Stampin' Sweet

In my household we believe in the magic of Santa. My son is 12 years old and my daughter is 10 years old. We believe in the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy too! (Coincidentally, the Tooth Fairy will also be making a stop at my house tonight, and I am guessing my daughter will leave the Tooth Fairy a treat along side Santa's cookies and milk!) I am sure my son is old enough to understand how Santa works, but I think he understands our unspoken Christmas tradition. I knew the magic of Santa would not be revealed in my household, I pretty much figured it would be leaked at school........ As my daughter and I were driving to the store last week she asked me if Santa was real. Sigh. I told her that I believe in Santa. She thought about it for a few minutes quietly. I then asked her why she was asking and if she heard something different. She said yes, a girl at her school told her Santa was not real. My heart sunk. I asked her how she responded to that remark. My daughter replied,

November 22, 2013: "Mom, how long until Christmas"? Me: "A lil over a month away." November 25, 2013: "Mom, what day is Christmas again"? Me: "Silly goose! December 25th"! "Oh yay, I forgot, one more month." December 1, 2013: "It is almost Christmas"! Me: <mentally freaking out just a little> December 5, 2013: "Twenty more days." Me: <noooooooo> December 8-11, 2013: (We finally decorate our Christmas tree) December 17, 2013: "Mom, one more week til Christmas Eve"! Me: "Yes ma'am, you are correct." Mommy is not quite ready for Christmas. Did I mention I have not made my Christmas cards yet? I like to think I work well under pressure! Stay tuned. Let me me share My Pumpkin Challenge card for this week. I added some Real Red card stock to make this card. The kit alone is lovely, so it does not take much to step it up a notch. I hope you are having fun with your My Pape

So this past weekend the girls in my Dessert Club  had a Cookie Exchange. This was my first Cookie Exchange ever. Check out our lovely samples below. My photo is not the best, but hey, I was there to eat some cookies not have a cookie photo shoot! 1. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies by Rosalynda 2. Chocolate Cake Cookies with peanut butter frosting by Kady 3. Earl Grey Tea Cookies by Jessica 4. Pecan Linzer Cookies with Razberry Jam by my sister (the hostess with the mostess) 5. Chocolate Truffle Cookies with Sea Salt by Your's Truly 6. An assortment of Bon Bons by Karyn (I should have unwrapped them!) We had a lot of fun. My sister also made us a supper yummy meal to eat before our sugar high. All of the cookies were amazing. I would definitely participate in another one. So my only questions is, are Cookie Exchanges only done around the Holidays? I want another one, like in the summer, only with no bake cookies! Have you ever participated in a Cookie Exchange? If so

I am really loving this My Paper Pumpkin kit!! It is lovely. The garland is my favorite. I think I will learn how to use a sewing machine so I can make more garland! Here is the card I created this week. I was able to make this card using only the items that came with the kit! I just cut the bottom off the pre-cut NOEL banner and made chevrons. I also sponged the edges of the NOEL with the Real Red ink that was included in the kit. Have you been busy making Christmas cards? Or maybe you have already sent yours out! I am behind and need to get moving! I will share my card soon. I hope you will head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge to see what else the talented Design Team has shared this week! I also wanted to share a couple of stories I read online this week. The first story is about a Christmas list written by a young boy in 1915. Read the story here .  The second story is about a Christmas list written by a little girl this year, her father recaps her list. I thought it

Not long ago I was pinning away (if only I got paid to pin) and I came across this great technique by Deb Valder and I knew I had to try it. It is called the Stained Crystal Technique and it is stunning! Below is the card I made using her technique. As you can see I stamped the Dahlia using the Jet Black Stazon on a Window Sheet, then I painted the Crystal Effects mixed with a few drops of ink refill (you can use any color) and then while it is still wet you pour Dazzling Diamonds all over the painted area. Let it dry and the effect is stunning!  Be sure to check out Debs video for step by step instructions. My photo does not do it justice. I hope you will give it a try! Thanks for stopping by!

I had to share this adorable card that I made. The punch art Yoda first caught my eye on Pinterest . It was created by Stampin' Up Demonstrator Sarah-Jane . Be sure to check out her blog for the wonderful tutorial she put together. I am a huge Star Wars fan and when I noticed her card I knew I had to try it! Sarah-Jane you are brilliant! I had a lot of fun making this card! I usually make feminine cards so I was excited to change it up! I really do not make many punch art cards and now I think I am hooked! Why not make one for your Star Wars fan? I sent this one to My Man and he loved it! Thanks for stopping by!

December is here! Are you getting ready to celebrate the Holidays? The November My Paper Pumpkin kit was perfect for Christmas. So this month we will "Celebrate Christmas" at the My Pumpkin Challenge ! The kit was so lovely, be sure to follow us all month long for Christmas inspiration! I am in love with the stitched star garland! It is so pretty and festive! I deconstructed the NOEL banner to make my card. Be sure to head over to the My Pumpkin Challenge to see what the Design Team has created today! P.S. Are you ready for Cyber Monday? The following items will be on sale tomorrow only. 30% off Don't miss out on these amazing deals. Plus, you still have time to take advantage of the Holiday Sale!  Envelope Liners Framelits Dies (item 132172)  $26.95  $18.87  Expressions Thinlits Dies (item 132171)  $24.95  $17.47  Holly Jolly Greetings Simply Sent (item 132159)  $14.95  $10.47  Snowflake Season Simply Sent  (item 132176)  $14.95  $10.47