Southern Scraps

Pretty Pressings has some adorable stamps up for grabs. Check it out HERE . Happy Thoughts and Inkspots also has some candy, and note the sidebar about some upcoming releases! A new challenge blog and candy can be found HERE at Sketch and Stash Challenge. I can always use the movivation to use my stash and a good excuse to buy new. You can work it how you want to for this challenge.

Do you owe someone some gratitude? Need to return a favor? Send them this great pairing with vintage flair. Earrings by beadsme Thanks Card by southernscraps

Okay, okay, am I beginning to look like a cheapie or what? Do I look like I'm just out to get all the free stuff I can? Yep, but I promise to start returning the favor. Maybe when I hit 5,000 views I'll have my own blog candy. In the meantime, here's another fabulous blog candy offer. This one is from Toni at Whimisical Thoughts. Look here. And this one is for a good cause. You have to do something in order to be entered, but I promise it's well worth it. Details here.

Kath has an awesome giveaway here. Mme Designs has some cute stuff up for grabs. Check it out here .

Merry Christmas! I'm sneaking in this post before all the festivities start. I made one card this week that covered two challenges. At Our Creative Corner , the challenge was to make a card for a lovey/dovey or love of the lifetime. I'm glad to get the jump on Valentine's day. The Christmas crafts were getting old. I also used the sketch at 2sketches4you . Here's the sketch Here is my card I made it with papers and stickers from Basic Grey's sugared collection. It was quick and easy. The rubs on are also some older Basic Grey and one that I can't remember who it is by. Enjoy your day!

by beadsme by southernscraps

The meaning of the candy cane It is shaped like the shepherd's hook and upside down it is a "J" for Jesus. Its white signifies Christ's purity and the red his stripes he suffered and the blood he shed for us. It's also "rock" hard- signifying our strength in Christ. 1. baking candy canes , 2. Candy Canes , 3. Candy Cane Path 2008 , 4. CANDY CANES ... , 5. Cliche Candy Cane Heart , 6. The Real Beauty Of The Candy Cane.... This concludes this series on the meaning of Christmas symbols. I hope you have had a blessed season and that you have a Merry CHRISTmas!

Whew! I spent all day yesterday getting these tins ready for goodies. I baked cookies today. (I eat almonds and keep the tins to alter for treats at Christmas.) I also made these hanging boxes for water bottles and on the go drink mixes for stocking stuffers. (Hubby says it looks like the bottles have life jackets, LOL). No stamping was involved in these. I used printable images from pccrafter . I've got to go finish some matchbook calendars and then I think I'm done with the paper crafts for Christmas. I've also got to make some truffles and fill those tins and then I'm done for good!

There are some generous folks out there. Go visit these sites for a chance to win some amazing blog candy Linanna Designs stampingwithapassion creating with Chrissy

The challenge this week at Our Creative Corner was to make a gift card holder. Perfect timing for this challenge for me since I am making cookie mix in a jar gifts for the neighbors and giving them a Publix gift card. They will get a sampling of the baked cookies too and some other goodies. I designed my gift card holder to be one of the tags that embellishes the jar. The card slides right into a pocket. The recipe is on the other tag. It's for cowboy cookies- chocolate chip and oatmeal..mmm...hubby's favorite. The recipe can be found here.

Some cool "evergreen" finds from etsy Tree ornaments by theqstore Tree pin by Fairlyunique Tile pendant by jessejanes Tree earrings by seajules

Another festive pairing from beadsme and southernscraps ! Order now to get this in time for Christmas! This bracelet and greeting card coordinate well in these gorgeous greens. (Hint, click on the photos to go to the listings.)

The tree is one of the most utilized and well known symbols of Christmas. We display them shortly after Thanksgiving until Christmas or New Years. The tree has many spiritual meanings. Its triangular shape represents the trinity. Its needles and top point heavenward. It is an evergreen symbolizing everlasting life. When you admire your tree, let it remind you of our Savior in Heaven. 1. Christmas Tree 2005 , 2. Christmas Tree 2006 , 3. Lobster Pot Christmas Tree , 4. Christmas Tree (East Reception Room, White House) , 5. Christmas Tree & Presents , 6. O Christmas Tree , 7. Christmas Tree , 8. "Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree..."

Here are a few of my favorite wreath finds from etsy. Santas Boot and Yarn Wreath by constantgatherer Purple Christmas wreath by salliesworld Large Holiday Ribbon Wreath by karens68 Totally Vintage Ornament Wreath by greenchilemama Victorian Christmas Wreath from AzureTreasures

I have been busy working on Christmas cards again. I've been using my favorite sketch sites. Here is this week's sketch from 2sketches4you . Here's my take on it. It is a money holder. I'm giving my Dad money for Christmas, so it's for his gift. Next is the challenge from Our Creative Corner I just loved Jen's sketch this week at i{heart}2stamp I liked it so much, I made two cards with it. Last, is my card for the sketch from Paper Craft Planet (you'll have to see the sketch here , I had trouble loading it on my blog.)I also had trouble with lighting this afternoon, so I apologize for the washed out pictures. The cards look much better in person.

This striking pair would be great for any female on your Christmas list. Rings of Fire by beadsme Merry Christmas swirls card by southernscraps

Over at Everything Paper Crafts , there is some awesome blog candy . Visit for a chance to win. And see some beautiful cards while you are there!

The Wreath : A symbol of the never-ending eternal value of love … having no end. 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (New International Version) 1. Beautiful Christmas Wreath! , 2. Little Christmas Wreath , 3. Christmas Wreath , 4. Winter Wonderland Christmas Wreath , 5. formal wreath , 6. gift wreath I made , 7. Wreaths of Williamsburg , 8. HOLIDAY WREATH - CHRISTMAS 2008 , 9. wreath - paper strips , 10. "Flamingo Wreath" , 11. Patience and Understanding Paper Wreath , 12. Fabric wreath with birdie1

Some great "star" finds from etsy: (Take a look back at Monday's post for the meaning of stars this Christmas season) Hand felted star ornament from orangeiron Christmas star fused glass pendant by ccvalenzo Moravian Star by Stjarnkraft Shining star push pins by sfvictoriangirl Star wall decals by wallstickz

I participated in four sketch challenges this week! Well, some of it was out of necessity- we have four birthdays in the family this month and the big party is this weekend. I made my birthday cards based on the sketches at some of my favorite sites. Here is the sketch from 2sketches4you this week: And here's my card: This one is from Paper Craft Plant At Jen del Muro's I{heart}2stamp the sketch from Saturday is this one I love it and have many ideas for it. Here is the card I made for my nephew. I used undressed chipboard from Basic Grey and "dressed" it with ink and markers. Here's a close up I was a little behind in this sketch challenge. It's from a week prior at Our Creative Corner Here's my take Whew! That's a lot. I'm off to wrap presents and cook some favorite dishes!