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!

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

Cathy McCauley

Jackie Kalchert

Ann Clack

Monika Davis

Holly Brown

Jane Bosi

Chris Dickinson

Pat Huntoon

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!!

“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.”

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

Link Fixed

My link for the TJ Double Easel card was broken and is now fixed.  Thank you, Cindy, for finding that for me!!  ;-)  See below.

It's a weeklong blog-hopping extravaganza!

Let me tell you about the Technique Junkie Newsletter Blog Hop!  All week long we will be hopping in conjunction with our favorite vendors to show case our new 3D and Fun Folds CD. Every day there will be new designers, new prizes, new artwork -- tons of fun! At the end of the week, we will have a grand prize basket for one lucky winner too!

Each day you will have an opportunity to win 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.   

Monday –Joint Blog Hop with Classy Cards ‘n Suchwww.classycardsnsuch.com

(Monday's hop is done but you can still hop there and make comments for the grand prize!)

Tuesday –Join Blog Hop with Rogue RedheadDesigns

Wednesday –Joint Blog Hop with  Paper Temptress

Thursday –Joint Blog Hop with Mark’s Finest Papers a Heinrich Company

(I'll be posting a project for this one!)

Friday – Joint BlogHop with Sweet ‘n Sassy Stamps

(I'll be posting a project for this one too!) 

On Saturday,December 3, Pat will be announcing the daily 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 of a GRAND PRIZE which includes a bundle of prizes from all of the participating companies.

In order to win you will need to comment on the Technique Junkie blog AND the blogs of the participating designers (usually around 6)  make sure to leave your email address. Every day that you enter, you are eligible for that day's prize, plus you get an entry for the grand prize for every comment on the TJ blog you submit (up to one per person, per day) -- that is five opportunities to win the grand prize basket! And the grand prize includes not only prizes from our vendors but ALSO... A "Technique Junkie Newsletter Subscriber for Life" prize!

(In other words, your daily comment make your eligible for a prize from the company featured that day, plus you will have one entry for the Grand Prize)

NOTE: Play along with us for an extra entry for the Grand Prize!

Make a project using the Double Twisted Easel Card, post about it on your blog or in another forum and mention this blog hop and link up your post to the Blog Hop below by Sunday, December 4th at 12 am EST.   

The Double Twisted Easel Card tutorial HERE is a real exampe from the 3D and FUN FOLD CD. 

Join in on the fun!!   Make sure you link your post to the blog Hop to get the extra entry.

DON'T FORGET.....YOU CAN PURCHASE THE 3D AND FUN FOLDS CD RIGHT FROM MY SIDEBAR! 

3D Tee Pee

This 'card' was created using one of the techniques on the new 3D and Fun Folds CD.  Isn't it fun?!!  Make sure you don't miss out......you can order the CD by click on the link on my sidebar!  The images are from Sweet N Sassy Stamps.  I just love this little mouse, don't you?  I have a picture of each side as well as an angle picture for you.  Each side is like a little card all of its own.  They were all colored with Copic markers.

New Winner!!

The winner of the Technique Junkie 3D and Fun Folds CD never contacted me by Friday...;-(  So....I have picked a new winner.  The new winner via the random number generator is #7!

Congratulations, Gail!!

7

Gail Klingele said...

Your work is wonderful and you are a very nice, friendly woman. May I have the CD now?

Gail, you have until Wednesday to get in touch with me and give me your mailing address!  ;-)

And the winner is..........

Monday came and went and was really crazy around here.  I totally spaced the drawing until just now.  Sheesh!  ANYWAY.....

Drum roll please.............

Our winner is #8

8

M1kk1 said...

I would love to learn how to make the gift card box. Thanks for the chance to win the CD.

M1KK1, you have until Friday to get me your address so you CD can be mailed to you.  If Friday comes around and I don't hear anything, I'll rechoose a new winner! 

Congrats M1KKI!  ;-)

So........if you didn't win this time.......don't dispair......just click on the PayPal link on my sidebar and you can purchase the CD!

GUESS WHAT!!

Remember that 3-D CD just producted by Technique Junkies?  Well..........I just happen to have one to give away!!  Woo Hoo!! 

So.......in order to 'win' this blog candy, just leave a comment on this post.  I will pick a winner on November 14th.....that gives you 12 days to comment!!  Last time there were only about 25 entries with a few extra entries from people who had ordered the CD.  THAT is good odds!!  I have about 84 followers so there should be at least that many entries!! 

Make you comment today!

Just to wet your appetite a little....here are some pictures of one of the projects in the CD.  This is a gift card box.  Fun and quick to do.  I did quite a few of them for my upcoming sale.

For those who drink Apple Juice

I was watching Dr Oz a few months back.  I just ran across the notes I took from his show.  If you or your kids or grandkids drink apple juice then you really need to watch the brands you purchase.

Dr Oz said that Arsenic isn't regulated in apple juice.  Hmmmm.....not good.  The FDA allowed amount of arsenic is 10 parts per million (ppm).  They went to random stores and even tested juices that mothers had at the parks.  The results were shocking to me.  I listed the brands he talked about and the lowest number and the highest number of arsenic those brands had on their random tests.

Miniute Maid        Lowest 2    Highest 3  (looks like this one isn't too bad.)
Apple & Eve         Lowest 2    Highest 11  (wow.....just above the legal limit)
Motts                     Lowest 4    Highest 16  (wowsers......more than twice the legal limit)
Juicy Juice             Lowest 2    Highest 22  (yikes!!)
AND.........the brand we probably trust the most with our babies.....
Gerber                    Lowest 6 (the legal limit)     Highest 36!!!  (Unbelievable!!!! more than three times the legal limit..)

Makes you wonder why they can get away with that....

I think I'm going to look into Organic brands.  It also reminds you that a trusted name like Gerber isn't always the best choice!

Don't Forget!

Don't forget to enter to win the new Technique Junkie 3-D CD.  So far, there are only 10 entries and that is VERY good odds!  ;-)  Go to the first post HERE to make you comment for entry!

Grrrrrrr.......

I've been getting an awful lot of spam comments so I had to turn on word verification.  If that doesn't cut down the spam then I may have to moderate the comments.  Thanks for understanding!

Copic Class!

On Saturday I took the Intermediate Copic class.  Here are a couple of pictures for you.  Sorry about the lighting......it was only the overhead light and I only had my video camera to work with (no flash).  The first is me with Marianne Walker and Colleen Schaan (she was the teacher).  Colleen was a great teacher......enthusiastic and fun.    The second is me and Salit ( a sweet gal from Isreal).....we had a very nice talk about the upcoming vote at the UN on the Palestinian state and how she is very nervous about it.  Possibly war is their concern and I totally see that.  She has a Scrapbook store in Tel Aviv and flew here just for the certification classes! 

The class was good.  Lots of info.  Some I already knew and some I only kind of knew.  Some was new and that was best.  The new stuff had to do with color.  I also learned how to better use my shadow grids.    I had taken my own markers....(I don't like to share)..... and since I only took the markers they told us would be available to the students, I was limited in some of my coloring.  BUT that was a good thing since I had to think outside the box.  I found a color combo that I really like for shading reds and lots of combos for hair. 

Blog Candy Winner

Well......I waited an extra hour and pulled the winner just a few minutes ago!  Here is a video of the winning pick.  My mom did the camera work and didn't turn it off quite quick enough but that's okay!  Also.........Please ignore those awful circles under my eyes.  I'm just getting over that nasty sinus infection that everyone has had and I'm super tired!

The winner is Carole RB!!  She said:
Carole RB said...

Great giveaway, thanks for the opportunity to win!

I've sent Carole an e-mail asking for her address.  She has until Friday, Oct 28th to respond.  If I don't hear from her, I'll repick for a new winner!

One Free and One New!!!!

Read all the way through for some great blog candy!!!
********************

Technique Junkie Newsletter Announces the  a Brand New CD: 3D and Fun Folds 70 Tutorials! This brand new CD has 70 tutorials for gifts, decorations, boxes, cards, and much more! the orginal Fancy Folds and Motion CD was so popular, we just had to create MORE for you. Freestanding Pop-Up Card Artist: Chris Dickinson, Stamps: Mark's Finest Papers All of the tutorials are in step-by-step PDF pictorial format -- and are printable to 8-1/2" x 11" paper. We even have an index with thumbnails on this CD to help you find a project quickly and easily! The CD is $17.95 for US/Canadian Addresses and $19.95 for Overseas addresses.  HERE ARE THE GREAT PROJECTS THAT YOU WILL FIND ON THE CD: 3-D Gift Card Box 4 Drawer Easel Box 4 Panel Card 5 x 7 Step Ladder Acetate Ornament Altered Composition Book Beaded Bag Big Flap Cards Butterfly Easel Box Set Card Drawer Box Card Organizer Portfolio Colorwash Batik Scarf Corner Bookmark Decorated Clips Desktop Perpetual Calendar Double Teabag Holder Double T Slide Double Slider Double Slider (Alternate Version) Double Twisted Easel Easel Card Easy Gift Card Holder Embellishment Chest Embossed Tealights Envelope Photo Album Explosion Box Purse Fancy Gatefold Fancy Fold-out Fantasy Box (short) Fantasy Box (tall) Flap Card Freestanding Pop-Up Goodie Box Goodie Purse Hanging Bottle Label with Pocket Hanging Treat Holder Lacy Purse Gift Card Large Goodie Card with Pockets Large Tag Book Large Treat Box Holder Map Fold Card Mini Card and Gift Card Holder Neverending Card Origami Inchie Album Paint Chip Box Paper Bows Pinecone Ornaments Pleated Front Pop-up Gift Card Holder Scallop Flower Box Scallop Pocket Gift Card Shadowbox2 Side-step Trifold Spring Loaded Card Star of David Card Table Basket Table Decoration: Pumpkin Table Napkin Ring TeePee Card Telescoping Card Tiny Box Top Note Die Box Top Note Purse Tri-Fold-out Card Tri-Fold Book T-Slide Twisted Easel Under the Flap Card Wine Box Wiper Card All the CDs will be mailed the week of October 31st, 2011. Make sure to reserve your today by clicking on the PayPal button below or on the sidebar of this blog! ORDER THE CD USING THE PAYPAL BUTTON ON THE SIDEBAR OF THIS BLOG!  Technique Junkie Newsletter Patricia Huntoon Owner/Publisher www.techniquejunkies.com phuntoon@optonline.net patstamps.blogspot.com

*************************************** NOW............drumroll please..............   In conjunction with the roll out of this new CD I am going to celebrate by offering a FREE CD! The most recent 2011 Edition of the Technique Junkie Newsletter CD9.   Yup!!  AND as a special incentive to you, if you purchase the 3-D CD using the button on my sidebar, I will give you 5 extra entries to get the Free CD.    What do you need to do?  Leave a comment on this post only!!!   Remember, don't leave a comment on a different post or it won't count.  If you have purchased the CD9 using my button on the sidebar, just say so in your comment.  I'm going to have everyone's names on slips of paper and let my grandson pick the winner.  I'll post the video of the winner.  WHEN?  You have until  October 24th!! Don't delay.......   Here is a picture of the CD you will be getting FREE if you win!