Friday, December 25, 2015

Best laid plans - hmmmm!

So first of all "Merry Christmas" from these little cuties and from me.  I'll show you a bit more on this money holder later in the post - but first a few thoughts on thinking I'm in charge.  I love Christmas - and all the time of celebrating with family and friends.  I also try really hard to keep the true meaning of the holiday - the birth of Jesus" topmost in my mind.  But along with that I am a planner - it's all in the details :)  So the plan was for our girls and grandkids to all be here by today - do stocking stuffers tonight, gifts in the morning and our big Christmas dinner tomorrow - but......the stomach flu had other plans.....so things are delayed at least a day.  Now my prayer is that it does not hit any more of our crew.  But events like this are humbling to me and remind me that as much as I would like to be - I am not in charge.  As I grow older I have a better perspective on all of this, and try to realize that our thwarted expectations can make us upset - or help us to grow - and I choose the latter.  Remember that plans can be upset or even fall apart completely, but if we trust that God is truly in charge of all things - it is much easier to take it all in stride.  Wishing the same for all of you as your plans may not come together quite as you planned this holiday season.

Now on to this cute card - above is the front and below is the envelope -
and inside is a little pocket to put your money or check for the recipient.

It's so easy to make - just start with a piece of cardstock 7 1/2" x 9 1/2" score along the longer side at 3 1/2" and 7" and fold to make a tri-fold.  On the shortest section measure in and make a small mark at 1 1/4"  and cut this section diagonally from across from the 2 1/2" mark to the 1 1/4" mark.  Adhere along the two sides as marked and you have a perfect little pocket.  You can make these for an occasion and decorate as you would any card!  Hope you like it - see you soon! and again Merry Christmas to all - no matter what life hands you along the way!   ~Maureen

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Eve of Christmas Eve thoughts....

Sitting here tonight feeling a bit nostalgic - so thought it would be the perfect time to share these vintage Holiday Tags I made and sold at recent craft fairs.  First of all I LOVE fussy cutting, and I LOVE SU's "Home for Christmas" Designer Series paper - a match made in heaven.  My Mom loved to cut things out.  I remember so many times visiting with her and she would be sitting there cutting around pretty pictures from magazines.  After I moved 2000 miles from her she would send envelopes to my girls filled with cute pictures she had cut out for them.  She has been gone many years now, but she is in my thoughts tonight as I share these cute little gift tags.  I am sure I got my love of cutting pictures out from her!
 
 
 
I know the pictures are blurry - I took them late at night after I had packaged everything for sale - and I did sell them all, so could not retake.  But i think you can get the feel for them.  The are vintagey and the perfect compliment for my nostalgic mood.  I think I always get this way around major holidays - remembering all the Christmas' past when I was little and my Mom and Dad always made it magical for us.  Looking forward to the days ahead spent with our daughters and their families.  Memories in the making :)  See  you soon, and if I don't get back on here tomorrow - Merry Christmas!!!  ~Maureen

Friday, December 18, 2015

Holiday Coffee Lovers Bloghop

I made it - it's the last day for me to add my card to this blog hop and this entire week got away from me.  But I am so addicted to coffee (and stamping) that I couldn't not post - so I did it!  Nothing fancy - but I like it.  Used the Verve "Better with You" set and Stampin' Up!'s "Snow Place" for the holly - added some colored pearls - and my favorite saying from the set!!
Hope you think it's cute - now check out all the other amazing cards on this hop at http://coffeelovingcardmakers.com/2015/12/2015-winterholiday-coffee-lovers-blog-hop/ - will take you till Christmas to get through all of them!!! Have a caffeinated time!!!~Maureen

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Merry "owl" Christmas

Check out this fun card we made at the Fall Stamp Camp - what a cute idea for those friends of yours that are a bit on the crazy side - a Merry Christmas wish from an owl. This guy with his googly eyes and pom pom earmuffs - is just so adorable.
I love all the texture on here the two sizes of dots embossed on the cardstock, polka-dot DSP, cut out merry, googly eyes, popped up candy cane and bow tie -it just goes on and on.  What's extra fun is that this owl is from the Howl-o-ween Treat set from the Holiday mini catalog.  It's great to see it used in an entirely different way from the initial intention.  See you tomorrow - where I'll post some of the products I made for my last two sales.  See you then!  ~Maureen
Here are some of the products I used for this card - 

Thursday, December 10, 2015

Stampin' Up! Year-end Sale - up to 60% off while supplies last!!!


Woo Hoo - check it out - it's time to stock up!! SU! has added a bunch of great products to their Clearance Rack at up to 60% off.  Plus they've discounted some of the retiring products from the current Holiday Catalog up to 40% off.   These products are ONLY available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST - so don't wait - just go to - www.stampingwithmaureen.stampinup.net - click on SHOP NOW on the menu bar, and be sure to enter the Hostess Code 2GHQTMQT before you check out - for a chance at more fun stuff!- and order now.  Be sure to allow contact or I won't know you ordered.  And as always - hit $100 in cumulative order totals online and I'll send you a set of beautiful hand-stamped cards and envelopes.  I have so much fun making these special sets for each of you - so order now - hit the $100 mark - and let me send a set to you!  This month's set of four cards are Christmas/Holiday "Thank You's"

Here are all the Details:
  • Promotion Dates: December 10, 2015-January 4, 2016.
  • No minimum purchase required.
  • No refunds or exchanges on Year-End Sale items.
  • Items offered during the Year-End Sale are while supplies last.
  • Year-End Sale & clearance items may be combined on your order and with other Stampin’ Up! products.
Any questions - just email me at crazystampinglady@gmail.com
~Maureen

Monday, December 7, 2015

Personal Post Monday - Random stuff :)

So just gonna throw out some random thoughts today - little things I want to post - but haven't had time.  I'm loving retirement - but so busy.  The good thing is that it is busy with fun stuff.  I've been crocheting - a lot!  I don't know if I shared this baby blanket on here - don't think so - but I loved the way it turned out.  Since I made this have also made 5 Christmas gifts (which I'll share after Christmas), an afghan for a friend, and a few snowflake ornaments. 
I also purchased a Christmas cactus.  When we were in Wisconsin my sister had a huge beautiful one, and my hubby was reminded his Mom always had one - so when I saw them on sale - I had to get one.  Now I hope I can keep it alive and blooming.
This is the newest member of our household - Hello Kitty.  Those of you who follow me on instagram has probably seen my pictures of her yarn mazes.  She has her own yarn ball that I probably roll up about 10 times a day, and then she creates amazing webs of yarn all over our house.  She especially likes to drag it up stairs, drop it down through the railing and then run up with it again.  She is truly a lot of fun - and so pretty.
Then yesterday we got our tree up and decorated.  Not much else up - but will work on that today.  Took this picture last night around 10PM as I sat in a dark living room with just the tree lights on - one of my favorite things to do as I have my prayer time.  Hope you are all getting ready for your Christmas season, and enjoying all the blessings it has to offer. 
I'll be back soon with more stamping creativity - see you then!! ~Maureen

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Snow Way - Penguin style!

So I just had to share another card made with this adorable set - this was one of the cards I made at Stamp Camp Fall 2015.  It is made with the same set "Snow Place" - this set has so many pieces to play with - the combinations are endless.

He was just so much fun to stamp and cut out and then assemble - you could order your bundle too - directly from my website.  Click on any picture below to order now.  See you soon!  ~Maureen
Here are some of the products used in today's adorable project - click on any image below to go to my website shop!

Friday, December 4, 2015

Snow Way!

Fun - that's all I have to say about this bundle - it is FUN!!!  Here is one of the two cards from this month's coffee and cards.  We used the Snow Place and Snow Friends stamp set and framelits bundle from SU!  What's really great is that this bundle will be continuing on when the new Occasion's mini catalog starts in January - it will still be available. There are just so very many things you can do with this bundle as it stamps many different images - cuts them out with the framelits - and then you put together however you want.  Anyone who knows me knows that snowmen are my fav - so there was absolutely no way (or make that 'snow way') to not get this adorable set.

You can see on this close-up some of the detail I colored his nose, added the hat, holly and scarf, put on a couple of our gems colored with a red sharpie - and voila - one happy snow guy!
If you like him as much as I do - then check out the products used below to make this card - and click on any of the product images to take you right to my online store.  Stop back soon for more ideas with this bundle ~ Maureen
Click any image to go directly to my online store!