Christmas Wrap-up

Christmas is over and we now look to a New Year. I don't make resolutions for the New Year. But I do have daily goals. This song pretty much sums it up and I want to share that today.

Speak, O Lord, as we come to You

To receive the food of Your Holy Word.

Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;

Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,

That the light of Christ might be seen today

In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.

Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us

All Your purposes for Your glory.

Teach us, Lord, full obedience,

Holy reverence, true humility;

Test our thoughts and our attitudes

In the radiance of Your purity.

Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see

Your majestic love and authority.

Words of pow'r that can never fail—

Let their truth prevail over unbelief.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;

Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—

Truths unchanged from the dawn of time

That will echo down through eternity.

And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,

And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.

Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built

And the earth is filled with Your glory.

My prayer is that if you don't know Christ, that you will come to Him. He is our Lord and Savior and came that all may have life. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. I love all of you my dear friends. Debra

Christmas Traditions

Christmas. A time of love, giving, memories, sharing and tradition. It is a wonderful season that is here because of the gift from God. Jesus Christ is our gift from God. All we need to do is accept Him.

We all have traditions this time of year. Baking, playing, shopping, decorating. The list could be endless. In my family we bake Julekage. (pronounced: you la ka ga) This is a Swedish Christmas Bread. It is a must have and tastes wonderful. We also make Ruskies, Candy Cane Cookies and Peanut Butter Balls.

Julekage rising.

Julekage loaves rising.

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Julekage!!!

Ruskies. I don't know why they are called that. But they are sooooo good. The crust is butter and cream cheese. The filling is pecans and sugar with a weens of milk.

We love the hustle and bustle of being out and about. Or being in the house while the snow flurries around. And of course there is the sledding for the young ones.

Another tradition we have is reading the Christmas story. The story of Jesus the Savior's birth. He is our present from above. May you have a wonderful Merry Christmas as you celebrate this true meaning of the season.

Christmas Tags and Something New!

I made some Christmas tags today and then used a new set that is in the Occasions Mini.


I just got this tag die for the Big Shot and it is fabulous! I used the Yuletide Christmas and Serene Snowflakes sets for these.
















This uses the set I {Heart} Hearts. It also uses Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die, Small Heart Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Real Red Satin Ribbon, and the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder. These are new and will be available January 4. These are items in the new Occasions Mini. Lot's of fun stuff in there and I will share more in the next few weeks.

Thankful it's December!

October was spent with us having H1N1. It really threw us for a loop. We just had gotten over that and it was the first week in November when my Mom had a mini-stroke. The first blessing about that was we were over H1N1. The second blessing of the mini-stroke was that while my Mom was in ER she was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Had she not had the mini-stroke she would not have been diagnosed as quickly. She is home and on oral meds right now. November was pretty hectic though. My November Club/Class needed to be canceled and these were the cards that were planned. I made them for my club members.

This card was made with Branch Out which will be retiring January 4th. This set is so easy and versatile. I just love it! The other set used is Autumn Splendor. I stamped on the Wood Sheets. Those are sooooo cool!!! You can even punch them out!

This is a hinged card. The set is Berry Christmas and the background embossing uses the Petals-a-Plenty Folder.

The technique used here is Cracked Glass. I stamped the snowflake, punched it out and then sponged the edges. I then inked the whole piece in Versamark and embossed with Glassy Glaze Enamel. Versamark the image again, emboss again. Then put it in the freezer for a bit. Take it out and crack it. I sponged it with Soft Suede ink to emphasize the cracks. LOVE it. The set is a hostess set in the Holiday mini called Patterned Pines.

Patti wanted to get together for horsdoevres at her house in December. So my club did that last week and swapped cards. This was my swap.

This is the set Branch Out again. I stamped the tree and then sponged with Night of Navy and Bordering Blue. The snowflakes are stamped in white craft ink and embossed in white. The tree limbs are outlined with the white gel pen.

All cards are SUO. If you would like more information on any of these cards or products to purchase you can contact me at 4debra@sbcglobal.net.

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY, MARINES!!!

Not quite back

Main computer is down again.

Back in Service!!!

My dear Jack fixed my computer! I will just share some cards using the Autumn Splendor set and hopefully I will get back into the swing of sharing here again.

Isn't this set gorgeous! I also love the Autumn Meadows Designer Series Papers. I stamped with craft Chocolate Chip ink and then colored using an aquapainter. Inks are Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Really Rust and Taken With Teal. After the cards were made I spritzed them with rubbing alcohol and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint. I wish you could see the shimmer. I just love that paint.

Everything is ©Stampin' Up!

CD Folder Album Class

Saturday I had a fun time showing how to make this. Here is the one I made along with my friends that came to class. Each person received all of the supplies to make this album including a full pack of Designer Series Paper!!! Each person decorated their album as they wanted. I will show their albums in the next few days.

This is the front cover. I used the Charming set in the Holiday Mini Catalog. I LOVE it. The Designer Series Paper is Thoroughly Modern. I was not going to order this paper but it is really pretty! Right now it is my favorite.








This is inside the front cover. We used the Mini Square Envelopes and filled with cardstock with a pull tab to put a picture or saying on.











This is the middle of the Album. It connects the 2 cd holders together.












This is the last page. Aren't the papers absolutely gorgeous!!!

I didn't take a picture of the back of the album but it is decorated as well.

I will be making some of these for gifts. Just such a fun project to fill with whatever the recipient decides. Pictures, notes, special papers...


Everything is ©Stampin' Up Only.

Regionals Roadtrip!!!

Last Thursday I drove over to the east side of the state to catch up with 4 friends. Michele, Emma, Tracy and Dawn Marie. What did we do? Went to the Stampin' Up! Regionals in Cincinnati!!!! What a fabulous time. Dawn Marie drove us in her conversion van and what a comfy ride!!!



Here we are at dinner Thursday night. From left to right: Tracy, Michele, Dawn Marie, Emma and ME!!! This is outside on a balcony overlooking the river.











Here we are in the convention center waiting to go inside the ballroom.








Here we are with our "best friend" (per Emma) Shelli! She is so sweet and thoughtful of others. Takes time with everyone meeting her. This is the second time I have met her and she was genuine both times. That is not something you fake.

Several times throughout the day a list of 10 names were projected on the screens as winners of a FREE stamp set!!! NONE of our names were listed. BUT if someone either didn't come or was out of the room when prizes were given ANOTHER NAME WAS LISTED!!! Michele won that way and is the proud owner of Wandering Words! AND MY name was then listed the next group around when someone didn't claim their's and the stamp set was Autumn Splendor!!! I LOVE IT!!! Thank you to those that weren't there. (sorry about that gleefulness)

I really wish you all had been there. We were given some FABULOUS ideas. One thing we were taught was how to take pictures. I am still chuckling over that. We were shown before and after examples by Shannon West. To take pictures you need to crop, turn sideways, chin out and show your clavicle!!!!! hee hee hee Very good ideas.

At the start of the day we also had a moment of tribute because it was 9/11. Remembering those that died that day and the troops that serve to preserve our freedom. It was a little teary for me as Dave is in Iraq right now.

I will share ideas in the next few weeks. We were given a lot of wonderful techniques and information. My only issue for the whole day was trying to take pictures at the sample boards. Holy cow!!! And that we didn't get chips with our sandwich at lunch. How do you eat a sandwich without chips!?!?!?!?

Thanks Emma, Michele, Dawn Marie and Tracy for such fabulous friend time. And for listening to me blabber, blabber, blabber.

Stampin' Up! 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog

Inside this catalog are fun new holiday products. Available from now until January 4, 2009!

Open it up and find Sweet Treat Cups, Halloween, Autumn, Christmas and Winter stamps and ideas. There are also 2 hostess sets.
Plus, Stampin' Up! is launching several new product lines in the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog:
1. Simply Adorned Charms and Chains: These are currently not available to order. Coming Soon!
2. Build-A-Bear Workshop: Stampin' Up! has teamed up with Build-A-Bear Workshop to you an exciting and exclusive collection of products! Stamp sets, Sizzix dies and Designer Series Paper.
3. My Digital Studio: Use Stampin' Up! exclusive images in this innovative and easy-to-use software studio to make cards, photo albums, scrapbooks, and other projects. Available starting October 1st.

New Neighbors!

The new neighbors next door moved in this week! We are excited to get to know them and welcomed them with this card and a plate of cookies.

I was late on the bandwagon to get this set. I shouldn't have waited. I love it. We have Redbud trees across our front lawn and they look like this tree.

Sets: Branch Out, Warm Words

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke and To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red

Accessories: Modern Label and Eyelet Border Punches, Magnetic Movers & Shapers Punch Windows

Everything here is © Stampin' Up!

Delightful Demo Weekend

This past Friday and Saturday a group of Michigan Demonstrators decided to get together. We had all wanted to go to convention and could not so decided to have our own mini get-together. There were 9 of us and we had an absolute blast. Well, I did anyway. heehee. We held the event at my church and then spent the night at my house. Saturday it literally poured cats and dogs and fortunately we packed all of our stuff up and just stayed at my house to stamp on Saturday.

Everyone had to share a shoebox. This was mine. Stencils are my absolute favorite thing right now in the catalog. So I used Vintage Ornaments 1 sponged with Chocolate Chip ink on Chocolate Chip cardstock. I used the set Tree Trimmings and yes I did have to use the stamp a ma jig. The Designer Series Paper is Merry Moments. And the new Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon. I just love the new Christmas stuff. LOVE it.

We also could do a swap. This is mine. Yep, I am stuck on the stencils. This is also the Vintage Ornaments 1 set. Sponged with the Bermuda Bay (which I didn't think I was going to like and now need to get the ribbon. Thank you Lorien for swapping some with me.) and also sponged the filigree part in Rich Razzleberry. Cardstock is Shimmery White, Bermuda Bay and Rich Razzleberry. Stamped the Merry Christmas from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set and punched out using the Word Window Punch and layering with the Modern Label Punch.

This is an idea I got on another blog. It is a complete case. I took the chipboard that came with my stencils and put it through the BigShot with the Scallop Square Clear Die. I sponged it with Soft Suede. I sponged the stencil with Chocolate Chip Craft ink and embossed with Glassy Glaze Enamel. After that cooled I used the overlay stencil with Stencil Paste. Then I put Dazzling Diamonds on that and set it aside to dry. Added the Organza Ribbon. Now all I need to do is use the cropadile to punch a hole to hang on the tree! Everyone that came made one of these. Well, except Emma. She had to leave early. But hers is in the mail.

Emma and Lorien helped me plan and put together our little mini Demo Get-Together. I made each of them one of these. This was also found on another blog. The tile is 6x6. It is inked with the Encore Gold ink. Put in the oven at 350 for 10 minutes. Soooo easy. After it completely cools you apply the Stencil Paste. I bought them little stands and forgot to get one for myself. I need to do that!!! Oh and that ribbon is fabulous!!! So easy to work with. I need to get some more colors of that.

Well, I hope you like the little glimpse of some of our projects. I will take pictures of what everyone did and post them in the next few days.

Happy Be-lated Birthday!!!

Dave's birthday was yesterday and I just sent his card and gift out today. YIKES!!!

This is the first I have used the Courage set. On the inside I put the other image that came with this set. It says: Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities, because it is the quality that guarantees all others. ~Winston Churchill

The image is stamped on Sahara Sand in Chocolate Chip ink and then colored in with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons. I used Bravo Burgundy and Night of Navy cardstock and crayons. I thought it needed a more distressed look and added that also.

Karen and Dan's Wedding Card

My niece Karen was married a week ago. I was in a rush making the card for her and Dan that I did not get a clear picture. But I LOVE it!!

I used Chocolate Chip and Cameo Coral. The sets I used are Teeny Tiny Wishes and French Filigree. The flourish is daubered on using the Vintage Ornaments 1 stencil. I LOVE the option of using stencils on my cards.

Sympathy Floral and Masculine

I have been needing quite a few Sympathy cards and finally got around to making them. I made them all similar and made one batch feminine and another masculine.

This one is made with Greenhouse Garden and French Filigree sets. The colors used are Soft Suede, Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry. I also used the Bigz XL Dies Movers & Shapers and the Magnetic Movers & Shapers. With Sympathy from Teeny Tiny Wishes is stamped on Very Vanilla and punched out with the Modern Label punch. It also uses the polka dot side of the Dusty Durango ribbon.

The same layout is used on these ones. I changed out the set to Autumn Days and the ribbon was flipped over to the solid side.

Some new stuff and a wedding.

I finally had a chance to play with some new stuff yesterday.

I LOVE the new Medallion and French Filigree stamps. Aren't they just gorgeous! Colors here are Chocolate Chip and Bordering Blue. I used the new Modern Label punch and Magnetic Movers and Shapers. The card base is 6x6.

Loving the scooter!!!

Jaclyn went with Jack to the store last night on the scooter. She loved the ride and even stopped to see Grandma and Grandpa Daam. But she does not like the helmet.

Wearing Irelyn out!

Irelyn wanted to watch Mulan and 10 minutes into it this is what she was doing. This was 4pm yesterday. I let her sleep approximately an hour and tried waking her up so we weren't up all night.

She did NOT want to wake up. She is actually sleeping like this.

Elise was riding the horse while Irelyn is sleeping. See her in the background? That horse is loud. Irelyn was one tired little girl!

I kept trying to wake her up. She would say, "Stop calling my name! I don't want to hear you call my name!" She walked into the stamp room and dropped to the floor and kept trying to sleep. All I could envision was being awake most of the night. So after an hour and a half nap, she finally woke up.

Scooter fun!!!

Last week we stopped and bought a scooter on the way to Virginia. Jack and Jaclyn went and got it today. Elise and Irelyn LOVE to ride.











Jaclyn won't ride today. This is what she is doing instead. Crazy girl!!!



Here is Irelyn waiting her turn.


Elise waiting for another turn.

She is reacting to the sprinkler hitting her. heehee

Last Day!!!

Today is Jaclyn's last day at her Young Adult Program.

We made 22 of these for her bus driver's and her teacher and the aides that work with her. Each one is filled with 12 Hershey Nuggets. YUM!!!

Family and Stamping!

Family and stamping!!! 2 of my favorite things!!! A few days ago 3 niece's and my sis-in-law came over to help make wedding shower favors for another niece. We had so much fun!

From left to right. This is Andrea, Jessie and Brenda with me and the favors.

This is Andrea, Jessie, Sarah with me.

Yep, I had to do one of these! Here we all are!

Aren't these CUTE!!!!! They are filled with Bliss chocolates. YUM!!!