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Now, whenever you shop our website, we’re going to give you FREE SHIPPING on orders of $40 or more! In addition, if your order is $60 or more, we will send you a FREE GIFT! 
The first free gift we’ll be offering is this fun Family ABC Swatch book – a retail value of $10.00! (Look for a different free gift every month!)
Click here to start shopping »»
Creative Imaginations would like to extend a warm Holiday wish from our family to yours.
We would also like to thank you for your continued support over the past year. We have enjoyed reading about your favorite products and excitement of the our 12 days of Christmas Giveaways!
So without further delay we have a Grand Prize winner of the 12 days of Christmas Giveaways!
Drum roll please.................................Congratulations Rae. This is her last post from yesterday "I have greatly enjoyed your "12 days of Christmas" blog postings, and all of the amazing projects and products that you have showcased...you have definately succeeded in creating a new CI fan! First on my shopping list are the BE Sonia purse and Christine Adolph's Winter Garden line! Merry Christmas, and thank you for all of the wonderful inspiration!"
Be sure to check back often for some exciting projects, announcments and contests from Creative Imaginations Artists and Design Team.
This is the final winner before tomorrow's lucky person is selected for the $100 grand prize! Keep posting girls as your chances only increase with each of your comments and remember to pick your favorite products! Today's winner is Julie O "Wow!! These have been the most amazing, festive ideas. They have put me in such a crafty/holiday mood! This tin is so darling and the snowmen are just a must!! I have to say that I've mostly stuck to my favorites such as the Narratives line but after seeing all these cool ideas, I know I need to branch out a bit! Thanks again for the inspiration!"
Every year for as long as I have been married my favorite presents come in small packages. My husband loves to buy me jewelry and tuck them deep into the toe of my stocking. I can remember almost in sequence each necklace, bracelet and earrings I have received from my husband and children each Christmas.
This year I have designed some jewelry pieces and even made the gift boxes for each of my oldest son's girlfriends. Creating the bracelets and rings was quick and easy using Marah Johnson's new Eclectic-Ka collection. Wrapping the jewlery in a unique box was simple when you start with the Bare Elements Chris Box. 
Supplies
Instructions for BE Chris Gift box
Instructions for Eclectic-Ka Jewelry
Have a Wonderful Christmas Eve!
Today's winner is Tiffany " This is just way too Cute!!! I also love the idea of keeping your Christmas lists in there. I had no idea BE had so many incredible products until I started viewing this blog! I love all the featured projects, with instruction. :) I have compiled a list of BE items that I simply must have! Oh, and I openly admit, I'm a total Creative Cafe junkie!!!
This next project was created by our DT member Linda Auclair. And she has included the directions for making the adorable unique bow that finishes off a perfect quick and easy holiday gift!
Handmade gifts say “I love you” in a way that a store-bought gift just can’t match. I love making things for my family and my friends; they always appreciate the personal touch I am able to give each gift. Food gifts are always a hit in our family, and in the past I have given creatively packed jams and jellies, spice mixes, flavored vinegars and more. This year, I’m making my own cocoa mix, and packing them into cute decorated tins and including them with a plate of Christmas cookies.
This collection from Barb Tourtillotte works perfectly with my theme and I love the fun little snowglobe snowmen! I created a patterned paper bow to embellish my simple decorated tin and include the directions below, as well as a basic recipe for Snow Day Cocoa! Enjoy!
Supplies
#18571 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen "Chilly" paper
#18572 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen "Snow Day" paper
#18573 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen "Snowglobe" epoxy stickers
#18575 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen cardstock stickers
tin for decorating
cardstock scraps
brad,
adhesive - tabs or ds tape
1/8 inch hole punch
Instructions:
Trim #18571 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen "Chilly" paper to the height of your tin piecing it if necessary to fit completely around the tin. Adhere to tin.
Trace tin lid on the back of #18572 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen "Snow Day" paper, cut out and adhere to lid of tin.
Create a tag using cardstock stickers, epoxy snowglobe stickers and ribbon scraps. Include instructions for making the cocoa on the back of the tag.
Instructions for Bow:
Cut #18572 Barb Tourtillotte's Simply Snowmen "Snow Day" paper in half, giving you a sheet that is 6x12 inches. Cut eight 6x12 pieces, one 1x4 inch piece, and four 1x5 inch pieces. Loop each strip of patterened paper for the "petals" of the bow and adhere at the ends with adhesive tab or ds tape. Punch a small hole about half and inch from the edge of the ends of each loop. The shortest strip is the center of the bow. Make a simple loop with it, adhere and punch a hole where the strips overlap. Starting with the center of the bow, push the brad through the hole and hold in place with your thumb. Thread the 4 short loops onto the brad one at a time, arranging them evenly around the middle loop. Thread 4 of the longer loops onto the brad, spacing them evenly around the short loops. Thread the final 4 long loops onto the brad and bend the brad tabs outward to hold the loops in place. "Fine tune" the loops, arranging them into a beautiful patterned paper bow.
Snow Day Cocoa ingredients and instructions:
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup powdered milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 cup minature chocolate chips. Pack into tin for gift giving. On tag, include the directions: For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Add marshmallows and Enjoy! You can also add fun variations like crushed candy canes or cinnamon to spice up your cocoa mix.
Today's winner is Terri "That Train is Da Bomb! The creativity abounds here and this is my new favorite scrappy blog to stalk! I absolutely love the Sam Chipboard box - it will be perfect for a family recipe box I have been collecting recipes and embellishments for. It's on my list of things to create in '08. But I have to admit, I'm still in love with your calendars."
This project created by our design team member, Patty Lennon is adorable!
Dear Santa,
You’ve got mail! December is that time of year when children are writing their letters to Santa and the grown-ups make lists to sneakily leave behind for their loved ones to find. We all know this is a special time of year filled with beautiful decorations, delicious treats, and the wish to find just the right gift for those people on your shopping list.
When I first saw the new Bare Elements Syndey Mailbox I thought it would make a darling little place to keep all my Christmas lists and letters to Santa. I will have to admit that I am as happy as can be to have these lists off of my refrigerator where they hung around with the dentist appointment reminders, school calendars and magnets. To decorate the outside of the mailbox, I selected the Studio Basics 101 glittery Jolly Dot and Jolly Stripe papers from the Jolly Collection. Bright, fun and playful are all words that can be used to describe this collection. You’re just gotta love these papers for holiday projects. I was pleasantly surprised to find that some of the elements from the Renae’s House Carole’s Christmas Collection also matched the Jolly Papers!
Right now, my mailbox is adorning my sofa table. Come Christmas Eve, however, I think it will be moved right onto the fireplace next to the plate of cookies and milk. Santa will be sure to find our lists there! Happy holidays to you and your family. Here’s hoping that Santa brings you something special from your list!
Supplies
Instructions
Congratulations Renee you are today's winner! "These projects are just the thing I need to start thinking about homemade gifts for 2008. Thank you for sharing these projects, and stoking my creativity. My favorite BE is still SAM which of course I can't find anywhere because it's sold out, and until yestderday I was unaware your selection of the glitter paper so this is my new favorite. Thanks again!"
I love the Bare Elements train that was created by our design team member, Tammy Gray. She combines the Marah Johnson's Rock Star collection and Narratives cream collection for a perfect addition to her Christmas decorations.
Christmas at the Gray's home is quite simple and nostalgic. We have one child and we often have my brother over, who is single. The four of us eat our individual Christmas quiches, wait for my husband to finally get around to making the coffee and enjoy being together. For us, Christmas really is not about the gifts per say, but all about togetherness. Merry Christmas from my family to yours.
Supplies
Instructions:
Another day closer to picking the Grand Prize of $100. Today our winner is Debbie "Fantastic Idea!! I have never seen these BE Veronika Gift Card holders in my local craft store, but would love to have some on hand throughout the year! I'm already thinking Valentines Day and Marah Johnson's Love Struck Papers! This blog is so inspirational!!!" Congratulations Debbie!
I think you will agree that Diane has created a beautiful frame to display her annual family Christmas photo.
All year long, I look forward to the Christmas holidays. I’ve always waited in anticipation of all of the activities and beauty that surround the holiday season. The decorations, the lights, the hustle and bustle of shopping, the holiday parties, and of course visiting with Santa. My children are 3 and 5 and are the perfect age for photos with Santa. We appear to be over the stage of being afraid of sitting on Santa’s lap which is a relief! Now, they run up to him and they can’t stand to wait to tell him what they want for Christmas. For the last three years, we have gone to a huge local store that has trains, decorations, hot chocolate, and of course photos with Santa. If my husband has his way, the children would just get their pictures taken and that would be great. But, every year I insist that we get a family photo with Santa. I figure that since I don’t have the opportunity to get into the picture very often that I’m not going to pass it up! Our Santa must have a long term contract because we’ve had the same Santa for the last 3 years! Gotta love it!
To display out annual photo with Santa, I created this frame to display in the house. Of course, I have also made another one to give to my parents and in-laws. They always remind me that they would like pictures of all of us and not just the kids. So, here you go! I hope you enjoy this project!
Supplies
#16288 Bare Elements Mona Frame
#18727 Debbie Mumm Botanical Winter Paper
#18730 Debbie Mumm Wintergreen Vine Paper
#15860 Narratives Black Polka Dot Scallop Paper
Berry Bunch
Red Ribbon
Mini Glue Dots
Liquid Glue
Instructions:
Cut 2 strips from #18727 Debbie Mumm Botanical Winter Paper approx. 2" x 9.75". Attach to top and bottom of frame.
Cut 2 strips of #18727 Debbie Mumm Botanical Winter Paper approx. 2" x 7.75". Attach to left and right side of frame.
Cut 2 strips of #18730 Debbie Mumm Wintergreen Vine Paper approx. 1" x 7.75". Attach to top and bottom inner edges of frame.
Cut 2 strips of #18730 Debbie Mumm Wintergreen Vine approx 1" x 5.75". Attach to left and right inner edge of frame.
Using liquid glue, attach berry bunch on bottom left of frame. Tie ribbon and attach to stem of berry bunch using mini glue dots.
A winner for Day Five ~ Angel W "What inspiring projects you are showing us! I'd love to get my hands on the winter garden collection and josh blocks! Keep the GREAT ideas coming. Thank you Angel for your comment and enjoy your gift!
Long gone are the days of wrapping paper filled livingrooms, scrambling for last minute batteries and late nights putting together toys for the little ones. It has been a few years since I shopped at our local Toy store or brought the children, list in hand, to sit on Santa's Lap.
Oh I still receive wish lists from my boys, but with the exception of a few specific requests, I find that their preference is gift cards. My Holiday shopping is now so much easier with a click of a mouse my shopping is done in hours not days. 
This year I have added a personalized handmade touch to every plastic gift card I have purchased for a family member, teacher, mailman or paperboy. The Bare Elements Veronika Gift Card is a quick and easy solution to adding a special message to those on your list.
Supplies
Instructions:
Add fine black pen stitching along outside and inside border. Add gift card and place under the tree!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from The Mezzetti Family!
Can you believe there is only 7 days until the Christmas and the announcment of our $100 Grand Prize Winner!! Our Day Four winner is Suzie Carpenter who wrote: "I still can not decide between Bare Elements Sam Box or Danelle Box and dozen books. CI has so many wonderful artists, I would use most anything from Christine Adolph or Reneas House collections. P.S. After yesterdays suggestion, I went shopping today and made several. Thanks!" Congratulations Suzie!
Our Day Five Quick and Easy gift was designed by Linda Auclair.
Every year since I was a little girl, I have wished for a white Christmas. As a lifetime resident of New Hampshire, I usually get my wish! I can remember riding in my Dad's truck when he would go out to plow driveways when i was quite young. My job was to pull the lever that raised and lowered the plow. I thought I was a big shot, and I looked forward to my Dad arriving home from work so we could head out and take care of everyone before dinner time. I'd be chilled and sleepy when we got home, but always proud that I was my Dad's little helper.
When I was old enough to go to school, I remember looking forward to snow days with great anticipation. My sister and I would play in the snow for hours, building forts, making snow angels, and whole families of snowmen. Mom and Dad would get inot the fun as well and we'd all have a great time, and then go outside to warm up, drink cocoa and eat cookies.
But the best snow of all was the snow that fell right around Christmas time. My sister and I would help my Dad with our little shovels and brooms sweeping the front porch and walkway singing the "We are Santa's Elves" song from Rudolph. We had a cute light-up snowman who kept us company out there while we worked, and I'm sure that that's where my snowman affection began.
When I was planning Christmas gifts this year, I thought that it would be nice to remind my sister of our shared love ofo ur New Hampshire winters and snow, and this framed piece is my gift to her.
Supplies:
Instructions:
