Goodbye Little Dempsey

We had to say goodbye to our little "winky" Dempsey this week. His other eye ulcerated and became infected. Given his onset of dimensia and other health issues,  we were left with the hard decision not to put him through another painful operation and end his suffering. We will miss our sweet little buddy. He was a GREAT doggie.

Christmas Vacation - Homemade Decorations

The crafting closet is closed for the holidays and we are up in Mammoth Lakes, Ca for our Christmas Vacation. The kids and I arrived here on the 18th ( and Marc will join us soon) to find very little Christmas decorations available in the stores. We hit the Ben Franklin store in Bishop for a little fabric, twine, glue and other items and made our own decorations. This is what we came up with.

A few flowers in some mason jars, pinecones in a basket and we have our homemade Christmas decorations. Definitely not a Better Homes and Gardens look, but festive enough for our simple, homemade Christmas. Next year, we'll bring the decorations with us:)

Wishing you and yours a

 Very Merry Christmas!

The Paper Players Challenge - Ann's Color CAS Challenge - Time to Say Adieu

Yes, it is time to say adieu to you and you and you.. I can't believe how quickly my time as Guest Designer has flown by. How could 3 months seem more like 3 weeks? It has been such a wonderful experience for me to be a Paper Players Guest Designer. Not only have I worked with amazingly talented, funny  and wonderful women,  but I also had the opportunity to explore all the amazing, creative talent of all the challenge entrants. 

So on to the challenge...... This week the fabulously talented Ann has a color combo - very vanilla, cherry cobbler and gold  - as well as a Clean And Simple design challenge. I love these rich colors together and really had to work to keep the design simple. 

I started by embossing my background paper using Creative Elements stamp set and gold embossing powder. Since this design has quite a bit of pattern, I wanted to keep the rest of the card simple. I used My Digitial Studio and found a sentiment from Wishes and Greetings and sized it to fit my card. After cutting and mounting the greeting, I accented it with Gold Glass Glitter. A quilted cherry cobbler ribbon, cherry cobbler seam binding and glimmer brad finish the card. 

Join us this week for The Paper Players Color and CAS challenge. Visit each of the design team's beautiful creations and leave a sweet comment. 

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Julie Marshall

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao

Susan Joyce ( November GD)

Paper - very vanilla, cherry cobbler card stock

Ink - Versamark

Stamps - Creative Elements - Wishes and Greetings (MDS)

Accessories - gold embossing powder, gold glass glitter, cherry cobbler seam binding, cherry cobbler quilted satin ribbon, glimmer brad.

Off to Do My Holiday Shopping

I am off this morning to face the dreaded malls for my Christmas shopping. I must preface this with the fact that I loath going to the mall during the holiday season. I try to avoid it at all costs. I do as much shopping as  I can on-line, but there are items that I must venture to the mall for. The kid's activity schedule has been so busy, I have not had a chance to go out until now. 

I am going out well fed, and armed with my iPod filled with my favorite Christmas Music - Christmas with the Rat Pack and Josh Groban's Noel. I will make this shopping experience both joyful and triumphant!

UstampwithDawnandFriends Up on The Roof Top Blog Hop - Blog Candy

Thank you for all your sweet comments on my Christmas Mantle Decor project. Now it's time for some sweet stuff. The random number generator has selected number 8 and Tammy is the winner of my blog candy.

Tammy said...

Love this Tara. It will look great on my mantel. Can't wait to make this for my sister in law and myself. Get project.

Congratulations Tammy, please send me your address and I will send you your package of Stampin' Up! goodies.

A New Venture into My Digital Studio

Ever since I attended my first Stampin' Up! workshop 12 years ago, I have always hand made and stamped my Christmas cards. Our list has grown to over 85 recipients and I would make multiple versions so I wouldn't get bored with the same design .  I am diving into new waters this year and producing the cards with My Digital Studio. I am a little sad to let go of the hand crafting but I am also a little excited for the new cards.

Due to our travel schedule and commitments early this month, it would be nearly impossible to complete the cards before Christmas. I created the holiday card above and ordered it tonight. WOW! One evening to complete the cards instead of a week -  what a time saver!  I am very anxious to see the final product and may add a few jewels before I send them off. 

I am really taking a liking to My Digital Studio. MMM I may already have another project in mind:)

The Paper Players - Non-Holiday/Christmas Challenge - MDS Hybrid

WOW! I can't believe my time as a guest designer for The Paper Players is almost up. I have just one more project with the team next week and then I will go back to entering the challenges. My, how time flies when you are having fun! This week Nance has a fun challenge for us to use non-holiday stamps or color combinations to create a Christmas card.

I knew I wanted to use Calypso Coral and Pear Pizzaz ( don't know where my brain picked that from). Since the color combination is a little modern and youthful I  decided to use my Furry Folk set and went from there. I had a scene in my head but no paper to match SO I turned once again to My Digital Studio. I created the background paper using digital paper and stamps. It was rather fun and I am really starting to see endless possibilities with MDS.

I printed out this sentiment on whisper white card stock, then stamped the images around it. I just love this little hedgie! A little glimmer paper border, ribbon and jewels and it is finished. Non- holiday stamp with non-holiday colors.

I had some company in the closet while while I was working and had to post these pictures.

Boo tucked up asleep on my work surface

Barney - The Stalker - He follows me EVERYWHERE

Please join us this week for The Paper Players challenge. Make sure to visit all the design teams non-traditional Christmas projects and leave a sweet comment.

The Paper Players Design Team

Ann Schach

Anne Marie Hile

Jaydee

Julie Marshall

LeAnne Pugliese

Lesley Croghan

Nance Leedy

Tara Bilbao

Susan Joyce ( November GD)

Paper - whisper white card stock, silver glimmer paper, 2011-2012 In Color Stripes (MDS)

Ink - basic black, pear pizzaz, chocolate chip, crumb cake, calypso coral

Stamps - Furry Folk, Season of Cheer (MDS), Frosty Day II (MDS)

Accessories - whisper white organza ribbon, silver glimmer brad, basic jewels, circle dies, dazzling details

UStampwithDawnandFriends Up on The Roof Top Blog Hop - Christmas Mantle/Tabletop Decor

Welcome to the UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Up On The Roof Top 2011 World Showcase Holiday Blog Hop.

If you have been following the Blog Hop from the beginning, you have just been wowed by Dawn Kiel Mills Very Merry Scrapbook Layout. What a wonderful way to preserve those precious Christmas memories!

If you are just joining the Blog Hop, no problem, as you can start at any point. All the Designer's Blogs are linked together so you will be able to see ALL the FABULOUS projects we have for you.

My project is  a Christmas Mantle/Tabletop Display. I had an older version that I had made years ago and wanted to recreate one with my SU products. I also made it smaller than my original since the old one was REALLY big. 

These decor items may take a bit to create but they are FUN! I would also encourage you to place all sorts of other items that you may have ( pieces of candy, part of a pine tree branch etc. ) on them to create your own unique piece. These decor items can last for years if stored properly. My old one is about 5 years and is still in good shape. Just fold up accordion style and place in a large ziplock bag.

I used Frostwood Lodge as my main DSP since the Garden Green and Cherry Cobbler color combination are great traditional Christmas Colors. I added a little black inspired by Santa's boots and Belt.

I was so excited to break open the Stitched Felt Accents from the Holiday Mini. Man! are these little accessories cute! . 

Almost every panel has a bit of sparkle to it or a little item tucked away - It IS Christmas - Merry and Bright:)

I hope you enjoy making this Christmas Mantle/Tabletop Decoration. I would suggest you make 2 at the same time and give one away as a gift.

As a Special Thank You for stopping by my blog I am giving away BLOG CANDY!!

Please leave a comment about my project to be entered for a chance to win a great goodie bag of current Stampin' Up! products.  I will randomly select a winner to be announced on Tuesday, so please check back to see if you are the lucky recipient!

AND there's MORE...LOTS MORE!! 

• You have the opportunity to get the downloadable PDF Tutorial for my project FREE!! It's a GIFT from UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! Woohoo!! See the blinkie below to access the FREE Blog Hop Website.

• In the Spirit of the Holiday Season, you have the opportunity to get in on "Special Holiday Pricing" for the upcoming UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! SCORE!! Event. The Stampin' Up! Simply Scored Tool is HOT STUFF and SCORE!! will feature 40+ projects, all created using the Simply Scored Tool. SCORE!! is a MUST NOT MISS Event!! See the blinkie below to join and get in on the Early Bird savings.

And now for the most exciting giveaway of the season...

Everyone that joins the new and exciting upcoming event - SCORE!! - with "Special Holiday Pricing" will be entered into a Drawing to win 1 of 3 FREE Passes for an ENTIRE YEAR of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!!

YES!!

You read that right!!

YOU could win a whole year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events FREE!!

***Special Holiday Pricing of just $19.99 ends Dec 8th*** 

Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec 9th. 

  Click the Blinkie below to join SCORE!! with Special Holiday Pricing

and a chance to win a FREE Year of UStamp with Dawn and Friends!! events!! 

 

Click the blinkie below and you will be taken to

THE UP ON THE ROOFTOP BLOG HOP WEBSITE!!

Of course it's ***FREE*** to join and

there you will find the tutorials for ALL the blog hop projects,

PLUS live chats, challenges and more prizes!!

You will even have an opportunity to be considered for a spot as a Guest Designer!!

Yes!! It is all FREE, so tell all your friends and

join the fun with UStamp with Dawn and Friends!!

***

AND last but certainly not least, it's time to hop on over to the next Designer's Roof Top, so please click below for NEXT BLOG, where you will find Melissa Stout ready to share a delightful Holiday project with you.

If you would like to hop back to Dawn's Roof Top, please click below.

Thanks again for stopping by and Happy Holidays to YOU!!