New Year's Coasters

With all the New Years parties tonight, I thought I would share a quick and easy way to save your coffee tables from those unsightly rings. Using SU! cork, cut it into circles and then use craft ink to stamp whatever image you would like onto the cork. Hit it with a heat tool to set the ink and voila......new coasters. This is a great thing to take to those New Year's hosts instead of another bottle of wine.

Wondering what to do with those left over Candy Canes?

How about make up some of these simple little Winter treats. They are both generic enough to be used all winter long, and who says that Candy Canes are only for Christmas? I have yet to have someone turn one down just because Christmas is over!

Quick Gifts for Kids

Now that Christmas is over, I need to get back to crafting! One of the things I always need to have on hand is little gifts for Birthday parties, visiting friends, etc. I try and keep a coloring book and some crayons around just so I have an emergency gift. Who doesn't like coloring? This time around I decided to make my own. Using a simple matchbook album and some outline stamps i was able to make these cute little coloring sets. Quick and easy to throw in a purse or bag and entertain the kids while you wait. Just slip a crayon through the ribbon and you are good to go!

A Trekkie Christmas Card

My hubby is a nerd....yep, you read that right. I married a bona-fide, I love Star Trek nerd. So this year for his one of a kind Christmas card I figured I would make him a Punch Art Starship Enterprise......It was appropriate. Having him here for Christmas made it out of this world!!! (If any of you have other Trekkie nerds, I've also included the punch pieces to put together your own starship!).

Jay had a Punch Art Halo Christmas

Jay's newest love is video games....as a matter of fact, he is enthralled with the HALO video game series. I admit it, I'm probably a bad mom cause I let him play with his dad. (Santa even brought him an XBox so he could play). While I'm not condoning the violence, I thought Halo was a better option than Call of Duty that he kept asking Santa for, so I caved. Anyway, I couldn't find anything HALO online as far as punch art goes, so I had to create my own. If any of you have HALO fans in your house, I thought maybe you might be interested in how I made Master Chief out of SU! punches, so I've included the punches needed.

Special Christmas Cards

Every year I try and make my kids and my hubby a specialized Christmas Card. One that has something to do with their tastes and what they are into for this year. It all started when my son complained that I always made cards for other people, but he never got one. This year I made Katie a snoopy card. It was not my original idea, but I loved the card I saw here. So I copied it. Needless to say, she loved it too!

Merry Christmas!!!

From My family to yours!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Christmas Eve...and why it pays to be my customer

Every year I host a customer appreciation party. This year was no exception. Those that attended received a Charm from me, and were able to make an insert for every month. While I did borrow the idea from my good friend Angela Walters, I did adapt it to make it fit the charms. I was really happy with how they turned out, and I think my customers were too. Want to come to my party next year? Place an order or host a workshop!

2 Days until Christmas

Quick and easy stocking stuffers....That's what I need. I always seem to forget about the little things until right before Christmas. Personally, I think my stocking is more fun than my actual presents.....something about opening all those teeny tiny gifts. Anyway, I put together these little notebooks with matching pens. I thought they would be perfect in someone's stocking. And they are winter themed, so you can use them anytime after the holiday. Oh, the little charms are made using that shrink plastic (aka shrinky dinks).

3 Days until Christmas

Need an extra hand with all those last minute projects? How about your own personal elf to put the finishing touches on all the presents you need to wrap? Well, I don't know about wrapping, but this little guy can at least put a smile on your face. Something about those pointy ears I guess!

4 Days Until Christmas

Need a little holiday spirit? How about some Luminaires to help you get in the mood? These are simply made from card stock and vellum with a little waffle paper wrapped around the outside for decoration. Now, obviously you can't use a real candle with these, but you can use the battery operated tea lights......I love the way they glow in my windows!

And the Countdown Begins-----5 Days Until Christmas

yes, can you believe it? Only 5 days left! Where does time go? If you still are missing gifts, you better get a move on....how about this one...it's a simple little candy bar covered to make it festive. You have to love the singing reindeer!

December 19- Only 5 Crafting Days left

yes, I admit it...I'm a last minute crafter. I just can't help it. I'm so good at procrastinating. That's why this year, I couldn't believe I actually made little neighbor gifts early! What is wrong with me? I wish I could say this was all my idea, but it wasn't. A Facebook friend found the idea somewhere and sent it to me. These are instant snowman kits. All you have to do is add snow. They come with a hat, scarf, and a flannel carrot nose (cause we never have carrots around here!). They all fit in this cute little basket. I have to admit it, I'm pretty proud of myself. Considering that I had not really used a sewing machine until this summer, I was amazed that I could figure these out!

December 18- Tag Books

Today's share is this adorable Tag Book. I've shown you the idea before here, but this time I decided to make a bunch up for Christmas. I figured this would be a great place to put pics of the kids with Santa or even have them write on the tags what their favorite gifts were. Just an easy place to put simple memories. These were made with the leftovers from a simply scrappin kit. They were so easy to put together, and turned out pretty darn cute.

Martha Stewart Presents....the 16th Day of Christmas

For some reason, I managed to get a Martha Stewart Living Magazine in my mail box a week or so ago. I'm not sure where it came from, and I'm pretty sure I didn't order it, but never the less there it was. Well, first having never read or even looked at a Martha Stewart Living magazine, let me just say I was impressed. Ya know, I poke an awful lot of fun at that lady, but she has some incredible ideas! Now that I am buying my own home, I keep picturing all these home made Holiday decorations....anyway, on to what she inspired me to make!
In her magazine she had these 3D trees covered with Sequins. Well I didn't have any sequins, but I had circle punches in several sizes and some metal sheets. Since my living room is purple, I figured I would make some trees to match. This was my first attempt. He needed a little something extra, so I went ahead and used the polka dot embossing folder to give him some texture, some tinsel to give him some glitz, and of course, what tree is complete without a star? I really like the way this turned out. I think I may make an entire forest of them!

The 15th Day of Christmas?

Ok, I know it doesn't match the song...but just go with it ok? :) How about some mini treat pails to get you through today. These were simple and quick, and it is so much fun tying all those little ribbons through the handle. Ok, fun may be pushing it, but it is a great way to use up all those little scraps of ribbons.

December 14th....Are you getting excited yet?

I know I am. Have any kids in your life that you need to give gifts to? Well with my two social butterflies, every year their list of friends who "HAVE TO" recieve gifts from us seems to grow. This year we put together these cute little reindeer necklaces using shrink film, a wheel and the ever popular dasher stamp. Looking for an easy way to box things up? How about the Advent Calendar kit from the Holiday mini. This makes a perfect quick packaging idea.....besides for Christmas, these little boxes will work wonderfully for Valentine's Day as well!

the 13th Day of Christmas (Only 12 to go!)

How about this cute little Teddy Bear Candy Cane holder to keep you company while you wait for Santa? He looks cute enough to sleep with, and when you are done looking at him, you can steal his Candy Cane for a sweet treat.

Snowman Soup on the 12th Day of Christmas

Well why not? These Frappiccino bottles make great "soup" holders. I can't remember where I go the great idea for the 3D punch snowman, but you have to admit he is adorable. I know the recipients of these will enjoy their warm winter treat! It tastes as good as it looks!

On the 11th Day of Christmas

My gift to you is a great little teacher gift. These cute little pouches came from Nicole over at Be Creative with Nicole. As you can tell they not only hold pencils, but work great for candy canes too!

10 Days down, only two weeks to go!

Can you believe we only have two weeks left until Christmas? Me neither. Now is when I start the mad rushing around. It never fails, but I always seem to forget some one I need a little gift for. You know, the mailman, the bus driver, my favorite grocery clerk, etc. Well this year I decided to be prepared. I put together some of these cute little candy bowls during my recent Kids Only Workshop. With a Snowflake Decor Element and a quick cello bag of candy tucked inside I'm all set. No more last minute shopping trips because I forgot that someone special.

Twas the 9th Day of Christmas......

And everyone in Santa's village is beginning to prepare for the big Night. That includes Rudolph. You don't think he leaves home without a couple spare bulbs for his nose do you? And what better way to carry them than in this adorable little test tube. Rudolph must have been a Reindeer Scout.....He's prepared!