Created By Ann: December 2011

Saturday, December 3, 2011

A Christmas Lesson

My yearly humulity lesson story..........

Every year when I decorate my dining area for Christmas, I take out a cute little Christmas ball that is made into a little bear. This little decoration reminds me every year to be more caring and loving. Why? Well, one Christmas many years ago, I was sick, sick, sick. I could hardly get out of bed. My family had to make the dinner and everything. The flu had really kicked in and I barely made it out of bed to eat.

My husband's uncle and wife announced that they would come and spend Christmas with us. I was NOT happy. Why would they come when I was so sick? My rebellion took the place of "no gift for them" kind of attitude. When we opened our gifts Christmas Eve, the aunt had given me this bear decoration. Not a big gift by any means but it really put me into my place. It reminded me that family is precious. No matter whether you want them there or not!! Lord, may I be humble this season! Remind me that YOU are the reason for the season. Not my own selfish desires. The aunt died of cancer several years ago and the uncle was gone before her. No opportunity to make amends in my mind. Just this small reminder every year when I decorate.

May this Christmas season remind you to be humble and thankful!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Sweet N Sassy Stamps & Technique Junkie Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps and Technique Junkie Newsletter joint Blog Hop! The Technique Junkie Newsletter is excited to show case their new 3D and Fun Folds CD (remember you can get it right from my sidebar!!)

“The Technique Junkie Newsletter has been publishing rubber stamping technique tutorials since 2002. The 3D and Fun Folds CD contains 70 step-by-step technique tutorials in pdf format – perfect dimensions, perfect directions and great pictures for every step. Visit www.techniquejunkies.com for more details about the CD and the Technique Junkie Newsletter.”

A fantastic group of design team members from both Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps and the Technique Junkie Newsletter, have helped put together this fabulous Blog Hop to kick off the 3D and Fun Folds Cd.

We have a Blog Hop happening each day with an opportunity for you to win many prizes from some of our wonderful advertising companies! Please stop through EVERY DAY and take your time visiting each blog! You have until 11:59pm EST December 2^nd to leave comments on as many blogs as you can to win the Grand Prize. Go to Tuesday's post for the links to the other days of the blog hop!

On Saturday, December 3, Pat from Technique Junkie Newsletter will announce the winners from each company. Be sure to hop along on each day! There will be FIVE WINNERS! On Monday, December 5^th, Pat will announce ONE LUCKY WINNER with a GRAND PRIZE with a bundle of prizes from all of the participating businesses.

If you have been following along already you should have come from Jackie Kalchert's blog. If you are only starting here, please head back to the Technique Junkie Blog and go from there. You won't want to miss any stops along the way – in order to win you will need to comment on everyone’s blog AND Pat Huntoon’s Blog. There will be an additional chance to win by playing along in her Blog Hop! (you can read about how you can play along on my post from Tuesday.)

Here is what I created for today's hop.........

I really love Cocoa........Well......I like hot cocoa but this Cocoa is Cocoa the Mouse. Korin, owner of Sweet n. Sassy Stamps has Cocoa doing many different and fun things. I thought this image was just wonder for this little Table Basket. It could hold a packet of hot cocoa along with a baggie of marshmellows. I wanted to stage my photo with a packet of cocoa but, alas, none to be found in the house! Cocoa was colored with copic markers and completely cut out to mount on the front of the basket. I must confess that I didn't use the same dimensions that were in the CD for this project. Reason? Well......I don't have the Grand Caliper Spellbinders dies or cutting machine......so.......I just made it a little smaller! Quite easy. I used the largest circle and scallop circle I had and decreased the size of the holder between the two. Other than that, the directions are the same. Hope you like my little cheat!

Your next stop on the hop is Monika Davis, but just in case there are any hiccups, here is the whole list of celebrants on this Blog Hop!

The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog

Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps Blog

My Sneak Peek contribution to Thursday's blog hop!

Reminder: If you plan on getting the 3D CD, it is easy as pie....

just click on the link on my sidebar!

Today is the fourth day of the Technique Junkie blog hop to showcase the new 3D and Fun Folds CD. Design team members from both Mark's Finest Papers (a Heinrich Company) and the Technique Junkie Newsletter helped put together a fabulous blog hop for us today.

If you have been following along already you should have come from Geri Utterback's blog.

If you are only starting here, please head back to the Technique Junkie Blog and go from there. You won't want to miss any stops along the way – in order to win you will need to comment on everyone’s blog AND Pat Huntoon’s Blog. There will be an additional chance to win by playing along in her Blog Hop! See Tuesday's post for the Double Easel card tutorial so you can play along!

I used the Top Note Die project from the 3D and Fun Folds CD. All the images are from Mark's Finest Papers (a Heinrich company). AND they are a Sneak Peek from a new set they have being released on Dec 13th called Snow and Ice.

Here is the top/side view of this fun project. The words, deer and snowflakes were stamped. Then I embossed the trees with a sparkley embossing powder. The whole top was sponged. The snowflake cut out is their stamp in this set as well. After I cut it out, it was embossed several times with clear to give it some weight, then decorated with the rhinestones and silver cording. The icicles on the sides of the box are also part of this cute set.

Here you can see the glittery appearance a little better. Isn't that a lovely saying! You are going to LOVE this new set.

The inside of the box has a divider that was decorated with the snowflake stamp (stamped and embossed, then sponged). You can put anything inside that you want. Some put in candy!

The bottom of the box has the same paper treatment as the box insert.

Your next stop on the hop is Lois Bak, but just in case there are any hiccups, see the whole list of celebrants on this Blog Hop below!

As with most blog hops, there are prizes! This one is no exception. You will want to hop along and make comments on all the participating blogs. The daily winner will be selected from one of the blogs, but no one but Pat (TJ's owner) knows which one! The daily prize is product from the "company of the day". PLUS, You will get one entry each day you comment for the GRAND PRIZE. Read about the grand prize on Tuesday's post. You can go back and see the other projects from the other days if you wish too. The schedule is listed below. You have until 11:59pm EST December 2^nd to leave comments on as many blogs as you can to win the Grand Prize.

On Saturday, December 3, Pat from Technique Junkie Newsletter will announce the winners from each company. Be sure to hop along on each day! There will be FIVE WINNERS!

THEN on Monday, December 5^th, Pat will announce ONE LUCKY WINNER with a GRAND PRIZE with a bundle of prizes from all of the participating businesses PLUS a Lifetime Technique Junkie Newsletter subscription!!

1st Stop: The Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog

2nd Stop: Mark's Finest Papers a Heinrich Company Blog

3rd Stop: Geri Utterback
4th Stop: Ann Clack (You are here)
5th Stop: Lois Bak

6th Stop: Chris Dickinson
7th Stop: Patty Penn
Final Stop: Pat Huntoon