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Another Christmas has come and gone.  My only regret is that I wish it would last longer.  I'm always back to work the next day so it's back to normal already.  My girls are still home so I am grateful to spend more time with them.  The weekends they come home from school are just so short.  

     

I saw this idea last year on Pinterest for Christmas ornaments, so I just had to try them.  They are just wood slices I ordered from Amazon.  They are roughly 2 1/2 inhes in diameter. I randomly stamped on them with Stampin' Up! stamps and ink pads.  On some of them, I did have to color a little with the markers.  They were so fun and addicting to make.  The first picture is the front, and the second picture are the backs.  You can't give a ornament that's blank on the back!

The last ornament with the Santa hat and the Ho Ho Ho are really old Stampin' Up! stamps that I had tucked away.  The Santa had is just so cute, I can't get rid of him.  Same with the Ho Ho Ho.  They are actually from the 90's.  

     

Like I said, they are addicting to make.  The coffee cups were for my coffee people.  The stamp set has been retired for several years, but I really like it so it stays in my stash.  I dug through my stamps, current and retired, to see what would work.  It was fun using stamps again that I haven't used in a long time.  

The ornaments were so fun to make and super easy.  It was fun mix and matching stamps so not too many were duplicated.  Oh, and they were great if you have to mail them.  I sent a bunch to Pittsburgh and they made the trip in an envelope just fine.  

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

From my family to yours,

Merry Christmas to all.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

  

No more work until after Christmas!  Wahoo!!  I was done yesterday and don't plan on going back until Wednesday.  That will definately be soon enough for me.  I don't need that crazyness anymore.  TWO more days to Christmas!

This is one of my favorite cards I made this year.  The ornament paper is from the All is Bright DSP.  LOVE IT!  It's soo fun to look at.  Floating golden ornaments.  How fun.

The bottom piece is the Gold Foil Sheets embossed with the Tufted embossing folder.  I wish that I had enough small pearls to put in every tufted center.  Wouldn't that look pretty?  

Dug out the Swirly Scribbles thinlits for the piece under the Merry & Bright.  I liked the funkiness of it with the more formal ornaments. It's also cut out with the Gold Foil Sheets.   

On other cards, instead of the circles, I used the gold thread.  Wrapped it around my finger a few times and taped it to the back of the sentiment.  I liked that look too because it plays in with the wire that the ornaments are hanging from.  

As if more gold was needed, I also used the gold embossing powder for the Merry & Bright.  Can anyone have enough gold?  I'd really have to think about that one.

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

tams# 28629

Product List

 

Merry Christmas To All Photopolymer Stamp Set [147702] $27.00	All Is Bright 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [147892] $11.00	Gold Foil Sheets [132622] $4.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.75
Tufted Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [146335] $9.00	Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies [141497] $27.00	Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder [109129] $5.00
Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	Versamark Pad [102283] $9.00	Layering Ovals Framelits Dies [141706] $35.00	Liquid Multipurpose Glue [110755] $4.00
Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00

 

  

Love the polka dots on the All is Bright DSP. It gives a festive feel when mixed with Merry Christmas to All stamp set.

This was another gift from my coffee people.  

The card is made with the Barn Door stamp set and the Sliding Door Framelits.  The door does actually slide.  I purposely put it in the middle so you can see it moves.  This is one stamp set and framelit that I don't own.  As much as I like it, to me it looks very putzy to work with.  I so do appreciate cards like this when I receive them. 

Take a look at the snowman.  He's made of buttons and is about 2 inches tall.  He's adorable!  Now look at the box.  She used the Clear Tiny Treat Boxes and inside are all the buttons and supplies to make another snowman!  Isn't that just a super cute idea?  The box is nicely decorated, but didn't require wrapping.  That would actually take away from the preseent.  It's perfect looking into the box and see what is inside.  And the ornament hangs off it perfectly.  Now, I just have to find time to put him together. 

Thank you for the great card and gift Cheryl!

Until next time...Stampin' Always, 

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

 

I don't know why, but I like a good Shortbread.  It's a plain and simple cookie. No frosting.  No fuss.  

The only thing to remember when making any kind of shortbread.   Do not substitute margarine for the butter.

When we first got married, I was working in a doctor's office.  A patient brought this shortbread in at Christmas for a treat for us.  I fell in love and she gave me the recipe.  In a round about way, it came from a Scottish grandmother.

Scottish Shortbread

1 pound BUTTER (MUST BE BUTTER)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup cornstarch

4 cups flour

Combine sugar, flour & cornstarch, mixing well.  Add soft butter, working with hands until a ball forms.  Pat down ina 9 x 13 pan.  Pat until all the "cracks" are gone.  Piece with a fork until there re fork holes everywhere.  Bake at 325 degrees for one hour.  Cut while warm.

By using a 9 x 13 pan, you get a thick shortbread.  That's fine if you like it that way.  I tried another pan, about 10 x 14 and checked it about 45 minutes.  The edges were turning slightly brown so I took it out.  Thinking about making another batch and trying the 9 x 13.  Either way, it's delicious.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper  

 

Isn't this Merci Chocolate holder adorable?  My friend made it. I know it was made from scratch because the paper around the chocolate is retired DSP.  I can't recall the name of it, but I had it myself.

It is wrapped in a window sheet that is scored perfectly so I can slide the chocolate holder out.  It's as good as a holder that you would purchase in a store.  

Thank goodness for Pinterest.  I think I found a website that has directions for this box.  It's from The Paper Pixie blog.  It actually doesn't look too complicated.  She even has a video.  Could be worthwhile checking it out.

It's a short post tonight. After working all day, and coming home to make Italian cookies, I'm just done.  Have a great night.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

First things first.

The Clearance Rack has been Updated!!!

There are all kind of goodies on there so don't wait.  As always, it's while quantities last.  

Now, remember from yesterday's post, I promised to show how I used the cut out reindeer from the card.

I chose a simple design for this card.  Emboss the card base with the Swirls and Curls embossing folder.  It needed something, but any DSP would be too much.

The plaid paper is from Festive Farmhouse.  There is a touch of black in this pattern, so that's why I used Basic Black cardstock under the Very Vanilla.  

It's very hard to see on this picture, but on either side of the "Christmas Greetnings", is a clear embossed snowflake.  The ends needed a touch of something.  It's small and doesn't take away from the rest of the card.

It's a short blog, but I've been busy working on my own Christmas cards.  Every year I seem to be under the crunch to get them done.  Tomorrow I'll be addressing some envelopes on my break and lunch. 

Click on the above picture for dimensions and instructions.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper

 

Product List

 

Alpine Adventure Photopolymer Stamp Set [147742] $16.00	Cherry Cobbler 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [119685] $8.50	Festive Farmhouse 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper [147820] $11.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.75
Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [121045] $8.50	Swirls & Curls Textured Impressions Embossing Folder [147923] $7.50	Big Shot [143263] $110.00	Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder [109130] $5.00
Versamark Pad [102283] $9.00	Heat Tool [129053] $30.00	Tear & Tape Adhesive [138995] $7.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00