Christmas Cookies and Candy 2011

Here are some of the cookies I baked and decorated for Christmas this year. I have 2 recipes from Taste of Home I've used over the last few years quite successfully. The Sugar Cookie recipe is posted on the blog under the label Recipes. The gingerbread is a recipe called Butterscotch Gingerbread Men. They're delicious!

I also dipped pretzel rods, made 2 batches of fudge for the first time, made the haystack cookies, and dipped raisins, peanuts, and pecans in chocolate. At the bottom of the post you can see the gift boxes I put together for the neighbors.

Click on a picture to see it enlarged!












Here's Mamie Eisenhower's Million Dollar Fudge recipe which I added pecans. I also made a microwave fudge with walnuts.


These are the dipped pretzel rods, with a Stampin' Up punch and stamp decoration at the top.


Here's a picture of one of the gift boxes I put together. There were 4 in all for the neighbors.



I really LOVE LOVE LOVE Christmas !!!!!!!!!


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Christmas Cards 2011

As LONG as the calendars took this year to make, I was thrilled that my Christmas cards, though VERY cute didn't take near as long to make! I made 29 (yes, a weird number) and they are all sent. Delivery should come soon!!

This one is a little more special for Mom and Dad... extra rhinestones, extra ribbon, etc.


Using variations of background reds/greens, and different patterned paper at the bottom, this is what the cards looked like.


Even my husband got in the act and helped me with address labels, stamps, and return address labels! What a shock! THANKS for the help, Bennie!!!


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Our House at Christmas

Christmas time is by far my most favorite time of the year - everything looks so beautiful lit up and sparkly with lights and icicles hanging from so many houses!

The last few years we haven't had a tree for so many reasons!!! I missed the sale at Hobby Lobby - there weren't any left!!! I had a baby kitty that would be too much trouble with a tree... We'd just barely moved into the house and weren't ready for a tree.... BUT this year, we have our tree!!!!! I blackmailed my husband into getting it early, and I'm so SO happy I did! It's a 9 ft. Montana Fir. I'm sad that the lights are all white, but he's enjoying it that way. I suppose I can let him have ONE concession! :)


Here's the mantle to the fireplace. I'm slowly adding little touches to this every year, so it's a little different than last.


Here's the dining area with the sugar plum lights and my Precious Moments tree on the table.


Here's a close-up of my Precious Moments tree. It's been with us a long time... and is the best of my Christmas Tree collection.


This is a view of the bar. Mom gave me the bear dragging the tree, and the jar with lights and potpourri in it... they're perfect next to my Scentsy pot!


Here's the table and lamps at our entry. I had the two candlesticks and candles first and then found the nativity scene, and Mom and I found the garland which I wrapped in lights and used a bow on that left side.


Of course, I had to add a picture of my 3 babies under the tree!!! I took about 20 of these, trying to get the best of all 3, but this is one of the better ones. I'm going to keep trying! You can see Hank's back farthest away, Sandy's back in the foreground, and of course Witchy Poo trying to see what's going on!


I hope you've enjoyed this view of our Christmas decorations - it's just a small glimpse and I had to share my favorite time of the year!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Absent Lately???

YES, it's absolutely true - I've been so busy working on my newest project, I have been neglecting the blog.

Will this last? NO NO NO!

1. New projects will be overwhelming Sue's Cricut and Crafts soon!

2. There is a new year-long project starting on this blog in January!! (Stay tuned for participation information!!)

3. Crafts are taking place - just not ready for their debut!


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Birthday Card for Dad!

Dad's birthday was back at the beginning of the month!!
I made and sent this card which he did receive ON his birthday.

I hope he liked it!


Lots of Stampin' Up products here... the embossing folder, the window die, the Birthday stamp set... Bashful Blue background paper, daffodil yellow for accent... and of course, I had to use some Stickles!


This is the inside view of the window piece on the front of the birthday card.


I had lots of fun with the layers and colors on this piece for the inside of the card. Same colors, and 3 punches!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Five Question Fridays! November 11, 2011

1. What's the last thing you spent too much money on?
Oh... I have a weakness for Williams Sonoma! I bought some AWESOME measuring cups and spoons. :) I'll probably go back and get some for Christmas gifts! I always spend way too much on crafting supplies, but I always use them!

2. What celeb chef would you want to make you dinner?
I get to pick only one?? I'd love to have Bobby Flay cook dinner for me - but then I'd love to cook WITH him! I'd really love to sit and talk with Alton Brown. He's really amazing! I'd also love to meet Ina Garten. I find her pretty amazing - I'd love to have a kitchen and butler's pantry just like hers! It's one of my dreams!

3. Where do you hide things when visitors pop over or do you let them see the real deal?
Thank goodness my husband is very neat... so people can pretty much pop over and the house is presentable. :)

4. Who is your oldest living family member?
My father is our oldest living family member right now. He just turned 74 and is doing very well - retired, working hard when he wants to, enjoying himself, traveling.... all the fun stuff you get to do when you're retired and have planned well.

5. What is your favorite DQ treat and/or Sonic drink combo (ie: cherry vanilla dr. pepper)?
OH! I so miss my medium twist DQ cone. Sonic? HAS to be a Strawberry Limeade! YUMMMMMM

Your comments are always appreciated!
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Housewarming Party Thank You's

We had our housewarming party a few weeks ago, and I made these cards to thank our guests for coming. We had a wonderful time, and were so happy our friends and neighbors could stop by.
I had a blast cooking... and my husband took care of the beer, water, and sodas.

We're ready to host/hostess another party soon!

I used lots of techniques on this card...
watercoloring, burnishing with inks, doodling, marker coloring, stamping... so much fun!



The trees in our area are just starting to turn their lovely fall colors so I had a good time with the leaves.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Five Question Fridays! October 28, 2011

1. Do you prefer cotton, silk, or flannel sheets?
I prefer cotton sheets - high thread count. We were gifted with some very good quality sheets and have learned that 1. they are worth the cost (wear and tear) 2. they feel so SO good 3. they seem warmer in winter, and cooler in summer though I don't understand quite how that works. I tried silk sheets, and they were too slippery.... and flannel sheets... can we say STICK!? :)

2. What time zone are you in?
We are in the central time zone.

3. What is your favorite part of the holiday season?
Baking! Decorating! Cooler Weather!!! There are so many things I love about the fall holidays... Halloween - love all the costumes and candy! Thanksgiving - so thankful for what we have, and I love to cook a full Thanksgiving luncheon even though it is just for the two of us. Christmas... Christmas Cookie baking, Christmas trees (I have a collection.) SNOW!!!

4. What is your favorite "wintry" drink? (It doesn't have to be an "alcoholic" drink!)
Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate with a small peppermint stick melted into it. YUMMM!

5. In your opinion, what is the worst job in the world?
Hmmm tough question! Garbage collector, mortician, medical examiner... those are a few in my opinion. They are definitely a calling.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Stampin' Up Club Cards October, 2011

Monday night - Stampin' Up Card Club!!!! My upline Kathy Douglas always does a FANTASTIC job with choosing cards and projects for us to make every month. We have a great time chatting and crafting! I always learn something from her!

This first card uses the Build a Blossom stamp set and coordinating punch. LOVE LOVE LOVE them so much!!! What great fall colors! What did I learn this month?? Embossing vellum looks like you used white embossing powder... without the mess! SO SO cool!



This is a door hanger! Unfortunately this one won't get hung because I can imagine kitties here trying to get it. SO it will go on my wall in the Cricut room.
Isn't this a lovely fall piece? It uses the scoring board so well!
Two pleated medallions, a large scalloped circle and the huge Stampin' Up buttons from the Holiday Mini. Each Card Club member was able to pick and choose colors for each part of the design.
LOVE that scrolly sentiment set!!


Here's the same piece showing the ribbon loop for hanging.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Wedding Card Variation

One of my husband's coworkers got married a week ago, so we sent some gifts and I made this card. The silver background paper came from the wrapping paper I used from Bed Bath & Beyond. It's so pretty! I added the bride and groom hearts and a new stamp set from Stampin' Up (Petite Pairs). It worked so well as you can see - piece on the front with a matching sentiment for the inside. Love this new set!!!



I used the debossed side of a cuttlebug folder and a silver pen to highlight the scallops.



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Heartfelt Creations Design Team Submission Pieces

I was selected as a finalist for the Heartfelt Creations Design Team just two weeks or so ago. These are the cards I submitted for the DT call. We find out very soon who is selected - I hope I make the team and if not, I'll still use their stamps - they really are amazing!!

Mom loves irises so I took the large background stamp and the oval to make this piece using the Spellbinder Die to cut the iris pieces behind the popped pieces.


Here's a view of the same card from the side so you can see the dimensional aspect of the card.

Dimension in extreme close-up! I sent these cards in so I've stamped more of the iris pieces to make one of these to send home. It's an involved piece, so I'll take pics and write up a tutorial.


I really like Shasta Daisies, so I had some fun playing with the Daisy stamps and Daisy Spellbinders Die.


Here are the daisies in full summer-bloom colors!


I just had to make something for Christmas since I'm always happy when that time of the year comes around. It's been pretty chilly here the last few days - really puts me in the mood!

Here's another holly piece using the stamps and dies together.



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Chinese Characters

The school campus I moved to for this year has a partnership with a school in China! Ren He Jie school children (about 10) and five of their teachers came to the US to visit. The started their trip in New York, made a few other stops, came to spend a week with us, and then went on to California.

It was really amazing!

We decorated the school in lots of red, and I remembered the characters on my Cricut Cart. I cut them at 4 inches with the shadow, mounted on white cardstock, laminated them and had them in the hallways along with the other decorations.

I'm definitely making more for the next visit!







Your comments are always appreciated!

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Five Question Fridays! October 21, 2011

1. Where do you escape to when you've had enough?
My escape is my craft room. I have my recliner there, my TV where I can watch Pride and Prejudice, and my Cricut and stamps. It's a good escape.

2. What shows are you watching this fall?
Dancing with the Stars! I also like Whitney - she's fun and has no filter.

3. What was the longest roadtrip you've ever taken and where did you go?
The longest road trip (as an adult) I was ever on was my honeymoon! We were actually gone a total of a month - 1 week in Vegas to get married and have the families meet; 1 week to drive 'cross country to Orlando stopping along the way to see attractions; 1 week in Orlando to see the parks - Universal and Disney; 1 week to take a cruise to the Bahamas and drive back home. We had a FABULOUS time, but came back exhausted!

As a child, (I was 13, my sister was 9) my family along with my grandparents did a 2 week trip around the states - Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri.

I remember this trip quite well and took my husband to visit Fenton Glass in West Virginia this past summer on one of our "shorter" road trips.

I guess I'm the road-trippin' queen!!! One to two big trips a year, and then smaller ones every couple of months. Rather drive than fly!!!

4. Do you plan on taking your kids to Disney World?
We don't have children, but we will definitely go back to see it again. LOVE Epcot and Animal Kingdom.

5. What is something people would surprised to know about you?
I started score-keeping baseball when the Brewers were in the World Series in the early 80's, worked with my college baseball team, score kept men's night league for about 15 years, and worked as the scorekeeper for a Yankee farm team in 1995.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Such FANTASTIC News! **Updated

What a week this has been!!! I'm so thrilled to announce two wonderful things!
1. My purple card took a first at the State Fair. AND I found out the Advent Calendar did too!! Two firsts!!! (Unlike previous fair's I've entered, this one gives only ONE first, second, third per category, and a sweepstakes prize for the division.) I'm THRILLED!!!!!

2. I have been chosen as a Semi-Finalist in the Heartfelt Creations Design Team search!! There's still another round to work through... but even this is SO exciting! I'm THRILLED!!!!!!
Wish me luck on this one... I REALLY would love to join this team of amazing crafters!

Such good news....
AND a dear friend of mine is in labor at this minute!
Quite a day!!

Thanks so much for letting me share!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Study of an Iris - Layers and Layers!

I bought this stamp and Nestabilities die set at the CKC show in August and have been playing with it for awhile now. Some of the samples they had at the show were completely stunning!

Here's a completed Iris piece in yellows. I stamped 6 images and ended up using 5 of them for this piece. I used burnishing on the base to give it a blue background... the colored the irises and greenery with my Stampin' Up markers. Gotta LOVE those Stampin' Up Dimensionals! They really help keep the layers separate.

Here's another view of the same piece from the "bottom".


Here it is all finished - So Saffron paper as the background - another Heartfelt Creations Nestabilities die behind it in purples to compliment the yellow. The top piece is a Cuttlebug die and a Stampin' Up retired stamp for the sentiment. I really like purples and yellows together.
It's difficult to see, but I sprayed the iris piece with some yellow Glimmer Mist to help it glow. Unfortunately, you can only see this in person.


Here's the card again from the side. Now to figure out how to get all those layers in an envelope! :)

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Stampin' Up Club Cards August and September 2011

We made 3 cards on our August Stampin' Up Club Night!!!

This card uses two types of embossing - the swirls are from the Texturz Plates, and the other is the oval Designer Frames. This comes in a pack of two with a rectangular frame as well as the oval.
We used lots of techniques! Stamping (of course), embossing, tearing, inking, punching! It's a lovely card in person.


This card uses a color I'm not so thrilled with generally - River Rock - though the more I use it... I think it's growing on me! The background piece was a very interesting technique using our E clear block!! WTG, Kathy! It looks AMAZING!!


Hello, Doily! I loved this stamp from the moment I saw it... and even more every time I use it. It's heat embossed along with the sentiment in white. The trick?? Layers of powder! Don't just apply the powder once - keep pouring it on 3 or 4 times to get really good coverage.


Here we have our September cards. LOVE all the colors on this card!!! So fall-ish! I'm sad that the Build-a-Brad has retired... I really LIKE those!


This card again uses the Texturz plates to add the detail on the blue piece. This card was so much fun to make!! You'll recognize that I used the technique on one of the music cards (below). Stamp the background - clear emboss the piece (here, a leaf) and then use the sponge daubers to ink the piece with 2 colors. It's really amazing!!



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