Christmas Treats, Part I

Well, hello there!  I know...it's been a few days.  I managed to catch my girls' cold after Thanksgiving, and let's just say anything I did was minimal. ;-)  Thankfully, I'm feeling a little better today. :)

With Christmas approaching, I've decided to share a series of handmade gift ideas!  We all need some ideas, right?  Let's get started then! :)

Day 1
Little Chocolate-Lover's Tin:  

I just love how a little extra 'somethin' spices up a gift, don't you?

I make one of these every year, changing the DSP to SU's current C'mas selection.  This is Cocoa Prints Specialty from the Holiday mini -- and ooooh, baby!  It's niiiiice.  The picture doesn't do it justice, really. There are more prints involved in the pack, too (some of them have pretty white flocking!!)

This is simply a Gift Card tin ($1), some Hershey's Nuggets, Designer Paper, and ribbon!

You could change up the DSP & colors for any occasion.  Make it more elegant, or more fun!  Just Because, Birthdays, Valentine's Day...you name it!! :)

What chocolate-lover wouldn't love this gift?!!

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up!)

Paper: Cocoa Prints Specialty DSP
Accessories:  Real Red 5/8" grosgrain, Sticky strip
Other: $1 tin, Hershey's Nuggets

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Happy Thanksgiving!!

When I wrote the title to my post yesterday (Give Thanks), this song came to mind, and I had an idea!  So, with the help of "google"...I found something to share with you today. :)

But before I get to that, I want to take the time to Give Thanks.

Thank you Lord, for health.  For a warm home and plenty of food.  For a loving and wonderful husband, whom I sometimes wonder if I deserve. ;-)  For beautiful, spirited daughters who mean the world to me.  For family I hold dear to my heart. For friends...new and old.  For friends made through my love of stamping, for sweet & loyal customers. For blog readers! (wow, never thought I'd see the day! lol)...

...I'll continue in private - you go get that turkey in the oven! :)

I hope you can find time today to Give Thanks.
This is my first time with embedding a video...sure hope it works!



Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Give Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving already, can you believe it?

I've decided to post this card today instead of tomorrow...
Because I wanted to start start the mood today...to really take time to reflect on all that I am thankful for.
Will you do the same? :)

I'm really disappointed with this pic...it really doesn't capture the beautiful colors on the leaves, and washes out the very vanilla cardstock color - it's not white, really! :(

Here's a try at a closeup of the leaves, at least...they're embossed, then colored...

Stay tuned - tomorrow I've got a special treat for you!
Please stop by & & check it out! :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Autumn Splendor, Holiday Best
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Very Vanilla
Ink: Chocolate Chip (craft & classic), Really Rust
Accessories: Stampin Sponges, Clear EP, Heat tool, Aquapainter, SU markers, Choc chip ribbon, Dimensionals
Technique: Embossing, Watercoloring

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Autumn Tree, Simplified

Yesterday, I showed you a Thumping Tree HERE, and promised to show you a simplified version today.

So here it is!  I think you can see the thumping detail even better on this one!

I "thumped" the tree image with SU markers, stamped, then moved a bit of the color around with an Aquapainter.  You could leave it as is after thumping, or move the color around like I did.

The background is merely spritzed with color (SU marker & color spritzer), and the edges sponged.

See, I told you it could be simplified! :)

Well, what do you think?

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree

Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Basic Brown
Accessories: Markers, Color Spritzer, Aquapainter, Sponges
Technique: Thumping

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Stampin' Up! Extravaganza!

STARTS TODAY!!!
  HUGE  STAMPIN' UP!  SAVINGS!

SAVE UP TO 50%

Get amazing discounts - up to 50 percent off on over 40 products and product bundles!

SALE ENDS NOV. 30!
The best Stamping Black Friday sales running the entire week!

November 23-30, 2009

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryID=461&cid=71

Click to view pics of all the specials!

NOTE:  If you go online, only pay attention to the "preferred" price.
  The "Regular price" listed is the sale price you'd get if you DON'T go through me.
I can email you with full information......items $40 some down to $20 some!!

With all the great "stuff" going on right now, you could REALLY clean up! :)

*30-50% savings on Holiday Extravaganza items
*FREE Décor elements when you add enough items from the Holiday Gift Giving Guide to your order

*$10 Winter Mini Item if your order passes $250

*1/2 Price My Digital Studio if your order passes $400

*Hostess sets

*Hostess Dollars

CONTACT ME to host a catalog show or order this week!
 Get your holiday shopping all finished before December!

Please let me know by 9am (PST) on Monday, November 30th
if you'd like to place an order & qualify for these great savings! :)

Another Autumn Tree

Sorry for the blogging hiatus...

We were out of town for a few days last week, so I wasn't able to get my daily computer dose in. ;-)

I'm back now, with (hopefully) a treat for you every day this week! :)  The first, is a card I made with one of my GO-TO sets:  "Lovely As A Tree".

I'll bet you're wondering how I made those tree leaves sooo beautiful, am I right? ;-)

By using a technique called "thumping."  SERIOUSLY.
Using my Stampin' Up markers.
Let me know if you'd like a tutorial.

A little sponging here & there, and voila!  You have your card!
Complete with top note die cut from SU's Sizzix die!
I love how it could really be a card for most any occasion! :)

Tomorrow, I'll show you a toned-down, simplified version.  I know...how could it get any more simplified?!!  lol...you'll see. :)

The Small Print (All Stampin' Up)
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Sincere Salutations, Linen BG
Cardstock: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Ink: Basic Brown
Accessories: SU markers, Aquapainter, Sponges, Sizzix, Top Note Die, Chocolate chip ribbon
Technique: Thumping, Sponging

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal

Wednesday Wit

I saw this the other day in the Sunday Comics & laughed out loud while clipping it out.

I just had to share.

It sounds...ahem...a little familiar! lol

(To view larger, click pic)

Does anyone else find the irony in this comic hilarious??!!  ha ha ha... LOVE IT!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a GREAT day! :)
Crystal