Happy Holidays Fellow Bloggers

Merry Christmas Friends and Family!     

Before I get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season I wanted to take the time to send holiday wishes to all of you!  I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to share in your creations.  I love visiting your blogs and sharing a bit of our lives with one another.  Best wishes this holiday season,

    ~Samantha

I decided to play around with stamps on this glass candle.  A smaller stamp would work much better!

Countdown ...

Priceless Memories

Today was one of those days where I found myself smiling.  I did not dwell on the wondering if my husband will be layed off today, tomorow or next week.  Forget for a short time that I still have not figured out Christmas for my children and focus on all the good in my life.  I have five beautiful children who tell me every single day that they love me.  I have a roof over my head, my cupboards are full and my loved ones are well.  I received a phone call today inquiring about two or three dozen all occasion  cards being ordered and I had a wonderful evening celbrating the 21st birthday of my first born child. 

“When you have come to the edge Of all light that you know And are about to drop off into the darkness Of the unknown, Faith is knowing One of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on or You will be taught to fly”

Blessings,
  ~Samantha~

SU - Forget Me Not Keeper

I can't believe how fast the days have passed.  We are halfway through December and I am still trying to figure out how to get Xmas done.  I don't think my children would be thrilled with handmade gifts under the tree!  A while ago I watched a SU video where they used the Forget Me Not Keeper for a card box.  I decided I was going to give it a whirl.  To put my own twist on the idea, I decided to stamp the inside with Staz On.  Once I did that I decided I didn't want to add embellishments all over.  It looks so much better than the picture depics.  I used the Calendar stamp on cardstock, reduced it so I could add a bit of design around the calendar.  I love the idea that this is a gift that can be used year after year ... now I just need to fill it with cards.  If you want to see the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmcShgN9i94

So how is everyone coming along with their holiday preparations.  I'd love an extra prayer as my husband faces a possible layoff this week!

Blessings,
   ~Samantha

Winter Wonderland ...

Whew ... finally a few minutes to sit down and post a blog.  Life has been a whirlwind of emotional challenges to say the least.  We are experiencing some very serious concerns with one of our children and have been called into several 'emergency team meetings'.  I feel my confidence as a parent and as a psychology major are being challenged to the very core.  I have been in a very serious depression - yes, I'm sure the holiday season added to the bulk of things has had an impact.    The craft fair went pretty well and though my items were priced very low I actually made a profit!  I made a bunch of these cute little 'Maple Boxes' for my sister in Virginia and filled them with pure Vermont maple candies!  I thought that they were perfect for her.  I wanted to share my 'big seller' at the craft fair.  I found a stash of these boxes that SU sold years ago before the dies evolved.  I stamped on them with white craft ink and added a tag to them.  Originally I filled them with Xmas candy.  However, I was across from a Lia Sophia booth where a lady was selling all of her inventory at discounted prices.  I overheard a comment from someone who made a purchase that she wished the jewelry came in boxes.  I opened these boxes and emptied out the candy and voila - cute little jewelry gift boxes!  They were an instant hit!  Thanks for stopping by.  I'm off to blog hop before curling up with a novel (yes a novel and not a text book!!  The semester has ended and I have a month off!)
Blessings,
    ~Samie

Holiday Tags ... no more doggie days!

I woke up today with great optimism.  The house had an unusual warmth to it.  I sipped coffee in the solitude and thought about the past few days.  I found myself smiling.  Except for the incident with my dog (I still am trying to forgive her for the craft feast), I came to the realization that I have been very relaxed.  Having a short break from school allowed for some quality time with my children - how precious those times are.  I snuck into their rooms and found their jounals - small books that we leave notes to each other in and left them all a note at their place setting.  When they came down for breakfast and found their journals they broke out in these great big grins - all a mother needs!  After some holiday preparations, lots of silly singing and of course some candy canes ... I made a few bags of Holiday Tags for next weekends craft fair.  They are in sealed totes I might add!  I managed to also get a dozen Reindeer Food made and a few other goodies.  However - all are tucked away where my mischievous dog can not get to them!  Thanks for stopping by!  Off to blog world to see what you've all been up to!
Happy Crafting!
  Samantha

Crafting away ...

After my cute little dog Izabelle (Izzie to most) decided to have my craft bazaar stash for her Thanksgiving feast I decided that I had to spend some time getting a few crafts done for next weekend!  I started the morning by getting the laundry done, errands for my mom done and the tree in the house and up - lights and garland on but the decorations wait for family time tomorrow.  I managed to bust out five sets of cards this afternoon.  I cased this card from something my Upline brought back from convention.  I am sorry I can not give credit to a particular individual.  I went to  a stamp a stack a month ago and we made these embossed holiday cards.  I was in love ... I have become addicted to making these sets.  I love playing with colors.  I used Garden Green, Taken with Teal, Purely Pomegrate and Brillian Blue.  My favorite is Taken with Teal and another set that I made with Elegant Eggplant.  I can't wait to "play" again tomorrow.  I have never tried the masking technique so I'm to search for a tutorial. Thanks for stopping by!