fresh & fun

I made this small gift card a while ago for the Faux Cloisonne Tutorial on Splitcoast.

The card base was cut with the small Nestabilities Label. I used the largest one, folded Chocolate Chip cardstock in half and cut the card base.

The next layer is cut with the next smallest die out of Kraft cardstock.

The stamp rejoice is from the stamp set Flourished Christmas. It was stamped with Chocolate Chip craft ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.

I stamped the swirly horns from the deer of the same set in VersaMark on the Kraft cardstock and paper pierced a row under the sentiment.

The small Poinsettia from Flourishes Poinsettia and Boxwood was embossed in gold on a red Cadillac ad, cut out and mounted with dimensionals.

Kiwi Satin ribbon finishes off the card.

You all know I love Ellen and her store. Service is great and super fast. Well…..she is having a great special only for today. Here is what I got in my mailbox yesterday:

It is that time of year where we must count our inventory and it is a job that is not the most fun - LOL! So we would like to help you (by offering you a discount) to help us (by reducing our inventory.) So for 24 hours, beginning at Midnight Pacific Standard Time on Monday, December 29th, 2008, we will offer a 20% discount on your entire order. All you need to do is remember to enter the promotion code when you reach the checkout page!

Please note that upon completion of your order, the promotion price will be listed on the individual product line and not at the end of the invoice.

Enter the code exactly as it is shown below during this 24-hour time period and the discount is yours on any and all products posted on our webstore that day!

Promotion Code: COUNTLESS

Please note that once an item is no longer visible on the store that means we are currently out of stock and we won’t have to count anything (yippie!)- so shop early for the best selection! 

Some of you have asked what kind of cookies I made for Christmas. My Mom used to make at least ten different kinds every year. For me, Spritzgebaeck, were the best. They are highly addictive. I can’t stop eating them when they are around. That’s why we made (and ate) five batches this year.

If you are interested in the recipe and how they are made, click on more.

» Read the rest of this entry …

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas Day!

You know we had the best Christmas. Rick came back on Christmas Eve. He was worn out from a 36 hour travel day, but he came home safe and sound. Yesterday we had a nice relaxing day. It was so great to have the whole family together! We couldn’t stop smiling!

Thank you all for helping me get through this last year. It meant a lot to me to have your well wishes and support. Our next year will be challenging as well. We just found out that we will be moving to Wright Patterson AFB (close to Dayton, Ohio) next summer. Rick’s job there will be very demanding. I have decided that to minimize stress and work for me, that I won’t be holding challenges next year. I am not sure how much I will be posting, but I will post when I can.

I posted my soon to be retired sets on my for sale page. Let me know if you want me to hold sets for you.

Hugs and big smile

Two month ago at my stamp camp, a first time attendee showed me a very interesting ornament. She glued it together with tape, but I thought this would be a cool box or ornament once I added glue tabs. Today’s tutorial on SCS is for this Diamond Shaped Ornament.

I started out with a 3 1/2″ x 8″ piece of Riding Hood Red cardstock. It was scored at 1/2″ and 3″ on the short side and at 1/2″, 3″ and 5 1/2″ on the long side.

Next part of the side tabs were cut off and the squares were scored diagonally (check tutorial for images). Before prefolding the score lines, I stamped the background from Artful Elegance in VersaMark and embossed it with Gold Embossing Powder. Next I sponged Riding Hood Red all over for a richer look.

After prefolding all score lines and adding Scor-Tape to the glue tabs, I added gold cord as a hanger and taped the box shut.  To finish the ornament off I stamped the outline Poinsettia from Poinsettia Christmas in Black Tuxedo Memento ink several times on Whisper White cardstock. The full Poinsettia was stamped over the outline with Riding Hood Red. I repeated that step several time to get a real rich red. I cut the poinsettias out, layered them on top of each other, colored the center of the top flower with More Mustard and added Crystal Effect. After the CE was dried, I added more in the center and topped it with Dazzling Diamond Glitter. Once the flower was dry I attached it to the ornament with glue dots.

Last I tied a bow with retired black organdy ribbon, heat it to crinkle it up a bit and taped it to the top of my ornament with glue dots.

Personal Note:
I am sorry I haven’t been posting for a while. I am having a blast with my kids. The week they were off we were playing games and goofing off. Monday I did my regular cleaning, baking, laundry day with added grocery run. Yesterday I went to Michaels to get me a fake tree (they are 40% off) and to Target for all new ornaments. We had a blast putting the tree together. Both Monday and yesterday I had to drive the kids to dentist appointment. No cavities for all three.
I am not sure that I will be posting every day until New Year. We have to bake more Christmas cookies. They are so addictive. We baked Spritzgebaeck twice and twice we ate it all. I need to send some to my in-laws and prep a few tins for teachers and friends. I also plan on playing more with the kids.
Three more weeks today and Rick will be home! I am so excited!

Have a wonderful day! Hugs and smiles