Day 25 winner

Just a quick note on this very cold New Year's Eve. Kristen is the winner of the $20.00 gift certificate to the store. Yeah! Kristen!!
You can pick up certificate next time you are in town!

1 day remaining until the big pre inventory sale! 50% off store wide, with one exception, the magazines from Northridge Media. Forgot about those, they are already 40% off. That's the only exclusion. The new magazines just arrived for January on Wednesday. A beautiful new Cards, Scrapbook Trends, and a special edition...Quick Scrapbook Pages. Tons and tons of great ideas!

Stay warm and be safe tonight! Have a splendid New Year's Eve!!

First Class of 2010 and photos to share

There is still time to leave a comment and get in on the drawing for the $20.00 gift certificate to the store. You can just leave a comment on this entry and I will pick a winner tomorrow, New Year's Eve Day!

Here's the first class of 2010:
My Mind's Eye Winter Cards, Saturday, January 9 at 11:00 am! Cost is $15.00! Call 721-7529 or email artplay@rushmore.com to reserve your spot! Basic tool kit required!

One on the new changes here at the Playground is that you will need to bring a basic kit with you to class: scissors, a paper trimmer, various adhesives (tape runner, glue dots, glue pen, pop dots and scor-tape) catseye ink in brown and black! Just a basic tool kit really! (We probably won't need everything you bring, but it's nice to have just in case. You won't always need a paper trimmer or catseye inks, but if you need them you'll have them.) You are welcome to bring your crop a dile, paper piercers, tweezers and what ever makes life easier for you. Just have your initials on them. As we all know, adhesives are one of the most expensive components of our hobby. By bringing a basic tool kit, you help me keep my costs down! If you need to bring any other supplies to class, I will let you know! You can purchase all of supplies here, if you forget them.

Okay, enough about that, back to the fun winter cards! We will be using lots of punches, and the cuttlebug. You will definitely want a glue pen or your xryon x box for this one! Lots of little detail letters and such! Great class, great designs for thank you's, thinking of you and just great little everyday cards!!

Can't get this one to flip the right way, but you get it, right??

Wanted to leave you with some images of last Tuesday night before Christmas, with amazing frost we had. I had a ton of fun taking these with my new camera in the freezing cold. It was so gorgeous!

Don't forget....huge 50% off pre-inventory sale on Saturday, January 2! Doors open at 10:00 am! Everything must go before inventory!!!!!

Day 24 winner and the final prize

Day 24 winner is thestormyone, she wins a class at the Playground of her choice!

Today's prize is a $20.00 gift certificate to the Playground! ($20 gift certificate can not be used on sale merchandise, clearance or special orders.)

Today's question: What are your true blessings for the last year?

My true blessings for the last year: My family, my friends, my faith and getting to do something that I truly love each and every day!
I have a loving family, the very best of friends, a faith that gets me through all things and the most amazing customers, which I really don't consider my customers. You are all wonderful friends and blessings to my business and my life! I couldn't do it without you!
Thanks for all you do, for all of your support and patronage!

I will leave this post up for a couple of days! I want to make sure to give everyone a chance to participate and share their blessings!

Hoping and praying everyone is safe and warm! Wishing you the Merriest Christmas ever!

Day 23 winner and a new prize

Congrats to Susan H, she wins the Pink Paislee goodies! I know you will enjoy creating with these fun papers and embellishments!

Today's prize: a gift certificate for a free class of your choice at the Playground! The certificate entitles you to a class of your choice, up to a $20.00 value!

Today's question: What games do you play on Christmas with your family? Do you play the same one's every year or switch it up a bit?
We usually play UNO, or Michigan Rummy! UNO gets rather interesting and competitive at our holidays! I think we may have a couple of cheaters or maybe a better word would be bluffers in our family!

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas Eve!

Day 22 winner and a new prize

Peyton's mom wins The Fancy Pants chipboard and rub ons. Lori is no stranger to chipboard, so I know she will create awesome projects will her prize! Congrats!

I would love for all of you to share your creations with me and all the wonderful blog followers. You can send me a picture (jpeg file) or stop by and I can take a photo for you! I'm sure everyone would love to see the results even if it takes a while for you to use your prize! Even those of you who have won magazines, I would love to see what idea you took from them!

Today's prize a package of Pink Paislee goodies! Papers, chipboard, and embellishments. Love their stuff! Always beautiful and they just have an edge about them. They definitely take things to the next level!

Today's question: How do you not get stressed out with the Holidays? How do you unwind? What's your secret?

I decided to take a day off early! I am home, enjoying the beautiful snow and frost. I will share some gorgeous photos of the frost, a little later. I just so need some time off! I look forward to spending the next few days with friends and family.
The store is closed from today until Saturday, January 2...when I will reopen for a Pre Inventory Sale. My husband and kids much prefer a huge sale to counting! Lots of new stuff on order, lots of great classes to come, and a few changes. CHA is right around the corner, tons of excitement in the industry as it tries to bounce back from not such a great year with the economy!

Day 21 winner and a new prize

Congrats to Michelle, she won the wonderful Christmas Card magazine from Northridge Media. Gives you a head start for next year.



I will use Michelle's question: What are you excited about most this Christmas?



For me, the snow (gotta love a white Christmas) and just to be with family! My mom is an amazing cook. I love spending time with my family!! My brother, Ricky and Tyler will be there!
Family means the most!!!

Today's prize a packet of Fancy Pants chipboard, 3 different sheets and a packet of rub ons!
Fun, fun, fun, for all of you who want to try chipboard out!

Day 20 winner and new prize

Sandi is the winner of the Kaisercraft goodies! Congratulations to you and Happy Belated Anniversary! Great story, those mountains can be treacherous! Stop by next time you are in town to pick up your winnings!!!

Lori, do you think we need to start up donation for your therapy? Do you still have your Snoopy Snow Cone Machine? Maybe we should make a mini album dedicated to the Snoopy snow cone machine and Easy Bake Oven issues!!! More scrap supplies should help, paper is the perfect therapy!

I really don't have a question today! I need suggestions...so how about what should the next few questions be???

Today's Prize: Christmas Cards Magazine from Nothridge Media, it will give you a head start for next year!

I would love to have everyone who has won on the blog and on Facebook to stop by and pick up their winnings Tuesday or Wednesday. Please email me at artplay@rushmore.com if you need to make other arrangements. I have a stack of stuff that needs to be picked up. I will be closed from December 24 to January 2 to spend some time with my family. Reopening with an Inventory Blowout Sale. I will keep you posted with more details!

Day 19 winner and a new prize

Congratulations to Jennifer Holdaway...Jen wins the Maya Road Vintage Purse Album! She has a brand new baby girl! This will be the perfect way to show off her photos! She is just adorable!

Well, after yesterday's responses, I do believe we need to have a chipboard class. You don't know what you're missing!!! I agree that it gets a little bulky for cards, but I almost always hand deliver my cards. You can ink, paper, paint, emboss, glimmer mist, glitter chipboard. It's fun, it's versatile, and adds so much to your projects. It is a little more work, like Lori said, but it is so worth the effort!

Today's question: What's your funniest (now it's funny) holiday catastrophe? Cooking, family fight, or decorations??
I have a couple, one when the cat climbed the Christmas tree...CRASH!
And another, when the the mixer bowl was not all the way secure and the mashed potatoes went flying...the cupboards, the floor, the counters and even some potatoes on the ceiling! Pretty hilarious, actually!

Today's prize: Kaisercraft rub ons and bling! Three different sets of holiday rub ons and some fun bling embellishments to go with!

Day 18 winner and a new prize

Congrats...finally, to Leah! You win! I kind of feel bad knowing that you have two little boys, that you won the flowers! I guess, you will just have to use them on your cards and such, since you promised not to regift! All of you crack me up!

Today's prize a Maya Road Vintage Purse Album: One of my very favorite companies! Love everything they do! Almost all their stuff is chipboard, fantastic designs, they are just great! All though, it doesn't sell well here! I would love to carry tons of their product, and I will be bringing in their Maya Mist, kind of like Glimmer Mist, but more vibrant! Just to change things up a bit in the New Year!

So today's question, not a Christmas one, what discourages you from creating with Chipboard? Would you like to learn more ways of using chipboard, different techniques? Check out Maya Road's website, tell me what you would like to see in the store? http://www.mayaroad.net/?main_page=index. They have tons of mini albums, some stamps, lots of trinkets....you name it they've got it!

Day 17 winner and a new prize

Congrats to Kendra! She wins the Cuttlebug Folders!! Way to Go! That works our perfectly...the stormyone has found an new appreciation for cuttlebug folders and cardmaking!

Day 18 prize and today's question: An assortment of felt flowers from Prima, Creative Imaginations and Queen & Company!!

Do you ever regift and what's the worst regift you've ever got (I think we all know when something's been regifted.)

Day 16 winner and a New Prize

Congratulations to Cara! She is the winner of the Jenni Bowlin goodies! Very fun! You will love it all!

Today's prize Christmas Cuttlebug Folders! Winter Trees and Holly Ribbons Embossing Folders! One secret to great looking cards is Cuttlebug Embossing folders, they add the perfect touch to complete you projects and give them that extra flair!

Today's question (courtesy of Kara) What's the strangest gift you have ever received for Christmas?
I'm still thinking, I will let you know tomorrow!!

Day 15 winners and a new prize

Tessa is the winner of the Fancy Pants Journal stamps!!! Congrats! Tessa loves Fancy Pants, too! She's one talented scrapper. Make sure to check out her blog, located on the right! Just click on ScrapwithTessa and you will be so inspired!!

Today's prize is some fun goodies from Jenni Bowlin! Chipboard buttons, Christmas Bingo Cards, Patriotic Bingo Cards and 4 sheets of Diecut papers! Love her vintage style! Fun and eclectic!

Today's question: What's on the menu for Christmas Day? What traditional dishes does your family always make? Yes, the recipe would be wonderful!!
My mom is having dinner this year, everything she makes is wonderful! Yum!
Ham, smoked turkey, hashbrown potatoes, green bean casserole, crescent rolls, relish tray, and so much more, I'm sure! Dessert, not sure what she has planned yet!

Day 14 winner and a new prize

Congratulations to Linda Woerth, she is the winner of the Crafty Secrets Chipboard House! She's a big fan of Vicki Chrisman, wow, that works out perfectly! We would all love to see what you come up with!!

Today's prize a set of Journaling Stamps from Fancy Pants!! 14 stamps in all! They are one of my very, very favorite companies! Great fun, great designs! I looove everything Fancy Pants!

Today's question or comment! What's your simplest, quickest holiday recipe for cookies or candy???

Day 13 winner and a new prize

Congratulations go out to Debbie S. She won the acrylic tabbed album from Clear Scraps! How fun!

I loved hearing about your snow days, it was a wonderful winter day yesterday! I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did! We finally got our tree up! My daughter did all the decorating! Yeah! She decorated the tree and hung all the stockings. We made almond bark pretzels and watched movies! A perfect day!

Today's prize is a Crafty Secrets chipboard House!http://vickichrisman.blogspot.com/2009/12/crafty-secrets-chipboard-houses.html

Check out the link above to see what Vicki Chrisman has designed with these! She is one of my very favorite designers and I check out her blog everyday! You'll love what you see, lots of eye candy, she's one extremely talented lady! I love the little house she made that holds that candy canes!

Today's questions: Do you buy gifts for your pets? Tell me about your pets and Christmas! My daughter hung a stocking yesterday for all of our pets, 3 dogs and a cat! Everybody has their own, cute! Yes, they pups will get bones and new toys and the cat will get cat nip and some little kitty treats! My cat has been perched under the tree, since we put it up! She loves Christmas, loves to help me wrap gifts, chew on the ribbons and bows, walk across the wrapping paper and just be a general pain...that is why her name is Calamity. The dogs really don't care, the new puppy, Sam, doesn't really know what to think about the tree. She's pretty laid back!

We had a cat who knocked over the tree one year! Our twenty pound Tinker, must not have known that he was that heavy and climbed right up it! CRASH!!! But that's about it as far as catastrophes.

Day 12 winner and a new prize

Day 12 winner is Carla. She wins the Doodlebug Houses. A very fun and creative project, she will have a ton with it!

Day 13 prize is a tabbed acrylic album from Clear Scraps. If you haven't done a clear album yet, you really need to give it a try! Much easier that it looks and they make great mini album gifts for any occasion, birthday, new baby, Christmas!

It's a beautiful snowy day, so tell us about what you do when you get snowed in?, what snow storm do you remember most.

I don't think we are going to get snowed in, but I do love days like these for baking, crafting, movies, and games!

Remember to sign up to be a Fan of Altered Art and Scrap Playground's Facebook page and you could win a 25 dollar gift certificate to the store! Just click on the link the right!

Facebook Page looking for fans

Okay, so I'm kind of slowly figuring this Facebook thing out! With a little help from my kids! LOL!
So, I thought I would try it out!
If you become a fan today or Sunday, I will have drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate to the store. I will use random.org to pick the winner! PLUS, I have a few more goodies to give away!
Just click on the link to the right and become a fan!!!

Day 11 winner and a new prize

Rea is the winner of the Boyfriend Collection from Cosmo Cricket! Congrats to you! It will be perfect collection for you having two boys!



Today's prize is two different sizes of Doodlebug Houses. Very fun! Decorate for your own decor! Make Christmas houses or villas! They are adorable and so much fun!!! A great family project!

An easy question (maybe, maybe not): Have you been Naughty or Nice? Details please!
Today's question suggested my Nancy Shurger! This should be interesting!!!

3 Make and Takes and 25% off Store Wide Sale

3 make and takes on Saturday, December 12 and 25% off store wide! (Discount does not apply to punch cards or customer appreciation cards)

The adorable gift card holder!

Turn inexpensive hot chocolate packets into cute little Christmas treats!

Plus, a great card and envelope from Teresa Collins using the Scor-it Board!

Come in, take a minute to play and save 25% store wide!

Day 10 winner and a new prize

Congrats to Chelsea, she is the winner of the recipe scrapbook! I hope you have a ton of fun with it!
Thanks to all of you, wonderful recipes and memories. So much fun, can't wait to try out some of these fab recipes! Yum!

Day 11 prize and question! The complete Boyfriend Collection from Cosmo Cricket, a great line of papers for back to school, guys and so much more!
Question: Do or did your kid's big gifts come from Santa or you? (Like their main gift) Do you wrap your gifts from Santa or are they under the tree unwrapped?

Our kids main gifts come Santa and Mrs.Claus (she has to get some credit, too), and they are unwrapped under the tree Christmas morning, everything else including the gifts in their stockings are wrapped!

I have lots of prizes that need to be picked up! I'm going to run out of room shortly!
Watch later in the days for this Saturday's Make n Takes!

Peyton's Frame

How adorable is this frame with oh so mad Peyton?!?!?!? Lori and I had a ton of fun making these the other night! Lot's of vintage, lots of Tim! Great project, great fun! Peyton's mom, of course, has the perfect phot for her's. Peyton was none to happy about having his photo taken, can you tell!

Day 9 winner and a new prize

DDD is the winner of the Cards magazine! Congrats! Stop by when you get a chance!

I am having so much fun with this...love that we are all communicating and commenting back to each other! Yes, we do have a collection going for Kendra's kids to have jammies. She assures me that they are hot blooded, Ben in his boxers and Elly in her diaper, no blankets! Wow! I can't imagine sleeping with out a pile of blankets covering me up! By the way, they are the cutest kids you'll ever see!

Today's prize is a MBI Recipe Scrapbook! Scrap your recipes and memories all in one! Great books and it keeps your recipes protected. You can actually use this album! They are awesome!

So today's you need to leave a favorite recipe from your childhood that someone special handed down to you! I know it seems like a big assignment! It will be well worth it! Just to bring up those memories of that loved one is worth it and to share that with all of us!

My recipe comes from my Grandma Nellie Thielen. She's be gone for over 2o years now, she's was an amazing, sweet, gentle woman! Raised 8 kids, 5 boys and 3 girls! I loved her so much and still miss her! Every year she baked this recipe! One of my very favorites, it just brings back so many memories!

Nellie's Apple Sauce Cake

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1 egg
1 cup chopped raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. allspice

Sift dry ingredients. Cream margarine and sugar, add egg, and beat well. Add nuts and raisins. Add flour alternately with applesauce, a small amount at a time, beating until smooth after each addition. Turn into greased loaf pan lined with greased wax paper. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Leave wax paper on cake and store in cool place. Double recipe to make 3 small loaves.

She always wrapped the loaves in wax paper and then is Christmas paper, she mailed it to kids at Christmas or my Dad and uncles who were in the service!
It gets yummier after it's been in the fridge a couple days!

Day 8 winner and a new prize

Congratulations to Kara, she's the winner of the Kaisercraft clock! Very fun, it's a fun project and a great gift!
Today's prize is the December Issue of Cards Magazine from Northridge Media! These are the greatest magazines out there! Very little advertising and tons of inspiration! I am always delighted with each of their wonderful magazines! The January one's should be arriving any day! Exciting stuff!
Today's question: Do you open your gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day with your family?
As a child, we always opened our gifts on Christmas Eve, it was always a magical night. My brother and I are truly blessed with the world's greatest parents! We always had chili and the adults had Oyster Stew! EeWWW!
When I got married, my husband's tradition had always been to open on Christmas morning! So we compromise a little, the kid's get to open one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest Christmas morning!
Leave a comment and you could win!!!

Saturday, Dec 12 Bo Bunny Tis The Season Card Class

Please leave comments on the blog entry below to qualify for the drawing!!!


Saturday, December 12 Bo Bunny Tis The Season Card! 9 cards for $15.00! Lots of sizes, most are 6x6! Great papers, great cards, great fun! Please bring scissors, adhesive and a paper trimmer to class! Call 721-7529 to reserve your spot or email artplay@rushmore.com!

Day 7 winner and a new prize

Peytonsmom is the winner of the Maya Road Bungalow and Villa! Congratulations! Can't wait to see what you come up with!



The prize for Day 8 is a Time Flies Clock from Kaisercraft! These are so much fun! Great clocks to decorate to match your decor or give as gift! It holds 3 photos! Kaisercraft is such a amazing company from Australia, they are fast become a leader in the industry!

Today's question!?!?!!?! Since the prize of the day involves time! What's your favorite memory from your childhood at Christmas. What was your favorite gift???
I have lots of fond memories and lots of wonderful gifts! My favorites a Barbie Town Home, lots of stuffed animals! A Christmas kitten, actually a gift for my mom, but oh she was fun!

Leave a comment and your name goes in the drawing!!

Here's a picture of what you could create with the cute little bungalow from Maya Road! Today's give a way! It's even got a little chipboard album that fits inside! Leave a comment on the entry below! Just wanted to inspire you a little! Too cute!

Day 6 winner and a new prize

Congratulations to Beth, she is the winner of the December issue of Scrapbook Trends! Stop by when you get a chance.

The prize for day number 7, Maya Road Bungalow and Villa chipboard set. Great chipboard houses from Maya Road, complete with a mini album that fits inside. This villa actually fits a square box of kleenex inside and pulls out the chimney. Fun projects to decorate for the holidays and give as special gift!

Today's question: Do you take your kids or did you take your kids to see Santa? Did you like to go see Santa when you were little?
My kids have never cared to sit on Santa's lap or have their photo taken with him! Both of them hated it and scared them to death! My son, who is 22 almost 23, still hates clowns in fact. Freaks him out, feels the same way about Mall Santa's and such. As for Maxenzi, she's just too shy!
They both get it from me, because I never wanted to sit on Santa's lap when I was little! Just send my list to the North Pole. Much less traumatic!

Day 5 winner and a new prize

Congratulations to Nancy Schurger, she is the winner of the two cuttlebug folders! Stop by anytime and pick up your prize!



Day 6's prize is the December issue of Scrapbook Trends by Northridge Media. Full of great, easy layouts that look spectacular, card ideas and so much more. You will be inspired! They are a must have!!



Today's questions: Real tree or fake tree? If it's a real tree, do you buy it from a lot or do you go out and cut one? Do you do a theme tree or just all of your favorite ornaments from over the years?

We bought a tag to cut our own this year, thought we would go out today, but it's so cold. I don't know if we will go out this afternoon or not! Last couple of years, we have been so busy that we've only done a tiny little fake tree. Even though we are almost busier, I would like to go out and spend the day with my family, take some photos and have a gorgeous tree filled with all the ornaments we have collected over the years. Granted we have three dogs, one of which is a puppy and we have a cat who thinks that Christmas trees are for her. Wish me luck!

Day 4 winner and a new prize and question

Jennifer (ambushed) is the winner of Day 4, all kinds of Fancy Pant's Christmas Magic fun! Congratulations!
Day 5's prize is two cuttlebug embossing folders, Holly Ribbons and Christmas Trees! I love using embossing folders, they make everything come together and just add that little extra something to your project! Leave a comment on this post and you could win!

Today's question: What's you favorite Holiday Movie or TV Show? Mine, Charlie Brown's Christmas! Love it, love Snoopy! Have you seen the Charlie Brown Christmas trees that Walgreen's has? My son, Alex, says that's what we need this year! It's kind of cute! Might have to get him one.

Play along, it's fun! This is what blogging is all about, communicating! I'm learning so much about all of you, and we are all getting great ideas from each other! Kind of fun, don't you think?

Saturday Make n Take

Don't worry, you can still post your comment one below this post for the Day 4 prize or you can post on this one and I will combine them! Make sure you read the post below for your question of the day???


Saturday, December 5, Make n Take this little beanie stocking cap gift card holder! Cute! Easy!

Day 3's winner, new prize, new paper

Congratulations to Theresa, she's the winner of Day 3! Congratulations! She was here last night for the snowflake class. It was a great class and good time! Pick up your prize anytime!
Today's prize is Fancy Pants Transparencies from their Christmas Magic line. 3 transparencies, a sticker sheet, rub ons and some papers!
Leave a comment on the blog, (this post), and you could win!
Lifting the idea from Cosmo Cricket's wonderful blog yesterday, what do you do for your neighbors for Christmas? Cookies, crafting, a bottle of wine????

Bonus points go out to Kara for picking up a Creme Brulee coffee for me yesterday! You rock!

Sharing the new arrivals from yesterday, this line is beautiful and the greatest weight of paper. (You guys know how fussy I am about paper weight)

Bo Bunny's Tis The Season

Day 2 winner and a new prize

Congratulations to Phyllis, see wins the December issue of Simply Handmade! These are such awesome magazines.
Day number 3's prize??? Another idea book from the publishers at Northridge Media, "You're Invited". All kind of ideas and inspiration for invitations, if your not in the need of invitations all of the ideas can easily made in to cards!
Again, leave a comment on this post (on the blog) and I will enter the number of post's into random.org and it picks the winner?
Today's question ( a simple one), What's your favorite coffee drink?
(I'm freezing and in the need for some caffeine.) My new favorite...Creme Brulle Latte from Starbucks, pure heaven!

Day Number 1 winner and a new prize

Huzzah616 is the winner for the Figgy Pudding Ornament Kit! You can stop by any time to pick it up. Congratulations!
Day number 2's prize is the December issue of Simply Handmade published by Northridge Media, incredible idea books.
Just leave a comment about, I don't know, how about are you done with your holiday shopping and did you go Black Friday shopping?!?!??

Bo Bunny Season's Greetings Class, Saturday, December 12

Bo Bunny Christmas Cards, Saturday December 12 at 10:00 and 1:30. Cost is $18.00, please bring scissors and adhesive to class! Call 721-7529 or email artplay@rushmore.com to reserve your spot.
A great class with 9 cards, ranging in size from 6x6 to A2. Super fun, great designs from one of the leaders in the industry. We will be using border punches, stickles and the Big Shot to do some embossing! Okay, not sure if I'm done with this card yet. But, I love the simplicity of it!

Okay, now for the fun! From now until Christmas, I will be giving one prize a day a way. All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog about your Christmas projects this year or those one's you hope to get done! (I have a lot of those!) The blog comments don't require you to have a Google account any longer, anyone can leave a comment and play along!

The first prize is a Figgy Pudding Ornament Kit! It makes 8 beautiful ornaments! Just leave a comment, I will put the number of entries in a random integer website and it'll pick the number, kind of fun!!!

This week, Fancy Pant's Rough and Tumble, Little Sprout and Dancing Girl Lines, 30% off!!!