Merry Banner

I've really enjoyed using my Big Shot! Here is a Christmas banner I created with the Pennant Die from Stampin' Up! I even added some bling to the chipboard letters with glittery embossing powder. Simply cover the chipboard with white craft ink and pour on Iridescent Ice embossing powder while wet, then heat to set.

Recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up! unless noted): Big Shot, Pennant Die, Ski Slope Designer Series Paper, On Board Letters, Little Felt Flurries, White Craft Ink, Iridescent Ice embossing powder, heat tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, Pretties kit, 5/8" Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon, silver cord.

Joy to Everyone

Ever see something that touches you so deeply that your breath is taken away? That is how I felt when I saw this new video: the pictures are so stunning and the music so moving and joyous, it was the first time I've truly felt the true spirit of Christmas this year. Really.

The artists that composed the music and took the pictures made this as a gift. Joy to Everyone expresses the hope that everyone feels love, peace and joy this Christmas. This is my hope, too.

To download the song and music free for yourself, click here.

Gift Card Holder

'Tis the giving season, and if you are giving gift cards, this simple and sweet gift card holder is a beautiful presentation. We've been making them in our workshops this month! I used the Basic Brown stamp pad to stamp on the shimmery white card stock because it dries quickly enough to watercolor over without smearing.

Recipe: Ski Slope Designer Series Paper, To You & Yours stamp set, Old Olive and Shimmery White card stock, Basic Brown and Baja Breeze classic stamp pads, Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, Aquapainter and Scallop Edge, Word Window and 1 1/4" circle punches.

Score a piece of 6"x12" designer series paper at 6" and 3.25" from each short side. Fold into a "W" and glue around the inside bottom of the "W" to create a pocket (DON'T glue along the fold...that is where your card will go in). Punch two word window slots on the edge of the fold and a half circle to open the card pocket. Embellish as desired.

I love giving (and receiving!) gift cards and money, but if you need more fun ways to present them to friends and family, click here.

Retiring Stamps...on Sale!

Dozens of stamps from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog are dusting off their golf clubs in anticipation of their retirement! This is your last chance to get them--AND while they are available through January 18, 2009, they are all 10% OFF through December 23rd! Combine this great offer with our Free Shipping and Fall/Winter Sampler Sale and you can really stretch your stamping dollars. Click on the picture for more details and to print the retiring list.

Too Good To Be True? NO!

Richard Paul Evans, author of "The Christmas Box" has an offer you can't miss: 25 paperback copies of his book "The Christmas Box" FREE!! You pay only $15 shipping and can order up to 10 boxes...while supplies last. Visit http://richardpaulevans.com/freebooks/ to order NOW!

8 Things

I've been tagged by my SIL Alison at GoldRush Bride. Thanks, sis! My answers are in no particular order of favorites, just a jumbled compilation (like my desk today).

8 TV Shows I Watch (If I have time...usually while I'm ironing or other multi-tasking. The first 4 I watch semi-regularly, the others are very sporadic)
1. What Not to Wear
2. Pushing Daisies
3. Good Things Utah
4. Studio 5
5. John & Kate plus 8
6. Mythbusters
7. Ace of Cakes
8. Lots of Disney Channel when my kids have the remote control

8 Favorite Restaurants
1. Ottavio's (Plan on dessert!)
2. Magleby's (Salmon with Mango Salsa)
3. The Roof (In the Joseph Smith Bldg/SLC...only ate there once for an anniversary)
4. Kneaders
5. Cafe Rio (anything pork)
6. Papa Murphy's Pizza (does taking it home to cook count as a restaurant?)
7. Subway
8. Chef's Table (Okay, I really have never eaten there, but want to!!)

8 Favorite Singers/Bands
1. Brad Paisley (such funny/clever lyrics!)
2. David Archuleta
3. ABBA (that dates me)
4. Barbara Striesand (DIBS on her voice when she doesn't make it to heaven...)
5. Idina Menzel
6. OK-Go
7. Carrie Underwood
8. Rascal Flatts

8 books I have read (and recommend)
1. Great & Terrible Series by Chris Stewart (start on book 2)
2. Harry Potter Series
3. Twilight Series (don't hate...every woman wants to feel loved!)
4. Mitford Series by Jan Karon (see a pattern? Give me a good series to keep me busy!)
5. Peacegiver
6. #1 Ladies Detective Agency (another series!)
7. Parenting the Strong-Willed Child
8. The Glass Castle

8 things that happened yesterday
1. Mopped the floor
2. Made a complete Thanksgiving dinner (a few days late, but needed to cook a turkey!)
3. Family Home Evening: Trip to Library, Decorate Christmas Tree
4. Laundry
5. Mailed pictures to my MIL
6. Tried to be only grateful, because I really wanted to complain...fairly successful!
7. Kamryn stayed home from school with stomach ache
8. Read two chapters from 3rd Nephi before falling asleep!

8 things I am looking forward to
1. Next year's sisters getaway!
2. Getting the new puppy potty trained
3. Having all debts paid off
4. Finishing the Book of Mormon (again) by December 31
5. Kiersta's Holiday Choir Concert
6. Kayson getting a job and cell phone
7. Disneyland in 2009??? (See #3)
8. Making time to work on my scrapbooks

8 things I wish for
1. That Autumn lasted for 4 months and winter was 1 month
2. Happiness for my children and husband
3. Unlimited patience
4. More time to work on my own projects
5. Valium for a few men I live/work with
6. Cure for type-1 diabetes
7. A happy ending for my SIL and nieces
8. A jacuzzi!

8 people I am tagging
1. Vickie H
2. Heidi J
3. Kara P
4. Shelly S
5. Lacy A
6. Mindi
7. Kelli B
8. ??