Christmas Countdown - Day 16-10

Quick everyone!  Hop into into the Delorean!  There's no time to lose!

I am so sorry for the long absence.   Migraines, Christmas parties, dead camera batteries, and life in general  have prevented me from spending any decent length of time in front of my computer.  But I am ready and willing to catch up if you are.

So, let's get started.  We are going to go back in time, so it will be a long post.  I will keep the chatter to a minimum.

Christmas Countdown - Day 16

Today I have a very cute project and gift idea to share with you. 

I found the pattern for these gingerbread houses on the internet and made a few changes to suit it to my needs.  Really cute as it is, but the surprise is that this is a box!

I filled these fantastic gingerbread houses with a set of 4 handstamped coasters, some hot chocolate in cute little package tied with a candy cane, and a card.  It became the perfect teacher gift.  The teachers loved them.  I think they were glad to have something to go with all those coffee mugs they end up getting.

Thanks for stopping by. . .





Christmas Countdown - Day 15

I have been stamping tiles for a few months, and have made some very pretty summer ones, but had yet to make any Christmas themed ones.  That is not the case anymore.

Lookie:

 

The ornament and the snowflake ones are made using stencils.  The ornaments used the stencils Vintage Ornaments 1 and 2, classic ink, and Platinum Shimmer paint.  I made a snowflake stencil using a window sheet and the snowflake die in my big shot.  Again, classic ink (Marina Mist) and Platinum Shimmer paint.  I will be using these for gifts for my sisters in law.  I know they will love them as much as I do.

Thanks for stopping by . . . .

Christmas Countdown - Day 14

I have a very pretty home decor project to show you.  This is the first in my Festive Frames series of classes.  I am so excited to create inserts for the rest of the year's classes.

 

I know!  I love it too!  Here are some more views (and some sneak peeks at upcoming products).

 

Do you spot the new products? 

This has so many elements that I love.  I hope you find something in this that you love too.  If you would like more information about the upcoming Festive Frames classes please contact me.

Thanks for stopping by . . .



Christmas Countdown - Day 13

I have a different card to share with you today.  It uses the Bells and Boughs stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalog. 

 
I think what makes this card unusual is that I took a line art stamp which is usually meant to be colored in, and left it "empty"  I also stamp the background designer paper with the same stamp.  I love how everything is monochromatic with just a splash of Cherry Cobbler.


Thanks for stopping by. . . .


Christmas Countdown - Day 12

I have a take on a nontraditional Christmas card.  Even though this card has very traditional elements in the form of the ornaments, the colors I chose make it very nontraditional.

Isn't is pretty?  I used my color coach to help me pick colors.  The new color coach is one of my favorite tools.

Thanks for stopping by. . .




Christmas Countdown - Day 11

The card I want to share with you today uses the Fresh Cuts notes.  It is so versatile.  I really like using these for quick cards.

What a difference!  What you cannot tell from the picture is that there is smooch and shimmer on nearly every element of this card.  I think the only thing I didn't "enhance" was the vanilla taffeta ribbon.  I often use this in a much more simple manner with just a piece of designer paper and a brad.  For a look at ways to use the Fresh Cut notes check out Lisa's blog.  She has a cute variation that is super simple.

Thanks for stopping by. . . 

Christmas Countdown - Day 10

Today's project is some more home decor.  

In this close up picture you can see a bit of sparkle.  Before I put the two layers of glass together, I sprinkled just a bit of fine champagne glitter from the lid onto the glass.  It gives it a real WOW!

Even though you are no longer able to get this particular decor element you can still have your own fantastic project.  Any of the Christmas/Winter themed decor elements from the Definitely Decorative brochure would look just as beautiful.  I can just picture how stunning the vintage ornaments would be.  I switch this image out for the rest of the year into the Ornate flower.  I get so many comments on both of these throughout the year.

And with that, I think we are all caught up.  Thanks for hanging in there.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 9

Wow!  Today has been exhausting.  Why is it that the one thing that your child wants most is always the "hottest thing out there"?  I swear every year, one of my kids "has to have" that thing that is sold out in every store in town.  This year it is GoGo My Walking Pup.  I spent the entire day looking all over town to find it.  I didn't.  So, a tank of gas and a headache later and I have to do it all again.

Let's move on to happier topics, kay?

Day 9

Have you ever walked through a store or shop, saw something really cute, and thought to yourself, "I could make that.  I could make that cuter and for less money." ?  Happens to me a lot.  That is how these next projects came about.

I saw these nice photo holders on a shopping trip, and knew that I could take that idea and run with it.  So, I did.  I found some artist canvases and painted them with acrylic paints (white and vanilla)  I added some ink and buttons (with chains), snowflakes and some brads.  Then I handed it over to Lisa, and she added some fantastic shimmer, ribbon, brads, and pizzazz!  I love what she did to finish them off.  Don't they look beautiful?  And they are loaded with some fantastic cards.

Well that is Day 9.   I am ready to put this day to bed.  I am going to the couch with a cool cloth.  See you all tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.


Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 8

I want to start off by saying, "oops".  Apparently when I made the Day 7 post I set it to post for next year on December 7.  I went to do today's post and saw that yesterday's was not there.  My apologies.

Now, onto Day 8!

Every year I make a wreath to hang on my front door.  The actual wreath is artificial, and I change the embellishments every year  This years wreath turned out especially well.

Isn't it pretty?!

I used candy cane fabric strips to tie knots and cut out glittery felt snowflakes using the snowflake die and the Big Shot.  The center of each felt snowflake is a Candy Cane Big Designer button..

I also cut out snowflakes from aluminum flashing and used one of our pretty glimmer brads in the center.

I really love everything about this wreath.  It looks so nice against my black door.

Thanks for stopping by.

 Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 7

Day 7!

The project I want to share with you today is easy, versatile, and FUN!!!!

I made all these with less than one full pack of Flurry Decor Element from the Definitely Decorative catalog.

I made this bowl last year.  I picked a few different sizes of snowflakes and trimmed the largest one before I applied it.  As you can see, it looks great with miniature candy canes in it.

This second one is a case from my friend Lisa.  I made a few adjustments and additions, but very similar.

 

Can you see all the glitter?  I stamped a piece of Baja Breeze Designer Series paper with snowflakes from the Northern Hearts hostess set in Whisper White Craft ink, then I sprinkled them all with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  After that dies I smoocked it with Vanilla Smooch and then forced myself to step away before I went too crazy with the shimmer and glitter and dazzle.  I also added a little fake snow to the bottom of the shadow frame and I think it looks fantastic.

This last one is just pure whimsy.

I just took some of the smaller snowflakes and jazzed up my favorite travel mug from Costco.  I would say it is totally unique, but Lisa and I both did ours for the Craft show we did together.  When the cold snowy weather is done, I will just peel these off and add something springy instead.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 6

Hello again!

Day 6 and I am still going strong!

The other day I was surfing through a website for Stampin' Up! demonstrators (called Stampin' Connection) and came across this pretty little luminary tree.  The fellow crafter was generous enough to post a tutorial on her site for it so I thought it would be fun to CASE it and make a few changes to it to make it my own.  Now there is only so much that you can do to change something like this, but I managed to find a few things that I could put my twist on.

Before I assembled the "tree", I stamped some snowflakes from the Northern Hearts Hostess set in the Holiday mini with Whisper White craft ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  I also popped a little rhinestone in the center of each snowflake,  My base is made from the Baja Breeze sheet in the Candy Cane designer paper.  It looks so pretty, but it looks even prettier all lit up.

Thanks for stopping by.


Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 5

Well, there is still time for Day 5!

Today I want to share with you a quick little Christmas card.  I love this stamp and I think that it turns out great as a Christmas card.

 

Doesn't the Medallion make a great wreath?!  I just punched out a few holes and matted it on real red cardstock and voila! berries!

Here is a closer look

I am not sure if you can see it, but I used my blender pen to apply some of the Champagne shimmer paint around the wreath.  It gives it just that little bit of jazz.

See you tomorrow for Day 6.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 4

Hello to Day 4!

Sorry for the post and dash yesterday.  I was off to a holiday party that my upline, Lisa (who is also a fantastic friend) was hosting.  We had soooo much fun.  There was great food, fun games, and pretty stamping projects.  Most of all, there were great friends and lots of laughs.

So, what's Christmassy today?  How about a card?  Check out this pretty card.

 

These are not your traditional Christmas colours, but by golly!, they work great!  My friend commissioned me to make this card for a baby girl's first Chistmas.  The Mommy is a very modern, hip woman who doesn't like a lot of pink.  I think that this card fits the bill perfectly.

Here is a look from up close and personal.

 

Look at all that shimmer and the bling.  I can not stop using the rhinestones and pearls. 


Thanks for stopping by.

Sherri

Christmas Countdown - Day 3

Hello, and welcome back.  It's Day 3 of my Christmas Countdown

Today I want to share with you some paper ornaments that I made to decorate a little tiny tree.  There are a lot of pictures.  I hope you enjoy!

Aren't they all so pretty?  I just love each and every one of them, but I have my favorites.  What one's do you like best?

Thanks for stopping by.

Sherri