A Hershey's Christmas - stocking stuffers

Hugs & Kisses

Here's a cute treat to make for a stocking stuffer or as a dinner table favor! (I haven't decided yet.)

I started with a clear acetate pillow box, you can find them @ Joy's Life, under the tab "craft containers." You can purchase a 5 pack for only $3.99!

Then fill 'em up with your favorite Christmas candy.

Hershey's Christmas Hugs

To embellish, I created a belly ban using Stampin' Up designer papers, Jolly Holiday.

The circles were cut on my Cricut using the Accent Essentials cart. <Accent6s> page 37 for the scallop & <Accnt1s> for the solid circles in varying sizes, 2" & 1¾".

"Hugs & Kisses" is a Joy's Life stamp from my favorite set  Wintery Puns.

This is a super easy & fast way to add a special touch to your place setting or fill a stocking!

Merry Christmas!

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This post was written while designing for Joy's Life.

Happy Holly Days Christmas Cupcakes

Happy Holly Days!

Day 2 - Visions of Sugarplums blog hop.

Need a sweet treat for the classroom Christmas party?

These are fun & easy to create.

The cupcakes are topped with a cream cheese frosting, 

mini M&M's and Fruit Roll-Ups hand cut in the shape 

of holly leaves.

These would also make a nice teacher gift or maybe a sweet gift for your school bus driver.

I re-purposed a Wilton box into a gift box for one special cupcake!

The insert was removed and wrapped with Stampin' Up design paper then slid back inside the plastic case.  I ran a Nesties label die through my Cuttlebug then cut a white cardstock scrap to fit. The stamp "Happy Holly Days" is from Joy's Life: Wintery Puns stamp set.

Here's my super easy Cream Cheese Frosting recipe...

Cream Cheese Frosting

4 ounces unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
In a large bowl,beat together the butter and 

cream cheese with an electric mixer. 

With the mixer on low speed add the 

powdered sugar a cup at a time until 

smooth and creamy. Lastly, beat in the vanilla extract.

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This post is part of a wonderful blog eventhosted by Lori from Choux Choux Paper Art.Please pop over to her blog for all the detailsand be sure to leave comments along the blog hop trail to have a chance to win someawesome prizes daily!

Your next hop stop is Mitra!

Full blog hop list & prizes for
Tuesday, Dec. 3rd:

Lori -http://lorihairston.blogspot.com/

Debbie - http://www.papersweeties.com/category/blog/

Maria - http://asimplefive.blogspot.com/

Mitra - http://mitralee.blogspot.com/

Ira -  http://irascreacorner.blogspot.com/

Regina - http://reginaeaster.blogspot.com/

Ignacio - http://nicecranedesigns.blogspot.com/

Giveaways:  
3 sets of choice - The Cutting Cafe -   http://www.thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/

                   1 set of choice -  Moonlighting by Mary - http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonlightingByMary

                   1 digital set of choice from Vintage Bella - https://www.etsy.com/shop/vintagebella          

                   $10 gift certificate- Paper Sweeties - http://www.papersweeties.com/

                   $20 gift certificate  - Nicecrane Designs - http://www.nicecranedesigns.com  

Christmas Cardmaking 2 - Cricut

Peace, Hope, Joy

Yes, I'm still working on cards.

So much for making them throughout 

the year so I won't be rushing with them

at the last minute!

This is another great card for mass production. 

My first one is here. (The Nativity)

The Dove cut is from Teresa Collin's Dec 25 Cricut cart. 

It's fixed on a foam dimensional. The sentiment is Joy's Life, Wintery Puns stamp set. My kraft cardstock top layer is edged with Stampin' Up! white craft ink and also fixed on dimensionals.

Are you done with your Christmas cards?

Do you mass produce?

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I wrote this post while designing for JoysLife.com.



Be sure to visit all this week
for the the 
Visions of Sugarplums
blog event!

What's on Your Christmas List? - organization

I know Christmas is coming when the kids start emailing me their Christmas lists...complete with hyper links! 

(Gotta love having teenagers!)

Knowing the weeks ahead will be busy with shopping, planning & celebrating, I created a fun tablet to keep track of clothing sizes, store lists and purchases.

"Note to elf..." (Oh Christmas Puns)

materials used:

kraft cardstock, 

Christmas scrapbooking paper,

Marthat Stewart punches,

seam binding ribbon,

Stampin' Up ink,

and

Joy's Life stamps:

Wintery Puns & Oh Christmas Puns

Elf definition (Wintery Puns)

This is a super simple project.

You can make this with any size tablet. Use something you already have perhaps.

  

After measuring your specific tablet, cut cardstock accordingly, scoring the center to accommodate the height of your tablet. Embellish with pretty paper and a ribbon closure if you wish.

(comment below if you need specifics) 

I like to get my shopping done early so I can enjoy all the fun & festivities of the beautiful Christmas holiday!

Have you starting your holiday shopping yet?

Merry Christmas!

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I wrote this post while designing for JoysLife.com.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Turkeys - kids Thanksgiving table

Time to decorate the kids Thanksgiving table.

We need something simple,

something fun,

something that won't break

and hey, let's make it edible too!

Enter...the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Turkey!

just look at their plump foil covered bodies! yum!

Although this craft will be for the children to make, I assembled a few turkeys to create this sweet little table decor that will welcome the kids to their very own table.

They say you are what you eat, and I found that to be true!  I certainly was 'gobbling' the entire time I was creating these delicious little fellows!

We pre-punched & cut all the necessary parts so the kids will have all they need to create their own turkeys at their table.

I first saw this cutie on Pinterest, then changed it up a bit to make it easier on little fingers. I punched holes for the eyes & backed them with black paper, thus eliminating the need for small pieces such as googly eyes or gems. The beaks are simply gold paper folded over then cut into pointed triangles.  

too fun!

hmm, I'm thinking maybe I need to reserve a seat for myself at the kids table this year!

Give-Away!

Comment below for a chance to win
one Joy's Life stamp set,
your choice!

For addition chances,

also comment on my

 November 9th post,

November 10th post &

November 11th post.

Give Away winner announced here!

November 14, 2013

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Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Moist & Delicious

Quick & Easy Pumpkin Bread

This is such an easy recipe, you'll make it again and again.  

We do! 

The kids even make this recipe, I'm a truly blessed Mother!

wrapped in wax paper & jute twine.
banner stamped with Joy's Life: It's All Fall Puns stamp
in Versamark & white embossing powder.

Makes great gifts too!

Pumpkin Bread

3 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

1 Cup Crisco (solid shortening/oil)

Cream together.

Then add:

2/3 Cup Water

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

3 1/3 Cup Flour

1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Nutmeg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

2 Cups Cooked Pumpkin

1 Cup Chopped English Walnuts (optional)

Mix and bake in loaf pans 1 hour @ 350 degrees

makes 2 regular & 1 small loaf pans 

OR

9 small loaves

I have a few non nut lovers in the family, so I omit the walnuts. still tastes awesome! 

Enjoy!

Give-Away!

Comment below for a chance to win
one Joy's Life stamp set,
your choice!

For addition chances,

also comment on my

 November 9th post.

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Thanksgiving Table ideas blog hop - Joy's Life stamps

Welcome to 
Joy's Life
November blog hop!

hop starts @ JoysLife.com

Need some creative ideas for

 your Thanksgiving table? 

Check out what the team 
has been creating!

Here's mine.

A little something to gobble.

Fall trail mix.

Kraft cardstock, SU! window punch, crinkled paper ribbon,
jute twine, SU! Shades of Nature leaves stamp (retired),
Memento ink & Versamark ink, embossing powder,
Joy's Life: It's All Fall Puns stamp set.

I was inspired by this cute little treat holder on Pinterest. I thought it would be a perfectly sweet addition to each place setting on my Thanksgiving table.

Fall trail mix:

peanuts, salted

butterscotch chips

raisins

M&M's, seasonal colors only! 

candy corn, if you have any leftovers from halloween

Give-Away!

Comment below for a chance to win
one Joy's Life stamp set,
your choice!

I'll be posting more
Thanksgiving inspirational
ideas over the next few days.
(Comment on each day's post for more chances to win.)
 

I'll post a winner on Thursday, November 14th.

Thanks so much for stopping by, 
your next hop stop is our super creative 
Stacey!

full hop list here!

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Autumn Tree card - Cricut

Just Because!

I so enjoy making "just because" cards. 

You can send them any time to anyone and 

the recipient receives an unexpected 'smile' in the mail. 

How wonderful is that?!

I used the negative cut of a tree from the Cricut cart: Stretch Your Imagination, page 47 @ 3½ inches. Then cut 8 inch leaves from various design papers (MME Indie Chic 'Ginger').

The sentiment is from Joy's Life: 'Tag You're It -set one' stamp set, stamped in Stampin' Up's crumb cake ink to coordinate with the tree! I backed the tree with a layer of crumb cake cardstock and lifted the layer with foam dimensionals.

Clean, simple and ready to make someone smile!

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I wrote this post while designing for Joy's Life.

Fall Candle Decor

oh, the little things you can do to embellish your life!

my mind swirls with ideas. 

Joy's Life stamp set (It's All Fall Puns)
Cricut: Stretch Your Imagination cart, page 48

I had this vanilla pillar candle just sitting in a dish of autumn potpourri, it smells wonderful but was a bit too plain for me. It needed a crafter's touch, so I added ribbons, jute string. some die cut leaves and stamping, of course! 

There, just right!

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I wrote this post while designing for Joy's Life.