Coffee Lovers Holiday Blog Hop

Oh COFFEE - just the thought of it brings a smile to my face.  So I wanted to do a fun holiday card that highlights - just that - COFFEE!  For my card I chose to use a cute little coffee stamp that my daughter, Heidi, carved.  You can see the blog post about it HERE.  And you can check out more of her great work at www.stampinking.blogspot.com

I stamped the cup she carved several times in green with special red cup right in the middle - that I made it the "STAR" of the card - get it - the STAR! I then stamped the great little saying from Stampin' Up's Perfect Blend set, added a couple cute holly leaves and colored gem berries and I'm ready to relax with my own cup of coffee.  Enjoy!

Sooooo - do you wanna win some fun stuff???  I'm giving away two packages of SU's glimmer paper - one package silver - one package gold - perfect for your holiday creations Christmas through New Year's.   

To have a chance to win - just be sure to leave me a comment (and leave some contact info) no later than December 14, 2014.  On December 15th I'll draw one lucky winner from all the comments submitted and contact you to arrange delivery.  Only one comment per person, per day please.  Good luck to you! ~Maureen

Personal Post Monday - Gingerbread Man decorating

So those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that we have an annual tradition of gingerbread house decorating.  This year the kiddos voted to do gingerbread men and women - so we did!  Here they all are with their creations :)

Paisley

Prince

Kamili

 

Makai

Zamarah

Zavian

Kyan

Even the big girls got in the act -

Jenee

Heidi

It was a really fun day with Turkey Dumpling soup for lunch and then finishing with the annual picture with Gramma - which gets crazier and crazier each year - take your pic :)

Memories - that's is truly what we're making :)  ~Gramma

Is it hereditary???

So it looks like creativity is really running in the family -you've seen projects from me, and both my daughters - but I had to share these great projects from my 11 year old grand-daughter, Paisley.  When she was visiting a while ago, she and her friend got these white dishes from the local dollar store and went to town with Sharpies - look what she created!!

So cool - looks like even some zentangling going on in there - way to go Paisley!!  Most of our family loves to do crafty stuff wich of course make me happy!  See you all soon ~Maureen

New Holiday Wreath

This week we've been blessed to have Jenee and the kids visiting and she brought me this amazing wreath that she made for me.  I love it - exactly my style.  The little berries look like they are glowing.

But you can see here - they are frosted and beautiful.

Here is a close up of some of the trim - fabric and burlap roses and pieces she added - so rustic and so lovely.

It's definitely an indoor wreath and I wanted everyone to see it as they walked in, so I hung it up above in our entry way.  I know it hangs below the crossbar - but I love the way it looks there.  

Thank you so much Jenee!  ~Mom

Thanks and Giving ...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone - truly one of my favorite holidays - as to me it is all about giving thanks and being with those you love.  I'm blessed that my hubby, children and all my grandchildren will be with me today as well as other family members and friends.  I pray your day is wonderful for each of you.

Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Now on to the giving - I wanted to share the hostess gift my November hostesses received - this adorable little note crate.

You've seen these each month - a crate decorated with Designer Series Paper - a RSVP pen that matches - stamped note paper and paper flower on the front.  These have been popular with my hostesses as well as with customers at our craft fair.  I'll have more for sale at my holiday Open House in December.

The Typeset Specialty designer series papers is definitely one of my favorites.  I've done so much with this paper.  Here's the little basket all wrapped up and ready to go to my last hostess of this month.  I hope she liked it.

Stop back soon to get more stamping inspiration - but in the meantime - hug those you love and give thanks for your blessings.  See you soon ~Maureen
Products used to create this project -

Typeset Specialty Designer Series Paper

$12.95

Antique Brads

$5.95

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$5.95

Flowering Flourishes Clear Stamp Set

$17.95

Blossom Punch

$16.95

1/16" Circle Handheld Punch

$8.95

Paper Pumpkin Trees

Had so much fun making these adorable little trees with the ladies in my Technique Club this month.  You may recognize the components.  The trees were made with the triangle boxes from last month's Paper Pumpkin kit and the stars from the little garlands in a previous kit (the NOEL cards).  Paper Pumpkin subscribers have access to purchasing additional extra kits while supplies last. I have all my little glitter dots (ornaments) on my glue dots ready to stick on.

 Here is an entire forest of them :)

 

 We punched the large star out using the smallest star in the SU Star Framelit set.  The smaller holes at the bottom punched out with the 1/8" punch.  Then finished them with several little gems for the extra bling.

 

 The final touch - below - we mounted them on a tea light - and when turned on - you get a beautiful soft glow.  Gonna line a bunch of them up on my mantel I think.

 

 Hope you like this alternative idea - and if you didn't use up all your Paper Pumpkin wedges for Thanksgiving - maybe you can make some too!  ~Maureen

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Spotlighting Technique

This month at Technique Club we focused on the Spotlight Technique.  I've used this technique lots of times over the years and really love the look.  It focuses your eye immediately to the part you are spotlighting.  It's great on a really fussy image because you don't have to color the entire thing.

Here is a close-up of the image - We colored the butterfly with SU's Blendabilities - punched the center of it - layered it - and added to the card.  Really draws your eye huh?!?  See why it's called spotlight :)

Check my last post to see the beautiful Christmas Card we made with this technique.  See you soon!  ~Maureen
Here are the products used to complete this project:

Papillon Potpourri Clear Stamp Set

$14.95

Crisp Cantaloupe 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$5.95

Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Daffodil Delight Assortment

$11.95

Stampin' Blendabilities™ Markers Pumpkin Pie Assortment

$11.95

1" Circle Punch

$12.95

1-1/4" Circle Punch

$15.95