The Day My Computer Died......................

It was a very sad day yesterday. My computer froze and when I tried to restart it, it beeped incessantly. I turned it off right away. When my dear hubby arrived home, he said that we need to take it to the store since it is still under warranty. Which is not such an easy task since we live 2.5 hours away from the closest store. I just hope that I have not lost a lot of my pictures. Although, we did back it up about 2 months ago. Anyway, I will try to post pictures of my projects from this computer that I am working on. I really hope it works. Well, I am off to create since that stops me from thinking about the hard drive. Happy Stamping, Danita

Find Your Word

For the past few years I have chosen a word of the year. It is a concept of Ali Edward's that I love. She chose a word to keep in mind all year in order to invite change in her life. You can read about it in her recent post http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/one-little-word-2010.html

As you can see from my photo above, words I have chosen are Grow, Encourage, and Nurture. And funny enough, I didn't realize Ali had chosen Nurture last year too. I am still pondering my word but so far the word "Fruitful" comes to mind. I still have a few days to mull it over. I am hoping you too will choose a word for yourself. It's not like a resolution but a statement. Choose a word that is absolutely appealing to you right now, possible something you crave or something you admire. Then once you have your word, make a project to incorporate it into your vision. Even printing it out on some favorite printed paper through the computer, stamping it out and putting it in a frame, glue it on blocks to put on a shelf.... to be reminded through the year about your word. you will be surprised how that word works it's way into your life.

Each year I do a scrapbooking layout that I have in a wooden frame on the wall above my desk. I use my 'word' as the title with the year and add 4 creative resolutions to it. It is there to remind me of the creative goals I set. Some examples over the years are:

-read my camera manual

-hand make all greeting cards

-hand make all christmas gifts

-learn a new art skill

-read books to feed my soul and find inspiration

-write actual letters to encourage friendships

-fully organize my craft space (including painting it! some may remember my red walk in closet/scrap"room")

So challenge yourself this year. Set even 3 creative goals to feed your soul. Creative resolutions are often easier to keep because they nurture our souls and don't demand deep hardships (like committing to go to the gym regularly, lol). I find creative resolutions help restore me and refresh my person. It's easy to get lost in our busy lives and forget to fill our tanks. You may not consider your self a "crafty" person but don't ever underestimate the benefits of learning. It's the process that works the muscles and bears fruit!

Feel free to post your word and/or creative resolutions below in the comments. Happy New Year to all!!!

-tania

alternative papers...

So I may get some flack for cutting up a childrens book but here goes....

I was doing some wrapping and I purchased a never ending roll of paper Costso 2 years ago. It's like a living roll that grows several meters each month under my stairs throughout the year. I decided not to buy NEW wrapping paper until I finish this crazy roll. Hmm... wise decision? While wrapping this year I couldn't help looking arround the room for other things I could use. That's when the old Dr. Suess books called to me. I have a stack of old beat up childrens books I use to make cards with occasionally but by taking out a few pages and glueing them together to make a larger sheet, I found another life for them. Add some SU! ribbon and a home made tag and I think it has a whole new adorable life sitting under the tree!

So! Keep your eye out at thrift stores, garage sales, grandparents "hand me downs", used book shops, or your own home library for books that need a new cuter life! Happy preparations everyone, tania

Teacher's Christmas Gifts

This Christmas, I made 3 teacher's gifts for my children's teachers. I used the Smore box that I made in June but decided to put something different in it. I was going to put hot chocolate, marshmallows, and candy canes in but then I found out that the teachers liked tea so it became a London Fog Box. I put vanilla syrup, Earl Grey tea bags, recipe card for London Fog and one Snickerdoodle cookie in the boxes. The teachers loved them!

What kind of gifts do you give to your children's teachers?

Happy Stamping,

~danita~

Rustic Cookie Bag

I am a strong advocate for the 3R's, reduce, reuse and recycle. I have been recycling now for close to 15 years. More recently, I have been working towards reducing and reusing which brings me to my next project. Last night was my 4 year old son's Christmas concert. They handed out goodies in paper lunch bags. I would usually put these bags in my recycling bins but I needed a container to put cookies in for a gift. I cut the paper bag down to 6 inches and scalloped the edges. Then I finished decorating the bag. The cookies are for my 7 year old's school bus driver. I wanted to show her my appreciation for getting my daughter to and from school every day safely. I will also be giving a similar gift to my garbage man. Garbage day is Tuesday so I will post what his gift looks like as well. I got the idea for the bag from Lolly at lollychops.com. Her post about her stinky dog is quite funny as well if you are looking for a little giggle. Happy Stamping, ~danita~

Another Gift Card Holder

Yes, another gift card holder but this one is the easiest one so far. I made one for each of my brother inlaws who are both doing home renovations so why not a Home Depot gift card! I know that I am safe showing their gifts here since either one of them are stampers :). I went into my scraps bin and pulled out two pieces of 4 x11 Chocolate Chip paper and a few pieces of retired Designer Series Paper. I used chocolate chip satin ribbon for the belly band. Yes, that is what you call the piece that goes around the card to keep it together. I wish there was a different name for it because I always think of maternity pants when I hear the word, "belly band."

Well, that is all for my post today. I have a few projects that I am finishing up today which I will show you in the next couple of days.

Happy Stamping,

~danita~

Guy gifts...challenging?

I was pondering what to do for today's post and started snooping through this little stack of papers from an old paper swap. I wanted to do something with current product to be a bit more helpful to those who are SU! girls. THIS paper I never thought I'd do anything with. It didn't inspire me at all upon arrival in the bundle. Yet, here it turned out to be a great little idea for those of you with card sharks on your list! Throw in a small stash of loonies and twoonies and a bag of chocolate poker chips and you are golden! Maybe even a scratch &win. The pictures loaded backwards so hang in there with me. This is the poker chip tag made for the recipient's name. Just snipped some scrap red and glued it down. Trim and add the 1"circle.

I ended up coloring over the words "CRAZY EIGHTS" with my white gel pen before attaching the ribbon because you could see the words through the curry ribbon. And really, how manly is the game crazy eights?

To make the box, take 2 (6x6) squares. Trim the paper you wish to use for the bottom of the box by 1/16" on TWO SIDES ONLY. This allows the top to slide on perfectly. Score each side at 1" all the way around on both squares. Clip in 2 ends on one and 2 sides on the other to help keep the flaps on opposite walls. This also helps achieve an easy fit. Fold in tabs and glue or tape. This formula of the base 1/16" smaller than the top can be used for any size custom box you want to make as long as you score all your wall sides evenly!

I hope you are enjoying the process of creating for the holiday season. If it's stressfull, make a note in your new calendar now: Start making gifts earlier! Set a start date to brain storm your list. Set a startdate to start making gifts. I begin very early so I can take my time. And even more helpful is setting a date to be wrapped by! Mine is in November so that I can really enjoy the holiday season and all it's events. Sounds crazy but it is SO nice in December!

-tania

Tardy Tuesday er... Wednesday by tania

Here is my 'Small World Inspired' card. It's a 3x3 so I am going to use it for my Mother's gifttag. Having SU!'s little 3x3 love note size cards on hand is always good for a quick little fix. Winter white embossed greeting from a Sale-a-bration set I got last year. Speaking of Sale-a-bration...it's coming!!!! I love Sale-a-bration, and really, who doesn't like free stamps. Honestly. Oh, yes, sorry, faux stitching done with my gel pen. Snowflakes cut out with my Big Shot! Have a happy saturday! I can tell it's the Christmas season shen I eat shortbread for breakfast, sigh. I am weak against the power of cookies lol. -tania

I have been away to Disneyland and hoped I would have gotten online there, but no. We were cocoa drinking, churro eating, coaster riding, Goofy hugging fiends last week! It was SO fun. I was riding though 'It's A Small World' and saw this tree that made me think it would make good inspiration for a card or project! I hope you will show Danita what you have come up with if you take the Small World Callenge. I will edit this post with what I come up with later. You can always email her a picture of what you did, or leave a link to your picture in your comment. So any December Daily people out there could use this challenge! Happy stamping! -tania

Tag Time

I need to get all my gift tags completed in the next week so I can mail out my gifts. Here is what I have come up with so far. The top note tag uses non traditional colours of pale plum and rich razzleberry. My 7 year old daughter absolutely loves this colour combo. The other two tags were inspired by Angie Kennedy Juda at Chic n Scratch. I really like being able to use up my scraps for the smaller tags. Just a short post today as I need to get back to the Elf Sweatshop. Happy Stamping, Danita