Total random stuff… and some giveaways, of course.

11.06.08

Hello!

I am a happy camper.  I am snuggling in on the sofa to watch some TV and catch up on email.  And my belly is full and happy after some incredible gnocchi from Maggiano's with my mom tonight.  And a new dress and top from anntaylorloft.com (super sale last weekend – additional 40% off sale prices) sitting on the table by me.  And tomorrow is Friday.  Don't ya love it?! 🙂

So I have some random stuff to share.  Then again, I am pretty much always random – no deep and meaningful stuff here.

I must must must start out by pointing you in the direction of cardmaker that I truly think is one of the absolute best there is: Lisa Carroll.  Her cards are something that most never achiever: elegant.  She has a classic look that is elegant and inviting.  Well, Lisa was featured on Hero Arts blog today.  (You can see it HERE.)  And she is also giving away a fantastic Hero Arts giveaway on her blog HERE.  Be sure to go check it out and look at her cards.  And, to top it off, she is a delightful, warm-hearted, adorably adorable person.  Don't ya love that?  Anyway, here are some of my favorite cards of her's:  HERE and HERE and HERE.

(Warning: changing gears here…)

Before I forget… the winner of the Basic Grey paper pad is Jenny Brannies! I will email ya.

Let's see.. what is next…

Oh!  A share.  Gotta share something, huh?  This is another oldie from last year.  But it shows two things I love: buttons and Autumn Leaves clear stamps…

Buttons
(c) Autumn Leaves

I really like Autumn Leaves clear stamps for one big reason – they have tons of them and a great variety.  They really are the only non-US-made stamps I use.  There are many I just love! 

So… let's gave a pack of Autumn Leaves clear stamps away, shall we?  :)  Just leave a comment on this post by Friday night at 11:59pmEDT telling me your plans for Christmas/holiday cards.  (Do you send any?  Make your own?  Photo card? etc.)  I will pick a random winner of this fabulous Autumn Leaves stamp set…  (It is two sheets of stamps in there… big letters!)

Prize 

Prize2

OK… I have GOT to catch up on email.  Night!


Leave a Comment

261 thoughts on “Total random stuff… and some giveaways, of course.”

  1. Kathryn says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:07 pm

    I’m the first to comment, yay! 🙂 My Xmas card plans are just that…..plans at the moment. I tried to work on a prototype last night, but got too tired. I am planning on making them, though! I don’t make that many, maybe 30-40. 🙂

    Really enjoying your blog! 🙂

    Kathryn

    Reply
  2. ingrid says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:08 pm

    I am using tinyprints.com to make digital cards. Love their designs and paper, and their website is very easy to use!

    Reply
  3. Dani says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:22 pm

    I’m planning to make cards, but attach photos on the front! We took a great family photo this fall, and I can’t wait to try it. So… my Christmas cards will be shades of brown and orange. Oh well, I think it’ll be pretty and something different! 🙂

    Reply
  4. jenny says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:30 pm

    I make cards every year. I have no idea what I will make this year. I guess I need to go to the Hero Arts website and get inspired!

    Reply
  5. juls says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:31 pm

    Excuse me while I wipe the drool of my chin! Okay, I’m back I was just staring at those beautiful stamps and didn’t notice they were a give away until I almost closed my computer down…too cute!

    My plans are to buy some and make some. My close family and friends will get something home made and then I will buy some to send to the people I don’t really like but need to send cards to. Hee, hee, just kidding, gotcha 🙂

    Reply
  6. Hannah says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:33 pm

    Wow that layout with all the buttons is awesome! I love the heart! I am making my cards this year with Lasting Impressions dry embossing templates! I have started the designing and then need to make lots of them! Love holiday cards, so much fun! Thanks for another giveaway!

    Reply
  7. Kim says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:37 pm

    I like to make my cards each year. I have done digital, traditional and have sent store-bought cards too. I have one picked out that I want to make this year. Super simple. I large triangle tree, brown cardstock for the trunk with 3 brown brads on the side of the truck and a huge bow around the tree.

    Reply
  8. doreen obrien says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    Yes I send out cards. My son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 5. He has been designing cards for Pediatric Cancer Research ever since. If you want you can see his card at http://www.pcrf-kids.org His name is Connor OBrien.

    Reply
  9. Holly says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:50 pm

    I just started stamping last year, so this will be my second year to make my Christmas cards. The design I came up with is simple to make but looks so elegant with a wow factor. It has an acetate over lay which is stamped with a large swirl with white ink. The cardstock ‘body’ is stamped with a smaller simpler swirl with holographic dot stickers (Stampendous) for sparkle!

    Reply
  10. Sandi says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    Jennifer

    These are wonderful stamps! I have several fonts to pick from and love them too!

    I was cleaning out some draws and found a bunch of old Christmas cards from the past 15 years of marriage. I am going to send a few out and make the rest. I will be using the designs from both classes. It will feel good to clean out a draw. I am making a bunch of tags for gifts to give away before Christmas.

    Sandi N.

    Reply
  11. Sarah M says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:54 pm

    Thanks for all the shares and sharing you’ve been doing this week Jennifer! Great stuff! I’ve been using the HA challenges to get my Christmas cards done. 🙂 It’s been fun… gives me the chance to make them all original.

    Reply
  12. Amber says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    I actually ordered my Christmas cards from Snapfish today! They will be ready for me to pick up Friday…can’t wait! My mom took some family pictures of us last night…this is the earliest I have EVER had my cards ready!!! (as long as I get them mailed out 🙂

    Reply
  13. Noel Thomas says:
    November 6, 2008 at 9:58 pm

    I always make my Christmas card. However I have not decided what I’m going to make this year. 🙂 Last year I used a stampin up stamp that said NOEL. Anything with my name on it I have to use!!

    Reply
  14. Mandiannie says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    I plan on making all mine. I don’t have that many to make..maybe 20 or so but I like to make them myself.
    Those stamps look great. Thanks for a chance to win. Hope you have a great and wonderfully beautiful day.

    Reply
  15. Mandie says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:04 pm

    I always make my own cards. This year I plan to do lacing cards that spell Joy.

    Reply
  16. Anne says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    My plan for Christmas cards is to make individualized cards for a few special friends and family members and then send regular old store-bought cards to colleagues and family and friends who just wouldn’t appreciate the effort. Thanks for the opportunity to win the stamps!

    Reply
  17. Patty E. says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    I’m not sending any Christmas cards this year because I’m getting married on Dec. 13, so I decided sending Christmasy thank you cards to everyone will suffice for this year.

    Reply
  18. Kim FAucher says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    oooo beautiful stamps!!!
    I just paid a visit to my little stamp store and gathered up all my Christmas lovies … for a rainy weekend coming up of stamping, creating and planning… I usually make 50 new cards and some extras to submit for publication if time…
    Excited to get started!
    Kim

    Reply
  19. Tracey says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    Great layout – love the buttons!!

    I do a photo card with a picture of my daughter for our Christmas cards. I figure she is cuter than pretty much anything I could make so it’s all good!!

    Reply
  20. Alberta says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    I plan on making my Christmas cards this year. I did it last year and it made giving them so much more fun than a store bought card.

    Reply
  21. Linh C. says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:13 pm

    We do holiday cards each year. We usually have our daughters and dog on the cards.

    Reply
  22. CY says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:15 pm

    Recently got into card making so it’s gonna be the first time I’ll be making a huge batch of cards for people! I plan on making christmas cards for my coworkers and my group of frds. I’ve already got a design in mind and once I gather all the needed supplies and any additional fun stuff I happen to come across I’ll be getting started.

    Reply
  23. Debbie Lucero says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:19 pm

    For the first time in 2 years, Christmas will be right here in my home. I’m looking forward to that! A white Christmas would be the icing on the cake.

    Reply
  24. Kris says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:24 pm

    I take the photo for the card but then order them and attach the photo (of my two boys and collie). I make a few special ones for teachers and special family members!

    Reply
  25. Jeanne Pellerin says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:25 pm

    I plan on having each of my four children hold up large wooden letters, painted white, spelling out the word “LOVE”. I’m going to put them in black turtlenecks against a charcoal background, so that their faces and letters stand out. Got this idea from Donna Downey who I think did “JOY” years ago. That’s my plan, anyway!!

    Reply
  26. alnette says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:26 pm

    I normally send out those photo cards for Christmas (from Costco) but this year, I’ll be sending out handmade cards! yay! but I will still include photos of the girls! Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply
  27. Shannon Hager says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    I will be making my cards this year, a first for me!

    Reply
  28. Lynsey says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:31 pm

    I do my cards in small increments over the year so I have a stockpile of cards by Christmas. They usually aren’t all the same, which is kind of fun. This year, I’m using the KI Memories tin that was at JoAnn Fabrics last Christmas for most of my cards. The year long approach is really good for using scraps! Plus, I have an extra excuse to stock up on clearance Christmas paper after the holidays! 🙂

    Reply
  29. Keisha says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:44 pm

    My husband is a photographer, so we always do some sort of photocard. Kinda nice, actually, that I don’t have to worry about mass producing a cute scrapbook-y card. More time for scrapbook pages and regular cards 🙂

    Reply
  30. Victoria S. says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    would love to make my own cards – there are so many great ideas out there to even copy- but i prob. won’t this year -recovering from my 2nd surgery by then adn will be doing TY notes for meals etc… maybe i can combine the 2 Hmmmmnnn 🙂

    Reply
  31. Beth S says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:54 pm

    My cards have been finished since January. But don’t be too impressed. I didn’t finish them in time to send out last year and had to buy some to send. Oh well, last year’s loss is this year’s gain. 🙂

    Reply
  32. Terry says:
    November 6, 2008 at 10:59 pm

    Every time I think I have the perfect card design for Christmas cards this year, I change my mind. I do about 75 cards so it is about time to pick a plan and go with it.

    Oh yeah, I love the button heart…

    Reply
  33. connie says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    I love sending out homemade cards at Christmas..
    p.s loving your button layout.. yummy….
    Connie…xxx

    Reply
  34. Julie Batta says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    Hi Jennifer,
    My Christmas cards are already done. I did a simple design but very elegant with just some patterned paper background on brown cardstock. Then I stamped a Christmas tree onto light blue cardstock and matted that red cardstock and this was placed in the center of the card letting some of the background show. And on the tree I used stickes to make the tree decorations stand out and I put a star on top of the tree. On the inside I will put our Christmas pictures. Just so happy to have them done, now they are just taking up space in my all too small scrap space. 🙂

    Reply
  35. Lynne says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:10 pm

    We have a new little one in the house this year so I am going to do photo cards so everyone can see the update of what he looks like since his birth announcement 5 months ago.

    Reply
  36. Trace Geworsky says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    I always send out christmas picture cards, and I just started making some hot pink and black cards for my friends who appreciate a little homemade something:)

    Reply
  37. Melisa says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    every year I plan to make my cards but I always end up doing photocards at the last minute:-)

    Reply
  38. Michelle Early says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:17 pm

    I send photo cards that I buy, but I make special gift tags for the presents under the tree. I have special cards that I make for teacher gifts and things like that.

    Reply
  39. sandee says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:18 pm

    I am up to 29 cards ( 3 of which have been Hero Art inspired challenge cards ) so you keep inspiring me along with Hero Arts and hopefully I can get enough made before DEC. rolls around!

    Reply
  40. Shirley K. says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:19 pm

    I’m waffling between making cards for the holidays and not. On the one hand – I want to be creative! On the other hand – how do I decide who to send it to? How many do I send out? I haven’t made a decision yet . . .

    Reply
  41. Julia says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:23 pm

    I make my cards, and I always take waaayyy too long deciding what design to go with…so I always end up being in a rush to finish them 🙂

    Reply
  42. Jennifer D says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:32 pm

    Forgive me, but Christmas is one holiday I don’t make cards for. As a college professor, our semester always lasts until a day or two before Christmas, so I’m always super busy then (and I have a huge family, so lots of cards would be needed). I focus on writing a nice letter and enclose that in a purchased card. I save my handmade cards for one-of-a-kind specialness during the rest of the year. At Christmas I try not to make things too complicated. 🙂

    Reply
  43. Cindy S says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:39 pm

    Making my own cards again this year. But in the past I have always waited until the last minute and mass produced the same card until I got sick of seeing it. This year I’ve started earlier and every card is going to be unique. It’s just more fun that way. 🙂

    Reply
  44. Julie says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    Photo cards… I have been cheating the last few years and just picking one from wherever I like the design best (Snapfish, Costco or Shutterfly, for example), uploading our family pic & ordering them to be sent to my door. This year I might actually do a digital design (!!!) and print 5x7s. We’ll see.

    Reply
  45. Brianna says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    I’m planning on making my cards this year. Still not sure on design or anything, but took some family photos last weekend to include in the card so at least that’s taken care of.

    Reply
  46. Cynthia B. says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:42 pm

    I’ve sent out handmade cards and an annual letter the past couple of years – always a PROJECT because we send out 90-100 cards/year. This year, I have a couple of designs running around in my head (including some inspired by YOU, Jennifer!), but I always include a family photo on front, and I haven’t taken it yet! Gotta get thinking on it, b/c it’s already Nov. – argh!

    Reply
  47. Jennie says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:44 pm

    This year I will be making my own cards with a stamp set that I got for Christmas last year. (Technique Tuesday)

    Reply
  48. MARILYN NIMMO says:
    November 6, 2008 at 11:45 pm

    I am using a premade snowglobe kit. Our family photo will be adhered to the snowglobe with the vellum over our photo with the sentiment on the vellum. I am looking forward to getting them made! Of course, we first have to get that family Christmas picture made.

    Reply
  49. Michelle R. says:
    November 7, 2008 at 12:14 am

    I am planning on making cards. I have some ideas in mind that I have got from your blog.

    Reply
  50. Melissa Bove says:
    November 7, 2008 at 12:16 am

    I will be making my own cards this year. Not sure what yet though!! Something with snowflakes probably!

    Hugs, MElissa

    Reply

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