Happy New Year ~

The New Year... a time to celebrate the greatness of the past and the excitement of the future - 

I wish for an inspired 2011 for all of us!

Here is to a safe and wonderful New Year's Eve!

marthastewart.com

And remember, today is the last day to enter the Silhouette Giveaway...I will post the winner tomorrow!!

Valentine Silhouette Plate {with Silhouette} ~

DIY | Valentine Project Inspiration

  

Here is another Valentine's Day project using the Silhouette (I am lovin' this machine)! This one is another super simple, inexpensive idea. I downloaded the cupid image - yep, you guessed it, for .99 cents. I then laid it out on my white plate (I already had it in on hand). 

 

and really, voila! Super easy and instantly festive.

 

If you haven't already, be sure to head over and enter the Silhouette Giveaway! 

And if you would like a screaming deal on a new machine for the new year 

($175 with a subscription commitment to the Silhouette Online Store) be sure to use the promo code "INSPIRE".

Another Valentine Frame {With Silhouette} ~

 DIY | Valentine Project Inspiration

I thought I would share another easy project using the Silhouette. For this project I bought a "Print and Cut" image from their online store for .99 cents. 

I simply printed off the image - yep, that design was only .99 cents - just think of the possibilities!

I cut down the image, rounded the corners and added a little Distress Ink to the edges. I then grabbed a dollar store frame (oh Dollar Tree, have I told you lately how much I love you?) and a little scrapbook paper.

I decided to add a few jewels to finish it off. 

And yes, that was it.

If you haven't already, be sure to head over and enter the Silhouette Giveaway!

And if you would like a screaming deal on a new machine for the new year ($175 with a subscription commitment to the Silhouette Online Store) be sure to use the promo code "INSPIRE".

Valentine Frame {With Silhouette} ~

DIY | Valentine Project Inspiration

I know it might seem a bit early, but out with the old in with the new...right? Okay okay, it is WAY too early for Valentine's Day, but here we go!

Here are the materials I used:

• Sheet Music
• $1 Frame
• Small Frame
• Foam Glittered Heart
• Burlap
• Letters cut out with my new Silhouette

With sheet music

With burlap frame

With foam heart (I did substitute a larger foam heart that I simply cut it in half)

With a little Valentine text - 

I used my new Silhouette to cut out the letters - 

it was sooo easy! Way easier than cutting out the letters by hand.

If you haven't entered the Silhouette giveaway, be sure to head over right away!

Awesome Silhouette Giveaway {$300 Value} ~

I am absolutely thrilled - seriously doing back flips (okay, not seriously I would probably crack my head, but jumping up and down for sure). Here is what Santa (aka Silhouette) delivered Christmas Eve:

Silhouette you must have intercepted my letter to Santa - because this bad boy was on there!  I am so excited to have the opportunity to try out this machine. And not only do I get to try it out, I also get to offer one to one of my fabulous readers! Yes, for you!

Here is just a sampling of all of the fabulous things the Silhouette can do:

Paper Projects

Heat Transfer Rhinestones

Adhesive Vinyl 

Heat Transfer for custom apparel

Temporary Tattoos

Due to it being Christmas and all, I didn't have a ton of time to really play around, but I set it up (super easy), and I made my first cut (again, super easy) to dress up my Mac...(just remember, it was crunch time here - it was Christmas day, but I just had to test it out! And luckily my kiddos were playing with toys and my hubby was taking a cat nap on the couch).

This machine is super easy to use and comes with 50 exclusive digital designs, but if you want more you can buy them on their online store for as low as .14 cents a piece with a subscription. LOVE IT! I really love, that there are no cartridges and you get to buy just the images YOU want.

 I did get a little lost just scrolling through all of the great images...my mind was whirling with project ideas.
AND they also have free image downloads on their BLOG every week! Where you can also find great project ideas and tips for your Silhouette.




Now here is the part you have been waiting for...

One of you lucky readers, will be getting all of this!

• Silhouette machine
• Software for Windows XP/Vista
• Power cable, USB cable
• 2 Cutting mats (one for thick media, one for thin media)
• Cutting blade
• $10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store

Whooo, whooo!

**GIVEAWAY CLOSED**

**Here is how to enter (be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)**

1. Follow this blog (or let me know you already do!)

2. Be a follower of the Silhouette blog

3. Leave a comment on the Silhouette blog

4. Tell me what YOU would do first with this lovely machine

5. Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this awesome giveaway

Be sure to tell your friends, just think if they have one, you can use it!

Good Luck!

Silhouette also has an amazing New Year's offer starting today and going until January 1st - you get to purchase the Silhouette SD for $175 (I know, hold the phone right?) with a monthly online subscription commitment to the Silhouette online store! This is a huge savings, this bad boy is normally $299 - so, if you have been wanting one (I know you have) be sure to take advantage of this savings by the 1st. 

All you have to do is enter "INSPIRE" as your promo code.

I can't wait to have a bit more time to create, but I am going to have to use a little restraint, or else I just might "Silhouette-ize" my whole house!

Happy Christmas Wishes ~

It is here - my favorite day of the year! 

Ever since I was a child, Christmas Eve has always been so magical and comforting all at once. And now I get to see that same excitement through my kiddos. 

 We have a fun-filled day ahead of us, followed by a relaxing day of pajamas, coffee and lots of smiles!

May your Holiday be filled with love!

Be sure to head over on the 26th - I have an AMAZING giveaway....I am sooo excited, I can't wait to share it with you guys!

Getting Ready for a Great Holiday ~

gingerella

I am off to do all my last minute shopping - my goal is to be at Costco with cart in hand right as they roll up those lovely doors!

I recently saw this on Gingerella and SIMPLY loved it so that I had to share...

A TOAST

TO NEAREST

TO DEAREST

TO THE CREW

TO CAHOOTS

TO THE ONES WHO'VE BEEN THERE

TO THE ONES WHO'LL BE THERE

TO DROPPING EVERYTHING

TO SAYING ANYTHING

TO NO JUDGEMENTS

TO NO DOUBTS

TO LOYALTY

TO TRUST

TO FAVORS

TO LIFELONGS

TO BEEN TOO LONG

TO NOTHING'S CHANGED

TO HAVING HISTORY

TO HAVING YOUR BACK

TO MOVING AWAY

TO NEVER TOO FAR

TO GROWING UP

TO SETTLING DOWN

TO YOUR SECOND FAMILY

TO FRIENDS

TO CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS 

WITH THOSE WHO MATTER MOST

I hope your last minute list is small and you are singing merrily as you wrap up your list!

Wrapping Ideas ~

Wrapping | Holiday Inspiration

How is your wrapping coming? 

Or, maybe I should ask, How is your shopping coming? I still have a few last minute items to pick up, but I am hoping to get most of my wrapping done today. Here are a few great ideas if you are struggling with your wrapping this year...

Images: 1. housebeautiful.com, 2. hgtv.com, 3. etsy.com 4-6. bhg.com 7. realsimple.com, 8. unknown

Do you have a theme to your wrapping? 

I think this year my theme will be "use up what I already have"!

Star Ornament ~

DIY | Holiday Project Inspiration

Are you looking for that last minute hostess gift, or how to dress up a wine bottle? Here is fun ornament you could use on your tree or to dress up a gift. 

I started by spray painting a paper mache star gold.

I then glittered the outside edge of the star.

Once dry, I added a paper embellishment made from sheet music, a dictionary page and a bottle cap (yes, I had to sacrifice drinking a beer to make this project)!

I then printed and cut out "merry christmas" and attached it with a little hot glue.

To finish it off, I added a simple black ribbon. 

It looks great over a wine bottle -

On your tree -

Or simply added to your holiday decor -