Follow Your Bliss…

 Hey everyone,

I’m here, but am playing nurse to my 13 yr old chocolate Lab. She had a visit to the emergency vet and we got home at 3am yesterday morning, then another trip to my regular vet later in the morning. She’s doing OK today, and I hope that she can hold on through Christmas. Please keep her in your prayers? Thank you!

Edited to add: Thank you for all of your prayers and concern. Shelby is doing OK, and I am hopeful that she will continue on this path for awhile longer.

I created a new banner for the Christmas season using a photograph that my Dad took last week. They had an ice storm, and the holly bush was covered. Isn’t it gorgeous? Brrrrrr! Thanks for the photo, Dad, I love it!

…Well that was strange. Somehow my template changed on it’s own overnight? Here’s my new banner again, LOL!

I have been a baking fool this weekend, and am pleased to say that I got all of it done! I made double batches of all of the cookies. This will be enough for me to send long distance, but I will need to make more for my local friends. I will share pics when I have them packaged!

How about some more inchies? I am having fun with these cute little images!! Karen Lockhart’s Itty Bitty stamps are perfect for the inchies, and these Itty Bitty Grapes are no exception. I thought it would be fun to put them on the diagonal. What do you think?

Joyful Inchies

(Sorry about the glare on the photo.) After I cut and embossed the grapes with my Spellbinders Nestability die, I colored it with my Copic markers, then sponged with caramel and choc chip ink. The grapes were also highlighted with the melon and purple Copic Spica glitter pens.

I thought the CHF leaves backgrounder coordinated perfectly with this Daisy D’s Gypsy Harvest patterned paper! I also used some Prism Suede Brown dark cardstock for this design. I so love that texture under the Basic Grey rub-on sentiment.

A bit of faux stitching, chocolate taffeta ribbon, and some Paris Dew Drops finish off the design.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Number 95, Conniecrafter!!! Come on down!!

Connie said, ” Wow you are a good sales woman for this product, you have peeked my interest, would love to give it a try!”

Please email me with your address, and I will send out your samples for you!

Thanks to all that commented. I am not affiliated with philosophy in any way. I am just a devoted user who loves the products! And I think you will, too!

Stay tuned for some inspiration in a little while…

Happy Friday! I am SO GLAD it’s Friday, this week has been so stressful, and I am ready for a break. I plan to start my Christmas baking tomorrow! I am so excited. Thank you all for sharing your recipes with me! I found some great ones, and have to decide which I will add to my collection.

Today’s favorite has nothing to do with stamping or paper crafting. It is, however, one of the most favorite things in my life.

I present to you: philosophy (<—click to go to their home page) Calling all philosophy girls!!!

I think it’s been about 4 years since I first discovered this fabulous company. I used to be a Mary Kay consultant, and when I decided to quit, I was looking for a new skincare regime. I was watching QVC one day, and saw the company founder of philosophy, Christina Carlino (may she live forever) give a presentation of these products. I was so taken by her knowledge and the science behind the product, that I decided to give it a try.

I started out by purchasing the purity cleanser and hope in a jar moisturizer. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I had found my new skincare company. The purity cleanser easily removes all of your makeup, even your mascara and eyeliner. It’s so gentle, and doesn’t burn your eyes! I also love that it does not dry out your skin–when you finish washing your face, it feels soft and clean, never tight. The hope in a jar moisturizer is often described as “a glass of water for your skin”. I couldn’t agree more. It just quickly absorbs into my skin, and then it leaves you with the most beautiful healthy glow!

I also use the following products from the skincare line:

• hope in a tube (eye cream)
• vitamin C microdelivery peel kit (OMG…this is the most AMAZING product!!)
  
• microdelivery exfoliating facial wash
• booster serum and booster caps (makes your skin feel like silk. Helps with the fine lines and wrinkles)
• the present
• when hope is not enough (night replenishing cream)

I can honestly tell you that I have used almost everything from their line. (Haven’t used the acne products) These that I have listed are my favorites that I can’t live without.

And now, the fragrances of philosophy. Ohhhhh the fragrances! I own almost every single one of these, as well, LOL! But, I have to tell you, that my signature fragrance is amazing grace. It is the most beautiful fragrance–ultra clean, fresh, and the tiniest bit of floral. It is femininity defined. No matter where I go, I always get a compliment. “You smell so good!” I love to receive that compliment! I use the spray fragrances, roll on fragrances, body creams, hand creams, and 3-in-1 bubble bath/shower gel/shampoo. These scents are all light…not heavy, overpowering scents that make you want to open a window to get fresh air, LOL!

The other fragrances that I love, and use depending on my mood:

• falling in love (warm, very romantic, with a hint of blackberry)
• baby grace (like pure grace with a slightly sweeter, comforting scent. Like the head of a newborn baby. seriously.)
• pure grace (an ultimate clean scent that smells like soap and water. Like a clean white tshirt dried on a clothesline on a spring day)

Some other items I use from philosophy are:

• supernatural airbrush foundation
• supernatural lip glosses
• kiss me lip glosses
• hot salt bath scrubs
• many varieties of the 3-in-1 shower gels (cinnamon buns, pumpkin pie, lemon custard, sugar cookie, margarita, lime, coconut…)

I purchase my philosophy from QVC. Their prices are the best I have found, excellent customer service, and they often have really great specials!If you have any specific questions about the products, let me know and I’ll do my best to answer you!

I know it’s so hard to take a leap of faith on skincare and fragrance without trying it, so I’d like to share some samples with one lucky reader!
Please leave a comment on this post if you’d like to be in the drawing for a few samples of my favorite philosophy products!

I’ll randomly draw a name on Sunday, OK? Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

Q & A

Karen asks:

Could I ask a favor of you, can you tell me if any of the Philosophy products contain either of these two ingredients?
Cocamisopropyl betaime (CAPB)
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD)
I have seen her on QVC many times and since learning I have a severe allergy to these products that is affecting my eyesight, I am looking to find something and this sounds wonderful.
I always look to my SCS friends for referrals on products, we girls must spread the word when something is this great.

Thanks

Hi Karen! If you hop on over to the philosophy website, you can select whatever product you are interested in. Towards the bottom there is a tab that lists the ingredients of that product! HTH!

Broni asks:

Yes, it sounds wonderful, Trudee, but does it REVERSE aging????? Will I be able to wake up 10 years younger the next day?? Put my name in the drawing….I can use whatever help I can get!!! THANKS for the give-away and the advice!!

Hi Broni!! YES!! it does!! I am actually 64 years old!! Don’t I look fabulous??!!!

TracyK asks:

I’m totally intrigued by the vitamin C microdelivery peel kit. Iwill have to check these out on QVC. My skin is ultra sensitive. Have you had any problems with the peel kit? Love, love, love your blog! Thanks for sharing your beautiful and unique creations.

Hi Tracy! philosophy is formulated for ultra sensitive skin, as Christina has said hers is extremely sensitive. The Vitamin C peel is very gentle. The results from one treatment will astound you! You really only “need” to use it once a week. And it smells like a fresh orange…yum

Paula Kay asks:

I would love to try something to help my old dry skin out. I have never done QVC can you tell me where to look??? Thanks for such a delightful blog. I always try to come and visit.

Hi Paula! Just click on the QVC link in my post, (in blue print) and it will bring you right to the philosophy section of the site!

Hello! Here is the inchies post that I promised! This design features one of Karen Lockhart’s new releases: the Itty Bitty Vase!!

With Gratitude

I used a lot of SU on this design-blue bayou, soft sky and wasabi cardstock and porcelain prints designer paper. Image cut out with my square Spellbinder’s Nestability die, and colored with my Copic markers, and accented with Stickles:

Here are the markers used for this project:

See you later!!!

WOO HOO! What did we do before the internet? Man it felt like my right arm was cut off! It’s good to be back in cyber-town!

I’ll have some more inchies to share with you so stay tuned!

Happy Hanukkah to all of you that celebrate!!

Hello all!

My internet has been out since about 1:30 pm Monday. I am currently stealing my neighbor’s wireless connection (LOL) but HOPE to be back online soon!!!

Wish me luck!!

I am going to be firing up my fabulous Gloss Cinnamon Kitchen Aid mixer this Christmas, and make some cookies to give away.

So far, I will be making:

Magic Cookie Bars

Mexican Wedding Cakes (I grew up calling these Meltaways)

Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti

Chocolate Mint Crackles

What are some of your favorite cookies? I am open for suggestions!!! Please share the recipe or the link to the recipe. Thanks!

Hello! It’s been a really busy weekend around here, but I wanted to share a fun idea with you! I promised that I’d share my version of “inchies” today, so here they are! Inchie magnets!!

These were so much fun to make, and quick, too! I adhered the MemoryBox Homespun patterned cardstock to 1 inch squares of chipboard, sponged the edges with caramel ink, and set them aside. Next, I stamped the Lockhart Itty Bitty apple, pear and hot cocoa on cryogen white cardstock, then colored with my Copic markers. I cut them out, adhered them to the inchies, then added some Stickles for a little sparkle.

In order to protect these, I ran them through my Xyron laminator, but I am not wild with the way they turned out. Next time, I will cover with a layer of crystal effects or Ranger glossy accents. Finally, I adhered a 3/4″ magnet to the back. (available in the craft section of Wal-Mart.)

Here’s a closeup, and a pic of the back side:

I hope you find some inspiration with these, and I encourage you to give them a try! If you do, please leave a link so that I can come see what you did!!

Only a few hours left to take advantage of Ellen’s big sale!! Be sure to hop on over and check it out!!