Fall Photos

Hello my friends!! It's Monday!! I LOVE Mondays. I truly feel like I get the most accomplished early in the week.

Well, I don't have any paper projects to share today. I have some in the works, just can't share them yet. :)

But I would like to share some photos that I took Thanksgiving morning. We started with a bit of fog, but the skies turned a brilliant blue by the afternoon. And our trees have put on quite a show this year. Oh, we get some color by mid November, but nothing really truly rich. Well, since our Fall was late this year, it seems to have changed things up a bit.




I actually took this picture about a week ago. I loved the fog with the angus, the green grass and changing trees. One thing we have here in central California, is green grass with our colored trees.


Next up are two pictures of the "kids" who keep me company while my other two kids are off at college. This is Bear. Sorry he looks a bit mangy. He goes to the groomer in a couple of days, so his eyes are barely visible.

This is Jack. Our protector. He's extremely loyal, and very protective. Bear's the welcoming committee, whereas Jack is the deterrent. LOL


Here are a couple of pictures that I took of our Cana Lilies this morning. I love the brilliant orange with the dew still on the leaves!!





That's it for now. Thanks for visiting. Check back later this week for some paper projects.
Have a fabulous week, and Happy Stamping!!

Happy Thanksgiving and a One Layer card

Hello my friends!! I'd like to start by wishing all my American stamping friends, a very

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I'd also like to take this time to share how blessed I feel for being a part of such a wonderful stamping community. Since I got involved with Splitcoast Stampers, and blog landabout 4 1/2 years ago, I've met (in person and some just by sharing comments), some of the most warm, kind, and generous of heart, and I am so grateful. So, thank you my friends, for your kindness, your supportive comments, and for sharing your wonderful stamping gifts, so I am able to grow as a person and a designer. God Bless all of you!!

Now, for my card...

I made today's card for the CCEE Stamper's Challenge this week, which is to make your card One Layer. I started by diecutting a Spellbinders Wonky Rectangle out of copy paper, and laying the negative part over my card as a mask. I then inked up the inside with Ranger distress inks in the following order: Antique Linen, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain, and Black Soot. I then took one of the Music images from the Waltzingmouse set Musical Background, and stamped it with Onyx Black Versafine until I covered the entire Wonky Rectangle opening.

I then stamped the Cross from the set Celtic Heritage, and the "Joy" sentiment from the set Say it Loud ~ Winter Holiday. After that, I heat set all the ink with a heat tool, and rubbed an embossing (anti-static) pad over it all, and stamped the corner flourish, from the set, Faux Fun Circles, and snowflakes from the sets Join us and Seasons of Love, with Versamark, and embossed them with White ep.

Lastly I added some score lines, some Stampin' Up! ribbon, a Rhinestone, and a punched border.

That's it.
Thank you so much for stopping by today.
I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!
Happy Stamping!!

Holiday Diva Dare ~ Gift Bag Topper

Hello my stamping friends!! I have another fun gift bag topper to share with you. I made it in answer to the Verve Holiday Diva Dare. Check out my post HERE for all the details. Here's the tutorial for the topper that I made a little while back.

I used the following Verve sets and dies: Glad Tidings, Frosty Flakes, Bright Spirits, Winter Fun and Snowflake Tidings.

See the little snowflake ornament? That was made with the medium snowflake from the Glad Tidings set along with a new Verve die called Snowflake Tidings. And the icicles were made with a Martha Stewart Punch.

I made the medallion using the Tim Holtz Mini Paper Rosettes die along with the 2011 Snowflake Pendant and the Petite Scallop Circle dies by Spellbinders.

Be sure to check out the Verve Blog for more Holiday inspiration this week. We'd love to see how you answer the Holiday Diva Dare.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Glad Tidings, Frosty Flakes, Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: White and Kraft (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Versamark and White
Accessories: Winter Fun and Snowflake Tidings, Mini Rosettes die (Tim Holtz), Petite Scallop Circle and 2011 Snowflake Pendant dies (Spellbinders), White embossing powder, White Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Icicle border punch (Martha Stewart), beads and sparkly rhinestone sticker, kraft paper gift bag, crimper, Natural Burlap String (May Arts), Scor-Pal

Viva la Verve November Week 3 ~ Merry and Bright

I made this card using this week's Viva la Verve sketch. I stamped the ornaments from the new Verve set Bright Spirits, colored them with Copics and popped them up. They're framed with the Spellbinders' Labels 9 die, and the dp is all from the World Traveler 6x6 paper pad by Teresa collins.

That's it...pretty straight forward. :)
Thanks for visiting!
Happy Stamping!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: World Traveler (Teresa Collins), Vintage Cream and Black (PTI)
Ink: Black Onyx (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Labels 9 die (Spellbinders), Copics, Lace (Kaisercraft), Satin Ribbon (PTI), Black Pearl Brad (MME), Sewing Machine

Peace on Earth

Happy Thursday!! I have a simple card to share with you today. And I had a really hard time photographing it because the cardstock is a shimmery blue by PTI. If you click on the photo, you'll be able to see the details a bit better.

Well, I made this card for two challenges: the Waltzingmouse Blog Waltz, which was to be a winter or Christmas card, and the CCEE Stampers challenge which was to include two diecuts, or two punches. I used two layers of the Labels 4 die by Spellbinders. I also added a punched border, but that is just a little extra... :)

I had fun combining a few Waltzingmouse sets for this card: Seasonal Remedies, Very Vintage Christmas (itty bitty snowflakes), Flourishes ~ Scallops and Dots

All were embossed with white ep.

Well, that's it for today. Thanks for visiting.
Happy stamping my friends!! :)

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies, Very Vintage Christmas, Flourishes ~ Scallops and Dots (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Shimmer Blue and White (PTI)
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Labels 4 die (Spellbinders), White embossing powser, Border punch (Martha Stewart), Scor-Buddy, Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

Time to Blossom

Today, over on the Verve blog, the divas are sharing some of their favorite cards made with Verve's latest release. I chose this CAS card that I made with a new Plain Jane, appropriately called Time to Blossom. I love the fun font and the sweet little flower.


Did ya'll have a nice weekend? I got to hang out with some local stamping friends, Cindy Becker (a stamping recruit :), Pat Smethers and Natalie Qualls,and even had the privilege of meeting fellow Canadian stamper, Michele Ghent (aka: mitchygitchygoomy on Splitcoaststampers). All super sweet and super talented gals. We had a blast chatting at a local Victorian Tea House. Here's a picture of their homemade scones with Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and jam. YUM!! (Picture: Cindy, Nat, Tosh, Michele, Pat)



That's it for me today.
Thanks so much for visiting!!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Time to Blossom (Verve)
Paper: Carolina Breeze (teresa collins), Kraft and White (PTI)
Ink: Smokey Gray (Versafine)
Accessories: Copics, Border Punch (EK Success), Scor-Buddy, Rhinestone (I-Rock), Sewing Machine

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 4

Welcome to our final Holiday Spotlight Hop! Last night we released 2 new stamp sets, 5 plain janes and 6 dies to coordinate with new and old Verve holiday sets! All of the new products we've been showcasing this week are available now in the Verve store!


For my card, today, I wanted to stray away from the traditional Christmas colors that I've been using so much lately. So I made a pink Christmas card. I also decided to try my hand at making a dimensional tree. I've been seeing so many 3-D trees and ornaments out there this year. I've made a few ornaments in years past, but I've never made a tree, and the new Verve tree diecut in the Winter Fun die set is perfect for just that. I just diecut 5 trees, folded them in half, and attached one tree side to the next tree, and so on. I also ink distressed the edges with Victorian Velvet and Brushed Corduroy Ranger Distress Ink, and added some Frosted Lace stickles to the edges. The sentiment is from the new set Bright Spirits.

Here's a close-up of the tree and stickles.

That about sums it all up for today. Be sure to leave a little comment love as you take one last stroll through the Diva and Guest Diva blogs. One lucky commenter from today's hop will win the ENTIRE Release! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

Thanks so much for stopping by this week. I hope you've enjoyed the peeks. Have a super weekend!!
Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: Madison Avenue (Lost and Found MME), Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Victorian Velvet and Brushed Corduroy (Ranger Distress), Onyx Black (Versafine)
Accessories: Winter Fun die (Verve), Labels 15 die (Spellbinders), Buttons (PTI), Twine (Olive Manna), Lace (Kaisercraft), Snowflake Punch (Martha Stewart), Frosted Lace Stickles, Border Punch (EK Success), Scor-Buddy, Corner Rounder Punch

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 3

It's day 3 of Verve's November spotlight hop, and I chose to feature Santa's Helper. Isn't he just super adorable?!?!?!?! I stamped him onto kraft cardstock and colored him with Copics. I added some red Viva Decor Gel to his nose and sprinkled it with red glitter. Cause we all know that Rudolph is "the" helper. :) I thought Rudolph would look cute sitting on the new Lovely Marquee die, and it works beautifully with the frame from Love Story. I added some snowflakes from the set Glad Tidings, and diecut them with the new Snowflake Tidings dies. Lastly, I added some gingham ribbon, some burlap string, a button and random sewing.

I should also inform you that this sketch was designed by the sweet and talented Jackie Pedro, and can be found in the Verve Forum on Splitcoast Stampers. It's this week's VLV Sketch.

That's it for me. Be sure to check out the other projects these gals have to share.

1. Julee	8. Sankari
2. Andrea	9. Teresa
3. Vickie {Guest}	10. Charmaine
4. Amy	11. Tosha
5. Maureen	12. Wanda {Guest}
6. Laurie	13. Jackie
7. Gretchen {Guest}

Thanks for visiting!! And don't forget the release party is tonight at 9 pm Eastern!!

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Stamps: Santa's Helper, Love Story, Glad Tidings
Paper: Jingle (Lily bee design), Kraft and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnt Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Lovely Marquee die and Snowflake Tidings dies (Verve), Standard Circle die (Spellbinders), Copics, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Viva Decor Gel, Gingham ribbon, Natural Burlap String (May Arts), Button (PTI), Sewing Machine

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 2

Welcome to our Holiday Spotlight Hops ~ Day 2! Hop along with the Divas today as we share a look at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

I went a bit geometrical on ya'll today. I loved the look of the flakes (or stars, or poinsettias...they could really be whatever you want.), and thought they'd be fun to make a pattern with and color. Stamped like this, they remind me of poinsettias. They're from the set Bright Spirits, which is filled with beautifully fonted sentiments, dove's, hanging ornaments, bells, stars, etc. This set has a little of everything in it to make a variety of Holiday cards.

I diecut the stamped dove with the Love Birds Die set, and glittered him up, and added a hanging heart to the sentiment on the inside.

This card also fits with the CCEE Stamper's challenge, this week, which is to include 3 different shapes. I have a button circle, a square panel of the images, and whatever shape you want to call with the sentiment. Be sure to stop by the CCEE Stampers blog to see what shapes the rest of the gals have included on their cards.

That about sums up today's card. Be sure to check out what the other divas are sharing today.

1. Julee 8. Andrea 2. Jackie 9. Vickie {Guest} 3. Teresa 10. Amy 4. Charmaine 11. Laurie 5. Maureen 12. Gretchen {Guest} 6. Tosha 13. Sankari 7. Wanda {Guest}

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Bright Spirits (Verve)
Paper: PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Aged Mahogany (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Love Birds Die set (Verve), Circle die (Spellbinders), Tab Punch (SU!), Button (PTI), Ric-Rac, Rhinestones (I-Rock), Graphite Viva Decor Gel, Copics, White Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Black Burlap String

Verve Nov. Spotlight Hop ~ Day 1

Welcome to our Holiday Spotlight Hops! Hop along with the Divas over the next few days as we share our first looks at a few of the new products releasing from Verve this Friday night! One lucky commenter from each day's hop will win the sets and dies featured that day, so be sure and leave a little love in the Divasphere! Check out the Verve Blog today for all the prize details and deadlines.

One of the new Cross dies works with the cross from the Verve set Richly Blessed. I thought it would work beautifully with the new Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane. I stamped it with Onyx Black Versafine onto some 25 Days of Christmas (Simple Stories) dp, and diecut it with the new Cross Die. The die also works with the new Curvy Cross PJ. It is similar to the Richly Blessed cross. It just doesn't have the outline.

That's it from me today. Be sure to continue along the hop to see what the other divas have to inspire.

1. Julee 7. Andrea 2. Teresa 8. Vickie {Guest} 3. Charmaine 9. Amy 4. Maureen 10. Laurie 5. Tosha 11. Gretchen {Guest} 6. Wanda {Guest} 12. Sankari

Thank you so much for stopping by today.
Happy Stamping!!

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Stamps: Jeremiah 33:3 Plain Jane and Richly Blessed (Verve)
Paper: 25 Days of Christmas (Simple Stories), Vintage Cream and Black (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Vintage Photo (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Cross Die (Verve), Standard Circle and Lacy Circle Die (Spellbinders), Brad (Lost & Found MME), Linen Ribbon and buttons (PTI), Lace (Graphic 45), Felt Ribbon Trim (Creative Imaginations), Black Burlap String (May Arts), Sewing Machine, Distrezz-it-All (Zutter)

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 4:

It's the final day of Waltizingmouse's Stamp of Approval Parade, and I'm sharing a CAS card that I made with a "candy cane" styled circle from the Faux Fun Circle set, and the holly and Christmas sentiment from the Very Vintage Christmas Stamp Set. I just colored the holly with Copics, popped up the berries and added a sprinkle of glitter to them. The wreath was stamped with Red Magic VersaMagic, and the borders were made by just cutting the top panel 1/4" smaller, along the side, and punching both sides, starting with the middle. I also scored a line along each punch to finish off the edges.

That's it for me this week.
We hope that you have enjoyed, and have been inspired, the past few days from our Stamp of Approval Parade; highlighting Claire's lovely Christmas and holiday sets. Now it’s time for you to get your craftiness on as we invite you to participate in a CASE (Copy and Share Everything) competition.

Find a card or project from any of the projects posted over the past few days by the WMS Design Team, CASE that project using Waltzingmouse Stamp images, and link it using the Inlinkz on Claire’s blog. At the end of the competition, one project will be randomly selected to be highlighted with a Parade of its own on several of the Design Team blogs.

We hope you will enjoy this competition and that it will inspire you be creative. You have one week to complete and link your project as the competition will close at 8:00 AM Claire’s time on August 10th, which is 3 AM Eastern, 2 AM Central and Midnight, Pacific time. The winner will be announced on Claire’s blog on November 11th.

In case you've missed some along the way, here's the list of the DT members participating today.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

Thanks a bunch for stopping by today. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!! I'm going to be playing catch-up after being gone so much lately.

Happy Stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Faux Fun Circle and Very Vintage Christmas Stamp Set (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: White (PTI)
Ink: Red Magic (VersaMagic), Onyx Black (Versafine) and Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Accessories: Copics, Border Punch (EK Success), Glitter (Glitter Ritz)

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 3: Christmas Tag

It's day 3 of this week's Waltzingmouse SOAP. Have you been enjoying all the Christmas inspiration? Well, today I have a tag to share with you using the following Waltzingmouse sets: 2011 Holiday Ornaments, A Cottage Christmas, and Say it Loud-Winter Holiday.

The snowflake was diecut out of Welcome Home BoBunny dp, using the Spellbinders die 2010 Snowflake Pendant. I first ran the tag base through my xyron and then coated it with Latte Opaque Micro Fine glitter by Glitter Ritz. I then glued the diecut tag piece over the top, added some ribbon, lace and silver string with a sweet little Waltzingmouse Ornament that I diecut with Spellbinders' 2011 Heirloom Ornament die.

The tags were punched with the Stampin' Up! Window punch, and I added some Cool Highlights Transparent Micro Fine Glitter by Glitter Ritz to the ornament too. If you click on the photo, you can see the details better.

Here's a list of the other DT members sharing some inspiration today.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Clare Buswell
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kate Whelan
Kelly Schirmer
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

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Stamps: 2011 Holiday Ornaments, A Cottage Christmas, and Say it Loud-Winter Holiday. (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Welcome Home (BoBunny), PTI
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress), Latte (a muse)
Accessories: 2011 Heirloom Ornament, 2010 Snowflake Pendant (Spellbinders), Window Tag Punch (SU!), Button (PTI), Silver Cord, Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Latte and Cool Highlights Micro Fine Glitter (Glitter Ritz), Sewing Machine

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 2: Christmas Cheer

It's day 2 of this month's Waltzingmouse SOAP, and I have a quick and easy card to share with you today. I just stamped one of the "remedies" images, from the set Seasonal Remedies, onto decorative paper, cut it out and framed it with a Martha Stewart Border Punch, added some Teresa Collins Ribbon Trim, a Prima Flower and leaves, and a Webster's Pages Sparkler. That's it. Simple Elegance.

Now, if you haven't had a chance to check out what the rest of the WMS DT has to share today, here's a list of those participating today.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)


Thanks so much for stopping by.
Happy stamping!!

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Welcome Home (BoBunny), Black and Vintage Cream (PTI)
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Border Punches (Martha Stewart), Ribbon (Teresa Collins and Martha Stewart), Sparkler (Webster's Pages), Flower and leaves (Prima), Rhinestone (Kaisercraft), Scor-Pal, Dimensional Tape (Scotch)

Waltzingmouse November Soap ~ Day 1 ~ Tutorial: Kraft and Felt bag

Woo-Hoo!! It's time for the Waltzingmouse November SOAP (Stamp of Approval Parade) parade!! This month, we're focusing on anything Christmas. Whether it be a card or project. Today, I have two sweet little handmade bags to share with you, using a couple of the new Waltzingmouse sets Seasonal Remedies and Candy Jar Christmas. The first bag is made out of kraft paper, and the second made out of felt.

I'm more of a paper-crafter than a cook or baker, but these white chocolate covered pretzel rods are super easy. Even for the clutziest of people. I'll include the easy recipe at the bottom of this post.


I wanted to make my bag a bit vintage looking, so I stamped the images with Onyx Black Versafine. The little candies were masked, and the edges were ink distressed with Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress Ink)

The bag is super easy and quick to put together. I started off with 2 pieces of 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" kraft paper that I cut from a roll that I use to wrap Christmas gifts with. If you don't have kraft paper, you can use lunch sacks. Kraft cardstock is too thick.

I then stamped the design I wanted toward the bottom of one of the pieces, and punched one end, of both pieces, with a decorative punch. (the opposite, and back side of the stamped image - because you're going to fold it over.) I start my punch in the middle, and work out. That way the punched border is balanced. After punching, measure 4" in from the un-punched edge and score with the image facing up. I inked the fold so you can see it better.

This is what it's going to look like when folded.

Next, you're going to want to sew the two pieces together. Lift up the flaps and sew from one side of the opening around the bottom and to the other side (not including the flaps. Back-stitch along the top edges so they are secure when adding the Chocolate dipped pretzels) Then sew the edges of the flaps individually if you want. If you sew them with the rest, they don't lay as nice.

Here you can see the sewn edges.

Then when you fold the flaps, they're not so flat.

Lastly, I added some twine to the punched border and a sweet little vintage wood spool button by Prima.

For this set, I included pretzels all decorated with white chocolate and candy pearls.

You can also use Felt to make the bag. I would cover the pretzels with cellophane, though, because you don't want them against the felt. I also sewed the sides all the way to the top because felt is easy to fold over.

Lastly, I added some twine with a couple of jingle bells on the ends, and a diecut border that I made with the Classic Petal Edgeabilities die by Spellbinders.

This little bag would be great as a place card with the name of a guest added on a little tag. It would also be sweet to give as a gift to your classmates, a teacher, or whatever that creative mind of yours can come up with.

That's it for today's project. Be sure to check out what the other girls have to share, if you haven't already.

Anya Schrier
Becca Feeken
Julia Aston
Jennifer Holmes
Kelly Schirmer
Laurie Schmidlin
Lynn Mercurio
Mona Pendleton
Sandie Dunne
Tosha Leyendekker
Claire Brennan (Owner)

White Chocolate Pretzel Rod recipe:

1 cup White Chocolate Chips (or semi-sweet)
1-2 tsp Shortening

Heat in mug or microwave safe bowl for 1 min. and 30 seconds at 50% power, stir, and continue heating in 15 sec. intervals until completely melted. Dip pretzels in and let the chocolate drip off. You want a thin layer of the chocolate. While still wet, sprinkle whatever topping you'd like over the top. I laid mine over a mug so the frosted side hung over the edge while drying.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Sorry I've been absent for so long. I have two kids in college, both in different states 1000 miles and 2000 miles away respectively. The past two weekends have been parents weekend, so we've been racking up the air miles!! YIKES. I'm finally home for awhile....*sigh*

Happy stamping my friends!!

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Stamps: Seasonal Remedies and Candy Jar Christmas (Waltzingmouse)
Paper: Kraft
Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Walnut Stain (Ranger Distress)
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Border Punch (Martha Stewart), Twine, Wood Spool Button (Prima), Pretzels, White Chocolate, Sprinkles