Saturday 24 November 2012

A couple for the guys


I have sorted out my blogger problems...although I still have used 99.66 % of my free storage, I have learned how to resize my photos to 800x800 pixels or smaller. The photos then don't count in the storage room ticker as they are in the "free size" and slide in uncounted!!! Yay!.

 I am still busy creating the rest of my Christmas cards.
DH has a couple of friends that are divorced and live alone. I was trying to think of cards to make  that were more masculine in feel.

The first is quite simple really...two strips of  embossed design paper, a Memory Box poinsettia and a stamped sentiment. A little plain perhaps, but it will have to do...I debated on a nice brown ribbon behind the flower, but since I had already stuck the striped paper down, I decided against pulling it back up to affix the ribbon. If I make another, I will definitely add a ribbon.

 I gave a generous outlining of stickles over the edges of the poinsettia and the sentiment to try to make up for the lack of umph! Everything on this card came from my snippets collection, or from my stash.

The second card is for a fellow that DH has known since he was in elementary school. He has us over every Christmas Eve and likes to decorate his house as well as his tree. He kind of goes for a certain look to his decorations so I thought this card would suit him.
I used two scraps of designer paper that weren't quite big enough to fit the card base. I added a piece of ribbon where the 2 pieces joined and popped a kraft card stock Memory Box snowflake die on top. Next came another of the infamous dollar store fabric snowflakes topped by a K and Co poinsettia and a wee sprig of holly. The sentiment is mounted on another snippet of kraft. I stickled the kraft bits a couple of weeks ago and stored them in my photo album snippets system, waiting for the right card to use them on.
Here is a closeup of the layered, stickled snowflakes and poinsettia.


I am going to skip the recipe tonight as I am a wee bit tired from the Black Friday sales! My daughter drove down and rented a lovely suite for us. It was so wonderful to have the time away with her. She worked all day, drove across the border and almost to Seattle,...then  we shopped til 2:00 am, getting all the "timed" bargains of the evening. Back to the hotel room for 3 hours of sleep and got up in time for the JoAnn's 6am opening!
 My two greatest  bargains were a new Fiskars Procision trimmer regular price $119.00 and i got it for  $35.99 inclusive of tax.. It was 60% off and then we had the infamous additional 25% off for getting up at the crack of dawn! I also got her a Cricut cake machine for.....you won't believe it....$29.00 It came with one cartridge and I have another at home. It is for that same daughter for Xmas although it won't be a surprise. I totally missed this bargain. She found it on a bottom shelf sort of hiding in the shadows in the clearance section. She was undecided as young Mums always seem to think of their families first and don't often spoil themselves. I offered to get it for her (as one of her Xmas presents) and slide it under the tree. She got a stern warning to look surprised on Xmas morning! Somehow when it rang through, the computer applied the 50% off coupon to it...even though that coupon does not include clearance. $29.00 I can hardly believe it...this machine will work with any paper just like a regular cricut as long as you don't use it for cakes...if you use it for cakes, it will still cut the paper but might leave your paper grease marked. She now has to decide which she wants to do most...I think it will be cakes!

After we loaded up the van, I went back in to purchase another but alas it did not ring up with the additional discount...but $59.00 is still a great price I think.

I am entering these 2 cards in the following challenge:
1. Pixies Crafty workshop  The first card is completely from snippets or stash
The second card is half from stash...the designer paper and the poinsettia are new (hangs head in shame).
2. Sarrn's Stamping for Pleasure Join in on the 25th of each month to enter your Christmas themed cards.
3. Craftyhazel's Christmas  The second card is the one I am submitting. It is the card for the fellow that invites us each Xmas Eve for nibbles and drinks.

32 comments:

Tracy said...

Oh wow, you guys got some great deals.
I have never gone to the States for their Black Friday sales. I know a couple of ladies that do though.

Tracy said...

Oops forgot to comment about your cards...got to excited about your deals, lol.
I think both of your cards are lovely.

Ustvarjalni utrinki Tamara P. said...

In our country we dont have such day full of discounts. Must be cool.

Your card is lovely-sparkle and holiday.
Have a nice Sunday
From sLOVEnija Tamara

Hazel said...

They are both lovely cards - beautiful poinsettia - thanks for joining my CHNC challenge 100 - hope to see you again soon x

Pia S said...

You really know how making a bargain! I think both cards are lovely. Poinsettias on both (I love poinsettias!), but totally different design. No ribbon needed for your first one, I like the clean design you ended up with. Your second card is such a cheerful one, with all those papers and colors.
Thank you for your advise about Picasa.

Di said...

Two fabulous cards here Mo - love all the detail you add to your makes. First in the Playground this week - were you lurking in the bushes then?

Black Friday sounds like great fun - I'd love to go sometimes - do they allow you in stores in PJs, fluffy bunny slippers and bedtime robe (dressing gown) - which has a hood to keep the chill off? If so, then I'd be up for it :)

Hugs, Di xx

McCrafty's Cards said...

Both cards are fabulous, I like all the snowflakes on the first card and the lovely candy canes on the second.
Kevin xx

Sarn said...

BOTH GORGEOUS and so very different from each other.

Congrats on your sale bargains.

Thanks for joining in with my challenge. Good Luck.


Hugs
Sarn xxx

Irene said...

Beautiful cards, My favurite is the first one.
luv
irene
xxxx

Mary said...

I love both cards and I think they'd be perfect for men...or women. Very nice! Great job shopping. We didn't go out at all. I think I must be getting old! I used to do it all the time. I guess since my daughter moved so far away, it's just not fun anymore. You did get some great deals!

mamapez5 said...

A lovely pair of cards. I like the snowflake.poinsettia layer. Very good for a man, though a lady would like them too.
Kate x

May said...

WOW... You get some fabulous Bargains... You don't get deals like that in England... Fabulous.. I will have to go over for a Holiday for the next one!! tee-hee.. Beautiful Christmas cards.. Love both of them...candy canes... snowflakes.... Just Beautiful... Hugs May x x x

Shelby said...

Don't you just love when the register is on your side! Those are some amazing deals. Sounds like a great time with your daughter.
These cards are perfectly masculine for Christmas. I'm sure the recipients will love them.

Shelby

Kathleen said...

Two fabulous cards, love the different colourways, I think they will be perfect for males.
Isn't it wonderful to spend time with Daughters and treating them, and Dad's out of the way, don't think I could cope with Black Friday, although the bargains would be very tempting, but getting up so early.....phew.
Well done you.

Kath x

505whimsygirl said...

Great deals! I didn't participate in the Black Friday sales. Still trying to get me wee little condo ready for sale. That means I've been trimming down and tossing out - no more buying for me for a while.

I ran into the problem with blogger too. Only I signed up for the $2.95 data plan a month. I should look into resizing my photos like you suggest. Thank you for the tip!

Peace,
Kay

MagsB said...

My goodness, your day sounds exhausting - but very successful! I love your cards, I love it when I make a card that really suits the person it's meant for, and I'm sure the recipients will love them!

love Mags B x

Wishcraft said...

They're both gorgeous cards, love the designs and colours. Well done on your fabulous bargains! Hugs, Lisa x

Jules said...

Hi Mo

So pleased you are sorted with your blogger photographs .. .. we can both breath easily again!!!

Loving your male Christmas cards. The colours and papers on the first one are super scrummy.

Those sales sound amazing but tiring!!!! Hope you (and your purse) have recovered.

Love Jules xx

Glenda Atkins said...

I love reading your posts, they are always so interesting! Glad you found all those bargains and you got a trip out of town with it, plus time alone with your daughter. Doesn't get much better than that!
Your cards are so wonderful,just love the white poinsettia, it's beautiful (yet simple enough to be masculine) as are both cards!
hugs
Glenda

downrightcrafty said...

two wonderful cards, my you have been busy love the papers
hugs Kate xx

Erika said...

Hi Mo, great cards love your poinsettias, my favourite Christmas flower. Great bargains too.
Happy crafting, hugs Erika.

Hettie said...

Beautiful cards Mo, especially like the top one as it is so unusual.
Fabulous bargains! Sooo jealous!
Hugs
x

Redanne said...

Wow, oh wow, you got some fabulous bargains! Well done on your marathon shopping adventure.

I love both cards, the first is my favourite, I love the browns and it doesn't really need a bow, it is gorgeous as it is. The second is very pretty too. Thank you so much for your visits and comments too. Hugs, Anne x

Katherine said...

Super deals and gorgeous cards :)

Mary Jo said...

Gorgeous cards!
And I had that same issue with my photo storage for my blog.
I did end up paying for the extra space, but I think at the time it was one charge for so much space. And not a monthly fee.

Sassy Raggedy said...

Both cards are wonderful. I love the poinsettia. joann sassy raggedy

Anonymous said...

these are both beautiful cards and sound like they're perfectly suited to the individuals. wow, you're so brave to go black friday shopping!! awesome deals.
linda

MaryH said...

Hi, just enjoyed reading all your shopping bargains. What fun, and I'm so happy you & dtr were able to have some good times & be able to score some great deals. Makes it worth all the effort. Loved both cards, they are great. The poinsettia had the look of a 'designer card'...you hit the masculine goal to a T. I liked the other one very much as well....Love those MBox dies...YAY! Hugs & TFS

Elizabeth said...

Two great cards, Mo, and I'm sure the men concerned will be absolutely delighted to receive them.

Black Friday sounds a lot of fun but I think I'd be exhausted too shopping till 3am.

Elizabeth xx

Mrs A. said...

You certainly got some wonderful bargains. Like your cards especially the second one. Would be interested on learning how to resize my photos too ( rapidly reaching my limit on my blog) as I do not have a clue how to do it as the moment? Hugs Mrs A.

Brenda said...

Love, love your cards! They are perfect for the men in our lives. I have a question for you. How do you resize your pics to make them smaller?? And can you go back and resize all that are in your blog?? I just got the same pop up telling me I'm out of space and don't know how to fix it. I would appreciate if you could give me some guidance on this. Here's my email: bsl60 at embarqmail dot com Thank you!!!

Brenda said...

Hi, you emailed me the directions to making pics smaller for blogger. I didn't get it and thought I'd better check out my address I put down. I am going to do it again for you but in the normal way. Thanks!!

bsl@embarqmail.com