Open for Snow?

At Top Tip Tuesday, we're hosting an open challenge this week!  You may share any new crafty creation for a chance to win fun prizes. :)

I went a little funky with my colors this time around.  This is another 10 minute card using stuff from my stash.  The snowman image was one of a bunch that I stamped and colored over the summer and the rest of the stuff was in my pile of scraps.  Love it when a mess pays off! :)

No snow here yet, but I'm off to do a snow dance!  Have a great Tuesday everyone. :)

Sentimental Sunday gift idea

EDIT- This post originally went live on October 18th.  I wanted to share it with the folks at Sunday Favorites since these vinegars are just SO YUMMY and would make great hostess gifts this holiday season.  The kitchen boutique ships these goodies all over, so it's worth the call (I don't know anyone at the shop and I'm not getting and kinda benefits from this plug.  I promise!).

I'm going to come clean, *deep breath*, I don't always remember everyone's birthday. Phew! That was a weight off my chest. Honestly, the first week of October I managed to miss my beloved nephew Jack's (of snowman fame) special day, my friend Lynn's (of earring fame), my aunt's birthday, my husband's aunt and uncle's anniversary and I still haven't made it up to all of them yet!!! I can at least say that I got something for Lynn and Jack. Lynn even got her goodies too (yours are coming Jack, I promise).

I was up in Portland, Maine last weekend (totally beautiful weather BTW) and stopped at this fabulous little kitchen supply boutique. They sell all kinds of flavored vinegars, olive oils, and bbq sauce. YUM! I got Lynn some vanilla and chocolate flavored balsamic vinegar. She and her husband are great cooks, so I know these little babies are going to a good home. Picked up some black cherry flavored BV, and some California Manzanillo EVOO for me. :) Got a couple of goodies for Jack too (everyone else is in the queue and who knows how long 'til they get their stuff...)


Deets on this little paper love- Card base- Memory Box, Sentiment- Amuse, Image- *blush*I gotta get back to you on that one, Paper/Rub-on/Sticker- Fancy Pants-Lilac House. I paper pieced the apron and colored it with Copics.


My advice for the day- If you are like me then you really need to check your calendar and see what you've missed. LOL! :)

In case you don't know the reason I titled this The Shoemakers Kids click here.

EDIT- I still haven't caught up with all the missed celebrations!!!!

Holiday Tweetings

I totally flaked out and forgot to remind all of you about the Top Tip Tuesday challenge this week. Good news though, you've still got time to enter your paper pieced project and/or tip! Here's a peek at my offering.

So for the last 4 years I've taken Christmas card classes once a month at my LSS. We took off December and sometimes January, but every month 10-12 folks got together to make cards of 2 designs and we'd get one of the stamps. This month was the last one. :( The classes are going to change to be all occasion cards starting in Jan/Feb. That's okay. I was starting to acquire an overwhelming amount of Christmas stamps!

This is the stamp that came with the class. It's a really fun one from Outlines. I adore their stamps, but the intricate designs can be overwhelming. I'm not sure I would have gotten this stamp, but after making this card I'm uber excited to add this to the repertoire! Lately I've been concentrating on developing my coloring skills and I've forgotten how great other applications like paper piecing can be. A stamp like this is awesome for paper piecing because it adds so much umph to the details and speeds up the finished process. :)

These are the markers I used during the class to color the songbird. I actually finished the card this morning. All I did at the class was color this bird and play around with the other set of cards we made (mitten fella kinda cards). I didn't finish a thing 'cause I was so busy socializing with everyone! There are about 6 of us that have been fairly regular in taking this set of classes and we were all chatting about our plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Those of us that have been taking the classes all year long got an awesome present! A free stamp from Memory Box!!! It was even signed by Dave himself. :) I really *heart* Memory Box designs and Dave is an awesome instructor. He tells the funniest stories and makes all of us in his classes feel like genius artists. I can't wait to make something with this cool stamp.

So as you could see by my first photo, yes my house is all decorated for Christmas(I know, I know a little early, but I LOVE it).  My husband's family comes over every year on Black Friday afternoon to decorate and gorge on more food.  We don't often see each other all together after Thanksgiving weekend (we're spread out over 3 states), so this is our opportunity to celebrate. :)  I literally have a tree in every room of my house.  There are 3 full size trees, 2 table top trees, 2 ceramic trees that light, and some assorted small tree tchotchkes.  Then there's the outside lights in front and back of the house.  So long story short, I'm VERY THANKFUL for my extended family for helping get the house ready for the season!!!  Stop by on Dec 6th for the complete tour and see other folks decor at Between Naps on the Porch.  It's sure to be amazing. :)

I've flown here with this card:
Be Different- Act Normal- Show and Tell Saturday
The Tablescaper- Seasonal Sunday

Happy Harvest

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! Hope you have most all you need for tomorrows feast (let's face it, all of us forgot something and have at least one more trip to the market in the very near future).  We have a 1/2 day for students and staff today and I have pie baking on the docket this afternoon.  I hope to be elbow deep in pecans by 1pm.  We'll see how close I get. :)     

I was going for a layered look here.  This got mailed off to some family this past weekend along with this, this, and one like this. It's a Thanksgiving miracle!  My family got cards BEFORE the holiday. LOL!

This image & sentiment is from PTI, the brown paper is BB, and the other "stuff" is from my assorted stash piles.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and to all a good night!

Heeeelp!! Seriously I need YOU!

The Holiday Bazaar is a week from Friday.  At the craft-in a couple weeks ago, one of the gals brought a bunch of teapots and teacups for folks to pick and use in a basket.  I stopped by the local consignment shop and picked up a pretty creamer and sugar bowl.  I picked a fun set of 4 napkins made by one of the church mice for the bazaar.  I've got a basket.  Now comes the problem.  Which jam do I add to the basket?????

 

I am crippled with indecision!!!!!  The Jammin in the Kitchen crew made a ton of cool jams.  I managed to narrow down the choices to these 6.  I could use some blogland advice.  Seriously.  What would you want in this basket for yourself or for a hostess gift?  I will frou-frou up the basket more than it is already and I plan to add either some tea or crackers to the basket. (I'm open to any ideas about frou-frouing the basket and anyone know where I can get those big clear basket bags?)

While I'm asking, which topper would you pick? (I'm leaning towards the holly, but would like input from the crowd).  This is my first basket and I don't want my basket to be left at the end of the day. :)

Seriously, I want to make the ladies at the bazaar proud.  I'm shamelessly looking to all of you for any and all suggestions (other than me buying my own basket- that's plan B. LOL!)  I have to have this done by Dec 2nd.

What Will You Have?

 

So the majority of you felt that last weeks drinks were appletini's. :) This time it's a variety pack.  So what do you think?  I thinking that the one in the middle is either a Shirley Temple or a Poinsettia. 

I promise you that this was a 10 minute card.  Really.  That's mostly because I never throw anything out. All of this was in my stash.  The scalloped circles and ovals we punched last year by my DFIL and DMIL when they helped me pare down some of my scraps. (thanks Don and Barb!)  I had set some aside to make tags last season and never got to them. :) I had even mounted the BG paper on the red card base last year and then, well, my muse left until the other day!

These cocktails were already colored too!  They were part of the first round of cards that got created (and then cannibalized) when I made the appletini card.  :)  So I guess you would say this was a "10 minutes to prep" and "10 minutes to cook" card a la Rachel Ray. LOL!

Well the card way layered, mounted, foam taped and done in about 4 minutes.  Then I decided it needed a little umph.  I added some shine with my gloss pen and put a little bling on the holly with Stickles.  Just a little, sumthin, sumthin. :)

This card went home with a Stamp Club member at our monthly meeting and raffle this past Tuesday.   My friend, Lisa, taught an A-MAZ-ING punches class that night too.  I may have to craft some goodies to post here using her tips. :)

I've put on my party dress and joined the fun here:

Speedy the Cat's Friends- have a circle on your card

Crazy 4 Challenges- circles

One Stitch at a Time- pick a season or event

The Crafty Pad- use red and green

Cheers!

Early Present

Last Friday, my LSS had a party for those customers who basically live at the store (like me!).  Melissa Francis was there and we were able to make a card with her while celebrating new holiday supply arrivals and catching up with each other.  There had to be something like 40 people who came!  There were even a few raffles and some parting gifts.  Last year, I got lucky and won a huge prize basket.  Alas, not this year- but I was able to make this cool card!

We got a mini kit of Melissa Francis punches 'n stuff.  I really meant to make the card she was showing us, but I grabbed a different punch.  I still like how it turned out.  The ruffle on the bottom is made with crepe paper.  How cool is that!!!

Hope everyone in the US has gotten their turkey, potatoes, yams, stuffing, and pies.  That reminds me- I haven't gotten the potatoes yet!  I better head out while I can still find some. :)  5 days to go 'til Turkey Day!

Three Cups of Thanksgiving

I adore making Christmas cards and the thought of passing up a Christmas movie (spent all day this Sunday watching them on Hallmark- my husband tell me I have no shame LOL), but I'd like to take the spotlight and shine it on Thanksgiving while I still have the chance. :)

I'm uber tickled by how this card came out.  The idea of sipping hot tea or coffee after turkey dinner next week really makes me smile. :)

I used my Copics to color in the teacups.  The only one that you can't get the number from this pic is R27. :)  The pattern ppr is BG and the other matting is Bazzill.  Card base is good ole MB.  Ribbon is from "The Store".

Don't forget to stop by Top Tip Tuesday for the latest tut and button themed contest (love me a good button project!). 

I hope the upcoming holiday finds you and yours in good spirits gathered around the table!


I'm sitting with my cuppa and this card here:
colourQ- Challenge 59

Harvest Mantle

I thought I'd share my harvest mantle.  We don't actually host anything for Thanksgiving, and I do wanted to share this with someone. :)  All blogland is invited to take a peek...

This is the before.  Simple, clean,... oh who am I kidding.  This is one naked mantle screaming for some harvest love.  Seriously.

Here it is now that it has some fall festive color.  The banner is one that I made a few years ago.  A great gal from The Button Farm taught the class.  Love her stuff!  Full disclosure- none of the gourds are real.  They were all discount fakes from Michael's and my favorite consignment place along with the leaves.  That gooseneck gourd is probably going to be altered by next year.  The shape is great, but the color is, well, lacking.  But for the wicked cheap price I paid- totally worth it even if I mess up the alteration later. :)

Where's Waldo quiz- Can you find the tail end of my corgi pal in this pic?  He was rolling on his back when I took the shot. :)

I'm hanging my first "transformation" banner over at Between Naps on the Porch- Metamorphosis Monday.  Come join the fun!

The Perfect Man?

Do you have some buttons?  Paper?  A little rustic wire and twigs?  Then you too could have the makings of the perfect man. :)

 

This little fella is one of many "gingerbread" ornaments the church mice have been making for the bazaar.  Not going to be in Littleton, MA in December?  No worries.  You too could make "the perfect man".  He's made of paper, pens, a little cotton ball, and a lot of humor. :)

The tag says:

A little sugar, a little spice

a woman made him

oh, so nice.

He's formed of bread and

baked 'til tan, the closest thing

to a perfect man.

Happiness and giggles to all!  And too all a good night! :)

Grasshoppers or Appletinis?

Remember these cards?  Here's the holiday version. :)  This is about the 3rd card.  The other 2 were in no way fit for human consumption.  I cannibalized their parts for other cards.   So whadda ya think?  Are these drinks grasshoppers or appletinis?

I'm headed over to party with this card here:
Colour Create Challenge- green, black, gold
Christmas Card Challenge- photo inspiration (I was thinking festive party)
Scrap Creations- Christmas
Oh Scrap- Use your stash (the brown scallop matting)
Little Red Wagon- Things in 3's ( 3 papers and 3 drinks! hee-hee)

Skipping Around the Calendar

My husband and I were talking at dinner last night about all the veterans we are lucky enough to know.  We were both surprised at the number!  Neither of us think of ourselves as coming from military families, but really we have lots of relatives and friends who are veterans. 

To mark this holiday devoted to our brave servicemen and servicewomen, I have put together a package of cards for the OWH angels.  They are always in need of birthday, miss you, and blank cards for writing notes home.

So why am I posting a valentine card in November?  A valentine in honor of Veteran's Day?!? Did I forget and skip over Thanksgiving and Christmas?  No worries, I haven't completely flaked out (yet hee-hee).  OWH has stopped collecting cards for Thanksgiving and Christmas until the summer/fall of 2011.  If you like making holiday cards, they are currently looking for Valentine cards and are collecting them until January 7th. :)  Gosh time is flying by!

I went through my stash and made sure to pick cards without glitter (find out why here).  I have a few cards for birthday, blank, anniversary, and thank you.  When I realized I had missed the Christmas deadline (whoops!) I went back to see what I had in the way of valentine cards.  Lucky me, I had a few already made. (Of course they were probably the cards I was supposed to send to family last Valentine's Day. LOL!) 

I just saw this on the OWH blog!  Find out how your handmade cards could get cookies for our soldiers abroad!

How are you remembering your veteran's today?

Tuesday Blues

 This past Saturday the Women's Alliance, and helpers, got together for one last group gathering before the Holiday Bazaar.  I thought I'd share one of the "show-and-tell" pieces.

I made a bunch of the blocks that got used in this quilt!!!  Our lead quilter, Judy, had gotten a bunch of this fabric from another parishioner.  She cut it all up and laid out the different pieces for sewing volunteers to assemble at our various gatherings.  There was enough to make 2 lap quilts!!!!  Sew pretty. LOL!  I crack me up. :)

Don't forget to swing by Top Tip Tuesday for your weekly tutorial and challenge. :)

Sunday Favorite Birdies

Edit-  This post was originally posted on March 14th, but I wanted to share these fun ideas again.  These fun bird pins would be great gifts for Christmas, or even as a hostess gift for Thanksgiving.  I'm linking this up to Sunday Favorites over at Chari's blog Happy to Design.

It's pretty stormy here, but it seems to be rain and not snow, for now.  In New England we all know nothing lasts for too long. :)

 

My Unitarian church hosts a huge (no really it's something to behold) Country Fair every September and participates in the town Holiday Bazaar in December.  I've been "blessed" ;) with being the chair for the Country Store booth at the Country Fair for the last couple of years.  It is a blast, but it's a huge amount of work.  In the past, the crafting work has fallen on a small group of crafters within the church.  This past January, I helped launch Crafting Hands to help get new crafters involved and ease some of the last minute production burden for these events.  We had our second workshop this past Friday and Saturday and these cardinals were among the many fantastic items created!  (I'll post other crafty goodies later).

These are going to be sold as pins for the Holiday Bazaar (Dec 4, 2010 in Littleton, MA) and we have 20 others that have flown to homes to be sew together and brought back for painting in May.  One of the helpers found a pattern at home to make a dove pin in the style of the cardinal (that should be a fun flock too!).  I thought these fine feathered friends would make for some fun card inspiration!

I used Bird and Nest from Memory Box, then stamped it with Cardinal Red Archival Ink and Timber Brown StazOn ink.  Technically the bird isn't a cardinal, but he's so darn cute!  The papers of from my scraps and are Basic Grey, Bo Bunny, and Pink Paislee.

I added Stickles to the berries on the bird's nest twig and to the "dots" on the sentiment.  You can barely see it in the photo, but I also freehand "stitched" around the edge of the background paper with a marker.  The layout is from Sparkles Sketch on her Christmas Challenge blog.  I send a crazy number of Christmas cards, so every motivation to get them done early helps! :)

What gets you motivated when the weather is yucko?