Several  weeks ago you may remember that I made an ornament to send to Paper Crafts for the Festival of Tree’s!

If you don’t, well here is the ornament 😀

Proceeds were to benefit the families of sick children, who may have a hard time financing the cost for their child’s treatments/care.

I can obviously relate, and was MORE than willing to help out.

Brandy sent me a photo of the decorated tree!! I copy/pasted the email with it. I found MY ornament 😀 I took the liberty of circling it. If you wonder HOW I know it was mine-the photo I was sent was HUGE! So I could see all the details!

It came out gorgeous! I hope you enjoy the view. Someone was very blessed to get it, as are the children who benefit from this event.

Happy Holidays!

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Merry Christmas Lauren,

I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous donation to our Festival of Trees project.  The Paper Crafts tree was a wild success and was auctioned off for a significant amount of money.  In turn, all of that money went directly to help the patients at Primary Children’s Medical Center.  Our tree was in such high demand that several people participated in a bidding war in order to purchase it.  The woman who won the bidding war and took home the tree is an avid scrapbooker and was thrilled to be receiving such a vast supply of products and such a beautiful array of paper-crafted items.

This project could have never been possible if it weren’t for you. As I mentioned last month, I wanted to send you a photo of the tree in all its glory; this picture is attached. For additional information about the Festival of Trees and for photos of the tree-decorating process please check out the Paper Crafts blog at www.PaperCraftsMag.com/blog.  

Thank you again and happy holidays,

Brandy Jesperson and the rest of the Paper Crafts team

Green Grass Stamps ran some ads over on SCS this week! Did you notice? She has some great sets. Especially if you are a sentiment and alphabet lover 😀

Well, she has a SUPAH cute NEW! set called THANK YOU, that is on Sale lookie ——-HERE

It only runs till the end of today.

Just in case you need some ideas of WHAT to add to your cart (HE!HE!HE!)

 Cupcake wishes

The cupcakes are from her Holy Tomoli set (one of my faves of hers), and the sentiment was from a retired set of hers (insert sad face). I colored with Copics and added some glitter! YUMMY!

I used some Junkitz paper to get inspired for this one! Do you see the acetate tag on the side? Cute isn’t it??? Its a great way to add a sentiment to what appears to be a “busy” card. I love that it just sorta POPS-Hey you-Birthday Wishes! LOL!

This idea for the cupcakes is GREAT for those TINY images that seem to never get used in our sets. TRY it out. Put those little images to use. NO-3 X 3 cards-that’s cheating 😀

Here are some more ways to use those TINY images on a LARGE card, yet make them the FOCUS!!!

  Thanks

Now would you EVER think this tiny butterfly would POP on a large card? But, it does.

I used my rectangle nestabilities for the embossed border on the flower layer-a simple, subtle touch of elegance!

Butterfly is from Card Greetings II. The sentiment is also retired, but with this NEW set (which I am patiently awaiting) its can be substituted!

The paper is my lovely Martha Stewart. Patterned paper is by K&Co. I use it ALOT!

Now for yet another idea

 T is for thanks

This is yet another way to pair up those alpha’s and monograms!

By surrounding it with a patterned layer, and placing it in a circle it really draws your attention. This is similar to a card I posted using Paper Trey. Sweet Baby Jane alpha is the T, the thanks was retired. The border stamp is from Sweet Baby Jane.

OK Thats all I got for now cause Im finishing my Christmas shopping today!! Just need those final Gift certificates, and to MAIL my Christmas cards!

Till tomorrow

 Polka dot happy.

OYE VEY!

I don’t even know if I spelled that right! LOL! But that is what I thought/felt when attempting this challenge. I literally wanted to slap myself in the forehead. Just picture it-

Today’s Blogger Challenge was to use watercoloring on your images.

Can I just tell you that I haven’t watercolored since I bought my Copic Markers MONTHS ago!!! Now I realize with all that practice I think I might even be pretty good at using my Copic’s! TOOT! TOOT!! OK I didn’t say perfect-I said good, and thats good enough for me!

So, I think I am SPOILED with my markers! LOL! I love my Copic’s and DO NOT miss watercoloring AT ALL. This was quite the challenge for me. I kept blending the coat SO much that the paper pilled-GRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don’t get me wrong my coat looked fabulous-till that happened. I had already done everything else so I was NOT about to re-do it. So I hid it! I stamped the coat onto vellum cardstock. I then stamped the dots image from Behind the Scene’s (using different colors) onto it, cut it out, then pieced it over the original image. Now I have a cute polka dot raincoat 😀 This card is just full of HAPPY dots.

I use to be pretty good at watercoloring, but that has obviously escaped me.

This set is the Rain or Shine byMFT. Is it not cute? I really like it. It was of course perfect for the challenge. The paper is by American Crafts. I so love their stuff. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Yes I said it-now for the 4th time-LOVE.

I am so hooked on tilting my images these days. I go through phases where “something” becomes my favorite thing to do, or use. Sometimes its a technique or a layout. Well this week its tilting. Oh yeah I have a “thing” for adding circle to my designs. I just LOVE them. Do you go through phases like that? Or am I weird?

Anyway-thats my contribution.

Stay tuned……………………………………..we still have a Saturday Sketch coming. Plus more ideas. Don’t I always have MORE ideas? Who knows what I will post next.

I’m really trying to get back into my MOJO. Its still tired :C

So WHO jumped on the Cigar Box wagon with me? Or the Spiral Bouquet Wagon? Or the stationery kits, and monograms?

Then you don’t need ME to tell you they are AWESOME!!!

I haven’t made my won patterned paper in EON’s (a word my mom uses frequently, and now that I’m getting old I find myself turning into her)! It means a LONG time. It was fun to do that again.

I found it really easy to do using the new PTI set. The possibilities are just endless. Do I sound like an info-mercial? I’m not trying too, seriously!

So I am going to share a few samples with you doing just that-making my own patterned paper with Spiral Bouquet!

I also have another gift idea/template! YEAH!!!

All the items/stamps used are already linked in the above paragraph 😀 Unless noted.

OK FIRST up!

The Cigar Box

 Autum Bouquet

I think this is very fall. I have to try to remember that SOME women just don’t do pinks, and purples-SHOCK!!! LOL! I will say I am in LOVE with these colors! It’s good to step outside my normal range one in a while eh?

They are- celery, olive, banana, saffron, coral, and guava-with a splash of balck that really makes this POP!!!

The ink was all versamagic ink-but I listed the compared SU colors for you to understand 😀

The sides of the box are in black cardstock, and were run through my Cuttlebug with the Stylized Flowers embossing folder. I tied around a large Olive Satin ribbon from May Arts. The flower’s are by Making Memories, and Bazzil as are the black brads.

I sponged all the edges in black, and then spritzed with my color spritzer. This is the box to house a yet to be created Monogram note-card set. I’ve been out of commission-so thats is my excuse for not having a view a of it first. But I didn’t think you wanted to wait to see it!

I adhered this stuff using myATG Gun.

Next up-G is for Grateful.

You don’t have to use the monogram’s sets, JUST for monogram’s ya know 😀

I love making sets like this. If the person’s first/last initial happens to match then that is pure GENIUS!!! Unfortunately for me-this is not the case. But I think 6 of these as a set is a great gift for those Yankee swaps and whatnot. Especially when they have a $5 value. If its more then I do more. People usually fight over my sets when Jason brings them in 😀 That makes me all warm and fuzzy. I am always told they re-gift it, but I am taking that as a compliment! Try to keep it SIMPLE.

So this set, is another with earthy colors. I so LOVE the color River Rock. Its really beautiful. Funny because I thought it was HIDEOUS when I saw it in the catalog! LOL! Now lookie who loves it!

These colors are river rock, wasabi, guava, and ruby red. SURPRISINGLY Pretty aren’t they?

What I love is the fact that the circle cut out reveals the under layer, and the inner circle is on dimensionals. A new thing I have been doing, and I just love the look. In person its very striking.

Now what you may have been waiting for!

 Notes- For you.

Quick and simple note card set! The “For you” is PTI-Paper Tray set.

I bought these little notecards/envelopes at Walmart- $1.89 for a set of 8.

I decided to make a quick set of these, with a vellum cardstock holder. Vellum gives it an elegant touch I think. I certainly could GLAM it up, but chose SIMPLE. I asked Amber’s teacher what her favorite color was. She said pink and purple!

YEAH!!! So this is Lilac, Peony, and Merlot ink. Its all colorbox chalkink for this one. GORGEOUS colors in person-I swear.

I just took mylarge scallop nestabilitiy, and made my scallop frame. It steps this simple card up form plain Jane, to a WOW I think! Again for a splash of color I spritzed it with my color spritzer. I did 8 of these in a 1/2 hour. Due to the framing, and 3 step stamping.

I then decided to create a holder.

Now you need to note my holder is for cards that are sized 4 3/4 X 3 3/4.

Click to view larger image

So there you have my latest Paper Trey stuff!

I hope to do more. We shall see 😀

Hope you enjoyed.

 A Gift for You!

Well let me start my post by saying Happy Hanukkah! I’m truly not sure I know much about it. I know (think) you get a gfit each day for 8 days.

So this card is in honor of that 😀

I was raised and am Christian, so have only known that way of belief.

I have alot of Jewish friends and readers, and you know what? I know NOTHING about their belief, religion or how they celebrate it. I don’t want to be in the dark anymore!

So please, if you are Jewish or heck any other religion, I’d love to hear what you do this time of year! Special traditions, what they mean, special foods……..whatever you would like for the world to know about your religion or you.

So much goes into Christmas around the world, and I feel most people know the in’s and outs of it, so I am curious about you 😀

I would have made a Jewish themed card, but for obvious reasons, don’t own any appropriate images. So I’m keeping today’s post holiday neutral! LOL! I hope my top card is appropriate. I feel its a good one for any occassion. Its my first criss-cross style card.

I used wrapping paper,and ribbon by Martha Stewart for the card 😀 Gotta LOVE that! Its also Martha Cardstock. The gift image is from Icing on the Cake (part of the newMFT release) was KISSED with the confetti image in the set,to create the look.

I used my  cuttlebug   Textile folder for the embossed portion. This is meant to hold a gift card, when you pull up the inner layer 😀 That sentiment is Essential Sentiments, and is a really great set. Each sentiment works out to be ONLY 0.59 CENTS!! Hello!!! That rocks!

Hope you will take time to comment, or read the comments others put for today’s post.

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Now I want to share that TONIGHT is theMFT December Release Party from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time.

Head over to the MFT forum to find out all the details and join us there tonight. There will be give aways, coupon codes, a challenge and sneak peeks. Find out  how you can become a MFT Guest Designer. Hope you will join us!

Did you also know that Kim made some new Digi paper!! Way cute! I really HOPE to start feeling better so I can get my hiney in gear to make some projects with it. Its really easy (trust me I’s so computer challenged), and goes through fast, not using much ink. Think NO MORE hoarding the paper you love-just print another 😀 Hope you check it out on her site.

Now Sneak Peek time 😀

Now since this was part of the Paper Pretties Promo its not too top secret, but cute all the same!

 click here

 You Melt my Heart!

This is Baby its Cold Outside.

 I personally LOVE to get alot of mileage out of my images, so I’m thinking Valentines with this one! Why not? It’s still WINTER right? The sentiment is WAY cute. Inside it reads “You melt my heart”

I love winter images. I try not to stock up on too many HOLIDAY specific stuff, and if I do try to stretch it. This to me is pretty ALL winter occasion 😀

The used the large rectangle nestabilities, for my scallop layer.

The patterned paper is Holiday Swatch by Paper Salon. I embossed that with the Snowflakes folder. Stickles also adorn my image 😀 If you don’t have ANY, and aren’t sure which to get first I’d go with the icicle ones. It can be applied over ANY color! Thats that way to go. Then once you are addicted you can move on 😀 I also recommend checking out liquid pearls . They are perfect for those flower centers! Again, start with a neutral color like white, then move on from there.

You don’t have to ask, my image is colored with Copic markers. People always ask me which set to start with. I got A & B first, then promptly ordered C & D! LOL! They ARE that good. The thing I have is, I do think a SET is best to start with. ATS-has many options for that. If you buy one here and there, then you really have a hard time keeping track of what you have, and you don’t want to waste you money on getting a repeat, if you do get a future SET. That could be a glitter pen or other product! LOL! Seriously, if you consider them, make sure you have enough to buy ONE set. Even if its the seasonal sets.

I use my skin tones, and blues ALOT. People always ask me what my faves are. I honestly don’t keep track-I just pick my colors and go with it. I am not as organized as the infamous Debbie Olson 😀 I have all I can do to photograph and edit let alone keep the Copic number straight !! I do use B00 ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My colorless blender-of course! Then alot of the pinks too. I really can’t tell you what YOU will use. Its to each her own 😀 Just know, I swear they are worth EVERY WHOPPING CENT. Its not just a FAD.

I also want to say if you are JUST starting out, don’t bother. Honestly, build up your other supplies first. Also get the Cuttlebug before you get the markers. I am shocked to know some still don’t have it!

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR PEOPLE????? (slapping you with a wet noodle)

EDITING THIS TO ADD

OK I did not mean to apply ANYONE is a LOSER!!! LOL! You do need one though 😀
You can use the nestabilities in the Cuttlbug-
You should get the tan mat, so you can emboss them with ease
https://www.allthatscraps.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=551&products_id=4792

WOW! I have no idea how and why I got on my product opinions, but I apologize, unless it helped you, then you are welcome 😀

Next up!

 Rain or Shine

I so LOVE this set!

It’s called Rain or Shine. The sentiments in the set are so sweet too. Kim really nailed it with this one. I wanted to keep this clean and simple-so I did 😀

People do some amazing stuff with Kim’s images, but I do feel they can be for those of us who like clean, quick and simple. I felt this card definitely conveyed that these images can do just that.

The paper is K & Co-by Amy Butler, the Sola collection. I so LOVE this pack of paper!

Anyway. I hope you like! I hope you share. I hope to see you in the MFT thread tonight!

As ALWAYS, any questions, let me know!!

I think I may feel my mojo, so I may just TRY to stamp something! LOL!

Till tomorrow. Oh and yes I will work on the sledding tutorial. Maybe for this Sunday. I’ll keep you posted. I got lots to do. Tonight is Alexa’s Holiday Concert, and she is in the front. Sometimes being small is a good thing 😀

Lord knows Noah and Amber will always be in the back! I know I always was!

I am 5’11. I have been since 7th grade! FUN times!

OK off to stamp.

I may be out of commission, but I still have stuff to share! Make sure you check back later cause I have MORE stuff, plus info on the MFT Stamps New Release party tonight 😀

Winter Wonerland Dreams

Love gourmet cookies? Think white chocolate, coconut, and macadamia nuts.

Last year I made these cookies in a jar. I cannot even tell you how many emails I have received asking for the recipe! Even THIS year. I got the cookie holders at the dollar store, and were a nice touch I think.

I heard back from every recipient that they were YUM-AZING!!! (another Lauren word!). This is a gourmet yummy cookie. It won’t disappoint. I will say the ingredients are a little more pricey than some cookies in a jar, but it makes a great gift since they aren’t your run of the mill type of cookie in a jar gift. Great for the Hostess of a Holiday party or teachers, and teacher’s aides! I gave them out to a dozen people, and were a HUGE hit!!

Sorry the photo is small and blurry-it was when I was an newbie camera moron! LOL!

So here you all go!

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Layer bottom to top, and pack down each layer tightly!!! It will fit snug! Make sure you use the BALL canning jars, so you can seal this AIRTIGHT, to ensure freshness!

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour (mix in 3 TBSP white sugar,1/4 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp baking soda, 3/4 tsp baking powder)

1/2 cup of chopped Macadamia nuts

1 cup of white chocolate chips/chunks

1/2 cup of flaked coconut

Then cover with fabric, and print your tag!! Leave some room to stamp your image 😀

Due to my computer challenged nature, I have NO CLUE how to attach a file for you to download and print! Maybe someday I will learn! LOL! You can copy/paste this to your word document! 6 should fit per sheet of cardstock!

This is what you will need to include on your jar so the recipient knows how to make it, and what is left to have on hand.

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I cannot tell you how honored I am that you all read my blog. I mean really. You all “know” me. I know that by things you remember, and questions you ask. With all the amazing blogs and life I am so honored that you even bother to READ, let alone retain any personal info about me.

I get so many wonderful, and personal messages, I’m just in awe. So again-thank you for thinking I’m reading worthy!

I get the coolest things. Today Staci asked me if she wanted me to have her send a $1 coupon of Dunkin’s coffee! She thought of me immediately! LOL!

I also got a email from a reader/friend here named  Bee. She had nominated my blog for a Blog Favorites section at Scrapbooks.com Newsletter, and I was featured as a favorite this week! What can I say to that?? WOW! Thanks so much! How honored I feel.

I have another email I got from a woman named Ann Williams. She sent me some great info, and a book she wrote! I want to TRY her info before I post it, and HOPE to do that soon.

Its nice to get to know you all. I also got some great cards from my friend Robyn (who I am late saying thanks to-shock!), I also get some great cards from my PSF’s!! MWAH!!! You girls are all amazing

Sorry I have really been out of commission these last few days. You have NO IDEA how much that KILLS me.

BUT, I know you all know with all 3 kids sick, Jason’s appointment, my Flu, and now I have the stomach bug, how it is. So not my week. Alexa got through her part of the bug really great. Thank goodness. I am so greatful for that. I’m still keeping her home tomorrow, and she has her School Christmas Concert Wednesday! SMILEBOX!!! Cannot wait. I want her to be well rested for that.

Jason’s appointment went great BTW!! Nothing serious! Just needs to take some meds 😀 YEAH!!! You know that man knows NOTHING about himself? Thank goodness I was there to provide ACCURATE info. He doesn’t even know what meds he takes!

We always have these little “issues” because he will go to the doctor and not ask questions. Half the time he doesn’t even remember what he said, only it was followed by “You probably don’t have to worry”. OK PROBABLY is NOT good enough for me!

He will have orders for tests and not know why. Does  your husband/boyfriend/father/ MALE anyone in your life do this? Drives me INSANE.

This stuff is IMPORTANT! Maybe its the nurse in me. Not sure. But good grief.

OK so even though I feel like crap I still hafve stuff to share. So stay tuned.

Just wanted to update and thank you all.

I hope to post when I feel better-God willing. This stuff is really kickin my but.

Well this is some quick eye candy for the day, before we head out in all the snow! I HATE driving in the snow-especially long distances. We got about half a foot and counting.

This is so not a card that goes with the weather! LOL! Had I been stamping this week/weekend I would have made a more appropriate piece of eye candy.

I made this card for my friend Paulette. She bought me this stamp by Penny Black. She knew I had been on the hunt for it, and surprised me with it. THANK YOU!!!

The sentiment is by MFT, and is Essential Sentiments. It really is an amazing set of sentiments.

These aren’t your USUAL flower colors, but I loved them all the same.

What is a shame is you can’t see all the sparkles it has. I used my Copic glitter pens for the flowers and vines. Its really pretty in person.

I was just so absolutely proud I actually got a” Thank You ” made in a acceptable time frame. I’m so bad about that-its awful. I’ve said this before, I know. But, know if you get a card form me, it was made FOR you! Its this horrible thing I have. Plus another excuse to stamp. I do think though gettting a card out period, is better than having someone wait quite some time before I make them thier personal card.

OK I’m really hoping I feel up to actually stamping when I return home later. I’m still a little achy, but miss my stamp room :C

It’s like I haven’t been there in forever. I hope my mojo isn’t on sick leave still. I think I’ll do some sketching as I wait for Jason. It’s going to be a long procedure, and I don’t think I’m allowed to be in there!

Thanks for reading!

Till tomorrow 😀

Make a slide show, scrapbook, or ecard

Ok I know I promised a Smilebox of my kids at Thanksgiving. So here are the photos, and the pictures they drew for what they are Thankful for!

You REALLY have to view Alexa’s drawing of each of us! Its too cute! She even made us in our favorite colors. That the kind of stuff you save FOREVER!! I cried when I read her whole book. Especially when she said she was most thankful for Mrs. Darling! That is her teacher aid. HELLO ! Alexa what about MOMMY?!

Amber had a laminated place mat-on the back were photos of the family , and what she is thankful for. Like pocketbooks, and Dora stuff! LOL!

Noah’s class didn’t do anything except color Turkey’s! Um, unsure WHY! No Harvest Feast-nothing! Good thing is sent in cupcakes anyway 😀

He said he loves and and XBOX! SHOCKER!!!

Thanks for looking

Well I want to thank EVERYONE for your kind thought’s regarding my PUK-ily (aka Family). Seems like this awful thing is hitting MOST of us. Gosh! Its awful.

Noah and Amber have recovered. Still leery about eatting FOOD, but CANDY is appetizing! HMMM. very interesting! LOL!

 Alexa came home bright and early. Her father was “exhausted” being up all night. Keep in mind, this is the FIRST time he has ever had to be in charge, and care for her while she was sick, and there was NO NURSE or Lauren to bail him out. I didn’t sleep well, and kept waiting for the phone to ring. It was good for him to see how HARD being a PARENT really is. Yes, that is said in a bitter tone. I’m sure many of you can relate to it too.

She vomited once then headed to bed. She has been there ever since. She got up for a bath, a few sips of soup, her favorite OJ, and strawberry sorbet, then back to bed. She looks good though-no fever so I’m not worried.

We are due for about 6-8 inches of snow tonight, so I really pray Alexa doesn’t get a fever. Then I would have to risk driving in that to get her to the ER and exposed to Lord knows what virus we HAVEN”t got yet.

PLUS Jason has a endoscopy scheduled for tomorrow. Pray that goes well. We are thinking and hoping he just has an ulcer. He is entitled. Its been a stressful year and half. Thank goodness I have stamping to relieve my stress. I am enrolling him in Karate for part of his Christmas present 😀 Maybe that will help?

I am feeling better. Losing my VOICE. Oh no!!! You see how I type-image how much I talk. I cannot lose my voice! LOL! That would be terrible (depending on who you ask! LOL!)

OK Now for the post.

I haven’t really stamped since Wednesday! Insert very SAD face. But will share this cute thing I whipped up in between. My mojo is saying NO! NO! LOL! Since I’m still not 100%, but I hope it finds you in good spirits.

 Bright Wishes

You know how much I love lil penguins right? Well I really love having some penguin images that are so NOT just for WINTER. This is the Little Penguins set, that just got released. How CUTE is he? Seriously!

I LOVE this set-really! I plan on doing more when everyone is better. I have SO much to show you over the next few weeks its INSANE. Keep reading.

I got this yummy paper called Birthday Boy from Doodlebug ( Christine if you read this you NEED to order from them!), a few months ago, and just feel in LOVE with it. OBVIOUSLY it heavily inspired my card. I have the matching ribbon, and stickers (see the hat). The sentiment is by SU! and is called Stem Sayings.

I used my SU! Scallop punch and my color spritzer as well.

So I hope you love him as much as I do.

Stay tuned cause MFT is having a release this week! I also have my altered cigar box by Papertrey Ink, and a stationary set I made with my OWN holder 😀 You know you aren’t going to want to miss that right?

AND…………. yes, there IS more! LOL! But I guess you will just have to pop on back.

Till tomorrow.