Monday, December 31, 2007

VALENTINE'S Treat Cone Favor

Well....here is the FIRST project of the new year ( ok, its still 2007...but, I thought I'd get a JUMP!)....I had to post something...and since I had all my punches neatly on my NEW DISPLAY rack ( thank you my dear, sweet, wonderful husband!)....and I actually could FIND them...I used some left-over Cutie Pie dsp 4 x 4 scrap to create the cone shape...layered tag punches stamped with fun tag from 2008 HAPPY HEART DAY ( I LOVE this sweet set...& I WON it at my UPUP Line's Christmas Party!...whooowhooo!!)..I used the technique I saw on Cambria Turnbow's blog ( oh my, isnt she awesome??) for doing the fun strip down the front of the cone..its called a Corner rounder Criss-Cross...LOVE IT!..I also covered some CHOCOLATE Truffle Treasures with wheeled SCRAPS and added a punched Hugs & Kisses from ALL HOLIDAYS (if you blink, you ALMOST can miss this little cutie in the set!!)A little scrap of gross-grain ribbon ties it all together..
Anyhoo...I just felt a real need to get something posted....and am bizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy working on lots more for my OPEN HOUSE this saturday....Hey, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by and PLAY a while!....Thanks for visiting my blog!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!...Lookee what MR.Lowes made for me!!

This is soooooooooo cool!!!!....My guy....Mr. Lowes.....in keeping with our HANDMADE Christmas theme , made this MOST AWESOME ...PUNCH Display Tree for all my hand punches,etc.....dont you just LOVELOVELOVE it???....He 'fashioned it" from an old display unit we used have in our craft booths years ago ( I knew there was a reason I needed to hold onto it!)
Anyhoo....as you can see, I need MORE PUNCHES!!...lol!...and my list from the brand new SU 2008 Spring catty is growing!!....
In my QUEST to be better organized for 2008...this is a GREAT New Beginning!....and, my friends....ya know what ???......You will absolutely LOVE the fact that I just happen to "mention"(winkwink) to him a few weeks ago that I "needed some way to store & display" my punches.....& he listened......He is soooooooooo great!....Hmmmmm...what OTHER organizational things do I need??????
So, here is my kick-off to 2008......Ive got a great head start!!

Friday, December 21, 2007

Post-It-NOTE Holder...Unfrogettable!

OOOOOPS!....a little blurry....but, I HAD to post SOMETHING!...This is a special order for one of my awesome local customers....for her Mom....who thinks PERHAPS she is losing her memory ( or mind!)...and wanted a sweet way to "remind her" of upcoming events, etc. with a post-it-note holder. I KNOW there are several...TONS of tutes out in BLOGLAND of post-it-note holders....IFIFIF you would like the specifics on THIS particular one, please leave a comment or email a request, and I will get something worked up ( AFTER the holiday festivities are thru!).....But, this idea for "future" gift giving ideas, would work for multiple seasons ( MORE BANG for your buck...I always say!)
Anyhoo....I HAVE to say, that I would not have EVER been able to do this ( easily) WITHOUT the MOST AWESOME VIDEO TUTE by KWERNER ( Kristina is THE BOMB!...oh my!!) using the Stamp-a-ma-jig....I used a couple of different wordage stamps and combined them to CREATE this specific sentiment...I ordered it SPECIFICALLY beeeeeeeeeecause of HER tute!!!....and I dont know WHATIN THE WORLD, I ever did before having it!...YOU gotta try it!....email ME for SPECIAL FROM ME if you'd like to order it!!!!!..STAMPIN'UP!.....it is awesome!!!
I am also so loving my new Scor-PAL.....oh what fun it is to score..........!!!!!Check out the web-site here!!
Ok...soooooooo, I am sooooooooo far beeeeeeeeeehind ( I have put the beeeeeeeeeeeeeee into beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehind this Christmas!!!)...soooooooo, I am back to creating!!....OH...and HAVE YOU SEEN the NEW 2008 CATTY from SU????......OH MY GOODNESS!!!!...my list is growing!!!....I am so excited!!

Saturday, December 15, 2007

I Have ELFED MYSELF!!!!!.....


Check this out.....

Like I have time on my hands!!!......but, its probably the ONLY way you'll ever see me dancing!!
OK...back to working on my LAST MINUTE stuff.....BTW....I did cheat a little on the last of my cards.....for those dozens to be handed out at LOWES ( hubby's job)....I re-worked all the retired cards from my SU board & stash( which does include old swaps, etc)....hey...they are still HANDMADE!!.....and have my "touch" on them!
Crafty, huh?....now Let's DANCE!
MERRY CHRISTMAS

QUICKIE CHOCOLATE Recipe...Sweeto Frito

WHat in the WORLD am I doing???....surfing my blog buddies...when I have sooo much still to do??.....Oh well......Just had to check some of my faves out, and get my FIX for the day!....like ALEX, California Stampin......She has some YUMMY wrapped Blog CANDY....all you have to do is leave her a recipe!......so ...here is mine( hey....I can multi-task.....a comment & a blog entry in ONE!!)

Sweeto Frito Bars:
1 10.5 oz bag Fritos originals
1 cup white sugar
1 cup Karo syrup
1 cup creamy peanut butter
7 Hershey Bars

Grease or spray a 9 x 13 pan...place corn chips in bottom of pan.
In saucepan...bring the sugar and Karo to a boil over medium heat...just so the sugar is dissolved.
Remove from heat & stir in the cup of peanut butter until smooth.
Pour over the chips.
Place SIX of the chocolate bars on the top & let melt.....EAT the other one while awaiting the real treat!!!...lol!
Cool....Break up or cut into pieces & ENJOY!!

ANyhoo......I am STILL crunching...crunching...crunching......( Fritos too!)....hope you have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND..............creative blessings, Debbie

Friday, December 14, 2007

ALTERED TILE Dry Erase Board


Here's MY version of an altered tile.....using it for a dry erase board.....I have seen others while BLURFFING ( what a fun name for stalking!)...and wanted to try it out. So, I had to play MRS. WIZARD ( for those of you who remember Mr. Wizard...the science dude on TV years ago!...This is what I found out through MANY trials on my PROTOTYPE Tile ( this tile will never be seen!)......
  1. If you happen to be handy, or live with a MR. LOWES...you need to sand off the "nipples" around the edges of the tiles....I suppose these have a purpose when using as intended!
  2. CLEAN tile ( glazed kind so, dry erase marker will work) with rubbing alcohol to clean off dirt, oils, etc.
  3. Stamp design ( I used the FREE Hostess set that SU sent to all demos....FUN!!)with STAYZON...set with heat gun ( I am soooooo impatient to wait for it to dry!)..This will help it NOT come off when you add color!
  4. Color in with SHARPIE PERMANENT MARKERS.....NOTE:...do not drag your hand thru the "wet" marker while coloring!( duh...did this one time!).....If this does occur, or you are NOT happy with the look...you can use NAIL POLISH REMOVER and wipe it all away, and start over with step #2.
  5. OK...NOW THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!....Thru my trials, I discovered the TRICK is to BAKE these babies!( the Crystal Effects druzzled oer it DID NOT WORK!...left it, well, YUCKY!)So, you need to BAKE at 350 degrees ( place it in a cold oven) for about 2 hours...then turn off the oven & let it cool in oven ( you can do up about 6 of these at once)
  6. Remove when cool..The heat does change the colors some what.....DO NOT USE A sealer, or these will not accept the dry erase marker!!!
  7. CLEAN WITH A DRY SOFT CLOTH( or paper towel)....no water needed!!!
I got my easel at Hobby Lobby on sale ( nice & scrolly, heavy weight)...The ones at the $$$ Tree were all gone!..Tied it up with some YUMMY SU Ribbon......And added the BEADED MARKER!!!!....if you need instructions for this...email me!
Soooooooo...this was my "gift" for my UP-UP Lines Dirty Santa exchange last night....and it seemed to go over well.....since it got "taken" 3 times!!
Gonna make more....if there were only 48 hours in a day!!!!!..........back to work( aka: PLAY!)
Have a FABULOUS FRIDAY..&....A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!
It's supposed to SNOW here!!!...whooowhooo( gotta buy milk & bread!LOL!)

Thursday, December 13, 2007

CHECK OUT THIS BLOG!!!!

Here's a gal who's got some AWESOME ideas for using what you have...and getting the "most BANG for your BUCK"(I say this ALL the time in my clubs & classes)!!!!!!!....Visit Crafty Al over at her blog: SHEETLOAD
AND she has a CONTEST going on too!!!.....yummy candy!!!
I am still doing my CRUNCH for cards & last minute gifts.....beeeee sure to check back to see what I have created...HANDMADE all the way!! ( ok...except for the Little Einstein stuff for my Grandguys!!)
Have a THOROUGHLY THRILLING THURSDAY!!!!!!
Creative blessings,
Debbie

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

NEW ADDICTION.....& no, its NOT CHOCOLATE!

I HAVE A NEW ADDICTION!!!!!.....& Obsession....Thanks sooooooooo much to
MS.DIVA Samantha Parisi
Oh MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS!!!....I KNEW I was hooked when, after filling up a stamp supply box with these FUN SPIRELLI's, using, of course, scraps from my stash (ya know, I NEVER throw anything away that can possibly be stamped or punched!)....that I actually reached for a WHOLE PIECE of c/s to PUNCH SOME MORE!..At least this addiction, unlike my one with chocolate, does not contain any FAT CALORIES!.....Honestly, these are wonderful...and now I have a ton of them to create more Christmas cards with!
Check out the 5-petal punch I used too...with a Spring Flower Bouquet flower center...spinning...spinning....my head is spinning!!!...Thanks, Samantha!!....Beeeeeeeee sure to check out her great TUTE on her blog!....I am on a QUEST today to use all of these on my cards BEEEEEEEEE-4 I punch any more!!!....hmmmmmmmmmmm...what do you want to bet.......??
Have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!
Blessings, Debbie

Monday, December 10, 2007

Still CRUNCHING Cards.....

....but, I am making progress!!!...I decided to start off my card making by CASE-ing myself!...one of my designs ( which is close to the Holiday SU sample) from my Designer Christmas Card Buffet back in August.....What an easy way to go!....Copying what I had already done!...duh! Anyhoo....I made 20 of these...now, I am on to another design....You know by now, I am not the best with my recipes....but here are the "ingredients" to this card:
Purley Pomegranate, Blue Bayou and River Rock In-colors in C/S & ink....Blue Bayou double stitched ribbon ( confession: I did run out of this 1/2 way thru & had to substitute retired ribbons......USE WHAT YOU HAVE!!!!!!!)...Stamp set Star Studded Season....silver brads...Cut, stamp 'n stick....YUMMY!
So.....check out my Tower of Scraps!.......this is only one of literally DOZENS of these...Hubby brought home for me from Clearance at LOWES ( where he works)...he figured I could use for "something"...he knows me so well....As you can see, I always keep my punches close by, to save my scraps in the form of flowers, tags, scallops, photo corners...etc.....ya just NEVER know when you might need the PERFECT piece....and since all my SU c/s & dp co-ordinates, all I have to do is reach in the container and pull out a doo-dad punch to accessorize whatever project I am working on....ta da!!!
So...thats it for today....more crunching to do....the list keeps getting longer!.....Thank you so much to all of you who have requested my TUTE on the BRAG BOOKS....It will be forth coming this week....please check back!!!
Have a MARVELOUS MONDAY!!!.......Blessings, Debbie

Friday, December 7, 2007

LORD HAVE MERCY!....Fun TAG!!!

OK>>my creative juices are on OVERLOAD....and I am bizzzzzzzzzzy,bizzzzzzzy finishing up Christmas cards ( this weekend is the CRUNCH-time!) and gifts ( hand-made...of course). SO, for today...I have chosen...to be TAGGED by my kindred spirit friend MERCY....I know this is the easy way out for the post today...but....at least I am posting!!lol!!!...I promise the brag book TUTE will be forth-coming.....will be GREAT to use for last-minute gift...or how about a memory of the holiday season ??
Anyhoo.....here's the rules:
  • Link the person that tagged you, and post the rules on your blog.
  • Share 7 facts or weird things about yourself
  • Tag 7 random people and list them ( including links to their blogs)
  • Leave a comment on the blogs of the people that you tag letting them know they have been tagged!
Seven facts about me...some weird...some...just facts:
  1. I LOVE CHOCOLATE!....anything chocolate.....any color chocolate...any form of chocolate!
  2. I shop Goodwill...its my most favorite store for CLOTHES & junk...I am really into one-of-a-kind stuff!
  3. My dog, Lazer...eats cat food.....he LOVES it...of course, he also loves ROAD KILL too!
  4. Even tho I have a beeeeeeeautiful, huge studio,with lots of work-space I seem to be able to have SOMETHING GOING on every surface....and create on a 12" x 12" area (8"x8"..LOL!)...Have to have everything in sight...stamps, paper, ribbon, etc...etc!Anybody else?
  5. I am sooooooo tech-NO-challenged...THIS IS A FACT!....so, the chance that you are reading this IS A MIRACLE!!!
  6. I Love to re-create found objects....& make stuff outta junk!( which is another reason for fact #2!!!)
  7. I am blessed to be married to my soul mate...who totally supports my creativity in every way.!
OK.....tagging....
  1. Laura......of course...without her, I would not be blogging!!!
  2. Alicia...I just found her blogspot!....AWESOME ideas!!
  3. Flossie...I know everybody KNOWS her already, it is obvious from her HIT parade..but, she does so inspire me!
  4. Sandy...tons of inspiration......check out her video for today!!!....its a hoot!
  5. Samantha...I have been getting her updates for several weeks now....subscribe now!!..she is wonderful!
  6. Kristina...yeah.....I know...you visit her too....but, isnt she AWESOME???...and her video's are ROCK-A-LICIOUS!!!
  7. Shannon....who is always faithful reading my blog....and leaving a comment...Thanks so much!!
So........along with the DOZENS of others on my blogger roll...who I visit regularly for Creative Inspiration...these are my seven!
OK...TRULY....this entry today took me LONGER than if I had posted "normal".....duh!....remember my #5????
Have a FABULOUS FRIDAY!!!!...and a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!....I will be making my Christmas cards....listening to Christmas music.....and...............yeah....eating CHOCOLATE!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

SAFETY TIPS of INTEREST...Pass it ON....

The following information came to me in this morning's email......and I felt it noteworthy to PASS IT ON>>>


You may already know most of these tips but a reminder never hurts. Be cautious and be safe everyone!

Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or love one's life.


Because of recent abductions
in daylight hours, refresh yourself
of these things to do
in an emergency situation...
This is for you
and for you to share
with your wife,
your children,
everyone you know.
After reading these 9 crucial tips ,
forward them to someone you care about.
It never hurts to be careful
in this crazy world we live in.

1 Tip from Tae Kwon Do :

The elbow
is the strongest point
on your body.
If you are close enough to use it,
do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide

in New Orleans
If a robber asks
for your wallet and/or purse,
DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM
Toss it away from you....
chances are
that he is more interested
in your wallet and/or purse
than you,
and he will go
for the wallet/purse.
RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!


3. If you are ever thrown

into the trunk of a car,
kick out the back tail lights
and stick your arm out the hole
and start waving like crazy.
The driver won't see you,
but everybody else will.
This has saved lives.


4. Women have a tendency

to get into their cars after shopping,
eating, working, etc.,
and just sit (doing their checkbook,
or making a list, etc.
DON'T DO THIS!)
The predator
will be watching you,
and this is the perfect opportunity
for him to get in
on the passenger side,
put a gun to your head,
and tell you where to go.
AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR ,
LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

a. If someone

is in the car
with a gun
to your head
DO NOT DRIVE OFF,
repeat:
DO NOT DRIVE OFF!
Instead gun the engine
and speed into anything,
wrecking the car.
Your Air Bag will save you.
If the person is
in the back seat
they will get the worst of it .
As soon as the car crashes
bail out and run.
It is better than having them
find your body
in a remote location.

5
A few notes about getting
into your car in a parking lot,
or parking garage:
A.) Be aware:
look around you,
look into your car,
at the passenger side floor ,
and in the back seat
B..) If you are parked next to a big van,
enter your car from the passenger door .
Most serial killers attack their victims
by pulling them into their vans
while the women are attempting
to get into their cars.
C..) Look at the car
parked on the driver's side
of your vehicle,
and the passenger side.
If a male is sitting alone
in the seat nearest your car,
you may want to walk back
into the mall, or work,
and get a guard/policeman
to walk you back out.
IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)


6.
ALWAYS
take the elevator
instead of the stairs.
(Stairwells are horrible places
to be alone
and the perfect crime spot.
This is especially true at NIGHT!)

7.
If the predator has a gun

and you are not under his control,
ALWAYS RUN!
The predator will only hit you
(a running target)
4 in 100 times;
And even then,
it most likely
WILL NOT
be a vital organ.
RUN,
Preferably !
in a zig -zag pattern!




8. As women,

we are always trying
to be sympathetic:
STOP !
It may get you raped,
or killed.
Ted Bundy,
the serial killer,
was a good-looking,
well educated man,
who ALWAYS played
on the sympathies
of unsuspecting women.
He walked with a cane,
or a limp,
and often asked
"for help"
into his vehicle
or with his vehicle,
which is when he abducted
his next victim.

************* Here it is *******
9. Another Safety Point:
Someone just told me
that her friend heard
a crying baby on her porch
the night before last,
and she called the police
because it was late
and she thought it was weird.
The police told her
"Whatever you do,
DO NOT
open the door."
The lady
then said that
it sounded like the baby
had crawled near a window,
and she was worried
that it would crawl
to the street
and get run over.
The policeman said,
"We already have a unit on the way,
whatever you do,
DO NOT open the door."
He told her that they think
a serial killer
has a baby's cry recorded
and uses it to coax
women out of their homes
thinking that someone
dropped off a baby
He said they have not verified it,
but have had several calls
by women saying that
they hear baby's cries
outside their doors
when they're home alone
at night.

Please pass this on and

DO NOT
open the door
for a crying baby ----
This
e-mail should probably
be taken seriously because
the Crying Baby theory
was mentioned on
America 's Most Wanted
this past Saturday
when they profiled
the serial killer in Louisiana


I'd like you

to forward this
to all the women you know.
It may save a life.
A candle is not dimmed
by lighting another candle.
I was going to send this to the ladies only,
but guys,
if you love your mothers,
wives,
sisters,
daughters, etc.,
you may want to
pass it onto them, as well.

Send this

to any woman you know
that may need
to be reminded
that the world we live in
has a lot of crazies in it
and it's better to be safe
than sorry.
Everyone should take 5 minutes to read this. It may save your life or a loved one's life.

Ok....that's my post for today....not too creative....but, hopefully might be an eye-opener...pass it on.....see you soon in blog-land!

Blessing, Debbie

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

MINI Scrapbook BRAG BOOKS


Here are some FUN & FAST mini Scrapbook BRAG BOOKS, I designed, using ( re-inventing) those cheapy, bland ones you get from Walmart, etc, with the "sleeves" for pics. I have never done a "tute" before...but, if I get enough response from this post, I will try my hand at it....please post a comment if you are interested.
These make GREAT gifts...I have taken TONS of orders for the Christmas season...They can be customized...( One order is going to a soldier DAD, stationed in IRAQ...with pics of his family, so he can carry them in his pocket).
Portable and compact.
Thanks for looking!
Have a TREMENDOUSLY TERRIFIC TUESDAY!
Blessings, Debbie
PS.....I still havent heard from my BLOG CANDY WINNER..
STEPHANIE in SC.....PLEASE CONTACT ME , with your snail mail address, so I can get your box 'o goodies to you!!!