All Good things must come to an end...

Happy Snowy morning to you!! It is snowing beautifully here... kids have a snow day... and I'm going to do some cooking soon! :)
But first,, I have a few things to share with you to inspire you in your Holiday creating!
However... before I do, I want to let you know that this will be my final post for Xyron. WHAAA!! My term is just about up, and I have PAINFULLY decided not to reapply for the next term.
I did NOT make this decision easily. I have ADORED everything about being a part of this team. The product, my fellow team members, the partners, the organization... ALL OF IT!! a HUGE thank you to Julie and Beth for this opportunity! I really do hope that when life settles down a bit and I have a bit more time that I will be able to apply once again.
There are only so many hours in a day. And I have a million things I should be doing. My kids need their mama... I need more time with Hubby... and yes... my housework is getting behind...(to say the least!). When creating becomes a chore... it's time to make a change. And now is that time. I LOVE what I do... and I want to keep it that way. I have loved my time with Xyron, and I WILL be back...!!!

So on that note... I have 2 ornaments to share with you and a Christmas card!!

3D Glitter Ornament

Supplies:

Xyron 5" Creative Station

Spellbinders ANGLE APPROACH cut/fold/tuck dies

Best Creation glitter cardstock

Want2Scrap gem



Gift Box Ornament

Supplies:

Xyron Mega Runner

Spellbinders Bracket Edge Box die templates

Kaisercraft patterned paper

Ranger Distress ink (Frayed burlap)

Unknown ribbon, lace and flower

 Spirit of Christmas card

Supplies:

Xyron "X" 1" machine

Bazill white cardstock

Quietfire designs stamp

Spellbinders die template

My Minds Eye patterned papers

ClearSnap black pigment ink

Want2Scrap red pearls

I hope you have been inspired by these creations!! If you are looking for more fabulous ideas, be sure to follow the Xyron facebook page, where there are TONS of amazing designs featured every week!

And I have a feeling there might be a Design Team call posted sometime in the coming months... so if you want to be apart of an AMAZING team... be sure to check it out!!
Thanks Again to Xyron!!! Love you!!! xoxo
Until next time...
Happy Creating!

Spellbinders Explore Beyond: Craft to Win! CONTEST

Spellbinders is pleased to announce the BIGGEST contest we've hosted to date! Spellbinders Explore Beyond Challenge: Craft to Win a $5,000 Grand Prize Package from Spellbinders and our cross promotional partners! We'll also be choosing a 2nd place winner to receive a $1,000 prize package and a $500 3rd place prize package! Did I mention that this is the BIGGEST contest we've ever hosted!!!?! A BIG thank you to WorldWin Papers, Want2Scrap, Xyron, KaiserCraft, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, Basic Grey, Scrapbook & Cards Today Magazine, BoBunny, Fancy Pants Designs, Canadian Scrapbooker, Nikki Sivils, Elmer's, Bazzill Basics, Graphic 45, IMAGINE Crafts/Tsukineko and more!

How do you participate? It's easy!

Simply create an original project using at least two (2) Spellbinders dies. And get creative with it! Push your own creative boundaries...do something different. We'll be looking for those crafters and artists who have really taken on the challenge to truly "Explore Beyond".
Take photos of each step of your project. If chosen as a finalist... You'll be asked to submit these photos.
Submit a photo (of your finished project only!) to the appropriate Spellbinders Flickr Group.
Contest runs from November 26th, 2012 through December 26th, 2012 Midnight EST.

Categories:
Card Making
Home Decor
Scrapbook Layout
Jewelry Making
Fabric Arts
Mixed Media Art

Official Rules:
You may enter more than once in multiple categories. Projects entered must be original. A total of twelve (12) finalists will be chosen. There will be two (2) finalists from each category. Finalists will be announced on December 27, 2012. Finalists will be asked to submit photos of the steps of their projects to validate their originality. Finalists will be asked to mail in their final original project to the Spellbinders office. Original projects must be received by end of day, Friday, January 4, 2013.

A celebrity panel of judges will review the twelve (12) final submissions and narrow it down to three (3) winners. Winners will be announced on Friday, January 11, 2013. There will be one (1) Grand Prize winner of a $5,000 prize package and the project will be featured at the Spellbinders booth at the Craft and Hobby Association show on January 12, 2013. There will be one (1) 2nd prize winner of a $1,000 prize package and featured on the Spellbinders blog. There will be one (1) 3rd prize winner of a $500 prize package and featured on the Spellbinders blog.

Legal:
All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the winners. By acceptance of the prize, winners agree without limitation to the use of his/her name, photograph and/or likeness for publicity purposes without any additional compensation. Winners agree to be bound by these rules and the decisions of the Spellbinders panel, which are final and binding in all matters regarding this event. Winners agree that the event and its representatives affiliates, agents, directors, officers and employees have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind relating to or arising from this event or resulting from participation in this contest.Contest is not open to Spellbinders Employees, Various Team Members, or their immediate family members (Grandparents, Parents, Siblings, Spouses, Children).

Xyron and Basicly Bare

Hey everyone!
Are you getting ready for Christmas? I'm so behind this year for some reason!! However, I am just thrilled to have completed the project that I am going to share with you today! It makes me feel like I'm just a little bit ahead of the game... in one aspect anyway! :)
This week Xyron had the fabulous opportunity to partner with Basicly Bare! I was SO excited to get a totally cool package in the mail!! :) I created a December memory book with one of the pocket albums that I received! I know the December daily's are so popular, but I just don't have the time to do one and actually finish it! So, I decided to do an abreviated version. To highlight the main events of December!
Here's what I created!

I just LOVE how easy these albums are to decorate!! The possabilities are ENDLESS, as you have seen on the Xyron and Basicly Bare blog this week!

Instead of giving you step by step instructions on recreating my project, I'm going to give you tips for when you are creating your own album!!

• When adding layers to a page, cut small pieces, rather than use full sheets of paper. This will save you a lot of paper in the end!
• When inking the edges of your pages, always ink the inside edge before adhering to the chipboard, as it is not accessable once it is adhered. The other edges can be inked after they are adhered.
• Cut all pieces of paper for a page and then run thru your Xyron machine of choice all at once. This will save you a lot of adhesive!
• The beautiful Poinsietta on this page is a Spellbinders Paper Arts die template! Love it!! In my book I used a combination of premade diecuts (old ones that I had laying around) and some of my favorite Christmas sets from Spellbinders!
• If desired, you could also add ribbon or little dangles to the spine. I decided not to, as I loved the elegant look!

I love the fabulous pockets in this album, but I wanted more, so I created my own pockets on the solid pages.

• To create pockets, use your Xyron Mega Runner on 3 sides of your bottom piece of paper, keeping the top area adhesive-free.
• I added a black strip of cardstock to help the beautiful Spellbinders diecut stand out. (Frosty Forms)
• Spellbinders has some beautiful Label dies that are fabulous for creating tags! Here I used Labels Twenty-Five!

First pocket page in the album. Decorated simply.

• I love that I can add as many tags, photo's, cards or memorabilia to these pockets as I want!
• Try to keep the bulky embellies to a minimum, as this album is already thick and will not close well.

I LOVE this reindeer die from Spellbinders Frosty Forms die set!!!!!

• Keep some areas available for photo's, journaling etc.
• Lace... a fabulous addition to any page! I run it thru my Xyron 1.5" Create-a-sticker and it adhere's fabulously!!
• When adhering diecuts with fine detail, run thru your Xyron machine of choice and remove clear covering. BUT before removing backing, rub gently with your hand to remove all the extra adhesive that you don't want to show thru the detailed areas! Like this reindeer's horns... No extra adhesive to stick to the next page!

• Use up some of those precut stickers or diecuts by running thrm thru your favorite Xyron and layering them up! Add some pearls to add a touch of sparkle.
• Simple background on this insert, as it will be covered in photo's.

Keeping it simple!

• It's totally ok not to cover every area of the chipboard with paper! I love the look of the Kraft color coming thru!
• More premade diecuts! Ink those edges, add some pearls!
• This entire insert tag is ledger paper! Perfect for journaling on!

Great page for some photos!

• Another example of detailed dies. Rub adhesive off the front before removing backing!

•  More ribbon! Run it thru that "X!!

Some pages may seem pretty bare, but they certainly won't after the Christmas season is over!!! Tons of pictures, journaling and memories will fill every space available... and more!

Big thank you to Basicly Bare for the opportunity to participate in this blog hop!! I still have more goodies from them as well, so I'll be sharing those here on the blog whenever I use them!!

If you have not stopped by the Xyron blog, you might want to do so... there's a giveaway!!

Until next time...

Happy Creating!!

Supplies:

Xyron 9" Creative Station, 5" Creative Station, 1.5" Create-a-Sticker, Mega Runner

Basicly Bare: Pocket album

My Minds Eye Patterned papers and die cuts (numerous collections!!)

Bazill: Kraft and black Cardstock, patterned paper

Bo Bunny: Ribbon, charm

Spellbinders Grand Calibur Die Cutting Machine

Spellbinders Die templates

The Twinery: Twine

lace

Want2Scrap; pearls and jewels