Beautiful Season

I wanted to share our family's holiday card with you. This year I find myself thinking a lot about the importance of quality time spent with family. This past week I have been focusing on spending time with Emma and preparing for the holiday ahead of time so we can really enjoy our time together on Christmas Day. As both a parent and a teacher, I am still having a little trouble wrapping my brain around the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook. I can't stop thinking about all those poor families spending the holiday without their children, and the children who were looking forward to this holiday season and the magic that Christmas brings. I am so grateful for the gift of my family every day. I know there are many teachers out there who question if they would be brave enough to lay down their own lives to protect the children they teach. I suspect that most probably would do it without a second thought. One thing I do know is that we will each hold our family just a little closer this Christmas. So from my family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas and hold your little ones tight :)

Holiday Houses

Have you visited Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack? I just checked and the sweet little houses are still there for only $2.39 each. I've really enjoyed decorating them this year with Emma and I'm seriously considering ordering a few more to tuck away for next year. For now, I'll share this year's fabulous creations:

This one came out so cute, we used lots from our stash and dipped some holiday berries into Mica Flakes from last year's catalog - I think this is my favorite part of this house!

On this second house, I used the Scalloped Tulle Ribbon in Cherry Cobbler to trim the roof. We used lots more from our stash. I still love this holiday paper!

Here's one Emma made to give her Dad for Christmas...shhh don't tell him!

A Little More Shabby-Chic

Have I mentioned that I love the look of Shabby-Chic? I think I am going to make it my stamping goal to be better at creating in this style for 2013. I just love the softness of the look, with surprise pops of bright color. While I decorate in traditional colors of red and green for the holidays, my daughter has chosen to decorate (at least for this year) her home in more neutral colors. This is her first holiday in her own apartment and I think these will look great on her tree!

As a parent you treasure the time spent watching your children grow, and do what you can to make sure they turn into well adjusted, successful adults, and wish them every success. But I have to say, it sure is bitter sweet to watch them go off on their own. This past year has not been the easiest for our family in so many ways. We are looking ahead to 2013, but in the meantime I am looking forward to the next few days of quality time with family, and we are truly grateful for the blessings we have!

Cute Christmas Cards

I know everyone's starting to think about Valentine's at this point, but I wanted to share this cute holiday card that I created for my daughter to give her co-workers and staff. I did once again use the retired Stocking Accents die to cut out the candy cane, and a sentiment from a retired stamp set, but once again I was able to use my new paper piercing pack to outline the label I cut out. This was a quick and easy card to mass produce. Who couldn't use a little quick and easy in the days leading up to Christmas, right?

Ornament Keepsake Card

I'm just about finished with all my holiday projects and thought I would share this monotone Christmas Card I recently made using my Holiday Ornament Die, and the coordinating Festive Paper Piercing Pack, both available in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini. I began by cutting my Very Vanilla Cardstock down the 11 x 4 1/4" and folding it in half. Next I centered an Ornament Die over the front (careful to open your card before cutting!)and ran it through my Big Shot. Next I used my paper piercer to outline the cut out - can you believe this is the first time I opened this piercing pack? Lastly I ran a scrap of Very Vanilla though my Norther Flurry Embossing Folder and used Dimensionals to attach it to the back of the cut out ornament. Easy Peasy and quick! Thanks for stopping by today! I'm off to make some Gingerbread Men!

Handmade Holiday Gifts

I have to admit that I'm kind of partial to handmade gifts. I love giving them away, but think that receiving one is fabulous too! When I'm giving one away, I can't think of anything better than putting it into a hand made gift bag, or in this case - box!

You can find basic instructions on how to create a box here at Splitcoast Stampers. I created this 7 x 7 box using a piece of 11 7/8" x 11 7/8" Cherry Cobbler Card Stock for the base, and a piece of 12x12 Candlelight DSP. Both the top and the bottom are scored at 2 1/2". With all the rush of getting ready for the upcoming holidays I know that writing and photographing a tutorial is a little more than I can handle today, but hope the measurements and attached link would be helpful. Thanks for stopping by today, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Shabby Chic

I have always said that one extra week between Thanksgiving and Christmas would be so welcome! It's hard to believe the holiday is less than 2 weeks away. I haven't even finished making our Christmas Cards yet - I sure hope I can get them in the mail in time! Never mind all the baking, shopping and wrapping left to do!I have put the baking on hold since Emma and I have been sick for no less than 3 weeks - I hope we have a healthy holiday this year! Tonight I am meeting with my Stamp A Stack Card Club for our last 2012 meeting. I find that I am continually amazed by some of the shabby chic projects I find online, but I am never truly satisfied with my own attempts to re-create what I see. This morning I dug into my stash to find some old papers that might fit the bill, and went to work designing a couple of cards for my Stamp A Stack Club that meets tonight.

Here I used my Bingo Background Stamp inked with Soft Suede. I used the star from Jolly Bingo Bits inked in Lucky Limeade to fill in a few of the squares - how am I going to continue when this color retires?? Then I embellished with some pieces from retired Stocking Accents die, Silver Tinsel, Hat Pins and Ruffled Ribbon in Blushing Bride.

For this card I really dug deep into my stash, using some very old papers from My Mind's Eye, and various products from Stampin' Up! Not too bad for a rough attempt at this style, but I think I definitely need to add some more lace ribbon and chipboard pieces to really get the look I'm seeking.I think I may have found it with the color combinations though!