Peppermint Twist

Today I'm showing you my kitchen tree. Peppermint and gingerbread are such great scents aren't they? I hoard the Bath & Body Works peppermint candle - seriously! Right now there are 6 in my cabinet and when the clearance sales hit - probably 6 more will be grabbed. They still leave a scent hrs. after being put out.
So many people have been doing the "explosion" look at the top & last year I gave it a whirl. It is fun!

Christmas mantel

Today no cards - I thought it would be fun to show you my mantel. Every year I make subtle changes to it & this year I pulled a few of my Santas out & put a large picture up. He was a free print from Ben Franklin ages and ages ago. Do they even still have Ben Franklin stores? The one here closed. Love the faces & spotted a new one at Target that will hopefully end up in my shopping cart. Also added this year are 2 reindeer from Target that I bought years ago on clearance. I always hit the after Christmas clearance sales. .

Blog I Love

How are you doing with your Christmas shopping? I have a few more things to pick up and waiting for 2 items. Not too bad!
Today I want to do a post about a blog that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
A few yrs. ago while checking out HGTV's Rate My Space, I stumbled upon Kristen's pics & a link to her blog. Kristen also has a shop in Etsy and I have purchased several things from her. A beautiful fall flower arrangement, photo album and picture frame. She loves many of the same things I do. Gingerbread/peppermint kitchen decor at Christmas, cream cabinetry, plaid draperies, etc. Sometimes I think it would be super easy to just walk right into her home & make myself comfy cozy. ha ha
Please visit her blog - but be WARNED you will be there a bit. So grab some coffee or tea. She has a beautiful post of her kitchen decorated for Christmas. She is having a giveaway on the above items.

Jingle all the way

Let's forget about the iPhone pic shall we and just concentrate on my first attempt using vinyl. After spending way toooo much time on Pinterest, there were so many cute projects with vinyl that I had to take the plunge. Pick Your Plum is a great website for crafters and have daily deals but once it's gone it's gone and they had 4 Christmas color vinyls for $4. The sheets are a good size too. This way if I totally messed up, little $$$ was invested.
After spending quite a while in HL today, this was the closest thing I could find with what my original intent was. The bottom of the frame holds several sizes of jingle bells and then I simply cut a 5 x 5 piece of holiday paper for the back. This will go to my sister so she can put a pic of her granddaughter in it.
Frame and Jingle Bells - Hobby Lobby
Vinyl - from Pick Your Plum
Paper - Making Memories

TOMIC Edwin & Sketch

Finally my sweet Edwin is getting put to use! The challenge at TOMIC this week is a sketch and you need to use an Edwin.
Sorry for the bad pic - I've got to get a camera soon!
Stamps - Edwin with present and presents
Paper - PTI and pp ?
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - MS border punch, pearl bling, PTI twine, We R Memory Keepers floss

You take the cake

Only card for October - wow! I need to get back in the swing of things in order to get Christmas cards done.
This was one of those get out some of my favorite things. Love this adorable image from LotV and Kaisercraft paper. My Copic colors do match my paper but without a camera, the iPhone makes it look much more "orangy".
Stamps - LotV image & Printworks sentiment (I think)
Paper - SU cs and Kaisercraft pp
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - Kaiser bling, stickles

Halloween

I'm on overload from watching HSN Crafting Day! Ha ha
So today I made a banner for my mantel & a little witch to top it off. Adding small bling to each letter. iPhone still being used UGH!!! Need a camera for Christmas. Challenge #34 at lovely Hanglar only is round - I think this qualifies. ;)



Stamps - Witch (Hanglar)Sentiment (Studio G)
Paper - Bazzill and PTI
Misc. - Kaiser bling and Cricut

What I've been up to...

Not much stamping around here lately. I've been so busy planning a wedding for these two!!! They recently had their engagement pictures done and this is one of my favorite shots. They love the lake near their home and spend a lot of time there walking her dog or boating with friends. It really captures them and love the casual feel the photographer was able to achieve. There is one of her laughing at something he said and she is making an 8 x 10 for me.
Wedding planning is hard work people! Whew!

TOMIC #13 BTS

Found myself with the day off, so I decided to join the Official Magnolia Challenge which is Back to School. Those days are behind me, but thought it would be fun to participate anyway. What popped into my head first was a lunch sack. It's decorated with apples cut out with Cricut cartridge. Although I don't have any school Tildas, this cutie works and added a big honkin' hair accessory (it's a southern thing y'all). ;)
Stamps - sitting Tilda (Magnolia) Sentiment (?)
Ink - Copics and Memento
Paper - PTI cs and old designer paper
Misc. - Brown paper bag, Cricut cartridge (School), pop-up dots, brad with apple for hair

Too soon for Halloween?

Fall can't get here fast enough for me. It has been another horrible heat filled summer and my patio set was used twice for maybe 3 hrs. total - ugh!
So I decided to bust out some Halloween papers/stamps. LOL Love my Hanglar witch and was so happy to have her in my collection. Black/white/orange is one of my favorite color combos and for this card, popped some purple in for good measure. :) Parts of her outfit are colored with orange Smooch, but my camera is officially dead-so my iPhone is all I've got now. My tag is cut out with a Cricut cartridge and I'm planning on cutting out lots of spiders this year to hang on my front porch.
Stamps - Witch (Hanglar) Sentiment (Hero Arts I think)
Paper - PTI
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - Bling, Orange, Smooch, Cricut tag, ribbon, pop-up dots

August

Hard to believe that this has been my only post for August. Such a busy month with no real time for relax and stamp. My family went to Destin, FL for a week of beautiful beach weather. What a wonderful week we had and my daughter found her wedding shoes there! They were perfect - the exact color, height, and gemstones she wanted. We were so excited. Our last night we had a beautiful seafood dinner at sunset with ocean views. You just can't beat moments like that.
I had to add the poppies because of a boo boo with my sentiment - ugh!!!
Stamps - Tilda with hearts (Magnolia)
Papers - American Crafts
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - ribbon, stickles, WOC flowers, signature heart sticker

Bow wow birthday

Hope the heat isn't too terrible where you are? I'm miserable because we have been smack in the middle of this heat wave and it doesn't look like cooler temps anytime soon. I'M MELTING!!!
Today features an adorable LotV stamp from their last release. Oh my how cute is this doggie. Even though it features a cupcake with puppy treats, I think it will work for any birthday. The candle and treats have stickles but they might not be showing up. Have a COOL day!
Stamps - Lili of the Valley girl with puppy - All that Scraps sentiment
Paper - Kaisercraft pp
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc - PTI buttons, Stickles, ribbon, Kaiser pearls

Cool drinks anyone?

I hope this counts for a couple of challenges. Just Magnolia is cooking & All That Scraps is summer. Well Tilda is making a big batch of drinks and some cooking might be required right? lol Nothing makes me think of summer more than a nice cold drink and trust me we need them - it was 108 here today! Ack!!!!
I paired my mini chef Tilda with recipe cards and the little orange wrap is holding several of them and just slips off. Love these PTI recipe cards - just great gift presentation. These cards are going to my daughter.
Stamps - Mini Chef Tilda (Magnolia)
Paper - KI Memories
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - KI ribbon & drink rub-on, bling

TOMIC - Nautical

When I saw this week's nautical challenge at Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge I had to play because it is one of my favorite collections! Tilda has a little candy box with chocolate gold coins inside that is going to a friend. I don't have a lot of Cricut cartridges, but am in love with Wrap It Up! I can make a pirate tag, card, box, favor with this one cartridge. There are wedding, Halloween, baby, and other party themes.
Stamps - Pirate Tilda (Magnolia)
Paper - MMemories paper
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - Wrap It Up cartridge

Got flowers?

OK I might have used just a few too many flowers. Once I started, it was tough to stop. ;)
Using one of my new LotV stamps. This little girl/puppy was a must for me! Such a sweet image and although I seriously could have bought the entire collection; I must be a good girl. I did buy one other from this latest release and hopefully will find time in the next few days to make a card.
Happy Wednesday!
Stamps - Girl with puppy (LotV) and sentiment (?)
Paper - Kaisercraft and SU
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - Prima/WOC flowers - MS punch - bling

Ships Ahoy

I had finished this card a few weeks ago and forgot to upload it. Using a Cricut cartridge called Wrap It Up, I cut out my ship and decided to only use part of it. Tilda is looking pretty cute.
Stamps - Tilda (Magnolia)
Paper - MMemories and SU cs
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - Cricut cartridge, bling, pop-up dots

Strawberry Cake

My camera has been giving me fits for over a week, so I just used the iPhone. Too many episodes of Cake Boss were seen-so Tilda needed a colorful fondant cake.
Hope you had a great week!
Stamps - Cake/Tilda (Magnolia)
Papers - DCWV pp & SU cs
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - Sticker on inside

Annabelle's Owl Party

My sister and her family have been in town this past week. I had a party celebrating my great niece's 1st b'day. Although it's not for another 6 weeks, I won't be with them. We had a wonderful dinner and all the shooters were eaten. yummy There are lots of pics and items used are posted at the end of post.











Cricut cartridges used - Hoot 'n Holler and Plantin Schoolbook
Pom poms made with tissue paper
Flower arrangement - Kroger with bling added to center of flowers
Owl balloon - Party City
Water bottle - old SU pp and labels
Treats - PTI small bags (with pink m&ms) and banana pudding shooters
Smashcake - Kroger (decorated with candy dots to match theme but removed before she started eating)
Dining room table runner - Hallmark wrapping paper
My gifts - Owl & princess party hat (Target)
Nest - lol it's a trash can turned upside down

Happy Birthday Jason Mraz!

I don't have a card today. Today is the birthday of a favorite singer of mine! Jason Mraz!!! I was able to see him in Nashville, as the opening act for Dave Matthews Band. Love his lyrics and the fun atmosphere at his show. Hopefully one day soon, I'll be able to catch a show again.

In Memory

There are days that you just wish you could make go away. Today is one of those for me. I was going to one of my favorite accounts today. Unfortunately, upon arrival, I learned that my jewelry dept. mgr. had passed away 3 days ago. I stood there stunned for a minute. It was 2 weeks ago that we were sharing the wonderful things going on in our lives. My daughter's wedding plans and her son's college graduation. Pat was a wonderful mgr. and I considered her a friend. I'm posting a card that was sent to her a while back as she recovered from knee surgery. God Bless You Pat! I am blessed to have known you.

TOMIC #2

Hi!!! Hope you had a good weekend. Mine was FABULOUS because I was able to find some white paper lanterns and parasols on clearance!!!!!!
The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge this week is Pink/Brown/white with minimal additional colors. Mine is gold obviously for her crown/earring.
As always a sentiment will be added later when it's time to use it.
Stamps - Tilda ballerina (Magnolia)
Paper - SU cs and BG Sugared pp
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - WOC flowers, heart lace, Kaiser bling

The Official Magnolia Inspiration Challenge

Magnolia has started a inspiration challenge blog and the first one is for a birthday. Perfect timing! A dear friend who adores Magnolias is having a birthday this month. Card is cut out with Cricut and Cupcake Scent was added to the card. YUMMY!
Be sure to visit the Magnolia Site and play along!

Stamps - Tilda with Cake (Magnolia) SU sentiment
Papers - Old pp and SU cs
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - ribbon, Cupcake scents, Stickles, pop-up dots, Cricut (Wrap It Up Cartridge)

Sailor Girl

Happy Monday!!!
Hope you had a good weekend. Mine was spent in Nashville on bridal overload!!! lol
My poor daughter had no idea how much planning goes into these and got just a tad overwhelmed and we are just in the beginning phases of this. She was able to get quite a bit accomplished in 2 days and we made lots of notes. My first assignment is to paint/decorate a birdcage for the cards/$ to go in. Plus she's letting me have complete design of the candy buffet - woo hoo!!!
Anyway - check out my Wynonna Tilda. LOL How bright is that red hair? At first I didn't like it - but since it's not a hair color I practice with Copics; obviously a few more attempts are needed. ;) Not sure if you can see, but stars were stamped in Versamark around Tilda.
Stamps - Tilda*stars*sentiment - Magnolia
Paper - Seaside pp(?) and SU
Ink - Memento and Copics/versamark for stars
Misc. - Kaiser Bling/MS border punch/Nestabilities/stickles

Flutterby Wednesday

Found time today to make a card with an image that has been sitting on my desk forever. Do you find colored images in your crafting area? Please don't let me be the only one. ;)
Image - Tilda with gift (Magnolia) and SU sentiment
Papers - SU cs and retired pp
Ink - Memento and Copics
Misc. - MS butterfly punches, Kaiser bling, SU ribbon, Magnolia fence punch

Bluebirds of Happiness

Today is a card that I actually made for a cupcake inspiration challenge and forgot to upload it. Too late for the challenge, but love the fact that I used blue. Very rare for me to use and actually had to dig through a pile of papers to find cs. LOL
Combined Hanglar and Magnolia stamps for this scene. Looks like she is having a beautiful day with birds singing. Unfortunately not so for me, I'm going to be under the gun again for tornadoes. UGH! With all the death and destruction on tv, it makes me nervous. Please keep those affected in your prayers please.
Stamps - Girl with birdhouse (Hanglar) sign w/birds (Magnolia)
Paper - SU cs and MM pp
Ink - Copics and Memento
Misc. - ribbon, Q&Co. hinges, Kaiser bling, stickles