Christmas Gift Card Holders

Merry Christmas, Friends!!! I have a couple of little gift card holders to share with you. I found myself in need of a couple of these on December 23. Soooo, despite the fact that I was running around like a proverbial chicken-with-my-head-cut-off, I was happy that I had a chance to sit down for a bit and create something.

And I am also really happy that this gave me an excuse to use my layered poinsettia die one more time (that's TWICE in the week since I got it!. I was a little hesitant to put gold smooch on these red leaves, but I really love how they turned out!!

I was able to squeeze two gift cards on the inside ...

Stamps: Petitie Pairs
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP (retired)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Gold Smooch
Accessories: Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die, Martha Stewart Fir Branch Punch, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Simply Scored, Pearl Basics, Velcro Dot



I have probably had this little Cuttlebug embossing/cut tree for at LEAST four years. And it has NEVER seen the light of day ... I KNEW when I got it that I was goon NEED It at some point, so I was very happy that I had it on hand!! PHEW!!! Instead of closing this gift card holder with a Velcro dot, I decided a belly band was in order ...

I didn't even ATTEMPT to try to match colors to this crazy-over-the-top-too-bright iTunes card for my nephew ... at least it's KINDA red ...

Stamps: Small Script
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Merry Moments DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Cuttlebug Christmas Trees Die, Decorator Label Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Medium Oval Punch, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Simply Scored

These gift card holders were created by using a 4.25" x 10" piece of cardstock scored along the 10" side at 3", 4", 5" and 8" ...

Here's wishing you the happiest of holidays. May your new year be blessed with continued love and time with family and friends!! Now, it's time to get up and see what Santa brought!!

Love Me Some Purple!!

I have always liked purple ... ever since I was a little girl. I had seen a card (somewhere ... can't for the life of me remember where!) that used these three purples together. I love how they look against the clean white ...

We are gearing up for the annual Weixler Family Apple Pressing Party on Saturday. This has been a tradition since my husband was a young boy. HIs father had a small, hand-crack apple press, and they used to get a couple of gallons out of that thing. Fast forward to present day ... some years back my VERY brilliant brother in law designed and made a hydraulic press to make the process better. With the help of many hands running the apples through the shredder, stacking them in palettes and loading them in to the press ... straining, filling and capping off the bottles we have got to the point where we can do over 500 gallons in a day. That's right ... it's NOT a typo ... 500 GALLONS!! We are awesome!! It's gonna be cold, wet and possibly snowy on Saturday ... hopefully, that won't hamper the process TOO much!!

Wish me luck (as y'all KNOW how I feel about COLD!!!)

Stamps: Tiny Tags
Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: You Embossing Folder, Scallop Border Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch, Silver Cord, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Daisy Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Scott & Jessica

This is a wedding announcement I did up for one of my online friendies, Jessica. I have met some of the neatest people and made some of the bestest friends online. I know it sounds strange, but it's true!! Jessica and I met through my blog ... amazing how small technology makes the world ... very cool.

She wanted something simple and elegant. Since she lives in Indiana and I live in Utah, we connected via Skype. Another piece of technology that I absolutely LOVE!! We were able to talk, laugh AND see what we were talking about as we planned out what to do. Made it sooo easy. This is what we came up with ... I just mailed them out to her last Thursday (which means she should be getting them today or tomorrow). I sure hope she likes them once she sees them in person!! The white paper has a pearly sheen to it. I wish it photographed better ... it really is purdy!! She is actually going to use her calligraphy skills and write out everything for the insides ... TIMES EIGHTY!! I can't WAIT to see how that comes out. I think anything done by hand any more sure beats stuff printed out on the computer ... makes things so special and unique!!

Last week I made 121 cards and a pair of earrings ... sheesh!! My stamp table is SMOKIN'!! To top it off, I have a friend who phoned me over the weekend and asked (begged??) me for help with her daughter's wedding announcements ... 500 OF 'EM!! I have a feeling I'm gonna be busybusybusy for the next couple of weeks, as she would like them done by Labor Day!!! YIKES!! "Calgon, TAKE ME AWAY!!" (If you are too young to remember that, then you are gonna hafta look it up on youtube, 'cause I ain't EVEN gonna explain it!! It makes me feel OLD!!)

Stamps: None!
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Pearlized White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (on printer)
Accessories: Emily's Bouquet Embossing Folder, Marvy Scallop Corner Punch, Pearl Stickers, Whisper White, Satin/Organza Ribbon, Pop-Up Glue Dots

SportsMania

I think I mentioned a few months back that one of my New Year's Resolutions was to make birthday and anniversary cards for everyone in my family (at least all of those on the Weixler side). That equates to about 100 cards this year ... which is fine, actually, because I know I make more than that each year, so all is well, right?

The one thing that has been a challenge is that I have come to realize that there are a LOT of males in our family. And I have also realized that I am pretty much a "female" card maker. Which I guess is also fine ... but I have found that, by May 1, my ideas for guy cards have been stretched to their limit!! Man, oh man, I'm gonna have to start cruising some galleries and looking for ideas! All in all, this is gonna be GOOD for me, right??? Gonna make me a better stamper/paper crafter, right??? Here's hopin', anyway!

This card was for my cousin's 13th birthday - Happy Birthday, Andrew!! I pretty much liked it well enough that I made a second one almost exactly like it (changed up the embossing) to give to my nephew, Nate. He is 31 years old already!! Sheesh!! I have NO idea where the time has gone!! I could really tell some embarrassing story here about when he was little, but then he'd probably never speak to me again and that would be bad!! Suffice it to say that I have known him most of his life and have loved watching him grow up!! He sure keeps life fun when we get all the cousins and aunts and uncles together!! Hugs to both of you guys!!

Stamps: Slam Dunk, Touchdown, Perfect Punches
Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Basic Black
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Nellie Snellen Diamond Dies, Cuttlebug Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Linen Thread, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Grateful for Spongebob!

Okay ... I know there are people out there who don't like Spongebob (although, I cannot for the LIFE of me understand WHY!!)!!!

I made this little gratitude journal for one of my kids ... isn't it the ca-YOOT-est??? How can you look at this and NOT smile??? Just sayin' ....

That's pretty much it!! Enjoy your weekend, think of at least ONE thing for which you are grateful, and give a hug to someone you love!!

Stamps: NONE!
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Pacific Point
Ink: NONE!
Accessories: Cricut Spongebob Squarepants Cartridge, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl and Mistletoe (I thought it looked like seaweed!) embossing folders, rhinestone jewel, spiral notebook

Charlie's Monster

I just had to make this card. My heart would not let me NOT make it!! I came across this blog post about a little sweet 4-year-old named Charlie. He is battling a TERRIBLE disease and just recently underwent a stem cell transplant. This card is going postal TODAY!! Please feel free to send one to him if you are as moved by his story as I am.

Cards for Charlie

I incorporated the colors for today's color challenge over on SCS (CC306) ... sorta. The colors were Bravo Burgundy, Pear Pizzazz and Baja Breeze. Can't believe I let myself run pretty much OUT of that color!! YIKES!! Had to substitute me some Marina Mist ... but isn't this monster so stinkin' ca-YOOT???? I really like him!!

Stamps: Wild About You
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Sahara Sand
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl, Mesh Texture and Tiny Bubbles Embossing Folders, Cricut Mini Monsters Cartridge, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Linen Thread, Pop-Up Glue Dots

DON'T MISS tuning back in tomorrow night (the 19th) to see what the Control Freaks have in store for their monthly blog tour! We are highlighting Valentine's ... so you WON'T wanna MISS it!!

Think PINK!!

I seem to be thinkin' PINK lately!! I made a little baby blanket for a friend and needed a card to go with it, and this is what I came up with.

I incorporated the challenge I posted over on SCS today for F4A47 - Texturize Me! The challenge was to use at least TWO embossing folders ... and BONUS points if you used a folder that was NOT in regular repertoire ... DOUBLE bonus points if you used one that you have NEVER used before. I have like a GAZILLION embossing folders ... LOVE 'em! (and, sad to say, some of them are STILL unused!!). Oh well ... it's not about USING 'em ... it's about HAVING 'em, right????

Stamps: Small Sayings
Paper: Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Sizzix Birthday Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug Stripes Embossing Folder, Marvy Double Scallop Corner Punch, Cricut Create a Critter Cartridge, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punches, Large Oval Punch, Deep Chocolate Satin Ribbon by PTI, Button by SU, Pop-Up Glue Dots

It's About Time!!

I finally made a card!! I STILL am feeling a little Mojo-less ... or maybe I am just not feeling motivated. My craft room still has messes in it from the week between Christmas and New Years's ... can't find the motivation to clean it, so it's kinda hard to create something (although I seem manage!)!

Did a double-challenge combo for SCS on this one - CC305 and SC315. I guess it kinda looks like the LAST card I posted ... sigh ... but Valentine's Day IS on its way, so I feel justified in celebrating a Heart Fest!!

AND ... since I have been asked EVERY time I use this cute embossing folder, all I can say is that if you Google "Love is in the Air Cuttlebug" you will find what you seek (not allowed to post a direct link for ya due to SU's IDA).

Happy Wednesday! Go find ya some chocolate!!

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Extreme Elements
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Large Heart Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Photo Corners Punch, Rhinestone Sticker, Conversation Hearts Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

O Pioneers!

We are back from trekking across the Wyoming wilderness with our friends and the youth from our church (who happen to ALSO be our friends!)! It was a wonderful experience. It is always inspiring to see how you can put young people in a situation that is so foreign to them and they will rise to the occasion. We had very few complaints and everyone seemed to get along with one another pretty well. So ... as an ode to the pioneers I put together this little card (which, weirdly enough, has a lot of the same elements as the last card I posted, yet it looks VERY different!!)

Here is a picture of my husband and I in front of Devil's Gate. It was a major landmark for the pioneers as they were making their trek west. One of those things that help you feel like you are making progress (and will help quiet the children's cries of "Are we there yet???) Actually, I was more than inspired by being able to walk where the pioneers walked ... it was very humbling to contemplate the sacrifices that they made in an effort to go someplace where they could make a better life for themselves.






And here is my darling daughter Amelia ... doesn't she look adorable? LOVE the hat!!










This shot made me think of "Little House on the Prairie" ... it was really neat to look at our entire company stretched out across the trail ... it made it easier for me to imagine the pioneers as they must have looked over 150 years ago. Very inspiring, as I said ...

Stamps: Just Believe, Define Your Life
Ink: Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight
Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Cricut Heritage Cartridge, Grace's Frame Embossing Folder, Double Scallop Corner Punch, Extra Large Scallop Circle Punch (trimmed for the sentiment)

In the Heat of the Summer ...

... and the midst of the craziness I am having a VERY difficult time finding time to stamp anything!! Sheesh!!

I have been running like a frog on a hot rock since we started getting ready for our river trip about three weeks ago. Came home from that and headed straight off to Stampin' Up Convention ... THEN, after Jan (my BFF!) went back home I had ONE DAY off before my brother and sister-in-law showed up for a four-day visit and family reunion (which was last Saturday).

I have spent the past few days running around like a ... let's see ... chicken with my head cut off shopping and organizing and packing as we prepare to leave tomorrow morning at 6:30 A.M.! for a pioneer handcart trek that we are taking with a group of 50 young people from our church (which will last until late Saturday). I am really excited for it, too!! And if that weren't ENOUGH, we will be picking up our cute exchange student - Coco - on Sunday as she comes to stay with us for about a month all the way from Germany!! Needless to say, you can see how finding time to "play" has been difficult ...

In any event, here's a card I did for today's sketch challenge on SCS - SC292. I really struggled with gettin' the fan-thing to look right, but I DO love this "Just Believe" stamp set ... it's VERY purdiful!!!

So .... you probably won't hear from me again 'til late Saturday or Sunday, since I will be runnin' with my pants on fire!!

Enjoy the rest of your week. I will share some pictures of our trek experience once we get back ...

Stamps: Just Believe
Paper: Early Espresso, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Marina Mist
Ink: Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist
Accessories: Cuttlebug Grace's Frame Embossing Folder, SU Perfect Polka Dots and Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Folders, Sizzix Birthday Embossing Folder, Scallop and Classic Oval Nestabilities, Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Word Window Punch, Dimensionals

Critter-licious!!

Sooo....I don't usually do TWO posts in ONE day, but I just couldn't HELP myself. Robyn Cardon (mypinkstamper) has been hosting a TON of fun challenges over on her blog today for National Scrapbooking Day ... all featuring Cricut-made projects. I have been really LOVing my Cricut lately. Which, by the way, is LONG overdue, as I have had this baby since they first came out several years ago ... and I have more cartridges than I absolutely care to admit!!

Anywho ... this is the card I made to go along with her 12th challenge of the day - called "Critter-licous!" I know I have mentioned it before, but this is one of my mostest-all-time FAVE cartridges!! 'Cause what's NOT to like about little critters who smile back atcha, right???

Stamps: Ruff Day
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Real Red, So Saffron, Whisper White, Night & Day dsp
Accessories: Cricut Create a Critter cartridge, Cuttlebug Argyle and Distressed Stripes embossing folders, Scallop Trim Border Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, black/white gingham ribbon, pop-up glue dots

More Cuteness ...

Can ya stand one more thing I made with my Create a Critter cartridge?? My daughter is in an AMAZING dance company that has an equally AMAZING dance concert every spring. It is a VERY busy week filled with rehearsals, running around and LOTS of performing. Concert week was last week. During concert week, the girls are assigned big/little sisters. The purpose of this is so that the older girls can mentor and befriend the younger ones and help them through the week. Some wonderful attachments and friendships are formed, which adds to the cohesiveness of the company and the quality of their performance.

Anyway, one of the most fun aspects of the big/little sister connection is that they give little gifts to one another throughout the week. My daughter asked me if I could make a little something, and this is what I came up with ... a mini coaster photo album. I let Amelia choose the "critter" she wanted to have on the front ... she had a hard time choosing between the whale and the octopus, but as you can see the whale won out! (The little book actually has more pages than I am picturing, but they were just blank with no photos like the ones I am already showing ya!)

It also gave me the chance to drag out some retired SU dsp ... I totally {{{heart}}} this "Good Morning Sunshine" paper ... and I am SOOO glad that Pacific Point will be rejoining the cardstock "families" as a permanent addition (okay, I know that they are now gonna be called "collections" and not "families," but old habits die hard!).

Stamps: NONE!
Paper: Good Morning Sunshine dsp, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: NONE!
Accessories: Cricut Create a Critter and Calligraphy Collection cartridges, chipboard coasters, Cuttlebug Mesh Texture and Dotted Swiss embossing folders, small oval punch, Bind-It-All, rhinestone brads, brown/vanilla gingham ribbon, label maker, pop-up glue dots

Wicked 1 and 2...

Well ... for any of all y'all that have followed my blog for any amount of time ... you KNOW I have a thing for butterflies AND a thing for witches (especially the Wicked Witch of the West ... kinda where my blog got its name).

Sooo...it was my turn as Challenge Hostess again over SCS this morning. I have been pretty much under the weather all week. I was NOT feeling my mojo when I made my sample card for the Free for All Challenge, which was to make something that was inspired by a musical (I, of course, chose "Wicked" ...) And so this morning I redid and reposted the dang card!! (Which is the one you are lookin' at.)

Anyway, I am STILL working on a template for the box I posted last week. I PROMISE I will have something up soon. I have a really great friend (hey-ya, Kathy!) who is also working on a cut file for me to use with your Gypsy/Cricut so that you can have it cut out FOR you!! As soon as we get it together I'll post it!!

Have a great Friday! Go do something fun this weekend (shopping is ALWAYS good!)!!

Okay, okay ... here is the FIRST card I did ... I warned ya!!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White, Sparkly Gold, Sparkly Red
Ink: Garden Green
Accessories: Cricut "Forever Young" and "Happily Ever After" cartridges, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl embossing folder, three-flower punch, gold edged organza ribbon, white organza ribbon, wide oval punch, pearl stickers

New Rubbah from ISC!

I am really excited to share with ya some of the new things Betsy over at Innovative Stamp Creations has, well, "created" for all of us!! I don't know about you, but I give away FAR fewer cards than I actually make (how sad!!)! I have SOOO many special people in my life who DESERVE a card or something nice, and I think I need to take more time to actually "spread the love" around to those who really need it. This first set, called "Friends are Special," is absolutely PERFECT for that!! I made this little notebook and matching pen that I KNOW would be a really great "thank you" to someone special in ANYone's life!! (Now I just have to decide WHO to give it to!!)

Stamps: Friends are Special by ISC
Paper: Certainly Celery, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Notebook, pen, EK Success Moroccan border punch, small oval punch, 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon, dimensionals

And, believe it or not, vacation season is a-comin'!! This next set, simply called "Destinations," can help you make the most amazing projects (minibooks, travel logs/albums, etc.). I decided to make this quilted card with it. It was almost like being a little girl again as I tried to put all of the "puzzle" pieces together!!

Stamps: Destinations by ISC
Paper: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, Kraft
Ink: Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Red/White striped grosgrain ribbon, buttons, white gel pen, glue dots

The last set that is being released this month is called "Time." It works UBER-well with the "Destinations" set (I couldn't resist using the map background again!) I always struggle with doin' the "guy" types of cards, but I think the images in this set really work well for that!!

Stamps: Travel AND Destinations by ISC
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Bordering Blue, Close to Cocoa, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Ink: Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Spellbinders Long Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities - Large (S4-143), and Small Standard Circle Nestabilities (S4-116), Chocolate Chip felt ribbon, Tiny Bubbles Cuttlebug embossing folder, linen thread, 1/8" circle punch

Here are some links so you can see what the other ISC Creative Architects have done!

Kathy Tucker
Sabrina Jackson
Joanne Grzelak
Julie Warner
Karen Dunbrook


Be sure to tune in tonight for the Control Freaks Blog Tour. We are celebrating Spring and would love for you to join us!!!