"FOGGY MORNING IN A BURNED OUT FOREST" FOR MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY

When all was said and done and I looked at this card from a distance, I realized that it didn't quite turn out the way that it looked in my head.  It reminds me of a scene from Duck Dynasty, and I think it's the one where Phil is patiently following Ms. Kay, hoping that she will sooner-than-already choose the "right" Christmas tree.  I was going for a natural, woodsy Christmas card, but this one is probably more like foggy morning in a burned out forest.  I was determined to use Stampin' Up!'s Stamp a Tag Kit, and I am pleased with the tag, which was sponged with Crumb Cake and Soft Suede ink.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but there's Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details on the red heart (yes, that's a heart beside the "to:" on the tag).  I stamped the tree image from Warmth & Wonder with Always Artichoke ink, and the fringe/grass is covering a little boo boo--because tree trunks don't hover, you know?  I'm glad I ended up with the fringe, though, because it lent the perfect place for the stamped sentiment.  You know, the more I look at this card, I realize it looks nothing like Christmas.  Why don't we just consider it a card to never, ever make?  Since you took the time to visit my blog today--and I really appreciate that--let me share two great cards made by my stampin' friends:

Debbie surprised me with this sweet card.  I hardly ever receive cards, but I love it when I do!  And wouldn't you know it . . . that Hello, Lovely stamp set is once again tempting me!  Great job, Debbie!

Tracy made this awesome card for my Inkerbelles' October swap.  It's impossible to tell from the photo, but she used the Stripes embossing folder on the card front.  Love the distressed edges on the layers! 

Have a stampin' good week!!!

GREETING CARD SET

Make this all-occasion greeting card set with a matching decorative box.  It is the perfect present for anyone, and it is easy to make and can be mass produced with ease.  The box, with its magnetic closure, can be used over and over.

This is truly one of those great projects that has perfect details!  Monika Davis did a great job designing this ensemble, and her tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

FREESTYLE FRIDAYS

First of all, today is my sister's birthday so . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Renee!!!  We're not quite a year apart--she was born on November 22nd one year, and I was born on November 8th the next year--so we're the same age for two weeks each year.  For many years, people thought we were twins because we were pretty much the same size--until my vitamins worked and her's didn't.  You would think that being born so close that we would have been really close growing up, but we weren't.  I'm glad that we're friends now, but I suppose it's because opposites attract.  We are as different as night and day.  So there's your shout-out, Renee.  Wishing you not only a blessed and happy day, but blessed and happy EVERY day!

Before I share my Freestyle Fridays project, I must share the awesome mail that I received yesterday.  Remember the card and muslin bag that Julie shared last week?  They are now in my possession, and you should see what was in that cute little bag:

 

Aren't those necklaces FUN?!?!  Julie girl knows exactly how to spoil someone.  I felt like the birthday girl all over again when I emptied that pretty bag to find not one--but TWO--necklaces!  The tissue paper got the first "wow".  Just look at it!  And those adorable charms on the tails of the seam binding which, by the way, she threaded through the top of the hand-stamped muslin bag.  I wasn't sure which photo I wanted to share, so I'm sharing both of them because the second one shows off the card, which is worth seeing again.  And yes, she stamped the envelope, too.  If Julie had bags under her eyes for a week or so, then I feel responsible because I'll bet she spent many late nights thinking up and adding so many details to this sweet birthday gift.  Julie, THANK YOU so much for sending a huge amount of birthday happy to my house!

And now that I've covered everything else, let me tell you about my Freestyle Fridays project.  Of course, it pales in comparison to Julie's, and it just barely satisfies the mission that she set forth for me.  I was missing My Digital Studio, so I decided to use the program to create the focal point for my card.  At some point in the week, I was thinking that I was supposed to use Crumb Cake and Baja Breeze, and I began my design with those two colors.  Then, as if I couldn't hop over to Julie's blog to verify, I decided that I had been confused and that I was supposed to use Baja Breeze and pink.  Fortunately, I kept some of the Crumb Cake on my design, although I would have used it more heavily if I'd been doing the right thing.

After printing the design on Whisper White card stock, I trimmed it to size, adhered it to a Whisper White mat, which was adhered to the Baja Breeze card.  This digital design features several of my very favorite MDS embellishments . . . Taffeta Trimmings, Baker's twine, Mis-Stitched (I think I use something from this embellishment kit on every digital design), and Staples & Stitching.  Other MDS products featured include Artistic Etchings and Adventure Awaits stamp brush sets, and the Follow Your Bliss kit. Julie Beaulieu, thank you again SO VERY MUCH for such a sweet and generous birthday gift!!!!

SEASON OF STYLE ENSEMBLE

It's time to deck the halls and wrap the gifts.  Why not make some cute decor and great packaging to match?  This ensemble includes an upcycled project - a wall-hanging from old CDs - plus some adorable gift boxes and a festive jar to use for holiday giving.

Having recently acquired Stampin' Up!'s Gift Bow die, I am excited about this pretty project which was designed by Jen Arkfeld.  Her complete tutorial can be found at Craft Project Central.

FROSTED HOLIDAY DECOR

If you love decorating for the holidays, you'll love creating this fun and frosty tree and wreath to add to your holiday home decor.  Make several to give as gifts.

I am in love with this project--especially the wreath--which was designed by Gayle Smith.  Her tutorial for this frosty ensemble can be found at Craft Project Central.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

For today's MISM project, I've got a quick card to share with you.  I can remember trying to decide if I "needed" Stampin' Up!'s Blooming with Kindness stamp set.  I seem to have a debate with myself every time I'm smitten with a new floral stamp set because I already have sooooooooooo many of them!  But you know what?  They're all unique and have a claim to fame--and reason to be in my collection, even if one stamp set shares the same claim to fame as about 15 others.  What really sold me on Blooming with Kindness was the fact that the floral image could be used to create a gorgeous background, used as a monochromatic focal point, it could be colored and fussed with, used to decorate just a corner of a project, etc., but the bonus selling point . . . the sentiments!  Besides the fact that they are a wonderful size and simply pretty, they fit several punches and dies and are perfect for a stamper's "go to" stamp set.  With one embossing folder and two punches, you can see how two images from Blooming with Kindness turned into an easy peasy pretty card.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, and Pear Pizzazz card stock, Pear Pizzazz marker, Wisteria Wonder and Black ink, Artisan Label punch, and Beautifully Baroque embossing folder.

VINTAGE-INSPIRED ORNAMENT GIFT SET

This Ornament Gift Set is perfect for the upcoming holiday season! It features a vintage-inspired ornament and a beautiful cello gift bag with bag topper, along with a matching card for giving this set as a gift!  This ornament would make a beautiful addition to your holiday tree, a doorknob, or a wreath!

Vintage-inspired projects have a special place in my heart, and this is definitely a project that I look forward to making!  Michelle Wecksler designed this ensemble for Craft Project Central, which is where you can find her complete tutorial.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Not only is today Friday, but it's also the slap-dab middle of November, which means . . . well, you know what that means.  It's time to make that Christmas list, check it twice, and start shopping!  For this week's Freestyle Fridays project, Julie has an adorable gift project and, although this one has a birthday theme, it demonstrates how awesome a stamped muslin bag could be for any occasion.  I love that she added seam binding to it, and she might have even threaded it through the top of the bag.  To learn more about her project, we'll have to visit her blog.  Don't forget to leave a sweet comment while you're there. 

"GETTING READY FOR SANTA" GIFT SET

This gift set will make anyone excited to get ready for Santa! The covered notepad will help you keep track of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. Then, as Christmas draws near, you can give the hot cocoa tote and mini muslin bag of gift tags as a gift. Or, why not make a few sets of it all as part of your holiday gift giving?  

Doesn't this look like a great gift set to make?  It appears that Julie Beltramo didn't forget anything when she designed this ensemble for Craft Project Central, which is where you can find her complete tutorial.

ANGEL ORNAMENT CREATED WITH GIFT BOW DIE

I tried to talk myself out of wanting Stampin' Up!'s Gift Bow die, but I couldn't resist.  It appears that  a variety of bows (styles) can be created with the cuts from the die, and I even came across some angel ornaments on Pinterest and had to make one for myself.  If you don't already own the Gift Bow die, you're in luck because it's among Stampin' Up!'s Weekly Deals, along with some other favorites of mine . . . burlap ribbon, muslin bags, and extra-large gift boxes!  Check out the deals HERE.