We Create Blog Hop--Cookie Cutter

Fall is definitely here.  My husband and I went up the canyon last weekend to see the beautiful leaves as they are changing color in the mountains. They are changing in the valley as well, but it is so much more dramatic with the large clumps of trees together as well as the dusting of snow.  So pretty! 

We are having fun with our blog hop and I decided to use the cute Cookie Cutter Christmas set to create my projects this month.  I found out I have a new grand nephew this week, so this card will be perfect for the gift.  I also used Playful Backgrounds for some fun texture.

My Christmas card uses the same Cookie Cutter Christmas set along with the bold look of the Candy Cane Lane DSP. The bright colors on the Crumb Cake background is stunning and I added a touch of bling with some Red and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper and some Candy Cane Lane baker's twine.  An extra detail was using the Fine Tip glue pen as "frosting". Letting the glue dry gives a shiny raised look to the white details on the gingerbread man--very cute! 

I'm loving so many of the sets in the new Holiday catalog and the bundles are great because you can purchase coordinating items for a better deal than buying them separately. Check out more bundles here.

We'd love to hear how you like the blog hop so we know how we can give our friends more inspiration! Comments are always welcome!

It's time to get the Halloween decorations out!  I love this time of year, what about you?

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--Step it Up November

How was your Halloween?  I had to work last night but it we made it fun!  It's really amazing that most of the Christmas items are on the floor already at my store and pretty much all of it is somewhere in the stockroom!  I know that shortly, the Christmas music "loop" will be playing and I will get to listen to the same Christmas songs...every. single. day.  Oh well, that's life in retail!!

This month, I made a card that really can be used all year long, but I gave it a fall look.  I love the Wonderous Wreath stamp set for that reason.  Even though it is technically a Christmas set, just changing the colors can take it through the whole year.  Now that's versatility.

The first card is a simple one-layer card with a bit of added dimension with the Linen Thread bow and a bit of Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.  This was pretty much a 5 minute card (other than the drying time of the DD).

The stepped up version has some of the same details, but I used the wreath Framelit to cut out the wreath and embossed the  Very Vanilla card stock with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I used the sentiment from our new October Paper Pumpkin set (you really should sign up for Paper Pumpkin!!) I embossed the "Thinking of You" in gold embossing powder and 'fussy cut' around the words.  I tied it all together with a little bit of Cherry Cobbler seam binding (which I figured out later that we no longer carry--sorry!) You can use any trim to tie the card.

I have really enjoyed stepping up my projects the last few months! I really makes me think about the project from start to finish (I'm really a create-as-I-go type of girl!) I love the process!!

Enjoy the rest of the bloggers!

I'm sure November is going to fly by! We've had a pretty mild October, but I think our wonderful weather is over! Welcome winter!

Julie

I LOVE Fall!

I really love fall! And luckily for me this year I am in Utah for the fall, which is AWESOME! I have been taking a few pics when I get to the mountains. (I am 10-20 minutes from four different canyons!)  I am not a great photographer, but I found a very cool app that will turn your not-so-fabulous picture into beautiful work of art.  It's called Waterlogue...and it is soooo sweet!

Super cool, right?  Go find this app, Waterlogue! 

New MDS Blog hop is on Thursday, check back for some fun!

Julie

Acorn with Attitude

I finished my little wooden acorn!  I know, I'm pretty surprised myself!  I just couldn't let that cute little thing lay around all naked and stuff, so I painted it and added some Soho Subway DSP to give it a little attitude.

I love the grungy look the different patterns give to this fun project (I think Soho Subway is my favorite DSP in this year's catalog!)  I love texture and bold patterns, so this fit perfectly!  I'm just glad I got this finished BEFORE Thanksgiving, because I think once Thanksgiving was over, this little guy would've gone to the project "black hole" n'er to be seen again!  Another big thanks to Jane for her lovely inspiration!

Make sure you check out our weekly specials--they are pretty great!

Sweater Weather

I always enjoy this time of year!  The high is in the 70's here and it's just cool enough that I can throw a sweater on and not bake during the day!!  Definitely the perfect time of year in Vegas!
A few weeks ago, my friend Jane posted this darling woodcut acorn covered with our fun Sweater Weather DSP--It. Is. So. Freakin'. Cute!  I soooo had to CASE her idea.  So, off I went to the wood store and not only found the cute acorn, but a little baby pumpkin as well.  So I got BOTH!  Here's my completed pumpkin:

I appreciate how well all the DSP in the pack coordinates together so I don't have to wonder if the patterns go together. (That has always been a struggle!) I added a bit of Sahara Sand ink on the edges along with some linen thread and natural trim to tie up the little tag.  It will be the perfect addition to my fall decor. Thanks Jane!!  I think I'll work on my little acorn later this week, so check back in to see how it turned out!!

Julie

We Create Blog Hop--Fall Fun

It doesn't seem that it should be October already!  I feel like the holidays are going to creep up on me again and as always I won't be ready. Does that happen to you?  When I was at Target a few weeks ago, I was looking at the wall of Christmas lights thinking "Does it really take 3 months to put your Christmas lights up?"  My brain can only focus on one holiday at a time, so this month it's Halloween--YAY!!! If you have followed my blog at all you know that I have a passion for printables.  In fact, I think some of my very first digital projects were Halloween printables, so I say, why mess with a good thing, right?

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I've got to look for a perfect frame for this and when I find one, I will post a photo.  Make sure you check out the other Halloween printables on my blog and then hop right on over to see what darling fall project Michelle has come up with this month.  

Julie

Linked up with The Party Bunch

2013 Holiday Catalog

It's here!!  The 2013 Holiday Catalog!  You've got to see all of the beautiful creations inside!
It's overflowing with stamps, paper, bundles, kits, gifts and more!  Check out this fun bow die for the Big Shot die-cutting machine:

Won't your gifts look darling with those bows on top?  And how about this fun album and pocket cards:

All you need to add is the photos and journaling!!  But if you like something a bit more creative, you need the new Season of Style This and That planner kit!  You can customize it just the way you want!

And that's just a small taste of what we have for you in the Holiday Catalog!  If you would like a copy, please e-mail me your address and I will put one in the mail for you, or you can see it online!

I can't wait for  you to see all the festive projects and fun products inside!  For more information, please feel free to contact me by leaving a comment here or on my website, you can also order from my website anytime.  Now is the time to schedule your workshop, so check your calendar and let me know when you would like me to show you and your friends some of the great projects from the catalog in person!

Julie

One more day...

Ok, I think I'm ready!

 I do not do well with large dinners, so Thanksgiving is usually stressful for me!  If I have more than two dishes that need to be ready to eat at the same time, I get a bit crazy!  Over the last few years, we've been up to Salt Lake at my mom's and then last year we were invited by some friends here in Vegas, but before that we actually went to the buffet at the Red Rock Station casino and it was really good.  The best thing was that there were no dishes to clean up, the worst thing was there were no leftovers to have sandwiches with!  This year, the vote was taken and we are doing ham instead of turkey (phew!!). I love turkey, but a ham is much easier for me since it's already cooked and I just have to warm it!  Yay!  I've also delegated most of the dishes to my family!  My kids are old enough that they could really make the whole meal, but I'll go easy on them this year and just give them a dish or two to prepare.  My sweetie is doing the potatoes and stuffing, the boy is making his oma's mac and cheese dish and some corn, and the girl is making a Jello salad and a dessert!  I have the ham and rolls--I think we are set!  I am more relaxed this year and I know that tomorrow will be great!  Hopefully we will be able to Skype with the rest of the family after dinner.  Here is a little framed decor item I made with Autumn Accents Bigz die (and the Big Shot) and the houndstooth and chevron embossing folders, Orchard Harvest DSP and a small piece of Crumb Cake seam binding.  I was going to put some words in there, and maybe I will later, but I think I like it just plain.  What do you think?

I added just a bit of Glitter paper to tie in with my brushed silver furniture and I used glue dots to ruffle up the seam binding.
I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving and remember, there's always something to be thankful for!

Julie

A great weekend...and a Halloween printable!

I'm home!  After a very quick trip to Salt Lake City, I'm glad to be home and sleep in my own bed! (Don't we all feel that way?)  It was a very busy weekend, but completely wonderful and special!  Saturday, we were honored to attend my niece's baptism!  She was so excited and was blessed to have her grandfather (my dad) perform the baptism!  I was asked to give a short talk on baptism and then she was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was touching for me to see my father and my son stand in the circle to lay their hands on her head to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost!  We had a little gathering afterward and celebrated my little brother's 40th birthday. (When did he get that old?) We ran a few errands afterwards (Can you say IKEA???) and then took a quick drive up Little Cottonwood canyon to see the fall leaves.  Many golds, pinks (what?) and coral colors jumping out of the dark and light greens.  I wish I got some better photos but the canyon was so busy it was almost dangerous to stop!  When we got home I took a quick cat nap and then hurried to get dressed to go to the General Women's Conference that was broadcast to my mom's local church building (and buildings all over the world) from the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake.  What a uplifting meeting!  I was filled with love for my Savior, my family, and for my "sisters" all over the world!  The Relief Society is the largest women's organization in the world and members quietly give service to people everyday!  I am blessed to be a part of this wonderful society!

On another note...It's October!  Where has the year gone?  I thought I would share with you some fun Halloween/fall projects for you, so keep checking back for more fun ideas!  Today's project is a printable I did last year for my home, I just loved the colors! Making home decor projects is one of the things I love to do with My Digital Studio!  I had it printed at Costco as a 16 x 20 poster--make sure you choose "do not auto correct" in the options!  You may have to crop a bit, depending on what size you make it, but that's pretty easy in their on-line crop tool.  I would love to see what you do with it!  For personal use only, please!

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I love this time of the year!  Enjoy!

Julie