Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2014

12 Days DIY Christmas 2014 and Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

My mom loves baking cookies in this special season. She bakes yummy cookies, put them in little plastic jars for gifts and to sell them too. I used to help her with the packing and decorating the jars. How I miss her in this holidays.

I love making gifts that I feel it is a way to share the joy with others. And in the last 2 Christmas-es I made gifts for families and friends. This Christmas I make this cute little 3D coffee mug using my Silhouette Cameo.

I found this 3D hot cocoa/coffee mug cutting file is from Lori Whitlock on Silhouette Design Store. Open the file at Silhouette Studio software, no need to resize, ungroup the shapes for cutting with different papers. First I cut Silhouette chipboard for the base and the hexagon for the bottom of the mug. Next I cut Snowhaven paper for the layering and the handle. I love the pattern from Snowhaven paper packet! They are just cool for Christmas 🙂

Putting this mug is very easy. I used Xyron 1.5″ sticker maker for the rectangles and added them on the chipboard base (before fold it). Then, using glue dots secure the handle from inside. Fold the mug using on the score lines. For the base, I used double sided tape, I found it easier than liquid glue. Add the base from inside the mug and another one from the outside bottom. Final touch, I added some Slate Exclusive Inks Pad using a sponge dauber along the edges.

I filled this mug with a bag of hot cocoa and some sweet goodies 🙂 Then I tied it up using the twine from Doodlebug Designs Christmas assortment twine. I cut the tag using Silhouette Cameo, stamped it with one of the sentiments from Be Jolly stamp set (CTMH Hostess Reward) using Ruby Exclusive Inks Pad. Oh I found this cute little Christmas light bulb in my stash and added little bling there 🙂

I link this project at a HUGE blog hop I ever joined, Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop hosted by amazing Amy Tsuruta.

And not just blog hopping, but you can link up your projects at Amy’s blog, hopping around the link ups (some of them offering prizes individually on their blog!) and WIN these amazing prizes from sponsors!

And the sponsors are:

17 Turtles: $15 Store Gift Card
A Muse Studio/Chris Franco: Cup of Good Cheer stamp set
Add a Little Dazzle: $25 Store Gift Card
Butterfly Reflections Ink: Prima Coffee Break
Color Cast Designs: Coffee Lovers kit
Create a Smile: Monster Party stamp set
Hero Arts: A Little & Today’s Special stamps/Cup ‘O Joe Shadow ink
Kraftin’ Kimmie: $25 Store Gift Card
Kreative Kymona: Fancy Mug Giveaway
Latina Crafter: Cafe Wood Veneers + $25 Store Gift Card
Neat & Tangled: Warm Wishes stamp set
Newton’s Nook: $15 Store Gift Card
Paper Smooches: $25 Store Gift Card
Pickled Potpourri: $7 Store Gift Card
Poppystamps: Tea Cup Stack Die
Reverse Confetti: $15 Store Gift Card
Stamp Academy: 2 classes
Stampin’ Up/Veronica Zalis: $20 Store Gift Card
STAMPlorations: $10 Store Gift Card
Stamp Simply Ribbon Store: Coffee Cup Prize Pack
SugarPea Designs: $20 Store Gift Card
Sweet ‘n Sassy: Pick Me Up Clear stamp & die set
The Alley Way Stamps: Tea Par-tea stamp set
Two Paper Divas: Your Warm My Heart stamp set
Your Next Stamp: $20
Verve Stamps: $25
Whole Wild World: Coffee before Talkee mug

●●Sponsorship prizes are eligible via random draw from linked hop participants only●●


17Turtles	Veronica Zalis	Chris Franco

Add a Little Dazzle	Butterfly Reflections Ink	Color Cast Designs

Create a Smile	Hero Arts	Kraftin’ Kimmie

Kreative Kymona	Latina Crafter	Neat & Tangled

Newton’s Nook	Pickled Potpourri Designs	Poppystamps

Reverse Confetti	Stamp Academy	Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

STAMPlorations	SugarPea Designs	Sweet ‘n Sassy

The Alley Way Stamps	Two Paper Divas	Verve Stamps

Whole Wild World	Your Next Stamp	Paper Smooches

Posted on Tuesday, December 9, 2014

An Early Valentine Card Idea

Welcome to Joyful Stars December 2014 Blog Hop! Today I am joining a group of Close To My Heart Consultants blog hop showcasing new products from the new idea book, Seasonal Expressions 1.

If you arrive from Nancy’s blog, you are at the right place 🙂 This blog hop starts at Joyce’s blog where you also can find the full list of the blogs.

My project I wanna share today is a Valentine card. I know it is too early 🙂 but I hope this can inspire you to start planning for that special day.

Supplies I used from Close To My Heart:
– White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
– Heartstrings Paper packet (X7193B)
– Brushstrokes stamp set (C1608)
– Forever In My Heart stamp set (C1604)
– Exclusive Inks Stamp Pads: Thistle, Cranberry, Pixie
– VersaMark Watermark Ink Pad (Z891)
– Ranger Silver Embossing Powder (Z2067)
– Craft Heater (Z555)
– 1″ x 3 1/2″ My Acrylix Block (Y1002)
– 2″ x 2″ My Acrylix Block (Y1003)
– Distress Sanding Kit (Z1294)
– 3D Foam Tape (Z1151)

I added some stitching using my Brother sewing machine to add some extra accent to it.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and your next hope is Stephanie to see what she has created for you 🙂

Have a fun blog hopping!

Posted on Tuesday, December 9, 2014

12 Days DIY Christmas 2014: Day 9

I love making ornaments. In the last 3 years I have been making ornaments to put up on our tree that will remind us God’s goodness and of course also family treasures 🙂

For today, I would love to share an ornament I made that is super easy and quick.

You only need:
– Designer Creations Mini Frames (Z2029)
– Baler’s Twine (Z1921)
– Liquid Glass (Z679)
– 3D foam tape
– Embellishment of your choice
– Photo
– Clear acetate sheet

I used Snowhaven Complements (X7188C), Gold Sequins Assortment (Z2012) and Sparkles Clear Assortment (Z1752) to embellished my frame.

That the project today and I hope you like it 🙂

Did you make ornaments or buy them?

Posted on Monday, December 8, 2014

12 Days DIY Christmas 2014 (Day 8), Silhouette Challenge Blog Hop & Giveaway!

Today is gonna be an awesome one! I am super excited and can’t wait to share this with you! And it is a little longer blog post, but worth it to read all the way 🙂

First is Silhouette Giveaway! There will be 2 winners!! Make sure to read all the way to find out the detail and how to enter. I really really really LOVE my Silhouette Cameo! Since the first day I got it (surprise gift from my husband), I have been making a lot of cards, scrapbook layouts, home decors, and even craft projects with my daughters. So, you wanna enter this amazing giveaway!

And second, today is day 8 of the 12 Days DIY Christmas this year, I would love to share with you a project I made using Silhouette Cameo today that it is one of my favorite projects ever… Candle Jar Sleeve. I participate on an awesome blog hop hosted by Silhouette Challenge group, where you can find tons of inspirations and tutorials of projects using either Silhouette Cameo and Portrait. Another reason why you want to enter this giveaway 🙂

I love candles. When they are all gone, I clean the jars to reuse them. This one is one of them. And I was thinking I need some more Christmas theme decorations in this house and came across an idea to make candle jar sleeve to decorate this used candle jar.

It is an easy and quick project that you can do for any seasons or occasions. I already have a list to make for Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter again 😀

Okay 🙂 Now the supplies. You’ll need:

Silhouette machine
Blade (new is better for cutting intricate designs)
Cutting mat
Silhouette Studio Designer Edition
Shape you want to cut (I picked Nativity scene from Lori Withlock)
Spatula
Cardstock (I used black for better silhouette looking)
Glue
Candle Jar
First of all, open the Silhouette Studio software and open the shape you wanna cut. I resized the Nativity scene to 11″ x 2 1/2″ and drew a rectangle a bit longer, about 11 1/4″ and 1″ tall. Ungroup. Then rearrange the individual shapes to where you’ll like.

I did not use the phrase so I dragged it to out side of the cutting mat. Then as you can see in the picture below, I dragged the rectangle to overlapping with the bottom of the nativity shapes.

Once you like the position, select all the shapes. Open the Weld Box by clicking on the little that has letter M with circle and rectangle.

Click weld…. Ta-da! 🙂

Cut the cardstock to 12″ x 5″ and put it on the cutting mat. Load the mat to the machine, make sure the setting on the machine is “Load Cutting Mat.”
Send the shape to Silhouette machine by clicking the square button on the upper left with Silhouette machine symbol.

Make sure the setting is set for the cardstock and adjust the blade on the machine according to the correct blade setting. Always test cut to make sure everything is set correctly. Then click cut.

And done. I used battery operated tea light for this one. Also I added some fake snowflakes at the bottom of the jar.

Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?

My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs today, so peruse the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!

1. Pineapples and Pinecones // 2. Simply Kelly Designs // 3. Architecture of a Mom // 4. Just a Girl and Her Blog // 5. Two Purple Couches // 6. Chicken Scratch NY // 7. Creative Ramblings // 8. One Dog Woof // 9. Ginger Snap Crafts // 10. The Thinking Closet // 11. Please Excuse My Craftermath… // 12. Designer Trapped in a Lawyer’s Body // 13. weekend craft // 14. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 15. Practically Functional // 16. Living My Given Life // 17. My Paper Craze // 18. The Kim Six Fix // 19. Home At Eight // 20. Queen of Everything // 21. Tried & True // 22. McCall Manor // 23. unOriginal Mom // 24. Create it. Go! // 25. From Wine to Whine // 26. GetSilvered // 27. It’s Always Ruetten // 28. Nearly Handmade // 29. Mama Sonshine // 30. Silhouette School // 31. It Happens in a Blink // 32. Create & Babble // 33. Sowdering About // 34. Where The Smiles Have Been // 35. My Favorite Finds // 36. Lil’ Mrs. Tori // 37. Designed Decor

Silhouette Giveaway!

And I’ve saved the best for last. My Silhouette Challenge buddies in partnership with Silhouette America are hosting a mega-huge giveaway for not one…but two winners! The prizes up for grabs?

First prize: The NEW Silhouette Cameo Machine and Designer Edition Super Bundle! $406.93 value.

Silhouette CAMEO®
Designer Edition Software
Dust Cover
$25 Download Card
Four Essential Silhouette Tools (hook, spatula, scraper, pick-me-up™)

Second prize: Silhouette Portrait Machine and Rhinestone Starter Kit! $219.98 value.

Pretty sweet, huh? We want you to have the chance to get that Silhouette machine that might still be on your wish list.

To enter: just complete the entries in the Rafflecopter widget below or at this link. Because of my many blog friends who helped make this giveaway possible, you have 42 potential entries, which means a lot of winning power. So, hurry up and enter!

{This giveaway runs from today through Monday, December 15th at 11:59p eastern and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older with a U.S. or Canada mailing address. You can read the rest of the terms and conditions in the widget below.}

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank You for visiting and Good Luck!

Posted on Monday, December 8, 2014

5 Minutes Monday: Kangean

Pray is powerful. It is a way to reach to God. When we pray, we are standing between the gap of those who cannot reach out to Him.

Today, would you stand between the gap between the people of Kangean and God?

The Kangean people are a group who live on the islands of Kangean. The Kangean island cluster consists of about 60 islands that spans 487 square kilometers. The largest islands, Pilat and Sapanjang, have an area of 188 square kilometers. The Kangean islands are situated about 120 kilometers east of the island of Madura and 115 kilometers north of the island of Bali. They use the Kangean language which is close to the Madura language. (source Joshua Project)

They are least-reached people group. The population of this people group is about 139,000. They do not have God’s word that they can read in their heart language.

Pray for them, for God to make a way for Bible translators to see the need of the Good News for them and send His church to go share the Good News with them.

THANKS for praying today!