O, Tannenbaum!

I love this stinkin' card! Quickly, I am falling in love with the business-size envelope (4x9) cards, the stature of the cards allow for such versatility in designs. Anyways, this card is for 2 Red Bananas challenge "Inspiration is a Tree." How did I create this: It was so easy-squeezy-lemon-peasy! It is just layers upon layers of punched out ovals using a hand-held punch!

Recipe:
SU! Soft as Suede; Bazzill Berry Red; Georgia Pacific White; DCWV Christmas Glitter Stack (2008 ed.)

Distressed Stripes and Snowflakes Cuttlebug embossing folders

Fiskars small oval hand held punch

red button, dimensional tape, small silver eyelets

Stuffing the Stockings

These cute stocking are actually gift card holders. I found the pattern over on SCS, from WaltzingMouse, how stinkin cute are these! I made 10 of them, so wanted to make them quickly, so I just used glittered paper from DCWV Holiday Glitter Stack (2008 edition), simple embellishes, and a ribbon to hang them on the tree.




I think the colors of this last one are my favorite, the rich reds and seasonal greens are so fab-o together, along with the cream colred ribbon, which gives it an old-time feel.

If you need extra help creating a stocking, please visit Waltzing Mouse's blog for step-by-step directions

A New Notebook

This altered notebook was on clearance for a quarter, so I snatched up about a dozen and thought I would figure out something later. I made these notebooks for Karsyn's teachers, as they keep notes on each child, must attend planning meetings, etc., as other staff members do in our building.

The weather outside is frightful...

This tall clear paintcan is altered to resemble our pal frosty. Inside I put hot cocoa mix, Hershy Kisses, marshmallows, and some candy canes, along with a poem for Snowman Soup. Yumm-o on a cold day!

The bell still rings....

for those who really believe! I absolutely love the story The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburgh, and share it with my students in various capacities throughout the year. This text is a wonderful story, but I used it a lot to teach author's message, inferring, setting, and writing memoirs. Anyways, I wanted to share a special gift with my students, so this is it! Basically it is a postcard inside a cello bag with a topper. On the backside of the postcard is a train stamped with the Choo Choo train set from CTMH, and the message on this side is a digi I created and printed in a shade to match Rich Razzelberry

This digi will be available for free next week over at SIWS by Jen. Enjoy!

Another Altered Item

This cutie was for a volunteer we have at our school. For our group of excelerated readers in third grade, we have reading program that our volunteer facilitates. THANK YOU, SHARRIE! Inside the tin we tucked a gift card for JoAnn's as a small token of our appreciation.

I'm back!

Where have I gone-- no where, just had a lot going on the last few weeks, including moving to a new house, that we have begun some remodeling of, school is crazy, and it is the holiday season too... but I did manage to start crafting again. Last weekend I was an altering fool, creating Christmas gifts for co-workers and friends. So this week I will be posting some of the creations, and on with the show...

This is the adorable treat package I made for Karsyn's preschool class. I wrapped a 4" wide by 12" tall piece of kraft brown cardstock around a cello bag filled with red M&M's. For the eyes I punched pieces of white and black cs, added a red punch-out nose and drew in the mouth. The antlers are made from strip of brown curled by wrapping them around a pencil.

On the back of the package, I attached a poem from Teaching with Heart that reads

Rudolph has a job to do

Every Christmas Eve it is true

His nose will always light the way

For Santa's and his tiny sleigh

But if his nose should ever go out,

Don't whine, or cry, or yell, or pout

Take out this bag and use a bit

From Rudolph's Nose Repair Kit!

Enjoy, and thanks for being so patient with me!