EASY Christmas gift idea!

I don't know about you, but I enjoy giving a gift just as much as I do receiving one. (well, almost!) Every year in my group of SU demonstrator friends, we pick names and participate in what we call "Secret Stampin' Sisters." Every month we are supposed to make a card for our SSS and/or a small little gift. Then in December, when we have our holiday party, we do the big reveal! Here is a photo of one of the gifts I made for my SSS. It is a deliciously scented holiday candle I picked up during my "black Friday" shopping trip. I think I paid $3.50 for it, but shhhhhh, don't tell!



Doesn't it look like I spent more than that?!!! I took some of Stampin Up!'s Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and a strip of the Crushed Curry cardstock and made a "belly Band" to go around it. Then I added a matching ribbon, attched a bow, decorated the top using the scallop punches and "viola" a quick and easy gift! I also made her a pocket calendar with a matching pen using the same Designer Series Paper.

One of my favorite things about Stampin Up! is how they make it so easy to coordinate your projects. It makes sense to use paper and cardstock that match the ink... no guesswork involved! If you'd like to see more Stampin Up! products, be sure to visit my Stampin Up! Website or click the Stampin Up! logo in my side bar!

Until my next post...
Happy gift making!

Box of Goodies!

Just a quick post today to show you what I got. Boy is my friend Heidi talented! Look what she made me for a Christmas present:



And if you think that's nice, check out what was inside:



See! I told you she was talented! She always comes up with the best packaging! And just look at the nice cards and tags she made! If you want to see more of her creativity at work, you should check out her blog.

Well, that's it! See, I told you it would be a quick post!

Have a wonderful day!

Christmas Projects Galore!

I don't know about you but I have been so busy with Christmas projects lately. I wonder why that is??? Hmmmmmm..... maybe it has something to do with the fact that Christmas is ONLY 15 DAYS AWAY!!!! YIKES!!! So I've been trying something new and I am really enjoying it. I've been hosting Stamp Camps for kids. They are 3 hour workshops where the kids get to create different projects. We ALWAYS do some sort of treat box with candy (because what kid doesn't want to have a treat box with candy!) and then usually a project or two thats nice enough they can use for a small gift and then ALWAYS a card (it is The Card Kitchen, you know!) Anyway, I just love it when the kids get as excited as I do about creating something with paper! Here are a few of the projects we made at one of the workshops:






And this is what we made at the last one:





Pretty cool, huh?!

Keep in mind that the kids range in age from 7 to 13. These photos are from my 7 and 10 year old... I think they get their craftiness from me... wouldn't you agree?

The Santa Pants bucket we filled with candy. Of course this photo is my son's bucket and he ate all his candy! But you could easily put some white fluff in the bottom, toss in a Starbucks card and you are good to go for a cute way to present a gift to your child's teacher or even a co-worker or neighbor! These "Santa Pants" Buckets will be available as a DIY kit on the Card Kitchen website soon.

Until my next post...
Stay warm & enjoy the holiday season!

Thanks for stopping by!

Handmade Christmas Cards

I just LOVE the holiday season! Some people think it's crazy how it starts earlier and earlier every year.... you know what I mean, with the Christmas decorations going up while there are still Frankenstein costumes, pumpkins, and shelves full of fun size candy bars!! Anyway, I love that it starts so early. That means I have more time to work on my Christmas cards. And this year I REALLY needed that extra time. I was very busy getting my card basket donations ready for my kids' school fundraisers and also for my church's silent auction fundraiser. In total I handmade and donated over 200 cards... and my fingers don't have any ink on them at all! Here is a peek at the cards currently up for grabs:









On the Card Kitchen website these cards retail for $3.49 each. But because it's a fundraiser, a bakers dozen is being offered for just $30.00! That right, you can get a set of 13 of these beautiful handmade cards just in time to send out for Christmas. You'll never have a better chance to get these cards at such a low price. And you'll be supporting my kids' school at the same time! Please visit www.SPBSGALA.ORG to purchase these items and/or see many other auction items that would be great for your Christmas gift giving!

Thanks for stopping by!