Thanks for the Joy and a Giveaway

Good Morning,

Wow! Christmas was wonderful and I am looking forward to a Happy New Year. Santa was very good to everyone here. My children were extremely surprised, especially my daughter who could NOT figure out what was in the package. Even after she opened it she still had no idea. Some moments are just priceless.

My husband and I picked out our gifts this year, which was even better the day after Christmas. There were NO returns. That was a great feeling! Here are my crafting goodies I received. I also got a new purse and wallet (Dooney & Bourke), but didn't think you wanted to see that. It was a FABULOUS deal and one of my favorite colors (blue).

We did go shopping for After Christmas sales and found a few more deals that couldn't be passed, but we are done now...well..except for one new addiction or two I may have now.  I will share below. : )

TJMaxx has Martha Stewart supplies for the BEST price, especially when they are 50% off.



Now, I want to share some thank you cards I made for my students last night. I will give them out when we go back to school next Tuesday.

I used the Winter Woodland cartridge, which I received just a few days before Christmas. I actually won the eBay bid while on our mini vacation. I really wanted Winter Frolic, but that will come next. 

The sleigh (p. 53) was cut at 2 1/2". Then I used the scalloped circle (p.33) and circle cut at 1 1/4" for the sentiment.

Other Materials:

Recollection, DCWV, and Cloud9Design papers

silver and white cardstock

silver and red gems

red ribbon

Martha Stewart snowflake stamps

Stampendous silver embossing powder 

Challenges:

Docerela Challenge ~ Holiday Thank You

Little Scrap Pieces ~ Anything Goes

Crafty Cardmakers ~ Use it Three Times

Can you guess my new addiction?

 If you guessed heat embossing then you are correct!

I tried heat embossing once a couple months ago and the tool I had must have been defective. It made a loud noise, smelled terribly (it may have even smoked some), and it turned on only once then stopped. I exchanged it without difficulties, but feared the same thing would happen again. I figured it must have been me since I didn't really know what I was doing. I decided to give it another try last night and it worked. Yeah!

Now, I need help!

 What type of embossing powder is recommended and what are your favorite colors to use? I bought silver since it matched the sleigh, but I know I am going to want to expand and have choices. 

I also tried a few rosettes from my new cartridge...Ribbons and Rosettes. My daughter made a personal request for an orange one. I can see these being a big hit.

  Don't forget about the Surprise Holiday Giveaway.

There is still time to enter. Be sure to leave a comment here. The winner will be announced on January 2, 2012. 

Wow!

Lots going on and still another week off. I wonder what else I can get accomplished. One goal is to get published in 2012. Any tips?!?!

Stay Creative,

Georgiana

A Surprise Holiday Spirit Giveaway

Since it is Christmas Eve and we will be opening presents soon, I thought why not share that joy with others. I have decided that a giveaway would be perfect, but there is a catch. The prize is a suprise. The only clue I can give (so there is no peeking or shaking) is that it is crafty related.

So...could it be...hmmm...maybe a...SORRY! You will have to wait!
It is a surprise!

Here are some holiday rules...

1. Please be a follower and leave a comment on this posting. I would love to hear about your BEST holiday suprise. Whether it be a fabulous gift, a family member's return, or a miracle. 
 2. If you leave a message or picture on your site about this giveaway, please post another comment saying  you did with the link for another chance.
3. Your contact information is important. This should include your blog name (if you have one) and your e-mail address.

The winner will be announced Monday, Janaury 2, 2012.

What a great way to celebrate the start of a new year.

Merry Christmas,

Georgiana

How About a Wedding for a Snow Lady?

Hello Crafty Friends,

I got quite a bit done today (cleaned, bought our Christmas meal, and wrapped presents), but you know how it goes...there is always more to do. I found out I need to run an errand or two tomorrow to pick up a few last minute stocking stuffers. I guess I didn't plan as well as I thought.

I created this card this evening and when my daughter came home form Busch Gardens I told her to take a peek. The first comment she made was, "Is it for a wedding?" That was not my intentions, but I sure do think it could be.

 Creative Cutter Room Theme:

Snowman and must include 3 elements!

~ metal

~ border

~ monochromatic

These are some of the materials I used. They are from a big craft bag that I have had since I got married 18 years ago. It was stored away and just recently pulled out. I read a post by Carri at The Creative Cutter Room about using silk flowers, which is how I remembered this bag. Once I opened it, I couldn't believe all the great supplies in there...beads, florals, tulle, lace, etc. My wedding was red, white, and black and my sister's was white and teal. I made all the bouquets and boutenieres.

Looking forward to using more of these "stored away" treasures.

Other Materials:

silver and white glitter cardstock

Cuttlebug embossing folder ~ snowflake

white ink

silver brads

lacey ribbon

wiggly eyes

white flowers and leaf

white glitter

silver gem

Winter Woodland cartridge ~ hat cut at 2"

snow lady die-cut was in scrap pile

Be sure to stop by the Creative Cutter Room for the birthday giveaway. It is Cathie's birthday on Christmas Eve. Happy Birthday to you!

Additional Challenges:

One Stop Craft Challenge ~ Christmas Sparkle

Inspire Me Fridays ~ Linky Party #38

Really Reasonable Ribbon's Rambling ~ Anything Goes & Ribbon

Robyn's Creative Cottage ~ Link Up Party

Merry Christmas,

Georgiana

Here Comes Santa

Good Morning,

I hope everyone is doing well. I have lunch plans with a dear friend, so I am very excited. We haven't spent any time together since she took leave to finish her degree, so I am thrilled we have this opportunity.

Every year, my two children (17 and 13 now) get one present from Santa. The wrapping paper is always different than all the others and it is hidden away rather than stored in the same container. The paper usually has Santa images on it too. I thought this next challenge was perfect since I made Santa tags to match.

I made this one on the right for my son. Don't you love that North Pole charm? The one on the left is for my daughter.

The back of the tag. I used the Celebrations cartridge to cut the words.

Materials:

Preserves cartridge ~ tags at 3 1/2"

Doodlecharms cartridge ~ Santa (top) cut at 2"

Joys of the Season cartridge ~ Santa (bottom) cut at 2"

Celebrations cartridge ~ To and From cut at 1/2"

Cuttlebug embossing folder ~ Snowflake and Swiss dots

red ribbons

white and red ink

red, green, and white buttons

North Pole charm 

silver gem ~ pom pom on Santa's hat

wiggly eyes ~ 4mm

white glitter (Santa's hat)

all papers are from the scrap pile

 Challenges:

Cuttlebug Spot ~ Santa

Cricut Cardz ~ 2 Christmas Tags

My Craft Spot ~ Tag

Fantabulous Cricut ~ Trimming with a Tag

Bitten By the Bug 2 ~ Tag/Christmas Image (No Winter Frolic cartridge, yet...I am still hoping to get it!)  

Merry Christmas to all,

Georgiana

Season's Greetings

Hi!

Welcome back. What do you think of my new look? I decided to change it. A bright, colorful background for a new year. I hope next year is just as good at 2011, if not better. I sure have enjoyed meeting and sharing with my crafty friends.

Late last night I worked on a few cards and then this morning I went to a teacher friend's house to do some Science planning. Can you believe we are on Winter Break, but we are still  "working"? We are going to meet again next week to add a few more lessons on electrical energy. I sure do like planning with a friend rather than having to come up with lessons for 5 subjects alone.

Here are my newest cards...

Racing Reindeer

Materials:

K&Company paper ~ Elizabeth BownD                           Martha Stewart ribbon

Jolly Holidays cartridge ~ reindeer

white snowflake brads

white glitter

silver gems

wiggly eyes

Challenges:

Wee Memories ~ Anything Goes

Try it on Tuesdays ~ Anything Goes

It's a White Winter Wonderland

This is the same card, but I took two pictures since the flash was bouncing off the shimmering white paper. I just bought this new stamp and ink pad on my way back from Georgia. I am not an avid stamper, but I sure do like how these two worked together. The Inkadinkado tree stamp was purchased at Michaels on clearnace for $2.99 (regularly priced $10.99) and the Martha Stewart Copper ink pad I purchased at Marshalls for only $1.99. I added burgundy ribbon (70% off at Michaels), gems, and Season's Greeetings.

Challenges:

Little Scrap Pieces ~ Winter Holiday

Paper Playtime ~ Anything Goes with a Sentiment

City Crafter Challenge ~ Winter White

Alphabet Challenge ~ W for White Christmas

Party Time Tuesday's ~ Use Ribbon

The Giving Tree

I have made this tree before, but I changed to non-traditional colors. Who would have thought black would be appropriate for the holidays? I sure do like the combination (my son did too, which puts a smile on my face).

Materials:

Colorbok paper pad ~ English Moss

black ribbon

black gems

Gingerbread cartridge ~ tree

Thanksgiving cartridge ~ Give

Cuttlebug embossing folder ~ swirls

white and green ink

Challenge:

Exploring Cricut ~ pine, fir, evergreen, or Christmas tree

Hiding in My Craft Room ~ Embossing

Have a great night.

Stay Creative,

Georgiana

We Are Back!

Hi Everyone!

We just got back after taking a mini vacation in Georgia. We went to Southern Cross Horse Ranch where we went horseback riding for 4 days. We have been there twice before, but this time my daughter was old enough to ride on her own and boy did she get to. The kids and hubby had a great guide who took them trotting and galloping through the woods. Me...I was part of the walking tour due to a bad knee (but it was still wonderful).

The pasture

Last week's cards...

Before we left  Friday morning, I had made a few cards but did not have time to share.

A friend asked for an owl card to give to her sister.

My husband asked for a Hanukkah card for one of his teachers.

Happy Birthday ~ Florals Embellished

A co-worker wanted a personalized gingerbread card for her grandkids.

I am looking forward to checking out the new challenges and getting back into crafting. I did take my Gypsy with me (still learning how to use it, but getting better) and a few craft magazines. We also stopped at Michaels on the way home where I found a few stamps marked down for 70% off.  I won a cartridge (Winter Woodland) on eBay while gone and I saw in the sales ads when I returned that Big Lots has Cricut Cartridges for $15 each. I am not sure if they will have any left, but I think I will take a trip into town tomorrow morning.

Die Cuttin' Diva will have a new challenge up tomorrow for two weeks then the new Design Team will be posted on January 3rd. 

Wow! It sure has been busy. Hope you are enjoying your holiday season.

Stay Creative,
Georgiana 

Three Days Left, Two Cards, and One Happy Crafter

Good Morning Everyone,

 I have to say today is starting off great. I found out my Mrs. Frosty card won over at Cardz TV. Yeah! Thank you Mary. I am looking forward to receiving your fabulous stamps and using them right away. : )

Last night, I finished up two more cards for an order. I sure do like how these came out. I do not like to make duplicates, but I just might have to make a few more using this same sketch. The Creative Imaginations paper I used also has presents and trees (see below).

Materials:

Creative Imaginations paper ~ Christine Adolph

brown, cream, and deep red card stock

Cuttlebug embossing folders

Kate ABCs cartridge ~ Noel cut at 3/4"

brown and cream ribbon

brown and deep red flowers

cream brad

cream polka dotted button

Challenges:

Unscripted Sketches

Hope you have a great day.

Happy Holidays,

Georgiana