A Favor, Please?!!

Hi Kids!

I have a HUGE favor to ask of you.  My buddy Terri is trying to win $325 in her fantasy football league.  She's playing for first place this weekend, and she REALLY wants to win!!  (I think she's praying that a Genesis paper cutter will arrive on her doorstep soon, and that's a PRICEY paper cutter!)  So I was thinking . . . what if we all crossed our fingers, or danced around our chairs, or clapped like Peter Pan who believes in Tinkerbell - or whatever little quirky thing you like to do to generate some luck and good fortune - all in the name of Terri winning this weekend!!  Whatta ya say, huh?!  Can we do that for my girlie?!!  I know she'd appreciate it, and wouldn't it be so fun to say we had a hand in her win because we BELIEVED she could do it?!!  If you want to wish her luck yourself, click on the Cardinal below, and that'll take you straight to her blog.  Oh, and while you're there check out her work - it's A-MAZING!!

Thanks, ladies!  I know I can count on you to help a girl out!  If I don't see you before, know that I'll be raising a glass of sparkling cider as a cheers to you for an outstanding 2010!!  Happy New Year!

One Last Shot at Christmas Cheer!

Hola Chicas!

How was your Christmas holiday?  Ours was great!!  Delicious food (at my sisters house), loads of laughs, and fun times with family.  Not only that, but my daughter and her husband revealed the sex of my future grandchild - IT'S A BOY!!  Yahoo!!  We're so excited to be grandparents in May, and I'm chomping at the bit to start shopping, although shopping for a little boy won't be half as much fun as shopping for a little girl.  But I'll find a way to make it fun!!  LOL  I hope that you all enjoyed your Christmas as much as I did.

So, I have one last sample to share with you showcasing Merry Wishes from My Cute Stamps.  I know, I know . . . Christmas is over.  But how cute is this card?!!  LOL  I just couldn't help myself - I had to share!  But for two reasons really - one because these stamps are just too danged cute for words.  But also because all clear stamps are still 25% off - through December 31st!  So if you're thinking about using these stamps for next year's Christmas cards, now's the time to get them!!   I've listed the materials I used on this card below.

CARD RECIPE:

STAMPS:  Merry Wishes (My Cute Stamps), Designer Wood Grain (Hero Arts)

INK:  Rhubarb Stalk (Memento)

PAPER:  Oh Joy DP (Cosmo Cricket), Kraft CS (PTI), Scarlet Jewel CS (PTI)

ACCESSORIES:  Corner Rounder (EK Success), Pinking Shears, Buttons, Hemp, Janome Sew Mini, Tags Trio (Shapeabilities - Spellbinders), 3-D Dots (EK Success)

We have a new design team starting after the first of the year for ABC Toys & Crafts and you all are going to LOVE them!!  Each and every one of them - ubber talented, I tell ya!!  Julie, the owner of ABC Toys & Crafts, has very kindly extended me an offer to stay on for another six months, and I was thrilled to accept.  I adore the products that ABC Toys & Crafts carries, and the other DT gals are super fun and talented - what more could a girl ask for, right?!!  No brainer!

Well, that's it for me today.  Thanks so much for stopping by - I can't tell you how much it means to me that you come by, even if you don't leave a comment.  I get all warm and fuzzy just thinkin' about ya!  Please have a safe and wonderful New Years - see ya in 2010!!

Wishing You and Yours a Very . . . .

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I'll be back sometime after Christmas!

Pssst . . . . Want the New Martha Stewart Valentine Punches?

OMGosh!!  They're in at ABC Toys & Crafts and they are BEEE-UTIFUL!!!  Wait until you see them.  You can check them out HERE, but I recommend that you order now as they disappear FAST!!  I know, I know . . . it's Christmas time.  But seriously, don't you deserve an early Christmas present?!!  I know I do!! LOL

Just thought you'd want to know!

Last Minute Gift Idea!

Hey Chickies!

Just wanted to pop in to share a quick last minute gift idea with you.  I ran across these darling holiday jars at Home Goods and knew they'd be super cute for holiday gifts for neighbors and friends.  I bought up all that they had ($5 each!) - they had this cute Santa, a Snowman, and a Christmas Tree (I forgot to take pictures of the Snowman and Christmas Tree - oops!!)  I filled them with THIS homemade Mocha Coffee mix.  Yummmy!

The tag was really easy and quick to make, too.  It measures 3 1/2" x 5".  The base is white CS that is folded in half and run through my Cuttlebug using a Snowflakes and Dots embossing folder.  The bottom edge of the tag was created using the Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch Around the Page Punch.  My favorite Bo Bunny holiday DP was added behind the front panel. The center embellishment was created by layering a Martha Stewart Snowflake punch on top of a Cuttlebug Snowflake die cut, and adding a red and white polka dot button tied with Scrapper's Floss.  The Noel tag is one of the sentiments in the Merry Wishes stamp set by My Cute Stamps.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and heat embossed with red embossing powder.  I added some chunky glitter for a little added bling.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that stamp set - can you tell?!!  LOL

25% off Clear Stamps until December 31st, 2009

25%off Rubber Stamps until December 31st, 2009

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Wishing you and yours the most blessed Christmas ever!  I'll be taking a few days off to celebrate Christmas with my family, and will be back to share my last Merry Wishes sample with you next Tuesday.

How About Some Quickie Christmas Cards?!!

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO THE NEXT POST TO SEE THE WINNERS OF THE MY CUTE STAMPS SETS AND THE GRAND PRIZE FROM ABC TOYS & CRAFTS!

Hi!

Hope you're having a good weekend.  Last night we celebrated the first of our three Christmas's.  We had a DE-LISH dinner and a super fun gift exchange.  I got a gift certificate to one of my most favorite stamp stores - Merry Christmas to ME!!  LOL  One Christmas celebration down, two to go!  Oh, and I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting to find out the sex of my grandchild.  My daughter has an ultrasound on Tuesday to find out what they're having, and they'll share that information with us on Christmas Eve morning.  Can't wait for that!!

I thought I'd share some quick Christmas cards that I threw together before I left last week.  Too bad I didn't have time to make more.  All three were super easy to make.

The blue and the pink ones were created by stamping the Dots & Flowers background stamp by Hero Arts in Versamark and then heat embossing with silver embossing powder.  Then I cut out a circle using my Circle Classic Nestabilities.  The top of the ornament was created using a tab punch.  I added Xmas Red Stickles in the centers of each of the flowers and attached a red ribbon with glue dots.  The sentiments were stamped on the white card bases using Lady Bug Red Memento ink.  I love how clean and simple these look, and they came together so fast!!

The silver one was made by folding silver cardstock in half and cutting out a circle, again using my Circle Classic Nestabilities.  I stamped the Snowflake Circle (Hero Arts Cling Stamp) in Versamark and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  The cut out was created using my star shaped Nestabilities.  A star shape one size bigger than the original cut out was made out of white card stock, and then adhered to the inside of the card using 3-D Squares.  The sentiment was stamped in the center of the star using Lady Bug Red Memento ink and Xmas Red Stickles were placed intermittently throughout the snowflake designs.  A tab was punched for the top of the ornament, and a red bow was attached using glue dots.

I made all three of these cards in less than 45 minutes - TOTAL!  Maybe I'll throw some more together right after Christmas and actually get cards sent out this year.  How about you?!!  LOL

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'll be back on Tuesday with another My Cute Stamps sample to share with you. 

My Cute Stamps and Blog Candy Winners!

Winners of the

My Cute Stamps
from
ABC Toys & Crafts

Grand Prize Winner from the ABC Design Blog = #22 Cheryl Valadez

"Paris Tower" - my blog = #23 Ribenaruby

"Merry Wishes" - Karolyn's blog = #15 SemSee

"Gumball Machine & Owl" - Erin's blog = #19 Christine

"Lots of Love" - Heidi's blog = #5 Craft Princess

25% off all Stamps at ABC Toys & Crafts until December 31st

 Congratulations to all the winners!  Thanks for stopping by!

Last Chance and a card!!

Hi Peeps!

I know I've been bombarding you with "last chance" messages all week and no crafty work.  So I thought I'd share a quick card with you this morning in the hopes that you'll take a few extra minutes to leave some love on the ABC Toys & Crafts DT blogs.  They're listed below.  Today really is your last chance to leave comments on their blogs in order to win the free My Cute Stamps.  And today really is the last day to leave a comment on and become a follower of the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team Blog in order to win the over $200 Blog Candy!!  I'm not lying, so just do it, okay?  Winners will be announced Saturday, December 19th on the ABC Toys & Crafts DT Blog.

Justine's Blog
Karolyn's Blog
ABC Crafts & Toys Design Team Blog
Erin's Blog
Heidi's Blog

STAMPS:  Snowflake Circle (Hero Arts Cling Stamp), Winter Messages (Hero Arts)

INK:   Versamark, Lady Bug Red (Memento)

PAPER:  Spring Rain CS (PTI), Gorjuss Gingham Digi Paper (Funky Fairys Papercrafts), White CS (Neenah)

ACCESSORIES:  Light Blue Gemstones (Hero Arts), Spring Rain Polka Dot Satin Ribbon (PTI), Circle Classic Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Fiskars Upper Crest Border Punch, Janome Sew Mini, Pinking Shears, 3-D Dots Squares (EK Success), Sparkling Ice Embossing Powder

So, I won't bore you with a ton of details on my card.  I was inspired to make this card by a similar card that I saw many moons ago while blurfing.  In fact, I made this so long ago I can't remember where I saw my original inspiration.  Please forgive me for not linking.  Let's face it, I can't remember what I did yesterday - how the heck am I going to remember what I did two months ago?!! Can you relate?!  LOL  I've listed the products I used, so if you have any questions about how I created this, please feel free to leave me a comment here.

I'll be back on Sunday to share some very quick, super duper easy, but pretty darned cute last minute Christmas cards.  Have you finished yours yet?  Truth be told I haven't even started mine . . . I suck.  LOL

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have You Left Some Love?

Just wanted to let you know that there's still time to check out the amazing My Cute Stamps creations by the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team and leave them some love for the chance to win the corresponding stamp sets.  And don't forget about the over $200 worth of delicious blog candy that Julie Foote is giving away on the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team Blog.  All you have to do is comment on the following blog posts:

Justine's blog HERE.
Karolyn's blog HERE.
ABC Design Team Blog HERE.
Erin's blog HERE.

No doubt Heidi will have some outstanding creations for your viewing pleasure on Friday.  I'll leave her link for you tomorrow.  By the way, Julie is offering FREE SHIPPING for TODAY (12/17) ONLY!!  Could she be any more generous for crying out loud?!!  I hope you take the opportunity to take advantage of her kindness today!

I had an unbelievably fun day with my BFF's Joni and Melissa yesterday.  We shopped, had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, shopped some more, and then had dinner at Red Robin.  My feet are killing me, but it was so worth it.  What a wonderful way to get into the Holiday Spirit.

Thanks for stopping by!  I've got a ton of gift wrapping to do today . . . guess I'd better get started!!

OMGosh!! Look at all this free stuff you could win!!

ETA:  If you've just gotten a notification in your reader/email about this blog post, I'm so sorry!  Blogger has been messing with my posts, and just today posted this already-passed Blog Candy alert.  The winner was chosen on Saturday, 12/19.  I'm so sorry for any confusion this may have caused - I hope you'll still keep coming back to visit!

Hi Friends!

Look at what was posted on the ABC Toys & Crafts DT Blog this morning!!  Holy smokes - that's an amazing prize package, and so incredibly generous of Julie Foote, the owner.  Wanna win it?  Well read the info below, and do what it says.

Oh, and there's still time to win the stamp set that I showcased yesterday.  Just leave me a comment on my post from yesterday (12/15) before Saturday, December 19th.

Followers BLOG CANDY!!!

Attention Followers:

If you are a Follower of ABC Design Blog and want to win a prize package valued at $200.00, then you have come to the right place.


All you have to do to win is Comment on this Blog.


If you are not yet a Follower and would like to win this prize, all you have to do is become one! Just add yourself to the Followers list on the ABC Design Blog.

Here is what you will win:

• 
  
  
  My Cute Stamps - Oooga Booga
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  My Cute Stamps - Fishy Fun
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  My Cute Stamps - Celebrate today
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  KI Memories - Noel Countdown Numbers
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  KI Memories - Noel North Pole Alphabet
  
  
  
  
  
• 
• 
  
  
  Making Memories - Holiday Paint kit
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Making Memories - Springtime Glitter Shimmer kit
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Making Memories - Fabric Tape
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Making Memories - Sheer Harlequin Frame
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Hero Arts - Art Flowers
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Poetiques Metal Charms
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Martha Stewart - Medium Gift Punch
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Martha Stewart - Punch around the page Set
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Making Memories - Jigsaw Shapes
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Paper Bliss - Presents Stickers
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  5 packs of Prima Flower Stickers
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Wire Bobbin kit
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Sticky Mesh
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Tropical Bird stickers
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Making Memories - Twistel
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Designer Storage box
  
  
  
  
  

All these items are going to one lucky winner, could it be you?


Dont forget that there are other great drawings being held on the My Cute Stamp Sets just released. Be the first to get your hands on them. Go to each designer Blog and comment on the My Cute Stamps post and have a chance to win that set.


As an added BONUS all the Clear stamps and Rubber Stamps are 25% off, what a great time to get all the sets you want.

Happy Holidays from ABC Toys and Crafts!

My Cute Stamps - Merry Wishes!

Yay!

Today's my day to share some fun, fun My Cute Stamps projects with you - and offer you the chance to win this set, too!  Let's get to it!

I've got three projects for you today - and let me tell you, I am over the top IN LOVE with this stamp set. 

As soon as it arrived in my mail box, I was creating my little brains out!  The set is called Merry Wishes, and it can be yours if you're the lucky random commenter on THIS post.  Each day this week, one of the ABC Toys & Crafts design team members will be sharing a new My Cute Stamps set, and each day you have the chance to win their set if you comment on their personal blogs.  On Wednesday, you have the chance to win the GRAND PRIZE if you leave a comment on the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Blog.

My first project is a Split Step Card.  I was inspired by THIS post that I found during one of my blurfing sessions.  Love funky folds, and this one was super fun to do.  I used quite a few of the images from the Merry Wishes set - the main tree image was stamped on three different Pebbles, Inc. DP's.  The packages were done the same way, I also stamped the two snowflake images using Versamark, and the sentiment is also from the set.  I made some snow drifts out of vellum, and added some glitter with my Quickie Glue Pen. I will so be doing another one of these Split Step Cards.

Products Used:

Stamps:  Merry Wishes (My Cute Stamps)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark

Paper:  Pebbles, Inc. DP, Spring Rain CS (PTI), Sour Apple CS (Poptone), Enchanted Evening CS (PTI), Linen Vellum (PTI)

Accessories:  3-D Dots Squares (EK Success), Xyron Create A Sticker, Petite Oval Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities, Quickie Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Silver Elastic Cord (SU), Self-Adhesive Light Blue Gem Stones (Hero Arts)

I love, love, love my second project.  If it wasn't so tedious punching out all those leaves and branches, I'd use this one for my personal Christmas cards.  I picked up the window cards at a stamp show that I went to in October.  I cut out a scalloped circle (using my circle classic and scalloped Nestabilities) to use as a base for the wreath, then punched out some maple leaves and branches using my Martha Stewart Branch Punch and Maple Leaf Punch.  I covered some of the branches and leaves with some Martha Stewart chunky glitter that I picked up at Michael's.  I stamped the sentiment in Versamark and embossed it with red embossing powder, then filling the letters with my Quickie Glue Pen and adding the same chunky glitter that I used on the wreath.  The holly image is also from the Merry Wishes set.

Products Used:

Stamps:  Merry Wishes (My Cute Stamps)

Ink:  Versamark

Paper:  Window Card Base, Kraft CS (PTI), Paper Loft DP, Jelly Bean Green CS (Poptone), White CS (Neenah)

Accessories:  Red Buttons, Scrapper's Floss (Karen Foster), Hemp, 3-D Dots Squares (EK Success), Red Self-Adhesive Gems (Jolee), Copic Markers, Branch Punch (Martha Stewart), Maple Leaf Punch (Martha Stewart), Red Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), Chunky Glitter (Martha Stewart), Quickie Glue Pen, Circle Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities

My third project uses the sentiment and the ornament from the Merry Wishes set.  I stamped the ornament three times on a white panel, and then onto three different card stocks.  I then cut them out and popped them up on dimensional squares.  I added some glitter with my Quickie Glue Pen, and "hung" the ornaments using some silver elastic cord.  Fun, huh?  The rest is pretty self-explanatory.

Products Used:

Stamps:  Merry Wishes (My Cute Stamps)

Ink:  Tuxedo Black (Memento), Versamark, Sea Breeze Chalk Ink (VersaMagic)

Paper:  Merry Mint DP (American Crafts), Cranberry Crisp CS (SU), Sno Cone CS (Poptone), White CS (Neenah), Jelly Bean Green CS (Poptone)

Accessories:  Silver Elastic Cord (SU), Piercing Tool, Square Classic and Scalloped Nestabilities (Spellbinders), White Taffeta Ribbon (SU), Scalloped Border Punch (SU), White Embossing Powder (Zing/American Crafts), 3-D Dots Squares (EK Success)


I'm not exaggerating when I tell you how inspiring this stamp set was for me.  If I didn't have to leave town, I'd still be creating with these images!  I'd love for you to win it - all you have to do is leave me a comment here on this blog post and Justine will draw a random number and announce the winner of the set this Saturday on the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Blog.  Please leave me a comment - I can't wait to see who wins!

Thanks for stopping by!  Please join us tomorrow at the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Blog for a chance to win a very special prize package.

Wanna Win Some My Cute Stamps?!!

Hi Peeps!

I hope you had a better weekend than I did!!  We arrived safely in Seattle on Saturday, only to find out that the rental car that we rented was not four-wheel drive.  My worst fears were confirmed.  I HATE snow - it causes me a level of anxiety that is indescribable.  It's snowing here now, and there's the possibility of up to 5" between now and tomorrow night.  Ugh!  I really don't want to talk about it anymore, so I'll move on to free stamps!

Yes, that's right, peeps - you have the chance to win some brand spankin' new My Cute Stamps!!  Julie at ABC Toys and Crafts is giving away a free stamp set every day this week.  Sa-WEET!!  And on Wednesday, you have the chance to win a GRAND PRIZE!!  Every day this week, one member of the ABC Toys and Crafts DT will be sharing samples from one of the new sets.  If you leave a comment on their blog that day, you'll be eligible to win that day's set.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!!  Justine will draw a random name from each blog, and announce all the winners on Saturday, December 19th.

Here's the week's schedule:

Monday - Justine's Blog
Tuesday - Karolyn's Blog
Wednesday - ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team Blog (SPECIAL GRAND PRIZE)
Thursday - Erin's Blog
Friday - Heidi's Blog
Saturday - WINNERS ANNOUNCED ON THE ABC TOYS DT BLOG

ALSO, today is the final day to submit your application for the ABC Toys & Crafts Design Team.  You can get all of the details for applying right HERE.

FINALLY, ABC Toys & Crafts has some amazing sales going on right now, including a sale on all the My Cute Stamps - GO FIGURE!!

25%off Sizzix until December 15th 2009

25%off Spellbinders until December 15th 2009

25% off Clear Stamps until December 31st, 2009

25%off Rubber Stamps until December 31st, 2009

Head on over to Justine's blog to see her samples.  I'll be back tomorrow to share my My Cute Stamps samples with you.  I hope you'll join in on all the My Cute Stamps fun this week!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

My Cute Stamps - Sneak Peek!

Hi Kids!

Well, I had another productive day yesterday.  Phew!  I'm starting to feel as though I'm actually catching up on all the details that the holidays add to my life.  Not to mention that we'll be leaving for Seattle on Saturday - so I've still got a few things to square away before we leave.

Today's card features a brand spankin' new stamp set that I got in the mail last week from ABC Toys and Crafts.  It's called Merry Wishes, and let me tell you, I AM IN LOVE!!  I've been creating my little brains out with these sweet images.  I'm sharing a very small sneak peek with you today, but will have more My Cute Stamps goodness for you next week, when the ABC Toys and Crafts DT will be having ourselves a little Blog Hop.  And guess what - there's PRIZES!!  So, be on the look out for that - it starts Monday, December 14th . . . I'll remind you again just so you won't forget.  Hehehe

CARD PRESCRIPTION:

STAMPS:  Merry Wishes (My Cute Stamps)

INK:  Rich Cocoa (Memento)

PAPER:  Kraft CS (PTI), Snow Cone CS (Poptone), Polar Expressions DP (Imaginisce), Vintage Cream CS (PTI)

ACCESSORIES:  3-D Squares (EK Success), Ribbon (from my stash), Embossed Scallop Border Punch (EK Success)

Oh, and before I forget - ABC Toys and Crafts is having a huge sale!  And it just so happens to include the stamp set that I've used today.  Check it out for yourself!

25% off Sizzix until December 15th 2009

25% off Spellbinders until December 15th 2009

25% off Clear Stamps until December 31st, 2009

25% off Rubber Stamps until December 31st, 2009

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday and Design Team Call!!

Hi Chickies!!

How was your weekend?!  Mine was super productive!!  I got most of my Christmas shopping done, I paid my bills, and got a TON of crafting done!!  That's pretty good for me . . . I tend be a slug on the weekends.  Hehehe

One of the projects that I finished up this weekend was this fun little Kaiser Craft Hand Bag Tidy.  I know, I know . . . it's a bit BRIGHT, huh?!  But I actually made it for the Stamping Bella 3rd Birthday Bash Contest.  Sadly, I didn't win, but I was pretty darned thrilled with how these two projects turned out.  If I had a cute studio to put this in, I'd use it for my colored pencils - it's a little organizer that would look so cute on a studio shelf or just in your craft room.  I had a blast altering this and would definitely make another one for grins

Check out these darling little charms that I added to it!  I stamped Fabby onto some Bright White Shrinky Dink, colored her with my Copics, cut her out and shrunk her up with my heat embossing gun.  OMG!  Fun! Fun!  Right?!  The other two charms were some I picked up a Mike's.

The card features one of my all time favorite Stamping Bella images - "Fabby."  Isn't she too cute?  I just love Christy Croll's images (she's the artist).  In fact I bought a couple digital images from her at her Etsy store.  Cute stuff, I tell ya!

Lastly, I wanted to mention that ABC Toys & Crafts is looking for some new Design Team members.  Can I tell you how much I've enjoyed my time on the ABC Toys & Crafts DT?!!  Seriously, I get to design with a ton of manufacturer's stamps that I LOVE, I get a very generous discount as well as a box full of the most amazing crafty goodness (Martha Stewart punches, Hero Arts clear stamps, My Cute Stamps, just to name a few of my faves!)  AND I get to interact with some of the most talented and fun stamping gal pals EVAH!!  What more could you want, people?!!  Interested?  You can get all the details HERE.  Please send in your application - I'd be over the moon with happiness if one of my chickies got to join the team.  How fun would that be?!!  Time is running out, so get your application in NOW!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'll be back tomorrow with a bit of a "Sneak Peek" of some new My Cute Stamps for you!