Where does the time go? It seems like just yesterday I was redecorating my blog and getting the rest of my website online and now it’s time to throw off the Holiday digs and create something new…  I had quite the time with the image map in my blog header – thankfully Bunny was able to help me out as the tech support guys of the software I was using were not at all helpful!  While we’re on the subject of new, I have some “news” too.

I’m looking forward to the coming year – at least most of it.  There are some new and exciting events in my future; though I can’t go into all of the details yet, one of them will be focusing on incorporating my paper crafts into my website and offering items for sale – kind of Etsy style.  So, at some point I’ll be joining the ranks of my super-talented friends Bunny (The Lil Stamping Studio) and Suzanne (Crafting Connection) in the realm of ecommerce.  In preparation for that adventure, and to help my friend Suzanne a bit (I’m far from an ecommerce service provider, but I did help her get her website online), I have installed ZenCart as well as a Shopping Cart application from Coffee Cup.  I’m running into an issue with inventory control with the Coffee Cup software in that their software isn’t tied to a database, so it doesn’t offer any sort of automatic control – which means if I have only 1 or 2 of an item, I could end up selling more than I have in stock since the software doesn’t deduct purchases from the inventory count – not a big deal for digital products, but a definite pain for me!  ZenCart isn’t bad as far as cart software goes, but it’s not as easy to use – hence a bit of a learning curve for me. I’m always up for a challenge, but I don’t want to kill my creative spirit as my time, like everyone else’s, is limited and Nadya will remain my top priority!

All of that to say, I’m really excited about 2010 and I hope everyone else has something exciting or rewarding to look forward to as well. May you have a fabulous New Year!

Woohoo – the weekend is almost here!  I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to spending time with my family – Yasha’s Holiday time off started yesterday – he even managed to put in some extra time at the office so he could sneak out early yesterday and join us for swimming lessons.  Nadya was beyond excited, and insisted Daddy get in the pool with her (I just happened to have packed his gear).  So, for the first time, I played the spectator and took photos.  I’ll upload a few later.

In other news – the fabulously talented Kristine of Designs by Kristine has a fabulous FREE kit on her blog today (and it’s part of a mega collab so you don’t want to miss out). Being on her CT meant I was able to play early, and with her permission, I created a couple of QPs for you:

I hope you enjoy them – please leave a comment if you download and send your friends here and not directly to the download.  Thanks!

That’s all from me – if I don’t make it back on before Christmas – Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Where oh where has my week gone?!?!  I think time speeds up during the Holiday Season just to make my head spin!   Since it’s Thursday, you know that means it’s time for another Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff project!  As I’m running short on time but not on things to do, I opted to dress up some pre-made (sort of) packaging by K&Company (I snagged it at Joann’s for 1/2 off) with some of the cute tags included in Lindsay’s Christmas Cupcake Wrappers stamp set:

Due to work requirements, my sister-in-law will be unable to join us for the Holidays this year, so I’m sending a few little goodies her way: 

I used the Joy, Ho Ho Ho, and  Merry Christmas to All stamps sized to 1 inch along with some glitter CS from DCWV Holiday Glitter Mat Stack and ribbon from my stash. Here’s a closer peak and a bit more detail:  

This pillow box is from K&Company’s Christmas Cheer Gift Boxes and Tags set – super easy just punch, fold, fill and adhere.  I wrapped it in red organdy ribbon and added the Joy tag matted with glitter CS.  My Nestabilites were a life-saver here!  The outline and edging were created in Photoshop using a SuperBladePro preset from Meadows Studio.  I added color to the text, stars and holly using a glitter style from Bannerwoman – too bad she has retired! For added sparkle, you could go over the image with a Spica clear glitter marker or Sakura Gelly pen. This pillow box, also from the K&Company Christmas Cheer set, is a bit smaller – perfect for a Gift Card (which is what I snuck inside it).  I wrapped this one in narrow gold grosgrain ribbon before adding the Ho Ho Ho stamp and red glitter CS mat.  The outline and edging were created in Photoshop using SuperBladePro presets from Meadows Studio and the Blading Basket.  I colored Santa’s Hat using a glitter style from Bannerwoman and a pink and peach gradient fill for his skin! For extra dimension, you could highlight Santa’s hat with Stickles, Flock, or FlowerSoft and perhaps add some Smooch to his beard (mine’s not here yet, but I’m waiting patiently – my first order from “The Studio” has already shipped – thanks Bunny!).  For this set of yummy hand creams from one of my all-time favorite places (Bath & Body Works), I wrapped wired ribbon around the box and then added the Merry Christmas to All stamp and scallop mat with pop-up glue dots. The outline and text fill were created in Photoshop using SuperBladePro presets from Meadows Studio and the Blading Basket.  I colored the holly berry and leaves using a glitter style from Bannerwoman (are you seeing a trend here?!?). For shimmer and sparkle, you could use Stickles, a Spica marker, or Sakura pen on the berries, leaves, or both.  Since I’m mailing this and needed to get it out first thing, I didn’t want anything that would smear, so I left it as you see on your screen – I LOVE digital glitter – bling with no mess!

If you didn’t arrive here from Lindsay’s blog, be sure to visit her! She has tons of fabulous projects to inspire you and plenty of awesome freebies too! The rest of the DT links will be on her blog too – lots of eye candy just waiting for you!  Lindsay is still having her Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale through the 23rd – so what are YOU waiting for?!? Today is the last day of swimming lessons for the year – so Nadya is pretty excited about that.  She’ll have one more lesson in January and then we’ll move on to Gymnastics/Tumbling.  She really loves her swimming lessons but I think a change of pace will be good for her – and though her skill level is high enough, I don’t think her attention span is where it needs to be for me to allow her in or around the pool without me (despite the best assurances of the swim coaches)!  She loves to climb, so she’ll enjoy tumbling and we’ll revisit swimming a little later.  Have a fabulous Holiday season!  I’ll be back with more fabulous Lindsay goodies after the first of the year – I’m going to be devoting my time to family and celebrating after this weekend.

Merry Christmas!