December Survival Kits - Winter Frolic Cartridge

I wanted to come up with an inexpensive gift to give the ladies in my bible study for Christmas. So I came up with the December Survival Kit idea. Each includes tissue paper, tea, cough drop, vitamin drop, bath and body works hand sanitizer, and cinnamon candy.

I used premade pillow boxes purchased from Amazon.com. You get about 50 of them for $15 at Amazon. Here's the link if you're interested: 

50 PCS 4 x 3-3/4 x 1-3/16 Plastic PVC Pillow Box Wedding 

The girl is cut from Winter Frolic cartridge. She's blinged out with different colored stickles.

 

Here's a pic with the goodies inside.  Each gift cost me under $2 each and the girls loved them!

The insert says:
December Survival Kit

Take care of yourself,
whatever you do...
There aren’t many people

as special as you!                                       
Merry Christmas!                                     
May God bless you today   
and always!                                               

Love,
Tracie Rollins
December 2011

Christmas Stocking Swap Revealed!

It's been way too long since my last post! Christmas had me so busy that I'm just now starting to get back into the swing of things.  I'm still crafting!!!  I'm also writing a new cookbook - more to come on that later.  I wanted to reveal the great things my stocking swap partner sent to me. Big thanks to Marjorie - this was a very fun swap!

Here is my stocking snuggled under my tree with my extra presents!

 

Inside there were all of my favs: stickles , copic markers, embellishments, paper, tim holtz alcohol inks and distress pads, socks, martha stewart punch, stamps, tea (I love tea), chipboard books, rubber stamp ink, pad, new cute bear stamp, and pretty flock! I'm missing a picture so you're only seeing a few things below.

 

 

 Marjorie also made me the neatest book ever so I'll never forget which copics I already have! 

I'm so blessed! Thanks M!

Easy Christmas Card

I wanted to use up some of my scraps so I put together this quick and easy card.

I used red base, green, and white (cuttlebugged snowflakes) cardstock.

Added the stampin up cutie pie girl and some paper ribbon.

A great and easy to make card!

Gnome-body Does it Better...

I made this card for a very sweet gal I met on the Cricut boards.  We swapped Christmas stockings this year. She loves gnomes so I tried to come up with something cute and clever for her. The Gnome is from Freshly Picked and the Mushroom and Lamb is from Create-A-Critter cartridge.

Christmas Stamp Winner!

Congratulations to Patti - you've won the December Challenge stamp set. Please check your e-mail and reply with your address. I'll get that shipped out this week so you can use it before Christmas!
Thanks to all who entered.  Keep an eye out for more random giveaways!

Patty said...

Oh, this is wonderful! I love your 3 snowflakes and embossed background. You did a great job with this challenge.

Stocking Swap - Year 2!

This is the 2nd year I've participated in a stocking swap over at one of may fav message boards. This year I had the fabulous opportunity to meet a gal named Marjorie.  Over the last few months, she and I have become great friends....and that alone is the best gift of all.

 She' sent me this 10 lb box full of goodies that I received today - yay!

Here's the box - what a pretty card!

There were over 30 wrapped gifts!  That's a lot of wrapping! What a pretty fancy stocking!

Here's the handmade item Marjorie made me - oh so fabulous! It will come in very handy

I had the munchies so I guessed which ones had candy in them...and I was right! 

Marjorie is teasing me...she says she bets I can't guess what's in this one.

I'm guessing it's 12x12 paper!

Marjorie also put in 2 presents for the boys - they were thrilled to receive early Christmas presents.

They wanted to make the hot chocolate immediately - but since the package came after 7pm - they'll have to wait until tomorrow.

The Crafty Gals December Challenge & Giveaway!

Our challenge this month is to make a holiday card keeping the number 3 in mind. Everything on our cards had to be in 3's. 3 layers (card base does NOT count as a layer), 3 stamped images (or an image with 3 things on it), 3 embellishments (3 buttons, 3 ribbons etc. or 1 ribbon, 1 pearl, and 1 brad etc). There could be no words or sentiments on the front of the card. So I came up with this quick and easy Christmas card. I used a blue base and cuttlebugged the snowflakes on the white cardstock on front.  I used blue in to ring out the snowflakes. Then I used my Creative memories Square puncher to cut out blue and white card stock.  I inked the white squares too. Then I added the cute blingy snowflakes.   <-----------Visit the other Crafty Gals by clicking the links on the side of my blog. Wanna win something?  Just leave a comment under this post and a way for me to contact you for a chance to win this cute clear stamp set!  I'll announce the winner next Monday!  Good luck!

CTMH Angelic Animals Angel Card

I'm continuing my goal of using all my stamps by the end of 2012...

Here is the angel from the Angelic Animals Close to My Heart stamp set.

Close up of one of the cards.

My Favorite Stamps Miss You a Latte Card

It's Monday Morning!  How are you doing after all that Christmas shopping?

I thought this card might perk you up! I used the My Favorite Stamps: A la Mode Miss You a Latte stamp set. I love this set - it's one of my favorites. I don't pay full price for much, but I loved this stamp set so much...I had to have it!

My hubby loves my work, so he was thrilled to receive this card and mug for our 14th anniversary! I think he took it to his office to display it - what a sweetie pie!

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks Be to Thee Card

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have to say - this is a fabulous Stampin up set. It's my first Thanksgiving stamp set I've ever purchased! I love the saying "We pause to thank the Lord above for family & friends who give us love!" So...cute!

I'm so excited for Turkey day! Not only do I get to spend time with friends and family, but I get to check off lots of Christmas shopping off my list.  Yes - I start finish my shopping on Turkey Day. Mostly because of all the great online steals!  I'm actually already 1/2 way done with my shopping. But I should be able to pick up the rest of the items on my list in the next few days!  Yay!  I haven't ventured out with the crowds for day after Turkey day shopping in years.  I hope this year I can continue the trend - LOL!

Is there anyone out there like me?  How many of you are Black Friday in store shoppers? 

Thanks Be to Thee Card

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. So I thought I'd whip up a few Turkey Day cards! I picked up this Thanks be to Thee stamp set when my friend sold her stash.

CTMH Angelic Animals Baby Card

I got purchased an entire plastic tote of Stampin Up and CTMH stamps from a friend of mine and made it my mission to use each of the stamps I purchased. In fact, my goal is to use every stamp in this purchase by the end of 2012.  That's a lot of stamping! Here's one of the 1st cards I made using the Angelic Animals Close to My Heart stamp set.

Stamps, Stamps, and More Stamps!

A friend of mine knows I'm addicted to crafting, and was happy to enable me this weekend. She told me that she was selling her entire craft stash, and I would get first dibs. Yay!

When I showed up, she pulled out 3 large plastic totes full of crafting supplies.  One entire tote was full of retired Close to my Heart and Stampin Up stamps. Small sets, big sets, and individuals.  I snagged the entire tote, a small tote of paper (you can barely see it on the right), embossing supplies, glue dots, bling, and a pack of Quick Quotes chalk, some CTMH paper to stamp on.  I think there were over 40 full stamp sets in the lot, and a few singles. I paid her $112 for everything. She was happy and I think I got a great deal! My goal is to use EVERY stamp in this lot by the end of 2012!

Happy Birthday Card using Life's a Party Cartridge

Here's a card I made with the Life's a Party cartridge.

The lion is cut at 3" and 2". I used a homemade wobble to attach the big lion, he's so cute when he moves! Two blingy butterflies finish the card!

Homemade Wobbles and Reindeer Card

I wanted to try to make my own Action Wobbles since I was running low. It was really easy, and oh so cheap! Simply take your extra scraps and cut 1" circles out of them. Get thin wire and wrap it around a Zig glue pen twice. You'll end up with only one full wire circle in the middle of 2 half wire circles. Use a glue gun to adhere the wire to the paper circles. 

Here's the wobbly reindeer card I made!

Together We Make a Family - Wall Art

I've been adding vinyl throughout my house lately.

This phrase was cut using A Childs Year Cartridge.

I love creating my own wall art.

Not only does it save me money, but I can display something that reflects my priorities.

Here's a close up.

Fall Leaves Fry Box - Art Philosophy Cartridge

Happy Veteran's Day!  Today I have the opportunity to share this special project as a guest designer. Thanks so much Docerela Creations!  

Today we are having our first challenge with the new Docerela Design Team! I hope you will pop on over and visit the design team at Docerela Creations. While you're there, join the challenge and enter to win a set of fabulous Docerela Ceations stamps!

Today's challenge is to create a Fall colors/theme/Thanksgiving using Cricut Cut or real leaves! Here's a Fry Box I made for a friend who was in town recently. It was a perfect way to get rid of my Halloween candy!

From the Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge:

1. Cut 1 "fry box"Front Layer Flower6 (pg 29) at 7" (double sided pattern cardstock).
2. Assemble the fry box.
3. Cut 1  Rctngle5 (pg 35)  at 1" (yellow).
4. Cut 1  Rctngle 5 Layer at 1" (orange).
5. Cut 4 Leaf 2 (pg 34) at 2" (yellow, green, orange, brown).

Stamp the leaves in various colors using the coordinating leaf stamp (included with the Art Philosophy CTMH bundle).  I used Memento ink: Cottage Ivy, Rich Cocoa, Tangelo, and Dandelion. Add twine and a brad to complete the gift.

Now..it's time for you to show your creativity!

Hop on over Docerela Creations and enter the challenge there!

Enjoy your day!

Hello Kitty Happy Birthday Card

Hello Kitty is one of my favorite cartridges.  Here's a card I made with this cute cartridge. I used Happy Birthday Cuttlebug embossing folder.

Hello Kitty Tin and Matching Card

I made this for a friend for her birthday. She loves Hello Kitty. The paper pack is from Michaels and the tin is from Stampin Up. I used the same paper for the card and wrapped it with bakers twine. 

She really loved it!

Here's the inside. I love this tea!

Over the Hill Birthday Center Piece

For my dad's 60th I also made this center piece. I used Life's a Part for the tombstone and vulture, and Art Philosophy for the flowers. I filled the jar with candy to hide the black skewers.

Close up of the vulture and roses.

Over the Hill Birthday Banner

I made this banner for my dad's 60th birthday party. I used the vulture and tombstones are from Life's a Party cartridge. The font is Hello Kitty - go figure. I inked the edges to give it an aged look.

Close up of the vulture.

Happy Anniversary To Me!!!!

Today me and my most awesome hubby celebrate 14 years of married bliss, and to be perfectly honest - those years really have been blissful.  We rarely argue or fight, and I love him more and more as each day passes.  I am truly blessed to be so lucky!  The days go by so fast and I truly remember my wedding day as if it were yesterday. Here's a card to celebrate 14 years and soooo many more to come!

I swapped for this card front - it's sooo pretty and super easy to create!

Happy Hauntings Haunted House - 2nd Year!

I made this haunted house last year out of the Happy Hauntings cartridge.  It took a few hours to cut and assemble and I loved it so much I didn't have the heart to toss it.  I stored it in a cabinet in hopes that it would survive a 2nd year.  Guess what?  It did!  I must have used some really heavy duty cardstock!

In Arizona it gets really hot.  I think the heat melted the tape off the cardstock.  Oh well...some simple tacky tape will fix this!  Off to go do some minor repairs! 

Happy Halloween - From Our Home to Yours!

Happy Halloween from our home to yours!

Just Married Cards - So Simple!

In just a few short days - I'll celebrate my anniversary!  I think I'll post a few cards to celebrate! Here's a card front that I swapped for on the Cricut message boards.  It  has a cute charm on it pretty embossing.

Again - I have to say that I just love simple easy cards.  Here's a cute one that says Best wishes.  It's 4 squares with stamps and a brad - very easy but oh so elegant!

Thinking of You Swirly Card

Here's another card front that I swapped for.  There's something really cool about a simple card.  This one has swirls cut out, glued on, and then embossed with the white cardstock. It almost looks like it's a patterned piece of cardstock.  Very cool.  I used an orange base to bring out the colors - I think it works really good!

Stampin Up Playground Card

This card front was given to me.  Apparently my Stampin up friend also trades fronts with her friends.  She had a few extra that she gave to me when I attended her open house.  This is so cute!  I love the way she used the girl as a separate image.  The cuttle bug embossing with the dots pattern is so cute for grass!  I put this front on a yellow base.  It's ready to go!

Happy Anniversary Flower Card

This is one of the card fronts that I received during my card front swap with some gals over on the Cricut message boards.  I love the tag that comes out to reveal the theme.  I used a pink base to complete this card.

Monkey Thank You Card

This is one of the card fronts that I received during my card front swap with some gals over on the Cricut message boards.  This monkey is say'n thanks in a very unique way.  The cuttle bug folder really goes nicely with the circle theme used on the base of this card.  The button adds an extra touch of flare.

Falling For You Card

This is one of the card fronts that I received during my card front swap with some gals over on the Cricut message boards.  I really liked how the artist used simple hearts to create her theme. The yellow base I used really brings out the red in this card.  A great card for anniversaries or valentine's day!

45 Cards and 6 Layouts in 6 Hours....

So how did I complete 45 cards and 6 layouts in 6 hours?

By cheating of course!

I participate in a monthly card front swap where I make 10 card fronts and swap them with other gals.  Well...I actually make about 15 because I keep 5 of my own for myself.  Then each month I receive 10 different fronts.  It's a great way to have a variety of different cards in my stash. Well...I had about 45 of these fronts sitting on a shelf for that special day that I would actually make cards out of them.  Well...that day was Sunday! I managed to put all of the fronts on matching card stock in about 5 hours. Then I went on to complete 6 layouts that I had previously "started".  There's nothing like finishing a project!  Or in my case....51 of them!

I'll be posting each card over the next few months for you all to see. Be prepared!