SASI SNEAK PEEKS!

I am so excited to finally be able to share some of the newest stamps to be released on Jan 2, by Taylored Expressions. Today I am using stamps from the "A Year of Sweets" set. There are actually 3 sets that will be sold seperately to create these cute, one of a kind calendars. This set includes January, February, March and April. Taylor is also going to be offering the "Frame Your Imagination vertical stand, 6 x 6 Page Protectors and the Calendar Pages (each sold seperately).



The stand will come in unfinished wood, but because I wanted sort of a rustic look, I chose to stain mine black. Let me remind you of the unbelievable quality of TE stamps. They are deeply etched, red rubber mounted on EZ Mount. They come mounted on "storage sheets" that fit perfectly in the Binder Box which is a "pure genius" storing solution! Love it!

Also being offered by TE is the new "Choice Cardstock". I can't tell you how beautifully this cardstock works with Copic Markers. It is 100 lb. weight and comes in both White and Natural White!







For even more great sneak peeks I hope you will take the time to visit all of the SASI Design Team's Blogs:

Taylor
Ana
Denise
Stephanie
Charmaine
Monika
Jami
Jen
Sharon
Donna
Laurie
Carol

Complete Details:

January: Bazzill and Choice Cardstock, Copic Markers, Mementos Ink, Sakura Glue Pen, Ultrafine Glitter, Me and My Big Ideas Acrylic Snowflake, Brad, Pebbles Ink Chalks

February: Bazzill and Choice Cardstock, KI Memories DP, Memento Ink, Copic Markers, Brads, Sakura Glue Pen, Ultrafine Glitter, Wishblade (heart), CB EB Folder, Pebbles Inc. Chalks

March: Bazzill and Choice Cardstock, Making Memories DP, Copic Markers, Sakura Glue Pen, Gold Glitter, Wishblade (Clover)

April: Bazzill and Choice Cardstock, Imaginisce DP, Mementos Ink, Copic Markers, Sakura Glue Pen, Ultrafine Glitter, EK Success Punch, Diamond Glaze

Be sure to check back tomorrow for another sneak peek using another darling set!

Do you ever feel guilty...

...for neglecting stamps? When I first started stamping a couple of years ago, I fell in love with Stamping Bella's! Now don't get me wrong, I still love them, but I just don't find myself "reaching" for them as often as I should. I don't normally make New Year's resolutions but if I don't do anything else this next year, I am going to vow to spread my stamping "love" around. Dig out some of those oldies and ink 'em up!



Well, it's not quite New Years, but I did just that yesterday. I love this little "preggers" Bella, isn't she fun with all of her baby goodies? For this card I used Taylor's Cupcake Sketch Challenge #48 from last Friday (cupcakes not required to play along). Image is colored using Copic Markers. Sentiment stamp is one that I actually cut apart from an old background stamp that had several "girly" sentiments. DP is also from an old DCWV Mat Stack.

Complete details: StampingBella, Bazzill Cardstock, DCWV Mat Stack, Copics, Memento Ink, Brads, Button

Please be sure to drop by tomorrow,I have a "sneek peak" that you WON'T want to miss! In the meantime I hope you have a creative day!

I don't know about you...

but it was actually a little hard for me to put away all of my Christmas stamps! Trust me, I was sort of tired of making all things "Christmas", but it makes me sad to know that it will be another year or so before I can use them again!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas...I know I did! My daughter bought me a new X-Acto paper trimmer...you are all probably unaware of my relentless obsession to find the perfect paper trimmer! I am a self proclaimed "freak" when it comes to getting a straight cut, absolutely makes me crazy. Anyhoo, haven't had a lot of time to try it out, but so far, so good. It even has a "laser" feature...not going to lie, I haven't quite figured out that part yet, lol! I'll keep you posted!



After making some quick stops by my favorite blogs, I ran back to my craft room to make a card for this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner, which was to add something "clear" to your project. Not quite as easy as I first thought and if the truth be known, you probably can't really see through that "rhinestone" that I used! The image is a Magnolia RAK that I received quite a while ago and I am not sure of the name of this Tilda. Since she has a little heart in her basket, I am thinking it is Valentine's Day related. I just put in an order for some of the newly released Valentine's Day Magnolia's...can't wait to get my hand on those!

Complete deets: Bazzill Cardstock, Magnolia and Hero Arts stamps Copic Markers, CB Embossing Folder, Nestabilities, Rhinestone, Sakura Glue Pen, Ultrafine Glitter, EK Success Snowflake Punch

Thanks so much for stopping by...have a great Saturday!

Crunch time!

The final countdown has begun...I am sure this will be the last time, till after Christmas, that I will get 5 minutes to sit down and relax. In case YOU got a spare minute and stopped by, I want to wish you and your families a Happy Holiday!

These should be my last two Christmas cards you will have to see. I plan to give them to my grand kids tomorrow night along with these cute little moose's' (Hal and Holly) that I had made for them at Build-a-Bear. A special little gift just from "Nana"! You can't tell from the photo but the lights on Hal's antlers light up when you press his hand!





The first card is for Taylor and what else but a Magnolia! Big surprise. I colored her with Copics and cut her out. The wreath was created with Nestabilities for the base and I used the Martha Stewart Fern Punch to cover it with. Tilda is mounted on Foam Tape, the sentiment is from Taylored Expressions, Home Sweet Home! Psssttt...the inside of the cards aren't finished yet, but they will be by tomorrow!



The card for Thomas was made with a Great Impressions Snowman stamp and the Snow globe is a stamp that I purchased at a small independent booth at the Stamp Convention last fall. Don't you just love it when a card just comes together...and this one did. I colored it with Copics and cut it out. I masked off the base and then sprayed the "globe" with spray adhesive and then "dumped" on the glitter...I just love how sparkly it is! How cute is this DP, sadly it is a scrap that I found and I don't even know who made it! The snow globe is also mounted on Foam Tape!

Gotta run...have a nail appointment!

TECC47 Times 2!

I actually found enough time yesterday between shopping and baking to make two cards, and since I liked Taylor's Cupcake Challenge Sketch so much, I made both using it!

In all honesty, I have had this cute little Snowman by Plum Purdy, colored up for a few weeks...he just looked so lonely lying on my table, I had to put him on a card! The snowman is colored with Prismacolor Pencils and OMS. The cute Debbie Mumm DP worked perfect because my little "birdie" that I stamped on the inside, matched perfectly! I added these cute little Making Memories button "brads" to his vest. Sentiment is from Artful INKables and since Kristin is still offering the 10% off you may want to check it out! Use code save10TD!



Complete deets: GP White, Bazzill Kraft Cardstock, Debbie Mumm DP, Plum Purdy and Artful INKables stamps, Making Memories Brads, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Sakura Glue Pen, Glitter, Nestabilities



My second card was made using another stamp from the Great Impressions "Stamps of the Month" that I recently purchased. Colored this one with Copics and added a little glitter to "bling" it up! The "spoon" button is from "Dress It Up". All DP is from a DCWV Mat Stack.

Hoping to make a "Gingerbread House" with my three-year old grandson today...I'll let you know how THAT goes!

Hope you have a joyful Sunday!

Okay, I feel a whole lotta "eye rolling" goin' on...

...you are thinking, "doesn't she ever get tired of Magnolia's?". And I guess the answer would have to be, "no", lol! Bare with me for just a few more days, then I will have at least gotten the Christmas ones out of my system!

This is one of my favorites, (I know, I always say that) I love how it just shows her from behind, hanging that cute little ornament. For the branches I used my Martha Stewart Fern (?) punch and added a splash of "sparkly" in the form of ultrafine glitter (what else?). You can't tell from the photo but her little wings are covered in Shimmerz...how fun is this stuff? DP can be found in the Christmas "Key Ingredients" kit at Taylored Expressions. Colored with Copic Markers and added a few buttons and some ribbon...voila!



It is becoming "crunch" time. Last minute gifts to buy and preparations to make...I LOVE it! Have a wonderful day!

"Ways to Use It" Challenge

Today's challenge was a "Last Minute Challenge...any "gifty" type item that can be made in just a few minutes. It doesn't get any easier than these little goodie holders! For the "Toffee Mix" (which btw, is the best ever and don't forget that I posted the recipe here a few weeks ago...I did substitute popcorn for the Chex cereal for this batch!) Anyhoo, these are just inexpensive little clear bags that I picked up at Hobby Lobby. It is kind of hard to see from the photo, but I did stamp little snowflakes from the Taylored Expressions "Home Sweet Home" set with white Stazon all over the plastic bag. I then tied it with a bow and made a quick tag using the "Season's Sweetings" set and my Nestabilities. Voila!

The other little container is one that I had left over from my daughter's wedding favors. I covered the bottom piece of cardboard with DP, added some Gift Bag Filler and put in various homemade candies. Made another tag and instant gift!

We are having a little "get together" at our house on Christmas Eve and I plan to have a big basket full of these and other goodies for everyone to choose and take home.

Thanks for stopping by...are you watching my little Christmas Tree, only 7 more days till the "big" day, oyyyyy! Hope you have a creative day!

Happy "hump" day!

First I would like to say "thank you" for those that left such nice comments about my daughter yesterday! I, of course think both of my daughters are beautiful...but then like any mother, I am a little biased, lol!



So, for today's card I used the Sketch Challenge from SCS. This was one of those sketches that kind of reminded me of a puzzle, sometimes I'm a little "slow" and have to continually look at the picture to make sure that I am assembling correctly.

Of course I used one of my beloved Magnolia's (oh my, while getting the link, I see they have some new releases, yay!). This cute DP was sent to me as an added little "goodie" when I placed an online order with KraftyatKrafts. All the little pieces worked perfectly with this card. Colored with Copic markers (still trying to find time to practice since taking a class). Sentiment is by Inkadinkado.



Thanks so much for stopping by...more baking and hopefully some "wrapping" will get done today too!

Twenty seven years ago today...

...my "baby" was born (shown here with her boyfriend, Ken). Where does the time go anyway?

A little funny story about that day...my water broke in the early afternoon and my husband was of course, at work. My sister came over to take me to the hospital (hubby would meet us there) but since she refused to drive the freeway and the hospital was clear across town, I sort of drove myself there. What is even funnier is that my sister is quite a bit shorter than me and we could not get the seat in the car to move, so I was literally driving with the steering wheel rubbing against my stomach! All else went well though, and "Kelli Marie" was born approximately 3 hours later!

Yesterday I was busy finishing up a few Christmas errands, but luckily found time to make "Spiced Nuts" using a recipe that Denise shared a while back. Can I just say, "Yummmmmy". My husband already told me that I better hide them if I want any left at Christmas! Thanks for posting this recipe, Denise!



Today's card is made with an old Penny Black stamp that I just love. How cute is this little girl dragging her sled full of goodies through the snow? Colored with Copic Markers and added some Ultrafine Glitter on the snow for added sparkle. Rhinestones on the corners...voila!

Cookies in the oven...gotta run! Have a great day!

Happy Sunday, all!

Well, as you can see I never made it back to post a card yesterday! Seriously, why do I say I am going to do that, this time of year you would think I would know that it was just not going to happen. After my grand kids went home, I got busy baking sugar cookies (I had made the dough the day before and refrigerated). In the middle I had to run a few errands and while I was out, I picked up a few new cookie cutters.

In the early evening my husband decided to put in "White Christmas", it's such a classic we feel we have to watch it every year! My youngest daughter and I started making "icing" for all the cookies I baked (this seemed to take hours!)because we are having a little "cookie decorating" get together later today. I just had to take a picture of all the little bottles of icing...don't they look festive?



We are trying a new way to decorate this year...I watched Martha the day and she made it look so "simple" by putting the icing in these little bottles (ha ha). I plan to "pipe" around the edges of the cookies, let dry a little, then "flood" the inside with the thinner icing (bottles). Sounds easy peasy, right? Yeah, I'll let you know how this turns out. A good sign will be if you see actual pictures of the cookies on my blog tomorrow, lol!



My card today is for Taylor's TECC challenge which she posts every Friday. As you can see I opted for no cupcakes today and instead went with these new Great Impressions "Stamp of the Month" set. If you buy any two of the stamps featured that month, you get one stamp 1/2 price, this month it was the background stamp that I used. Aren't they stinkin' cute? I mounted the jar lids on 3M Foam Tape for some dimension. I am a little sorry that I didn't "Cuttlebug" that piece of red...looks a little too plain to me, but I went with it anyway...maybe next time. The border stamp that I used on the inside is an "Outlines" stamp and how cute is that little apron button?



Complete details: GP White and Bazzill Cardstock, Great Impressions and Outlines Stamps, Memento Ink, Corner Rounder, Sakura Glue Pen, Ultrafine Glitter, Chalks, Copics

I added a few new Christmas songs for you. Hope you enjoy! Have a great day!

Why doesn't MY day have 24 hours in it?

I know we are probably all feeling the same about now...so much to do, so little time. Last night I had my grand kids all night because my daughter had her first ever "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party. I can't wait to see pictures from that...everyone, including guys, had to wear a Christmas sweater...the uglier, the better. She was not impressed when I told her that I actually liked the one she bought, lol!

So I am writing early while the kids are still sleeping to let you know that I am still around. I hope to get back today to post a card, but until then I thought I would post a few pictures of my Christmas decorations to go along with my Christmas music. I think everything looks so much better "in real life" and I have a good camera but I just can't seem to get a good photo, but I think you will get the idea!

My tree: (Look at my "Maxie" peeking in the door!)



My fireplace: (Yes, even in Arizona we occasionally need one!)



My family room "niche"...this is what they are called in AZ, I call them a pain in the rear. Just to give you an idea of the size, the top middle one alone is approximately 5 ft. x 5 ft. They are a blast to decorate (haha). This year I paid an electrician to put a "plug-in" in up above (cause wouldn't you know they were the only ones without them) so that I could put lighted things up there. Go big or go home, I always say!



Close up of each side:



Middle top:



Lower bottom:






Dining Room table (nothing special because I am definitely not a floral arranger but I had to show you because this was what I was making when I burned my thumb...still a mess, btw. Probably should have gone to the doctor for this one, lol)



My little animated Caroler's (had these for YEARS, and they still make me smile):



Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

SC206

Another quick post today...I seem to be saying that a lot lately, lol! I am sure a lot of you feel the same...tis the season and all! I made this card this morning for today's sketch challenge at SCS...bless Roxie for always posting awesome sketches! Some cards just "come together" and this was one of them. I knew the paper I wanted to use and the stamps and for once, it worked the first time around! I even had the color inks I needed!

The snowflakes are from the latest Making Memories acrylic set...such a bargain at $10 and I love all the stamps on the sheet! The rest is pretty much as you see it, but unfortunately I used some old scrap DP from way back when, and once again I have no idea who makes it. I just loved the colors!



Complete deets: GP White and Bazzill Cardstock, Making Memories Stamps, Colorbox Inks, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Rhinestones

Off to work on my bathroom re-do...have a great day!

HOLIDAY BLITZ...and a card!

I guess I should have "edited" my title because there won't be a card today after all...why you ask? Well because I was in somewhat of a hurry to get it done and in the mail and I forgot to take a picture first...duhhh! Will you just trust me when I say that it was a really cute little Christmas Magnolia, lol!

Today I am going to attempt to make this:



into a cute wall mural in my bathroom. You may remember a while back when I repainted my 1/2 bathroom (did you get yours done yet, Denise?) I did a custom order with DaliDecals for some wall decals to match these towels that I bought.



The decals FINALLY arrived via UPS, yesterday! Hope all goes well! I'll let you know!

A quick announcement:

Taylored Expressions just announced a fun way to win an awesome prize. You can play the SASI Holiday Blitz where one lucky winner will receive a prize package including the JustRite 10 Designer Borders and Centers set along with a Birthday Boy Key Ingredients pack!

It's so fun and easy to play The Blitz! We want to see how many SASI cards and projects you can upload to our SCS gallery and your blogs in the next week, so to make it easy, for each one uploaded to the SCS gallery you'll be entered into our prize drawing. The rules are super simple:

***Upload your card or project featuring SASI images (any SASI set) to the SCS gallery and use the Keyword SASI. You will be entered one time for each separate card or project you upload from now December 8th through Monday December 15th at 6:00pm PST.

***In the description field of your upload please be sure to mention that the stamps are from the SASI line available at Taylored Expressions and include this link:

http://www.tayloredexpressions.com/category.php?category_id=135

And don’t forget to get your Top Chef entries in this week. Details on the SASI blog

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Monday Morning!!

Ooooops, did I scare you...hope your "volume" wasn't up too high! I couldn't resist adding just a few of my Christmas songs to get us all in the mood!

Yesterday was my grandson, Thomas' 3rd birthday, much to Nana's dismay, you can see one of the things that he got (I, of course, thought he was too young...I got out voted)? Yep, you guessed it, Aunt Kiki (aka, my youngest daughter Kelli) and her boyfriend, Uncle Ken, bought him of all things, a skateboard! They did, however, make sure that he had all the protective gear and I have to admit, it was pretty cute watching him trying to ride it!



My card today is for this weeks challenge at Our Creative Corner, this is such an inspiring group of girls, I love checking in each week to see the challenge and to see what beautiful things that they have created using it!

I am so excited that I tracked down this "Santa Collage" stamp from Rubber Stampede. I saw it last year and I think it actually came in different sizes...I so wish I would have ordered it then, just a little larger. Anyhoo, I am happy to have it, and at a reasonable price because these things are selling at crazy prices on EBAY since supposedly it is "retired" now!



I am actually quite pleased at how this card turned out...I LOVE the sketch, but it really was somewhat of a "challenge" for me. I struggled with the three little "loop" thingy's at the top...after many trial and errors, I finally opted for solid red ribbon with three little rhinestones. There is very little coloring needed for this stamp, but I just HAD to add Diamond Glaze to his glasses ("click" on the picture, then you can really see it)! If I didn't already have most of my Christmas cards done, I might have changed my mind...maybe next year!



Complete deets: GP White and Bazzill Cardstock, Rubber Stampede "Santa Collage", Hero Arts (sentiment) Diamond Glaze, Ribbon, Prismacolor Pencils, OMS, Cuttlebug EB Folders, Rhinestones, Me and My Big Ideas Snowflake, Sakura Glue Pen, Ultrafine Glitter, Versamark, EB Powder