On the 10th Day of Christmas Creativity...

Yay!  It's time for me to host the 10th Day of Christmas Creativity!  Woo Hoo!

This has been so much fun!  I'm glad I still have two more days to post, even if it's not hosting. Don't forget to read about the giveaways at the bottom of this post.

It's just a few days away from Christmas.  I'm feeling a little bit sad that some of our family is so far away.  Okay, not just a little bit.  I'm really hoping that one day we'll be able to spend Christmas with everyone together.  Thank goodness for Skype and Facetime or we would feel really disconnected from our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter in Connecticut.  We will hopefully be able to do some visiting with our own parents over the holidays, though, so at least we will see some of our extended family.  I'm looking for some ideas to draw us together over the long distances. If you have any, keep them in mind, I'll be asking you about them later on in this post!

Today I've got my last freebie for you!  It's tag #10 in the 12 Days of Christmas Tags series. Hopefully you've picked up the other three I've given away so far.  If you want the whole set, be sure to enter the drawings. I'll also be offering these for sale for a super good price at the end of the week, too.  I might even come up with a challenge or two to go along with them.

It was a challenge to figure out how to fit ten lords leaping around on one little tag.  This is my solution! The concept works on a lot of the other bigger number tags, too.  Can't have you cutting a billing tiny lords and accessories out and then trying to figure out how to assemble them!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

SORRY!  This download has expired.  Please look for it in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store!

Okay, remember those drawings I mentioned?  Here's how to enter!

Here are the prizes:

1) Three Prizes: The whole set of 12 Days of Christmas Tags
2) $10 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs
3) $10 Michaels Gift Card
4) The December VDBC Grab Bag (or a $7 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs if you have already purchased it)

How can you win them? On the 12th Day (that will be the 23rd for our little blog-fest) I'll hold a drawing for each one of the prizes (that's four six drawings in one day... I think I can handle it!). All you have to do to enter is comment on my blog to enter. You can comment on my blog on each of the 12 days so you'll have up to 12 entries in the drawings! Each day I'll have a new thing I'll ask you to include in your comment so keep an eye out for that. It's as simple as that!

Today's comment requirement:

Leave a comment with an idea for connecting extended families who are far away at the holidays.  This could be any idea for grandparents, grandchildren, deployed military family members, college students, missionaries, etc.

Be sure to include some way to contact you in case you win the drawing (for example, your VDBC forum name, your email address, etc.). If you don't, I might not be able to get your prize to you!

Oh, if you want a sneek peak at the tags included in the whole 12 Days of Christmas Tags set, here are a few more!

Time to get crafty, people!

On the 7th Day of Christmas Creativity...

Iit's my turn to host the 7th Day of Christmas Creativity!  Woo Hoo!

Well, now, it's exactly one week until Christmas!  So exciting!  I really love this time of year.  I know, I know, I complain that Christmas is coming too fast.  And in a way, the really complaint is that I wish the holiday season lasted longer.  Why do I take on so much? Why do I think I have to do so much?  I wish I could just relax and enjoy the season.  Does this happen to you, too?

I need to find some way to bring myself back to what's really important.  Oh right, remember what I said on the 1st Day of Christmas Creativity?  Service!  Time to get out and do some more service.  That will bring me back to reality.  Then I'll realize that all that stuff I thought was so super important really isn't and that it's okay to let a few things go.

I know, I know, what you are really here for is the next tag in the set.  Are you excited to see some swans a-swimming?  I love swans. The look so serene swimming on a beautiful lake.  Let me tell you though, they aren't very nice.  Not to be negative or anything.  Ever come upon one? I have, and these things are big and don't like people near their nests or babies!  I prefer to enjoy from afar, thank you very much!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

This design will only be up for today, so be sure to grab it while you are here! Click to download your favorite file type.  Remember to click and not to right click!  You need to go to the download page or you won't actually get the zip file!

SORRY!  This download has expired.  Please look for it in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store!

Before you go be sure to enter my 12 Day of Christmas Creativity drawings! In case you missed it the other day, I've decided to give away more copies of my complete set of 12 Days of Christmas Tags. Be sure and enter by commenting on each day!

Here are the prizes:

1) Three Prizes: The whole set of 12 Days of Christmas Tags
2) $10 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs
3) $10 Michaels Gift Card
4) The December VDBC Grab Bag (or a $7 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs if you have already purchased it)

How can you win them? On the 12th Day (that will be the 23rd for our little blog-fest) I'll hold a drawing for each one of the prizes (that's four six drawings in one day... I think I can handle it!). All you have to do to enter is comment on my blog to enter. You can comment on my blog on each of the 12 days so you'll have up to 12 entries in the drawings! Each day I'll have a new thing I'll ask you to include in your comment so keep an eye out for that. It's as simple as that!

Today's comment requirement:

Leave a comment with something you do to try to remember the true meaning of Christmas. I need all the ideas I can get!

Be sure to include some way to contact you in case you win the drawing (for example, your VDBC forum name, your email address, etc.). If you don't, I might not be able to get your prize to you!

Time to get crafty, people!

On the 4th Day of Christmas Creativity...

It's the 4th Day of our 12 Days of Christmas Creativity blog-fest!  Yay!  That means it's my turn to host again!

Before I share a freebie with you today, I want to talk about Christmas Music.  One of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the wealth of beautiful music available to celebrate the season.  If I had to pick a favorite song, I don't think I could!  For many years, when we lived in Connecticut, I sang in a concert choir.  It was one of my favorite parts of celebrating Christmas.  I really miss it so much.  I think we need to start one here in Arizona!  Through that experience I really fell in love with choral music.

I was thinking about the song the 12 Days of Christmas which is fun but also very, very long.  We like to do sing-a-longs at our house during December.  This one is generally not my favorite just because it seems so endless.  Once at a Christmas party we did something fun with this song, though, and I thought I'd share it with you.

Here's what you do.  You need a good amount of people at your party to do this.  Divide everyone up into 12 groups and give them each one of the 12 Days.  Each group sings their line when the times comes in the song.  Some people are very serious but others will really get into it and do crazy things for their line.  It makes the song so fun and no one seems to mind that it's super duper long when you are cracking up the whole way through it.  Make sure you give your wackier groups the lower numbers since you'll get to hear them more often than the higher ones.  Have fun at your next Christmas party with it!

On to the freebie!  It's the 4th Day of Christmas, so of course I'm going to share with you my Four Calling Birds Tag!  I was struck by how many bird related items are in this song.  Kind of funny, isn't it?  Good thing I can think of lots of different ways to draw birds.

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

This design will only be up for today, so be sure to grab it while you are here! Click to download your favorite file type:

SORRY!  This download has expired.  Please look for it in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store!

Want a little peek at the other days?  Here are Two Turtle Doves and Three French Hens.  These will be in the whole set you can win! See below for details.

Want em?  Here's how you can win them!

Here are the prizes:

1) The whole set of 12 Days of Christmas Tags
2) $10 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs
3) $10 Michaels Gift Card
4) The December VDBC Grab Bag (or a $7 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs if you have already purchased it)

How can you win them? On the 12th Day (that will be the 23rd for our little blog-fest) I'll hold a drawing for each one of the prizes (that's four drawings in one day... I think I can handle it!). All you have to do to enter is comment on my blog to enter. You can comment on my blog on each of the 12 days so you'll have up to 12 entries in the drawings! Each day I'll have a new thing I'll ask you to include in your comment so keep an eye out for that. It's as simple as that!

Today's comment requirement:

Leave a comment with your favorite Christmas song (if you can possibly pick one)!

Be sure to include some way to contact you in case you win the drawing (for example, your VDBC forum name, your email address, etc.). If you don't, I might not be able to get your prize to you!

Check back tomorrow to see what we have in store for you on the 5th day!  Ileana will be hosting, and I know it will be fun!

Time to get crafty, people!

On the 1st Day of Christmas Creativity...

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Creativity!  Chris from Visual Designs by Chris, Ileana from I Scrap Designs, and I have teamed up to take turns hosting fun activities, giveaways, and holiday tips for the next 12 days!  I hope you'll have fun joining us.

I have the honor of hosting the first day, but don't forget to check out the other's blogs today, there might be some hidden gems and/or surprises on their blogs today, too!

First, I want to share a freebie with you today.  Then I want to tell you how you can win some fun prizes from yours truly so don't leave before you read about that.

We are always looking for ways to keep Christ in Christmas around our house.  I find that giving service to someone else instantly reminds me of what Christmas is supposed to be all about. Here's an idea you might try. Find a family or individual that you think needs a little holiday lift and do a 12 Days of Christmas service project for them.  If you want to do the 12 days before Christmas, you'd want to start tomorrow (the 13th) to end on Christmas Eve.  You could prepare a different treat to leave on their doorstep each day or find other simple acts of service to do like shoveling snow or washing cars.  Do it anonymously if you can!

Here's a little freebie to get you started with this project.  It's the first tag in a series of 12 Days of Christmas Tags I'm working on right now!  On each of my days to host, I'll be giving one of these tags away as a freebie.  Stay tuned for how you can win the whole set of tags!

I tried to take a modern twist on this classic Christmas tune.  I hope you like it!  Even if you don't use the number one on the tag, it would make a cute tag all on its own.

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

This design will only be up for today, so be sure to grab it while you are here! Click to download your favorite file type:

SORRY!  This download has expired!  You can still enter the drawings (see below) through December 22nd!

Okie dokie, now you've gotten your freebie for the day, are you ready to hear about the prizes you could win from me?

Here are the prizes:

1) The whole set of 12 Days of Christmas Tags
2) $10 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs
3) $10 Michaels Gift Card
4) The December VDBC Grab Bag (or a $7 gift code to Sam & Hailey Designs if you have already purchased it)

How can you win them? On the 12th Day (that will be the 23rd for our little blog-fest) I'll hold a drawing for each one of the prizes (that's four drawings in one day... I think I can handle it!). All you have to do to enter is comment on my blog to enter. You can comment on my blog on each of the 12 days so you'll have up to 12 entries in the drawings! Each day I'll have a new thing I'll ask you to include in your comment so keep an eye out for that. It's as simple as that!

Today's comment requirement:

Leave a comment with an idea for an act of service or kindness you could do (or have done) for someone else at Christmastime!  

Be sure to include some way to contact you in case you win the drawing (for example, your VDBC forum name, your email address, etc.). If you don't, I might not be able to get your prize to you!

Have a fun 1st Day of Christmas! Be sure to hop over the Chris's and Ileana's blogs to see what they have going on today!

Time to get crafty, people!

Happy Thanksgiving Freebie + Grab Bag GIVEAWAY!

It's the Sam & Hailey Designs

Black Friday Blowout Sale!

50% off Everything Sam & Hailey

Friday and Saturday only!  Shop early starting Thanksgiving Day, too!


Click to Shop Now!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  I hope today you've given a few minutes thought to all the wonderful blessings in your life.  Here are my top 6 {not necessarily in order of importance}!

1. My Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ

2. My hubby and kids

3. Grandbabies

4. Being together with my brothers and sister on Thanksgiving for the first time in years

5. My Mom and Dad

6. The fact that chemotherapy seems to finally be having a positive response for my Mom!  Best news I've had all year!

Okay, number 7 definitely has to be all of you!  Faithful blog readers, new friends, old friends, customers, and those who've just stumbled upon me for the first time.  You are all wonderful and I'm so grateful for you.  So, this weekend, In order to give back, not only am I having the amazing sale {see above}, I've also got a little die cut design to show you all how I feel.  I hope you can use it to show someone else how you feel about them!  After you've downloaded your freebie, be sure to keep reading to find out how you can get a chance to win the November VDBC Grab Bag GIVEAWAY!

This one would be a nice addition to a card or scrapbook layout.  Have fun with it!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

Sorry! This download is no longer available. Look for it and more in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store!

Okay, want to find out how you can win the fabulous November VDBC Grab Bag?  This is a grab bag chock full of awesome cuts.  Three from Sam & Hailey Designs, three from Show Me Scrappin' Cuts, and three from Chris Durnan!  Sweet!  If you already have this November Grab Bag, it's okay, I'll trade it in for a $7 gift code to the Sam & Hailey Designs store!  

Here's how to enter:

1.  Like Sam & Hailey Designs on Facebook (if you already do, that's okay, you can still enter).

2.  Leave a ♥ or type the word "Love" on the Sam & Hailey Designs Facebook Wall.

3.  Come back here and leave a comment saying that you did so!  Be sure to include your name and a way to contact you.  You'll want to leave your Facebook name in your comment so I can verify you completed steps one and two!  

This giveaway will be open until Sunday night 11/27.  One winner will be chosen at random on Monday from all entries that qualify!  Don't forget to do all three steps or you won't be able to win!

I hope you've all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have a wonderful weekend!

Time to get crafty, people!

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: Thanksgiving Cupcake Wrapper Sample + Recipe

Weekly Wrap-Up:
Make Your Own Monday: Chevron Paper
Trendwatch Tuesday: Chevrons
Project Wednesday: Subway Art on a Shutter

Soooo..... Thanksgiving is really next week?  You aren't kidding me?  I know any moment I'm going to wake up and it will still be October.  Pinch me... please!

No?  Well, I suppose it's time to face reality.  And that reality is that I'm way behind on just about everything!

If you are feeling like me, be sure to check out the VDBC Annual Holiday Gift Giving Guide for quick and easy gift ideas.  It's so huge, we had to do it in two parts!

VDBC Annual Holiday Gift Giving Guide - Part 1

VDBC Annual Holiday Gift Giving Guide - Part 2

If you are going ahead with this "Thanksgiving is next week" concept, I might as well help out with a little recipe and a little free sample.  Who doesn't love free samples?  Oh, and there's going to be another BOGO deal in the mix, too.

First, I'd like to share with you the easiest and most delicious muffin recipe you'll ever taste, make, or lick the bowl from.  It's No-Measure Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.  It took longer to type that name thank it does to make them.  Seriously easy and hilariously delicious.  I'm also sharing my secret muffin baking methods.  I guess they won't be secret anymore.  But it's too good to keep to myself.

You may have seen as similar recipe floating around the pinterest-sphere.  That recipe insists that just the cake mix and pumpkin will make great muffins.  I'm sure they'll be fine, but I think the eggs are my secret ingredient for getting fluffier muffins.  I wouldn't make them without the eggs but you certainly can try.

And as for the chocolate chip addition... welll, duh!   What doesn't taste better with chocolate chips?  Okay, maybe a few things wouldn't but just go with me here.  They totally enhance the muffin experience, so put them in.

FYI, you can also substitute other cake flavors.  Spice is my favorite, though.

Pin It

No-Measure Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 box Spice Cake Mix
1 can Pumpkin
2 eggs
1/2 bag of chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400° F.

Combine the first three ingredients in your mixer and beat.  Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill muffin tins and bake for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350° F and bake for 15-20 minutes longer.

Remove from muffin tins and cool on a wire rack.

Jan's Tips for Big Muffins

You know you want big muffins with a high dome, right?  But every time you make muffins they come out looking like measly little cupcakes, barely risen out of the pan.  Here's my secrets for getting the highest, fluffiest dome on a muffin.

1. Fill your muffin cups almost full (not 2/3 like some recipes will tell you).  This will require that you have a fairly thick batter.  If your muffin batter has a cake batter like consistency, add some more flour until it's more like brownie batter.

2. Fill any empty muffin cups with water.  The recipe above will make about 14 standard sized muffins.  If you only have 1 muffin tin that makes a dozen muffins, don't fill all the cups the first time around.  Leave a few empty and fill the empty ones with water.  A nice humid oven is good for muffins.

3. Bake the first 10 minutes on a higher temperature.  Then lower down to the regular temperature for the rest of the baking time.  Why does this work?  I have no idea, it just does, so I go with it.

Seriously, just look at the size of the dome on that muffin!

Now, what's a delicious muffin without a pretty wrapper?  I couple of weeks ago I tried making Pumpkin-Apple muffins using some pretty autumn patterned cupcake papers.  Wow, what a mistake that was!  The muffins stuck to the wrappers like undeserved fame on a Kardashian. Won't make that mistake again!  For Thanksgiving, how about cutting out some "post-baking" decorative Cupcake Wrappers!

This one is from my Cupcake Wrappers - Thanksgiving set.  So easy and so pretty!  Just pup the muffin inside and you've got instant eye candy.

Before I give away a little free sample, I want to let you know that if you buy the whole set of Thanksgiving Cupcake Wrappers from the Sam & Hailey Designs store this weekend, you'll get my Thanksgiving Placecards set absolutely free!  More fun and easy Thanksgiving decorations for free? Why yes, thank you!  I'll have seconds! Remember to get the deal, you'll need to put both of those products in your cart at the same time.  Don't make me have to track you down to give you your free file!

Okay, on to your free sample!  Gobble up this Pilgrim Hat and Leaf Cupcake Wrapper right now!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

This design will be up until Monday. Get it while it's hot! Click to wrap up your favorite file type:

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Look for this design and plenty of others in the Sam & Hailey Designs store!

Don't forget about that BOGO deal!  Only good through Monday!

Time to get crafty, people!

Linked at:

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: Swirly Style Leaves Sample

Yup, you've made it through another week.  Can you believe it's November already?  I say that at the beginning of every month.  I think the only time as an adult that time drags is when you are ill or pregnant.  When we were expecting Hailey, that's about the last time I can remember thinking, "Won't November ever end?"  Now, the thought of November starting strikes fear in my heart.... less than 55 days until Christmas.  And have I started any gifts or shopping?  Nope, not a thing.  Dang.  I'm considering instituting the homemade gift rule again this year.  What do you think?

So, I've got lots of happenings for you today.

First I wanted to let you know that you can get 25% off all my Fall and Thanksgiving themed designs and collections all November long! Click HERE to shop {or click over there on that nice ad, isn't it pretty?  It just begs to be clicked on}!

Second, I've got some fun new designs in the store!  I wanted to give you a little taste so be sure to read all the way to the end to pick up a free sample.

My newest files include some fun cupcake wrappers, a couple of pretty swirly leaf sets, and well... a little late, I know, but an awesome Halloween vinyl design.  Check 'em out!

Want to know how to get some of these files absolutely FREE!  Yup!  FREE!!!!  Well first of all, you can get the Cupcake Wrappers - Thanksgiving file just for joining the November Bingo game on the VDBC forum!  Totally free, just for signing up for a game to win more stuff?  Sweet!  

Also, I've got a little BOGO deal for you on the Swirly Style Leaves designs.  Buy the Swirly Style Leaves 1 file and get the Swirly Style Leaves 2 file absolutely FREE!  You'll need to put them both in your cart to get the deal.  Plus the Swirly Style Leaves 1  file is already on sale for 25% off, so it's super duper deal!  This deal is only good through next Monday night {11/7/11}, so don't miss out!

Okay, at last, here's the little free sample.  It's one of the leaves from my Swirly Style Leaves 1 set!  These are so pretty and very easy to cut.  I'm planning to cut a whole boat load of these files for a bulletin board project this weekend.  

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Look for this design in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store! 


Looking for more Sam & Hailey freebies?  Check out the VDBC Newsletter!

Want the rest?  Don't miss out on this weekend's BOGO deal!

As always, if you make something with this design, feel free to post it on your blog or in the VDBC gallery and post a link down in the comments section!

One last thing!  It's VDBC Newsletter time!  You can get another free file by Sam & Hailey Designs in today's edition.  Click here to get it!

Time to get crafty, people!

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: Last Minute Halloween Decorating + Product Special

Happy Friday and Happy almost Halloween!  And for me and Victor it's Happy Anniversary! We've been married for eleven years now.  Time sure flies when you are having fun.

Or does it?  If you are like me, when you look back on 10+ years it is astounding how much has happened.  Frankly, I'm astounded by how much happened in the first year.  I remember everyone in the office thought we were cursed.  Two weeks after our wedding, Alex, my youngest step-son {11 at the time} was in a terrible car accident where the driver was killed.  He was sitting next to her in the front seat and was lucky enough only to suffer two broken legs.  It was a very, very sobering experience for the whole family.  Well, I doubt it was sobering for Alex, more like traumatic.  I'm so grateful he wasn't hurt worse.

You'd think that would be enough, but just a month or two later, Victor was in a car accident and ended up upside-down in a small river near our house.  Amazingly, he wasn't hurt at all.  Take that, curse!

We thought we were home free for a while, then just over a year later on New Years Day, 2002, at about 8:00 in the morning, our apartment complex had a terrible fire.  Thankfully, no one was hurt.  The apartment next to us was completely destroyed by the fire and we found ourselves homeless.  We truly believe we were spared by Heavenly Father.  In addition to the destroyed apartment next door, the fire destroyed the attic above our apartment.  All we suffered was some minor smoke damage and some melted plastic in our storage closet on the landing.   The five of us lived in my brother's attic for the next three months while we shopped for a house.

Such experiences surely strengthened our marriage and our family.  So take that, too, curse! Some pretty awesome things have happened over the past 11 years, as well.  Two beautiful little girls were born into our family.  Samantha and Hailey have certainly changed our lives in amazing ways.  Two of our boys have gotten married and started families of their own.  Those two little granddaughters of ours are the greatest gift our boys could ever have given us.  In the meantime, we moved to Arizona.  AND I got to pursue my dream of having my own creative business.  Who could really ask for more?  Of course, I wouldn't turn down being magically skinny or large buckets of money, but hey, who would?  I'm happy with what I have though.  Life is good.

What's that annoying cliche that you see done up in vinyl a little too often?  Oh right... "All because two people fell in love."  It's super sweet, but I suppose it's true.  Maybe I'll cut it in vinyl and put it up in the house somewhere.  Hmmm.... probably not, but it was a nice thought there for a minute.

Blah, blah, blah,  blah.... enough with the chatter, Jan... you promised us a freebie, remember? Oh right!  Sorry, I got all caught up in the reminiscing.  I'll get to the freebie in a minute, I promise.  Gotta tell you about my last minute Halloween decorating first!

The other day, Victor said to me, "Are you going to carry the bat theme inside the house?"  And I said to myself, "Hmmm... why not?"  And then I made these awesome Chandelier files.  And by awesome I mean, amazing!  I'm totally in love with these things!  I've just got to show you since they are up in the store now:

Did you know that I have a special offer going on these right now?  If you buy the Swirly Style Chandelier Collection this weekend you'll get the Halloween Chandeliers for free! That's an awesome deal!  ** Remember you have to put the Halloween one in your cart when you buy the collection to get the deal.  **

I cut the Halloween Chandelier in some black wall vinyl and put it over my Halloween display. Because I only have 12" wide vinyl, I used the 1/2 chandelier and cut it twice.  The second time I mirrored it before I cut it out.  Then I just lined them up on the wall.  You can't even tell it's two pieces.  One of my piano students asked me, "Did you paint that on your wall?"  Hahahaha!

Because I wanted to continue the bat theme, I also threw some more bats on the wall to go along with the chandelier.  This time I used the bats out of my Halloween Twisted Tree file.  I think these are my favorite bats of all my designs!  Who knew that one tiny element in that whole design would be so integral to my overall decor?

I couldn't decide what to do on the shelf.  The pumpkin eventually made it's way outside by the front door.

One of the bats even made it's way onto the clock.  Here's a good creepy story for you.  The night after I put the bat on the clock, the clock stopped working..... ooooooooOOOOOooooooooohhhhh....scary!  Nah, was just a dead battery.

Okay, here's your freebie.  I know you are thinking, FINALLY!  I decided that since I liked that bat so much, I'd share the design it came from with you.  So without any further yakking:

Today I'm sharing my die-cut design:  Halloween Twisted Tree

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

Click to download your preferred file type.  This download will be available for the next 24 hours so get it while it's hot!

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Look for this design in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store!

As always, if you make something with this design, feel free to post it on your blog or in the VDBC gallery and post a link down in the comments section!

Time to get crafty, people!

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: Simple Favor Box

It's Friday, again?  Why didn't anyone warn me!  This week has whizzed on by without stopping.  It seems like the schools are conspiring against me.  They just don't want us to be on a regular schedule anymore.  First we have a day off school for no good reason, then there's fall break, now this week it's parent teacher conferences and that means half days on Thursday and Friday. Next week, I'm sure there will be something different, too.  For a routine hungry person like me, these kinds of weeks are no fun at all.  It's not that I mind having the kids home.  I love being with my kids!  We just seem to function better when the daily routine is sort of the same every day.  Throw off the routine and my children turn into hungry wolverines and I turn into "Angry Mom" sort of like a super hero, except fire shoots from my eyes and rather than saving innocent people from certain death, I cause innocent, and not-so-innocent children to run crying to their rooms.  And I shoot fire out of my eyes.  So, I guess not really like a super hero at all.

Okay, enough of that nonsense!  Time for a freebie already!

Today I'm sharing my die-cut design:  Simple Favor Box

Halloween seems to mark the start of the big season... you know... the wrap up candy in a cute little package season.  We've all done it, haven't we?  Why not make the cute little packages as easy to assemble as possible?  This little favor box is super easy to cut and put together.  I'm sure you'll enjoy giving people more candy than they really should have in it!  Dentists everywhere will be thanking us!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Look for this design in the Sam & Hailey Designs Store!

As always, if you make something with this design, feel free to post it on your blog or in the VDBC gallery and post a link down in the comments section!

Time to get crafty, people!

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: Swirly Style Cupcake

Phew!  What a week!  There are a few days that are a bit of a blur.  Wednesday was my birthday... yippee!!  And this weekend is the VDBC Anniversary Celebration.  Lots and lots of work put into the preparations for that this week.  Top it off with my kids being out of school for Fall Break and... stick a fork in me... I'm done!

Speaking of the VDBC Anniversary Celebration, in honor of the big event, I've put all my individual designs and collections on sale for 40% off.  Get on over and go shopping, people!  Sale ends Sunday night at Midnight.

Did you get a chance to check out the fabulous challenges and games that are going on during the celebration?  There are quite a few.  I'm even hosting several myself.  Hence, the preparations I was telling you about.  If you are at all into paprcrafting {and not just my Mom reading my blog hoping for pictures of the kids} you should totally check these out.  Here, I'll even give you some links and a brief description of each:

Challenge #1 - Fill the Gallery - Just like it sounds, people.  My new gallery at VDBC was looking so pitifully empty!  Fill it with as many pictures of your projects that include my artwork and you could win big prizes!  Click that link to find out more!

Challenge #2 - Color Swatch Challenge - This one involves making a project {any project} based on one of my Color Swatch Thursday blog articles.  You totally have to check out this awesome FREE digital scrapbooking kit - Just Beachy - made by my friend and talented designer Aussie Caz.  She based it off my "Old Glass" swatch set.  What a gifted and generous person she is!  Hey, there's a prize for this challenge, too, so click to find out!

Challenge #3 - Trendwatch Challenge - This one's feeling all neglected since no one has posted anything yet.  I always root for the underdog... don't you? Check it out if you like trendy stuff and prizes!  Who doesn't like prizes, people?

Challenge #4 - Halloween Decorating Contest - If you like decorating for Halloween and you like using a digital die-cutter, then this is the challenge for you! Did I mention prizes?

Make-n-Take: Joy Fold Card - Like free stuff just for signing up?  I know I do!  All you have to do is say you want to participate on the thread in the forum and I'll send you your very own link to download an awesome free cutting design.  But wait, there's more!  If you post a completed project by Sunday night you'll qualify for another free file PLUS be put into the hat for a drawing for a huge prize pack! You just can't beat this one with a stick!  

As if all that wasn't enough, I've got a celebration freebie for you!  This one will be up all weekend long so be sure to tell your friends to jump on over and grab it.

So, what a celebration these days without cupcakes?  Here's a yummy one for you!

Today I'm sharing my die-cut design: Swirly Style Cupcake

Don't you just want to eat it up?  So cute!!!!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Look for this design in the Sam & Hailey Design's Store!

As always, if you make a version of this card, feel free to post it on your blog or in the VDBC gallery and post a link down in the comments section!

Time to get crafty, people!

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: 3D Halloween Pumpkin Card

Hey, so guess what?  A Halloween Miracle happened yesterday!  The high temperature here in "Hotter 'N Heck" Arizona was actually below 80°.  Crazy, huh?  This early in October?  At this rate, I'll be wearing long pants and a sweater for Halloween.  I remember our first year after moving here from Connecticut, I couldn't believe we took the kids out trick-or-treating wearing shorts and T-shirts {us, not the kids, they were wearing costumes, of course}!  Little did I know how surprised I'd be that we'd pretty much be wearing the same thing at Christmas time but with the addition of a sweatshirt.  I do love the "Winter" here.  It just seems to take a long time getting here.  So cooler temps in early October are surprising and very welcome!

This got me to thinking about our first Halloween here.  I think I'll have to dig up that old post from the old blog and repost it below this one.  I'm sure your just so excited about it!

Okay, Okay, on to the real reason you came here today...  The Fantabulous Friday Freebie!

Today I'm sharing my die-cut design: 3D Halloween Pumpkin Card

This card is so ridiculously easy to cut and assemble.  All you have to cut is two pieces of cardstock!  One for the card base and another for the overlay.  Cut them out, fluff up the edges of the pumpkins, add a little ink to define the edges, glue it on the card, and voila!  You are done!  Ready to send off in the mail in minutes.  That's my kind of card!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Looking for more Sam & Hailey freebies?  Check out the latest edition of the VDBC Newsletter!

As always, if you make a version of this card, feel free to post it on your blog or in the VDBC gallery and post a link down in the comments section!
Time to get crafty, people!

Fantabulous Friday Freebie: Itty Bitty Photo Turns

Phew! What a week! Sometimes I wonder why I persist in biting off more than I can chew. But I guess I managed to get a lot done, so really, it's not so bad, after all. One thing I've discovered? I'm not used to sitting at a desk all day long anymore. I suppose that's a good thing, but boy is my back sore! I'm thinking a nice long sleep in is in order for tomorrow morning.

So, with that said, I'm going to keep is short and sweet today. It's Freebie time!

Today I'm sharing my die-cut design: Itty Bitty Photo Turns

I love my Itty Bitty files. They are taking quite a bit of time to get uploaded into the store, though! I thought maybe you'd enjoy having one today. This one goes great with those vintage labels we were talking about earlier this week!

Boring but Important Legal Stuff: My terms of use are included in each zipped download. If you have any questions about how you may use this file, please read it. By clicking to download the file, you are agreeing to abide by the terms. If you'd like to share it, please don't. Rather, send your friends a link to this blog post. Once it's no longer available as a freebie, you might be tempted to share it with someone. Please don't! 'Nuf said!

This download will be available for only 24 hours!

Sorry!  This download has expired!  Looking for more Sam & Hailey freebies?  Check out the latest edition of the VDBC Newsletter!

Here's an example of this file. I used it to adorn one of the pages of the Perpetual Calendar I made a while back. These are little photo turns I cut from grungeboard and then painted. They look so cute with those jewel brads! Seeing this picture made me thing of the old blog post where I had all the details on this project. I decided to re-post it on the new blog. Just scroll down to the previous post to check it out!

Did you know that the VDBC Anniversary Party is coming up? There's going to be all sorts of fun starting in just a couple of weeks. I'm going to be hosting at least 3 or 4 challenges here on my blog and in the forum. You know you want to join in!


Time to get crafty, people!