GRS Christmas Hop ... Pin-Spired Day #15

Welcome to the weekend!  After a very busy week with everyone going in many directions, it will be a nice weekend together as a family.   I know I'm looking forward to giving lots of hugs over the next few days...and weeks.

Today I have TWO things going on... Not only am I continuing with my "Pin-spired" Christmas celebration, but the Gourmet Rubber Stamps girls are having a Christmas Blog Hop and each of us are giving away a GRS stamp set.   The set I used for my card today is called Silent Night ~ I just love the simplicity of it.

For the Christmas Blog Hop, you have today and tomorrow to leave comments and I will draw and winner and announce it on Monday right here.   Here are the other GRS ladies playing along today:

• • Deb Felts
  • Jeni Allen
  • Kendra Wietstock - You're Here
  • Jennifer Ingle
  • Kelli Palmer 
  • Stepanie Lee

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

In addition to the GRS Christmas Blog Hop, I will continue with my Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!


Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

Today's winner is... Denise Bryant who left a this comment on December 12th.

Great presentation for your newsletter! Love the envelopes too and how they coordinate! That was a great find!
DeniseB

Denise, please email me with your contact information & I'll get your prize out in the mail.


See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

"Pin-Spired" Day #14 ~ Brown Paper Packages...

With Christmas almost here, it's time to get all of those gifts wrapped.  So today I'm sharing a few of my easy packaging ideas.  I love using kraft paper and cardstock because it goes perfectly with every color and has such a rustic feel.  I have a seriously HUGE roll of lightweight packing paper and I use it all year long to wrap gifts.  However, stamping for the holidays is my favorite because I like to pull out all sorts of trims and embellishments.

Here's how I made these super easy packages:

1. Wrap your package in kraft wrapping or packing paper.  You can buy this by the roll a craft store or an office supply store.
2. Cut a 2" strip of red cardstock the length of your package.
3. With white pigment ink, stamp the swirling snow image form the Made of Snow stamp set on the red cardstock.
4. Attach to the package.
5. Use 1/8" double sided sticky tape and attach a strip to the top and bottom of the red cardstock.
6. Attach white ric rac trim to the sticky tape.
7. With the red ink, stamp the snowflake from the Holiday Seasons Sampler, on the white cardstock.
8. Punch out the snowflake with a circle punch.
9. Layer out a slightly larger circle in kraft cardstock & then a red scallop circle.
10. Attach a red gem to the center of the snowflake.
11. Attach snowflake image to the package using foam dots.
12. Stamp the "To/From" sentiment (from the Love & Joy Labels set) directly on the package.

Here are a few more packages I came up with for under my tree...

Stamps: Gourmet Rubber Stamps ~ Holly Season's Greetings (single)
Embossing Folder ~ Cuttlebug Snowflake

Stamps: Gourmet Rubber Stamp
Chevron Stripes Background; Gift Tag; Love & Joy Labels; Oh Christmas Tree

Stamps: Gourmet Rubber Stamps
Build A Bauble (Snowflake); Love & Joy Labels; Tall Snowman Single

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today my "Pin-spired" friend is Daisy Sparks!   Make sure you hop on over to her blog and see what she came up with for her "Pin-spired" project!

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday {as in TONIGHT} I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

Our 2012 Christmas Letter ~ Pin-Spired Day #13

How's about a little DIGI-FUN?  When I saw the fabulous newsletter/Christmas cards on Shutterfly and Snapfish this year, I decided that I could do my own digi version on Photoshop Elements.  I found one that was posted on Pinterest {the graphic below}and used the same layout and theme.  However, I changed the colors and used my own digi elements.  I LOVE how it turned out and plan on adding it to my 2012 scrapbook!   On the back of this page, I added a letter about what we've been up to this year with a few more photos of each family member.  I color copied the two pages back to back on 24lb paper so it wouldn't bleed through.  TIP: Make sure you use good paper for stuff like this ~ it makes a difference.

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today my "Pin-spired" friend is Melissa Cash.  So hop on over to her blog and see what she came up with for her"Pin-spired" project! 

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

The 2012 Family Christmas Card ~ "Pin-Spired" Day #12

Ahhhhhh...that's how I feel each year when my Christmas cards hit the mailbox!  Every year I try and come up with some little twist for our family card.  This year I decided to make a big pocket for our newsletter.  I used the "Joy" die cut and the Folk Art Flurries stamp set by WPlus9 Design Studio.  And I MUST add that the snowflake design on my card was totally inspired (if not completely CASE'd) from Maureen Merritt's card.  As soon as I saw her card, I went and bought all of the supplies so I could make the card!

And our yearly newsletter is tucked inside ~ {I'll share that tomorrow}

and here is the whole stack of them {70 to be exact}

ready to be stuffed inside the cool matching envelopes

that I found at Office Max ~ SCORE!!!

 My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today I have two returning "Pin-spired" friends joining me ~ Vicki Garrett & Daisy Sparks and one new friend ~ Deb Felts.  So hop on over to their blogs and see what they came up with for their "Pin-spired" projects! 

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday evening I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun and happy 12.12.12!!!

Day #11 of Pin-Spired Christmas ~ December Daily Pages

Super PUMPED about my post today!  As I showed you last week, I decided to do a December Daily book this year.  I couldn't be more pleased with how it is turning out & I have the inside cover and several pages to share today.  All of the supplies {album, printed pages, and embellishments} are from the Simple Stories Handmade Christmas Collection.

This is the inside cover of the album ~ don't you love this sweet idea?
I actually CASE'd this idea from Cari Locken.

The cover page!
I wanted to include the photo that I used in our Christmas newsletter.
Stamps from Unity Stamp Company ~ December SMAK kit.

December 1st ~ Daily Page
"State of Un-Done"

December 2nd ~ Daily Page
"Christmas Card Prep"

December 3rd ~ December Daily
"Holly Jolly Outdoor Decor"

December 3rd Continued...
My "Pin-Spired" Christmas Celebration

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today I have another "Pin-spired" friends joining me ~ Broni Holcombe.  So hop on over to her blog and see what she came up with for as a "Pin-spired" project!
 

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

GRS Sketch Challenge & "Pin-Spired" Day #10!

Hey Hey...Where did the weekend go?  Oh my goodness...it was so busy!  I finished putting up Christmas decorations, had my daughter's big music production at school (which was OUTSTANDING), and worked on Christmas cards...not to mention a million other things!  Well Monday is here and it's a special day ...for a few reasons.  First of all, it is my daughter's Sweet 16 ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEGAN!!!  She is just the BEST 16 year old EVER!  

OK....now on with the crafty part of my blog today!  The Gourmet Rubber Stamps team is having a sketch challenge today and this was a fun one!  

I used the Holiday Cheer stamp set and made a pocket Christmas card.  I love this older set because it has so many cool retro images!

Here's the pull-out

There are lots of other cute cards from the GRS designers today ~ take a peek...

• Deb Felts

• Jeni Allen

• Kendra Wietstock - You're Here

• Jennifer Ingle

• Kelli Palmer 

• Stepanie Lee

Not only was my project inspired by the GRS sketch, 

but I was also "Pin-spired"  by this pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today I have two returning "Pin-spired" friends joining me ~ Debbie Fisher & Daisy Sparks.  So hop on over to their blogs and see what they came up with for their "Pin-spired" projects! 
 

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

Pin-Spired Day #9 ~ Christmas Cocoa Stir Sticks

OK ~ I will admit it... I think THESE ARE JUST ADORABLE!!!!  I had a blast making these fun little candy cane stir sticks for our hot cocoa the other night.  I informed my family that we would be having a FAMILY Christmas Card Making Night & their attendance was MANDATORY!  So I thought since I was making them come help me, the least I could do was provide some fun refreshments!  So I made some festive brownies with hot cocoa and these fabulous little gems!  OMW ~ THESE ARE SO EASY!!!!

The first thing you need to do is gather & prepare your supplies...large marshmallows, small candy canes, Christmas sprinkles, and melting chocolates.  I use the Wilton Chocolate Fondue Melting Pot ~ it works beautifully and the chocolate doesn't seize up on you.  Totally worth the money {especially if you have a 40% off coupon}!  Get everything ready to go because you'll need to work fast.

Cover a plate with parchment paper & put a glass in the middle (you'll see why in a second).  Unwrap your candy canes and dip one into the melted chocolate.  Immediately stick the chocolate tip into the marshmallow while it is still hot.  This will help keep the candy cane in place inside the marshmallow.  

Then place the marshmallow on the plate right up next to the glass.  The glass will help keep the marshmallows upright so they don't tip over.  If they tip over, the melted chocolate will run over the side and make a mess.

Once you have your marshmallows dipped, put them inside the fridge for about 10 minutes so the chocolate hardens.

Next... taking hold of the marshmallow, dip the end of it into the melted chocolate...

...and then immediately into the Christmas sprinkles.
Place the completed marshmallows on a parchment covered plate.

place the plate in the fridge for another 10 minutes so the chocolate hardens.

Transfer to a lovely festive plate for display!
{store in the fridge...they melt fast}

When you are ready to serve, hang the Candy Cane stir sticks off the side of the mug.
{warning...they do melt pretty fast so you'll want to wait to hang them on the mugs}

Here's my festive spread!

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today I have another "Pin-spired" friends joining me ~ Beate Johns.  So hop on over to her blog and see what she came up with for as a "Pin-spired" project!
 

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

Pin-Spired Day #8 ~ Gingerbread Greetings

Today I have a cute gingerbread cookie pouch to share with you.  When I found these cute gingerbread cookies at the grocery store, I knew I HAD to make a little craft with them.  It's just a simple pocket with a matching gift card.  I used the Gingerbread Greetings set by Gourmet Rubber Stamps.

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today my "Pin-spired" friend is Amber Hillman!   Make sure you hop on over to her blog and see what she came up with for her "Pin-spired" project!

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

This week's "Pin-Spired" Winner is....
Kathy/NorthCarolina has left a new comment on your post "Elegant "Pin-Spired" Creation ~ Day #2":
     Sooooo elegant! I like the popped up sentiment and the pom pom border.
Posted by Kathy/NorthCarolina to Kendra's Card Company at December 4, 2012 8:47 PM 

Kathy ~ please email your contact information to me & I'll get your prize in the mail!

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.

Day #7 ~ Pocket Present

And the Christmas fun continues...Today I have a gift wrapping idea that I just couldn't pass up trying.  I have a HUGE roll of kraft packing paper, so I use it as gift wrap all the time {because as you know...I love kraft & it goes with everything}.  Anyway, this nifty package has a pocket that I have stuffed two little tags inside...HOW COOL IS THAT???  It's super easy too ~ just fold the wrapping paper in the middle and then wrap your gift.  I tied a fabric ribbon just below the pocket & then added some coordinating tags using some fun die cut images.

The stocking die cut is from Memory Box and the Snowflake die cut is from W Plus 9 Designs.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folders to add the swirl texture to the stocking and the snowflake texture on the white layer behind the kraft snowflake.  

My project today was "Pin-spired" by this Pin

{just click on the photo for the link}

Today my "Pin-spired" friend is Daisy Sparks!   Make sure you hop on over to her blog and see what she came up with for her "Pin-spired" project!

Don't forget ~ Weekly Blog Candy!  Each Friday {as in TONIGHT} I will be drawing a random comment from my blog to give away some cool blog candy.  You may leave as many comments as you'd like each week.  Then at the end of my "Pin-Spired" Celebration, I'll have more prizes to share with more lucky winners!  

Blog Candy Rules:  Comments that I deem unkind or look like spam will be deleted.  Winners will be posted on my blog each Saturday and must send me an email with your contact information.  Deadline for final blog candy drawing will be midnight (ET) on December 21, 2012.  If you fail to provide contact information to me by December 31, 2012, prizes will be forfeited.

See you tomorrow for more "Pin-spired" fun.