Decorating the Tree

Thought I'd share some pictures of yesterday's activities. Normally we have a fake 7 foot tree that is really nice (but is heavy and a pain to put up). The kids always last about 10 minutes and then they are tird of decorating it. So this year I went to Walgreens and picked up an ugly "Charlie Brown" tree for $5. Just their size...they can reach the whole tree and it didn't take hours to decorate.





Yesterday I typed up our holiday letter and addressed envelopes to the people who have sent cards to us. I lost all my addresses (hard drive crashed) so the only people who are getting cards this year are the people who send cards to me! That's about it for today. I'm going to a stamping thing later today so will have at least something stamping related to share this week. I also have more pics of the tree and favorite ornaments. So "ya'll come back and visit now...ya hear?" :-)

Jane

Not stamping...but cute nonetheless!

Been so busy with the holidays that I haven't accomplished any artwork. Instead I thought I'd share some pics of what we have been doing.

Last night we decorated a gingerbread house. Last year I bought a kit and I was impressed with it. It came with a plastic tray with indents in it that helped you stand up the pieces. The icing was premade, just snip off the tip of the bag and use it. And it came with four or five kinds of candies. This year I bought a Wilton Kit. I'm so NOT impressed.

First off, you had to add water to the powdered sugar mix that was included and mix it. Then put it into a decorating bag with a tip. (It was so much easier to snip a corner last year and no dishes dirtied that are later like dried cement!) Then there was no tray so you had to put the sides together and hold it until it solidified and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then add the roof and let it sit for an hour. By the time we got to actually decorating the thing it was long after bedtime. But we did it!



I know it looks a bit sparse but they only provided two kinds of candy. And the icing was so stiff my arm was ready to fall off from squeezing the roof. So we called it good when we got it to this point! LOL.

All that mattered is that he had fun doing it (my oldest opted not to participate). Here's the youngest with his house...



Today we are putting up the tree...more pics to follow!

Jane

'Twas the Week Before Christmas (stampers version)

Needed to find something to share. I promise more artwork at some point! But for now, this fun poem will have to do. I've seen it floating around the internet...not sure who to give credit to (but certainly not to myself!)

Enjoy!

Jane


With apologies to Clement C. Moore

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the den, were scattered my ink pads, my stamps and my pens.

The cards I had hoped to send off in the mail, were still on the table and my hand felt quite frail.

I'd stamped through the evening in hopes I would find, I'd finished my cards...but I was still far behind.

When out in my driveway, there arose such a clatter that I sprang from my chair as embossing powder splattered.

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, made me wish that my white ink was not running low.

When what to my tired, bloodshot eyes should appear but a red SUV and my stamp friends so dear.

Susie, Dianne, Carol, Rita and Jill, all from the car in the driveway did spill.

With a handful of treats they knocked at the door, then dashed up my stairway to the second floor.

They surrounded my table with laughter and glee and stamped up those cards as fast as could be.

Embossing guns warmed, and powder was spread, as I felt pass beyond me my feeling of dread.

As they finished each card with a gentle, "Its Done", their smiles told me they were having fun.

The cards were all stacked, with their envelopes too, and it dawned on me that my chore was now through.

They left as they'd come in the blink of an eye, and I just murmured "Thank You" as the group hurried by.

And I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight, The best kind of Christmas is where Stampers Unite!

Unusual packaging...

I went to a birthday party over the weekend for a neighbor. I'd called and asked what he would like as a birthday present. I was told a certain 5 pack of mini cigars. So I bought that for him. But it seemed so small that I wanted a unique way to package it up.

I placed the pack of cigars down on top of a sheet of cardstock and then loosely wrapped it around the package of cigars and flattened the cardstock slightly. Now I had a flattened tube shape that was large enough to hold my cigars when I was finished. I removed the cigars at that point. Next I needed to make a flap for the top...so I cut all around the top of the pouch...but left a flap area on the back so it'd fold over when finished. Then I used red sticky tape on the bottom edge and the side where it seals (in the back) and finally stuck the pouch together. From there out it was just decoration. I used the paper crimper on the bottom seal more for decoration than anything.



Stamps used are from Stampin Up...Classic Convertibles (which may be retired?), Crosshatch (which is retired), and a saying set.

Hope you like it!

Jane

The Winner Is...

Christine! Please click on the email link at the right of my blog and send me your mailing address so I can get your 'candy' out.

Here's Christine's recipe:

I love to bake this time of year. Here is one of my favortie candy treats that is so simple but will wow em for sure.

Peppermint Bark

2 lbs white chocolate (preferably Guittard brand white chocolate chips- they seem to melt smoother)
12 candy canes, crushed into 1/4 inch pieces
1 teaspoon peppermint extract (1/2 tsp. if using oil)
1 bag dark chocolate chips

Melt white chocolate either in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
Stir in crushed candy cane and peppermint flavoring into melted white chocolate.
Line a 11x17" baking pan with wax paper.
Pour and spread chocolate mixture onto wax paper.
Chill until firm and break into pieces.

Melt the dark chocolate. Lay out the broken up pieces of candy on some wax paper and drizzle with melted dark chocolate.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Have a great day all....I'm off to work!

Jane

Take Out Anyone????

I'm going to a Christmas party today and we are having an ornament exchange. Of course, I couldn't just put it in a plain box and wrap it! No....that'd be too simple. I'm not entirely thrilled with my final project but it'll do. Some days I just can't craft to save my life. I tried making some cards yesterday too and ended up giving up. Didn't like anything I came up with. Please, some of you other crafters...tell me you have those days as well! Anyways, this is what I came up with:




Don't laugh when you see the next picture. Remember that I am ribbon challenged...so I'm taking great pride in the fact that my ribbons are all facing the right way and behaving themselves!

Don't forget, today is the last day to enter a recipe for my BLOG CANDY (see post below). I've gotten a few yummy sounding recipes so far...but who will be the winner??? Maybe YOU if you go enter!

Jane

Time for BLOG CANDY!

Some people do "blog candy" when they hit a certain number...or when it's their birthday...or when etc, etc. Well, I'm going to go out on a limb and do blog candy JUST BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT! LOL! :-)

How would you like to win these holiday stamps?



Well, all you have to do is leave a post here with your favorite cookie and/or candy recipe for the holidays. I'm looking for some new things to make this year!

So...hurry to your cookbooks and then hurry back here! You have till Monday morning at 6:00a.m. Arizona time.

Jane