MERRY CHRISTMAS

★Merry★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

•。★Christmas★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門｜ ˚

Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!!!

Hugs, Cindy

PS: I stole this cool typed house from my

blog friend Lesley in the UK....her blog is

Lesley's Bit of Everything

FILLED WITH LOVE PROMOTION

Hi Stampers,

I'm glad that somebody is thinking ahead.....and that somebody is Stampin' Up!

It's hard for me to think about Valentine's Day when Christmas isn't even here yet.....but hey, February will be here before ya know it!!

Speaking of Valentine's....Stampin' Up! is offering a "FILLED WITH LOVE BUNDLE"

From December 17 - January 24 you can get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $.495 value--when you purchase an exclusive Filled With Love Bundle......here are the details.....

Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
Filled with Love Bundle Contains the Filled with Love Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124380	$32.90	124381	$26.90
Lleno de Amor Bundle Contains the Lleno de Amor Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124382	$32.90	124383	$26.90
Plein d'amour Bundle Contains the Plein d'amour Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124384	$32.90	124385	$26.90
Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (non-bundled) 12 sheets total: three 12" x 12" sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink	124156	$9.95	---	---

*Featured on p. 43 of the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog

After you have filled yourself with Christmas candy.....get FILLED WITH LOVE!

So, while you're sitting on the couch in your sweatpants after Christmas dinner, or even New Year's, you can be getting some Valentine's cards stamped and ready for the loved ones who are sitting next to you in their sweatpants! ;-)

As an update.....our room addition is ALMOST finished!! The electrician is here today hooking up all the lights, installing a ceiling fan, and all doing all the electrical finishing touches. The other day the bathroom floor tile was laid, now it just needs grouting. The next step is the kitchen cabinets and then the main room flooring....whew!

Can't wait for it to be DONE!!!

Well, that's it for me today.....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CHRISTMAS ROSE ~ EASEL CARD

Hi Stampers,

I'm back today with an easel card that we made at Stamp Club on Monday. Jamie, a very talented stamper in my club, graciously taught how to make the card.....and then also gave us a lesson in watercoloring!! It was quite a treat!!

I should have taken a picture of Jamie's sample.....because it was WAY BETTER than the one I made, which is pictured here.

We stamped the Christmas Rose image on watercolor paper with StazOn ink and then watercolored it....we cut it out using some Nestabilities that she had brought and mounted it on some retired Handsome Hunter cardstock that I had and then used the scallop corner punch to add that "just right" touch.

This is an easel card.....so we put a piece of Handsome Hunter on the inside, along with a sentiment and there's the finished product.....

It turned out really nice!!! The "real life" cards are always so much better than what my camera is capable of portraying....but, gotta work with what I have!

This is the last day of school for the kids before Christmas vacation.....so, with that said.....I may or may not be back before Christmas.

If I'm not....have a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

GIFT CARD HOLDERS

Hi Stampers!

Today I'm back with the other project that I worked on while my friend Michelle made her 6x6 Christmas albums last Friday. They are gift card holders for my nieces and nephews....I can't tell you exactly what's in them just in case they chance a peek at my blog.

I started with a 6x12 piece of cardstock.......they are over-sized gift card holders for a reason....but I can't tell you the reason until AFTER Christmas.

Anyways.....I scored one end at 2" and the other end at 5".

The 2" score mark was to make a pocket on the inside....so the holders are 6x5 when folded. Sorry this photo is bit blurry....I was probably in a hurry and didn't wait for my camera to focus ;-)

I made 2 different kinds.....and I just used some old Christmas paper that I had which worked out great.

I tied some bright red Christmas ribbon around the entire holder to keep it closed.

They were so EASY and fun to make.

Well, it's past my bedtime....so I better scoot off to bed.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CLUB SWAP

Hey Stampers,

Today I spent a good portion of the day in my stamp room....stamping!!! I had a friend over so she could make a couple of Christmas 6x6 albums.....and while she was busy putting her albums together I busied myself working on making my swaps for my upcoming monthly Stamp club on Monday. I also made my neice's and nephews gift card holders too.....but I will show you those in another post.

I saw a card similar to this one on a blog or a stamper's website....but I can't remember where!!! So, I apologize that I can't give credit for this card's basic design.....but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the simplicity of this card and how good it turned out. I just used Whisper White and Marina Mist.

Then I got thinking.....other non-traditional colors might look good too....so here those cards are too.

The colors used here are Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Basic Black, and Always Artichoke. The Soft Suede one is the best of these....but I think they all turned out good. Let me know which one you like best!

I'll be back soon with the gift card holders!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON!!!

Hi Stampers,

Today was a BUSY but a very DELIGHTFUL day.

Today was my daughter Madison's 13th birthday!!!

Her celebrations have actually been going on for days now....Friday she had a friend over from school. Saturday we picked up her very best friend Hannah. She and Madison spent the day together doing "girl stuff" and then they cooked us dinner (Orange chicken and chow mein), they even baked the birthday cake. Hannah spent the night, went to church with us, then after church, she had some church friends out to lunch with us.....then the girls went shopping for a few hours. She said it was her best birthday yet.....although I think she says that almost every year :-)

Here is how my "mind's eye" stills sees her......about 9......soooo CUTE!!!

And here is what she really looks like......so very BEAUTIFUL!!!

Well....I'm bushed! I'll be back soon with some stamping stuff.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CHRISTMAS TIN & TAGS

Hi Stampers!

I'm back! And today I am going to share with you the project that we're going to be doing on Monday at my Christmas Tags Class. We are going to use the Jolly Bingo Bits set and make one tag per stamp.....so a total of 24 tags!!!! I made them pretty simple so that we could get them all made in a reasonable amount of time. Then I bought a bunch of those tins from the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack....it is PERFECT for storing the tags until they are put to use on Christmas presents!

Here's the tin.....

Here are pictures of the tags.....I think I pretty much got them all in the pictures

It's not too late to sign up....just let me know by Sunday so that I can have your supplies all cut and ready for you.

Cost for the class is only $10 with a $10 SU order (before shipping & tax).

If you live out of town and are interested in purchasing a kit for this tin and tags set.....I am selling them for $20, with FREE shipping (US only). For the kit, I will cut and punch what you need.....you will have to supply the stamping.

Well, that's it for me today.....have a GREAT day!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CLUB CHRISTMAS CARD

Hi Stampers!

It's me.....and it hasn't been a month since my last post!!! (ha ha) My day today was CRAZY, so this is going to be short and sweet.

I wanted to share with you the other card that we made at last month's Stamp Club....it is another Clean and Simple one. I am IN LOVE with the stamp set Contempo Christmas!!! It is a great little set!!

I jazzed up the ornament with rhinestones....I'm normally not very "blingy", but I really like how this turned out.

Well, that's it for me today......I'll be back SOON!!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

LAST CHANCE FOR SOME GREAT SALES!!!

Hi Stampers!

This is the LAST day to take advantage of the GREAT SALES that Stampin' Up! is offering....

*50% off Starter Kits

*Online Spectacular ~ get cool stuff for up to 50% OFF!!!

And don't forget about the HOLIDAY BUNDLES that are also on sale until December 16th.

Some other GREAT news is that the Watercolor Crayons are now available to order...

Use the following item numbers to purchase your Watercolor Wonder Crayons:

• 120949 New Color Kit
• 119802 Subtles
• 119803 Regals
• 119804 Brights
• 119805 Neutrals

Even more great news.....the Fancy Flower and 2-1/2" circle punches are available to order on December 1!

All this.....just in time for Christmas!!!

I have every intention of trying to get back into the blogging mode.....I'll leave you with one of the cards that we made at our November stamp club....

This card represents what I'm wanting my life to be more like......clean and simple!!! :-)

THANKS for hanging in there with me and for continuing to drop in.....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Hi Stampers!

Just wanted to wish you all a very blessed

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Here is a Thanksgiving card that I recently made for a club swap card.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HOLIDAY TEA FAVOR & 50% OFF STARTER KIT

Hi Stampers,

It's been awhile, but like I said before I have papercrafting and stamping.

Hey, Just wanted to remind you that until November 30th....the standard or digital starter kits are ON SALE FOR 50% OFF......only $87.50!!! Makes me want to become a demonstrator all over again.

Click HERE to visit my website.....if you want to join my team....my password is waterski

Our church recently held a women's Holiday Tea and as a hostess I wanted to provide some kind of favor for the women at my table. So, I made the following.....I think the fold is called a Japanese water cup....instead of water....I tucked an ornament inside.

I think they turned out very nice.....I made them very simply because I didn't want them to clash with the Christmas plates that I have that have poinsettias on them.

I have taken pictures of some cards that I've made for clubs, etc. and will work very hard to get back into routinely sharing those with you. Thanks for your patience and understanding during a very hectic time in our household.

Speaking of the hectic-ness.....construction is still continuing, so is all the tree trimming, digging, etc. My mother-in-law arrived yesterday to live with us permanently.....so we have a trailer to unload and the challenge of finding a place to store her belongs until her "space" is completed.

Here's Steve, who is scheduled to go back to work next week from his shoulder separation, pretending to be working hard.....I think he just wanted to climb the tree :-)

Well, that's it for me today.....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

WOW!!! SAVE 50% OFF STARTER KIT!!!

Hey Stampers!

I know, I know.....I haven't been blogging!!! Even though I think about it, the last few weeks have just been jammed packed.....before I know it, the day is gone and I'm too tired!!!

We have been busy with the construction, we've gone out of town a couple of times, had our anniversary, I was down a couple of days not feeling well, I hosted a table for our church's annual Holiday Tea (and, of course, had to make the favors), Steve is still home healing from his separated shoulder, and then "life" just squeezes blogging right out the door....what can I say?!

Although, I'm happy to report, that I have been stamping!!! But....since I only have a few moments, I wanted to share some SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!! In fact, is it

SIMPLY AMAZING!!!

Stampin' Up! is offering their standard or digital starter kits for 50% OFF!!!! No joke!!!

For 2 weeks only! You can purchase the Stampin Up starter kit for half price! New recruits can purchase the Standard or Digital + Starter Kits for only $87.50–that is

50 % off the regular price of $175 for over $310 worth of paper or digital crafting and business supplies!

You can purchase the Standard starter kit or the Digital starter kit both kits will be
50% off starting Nov 15th

Click HERE to view the flyer.

Click HERE to sign up or to learn more about being a demonstrator!!!

My password is: waterski

Well, unfortunately, that is all that I have time for right now. I will try and get to photographing some of the cards that I've made and get back on track with blogging......I actually miss it!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

20% OFF BUNDLES!!

Hi Stampers!

Today I wanted to share with you a GREAT deal that Stampin' Up is offering for the upcoming holidays. They are offering the following bundles for 20% OFF!!! Some items are in the Catalog and some are in the Holiday Mini Catalog....to see both of these catalogs, just click HERE to go to my business website and click on "Shop".

Also, click HERE to download the flyer.

That's it for today....I'll be back soon!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

GOSH, WHERE DO I BEGIN......

Hi Stampers,

It feels as if it has been months since I last blogged....but I think it has only been a couple of weeks or so. Sorry....it just seems that if it isn't one thing it's another. But I have a few moments while dinner is cooking in the oven to make a quick post.

One of the last times I posted I think I told you about Steve separating his shoulder and being off work for 6 weeks. Well, he is much improved and it has actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It's a blessing because we have started construction on our house....converting the garage to a mother-in-law suite and building a garage.....and he has been able to help out a bit and answer all the questions that the workers have had. So, things are progressing much faster than we thought they'd go.....Yeah!

Here's some pictures of what's been going on around here.....Actually, first I need to share that I won an Honorable Mention in a monthly themed contest that Stampin' Up! has for its US and Canadian demonstrators. My name was printed in their monthly demonstrator magazine and then the card was posted on the demonstrator website.....I took a picture of the screen....I felt very honored!

OK, now back to life around here!

Here's Andy ripping out the drywall in the garage where the bathroom is going to be built

Here's the progress on the room.......here's our friendly neighborhood plumber putting in the rough plumbing....actually he is our neighbor who lives 2 houses down

Now the bathroom walls.....

Here's Steve helping to move the propane tank so that the garage can be built...

The tank's final resting spot.....peacefully under these trees. This was a bit nerve racking for me....I felt like they were moving a giant bomb.

Here's Andy, who has been an AMAZING help to his dad, digging up concrete so that the garage can be built and electricity and water can go to it. We had a young man over jack-hammering this up....brother, what a noise that thing makes!!!

I have some more pictures in my camera that I took today and will download another time....like I said things are progressing quickly!!! I'm hoping that it can be almost finished by the time my mother-in-law returns from Colorado in mid November.

But it hasn't been all work and no play for the Jenkins household.....we have gotten in a few leisurely moments....like going to the annual Civil War Re-enactment. That was a blast....and Andy, our family history buff, is going to actually join the Confederate Army in March and take part in a few Civil War Re-enactments. A woman from our church is in charge of Confederate regiment and she is going to take him under her wing....the only downside for him is that he has to be a Confederate and not a Union soldier. But the downside can not even compare with the upside.....this regiment that he's joining is in charge of firing these babies.......Yes, CANNONS!!!!

Here's one of the battles....

We also found time to go to the lake with some water ski friends and just have FUN.....we pulled the kids around on a tube behind the boat...they had a BLAST!!!!

OK....well, this is WAY LONGER than I had intended, so I'm going to stop now. Thanks for sticking with me and I'm hoping to be back sooner as opposed to later.

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!!

Blessings......Cindy

CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ

Hi Stampers,

GREAT NEWS if you are looking for a GREAT DEAL!

From October 5–18, Stampin' Up! is adding over two hundred more discontinued items--some at up to 80 percent off--to their Clearance Rack.....Click on the "Clearance Rack" icon in my right side bar.

Things to know about the Clearance Rack Blitz:

Orders for Clearance Rack items can be placed through my Online Store

or through me personally.

Qualifying orders are eligible for hostess benefits/Stampin’ Rewards.

While the Blitz last from October 5–18, some items, depending on availability,

may be made available in the Clearance Rack in the future.

All discontinued items are available only while supplies last.

All sales of discontinued items are final.

There are some REALLY COOL things at REALLY COOL PRICES.....so check them out!!!

I will be back tomorrow with the fourth card that we made at my Owl Punch Class yesterday.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

I'M STILL HERE!

Hi Stampers!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.....just a bit busy these days. Like I've said before, blogging is about the first thing to be eliminated from my schedule when life gets busy.

Last Thursday, we went with the kids to the Jr. High Group at church....they were having a "Boys Night Out" and a "Girls Night Out" and parents were encouraged to attend....so we did. Anyways, the girls stayed in the church's dining room and began to play some fun games.....like trying to eat an Oreo cookie without any hands after it had been placed on your forehead (yeah....not easy!). The boys on the other hand, went outside to play touch football in the parking lot.

Well, about an hour into the evening, I was called out by Steve....who told me that while he was playing, he had taken a fall! This wasn't just a scraped knee....we're talking a fall that required an emergency room visit. Long story short.....he has a separated shoulder and is going to be off work for 6 weeks!

So, with all that said.....that is why I have not been blogging. But he is getting better and adjusting (or rather resigning himself) to being at home....so I'm hoping to get to some stamping really soon!!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!!

Blessings......Cindy

OWL CLASS CARD #3

Hey Stampers!

Thanks for popping in! We had a very relaxing and FUN weekend....the best part was that Steve had the weekend off!!!

On Saturday, we went to the annual Scottish Highland Games and Festival in a nearby town. We watch some Scottish competition.....which seemed to all involve throwing something big and heavy......there was stone throwing, hammer throwing, log throwing, ball and chain throwing (not sure exactly what this event was called, but the ball and chain sure looked heavy!), we watched some Scottish dancing competitions, listened to some Celtic musicians, and watched some Scottish military exercises where they shot guns and then shot a big gatling gun (this was Andy's favorite part)....Here's Andy by the gatling gun

Here's the soldiers as they marched out for their exhibition....

We had a great time just walking around and looking at everything.

Ok, now to stamping!

I wanted to share with you the third project that we will be making at my Owl Punch Class on October 4th. This card was inspired by a card by Kari that I saw on Stampin' Connection....it is a website for Stampin' Up! demonstrators to post their work....it has become my absolute FAVORITE site to go to for inspiration.

I started with a 1/2 sheet of Bashful Blue card stock and then took a 1/4 sheet of Soft Suede card stock and cut parts of it off to make the branch. Then using Whisper White craft ink I used the Woodgrain background stamp to make the tree. While the tree was drying, on scrap I punched the template for the sky.....I used the scalloped circle and the scalloped oval punches....then using a sponge dauber just sponged the sky, moving the templates around where ever I wanted a cloud. Using the two-step bird punch, I punched out just the leaves. Then I popped their entire tree up with dimensionals. I assembled my owl (he's on dimensionals too) and stamped my sentiment using the Thankful For set and that was it!

I didn't take a picture of the inside.....but I sponged more clouds on inside and used the "you, you, you" from the Three Little Words stamp set. I love how it turned out!!!

I'll leave you with a sweet picture of the kittens......I now think they believe the fountain to be their bunk beds.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

OWL CLASS CARD #2

Hi Stampers,

I'm back to show you another card that we will be making at my upcoming Owl Punch Class on October 4th.

I'm not sure what the problem is but my camera doesn't seem to want to focus today.....so I apologize for the blurry picture!!! Technology is such a love/hate thing....I love it when it works right but just hate it when it doesn't!!!

Anyways.....here is another card that we will be making. I was frustrated with my camera so I didn't take a picture of the insert....but there is nothing else on it except the words at the top.

These little owls can just take on a "personality" depending on how you position the eyes and whether or not you give them eyelids. I could just play ALL DAY....but I don't think my family would go for that too well :-)

Well, I better stop playing and starting getting some work done around here.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy