Holiday Spirit Handmade!

Hi everyone,

After recovering from the fantastic meal on Thanksgiving, scoring the perfect deals on black Friday, andextending the sale madness to Cyber Monday, I'm pretty sure you are ready to get the holiday spirit moving with fantastic handmade gift items.

Well you've come to the right place. For the next 12 days be ready to create simple yet elegant gift items your family and friends are sure to enjoy!

ADesigner Spotlight A

First I want to introduce this fabulous designer to our team. Please welcome Melissa Samuels!!

Let’s get to know Melissa better!


I'm from Charlottesville, Virginia, and moved to Richmond in 2005. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. I teach cardmaking, mini albums, and altered art. Teaching is the most enjoyable and rewarding job I have ever had. I have an online store of scrapbooking goodies, which is what I do with my free time (not that there's much). I have three daughters: Christin, Maddie, and Lily. They are definitely my inspiration. I have a wonderful husband who I've been in love with for 18 years!

You can find more of Melissa’s talent here.

We are so excited to have her with us. Be on the look out for the Ustream classes she will be creating for Passionately Artistic!

Here’s Melissa awesome project for Want2scrap.com, using the chipboard album and bling!

and here are some of her other amazing projects!

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We are very excited to introduce you to another fabulous designer to our team Davi Reid, her attention to details are amazing.
Let’s get to know Davi  better!



My parents are very talented and I have done art and some kind of crafting since I was a child. I had made some cards just stamping mainly for a couple years. Last summer my friend Martha told me about card making blogs and helped me set up a blog. I did my first challenge September 2009. I live in a rural area so had not seen all there was to paper crafting. After seeing all the wonderful products I was hooked. I love creating and the challenges help me stretch myself and push me to think outside the box. You can see more of Davi’s Talent here

Here’s a beautiful gift set Davi has created for you!

Please welcome Melissa Sauls from Want2Scrap.com and In Stamping Mode



Please welcome Dana Gustafson from Want2Scrap.com and Paper Daydreamer.

Please welcome Mimi Leinbach from Want2Scrap.com and My Charming Blog

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Did you know that Inspire your Creativity is a portal where you can find the latest and hottest tutorials on the web? No need to scour the internet, it’s all done for you in one spot . . . from tutorials to videos, you'll find it there!

Be sure to stop by and see what awesome tut Michele has found for you.

Please welcome Michele from Inspire your Creativity

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Don’t forget you have until December 12th to enter comments for the blog hop and win a chance at two  $25.00 gift certificates!

Here’s a sneak peak of what’s coming tomorrow for the 1st day of Christmas handcrafted!!

Have a great day,
Maggie

Want2Scrap Manufacturer Blog Hop fun!

Hi everyone,

We are beyond excited to be teaming up with Want2Scrap manufacturer for this fun blog hop to start off our 12 days of Christmas. You will not want to miss any of the fun or the wonderful projects we have featured for you!

Here is a bit of information about our fabulous sponsor

Want2Scrap is currently manufacturing a complete line of diecuts, chipboard, acrylic, and rhinestone embellishments perfect for your next project.  From rhinestones to pearl accents, from chipboard albums to embellishments, they carry what you are looking for.  Visit Want2Scrap at http://www.want2scrap.com and check out the design team's fabulous projects on their blog - http://want2scrapco.blogspot.com 


The designers have been busy creating beautiful projects for you using Want2Scrap bling as well as a fabulous chipboard album by Melissa Samuels.

Prizes

Now this will not be fun unless we are giving prizes away right??? Well here are just a few things to remember...

• Become a follower of  Passionately Artistic and Want2Scrap blogs if you are not already, leaving comments on both sites for all 12 days of Christmas posting for a chance to win.
• Leave as many comments as you wish, blog about it, tell your friends on twitter, facebook update.

not one but 2 fantastic prizes. 

• Leave a comment for each designer on the list to be eligible for the grand prize.  Did I mention that there will be two winners of the grand prize??  Yes that’s right.  One winner will be announced on the Passionately Artistic blog and the other winner will be announced on the Want2Scrap blog. On December 18th.

• In addition to the blog hop prizes, we have a few additional  designers giving out goodies as well . . so be sure to visit each blog because if we told you it wouldn't be as much fun eh?

Can you figure out who the others are?

Here is a list of all the designers participating in the blog hop, so you can visit their blogs.

http://Passionatelyartistic.com
http://want2scrapco.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-hop-passionately-artistic.html
Michele  http://inspireyourcreativity.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-hop-with-passionately-artistic.html
Sandee   http://simplysouthernsandee.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-passionately-artistic-christmas.html
Maggie   http://www.maggielamarre.com/2010/11/want2scrap-blog-hop-and-fun-tutorial.html
Terrie     http://terriebaileys.blogspot.com/2010/11/want2scrap-blog-hop-fun.html
Tracy     http://thelittlebluehouseblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/welcome-passionately-artistic-blog.html
Ellen       http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/2010/11/passionately-artistic-blog-hop.html
Melissa   http://www.instampingmode.com/2010/11/passionately-artistic-blog-hop.html
Mimi       http://mycharmingblog-scrappermimi.blogspot.com/
Dana       http://paperdaydream.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-blog-hop.html
Court      http://courtscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/11/want2scrap-blog-hop.html
Melissa   http://blog.melissasamuels.net/2010/11/big-announcement-blog-hop.html

Have a great time hopping
Maggie

Cool weather, and a picnic idea for Turkey leftovers

Hi everyone,

It’s the third day after Thanksgiving and I don't know about you but I'm definitely still recovering from the great feast!  I'm truly thankful to be able to spend the holiday with family and friends. With such a huge meal behind us, there are sure to be major leftovers!  Well here is a great idea for a picnic using your leftover turkey.

A Design Team SpotlightA

Ellen Sosnoski

In the meantime, I'm very excited to introduce you to the talented Ellen Sosnoski. I’m sure you’ve seen Ellen in almost every magazine on the market this year. You can also find her designs at several manufacturer design teams such as Coredination and Webster’s page. She was recently featured in Scrapbook Etc magazine as one of  the top 5 finalists for the Inkadinkado stamping contest!! and one of the top 10 finalists for Teresa Collins Star search! Are you getting excited??  I'm all giddy!!

So let’s get to know Ellen better!

1.How would you describe your style?  
I would say technique oriented. I like to stamp so I do that on most of my layouts. cards and even altered items.  I use at least some kind of embossing, stamping, spritzing, sanding or something on every layout.

2.When did you find out you wanted to scrapbook?
I was invited to a Stampin' Up party and that was it!

3.What advice will you give someone that wants to be published? 
Throw everything to the wall and eventually something will stick, as my dad would say. You just have to keep trying and keep trying. AND don't create for publications. Create because you want to and then submit if you find a call that way you keep creating for yourself.

4.What tips n tricks have you learned?
Hmm. A trick I have learned is to be resourceful. That is why I love my Cuttlebug because it can transform cardstock,  patterned paper, or even pre-made die-cuts into something completely different.

Here a few favorites of mine :)

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Welcome to Delightful Sunday. . . jumpstarting your mojo for the week!

Wouldn’t it be great to have picnics again?  If you live in a warm climate, the weather is finally cool enough to enjoy the outdoors and if you live in the cooler climates, the furnace is probably on and you can snuggle up with your honey by the warm fire!  Either way you can enjoy each others company with just a few additions to your Thanksgiving leftovers. Try this fun and easy picnic idea using any leftover meat . . from chicken to turkey.



SUPPLIES:

• MYPINKSTAMPER stamp
• Ink Stazon
• Slice tomatoes
• Worcestershire sauce
• Miracle Whip Salad Dressing
• Red  and green pepper
• Salt and black pepper
• Ribbon and jute

HOW TO:

1. Mix  2 cups leftover turkey or chicken with  2tbsp Miracle Whip salad dressing.
2. Add  diced red  and green pepper.
3. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
4. Here’s what makes this recipe so special: Add 1/8 of tsp of Worcestershire sauce and mix all ingredients well.
5. Add the turkey/chicken salad, slice tomatoes, cheese,shredded lettuce to a piece of rye bread or any type of your choice, slice cut in half.
6. Stamp a sentiment onto a tag then wrap over the container with ribbon and jute.

Now you are ready for a splendid picnic!


TIPS:
I got my containers for free from the grocery store in the seafood dept.

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We are excited to have you join us tomorrow for our Want2scrap manufacturer blog hop with lots of fun prizes. Have a great Sunday, see you tomorrow.

PS: Don’t forget to sign up as a follower!

Here’s this week linking party..

Maggie

We are Grateful to you, Happy Thanskgiving!

Today is the day when family gathers to spend much needed time together catching up and reconnecting again. We want to wish a very happy Thanksgiving to you from all of us here at Passionately Artistic!! We are so very grateful to YOU!  


YOU make creating and sharing the best of what this hobby is about, all worth it. We appreciate every comment and every email we've received.  Your feedback has been so positive and we are indeed delighted with the positive response!  Making our blog part of your daily routine is truly an honor and makes this the most incredible part of what we do.

We've enjoyed bringing you the holiday guide and look forward to bringing you an even more magical 12 days of Christmas guide.  Are you excited yet?  We are!

Today though we are going to share a fun layout  to  capture all those wonderful moments from Jackie Natal.



I invite YOU to join our Linky Party every week. 

What's a linky party? Well it is where you get to feature your creations just by linking them here. Yep ... that's it. Simple right?  Just a few rules to follow:

1. Be a follower if you are not one already. Grab our badge below for your blog while you are at it. Link any projects YOU have created.
2. No giveaway linking please. There's no limit to how many items you can link. Link parties are all about linking, so visit a few of the other links to discover new friends and link, link, link.
3. I did say link right? 

Please be kind and link back to this party on your posts. Tell your friends on Facebook or Twitter about the party, the more the merrier!

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A Design Team SpotlightA

Terrie Bailey

First I want to Introduce the fabulous Artist Terrie Bailey. She has been inspiring you every week for the past year. Let’s get to know her better!

What your favorite thing about crafting?
It has to be discovering new tools and techniques.

What got you started?
I got started through health reasons.That’s another story for some other time,so lets say:I craft for therapeutic reasons.

What’s your must have craft tool?
Has to be my orange handled Fiskars scissors,and my 12"x-cut guillotine.

We also asked Terrie to share with us her beautiful studio :)

Thank you Terrie for sharing with us :)


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Oh my! I'm still discovering amazing projects and I promise to come and visit everybody once Thanksgiving is over. Thank you so much for participating every week!

This week's top 3 most viewed links in our party are:
Wow Second week in a row Colette from My canvas is my computer, Congrats

Angie

Sunny

Congrats to all the ladies and here’s your badge for your blog…

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This week the design team is off  to be with their family but they will be back sharing amazing ideas for the 12 days of Christmas!!!


Fall is in the air!
by Jackie Natal








How to:

 Cricut Country Life Cartridge Cartridge.

1. The Barn cut @ 6" Shadow, <Barn>, <Barnes>, Layer 1, Layer 1 shift, Layer 2.Layer and adhere.
2. Grass using your Gypsy page 72 <Gtrysd-s>cut @ 11 1/2 x 2 1/2 two times. ink and adhere to bottom of the pages.  
3. Hens pages 43, 44 cut @ 1" and 1 1/2

Title

1. Pumpkin Picking cut at 1". Cut the following using Cricut Straight from the Nest cartridge
2. Tree page 38 cut  Layer/Shadow at 7" trim the top of tree to make a 3" circle add leaves. Leaves for tree page 42 <Brnch1-s> cut at 2 and 2 1/2 adhere to tree.
3. Mats cut to fit pictures.Cut the following using Cricut Winter Woodland cartridge.  
4. Squirrel  page 57 cut @ 1 1/4 Shadow and blackout Shift <squirrel>
5. Nuts on Grass page 57 <sqrrl-s> Layers Shift cut @ 1 1/2”. Strips across top of pages.
6. Using Imaginisce Apple Cider line ( Changing Leaves) cut @ 1 1/2”  x 11 1/4” twice layer over cardstock cut @1 3/4 x 12 adhere.
7. Pumpkins Cut using Holiday Cakes Cartridge, page 55 cut @ 2 1/2 layer and adhere eyes.

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Our Sponsors!


Please welcome our newest Sponsor  CSN Stores!!
CSN Stores feature over 200+ stores with only one checkout.  You can find tons of amazing products at incredible prices on their site.  They offer amazing items for the office such as briefcases, furniture, home decor, outdoor product,s and so much more.

You are bound to find what you are looking for at one of their stores. Please visit their stores as they are having an amazing Black Friday sale!

http://www.csnbaby.com/holidaydeals
http://www.everygameroom.com/holidaydeals
http://www.fitnessequipmentandmore.com/holidaydeals
http://www.toysandgamesonline.com/holidaydeals

Have you shopped with them before? If not what are you waiting for? Don’t take our word for it, experience them for yourselves. You'll be glad you did.  :)

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Our Sponsor Want2scrap is also having a huge sale!

Right now, they are having a GREAT BLACK FRIDAY SALE.  Where else can you get bling for only $.88 cents??? or chipboard albums at 50% off???? or all laser cuts at 50% off???? Did I mention the best part??  $.88 CENT SHIPPING!!!!  Seriously, you need to head on over there and fill your carts before the sale ends on Sunday at midnight!!

Thank you so much, Have a great weekend, be sure to come back on Friday as we share some ideas for the left over turkey.
Don’t forget to add your projects on the inlinz below, sign up to be a follower.
Happy Thanskgiving,
Maggie

Happy Pre-Thanksgiving countdown to you!

Hi everyone,

Are you ready for some more fabulous recipes??? as we countdown the last days until Thanksgiving???
Today we are sharing ideas for appetizers, desserts, drinks, and a delicious banana bread that you can give your guests.We have  truly enjoyed bringing you the ideas below combined with wonderful crafts to help inspire your cooking this holiday season, and take the hectic out.

Be sure to come back for our Christmas Extravaganza too.  The potpourri recipe below will be fabulous for Christmas as well. Here are the links to our previous tutorials for your convenience.

Week 1  Fall wreath, Place Cards. 
Week 2  Menu, Centerpiece, Potpourri
Week 3  Table setting ideas , Appetizer ideas, and Brining.
Week 4  Coffee ideas

I am Maggie Lamarre, your hostess for today :)





So for your first recipe . . . . your guests will love you for the party that will take place in their mouth!!  Here is a super simple appetizer that they will surely enjoy.







How to:

• Peel the mango and cut into slices.
• Wrap the slice of Prosciutto around the mango.
• Tie a green onion around the mango to secure, repeat for the remaining slices.

Leave in the fridge until ready to serve. (How much simpler can it get??) 

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Luscious Banana Bread








Ingredients:

• 4-5 very ripe mashed bananas 
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

How To:

1. Mix the butter and sugar until creamy and add the eggs , salt. vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix until smooth.
2. Add the bananas and mix, then add the plain yogurt.
3. Add the flour and mix well. Pour onto a greased pan, bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

That's it!!  I can smell it now.  Oh the smell of banana bread is a killer!

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Butterscotch Kahlua Truffle with flavored whip cream





Ingredients:

• 4 boxes of butterscotch sugar free custard.
• Vanilla powder sugar
• Cold milk
• 4 Tbsp Kahlua
• 2 Tbsp Truffle oil
• Dark  chocolate, shaved
• Heavy cream

How to:

• Add Kahlua to the cold  milk and then add the butterscotch custard to the milk. Add  the truffle oil and mix.
• Mix the heavy cream with the vanilla powder sugar until a peak forms.
• Pour the butterscotch custard into a glass halfway. Add the whipped cream, shaved chocolate. Repeat the layering process one more time. Finally add more whipped cream and shaved chocolate to the top.

Voila you are done!


Be sure to come back on Friday as we share ideas for the left over turkey.

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Happy Thanksgiving!
Maggie

PS don't forget to sign up to be a follower and also our 
Linking Party continues here