"Hip Hip Hooray -- 10,000 Hits!"

Wow!! 10,000 hits!!! I am so excited and the thanks goes to all of you!! This time last year, me & my family were closing our scrapbook store of 3 years and the last thing on my my mind was creating a blog! But, when you have a deep passion for the craft as I do, you cannot stay away too long, nor do you want to! So, I started this blog as a 'new' outlet to share ideas and meet fellow crafters. Even though I'm a scrapbooker first and foremost, my enjoyment for paper-crafting has evolved greatly this year.

I absolutely love having this blog to share my creations with everyone. I also greatly treasure the friends I have made through both, my scrapbook store and my blog. I greatly appreciate each and everyone of you that check out my blog and/or post comments. You are the reason I am at this 10,000 hit milestone, so thanks from the bottom of my heart!

Ok, on with the blog candy...heehee Here is a list of what's up for grabs:

1. Making Memories Winter Glitter Stickers; 2. Making Memories Winter Pebble Stickers; 3. Making Memories Christmas Mini Colorboard Stickers; 4. Scrapbook Adhesive E-Z Runner; 5. American Crafts 'Seasons Greetings' spool ribbon; 6. Package of 5 snowman stamped images; 7. 'Happy Holly Days' clear stamp by Stampendous; 8. Package of 5 jumbo paper clips; 9. Gum holder; and last, but not least 10. Bag of assorted Jelly Belly

Everyone can play! All you need to do is post a comment on this post telling me what your favorite thing is I've created so far. You have until midnight on Sunday night to post, then I will put everyone's comment in a bucket and let my dear daughter draw before going to school on Monday morning. I will then posted the winner on my blog! Good luck everyone!!!

"It's Almost Time for Blog Candy"

I am getting very close to reaching 10,000 hits on my blog counter! Wow!! That means it's almost time to celebrate! It looks like I'll be posting blog candy soon, so keep checking back for your chance to win some!

"No Coal for Dr. Colotta"

I had an appointment yesterday with my most favorite doctor. (He's the family doctor and he takes such good care of us!) Oh, and did I mention that he is bad spoiled. LOL It is the 'norm' for me to take him treats and he's partial to chocolate and he graduated from Ole Miss, so hence, the tin. LOL

I decorated this tea tin and filled the inside with Hershey's nuggets. He was pleased to see it wasn't coal! heehee

"All Tied Up!"

Ok, I know everyone is tired of seeing the same things over and over again on my blog. But....I was generously blessed with orders this holiday season! And....I love to see each order together when I'm finished! So.....here are some cute little snowman kisses. LOL (I don't normally decorate these up in cello, but she requested it)

I absolutely love everyone that has placed an order with me and thank you from the bottom of my heart! I know you're probably thinking that, by placing an order with me, it's one less thing you have to worry with! Well, I am just glad that I'm the one you come too. It is a blessing to know that the things I create are a part of someone else's Christmas! Thanks, again!!!

"Chocolate Treats/Order"

This is an order I completed for a friend. These are little 'envelopes' that hold an individual Ghirardelli chocolate square. I made 12 for her. These make a great little gift to hand out!

"Snowman Sets"

This is the snowman set that I am making for Alyssa to give to each of the ladies in the office at school. The set includes a snowman soup, a snowman gum holder, and a small white sack with an individual chocolate square inside. There are only four ladies in the office and I hope they like these!

"Classroom Treats"

This is an order I just completed for a friend for her two daughters to give out in their classrooms. There are 40 total. They are the matchbook-style treats with a pack of Razzles stapled into each one. I used my Santa's hat stamp again on the front, because I just love the way it turns out with the Diamond stickles on the fur.

My dear friend, Linda, came over yesterday, and helped alot with the many steps to create these.

"Santa's Magic Key"

If you do not have a chimney, then you need this 'magic' key for Santa. My dear daughter got a 'magic' key a couple of years ago, and it is a must to leave out on Christmas eve. These create a wonderful tradition for every year!

I was able to find these gorgeous Santa tins and I ordered the keys from Oriental Trade. There are lots of poems out there, and you can find them through Google, but I liked this one best.

The poem reads: Santa's Magic Key

Our stocking's hang on a wall. We have no fireplace at all! You see the problem is quite clear. Santa, how will you get in here? We heard a legend. Is it true? Of magic only you can do. We'll leave out this special key, and "mark" it Santa so you can see. Your magic makes the key fit right, so you can get inside that night. Thank you Santa, here's our key. The milk and cookies are on me!

"Snowman Soup"

Have you ever bought a stamp that is just your very favorite? Well, the snowman stamp I used here is by Penny Black and I love, love it! I wanted to buy this new, cute snowman stamp to do my "Snowman Soup", and when I started playing around with it, I loved it even more! I guess because I think he is just sooo cute!

Anyway, here is one of the Snowman Soups I'm making to fill some orders. This is such a cute gift to give. The cello bag contains an individual packet of hot cocoa, mini candy cane, marshmellows and a hershey's kiss. On the back of the flap I adhered a copy of the poem that goes with it. It reads: Was told you've been good this year. Always glad to hear it. With freezing weather drawing near, you'll need to warm the spirit. So, here's a little Snowman Soup, complete with stirring stick. Just add hot water, sip it slow, and it's sure to do the trick!

"Coaster Calendars"

I made up these coaster calendars for little Christmas gifts for Alyssa to give to her coaches, drama and choir teachers.

I covered the front and back of the coasters with patterned paper and embellishments; adhered the calendar; then, added a magnet to the back. Quick and easy, but too cute!

I ordered the small, self-adhesive calendars from http://www.vippies.com/.

"Daddy Gift"

Alyssa's Daddy is a National Guard recruiter, so I decorated this acrylic frame for her to give him for Christmas for his desk at work. I used some great Army themed paper from Stamping Station, and adhered a post-it note on top. She really likes it and wants me to also make a matching RSVP to go with it.

Just alittle something for her to put under the tree for him.

"Chapstick Treats"

I made these chapstick treats for Alyssa to give out to her friends for Christmas. I found packs of assorted, fun flavored chapsticks at Wal-Mart and thought they would make cute, inexpensive gifts for her friends. I love this adorable Santa hat stamp from Stampabilities. You can't really tell from the picture, but I added Diamond Stickles to the fur part of the hat for some sparkle! Here is a picture of the packs of chapsticks. Such fun flavors like Reese's, Sugar Babies, etc.

"Chocolate, Anyone?"

I got this cute idea from Cambria Turnbow to make these little 'pockets' for the individual squares of Ghirardelli chocolates. Everyone loves alittle chocolate, right? I am making these for the ladies in the office at Alyssa's school for Christmas. I am using red & green solid Bazzill cardstock for the pocket, with velcro closures. On the top, I have layered a circle punch on top of a scalloped circle punch, and stamped "Happy Holly Days". I hope they like them!

"Pay It Forward Winner"

Thanks, Michelle, for playing pay it forward. You are the winner!! I will get your goodies to you soon!

"Snowman Kisses"

These are so fun! I got this adorable idea from Amy G, thebasicscrapper, who cased it from Angie Kennedy Juda. (Gotta give everyone credit) Anyway, I absolutely love these! These are the perfect 'little something' to give out. If you click on the picture, you will get a clearer image.

The poem reads: He's cute, cuddly & full of good wishes. He wants to give you these snowman kisses.

"Awesome RAK!"

Look at this awesome set that Rochelle made for Alyssa's birthday!! Alyssa was so excited that she got a package in the mail! However, she was even more excited when she saw what was inside! She thinks Mrs. Rochelle is very "cool"! (I didn't think she was going to give it to me long enough for this picture!) LOL

Thanks, Rochelle! You are one thoughtful gal!! You've made my dear daughter a very happy girl today!! Thanks, again!

"Pay It Forward"

Pay it forward is a new blog tag, and I was one of the lucky winners from Rochelle Wick's blog, Impressions I was thrilled to get this great bunch of goodies from her! Now, I have agreed to "Pay it Forward" and send someone else some goodies. So, the first person to comment on this post and is willing to "Pay it Forward" themselves, will be the winner! Please put your email in the comment, so I can contact you for your mailing address.

I want to send a great big thank-you out to Rochelle! I loved my goodies! I am so excited over the stamped images...especially the Bellas! You're a sweetie!!

"Birthday Gift"

Alyssa's homeroom teacher, Mrs. Tassin, is celebrating her birthday tomorrow, too. Alyssa was so excited that her & her teacher had the same birthday. So, I decorated this clipboard for Alyssa to give to her. I found this great school themed patterned paper by K & Company for the bottom and used a coordinating solid Bazzill for the top. I used misc. Offray ribbons around the middle and on the top. I hope she likes it!

"Homeroom Favors"

These are the birthday favors I made for Alyssa to give out in homeroom tomorrow. I included inside a package of Laffy Taffy. These were easy to make. The cardstock is cut at 2.5" x 6.5", then scored at 3" and 2.5". I also scored the longer end at 1/2" for the flap you fold up & staple. If you click on the picture, it will come up clearer. Below, is a closer picture of the favors:

"My Beauty"

These pictures were taken last night at Alyssa's birthday party. I just could not get over how much she's growing up! She gets prettier every day!! (Her daddy is none to thrilled about either! LOL)
She had a blast with her friends! We ate pizza, then walked over to the theater to see The Bee Movie. It took my mom, sister and neighbor's help to 'herd' everyone through pizza, cake, presents and then the movie, but it all turned out fine!! Alyssa's actual birthday is Monday, November 12th!

"Pouches...Finished"

Here's a picture of all the pixie pouches finished. I think they turned out cute! Alyssa is going to hand them out Monday night to her cheer squad. (Now, I've got to get her homeroom class' favors done!) Whew!

"Pixy Pouches"

I'm making these 'pixy pouches' for Alyssa to give out Monday night to the girls on her cheer squad. Her birthday is on Monday, and since cheer practice is on the same night, I thought these would be something easy to take. I decorated the pouches in the squad's colors -- red & black.

These were easy to make. I cut my base cardstock 6 1/2 x 7, and then scored it at 3 1/2, to make the fold. (You can cut your angle in the front as desired.) I then adhered the bottom and right side together to create the pouch. Then the pouch can be decorated anyway you'd like. I added pixy sticks to my pouches, but they could also hold pencils, chocolate sticks, etc.

"Clipboard for Coach"

I decorated this clipboard for Alyssa's cheer coach, Melissa. Her birthday is Wednesday, and since we had practice tonight, Alyssa wanted to take her something. I hope she likes it! I also hope it comes in handy for her.

I used patterned cheer paper at the bottom and a coordinating solid Bazzill cardstock at the top. I adhered navy Offray ribbon across the middle and used misc. ribbons to tie at the top.

"Magic Reindeer Food"

Every year my daughter sprinkles Magic Reindeer Food outside on Christmas Eve. Even though she's almost 11, it's just something we do every year. If you're going to leave cookies & milk for Santa, then you've got to feed the reindeer, too! *wink* For some reason today, I was in the mood to go ahead and make it. So, I've made enough for a few cousins and neighbors. I filled small cello bags with oats & glitter before attaching the 'fold-over' card. On the back, I listed the ingredients and directions. If you click on the picture, you will be able to see the image clearer. The ingredients and directions read:

1/2 cup dry oatmeal

1/3 cup sparkly glitter

1 heart full of Christmas hope

Mix ingredients together and on Christmas Eve, sprinkle all over your lawn. The glitter will shine in the moonlight and lead Santa to your house before dawn. The smell of oats will lead the reindeer directly to your rooftop. The Christmas hope in the magic food, guarantees 'ole Santa will stop!

"Birthday Invitation"

My baby is turning 11 on Monday, Nov. 12th, so we're celebrating on the Friday prior. Alyssa has decided on eating pizza and then watching The Bee Movie in Jackson.

Here is the invitation that I come up with. I cannot remember the last time I used store bought invites -- I always just make them. This is just a basic layering of papers, topped off with a coordinating ribbon. Nothing really fancy, but cute enough. (Plus, I got the 'ok' from the birthday girl, herself!)

I've got about a dozen more to make, so I've got to get busy!