Happy New Year 2012, Free Digi's

Happy New Year!!

Some might say I'm a bit early, but that all depends on where you live! This will be another super duper quickie!! My son and his wife and kids just surprised us with a visit...so I'm really busy! But, I didn't want to forget about all of you...especially at such a special time. So although this is quick, I hope you enjoy the freebies!

 Click on the images for a larger complete image.

Thank you for being such an inspiration to me this past 8 months!! I've so enjoyed bringing you Digi's, even if they are a bit quirky! I hope 2012 is a year of love, laughter and happiness for all of you!!

Blessings,

Carmen

Grab My Blog Button!!

This is my second post today. Please scroll down, or click on "home" and scroll down for the free digi's. 

Some of you have asked me about providing a Blog Button for my Blog. Well, I finally found a site that easily explains how to make a Blog Button in Blogger. Check it out in my sidebar!! It's nothing terribly spectacular, but it's a Blog Button -- finally!  

Want to make your own? There's a super easy tutorial at Oikology 101

If I can do it, so can you!

Blessings,

Carmen

Get Your Stache On!

Hello!

I hope you've all had a wonderful time with friends and family this Christmas! We certainly have! It's hard to believe another year is just about at its' end with 2012 just around the corner. Life goes on!

 A lot of you sure enjoyed the mustache glasses, so I thought I'd do up a mustache digi for you.  Do what you will with them!

Here's some with sticks...

It's another quick post! 

Enjoy!

Carmen

Last few Cards, and Free Digi Sentiment

Hey there!

I had a table at a small church craft fair recently where I sold quite a few of my Lighted Glass Blocks. Amanda and I also made some cards and tags...so I thought I'd show you bits and pieces of the ones I was able to get pictures of.

Some of these you may have seen examples of already, these are my takes on the Button Wreath Card.

You remember the Button Tree Cards....here's a few more of the trees.

I also did up a Coffee Card Card (that's not a typo)....it holds coffee cards.

Quite a simple card. Here is the inside.

Plus the tags...some colorful, and some primitive.

In this last photo, the mittens are attached as a single tag.

I put together a quickie...hope you like it!

How are you doing with all your Christmas preparations?  I have 18 friends and family coming for Christmas dinner...which I'm really looking forward to, plus I'll be cleaning, wrapping, and doing more decorating!!

Recently my friend SueJ, whom I met blogging, made up a button wreath card I'd like to show you.

Sue is not necessarily a Scrapbooker, and doesn't have a lot of bling sitting around like the rest of us...but I love this button wreath. It's very festive looking. Sue has two blogs, one is about life around the J's called JWalking The Blog. The other is called In-between Time: Journey Through the Prophets. I enjoy checking out both her blogs, and hope you will too!

**********************

I just want to take this moment to thank all of you for coming by to visit me. I love reading all your comments; they so encourage me, and I'm glad to be able to share my fun with you!

This may be my last post for this week, so 

Here's me wishing you a Very Merry Christmas! 

My hope is that you take a quiet moment this Christmas and reflect on life and what it means. (whoa, heavy). I'm actually very serious. 

Life is a roller coaster ride sometimes, especially this time of year! In spite of all the happiness you see here, I have also been through some very difficult situations these last few weeks. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have the bible to turn to. 

-It offers me hope when I am hopeless, 

-It makes me feel loved again when I feel unloved, 

-It gives me direction when I don't know where to turn. 

Without God and His Word, I would be lost in this life. He is the only One who brings meaning and hope to mine. So obviously, I want this for you too, and hope above all that you accept Him into your life this Christmas!

Have a good week!

Blessings,

Carmen

Sleigh Ride 2011 - 3

Hello all!

It's time for our final Sleigh Ride of the year. The horses aren't quite ready yet, so how about a Snowglobe Cookie while we're waiting?

Want a quick easy Christmas-y cookie that will delight your guests? Check out these cuties made with white chocolate covered oreo cookies, and peppermint patties at Sweet Simple Stuff. Make sure you check out the rest of her blog...it's full of other great christmas cookie ideas and more!

Okay, bundle up! We're ready to go on a sleigh ride! First we'll tour Paper Crescent...

Here's some Christmas Subway Art for those last minute gifts or decorations...

For this awesome download, go see Mandy at Little Birdie Secrets

  For this fabulous download, go see Christie at My Ocean of Notions

There's lots at Paper Crescent....Here's some adorable framed Joy and Ho Ho Ho words...

 Adorable and easy...no? To have a look at the rest of these along with instructions, see A Diamond in the Stuff.

Okay, one more papercraft! I love making snowflakes. I find it fun figuring out the different designs I can get by making various cuts, but Michelle, from Michelle Made Me has put a colorful spin on what she calls her Junkmail snowflakes.

Aren't these just too cute? She made a whole wall of them! So colorful, so fun, AND you're recycling!!

Is it getting nippy out here, or is it just me? Ah well, we're entering Candy Cane Lane! That's always a fun place!

I'm loving all the reds and white's everywhere, but am especially loving this Candy Cane Tree you can make yourself!

For full instructions, check out Pizzezzarie. YUMMM!!!

Speaking of reds and white's, wouldn't you just love this little Santa Chimney Setting....seriously! How adorable is this?!

 For full instructions, go to Crafts By Amanda. This is one talented girl....we've been this way before!!

Look at all the lights against the night sky!! So colorful, warm and friendly looking! If you're hankering for something different to do with your lights and garlands this year, here's a great idea that combines them from Whitney Caroline Designs!

Introducing the Scrappy Ribbon Garland!

It's a great way to use up scraps while decorating for Christmas! She tells you how....go ahead - click away...

I'd be amiss if I didn't throw something in here for the kiddos. This one is for the little girls out there. 

Some Magnetic Paper Dolls in their own little tin.

One Pearl Button offers you instructions, and a link to the printables!

Since we're getting pretty close to Christmas, and you are probably looking for some great baking recipes, we're passing by Sweetness Boulevard to see if there's something special on display there.

Look....Eggnog Truffles! Find the complete recipe at Polish the Stars!

And how about some Rootbeer Float Fudge?

Full recipe and instructions at Making Memories...One Fun Thing After Another. It's a seriously fun site!!

 Whoaoaoaoa .... okay! That's the end of our Sleigh Ride! 

One more thing....I'd like to leave you with a smile on your face!

Have you ever been invited to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party? Well....it's all the rage now...so be prepared! Check out some of your competition before you go to the thrift store and pick one out..

 Uh huh....kinda scary, no?

Here's my son and his brand new wife ready for an Ugly Sweater Party a few weeks ago! These two just tied the knot yesterday in Maui! Yes, they eloped...at sunset on the beach! (I'm sure they left their sweaters at home!)

Congratulations to Darren and Angela!! I love you guys so, so much!!

Wanna see more Ugly Sweaters for Christmas? Check out Ego TV's Ugly Christmas Sweaters and have fun at the party!

Thanks so much for all the super sweet comments so many of you are leaving me. It's such a blessing to me!

Thanks for going on a sleigh ride with me! 

Sleigh Ride 1, 2011

Sleigh Ride 2, 2011

Sleigh Ride 1, 2010

Sleigh Ride 2, 2010

Sleigh Ride 3, 2010

Sleigh Ride 4, 2010

Blessings to you and yours,

Carmen

Tree Sentiment Free Digital

Hello!

You know, I can't believe how fast the last three months have gone. I remember being told that when you're older, time just seems to go by faster even though you may be getting less done. I do remember as a child that 5 or 10 minutes of extra playing time would seem to last for hours. Today, 5 minutes seems to disappear into thin air in no time!

I guess I'm just thinking that way because Christmas is only 10 days away! I have most of my baking to do, all of my wrapping, all of my decorating...my cards are done though; all except the local cards which I'll hand out. I have a busy week ahead of me! In the hustle and bustle of the season, I want to remember what is really important. It's so easy to get wrapped up in it, isn't it? (Lol...that wasn't intentional!)

So, just to remind myself, I did up this little Sentiment Tree of a verse in Isaiah. I've seen a few of these around, but I wanted to do my own! It'd be cute on a card...maybe for next Christmas!

 May the memory of the reason for His coming to earth bring you much peace and comfort as you trust Him in all the things this life may bring your way.

This year we're doing less gifts, and trying to focus a little more on just being together with those we can share with. I'm looking forward to that!  Christmas has become so commercialized that it is becoming very stressful...so I'm working on changing that.

What are you doing this year? Will it be the same as usual, or something different?

Hope you enjoyed my freebie!

Blessings,

Carmen

Primitive Digital Stamps

Hello!

First of all, this is my second post today! Please scroll down for the first one!

This is going to be a quicky post!  I am way too busy right now, but I wanted to at least get some freebies up. I hope you like primitive, because that's what they are! :)

 A Dish of Primitive Rag Balls

A Primitive Star Snowman

 A Mitten Stuffed with Ornies! I left the tag blank so you can fill it in yourself.

That's it ladies and gentlemen! Now off to work on some Lighted Glass Blocks and some Cards! 

**Do you hear what I hear? Some horses hooves seem to be approaching....stay tuned for Sleigh Ride 2 coming soon!**

Have a good weekend,

Carmen

Sleigh Ride 2011 - 2

Hello!

The horses are rested up, the Sleigh has been prepped with warm blankets, and the bells are all shiny and ringing merrily. It sounds like it's time for another Sleigh Ride!

Let's go look at the Ornaments!

One of the nice things about going on a Sleigh Ride, is that I get to find all kinds of creative people with really awesome blogs. The most recent one I found was The Cheese Thief!  I just love her creativity! Check out these altered ornaments!!

 I just love these!! She has a tutorial on her blog...but wait, there's another too...

Squeal!! I love it! I love them both!! Check out Rena at The Cheese Thief...and not just these posts (both with full tutorials), but there's even more creativity you won't want to miss!

This next one would be especially great for a kids project because it mostly requires cutting, although Mom would have to help with stitching.  I just fell in love with the beautiful colors!

The instructions for one of these Tree Ornaments can be found at Julia's Blog,  Julia Crossland. Wouldn't these also work great as a Christmas-y Crib Mobile?

While we're on the subject of trees....

Today's Fabulous Finds has some cute Trees that would look great on a mantel or on a table. There's a ruffle one, a fur one, and even one that looks like fluffy marshmallows. Check out her blog link for the tutorials!

Ok, we're just turning down Elf Lane....should be something interesting here...

OH LOOK! Oh my goodness, how cute are these?

I Love these!! To find the tutorial, go see Maya at Maya Made. Too, too cute Maya!!

Last year I made some little Elf Boots with my napkins for Christmas Dinner. They added such a festive touch to the table. Check out the link for the instructions:
  Elf Boot Napkins

I threw this one together with whatever napkins I had on hand for the Blog, but they weren't as nice as I would have liked. I used floral wire in the toe, but I didn't use enough so the toe isn't curled up as much as it should be. Depending on the napkin you use, these can look so cute! I love the little bell in the toe!

OR, if you want something a little fancier, check out these silverware holders!

These are hand sewn! Just adorable!! The Tutorial can be found at Sharon Sews. 
There are so, so many creative people out there! I wish I had more time to make them all!!

Since we're looking at place settings, I guess I'll squeeze this next one in as well...

Yep! Even Santa has a bad night sometimes. Want the tut? Go visit Amanda at Crafts By Amanda! Oh so imaginative!!

It looks like we`ve arrive at Recycle Alley....not sure there will be too much here. But....wait...what?

Where on earth did all those Penguins come from?

Wouldn't these be a great little project with your kids on that long break? I think they're adorable!!

Can you guess what they're made of? Do you want to make your own? Check these chubby little waddlers out at Craftberry Bush for the complete instructions.

The older I get, the more the days get away on me. That's why an Advent Calendar is a nice thing to have! Here's one that I thought was really creative, easy to make and Christmas-y!

This one if made of matchboxes! How creative is that? We have a fireplace, so we always have matches. It looks like Recycle Lane has boundless creativity! Such awesome projects! This one comes from Sarah at Alderberry Hill. The full tutorial is on her site!

Well, we're just about back home! Just a few more steps and jingles..and...

What's that I smell?

Oh my goodness...this reminds me of home! Chef Heidi Fink has been mixing up an old German tradition from her childhood (that I also remember from my Dutch background). She's improved on an old tested family recipe and made it better! This is now their new family recipe! That's right, check out this Christmas Stollen! Yummm! I know what Stollen usually tastes like, and it's like a little angel on my tongue.

See that center? That's marzipan .I love marzipan! We had this bread with our breakfast every Christmas morning...but we also had it with coffee in the afternoon. Oh, this is good stuff!!

My parents still bring me one every year, but I'm seriously considering making my own this year...and this is the recipe I'm going to use if I do!
Check out Chef Heidi's blog, Lip Smacking, and this recipe tutorial with pictures and all! Thank you Heidi for sharing with us!

And....we're back!

Comin' in for some Candy Cane Punch? I'll put an extra cane in yours! :)

Thanks for going on a Sleigh Ride with me. Truly hope you enjoyed yourself!

Also see: 


Sleigh Ride 1, 2011 
Sleigh Ride 3, 2011
Sleigh Ride 1, 2010
Sleigh Ride 2, 2010
Sleigh Ride 3, 2010
Sleigh Ride 4, 2010

Blessings,
Carmen

Snowglobe Cards

Hello!

Just a quickie post! I'm working on a few small Prim Digitals and hope to get them finished this weekend. I'm really busy...so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Amanda and I have been working on some Snowglobe cards (amongst other things) to sell next week. We used the image of the Prim Snowman I created for inside the globe. The Ginger Prims I made would look cute in these too...many of you missed that post!

 I took these photos at 5 this morning...so they're a bit dark...sorry!

I bought a circle cutter....best investment ever! I got it at Michael's for 50% off, and it'll do any size circle you want, anywhere on the page! 

-First I cut a circle around my image. 

-Then I colored in another copy of the image, and cut out the snowman and sign. These I put over the original image with pop dots. 

- I made up a snowcap (traced around the circle part) and with a glue pen added fine glitter. This I attached to an acetate circle I cut with the circle cutter. (3 3/4") *The snowcap is folded so that it can be attached to the acetate circle, and the image circle. 

-These were taped to the card near the top.

-I made up a base and taped it on top of the bottom of the acetate circle, after embellishing it with a ribbon and little bell, carefully lining it up to the bottom of the card. Then the store bought snowflake was attached underneath the bow with embellishment tape.

I will also be getting a bunch of these prepped for the Ridgeview Card Class at the end of this week.

Have a good weekend everyone!

Blessings, 

Carmen

 

Problem Fixed!

Hi there!

As you can see, I'm up and running again!! My whole page shows up!

The issue was caused by Picassa. Apparently they changed the 'fit to page' in their programming, defaulting the background to a smaller size. This was easily changed in my background script in Blogger Design by designating the size of the width of the screen into the code. 

This may sound like gibberish to most of you. If you're having the same problem, the fix can be found on this thread in the Blogger Help. 

Thanks to my hubby for helping me out!

Blessings!

Carmen

Issues With Blogger

Hi Everyone!

For some reason, my blog template is not loading properly!!!

I have a request in to Blogger, but so far I get the feeling no one is home! I'm hoping this will get straightened out soon so I can post another Sleigh Ride and some freebies. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Carmen.

Sleigh Ride 1 - 2011

Hello!

Well, December is upon us, which means it's time to take a little Digi break and go on another Sleigh Ride!! Last year I wrote up 4 posts with Christmas ideas of every kind (Check out 'Christmas' under Labels in the side bar). 

Those posts were so popular (in visits), that I decided to do it again this year.

So, get on your woollies and let's go for a slide!! ;O)

1. Check out these Shabby Holiday Stockings decorations at Paper Drama!!! Aren't they just adorable? Jo even provides an awesome video tutorial! Thank you Jo... what a truly wonderful idea!

2. And how about these Vintage Embellished Books at Thrifty and Chic!!! 

My jaw dropped when I first saw these! Just a bunch of old books, some paper and embellishments...and oh my! What a transformation! I SO want to make them but haven't had the time yet...they are just pure awesomeness!! Plus, there's a tutorial...

3. I swooned when I saw the following little darlings!

Some people just have such incredible imaginations. I'm going to show you a picture first...

So what Carmen? It's a gingerbread house. Well, um yeah, I guess it is....but...

I'll bet yours won't fit on my mug!!!! Oh I so want to make these too. Are they not the cutest?! Check out A Tiny Gingerbread House on 'Not Martha' for directions on how to make your own. I know! Eeek!!!

4. Okay, let's take a little turn here...

We're heading down Chalkboard Lane....okay, not really, but I'm still on the chalkboard paint kick. There's so much you can do with this stuff! 

Check these out!

Don'cha just love the chalkboard mustaches on those glasses? When drinking, it looks like you have one! Lol.... Modern Madness on Etsy makes these cuties!

The very crafty Tanna from the Alaska Crafter offers a tutorial on how to make these!! Thank you so much Tanna!  This is her version of them. These would make such great Christmas gifts! Do check out her blog.

5. Here's a really nice chalkboard and glass idea for your wine glasses! Deb, at Just Short of Crazy (love that name) dipped up these cuties. She also has a tutorial on her blog, so check her out! We'll never mix up our wine glasses again! So cute!

6. Ah...here we are at Button Boulevard....and guess what I found?

It's an adorable Button Ornament! I found this at the lovely Leslie's blog, 'A Sprinkle of This and a Dash of That.' There's no tutorial, but I'm sure we can figure it out with the information that she does have there. Don'cha just love it?!

7. Also, check out this card. Simple, yet elegant...just in enough time to whip up a few...

 I first saw it on the Hero Arts blog, but the Creator is 'wteresa15' on Flicker if you'd like to check out her other creations. I think it's just adorable!!

8. No Sleigh Ride is complete without some goodies at the end...so check out this Festive Cabot Cheddar Tree!! Doesn't it look delicious! My displays never look that good, but they will now!

Okay...we're back at the Lodge, and the ride's over! Hope you enjoyed yourself!!

                                      

Before you leave, come and have a seat by the fireplace and warm up! Want a marshmallow with that cocoa?

Sleigh Ride 2, 2011

Sleigh Ride 3, 2011

Sleigh Ride 1, 2010

Sleigh Ride 2, 2010

Sleigh Ride 3, 2010

Sleigh Ride 4, 2010

Blessings,

Carmen