5 Days Until Christmas....

and went to a fabulous Christmas Dinner/Party last night at my friend's home.  Kevin and Pam Hegarty are the best hosts every year and this year was no exception!   Santa stops by for everyone to have a photo opportunity and a last chance to get on the nice list.
Pam, her dog Bailey and I at the party.

Kelsey and I in front of Pam's tree at the party.

Christmas is more fun when little ones are around.  Look at these precious pictures of the 3 children I nanny for. They were at the party with their mom and dad.  Santa has a full lap.
Ryder (5 yrs), Gavyn (3 yrs), Makenna (8 mos)

Then there were 2 good little boys sitting on Santa....

Then there was 1 little sweet princess....

I hope you are getting in the spirit of Christmas and ready to celebrate with family and friends.

Thanks for stopping by.
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

6 Days Until Christmas...

...today I wanted to show you two of my displays.  
My Santa Collection greets everyone as they enter through the front door.  I have this set up on the entry table. 

 I have collected these throughout the years and love seeing them grouped together.  So many memories! 

In the Dining Room, I have a display of all the framed Christmas Card photos that we have sent since 1992. It cover the entire buffet top.

Bryan was 5 years old and Kelsey was 18 months old in this picture taken in 1992 at our house in Hurricane, West Virginia.

Now, Bryan is 28 years old and Kelsey is 24 years old in this picture taken in the desert near our home in Phoenix, Arizona.

Do you have a special collection you display each year?  Please share with a comment.


Thanks for stopping by today, baking is starting and the first Christmas party we are attending is this weekend.  So stay tuned for some sweet treats and recipes.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

7 Days Until Christmas...

...finally all the gifts are wrapped, and packages are ready to mail to out of town destinations. I made these gift card holders for the gift card gifts this year.  It sure beats the little envelope they sometimes give you.

Here it is open, showing the gift card.                       


These are so fun to make and you can get 3 from one sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock. A great way to use up small pieces of Designer Series Paper too!
If you would like to make your own, here are the directions:

• Cut card stock 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"
• Score cardstock on long edge at 2 1/2" and 6 1/2"
• Use the Corner Rounder to round corners of cardstock only on the 2" end
• Cut 2 pieces of Designer Series Paper:  3 1/4 " x 1 3/4"  and  3 1/4" x 2 1/4"- I used Holidays Fancy Foil Designer Vellum and Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper
• Use the Corner Rounder to round corners only on the 1 3/4" piece of Designer Paper.
• Place Tear & Tape adhesive along both side edges and fold to form a pocket
• Attach Designer Series Paper to outside of gift card holder using Snail Adhesive
• Punch out cardstock circle for layering - I used the 2" Circle Punch
• Stamp a greeting - I used a greeting from Lots of Joy Stamp Set 
• Punch out stamped greeting -  I used the 1 3/4" circle punch. 
• Layer circles using Stampin' Dimensionals to attach it to the top front of gift card holder.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, I look forward to sharing more Christmas countdown tomorrow.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

It's Christmas Stampin' Friends Blog Hop

8 days until Christmas......Welcome to the Stampin Friends Christmas Hop! If you are starting with my blog I am happy you are here. You can continue through the other blogs by clicking the PREVIOUS button to check out Siara’s wonderful creations, or click the NEXT button to check out Deana’s amazing creations. PLUS,  a chance to win a crafting surprise from each blogger, keep reading for more details.

This month we are excited to have three Awesome Guest Hoppers that you will definitely want to check out!

 Maria Willis

 Twila Davis

  Barbara Welch

I created my projects using the Winter Wishes Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! I love this set from the Holiday Catalog. Today I am showing you a Card and a Gift Card Holder that would be perfect for someone special on your Christmas Gift list.  

Warm Wishes Card

Gift Card Holder

WAIT! There’s more! 
 

Thank you for looking at my projects! My Favorite Holiday is Thanksgiving.

Click on the NEXT button to see what Deana has created and continue the hop and see all 13 blogs.

 

 

Mandy Reedyk 

Raquelle Clifton

Maria Willis 

Elizabeth Jeanne 

Siara Acdal

Barbara Welch ~that's me~ YOU ARE HERE

Deana Benson

Cheryl Piotrowski

Andrea Pancrazio

Twila Davis 

Lisa Altman

Andrea Tracy-Tucker

Tina Riddle

Subscribe to my blog and be the first to know when I add posts.

Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest 

Join my team and love your job! 

Thanks for stopping by on your way through the blog hop. 

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!

~Barbara 

9 Days until Christmas...

...the trees are up and decorated.  So today I want to show you 3 of them. I love to decorate the trees and look at each ornament and reflect on the meaning behind it. 
The Biggest Tree is in the Living Room and has a variety of ornaments that we have collected through the last 32 years. There are so many memories on this tree.

The Snowman Theme Tree is in the Family Room.  If it is a snowman or is snow related it is on this tree.  Of course a top hat for the top of the tree.


The Gingerbread Theme Tree is in the Dining Room.  I love baking at the holidays.  This tree has gingerbread man ornaments, anything to do with sweets, baking, coffee/tea/hot cocoa, and my Starbucks ornaments.

 I hope you enjoyed seeing our Christmas trees. I am so happy you stopped by my blog today.  Tomorrow is the Stampin Friends Christmas Blog Hop you will not want to miss all the creative ideas. 

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

10 days until Christmas...

....and the fun continues. My Stampin' Up! downline group gathered at my home for a Christmas Lunch, Make & Take and Gift Exchange.  We had a great time and missed those that couldn't be with us.  Everyone brought a salad to share, and I provided the beverages and dessert.

I provided a Make & Take project for everyone, what would a Stampin' Up! gathering be without some stamping!  Thanks to Sandy Haynes for the adorable idea I received from her swap at convention in July.
Elves in a sleigh!!

The "Elf Kisses" fit right in the sleigh

  
For the gift exchange, we each made a gift for everyone that attended.  Here is the gift I exchanged.  The frame ornament has a hand stamped image inside instead of a photo.  Got the inspiration from Pinterest. In the cello bag, is a scented foaming soap and hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works and a little packet of Christmas tissues.  All tied up with pretty ribbon.

I am so happy you stopped by today and I hope to see you back tomorrow for more of the countdown to Christmas.  Also on Thursday is the Stampin Friends Christmas Blog Hop where I will be a guest blogger.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

11 days until Christmas.....

......there is still so much to do.  Today I want to show you a cute card and tags using the Oh, What Fun & Cup of Cheer Stamp Sets and Home for Christmas Designer Series Paper from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog.
It's a Handmade Holiday at our home and these are sure to be the perfect touch to gifts.

                                                                                                                                                                      '   Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

You can click on the items above and be directed to my site for online ordering.
Thanks for stopping by today.  Coming on Thursday is the Christmas Blog Hop with Stampin Friends and I am a guest blogger.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

12 days until Christmas.....

....those that attended the Gift Tags Class made these tags to adorn their gifts this year.

We used the project kit from the Stampin' Up! Holiday catalog, Oh, What Fun Tags and Oh, What Fun Stamp Set.  I created an extra tag using the Home for Christmas DSP.  They made 30+ tags at the class.

Thanks for stopping by today, hope to see you tomorrow for more countdown days to Christmas.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

December Class Schedule

December Classes..... RSVP to save your spot, cre8tivestamper@gmail.com or 602-818-4004!
Each themed class will have 2 time options, choose which one works best for you.


CHRISTMAS GIFT TAGS - $20.00
Sunday, Dec. 6th - 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Monday, Dec. 7th - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The tags we will be making are featured on page 5 of the Holiday Mini Catalog and a few others that I designed as well.

COOKIES & CARDS - $20.00
Wednesday, Dec. 9th - 7:00PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday, Dec. 10th - 11AM - 1:00 PM
You will make 2 cards each of 5 designs with envelopes, you choose the sayings. Christmas, Winter, Birthday, etc.


GOODIE BAGS & GIFT CARD HOLDERS - $20:00
Sunday, Dec. 13th - 2:00PM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday, Dec. 16th - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This will be a great chance to finish up and be ready in time for Christmas gift giving.


**Attend the first two classes and you will receive the third for $10.00.
**Place a minimum order of $50.00 at any class and receive your
class for half price.
**RSVP to save your spot. If you cancel within 24 hours of the class
your kit will already be prepped and you can pick it up from me.
**Invite someone to come along for the fun.

Hope you can attend one of my classes!
Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my family, my friends, a wonderful company to work for, the creative talents I can share with others and for the many blessings I enjoy in my life.

I hope your day is filled with family, friends and lots of good food!  

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!

~Barbara

Over the Top Tags Swap - Group 2 - OnStage Dallas

Here are the Group 2 Over the Top Tags from Laura's swap at OnStage Dallas.  I hope you will be inspired to create your own tags after seeing these.

Top Row L to R:  Melissa Tubb, Barbara Welch, Laura Fernsler, Evelyn Rosborough


Bottom Row L to R: Veronica Cordry, Lisa Pressley, Joanne Cantrell, Judy Barnett






I am so glad you stopped by today.  Leave a comment if you were inspired by these ideas.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

My Group 2 Over the Top Tag

I created this tag for Group 2 of Laura's Over the Top Tags Swap at OnStage Dallas.  I love making these tags, so many uses and fun to create!

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you liked seeing my tag.  Check back and I will be posting the other group 2 tags.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

Group 1 Over the Top Tags Swap

As promised, I am sharing the tags I received from Group 1 of the Over the Top Tags Swap from Stampin' Up! Onstage Dallas.  Laura Fernsler is the host of the swap. Everyone did an awesome job on these tags.  I hope you will be inspired to create some "Over the Top Tags" of your own.

Top Row L to R: Caren Curtis, Lisa Stokes, Lisa Pressley, Melissa Tubb

Bottom Row L to R: Joanne Cantrell, Laura Fernsler, Barbara Welch







Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you liked seeing all these awesome ideas.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara

My Group 1 Over the Top Tag

Today I am sharing with you the tag I made for Group 1 of Laura's Over the Top Tags Swap at the Stampin' Up! OnStage Dallas event.

                                                                                                                                              Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by today.  Click on any image and you will be directed to my website for online shopping 24/7.   I will show all of the Group 1 Tags, so check back soon.

Live, Laugh, Love and STAMP!
~Barbara