Sweet Santa!

OMHeck!  How easy are card toppers!  I know, I know....what the heck is a card topper!?  Ok....so some of you are familiar.  I get it....but I know that for many of you it's a first....think pre-stamped...COLORED...images just WAITING for you to 'decorate' them!  Seriously!  How FAB is that!

This week the Flower Soft DT is playing with the NEW Santa Card Toppers.  There are three different packages...each contain 2 designs with 3 sheets of each....just think of how EPLS {easy peesy lemon squeezy} that would be for MASS Christmas card production!

Here's what I created with them.....

How Beautiful is he!  The art work is AMAZING!  I used my Spellbinders dies to cut him out a bit and then add him to my card face.  See!  Totally EASY for mass production!  

Now it's time to head over to the newest Flower Girl's blog....the very talented Vicki Harper!  :)

Then be sure and head to the Flower Soft Facebook fan page and the Flower Soft blog for all of todays fun prizes!  :)

....There's a big special at the Flower Soft website for the entire Santa topper line.  You can find that here.  :)

Hugs,

Monday Challenge

Happy Monday! This is going to be a super quick post....I am off to take the boys out for breakfast. It's their first school day of break for the holidays.

Todays Monday challenge was to create a holiday card using Santa in it somewhere. How about the whole card? In all honesty, my desk is such a mess! The entire basement in fact is OOC! I've been working on a scrapbook for a friend and just shuffling stuff from one side to the next. Add that to the fact that I've been reorganizing all of my stamps and I have NO clue where anything is. I did have this one sentiment...ok...there were other stamps as well but none were Christmas or holiday related! So here's what I did to solve my problem....

Yeah, I could have cleaned but this was more fun! I will have to do the cleaning today. The sentiment is from Bitty Christmas Tags from Unity Stamp Co. The furry trim on Santa's suit is Flower Soft.

Check out the rest of the gals... AJ Otto, Amber Height, Brooke Lien, Jeanne Streiff, Maren Benedict.

Also before I dash...I am so honored to say that I am joining the Jacksonbelle Embellishments design team. I was lucky enough to meet Lindsey at CHA this past summer and she is one of the nicest people! I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with her and the rest of the team that she has assembled. :)

Hope you all have a wonderful day! :) I will post you soon!

A Holiday Hippity Hop And A Gift For One Of You!

Happy Hip Hop Thursday! Hope you are all having a great day! Me? I'm going to be running around like a crazy person for part of today! A little last minute shopping....still some prep needed for a classroom party....so many things so little time. Thank goodness it's Thursday! I am so looking forward to catching up with all of the Unity peeps at SCS! :)

...and how many shopping days till Christmas? Ah! Still working on it and so quickly running out of time!

I have three things for you guys today. First, I used Unity's Bitty Tags for a Christmas thank you. I need a ton of them! This one is super simple...my version of the inchie....


I used my copics to color the images and punched them and the dsp with my 1 inch circle punch. EPLS.

Now on to a layout. This is a photo that was taken a couple of summers ago while my hubby and I were in Florida at some business thing.....



The paper is Cosmo...the ribbon is PTI....sticky hearts from SU and chipboard pieces as well...some of which I colored with my copics. I used Unity's All About Me, Simple Pleasures, and the September KOTM.

Happy Holidays to You All!

My gift to one of you! Please leave a comment below to be included in a blog candy drawing for the Worn Music background stamp from Unity!

Good luck you guys!

Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Be sure and leave your comment by 12 midnight EST...I will choose a winner and post it to this thread in the morning! :)

Now hop on over to the talented Patter Cross. Check you all in a bit! :)

Late!

What a crazy day this has been! Yesterday and today I have been running around like a crazy person trying to get Christmas shopping done and pick up some last minute things for one of my boys class parties at school. We visited Santa yesterday. Wowza! What an experience that was! I'm guessing I will have to go to a professional if I am wanting a picture of all the boys with santa this year. Hayden is officially at the year when kids are afraid of the big guy in the red suit!

Today was just nuts because on top of the frigid temps it went back and forth between snow and sleet? ...think it was sleet.... Whatever the roads are slippery and I am just happy to finally be home sitting on my couch with my feet up! Ah! Relaxation finally!

I've got a quick card for y'all tonight. This one is using Papertrey. Actually...it's all Papertrey! Take a look....

This is one of my favorite layouts...it's quick and easy. The paper and ribbon is Sweet Blush. The dsp is also PTI.

Quick post. I am off to sit for a second and just be one with the couch! Hope you are all having a great night! I will hopefully have something to share tomorrow. I'm working on a scrapbook for a friend....also some layouts of my own.

Post you all soon! :)

J * O * Y

Are you ready for Christmas? In all honesty, I'm still working on it! ...but enjoying every minute! I dont' often have any shopping to do at this time of year...ok...that part isn't so fun...tooooo many crowds. Heck, it just takes forever to get to the stores because of traffic! My house is almost ready. I've had so many stamping projects that I am slightly behind on that part as well. Although, I'm ok with that. All the elements that the boys love are up and shining so bright.

Here's one of the projects I have been working on. I made this one for Angela...you know, Unity Angela! ;) I pulled out my Bitty Christmas Tags for it along with my sizzix pennant dies.....

Here's a close up of some of the different pieces....

One more....

I realized as I was editing these that they came out slightly blurry. Sorry about that. You get the idea. I would retake...but can't...it's not here anymore! ;)

Hope you are all having a wonderful Sunday! I am off to start my day! :)

Post you soon!

Unity Stamp Co

My Minds Eye

K&Co

PTI Kraft

Copic markers

Two

It's Stamp Simply #65...that's keyword ssnotime65 at SCS. Sharon has such a fun challenge this week. Here are the deets:

Today’s challenge is to create a card with a simple layout using JUST 2″ of designer paper.

Just Two Inches — The idea behind this challenge is to create a simple layout for a Christmas card using JUST a 2″ strip of DP –

You MUST use a 2″ strip of DP on your card, but ONLY this one strip of DP — no more.

You may cut your DP to any length you want.

You may border your PD or do scallops around it, or whatever you want, just no more DP.

Your focal image/sentiment can be any size/shape.

Any embellishments are allowed.

Wowzers! 2 inches! Ok...sure, you could cut that 2 inch strip from a 12X12 sheet of card stock and really get a bit more on your card.....I opted for just one little strip...that I scrunched and folded...and sewed....I used a super fun SU set for this one.....

Heehee! How funny is this stamp! I laugh every time I look at it! LOVE it! The dsp is from Cosmo. I added a little ribbon that I picked up at Target some cardstock from SU. I colored the image with my copic markers and added a couple of dew drops.

That's it for me. Be sure and check out the rest of this weeks sample makers....Julie, Janine, Tammy, Dee, Becky, AJ, Jerri, Darlene and LeAnne.

Hope you are all doing well! I will post you soon! :)

Stamp Simply Day 10

Happy Wednesday! It's day 10 in our celebration of Sharon's million hit mark. Let's jump right in! Today is another day full of fun! More blog candy...more fun challenges...more fun ideas! So let's get going....

Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!......

Leslie Miller from Running With Scissors has a fabulous challenge for us today. She is showing us how to Alter Food Packaging to turn it into a wonderfully warm, cozy, and sweet gift item that anyone would love to receive!!! And it’s something we can all easily do! I know you won’t want to miss this, so be sure to visit Leslie today!!!

I had the pleasure of creating a sample for this one today. I took this fabulous window box and added a little dsp...some ribbon....then of course a card to go along....

The paper is from Making Memories. The super cute stamp is Unity, it's called Christmas Joy. The ribbon is retired from SU.

Be sure and check out Dee's sample.

You can also head over to Joan's blog, Joan’s Garden, it's all about the beautiful presentation of soap and candles.

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy - Tammy is offering BLOG CANDY today!

LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings - LeAnne also has a BLOG CANDY offering today!

Thanks for coming by! I hope you get a chance to play along. These are such fun challenges that will certainly help to get you ready for the holidays.

Have a good one! I will post you soon! :)

Kraft....The New Black

Is it wrong that I am addicted to Kraft? Ok...if it is....please don't tell me! I LOVE kraft! I can't get enough of it!

...sorry...guess that's sort of an apology for bombarding you guys with it so much! ;) Can't help it! I LOVE it!

Yeah, yeah...I already said that...and how about on to the card!

Here's a pretty quick one I created with Simply Be Merry from Unity Stamp Co. I so love this kit and the snowman is one of the cutest I've ever seen! Take a peek....

How fun is he! LOVE him! Now to share one more thing.....

The stuff on his scraf is something called Flower Soft. I love how cool it looks here!

That is officially it for me today. I am off to get on with the stuff of today. Hope you all have a wonderful day and I will post you soon!

Day 9....And Blog Candy

...but this time you have to work for it. Ok...very, VERY LITTLE for it! Today I have the pleasure of hosting a challenge. I LOVE hosting challenges. Given this is the craziest time of the year I have opted for something EPLS!

Happy celebration Tuesday! How fun is this!

I am having so much fun with this celebration! :) How awesome is Sharon! :)

My challenge for you today is to create a quick card. After all, we all need time to bake! ...and in my case shop! So today, create something quick. I do understand that my idea of quick may differ from yours. I'm easy. As long as you consider it a quick card...it counts!

Here's a little something, something I created....

I will share that it actually took longer for the liquid pearls to dry than it did to create this card. Maybe that's not such a big shock! ;)

Once you create yours be sure and link here so that I can check them out and you can be entered for the blog candy. You can upload to your own blog or to SCS under the keyword SSC08....that will keep all of the Stamp Simply challenge/projects in one place.

Be sure and check out all of the fabulous designers who created samples for this one:

Janine

Julie

Tammy

AJ

LeAnne

Sharon

So what are you playing for? How about the Christmas Stamp Ensemble from JustRite Stamper along with the wooden handle that goes along with it. Some glittery chipboard snowflakes from K&Company, a pad of dsp from SU and a ton of green and red ribbon.

Be sure and link your card up by Saturday at midnight. I will announce a winner on Sunday morning.

Also up for today's celebration:

Blog candy over at Sharon's site.

AJ has a fun trivia contest that will also offer up blog candy to one lucky winner.

So many goodies for today! :)

Monday Throwdown

Me again! I love those days when I actually have more than one something to share! Earlier it was Julie's challenge for Sharon's celebration...now it's a little something for our Monday throwdown.

This weeks challenge? ...a red and cream Christmas card. I had the perfect paper for this one. I pulled out this fantabulous paper from the Little Yellow Bicycle a stamp from Unity...this one is called Christmas List and ......

Be sure and check out the rest of the gang...

AJ Otto

Amber Height

Brooke Lien

Jeanne Streiff

Maren Benedict

I'm off to do the things of today...it's quite a list I might add! Hope you are all doing well and that you have a good one! I will post you soon! :)

Unity Stamp Co.

The Little Yellow Bicycle

Making Memories

sticky pearls

ribbon SU

Stamp Simply Day 8

Happy Monday! :)

It's time for another fun Stamp Simply Celebration day! :) Today is full of more 'Simply' goodness! Blog candy...fun challenges! So let's get started!

With as crazy busy as things get at this time of year we all need something quick to give. A gift for the teacher, the bus driver, your hairdresser. Our challenge today from one of my favorite friends, Julie, is to create something for just that!

Here's my thought...you need something quick! Something cute...but super quick and easy! Let's face it, if the 'gift' takes an eternity to create then chances are it will never be given...because at this time of year...who has the time!

I grabbed something that I had on hand...a little brown paper bag. Yup! Brown bagging it baby! I added some dsp...a little ribbon....a sentiment from Unity......and......


Yes, EPLS! But that is what's needed for this type of thing! I will be handing the boys one of these for the bus driver...filled with a little chocolate...and they will each get one for their teachers as well. Perfection!

Be sure and check out the rest of the sample makers for this one....
Sharon Johnson
Deb Saaranen
Leslie Miller
Joan Fricker
Barb Schram
Tammy Hershberger

Julie has some blog candy for one lucky winner who enters this challenge. Be sure and link at her blog where you have yours uploaded and if you upload to SCS please use the keyword SSC08.

Sharon also has some blog candy for you. Head over there and check our her fabu creation and sign up for that one.

Back in a bit for more. Hope you are all doing well!

Stamp Simply Celebrates!

Isn't this just the most fun ever! :) Celebrating for sweet friend Sharon and her blogging milestone! Today I have the pleasure of participating in two challenges hosted by two of my favorite bloggers!


First...Dee Jackson with a challenge to package up somethig edible.


Second...Susan Roberts with a challenge to package up a gift card.


I sort of tied mine all together...with a little gift package for that little someone...who maybe enjoys a little vino and of course shopping at her favorite LSS.....hmmm....




A little closer look at an EPLS gift card holder......




and open......Archivers.....



The wine bottle.......




That's it for me. Be sure and check out the rest of today's sample makers....


For Dee:
Heather Telford
Darlene Pavlick


Cathy Tidwell

For Susan:
Janine Orchard
Darlene Pavlick

And the rest of todays events.....


More blog candy from our sweet Sharon.


Hope you enjoy todays events! We will all be back with more for you tomorrow! Don't forget that if you get a chance to play with any of the challenge you can upload them to either your blog and/or SCS under the keyword SSC08.

Post you all soon!


Cosmo Cricket dsp
Just Rite Stamper
Unity Stamp Co.
Making Memories flowers
gems from my LSS
ribbon SU

Day 6 - Simple Table Decor

How fun is this! And the fun just keeps on coming! :)

Today I have the pleasure of participating in a challenge brought to us by the great Heather Telford. Today's challenge? Table Decor. How cool is that!? There are sooo many directions you could go with this one. LOVE that!

Well, you know me...in keeping with 'Stamping Simply'...I wanted to create something beautiful but something that you could do in a short amount of time. EPLS. I picked up a beautiful bowl at Michaels a while ago that has been sitting on my desk waiting for some lovin'. With my 50% off coupon the bowl was less than $10...gotta love that! What's next? Rub ons! Can't get more EPLS than that! Add some of those yummy scented pine cones.....

EPLS! The photo isn't the best...it was already pretty grey outside by the time I took this one...of course, December here tends to be pretty grey anyway! I love this sitting on our kitchen table....I love the cinnamon smell and the simplicity of the design.

Be sure and check out the rest of the sample makers....

Julie Koerber

Joan Fricker

Darlene Pavlick

You can also find a super fun challenge being hosted by Leanne Pugliese...be sure and check that one out.

You can find blog candy at AJ Otto's blog.

...and still more candy over at our fabulous hostess' blog....the ever talented Sharon.

Fun to be had by all! :) Love this! I'm looking forward to seeing all of your beautiful creations! Remember that you can link them at SCS under the keyword SSC08.

I'm off to bed! Tomorrow I have a much needed hair appointment and maybe I will treat myself to a little R&R at my LSS...gotta love a day for mom every now and then! :) Hope you are all doing well and that you have a good one! :)

Post you soon!

Glass bowl from Michaels

Rub ons SU

It's Stamp Simply Time!

Happy Friday!

Let's Stamp Simply! Lots of celebrating and now a fantabulous challenge from our fearless leader Sharon! :)

This weeks challenge....what a fun one she has for us! For this one....that's ssnotime64 if you are uploading to the ever so fabulous SCS!....you must create a Christmas card without using 'traditional' Christmas stamps or Christmas dsp. Fun!

So what to do??? I pulled out a little Unity goodness for this one.

The set is Number Bouquet. I added some liquid pearls to give the look of holly.

Be sure to check out the rest of the team.....

Check out LeAnne Pugliese’s sample here.
Check out Julie Koerber’s sample here.
Check out Janine Orchard’s sample here.
Check out Tammy Hershberger’s sample here.
Check out AJ Otto’s sample here.
Check out Becky Oehlers‘ sample here.
Check out Dee Jackson’s sample here.
You can see all Gallery Submissions here.

So what else is on todays agenda???

Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover ....blog candy

Cathy Tidwell - Cat’s Creations ...a sketch challenge that will lead to BLOG candy!

Hope you all have a wonderful day! I will post you soon!

Unity Stamp Company - Number Bouquet
PTI Kraft CS
SU real red textured CS
dew drops
PTI ribbon
red liquid pearls

Think Vintage!

Happy Monday! :)

I am so excited about this weeks Monday throwdown! ;) We are all going vintage! LOVE that! Why??? Because it's not something that I generally do! But, Unity had this AWESOME release of Christmas stamps a few weeks back created by the oh so talented Lynn Warner.

Ok...so when we decided to do this weeks challenge I had NO clue what I was going to do. I've been cleaning my stamp room....well, cleaning out....and I came across one of the Lynn Warner images that I had stamped and distressed....it was just waiting to be slapped on a card! How perfect is that!

Here's what I did with that poor lonely little image!.....

I know, I know....back to the kiwi kiss! Sorry! I'm sort of like a pit bull when i get something in my head! ....I really have a hard time letting go! I will promise you all that I will do my very best to give the other colors of the rainbow a fair shot this month while working on Christmas cards! ;)

I stamped this one twice. Once in kiwi kiss and once in real red. I embossed the red one and cut out the 'label' and popped it up on the rest. ...a little stitching on the card...some distressing....some twill and you get my version of 'vintage'. ;)

Be sure and check out the rest of the gals....

AJ Otto

Brooke Lien

Jeanne Streiff

Maren Benedict

That's it for me today! :) I will post you all tomorrow! :) Have a great one! :)

Do Not Open from Unity Stamp Co.
Kiwi Kiss dsp paper SU
Kiwi Kiss card stock SU
White card stock
Kiwi Kiss ink SU
Real Red ink SU
clear embossing powder SU
Twill tape SU

The Celebration Begins!

Don't ya just love a good party!? I so love celebrating and am so happy to be part of Sharon's Stamp Simply celebration! What a fun time! This will be a week filled with so many fun challenges...that will hopefully help to get us ready for gift giving this season!....and so many goodies! :)


One quick note: If you are looking for a low down of the weeks festivities you can find them here.


Sharon has some blog candy to give away today so be sure and sign up for that one. I think you will find it to be JustRite........hmmmm....... ;)


Janine has a wonderful challenge today and will also be offering blog candy. All you need to do for that one is play. It's a win, win. What are we doing? Well, baking cookies! Can I tell you how many I have eaten in the last 24 hours! Oh my heck! Just taking one for the team.


So here's the deets....A Cookie Recipe Exchange. So all you have to do is bake some cookies and package them up. We're all into seeing how you are going to give them away this year.


I kept mine super simple. Hey...we're still Stamping Simply.... ;) I wanted to also include a package to give the recipe. I love getting the recipe when I get cookies from someone. It's awesome to be able to make them again.


Here are my projects.... Here's one of just the gift bag full of all the yummy goodess!



You gotta love that JustRite Stamper! I used it for my recipe card holder as well.....



Here's the inside of my card holder....



I created a pocket inside of this one to stick the recipe in. I made some of my favorite peppermint cookies. Here's the recipe:


Peppermint Cookies


Ingredients:
1 C unsalted butter {room temp}
3/4 C powdered sugar + a little extra to roll cookies in
1 large egg yolk
2 large egg whites
2 1/2 C unbleached flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C finely crushed hard peppermint candy


Directions:
Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk and beat. Add egg whites and beat...mixture will look grainy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually beat into sugar mixture. Stir in peppermint candy. Roll into ball, cover in plastic wrap and chill one hour. Butter baking sheet and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form 1 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Flatten with a fork and bake until cookies are golden brown about 20 minutes. Yields 30 cookies.


Can I tell you how much I love peppermint....add a little chocolate and it's a little piece of heaven!


You can check out the rest of the samples for Janines challenge:
AJ Otto
Deb Saaranen
Darlene Pavlick
Barb Schram
Jerri Kay

If you are playing along be sure and either link your blog address at Janines website or you can upload to SCS using the keyword SSC08.


I can't wait to see what you all come up with and I look forward to sharing this fun week with Sharon! :) Congrats on your million milestone! You are amazing and I am so happy that you inspire us each day! :)


Hope you all have a great day! I will post you soon! :)




JustRite Stamper
Basic Grey dsp
White card stock
Nestibilities smooth and scallop circles
SU scallop border punch
sticky pearls
twill tape from Walmart
Ribbon SU
Riding Hood Red ink SU