My Favorite Things . . .

Christmas Goodness!

I love these little ginger bread men that I learned to make at Tim Holtz site.  He has a video to make them into gift card holders.  On the back side I have Starbucks cards and on the front is each persons name.  I did not have his die to make the cut for the gift card so I just used a ruler and exacto knife. Worked like a charm.  Then, I also learned this new technique for the name plates called Faux Crazed Porcelain Technique at Shelly Hickox blog.  I am still trying to master this one, but I am working on it.  I have found that chip board works the best for the base and it does not warp too easily. Today she has a new version of this on her blog today called, Faux Mercury Glass look, so check it out!

 

Then I made this little rosettes for everyone's sack and they are super quick to do.  Once again, go to Tim Holtz blog for the details.  He has videos for this..

 

Merry Christmas to Us!

Christmas was slightly delayed for us as I had the flu with a 102 degree fever.  That was not a pretty sight.  So....it finally happened on the evening of Christmas Day.  Christy and Gary (her fiance) cooked a fabulous dinner and I was so grateful to have them all to make it happen for me.  It turned out so wonderful in spite of the delay.  We had BBQ Ribs, Baked Chicken wrapped in bacon, Baked Potatoes, Hot Wings, and Brocolli (to balance out the bacon and ribs...LOL)   Then we had Shortbread Sandwich Cookies baked by Tracey Olson at Two Girls Baking.  Sorry Tracey, I did not get a photo...they were gone at warp speed.  But they were oh so good!

Later, Christmas hugs for Thad and Lindsey...

And then a massage for Thad by the girls...I think he is drooling on himself...

It was just what the doctor ordered...a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Thad!

Thad got the only version of this design I will ever make!  This truck was truly a labor of love to create.  But I knew he would appreciate it.  He had just given me some really cool photos of his property just weeks before I finished this so it was perfect to put them inside.   This design was created by Laura Denison at Following the Paper Trail.  The hardware is from Tim Holtz.   Door plate hardware by Graphic 45.

Inside top tray of truck with small mini album...

Inside truck bottom with tabs for 12 months of photos...

Last year's Christmas photos....

He liked it...

Merry Christmas Stevie!

I made a AHS (Anacortes High School) Suitcase Album for Stevie with a Seahawk logo.   Seahawk colors are purple and white. Did you know you can get Anacortes Seahawk scrapbook paper at Forget Me Not Scrapbook and Stationary Co?  They are located in downtown Anacortes next to Fabrics Plus. This design was inspired by Laura Denison.  I have used hardware and grungepaper by Tim Holtz.  

Top with logo..

Inside top half of suitcase...

Total view of inside suitcase...

Love this photo from last Christmas...

I think she likes it...

 

Merry Christmas Lindsey!

I made a WSU Suitcase Album for Lindsey to put her college memories into.  It was also inspired by Laura Denison at Following the Paper Trail.   It has some Tim Holtz hardward also.  The WSU college papers I found online.  

Inside Suitcase...

Top portion of suitcase...

Inside album on bottom of suitcase...

 

Merry Christmas Christy!

This is a clock design album by Laura Denison at Following the Paper Trail.  It also is loaded with lots of goodies by Tim Holtz.  Every time I sent Christy to Michael's she did not realize she was buying parts of her own present!  The album is in the double door on the lower portion of the clock. 

 

Photo Album

Inside Photo Album

Merry Christmas Thadius!

I made a Vintage Suitcase Album for Thadius that was inspired by Laura Denison at Following the Paper Trail.   It has a lot of ephemera from Tim Holtz.  Thadius posed with the monicle that I had clipped to the top of the suitcase.  It was a hit!

Inside top of Suitcase holds a little passport book for tickets or Student ID Cards.
 

Photo Album in base of suitcase.

He likes it!

Always a ham!

Day 4 - Tim Holtz 12 Days of Christmas Tags

These tags are so very much fun but I am putting them aside for the rest of the day to work on Christmas presents.  So, for todays tag I used a style done by Shelly Hickox.  You can see hers over at her blog.  She also mentions a site for instructions to bleach little green trees and wreaths.  It is here on YouTube with Terri @ Artful Affirmations.    

Sooooo...I hopped over there and could not reach for the bleach quick enough!  Very smelly so you might want to do this out in the garage.  But it went very quick!  Within 10 to 15 minutes they were fully bleached.  I am using only what I have this year so this version appealed to me!  

Here is the bleached wreath done with half bleach and half water solution.

12 Tags of Christmas - Day One

Finally, I have a tag to show for all my effort!  The 12 Tags of Christmas with Tim Holtz are so fun but there are just not enough hours for me to do them all.  But here is a sample Day One techniques.  I learned a bunch!  Mostly patience to let the glue dry between stages.  

I substituted the ornament in place of Noel that Tim used.   But I did pick up the pine cone die.  I knew it was a must for me!

Same technique with the reindeer die.  This was a lot of fun!  That little pine cone is so much fun to work with.  Tim's technique with the toothpick to help wind it up was perfect!  

Day 2 and 3 I had to skip because I am after in the middle of present making in Santa's workshop.  Everyone knows they can not enter without announcing themselves so I can meet them at the door.  I see them looking beyond me to see what they can see.  It is funny to see their enthusiam though.