Paper Sweeties!

I'm so happy to tell you that I am now a part of the fabulous Paper Sweeties design team!  Debbie, the creator of Paper Sweeties, and I are both on the My Time Made Easy DT and a lot of you will remember that Debbie very generously gave her stamp sets as prizes during Visions of Sugarplums.  Thank you, Debbie, for asking me to be a part of your Sweeties team!

If you're not familiar with Paper Sweeties, let me tell you a little bit about them.  Debbie has created a line of clear stamps that are a lot like paper dolls.  You can get darling little girls (and boy) and different costumes to dress them up.  She also has really wonderful sentiment sets and accessories to go with the Paper Sweeties.

On the first of each month, Debbie posts a challenge sketch on the Paper Sweeties Blog.  You have the whole  month to enter your creation and if you use a Paper Sweeties product you could win a prize.  Here is the sketch for the month of January:

I think you can interpret this in a lot of fun ways.

You can tell I used a camera die cut for the middle square and circle.  "Smile - there's presents!" refers to the gift card inside. I used a 4 x 4 envelope.  Here's the back:

I used the following Paper Sweeties stamp sets:

Banner Wishes

Alphas - Upper

Alphas - Lower

There will be more fun beginning on January 13th, as we begin the  reveal of the new January stamp sets.   I'm so glad you stopped by and let's go check out the other sketch challenge creations at the Paper Sweeties Blog.  See you there!

Happy New Year

We had a baby for Christmas!  Well, sort of...  My daughter, Lauren, got a niece for Christmas.  Charlotte was born 2:30 Christmas morning.  She was just shy of 10 pounds!

We had a shower for Danielle and Charlotte a couple of weeks ago.  I made 25 shower favors using the boo bag from My Time Made Easy.  I tell you, having a silhouette to cut out all 25 is a blessing!

I also made her a shower record listing all the presents and who gave them.

I used some tags from Crate Paper, typed the gifts on my old selectric typewriter at work, and added a few embellishments.

I have not see Charlotte in person yet, but I hope to see her this week.  I've seen very cute pictures, however! 

Looking forward to New Year's.  Had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did, too.  Happy New Year to you!

Merry Christmas! and TCC Inspiration

Things are lovely here, nice crisp and cold.  We may have a White Christmas!  Right now the meteorologist is giving it a 60% chance. So we will see...

A couple of years ago, we had so much snow and ice that we couldn't even have Christmas - I don't want anything quite like that!  Picked up several of these pretty (cheap) frames at Michaels and finally put something in one.

For this sleigh, I used a color plate of antique wallpaper - love the print!

It's time for me to rotate off The Cutting Cafe team, I always enjoy working with Regina.  So, I'm going to miss her and her goodies!   This week we got to choose the set we want to use.  I was thinking about a valentine for a little boy, so I chose A Bunch of  Monsters. 

I love how all the can be seen is the eye until it's opened. 

The sentiment, which is from the set, works perfectly.  I just separated it into two pieces.  Be sure to check The Cutting Cafe Blog on Wednesday for all the inspiration and Regina's special offer.

Have a wonderful Christmas - will yours be white?

It's Christmas Time at Craft Us Crazy

New challenge time at Craft Us Crazy:  Christmas/New Year/Altered 3D.  That's quite a few to choose from, so come link up!

I just love this sweet image - I showcased it with papers from October Afternoon.  The bow is natural hemp that I swiped with distress ink. 
 
 I just turned on the Christmas tree lights.  They look so pretty twinkling - Now I need to get some packages wrapped, so there will be something under the tree!

Come join us at Craft Us Crazy - the DT projects will be posted tomorrow.  Thank you for stopping by!

Front Door Tag for TCC

Regina has a lovely front door shaped card file available at The Cutting Cafe.  I used it to create a tag. 

The wreath was made with the holly leaves and one of the bows that comes with the file.

I was listening to Christmas music while I was putting this together - that's what led to the sentiment from "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas."  Right now, it does not look (or feel) like Christmas, but I'm hearing that Thursday it might actually be cold (60s in December in Oklahoma is just not right)!  Yep, the meterologist just said lows in the teens.  That will really feel cold after this warm weather we've been having!

Check out The Cutting Cafe Blog tomorrow for more projects using the front door file and I'm sure Regina will have a special deal just for you!

Soldered Ornaments

Can it already be December 12th?  Wow - just 13 more days 'til Christmas!  I finally did some soldering - I've had no time to do it - but I had to get in there to finish some ornaments.  Every year I do about 10 ornaments for a friend of mine.  I make them from the photo cards people send her.  I would have never thought of that - they make a great gift!  So...while I was making those for her, I created some for myself.

I used vintage images from Nicecrane Designs.  The santa above is from the Vintage Santa Vol IV collection.  And the santa below is actually from a tea bag pocket from the Christmas Tea Bag Wrapper collection.  I just used the picture portion instead of the whole pocket.

And this has to be one of the cutest vintage images ever!

I love it!  I'm going to make it into a Christmas card next year.   It is one of the images from Vintage Christmas Collection I.

Here is a preview of the sets I used:

 

 

Such pretty vintage images!  Thanks for stopping by!

 



The Cutting Cafe and Nicecrane Designs

For those of you that joined us for Visions of Sugarplums, you'll remember both The Cutting Cafe and Nicecrane Designs were very generous with their gift giving!

At The Cutting Cafe this week, we are showcasing Winter Bingo Cards.  All ten cards are adorable!  I love the font that Regina used.

You can see I used the "Let It Snow" bingo card and the "Baby It's Cold Outside" circle sentiment and I paired them with the most darling image from Nicecrane Designs - these sled-riding kitties are from Kittens and Puppies on Christmas.  Here is a preview of the darling images in this set:

Ignacio asked me to join his design team and as I love the images at Nicecrane Designs that was an easy "yes!"  As I have been corresponding with him, I have discovered a very sweet, kind person.  This is going to be fun!!


Be sure to check The Cutting Cafe Blog on Wednesday for all the projects using the Winter Bingo Cards and details on what Regina will be gifting this week.   I can't believe Christmas is only 14 days away!  I wonder what I still need to do...

The Day After

Well, it's the day after the Visions of Sugarplums event.  It was so fun and everyone's posts were wonderful!  Thank you for such positive feedback from those of you that joined us this week.  You are all the best! 

Here are the winners from Day Five of Visions of Sugarplums:

$20 gift certificate to Nicecrane Designs:  Laurart
1 set of choice from Paper Sweeties:  Tammi
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary:  Miriam

Thank you so much Ignacio, Debbie and Mary!!


The winner of my giveaway (drumroll, please):  May

Lisa will announce her winner on her blog - be sure to look!

Also, there are two more winners, one will be announced at Craft Us Crazy and the other will be announced at Make It Monday.  Each site had a special giveaway with a specific requirement.

I want to give a big thank you to everyone that posted Christmas inspiration this week - you are fabulous!  And another big thank you to everyone who generously donated a giveaway to Visions of Sugarplums - you are the bees knees!

Lisa - http://minkimpressions.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com/

Regina - http://reginaeaster.blogspot.com/

Lauren M. - http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

Ignacio - http://nicecranedesigns.blogspot.com/

Beatriz - http://iralamija.blogspot.com/

Mary - http://www.etsy.com/shop//MoonlightingByMary

Janet -http://www.etsy.com/shop//bydigitalpaper  

Mitra - http://mitralee.blogspot.com/

Maria - http://joyfulstamper.blogspot.com/

Lauren H. - http://www.thepastonaplate.com/

Ira - http://irascreacorner.blogspot.com/

Sandy - http://simplysandy-sandy.blogspot.com/

Bonnie - http://artfuldigits.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://myhappyplace-linda.blogspot.com/

 
I'm sharing one of my Christmas cards for this year, so I can have a photo in this post - just seems bare without one!

I love angels, especially these old postcard images.

Don't forget that the new PaperHaus Magazine is out! (It's free and beautiful.) Check it out here.

Visions of Sugarplums - Day Five

It's the last day of Visions of Sugarplums!  So glad you've joined us - there's been some wonderful projects, recipes and let's not forget the giveaways!

Here are Day Four winners:

1 set of choice from Paper Sweeties:  Sarah Biswabic
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary:  Karen Letchworth
Christmas Creation from Mitra:  Sue D.

Have you visitied Nicecrane Designs?  What an amazing collection of images!  Black and white and color.  If you've visisted Lisa during Visions of Sugarplums, you've already seen some of Ignacio's vintage images in her Christmas creations.

I used one to top my peppermint bark jar.  Isn't she the sweetest?

I embellished to my heart's content: crochet lace, ribbon, peppermint twine, glitter, wooden spool...

Our first giveaway on the last day of Visions of Sugarplums is a $20 gift certicate to Nicecrane Designs!

This peppemint bark is ADDICTIVE!  And it smells divine.  I'm sure you would like to make some, too!  It's easy!  Here's the recipe:

Crush up peppermint candies to  make 1/2 a cup.   Crush up a little more to pour on top.  Melt one pound of white chocolate.  Mix in a couple of drops of peppermint extract and the 1/2 cup of peppermint pieces.  Spread into cookie sheet that's been covered with parchment or wax paper.  Sprinkle more peppermint pieces on top.  Refrigerate.  I think it took about 30 minutes and it was ready to break up. 

I love stockings!  My mom made me a felt and sequin stocking when I was little.  She still fills it with the most wonderful little surprises.  I made a couple of small felt stockings and  popped in some candy canes which really are the best stocking stuffer!  Here's the aqua one sans candy cane:

I just freehanded a stocking pattern and cut out the felt.  Diecut some scallops and snowflakes just to add some prettiness. 

The candy canes are flying a flag which includes an antique ice coupon.

The other last day giveaways are:

1 set of choice from Paper Sweeties
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary
Lisa will also announce the winner of all her goodies tomorrow.

Time to add to my giveaway one last time!  If you want to see everything included in this giveaway, check out the previous four Vision of Sugarplum days.  Today, I'm including a ten dollar gift card to Michaels (if you don't have a Michaels near you, I'll make it a Visa card.)

It's easy to win - just comment - here and on all the blogs participating today.  Go check out the last day Christmas inspiration:

Lisa - http://minkimpressions.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com/

Ignacio - http://nicecranedesigns.blogspot.com/

Thank you for joining us this week for Visions of Sugarplums!

New Challenge at Craft Us Crazy

Time for a new challenge at Craft Us Crazy:  Christmas/Winter/Favorite Embellishment.  Our sponsor is Stamp Fairy.  Click below to go to the store.

Meet George and his friend, an image from Stamp Fairy. 

He's a sweet little snowpeople, isn't he?  Come join us at Craft us Crazy - I'll be looking for you!

Visions of Sugarplums Day Four

Wow - here we are at Day Four of Visions of Sugarplums.  So glad you came by today!  This is a long post, you might need a coffee or a tea or donuts...

Who won yesterday's prizes?

$20 gift certificate from My Time Made Easy:  Miriam
1 set of choice from Digital Paper:  Laurart
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary:  Karons
1 set of choice from Paper Sweeties:  Sue D

Congratulations to the winners (email me lhairston@cox.net and we'll get your prizes to you) and a big thank you to Lauren, Janet,  Debbie, and Mary for being so wonderful!

Three of you have already been lucky enough to win a giveaway from Debbie at Paper Sweeties - lucky you!   Debbie has made a fabulous idea come true - the sweetest stamp images with clothes that work just like paper dolls! 

Here I've used Abigail and her oh, so sweet bunny and gown from Some Bunny Loves You.  I added some abstract looking poinsettias to create her Night Before Christmas gownie tail.  Now that I have Abigail I can put her in different costumes that Debbie continues to design.  Fun, huh?  I created a tag using a wish list image from Digital Paper and added an origami tree.

Our first Thursday giveaway is one set of choice from Paper Sweeties!  This is actually the fourth set we've given away - thank you, Debbie!

I love these origami trees - when I taught, I did a lot of origami with my kids.  You would be amazed at what first graders can do!   The coolest thing was that it was often the kids that struggled with other things that were helping all the other kids and were the hero for the day!

They are really easy to make:  you need 4 graduated squares (ie:  3", 2.5", 2", 1.5"). 
Fold each square in half - open and fold in half the other direction. 
Fold each square diagonally into a triangle - open and fold the other direction.
Now you have all the scores you need. 
I looked for a video - couldn't find one - so here are a couple of pictures of the only tricky part:

Fold in half into a rectangle - don't hold it tightly closed - push in end.

Use scores to create a pointed end.

Do the same with the other side.

Flatten the triangle and fold the top layer into the middle.  There you go!

I love old doorknobs  - they are great for lots of things.  Like placecard holders at Thanksgiving.  Here's a project I've started.  I left the bottle brush tree undecorated - haven't decided what direction I'm going yet.  Suggestions?

Now for the best poppy seed bread recipe in the world - I'm not kidding!  If you're going to make homemade bread for gifts, this is a winner!  If not, how about a part of Christmas breakfast?  I have given this recipe out like crazy over the years - it's that good!   Now don't laugh - I've never rewritten this - I have no idea who Dell Watson is - it's messy, etc...

How about some ideas on wrapping up this best poppy seed bread for gift giving?

This is just a couple of doilies, a wooden ornament, twine and ribbon.  Easy!

This is just a vintage ornament - pretty and easy!

Or how about a reindeer bag?  The bread fits in perfectly! 

I whipped up a drawstring bag and dolled up a felt reindeer from Micheals - it's so cute!

More giveaways:
1 set of choice from Moonlighting by Mary
Christmas Creation from Mitra - see her blog for details
Lisa Minckler's giveaway keeps growing, just like mine.

What I am adding to my giveaway:

You get a finished drawstring bag, just like the one above and a reindeer ready to embellish.  Also a couple of wooden ornaments (similar but not exactly like the one on the first bread picture).   These will be added to all the things from the first three days! 

 Again, how to win giveaways is easy - just comment.  Every comment is an entry - so comment on all participating blogs!  Here's who has Christmas goodies today:

Lisa - http://minkimpressions.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://debssimpletreasures.blogspot.com/

Mitra - http://mitralee.blogspot.com/

Lauren H. - http://www.thepastonaplate.com/

Bonnie - http://artfuldigits.blogspot.com/

Linda - http://myhappyplace-linda.blogspot.com/

 

Have fun and come back tomorrow for the last day of Visions of Sugarplums!