BRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is it ever FREEZING here in New Hampshire.

I have a little goody to share to help warm up those COLD days. A GREAT gift for the mailman this time of year.

I have been out and about, running around like a mad woman. They say that due to the “recession” many people won’t even be shopping this season. Well, I don’t know if they have been to Target lately but I don’t see an empty parking lot, that is for sure.

I am uncertain if I will even brave the Black Friday shopping venture I usually go on this year. Seems so busy all ready. I found a cute pair of brown shoes at Target that I DIDN’T buy because I was exercising RESTRAINT.Now they are ALL I keep thinking about! I’m not a “shoe” person but every girl need a pair of black & brown dressy shoes to wear with jeans.

I didn’t want to spend $32 on them :C I have HAD to buy new clothes Not a complaint, its a great thing, but shoes didn’t seem to be a necessity. As it was I needed more make-up. Something I use daily but HATE buying. I may go back today. Yes, I think I deserve them I have been working really hard, and they will really complete my outfits. OK I know you don’t care about my shoe issue. Just had to share my indecisiveness. I am after all a SAHM so my “shoe wearing” excursions are only to the kids school, school meetings, and food shopping! LOL! Nothing fancy or exciting. At home I am barefoot-always. I think I need a new winter coat too. Oh boy. This could get ugly! LOL!

Anyway…………….speaking of Target I have my cute cocoa cup project to share today! It is a covered Archer Farms disposable coffee cup You get like 12 for $3. Im sure you can get a better deal elsewhere.

 Inside are 2 different flavored cocoas (my MIL gave them to me and they were perfect for the post today)

I just made a template, and cut a cover from my pink cardstock. I then took some super cool adhesive paper from Scor-Pal (not posted yet??) and punches various snowflakes. Put the punched stickers on my cup, and covered in glitter!

I used my sweet little Santa from Rockin Holiday, as my main focus. He is just SO flippin cute! SO! I used some icicle stickles for his hat and jacket trim.

The sentiment reads: Holiday memories warm even the coldest of days

Perfection!

I LOVE using shades of pink & red for holiday stuff.

I love the little ric rac ribbon along the bottom. SO cute.

Now once I got going on this I thought “Oh! Wouldn’t a gift card holder to a coffee shop be so perfect for this?” Why, yes! Yes, it would! LOL!

So I used one of My Timeless Templates, For Keep{Sake} (only printing ONE of the templates) to make my gift card holder. 

Now I didn’t have a gift card to a coffee shop handy when I created this, but in hindsight, I would have. So just use your imagination, and make the colors the same as your giftcard! LOL!

Here is the card holder portion, slide out

So, for ANOTHER idea, instead of putting Cocoa in the cup, a great way to present a gift card holder would be to make a gift card holder and put in your cocoa cup instead!!

But for now-here are both together.

I love that is is all matchy matchy. You can also include both like you see here. Its up to you.

SO that is it for today. This week I am hard at work making items for deadlines. I want to finish early so I can just enjoy family time.

I hope the many of you who have emailed me or replied about my weight-loss post have been diligent, and followed through with starting to work out. One benefit to having my brother love with me is I feel like I have a personal trainer at my house! LOL! Upon his wisdom he advised I make a specific purchase, so I did.  I just bought a Kettlebell (comes with a DVD) to HOPEFULLY help me kick off the last 10-15lbs I WANT to lose. I have lost 4 more lbs! YEAH!! I am NOW  down about 40lbs, 4 pant sizes, and 2 shirt sizes! (shirts run differently) All without stepping a SINGLE foot in a gym or on a membership! That means more $$ for clothes

I have some “problem” areas and my brother is the perfect person to help me target them. You can see why I say that HERE . So Ill keep you posted on the Kettlebell workout once I give it a try.

I have THROWN OUT (aka donated) every single item that is too big for me! I am leaving myself NO ROOM to grow out of my current size! Only going DOWN from here! If it gets snug, then my hiney better kick it up a notch. I refuse to go slowly work my way out of my jeans. NOT going to happen.  I am also changing out my workouts to keep it fun and interesting. I will say HAVING to buy smaller clothes is the BEST part of it all.

I’m NOT letting Thanksgiving KILL my hard work. I am making a low fat dessert for the family. Not sure WHAT yet. AND I already have a entire “plan” for what I am going to put onto my plate. Yes, I am having dessert A SLIVER of pumpkin pie (my MIL makes a KILLER one that I have been craving for 2 months now!), and a SLIVER of something else. Not sure what it will be yet, but whatever the “regular” portion size, Im going with HALF that. I think if you go in knowing what you are going to eat you won’t over do it. We also always go for a brisk walk after. Better bring my sneakers.

Many of you asked me so many questions, one being WHAT I cook for dinner! LOL! Well I LOVE this site—-HERE. EVERY single recipe I have tried has been AMAZING! Check it out.

OK I think I have gone on and on  enough today.

Have a great start to the week. I have so much to share so I hope you check back in again

PLEASE feel free to post things that YOU are doing to stay healthy, any progress you made, sites you like, exercises to try, recipe’s for low fat desserts (PLEASE!!) or other great recipe’s you want to share!

Ok thanks again for letting me gush. OK you didn’t LET me, but if you read it all, thanks! LOL! Not sure I would have.

Till tomorrow

I can’t believe I got this post done EARLY! I have been so busy and slacking on the Saturday stuff! 

Well its Saturday. My most LOVED day of the week Thanks for stopping by to join me in celebrating today. Well I guess technically we should really celebrate everyday we wake up, shouldn’t we? There is something good in every day. So think about what is in your own life that is good.

Hopefully my post will be one of those good things that get you inspired to get stamping

Now every Saturday I host a sketch challenge here on my blog. This week I decided that we would use one of My Timeless Templates © for the sketch instead!

Today’s “sketch” will use Stocking Stuffer © Keyword will be mytimesstuffer if you upload to a online gallery.

UPDATE: I am happy to also update you and say that with all future template downloads we will include a general guide for instructions of how to put it together. We don’t want the instructions to limit you and prevent you from using creative liberty, or whatever works for you personally when assembling, just to be used as a general guide for some whom may need it :F

Many of you aren’t too into 3D projects, or are afraid to even try. This template makes everything so much easier. Just print, cut, score and go!  It’s free and you have nothing to lose. You may get hooked

Now this isn’t a template you have to PURCHASE, it was part of the Freebie downloads, so there are NO excuses If you have been putting off trying the templates, or already downloaded, but procrastinated making something, then KNOCK IT OFF! LOL! Procrastination is a BAD thing. Get crackin.

If you haven’t downloaded YET please read the INSTRUCTIONS!!!  

You also want to make sure that your Page Scaling section when printing is set to NONE.

You may also check the Q & A section I have HERE.

Now don’t feel limited by the “stocking stuffer” name. You will receive an Idea Catalog when you download , with 5 exclusive ideas (non-holiday ) to use this template for. So get creative. That should get the ideas flowing. You can also view all my own template creations HERE.

Now for the FUN part! My sample for this week

Stuffed with goodies-For Emma

Is this not adorable? When I saw the position of the lil elf in SugarPlums North Pole set I thought how cute would that be hanging from MY stocking template?! So I jotted down my idea in my creative notebook to pull out when I had more time or needed a great gift idea. You never want to forget a good idea when it hits. I have lots of that stuff jotted down in hopes to get to it, someday!

NOW is that time

I know I said to NOT get limited by a Christmas stocking but I have gifts to make for the holidays and this is doing double duty for me Maybe you too? If you have a secret sanata gift or a holiday swap ANYTHING is appealing when wrapped in the right package

I loved that holiday paper by SEI. Its so pretty, and it is double sided, so perfect for my template It also inspired my colors.

Now Amber is in Ballet class, and the girls swap a gift with a classmate. It just so happens she got her little BFF Emma! (I wonder if that was rigged by the dance teacher? ) Now the monetary limit is $5 per girl and it is important that be stuck to. Don’t want anyone feeling awkward. I don’t know about you, but gift packaging where I am ALONE can cost that! Well I decided I would make the most of it, and create an UBER cute Stocking Stuffer © package, and STUFF it to the tipity top with fun stuff from the Target $1 spot. Then how fun to personalize it too Gotta love being a stamper.

Emma Tag

I used my JustRite Stampers circle border and alpha from the Two Monogram Stamper Kits (Normally not sold together but) I about fell over when I saw the deal…………………….

Now how cool is this-upon linking I found this:

JustRite Stampers is having a Thanksgiving Buy one Get one FREE! Sale!!! Details HERE! Sale ENDS on the 30th!

OK you so need to RUN to get in on that! OMG! If I didn’t own it all already I know I would. (Yes I have a shopping problem, I know about it already, no lecture needed)

Back to the template details- I printed my template and for the heel and toe patches I used pinking sheers to trim down the design a bit on the heel. That is what I mean by taking creative liberty. Don’t be afraid to change something up to suit your design. White gel pen used for faux stitching. I also rounded the top corners of the stocking cuff. After it was all assembled I added some furry white trim stuff I got at Michaels for that little extra holiday UMPH! Loving that stuff too.

I hope she likes it.

I know Amber was mad I put Emma’s name on it because SHE wanted to keep it for herself That made mommy feel so good. Plus getting a huge leap on these Holiday TO DO’s is always nice too. Never too early. I hate running like a mad woman close to Christmas. It takes away all the JOY of the season.

So that is all for me today. I have many more things to follow, so stay tuned.

Be sure to check in on my Sketch Team to see what they have created with the Stocking Stuffer Template.

Now it’s YOUR turn! Send us a link here, to wherever your fabulous creation is posted, so we can all check and see what you did.

Till tomorrow.

Hi world

I did Noah’s party Smilebox. That is why this is SO late!!!

Now let me tell you that I am NOT a fan of any kind of bug, unless it is a butterfly or in stamp form! LOL! I also HATE rodents (all forms) and REPTILES of all kinds. Especially snakes. Alexa seems to either share my feelings, or feed off my insanity. You will see in the photos!

So WHY have a critter party?

I don’t know! LOL! The things we do for our children I guess.

When Noah had his party I let him pick any animal that could be TOUCHED! Every thing the woman from Critters n Creatures brought was touched by each child! That rule also eliminated spiders (thank god) and snakes). We learned some really cool stuff about the animals too. Anyway, they brought out the legless lizard I was NOT planning on it being JUST like a real SNAKE! I literally screeched and had to leave the room so I didn’t upset the kids. It was pretty bad. It was squiggling HARD to get out of her hands. I would DIE if that creepy thing got loose.

I felt the same way about the Skink. It was FAST, and tried to run away.

OMG! That would have been quite the site to see if it did! I’d climb up the wall myself. I was shocked that I was so freaked out by most of the little critters! ICK!

I have to say the party was well worth EVERY penny, and Jay who scoffed at my brilliant party idea had MORE fun than the kids! LOL! It was definitely a very cool party.

Make a Smilebox photobook

I didn’t include the individual photos of the kids in attendance since they aren’t my children, and some people don’t want their kids all over the Internet, so I kept it mainly our family.

Looking back at the baby photos got me in a real frenzy. Im an emotional mess this week! LOL! My kids are just growing so fast, and before you know it won’t even believe in Santa! That will be a sad day. Soon they won’t want to do craft time with me either. I will be embarrassing to them, and will only be good to play TAXI to take their friends all over.

I took Noah for his 6 year check up. He has always been on the 110% percentile curve for his height. His doctor said by the time he is 12 he will look me in the eye! I am 5’11!!! Where did my little colicky baby go? Yes, as an infant he was a true nightmare! I would have given him away to a stranger (that sounds horrible and cruel if you never had a baby with colic, but if you have, you totally get it) but by 4 months old he was the sweetest boy. That smile always melts my heart.

Anyway Noah has turned into an amazing BIG boy. He is a mini Jason, which will be fabulous for some girl someday. He is very handsome (looks just like daddy) sensitive (like dad), and caring (maybe both of us?). He is outgoing (like me), smart (like dad), responsible (like us), creative (more me!) and has my OCD! LOL! That isn’t always a bad thing. I am so proud of him. He is an excellent brother to his sister’s (like his dad). He is the little caretaker of the family. He looks out for everyone. He has lots of friends and is just my great little helper. He makes me laugh and want to cry all in the same day! He’s the kid who will make you pull out your hair, but then say the sweetest thing you ever heard, all in the same breath. Im so happy God blessed me with him-he is the best “accident” that ever happened to me!

Anyway I figured I would share what we did do for the favors! Maybe give you a few ideas.

First up  Party Cubes!

We made 20 cubes full of candy!

Now before I get hundreds of emails about the SQUARE test tubes I will tell you SOON who is carrying them You will be pretty happy when I share. Yes, that IS a huge hint!! It also holds a great amount of stuff-as you can see.

So I filled them all to the tipity top, and decorated the tubes with some old SU! paper I had to match my candy, and party theme colors.

The best part was I bought ONE bag of “Halloween” candy, and because the BAG was Halloween decor I got all this candy for 0.94 CENTS!!!!!!!!!!! BARGAIN!!

It has gum, mentos, air heads, and tootsie pops! I divided them all out so each cube has the same amount.

I used the Pond Life set to make my caterpillar, in colors to match. Cute huh? The “thank-you” is from Limiteless labels. That set went perfect with out theme for the party.

These came together in NO TIME at all.

Having house guests (aka my brother and his girlfriend living with us) paid off in the party planning aspect! We had them help decorate, and Valerie had to do all the grunt work for the favors. In other words if I hated doing it (like cutting and tying a million ribbons, and punching cardstock) SHE got to do it! LOL! I was quite thankful for her help actually, because my mass producing time was cut in HALF! Plus she did a good job listening to my directions. Im pretty anal so that says alot!

Close up of the froggy game toy.

These are super cool! I just got some mini pinball games from Oriental Traders, popped out the back, and used it as a template to make my own party themed favor! Now you can make your own!

We just cut the back pieces, stamped with the frog image from Pond Life, and popped it back on! Pretty cool huh?

Here is the basket of them.

Are they not SO COOL?! Seriously!

We also had some gummy spider webs and a slimy spider too! They were Halloween sale items so for less than $1 I gave those out to the guests too.

I can’t tell you how fun this party was. I hope Noah remembers it for the rest of his life!

SO that is all for me for today. Time is ticking and I have a full day ahead (and I have to work out before Alexa gets off the bus!) Thanks for stopping by!

Tomorrow is the Saturday Sketch, and you will NOT want to miss it!!

Till then

Awe! Stamping world, you made me feel so glad that I actually DID share my outpouring of thoughts, truths and struggles in my weight-loss post! I feel so happy about it now. I realize MANY of you DO know how hard that was to put myself out there (especially the photos! EEK!) and to hear so many of you get inspired for TODAY (making TODAY be your tomorrow-not next week , or next year……….) seriously made me so proud of YOU. I have gotten so many amazing stories and emails from many as well and I want to thank you each for putting yourself out there too, and sharing.

Now I took a day off from posting yesterday, as I had Noah’s birthday party Sunday. He really loved when I read him all your wishes and thoughts on his project using All Boxed Up!! I also had some deadlines to meet.  AGAIN limited time. I have to stamp to actually be able to share stuff right? This is a hectic time of year for everyone.

So let me share a holiday tradition in my house.

I’m sure if any of you do the “Santa” thing, that having your children write a letter to Santa every year may be something YOU do too. So here is my letter idea for this year.

Dear Santa letters, to be filled out.

Each child gets their own.

They use to cut/paste photos from magazines, now they are older so I try to get them to WRITE the letters. I didn’t want to do that BEFORE I shared the project though

TIP: You can let your child ACTUALLY go to the post office and MAIL it! Just put Santa’s address on the envelope, and your return address label in the upper left corner! The post office will send it back to you.  Then you can get it back, hide it, and save it for years to come Just make sure your kids don’t check the mail the next day! I also like to put a current photo with the year, and child’s age on it, for future reference.

Anyway, the letters to Santa is a real BIG deal in my house. I always try to get the kids to pick their favorite things to ask for BY Thanksgiving. Santa shops on Black Friday, so he needs their lists early! LOL! Speaking of which Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK! WHAT!!! UGH!! I better get crackin. They also get to pick what Toy for a Tot that will be put in the box, OR we take a Wish Card off the tree at Walmart. My kids have so much stuff, the LEAST I can do is give a gift from each of my children to someone else. I am seriously cutting back this year. They don’t need so much stuff. We are trying to focus on thankfulness and the things that matter, like health and love of family stuff. We are waiting to hear back about when we will be volunteering this holiday at the hospital Its a way my family can give back while the kids are on vacation. Jason saves some vacation days for the week of Christmas, so he has extra time off. I think it will really fill us with the real spirit of the holidays. I always swore once Alexa was healthy enough we would do our part to make a difference. I can’t wait.

OK back the the letters!

When I saw the latest release by C.C. Designs called SugarPlum North Pole ,I knew it was perfect for this years Letters to Santa! So I got to work.

I wanted the heading  to read “ Dear Santa”, and have a neat, yet hand written look to it, so I used my Curlz Font from JustRite Stampers, and purposely made my letters off set using the Harmony rectangle wood block. I think its cute.

I used the Pretty Papers in Winter Wonderland by Lizzie Anne Designs as my inspiration. The colors also matched the old red SU! use to carry (sorry the name escapes me. but it doesn’t matter since its retired)

These can HANG on the Christmas tree too.

 I usually do that until the week of Christmas. I tell my kids the elves have to make the toys first so there is plenty of time to mail them.

Now for the “details”.

So, I colored him with Copic markers. Silver pen for the buckle.

 I used Liquid Applique on the hat puff, rim and coat cuffs. For his beard I chose a white liquid pearls, for a nice look.

The “snow” is that chunky cheap glitter I bought at Michaels and have been using on EVERY winter card I have made this season! It sells for $2.99 for a large jar. Its near the kids crafting section, and way cheap!! I am in love with it. Its perfect holiday snow.

These 3 letters took a whopping 20 minutes to make. Not bad. I *may* remake them and let the kids decorate them as THEY want. We will see! LOL! Sounds like another great afternoon time craft

Well I am off to do my exercise video. I hope you squeeze SOMETHING in today too. No more putting it off. Oh and get some stamp time in as well :D That is when crock pot meals come in handy

Till tomorrow.

This is POST #2 for today! Make sure you view the other one.

Here we have a Box of Beauty! Made in MINUTES!

I made this cute little gift item using my NEW!  My Timeless Templates ©(available HERE on the 15th-release party tonight! 9pm EST HERE! ) Purse-onality Clutch template   Just omit the top flap closure and you have a really pretty and practical gift box!

I hope you get a good feel for the angle of this box by the top photo.

This is filled with some wonderful bath products I received from my PSF Sonia! I have become addicted to her bath product line. She has an Etsy Shop called Essential Goodies. I am in LOVE (in case you want to know what I recommend ) with her whipped body butter in fresh pear, love spell, and clean cotton!! LOVE!! I also enjoy the body oils. 

Peeky Peeky inside

BEFORE putting your clutch together, just stamp your cellophane and use my Poppin Acetate technique. I used my Flower Garden set for my cellophane (which can be found in most gift wrapping sections on a roll) with green, yellow, blue and apricot colored shimmery pastels for this creation. Then adhere your stamped cellophane to the inside of the top front & back panels (leaving some excess to wrap around sides of assembled clutch), then tie closed! My tag was created using the Heartfelt Basics, also being released on the 15th.

Anyway, while preparing this for my post sample , I thought this little Purse-onality Clutch of bath essentials would be a GREAT idea for a new mom/mom to be . You should NEVER forget the new MOM!!! The only thing not from her was the face mask by Neutrogena. You can get several gifts from one box of face masks! Again-think Christmas/ Holiday/Teacher………anyone really! Who doesn’t LOVE pampering?

Front view

So if you are wondering………….I printed my Purse-onality clutch on spring moss cardstock. I then ran the front & back panel through my swiss dots cuttlebug folder (I wanted the dots debossed (pushed IN), not puffed out. I embellished it simply with a Martha Stewart border punch of blue, and a simple Hygrangea flower. I think the colors are SO calming! Perfect for my theme of beauty & relaxation.

So there you have yet ANOTHER idea for what can be done with this template! Don’t forget that you also get an idea book with 5 exclusive (full color photo) projects, with instructions and supplies with every template purchase

I hope to see you at the release party!

Id love to hear your thoughts on the peeks shared so far and anything you may want to see in the future You never know……………

See you tonight!

OK if this post doesn’t get you excited about making monogrammed cards, holiday gifts, and of course the All Boxed Up© template, then I truly give up! (OK maybe not totally! I do have more to share tomorrow but I’m hoping you are already drooling) This is sure to make these types of gifts a BREEZE!

Here we go!

Out on a limb- All Boxed Up cover

I am over the moon for this next gift set I have to share with you! The template I am using today is peek of a new release template called All Boxed Up © from my line of My Timeless Templates. Available on the 15th.

Its ALL stamping and super easy.

View from the bottom

I am sharing a SUPER project that will save you all so much time with those gifts that WOW! Even if you stamp it ALL.

Who doesn’t LOVE monogrammed notecards? Seriously HOT, right? Well to resolve my own personal dilemma, since I DESPISE mass producing the SAME thing over and over, was to make my teacher’s monogrammed gift sets, but make the sets with different cards, to sway my pure boredom! What better way to do that than create a ONE SHEET WONDER set!

Basically what this means is you either cheat BIG time, and use an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of patterned paper, OR (start now ) and get back to your roots of stamping your own patterned paper, which is not only more fun, but then you LOOK even MORE crafty to people! LOL!

Many people have asked in the past if I had ever designed something they could save like this. Until now, the answer was NO! I have done my own OSW but never kept track of what I was cutting, I just went with it. Now I did keep track, just for you.

So here is the OSW guideline that I personally designed and used for my cards here today. Further cutting instructions below. You will get a set of 8 notecards from this sheet!

PS BEFORE anyone even brings it up-I am aware I forgot the “e” at the end of envelope. TOO LATE! I designed this template at 2am so bear with me OK! It won’t affect your OSW!

I hope you find it useful You can get started on your monograms while you wait for the 15th to order the All Boxed Up! Remember you get it right away! No waiting or paying for shipping, so you could have a majority of your teacher/holiday gifts DONE BY Thanksgiving!

So onto the monograms! You will make 2 of each card. I love the different layouts this OSW offers! It doesn’t have that mass produced look, or the feel you had to scrounge for cardstock to come up with nice layouts.

This gift set is going to be for Alexa’s teacher Ms. Mahanes. I think she has been fabulous for Alexa this year, and I am so thankful for all her help and guidance. Her 1:1 aid will get her own set too, and a few other goodies

Supplies:

 My Timeless Templates-All Boxed Up ©

For my set I used the flower & berry  elements from Out on a Limb Rev., and Out on a limb additions (the little leaf). Limitless labels for my leafy border. Box sentiment is from the Remember set.  I also used borders & corners circle set with the Ambassador monogram.

I used coordinating ink and cardstock in : white, dark chocolate, aqua mist, and ocean tides. I also used the ocean tides/dark chocolate twill ribbon on my cards, as well as the stitched grosgrain ribbon in ocean tides. I also stamped the flaps of my envelopes to match!

I used my 1 3/8 circle punch, a layering circle punch, the SU! Scallop circle, a Martha Stewart flower punch, cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder

SO I just randomly stamped my entire sheet of 8 1/2 X 11 cardstock with my flowers in  aqua mist, then again in ocean tides. I went on to add the berry dots in chocolate. When that was complete I randomly added the SINGLE leaf image where I needed it. Cut as listed above.

My envelope pockets wraps

Blossoms box cover opened

This uses the (2) 1 X 11 strips. Layer onto 1 1/4 X 11 chocolate strips and adhere around pockets.

In the top photo, you are seeing my envelope’s in the front of my cards, in the holder . Flaps stamped to match. By putting them first, the completed cards slide in easier, and it-looks very clean and professional.

Card 1

White base

Embossed strip is 2 1/4 X 4 1/4

Each of these cards uses the (2) 2 X 4 strip. Layer on a  2 1/2 X 4 1/4 piece of dark chocolate cardstock for your main panel. Stamp your monogram on a scrap white piece of cardstock, and punch with 1 3/8 circle. Layer with chocolate circle.

Card 2

Chocolate base

This card set uses the (3) 1 X 6 1/2 inch strips. Each strip is cut at 3 1/4. This gives you 6 strips of paper size 1 X 3 1/4.

Layer onto 4 X 3 3/4 piece of Ocean Tides cardstock.

Use (2) of the punched patterned 1 3/8 circles for the monograms. Layer onto chocolate circle, and then add a scallop circle in Ocean Tides.

Card 3

Ocean Tides base

This card uses the 2 X 8 strip. Cut that piece in 1/2. So you now have (2) 2 X 4 inch pieces. Layer onto a chocolate piece that is 4 1/2 X 2 1/2.

Use 2 of the 1 3/8 punched circles for your monogram. Layer onto chocolate, and ocean tides circles, then onto a larger scallop circle.

Card 4

By now we are getting low on patterned cardstock! So we are keepin it simple! NOTHING wrong with that.

Card base is Aqua mist.

Cut (2) 1 1/2 X 5 1/2 inch strip of white cardstock, and layer at bottom.

Cut (2) 1/2 X 5 1/2 inch strips of Ocean Tides cardstock, and layer above white strip.

Use last (2) 1 3/8 punched circle for monograms. Layer onto chocolate circle.

Now you are done your set of 8 monogram notecards! Each one as pretty as the last, with little to no waste of cardstock!

I hope you enjoyed today’s peek with my template. I know I had fun making it. All this template work is helping me get holiday gifts done early, and better yet, keeping it all handmade. Not only is that special, but it saves me $$, which makes Jay VERY happy! LOL! For the cost of ONE $5 printable template you can make unique endless gifts over & over That is PRICELESS!

Thanks for checking in here.

More to come…………..tomorrow!

This is post # 3 for today so be sure to go to the 2 others so you don’t miss anything! All template samples

Teacher Contacts Clutch- a modern version rolodex!

 With a Timeless twist

Nichole has challenged her design team to come up with some great Teacher gift ideas for you to use this holiday season. She has an AMAZING set releasing called Teacher’s Apple. Its the CUTEST set-ever! Let me just tell you I had to make a concious decision to STOP using it. I kid you not. What a GREAT time of year to release a teacher set!!! The images, and especially the sentiments are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! 

 I know this is the time of year I focus on teachers, and make teacher gifts. I never make anything at the start of the school year, and by Christmas, anything I did buy is long forgotten. So yes, November is a great month to release this set IMO.

I loved the challenge because it made me get started on my teacher gifts early this year-YEAH!

Given the fact I have 3 kids, and each has NUMEROUS teachers, I try my best to make each one something every year, never repeating the same gifts. Always gotta top last year! LOL! I hope they like what I have planned, and you do as well!

Ever go shopping and see something, and the light-bulb goes off?

Well that is what happened to me!

I was at Staples, and I knew I needed some “stuff”. (I always need stuff) I walked by one section and came across these “Rolodex” type of index card inserts. Cost a WHOPPING $2.99!!!!!!!!!!

Well there went the light! I checked the size on them and YES! not only would they fit in my NEW! Purse-onality Clutch, but they would fit PERFECTLY!!! HAPPY DANCE!!

Contact’s Clutch open

So I flew home, printed my template, cut and score, and YEAH!! They DID fit in my Purse-onality Clutch © In just a few minutes, this is what I had done.

This little beauty is going to be able to sit right on every teachers desk, every year! The teacher’s can file their parents or other personal contact info and keep it handy. Remove and change out what need’s to be, yearly.

Isn’t it cute? I loved the idea, and the fact I can use my own template is a HUGE bonus and TIME SAVER

Supplies:

My Timeless Template-Purse-onality Clutch

Stamps- Teachers Apple, Recipe Box Label, Simple Alphabet

Cardstock- Pure Poppy, White, Ripe Avocado

Ink-dark chocolate, black, pure poppy, ripe avocado

ribbon- stitched ripe avocado

other- paint can handle, large brads, Rolodex cards

Be sure to check in on the design team.

Papertrey Design Team

• Niki Estes
• Nichole
• Michelle Wooderson
• Melissa Phillips
• Lisa Johnson
• Lauren Meader
• Heather Nichols
• Geny Cassady
• Debbie Olson
• Dawn McVey
• Betsy Veldman
• Becky Oehlers

 I am sure you will find your light-bulb moment!

Thanks again for reading! Feel free to share your thoughts

Today I have a FUN peek for you It uses my NEW! Purse-onality Clutch template that is being released on the 15th. I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this particular template. (OK well I guess I love them all, but you get the idea)

I KNOW when you read “purse” you thought GIRLY right?! Well think again!

I am making it MASCULINE!

Just because it is called a “Purse”-onality clutch doesn’t mean its just for girls! Not that it isn’t adorable, but it can be masculine too. Each “purse” can take on a whole new look when you put your very own personal touch to it. Males can be some of the toughest gifts for we papercrafters! Why not try a little briefcase?

By making your cardstock look a bit like a “leather” or textured fabric you can change the entire project.

Here we have “Let’s Be Brief!”

There is nothing feminine about this bag. With a little texture you have a super cute briefcase that makes any guy beam with delight. Fill’er up with his favorite box of chocolates, truffles, turtles, peanuts, cookies, or a great gift card, and he is sure to be happy!

I have some MALE teachers for my kids that are generally neglected in the “handmade” gift department. Well, not this year!

I hope you can see that this clutch is very different. It has a nice double angle to it on the sides, making it super fun to make, and even better to receive!

 More ideas will follow!

The tab fits into a perfect little slot, and holds the lid closed. Its a nice touch that finishes it off.
Supplies:
stamps-Limitless Labels

paper-Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Vintage Cream

ink- Dark Chocolate, Creamy Caramel

other-Vintage Cream twill, Paper Crimper, cream buttons, sewing machine

Instructions:
1. Print purse-onality clutch template onto Kraft cardstock.

2. Cut, and score per template guide.

3. Cut layers for each panel from dark chocolate cardstock.

4. Run each panel piece through your paper crimper, going in opposite directions, to give it a textured look of leather.

NOTE: DO NOT over squeeze your crimper handle as you go in the opposite direction. It will crimp out the other lines is you do, and we don’t want that!!

5. Sew panels using method of your choice. I sewed mine directly onto my template prior to assembly. Didn’t even think to sew the panels FIRST, then adhere! A huge DUH! moment. YOU get to benefit from my mistakes! LOL!

OPTIONAL METHODS: You can faux sew using a white gel pen, and paper piercer. OR you can sew your panels prior to adhering them to the purse-onality template. OR after they are adhered, sew them on.

6. Once faux leather panels are adhered, assemble template. Add buttons or other embellishments of your choosing.
7. Create a tag to suit the receiver. In this case a MALE teacher!

6. Fill with something delicious.

In this box we have the Mrs. Fields chocolate trio’s that sell for a $1 at the Target $1 spot!

Cute and inexpensive too
 

 Template Talk-

If you are NEW to my blog and have NO IDEA what I am speaking about-read this!

My templates are for various gift packaging, and they are SO EASY! Just download once, print, cut, score and assemble. Done in minutes. EASY PEASY! You can make great gifts over and over again for the purchase of one template.

If you want to see our other templates (we just started this product line last month) then click here! You can also try a FREE template there as well Also see my sidebar. I have a My Timeless Template category that you are able to click and view any past projects I have created here, for some ideas.

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SO that is all for this template for today! Tomorrow I will share what our FREE download will be for this month, and MORE samples that you won’t want to miss. TRUST ME, I can barely contain myself.

Be sure you check in with Nichole for more peeks, as well as Melissa & Lisa!

YIPPEE!! I am so very excited to share my first peek at my next round of My Timeless Templates © I lose sleep over sharing this stuff with you all, so I hope you are inspired in some way over the next few days here. A lot of time and planning goes into everything we have done for the templates so that you get so many ideas and inspiration. Most importantly, you are able to re-create your own gifts!

This month we have THREE templates! Two available for purchase (ONLY $5 each) and ONE for FREE!!! Yes we are doing ONE more freebie It was a popular request, so I hope you will be happy when you see what it is.

Today I kept the project SIMPLE. I have lots of other behind the scenes stuff to complete for the countdown. You don’t need a ton of time to make this project. In fact typing everything up takes WAY longer than the actual project. Hence why I’m keeping today simple.

If you are NEW to my blog and have NO IDEA what I am speaking about-scroll down for all the details

This one is called All Boxed Up ©!

It is THE perfect card box/holder, just in time for the holidays (yes I do have other amazing holders coming out for your cards-we are afterall CARD makers right?!)

When you use patterned paper this project looks so detailed but comes together so quickly! I decided that the Au Chocolat paper line was PERFECT for my first peek. This project took LESS than 15 minutes to make, and like an hour to type (since Im tired).

I designed my cover to look like a book. I used the stem from my Flower Garden set, stamped in white Craft ink. I used my flower punch for the bloom. I made the leaves pop forward, and layered with dimensionals. The center is from Text Boxed. Sentiment is from Beautiful Blooms

View from the side-tied closed

View from the bottom

I know many of you wanted some nice card packaging so I hope you are as happy with this as I am It can easily hold 8 A2 sized, embellished cards, and 8 envelopes  I have an over the top AMAZING gift set to share with you during my peeks here, using this template. You are going to want CASE it for ALL your Christmas/ Hanukkah gifts this year I swear.

I am also certain you can find other uses for this handy holder once you get it into your hot little hands.

Here is a view, opened up-with cards and envelopes in the pockets

I really love the angle at which the card pockets come together. They alone are a great template (you’ll see more on that later )

Now we have my simple cards to match- out of the holder

I lined my inner pocket for a quick detailed, and  finished look.

Not to get you drooling, but wait until you see my other projects I created for the countdown! A real WOW!!

Template Talk

If you are NEW to my blog and have NO IDEA what I am speaking about-read this

My templates are for various gift packaging, and they are SO EASY! Just download once, print, cut, score and assemble. Done in minutes. EASY PEASY! You can make great gifts over and over again for the purchase of one template.

If you want to see our other templates (we just started this product line last month) then click here! You can also try a FREE template there as well Also see my sidebar. I have a My Timeless Template category that you are able to click and view any past projects I have created here, for some ideas.

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Be sure you check in with Nichole for more peeks, as well as Melissa & Lisa!

I’ll be back tomorrow for MORE peeks! 

 Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day, to check in and see what I have for you. All the comments, emails and support ( I read every single thing you send me) make every minute I have invested in this, worth every second. You all truly make my day. I really want to thank you for the bitty bottom of my heart ♥ (<—–YEAH! I *just* figured out how to do that! LOL!)

Well, till tomorrow.

I have so much going on right now your head would spin off your shoulders if I shared my to do list with you! You truly have no idea. Im actually surprised mine hasn’t fallen off yet For me to not have time to even check my email, let alone blog is a HUGE deal here.

I truly didn’t think people would notice, but I did se some very concerned emails, so yes, I am OK! Thanks for asking

We have more My Timeless Templates to prepare for YEAH!! They seem to have been a big hit with everyone who has tried them, so thank you!

With Harvest parties, and deadlines its nuts. Plus I have MANY errands for my brother and his girlfriend. Then my dog and 3 cats got fleas today :C. So I spent the day de-fleaing and taking Daisy to the groomer. Poor baby.

Then it was all the Harvest party stuff for my 3 kids. Between ALL their parties I ran ALL day.

Now keep in mind my family doesn’t celebrate Halloween. I allow my kids to par-take in the parties and stuff at school, but we don’t Trick or Treat. No big deal in my house, we never did it. Today while we were at Noah’s harvest party, his teacher decided to do a “poll”.

 Raise your hand if you are going Trick or Treating tonight. EVERYONE raises their hand, EXCEPT for Noah. She says OK 15 kids are Trick or Treating. Now “Who ISN’T going Trick Or Treating? Raise your hand.”

“ Noah? You aren’t going correct?”

 Noah looks embarrassed and wouldn’t raise his hand. He turns to me and says “Mom Im going Trick or Treating too right?”

I just stood there, feeling so awful and Noah being singled out with a room of people. I didn’t say anything.

He said “Yes, I am going too”

So she put him in the “yes” colum.

She said “OK so 16 kids going trick or treating, and no one isn’t going”

That concluded the “poll”, then Noah left for a reading group. I approached the teacher upset, and asked her what was the point in that poll?

I told her “Noah is really NOT going trick or treating. We don’t celebrate it. But you singled him out, and he was so embarrassed and singled out. You saw there wasn’t another child, why point him out? I don’t understand what the point was”

She replied “Oh its no big deal, no one cares”

I then said ” You are wrong Noah cared, as he was the ONLY one, and you blatantly pointed that out. I hope you rethink your questions in the future.”

He then went on to be upset that he is the ONLY one not going. Its times like that, that make being a parent hard. I know he doesn’t understand WHY my family chooses not to celebrate it. He sees it as just a fun thing to do, and it is made fun. It just made me have a guilty mommy moment, you know?

When you believe in something, its not always easy to be the ONLY one, or stand up for it when “everyone else” is doing it. I saw this today.

Just had to share that. I still feel upset seeing what went down.

We are off to go for ice cream sundaes instead. So that should help

OK totally sorry about that interruption but Im still upset over it.

I do have a nice gift set to share with you though. This also answers my post question.

Personalized stationary is ALWAYS a great gift, I think! LOL! So when it came time for a gift idea, that is the way I went.

I made these cards as a set.

Well my dear friend Alicia has had a lot on her plate with her son Ethan having Cancer. I am certain she always needs some sort of quick note to send somewhere. I have a care package I have been putting together for her & the kids (still not done) but this was part of my “plan”.

I wanted to make her some notecards, so  I whipped up 8 cards. 2 of each design. Now to fit my box, these are 4 X 5 1/2. I used the left over scrap strip for my accents on my cards NO WASTE!!

The designer paper panel is 3 X 4

I used myJustRite Stampers Harmony classic oval set, colored the flower border using various markers, to match my K & Co paper.

I then assembled her name in the center using my Curlz Font. I decided on the 50pt for this one. It was the perfect font for this funky paper!

If you have any of the JustRite Stampers you may want to check this tutorial for conditioning them on SCS—>HERE!

They were also the product focus on SCS-HERE!

I decided to accent my card using my AWESOME Bazzill flowers, and some buttons I had. I HOPE Alicia likes these because its not a “re-giftable” item! LOL!

OK now for the answer to the question, “what do you do with 8 cards?”

Chipboard Chic Box by Lauren Meader ©

You make a ROCKIN, chipboard, desktop holder! I never made all the squaes ones that were all the rage, but this version of mine was fun for me No more forgetting to send a card out. Its out in plain view!

I made mine using cut down chipboard coasters!

It was SUPER fun, and SUPER easy.

On the sides I punched my holes, and inserted a big eyelet. I then popped in a silver handle from a Paint can.

How cool?!

Here it is all full and ready to go!!

The front/back panels are 4 across, 3 inches tall

The sides are 1 1/2 wide, and 3 inches tall.

Now my bottom piece was  4 1/2 X 2.

Holder done in UNDER 15 minutes LOVE IT! I bet once I get moving I could WHIP up a bunch of these no problem I’m thinking TEACHER gifts!

Well thats all for me, I have to run.

Enjoy.