FairyBlossoms & Life

Bittersweet Blessings

Happy Monday honeybunnies!!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! I still haven't put my tree up..does that make me a slacker now???

Well the truth is I was too busy stamping to wanna haul out anything, but I will get around to it sometime before New Year's I promise ...

I have to thank you all SOOO much for the wonderful comments on my HollyJolly Scrapbox, you are all sooo sweet and made my year!!  Today I have another Taylored Expressions card to show you!! (don't forget the sale ends today so get some shopping in!!!)

I made this card using the absolutely stunning Christmas Blessings stamp set.  I just LOVE this set, the images are so pretty, and no need to spend any time coloring so it really perfect for some simple but lovely cards. 

As you can see, I am still on a "non-traditional" Holiday colors kick, so I used my Basic Grey Bittersweet collection (SO delish) to make my card.  I also used sketch challenge SC255 on Splitcoast for inspiration. Thank heaven for these sketches - I still have NO clue what I am going to do when I sit down to stamp, so I am finding them extremely helpful!  

I stamped my image using Chocolate Ink from CTMH, (this is quickly becoming my new favorite brown).  It stamps beautifully and it's not overly dark.  I love that it dries instantly too so I was able to add some shimmer chalk as soon as I stamped it and it looks so pretty and shiny.. sigh..love it!

Thank you so much for visiting today! I hope you have score some great deals today during Cyber monday!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Christmas Blessings from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Chocolate from CTMH! Memento Tuxedo Black Ink.

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Naturals Vanilla and Chocolate Chip and Cameo Coral from Stampin' Up.

Patterned Paper: Bittersweet Collection from Basic Grey.

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Satin Ribbon from Stampin' Up!, Shimmer Chalks.

Cuppie's HollyJolly Scrapbox Blog Hop

Happy Friday Cuppie lovers!!!   It's beginning to look a lot like..

I have been bursting at the seams here just waiting to share this project with you all.  I am so incredibly honored and proud to be a part of this amazing Blog Hop for Taylored Expressions. 

Please bear with me as this is the longest post ever, but you cannot miss the list of amazingly talented ladies participating in this awesome event along with little ol' me, so make sure you visit their blogs and get ready to be inspired!! 

Also, before I forget!!  In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday (the two biggest shopping days of the year!), Taylored Expressions is offering 15% off everything in the store! Use Promo Code TEBlackFriday upon checkout to receive the discount!!  You can also get up to 50% off all JustRite products, Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Tiny Twinkles (sooo cute!!!) , and the new TE Shirts & Aprons..(you need them, trust me!!)

Okay, I have to tell you I was so excited to come up with a fun project that would not only be ultra cute (of course!!) but would also make a fantabulous gift perfect for anyone on your list!!

Christmas is hands-down my absolute favorite Holiday!  Of course I love the lights and sounds (okay, really, the cookies) lol.. but most of all, I love looking through pictures and remembering everything we've done on our past Christmases. 

I think it's definitely the scrapbooker in me that makes me want to remember everything we said or did during our Holiday "highlights"!  Now, while I easily fill up albums with photos and layouts documenting everything, (and I mean down to the last fruitcake), I realize not everyone is into traditional scrapbooking, which is why I decided to create my HollyJolly Scrapbox:

 

This awesome box was a breeze to make using the Perfect Package Card Box from Taylored Expressions.  I cannot tell you what an absolute pleasure it was to have such a beautifully made "blank canvas" to work with. No sanding, painting, folding, taping needed!! This sturdy and lovely box is ready to work with from the moment you snap it into shape! 

All I did was create panels which I then adhered to the box! It doesn't get easier than that! (and how cute is it??)  I know "theoretically" this box was designed to hold cards BUT once I saw what a perfect size it was I decided to make a scrapbook-in-a-box, and the best part is..you can make one every year!!  This adorable box would look great on a shelf, and all you have to do is add a little label, to keep track of the year:

 

Here's a closer peek at my paper-pieced Gingerbread house!

and of course, you need a neat way to open it, so I added the little ribbon bow and "pull" to the front of the box which has a hidden magnetic closure:

 

so once you open your box, this is what it looks like inside:

I have to say this is by FAR the easiest box I've ever lined.  I can't tell you how sturdy and even all of the box's surfaces are.  I just measured the panels and cut my pieces, everything fit perfectly..(a huge must for my type-A personality!!) and even when you remove your scrapbook, it looks just as cute too!

 Are you in love yet?? well I am!!  so now we can take a tour of Cuppie's HollyJolly Scrapbook!!

Here's the front page:

Ugh, is that too stinkin' cute or what??  Look at him in his new ride!!!  

Once you open your accordion book, you can see you have a nice little spot to put a picture of your house, once you've dressed it up for the holidays!!  You can add another picture or some journaling to the "tag" too!!

and onto our next pages, which will document our favorite (or new) traditions, as well as our tree!!

The traditions tag can be used for a photo or to jot down any special moments you want to remember! 

 

and behind our tree-trimming cuppie, you can write all about your tree, and add a little picture too!

 

Of course, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without some special Holiday recipes...

 

which you can tuck into the little pocket "hidden" behind this silly little Cuppie who is all dressed up in his Gingerbread costume!!

Don't forget to share your cookies and stop being so naughty because...

 

Uh-Oh caught!!

and finally, we have the perfect ending for a very special Christmas wish:

 

you can use this last page to journal your most treasured moments or wishes for your loved ones! 

This is such a fun way to document your Holidays at home, and you don't need a lot of time to do it!!  This would also make the perfect gift for the "Grandparents" or any of your loved ones who aren't able to spend the Holidays with you..you can still share all the fun stuff with them (and you don't even have to clean your house!!) 

I just loved making this little scrapbook, and I love having the perfect place to keep it in forever!! I will definitely be making a couple of more of these to give as gifts.  I am going to be stocking up on these Perfect Package Card Boxes, you should too! (and you can get them extra cheap too, don't forget the Promo Code!!)

Thank you so much for looking at my little creation with you all!  I absolutely LOVE my cuppies, (I hope it shows!!) and I just love being able to share with you all!!

Now head on over to check out the amazing creations of the Black Friday Blog Hop!!

Alex Maldonado <-------OMG! It's me!! (somebody pinch me)

Amy Rohl

Beate Johns
Bev Gerard
Charmaine Ikach
Cindy Haffner
Debbie Olson
Donna Baker
Jami Sibley
Jen del Muro
Jen Tapler
Jenn Balcer
Jennifer Buck
Jessica Diedrich
Joan Ervin
Joanne Basile
Linda Duke
Lori Craig
Rose Anne Reynolds
Sankari Wegman
Sharon Harnist
Sherry Cheever
Taylor VanBruggen

NOTE: please check back later, as I am adding a file you can download with a list of stamps, supplies and my measurements (I mean, my scrapbook's, not mine LOL..)

Holiday Smoochies!!

Alex

Pretty in Pink Dasher

hello there sugarmuffins!!

So excited to be counting down the days to adding at least 4 inches to my already expanded bottom this Thanksgiving!!! YAY!! (I need new clothes anyway...)

This is going to be such an awesome week!! Wait until you see what I've been working on..

You do NOT want to boycott my blog in the next couple of days..just put up with my nonsense, think of it as penance if you must, but whatever you do come visit!! I can't tell you why yet, not even if you bribe me with George Clooney in the flesh.  (please note, no one is stopping you from trying, so please bribe away..)  sigh..

Okay, seriously though, you'll just have to take my word for it. trust me. major cuteness alert!!!

(note to self, cut down on the venti lattes after 6:00PM.)

Okay, onto my card for today.  seriously simple, cute and lots of PINK!!

 

I love, love these colors for a Christmas card!! I love the "natural" elements with the bright pink & green. I think it's a fun change from the traditional colors.. I used my Hibiscus Burst pad to ink up Dasher, and then "rolled" it into Chocolate Chip ink to get the bit of color on the edges.  I added some Diamond Stickles to the stars above his head and stamped the snowflakes in Chocolate Chip.  Super easy and cute right??  I literally made this is minutes!!

I just got some new *super* cute stamps that I have to try for my Christmas cards..of course, I'll be sharing those too, so please stop by and visit soon!!

smoochies,

Supplies:

Stamps: Dasher and Warm Words from Stampin' Up.

Ink: Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up! Hibiscus Burst from Papertrey Ink.

Cardstock:  Whisper White and Kraft from Stampin' Up, London Fog from Bazzill.

Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up! Raspberry Tart DSP

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Twill Tape from Stampin' Up!, Natural cord from CTMH, Vintage Button from Papertrey Ink Hibiscus Burst collection.

Merry Dash

Here's a dash of merry for you!

As if you didn't already know - I'm not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer... I thought I had posted this yesterday afternoon and I left it on "Draft" instead of publish silly me!!

Anyway, here is card another quick and easy card to mass produce for Christmas!  This is a really simple layout, and the best part is it only uses a small piece of patterned paper so you can be a cheapskate with your favorites (don't act like you don't do it too )  I used my Basic Grey paper  (last year's collection..the name escapes me at the moment) but this is definitely one that I dole out *only* in small doses..lol..

My Dasher is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink, and I added a teeny bit of Ranger stickles in walnut, just to add a bit of shine.  My little snowflakes are stamped in Staz-On White.  I used my circle nesties to cut my image panel and mat, and voila!  How's that for speedy quick??

Thanks for visiting! come back soon for some more dashin' cards (oy, I think I have to stop with the corny jokes now..sigh)

Happy Friday!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Dasher from Stampin' Up.

Ink: Chocolate Chip from Stampin' Up! Staz-On Opaque White

Cardstock:  Whisper White and Kraft from Stampin' Up, London Fog from Bazzill.

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Wassail Collection

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Certainly Celery Striped ribbon from Stampin' Up!, Circle Nestabilities.

A dash of Gold

 Got bling?

Happy Thursday!!  Can you believe it's almost Thanksgiving??!!

I am in a mad rush trying to get my Christmas cards done (HA!)  but in order to do that, I need to actually come up with something to work with..so far no winners yet BUT I decided to use my Dasher stamp first since I really want to try and make this whole process as simple as possible..

Incidentally, has anybody actually finished their Christmas Cards yet?? 

I came up with a couple of cards yesterday that would be super easy to make assembly line style, so today I'm sharing this one, which is super easy, but because Dasher is embossed, it has lots of shine and bling (hey, it's the Latin in me that carves anything shiny ) lol..

Okay, enough chit chat, onto my card:

You'll have to forgive my lighting, I think I shot this from up in a tree...anyhoo, is this fancy schmancy or what??..  Super easy, simple and quick!  I used Ancient Gold Ranger Embossing powder in Enchanted Gold to emboss Dasher.  Love those Ranger powders, they're not overly bright and the colors are just delish.  The patterned paper (and the gold is the reverse side) is from Martha Stewart - it even has gold foil accents.  I love the soft blue background too, I think it works great with red! I used my circle Nestabilities to cut out my image and voila!  easy right?

I will be sharing a couple of other Dasher cards later on today so be sure to check back soon!

Have a happy stampy day!

Supplies:

Stamps: Dasher and Heard From the Heart from Stampin' Up.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink, Versamark Ink

Cardstock: Choice Buttercream Cardstock from Taylored Expressions, Naturals Vanilla from Stampin' Up.

Patterned Paper: Golden Woodland Paper Pad from Martha Stewart Crafts.

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Enchanted Gold Ranger Embossing Powder, Ribbon from Clear Dollar Stamps, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Circle Nestabilities, Hodgepodge Hardware Ribbon Slide and Scallop Edge Punch from Stampin' Up.

Kitty Cat Chat

Happy Saturday loves!

Here I am posting on my typepad blog again!!  I was having so many posting problems that I figured I'd just go right back where I started..the good news is that the email subscriptions seem to be working fine, so please forgive me for the back and forth, I truly appreciate your visiting!  I now hope to spend more time  actually sharing as opposed to trying to get my blog to do anything that I need it to do!!

Anyhoo, since I hadn't stamped in forever, I didn't get to use my Trick or Sweet II stamps for Halloween, but I am determined to use them all since they are just too cute to put away for a whole year!! (THAT would just be a sheer tragedy right??) SO I decided I would use this little Kitty Cuuppie to make this fun card:

 

Isn't this little kitty just too cute for words?? Luckily I had Taylor's Sketch Challenge for this week to inspire me along the way.  Having the sketches really helps - I always have the hardest time coming up with new card ideas so it's definitely the way to go!! 

The cardstock, patterned paper and dew drops I used are from my May Key Ingredients Kit, which is just fabulous!  The colors in that kit remind me of all the trendy fall/winter colors that are out right now, so this is one fashionable kitty!.  My Cuppie Kittie is colored using Copics, and the sentiment is from my absolute favorite set of all time of course -  I just can't put it down! I love the awesome variety and in the cutest fonts too!!

I just loved using my Halloween Cuppie stamp to make a fun "friendship" card!  I hope you get a chance to try using ALL of your stamps - especially the ones not necessarily "in season" - it really is so much fun!

Have a wonderful day & happy stamping!

Hugs,

Alex

Supplies:

Stamps: Trick or Sweet II from Taylored Expressions.

Ink: Tuxedo Memento Black Ink

Cardstock: Choice Buttercream Cardstock from Taylored Expressions.

Patterned Paper: All from Taylored Expressions’ May Key Ingredients

Accessories: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Dew Drops from Taylored Expressions, Word Window Punch from Stampin’ Up!, Paper Piercing Tool, Prima Flowers, Copic Markers.

random chatter alert!!

I'm baaaack sugarmuffins!! 

This silly ol' blog has been giving me major headaches when I try to post, I'm not quite sure what the issue is...people have always raved about wordpress, which is why I shuffled on over, but now I'm not so sure... I'm starting to think the world doesn't want me blogging..hmmmnn??  

Anyhoo, where have I been hiding?? Nowhere too exciting, I'm afraid - I've spent the last month just busy and taking time to organize and regroup! Lots of family time, running around and surprisingly enough, almost no stamping!!  I did manage to head to a fun srapbooking weekend again so that was loads fun!! 

Halloween was kind of low-key this year (I think Nicholas and his friends are getting to the "too cool" stage, so he was not too into it)..I'm so bummed out about it I was so looking forward to it!!  I even managed to make 35 of these adorable "Frankie" baskets designed by Gretchen Barron for him and his friends.  It was all fun and games until about the 10th pair of "eyelashes" I decided to cut and curl for the girl baskets. OY... never again - (until Christmas, that is - after all, she did design new ones ).

I have recently gotten into digi scrapping (is that super-fun or what??)  I still could never give up my "old-school" paper and bulky embellishments, but it's kind of cool to just be able to scrap away on the computer!! 

Here's a brand spankin' new layout I made using a Sweet Shoppe Designs quick page kit:

How stinkin' cute is that?? It literally took 2 seconds!!  Look at that fake smile on my monkey!!   that poor kid is so traumatized  from having a camera in his face every 5 seconds, can you tell??  I just have to find a good place to print out the pages now - any ideas??

Can you believe it's November??  I am so looking forward to doing Ali Edwards' December Daily project again!! Of course, the goal is to have your book completed by December 1st, so I will definitely be working on that in the next couple of weeks!  I am gathering my materials and I even managed to find some really cool vintage findings on Etsy. (somebody stop me  - I am hopelessly addicted to shopping there! OMG!!) 

Okay, I think that's enough rambling for today!  I appreciate you taking the time to visit and read my chatter, I am going to have some fun stuff to share in the next couple of days (assuming my blog cooperates!! grrr...)  I look forward to sharing some fun new changes coming this way!!

Have a happy crafty day!!

Smoochies,