2017 Time to Shine!

Hello I'm back with a DT project for The Cutting Cafe using two New Year printable sets. It's hard to believe we are nearly out of 2017 but honestly I'm glad to see 2016 go. Other than the birth of our grandson in September it has been a stressful year with the worst election cycle in American history. I'm ready to turn the page!

One of the milestones we'll celebrate next year as a family is our daughter's graduation from college in May. This card was made for her and 2017 will be her year to shine. :)

I used the New Years Sentiments Printable Set for the circular greeting and the banner. A laser snowflake was given a base coat of red acrylic paint and I added Christmas Stickles by Ranger for some sparkle along with a red gem in the center. Basic Grey's plaid dp from the Jovial collection is a nice background for it and adds a festive flair. Both of us love plaid so it will make her happy when she receives it. Two narrow red strips were added and I popped the circular greeting up on Scotch dimensional foam tape. The banner sentiment was also in the same file and both of these were printed with my home printer from a PDF file. There are several sentiments included in this file and you can easily mass produce cards to give at New Year's using this simple design. 

Next up is an old/new project...

Perpetual Calendar project from January 2016

This is a project which I first shared earlier this. I created a perpetual calendar using Graphic 45's Time to Flourish, staples, book box and the fabulous tutorial by G45 Special Projects Designer, Annette Green. I'll include the link to my blog post in case you'd like to see what the monthly cards look like and the link to Annette's tutorial. I have truly enjoyed my calendar this year!!! 

The new year is rolling around though and I needed small monthly calendars for 2017. Fortunately Regina, Owner and Designer at TCC, had me covered!  

Using the 2017 Calendar Printable Set I printed off the sheet with all the months (1.5" size) on white Neehah 65lb. cardstock. My paper trimmer made quick work of cutting the individual months and the corner rounder by We R Memory Keepers (.25") provided a nice rounded edge. I have to say that I prefer these to the calendar pack I purchased last year as they fit better on the month card and allow you to see more of the pretty paper underneath. There are various sizes available in the file as well as circular tags which are great too. Be sure to click the link to see what is available in this large file for all of your calendar needs.  

For all of you Cafe lovers be sure to check out the design team inspiration on TCC blog tomorrow, the 21st, to start 2017 off on a creative note. If you leave a comment on the DT post you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win 3 FREE SETS from The Cutting Cafe.

Winner will be announced there on the 7th of January by Regina.

Good Luck!

Merry Christmas!!!

Lisa xx

'Y' is for Yikes and 'Z' is for Zoooooom

Y or Z, it's your pick!

Yikes as in only a few weeks left

(I'll make 10 cards/items of the same)

or

Zoooooom! Zooming around one ice skates/skis or in a car/truck to buy your Christmas tree.

{must be Christmas themed but interpret how you will}

I'm sharing another project that I created with 3 printable sets from The Cutting Cafe, in case you saw my previous post, as my inspiration for my ABC Christmas Challenge DT post. During this busy time of the year we're all looking for a few shortcuts, literally, and most of us are busy multi tasking. In the U.S. it's crazy time here and while I'm on that note boy would I like a word with Abraham Lincoln. He's the president that made Thanksgiving a federal holiday on the last Thursday of November. While I'm all for giving thanks does it have to be within a month, sometimes less, of Christmas. It makes for a very busy holiday season and I vote we move Thanksgiving. 

Anybody with me??? Anybody? Okay, moving on....

I do have some news to share first...on a sad note teamie Lorraine C is leaving us at ABC Christmas Challenge. Lorraine has been such an inspiration and she'll be greatly missed! Please drop by her blog and leave her some love. Best Wishes Lorraine!!!

Now for my other news....CHANGE is coming to ABC Christmas Challenge and it starts with this challenge. Samantha's the co-owner of the challenge blog and she decided last fall that we should shake things up a bit in 2017. She's starting with the December challenge to get everyone in the groove so click the challenge blog link to read all about it! 

Now for my DT project for ABC 

 Using printable sets from The Cutting Cafe I upcycled a Starbucks jar for my Chief Elf, Bernard (aka my daughter). It's filled with Hershey's Kisses and I'll tuck it into her stocking. I miss the days when she was home and helped me with the decorating, wrapping, baking......I digress. Life has a way of marching on doesn't it. Below is a list of the printable sets I used to create this jar.

Christmas Chevron Printable Sets

Christmas Shape Shaker Cards (tree template)

I upcycled another jar to hold sweet treats for Santa

using the same chevron printable set and the tag can be found here.

I painted each lid with black gesso then gave it a coat of chalkboard paint. On this jar I cut a piece of white felt and placed it over the opening of the jar then screwed the lid on and added ribbon around the edge. A white Faber-Castell Pitt pen helped me write a message on the top. I have 8 more jars to create so I'll change up each one using a different chevron pattern (several are included) and I'll mix and match the tags too. These will go to folks I like to pass on handmade candies/cookies to during the holiday season. It's a win-win in my book as I spared a few jars from the landfill and brightened their day with sweet treats. :)

Our sponsor for this challenge is The East Wind

Prize is 3 Digital Images 

I hope you'll play along with us during the month of December and remember to visit Lorraine C and wish her well in her new crafty endeavors. Plus check out all of the fun projects my teamies created for our 'Y' and 'Z' Challenge. A big thank you to all of you who do join us throughout the year and leave comments for us. Your support and encouragement mean the world to us!!!

Merry Christmas!

Lisa xx

Cookies for Santa

Hello Everyone!

Are you looking for an idea to upcycle a jar for gift giving this holiday season? Great! I have some inspiration for you featuring quick printouts from The Cutting Cafe. I used the Christmas Chevron Printable Set and the Christmas Gift Tags to dress up jars that I'll give sweet treats in. One happens to be for Santa and the other is for my Chief Elf, Bernard (aka my daughter). She'll be home on Friday and I can't wait!!!!!! 

{the Christmas Gift Tags, shown on right, include 14 tags}

You can see my second project here which is filled with her favorite candy, Hershey's Kisses, while the other jar will hold Santa's favorite cookies. ;) The tall jar on the left is actually a sneak peek for my ABC Christmas Challenge DT project which will post early tomorrow so check that post for those details. Each lid received a coat of chalkboard paint and I wrapped each one with the printed chevron pattern. 

My creative teamies have a ton of inspiration to share with you tomorrow on The Cutting Cafe's blog featuring upcycled jars and cans. Remember, before you throw that jar out and it ends up in a landfill somewhere think about altering it for gift giving. Also, if you choose to comment on the DT post over at TCC's blog you'll automatically be entered into a drawing to win 3 FREE SETS. The winner will be announced on December 21st by Regina.

See ya soon!

Lisa xx