Fun Christmas Cards

I got this idea from Gina Guertin on a list we are on together. She said that she got it from someone else....but I like to give credit where credit is due.

She shared how to make Christmas trees out of folded paper. HOW FUN!!!!! Oh gosh, now I am making these like I was making the magnetic Advent calendars. Can't just make ONE.

This first one uses Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper and DCWV cardstock. I ran the card thru the Big Shot using the Snowflake Cuttlebug embossing folder (LOVE LOVE THESE) and took my sanding block and brought out the white core. Then I used a punch and put a hole in the very top of the top triangle...and inserted a gold star brad.

Next, I used TAC's Scarlet cardstock and our Merry Wishes background paper and created this card. The Scarlet paper doesn't have a white core....but I will use Stickles and add some sparkle to the card.

I have made quite a few, but this gives you an idea. It's a lot of folding but well worth the results.

Now I am going to spend the day making some Flip Flop books, which I will share when I am finished.

So many projects I want to try and so little time till Christmas!

Have a wonderful day!!!

Advent Calendars

Here are some Advent Calendars I made from some 5"x 5" 2007 calendar magnets from where my Son works. They were going to toss them and I asked if I could have them. :-)

They are a little bigger than the coaster advent calendars that a lot of gals are making. As I continue to make them, I keep coming up with different ideas on how to secure the numbers. I think I like the Velcro the best. And, I keep trying to figure out a different way to make the numbers.....I used some chipboard circles the last few I made. They are a lot easier than punching out tags.

I have tons more ready to embellish.....but think I am running out of time to give them by December 1st.

The papers used were Vintage Holiday from TAC which has been discontinued, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding, Tinker Bell background paper, and I also used my Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder on cardstock. I even helped my Sister make a double hanging magnet with a Mickey Mouse theme....but we forgot to get a photo of that one....dang!

I was asked to make a Wedding one....countdown to a wedding....that should be fun!!!

Hope all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!! We had friends and family over and had a great time just visiting after dinner, recalling things from our childhood days and sharing funny stories and of course, telling jokes!

Today, we are headed to see our Granddaughters and take them shopping....WHAT WAS I THINKING.......completely forgot about today being Black Friday! Oh well, it will be worth it to see the girls!!

Now to get busy creating some Christmas cards! :-)

Have a great weekend!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I haven't been able to be online much due to severe neck and shoulder stiffness and spasms.......but wanted to hop online this morning and wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

I have been working on some Advent calendars using some 5x5 magnets my Son got from work. I will take photos of them and post them later today.

There are so many things to be thankful for....yes, even neck and shoulder pain as I was able to 'find time' to sit and get caught up on some things I have let go lately....like an afghan and also my advent calendars. I could work on them in stages from my sofa.

I am thankful for family and friends. Altho I miss my parents even more this time of year, I am thankful for so many wonderful memories of years gone by.

As I think of those that have been in horrific storms, tornadoes and other disasters.....and have to start all over and others that are going thru countless other things in their lives, I am so thankful for so many things that we oftentimes take for granted.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's take a few moments to be consciously aware of our surroundings and the many things in life we take for granted that others may not even have in their lives.

Also, please remember to pray for our troops!!!!

November already

Yikes, where on earth DOES the time go? It seems that it was just halloween, a couple of days ago, and we were passing out goodies to the neighborhood kids. Now, today, someone mentioned on TV that it's just 45 days till Christmas. What happens to Thanksgiving? It seems to get forgotten among the hustle and bustle of preparing for Christmas.

I refuse to put up Christmas decorations till the day after Thanksgiving. IF I even put them up this year. I thought I would NEVER hear myself say that.....but for some reason, I just can't get that excited this year. I plan on enjoying the Fall and colors of fall for the rest of this month and then I'll decide ;-)

Here is a little something I have been working on to give to my grandkids for Advent. I saw something similar to this on many blogs recently, using coasters....but when my Son gave me a pile of 2007 magnetic calendars from work that they were going to toss.....the thought just hit me....I can use THOSE!! They are 5x5 and the entire thing will stick to your refrigerator.

I cut the tags out using my Big Shot and a Sizzix die. But....then I decided to use my die punch and the process went a lot faster. I didn't have the smaller die punch so I used the next sized down, square punch and I will upload that calendar as soon as I am finished with it. The kids should have fun changing the numbers every day and they can keep the extras in a plastic box (that comes with our stamps).
These are SO MUCH fun!!!! Of course, this paper pack, Vintage Holiday, is now discontinued and sold out, so I will have to get Merry Wishes to complete my next one.
Off to go play some more!!!

Another fun project

I have been having fun creating this week. Here is a little matchbox I covered with Simply Spooky background paper. I made a bunch of these. They are just the right size to put a little miniature candy bar in.

I also made one with a little hanger and thought it would be cute to put on the tree.

Try it, you'll have a lot of fun! They can be used for any holiday or occasion. I got the idea from Cambria Turnbow's blog. It's on her September 25th post. Gotta give credit where credit is due! ;-)

Wednesday's Class

Yowza....I got to be the student for a few hours and took a class at Raining Fresh Daisies in Madras. The name of the class was 'Flip Flop Books". I saw it on her counter one day....and wanted to sign up for a daytime class....but she didn't have anyone signed up. So, I asked how many she needed to constitute a class and then I proceeded to 'enable' a few friends to go with me to take the class ;-)

We had a blast!!!! We all chose different papers (it would have been a little tacky to bring my own TAC papers) so, I chose a Christmas theme. It was just so much FUN!!!!!

Above is my finished book!

Here is one I just finished using TAC's Amelia papers. Don't care for how the ribbon ties...so will do something a little different there.




So far, I have made four of these books........they are just so much fun!!!

Back in the saddle again

Wow....that virus that is going around really knocks the creativity right out of ya! Took over a week to feel up to stamping again.

But, I am back stamping again and having a blast! I had a party last Wednesday and we made a couple of fun cards. Actually one was a card/box. I used the little witch and the 'frankenstein' from the set "Happy Haunting" and created the same box we had made at WAG.

The gals that attended are going to make these for their Golf club's Halloween party. So, I figured we'd get a head start on them ;-)

And, then for the next card, we used rubberbands on an acrylic block and created a background for a simple Tree card. Heather Schantz did this as one of her projects at WAG. I didn't have the same card that she used, so Iused one of the trees from "Tree Silhouettesfor this card.

This past weekend and today, I have been playing around with Fall/Halloween sets and came up with quite a few ideas. I used the Simply Spooky Wing it Collection papers and several different Fall/Halloween sets including Spooky Swirls from the Fall Supplement, You're a Treat, Traditonal All Season, Happy Haunting and Give Thanks. I didn't upload all the cards I made as there were like 22 of them. But, they are basically the same with little differences in the way I embellished them or arranged the background papers.

I also made a couple of cute boxes for FALL......they were fun to do.

Top of Basket using Luscious Leaves and Ultra Thick Embossing powder.

And, this one was using Traditional All Seasons, Simply Spooky background papers and designer collection background paper. The circles actually sandwich a thin Mint!

My next project is to make some Thanksgiving cards and also prepare for my Christmas card stamp a stack! Christmas is just 70 days away!!!

I've been Tagged

Well, since I have been sick all week, maybe it was for the best that I was tagged by Rita Holmes, today. This will get me back to my blogging!!! I have been really busy making things, just no energy to blog on!!

OK, this tag is called THE NAME GAME. This is how it works.

The NAME GAME.

The name of the game is to list one fact that is in some way relevant to your life, for each letter of your middle name.

If you don't have a middle name, use the name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your middle name and game facts.

At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag.

Don't forget to leave them a comment or e-mail them telling them they've been tagged and to read your blog.

Oh gosh, this is when I wish my middle name was different!!!!

J Joyful (most of the time) :-)

O Organizer I love to organize things, whether it be get togethers, cupboards or craft rooms!!

A Always Available to my friends and family (within reason and don't call me during SURVIVOR...LOL)

N Nutty

N Natural Red Head

E Everlasting Friend (thanks, Rita)

Now who to tag using all those dang letters...

J Just Me Katie Skiff
O OOOOOh how about Megan P
A Angie Seacrest
N Nicely Done Chris Nicely
N Another Joanne (well it has an N in it) Joanne Hoffman
E Ehhhh, how about DawnMarie Davis
Whew....I DID IT.....I DID IT!!!!

OH now to tell them....sheesh...LOL

Stay tuned for some actual sharing in the next day or so.

Crop a Dile Madness

You have bought a Crop a Dile, are you using it to it's full potential?

Maybe you have seen it and have wanted one but it looks to intimidating.

Hopefully, I can help!

First off, this is what your Crop A Dile looks like from the side view.

The two little outer parts are the punches. One side is a 1/8th size and the other is a 3/16th size.

If you look closely on the sides of your Crop A Dile (CAD), you will notice that the sizes are etched into the metal.

You will also notice that just under your punch part...there is a slider thing...that is called a 'depth gauge'. You can use that to set a particular depth to whatever you are punching so that you don't have to 'eyeball' it each time.

Say you want to make 4 holes down the side of something. Eyeball it the first time, adjust the depth gauge and then tighten it. Now, it is set for every hole you want to punch.

The 'setting' eyelet/snap part is the 'nose' of the CAD. If you look again, you will notice that there is a base and a top. When setting your eyelets and snaps make sure that the base is on the bottom. You will also notice that there is a little picture etched on the metal showing which part to put the eyelet on.

Now, look at the little black revolving discs on the nose part of your CAD. You will notice that there are numbers and letters on the sides.

You will use these combinations of letters and numbers depending on what you are doing.

As I said before, the center part of your CAD is the setter. The black squares are actually rotating cubes that allow you to access four different settings and four platforms. These cubes have different numbers and letters on them. Just pull gently outwards....and swivel to the correct setting.

Here are the different settings:

A-1 Setting the 3/16" eyelets and extra large eyelets and snap flare (like WeRMemorykeepers)
B-2 Setting the 1/8" round snap setter (medium eyelet and snap flares)
C-3 Setting 1/8" eyelets (small eyelets and snap flares)
C-4 Actually, someone said this worked better than C-3, but haven't tried it yet
D-4 Flat Setter (cone shaped flare)

A-2 Dry embossing (yep, you heard that right)

If you have your CAD, take it and a piece of scrap paper and play with the different settings to get used to them.

You do not have to wrench on the handle, that is the beauty of this tool, it sets with a simple squeeze. It really doesn't take that much pressure.

Ok, We have pretty much covered WHAT the CAD is .....now let's see what you can DO with it!

Here are some ideas that I have found. The examples here are just things I experimented on. I basically just started punching holes in everything.....so if you play with yours and come up with something please share with me !!

Things to do with the CAD!!!!

Use it to punch holes in acrylic frames, make more holes in your husband's leather belts, punch holes in four coasters at once to make those cute coaster boxes and you can even punch holes in canvas panels.

Add a little 'fun' to denim: shoes, tote bags and jeans! Try dressing up a denim jacket or blouse.

When punching holes in 20 index cards or multiple sheets of cardstock, use a binder clip to hold them in place while you punch your holes. The Crop a Dile also punches thru cardboard and cork.

Punch thru tin cookie cutters to make cute little ornaments, add eyelets to those tin buckets and lunch pails that you alter.....and add holes in magazines to put in 3 ring binders.



Dry embossing!!! How fun!! You can make all kinds of designs, even a PICKLE!

So as a final recap, you can use your CAD for the following:

Tin, canvas, cork, denim, T-shirts, ribbons, Tennis Shoes, Leather, Dog collars, Acrylic,

CD cases, purse straps, chipboard, index cards, cardstock

paper, magazines,

I am sure there are a TONS more things I haven't thought of or tried, yet! So, I am off to find more things to do with the Crop a Dile. In the meantime, if you think of something, please let me know.

Have a great day!!!

OCTOBER SPECIALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW OH WOW!!!!!!

A Celebration, TAC BAGS, Color and Savings galore...OH MY

Do we have LOT going on during the month of October.

First, let me tell you about TAC's

October Celebration

formerly called Jubilee and before that, StampFest, where our hostesses earn DOUBLE the hostess gifts and DOUBLE the items at half off!

For those of you that are familiar with our StampFest or Jubilee, this is the same program only just for ONE month....as with two catalogs each year, TAC changed things up a bit.

Here are the details for those of you that may not be familiar with this program and a refresher for those that know about it :-)

During the month of

October ONLY

With just a $100 qualifying order/party, (orders, before tax and shipping) the hostess will receive TWO level A hostess sets and TWO (and this is ANYTHING in the catalog) items at half price, plus you and your guests will receive DOUBLE the GWP (Gift with purchase) bonus stamps with just a $30 order.

For a $200 order/workshop: The hostess will receive TWO Level A hostess sets and FOUR items at half price plus you and your guests will receive DOUBLE the GWP stamps.

For a $250 order/workshop: The hostess will receive TWO Level A, TWO Level B and FOUR items at half price, Plus the TAC grab bag (details further down) plus guests receive DOUBLE the GWP stamps

For a $300 order/workshop: The hostess will receive TWO Level A, TWO Level B and SIX items at half price, plus guests receive DOUBLE the GWP's.

For a $400 order/workshop: The hostess will receive TWO Level A, TWO Level B and EIGHT items at half price plus DOUBLE the GWP's.

For a $500 order/workshop: The hostess will receive TWO Level A, TWO Level B, TWO Level C and TEN items at half price plus DOUBLE the GWP's.

For a $750 order/workshop: The hostess will receive FOUR Level A, FOUR Level B, TWO Level C, TWO Level D and FOURTEEN items at half off.

For a $1,000 order/workshop: The hostess will receive EIGHT Level A, EIGHT Level B, FOUR Level C, FOUR Level D and TWENTY items at half price PLUS DOUBLE the GWP's.

What an absolutely GREAT time to have a party, a catalog party or to put in your own personal order and receive so many benefits!!!!

If you would like to host a party at your home, stamp club, or another location.....just send me an e-mail and put TAC PARTY/ORDER in the subject line.


And, that's not all going on in October!!!!!

Totally Terrific TAC-Bags!!!!

For a limited time only and while supplies last these bags can be ordered for just $15.95 each.

The bags are full of unmounted images from TAC. You will also receive the Creative Cling for mounting. A great bargain and a surprise since you won't know what the stamps will be till they arrive.

Also, if you become a NEW Angel during October you will receive one of these TAC BAGS, FREE, with your kit.

Hostesses can receive one of these FREE with a $250 FUNshop as well as all the other promotions from TAC in October.

That's not all!!!!

PLUS

"Crazy for Color"

I know you aren't able to make this flyer larger but wanted you to at least see the flyer! I will upload a larger format, when I can, or can send you one via e-mail.

These are 3 different paper packs that are full of color. Along with the paper packs you will also receive a Word stamp set that includes 30 words.

Here is what you will receive in the Crazy for Color Kit

Oct-2007 Kaleidoscope Kit $34.95

V-825 Kaleidoscope Brites Paper Collection
V-920 Kaleidoscope Girlz Paper Collection
V-921 Kaleidoscope Boyz Paper Collection
Kaleidoscope Wordz Stamp Set (30 word stamps)

What a FantasTAC deal! The paper collections alone are worth $33.85 So what a great deal to get all three paper collections and a stamp set. Offer ends October 31st.

AND IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH!! ( I am beginning to sound like those TV ads....and that's not ALL)

Stamp of the Month and Vintage Stamp Set

Both stamp sets can be ordered with a $30 order. The Stamp of the Month is called "Days like This" and can be yours for $5.95

The vintage set is called Mini Bold Posey and is $2.95.

AND, because being an Angel is just more fun.....why not join my team in October!!

For those signing up as a demonstrator in the month of October, you will not only receive a TAC BAG full of stamps, in addition to your new recruit kit, (which is $150 but valued at over $300), you will also receive $50 extra in T-coded stamps, your choice!

E-mail me to ask me how!!

Last but definitely NOT least....the new Fall Supplement is up on the TAC website!!!! The images are Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you see something you LOVE and just have to have.....now is the time....as they will ONLY be available until the end of December, then the new catalog will be coming out.

Downloadable PDF page

You may also go to my personal online TAC website and view them or purchase them there.

Just a reminder, if you would like all the fun goodies that come with hosting a party or your $100 order, you must contact me as a demonstrator.

Have a GREAT DAY!!!!!

FALL SUPPLEMENT IS UP

If you have been waiting and waiting, like I have, for the new Fall Supplement fromTAC, it is now up.

Here are just a couple of the Halloween sets in the new supplement:

If you are getting ready to start your Christmas cards, you will find some really cool stamps as well.

To see all the new stamps, you can go to http://www.theangelcompany.net/ and click on promotions and then Fall Supplement. You can click on each stamp set link.

If you would like to order some of the new Fall stamps, just e-mail me at Tacstamper109@yahoo.com or Pawsnstamp@crestviewcable.com.

OR better yet, have a party and earn DOUBLE the hostess benefits (only in October)....and DOUBLE the half off items and get some of these fun stamps for 1/2!!!!!

You can also go to http://char.ismyangel.net/ register and then order these items under products/fall supplement.

Have a wonderful day!!!!

WAG-the other side

Oh gosh....what fun!!!! Now that I am home and somewhat rested up, I can share the photos of the projects we did last weekend at WAG.

Binder Clip holder, Canvas Panel and Coaster purse

Snowman gift tag, Coaster Memo hanger, Fall Card and Luggage tag

GWP and Business card holder, Halloween card/box and GC purse

Christmas Card, Jumbo Clip, and Z Card


Tent Topper card and Photo album