LOOKEY, Lookey!! FABULOUS Idea!

Okay . . . . be prepared to rush right out to your local hardware store. I showed a picture in the Archiver's Holiday sales flyer of a ribbon organizer from Clip-it-Up to my husband and he made one for me! A piece of gutter, two endcaps, some wing nuts and a metal rod and voila! I only had 4 inches clearance under my Ikea pen holders and it fits perfectly! In the pictures I haven't placed the ribbon ends under the rod yet because I'm still deciding what ribbons are "worthy" of the front row on my desk. Isn't this the coolest thing evah? Now my ribbons will be easily accessible and I can roll out just the right amount without removing the roll. WoooHOOO!!!

Thanks for stopping by today. I've been working on some thank you cards and will share them when they've had time to reach the recipients >wink<

Hugs,

Colleen

Noel

Like everyone else, I'm rushing around like crazy trying to get ready for next week. I did finally get some cards made. I first decided not to send any, then decided to send only to out of town friends and family that I won't see this year. Then, re-thought and decided to send a few to the older family members even if I've seen them. They seem to be into the card thing more than others. So, this is what I came up with. My inspiration was from Alli Miles HERE. Alli makes the cutest cards, and her blog is one of my must reads. I used a Hero Arts clear stamp for the "NOEL" and paper pieced the "O" with various scraps. Sorry, I forgot about pictures until the others were signed and sealed. I used Cryogen White card stock, a rectangle Nestability, some SU ribbon and Memento black ink. I touched up some of the paper pieces with glitter pens or a glaze pen. All in all, not too time consuming, and they are in the mail. Cross that off my list.

If I don't get to post again, I want to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! Thank you for the time you spend visiting me here. I do appreciate it.

Hugs,

Colleen

Hokies Lamp

My step-daughter and her husband both graduated from Virginia Tech and are HUGE fans, so I made this lamp as one of their Christmas presents. VT's school colors are orange and magenta . . . not a color combo I would choose, but so be it . . . I used a glass block from a local craft store that had been drilled, added orange and clear lights and chipboard letters covered with card stock from my stash, probably Bazzill. I could not find enough of one type ribbon in the magenta, so I improvised and made two bows and stacked them. I forgot to save some magenta ribbon when making the bows, so ended up tying them together with orange ribbon and I think I like it better that way! I wrapped the wide magenta ribbon around the block and added the narrow orange ribbon on top of it. This was really a fairly simple project. I hope they like it.

Well, I guess it's about time to start on my Christmas cards. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, huh?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Colleen

JOY Centerpiece

This project was inspired by a similar one I saw at a local craft store. I particularly liked the small, low profile . . . can't have something too tall or large taking up valuable real estate on the dining table, huh? The original project used wooden blocks a little larger than these card stock ones, but the price was better on these = D Templates for the boxes I made can be found here. Mel's blog is awesome and full of patterns and ideas, so prepare to visit awhile when you visit. I only used the bottom portion of the boxes and turned them upside down. I used American Craft dp and red satin ribbon, then covered some chipboard letters with SU's Real Red card stock. The three boxes are held together with mere paper clips. I'll add some silk holly and a couple of candles and viola!

I hope everyone is having a fabulous day. It is nasty and rainy here, but I'll take rain over snow any day, thank you very much.

Hugs,

Colleen

Masculine Card Debbie Olson CASE

I loved Debbie Olson's masculine card from the other day so much I decided to borrow her design and create a similar card for my brother-in-law's birthday. Using a different Basic Grey dp (6x6 pad) but the same CHF sentiment, it was easy peasy and I know he will like it. I have a hard time omitting ribbon from any card (even a masculine one looks naked without it imho), and the little ribbon loop with a button is just perfect. This is a layout I intend to use again.

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow I have a centerpiece you must see, so see you then.

Hugs,

Colleen

Lockhart Holly Cupcake (My Favorite)

Another version of the Lockhart Holly Cupcake, as promised. I think this is my favorite . . . what do you think?

It feels wonderful to be creating again. I have so many ideas . . .

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow I have a masculine card that is Debbie Olson inspired.

Hugs,

Colleen

Lockhart Holly Cupcake

I bought this Lockhart stamp with my niece's December birthday in mind. I used Basic Grey's Wassail 6x6 paper pad. Don't you just love these scaled down versions of their designer papers? The cupcake is colored with Copics and some Ranger Glossy Accents added to the berries. I did another card with this cupcake, but couldn't get a decent picture of it. I'll try again tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogosphere.

Hugs,

Colleen

Belle for Alayna's Birthday

For me, a little time to stamp is worse than no time at all. I get frustrated leaving ideas and projects half complete and would rather not stamp at all. I also do not like feeling that I have to do something. Some intensive therapy would probably reveal that I'm still rebelling against my mother, but I want this blog to be something I enjoy and if it becomes a chore on my to-do list, it's no longer fun. Can anyone relate?

Anyway, I made this card a couple of months ago and just never posted it. I used a Jolee's sticker for Belle, so there's not a lot of originality here. I am working on some other cards and hope to update more frequently. I appreciate your patience and thank you for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Colleen