Teacher Gifts 2011

Well here it is the last day before winter break, and I just finished up making my teacher gifts.  The teachers loved the gift tags I made last year, so I decided to make them again for this year's teachers.  I kept some of the same designs just to keep my brain from going into creative overload, and came up with some new ones.

Here they are...

All twelve designs.

Stocking from Jolly Bingo Bits colored with markers, tag punch.

Presents from Holiday Tag Team colored with markers, Nestabilities petite scalloped oval.

Ornament stamped in Versamark then Cherry cobbler, clear EP, ornament punch.

Ornament stamped in Versamark then Pacific Point, iridescent ice EP, ornament punch.  So pretty IRL.

Snowman from Jolly Bingo Bits, colored with markers, Versamark pen along bottom and embossed with iridescent ice EP.

Peppermint candy from Jolly Bingo Bits stamped in Real Red, red rhinestone to center, tag punch.

Pennant Parade 'tree' stamped in Memento Bamboo Leaves, petite pennants builder punch, popped up on demensionals on red hand cut tag.  Rhinestone as a star on top.

Snowflake from Serene Snowflakes stamped in Versamark with White EP, hand cut tag.

Holly from Holiday Tag Team colored with markers, wide oval punch.

Poinsettia from Patterned Pines colored with markers, decorative label punch.

Tree from Jolly Bingo Bits colored with markers, Nestabilities petite oval, glitter pen to star for a little sparkle.

Celebrate the Season from So Many Scallops, cherry cobbler ink, scallop circle punch.

All packaged up and ready to go!

I also made the teachers some magnets in the theme of the school's mascot - Tigers.

Go Tigers!

These were all really easy to put together, I just waited too long to get them started.  I am the true definition of a procrastinator.  Don't tell anybody, but I still don't have my Christmas decorations up.  That will be happening today!

Unless I find something else to do.

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my Etsy store. I just added a few more items if you want to check them out.

K

The Perfect Tree

Every year, we buy a permit from the National Forest Service (for only $10) to cut our own Christmas tree.  You can cut any tree you want with a trunk 6" or less in diameter within the cutting boundaries they establish for that particular year.

Any tree in the whole forest.

You would think it would be a simple task, but the perfect tree doesn't exist in nature.  You think you have found the perfect one, but discover a giant hole in the branches to one side.  Or it has been growing on the side of a hill and the branches are crooked.  Or it's too close to another tree and is flat on one side.  Or two family members like it and two don't.  Ugh!  The joys of cutting your own tree!

Despite all the obstacles we always do find the perfect tree for us.  And then after we cut it down, we find an even more perfect one on the way back to the car.  It happens every time!

Here are some pictures of our tree cutting adventure today.

Bunny tracks in the snow.  Aren't they cute?  M wanted to track it down and keep it for a pet.

The perfect tree!  Notice the beautiful blue sky.  It couldn't have been a more perfect day.

R cutting off branches to get to the stump.

M tries her hand at sawing, too.  She still needs a little practice!

Manly men carrying the tree back to the car.

After we got the tree loaded, it was time for a snack and some hot chocolate for the drive back home.

What traditions do you have for your Christmas tree?

K

My Etsy Store is Open For Business!

Yea!!  I can't tell you how long I've been waiting to type that!  I finally got my Etsy store stocked with a few items I've been making.  I have a lot more things made, but still have to take pictures before I can list them.  These shortened hours of natural daylight have put a damper on my picture taking.

Anyway, I hope you will take a moment to stop by my store, and please share it with others if you like what you see.

Thanks!

K

Handmade Gift Exchange, Winter 2011

Linda, of Craftaholics Anonymous, hosts a handmade gift exchange twice a year.  The most recent one was in November.  When you sign up, Linda matches you up with a 'crafter-pal', and you make gifts for each other.  What could be more fun than exchanging handmade gifts?

Here is what I made for my crafter-pal.

The bracelet is made with wool felt rosette flowers, and secures with a snap.  Rhinestones radomly accent some of the flowers.  I crocheted the flower and used a vintage button for the center.  The flower back has a clip and a pin, so you can use it as a clothing or a hair accessory.  Cute!

If you are interested in what some of the other crafters made, visit the linky party and check out all the fun homemade gifts!

K

Hint, hint...my etsy store is opening soon!

Merry Christmas to Me!

I took advantage of Silhouette America's Black Friday sale last week and ordered myself an early Christmas present.  I have had my eye on the new Cameo ever since I new it was coming.  Yes, I know I have a Cricut Expression, and I don't really need another electronic die cutting machine (can you tell I'm about to give an excuse?), but it seemed so much easier to use.  And it is.

I have had my Cricut for over 4 years, and because I have used it no more times than I can count on one hand, I have to try to figure it out every time I want to make something with it.  That is not fun to me.  And the cartridges are wicked expensive, especially when you don't use all the images on them.  With a Silhouette, I can buy only the images I want (most of them for 99 cents), or I can design my own.  Plus it will cut any font I have on my computer.  Score!!  I was sold.

<3 my Silhouette Cameo!

The first project I wanted to make was a sign for my kids' bathroom.  It is a smaller scale of a subway sign I want to make with our 'house rules'.  I had a lot of fun figuring out how to design it, and I think it turned out pretty good.  The kids, however, don't think it is necessary. ha!


After I uploaded these pictures I decided it would look better without the circle and line thingies that separate the phrases, so just pretend they're not there.  ;-)


Can any of you stampers out there figure out what I used for the wood block?

You're right!  It is a background block!  I am so glad I figured out what to do with that huge box of wood I've been hoarding forever.  I must get busy making some other signs with all those blocks.

I've been busy making things to put in my etsy shop, too, so stay tuned for more info.

I'm such a tease!

K

This is not a paid advertisement, I just love my new Cameo!