It's my life

Bo Bunny Black Friday Blog Hop

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful day and my kids both said that it was the best Thanksgiving ever.  I am not sure why they think that, they couldn't even say why, but I must say my turkey was pretty darn good. LOL!  Besides all of the cooking I did, I was also able to fit in a little crafting time.  I have started working on my Christmas gifts and I am so excited about my plans.  

But what I really want to share with you today is something that I made for the Bo Bunny Black Friday Blog Hop.  I really love how this turned out.  It took some time and patience but I think it was worth it.

The St. Nick paper line from Bo Bunny had the perfect colors for this Christmas tree.  The base of the tree is a paper mache cone.  I cut paper into 1x6 inch strips.  Then starting with the bottom layer I glued the strips onto the cone.  Then I took a thin paintbrush and wrapped the paper strip around the handle to create the curl.  The quality and thickness of the paper makes curling the paper very easy.

 

After I adhered all of the strips I started decorating my tree with silver tinsel garland and holly leaves punched with a Martha Stewart Christmas punch.  The holly berries are actually clear dew drops that I colored red with my Copic Markers.

 

The top of my tree is decorated with a chipboard star painted silver.  I also sprayed the entire tree with Vanilla Smooch Spritz which gives it a beautiful shimmer that you can't really see in the photographs.  

Since you have made it all the way down this lengthy post I will now mention that I am giving away a little bit of Bo Bunny to one lucky winner.  It is my Black Friday special.  You can't get any better than FREE right?  Just leave a comment on this post and I will pick a winner Sunday evening, Nov 29th, at 8:00p.m.

Don't stop here though.  Make sure you start at Dee's blog and continue through all of the designer's blogs to enter for more fun giveaways as well as the Black Friday Blog Hop prize at the end at the Bo Bunny Blog.

Here is the list if you get lost along the way.

Dee, Christine, Juliana, Sherry, Carole, Patti, Debbie, Rita, Kristen, Julia, Robyn, Tonya...and then back to the BB Blog.

I also want to take a second to thank everyone for stopping by my blog.  I am so thankful to have met so many wonderful people through my blog and to be able to share what I love.  I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and was able to enjoy themselves with family and friends. 

Don't forget to leave a comment.  I will be announcing the winner on Monday's post.

Christmas Traditions Mini Album

Last week I promised some more views of the mini album that I am working on about my family's traditions. Don't forget to stop by Embellish-it Online for all the supplies to make your own mini book.  Through the years my children have enjoyed some very fun traditions and still look forward to each.  Some are new traditions that we started when our first was born, others are traditions that we have carried forward from our own childhood.  Each one is special and part of each Christmas season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the supplies that I used can be found at Embellish-it Online.  I used the Imaginisce Polar Expressions paper and embellishments as well as American Craft Thickers, May Arts ribbon, The Bind it All, and Kaiser Craft gems.

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 

Where were we....

Okay, I need some help.  I try and try to prioritize and make my lists and be as efficient as I can be but it always seems like I will never catch up.  I have been reading on some people blogs lately that it is important to slow down and take a few minutes to reflect, capture a picture,or  journal.  I try to but it just seems that if I sit down for one second I get sleepy and then I don't want to get back up.  Especially now that it is chilly outside and the fireplace and my chair is so cozy.  Well if anyone has any tips I would love to hear them.

Here are a few things that I would like to share with you.

1.  I am putting in a Stampin Up! order if anyone needs anything.  There are a lot of sale items right now, even some up to 50% off.  Need the scallop border punch, it's on sale. How about some cute Corduroy buttons, they are 50%.    Check it out here and then email me to let me know what you would like me to order for you.  You will receive free shipping from me with every order of $50.00 or more.  

2.  Craft Critique is looking for reporters.  I have throughly enjoyed being on this team and I hope that you will apply to join us.  Click here for more information.  Even if you don't think that it's for you be sure to go to the site and check it out.  There you will find so many great reports on crafting tools and products that will help you decide what's right for you.

3.  I will doing a FREE make n take at Scrapbook Mania this Saturday.  A perfect little stocking stuffer or gift for a coworker.  We will be making them using a Spellbinder die and Smooch paint.

 

Mmm, M&M's my favorite.  But of course you could fill it with any kind of candy you like.

 

A cute tag to go on it and then a little decoration on the back.  $1 dollar stamps and Smooch paint.  Easy!  Stop by on Saturday and make this with me and take advantage of all the great sales that are going on at the store that day!

 

4. I just love Nikki Sivils. She is the sweetest person and full of such talent and energy.   The paper and stamps are from her North Pole line.  I love that she has the 6x6 paddies that are the perfect size for card making.  We've been talking about Copics so I sent her this card so she could see what Copic markers look like up close.  I just love this paper line and thought the elf was so cute.  I wish I could juggle like that.  The presents are part of the stamp set too.  I have already gotten them stamped for my next card.  I just need to ink them up.

Okay time to wrap this up.  I can feel myself getting sleepy so time to get up and do something active or a nap might be in my near future.  I will be back tomorrow with My Embellish-it Online post. Hope to see you here.

Gift Bags and Cards

I love making my own gift bags.  It's really easier than you think ecspecially if you are using Bo Bunny products.  They have everything in their lines to embellish your gift bag and of course it all matches perfectly.

To make this gift bag I just measured the front of the bag and cut a piece of patterned paper from Flutter Butter to fit.  The I cut a coordinating piece of paper from the same line slightly smaller than the base. Then I cut a piece from the die cut paper and attached it to the brown paper.

Then I started having fun with my sewing machine. I stitched some zig zag around the edges and then used a straight stitch for contrast on the brown paper.  Sewing on paper is so much fun.  It's easy to do because the paper doesn't slide all over the place like fabric does and if you are messy it is okay.  It's all part of that homemade feel. :)

 

Then I started decorating the base with stickers, flowers and bling.  Bo Bunny's 12x12 Sticker combo sheets makes adding decorative elements a breeze.

Then I took the same line and make a quick card.  Cutting out a few butterflies and popping them up with pop dots added just the right flair to this simple card.

I would love to see your gift bag decorating ideas.  Leave me a link in the comment section of a gift bag that you have decorated and I will choose a random winner to receive a few supplies to make some more.  Prize giveaway deadline is Tuesday November 23rd at midnight.

My last winner for the card sketch challenge was Kelly Swosinski.  Thanks for playing along Kelly.  Your prize pack is on it's way.

So what gifts are you making this year

Welcome to my weekly Embellish-it Online Scrapbooking design team post.  

I am working very hard this year to make it a homemade Christmas.  Everyone on my list is going to get something for Christmas that I have made.  It might be the packaging, it might be a mini scrapbook album full of memories, or a home decor item.  I would encourage all of you to join in.  These kinds of gifts are so appreciated by the receiver.  They know that you cared enough to take the time and effort to make something yourself instead of just picking something off the shelf.  Here are some ideas that you might try.

Gift Packaging

 

This cute little gift box was cut with an Accucut Die and then decorated with one of my favorite Christmas lines, Polar Expressions, by Imaginisce.  That cute little coffee mug filled with hot chocolate is a 3d dimensional sticker.  I am going to fill a bag with hot chocolate mix and put it inside.  I decorated the bottom and top with a scalloped edge and Stickles for a little sparkle. 

 

Isn't this paper just the cutest?   I just love all of the little images.  

Mini Scrapbook Album

A special person in my family will be receiving this gift this year.  This particular person does not enjoy going on the computer so I never have to worry about spoiling a surprise. :)  I love making mini albums.  I love how fun and creative you can be making them.  Today I will share a picture of the cover.  Stop by next Wednesday for a look at the whole album.  Again I used Polar Expressions and another set of dies from Accucut.

This is a mix it up mini album and the pages are all different shapes on the end.  I used my Bind-it-All to put it together and another cute little 3D sticker from the Polar Expressions line.  The title was created with American Craft's fabric Thickers.

All the supplies that I used can be found at Embellish-it Online.  If you haven't stopped by this wonderful online store you really should.  They carry some of my favorite scrapbook products and Barb, the owner, is a dear.  Let me tell you about the specials that you can look forward to this week.

It's Eva's week to pick the special. From November 15th through the 22th you will receive 10% off all Cuttlebug products!!  I absolutely love my embossing folders and have used one very similar to this one in my mini album.  

I hope you will stop by next Wednesday to see the rest of my mini album.

Gift Giving Ideas

I love giving gifts in hand decorated containers.  When I saw these new Doodlebug jars at CHA Summer I knew that I would want to create with them.  There are six different style of  jars.  The one I decorated is called the button keeper.  Of course it would be great to keep buttons in but you could also use this jar to package some homemade chocolates or some small cookies.

The paper is from Basic Grey called Eskimo Kisses.  This line is truly one of my favorite Christmas lines that I have ever used.  The colors are beautiful and the designs are whimsical yet very versatile.  The pink plaid paper could definitely be used one a girls layout as well as Christmas.

 

I've got a lot of other gift giving ideas coming in the next couple of weeks.  If you are coming to Scrapbook Mania's Open House this weekend  you will be able to do one with me as I will be doing a couple of different make and takes with one being a idea for gift packaging.  I hope to see you there.

Candy Cane Tilda

Last night I had the pleasure of teaching a Copic class to some beautiful and wonderful women.  The Copic craze has bitten them and when we meet once a month they have fun refining their coloring skills.  I always try to add a new technique each time so that they are always learning.  This month we worked on deeper darker shadows.  I also had them cut Tilda out for the first time too instead of "leaving" her on white paper.

Here is the card that I designed for the class.

 

I had a little fun with this one and broke out my electronic cutters.  The tree is from a Cricut Cartridge and the window frame which I popped up with foam tape is something I made in my Silhouette program.  The presents were also cut with my Silhouette.  Yes, I have both, and yes, they help me do very different things.  I am a tool lover anyway so why not.  I bet there is a whole bunch of you that have multiple die cut machines. LOL!  

Here is a closeup of Tilda.

 

I wonder if you can see the shimmer on the tree and background.  I sprayed the entire card before I put the window frame on it with Clearsnap  Smooch Spritz Vanilla Shimmer.  I love this spritz.  I have tried many different glitter spritz and I have to say that it is my favorite.  I also used the Clearsnap Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink in Siren Red on the Candy Cane stripes.  It looks really cool in person.  

 

Here are the markers that I used to color Tilda.

Did you know that you can color clear gems with Copic markers to create gems in the colors you need.  I already had some pink gems but not red or blue so I just stuck them to the tree and colored the top of the gems.  It's really easy.  I may never buy colored gems again.  

You can get all of these products at Scrapbook Mania.  SM is the only scrapbook store in Alabama that you can get Copic markers, Magnolia stamps, Whiff of Joy, and All That Scraps stamps.  

I would also love to invite you to one of my Copic classes.  We have classes for all different levels.  Beginner, intermediate and then my Creative Cards classes.  My next beginner class will be on the 21st of November.  We have a few spots left so call the store, 205-424-4246 to reserve your spot.  It's a lot of fun and I am always excited to introduce new people to this wonderful art form.

I'm a little behind on my blogging so I have lots to show you in the upcoming days.  See you again soon.

Embellish-Online Wednesday Spotlight on Polar Expressions

Often when I scrap I am conditioned to think about design elements, techniques, color schemes and many other details but today when I sat down to create my layout for this post I had an idea and just went with it. I started using any product that I thought would create the effect I wanted and I worked without thought to traditional design concepts.  I really had fun.

Polar Expressions by Imaginisce was a joy to use.  I loved all of the fun patterns and colors of the paper.  The 3D stickers were perfect embellishments for my snowy scenery.  Don't you just love the wreath?  I do!!

 

I love the texture of the Liquid Pearls that I used to create snow caps.  I also used some Flock on the snow ground as well.  

 

Do you see the snowflakes?  Those are actually pieces cut from some adorable ribbon.  As a final touch, the green glitter Thickers were perfect for my title.  

Most all of the supplies that I used on this layout can be found at Embellish-it Online Scrapbooking.

Paper:  Jolly Jingle, So Beary Merry, Sugar Sprinkles, Flannel PJ's, Fun Drops, Comfy Cozy

Thanks for stopping by today.  Don't forget about my card sketch challenge.  You will be very happy with the prize if you win!

Bo Bunny Christmas Card Sketch Challenge

Would you like to win some great Bo Bunny holiday paper and get some of your Christmas cards done at the same time.  Well all you have to do is participate in the Bo Bunny Christmas Card Sketch Challenge.  Here is all the information.  You have until November 15th to participate.  Here is my card for the challenge.  

 

I just love the bright and cheery look of Tis the Season from Bo Bunny.  Their cardstock stickers help make your Christmas card making a snap.  

To sweeten the deal a little I am also offering up a prize pack to anyone who participates and links their card on the Bo Bunny blog and leaves me a comment with a link too. Contest ends November 15th at 11:30 p.m.

I can't wait to see what you create.

Brrrr... Baby it's Cold Outside

Well maybe not yet but the cold is coming and that means falling leaves, lots of hot chocolate, and warm fireplaces.  I love the winter holidays and the cold so this beautiful paper called Polar Express from Imaginisce was exactly what I needed to get into the holiday spirit.  I absolutely love the little polar bear dimensional sticker. The Cozy Sticker Stackers sheet is filled with adorable images that you can use to create a holiday card in no time.  

The patterned paper is also so sweet.  There are so many papers and patterns and they are all embellished with glitter.  I used this paper for my card base but why not just get the whole collection pack.  Each paper is so cute you will want more.  You can get all of these supplies and more at Embellish-it Online Scrapbooking. 

 

I can't wait to share more projects using this fun Imaginisce line.  It is Danni's turn this week to name the special so from Oct. 30th to Nov. 6th you can get 20% off all Cosmo Cricket products.  Be sure to stop by her blog to see the wonderful things that she has created using the Cosmo Cricket's Jolly by Golly line. I just love her work and I know you will too when you see this post.

Don't forget that you can also get these wonderful perks at Embellish-it Online Scrapbooking every day.

Get Free Shipping on domestic orders of $50.00 or more! Enter code 4SP9HD in the coupon box at checkout! (One discount per order)

New Frequent Buyer Club! For every $5.00 in purchases you'll receive 1 point. Collect 30 points and you'll receive a voucher for $15.00 off on your next purchase!

Stay Warm!