Bittersweet is the moment...

but it's time for a very fond farewell to my friends at 

IMAGINISCE

and to welcome in the brand new 2013 team!

We've arranged a little good 'bye blog-hop and I'm the very first stop

after the Imaginisce Blog :)

**GIVE-A-WAY-GIVE-A-WAY-GIVE-A-WAY**

Be sure to comment at each designer's blog as well as at Imaginisce's Blog

to be in the drawing for the brand new "Love You More" Collection

We were asked to share a couple of our favorite Imaginisce projects:

Back-to-School project using "Sole Sisters"

Having been such a huge fan of Imaginisce products for years,
it was a dream come true to be selected for the 2012 Design Team!
I fondly remember that feeling that I got when I read the
"congratulations, you've been selected"
email from Cari...I ran outside in my slippers and started
hootin' and hollerin' (we do that here in Texas LOL)
I was literally, literally on Cloud9 with excitement!

And then the first box of goodies came...oh my  the tools and fun things to play with!
I would have to say that, hands-down, my favorite Imaginisce tools are the
I Top Paper Punches and I Top Tool...but wait, I also love the i-magicut!
Aside from my favorites, I was happy to be introduced to tools that helped to
stretch my imagination and think outside the box. 
As far as favorite paper line?  That's a tough one!
I love the soft, sorbet colors of Makin' Waves, but I'm a total and complete
Halloween freak, so I'll go with Monster Mash as my 2012 fav :)
I do have to say that I'm really excited about the new products that Imaginisce
is bringing to us like washi tapes, buttons and sticker sheets...making it even harder to resist!

Being a part of this very talented team and my first 'big' design team, has been
such an honor and such amazing fun! 
I know that the 2013 team will continue to excite us!
To the fans of Imaginisce, thank you so much for all of the encouraging words
and sweet comments left over the year...they have meant so very much to me ♥
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**Next stop on the hop is Tiffany Hood**
Thanks so much for hopping by!

WELCOME

to this stop of the 

UNITY HIP HOP THURSDAY

You should be here from Renee Aslette's Blog!

I'm running on limited power so I'll get right to my card :)
(thanks to a White Texas Christmas!)

I used this past week's STAMP OF THE WEEK!

I just love this little guy.

Even more, I love that I got to use some of my favorite 'old' papers from Sassafras Lass :)

And don't forget...

COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT

as you go!  You could be one of three lucky $20 Unity Gift Certificate Winners!

Now it's time to head to Shilo's Blog!

Here's a complete list of the hop:

Angie 

 Danielle

  Jen B. 

 Jolande 

 Lisa A. 

 Natalie 

 Renee

  Shellye 

 Shilo 

 Stephanie

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Bella Cards on Thursday on Friday at 

THE PAPERED COTTAGE

Just a day late and a dollar short...story of my life!

You can catch some pretty neat-o cards almost every

Thursday at Bella Blvd.

www.bellablvd.typepad.com

We're sharing holiday decor this week over at the 

IMAGINISCE BLOG
www.imaginisceblog.com

 So bittersweet as it will be my last project 

as an Imaginisce Design Team member...but a wonderful 

new team has been selected and I'm excited to see what all 

they come up with over the next year!

 I'm a sucker for honeycomb stuffs...you know the tissue paper type

of pretties that you can find to hang from a ceiling or to display as a centerpiece.

I think that they're so whimsical and fun!

So when I ran across this package of three beautifully sculpted snowflakes

at Wal Mart, I just had to put them into the shopping cart :)

 Next, I selected a couple of patterned papers from Christmas Cheer and 

set out to make two layers of pleated medallions.  For the first layer, I cut

two 3" X 12" strips and then scored and pleated at 1/2" increments.

For the bottom layer I cut two 4" X 12" strips and pleated them in the same way.

After both medallions were assembled end-to-end and allowed to dry,

I began layering and embellishing!

I found that the POGO adhesive was the best for adhering the two medallions 

to each other.  Next, add fun die-cuts, ribbon and paper flowers to bring your 

snowflake to life!  

I have this cute little fella hanging from one of my small pine trees beside

the fireplace.  I look forward to creating a couple of non-Christmas ones so

that I can use them throughout the winter months.
 ---------------------------------------------------

I have a yo-yo tutorial up at The Paper Bakery today...come by
and have a look if you have time :)
http://www.paperbakerykits.com/blog/

Join us all week for some fun as 

AUTHENTIQUE & CLEAR SCRAPS

get together to mix 'n mingle!

I was so excited to try my hand with my very first project from Clear Scraps! 

 I decided on the "Send it Clear Heart" Card and paired it up 

with Authentique's "Lovely" Collection. 

I first started by tracing and trimming the card shape onto
 the patterned paperand trimming out.
 I decided to machine stitch this to the 

actual acrylic card, but Glue Dots can be used as well.  

Next, I traced and cut the shape of the red heart, which are
 the actual insertion parts of the card.  I used one of the punch-out
 pieces from the "Lovely" paper-crafting kit to act as a focal point.


To the inside of the card I simply used two stickers from the
"Lovely" Details Sticker Sheet.  You can stamp on the acrylic
 sheets with a Staz-On ink or use a permanent marker.

Here is a look at how the bottom portion of the card looks.
You can see that I also used a pretty lace (by May Arts) and
 topped it with a bit of the sticker border from the  
"Lovely" Details Sticker Sheet.
Just add a bit of fabric glue to the back of your sticker
before applying to any type of fabric or ribbon.

And a peek at the top portion of the card.
After distressing the sticker with a bit of walnut ink,
I attached it to the acrylic card with foam dots.  A small
piece of one of the sticker frames was added to the top.

The card kit contains four round seals for attaching the
 front pages to the back page with, as well as
 a cute clear envelope!

Supplies:
Authentique Paper- Lovely: Paper-Crafting Assortment; Details 12x12
Sticker Sheet; Elements 12x8 Sticker Sheet
Clear Scraps- Send It Clear Heart Card

PRIZES*PRIZES*PRIZES*PRIZES
 blog.authentique.com
Be sure to check back every day this week for more project inspiration! 
We have an Authentique Prize Pack to give away to one of our lucky commenters
 (please leave unique comments!) 
Also, make sure you stop and visit us as well as our friends over at 
Clear Scraps for prizes and lots of wonderful inspiration coming your way!
 Also, make sure you stop by the  
and tell them Authentique Paper sent you!

---------------------------------------------------
I'm sooo very glad you dropped by!

Welcome to this Thursday's installment of the

UNITY STAMP CO HIP HOP

I'm so excited about today's card...I even

have a little step-out "bow-making" tutorial for you!

**First though, you should be here from Renee Aslette's Blog**

And here are a couple of fun factoids that you don't want to miss:

December 13 - December 19

FREE Random STAMP for every $10 you spend.

{will be a variety of stamp images and sentiments}

and

Be sure to comment as you go!

Three lucky commentors will receive a $20 Unity Gift Certificate

Okay, now let's get down to biz

I've always been a little 'afraid' of solid stamps.

When I started out with a practice stamping, it looked perfect. 
When I stamped onto the actual textured paper, not so perfect. 

Or atleast I thought!

I went back over the stamping with a yellow watercolor pencil

(in the areas that didn't take the ink) and blended.  I think it looks pretty neat!

I used the "Moments In Bloom" Stamp Set,

which is ON SALE as we speak, so check it out!

Now for the little tutorial.

If you're an expert bow-maker or are happy with your bow-making skills,

then you may want to skip this part ;)

I often get asked "how do you make your bows?!?!?!?"

(yes, often with frustration from the questioner, hence the multiple ? and !)

One part that I failed to photo was the step AFTER throwing the tail

to the back.  At that point you will want to flip the bow, so that the tail will actually

be facing you as shown above.

And if that's as clear as muddy water, just shoot me an email ;)

------------------------------------------------------------

**All righty, time now to see what Shilo Miles has on tap for us today**

Complete list of the hop in order

Winter Wonderland Greetings!

Popping in to share my final layout with the November

PAPER BAKERY KIT

These pictures were taken almost two years ago…

I think we barely had a sprinkling of the white stuff this past year. 

 As you can see, I framed the larger 4×6 photo with different patterned papers and
the cute little die-cut frame from the kit.  After determining my photo placement

 I typed out a few of the words from the song “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”

 and printed it out onto a light blue cardstock!

 After attaching the blue cardstock I lined the edges with the yummy washi tape found in the kit.

  A little machine stitching to hold everything in place and then I’m ready to 

embellish with the sweet sheer pleated ruffle trim, a couple of punched snowflakes

 and bits ‘n pieces from the November Mixed Media kit!

----------------------------------------------------------
The December Paper Bakery Kit will be ready soon, so don't miss out
www.paperbakerykits.com

See you soon!

It is with great excitement that I can now announce....

That's right!  I've been selected to be a part of the 

2013 DOODLEBUG DESIGN TEAM

I have loved Doodlebug ever since laying eyes on their cute

stuff way back in 2001.  Who can look at Doodlebug and not SMILE!

I will have the great honor of designing along with these very talented ladies:

Blog: http://wendysueanderson.blogspot.com

Here is one of the layouts that I created for the DT Call: 

 Goodness but I'm EXCITED...just looking at those jack 'o lanterns 

makes me giggle...now how much fun will it be to be required to play with Doodlebug? LOTS!

I'm ready for my first assignment :)

A huge "congratulations" to all of the Doodlebug ladies!

Thanks for letting me share my big-huge-excitement with you today!

Hey, y'all!

I don't feel like I've blogged in for.ever.

Phewww!

Working away at several (well, lots) of projects for

the upcoming CHA show in January.  I had the greatest intentions

of trying to make the trip out to Anaheim this year, but I just don't 

think it's going to happen.  I'm all ready making plans (with hubby in tow)

to attend the Summer CHA show in Las Vegas, so I'm poking those pennies back 

as we speak :)  I love having something to look forward to!

We're sharing some really cute stuff over at 

BELLA BLVD

 It's Altered Projects day and I was invited to play along.

While browsing at my local scrapbook store 

(*waving* Hi Cheryl & Michi!!!!)

I came across these super-cute and alter-worthy acrylic trees.

Perfect for a banner, I thought to myself.  

After construction ensued, I quickly changed my mind as a girl is known to do.

But didn't my three trees make the cutest topper for a plain straw wreath?

It truly makes me *grin* when I see it!

I started by tracing the tree pattern onto the "North Pole" paper, 

cutting out and then machine-stitching to the acrylic sheet. 

Next, I made triangular insets from pieces of the "Christmas Love" and "Candlelight" papers

 and then edged them in a red ric-rac trim before attaching to the tree shapes. 

Layering a circle with scalloped circles made the perfect 

background for the chipboard letters spelling out JOY.

Wanting to personalize the wreath, I made a banner using the Designer Tape, 

baker's twine and alpha stickers. I added the banner to the trees using Glue Dots.

 I love that the dimension really makes it look as though it's hanging! 

Finally, after attaching the three trees together (also with Glue Dots),
I secured it to the straw wreath with a thin gauged wire.

 A large gingham bow completed the top.

 And now we have a merry and bright and personalized Christmas wreath!

Supplies:
Christmas Wishes: Christmas Love, North Pole, Candlelight, Chipboard Icons; 
Designer Tape: Pickle Juice Chevron, Orange Stripe, Piggy Piggy Stripe; 
Button Market: Tie Dye; Ciao Chip Elements: Stars & Hearts; 
Simply Simona Chipboard Alphas: Saltwater; High Five Alpha Stickers: Piggy Punch

 Don't forget to stop by the Bella Blvd Blog to see the other 

creations cooked up by the Altered Artistas!

Back tomorrow with my final layout with the November Paper Bakery Kit

AND news...I have NEWS :)

--Glad you stopped by--

Oh wow!

I just realized that I never shared my

COOKIES FOR SANTA

layout that I made for The Paper Bakery!

 www.paperbakerykits.com

 For my layout, I started with a dove grey cardstock from my stash and begin building from there.

  I really love layering and showcasing different patterns of papers/ephemera, 

but my layouts of late have not been focusing on that technique.

  SO, I began with the intention of using an assortment of various sized papers as a mat for my photo.

 Behind the photo I tucked in the stamped tag from the November Kit 

and adding a bit of journaling to it.  The washi tape created a whimsically fun

 splash of color as I used it as a border at the bottom, as well as flags for my banner title.

 Working around the photo, I added a few pieces from the Mixed Media ephemera pack, 

sticker letters and washi from the Scrapbook Kit and then a few odd and end pieces

 from my collection.  I also hand-stitched a few X’s to help fill in space and add color.

Doesn't my little baker look happy!?!

It's almost that time again to start baking up some Christmas goodies...I can't wait!

The debut of the December Paper Bakery Kits is coming soon so stay tuned :)

Wednesday Greetings!

I'm up again today at 

THE PAPER BAKERY BLOG

with a sweet and easy Christmas Card using the

November Scrapbook & Mixed Media Kits 

from The Paper Bakery.

For the card, I started out by layering the Glad Tiding paper with the Ice Caps paper 

 (both by Studio Calico).  Before attaching the Ice Caps paper to the base paper,

 I edged both sides with some fun ric-rac trim from my stash.

 I hand-cut three of the snowflakes from the back of the Glad Tidings paper

  and adhered them to the adorable embellishment ephemera piece from the Mixed Media Kit.  

The centers of each flake were adorned with a cut-out peppermint and a pearl.

I took one of the label stickers by Jillibean Soup and topped it with

 the mini alpha stickers and some stitching!

Now we’re ready for stuffing into an envelope and sending to that 

someone special on the Christmas card list :)

 

All of the November Paper Bakery kits are still available at this time,

 but very limited…shop for yours today.

So glad you came by today!

I know that a lot of us are geared up and have

all ready began our December Daily Albums, but if you

don't quite have time for an entire album, think of a quick and easy

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS MINI ALBUM

I've created one for today's blog post over at 

IMAGINISCE BLOG

using their newest Christmas line, Christmas Cheer

To begin, I used the largest and the next-to-the-largest
Jumbo Fishtail Banner Dies by mftstamps.com 
to cut my cardstock and patterned papers. 
Next, I centered and attached the patterned paper banner to
the cardstock banner page and began embellishing.



When preparing your album pages, be sure to keep in mind
where you will be placing the rings that will hold it together.
Also, I made mine into a flip-up style album, so it was important to
remember the design aspect (even # pages being up-side-down)
when it came to embellishing :)



 On each and every page I added some type of 'bling' with
the I-Rock tool and various I-Rocks such as gems and glitter.
With a small album like this, it's a great time to use up those bits and pieces
of ribbons, trim and patterned papers that you've kept!


And don't forget all of those fun punches that you may have!
Layer them with a bit of bling, a button and mini alpha stickers.



As you may notice, I alternated the numbers for each page between
wooden bingo numbers, sticker numerals and spelled out numbers!
I think this keeps things interesting and allows you to use various textures
and dimension.  I love adding the round bingo piece as part of the
Ho! Ho!



There may be days when you'd like to journal or make a note of
something important from that particular day instead of including a photo...
utilize those adorable journal stickers on select pages
throughout your mini :)



In finishing, I added two 1" rings to the top and tied on colorful,
coordinating ribbons.  The Imagi-Cut comes in so handy in cutting
the ends down to size and sealing them as well. 

Supplies:
Thanks for coming by to have a look today!
  If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to send me
an email or a note in the comments...
I read each and every one and will be glad to respond back to you :)