Memory Jar for 2015

Hi everyone,

For the New Year I decided to make a memory jar.  This is not a new concept, but a great idea I saw on FB.  I plan to write down all the "good things" that happen in 2015 and place them in the jar throughout the year ... then open the jar on New Year's Eve.  It will be nice to unfold each piece of paper and reminisce about all the good stuff that happened during the year instead of the bad.  We remember the big memories, but it's the little joys in life that we tend to forget.

My jar is ready to go ...

I have a notepad from digital paper in the shape of a mason jar.  I will write my memories on the back of each sheet.  Now, this is a memory jar and not for resolutions!

If you'd like to create a memory jar all you need is a mason jar.  Decorate it with lace, ribbon, yarn, string and bling.

I used a Tim Holz idea-ology word band on the top of my jar.

Create a notepad from scrap paper - just let your imagination go wild!  You can even use a fun theme.  I used some beautiful images called 'Vintage Jars' by the Iralamija Shop. 

The pink rose on top of the lid is polymer clay with a magnet attached to the bottom.  A simple way to dress up the top of your jar.

Are you creating anything special for the New Year?  If so, please share in the comments section - I would love to hear about it!

Wishing you all love, peace and prosperity for 2015!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Let the excitement begin! I can't believe it is Christmas Eve already.  Before I get started on making hors d'oeuvres and preparing the prime rib, I have another card to share with you.  

On a piece of Kromekote glossy paper I stamped the images in StazOn Black.  I created a mask for the moon by cutting a piece of paper with a small classic circle die.  The background was sponged in Adirondack Cloudy Blue, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist and Adirondack Denim.  After letting it dry and keeping the mask on I spritzed the paper with Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist.  The corners were rounded and the image was mounted to a piece of Night of Navy.  White organdy ribbon was wrapped around the layers with a triple loop bow and silver glittered star brad.

Peace was cut from Marina Mist paper using the Spellbinders peace sentiment.  It was glued to the front of the card to finish it off.

The inside of the card is a combination of Scalloped Labels One & Labels One.  The sentiment was stamped in Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder.  The branches were done in StazOn Black.   

I'm off to prepare some things in the kitchen.  Michael went to work this morning so it's just Cheops and I.  I'll be back a little later to visit you.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!

Stamps:  SU Wandering Words, A Wish for Peace, Stampscapes Crooked Limb (097E)
Paper:  Solar White Linen, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Kromekote Glossy White, Whisper White
Ink:  Images - StazOn Black; Sponging - Adirondack Cloudy Blue, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Adirondack Denim
Accessories:  1/2" White Organdy Ribbon, Recollections Silver Glittered Star Brad, Tattered Angels Pearl Glimmer Mist, Creative Memories Corner Rounder, Spellbinders Peace Sentiment, Small Classic Circle #6, Scalloped Labels One, Labels One #6, Bow-Easy 
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4" 

A Christmas Lantern

Good evening friends,

These past few days have been so hectic!  It is my busiest time at work and will continue like that until after the first of the year.  My card for you today uses a pretty digi by Fred, She Said. 

The Christmas Poinsettia Lantern was printed and cut using a Spellbinders Gold Labels Four #3 die.  Crystal Effects was added to the flame and the flowers were accented with a clear Spica pen - neither show up in the photos  :-( 

The focal image was mounted to a piece of Soft Sky, which was also cut from a Gold Labels Four die.  Everything was popped up onto a piece of Gilded Christmas paper by Miki.  You can see the collection at Studio Girls Scrapbookgraphics.

Two circles were cut using the small and large classic circles dies and the greeting was stamped in StazOn Black.  A triple loop bow was made from 1/2" Soft Sky seam binding with a cream flat back pearl in the center.

Here is a look at the inside.  I used a sentiment from the Christmas Blessing set by Our Daily Bread Designs.  A poinsettia flower was adhered to the corner. 

I don't know about you, but there were so many Christmas cards I wanted to make this year. Unfortunately, I didn't start early enough.  I plan to finish the projects I already started and put them aside for next year.

Last night I noticed Cheops' eye infection has come back so we are giving him drops again twice a day for seven days.  I'm praying this time it will clear up for good.

Blessings ...

Stamps:  Christmas Lantern by Fred She Said, Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Blessing, SU To You & Yours
Paper:  Solar White Linen, Soft Sky, Gilded Christmas Designer Paper by Miki, Whisper White
Ink:  StazOn Black
Accessories:  1/2" Soft Sky Seam Binding, Wild Orchid Crafts Cream Flower Flat Back Pearl, Crystal Effects, Clear Spica Pen, Spellbinders Gold Labels Four #3 & #4, Small Classic Circles #2 & Large Classic Circles #2, Bow-Easy 
Techniques:  Digi
Card Size:  A2 (4.25" x 5.5")

Christmas Lodge

I was feeling a little nostalgic when I created this card and wanted to make something vintage.  Boy, I wish I was inside this lodge right now, sipping some hot chocolate and watching the snow fall.

The background paper is by The Paper Studio and was mounted to a natural linen white card.  I then embossed a piece of Very Vanilla paper with the Northern Flurry embossing folder by Stampin' Up!

The focal image is a combination of Spellbinders Small Classic Ovals and Lacey Ovals.  Christmas Lodge was stamped in Soft Suede and embossed with clear embossing powder.  To create the snow I used several products.  Basically, a trial and error effect and it wasn't supposed to turn out pink!  It was then mounted to a Lacey Oval cut from a piece of Very Vanilla paper.  1/8" ivory satin ribbon was weaved through the loops.

Merry Christmas was stamped in Soft Suede onto a Papertrey Ink banner and the edges were sponged.  A few glitter snowflakes finish the front of the card.

I used the coordinating sentiment and branches in the set to decorate the inside.  Now, this is something I rarely do as I tend to mix and match everything.

I found myself making quite a few square cards this Christmas and really like them.  Don't be surprised if you see a few more soon  :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  It's time for me to make Chicken Parmigiana for dinner.

Stamps:  SU Christmas Lodge
Paper:  Natural Linen White, The Paper Studio Gold Wedding Texture, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Soft Suede with Clear EP; Sponging - Soft Suede
Accessories:  1/8" Ivory Satin Ribbon, Recollections Snowflakes, Liquid Pearls White Opal, DecoArt Glistening Snow Writer, SU Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, Papertrey Ink Banner Die, Spellbinders Classic Ovals #4 and Lacey Ovals #4
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4"

Peaceful Wishes for You

Good morning friends,

As I listen to Christmas music, I thought I would share a card I created for my dear friend Rita.  I have always adored the SU Peaceful Wishes set - an oldie, but a goodie!

The base card is natural linen white mounted with a piece of Lost Lagoon.  Next, a piece of Very Vanilla paper was embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  I wish I knew the name of the folder; however, it became separated from the packaging so it's a mystery.

The branches were stamped in Distress Iced Spruce onto a piece of Very Vanilla paper, cut from a Spellbinders Labels Nine #6 die.  They were accented with a mint colored Spica pen.  A pinecone was stamped in Chocolate Chip and embossed with clear embossing powder with a heat gun.  Peace was stamped in Marina Mist and also embossed.  You should know by now I practically emboss everything ... LOL!  I found some antique ivory and gold ribbon in my stash - perfect for the bow!

The inside greeting by Stampabilities was stamped in Marina Mist and embossed with clear embossing powder.

An elegant card for a special lady!  I wanted to go with a softer color palette.

Well, the countdown begins - the last shopping weekend before Christmas.  Have you finished?  Are you ready for the big day?  Michael and I are off to do some grocery shopping and stop at the butcher.

Stamps:  SU Peaceful Wishes, Four the Holidays, Stampabilities Joy, Love & Peace (G1111)

Paper:  Natural Linen White, Lost Lagoon, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Branches - Distress Iced Spruce; Pinecone - Chocolate Chip with Clear EP; Sentiments - Marina Mist with Clear EP

Accessories:  Antique Gold & Ivory Ribbon, Spica Pen in Mint, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Labels Nine #6

Technique:  Embossing

Card Size:  4 3/4" x 4 3/4"  

Creating Vintage Charm Holiday Issue

Hi everyone!

Whoo-hoo!  The holiday issue of Creating Vintage Charm is out and Donna's Designs has been featured.  I just love what I do and never take it for granted when someone finds something worthy in my work.  So much time and creativity goes into these magazines.

I will share more with you when I receive my copy.  Many thanks to Sonia for all her hard work!  To purchase your copy, please visit Creating Vintage Charm.

Are you ready for Christmas?  Our tree has been up, the presents are wrapped and the cookies are made.  I hope you will stop by to view some of my Christmas cards.

Have a wonderful evening my friends  :-)