12 Days Countdown Vintage Stocking

The December issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler, "Adorned Holiday" is LIVE today!  An issue filled with beautiful projects for decoratingyour home or offering as gifts to family and friends.

Here's a little sneak peek of a magnetic stocking to brighten up your kitchen or filing cabinets.  Each date is replaced as you count down to the last 12 days of Christmas.

Another sneak peek of the Holiday Sled Gift Box.

Flourishing Butterfly Tag

Whipped up this little tag with some of my holiday fabric, embossing folder, Kinds Matters stamp set and additional do-dads.

Adorned Holiday Blog Hop

Thanks for finding the time to join us for the Adorned Holiday Blog Hop.  This hop was designed to showcase three of the project templates in the December issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler.

The hop is designed to take you full circle by selecting the link at the bottom of the post.  You're free to start viewing here, unless of course you came from viewing Heidi Baks amazing projects!

First project, Winter Sleigh.  While there are many treats that could be used to stuff the sleigh with, I chose to do a more decorative peice.  Something sweet and simple to sit on your desk or the side table in your foyer.

The main sleigh used some flourishing designer paper and I embellished the flourishes with glitter.  A few Boho flowers, brads and mica flakes to finish it all off.

Next up, Bright and Starry Sled.  The "Joy" on the main sled was embossed using an older stamp set.  The stars were created with punches, Stars die and the Stars stamp set.  A little gold embossing topped off with glittery red stars tie it all together.

Waffle paper is 'drapped' around the top.  My goal was to create a swag.  It's hard to see with all those stars.

Here's a full view.  What you can't see is the box that supports the top of the sled.  It's designed to be stuffed with a little something.  I've made mine into an ornament to hang on the tree but it wouldmake a nice presentation with a gift card inside or Ben Franklin's image inside :-)

Last is my Holiday Limoge Trinket box.  A big Thank You to Cherie Franklin for the template.   Here I've stuffed it with a few Holiday sweets.

A view of the box closed with the holiday flower on top.

That's it for me.  Next stop on the hop is Lisa Hensley.  Select the link below to be transported.  Thanks for taking the time to view the Creative Take from the design team of the Paper Crafters Sampler.

Vintage Ice Boot Sleeve

In all my life (and that's been a while), I've only tried Ice Skating 5 times or less indoor ice rinks.   Never really could get the hang of balancing on those blades without having my inner ankles using the ice as support.  Of course, if there were more frozen lakes in the South I'd probably have more time to practice. 

Who doesn't love the images associated with winter.  Sleds, snow tipped evergreens and pom pom mittens are a welcoming site from those toasty summer days.  Soon many will be lacing up their ice skates for a spin on the ice.

Take a look at this skate.  Nothing makes a fashion statement for a skater than a satin dress with a furry ruffle.

While there's more freedom for leg movement in today's skating garments, I would image the older garments helped protect your derriere from getting iced.  You can check out some other beautiful vintage ice skating images HERE.

Here's a little something I put together in tribute to those who have mastered those icy ponds, a vintage ice boot sleeve .  The boot is designed to tuck a gift tag or bookmark (as shown below) inside.  The main boot was run through the holiday stocking bigz die.  The template has been modified a (shaved off a bit of the base and straightened it vertically)  to create a more 'skate-like' appearance.

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Paper Crafters Sampler Adorned Holiday blog hop scheduled for December 1st!

Elfin Shoes Treat Bag

Putting a few more of those narrow cellos to use for the holiday. 

The bag is stuffed with Runts candy (although any small candy will work...nerds is a good alternative).  Used the curly-toed shoe pattern from my candy-leg witch HERE. 

Metallic Mocha Scallop Box

I whipped this up in 30 minutes.  Yep!  I printed the base on Suede cardstock using the Scallop box template from Mirkwood designs.  Be sure to check out the link.  More than likely you've come across it in the past...just simply forgot it was out there.

For the top, I traced the base (that I cut out) onto the Metallic Mocha cardstock.  Added a little label, half of accordian scallop (made with the round scallop punch; scored to make peaks) and embossed the edges.  Tuck the gold waffle paper behind and WALLA! 

It's hard to see but if you zoom into one of the images you can catch a glimpse of the metallic-ness (add that to my spell check) of the paper. 

This quick box would make a great presentation for tucking in a Christmas (or better year, New Years) gift.

Adorned Holiday

A few holiday samples below.  Each was designed using the holiday templates in the December issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler.  If you're interested in seeing additional samples, mark you calendars for December 1st to see what the PCS Design Team has come up with.

The hustle and bustle of the holiday is just days away.  Keeping that in mind, the Sampler is releasing the holiday templates for INSTANT DOWNLOAD starting today.

So, all those anxious to get started creating can do so immediately.  The December issue "Adorned Holiday" is scheduled  on the 10th of the month as usual, featuring eight (8) glorious projects as always.  Those purchasing now (to receive the templates) will receive the direct link to download the entire issue on December 10th.

$12.99


Ice Queens Sleigh

Box sleigh, for tucking a little something gift inside.

Lastly, a Limoge trinket box.

Turkeys on Parade

Finaly had some extra time to make a few more samples using the Turkey Place setting idea from the "Harvest Essence" Sampler. There were several new ideas I was playing with, it was hard to narrow it down. Think this weekend I'm going to try this on a larger scale.


First up is the Floral turkey.  The main body uses the Spice Cake DSP.  It reminds me a bit of Toile.

Here's my fanned turkey.  The ornate image is stamped in Tangerine and the paper just behind it is Poppy (although it does look like Tangerine).  It really makes it pop.  The addition of the brown markings on the image were added thinking I needed more, but it looked very sweet and simply with just the fanned tails and glitter rim on the Poppy layer.  Main turkey embossed with Lattice folder.

You can see the Poppy color a little better here.

Thanks for looking. 

Annivesary Flowers

Aren't these lovely?  Anniversary flowers for me from hubby.  Brightened up my office space for sure.