Christmas Countdown Day 24

Oh my, I can't believe we're already on Day 24...where did the time go?  I seem to say that a lot lately.  Hmmmm.

Today I have to share this picture of our sweet golden retriever.  She is hopeful that Santa Doggy will come tonight...

Today was the last day for me to open gifts from my Secret Santa.  Here is what I received today.

And here is what was inside!

Chocolate!  Yummmm...thank you so much Secret Santas, I have really enjoyed this whole month!!

Here is a picture of a Nativity Scene we saw tonight where they are all awaiting Baby Jesus.

Merry Christmas to all of you and Merry Christmas Sweet Jesus!

Christmas Countdown Day 23

Christmas is almost here!  Here is an Advent Calendar I made using the new Peekaboo Frames die and 25 and Counting stamp set.

It actually came together pretty quick.

Today I received the most adorable wall hanging from my Secret Santa.

Isn't that sweet?  I love it!  Merry Christmas Eve (almost!), everyone.  We got our cookies all baked today...whew!  Now to deliver them tomorrow.  Fun!  :)

Stocking Punch is being Retired

(Spoiler ahead if I'm your Secret Santa)  I used the Stocking Punch to make this cute set of Notecards with a matching box for my Secret Pal.  I was so excited with how this present came out.  I really hope she likes it!

The Stocking Builder Punch is being retired.  If you are interested in it, click on the Online Store button at the top of my blog and search for 124095.  It is $16.95 if you purchase through my link.  They are going fast, so hurry if you'd like one.

Here is an example of a card using this punch.

The matching Stitched Stockings stamp set is 123782 (wood mounted) or 123784 (clear mounted).  As with all of the items in the Holiday Mini Catalog, these stamps are only available until January 3.

I have seen this punch used for Baby Stockings, Ice Skates, Hobby Horses (upside down with a Baker's Twine 'harness'), even a puppy dog!

Christmas Countdown Day 22

Wow, only 3 days till Christmas!  I worked on some Valentines today for a swap, that was hard to do, lol.  But with the help of my family, I came up with a design and finished them in time.  I also made some more Big Shot Stockings filled with Hershey Bars.  I'm planning on giving them out to some of the people who cared for my parents while they were ill.  The men will get stockings and the ladies will get lotion.  Here is one of the stockings.

And here is the other color combo.

I can't believe how quickly they go together, using the Big Shot.  After spending so much time on the lotion gift boxes, these were a snap!  :)

For today's Secret Santa gift,  I received this cute bag of hershey nuggets!  Yummm...  :)

Tomorrow is finally Cookie Baking Day.  We have lots to bake, let's hope we get them all done!

Christmas Countdown Day 21

As promised, here is another version of the card I posted yesterday, using the same stamp set, but with a more country, old-fashioned look.

I used the Aquapainter on this card to give it a softer look.  I love that Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, it's so soft and transparent, it gives a more romantic look.

Today, I received the cutest gift from my secret Santa.

It was this little box (about 6 inches long, so not too little) and when I slid the inner box out...

...it was filled with hand-stamped tea lights.  Isn't that sweet?  Thank you Secret Santa!

Christmas Countdown Day 20

This month seems to be just zooming by.  We hung the candy canes on the tree today, so I think we're just about ready.  :)

Here is a card I made using the Tidings of Joy stamp set.  I used colored pencils and embossed the star with Gold Embossing Powder.  I added some Red Satin Ribbon at the bottom.

Tomorrow I'll show you another card I made using this same set, but with a more natual look.

Here is what my Secret Santa gave to me today.

A penguin pencil in a holder and a chocolate scented eraser!  So cute!

Countdown to Christmas Day 19

Isn't this the sweetest stocking?  My upline's upline gave these out at our Christmas meeting. 

She used the Stocking Die and the Stocking Accents Die, as well as two Embossing Folders to create this nice gift.  Thank you, Pam!

Here is what I received today from my Secret Santa.

Inside was a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup...one of my favorites!  I like the way my Secret Santa 'sealed' the edges of the package with the Crimper. 

I've been wrapping presents tonight...fun! 

Christmas Countdown Day 18

Here is one of my favorite swap cards.  I love this stamp set, isn't Santa cute?  And the markers make him so bright.  The black 'button' brads and ribbon belt are adorable, but the most surprising thing about this card to me was that Santa's buckle is made from a pop-can tab!

Today I received some very fancy Christmas tags from my Secret Santa.

Such beautiful Rosettes and I love the little Jingle Bells.  I hope those carry over into our new catalog.  Those Rosettes were made using the Simply Scored scoring tool from Stampin' Up.  I've recently started using mine and boy, is it easy to use!  The markings are at every eighth inch, so it makes it easy to correctly measure, no marking before scoring, like I used to have to do.

Only a week until Christmas...I've got to get wrapping!

Christmas Countdown Day 17

This Christmas swap card is enhanced with lots of embossing and pretty pearls.  I think it's so pretty!

For the 17th day of Christmas, I received a cute anti-bacterial bottle holder from my Secret Santa.

Here it is opened.

Thank you, Secret Santa!

Christmas Countdown Day 16

This card amazes me.  It was made by Jarmila Vik and stands up like little  stairs!

I really love everything about this card, the punches, dies, embossing, coloring and rhinestone bling!  Just gorgeous!

Today my Secret Santa gave me a card...and now I know who she is!!  She is Rhonda Bean.  Thank you, Rhonda, I love everything so far!  :)

Tonight we went to a basketball game with my kids and their friends...fun!  Since today was the last day of school, I plan to relax for a while...woohoo!

Christmas Countdown Day 15

Today I have a sparkly Stocking Punch card to share made by Denise Hebert.  The sparkle comes from the Silver Glimmer paper.  I love the texture on this card, from the crimping, to the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder and the Baker's Twine bow.  Thank you for sharing your card with me, Denise!

This morning I was very happily surprised to receive a pretty Notepad Holder from my Secret Santa.

I think she used the MDS Software from Stampin' Up to create and print this beautiful project.  I am amazed at how beautiful it came out.  It is very sturdy, too.  Here is the inside.

It even has two pockets!  Thank you, Secret Santa!

Clearance Rack Blitz starts Today!

Huge news!  Stampin' Up has put tons of punches, dies, ribbons, designer series paper and more on sale for a fraction of their original costs.  Hurry on over to my website (click Online Store button above) and give yourself an early Christmas present.

Supplies are limited, so place your order soon!

Here are just a few of the bargains!

Christmas Countdown Day 14

Another busy day here, lot's of activities ending with a Christmas Choir Concert.  Fun!

Here's a cute card I made at my upline's using the Frames Embossing Folder, as well as the Snowflake Embossing Folder...cute, but simple.

The Rhinestones give it some added 'sparkle.'

Today I got some gift tags from my Secret Santa.

It's late, so I'm off to bed!  Happy Stamping!

Christmas Countdown Day 13

I really like this Christmas card, made by Jennifer McLaughlin.

Jennifer used the Snowburst Embossing Folder for the background and the Scallop Edge Punch to outline the strip of  Holly Berry Bouquet DSP.  I love this color combination!

Today I was so excited to open the first (it even said "Open me First!") of my second set of '12 Days of Christmas' swaps.  I think you will love it as much as I did.

It's an Advent calendar in a tin for my wall!!  Of course, I immediately hung it up and placed the correct number (13) on the front.  Here are the numbers (with magnets on the back) inside the box.

I am so thrilled with this gift.  Thank you so much, Secret Santa!

Christmas Countdown Day 12

Oops!  So busy yesterday getting ready for a Christmas party that I forgot to post Day 12!  So I will have two posts today.  :)

Today I have a pretty card to share, very simple, but elegant.  It uses the new Pewter Embossing Powder, the Snowflake Embossing Folder and one tiny Rhinestone.

Today was the last day of my first 12 Secret Santa swaps.  Tomorrow I start with another set of 12 days of swaps from a new Secret Santa.  Here is what I got today.

Chocolate!!  Thank you, Secret Santa!  :)

Christmas Countdown Day 11

Here is one of my favorite cards I've received so far.  Joy Nelson made it using lots of glitter, embossing and ribbon.  I love the gingerbread saying from the Sweet Season stamp set, too.  This card just reminds me of  cookies!

Today, I got a bookmark from my Secret Santa.  So pretty!