Good Morning!  This week has flown by for us – we’ve returned to preschool but are still adjusting back to our routine.  Nadya did well – I was concerned we would have more separation issues, but she didn’t shed a tear.

I don’t have a project for you today, but I did want to let you know about the RETIREMENT SALE at MyGrafico.  Lindsay and the other designers are retiring several products to make room for more creations – which means you SAVE!  All retiring products are $1.00, but don’t tarry – after Sunday they’ll be gone.

If you haven’t already been to Lindsay’s Blog be sure to stop by – she’ll have a freebie, inspiration galore, and the links to the other DT blogs.

Have a FABULOUS day!

Happy Thursday! I can’t believe Christmas is almost here!!! This is the first year Nadya has really been aware and is therefore VERY excited.  We will be following her Dad’s tradition of family gifts on Christmas Eve and Santa on Christmas morning. We’re also starting a tradition of our own – yesterday we procured a “special” plate and today Nadya and I will be baking cookies for Santa (and Daddy – per Nadya).  I’m looking forward to this little adventure as it will be our first time really baking together where she can be an active participant. Anyhow, with all of the festivities for Lindsay challenged us to create tags for our Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff projects this week – which I have never done before but came together rather quickly (a huge plus since Nadya hasn’t been feeling well the past couple of days).  I used stamps from Lindsay’s Christmas Cupcake Wrappers (available only at her Shop Handmade store) combined with my embossing folders, nesties and a Sizzix scalloped tag die.  Super easy and super cute!

Recipe:

• Digital Files: Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff Christmas Cupcake Wrappers
• Paper: GP White, DCWV Glitter Mat Stack, Red from my stash
• Ink: HP Inkjet; Clearsnap Frost White Cat’s Eye
• Other: Elmer’s Glue Dots; Christmas Brads; Ribbon; Cuttlebug Snowflakesand OMC exclusive Stripes embossing folders; Stickles;Nestabilities Classic and Scalloped Circles Dies; Sizzix Originals Super Scallop Tag Die
• Tools: Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Big Shot; Photoshop

Challenges I Played In:

• The Stamp Man – Anything Goes Tag
• Simple Doodles – Tag It Out
• The Stampin’ Boutique – Anything But a Card
• Fun with Shapes and More – Scalloped
• Fab N Funky – Quick and Easy Does It
• Critter Challenge – Anything Christmas
• Craft Your Days Away – Punch It Out

If you haven’t been to Lindsay’s blog, be sure to stop by – you never know what she has for you. Have a VERY Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post this morning – we have a million things to do!  We had a Christmas party for the staff at the preschool this week.  My last gift to my secret Santa partner was a gift card and some truffles. Sam’s club did a beautiful job with the truffle packaging so O wanted the gift card to be equally presented. I used the Pretty Packaging set from Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff along with Make The Cut to create this little surprise holder:

Those who know Miss Mel, know gold and sparkle are definitely “her” – so this went together beautifully.  And…my friend Bunny would be so proud of me – I used my Ranger Alcohol Inks and Mixatives to make the shimmery mat paper!  Here’s a peek at what it looked like starting out:

And then after I used Caramel Alcohol Ink and Gold Mixative:

Recipe:

• Cutting Files: Lindsay’s Stamp Stuff Pretty Packaging
• Paper: SU Brushed Gold, Shimmer Paper from Stash, DCWV Glitter and Textured Metallic Gold from Mat Stacks
• Other: Scor-Tape; Elmer’s Glue Dots; SU Birds & Blooms Sizzlits Die Set and Gold Brad; Adhesive Pearls; Ranger Alcohol Ink and Mixatives (Caramel and Gold)
• Tools: Make The Cut; Cricut; Scor-It, Fiskars Paper Trimmer, Big Shot; Ranger  Alcohol Ink Blending Tool w/ Flannel pad

If you missed last week’s sale – take heart – Lindsay has one last Holiday surprise for you!

Don’t forget to stop by Lindsay’s blog for inspiration, treats, and the links to the DT blogs.

Happy Crafting!!!