Wish I had an Open Sleigh for a fun Christmas ride

 

This Open Sleigh card is so beautiful in person. I tried taking a quick shot of it on my range tonight. It's hard to register the sparkle of the silver glimmer scallop trim border, and the warmth of the colors chosen. My friend and downline, Julie, sent this to me and my family. Thanks so much, Julie. I love it!

 

 

Speaking of family, my twin sister (Tiffany) and her hubby (Bob), came for a nice, long visit today. They'd driven over from Idaho yesterday and were staying with Taylor. My nephew, Billy, and his sister, Taylor, are shown below. It was so good to see them. They're officially both adults now and making headway with their jobs, where they live, etc. I'm so proud of them both.

 



We had a full turkey meal today, then played Old Maid (while laughing hysterically), and Yahtzee, and ending with a 9-piece shell puzzle that took us awhile since everyone was moving the pieces around at the same time!

 

I hope you enjoy your family as much as I'm enjoying mine! We might actually get a white Christmas too! That would be a bonus. We haven't had snow for Christmas since 2008.

 



Merry Minis Punch Pack for quick and cute Christmas cards

 

The little tree, star and ornament shapes from the Merry Minis Punch Pack pop out with the help of dimensionals on these white on white flags.

 

 

This was one of the designs I used for a 10-card Christmas class. I CASE'd it from Deb Currier, one of my favorite stampers for cute and quick cards. I used Raspberry Ripple ink and ribbon. The "christmas cheer" is from the Sweet Essentials stamp set. And speaking of sweet, my family got into making and decorating sugar cookies recently:

 

I told my son he couldn't eat any cookies until he frosted some. He basically frosted one, then ate it! I love these little squeezy containers with tips I got from Pampered Chef.

 



It was my daughter's idea to make the cookies. I made the dough, but she did all of the rolling out and cutting out. I never realized I've collected so many cookie cutters over the years. She only picked a handful of shapes to use.

 

And can you believe my hubby has never decorated sugar cookies for Christmas? He tried to get out of it, but our daughter wouldn't let him - and he can't say "no" to her. He had some pretty fun designs - especially with the bear-shaped cookies! lol

An ornate Christmas Deer and our pets in lights

 

This Christmas Deer looks so regal with its ornate antlers. It's all Marina Mist and Early Espresso. I CASE'd a card I saw on Pinterest for one of my designs at my last 10-card Christmas class. I thought I'd saved the name, but can't find it. If you know whose card this is, please let me know so I can add it to this post. Here's her card:

 

I've also seen several photos of pets and Christmas strings of lights on Pinterest that I thought looked really cute. So I tried it with our furry family members. Here's our cat, Frito:

 

 

And our loving mutt, Isabelle:





 

I have to say the animals were very accommodating. They let my daughter move and decorate them without complaint! We actually put up stockings for  the dog and cat too. Have a wonderful day!

Evergreen trees are beautiful on cards and in the house

 

There's something special about trees, especially Christmas trees. I'm not sure if it's the fresh smell or the large addition of green INSIDE the house. I do know you can't go wrong with a Christmas card that has a tree on it - especially one as pretty as these Evergreen stamps, which can layer over each other. This tree was stamped on a Very Vanilla Apothecary Accent framelit, then layered on a piece of patterned paper from the Merry Moments Simply Scrappin' kit with a scallop border punched strip of Cherry Cobbler card stock. It was another design from my last 10-card Christmas class.

 

 

My kids were a little disappointed to learn they have school today. My son was hoping for at least a 2-hour delay due to icy roads, but it's warmed up and is 38 degrees right now. Both of my kids have tests today, and it is their last full day of school for the year, so we'll have reason to celebrate tonight! I'm happy to say that I finished baking - and delivering - all of my neighbor gifts. I do plan on baking another couple of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin bread loaves for my twin sister and her family who are visiting us this weekend.

 



Winter Memories are being made here today

 

Whoo hoo! We've got snow today - lots of it! I got an early morning call with a recording from the school district announcing school was delayed two hours. I grabbed my daughter and we went down the hill to shop with the Lions Club for holiday food baskets for needy families in our community at 7 a.m. When we got back, my hubby (still waiting for his co-worker, who had to drive his wife to work) said we'd lost power for a few minutes. Then we received another call saying all schools in our area were closed for the day! My kids are happy!!! And my hubby stayed home too. Here's a peek from our front yard:

 

 

I'm so happy we are getting snow before Christmas! It may not be here by Tuesday, but it's nice to have some white stuff now.

 

So on to stamping (finally!) - I CASE'd the card at the top of this post from Mercedes Weber for my last Christmas 10-card class of the year. I love the Winter Memories stamp set in the Holiday Catalog. It's not going to carry over, so if you want a gorgeous sled and ice skate stamp set, order it by January 2. You can do that and get any Clearance Rack item or digital download too. My Online Store is always open at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net.

 

This skating card reminds me of a cool, old case my BFF Kim and I came across yesterday while thrift shopping. It contained an old pair of roller skates with wooden wheels and a case for $79.99. I mean they were neat, and probably from the 1950s (before my time)... but for that much? It makes me crazy when things are donated to stores that jack up the price that much. We're looking for deals and would like to support stores that support local charities. But when you can find these kinds of roller skates online for $35, you know the store price is ridiculous.

 

So no roller skates for me. I'm sticking to making my Christmas gifts or buying local. Since we're all home today, I think I'll bake some Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread today. If you want a fabulous recipe, try this one (with photo!). And enjoy your day!



Hundreds of items added to Clearance Rack!

Beginning today, December 14, 2012, Stampin' Up! has added nearly 300 products to the Clearance Rack in the Online Store-with some discounted up to 80 percent! You can order through my website - http://therubberroom.stampinup.net to take advantage of these huge savings.  For the first time ever, some stamps are included at 40% off!

Giggles and gifts - part deux

Kim's mason jar centerpiece with tulle bows

 

This photo doesn't do these painted mason jars justice. Doily diecuts were used as stencils, so that when the candles are lit inside, you see the beautiful design and warm light. The jars are sitting in a basket surrounded by fresh cedar and Crumb Cake tulle bows. This is the gift I chose and I love it! It looks gorgeous on my dining room table.

 

Tori holds Sherry's memo board

Today I'm sharing the rest of the handmade gifts from my American Ink team's gift exchange at our annual Christmas party Saturday. There are more than just a few ideas you may make for your friends and family. The memo board above is cushioned in the middle and Sherry provided straight pins to hold photos and notes.

 

Puddin's ornaments and doily-decorated mason jar

Ginette opened up Mary Ann's button tree framed art

 

Kim opened Michelle's magnetic Dress Up board (Spring Catalog sneak peek)



Barb opened Tori's card organizer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gifts, giggles and good friends

Barb's ornaments and case

Fabulous food, fun and handmade gifts! It's everything every party should have, and we had it in spades at my American Ink team Christmas party Saturday. Thanks to everyone who came and made it a December to remember!

 

I'm only showing half of the gifts in this post because Blogger is giving me issues about uploading more! I hope you have a fabulous week ahead. I'll post the other gifts tomorrow.

Brandy's stackable tree and paper cone filled with tags



Cheryl's Santa-embellished charger plate

Frankie's paper bag scrapbook

Mary Ann holding Ginette's holiday ornament-decorated wreath

Creating framed art with stamps and punches

 

Temperatures are dropping here, so a penguin in hat and scarf doesn't seem so far fetched! I paper pieced the little guy's clothing for a special project I made for my American Ink team Christmas party gift exchange.

 



Here's the finished project. I've seen so many framed art pieces and have been wanting to make one. I used Candlelight Christmas Specialty dsp, along with a handful of punches (scallop square, 1-3/8" square, wide oval, 1-3/8" circle, mitten builder, and tag), and the Scallop Squares Duo die for the Big Shot. The colors are pulled from the dsp - Early Espresso, Red Red and Old Olive. Stamp sets used include Joyous Celebrations, No Peeking, Tags til Christmas, Word Play, Delightful Decorations, and Snow Much Fun. To add some bling, there are Brights glimmer brads on the mittens, a rhinestone on the Noel ornament, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter on several of the images.

I'll share photos of the party tomorrow! You'll love the gifts (and probably want to make them for yourself!).

Deck the halls in style with a paper cone wreath

Hello! Either you hopped here from Kim Ryden's blog or you're starting here. It doesn't matter. What matters is you made it!

I had no idea what I was getting into by making a wreath from scratch. That said, it was pretty cool. I rolled up yesterday's ad inserts to make the body of the wreath (below). After heavily taping it for support (I suggest masking tape or painter's tape), I started making cones (above) out of scallop circles, using a die for the Big Shot.

Before I show you the finished product, I'll tell you WHY I made this paper cone wreath - because the Stylin' Stampin' Squad is featuring holiday projects for our hop, which starts today! Well, that and I wanted a new wreath for my studio.

 

I decided to use a few patterns from two Festival of Prints pads I have, along with First Edition dsp (my favorite!). I used a hot glue gun to hold the cones together, then again to adhere the cones to the wreath. Be prepared - you'll need a few hundred scallop circles. Yep. That's what I said. A few hundred. Maybe four.

This project has its ugly stages too. Here's one where I just started adhering the cones above to the wreath. Start on top of the wreath as it lays flat, then fill in the middle and the sides.

 

Now before you ask, I didn't measure anything. To get off to a good start, I Googled "paper cone wreath" and found a lady who had photos of her wreath. I think she said she used 12-15 glue sticks. It's easy to lose count!

 



Ta da! The finished project. Now go and see what everybody else has created for their holiday projects! Don't forget to leave comments. We all love those! Next on this hop is Justin and his fabulous projects.

 

 



Blog Hop Participants:

1. Shellie G. of Creative Electica
2. Annie L. of Love Me Cards
3. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun!
4. Nancy B. of Lady Stamps-A-Lot
5. Rose C. of Stamp with Rose
6. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
7. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
8. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
9. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
10. Terry B of Goin' Over the Edge  YOU ARE HERE!
11. Justin K of JK Cards
12. Heidi B of Stuck on Stampin'
13. Jennifer B of NW Stamper

Upcycling has never been so sweet!

 

I've been upcycling items a lot lately, including giving these jars a new life. I've seen lots of dessert bar ideas on Pinterest and thought why not combine a "candy" bar with upcycling?

 

 

There is Stampin' Up! product on these - namely the now retired chalkboard labels. I love everything chalkboard!

 

 

I washed and removed labels from salsa, alfredo sauce, pickles and more, then glued on porcelain knobs I purchased from a craft store, and painted the "new" lids a satin red. I rubbed on the vinyl chalkboard labels and that was it!

 

 

For this frappucino bottle, I decided not to add a knob and to instead add some Real Red and Basic Black card stock with the silver glimmer buckle.

 

For now, these jars are sitting on my kitchen island. But they'll have a special place on a table at my studio for my American Ink Christmas party coming up!

Great gift idea: Order print products by Dec. 6

Festive Framable

Make sure to check out today's new downloads and all their holiday goodness. (PDF) We have a festive framable, a Christmas photocard, a kit packed with cool bows and tags, and our Happy Hour Ensemble to help get your holiday parties started (or any party for that matter). We also have a cute coloring swatchbook that would make a great present for a kid in your life. 

Christmas postcard

 Once you pick up your new downloads, get busy making your final holiday orders. You need to order your print products by December 6 to get them by December 24 (or by December 10 for Second-Day Air/ December 11 for Next-Day Air).

Happy Hour ensemble

Coloring swatchbook
 

Holiday Wrap Kit

Get the Ornamental Elegance Kit while supplies last!

The ornament on the cover of our Holiday Catalog is such a hit that we are making it available to you -- just in time to deck the halls with terrific trimmings you've made yourself! This fun project has been simplified so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results. In addition to the kit, all you need is a glue gun, scissors, and adhesive. (Anywhere Glue Sticks [104045] are perfect for assembly.) Want greeting or place cards to go with those ornaments? The Ornament Keepsakes Stamp Set (W 128048 C 128051) gives you perfect coordination. Fancy a little sparkle and shine? Sprinkle on our Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (102023)!

You can create 10 heirloom ornaments--or stunning tags to attach to a special neighbor gift with this kit.

The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:

• Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
• Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
• Natural Linen Thread
• Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Order these now thru my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting -- or for your family tree! Available while supplies last.

Add a treat or gift and be good to go with your Christmas presents!

All of the cuteness without all of the work!

Available November 29-January 2

Around the holidays, we are always looking for cute ways to package little treats and gifts for co-workers, teachers, neighbors, and friends. At 20% savings, holiday packaging bundles are an affordable and adorable solution. Simply add a treat or gift and assemble.

These holiday packaging bundles don't require any stamping, cutting, or creating!
 
Trimmings & Tags Bundle
Item 132769
$13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes

• Gusseted Cellophane Bags (25 bags; 5" x 3" x 11-1/2")
• Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags (25 double-sided tags; 4-1/2" x 3-1/8")
• Cherry Cobbler 1/4" Sweater Trim (10 yards)

Petite Treats Bundle
Item 132770
$13.50 (a $16.85 value)
Includes

• Glassine Bags with die-cut edges (10 bags; 3" x 5" x 1-1/2")
• Handmade Holidays Stitched Felt (8 pieces)
• Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (10 yards)

You may order these items through my Online Store at http://therubberroom.stampinup.net or email me with your order at ericandterry@comcast.net. I hope you're enjoying your weekend!