Yikes, it's November!

Hello stampers and welcome back!

Yes, it's true... the page has turned and now it's November.  But don't panic... there's still plenty of time to get ready for the upcoming holidays. Thanksgiving and Christmas don't have to be stressful times if you make a plan of what needs to be done and allow yourself plenty of time to accomplish the tasks.  I think the key here is to sit down and make a list of what is important to you about each holiday.  For some people, Christmas baking is important and they put a lot of energy into making lots of different kinds of cookies.  For others, decorating the house takes the top spot on the list of priorities.  Figure out what makes you and your family happy and then let other things go... things that aren't as important to you.  If the holidays leave you feeling frazzled instead of merry, it is time for a change in your routine.  Simplify, simplify, simplify! 

One thing I love about Thanksgiving is that it is a fairly simple and straightforward holiday.  You don't have to decorate like you do at Christmas, or buy gifts, or send out hundreds of cards (although I do send a few to my family and special friends who are far away).  Just set the table, cook the meal, and be thankful... I can do that!

Since Thanksgiving will be here before we know it (better get that turkey ordered!), I've got some fun things for your Thanksgiving table....

The "Be Thankful" place card is made with a fun set in the Holiday Mini-catalog called "Gift Givers."  You can find it on page 39 of the mini-catalog.  It is a very versatile set and contains images for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter, Valentine's Day, and St. Patrick's Day.  Best of all, there is a punch that matches each stamp to make crafting even easier!  You can order this set by clicking on the "order now" button at the top of my blog.

The little pumpkin mint cover is made with the Large Oval Punch, (p. 212).  Just punch 3 ovals in Pumpkin Pie card stock, ink the edges with Pumpkin Pie ink and overlap for a cute plump pumpkin.  The stem is just a tiny scrap of Soft Suede cardstock and the vine is a thin piece of Old Olive cardstock that I curled around my paper-piercing tool.  Are you wondering why this is square instead of round?  The answer is that York Peppermint patties aren't round anymore... they're square!  I guess they were trying to upgrade their peppermint patties and make them more like Ghirardelli Squares.  In any case, these would look festive scattered on your Thanksgiving table and they are quick and easy to make. 

Thanks for stopping by today!  I'll see you back here tomorrow for another Thanksgiving idea!
Susan