Oldie But Goodie at Bugaboo

 So, did Santa deliver all those wonderful little items you had on your Christmas list??

The only thing he left off mine is a little elf to PURGE, CLEAN & ORGANIZE my studio.  Yep, that's one of my Christmas projects while I have a little vacation time off.......fun, huh?

If you think that's fun, you'd hate to see the rest of my to do list before I go back to work in 2013!

BUT, today before I dig in and get lost in the messy chaos I call a studio, I thought I'd share with you a Wild and Crazy Winter Monkey Christmas card  I whipped up for my Nephew's first Christmas!
Just in time to celebrate today's Oldie But Goodie Day at Bugaboo Stamps!

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Winter Sock Monkey - Sled"

Papers - All from my scrappy Christmas stash

Coloring - Copics

Tools - MS Border Punch

Extra STUFF - GOOGLEY Eyes, Stickles, Studio G Sentiment & Stazon Jet Black Ink

For a little more inspiration, visit The Bug Blog and check out what the rest of the designers whipped up with some of their favorite Golden Oldies!

Okay, off to my studio to purge, clean and organize - if you don't see me in a few days - my hubby is probably on a rescue mission to find me in my studio.  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

Oldie But Goodie at Bugaboo!

Holy Christmas, can you believe that Christmas is RIGHT around the corner???

Maybe this wee little Fairy on this Oldie But Goodie Thursday can wiggle her nose and help me get my Holiday shopping finished.

You can pick up this cutie at The Bugaboo Stamps Store.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Wee One Fairy - Lean on Knees"

Papers - Miscellaneous from my scrappy bin

Copics - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nestie & EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Customized Ribbon, Miscellaneous Sentiment, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Dimensionals & Stickles

And, if you didn't know, Jodie is havin' a BIG 

Don't miss out!!

Hugs & Happy Days!

Copic Blender Embossing Tutorial

Happy Tutorial Wednesday!!!

I wanted to share a little something I figured out tinkering with my copics the other day.

I love tinkering with products to see what out of the ordinary things I can do with them.

I'm sure someone has long since come up with this, but it's new to me, so I thought I'd share it with you!

It involves an Embossing folder, a Copic Color of your choice, a Copic colorless blender and some paper.

Color the amount of paper you're going to need with your Copic color

Get out your Embossing folder 

 Run your colored paper and embossing folder through your Embossing machine

Here is what your paper should look like after you've embossed it.

Take your colorless blender and carefully color over the bumpy part of your embossing - in this case it's the words that will be embossed. 

You may have to go over it a few times depending on how much you want your raised embossing to pop.  Here I went over it 3 times.  Of course you could do it more.  Totally up to you and what you're trying to accomplish. 

It's kind of hard to photograph, but you can see the raised embossing is a bit lighter than the actual background.

Thanks so much for coming by today to check out this little tutorial!

I hope you enjoyed it and give it a try.

Hugs & Happy Days!

Anything But a Card Monday at Bugaboo

It's an ABC Monday at The Bug Blog and Bugaboo Stamps today.

I'm trying to get some of my Christmas projects finished up.  Hence the cute little tag below.

A while ago I showed you the cute little shadowbox that I did for our friends that had my nephew in it.

Well, before I could wrap it up it needed a tag.  ;):)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Sock Monkey Boy"

Papers - A little Cardstock from my stash

Coloring - Copics

Extra STUFF - GOOGLEY Eyes, Stickles, Computer Generated verse for the back of the shadow box & dimensionals

Thanks so much for stoppin' by today - I know how busy everyone is with the holiday season right around the corner.

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

BINGO at Bugaboo!

It's Bingo day at The Bug Blog and Grumpy Gertrude is helpin' me out today!! =)

I decided on Pearls, a Bugaboo Image and a Sentiment.  

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Grumpy Gertrude - Touch Coffee"

Papers - Miscellaneous Papers from my scrappy bin

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Sentiment, Pearls & Glossy Accents

Head on over to The Bug Blog and see what other BINGOs the designers came up with!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

A Yummy Bugaboo Gift Giving Idea!

Happy Bugaboo Gift Giving Friday!

This is the time of the year when I make a CRAZY amount of homemade chocolates. So, today, I thought I'd share with you my cute little Mint Chocolate Covered Pretzel bucket. Complete with a super cute Bugaboo Stamps Kitchen Gingers Tag.

 Close Up of the tag 

I'll give you a little crash course on makin' these yummy homemade chocolate covered pretzels - might save you lots of $$ in Christmas gifts when your family and friends get a tastin' of these. My Mother in Law and Brother in Law BOTH have said the only thing they want for Christmas is my homemade chocolates. :)

Here are the items you'll need to get started

1 Bag of Small Pretzel Twists

1 pound bag of Dark Mint Chocolate Wafers (you can get this at Hobby Lobby or JoAnn)

Festive Cupcake Sprinkles

1 pair of tongs, Microwave safe bowl, Wax paper, Cookie sheet & Air-Tight storage container

I use this fabulous Wilton Chocolate melting pot which is super fantastic. Years ago, we used a plug-in skillet filled with water to keep the chocolate warm. Ah, times are a changin'! =)

Each 1 pound bag of chocolate will make about half a large back of pretzels. So if you want to use the whole bag of pretzels, you'll want to get 2 pounds of chocolate.

Melt chocolate according to package directions.

Once melted, place a managable amount of pretzels in chocolate (I usually do 5 at a time so they don't get soggy). Cover pretzels in chocolate and then tap off excess holding pretzels with tongs. Place wet pretzel on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Continue until all pretzels are out of the bowl.

Sprinkle with festive sprinkles, repeat process until you run out of chocolate or pretzels.

If the chocolate starts to harden, feel free to stick back into microwave and warm. If you have a double boiler or chocolate warmer, you can also use these methods to keep your chocolate warm.

Let chocolates dry/harden for a bit. Store in air-tight container until ready to use.

It takes a little time, but I just love making these - there's just something about homemade chocolates!!

Next up - Homemade Chocolate Covered Cherries and Chocolate Covered Peppermint Marshmallows

Here's to happy Holidays spent with friends and family.

Hugs & Happy Days!

 

Sweet Baby Oldie But Goodie

It's an Oldie But Goodie Thursday at Bugaboo Stamps!

I have a friend who is having a baby and I whipped up this sweet blinged out baby card (based on her baby shower theme).

Image - Bugaboo Stamps:  Boo Peeker - Carriage

Papers - Miscellaneous from my scrappy box

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Border Punch, Cuttlebug & Nesties

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Stazon Jet Black Ink, Miscellaneous Sentiment and BLING

Visit The Bugaboo Stamps store and pick up this cutie AND a few others because Jodie is having a 

Hugs & Happy Days!

12 Days of Christmas at Shelly's Images

So, have you been celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with the designers at Shelly's Images this week?

Well, let me give you a little taste of what we've been doing....

Yesterday I hosted my annual Holiday Bunch and Sweets Swap and to celebrate day 10 in the 12 days of Christmas, I thought I'd share this adorable gift tag that I whipped up using the Candy Cane Freebie (from Day 7.

It was a perfect fit for this holiday cookie tin.

 And if the super sweet tag wasn't enough, I thought I'd share a photo and recipe of just a few of the cookies that will fill a few of these adorable tins for friends, family and neighbors!

Can you say YUMMO???

Shall I share the recipe with you?  Well, of course!  =)

Taste of Home is one of my go to places for recipes - a new dinner recipe, fun recipe for a brunch with friends and  of course, even this sweets recipe!

Almond Joy Cookies

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

2 tsp. almond extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

5 cups flaked coconut, divided (you can omit if you don’t like coconut)

48 milk chocolate kisses

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.  

Beat in egg yolk and almond extract.  

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.  

Stir in 3 cups coconut.  

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Roll into 1-inch balls and roll in remaining coconut (or roll in sugar if you omitted coconut).  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  

Immediately press a chocolate kiss into the center of each cookie.  Sprinkle with coarse sugar.  

Cool on pan for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is softened.  

Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

For the Candy Cane Cookies, I just omitted the Coconut and replaced the Chocolate Kiss with a Candy Cane kiss.

Super Simple and WAY TOO YUMMY!

Head on over to the Shelly's Images blog and do a little celebratin' with us - we certainly are celebrating the holiday and would love to have you join us!

Hugs & Happy Holidays!

I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas!

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

Only a hippopotamus will do

Don't want a doll, no dinky Tinker Toy

I want a hippopotamus to play with and enjoy

I want a hippopotamus for Christmas

I don't think Santa Claus will mind, do you?

He won't have to use our dirty chimney flue

Just bring him through the front door,

that's the easy thing to do

I love this Christmas Song!  =)  And if you'd like to get hooked - Here's a link to watch the video and have the music in your head for the rest of the day.  "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."

Why am I off on the Hippopotamus Christmas tangent??

Well, because today Bugaboo has this adorable Christmas Hippopotamus as its Friday Freebie!!!

Image:  Bugaboo Stamps "Hippo Candy Cane"

Papers - Miscellaneous Scraps from my studio scrappy box

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Stickles, PTI Button, Doodling and Twine

Head on over to The Bug Blog and check out what the rest of the designers whipped up with this adorable little Hippo and then visit The Bugaboo Store and get your freebie (and maybe a few extras while the Christmas Sale is going on!)

Hugs & Happy Days!

Shelly's Images - One Last Stop

It's a holiday new release from Shelly's Images - and today we're enjoying a SHOW US YOUR CHRISTMAS PROJECT challenge, just in time for the holiday.

One Last Stop is our highlighted image today - and what a lovely holiday image it is.  It reminds me of the peacefulness of the woods out at our family farm - the way you can hear the snow falling it's so quiet.  What happy memories those thoughts bring.  =)  

Image - Shelly's Images "One Last Stop"

Papers - Miscellaneous from my stash

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug, EK Success Punch, Nestie and Embossing Folder

Extra STUFF - Stazon Jet Black Ink, Studio G Sentiment, Stickles and Dimensionals

Please come join us for this weeks Challenge AND we're also celebrating the 12 days of Christmas over at the Shelly's Images Blog - we'd love to have you celebrate with us.  There's lots of chances to win, not to mention some fun tutorials, holiday ideas and much much more!

Hugs & Happy Days!

A Sweet Oldie But Goodie

I thought for today's Oldie But Goodie Day I'd share a little Baking JJ and my annual holiday brunch & sweets swap invite.  =)

You gotta Love those Bugaboo Oldies!

 Image - Bugaboo Stamps:  JJ Baking

Papers - Miscellaneous Scraps from my scrappy bin

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nesties and EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Miscellaneous Sentiment Stamp, Stazon Jet Black Ink

Check out what the rest of the team did with their oldies over at The Bug Blog.

Hugs & Happy Days!

Anything But A Card - Wild Baby Gift Edition!

Welcome to the Wild Baby Gift - Anything But a Card Monday edition!

Just a few weeks ago I had a baby shower to go to for a friend of mine - they're expecting their first baby - a girl THIS MONTH.

Well, I couldn't possible just put the blanket I'd knitted and the onsies in a gift bag and give it to her that way, OH NO!  So, I picked up this great Kraft cupcake box at Michaels and turned the onsies into cupcakes.

Because the baby shower theme was Zebra and Pink, it was only fitting that the gift box reflect that.  =)

Here's a Close Up of the cute little Boo gift tag

Image - Bugaboo Stamps - Boo Peeker - Bottle

Papers - PTI Cardstock

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nesties & EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Kraft Cupcake Box, Zebra Print Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stickles, Doodling & Recollections Zebra blinged out tape

You can get this adorable image from The Bugaboo Stamps Store which is having a

Hugs & Happy Days!

Stella Says Sketch Challenge!

Oh yah, our favorite Bugaboo resident Cranky Broad is back today with another fabulous Stella Says Sketch Challenge.

Here's a little Warm Thoughts card I whipped up for my stash, based on today's Stella's Sketch.

Image:  Bugaboo Stamps "KIDZ - Girl and Flowers"

Papers:  Miscellaneous Papers from my Swappy Scrappy Stash

Coloring - Copics

Tooks - EK Success Border Punch and CM Square Punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Miscellaneous Sentiment, Stazon Jet Black Ink & BLING

Visit The Bug Blog and get all the details on how you can join the Stella Says Sketch fun (and possibly be one of our winners!!!)

Hugs & Happy Days! 

Challenge Submissions:

Catch The Bug - Anything goes

ATCs & Cards With Attitude - 2W - Week 1,  Anything Goes

Avadares – M - Anything with a digi deadline Dec 27th (freebie image provided)

Brown Sugar – E2 - Clean and Simple

*NEW* Cards by Lady Anne - Sentimental For Friday - M,E4, must use sentiment - cards unless specified - Anything Goes 

Dilly Beans - must have stamp, rubber or digital -3E, C10 – Anything Goes

Fat Pages & Cards with Attitude – 2W, 9E – Week 1, Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays – Always Anything Goes

Anything Goes at Bugaboo...

And it's a good challenge for you to join us on!  =)

We've got an Anything Goes challenge going on over at The Bug Blog.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Sewing SB thimble"

Papers - Miscellaneous Papers from my scrappy bin

Coloring - Copics

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nesties & EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, PTI Sentiment, Color Box Chestnut Roan and Pearls

Head on over to The Bug Blog and join us for a little Anything Goes crafting!

Hugs & Happy Days

Challenge Submissions:

365 Cards - Wednesday Challenge in Reverse

Fat Pages & Cards with Attitude – 2W, 9E – Week 1, Anything Goes

Inspire Me Fridays – Always Anything Goes

Peekin' New Release from Bugaboo Stamps

It's a new release Tuesday at Bugaboo Stamps!

And we're gettin' in the Christmas mood!  =)

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Santa Face" New Release

Papers - Miscellaneous from my Scrappy Bin

Coloring - Copics:  E50 E51, N1, R24, R27, R29

Tools - Cuttlebug, Nesties & MS Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Googley Eyes, Liquid Applique, Dimensionals, Studio G Sentiment & Stazon Jet Black Ink

Visit The Bug Blog and check out what the rest of the team whipped up and then get your Santa Face from The Bugaboo Stamps Store.  Remember, He knows if you've been Bad or Good!  =)

Hugs & Happy Days!

A Sock Monkey kind of Turkey Day!

I'm a few days behind, but wanted to share with you the First of many Turkey Day cards I know I'll be making for my new nephew.

Image - Bugaboo Stamps "Sock Monkey - Thanksgiving"

Papers - Miscellaneous from my scrappy stash

Coloring - Copics

Tools - EK Success Border Punch

Extra STUFF - Dimensionals, Doodling & Computer Generated sentiment

Hugs & Happy Turkey Day!