Christmas Advent Calendar *PLUS A GIVEAWAY

This idea started with finding something through a friend who sells antiques and other things. My original thought was to turn it into a Halloween Haunted House. However, I didn't receive this house until after Halloween. I counted the spaces wondering what I could make of it now. There were exactly 25 spaces!!! I looked through my Christmas papers, thinking of an advent calendar type of thins,  trying to find something already in my stash that would work... I sadly state that I had 3 different brands with the theme of "25 days of Christmas". Insane I know. I have issues. Good news, I only used previously owned items on this house!!!

Christmas items have been on my mind lately. Trying to get things in order BEFORE the day itself. I do not think I will keep this project- think I'll sell it... not too sure yet. I love it, I do. It's just we don't really use advent calenders. 

A Pick'N Time is where I found this great house at one heck of a steal! Check out their site. They accept paypal and come up with all sorts of odd and unusual things. This is the BEFORE SHOT!

How'd that get in there?!?!?! Hee Hee

Go Steelers! By the grace of God they won last night!

Okay back to business. A minute to say something about this collection! It's just amazing. I love it, so many possibilities and things you can do with it. Ranging from cards, layouts, mini books, etc. 

In the spirit of making things and giving things. I've decided to offer this lovely collection pictured here as a giveaway!!! One lucky winner will win this great collection December 10th! Contest closes 12/05/12.

All you have to do is share a Holiday project of yours. Anything and everything can be used. Layout, card, off the page project. Simply add your project off in the sidebar. I can't wait to me motivated by all of your creative wonderfulness.

This is the lovely collections I used. I included a bit of Tim Holtz, and some inks, however all papers used were from this Simply wonderful line that I happened to have on hand- knowing I loved it! They were just waiting for a home. Lucky for me I also had purchased the cardstocks stickers as well. 

To check out other great creations check out Simple Stories blog!
http://simplestories.typepad.com/simple_stories/

Okay onto the project!

I own quite a few cake molds, that I just adore for crafting purposes. I've used these bricks many times. this time I used them on a white play dough!  That's right play dough! I keep this on hand as you never know when you will need it. I used the mold and ran a rolling pin over it and then turned it horizontal and used it again to make a special looking brick design.

Aren't these just adorable. I let them dry for about 24 hrs. Then dry painted over them with a mixed red and brick red paint to get just the right color. I cut 4 - 2 x 3 inch pieces  to create a fire place chimney. 

I then cut lots of random pieces from the Simple Stories Collection. At this point I did not adhere anything. I just began to ink and cut pieces for each area of the the house. Trying out different pieces to see where I wanted them and how I liked the look.

At this point I struggled with whether or not to paint the house or to use tissue tape or paper or to leave the wood showing through. I began moving on with other pieces while trying to figure out the character I wanted the house to take on. 

I cut many pieces and inked them up to use on the house. 

I went ahead and glittered little pieces here and there that I knew I'd want glittered and would be easier to do so before they were adhered. 

Anything I had hand cut out from the papers that I wanted to use as an embellishment I added a layer of Mod Podge to both sides to make it more sturdy. For this adorable mini banner I coated it twice for added protection. 

Here is my custom play dough and foam chimney, as well as a custom wreath and tree I made. Day 1 is shown as well in the top section of the house. The wreath was simple enough cut a piece of pre-snowed wreath I got for a dollar at Dollar General some time ago, made it smaller, added a bow, then adhered a sticker behind it to show through.  The little trees you see here were originally part of much larger trees, I just cut the tips off the tops of them to make miniature trees.  

I made sure that each section of this calendar had something POPPED off the page. You may not be able to see them all there, but I love how each box had something special and unique to offer.  

I really wish I could better show all of the layers and pieces that pop, bend and move in these sections.  

Love all the little pieces I was able to incorporate here. Like behind the 24 stamp number is another piece of play dough that I also ran through an embossing folder and allowed to dry then inked up. Adds a little something to it. 

I still have some little village people that I plan to add to it as well as some small gifts into this top section. However, I'm still working on them. 

A little Hambly Screen Prints added to the top section. just love those deer.  

In the 25 box, I layered the Christmas Tree as well as the presents to add more depth to that box. I also glittered both tree's stars. 

Thanks for looking and Sharing! When you share be sure to drop me a comment letting me know!

Dog Days of Winter Link Up

Wandering Wednesday- Tape Funness (P.S. that IS a word)

I lead with this picture because HOW FLIPPING COOL IS THIS TAPE!! I am proof you can take me into any store.. and I mean any store and I'll come out with something to use in my crafting. These tapes... for instance. I got from.............................................(that's my drum roll)................................................................................................... Dick's Sporting goods! haha you can only imagine my boyfriends face when I'm standing these, staring, touching and in glee that I found athletic tape that's bright, fun and just up my alley! He laughed and said "really....you're not buying that?" in the form of a question. I promptly told him I am NOT BUYING.............. all of them! Hee hee however I NEED two of them!

I got home and just kept touching them, not knowing how I wanted to use them right away, I didn't think that was fair to these newly purchased tapes. So, I made three patchwork tag with them!! And guess what...... comment on this post and you can win them!!! I'll announce the winner tomorrow morning.

Not only did this past weekend bring me a fun find of the tapes but also, some marvelous pins! Everyone who knows me knows I love PINS! Here are only a few of the many I picked up. I initially went looking through them when I saw the "Honey Badger" pin. if you don't know the hilarious video about the honey badger, you HAVE to check it out, Note these is swearing in this video.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r7wHMg5Yjg

Anywho, I went digging after finding that one button and scored these. So, along with the above tags, a comment below will also assist you in a chance to win one of these adorable buttons! Your choice! Just comment and let me know which one you love the most!

And, of course don't forget this months great giveaways! So many ways to win this month!

February Giveaways!!!! The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Okay, so in honor of the month all about love. I thought I'd show some love to all of you wonderful ladies that follow me. Frickin exciting right!?!?! Right! If you're not you will be soon! I'd love to gain another 29 followers, one per day this month!! That's not too hard right, just share wherever you like, send your craft friends over.

 I've been blessed with some amazing winnings  from other blogs and companies and cleaning out of my own stash and could think of nothing better than to share it.  Please remember you must be a follower of the blog so, I can click on your name in the comments section and match them with you being a follower.  As if you have a crafting blog as well, I'd love to also be able to find and follow you!

So throughout the month I have some amazing things to give away. There are of course a few catches!

Below is a list of each way you can be entered to win. There will be more than one giveaway and lots of ways to win yourself some goodies. The more participation, the more entries you get into the BIG drawing.

HOW DO YOU WIN GOODIES and what goodies you win!

1. Link your pictures of your scrap space on the left hand side of the sidebar here! Now while talking with an online friend she's gasped "I don't want people to see what a mess it is!" Have no fear. the giveaways this month are all about embracing the good, the bad and the ugly. Which means I want to see the prettiest and the most unorganized spaces you have!!! I want to see where you scrap, no matter how ugly or bad or cluttered to hell it may be. I dont care if you scrap in a closet, on a table or in a room, show me!

 I've shared many times with you all how bad off my space can get! Let me see it! Show all those wonderful crafters their not the only one with a messy room! I also want to see the pretty rooms, the women who have the room of every ones or just their dreams! Submit your photos on the left hand side of the blog, super easy to load them there.  All rooms and blogs will be shared throughout the month. Which is great exposure for your blog! I'll pick one winner between the WORST AND BEST rooms and they will win...............

A BRAND NEW 36 INCH CLIP IT UP RIBBON ORGANIZER!!!!!!!  How flippin cool is that!

2.  Follow the blog, write a post on your blog about the giveaways, post my blinkie on your blog, tell your friends about the giveaways, share on facebook, pin it to pinterest and follow me on pinterest under craft donkey, post to  twitter or follow me under sayitsbyu and anywhere else you can think of. When your friends come over and join the fun, have them reference you. For each new follower you sent over, you'll receive an additional entry!!!  The person/business/blog that recruits the most new followers will receive...............

 A $25.00 gift card to Hobby Lobby or Michaels. It's your choice!

3. Be a follower (not just via emails) Comment below and tell me what you'd most like to win from these goodies and what you would do with them!!! Easy enough right. Below is only a portion of what you will recieve.

here is some of the loot of the large lot!

*******I will then draw a name at random from all the names who were entered from any of the above options to win a LARGE LOT of scrappin goodies! To include but not limited to: (I'm still putting together this all and will post a pic this weekend!)

A. One 'naked gypsy' albums - each measures measures approx 6.5" x 10.75" - 'naked journal' by 7 Gypsies...spiral bound, each contains 20 pages, also one 7-gypsies envelope album and super mini album. That's 3 ALBUMS!

B. 1 spiral bound pads of 'Paper Girl' stickers from the 'The Girls' Paperie' line. Each contain 952 stickers including 3 sheets of 'block alpha' (similar to stencils), 1 sheet newsprint alpha, 1 sheet border stickers, and 2 sheets word stickers. Each pad measures 6" x 13".

C. 1    7-Gypsies Match Box includes 1 box, 1 cover, 12 cards you assemble. (Match box are perfect size for storage and gift boxes. This one holds 12 Artist Trading Cards. Use them for trade, as a gift or keep them all for yourself.
Decorate as desired.)

D. Suprise Item!!

E.  4 Helmar USA Adhesives! If you are following my blog you know I'm obsessed about this glue.. amazing!!!! If your new and haven't heard of them, once you try them you'll never go back! I promise!

F. 5 New in package surprise Jolees dimensional stickers.

G. Vintage grab bag: a bag packed full of amazing vintage book pages, music sheets, and wonderful this and that tid bits to add to your pages!

H.  4 packages of American Crafts Thickers!

I.  4 packages of Prima flowers

J. 1 K&Company Smash Book

L. Tim Holtz grab bag of goodies including but not limited to glassine, grungboard, charms, clasps, corners charms and so much more, Tattered angel's cards

Okay so now your excited right?? Start sharing the great news! So many ways to win! Get out there and share this news! Be sure to post a comment/link when you have posted to your blog or facebook or any other forums.

Sneak Peak....

SNEAK PEAK!!!!! If your savy with your brands.. this is from a great collection from Prima. A lovely collection for Spring!

  In May I'll have a giveaway each week! YAY!!!! Nothing is better than free goodies!!! So, be sure to check back regularly! And invite other to follow as well to have a chance to WIN!

Here's a sneak peak as to which line it is. See if you can guess it.

 A hint: the answer is in the flowers!

It's my recent project! I'll share it soon! And one lucky winner is going to be winning an amazing selection of this Prima Collection! Including papers, flowers, chipboards, cardstock stickers, journaling cards and MORE!!!

Remember SUNDAY!!! I'll be announcing a winner to one of the great altered vintage books!!! So be sure to stay tuned to claim your prize!