Shopping Trip

Well, I made it out today to check out the sales at the craft stores.  Here's my haul from Joann's.  Everything was on sale and I had an extra 10% off on my total purchase, so it was under $20 for all this.  The red & green card and envelope sets were worth it alone at only $1.99/set.  Now I'll be prepared for card making for next Christmas. 

Then I went to Michael's, and I think I did even better there.  They had all their holiday stuff at 60% off and I used a 50% coupon on the MS double edged punch, got some pretty ribbon, stickers, rubber stamps, glitter pens, tags (they're so cute, it's hardly worth making them yourself for 24-ct at 1.19 sale price!), note cards (that's the dark blue and green squares--they look like a cable knit sweater), and 2 chipboard books.  All the items that were usually $1.00 were only $.40!  Plus red and white #10 envelopes, and a 2011 planner.  Great bargains, and only spent $23 there!

I'm Itching to Try Out My New Stuff

I've been online all night visiting everyone's blogs, looking at the New Year's blog hops with such great creations, seeing all the Top 10 "favorites" lists and suggestions, and reading about some good bargain shopping at the craft stores.  Now I'm itching to go shopping tomorrow, and to try out my 2 new cartridges I got for Christmas:  Lacy Labels and Celebrate with Flourish.  And I also got a bind-it-all so I can make more mini-albums.  Only made 1 so far, and I love it!  I'm inspired now, thanks to all you talented crafters out there!

Merry Christmas!

Best wishes to everyone for a very Merry Christmas.  Enjoy the wonder of it all!

MPS Christmas Challenge

Robyn at My Pink Stamper has challenged us to make a Christmas card or layout.  Here's my Santa card cut from Jolly Holidays at 3".  I wanted to use the "dear santa" stamp(s) I got from Joann's and couldn't figure out how to fit it into the layout at first.  Then I finally came up with using my small tag punch, and I think it works!  See the inside sentiment too.  It's cute!

Christmas Tags

I cut these tags from the Jolly Holidays cartridge at 4".  Am pleased with the way they turned out.  Easy to make too.

This tag comes from the Winter Frolic cartridge, p.32.  Experimented with cutting different sizes, from left to right:  3-1/2", 3-3/4", and 4".

Christmas Kitty

Look what I found in my Christmas tree!

More Christmas Cards

Made some more cards tonight, experimenting with the penguin from Create a Critter.  First cut him at 3-1/4" which was probably too big for an A2 card, but I made use of him anyway.  Modified this Santa Cap a bit to fit his head.

Then I cut him at 2-3/4" which made it easier to fit him on a card with other embellishments!  Thanks to Elaine at http://www.expressionsbyelaine.blogspot.com/ for her cute ideas!  Check out her blog.

Then I made this card using the wreath from Jolly Holidays.  I like the way it cuts the wreath with uneven edges.  This is cut at 3".  I stamped "deck the halls" with a $1 stamp from Joann's.  The paper is from there too - 6 sheets in a pack for $1, and used my Fiskars border stamp for the lacy look.  Hope you like!

Holiday Cards

Thought I would share some of the holiday cards I've made for this Christmas.

I actually made this cute little guy with the Sizzix snowman die cut.  Really had fun putting these cards together.

Bought the Christmas Cheer cartridge to make this card.  Reminds me of the xmas lights we used to put on our house and tree when I was growing up.  This card was made to fit in a #10 envelope.

This stocking is from the Lite Jolly Holidays cartridge I bought at Walmart on Black Friday for only $20.  Well worth it.  Lots of other cute images on this cartridge.  The next one comes from Jolly Holidays too.

Can you tell I like this paper?  Hope you enjoyed looking; I certainly enjoyed sharing!

Birthday Challenge for My Pink Stamper

I'm real pleased with how this card turned out.  The flowered paper is so pretty, and my first attempt with the shadowed wording from my Cricut turned out perfectly!  Also cut the scalloped oval with my Cricut, but the flowers are made by layering 3 punches.  In the future, I'll try to provide more details.  (I'm new to this blogging world, but look forward to learning and sharing!)  Thanks for your comments!