Favorites of 2014

Thank you for all your support over the years. 2014 was a lot of fun, and I hope that you had a great year. I wanted to share with you my favorite posts from 2014, and what a fun and varied year it was.

Let's start with a project that was featured on the Inspire Us Thursday Link Party

Here is a free printable that is perfect for remembering as we move into 2015. Only associate with great people, because life is too short to waste it on anyone of lesser value. The original post is here, but you can also find more of my printables here.

"Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company"  Booker T. Washington

I love my quilling, and no yearly review would be complete without a quilling project. This card features reverse roses, and a really cute butterfly.

This is a fun printable for your next Birthday Card, look for a few more variations of this printable in 2015.

I love, love, love this snowman, is there really anything more to say about it? One of my all-time favorites, had to add it again!

Another fun printable, be yourself because there isn't anyone who can be you better! 

Finally, wrapping up the year with lots of Christmas projects as shared in the 12 Days of Christmas series! Lots of gift tags, ornaments, and gift cards.

Here is wishing you a wonderful 2015!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you all the Joy and Happiness of Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas Rolled Paper Tree Embellishment

12 Days of Christmas - Day 12 - Rolled Paper Tree Embellishment

I hope that you have enjoyed the 12 Days of Christmas projects. Today is the final posting. I thought it fitting that we use up all those scraps of wrapping paper that I know you have lying around the house.

The quick version...

• Collect your wrapping paper scraps (I know, you hated to throw it away anyway)
• You can cut them into different lengths, or roll them longer and cut them down when you stack them
• Tip: If you are impatient, use some of that tape that you cannot see and tape the rolled paper, it is really much quicker, lol
• Glue them onto something that makes it look like a tree... I used a piece of scrapbook paper I had that looked like wood. My friend Ann, at AnnsSnapEditScrap.blogspot.com made one that she posted earlier this month and used a Popsicle stick. She is on my bloglist, you should definitely pay her a visit.
• Add some "ornaments," I added some sequins, for a little sparkle

Alternative ways to use this:

• Punch a hole in the top and transform it into a gift tag. 
• If you make it sturdy enough, you could turn it into an ornament
• Use it to top your gift card holder

Wishing you and your family a Safe, Happy, and Healthy Christmas Eve!

12 Days of Christmas Monogram Ornament Tutorial

12 Days of Christmas - Day 11 - Monogram Ornament Tutorial

This is a Pinterest inspired ornament and could not have been any easier to make!

Quick steps:

• Purchase the glass ornaments (most craft stores carry them)
• Buy two sizes of rhinestone sticker letters 
• Tip: If you can, purchase them together so that you can place them side by side to see how the sizes work together and you get a pleasing offset for the Monogram letters.
• Fill your ornament with garland, tinsel, feathers, glitter whatever you find pleasing

As you can see by the second photo, I originally used only a white tinsel garland, and as I looked at it on the tree I thought it wasn't visible enough so I added a pink feather to each of the "girl" ornaments I made. Do you think that was the right choice?

Here are the inspirations:

I hope you have a wonderful day!

Throwback Santa Suit Gift Card Holder

This is my Santa suit gift card holder from last year, I thought it would be fun to re-post it so you can see the basic gift card holder design, and well it is way cute. I did re-visit this gift card holder and the picture in this post is a little different, I added some glitter and some black "buttons" to spruce it up a bit.

Click here to go to the original post for complete instructions

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas Snowman Gift Card Holder

12 Days of Christmas - Day 10 - Snowman Gift Card Holder

I know, I had to post him as well. For the basic instructions for making the base of the gift card, go here

To make the Snowman Face

• Cut face 2.5 x 2 inches
• Draw eyes, nose, and mouth
• Dry emboss to add texture by running it through the cuttlebug with embossing folder
• Add glitter, well just because I love glitter
• Tip: It is easier to draw the face before you emboss the paper
• Tip: Check out the photo below to see the difference a little glitter makes

To make the Top Hat

• Cut black cardstock approximately 1 in x 2 in
• Find some fun paper to cut the brim of the hat, cut it a little wider than your hat
• Dry emboss to add texture by running it through the cuttlebug with embossing folder
• Add glitter
• Tip: You can use any kind of paper or pattern you like, this is where your personality shines through

Assemble as shown and gift to your heart's content! I have a question for you. When making these snowgirl and snowman gift cards, I made a few extra snowmen because I was thinking if I forgot someone (I mean, it's not like I always forget someone or anything like that, lol) a snowman is more of a unisex gift and that a man might think it odd to get a snowgirl, but a woman would be ok with a snowman. Do you agree?

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas Snow Girl Gift Card Holder Tutorial

12 Days of Christmas - Day 9 - Snow Girl Gift Card Holder

If you have been following my blog, you know that I love gift card holders. As the nieces and nephews get older they don't want gifts, instead they want money and gift cards, so I get to indulge in my obsession, lol. This year, snowmen are on the agenda for my gift cards. These are super simple to make, I hope you give them a try.

These are super simple to make, decide what scrapbook paper you will use (this is always a process for me, I always second guess the paper I selected). I am always trying to maximize my paper, so I make them 4x6 so that I can get 6 gift card holders from my 12x12 paper.

Gift Card Holder

• Cut paper to 4x6
• Fold at 1 in and 4 in on the 6 in side
• Glue only the outside edge on the 1 in side
• Slide gift card or money into the pocket (see photo)
• Tip: After I made this batch, I decided that it would be easier if I used some of my washi tape to tape the sides (it makes it much easier)

To make the Snow Girl Face

• Cut face 2.5 x 2 inches
• Draw eyes, nose, and mouth
• Dry emboss to add texture by running it through the cuttlebug with embossing folder
• Add glitter, because what girl doesn't like glitter (lol)
• Tip: It is easier to draw the face before you emboss the paper

To make the Snow Girl Winter Hat

• Cut 2 in circle and cut in half (I used my 2 in circle punch)
• Cut a coordinating trim
• Dry emboss to add texture by running it through the cuttlebug with embossing folder
• Add glitter, I cannot get enough

Assemble as shown.  The possibilities are endless with the colors and styles you can try. Would love to hear your thoughts.

This picture shows how I added the gift tags from this earlier post so I know who was receiving each gift card!

Click here to go to original post to download these gift cards!

Click here to go to original post to download these gift cards!

I received an early Christmas present, I was featured on the Inspire Us Thursday Link Party! I am so thrilled!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas Simple Ornament

12 Days of Christmas - Day 8 - Simple Silhouette Cameo Cross Ornament

Greetings my friends, today is a simple ornament that you can make. I used my Silhouette Cameo to cut the shapes. Then I layered them, added lots of glitter, sequins, and gems. Perfect for adding to a card or your Christmas Tree.

I believe that the ornament shape is one I got from Bird's Cards, you have to stop over and see her site, she has so many free cut files for all occasions. The cross shapes I created myself, I would love to share them with you but the computer I used for my crafting has died. Could not save it, so I am now hoping to be able to retrieve the files off of it (I know, I should have been doing regular backups). Big sigh!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas December 25th Printable

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7 - Free December 25th Printable with Tags

Click here to download the free December 25th Printable

Christmas is almost here! I cannot believe it, I also am beginning to worry I have over committed myself. Do you feel the same way? It is always like this as I begin to plan for all the cooking and travel and that silly thing I call a "job" lol. I would love to hear how your preparations are coming along.

As always, I am happy to share my tutorials, freebies / printables and cut files with you, I only ask that you do the following:

• Please leave a comment if you download a  freebie / printable / digi, etc, because I would love to hear from you

• If you enjoy the things I share with you, please become a follower so that you will see all the new stuff when it is posted (no pressure, join only if you want)

• I hope you love PINTEREST as much as I do, would love it if you would PIN this project!
• Please do not share any of my digital images, printables, or tutorials directly with others, but please do send them on over to me so that they can peruse and collect the images themselves.

• I would be thrilled and honored if you would send me links to any images or posts that you've done using something that I have shared with you.  If you say it is ok, I will even feature your work here!

• If you want to recolor the images, feel free! 

• If you have a special request, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Most importantly be Fantastically Creative You!

 Check out my Link Parties to see the badges of all the lovely places where I am linking to.

Updated: I am so sorry, I forgot to publish this so it did not post yesterday (completely user error).

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas Free Keep Calm Be Merry Gift Tags

12 Days of Christmas Free Keep Calm Be Merry Gift Tags

Today I am sharing some gift tags made from the Keep Calm Be Merry printable I shared with you earlier in the week. I love the colors, and cannot wait to share with you some of the projects that I have made.

The printable you will find today has some extra goodies, I hope you download it.

Click here to download the Free Keep Calm Be Merry Gift Tags

As always, I am happy to share my tutorials, freebies / printables and cut files with you, I only ask that you do the following:

• Please leave a comment if you download a  freebie / printable / digi, etc, because I would love to hear from you

• If you enjoy the things I share with you, please become a follower so that you will see all the new stuff when it is posted (no pressure, join only if you want)

• I hope you love PINTEREST as much as I do, would love it if you would PIN this project!
• Please do not share any of my digital images, printables, or tutorials directly with others, but please do send them on over to me so that they can peruse and collect the images themselves.

• I would be thrilled and honored if you would send me links to any images or posts that you've done using something that I have shared with you.  If you say it is ok, I will even feature your work here!

• If you want to recolor the images, feel free! 

• If you have a special request, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Most importantly be Fantastically Creative You!

 Check out my Link Parties to see the badges of all the lovely places where I am linking to.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas Tree Ornament Quilled

12 Days of Christmas - Day 5 - Quilled Christmas Tree Ornament

Everyone should have a Christmas Tree, and this 3D Scroll Tree is just the thing. Lots of paper strips of various sizes, create some v-scrolls and assemble.

I used the 1/8 in (.3 cm) wide quilling paper. This photo shows green, but it looks nice in a multitude of colors like blue, turquoise, white, purple, pink, you name it.

Create the base of the tree by rolling a wider strip, approximately 3/4 in to 1 in wide

For the Branches (lol)

• Cut 2 strips at various lengths (I cut about 4 different lengths) 3 in, 2-1/2 in, 2 in, 1 in
• Note: These lengths are estimates, I did not measure them
• Make V-Scrolls
• Starting at the bottom, glue the v-scrolls starting with your trunk
• Alternate which side they face so that as you move upward and build your tree moving you fill in the empty spots
• Attach a hanger and you have an ornament
• Tip: This can also If you make it smaller you can 

Tips / Hints / Ideas:

• You can also wear this as a necklace, you can make it smaller or really small and wear them as dangly earrings too
• If you are looking for something more festive, you can decorate the tree by adding a garland and some tiny paper ornaments or lights

How do you select your tree each year? I was talking with a friend about her journey to get their tree this year and thought I'd share.  This was the first time they were going to pick a tree from a tree farm, as luck would have it, it had rained all day the day prior, so the ground was very muddy. They were not deterred, she and her sister picked a tree, then waited for their tree, and waited, and waited... When they got the tree home, it was a little bigger than they thought it was going to be.  As we chuckled over the story, I told her that I should have warned her about being careful about how big the tree really is, they don't look quite so large among the other trees.  Do you have a Christmas Tree story?

Check out my Link Parties to see the badges of all the lovely places where I am linking to.

Updated: 12/21 -  I received an early Christmas present, I was featured on the Inspire Us Thursday Link Party! I am so thrilled!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

12 Days of Christmas Keep Calm Printable

12 Days of Christmas - Day 4 - Free Keep Calm Be Merry Printable

Please remain calm, you still have time until Christmas Day! I admit to getting a bit worried, because I have nieces and nephews who are still "thinking about" what they want. My greatest worry is that they decide too close to Christmas and I don't have time to run out and get it. 

We keep things relatively low key with gifts in our family and only buy for the kids, but there are still quite a few in our family.  This printable is a cheeky reminder to just "chill."  This is an updated version of the project I did last year. I created a few variations of the project so that you have a choice of which one you would like to use. Later this week I will share the tags with you.

Click here to download the Free Keep Calm Be Merry printable

As always, I am happy to share my tutorials, freebies / printables and cut files with you, I only ask that you do the following:

• Please leave a comment if you download a  freebie / printable / digi, etc, because I would love to hear from you

• If you enjoy the things I share with you, please become a follower so that you will see all the new stuff when it is posted (no pressure, join only if you want)

• I hope you love PINTEREST as much as I do, would love it if you would PIN this project!
• Please do not share any of my digital images, printables, or tutorials directly with others, but please do send them on over to me so that they can peruse and collect the images themselves.

• I would be thrilled and honored if you would send me links to any images or posts that you've done using something that I have shared with you.  If you say it is ok, I will even feature your work here!

• If you want to recolor the images, feel free! 

• If you have a special request, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Most importantly be Fantastically Creative You!

 Check out my Link Parties to see the badges of all the lovely places where I am linking to.

Have a joyous day! 

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I hope you have a wonderful day!

Free Merry and Bright Gift Tags

Bonus: Merry and Bright Gift Tags Free Printable!

As promised, here is the bonus 12 Days of Christmas gift tags, as you can see, they are based on my earlier Merry and Bright printable. There are several sizes of each type of gift tag as shown in the photo. You can either print them on a sturdier card stock or print them on the full sheet sticker paper and you can adhere them directly to your gift.

Click here to download these Free Christmas Gift Tags 

December is flying by, I don't know about you, but I need to get moving on my Christmas shopping and preparations. We won't put our tree up until later in the month, so that everyone can participate in the decorating. How far along are you?

Here is a link to the earlier post with various sizes that can be used for framing, card making, scrapbooking, or one of your project life projects!

Click here to go to the original post to download these goodies

As always, I am happy to share my tutorials, freebies / printables and cut files with you, I only ask that you do the following:

• Please leave a comment if you download a  freebie / printable / digi, etc, because I would love to hear from you

• If you enjoy the things I share with you, please become a follower so that you will see all the new stuff when it is posted (no pressure, join only if you want)

• I hope you love PINTEREST as much as I do, would love it if you would PIN this project!
• Please do not share any of my digital images, printables, or tutorials directly with others, but please do send them on over to me so that they can peruse and collect the images themselves.

• I would be thrilled and honored if you would send me links to any images or posts that you've done using something that I have shared with you.  If you say it is ok, I will even feature your work here!

• If you want to recolor the images, feel free! 

• If you have a special request, please let me know and I will see what I can do.

Most importantly be Fantastically Creative You!

 Check out my Link Parties to see the badges of all the lovely places where I am linking to.

May your days be Merry and Bright!

12 Days of Christmas Glass Nativity Ornament

12 Days of Christmas Nativity Ornament Day 3

I hope you are enjoying the projects this week, as you have noticed, there has been a bit of a theme... this will be my last Nativity ornament for this 12 Days of Christmas series.

I love how easy this project is, I cut the Nativity scene using my cameo, rolled it around a paint brush and placed it inside the ornament. Then I added iridescent glitter and tried to tie a bow (still working on these, and still need much practice, lol).

I will be back tomorrow with some tags based on my Merry and Bright post earlier this week (it will be an extra freebie).

 Check out my Link Parties to see the badges of all the lovely places where I am linking to.

May your days be Merry and Bright!