It's CHRISTMAS on the Tour de Freaks!

Welcome to the Christmas 2013 edition of the Tour de Freaks! It's the most won-der-ful tiiiime of the year (you sang that in your head, didn't you?), and we're excited to show you some terrific ideas for your holiday.  If you started at the beginning and have been hopping in order, then you just landed here from Mindy Backes' blog, Bada-Bing! Paper-Crafting!  If you're starting here, just click on the links at the bottom of each blog and they will take you full circle back here, so you won't miss a single stamptastic thing!

My first project is a little gift for nectar of the gods coffee lovers.  I've been seeing these tiny hot cups with lids popping up everywhere on the 'Net, and just had to get them to make some quick gifts.  They're filled with Espresso, Coffee, and Latte candies for a quick pick-me-up. Wouldn't these be cute teacher or co-worker gifts? (ETA: These will hold 5 Starbucks Via packets, folded in half.) They're big enough for a tea bag or two, as well. (Don't know about a cocoa packet, though.) The base was covered with Winter Frost DSP, and the lid was topped with a 3D snowflake.

STAMPS: Festive Flurry, Christmas Tagables  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Winter Frost Specialty DSP  INK: Island Indigo  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Festive Flurry Framelits, Simply Scored, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Here's a close-up of the snowflake topper. I was inspired by the Festive Flurry Ornament Kits, making my version small enough to fit on the lid.

For my card projects, I had a hard time choosing which stamp set to feature, but finally decided on Best of Snow.  I just love that little snowman, and the hedgehog is so sweet!  So, let's start with my little snow buddy. He was super easy to color; just a few quick swipes of the markers. And you can't really see it, but the Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter really makes the snow sparkle.

STAMPS: Best of Snow, Lovely as a Tree, More Merry Messages  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler  INK: Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Garden Green plus Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green (In Color set), and Soft Sky Stampin' Write Markers  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Designer Frames oval folder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Extra Large Oval Punch, Two-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

And here's my little hedgie buddy. I acidentally stumbled on this color combination when some Early Espresso and Soft Sky cardstock was laying next to each other on my *ahem* very messy desk. I was struck by how well they complemented each other. For the Deco Labels mat, I first tried Silver Glimmer Paper, but there wasn't enough contrast. The Red Glimmer sets off the red scarves better, anyway, don't you think? The hedgie was colored with a blender pen to get a lighter shade of Soft Suede. I think the marker would have been too dark.

STAMPS: Best of Snow, Snow Day  CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Shimmery White, Early Espresso, Soft Sky DSP (Subtles stack), Red Glimmer  INK: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, plus Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, and Soft Sky markers  ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Circles Collection Framelits, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Red Glimmer Brads (Brights collection), Blender Pens

Well, that's all from me today. Thank you for stopping by! Now on to the next stop, Justin Krieger's blog, JK Cards. I'm sure he has something fabulous cooked up!

Best of SNOW!

I have to admit, I'm really going to miss the monthly "Best of 25 Years" stamp sets when they are no longer available, especially this month's set, Best of Snow. It is extra adorable! You know how I love snowmen, but the hedgehog making a snowman in his image takes the cuteness factor completely over the top!

This is the month to get your holiday cards finished, so you aren't rushing out at the last minute to buy storebought *shudder* cards! And what a great set to use - you can go all crystal elegance on your cards with the snowflake, and make some whimsical cards with the snowman and hedgehog. And the greeting would work on any of them! The Bracket Label Punch makes quick work of adding the greeting, too.

Check out what my friend Jennifer did with it on the Stampin' Up Blog. She's so talented!!!