Hot Chocolate Jar

Wisconsin weather took a wintery turn last Thursday and Friday.  We were blessed w/ a rain/ice storm.  While it made the roads messy, it made the EVERYTHING else absolutely beautiful. 

The trees, shrubs, bushes all had this beautiful icy coating. 

 

 

I wanted to go outside and take a bunch of pictures to share, but instead I worked on finishing up the Evan's therapist's gifts. 

 

I know that Christmas gifts in a jar aren't uncommon, but I have found that they are always well received.  I made homemade hot chocolate mix and filled quart jars. I added a simple tag and found some REALLY cute snowman mugs at Wal-Mart to give along w/ the jar.

 

 

Here's a close up of the jars.  I used the Season of Style DSP and the Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon.  A simple white tag.  I did round the upper corners w/ the corner rounder on the Envelope Punch Board (this is my FAVORITE FAVORITE tool). 

 

A little peppermint to go with the hot chocolate...yum yum!

 

 

My daughter, Riley Kate helped me finish up my baking yesterday.  We made and decorated cut out cookies for the cookie plates while we watched The Sound of Music. I think I would like that to be an annual family tradition.  :) 

 

 

Here are our finished plates. 

 

 

Merry Christmas from our family to you!  <3 p="">

Candy Reindeer

We are getting down to those wire.  Christmas 2013 is almost here.  I have been baking and packaging, wrapping and panicking!  Yes, that panic when you have forgotten a little someone in your life. If you are a mom or just have some little ones that are  on your "nice list" here is a simple idea. 

 

I used the Two Tags Die which unfortunately RETIRED.  :(  You can simply make  two Soft Suede tags and make a sleeve for your candy cane antlers.  I used sticky strip make the sleeve.

 

The Cherry Cobbler nose is a 1" circle punch and attached w/ a dimensional.

The eyes are 3/4" and 1/2" circle punches and attached w/ dimensionals.

 

I sponged the tags and nose w/ Early Espresso ink.

I added a Gumball Green Ribbon collar.

 

 

In total I made 18 reindeer, but here's part of the herd.  ;)

 

 

 

 

My Husband Said....

My husband said I would never use the FUZE bottles.  He had no idea WHY I was saving them.  He threatened to throw them out.  He complained about their existence in our house--mind you they were in the basement shoved under a shelf and not in a place that he typically is.  For whatever reason, my box of empty FUZE bottles bothered him.

Now in his defense, it did take me several years to use them.  But sometimes it takes awhile to find just the right project.  Plus I had a little panic because FUZE now comes in plastic bottles.  :(  I had to make sure that the project was worthy of my precious bottles.  LOL

This morning, I made a batch of Muddy Buddies a/k/a Puppy Chow and threw in some Holiday M&Ms for color. Then, I rounded up some of my FUZE bottles and ran them through the dishwasher.

Today was the big day.  My FUZE bottles have a purpose again. They will be Christmas gifts and hopeful bring a smile to the face of those who receive them. May they keep them for years and annoy their husbands w/ them.  LOL 

 

Here's my FUZE bottle all dressed up.  Please notice the top of the bottle has been covers w/ packing paper from Stampin Up!  My husband is pretty freaked out by my stash of that too.  (Gosh, I'm starting to sound like a hoarder.  I swear I'm not really that bad.)

 

I like the little bow on the side of the bottle. 

 

 

 

 Here's a close up of the bottle front.  I absolutely love how it turned out.  It is simple, but pretty. 

 Supplies
FUZE bottle :)
Pool Party Seam Binding
Winter Frost DSP
Festive Flurry Framelits and stamp set
A Banner Christmas stamp set
Label Collection Framelits
Pool Party and Smoky Slate Ink
Whisper White Cardstock
Glue dots, Sticky strip and dimensionals

Let's Nugget Again...

I wasn't sure about using the Winter Frost Designer Series Paper with the gold wrapped Hershey's nuggets.   Blue and silver go together and red and gold go together.  Those are just the unwritten "Wendy Rules". 

 

 

 Honestly,  I'm really happy with how this turned out.   If I keep breaking the Wendy Rules and trying out these new combinations, there won't be any unused and must be consumed (by me) nuggets.  That's probably a good thing.  This time of year is hard on my waistline.  :)  LOL

 

 

 

Supplies Used:

Whisper White and Island Indigo Cardstock

Pool Paper Seam binding

gold brad

Baker's Twine

Winter Frost DSP

Chalk Talk Framelits

Hershey's Nuggets

Pretzel Bags

bells



Add a Little Jingle

I think everyone has those people on their Christmas list that they don't want to buy an actual "Christmas gift", but they provide a service and need to be remembered this time of year.  Today, I was thinking of all those people that I didn't want to forget this time Christmas and I had quite a few.  Well as most of you know when it comes to the perfect gift there is nothing that says, "I Care" quite like chocolate.  Thank goodness for Hershey's nuggets.  They just scream, "I Care"!

 

 

 

I think the Season of Style Designer Series Paper is beautiful.  I love Cherry Cobbler.  It is such a perfect Christmas color.

 

And no little Christmas tag would be complete without adding a couple little jingle bells.  They always make me smile and want to watch It's A Wonderful Life.  :)

 

 

 

Supplies Needed for this Nugget Holder are:

 

Pretzel bag

Hershey's nuggets

Cherry Cobbler Cardstock

Crumb Cake Cardstock

Cherry Cobbler Seam binding

Baker's Twine (to attach the bells)

Season of Style DSP

Chalk Talk framelits

gold brad

 

I Solemnly Swear No More Boring Envelopes

Stampin Up! has come out w/ a must have tool for card makers, letter writers, and anyone who loves to use pretty envelopes.  It is the Envelope Punch Board.  Today, I opened my Envelope Punch Board just to try it out.  Well one envelope turned into three.....

Which then turned into NINETEEN pretty envelopes.  They are quick and easy to make and best of all they are perfect every time.  

  
If you would like to learn more about the Envelope Punch Board here's a link to the Stampin Up! website:  http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=133774

To order the Envelope Punch Board, please email me at stampiepoo@gmail.com.

On a different note, on September 19th we marked the 2 month anniversary of Evan having his caretrak bracelet.  The fundraising effort to raise funds to start the Care Trak program, purchase 12 bracelets and train the officers at the Lafayette County was a huge success.  I'm so grateful for all that gave donations.  It is a huge weight off my chest to know that if Evan should ever get away from us, we have this tool to help locate him.  Thank you so much! 

  

Here's Evan w/ his bracelet listening to his favorite singer, Taylor Swift on the Ipad.  :)  

GPS Tracking for My Son, Evan.

This is my 4 1/2 year old son, Evan.  Evan was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) at 18 months old.

Evan has always been a flight risk.  He bolts and runs away if we don't have a hand on him or if he can find an open door he is gone.  It takes a lot to take him outside the house  or to keep him inside the house for that matter.  Our house is getting new door locks as he has conquered the last locks we installed and we are in the process of building a backyard fence. If he gets away from me, he just runs.  He doesn't respond to his name or stop so if he gets away from me it is a race to see if I can catch him before he reaches anything dangerous. Evan has no concept of danger and no fear of injury. 

Evan has a great love of water.  Statistically 70% of kids w/ autism that wander off are found in water drown. We live near a creek and a pond and found that if Evan gets away from us will run to a bridge that is about 3/4 mile from our home.  My husband followed him one day to see where he would go if no one was holding onto him.  He ran up our driveway, down our road, turned onto the next road and straight to the bridge.  He gets to the bridge grabs some rocks off the ground and swings his leg over the bridge rail.  If my husband wouldn't have been there to grab his belt loop he would have been in the water.  It was still cold in Wisconsin and the water would have been freezing.  It was an eye opener for my husband and me.  It would only take a matter of a couple minutes of him out of our sight for him to become one of the 70% that drown. 

I contacted our local Sheriff's Department last fall and asked about GPS tracking for families that has neurological disorders, Alzhiemers or Autism after learning that several of the more populated counties surrounding ours had a GPS Tracking Program.  They had never heard of it.  I was panicked.  I knew that Evan was getting bigger, growing faster and he can defeat almost any barrier we put up between him and outside.  I had also just learned that our tillable acreage near our home would have corn planted in it this year.

After some research, the Lafayette County Sheriff called me back and wanted me to know that they are trying to raise funds for 12 GPS trackers for our county.   The cost to implement the program is $6000.  As parents or caregivers if you have ever had that panic, sick to your stomach, can't breathe feeling when your child or loved one is in danger or wanders away, you have felt the way I feel far too often.  It is horrible to live in fear, because sometimes it's just fear and you forget to live. I'm hoping that we can get this program put into place so that 12 families can breathe a little easier and live a little more.

If you would like to donate:

Lafayette County Sheriff's Department

P.O. Box 148

Darlington WI 53530

Please put "Care Trak and Evan Hawkinson" in the memo. 

To Contact the Lafayette County Sheriff's Department w/ questions directly:

(608) 776-4870 (Sheriff Scott Pedley)

Pop up Posie Snack Bags

Sometimes I look over the catalog and I completely overlook some of the coolest products.  That's what I'm finding as I ready myself for the end of mini catalog.  There are so many goodies packed into that catalog. It was only after one of my customers ordered the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit (page 18) that I noticed it.  It is so cute and I love the little "Just for You" stamp that comes in the kit.

 

This month is Hostess Club and I wanted to share my 'find' w/ the ladies in my club. 

 

There are pool party and calypso coral flowers and in the center I used the polka dotted brads from the IB&C. 

 

 

 

I used pretzel bags filled w/ yogurt covered raisins for the pool party bags and chewy mini sweetarts for the calypso coral bags.  I twisted the top of the bag and attached the tag w/ a bit of baker's twine that also comes in the kit.

 

 

 

 Here's the snack bags made up.  Aren't they cute? 

 

 Remember the last day to order from the mini is May 31st.  It's coming up fast.  If you would like products, please email me at stampiepoo@gmail.com.

Funny Bunnies

We are less than 2 weeks until Easter and it is snowing in Wisconsin.  While it isn't unusual for snow in March, I'm ready for it to be warm. There are many signs that spring is on the way.  I heard that a robin was seen not too far from here and there are many brand new baby lambs in the pasture down in the valley and my daughter started softball practice last week.

 

Yesterday, I made chocolate funny bunnies for my Hostess Club.  They are made out of a 2-4-6 box with a flap for the face. 

 

 

Here you can see him from the side.  He is just squeeeeezed shut and closed w/ a piece of velcro under the flap. He is 4" tall so you can fit candy inside him.  :)

 

I added a little curve to his ears and some whiskers--there's also a little white tail in the back made from a scallop circle punch.  No bunny can be without a tail. 

 

Here's some directions for this little guy. 

Start with a piece of 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of cardstock.  Score it a 2", 4" 6" and 8". 

Turn your sheet and score at 2" and again at 6".

 

 

Here's how to make your box to make the bottom and the flap. 

 

 

Here he is all ready for Easter!

 

 

List of supplies:

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Basic Black

Punches: XL and Large ovals, 1", 1/2", 3/4" and 1 3/4" circles, scallop circle, small heart punch, heart to heart punch (retired) or heart collection framelits, word window

Accessories: snail, dimensions, signo white pen, Basic Black marker, sticky strip, velcro


If you would like to order any of the supplies or get more information from me, please email me at stampiepoo@gmail.com. 

Softball Fundraiser--Cookie Sandwiches

It's time to think a little about Spring.  Even though it snowed for 9 consecutive days in Wisconsin, we are preparing for Spring. My daughter, Riley Kate is the left fielder for the Lady Orioles softball team. We are selling bake goods again this weekend to help raise money for their team.

 

I know that some people would say that 9 dozen chocolate chip cookies (with  few white chips and M&Ms) would be plenty to send  to sell, but not us.  :)

 

 

Some people would say that buttercream frosting only belongs on wedding cakes, but not us. :)

 

Some people might say that buttercream frosting definitely does not belong on cookies, but not us.  :)

 

 

 

 

Some people thought that colored sugar was a little over the top, but not us. :)

 

Some people thought these were far too pretty to eat, but not us!  :)  nom nom

 

Some people think that we should keep them in our house, but not ME!  LOL  They are deliciously yummy and FULL of calories!  :)

My Little Lollipop Valentine

We are chilly in Wisconsin!  It seems appropriate that today is the last day of January.  I was lucky enough to get to stay in all day w/ Evan today.  Thursdays are our busy day w/ therapy.  He has about 8 hours of therapy most Thursdays. 

 

During one of his sessions, I had time to take photos of the little lollipop valentine that we did last week at my Hostess Club. 

 

It is made w/ the 2 tags punch.

 

 

Inside there is a tootsie pop although any kind of sucker would probably work---OR even cake pops.  Yum!

 And no Valentine would be complete w/o a little tag and a ribbon. 

Oh Whale!

We are having some nasty weather in Wisconsin today.  There is snow and freezing rain.   It's a great day to stamp! 

 

Have you seen the new Stampin Up! mini catalog that came out the beginning of January?  It is chock full of amazing new products.  First of all, notice the clouds.  It's a new embossing folder from SU!  It is absolutely adorable and in my humble opinion a must have.  :)  Then again there wasn't much in the mini that wasn't a must have.  It's amazing how that works---SU! always has something I need according to my husband.  Ah husbands of Stampers are wonderful people.  LOL

 

 

 

 

Also in the mini is a sweet little set called Oh Whale.  I think this whale is just amazing for kids or people like me that love cute things.  There is even a clearlit available to cut him out. 

 

 

 

I went w/ a little smaller card. This card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 and the colors used are whisper white and island indigo and then the real red polka dot dsp is from the summer smooches pack. 

Oh yes, every whale needs water.  The waves were made w/ the adorning accents edgelits.  I like the little scallops.

Cold Hands? Make a Mitten!

I know I shouldn't have favorites, but like most people there are things that just make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and out.  Well that is the way I feel about the Make A Mitten stamp set that was in the recently retired mini catalog.  I REALLY hope that it reappears in the Idea Book and Catalog this summer. 

 

 

 

These little mittens are just so stinkin' cute!

 

 

 I didn't want a dreary cold winter card.. I needed some Cherry Cobbler to warm it up and of course some rhinestones!

 

I pulled out my Not Quite Navy cardstock and ink--it's been awhile since I used it. 

I really like the Not Quite Navy/Baja Breeze/Cherry Cobbler combination. 

Custom Bag and a Voodoo Doll

 It is hard to believe that Christmas was a month ago already.  It seems like the winter is passing and that spring will soon be here.  I know we have February and March to get through here in Wisconsin, but I'm holding on to those memories of spring grass and a warm breeze.  
I have been keeping myself busy with my family, but I was excited to take a little time out and make a custom bag for one of my customers, Luann.  She provided the material and I sewed it up for her.  I really like the gray, black and yellow together.  This is her new SU! catalog carrying bag.  :)  I can't think of a better purpose for a day. Well maybe an SU! catalog and some chocolate to munch on while flipping through the pages. 

Here's the quilted side of the bag. 

 

And here's the rag bag side. I love the shabby look and

the material Luann provided frayed out beautifully.

 

Okay... I found a little voodoo doll pin cushion online made out of felt.  I thought it was adorably ugly.  This was a 20 minute little project on night while Evan was in therapy.  The pattern was just a freehand drawing on a sheet of paper--simple simple.

 

What do you think of this little guy? 

 

I Dig You Valentines For Sale

Would you like to have handmade Valentine's for your little one to take to school or daycare, but don't have the time to make them yourself?  Well do I have a deal for you!  I have 3 dozen handmade Valentine's available and ready to ship. 

I made these last year for Evan to give to his classmates, teachers and therapists---they were a hit!  :) 

These Valentine's are 3 x 3 cards made w/ the I Dig You stamp set.  

They do NOT come w/ envelopes.

They are complete and can be mailed out immediately.

I am selling them by the dozen (first come first serve basis) for $ 7.50 a dozen.

Shipping is $3.50 for the first dozen and then add a $1.00 for every dozen after that. 

I would prefer a check or money order. 

If you are interested, please email me at stampiepoo@gmail.com.