Day 12 Christmas Bird House Votive

Well sadly this is my last entry for my 12 days of Christmas crafts. I enjoyed making all the projects and I hope that I have inspired you to make your own.

For the birdhouse I used the milk carton die from SU. Used shimmery white cardstock for the house and Basic Grey designer paper for the roof. The house holds a battery operated votive. I had to cut the flaps off at the bottom of the house, that way the house just sits over the votive. Hole in center was cut using 1 inch circle punch.


Other things used: Bird punch, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil, and Always Artichoke cardstock, ribbon, button, pop dot, red line tape, twine, and scallop punch.

I'm still working on wrapping gifts that I need to mail this week. Problem now is finding the right size box. I'll get there!

Oh I have to share something with you.....Skip says to me today "So are you getting bored staying around the house?" I replied that I will never be bored. So much to do!

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Day 11 Decorated Container with Oval Bow

If your like me...part of the fun of giving gifts is coming up with creative gift wrapping. I found these plastic containers at Hollo's. I thought they would be perfect for giving homemade cookies in.


I used Figgy Pudding designer paper by Basic Grey. Along with Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip and Shimmery White cardstock. The bow on top of the card was made by first punching the designer paper with the small oval punch by SU, then centering the paper in the large oval punch and punching again. Since the paper was double sided I just alternated the two sides to give the bow some interest and color variations. To hide the adhesive used while assembling it I used a small oval punch shape to finish the bow off.


Other things used: Circle of Friendship stamp set, Sixxiz embossing folder, dazzling diamond glitter, pop dots, Tombo liquid glue, brown ribbon, jingle bell, ribbon punch, and Cherry Cobbler ink.

Only one more days left of Karen's twelve days of Christmas. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

Still lots of things to do for the holidays at my house, but I'm getting there. Tuesday I'm going to the nursing home. They are trimming the tree for the lobby and I want to take mom so she can enjoy it. I decorated her room yesterday while I was visiting.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Day 10 Revisted

Okay I was doing some thinking about the mitten holder that I made to hold the chocolate spoons and came up with a different design. I still used the same size mitten but I added white jumbo chenille around the top for a cuff, and added a tag made from the small oval punch and word from Perfect Endings (SU!) Decided not to use the pinking shears and did a straight cut around the mitten and sponged the edges with Espresso ink. Then I had the great idea to use the Cropidile to make the hole in the handle of the spoon so I could attach the snowflake.

Day 10 Peppermint Chocolate Spoons

One of the things I always wanted to do but never did... make chocolate spoons. Well this year was the year to try making these. Pretty simple to do.

Take 12 peppermint hard candies and crush them in a ziplock bag. I used my little hammer from my tool kit to smash them up. Great way to relieve tension too! Sift the crush candies and set aside the pieces that have not been crushed up fine. You'll use those pieces later. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in double broiler. Add the finely crushed peppermint to the melted chocolate stir to mix well. Spoon the mixture into the wells of plastic spoons set on wax paper to harden. Add the reserved peppermint pieces to the chocolate in the spoons. Let the spoons set till hard then wrap them in plastic wrap. These can be used to stir into hot chocolate. YUM! I was able to get 18 spoons from this recipe.

I free handed the mitten pattern on brown wrapping paper, and sandwiched in a piece of natural batting between the two layers. Sewed around the mitten on the pattern line then cut it out with pinking shears. Before sewing I did to the stamping and if you look close at the top cuff I ran that part through the Cuttlebug with a snowflake embossing folder. Love the rust accents used mini snowflake and bell. To give as a gift you could include a mug and some hot chocolate packets.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Day 9 Lip Balm Holder

Hi Stampers! My Friday was so busy let me tell you about it. We got up around 8 got some breakfast then went to H & H Gregg and we brought 2 dishwashers and a washer and dryer. Two dish washers you might ask???? We needed to replace ours and Skip bought one for his mom. So we make our purchase, then drove home as we needed John's truck to get them home and he was at work when we had left. So we get the truck pick them up drive home....did I say that the store is 20 miles from our house? Well it is. So lots of driving. After we got home the second time we had to unload. I started to put the tree up, then we got some lunch and went to Mom Kate's house. Spend the next 4 hours putting in the dishwasher. Came home and worked some more on the tree and I have to finish it today. WHEW long day.

So for Day 9 I made lip balm holders. Colors Riding Hood Red, More Mustard, and Basic Gray. Found the template for the holders here



The little beaded piece is really a small hand mirror. Got them at Hollo's years ago. Kat asked me to pick up red line sticker sheets as her and Lisa were going to make some beaded mirrors for the Church bazaar. Then I got to thinking that a matching mirror would be a good gift along with the lip balm holder. Used StazOn ink Mustard, Stone Gray, and Timber Brown to stamp the mirror back, heat set, then added the sticker sheet removed the red backing and pressed into the clear micro beads.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Day 8 Ornament

Hi Stampers! Hope your tummies are not to full from all that Thanksgiving feasting yesterday.

What would Christmas be without those special ornaments for the tree? I was going through all my Christmas sets and I found a set that has been very well loved but I haven't used it for awhile. Set is Polar Bear by SU. The little tin container is by Darice and can be found in the jewelery aisle at most craft stores. To give the ornament some dimension I stamped a small snowflake on the lid with Midnight Blue StazOn. Bear is stamped on confetti white and colored with Going Gray and Garden Green ink. Circle punches sized 1 1/4 and 1 3/8. Lid was glued on with Tombo liquid glue. Ribbon was perfect for this ornament. It is a stretchy gray and white. Was very easy to fit it around the ornament. Another dimension was added by using a pop dot to attach the star to the lid.


The little cello bag I found at Hollo's paper store. Since the ornament is small I needed a way to gift it so the cello bag came into play. Stamped and layered the cardstock and used a mini glue dot to hold the ornament is place. Finished it off with a snowflake ribbon, silver cord and a little felt snowflake.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Guest for Dinner

I wanted just to take a moment to post this pic of Sarah feeding Burbank while we were cleaning up after Thanksgiving dinner. The meal was good, but I was disappointed that Cheryl and my nephews did join us. I thought they were coming and when I called Cheryl she said that she didn't know about it. Corbet had called me last week to set up the time for dinner but somehow he didn't tell his mom so what it boiled down to was me having way to much food. I was expecting 9 people so I had a 12lb turkey and a 6 pound ham, 5lbs of mashed potatoes not to mention all the other sides and fixings. On the up side Sarah and Jason will eat good for several days as I sent them home with lots of leftovers. Sarah also helped me get the tree and other decorations out so I'll be all set to put the tree up tomorrow. I may even start that project tonight. Oh about the guest.....Burbank was ever so pleased to be our dinner guest and clean up on leftovers!

Karen

Day 7 Snowflake Votive Holder & Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We have family coming over. Tony's family, and Sarah and Jason are coming over. I started prepping dinner yesterday. Looking forward to a nice sit down dinner with family.

Okay back to Christmas.....I used Sixxiz #2 Snowflake die to create these wonderful little tea light holders. I've seen lots of different things made using soda pop cans, and the Sixxiz dies. I wanted something just a little bit more sturdy so I took a little trip to Home Depot. Down the aisle that has gutters I found what I was looking for....metal flashing. As I said it's just a tad bit thicker than soda pop cans and can still go though my Big Shot just fine. The cool thing that I like about the flashing is that it is double sided. One side is silver and the other side is a brushed gold color. Flashing is sold by the roll and also by the sheet so you don't have to get a large roll if you are only looking to make a few things with it. After the dies were cut I took a pop up glue dot and put it on the bottom of the tea light. Stuck it to the center of the snowflake then folded up the flake. For the presentation of the gift I used medium sized cello bags and some red angel shreds. Tied the top close with ribbon.

Stamping Trails.....and don't eat too much turkey!
Karen 204

Day 6 Gift Card Holders

Now those who know me well know that I'm not one to give gift cards, but I'm learning that sometimes they do make the prefect gift.....and for that perfect gift you need a great way to present them. First holder is made from a standard A2 envelope. So easy to do! Fold the envelope in half then open it back up. Cut off one part of the flap to the fold line. For the other side of the flap glue it down with mono adhesive. The side that had the flap cut off will be the pocket for the gift card. I brought out another old SU set for this project Flaky Friends. On the cover I sponged Crumb Cake and Not Quite Navy. Snowman inked with Night of Navy, and tree was inked with Always Artichoke.


For the inside I use a piece of craft card stock and stamped the image again with Night of Navy. Snowbanks formed with confetti white card stock. Wrapped ribbon around the outside of the envelope to keep it closed.


For this gift card holder I used two textured purple cardstock and cut with Top Note die. One of them I ran through the Cuttlebug with snowflake folder. To highlight the flakes I used direct to paper with white craft ink.



For the inside I cut another die cut with confetti white and Basic Gray designer paper. Again I'm back to hand writing the message. Made this one for Sarah's birthday. The brad is homemade with a new brad making toy. Took some more designer paper for that and stamped a little snowman. After the brad was made I brushed it with some tombo liquid glue then dipped it into glass glitter. Sarah was really thrilled with the holder (and the Joann's gift card)

Well I need to get busy with making some of the food for tomorrow's feast. Skip is working day shift today, and will be off the rest of the week.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Pics of Sarah

Just a quick note to show you some pics of Sarah. She liked her birthday gifts. She really wanted the movie How to Train your Dragon. We went to see it when it came out. Such a good movie. I picked up the dragon ornament at Hallmark when I got my Barbie ornament this year.

Day 5 Reindeer Flight Treat Box Card

Welcome back stampers! We are on day 5, the days are flying by! Today I have a treat box card I made using Tim Holtz stamp set Reindeer Flight. Just love this reindeer! I got the pattern for the treat/card on Splitcoast

Carstock is 12x12 that I got at Hollo's paper store. It really is a close match to SU! Close to Cocoa. Ink colors: Espresso, Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue, and Always Artichoke. Other things used: Modern punch, Basic Gray designer paper, rust snowflake, snowflake button, shipping tag, sponge, scallop oval punch, alpine ribbon, and pop dots. Filled box with Hershey Kisses. Skip had a bag of them on his desk so I swiped just the red ones....wonder if he will miss them? LOL Him and his chocolate will never be parted. Oh in the pocket of the card I used an envelope that I also picked up at Hollo's. Going to put money in it for my nephews.



I used Frosty for the candle holder treat card. You may remember the crayon resist technique. So easy to do and very vibrant. To do stamp outline stamp on glossy white cardstock using black dye based ink. Using a crayon go over the image where you don't want any color. Next is the fun part. Ink up sponge with dye based ink and pounce over the image. After you have finished adding the color wipe over the image with a paper towel. The color will be removed from the area where the crayon was placed.

My little girl is 28 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!! She is coming over for lunch today along with her friend Melinda. Those two have been best friends since 7th grade. After lunch we are going to bake some pies for Thanksgiving. Should be a lively afternoon. Looking forward to it!

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Day 4 Tic Tac Covers

Are these not too cute?!!! Just loved them when I saw them on Kerry's blog. Check out her blog she has lots of great projects that she makes for craft fairs. The covers will fit a the large size tic-tac boxes. Covers are 4 5/8 x 3. Then scored at 2 and scored again at 2 5/8. Stamp used is from Thanks Snow Much, and also snowman from Ink-a-dink-a-do Holiday Sentiments. I used a 3/4 circle punch to make a circle in the bottom of the snowman. Another circle has to be made in the cover. When the cardstock is glued in place you can see the tic-tacs through the belly. Snowman kisses on the tags are hand written. I could have printed them out, but for some reason this Christmas season I want my projects to have that real homemade look. What better way to that than to hand write the tags.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Day 3 Fun Foam Snowflakes

Now these were fun to make....and the most important thing? Make sure the cat is not...I repeat NOT under your crafting desk when you are adding the glitter. Burbank decided to bump me when I sprinkling the glitter and needless to say it got everywhere.

Sixxiz die Snowflake # 2 was used to create these sun catchers. If you don't have that die SU! also has a snowflake die, or you can use pre-cut fun foam snowflakes. I saw them in the kids crafting section at Michael's. Okay so after running the fun foam through the Big Shot using the snowflake die I added some dots of Tombo liquid adhesive then spread it around using a wide flat paint brush. Sprinkled on some dazzling diamond glitter then tapped the excess off. Next I added some felt pre-cut snowflakes that picked up last year. Sorry I don't remember the source, and secured the felt flake with a brad. After the snowflakes were dry I turned them over and added some more Tombo glue to the tips and let it dry over night. After the glue is dry you can stick them to a window. The glue on the back will adhere to the window. How cool is that? I can also see these being used for ornaments just add a cord and forget about the glue on the back of the flake, or thread them through ribbon for a swag, or how bout a package topper? Now what will you do with your snowflakes?

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Candy Stocking Stuffers Day 2

For day 2 I wanted to make some little candy gifts. Perfect for stocking stuffers or an add on gift topper. Rudolph Spares are cinnamon candy. Stamp set used Festive Favorites with Cherry Cobbler, and Vanilla cardstock. The plastic tubes can be found in the jewelry aisle of any craft store. They are made by Darice.

For the round metal tin (which is also found in the jewelry aisle) I brought out an oldie but goody stamp set Thanks Snow Much. Word stamp is stamped on top of the lid using Midnight Blue ink by StazOn. Snowman stamped on white cardstock and colored in with markers and aqua painter. I cut off the snowman arms and replaced them with jute. Was easier to do this instead of trying to cut around the twig arms.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Twelve Days of Christmas

Welcome to my Twelve Day of Christmas! For the next twelve days I will be posting craft items just for the upcoming Christmas holiday, and what better way to start but with a Christmas card?

Supplies:

Kraft cardstock for base card
4 inch white paper doily
Bird punch by SU!
Not quite Navy cardstock/punched with scallop circle punch (this layer was sponged with craft white ink)
Garden Green cardstock
Riding Hood Red cardstock
Rust metal snowflake, attached to card with white twine
pop dots
Card, bird, and leaf was sponged with craft white ink


Hope you like the first day of Christmas. Please check back for more Christmas stamping projects!


I must say I'm enjoying being off work. Its wonderful!!!!!!
Thanks to all my friends that called me yesterday to chat. So good to talk you ladies during the daylight hours:)

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Mixed up Owl and Cookie

The owl is a little confused thinking he is a turkey....maybe when he grows up he wants to be a turkey? Better not change your feathers little owl or you will be going in the oven on Thanksgiving! Stamp set Pick a Petal and owl punch by SU!. Colors Espresso, Crumb, Pumpkin. Other things used thin cork, ric-rac. I know he is silly looking but I like him and I was feeling goofy last night when I was making him.



A friend of mine Karen at work gave me this turkey cookie the other day. Don't look to close or you will see he had a bite taken out of him before I could get it home to take a picture. That was a good cookie!!!! I'm sure he went straight to my thighs, but oh so worth it.

Today is my last day at work......thank goodness!!!!! Never thought this day would come, but it is here now and tomorrow I can start the day with a morning walk, breakfast, coffee, see mom, and start cleaning the stamp room. Oh and I forgot getting a call from Kathy bright and early in the morning to wake me up. Smile Kat!

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Singing Reindeer

Had fun with some of my co-workers on Friday. We got together after work at my house and shared some dinner and crafting time. It was fun! Kept the projects simple as some had never stamped before. I'll be posting the other projects tomorrow. One of the things that Karen B did was boxes with acetate tops. Reindeer was put together with Stampin'Up! punches, and a Big Shot die. Can't think of the name of it right now but it is one that was on the clearance rack.

In the photo: Sarah B her mom Karen B, me, Mel, Karen G, and Jen. Yes there were three Karen's at my table. They are losing a Karen at work when I leave at the end of the day this Wednesday. Currently there are 5 us in the same building and sometimes that can be fun when we are all in the same room, not to mention when customers call in saying they spoke to Karen....we all say which one, there are 5 of us, and to make the matter more challenging....three of us have a last name that starts with the letter G.
LOL

Stamping trails
Karen 204

Happy Birthday Tony

Tony would have been 54 today. Remembering you today and every day. Miss you big brother.

I was going through some photos, and just enjoy seeing the old black and white photos of us when we were kids. I'm smiling at the one where Tony is standing behind me. Like he always was when we were growing up behind me....looking out for his younger sister.

He did his best to look out for our older sister Charlotte. Which was not an easy task. Somethings you just don't have any control over.


I like the one where he is hugging the stuffed tiger. That was taken in November on his 4th birthday.

Tony you left this world far to young, but I know you are in a better place now with our Father, and I'll see you again.

Confused Christmas Cactus

So here we are only 45 days away from Christmas and my cactus is in full bloom. I think it is a bit confused as its to early for it to be blooming, but it is pretty!!!!

I only have 6 more working days!!!!! I'm so excited. Looking forward to having more stamping time, and just more time for FUN!!!!

Stamping Trails
Karen 204

Really Want to Stamp but.......

Been busy this weekend. Helping hubby put installation in the over head. What a job that was. He still has some more to do but we are finished for the weekend. I did manage to sneak away this afternoon and get in a bike ride. Can you BELIEVE it?????? November 7th and it was warm enough to ride the bike. Now that is really out of the norm for this time of the year in Ohio. I still had to bundle up but the sun was shining brightly and it was in the mid 50's. Ah tropical conditions compared to what we had on Friday. Cold in the 30's and snow flurries. Yes you heard me that dirty four letter word......SNOW! Thank goodness I won't have to drive in that stuff first thing in the morning anymore. The 17th of the this month is my last day at work. THANK GOODNESS!!!!! Can't wait for it to be over only 8 more working days. I have so many stamping projects lined up I can't even tell you. I will start posting my 12 days of Christmas projects beginning....you guessed it.....the 18th of this month. So be sure to stop by so I can share the projects with you.

Wolf

Just quick note today. I'm running a bit late and I have to head off to work. I did put my notice in yesterday. No backing out now. Last day is the 17th. I think I had a bit of a panic attack last week and some remorse about not giving notice. At least this way I'll be able to say goodbye to the people I want to say goodbye to. I think I will be the bigger person to follow protocol by giving a two week notice.

A friend at work asked me to make a birthday card for his friend that is turning 70.
Stamp set Wolf by SU! and Flannel plaid background. Colors Basic Gray, and Going Gray.

Stamping Trails


Stay tuned.....I'll be posting the 12 days of Christmas soon. Projects for everyone!

New Book

Not only did I get this awesome new book by Tim Holtz....He also signed it for me. How cool is that!

I hoping to meet the man one day. I love all his vintage shabby chic artwork. Crossing my fingers that he'll one day make his way to the stamping convention they have in Akron OH in April each year.

So Friday was going to be my last day at work, and I decided to put in another week. I may a this point stay till the end of November. I'll have to see. I'm thinking not. Been waffling about giving notice or not. Part of me really feels that I should. Other party of me doesn't. As I said will have to see. Hubby is part of my decision to not leave yet. Still working out things with him.

Stamping Trails
Karen 204