ELEGANT BIRD & OTHER NEW PRODUCTS

A couple of weeks ago, I busied myself creating swaps for my sweet friend, Laura, and this is one of them.  Are you loving Stampin' Up's "Elegant Bird" Sizzix die as much as I am?  This card actually features several new products that you'll find in the 2012 Occasions mini catalog . . . Adorning Accents Edgelits die, Adorning Accents embossing folder (including those adorable little embossed hearts), and Riding Hood Red pleated satin ribbon.  The inspiration for this card design came from p. 10 of the Occasions mini.  The designer paper used on this card is from the "Everyday Enchantment" collection in the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card are the sentiment from "Petite Pairs" stamp set, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, pearl jewel, and "Elegant Lines" embossing folder.  I wish you all a blessed 2012!

SWEET PRESSED COOKIE BOX & CARD

Your Valentine will know they are loved when you give them this pretty window box filled with cookies along with the matching card!  Don't those cookies look delicious?!?!  This project, featured today on Craft Project Central, is versatile enough to use for any holiday or occasion – just change the colors and stamps that you use!  Thank you, Lynn, for sharing this project and the tutorial.

TURTLE & CO.

Since the moment that I first laid eyes on this adorable turtle, I vowed that he would be mine and--finally--he is.  It's unfortunate that he kept getting bumped off of my orders in exchange for something else, but isn't he simply cute????  Mr. Turtle is feeling a bit like me this week . . . under the weather and upside-down.  Did you know that for each "Turtle & Co." stamp set that is sold, Stampin' Up! will donate $3 to Ronald McDonald House Charities?  Other Stampin' Up! products used on this card include Early Espresso quilted ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, and Lucky Limeade Organdy ribbon (a Sale-a-Bration product).  You can order "Turtle & Co." for yourself and, at the same time, help support a worthwhile charity HERE.

A VALENTINE MINI CIRCLE BOX & CARD

The tutorial for this sweet ensemble, designed and created by Julie, was posted today on Craft Project Central.  Access to the tutorial (and all of the December project tutorials) is available with your subscription.

A BARN QUILT FOR MAMAW

This past summer, my sister, our sons, and I had a fabulous time on a mountain trip that took us far out of the way and onto an unexpected discovery in the NC mountains . . . a barn quilt trail!!!!  I cannot put into words the fun we had that day except to say that it was one of the BEST days of my life.  Shortly after that day, I made a barn quilt of my own and then my son and I decided that we should make one for my grandmother.  She's made many beautiful quilts, and she clearly deserves a barn quilt.  We looked at the pictures of barn quilts that we had taken while on the trail, and we looked at others online.  There were two design characteristics that we both really liked . . . the clever shading afforded by two colors of paint that mimicked dimension and interlocking squares.  My son, Chad, came up with this design, drew it onto the wood, and then painted this gorgeous work of art for my grandmother.  I am so proud of his design and this barn quilt and hope that I can convince him to make one for me.  You've heard the phrase, "No pain, no gain"?  This design wasn't an easy one to achieve, but it was "the" perfect design, and Chad wouldn't hear of ANY alterations.  I'm glad he stood his ground because it's even more beautiful than the computerized version and/or the printed prototype.  We still have a couple of touch-ups to do to this one, but we presented it to mamaw this past Sunday.  Chad, I'm sooooooooooo proud of you and your talent!!!  You totally rock!!!!!!

A DRINKING BIRD FOR EVERYONE

One of my favorite things about Christmas is having all of my family at my house on Christmas Day.  I always have a little something for them, and these four little packages were one of the treats for each of the families . . . a "Drinking Lucky Bird."  One of the things that I remember seeing at my grandparents' house was one of these birds on the coffee table, and we (the grandchildren) were always amazed at how the bird stayed in constant motion.  We didn't know, of course, that it was scientific (thermodynamics) . . . we were simply amazed.  When I saw these online the week before Christmas, I decided that I had to have one for each family member and sprung for expedited shipping to make sure they arrived in time.  My grandmother has probably not missed the drinking bird, and she now has a new one for her home.  Ha!  I enjoy mine and hope the other members of my family will enjoy theirs.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a 3x6 card that features two of Stampin' Up!'s Sale-a-Bration products . . . 'Everyday Enchantment" designer paper and "Elementary Elegance" stamp set.  One thing that I immediately liked about the stamp set is that there's a cut-out of the Curly Label shape that can be used to stamp a shaped and colored background, such as the Pool Party background that I stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock.  I used the Curly Label punch on the Very Vanilla card stock, and I used the Sizzix Curly Label XL die to cut the Early Espresso mat for the punched shape.  Another new product featured on this card is the Pool Party seam binding.  How's this for an easy peasy card?  The new "Everyday Enchantment" designer paper collection is gorgeous, and you can get it FREE with any $50 Stampin' Up! order from January 24-March 31.  Have a great week!!

LATTICE BOX & NOTE CARDS

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!  I hope you're having a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends today!  At Craft Project Central, subscribers are treated to a FREE tutorial designed by Sharon. 

MY "SELECT-A-SENTIMENT" PROJECT IS FEATURED TODAY

If you're like me, you're busy, busy, busy getting ready for the Christmas festivities tonight and tomorrow.  I will be hosting my family tomorrow, and it's always exciting to get the preparations in order.  On Craft Project Central today, my project (pictured above) is featured and, if you're a subscriber, you will have access to the tutorial.  Most of the projects featured this month have had a Christmas theme, but I wanted to design a gift item for Christmas but one that would be suited for everyday/any day.  I hope that you will visit Craft Project Central, and go ahead and subscribe to the site if you haven't already.  With your subscription, you'll have access to all of the project tutorials that have been showcased this month.  If you're still preparing gift items, my project just might be the easy one that you need.  Thank you for visiting my blog today!  I wish you and yours a blessed Christmas, safe travels and, most importantly, treasured time with the ones you love.

"APOTHECARY ART" CHRISTMAS CARD

This is one of the late Christmas cards that I made this year.  When my Occasions mini preorder arrived from Stampin' Up!, I couldn't resist creating with some of the new items, such as the Framelits dies and "Apothecary Art" stamp set.  This card also features the Snow Burst embossing folder and retired Stampin' Up! designer paper.  My colors are River Rock and Bravo Burgundy, and I definitely kept the design simple.  Looking at it now, I really wish that I had added a pretty bow.  Oh well, I suppose it's okay for a card to leave here without ribbon.  ;-)