Oops!

Just realized I left a couple of important words out of my previous post - comment limit should read one comment per person per post.  That means up to five chances to win!

White Christmas Week!

Hello and welcome to White Christmas week here at Saving My...!  I love making Christmas cards, but I hate scrambling to get them done at the last minute.  There's a challenge blog I follow to help me try to get a jump on it, as well as have a little fun with it.  I've only managed to participate a couple of times so far this year, but that's ten cards I won't have to make later!

So, I've decided to share them all with you this week as well as give away at least 2 stamp sets while we're at.  Of course they will be Christmas themed!  The rules are simple: please be a follower, and just leave a comment on any/all of the next 5 posts (limit one comment per person per post).  I will be gone to CHA next week, so I will pick at least two winners when I get back.

Now, on to the cards!  This month's challenge at Christmas Cards All Year 'Round is "white".  White should be a main color, and there should be bling included.  As an extra challenge, you can add flowers.  Here's a quick shot of all 5 cards (not a great shot thanks to lighting, but it's just needed to link up to the challenge.):

Like I said, I will get to these cards over the next five days.  Today's featured card is a "gift box" card.

All of the details for this card are over on the Cutters Creek blog today, so head over and check it out!  Be sure to leave a comment before you go so you can be entered in the drawing for the stamps.

Mixed Media Mini-Bags

I'm still playing around with those crocheted roses from last week.  I decided I wanted to use one on a bag, and it took me a while to decide what to do for leaves.  Rather than add crocheted leaves, I wanted to leave the flower plain so it could be removed from the bag and pinned to something else.  I finally decided to use my Yudu and screen on the leaves.  This is what I wound up with:

The little bag is about 5.5" square.  I got mine in a multi-pack at Michael's.  My leaf design came from the Autumn Flourish SVG set from Lettering Delights.  I cut it from some outdoor vinyl, which I then adhered to the top of the Yudu screen.  I used Olive Yudu ink to screen print the leaves.  It's a bit darker than I wanted, but the other two greens I found didn't look as good.  After drying, the ink should be heat set so the bag can be washed if necessary.

Finally, I simply used a safety pin to pin the flower from the inside of the bag.  This would make a great little gift with a set of note cards tucked inside.

Look at What I Found!

I know, I know, I promised a project post and I DO have one coming!  But I wanted to share this neat new jewelry store I was just introduced to, where you can build your own watches and necklaces.  Chunky Bling has the parts all assembled for you & everything is interchangeable with lobster clasps!

I thought these were just too cool not to share, and I immediately signed up to become an affiliate.  I can't wait to get my first order, but I'm still trying to decide what to get first, lol.  Check it: you choose which beaded watch band or bands you want, then choose a watch face or two.  They send them to you and you just attach the band to the face with the clasps.  Same goes for the necklaces; each charm cluster hooks on to the chain with a lobster clasp, so you can change whenever you want!  (They even have cute beaded rings!)

My favorite thing are the names of some of these beauties!  Cotton candy, Midnight Magic, and Merry Mistletoe are just a few - and they have contests to name the new ones too.

I know, how do we know they're any good?  They ARE a newish company, but so far have great reviews.  They have a decent quality guarantee as well, which you can read on their website.  You can also return for ANY reason during the first 30 days.  Shipping is a flat rate, starting at just $3.95, with orders over $75 shipping free.

If you'd like to find out more about becoming an affiliate yourself, just head on over to Chunky Bling and click on the Affiliate Information link under the All Other Information tab.

If you buy, I'd love to hear what you think!  I'm off to try and make a final decision now...

Get More Bang for Your Buck!

Here are the details on July's special offer from Close To My Heart:

IT’S SIMPLE. SPEND $50, THEN CHOOSE A BONUS ITEM FOR $1 (five products to choose from). Because everyone loves more bang for the buck!

Eligible $1 Bonus Items:
• Creative Basics® Mistletoe Collection (original retail: $8.95)
• Creative Basics® Animal Cookies Collection (original retail: $8.95)
• My Originals® Bits & Pieces Card Kit (original retail: $12.95)
• My Originals® It’s Your Day Card Kit (original retail: $12.95)
• My Originals® Around the Holidays Card Kit (original retail: $14.95)

*Offer available July 1–31, 2011. Tax and shipping/handling charges apply. Close To My Heart reserves the right to substitute a comparable promotional item while supplies last. Limit one promotional item per qualifying order.

You can place your order online 24/7 at http://loribrown.myctmh.com/ - stretch your dollar further by shopping our While Supplies Last section for bargains of up to 78% off!

Thanks for stopping by - I will have a project post up later Monday or Tuesday morning, depending on how long it takes things to dry.  And be sure to stop by on Thursday for my White Christmas post,  including a giveaway!  Hope to see you then.

Where Has Lori Been?!

You MAY have noticed I've been a bit negligent of my blog this week.  While hubby had to stay behind & go to work, the kids & I joined my family on a mini-vacation!  Can you guess where?

Yep, we headed to downtown Chicago.  It's only an hour's drive for us, but we met some of my family there for a few days.  The kids' favorites were our trip to Navy Pier and the Museum of Science & Industry.  And they actually got  me up in the giant ferris wheel.  I am actually petrified of heights, but once I got in I was fine, as it's the safest looking ferris wheel I've ever seen - and all of the cars were enclosed so not much danger of me falling out, lol.

Hopefully, I will be back at it on Monday or Tuesday!  I haven't had time for crafting yet, and I work tonight & all day tomorrow.  I guess I better get it in gear, as I still have to get ready for CHA the following week, and I don't want to leave you post-less while I'm gone.  See you in a couple of days!

Summer Flower... Circa 1934

The new challenge over at Scrappy Frog's Challenge Blog is Summer flowers. (The challenge blog post will be up sometime later today.)  I hope you will join us!  I chose to use a crochet rolled rose that I have been obsessing over since Bonnie shared hers the other day.  Since I'm also gaga about all things vintage, I pulled a couple of sheets of Circa 1934 papers out of my hoard.

Using a pattern from the Wishes card making book, I laid out my papers.  My circle is cut with the Cricut from CS in my hoard, then sponged with Desert Sand ink and sentiment stamped in Black.  I laid down Glue Lines and adhered black buttons from my hoard - many of them are actual vintage buttons, so I thought this was a fun use of them.  A few are tied with white hemp.  Lastly, I adhered my crochet rose with Scor Tape, and some felt leaves with Liquid Glass.

Supplies used:

• Circa 1934 patterned papers, Cosmo Cricket
• Black and green CS
• Wishes card making book, Close To My Heart
• Black & Desert Sand stamp pads, Close To My Heart
• Black buttons
• White Hemp, Close To My Heart
• #10 crochet cotton, Coats & Clark
• Size 5 crochet hook
• Felt Leaves, Close To My Heart
• Liquid Glass, Close To My Heart
• ATG tape, 3M
• Glue Lines, Glue Dots