Last Minute Gifts Blog Hop

Welcome to the

If you arrived here from Sharondalyn, then you're perfectly on time. Or... if you arrived here just because you did from a post or tweet or whatever and would like to start at the beginning, please feel free to start at Theresa's Blog, where it all begins...

We've got some awesome ideas today to create those last minute holiday gifts. Each of the bloggers has one or more great idea for fabulous, easy gifts that can be created at the last minute for those holiday gift giving opportunities. You may want to create a few of them to have on hand in your "Gift Closet." Doesn't everyone have a gift closet full of gifts ready to give? We just can't have a hop about gifts and not give a few away, so be sure to hop to and comment on each of the blogs by Wednesday 12/30/15. Theresa at ScrapsByGracie will choose 5 winners.

One winner will receive a class of their choice from today's hop sponsor:

One winner will receive this:

One winner will receive this:

 One winner will receive this:

and One winner will receive this:

Now on with the projects!

I originally had one project done... then found out my daughter (the 10yo) reads this blog... So I had to scrap that post.

Then I finished another project. But found out that my friend who had never EVER EVER reads this blog started reading this blog and was amazed and didn't know about all the things I do/did. Oh, hi, Andreea! lol!, so... I had to scrap that post, too!

Couldn't have my "secrets" be divulged, now, could I?

So... This project really truly is a last-minute gift like the last-minute-procrastination-type of gift. And that's ok. It just didn't give me time to make it as perfect-looking as I usually like (or am known for... lmao!).

First... to look through my stash. We all have a "stash". Don't deny it. You know it. And I know it. Oh and don't lie, either. Lying is worse than denying. And you know "... he sees you while you're sleeping," "he knows when you're awake..." Kinda creepy, huh? lol. So back to my stash...

I found this:

Clearance at Joann's. I bought a cart-full handful and have used some, but I pretty much left them Plain-Jane-ish. I mean... They are kinda spectacular all on their own. I happen to love Heidi's stuff... You know, like I totally know her personally... or not... but, I'm not creepy and not a stalker, so don't even think that. This photo holder is just pretty and sleek. But... I have a "FFF" (that's code at my high school for Fine-Feathered Friend!). It's like a secret pal that we have for a semester. I give mine LOTS of things. It's fun and I love it. Oh, I receive stuff, too... but from someone who secretly got me. So this week is our big reveal (end of the semester, finals, all that jazz and the last week of school before three [count them... 1, 2, 3!] weeks off from school!!!!!) and I was already done with her many gifts of reveal, but I knew I could always add more.

Out of the box, it looks like this:

And then... I added a little glue (I squeezed it out in strips, following the Chevron pattern, then spread the glue with a Q-tip)... and some teal glitter (my FFF's fave color is teal...) and zig-zagged that glue through, doing a couple of lines at a time (so the glue didn't dry out),

then pouring sprinkling glitter to completely block that stuff out cover the glue,

then patted it softly, and let excess glitter slide off.

I had this left and had to let it dry 24 hours to allow the glue to be completely done. Because all that excess glitter left on the shiny-non-glued parts was going to make my OCD sent me in a major tizzy. So I walked away...

And it was just like I left it 24 hours ago...

So I tapped it. Nope. Still there...

So I brushed it with a soft (and dry) paint brush. It came off beautifully. But now I have to wash the paint brush because I just can't have glitter on it and blowing on it and tapping it just doesn't seem to do the trick, and I just hate washing stuff!!!! Christmas is next week, and I just don't seem to have enough to do... Ugh.

I put it back in the box... and now it's ready to wrap and give away unless I decide to keep it afterall... um... no... it's Chevron, and I don't much care for Chevron patterns. They hurt my eyes, even after just a couple of minutes.

If you have LESS time, it could easily be inked... Instead of all of the above. But that's up to you...

So you have that!

And just so you know, I'm totally young. Yes. I am. I was having an extremely difficult time moving yesterday (and last night), when I had planned to make all of the rest of my Christmas cards to distribute today at school. So... I woke up this morning and whipped out 16 of these puppies cards in 40 minutes. Not so bad... if I do say so myself.

So I guess I can be Queen of Last-Minute Things, should I want to be... But this was totally stressful to me, so I don't believe I'll make it a habit. Yes... I procrastinate all. the. time. but not that bad!

Thanks for hopping by today, don't forget to leave a comment to be entered into
the drawing for the 5 great prizes. And now... (do you hear the drumroll?) on to Jearise! I'm sure she has something totally great for you (or your friends) to do for their last-minute gifts. OOps! Did I say that? (In my best Urkel voice.)

Here's the full blog lineup, so you can view everything for your last-minute needs:

Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
Kim ~ www.katydidcards.com
Jessica ~ www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
Charmagne ~ www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
Barbara ~ http://barbarab3.blogspot.com
Sharondalyn ~ http://clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com
Lisa ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com (You are HERE)
Jearise ~ http://lorbysworld.blogspot.com (Hop to HERE)
Rhonda ~ http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
Alicia ~ http://goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com

Cookies for Santa Blog Hop

Welcome to the Cookies For Santa Blog Hop.

This a one day hop with 10 stops along the way that will be filled with all different kinds of cookie projects. You will see cards, layouts, altered art, recipes and all kinds of amazing wonderful projects. Remember this is the time of year when the gloves come off in the kitchen, no low-cal nothing, no skimping on the sugar or the sprinkles. It's the best kind of baking, high test, holiday baking. So be sure to grab your favorite cookie and beverage and hop through this yummy tasty blog hop with us. And now on to my project... Or not... 
Whelp... If you know me... then you know this was no small production and something may (or may not) have gone wrong. Let's start at the beginning...

My friend saw these really REALLY cute cocoa-mug-hot-chocolate-packet-holder-card-thingies. Yeah... It can hold tea bags or hot cider packets or.. or... but who the heck thinks of all that when you see a mug and a snowman? She wanted to give them for gifts to ladies of her Bible study. They were kind of expensive ($3.00 each and you had to put the thing together yourself!). And if you know me, like she does... I'm super cheap, thrifty, frugal, whatever you wanna call it. I can replicate almost anything. *Disclaimer* We were/are not going to sell these... They are for personal use only! And since I recently got the Brother Scan-n-Cut2, I thought my job would be easier.

It wasn't. And that's NOT the end of the story.

It'd be great if I plugged it in first...

First off... Somehow, somewhere, in the transition and re-organization of the new craftroom, I lost the examples or I left them in my car and my husband cleaned it out or I left them in her car or I put them in a safe place and can't remember where that might possibly be because it's so safe. So I looked for a wonderful specimen throughout the internet to cut on my Cricut Explore Air. Don't worry... the BSNC2 story isn't over yet either! And I got THIS:

It's way too fat and too big, and I could only squeeze one out per 12x12" paper. Ugh. What a waste and not so cheap.

So I searched more... and found THIS:

Love it. But... it prints on the cardstock. So obviously, you'd have to cut it by hand, and we all know I'm way too lazy to cut out 8-10 of these by hand. Ugh. Ugh. And if you think YOU would do it, don't you know how busy people are with the holidays all upon us?

So I thought I'd scan it with my new Brother Scan N Cut 2 (BSNC2 for now on... because I'm way too lazy to keep typing all that out) and got THIS:

But I went through all of THIS:

to even get there.  And it cut out the mug like THIS:

Hahaha! How flippin' funny. It's still in one piece with sporadic cuts all around. So... I recalled how Julie Fei-Fan Belzer (Scrapbook Soup, people! Get a clue!) had used a dark black pen and re-traced some lines of things she wanted cut out. And I did the same (on a new WHITE sheet, this time... Oh. And I cut the printing off, since the machine had chosen to cut some of the type on the other try...) And re-scanned it in and pressed cut... Success!

So then, I began putting my Cricut elements together because I still couldn't find those examples and looked every flippin' where and with all that I just went through with the BSNC2, I wasn't about to be doing all that. I'm on a busy schedule, ya know?

I picked out a cute Santa (via Subscription), an Angel (via Subscription), and a Snowman (via Subscription). Can you tell the Subscription is an awesome thing to have? So... this is the way Santa's beard and stuff comes out to cut. I am cheap, remember? not a paper-waster. So... before you click "GO", you can use the mouse (or your finger, if you're on the app) to move items closer or rearrange, so you're actually paper-saving. Trust me... every little bit helps when you make cards or scrap or do any type of paper "work".

And you end up with THIS:

The face I stamped with a Peachy Keenstamp (so adorable... I just love those guys!) and rouged his cheeks with a Baby Pink ink don't tell me you can see my fingerprint in there... I'm in total denial as I was too lazy to open a new pack of blenders.

I applied Frosted Lace Stickles to the whole beard and 'stache... and let it dry a bit...

Then covered up half of the stamped face...   Put on the beard and 'stache...

ended up trimming the face underneath, because I had a duh moment and realized I'd stickled the wrong side of the beard... reversing it? um... doesn't quite match up with the facial base. Ok then... fudge it and trim. We are good.



Added a "che[e]rry" nose, a hat and the white trimmings... And it all ends up looking like THIS:

And my Santa requested THESE:

My Santa loves cinnamon roll (cookies!)!!!

Hope you have a sweet, sweet Saturday! Next up... Barbara, with all her tasty treats!

Here's the lineup... In case you get lost... or wanna start over, or missed someone, or... or...
 1. Lisa ~ http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com
  2. Theresa ~ http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com
  3. Haidee -http://created2bunique.blogspot.com...
  4. Charmagne ~ http://sanurascraps.blogspot.com
  5. Anna ~ http://grumpygrandmacreations.blogspot.com
  6. Lisa F. ~ http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com (You are HERE.)
  7. Barbara http://barbarab3.blogspot.com            (Next stop on the Tasting Train!)
  8. Jessica - http://www.craftinandstampin.blogspot.com
  9. Rhonda - http://craftingwithblue.blogspot.com

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Twelve)

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Twelve - the last day of the hop)! This hop is taking place  November 24th through December 5th. Each of us will be posting something Christmas related each and every day at 8:00am, Eastern time (so for my Pacific Time Zone peeps like me!... that's 5am... But don't worry, you can sleep in, and we'll all be here waiting for you, too!)... for 12 WHOLE DAYS! Let us inspire you to finish up that layout, make some special Christmas cards, or wrap that gift in a fun and festive way. If you've already started, you probably came from Barbara. She always has something great to share, doesn't she? Let's continue this 12-day crafting party... after today, that's it until next year but feel free to revisit all of our hoppers' blogs over and over again!

Alrighty now and again...  I've said in Day One, I'm starting my portion of the hop with paper things. Things that are simple and easy to do. I've strayed quite a bit... going in all sorts of directions. But one thing has always been on point... I can always ADD paper to whatever I've shown you. Hahaha. Stretching it enough? Just thought I'd keep you on your toes, as I'm sure it was starting to read/sound like a spiel. As with Day Two,  Day Three,  Day Four, Day Five, Day Six, Day Seven, Day Eight, Day Nine, Day Ten, and Day Eleven (Yes... you got it... today is the last day. So sad...)... We are still with the Christmas theme meaning all things Christmas! The hop is entitled "12 Days of Christmas," is it not? and still again with simple [paper] crafts. Read: It's another simple card.

Today, on the last day... I give you the ugliest card ever made. My kid likes it. Started with a white A2 card. And Chomped the corners because I love a little decorative touch.

Inked up an embossing folder and put it through.

Put some finishing Stickles and Pearls on it.

And that's it.

By the way... Be sure to "brayer" down your washi tape... as you saw in my previous card, I used washi tape. Otherwise, this happens:

It was great hopping along with you these last twelve days. Please come back again.

Oh but... Don't totally go! There is more in store for you, so hop along and please comment on each and everybody. 'Cause you know we all love a little love... And BE SURE to check out the "other" Lisa, as she's the one with all the blog candy and sponsor info! Have a great time, and don't forget to come back another time for something else!

Here's the Line Up for Day 12:
  1. Lisa P. - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com <==== the "other" Lisa!
 ** Barbara - http://spotofsanity.blogspot.com (Guest Designer)
 **Melinda - http://www.mypapercrafting.com (Guest Designer)...
  2. Madge - http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/blog
  3. Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
  4. Sandy - https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/scrapbook-blessings-club-5722003
  5. Elizabeth - http://CraftsByHappyStamper.com
  6. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
  7. Alicia - www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
  8. Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com
  9. Daphne - http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
10 . Rhonda - craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
11. Charmagne - http://www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
12. Barbara- http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
13. Lisa F - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/ <=== You are HERE!
14. Sharondalyn - Http://www.clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com <=== Next stop!
15. Jessi - http://www.mylifeinartsncrafts.co

12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Eleven)

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Eleven)! This hop is taking place  November 24th through December 5th. Each of us will be posting something Christmas related each and every day at 8:00am, Eastern time (so for my Pacific Time Zone peeps like me!... that's 5am... But don't worry, you can sleep in, and we'll all be here waiting for you, too!)... for 12 WHOLE DAYS! Let us inspire you to finish up that layout, make some special Christmas cards, or wrap that gift in a fun and festive way. If you've already started, you probably came from Barbara. She always has something great to share, doesn't she? Let's continue this 12-day crafting party... after today, there's only 1 more day to go!

Alrighty now and again...  I've said in Day One, I'm starting my portion of the hop with paper things. Things that are simple and easy to do. I've strayed quite a bit... going in all sorts of directions. But one thing has always been on point... I can always ADD paper to whatever I've shown you. Hahaha. Stretching it enough? Just thought I'd keep you on your toes, as I'm sure it was starting to read/sound like a spiel. As with Day Two,  Day Three,  Day Four, Day Five, Day Six, Day Seven, Day Eight, Day Nine, and Day Ten... We are still with the Christmas theme meaning all things Christmas! The hop is entitled "12 Days of Christmas," is it not? and still again with simple [nor so much in the paper today] crafts.

I realized I hadn't done an angel in this hop... so here ya go!

Don't you ever have unused clay pots around? Whelp... here's something to do with them... the more "antiqued" or used they are... the better (in my opinion)! Simply attach a Styrofoam ball to the top (I used hot glue), then add some Spanish moss (again... hot glue...). Add a little decorated wire or pipe cleaner twisted into a halo form that's a circle, folks!

I painted and inked on a wooden heart... a face... and edged the face in gold. Then glued it on with (everybody now...) hot glue.

Cut four pieces of "paper" twist this one's not really paper... it's a plastic of some sorts but was still labeled "paper". Go figure... each a bit smaller than the other. Layer three, with the next to smaller on top, then wrap the super smallest around the middle of the three and secure it in the back with... hot glue.

(The "knot" is WAY over to the right. Can you see it?)

Take a bit of thick twine rope, or whatever you have that you want to make arms out of... and hot glue them to just under the Styrofoam ball (on the sides...). Curve them and glue together in the front to look like arms and hands I frayed it a bit at the ends to give more of an appearance of hands. Glue some lace, ribbon or anything else at the bottom edge of the pot Did I forget to tell you to turn the pot upside down first before doing all this? Whoops. But I figured you figured that out ahead of time, just by looking at the pics... and consider her done.

I happen to love her in the Christmas lights. Isn't she pretty?

Don't totally go! There is more in store for you, so hop along and please comment on each and everybody. 'Cause you know we all love a little love... And BE SURE to check out the "other" Lisa, as she's the one with all the blog candy and sponsor info! Have a great time, and don't forget to come back tomorrow!

Here's the Line Up for Day 11:
  1. Lisa P. - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com <==== the "other" Lisa!
 ** Theresa - http://scrapsbygracie.blogspot.com (Guest Designer)
 **Shannon http://shannonhdesigns.blogspot.com (Guest Designer)...
 **Brenda - https://www.facebook.com/2sistersstampin/(Guest Designer)
  2. Madge - http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/blog
  3. Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
  4. Sandy - https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/scrapbook-blessings-club-5722003
  5. Elizabeth - http://CraftsByHappyStamper.com
  6. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
  7. Alicia - www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
  8. Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com
  9. Daphne - http://craftyscrapsofstuff.blogspot.com
10 . Rhonda - craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
11. Charmagne - http://www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
12. Barbara- http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
13. Lisa F - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/ <=== You are HERE!
14. Sharondalyn - Http://www.clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com <=== Next stop!
15. Jessi - http://www.mylifeinartsncrafts.co

12 Days of Christmas (Day Ten)

 

Welcome back to the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop (Day Ten)! This hop will take place  November 24th through December 5th. Each of us will be posting something Christmas related each and every day at 8:00am, Eastern time (so for my Pacific Time Zone peeps... that's 5am... But don't worry, you can sleep in, and we'll all be here waiting for you, too!)... for 12 WHOLE DAYS! Let us inspire you to finish up that layout, make some special Christmas cards, or wrap that gift in a fun and festive way. If you've already started, you probably came from Barbara. She always has something great to share, doesn't she? Let's continue this 12-day crafting party... after today, there's only 3 more days to go!

Alrighty now and again...  I've said in Day One, I'm starting my portion of the hop with paper things. Things that are simple and easy to do. I've strayed quite a bit... going in all sorts of directions. But one thing has always been on point... I can always ADD paper to whatever I've shown you. Hahaha. Stretching it enough? Just thought I'd keep you on your toes, as I'm sure it was starting to read/sound like a spiel. As with Day Two,  Day Three,  Day Four, Day Five, Day Six, Day Seven, Day Eight, and Day Nine... We are still with the Christmas theme meaning all things Christmas! The hop is entitled "12 Days of Christmas," is it not? and still again with simple [nor so much in the paper today] crafts. Today, I'm making you a garland. I made it a while back... so I don't have pics from beginning to end, but I believe you'll get the gist. And it is very VERY simple.

Let me set the scene... Maybe I should've taken a picture of the scene. Hmmm. Next time. I buy stuff. Lots of stuff. And I don't use it. And that makes me a hoarder. We all have fabric, right? Lots and lots and lots of fabric. Most of mine is Christmas fabric. I took a couple of yards of coordinating/contrasting fabric. Yes. It can do both at the same time. Duh. Think the negative or flip side of the fabric. Open your mind!!!! And I ripped it. How? I cut the edges (at the selvage) into 1-1/2" increments then grabbed the fabric on both sides of the cut and LET 'ER RIP! Um... Excuse me! *Giggle* pulled. It will make a sound. You are doing nothing wrong. And it's a totally great way to get out your holiday aggressions. Who needs road rage? That chick took your parking spot at the mall? RIP! That man took the last Hover Board (that you really couldn't afford anyway)? RIP! Pretty soon you'll have a huge pile of strips. Now... wash them. You read right. Wash them... no fabric softener, please... Now dry them. It kinda goes without saying... Again, no fabric softener sheets. Now pull them out and untangle them. Hahaha! Yes. They will tangle. Do not put them in a "bag" prior to washing or drying... We want them frayed. When you put them in a bag, they don't get bumped around and beat up.

They're untangled? Good. Now separate them out into "like" piles. You know... where it's all about the fabric print. Only exact same prints go in each pile.

While the fabric strips were washing, you should've been doing the following: Grab out those wire hangers from the dry cleaner. No. We are not making s'mores... Get a pair of gloves to protect those crafty hands of yours and a good set of wire cutters. Snip off the "hang" portion. That's what I call the little curved thing that hangs over the closet rod. I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know it and am actually too lazy or forgetful to look it up. If you know the name... feel free to sound off in the comments. I thank you ahead of time. Now snip of segments of 6-9" each. If you have a left-over bit, after you've "met" the ends, simply snip off the remainder of the wire. Do this to all of your hangers, depending on how long you want your garland to be.

Bend each segment into a tree form. Some may have two tiers, some one, but none of them should be exactly alike and unless you are totally strong, because this IS the hard part, and totally perfect, the sides won't even all be the same and that's okay. And just a little fyi... mine only have one tier because IT WAS REALLY HARD and I wasn't going to ask anyone for help. I knew I could do it on my own. Homespun. That's what I call it. Do not connect the trees.

Starting at the split but meeting up portion of one of the trees, begin wrapping a set of strips around the wire. Yes, I know it begins to be tedious, but you will see the end of the strip at some time. And when that happens, you'll simply add on another strip, because you want that wire covered. When it's completely wrapped, dip your finger in some glue and tack it to the underside of the fabric.

The first one's all covered? Great! Now attach another "tree" to the covered tree. You know... slightly open the "met" ends... and wrap this tree with a different fabric that's why I said coordinating/contrasting fabrics until it, too, is wrapped.

Now repeat until you've got the length you want or give up, like I kinda did...I only ended up with nine before I pooped out... You've now got a beautiful hand-made garland!

And another little fyi... I display this VERTICALLY. Otherwise I get all kinds of cracks (and trust me it happens a lot at my house... they all think they're comedians... about how much they look like arrows and where are they pointing to... But I love it. And I put it out. Every. Single. Year. Yes. I'm that stubborn.

If I had to do it all over again... I'd probably make sure I only had the thinner wire hangers... and maybe heat them so they were more flexible. But... I don't have to do it all over again. I no longer go to the dry cleaners. I only let everyone buy wash-and-wear. Saves me money and gas (to get to the cleaners!).

Don't totally go! There is more in store for you, so hop along and please comment on each and everybody. 'Cause you know we all love a little love... And BE SURE to check out the "other" Lisa, as she's the one with all the blog candy and sponsor info! Have a great time, and don't forget to come back tomorrow!

Here's the Line Up for Day 10:
  1. Lisa P. - http://honeybearzdesigns2011.blogspot.com <==== the "other" Lisa!
 ** Shawnee- http://www.sunshinythought.com(Guest Designer)
 **Jenny- http://crazyaboutcricut.blogspot.com/(Guest Designer)
  2. Madge - http://www.thescrappinlounge.com/blog
  3. Ashley - http://marinewifesscrappinlife.blogspot.com
  4. Sandy - https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/scrapbook-blessings-club-5722003
  5. Elizabeth - http://CraftsByHappyStamper.com
  6. Angela - www.crazy3monkeys.blogspot.com
  7. Alicia - www.goldengoddessdesigns.blogspot.com
  8. Miranda - www.nanasscrapspot.com
  9. Rhonda - craftingwithblue.blogspot.com
10. Charmagne - http://www.sanurascraps.blogspot.com
11. Barbara- http://barbarab3.blogspot.com/
12. Lisa F - http://lisaslittlerascals.blogspot.com/ <=== You are HERE!
13. Sharondalyn - Http://www.clippingsbysharondalyn.blogspot.com <=== Next stop!
14. Jessi - http://www.mylifeinartsncrafts.co