Year in REVIEW........

With an "I" for paper blog is having a year in review blog hop. 

Just click on the link above for all the details.

Here are some of my fave creations from last year. 

I just lumped them all together for a quick glance.

I picked 12 (not necessarily) one from each month, but just the ones that I particularly love.  

It runs the gamut as far as themes and what not.

Most of my family and friends say I have a very eclectic style in and out of my studio.....bwahahahahahahahaha!!!

But I love creating schtuff and its usually whatever strikes my fancy.

Enjoy and join in.....

Until later, yearlings......Gotta split.......TFL!!!!!!!!

A visit from the North Pole....sorta......

well, some of the snow at least.....

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

This Inst-snow stuff is too much fun.  I bought this jar using a 40% off  coupon a few yrs. back from Hobby Lobby and I still have about 1/2 jar.

I think it's original price was about $10......so it was a real bargain using a coupon. 

Every year I package up two scoops into each bag and 

put them on the tree for the grands to grab to take home. 

(For 1 scoop add two oz. of water)

It makes a pretty good size bowl for each child to play with.

It actually feels cool to the touch and fluffs up pretty big.

They have the best time thinking they have REAL snow from the North Pole.

The packaging is pretty simple.

 2"x3" jewelry baggies

4" x 3" blue cardstock (folded in half)

*Creative Memories snowflake punch

(* If you need any CM products....just check my sidebar--->)

CLICK on the link.

Wording was computer generated

small stick-on jewel.

I also spray their packages with vanilla scented spray.....

One of my grands says that if they smell like milk and cookies

 then they came from Santa.

Even though they have a tag on them saying they are from "Poppy and Sugar",

 we tell them Santa brought them here, special delivery.

The magic of Christmas....!!!!!!!

Until later, snow bunnies........Gotta split.....TFL!!!!!!

On the 10th, 11th & 12th days of Christmas.....

Christmas finale......before I take a few days off to spend with the family.

On the 10th.........10 lords-a-leaping.......

They were so excited knowing that Christmas is just around the corner

that they leaped right out from under their crowns.

I embossed "FUN" with silver embossing powder and the crowns are cut from

a MS corner punch with metallic silver card stock.

On the 11th day ........ 11 pipers piping......

No, it isn't 2 flutes......its 2 flutes placed to resemble 

the number "11"....

HA!!!  Gottcha!!!

The flutes are a digi and I printed it twice. Layered some paper and added ribbon and called this one done!!!!

On the 12th day.......12 drummers drumming......

Tag you're it.......12 tags for gifts under the tree.....

Tag punch from Creative Memories was used to punch out tags and 

then I layered on some DSP .

The drum stamp is from Viva Las Vegastamps and punched out with a 1" punch and layered on top of 1-1/4" punch. 

and a partridge in a pear treeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!

Until later, Gifties........Gotta split......TFL!!!!!!!

On the 8th & 9th days of Christmas.....

....maids a-milkin'.....

Looks like the cows were a little stingy .....

only one carton between 8 maids.

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

I "Maid" this using the milk carton die and Comfort food stamp set.

Would be even better if I had some 'milk' duds to put inside. 

Note to self: make a grocery list for the 'maids' .

Yes, I'm behind a day so I had to combine the 8th and 9th days......

 below is my version of 9 ladies dancing.....

This will make a great border for a scrapbook layout. 

I stamped these and then used color pencils & OMS to blend. 

Tomorrow will be the last day and I'll combine 10th, 11th and 12th days for the big finale.

Until later, santa 'bee'lievers.........Gotta split........TFL!!!!

On the seventh day of Christmas.....

NO, not ducks a swimming...... bwahahahahahahaha!!!

swans-a-swimming......

these are my rendition of a baby swan....

 a cynget (<---proper name for a baby swan)

Remember the story of the ugly duckling....

yeah, now you get it!!!

I told ya my artistic license is going to come into play real soon.

Deets:

Card stock

polka dotted ribbon

embossing folder to create the circle on the blue card stock, then I used some scallop scissors to layer two strips.

The "cygnets" are from a punch, I used a marker to color in their little beaks.

Foliage was created by snipping some scrap green with MS fringe scissors

Until later, beautiful swans....... Gotta split......TFL!!!!

On the sixth day of Christmas.....

...six geese a laying...

Well, in this case looks like they've finished the job...

Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!

I'm going to have to be a little more creative from here on out.  With the numbers getting larger, it's kinda hard putting that many elements on one card....

so, I'm going to pull out my artistic license.....

Yes..... I'm a card carrying artist.

Nest was cut using the cricut.....

there are tons of nest images, use the one that you like.

Eggs were just punched using an oval punch, then I inked around the edges using 

a vanilla ink.

Some seam binding and layering of the paper and taaa daaaaaa!!!!

Until later, nesties......Gotta split......TFL!!!!

On the fifth day of Christmas.....

....five goldennnnnn ringggssssss....

Easy peasy .....mac & cheesy card today.

Some blingy designer card stock for the base and then layering.  

The rings were cut using a small oval punched out 

of gold metallic card stock, 

then using a larger oval punch....

 I punched around the smaller oval to create 

the frame (ring). 

Getting into the higher numbers is going to be tricky, but I'm gonna give it a go.

Until later, ringers.........Gotta split....TFL!!!!!

On the fourth day of Christmas.....

...four calling birds......

If you've noticed I didn't put any sentiments on any of the cards so far.  

That way they can be used for any occasion later on. 

 Wouldn't this make a lovely thank you card or birthday card???

Calling birds????  Hmmmm..... wonder what they are calling???  

Maybe these are the birds that you see all lined up

 on the telephone lines...

Bwahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!

Deets:

Birds were cut from CM Cheerful Seasons cartridge.

(You can buy that cartridge by clicking on my sidebar ---> 

and going to the CM website, tell my niece I sent ya)

Wings are from a MS leaf punch

Some layering of papers,

button and seam binding and that's pretty much it. 

Super easy and super cute...... 

so phone a friend and get to cranking out 

the 12 days.

Until later, birdies......Gotta fly split.......TFL!!!!!!!

On the third day of Christmas....

3 french hens......

So far this is my fave card..... not sure why,

 maybe the color combo, the cute chickens, ????

Super easy to put together.....

the chickens were cut from Country Life Cricut cartridge. 

(2 different chickens, one was flipped and

 I chose three different sizes....

2-1/2"...2"...and 1" ).

I embossed the red with an embossing folder.....

 again, sorry I can't remember the name.

I'll look thru them later today to see if I can come up with the name.

I did ink up the chicks a little on the edges.  I have to "egg" on the design a little.

Until later, chickies......Gotta split....TFL!!!!!

On the second day of Christmas....

...two turtle doves......

Day 2 of the 12 days of Christmas......

I'm really not sure what a turtle dove looks like,

 but I think this is what it should look like.

The bird is from Christmas Card Solutions cartridge, 

but any bird would do....choose the one you love.

The blue part of the wing and the branches are from the SU! bird punch.  

The scalloped border is an older Martha Stewart punch.  

Some inking on the edges and you have two, count 'em two turtle doves. 

Until later, lovey dovies.......Gotta split......TFL!!!!!!!!

On the first day of Christmas.....

my true love gave to me.....

Yep, its only 12 days until the magical day of Christmas.

Today is the first day of my 12 days of cards depicting the lyrics of the song.

12 Days of Christmas.

It will be a combination of many different products along the way

 and hopefully many scraps. 

 So, I will give try to give you a run down of most of the supplies that I used.

Today's card was made using:

SU! bird punch

SU! Faith in Nature stamp set

SU! scallop border punch

scraps of paper 

buttons

dimensionals

Hope you enjoy this lyrical trip with me.....

ENJOY!!!!!!!

Until later, partridges.......Gotta split.....TFL!!!!

Elf video debut....

Here's the video for making the elves.....

I forgot one step on the video..... 

The cute little cheeks were made by using a cotton swab and some chalk.  

Then I added some white dots in the eyes and on the cheeks using a white gel pen. 

ENJOY!!!!!

Until later, pointy ear creatures.....Gotta split......TFL!!!!!

Elf elf elf elf elf elf elf......

Elves everywhere........

We don't have just one sitting on a shelf.  We have them everywhere.

We have an annual family get-together for Christmas, no presents exchanged, just food, laughter, fun and the kids get to sit on Santa's lap and get pictures taken and pictures are taken with the snow angel as well.  

(great nephew and great niece are dressed up as the characters...

shhhh don't tell the little ones)

My sister and myself are kinda the self 

proclaimed matriarchs and we buy or make 

small gifts for Santa to give to the wee ones. 

So I decided on these......

I made these cute little elves I have seen on the web and what's Santa without his elves...right????

Close-up....I'll give you a run down on the punches I used.  But I'm planning on doing a video on how to make these next week.  

Head -  SU! ornament punch

Ears - SU! bird punch (wing only)

Hat - SU! Blossom petal punch (largest petal only)

Hat brim - SU! small oval punch

Nose - SU! Owl punch (largest circle only)

Hands - SU! Boho blossoms punch

Present cuts are:  white 2-3/4" x 1-3/4"

green 2-1/2" x 1-1/2"

Strips of card stock used for ribbon.

You can get really crazy with dressed these little cuties up,  

by adding bows and other do-lollies.

But I know the little ones are just going to rip into these and I didn't see any need to spend extra time on them....

 I have to make sooooo many.

Watch for the elves to make their film debut next week.....

Until later, santa's helpers.......Gotta split.....TFL!!!!!!!

Shake your tail feathers.....

I have a full house on Thanksgiving. 

 We have 4 childrens and 4 grandchildren.

They all want to know when dinner is ready.  Now I have a 1 ass kitchen, meaning its small and 

my ass is the only one that should be in it......LOL

If I could change one thing about our house....

it would a much much much larger  kitchen.  

So, to keep all the hands and asses out of my kitchen I like to get the others involved in something creative.

We set up a fold out table for the kiddies to eat on and its also the hub of creativity before hand.  I use butcher paper for the "tablecloth" and give them all crayons to draw on the paper with.  

I also include games and activities for them to play. 

I also have some sort of craft for the 'mommies' to help the younger ones with. 

{shhhhh don't tell them but its to keep them out of my kitchen too...bwahahahahahaha}

Below is a game for the wee ones to have fun with. 

I didn't come up with this; 

I saw it on the web somewhere and loved it.

The idea is to give each player a featherless turkey and then 6 (feathers) clothespins.

They take turns rolling the die and the first person to shake his tail feathers win....

or you could have a "feathered" turkey and the first one to pluck him for dinner is the winner.  Cute huh??????

I think we are going to play to first game and they have to actually stand up and shake their butts when they complete the turkey.....

(I made 6 of these, just in case one of the moms/dads want to play)

I cut out everything by hand using scissors and 

some chipboard for stability,

 then I covered with cardstock. 

Oh, except for the hands.....

that was cut out using a mickey mouse die and my Big Shot.

Added some googly eggs.

I have a small flip flop punch and

 I used the thong part for the wishbone.

{to give them all good luck while playing}

I painted the clothes pins and now the turkey is ready to 

"Shake his tail feathers"

Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Until later turkeys......Gotta split......TFL!!!!!!

Button jars.....

What do baby food jars and buttons have in common????

Cuteness.....that's what!!!! 

I've been seeing these jars all over the web and decided I could make some for a little storage.

I love how they turned out.  The two larger jars on either end are some pickle jars that I had saved. 

A friend gave me the baby food jars and I purchased the wooden candlesticks and the wooden ball knobs from Hobby Lobby.  

I spray painted everything black ....everything except the jars themselves of course.

Then I used E6000 to adher the knobs to the lids and then the jars to the candlesticks.

Sorted my buttons and ta..daaaaaa.....!!!!

Cuteness and storage ...thats a win, win !!!!

Wouldn't they make cute favors, or small gifties....you could choose paint of any color. Add some embellishments, ribbons, yarns...etc....

 I chose black to match my studio. 

Until later,  sweet babies......Gotta split.....TFL!!!!!!

Get well sooonnnnnnn!!!

The hubs is working out of town (in Rhode Island) and he calls me Monday afternoon and says that he isn't feeling well.  He lays down and sleeps hoping he feels better by the next day. 

I get a call at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday and he says that he thinks he needs to go to the doctor.  Now for him to say that is a miracle in itself.....

he never never never goes to the doctor.

I KNEW he had to be miserable for him to volunteer going to the doctor. 

Then he calls me back and said that he is headed to the E.R.

 because is in very severe pain.

Now, I'm in panic mode......

I have never imagined those words coming from his mouth. 

Long story....short....his appendicitis attack, he had to have surgery.

Now to make matters worse he is in Rhode Island and I'm at home in Georgia.

I paced the floor all day yesterday, calling the hospital about every 30 minutes...finally he calls me back while in recovery.  The hospital never called to inform me of anything.

He's now on the road to recovery and we are planning on flying up if he has to stay for very long....or if the doctor says he can fly home within the next few days we will just hold the fort down and get things ready for him here.  

With lots of phone calls inbetween!!!!!

To keep my mind at ease today; I went down to my studio and made him a get well card.

This is stamp is from a Hanna stamp set.   I used versamark and white embossing powder on the grey cardstock to look like an x-ray.

I hand cut the heart because all my heart punches were either too small or too big for my liking.

The inside was decorated with a punched heart and another Hanna stamp that I embossed with the white embossing powder. 

Until later, paper surgeons......Gotta split.....TFL!!!!

Poncho shirt getting "fleeced"....

My new guilty pleasure to wear is this poncho type shirt.

  I just throw on a tank top and then this over it and a pair of jeans and 

I'm ready to walk out the door {well after a shower and make-up and doing my hair}.

It's so comfy too...   

I purchased this one at Rue21 for approx. $12.

When I got home I was looking at it and decided I could make this a lot cheaper...

So here goes..........

I first found some fleece that was on sale at a local Wally world.

I purchased 1-1/2 yds of each piece.

I'll have 4 news ones to wear that only cost me $4.41 each.  

This is the original garment.

Its much like a cape, but it is stitched

 approx. 4" up each seam on the bottom to mimic sleeves.

I laid down some brown paper and cut out a pattern.  

These are the pattern pieces {body, hood and pocket}.

I decided to just fold the fleece in half and instead of cutting two separate pieces for the body, I cut one on the fold at the shoulders.  

I did cut the neckline out. 

This is the end result.... looks exactly like the purchased one. 

Minus the extra seams and pull ties......

I used a tiny zigzag stitch.  The fleece has a slight stretchiness to it

 and I didn't want the seams to break.

Now to finish the other colors......

Until later, sew true friends......Gotta sew split.....TFL!!!!!

Turkey legs anyone!!!!!

I prefer the breast meat myself...but these legs are looking pretty tasty!!!!

I used one of the new tube bags from SU!.....inserted my candy corn and made sure that I could fold it in half for the turkey legs.

Here's a close up of this little ca-yoo-tie !!!

I used several punches, distressed all the pieces to my liking and adhered everything together....

I used glue dots to glue the turkey body and feet to the plastic.

Close up of the punch shapes and how I had to hand cut some of the pieces.

Until later, gobblers.....Gotta split....TFL!!!