SOME OF MY SECRET SANTA GIFTS

Last week I surprised the person I had for Secret Santa aka Kris Kringle at work.  I had Jamie Perez.  She suspected it was me after my first gift (oh no, was I that much of a giveaway?) The head Santa - Kitty Klaws forewarned me, so I had to change up my plan.  I met up with her in person to tell her and her colleague I had someone else to throw them off.  Then I felt I was in the free and clear to craft away.  So it opened the door for me and I went ahead and started crafting. I got these ideas for the candy bar coverings from pinterest.  I came up with the box idea on my own.  I had some clear boxes from Pick your Plum. Then I was in Walgreen's and one of the ladies at the register told me about the peppermint chapstick.  I also made the tag and put it all together. 

 

 The box appears small but it took

a bag and a half of Hershey Kisses.

 The Santa face is all punches.

I corrugated his body.

I think I may have cased this from Connie Stewart.

The bow on top of the tag is from the BRAND NEW SU! BOW PUNCH coming out in the NEW OCCASIONS catalog this January.

MDS MONDAY - STAMPIN SISTAHS AND CRAFTIN FRIENDS HOLIDAY GATHERING

We all gathered at J and P's Iliano's in Glyndon on Sunday to celebrate our friendship. This has been a tough year, health wise, for all of us.  Several had life threatening events.  With faith, hope, and friendship, we have all pulled through.  We are grateful for each other and our families and friends. May 2015 be a better year. 

MDS Supply List

Background
     Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\This And That Season Of Style Photobook - designer series paper\This And That Season Of Style Photobook - 9

Embellishments
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/Family Photobook-06 (re-colored) Color = RASPBERRY RIPPLE 146,21,37
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/stitching 3
    Naughty or Nice Bows - embellishments\Naughty or Nice Bows - cherry cobbler pattern (re-colored) Color = MOSSY MEADOW 109,108,46

Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Savor the Season - designer series paper\Savor the Season - 5
    Borders\Scallop Edge Punch, Fill Color = 103,13,23
    Borders\Scallop Edge Punch, Fill Color = 103,13,23
    Labels & Tags\Modern Label Punch, Fill Color = 103,13,23

DIGITAL MONDAY - STAMPIN SISTAHS & CRAFT FRIENDS WISH YOU MERRY MOOSE!

Let's be jolly!

We had our annual holiday luncheon and card exchange Sunday.   Love this photo.  I used Rhonna Designs app to enhance.  

These ladies are the best!  

SOME HOLIDAY SWAPS FROM THE REMARKABLES RETREAT

I was looking through some of my swaps for some more holiday card ideas and found a few more I have yet to share.  Here's a few from the SU! Remarkables Retreat.  Enjoy as we get closer to Christmas!

Only a few more shopping days and mailing days before Christmas.  Order your SU! from www.stampinup.com and choose me Maria Pane #54046 as your demonstrator.
Want a gift certificate?  email me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN PAUL - YOU'RE 15 TODAY!

Today is John Paul's 15th birthday!
Woo hoo!  Happy Birthday to the best and most awesome son!
Love, Mom

MDS Supply List

Background
     Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Glimmer - designer series paper\Glimmer - gold

Embellishments
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/stitching 1
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/Family Photobook-09
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/string and knot
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/Family Photobook-08
    _Designer Kits/12x12 family album/string and knot

Stamps
    And Many More\And Many More - happy birthday, Color = ISLAND INDIGO 0,126,135
    Just Perfect Alphabet\Just Perfect Alphabet - j, Color = 230,WATERMARK 255,255,255
    Just Perfect Alphabet\Just Perfect Alphabet - p, Color = 230,WATERMARK 255,255,255
    Delightful Dozen\Delightful Dozen - happy birthday, Color = 0,0,0
    Delightful Dozen\Delightful Dozen - happy birthday, Color = 230,WATERMARK 255,255,255

Punches
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Glimmer - designer series paper\Glimmer - red
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Glimmer - designer series paper\Glimmer - silver
 

SU! MDS MONDAY - PERSONALIZED SANTA SACKS

Here are some really neat projects I found over at SU! MDS.  Stampin Up!'s My Digital Studio is amazing!  I love all I can do with it and I create with it several times a week, not just scrapbooking, but projects too.  Look at these cool Santa Sacks that were on the SU! BLOG!

Personalized Santa Sacks

If you’ve done any holiday shopping online this year, you’ve probably seen personalized Santa sacks out there. And if you haven’t discovered them yet, they look like mail bags straight from the North Pole with the child’s name on it—so magical! One of my friends at work showed them to me about a month ago and now I see them everywhere. We decided that it would be fun and easy to make some on our own.
So, I gave it a try with My Digital Studio.
I wanted the designs to have similar elements, but be slightly different for each of my kids. After I created one page, it was easy to “insert a duplicate page” and just remove some of the elements to create a new look.
Once I was done, I “inserted duplicate pages mirrored” so that I could print the reverse images onto iron transfer paper. I designed my project on an 11" x 14" canvas and then printed each image on two sheets of iron transfer paper.
Then I sewed some drawstring bags with some canvas fabric and ironed on the images. Pretty easy. Totally fun.





I went a little crazy with the downloads. (I was having too much fun!) Here’s a list of the ones I used. I wanted to show you all the great options there are.
If you want to create a little last-minute magic, this project will do it. If you’re short on time, buy the bags and make the designs simpler with just a few stamps.
I can’t wait to see my kids’ faces on Christmas morning. I hope they enjoy their gift bags from the big man in red.
Lindsey H.
Sr. Staff Writer
Bright Christmas II Stamp Brush Set  (item #123727)
Festive Flurry Kit (item # 135250)
Happy Jolly Overlays Stamp Brush Set  (item # 135715)
Holiday Home Stamp Brush Set  (item #138116)
O Christmas Tree December Kit (item #136645)
Remember the Joy Pocket Cards (item #136729)
Santa’s List Stamp Brush Set (item # 136515
Sent with Love Kit (item # 132914)
Snowy Soiree Ensemble (item # 135261)
To You From Me Designer Template (item # 132811)
Very Merry Tags Stamp Brush Set  (item # 135262)
Winter Post Stamp Brush Set (item # 119102)
Wishing You Stamp Brush Set (item # 135259)

LATEST MY PAPER PUMPKIN IS A HIT - CHECK OUT THE SNOWFLAKE CARDS!

I'm absolutely thrilled with this month's Stampin Up! MY PAPER PUMPKIN - well, it's actually the one that SU! shipped me in November and is for this month.  There will be another one coming this week, as they ship monthly to arrive around the 15th.  The particular one was so filled with so many goodies and a great stamp set for holiday crafting.  I know my subscribers are loving theirs this month.

I watercolored my envelope since that's one of the season's hot looks!

I stamped the base card and even stamped on the snowflake and then embossed the snowflake with the lattice embossing folder from SU! which is on sale on the clearance rack right now!  woo hoo!

 Here's another look at the inside watercolored and how nicely this card opens up.  Way cool!

CLICK HERE TO JOIN MY PAPER PUMPKIN TODAY!

Note:  If you would like a prepaid gift subscription you can do that by going to www.stampinup.com and adding me as your demonstrator.  See below for the prepaid prices.  This is an awesome gift to give someone! My demo no. to put in is 54046 Maria Pane.  Use the order no. below to order how many months you would like. 

Item	Paper Pumpkin Prepaid Subscription	Price (Shipping Included)
137858	1 month	$19.95
137859	3 months	$59.85
137860	6 months	$113.70 -- save $1 per month
137861	12 months	$215.40 -- save $2 per month

IT MAY BE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON, BUT THIS STAMP SET IS PERFECT YEAR ROUND - SNUGGLES AND SMOOCHES

Snuggles and Smooches Snuggles and Smooches. It’s a bit of a silly name, right? I think it’s a fun, new way to say “hugs and kisses.” The sentiment was inspired by my love of snuggling my two pups, Hammond and Penny, and giving smooches to my hunky husband, Joe. At first glance, this month’s new photopolymer release may seem like it is just for Valentine’s Day, but I think it could be used any time of the year when you want to share some affection with those you love. Two of my favorite images in the set are the swirls. I’m sure you’ve noticed how trendy it is to wind up some Linen Thread or Baker’s Twine and use it as an element on cards and other projects. You can see on this card how the large swirl image helps accomplish a similar feel. The swirls also create interesting background patterns that can be used with a technique like emboss resist—as shown on this adorable little card. Or simply stamp—as I did on this tag. The “Love” sentiment works great for creating a chalkboard effect. There are three heart images in this stamp set. They were drawn to coordinate with  three of our heart punches: the Sweetheart Punch, the Hearts Border Punch, and the heart from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack. The “Love” sentiment will also coordinate with either of the Tag Topper punches. Snuggles And Smooches Photopolymer Stamp Set	140326
Price: $15.95
This fun set will surely bring a smile to many faces and is a great way to let others know you love them. Recommended for use with clear-mount blocks A, D, E, and G. Blocks not included with set. Our photopolymer stamps offer a versatile all-clear stamping option. You'll find that our photopolymer is top-quality and gives a perfectly stamped image every time. The stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks and are easy to place just where you want them. And best of all, you get to enjoy tons of images for a great price!

STAMP IT UP! BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE! - REMARKABLE PINWORTHY BLOG TOUR DECEMBER

This month's REMARKABLE PINWORTHY TOUR has the theme of TIE ONE ON!  So I'm going to tie one on a wine bottle and tie one one a Boyd's Bear - tags that is - perfect gifts for all those cold winter evenings and holidays and perfect for gifts.

The first is a tag made with the SU! BANNER FRAMELITS and  SU! Glimmer Paper. I used the NEW SU! SWEETHEART punch for the heart that I got on the most recent SU! sale. What a deal!  I love this punch!  I put some gold satin SU! ribbon through the tag and added it to the wired ribbon around the Bear's neck.  The glimmer paper is so WOW! that the recipient's eye goes right to it.  One thing I have noticed is that even a dot of glimmer paper makes any project wow!

And, it's been pretty cold outside here in Maryland.  November had to be one of the coldest on record in Baltimore and December is pretty cold too.  To celebrate the cold let's warm up with this second project.  It's a wine tag that you can add to any gift especially with the upcoming holidays and New Years just shy of a few weeks away.

You can use the BIG SHOT tag die (retired) or any framelit or the SU! Punch tag to make the tag.  I'd layer a few or die cut some thin chipboard or other cardstock for the base and then layer with designer paper.  Stamp any image you want and use die cut snowflakes or stickers to embellish. Glimmer paper is a great embellishment that you only need a little of.  I also added a die cut initial of the hostess name (Ellen) to personalize my gift.  You can cut these out with your die cutter using SU! MDS to design the letters.  I also die cut the snowflakes with my cutter as well.  This is when I'm grateful that nothing on MDS ever retires.

 Now head on over to Andi Potler's blog to warm you up a little bit more by clicking HERE.

And while you are  enjoying the holidays and keeping warm with your wine and your teddy bears, enjoy the video rendition of Baby It's Cold Outside by Michael Buble and Idina Menzel. I absolutely love how they changed the words up and have some really adorable actors who lip sync perfectly in the video. Plus watch for the actual artists to appear midway through when the children are looking at their grown up selves in the mirror.

HAPPY MILESTONE BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR SWEET FRIEND MARYJO BEKSINSKI

Today is my dear friend Mary Jo's MILESTONE birthday.  This is the card I made for her.  I wish her the absolute best!  I hope your day is great sweet friend.

And here's a DIGITAL PAGE dedicated to the birthday girl herself.

MDS Supply List

Background
     Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Eventful Year - designer series paper/Eventful Year - 1

Embellishments
    _Designer Kits/Eventful Year - embellishments/Eventful Year - large streamers
    _Designer Kits/Eventful Year - embellishments/Eventful Year - black and white striped strip (re-colored) Color = DAFFODIL DELIGHT 255,211,92

Stamps
    _Designer Kits\Bright Reviews\Bright Reviews - 2014
    _Designer Kits\Just Add Cake\Just Add Cake - happy birthday, Color = DAFFODIL DELIGHT 255,211,92
    Rad Dad\Rad Dad - you are amazing, Color = DAFFODIL DELIGHT 255,211,92
    _Designer Kits\Eventful Year\Eventful Year – birthday girl, Color = 0,0,0
    Cake & Ice Cream\Cake & Ice Cream - hat, Color = DAFFODIL DELIGHT 255,211,92

Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = DAFFODIL DELIGHT 255,211,92
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = BERMUDA BAY 2,181,160
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = BERMUDA BAY 2,181,160
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK 19,27,29

Photos
    C:\Users\Maria\Desktop\Mary JO 2014