it's what they want

I am the mother of two teenaged girls. When they were little, Christmas gift buying was so very easy! A couple of Barbies, some frilly dresses, Polly Pocket sets, and a game, and I was done! Fast forward ten years and who knows what to get them?! They want big ticket items, like laptops and musical instruments. I can't even dream of picking out clothes for them, because apparently, Mom had no fashion sense. When relatives ask me what they want for Christmas, I always answer, "Gift cards!" 

Of course they say, "But that's so impersonal." I take those teens to the mall and see how much fun they have spending those gift cards! There's nothing impersonal about it! They know whose hard earned cash they are spending, and they are grateful! And careful. They turn into bargain hunters when armed with a gift card. 

But still, I know I feel like I'm taking the easy way out when giving a gift card. So I make adorable gift card holders! This one features Rudolph on the front, and a pocket for the card on the back. 

I think that these will fly right off of my table at the RC PTO Holiday Bazaar!

Happy stamping!

didn't know note taking could be cute

Oh the joys of chipboard coaster crafting! So many ways to use them! I decided to make Post It Note clip boards. The binder clips hold a pad of Post It Notes and can easily be removed when the pad has dwindled down to nothing and needs to be replaced. 

I have one of these sitting by my computer, and it comes in handy for jotting down notes. I use it every day!

They are ready for the RCS PTO Holiday Bazaar that I am doing on 11/8/14 at the RCS Middle School from 10:00-3:00. If you are in the area, I'd love to see you there!

Happy stamping!

melts in your mouth...

A candy cane shaped tube of M&M's just screams Christmas to me. As kids, my brother and I usually found them in our stockings. Or we got them from Grandma. Red and green treats of sweet, candy coated chocolate! Yum. 

I decided to make my own version for a holiday bazaar. Smaller in size, and adorable, they don't take up quite as much space in a stocking. 

A little candy trivia for you: M&M'S are currently produced in 25 different colors available through special order on their website. I'm partial to teal! 

Happy stamping!

taste the sensation

Did you know the the very first version of the York Peppermint Pattie was not soft in the center? It wasn't! Who knew? The original version was produced in York, Pennsylvania by the York Cone Company, starting in 1940. That pattie was firm and crisp in the center. It was what separated it from it's competitors, which were all soft in the center. Just a little candy trivia for you. 

Peppermint Patties have always made me think of Christmas. Maybe it's because they are minty, like a candy cane. I decided to dress the miniatures up for Christmas, and package them in green and red. 

So that the patrons of the RCS PTO Holiday Bazaar would know that they were the real deal, and not some icky imitation, I left their back sides naked so the label could be seen. There's nothing like a chocolatey, minty snack in the middle of a hectic, holiday shopping day to pick you up!

Happy stamping!

a humongous heart

Although I am my parent's firstborn, they had a baby before I came into the world. His name was Niki. I loved to cover him up with a blanket and read my favorite books to him. He let me snuggle up and nap with him. I told him all my most precious secrets, and he always patiently listened to my troubles. I knew that he wouldn't tell a soul. We grew up together as the best of friends! And he was a Siberian Husky. Niki was my parent's first baby. Growing up with a dog was the best experience! I was a dog lover from the day I came home from the hospital. My girls are also dog lovers. Our dog, Remy, does not lack for love. Or treats! He is highly motivated by food. Just the word, "Treat!" has him running back into the house, makes him drool, and cock his head to the side in the way that all dog owners melt for. 

I've been going crazy prepping for a craft sale. I've been making stocking stuffers filled with treats for good little boys and girls. But I couldn't leave out man's best friends!

Skinny little cellophane bags filled with Remy's favorite kibble! Now Fido's stocking can have a cute little package filled with yumminess! 

If dogs wag their tails with their hearts, Remy's heart must me huge! His entire body shakes from the force of his wagging tail! Dogs are family to us, so a Christmas treat for dogs was a no  brainer for me. 

Happy stamping!

chipboard coaster frames

I recently discovered the versatility of blank chipboard coasters. And I have been having a blast exploring the creative possibilities. I'm getting ready to do a craft fair and have been trying some new projects. My favorite, by far, has been my chipboard coaster, wallet sized, school photo frames!

They have a magnet on the back, and are designed so that it's easy to switch out the photo each year. 

I posted about them on facebook, and have sold 10 of them already! So psyched to see how they sell at the craft fair. 

Happy stamping!

too good to give away

Having spent a long weekend at Wells Beach in Maine, I was itching to pullout some ocean inspired stamps to create a birthday card. I have used By the Tide more than any other stamp set I own! It's so very versatile! 

I also pulled out my water color paper for this project. I knew that I wanted to soften up the coral stamp a bit, and water color paper and an Aqua Painter were the perfect tools to achieve that look. I used markers to color in the seahorse and then stamp it. Still, something wasn't quite right, so I added a script stamp with stamped off Island Indigo ink to create a subtle background with the feel of water. A little paper piercing around the greeting added a touch of texture. This card is one of my very favorites! It's going to be hard to give this one away!

Happy stamping!