Snow Place!

Isn't this just the cutest set ever?  I love it because it can work all winter long, not just for Christmas time!  The pretty new Striped Ribbon and the new Curvy Corner Trio Punch gives this card a cute look.  The background is embossed with the Lucky Stars Embossing Folder.  A swish from the Work of Art stamp set adds some ground for the snowmen to stand on.  The different parts of the Snowmen can each be stamped separately so you can use different colors!

This little guy's black hat is super sparkly thanks to some Black Glimmer Paper!  This set comes with it's own set of Snow Friends Framelit Dies, so it's easy to punch out the hat, tie, and arms.  Some Striped Ribbon accents his hat and top of the tag.  The Curvy Corner Trio Punch and some Washi Tape help add to the mood.  Finally, a background of Whisper White Craft Ink snowflakes are stamped and two of my favorite ribbons are used...Real Red 1/4" Cotton Ribbon and the lovely Burlap Ribbon!

This is an adorable 3-D card that opens up like a shadow box and can stand on it's own.  The Softly Falling Embossing Folder gives the Cherry Cobbler some texture and the cute penguins pop out on some Dimensionals.  They are stamped in Basic Black Ink, then colored with Stampin' Markers.  The penguins and their bows are punched out using the Snow Friends Framelit dies.  A tiny Rhinestone accentuates their bowties.  Completely adorable.

I've so enjoyed this month of Christmas cards and I hope you have, too.  Enjoy this day of peace and may you each be blessed with love and happiness.

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 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 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!

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!

Countdown to Christmas Day 9

This card absolutely amazed me.  It was made by a swapper named Cherylin and if you can believe it, uses the Tag Punch to make this beautiful Wreath!

Cherylin also used the Snowburst Embossing Folder for the background and the new Quilted Satin Ribbon.  The gorgeous Real Red Designer Button matches the Holly Berry Bouquet DSP...I love this card!

Today was Day 9 of my Advent Calendar and this is what I got...a set of beautiful sparkling silver Package Tags!  My Secret Sis used the Ornament Punch and they just sparkle!

Here is is the back of the tags.

I hope you're having fun preparing for the holidays.  I gave out my first handmade gifts last night and a teacher gift this morning...fun, fun! 

Countdown to Christmas Day 8

Today I have an adorable card to share.  It was made by Deb Pedersen and uses one of my favorite stamp sets, Greeting Card Kids.  I love the sparkle she used and the sponging, to give it that special old-fashioned look.

Today I received the cutest post-it note holder from my Secret Pal, otherwise known as Michelle Snow (she stamped her name on the back of some of my goodies).

Here it is opened:

I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas preparations.  I'm working on some holiday gift boxes right now.  I'll post them when they're done!  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Countdown Day 7

Today I received chocolate!  :)

But first I want to share this swap card I received.  It uses the Stocking Die.  I really love this die...it's perfect for gift card holders, cards, garland, and more.

Now for my gift.  My Secret Sis gave me this cute bag of M and M's with a bag topper!

Yum!  I think I'd better sample these now...

Christmas Countdown Day 6

My gift today was so adorable!  But first I have a cute Snowman card to share.  This was a card I received in a swap from Jeannette Shindelus.  She used the Snow Much Fun Stamp Set and popped him up using Dimensionals.  I love the colored Brads she used for his buttons and the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on his snowball.  The background is textured with the Northern Furry Embossing Folder.  Thank you Jeannette!

Now for my Day 6 gift.  My Secret Pal gave me this sweet little purse!  Inside was a KitKat...mmmmm!

Here it is opened to view the candy!  :)

Such a cute and creative little gift!

Countdown to Christmas and Card Share

Today I have an adorable card to share with you.  It was made by Marcy Walsh and is a special kind of pop-up card.  It looks complicated, but it's actually just an extra cut and a fold that makes it so special.

This card uses the Holiday Happiness Stamp Set and the adorable Holly Berry Bouquet DSP...love that sparkle!  Marcy cute out the little ornaments and popped them up on dimensionals for a 3-D effect.  The red Button at the top, tied with Baker's Twine gives it that extra festive look!

For today's Advent present from my Secret Pal, I got this cute gum holder...my pal is so creative!

Here is where the gum is hiding!

Thanks for sharing my Advent Calendar fun with me!

Christmas Countdown Day 4

Today I have a cute swap card to share with you.  I received this card from Julie Stayrook.  I love how she added a Mini Jingle Bell to the ribbon...so festive!

And here is my Day 4 Advent Calendar surprise...a tea bag holder!

And here it is after I've opened it.

What a quick and easy gift, using our Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper and the Ornament Stamp Set and Punch...thank you Secret Sis!