Rainy Day Creations

Yup!!  Today is my ONE YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY, and I would love to celebrate with you!!!  I so appreciate all of you who have stopped by my blog over the last year.  Knowing that you take time from your day to read my blog and share a comment now and then has made blogging SO MUCH FUN!  So as a THANK YOU I have some blog candy to give away over the next three days!!

Let’s start the celebration today with a couple of goodies that were very generously donated by JustRite.

First is the Christmas Stamp Ensemble with 6 borders and 6 centers.  It’s never too early (or too late  LOL!!) to make a few Christmas tags or cards.  If you make a few every month then when the busy hustle and bustle of Christmas is upon you, you will already have them done leaving you more time to spend with family and friends!  And to go along with the Ensemble is the Harmony Classic 3-1/4″ Circle Stamper III.  This is a wonderful high quality wooden stamper that has a grid perfectly sized for the Christmas Ensemble’s borders and centers.

To enter your name in the drawing for today’s blog candy simply leave a comment ON THIS POST.  This drawing will close on Tuesday, February 17th at midnight at which time I will draw a winner. GOOD LUCK and thanks for dropping by!!

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Details about the tags can be found here.

THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED TO COMMENTS.

Check out my “Blogoversary” counter!!!

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That’s right… TOMORROW is my ONE YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY!!

I can hardly believe that it has been a year already!!!!  So starting tomorrow, Sunday, February 15th, and continuing Monday and Tuesday, I have some blog candy to give away!!  Hope you can stop by for these days to enter your name into the drawings for these goodies!

Oh yes, and one more thing speaking of goodies…

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!

And the winner of my gift card and holder is….

Post #165 - Barb S.!!

 “These are cute. I will have to give this a shot. I usually give Gift Cards in “stockings” so now I have a better way to “stuff” them. Thanks for a chance to win one of your ideas.” Barb S.

Congratulations, Barb!! 

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I’m still away from home but am having fun visiting with my sons and their families… no new granddaughter yet.

Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season.

The party has gotten so big over at Sharon’s blog that today “Stamp Simply Celebrates” is spilling right over onto mine!!  With Christmas almost here and lots of mailing to do, I think that Gift Cards are one of the best ways to send a little love to family and friends.  Well every gift card needs a holder, and there is a template and a whole gallery for inspiration that uses that template over on Splitcoaststampers (SCS).  That’s because it was SCS’s Sketch Challenge #101.  So your challenge is to make a gift card holder.  Now if you have a different design that you like or want to try, no worries.  Go for it!

Splitcoaststampers SC101 Gallery

Template/Instructions

Now I have some really USEFUL Blog Candy that I hope any and everyone can use.  Nope… it’s NOT stamps.

Yup!!  It’s a gift card!  LOL  I will send the winner their choice of the two gift card holders above WITH their choice of either of the two gift cards shown!!  The first card for Target has a $20 value.  The second card for Starbucks also has a $20 value.  I’m not a coffee drinker, but I can tell you their hot chocolate can’t be beat!!  To enter just leave a comment ON THIS POST.  If you play in my challenge, please come back here and leave me a link to your creation!  I REALLY want to see them all as I LOVE these little things.  Oh and as a fun twist… if you do play and leave me a link here… you will automatically have a second entry for my Blog Candy!!  Woohoo!!  I will use random.org on Friday, December 12th at midnight PST to pick the winner!

For some wonderful inspiration I have some sample makers!!  Check out their beautiful creations:

Janine - 2BKrafty

Jennifer - The Buck Stamps Here

Darlene - Dar’s Crafty Creations

AJ - The Willow Garden

A couple of Christmases ago my DDIL Kimberly and I stamped our hearts out making these fun holders.  Here are some that she made.

Here is a peek into the Dirty Dozen Fan Club gallery over on SCS from August of last year.  (I had such fun with these.  They are scratch ‘n sniff… chocolate and apple scented!)

And here are some others that I have made for wedding or new baby gifts.

(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Remember:  Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during the 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!!   You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.  When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08.

Have a wonderful Sunday!  Hope you can play along in my challenge!!!  These holders are so quick, so easy and SO FUN!!

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Recipe for my Christmas Gift Card Holders:

Stamps: SU! ‘Winter Post’

Papers: SU! Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Baja Breeze, Ruby Red, ‘Holiday Treasures’ DSP

Inks: SU! Chocolate Chip Classic and Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Old Olive Markers

Accessories: Metal Photo Corners and Brads, Designer Label Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Cuttlebug, Die Cut ‘Vintage’, Gift Wrap Ribbons, Kaiser Rhinestones

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS POST

Just a quick post today to remind everyone about Sharon’s blog party “Stamp Simply Celebrates”.

And YES there is MORE BLOG CANDY being offered.  So be sure to check out all the action!!
Oh and btw I will be hosting a challenge and will have BLOG CANDY tomorrow (Sunday).  Hope you can come and play and sign up to win a special “gift” that I hope everyone can use this time of year!!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6

AJ Otto - The Willow Garden - AJ has some BLOG CANDY to share!

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - Sharon has more BLOG CANDY!

Heather Telford - bits and pieces - Heather is sharing a Featured Project with us today — how to Dress up Your Table!  Fun!!!  And Heather is also incorporating a Challenge in with her project, making it 1-2-3 easy for us to decorate our own tables!!!  Be sure to stop in at Heather’s place today for many great samplings of table decor!

LeAnne Pugliese - Wee Inklings - Doesn’t every Mother need a helper, especially during the Holidays?  Well, for LeAnne’s Featured Project that is just what she is giving us, a Mother’s Holiday Helper!  LeAnne is running a Challenge along with her project, providing us with templates and instruction so we can quickly and easily create our own helper!!! Don’t miss it!!!
And Remember:  Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during the 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!!   You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.  When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08.

Have a great day!!  And hope you can stop by tomorrow for my challenge and BLOG CANDY!!

Today’s card fit both challenges in Sharon Johnson’s blog party “Stamp Simply Celebrates” Day 5.

I used and old set called Cottage Roses.  And even though it is a retired set, it felt close to the same style as the roses in the designer paper.  I don’t have the inks in the in-colors, so I used Ruby Red and Old Olive.  They were a pretty close match to the Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss.  At least they didn’t seem to clash!

Here are the details for Sharon’s celebratioin for FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5:

Barb Schram - Explore. Dream. Discover. - Barb has an offering of BLOG CANDY today!!

Cathy Tidwell - Cat’s Creations - CAT, too, has BLOG CANDY to offer today, but she has more!!  She has created a Sketch Challenge for you as well.  You can see the sketch over at Cat’s Creations, so be sure to stop by!!  (NOTE:  Cat’s Challenge and Sharon’s challenge below can tie in together well and you can get two challenges done on one card!)

Here are some inspiring samples made with CAT’s sketch:
AJ
Darlene
Heather
Leslie
Julie

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - Today is Sharon’s regular Stamp Simply Challenge.  Be sure to check out her fun twist on a Christmas card!!

NOTE:  Cat’s Challenge and Sharon’s challenge can tie in together well and you can get two challenges done on one card!

Anyone may participate in these challenges and all the fun events, blogger or not!!!  If you upload to your Blog, provide a link to your entry in the appropriate post by the Challenge Hostess.  If you upload at Splitcoast, PLEASE KEYWORD all Splitcoast uploads for this event SSC08 (Stamp Simply Celebrates! 2008).  If you upload at any other online gallery, just make sure to link to your Challenge Hostess so she can find your entry.  Thanks!

This is a Stampin’ Up! only (SUO) card.

Stamps: Cottage Rose (retired), Beautiful Borders, Sleigh Bells Ring

Papers: Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Bella Rose Designer Series Paper

Inks: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Chocolate Chip GG Ribbon, Ruby Red and Old Olive Brads, Small and Large Oval Punches, Prima

Do you still have Christmas cards to make?  Well here is a group of Christmas cards that would be quick to make and easy to mail.

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(Click picture to enlarge.)

When I saw Tammy Hershberger’s challenge yesterday to mass produce a card (part of Sharon’s “Stamp Simply Celebrates”), I decided to do just that with one of these.

Thanks for such a fun (and useful this time of year) challenge, Tammy!

Stamps: Elzybells Art Stamps ‘Bethlehem’; Rubber Soul ‘O Holy Night’

Papers: SU! Handsome Hunter and Whisper White

Inks: SU! Handsome Hunter

Accessories: SU! Organdy Ribbon; Stickles; Cuttlebug and ‘Swiss Dots’ Embossing Folder

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This week’s challenge over on Our Creative Corner is to incorporate snowmen or snowflakes on a card or project.  One of the cards in the group fits this challenge perfectly!

The ribbon is from the Dollar Spot at Michael’s.  Isn’t it cute!

Stamps: SU! ‘Flakey Friends’

Papers: SU! Brocade Blue and Whisper White

Inks: SU! Brocade Blue

Accessories: Michael’s Dollar Spot Printed Ribbon; Cuttlebug and ‘Snowflakes’ Embossing Folder; Martha Stewart Border Punch

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This third card of the group is a Stampin’ Up! Only (SUO) card meaning that all products used are made by Stampin’ Up!.

Stamps: ‘Trees Three’

Papers: Basic Black, Whisper White, Blue Bayou ‘Prints’ DSP

Inks: Basic Black

Accessories: GG Ribbon in Blue Bayou

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The last two (three) cards also use Stampin’ Up! products with the exception of the sentiments.

Stamps: ‘Peaceful Wishes’ and ‘Star-Studded Season’; Art Impressions Sentiment

Papers: Handsome Hunter, Rose Red, Whisper White

Inks: Handsome Hunter, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Button, Gingham Ribbon

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Stamps:  ‘Paint Prints’; DeNami Designs Sentiment

Papers: Rose Red, Whisper White

Inks: Rose Red, Garden Green, Yoyo Yellow

Accessories: Brads, Paper Piercer and Template

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And finally…if you are still with me here … don’t forget to check out Sharon’s “Stamp Simply Celebrates” today!!

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4

Dee Jackson - Stampin cuz I Luv 2 - Dee has some BLOG CANDY today!

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - With more BLOG CANDY!

Deb Saaranen - Dream In Color - Do you need a quick, but lovely, little gift for someone?  Maybe your child’s teacher, an elderly lady from your church or neighborhood?  Today Deb’s Featured Project is to make a gift of Note Cards, attractively packaged for gift presentation.  She is also turning this project into a Challenge for you to participate in, allowing you to show all of us your creations.  Be sure to check it out!!! There are sure to be so many lovely samples to inspire!!!

Anyone may participate in these challenges and all the fun events, blogger or not!!!  If you upload to your Blog, provide a link to your entry in the appropriate post by the Challenge Hostess.  If you upload at Splitcoast, PLEASE KEYWORD all Splitcoast uploads for this event SSC08 (Stamp Simply Celebrates! 2008).  If you upload at any other online gallery, just make sure to link to your Challenge Hostess so she can find your entry!!! Have fun!!!

It’s Day 3 of Sharon Johnson’s “Stamp Simply Celebrates”.  Have you checked out Party Central to see all the fun challenges and blog candy being offered so far?  Well here are today’s festivities:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3

Jennifer Buck - The Buck Stamps Here - Jennifer has some BLOG CANDY today!

Joan Fricker - Joan’s Garden - Joan also has some BLOG CANDY today as well!

Tammy Hershberger - Stamp Happy - Do you like to get a lot done, and quick?  Who doesn’t!!! Tammy’s Featured Project today is a Mass Production Project, but believe me, when Tammy does it, it will not look mass produced!!!  Tammy also offers a Challenge today so you, too, can mass produce some cards quickly!!!  Make sure to stop in at Tammy’s today!!!

And Remember:  Anyone can play ANY of the challenges by ANY of the hostesses during the 12 days of Stamp Simply Celebrates!!!   You DO NOT need to have a Blog to play — uploading your project to SCS (Splitcoaststampers.com) is not only permissible, but HIGHLY ENCOURAGED.  When doing so, use the KEYWORD SSC08.

Have a great day!!  Hope you can find some time to play!

Well the party is going strong over at Sharon Johnson’s with her “Stamp Simply Celebrates”!  Check out today’s fun:

Becky Oehlers - Hemidemisemiquaver Design - Today Becky offers us a beautiful Featured Project showing us some of her over-the-top Gift Packaging Ideas.  She also has some BLOG CANDY to share.  Be sure to check it all out over at Becky’s place today!  You will surely be inspired!!!

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - Sharon has a wonderful offering of BLOG CANDY today — be sure to stop in and see if you can Scor-It!!!

Darlene Pavlick - Dar’s Crafty Creations - Darlene is hosting a fun Challenge today!  If saving postage is of interest to you — be sure to check it all out over at Dar’s today.  In addition to Dar’s Featured Project of a Post Card,  you’ll be able to see all the wonderful samples her designers made as well as all the entries to her challenge that will be popping up over the next many days – so many sources of inspiration!!!

Okay I confess… I tried to do a postcard.  I really wanted to play along in Darlene’s challenge.  But the no layers and no embellishments rule got the best of me.  I just couldn’t do it!  lol  But at least I did end up with another Christmas card.

Edited:  There have been a few that have asked me how I did the glittered corner/border.  I should have included that in the original post… It was late and I forgot to mention that that is all part of the Imaginations designer paper.  Using a black Copic multiliner and a glitter pen I did add the straight line across the top and along the right side to make a box around the deer and sentiment.

Have a happy day, and don’t forget to check out all the goings on with Sharon’s celebration.

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Stamps: SU! Winter Post and A Cardinal Christmas

Papers: SU! Bashful Blue and Basic Black; Imaginations DP

Inks: SU! Not Quite Navy; Versafine Onyx Black; Copic Black Multiliner; Clear Star Glitter Pen

Accessories: Kaiser Rhinestone, Star Brad, Silver Cording

Do you like blog candy?  Do you like challenges?  Do you like games?  Well I’ve got some HUGE news for you where you can have all 3 for the next 12 days!!

Sharon Johnson is having a huge party on her blog.  She is celebrating one million hits!!  Isn’t that phenomenal…  just like Sharon!  She is so grateful to all those who visit and read her blog that she’s throwing a party, and everyone is invited!!  Several of Sharon’s blogging friends are in on the celebration as well.  When you go to Sharon’s blog look at the very top (even above the banner).  There is a tab called “Stamp Simply Celebrates”.  That is where you can find the whole 12-day schedule of events!  So for today be sure to check out:

Janine Orchard- 2bKrafty- If you like cookies, you won’t want to miss the activity today over at Janine’s Blog.  She is hosting a Cookie Recipe Exchange as her Featured Project.  She is turning it into a Challenge involving YOU, and also offering BLOG CANDY.  Plus, Janine offers us a special end-of-the-week treat!!!  It’s all happening, starting today, over at Janine’s, so be sure to check it out!!!

Sharon Johnson - No Time To Stamp? - Sharon is offering some awesome BLOG CANDY today that would be JustRite for anyone — you won’t want to miss it!

Oh and one other thing…  Everyone can play along all 12 days in the challenges, blogger or not, by uploading to SCS using the keyword SSC08.

Hope you all have a wonderful day.  Thanks so much for peeking in.