Christmas in July

Welcome to SOC's Christmas in July Blog Hop! I, along with some very talented crafters, are coming together to deck the halls by sharing Christmas themed projects! Of course Christmas is the season for giving, and this hop is no exception! There will be giveaways on various blogs throughout the hop! Plus, there will be an SOC blog hop gift awaiting one visitor!! To be eligible for that prize, you must comment on all the blogs by Sunday, July 28th at 11:00pm EST. From all who are eligible, one lucky reader will be randomly drawn. The winner will be posted on all the participating blogs on Wed, July 31st.

If you're starting here, visit Dorothy's blog first to start from the beginning. However, if you have hopped over here from Cyndi's blog, then you're in the right place! Today I am sharing a couple of Christmas cards with a different color scheme:  

Yes, for these cards I selected Kraft (or Khaki), Black, and White for my basic color scheme. I visited a Pier 1 store last year, and they had these fabulous tree displays set up. One of the trees was white with black and gold Christmas ornaments. Although I usually decorate with my lovely purple decorations every year, I loved this color scheme! So I thought it would be great to use it as my color inspiration! Here's a closer look:

Finished size: 5x7, Embossing Templates: Darice, Cuttlebug/Provocraft
Die: Spellbinders, Stamp: Hero Arts


After embossing the card front and the black strip, I stamped the tree then cut it out with a Spellbinders labels die. Pop dots were then added behind the white mat to help it stand out. You can't see it as well in this picture, but stickles were added to leaves on the image for a little sparkle.

Die: Spellbinders, Stamps: Hero Arts, Our Daily Bread Designs

The snowflakes in this card were added with Hero Arts stamps, and pop dots were also added here to look like its hanging from the tree! The ribbon was leftovers I had in my stash (bonus points for that!)  I plan on making more of both of these to share with friends this Christmas! Not my bloggy friends though--I have to surprise y'all with something else, lol...Well those are my projects for today! I enjoyed sharing them with you, and I hope they inspire you to try different colors with your holiday cards! 

Before you go though, I would like to share a blog candy giveaway!!

One winner will receive a 6x6 paper pack and matching washi tape from My Minds Eye, plus a little bling to give a little shimmer and sparkle to your holiday cards and projects! 

And while we're on the subject of giveaways, here is a peek at the blog hop gift!! 

Wow, right? And who said Christmas only comes in December, lol...the rules for this prize is located at the very top of this post, so be sure to check that out again. So are you in the Christmas spirit?? Ready to see more holiday creations? Well, you're just getting started!! You'll be heading over to Donna's blog next, but here's a list of all the participating blogs: 

Dorothy http://alwayslivemorescrapping.blogspot.com/

Cyndi http://nashvillesscrappinsisters.blogspot.com/

Cheryl http://www.onecraftyncpeach.blogspot.com/  <---you are here

Donna http://myblogidlet.blogspot.com/

FranCine http://confiseriespapier.blogspot.com/

Debra http://www.cdebbiscrap.blogspot.com/

Alice http://thepurpleloftcreations.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://www.michellevocke.com/

Classygirl http://www.iclassygirl.com/

MJ http://afrocentriccreations.blogspot.com/

So thank you for joining us today for Scraps of Color Christmas in July blog hop! Be sure to visit throughout the weekend, as some of the crafters will have more projects and more holiday fun to share!

Merry Christmas (in July)...And That's All She Wrote!

All I Want for Christmas Is...

Hi everyone! I hope you're all enjoying this weekend before Christmas! I hope this post finds you finished with all of your shopping and gift-wrapping, and you're having fun times with family and friends! I wanted to stop by to share my holiday wish list as part of the Blogger's Challenges over on Scraps of Color. I went back to take a peek at last year's list, and realized once again that my list hasn't changed much. I must be a creature of habit, lol...This might be a little late to give to the big guy, but if I could, it would look something like this:

My Christmas Wish List 2012

1. Copics. I started dabbling with them more this year, and would really love a few more, okay a lot more for better shading!
2. With all of those new copics, I'd love to get this book to work on more people images! Until the copic certification classes come to NC, these books and Youtube videos will have to work for me. (I'll work on my technique in 2013, Santa, I promise!)
3. The Our Daily Bread Designs Winter Wonderland bundle. It was released earlier this month, and I wish I could get every single piece from this collection! I'm just nuts about Snowflakes, lol...
4. Spellbinders! Y'all know about me and my spellbinders obsession, so I 'll just move on, lol...
5. A Grand Callibur from Spellbinders...(I know you're shocked, but please read on) I never really thought I'd want one of these. I still LOVE my Cuttlebug, and really didn't see myself "dating" another machine, lol. However, I had a holiday project that I had to put on hold because I realized it would need the grand dies. But after more research, I found out that the biggest grands dies wouldn't fit in my cuttlebug. My cuttlebug and I are still trying to work things out, but I might be making a change in the next year...
6. A coat....yes, another one! I love coats! In fact I have a whole board on Pinterest now just for coats, lol! This year, I'm looking at warm and comfort, as I think we might be in for a REAL winter this year! So I hope to find this one under my tree! Don't you feel warm and cozy just looking at it?
7. Finally, I would love to have my craft room totally redone! But I can't expect Santa to bring that on his sleigh...*Sigh* Well, Valentines will be here before we know it, so maybe Cupid will hook me up!

I had a great time sharing my list again with you this year! I hope to get some of these under the tree Christmas Day. But I would seriously give up everything on this list or asking Santa for anything if I could assure that children around the country, around the world could attend school without worrying about anyone harming them. In elementary school, I just focused on riding the bus, learning new things, and sitting with friends in the cafeteria, never even thinking that I wouldn't come home to my parents at the end of each day. Please continue to pray for the world's children, and the parents and families of the young lives lost in Newtown, Connecticut. 

Thanks for stopping by...And That's All She Wrote!

Lil Bucket of Goodies

Well Christmas is just four days away folks! I'm still shaking my head about it being so close! Have you finished your shopping yet? Me, don't ask, lol...On a more positive note, I only have a couple more work days, then I'm closing shop for a little bit!! So glad about it, I'm doing the happy dance! We had our office party and Secret Santa exchange yesterday. Most of us, including myself, asked for gift cards from our Santa. However, I had to put a crafty twist to my co-worker's gift, and I wanted to share it with you!

Pail: Target, Patterned Paper: BoBunny, Ribbon: Michaels,
Die: Scalloped Circle, Spellbinders,
Snowflake Punch: Marvy Uchida, Glitter: Inkadinkado

Have you seen these little pails in the Target dollar bins? I just purchased a couple on a whim. I've seen altered pails before, but never done one. However, when trying to figure out what to get my SS recipient, I didn't want to do the classic gift card. They are great gifts, but some folks can spot them a mile away. So I cut a 2 1/2 x12 inch strip of patterned paper and fit it inside the pail. Then I filled the it with Hershey kisses and hid the gift card inside! It was a hit with my coworkers, so I'm definitely heading back to Target in hopes of putting together a few more of these! So if you're looking for a cute and quick way to present that little something special, I hope you'll give one of these a try!

Thanks for stopping by...And That's All She Wrote!

Wait Santa...Wait!!

Hi folks! Did ya miss me? It's been kinda hectic around here...my car has given me challenges this week, so we've just been taking it day by day. I am SO glad its the weekend!! Hopefully, I can get it straightened out and get my wheels back on the road again!! I hope your weekend has started off on a good note and you get the chance to wrap up your holiday to-do lists! 

I wanted to stop in and share a Holiday Blogger challenge we had over at SOC last week. We were to share letters to Santa. Now I know, I know...we're a little over a week away, and Santa already has his hands full! When I went back to check out last year's list, I noticed that it hasn't changed much. So this is my list, with a few changes:

My Christmas List--2011

1. A coat...Now I realize I posted a coat last year, but I saw this one by Modcloth (pinned here)  posted on one of Adrienne's Pinterest boards, I knew I had to add it! I love the cinched waist and the detailing in the back! What can I say? I love coats!!
2. I'm waiting on a few copics to arrive any day now, so I'd love to have this book 
3. Next, I'd love to get some spellbinders! Okay, okay...it's official! I am HOOKED on Spellbinders! I have a couple of the basic dies, but would love to get some of the shaped ones.
4. The Nikon 1!! Have you seen the commercial for this one? I love it! I'm really not in the market for another camera (as hubby and I are on an electronics- purchasing diet), but the idea of one with the size of a point and shoot AND the ability to switch out the lenses, like a DSLR, is amazing!! I hope to get a closer look at it soon! Hopefully, "no one" is out there reading this, lol

5. Finally, last year I joked about wanting one of those Lexus SUV's out in my drive way, lol...Well, I'm toning it down a little bit this year. With all of the issues I've experienced with my car the last few weeks, I have to go along with my blogger buddy Tina. On her list, she mentioned a dependable car...I know that's right, Tina! I really don't know if that is in our budget  (ahem, Santa's budget) but if I could choose anything on this list, that is what I'd ultimately ask Santa for. However, this is the season of miracles, so I'll dream BIG! So what's on your Christmas wish list this year (crafty or everyday)? Whatever it is for you, I hope Santa brings those special goodies your way! Thanks for stopping by...And That's All She Wrote!

MFT's Holiday Edition: Part 2

Well, we're down the home stretch! I just can't believe it--Christmas Eve is only minutes away! So I wanted to share a few favorite things I've found searching the blogosphere and on other sites. I think they'll come in handy if you're looking for a couple of last minute cute and crafty gifts to give away.

Cheryl's Holiday Crafty Picks

1. This first item definitely falls in the cute category! I was watching the Mr. Food segment during the lunchtime news broadcast, when I saw these, and knew I had to make these this year:

Aren't they too cute?? The cool thing about these cookies is that they don't require any mixing or forming dough into balls! Here's the recipe:

Cooking Time: 8 min
Ingredients

• 1 (18-ounce) package refrigerated peanut butter or sugar cookie dough
• 48 small pretzel twists
• 48 brown M&M's candies
• 24 red M&M's candies

Instructions

1. Place cookie dough in freezer for 15 minutes, or until firm. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    
2. Cut dough into 24 slices and place slices 2 inches apart on large ungreased cookie sheets. Pinch in each side to form an hourglass shape.
    
3. Position 2 pretzels at top of each slice to form antlers then create eyes with brown candies and noses with red candies.
    
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 24 cookies.

Let me know if you try them...I'm getting my bake on with these lil' rascals Christmas Eve!!

2. Speaking of reindeer, this next item is probably something you've seen before, but I think they would be cute enough to add to a gift or stand alone...

Now you remember?? I saw these on Melissa Oliveira's blog here. She has a tutorial for this cutie, and several other Christmas crafts. Although it might be a little late to make some of her other projects, I definitely plan on bookmarking her blog in hopes of finding some crafty holiday goodness for next year!

3. Finally, I was checking out the gallery over at 2 Peas when I had to take a closer look at this:

Tracy took a tray that she found at a garage sale, altered it, and added pics from different years to make this memorable keepsake! Now I'm sure you've seen the 7 Gypsies Printers Trays. I like them, but I didn't think I would want to make one for myself. However, after seeing Tracy's version, I plan on taking the pics from our family's Christmas gathering this year and over the years, and make one soon! Now this is one of those post-holiday projects. In case you'd like to check out Tracy's blog, you can find it here.

Well, I've gotta go get a little shuteye...have a lot to do this last day before Christmas! I hope you enjoyed my favorite things, and get a chance to try a couple of them. Let me know if you do, okay? Take care!

Cheryl

My Favorite Things: Holiday Edition, Pt 1

I'm baacck! Hope everyone is having a great evening, possibly baking, wrapping those last few gifts, or just resting up in anticipation for this weekend! I hope you're getting the chance to enjoy some of the things this holiday brings--time with family and friends, hopefully a breather from your typical schedules. Before we know it, Christmas 2010 will be behind us and we'll be moving forward into a brand new year! Before all that though, I wanted to share a few of my favorite holiday things:

• Houses all aglow with holiday lights! (Like this one) 

• Eating those gooey cookies and treats. You know those holiday calories don't count, right? I'm going with that, so humor me okay? ;)
• Listening to the local station that started playing all Christmas music on the way home from work
• Speaking of music, it really feels like Christmas when I hear one of these on the radio:

I love Nat King Cole! Classic!

Or this one:

Growing up, it didn't feel like Christmas unless we heard this at least once during the season!

• Any of the following movies in any combination:

  

That Will Ferrell is a fool, y'all! This movie is definitely on my holiday "to see" list every year!

Well, these are a few of my favorite holiday things...So now I'm turning the tables on you! What makes you excited about Christmas? Getting those boxes of decorations out of the attic/garage? A particular holiday song? A special holiday memory? I'd love to hear from you out there! Thanks for stopping by, and that's all she wrote!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Hi everyone! Hope you have enjoyed this weekend before Christmas! Six days and counting!! I'm still shaking my head over that one! Anywho...I wanted to share all that's cute and sparkly here in my corner of the world right now--my tree. Now don't adjust your computer screens right now, it IS purple!! It's my favorite color!! When I moved to my own place, I originally wanted to have touches of purple in every room! Sometimes I still wonder how I was talked out of that one, lol. Well, having a purple tree lets me fulfill that fix once a year! So here are some pics:

Be still my heart! Just love the white and purple lights, and the purple velvet tree skirt!

Love this ornament! My little piece of Paris!

Gotta have snowflakes!!

Hello birdie! Newest addition to this year's tree!

Finally, I love my angel! I found her a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving @ Michaels (on sale--bonus!!). I knew if I didn't get her right then, she wouldn't have been there when I would get a chance to make it back! She was supposed to be at the top of the tree, but she was too heavy! So she has a really nice place near the tree!

Well, that's my purple tree! I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I did sharing them! Now I can stop pulling my neighbors in to look at it, lol. If you love the purpleness of it all, and would love to see another purple tree, stop by Lorie's blog, The Peddler's Gallery to check out her fabulous tree! While you're there, be sure to check out her beautiful card creations! Well, I'm signing off now! So take care, thanks for stopping by, and That's All She Wrote!

Dear Santa...

Happy Wednesday everyone! Hope everyone is having a great week! We got our first helping of ice and snow today. In fact, its been really cold and rainy a lot lately. Well, that and watching Charlie Brown Christmas is really putting me in a holiday frame of mind. I guess I better get there quick, fast, and in a hurry huh? It's hard to believe Christmas is only nine days away...Where did the time go??

Finally getting the chance to think about Christmas reminded me of a Sistah Bloggers challenge over on SOC about writing a Christmas wish list. This reminds me of those lists my brother and I would write for my Mom to pass along to Santa. So if I could give him my list now, it would go something like this:

Cheryl's Christmas Wishes

1. A new pair of glasses! Mine have had it!! I am SO overdue for another pair and a new look!
2. A new coat (kinda like this one) and some cute scarves. When I went to Chicago a few months ago, I wasn't prepared for the colder weather. (FYI: A light jacket here IS NOT the same as a light jacket there.) So my friend Jewel offered me an extra scarf, which really helped! (Okay, so I was still frozen like a Popsicle, but it made walking around bearable.) Every since then, I have developed a mild obsession a fascination with scarves!
3. As for craft goodies, I'd love this punch: 

I've seen some really cool layouts and projects done with this!

 4. Copics, copics, copics...I've just been introduced to this world of art markers, and initially I wasn't sure about trying them because they cost a pretty penny! But with all the beautiful projects over on SOC and SSC, I knew I had to give them a try!

5. A pair of nice black boots! I wear boots year-round, and I have worn mine OUT! Plus a chick needs a pair to look cute while getting my scrap on, lol

Finally, I'd love to find this under a tree...In my yard!

Okay, so maybe I'm stretching it a bit.Nothing wrong with dreaming big, right? Have a great evening folks!  

And That's All She Wrote