Such a SLACKER!!!!

Well Hello There!

My goodness.....I am such a slacker! I can't believe how long it has been since the last time I actually did a "post" on my blog! And ya know.....it's NOT like I haven't been stampin' and creating.....I guess I just have been occupied with other things (such a lame-o excuse! :-)

Here I have posted one of my VERY favorite things to do when giving a baby gift - which is to decorate a simple "cigar box" (bought at my lovely local Michael's) with yummy DP, ribbon and the baby's name. Then I ususally tuck in a little something special for the baby - it's kind of like a double gift for not only is the box a gift in it's self but then there are little treasures to find inside. As you can see from the top pic I put inside this box some sweet mini shoes (because that's what little babies wear) and a precious onesie - you just want to squeeze the gift (and the baby too) it's just soooooooooo cute!

For the box this is what I used to decorate it......

*Paper - Rose Red and Very Vanilla CS, Raspberry Tart DP

*Ink - Rose Red Ink

*Accessories - Paper Piercer,Sponges, Twill Tape, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, 1 3/8", 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch

So much fun to make and give away!

Thanks for stoppin' by,

~avril :-)

More Booties!

Hello Dear Friends!

Just a quicky post of some more little booties I made for yet another Baby Shower! This time I decided it might be fun to make the little booties into "ornaments" rather than holding anything (like chocolate). I had just bought a mini Christmas tree from Pier One (on clearance I might add!) so I hung all of the "bootie ornaments" from the tree and placed the tree in the middle of the table as a center piece at the Shower.

Again, such a fun and adorably (is that a word?) worth it party favor to make!

Please see my past blog post for the link to the pattern. Print it out and make some for your next baby shower favors.....you'll smile and oh and ah the the whole time you make them!

For supplies I used mostly retired DSP and buttons......they have to be used some how right?! :-)

Hugs and smiles to all....but most of all thanks for stoppin' by!

~avril :-)

"Happiness" Sign

Happy Sunday!
Earlier this month I made a present for my dear friend Mel. It was her birthday and I wanted to create a little something special for her - especially because she is always making amazing hand knit gifts for me and my family. If only I had time to knit too! Some day I'll be able to fit it all

in.....hey, it doesn't hurt to dream! :-)

I found the frame at TJ Maxx of all places! Yet another reason for me to LOVE LOVE LOVE that store! - I find reasonably priced frames to use other than putting pic's in.

Here is what I used to make this altered frame into a nice wall hanging.....

CS - Chocolate Chip

Accessories - Decor Elements "Happiness", Riding Hood Red Patterns Designer Series Paper, Rose Red 1/4" Grograin Ribbon, Filigree Designer Brads, Pretties Kit (pearls), Flower Fusion and Flower Fusion Too

Scallop Edge Punch, paper piercer, Sticky Strip

I really enjoy using the Decor Elements! The hardest part is finding nice items to put the D.E. on! Off to TJ Maxx to see if I can find more frames!

Thanks for stopping by,

~avril :-)

Baby Booties ..... are cutie patootie's!!

Happy Weekend!

Last night two of my fabulous friends (Beth and Mel) and I got together and made some A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E little baby booties for a Baby Shower coming up.

We used all kinds of different DSP (mostly sticking to browns and pinks since the mommy "to-be" has decorated the nursery in these colors) and co-ordinating ribbons.

You can find the pattern to make these cutie patootie booties here

Enjoy!

~avril :-)

A VERY Special Thank You

Hello to All!

Well, here we are with one of the very last days of 2008 at our heals - boy this year has gone by fast!!! I wish everyone a wonderful and happy New Year to come!

Yesterday I made some "thank you" cards for a couple of my SU! customers that gave me some very special Christmas presents. I had lots of fun making this card....knowing that it would go to some precious and very generous and thoughtful people. :-)

One of the best parts about this card is that I got to use 2 new goodies that I've been itching to use - the Swiss Dots CB embossing folder and some shinny new dew drops!

Here is my recipe....

Stamp set: Lovely As A Tree, Bella's Blossom
CS: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Riding Hood Red
Inks: Riding Hood Red, Pacific Point
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, Word Window punch, paper piercer, Coluzzle Cutting System, 2-Way Glue, Dazzlin' Diamonds glitter, Close to Cocoa marker, Dimensionals, Swiss Dots Cuttle Bug embossing folder, Pointsetta Dew Drops, Mini Glue Dots

I am on vacation this whole week and boy is it just LOVELY!!!! I actually have time to create and post for my blog!!!

Oh Happiness!
~avril

A Sweet Sweet Merry Christmas to ALL! (a day late)

Merry Merry Christmas to ALL!!! And a Happy Happy New Year!!!

Here are a couple of pictures of some VERY sweet mice I made for Jolie's xmas party at her school earlier this week. I got this idea from my lovely upline Tammy Whorfe. THANKS Tammy for such an adorable idea!!!!!

These mice are soooooooooo much fun to make and EASY EASY to make too!

All you need is.....

*Oreo cookies (twisted in 1/2) - base

*Your favorite flavor Hershey's Kiss(head of the mouse)

*Maraschino cherries with stem (for the bum and tail of the mouse)

*Melted chocolate (I used candy chocolate from Michael's)

*Sliced almonds (for ears)

*Red frosting in a tube (for eyes)

Dip cherry in melted chocolate, place on Oreo 1/2, immediately puch Kiss into choc. covered cherry and then finish off mouse with little red eyes and sliced almonds for ears.

Enjoy!!!!

~avril :-)

Yankee Swap Gift

Happy Holidays!

Here is a little snap shot of the Yankee Swap gift I made for Cindy L.'s fabulous Christmas party last week that I attended. It was a blast! We made adorable tags, ate yummy yummy food, chatted, laughed and laughed some more and then had a wonderful Yankee Swap.

I actually came across this idea by talking to a total stranger (who was totally sweet!) at the xmas light asle @ WalMart. I knew I wanted to make something with the "Jingle all the Way" decor element but it didn't come to fruition until the lovely gal @ Wally World struck up a conversation with me about how she was going to make lighted/popouri jars as gifts for her co-workers. Well, hello what a fabulous idea for me to do the same with my decor element saying!!!!!

I actually found the cinnamon popouri @ TJ Maxx (of all places!)!!! I completed the project with a paper dioli and some of SU! gorgeous gorgeous striped grosgrain ribbon from the Holiday Mini. LOVE LOVE LOVE that ribbon!

BIG Hugs to ALL!

~avril :-)