Christmas eve and I need to get going.  There's partying to be doing and presents to open!!!  I hope you get what you want for Christmas!

Happy Holidays,
Wanda

Jolly Bingo Bits Header Weekend Project

Here is a fun and quick stocking stuffer.  I these adorable chocolate ginger bread boy came in a package of 3, so I got to make 3 stocking stuffers for the price of 1!  You can't beat a deal like that!!

I put this cute little guy in a food safe bag and then added the header base. 

When you make these you want to cut the header about 1/8" to 1/4" wider than the bag.  You also need to decide how tall you want the header and then double it (because you are folding it in half).  

I staple it on but I make sure the bumpy part of the staple is in the front.  Once the decorated paper is put on the front it hides those bumps and all  you have is the smooth metal pieces on the back. It's a nice clean look and no one will get poked if one of those bumps happen to pull up a bit.

Once you have the folded header base attached you can begin to decorate it any way you like.  Here I used the ginger bread boy from the "Jolly Bingo Bits" set.  I just stamped them on using Chocolate Chip ink. 

The words are from the "Four the Holidays" set.  And the holly is from a small hand held punch I have.  I don't know where I got the punch or what it is called.  I've had it for MANY years!  

These were fun and quick to make!  And this is the last of the stocking stuffers I will be making this Christmas!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Kitty May Be Looking for a New Home!

I know someone who is not going to get anything from Santa this year!!!  Don't let this face fool you.  This is the face of a bad kitty.

I had just finished taking the items out of the bag and I set the bag to my right side.  The phone rang and when I came back this is what I saw!  Bad kitty.  The bag was torn up and there were pieces of the bag all over the floor.  And don't let that innocent face fool you.  This is the face of naughty!!!

If I leave my gloves in my purse instead of putting them in my coat pocket.  Bella Jean will take one out of my purse and fight with it and growl at the fur on the cuff.  Do you think she needs glasses???  It's a glove!!  

Oh and you should see the presents under the tree.  I don't think there is one that is not bit or chewed on the corner.  The Humane Society gal told us that this cat grew up with dogs.  Maybe that would explain some of the chewing problems, maybe!!!  Will there be anything for Bella Jean under the tree???  I guess we'll leave that up to Santa!!  LOL

Dasher Christmas Bulb

I'm just making some last minute gifts and stocking stuffers.  This was a very quick bulb that I made.  I purchased the "Dasher" download and printed it out using some Avery acid free clear sticker paper.  This stuff is SO fun!!!  You can print anything you want on it.  You cut it out and stick it on your cards, scrapbook pages and even bulbs!!!  

You really do need to cut as close to the image as possible so the sticker paper doesn't show.  It was TOO difficult to do with the antlers so I just figured the paper would have to show through. 

In my haste to take the photo I forgot to add the ribbon.  The color I chose for the reindeer was the Cherry Cobbler so I was going to add some matching ribbon.  Sorry you didn't get to see it.  The ribbon  was just tied around the neck of the bulb and then tied in a pretty bow.  It was simple enough and yet it gave the ornament that finished touch.  I want to do this with our son's wedding photo for next Christmas.  And what is fun with this too is I can type the date and info and just stick it all on the back as a separate sticker.  That will be a fun gift (for next year!!).

Ok, I'm off to work on my last stocking stuffer for Christmas.  Come back tomorrow and I will share it with you!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Jolliest Time of the Year Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 The final Wednesday before Christmas.  I tried to make a lot of 3-D items this year instead of all cards but Wednesdays I just HAD to participate in the Sketch Challenges over at SplitCoastStampers.  I don't like to miss the Wednesday challenge.

I liked this layout a lot.  That circle in the #2 panel has a lot of possibilities!!

I went with a simple card this time, I have a ton of things to work on before Christmas eve but I still wanted to participate in the Sketch Challenge.

I got to make use of the new die that is going to be available soon.  A friend of mine let me cut out a few to play with at a later date and this was one of those "later dates."  I trimmed the die a bit so it would fit in the circle.  It's a nice size doily die and I can me getting a lot of use out of it.  I'm hoping that it will cut felt!!  

Let's get back to my card before I get SO into that die that I start planning other uses for it!  LOL  I stamped my image in using StazOn.  I prefer that ink because I never know if I'm going to be coloring over the black ink and making a mess.  With StazOn you don't have to worry about water coloring over it. Blender pens sometime lift the ink but that is only if you work the area too much. 

I added a snowflake to the top of the new die and I added a pearl in the middle to cover the hole that both of them have.  SO simple, SO quick and cute too!  Ya can't ask for more!

Thank you for visiting today,
Wanda

Sled Christmas Ornament from Punches

 Tonight I am at Terri's FABULOUS Technique Class.  Last month she asked the gals to make an ornament using mostly Stampin' Up! products.  I am not participating in the gift exchange but I did decide to make an ornament for Terri.

I used all Word Window punched pieces here!!  Amazing, isn't it?  I wasn't sure I would be able to pull out what was in my head and get it down in 3D.  And the best part!!!  I only made one!  I got it right the first time!  Shocker, I know!!!

I did punch a LOT of these pieces and glued them together.  While they were drying under a heavy object, I punched out the glitter paper.  I punched out 6 pieces of them and in between them was more Craft card stock.  

I used an oval punch to make the glitter pieces look more real.  

To join the pieces I used some scrap pieces of the glitter paper under the 3 top "wood" pieces.  It was a bit flimsy but once the runners were glued on the sled felt more sturdy.  

I took the paper piercer and poked two holes in the top glitter part of the sled.  I'm not sure what that part is called but it's the part you use to guide or steer the sled.  I tied some linen thread through those holes and then I tied the jingle bells on.  I did color the jingle bells with a red Sharpe marker.  It's the only non-Stampin' Up! item I used to make this sled.

The most difficult part was trying to get that snowflake on the top right and I did mess up on it.  I didn't get the tips of the snowflake lined up right.  But you get the idea that it's a snowflake in the middle of the sled.  

I had a lot of fun making it and I'm sure Terri is going to like it!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Jolly Bingo Bits Card Holders

You will have to click on the photo to get a closer view of these little cuties!!!

Take some Baker's Twine and attach both ends to your wall.  When you receive a Christmas card, just take one of these cute mini clothes pins and pinch it on the card and twine.  Now your card is displayed on your wall with an adorable clothes pin.  

I picked a few of my favorite images in this set and colored them, cut them out and stuck them on the mini clothes pins using glue dots.  You need something a bit more sticky than a tape runner.  I just clipped them on a piece of card stock as I made them.  Aren't they fun??  And cute???   This is such a fun set to play with.  I have enjoyed this set SO much!

These would also be cute on one of those little 6" sisal trees!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Two Tags Die Christmas Gift Tags

I bought the "Stocking Accents" die way back in the summer in my pre-order and had not used it.  Today I ran across some cute to and from tags made by Elaine at "Elaine's Creations" and just had to make them.  And now I feel bad that I had not played with this die before now.  It was a lot of fun and the season is nearly over.  I know there is always next year but....  Oh well, at least I got to play with it, right?

These were VERY fun to make and unbelievable easy too!  

Elaine's samples had ribbon for the hanging tag.  I didn't add anything yet, I'm still not sure what I want to put there.  I may just end up using some Baker's Twine.  That stuff is a lot of fun too!!

So, if you have not used your die yet, dig it out and play with it before Christmas is here!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Snowman Soup Stocking Stuffers Weekend Project

I just LOVE making Snowman Soup gifts!  You can make this a very inexpensive gift too.  Shop around for Christmas mugs.  I bet you can find some at the Goodwill for under $1.  Or plan ahead and shop around at garage sales in the spring and summer!!  

I think these make wonderful gifts for teachers, coworkers, friends, the mail carrier, UPS driver and even for stocking stuffers.

This year I was able to find vanilla snowman shaped marshmallows.  And yes, there are a vanilla color too!  I wanted the tall "normal" candy cane but I didn't have any so I used two short ones instead.

You can find the hot cocoa on sale this time of year too!  Like I said, you can make these pretty inexpensive if you shop around!

The poem can be found here along with tags you can print out.  The tags are fun and some of them even have the poem already added to the adorable image.  My image came from a program I LOVE to use called Print Artist.  I believe it is version #21. I use this program for a lot of things because of the ease of use and the wonderful graphics it contains.  And best of all it's got a LOT of vintage Santa's and snowmen (plus other holidays and seasons too).  

And if you don't want to use their images with the poem I'm adding the poem so you can just copy it over and print it out on your own graphic!

You can wrap them in cellophane or some type of clinging wrap.  Add some ribbons or bows.  Dress it up as much or as little as you want!

Snowman Soup

Was told you've been real good this year.
Always glad to hear it!
With freezing weather drawing near,
You'll need to warm the spirit.
So here's a little Snowman Soup
Complete with stirring stick.
Add hot water, sip it slow.
It's sure to do the trick!

Have fun with these and thank you for stopping by today,
Wanda

Purse Placemet Weekend Project

A purse?  Really?  Yup!  My dear friend Terri had made me a yellow purse and it made a few of my friends jealous!!  Only because I purposely showed them knowing it would!!!  My dark side showing there!!! LOL  

This purse is made using a quilted placemat!!  How cute is that?  You just fold the placemat in half and then sew up the sides.  You make a gusset at the bottom by sewing the two corners. 

Next I added the grommets.  I used cording here because at the time I made it I didn't have the Stampin' Up! red stripe ribbon.  I sewed the ends of the cording to the cording itself and I covered that sewing with two buttons.  Click on the photo and you will see the buttons.  Then I used a few Sizzix dies and cut out white felt flowers and put them over the buttons.  The center of those little flowers is tiny red doll buttons.

The larger flower was done the same as the little flowers except I used more layers.  And I used a piece of green felt and cut out the leaves.  I sewed them in place and the purse was done.  It is for a gift and I will be bringing it to the Christmas party tonight!!!  I'm SO excited to for my friend to open it!!  I bought a few more placemats so I can make some for gifts next Christmas.  I figured I would work on them at my leisure.  I got these placemats at Wal-Mart.  Maybe they will have different colors in the spring or summer!  I'll have to check it out when I'm there.  

These make great gifts and they really don't take that long to make either.  Under an hour from start to finish. Ya gotta LOVE that!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

More Holiday Fudge! Weekend Project

I have finished my holiday baking!  Yup, that includes all of the "fudge" too!

I ran across this really pretty snowflake paper that I had in my stash and thought I would use it up making more of the homemade fudge!  You can find more details on how to make these holders here.  These are very easy and fun to make but what is best about them is they bring a smile to every face that receives them!!! 

I just love those little button packs that you can get at Michael's.  This one had a bunch of baking items in them and most of them are not really buttons but just embellishments.  They add the perfect touch to these sleeves. Another thing nice about making these sleeves is that they can be reused!!!

That is it for today!  I hope you are getting your holiday baking done too, even if it's just "homemade fudge!"  Oh and I also got my Christmas shopping done today as well.  Don't be too envious, I still have to wrap it all!!  

Thank you ever SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Snow Much Fun Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Once again SplitCoastStampers provided another fun sketch to play with!  I SO look forward to Wednesdays when the Sketch Challenge is released.  I can't believe that it's sketch #363.  This has been going on for 363 weeks!! WOW.  What is cool too is that there are only 2 more Wednesdays left to this month and it will end on sketch #365.  A years worth of sketches!!  WOW!  I know I have said this before but just bear with me....  I have been doing these since sketch #126 with the exception of missing a couple in between because they were square cards.  I am no longer intimidated by square cards anymore hence the only missing 2 sketches in all that time!  I just can't believe I've been playing along for over 4 1/2 years!! It just doesn't seem that long!

So lets get to my card.  I had found some fun snowflake paper in the DCWV stacks.  The base of my card is Bashful Blue and I also used Whisper White card stock.  I colored the snowmen in with markers and blender pens.  I added a pompom to the shorter snowman's "hand" but I forgot to add one to his hat!!  How silly.  I'll have to remember to pop one on there.  It's easy enough to do, I just stuck it on with a glue dot!

This was a fun sketch to do.  Cutting the snowmen out took a little while to do but it was still fun.

If you have time, I highly recommend you give this sketch a try!  I did flip the sketch to accommodate the image I wanted to use.  They do allow you to do that!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Candy Gifts for Christmas Weekend Project

Here's a fun and pretty gift to add to the "Weekend Projects" list!  I have made several of these. They are fun and they really don't take all that long to make.  I LOVE making gifts for my friends and this is one of my favorite ones!

First you must find some type of container.  I have a short glass container.  Inside that container is a foam block like florists would use.  There is a couple of pieces of mylar (those go down before the block goes in).  I add a pop up glue dot at the bottom and then the mylar sheet.  You can get those mylar sheets at any party store. 

I got a BIG snowflake pick and added that to the back of the jar.  Then I added some mylar strips inside the jar (on top of the block). And then I cut some florist stems (green wire) in different lengths.  You don't want them any higher than half the height of the snowflake.  Arrange them by length. 

Since I was going for a wintery look I went for blue wrapped candies.  And what better candy to use than the Lendor truffles!!!  YUM!  And Dove chocolates!!!  And the Vanilla Tootsie Rolls are also a candy wrapped in blue so there's some of those tucked in there too!  I took my hot glue gun and added a bit of glue to the end of the tallest wire.  This one was going in the center.  I just added the glue and stuck it to the truffle and let it set up for a few seconds.  While it was setting up I just moved on to the other candies and got them all stuck on the wires.  

Now the fun part starts! Stick the candied wires in the foam block and try to keep the candies in a rounded form.  Tallest in the middle and shortest in the front and sides.  I fill in some gaps with single unwired Tootsie Rolls.  And that's it.  VERY fun, VERY easy and VERY VERY cute!!!

I have a few more fun gifts to share with you before Christmas is here so please stop back!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Glimmer Paper Snowflake Gift Container

I have been telling myself lately to just toss these containers away when I empty them but....  I love to repurpose things.  This container was from some dried lemon stuff that I use for making lemon bread.  The recipe is on the container!!  

I had baked Monster Cookies and the last one is always a really large one because there is not enough to make two.  So I bake this big cookie and I put it in this container.  It fits perfectly.  So that is another reason to want to keep these containers!!!  I guess it's ok to keep the containers if you plan to use them right away.  I am done storing things so I will look at this as an ok thing (this time!!!).  

On the top of this container I cut a 4" circle of Night of Navy card stock.  Then I punched out a snowflake using the silver Glimmer Paper.  Now I did have to cut the snowflake in half to get it to fit in the lid.  It was about 1/8" too big.  But cutting it in half made it easy to fit the two pieces in.  In the center they are just a little bit on top of each other but the "Merry Christmas" scallop piece covered it.   

I had gotten my silver paper at Joann's because I didn't order any from Stampin' Up! and I wasn't going to place an order for just a package of the glimmer paper.  This paper was also sticky on the back so after cutting it out I just peeled the back and stuck it on top of the Night of Navy circle.

The "Merry Christmas" was done on my computer. I had printed out a page of them a while ago and I just punched them out using the 1-1/4" circle punch.  I layered the words using a circle of Night of Navy and a red Glimmer Paper scallop.  I set it in place on top of the snowflake using pop up glue dots.  And that was it.  It's all ready to give!  These make wonderful Stocking Stuffers!!  Click here for more stocking stuffer ideas!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Matching Bow!

I LOVE having my bows match my wrapping paper but I REALLY hate cutting all those strips of paper to make it work.  Well, my problem is now solved.  Earlier this year I had found that Sizzix has a die that cuts those strips.  It cuts 3 sizes plus two different size buttons to attach the bow to.  How cool is that?  I thought it was very cool and after I bought it I set it aside until now!  I have a lot of stuff like that.  But this die is one I know I'm going to get a lot of use out of!

I ran the wrapping paper and the die through my Big Kick using a couple of layers of wrapping paper.  I just turned the centers of the strips to a point, matched up the holes (yup, it even puts holes in the tips too) and I just kept adding points until I thought it looked full enough!  I did use a retired red corduroy brad in the center to hold it all together.  I need to use those things up and what a perfect way to do it!!!  I was thinking about purchasing some of those plastic pieces you use in the center of these bows.  One end has a tip on it so you can just poke it through the box and it stays in place.  I'll have to look for them when I'm out shopping but I have a feeling I missed the window of opportunity with those!  But that's ok too, I have lots of brads I can use up!

I am not sure where I got this die but there's only a few places online that I shop for them.  One is Oh My Crafts, Ritz Camera (I know, who would think they would have dies) and Sizzix.  I don't shop too many other places on the net for things like this.  It just seems that once you know where to get the best price you just don't shop around anymore.   

These do not take long to make and I thought it was fun too!  I'm off to make some more bows for the gifts I still have to wrap.  I just finished up my holiday baking and I have a few gifts left to buy and a few left to wrap!!!  I figure I should be done with that by Thursday and I can kick back and enjoy the rest of the holiday season!  Get the stressful stuff out of the way and take time to enjoy the lights, music (maybe snow) and the warm cozy evenings!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Jolly Bingo Bits Christmas Card

A while back I bought the postage stamp punch (actually, it was when it was on a pre-order) and I never used it!  I LOVE postage stamp images.  I still have the postage edge scissors!  But why I never used this punch is beyond me!  

When I sat down to make this card what I had in mind was the base of the card and the two background layers.  I knew I wanted it in white with red for the accent color.  I was looking in my workroom and I saw the Stitched Felt Winter Wishes pack and realized I had only used the mittens in that pack and I had only used one set of them!  What's up with that?

I took the wreath out.  I had wanted to make one of those door cards with the wreath on it but have not gotten around to it.  So I'm sitting here now with the background ready and the wreath.  But the wreath needed something on the inside so I took one of my computer generated words and cut it to fit the wreath.  I set the wreath on the card and wasn't thrilled so I moved it towards the bottom and knew that something had to go on top.  I took out the Jolly Bingo Bits set and was going to use the snowman but I didn't think it went so well with the wreath.  Then I spotted the holly and berries image and decided to use that one since the wreath is made with the same shape leaves.  

Now how the postage stamp part came into play!!  I was looking for a punch to use as a back layer because I was being lazy and didn't want to cut any card stock, let alone 3 pieces!  I took the punch out and then I was on the hunt for a punch to fit on top of the postage stamp one!  A 1" square stamp works perfectly.  So next I colored my images, stamped them and punched them out!  Then I assembled the card.

The wreath was still bugging me because it wasn't very colorful. I punched out some red dots using a handheld round paper punch.  I tied the bow on the wreath and attached it with glue dots.  I strung 3 jingle bells together and used a glue dot to hole them in place under the bow.  I liked what I saw and the card was done!!!

It has a clean and simple look to it too.  I LOVE the CAS look!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Gifts of Christmas

I have loved this "Gifts of Christmas" set and have not used it as much as I would have liked to.  I did "stamp on a candle" using it.  I had plans on making candles to sell at the fall craft fair but that didn't happen.  

I have had this card saved in a file on my computer for over a year.  I found it at Michelle's site, Painted Desert Serenade.  She I only changed one thing (shocker, I know!!!).  She had used Bravo Burgundy for the flowers and I used Cherry Cobbler not only for the flowers but for the words too. Minor changes but I do like how the red stands out a bit more than the burgundy does.

To do this you are suppose to color the image with markers.  What I did was I stamped the whole image with Night of Navy.  Then I took my blender pen and wiped off the few areas where I wanted the Cherry Cobbler to go and then I just colored with the Cherry Cobbler marker. It was so much easier to see where I needed to color that way.  I actually did start coloring with the marker but I found it difficult to see where I needed to color so I went with the ink pad and blender pen.  

This is a quick card to make too! 

You can view the candle I stamped using this image here.  

I am betting this set won't be in the next catalog.  It's been around for a few years now and I have a feeling it will be gone.  I think I need to make a couple more cards with it before it retires.  I will probably be selling mine if that is the case.  I have LOTS of sets to sell but very little time to get them photographed and put in the web store!  Where does the time go?  And besides, to be honest here, I would rather be stamping and creating!!

This card is going off in the mail tomorrow to a special friend!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Greeting Card Kids Snow Globe Weekend Project

I was digging in one of my cupboards in my workroom today and ran across two of these adorable snow globes.  I was digging in there for some Snow Tex to put on this adorable outdoor snowman yard art a friend of mine (Peggy) gave to me.  She just didn't want it anymore.  I will show you what I did to it tomorrow.  I really should have taken a photo of it before I added "stuff" to it.  But it's ok, I know you'll think it's cute and NO Peggy, you can't have it back!!! LOL

Ok, onto this fun project.  I did have to add more water to them. It's so odd how water in these things can evaporate.  Does it really evaporate?  The thing is sealed and the seal is covered.  It must, the water has to go somewhere!

After filling it I then went on the search for something Christmasy to fit in the area I had to work with.

I found the adorable little winter girl from the "Greeting Card Kids" set worked perfectly in there!  Isn't she cute?

I cut my card stock to fit the space provided.  Then I stamped the image twice.  Once on the cut piece and then again on a scrap piece.  I cut out the tree and the girl.  I colored them and them put them on Dimensionals.  I was wondering if that was a waste of time and a waste of Dimensionals.  But it wasn't.  You can see the dimension on the girl and the tree.  And it made me regret that I didn't color the girl and the tree on the cut piece of card stock.  But it still looks nice.  

With this globe you can do another image on the other side or you can add your holiday greetings. I'm going to keep this one like it is for a while and then I'm going to take it apart and make one for my new great-nephew.  I am going to put a photo of him on one side and do a little Christmasy thing on the other side behind the words "Baby's First Christmas."  I think his parents will like it!  I'll share it with you when I get it done.  I'll even share both sides of it with you this time!! LOL

The other one I'm going to give to a special friend of mine who is just getting into stamping and I'm going to let her have some fun with it!  I got it all filled up for her and ready to go!!  

I think this globe came from Oriental Trading several years ago but I do know they still carry other forms of snow globes.  You can always Google it too if you don't like the ones that OT has!  These make GREAT stocking stuffers, a fun Stamp Camp project and I think they may sell well at craft fairs. Decorate up one side and have the other side with some options like Merry Christmas mom, grandma, etc.  Or a teacher theme.  There's lots of ways you can make it work and appealing to the buyer!  Check out the side bar on the right for more Stocking Stuffers, Stamp Camp projects and Craft Fair items.  The side bar is full of things for you to see and have fun with!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Easy Events Christmas Card Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 WOW, what a long title that was!!  This was a very fun sketch at SplitCoastStampers.  I was done in no time which kind of surprised me.  I don't usually finish them this quickly.  I tend to look through my stamp sets or the Stampin' Up! catalog to find an image that fits in the focal space.  This time I knew what image I wanted to use and I was hoping it would fit.  And it did!!!  I did flip the sketch a quarter turn because I wanted the orientation of the image to fit the card.  Or is it that I wanted the card to fit the orientation of the image???  I just wanted it to fit and look good!!!  LOL

I had run across some old decorative paper that had bought at Michael's MANY years ago.  It was fun using it but I hardly put a dent in the decorative paper sheet!  I could make more of these card because they were easy and quick enough.  It's such a clean and simple card (CAS) and would be able to make about 3 or 4 more off that piece of decorative paper. 

If you have time, give this sketch a try.  You can keep those panels all one color or you can do them in 3 different colors.  You're the artist.  The only real rule to these sketches is to try to keep the panels the same size as the diagram. That's the challenge!

I was also thrilled with the image I chose because it now finished off that set.  I have made a card with every image in that set!!  It's SO rare but it was something I challenged myself to do when I bought that set!  I LOVE it when I can use every image in a set!  This set was easy enough to do that but this image made me wait until it was December to play with it. I didn't want to be making and posting Christmas cards in the summer months!  Though the thought of the cooler weather then would be welcoming!!  

Ok, I'm off to create something else now!

Happy Stamping and I thank you for stopping by to see my card!
Wanda

Santa Theme Scratch Pad Holder Stocking Stuffer

 I've been making some fun Stocking Stuffers lately.  It's always great to have some fun things to put in the stockings that don't cost an arm and a leg.  And what better to put in the stocking than a scratch pad.  We play games on Christmas day and it's nice to have something to write on to keep score!  

This is a quick project to make too.  You just cut and score the card stock, punch the buttons, buckle and the "fir", add a belt and you're done!!!

You need a piece of red card stock cut 6" x 12".  Score it on the long side at 4", 4-3/8" and 8-1/4".  Fold the score lines inward.

Take the Word Window punch and punch the far right panel about 1/4" down and all across the top of that panel.  Be sure to leave 1/4" on each side of the panel. Using the window punch allows you to refill this note holder!!

Next fold the panel you punched inward.  Use a bone folder to make a sharp crease.  With the panel open glue the far right edge (the 6" end) and the bottom of that panel.  Use your bone folder to help the glue to adhere to the card stock.  Insert the scratch pad and fold over the other two scored pieces.  The top piece may need to be trimmed 1/8".  You will see this once the scratch pad has been inserted and the other score lines folded in.

Decorate the front as desired.  Here I used the lace punch to make the fir.  I used a 1" circle punch for the buttons and I used a 3/4" and a 1-3/4" square punches for the buckle.  And that is it.  Very simple and very quick to make! 

These are also great for a Make n Take, Stamp Camp and you can even sell them at your local craft fairs.  Oh and they do make fun Stocking Stuffers!!!  For more stocking stuffer ideas just click here.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Groom's Dinner Invitation Card

For the past few days I have been working on making the Groom's Dinner invitation cards.  It really didn't take two days but it spewed into two days because I had other things I had to attend to.  One was a bridal shower and the other was a class I taught on Sunday.  Sunday night I finished the cards.  They are all addressed and will go out in the mail today!  One less thing off the HUGE list of wedding stuff to attend to!  I still need to contact the caterer and order the food and then I can tend to the little detailed stuff. 

Anyway, lets get back to my fun card. There is absolutely no stamping done on this card.  The words for the invitation part were done on the computer.  Scissors, punches, Dimensionals, glitter and glue was used to make this invitation. 

I had seen a card done something like this but they used real buttons. I believe it was a card by Lynn Pratt.  To save on postage I didn't want to use real buttons and I didn't have a bunch of black buttons so I went with the punched ones.  I believe it was a Martha Stewart punch. It punched the button and embossed the raised edge at the same time.  And the best part about this card is I wrote down the measurements for you!

I started out with a 9-1/2" x 5-3/8" piece of black card stock.  I then scored it on the long side at 2-3/4" and 6-7/8".  For the lapel I made a little mark about 1-11/8" from the fold and then folded the lapel tip to the left fold.  I repeated this for the other lapel.  I taped them in place with glue dots.  I needed something that would hold the lapels down.  The lapels may not be perfectly even but that's ok.

I punched out the buttons and then I used some ultra fine black glitter on the lapel and buttons.  I set these aside to dry.  The bow is just a small square I punched out and then cut into a triangle.  I put them together on top of a 1/2" circle and then I added another 1/2" circle on top of that.  Once I was done making them I added the glitter to them too.  

The "shirt" piece actually has the invitation on it and it pulls out from the top of the card.  Under the bow there is 2 small punched circles to represent buttons.  I don't know if it will show up if you click the photo.  I think the flash bounced back too much.  But trust me, they are there!!

I set the jacket buttons on Dimensionals to pop them up and I used them on the bow tie too.  

I have them all addressed and they are ready to be mailed!!!  Color me happy and one less thing to do!!! And the best part, they weighted less than one ounce and they fit through the little slot so it won't cost more than the $.44 to mail them!!!  

These were fun and I'm sure those receiving them will like the looks of them.  I did make one for myself to keep!  I will probably have it on display in my workroom for a while and then put it in a scrapbook!  

Now I can move onto some of the other fun Christmas things I want to make for stocking stuffers and gifts!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Serene Snowflakes Christmas Card

This is yet another one of those cards that I just HAD to CASE!  I saw it and immediately knew that I had to make one!  I never know if I'm making the card exactly like the original designer did but I'm usually happy with the end results.

This card was made by Deb at Artfelt Impressions. 

First of all it was the colors that caught my eyes.  The Pool Party snowflakes were just so sweet looking.  

I don't get to play with the confetti paper much (because I forget I have it) so when I do play with it I am always pleased with the project.  And the same with the corner rounder!  I have a lot of tools I forget to play with!

This was a very quick and simple card to do too!! I LOVE those features in a card. 

On the center snowflake there is a rhinestone attached to the middle and this piece was cut out.  Just the center part of the snowflake.  I was glad I was only making one because I honestly didn't enjoy cutting out the center of a snowflake.  I know it's SO worth it but for some odd reason I wasn't into that today.  And this is coming from some one who LOVES snowflakes!  

I really like this card and am going to display it in my workroom until the end of the month!!

If you make this card be sure to give Deb the credit for it.  I don't believe I changed anything on this card!! A total CASE!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Christmas Fudge Sleeve Weekend Project

To make this cute sleeve, I took a piece of decorative paper that measured 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" I scored the bottom piece (on the long side) at 1" and I scored the top end (on the long side) 3/4".

On the short side score at 1", 1-1/4", 3-5/8" and 3-7/8"

Fold the short scored lines so the back side of the decorative paper is on top.  Fold the long scored inward.  Use a very strong tape like the Sticky Strip or the Redline tape (same exact thing) or you can use glue.  I prefer to glue.  It takes a little longer to set up but I know it will stay, even if I leave the candy in the card and it gets froze. 

Since I’m using glue I’m going to use the word “glue” in my instructions.  I glued the “cuff” I crated at the bottom.  I only glued it on the ends.  I wanted them to lay down flat when I meet the edges of the paper to form the sleeve.  You will see what I mean if you wrap the paper around the candy bar until the long edges meet.  See at the ends how that folded piece sticks up?  Just glue them down.  You don’t need to glue the whole “cuff” but you can if you want. I like to leave it unglued so I can slip in a little “to and from” tag.

After gluing the edges of the “cuffs” then I glued the long center back seam.  And then I glued the bottom of the holder shut.  I just pinched it and held it for a few seconds while the glue set up. 

I searched my ribbons and didn’t have any Garden Green color so I am going to go with Always Artichoke.  The green in the patterned paper is so fine that the Always Artichoke blends just fine.

I did have a bit of trouble trying to get the ribbon knots to match up.  Who would have thought that would be so difficult? 

I also took a piece of Always Artichoke and punched out a tab, folded it in half and glued it to the end of the candy bar wrapper.  Since I made the candy holder pocket so deep I wanted to have something to pull the candy bar out of there.  I thought shaking it out cheapened it for some reason!!  The tab gave it a bit more class!

And then I added the cute little cookie cutter and rolling pin.  Those are from the “Dress It Up” pack I got at Michael’s.  I thought that set of little baking things were adorable!!!  There’s a cookie sheet, a gingerbread boy, 2 more cookie cutters, a spatula, cutting board, cookies, spoon and a few more things.  I couldn’t pass it up. I bought these a few years ago and have had them hanging on my wall ever since I bought them.

These little pockets are fun to make.  I printed out a few more words on the computer so I can make some more of these.  They do make cute gifts!!!!  And it saves you a lot of time in making real fudge!!! LOL

The poem for the front goes like this:

A day or two ago, we thought we'd make a treat for all our special friends...
A Christmas gift to eat! Our intentions were top notch, but our schedules 

would not budge, hence this year's version of homemade Christmas fudge!

Click on the photos for a closer view. And there is a longer version of the poem here.  It will fit on the king size candy bars.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Lighted Glass Block Weekend Project

This is my very first glass block ever.  I never made one before because I was afraid of the drilling part to get a hole in the block so the lights could be fed through it.  Well at Michael's they have glass blocks with a nice size hole already in it.  And there is a plastic cap to cover the hole too!!!  I am SO loving these glass blocks now!

I used the "Snow Much Fun" set on this block.  What I did here was I cut a piece of Vellum to fit inside the glass block.  Because the hole is big enough you can add and remove the vellum with ease.  I may just make a file to keep the stamped vellum squares in and just reuse the block for other occasions.  Every season (when I'm done with them all) I can just go to the file and pull out the one that is needed for the holiday and set the block out on display!!  That's the plan anyway!!

I stamped the images using black StazOn. And then I colored the images with colored pencils.  That is how I was able to get the snowmen SO white!  I made masks of the snowmen and then stamped the tree on.  I left the masks on and sponged the sky and ground in.  

When I was all done coloring and sponging I used some glitter Stickles to add some sparkle and dimension to the images and snow.  Click on the image for a closer look at the glittery parts!!  I may give this as a gift and get another block.  Michael's has a 50% off coupon this week!!! I bought this block a few weeks back and I think it was only $9 or $10 without a coupon. Of course I got mine with a coupon!  

These are SO much fun to decorate.  I want to make another one, hopefully I can do it before Christmas.  But I can always make a wintry looking scene that I can keep out WAY after Christmas!  These don't take long to decorate either.  Well, they do take a bit of time if you cut out every piece to make a mask!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Hand-Penned Holidays

Can you believe it's December 1st already?  That means only 24 days to Christmas!  YIKES!!!  I have hardly begun my shopping.  So I'm changing subjects here and I'm going to talk about my card here! 

I am SO loving this "Hand-Penned Holidays" set.  The font on this card is ever so lovely!  It just makes this card look so elegant.

This is a very simple card to make too.

I just embossed the bottom panel and then added the stamped top piece.  You can do it on one piece of card stock but I just found it easier this way because I had the embossed piece sitting on my worktable from a different project I was going to do.  The ribbon hides the seams so you can do whatever you want there.  And I also found this easier because if I made an error on the words I would have had to cut it off and add a piece of card stock anyway.  I just saved myself the time in having to correct the error.  And I actually didn't make an error on the words but that falls under one of the "Murphy's Law" things doesn't it?  Had I done it on one piece I probably would have made a mistake. That's usually how it works for me!!

Ok, back to the rest of this easy card.  I had a snowflake sitting in my stash so I just sponged the edges popped a Dimensional behind it and a rhinestone on top and stuck it in the bottom corner.

My card stock colors are Marina Mist (for the main part of the card), Pacific Point on top of it and Whisper White on top of that!  And that is it.  So quick and simple to do!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda