As we bring 2013 to a close, I wanted to share my

TOP 13 FAVORITE PROJECTS
that I've made for various design teams throughout the year!

Altered Dress Form for Bella Blvd- January 2013

--SEE IT ALL HERE--

Amour Card for Pink Paislee- January 2013

Lovebirds Mini Album for Doodlebug Design- February 2013

--SEE IT ALL HERE--

Berry Basket Display for Curtsey Boutique- May 2013

Monogrammed Muslin Bag for Curtsey Boutique-June 2013

Applique Santa Hanger for May Arts Ribbon- June 2013
--SEE IT ALL HERE--

Washi Tape Wreath for Doodlebug Design- July 2013

Halloween Parade Mini Album for Doodlebug Design- August 2013
--SEE IT ALL HERE--

Hello Happiness Card for Bella Blvd- Sept 2013

True Story Mixed Media Album for Pink Paislee- October 2013
--SEE IT ALL HERE--

Hello Silly Layout for Pink Paislee- November 2013

Winter Sparkle Layout for Authentique Paper- November 2013

 Be Merry Card for Bella Blvd- December 2013

I thank you all for following my blog and allowing me to share with you :)
I hope that you have the very best year ever...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas Eve!

I have all of my dishes prepped for brunch in the morning

and all of the gifts are wrapped...now just kicking back next to

a warm fire watching sappy Christmas movies :)

I hope that wherever you are this Christmas, that you 

find peace, joy and love!

And safe travels for those of you visiting family and friends afar.

Yesterday I shared a quick "Jar of Goodies" treat box at

SIMPLE STORIES

www.simplestories.com

If you have a large-shaped die or cutting system, then this is super easy to put together!

 I've used a jar die, but certainly any shape would work, as long as it's large enough :) 

To begin, I created a 4X4X4 box from one of the December Documented papers. 

 You can find templates online or cover a premade box with the patterned paper of your choice.

 Next, I cut the jar shape from two different patterned papers twice. I then cut two of the jar shapes

 from a mat-board (you could also use chipboard or pieces from a heavy box).

Attach the papers to the mat board and machine-stitch around the perimeter if you'd like.

 Next, adhere the papered jars to the front and back of the box with a strong adhesive 

(I used a quick drying glue). 

Fill the inside of your box with pretty shredded paper or tissue. This is also the perfect

 sized box if you would like to add a coffee mug filled with goodies.

On the front I attached one of the medium-sized pockets from the SN@P! Pockets and tucked a hand-written recipe inside...also a great spot for a gift card or note.

I glittered the chipboard tree and added some white pom poms.

 A pretty bow and we're all set for gift-giving! 

 My daughter and I made "Reindeer Munch" this year as part of our handmade gifts:

 In a very large bowl or two medium bowls, combine all of the dry ingredients 

(except white chocolate chips). Melt white chocolate chips with vegetable oil in a microwave-safe

 bowl for 2 minutes on medium power. Stir and continue the cooking time until the chips are melted.

 Pour over the dry mix and stir well. Allow to cool and then store in an air-tight container. 

You can find the paper products that I used at Simple Stories and the 

Jar Album Die is by Top Dog Dies.

I will see you all in a few days!  

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

It's Friday time with 

TOP DOG DIES

www.topdogdies.com

The Apron Card Die and Finisher Set are a big hit at Top Dog Dies!

It can be used for so many occasions in addition to a BBQ.

I have an example of how it can be easily transformed into a 

cookie exchange invitation:

First, find a double-sided paper that has a pretty generic print on both sides

(words or a larger design may not give you the look your going after);

I've used a patterned paper from the December Documented Collection

by Simple Stories.

 The die also cuts flaps alongside the front of the design; just adhere those to

the back of the apron and you have a handy-dandy pocket!

I used a round label and Word program to print off the information and then

attached it to the center of the apron.  

You will find the cute mini border scallop and mittens in the finisher set.

The mittens are just a few felt pieces that I had leftover from the garland that I made last week!

Lastly, I threaded through some May Arts gingham ribbon through the top and knotted in place.

To the inside of the pocket you could also add a candy cane, directions to

the event or some of those cute printable to: and from: labels for their cookies :)

See all of the wonderful steel rule and wafer thin dies that Top Dog Dies has to offer!

www.topdogdies.com

Have a holly jolly weekend!

 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
with
DOODLEBUG DESIGNS
www.doodlebugblog.com

Like many of you, we have a day set aside during December when we do the majority

 of our baking and candy-making.  Who needs supper when you've snacked on 

cookie dough, tasted fudge and finished off all of the broken dipped pretzels all day long? :)

Last year I was able to snap a few pictures of Sydnee

as she helped with the mixing of a family favorite: Dish Pan Cookies

For my 12X12 layout, I started with a sheet of Limeade Textured Cardstock for

 the base and then layered on patterned paper from the Home For the Holidays Collection. 

 I die-cut my photos and then cut four panels that measured 1/2" larger;  I added the pictures

 to the diagonal striped panels with foam adhesive (just around the edge of the photos).

Before attaching the panels to the background paper, I cut two paper doilies in half and
created a border. Using the Tiny Type alphabet stickers, I mimicked the shape of the doily
 to create part of the title.

Next, I added two standard tags behind each picture.
Because I only added foam adhesive around the four edges of the photos,
I was able to tuck in the journaled tags behind them.

To give a finished look, I machine stitched in a zig-zag pattern around the background paper. 
A couple of stitched X's (with Lily White Twine) helps to break up the 'boxed' look
and also gives a little soft texture.

My grandmother was a 'lunch-lady' for quite a few years.
She could make homemade yeast rolls like nobody's business!
Here is the recipe that we use for her Dish Pan Cookies...because it's
a 'lunch-lady' recipe, it does make A LOT of cookies :)

DISH PAN COOKIES
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups vegetable oil
4 eggs
4 cups flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1.5 cups old fashioned oats
4 cups cornflakes, slightly crushed

Cream first five ingredients together in a very large bowl.  In a separate bowl,
combine flour, soda and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to the large bowl ingredients; mix well.
Fold in oats and cornflakes.  Drop onto cookie sheet by spoonful. Bake at 350 degrees
until lightly brown (approximately 10-12 minutes).
Yields: 6-7 Dozen Cookies

Enjoy!

This week we're focusing on vellum for Trending Tuesday at

BELLA BLVD

www.bellablvd.typepad.com

Vellum is one of those materials that can be a little intimidating to use.

You can easily crease the paper (which causes a white spot) and it

can be a challenge when it comes to adhering so that the adhesive doesn't show.

But all-in-all, it is a great accent that can show-off beautifully when added to projects.

You can emboss it, sew on it, chalk it, stamp on it and more!

Vellum Shaker Pocket Card

I started with two 2.5" squares of vellum that I embossed in a Swiss Dot print. 

To adhere the two pieces together, I used the Red Chevron Designer Tape to tape up three of the sides.

 Next I added green sequins to the pocket; I didn't want all of the sequins to sink to the bottom, 

so I first spritzed the inside of the pocket with just a bit of spray adhesive. Press the sequins 

into place and then add the final strip of Designer Tape to close the pocket. For extra detail

 I machine-stitched around the edge before embellishing!

Vellum is fun to punch and die-cut! For this snowman card I used a small ornament punch for 

the top, a 1" and 1.5" circle punch for the body. I added a little 'blush' to his cheeks with

 pink chalk before embellishing with colored pearls for the eyes and nose.

His arms? They're the letter "I" from alpha stickers!
You can use a vellum adhesive to hold your pieces in place; I like the detail that
hand-stitching gives, so I chose that method instead of adhesive.

Now, wasn't that fun!?!  I had quite a good time making these cards
and thinking of different ways to use vellum :)

It's almost hump-day...have a wonderful rest-of-the-week!

It's time to announce the WINNERS from the 

TOP DOG DIES HOLIDAY BLOG HOP

--Kate Burton--

--Kim Crane--

Congratulations!  Just return to the Top Dog Dies Blog for information

on how to claim your prize :)

Thanks to you all who hopped with us!

Friday's Free-4-All Project at Bella Blvd: Creative Ways To Give Gift Cards

The Design Team has made some really clever and unique designs...you can see them all at

www.bellablvd.typepad.com

To create this gift card holder choose any shape die-cut (larger than a gift card) and have 

a roll of foam adhesive handy to make a pocket.

 After die-cutting the shape, place the gift card on the back and mark its placement 

(depending on how much of the card you want to show). Adhere the foam tape to the edge of

 the markings and then attach to the card front. The gift card will slide down into the pocket with ease. 

Layer on a smaller die-cut shape, buttons and cute stickers!

Supplies: Countdown to Christmas- Believe Paper; Borders Paper; Christmas Paper; Tree Park Paper; Alpha+Bits; Button Market- Tie Dye

Supplies: Christmas Countdown: Alpha+Bits, O Tannenbaum, Daily Details, Captions

That's all for today!  Things are winding down for the 2013 year and

I don't have too many projects waiting in the wings to share before Christmas.

Manufacturers are focused on the Winter CHA show and those of us lucky

enough to create things for their booths will be working steadily between now

and the New Year.  Lots of great things to look forward to and I can't

wait to see all of those lovely new releases and share in the excitement with all of you :)

 

Welcome to this fun-filled day with the

MAY ARTS RIBBONISTAS

**You should be arriving here from Lalo IK's Blog**

A lucky commentor will win THREE SPOOLS of ribbon of their choice

from the May Arts Ribbon catalog!

If you frequent Pinterest, then you may recognize this very popular

t-shirt scarf.  I have made several over the past year in various colors.  

They're easy and lots of fun to make...have the kids join in too!

CHRISTMAS POM POM SCARF

To begin, you will need any X-Large t-shirt.

Trace eight to ten 10" circles (you can use a plate or other template)

onto the t-shirt and cut out.  To create the 'spiral' look, cut into each circle

in a spiral fashion.  You can view the video --here--

 Once you have all 10 circles cut into spirals, pull each strand so that the ends

curl; run your hands along the sides to further curl the cut edges.  This also helps

to hide any imperfections made when cutting.  

Using fabric glue, attach two ends together.  Select two of the five completed

strands and attach pom pom trim to one of their edges with fabric glue.

Gather the five strands together and adhere together in the center; you can

tie a knot at the center or use a fabric glue.  

There are lots of different versions to creating a t-shirt scarf...really I 

don't think you can do them wrong or mess them up...just make them your own :)

**YOUR NEXT STOP IS VIRGINIA FYNES' BLOG**

Hope you have lots of fun and are inspired to try some of your favorites on the hop!

We've whipped up a fun 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVENT

at the Pink Paislee Blog

and you could win your very own Snow Village Kre8v Kit!

I love this collection because it's for wayyy more than just Christmas :)

Take, for instance, my little snow guy named Chilly Mac...

I don't want to share all of him here though!  

I personally invite you to come on by the Pink Paislee Blog and check him out :)

There will be PDF instruction sheets for each and every creation during the 

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS EVENT

**Plus** you absolutely will not want to miss your chance at winning this awesome kit:

Good luck to you and as always, thanks for stopping by today!

Happy Friday!

I had my stack of felt out this week while working on 

some other projects; the thought came to me that a garland

of die-cut mittens would look so cute hung across a window or even

tied onto a large gift package:

For the mittens, I used the potholder die from the Apron Card Finisher Set.  

The dies also create a little hash pattern across the mitten, which really gives

all of the detail that's needed.  I took a length of baker's twine and glued the 

mittens onto the strand with fabric glue.  

Here is a (not-so-good, rainy day) photo of it hanging up in my craft room along

with some other handmade garlands :)  A strand this long took roughly 30 minutes to make.

Visit Top Dog Dies to see all of their exclusive dies + dies by other leading manufacturers!

www.topdogdies.com

Hello!  It's a "Monday Morning Challenge" on Thursday with
BELLA BLVD
www.bellablvd.typepad.com

This week a few of the Design Team were asked to craft holiday decor
and being that I love snowmen, I decided one a paper mache ornament!

You can try any size or shape of plain paper mache ornament for a Snowy Man such as this.

  For mine, I chose a 6" paper mache egg. First, I cut 10-12 1" wide strips
 (use a smaller width for smaller shapes) from a sheet of patterned paper;
trim strips down to fit from top to bottom of the ornament.

 Using Mod Podge and a sponge brush, apply a thin coat to a small section of the
 ornament and then press paper strips into place. Once all of the strips have been adhered,
apply a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire piece. Once that has dried, cover with iridescent glitter.
Embellish with a paper cone hat, crochet heart cheeks and wooden eyes and nose.  

To create the cone hat, cut a piece of patterned paper to 5.25" X 11"; trim into a semi-circle
(as shown in photo) and then roll into shape.


Bella Blvd Products: Christmas Countdown: Tree Park, Paper Pieces, Captions;
 Freestyle Sophisticates: Freestyle Saltwater; Crochet Hearts: Cotton Candy

 I'll be back tomorrow with a similar fellow ;)