Bless You All!!

Hello my friends and Happy Holidays!
I'll probably be MIA throughout this week. We are trying to visit family before DH has his biopsy surgery on Tuesday morning and begins high dose chemo on Friday. He will be in the hospital over next weekend and of course I'll be right there with him!! Thanks for all your support and understanding ... we truly appreciate your kindness & friendship!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

SCS Sketch Challenge

I had these Thomas Kinkade images already cut ... with the blank ivory card ... all I needed was inspiration and it came today in the form of the Splitcoaststamper's Sketch Challenge!! Worked great with the size of the imges and just by either using dp or making my own dp, these cards came together very quickly! Don't they look great!!

I was actually able to use up some scraps of paper I had on my worktable and I had noticed that a had a few spools of ribbon that were nearly empty so I was able to use those scraps too!

What a fun sketch and you can use it on any size card! My cards here are a Valupack I bought at Michael's through the summer and I believe they are A-8 size. (Perfect for these larger TK images.) They were on sale ... 50 cards & envelopes for $5.99. So, I bought a pack of the ivory and a pack of the white ... couldn't pass up the price.

I'd best get going ... we are headed down to our granddaughter Morgan's concert at the high school and we're going a little early so we can share "chili" with them before hand. Yum!! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Winter Post

I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make enough cards this year for everyone (with Mark's health and all) but I'm ALMOST there! I sent out 60 on Monday and I'm trying to get the remainder needed made & mailed by this weekend.

I made these 4 cards last evening while waiting for our Tuesday night show (NCIS) to come on. First I stamped the skater's image from the SU Winter's Post set onto a scrap of whisper white paper then just started using up some of the scraps laying on my worktable to create a few quick cards. I'm really happy with each one! I have a difficult time making THE SAME CARD for everyone ... that's just like too much white space in my book!!!! Can't do it!! ...weird I know, but that's just me!!

Thanks for taking time to take a peek! Hope you're having a wonderful day!

CSSC47 - 3B's

I know .... I DON'T post for 3 days and now I post 4 times in one day!!! SORRY ... playing catch up!! You know how it is!!








Here is my card for this week's Crafty Secrets Challenge hosted by PammyJo. She has challenged us to use 3 products on our cards/projects that start with the letter "B". I've used BIRDS ... BULBS ... & BOWS!


The background paper is from the Crafty Secrets (Earthy) pack ... isn't it awesome!! And I've made my images from the Crafty Secrets - Christmas Joy stamp set. The pine bough, lights & bow are 3 different stamps and there are - 2 different ornaments which you can place a variety of images in the center of. (You can click for a closer view) I have used Brillance gold ink to stamp the ornaments then embossed with gold sparkle embossing powder. The pine bough was stamped with SU garden green ink and the lights with Versafine black. I have used a ZIG 2-way glue pen and PKGlitz glitter to add sparkle to the lights.


Thanks so much for stopping by today and I hope you are all having a wonderful & safe day!!! I guess there is a Winter Storm Warning in our area for night & tomorrow ... OH DEAR ... I might be snowed in and have to spend the day stamping .... Whoa Is Me ... what shall I do????

WHY PLAY OF COURSE!!!

CCEE Challenge

This is a card I made for Monday's "sketch" challenge over on the CCEE Stampers blog. As you saw in my last post, I'm still working on this years holiday cards so guess what my theme is ... yep, you guessed it, CHRISTMAS!!! And, another Thomas Kinkade image!

I really liked this sketch and having the dp & image from the Thomas Kinkade Christmas Series pack (purchased at Cornish Heritage Farms) really made for a quick card! I did have to "shave" a little off the sides of my image in order to be more precise on the sketch ... but that's okay, that didn't distort the image at all!! I took a few extra liberties and added the bow and Martha Stewart branches. (A little too much white space for me, lol.)

Hope you like it and thanks for stopping by!!

ARE YOU READY FOR CHRISTMAS????

I'm So Far Behind ...

Would you believe "I still don't have enough Christmas cards made"!!!!!

For every challenge I've done in the last month, I've used Christmas as my theme figuring I'd be ahead of the game that way ... NOT!! So, I'm having to do what some people call "cheater cards" ... (those without stamping). Actually there is a little stamping here ... I've stamped the base card with my AMuse snowflake stamp in Brillance Ice Blue (can't handle all that white space!). And, I have added a sentiment! But the beauty is in the images which are from the Thomas Kinkade Christmas Series Paper Pack. (click on the link to take you right to this paper pack -- check out all the gorgeous images)

These four cards were made from ONE 8x8 sheet ... isnt' that awesome!! I purchased this set awhile back from Cornish Heritage Farms and forgot I had them ... ooopps!! The images and coordinating papers in this pack are AMAZING!!!

The 1-1/2" strip of paper is one of the "accent" papers included in the pack! If you click for a closer view, you will see I've added a little highlighting with an American Crafts glitter pen.

The base card for this "quickies" is a ValuPack of A-8 Ivory cards/envelopes I purchased at Michael's through the summer months (50 - $5.00). I bought a pack of Ivory and a pack of White ... couldn't pass up the price!! Envelopes included ... CAN'T BEAT THAT!!!

Hope you like them ... gotta go ... more to do!! Thanks for stopping!!!

OCCC -Gift Card/Money Holders

Here are a few money holders and gift card holders I've made for our gift giving this year! (You can click on the image for a larger view).

This week's challenge over on the Our Creative Corner blog is to make a gift card holder so this fits right in. On their challenge blog they also offer up a really cute gift card holder template from their guest designer, Tori Wild.

The gift card holders I have made start out with a 4 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock ... scored in thirds. I've used the SU word window punch and circular Nestabilities to make the pull slot. If you'd like specific instructions, please let me know and I can get them to you. These are fun because you can decorate just the front ... or the inside left ... or the inside right ... or ALL sides! Which ever you choose. The holder in the back was made for a guy and I've used the SU "Nature Silouettes" as the main image. The inside has additional "animal" images and I bet you can guess where the gift card is for!!!

We have several "tweeners" in our family right now so gift giving is more difficult than when they were "little ones"!

The easy way out for us this year is to give them money ... of course, I'm sure they will ALL love having the money to put towards whatever electronic device they feel they HAVE TO HAVE this year, LOL!! The paper dimension is 6 1/2" x 8 1/4" ... scored in thirds. I've rounded the corners of the outer flap and the inside has an oval cut in the lower panel which when folded up to hold the money, you can see "which President" is looking back at you! The image on the front is by Impression Obsession and I've used Prisma pencils for the coloring. What a quick & easy way to dress up any President!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look! Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

A Christmas Tour - Day 2

WELCOME TO THE PAVLICK'S

As promised, I'm back to show you around our diningroom & "poofy room" via the front door entryway!

We have a 2-story entryway and as you can see, the builder's have placed a coat closet to the left which created an odd sort of "landing" which I try to decorate for the different seasons. (Wasn't very successful this year though, LOL).

I usually have a Christmas tree up on that landing as well as a few other packages, etc. This year I was happy to get this lovely couple up there to say hello & goodbye as you come to visit!! The stacked boxes were a real "steal" from a Hallmark store in Toledo, OH. My friend & I were at the mall shopping and when I saw this (what I thought was ONE box) with the Night Before Christmas scenes on it, I just had to have it ... (of course, not realizing at the time that there were actually 6 boxes all fit one inside the other). Upon returning home we were going through our purchases and that's when I realized that they were stack boxes! The price on the largest box was $8.95. Evidentally the cashier didn't realize there were more boxes inside either because $8.95 is what I paid ... and each box was priced individually ... there are SIX boxes all together and the lowest priced one was $2.95. I called the store and told them what had happened and they just said "Well, shame on us for not catching it ... Merry Christmas!"

THIS ... is MY "poofy room". Mark calls it that because this is the victorian furniture I purchase for our formal living room in our last house which was of Victorian style. I love anything vintage and although you can't really see it well here, I have crammed a lot of my favorite vintage pieces into this one little room. My husband bought me the curio cabinet so I could have a place to showcase some of my more treasured pieces and the mantel clock is an authenic German made wind-up clock that keeps perfect time and the Westminster chimes are beautiful. The pictures on the wall in the top right photo are those of our families. My grandmother with her 12 children (left) and Mark's parent's wedding photos on the right. Over the door going into the familyroom is a 1950's photo of Mark's brother's visiting Santa ... isn't it PRECIOUS!! (you can click on any photo for a larger view)

HERE is our formal diningroom that you see to your left as you come in the front door. We don't use this room very often, mainly holiday's but it's nice to have when we are fortunate enough to have a family or neighborhood gathering! Our family are all at least 1-2 hours away so they rarely come HERE, we ususally go there!!

How do you like my baker's rack ... isn't it awesome!! My DH bought this for me while we were still living in Toledo and he actually brought it home himself in his Ford Explorer. That was so funny because, my husband is NOT A SMALL man and he had to have his driver's seat all the way up in order for there to be room for this to fit ... and I mean it barely fit!! He drove about 15 miles in that position in order to surprise me with this!! WHAT A GREAT GUY!!


I have a Santa collection (and a teapot collection) and I look forward to bringing the Santa's out each year and remembering who & when I received each and every one of them. I wished you could see them in person ... they are all so beautiful. I have many more than what you see here ... they are scattered throughout the other rooms of the house. I have a number of teapot Santas & Snowmen that are displayed through out the kitchen. (Please click on the photo for a larger view).

Well, that does it for my little tour! I hope you enjoyed it and if you'd like to see the rest of the house, you'll have to COME AND VISIT!! Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have some new cards/projects to share with you the first part of the week. Have a great day!!!

A Christmas Walk through Our Home Sweet Home!

WELCOME TO THE PAVLICK HOUSE!!

My online friend Amy Johnson has a home that is over 100 years old and she decorates EVERY room in it for the holidays. This year she is sweet enough to take us all on a tour ... a room a day and it was been wonderful!!! You really must check it out ... the header on her blog alone will give you a taste of what's to come!!!



SO, I thought I'd like to try and give you all just a "peek" at a few rooms of our home decorated for the holiday. I will only be sharing the "living area" of our home. I, (unlike Amy), don't have the energy to decorate EVERY room ... (she's a tad younger than I am, LOL!! )




Today is the familyroom & eat-in kitchen (the back portion of the house). The family room steps down from the eat-in kitchen (Photo #1 is taken from the kitchen looking at the left side of the room). It's a nice big room and I consider this my husbands room (I let him have a few rooms - he doesn't like "stuff on the walls" - hence NO WINDOW TREATMENTS).

The second photo is obviously looking to the right side of the room which steps up into the formal livingroom (DH calls it DAR'S "poofy room" ... you'll see why when I post those photos later).




The third photo is that of our eat-in kitchen. We are very blessed to have such a large kitchen and it's the perfect place for family & party gatherings. You can really put out a spread on the built in island! Down the hall is our laundry room, powderroom, coat closet & and HUGE walk-in pantry (LOVE THAT!!). Sometimes when I can't find DH ... he's in the pantry sneaking goodies!!!


This photo is what you'd see if you were standing in the familyroom looking into the kitchen, down the hall and out the door to the garage.

This photo I took while standing on the steps which go downstairs to my basement craftroom.



Well, that's all for today, next time I'll bring you in the FRONT door and show you our formal diningroom to your left and MY "poofy room" to your right. Till then ... hope you enjoyed my little tour.

Stamp Simply CELEBRATION - Final Day

Today is the final day in the Sharon Johnson Stamp Simply CELEBRATION. What an AWESOME 12 days this has been!!! Each day packed with wonderful holiday ideas, blog candy, challenges and just good clean fun!!! I can't thank Sharon enough for all her hard work organizing this and letting me be a part of the fun!!! I look forward to her hitting the 2M milestone so we can do this again!!

Unfortunately I will not be participating in the Celebration challenge today, but I will be doing Sharon's usual Friday Stamp Simply challenge (at the end of the post). What fun!! Please check it out!!

Leslie Miller - Running with Scissors - Leslie has some BLOG CANDY for you today!
Sharon Johnson -No Time To Stamp? - Sharon will also be posting more BLOG CANDY today as a seperate post from her usual Friday "Stamp Simply" challenge!

Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover. - Today for Barb’s Featured Project she has created a useful Holiday Home Decor item for yourself if you please, or it makes a fabulous gift item that will knock the socks off your friends! It comes completely packaged with a card to match! I KNOW you won’t want to miss out, so be sure to visit today over at Barb’s place.


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Today is ALSO Sharon Johnson's -No Time To Stamp? - regular Stamp Simply Challenge, and it promises to result in some great layout options for you to use for quick projects. Today's challenge - ssnotime65 - JUST TWO INCHES - the idea behind this challenge is to create a simple layout for a Christmas card using JUST a 2" strip of designer paper - you MUST use a 2" strip of dp on your card, but ONLY this one strip of dp - no more. You may border it or do scallops around it, or whatever you want, just no more designer paper. Your focus image can be any size or shape.


Here is what I came up with. My card is A-6 sized. I used the Cuttlebug textile embossing folder for my background and the 2" strip of designer paper is by Fancypants Designs. I outlined the card, 2" strip of dp & the outer circle of my focus image with a gold Pilot marker. Using scraps of Old Olive, I made photo corners and a scalloped border ... as well as the outer circle of my focus image. My focus image is made using the awesome JUSTRITE Christmas Ensemble set. I used the "cracked glass" technique to give it a little bit of vintage appeal. The ribbon is satin from Hobby Lobby.

Some great samples for the Stamp Simply Challenge today can be seen on these blogs: Julie, Janine, Jennifer, Tammy, Dee, Becky, AJ, Jerri, LeAnne and Darlene (me).

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THANK YOU, EVERYONE, SO MUCH for attending and playing with us!!! YOU make our *jobs* as Bloggers so much more fun, and we THANK YOU for that!!! Although our events are now over, there do remain some open Blog Candy posts, so if you are tuning in late, please check over the "THIS IS PARTY CENTRAL" tab on Sharon's blog to see what remains. Also, you can go back and play ANY of the challenges anytime you like. And, of course, all the projects are still there to inspire you!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR STOPPING IN!!!
And sincere
MERRY CHRISTMAS WISHES
to you and yours, from all of us at
Stamp Simply Celebrates!

CELEBRATION - Day 11 of 12

Welcome to Day 11 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - Are you wrapping gifts yet? Probably! I'll bet you need some pretty tags to dress those packages up — well, be sure to check in on AJ's Featured Project today to see all her Gift Tags. And then play AJ's Challenge so you, too, can have some nice gift tags on hand!!! Be sure to stop in at AJ's today!

You can see more tag samples by checking out the Blogs of: Heather, Janine, Dee, LeAnne, Jerri and Sharon

Jerri Jimenez - A Touch of Grace - Today Jerri will grace us with her Featured Project which is a beautiful 6 x 6 Scrapbook she made, which is certain to be a real treat for the eyes. Jerri also has BLOG CANDY to offer today (think scrapbooking made easy), so be sure to stop in to see Jerri!!! Other scrapbook samples can be seen by checking out: Barb & Jennifer

Deb Saaranen - Dream in Color - Deb has an offering of BLOG CANDY for us today!
Jerri Jimenez - A Touch of Grace - Jerri also has BLOG CANDY to offer today so be sure to stop in to see Jerri!

Tomorrow will be the last day of the CELEBRATION ... you won't want to miss it!! Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY STAMPING!!

This will be a short post but I wanted to share the card I did today for both the sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers and for the color challenge over on the Color Throwdown Blog.

The colors for this challenge are chocolate chip, pink pirouette, riding hood red and old olive. The stamp set I chose to use is my favorite Crafty Secrets set called Vintage Christmas. I've popped up the Santa on the center circle to give it a little dimension and there are snowflakes embossed with festive clear ep on the chocolate chip panel. The pink pirouette springs are from the Martha Stewart branch punch.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I'm trying to get my decorating done and upon completion (if that ever happens), I'll try to get a few photos to share with you all! I've been really enjoying seeing the photos that some of the ladies are posting showing how they decorate their homes and I have definately acquired some awesome ideas for future decorating in my own home!!

Happy Stamping All!!

Stamp Simply Celebration - Day 10

Welcome to Day 10 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08. Thanks!

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy - Tammy is offering BLOG CANDY today!
LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings - LeAnne also has a BLOG CANDY offering today!

Leslie Miller - Running With Scissors - Today we are treated to the beauty of Leslie's work with her Featured Project where she is showing us how to Alter Food Packaging to turn it into a wonderfully warm, cozy, and sweet gift item that anyone would love to receive!!! And it's something we can all easily do! I know you won't want to miss this, so be sure to visit Leslie today!!! You can see more great samples of Leslie's Project by: Dee, Jennifer

Joan Fricker - Joan's Garden - Joan offers us a beautiful Featured Project today — who doesn't love beautifully presented Soap and Candle Gifts! Well, especially these soaps and candles!!! And you can make your own as a part of Joan's Challenge, with inspiration from many!!! Be sure to check out this sweetly scented event! And there are many more samples of Joan's Challenge. Check out: LeAnne, Dee, AJ, Heather, Barb, Janine, Sharon, Darlene (that's me ... just scroll down)

Now, on to my sample. (You can click on any photo for a larger view) Several week's ago I found these lovely bottles of lotion at Michael's for $1 each. I picked up one of each hoping I'd come up with a project to use them. Well, Joan's challenge was just perfect and couldn't have come at a better time ... what a great holiday gift, huh!! The box was just a plain white box that I also found at Michaels for 50 cents.

Loving vintage as I do, I chose to use the vintage Christmas cotton scraps from Crafty Secrets to decorate the front. The designer paper is by Cosmo Cricket, which I purchased from my friend Tammy's store (Toyrifix) a few weeks ago. My accent paper is SU Old Olive (love this color).

In order to fill the space in the bottom of the box below the lotion bottles, I used an empty cardboard box that my 2-sided tape came in and covered it with the same dp. With a scrap of whisper white paper, I stamped the sentiment which comes from the SU "A Wish for Peace" set, distressed it and sponged around the edges before adhering. I used a large SU eyelet and grosgrain ribbon for an easy open tab. The Merry Christmas sentiment is from the SU "A Cardinal Christmas" set and I used the SU photo corner punch to make my "banner" ... added a Doodlebug Sugar Coated Brad for a little sparkle. The poinsetta in the upper corner is by Hero Arts and the "sprigs" are from the Martha Stewart branch punch. The use of Fiskar postage stamp scissors and a Creative Memories red fine tip marker help accent my Vintage Santa.

I don't do a lot of 3d projects so, I was so happy with the outcome of this little project!! I hope you like it too. Thanks for stopping by and saying HI ... it's always good to hear from you ... certainly helps to put a smile on my face!!!!

As a footnote: DH's pet scan showed that the cancer still exists and now he will begin High Dose Chemo on Friday ... next step, Stem Cell Transplant. Please pray for him!!! Thanks

Crafty Secrets Challenge - FAVORITE THINGS

Today is my day to host the Crafty Secrets challenge over at their forum on SCS. The song "My Favorite Things" sung by Julie Andrews came to mind and I thought that would be a great challenge idea.

I just LOVE "vintage" and this Crafty Secrets Vintage Christmas stamp set is wonderful and MY FAVORITE. Here I have used four of the stamps from the set and stamped right onto the Crafty Secrets "Earthy" design paper. I have distressed the edges and sponged using Ranger vintage photo ink to give it that "aged" look. My satin ribbon came from a $1.99 variety pack (tons of ribbon in these packs) at Hobby Lobby. That's all there was to it! Very easy peasy, yet exudes an "old country" appeal.

Please stop by the Crafty Secrets forum and check out what the other ladies have come up with for this challenge. There is so much talent out there, you are sure to be inspired! And as always, thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog.

Day 9 of Stamp Simply CELEBRATION!

Welcome to Day 9 of Stamp Simply Celebrates! If you are new here, check out Party Central for a full rundown of our 12 day schedule. Feel free to jump in anytime at all!!!
Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during our 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!! You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com), PCP (Papercraft Planet) or any other online gallery you are associated with. When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08 and don't forget to link your work back to the Challenge Hostess post. Thanks!

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Time is moving on and I think we all need some Quick Cards about now, agreed? You'll enjoy Jennifer's Featured Project today where she also Challenges you to create some quick cards, qualifying you to enter her BLOG CANDY drawing.
You can see more great Quick Card samples by checking out Jennifer's designers: Janine, Julie, Tammy, AJ and Sharon (that's me, just scroll down)

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - How about a game? I LOVE games!!! Check out the DT Trivia Game AJ is hosting over at The Willow Garden!!! And AJ has some BLOG CANDY to offer to the winner!!!

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Jennifer is offering BLOG CANDY in conjuntion with her challenge listed above.
AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - AJ has some BLOG CANDY in conjunction with her DT Trivia Game listed above!!!
Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp?- Is back with SU BLOG CANDY today.

I will not be playing in today's challenges but I will be back playing in the Celebration again tomorrow. In the meantime, I've been working on a creation for today's CRAFTY SECRETS challenge (which I am hosting) and will be back to post my work later.

PLEASE SAY A PRAYER ... today we get the test results back from the Oncologist as to whether DH's cancer is GONE or STILL PERSISTING. We appreciate all the cards & prayers you have sent our way ... bless you all!!

Celebration - Day 8

It's Day 8 of Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Celebration and I'm "sitting this one out". Here is what's on the line-up for today:

Julie Koerber - Out to Impress - is out to impress you with her Featured Project today! Play her Challenge to have some small gifts on hand yourself, and be eligible to enter her BLOG CANDY drawing!!! You won’t want to miss all the fun at Julie’s today!

More great samples can be seen by visiting Leslie, Deb, Joan, Barb, Jennifer, Sharon & Tammy

ALSO,

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - Has more BLOG CANDY!

Don't forget, ANYONE may participate in these challanges and all the fun events, blogger or not!!! If you upload to your Blog, provide a link to your entry in the appropriate post by the Challenge Hostess. You are also encouraged to upload your projects over at Splitcoast (SCS) or Papercraft Plant (PCP). If you do upload at Splitcoast, PLEASE KEYWORD all Splitcoast uploads for this event SSC08 (Stamp Simply Celebrates! 2008). If you upload at any other online gallery, just make sure to link to your Challenge Hostess so she can find your entry!!!

Thanks for stopping by ... it's been so GREAT hearing from all of you and knowing you are enjoying what we have been doing on the celebration for Sharon. Have a GREAT Monday!!

Stamp Simply CELEBRATION - Day 7

Here we are in Day 7 of 12 on this wonderful CELEBRATION over at Sharon Johnson's blog. If you haven't already, you MUST go check this out ... so many holiday ideas, blog candy, challenges, etc ... WHAT FUN!!!

Keep in mind, ANYONE can partake in the fun ... whether you have a blog or not!! Just be sure to use the KEYWORD: SSC08 whenever you upload your photo ... whether it be to SCS or Papercraft Planet or anyother online gallery you may be associated with!! Then be sure to link your work back to the Challenge Hostess. That's all there is to it ... why not come play along!!!

Today Dee Jackson's (Stampin cuz I Luv 2) Featured Project puts together some gorgeous Packaging for Your Food Items — how fun!!! Her Challenge provides many beautiful samples for you to see and to be inspired by so you can prepare your own packaged delectables for those on your gift list. What awesome fun is that!! I am honored to be a sample designer for Dee today and I had great fun coming up with these ideas for you. Don't forget to stop by Dee's other Sample Designer's blogs to see what they have in store for you too ... they are: Cat, Jennifer, Heather, Barb, & Sharon.

After many years, I've gotten back into doing some "canning" during harvest time and I always enjoy sharing these "jarred goodies" with my friends. So, for my 1st sample on this challenge, I have decorated a few jars used my new JUSTRITE (Christmas ensemble & Baking Ensemble) stamps to adorn the lids. Other products used on this trio are: Hero Arts, Creative Memories markers, K&Company chipboard, Michael's ribbon, EKSuccess snowflake punch, Nestabilities, rafia, Basic Grey (wassail) dp, FaLaLa dp and very vanilla cs.

Besides photographing my "jarred goodies" together, I have provided you with individuals photos (hope that's not too much detail) to give you a better view. These were so much fun to do and I know they will be well received. If you don't do home canning, there are all types of HOME CANNED products out in the markets today that would work perfectly.

For Dee's 2nd sample, I chose to make up a couple "Hot Chocolate Yummy Packs" (otherwise known around the blogs as Snowman Soup). These will be for my grandchildren and I didn't put the little verse on the back as I have seen other do. I guess you could say "mine is the generic brand of soup". I know the kids will LOVE it!!


(You can click on ANY of the images for a larger view)

THE SECOND FEATURED PROJECT TODAY is hosted by Susan Roberts - Rainy Day Creations - These days I find myself giving more Gift Cards than presents so how great is it that today Susan will show us a quick gift card holder to make and she Challenges us to make our own, using her template or your own. Susan also has a BLOG CANDY offering today. You won’t want to miss this, so be sure to visit Susan today!


I am also honored to be a Sample Designer for Susan's featured project. As I mentioned, I will be needing MANY gift card holders this year so today was a good time to start. I only made one holder today because I'm anxious to see what Susan and her other Sample Designer's come up with (then I'll use their ideas and give my brain a rest, LOL).

Here I have put two "white" A-2 cards together which gives me four places for gift cards and/or tags. For my sample, I have used two gift cards and two tags. I used various holiday papers and angles to hold my cards/tags. This is SO easy and you can do so many different decorating ideas on this one simple card. Hope you like it!! Be sure to check out Susan's other designers for more gift card holder ideas. They are: Janine, Jennifer, AJ

AND DON'T FORGET: Sharon Johnson - No Time to Stamp? - has more BLOG CANDY – think specialty papers!!!


I can't thank all of you enough for taking the time to view my blog and leave comments! What fun it is to share our talents/ideas with each other ... hope you are enjoying it as much as I am!! Till tomorrow ... YES, THERE IS STILL MORE TO COME!!! Have a happy & safe day!!